had a large train, yet did not consider himself
safe. I answered:

"My trust is in God, not in numbers."

This led to a conversation on religious subjects. When I told him
who I was, and stated my belief to him, he was much interested in
the Mormon doctrine. At supper he gave us everything to eat that
could be desired. The Captain put up a large tent over my wagon
to protect it from the storm and wind.

The next morning the storm was over and we made an early start.
The Captain gave me a cheese, a sack of butter crackers,
sardines, and many other matters which were of value to us on our
journey over the plains. He also gave me his name, age, and place
of residence in St. Louis, writing it in a little blank book
which he presented me. He then gave me five dollars in gold,
shook hands, and said:

"Remember me in coming days," and we parted.

At the Cimmaron crossing of the Arkansas River we met several
companies of Missouri troops. They informed us that Capt. Mann,
with three companies, had been attacked by a body of Southern
Pawnee and Cheyenne Indians; that the troops were defeated and
lost seven killed, with a number wounded; that three of the men
had come for help; that Capt. Mann had lost all of his animals
except the three that the messengers escaped with; that the men
only had a small supply of ammunition, and shot it all away
before they retreated. Reinforcements had gone to their
assistance and would bring in the command.

They insisted that we stop with them, saying it was madness to
attempt to go on. I told them that my trust was in God, my
business urgent, and we could not stop. We went forward twelve
miles, when we met the troops bringing in the wounded and the
remnant of the men who had been engaged with Capt. Mann in the
late Indian fight; they also insisted that we return with them.
They said there were eight hundred mounted Indians not more than
two miles back, following up the rearguard, and that we would be
massacred unless we returned with them. I admit that the prospect
looked dark. Still I felt impressed to push on.

Along this river, while it runs in nearly a level country and
with no timber within a hundred miles, there are many washes and
gullies that sometimes run out perhaps a mile from the river.
Often these washes, which are quite deep, caused the road to
twist round them, thus forcing one to travel a couple of miles to
gain two hundred yards in distance. It was near one of these