36 MOUTH OF THE COLORADO—LAUNCHING OF BOAT 
formed their part faithfully, though they became heartily sick of the business long before the 
day was over. Each one, after bringing in a log, would lie on his back to rest, making horrible 
grimaces, and rubbing his astonished arms and legs. When night came I paid them half as 
much again as had been promised—thinking that this, and.the virtuous consciousness of having 
for once in their lives done an honest day’s work, might induce them to try it again; but I 
believe that nothing that there is in camp would have prevailed upon them to repeat the 
experiment. 
As the season of high tides draws near, we have had somewhat of the anxiety felt by Captain 
Walsh lest the rise of water should fall a foot or two short of our expectations, and the Explorer 
be obliged to remain on top of the bank. Last night’s tide quite dispelled any such apprehen- 
sions. It still wants three or four days of full moon, and the water rose above the surface of 
the ways. It is likely that it will be high enough to-night to permit the boat to be launched; 
but I prefer waiting a day longer for the arrival of Mr. Robinson. He had expected to be 
here by the 25th, and I am much disappointed at his non-appearance. Every day at sunset we 
have watched for the appearance of a boat from the north. This evening we thought it was 
in sight, and collected upon the bank to meet the new comers. The figures were distinctly 
visible, and we were even confident that there were voices shouting to us. The object had 
arrived within a few hundred yards before we were undeceived, and the supposed boat and 
crew turned out to be the trunk of a tree, with short stumps standing upon its surface. 
December 30.—Yesterday evening the appearance of a boat in the distance was no delusion, 
and we had the pleasure of welcoming Mr. Robinson back to his semi-aquatic homestead. He 
was accompanied by Mr. Bielawski, whom I had engaged in San Francisco as hydrographic 
assistant, and by Mr. Jasper S. Whiting, the second in command to Captain Stone upon the 
survey of Sonora. Mr. Whiting is to start with a small party and survey the coast as far as 
Guaymas, where he is to be joined by Captain Stone and the remainder of his expedition. 
The delay in Mr. Robinson’s arrival was occasioned by the length of time it took the steam- 
boats to ascend to Fort Yuma. The river is said to be unusually low, even for this season of 
lowest water, and the difficulties of navigation correspondingly increased. A detachment of 
my party, sent out by way of Fort Tejon to procure pack mules, had reached the fort in safety. 
All of the members of the expedition, excepting those that are with myself, are now assembled 
there. They are not expecting to see us much before the 1st of February. The only unfa- 
vorable intelligence was concerning Dr: Newberry, our geologist, who, I regretted to learn, 
was very ill when the gentlemen left the fort, and entirely unable to join them, as he had 
hoped to do. 
The new comers were surprised to find the steamboat ready for launching. As the water 
had risen just high enough during the preceding night to float her, we knew that there would 
be no difficulty in taking her out on the next tide. Steam was gotten up and lines prepared as 
midnight approached. The water rose almost high enough to overflow the bank. There was 
enough for our purposes and a foot or two to spare, and the brilliant mooniight enabled the 
work to be performed as easily as by day. At the instant of high water, before the ebb 
current could attain much strength, the engines were put in motion, and the little boat backed 
slowly out into the stream. She was then brought round to the gully and moored 
a position a little below that which had been occupied by the Monterey. 
This morning the ‘‘ Explorer’ underwent a critical inspection. She is fifty-four feet long from 
the extremity of the bow to the outer rim of the stern wheel. Amidships, the hull is left 
open, like a skiff, the boiler occupying a third of the vacant space. At the bowis a little deck. 
on which stands the armament—a four-pound howitzer. In front of the wheel another deck. 
large enough to accommodate the pilot and a few of the surveying party, forms the roof of . 
cabin eight feet by seven. Nearly every newly-launched craft is supposed by those interested 
securely in 
