THE ATMOSPHERE. 183 
all descriptions, even the best seasoned, was very surprising, 
causing it to shrink and dry up until nails drew out and bands 
loosened, requiring constant ae 
The only way, indefault of at forge to cut and weld 
the tires, was to take them off and aa ana the wooden 
rims of the wheels thin laths of pecan, which is best for the 
purpose, and then heating the tires, draw them on again. 
As this had to be done to almost every wheel on our wagons, 
we were fortunate in our camp, as all hands worked shoortrla 
now that water was plenty. 
The atmosphere had the same drying effect upon the skin, 
and one, who perspired freely, found his face—on cooling in 
the wind—covered with a fine powder. 
There was no dew, and so bland were the nights, that I 
preferred sleeping in the open air, which I observed the men 
did, only using the tents as.a protection against the heat of 
the sun, which on this date was awful, thermometer at ten a. mM. 
one hundred and two degrees in the shade; we were of course 
better off lying still, under such circumstances, so we.amused 
ourselves with reading, writing and dozing until the moonlight 
hours for sleep. 
Some of the soldiers amused themselves shooting and fish- 
ing, but with indifferent success, One said the sun was so 
hot that the fish would not bite, another that the turkeys. 
were too wild to get a shot at them, all having every reason 
but the right one, viz., their inexperience and want of skill. 
Sohn Jacobs, Jr., Indian-like, saddled his horse and went 
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