one, several poor
wretches sunk down exhausted, in vain imploring the rest to carry them
on. Sad were their cries; but our breasts were steeled against their
appeals. We had our own safety to consult, and the gold mines were
before us. Among those who sunk down were several who carried flasks of
spirits. Our guides declared that we should reach water before sunset.
This kept up the spirits of the stronger men. They were mistaken, or
had purposely deceived us to encourage us to proceed. Again we slept on
the burning sand, with our pistols in our hands, and our water-bottles
under our heads, ready at a moment's notice to defend ourselves against
either Indians, wolves, or our own companions, who, tempted by thirst,
might endeavour to steal the water we found so precious. The howling of
the wolves in the distance, and the groans, and often the imprecations
of those suffering from thirst, drove away sleep; and I, with others,
started up to reach the river, which we were assured was not more than
fifteen miles off. In four or five hours it might be reached. We
pushed on at a rapid rate, our mules following willingly, instinct
telling them that relief was at hand. The green trees appeared in
sight, and the water, bright and limpid, was seen between them. We
hurried on--men and animals together rushing into the stream, the men
lapping the water up like dogs, and dipping their whole bodies in
without even stopping to pull off any of their clothes. It is a wonder
the sudden change from heat to cold did not kill some of us; but the
fact is, that our pores were so completely closed up with dust that the
bath, by removing the dirt, allowed the perspiration to escape and saved
us from fever. A few turns in the sun soon dried our garments, and then
delightful indeed was it to throw ourselves on the grass, in the shade
of the tall trees, and to rest after our fatigue. One man proposed that
we should load our mules with water and go back for our poor comrades
who had dropped in the desert, if the caravan would camp for a couple of
days; but the proposal was instantly negatived with derision.

"What! did he forget that we were bound for the diggings? Lose two
whole days which might be employed in collecting the gold of which we
were so eagerly in search! Scarcely had our companions came up than on
we pushed. The diggings were at hand; the nearer we got to them, the
more eager we became to commence work. We reached at l