THE PRESIDIO OF JANOS. 325 
same valley, and at half-past three encamped near a 
stream, where the water merely stood in holes. It 
was very good, though, from appearance, not perma- 
nent. Near us was a large cotton-wood tree, the only | 
one to be seen; so that it was with difficulty we could 
find scraps of wood enough to cook our dinner. 
From our camp we could see the mountain near 
Santa Cruz bearing due west. The rain set in before 
night, and continued several hours; and as we were in 
a very exposed situation, it was necessary to put extra 
fastenings to the tents. Distance travelled to-day, fif 
teen miles. : 
July 31st. Every thing was drenched with rain, 
which prevented an early start. We still kept due 
east, through an open defile in a mountain range, 
which ran north and south, with an easy and gradual 
ascent. On both sides were conical hills from three 
to four hundred feet in height, detached from the 
adjacent mountains, and destitute of trees and shrub- 
bery. In fact, scarcely a tree or bush had been seen 
since we left the vicinity of Santa Cruz. As the coun- 
tty continued bare to day, the men picked up every 
fragment of wood or brush we passed, and threw it into 
the wagons. It would be prudent for all parties tra- 
velling this country to provide themselves with wood 
Whenever an opportunity offers, and always keep 
on hand a supply for three days. We were told by 
all the emigrants we had passed, that their greatest 
difficulty had been to procure fuel; and they cautioned 
4S to secure it when we could, and not wait until we 
At two o’clock the rain began to fall; but as there 
