266 
The Colorado River 
proceeded on our way, passing the elopers near the end of the 
valley, where they were very happy in a good camp with a 
fresh deer and plenty of vermilion, which they used liberally 
on their faces. Below this the river was full of beaver, and 
had Pattie or some of the early trappers been there, they could 
have reaped a rich harvest. The current was slow, and Thomp¬ 
son read Emerson aloud as we drifted. Gradually the hills began 
Canyon of Desolation. 
Walls 2000 feet. 
Photograph by E. O. Beaman, U. S. Colo. Riv. Exp. 
to grow rocky, and then distinct low cliffs appeared, till finally 
we discovered ourselves fairly within the walls of another can¬ 
yon, which from the barren character of its cliffs is called the 
Canyon of Desolation. It is ninety-seven miles long, and im¬ 
mediately at its foot is Gray Canyon, thirty-six miles long. 
Then comes Gunnison Valley, and it was there that Powell was 
to return to us. The first indication of descending waters was 
a slight swiftness, the river having narrowed up to its can- 
