第3章

ScarcelyaleadingmaninVirginiacouldbefound，thoughnumbersofthecitizensjoinedtheranksoftheguardwhenthearrestwasmade。

Alllamentedthesternnecessitywhichdictatedtheexecution。

Everythingbeingready，thecommandwasgiven，“Men，doyourduty，“

andtheboxbeinginstantlyslippedfrombeneathhisfeet，hediedalmostinstantaneously。

ThebodywascutdownandcarriedtotheVirginiaHotel，where，inadarkenedroom，itwasscarcelylaidout，whentheunfortunateandbereavedcompanionofthedeceasedarrived，atheadlongspeed，tofindthatallwasover，andthatshewasawidow。Hergriefandheart-piercingcrieswereterribleevidencesofthedepthofherattachmentforherlosthusband，andaconsiderableperiodelapsedbeforeshecouldregainthecommandofherexcitedfeelings。

Thereissomethingaboutthedesperado-naturethatiswhollyunaccountable——atleastitlooksunaccountable。Itisthis。Thetruedesperadoisgiftedwithsplendidcourage，andyethewilltakethemostinfamousadvantageofhisenemy；armedandfree，hewillstandupbeforeahostandfightuntilheisshotalltopieces，andyetwhenheisunderthegallowsandhelplesshewillcryandpleadlikeachild。Wordsarecheap，anditiseasytocallSladeacoward(allexecutedmenwhodonot“diegame“arepromptlycalledcowardsbyunreflectingpeople)，andwhenwereadofSladethathe“hadsoexhaustedhimselfbytears，prayersandlamentations，thathehadscarcelystrengthlefttostandunderthefatalbeam，“thedisgracefulwordsuggestsitselfinamoment——yetinfrequentlydefyingandinvitingthevengeanceofbandedRockyMountaincut-throatsbyshootingdowntheircomradesandleaders，andneverofferingtohideorfly，Sladeshowedthathewasamanofpeerlessbravery。Nocowardwoulddarethat。Manyanotoriouscoward，manyachicken-liveredpoltroon，coarse，brutal，degraded，hasmadehisdyingspeechwithoutaquaverinhisvoiceandbeenswungintoeternitywithwhatlookedlikedthecalmestfortitude，andsowearejustifiedinbelieving，fromthelowintellectofsuchacreature，thatitwasnotmoralcouragethatenabledhimtodoit。Then，ifmoralcourageisnottherequisitequality，whatcouldithavebeenthatthisstout-heartedSladelacked?——thisbloody，desperate，kindly-mannered，urbanegentleman，whoneverhesitatedtowarnhismostruffianlyenemiesthathewouldkillthemwheneverorwhereverhecameacrossthemnext！Ithinkitisaconundrumworthinvestigating。

CHAPTERXII。

Justbeyondthebreakfast-stationweovertookaMormonemigranttrainofthirty-threewagons；andtrampingwearilyalonganddrivingtheirherdofloosecows，weredozensofcoarse-cladandsad-lookingmen，womenandchildren，whohadwalkedastheywerewalkingnow，dayafterdayforeightlingeringweeks，andinthattimehadcompassedthedistanceourstagehadcomeineightdaysandthreehours——sevenhundredandninety-

eightmiles！Theyweredustyanduncombed，hatless，bonnetlessandragged，andtheydidlooksotired！

Afterbreakfast，webathedinHorseCreek，a(previously)limpid，sparklingstream——anappreciatedluxury，foritwasveryseldomthatourfuriouscoachhaltedlongenoughforanindulgenceofthatkind。Wechangedhorsestenortwelvetimesineverytwenty-fourhours——changedmules，rather——sixmules——anddiditnearlyeverytimeinfourminutes。

Itwaslivelywork。Asourcoachrattleduptoeachstationsixharnessedmulessteppedgaylyfromthestable；andinthetwinklingofaneye，almost，theoldteamwasout，andthenewoneinandweoffandawayagain。

DuringtheafternoonwepassedSweetwaterCreek，IndependenceRock，Devil"sGateandtheDevil"sGap。Thelatterwerewildspecimensofruggedscenery，andfullofinterest——wewereintheheartoftheRockyMountains，now。Andwealsopassedby“Alkali“or“SodaLake，“andwewokeuptothefactthatourjourneyhadstretchedalongwayacrosstheworldwhenthedriversaidthattheMormonsoftencametherefromGreatSaltLakeCitytohaulawaysaleratus。Hesaidthatafewdaysgonebytheyhadshoveledupenoughpuresaleratusfromtheground(itwasadrylake)toloadtwowagons，andthatwhentheygotthesetwowagons-loadsofadrugthatcostthemnothing，toSaltLake，theycouldsellitfortwenty-fivecentsapound。

Inthenightwesailedbyamostnotablecuriosity，andonewehadbeenhearingagooddealaboutforadayortwo，andweresufferingtosee。

Thiswaswhatmightbecalledanaturalice-house。ItwasAugust，now，andswelteringweatherinthedaytime，yetatoneofthestationsthemencouldscapethesoilonthehill-sideundertheleeofarangeofboulders，andatadepthofsixinchescutoutpureblocksofice——hard，compactlyfrozen，andclearascrystal！

Towarddawnwegotunderwayagain，andpresentlyaswesatwithraisedcurtainsenjoyingourearly-morningsmokeandcontemplatingthefirstsplendoroftherisingsunasitsweptdownthelongarrayofmountainpeaks，flushingandgildingcragaftercragandsummitaftersummit，asiftheinvisibleCreatorreviewedhisgrayveteransandtheysalutedwithasmile，wehoveinsightofSouthPassCity。Thehotel-keeper，thepostmaster，theblacksmith，themayor，theconstable，thecitymarshalandtheprincipalcitizenandpropertyholder，allcameoutandgreeteduscheerily，andwegavehimgoodday。HegaveusalittleIndiannews，andalittleRockyMountainnews，andwegavehimsomePlainsinformationinreturn。Hethenretiredtohislonelygrandeurandweclimbedonupamongthebristlingpeaksandtheraggedclouds。SouthPassCityconsistedoffourlogcabins，oneifwhichwasunfinished，andthegentlemanwithallthoseofficesandtitleswasthechiefestofthetencitizensoftheplace。Thinkofhotel-keeper，postmaster，blacksmith，mayor，constable，citymarshalandprincipalcitizenallcondensedintoonepersonandcrammedintooneskin。Bemissaidhewas“aperfectAllen"srevolverofdignities。”Andhesaidthatifheweretodieaspostmaster，orasblacksmith，oraspostmasterandblacksmithboth，thepeoplemightstandit；butifheweretodieallover，itwouldbeafrightfullosstothecommunity。

