I was in the bondage of tropical customs, and I had lapsed back into a state of what my aunt called semi-barbarism.
"Let me enjoy this heavenly cool climate, and do not worry me," I begged.

I shuddered when I heard people complain of the cold winds of the San Francisco summer.

How do they dare tempt Fate, thought I, and I wished them all in Ehrenberg or MacDowell for one summer.

"I think they might then know something about climate, and would have something to complain about!" How I revelled in the flowers, and all the luxuries of that delightful city! The headquarters of the Eighth was located at Benicia, and General Kautz, our Colonel, invited me to pay a visit to his wife.

A pleasant boat-trip up the Sacramento River brought us to Benicia.