MOUTH OF THE COLORADO TO FORT YUMA--RECOVERY OF DR. NEWBERRY. 43 
and warlike of the Colorado tribes. Opposite to the fort an anticipated town has been located 
and denominated Colorado City. At present there are but a few straggling buildings, the 
principal of which are a store, blacksmith’s shop, and tavern. A good ferry has been estab- 
lished by means of a rope, which is stretched across the river, and to which a large boat is 
attached. This I found out of order, and the son of the proprietor of the store rowed me 
over in a skiff. Ascending the steep acclivity, I reached a level plateau that forms the parade 
ground, and about which the houses and barracks are built. The sentinel pointed out the 
officers’ quarters, and imparted the intelligence that the gentlemen of the mess were just going 
into dinner. I had the pleasure of meeting several old friends among them, and the unpleasant 
features of the preceding twenty-four hours were soon forgotten in the cordial welcome and 
hospitable entertainment that I experienced. 
January 9.—For two days the arrival of the Explorer was almost hourly expected, and her 
non-appearance last evening made me uneasy, but about dark the Indians at the fort, who are 
always the first to get intelligence of what is taking place on the river, imparted the news 
that she was close at hand. Early this morning the steam whistle was heard blowing, and soon 
the Explorer came in sight at a turn not far below the fort. The Yumas were out in force 
to catch the first glimpse of the long expected steamer, manifesting more interest than the 
Cocopas had done. 
I met Captain Robinson at the bank, who informed me that on the day that he had parted 
from me they had broken a rudder against a snag, and had been obliged to stop and make a 
new one, which had occasioned the detention. 
There are several preparations to be made before we shall be ready to start, and to-day 
being Saturday we propose to defer our departure till Monday morning. 
The different detachments of the expedition are now united. While awa‘ting the arrival of 
the boat the two parties from Fort Tejon and San Diego have been encamped on the river a 
-mile below. ‘The interval has not been idly spent. Dr. Newberry, assisted by Mr. Mollhausen, 
the artist, has made valuable natural history collections, to add to what was obtained while on 
the way from the coast. Mr. Egloffstein has nearly completed a series of topographical sketches 
of the adjoining country, and Mr. Taylor has been taking meteorological observations in con- 
nexion with those of Mr. Booker at the mouth of the riyer. 
There is no grazing in the immediate vicinity, and the Mexican packers and herders have 
been sent with the mules, in charge of Mr. Peacock, the master of the train, ten or fifteen 
miles up the Gila, where they will stay till it is time for the pack-train to start. The express, 
with letters for the San Diego steamer, had left more than twelve hours before I arrived, and 
Mr. Peacock volunteered to ride with my letters to Los Angelos, which place he believed he 
could reach before the steamer should have left. If not, he had determined to continue up 
the Tulan valley to San Francisco, being confident of arriving there before the 20th, the day 
when the steamer for the Isthmus sails. It is a formidable ride, but as he preferred under- 
taking it to remaining idle in the camp I took advantage of his offer. 
The pack-train will not leave till some time after the departure of the boat, but will over- 
take us near the head of navigation, wherever that may be, so as to be ready for the land 
explorations. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Booker are to wait and accompany the land party. The 
other gentlemen, with Lieutenant Tipton, who commands the escort, and who will take a few 
of his men with him, are to go on the steamer. Our party will number twenty-four, which is 
about as many as the Explorer can conveniently carry. Dr. Newberry, though far from well, 
has decided to go along with us. He believes that his health may be improved by change of 
air, and, like all the others of the party, is anxious to be in the midst of new scenery and © 
new adventures. Fort Yuma is not a place to inspire one with regret at leaving. The bar- 
renness of the surrounding region, the intense heat of its summer climate, and its loneliness 
and isolation have caused it to be regarded as the Botany Bay of military stations. Its estab: — 
. 
