noon
From the summit of one of the hills more elevated than the rest we obtained a distant view of the valley of the Sacramento . Our general course was north north-west . The trapper , who proved an able guide , varied the direction from time to time so as to lead us through the easiest paths , taking care to steer clear of the deep canones that split up the hills in every direction . We dined at noon as usual , and that very well , on some hare soup made from a couple of hares which we had shot during the morning , and some dried beef . The signs of deer were very frequent . After mounting and descending a very precipitous and rocky ridge , we encamped near some waterfalls in a wide open valley . The night was somewhat cold , and we enjoyed a blazing fire of pine sticks , which we cut from the dried trees in the vicinity .