CHAPTER XXIV {VIII of Vol. II}

Preparations for returning Home -- Breaking out of the Small-pox -- The Start -- Our Caravan -- Manuel the Comanche -- A new Route -- The Prairie on Fire -- Danger to be apprehended from these Conflagrations -- A Comanche Buffalo-chase -- A Skirmish with the Pawnees -- An intrepid Mexican -- The Wounded -- Value of a thick Skull -- Retreat of the Enemy and their Failure -- A bleak Northwester -- Loss of our Sheep -- The Llano Estacado and Sources of Red River -- The Canadian River -- Cruelties upon Buffalo -- Feats at 'Still Hunting' -- Mr. Wethered's Adventure -- Once more on our own Soil -- The False Washita -- Enter our former Trail -- Character of the Country over which we had travelled -- Arrival at Van Buren -- The two Routes to Santa Fé -- Some Advantages of that from Arkansas -- Restlessness of Prairie Travellers in civilized Life, and Propensity for returning to the Wild Deserts, 203