with me, I have read a pretty piece. It
is in poetry; and it is so like what I have been thinking of you, that I
have learnt it off by heart. It is so true-like and so pretty a piece
that I thought you might like to read it, and hoping it may please you,
I write it at the end of my letter, which I fear I have already made too
long; but I hope you will have patience to read it all, and then read
the poetry:--

"I think of thee when Morning springs
From sleep with plumage bathed in dew;
And like a young bird lifts her wings
Of gladness on the welkin blue.
And when at noon the breath of love
O'er flower and stream is wandering free,
And sent in music from the grove--
I think of thee--I think of thee!

"I think of thee, when soft and wide
The Evening spreads her robe of light,
And like a young and timid bride,
Sits blushing in the arms of Night.
And when the moon's sweet crescent springs
In light or heaven's deep, waveless sea,
And stars are forth like blessed things--
I think of thee--I think of thee!

"O sir! it is very, very true! I do think of you, and I am sure I shall
do so as long as I live.

"Lilian Holt."

Ah, Lilian! I too think of thee, and thy sweet song! Simple, but
suggestive words. Knew I but where to address thee, you should know how
responsive to them are the echoes of my heart!

CHAPTER FORTY.

THE CARAVAN.

We rode on to Memphis as rapidly as our horses could travel--far too
slow for our desires. Thence a steam-boat carried us to Little Rock,
and another to Van Buren. Many days had been consumed while waiting for
each boat--so many that on arriving at Van Buren, we found that the
caravan had the start of us by full two weeks! Its probable route we
ascertained without any difficulty--up along the Arkansas to the Rocky
Mountains, through the valley of the Huerfano, and the passes Robideau
and Coochetopa--thence across the head waters of the Colorado, and by
the old Spanish trail to California. It was principally a caravan of
gold-seekers: adventurers of all nations. Even Indians had gone with
it--of the half-civilised tribes of the frontier--red and white equally
tempted by the yellow attractions spread out for them in California.
Though large, it was what is termed a "light train"--having more
pack-animals than waggons. On this account, it would make way all the
faster; and unless delayed by some accident, we might be a long time in
coming up