332 
The Colorado River 
rapid swept into the cove, so it was decided to raise them up 
on the side of the wall as far as necessary. By means of the 
ropes we succeeded in swinging them at a height of about six 
feet and there made them fast for the night. There was not 
room on the ledge for a camp, but by going out around a pro¬ 
jection a talus was available, though there was a dearth of 
wood and level spots. I managed to find enough half-dead mes- 
quite bushes for a fire, and Andy did his best on the supper. 
One hundred feet above the river I found driftwood. To add 
to the discomfort of the occasion the rain began again, and the 
river continued its rise. Through the night a watch was kept 
on the boats, so that they could be lifted farther if necessary. 
The morning of August 31st was wet and gloomy in the black 
gorge. Some of the rocks were still above water, against the 
wall. When the boats were lowered they pounded about at a 
frightful rate on the surges that swept into the alcove. Then 
it was found that a hole in the Dean had been forgotten or 
overlooked, and she was leaking badly in the middle compart¬ 
ment. But there was no chance to stop longer here for repairs, 
as the river seemed to be still rising. A bag of flour was 
jammed against the hole, the boat was loaded, the hatches were 
battened down, we grasped our oars, and while the Canonita 
crew held our stern to give us a fair start we pulled straight 
out as hard as we could to clear a huge rock just below, upon 
which the current was fiercely dashing. Our boat was so wet 
and full of water that the gunwales were barely above the sur¬ 
face as we rolled heavily along through large waves. I felt 
very uncertain as to whether or not she would remain afloat 
till we could make a landing, but luckily she did, and we halted 
at the first opportunity. This was at a talus on the right 
where the entire cargo was spread out on the rocks to dry in 
the sun which now cheered us by its warm rays, and the leak in 
the boat was stopped. The Caiionita soon came down safely. 
She was of a slightly better build than the Dean, and, with one 
less man in her, was able to ride more buoyantly. It was after 
four o’clock before we were ready to go on, and we started 
once more with a fairly tight boat, dry inside. Then we had 
a wild ride. The descent was steady. For eight miles there 
