horses we
have.

As foolish as we are in that way, the bearing-rein is used in the
States. But it is taken over the top of the head between the ears. I
know not if this is better or worse than our plan, but this I do
know, bearing-reins, like blinkers, are hurtful, cruel appendages to
harness, and in India, where I owned horses, I used neither. Had I
horses in England I would do the same.

The roads in the States are far behind ours. Perhaps to this is due
the fact that there are not many bicycles and tricycles to be seen.

In the first days of November, 1885, I left the ranch on my way home.
It was a trial parting with my sons. Let them even do well, it is
pretty certain they will not return to England under fifteen years. I
am not young, and I could not help feeling, as I said good-bye, that
it was very doubtful if I should ever see them again. Still we parted
cheerfully, for they were happy with their possessions and the
sanguine hope that they were on the high road to fortune.

I had taken my passage home across the Atlantic in one of the Monarch
line of steamers, and not caring to halt _en route_, or linger in New
York, I timed my departure from Colorado with no day to spare. At
Denver I took a rail-ticket through to New York, and did the
distance, about 1700 miles, in eighty-four hours, halting nowhere
except the necessary time to make connection at the principal
stations between the incoming and outgoing trains. I have not much to
say as to this my last journey in the States, still I will briefly
describe the country passed through. Nebraska was the first state
after leaving Colorado. This, again, like Texas and Wyoming, is a
vast country of grassy plains, on which many thousands of cattle are
reared. The endless plains, though rich in grass, look desolate,
owing to the total absence of trees, except in the vicinity of towns,
where some attempt has been made to remedy the want. It is a very
thinly inhabited state; for miles and miles, as we swiftly passed on,
not a soul could be seen. The rail line through it, from west to
east, is about 480 miles long.

Iowa was the next, and beyond that Illinois. They are much alike, so
I will describe them together. They are very rich pastoral countries,
with large towns, and abound in farms. The scenery in many parts is
beautiful, and the general outlook very English. Iowa, by the rail,
is about 320 miles across, Illinois about 180 miles.

On the western boundary of I