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November 6, the Battalion crossed the trail of General Kearny at a point where he had abandoned his wagons and proceeded with pack animals. Kearney, with his picked troops of cavalry, traveled through the mountains far to the north of the Battalion. Since the task of the latter was to make a wagon road to the Pacific, they were compelled to travel much farther south, and so avoid the steep, snow-clad mountains.

The day they intersected Kearney's trail, the men lay by. The Colonel sent back several miles and had an ox driven up that had given out the day before. The ox had been sprained in his shoulder and was miserably poor, notwithstanding that, his bones would make soup; so the ox was ordered to be butchered and his carcass divided out.

For several days now the Battalion had been traveling over rugged bluffs. Again a number of men were detailed to each wagon to help pull it over the steep places. At times the men cut the roadway through the narrow passages in the mountains with crowbars and pickaxes. At such points much pulling, lifting and pushing was necessary to get the wagons over the top.

On the afternoon of November 6, the pilots came back with the report that the route ahead was impassable, but as the command and the men were inexorable in their determination to make a wagon road through to the Pacific this report was not heeded. Pioneers were now kept ahead constantly to work and clear the roadway. The country was rugged, wild, primeval, a veritable chaos of ridges, bluffs, gullies and chasms. Over the whole surface grew thick tangles of mesquite brush, a rough shrub with long thorns that tore to shreds

the ragged clothes of the soldiers.

On November 9, the Battalion was again divided. The sick, the worn out and the feeble-fifty-five in all -were sent back to Pueblo by way of Santa Fe. It was clear to the command that the worst part of the Battalion's journey was yet to come. He dare not let these sick men continue a march so arduous and full of grave dangers. Lieutenant Willis was appointed to lead this third detachment back to Pueblo. The day of separation was a solemn one to the men. They felt that this could have been avoided if different arrangements had been made in providing plenty of teams and provisions. The parting scene was like cutting the threads of life. Many prayers were said asking God to preserve the enfeebled brethren. All the soldiers felt that the way looked dark and dreary for those who were to go onward as well as for those who were ordered to turn back.

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Colonel Cooke deemed it impossible to take all of the wagons farther, so two were left at the Rio Grande. At this point companies were required to reduce the number of their tents to one to nine instead of one to six. All upright poles and extra camp kettles were left also. Muskets were now to be used for tent poles. That night camp was pitched on the precipitous bluffs over a mile from water.

The Battalion was now traveling through country over which hostile Indians roamed. They saw occasional groups of warriors' teepees. The Indian families were kept hidden in secluded mountain recesses on account of enmity towards the Ameri

cans.

For a number of days the Battalion found quantities of ancient pottery ware which lay scattered, here and there, in broken fragments along their way. This earthen ware was glazed and flowered in many interesting and beautiful designs. There were also pieces of glass found, evincing the fact that the land had known an ancient civilization and industry far above that of the present aborigines.

November 13 the Battalion took final leave of the Rio Grande, traveling in a south westerly direction. The first camp was made by a great natural reservoir in a deep gorge in the rocks. Next morning they traveled across a beautiful plain and camped by a spring of clear water. Here they found the ruins of a large stone building, that long ages since, had fallen into decay. The country round about was beautiful,—a land that once had been abundantly productive but now was uninhabited and lay with the desolation of centuries upon it.

In crossing a gap in the Sonora mountains the men came upon a place where a large number of mortars had been cut into the solid rock. These appeared to have been used in the far distant past, for pulverizing mineral, perhaps gold quartz.

The country was covered with scrub oak, and oose that had stalks fully eighteen feet high, and very long saw-like leaves. November 18, the Battalion camped on a clear stream of water that sunk a short distance from its source. This place, known as the Mimbres, was a beautiful table land terraced in many smooth, even flats.

The guides who had been out in advance, returned and soon changed the pleasant mental picture which the topography of the country here created in the minds of the men. They

had found no water, and feared that none was to be found nearer than the Gila river, one hundred miles distant. To turn back meant starvation, or if perchance the men should survive, they would have failed in their undertaking. To attempt marching forward one hundred miles without water seemed madness. The only other alternative was to follow the road to Yanos and thence to other Mexican settlements. If the Battalion were lucky enough to escape from the enemy, this course would end in Old Mexico.

