GALE-SWEPT BEDS. 10? 
the comfort of a tent, the consolation of a fire, 
nor the luxury of boughs was possible, they were 
forced to be content to make their beds by spread- 
ing one blanket on the ground and standing on 
it until another could be got the right way of the 
wind to lie parallel with it. By adroitly back- 
ing off to the windward until its edge could be 
brought to the level of their feet, they were then 
ready to repeat the process until the supply of 
bedding was exhausted, when their duties in that 
direction ceased, and nothing remained but to 
keep possession. 
I have no doubt myself that the man who de- 
clared he picked up a dozen of Brigham Young’s 
hats in the streets of Cheyenne the morning after 
a wind exaggerated. Had he said they were that 
gentleman’s wives’ hats, it would have seemed 
more probable. Be this as it may, it was certain 
that where bedding or anything else would stop, 
when out from under one’s weight, it would be 
impossible to determine; so they retired! Un- 
dressing was a very simple process — simply the 
removing of a few refractory hair-pins ; nothing 
that required the privacy of a dressing-room or 
the modest veiling of the moon. 
But such a night as it was to sleep ! The 
very thought of it was impossible from the cold. 
Though their supply of blankets was ample, wrap 
themselves as they might, each gust seemed to 
