Then tropical vegetation would completely hide the trail, crystal lakes would obstruct it, cascades shooting down from perpendicular rocks would obliterate it, mountain passes barricaded by basaltic columns would render it uncertain, and on one occasion it was completely covered up by a fall of snow to a depth of more than twenty feet.
But nothing could oppose serious delay to our travellers.

Their motto was ever "onward!" and what they lost in one hour by some mishap they endeavored to recover on the next by redoubled speed.

They felt that they would be no friends of Barbican's if they were discouraged by impossibilities.

Besides, what would have been real impossibilities at another time, several concurrent circumstances now rendered comparatively easy.
The surveys, the gradings, the cuttings, and the other preliminary labors in the great Pacific Railroad, gave them incalculable aid.
Horses, help, carriages, provisions were always in abundance.

Their object being well known, they had the best wishes of every hand on the road.