Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1907-01-31
CHAPTER TX.
Into the wilderness.

On to what Daniel Webster had lately
styled "A region OF savages aud wild
beasts, of deserts, OF shifting sands
and whirlwinds OF dust. OF cactus and
prairie dogs"
The little band OF pioneers chosen
10 break a way for the main body OF
the Saints consisted OF 143 men, three
women, and two children. They were
to travel In 70 wagons. drawn by
horses and oxen. They knew not
where they were TO stop. but they
were men OF eager initiative. fearless
and determined; and their consola-
ton was that, while their exodus into
the desert meant hardship and griev.
ots suffering, II also promised them
freedom from Gentle interference.
II was not a fat land into which they
were venturing; but at least IL was
land without a past, lying clean as
II came from the hand OF its maker,
where they could be free to worship
God without fearing the narrow judg.
ment Of the frivolous. Instructed ia
the sacred mysteries revealed to
Joseph Smith through the magic light
of the Urim and Thummim. and sus.
taired by the divine message en-.
graved on tho golden plates he had
dug up from the hill of Cumorah, they
were now ready to feel their way
across the continent and blaze a trail
to the new Jerusalem.
They went in military style with
due precautions against surprise by
the Lamanites-the wretched red
remnant Of Abrahams seed-that
swarmed on every side.
Brigham Young was lieutenant gen.
eral; Stephen Markham was colonel;
the redoubtable John Pack was first
major, and Shadrach Roundy. second.
There were two captains of hundreds
and fourteen captains OF tens. The
orders OF the lieutenant general re.
quired each man to walk constantly
beside his wagon, leaving II only by
his officers commands. To make the
force compact, the wagons were to
movo two abreast where they could.
Every man was to keep his weapons
loaded. II the gun was a caplock. the
cap was to be taken of and piece
of leather put on to exclude moisture
and dirt; II fiintlock. the filling was
to be taken out and the pan filled
with tow or cotton.
Their march was not only cautious
but orderly. At five a. m. the bugle
sounded for rising, two hours being
allowed for prayers and breakfast.
At night each man had to retire to
hiS wagon for prayer at eight-thirty.
and to rest at nine. II they camped
by river they drew the wagons into
base. Other times the wagons made
circle, fore-wheel Of one touching
rear wheel OF the next, thus pro-
viding a corral for the stock. In such
manner was the wisdom of the Lord
concerning this hegira supplemented
In detail by the worldly forethought
of his servant Brigham.
They started along the north bank
OF the Platte river under the auspic-
ious shine OF an April sun. A better
route was along the south bank
where grass was more plentiful and
the Indians less troublesome. But
along the south bank parties OF
migrating Gentiies might also be met,
and these sons of perdltion were to
be avoided at any cost-"at least for
the present" said Brigham, in tones
OF sage Significance.
And so for 200 miles they broke q
new way over the plains, to be known
years after as the old Mormon TRAIL"
to be broadened later by the gold.
seekers of forty-nine, and still later
10 be shod with steel, when the mira
Gle OF a railway was worked in the
desert.
Joel Rae, walking beside his wagon,
medjtated chiefly upon the manner in
which his Witness would first mani.
fest itsej. The wonder came. In a
way, while he thus medItated. Late
one afternoon the scouts thrown In
advance came hurrying back to re-
port q large band of Indians strung
out in battle array few miles ahead.
The wagons were at once formed i've
abreast, their one cannon was wheeled
TO the front. and the company ad.
NdnCsu IN ciobo loImhIOu. ESfSelf'
ing these aggressive maneuvers, the
Indians seemed to change their plan
and, instead OF coming on to attack,
were seen 10 be setting fire to the
prairie.
The result might well have been
disastrous, as the wind was blowing
toward the train. Joel Rae saw it;
saw that the time had como for a
miracle IL the little company OF Saints
was TO be saved a serious rebuff. He
quickly entered his wagon and began
to pray. He prayed that the Lord
might avert this calamity and permit
the handful of faithful ones 70 pro-
coed in peace to fashion His temple
on earth.
When he began TO pray there had