—_ 
~ 
esd 
* 
[.474.] 254 
April 13.—The water was low, and afew miles above we forded the 
river at a rapid, and marched ina southeasterly direction over a less broken 
country. Thé mountains were now very near, occasionally looming out 
through fog. In a few hours we reached the bottom of a creek without 
water, over which the sandy beds were dispersed in many branches. Im- 
mediately where we struck it, the timber terminated ; and below, to the 
right, it was a broad bed of dry and bare sands. Theré-were many tracks 
of Indians and horses imprinted in the sand, which, with other indications, 
informed us was the creek issuing from the pass, and which on the map 
.: = a ae suddenly found a stream of water five feet widerunning with 
' *a lively current, but losing itself almost immediately. . This little stream 
‘In sand at the eastern foot of the Sierra, leaving only a parched desert and 
arid plains beyond. The stream enlarged rapidly, and the timber became 
abundant as we ascended. A new species of pine made its appearance, 
ing its appearance suddenly and entirely, we found ourselves again travel- 
en- 
us. Ife appeared familiarly acquainted with the country, and gave me 
definite and clear information in regard to the desert region east of the 
mountains. I had entered.ti pass with a strong disposition to vary my 
route, and to travel directly across towards the Great Salt lake, in the view 
of obtaining some acquaintance with the interior of the Great Basin, while 
pursuing a direct course for the frorftier; but his representation, which de- 
‘seribed it as an arid and barren desert, that had repulsed by its sterility all 
the attempts of the Indians to penetrate it, determined me for the present 
to relinquish the plan; and, agreeably to hi advice, after crossing the 
Sierra, continue our intended roate along its eastern base to the Spani 
Sy 
in the eastern part of the desert to trade with his people, had just 
Started on their return. He would himself return the next day to San 
g, Which had somewhat interfered with views in the valley, had en- ~. 
assed off, and left a clear sky. That which had enveloped us in 
v0rhood of the pass proceeded evidently from fires kindled among 
: "es by Indians living near the lakes, and which were intene ed to 
warn those in the mountains that there were strangers in the valley. Our 
position was in latitude 35° 17’ 12”, and longitude 118° $5’ 03”. ae 
April 14.—t e joined us this morning on ‘the trail; and, arriving: 
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