-- making, by this operation, a very curious trail, and a very
disagreeable smell in stirring up the mud, as we sank above the
knee at every step. The water here was still fresh, with only an
insipid and disagreeable taste, probably derived from the bed of
fetid mud. After proceeding in this way about a mile, we came to
a small black ridge on the bottom, beyond which the water became
suddenly salt, beginning gradually to deepen, and the bottom was
sandy and firm. It was a remarkable division, separating the fresh
water of the rivers from the briny water of the lake, which was
entirely saturated with common salt. Pushing our little vessel
across the narrow boundary, we sprang on board, and at length were
afloat on the waters of the unknown sea.

"We did not steer for the mountainous islands, but directed our
course towards a lower one, which it had been decided we should
first visit, the summit of which was formed like the crater at
the upper end of Bear River Valley. So long as we could touch the
bottom with our paddles, we were very gay; but gradually, as the
water deepened, we became more still in our frail bateau of gum
cloth distended with air, and with pasted seams. Although the day
was very calm, there was a considerable swell on the lake; and
there were white patches of foam on the surface, which were slowly
moving to the southward, indicating the set of a current in that
direction, and recalling the recollection of the whirlpool stories.
The water continued to deepen as we advanced; the lake becoming
almost transparently clear, of an extremely beautiful bright green
color; and the spray which was thrown into the boat and over our
clothes, was directly converted into a crust of common salt, which
covered also our hands and arms. 'Captain,' said Carson, who for
sometime had been looking suspiciously at some whitening appearances