162 A Visit to Lake Maquata. 



had also observed what was unquestionably pure running water, but 

 it was too far away to be practically available for our needs, except 

 in dire necessity. 



Taking my bearings in relation to the more prominent landmarks 

 afforded by the mountains surrounding the vast amphitheatre in 

 which we were encamped, I started in a direct line for a huge finger 

 rock that rose perhaps a thousand feet above the plains, near the 

 mouth of one of the great canons that rise in the pine country on 

 the top of the Peninsula range. In light walking trim, with only a 

 small canteen partially filled with water, and my light pick, which 

 answered well for a cane, it took me to nearly seven o'clock before I 

 had reached the foot of the mountain range. After traversing the 

 plains for two or three miles I had struck the fresh trail of five or 

 six deer, which greatly encouraged me as they were travelling in the 

 same direction as I had planned to follow, and were evidently going 

 to water. I consequently followed this trail as long as daylight 

 lasted, but lost it before the stars came out distinctly. 



About this time, when daylight vanished, I realized the fact that 

 T had not dined. During the whole day I had felt not the slightest 

 inclination to drink, but having left water behind me I felt an insuf- 

 ferable thirst, as if I could have easily emptied a gallon canteen. 

 But a little water remained in my canteen and this I decided to hus- 

 band in case I should be unable to return to the wagon in the dark 

 before morning. Fortunatelj', however, I just then run against a 

 tall cactus belonging to the genus Echinocatus, and by the aid of my 

 pick I cut a generous slice out of its top, and removing the spines 

 and skin I found a refreshing repast at my hand. The crisp, fleshy 

 pulp of this cactus will quickly allay thirst and is an important arti- 

 cle of food with the Indians. The Mexicans make a preserve of it 

 similar to the citron of commerce. It is juicy and tender, and the 

 first taste was as grateful to me as an apple would have been, and, 

 after satisfying myself, I put a chunk in my pocket for future use if 

 desired. 



Thinking that I must be near to water, I ventured on by the star- 

 light (the moon I knew would not rise before morning), but after 

 stumbling over huge bolwders and crossing a ravine where I had to 

 descend a nearly perpendicular bank, twelve or fifteen feet in hight, 

 I decided that it was unwise to continue my exploration for water. 

 Following down one of the sandy arroyos till I came to the open 

 plain, I took my bearings the best I could from the stars — the 

 mountains, which I had at first depended upon as landmarks, hav- 

 ing disappeared or become unrecognizable in the dark, and was soon 

 making a bee line for camp. 



Once I stumbled against a dead cactus which had been washed 

 down from some of the caiions I had left behind, and from the per- 

 sistence of the spines, which quickly developed an attachment for 

 my leg, I was made rather painfully aware that it belonged to the 



