116 
CROSSING THE COLORADO RIVER. 
The latter was of granite, the cavity worn with beautiful regularity into a conical form, six 
inches wide at top, and from a foot to eighteen inches deep. The pestle of polished greenstone, 
also, was perfectly symmetrical, being oval-shaped, a foot and a half long, and four inches in 
central diameter. Judging from the slight difference in price between grain and flour, it 
would seem that the labor of grinding is esteemed of little account. 
As we passed these rancherias, the women and children usually watched us from the house¬ 
tops, and the young men, for a moment, suspended their sport with hoop and poles. There 
would then take place an animated discussion with our guide, as to whether we should follow 
the trail to the right or left, so as to avoid trampling upon the numerous wheat-fields. At first, 
only a small portion of the villagers seemed inclined to join us; but at length, rising an emi¬ 
nence, we looked back, and our little train appeared swelled to a grand army a mile in extent. 
Having travelled about ten miles in a generally northwest course, we descended from the 
cultivated fields and cotton-wood groves to the sandy shore of the willow-bound river, where 
we encamped. There was little grass in the vicinity, and the mules were sent to browse on 
bushes. But soon the Indians brought bundles of green rushes, and large quantities of corn 
and mezquite beans, to be exchanged for shirts, pieces of red flannel, &c., so that at night the 
mules fared sumptuously. 
The day has been warm and pleasant, and the evening clear. Astronomical observations 
were made, to fix the position of camp. Under the directions of Lieutenant Ives, prepara¬ 
tions were commenced for crossing the river. An old and much worn India rubber pontoon, 
brought from New Mexico, was inflated, and the body of the spring-wagon fastened upon it. 
The vessel was then launched, and sat upon the water like a swan. The Indians were greatly 
disappointed, for they had hoped to ferry its across themselves, and be well paid for it. They 
all left camp at dark. Some think this deviation from previous custom looks ominous. But 
being now near to their lodges, they are doubtless only seeking warmer shelter than our inhos¬ 
pitable camp affords them. 
February 27 —Camp 134.—We were favored with a clear and calm morning, and hastened to 
take advantage of it for crossing the river. Upon examining the pontoon, two of the cylinders 
were found collapsed, and the wagon-body filled with water. Lieutenant Ives, who had been 
the master-builder, viewed its distressed condition with considerable anxiety, but the case was 
not hopeless. Many of the holes in the canvass ivere mended, the air was replenished, and the 
pontoon again danced lightly upon the water. Long ropes, brought for the purpose, were 
attached to the two ends—one held upon the bank, the other taken by swimmers across to an 
island about 150 yards wide, near the centre of the river. Upon either side was a channel from 
six to twelve feet deep, and about 500 feet wide, making the whole distance from the left to the 
right bank of the river nearly 500 yards. The current was at this place about three miles an 
hour. By letting out the cord from the main land and drawing in the other extremity, the 
first load passed safely across to the island. The second trial was less successful; the rapid 
current, and the weight of the long ropes, destroyed the equilibrium of the gondola, and upset 
it in the middle of the stream. During the excitement attending this misfortune, we were 
advised by an Indian messenger that another great chief was about to pay us a visit. Turning 
around, we beheld quite an interesting spectacle. Approaching was the dignitary referred to, 
lance in hand, and apparelled in official robes. The latter consisted of a blanket thrown grace¬ 
fully around him, and a magnificent head-dress of black plumage covering his head and 
shoulders, and hanging down his back in a streamer, nearly to the ground. His pace was 
slow, his eyes cast downward, and his whole demeanor expressive of a formal solemnity. Upon 
his right hand was the interpreter, upon his left a boy acting as page, and following was a long 
procession of his warriors, attended by a crowd of men, women, and children. Having arrived 
within fifty yards, he beckoned his people to sit down upon the ground; while, with interpreter 
and page, he presented himself before us. Taking from the boy a paper, be offered one of the 
stereotyped credentials given by Major Heintzelman at Fort Yuma. That having been pro- 
