Far back on the trail, many had been forced to leave prized belongings, relies, heirlooms, implements, machinery, all conveniences.

The finest of mahogany blistered in the sun, abandoned and unheeded.

Our trail might have been followed by discarded implements of agriculture, and by whitened bones as well.

Our footsore teams, gaunt and weakened, began to faint and fall.

Horses and oxen died in the harness or under the yoke, and were perforce abandoned where they fell.