31st. Started at one o'clock, A.M., struck the river again 10 miles
from camp; no grass, only an arid sage desert. From this it is 25 miles
to the slough or meadows, and 13 to water, which will be found at some
springs in the gully directly opposite the pyramid. We reached the
springs about 10 o'clock, A.M., although one of our horses gave out,
which delayed us somewhat, and reached the upper end of the slough
about noon, where we obtained some rushes and flags for our horses
which they devoured greedily after their long fast on willows. The
pyramid at a distance resembles an ancient Mexican pyramid, rising by
steps. It may be seen for 40 miles up the river, and serves as a
beacon, for the slough or meadows. After baiting we continued down the
slough about six miles to some passable springs, and to where there is
better grass. We found two cities of tents at the slough quite
populous. They would do honor to more civilized countries. The road for
a few days past has been strewed with dead stock. I counted to-day 120
head of horses, mules and oxen, and got tired of it before night at
that. I suppose I passed 50 head more that I did not count. If there is
any worse desert ahead than we have found for 70 miles back, I don't
know what it may be. I have noticed several dead horses, mules and
oxen, by the roadside, that had their hams cut out to eat by the
starving wretches along the road; for my own part I will eat the
lizzards which infest the sage bushes, before I will eat the stock that
died from the alkali. The destitution has reached its height now.
Hundreds are entirely out of provisions, and there are none who have
any to spare, and but very few who have enough to carry them into the
mines. Often, almost daily, will some poor starved fellow come up to
the wagon and pray us in God's name to give or sell him a crust of
bread; some of them asserting that they have eaten no food for two, or
even three days. Money is no consideration for food here; no one will
sell it for money, but we always give enough to prevent starvation,
when thus importuned, although we have not over five days' provision on
hand, putting our trust in Providence for the issue to ourselves--for
so long as there is game in the mountains we will never starve.
To-day is the first, since the third day of June, that we have been out
of sight of snow for a whole day; it has been excessively hot, the dust
rising in clouds; roads bad, owing to the deep sand.