STEAN’S PASS. 41 
a and desolate in the highest degree, and very similar to” 
that last described. 
_ Next morning, Lieutenant Lawson, commanding the escort, 
| started with nine of our men and some empty wagons to Fort 
Bowie for rations and forage; and our new friends, with 
Colton and myself, completed the party by joining him also. 
_ For twenty-one miles we traversed the level plateau, and 
then entered the next range of mountains—the Peloncello 
Range; halting a short distance within the pass leading throngh 
it, known as Stean’s Pass. At this spot was situated the nly 
‘spring to be met with on the road. It was, however, dty on 
the surface, and we had not time to deepen it. A beautiful 
conical mountain—Stean’s Peak—forms a good landmark for 
this pass and spring. From Stean’s Peak to Fort Bowie, in 
Apache Pass, leading through the next mountain range (the 
Chiricahui), the distance is thirty-six miles, without a drop 
f water, making in all a “jornada” of fifty-seven miles 
hout one drinking station. 
We rested until sunset at Stean’s Peak, in order to avaid 
heat of the day, and then started through the grandest 
of the pass. The moon was almost at its full, the seas 
vas perfectly calm, and a liquid softness smiled upon every- > 
: q In ng. These mountains were infested with Indians ; and the 
‘ladies were rather nervous, as now and then we passed 
‘through a narrow gorge, or under some lofty crag. To keep 
‘them in good heart, we sang songs and choruses, in which 
they soon joined ; these were re-echoed again and again from 
‘side to side. The cavalry rode in front, and the wagons 
brought up the rear. Now and again the horses’ hoofs would 
ring out and rattle over a bed of rocks ; or the moon, obscured 
‘behind the mountain, would suddenly throw a flood of light 
‘over the white wagons and glistening rifles of our party. 
ie 
