AGUA PRIKTA. 259 
fire with some buffalo chips, 7. ¢., dried cattle dung, 
and made a pot of coffee. It was now quite dark, and 
too late to look further for water. The mules were, 
therefore, fastened to the wagon wheels, and tongues, 
without food; when we, all fatigued and supperless ; 
threw our blankets around us, and without pitching 
our tents, crept beneath the wagons, and tried to for- 
get our unpleasant situation in sleep. The bellowing 
of bulls and the incessant yelping of the wolves occa- 
sionally disturbed our slumbers; nevertheless, we 
obtained a refreshing night’s repose. 
Among the incidents of the day, the following 
deserves mention. Shortly before we stopped the atten- 
tion of the party was attracted by a glittering object, 
a few rods from the road. On examination it proved 
to be a highly polished bayonet; and Colonel Craig 
immediately recognized it as belonging to a U. S. army 
musket. Further search disclosed a grave, which ap- 
peared to have been scratched open by the wolves, and | 
the body carried off. A pair of soldier's pantaloons, 
and part of a cotton sheet were also found near. There 
was every reason to believe, therefore, that this was 
the grave of an American soldier, and probably of one 
of those who had deserted from the Copper Mines. 
While jogging along to-day, a wolf passed by, 
which I shot from my carriage door. Many antelopes 
were also seen, but we were in too great a hurry to go 
in pursuit of them. For the same reason none of the 
wild cattle were shot. 
May 22d. As soon as it was light, Colonel Craig, 
Mr. Thurber, and others set off in search of water. They 
took one of the fresh cattle trails; and, after following 
