be fore. I then went on to Independence the next day, and
preached there that night, from Ephesians iv, 5: "One Lord,
one faith, one baptism," which caused some of the people to
stare at me, Here brother Ford and brother Pertee earnestly
remonstrated against my proceeding any farther, telling me
that I never would be able to encounter the difficulties.

     I rode over, the next morning, to Westport, and finding
the company were all gone, and no possibility of overtaking
them, with much pain of mind I gave up going any farther,
and knew not what to do. I then rode across to the Shawnee
mission, three miles from Westport, across the Missouri
line, and there I met brother Greene, presiding elder, who
told me the company, about four days previous, was eighty
miles ahead of me, on the Caw River, I said within myself,
surely the Lord is opening my way to go on. I began to get
ready to go on, but could not get half prepared. Bought
some powder and lead, and some provision and a gun, but was
disappointed in getting my gun. My feelings were much
harrowed up with the brethren trying to discourage me, and
keep me from going to the Mountains. One of the preachers
told me it was almost presumptuous for so old a man as I to
attempt such a hazardous journey, and added, that he had
awful feelings for me through the last night; and he said,
so had some of the rest. Mr. Greene said there was a
possibility of my returning, but not a probability,

     I started out on Saturday, with brother Johnson, a
missionary, and two Indian chiefs of the Caw tribe. We
reached, that night, Wakloosa Creek, and camped under the
trees. Brother Johnson cooked supper, and we had cakes and
coffee. We laid down to sleep; the thunder and lightning
cold be heard and seen, and the wind began to blow. I was
somewhat alarmed, for fear of the trees falling on us. The
rain soon began, and the wind ceased. Then I soon fell
asleep, and rested well and comfortable. I arose next
morning happy; bless the Lord, O my soul; praise him who
takes care of us in the desert!

     This day we traveled through extensive rolling
prairies, with some few skirts of timber. We rode
forty-five miles that day, and reached brother Johnson's
mission. Brother and sister Johnson furnished me with
provision, and everything that I needed, and offered to do
anything that they could for me. (Brother Johnson has died
since, and I doubt not, has gone to heaven to reap his
reward). I shall never forget their kindness to me. Next
morning I started, in company with Mr. Brensill. When we
came to the Caw River, the Indians said we could cross it,
We entered in, and the water ran over our horses backs, and
I got my provisions wet. We inquired of the Indians, and
they told us the company was ahead about four days' journey,
and they gave me directions how to find their trail. I rode
about seven miles. I was then alone, about 9 o'clock; and
being about to pass through the territory occupied by the
Pawnee tribe, I thought of what they told me about being