JUNE 29, FRIDAY. 



Continuing on in the same line southward, after passing 

 Littleton, we turned to the left along Plum Creek for thirteen 

 miles, and then camped at Van Wormer's ranche. Here the 

 party indulged in the home luxuries of milk and eggs to an 

 enormous extent. 



JUNE 30, SATURDAY. 



When we left the camp this morning we received the 

 cheering news that military discipline was at an end, and that 

 each one might direct his horse where his inclination led him, 

 provided he came to the appointed rendezvous at night. 

 Leaving the main party, we struck out straight across the 

 foot-hills for Castle Rock, so named from a square rock, 

 about 90 feet high, on the top of a mountain overlooking the 

 railroad station. As we rode into the village we saw a sign 

 with the enticing words, " Strawberries and ice-cream," on it, 

 and forthwith prepared ourselves to enjoy them. But on a 

 closer inspection of the aforesaid sign, we found printed be- 

 low, in microscopic characters, " On the 4th "; so we had to 

 be satisfied with some sour strawberries and some very dry 

 ginger-snaps. We went on about eight miles further to Lev- 

 erson's ranche, the appointed meeting-place for the night. 



Here we waited for the rest of the party, who came strag- 

 gling in one by one, and finally Lynde brought the startling 

 information that the " commissary department" had broken 

 down six miles back ; and as the housekeeper was not pre- 

 pared for the reception of sixteen hungry troopers, the chance 

 of our getting a supper seemed to be rather slight. Finally, 

 not caring to have us starve, she gave us freely of what she 

 had in large store, viz., milk and biscuits. She also very 

 kindly offered us for sleeping purposes the only empty room 

 she had in the small log cabin. Taking our saddles for pillows, 

 and fully booted and spurred, we laid down ; but not to 

 peaceful slumbers. 



JULY i, SUNDAY. 



Sabbath morning was spent in anxiously awaiting the ar- 

 rival of the wagons. They finally reached us at 12 M. All 

 hands then set to work to prepare dinner, which was to 

 answer for two meals. We enjoyed this meal more than any 

 that we had since starting out. The afternoon was spent 



