362 ROUGH JOURNEY. 



next night, when we were given another supper by the doctor 

 of the post, and this time we really did get off. We were a 

 party of eight in two ambulances, each drawn by four mules, 

 and had two men on the box of each, besides an escort of a 

 corporal and six men, as there was a possibility of being stopped 

 either by Indians or "road agents." Our baggage was carried 

 in a light waggon behind. We made fifty miles by morning, 

 changing mules once, and before doing so had to cross a 

 river, on the other side of which was a camp, where we were 

 to find fresh mules and our guide, a celebrated scout, who 

 went by the name of " Yellowstone Kelly." We drove into 

 the river, which at the ford was not more than two feet deep, 

 but as it was very dark we crossed a little too high up, and the 

 ambulance getting into a quicksand began to go down. The 

 mules, after struggling for a few minutes, lay down and refused 

 to try any more, as they always do when frightened. It was 

 very dark and we could see nothing, but could feel the water 

 coming into the bottom of the ambulance. The General 

 shouted to the escort, who came alongside and took us out one 

 by one, seated behind them on their horses' backs. 



On landing I found myself in a small camp, and as all the 

 men had to turn out and help, I took possession of some blan- 

 kets and was soon fast asleep. It took them nearly three hours 

 to get out the ambulance and put everything straight, and I 

 pitied the soldiers as they had to work up to their waists in ice- 

 cold water. We ate a hasty breakfast and started again, and 

 by twelve o'clock had done ninety miles, halting for dinner in 

 the middle of a prairie, where there was water but no wood, 

 the General telling us that he gave us an hour in which to cook 

 and eat our dinner. We had brought plenty of steaks with us, 



