PRELIMINARY. 15 



packet came along went down the Missouri. This time, 

 as the trip was short, I took cabin passage and enjoyed 

 the privilege of the saloon and "texis" deck and was as 

 good as the best of them. I could see the " calliope " man 

 playing on his instrument of torture; the silk-hatted gamblers 

 playing at cards ; I could lounge on a sofa, and do other acts 

 and things lately forbidden. Arrived at my destination I 

 soon hired with a transportation agent to drive team, and for- 

 warded my trunk home. The sending of this, which con- 

 tained nearly all of my civilized belongings, seemed like burn- 

 ing the bridge behind, and that I had entered on a dangerous, 

 half savage life, from which I might never return. Before 

 leaving the agent, I made some inquiries of him in regard to 

 the scenery on the route, and other matters, which smacked 

 more of the tourist than of the experienced ox-propeller I pro- 

 fessed to be. The next morning, rigged out in my roughest 

 clothing, I reported for duty at the wharf, where a train was 

 being made up. What was my mortification when my yester- 

 day's employer told me curtly he did not want me. " Why?" 

 I asked. " Any one who asks such questions as you did, is 

 too smart for an ox-driver," he roughly answered as he turned 

 away. I resolved that next time I would guard well my 

 tongue. 



Concluding to return to Leavenworth and again try my 

 luck there, I passed the coming night waiting for an up 

 steamer. A dismal wait it was; till midnight in a foul 

 smelling saloon, and after that was closed, on the dark levee, 

 by the side of the rushing river. Towards morning a boat 

 came along, and on it I returned to the above town. Here I 

 again hired as an ox-driver, trying to look as rough and un- 

 kempt as I could, that I might seem worthy the vocation. My 

 destination was Salt Lake. This time I was careful to ask no 

 questions, though I shrank from the rough life before me. 



One thing that reconciled me to engaging in this journey 



