YAMPAIS PRISONERS.-DESCENT OF CACTUS PASS. 
99 
camp bad evidently been used for the same purpose previous to our arrival. At the spring, 
near by, are signs of a late encampment, with large quantities of corn-cobs. One of them 
measured, exclusive of stem, nine inches in length, and had ribs for twelve rows of grain. It 
was an indication of fine crops somewhere in the Indian country. 
As coyotes stole the remnant of our mutton last night from the camp-fires, Ave have lived 
to-day on game—partridges, rabbits, and black-tailed deer. The hunters of minerals also have 
been successful, having found magnetic iron ore and a vein of quartz containing metal which 
resembles silver. Leroux has washed for gold—he thinks, successfully. 
January 31 —Camp 110.—While awaiting the wagons, we made use of certain fragments of 
axes we had to cut trees and bushes, so as to form a road down Cactus Pass. The descent is 
abrupt, like that in Guadalupe Pass, on Cook’s road, over which emigrants travel when taking 
the Gila route to California, for the first three miles averaging about 400 feet per mile. The 
steepness of the declivity precludes the idea of adopting this pass for a railway route. For that 
we d epend upon following the course either of White Cliff creek or of Bill Williams’ fork. 
Bet)re sunset the train arrived. The officers report the country from where we left them as 
generally level, and favorable for a road. Melted snoAvs, however, have now saturated the 
gravelly soil so completely as to cause mules and wagons to sink to the depth of about a foot, 
rendering their passage exceedingly difficult and greatly fatiguing to the animals. The first 
day they travelled, from where we left them, twelve miles to the canon. Yesterday they made 
eleven miles, and encamped upon a fine running stream, supposed to be one of the head branches 
of White Cliff creek. Ten miles to-day brought them to this place. 
Dr. Ivennerly has been fortunate in collecting new specimens of birds, pouched rats, lizards, 
&c. He has found, also, a skull, supposed to be that of a Yampais. Some of the party, it 
appears, Avere not satisfied Avith a simple skull, but having seen two Indians lurking about 
camp, captured them. The poor fellows were doubtless frightened, though one of them, to 
conceal his emotion, pretended to be highly amused at the occurrence. Some of the party 
endeavored to prevail on him to sing. It is the custom among these tribes to compel an enemy 
to sing his death-song preparatory to being shot or burned. It was not surprising, therefore, 
that he should attempt to regain his freedom. Though surrounded, he broke through the circle, 
ran, and escaped. The other was caught and tied. He took it quite stoically; and though 
expecting, of course, to be killed at once, seemed perfectly indifferent. By signs he Avas desired 
to tell the distance to Mojave village. With much ingenuity he explained—placing five stones 
at certain distances apart, to denote that number of marches ; the last a long one. Four water- 
holes Avere laid down; and beyond, a long channel filled Avith Avater, to represent the course of 
Rio Colorado. With sticks he indicated huts upon the river bank, to sIioav the position of the 
Mojaves. Such was a Yampais map; and it Avas really an intelligible one. When they had 
gained from the artist all the information they desired, the officers loaded him with presents— 
a blanket, shirt, sheepskin, tobacco, and a leg of mutton—and allowed him to go. Through 
the whole scene the captive illustrated the characteristic stoicism of his race. Not for a moment 
did his countenance show a trace of emotion. Fear for his life, hope of escape, despair at being 
caught again, gratitude for presents and for freedom, changed not a muscle of his features, nor 
affected the quiet dignity of his deportment. 
February 1 —Camp 111.—It was with much difficulty that the train made its Avay through 
Cactus Pass, notwithstanding the wagon loads were lightened. But from the foot of the ridge 
we travelled rapidly, passed the Yampais springs, and encamped on White Cliff creek where 
we left it a few days since, eight miles from the pass. In arranging the loads this morning, 
the Mexicans got into confusion, and left several packs containing our blankets and tents. A 
party has been sent back for them. We have descended, to-day, sixteen hundred feet in eight 
miles, some five or six hundred being almost precipitous. But if we look back to Camp 109, 
we find that there Ave Avere upon the headwaters of White Cliff creek, 1,200 feet above this 
point; and though the travelled distance Avas eighteen miles by the stream, which is more 
