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Show 54 FROM GREEN RIVER the wind striking obliquely the sails of a vessel gives it an onward motion, or the flat surface of the boy's kite elevates it in the air. When the boat has crossed, its position to the current is simply reversed by tightening the rope " at the op posite end and slackening it where it was tight, and what was the stern becomes the bow, and it recrosses the stream by the same propelling power. One or two men only are re quired to manage a loaded boat, and the rapidity of its mo tion through the water would astonish one who has never witnessed the operation. We crossed Green River without a repetition of the hor rible accident that occurred on the North Platte a short time before. Our thoughtful commanding officer took the precaution to substitute a stouter rope, which was in the train, for the somewhat frail- looking one which spanned the river when we reached the ferry ; but altogether the cross ing was more carefully managed, and there was no indul gence in whiskey- drinking by the ferrymen when so many lives were intrusted to their care. Similar carelessness, not withstanding the precautions taken, would doubtless have resulted in a similar catastrophe to the one on the Platte. The next locality that attracted our attention was a small trading settlement on " Ham's Fork," a stream emptying into Green River. A few white men, and a larger number of Indians and half- breeds, all living in lodges, earn a livelihood at this place by buying and selling cattle. When an ox becomes foot- sore and exhausted on his long journey, the alter native with the owner lays between abandoning his animal or selling him for what he can get, and under these circums- tances such traders purchase for a mere nominal sum, and after a few weeks' rest the ox is sold again for a high price. The amount of money made in this way on the plains is by no means insignificant. These men also trade with the Indians, after they return from their yearly hunts, for robes and skins, which they obtain at a mere trifling cost, and then sell them on the spot for a higher price than the same articles would command in St. Louis* |