Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-01-22

were alarmed by cries of distress near our
camp; we answered, and CROPPED our way
toward them as well as We could in The
dark their continued cries served to guide
us to them, when we found them to be a
company Of Mexcans. who had been scat
tend, aud driven Out Of their way by the
storm; they we're very much alarmed, and
dad not move from the spo, until day light
Thi. morning. company of emisran's.
! in 10 encnmp, where We had left. They
had been without water since the mornn.
before.
| We have had comfortable breeze TO
day, and our Course has led over rather
barren plain, br"ken BY mounds and rocky
peaks. amongst which We wound our way.
One cluster OF conical shaped mounds
rising up. one behind the other, reminds me
Of picture upon the cover Of my old
scho"l Atlas. representing the heights Of
the different mountains in the world. The
general scenery to-day. has been grand,
gloomy. and picturesque. We are now
Obliged to Use the dry branches OF the
Cactus ior fuel. Found some wild peas to-
day of which our animals are very fond; pas
sed through some patches Of wild fax. and
saw great variety Of wild 1o~ers,b but be-
ing no Bo,anIst, L can not give their names;
they are altogether strange to me. and pc.
cu'iar 10 the country and climate. En-
camprd on a ssna II dry stream. in the bed
Of which. were few holes Of wafer, so sal
ty that we could scarcely use il; bu, stern
necessity compels us 10 drink or die. Some
wood and grass. DI-'ance.ls miles-7Ol.
Tuesday. May 29.-To day our road
ran through valley bounded on the north,
west. and sou'h. by high peaks. pyramid.
shaped hills. and mounds, covered with
scrubby growth Of cedars the grass is all
dried up. and we found no wafer until {
o'clock, P. NJ, when we came TO a duch,
filled with red. muddy wafer. Our animals
drank without measure; when l tasted. |
found it 50 nauseous lha, could no, drink.
We were Obliged 10 encamp, and make the
most Of il. This is q watering place for a
dock Of several thousand sheep: they are
grazed 10 The neighborhood. .snd driven into
a natural fold in the mountain. where they
are watched by shepherds and dogs. The
plain to-day has been covered with bear
grass: the root resembles pine apple.
from which large top Of coarse grass
springs up, very sharp at the ends. The
animals are afraid Of il, and Iurn out
of its way when in the road. A stalk
grows out of the center. 10 the height Of
several feet. bearing a white. dropping
flower. Distance 20 miIes-72i.
Wednesday,. May 3O.-Wh'le the teams
were passing through the outlet Of the val.
ley. | cIanbe,ed 10 the top Of one Of the
high ridges. The mountains appear to be
composed ofred sand, or granite rock. those
uppermost, were very much washed and
worn by wafer, although from the presen,
parched appearance OF the country it would
be natural to think that it is never visited
BY rain. found sone rich specimens of
iron ore OF which mineral there is undoubt
edly great abundance in these mountains.
Saw number Of mpcking birds. and it did
the good to hear these little sonss,ers. i'm
i,at,ng The various birds o: The Country;
only regretted that could not listen 10
them any longer. Shortly afterwards, we
found the country more brokec. Cedar
appears to be the only wood, except a few
pines. the odor Of which, when we
broke the twigs. resemble a good ripe az.
pie. Passed large flock Of sheep and
goa,s. herded by dogs and several wrelched
looking Mexicans. We purchased sheep
for S. so, and lamb for hall price the
mutton tasted very good. The wool grown
n this country is remarkably coarse. no
regard being paid TO It's improvement. al
hough this country is we'll adapted to
wool. growing. Here We found u basin oi
water in the rock, strongly impresna,ed
with salt and sheepishness we walered
,ur stock. and proceeded until 6 o'clock.
~hen We encamped las We supposedly with
~. wood or wafer, but found a small
spring Of water abou. mile from camp.
:. here we obtained scsn,y supply. Cactus
or fuel. Distance, Is miles-746.
Thursday, May 3i.-The country to
lay has the usual rough. billy appearance;
un very powerful this morning, and not a
,rea,h Of air stirring. Overlook a pack ,
mule company who had lost the greater ,
,ar, Of their stock during the night they
sere 10 an unpIeasan, situation. and we .
greed 10 carry part Of their baggage 10
he first Mexican town. Found no water q
n,il evening, when We encamped on a q
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