TO EL PASO. 
123 
same we saw when the plain first opened to us, and 
which we supposed to be water, and a few miles 
further the dry bed of a lake, with a white surface, 
appearing also like water. It was quite rough and 
hilly here. Clumps of bushes grew in the intervening 
valleys, which I sent parties to examine, in the hope 
of finding water, but without success. 
While pondering whether to push on or encamp 
where we were, without water, we discovered far off 
in the plain, directly before us, what appeared to be 
a large encampment. Smoke was curling up from 
many fires ; and we descried a long line of white 
objects. Took my spy-glass, and discovered the white 
dots to be so many wagons stretching over the plain ; 
all which assured us we had nothing to fear. The 
pleasant prospect of again meeting with our country- 
men quite raised our drooping spirits. The weary 
animals, who doubtless smelt the water, as mules 
always do, from a great distance, seemed to rouse 
themselves to new exertions. A rapid drive of four 
miles brought us to the encampment, which proved to 
be a train of about sixty large wagons, with govern- 
ment stores, bound for El Paso. It belonged to Mr. 
Coons, and left Indianola, on the coast, in. April, and 
San Antonio in June last. After sustaining extensive 
losses of wagons and animals, they arrived here fifty- 
six days before us, and were forced to remain, as 
there was not water between this place and El Paso 
for so large a number of animals as they had with 
them. The distance was said to be about one hun- 
dred miles.. Their wagons were mostly drawn by 
oxen, which could not travel more than fifteen miles 
