Their
search was unavailing and when they returned to the camp it was with a
fixed opinion that the sole solution of their difficulties was to be found
in patiently remaining in camp until Pete and John had made their long
journey across the desert.
That evening while they were seated about the campfire conversation turned
upon the mighty river near which they had found their resting place.
"Yes, air," Zeke was saying, "the first man an' about the only man that
ever went the whole length of the Colorado was Major Powell."
"Did he go in a little boat?" inquired Fred.
"Yes, he had four boats?" replied Zeke. "They were all small, but every
one was built for the voyage."
"Did he go alone?" inquired George.
"No. Nine men went with him."
"When was it?" asked Grant.
"In 1869. It took a lot of nerve to start on that trip too, let me tell
you. Even the Indians were afraid of the river and every one of them said
he didn't know really what the river was."
"What do you mean?" asked Fred.
"Why the redskins had all sorts of stories about the Colorado from the
place where the Grand and the Green join to make it.
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