A mountain storm raged with such violence as to stampede the mules4 of the pack-train while the escort were encamped on the South Fork. The mules were not overtaken until they reached the foot-hills of the Fresno. In the meantime, while impatiently awaiting their return, our rations5 gave out. In order to somewhat appease6 our hunger, Dr. Black distributed his hospital stores among us. There were some canned fruits and meats, and several cans of oysters7 and clams. The southerners of the command waived8 their rights to the clams, but cast lots for the oysters. Thinking we had a prize in the clams, we brought to bear our early recollections of Eastern life, and compounded a most excellent and, what we supposed would be, a most nourishing soup. Our enjoyment9, however, of this highly prized New England dish was of short duration; for from some cause, never satisfactorily explained by Dr. Black, or other eminent10 counsel, our Eastern mess, as if moved by one impulse of re-gurgitation, gave up their clams. Fortunately for us our supplies arrived the next morning; for the game procurable11 was not sufficient for the command. 223 Major Savage12 sent Cow-chitty, a brother of Pon-wat-chee, the chief of the Noot-choo band, whose village we surprised before we discovered the valley, as chief of scouts13. He was accompanied by several young warriors15, selected because they were all familiar with the Sierra Nevada trails and the territory of the Pai-utes, where it was thought probable the expedition would penetrate16.
Captain Boling had in his report to Major Savage, complained of the incapacity of Sandino as guide, and expressed the opinion that he stood in awe17 of Ten-ie-ya. By letter, the Major replied, and particularly advised Captain Boling that implicit18 confidence could be placed in Cow-chitty and his scouts, as the sub-chief was an old enemy of Ten-ie-ya, and was esteemed19 for his sagacity and wood-craft, which was superior to that of any Indian in his tribe. Captain Boling had improved in health and strength, and concluded to venture on his contemplated20 expedition over the mountains. He at once ordered preparations to be made. A camp-guard was detailed21, and a special supply train fitted out. All was ready for a start in the morning. During the evening Captain Boling consulted our new guide as to what trail would be best to follow to the Mono pass and over the mountains. Cow-chitty had already learned from our Po-ho-no scouts and those of his own tribe, the extent of our explorations, and had had a long talk with Sandino as well as with Ten-ie-ya. The mission Indian and the old chief tried to make the new guide believe that the Yosemites had gone over the mountains to the Monos. Indian-like, he had remained very grave and taciturn, while the preparations were going on for the expedition. Now, however, that he was consulted by Captain Boling, he was willing enough to give his advice, and in a very emphatic22 manner declared his belief to the Captain that Ten-ie-ya’s people were not far off; that they were either hiding in some of 224 the rocky ca?ons in the vicinity of the valley, or in those of the Tuolumne, and discouraged the idea of attempting the expedition with horses. Although this did not coincide with the views of our Captain, the earnestness of Cow-chitty decided23 him to make another attempt in the near vicinity before crossing the mountains. The horses and supply-train were accordingly left in camp, and we started at daylight on foot, with three days’ rations packed in our blankets. We left the valley this time by way of the Py-we-ack ca?on, and ascended24 the north cliff trail, a short distance above “Mirror Lake.” Soon after reaching the summit, Indian signs were discovered near the trail we were on. The old trail up the slope of the ca?on, was here abandoned, and the fresh trail followed up to and along the ridges26 just below the snow line. These signs and the tortuous27 course pursued, were similar to the tracks followed on our trip up Indian Ca?on, and were as easily traced until we reached an elevation28 almost entirely29 covered with snow from five to ten feet deep, except on exposed tops of ridges, where the snow had blown off to the north side or melted away.