TwomilesbeyondSouthPassCitywesawforthefirsttimethatmysteriousmarvelwhichallWesternuntraveledboyshaveheardofandfullybelievein，butaresuretobeastoundedatwhentheyseeitwiththeirowneyes，nevertheless——banksofsnowindeadsummertime。Wewerenowfaruptowardthesky，andknewallthetimethatwemustpresentlyencounterloftysummitscladinthe“eternalsnow“whichwassocommonplaceamatterofmentioninbooks，andyetwhenIdidseeitglitteringinthesunonstatelydomesinthedistanceandknewthemonthwasAugustandthatmycoatwashangingupbecauseitwastoowarmtowearit，IwasfullasmuchamazedasifIneverhadheardofsnowinAugustbefore。

Truly，“seeingisbelieving“——andmanyamanlivesalonglifethrough，thinkinghebelievescertainuniversallyreceivedandwellestablishedthings，andyetneversuspectsthatifhewereconfrontedbythosethingsonce，hewoulddiscoverthathedidnotreallybelievethembefore，butonlythoughthebelievedthem。

Inalittlewhilequiteanumberofpeaksswungintoviewwithlongclawsofglitteringsnowclaspingthem；andwithhereandthere，intheshade，downthemountainside，alittlesolitarypatchofsnowlookingnolargerthanalady"spocket-handkerchiefbutbeinginrealityaslargeasa“publicsquare。”

Andnow，atlast，wewerefairlyintherenownedSOUTHPASS，andwhirlinggaylyalonghighabovethecommonworld。WewereperchedupontheextremesummitofthegreatrangeoftheRockyMountains，towardwhichwehadbeenclimbing，patientlyclimbing，ceaselesslyclimbing，fordaysandnightstogether——andaboutuswasgatheredaconventionofNature"skingsthatstoodten，twelve，andeventhirteenthousandfeethigh——grandoldfellowswhowouldhavetostooptoseeMountWashington，inthetwilight。

Wewereinsuchanairyelevationabovethecreepingpopulationsoftheearth，thatnowandthenwhentheobstructingcragsstoodoutofthewayitseemedthatwecouldlookaroundandabroadandcontemplatethewholegreatglobe，withitsdissolvingviewsofmountains，seasandcontinentsstretchingawaythroughthemysteryofthesummerhaze。

AsageneralthingthePasswasmoresuggestiveofavalleythanasuspensionbridgeintheclouds——butitstronglysuggestedthelatteratonespot。Atthatplacetheupperthirdofoneortwomajesticpurpledomesprojectedaboveourleveloneitherhandandgaveusasenseofahiddengreatdeepofmountainsandplainsandvalleysdownabouttheirbaseswhichwefanciedwemightseeifwecouldsteptotheedgeandlookover。TheseSultansofthefastnesseswereturbanedwithtumbledvolumesofcloud，whichshreddedawayfromtimetotimeanddriftedofffringedandtorn，trailingtheircontinentsofshadowafterthem；andcatchingpresentlyonaninterceptingpeak，wrappeditaboutandbroodedthere——

thenshreddedawayagainandleftthepurplepeak，astheyhadleftthepurpledomes，downyandwhitewithnew-laidsnow。Inpassing，thesemonstrousragsofcloudhunglowandsweptalongrightoverthespectator"shead，swingingtheirtatterssonearlyinhisfacethathisimpulsewastoshrinkwhentheycamecloset。IntheoneplaceIspeakof，onecouldlookbelowhimuponaworldofdiminishingcragsandcanyonsleadingdown，down，andawaytoavagueplainwithathreadinitwhichwasaroad，andbunchesoffeathersinitwhichweretrees，——aprettypicturesleepinginthesunlight——butwithadarknessstealingoveritandgloomingitsfeaturesdeeperanddeeperunderthefrownofacomingstorm；andthen，whilenofilmorshadowmarredthenoonbrightnessofhishighperch，hecouldwatchthetempestbreakforthdownthereandseethelightningsleapfromcragtocragandthesheetedraindrivealongthecanyon-sides，andhearthethunderspealandcrashandroar。Wehadthisspectacle；afamiliaronetomany，buttousanovelty。

Webowledalongcheerily，andpresently，attheverysummit(thoughithadbeenallsummittous，andallequallylevel，forhalfanhourormore)，wecametoaspringwhichspentitswaterthroughtwooutletsandsentitinoppositedirections。Theconductorsaidthatoneofthosestreamswhichwewerelookingat，wasjuststartingonajourneywestwardtotheGulfofCaliforniaandthePacificOcean，throughhundredsandeventhousandsofmilesofdesertsolitudes。Hesaidthattheotherwasjustleavingitshomeamongthesnow-peaksonasimilarjourneyeastward——andweknewthatlongafterweshouldhaveforgottenthesimplerivuletitwouldstillbeploddingitspatientwaydownthemountainsides，andcanyon-beds，andbetweenthebanksoftheYellowstone；andbyandbywouldjointhebroadMissouriandflowthroughunknownplainsanddesertsandunvisitedwildernesses；andaddalongandtroubledpilgrimageamongsnagsandwrecksandsandbars；andentertheMississippi，touchthewharvesofSt。Louisandstilldrifton，traversingshoalsandrockychannels，thenendlesschainsofbottomlessandamplebends，walledwithunbrokenforests，thenmysteriousbywaysandsecretpassagesamongwoodyislands，thenthechainedbendsagain，borderedwithwidelevelsofshiningsugar-caneinplaceofthesombreforests；thenbyNewOrleansandstillotherchainsofbends——andfinally，aftertwolongmonthsofdailyandnightlyharassment，excitement，enjoyment，adventure，andawfulperilofparchedthroats，pumpsandevaporation，passtheGulfandenterintoitsrestuponthebosomofthetropicsea，nevertolookuponitssnow-peaksagainorregretthem。

Ifreightedaleafwithamentalmessageforthefriendsathome，anddroppeditinthestream。ButIputnostamponitanditwasheldforpostagesomewhere。

