286 CASAS GRANDES TO 
miles distant, or half way across the great jornada, the 
following morning, although we had little hope of find- 
ing water until we should get to Tucson. The mountain 
referred to is called the ‘“ Picacho,” a name applied to 
every high abrupt peak. Our course lay a little to the 
east of south, direct for the Picacho, across a vast open : 
plain. A short range of mountains on the west, within a 
mile of the road, was soon passed. On the east was a 
lofty range fifty miles distant, with no intervening ob- 
jects. The road was excellent; and our animals being 
fresh, we hurried them on as fast as it was prudent to 
do. As we progressed, there seemed to be a likeli- 
hood of rain, which was somewhat increased by a per- 
ceptible change in the air. ‘The prospect before us 
was dismal enough, in the midst of the wide-spreading 
desert; for by night-fall we had passed the mountains 
on our right, and were soon far from any landmark. 
As the sun sank below the horizon, the dark cloud- 
bank which we had observed far to the south ascended, 
and we could see the rain already falling on the dis- 
tant mountain. Night now set in; the thick clouds 
rose higher and higher, and before nine o'clock had 
completely obscured every star. Shrouded as we were 
in darkness, it was no easy matter to find our way 
through the low mezquit bushes scattered over the 
desert. But nature’s light-house opened its portals, 
and the vivid lightning flashed around us; SO that 
the black mountain, our beacon in this desert, seemed 
constantly before us. Up to this time I had taken the 
lead in my wagon ; but as my mules became alarmed, 
rendering it impossible to get along,I placed Mr. Lerous, 
who rode a milk-white mule, immediately before mine. 
