Accordingly several of the mounted men forced their animals into the stream and swam them across to serve as guides for the rest.

They succeeded quite well, excepting the oxen, which, after floundering awhile, landed on the same side from which they started.

The following morning they succeeded in crossing.
Among the useful articles with which Fremont had provided himself, was an India rubber boat, twenty feet long and five feet wide.

This was very buoyant and the carts and baggage were carried over piecemeal in it, with the exception of the last two carts.

Laden with these the boat left the shore but had not gone far when the man at the helm, who was exceedingly nervous, managed to capsize the craft, with all its precious cargo.