The Santa Fe weekly gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.T. [i.e. N.M.]) 1851-1854, 1853-09-24

are neither cahons nor mountains although the
country appears very rough and mountainous both
to the north and south Of u.s. To the north the
rocks are black and irregular, and seem to be vol.
canic; whilst the cliffs to the south are Of red
sandstone. The banks at the crossing are low,
rocky and unrhanging, and the current exceedingly
rapid.
We followed the river up for five miles, and se-
lected crossing where it is some 200 yards wide
and 20 or % feet deep. We succeeded in finding
little drift-wood, Of which we made raft.
Four men took charge Of it, and Il was carried
some three miles with the current before 1t could
be landed. The heights were covered with indians,
in readiness to shoot US down. | started down
with four men to follow the raft and protect the
men who were upon it. having ordered the camp
to move down in haste. Having unloaded the raft
upon the eastern bank, the men recrossed the
river, and we selected camp opposite the place
where the baggage was deposited, and during the
night kept up constant fire with our rifles across
the river, and in this manner protected from the
indians.
The animals were taken to the crossing had
first selected, 10 swim the river. took them up
with three men on the west bank, and four men
received them on the opposite SIDE This detained
us half day, and altogether we were detained
five days in crossing the river.
The drift.wood Of which we constructed our
little raft appeared to have been cut by beavers
These animals must be exceedingly abundant, as
they destroyed during the first night the ropes
with which our raft was bound together, and car
ried off the timber The loss Of the ropes was a
great inconvenience to US. We set a guard after
wards at night over our second raft, to protect it
froT a similar fate.
The river showed signs Of having been some Is
feet higher than when we crossed 1t. It is here a
grand and magnificent stream, swift like the Mis-
sisspp, and apparently as well adapted to naviga-
ton.
The place Of our crossing is well suited to bridg-
ing, or ferriage by steam or otherwise.
We saw no waterfowl about the river, and only
a few antelope and black-tailed deer. East Of the
river we encountered a great many rattleshakes
of an uncommonly large size. They seem to be a
new species, as their tails are covered, for some
six inches from the point, with alternate white and
black rings Of hair or bristles, about quarter Of
an inch long.
According to my observations the Colorado Of
the west is set down upon the maps greatly toc
far to the east, perhaps as much as 100 miles.
The indians were constantly in sight and watch.
ing our movements They could not be induced
to approach US but assured US, across the river
that they were Mohaves
On one occasion whilst a. rest for few minutes
in deep gulley, about mile from the crossing on
the west side Of the river, Mexican mule-boy
discovered something glistening upon the ground
which on examination proved to be gold, We al
once commenced washing sand in our tin cups, and
in every one discovered particles of gold. This
gold was discovered in dark coarse sand, and .
black heavy sand was found in the cup after
washing away the gravel The sandy soil was SC
compact that we could not dig it up with our fin
gers. The indians being still on the heights neal
u.s. and our party being separated by the river, thu
danger was so great that we could not remaiI
longer at this spot. intended to return again
but the indians became so numerous that it wa,
impossible to do so. This gulley is on the righ
bank of the river, and the head Of it is in very
rough and rugged mountain.
July 9th. We washed sand on the east side OIL
the river, and found gold in greater abundance
than on any previous occasion. myself WASHED
a tin cup full Of yellow clay, and found about q
cts worth Of the pure metal A Mexican boy, OF
washing frying-panfull Of coarse sand, fount
from 40 to 80 particles Of pure gold, some OIL
which were as large as the head Of pin. W,
took the clay and sand from the top Of the grounc
without digging. The appearance Of the countr!
also indicates gold. made no further examina
ton, as our animals had subsisted for days upol
the chamezo, without blade Of grass, and ou
provisions had been damaged in the Colorado
which must cause US to travel several days with
out anything to eat.
To-day we maoe 10 miles east. The country i
without wood, water or grass.
July 28th Two Of our men being sick, W
were compelled to return to the river on their &C
count.
Struck it some Is miles below the crossing, an
found that from near that point il makes con
siderable bend towards the east. The ceuntr
here does not indicate gold, nor could we find an.
on washing the sands.
July 20th The condition Of our sick men oh
liged US to remain in camp all day. Our animal
were in starving condition, as there is not par
ticle Of grass on or near the river,
July 30th. Left the river and travelled ID mile
east and miles northeast. A sick Mexican wa
SO much exhausted that we were compelled I
make for mountain north Of us which indicate
water but we found neither water, timber, no
grass.
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