204 FORT YUMA 
diers with provisions for those still behind, and with 
orders ‘to scour the country, and endeavor, if possible, 
to recover the missing girls. But they saw no Indians, . 
nor has it yet been ascertained by what tribe the out- 
rage was committed. 
We reached the valley again at 11 p. m., when we 
stopped for the remainder of the night, and lay down 
on the sand to get a few hours sleep. The air was so 
dry and hot, that tents were unnecessary. 
June 26th, Finding no grass, cane, or bushes near | 
us on which the animals could feed, we moved off, soon 
after 4 o'clock, with the break of day. Our route now. 
lay across’a bed of sand so light that the wheels sank 
deep, rendering it necesary to double one of the teams 
before we could pass it. Even with the aid of this 
device, it was slow work. It now became necessary 
to cross the Gila, as the plateau rose abruptly from the 
margin of the river, not leaving a passage wide enough 
fora mule. Our route had hitherto been wholly on 
the south side since leaving the Colorado. Ido not 
think the north side would present as good a road ; 
besides which, it would be necessary, if the north bank 
should be followed, to cross the Gila at its mouth, a 
the Colorado cannot be forded above the junction. 
The river where we crossed was about three feet 
deep in the channel. After getting over, we had to 
traverse another half mile of deep sand, and then 
recross, to get on the southern bank once more. At 
the second crossing my wagon sank so deep ina quick- 
sand, that the mules, after struggling in vain to pull it 
out, broke the traces and left me alone in the middle 
of the stream. It was necessary to attach four mules 
