There was nothing to relieve the monotony of the scenery.

On each side of us, low river banks, and nothing between those and the horizon line.

On our left was Lower [*] California, and on our right, Arizona.

Both appeared to be deserts.
* This term is here used (as we used it at Ehrenberg) to designate the low, flat lands west of the river, without any reference to Lower California proper,--the long peninsula belonging to Mexico.
As the river narrowed, however, the trip began to be enlivened by the constant danger of getting aground on the shifting sand-bars which are so numerous in this mighty river.

Jack Mellon was then the most famous pilot on the Colorado, and he was very skilful in steering clear of the sand-bars, skimming over them, or working his boat off, when once fast upon them.