We left the valley in a warm and genial sunshine, about 11 o’clock, and commenced ascending another high mountain, timbered as those I have previously described.  When we reached the summit, we were enveloped in clouds, and the rain was falling copiously, and a wintry blast drove the cold element to our skins.  Crossing this mountain three or four miles, we descended its sleep sides, and entered another beautiful and romantic hollow, divided as it were into various apartments by short ranges of low conical hills, covered to their summits with grass and wild oats.  The grass and other vegetation on the level bottom are very rank, indicating a soil of the most prolific qualities.  In winding through this valley, we met four Indians on foot, armed with long bows, and arrows of corresponding weight and length, weapons that I have not previously seen among the Indians.  Their complexions were lighter than those of the rancheria Indians of California.  They evidently belonged to some more northern tribe.  We stopped them to make inquiries, but they seemed to know nothing of the country, nor could we learn from them from whence they came or where they were going.  They were clothed in dressed skins, and two of them were highly rouged.

Ascending and descending gradually over some low hills, we entered another circular valley, through which flows a stream, the waters of which, judging from its channel, at certain seasons are broad and deep.  The ground, from the rains that have recently fallen and are now falling, is very soft, and we had difficulty in urging our tired animals across this valley.  We soon discovered fresh cattle signs, and afterwards a large herd grazing near the stream.  Farther on, we saw five old and miserably emaciated Indian women, gathering grass-seed for bread.  This process is performed with two baskets, one shaped like a round shield, and the other having a basin and handle.  With the shield the lop of the grass is brushed, and the seed by the motion is thrown into the deep basket held in the other hand.  The five women appeared at a distance like so many mowers cutting down the grass of a meadow.  These women could give us no satisfaction in response to inquiries, but pointed over the river indicating that we should there find the casa and rancheria.  They then continued their work with as much zeal and industry as if their lives were dependent upon the proceeds of their labour, and I suppose they were.

Crossing the river, we struck a trail which led us to the casa and rancheria, about two miles distant.  The casa was a small adobe building, about twelve feet square, and was locked up.  Finding that admission was not to be gained here, we hailed at the rancheria, and presently some dozen squalid and naked men, women, and children, made their appearance.  We inquired for the mayor domo, or overseer.  The chief speaker signified that he was absent, and that he did not expect hint to return until several suns rose and set.  We then signified we were hungry, and very soon a loaf made of pulverized acorns, mingled with wild fruit of some kind, was brought to us with a basket of water.  These Indians manufacture small baskets which are impervious to water, and they are used as basins to drink from, and for other purposes.