HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 203 



there are certain things which are indispensable to 

 those who take this route, and these we will mention. 

 With respect to wagons and teams, the lightest wagon 

 that can be constructed of sufficient strength to carry 

 2,500 pounds weight, is the vehicle most desirable. 

 This can be drawn by three or four yokes of oxen, or 

 six mules ; oxen are usually employed for this purpose. 

 Pack mules can only be employed by parties of men ; 

 but the journey can be made in great deal less time 

 with mules than with oxen. The provisions taken by 

 the companies, consist mainly of flour, bacon, coffee, 

 and sugar ; besides these indispensables, there is rice, 

 crackers, salt, pepper, and other luxuries of light 

 weight. As to the quantity necessary, that may be 

 determined by considering the length of the route 

 and the average number of miles which the emigrants 

 travel per day. From Independence to the first set- 

 tlement in California, which is near the gold region, 

 it is about two thousand and fifty miles — to San Fran- 

 cisco, 2,290 miles. Oxen teams travel about fifteen 

 miles per day upon an average. At that rate, it would 

 require one hundred and thirty-one days to reach the 

 first settlement in California. Allowance should be 

 made for stoppages by accident. Every man should 

 be provided with a good rifle, a pair of pistols, with a 

 quantity of ammunition, and a bowie knife and hatchet, 

 in his belt. A set of carpenter's tools is also necessary. 

 Starting from Independence, and travelling a few 

 miles over a good road, the first prairie opens upon 

 the view. This is called the Blue Prairie, and pre- 

 sents a surface undulating and clothed with rich ver- 

 dure. In crossing this prairie, violent storms often 

 overtake the emigrants, and to those who have not 

 been aecustomed to it, the scene during the storm is 



