New-York tribune., 1901-08-11

men. The whole scene seemed but few ham
dred yards away This. We were told. may be
observed almost any morning IN the year
The next surprise the mirage gave US was
near the Pagago Indian Reservation one
morning we presented the picture of a
lively city. The houses and the markets were
plain and the inhabitants, wearing their serapes
and sombreros. Many were going TO church,
the water carriers were hurryinS about men
on mustangs were going here and there, and
there was nlistaking the fact that 10 was a
real city, We learned afterward Shat 1T was
the town of Magdalena, Mexico, hundred
miles south
But the most wonderful OF all the scenes is
that of the Jim Jam Valley. in the san Ber-
nardino Mountains. over tie Arizona line IN
Southern California From Y1-Z3 20 the noun
tains We passed n-any scenes, TIE Incst IN,
teresting being the mud "yoicanoeS The nud
is thrown up from many openings. some springs
spoutIng several feet in height There IS a con-
tinual making and destruction OF mud PIES.
These so-called volcanoes are sometimes below
sea level and generally quite cold, though a re"
are boiling hot Both are accompanied By
rumbIing noise One the skeletons of many
birds that in their search Tor water. haEe
pershed by the fumes OF the volcanoes we
saw the remains of mOcking birds, golden eagles
and the Mexican snow bird
When entered the Jim Jam Valley through
Dead Mans Pass the sun was shining brilliantly
We had not gone far when we witnessed strange
things. The walls of the cliffs are frightfully
scared and the peaks twisted into tortured
forms Not living creature of any kind in
habits the valley which is only twenty miles
or in length and probably half wide. So
far as we could tell when in our right senses. not
this valley Yet. We saw many lakes and rivers
and foliage, and birds and water fowl which
vanished proceeded and formed again be-
yOnd. We strange beasts coming toward
US in all directions. which made us restless.
ard the women of party almost hySteTica
The women were all correspondents of Eastern
and Southern papers and were prepared for the
worst.
Beyond we saw Indians in their canoes and
thought to reach them. but they. too vanished
In their stead a mountain rise in a lake
Of silver. Great birds of different hues seemed
to hover over the lakes: beautiful trees. with
fantastic forms, hung the water The
mountain seemed to move. and it moved. its
summit was crowned by great BAH OF blue
fire, which surrounded by a halo OF Iirht
We were astOnished to the mountain near
ing US OF course. knew il was an Illusion
but when the mountain top appeared 10 break
quite unstrunS- The women We're almost pros
trated We knew that a storm was brewing so
we fastened back The storm broke before we
reached Dead Mans Pass the lightning flash
ing on all sides of us forming in crosses. stars
haloS and other fantastic forms. The thunde-
the mountains and the very atmosphere
Upon leaving the valley a feeling of relief
came TO us. and we all agreed that if il had
not been named certainly would call it The
Jim Jam Valley. We all had one feeling
that of a fascination about the desert and
those who have lived there always want 70 re-
turn Ii is only fair to say that the same
KIND OF land known as the desert, is grow
ing the orange, the lemon. and other tropical
fruits IN both California and Arizona II is
man VINO changes the face of nature
When We take into account what has been
| done in this great American desert and wonder
~nat will ever become of il all. We are rer1nrIaf
of the phrase of all the Indians of The West
answer, "Quien sabe' tWho knows?