Unlucky days, who does not have them? Who does not sometimes arise in the morning, and, however strange it may seem, commence with a trifling, or perhaps serious accident; continue throughout the day to break things, or inflict injuries upon themselves and others; feeling ill-tempered, cross and peevish towards themselves, and venting their spleen and bad humor upon unoffending persons and things?

There are various causes assigned for such days, by "old women,” and also by some of the opposite sex, who are doubtless as learned and profound as their venerable authority. Such people tell us, that "to get out of bed on the wrong side,” or, "to put the wrong sock on first," are among the primary incentives to an "unlucky day." We shall not attempt to investigate history, for the purpose of ascertaining how or when such valuable and important information was first dis

covered; but we will not deny the theory, and thereby perhaps involve ourselves in controversy. We confess to "unlucky days." We have had experience, and purpose here to detail the adventures of one such day. We are in this instance obliged to set aside the causes given as above, for the reason that the scene is in the mountains, and the time years agone, when we had no beds save mother earth, and but one possible way to get up, and that the simple and ingenious method of unrolling. As for socks, the kind most in vogue were those more readily removed by water, and of a material so common that a fresh pair every day was not considered at all extravagant; and besides, the rolling-up process often-times left our feet exposed, and for their better protection during the night, we usually wore our boots, as we did on this occasion.

It was yet dark when our camp was aroused, and preparations for a start commenced. We had for some days been encamped in Grass Valley, and were now to leave, intending to go up, and, crossing Nelson Creek and the Middle Fork of the Feather, proceed westward. This had been determined the day previous, and in order to facilitate matters, a large quantity of bread had been made up and baked. One among our number was a Spaniard, Domingo by name; he having become dissatisfied with our company, and preferring to associate with his own countrymen, was to leave us that morning, and retrace his way back to the valleys.

I think I never felt better; in fact, we were all in good spirits; glad with the prospect of being so soon under-way, and full of bright anticipations. Breakfast was prepared, and sitting as usual in a circle, with the bread and pork in the center, we were about to "pitch in," when my boot in some unaccountable manner became entangled with the handle of the coffee-pot, and that utensil was capsized, and its contents spilled all over the table, damaging a goodly portion of our bread, and depriving us of that which the miner

ever considers his main stay in the grub line. This innocent and unintentional act upon my part, brought upon this reverential head curses without number. I meekly bore them all, for I felt very badly, and thought that for my carelessness I deserved them. Our breakfast, I assure you, was not a pleasant one. We ate and finished in silence, and as punishment for my misdemeanor, I was left to collect the culinary utensils, wash the dishes, and prepare for packing, while the others went out to find and drive up the animals. Domingo was first to return, and having fastened his blankets and other accouterments upon his saddle, touched his hat, and was in the act of saying, “Adios, senor," when I happened to notice by the fire a pan which I supposed was his; near it was a large quantity of bread, our intended supply for the day. Pointing towards the fire, I said, "Domingo, don't forget your pan." Having completed the duties assigned me, I walked off to hunt up and assist the boys. The animals were nearly packed, when Harry, our captain, said—

"Where's the bread?"

"Bread?" said I for it just then crossed my mind that I had neglected to put it in the sack; "Down by the fire." 'Where?-I don't see it."

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If ever a person felt cheap, I think I did then; it was one of my first lessons in Spanish, and I shall never forget it. This time, instead of curses, my ears were greeted with the loudest kind of guffaws, in which I was compelled to join; and I was notified that at the next camping there would be a nice little job for me.

He

One of our animals was a dark gray mule, and was called after that renowned Mexican individual, Santa Anna. was not a large mule, but a very tough one, and could carry a good load very handsomely when he had a mind to. I don't think any harm was intended, but he often indulged in little episodes, which, however amusing they may have been to him, were to us sources of great annoyance. He doubtless considered kicking up with the hind legs, lying down and endeavoring to roll with a pack on, and a sudden halt, with a firm determination to stay there, as grand jokes, and in a mulish way enjoyed them. Somehow he had fallen to the especial protection and guidance of "Phran.," "Doc.," and myself; and we three, on this day, as usual, packed and started him off. Before reaching Onion Valley, he contrived to work his pack loose six or eight times, and upon our arrival there we were not in the best of humors, for the frequent detentions had caused us to be some distance behind the remainder of our company. Growling at each other, and unitedly heaping imprecations upon Santa Anna, we endeavored to push more rapidly ahead; but Santa Anna was opposed to such proceedings, and upon the hill, going out of the valley, came to a determined stand, and refused to go further. We whipped and coaxed, and coaxed and whipped, but he would neither be persuaded or driven, and only started when the spirit moved; and then, feeling that he had made his point, he went along very well. On the apex of the hill leading to Nelson's, his pack again required fastening; and knowing that the hill was rough and steep, we

