Page:History of Oregon Literature.djvu/322

And on fields of prickly-pear,
Till you wished yourself at home again,
Or any place but there?

Did you travel long, hot days
And never see a spring,
Till just at night you came to one
You fancied "just the thing"?
Did you seize a cup in haste
And think to drink it dry,
When, lo! 'twas almost boiling hot,
Or strong with alkali!

Did you see the glorious landscapes
Spread out before the eye,
As you climbed the rocky ridges,
Or stood on mountains high?
Did your wagons tip up end-wise,
As you rattled down the hill;
Or did you let them down with ropes
In places steeper, still?

And lastly, though not least,
Did you cross the Cascade range
And see the noted "elephant"
The world would think so strange?
Did you slide down "Laurel Hill",
When the rain was falling fast,
And with one yoke of "cows"
Did you reach the goal at last?

If you saw and did all this,
With a thousand items more,
I think it can't be doubted
You are wiser than before;
Though your home's a leaky cabin,
When the Winter rain comes on,
No wonder you are well content
To live in Oregon.

OCTOBER 25, 1858.