Yet White had reported this whole gorge as having only smooth water; his difficulties had all ended at the mouth of the Little Colorado.

Gass's experience was worth a good deal as a gauge of White's story, and it proved the story false.
But Wheeler did not so consider it, and therefore prepared to make the attempt to go beyond Gass.

The latter was about right in considering it impossible to go above his highest point, but when Wheeler found himself trapped in the chasm, he was desperate, and, being at the time favoured by a low stage of water, he finally managed to get through.
Wheeler's boats were built in San Francisco and sent by way of the mouth of the Colorado to Camp Mohave.

No details are given of their construction, but from Dr.Gilbert I learn that they were flat-bottomed.
They were apparently about eighteen feet long.

See page 302.