74 EXPLORATIONS ACROSS THE GREAT BASIX OP UTAH. 



seiousness of having- done an unpleasant thing-. (( Mi my return route, we found numer- 

 ous springs in this valley to the north of, and not far from, our present camp.) Two 

 more men on sick-list. All improving, except Clarke. 



May 24, Camp No. 20, Shdfon's Spring— Altitude above the sea, 5,993 feet. 

 Thermometer at 5 a, m., 41°. Pete came in this morning, having traveled all night 

 to pilot us to the next camping-place. In consequence of our having made a longer 

 march yesterday than the guide thought we should, our to-day's travel will he only 

 about 7 miles. Our course lay south of west, through a pass at the foot of Antelope 

 Mountain, and continues over the foot-hills on the north side of the same, to a rush- 

 ing stream, 3 feet wide and 1 deep, where, at 9.15 a. m., among' the foot-hills, we 

 encamp, in good grass and abundant cedar timber. This stream, which the Diggers 

 call Wonst-in-dam-me (Antelope) Creek, coming from a high mountain, is doubtless 

 constant, and, indeed, the Indians so represent it. The mountain from which it flows 

 is magnificently serrated, and can well bo distinguished by this peculiarity mid its many 

 cones. Several other streams course down its sides and sink in the valley after running 

 a mile or two. Abundant grass can be found along the streams high up and on the 

 canon. 



These mountains are of a different kind from those we have crossed since leaving 

 Short-Cut Pass. The latter have been mostly of a sedimentary character, tilted as far 

 as the We-a-bah range, generally to the w r est. Since then they have tilted toward 

 the east. These rocks have in many instances been altered by heat, but not suffi- 

 ciently so to come strictly under the classification of metamorphic rocks. Those we 

 have -passed through to-day, however, are decidedly igneous, though stratified rocks, 

 some of them semi fused and metamorphosed, have also been seen. 



To-day on the route passes could be seen in the mountain-range to the east of us, 

 which may be useful on our return. Colonel Cooper's Peak, on account of its cone- 

 like shape and isolated position, has feeen all day a very conspicuous object. Journey 

 7 miles. Eoad hilly, but good. Some beautiful cacti, of hemispherical shape and 

 covered w r ith buds, seen to-day. Another man reported sick. 



The weather for the past two days has been very bracing, and the effects of it 

 [ire an alacrity in the men to their work, a general hilarity of conversation, and sports 

 of different kinds in camp. This morning, after reaching camp, my assistants and 

 myself have been practicing with the lasso or lariat. The Mexican herders with us 

 and Indian Pete are so expert at it and useful in capturing two or three of our mules, 

 which could not be otherwise caught, as to make us feel the value of the accom- 

 plishment. 



In this country, where the bunch-grass prevails, the animals of a train should 

 never be picketed, but be allowed to rove freely for grass, under the guidance and 

 control of the herders. All of our animals are free from halters or lariats, and in the 

 morning, when they are driven into camp, the teamsters have no difficulty in catching 

 each his own mules. If you have wagons enough, however, it saves time to drive 

 them into a corral made of them and connecting-ropes. 



Our little camp, made up of four wall-tents, three Sibley's, and three common 

 tents, with our twelve covered wagons and two spring or instrument wagons, with all 

 the appurtenances of living men and animals, constitute quite a picturesque scene. 



