392 RIO SAN PEDRO 
through the mountains, except with pack-mules. Mr. 
Pratt made some sketches of the wild and picturesque 
scenery around us. No game was seen to-day. 
September 17th. Began to feel much anxiety for 
the return of Mr. Thurber and his party, as they took 
but a small supply of bread with them. I did not 
think it proper to move until they rejoined us; for in 
ease they had not succeeded in procuring aid, they 
would be in a sad strait for food. 
About ten o’clock they were discovered slowly 
wending their way among the hills, and were soon after 
among us. Their journey had been unsuccessful. 
They had traversed the country, as they estimated, 
some thirty miles west and north-west, till they struck 
a _well-beaten wagon road; and had visited many de- 
serted ranchos, and two depopulated towns, in both of 
which were churches. They had suffered much for 
want of food, having subsisted chiefly upon peaches, ~ 
which they found in abundance in the orchards of the 
deserted towns, and upon the fruit of the prickly pear 
and yucca. In returning they followed the road some 
twenty miles in the opposite direction, but found not 
a living soul. 
No time was now to be lost. Our provisions, even 
on half allowance, were fast diminishing ; and the only 
alternative was to retrace our steps as fast as possible 
to our camp on the San Pedro. The wagon and pack- 
mules were at once got in readiness; and by noon we 
bade adieu to our “lost camp.” Made about fifteen 
miles, and encamped in a fine oak grove, with wood, 
grass, and water. oe 
September 18th. Got an early start; and instead 
ars 
