After running until about 10 o'clock came in sight of the Muscle Shoals.

Halted on the northern shore at the appearance of the shoals, in order to search for the signs Captain James Robertson was to make for us at that place...

that it was practicable for us to go across by land...

we can find none--from which we conclude that it would not be prudent to make the attempt and are determined, knowing ourselves in such imminent danger, to pursue our journey down the river....

When we approached them [the Shoals] they had a dreadful appearance....