The Arizona sentinel., 1886-02-20

a shallow bar near the Sonora shore impeded our progress when lesson in river naviga tion was afforded the novices, when the Gilas stern was thrown upon bar, her nose pointed down stream so that strong cur rent was dehected on to a certain point, and but few minutes sufficed to cut through a channel over which we passed readily.
 High mesa bluffs now appeared and soon the buildings of the town of Lerdo hove in sight; rapidly we neared our destination on the high banks of which Mexican Caballeros mounted and in their picturesque garb en- livened the scene. In less than two hours freight and passengers were landed, when Commodore Bateman's trim yacht, Doubt ful, with white sails filled, swept like a swan round the bend and with her crew and officers of Indian sailors swung graceful ly along side, and willing hands hastily transferred her treasures of luscious clans and oysters, and appetising blue fish to the -custody of our Steward, and when next
 'That all-softenng, overpowcring knell, The tocSin of the soul-the dinner bell,
 called us together vote of thank was ten dsred the jovial Commodore Bateman for this tangible evidence of good will, the cab in tables were decorated with garlands of wild flowers gathered by the ladies from the mesa adjacent to Commodore B.'s Lerdo home.
 Homeward bound wood was taken on, and head Chief Hockorow, of the Cocopah Nation, his dark face beaming with pleas ure. saluted our commander with "How! Polhamus, long time me no see, no catch um boat comida heap long," which states manlike and diplomatic salute was duly recognized with bounteous repast at the galley mess, and the distended abdominal recess of the Chieftian gave ample evidence of his labor of love.
 It is a known fact, beyond dispute, that Commodore Polhamus has more influence for good, with all of the river Indian tribes, than any other living man, all owing to the perfect confidence placel in his word, the outgrowth of system strictly fair and hon. orable in dealing with these people since the year '56
 Without other incident of note, save the startling of immense fiocks of crane, pelican, duck end other aquatic birds, and the pass ing of lone trapper, one fthose characters peculiar to the frontier, who with contempt for civilized ways with gun trap and dog,
 ''Hath fixed his face
 In many solitary place
 Against the wind and open skyr
 Viewing 1nis terra incognita from travel er's standpoint, and the evidence of the vir- gin game country at the Colorado's mouth: waterfowls, fish, seawater bivalves Tn pro- digal quantity, with deer on the main land, and then to tourists weary and satlated with a continued round of monotonous same ness, this is rejuvenating and happy change.
 When 1t is known look for this to be, favorite route of the popular excursion trips Tending much to the enjoyment Of the voyage would be the novelty of the Hu- ma Indian crew, all stalwart specimens of physical manhood, from the magnificent superbly modelled ''Yuma Charley" wheels man and pilot, barefooted, blue trousered, the th!n gauge shirt showing the play of brawny muscles and broad shoulders, adown which his straight, black, glossy hair hangs near to his waist, guiltless of hat, his mas sive face, keen eyes, looking in all like some demi- god in bronze, to the bowsman whose monotonous chant at low water of "'Af-f-f three-e-e, fo-o-o feet, rings in musical notes to the listening pilot above, all go to make up a scene rare, delightful, soothing.
 A round-robbin vote of thanks was pres ented the genial gentlemen comprising the officers of the Colorado Steam Navigation Company for the exceeding courtesy extend ed, and Commodore Polhamus, Capt. Joe Godfrey, Purser Taylor, and Chief Engineer Muzzy will always occupy favored nook in the hearts of the guests of the Gila on this her maiden excursion down the Cobra l do of the West. TAYLOR D. MACLEOD.