. CAMP APACHE

By the fourth of October we had crossed the range, and began to see
something which looked like roads. Our animals were fagged to a state
of exhaustion, but the travelling was now much easier and there was good
grazing, and after three more long day's marches, we arrived at Camp
Apache. We were now at our journey's end, after two months' continuous
travelling, and I felt reasonably sure of shelter and a fireside for the
winter at least. I knew that my husband's promotion was expected, but
the immediate present was filled with an interest so absorbing, that a
consideration of the future was out of the question.

At that time (it was the year of 1874) the officers' quarters at Camp
Apache were log cabins, built near the edge of the deep canon through
which the White Mountain River flows, before its junction with Black
River.

We were welcomed by the officers of the Fifth Cavalry, who were
stationed there. It was altogether picturesque and attractive. In
addition to the row of log cabins, there were enormous stables and
Government buildings, and a cutler's store. We were entertained for
a day or two, and then quarters were assigned to us. The second
lieutenants had rather a poor choice, as the quarters were scarce. We
were assigned a half of a log cabin, which gave us one room, a small
square hall, and a bare shed, the latter detached from the house, to be
used for a kitchen. The room on the other side of the hall was occupied
by the Post Surgeon, who was temporarily absent.

Our things were unloaded and brought to this cabin. I missed the barrel
of china, and learned that it had been on the unfortunate wagon which
rolled down the mountain-side. I had not attained that state of mind
which came to me later in my army life. I cared then a good deal about
my belongings, and the annoyance caused by the loss of our china was
quite considerable. I knew there was none to be obtained at Camp Apache,
as most of the merchandise came in by pack-train to that isolated place.

Mrs. Dodge, of the Twenty-third Infantry, who was about to leave the
post, heard of my predicament, and offered me some china plates and
cups, which she thought not worth the trouble of packing (so she said),
and I was glad to accept them, and thanked her, almost with tears in my
eyes.

Bowen nailed down our one carpet over the poor board floor (after having
first sprinkled down a thick layer of clean straw, which he brought from
the quarter