Onthesummitweovertookanemigranttrainofmanywagons，manytiredmenandwomen，andmanyadisgustedsheepandcow。

InthewofullydustyhorsemaninchargeoftheexpeditionIrecognizedJohn。OfallpersonsintheworldtomeetontopoftheRockyMountainsthousandsofmilesfromhome，hewasthelastoneIshouldhavelookedfor。Wewereschool-boystogetherandwarmfriendsforyears。

Butaboyishprankofminehaddisrupturedthisfriendshipandithadneverbeenrenewed。TheactofwhichIspeakwasthis。Ihadbeenaccustomedtovisitoccasionallyaneditorwhoseroomwasinthethirdstoryofabuildingandoverlookedthestreet。OnedaythiseditorgavemeawatermelonwhichImadepreparationstodevouronthespot，butchancingtolookoutofthewindow，IsawJohnstandingdirectlyunderitandanirresistibledesirecameuponmetodropthemelononhishead，whichIimmediatelydid。Iwastheloser，foritspoiledthemelon，andJohnneverforgavemeandwedroppedallintercourseandparted，butnowmetagainunderthesecircumstances。

Werecognizedeachothersimultaneously，andhandsweregraspedaswarmlyasifnocoldnesshadeverexistedbetweenus，andnoallusionwasmadetoany。Allanimositieswereburiedandthesimplefactofmeetingafamiliarfaceinthatisolatedspotsofarfromhome，wassufficienttomakeusforgetallthingsbutpleasantones，andwepartedagainwithsincere“good-bye“and“Godblessyou“fromboth。

WehadbeenclimbingupthelongshouldersoftheRockyMountainsformanytedioushours——westarteddownthem，now。Andwewentspinningawayataroundratetoo。

WeleftthesnowyWindRiverMountainsandUintaMountainsbehind，andspedaway，alwaysthroughsplendidscenerybutoccasionallythroughlongranksofwhiteskeletonsofmulesandoxen——monumentsofthehugeemigrationofotherdays——andhereandtherewereup-endedboardsorsmallpilesofstoneswhichthedriversaidmarkedtheresting-placeofmorepreciousremains。

Itwastheloneliestlandforagrave！Alandgivenovertothecayoteandtheraven——whichisbutanothernamefordesolationanduttersolitude。Ondamp，murkynights，thesescatteredskeletonsgaveforthasoft，hideousglow，likeveryfaintspotsofmoonlightstarringthevaguedesert。Itwasbecauseofthephosphorusinthebones。Butnoscientificexplanationcouldkeepabodyfromshiveringwhenhedriftedbyoneofthoseghostlylightsandknewthataskullheldit。

Atmidnightitbegantorain，andIneversawanythinglikeit——indeed，I

didnotevenseethis，foritwastoodark。Wefasteneddownthecurtainsandevencaulkedthemwithclothing，buttherainstreamedinintwentyplaces，nothwithstanding。Therewasnoescape。Ifonemovedhisfeetoutofastream，hebroughthisbodyunderone；andifhemovedhisbodyhecaughtonesomewhereelse。Ifhestruggledoutofthedrenchedblanketsandsatup，hewasboundtogetonedownthebackofhisneck。

Meantimethestagewaswanderingaboutaplainwithgapinggulliesinit，forthedrivercouldnotseeaninchbeforehisfacenorkeeptheroad，andthestormpeltedsopitilesslythattherewasnokeepingthehorsesstill。Withthefirstabatementtheconductorturnedoutwithlanternstolookfortheroad，andthefirstdashhemadewasintoachasmaboutfourteenfeetdeep，hislanternfollowinglikeameteor。Assoonashetouchedbottomhesangoutfrantically:

“Don"tcomehere！“

Towhichthedriver，whowaslookingovertheprecipicewherehehaddisappeared，replied，withaninjuredair:“ThinkI"madamfool?“

Theconductorwasmorethananhourfindingtheroad——amatterwhichshowedushowfarwehadwanderedandwhatchanceswehadbeentaking。

Hetracedourwheel-trackstotheimminentvergeofdanger，intwoplaces。Ihavealwaysbeengladthatwewerenotkilledthatnight。

Idonotknowanyparticularreason，butIhavealwaysbeenglad。

Inthemorning，thetenthdayout，wecrossedGreenRiver，afine，large，limpidstream——stuckinitwiththewaterjustuptothetopofourmail-

bed，andwaitedtillextrateamswereputontohaulusupthesteepbank。Butitwasnicecoolwater，andbesidesitcouldnotfindanyfreshplaceonustowet。

AttheGreenRiverstationwehadbreakfast——hotbiscuits，freshantelopesteaks，andcoffee——theonlydecentmealwetastedbetweentheUnitedStatesandGreatSaltLakeCity，andtheonlyonewewereeverreallythankfulfor。

Thinkofthemonotonousexecrablenessofthethirtythatwentbeforeit，toleavethisonesimplebreakfastloomingupinmymemorylikeashot-

towerafteralltheseyearshavegoneby！

AtfiveP。M。wereachedFortBridger，onehundredandseventeenmilesfromtheSouthPass，andonethousandandtwenty-fivemilesfromSt。

Joseph。Fifty-twomilesfurtheron，neartheheadofEchoCanyon，wemetsixtyUnitedStatessoldiersfromCampFloyd。Thedaybefore，theyhadfireduponthreehundredorfourhundredIndians，whomtheysupposedgatheredtogetherfornogoodpurpose。Inthefightthathadensued，fourIndianswerecaptured，andthemainbodychasedfourmiles，butnobodykilled。Thislookedlikebusiness。Wehadanotiontogetoutandjointhesixtysoldiers，butuponreflectingthattherewerefourhundredoftheIndians，weconcludedtogoonandjointheIndians。

EchoCanyonistwentymileslong。Itwaslikealong，smooth，narrowstreet，withagradualdescendinggrade，andshutinbyenormousperpendicularwallsofcoarseconglomerate，fourhundredfeethighinmanyplaces，andturretedlikemediaevalcastles。Thiswasthemostfaultlesspieceofroadinthemountains，andthedriversaidhewould“lethisteamout。”Hedid，andifthePacificexpresstrainswhizthroughtherenowanyfasterthanwedidtheninthestage-coach，Ienvythepassengerstheexhilarationofit。Wefairlyseemedtopickupourwheelsandfly——andthemailmatterwasliftedupfreefromeverythingandheldinsolution！Iamnotgiventoexaggeration，andwhenIsayathingImeanit。

