"Well, neither can I," said Harry.

"Den what's de use ob dat wire?" exclaimed Miles. "I thought you uns ud
send de letters an' all ober dat wire? Dere's lots more letters dan
telegrums."

"I know that," said Harry, hurriedly; "but we can't send letters. Give
the telegraphic messages, and you go back to the mines with the letters,
and if there's anything in them that they want to telegraph, let them
write out the messages, and you bring them over to Lewston's cabin."

Harry took the telegrams, and old Miles rode off, very much disturbed in
his mind. His confidence in the utility of the telegraph company was
wofully shaken.

By this time Harvey had arrived on a mule, and the two operators dashed
away as fast as their animals would carry them.

As they galloped along Harry shouted to Harvey, who kept ahead most of
the time, for his mule was faster than Selim:

"Hello, Harvey! If Miles couldn't get across, how can either of us go
over?"

"Oh, I reckon the creek isn't much up yet," answered Harvey. "Miles is
easily frightened."

So, on they rode, hoping for the best; but when they reached the creek
they saw, to their dismay, that the water was much higher already than