252 
THE COPPER MINES TO 
down a chalky clilf, whose yielding surface crumbles 
beneath the hoofs of the animals, making it necessary 
not only to lock, but also to restrain the wagons with 
ropes. After this it winds over peaks, the declivity 
always greater than the ascent, until at length the 
valley is reached. Our progress was slow and toil- 
some. We were constantly obliged to assist the 
wagons, by pushing them when going up, or hold- 
ing back in their descent; but the most dangerous 
portions were when we had a sideling inclination to 
contend with ; for here the wagons had to be supported 
on one side, as well as held back. According to Colonel 
Cooke the descent here is a thousand feet. A percepti- 
ble change of climate was indicated by the vegetation : 
besides the greater abundance of plants peculiar to a 
warm country, a marked difference was observable in 
the same species. Those plants which we saw on the 
table-land just in bud, were, in the course of the 
descent, seen in flower, and further down with matur- 
ing fruit. 
Two bears were observed to-day after entering the 
defile ; they were so large as to be taken at first for 
mules. When their real nature was discovered, seve- 
ral of the horsemen gave chase, but without success ; 
for Bruin gained on them at every leap, and soon dis- 
appeared. All the hills and valleys are covered with 
trees, chiefly live-oak and cedar ; and in every open 
space there is excellent grass. 
After four or five hours’ hard tugging we reached 
a small stream, where the road took a sudden turn to 
the south, leading to a frightful canon. Here we came 
to a stand, and waited for the wagons to come up. I 
