No more grey road, stretching out its dusty miles as far as the eye could reach.

The ladies thought the oxen would be as happy as themselves, and the little mule, the most patient one of the whole train deserved a life of ease for her valuable services.

This little black, one-eyed lady wandered here and there at will seeking for grass, but never going astray or getting far enough from the track to alarm us in the least.

She seldom drank much water, was always ready, never got foot-sore, and seemed made expressly for such a life and for such a desert.
A good kettleful of soup for breakfast, dried meat fixed in packages, kegs and canteens filled with water, and we were ready for an advance.
There is one less ox to lead, and very little load for those we have, still the load is all such poor weak fellows ought to bear.

Old Crump was not thus favored by a gradually lightened load.