took extraordinary pains to have it well secured, and commenced the descent. We were following a trail worn on the hillside, and were winding around a spur on the very worst portion, where the track was so narrow that it appeared almost impossible for even unladen animals to pass each other, when we heard voices, and presently a pack train came in sight on their return trip. We stopped Santa Anna; to retreat was impossible, and so we stood there. The train was moving on a slow trot, and just as the head mule came up, the vaqueros gave a shout, and with a bound he dashed by, nearly knocking Santa Anna from the trail, and the others followed in quick succession. On the hindermost was attached sundry camp utensils, and on the side towards us was an old musket, with the bayonet pointing forward. When passing, the point of this instrument caught in a sack of our flour, and tore nearly if not quite half the sack away. The flour poured out and fell upon the ground, the lashings slackened, and the pack commenced to turn; with another shout, the vaqueros themselves rushed by. We did not stop to swear, nor to speak a word, but springing to the pack, caught it as it fell, and taking off piece by piece, laid it on the ground near by; then, with the most heart-rending and woe-begone expression, looked alternately at the wreck and at each other, and then, sitting upon our "plunder," laughed loud and long. It was too much. We had been cross-grained and ill-tempered since morning; we were as irritated as we possibly could be ere this last mishap befell us, and that was so bad as to border on the ridiculous, causing a reaction which made us laugh our cross-grains smooth again.

There is no such annihilator to "blue devils" as laughter; no panacea to a mind diseased like a shaking of the ribs ; no better pass-word along the road of life than laughter. Would you have health, laugh; would you be happy, laugh; would you be sure of a welcome among friends, laugh. But do not laugh out of

time and place; for there are moments when the heart is full of sorrow, then laughter is a mockery, and harshly grates upon the soul.

And so we laughed our troubles all away; and, feeling bright and gay as any given number of jay-birds, gathered as much of the spilled flour as possible into an empty sack, packed Santa Anna once more, and without further accident arrived at the mouth of Nelson Creek just after noon. We found the balance of the company at dinner awaiting us, and we congratulated ourselves that the disasters of the day were over. About 2 o'clock, P. M., being refreshed and in excellent spirits, we were ready for another start.

Across the creek was a very large log. It must at some time have drifted down the stream and lodged there, for I could see nothing to indicate its having grown near where it lay. In diameter it measured nearly five feet, and some thoughtful person or persons had hewn the top down, until it presented a level surface about three and a half feet wide, making a capital bridge, across which both men and mules passed daily. Over this log our route laid; and, as a matter of course, Santa Anna led off in the rear. The other animals had passed over in good style, and it came to Santa Anna's turn. Cautiously he stepped upon the log, and timidly advanced to the center, where he stopped. We allowed him a moment to collect himself, and then by coaxing endeavored to urge him on; that failing, we tried driving; and then we took a hitch over his nose with the halter, hoping to lead him; but settling himself back, he converted his fore-legs into a pair of braces, and effectually thwarted our purpose. Several miners now came to our assistance, and with poles pushed behind, while we pulled in front. That was more than Santa Anna could possibly endure, and he commenced to use his hind-legs in a most fearful manner. Now, above the bridge had collected a large quantity of logs and driftwood, bark and leaves; the latter of which, being light,

floated upon the surface, causing the whole to resemble an unbroken plot of earth. Santa Anna, doubtless considering it genuine terra firma, with a sudden jerk pulled the halter from our hands, jumped from the bridge, and disappeared. He soon came up, and then began a desperate conflict. Sometimes he had the best of it, and then the logs; and there he splashed, floundered and struggled. Santa Anna was becoming exhausted; his pack was heavy, and very inconvenient; the logs were round, strong, accustomed to the water, and had every advantage.

Miners came rushing up by dozens, bringing with them short poles and long poles, big poles and little poles, straight poles and crooked poles; and they pushed, pried, and shouted, they laughed and hallooed, and some of them I think used profane language. That the logs would win seemed hardly a matter of doubtnothing but the head of Santa Anna was to be seen. The hope we had entertained of his rescue, slight though it was, had faded quite away, when most opportunely a Mexican arrived upon the opposite bank, and with precision threw his lasso over the receding head. Eight or ten able-bodied men caught hold and hauled with the Mexican; the miners in the rear pushed, pried, and shouted; the logs gave way, and great was the triumph of Santa Anna. He was drawn upon dry land, and stripped of his burden; which, consisting of flour and pork, sustained but little damage. After indulging in several wholesale rolls, he stood up, shook himself, and nodding to his brother and sister mules, with very loud and sonorous voice remarked, "Ee-ah! ee-ah! ee-a-a-a-ah!" and whistled. Experience is mighty, and Santa Anna had experience.

The Middle Fork of the Feather was fordable; we crossed it, and proceeding up the hill, camped in what is now called Long Valley, without further accident. Sitting around the fire that night, we talked and laughed over the incidents of