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LEARNING HOW TO SOLDIER.
"The grasses failed, and then a mass Of dry red cactus ruled the land: The sun rose right above and fell, As falling molten from the skies, And no winged thing was seen to pass." Joaquin Miller.
We made fourteen miles the next day, and went into camp at a place called Freeze-wash, near some old silver mines.

A bare and lonesome spot, where there was only sand to be seen, and some black, burnt-looking rocks.

From under these rocks, crept great tarantulas, not forgetting lizards, snakes, and not forgetting the scorpion, which ran along with its tail turned up ready to sting anything that came in its way.

The place furnished good water, however, and that was now the most important thing.
The next day's march was a long one.