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Show CHAPTER FIVE .--y'lv;*-^ life s$s^ hMil WM •S •4' v. • ? S*f.« ; - £ 4 * p j | c $ l iaf^• ' • * :m •'**?' -&M .••'•• '•••'-• f ''•"'} &***>£sf e* 4 Fig. 99. 0» /^f B/g Colorado River near Camp 37. Lithograph based on a drawing by Richard H. Kern. Lorenzo Sitgreaves, Report of an Expedition down the Zuni and Colorado Rivers (Washington, D.C, 1853). absolutely essential to our safety," and so destroyed them.65 Among the books that Woodhouse had to discard were reference volumes on medicine, fauna, geology, mineralogy, and a Spanish dictionary. To his annoyance, Woodhouse also had to dispose of some of his birdshot to lighten the load.66 Tragedy and anxiety added to their suffering. A group of Quechans attacked the explorers on November 17, clubbing to death one of the military escort, a Private Jones. The reason for this attack is not clear, but it is certain that the Quechans had had their fill of outsiders. Since 1849, hordes of California- bound gold seekers from Mexico and the United States had passed through Quechan lands, stealing crops or letting their animals trample and feed in the fields. Indians, in turn, had stolen from the travelers, and minor incidents 180 |
