Answer:
A. The physical characteristics of California.
Explanation:
Glenn D. Bradley's "The Story of the Pony Express" details the history of the Pony Express and how it was an important part of the Civil War, especially for the Union. The book is a collection of short stories regarding the remarkable mail service during the war.
The two excerpts from the first chapter of the book talk about the physical characteristics of California. The first excerpt mentioned how the <em>"Pacific Coast ... situated at a distance of nearly two thousand miles from the Missouri River ... comprised trackless plains, almost impenetrable ranges of snow-capped mountains, and parched alkali deserts."</em> Likewise, the second excerpt talked of California as <em>"the jewel of the Pacific"</em>, possessing <em>"great natural wealth and unsurpassed climate and fertility"</em>.
Thus, the correct answer is option A.
