There was a wagon trail, if we may so call it, leading circuitously over the vast and almost treeless intervening plains.

The route led along the river valleys, following the windings of streams, and conducting to fords near their head waters.

Sometimes they came to swampy regions, sometimes to deep gulleys, sometimes to desert plains.

But throughout all this wide expanse there were no mountain ranges to obstruct their path.
It was in the spring of the year 1842, that Mr.Carson, as a gentleman passenger, joined one of these caravans.

The little daughter, of whom we have spoken, was then six or seven years of age.