ong the bank of the stream. The first
day's journey was devoid of interest; we traversed long stretches of
sandy plain, with scarcely any signs of vegetation, save here and there
a clump of sage brush, or the wild pita plant, whose stalk towered into
the air like a sign-post to guide the wanderer over these sandy wastes.
The cactus and fetid creosote plant lined our path, the latter giving
forth a most disagreeable odor as it was crushed beneath the horses'
hoofs. Towards night we approached the base of a mountain, and entering
a grove of willows and cottonwoods, halted, and dismounting, made
preparations to encamp. The horses were staked out on the prairie and
allowed to crop the gramma grass. The long lances were firmly planted in
the soil, and bow, quiver, and shield, deposited on the ground in close
proximity, together with the buffalo robes and bear skins. After
watering the stock at the small stream that ran through the grove, wood
was collected and fires built.

Around these fires clustered the dusky warriors cooking the evening
meal, which consisted of tasajo, and the nuts gathered from the pinon,
which were roasted in the ashes. Long into the night the feasting was
kept up, and as the fires languished fresh fuel was thrown on until they
were blazing and crackling more cheerily than ever. The flames caused
the forms of the savages to stand out in bold relief against the dark
background of the surrounding gloom, and lighting up their faces
displayed in all its fantastic repulsiveness, the war paint with which
their bodies were bedaubed.

Early the next morning the march was resumed. Towards noon the heat
became so intense as to be hardly endurable, still we pushed forward
with unvarying speed. After journeying in a southerly direction for a
few hours we defiled into the bed of a river and followed its course for
several hundred yards, when, striking a new trail, our course was laid
in a westerly direction. The character of the country underwent a
complete change; instead of the sandy desert, we were now passing over a
prairie clothed with verdure. At intervals we would enter dense thickets
of chaparral, and then emerge into glades, that were veritable flower
gardens. At evening a halt was called, but only long enough to water the
horses, and partake of a hasty meal; and continuing the march we forged
ahead with increased speed. I judged by the animated gestures of the
Indians that we were nearing our destination