225 
The Brink of Despair 
took an unexpected turn towards the south and the lower 
formations once more began to appear, till the black granite, 
dreaded and feared, closed again threateningly about them, 
they were considerably disheartened. At tlie very beginning 
The Grand Canyon-Granite Buttresses. 
Photograph by J. K. Hillers, U. S. Colo. Riv. Exp. 
they were compelled to make a portage. Then they reached 
a place which appeared worse than anything they had yet seen. 
This was partly due to the condition of the men and it was 
partly a fact. They could discover no way to portage or to let 
down, and Powell believed running it meant certain destruction. 
IS 
