They tried to find some remnant of the lost cargo, but it had completely vanished.

Everything had been swept away forever.

All the party were despondent, one boat was badly damaged, and the diminution of the rations made the outlook gloomy.

The damaged boat was therefore sent with a crew back to the place at the mouth of the canyon where the barge had been left.

With the exception of Wheeler and Gilbert none of the party believed the cataracts now ahead could be surmounted.
"Mr.Gilbert and myself," writes Wheeler, "propose to reassure the men by taking the first boat across the rapids.