ment arose between them and a band of Utahs, who were still here in their winter-quarters. The latter forbade their passing through their country, and, placing a row of elk-horns across the valley, threatened them with instant death if they crossed that line. The whites deeming this a vain threat, attempted to force their way through, were attacked, and all killed. The elk-horns were still in the position in which the Indians had placed them. Our guide, Felipe, had an account of this affair from Utahs who had been actors in the affray. At this point the trail from the Del Norte through the Carnero Pass joins that through the Coochatope. Traders from Abiquiú come by it into these mountains to barter for peltries with the Utahs. Day's travel, 34 miles; total, 876 miles. June 21. Raised camp at 4.45 A. M. and travelled five miles west by south, crossing a steep and rocky hill covered with pines, and in five miles entered a small valley watered by the Rio de la Laguna (Lake Creek). This creek issues from a lake near the summit of the Sierra de la Plata (Silver Range), about twelve acres in area; we found it unfordable on account of its swollen condition from melting snows. Its current was swift and waters turbid, rolling with a loud roar over a rocky bed. It both enters and leaves this valley through narrow and rocky cafions; above the upper one it flows through another valley of larger extent and of great beauty. It became a question with us, how our packs were to be transported over the laguna without getting them wet or lost, and we at first attempted to make a bridge by felling a tall pine across the stream, but it fell partly into the water, and the current carried it away, tearing it into pieces. This plan having failed, another was adopted, suggested by what Mr. Beale had seen in his travels in Peru, and the mode of crossing the plunging torrents of the Andes, which was entirely successful. Mr. Rogers selected a point where the stream was for some distance free from rocks, and succeeded, after a severe struggle, in swimming across; and one of the men mounting a stray Indian pony, which we found quietly grazing in the valley, dashed in after him, and also effected a landing on the opposite side. To them a light line was thrown, and having thus established a communication with the other side, a larger rope was drawn over by them, and tied firmly to a rock near the water's edge. * The end of the rope on our side was made fast to the top of a pine tree; a backstay preventing it from bending to the weight of the loads sent over. An iron hook was now passed over the rope, and by means of a sling our packs were suspended to it. The hook slided freely from the top of the tree down to the rock; and when the load was taken off, we drew the hook and sling back to our side by a string made fast to it. The last load sent over was our wearing apparel, and just after parting with it, a violent hailstorm broke over us, making us glad to seek shelter from its fury under rocks and trees. Most of the day was thus consumed, and it was not until 5 P. M. that we mounted our mules and swam them across. The water was icy cold, and some of the animals had a narrow escape from drowning. We, however, saddled up immediately, and, proceeding four miles from the creek, encamped for the night in a small hollow. On leaving the Rio de la Laguna, the road ascended a high and steep hill. The country travelled over this day was abundantly grassed, the hills timbered with firs, pines, and aspens, and the streams shaded with willows. Day's travel, 9 miles; total, 885 miles. June 22. We started soon after sunrise and travelled west by south over steep hills, well timbered and covered with rich grasses. The weather was clear and cold, and wind fresh from the west. Crossed three streams swollen by melting snow: the Rio Hondo (Deep River), the Savoya, and the Pentacigo (Leek Creek). At 10 A. M., in twenty miles from the Rio de la Laguna, we crossed the two forks of the Nawaquasitch (Sheep-tail Creek, Utah language). The Mexicans call it Los Riitos Quartos (Twin Creeks), and the Cola del Carnero (Sheep-tail Creek). We forded it immediately above the junction of the forks. Both were much swollen, and we had some difficulty in crossing the packs, some of which got wet. A pair of saddle-bags containing many articles of value to us were lost in this crossing. All these streams are mere rivulets a month or two later. Encamped at noon on the left bank of the western fork of the Nawaquasitch. Started again an hour before sunset, and following down the left bank of the Nawaquasitch until it turned to the northward through a deep cañon, left it and directed our course to the westward. The Nawaquasitch empties into Grand River (east |