Chapter I: Preface

The Scriptures tell us that the truth should not be spoken at all times. Does this imply that a falsehood should ever be told? I think not, but simply means that silence is often profitable.

In answer to the solicitation of many friends, I have concluded to write something of my personal history and experience in frontier life, especially relating to that portion spent among the Indians and Mexicans. In doing this I shall aim to write the plain, simple truth. I have to trust mainly to my memory, never having kept a journal. I have preserved a few letters that will aid me, but the greater part of this history will be given as it comes to my mind, just as it occurred to me at the time, modified or strengthened, as the case may be, by after circumstances.

One rule I shall endeavor to follow--to speak the truth without malice toward anyone. This will doubtless be hard for me to carry through, but I make a record of the desire, that it may be continually before me.

If the educated reader should find any mistakes in this book, please do not spend much time or money in pointing them out, as they may be too common. No one has been paid for a literary revision. The Author has used his own language and style. The unlearned will be able to understand the language without the use of a dictionary.

The Author.

INDEX.

CHAPTER I.

Cross the Plains with Volunteers to Engage in War with Mexico--Attacked by Mounted Comanches--Remain in Mexico About Three Years after the War--Indulge in Many of the Wild and Reckless Ways of the People, but Abstain from Strong Drink and the Worst Vices--Acquire a Knowledge of the Spanish Language

CHAPTER II.

Learn of the "Mormons"--Leave with a Company Bound for Salt Lake Valley with Eight Thousand Sheep--My First "Big Scare"--Surrounded and Threatened by Indians Many Times on the Road--Surrounded by Five Hundred Well-Armed Warriors Demanding the Death of a Man from our Camp, as the Chief's son had Died--Meet with an Accident Which Nearly Resulted in my Death

CHAPTER III.

My Scrutiny of the Mormons--Employment as an Indian Trader --Acquaintance with "Winter Mormons"--A Proposition of Theft--Loomas Threatens my Life--My Resolve to Kill him--He Finds his Death at Other Hands

CHAPTER IV.

My Baptism--Walker, the "Napoleon of the Desert"--Raids in Lower California--He Tricks the Mexicans--Extinction of the Tribe

CHAPTER V.

Patrick and Glenn Fail--Patrick a Rascal--He Robs Enoch Reece

CHAPTER VI.

My Visit to Salt Lake City--Introduction to Brigham Young--Ordained a Seventy--Judge Brochus' Speech

CHAPTER VII.

The City Santa Fe--Traditions Concerning it--The Early Settlers--My Desires to Travel--The Slave Trade