Roads there were none save the trails between larger
settlements. With the sun for compass, and moun-
tain peaks for finger-posts, pew paths were marked
across the trackless plains and through the untrodden
woods. Most of the gold-seekers could afford a horse,
and even a pack-animal, which was still to be had for
^ fifteen dollars,^^ and thus proceed with greater speed
to the goal, to the envy of the number that had to
content themselves with wagons, which, though white-
covered and snug, with perhaps a family inside, were
cumbersome and slow, especially when drawn by oxen.
Often a pedestrian was passed trudging along under
his load, glad to get his effects carried across the stream
by some team, although he himself might have to
breast the current swimming, perchance holding to
the tail of some horse. There were ferries only at
rare points: Charles L. Ross^^ had left for the mines
the last of April, by way of Alviso, and crossed the
strait of Carquines by Semple's ferry at Martinez.
At this time he was the only person on the boat.
When he returned, less than a fortnight after, there
were 200 wagons on their way to the foothills, wait-
ing their turn to cross at the ferry."
In the general eagerness personal comfort became
^^ One rider rented his animals at the mines for $100 per week. Brooks crossed to Saiizalito with four companions who were attended by an Indian servant to drive their six horses laden with bagj^ge and camp equipments. Vallejo, HUt. GaJL^ MS., iv., points out that Sonoma reaped benefit as a way- station.
^'^Experiences of a Pioneer of 1847 in Calif omia, by Charles L. Ross, is the title of a manuscript written at the dictation of Mr Koss by my stenographer, Mr Leighton, in 1878. Mr Ross left New Jersey in Nov. 1846, passed round Cape Horn in the bark WhiloHy arriving in Cal. in April 1847. The very in- tcreriting information contained in this manuscript is all embodied in the pages of this history.
- *They having collected there in that short time — men, women, and chil-
dren, families who had left their homes, and fi;athered in there from down the coast. They had organized a committee, and each man was registered on his arrival, and each toi>k his turn in crossing. The boat ran n\ght and day, carrying each time two wagons and horses and the people connected with the 1. Some of them had to camp there quite a while. After a time somebody else got a scow and started another ferry, and they got across faster.' Rosi^ Experiences, MS. ,11-12. * Semple obtains from passengers some $20 per day, V and hah not a single boatman to help him. Only one man has offered to re- main, and he only for two weeks at ^25 a week.' Letter of Tj^hin to from Son Jos6, May 26, 1848, in Doc. Hist.
