80 



? 



FROM MOUTH OF DEVIL S RIVER TO EL PASO DEL NORTE 



whole mass of water rushed, foaming and tumhling in a furious manner ; a dangerous rapid 

 was thus formed of several hundred feet in length, extending from hank to hank. The two 

 skiffs made the descent in safety, although the waves rolled so high that each plunge filled them 



almost to overflowing. 



hoat 



was not so fortunate ; totally unmanageahle, she ran 

 square against the rocky walls, splintering and tearing away her entire front ; such was the 

 force of the blow that the crew were knocked flat on their hacks, and the hoat-hooks left firmly 

 imbedded in the crevices of the rocks. Thrown back by the great swell, she commenced floating 

 stern foremost down the rapid, gradually sinking. The men stuck to her faithfully, and the 

 skiffs were put into immediate requisition; but by the expert swimming of two of the men, 

 both Mexicans, who had dashed into the current ere the sound of the crash had died away, and 

 seized her lines, she was landed on the end of a sand-bar which most providentially lay at the 

 foot of the rapid ; a few feet further, both men and boat would have been destroyed, and our all — 



■ 



provisions and ammunition — irrecoverably lost, the perpendicular banks offering no foothold 

 where to land. With means at hand to repair the wreck, we were again afloat the following 

 day, our craft bereft of all her fair proportions. 



Before closing this report, I cannot refrain from informing you of the very able and willing 

 assistance rendered me by my assistants, Messrs. E, A. Phillips and E. Ingrahara, and Prof. 

 Conrad Stremme ; and of the patience and perseverance displayed by them and the men com- 

 posing the party, under circumstances most peculiarly trying. 



I am, sir, very respectfully, you obedient servant, 



Major W, H. Emory, f J, S, A., 



N. MICHLER, 



Lieut. Corps Topographical Engineers^ U. S. A. 



U. S, Commissioner. 



SAN VINCENTE TO PRESIDIO DEL NORTE. 



Fort Duncan, December 1^ 1852. 



Sir: 



directions, I have the honor to make 



commenced 



my 



The survey 



& 



miles above the mouth 



embracing a section of country which for ruggedness and wildness of scenery is perhaps 

 unparalleled. 



The appearance of the valley in the vicinity of Fort Leaton, with its succession of plains and 

 arable bottoms, forms a contrast to the rugged country beyond. From this valley, which is from 



ree 



mountains, thr 



at its entrance. 



forming extensive rapids 



^ 



immediate vi< 

 narrow trail. 



o 



American side is the only means of passage in the 



this 



