he blocks
must be squared at each end, and their length, of course, should vary
with the depth of water, which can be determined before cutting them.
This is a very common and simple method of passing streams among
emigrant travelers.

When streams are deep, with a very rapid current, it is difficult for
the drivers to direct their teams to the proper coming-out places, as
the current has a tendency to carry them too far down. This difficulty
may be obviated by attaching a lariat rope to the leading animals, and
having a mounted man ride in front with the rope in his hand, to assist
the team in stemming the current, and direct it toward the point of
egress. It is also a wise precaution, if the ford be at all hazardous,
to place a mounted man on the lower side of the team with a whip, to
urge forward any animal that may not work properly.

[Illustration: SWIMMING A HORSE.]

Where rivers are wide, with a swift current, they should always, if
possible, be forded obliquely down stream, as the action of the water
against the wagons assists very materially in carrying them across. In
crossing the North Platte upon the Cherokee trail at a season when the
water was high and very rapid, we were obliged to take the only
practicable ford, which ran diagonally up the stream. The consequence
was, that the heavy current, coming down with great force against the
wagons, offered such powerful resistance to the efforts of the mules
that it was with difficulty they could retain their footing, and
several were drowned. Had the ford crossed obliquely down the river,
there would have been no difficulty.

When it becomes necessary, with loaded wagons, to cross a stream of
this character against the current, I would recommend that the teams be
doubled, the leading animals led, a horseman placed on each side with
whips to assist the driver, and that, before the first wagon enters the
water, a man should be sent in advance to ascertain the best ford.

During seasons of high water, men, in traversing the plains, often
encounter rivers which rise above a fording stage, and remain in that
condition for many days, and to await the falling of the water might
involve a great loss of time. If the traveler be alone, his only way is
to swim his horse; but if he retains the seat on his saddle, his weight
presses the animal down into the water, and cramps his movements very
sensibly. It is a much better plan to attach a cord to the bridle-bit,
and d