But we must take the next train for San Diego, or this chapter will be a volume in itself.

And I have not even alluded to the "Great Back Country." The founder of San Diego is still living, still hopeful, still young at heart.

"Father" Horton, the typical pioneer, deserves more honors than he has yet received.

Coming from Connecticut to California in 1851, he soon made a small fortune in mining, buying and selling gold-dust, and providing the diggers with ice and water for their work.

He rode over the country in those lawless times selling the precious dust disguised as a poverty-stricken good-for-naught, with trusty revolver always in his right hand on the pommel of the saddle--the handsome green saddle covered with an old potato sack.