[Fig. 3].

Other Means of Checking a Wagon on a Hill-side.—­In going down a steep hill a middling-sized tree may be felled, and its root tied to the hind axletree, while its branchy top sweeps along the ground, as is seen in the lowermost wagon in the sketch. [Sketch of horses and wagons on hill] In the south-west of France the leaders of the team are unharnessed and taken to the back of the wagon, to which the collar of the front horse is made fast; in this way they can aid the horses in the shafts.  The same plan may be seen practised hourly in the Strand in London, whence heavy wagons are taken down a very steep and narrow lane to the Adelphi.

In descending short steep pitches, unharness the cattle, and “fasten a rope round the axle of the wagon; then passing the other end round a tree or rock as a check, you may let her slide, which she will do without any further trouble on your part.” (F.  Marryat.)

In some places the hind wheels are taken off, and sledge runners are fitted to the hind axletree.  This is an excellent plan; it has the further advantage that the wagon settles down into a more horizontal position than before.  I have seen timber carried on a wagon down a steep hill by separating the front wheels from the hind ones, lashing a trail (see “Travail” below) or two short poles to the fore axletree, and resting one end of the timber on the hind axletree, and the other end on the trail.

Shoe the wheel on the side furthest from the precipice.

If you have to leave a cart or wagon untended for a while, lock the wheel.

[Sketch of loaded sledge].

Sledges.—­When carrying wood or stones, and doing other heavy work, a traveller should spare his wagon and use a sledge.  This is made by cutting down a forked tree, lopping off its branches, and shaping it a little with an axe.  If necessary, a few bars may be fixed across the fork so as to make a stage.  Great distances may be traversed by one of these rude affairs, if the country is not very stony.  Should it capsize, no great harm is done; and if it breaks down, or is found to have been badly made, an hour’s labour will suffice to construct another.  Sledges are very useful where there is an abundance of horse or ox power, but no wagon or packing-gear.

North American Travail.—­In a North American Indian horse “travail,” the crossing of the poles (they are the poles of the wigwams) usually rests on a rough pack-saddle or pad, which a breast-strap keeps from slipping backwards.  In a dog travail the cross of the poles rests on the back of the neck, and is kept in place by a breast or rather a neck strap; the poles are wrapped with pieces of buffalo robe where they press against the dog.  Captain Blakiston—­a very accurate authority—­considers that a horse will travel 30 miles in the day, dragging on the travail a weight of about 200 lbs., including a child, whose mother sits on the horse’s back; and that a dog, the size of an average retriever, will draw about 80 lbs. for the same distance. (N.B.  The North American plains are perfectly level.)