248 
The Colorado River 
The sighting was done with a prismatic compass, and one of 
these was rendered more interesting by bearing on the leather 
case the name of George B. McClellan, written by the future 
general when he was a lieutenant of engineers. There was 
seldom much discrepancy between the different estimates 
made during the day, as men grow very accurate in such mat¬ 
ters, but a check on all estimates was obtained by frequent 
observations for latitude and longitude. 
The third canyon is also a short one, the three aggregating 
less than ten miles. Because of the many kingfishers flying 
about it was called Kingfisher Canyon, and a point where they 
were especially numerous was named Bee-hive. At the foot 
of this third short canyon the rocks ran together in a forbidding 
manner, and out of the depths beyond came a roar; just as one 
outside of the jungle might hear the lion’s note within. On a 
bright Friday morning we were ready to try our fortune, and 
with all made snug, pulled in between the cliffs where in a 
moment we beheld a wild sea of descending foam. Rapid 
quickly followed rapid and immediately we had some exciting 
work. Our boat was swept so near the right-hand cliff that 
one of the after rowlocks was torn off, and at about the same 
time the Nellie Pozvell, following but signalled to keep to 
to the left, was seen to strike rocks near the opposite side and 
capsize. The next instant we were borne out of sight. Hil¬ 
lers, with only one rowlock, could not use his oars, so the work 
devolved entirely on me. The boat was heavy for one pair of 
oars, and we were being carried down stream at a terrific pace. 
On the left was a little beach where we might land, and I pulled 
for this with all my power. At length to my great relief I felt 
the keel touch bottom. We were still about fifteen feet from 
the beach, but the water was not any deeper than the grating 
of the keel indicated, so we were overboard in a moment and 
pulled her to the bank. At the same instant the Canonita ran 
in, dashing up like a horse finishing a race. The crew reported 
the other boat upside down, but they were unable to stop to 
help her. They thought the crew were safe, and we hoped 
with all our hearts they were. There was nothing we could 
do but wait for some sign from above, and in about three 
