90 
FREDERICKSBURG 
US, all were pretty well used up. Nor could we now 
stop to rest. There was yet a long stretch before 
us to water, which must be reached at the earliest 
moment. During the night we passed the spot marked 
on the map as the “Wild China Ponds,” which, like the 
places before referred to, was destitute of water. 
Great mischief is caused by marking such places on 
the maps ; and had we not been told that it was 
doubtful whether water would be found there, we 
might have been unprepared with a supply, and have 
suffered accordingly.^* From the spongy appearance 
of the ground near the water-holes, there is no doubt 
water might be procured by sinking wells, which 
ought to be done if this road is to be traversed. 
Soon after daylight we halted the train, let the 
mules graze for an hour on the parched grass, made 
coffee, and such a breakfast as cold pork and hard 
bread would furnish. It was quickly dispatched, and 
* On my return from California in 1852, 1 met several parties of 
emigrants from Arkansas and Eastern Texas, who had followed our 
trail from Fredericksburg to El Paso, and who were loud in their denun- 
ciations of those who had ad vised them to take this road, and more so 
of those who famished them maps, which deceived them as to the water- 
ing-places. They expected td find water at the localities designated on 
the maps, and took no precautions in qase of meeting with none. On 
reaching the so-called “Mustang Ponds,” they did not recognise them, 
and sought for them in vain for miles around. At the “ Flat Rock” 
and “ Wild China Ponds,” they were equally disappointed. They 
looked about the desert without success. One party was seventy-two 
hours without tasting water, and came near perishing. Many of their 
mules and cattle died ; and such as had strength remaining hastened 
on to the Pecos. There had been no water at either of the places desig- 
nated during the spring or summer, nor was there any in October or 
November, when we crossed it. 
