OVER THE SIERRAS. . 611 



from San Francisco. This important town stands at 

 an elevation of 5,063 feet above sea-level and is on the 

 Humboldt River. The State University is situated 

 here. Silver smelting works and manufactures of 

 farming implements were the principal industries. 

 One daily and two weekly papers were well supported. 

 There were also three large freight depots for the 

 accommodation of the railway business. I noticed sev- 

 eral Indians about the town. The hot mineral springs 

 of Elko are considered of great value for bathing. 

 Population at the time of my visit, about 1,700, but 

 the town is destined to develop into an important city. 

 The money paid for freights consigned to this place, 

 averaged $1,000,000 a year. 



Leaving Elko, I pushed ou for thirty miles. The 

 pastures and meadows, with isolated cottages, were 

 soon passed and I reached Palisade in the evening, a 

 village of 250 inhabitants. Remained here for the 

 niffht. For the last two hundred miles the road had 

 been a gradual descent and the change of temperature 

 was very perceptible. Palisade is a growing little 

 place with a population of about 400 souls. It is 

 located about half-way down a canyon, whose rocky, 

 perpendicular walls give it a singular but picturesque 

 appearance. 



My mustang carried me forty-cTne miles next day, 

 to Argentina, where I rested. This village is located 

 in the midst of alkali flats and seemed to me an un- 

 attractive place for a residence. Continuing my iour- 

 nev alonoj the foot of Reese River Mountain, I soon 

 found myself at Battle ^Mountain, at the junction of 

 Reese River and Humboldt valleys. The town of 

 Battle Mountain has several stores, a public hall, a 



