They said it was in a territory of rich soil, with plenty of timber, fish and game and some Indians, just to give a little spice of adventure to the whole thing.
The climate was very mild in winter, as they reported, and I concluded it would suit me exactly.

I began at once to think about an outfit and a journey, and I found that it would take me at least two years to get ready.

A trip to California was not thought of in those days, for it did not belong to the United States.
In the winter of 1848-49 news began to come that there was gold in California, but not generally believed till it came through a U.S.
officer, and then, as the people were used to mines and mining, a regular gold fever spread as if by swift contagion.

Mr.Bennett was aroused and sold his farm, and I felt a change in my Oregon desires and had dreams at might of digging up the yellow dust.

Nothing would cure us then but a trip, and that was quickly decided on.
As it would be some weeks yet before grass would start, I concluded to haul my canoe and a few traps over to a branch of the Wisconsin, and make my way to Prairie du Chien, do a little trapping, get me an Indian pony on which to ride to California.