140 RECREATION 



nearer the river. Even here we found Half after four o'clock found us face 

 the ground extremely rough, and two to face with a couple of hundred yards 

 of the party had to walk ahead of the of the worst driving" I ever saw during 

 wagon continuously., prospecting for my stay in the Territory. Where we 

 passable routes. The sun seemed even first began the ascent it was necessary 

 more unrelenting than the day before, to hold down the upper side of the 

 and the sands were correspondingly wagon in. order to prevent its upset- 

 hotter. The ponies had condescended ting". Then, by a quick turn we were 

 to drink before leaving camp, but un- able to gain the apex of the sharp 

 less they were more fortunate than we, ridge, where the ponies could take a 

 it did them little good. Instead of breathing spell. From this point it was 

 quenching our thirst the salty water a question of two or three steep climbs, 

 seemed to increase it, besides making with a chance to rest on less precipi- 

 us sick. In regard to provisions, the tous slopes between. If the ponies 

 ponies were less fortunate, having were equal to the task all would be 

 eaten the last of the grain that morn- well in .a few moments' time. If they 

 ing, while we had plenty of provisions, lost control of the wagon for an in- 

 About two o'clock we stopped in the stant the whole outfit would surely go 

 shade of a low cedar and ate a light down the steep sides of the ridge to the 

 lunch, giving the ponies a chance to gully below. We emptied the wagon 

 rest and graze. So far we had been of its load and fastened a long rope to 

 unable to find a way to the mesa above the front end of the tongue. With pick 

 us. The ponies were very evidently and spade we changed the hard, smooth 

 becoming worn out, the pull through surface of the steepest slopes into a 

 heavy sand, over rough country, and sort of "make-believe" stairway — 

 without roads, telling on them severely rough enough to give the ponies a bet- 

 in their half-fed condition. The ab- ter foothold. Then, with Oliver and 

 normal thirst, which compelled all of Edwards at the rope in front, and urg- 

 us to drink heavily of a water we de- ing the ponies to their utmost endeav- 

 tested. had lowered the contents of our ors by voice and whip, we started up 

 canteens alarmingly. The problem the hill with a dash, 

 was now a very simple one. We must Only a moment and we stood pant- 

 get to the top of that escarpment and ing for breath at the top of the first 

 cut across the mesa to the Indian hard pull. A good, long rest, and then 

 pueblo of Isleta, even if we had to the second hill was as successfully 

 abandon the wagon temporarily to do passed. The last was the shortest, but 

 so. Oliver and myself accordingly steepest, of all, and many were our 

 set out on another exploring tour, misgivings as we confronted it. But 

 climbing to the top of the cliff and the pick and spade were again called 

 keeping along its edge, hunting the into action, and some improvement ef- 

 most accessible points. To the north fected. A shout, a dash, two ponies 

 I found several places where the ponies lying almost on their bellies and crawl- 

 could get up, but no place where it ing along, as it seemed — and we could 

 would be possible to take the wagon, look across the rolling, grassy plains 

 About a mile further south Oliver to the valley of the Rio* Grande. A 

 found a ridge leading up to the mesa rather feeble, but sincere and expres- 

 along which he thought it might be sive shout went up when we knew the 

 possible to get a wagon, although he victory was won. Piece by piece the 

 considered it a very dubious proposi- load was carried up the hill and re- 

 tion. After a council of war we de- packed in the wagon. The light of the 

 cided to take the latter route, intend- late afternoon sun made the Las Lu- 

 ing to leave the wagon when absolutely nas volcano stand out in bold relief, 

 necessary. while the position of the Isleta cone 



