and by day or by night, in starlight or darkness;
whether sun-dried or soaked, snow-covered or
frozen; among friends or through foes; be he
lonely or merry—onward he hastened, until, at the
thrice-welcomed station, he leaped from his saddle
torest. Here another was ready, whose horse,
like himself, had been waiting, perhaps, without
shelter; and with acheery “ Good night, boys,” he

alloped off, and was soon lost in the distance.
ire rides on alone, over prairies and mountains ;
whether up hill or down; on rough ground or
smooth, until he descries in the distance the goal
of his hopes, and the station is reached.

To realize even partially the dangers of this ser-
vice, we need only glance at the newspapers of the
day, where such items as the fol owing were
chronicled: ‘‘The pony expressman has just re-
turned from Cold Springs—driven back by the In-
dians.”” ‘‘ The men at Dry Creek Station have all
been killed, and itis thought the Robert's Creek
Station has been destroyed. Eight animals were
stolen from Cold Springs Monday.” ‘+ Bartholo-
mew Riley died last night from a wound received
at, the Cold Springs Station, on the 16th of May.
Just arrived from the Indian battle-ground, at
Pyramid Lake, tired as he was, he volunteered to
ride to the next change, then, a distance of
eighty-five miles, where he received the wound of
which he died.” ‘ Six Pike’s Peakers found the
body of the station-keeper horribly mutilated, and.
all the animals missing, at Simpson’s Park.”

These few incidents will readily illustrate the
stuff of which the pony expressmen and station
keepers were made; as wellas the dangers and
privations to which they were exposed. To tell of
the losses in men from the Indians, and of horses
and other pony both from volunteers as well
as Indians, with the many thrilling adventures of
those who participated in this daring enterprise,
however interesting, would make too long a recital
for these pages.

No. 42 Annex. Sierra Nevada Moun-
taims—The large illustration, No. 14, of the
Sierras, is from a photograph, and affords a beau-
tiful view of the highest point of the Sierra Ne-
vada Mountains, passed over by the Central Pa-
cific railroad. There are to be seen a succession of
tunnels and snow-sheds, which extend without a
break for 28 miles; below is the “‘Gem of the
Sierras," Donner Lake. (For description, see
pages 180, 181, 182 and 183 of this book.)

No. 43 AnnEx. Mount Shasta—as shown
in No. 15, of our large views, is a prominent fea-
ture in the landscape of the Sacramento Valley,
at the head of which itis located.

The view is looking to the northeast. Inthe fore-
ground is the broad valley of the Sacramento,

en come towering forest trees, massive rocks,
and a yariety of foliage, upon which alternate
patches of shade and sunlight are thrown with
striking effect. Above all, towering high in mid-
air, Mount Shasta springs, in a series of graceful
curves, far a into an almost unclouded heaven,
its sides and summits enfolded in the eternal
snows. The contrast between the verdnre-clad
valley and the cold, wintry peaks of old Shasta,
king of mountains, is a chief interest in the pic-
ture, reminding the spectator of some of the most
striking effects of Alpine scenery. Mt. Shasta is

14,440 feet high. (See further description on
page 196.)

No. 44 Annzx. Woodward Gardens—
These gardens were laid out in 1860 by R. B.
Woodward, Esq., a gentleman of enterprise and
refined taste, to surround, adorn and beautify his

AND PACIFIC COAST GUIDE.

 

318

Se RSE SEGRE Gc Gc ee ea

private residence, situated near the center of the
grounds. To this end the continents of both
America and Europe were searched to procure
every variety of ornamental trees, exotics, indi-
genous plants, or articles of rare virtue and
value. For us to attempt to describe these beau-
tiful grounds, and do justice to the subject. were
we able, would take a larger book than the Tour-
ist. They must be seen to be appreciated. You
will find in the “Art Gallery ® rare paintings and
statuary ; in the “ Zoological department a great
variety of different kinds of wild animals, including
the California lion, anda mammoth grizzly bear,
weighing 1,600 pounds; also a great variety of
California birds.

In these-grounds are towering evergreen trees
and crystal lakes, oriental arbors and beautiful
statuary, delightful nooks and shady retreats,
with creeping vines, fragrant flowers, sparkling
fountains, sweet music, and, above all, the glo-
rious California sky. Possessed of all these lux-
uriant surroundings, aud with ample income,
could any person be surprised that Mr. Wood-
ward should persistently decline to open them to
the curious public? But the time came at. last.
It was when the soldiers and sailors of this coun-
try lay bleeding in the hospitals, on the ships, in
the camps, and on the battlefields, with widows,
orphans, suffering, and death on every side. The
sanitary fund was low. won must be had!
Then it was that his noble heart leaped to the res-
cue. The grounds were then thrown open to the
public in aid of the Sanitary Fund. The re-
ceipts were princely; and no one can say how
many lives were saved, or the sufferings of the
last moments of life alleviated, by the aid of the
generous proprietor of the Woodward Gardens?
These gardens were opened permanently to the
public in May, 1866. They occupy five acres of

ound, tour of which are bounded by Market,

ission, 13th and 14th streets, with one acre to
the south of 14th street, connected by tunnel un-
der that street from the main garden.

No. 45 ANNEX. The Geysers—No. 17 of
our large series of views gives a very truthful
picture of this wonderful region. Here extremes
meet ina most astonishing way, if the diversity
of mineral springs can be called extremes, as they
are over two hundred in number and possess
every variety of characteristics; some are hot
and others are icy cold; some contain white
sulphur, some black, some red, or yellow; others
alum—and boiling alum at that; others iron;
others soda; others —— oh, well, it’s idle to
go on particularizing. You have but to name
your spring, and it is ready for vou. Side by side
boil and bubble the hottest of hot springs, and
the coldest of cold ones, being frequently but a
few inches apart. Indeed, so closely do they lie
together that the greatest care must be exercised
lest one shall step knee-deep into a boiling cal-
dron or an icy bath. Even the rocks become
thoroughly heated, and quantities of magnesia,
sulphur, alum, epsom salts, and many other
chemicals, lie thickly strewn about, making a
sort of druggist’s paradise. The noises, too, and
the smells, are as diversified as the character of
the springs ; some hiss, some murmur, some roar.
Of these springs, one is known as the “ Devil’s
Grist-mill”’; another, the “Calliope”: then the
“ Steamboat Geyser,”’ the ‘‘ Witch’s Caldron,” the
“Mountain of Fire,” the latter of which contains
more than a hundred apertures, and in all_ of
these are shown, each for itself, some interesting
and remarkable peculiarity. (See route to the
Geysers on pages 222 and 224.)