THE TRAMPS OF DEATH VALLEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2840, 19 August 1908, Page 83

THE TRAMPS OF DEATH VALLEY.

PECULIAR CALIFORNIAN WANDERERS.

~Mojave Desert, California, that land of myths and mirages, a part of which, Death Valley, is believed by many to be the ■hottest place on earth, is not without ite tramps, even in summer, when the thermometer reaches 137.

Notwithstanding the burning wastes, scarcity of water, and dangers from animals, they are 'found in all parts of the desert. Mining camps and ranches are far distant from eacn other, and the country produces little food, but theee tourists find no difficulty in getting a living, either fey

— Begging or Stealing. —

They will not -work, yet manage to live. iThe Mojave Desert has evolved a curious type of tramp seen nowhere elee in. the jirorld. His clothes are usually cast-off garments that he has found, begged, or stolen — faded, frayed, and full of holes — and his broken shoes are usually wrapped in cloth co as to protect his feet from the turning sands. He carries a bundle consisting of " provisions and a few empty •beer bottles. -- .On reaching a. .ranch. h& •will "make for 'the spring,- and,, after drinking his fill, Hie down i on , the shady side of the house and 'sleep for hours, or until he smells the odours of a meal. Then he patiently -waite for a "hand out" and is 'off to the next ranch.

— Keeps up his Rounds. —

Thus (says the New York Herald) he ikeeps up his rounds from one end of the Jdesert to the other, with no object in sdew, no hb'jJe-'^fpr the future— only that lie may live from day to day. At niglrlie will sleep in an alfalfa field, or in a shallow brook, "with his head resting upon a rock for a- pillow. Arising from his cool bed he fills his beer bottles with water, eats his breakfast, and again begins hia long tramp, which 'is~ never to end 1 . He follows the trail, .having no» compass, and knowing little or nothing of the country beyond, except that it is 30 miles to the next spring, and twice that distance to the next ranch. He may reach his destination and he may not. Frequently he falls a victim to heat thirst, for men have died of thirst, though ihaving jars of • water in their possession. •The heat .hasyburped out the sparks of life or li£"eralty,;pursts^the' head open. Skeletons* ar^'fouiia in' ihe sands and among the "j"ock&—^oine victims of thirst, others of ' thel^tnieving tramp in quest of provisions.': 3?hej "desert tramp is more desperate /than, his brother of civilisation. „-Tli^r'f ierce climate has brought out ■,<t— His Brutal Nature, — and his hand is against anyone he meets in this desolate country, where everything in Nature is at war, even the elements.

According to the experience of mining prospectors who have traversed the worst parts of Death Valley, the desert nas a peculiar influence upon its dwellers. It iurns x the brain of many, and those who ihave once journeyed across it become ■fascinated and return. It seems to exert an influence that never can be overcome.

The prospector is another desert type — half mining prospector and half tramp. •He shuns civilisation until his "grub stake" is exhausted, when he returns for another supply. These grub-etake eaters are a curious study in human nature ; more so than the ordinary desert tramp, for they are shrewd, possess some business "Capacity, and talk intelligently or persuasively.

The prospector expects to unearth a rich mine, and lives in expectancy and hope. Unless h© finds a mine- his only reward Is bacon, flour, beans, and coffee, his grub stake. His home is on the desert — {where night overtakes him. When he visits civilisation it is to get another ibacker — a grub stake or proAneions sufficient to last him twc or three months, #nd perhaps another burro. This costs pbout 50doi.