However，timepresses。AtfourintheafternoonwearrivedonthesummitofBigMountain，fifteenmilesfromSaltLakeCity，whenalltheworldwasglorifiedwiththesettingsun，andthemoststupendouspanoramaofmountainpeaksyetencounteredburstonoursight。Welookedoutuponthissublimespectaclefromunderthearchofabrilliantrainbow！Eventheoverlandstage-driverstoppedhishorsesandgazed！

Halfanhouroranhourlater，wechangedhorses，andtooksupperwithaMormon“DestroyingAngel。”

“DestroyingAngels，“asIunderstandit，areLatter-DaySaintswhoaresetapartbytheChurchtoconductpermanentdisappearancesofobnoxiouscitizens。IhadheardadealabouttheseMormonDestroyingAngelsandthedarkandbloodydeedstheyhaddone，andwhenIenteredthisone"shouseIhadmyshudderallready。Butalasforallourromances，hewasnothingbutaloud，profane，offensive，oldblackguard！Hewasmurderousenough，possibly，tofillthebillofaDestroyer，butwouldyouhaveanykindofanAngeldevoidofdignity?CouldyouabideanAngelinanuncleanshirtandnosuspenders?CouldyourespectanAngelwithahorse-laughandaswaggerlikeabuccaneer?

Therewereotherblackguardspresent——comradesofthisone。Andtherewasonepersonthatlookedlikeagentleman——HeberC。Kimball"sson，tallandwellmade，andthirtyyearsold，perhaps。Alotofslatternlywomenflittedhitherandthitherinahurry，withcoffee-pots，platesofbread，andotherappurtenancestosupper，andtheseweresaidtobethewivesoftheAngel——orsomeofthem，atleast。Andofcoursetheywere；foriftheyhadbeenhired“help“theywouldnothaveletanangelfromabovestormandswearatthemashedid，letaloneonefromtheplacethisonehailedfrom。

Thiswasourfirstexperienceofthewestern“peculiarinstitution，“anditwasnotveryprepossessing。Wedidnottarrylongtoobserveit，buthurriedontothehomeoftheLatter-DaySaints，thestrongholdoftheprophets，thecapitaloftheonlyabsolutemonarchinAmerica——GreatSaltLakeCity。AsthenightclosedinwetooksanctuaryintheSaltLakeHouseandunpackedourbaggage。

CHAPTERXIII。

Wehadafinesupper，ofthefreshestmeatsandfowlsandvegetables——agreatvarietyandasgreatabundance。Wewalkedaboutthestreetssome，afterward，andglancedinatshopsandstores；andtherewasfascinationinsurreptitiouslystaringateverycreaturewetooktobeaMormon。

Thiswasfairy-landtous，toallintentsandpurposes——alandofenchantment，andgoblins，andawfulmystery。Wefeltacuriositytoaskeverychildhowmanymothersithad，andifitcouldtellthemapart；andweexperiencedathrilleverytimeadwelling-housedooropenedandshutaswepassed，disclosingaglimpseofhumanheadsandbacksandshoulders——forwesolongedtohaveagoodsatisfyinglookataMormonfamilyinallitscomprehensiveampleness，disposedinthecustomaryconcentricringsofitshomecircle。

ByandbytheActingGovernoroftheTerritoryintroducedustoother“Gentiles，“andwespentasociablehourwiththem。“Gentiles“arepeoplewhoarenotMormons。Ourfellow-passenger，Bemis，tookcareofhimself，duringthispartoftheevening，anddidnotmakeanoverpoweringsuccessofit，either，forhecameintoourroominthehotelabouteleveno"clock，fullofcheerfulness，andtalkingloosely，disjointedlyandindiscriminately，andeverynowandthentuggingoutaraggedwordbytherootsthathadmorehiccupsthansyllablesinit。

This，togetherwithhishanginghiscoatonthefloorononesideofachair，andhisvestonthefloorontheotherside，andpilinghispantsonthefloorjustinfrontofthesamechair，andthencomtemplatingthegeneralresultwithsuperstitiousawe，andfinallypronouncingit“toomanyforhim“andgoingtobedwithhisbootson，ledustofearthatsomethinghehadeatenhadnotagreedwithhim。

Butweknewafterwardthatitwassomethinghehadbeendrinking。ItwastheexclusivelyMormonrefresher，“valleytan。”

Valleytan(or，atleast，oneformofvalleytan)isakindofwhisky，orfirstcousintoit；isofMormoninventionandmanufacturedonlyinUtah。Traditionsaysitismadeof(imported)fireandbrimstone。IfI

rememberrightlynopublicdrinkingsaloonswereallowedinthekingdombyBrighamYoung，andnoprivatedrinkingpermittedamongthefaithful，excepttheyconfinedthemselvesto“valleytan。”

Nextdaywestrolledabouteverywherethroughthebroad，straight，levelstreets，andenjoyedthepleasantstrangenessofacityoffifteenthousandinhabitantswithnoloafersperceptibleinit；andnovisibledrunkardsornoisypeople；alimpidstreamripplinganddancingthrougheverystreetinplaceofafilthygutter；blockafterblockoftrimdwellings，builtof“frame“andsunburnedbrick——agreatthrivingorchardandgardenbehindeveryoneofthem，apparently——branchesfromthestreetstreamwindingandsparklingamongthegardenbedsandfruittrees——andagrandgeneralairofneatness，repair，thriftandcomfort，aroundandaboutandoverthewhole。Andeverywherewereworkshops，factories，andallmannerofindustries；andintentfacesandbusyhandsweretobeseenwhereveronelooked；andinone"searswastheceaselessclinkofhammers，thebuzzoftradeandthecontentedhumofdrumsandfly-wheels。

ThearmorialcrestofmyownStateconsistedoftwodissolutebearsholdinguptheheadofadeadandgonecaskbetweenthemandmakingthepertinentremark，“UNITED，WESTAND——(hic！)——DIVIDED，WEFALL。”Itwasalwaystoofigurativefortheauthorofthisbook。ButtheMormoncrestwaseasy。Anditwassimple，unostentatious，andfittedlikeaglove。

