about noon
There we were soon joined by Roche , and we were indebted to Bruin for an excellent repast . The immense chasm before us ran nearly north and south , and we perceived that the current of the stream , or rather torrent , below us , ran towards the former point . The next morning , we determined to direct our steps to the northward , and we had gone but a few miles before large buffalo or Indian trails were seen running in a south-west direction , and as we travelled on , others were noticed bearing more to the west . Obliged to keep out some distance from the ravine , to avoid the small gullies emptying into it and the various elbows which it made , about noon we struck upon a large trail , running directly west ; this we followed , and on reaching the main chasm , found that it led to the only place where there was any chance of crossing . Here , too , we found that innumerable trails joined , coming from every direction -- proof conclusive that we must cross here or travel many weary miles out of our way . Dismounting from our animals , we looked at the yawning abyss before us , and our first impression was , that the passage was impracticable . That buffaloes , mustangs , and , very probably , Indian horses , had crossed here , was evident enough , for a zigzag path had been worn down the rocky and precipitous sides ; but our three horses were unused to sliding down or climbing precipices , and they drew back on being led to the brink of the chasm .