MOJAVE VALLEY TO BIG CANON—RAILROAD PASS. 95 
that tribe. I told him we would protect him, but he thinks if they could slaughter so easily a 
hundred of the best. Yuma and Mojave warriors, our little p 
against them. 
Opposite to camp is a conical hill four or five hundred feet high, surmounted by a cylindrical 
tower. It is a conspicuous feature among the other summits, and would be a good landmark 
to guide the traveller from the east to the pass, and to the excellent camping place at its mouth. 
Camp 64, spur from Cerbat range, March 29.—Leaving Meadow creek and its abundant 
pasturage, we descended to the valley, which is of immense extent, and runs in a northwest 
and southeast direction, extending either way beyond the limit of vision. Toward the south, 
below the Black mountains, it unites with the Mo‘ave valley, and from the base of the Cerbat 
range the eye could follow the gentle slope for over forty miles till it terminated near the head 
of the Mojave cafion. 
The pass by which we were to cross the Cerbat mountains was apparent as soon as we left 
the Black range, and Ireteba, who had joined us early in the morning, headed directly for it. 
The pure atmosphere made it seem close by, and it was disappointing to plod through the hot 
sand hour after hour, and find it appearing as far off as ever. When the base of the mountains 
was at last reached, it was found that the ascent was scarcely perceptible. A place more like 
arty would stand a poor chance 
— 
: ES Si sye ae 
ae y : 7 a Stn” aaa 
Fig. 28.—Railroad Pass. 
a Cation than an ordinary mountain pass presented itself, and we penetrated the range for a 
few miles through the windings of a nearly level avenue. Ina pretty ravine, hemmed in by 
picturesque bluffs, our guide pointed out a good spring of water, with grass enough near by 
to afford a tolerable camping place. . 
The next day, after proceeding one or two miles along the pass, which we called the Railroad 
Pass, we emerged from the Cerbat range, and came into what was at first supposed to be a 
