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72 the rugged oaks - now distant and low - then increasing in noise - and so regular the ear could trace every foot of its coming - until sweeping past it swayed our canvass with furious grip. Yet the darkness and wildness of the storm - please me not - in threatning us so hard. Down fell one piece after another - till the stove gave up the contest and fell with one fell swoop. I jumped from my doze - with the impression the Storm King had taken our camp by assault. Wednesday was fully occupied with the torrents that poured from the sky. Several tents had been blown down during the night - leaving their occupants to the peltings of the pitiless rain of the morning. The stove tent as ours is called - is the envy of many of the miners during such days as this. To night the wind is from the W again - and the stars are peeping through the broken chinks. But the day has been very rainy. I have scarcely seen more water fall - during so short time. The river which last night flowed calm and peacefully along its rocky channel - was this morning found swollen to a furious mountain torrent. The turbid waters - dusking along - with a current irresistable. I should judge the water had risen some 8 or 10 fee. This sudden rise has taken us miners by total surprise. The river as if angry at our attempts to rob it of its treasure swept away - rockers - buckets - pans - shovels - all the vile implements which scratched its brawny banks. The dismay of the miners is general - nearly every one has lost something. I essayed before breakfast to get down to the island - but the ravine - whose brook but yesternight I could span by a step - forbad with furious flow - and threatning depth all attempt at crossing. A friend saved our rocker - but our bucket - and box and quicksilver had plunged before the furious flood. Men have been engaged all day in saving rockers - some 60 or 80 have been thus rescued - for which only $16.00 subway each is asked The ferryman - whose $1.00 price had prooked - two free means of crossing - a log canoe - [?] float of barrells - is again cock of the river and charges more than before. This country is indeed a place of money making. "One heart - one voice meprise the throng" - how much can I charge for this - for that - for everything. The smallest service must be recompensed. Supped on venison stew - Verily! verily - victuals do taste good in California. Food and sleep are sweet. It is worth a trip here - to eat the venison which roams