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Show 240 TEAVELS AND ADVENTUEES IN THE FAE WEST. time ; the team was in front, but the whole force of the men were attached to long ropes at the end of the wagon, to prevent its too rapid descent; the surface of this saddle is perfectly smooth, and a good team of horses easily draws up a wagon over it to the top. There would be no difficulty for two steam engines to propel a train of cars up this natural inclined plain, while the road from Great Salt Lake to San Bernandino, eight hundred and fifty miles, could be laid without any grading ; the passes through the mountains being perfectly level, and well adapted for railroad purposes- while the deserts are almost perfect plains. After descending into the valley, the road to San Bernandino leads through a wide level canon, in which grow spontaneously abundance of wild oats. We encamped, after journeying ten miles through it, with good water and grass. We travelled thirty-two miles this day. 9th. This morning at daylight the thermometer was at 35°. We left camp early, and continued through the canon, which was well timbered for twelve miles, we then emerged into the San Bernandino Valley, and at one o.' clock, P. M. we all arrived safely at San Bernandino. I collected and preserved numerous specimens of wild flowers, which are yet unclassified. My mule is in tolerable condition, the last few camps where good clover and grass were obtained, improved him greatly. The horses have all come in very poor, and many of them lame and broken down. I was kindly received by Gen. Rich, the president of San Bernandino, who showed me many civilities. San Bernandino Valley, is a tract of most fertile country ; it was the seat of a Catholic Mission some years |