Page:A La California.djvu/296

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244
AROUND THE MOUNTAIN CAMP FIRE.

five minutes it seems that there are half a thousand instead of half a dozen angry, prowling coyotes howling around us. The infernal chorus dies away at last, and once more all is silent in camp and on the mountain.

The grey dawn creeps slowly over the eastern mountains ; the horizon takes on the roseate hues of the inner surface of the sea-shell, then glows with gold and royal purple ; and, as the forest air is filled with the song of birds, and all nature rejoices in the glory of the springtime, the sun rises grandly over St. Helena, and the whole landscape glows like molton gold at his touch. On the bank of the grand canal, between Lakes Chalco and Tezcuco, in the valley of Mexico, stands a fonda, upon whose wall is painted the inscription, "A La Sol de California." Who can stand here and behold such a scene as this, and not sympathize in his inmost heart with the author of that inscription?

And here, companions in my wanderings, friends of my heart, I leave you, one and all, and reluctantly say good bye! Together we have galloped through the valleys and climbed the mountains in search of health, curious adventure, strange sights and scenes, and the beautiful in nature, in the glorious land of the madroño. Perchance we have not accomplished all we anticipated when we started out; have missed something for which we sought; failed in something which we desired. But we have seen much to remember, something that was new and strange, and cheated care