a long while on the
ground. At such times, of course, cattle have all to be more or less
sheltered and fed, which diminishes profits, and great losses are
experienced from the extreme cold, which kills many. Here in England
we think it very cold if the quicksilver shows 10 deg. (Fahr.) below
freezing-point, that is 22 deg. Zero there is not thought cold, and the
thermometer varies between that and 35 deg. below zero, for two or three
months. Fancy 35 deg. below zero which is 67 deg. below freezing-point! I
have experienced similar cold in Norway, and recall how acutely
painful it was. The English climate is far from perfect, but in our
immunity from extremes of temperature we are blessed.

Tempting, therefore, as the grassy plains of Wyoming looked in a
ranch view after the bare Californian ground, the long snow-sheds we
passed through told me much, which inquiry confirmed, as regards the
cold in winter, and neither my sons nor I cared to stop short there.

I had never seen snow-sheds over rails before. They are simply long
wooden tunnels, erected above ground over the line in spots where
snow is likely to drift and block it.

The next state we entered was that of our destination, viz. Colorado,
and what I saw of it, in the 120 miles we traversed before arriving
at the capital, "Denver," I liked well. Grass and to spare
everywhere, well-wooded in parts, some exquisite scenery, and so on.
"This is the country," I said to my sons; "glad you brought me here."

We reached "Denver" in due course, a good-looking town, and put up at
an hotel near the rail. After the journey accomplished, about 1700
miles, and sitting up two nights, we were pretty well knocked up, so
had a hurried dinner and went to bed. But alas! not to sleep. The
creatures that attacked us were _not_ fleas, something worse. I have
such a horror of the little black thing, we all have, I need not
define it. They were in swarms. We had turned in confidingly, we
jumped out of bed horrified and lit the candle. They were in dozens
on the whitewashed walls, and running all over the beds. To remain
was impossible, but it was too late to seek fresh quarters, and we
spent the night on tables and chairs below in the bar!

Next morning I complained to the landlord.

"Never heard of such a thing. You must have brought them with you, I
guess."

"What, hundreds of them? Come upstairs and look."

He did so, but he did not give in. "Well, it may be some of them
belo