TO DELAWARE CREEK. 
97 
On sounding the river to ascertain its depth, we 
found that our ambulances (i. e. wagons mounted on 
springs) would pass over without wetting their con- 
tents. We therefore unloaded all the wagons but those 
on springs * and placing their contents in the latter, 
we succeeded in passing all our provisions, baggage, 
etc., over with but little trouble. The west bank 
was levelled with our spades, to make the ascent from 
the water easy. I remained with Dr. Webb and Mr. 
Thurber until all were over, except one empty wagon. 
This being quite low, its box would be partly immersed 
in the water ; an ambulance w^as accordingly sent back 
for us, and for the contents of my carriage. We entered 
the stream, which just touched the bottom of the 
ambulance, but not without some fears, as experience 
had shown that the best and most gentle mules cannot 
always be depended upon. When we had reached 
about two thirds the distance across, or some thirty 
feet from the opposite bank, the mules either lost their 
footing, or were swept by the current into deeper water, 
a little out of the course taken by those which passed 
over before. Unable to contend against the force of 
the water, which was almost on a level with their backs, 
the leaders turned their heads down stream. The 
teamster, who was mounted as usual on one of the 
mules next to the wagon, endeavored in vain to bring 
them to their places with their heads towards the 
shore. The frightened creatures could not maintain 
their footing ; and in struggling to extricate themselves, 
they extended their alarm to the other mules, who 
began to rear and prance in the water. Just at this 
moment the last wagon, which had been behind, 
VOL. I. — 7 
