r, sharp lightning,
and a perfect deluge of rain were sweeping through the mountains. We
brought the animals as close together as we could, tied them to the
sagebrush, and kept going among them, talking to them and quieting them
as best we could, for they were whinnying and trembling with fear. It
was an awful night. Over and above the roaring storm could be heard the
howling of wolves, which added much terror to the situation. On being
relieved at daylight and going down to camp, the men were trying to find
themselves and a lot of traps that were missing. It seemed that the men
had lain down in a bunch on a narrow bit of ground close to the creek,
and when the rain began to fall they drew a canvas wagon cover over them
for protection, when, without any sound or warning that could be heard
above the storm, a tide of water came down upon them which fairly washed
them off the earth. They got tangled up in the wagon cover and were
being washed down the creek, not knowing in the darkness when or where
they were going to land. They kept together by all keeping hold of the
wagon cover, but for which some or all of them might have lost their
lives. They were finally washed up against a rocky projection and pulled
themselves ashore. We were a sorry-looking lot--wet, cold, dilapidated,
and suffering from the terror and fright of the night.

After breakfast we went out to hunt for our missing goods, some of which
we found caught in the brush; some was washed beyond finding.

This was Sunday morning and the weather had cleared up bright. All
Nature seemed anxious to make amends for her outrageous conduct of the
night before. We concluded to stop here until Monday morning, and spread
our traps out to dry, and cook some rice, and rest and replenish in a
general sense.

CHAPTER IX.

WE LISTENED TO EACH OTHER'S REHEARSALS AND BECAME MUTUAL SYMPATHIZERS
AND ENCOURAGERS.

We travelled up Goose Creek for several days till we got to its head, on
the great divide that separates the Snake River from the Humboldt. The
second or third day up the creek we had a genuine surprise that put us
all in the best of humor again. It was no less than the overtaking of
the three wagons that left us in the South Pass, where we commenced
packing. Captain Wadsworth's wagon was mired down and part of the team.
We all turned in and soon had him out. We were all glad to meet again,
and all our men were delighted to meet and shake hands with Mrs.