FORT YUMA TO MOJAVE CANON—ROMANTIC SCENERY. 57 
would have made during the intervening seven—not an improbable supposition at our recent 
rate of travel. 
Each successive range of mountains passed presents more striking varieties and combinations 
of color, imparting a strange and novel beauty to the barren rocks. As the rays of the setting 
sun fall upon the rugged face of the Riverside mountain, and illuminate its crevices and hollows, 
tints of purple, blue, brown, almond, and rose color are brought out in gorgeous relief, and 
contrast singularly with the dull monotonous gray of the desert. Dr. Newberry found, in this 
mountain, indications of the presence of gold, silver, lead, iron, and copper, and discovered 
veins resembling the gold-bearing rocks of California. The nature of our duties does not 
permit any lengthy examinations. A careful search might develop ample stores of treasure, 
which the close proximity of water transportation would greatly enhance in value. 
Camp 33, mouth of Bill Williams's Fork, February 1.—A few miles above camp the river 
wound around the base of a massive rock, into which a deep groove had been cut by the cease- 
less flow of the stream. This point may be considered the southern entrance of the cation 
Fig. 10.—Corner Rock. 
through the Monument mountains. Immediately above the river grew narrower and deeper, 
and the hills crowded closely upon the water’s edge. The regular slopes gradually gave place 
to rough and confused masses of rock, and the scenery at every instant became wilder and 
more romantic. New and surprising effects of coloring added to the beauty of the vista. In 
the foreground, light and delicate tints predominated, and broad surfaces of lilac, pearl color, 
pink, and white, contrasted strongly with the sombre masses piled up behind. In their very 
midst a single pile of a vivid blood red rose in isolated prominence. A few miles higher a 
narrow gateway opened into the heart of the mountains. On one side of the entrance was a 
dark red column, on the other a leaning tower of the same color overhung the pass, the 
ponderous rock seeming ready to fall as we passed beneath. Rich hues of blue, green, and 
8——I 
