Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-07-07
Original Sketthes.
ACROSS THE PLAINS.
by REYNOLDS s. PATTERSON.


The cattle, horses and mules were
without food and for much of the time
even water, and in the space of two or
three days became nero skeletons in
hides, and so weak the strongest of them
you could push down with your hand,
and now began dropping down and dying
at the rate of ten and twelve head in
twenty-four hours, as to us, their drivers,
though We had food along that would sus-
tain life, yet not being able to cook, not
for want of time SO much as because of
the blowing dust-we tried on one occa-
sion when we fell in with good water to
make some coffee or tea and had to give
it up. Our chief articles of consump-
ton were the kiln-dried cornmeal men.
toned heretofore, and raw middling.
CoDjoined to plaques was that Of having
to prevent the animals from drinking the
river or any other water infected with
alkali, for that was sure death to them
unless saved by the remedy We had often
hitherto administered, but had no time
now to try, viz : throwing them down in
stantly and ramming down their throats
piece Of fat middling weighing from one
to two pounds, according to the amount
of alkali water partaken or supposed to
be partaken. This trouble of keeping
half furnished cattle from water when
they saw it was indeed "a great one.
We travelled very slowly of course,
and though the Humboldt is not long
river, know we were many days de-
scending from where we first struck it
down to where it sinks into the desert
and disappears wholly-as to where it
goes or discharges itself, there is, | be-
lieve, several theories. The sink of the
Humboldt is certainly great curiosity
there is no rush of waters pouring down
a great hole, but quiet lying great
lake in the midst of widc-sproading,
sandy desert. AS we approached it lay
directly in front Of US and in our way
so that VIC had TO turn our course and
travel considerable distance around its
shores, and further, now that it was 80
high and full in many places, so much
so as to overrun its ordinary limits and
form ponds of water, around which also
we had to wind our way. When here
at this lake we still had some forty odd
miles of blank, sandy desert to cross be-
fore coming to Trukee river, directly on
the opposite of which the country be-
came rich and grass, some three or four
feet high, abundant, (another wonder
in this country of wonders We drove
day and night Of course to reach the
other side Of this Jordan, but as during
the day it was cloudy and rained COM
Portable shower and the route devoid Of
hills and rocks, things we're not so I'M
favorable as they had been and these
forty odd miles were Travelled over com
paratively comfortable by us all, but for
the fact we were now already completely
worn out and unfit to 60 farther without
rest and refreshments. at least so il
turned out with three or four Of the
party, myself included.
forgot to sav that at the sink Of the
Humboit we fed the horses and mules
remaining on some shelled Germ brought
along BY the Boss for this especial occa-
sion, quart each night aud morning,
and the oxen with plant growing in
the water on the edge Of the lake called
TuIee, kind of tall flag, that looks like
corn. This food rallied them very much,
and the mules especially, one Of which
on the morning Of our leaving the lake
| mounted, as could not go farther on
foot. Another man, tho oldest one OF
party, was mounted and was, with my
self, expected 10 do the cattle driving
principally whilst crossing the desert
that day and night. This old man and
myself got along some kind Of way, ]
don't know how, until about the middle
of the night, when saw him drop from
his mule % the sand lie was some
distance behind me, and as the Boss and
wagons were still behind him, | kept on
without turning back 10 see what was
the matter. Not long after | myself
fell of while asleep | suppose. and there
laid until the next day, about the mid
die Of the day, a broiling hot sun shin
ing down upon me. Upon waking re.
collected having noticed the cattle and
wagons travelling unusually fast and Of
every thing having passed and gone
ahead of me. | also recollccted Of hav-
ing been wholly indifferent ms to these
facts, past aud futurc, except the fact
that | was furnishing for watcr. be-
lieve TO quench my thirst was the motive,
more than any other. impelcd me to get
up and 90 farther. / knew | was not
very far from the Trukoo and that il
was the smell Of water had given this
impetus to the cattle To burrying for
ward, so got up and followed after.
There was a rise in the desert just here
and after reaching tho top thereof, to
my great delight. saw just ahead Of me
u tent and some men walking about il.
When got TO il found il was res
taurant in Tho wilderness. Two men
having water aud bread for sale had
! pitched this tent. got a tin cup OF