t was overwhelming to find a
pyramid rising one hundred and twenty feet from its base. It was level
at the top, and about fifty feet square, and afforded an easy ascent on
the opposite side from which it leaned. This pyramid projected ten
degrees from the perpendicular. I am inclined to think it was not built
in that position, but has been thrown out of an erect construction by
some convulsion of nature which, at the same time, displaced and threw
down the top. This conclusion we arrived at unanimously on examining
the structure, and a mass of fallen stone that lay at the base on the
side towards which it leaned. These were in a pile, shelving from the
pyramid, looking as though but lately fallen from above. If we were
right in our conclusion, the structure must have been one hundred and
fifty feet high. The sand had accumulated about its base to a great
depth, a fact we ascertained by digging it away a few feet. To lay bare
the shaft to the base was a greater task than we were able to
accomplish, and we left it to be more thoroughly explored by some
future antiquarian.[18]

[18] Early in the year 1853, a party of California explorers came
across this same pyramid, but as they were not prepared to
investigate it nothing new was elicited.

"It is impossible to describe the sensation we felt in standing before
this monument of the past--this proof of a once strong and powerful
people, who erected the structure. We knew that no European had ever
gazed on it before, and we almost expected to see the builders,
indignant at our intrusion, start up from the desert around, and drive
us from their shrines. Pursuing our journey, we found the road dotted
on either side, at intervals, with evidences of a once civilized
people; but nearly every vestige of peculiar interest about them had
been destroyed by time, save the bare blocks of granite, cut into
various forms to please the mysterious builders, all, all was gone! and
desolation had made their pleasant places her abode."

Twelve years have passed since Mr. Duncan and his family settled on the
California coast of the Pacific; and, in conclusion, let us look in
once more upon them and witness their prosperous condition.

In a neat and tastily arranged cottage sits a woman in the prime of
matronly beauty, with love and happiness beaming from her soft blue
eyes, as they wander in gratified pride from a fine boy some eight
years old, who stands at her side, to