The only amends that I could make was to try and warn our travelers.
Stooping as low as I could, and watching my time to cross the more open places when the sentry was looking away from me, I passed up the winding of the little watercourse, and sheltered in the swampy thicket which concealed its origin.

Hence I could see for miles over the plain--broad reaches of corn land already turning pale, mazy river fringed with reed, hamlets scattered among clustering trees, and that which I chiefly cared to see, the dusty track from Sacramento.
Whether from ignorance of the country or of Mr.Gundry's plans, the sentinel had been posted badly.

His beat commanded well enough the course from San Francisco; but that from Sacramento was not equally clear before him.

For a jut of pine forest ran down from the mountains and cut off a part of his view of it.

I had not the sense or the presence of mind to perceive this great advantage, but having a plain, quick path before me, forth I set upon it.