There is a sameness in many of the occurrences but the third time the Pathfinder penetrated into the recesses of the far west, he became involved in a series of experiences totally different from the preceding and deeply interesting of themselves.
Several months were spent on what may be called the Great Divide--that is the region where the waters flow east or west to either ocean, and in the autumn of the year they encamped on the southwestern shore of the Great Salt Lake.
Before them stretched a vast arid plain to which the trappers referred with a shudder of terror.

They had heard of it many a time and the common legend was that no man white or Indian who had ever attempted to cross it, succeeded.

These stories, however, added to the eagerness of Captain Fremont to explore its secrets, and, when he proposed it to his men, they expressed as strong a desire as he to do so.

They felt a mutual trust and confidence impossible under other circumstances.
Some seventy miles away, a mountain peak held out the promise of wood and water.

Four men under the guidance of an Indian, were sent forward to explore the place, and, in the event of finding water, they were instructed to apprise the watchful commander by means of the smoke from a camp fire.
When the second day closed without sight of the signal, Fremont became so uneasy that he moved forward with the rest of the party and travelled all night.