21st. We lost our horses this morning, which hindered us some time, but
we succeeded in finding them again. We crossed the Sweet Water for the
last time; 10 miles from the crossing is the summit of the Rocky
mountains at the South Pass, which we reached at noon. It is known by
two conical shaped mounds or hills, about 60 feet high. No one would
ever suspect this to be the summit, the country is so level, and the
ascent of the whole distance is so gradual. Three miles from the summit
we reached the Pacific Springs, one of the heads of the Colorado river
of the Gulf of California. Camped at the springs over night, found
plenty of grass, but the swamps are very miry. At this place the
California Express mail stops to take letters back to the States for
the emigrants.--The price of sending back a letter is 50 cents. The
other 10 wagons came up to-night and camped with us. They have two more
men down with the fever, making 16 in all. They intend going the Salt
Lake route from here, but we shall go the Sublett cut-off.