Then the shout would go down the line for Romeo. In a few minutes the
wise old elephant would come splashing through the mud with an air that
seemed to say, "I thought you'd have to call on me!" He knew his place
and would instantly take his stand behind the mired wagon. After he had
carefully adjusted his huge frontal against the rear end of the vehicle
the driver would give the command, "Mile up!" Gently, but with a
tremendous power, Romeo would push forward, the wagon would start, and
lo! the pasty mud would close in behind the wheels like the Red Sea.
So vividly did this oft-repeated picture impress me that it is as
clearly before me now as it was forty years ago. Sometimes, when an
elephant was not available, the wagons would be literally pulled apart,
and when the break came the horses would fall sprawling into the mire,
only their heads visible above the surface of the mud.
But the poor horses were not the only sufferers from bad roads. The men
came in for their share. Very distinctly do I remember the night when
we were about to cross a slough. Some of us were dozing in our saddles,
others sleeping soundly on the tops of the wagons which carried the
tents. Suddenly the shout was heard from the man in the lead, "Help,
there, boys! I'm going down in the quicksands! Throw out a line,
lively!"
We knew the voice. It belonged to Hickey, the wagon boss, who was a
favorite with the men. Instantly the fellows tumbled from the wagons
and rushed forward. The torches showed Hickey sunk to his armpits. A
man of ready wit and action threw a rope and the sinking man caught it
and passed the noose over his head and under his arms, knotting it so
that it could not slip and cut him in two. By that time a team of
horses had been hitched to the other end of the rope.
[Illustration: "THEN THE SHOUT WOULD GO DOWN THE LINE FOR ROMEO."]
"All right! Easy, now!" came the order from Hickey, and the team was
carefully started. Watching those horses strain on the rope made me
hold my breath in expectation that the poor fellow would be actually
drawn in two. But, finally, the grip of the mire loosened and he was
hauled out to safety.