10 
VISITS FROM INDIANS. 
Caballados, once the property of the Mexican ranchero, and now furnishing rations tor the 
ruthless Cayoteros. 
We commenced the ascent of the slope beyond, and camped at sunset without water, having 
made 25.5 miles. During the day parties were out hunting water, hut returned unsuccessful; 
one party completely turning the southern end of the playa, where water is indicated upon the 
sketch, and another going in search of the “brackish pools” on its eastern margin. 
March 1.—Glot oif at 1 a. m.; took a straight course for the point of the mountains, expecting 
to find water, in accordance with the statement of our guide, in a canon to the right of the Dos 
Cabezas. Here again disappointment met us, and left us now the only alternative to reach the 
spring in the Puerto del Dado, for which we immediately set out, having at the same time 
parties penetrating the canadas and valleys on our left,-with, however, hut faint hopes of finding 
that which our animals stood so much in need of. During the night we passed over a per¬ 
fectly smooth hut gradually ascending grassy plain ; hut while skirting the bases of the foot- 
slopes from the Dos Cabezas, it became, as we advanced, somewhat undulating, our trail cross¬ 
ing valleys and their divides. At 1 p. m. we reached the summit of the pass, heyond which 
we encountered really a rough country. Still continuing on our course, we crossed a great 
number of valleys and canadas near their sources, having much difficulty with our wagons 
upon the steep descents and ascents. Finding the much desired water, we encamped in a small 
triangular valley with an abundance of grass and wood, about 2.3 miles from the summit. 
While crossing the divide a few Apaches made their appearance, showing themselves only to 
the rear of the train. Two or three of our men approached them, and were saluted with cries 
of ££ muchos amigos.” 
After a short parley they were satisfied of our peaceable disposition, and followed us into 
camp. Made to-day twenty-three miles—in all, without water, fifty-five miles. 
March 2.—Remained in camp to-day; took hourly observations of the barometer. The 
weather was cold and disagreeable, with raw and high winds coming down from the summits 
to the southeast of us. Our animals are now doing well, having an abundance of fine grama 
grass, and, by husbanding, a sufficiency of water. The spring is situated near the head of a 
lateral Canada, about five hundred yards from camp. The water is cool and good-tasted, hut 
unfortunately the supply is limited, the small basin being emptied last evening before our 
mules were satisfied. Happily there is another in a valley near by, which was shown us by 
the Indians. Judging from the number and depth of trails in this vicinity, these springs are 
much frequented by the Apaches. Around camp there grows an evergreen oak, generally 
dwarfish, and of hut little service other than for fire-wood. At and near the summit of the 
pass large masses of granite and volcanic rocks are found, outcropping and heaped up into 
lofty peaks on either side. During the day many Indians visited our camp, some to beg and 
others to sell mules. They are about to move their camp, the water giving out on the other 
side of the summit, according well with our experience. 
March 3.—Again took up our line of march, the road leading down the dry bed of a Canada, 
in places narrow and tortuous. Opening out on the plain of the valley of Sauz, there lies in 
our front, about twenty-four miles distant, a low range of mountains, hare, rugged, and 
peaked, extending from the Gila southward. On our left a continuation of the ridge from the 
Dos Cabezas northward, while on our right the view was intercepted by this same ridge extend¬ 
ing 11.5 miles eastward. From the mouth of the Canada our trail passes close to the base of 
this ridge, crossing at right-angles the slopes and valleys making from it. 
Reaching the extremity of the ridge, or rather the point of its turning to the south, our road 
makes directly for a sharp peak crossing the valley, diagonally passing over a uniform slope 
down to the stream, which we reached just at dark, having made twenty-five miles. 
In this vicinity there are neither trees nor hushes to indicate the course of the stream. There 
is no main bed or channel, the water ramifying through small narrow ditches, or spreading 
