366 
THE COPPER MINES 
mules showed signs of fatigue and the want of water. 
Our course still lay west for the “Sugar Loaf.” We 
entered the defile by an easy and almost imperceptible 
ascent ; and after winding along the valley, and cross- 
ing an arroyo, we reached the camping ground of 
General Conde. The camp, however, had been 
Ajiproach to Sugar Loaf Mountain. 
deserted, apparently within twenty-four hours of our 
arrival. On looking around, we found attached to a 
pole a note from Mr. Steele, the gentleman I had sent 
from the Copper Mines to apprise the Mexican Com- 
missioner of the cause of my delay. Mr. Steele stated 
that in consequence of the limited supply of water, 
which could only be obtained by digging in the arroyo, 
General Conde feared there would not be sufficient for 
us all, and accordingly had removed his camp to El 
Sauce^ about twenty miles to the south. Thither he 
