242 THE COPPER MINES TO 
such things existed at all in the interior parts of 
Sonora. 
We did not get off until noon, as it was my inten- 
tion to go only as far as the first watering-place, called 
Pachetehu,* whither I had sent the wagons in advance 
to await our arrival. We passed down the cafion in 
fine spirits, all being glad to get away from the dull 
monotony of a stationary camp. The country was 
much parched; for no rain had yet fallen. After 
leaving the cafion we diverged towards the right, and 
struck the old road leading to Janos, which had not 
been passed by a wagon or any train for nearly four- 
teen years. Yet the ruts were quite distinct on the 
plain. In fact, some portions of it, where the water 
had run, were washed out into deep gullies, rendering 
it impassable for teams. At three o'clock reached 
Pachetehu, a depression in the plain which, in addition 
to a spring, received the waters after rains. I traced 
the course of the waters for a couple of miles, marked 
by rushes and little patches of willows, when it disap- 
peared in the plain. The grass is abundant for some 
fifteen or twenty rods on each side of this spring and 
water-course; but there is no wood. Parties must 
supply themselves with this before leaving the wooded 
district. Distance from the Copper Mines, thirteen 
miles. 
May \7th. Passed an uncomfortable night from the 
effects of the jolting on my arm. Roused the cooks 
at three o’clock; got our breakfast before day; and 
by the time it was light enough to see, we had re- 
* Pronounced Pa-che-te-hi, the last syllable strongly accented. 
