LEAVE THE HORSES. 107 
circumstances being, that however bad or inclement 
the weather might be, it was the last night we 
should be exposed to its fury. 
July 7. — Getting up the horses early, we pro- 
ceeded up the King’s river, with a view of attempt- 
ing to cross, but upon sounding the depths in one 
or two places, I found the tide, which was rising, 
was too high ; I had only the alternative, therefore, 
of waiting for several hours until the water ebbed, 
or else of leaving the horses, and proceeding on 
without them. Under all the circumstances, I 
decided upon the latter; the rain was still falling 
very heavily, and the river before us was so wide 
and so dangerous for horses, from its very boggy 
character, that I did not think it prudent to attempt 
to force a passage, or worth while to delay to search 
for a proper crossing place. There was good feed 
for the horses where they were, and plenty of water, 
so that I knew they would fare better by remaining 
than if they were taken on to the Sound ; whilst it 
appeared to me more than probable that I should 
have no difficulty, whenever I wished to get them, 
to procure a guide to go for and conduct them 
safely across, at the proper crossing place. 
Having turned our horses loose, and piled up our 
baggage, now again greatly reduced, I took my 
journals and charts, and with Wylie forded the 
river about breast high. We were soon on the other 
side, and rapidly advancing towards the termination 
of our journey; the rain was falling in torrents, and 
