250 ON THE FRONTIER. 



the way a steady ascent, and all the way over, or rather 

 through, deep sand ; much of it fine, hot, running quick- 

 sand. In this the wheels of our supply waggons will sink 

 half way to their hubs, and it will close behind them 

 like water. Other portions of it we shall find full of loose 

 stones of all sizes, which will sometimes give way and slip 

 from under out feet, at others suddenly arrest our steps ; 

 so we shall flounder along with unequal strides, now twist- 

 ing an ankle, anon stubbing a toe, and all this under a 

 brazen sky and a blazing sun. Were it possible, this 

 jorndda ought to be made during the night ; but there is 

 an insuperable objection those infernal flies. 



To make such a severe march it is necessary to start 

 with rested animals, and mules and horses will not, and 

 cannot, rest in the daytime at Soda Lake. So, thanks to 

 those winged torments, we and the poor brutes have to 

 endure a blast-furnace heat from soon after the rising of 

 the sun until the going down thereof; indeed, the sand will 

 radiate heat for some hours longer. 



We have been rising steadily all day. We have made 

 very good time, all things considered. We have only been 

 eighteen hours on the go, and we arrive at Marl Springs 

 before eleven o'clock, nearly four thousand feet above where 

 we breakfasted. We are are all right, only tired and dirty, 

 but the poor animals are nearly " give out " from thirst, and 

 as soon as they have cooled off, the task of watering them 

 begins and task indeed it is. 



The supply of water at this camp ground is very limited, 

 but it is not as limited as it is nasty. 



The " springs," forsooth ! are a shallow puddle, and two 



