now the prospect of having a few outsiders to fleece was a source of great gratification. In order to celebrate the event they had clubbed together, raised a purse of a thousand dollars, and offered it as a prize to the person who could make the quickest time on snow-shoes over a track to be designated by a committee. The contest was to be free to all who chose to engage in it; and it was to witness this race that so many of the hardy sons of toil came into La Porte, and their arrival in the village had caused the bustle alluded to in the opening paragraph.
La Porte, at the time of which we write, consisted of half a dozen saloons, where liquor was sold and games of chance played, two or three stores where groceries, mining tools, etc., were kept on hand, a couple of blacksmith shops, a shoe shop, and a hotel. It was as flourishing a camp as could be found in the mines; and the miners on Rabbit Creek were as industrious and thrifty as any in California.
The miners as they came into the town on the morning referred to, would drop into a saloon, exchange a few words with the inmates, take a drink or two, and then go to another saloon, where the proceedings would be repeated. Upon the countenance of every one could be observed a look which indicated relief from confinement, a determination to enjoy the day, and a sort of I-don't-care-for-anything appearance generally.
The attention of a group of persons standing in front of the hotel was attracted to a man who was descending the hill, at the foot of which the town was
