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Show PROGRESS OF THE WORE. . 187 a night's repose in the bottom of the boat, without even a blanket to coyer us, and a supper and breakfast of raw bacon. The shore party had shaded but little better than ourselves. Having negleeted to provide themselves with the means of making a fire when, they left camp. yesterday morning, they could cook no food, and were consequently restricted to the same delicate fare as that upon which we had so sumptuously regaled* - Owing to the character of the ground, the past week has been * one of unusual exposure and fatigue to both parties, while the t progress of the survey had been by no means commensurate with our exertions. The difficulty of approaching the shore, the immense extent of the arid sand- plains, together with the distance of water and fuel, and the labour of obtaining them, have made the duties of the boat's crew, who have been constantly wading in the brine of the lake. or plunging and floundering through thet deep, soft mud of the marshes, extremely arduous and harassing. The task of the shore party has npt been less onerous, owing to the great. distances between- thercamp and their work, the glare from- the dazzling white sand, the incessant annoyance of the gnats,. and the want of proper food and shelter. We consble our-selves, however, with the hope thpt the worst has been overcome, - and that the causes of so mu£ h vexation and delay will continue to diminish as we advance to the southward. Our stock of flour beinjj diminished to little more than one sack, the coffee to sufficient for but a few day*' consumption, and the fresh beef having entirely disappeared,'. we were reduced to fat salt pork and fried bread. It became necessary to renew our supply; and preparations were made for. a start early in the morning fot Antelope Island, - sixty miles distant, where the cattle and mules wqre herded, and whence a team could be despatched to the city for what we needed. Monday, May 20.- Morning warm and cloudy. The strength of both parties was required to drag the yawl out. into water deep \ enough to float her. After much wading and hauling, this was at length effected, and we set sail. We continued rowing and sailing all the day. At sundown, the wind hauling into the north- west and blowing quite fresh, the crew were sent to their blankets, and I sat at the behn until daylight, occasionally calling the men to the oars when the wind failed. I shall never forget this night. The silence of the grave was around up, unrelieved by the slightest sound. Not the leaping of' |