, when I intended to make a journey
overland to California.

As the time drew near for me to start, the boys became so anxious to
accompany me, that I finally decided to travel with my own team, instead
of taking the stage to San Diego, as I had originally intended. I
purchased four stout wagons, and thirty mules with harness and outfit for
the road, complete; and engaged the services of an old Texan named Jerry
Vance, as wagon-master for the trip. We also bought a small but
well-selected lot of goods, suitable for either the Mexican or Indian
trade; laid in a large stock of stores for use on the road; and then
awaited the departure of some "freighter" for the "Upper Country," that
we might take advantage of the better protection afforded by a large
party in travelling through a country infested by hostile bands of
Indians.

The boys became very impatient to be off; for we had gone into camp near
the headwaters of the San Pedro, four miles above the city of San
Antonio, and their only amusement consisted in practising with their
rifles or revolvers or exercising their ponies.

At last (it was the first day of September) Jerry brought word to camp,
that, on the following morning, Magoffin's train, consisting of seventeen
wagons, forty men, and two hundred mules, would start for Fort Fillmore,
nearly a thousand miles away upon our direct route.

This was indeed agreeable news; and the boys could hardly contain
themselves for joy at the thought of so soon being on the road.

Every one about camp went to work with a will; for there were many things
yet to be done before we should be ready to leave.

Mules were to be shod, harness examined, wheels greased, nuts tightened,
firearms put in order and freshly loaded, wagons repacked, and, in fact,
a thousand things that are always postponed until the last minute before
starting on a trip like ours.

Shortly after sundown, however, old Jerry announced everything ready, and
then we gathered around our camp-fire, and the boys spent the evening in
asking him questions about the route, which were easily answered; for he
had passed over it seven times, and met with hundreds of adventures on
the road, that afforded both instruction and amusement for his listeners.

It is the story of our trip across the plains, from San Antonio, Texas,
to San Diego, California, as well as some of the adventures we
encountered on the road, that I have to tell you.

Long before daylight the nex