ItwasarepresentationofaGOLDENBEEHIVE，withthebeesallatwork！

ThecityliesintheedgeofalevelplainasbroadastheStateofConnecticut，andcrouchesclosedowntothegroundunderacurvingwallofmightymountainswhoseheadsarehiddenintheclouds，andwhoseshouldersbearrelicsofthesnowsofwinterallthesummerlong。

Seenfromoneofthesedizzyheights，twelveorfifteenmilesoff，GreatSaltLakeCityistoneddownanddiminishedtillitissuggestiveofachild"stoy-villagereposingunderthemajesticprotectionoftheChinesewall。

Onsomeofthosemountains，tothesouthwest，ithadbeenrainingeverydayfortwoweeks，butnotadrophadfalleninthecity。Andonhotdaysinlatespringandearlyautumnthecitizenscouldquitfanningandgrowlingandgooutandcooloffbylookingattheluxuryofaglorioussnow-stormgoingoninthemountains。Theycouldenjoyitatadistance，atthoseseasons，everyday，thoughnosnowwouldfallintheirstreets，oranywherenearthem。

SaltLakeCitywashealthy——anextremelyhealthycity。

Theydeclaredtherewasonlyonephysicianintheplaceandhewasarrestedeveryweekregularlyandheldtoanswerunderthevagrantactforhaving“novisiblemeansofsupport。”TheyalwaysgiveyouagoodsubstantialarticleoftruthinSaltLake，andgoodmeasureandgoodweight，too。[Veryoften，ifyouwishedtoweighoneoftheirairiestlittlecommonplacestatementsyouwouldwantthehayscales。]

Wedesiredtovisitthefamousinlandsea，theAmerican“DeadSea，“thegreatSaltLake——seventeenmiles，horseback，fromthecity——forwehaddreamedaboutit，andthoughtaboutit，andtalkedaboutit，andyearnedtoseeit，allthefirstpartofourtrip；butnowwhenitwasonlyarm"slengthawayithadsuddenlylostnearlyeverybitofitsinterest。Andsoweputitoff，inasortofgeneralway，tillnextday——andthatwasthelastweeverthoughtofit。WedinedwithsomehospitableGentiles；

andvisitedthefoundationoftheprodigioustemple；andtalkedlongwiththatshrewdConnecticutYankee，HeberC。Kimball(sincedeceased)，asaintofhighdegreeandamightymanofcommerce。

Wesawthe“Tithing-House，“andthe“LionHouse，“andIdonotknoworrememberhowmanymorechurchandgovernmentbuildingsofvariouskindsandcuriousnames。Weflittedhitherandthitherandenjoyedeveryhour，andpickedupagreatdealofusefulinformationandentertainingnonsense，andwenttobedatnightsatisfied。

Thesecondday，wemadetheacquaintanceofMr。Street(sincedeceased)

andputonwhiteshirtsandwentandpaidastatevisittotheking。

Heseemedaquiet，kindly，easy-mannered，dignified，self-possessedoldgentlemanoffifty-fiveorsixty，andhadagentlecraftinhiseyethatprobablybelongedthere。Hewasverysimplydressedandwasjusttakingoffastrawhatasweentered。HetalkedaboutUtah，andtheIndians，andNevada，andgeneralAmericanmattersandquestions，withoursecretaryandcertaingovernmentofficialswhocamewithus。Butheneverpaidanyattentiontome，notwithstandingImadeseveralattemptsto“drawhimout“onfederalpoliticsandhishighhandedattitudetowardCongress。IthoughtsomeofthethingsIsaidwereratherfine。Buthemerelylookedaroundatme，atdistantintervals，somethingasIhaveseenabenignantoldcatlookaroundtoseewhichkittenwasmeddlingwithhertail。

ByandbyIsubsidedintoanindignantsilence，andsosatuntiltheend，hotandflushed，andexecratinghiminmyheartforanignorantsavage。

Buthewascalm。Hisconversationwiththosegentlemenflowedonassweetlyandpeacefullyandmusicallyasanysummerbrook。Whentheaudiencewasendedandwewereretiringfromthepresence，heputhishandonmyhead，beameddownonmeinanadmiringwayandsaidtomybrother:

“Ah——yourchild，Ipresume?Boy，orgirl?“

CHAPTERXIV。

Mr。Streetwasverybusywithhistelegraphicmatters——andconsideringthathehadeightorninehundredmilesofrugged，snowy，uninhabitedmountains，andwaterless，treeless，melancholydesertstotraversewithhiswire，itwasnaturalandneedfulthatheshouldbeasbusyaspossible。Hecouldnotgocomfortablyalongandcuthispolesbytheroad-side，either，buttheyhadtobehauledbyoxteamsacrossthoseexhaustingdeserts——anditwastwodays"journeyfromwatertowater，inoneortwoofthem。Mr。Street"scontractwasavastwork，everywayonelookedatit；andyettocomprehendwhatthevaguewords“eighthundredmilesofruggedmountainsanddismaldeserts“mean，onemustgooverthegroundinperson——penandinkdescriptionscannotconveythedrearyrealitytothereader。Andafterall，Mr。S。"smightiestdifficultyturnedouttobeonewhichhehadnevertakenintotheaccountatall。

UntoMormonshehadsub-letthehardestandheaviesthalfofhisgreatundertaking，andallofasuddentheyconcludedthattheyweregoingtomakelittleornothing，andsotheytranquillythrewtheirpolesoverboardinmountainordesert，justasithappenedwhentheytookthenotion，anddrovehomeandwentabouttheircustomarybusiness！TheywereunderwrittencontracttoMr。Street，buttheydidnotcareanythingforthat。Theysaidtheywould“admire“toseea“Gentile“forceaMormontofulfilalosingcontractinUtah！Andtheymadethemselvesverymerryoverthematter。Streetsaid——foritwashethattoldusthesethings:

“Iwasindismay。Iwasunderheavybondstocompletemycontractinagiventime，andthisdisasterlookedverymuchlikeruin。Itwasanastoundingthing；itwassuchawhollyunlooked-fordifficulty，thatI

wasentirelynonplussed。Iamabusinessman——havealwaysbeenabusinessman——donotknowanythingbutbusiness——andsoyoucanimaginehowlikebeingstruckbylightningitwastofindmyselfinacountrywherewrittencontractswereworthless！——thatmainsecurity，thatsheet-

anchor，thatabsolutenecessity，ofbusiness。Myconfidenceleftme。

Therewasnouseinmakingnewcontracts——thatwasplain。Italkedwithfirstoneprominentcitizenandthenanother。Theyallsympathizedwithme，firstrate，buttheydidnotknowhowtohelpme。ButatlastaGentilesaid，"GotoBrighamYoung！——thesesmallfrycannotdoyouanygood。"Ididnotthinkmuchoftheidea，forifthelawcouldnothelpme，whatcouldanindividualdowhohadnotevenanythingtodowitheithermakingthelawsorexecutingthem?Hemightbeaverygoodpatriarchofachurchandpreacherinitstabernacle，butsomethingsternerthanreligionandmoralsuasionwasneededtohandleahundredrefractory，half-civilizedsub-contractors。Butwhatwasamantodo?

