* * * * *

We now resume Kit Carson’s narrative.  When the Indian-rubber boat was put in order, Colonel Fremont started, taking Carson and three others as companions. (Their names have already appeared.) The distance from the main land to the island is computed to be about three leagues, hence the pull at the oars, for landsmen unaccustomed to such kind of work, was no small task.  However a landing upon the island was safely accomplished, the boat made fast and the investigations commenced.  After examining most of the island without finding even a spring of water on it, it was determined to ascend the great hill which was the highest elevation on it.  The party was not long in reaching the summit, where they found a shelving rock, on which they cut a cross, their names and the date as signs to after visitors, should any such follow in their footsteps, that they had been the first persons who had ever, within the knowledge of man, been on that island.

The day having been far spent in their labors, orders were given to camp on the island for the night.  On the morrow they departed for the main land.  When they had accomplished about one league, being one-third of the distance, the clouds suddenly gathered and threatened a storm.  Just as this danger impended, the air which acted in giving buoyancy to the boat, by some accident, began to escape.  A man was immediately stationed at the bellows and it required his constant aid to supply the portion which steadily escaped.  Colonel Fremont then ordered the men to pull for their lives and try thus to escape the danger of the impending storm.  In this instance, as indeed in every hour of peril, an all-seeing Providence guided them in safety to the shore.  Soon after they arrived, the storm came on with such fury that it caused the water of the lake, according to the natural water mark, to rise ten feet in one hour.

The party soon after recommenced their march and proceeded some distance up the Bear River.  Crossing it they went to the Malade and thence on until they reached Fort Hall.  Here they met with the division under Fitzpatrick and made a short stay.

Once more Colonel Fremont started with his small party in advance of his main body.  He marched about eight days’ journey ahead, Fitzpatrick following up his trail with the larger division.  At this time the expedition was journeying in the direction of the mouth of the Columbia River.  In due time they arrived safely at the river Dalles.  Here they made another brief halt.  Colonel Fremont left Kit Carson in command of this camp, while he, with a small party, proceeded to Vancouver’s Island and purchased some provisions.  On his return he found that the whole party had become consolidated.  The command now journeyed to Tlamath Lake in Oregon Territory.  The descriptions of all these journeys have already been given to the public in several forms, all however based upon Colonel Fremont’s reports