[6] I placed my sled load of corn at the bottom of the bank, and taking my team up in an unfrequented place, I stationed them on the top of the bank directly above my load of corn at the bottom.

Before coming over I had cut a long, slender pole in the timbered bottoms, and in view of this contingency had also brought extra chains from home, and by means of the chains and this long pole I hitched my team on the top of the hill to my load of corn at the bottom.

The thing worked well, and I had my load well on the top of the bank on the level ground; but here the road turned suddenly to the left close along the river bank, and my horse, too eager to get home, turned too soon, and this brought my sled with a sudden crash against a rock, and down went my load to the bottom of the bank again.
A chain had broken, and now my load of corn was left in such a position that I evidently could not get it up again without help.

In the hindrances to which I had been subjected it had come to be 9 o'clock.

I looked about and saw no light save in a saloon that had been built under the bluff to catch custom, for this was the ferry landing.