IthoughtifMr。Youngcouldnotdoanythingelse，hemightprobablybeabletogivemesomeadviceandavaluablehintortwo，andsoIwentstraighttohimandlaidthewholecasebeforehim。Hesaidverylittle，butheshowedstronginterestallthewaythrough。Heexaminedallthepapersindetail，andwheneverthereseemedanythinglikeahitch，eitherinthepapersormystatement，hewouldgobackandtakeupthethreadandfollowitpatientlyouttoanintelligentandsatisfactoryresult。

Thenhemadealistofthecontractors"names。Finallyhesaid:

“"Mr。Street，thisisallperfectlyplain。Thesecontractsarestrictlyandlegallydrawn，andaredulysignedandcertified。Thesemenmanifestlyenteredintothemwiththeireyesopen。Iseenofaultorflawanywhere。"

“ThenMr。Youngturnedtoamanwaitingattheotherendoftheroomandsaid:"TakethislistofnamestoSo-and-so，andtellhimtohavethesemenhereatsuch-and-suchanhour。"

“Theywerethere，totheminute。SowasI。Mr。Youngaskedthemanumberofquestions，andtheiranswersmademystatementgood。Thenhesaidtothem:

“"Yousignedthesecontractsandassumedtheseobligationsofyourownfreewillandaccord?"

“"Yes。"

“"Thencarrythemouttotheletter，ifitmakespaupersofyou！Go！"

“Andtheydidgo，too！Theyarestrungacrossthedesertsnow，workinglikebees。AndIneverhearawordoutofthem。

Thereisabatchofgovernors，andjudges，andotherofficialshere，shippedfromWashington，andtheymaintainthesemblanceofarepublicanformofgovernment——butthepetrifiedtruthisthatUtahisanabsolutemonarchyandBrighamYoungisking！“

Mr。Streetwasafineman，andIbelievehisstory。IknewhimwellduringseveralyearsafterwardinSanFrancisco。

OurstayinSaltLakeCityamountedtoonlytwodays，andthereforewehadnotimetomakethecustomaryinquisitionintotheworkingsofpolygamyandgetuptheusualstatisticsanddeductionspreparatorytocallingtheattentionofthenationatlargeoncemoretothematter。

Ihadthewilltodoit。Withthegushingself-sufficiencyofyouthI

wasfeverishtoplungeinheadlongandachieveagreatreformhere——untilIsawtheMormonwomen。ThenIwastouched。Myheartwaswiserthanmyhead。Itwarmedtowardthesepoor，ungainlyandpathetically“homely“

creatures，andasIturnedtohidethegenerousmoistureinmyeyes，I

said，“No——themanthatmarriesoneofthemhasdoneanactofChristiancharitywhichentitleshimtothekindlyapplauseofmankind，nottheirharshcensure——andthemanthatmarriessixtyofthemhasdoneadeedofopen-handedgenerositysosublimethatthenationsshouldstanduncoveredinhispresenceandworshipinsilence。”

[ForabriefsketchofMormonhistory，andthenotedMountainMeadowmassacre，seeAppendicesAandB。]

CHAPTERXV。

ItisalusciouscountryforthrillingeveningstoriesaboutassassinationsofintractableGentiles。IcannoteasilyconceiveofanythingmorecosythanthenightinSaltLakewhichwespentinaGentileden，smokingpipesandlisteningtotalesofhowBurtongallopedinamongthepleadinganddefenceless“Morisites“andshotthemdown，menandwomen，likesomanydogs。AndhowBillHickman，aDestroyingAngel，shotDrownandArnolddeadforbringingsuitagainsthimforadebt。

AndhowPorterRockwelldidthisandthatdreadfulthing。AndhowheedlesspeopleoftencometoUtahandmakeremarksaboutBrigham，orpolygamy，orsomeothersacredmatter，andtheverynextmorningatdaylightsuchpartiesaresuretobefoundlyingupsomebackalley，contentedlywaitingforthehearse。

AndthenextmostinterestingthingistositandlistentotheseGentilestalkaboutpolygamy；andhowsomeportlyoldfrogofanelder，orabishop，marriesagirl——likesher，marrieshersister——likesher，marriesanothersister——likesher，takesanother——likesher，marrieshermother——likesher，marriesherfather，grandfather，greatgrandfather，andthencomesbackhungryandasksformore。AndhowthepertyoungthingofelevenwillchancetobethefavoritewifeandherownvenerablegrandmotherhavetorankawaydowntowardD4intheirmutualhusband"sesteem，andhavetosleepinthekitchen，aslikeasnot。Andhowthisdreadfulsortofthing，thishivingtogetherinonefoulnestofmotheranddaughters，andthemakingayoungdaughtersuperiortoherownmotherinrankandauthority，arethingswhichMormonwomensubmittobecausetheirreligionteachesthemthatthemorewivesamanhasonearth，andthemorechildrenherears，thehighertheplacetheywillallhaveintheworldtocome——andthewarmer，maybe，thoughtheydonotseemtosayanythingaboutthat。

