So We Went Down In The Dirty Water Again,
That Seemed To Get Deeper And Deeper As We Splashed On.
Now and then I could catch a glimpse of our pilot standing up on the
boards very much like a circus rider, for the wagon wheels were
twisting around over the roots of trees and stones, in a way that
required careful balancing on his part.
We got along very well until
about noon, when a soldier came splashing up on a mule and told Faye
that one of the wagons had turned over! That was dreadful news and
made me most anxious about the trunks and chests, and the poor
chickens, too, all of which might be down under the water.
They got the ambulance under some trees, unfastened the mules and led
them away, leaving me alone, without even the driver. The soldier had
thoughtfully led up Pete for Faye to ride back, and the mules were
needed to assist in pulling the wagon up. Fortunately the wagon was
caught by a tree and did not go entirely over, and it so happened,
too, that it was the one loaded more with furniture than anything
else, so not much damage was done.
Our pilot had left us some time before, to hurry on and get any
passengers that might come in the stage that runs daily between Helena
and Bozeman. As soon as I began to look around a little after I was
left alone in the ambulance, I discovered that not so very far ahead
was an opening in the trees and bushes, and that a bit of beautiful
dry land could be seen. I was looking at it with longing eyes when
suddenly something came down the bank and on into the water, and not
being particularly brave, I thought of the unprotected position I was
in. But the terrible monster turned out to be our pilot, and as he
came nearer, I saw that he had something on the wagon - whether men or
women or mere bags of stuff I could not tell.
But in time he got near enough for me to see that two men were with
him - most miserable, scared tourists - both standing up on the
seesawing boards, the first with arms around the pilot's neck, and the
second with his arms around him. They were dressed very much alike,
each one having on his head an immaculate white straw hat, and over
his coat a long - very long - linen duster, and they both had on gloves!
Their trousers were pulled up as high as they could get them, giving a
fine display of white hose and low shoes. The last one was having
additional woe, for one leg of his trousers was slipping down, and of
course it was impossible for him to pull it up and keep his balance.
Every turn of the wheels the thick yellow water was being spattered on
them, and I can imagine the condition they were in by the time they
reached the little inn on the island.
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