MOUTH OF THE COLORADO—ASCENT OF RIVER. 37 
to excel its predecessors; but I imagine few boats have ever been surveyed by their builders 
with as much admiration and complacency. 
The tents were struck this morning, the instruments and movables packed, and the whole 
day spent in loading. Mr. Robinson was of opinion that all of the provisions and expedition 
property could not be carried at once, and that two trips would have to be made,at least,as far 
as the head of tide-water, beyond which point there would be less danger. There was a 
chance, however, that to-night the bank would be overflowed, and I disliked to leave anything 
behind; so package after package was stowed away, till the boat was sunk down to the extreme 
limit that prudence would justify, and what was left it was found that the two skiffs would hold. 
These are to be towed alongside. A small slcop that belonged to Mr. Robinson, and which the 
Sonora expedition has purchased from him, we expect also to tow twenty miles up the river, to 
a point where Mr. Whiting is to join his party. The night promises to be perfectly quiet, or 
we would not be able to start with our present load. The proper time fora steamboat to leave 
is two or three hours before the ebb. This evening the tide is coming in with great force and 
rapidity. At low water the surface was one or two feet below the low-water mark of the last 
full moon tide, which portends a corresponding increase of elevation at high water. 
Our task has not been completed a day too soon, for there is every indication that by 3 
o’ clock to-morrow morning the country will be entirely submerged. Before that time, however, 
we trust to have bidden a final farewell to Robinson’s Landing and the mouth of the Colorado. 
