THE VALLEY OF THE GIANTS

BY

PETER B. KYNE

AUTHOR OF CAPPY RICKS, THE LONG CHANCE, Etc.

ILLUSTRATED BY DEAN CORNWELL




TO MY WIFE




THE VALLEY OF THE GIANTS

CHAPTER I


In the summer of 1850 a topsail schooner slipped into the cove under
Trinidad Head and dropped anchor at the edge of the kelp-fields.
Fifteen minutes later her small-boat deposited on the beach a man
armed with long squirrel-rifle and an axe, and carrying food and
clothing in a brown canvas pack. From the beach he watched the boat
return and saw the schooner weigh anchor and stand out to sea before
the northwest trades. When she had disappeared from his ken, he swung