THE NATURALIST NEARLY KILLED. 255 



Three days were spent in getting the skins, 

 bones, and meat to camp. Bolton and Wood were 

 ready to return to Warren, and they took a wagon- 

 load of meat out with them to the settlement, where 

 it could be made use of. Bolton was enamoured of the 

 camp life, and loading the wagon with fresh supplies 

 returned to the camp in the swamp. 



Hunting was continued with varying success until 

 the cold November winds froze the swamps solid, and 

 then the specimens were packed and the party started 

 on their return to civilisation. All went well until 

 the party was nearing Loughridge's ranch. Bolton 

 had been driving all day and called to Dyche to re- 

 lieve him while he walked a little to get warm. Just 

 as the naturalist took his seat the horses started and 

 the off wheel of the wagon dropped into a deep rut, 

 while the other side struck a rock. The result was 

 that Dyche lurched forwards, and before he could re- 

 cover himself he had fallen to the double-trees and 

 thence to the ground immediately in front of the 

 wheel, which passed directly across his abdomen, the 

 heavily loaded wagon almost crushing the life out of 

 him. As the front wheel went over him he raised 

 himself so that the hind wheel struck his shoulder 

 and threw him forwards under the wagon, out of the 

 way of more danger. 



The accident was serious and the naturalist was in 

 such pain that he could not bear the jar of the mov- 

 ing wagon. After lying at the ranch two days it 

 was decided to leave the camp effects and specimens 

 at the ranch and make an ambulance of the spring 

 wagon in order that the nearest surgeon could be 



