book himself for Louisville, and step on
shore at Memphis. He had no luggage of any kind except a green cotton
umbrella; but, in order to lull all suspicion, he contrived always to
see the captain or the clerk in his office, and to ask them
confidentially if they knew the man sleeping in the upper bed, if he was
respectable, as he, the preacher, had in his trunks considerable sums
intrusted to him by some societies. The consequence was, that, believing
him rich, the captain and officers would pay him a great deal of
attention, inviting him to wine and liquor. When he disappeared, they
would express how sorry they were to have been obliged to leave the
gentleman behind, but they hoped they would see him at St. Louis, New
Orleans, or Louisville, or hear from him, so as to know where to direct
his trunks. But they would soon ascertain that there were no trunks left
behind, that there had never been any brought on board, and that they
had been duped by a clever sharper.

In less than twenty-four hours almost all the passengers had got on
board some other boats, but those who had been invited by Mr. Courtenay
tarried a few days with us, for we were on the eve of a great fishing
party on the lake, which in the Far-West is certainly a very curious
scene. Among the new guests were several cotton planters from the South,
and English cotton-brokers. One of them had passed a short time among
the Mormons, at Nauvoo, and had many amusing stories to tell of them.
One I select among many, which is the failure of an intended miracle by
Joe Smith.

Towards the close of a fine summer's day, a farmer of Ioway found a
respectable-looking man at his gate, who requested permission to pass
the night under his roof. The hospitable farmer readily complied; the
stranger was invited into the house, and a warm and substantial supper
set before him.

After he had eaten, the farmer, who appeared to be a jovial,
warm-hearted, humorous, and withal a shrewd old man, passed several
hours in conversation with his guest, who seemed to be very ill at ease,
both in body and mind; yet, as if desirous of pleasing his entertainer,
he replied courteously and agreeably to whatever was said to him.
Finally, he pleaded fatigue and illness as an excuse for retiring to
rest, and was conducted by the farmer to an upper chamber where he
went to bed.

About the middle of the night, the farmer and his family were awakened
by dreadful groans, which they soon ascert