A DAY OX THE PLAINS. 



39 



then come lively times. The caravan telegraph is then put 

 in operation. The driver of the luckless team shouts to the 

 one ahead, "Hold on ! " which in our train is equivalent to 

 " down brakes." These words are carried from mouth to 

 mouth, until they reach the head wagon, where the wagon- 

 master is always riding, looking for bad crossings and fixing 

 plans for their remedy. This functionary gallops back to the 

 scene of disaster, while the train halts until further orders. 

 He gets the " extras," who are experts with the whip, to lash 



The S Straightens to an /. 



the oxen, while strong arms are at the wheels. The men 

 yell, the oxen pull to their utmost, the whips crack like so 

 many pistols, and the wagon creaks, but all in vain. Another 

 team is added and' another effort made, but in vain. 

 Others are supplemented, until twenty yokes are floundering 

 in the mud in their efforts to move one wagon, but they only 

 sink it deeper. Finally the last resort is made. A part of 



