58 APPENDIX A.—DIARY OF THE EXPEDITION. 
water is pure and good. There are also three more, nearly as good, at a short distance up the 
creek. Several of them are clustered together at the head of the creek, within the space of a 
few yards; four of them are strongly impregnated with sulphur, each of them differing in 
strength; the whole of them (both sulphurous and pure) flow into the creek, forming a most 
detestable compound. It is not presumptuous to suppose that a careful analysis of these sul- 
phureted springs would develop medicinal properties of a highly important character. A keg 
of this water is carried along for the use of one of the command, who is afflicted with a painful 
eruption on the face; its effect will be noted in due time. 
We cooked to-day a maguey plant. This plant is extensively cultivated in old Mexico, and 
a wine called ** pulque’’ extracted from it by tapping. It is said that one plant will yield four 
quarts of juice a day for four or five months. The Apache—who has not arrived at the degree 
of civilization necessary to manufacture intoxicating liquors—cooks and eats it; decidedly the 
most sensible plan. The following is the modus operandi: The lower and sound portion of the 
plant (not the root) is divested of all the leaves, stalk, &c., then placed into a hole dug in the 
ground, covered completely with earth to the depth of an inch, and over all there is built 
a good but slow fire. It requires from twelve to eighteen hours to cook it thoroughly; when 
cooked thus it is extremely pleasant to the taste, and is a capital substitute in the absence of all 
other vegetables; indeed, it is the only diet of this nature that these Indians possess. The 
other way of cooking it is to pound or mash it up, and boil it until it becomes thick. This is 
also very palatable and nutritious. 
At a short distance from camp (down the creek) there are large quantities of gypsum in a 
state of decomposition. We found here a species of pepper-grass, having a sharp and pungent 
taste. Since our arrival here we have added largely to our collection in natural history, min- 
eralogy, and botany. 
The mules have been grazed since our arrival. The principal spring is called the ** Ojo de 
San Martin." Observations for the time taken to-day, and at night for the latitude and longi- 
tude. The day warm and pleasant; the night clear and frosty; no wind. 
Same Camp—Sunday, March 5, 1854.—The wagon which accompanied Lieutenant Garrard 
returned with the five soldiers who formed part of the escort. Lieutenant Garrard, with the 
remaining part of his escort, came into camp at sunset. In pursuance of the arrangement, 
(already mentioned,) he proceeded south of the Guadalupe range of mountains to find a pass 
which, it is said, runs in the direction towards the Pecos. This country is a succession of bluffs, 
rising from the mountains in a gentle ascent, to a point twenty miles below them. Here this 
description of country terminates, and it becomes totally impassable—the descent as far as the 
Salt lake being rocky and precipitous. There is no such pass as that stated by Captain Marcy 
and Colonel Grey. The wagon had to be sent back, as it was found it could not proceed far- 
ther than the point above indicated. Through the negligence of the man who carried the 
theodolite, it was seriously injured. This man’s pay was stopped, and he was ordered to work 
with the teams for his rations. In consequence of this serious accident, the whole command 
was cautioned, and told that a similar punishment would be inflicted upon any who would per- 
form the duties assigned them in a careless or heedless manner. The soil around our camp is 
deeply impregnated with sulphur. No observations taken; the sky clouded during the day 
and night. The animals were turned in fft sunset, and fed with corn; afterwards grazed during 
the night, being, as usual, under a strong guard, and hobbled. 
Camp No. 16—Monday, March 6, 1854.—Left last camp at half-past 8 o'clock a. m. Our 
road for this day was a good gravelly one, with a gentle descent for the whole way. We had 
some few hills, but they presented little difficulty. The principal wagonmaster, with three 
men, started at daylight this morning to follow the course of the Delaware creek, and find a 
practicable road for a wagon to the Pecos. The soil we passed over to-day is composed of sand 
and gravel, mixed with gypsum. Many curious botanie specimens were this day obtained. 
Our camp, which we reached at 3 o'clock p. m., is about half a mile to the right of the road, 
