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Show Page 58 valley, running the creek up its banks and crowding it with floating cakes of ice. At only one place could the creek be crossed, and when it was running high, even that spot was dangerous-not far downstream the water dropped over a hundred-foot falls. Ann and Bernard nevertheless loaded a pack horse with supplies and saddled their own horses. Ropers were stationed on the bank ready to lasso them should their horses become tangled in the ice or the ice sweep the riders away. Bernard's horse swam across easily, as did the pack horse. Then it was Ann's turn. She was riding a high-spirited mount which didn't like the idea of an icy winter swim. He balked. Finally Ann raked him with her spurs. Startled, the horse leaped out over the water. His plunge took horse and rider under and they disappeared beneath the swirling ice. At last the struggling animal regained his balance and swam across, leaving the creek downstream from Bernard, but above the falls and safe. The near-accident had left Bernard in worse condition than it had his wet wife. The shock of seeing Ann and her horse disappear under the water had brought on a heart attack. Bernard said nothing to Ann, believing she would consider the attack a mark of weakness. According to him, Ann believed a full-grown man was not supposed to get sick. She never did. So despite his pain and misery, Bernard and Ann galloped toward the Chew Ranch, their wet clothing turning to sheets of |