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Volume 3 (1858-1859) (592 pages)
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Page: of 592
492 HUTCHINGS’ CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE,
FERRY SCENE ON THE COSUMNES.
course, such cannot be considered reliable authority, in the absence of actual
measurement. From the height of the
mountains that surround the great YoSemite Valley, which have been measured, and are from three thousand five
hundred to four thousand five hundred
feet, we should think that from two thousand five hurdred to three thousand five
hundred feet for those we are now considering would be a fair estimate. To
cross these high ridges and deep cafions
with vehicles, roads have been cut in the
sides of the.mountains, from the bottom
to the top, at a low and regular grade, so
that heavily-freighted wagons, as well as
light carriages, can ascend and descend
with comparative ease and safety. At
some points excavations have been made
for the road in solid rock, and often where
the mountain side is nearly perpendicular, Of course the cost of such undertakings is very large; but, owing to the
tolls collected, and the number of persons
and vehicles passing and re-passing, the
investment has generally proved a profitable one.
When riding in a carriage or stage on
such roads, there is generally an anxious
though perhaps silent hope that the
horses are steady and trustworthy, the
harness sound and in good order, the
running gear strong, and the coachman
not only sober, but an excellent and careful driver; lest a mishap should take us
on a sudden and undesired journey to
that land where, although many of our
acquaintances have preceded us, we are
not desirous of joining their pleasant
fellowship by such a hasty and unprepared introduction.
On one occasion, a merry company of
travelers who had been to Columbia, Tuolumne County, to witness some combative entertainment—whether political or
pugilistic we are not going to state—and
on returning to Vallecito, Calaveras Co.,
via Abbey’s Ferry, while descending the
hill, the driver, having imbibed a little
too freely, and formed a habit of seeing
double, mistook the side hill for the road,
and the horses, coach and passengers
were furiously hurried over the embankment, Two of the horses were killed,