My poor beast now came to a stand, and if he had been a descendant of Balaam's ass, and had inherited his power of speech, would in all probability have told me, that he could go no further, and that I must shift for myself; and would also have asked me to look at his back, which I accidentally did, and found it completely raw. 1 was now six miles from Panama, the company had all gone ahead, except those pedestrians who had been unhorsed, and who were scrabbling along as well as they were able. I was quite exhausted, and my feet much swollen. I took an affectionate leave of my poor animal, and left him to his fate, while I calmly resigned myself to mine.
My shoes, in consequence of being saturated with mud, were almost useless. I found it hard work to get along. But that ever-abiding talisman and watchword go ahead, which has cheered me in many subsequent difficulties, gave me a new impetus. I found it necessary to sit down and rest quite often, and though hungry and thirsty, that cheering promise contained in God's word, fear not, for I am with thee, inspired me with strength and courage; and at eight o'clock in the evening reached the shanty hotel, called Oregon House. It was full to over flowing; but no matter for that, lam with thee, rung in my ears. I applied to the landlord, who very kindly gave me a small cot bedstead, without bed or bedding upon it, and on which I threw my weary body, and after resting a while, obtained some food, and again lie down, but not to sleep.
For, overhead, there were crowds of half drunken fellows, who kept up such a hideous roaring, that to sleep was impossible. My cot was within two feet of a sick man, who had been taken down with fever. At midnight, he began to groan in a most distressing manner. I spoke to him in a soothing tone; he was evidently in much pain, and was fearful that he was going to die. I arose, and asked if I could assist him in any way, he answered, no. I then began to cheer him up; offering my assistance in any shape, and told him not to think of dying in this wretched hole. I got him a swallow of brandy, which soon relieved his pain, and in the morning he was much better.
I afterwards saw him in San Francisco. He was then a great strapping fellow, big enough to eat part of an ox. And, to digress a moment from my narrative, I would remark, that I firmly believe many die before their time. I do not wish to enter into an argument on this point; for, perhaps the reader may stop here, and ask, how any one can die before their appointed time. Neither do I now have any reference to suicides, but wish merely to state my position, and then leave the subject, after relating one or two examples that have come within my own observation. In the course of my narrative, I shall have occasion to mention several instances which may be relied on as facts.
It is well known, that the nervous system has a great deal to do with animal life, and those who possess weak nerves, are easily excited. Many cases have occurred, where persons have dropped dead under sudden excitement, either from fear or joy. The nervous system is the balance wheel which regulates the physical and mental powers, and when that is deranged, we are comparatively good for nothing. Now let us apply this to a sick person, who, probably, may have been previous to their illness, of what is usually called a nervous temperament. Sickness having rendered what was weak before, still weaker. Suppose it to be a young lady; she is taken suddenly ill. Eelatives, friends, and acquaintances, will naturally call to see her, and though her sickness may not be of a fatal character, yet, one of these intruding visitors, may be an old Granny, who, with spectacled eyes, and a look of horror, declares that the "poor, dear creature r' is going, just as her dear Betsey did.
She sees the same deathly looJc, and she must die ivlietlier or no; and she does die. Now, as I have before observed, without going into an argument, say, that if this young lady had seen a few cheerful companions, or a judicious clergyman, in all probability she would not have died, or at all events her life mio-bt have been prolonged. This is not a fancy sketch, and I could name parallel instances, were it not for taking up too much time, at the present stage of my journey to California. Will only add one case where resolution on the part of the patient, kind and encouraging conversation by the visitor, has produced a speedy recovery, and radical cure.