at night.

[April 19--6th day] Killed 3 squirrels traveled 22 miles encamped in a
wood, slept in the waggon for the first time, passed through a small
town this morning [April 20--7th day] as we proceeded on our journey, &
about 10 o'clock we came to the pleasant town of C----ville,[10] from
there we had the pleasure of traveling on a fine plank road, we soon
came in sight of the tall spires of the city of St. Louis,[11] & there
were other signs that we were approaching a great metropolis, there were
gentlemen on the ponds[12] fishing some gunning, & several little boys
along the roadside with spear in hand, a sack thrown over their shoulder
& with deliberate aim picked up every frog that dared to put their heads
above the water. they were not doing this for sport or prehaps [sic] the
frogs might have reproved them, but for proffit, I asked one little
fellow what he got for his frogs? he said 3 bits[13] a dozzen. About the
middle of the day we arived on the bank of the Mississippi opposite St.
Louis, encamped in sight of several waggons which we knew from
appearences were for the same destination as ourselves, the horse teems
which had passed us some days before soon came up, some of their party
had been through before, & we intended to travel with them seeing that
we could go as far in a day as they did, but circumstances prevented as
you will soon see. The men all went over to the city, & returned in the
evening with an account of the vast number of Californians (as we were
called here) who were there outfiting & shipping &c.

[April 21--8th day] This morning we went down to the Ferry crossed over,
& with much difficulty forced our way through the narrow streets which
were crowded with drays, & the loose stalk which was being driven down
to the ferry boat, but we made our way up to the place where we were to
get our outfit, it was nearly opposite the postoffice, fortunately there
was a pile of bricks lying on the side of the road which protected our
team or I think they must have been run over. I choose to set in the
waggon while they were trading; & never before did I see such bustle, &
hear such a din as I did in those two hours, or ever see such a drama
pass before me, for being in the immediate vicinity of the postoffice
there were constantly passing in & out, a mixed multitude of all ages
sex & condition, I amused myself by noticing them as they passed while I
was unobserved in our huge covered waggon. Many of th