and we returned to Burns l^y the way of Grave's Ranch, 

 to see an oil well that was l^eing largely advertised, 

 possibly to increase the valuation of land in Harney 

 County, and afford a good reason for the drainage and 

 reclamation of Malheur Lake. This well as seen on 

 September fifteenth Avas not in operation, A small 

 stream of water was flowing out of the pipe and disap- 

 pearing in the soil about fifty feet from the well. 



The draining of Malheur Lake would destroy one 

 of the largest bird reserves in the United States, and 

 the State of Oregon w^ould lose one of its most cele- 

 brated attractions. The people in the vicinity of this 

 bird reserve, with but few exceptions, are anxious that 

 it be preserved, not onh^ on account of its l)eing a 

 famous and valuable bird reserve, l)ut also for the bene- 

 fit derived from the lake by sub-irrigation, and by the 

 overflow; which is the one means of washing out the 

 alkali which comes to the surface. 



On our arrival at Burns, Ave began to make prepar- 

 ations for our trip into the antelope country. Dr. 

 Field being familiar with the region and the locations 

 of the water holes frequented by the antelope, the 

 route to be trav^ersed Avas left to his judgment and the 

 knoAAdedge he had o])tained on former tri]:>s. 



It AA^as decided that the best and quickest means 

 of transportation Avould be by automobile, as the coun- 

 try to be explored Avas in most part a desert, liaAing 

 little or no Avater that Avas not strongly alkaline. We 

 Avere fortunate in securing not only a machine suitable 

 for a trip through sage-brush and OA^r laA^a rocks, but 

 a driA^er Avho could, in case of an accident, make any 

 kind of repairs necessary, and aa^Iio ]n'oA'ed his Avorth 

 on more than one occasion. 



All our provisions, bedding and scA'eral cases of 

 gasoline Avere snugly stoAved aAvay in the machine. On 

 the outside Avas strapped a fiA^e-gallon can of Avater. 

 Dr. Field as pilot of the outfit took the seat beside the 

 driver, and I occupied the small space left in the 

 rear seat. 



It Avas about noon before Ave finally got started, 

 heading for the P Ranch forty miles aAvay to the south- 



60 



