them; and, in one instance, a body of soldiers, while crossing the
plains, were overtaken by these rains, which fell with such rapidity
and in such quantity as to make the level prairies almost one sheet of
water, while every ravine was converted into a river, swift and deep.
To cross these, the men were obliged to use their best exertions with
very poor means to guard against loss; and, even with the best care,
one man was drowned, while several mules shared the same fate. In the
prospective construction of bridges for highroads and railroad tracks
across the continent, in certain seasons of the year, this sudden
accumulation and explosion of water may cause trouble by sweeping them
suddenly away.

This accident crippled the resources of Kit Carson's party very much
and caused them afterwards great suffering. The accident occurred
something after the following manner. One division of the men, with
their leader as a companion, had constructed a float of logs, on which
they had crossed the stream in safety; but the second branch of the
party, under charge of Lieutenant Brewerton, then of the United States
army, and who was traveling in company with Kit Carson, were not so
successful with their raft; for, no sooner did they get it into the
swift current than it became unmanageable, and finally precipitated
its contents, among which were included several of the men and their
luggage, into the water. The wrecked men with great difficulty saved
their lives by swimming to the shore from which they had started. The
day was far spent and no attempt to succor them could be made that
evening; so, in their semi-state of nudity, and without the means of
making a fire, they passed a miserably cold night; but, early the next
morning, one of their friends recrossed and carried them an axe, by
the aid of which a new raft was made, on which they embarked a second
time and were soon safe with their companions. Among the very useful