noon
The Sacramento evidently flowed through a wide valley , for mountains were visible beyond the timber on either hand . Each evening the schooner stopped for the night , tying or anchoring . Not until noon of the fifth day on the river was any sign of settlement along the banks encountered , although boats continued frequent . But that noon a large ranch was passed , where a settler by the name of Schwartz had been wise enough to start in raising vegetables . He had made over $ 15,000 already , claimed people aboard the schooner -- yet for all that nobody on the _ Mary Ann _ seemed ready to farm instead of mine . Next , ahead on the right bank , above the Schwartz ranch , appeared a collection of houses and tents . The _ Mary Ann _ waxed excited again .