214 EASTERN SHORE — "BULL-BOAT. 



>» 



cool, drinkable water. At numerous places fine salt is brought up 

 and jets of gas emitted: the salt forms an incrustation around the 

 hole, and is pure enough for table use. Some small rivulets de- 

 scend from the mountains as you proceed south ; two of which, fed 

 by springs, could be used for irrigation and enrich farms of one 

 hundred acres each." 



" Box-elder is a beautiful stream of clear, sparkling water, except 

 when swollen in the spring by the rapidly melting snow. It was 

 swelled into a large river dmdng the survey, and overflowed all its 

 banks. This stream, and the two south, to Bright Creek, can be 

 carried over some excellent land, and made to water ground enough 

 for five thousand people." 



" Red Springs are hot waters, impregnated with iron, which is 

 deposited and colours the ground crimson red : hence the name. 

 The salt-flats extend from the lake to this point, and a low flat 

 sweeps round to Weber River, of the clay barren character, between 

 the north branch of the river and Mud Island* The river was now 

 swollen, and filled several channels over this flat, entering the lake 

 to the northward; and many were ten feet deep, with a swift cur- 

 rent. At the mouths they shoal, but were very uncomfortable to 

 ford, as we did, by wading, as the water was of the temperature of 

 melting ice and snow." 



" In the angles of Red-spur and Main range are small streams for 

 farming purposes ; but the Ogden river, as it bursts out of a narrow 

 canon, furnishes an opportunity for mill privileges and irrigating 

 canals seldom equalled. On its bank is the site of Ogden City. 

 Beautiful meadows, the river-level of which is subject to overflow, 

 are below the junction with the Weber ; and I estimate forty square 

 miles on these streams as capable of cultivation." 



"The freshets had swept off" all the bridges, and embarrassed us 

 much. To survey the delta of Weber and cross the rivers re- 

 quired boats. We obtained hides, and, by the aid of some Flat- 

 head Indians, constructed a "bull-boat," by taking willow rods and 

 laying a keel and longitudinal ribs between two stakes driven into 

 the ground, marking the length, and then cross-sticks, tied with 

 thongs, making the skeleton of a canoe. Three hides were sewed 

 together; the sides of the centre one and one end of each of the 

 others being joined and then softened in w^ater: they were now 

 stretched over the willow-work, and the seams made tight by a 

 composition of melted tallow and ashes. Our wagons were taken 

 into parts, a rope was stretched over a foaming, tossing, boiling 



