We then began our search for water and found a spring about three quarters of a mile away, to which we laid claim, and with a triangle level began to survey out a route for our ditch.  The survey was satisfactory, and we found we could bring the water out high on the flat, so we set to work digging at it, and turned the water in.  The ground was so very dry that all the water soaked up within two hundred yards of the spring.

By this time we were out of grub, and some one must go for a new supply, and as we knew the trail to Downieville was terribly rough, I was chosen as the one to try to find Nevada City, which we thought would be nearer and more easily reached.  So I started south with the donkeys, up the mountain toward the ridge which lies between the middle and south Yuba Rivers, and when I got well on the ridge I found a trail used some by wagons, which I followed till I came to a place where the ridge was only wide enough for a wagon, and at the west end a faint trail turned off south into the rolling hills.  I thought this went about the course I wanted to go, so I followed it, and after two or three miles came to the south Yuba river.  This seemed to be an Indian trail, no other signs on it.  I climbed the mountain here, and when I reached the top I found a large tent made of blue drilling, and here I found I was four or five miles from Nevada City with a good trail to follow.  The rolling hills I then passed through are now called North Bloomfield, and at one time were known as “Humbug.”

I started along the trail and soon reached the city where I drove my donkeys up to a store which had out the sign “Davis & Co..”  I entered and inquiring the prices of various sorts of provisions such as flour, bacon, beans, butter, etc., soon had selected enough for two donkey loads.  They assisted me in putting them in pack, and when it was ready I asked the amount of my bill, which was one hundred and fifty dollars.  This I paid at once, and they gave me some crackers and dried beef for lunch on the way.  Davis said—­“That is the quickest sale I ever made, and here the man is ready to go.  I defy any one to beat it.”  Before sun down I was two or three miles on my way back where I found some grass and camped for the night, picketed the animals, ate some of Mr. Davis’ grub for supper, and arranged a bed of saddle blankets.  I arrived at camp the next day about sun down.

Next day I went on up the divide and found a house on the trail leading farther east, where two men lived, but they seemed to be doing nothing.  There were no mines and miners near there, and there seemed to be very little travel on the trail.  The fellows looked rough, and I suspected they might be bad characters.  The stream they lived near was afterward called Bloody Run, and there were stories current that blood had been shed there.