AccordingtotheseGentilefriendsofours，BrighamYoung"sharemcontainstwentyorthirtywives。Theysaidthatsomeofthemhadgrownoldandgoneoutofactiveservice，butwerecomfortablyhousedandcaredforinthehenery——ortheLionHouse，asitisstrangelynamed。Alongwitheachwifewereherchildren——fiftyaltogether。Thehousewasperfectlyquietandorderly，whenthechildrenwerestill。Theyalltooktheirmealsinoneroom，andahappyandhome-likesightitwaspronouncedtobe。NoneofourpartygotanopportunitytotakedinnerwithMr。Young，butaGentilebythenameofJohnsonprofessedtohaveenjoyedasociablebreakfastintheLionHouse。Hegaveapreposterousaccountofthe“callingoftheroll，“andotherpreliminaries，andthecarnagethatensuedwhenthebuckwheatcakescamein。Butheembellishedrathertoomuch。HesaidthatMr。Youngtoldhimseveralsmartsayingsofcertainofhis“two-year-olds，“observingwithsomepridethatformanyyearshehadbeentheheaviestcontributorinthatlinetooneoftheEasternmagazines；andthenhewantedtoshowMr。Johnsononeofthepetsthathadsaidthelastgoodthing，buthecouldnotfindthechild。

Hesearchedthefacesofthechildrenindetail，butcouldnotdecidewhichoneitwas。Finallyhegaveitupwithasighandsaid:

“IthoughtIwouldknowthelittlecubagainbutIdon"t。”Mr。Johnsonsaidfurther，thatMr。Youngobservedthatlifewasasad，sadthing——

“becausethejoyofeverynewmarriageamancontractedwassoapttobeblightedbytheinopportunefuneralofalessrecentbride。”AndMr。

JohnsonsaidthatwhileheandMr。Youngwerepleasantlyconversinginprivate，oneoftheMrs。Youngscameinanddemandedabreast-pin，remarkingthatshehadfoundoutthathehadbeengivingabreast-pintoNo。6，andshe，forone，didnotproposetoletthispartialitygoonwithoutmakingasatisfactoryamountoftroubleaboutit。Mr。Youngremindedherthattherewasastrangerpresent。Mrs。Youngsaidthatifthestateofthingsinsidethehousewasnotagreeabletothestranger，hecouldfindroomoutside。Mr。Youngpromisedthebreast-pin，andshewentaway。ButinaminuteortwoanotherMrs。Youngcameinanddemandedabreast-pin。Mr。Youngbeganaremonstrance，butMrs。Youngcuthimshort。ShesaidNo。6hadgotone，andNo。11waspromisedone，anditwas“nouseforhimtotrytoimposeonher——shehopedsheknewherrights。”Hegavehispromise，andshewent。AndpresentlythreeMrs。Youngsenteredinabodyandopenedontheirhusbandatempestoftears，abuse，andentreaty。TheyhadheardallaboutNo。6，No。11，andNo。14。Threemorebreast-pinswerepromised。TheywerehardlygonewhenninemoreMrs。Youngsfiledintothepresence，andanewtempestburstforthandragedroundabouttheprophetandhisguest。Ninebreast-pinswerepromised，andtheweirdsistersfiledoutagain。Andincameelevenmore，weepingandwailingandgnashingtheirteeth。Elevenpromisedbreast-pinspurchasedpeaceoncemore。

“Thatisaspecimen，“saidMr。Young。“Youseehowitis。YouseewhatalifeIlead。Amancan"tbewiseallthetime。InaheedlessmomentI

gavemydarlingNo。6——excusemycallingherthus，asherothernamehasescapedmeforthemoment——abreast-pin。Itwasonlyworthtwenty-fivedollars——thatis，apparentlythatwasitswholecost——butitsultimatecostwasinevitablyboundtobeagooddealmore。Youyourselfhaveseenitclimbuptosixhundredandfiftydollars——andalas，eventhatisnottheend！ForIhavewivesalloverthisTerritoryofUtah。Ihavedozensofwiveswhosenumbers，even，IdonotknowwithoutlookinginthefamilyBible。Theyarescatteredfarandwideamongthemountainsandvalleysofmyrealm。Andmarkyou，everysolitaryoneofthemwillhearofthiswretchedbreastpin，andeverylastoneofthemwillhaveoneordie。No。6"sbreastpinwillcostmetwenty-fivehundreddollarsbeforeIseetheendofit。Andthesecreatureswillcomparethesepinstogether，andifoneisashadefinerthantherest，theywillallbethrownonmyhands，andIwillhavetoorderanewlottokeeppeaceinthefamily。Sir，youprobablydidnotknowit，butallthetimeyouwerepresentwithmychildrenyoureverymovementwaswatchedbyvigilantservitorsofmine。Ifyouhadofferedtogiveachildadime，orastickofcandy，oranytrifleofthekind，youwouldhavebeensnatchedoutofthehouseinstantly，provideditcouldbedonebeforeyourgiftleftyourhand。Otherwiseitwouldbeabsolutelynecessaryforyoutomakeanexactlysimilargifttoallmychildren——andknowingbyexperiencetheimportanceofthething，Iwouldhavestoodbyandseentoitmyselfthatyoudidit，anddiditthoroughly。Onceagentlemangaveoneofmychildrenatinwhistle——averitableinventionofSatan，sir，andonewhichIhaveanunspeakablehorrorof，andsowouldyouifyouhadeightyorninetychildreninyourhouse。Butthedeedwasdone——themanescaped。Iknewwhattheresultwasgoingtobe，andIthirstedforvengeance。IorderedoutaflockofDestroyingAngels，andtheyhuntedthemanfarintothefastnessesoftheNevadamountains。Buttheynevercaughthim。Iamnotcruel，sir——Iamnotvindictiveexceptwhensorelyoutraged——butifIhadcaughthim，sir，sohelpmeJosephSmith，Iwouldhavelockedhimintothenurserytillthebratswhistledhimtodeath。

BytheslaughteredbodyofSt。ParleyPratt(whomGodassail！)therewasneveranythingonthisearthlikeit！Iknewwhogavethewhistletothechild，butIcould，notmakethosejealousmothersbelieveme。TheybelievedIdidit，andtheresultwasjustwhatanymanofreflectioncouldhaveforeseen:Ihadtoorderahundredandtenwhistles——Ithinkwehadahundredandtenchildreninthehousethen，butsomeofthemareoffatcollegenow——Ihadtoorderahundredandtenofthoseshriekingthings，andIwishImayneverspeakanotherwordifwedidn"thavetotalkonourfingersentirely，fromthattimeforthuntilthechildrengottiredofthewhistles。AndifeveranothermangivesawhistletoachildofmineandIgetmyhandsonhim，IwillhanghimhigherthanHaman！Thatisthewordwiththebarkonit！ShadeofNephi！Youdon"tknowanythingaboutmarriedlife。Iamrich，andeverybodyknowsit。I

ambenevolent，andeverybodytakesadvantageofit。Ihaveastrongfatherlyinstinctandallthefoundlingsarefoistedonme。

