286 
The Colorado River 
for a hundred feet or so, then there was a terrace. As we 
sailed down, the river was suddenly studded with pinnacles of 
rock, huge boulders or masses fallen from the heights. By 
steering carefully we could pass among these and, keeping in 
the dividing line of the current, make for the head of a rocky 
island, on each side of which the waters plunged against the 
cliffs with great force as they dropped away to a lower level. 
The danger lay in getting too far over either way, and it was 
somewhat difficult to dodge the pinnacles and steer for the 
island at the same time. The Cafwnita went on the wrong 
side of one, and we held our breath, for it seemed as if she 
could not retrieve her position in the dividing current, but she 
did. As we approached the head of the island our keel bumped 
several times on the rocks, while the current changed from the 
simple dividing line and ran everywhere. At length we reached 
the shallow water, and as the keel struck gently on a rock we 
were overboard, soon pulling the boat on the island, where the 
others^quickly followed. By hauling the craft down the right- 
hand side for about half the island’s length, we were able to 
pull directly across the tail of waves from the right-hand rapid, 
and avoid being swept against the cliff on the left where the 
whole river set. So close did every boat go that the oars on 
that side could not be used for a moment or two; and then we 
were past. At a higher stage of water this place would be 
much simpler. The river became serene; night was falling; 
we drifted on with the current till a roar issuing from the dark¬ 
ness ahead admonished us to halt. Some broken rocks on the 
right gave a footing and there we remained till morning. In 
the night it rained, and the rain continued into the daylight till 
cascades came leaping and plunging from everywhere into the 
canyon. Two of these opposite our camp were exceedingly 
beautiful. One was about two feet wide and the other five. 
For one thousand feet they made a clear plunge, then vanished 
in spray, feathery and beautiful. These rain cascades are a 
delightful feature of the country and some day will be famous. 
Soon Millecrag Bend, marking the end of Cataract Canyon, 
came in sight. The walls were only broken by a deep canyon 
valley coming in on the left, and the next canyon, Narrow, then 
