I returned to my own tent and went to bed. Placing two candles on a
support near my pillow, I tucked the lower edge of the mosquito-bar
under the edge of my mattress, and, settling back comfortably,
proceeded to read the last instalment of news from "the States"--news
which had been fifteen days on the way from the Missouri. As I read of
battle, siege, and march I was conscious that the boys were having
some difficulty in inducing Vic to remain with them. When at last all
was quiet, except their regular and restful breathing, a soft nose was
thrust up to my pillow, and I opened an aperture in the netting large
enough to exchange affectionate greetings, and Vic cuddled down on her
bed beside mine and went to sleep. This was always her custom
thereafter. While she was very fond of the boys, and spent most of her
waking hours with them, no persuasion or blandishments could prevent
her, when she knew the boys had dropped into unconsciousness, from
returning to my tent, offering me a good-night assurance of her
unchanged affection, and going to sleep upon her old bed.

The time had now come for us to begin our march to Arizona. Company F
had arrived, and the boy corporals were again in possession of their
beautiful horses. Grain, hay, and careful attendance had put new
graces into the ponies' shapes, and kind treatment had developed in
each a warm attachment for its young master.

The first day of our march was spent in crossing the Rio Grande del
Norte and making camp four miles beyond the opposite landing. There
was a ferry-boat at Los Pinos, operated by the soldiers of the post,
capable of taking over four wagons at a time.

We rose at an earlier hour than usual, and by daybreak our train of
eighty-nine wagons, drawn by five hundred and thirty-four mules, was