Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-10

friends whom we had left for short time and that oi
return We would bring them tobacco and other pre-
sents They promised to treat friends well, and
after general shaking Of hands, parted mutual.
pleased with each other
We encamped at on fork of Sab Watch creek
running to the eastward through broad grassy valley
and after rest of two hours resumed journey W.
had not proceeded far when noticed at short dis
tance to right singular-lookng object, which ap
peared to be rolling rather than walking the ground
On approaching it it proved to be decrep Utah squaw
bending under the weight of two packs Of buffalo robes
of which she bore her shoulders whilst the other
was suspended in front. She was much terrified when
we gaoped towards her. and although she made feeble
attempt to fly her shaking limbs bent under her. and she
sank to the ground paralyzed with fear. We however
treasured her. and got her to explain to the
being in this lonely region by herself Archiete being
interpreter. She told that three previous
party of her people going hunt buaoes had left
and another old woman in the mountains, neither Of
latter had horses and they we're unable 70 keep up
with the band foot Sh6*Addsd that they had sub
sisted meat left them by their tribe and ended by
telling that she had just buried her companion, who
had died the previous night and her way to
the summer rendezvous Of her people, adened with her
own and her companions packs. We informed her that
she would probably overake band of Utahs that night
the next day, and placed her their trail She
ed glad to receive this news and still when
turned our mules heads to leave her, though had
shown her all possible kndnessso hard is it in them
believe in the sincerity of white people.
The trail lead over some low hills and down
sion OF beautiful slopes, running mostly in southery
direction, until we entered narrow winding valley two
and half miles in length by hundred to two hundred
yards in breadth. 1t shut in each side by per-
pendcuar walls Of rock rising from fifty seyeny-fve
feet above the level of the valley whose surface
and carpeted with tender stream of clear water
through it's centre and the grade slight
that the stream overhowng its banks in many places
moistened its whole surface.
AS we descended this beautiful and singular valley we
occasionally passed others of similar character opening
into it. 1t ends in Sab Watch valley, which entered
about an hour before sunset.
We had here the choice of two routes the first
down SahWach valley its outlet the head of the
valley Of San Luis, which would have taken the
ground that had traversed in coming from Fort
Massachusetts, the second crossed Saltwater valley
here passed shorter and route and entered
San Luis valley where the Garta leaves the
tans We selected the last route
Coochatope Pass enters Sab Watch valley mile below
Carnero pass Crossing Sab Watch valley, half mile
broad and the creek about ten yards in breadth and
three feet in DEPTH travelled up valley for
short distance into the hills and encamped at dark4
miles; 1873 miles
July 3.-During the early part of the night the
quitoes swarmed around US, but it soon became cold
which drove them away. We delayed time
after sunrise in consequence of most of the mules having
gone astray they not recovered until
o'clock, when resumed our journey. Our
generally east, down succession OF valleys, whose
face level and moist, with hills rising abruptly
either side We great abundance of game, but
killed nothing but grouse These mountains TEEN with
antelopes and deer.
The valleys down which we travelled and which open
ed into each other like streets grew gradually broader
as descended. We finally entered watered by
Carnero Creek which joins the Garta in San Luis val
ley. and at encamped short distance above
gate gap through which the stream passes Half a
mile below this gap there is another, and quarter OF
mile further third the passage through them is level
whilst the trail around them steep and stony In the
afternoon went through the first gap, made circuit
round the second it obstruced with trees, and
leaving the third left rode some low hills,
and ve miles from camp crossed the Garita. We were
in San Luis valley and all before as far
the sight could reach perfect level We encamped
the Del Norte the setting behind the Pass
Williams 81 in which COL Fremont met with terrible
disaster in the winter of 184849 in sight of US,
near was he TO the object Of his search
From the plains this pass appears more practicable
than either the Carnero the Coochaope Passes but
it be raversed by mules only from the middle Of Au
gust until the first SHOWS fall early in December In
spring and until August the River Del Nsre, which flows
from it and is swollen with melting SHOWS, is the prnc
pal obstruction This pass is known to the Mexicans
the Puerto Del Rio DeiNorte the Pass of the Rio Del
Nore but Americans call it " Wiamss Pass" Through
it the shortest road Grand River it being day
shorter than by the Carnero and days shorter than
by the Coochatope The hills, for they cannot be called
mountains broken and rugged and appear to have
numerous passages between them, whilst the mountains
in which found the Carnero and Coochatope Passes
exhibit from the plains point where pass might be
supposed to exist.-48 miles; 1S6 miles.
Fourth Of Juy.--We sadded up at early dawn and fol-
lowed down the left bank of the Rio Del Nort crossing
numerous eSteros, soughs until encamped at PM
at the spot where had passed the first night out
from Fort Massachusetts We had made fortyhye miles
since morning and had travelled rapidly that the pack
animals did not get into camp until an hour later.
This being the anniversary Of countrys birthday,
and not having sufficient food for than meal
had dispensed with breakfast in order celebrate the
occasion at with the proper honors Some bitter
cornmeal and few scraps Of antelope meat which had
been often cued that what remained consisted of
shreds Of sinews constituted bill Of fare As
the banquet ended started with the intention Of
reaching the settlements the Culebra that night dis
lance of about forty miles As distinct trail led to
these hamets, the party could follow without guide
therefore took Peg Leg with They to encamp
that night Trnchera Creek pretty brook FIVE miles
from our noon camp, fringed with willows, and where
they would find abundant pasturage.
After riding eight hours at steady pace over plain
arrived midnight at q small village the Culebra
inhabited by Mexicans. The night warm and calm,
from the Trnchera clouds of mosquitoes filed the air
Both we and our mules much fatgued having tra-
yelled eighty five miles since morning after ride Of three
days through the mountains at the rate OF from forty to
| forty-eight miles each day.
invited into Of the huts, where couple Of
women commenced at once baking tortds thin cakes
Of dough baked piece Of sheet irony and boiling
goats milk with salt A sheep killed and penti-
supply of oros baked to be ready for party in
the morning and directed of the Mexicans start
early dawn to meet and guide them in
My blanket was spread the floor the fireplace
though was invited share bed made Of hides stretch
already occupied by three men, two women, two girls,
and four children, all more or less en- dtshabRte-85
miles 271 miles.
July 5.-Before daybreak the house was invaded by
lambs kids and pigs and all further attempts at sleep
we're vain and rode to the upper hamlets the
Culebra where there is excellent grazing The valley
here spreads out in meadow, perfect Of verdure
Il 81. ~ta,t nx-l...