The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-07-27

All things being at last adjusted at 10 A. NJ
On the Fourth of July in the morning,
The Beetles" iovial band,
Struck their tent, and prepared for returning,
From the beautiful, bold Rio Grande.
Mr.. Hill, Mr. Demng, Mr.. Shlffer an
others shook hands with us heartily, and
wished us a pleasant journey. Glad were
we to shake off the dust of our fesG, on leaV-
ing the miserable place. The dizziness OF
the mining region, had Driven numbers OF
the more worthless mines into town, where
they staggered about the saloons, ana
gambling houses, filling the side walks,
and seeking quarrel with any one VINO
might cross their path. Nearly every man
in Del Norte carried a revolver, and in
the absence of law, were law unto them
eelvas-and life was held at cheap rate.
AS Stebbins said cit was glorious town to
move FROM" Our teamster Joel Fisk, was
careful of his team, and although not mueh
OF driver, was accomm odating and did as
well as be knew to get us over the route
safely and speedily. For the first miles OF
the road the sun was intensely hot and
the road fealfrlly dusty, but shortly after
noon a fine breeze sprang up, and we BOWED
along merrily over the hard and smooth
road. At Venerables Rancho ID N les out,
we stopped for lunch under the shade OF
some willows-upon crackers and milk,
corned beef and canned peaches, while our
horses snatched hasty bite OF grass.
Here we fired noon salute from our reyol'
ers. The noise was not much, but then
there were none but ourselves to hear it, and
it swered as well as If they had been "a
FOUNDERS. Att we started with spanking
breeze, lifting the dust IN clouds. and giving
us coat of grey. Night found US on the
bOundless plain OF the st. Louis Park,
about Is miles from Del Norte. Lightnings
were playing around the crest of the lofty
Sangre de Christie Peak a full-Orbed moon lit
up tie scene with an intense brightness, while
far behind us we could see.the huge benf;e
in Del Norte, cleaning on the horizon
like star in the midst of the ocean. :"
We had seen many Antelopes during the
afternoon, but they were too wary and kept
ut distance Of one or two miles away from
US. At shutdown we stopped for supper,
on the bord ers of ST.. Louis Lake, but the
water was very low and unfit for drinking,
so we were dependent on what was contain
ed in our canteens. This lake is mere
pond in the desert, when the waters Of the
st. Louis river and the Sauguache creek
rise 20 the surface, having sunk out OF sight
about miles above, and after flowing
through this lake, are again lost to sight TOR
several miles. when the river or creek again
: comes to the surface, AID flows into the Rio
} lGrande. The waters of tie lake were very
low at this time, and very muddy, being the
resort of thousands of cattle as well as ante
Ilopes and other Id animals who stirred up
it's shallow depths. Wild fowl were numerous
on its surface, but they kept ont of reach
of our sportsmen. Here we pitched our
camp on the dry sand, and slept till morn
ling. On Monday we started at 6:45 and
travelled till 9, when we stopped for break
fast near the sand hills which had doomed
lup before us all the day previous. These
drifting sands are heaped up near the foot
of the mountain range, which rises perpen-
dicularly almost out Of the plain without
any foot hills. The sand lies in heaps for
several miles, and in some places rises to the
height of 400 feet. The hills had been in
sight all the day previous, and on entering
the plains looked so near, that Stebbins said
he could walk to them in two hcurs-and
vet we travelled 80 miles before reaching
them The trail led across the lower ex-
] tremity Of these Sand BILLS, and on entering
them. all had to dismount as our driver
said it would be impossible for the horses TO
| draw the load-so all took to their feet,
except Paul, who was troubled with head
ache and infalned eyes. and could not en-
dure the scorching sun-and oh that
weary, weary tramp through the clustering
burning sand, where the feet sank ankle
deep in the heated particles which closed in
on our footsteps, and left no track behind
with the fierce rays of July sun burning
into our very brains. For eight long miles
we plunged forward, and to use the express
sion of Mr.. Deming, who had been through
it short time previous, !. was like walk
i ing IN bin of red-hot wheat" II did seem
to us, that we should never live to get
through It. The poor horses lightened OF
their load. stopped at every few rods to
pant, the wheels sank ALMOST to the axles
and yet left no ruts. At length after incredible
fatigue, we reached the limit of the scorch- |
ing drifts and rejoiced to find ourselves again
on terra frma, fully resolved that we would
never again trust ourselves in this Gshenna
even If we had to go q hundred miles further
to avoid it. Almost ready to drop with the
heat and the labor of walking in the yielding
material, we found rest in Rancho at the |
entrance TO the Mosca Pass. A fresh cool
mountain spring and copious drafts of new