PAI-UTE CREEK —YUCCA GROVE. 
121 
Union. In the accomplishment of this result, great praise was clue to the officers of the escort, 
and to the good conduct of the soldiers under their command. 
March 3 —Camp 137.—Continuing the survey northwest about nine miles, over the smooth 
gravelly slope, we reached, at the point of a mountain, Pai-Ute creek, a finely flowing stream 
of water. Finding good grass also, we encamped. A little basin of rich soil still contains 
stubble of wheat and corn, raised by the Pai-Utes of the mountains. Rude huts, with rinds of 
melons and squashes scattered around, show the place to have been but recently deserted. Upon 
the rocks, blackened by volcanic heat, there are many Indian hieroglyphics. Some of the 
more simple have been copied. Others are too complicated or too much defaced by time to be 
deciphered. They are somewhat similar to those upon Inscription Rock on Rio Gila, below the 
Maricopa villages. 
Full sets of magnetic and astronomical observations have been taken at this place. 
March 4 —Camp 138.—At 8 a. m. we filled our canteens and started. For the sake of the 
instrument wagon, the guide led up the creek to a deep ravine, from which he ascended and 
passed over the crest of a sharp dividing ridge to a plain of great extent. He afterwards told 
us that the pack-train should have kept the ravine, and saved the hill. The reconnaissance 
showed a favorable route for the survey through a valley upon the north of the hills leading 
from the great basin before mentioned, which sweeps around towards the northwest. Upon the 
left also, west from the little springs encountered on our first day’s march from the Colorado, 
there is a wide prairie with an ascending slope, unobstructed by mountains beyond. This is 
supposed to be the direct and ordinary route of the Indians to the vicinity of Los Angeles, with¬ 
out other disadvantage than the want of water. 
The great plain which our route traversed was found to be covered with good grass, thus 
confirming the statement of the guide. Moving onward by an ascent so gradual as scarcely to 
be appreciated by the eye, we proceeded nearly thirteen miles to the dry bed of an arroyo, where 
grass and wood were abundant, and encamped without water. The sand is moist, and the grass 
fresh and green; but our spades being lost, we have no means of ascertaining whether water 
can be obtained by digging. 
March 5—Camp 139.—The mules were driven up for an early start, but upon examination 
about forty proved to be missing. It was difficult to say whether they had strayed or been 
stolen ; either being probable enough, for the vast plain surrounding us was sprinkled with 
yuccas and clumps of larrea, which, by moonlight, could not well be distinguished from the 
Yucca. 
herd. It was easy, therefore, to lose the animals, and difficult to find them. Parties sent in 
search were a long time absent, but at length returned successful. 
16 h 
