taking lodgings "au naturel." But ere we had commenced operations, our shore friends, whom we had left a short distance behind, came along, dragging the corpse of a huge grizzly bear, which they had shot within the sound of a rifle from our camp, and moreover, they gladdened our hearts with the carcass of a fat doe, which a few moments before had had no idea of taking a journey on horseback. Now, while we freely forgave them the doe, we could not help bemoaning our hard luck at not being "in at the death" of Bruin, as we had heard terrible tales concerning game of that species; but swallowing our regrets like true philosophers, we set instantly to work with our knives, and speedily stripped the ungracious rascal of his shaggy coat, exposing to view a set of nerves and muscles which indicated that the proprietor would have proved rather unpleasantly affectionate at a close hug. Our friends first saw him on the plain, and in utter contempt of the laws of chivalry took him at a disadvantage, and despatched him with repeated rifle-shots before he could get to cover. As I could not participate in his "taking off," I feel it incumbent upon me to deliver his funeral sermon, and like Anthony on a similar occasion, I beg the reader to "bear with me." But in performing this duty, I cannot follow established usages, and eulogise the great defunct. A proper regard for truth compels me to say that, like old Joey B., he was rough and tough albeit not “ devilish sly." In fact his flesh was about as easily masticated, and not half so digestible as whipcord. I do not intend to dispute with those who aver in the abstract, that bear steaks are a luxury; but, so far as this particluar bear was concerned, I am not to be convinced "in spite of my teeth." But if the bear was not to be borne, the doe was not in the same category, and we took a sweet revenge upon her fat ribs, which we roasted with savage delight, and discussed with ravenous appetites. Having supped full of doe, we gathered around a fire which the cool air of evening rendered extremely

comfortable, and drawing our blankets over our heads to escape the effects of a thick mist which was gathering around us, we gradually talked ourselves asleep, not without misgivings that the next of kin of our tough friend might undertake to avenge the murder of their clansman.

At early dawn we were again in the saddle, and dividing into pairs, started off in different directions for the morning hunt for after the sun is up the deer catch the scent far quicker than when the dew is upon the grass. My companion and guide was an accomplished woodsman, well skilled in the "art of venerie," like most of our compatriots, who have crossed the Rocky Mountains. We immediately ascended to the top of the highest range of hills in sight, and I found an abundant reward for my pains in a view of the most beautiful, singular and novel scenery I had ever before beheld. It was the charming month of May, and the heights on which we rode, although thousands of feet above the level of the sea, were lavishly strewed with wild flowers of a hundred hues, larger and more beautiful than any I had ever seen. On the plain below was growing a crop of oats, sowed and cultivated by nature's hand alone, and the bright green stems shot up more thickly and luxuriantly than in any cultivated field I have ever beheld, the rapidly filling ears giving promise of an abundant crop, destined to furnish food only to the wild beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, while what remained would be sown broadcast by the winds of heaven, to be reproduced a hundred fold the next season. The deep vales were filled with fine timber and thick underbrush, and while we stood upon a lofty eminence forming a portion of an amphitheatre of hills, the glorious sun rose above a distant range, producing effects which varied every moment with his increasing altitude. The space between us and those opposite distant hills was like a misty lake, bounded by them as though they were remote shores, while here and there a wooded peak shot up like an island,

the seeming lake rolling its agitated and unsubstantial waves of pearl and opal to our very feet. This magnificent scene was gradually dissipated by the rising sun, and at length a few evanescent clouds clinging to the mountain's sides alone told of the splendid morning picture we had witnessed. Yet what remained after these brilliant accessories had passed away, was beautiful exceedinglyas beautiful as the real can be when divested of the ideal. Here were majestic mountains, expansive plains, rugged ravines, fragrant groves, verdure of exquisite freshness, flowers of a thousand tints, and fast-flowing rivulets dashing on to that benignant old ocean whose blue waves seemed to stretch out in one direction into boundless space. And here we were alone with nature, for the habitations of men were not to be seen, and we stood on virgin soil unstained by crime, and seldom trodden by any of Caucasian blood. And what could be more exciting amidst such primitive scenes than the bound of the deer startled at the appoach of hostile strangers? Alas! that man should be so frail, so inconsistent, as to admire nature, and yet be intent upon destroying the poor harmless animals which inhabit her wildest and most secluded haunts. But so it was; and when I popped at a fat buck, dashing by us at the top of his speed, all I regretted was, that I had only a shot gun instead of a rifle. I had no sort of regard for the poor creature's life, but thirsting for innocent blood, thought only to slay and eat. Imagine then the awkwardness of a shot-gun for hunting such game! However, in a few hours, we killed no less than five good fat deer-that is to say my companions killed four and wounded a fifth, which I finished with a charge of buck-shot. We selected the choicest parts of the poor creatures, and bore them triumphantly to our camp, where we arrived at noon, and made such a breakfast as can be eaten only by sportsmen.

