FORT YUMA. 139 
in the heart of the desert, unprotected by a tree or 
bush, and exposed to a more oppressive heat than we 
had ever before experienced. As there was but little 
grass to be found, I caused the last of our corn and 
oats to be distributed to the animals, giving about two 
quarts to each. 
Disasters seldom come alone; and to add to the 
misfortunes of the day, Jesus Ortiz, one of the team- 
sters, came in and reported that the tire of one of the 
wheels having come off, his wagon had broken down, 
and in this disabled condition he had left it twelve 
miles back. As his mules were perishing for water, he 
had hastened on with them. 
After the animals had been watered and had grazed 
for an hour on the straggling tufts of grass and 
mezquit bushes, I dispatched a party back with an 
empty wagon, to bring forward the contents of the 
broken one. They returned during the evening, 
and reported that the fore wheel was completely 
demolished and past repairing, and that the wagon 
could not be used without another wheel. They also 
reported that they had seen seven Indians, who kept 
at a distance, but followed them for several miles. 
In the afternoon, Mr. Johnson and an express rider 
arrived from Fort Yuma, and remained several hours 
to rest and water their animals) They were bound 
for San Diego. On hearing of the disaster to our 
wagon, they informed me, that about seven miles in 
advance we should find a wagon in good order, which 
had lately been abandoned, and with which we could 
replace our disabled one. This was very welcome 
hews to me; for we were not in a condition to lose a 
a 
