The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-07-02

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Notes Of an Overland Journey TO California.
HUMBER FOUR.
Ap'fI 3-This is indeed an oasis in the desert
1t Is one Of the most beautiful and romantic spots
have ever seen. II is a pure spring Of water run
ning through narrow pass between two high
mountains, with beautiful green trees growing from
the entrance to where the stream breaks through
the cracks Of the rocks where the two mountains
JOIN The spring after breaking over the rocks
runs over smooth pebbly bed for about one hun
dred yards and then suddenly disappears, and then
comes up again about so yards further down. and
after running short distance further it disappears
altogether, although the ground is perfectly level
where It disappears and rises again. There is a
cave in the side Of one Of the mountains about 2J feet
deep and high, its sides are covered with Indian
signs and names Of men that have passed along
here tor years back. saw inscription written
IN Spanish that was dated A. d, 1850. There was
party OF Is Americans passed through here about
lO days ago. and their names are inscribed in
various places. On the side of the mountain that
fronts the entrance to the spring, they painted an
American flag with Gen. Zachary TayIor's name
on IT. and under ii the initials of the Captains name
(T. J. CD which will remain there probably for
many years. |, well as the rest Of the boys. was
ambitious enough to inscribe our names also. for
the benefit of those that may follow us. Il i
probable that we will remain here two or thtee
n rGrFlt 1frrr asasrs. Il. e. A.. n
of, and we not half way over the desert vet
It is 70 miles to the next water unless we are for
tunate enough to come across place where there
has recently been rain, but the guide says there is
not much chance of our finding any. As was
under the impression that we would come to place
in few days where we would be able to get pro-
visions, did not take more than sufficient for six
days, mot wishing to pack more than was abso.
luteiy necessary We have been out DAYS
already, and it is probable that we will be or 9
more before we come to any settlement fear
that Ned and l. together with some others, will fare
rather badly for or s days We had little corn
lett that we intended for our mules we took il and
Parched and pounded it up, and We find it makes
very good hominy when boiled it will last or s
days, so hope we will not starve.
Apra At was generally understood yesterday
that we would remain at this place until to-mor-
row, but the order this morning is to be ready to
start at u NJ l find that our old pack mule has a
large lump on his side, and the young mule has a
very sore back, which is general complaint with
all our animals, owing, presume, to our not
knowing how to pack mules properly They do
not look as if they were fit to go days without
water, over a rough, rocky and sandy road. We
arfa ad ar / NJ and IL
stony road until dark, and then camped for the
night
april 5.-our guide having lost his horse last
night, he was compelled to go and hunt for him.
we waited until o'clock, and left five men for
him, and the balance went on and camped about IL
o'clock in an open plain to wait for them to come
up. After we had got our mules unpacked and
unsaddled, some of the boys made fire to cook
breakfast. The wind was blowing rather fresh.
and the grass being dry and tail it took fire. and we
had to hurry on our packs and leave in double
quick time. Fortunately our things were to the
windward of where it caught, or else we would
not have escaped. We came on about3 miles, and
camped at or near the foot Of a mountain, where
we are now. anxiously waiting for the balance Of
our party with the guide, to come up. The sun is
most intolerably hot and the only shade that we
can get is by throwing our blankets over a little
bush, and putting heads under it, In this
manner Ned and are at present situated, while of
at little distance is the Captain and several others
telling what they will do il the Indians attack us.
for we are ON the lookout for them, and know net
at what moment they may be down on us, Cat
least so the Captain says for all day yesterday we
were coming across fresh trails, and this morning
hair siO fires ho all 81
they come we will give them warm reception.
but do not think they will attack u.s. What trou-
bles me most now, is that one of our gourds got
broken and the other one cracked this morning
and Ned and | find ourselves entirely without
water, and tits supposed we will not come to water
until tomorrow evening. The guide and the
others have just come up, and the order is to move
on. We took the road and travelled quite briskly
until O'Clock, P. M, the guide lost the trail and
we were forced to camp for the night, without a
quart Of water in camp, and being the second night
that our animals will be without water.
april 6.-Camp was reused at 81 o'clock, and
every body got ready as soon as possible, for we
were all without water. While the guide was
hunting for the trail mule belonging to one Of the
party got loose, and started off in a walk on the
back trail, the owner started after him. not thinking
it necessary to call any help him; soon after
the guide having found the trail, we all started of
as fast as we could, being anxious to get to water
as soon as possible, not thinking il necessary to
wait for the man that went back after his mule,
that he would catch up in few minutes.
The young mule that we got in Cinegas having
never been used before, soon gave signs Of giving
out and for the last two days we had great diff
Guilty in getting him along. This morning he
gave out entirely, and Ned and were left far
behind Ned remained with me, it being the only |
mule we had between us to ride. After the sun
rose the heat was intense, Ned and | being weak
from the want of food and water, mot having had
any thing since yesterday morning, and then only
little coffee and small piece Of corn cakes) and
having to drag and drive the poor mule along over
the hot dusty road, we gave out too and more than
once we lay down on the road resolved perish or
wait until we could obtain relief from some Of the
party after they found water; my tongue was
swollen and parched, and | could scarcely speak.
Ned did not suffer as much did, for he had water
the evening previous, and he did not exert himself
in trying to drag the mule along, for he was ahead
until sent word for him to stop and help me-
The last time laid down l thought i, was all up
with me after laying few minutes / made one
more struggle, and after rising to my feet looked
around and thought | saw water ahead Of Us,