SWIMMING MULES ACROSS STREAM. 269 
bridge. We unpack the mules, carry 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 may be 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 bythe packers; at last, in sheer despair, 
they dash 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 
