INTRODUCTION and Sketch of the Author.
Galen Clark, the author of this little volume, is one of the notable characters of California, and the one best fitted to record the customs and traditions of the Yosemite Indians, but it was only after much persuasion that his friends succeeded in inducing him to write the history of these interesting people, with whom he has been in close communication for half a century.
The Indians of the Yosemite are fast passing away.

Only a handful now remain of the powerful tribes that once gathered in the Valley and considered it an absolute stronghold against their white enemies.

Even in their diminished numbers and their comparatively civilized condition, they are still a source of great interest to all visitors, and it has been suggested many times that their history, customs and legends should be put in permanent and convenient form, before they are entirely lost.
Many tales and histories of the California Indians have been written by soldiers and pioneers, but Mr.Clark has told the story of these people from their own standpoint, and with a sympathetic understanding of their character.

This fresh point of view gives double interest to his narrative.
Galen Clark comes of a notable family; his English ancestors came to the State of Massachusetts in the seventeenth century, but he is a native of the Town of Dublin, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, born on the 28th day of March, 1814, and is consequently nearly ninety years of age, but still alert and active in mind and body.
He attended school in his early youth during the winter months, and worked on a farm during the summer, leading nearly the same life which was followed by so many others who afterwards became famous in our country's history.
Later in life he learned chair-making and painting, an occupation which he followed for some years, when he removed to Philadelphia and subsequently to New York City.
Whilst residing in New York, in 1853, he resolved, after mature reflection, to visit the new Eldorado.

His attention was first attracted to this State by visiting the celebrated Crystal Palace in New York, where was then on exhibition quantities of gold dust which had been sent or brought East by successful miners.
Mr.Clark left New York for California in October, 1853, coming via the Isthmus of Panama, and in due time reached his destination.