Through this gap came a cold breeze, and we had to look round to get a sheltered place in which to sleep.  We lay down close together, spoon fashion, and made the little blanket do as cover for the both of us.  In the morning we filled our canteens, which we had made by binding two powder cans together with strips of cloth, and started for the summit near by.  From this was the grandest sight we ever beheld.  Looking east we could see the country we had been crawling over since November 4th.  “Just look at the cursed country we have come over!” said Rogers as he pointed over it.  To the north was the biggest mountain we ever saw, peaks on peaks and towering far above our heads, and covered with snow which was apparently everlasting.

This mountain seemed to have very few trees on it, and in extent, as it reached away to the north seemed interminable.  South was a nearly level plain, and to the west I thought I could dimly see a range of mountains that held a little snow upon their summits, but on the main range to the south there was none.  It seemed to me the dim snowy mountains must be as far as 200 miles away, but of course I could not judge accurately.  After looking at this grand, but worthless landscape long enough to take in its principal features we asked each other what we supposed the people we left behind would think to see mountains so far ahead.  We knew that they had an idea that the coast range was not very far ahead, but we saw at once to go over all these mountains and return within the limits of fifteen days which had been agreed upon between us, would probably be impossible, but we must try as best we could, so down the rocky steep we clambered and hurried on our way.  In places the way was so steep that we had to help each other down, and the hard work made us perspire freely so that the water was a prime necessity.  In one place near here, we found a little water and filled our canteens, besides drinking a good present supply.  There were two low, black rocky ranges directly ahead of us which we must cross.

When part way down the mountain a valley or depression opened up in that direction up which it seemed as if we could look a hundred miles.  Near by and a short distance north was a lake of water and when we reached the valley we crossed a clear stream of water flowing slowly toward the lake.

Being in need of water, we rushed eagerly to it and prepared to take a big drink, but the tempting fluid was as salt as brine and made our thirst all the more intolerable.  Nothing grew on the bank of this stream and the bed was of hard clay, which glistened in the sun.

We now began the ascent of the next ridge, keeping a westernly course, and walked as fast as we could up the rough mountain side.  We crossed the head of a canon near the summit about dark, and here we found a trail, which from indications we knew to be that of the Jayhawkers, who had evidently been forced to the southward of the course they intended to take.  They had camped here and had dug holes in the sand in search of water, but had found none.