A CAMP OF MULES. 165 



My ruse de guerre, in regard to a better class of horses 

 being brought me, answered very well; but a similar 

 threat to use oxen instead of mules did not create a cor 

 responding feeling in my favour, as my friends at Kansas 

 city " guessed considerable " that I should not really pro 

 ceed with a slow conveyance. While I was thus kept in 

 suspense, intelligence came that there was a man en 

 camped on the plains, a short distance from the city, pos 

 sessed of three or four hundred mules, and that they were 

 all on sale ; so, ordering a conveyance, myself, Mr John 

 Campbell, and Mr Powell, at once proceeded there to in 

 spect the camp of the American muleteer, and I found 

 him a very straightforward good fellow. We found his 

 tent and waggons provided with sable attendants from 

 Mexico, and ornamented with a very good-looking girl, 

 I suppose the master's mistress or tent-keeper, as there 

 was no house, and a number of long canvas troughs on 

 an excellent principle, and supported by sticks, for the 

 mules to feed from a plan which prevented waste of corn, 

 and gave to the black Boh-hoys an excellent sleeping- 

 place or hammock. Having nothing of the sort when 

 on the plains, I had to feed my horses and mules 

 with the corn in ear on the ground, when much of it of 

 course was lost, and in which position most crafty pigs, 

 perfectly versed in camping interests, could in a few mo 

 ments sally from the nearest cabin and, if not driven off, 

 eat it all up. The immense herd of mules was at a little 

 distance from their owner's camp, removed there to some 

 fresher pasture ; but they shortly approached us, preceded 

 by one of their body with a bell on, to the sound of which 

 they are collectively attached, and driven up by a Mexi 

 can who had been despatched for that purpose. 

 * While we were awaiting their arrival, a tall, lathy, din- 



