Execution of a man in Marysville. The petty theft the results of bad Influence. Accident at the Mines. “Obstinate as a Mule.” Mysterious Disappearance of Dunbar. Cold Blooded Murder. Disinterested Benevolence,232 CHAPTER XXIII Hardships of the Mountain Settlers during the winter of 1852. A Brother’s Experience,254 CHAPTER XXIV Peculiarities of John Chinaman. Conflagration in Marysville,263 CHAPTER XXV Farewell to Marysville. Departure. Arrival at San Francisco. Leave San Francisco for Home,271 CHAPTER XXVI Incidents of the passage. Burial at Sea,275 CHAPTER XXVII Arrival at Panama. Description of Hotels. Walks about the city. The Battlement,283 CHAPTER XXVIII Crossing the Isthmus. Grave by the road-side. The beautiful Valley of Obispo. Take the cars for Aspinwall,291 CHAPTER XXIX Embark for Home, on board the North Star. A distressed family,307 CHAPTER XXX Arrival at New York,314 CHAPTER XXXI Incidents illustrative of Morals in California,315 CHAPTER XXXII Conclusion,334 {11} INCIDENTS ON LAND AND WATER. CHAPTER I. In the town of Kingston, in the State of Massachusetts, not many miles distant from that ancient and time-honored bay whose waters years ago kissed the prow of the “May Flower” as she approached a sterile and inhospitable shore, is situated the home of my childhood. The dear old homestead, the scene of so many fond recollections, had descended from father to son for generations. The storms of many winters had beaten upon its roof; time had left its impress without, in the shape of moss-covered shingles; but within, all was youthful joy and gladness. Not a link in that family circle had been severed. In love and affection were we nurtured. Although years have intervened since those sunny days of childhood, how often, while sojourning in distant lands, would memory recall with un{12}dimmed freshness the gladsome spring-time of youth. Happy days! too speedily do they fly, leaving, often, nought but the recollection of them to cheer us in our toilsome march. Early in life, I was united to one whose home was on the deep. Then came the sad partings from loved friends, to follow for many consecutive years the fortunes of my husband by sea and land. There were sad departures and joyful returns. CHAPTER II. On the 27th of July, 1850, I sailed from Baltimore in the ship Nonantum, of Boston, (Bates, master,) bound to San Francisco. In the ship’s hold was stowed one thousand and fifty tons of coal; the between-decks were filled with provisions for the steamers plying between Panama and the El Dorado of the West. The coal with which we were laden was taken from the Cumberland mines, brought directly to Baltimore in open iron cars, subject to frequent showers of rain on the way, and deposited in that condition in the ship.{13}