therefore determined to dispatch Bradley and Jose back to Sutter’s Fort for a supply, it being stipulated that Bradley should share in the gold we might find during their absence.  This arrangement being duly concluded, they started off the following morning on horseback, driving before them the two beasts we purchased at Sutter’s.  We instructed Bradley, if possible, to buy a light wagon, in which to store the provisions he was to bring back.  The two extra horses would be able to draw it, and such a vehicle would be useful in many respects.  He took with him two hundred and fifty dollars’ worth of gold, so as to be in sufficient funds, in case the sum demanded should be an over-exorbitant one.

They departed on Tuesday, and we continued our labours.  Towards the afternoon of that day, I had a piece of great good luck.  I was digging up the earth to throw into the cradle, when I turned up a lump of ore about the size of a small walnut, which I knew at once was a piece of gold.  It weighed two ounces and three-quarters.  This, by the law of the diggings—­for it is curious how soon a set of rude regulations sprung into existence, which everybody seemed to abide by—­belonged to myself and not to the party, it being found before the earth was thrown into the cradle, and being over half an ounce in weight.  Higher up the Sacramento, and particularly on Bear River, one of its tributaries, these lumps and flakes were said to be frequently met with; but at the Mormon digging they are very rare.

On Thursday, about sundown, we were delighted to see the approach of Bradley with a well-loaded wagon of light but strong construction.  He had just arrived in time, for our larder was almost exhausted.  We were prepared, however, to have stood out another day or two on short rations, rather than pay the prices asked at the shanties.  Bradley gave us a short account of the expedition.  They reached Sutter’s in safety, and found the Fort as busy as though it was tenanted by a swarm of bees.  A sort of hotel had at last been opened, and the landlord was driving a roaring trade.  The emigrants were pouring in, purchasing shovels, trowels, pans, and whatever else they wanted, at high prices.  Profitable as was the washing business, Bradley said he suspected the storekeepers at the Fort were clearing more by their branch of the enterprise than if they had their hands in the pan themselves.  He found Captain Sutter well and hearty, and, the morning after his arrival, consulted him about a wagon.  The Captain, however, had none he felt inclined to sell, nor was there such a thing to be got in the fort.  After some consideration, however, Captain Sutter said that Mr. Sinclair, whose rancho was about three miles off, on the opposite bank of the river, might be able to accommodate him.  Accordingly, Bradley made the best of his way there, but found Mr. Sinclair indisposed to trade.  At length, after a good deal of persuasion, Bradley succeeded in hiring a wagon and a wagoner of him for a week.