TO THE GREAT SOUTH PASS. 85 



ing in their stead an equal number of our skeletons. Our 

 night guards were now arranged differently. One of our new 

 hands was to stand guard every night (sleeping in the day- 

 time in one of the wagons), assisted by three others, who were 

 to take their turns every sixth night. This arrangement was 

 quite an improvement over the former system. 



On some trains the herders did no driving whatever, which 

 left them fresh for their all-night work, or noon herding. This 

 was not Russel & Co.'s way of doing, as they got all the work 

 out of their men that was possible. We would feel so tired after 

 our day's drive that when our turns came to stand guard we 

 mentally protested; but as this involved silence, it availed 

 nothing when loud-mouthed protests fell flat. So without 

 suppers we would leave camp on a half or all-night guard, de- 

 pending on something to eat coming out to us by our mess- 

 mates, and for a nap at our noon-halt the next day. This 

 brought on so much drowsiness that on my next drive I would 

 often find myself turned somnambulist, and driving oxen in 

 my sleep. 



