that any caravan or party of traders would pass
that way. The Desert that surrounded us was a sufficient barrier
against that; besides, I knew that the mountain was far to the southward
of the trails usually followed by the prairie traders. There was but
one hope that I could cling to with any degree of confidence: that was,
that the Desert might not stretch so far to the south or west as it
appeared to do; and by breaking up the wagon, and making a light cart
out of it, we might still be able to cross it. I was determined,
therefore, first to go alone, and explore the route in both these
directions. If it should appear practicable, I could return, and put
this design into execution.

"Next morning, having loaded my horse with provisions, and as much water
as he could well carry, I took an affectionate leave of my wife and
little ones; and, commending them to the protection of God, I mounted,
and rode off toward the west. I headed in this direction for a day and
a half, and still the waste stretched to the horizon before me. I had
made but a short journey, for the path led through ridges and hillocks
of moving sand, and my horse sank to the knees at every step. In the
afternoon of the second day, I turned back from the attempt, fearful
that I should not be able to regain the valley. But I succeeded at
length,--both myself and horse almost dead with thirst on arriving
there.

"I found my little party all well, as I had left them; but I had brought
them no glad tidings, and I sat down in the midst of them with a feeling
of despair.

"My next reconnoissance was to be to the south; and I only waited until
my jaded horse might be sufficiently rested for another journey.

"Another day passed, and I was sitting upon a log near the fire,
reflecting upon the dark future that lay before us. I was filled with
despondency, and took no note of what was passing around. When I had
sat in this way for some time, I felt a light hand touching me upon the
shoulder; and, looking up, I saw that Mary had seated herself upon the
log beside me, while a smile of cheerfulness and composure was playing
upon her features.

"I saw that she had something in her mind that she was about to
communicate to me.

"`What is it, Mary?' I asked.

"`Is not this a lovely spot?' said she, waving her hand so as to
indicate the whole scene by which we were surrounded. My eyes, along
with hers, roamed for a moment over the fair picture, and I