CROSSING A STREAM 73 



high, and when one had entered, there was no way of 

 getting out, until the upper end was reached. 



We were often obliged to wade a small river that 

 swung from one side to the other of the narrow valley. 

 The stream was not over three feet deep, and did not 

 much inconvenience us. The valley broadened as we 

 advanced, and Shelley put on his shoes, thinking there 

 would be no more wading. However, soon after we 

 came to another ford, and he called out, 



"Say, old man, carry me across, will you? " 



"All right. Jump on my back." 



He climbed on. In one hand were my shoes and 

 gun, and in the other, a bunch of birds. Shelley's 

 hands also were occupied by his gun and birds. 



" I am afraid you will fall off before we get half way 

 across. You don't seem to be on very securely," I 

 remarked. 



But he shouted, " Go ahead ! Hurry up, or I shall 

 fall off before you start." 



"Now you had better get " 



I was about to argue the point, but he interrupted 

 me with, 



"Oh, go ahead! I'm all right; and hurry up, or 

 I shall fall off sure enough." 



At first the bed of the river was pebbly, and we 

 progressed very well, but Shelley began to slip down 

 little by little, and I again asked him if we had not 

 better return. 



