9692

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9692
• Author: Tyus, H. and Haines
• Title: Biology of Young Colorado Squawfish
• USFW Year: n.d.
• USFW - Doc Type: 81-89
• Copyright Material: YES

10

REPORT OF AN EXPEDITION DOWN THE

diminished, it was supposed to have its source in some con-
cealed reservoir, and that it would be possible in the course
of the day to water all the animals. We should the~, more-
over, have been able to hold a more direct course, having
diverged towards the mountains in the expectation of finding
waler. The camp was scarcely pitched, however, when it
was reported that the sprinB' was rapidly becoming exhausted,
and Mr. Leroux was therefore sent, with the mules and half
of the men, in search of water, the rest remaining in camp to'
protect the supplies. He did not return until late in the night,
and reportedthat he hall come upon a large encampment of
Yampai or Tonto I nelia ns, on tbe edge of a deep ravine,
through which ran a stream, which he supposed to be the
headwaters of the San Francisco, a tributary of Salt river.
The women and ehildren, engaged in gathering pifwnes, (pine-.
nuts,) Hed at his approach; while the men held themselves
alool; and relused to parley \yith him or meet his friendly
advances. He .was compelled, therefor~, to retur~ as he
went, not venturlllg to dnve the mules mto the ravme, and
thus give the Indians an opportunity of attacking him at dis-.
advantage. I regretted that he -had suffered his men to take
ii'om the lodges sundry articles of value to the Indians.
Among these were some admirably made baskets, of so close.
a texture as to hold water; a wicker~jar, coated with pine-
tree gum; a large quantity of pinones and grass-seed; some
bread, made of the mezquit bean; a cake of mezcal, (a prepa-
ration of the maguey;) and pieces of a substance that had all
the appearance of chalk, but, as it did not effervesce with
acids, was probably an exceedingly pure variety of kaolin.
OctObC1' ]0, Camp No. ].5.-The mules, having now been
two days without water, were, as the last resource, sent back
to the river, taking with them some kegs and India-rubber
water- bags with which I had fortunately provided myself.
They returned in the evening, less three of their number lost
by the way, but hringing back an abunllant supply of water.
In the course of the preceding night, by watching by the
spring alll] (lipping up the water by the spoonful as it ,trickled,
out, enollgh had been obtained to furnish each person with a
Clip of coffee. .'
October 11, Camp No. 16.-As we ascended the mountain
the cedar gave place to thenut-,bearing pine; and this, when
near the summit, to a pine of larger growth, with ICing leaves.

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ZUNI AND COLORADO RIVERS.

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Herds of antelope were seen in alf directions, but they kept
to the open country, and were shy and difficult to approach.
October 12, Camp No. 17.- The ascent of the mountain was
continued, with the greatest anxiety as to the ~'esult of the
day's journey, for the mules had drunl~; bu.t o~ce m more th~n
four days, and the country showed no mdlcatlOns of water JI1
any direction. There was much beauty in some of the glades
and mountain glens we passed. The ground was covered
with fresh grass, and \~ell tir~1bered \~ith tall pines, mi~g~ed,
after attainin(T a certam altitude, With aspens of a bnlliant
o .
yellow. .
Crossing the summit we descended gradually t~ the. broY'
of a precipice overlooking a green vale of five or SIX miles 111
extent, but with no appearance of water, anti commenced the
descent, picking our way with difficulty among the loose rocks,
in the belief that there we should be compelled to abandon
most of our animals. When half-way down, a shot from one
of the :Mexicans on the flank inspired us with hope, for it was
the signal fixed upo.n to notifyth~ disco,:ery of water! but
still I observed nothmg to warrant It; and It was not until we
had reached the bottom of the cliff that I discerned a narroW
thread of grass and weeds, greener and ranker than the sur-
rounding growth, winding out from a little ~ooli:, and ~o~ing
itself in the plain. It proved to be a spnng of delicIOUS
water j and thus providentially terminated our fears and anxi-
eties for the time.
October 13, Camp No. 17.-lt was. necl::ssary to halt here
for a day or two, to rest the mules and have them reshod.
The feet of the sheep, too, had become sore and worn out j
and at the sug.!?cstion of a Mexican, my IIII1;Y01' dom.n, the ~racks
in them were 6.11etl, by means of a hot 1ron, With resm and
pine-tree gum, by which operation the animals appeared much
relieved. l\1r. Leroux reconnoitred the route ahead, and found
water in several places ten or twelve milcsdistant: He ~gail~
surprised a few lodges of I!1dians, w~1O fled, lea~\ll& dlelr ef-
. fects behind them. This time he did not penmt Ins men to
pilfer, but, on the cont.ra~y, left a~ the lodges a small present
of tobacco, handkerclllels, and klllves, for the purpose of con-
ciliatingthe Indians, a~1d inducing them to hold sOf!1e inter-
course with us, by whICh means we hoped to o?t.am useful
information in regard to the route. The only prOVISIOns found
in the lodges were pinones and the grass-seed before men-
tioned.

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