nd
fixed upon the opposite bank, after which a lariat is attached to the
cord, and one end of it pulled across and made fast to a tree; but if
there is nothing convenient to which the lariat can be attached, an
extra axle or coupling-pole can be pulled over by the man who has
crossed, firmly planted in the ground, and the rope tied to it. The
rope must be long enough to extend twice across the stream, so that one
end may always be left on each shore. A very good substitute for a
ferry-boat may be made with a wagon-bed by filling it with empty
water-casks, stopped tight and secured in the wagon with ropes, with a
cask lashed opposite the centre of each outside. It is then placed in
the water bottom upward, and the rope that has been stretched across
the stream attached to one end of it, while another rope is made fast
to the other end, after which it is loaded, the shore-end loosened, and
the men on the opposite bank pull it across to the landing, where it is
discharged and returned for another load, and so on until all the
baggage and men are passed over.

The wagons can be taken across by fastening them down to the axles,
attaching a rope to the end of the tongue, and another to the rear of
each to steady it and hold it from drifting below the landing. It is
then pushed into the stream, and the men on the opposite bank pull it
over. I have passed a large train of wagons in this way across a rapid
stream fifteen feet deep without any difficulty. I took, at the same
time, a six-pounder cannon, which was separated from its carriage, and
ferried over upon the wagon-boat; after which the carriage was pulled
over in the same way as described for the wagons.

There are not always a sufficient number of airtight water-casks to
fill a wagon-bed, but a tentfly, paulin, or wagon-cover can generally
be had. In this event, the wagon-bed may be placed in the centre of one
of these, the cloth brought up around the ends and sides, and secured
firmly with ropes tied around transversely, and another rope fastened
lengthwise around under the rim. This holds the cloth in its place, and
the wagon may then be placed in the water right side upward, and
managed in the same manner as in the other case. If the cloth be made
of cotton, it will soon swell so as to leak but very little, and
answers a very good purpose.

Another method of ferrying streams is by means of what is called by the
mountaineers a "_bull-boat_," the frame-work of which