OCR Text |
Show END OF COMMENT ON ESCALANTE. 475 ence of the rivers to the north of Moqui, of whom I learned that they were friends of New Mexico, and that, having here passed the Rio Colorado, they roam 24 southwest, descending to the Chemeguet Cajuala who live on the other side, and seeking the Rio de San Felipe, they follow it to where I was. If from the said Yutas be taken the direction westnorthwest, as says the reverend padre, it is certain one could go to Monte- Rey and also to the Puerto de San Francisco, if there did not intervene the broad Tulares which have now been discovered, and through which only will it be possible to pass by means of boats ( en caso de disponer embarcaciones) . But even proceeding on this course it appears to me possible to traverse the large river of which I had information among the Noches, and which is that which discharges ( desagua) in the Tulares united with the Rio de San Felipe or very close thereto; yet this seems to me a great circuit for the transit to Monte Rey, and in any event there is required the descent to head25 said Tulares. For this would be very useful, in spite of the greater distance, the discovery of the cited large river which according to reports comes from the northwest and may be the u The word used is jirar for girar, to gyrate, turn about. The sense is clear, though " turn" would be more literal than " roam." " Descdbesar, literally decapitate, behead, or " head off." The " descent" said to be required is southward. |