In the rainy season, the plain between the Puta and Sacramento Rivers is impassable, but in July the waters dry up; and we passed without trouble, by the trail for Sutter's Embarcadero.

We reached the Sacramento River, then full of water, with a deep, clear current.
The only means of crossing over was by an Indian dugout canoe.

We began by carrying across our packs and saddles, and then our people.

When all things were ready, the horses were driven into the water, one being guided ahead by a man in the canoe.

Of course, the horses and mules at first refused to take to the water, and it was nearly a day's work to get them across, and even then some of our animals after crossing escaped into the woods and undergrowth that lined the river, but we secured enough of them to reach Sutter's Fort, three miles back from the embcarcadero, where we encamped at the old slough, or pond, near the fort.