64 EARLY DAY STORIES. 



taken more bedding but did not care to be burdened with 

 it. I think every one had a little money left, and it was 

 hoped that with it enough provisions could be bought from 

 emigrant trains that we would overtake and pass, to keep 

 us eating until the settlements were reached. We also took 

 with us a black mare said to be of good stock, belong- 

 ing to one of our company, with instructions to take her 

 through if she could keep up, but if not to turn her loose 

 and the owner would pick her up again if he found her. 

 The mare was very thin, and seemed to be growing weaker 

 all the time. We always turned her loose at night, and one 

 morning she could not be found, and we did not care to tarry 

 to hunt her up. 



We wanted to know about how much ground we cov- 

 ered in each day's travel, and it was arranged that we 

 should take turns in counting our steps, calling 1700 steps 

 a mile. As there are 5280 feet in a mile 1700 steps would 

 just about equal a mile, provided the one counting his 

 steps or 'Spaces" as we called it measured just a little over 

 three feet at a pace. In this way by noting by the watch 

 the time it took to "pace" off one mile, we found that we 

 could easily cover thirty miles a day, and in this way could 

 tell just about how long it would take us to get to a place 

 where we could get something to eat. That was really the 

 problem that was to be solved — getting something to eat. 

 We were all well, strong and happy. I liked that trip. Our 

 guns were a burden, and almost of no use on the trip, as 

 all the game we had a chance to shoot during the trip was 

 one grouse that alighted near us on the side hill as we were 

 eating breakfast, and one or two ruffed grouse, or pheas- 

 ants found in the thick timber while crossing the Blue moun- 

 tains. However, in the end, the guns helped us out, for on 

 arriving at the Dalles, I sold mine for four dollars, and I 

 think my cousin got five dollars for his. We had very poor 

 luck buying provisions from the emigrants, nearly all being 



