do it; but
when the drivers lash these whips out full length, they cause a
crackling like pistol shots. The owner of the caravan was usually some
gentleman adventurer from Virginia or Kentucky or Louisiana or Missouri;
but each caravan had its captain to command, and its outriders to scout
for Indians. These scouts were of every station in life with morals of
as varied aspect as Joseph's coat of many colors. Kit Carson was once
one of these scouts. Governor Bent was one of the traders. Stephen B.
Elkins first came to New Mexico with a bull whacker's caravan. In the
morning, every teamster would vie with his fellows to hitch up fastest.
Teams ready, he would mount and call back--"All's set." An uproar of
whinnying and braying, the clank of chains, and then the captain's
shout--"Stretch out," when the long line of twenty or thirty
white-tented wagons would rumble out for the journey of thirty to sixty
days across the plains. Each wagon had five yoke of oxen, with six or
eight extra mule teams behind in case of emergency. About three tons
made a load. Twenty miles was a good day's travel. Camping places near
good water and pasturage were chosen ahead by the scouts. Wagons kept
together in groups of four. In case of attack by Comanche or Ute, these
wagons wheeled into a circle for defense with men and beasts inside the
extemporized kraal. Campfires were kept away from wagons to avoid giving
target to foes. Blankets consisted of buffalo robes, and the rations
"hard tack," pork and such game as the scouts and sharpshooters could
bring down. A favorite trick of Indian raiders was to wait till all
animals were tethered out for pasturage, and then stampede mules and
oxen. In the confusion, wagons would be overturned and looted.

As the long white caravans came to their journey's end at Santa Fe,
literally the whole Spanish and Indian population crowded to the Plaza
in front of the Palace. "Los Americanos! Los Carros! La Caravana!"--were
the shouts ringing through the streets; and Santa Fe's perpetual siesta
would be awakened to a week's fair or barter. Wagons were lined up at
the custom house; and the trader presented himself before the Spanish
governor, trader and governor alike dressed in their best regimentals.
Very fair, very soft spoken, very profuse of compliments was the
interview; but divested of profound bows and flowery compliments, it
ended in the American paying $500 a wagon, or losing his goods. The
goods were then