I had accompanied our guide in advance of the command, but observing that our course was a zig-zag one, some times almost doubling on our trail, I stopped and told the guide to halt until the Captain came up. He had been following the ridges without a sign of a trail being visible, although he had sometimes pointed30 to small pieces of coarse granite31 on the rocky divides, which he said had been displaced by Ten-ie-ya’s scouts. That in going out or returning from their camps, they had kept on the rocky ridges, and had avoided tracking the snow or soft ground, so as to prevent the Americans from following them. As we stopped, he called me a little out of hearing of those with me, and by pantomime and a few words indicated his belief in the near presence of Indians. 225
When the Captain came up he said: “The hiding-place of the Yosemites is not far off. If they had crossed the mountains their scouts would not be so careful to hide their trail. They would follow the old trail if they came to watch you, because it is direct, and would only hide their tracks when they were again far from the valley and near their rancheria.” This was, in part, an answer to Captain Boling’s inquiry32 as to why we had left the old trail, and gone so far out of our way. I explained to him what Cow-chitty had stated, and pointed out what the guide or scout14 said was a fresh trail. The Captain looked tired and disheartened, but with a grim smile said: “That may be a fresh Indian track, but I can’t see it. If left to my own feelings and judgment33, I should say we were on another wild-goose chase. If the guide can see tracks, and thinks he has got ’em this time, I reckon it is better to follow on; but if there is any short-cut tell him to give us some landmarks34 to go by; for I find I am not as strong as I thought. Let us take another look at this fresh trail, and then you may get Cow-chitty’s idea as to the probable course this trail will take further on.” As we moved up the trail a little farther, the expert scout pointed out more fresh signs, but Captain Boling failed to discern a trail, and gave up the examination, and as he seated himself for a momentary36 rest, said: “I reckon it is all right, Doc. The Major says in his letter that I can bet on Cow-chitty every time. But I can’t see any more of a trail on this rocky ridge25 than I can see the trail of that wood-pecker as he flies through the air, but I have some faith in instinct, for I reckon that is what it is that enables him to follow a trail that he imagines should be there. We shall have to trust him to follow it, and let him have his own way as you would a fox-hound; if he don’t, puppy-like, take the back track, or run wild with us over some of these ledges37.” Old Ten-ie-ya was now appealed 226 to for information concerning the fresh signs, but he only reiterated39 his former statement that his people had gone over the mountains to the Monos, and the signs he said were those of Tuolumne Indians. Captain Boling had taken the old chief along with us on this trip, hoping to make him of some use, if not directly as guide, indirectly40; it was thought he might betray his people’s hiding-place. But the Captain was disappointed in this, for no finished gamester ever displayed a more immovable countenance41 than did Ten-ie-ya when questioned at any time during the expedition. A cord had again been placed around his waist to secure his allegiance, and as we were about to move ahead once more, he very gravely said that if we followed the signs, they would take us over to the Tuolumne.
Before this Sandino had professed42 to agree with Ten-ie-ya, but now he carefully withheld44 his own opinions, and as carefully rendered his interpretations45. He feared Cow-chitty more than Ten-ie-ya; and he was frequently seen to cross himself while muttering his prayers. Spencer and myself re-assured the timid creature, and made him quite happy by telling him that we would guard him against the “Gentiles,” as he called the natives.
I explained to Cow-chitty our inability to follow the tracks as he did over the bare granite. This flattered him, and he then pointed out his own method of doing so, which was simple enough with one of keen sight. It consisted entirely in discovering fragments of stone and moss46 that had been displaced, and broken off and scattered47 upon the ground. The upper surface of the broken fragments of stone were smooth and bleached48, while the under surface was dark or colored. It was impossible to walk over these stony49 ridges without displacing some of the fragments, and these the quick eye of Cow-chitty was sure to discover. Cow-chitty was pleased when told of Captain 227 Boling’s appreciation50 of his sagacity, and honored by the confidence the Captain began to show him. He expressed his gratification by being more communicative than he had been before. He said, “These signs tell me that the Yosemite scouts have been watching all the movements of the Americans, and the trails that will take you to their camps. They will not look for you on this trail. They are watching for you from the ridges nearer the valley. We will not have to go far to find their camps. This trail will lead us to the head of the Py-we-ack, where the Pai-ute or Mono trail crosses into the upper valley of the Tuolumne; and if we don’t find them at the lake, we will soon know if they have crossed the mountains.”
