FORT YUMA. : 151 
Yumas had already overthrown. The road ran along 
the river’s bank, which, as well as the bottom-land, 
was filled with a dense forest of willows, cotton-woods, 
and mezquit. But we had not proceeded far before our 
progress was suddenly arrested at a place where the 
road was entirely washed away. We now retraced 
our steps a short distance, but found it impossible 
to get along with the wagons without first cutting 
a path. _ All our axes were therefore brought into 
requisition ; but as much time appeared to be neces- 
sary to accomplish this work, and as the pack-mules 
could push through, Mr. Leroux led the way followed 
by Dr. Webb and myself. On reaching the spot select- 
ed by Mr. L. for the encampment, the mules were 
unpacked: we endeavored to lead them to the water, 
but found to our surprise that it could not be approach- 
ed, in consequence of a high abrupt bank caused by the 
rushing waters of the Colorado. We accordingly sad- 
dled-up again and pushed on towards Fort Yuma,which 
appeared a few miles in advance, the stars and stripes 
waving from the flag-staff first greeting our eyes 
through the dense foliage of the valley. When within 
a mile of the Fort, our further progress was stopped by 
a sluice which extended across the road, as broad as 
the river, and caused by its overflow. It seemed to 
run far into the interior, and to be passable only with 
boats. Perceiving a rude wigwam on the river’s bank, 
the Doctor and myself took possession of it, and, hitch- 
ing our mules to trees, lay down to rest ourselves; for ut 
was then noon, and we had been in the saddle since 
one o'clock in the morning. , 
An hour after I was aroused from my sleep by a 
