Finally, I reached Escondido at seven.

Several large parties of packers, with their trains of mules, had already settled for the night; camp-fires were burning.
Here and there drinking had been going on, and there was noise of loud laughter, singing and dancing.

Our party was already eating supper when I arrived, and my own meal had been ordered.

Shelter was supplied us adjoining the house, where we spread our blankets and spent a comfortable night.

We were late in starting, and were not upon the road until seven in the morning.