268 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 



cottonwoods on the banks of the Arkansa began to put 

 forth their buds, and robins and blue-birds harbingers 

 of spring were hopping with gaudy plumage through 

 the thickets, three white-tilted Conostoga waggons 

 emerged from the timbered bottom of the river, and 

 rumbled slowly over the prairie, in the direction of the 

 Platte's waters. Each waggon was drawn by eight 

 oxen, and contained a portion of the farming imple- 

 ments and household utensils of the Brand family. 

 The teams were driven by the young boys, the men 

 following in rear with shouldered rifles old Brand 

 himself, mounted on an Indian horse, leading the 

 advance. The women were safely housed under the 

 shelter of the waggon tilts, and out of the first the 

 mild face of Mary Brand smiled adieu to many of her 

 old companions who had accompanied them thus far, 

 and now wished them " God-speed " on their long 

 journey. Some mountaineers, too, galloped up dressed 

 in buckskin, and gave them rough greeting warning 

 the men to keep their "eyes skinned," and look out 

 for the Arapahos, who were out on the waters of the 

 Platte. Presently all retired, and then the huge 

 waggons and the little company were rolling on their 

 solitary way through the deserted prairies passing the 

 first of the many thousand miles which lay between 

 them and the " setting sun," as the Indians style the 

 distant regions of the Far West. And on, without 

 casting a look behind him, doggedly and boldly marched 

 old Brand, followed by his sturdy family. 



They made but a few miles that evening, for the 



