1 : 
130 DELAWARE CREEK 
wait for breakfast, but set off before daylight. Before 
quitting the mountain, we journeyed along it for some 
distance, close to its base. We thus found a singular 
gorge, or glen, which led some fifty feet into the 
mountain, where it opened to the sky. Within this 
inner cavern-like place was a deep hole, which appeared 
to have contained water, and which we supposed to 
be the “Thorne’s Well” of which we had been in 
search ; but at this time, it was perfectly dry. Some 
large trees had sprung up in this singular place, and 
the rocky walls were highly polished, as if by the hand 
of man. There were other deep holes near the 
entrance, which we supposed had been dug by Cali- 
fornia emigrants in search for water. All around were 
indications that it had been a camping place for many 
parties. Near the entrance alluded to, were several 
carcasses of oxen, which had perished here before the 
well was dug. 
Resuming our journey we rode ten miles to the 
Ojos del Alamo, or Cotton-wood Springs, on a hard and 
excellent road. Our landmark for this spring was a 
single cotton-wood tree, about five hundred feet up the 
side of a mountain, on our left. As the mountain was 
otherwise bare of foliage, save a few shrubs, the tree 
was easily seen, though from below it looked more like 
a bush ; still its light yellowish green distinguished it 
perfectly from every thing around. Left the carriage at 
the base of the mountain, and clambered up to the 
springs, of which there are seven. The water was 
very good, though but little remained. Upon the 
faces of the rocks near were rude sculptures and paint- 
ings, made by the Indians. We led some of the ani- 
