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Show 207 area, They had followed his instructions implicitly. For 225 miles, by their own estimates, they had penetrated the desert west and north of Pinto Creek, but, so far, all had been in vain. The area was cold, too. While suffering from the heat in the day time, water would often freeze a half Inch thick in tin pans and cups during the night. It was frankly doubted whether garden crops could even mature under such conditions. There was also the problem of alkali impregnating much of the flat and irrigable lands. The camp laid over all day on Monday the 10th waiting for word from the Rogers and Freeman reconnoitering parties. One of Freeman's men had returned the previous night, but it was learned that it was only because his animal was lame. The wait continued on the 11th. The gnats at Desert Swamp were again becoming very annoying. Finally, about 11 A.M. Freeman and company rode into camp from the southwest. The large spring could not be found. They had only discovered one small watering hole with hardly enough water to satisfy their own needs. The little company had either been to the south end of Garden Valley or Coal Valley; About sunset the northern exploring party under Rogers returned to camp. They had been seventeen miles up the valley to the source of the water flow- several large springs at the foot of the Egan Range on the valley's east bench. The water from these springs flowed to the bottom of the valley were they formed a large wire grass meadow several miles long, before running south to the Desert Swamp. These springs were appropriately named Desert Swamp Springs. The water was estimated to be capable of watering fifty to seventy-five acres, but, as in so many other places, the alkali beds were so heavy as to make the land useless to them. They did find good grass and wood, however. Dame bad to make a decision. Where was the company to go from Desert Swamp? He had dispatched exploring parties, including himself, in almost every |