BLACK CANON TO GREAT BEND—VIOLENT STORM. 89 
tion he could concerning our expedition and the practicability of navigating the river. A 
reconnaissance is being made, under the guidance of Nah-vah-roo-pa, to connect the head of 
navigation with the Mormon road, and we have remained in the valley to-day awaiting the 
return of the absent party. Ireteba has preceded us to the Mojave villages to look after the 
pack-train, of which there are still no tidings. Old Mariano is the only Indian left. Those 
who live in this neighborhood have suddenly become shy, and refuse to approach camp; 
Mariano has been among them, and reports that the Mormons have created a prejudice against 
us by informing the already suspicious Mojaves that we have come to take away their lands. 
Mariano further states that they have proposed to these Indians to commence hostilities, 
promising the assistance of themselves and the Pai-utes, and that they bribed Ireteba this 
morning, by the offer of a mule, to conduct the scouting party to the Mojave villages, the visit 
being intended for our especial disadvantage; all of which is to be received with due allowance, 
though the coincidence is singular between the appearance of the Mormons and the sudden 
change of manner adopted by our neighbors. 
The latter are extremely sensitive about the possibility of strangers invading their domains, 
I learned from Ireteba that the Mormons had on several occasions made friendly overtures, but 
that his tribe suspected them of looking with a covetous eye on the beautiful Mojave valley. 
Certain zealous divines, eager to make proselytes, had baptized a number of the Indians. 
Ireteba told me, with a grin, that Cairook was among the number, and that the big chief was 
greatly disgusted when they tried to duck his head in the river. 
Foot of Pyramid cation, March 20.—The morning after the departure of the Mormons Mr. 
Peacock, with an advanced portion of the pack-train, rode into camp; on the following day 
Lieutenant Tipton and the remainder of the detachment joined us. The trip from Fort Yuma 
had been a rough one; the trails across the mountain ranges were difficult even for pack- 
mules to follow. Grass had been very scarce; only five good grazing camps had been found 
during the whole distance, and the mules consequently were not in the best condition to com- 
mence the land explorations. 
The conduct of the Mojaves had been friendly till within a day or two, when their behavior 
became suspicious. They remained at a distance from camp, and at night attempted to set fire 
to the grass. Lieutenant Tipton had been strongly tempted to attack them, but felt reluctant 
to have any outbreak while ignorant of the condition of my party. Two Yumas, who had 
acted as guides, had a talk with the Mojaves, and told Mr. Tipton that the Mormons had been 
endeavoring in every way to excite the hostility of the last-mentioned Indians against the 
expedition, and had urged them to commence an attack by stampeding the animals. This 
statement coincides entirely with what Ireteba and Mariano have repeatedly told me. I have 
found these two Indians invariably truthful, and know not what object they could have had in 
manufacturing a false story. Corroborated as it is by the Yumas and by many circumstances 
that have occurred, I hardly know how to discredit it, though I feel reluctant to believe that 
any white men could be guilty of such unprovoked rascality. 
An early and satisfactory event after the arrival of the train was the having a hearty meal 
cooked; and wher this was disposed of, preparations were made to return immediately to the 
Mojave villages. The reconnoitring party had come in, having found a practicable line of 
communication between the river and the Mormon road. For the first nineteen miles, to the 
summit of the Opal mountains, some work would be required to make a roadway practicable 
for wagons; beyond the summit a sloping plain extends to a gap a short distance north of 
the Vegas. 
Another storm of rain, and the necessity of giving the mules a rest, caused a day’s postpone- 
ment of our departure. As we commenced the descent from the Cottonwood valley, two 
Indians, who had been watching our movements, started upon a run along the trail leading to 
the south. We saw them, through the pure atmosphere, long afterwards, on the side of a 4 ae 
12—_-1 a 
