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296 Saturday Dec 16th- Splendid morning- breakfast about half past four- and then started off for our Mules- as soon as we could see- after a long while, made a selection and started with them for the Hotel- here, we were detained some time by our Ladies preparing for the journey etc- and finally started at 6 1/2 Am, all in fine unclear glee?- some of the Ladies were riding on side saddles, and some on Gentlemen's Saddles- it being a splendid morning it was beautiful riding along through the woods , till it began to grow warm, say about 10 Oclock- and by this time, the roads began to grow mucky, and our Mules lazy, and of course, it wasnot so pleasant for us-/ as when first started off this morning,/ however' we managed to get along after a fashion- although, almost- impossible for me to get the mule along- the Lady was one whoom I had promised to accompant across here- I rode along behind the Mule she was on- and by kicking, & punching him, with my umbrella,- I did make out to get him along at the rate of about 3 miles Ph howv- at about 11- Am had the appearance of a heavy thunder shower, and in fact'- it looked as if it would rain evry moment, and there was every appearance of a terrible tempest- and here we were, without a place for shelter, and not atall prepared for a heavy shower however' think I was as well prepared as any of the company, especially those that had ladies