Continued along, and at last reached the load of hay, from which I took my departure with joy. How true it is, that in life, never mind what our trouble may be, or how deeply we may be afflicted, if we can but find a friend that will point us to an object, from which we may travel joyfully on to deliverance, how sweet is that friendship? and tliat friend is God. I now placed myself between the ruts, and where they were not clearly defined, cast my eyes behind, until I caught the line, and kept straight ahead, when they soon appeared again. My fatigue was excessive, yet nothing could be seen ahead but the dim line of earth, bounded by the sky.
To my great joy, I came to a stone about as large in diameter as a peck measure. Robinson Crusoe was not more astonished at the foot print in the sand, than I was at the sight of this rock. I sat down. You who loll upon divans, and downy cushioned chairs, know nothing of luxury, compared to mine, on this hard seat upon this prairie of mud, but we arc never satisfied; soon I wanted something to lean my hack against, and then probably should have wanted a pillow. I had no time to spare, as it was verging toward sundown, and after dark it would be impossible to discern my guiding lines. I started off.again, much refreshed, and after travelling an hour, thought I could discern a white speck, that looked like a tent, and on my right there was a lone tree.
Soon the village of Suterville hove in sight. Now I was safe! and walked over to the tree. Strange as it may appear, this tree was truly, solitary and alone, not another within four miles, and only a few feet from the ground there was a large limb that grew out horizontally from the trunk, with smaller ones, so arranged, that it made an excellent couch. I lay down upon it, and had a good sleep. When I awoke the lights were a sufficient guide, and soon found myself in a good tent, with a pot of hot coffee, and a fine beef steak. Eubbed myself down with a coarse cloth, went to bed, and next morning was good as new.
The brig arrived that afternoon, and the crew left her as soon as they could get ashore. Lumber was now rapidly on the decline, and by the time the brig was discharged, it had become quite dull. Our little steamer having performed so well, we concluded to lengthen her out. which would make her much more valuable. Our steam crew, however, were part owners, and concluded to give up steamboating, and try something more congenial with their comfort and education. They sold out their interest. We then took her down to San Francisco, and added thirty-five feet to her length. After doing tins, sold her. San Francisco was now in its zenith of imaginary wealth, and of real wickedness: for, though there were ministers of the Gospel, judges and juries and a regular municipal government, yet, it might in truth be said, there existed neither law, gospel, or order.
The greatest outra^es against individual rislit wore not only tolerated, but sanctioned by the law. Immediately, on the arrival of a ship, the crews, in open violation of the contract which they entered into, by signing the articles, deserted, even before the ship had anchored; this, too, in open defiance of captain or mate. The law not only sustained them in this villanous act, but obliged the master to pay them their forfeited wages. Murders and robberies were committed in open daylight, and the perpetrators, if arrested at all, were, by bribery, suffered to escape. The polls were guarded with bowie-knives and pistols, in the hands of reckless and profligate scoundrels. Candidates for office, who could furnish the greatest quantity of intoxicating, liquor and continue it the longest, were generally successful.
If a stranger died, who had no one to look after his effects, the public administrator was sure to get the whole. There were many who made great pretensions to piety, who kept up a system of espionage over others, writing to their friends at home, making statements highly derogatory and injurious to their reputation; and these same fellows were violating the Sabbath and doing many things under a cloak which they dare not do openly. ' Verily they have their reward. Among the ministers of the gospel, there were some who were godly, praying men, but there were others, who had assumed that sacred calling, that cared more for gold than for the immortal souls of men, and they proved it too, for some of them became gamblers.