260 AT THE COCO-MARICOPA AND PIMO VILLAGES. 
cultivated fields; and, after following the road for 
twelve miles, turned short off to the north, and en- 
camped for the last time on the banks of the Gila. The 
river was here much contracted, with steep banks fif- 
teen feet high, and completely overhung with willows 
and cotton-woods, the latter from the opposite banks, 
meeting at the top. Its width was less than fifty feet, 
and its greatest depth did not exceed nine inches. It 
moved sluggishly along, was well charged with mud, 
and uncomfortably warm to bathe in. The bottom 
lands were three quarters of a mile in width on the 
south side, where we encamped, with a rich soil, and 
filled with mezquit trees. 
But few Indians came in to-day, as we were between 
six and eight miles above their most easterly village. 
Those who ventured to follow us, said that it was un- 
safe to go so far from home unless in large numbers, 
as bands of the Apaches were constantly hanging about 
near their villages, watching every opportunity to send 
an arrow through them, or rob them of their animals. 
It was so exceedingly hot to-day, that after reaching 
camp, we lay under the deep shade of the willows, on 
the river’s bank, without pitching our tents. 
