OUR CAMP ON WALNUT CREEK 



In searching for the place for a crossing for the 

 wagon I discovered a Httle spring of water trick- 

 ling out of the bank a few steps above our dug- 

 outs. It was only a weak vein, but by digging a 

 pit under it, in which we planted an empty barrel, 

 we made a reservoir that furnished us an abun- 

 dance of good water. 



The discovery and improvement of this little 

 spring made our camp an ideal one. At first we 

 had expected to use backwater from the beaver 

 dam, but we soon realized that the trash from our 

 camp might render this water unfit for drinking 

 and cooking; and but for finding the spring we 

 should have been obliged to carry water from the 

 creek, which would have been laborious and in- 

 convenient. 



When an occasional rain or melting snow flushed 

 out the trash in the ravine we could use that water 

 for our stock for a few days, but at other times 

 we watered them at the creek. 



I felt more confidence in the protection aflPorded 

 by our shepherd dog than in all the measures we 

 were taking for the safety of our outfit. With the 

 natural instinct of his breed. Found spent most 

 of his time out with the stock, always selecting a 

 position on some elevation between our animals 

 and camp where he could see all that was going 

 on in our neighborhood; and I was satisfied that 

 neither friend nor foe could approach without his 

 giving notice. 



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