and hastened to the mountains with their booty. The exasperated
Californians often organized and went in pursuit, but it was rare
they overtook the dusky thieves, and when they succeeded in doing
so, were invariably defeated.

This sort of people were undesirable neighbors, and Fremont sent
forward two Delawares and two mountaineers to make an investigation.
They had not gone far, when the company following them found the
signs so threatening that they were alarmed for the scouts. A short
distance further they came upon such an excellent camping site that
they decided to halt for the night.



CHAPTER XXVII.


Alarming Sounds -- Danger of the Scouts -- Fremont Goes to Their
Rescue -- Arrival at Sutter's Fort -- Ordered out of California by
the Mexican Governor -- Fremont's Refusal -- Withdrawal to Sacramento
River -- Arrival of Despatches from Washington -- War with Mexico
-- Meeting with Lieutenant Gillespie -- Night Attack by Klamath
Indians.

While preparing to go into camp, the explorers were mystified
by hearing a number of peculiar sounds like the barking of dogs.
Attentive listening, however, satisfied them that it came from an
Indian village close by, whose women and children were calling out
and lamenting. This constituted positive proof that the friends in
advance were in trouble with the red men and there was not a minute