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Wagon after wagondone,

these ht

have happened They were safe, and the ford thus far was established so

that the others need not fear

But on ahead lay what they all kneas the real danger--the last

channel, three hundred yards of racing, heavy water which apparently no

sane man ever would have faced But there heel on

The dauntless old scout rode in again, alone, bending to study the water

and the footing A gravel bar led off for a couple of rods, flanked by

deep potholes Ten rods out the bar turned He followed it up, foot by

foot, for twenty rods, quartering Then he struck out for the shore

The botto

water on either hand, with potholes ten feet deep and side And worst of all, there was a vast sweep of heavy water below

the ford, which on carried down

Well had the crossing of the Snake earned its sinister reputation

Courage and care alone could give any , sat in the wagons, watching Bridger

retrace the ford Once his stu He

joined them, very serious