noon
The sun was just entering the Canyon when the two boats were launched and once more faced the hazards of the river . During the morning the going was easy . The river was swift and led through a long series of broken buttes , between which one caught wild views of a tortured country ; twisted strata , strange distorted cedar and cactus , uncanny shapes of rock pinnacles , in colors somber and strange . They stopped at noon in the shadow of a weathered overhanging rock , with the profile of a witch . The atmosphere of dissension had by this time permeated the crew and this meal , usually so jovial , was eaten with no general conversation and all were glad to take to the boats as soon as the dishes were washed . The character of the river now changed again . It grew broader and once more smooth canyon walls closed it in .