Will that do ?" After a moment we said we doubted if oxen could be got over the road, and if they were fat now they would soon get poor, and perhaps not stand it as well as the oxen which had became used to that kind of life, and of those they had in camp all they needed.

We wanted to get something for the women and children to ride, for we knew they must abandon the wagons, and could not walk so far over that dry, rough country.

"Well," said Mr.
French:--"I will stop at the place you were this morning--I know them well--and they are good folks, and I am sure when I tell them what you want they will help you if they possibly can.

This looks to me to be the most sensible course." After talking an hour our two companions advised us that the proposition of Mr.French seemed the most reasonable one that appeared.

But for us to go clear back to his range would take up so much valuable time that we were almost afraid of the delay which might mean the destruction of our friends.