TO CORPUS CHRISTI. 525 
We had for hours noticed the huge volumes of 
smoke as they ascended from the plain, and attributed 
the flight of animals towards us, which we had seen 
during the day, to this fire. It stretched for miles in 
both directions, and was sweeping directly towards us. 
Whenever it reached a patch of high grass, volumes 
of dense smoke rose up, while the vivid flames leaped 
with greater rapidity: over the plain. We rode up 
and down for some distance, but could find no open- 
ing through. At length a place was seen where the 
fire raged with less fury. Here the horsemen led the 
way ; whereupon the teamsters put the whips to their 
animals, and uttering a loud whoop dashed through 
the flames. 
A short distance beyond we passed another chain 
of lagunas, or small ponds, known as Santa Gertrude. 
The water was good here; but finding that we could 
make a few more miles, I hurried forward. Five miles 
further, over an excellent road, brought us to San 
Francisco River, which unfortunately had no water 
in it. 
The prairie had been more level to-day, and, ex- 
cept where burned, was covered with excellent grass. 
The bed and banks of the San Francisco were lined 
with large trees overhung with moss. We made 
thirty miles to-day, for about half of which distance 
the road was excellent. 
January 1st, 1853. At an early hour breakfast was 
despatched; and the tents were struck, and the party 
was in motion at the break of day. The prairie was 
now a dead level, the grass short, and the road very 
good. Nota bush or a tree was to be'seen; yet there 
