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Show 113 rado. Camp Mohave was reached August 20, and here we remained two weeks, taking soundings and current- observations. On September 5 we left Camp Mohave, moving down the east bank of the river to Liverpool Landing, where a crossing was effected by means of a small ferry- boat. Thence down the west bank to a point opposite Ehrenberg, where supplies were obtained for the return trip. The first part of the route was through the Mohave Valley, as it is called in Lieutenant Ives's report, probably because it was then, as it is now, occupied by the Mohave Indians. The bottom- land fit for cultivation is on the east side of the river, and all is subject to overflow when the river is unusually high, which happens whenever there is a heavy fall of snow along the upper portion of the river. The Mohaves cultivate small patches of ground, raising vegetables, melons, corn, and wheat. They are more industrious and provident than the Pah- Utes, and usually lay in a supply for the winter, and have enough surplus to supply the post with melons and vegetables during the summer. The valley ends at the Needles, where the mountains close in on both sides, forming a narrow cafion. Below this cafion is the Chem- e-hne- vis Valley, occupied by a portion of the Chem- e- hue- vis Indians. Thence down to Ehrenberg, the valley or bottom- land is of varying width, most of it being on the east side of the river. A few miles above Ehrenberg the river crosses over to the east side, leaving a wide bottom- land on the west side opposite this place. These bottom- lands, formed from the deposits of the river, have rich soil, and, with irrigation, could be made very productive, if the river could be confined to a constant channel and prevented from overflowing the bottom- lands. Along the river there is a rich growth of trees, principally cotton wood, and here the fuel is obtained for the river- steamers. The road from Camp Mohave to the Needles is good. Thence, over the Needle Range, the trail along the river is in places very difficult, and practicable only for pack- animals. After crossing the river at Liverpool Landing the trail leaves the river to the left, passing around Mount Whipple, and, after crossing the Monument Range, strikes the river again nearly opposite the Indian reservation at old Camp Colorado. Thence to Ehrenberg the trail follows the river, part of it being difficult and fatiguing, as it continually crossed deep washes. After crossing the river, grass was scarce, the best supply being found, us usual, where the water was not accessible. From Ehrenberg we followed the old stage- road to Chucka walla, thence to Dos Palmas, Los Torro8, Agua Caliente, Whitewater, through the San Gorgonio Pass to San Bernardino, and thence back to Los Angeles, which point was reached . October 4. After crossing the river- bottom opposite Ehrenberg the road ascends to the first summit, which is 934 feet above sea- level. West of Chuckawalla we cross another divide at an altitude of 2,689 feet; thence the slope is downward to Dos Palmas, beyond which place the road crosses a portion of the low basin below sea- level. From thence the ascent is slow and gradual to the summit of San Gorgonio Pass, which has an altitude of 2,743 feet. Westward from this point there is a gradual descent to Los Angeles. The road from Ehrenberg west as far as Los Torros is tolerably good. From the latter place to Agna Caliente it is very sandy and difficult for wagons. This portion of the Coahuila Valley is covered with immense sand- hills, some of whioh seem to be permanent, as large- sized mesquite and other brush grow on their summits. Others are constantly shifting their position, according to the direction of the prevailing winds. From Agua Caliente to San Bernardino the road is good and the grades easy. The stages having been taken off this route and transferred to the Mohave River route, most of the stations had been abandoned, hence we found it difficult to obtain water and feed for tht » animals at several points. At Ehrenberg I was assured that water of good quality and sufficient quantity would be found at Mule Spring Station, but on arriving there no trace of the well could be discovered, and not a drop of water obtained. A cloud- burst had occurred a few days previous to our arrival, the water from which had formed a new wash over the site of the well, and it had been completely filled up and obliterated by the sand and gravel washed down from the hills. xbe sand in the bottom of the wash was still moist, which gave us hopes that water might be obtained by digging, but our efforts were in vain, and we were forced to start for Chuckawalla, thougn uncertain if water could be procured there. After a long march of over 40 miles the latter place was reached late in the evening, and,, fortunately, water was obtained here. Some of my men suffered ( mentally, at least) considerably from thirst before this place was reached, as the contents of the canteens had given out long before we reached it, and had we not obtained water here the consequences might have been serious. The springs of Chuckawalla bad been filled up by the washing from a cloud- burst, also, but a couple of men had gone there a few days previously to open the station, and they had removed the sand and gravel from the springs. The water here is quite good, it having but a slight alkali taste. At Dos Palmas the water is very alkaline and salty. Quite a stream issues from the ground at this place. At Los Torros the water is good, and there is a plentiful supply of it. At Agua Caliente the water is warm and sulphury; its temperature is about 100°. On cooling, it loses most of its sulphury odor and taste. White River rises in the San Ber- |