TO SANTA CRUZ. 
381 
for the flour, and a few pack-mules to carry our tents, 
cooking utensils, and baggage. I hoped to overtake 
General Conde, but a shower came up, which made it 
necessary to delay our departure for a few hours. In 
order to cross the river, it was necessary to level the 
banks on both sides, and let the wagon down by hand. 
Our baggage, tents, &c., were all carried over on mules, 
so that it was five o’clock in the afternoon before we 
got off*. Soon after, it commenced raining, rendering 
it very difficult for the wagon to get along. Our route 
lay along the valley due south, through a thick mezquit 
chapporal. There was no road ; but the trail of Gene- 
ral Conde’s train was a sufficient guide. We had now 
a gloomy prospect before us; the rain ^as pouring 
down in torrents, the travelling was becoming more 
and more heavy, and the whole surface of the valley 
was completely deluged with water. Towards even- 
ing, finding a little gravelly knoll j ust large enough to 
pitch a couple of tents upon, we encamped. Ditches 
were now dug to lead off the water, and earth was re- 
moved to within the tents so as to make them tolerably 
dry. During the night it rained very hard. 
September 10th. Mr. Salazar arrived in camp during 
the night, and remained with us. He was on his way 
to Santa Cruz. Resumed our journey at 8 o’clock. 
My party now consisted of Dr. W ebb, Messrs. George 
Thurber, J. G. Cremony, Henry C. Pratt, John J. Pratt, 
Inez Gonzales, the captive girl, and myself We had 
also one servant, one cook, one laborer, one teamster, 
and three Mexican arrieros, making altogether four- 
teen persons. Our course continued due south through 
thick mezquit chapporal, following the trail of General 
