Stanton's boat, containing Hansborough and Richards, was following the first boat, which had made the stretch with difficulty because the current set against the left-hand cliff.

The second boat was driven against the foot of this wall under an overhanging shelf, and in the attempt to push her off she was capsized and Hansborough never rose again.

Richards, who was a strong swimmer, made some distance down-stream, but before the first boat could reach him he sank, and that was the end for him.

This terrible disaster, added to the death of Brown, and the foolhardiness of proceeding farther with such boats as they had, forced the decision which should have been made at Lee's Ferry.

Stanton resolved to leave the river, but with the determination to return again to battle with the dragon at the earliest opportunity.
The next thing was to get out of the canyon.