ion of division was talked _pro_ and
_con_ by the entire family while camped at the base of the snow-capped
mountains on that midsummer night.

After the departure of the three wagons we who remained resolutely set
ourselves to work to prepare, as best we could, ourselves and our
belongings for the packing mode of travel. For three days and nights we
remained there busily engaged. We took our wagons to pieces, cutting out
such pieces as were necessary to make our pack saddles. One bunch of men
worked at the saddles, another bunch separated the harnesses and put
them in shape for the saddles, while others made big pouches or
saddle-bags out of the wagon covers, in which to carry provisions and
cooking utensils.

The spot upon which our camp was located was in the vicinity of what is
now known as Smith's Pass, Wyoming. During one of our afternoons here
Nature treated us to one of the grandest spectacles ever witnessed by
mortal eyes. We first noticed a small cloud gathering about the top of
the mountain, which presently commenced circling around the peak,
occasionally reaching over far enough to drop down upon us a few
sprinkles of water, although the sun was shining brightly where we were.
As the cloud continued to circle, it increased in size, momentum, and
density of color, spreading out like a huge umbrella. Soon thunder could
be heard, growing louder and more frequent until it became one
continuous roar, fairly shaking the earth. Long, vivid flashes of
lightning chased each other in rapid succession over the crags and lost
themselves in crevice and ravine. All work was forgotten. In fact, one
would as soon think of making saddles in the immediate presence of the
Almighty as in the presence of that terrific, but sublime spectacle upon
the mountain heights. Every man stood in reverential attitude and gazed
in speechless wonder and admiration. David and Moses and the Christ had
much to do with mountains in their day; and, as we watched the power of
the elements that afternoon, we realized as never before how David could
hear the floods clap their hands and see expressions of joy or anger
upon the faces of the mountains; and how Mount Sinai might have looked
as it became the meeting-place of the Lord and Moses and the tables of
stone. The storm lasted about an hour, and when at last Nature seemed to
have exhausted herself the great mountain-top stood out again in the
clear sunlight, wearing a new mantle of the whitest s