In the Milk River Country 133 



trouble, but a little town west of Medicine Hat 

 was badly wrecked, where the wind developed 

 into a genuine cyclone that tore down houses and 

 scattered chimneys and loose boards over the 

 prairie. Thanking God for our escape we passed 

 north next day. At Medicine Hat I went ahead 

 by train and left the boys to follow with the 

 wagon. From Brooks I went over to Steveville. 

 On reaching the river, however, I found it was at 

 full flood and covered with driftwood, logs and 

 hewn timber. The ferryman, Mr. Shaw, came 

 over for me in a row boat., and I had so much 

 confidence in him as a river man that I trusted 

 myself to his keeping. His skill with the oar 

 brought me safely over the raging Red Deer Riv- 

 er. He avoided all the logs and other drift-wood, 

 and landed me in safely on the northern shore. 

 Even then I found the river had backed water 

 up the creek between the ferry and Steveville, 

 and I had to walk a long ways to get above the 

 back water. After quite a journey I reached the 

 hospitable hotel of Steve Hall. It was a full 

 week before the boys reached me and we got once 

 more into camp. They were delayed by the high 

 water. 



