Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-03

broad rapid stream entirely swift and deep to ford
we continued down its right bank until we reached the
Eastern Fork Of the Colorado Grand ryer.) We we're
10 ma this river much swollen, for the tbuta
ries to 1t which we had crossed at their highest
stage OF water, but had anticipated so mighty
river. nowed with loud and angry current and its
waters roared sueny past loaded with the wrecks Of
trees uprooted by their violence Loud reports like the
booming Of heavy artillery constantly smoe our ears
caused by the cayng in of its cayey and sandy banks
This fork of the Great Colorado in the Middle Park
and gathers oil its head waters in that enclosure and
described by Fremont being large river one hundred
and thirty yards wide where breaks through its noun
tain rim and flows southwest.
1t was determined to make raft at once and place
where dead wood found in abundance was selected
for our encampment To reach it it necessary to
cross broad slough, where mules sank up to their
bellies in mud and which had carry all the
packs heads. This brought to an island Of
loose rotten SOIL covered with grease wood and some
coarse grass. We commenced at constructing the
raft We had shelter from the sum- which was in
tensey hot and the mosquitoes and gad- per-
fectly terrific.
T6e Pahrs-s-moot mountains descend from the north
Sna nina u a sbn point the western side
They described to aboundng in game Well
timbered On their plateaur found fine lakes filled
with excellent fish, meadows, streams &C. Our guide,
Archette spent three years trapping in them and says
that there is not richer country the continent They
are not laid down any of our maps.-28 miles 95l
miles.
June 24-Whst most of the party busily engaged
4
transporting the packs saddles, &c. to the point of
barkation all Of which had to be done under scorchng
sun and in the midst of deep mud, some explored the
banks Of the river ascertain if possible whether safe
place could be found to cavalcade The
river examined several miles above encampment
but its banks side every where marshy
the approach Of the mules to the water edge
AT the cncampment itself the ground was frmer but
feared drive them into the river this point because
not only very rapid and broad here but its oppo
site banks far down could see, were evidently
marshy and covered with thick jungle, from which
mules after the exhaustion of swimming rapid
stream would have been unable to extricate themselves
Towards noon the raft was completed and ready for
launching but we were far from feeling confident about
attempting to at this point. Archette who was
we'll acquainted with all the fords and crossing places
formed that better point could be found few miles
below the mouth of the Uncompagre, which flowed into
Grand river mile below As it evident that it
would involve the entire loss of animals and packs
attempt to them here, it determined
our camp further down without delay.
Every thing again transported to the main land
across the slough. The animals had much difficulty in
crossing this place. without loads with loads they
sank up their bellies into the mud from which it
very difficult to extricate them.
dirty, begrimed and forlorn looking party
never We covered with mud to waists.
Wherever the mosquitoes and gadhies could reach
skin they improved the opportunity most indusriousy
and some of US were covered with blsters and wets.
We al took share in this labor and perhaps those
worked hardest whose previous mode Of life had prepared
them the least for these hardships
Having transported every thing to dry land and got the
animals across the slough once more packed them and
resumed journey, following down the left bank Of
Grand river until came to the Unconpagre, short
distance above its mouth.
Some Of the largest animals selected to carry the
packs across their feet barely touching the bottom,
whilst the strength of the drove the
their backs Some of the mounted horses led the
pack animals and prevented their being carried down the
stream where the water vas deeper. One mule with a
valuable pack having gone in Of her accord without
being led carried away lost her foothod and sank
The weight of the pack too great to allow her to
swim She swept down the stream with great rapid
y rolling over hep!essy until entirely lost to sight
by bend in the river Some of the party swan
and one, benumbed by the codness Of the water and
hausted by struggling against the stream, would have
been drowned had he not been prordentay seized just
as his strength had entirely failed him.
1 We encamped few miles below the Uncompagre, on
the left bank of Grand river upon bluff from which
had fine view oft and Of the Pahre noun
tans opposite Our tormentors the mosquitoes, did
fail to welcome us with loud buzz as soon as dis
mounted; whilst the drone Of the gadfy, which might
with propricty be termed the ria nas of the plains,
gave notice that he about thrsting for our blood
Wherever he inserted his proboscs the sensation like
that of redhot darnng needle thrust into the aesh and
followed by Of bool The mules and horses
suffered terribly by these flies
Our provisions by losses in the river and getting dam
aged by water, fast diminishing, and it deemed
prudent at this time to put ourselves limited allow
ancc it uncertain how long might be detained
in crossing this river and the Avonkara and Upper Co
dorado.
IL WheH we got 70 anu, AFTER day OF
toll, exposure, and annoyance, nothing could be
done than to select the OF which make canoe
and the place TO launch IL for all idea Of crossing
raft abandoned. few miles below encampment
the river shut in by caon towards which il drove
with great swftness A raft carried into this caion
would have been to pieces in moment, without
chance for the it. save their hves-5 miles
| 956 miles.
June 25-At early dawn most of the party commenced
working the The only tools We had were two
dull and two hatchets large cottonwood tree was
elled for this PURPOSE and it hoped to have the
noe finished the next day The wood, being green aud
full Of sap, hard to cut aud heavy that chips Of it
sank when thrown into the water
The river still maintains the level, and the bot
tom land is overfowed and marshy. The high lands
which encamped composed OF loose, rotten
soil, producing vegetation but stuned sage bushes.
We have game for two days except occasional
sage rabbitso called from living these fields OF wild
sage, (artesnisa) Ia largo species.
The pack lost yesterday with the mule drowned in the
Uncompagre contained many articles OF Importance TO
besides all piaei (parched cornmeal Wagner and
George lost every thing
at this point the course of the river is from northeast
to southwest and is parallel with the Pah
tans The latter appear to rise IN terraces upon which
we perceive much timber.
The work the continued steadily all day.
though Of the party entertained grave doubts about
crossing in 1t besides the two rivers beyond Grand riv-
sad be larger and their swter than
this Archette said that he had the river
high and that is owing to the unusual quantity Of
which fell in the mountains last winter The wind rose
o'clock and blew with violence until sunset which
relieved in o from mosquitoes but they re-
turned in fresh swarms q as IL lulled.
June 26-0pposite &c eucampment is the old Fort
Roubideau," now abandoned and in ruins Ii was for
mery trading post belonging the brothers Rouhdeau
Of ST Louis Missouri, who carried lucrative trade
tha .ha for nplfr