PREFACE 
E arly in 1871, when Major Powell ^ was preparing for his 
second descent through the canyons of the Green and 
Colorado rivers, he was besieged by men eager to accompany 
him; some even offered to pay well for the privilege. It was 
for me, therefore, a piece of great good fortune when, after an 
interview in Chicago with the eminent explorer, he decided to 
add me to his small party, I was very young at the time, but 
muscular and healthy, and familiar with the handling of small 
boats. The Major remarked that in the business before us it 
was not so much age and strength that were needed as “nerve,” 
and he evidently believed I had enough of this to carry me 
through. Certainly in the two-years, continuous work on the 
river and in the adjacent country I had some opportunity to 
develop this desirable quality. I shall never cease to feel grate¬ 
ful to him for the confidence reposed in me. It gave me one 
of the unique experiences of my life,—an experience which, on 
exactly the same lines, can never be repeated within our bor¬ 
ders. Now, these thirty years after, I review that experience 
with satisfaction and pleasure, recalling, with deep affection, 
the kind and generous companions of that wild and memorable 
journey. No party of men thrown together, without external 
contact for months at a time, could have been more harmoni¬ 
ous ; and never once did any member of that party show the 
white feather. I desire to acknowledge here, also, my indebt¬ 
edness to Prof. A, H. Thompson, Major Powell’s associate in 
his second expedition, for many kindnesses. 
When his report to Congress was published, Major Powell, 
^ I use the title Major for the reason that he was so widely known for so long 
a period by it. He was a volunteer officer during the Civil War, holding the rank 
of Colonel at the end. The title Major, then, has no military significance in this 
connection. 
V 
