rive him into the stream; then, seizing his tail, allow him to tow
you across. If he turns out of the course, or attempts to turn back, he
can be checked with the cord, or by splashing water at his head. If the
rider remains in the saddle, he should allow the horse to have a loose
rein, and never pull upon it except when necessary to guide. If he
wishes to steady himself, he can lay hold upon the mane.

In traveling with large parties, the following expedients for crossing
rivers have been successfully resorted to within my own experience, and
they are attended with no risk to life or property.

A rapid and deep stream, with high, abrupt, and soft banks, probably
presents the most formidable array of unfavorable circumstances that
can be found. Streams of this character are occasionally met with, and
it is important to know how to cross them with the greatest promptitude
and safety.

A train of wagons having arrived upon the bank of such a stream, first
select the best point for the passage, where the banks upon both sides
require the least excavation for a place of ingress and egress to and
from the river. As I have before remarked, the place of entering the
river should be above the coming-out place on the opposite bank, as the
current will then assist in carrying wagons and animals across. A spot
should be sought where the bed of the stream is firm at the place where
the animals are to get out on the opposite bank. If, however, no such
place can be found, brush and earth should be thrown in to make a
foundation sufficient to support the animals, and to prevent them from
bogging. After the place for crossing has been selected, it will be
important to determine the breadth of the river between the points of
ingress and egress, in order to show the length of rope necessary to
reach across. A very simple practical method of doing this without
instruments is found in the French "Manuel du Genie." It is as follows:

[Illustration: The line AB (the distance to be measured) is extended
upon the bank to D, from which point, after having marked it, lay off
equal distances, DC and C_d_; produce BC to _b_, making CB=C_b_; then
extend the line _db_ until it intersects the prolongation of the line
through CA at _a_. The distance between _ab_ is equal to AB, or the
width of the crossing.]

A man who is an expert swimmer then takes the end of a fishing-line or
a small cord in his mouth, and carries it across, leaving the other e