74 
KANSAS. 
ees, went across the prairie where there was no road. We found 
several deep ravines, difficult to cross, but with no actual danger 
save at one point. There w r as a deep ravine, with a natural path., 
or bridge, over it, which was exceedingly narrow, while the chasm 
below looked frightful, and the bank before us very steep. The 
doctor thought he could drive safely over. I calculated the 
chances of broken limbs, should we go off the ledge, and the 
frightened horse, with an extra pull and a creaking of the car¬ 
riage, took us again on to safer ground. A short time after, as we 
were passing along quite gayly upon a side hill, thinking the perils 
of the way were over, the carriage suddenly slipped down against 
the lower wheels; but we arrived home safely and in good time. 
20th .-—We heard of the illness of some acquaintances over at 
Wakarusa, and I accompanied the doctor to see them. We had 
a pleasant drive over, though the crossing at the Wakarusa is 
steep. The little dry ravines beyond are more trying to springs. 
Our friends live upon the top of “ Lone Tree Mound,” a high ele¬ 
vation, the “ lone tree ” and house for many miles being distinctly 
visible. It is a difficult matter to reach the summit of the hill, 
and was accomplished by winding around a circuitous way upon 
the side hill, with the carriage, while the doctor climbed up upon 
foot. We at length reached the house, and found our friends glad 
to see us. So far as they are from neighbors, and so difficult of 
access when sickness has been upon them, one or both, the times 
have indeed looked dark, and life’s road dreary. They sent for the 
doctor several days since, but the word had but just reached him. 
Hoping to find a better road home, we turned into another, but 
found it infinitely worse. In the bottom of one ravine “ Old 
Gray ” made a false step, and fell, breaking both shafts. Yankee 
ingenuity was brought into requisition, and after tying on poles 
with anything in the shape of strings which could be produced for 
the emergency of the hour, and a good deal of merriment, we were 
en route again. Before the cutting of the poles, there was a most 
amusing silence. The horse, having been led up to the top of the 
hill, was looking meekly for further orders. The doctor was stand¬ 
ing near by, with his hands upon his sides, and looking the very 
image of patience, and poor little me, feeling like laughing, and 
