It was while undergoing such experience as we have endeavored to
narrate that the characters of men show forth in their true light
and can be fully analyzed. John C. Fremont never was found wanting in
times such as tried men's hearts. He was worthy of the trust reposed
in him. His was no ordinary command. The men he had to deal with, in
their line, had no superiors on the American Continent; yet, he proved
a match for any one of them and gained from them the name of being a
good mountaineer, an encomium they are not prone to bestow lightly.

The party now commenced descending the mountains. On reaching the
valley beneath, Fremont, taking Kit Carson and six of the men, pushed
on in advance, in order to reach Sutter's Fort, where he would be able
to purchase provisions. Fitzpatrick was left in charge of the main
party, with orders to make easy marches. The second day after this
division was made, Mr. Preuss, Fremont's assistant, accidentally got
lost. His friends began making search for him. This failing, they
traveled on slowly, fired guns and used every means in their power to
let their whereabouts be known to him. After wandering about for four
days, to the surprise and joy of his companions, he came into camp.
During his absence he had subsisted on acorns and roots, and, as a
matter of course, was nearly exhausted both in body and mind. Three
days after Mr. Preuss was restored to them, Fremont, with the advance
party, reached Sutter's Fort. He and his party were very hospitably
received. They were entertained with the best the post could furnish,
by its kind-hearted proprietor. Never did men more deserve such
treatment. The condition of all was about as miserable as it could
well be imagined, for men who retained their hold on life.

It was at Sutter's Fort, as most of our readers will remember, that
the great gold mines of California first received their kindling