A horseman had dashed away from the Frémont quarters, to disappear down the trail. His own curiosity aroused, Oliver obediently strode across to the Frémont camp. He met François Lajeunesse, who was visibly excited.
“What’s up, François?”
“We go to the Great Salty Lake,” informed François, who was brother to Basil. “The lieutenant, he would explore the Great Salty Lake—perhaps sail on it. He has sent Henri Lee to tell Kit Carson to come back quick from Fort Hall, with provisions.”
“Have you ever been there, François?”
“I? Never! Nor Basil, either. No, not anybody in the whole company. But I have heard of it. It is true—a great salty lake, with not an outlet and with fresh water flowing into it!”
Oliver hastened back to spread the news.
“Wagh!” murmured William New, satisfied. “That lake air thar, but it’s pore beaver country, an’ I never cared to fool with it. It war discovered in winter o’ Twenty-four an’ Five by old Jim Bridger, to settle a dispute as to whar the B’ar emptied. Jim set out in a skin canoe from trapper winter-camp in Cache Valley, below hyar, an’ he went fur ’nough to see the lake an’ taste it too. He said it war part o’ the Pacific Ocean; an’ trappers believed that till in spring o’ Twenty-six four o’ Cap’n Bill Sublette’s men found it ag’in an’ paddled ’round its edge looking for beaver streams. Didn’t discover any, an’ so the lake warn’t any use. Don’t believe even Kit’s paid much attention to it.”
During the rest of this day, and through the evening, there was constant talk of the Great Salty Lake. Everybody, French and American, was highly interested in reaching it. Provisions were so low that Henry Lee had been despatched to hasten Kit Carson from Fort Hall; however, the little cow and her calf were still on hand, for emergency, and this very day two more calves were picked up, where they had strayed from some emigrant outfit.
The emigrant trail left the Bear, and continued on to the northwest; but the Bear itself turned short, at right angle, and flowed for the south. It was to be the guide to the Great Salty Lake, and the march of the expedition turned with it.
Only some 200 miles before awaited the lake—a mysterious, desolate place, according to reports; as large as a sea, connecting with the ocean by means of a tremendous whirl-pool in its centre that sucked all creatures down, and containing islands inhabited by giants with enormous clubs. Indians said that such clubs had been found, on the shore, after storms!