172 THE RIO SAN CARLOS. 



ile and denuded appearance. The northern Kshore affords a wide bottom of 

 black loam, generally fertile, and timbered with occasional groves of Cot- 

 tonwood. Beyond this a high undulating prairie, presenting now and then 

 a cluster of pines and cedars, leads off to the neighboring mountains. 



The river above, for a distance of some forty miles, possesses many 

 beautiful valleys, well timbered, and a rich soil, until the traveller arrives 

 at the place where it makes its entree from the lofty mountain chain in 

 which it heads. 



The land indicates a fitness for agricultural purposes, and holds out 

 strong inducements to emigrants. A small settlement of whites and 

 half-breeds, numbering fifteen or twenty families, has already been com- 

 menced about thirty miles above the mouth of Fontaine qui Bouit under 

 quite favorable auspicies. The only fears entertained for its success, are 

 on account of the Indians. 



Many other localities in this vicinity are equally inviting were it not for 

 the character and habits of the surrounding natives. 



At the delta, formed by the junction of Fontaine qui Bouit with the 

 Arkansas, a trading fort, called the Pueblo, was built during the summer 

 of 1842. This post is owned by a company of independent traders, on 

 the common property system ; and, from its situation, can command a 

 profitable trade with both Mexicans and Indians. Its occupants number 

 ten or twelve Americans, most of whom are married to Mexican v/omen, 

 while everything about the establishment wears the aspect of neatness 

 and comfort. 



Seft. 22d. Crossing the Arkansas, I for the first time set foot upon 

 Mexican soil. 



Taking the Taos trail, we continued our way for ten or twelve miles 

 and came to the Rio San Carlos. Here the abundance of deer and tur- 

 keys was too great a temptation to be resisted, and we remained several 

 days to bestow upon them that attention our appetites demanded. 



The country adjacent is very romantic and beautiful. The hills, en 

 closing the valley of the San Carlos upon both sides, are high and preci- 

 pitous, — affording numerous groves of pine, pinion,* and cedar. Inter- 

 spersed among them are frequent openings and prairillons of rich soil 

 and luxuriant vegetation. The valley is narrow, but fertile and well 

 timbered. 



Near the head of the river is a broad area, known as Fisher's-hole, bound- 

 ed upon all sides by rugged hills and mountains, inaccessible except by 

 a circuitous pass leading into it from the south. The stream forces its 

 egress through a ledge of dark-colored rock, several hundred feet in alti- 

 tude, leaving vertical walls upon each side for a long distance, that fre- 

 quently overhang the gurgling waters sweeping at their base. 



* This tree is a species of pine, quite common in New Mexico, California, and 

 some parts of the mountains. It yields a kind of nut similar to that of the beech, 

 v/hich is esteemed as an article of food. Wild turkeys delight to frequent groves of' 

 tliis timber, and will thrive in an extraordinary manner upon pinion-nuts. 



I 