He then proposed that Captain Boling send out scouts to intercept51 and capture the Yosemite scouts, who might be below us watching the valley. This being interpreted to Captain Boling, he at once adopted the suggestion of the scout. He selected three of our best runners, and directed Cow-chitty to select three of his. These were sent out in pairs—an Indian and a white man. The scouts were placed under direction of the sub-chief, who followed the trail, and indicated to the Captain the most direct route for the main body to follow. In health Captain Boling was athletic52 and ambitious on the march. He had now, however, over-estimated his strength, and suffered considerably53 from fatigue54; but the halt afforded him a rest that very much refreshed him. I traveled with him during the remainder of the march, so as to be near him as interpreter, and took charge of Ten-ie-ya. The Captain, Ten-ie-ya, Sandino and myself traveled together. Our march was more leisurely55 than in the earlier part of the day. This allowed Captain Boling to somewhat recover from his fatigue.
On an ascending56 spur that ran down to the Py-we-ack, we found Cow-chitty quietly awaiting our approach. As we 228 halted, he pointed out to Captain Boling a dim circle of blue smoke, that appeared to eddy57 under the lee of a large granite knob or peak, and said, “Rancheria.” Old Ten-ie-ya was standing58 in front of me, but exhibited no interest in the discovery. As I lowered my line of vision to the base of the cliff, to trace the source of the smoke, there appeared the Indian village, resting in fancied security, upon the border of a most beautiful little lake, seemingly not more than a half mile away. To the lake I afterwards gave the name of Ten-ie-ya. The granite knob was so bare, smooth and glistening60, that Captain Boling at once pointed it out, and selected it as a landmark35. He designated it as a rallying point for his men, if scattered in pursuit, and said that we should probably camp near it for the night.
While the Captain was studying the nature of the ground before us, and making his arrangements to capture the village, our scouts were discovered in full chase of an Indian picket61, who was running towards the village as if his life depended upon his efforts. In the excitement of the moment Captain Boling ordered us to double-quick and charge, thinking, as he afterwards said, that the huts could not be much more than half a mile away. Such a mistake could only originate in the transparent62 air of the mountains. The village was fully43 two miles or more away. We did, however, double-quick, and I kept a gait that soon carried Ten-ie-ya and Sandino, with myself, ahead of our scattering63 column. Finding the rope with which I held Ten-ie-ya an encumbrance64 in our rapid march, I wound it round his shoulder and kept him in front of me. While passing a steep slope of overlapping65 granite rock, the old chief made a sudden spring to the right, and attempted to escape down the ragged66 precipice67. His age was against him, for I caught him just as he was about to let himself drop from the projecting ledge38 to the ground below; his feet were already over the brink68. 229
I felt somewhat angered at the trick of the old fellow in attempting to relieve himself from my custody69, and the delay it had occasioned me; for we had taken the most direct although not the smoothest course. I resumed our advance at a gait that hurried the old sachem forward, perhaps less carefully and more rapidly than comported70 with the dignity of his years and rank. I was amused at the proposition of one of the “boys” who had witnessed the transaction, to “shoot the old devil, and not be bothered with him any more.” I of course declined this humane71 proposition to relieve me of further care, and at once became the chief’s most devoted72 defender73, which observing, he afterwards told Captain Boling that I was “very good.” As we reached the more gently descending74 ground near the bottom of the slope, an Indian came running up the trail below us that led to the Rancheria. His course was at an acute angle to the one pursued by us toward the village, which was now but a few rods off. I ordered Sandino to cut him off and capture him before he should reach the camp. This was accomplished75 with great energy and a good degree of pride.
