Many of the men had been out west "hunting country," and sat on the decks or in the cabins until late at night, telling their fellow-travelers what they had found, exchanging news, and sometimes altering their plans to take advantage of what somebody else had found.

Some had been looking for places where they could establish stores or set up in some other business.

Some had gone to sell goods.

Some were travelers for the purpose of preying on others.
I saw a good deal of the world, that summer, some of which I understood, but not much.

I understand it far better now as I look back upon it.
I noticed for the first time now that class of men with whom we became so well acquainted later, the land speculators.