152 ALAMO MUCHO TO 
messenger from Major Heintzelman, commanding at 
Fort Yuma (whose sentinels, ever on the watch, had 
discovered our approach some hours before), inviting 
me to the Fort, and sending a scow with men to take 
us across the sluice. Dr. Webb and myself availed 
ourselves of the invitation, the rest of the party with 
the wagons not having yet come up. We proceeded 
on foot, and, after crossing the sluice, were met by 
several officers, who conducted us to the Major's quar- 
ters. We received a warm reception from them all ; 
for visitors and countrymen are an exceeding rarity 
in this out of the way spot. A few emigrants, it is 
true, pass on their way to California; but they seldom 
reach here before August. Major Heintzelman invited 
me to take up my quarters with him, while Dr. Webb 
remained with Lieutenant Paige. The other officers 
we met here were Major Andrews, Captain Davidson, 
Lieutenants Curtis, Hendershott, Sweeney, and Bond, 
and Dr. Milhau. 
The train and the remainder of the Commission 
encamped on the opposite side of the sluice, my wish 
being to cross the Colorado as soon as possible, which 
could be done as easily from that place as from the 
Fort. 
June 10th. The officers of the Commission crossed 
the sluice this morning and came up to the Fort, where 
they were all kindly received and hospitably enter- 
tained. . 
I now commenced arrangements for crossing the 
Colorado, which, in consequence of the great rise in 
its waters, and their increased rapidity, was a matter 
of much difficulty and risk. There was nothing to 