The Yosemites had already discovered our approach, but too late for any concerted resistance or for successful escape, for Lt. Crawford at the head of a portion of the command, dashed at once into the center of the encampment, and the terror-stricken Indians immediately threw up their bare hands in token of submission77, and piteously cried out “pace! pace!” (peace, peace). As I halted to disarm78 the scout captured by Sandino, I was near enough to the camp to hear the expressions of submission. I was compelled to laugh at the absurd performances of Sandino, who to terrify his prisoner, was persistently79 holding in his face an old double-barreled pistol. I was aware the weapon was a harmless one, for one hammer was gone, and the other could 230 not be made to explode a cap. I took the bow and arrows from the frightened savage, and as Captain Boling came up I reported the capture, telling him at the same time of the surrender of the village or Rancheria to Lt. Crawford. Seeing some of the Indians leaving the camp, and running down the lake to a trail crossing its outlet80, the Captain and the men with him sprang forward through the grove81 of pines near the crossing, and drove them back. No show of resistance was offered, neither did any escape from us.
While Captain Boling was counting his prisoners and corralling them with a guard, I, by his previous order, restrained Ten-ie-ya from any communication with his people. The chief of this village was a young man of perhaps thirty years of age. When called upon by the Captain to state how many were under his command, he answered that those in the encampment were all that was left; the rest had scattered and returned to the tribes they sprung from. Ten-ie-ya seemed very anxious to answer the interrogations made to the young chief, but Captain Boling would not allow his farther interference, and jokingly told me to send him over among the women who were grouped a little aside, as he was now about as harmless. I acted upon the suggestion, and upon his being told that he had the liberty of the camp if he made no further attempts to escape, the old fellow stepped off briskly to meet his four squaws, who were with this band, and who seemed as pleased as himself at their re-union.
Captain Boling felt satisfied that the answer given by this half-starved chief, and the few braves of his wretched looking band, were as truthful82 as their condition would corroborate83. Finding themselves so completely surprised, notwithstanding their extreme vigilance, and comparing the well kept appearance of their old chief with their own worn out, dilapidated condition, they with apparent anxiety expressed 231 a willingness for the future to live in peace with the Americans. All hopes of avoiding a treaty, or of preventing their removal to the Reservation, appeared to have at once been abandoned; for when the young chief was asked if he and his band were willing to go to the Fresno, he replied with much emotion of gesture, and as rendered by Sandino to Spencer and myself: “Not only willing, but anxious;” for, said he: “Where can we now go that the Americans will not follow us?” As he said this, he stretched his arms out toward the East, and added: “Where can we make our homes, that you will not find us?” He then went on and stated that they had fled to the mountains without food or clothing; that they were worn out from watching our scouts, and building signal-fires to tire us out also.
They had been anxious to embroil84 us in trouble by drawing us into the ca?ons of the Tuolumne, where were some Pai-utes wintering in a valley like Ah-wah-ne. They had hoped to be secure in this retreat until the snow melted, so that they could go to the Mono tribe and make a home with them, but that now he was told the Americans would follow them even there, he was willing, with all his little band, to go to the plains with us. After the young chief had been allowed full liberty of speech, and had sat down, Ten-ie-ya again came forward, and would have doubtless made a confession85 of faith, but his speech was cut short by an order from Captain Boling to at once move camp to a beautiful pine grove on the north side of the outlet to the lake, which he had selected for our camping-place for the night. By this order he was able to have everything in readiness for an early start the next morning. There was an abundance of dry pine, convenient for our camp fires, and as the night was exceedingly cold, the glowing fires were a necessity to our comfort. The Indians were told to pack such movables as they desired to take with them, and move down at once to our camp-ground. 232
The scene was a busy one. The squaws and children exhibited their delight in the prospect86 of a change to a more genial87 locality, and where food would be plenty. While watching the preparations of the squaws for the transfer of their household treasures and scanty88 stores, my attention was directed to a dark object that appeared to be crawling up the base of the first granite peak above their camp. The polished surface of the gleaming rock made the object appear larger than the reality. We were unable to determine what kind of an animal it could be; but one of our scouts, to whom the name of “Big Drunk” had been given, pronounced it a papoose, although some had variously called it a bear, a fisher or a coon. “Big Drunk” started after it, and soon returned with a bright, active boy, entirely naked, which he coaxed89 from his slippery perch90. Finding himself an object of curiosity his fright subsided91, and he drew from its hiding-place, in the bushes near by, a garment that somewhat in shape, at least, resembled a man’s shirt. “The Glistening Rocks” had rendered us all oblivious92 to the color, and that was left undetermined. This garment swept the ground after he had clothed himself with it. His ludicrous appearance excited our laughter, and as if pleased with the attentions paid to him, the little fellow joined heartily93 in the merriment he occasioned. It will not be out of place to here relate the sequel of this boy’s history. Learning that he was an orphan94 and without relatives, Captain Boling adopted him, calling him “Reube,” in honor of Lt. Reuben Chandler, who after Captain Boling was the most popular man in the battalion95.
