ELDORADO 97 



(The same point where our little party first beheld the 

 desert.) The first view that met their astonished gaze 

 was a vast, bare plain of dry clay and sand, 

 through which a few plants struggled hard to 

 grow. Afar off in the dim distance uninviting 

 peaks of what seemed to be treeless mount- 

 ains rose to a great height. A little apart from 

 the main range a rather lofty peak appeared more 

 promising than the others. Toward this thev wended 

 their way. Four of their men were sent on ahead, their 

 guide being a naked Indian. A mule bore water enough 

 to last four days. This little expedition was projected 

 on the Indian guide's asertion that in a little distance 

 he could show them a place where grass grew and water 

 ran plentifully. This was meant as a scouting party, 

 before the bulk of the expedition was irretrievably com- 

 mitted to that route. A column of smoke was to as- 

 cend from the summit of the mountain if they suc- 

 ceeded in finding water. As no signal was given, Fre- 

 mont began to fear some ill had happened to his men, 

 and to find out the worst at once the gallant explorer 

 went ahead with the whole partv, not waiting for day- 

 light. In the morning one of the scouts was met on 

 his return journey. The Indian had proved a sad fail- 

 ure, and he was sent to the right-about ; the men, how- 

 ever, with more sense or more courage, kept on their 

 "winding wav," and after resting through the night 

 continued their tramp. After traveling in all some 

 ninety miles, they reached their refuge, which was duly 

 welcomed. 



The loftv peak of the mountain bv which thev so 

 happily steered their course was named bv them 

 "Pilot Peak." It was alwavs referred to when they re- 



