386 RIO SAN PEDRO 
course along the base of the low hills which bound the 
valley, but were very soon arrested in our progress. The 
valley gradually became contracted as the two great 
mountain ranges approached each other, leaving only 
a defile, about a quarter of a mile in breadth, 
through which the water had burst a passage. This 
defile was filled with gigantic cotton-woods, with an 
undergrowth of rank grass, weeds, and jungle, rising 
above our heads even when on horseback. Among 
them grew a vine, binding all together; so that it was 
impossible to force a passage through. Farther pro- 
gress here was therefore at an end. But perceiving 
on the elevated ground of the side of the valley, a 
cluster of deserted adobe buildings, I sent a party 
across to see if there was any egress in that direction ; 
while I went with Mr. Cremony and Mr. Pratt over 
the hills, and along the valley ahead. A few hundred 
yards before us a perpendicular wall of rock rose 
directly from the valley, or rather from the stream 
which ran at its base. The hills on all sides were 
steep, high, rocky, full of the most frightful chasms, and 
utterly impassable for a wagon. For the half mile that 
I went I had to lead my horse; and I doubted whe- 
ther an animal under a heavy pack would be able to 
clamber the steep and rocky crags that lay in our way. 
-The valley too, where I aupended chiefly on finding a 
passage, had become an impenetrable swamp. From a 
high hill, which I ascended, it could be traced for a 
long distance by the bright green hue of its vegeta- 
tion; but the rugged mountains hemmed it closely in, 
their summits, from the bird’s-eye view I had of them, 
appearing like the huge waves of a tempestuous ocean, 
—— turned to stone. Frightful chasms where 
F 
