180 JOHN C. FREMONT. 



was a remarkable division, separating the fresh 

 waters of the rivers from the briny water of the 

 lake, which was entirely saturated with common salt. 

 Pushing our little vessel across the narrow boun- 

 dary, we sprang on board, and at length were afloat 

 on the waters of the unknown sea. 



" We did not steer for the mountainous islands, 

 but directed our course toward a lower one, which, 

 it had been decided, we should first visit, the sum- 

 mit of which was formed like the crater at the upper 

 end of Bear River Valley. So long as we could 

 touch the bottom with our paddles, we were very 

 gay; but gradually, as the water deepened, we 

 became more still in our frail bateau of gum cloth 

 distended with air and with pasted seams. Although 

 the day was very calm, there was a considerable 

 swell on the lake ; and there were white patches 

 of foam on the surface, which were slowly moving 

 to the southward, indicating the set of a current in 

 that direction, and recalling the recollection of the 

 whirlpool-stories. The water continued to deepen 

 as we advanced, the lake becoming almost trans 

 parently clear, of an extremely beautiful bright- 

 green color; and the spray, which was thrown into 

 the boat and over our clothes, was directly converted 

 into a crust of common salt, which covered also our 

 hands and arms. ' Captain,' said Carson, who for 



