FROM MOUTH OF DEVIl's RIVER TO EL PASO DEL NORTE. 89 



cattle. On the hill-tops overlooking the valley, live oak and pine grow in abundance; but 

 are much distorted and wind-shakeuj and generally unfit for building purposes. 



This roadj which will be found traced on the map, was opened for the double pur2^ose of 

 communicating with my parties on the lower Rio Grandcj and of shortening the distance from 

 San Antonio to Chihuahua. The route followed by the merchant trains is by the way of El 

 Paso, a distance greater by 300 miles. It is possible a shorter route may be found, but our 

 explorations led us to believe this was the shortest one where a permanent supply of water 

 could be obtained. 



Fort Davis has been established since our survey. There is now a constantly travelled road 

 connecting Fort Davis and Chihuahua, via Presidio del Norte. 



Several other roads have been opened through this region — one other by myself, one by Colonel 

 Johnston, and one by Lieutenant Michler ; all having for their object a more direct commu- 

 nication with the lower Bio Bravo. A good wagon road is said to exist along the Comanche 

 trail, figured on the map, but this I doubt. 



The area included in the southern bend forms of itself a distinct drainage, and is one of those 

 basins peculiar to the interior of the continent. It is called by the Mexicans the Bolson de 

 Mapimi, and its waters run into the Lake Jaqui, the rendezvous and stronghold of the 

 Comanches and Kioways^ who annually plunder Durango and the neighboring States of 

 Mexico. It is here they collect and divide the plunder, consisting of women, children^ and 

 animals. Here, also, they leave their rifles, depending alone upon the lance in their depre- 

 dations upon the Mexicans. 



The immediate neighborhood of the Presidio del Norte, situated in the southern bend above 



described, is very dry, owing, I think, in some measure, to the manner in which the mountains 

 recede from the valley at that point. The summer we passed there, clouds, discharging water 

 and electricity copiously, were almost daily seen following the ranges. of mountains, about ten 

 miles to the south, while not a drop fell upon the Presidio for some weeks. Indeed, so great 

 were the rains to the south, that the Conchos was swollen, and about the 10th of August the 

 whole valley of the Kio Bravo, below its junction, was inundated- This is said to occur 



annually. 



There is sometimes an overflow in June, from the melting of the snows at the head of the 

 Bio Bravo, and it is to these two overflows that the country is indebted for the little capacity it 

 possesses for agricultural pursuits. A narrow telt of alluvial soil is moistened, upon which 



corn and vegetahles are raised. 



For a description of the valley of the river from the Presidio del Norte to the caiion, where 

 the San Antonio and El Paso road first strikes it, I give an extract from th.e official report of 



\ 



assistant von Hippel : , 



" From Presidio del Norte to Vado de Piedras, a distance of twenty-four miles, the valley of 



the Eio Bravo has a course from southeast to northwest, and is from three to four miles in width. 

 It is a good grazing country, and the soil is of easy cultivation. This valley is enclosed by hills 



Mexican 



Mex 



Here are large cultivated fields, which are watered hy acequias, and yield abundant crops of 

 wheat and corn. The place takes its name from the rocky ford of the river opposite the town^ 

 which is (juite shallow at the ordinary stage of the water. 



Yol. I 12 



