ence drew me from my chair and led me
south about three hundred yards, into a plot of clover and blue
grass, and under a persimmon tree, which afforded a pleasant
shade. I fell prostrate upon my face. While here I saw Joseph the
Prophet and Hyrum the Patriarch, and the wounds by which they had
been assassinated.

This personage spoke to me in a soft, low voice, and said that
the Prophet and Patriarch had scaled their testimony with their
blood. Our mission was like that of the apostles, and our
garments were clear of the blood of the nation; I should return
to Nauvoo and wait until power was granted us from on High; as
the mantle of priesthood fell upon the Apostle Peter, so should
it rest with the twelve apostles of the Church for the present.
Thus the vision closed, and I gradually returned to my native
element.

Rising up I looked at my watch and saw that I had been there an
hour and a quarter. Returning to the house my friend Snow asked
me if I was ill. I replied in the negative. He said I was very
pale, and that he saw my countenance change while I sat in my
chair; that when I went out of doors it was as though every drop
of blood had left me, or been changed. I then told him that the
reports in the papers were true, and the two Saints, the Prophet
and the Patriarch, were no more. I asked him to take me to the
landing; I wished to get the evening packet, as my labors were
done in that country. He importuned so hard that I told him what
I had seen.

He saddled a horse for me and one for himself, and we started, in
company with several others, for the landing. When we were about
to embark on the steamer Mr. Steele, a brother of the captain,
introduced me to the captain. About eight persons demanded
baptism; I could not stop, but advised them to come to Nauvoo.
Among them was my friend Snow. I had a cabin passage free. When I
reached Nauvoo I found excitement at highest point.

CHAPTER XIII - DEATH OF JOSEPH SMITH

Joseph the Prophet and Hyrum, his brother, were assassinated on
the 24th day of June, 1844, at Carthage, about twenty miles from
Nauvoo, while under the pledged faith of Governor Ford, of
Illinois. Governor Ford had promised them protection if they
would stand trial and submit to the judgment of the court. By his
orders the Nauvoo Grays were to guard the jail while the
prisoners awaited trial. The mob was headed by Williams and
Sharp, editors of the Nauvoo Signal. When they approached the
jail