
audiobook
by R. Pitcher (Robert Pitcher) Woodward
TRANSCRIBER NOTE:
Imagine setting out on a cross‑country odyssey with nothing but a battered suitcase and a stubborn burro for company. The narrator, fresh from farewells, trades wit and hard work for meals, freight, and occasional shelter as he drags his pack across plains, mountain passes, and desert valleys. Early chapters capture the absurdity of negotiating with a mule‑like companion whose shadow often beats him to town, while the writer’s sharp eye turns every mishap into a laughable anecdote.
The journey unfolds through a patchwork of vivid scenes—rattlesnakes on the prairie, snow‑capped peaks, and bustling river towns—each illustrated with thirty‑nine original photographs that bring the landscape to life. Along the way, encounters with Piute Indians, opportunistic townsfolk, and the occasional unexpected storm test his resolve, but also provide chances to earn enough coin to keep moving. Listeners will feel the grit, humor, and awe of a man who, in just over a year, turned a hopeless trek into a remarkable tale of perseverance.
Full title
On a Donkey's Hurricane Deck A Tempestous Voyage of Four Thousand and Ninety-Six Miles Across the American Continent on a Burro, in 340 Days and 2 Hours, Starting Without a Dollar and Earning My Way A Tempestous Voyage of Four Thousand and Ninety-Six Miles Across the American Continent on a Burro, in 340 Days and 2 Hours, Starting Without a Dollar and Earning My Way
Language
en
Duration
~11 hours (667K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by RichardW, Greg Bergquist and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2013-02-26
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

Best known for a lively true-life travel book about crossing the United States on a burro, this early-20th-century writer turned an almost year-long journey into a funny, energetic adventure. His work still stands out for its mix of grit, curiosity, and dry humor.
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