Some three or four years afterward59, the boy, as if to illustrate96 the folly97 of the Captain in trying to civilize98 and educate him, ran away from his patron, taking with him two valuable, thorough-bred Tennessee horses, much prized by the Captain; besides money, clothing and arms belonging 233 to the Captain’s brother-in-law, Col. Lane, of Stockton, in whose charge Captain Boling had placed him, that he might have the advantages of a good school. After collecting together all the Indians found in this encampment; the total number was found to be but thirty-five, nearly all of whom were in some way a part of the family of the old patriarch, Ten-ie-ya. These were escorted to our camp, the men placed under guard, but the women and children were left free.
This was accomplished before sun down, and being relieved of duty, a few of us ran across the outlet of the lake, and climbing the divide on the south side of the lake, beheld99 a sunset view that will long be remembered. It was dark when we reached camp, and after a scanty repast, we spread our blankets, and soon were wrapped in slumber100 sweet.
We were awakened101 by the cold, which became more uncomfortable as night advanced, and finding it impossible to again compose ourselves to sleep, Captain Boling aroused the camp, and preparations were made by the light of the blazing camp-fires for an early start for the valley. Desiring some clean, fresh water, I went to the lake as the nearest point to obtain it, when, to my surprise, I found that the new ice formed during the night and connecting the old ice with the shore of the lake, was strong enough to bear me up. At a point where the old ice had drifted near, I went out some distance upon it, and it appeared strong enough to have borne up a horse. This was about the 5th of June, 1851. The change of temperature from summer in the valley to winter on the mountains, without shelter, was felt by us all. After a hasty breakfast, the word was passed to assemble, and we were soon all ready for the order to march. All at once there was turmoil102 and strife103 in camp, and what sounded to my ears very much like a Chinese concert. Captain 234 Boling was always a man of gallantry, and in this instance would not allow the squaws to take the burden of the baggage. Hence the confusion and delay. He ordered the Indians to carry the packs—burdens they had imposed on their women. This order brought down upon him the vituperations of the squaws and sullen104 murmurs106 from the “noble red men;” as often happens in domestic interference, the family was offended. Ten-ie-ya rose to explain, and waxed eloquent in his protest against this innovation on their ancient customs.
As soon as the Captain was made aware of the old fellow’s object in having “a talk,” he cut short the debate by ordering one of the lieutenants107 to see that every Indian, as well as squaw, was properly loaded with a just proportion of their burdens. The real object of the Captain was to facilitate the return to the valley, by making it easy for the squaws and children to accompany us through without delays. One amusing feature in this arrangement was, that long after the men had been silenced, their squaws continued to murmur105 at the indignity108 practiced on their disgraced lords. I have my doubts, even to this day, whether the standard of women’s rights was ever again waved among the mountain tribes after this “special order” was issued by our good-hearted Captain.
In order to take the most direct route to the valley, Captain Boling selected one of the young Yosemite Indians to lead the way with our regular guide. Being relieved of the charge of Ten-ie-ya, I took my usual place on the march with the guide. This position was preferred by me, because it afforded ample opportunity for observation and time for reflection; and beside, it was in my nature to be in advance. The trail followed, after leaving the lake, led us over bare granite slopes and hidden paths, but the distance was materially shortened. A short distance below the bottom land 235 of the lake, on the north side of the ca?on and at the head of the gorge109, the smooth, sloping granite projects like a vast roof over the abyss below. As we approached this, our young guide pointed toward it.
