OCR Text |
Show BEGINNING OF TROUBLES- ANTELOPE ISLAND. 157 ' were yet covered with snow, many of them quite down to their bases. April 4.- After a row of some twenty miles, we reached the mouth of the river, which here spread out into innumerable shallow channels, the intervals between them consisting of soft, shiny mud, nearly level with the surface of the water, and rendering it impossible to find where the mouth actually was. The channels were only a few inches deep, although the current through them was quite rapid, owing to the great body of water coming down from above. The boat soon grounded, and all hands were overboard and commenced dragging her forward by main force. On reaching the broader expanse of water, the channels became less defined and more shallow as we advanced. We were therefore obliged to unload the boat entirely, and to pile up the baggage upon a platform constructed of oars and tent- poles, placed upon camp- stools, buckets and camp- kettles. After six hours of severe labour, we at length succeeded in reaching water that would float our little craft; and, returning to the platform for the baggage, reloaded her, and took once more to the oars, directing our course for Antelope Island, to rejoin the shore party that had approached it by passing over a sand bar which unites it with the mainland. For several miles the water was not more than a foot in depth, but gradually increased to six and eight feet. After a heavy row of six hours we reached the island, and found the camp already pitched near the beach. Drift- wood was abundant along the shore, and a fire was very grateful, as we had been pulling in the teeth of a raw, cold, west wind, which had sprung up in the afternoon, and which had chilled those not warmed by exercise, to the very bone. A hot stew and plenty of hot coffee soon restored circulation and cheerfulness, and we retired to our blankets and buffalo- skins, spread upon the ground, well prepared by twelve hours of incessant toil for deep and welcome repose. Innumerable flocks of ducks, geese, white swans, and long-legged plover were seen during the day, congregated around the shallows at the mouth of the Jordan. Friday, April 5.- The water being here very indifferent, we moved about five miles to the northward, and encamped on a rocky point near some large springs of tolerably good water, breaking out from the hills above. It is worthy of remark that the quality of almost all the springs in this region is dependent, in a great degree, upon the Beason of the year. In the spring and |