noon
He was armed with his favourite blunderbuss , a pocket-compass , and a couple of ship-biscuits . As he advanced towards the head of the valley , the scenery became more and more gloomy and rugged , but the captain liked this . Having spent the greater part of his life at sea , he experienced new and delightful sensations in viewing the mountain-peaks and ravines , by which he was now surrounded ; and , although of a sociable turn of mind , he had no objection for once to be left to ramble alone , and give full vent to the feelings of romance and enthusiastic admiration , with which his nautical bosom had been filled since landing in California . Towards noon , the captain reached the entrance to a ravine , or gorge , which opened upon the larger valley , into which it discharged a little stream from its dark bosom . There was an air of deep solitude and rugged majesty about this ravine that induced the wanderer to pause before entering it . Just then , certain sensations reminded him of the two biscuits in his pocket , so he sat down on a rock and prepared to dine . We say prepared to dine , advisedly , for Captain Bunting had a pretty correct notion of what comfort meant , and how it was to be attained .