When about halfway across we saw some ox tracks leading toward the lake, and in the hope we might find the water drinkable we turned off at right angles to our course and went that way also.

Long before we reached the water of the lake, the bottom became a thin, slimy mud which was very hard on our mocassins.

When we reached the water we found it to be of a wine color, and so strongly alkaline as to feel slippery to the touch, and under our feet.
This side trip, had cost us much exertion and made us feel more thirsty than ever.
We turned now west again, making for a canon, up which we passed in the hope we should at some turn find a little basin of rain water in some rock.

We traveled in it miles and miles, and our mouths became so dry we had to put a bullet or a small smooth stone in and chew it and turn it around with the tongue to induce a flow of saliva.

If we saw a spear of green grass on the north side of a rock, it was quickly pulled and eaten to obtain the little moisture it contained.
Thus we traveled along for hours, never speaking, for we found it much better for our thirst to keep our mouths closed as much as possible, and prevent the evaporation.