“’It is a hot spring, and the water has a pungent and disagreeable metallic taste, leaving a burning effect on the tongue.  Within perhaps two yards of the jet d’eau, is a small hole of about an inch in diameter, through which, at regular intervals, escapes a blast of hot air with a light wreath of smoke, 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, having been for many years a trapper in the country, was an experienced mountaineer.