The guides went to the hill top and raised a signal smoke to attract some Mexicans whom they hoped would be able to inform them about the country westward, and from whom fresh teams and supplies might be purchased. In about an hour after the blue smoke from the signal fires had ascended heavenward, a half dozen Mexicans fierce looking fellows,spurred their jaded horses into the soldiers' camp. They proved insolent and taciturn; would give no information nor sell a morsel of food.

The Colonel now called together his staff and captains of the companies. After a long council they decided to follow the road which the guides said would lead in a southwesterly direction through the Mexican settlements, where they could obtain food and fresh teams. The rank and file were greatly downcast over this decision. Long before leaving Nauvoo, the Saints had placed their entire hope in finding a haven of peace in some valley in the Rockies. The Battalion had marched forth with the assurance that at the expiration of their year's service, they would join their families and friends somewhere in the vast expanse out west, known as California. Besides this, they were true Americans, and had an unshaken determination to see a great

task through, once begun. They were anxious to make the road through to the Pacific. That night, small groups of men, all through the all through the camp, met in prayer, asking God to change the Colonel's mind and inspire him to lead them on to California.

Next morning the Battalion took up the line of march southwest, down the road to Yanos. Gloom settled upon the hearts of the men. When they had traveled several miles the road turned somewhat towards the southeast. Colonel Cooke rose in his saddle, yearningly scanned the country westward, then looked again down the trail toward Mexico. He ordered a halt, and said in a resolute voice, "This is not my I was ordered to California, and I will go there, or die in the attempt." He commanded the bugler, "Blow the right." As the company wheeled and marched westward, all down the line they murmured fervently, "God bless the Colonel."

course.

The supply of water which the men carried was exhausted by the end of the day. Still they traveled eighteen miles the next day and camped without water. All day long through deep sand they walked in double files in front of the wagons, making trails for the wheels. They struck camp the next morning at daybreak, and traveled twelve miles when they reached the point of the mountain. In a crevice in the rock at the base of the mountain there was enough water for each man to have a small drink. The Colonel and his staff reached the water first. Having had as much as they themselves could drink, they permitted their mules to drain the spring saying that the necessity of the animals was greater than that of the men. Some of the thirsting men, with a sinking in their

hearts, heard this remark. Still they advanced hopefully, some dipped up a few spoonsful of water; others waited to catch the drops that leaked through the rocks. There was nothing to do but toil on over the ridge. Having dragged themselves another six miles they were met by a guide who told them there was water to be All the had nine miles further on. while a maddening mirage danced before their eyes, keeping ever the same distance from them. Sometimes it looked like a river, sometimes like the smooth, glaring expanse of a lake or sea. Continuously they were lured onward by that elusive, wraith-like phantom of the desert, that kept alive in their hearts the shining hope of finding water beyond the gray stretches of sand.

After dark that night the advance companies reached what had once been a lake bottom. The surface was as smooth as marble; the wagons slipped easily over it leaving no track. They traversed this polished plain for three miles, and found, on its western shore, some swamp holes It was filled with brackish water. now about eight o'clock in the evening. All night long the weary, thirsting men came straggling to camp.

Some had fallen into feverish, tossing sleep by the wayside, and dreamed of cool meadowlands, and clear, rushing streams. They awoke to find themselves still upon the sterile, arid desert, threatened with death from thirst unless they nerved their exhausted bodies to press forward. The last of the stragglers reached camp about seven o'clock the next morning. All that day the Battalion remained in camp at Las Playas the great clay flat. Both men and animals could go no farther until they had rested.

(To be continued)

By Ineż C. Hoyt

"Vacation will soon be here," said Mrs. Williams to Mrs. Jones who had stepped over to chat a few minutes while she made button holes in Ellen's little dress.

"Yes, and your boy and girls will be home and that means more work than ever for this summer," you " said Mrs. Jones, "I used to think I would be glad when my little tots were the size of your three, but when I see you work and slave for them, I am glad mine are small."

"I do work hard," said Mrs. Williams, "but I love to see The Three looking nice."

The Three as they were known by everyone were triplets, two girls and a boy. They had nearly cost Mrs. Williams her life at the time of their birth, but with struggle and care she regained her health, and with equally hard struggle and care she saved the three little lives sent to her.

"What have you planned for the summer?" asked Mrs. Jones.

Oh, I have thought I would like to go to the mountains this summer, if it meets with the approval of The Three.

