TO EL PASO. 
125 
relief of the party I had left behind, on my giving a 
receipt for them to the U. S. Quarter-master on my 
arrival at El Paso. Having eaten nothing since day- 
light, we feasted with great relish on our cold pork and 
biscuit. Our generous host ordered supper for us, but 
we were too hungry to wait ; though I believe most of 
the party accepted his invitation, and did full justice to 
a second meal before retiring to their blankets. Mr. 
Percy, who had the only tent in his party, gave places 
to as many as could stow themselves within it. Esti- 
mated the distance travelled to-day to be thirty-eight 
miles. 
November llth. In camp at Salt Lake, near Guada- 
lupe Mountains. The lake, or rather pond, near which 
we are encamped, is a small body of water covering 
three or four acres, surrounded on all sides by an open 
prairie or plain, in which there are scattering bushes, 
with patches of pretty good grass : no trees are to be 
seen, nearer than th^e base of the mountain. The pond 
is resorted to by .4 ducks, plover, and other water- 
fowl, in great numbefs ; but the continued proximity of 
so large a body of men as Mr. Percy’s party, has made 
them less plentiful and quite shy. Still I managed to 
shoot a few before breakfast. 
The following note left here by Mr. Thurber, gives 
the particulars of his journey. It was intended to be 
sent to the spring at the Guadalupe Pass. 
Coon’s Camp, near Salt Lake, 
November 9, 1850. 
“ Sir : After leaving you at the camp on Dela- 
ware Creek, we made the best progress the storm would 
permit. The snow balled in the feet of our animals so 
