242 
The Colorado River 
everything, in fact, except the bacon, which was too greasy— 
were put in rubber sacks that, when closed, were absolutely 
water-tight. These bags were encased in cotton sacks and 
gunny bags to protect the rubber. Each man was allowed one 
hundred pounds of baggage, including his blankets, and was 
given two rubber bags to stow it in. When the time came to 
load up we found we had a formidable pile of things that must 
go. The photographic apparatus was particularly bulky, for 
neither the dry-plate nor film had yet been invented. The 
Ready for the Start, U. S. Colorado River Expedition, Green River, 
Wyoming, 1871. 
Photograph by E. O, Beaman, 
scientific instruments were also bulky, being in wooden, canvas- 
covered cases; and there were eleven hundred pounds of flour 
in twenty-two i ubber sacks. 
On the 22d of May, 1871, all being ready, and the boats 
finally packed, we prepared to push off. To save time, break¬ 
fast was taken at Field’s place, which, owing to the kindness 
of himself and his charming family, had seemed very much like 
home to us. Then the populace to the number of about fifteen 
—the Chinamen refusing to countenance any outfit harbouring 
such a terrible engine of the devil as a photographic apparatus 
