APPENDIX A.—DIARY OF THE EXPEDITION. 67 
This was done with a little labor. We had an abundance of mezquite-root ; the grass was good 
and plentiful. Immediately on our arrival in camp the animals were watered and turned out 
to graze, the mules being hobbled, as usual. At sundown they were brought in, fed with corn, 
and turned out for the night, strongly guarded. 
No observations taken; heavens cloudy during the day and night; general direction, south 
40° east; miles, 12,4. 
Camp No. 20—Monday, March 20, 1854.—Left last camp at T o'clock a.m. With the 
exception of a short distance of rolling prairie, our route to-day was over a level and rich bot- 
tom, which widens as we descend the river. This valley can be easily irrigated, and would, 
no doubt, amply repay the outlay and labor. The grass in the bottom is not so good as it has 
been; it is only tolerable prairie-grass; but on the bluffs the buffalo-grass and grama-grass are 
excellent. The under-ground and bush mezquite is abundant. On one of the bluffs, composed 
of a deep-red sandstone, we found the sulphuret of lead, rich in silver. ; 
We camped at 4 o'clock p. m. near a sloping bank of the river, where the animals could be 
watered without the use of buckets. It is to be observed that the banks of the river are so 
steep that the animals must, speaking generally, be watered by hand. At this camp we for 
the first time met with an accident. One of the mules, getting into deep water and quicksand, 
was drowned. The current was so swift and strong that it was impossible to save the animal. 
The mules and stock, having been watered, were fed with corn, afterwards hobbled and turned 
out to graze during the night, strongly guarded. Mezquite and brush plenty; grass (prairie) 
only tolerable. 
During the day we saw several Indian trails, which had been travelled very recently. 
No observations taken; heavens cloudy during the day and night. General direction, south 
35° east; miles, 19,5. 
Camp No. 21--Tuesday, March 21, 1854.—Left camp at half-past 6 o'clock a. m. Our route 
during this day’s march was over a slightly rolling prairie. We saw an abundance of under- 
ground mezquite. The grass has changed from grama to prairie grass of an inferior quality. 
As on the previous day, we found excellent buffalo-grass on the bluffs. The flowers, before so 
profuse, have entirely disappeared in the valley; they, however, grew abundantly on the bluffs 
and high gravelly ground. The soil to-day was good, and can be cultivated by irrigation from 
the river. The bluffs gradually recede as we proceed down the river. The last one we saw 
before reaching camp is about three miles from it. We saw several Indian trails, which became 
more defined as we approached camp, which we reached at twenty minutes after 2 o'clock p. m. 
This camp is evidently a favorite resort of the Indians, as the deep trails leading to it suffi- 
ciently prove. Animals can be watered here with great facility, as the bank slopes gently down 
to the water. The mezquite root is not very plenty in the immediate vicinity of camp. We, 
however, found enough of it and brush to answer all purposes. The prairie-grass is tolerable. 
On one of the bluffs (above mentioned) a gold-bearing quartz was found. 
From evidences brought under our notice to-day and yesterday, there can be no doubt 
that this section of country is rich in the precious metal. It remains for our more fortunate 
successors to reap the benefit of this opinion. 
We are now, it is believed, about twelve miles above ‘‘ Marcy's Crossing." 
The animals and stock were watered and turned out to graze—the former hobbled. 
‘As we are now in a dangerous country, the following precaution is taken against surprise: 
[4 
Six of the best animals are kept in the corral, so that, in the event of a stampede, they can be 
made available to recover the other animals. For the future, except under peculiar circum- 
stances, the riding-mules will not be fed with corn. lebe 
No observations taken during the day or at night. General direction, south 80° east; 
miles, 175. 
Pomp No. 22— Wednesday, March 22, 1854.—Left last camp at half-past 6 o'clock a. m. 
Our route for about six miles was over a tolerably good prairie, the soil being good—sand, 
