LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 193 



families on the Arkansa ; and hence, probably, one great 

 reason why they now started alone on their journey. 



Spring had arrived, and it was time the Mormons should 

 proceed on their march ; but whether already tired of the 

 sample they had had of life in the wilderness, or fearful 

 of encountering the perils of the Indian country, not one 

 amongst them, with the exception of old Brand, seemed 

 inclined to pursue the journey farther. That old back- 

 woodsman, however, was not to be deterred, but declared 

 his intention of setting out alone, with his family, and 

 risking all the dangers to be anticipated. 



One fine sunny evening in April of 1847, when the 

 cotton-woods on the banks of the Arkansa began to put 

 forth their buds, and robins and blue-birds harbingers of 

 spring were hopping with gaudy plumage through the 

 thickets, three white -tilted Conostoga waggons emerged 

 from the timbered bottom of the river, and rumbled slowly 

 over the prairie, in the direction of the Platte's waters. 

 Each waggon was drawn by eight oxen, and contained a 

 portion of the farming implements and household utensils 

 of the Brand family. The teams were driven by the young 

 boys, the men following in rear with shouldered rifles old 

 Brand himself, mounted on an Indian horse, leading the 

 advance. The women were safely housed under the shelter 

 of the waggon-tilts, and out of the first the mild face of 

 Mary Brand smiled adieu to many of her old companions 

 who had accompanied them thus far, and now wished them 

 " God-speed " on their long journey. Some mountaineers, 

 too, galloped up dressed in buckskin, and gave them rough 

 greeting warning the men to keep their " eyes skinned," 

 and look out for the Arapahos, who were out on the waters 

 of the Platte. Presently all retired, and then the huge 

 waggons and the little company were rolling orf their soli- 

 tary way through the deserted prairies passing the first 

 of the many thousand miles which lay between them and 

 the " setting sun," as the Indians style the distant regions 

 of the Far West. And on, without casting a look behind 

 him, doggedly and boldly marched old Brand, followed by 

 his sturdy family. 



N 



