88 THE PLAINS. 



eleven men, who were thus saved from a watery grave. 

 . . . Six men of my company were drowned and twenty- 

 six horses lost. I remained at the scene of disaster for 

 four days, and recovered five of the bodies of the men. 



' I shall not dwell on the details of this calamity further. 

 It can only be understood by each one taking it home to 

 himself and so approaching nearer to a realisation of its 

 import. The men, though almost destitute of clothing and 

 rations, worked laboriously for four days, recovering the 

 bodies and property, without a murmur.' 



The commanding officer of Fort McPherson, in his 

 endorsement of the foregoing report, remarks : 



4 Nothing but the courage and coolness of Captain 



and his non-comrnissioned officers prevented the loss 



of the entire command. 



' Captain 's life was saved by his trumpeter 



McGowan, whom I respectfully recommend for a medal 

 of honour.' 



These are undoubtedly very extraordinary floods, 

 even for a country peculiarly subject to them. Against 

 such no human foresight or precaution can avail anything. 

 Most fortunately such are extremely rare ; and, leaving such 

 deluges entirely out of consideration as beyond mortal 

 prevision or precaution, there are yet a thousand grada- 

 tions of flood, against which care, knowledge, and fore- 

 thought may fully protect a party. 



Wind-storms are the most common of the annoyances 

 of camp life. The ordinary wall tent is, for summer 

 pleasuring, the best that can be had. It should be of 

 strong ' duck ' (the c linen ' are of no use, keeping out 

 neither wind nor water). The eyelet-holes for the side 

 ropes should be reinforced, and those at the corners 

 specially protected with stout leather. The string fasten- 

 ings of the front should be cut off, and their places supplied 

 by stout leather straps and buckles. 



Only experience can teach the proper mode of pitching 