By close observation I was able to discover that the trail led up its sloping surface, and was assured by the guide that the trail was a good one. I felt doubtful of the Captain’s willingness to scale that rocky slope, and halted for him to come up. The Captain followed the trail to its termination in the soil, and saw the cause of my having halted. Upon the discoloration of the rock being pointed out as the continuation of the trail, he glanced up the granite slope and said, “Go on, but be watchful110, for a slide into the gorge would bring as certain death as a slide from that San Joaquin trail, which I have not yet forgotten.” Some of the command did not fancy this any more than they did the Ten-ie-ya trail down “Indian Ca?on.” We all pulled off our hoots111 and went up this slope bare-footed. Seeing there was no real danger, the most timid soon moved up as fearless as the others. I, with the advance, soon reached the soil above, and at the top halted until the Indians and our straggling column closed up. As I looked about me, I discovered, unfolding to my sight, one of the most charming views in this sublimest113 scenery of nature. During the day before, we had looked with astonishment114 on the almost boundless115 peaks, and snow-capped mountains, to be seen from the Mt. Hoffman divide. But here some of the same views appeared illuminated116. In our ascent117 up the mountain, we had apparently118 met the rising sun. The scene was one long to be remembered for its brilliancy, although not describable.
Mr. Addison, in the Spectator, says: “Our imagination loves to be filled with an object, or to grasp at anything that is too big for its capacity. We are flung into a pleasing 236 astonishment at such unbounded views, and feel a delightful119 stillness and amazement120 in the soul.” Mr. Addison has here expressed the feelings entertained by some of us, as the view met our gaze while looking out to the east, the south and the west. Although not sufficiently121 elevated to command a general outlook, the higher ridges framing some of the scenery to the north and eastward122 of us, the westerly view was boundless. The transparency of the atmosphere was here extreme, and as the sun illumined the snow-clad and ice-burnished peaks, the scene aroused the enthusiasm of the command to a shout of glad surprise.
The recollections of the discomforts123 of the night were banished124 by the glory of the morning as here displayed. Even the beauties of the Yosemite, of which I was so ardent125 an admirer, were for the moment eclipsed by this gorgeously grand and changing scene. The aurora126 that had preceded the rising sun was as many-hued, and if possible more glorious, than the most vivid borealis of the northern climes. But when the sun appeared, seemingly like a sudden flash, amidst the distant peaks, the climax127 was complete. My opportunities for examining the mountain scenery of the Sierra Nevada above the immediate76 vicinity of the Yosemite, were such as to only enable me to give a somewhat general description, but the views that I had during our explorations afforded me glimpses of the possibilities of sublime112 mountain scenery, such as I had never before comprehended, although familiar with the views afforded from some of the peaks of Mexico and of the Rocky Mountains. I doubt even if the Yellow Stone, supreme128 in some of its attractions, affords such varied129 and majestic130 beauty.
Looking back to the lovely little lake, where we had been encamped during the night, and watching Ten-ie-ya as he ascended to our group, I suggested to the Captain that we name the lake after the old chief, and call it “Lake Ten-ie-ya.” 237 The Captain had fully recovered from his annoyance131 at the scene in camp, and readily consented to the name, but added that I had evidently mistaken my vocation132.
LAKE TEN-IE-YA, ONE OF THE YOSEMITE FOUNTAINS.
Noticing my look of surprise, he jokingly said that if I had only studied divinity instead of medicine, I could have then fully gratified my passion for christening. This, of course, brought out a general guffaw133, and thinking me annoyed, he said: “Gentlemen, I think the name an appropriate one, and shall use it in my report of the expedition. Beside this, it is rendering134 a kind of justice to perpetuate135 the name of the old chief.”
