Epigraph
I hear the tread of pioneers
Of nations yet to be—
The first low wash of waves where soon
Shall roll a human sea.
—Whittier.
Dedication
TO THE
OLD-TIME PLAINS FREIGHTERS
WHO UNDER THE ROUGH TITLE, “BULL WHACKERS,” PLODDING AT THREE MILES AN HOUR, BRIDGED WITH THEIR CANVAS-COVERED SUPPLY WAGONS THE THOUSAND HOSTILE MILES WHICH SEPARATED DESTITUTION FROM PLENTY