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Show MUD PL^ INSr- SHOSHON^ B INDI4NiS. / 99 w$ rev gushing but from a rocty point/{ of dark limestone and eoarse argillaceous sandstone, : with a dip of about ^ 0° tp fhe*' ea$ t,) and unite to, form a branch which runs southward some miles,' and then sinks ins the sand; before reaching* the lake. The water was, however, warm, brackish, and entirely^ unfit for drinking. Following down this stream. for several miles, wd struck on a succession of. bare, level, plains, composed of white clay and mud, with occasion-, ally pieces of Milestone ana obsidian scattered on the surface. T& ese dreary plains were occasionally Separated froift each other, /• by patches of salt gras* and scattered clumps of artemieia.. They had apparently formed, at some remote period, a part of the lake, and it is probable tf ere partially covered^ during the freshet months. Some portions of the ground were still moist, and too soft to adprit the passage of our mules without danger of miring. Where dry, the surface was hard and smooth. ' ~ i ' . * . ^ In the afternoon, as J felt apprehensive of being overtaken by night without water for ou* animals,- wer turned more tp the w$ st-.-. ward, and directed oqr steps toward the promontory. range previously mentioned. Before reaching 5tj however, we * eame uppn >. a small stream, fifteen feet wide and a foot deep, but it was quite salt, and almost unfit to drink; yet, ae we- had no prospect of find- ' ing better, we were fain to iivouac on its bank for the night, - Artemisia - was sjrandtirit, ^ furnishing plenty of excellent fuel,' although it reminded ) me Somewhat of the scriptural phrase, " crackling of thorns under a pot," ed' constantly did the fire ' require replenishing. Day's travel, twenty- two miles. Sunday, October 21.- Ther. at daybreak, 27°. Tfcere being neither grass: nbr; water. at this point,' we left it early,- and made in ] a south- west direction'for the foot of the mouhtain, travelling: over a hard,, even surface of dry mud, as level as a floor and without a particle of vegetation of any kind*' Before reaching the base o? the hills, we deseried some Indians at a distance, who, as Boon as they discovered us, commenced^ a most rapid and precipitate Jight.- As they wtere oh foot, I despatched the guide after them; at full tgallop to/ brhrg them t6 a parley, being desirous of obtaining froni them some information, and if possible, to prevail upon feome of them, to act as guides through the unknown regions before us. . The'man overtook them at the foot of the mountain', when several ~ of them, finding their Retreat about to be cut off, halted, and ad- ' vanced upon him « with their guns" . presented, but were restrained^. from firing by an old Indian, who seemed to act as their chief. |
