ed until our arrival on the Rio
Grande. The next camping ground was at San Simon, eighteen miles. As we
were assured by our guides that no water would be found until we reached
_Ojo de Vaca_, or Cow Springs, a distance of sixty-seven miles, it was
deemed advisable to leave the overland route at this point, and proceed
by another route. Accordingly, the next morning the command moved south,
following up the San Simon Valley, a distance of twelve miles, and
camped at the Cienega. Here was found water, the best and most abundant
on the whole march. Imagine, if you can, a valley twenty miles in width,
on either side a range of mountains; and to the north and south, up and
down the valley, a level plain as far as the eye could reach. A trench
three feet wide, by five or six in depth, filled nearly to the top with
clear cold water, running with a velocity of at least six miles an hour,
the bottom covered with white smooth pebbles. Two miles above this point
no water was to be found. As you descended the valley and approached
this water, you found at first the ground moist, then water appeared, a
mere drop, then a small stream of running water, which increased in
volume, until you found a stream as described above. Below this point
the water gradually lessened, until, two miles below, this magnificent
stream had entirely disappeared. There was no shade to be had here,
except that found under the wagon bodies, still there was no fault
found; the fine stream of water that we were enjoying satisfied us for
all other discomforts. It was with feelings of regret that we left this
point late the next afternoon, with well filled canteens; and the
uncertainty of finding water in advance, added to this feeling. We
arrived at Leiteresdorffer's Wells soon after sunset, but no water was
to be found. The march was continued during the night, and all of the
next day, until we arrived at Soldier's Farewell, and no water. The
command was strung out a distance of at least five miles; we had been
marching thirty hours, with only a canteen each of water, with the
thermometer at least 130. A large number of the men had given out and
were scattered in parties of three or four, for a dozen miles in the
rear. What was left of the command moved on, and after leaving the wagon
road, we arrived in Burro Canon, some time after dark, where plenty of
water was found, when, after taking in a fill, turned into our blankets,
entirely forgetting our hunger in ou