=== apom_ch1_pt4 === 

It was agreed that I was to hold down our claim against the remote possibility of its being jumped by some wandering prospector. =

On March 3, 1866, Powell and I packed his provisions on two of our burros, and bidding me good bye he mounted his horse, and started down the mountainside toward the valley, across which led the first stage of his journey. =

The morning of Powells departure was, like nearly all Arizona mornings, clear and beautiful, I could see him and his little pack animals picking their way down the mountainside toward the valley, and all during the morning I would catch occasional glimpses of them as they topped a hog back or came out upon a level plateau.  My last sight of Powell was about three in the afternoon as he entered the shadows of the range on the opposite side of the valley. =

Some half hour later I happened to glance casually across the valley and was much surprised to note three little dots in about the same place I had last seen my friend and his two pack animals. =

=== end of pt4 ===