The little party abruptly halted and after Pete had warmly urged his views Zeke reluctantly consented to a change in their plans.  Pete, accompanied by Fred and John were to return and use the boat as far as they were able to make their way safely toward Thorn’s Gulch.  They would then land, draw the boat up on the shore, where it would be safe from storms, and at once start for the entrance of Thorn’s Gulch where they were to await the coming of their companions.  Naturally it was expected that the party led by Pete would arrive at the Gulch before the others.  In that event Pete was to select a camp and make such provisions as were in his power for spending the second night.

Zeke had explained that he was not planning to rush his party across the desert.  Rather he explained he would move leisurely, finding some place for rest and refuge in the middle of the day.  In no place would he depart far from the rim of the Grand Canyon.  He was confident that even with these expected delays he would easily arrive at their destination by sunset of the second day.

The two Navajos had not been included in either party; the truth of the matter being that neither Zeke nor Pete wanted the young Indians among his followers.

The feeling of the boys, however, was markedly different, but they did not make any objections, relying upon the need of assistance later to warrant them in inviting Thomas Jefferson and his friend to become members of their party at that time.  Indeed Fred had expressed himself in this manner to the Navajos, and Thomas Jefferson, indicating that he understood fully the conditions, promised to report later after the party had entered Thorn’s Gulch.

There was no further delay and George and Grant following Zeke soon disappeared from the sight of their companions.

Meanwhile Fred and John assisted Pete in packing in their boat the supplies which they were to carry down the Colorado.

Both George and Grant had protested against their companions attempting the passage of the river.  They were aware of the perils that awaited them and were fearful that they would not be able to land all their cargo safely.

“That’s the way of it,” said Fred in mock solemnity when he had responded to George’s protest.  “You don’t care anything about us, but you’re mightily afraid that some of the things we have on board may be lost in the river.”

“We don’t want to lose either the crew or the cargo,” retorted George.

“There’s no more danger going down the stream where we are than there is in trying to climb the cliffs and strike out overland,” declared Pete.

No further protest had been made and not long after the departure of the division which was to climb the rugged pathway that led to the table-land the sailors were ready to embark.

Fred and John were both skillful in handling the boat, a form of knowledge in which even Grant was proficient.  It was for this reason largely that Pete had selected Fred and John to accompany him.