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 26th.—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 secing. How far is it?’ 