When Ten-ie-ya reached the summit, he left his people and approached where the Captain and a few of us were halting. Although he had been snubbed by the Captain that morning, he now seemed to have forgotten it, and his rather rugged136 countenance glowed with healthful exercise in the sunlight. I had handled him rather roughly the day before, but as he now evidently wished to be friendly, I called him up to us, and told him that we had given his name to the lake and river. At first, he seemed unable to comprehend our purpose, and pointing to the group of Glistening peaks, near the head of the lake, said: “It already has a name; we call it Py-we-ack.” Upon my telling him that we had named it Ten-ie-ya, because it was upon the shores of the lake that we had found his people, who would never return to it to live, his countenance fell and he at once left our group and joined his own family circle. His countenance as he left us indicated that he thought the naming of the lake no equivalent for the loss of his territory.
I never at any time had real personal dislike for the old sachem. He had always been an object of study, and I sometimes found in him profitable entertainment. As he 238 moved off to hide his sorrow, I pitied him. As we resumed our march over the rough and billowy trail, I was more fully impressed with the appropriateness of the name for the beautiful lake. Here, probably, his people had built their last wigwams in their mountain home. From this lake we were leading the last remnant of his once dreaded137 tribe, to a territory from which it was designed they should never return as a people. My sympathies, confirmed in my own mind, a justness in thus perpetuating138 the name of Ten-ie-ya. The Indian name for this lake, branch and ca?on, “Py-we-ack” is, although a most appropriate one, now displaced by that of the old chief Ten-ie-ya. Of the signification of the name Ten-ie-ya, I am uncertain; but as pronounced by himself, I have no doubt of its being pure Indian.
The whole mountain region of the water-sheds of the Merced and Tuolumne rivers afford the most delightful views to be seen anywhere of mountains, cliffs, cascades139 and waterfalls, grand forests and mountain meadows, and the Soda140 Springs are yet destined141 to become a favorite summer resort. Mr. Muir has well said that the “upper Tuolumne valley is the widest, smoothest, most serenely142 spacious143, and in every way the most delightful summer pleasure park in all the High Sierras.”
Now that it has become a part of the new National Park surrounding the old grant (see new map), and good trails reach it, wagon144 roads will soon be extended into the very “heart of the Sierras.”
We reached our camp in the valley without accident. Captain Boling at once gave orders to make preparations for our return to the Fresno. The next day we broke camp and moved down to the lower end of the valley near where we camped on the first night of our discovery, near the little meadow at the foot of the Mariposa Trail. 239
At sunrise the next morning, or rather as the reflections on the cliffs indicated sunrise, we commenced our ascent of the steep trail. As I reached the height of land where the moving column would soon perhaps forever shut out from view the immortal145 “Rock Chief,” my old sympathies returned, and leaving the command to pursue its heedless way, I climbed to my old perch where Savage had warned me of danger. As I looked back upon El Capitan, his bald forehead was cooling in the breeze that swept by me from the “Summer land” below, and his cheerful countenance reflected back the glory of the rising sun. Feeling my own inferiority while acknowledging the majesty146 of the scene, I looked back from Mt. Beatitude, and quoting from Byron, exclaimed:
Yosemite!
“Thy vale(s) of evergreen147, thy hills of snow
Proclaim thee Nature’s varied favorite now.”
We reached the Fresno without the loss of a captive, and as we turned them over to the agent, we were formally commended for the success of the expedition.
