The boats were so much bruised that we were obliged to halt on these rocks for repairs, instead of starting out again into the current as we intended.

This work took so long that darkness approached before all was done.

At the same time we discovered that the river was rising rapidly, at the rate of three or four feet an hour, submerging the rocks.
Fortunately, about twenty feet up the cliff was a narrow shelf, and to this the rations were passed to guard them from the rising waters.

Then there was danger of the boats pounding to pieces, as the space they were on was rapidly decreasing, and waves from the 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 projection a talus was available, though there was a dearth of wood and level spots.