TIMELY DISCOVERY OF A FORD. 281 



Hide back towards my train, puzzled what 

 course to pursue. An Indian gallops from amidst 

 the trees, chasing two horses with a lasso, 

 catches one, and proceeds rapidly down-stream. 

 I follow quietly, about a half-mile ; then he rides 

 into the river, and, without wetting his horse's 

 sides, gets on the other side. 



This is a grand discovery. Gallop to my train. 

 Ride in triumph through the ford, followed by the 

 bell-horse and mules, and bow impudently to the 

 flabby old deceiver, staring at me wonderingly 

 as I pass up the opposite side of the stream. 



Without stopping to rest, I push on over a 

 swampy country, with little clumps of alder and 

 cotton-wood-trees, like islands, here and there, for 

 twenty-four miles; keep as close as possible to 

 the edge of the river, until we reach a large 

 morass, from which it heads. Here I camp. 

 Although I have not seen the trace of an Indian 

 since leaving the village, still I feel sure they will 

 follow up my trail. 



Light fires as usual, and keep strict watch over 

 the wearied and hungry mules. The men are 

 tired and sleepy; but, jaded as I am in mind and 

 body, contrive to keep them up to their sentry- 

 duty. They get an alternate sleep I get none. 



May ^2nd. Passed a miserably cold night. 



