CHAPTER V. 
MOJAVE VALLEY TO MOUTH OF BLACK CANON. 
DEAD MOUNTAIN.—TRADITIONS CONCERNING IT.--PyRaMIp cAXon.—-DEEP RAPID.—RAPIDS AND ROCKY SHOAL.—-LONG DETENTION.—- 
AND STORM.— DEFECTS IN STEAMER.—TOPOGRAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL ‘DEPARTURE OF CAPITAN.—--ARRIVAL OF 
MAIL CARRIERS.—INTELLIGENCE FROM THE PACK TRAIN.—COTTONWOOD VALLEY.—PAarinteD caNon.—Movwnt pavis.——Vicinrry oF 
PAI-UTES.— DIFFICULT RAPIDS..-GRAVEL BLUFFS.—MOoUTH OF BLACK sr; —EXPLORER’S ROCK. — ACCIDENT TO STEAMBOAT.— 
DErENTION.—SCARCITY OF SUPPLIES.— PREPARATIONS TO ASCEND THE CANON.—MINERALS IN OPAL MOUNTAINS. 
Camp 50, foot of Cottonwood valley, February 24.—An imposing mountain stands near the 
west bank of the Colorado at the head of the Mojave valley. It is the highest peak in sight, 
and is regarded with reverence by the Indians, who believe it to be the abode of their departed 
spirits. Ireteba informed me, with awe in his countenance, that should any one dare to visit 
it he would be instantly struck dead. This is the first time I have been able to extract any 
allusion to the religious belief of the Mojaves, and Ireteba was reluctant to speak upon the 
subject.* 
From the Dead mountain a range extends to the northwest and a spur crosses the river ‘ia 
connects with the Black mountains. This spur forms the northern limit of the Mojave valley. 
For several miles our course lay through the foot hills, when the river narrowed and entered 
a cafion through a gate, one side of which looked like the head of a bull. The scenery in this 
cafion was picturesque and beautiful, but nevertheless seemed tame in comparison with the 
grand and startling effects presented in the cafions through the Monument and Mojave mountains. 
Near the upper end a rapid occurred upon a pebbly shoal, and the Explorer received some 
hard knocks, to which she has become lately quite accustomed. After traversing the Pyramid 
caflon—so called from a natural pyramid, of symmetrical proportions, twenty or thirty feet 
high, standing near the rapid just mentioned—rapids were encountered in quick succession, 
and have been met with, at short intervals, up to camp, which is twenty miles from the head 
of the Mojave valley. Most of them have been ascended without difficulty. At one (Deep 
vapid) there was sufficient depth and a channel unobstructed by rocks, but the rush of water 
was very strong. When we first heard its roar and saw the surging and foaming torrent we 
were startled, and a little apprehensive that we might have reached the head of navigation. 
There was less difficulty in making the ascent than had been anticipated. Not knowing what 
*Tn the narrative of Miss Oatman this mountain is alluded to, and her description is interesting, as furnishing an addi- 
tional example of the universality among the tribes of North American Indians of the tradition of a deluge: 
“They told me, pointing to a high mountain at the northern end of the valley, Seat: in ancient times there was a flood, 
which covered all the world except that mountain, and that by climbing it one family was saved from the general deluge ; 
that this family was very large and had great riches, clothing, cattle, horses, and plenty to eat; that after the water subsided. 
one of the family took all the cattle and one kind of clothing and went north, and was there turned from red to white ; that 
another of the family took deer skins and bark, and from him the Indians have descended ; that the ipa of ns whites 
a red complexion until he stole, and then he became white ; that remains of the old ‘ big ancient 
: fed lived, were up there yet ; also pieces of bottles, broken dishes, and remnants of all the various kinds of articles used. 
by them 
“They said also that this venerated spot had been, since the flood, the abode of spirits, and that if the feet of mortals 
should presume to tread their enchanted land a fire would burst from the mountain and instantly consume them. It is 
their belief that the spirit of every white, whom the Mojaves had been successful in slaying, is held there in their perpetual 
chains, and doomed to the torment of quenchless fires, while the Mojave, by whose hand the slaughter was perpetrated, is: 
exalted to eternal honors and superior privileges therefor.’’—Narrative of Olive Oatman. ' - 
