FROM MOUTH OF DEVIL S RIVER TO EL PASO DEL NORTE. 



81 



The cafion of the Bofecillos mountains is less rugged in its character than those met with 

 subsequently. Although the passage of a mule train on the immediate borders of the river is 

 utterly impossible^ there is on the American side a valley extending nearly parallel to the 

 course of the stream, at a distance varying from two thousand to three thousand feet ; along this 

 passes an extensive Indian trail; but to all appearances not recently used. Dangerous and long 



Entrance to CaRon Bofecillos, Rio Bravo del Norte, 



rapids occur where the river leaves the caiion, and the country loses entirely the features which 

 characterize the north side of the Bofecillos range. The hills approach and recede from the 

 river in varied succession ; nearly always^ however, admitting of the possibility of carrying 

 the line of survey along the river bottom, at least as far as the Comanche Pass. Scarcely a tree 

 or branch of the smallest size marks the hill-sides or summits, and it is only on the immediate 

 border of the river that the eye, wearied by the continued succession of sterile plains, is relieved 

 by the sight of verdure ; and this only when the rocky barriers recede sufficiently for a narrow 

 strip of soil to form. 



Comanche Pass, on the Rio Bravo, the most celebrated and frequently used crossing place of the 

 Indians, was found to be just below this Bofecillos range ; here broad, well-beaten trails lead 



to the river from both sides. A band of Indians, under the 



(hand,) 



crossed the river at the time of our visit ; they had come, by their own account, from the head- 

 waters of Red river, and were on their way to Durango, in Mexico — no doubt on a thieving 

 expedition, 



m 



At this pass the hills on either side are less elevated, and to the northwest the depression 



seems to extend many miles. 



Below the crossing the 



river passes through a country varying 



but little from that which was met with above. Tbe San Carlos mountains rise in front to a con- 

 siderable height. The strips of bottom land now become narrow, and occur at longer intervals. 



Vol.1 11 



