We went on and on, fancying that we could discern the bottom of the valley more clearly than at first, and hoping soon to discover a sufficiently gentle slope which we might be able to descend.  But we were deceived, and though Uncle Mark and I made our way down in several places, we saw that the waggon would certainly be upset should we attempt to get it down.  We were almost in despair of success, for the ravine appeared to run on to the southward with equally rugged sides as at first.  The panting oxen, too, could scarcely drag on the waggon, and we began to fear that they would fall unless water should be found.  We urged them on, however, for stopping to rest would not avail them, and might prove our destruction.