Page:Route Across the Rocky Mountains with a Description of Oregon and California.djvu/153

Rh proportioned. The irons on the wheels should be as tight as possible, without breaking or straining the wood; and the whole wagon should be heavy enough to bare the required load. It is necessary to have the tires tight on the wheels, on account of the hot dust and sand through which they have to go, and which is very liable to loosen them from the wood.

It will also be well for those who wish to be provided against every circumstance that is liable to come in the way, to construct the beds of their wagons in such a manner than they can be corked and converted into boats. It matters not about the shape; and as they will be used every day as wagon beds, and perhaps never as boats, they had better retain the shape of the former. The covering of the wagon should be of strong and very close material, or painted so as to render it impervious to the heavy rains, which are likely to be encountered on the waters of the Kanzas, and on the Platte.

The kind of teams taken upon this road, is also a matter to which the emigrant should pay very great attention. In an outfit, it is one of the things second in importance: after the provisions, probably the first: for if a team fails, it will be very difficult to replace it. The emigrant is entirely dependant on his team; because if it be not sound, healthy and strong, it will not be able to keep pace with those that are, and he will, in consequence, be forced to some disadvantageous extremity, to avoid falling behind. It will be wise to provide against such accidental circumstances by taking along extra animals.

Taking every thing into consideration, oxen are preferable to any other animals, for teams. It is true they cannot endure the heat, the want of sufficient food, and other hardships incident to the journey, quite so well as mules; neither can they travel with the same speed: but with moderate traveling, and proper care, they will make the trip, and may be kept in good traveling condition. They are the kind of teams generally used, and are not likely to be stolen by the Indians; and, in addition, they are more serviceable to a farmer improving in a new country, and, in Oregon, they are more valuable, in proportion to the cost in the States, than either mules or horses. All animals that are expected to do service on the road, should be of mature age. A mule should not be less than five years old, and a horse not less than seven. Oxen should also be rather light, and not very large; because this kind are found to travel better than others that are different. If horses are taken with the expectation of having them