TURKEY CREEK.-PUEBLO CREEK.-AZTEC RANGE. 
91 
trees. The soil of the valley where crossed to-day proved no less fertile than it appeared from 
Picacho. It may he denominated a rich meadow bottom, although the surface and several 
water-worn channels were dry. 
January 17.—Continuing our march, we passed a spur of granitic hills, and in two miles 
southwest struck a clear and rapid stream flowing southeast. Its hanks were lined with rushes, 
and a hasin-like valley was covered with a thick growth of timber—cotton-wood, walnut, and 
ash. A large flock of turkeys was hunted in the grove, and one killed. This suggested 
the name which was given to the stream, “Turkey creek.” Here were huts and trails, and 
stone ovens where mezcal had been recently baked; seeming to indicate a near approach to the 
winter homes of Indians. As we proceeded, about three miles from south to southwest we 
encountered another stream, somewhat larger than the last, also flowing through a fine valley 
towards the southeast. We ascended its left bank two miles. Here two branches formed a fork, 
within which was a smooth grassy hill about fifty feet high. Upon the top were remains of an 
ancient pueblo. It commanded a fine view. Above was a wide bottom-land, bearing faint 
traces of former cultivation, although now partly covered with a beautiful grove of ash trees. 
Below, timber of walnut and oak fringed the stream, rendering the spot a pleasant site for a 
settlement. Upon each side flowed a clear sparkling rivulet, forming the delta of the valley. 
One appeared to come from the southwest, taking its source in the region of Mount Hope. The 
other proceeded from the west, and seemed to divide, by a narrow gap, the range of stratified 
mountains north, from the pile of volcanic-looking peaks that could be traced thence south- 
westwardly to Mount Hope. Although other mountains overlapped, the quick eye of Mr. 
Campbell at once marked those features as promising a passage through the range. We then 
noted the course of the streams, and the spurs of hills that bounded the valley below. We saw 
where the ridge became less, probably forming an entrance for Turkey creek ; and where some 
six miles distant it disappeared, allowing Pueblo creek to unite with Partridge creek, in Yal de 
China. There was a possibility that this valley, having collected its affluents, might yet break 
through the Sierra near the Black mountain, some twenty miles south, and, forming the head¬ 
waters of Bill Williams’ fork, flow towards Rio Colorado. To decide that point, we determined 
to continue the reconnaissance farther south. Proceeding to the bottom, with some difficulty 
we made our way through rank grass and thick willows, about a quarter of a mile, to the right- 
hand branch. Having forded this, we ascended the bank to a high hill, which overlooked the 
pueblo. Upon the summit we found a square redoubt, five paces in the clear. The mass of 
stones forming the walls was six feet thick, and still several feet in height, although in ruins. 
Broken pottery and obsidian were abundant. Part of an arrow-bead of amorphous quartz was 
found. Before broken it must have been two inches and a half in length. Farther from the 
river we passed a few deserted huts, constructed most rudely by stretching bark over the broken 
limb of a tree. Crossing low spurs from the eastern base of the mountains, we continued our 
exploration south-southwest about six miles, and bivouaced near pools of water that oozed 
from granite hills. Then, ascending to a high peak, we had a view of Yal de China, extending 
still far towards the southeast. Upon the left was the Black Forest; and upon the right were 
mountains, which, on account of the ruins found at their base, were called the Aztec range. 
The slopes all appeared to tend in the direction of that valley, destroying our hopes of reaching 
the Colorado by any stream that we had crossed. However, near the Black mountain, some 
twenty miles distant, there seemed to be an overlapping of two ranges, denoting a break in the 
Aztec chain, and the probability of a good passage through it. But the time which its exami¬ 
nation would cost us, we could not now afford to lose ; and much as we desired to make that 
reconnaissance, it was deemed better to return to Pueblo creek, and first explore that stream to 
its source. It is evident that if we can find a passage to the western slope of this mountain 
range, we must discover streams flowing into Bill Williams’ fork. 
January 18.—Turning back, we reached the old pueblo. It being a good place for camping, 
we sent back to Picacho, with orders to Lieutenant Ives to bring the train to this place, deter- 
