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Show SEVENTY- MILE DESERT. 115 « cache" of such things as they could not carry. But it had been constructed in such a bungling manner, that it had easily been discovered and robbed: twelve ox- yokes remained in aheap on the ground. After travelling until noon, we came to a low ridge of hills running nearly north and south. We sheltered ourselves behind it, and finding plenty of artemisia, kindled a fire, and boiled our coffee, which, with a piece of bread and cold bacon, constituted our first and only meal for the day. Our poor animals looked wretchedly, and two of them giving out before reaching the ridge, were with great difficulty driven up. As they had been without water for twenty- four hours, except the cupful which had been served out to them last night, after filling a few canteens for our own use, the remainder of our little stock was divided among them. The ridge was composed of porous trap. The hills were higher toward the north, where they were connected with a range which seemed to form a spur from the mountains east of us. They gradually diminished to the south, not extending more than a mile or two in that direction. Before us, distant about twelve miles, was a high mountain- range, on the eastern side of which, the guide informed me, there was a spring with plenty of water. I had hoped to be able to cross it today, but the state of our animals was such that it proved impracticable, since it was dark before we reached its western base. I the less regretted this, as in the course of the afternoon we had found several little pools of rain- water, from which the mules drank with great avidity and to repletion. The ascent to the range was gentle, and we encamped at the mouth of a narrow, winding pass through it, amid plenty of large cedar- trees and very large artemisia- a welcome sight, as the day had been cold and blustering, and there was every prospect of a heavy storm. Large fires were soon blazing, and every one was tired enough at once to seek his blanket, without going to the trouble of preparing the evening meal. Indeed, there was little or nothing to prepare; our bread was all gone, and there was not water enough either to make bread or coffee, and none could be sought for in the dark. The two mules that had failed in the morning, again gave out before reaching the mountain, and had finally to be abandoned. Sunday, November 4.- Ther. 33°. Upon rising we found it snowing hard, and the ground covered to the depth of two inches. It soon ceased, however, and before night had melted in the plain, |