hands, for to this end towns are built and men and
women migrate hither and thither.
An offer of money as a gratuity would be received as a deadly insult, but he will graciously accept a cigar or a glass of liquor. Stage coaches are levelers of distinction, and the judge or governor on the box beside the driver is his equal, if not indeed his in- ferior; for can a man of law or politics drive a stage? He who travels by steamer or stage must resign his liberty, and place his destiny for the time being in the hands of the august commander. Meeting: on the road, the friendly drivers halt and hold a confer- ence, mingling with their classic speech the most refined blasphemy. In places of danger the stage- driver manages his team with the coolest dexterity ; but he will not go one inch out of his way to save his passengers from the fear of perdition. Sometimes he sees safety in speed, and performs wonderful feats in circumventing obstacles ; again he trims his boat or empties out the cargo.
Two styles of vehicles were used, the Concord coach, carrying nine inside and two or five beside the driver outside, and the mud-wagon, of larger or smaller di- mensions according to roads and trafiic. The best horses, four or six in number, were employed, the stage proprietor, like all others of quick perception and ac- tive energy who came to California, soon learning wherein lies true economy. Over a good road, ten miles an hour were readily made.
Before the hotel and stage office in Sacramento, at dawn of day, were drawn up side by side, all fronting one way, twenty or thirty coaches, each behind four restive horses, at whose heads stood grooms holding them in check. Men of every nation and degree, each with a roll of blankets, and many carrying a rifle, elbow their way from a candle-light breakfast through a labyr- inth of horses and wheels, with lighted pipes and bottles of rum, seeking their respective coaches. The driver mounts his seat, casts a critical glance over the rig-
