got him a little farther from the fort we would have charged him _compound_ interest and all the funnels; but under the circumstances we concluded to settle reasonably. We then picked up an old oyster-can and set it over the hole in the barrel, and with a picket-pin and the ax we drove a hole through the bottom of the can, and then had a funnel and a quarter for our trouble. We now steered for Colorado, due west. Stopping at the _Smoky Hill Fork_ to fill our barrel, we were told by a ranchman that the next water in that direction was the _Barrel Springs_,--so called from the barrels sunk there by hunters years ago,--thirty-five miles distant. We had not had any _trouble_ about water _yet_, and did not think it necessary to ask many questions. So we marched as true to the direction pointed out to us as possible, and wended our way slowly along, killing jack-rabbits and antelopes for supplies, and conversing upon such subjects as would best pass away the time. Our barrel held seven bucketfuls of water, and the drive being but thirty-five miles, we were in no hurry and not as saving with the water as we might have been. The first night out was a pleasant camp, and a little chase afforded us great sport. Directly after striking camp upon a spot whence we could see several miles in any direction, so level was the surrounding country. A deer was seen watching us in the distance. “Ah,” said John, “now for a race.” So, with carbine in hand, he mounted the gray mare; and the deer was soon seen bounding away with head erect, and John in close pursuit. Luckily for _me_, the chase was around camp; and the fun of viewing that race was all to myself. The _deer_ at first appeared to think it all sport; but seeing the gray mare gaining upon him, and John’s long hair streaming in the wind while hurling lead from the old carbine, he appeared to realize his situation, and started off as if in a race for life, only touching the high places. John slowly returned from the chase, and riding into camp asked me if we needed any meat. “If we do,” said he, “I can get that deer very easily.” “Oh,” said I, “that meat is like the funnel, it is too _dear_ entirely. I suppose we can do without it.”