the principal efforts of some of the others were directed to saving
them.

Most of the goods were recovered, but nearly all the sugar dissolved
and every grain of coffee was lost. It would be hard to imagine any
deprivation greater than that to which this misfortune condemned
the explorers. Carson and one of the others made such strenuous
efforts in the water that they were ill the next day, and Fremont
remained in camp for twenty-four hours with a view of giving them
time to recruit.

The journey westward progressed without any special incident. A
large party of emigrants on their way to Oregon were several weeks
in advance of the explorers. Bad fortune seemed to have followed
them from the start, and numerous freshly made graves were seen.
One of the emigrants who had been peculiarly unfortunate, came into
camp with a hunter on his way home. He took charge of the letters
which the explorers desired to send to their families.

The party soon reached the Pawnee country where they were forced to
unusual vigilance, for those Indians have long been noted as most
persistent horse thieves. Game was abundant. Large flocks of wild
turkeys were found roosting in the trees along the streams; elk,
antelope and deer were plentiful, and as for bisons, they were
beyond all computation.

One day a member of the company happened to be riding at the rear
galloped up in hot haste, shouting, "Indians!" He declared that
he had seen them distinctly and counted twenty-seven. An immediate
halt was called, and Carson, leaping on one of the fleetest horses,