328 
The Colorado River 
protruding a few feet above the water at the base of the right- 
hand wall afforded the desired opportunity, and running in we 
stepped out and mounted them. The cause of the roaring 
was immediately apparent. For a third of a mile the river was a 
solid mass of huge waves and foam and plunges, and on each 
side the granite came down so precipitously that a footing was 
impossible. It took no second glance to tell us that, at least 
with this stage of water, there was but one course, and that 
was to run the place. There is nothing like having the inner 
man fortified for exertion, therefore with a few bits of drift¬ 
wood a fire was built, by means of which Andy prepared dinner. 
When this had been disposed of operations were begun. The 
Cafionita was to remain here till our boat was well through. 
In case we smashed up they would have a better chance, as 
they might profit by our course, and if we went through safely, 
we would be prepared to pick them up should disaster overtake 
them. At last we were ready. The crew of the Canonita 
placed themselves where they could carefully watch our fort¬ 
unes, and we pulled up the river very close to the right-hand 
wall in slack current, for about a quarter of a mile, when we 
turned the bow out and struck for the middle, heading there 
straight for the descent. I pulled the bow oars, and my back 
was toward the terrific roar which, like the voice of some awful 
monster, grew louder as we approached. It was difficult to 
refrain from turning round to see what it looked like now, but 
as everything depended on the promptness with which Hillers 
and I handled our oars in obedience to Powell’s orders, I waited 
for the plunge, every instant ready to execute a command. 
We kept in the middle of the stream, and as we neared the 
brink our speed began to accelerate. Then of a sudden there 
was a dropping away of all support, a reeling sensation, and 
we flew down the declivity with the speed of a locomotive. 
The gorge was chaos. The boat rolled and plunged. The 
wild waters rolled over us, filling the open spaces to the gun¬ 
wale. With the camp kettles that were left out of the cabins 
for that purpose, Hillers and I bailed as hard as we could, let¬ 
ting the boat go with the current, but it seemed to do little 
good, for every moment the waves broke over the craft from 
