We were now about three miles from the slough.  After breakfast we alternately towed the boat, for there was no wind to carry us up this morning, and two hours later arrived at the diverging streams.  Near by we saw some mules showing evidence of having been worked.  It was clear now that the ranch was near.  There was still a chance that we would take the wrong stream.  Over on the opposite side was a tall cottonwood tree.  This I climbed, and had the satisfaction of seeing some kind of a shed half a mile up the east stream.  The land between proved to be a large island.  As we neared the building two swarthy men emerged and came down to the shore.  “Buenos dias,” Al called as we pulled in to the landing.

“Buenos dias, Senor,” they answered with a smile.

They were employees of the Rancho La Bolso, which was a half-mile up the stream.

Did we make the big fire which had burned until morning?

Our answer seemed to relieve their minds.

What would we do with our boat?  It was theirs to do with as they pleased.  Leading two horses from out of the building, they mounted and told us to climb on behind, and away we rode across some water-filled sloughs.  Hidden in the trees we came to the buildings—­three or four flat-topped adobe houses.  Some little brown children scattered to announce our coming.

As we dismounted two white men approached.  “Why, hello, Phillipps!” the ranch boss said when he saw my companion.  “This is a long walk from Yuma.  You fellows are just in time to grub!”

NOTES

[Footnote 1:  The various expeditions which are credited with continuous or complete journeys through all the canyons and the dates of leaving Green River, Wyoming, are as follows: 

     Major Powell, 1st journey.  May 24, 1869.

     Major Powell, 2nd journey.  May 22, 1871.  Discontinued at Kanab
       Canyon in the Grand Canyon.

     Galloway.  Sept. 20, 1895 and 1896.

     Flavell.  Aug. 27, 1896.

     Stone.  Sept. 12, 1909.

     Kolb.  Sept. 8, 1911.

For a more complete record of the earlier parties see appendix.]

[Footnote 2:  The initials E.C. apply to my brother, Emery C. Kolb; E.L. to myself.  These initials are frequently used in this text.  For several years the nick-name “Ed” has been applied to me, and in my brothers’ narratives I usually figure as Ed.]

[Footnote 3:  It is not unusual for certain individual animals to be outlawed or to have a price set on their heads by the stockmen’s associations, in addition to the regular bounty paid by the counties.  At the time this is written there is a standing reward of $200 for a certain “lobo,” or timber wolf which roams over the Kaibab Forest directly opposite our home in the Grand Canyon.  In addition to this there is a bounty of $10 offered by the county.  This wolf has taken to killing colts and occasional full-grown horses, in addition to his regular diet of yearling calves.]