SAN FRANCISCO FOREST TO MOQUIS —EXAMINATION OF TRAIN AND SUPPLIES. 115 
great volcano, the jagged rocks, with which the surrounding surface was strewn, so bruised 
their feet that they were hardly able to walk. 
Under the southwest base of the San Francisco peak we camped at a spring, known to be 
permanent. It is in a sheltered nook almost buried in the side of the impending mountain. 
There is abundant grazing. The water is cold and delicious. The surrounding forest furnishes 
shade in summer, and material for warmth in winter, and at all seasons of the year the place 
doubtless affords an excellent camp. : 
On the following day, while skirting the base of the mountain, the tender-footed beasts 
stumbled and staggered upon the sharp rocks till it seemed inhuman to drive them any longer, 
but the delays and short marches had so reduced our stock of provisions that it was absolutely 
necessary to keep on. As we turned our backs upon the imposing pile the road became a little 
better, and by degrees the lava disappeared. The eastern border of the pine forest was soon 
reached, and a belt of cedars entered similar to that growing upon the other side. 
The grass and the scorie go together, and after being rid of the latter the former also © 
became scarcer. We made the first camp, after leaving the forest, with plenty of water, but 
with little pasturage. As the evening approached there was a sudden change of weather. 
From summer heat it became intensely cold. <A roaring gale sprang up, accompanied with 
snow and sleet. Yesterday morning the ground was covered with snow to the depth of nearly 
a foot, and the storm was driving so furiously that it was impossible to move from camp. 
These violent transitions from a July to a January temperature are very trying both to men and 
animals. The half.frozen beasts were exposed to the keen blast for twenty-four hours without 
a mouthful to eat. That they were able, in their weakened and emaciated condition, to survive 
it was a matter of astonishment. Several times during the past two weeks they have appeared 
to be on their last legs, but an occult store of vitality has always turned up at the critical 
moment to meet the emergency. ; 
The tempest had sufficiently subsided to-day to enable us to continue the journey. The 
storm had spread over only a small area, and the descent to Flax river being rapid, we were 
removed from its effects by a few hours of travel, and brought into a lower country and a less 
inclement atmosphere. We have camped at the first grazing place encountered, and expect 
to reach Flax river to-morrow. 
Dense and black masses of clouds are still drifting past the San Francisco summit and the 
surrounding slopes, and icy cold blasts reach us at intervals from that quarter. The storm 
seems to have burst out again with increased violence, and we congratulate ourselves on having 
escaped from its influence. 
Camp 85, Flax river, May 2.—The wide valley of Flax river could be recognized a long 
way off by the line of cottonwoods that skirt the banks of the stream. The river is smaller than 
the Colorado, but at this season, when.the water is becoming high, much resembles the other 
at its low stage. There are the same swift current, chocolate colored water, shoals, snags, 
sand bars, and evidences of a constantly shifting channel. The width opposite to camp is about 
fifty yards, and the depth five or six feet. The banks and bottom are composed of quicksand, 
and we have been unable to find a ford. The bottom lands are in places several miles wide. 
Here and there are to be found patches of a coarse grass, which at this season is green and 
nutritious. 
Before proceeding with the examinations northward, it became necessary to look into the 
condition of the train and the supplies. The inspection developed unsatisfactory results. Most 
of the mules are in such a state as to preclude the possibility of their going much further. 
Several that I was unable to supply with the Mexican -pack-saddle, or arapaho, have had to 
carry army pack-saddles, which, according to invariable experience on long marches, have 
mangled their backs shockingly. The-sudden and severe snow-storms, coming in the midst of | 
hot weather, the scarcity, and, at times, absolute deprivation of food and water, the difficult 
