118 
LOSS OF FROPERTY.—RENEWAL OF TIIE MARCH. 
completed, and camp formed upon the right hank. But our joy in the event was considerably 
tempered hv the accidents that had befallen us. Some things were lost; others wet and ruined. 
Our mules swam across and landed safely, a piece of good fortune that all appreciated. The 
sheep were brought over by our rather officious, hut exceedingly useful Mojave allies. By no 
fault of theirs, but from had management of the hoat-rope, several sheep became entangled in 
the cord and were drowned. These were given to Indians, who swam out for them. Two more 
sheep and two blankets were awarded to the pilots of the flock. We landed upon a field of 
young wheat, for which the-owner claimed damages ; hut his charge was moderate, and through 
the chief the matter was satisfactorily arranged. 
Jose Maria, the fifth and last great chief of the Mojaves, here appeared with his warriors for 
the customary parade, and smoke, and speeches, and gifts. The whole five, Manuel, Francisco, 
Joachin, Ore, and Jose Maria, at length came in a body, desiring papers to inform succeeding 
parties of their civility to us. They were given, all containing warnings to afford no good 
cause of offence, and to be watchful. 
Our gifts had now exhausted the stock for trade; large quantities of grain were in camp for 
sale, but when told we were too poor to buy, the Indians expressed no disappointment, but 
wandered from fire to fire, laughing, joking, curious but not meddlesome; trying with capital 
imitative tongue to learn our language, and to teach their own. Few remained in camp after 
sunset. 
The day has been very fine; a better for our operations could not have been desired. The 
evening is clear, calm, and mild. 
February 28 —Camp 334.—The mules and sheep were grazed last night in charge of a few 
herders several miles from camp. Our Indian neighbors did not disturb them. 
To-day we have remained in camp, endeavoring to remedy yesterday’s misfortunes, by drying 
the books and papers, and cleaning and readjusting the instruments. Some of the less valua¬ 
ble of the latter, found ruined, were condemned and abandoned. To a great portion of the sta¬ 
tionery and books of reference was awarded the same fate. All of the straps belonging to the 
pack-saddles were missing, and search for them, by diving in the river, was in vain. Fortu¬ 
nately, the spring-wagon, with odometers, and sufficient instruments for surveying and astro¬ 
nomical purposes, reached the shore in safety, and none of the field-notes nor scientific collec¬ 
tions were injured or lost. 
Indians all day have been numerous in camp. They have not the habit of begging; but 
each one comes supplied with a bag of meal, or a basket of corn, which he desires to trade for 
cast-off clothing. 
March 1 —Camp 135.—The saved portion of our property having been packed, we moved on, 
slightly west of north, three miles, and encamped upon a long lagoon or bayou of the river, the 
low banks of Avhich were covered with tall rushes. We were attended, as usual, by a train of 
Mojaves, and the camp became to them a scene of festivity. The chief Francisco came in 
without parade, and condescended to take a smoke, and look pleased without presents. It is 
but just to remark, that no one of the chiefs reserved for himself any of the ceremonial gifts. 
They were looked upon in a national light, to be received only to distribute among the people. 
There was no trading to-day, except now and then by individuals, to obtain corn for a favor¬ 
ite riding-mule, or some curiosity of Indian dress and manufacture. Our stock of blankets and 
shirts was so far reduced as to compel us to endeavor to drive hard bargains; but the Mojaves 
were more than a match for us. They were cool and determined, and had a fixed value for our 
things as well as for their own. We were obliged to pay their prices, or lose the trade. A 
bivalve shell, curiously carved, and suspended from the neck as a sort of charm, cost a fine 
blanket. So great was the regret, even then, for having parted with it, that the friends of the 
woman who sold it would have given seven-fold to have had it restored. Other women, pos¬ 
sessing the same ancient relics, clung fondly to them ; and as the men were particularly resolute 
that they should do so, it seems probable that they may have been wedding presents. Strings 
