,
exactly under the parallel of 39 deg. north latitude, and at the southern
point of a mountain called the Crooked Back-bone. The Indians first
landed in a small canoe we had provided ourselves with, to see if the
coast was clear; and in the evening the schooner was far on her way
back, while we were digging a cachette to conceal the baggage, which we
could not carry. Even my saddle was wrapped up in a piece of canvas, and
deposited in a deep bed of shale. Among other things presented to me in
Monterey, were two large boxes covered with tin, and containing English
fire-works, which, in the course of events, performed prodigies, and
saved many scalps when all hope of succour had been entirely given up.
The Montereyans are amazingly fond of these fire-works, and every vessel
employed in the California trade for hides has always a large supply
of them.

When all our effects were concealed, we proceeded first in an easterly,
and next in a north-westerly direction, in the hope of coming across
some of the horses belonging to the tribe. We had reckoned right. At the
break of day we entered a natural pasture of clover, in which hundreds
of them were sleeping and grazing; but as we had walked more than thirty
miles, we determined to take repose before we should renew our journey.

I had scarcely slept an hour when I was roused by a touch on my
shoulder. At first, I fancied it was a dream, but as I opened my eyes, I
saw one of my Indians with his fingers upon his lips to enjoin me to
silence, while his eyes were turned towards the open prairie. I
immediately looked in that direction, and there was a sight that acted
as a prompt anti-soporific. About half a mile from us stood a band of
twenty Indians, with their war-paint and accoutrements, silently and
quietly occupied in tying the horses. Of course they were not of our
tribe, but belonged to the Umbiquas, a nation of thieves on our northern
boundary, much given to horse-stealing, especially when it was not
accompanied by any danger. In the present instance they thought
themselves safe, as the Shoshones had gone out against the Crows, and
they were selecting at their leisure our best animals. Happily for us,
we had encamped amidst thick bushes, upon a spot broken and difficult of
access to quadrupeds, otherwise we should have been discovered, and
there would have been an end to my adventures.

We awoke our companions, losing no time in forming a council of war.
Fight them we