; and
yet, they can do so, as the above example sufficiently proves, without
allowing one murmur of complaint to escape their lips. With the
regulars, who were amply supplied with blankets and buffalo robes, it
would appear that they could have obtained sound sleep. But this too
proved to be almost an impossibility. The heat of the man's body,
during the early and warmer part of the night, served to melt the icy
covering of the mother earth just under him. When the cold increased,
this was again frozen, rendering the portion of the body nearest to
the ground almost benumbed. By frequently reversing the posture a
little, some relief from suffering was obtained, but not sufficient to
reach a degree which could be called comfortable, or, in the least, be
claimed as desirable. Every member of this expedition can truthfully
assert that they have experienced a foretaste of what the first
symptoms of freezing to death must be.

Finally, the command reached Fort Massachusetts, where, in ease and
plenty, the half starved, half frozen, half used-up men soon forgot
all their troubles and privations. A few weeks spent at the fort,
acted like a magic charm in recruiting the men and the remaining
animals, when they were once more in a fit condition, and, again eager
to go on the war path, anxiously desiring to surpass the splendid
deeds of their first tramp.

At the permanent camp, which was made near Fort Massachusetts, the
Mexican Volunteers, especially, enjoyed themselves hugely. From
privations of various kinds, to which they had shown themselves to be
well trained, and which consequently affected them but little, they
were suddenly placed in a state of comparative comfort and even luxury
rarely realized at their own homes. They had not much else to do
beyond guarding their animals and attending to such other minor duties
as were required by camp duties. Had not their hardy ponies required
the rest that was now being given them, these troops would have been
kept in more active service; but, as this could not be, they were
allowed a respite, which they themselves turned into pleasure. Foot
races and various athletic games were concocted and played by them,
making the time pass merrily by. Their discipline and respect for
their officers had reached a degree seldom, if ever, attained by
volunteer soldiers, and which, in many respects, could be imitated
with advantage by regular troops.

But the time soon arrived for the march to