surf was breaking heavily on the shore, and we were
up early. The lake was dark and agitated, and we hurried through our
scanty breakfast, and embarked--having first filled one of the buckets
with water from which it was intended to make salt. The sun had risen
by the time we were ready to start; and it was blowing a strong gale of
wind, almost directly off the shore, and raising a considerable sea, in
which our boat strained very much. It roughened as we got away from
the island, and it required all the efforts of the men to make any head
against the wind and sea; the gale rising with the sun; and there was
danger of being blown into one of the open reaches beyond the island.
At the distance of half a mile from the beach, the depth of water was
sixteen feet, with a clay bottom; but, as the working of the boat
was very severe labor, and during the operation of sounding, it was
necessary to cease paddling, during which the boat lost considerable
way, I was unwilling to discourage the men, and reluctantly gave up my
intention of ascertaining the depth and character of the bed. There was
a general shout in the boat when we found ourselves in one fathom, and
we soon after landed on a low point of mud, where we unloaded the boat,
and carried the baggage to firmer ground."

CHAPTER XXIII.

The Return--Suffering for Food--A Royal Feast--On the Lewis
Fork--Fort Hall--Division of the Party--Arrival at Dalles--The Sierra
Nevada--Preparations for the Passage Through the Mountains--Fremont's
Account.

The explorers remained in camp the next day and boiled down some of the
water from the lake, thereby obtaining considerable salt. The following
morning was clear and beautiful and they returned by the same route,
ascending the valley of Bear River toward the north.

The expected Fitzpatrick and the provisions did not show themselves and
the party began to suffer for food. When their situation became serious,
Fremont permitted a horse to be killed and then all enjoyed one of their
old fashioned feasts.

But this supply could not last long, and still they failed to meet their
expected friends. After a time they encountered an Indian who had killed
an antelope, which they quickly purchased and another feast made every
heart glad. By way of dessert, a messenger galloped into camp with
the news that Fitzpatrick was close at hand with an abundant supply of
provisions.

The next morning the two parties united and continued t