back of the range, behind San Josef, the San Joachim probably flows in that direction, branching off at the archipehigo near the entrance of the Sacramento, but certainly not navigable, nor entitled to be named as a river in conjunction with its majestic neighbour.
Having entered the Sacramento, we soon found that it increased in Addth as we advanced, and at our noon station of the second day was about one-third of a mile wide. The marshy land now gave way to firm ground, preserving its level in a most remarkable manner, succeeded by banks well wooded Avith oak, planes, ash, willow, chesnut, walnut, poplar, and brushwood. Wild grapes in great abundance overhung the lower trees, clustering to the river, at times completely overpowering the trees on which they climbed, and producing beautiful varieties of tint. All our efforts were directed to reach the head of the stream without delay, stopping only at nine a.m., noon, and three p.m., for astronomical stations. As my boat was swift, these short delays afforded rest to the men, and we very soon overtook those in advance.
About half way up we observed Indians on our right, but were soon apprised of their friendship by our guide, Avho brought their pass from the General Vallejo, "to absent themselves from the mission of San José, in order to make treaties with the natives or wild Indians;" or in other terms, to make trade for peltry, &c. Two of these volunteering to join
