482 EXPLORATIONS ACROSS THE GREAT BASIN OF UTAH. 



The boys brought in some roots they had found near a couple of Indian huts, the in- 

 mates having tied at their approach. The root was of some water-plant of good flavor. 

 They were plaited together in ropes, something after the manner of doing up onions 

 at home. Our old cook at fault again to-day, boiling a large piece of rosin soap 

 in our coffee. Rather unlucky just now, when coffee is coffee. 



1 her ntbcr If). — The same water of yesterday still finds its way into another valley 

 more to the east. We crossed into this. Its greatest length is from north to south. 

 ( )n the eastern side is a high chain of mountains, about the height of those on eastern 

 side of Utah Lake. The mountains throw out some small streams, which sink before 

 they fairly reach the valley. The road in the forenoon of to-day broken and sandy. 

 We have gained four days on Walker's route of 1843, from camp of December 10 to 

 this place. A better route lies to the right of our road. 



December 16.— To-day struck Owen's River. It is a fine, bold stream, larger than 

 Walker's. The same chain of mountains bounds it on the east, while on the western 

 side rises, like a wall, the main chain of the California Mountains. Our rations are 

 becoming extremely scant. The men being all on foot, they feel their appetites much 

 quickened by the additional exercise of walking. A few more days we hope will bring 

 us to the land of plenty. 



December 17 and 18. — Still on the river; obliged to keep some distance from it on 

 account of a large marsh. Wild-fowl in abundance. Walker went in search of some 

 salt, which he found, incrusted to the thickness of a quarter of an inch on the sur- 

 face of the earth. The Indians are numerous here, though they keep out of our sight. 

 They are badly disposed. Colonel Childs had trouble with them here. They shot 

 one of his men. Walkers party killed some twenty-five of them, while on his side 

 some of his men were wounded and eight or nine horses killed. 



December 19.— Camped on lake near the mouth of river. Grass poor Ducks and 

 geese plentiful. 



December 20. Traveling down the lake. Main California Mountains close on our 

 right within halt a mile ot us. This lake is somewhat irregular in its shape, lying 

 north and south; is about fifteen miles long, the widest part about seven miles. On 

 the western side there are several capes. It is surrounded by high mountains. Water 

 strong, disagreeable, salty, nauseous taste. There are Indian fires among the rocks 

 within half a mile of us. None ventured nearer. They appear to be well supplied 

 with horses, judging from the quantity of sign. Along the route of to-day we crossed 

 several streams coming from the mountains, some of them dry ; all slightly tim- 

 bered with cottonwood. 



December 21.— Leaving lower end of lake, we passed among some sandy hollows, 

 tailing into a larger ravine leading south. Passing a good camp for grass and water, 

 the hollow narrowed, bounded by hills of minutely broken black rock, opening after- 

 ward into a large plain; camped at some springs on the slope of the main California 

 Mountains ; grass, fresh and green, owing to the late rains. To-day we met for the 

 first time the yuca tree, nicknamed by the men "Jeremiah," in lieu of some better 

 title. These trees have a grotesque appearance, a straight trunk, guarded about its 

 base by long bayonet-shaped leaves ; its irregular and fantastically shaped limbs give 



