EXPLORING PARTY. - 143 
-ploring party, and in the, evening the Indians brought” in the 
stray oxen. : ere 
Owing to the bad condition of our horses, we were unable 
to mount but four men, which with the Captain, Major, 
Doctor, myself and five Indians, made but a party of thirteen, 
‘a small number truly, to attempt the thorough exploration of 
a country entirely unknown to white men, except as the 
retiring spot of numerous predatory bands of Indians, after 
their constant forays upon the frontier settlements ; but we 
had to make the best of what we had, and trust to chance for 
success, 
July 29th.—Leaving the train in charge of the two sub- 
-alterns, our party of thirteen, with nine pack mules and led 
horses started at day break this morning. 
Our course was North-west, and ascending gradually, we 
came upon a very extensive plain, covered with buffalo grass 
and mesquite timber. At a short distance south was the dry 
bed of a lake, covered with luxuriant green grass, and making 
quite an oasis in the comparative desert around us. Upon 
this fed the largest herd of antelope we had yet met with. I 
counted more than thirty in one spot, and deer were plenty. 
We rode six miles,* when suddenly and abruptly the scene 
changed, and a most singular country was brought to view. 
Below, stretching as far as the eye could reach, was a barren 
_ ® We counted distances on iach by the time it took us, and the speed 
of our horses. With the train we had an odometer, a very curious instrument, 
fastened in a leather case to the wheels of the ambulance, by which every 
ros. | ry 4 $a} aoe | 
tet. 
Tevoiurly 3 er by 
