it, and slackening her speed as the familiar objects about the camp
come in sight. This usually tends to quiet their alarm.

CHAPTER III.

Repairing broken Wagons. Fording Rivers. Quicksand. Wagon Boats. Bull
Boats. Crossing Packs. Swimming Animals. Marching with loose Horses.
Herding Mules. Best Methods of Marching. Herding and guarding Animals.
Descending Mountains. Storms. Northers.

REPAIRS OF ACCIDENTS.

The accidents most liable to happen to wagons on the plains arise from
the great dryness of the atmosphere, and the consequent shrinkage and
contraction of the wood-work in the wheels, the tires working loose,
and the wheels, in passing over sidling ground, oftentimes falling down
and breaking all the spokes where they enter the hub. It therefore
becomes a matter of absolute necessity for the prairie traveler to
devise some means of repairing such damages, or of guarding against
them by the use of timely expedients.

The wheels should be frequently and closely examined, and whenever a
tire becomes at all loose it should at once be tightened with pieces of
hoop-iron or wooden wedges driven by twos simultaneously from opposite
sides. Another remedy for the same thing is to take off the wheels
after encamping, sink them in water, and allow them to remain over
night. This swells the wood, but is only temporary, requiring frequent
repetition; and, after a time, if the wheels have not been made of
thoroughly seasoned timber, it becomes necessary to reset the tires in
order to guard against their destruction by falling to pieces and
breaking the spokes.

If the tires run off near a blacksmith's shop, or if there be a
traveling forge with the train, they may be tied on with raw hide or
ropes, and thus driven to the shop or camp. When a rear wheel breaks
down upon a march, the best method I know of for taking the vehicle to
a place where it can be repaired is to take off the damaged wheel, and
place a stout pole of three or four inches in diameter under the end of
the axle, outside the wagon-bed, and extending forward above the front
wheel, where it is firmly lashed with ropes, while the other end of the
pole runs six or eight feet to the rear, and drags upon the ground. The
pole must be of such length and inclination that the axle shall be
raised and retained in its proper horizontal position, when it can be
driven to any distance that may be desired. The wagon should be
relieved as much as practicable of i