among short lava ridges, and yawning crevices and caves in the rocks, which compelled a retreat to smoother ground. Some difficulty was experienced in conducting a retreat, as the party had become separated and hidden from each other by the numerous jutting rocks.
When all, with the exception of Scott, were reassembled, a northern course was taken toward the meadow country which was observed from the bluff, surrounding Modoc Lake on that side. The lake being in full view, great numbers of canoes were seen putting off from the shelter of the bluff and tules, and making for what seemed to be an island several miles distant; this was in reality a rocky promontory, now known as Scorpion Point, projecting into the lake from the south-east side. The wild men were apparently alarmed at seeing Scott riding along the margin of the lake, and believing that the whole company that they had seen in the lava-beds were close at hand, were fleeing from a single horseman. Still under the impression that the explorers were vengeful foeman, they remained out of their reach, and gave them no trouble.
On coming to Lost River where it enters Modoc Lake, and where the water is deep, a native was discovered crouching under the shelter of the bank, who on being made to understand by signs that the party wished to cross, was induced to point out an excellent fording-place, where a ledge of stone runs quite across the stream.[1] He was compensated by some trifling presents; his new friends shook hands with him at parting, and he returned, apparently pleased, to join his tribe, while they kept on eastward, finding a good spring of water at the foot of a ridge to the north, where they encamped.
Still making for their former landmark, they passed
- ↑ A gradual rise in the waters of Modoc Lake has overflowed the meadows where the exploring party grazed their horses, and hacked up the water in Lost River, so named from sinking in the ground in places, until the ford, or Stone Bridge as it was called by the early immigrants, has become impassable.
