HUMBOLDT III VEIL 551

these determined men. On the morning of the 18th they proceeded southward over a level plain, passing burning peat-beds, and coming at noon to the Hum- boldt River, near the present site of Humboldt City. Although rejoiced to reach this river, which had been from the first' an objective point, the explorers found the route from here too southerly for their pur- pose, and began a course up the valley in a north- easterly direction, looking for a pass more directly westward from a point east of Black Rock The march continued for two and a half days, until they came to a dry branch of the Humboldt coming in irom the north, where there was an extensive _ meadow, and where they encamped with the intention ot ex- ploring back toward what seemed to be a gap through the ridge round which they had travelled to the

' At a distance of fifteen miles up the dry creek they came to a fine spring ; and fifteen miles west, up a aradual rise, to a table-land covered with good grass, from which Black Rock was plainly visible, batis- fied that they had now discovered a direct route irom the Humboldt westward to Black Point, with grass and water, and making assurance doubly sure by re- discovering Rabbit-hole Springs, after remaining m the Humboldt Meadow to recruit their horses three days, they turned their faces once more toward the east, knowing that the source of the Humboldt was in the vicinity of their destined point, and that there could be no lack of water or grass for the remainder

of the way. , „,,

On the 25th of July the march was resumed. 1 he intention of the explorers was to select their route directly to Bear River, fifty or sixty miles south ot Fort Hall, where, in case of hostilities with England the American traveller would not wish to go. But provisions running short, only two thirds of the com- pany proceeded to Bear River, while Jesse Apple- gate Harris, Goff. Owens, and Bogus turned oh Irom