198 NEW TRACKS IN NORTH AMERICA. 
Whilst General Palmer, Dr. Parry, and Major Calhouw 
were examining the natural productions of the country, ang 
the surveyors were hard at work trying to find a level routé 
across the regions which lie about 100 miles south of th 
Great Cafion of the Colorado, an unfortunate prospector wal 
actually floating through that stupendous chasm on a simpk 
raft of cotton-wood. Dr. Parry had the good fortune to me¢ 
this man, after his perilous trip, at Hardyville, on the Ru 
Colorado, and to hear from his own lips the story of hi 
adventure. The doctor carefully noted all the particulars d 
the story, and closely cross-questioned the hero of it, whq 
although a simple and illiterate man, was brave, atraigil y 
forward, and one to be thoroughly believed. Major Calhoun! 
who had appointed to meet him at Fort Mojave, but was pre 
vented from doing so, has kindly compiled for me the follow 
ing account from the notes taken by Dr. Parry, and is thu 
the writer of one of the most tragic pages to be met with 1 U 
the histories of actual adventure. 
