232 MULE-HUNTING EXPEDITION. 



down, marching like ants from a hill towards a re- 

 cent discovery of eatables. The banks are red, the 

 soil is red, and the houses are built of red brick 

 Red Bluffs, a proper and appropriate name. 



Land, and put up at - House, not remark- 

 able for anything but dirt and discomfort. 



April ^Qth. Purchase 59 mules, with a com- 

 plete pack and equipment. My mules and men, 

 that I had sent by land from. Stockton, arrive. 

 Hire two additional hands, and order the pro- 

 visioning for my intended trip. 



April 27th. Mules and men need rest; break- 

 fast over. 



' Now, Cap'en,' says mine host, as I was debat- 

 ing whether it would be wiser to remain quietly 

 at home, and enjoy a thoroughly idle day, or join 

 the hunters, ' I calkilate we've got to worry out 

 this day somehow. S'pose we take a ride over to 

 the Tuscan Springs. It's a mighty strange place, 

 you bet your life; they say it's right over the 

 devil's kitchen, and when he's tarnation hot, he 

 comes up and pops out his head to get a taste 

 of fresh air. The very water comes risin' up 

 a-bilin ? , and the pools flash into flame like 

 powder, if you put fire near 'um.' 



'Why, Major,' I replied, 'it is the place of all 

 others I should enjoy seeing. How far is it? ' 



