CHAPTER XII.
THE SALINAS VALLEY.
Our friends journeyed forward until broad daylight, when they foundthemselves fairly among the high range of hills which in this portion ofCalifornia comes down almost to the edge of the sea. The scenery wasbleak and rugged, and the country was barren and showed very few signsof vegetation, so that for all practical purposes they were littlebetter than if in the sandy desert of the south-eastern portion of theState.
They observed, too, a disagreeable change in the climate. The moistwinds of the Pacific being cooled by these mountains caused the air tobecome chilly and foggy and all felt the need of additional clothing.
They had now concluded to pass through these hills to the Salinas Valleyand then follow this northward until they reached the more settledportion of California, or come upon a party of miners or hunters, inwhose company they could feel safe against the treacherous Indians, andwho might perhaps afford them their much-needed weapons and moreabundant food.
The latter question assumed the first importance with them. They saw nofruits, and very few animals. The discharge of their rifle wasdangerous, as it could be heard at a great distance, and if there is anycreature that is extraordinarily inquisitive it is the Americanaborigine.
Several times they heard the faint report of guns in the distance, butfor some days saw no human beings except themselves. At night, when theylay down to rest, Terror kept a more faithful watch over them thaneither of their number could do. They generally found some secure placeamong the rocks where they could slumber in safety.
On the third day after the shipwreck they crossed the dividing ridge andhad a view of Salinas or San Buenaventura Valley. It was comparativelynarrow, looking straighter than it really was, from the towering CoastRange that rose in vast massive ridges, several of the peaks piercingthe clouds and reaching far up into the snow line. This was indeed animpassable barrier to their further progress beyond the valley, had theywished to make the attempt; for among those wild regions, where atmidsummer the snow is whirled in blinding eddies, and the storm howlsthrough gorges and canyons, and the lost traveler gropes blindly for asecure foothold along the mountain paths--it would have been fatal forthem to venture without a sure guide.
The Salinas Valley looked like a garden to them, and was indeed apromised land. There was fruit in abundance, and every prospect ofmeeting some of their own people. The Buenaventura, years ago, was afabled river, and the geographies made it a huge stream, taking everycourse except the true one. They found it a river inferior in breadthand length to the Hudson, but vastly more interesting from its primevalcharacter and the wild scenery along its banks.
On the eastern slope of the mountains they discerned a great variety oftrees, among them the _Palo Colorado_ or Lambertine fir, some of them adozen feet in diameter, although they did not attain any remarkableheight. These were not the colossal pines so famous the world over.There were quite a number of beech, sycamore, oak, spruce, and maple,and other trees whose particular names they were unable to tell.
There was a noticeable change in the climate also. The air had partedwith a great deal of its moisture, and although very warm, it had adryness about it that made it more grateful and pleasant than thecoolness along the coast.
When fairly in the Salinas Valley, and along the river, they found thevegetation remarkably luxuriant. Oats grew wild in many places, and theplants partook greatly of a tropical character. Grapes were veryabundant, although it was too early in the season to find them ripe; yetthey gathered a few berries that were very pleasant to the taste.
The first day among the hills was spent like the first one onshore--without food, although they had so gormandized themselves on thepreceding evening that they were able to stand this privation muchbetter.
On the second morning among the hills, just as they had risen andresumed their journey, Terror gave notice of something unusual in hischaracteristic manner--by halting and uttering a low whine. At thatmoment they were making their way around a huge mass of rocks, in a paththat seemed to have been worn by the feet of wild animals. Tim paused,cocked his rifle and held it ready for instant use, while the boyslooked around for some covert into which to retreat, if dangerthreatened.
While they stood in anxious suspense, an animal about the size of Terrorwalked leisurely into view, and catching sight of the strangers raisedits head with a look of alarm, then uttered a shrill _baa-aa_ after themanner of affrighted sheep, and turned to flee. But he was too valuablea prize to be let run away in this manner, and ere he could turn round,or the Newfoundland could reach him, Tim had sent a bullet through hishead that tumbled him over and over as if he had been hit by acannon-ball.
Hurrying up to him, they found they had been fortunate enough to securea good large mountain sheep, a species of animal that run wild inCalifornia, and at certain seasons of the year are in prime condition.This was found only tolerable, but he was fully appreciated by ourfriends. Tim O'Rooney had managed to conceal a second knife about hisperson when bargaining with the Indian--one made on the liberal ideasthat was displayed in the construction of his watch, and far more usefulthan the ornamental trifles that the boys carried.
With the help of this and the anatomical knowledge he possessed, he wasnot long in dressing the sheep, and everything was made ready forcooking him. The sticks were placed together, the choice steaks weresuspended on cross pieces, and the leaves heaped up, only awaitingignition.
"I declare!" exclaimed Howard, "how are we going to kindle it?"
Every face looked blank, for the thought had never entered their mindsuntil that moment.
"Haven't yees a match about you?" he asked, turning to the boys.
Naturally enough the two searched every pocket, and having finishedsearched them over again, even turning them wrong side out, and thenturning them in and turning them wrong side out again; but all in vain,there was not a lucifer in the party.
"Too bad!" exclaimed Elwood, "we are all as hungry as we can be, and weshall have to remain so for the want of fire."
"If we wait a while we'll not need the match."
"Why not?"
"It isn't very hard to git hungry enough to ate the same without waitingfor the benefit of cooking."
"I can't do that," added Elwood, with an expression of disgust.
"Nor can I," added Howard.
"I've done it, and found it tasted good," said Tim, "and so wouldyez--but howld on! One of yez whack me over the head!"
"For what?" they demanded in amazement.
"For being an owld fool, and be the same towken it's yourselves that isthe same."
"We do not understand you," they said, in some perplexity.
"Yez are talking about fire when we has it here at hand."
They looked inquiringly around, but did not understand the allusionuntil he began loading the gun, when a new light broke upon them, andthey smiled knowingly at each other.
Tim put in a good wadding composed of dry leaves, and placing the muzzleof his gun among the leaves that they had gathered for ignition, hedischarged it. The intense flame of fire that streamed forth for aninstant communicated itself to the kindlings, and this being quickly andvigorously blown by all three, almost immediately spread into a blaze,the wood gathered heat speedily, and in a few minutes the juicy steaksof the mountain sheep were steaming and ready for the voracious mouthsof the four gathered around.