198 FORT YUMA 
it is possible to conceive. Nota tree or a shrub could 
be seen on them, while their bold and abrupt sides are 
furrowed with huge chasms and gorges. Between the 
base of the mountains and the bottom-land are low 
gravelly hills covered with the Spanish bayonet, agave, 
and various kinds of cacti. Our mules found a supply 
of cane on the margin of the river, with which, and 
twigs of willow, they made out to keep up their 
strength. The Gila here widens considerably, and is 
proportionably shallow and filled with sand-bars. 
June 23d. A violent wind arose last night, which 
made it necessary to put out guys to our tents to pre- 
vent their blowing down. A great change in the 
atmosphere took place at the same time, so that when 
I awoke, I found perspiration checked, and was suffer- 
ing from a severe pain in the head. Others were simi- 
larly affected. : 
Left camp at five, a.m. and soon after ascended 
the table-land, over which we travelled nine miles, the 
river as before making a large bend to the north. 
We could trace its course from the bright green line 
of cotton-woods and willows, as it wound away through 
the desert. Passed the grave of an emigrant by the 
road side, his name being written with a pencil on a 
strip of board and attached to a tree. Struck the 
river for a moment, and again took to the table-land, 
which we followed for about nine miles. We descend- 
ed where the valley seemed to expand to the width 
of nearly three miles, above one half of which was 
thickly wooded with cotton-wood, mezquit, and willow. 
Here we encamped, on the spot where parties had been 
before. Near by was a lagoon, which had the appear- 
