140 DELAWARE CREEK 
whole of it equal to our best turnpikes. Here and 
there I would recommend a slight change in its direc- 
tion; as for instance, near Kickapoo Creek, to avoid a 
rocky ridge; and some improvements might be made 
near Fredericksburg: but these are trifles. The most 
important consideration is water, without which this 
route never can be made available as a great public 
highway. There is little doubt that by digging, water 
may be ‘found on the desert between the head of the 
Concho and the Pecos. At the depressions, called 
Mustang Ponds and Wild China Ponds, where, it ap- 
pears, water has sometimes been seen, wells might 
easily be sunk and water be procured. Two watering 
places in this jornada of sixty-nine miles would be 
quite sufficient. On the western side of the Guadalupe 
Mountain there should be another watering place; but 
it is evident from the statements made by the party 
which had been so long encamped at the Salt Pond, 
that there exists several springs about the base of the 
mountain. Next come the Cornudos del Alamo and 
the Waco Mountains; where there are springs, but 
which, from their not being opened, soon dry up % 
disappear. These, being at proper distances for daily 
journeys, would be suitable places to sink wells, 0% 
which would be better, to open the springs already 
known. 
If it should be determined to make a great high- 
way through Texas to El Paso, and thence to Califor- 
nia, south of the Gila, neither of the present routes t? 
El Paso should be adopted until a more complete e* 
ploration has been made. I was told at El Paso, by 
Mexicans who had traversed the district east of that 
