82 



1 



FROM MOUTH OF DEVIL S RIVER TO EL PASO DEL NORTE 



The i^assage of the river through these mountains is grand and imposing. The entrance is 

 shown in the accompanying sketch ; dashing with a roaring sound over the rocks^ the stream^ 

 when it reaches the canon, suddenly becomes noiseless, and is diminished to a sixth of its former 

 width ; it enters the side of this vast mountain, which seems cut to its very base to afford a 



Entrance to Canon of San Carlos, Rio Bravo del Norte 



passage to the waters. On the right of the entrance, the rock is rounded and smoothed by the 

 action of the water into an artificial appearance ; on the opposite side the mountain receives the 



river in its full force. 

 the mountain, and 



stream 



it. The rapids and falls which occur in 



c[uick succession, make the descent in boats entirely im2)racticable. 



A detour by San Carlos was rendered necessary, and the river was again reached at a point 

 twenty miles below the lower termination of the caiion. It is in the passage through 



Bome 



these mountains that the well defined ^^ rapids of the Rio Grande occur," which from their 



merit the name 



"falls/' From the edge of the canon the river may bo seen far below, at a distance so 

 great as to reduce it in appearance to a mere thread ; and from this height the roar of the 

 rapids and falls is scarcely perceptible. 



It was impossible to approach them in consequence of the rugged nature of the country ; 

 the fall of the river at this point, however, may be estimated at twelve feet, without 

 including the rapids above and below. The stream is hemmed in by the caiion for ten miles, 

 and then leaves it with the same abruptness that marks its entrance. 



It was here found necessary to cross the mule train from the Mexican side, where it had 

 travelled since the commencement of the survey. This was effected, though with considerable 

 difficulty, at one of the usual crossings of the Indians. Near this point, for some distance above 



