126 
REMARKS ON CONFLUENCE OF MOJAVE RIVER WITH THE COLORADO. 
ing to the prediction of the morning, there arose a storm of wind and thick clouds. In the 
darkness we lost the trail, and were apprehensive of passing the camp of the surveying party 
without seeing it. At length, however, after a weary march, we caught sight of bright fires, 
which led us to our friends. They had selected an excellent camp-ground. Mezquites, hearing 
tornillas, afforded forage for mules and fuel. Beneath meandered the quiet stream of limpid 
water. Upon each bank, grass grew luxuriantly. This pleasant spot would he favorable for a 
settlement. The soil is so fertile that irrigation might not he required. The river, however, 
would supply acequias to water a considerable portion of the valley. 
The Indian who guided Lieutenant Tidball to the Mormon road, having performed his 
promise, met us this evening on his way home. Lieutenant Tidball with his escort has pushed 
on towards the settlements. 
March 12 —Camp 145.—We remained in camp to-day to await the arrival of the rear party, 
and learn the success of the expedition which went to find the missing Mexican, or chastise the 
mountain Pai-Utes. Meanwhile our Mojave guides prepared to take leave of us and return to 
the Colorado. They were loaded with presents of blankets and cast-off clothing, and were well 
content therewith. 
We determined to make a final effort to free our minds from doubts with reference to the 
continuance of the Mojave river, or rather to ascertain whether there existed a bed or channel 
for it entirely to the Colorado. As the dry bed of Soda lake lies a short distance below the last 
point of the river where a flowing stream has been seen, and as it was found covered with efflor¬ 
escent salts, giving it something of the character of the lakes farther north, in which streams of 
that country are lost, inference might lead to the conclusion that it should he classed in the same 
general system as the so-called Great Basin. Mr. Marcou and myself were inclined to entertain 
this idea. In opposition to it, is the popular belief, probably not without foundation, of the 
confluence of Mojave river with the Colorado. 
In making inquiries of the Indians we were cautious not to incline their minds to any 
preconceived notions of our own by asking leading questions. But we traced in the sand a 
depression to denote the valley of the Colorado, and in the middle represented the meandering 
river, which they recognised. Heaps of sand piled on each side, and called u sierras,” they 
understood to denote mountains. Our trail was then marked out, indicating the camps and 
the springs, and the mountains crossed, from the Mojave villages to the flowing water of Rio 
Mojave. Thence we represented the valley of that river by a channel scooped from the sand, 
indicating wdiere there was water, and where there was none. Then we inquired of the 
Indians whether or not that channel was lost in the lake. The guide understood the question, 
and instantly with his hand cut a passage through the heaps of sand that had been piled upon 
the ground-map for mountains around the lake, representing a continuous valley to the arroyo 
by which we had left the Colorado. Pointing along the line traced, he said it was a smooth 
arroyo, containing no water upon the surface, nor obstructed by hills ; but the valley was 
wide, level, and sandy throughout. When asked if the distance was great, he replied that it 
was ; and counting with his fingers, he indicated ten as the number of days required to travel 
it with our wagons. His previous estimates for a day’s march have averaged thirteen miles, 
making the length of the route by the river one hundred and thirty miles. 
We had an unexpected view this evening of the wide bottom-lands upon the river. After 
dark, the herders carelessly allowed the fire upon the right bank to seize the tall and thick grass. 
It spread with fearful rapidity. We rushed into it with wet blankets, and after laborious 
exertions succeeded in breaking the immense circle of flame so as to give security to camp. 
Uj>on the other side it rolled on, like a vast wave, down the valley. Fortunately the stream 
was wide enough to prevent its passage to the left bank, or it might have caused a serious 
calamity to the rear party which was advancing. It proved rather of service, enabling them 
to follow our trail to camp, where they arrived at 9 p. m. M'ournful tidings were brought of 
Torrivia, the lost Mexican herder. Our worst fears were realized. The first party that had 
