Prairie Raft

—It frequently occurs in the Western country that expeditions, unaccompanied by regular ponton-trains, are compelled to cro streams so situated that it is impo ible to obtain timber or other material suitable for the construction of rafts or bridges. Under these circumstances, a raft may be constructed of two canvas pontons, by means of which loaded wagons may readily be ferried over the stream. All the material required for such a raft is easily carried in one ponton-wagon. The construction is as follows: The wagon to be floated is backed into the stream until the rear wheels stand in about one foot of water. A canvas ponton is placed on each side of the wagon, parallel to and one foot from it. A balk is placed against the tail-board of the wagon, and resting upon the gunwales of the pontons. A second balk is similarly placed against the front-board of the wagon. On each side of the wagon a strong rope is made fast to the front balk, pa ed under the axle-trees round the rear balk, and thence back to the starting-point, where it is made fast. The raft and wagon are pushed into the stream, and, as soon as the latter is clear of the bottom, the balks are lashed to the gunwales of the pontons. A line is attached to the wagon-pole, and coiled in the bow of one of the pontons. This raft may be conveyed acro the stream either by rowing, or in the manner of a trail bridge. On approaching the opposite shore, it should be turned with the wagon-pole toward the bank. As soon as the wagon grounds, the balks are removed and the wagon is drawn on shore by means of the rope attached to its pole. A single hinged canvas ponton, which is readily packed in an ordinary quartermaster wagon, will suffice for the cro ing, if the wagons are unloaded and taken apart.