"Why shouldn't they approve?"

"I am very anxious to go as it was so warm here last year, and the heat seems to be harder on me now than it used to."

"Well I must run home now. Come over before The Three get home or you won't get over all summer." With that she was gone. Mrs. Williams sat thinking, "Estell is right, I do give in to the children, but they are here such a short time, and there is so much sewing to do for the girls, now Paul isn't much trouble as far as clothes are concerned, boys never are. I hope the girls took an inter

est in their sewing this year, for I want them to be good house keepers, and know all there is to know about sewing and all domestic arts. They took that branch to please me, bless them. But they haven't mentioned it in any of the letters they have written." Thus she sat dreaming about her children and how she had fixed things for their comfort for the summer. And now she was ready to commence the sewing and mending so they could go back in the fall freshly clad.

Mr. Williams was a railroad inspector and not much of his time could be spent at home. He had never ceased to be the lover of the little woman he had married. When he left, his parting words to the children were always the same:

"On your honor, you will take good care of little mother while I ar away."

And they would answer, "We will." They loved their mother, but she had always humored them and had always wanted to do for them, until they got into the habit of being waited on.

Time soon passed and on the morning of the day she expected them home she arose earlier than usual and had everything in readi ness for them. They would be in on the 10:10 train, she was all in a tremble with joy at thought of seeing them again. Nine months was a long time to be without them.

Putting on a new voile dress she had made for herself, she set forth to meet the train. As she waited several acquaintances spoke to her. They noted how happy she looked and hoped The Three would mark the change in her because of the rest.

The train pulled in and with a fluttering heart she stepped forward. There they were. All three came rushing forward to see which one could reach her first, Paul threw his arms around her and lifted her from her feet. "Mother, mother, you dear!" he exclaimed, "that old train just crawled all the way." Pearl kissed her over and over, "Oh, I am glad to see you." Pauline reached for her, "Give me a chance, won't you," she kissed her again and again, "Momie, momie, you love, I am so glad to be home again."

Just then a tall young man and a small dark girl stepped up and said, "Have a heart, have you forgotten us?" The Three turned and introduced Bobbie and Mable Allen, school chums they had invited home for the summer vacation. Pearl whispered, "We knew you would not care." Mrs. Williams' heart sank for she thought of the added work and her spoiled summer trip, but she must not let The Three see her disappointment.

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She welcomed them home, "Come," she said, "We must get back to lunch. Paul, you look after the baggage.' Many friends greeted them as they passed, for they were well liked by all.

When they reached home they had to go over the house to see what their mother had been doing in their absence. They were nineteen these three and they were full of life and vim.

The neighbors knew they were home for they could hear their laughter all the rest of the day. That first day was spent in putting things away and talking as fast as they could talk. That evening the young folks sat around Mrs. Wiliams talking and laughing, when Bobbie said, "Mrs. Williams, you will have to let me call you Momie too for I love you all ready." "Me, too,"said Mable as she

came over where Mrs. Williams sat. "And we will try and not be much trouble, won't we Bobbie?"

The next morning Mrs. Williams came into the kitchen to get breakfast, and was surprised to see the three girls there before her. “What is this?" she exclaimed.

"This means that you are going to have the vacation of your life, Momie dear," said Pearl, "Pauline and I planned it all out with Mable's help, so go and cut flowers or do anything you wish until we call you, but your hands are not to get meddlesome and get you into work, for we are going to show you what we have learned this year.

Not only did they go to the mountains, but they went long drives, and when father came home for one of his short stays he was delighted to see little Momie so well and happy. He promised them a sea shore trip the next year, and, "Bobbie, you and little Miss Mable can count yourselves invited," he added.

They were so happy and rested so much that no one realized how the sewing was finished.

They were gone again, and Mrs. Jones ran over to see Mrs. Williams. "How well you look, Pearl," said Mrs. Jones, "I was afraid this spring that you would be nearly ready to collapse this fall when I saw The Three had brought company home with them, but you look younger than

ever.'

"Yes, I feel like a new woman, Estell, it has been the most wonderful summer I ever put in, I feel like a girl again, and think what a change hasc ome over the children. The Lord has blessed me indeed and I am so happy."

"Pearl, if I can raise my little tots so they will love me like yours have proven they do you. I will think I have done well."

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