As we told Powell, after this experience was over, he had tried to make a geological investigation of the bed of the river, and this was not advisable.

Hillers and I climbed on the bottom of the upturned boat, and by catching hold of the opposite gunwale, and throwing ourselves back, we brought her right-side up.

Then we two climbed in, an operation requiring nice calculation, for she rolled so much with the load of water that her tendency was to turn over again on slight provocation.

We bailed with our hats rapidly.

There was need for expeditious work, for we could not tell what might be around the corner.