Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 5.djvu/406

 396 PETER H. BURNETT. At this camp another of the men sat down by a pine tree, leaned himself against it, and died. The remainder of this suffering party continued their journey. All the other men dropped off one after an- other, at intervals, except Eddy and Foster. When they had almost reached the point of utter despair, Eddy saw a deer, and made a good shot killing Ihe animal. This supplied them with food for a few days. After it was con- sumed, they met with a party of Indians, who furnished them with a small quantity of provisions. At length they arrived at the last encampment, and within six or eight miles of Johnson's rancho, on the east- ern side of the Sacramento Valley. Next morning Foster was unable to continue the journey, and refused to make another effort to walk. Eddy was the stouter man of the two, and he proceeded on his tottering course, leaving Foster and the five women at the camp. It was all Eddy could do to walk ; but, most fortunately, he soon found two friendly Indians, who kindly led him to Johnson's place, Eddy walking between them, with one hand on the shoulder of each Indian. They arrived at Johnson's house in the afternoon. Johnson was then a bachelor, but he had a man and his wife living with him. This lady was an admirable woman, full of humanity, and possessed of excellent sense, firm- ness, and patience. She knew from Eddy's condition what the poor sufferer needed. There were also several fami- lies of late immigrants residing temporarily in that vi- cinity. About ten men promptly assembled, and started for the camp, taking with them everything that was nec- essary. The relief men were piloted by the two humane Indians, and reached the camp a little after dark. Foster said that when t'hey heard the men coming through the brush toward the camp, the women began to cry most piteously,