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53 Mormon Island Cal Nov 15th 1849. This has been a day of sunshine struggling through clouds. The rainy season or winter appears to have commenced for during the last weeks rain has fallen profusely. The earth has become soft and miry - teaming and travelling are nearly at an end. Teamsters with the natural sagacity of men - discovering necessity knows no price - demand exorbitent prices for transportation. We have desired also to change our location but the rains have caught us ere the consummation of our purposes. Ill luck in mining. Aobut $4.00 is the returns of our days laborer. This is enogh to discourage a very model of patience.
November 16th Friday. To day the clouds have poured their contents down in right good earnest. In vain with manful resolution we soaked in the banks - no assiduity - no inattention to the elements could preserve us from avet coats. No luck to day. We thought under the roots of a tree surely there was gold for us - but some miner had been before hand with us - we tumbled the rocks - shoveled the dirt from beneath - cut off the large roots but all to no purpose. Discouraged and with soaked clothes we returned to the tent. So goes the great gold prospects of us California Adventurers. We only grow wiser by our expedition - not wealthier. The roads grow worse - all prospect of a remove to Amador Crake fails visibly each day. A six mule passed close to the tent. I was attracted by the shouts and vocifirations of the driver - the slashing of his whip - he was only getting through a soft spot. This country - is my first experience in mules and jackasses. Verily they are interesting animals of carriage. Slowest of foot of all animals of burden - and obstinate to a fault. They weary the patience of every one but a Spaniard. I have stood many a time laughing - seeing one of the teams "stalled". First one then another - jerking at the load - the harness and chains rattling the driver resolving his whip and swearing lustily. The grand result wished for being to give a pull together. To the Americans these scenes are treats - (that is if it be not their own load) - "go it my hiatus - now then! - once