FORDING THE ARKANSAS. 65 



bably never to be heard of again. In fact, to 

 look for stock upon these prairies, would be 

 emphatically to ' search for a needle in a hay- 

 stack;' not only because they are virtually 

 boundless, but that being everywhere alive 

 with herds of buffalo, from which horses can- 

 not be distinguished at a distance, one knows 



not whither to turn in search after the stray 

 animals. 



We had lately been "visited by frequent 

 showers of rain, and upon observing the Ar- 

 kansas river, it was found to be rising, which 

 seemed portentous of the troubles which the 

 * June freshet' might occasion us in crossing 

 it; and, as it was already the 11th of this 

 month, tliis annual occurrence was now 

 hourly expected. On some occasions cara- 

 vans have been obhged to construct what is 

 called a buffalo boat, wliich is done by stretch- 

 ing the hides of these animals over a frame 

 of poles, or, what is still more common, over 

 an empty wagon-body. The ' June freshets,' 

 ho\yever, are seldom of long duration ; and, 

 during the greatest portion of the year, the 

 channel is very shallow. Still the bed of the 

 river being in many places filled with quick- 

 sand, it is requisite to examine and mark out 

 the best ford with stakes, before one under- 

 takes to cross. The wagons are then driven 

 over usually by double teams, which should 

 never be permitted to stop, else animals and 

 wagons are apt to founder, and tlie loading is 

 liable to be damaged. I have witnessed a 



whole team down at once, rendering it neces- 



6 



