110 SAN DIEGO TO 
that before us. It was quite doubtful whether we 
should have sufficient means of transportation; and to 
make sure of this, all the provisions, tents, instruments, 
personal baggage, etc., were sent out to the camp. Here 
they were separated and weighed, or an estimate made, 
so as to enable us to judge whether our two wagons 
and twenty pack-mules would be sufficient. Uncertain 
how long we should be in reaching El Paso, we took 
seventy days rations; in addition to which were a 
quantity of medical stores and anti-scorbutics, including 
fruits, vegetables, pickles, etc., as these important arti- 
cles were not to be procured on the way. 
I was ill at this time with fever and ague, and 
thought it most prudent to remain in quarters until the 
parties had got ready to move, and in fact had passed 
to a considerable distance into the interior, beyond the 
reach of the fogs and humid atmosphere of the coast. 
On the 26th, they commenced their march, intending 
to stop at Santa Isabel, fifty-six miles distant, where I 
was to join them. 
Several days before this, I sent off twelve head of 
beef-cattle belonging to the Commission, with an escort 
of six soldiers, with orders to remain at Fort Yuma 
until my arrival. This plan was recommended to me, 
as the cattle could not keep up with us after reaching the 
oreat desert ; and when they entered upon that much 
dreaded region, it was thought best that they should 
not stop, but keep on day and mght until water was 
reached. A number of cattle were sent at the same 
time to supply the garrison at Fort Yuma. 
For my journey, I had provided myself with a small 
wagon to be drawn by two mules, and a fine American 
