Page:Route Across the Rocky Mountains with a Description of Oregon and California.djvu/151



he distance from the Western Settlements of the United States to the Settlements in Oregon or California, is variously estimated from twenty-two to twenty-five hundred miles; and the kind of country through which emigrants have to pass, will be seen from the foregoing description; it will also be perceived, that there is but a small portion of this country in which they can supply themselves with provisions. Nothing can be obtained at the trading establishments, excepting at an enormous price; and the Buffalo are not to be depended on. Under these circumstances, it is of the first importance, that emigrants furnish themselves amply with provisions, before they leave the United States. It requires about five months to make the journey, under ordinary circumstances, but difficulties and detentions may, in some instances, increase the time to six months; it will therefore be the safest and most prudent, for emigrants to lay in provisions for six months. In respect to the quantity, every one should make a calculation, it is important to take into consideration, the fact, that the appetite is almost universally increased by traveling. It is peculiarly so on the way across the Rocky Mountains. The rough manner of living, which it is necessary for the traveler to adopt, together with the purity of the atmosphere, the constant and wholesome exercise, and the various scenes and incidents dully presented, which tend to divert the mind, all have a great tendency to promote uncommon good health, and consequently, uncommon good appetites. For this reason, it will be found easy to dispenbse with most of the luxuries common to civilized life. With but few exceptions it is only those things which are the most substantial and nutritious that should be taken; such as flour, middlings of bacon, because they are free from bones, rice, sugar, coffee, salt, pepper, &c. The qualtity of flour for each individual, should not be less than two hundred pounds, unless the