FROM MOUTH OP DEVIL S RI7ER TO EL PASO DEL NORTE 



75 



further. The course lay towards the " Los Chisos" mountains. The country is cut up hy im- 



mense 



depths ; rugged hills; covered with sharp igneous stones, make it difficult for animals to travel. 

 The same volcanic formation as found along the Limpia extends over this section of country. 

 The San Carmel range appears in the distance — high mountains, with their turretcd peaks, 

 could be seen, presenting a magnificent prospect like the spires of some distant city. Our 

 efforts to travel in a southwesterly direction having proved unsuccessful, on leaving King's 

 Sj)rings we changed our route to a southeasterly one, and arrived at Independence creek. 

 Along this distance of forty miles the country is of the same character as that first passed over. 



Whilst 



This is 



a beautiful stream, running boldly among the hills, and is fed by innumerable springs bursting 

 out from its banks. It is a rich treat for the eye in that arid country. Besides a copious supply 

 of fresh, clear water, there is more timber than is ordinarily found upon streams draining tliese 

 high plains ; mezc[uite trees grow in large numbers for miles around, and the valley furnishes 

 luxuriant grazing for animals. This place is much frequented by Indians ; an oasis in a desert 



country. 



Numerous trails from the Pecos and the Escondido here unite and form a large broad one, 

 running south to the Kio Grande; there are unmistakable signs of their constant use. Leaving 

 the creek, we ascended the contiguous hills and rose upon a high plain, over which we travelled 

 forty miles, following the guidance of the Indian trail; this was deeply marked, although it 





K 





V 



Lipan Crossing— Eighty-five miles above the mouth of the Pecos. 



make 



an impression on the surface. It was a dreary sight to look upon the dull, 

 wide waste around us ; its parched barrenness, combined with the influence of a scorching July 



■ 



sun, was enough to madden the brain. The nearer we approached the river, the more rough 

 the country became ; deep ravines and gullies constantly impeded the progress of the wagons, 



