PIMO VILLAGES. 241 
the stream overflows its banks; and from the appear- 
ance of the drift-wood lodged in the trees and bushes, 
it must at times be much swollen, and run with great 
rapidity. The second terrace or bottom-land, varies 
from one to four miles in width, and is exceedingly 
rich. As it is but little elevated above the river, it 
could be irrigated with ease. At present it is covered 
with shrubs and mezquit trees, while along the imme- 
diate margin of the stream large cotton-wood trees 
grow. Near by we saw the remains of several Indian 
wigwams, some of which seemed to have been but 
recently occupied. Francisco told us they were used 
by his people and the Pimos when they came here to 
fish. He also told us that two years before, when the 
cholera appeared among them, they abandoned their 
dwellings on the Gila and came here to escape the 
pestilence. 
Owing to the intense heat, we lay by until five 
o clock, and again pursued our journey up the river 
until dark, when, finding a little patch of poor grass, 
we thought best to stop for the night. Supper was 
got, and a good meal made from our fish. As we 
brought no tents, we prepared our beds on the sand. 
We had not long been in when we saw a body of 
twelve or fifteen Indians on the river making for our 
camp. At first some alarm was felt, until Francisco 
told us that they were Pimos. They proved to be a 
party which had been engaged in hunting and fishing. 
They were a jolly set of young men, dancing and sing- 
ing while they remained with us. I told them we 
would like a few fish for breakfast, if they would bring 
them in. With this encouragement, they took leave 
VOL. 11.—16 
