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<DIV>We had followed the Platte River for a long ways before we came to a big
cottonwood grove, where we made our camp. Our guide, Capt. Gantt, told us
that we must cross the river at that place. We had been in the buffalo
country for several weeks and our hunters had saved the green hides to be
ready for the crossing of the Platte, when we came to it. So the wagons
were all taken apart and the wet rawhides were drawn over the big wagon
boxes and nailed, then they were placed in the sun till the hides were
drawn as tight as drum heads. Broken or thin places were rubbed well with
pitch till the improvised boats were adjudged fully "sea worthy" and were
launched to be loaded with our stuff and the running gear and wheels. The
cargoes were then topped off with the women and children and the men who
could not swim.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> The Platte is a broad river, too broad to be spanned by ropes
in order that the rude boats might be reeled in by men or oxen on the
opposite bank. So short ropes were attached to the fronts and the sides of
the boats and eight men, two in front and three at each side, holding the
ropes in their teeth, swam and towed the wobbly, tilting barges to the opposite
bank. The men on either side served to keep our barges steady and on an
"even keel." They were to us what outriggers are to a surf boat. The two
men in front probably supplied the greater part of the motive power, so the
going was very slow. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> When one boat had crossed, the swimmers went back to help the
next in turn. Back and forth they went. My Father and two of my brothers
spent the greater part of the two weeks in the water, for it took that
long to ferry everyone across.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> I remember sitting there all tucked up, very comfortable and
contented, watching the ripples of the water watching it wash and splash
across my Father's big broad shoulders. They looked as white as milk and
his arms seemed so long and muscular as they drove him against the strong
current of the Platte. Oh! but I was mighty proud of him. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> On the way across one of our swimmers fainted and would have
gone down, if Father had not caught him and helped to put him in the boat.
So we made the trip with only seven helpers. Now and then our boat would
rock and tilt as the strong currents caught and attempted to sport with
it. Then Father would steady it with one hand while he swam along side of us
with the other.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> Some of the men who had extra tender skins and had made many
trips across and back again, were many a long day getting rid of the
blisters. My brother Adam, was blistered so badly that he was quite sick and had
a high fever. Mother doctored him with flour and cream. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> We crossed on the fourth day of July and Peter H. Burnett who
was later the first Governor of California crossed a few minutes later. I
remember that because aunt Rachel, who had gone over some days before, had
a big dinner all cooked and ready for us. Someone had killed a buffalo and
aunt had a great pan of juicy steaks all broiled and piping hot. We were
terribly hungry and after the steaks were eaten, we found that they had
been broiled over buffalo "chips". Mrs. Burnett was not altogether happy
about it. She even said that she would have "starved before shewould have
eaten anything cooked on them if she had known it". I guess that was not
altogether true, for a few mornings later, the Hon. Peter H. was surprised
when he had gone out about daylight to gather a good supply before other people
were up. The boys said he was gathering them in a big white table
cloth.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> Dry fuel of any kind was very scarce, so even the finicky ones
were compelled to use them, and after a time, used them in preference,
when other fuel was plentiful. They were good tinderand made beautiful
coals that held the heat for a long time.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"><B>Walt
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