The marvellous country, or, Three years in Arizona and New Mexico.: Containing an authentic history of this wonderful country and its ancient civilization ... together with a full and complete history of the Apache tribe of Indians .../ By Samuel Woodworth Cozzens. Illustrated by more than one hundred engravings.

THE GREAT PLATEAU.
bare, and so light that the least breath of air drives the
dust before it like a simoon, almost suffocating the unfortunate traveller who chances to be in its course.
Not a living green shrub to be seen, nor a drop of water
to be found upon its surface, save in the lowest spots, where
it sometimes collects for a few days, soon becoming stagnant, and emitting a most offensive odor. Yet this cesspool is the resort, while it lasts, of both man and beast.
Deer, antelope, wolves, and coyotes share with the weary
traveller the thickened, stagnant impurities; flocks of birds
frequent it; geese, ducks, teal, and, in fact, everything that
requires water, partakes of its foul unwholesomeness.
The great plateau certainly presents but few attractions
to the wayfarer. Just after reaching the level of the plain,
we witnessed a most remarkable mirage.
We saw distinctly reflected animals of all kinds, from the
stately giraffe to the homely ox; tents, which we afterwards
found standing near the Soldier's Farewell, twenty miles
away, were transformed into snow-clad peaks; tufts of grass,
into magnificent forest trees; every playa into a beautiful
lake, with its rippling waves and showery sprays, while on
its banks were terraced citadels, stately columns, and
ruined castles, such as might be found in Greece or old
Rome. It was a wonderful sight, and one never to be
forgotten.
We soon arrived at Barney Station, where, through the
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