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clams
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| n.蛤；蚌，蛤( clam的名词复数 )v.（在沙滩上）挖蛤( clam的第三人称单数 ) | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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versus
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| prep.以…为对手，对；与…相比之下 | |
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4
mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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rations
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| 定量( ration的名词复数 )； 配给量； 正常量； 合理的量 | |
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appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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7
oysters
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| 牡蛎( oyster的名词复数 ) | |
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waived
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| v.宣布放弃( waive的过去式和过去分词 )；搁置；推迟；放弃（权利、要求等） | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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10
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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11
procurable
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| adj.可得到的，得手的 | |
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12
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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13
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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14
scout
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| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
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15
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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16
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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17
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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18
implicit
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| a.暗示的，含蓄的，不明晰的，绝对的 | |
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19
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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20
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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21
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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22
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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23
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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24
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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25
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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26
ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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27
tortuous
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| adj.弯弯曲曲的，蜿蜒的 | |
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28
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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29
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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30
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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31
granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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32
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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33
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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34
landmarks
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| n.陆标( landmark的名词复数 )；目标；（标志重要阶段的）里程碑 ~ (in sth)；有历史意义的建筑物（或遗址） | |
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35
landmark
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| n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标 | |
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36
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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37
ledges
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| n.（墙壁，悬崖等）突出的狭长部分( ledge的名词复数 )；（平窄的）壁架；横档；（尤指）窗台 | |
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38
ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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39
reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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40
indirectly
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| adv.间接地，不直接了当地 | |
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41
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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42
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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43
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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44
withheld
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| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
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45
interpretations
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| n.解释( interpretation的名词复数 )；表演；演绎；理解 | |
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46
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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47
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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48
bleached
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| 漂白的，晒白的，颜色变浅的 | |
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49
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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50
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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51
intercept
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| vt.拦截，截住，截击 | |
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52
athletic
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| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
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53
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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54
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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55
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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56
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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57
eddy
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| n.漩涡，涡流 | |
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58
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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59
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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60
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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61
picket
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| n.纠察队；警戒哨；v.设置纠察线；布置警卫 | |
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62
transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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63
scattering
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|
| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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64
encumbrance
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| n.妨碍物，累赘 | |
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65
overlapping
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| adj./n.交迭（的） | |
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66
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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67
precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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68
brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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69
custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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70
comported
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| v.表现( comport的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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72
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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73
defender
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| n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人 | |
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74
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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75
accomplished
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|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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76
immediate
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|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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77
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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78
disarm
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| v.解除武装，回复平常的编制，缓和 | |
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79
persistently
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| ad.坚持地；固执地 | |
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80
outlet
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|
| n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄 | |
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81
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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82
truthful
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|
| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
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83
corroborate
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| v.支持，证实，确定 | |
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84
embroil
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| vt.拖累；牵连；使复杂 | |
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85
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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86
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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87
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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88
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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89
coaxed
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|
| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的过去式和过去分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱 | |
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90
perch
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| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
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91
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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92
oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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93
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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94
orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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95
battalion
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| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
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96
illustrate
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| v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图 | |
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97
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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98
civilize
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| vt.使文明，使开化 (=civilise) | |
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99
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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100
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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101
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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102
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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103
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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104
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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105
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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106
murmurs
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| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
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107
lieutenants
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| n.陆军中尉( lieutenant的名词复数 )；副职官员；空军；仅低于…官阶的官员 | |
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108
indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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109
gorge
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| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
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110
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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111
hoots
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| 咄，啐 | |
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112
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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113
sublimest
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| 伟大的( sublime的最高级 )； 令人赞叹的； 极端的； 不顾后果的 | |
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114
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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115
boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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116
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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117
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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118
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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119
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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120
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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121
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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122
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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123
discomforts
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| n.不舒适( discomfort的名词复数 )；不愉快，苦恼 | |
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124
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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125
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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126
aurora
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| n.极光 | |
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127
climax
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| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
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128
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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129
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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130
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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131
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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132
vocation
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| n.职业，行业 | |
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133
guffaw
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| n.哄笑；突然的大笑 | |
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134
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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135
perpetuate
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| v.使永存，使永记不忘 | |
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136
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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137
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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138
perpetuating
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| perpetuate的现在进行式 | |
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139
cascades
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| 倾泻( cascade的名词复数 )； 小瀑布（尤指一连串瀑布中的一支）； 瀑布状物； 倾泻（或涌出）的东西 | |
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140
soda
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| n.苏打水；汽水 | |
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141
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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142
serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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143
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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144
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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145
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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146
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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147
evergreen
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| n.常青树；adj.四季常青的 | |
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