if the day was hot a longer time was allowed. When the 

 eamp was struck the capture of oxen and ponies was always 

 exciting. Knowing their advantage, they played a good game 

 of hide and seek, and were coy to the advances of their mas- 

 ters. Sometimes to drive the refractory animals among the 

 carts was a last resort. At such times the hot nature of the 

 voyageur was apt to get the better of him. 



When the start had taken place many an incident was 

 sure to follow. Without bridges, ferry, or a boat, a heavily 

 loaded train has serious difficulty in crossing streams. A 

 heavy fall of rain may change fordable streams into booming 

 rivers. In such cases a boat was improvised, from materials 

 on hand. Four cart wheels were taken and placed dish up- 

 wards and the four points of contact securely fastened toge- 

 ther. On the outer riius four pieces of wood were lashed, 

 forming a square. Meanwhile six buffalo hides were soaked, 

 when sufficiently soft sewed together, and spread out, upon 

 which the frame work was placed. The edges were brought 

 up and laced to the outer bars, one line fastened to the stern, 

 another at the bow. A party would then swim across, carry- 

 ing the bow line over ; the boat was launched, and floated 

 like a duck, with a capacity of 800 lbs. The whole transport- 

 ation was accomplished, amidst a cloud of mosquitoes, sand 

 flies, and all prairie annoyances, including mud. It was dur- 

 ing this work one heard untranslatable language, as accident 

 and adventure took place at the crossing. 



Even when the crossing of streams was not so serious there 

 was always the possibility of upset and disaster. Coming to 

 the steep bank of a river to be crossed, a line was tied to the 

 middle of the axle of the cart, and a turn of the line made 

 around the trunk of a tree on the bank. Thus the ox and cart 

 was led gradually down the deep decline until the water was 

 reached. On the opposite bank corresponding arrangements 

 were made to haul them up from the bed of the stream. 



THE NIGHT CAMP. 



The afternoon Journey was usually continued for about 

 twelve or fifteen miles, when the cheerful word, both to man 

 and beast, was given to halt for the night. The cuisine was 

 again put into operation, though the menu was somewhat 

 changed. Instead of rubaboo, " re-chaud " was served, com- 



