September 3, 1872.—We left about noon, mounted on our ponies. Mr. Walling took his wagon along to carry the baggage. We rode ten miles the first day. A storm threatened us. We decided to halt at a deserted hovel. We went in and found two bedsteads, a table, a large fireplace. We were scarcely sheltered and saddles and baggage inside when it began to rain in torrents, soon followed by hail as large as bullets. The horses, nine in number, shivered and shrunk, but we could do no better with them. We prepared beds for us and had quite a comfortable night. We felt grateful that we found a comfortable retreat. 7MS 4, 1872. LASW 74.1