SANTA CRUZ. 291 
an excellent place for a camp. The animals found a 
tolerable supply of food in the tufts of grass, and mez- 
quit beans. 
At 5o’clock in the afternoon we started again, 
although we had had but little rest. I would have 
remained till morning, but our water was nearly out. 
The road had by this time become quite dry, and we 
rolled on at a steady gait of three miles an hour. Soon 
after leaving, the sky became overcast, and we feared 
a repetition of the storm; but it did not occur, and, 
although we had considerable difficulty in keeping 
our course, we were enabled to continue our journey 
through the entire night. 
July 15th. At 5 o’clock this morning, being in ad- 
vance of the train, we reached some mud holes contain- 
ing a little water, which our thirsty animals drank with 
eagerness. During the night, many who were mount- 
ed on mules were so much fatigued as to be unable to 
retain their seats in their saddles; so dismounting, and 
tying their animals to the bushes, or to their bodies, 
they lay down on the desert, and refreshed themselves 
with a couple of hours sleep. At seven, the wagons 
with the rest of the party came up; and, although 
but eight miles from Tucson, such was our fatigue 
after two long nights’ ride, that we determined to 
remain here to-day. Much to my regret, no tents 
were pitched; for a heavy shower came up in the 
night, which wet most of the party to the skin. I was 
so fortunate as to make my bed beneath a wagon; 
where, protected by an India rubber blanket, I passed 
a comfortable night, and scarcely knew of the rain that 
was falling around me until morning. 
