ALAMO MUCHO TO FORT YUMA. 133 
CHAPTER XXVII. 
ALAMO MUCHO TO FORT YUMA. 
The Desert—Dry basin—“ New River ’”’—Alarming news from the train—. 
Colonel Craig’s encounter with the deserters from Fort Yuma—Re- 
port of Sergeant Quin—Dr. Webb returns in search of Colonel Craig 
and Sergeant Bale—Loss of wagons on the Desert—Great heat—Return 
of party with the body of Colonel Craig—Sergeant Bale’s return— 
Further particulars of the encounter with the deserters—Burial of Col- 
onel Craig—Word sent to San Diego—Prompt action of Colonel Ma- 
gruder—Arrest of the murderers by Indians,and their execution—Colonel 
Craig’s character and services—March resumed—Cooke’s Well—Colo- 
rado River—Banks washed away—A passage cut through the woods— 
Arrival at Fort Yuma—Depredations by the Yuma Indians on the 
camp at night—Unsuccessful pursuit—Lieut. Whipple commences 
crossing the Colorado. 
June 6th. Reached Alamo Mucho on the desert, at 
¢ oclock this morning, after a journey of twelve 
hours without a moment’s rest, in which time we 
had made forty-five miles. In long marches like 
this with pack-mules, it is not considered advisable to 
stop; for no rest can be given to the animals without 
relieving them of their packs, to do which and replace 
them would require at least two hours. If a pack- 
train stops without relieving the mules of their bur- 
dens, the animals lie down and attempt to roll, an 
Operation which disarranges the packs and often does 
