222 
EL PASO 
all hastened to taste its waters, and plunge into its cool 
depths. Great was our disappointment, after the anti- 
cipations we had indulged in, at finding nothing but a 
diminutive stream from ten to twenty feet in width, 
and in some places even less, which, east of the Mis- 
sissippi, would hardly be designated with the name of 
“creek.” Nevertheless, it was welcomed by us as 
heartily as the Ohio or Hudson would be by travel- 
lers in more favored regions ; for it answered all our 
wants. Its water was soft and delightful to the taste, 
surpassing that of the Rio Grande. This stream has 
never been traced to either of its terminations. It 
rises in the mountains north-east of the Copper Mines, 
and when full, empties into Lake Guzman, about one 
hundred and thirty miles to the south ; but for several 
months in the year it exists only in pools, or dries up 
entirely after reaching the plains. When the survey- 
ing parties crossed it six weeks later, about fifteen 
miles lower down, they found it entirely dry. Another 
feature, which is common to other streams in Mexico, 
was noticed in the Mimbres, namely, its sudden disap- 
pearance or sinking into the desert, and its re-appear- 
ance some distance beyond. 
May Is^. In camp on the Mimbres. As our ani- 
mals had been poorly fed since leaving El Paso, I deter- 
mined to remain here to-day to give them the benefit 
of the fine young grass. All the party seemed to 
enjoy the relaxation ; and they sallied out after break- 
fast, some in search of game, others of the picturesque. 
For my part, I took the two together; for when I 
went to the hills in search of game I carried my 
sketch book with me, as it was only among the wooded 
