the
upper portion of their thighs. This loose skin resembled the wings of
the common house bat, and when spread out, as it always did in the
water, looked like the membrane lining of the legs and fore feet of the
chipmunk.

Fourth. The hands and feet were distinguished for much greater length of
toe and finger; and their extremities grew together like the toes of a
duck, forming a complete web betwixt all the fingers and toes.

The Pol-i-wogs lived chiefly upon fish and oysters, of which there was
once a great abundance in the lake. They were likewise cannibals, and
ate their enemies without stint or compunction. A young Washoe girl was
considered a feast, but a lake maiden was the _ne plus ultra_ of
luxuries. The Washoes reciprocated the compliment, and fattened upon the
blubber of the Pol-i-wogs. It is true that they were extremely difficult
to capture, for, when hotly pursued, they plunged into the lake, and by
expert swimming and extraordinary diving, they generally managed to
effect their escape.

Juan having exhausted his budget concerning the Pol-i-wogs, I requested
him to give us as minute a description of the Lake Mermaids. This he
declined for the present to do, alleging as an excuse that we would
first attempt to capture, or at least to see one for ourselves, and if
our hunt was unsuccessful, he would then gratify our curiosity.

It was some days before we came in sight of this magnificent sheet of
water. Finally, however, after many perilous adventures in descending
the Sierras, we reached the margin of the lake. Our first care was to
procure trout enough to last until we got ready to return. That was an
easy matter, for in those days the lake was far more plentifully
supplied than at present. We caught many thousands at a place where a
small brook came down from the mountains, and formed a pool not a great
distance from its entrance into the lake, and this pool was alive with
them. It occupied us but three days to catch, clean, and sun-dry as many
as our single mule could carry, and having still nearly a week to spare
we determined to start off in pursuit of the mermaids.

Our guide faithfully conducted us to the spot where he beheld the
conflict between the last of the Pol-i-wogs and one of the water-men. As
stated above, it is nearly on the spot where Tahoe City now stands. The
battle was a fierce one, as the combatants were equally matched in
strength and endurance, and was finally terminated only b