Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-02-19

wHtu tne river CanOneu, anu we Wef
) drought 10 a s,and.' We, however
found small trail leading south, aroun
the western side of Mt. Turnbull, an
started on it, but, unfortunately, neglecte
TO water our animals, ard fill our canteens
expecting to strike the river again in
few miles. In this we were disappointed
We continued travelling south, leaving tn
river behind US. and ascending mountain
upon mountain" Found no water, an
il was TO late TO return 10 the river o.
looking back, we could see the Gila flow
ing off 10 the S. W.. and the Rio Sal
Francisco emptying into it directly north o
US. The latter appears to be considera
BILE stream, running south, through smal
valley. We sill keep our course up th'
mountains, in hopes of finding water, bu
fearful of having TO encamp without it
The mules belonging TO the Virginia an(
fleddenburg mess began TO fail they hal
ted in ravine, and declared they woult
90 no farther. but return in the morning tc
the river. The Texans. Capt. Dixon.
mess, and ourselves went on, toiing W
the ravine, and finally came to what wa:
apparently the end of the mountain w
were upon. Two or three persons descen
ded in search of water. and after a delay
of an hour. reported an abundance of wa.
ter in the ravine. This was joyful news ,c
US we had had none since morning. al.
though none Of US were suffering for want
OF it. We wound around the end of the
mountain, and descended several hundred
feet, into deep, dark, rocky defle, in the
bottom OF which ran small but pure rill
of water. Here we encamped, and turned
our animals up the side Of the mountain. TO
Craze upon the scattered lunches Of gram.
ma that grow amongst the rocks. We
here found several deserted Indian huts,
where they had encamped 10 prepare :heir
mezcaI. which grows in great abundance
amongst these mountains they had fur
mace OF stone built, in which they baked it.
The mezcal plan, resembles the pine apple
somewhat in appearance, but is Of more
luxuriant growth, and sends up a long
straight stalk, from 10 10 20 feet high,
bearing at the top number OF handsome
yellow flowers. We sent word Of our
good fortune to those we left behind, but
they failed 10 come up-think that their
animals will require several days rest be-
fore they will be able to proceed. A mu-
tual division of our small company mus,
take place, which is much 10 be regretted,
after having Travelled so far together. Oar
provisions are fast disappearing, which
oblise US TO push forward, while they have
a pretty good supply. We have little
breads,uf left, and but 4 or days rations
OF bacon, in this desoate region. There
are some sy ycamore trees in this ravine,
resembling the same species in the States
excepting the leaves. Distance, 30 miles
-l46i.
Thursday, July l9,-The first step
this morning was 10 ascend the high and
almost perpendicular mountain side, out Of
this ravlue,where in all probability the rays
of the sun never reach. We aImos, des.
paired of accomplishing the task, but az
Ter a hard struggle the mules reached the
summit. One poor animal, with heavy
pack, lost its equilibrium, fell down pre-
cipice, and rolled over several times, pack
and all, but soon recovered his footing,
and again commenced the tolsome ascent.
We then continued ascending and decend
ing one rugged steep after another. AS
far as the eye could reach, nothing presen.
ted itself 10 our vision but high mountains
and corresponding ravines. Our trail is
very ind;slnct, branching in different d.
rections, which satisfies US that we are fol-
lowing an Indian path, perhaps never trod
BY the foot o! white man Lefore. Occa.
sionally we could catch a glimpse Of the
GIa on its course. far off to the north.
We all walked leading our riding animals.
1t has been a most toilsome days march
on man and beast. We crossed several
small streams of wafer, in the beds of ar.
royas, which run a short distance and then
sunk in the sand. The prickly pear l.ad.
cd with fruit, has been very abundant for
some days. When ripe it is ola deep red
color, full of seeds, and Of a pleasant taste;
bu, beware Of the small sharp prickles, with
which the fruit and stalk is armed. About
12 O'Clock we reached the top of the
mountain and passed between two high
end rocky pillars. which lowered upon our
right and left. Here our further progress
appeared at an end. The path led down
into deep chasm. from which there did
not seem single point of egress. Sew
eral of rs started in search of passage in
the direction we wished TO travel ; others
oScended the pilIars 10 " view the land.