RECOLLECTIONS

OF

FOUR YEARS IN VENEZUELA.

CHAPTER I.

ARRIVAL.

THE Gold Fever of California was at its height, when reports came of the discovery of gold at Upata, in Venezuela. The journey to the latter place was thought less laborious and expensive, and several companies were formed to proceed to the gold-diggings there. These consisted principally of inexperienced and thoughtless young men, most of whom had scarcely ever travelled beyond the streets of a town, and whose previous occupations unfitted them for the exposure, fatigues, and self-denial required for a successful issue to the project.

I joined a company, and had prepared everything that was thought necessary for the outfit. I

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