setting out, a few days were devoted to hunting. They only succeeded,
however, in killing three deer. The meat of these animals they
prepared to take with them, as they were about to journey into a
country never before explored. The skins of the three deer were
converted into tanks for carrying water. They had learned from some
friendly Indians that the country over which they had to pass _en
route_ was destitute of water. The red men told them additionally
that the valley (meaning the Sacramento) was beautiful, and that the
streams were full of beaver. All of this information the trappers
found was true. For four days they travelled over a barren country,
where not one drop of water could be found. At each night's
camping-place, small allowances of water from the tanks was
distributed by the commander to each man and animal. A guard was then
stationed over the remainder to prevent any accident from depriving
the company of this now precious article of sustenance. At the close
of the fourth day, however, they again found water. The instinct
exhibited by the pack mules on this occasion was truly remarkable.
Long before any member of the party thought that water was so near,
the mules, with unerring certainty, had smelt it, and each one,
according to his remaining strength, had hurried on to partake of it.
The result was, that when the first mule had reached the water, the
remainder were scattered along upon the trail for a great distance.
The company encamped here, and remained two days to recruit.

The journey was renewed on the third day, the route being still over a
similar kind of country, necessitating both man and beast to submit to
similar privations as to water. In four days more they came in sight
of the great Cañon of the Colorado, which failed not to awaken a
thrill of delight in every member of the party. Just before reaching
the Cañon they met a party of Mohave Indians, of whom they purchased