SWIMMING MULES ACROSS STREAM. 269 



bridge. We unpack the mules, cany all the 

 packing-gear and provisions on our own backs 

 to the other side, an operation requiring steady 

 heads and sure feet, the footway a single tree, 

 and not even a handrail to steady the crosser. 

 All safely over, and no mishap. 



The next operation is to swim the mules, a 

 very simple process if properly managed ; a risky 

 and dangerous one if due precautions are neg- 

 lected. The strength of the current must be esti- 

 mated, so that the mules maybe driven up-stream 

 far enough, to ensure their not being washed 

 farther down the opposite side, than where you 

 are desirous they should land, and the place 

 selected for them to land should always have a 

 shelving shore. Supposing you have a canoe, the 

 bell-horse, deprived of his bell, is towed by the 

 canoe across the stream ; a packer, standing in the 

 canoe, keeps ringing the bell violently ; the mules, 

 that have followed their leader to the edge of 

 the stream, are prevented galloping along the 

 river-bank by the packers ; at last, in sheer despair, 

 they clash into the water and swim towards the 

 clanging bell; nothing can be seen but long ears 

 and noses, or heard save the tinkling bell, the 

 splashing water, and a medley of snorts, ranging 

 from a shrill whistle to a sound compounded of 



