accompanied by a regular noise.'

"As they approached the lake, they passed over a country of bold and
striking scenery, and through several 'gates,' as they called certain
narrow valleys. The 'standing rock' is a huge column, occupying the
centre of one of these passes. It fell from a height of perhaps 3,000
feet, and happened to remain in its present upright position.

"At last, on the 6th of September, the object for which their eyes had
long been straining was brought to view.

"'_Sept. 6_.--This time we reached the butte without any difficulty;
and, ascending to the summit, immediately at our feet beheld the
object of our anxious search, the waters of the Inland Sea, stretching
in still and solitary grandeur far beyond the limit of our vision.
It was one of the great points of the exploration; and as we looked
eagerly over the lake in the first emotions of excited pleasure, I am
doubtful if the followers of Balboa felt more enthusiasms, when,
from the heights of the Andes, they saw for the first time the great
Western Ocean. It was certainly a magnificent object, and a noble
_terminus_ to this part of our expedition; and to travelers so long
shut up among mountain ranges, a sudden view over the expanse of
silent waters had in it something sublime. Several large islands
raised their high rocky heads out of the waves; but whether or not
they were timbered was still left to our imagination, as the distance
was too great to determine if the dark hues upon them were woodland
or naked rock. During the day the clouds had been gathering black over
the mountains to the westward, and while we were looking a storm burst
down with sudden fury upon the lake, and entirely hid the islands from
our view.

"'On the edge of the stream a favorable spot was selected in a grove;
and felling the timber, we made a strong _corral_, or horse-pen, for
the animals, and a little fort for the people who were to remain.
We were now probably in the country of the Utah Indians, though none
reside upon the lake. The India-rubber boat was repaired with prepared
cloth and gum, and filled with air, in readiness for the next day.

"'The provisions which Carson had brought with him being now
exhausted, and our stock reduced to a small quantity of roots, I
determined to retain with me only a sufficient number of men for the
execution of our design; and accordingly seven were sent back to Fort
Hall, under the guidance of Francois Lajeunesse, who, h