We had followed the Platte River for a long ways before we came to a big cottonwood grove, where we made our camp. Our guide, Capt. Gantt, told us that we must cross the river at that place. We had been in the buffalo country for several weeks and our hunters had saved the green hides to be ready for the crossing of the Platte, when we came to it. So the wagons were all taken apart and the wet rawhides were drawn over the big wagon boxes and nailed, then they were placed in the sun till the hides were drawn as tight as drum heads. Broken or thin places were rubbed well with pitch till the improvised boats were adjudged fully "sea worthy" and were launched to be loaded with our stuff and the running gear and wheels. The cargoes were then topped off with the women and children and the men who could not swim. The Platte is a broad river, too broad to be spanned by ropes in order that the rude boats might be reeled in by men or oxen on the opposite bank. So short ropes were attached to the fronts and the sides of the boats and eight men, two in front and three at each side, holding the ropes in their teeth, swam and towed the wobbly, tilting barges to the opposite bank. The men on either side served to keep our barges steady and on an "even keel." They were to us what outriggers are to a surf boat. The two men in front probably supplied the greater part of the motive power, so the going was very slow. When one boat had crossed, the swimmers went back to help the next in turn. Back and forth they went. My Father and two of my brothers spent the greater part of the two weeks in the water, for it took that long to ferry everyone across. I remember sitting there all tucked up, very comfortable and contented, watching the ripples of the water watching it wash and splash across my Father's big broad shoulders. They looked as white as milk and his arms seemed so long and muscular as they drove him against the strong current of the Platte. Oh! but I was mighty proud of him. On the way across one of our swimmers fainted and would have gone down, if Father had not caught him and helped to put him in the boat. So we made the trip with only seven helpers. Now and then our boat would rock and tilt as the strong currents caught and attempted to sport with it. Then Father would steady it with one hand while he swam along side of us with the other. Some of the men who had extra tender skins and had made many trips across and back again, were many a long day getting rid of the blisters. My brother Adam, was blistered so badly that he was quite sick and had a high fever. Mother doctored him with flour and cream. We crossed on the fourth day of July and Peter H. Burnett who was later the first Governor of California crossed a few minutes later. I remember that because aunt Rachel, who had gone over some days before, had a big dinner all cooked and ready for us. Someone had killed a buffalo and aunt had a great pan of juicy steaks all broiled and piping hot. We were terribly hungry and after the steaks were eaten, we found that they had been broiled over buffalo "chips". Mrs. Burnett was not altogether happy about it. She even said that she would have "starved before shewould have eaten anything cooked on them if she had known it". I guess that was not altogether true, for a few mornings later, the Hon. Peter H. was surprised when he had gone out about daylight to gather a good supply before other people were up. The boys said he was gathering them in a big white table cloth. Dry fuel of any kind was very scarce, so even the finicky ones were compelled to use them, and after a time, used them in preference, when other fuel was plentiful. They were good tinderand made beautiful coals that held the heat for a long time. Walt Davies Monmouth, OR