We staid here a few days hunting around the country, but, to my great sorrow, we saw no more bears, they

having probably taken the alarm from my shot-gun. some of that interesting family were undoubtedly not far from us a fact which was shown by the appearance of a luxuriant field of wild clover growing up as high as the bellies of our horses, which the bears had evidently been demolishing. Bruin, like some other animals, loves to be "in clover," and his choicest Apician morsels consist of the ripe sweet heads of that fragrant grass, which he takes by way of desert after venison. But he seems to hate man as cordially as Lord Byron did, loves solitude equal to Zimmerman, and, like many other prejudiced and ill-bred beasts of the wilder sort, gives the lord of creation as wide a berth as possible. Let a man come within the beat of bruin, and he will be smelt out and avoided, unless he come upon the beast unawares; and indeed, it may be remarked, that wild animals in general seem to regard man as the most ferocious and dreadful among all the beasts of prey-with what justice, let those decide who know the gentle and peaceful habits of human kind.

On our way homewards, we made a small detour to a wild and savage glen, shut in by perpendicular precipices and "horrid crags," very aptly called by the people "los infernos." This interesting locality is said to be a favorite resort of the bear population, who retreat to these damp and gloomy solitudes for coolness and shade. It is chiefly remarkable for a group of monstrous red-wood trees, greatly resembling the cedars of Lebanon, which taking root in the humid earth of "los infernos," (which by good rights should be dry), shoot upwards to the light, pushing their spiry tops to a level with the brink of the precipice, at least two hundred feet above. These trees were of enor

mous girth, and I rode into the cavities of several which would easily have held another horse and man at the same time. Vegetation, like every thing else, is on a vast scale in California, which will yet prove one of the brightest stars in the American galaxy.

40

TOM COLE AND THE BEAR.

A few days after our return "to town," another hunting party was formed, consisting in part of several of our officers. This time they resolved to see the elephant," that is, the bear. Accordingly, after spending a day or two at the " camp," they selected a spot for placing the bait, which was composed of the carcasses of several deer which had yielded their tender haunches and savoury saddles to the camp fare. With guns and rifles ready for execution, the party lay perdu until daylight, meditating a violent death to " cuffee," should he be tempted by the "broken victuals." But having waited in vain, they returned to camp, breakfasted, and prepared for the morning hunt. The sun was already up when they started, and they were passing the remote and shady nook where the bait had been left, without supposing it had been visited by the wary bear. But sure enough, there was bruin, alias cuffee, in his own proper person, busily employed in burying the dainty morsels, which were as yet too fresh and recently killed to suit his fastidious taste. Probably feeling that he had been trifled with, and not relishing the interruption, the enraged animal, at one fierce bound, seated himself en croupe with Tom Cole, the guide and file-leader of the party, taking that intrepid son of Nimrod in his arms with a truly fraternal embrace. Those behind drew bridle, dismounted, prepared their pieces, but dared not shoot, so close was the identity of Tom and the bear. But if they could not succeed by force of arms, they were more fortunate in using the force of lungs, and were well supported in the rear by Tom's horse, who intimated very strongly his disgust at this novel way of carrying double. By these means Tom was liberated from his dangerous neighbor, his gamusa (buckskin) having been proof against the teeth and claws of the monster. But now it was Tom's turn. With perfect self-possession, he dismounted his trembling charger, and the very next instant his unerring rifle had sent its fatal messenger through the lungs of the retreating foe. No second shot was