they arrived at their destination before the coming of the winter
storms.

The first overland stage line was established by way of New Mexico
and Arizona, terminating at Los Angeles. Twenty-two days were required
for this part of the tiresome and dangerous trip. The route was
longer and more desert-like than that farther north across Nevada,
but the winter storms were avoided.

The stage-coach proved too slow for the needs of the growing settlements
upon the Pacific slope. A telegraph line was planned, but it could
not be completed for some time, and even then it was probable that
the Indians would destroy the poles and wires.

Then came the idea of a relay of fast messengers upon horseback,
and the pony express was organized. It is difficult to believe
that by this means the journey of two thousand miles between St.
Joseph, a point upon the Missouri a little above Kansas City, and
Sacramento, California, was once made in about eight days. This
is only a little more than twice the time required by the fast
trains at present.

For two years the trip was regularly made in about nine days, averaging
two hundred and twenty miles a day. It can be readily understood
that this wonderful feat required many relays of men and horses
scattered along the route. The express rider had no well-graded
roads to follow, but only the rough trail of the emigrants. This
led across broad deserts and over rugged mountains, and throughout
most of the journey exposed the rider to the attacks of Indians.

Let us take a map and trace the route of the express. It followed
closely the main overland trail which the gold-seekers had opened.
Now towns and cities are scattered along the old trail, and the
railroad crosses and recrosses it. But let us try to picture the
country as it appeared in its wild state.

Mountains, valleys and plains made up the landscape. Vast herds
of buffalo darkened the Great Plains east of the Rocky Mountains,
while farther west were numerous bands of antelope. The streams
were filled with beaver and other fur-bearing animals. Here and
there along the rivers were Indian villages with their curiously
shaped tepees. Even the deserts of Nevada were not uninhabited,
for the Indians lived there also, gathered in little family groups
about the desolate springs.

When we speak of the overland trail we do not mean a narrow path
for animals, but the wagon road, rude though it was, which the early
emigrants had made. They w