Several mounted men entered it to swim their horses across, and thus to act as guides or leaders for the rest.

The remaining animals were driven in, and all got safely across excepting the three oxen, who being more clumsy swimmers, were borne down by the current and again landed on the right side.

The next morning, however, they were got over in safety.
Lieutenant Fremont had adopted the precaution of taking with him a portable India rubber boat.

It was twenty feet long and five feet broad.
It was placed in the water, and the carts and the baggage were carried over piecemeal.

Three men paddled the boat.