lOO ELDORADO 



CHAPTER XI. 



PILOT'S PEAK AND BEYOND. 



Our three nights at Pilot's Peak were a welcome 

 rest, gratefully enjoyed by man and beast. I mention 

 nights instead of days because, as there was no tree or 

 other shelter as a protection from the burning rays of 

 the sun, the nights, which were comparatively cool and 

 pleasant, were the only time during the twenty-four 

 hours we could obtain needed sleep and strength to 

 pursue our journey. While we were there in camp 

 hundreds who had followed in our rear came straggling 

 in, many in far worse condition than ourselves. Some 

 had dropped b)^ the way, to be rescued later by a relief 

 party, or to leave their bones to bleach on the desert 

 sands. 



One very peculiar and curious phenomenon well 

 worthy of mention occurred when looking back over 

 the route by which the "pilgrims" were coming. It was 

 not properly a mirage or optical illusion, as the ap- 

 pearance was real, but caused, no doubt, by the refrac- 

 tion of the sun's rays upon the heated sands of the 

 desert. Men on foot and horseback, and animals with 

 packs, could be seen apparently hundreds of feet in the 

 air, all traveling as on terra firma. A wide expanse of 

 sky could be seen below them. It was a novel spectacle, 

 which we watched for hours. 



