TWENTY YEARS IN THE ROCKIES. 213 



dinner but could not, as we had to cross the river, which 

 showed signs of breaking up, the ice being open in several 

 places. About three o'clock in the afternoon we reached 

 the crossing place, near Pompey's Pillar, and found the Ma- 

 jor out looking for a safe place for us to cross. I held the 

 team while the Major and the driver surveyed the ice with 

 troubled looks. 



"Come right away here ; I find a place vot is shust as 

 goot as never vas !" called out the Major. 



"Be careful !" I said ; "don't get so close to that air hole 

 or you will get your clothes wet." 



"Oh no, I vill not, it ist youst as stout as any poddy. 

 Come right here ; mind the bonies und you go quick across." 



Just then the Major sank through the soft ice. The cur- 

 rent was about to take him under when he stuck up one of his 

 legs, caught on the ice and held himself there until we pulled 

 him out. The old man was nearly gone and the water ran 

 out of his mouth, while he staggered like a drunken man. 

 He went home to change his wet garments and we finally 

 succeeded in crossing, a short distance above. 



Major,, none the worse for his bath, was busy preparing 

 supper as we drove up. He had boiled the ham of a buffalo 

 calf for two days, over an old kiln which he had made out- 

 side the dugout, until it resembled soup. He told us that the 

 fresh team we expected to find awaiting us had broken loose, 

 and had been gone all day. He had gone after the horses 

 but had only seen some large wild animals. 



Frank started out to find the missing team, and by dint 

 of much questioning, I drew out the old man and made him 

 confess that he had not been after the horses at all, but had 

 seen the yellow dogs from a little knoll just above his house. 

 I tried to persuade him to show me where they made their 

 appearance but he would not move an inch. He indicated a 



