an Indian warrior perfectly nude, standing by a fire and watching
an earthen pot in which something was simmering. He was greatly
frightened and offered them his food. They smiled, treated him
kindly and gave him several trifling presents which he received
with childish delight.

One of the singular incidents of the journey took place while the
exploring party were making their way along the foot of the Sierras.
Passing around a point on the lake shore, they unexpectedly met a
dozen Indian warriors. They were walking directly behind each other
in what is known as Indian file, their heads bent forward and their
eyes fixed on the ground. The whites turned aside to allow them
to pass and naturally watched them with much interest. The Indians
neither halted, deviated from the path, spoke nor looked up, but
walked straight forward with their silent, measured tread until they
disappeared. The explorers did not interfere with them or speak to
them. Thus the representatives of the different races encountered.

The division under charge of Walker joined Fremont at the appointed
rendezvous, but winter was upon them, the mountains were sure
to be choked with snow and no one was familiar with the route. As
a matter of prudence, therefore, Walker was directed to continue
southward with the principal party, while Fremont and a few picked
men pushed on directly through the Sierras to Sutter's Fort, with
a view of obtaining the necessary animals and supplies.

The smaller division was advancing as best it could, when a number
of plainly marked trails were observed showing they were in the
vicinity of some of the most notorious horse thieves in the world.
They were daring and skilful, went long distances, plundered ranches