We had walked two days without water, and we were wonderfully refreshed as we found it here.  The way up this canon was very rough and the bed full of sharp broken rocks in loose pieces which cut through the bottoms of our moccasins and left us with bare feet upon the acute points and edges.  I took off one of my buckskin leggins, and gave it to Rogers, and with the other one for myself we fixed the moccasins with them as well as we could, which enabled us to go ahead, but I think if our feet had been shod with steel those sharp rocks would have cut through.

Starting early we made the summit about noon, and from here we could see the place where we found a water hole and camped the first night after we left the wagons.  Down the steep canon we turned, the same one in which we had turned back with the wagons, and over the sharp broken pieces of volcanic rock that formed our only footing we hobbled along with sore and tender feet.  We had to watch for the smoothest place for every step, and then moved only with the greatest difficulty.  The Indians could have caught us easily if they had been around for we must keep our eyes on the ground constantly and stop if we looked up and around.  But we at last got down and camped on some spot where we had set out twenty-five days before to seek the settlements.  Here was the same little water hole in the sand plain, and the same strong sulphur water which we had to drink the day we left.  The mule was turned loose dragging the same piece of rawhide she had attached to her when we purchased her, and she ranged and searched faithfully for food finding little except the very scattering bunches of sage brush.  She was industrious and walked around rapidly picking here and there, but at dark came into camp and lay down close to us to sleep.

There was no sign that any one had been here during our absence, and if the people had gone to hunt a way out, they must either have followed the Jayhawker’s trail or some other one.  We were much afraid that they might have fallen victims to the Indians.  Remaining in camp so long it was quite likely they had been discovered by them and it was quite likely they had been murdered for the sake of the oxen and camp equipage.  It might be that we should find the hostiles waiting for us when we reached the appointed camping place, and it was small show for two against a party.  Our mule and her load would be a great capture for them.  We talked a great deal and said a great many things at that camp fire for we knew we were in great danger, and we had many doubts about the safety of our people, that would soon be decided, and whether for joy or sorrow we could not tell.

From this place, as we walked along, we had a wagon road to follow, in soft sand, but not a sign of a human footstep could we see, as we marched toward this, the camp of the last hope.  We had the greatest fears the people had given up our return and started out for themselves and that we should follow on, only to find them dead or dying.  My pen fails me as I try to tell the feelings and thoughts of this trying hour.  I can never hope to do so, but if the reader can place himself in my place, his imagination cannot form a picture that shall go beyond reality.