Everytimeawomanwantstodowellbyherdarling，shepuzzlesherbraintocipheroutsomeschemeforgettingitintomyhands。Why，sir，awomancamehereoncewithachildofacuriouslifelesssortofcomplexion(andsohadthewoman)，andsworethatthechildwasmineandshemywife——thatIhadmarriedheratsuch-and-suchatimeinsuch-and-

suchaplace，butshehadforgottenhernumber，andofcourseIcouldnotrememberhername。Well，sir，shecalledmyattentiontothefactthatthechildlookedlikeme，andreallyitdidseemtoresembleme——acommonthingintheTerritory——and，tocutthestoryshort，Iputitinmynursery，andsheleft。AndbytheghostofOrsonHyde，whentheycametowashthepaintoffthatchilditwasanInjun！Blessmysoul，youdon"tknowanythingaboutmarriedlife。Itisaperfectdog"slife，sir——aperfectdog"slife。Youcan"teconomize。Itisn"tpossible。Ihavetriedkeepingonesetofbridalattireforalloccasions。Butitisofnouse。Firstyou"llmarryacombinationofcalicoandconsumptionthat"sasthinasarail，andnextyou"llgetacreaturethat"snothingmorethanthedropsyindisguise，andthenyou"vegottoekeoutthatbridaldresswithanoldballoon。Thatisthewayitgoes。Andthinkofthewash-bill——(excusethesetears)——ninehundredandeighty-fourpiecesaweek！No，sir，thereisnosuchathingaseconomyinafamilylikemine。Why，justtheoneitemofcradles——thinkofit！Andvermifuge！

Soothingsyrup！Teethingrings！And"papa"swatches"forthebabiestoplaywith！Andthingstoscratchthefurniturewith！Andlucifermatchesforthemtoeat，andpiecesofglasstocutthemselveswith！

Theitemofglassalonewouldsupportyourfamily，Iventuretosay，sir。

LetmescrimpandsqueezeallIcan，Istillcan"tgetaheadasfastasI

feelIoughtto，withmyopportunities。Blessyou，sir，atatimewhenI

hadseventy-twowivesinthishouse，Igroanedunderthepressureofkeepingthousandsofdollarstiedupinseventy-twobedsteadswhenthemoneyoughttohavebeenoutatinterest；andIjustsoldoutthewholestock，sir，atasacrifice，andbuiltabedsteadsevenfeetlongandninety-sixfeetwide。Butitwasafailure，sir。Icouldnotsleep。

Itappearedtomethatthewholeseventy-twowomensnoredatonce。

Theroarwasdeafening。Andthenthedangerofit！ThatwaswhatIwaslookingat。Theywouldalldrawintheirbreathatonce，andyoucouldactuallyseethewallsofthehousesuckin——andthentheywouldallexhaletheirbreathatonce，andyoucouldseethewallsswellout，andstrain，andheartherafterscrack，andtheshinglesgrindtogether。

Myfriend，takeanoldman"sadvice，anddon"tencumberyourselfwithalargefamily——mind，Itellyou，don"tdoit。Inasmallfamily，andinasmallfamilyonly，youwillfindthatcomfortandthatpeaceofmindwhicharethebestatlastoftheblessingsthisworldisabletoaffordus，andforthelackofwhichnoaccumulationofwealth，andnoacquisitionoffame，power，andgreatnesscanevercompensateus。

Takemywordforit，tenorelevenwivesisallyouneed——nevergooverit。”

SomeinstinctorothermademesetthisJohnsondownasbeingunreliable。

Andyethewasaveryentertainingperson，andIdoubtifsomeoftheinformationhegaveuscouldhavebeenacquiredfromanyothersource。

HewasapleasantcontrasttothosereticentMormons。

CHAPTERXVI。

AllmenhaveheardoftheMormonBible，butfewexceptthe“elect“haveseenit，or，atleast，takenthetroubletoreadit。IbroughtawayacopyfromSaltLake。Thebookisacuriositytome，itissuchapretentiousaffair，andyetso“slow，“sosleepy；suchaninsipidmessofinspiration。Itischloroforminprint。IfJosephSmithcomposedthisbook，theactwasamiracle——keepingawakewhilehediditwas，atanyrate。Ifhe，accordingtotradition，merelytranslateditfromcertainancientandmysteriously-engravedplatesofcopper，whichhedeclareshefoundunderastone，inanout-of-the-waylocality，theworkoftranslatingwasequallyamiracle，forthesamereason。

Thebookseemstobemerelyaprosydetailofimaginaryhistory，withtheOldTestamentforamodel；followedbyatediousplagiarismoftheNewTestament。Theauthorlaboredtogivehiswordsandphrasesthequaint，old-fashionedsoundandstructureofourKingJames"stranslationoftheScriptures；andtheresultisamongrel——halfmodernglibness，andhalfancientsimplicityandgravity。Thelatterisawkwardandconstrained；

theformernatural，butgrotesquebythecontrast。Wheneverhefoundhisspeechgrowingtoomodern——whichwasabouteverysentenceortwo——heladledinafewsuchScripturalphrasesas“exceedingsore，““anditcametopass，“etc。，andmadethingssatisfactoryagain。“Anditcametopass“washispet。Ifhehadleftthatout，hisBiblewouldhavebeenonlyapamphlet。

Thetitle-pagereadsasfollows:

THEBOOKOFMORMON:ANACCOUNTWRITTENBYTHEHANDOFMORMON，UPON

PLATESTAKENFROMTHEPLATESOFNEPHI。

WhereforeitisanabridgmentoftherecordofthepeopleofNephi，andalsooftheLamanites；writtentotheLamanites，whoarearemnantoftheHouseofIsrael；andalsotoJewandGentile；writtenbywayofcommandment，andalsobythespiritofprophecyandofrevelation。Writtenandsealedup，andhidupuntotheLord，thattheymightnotbedestroyed；tocomeforthbythegiftandpowerofGoduntotheinterpretationthereof；sealedbythehandofMoroni，andhidupuntotheLord，tocomeforthinduetimebythewayofGentile；theinterpretationthereofbythegiftofGod。AnabridgmenttakenfromtheBookofEtheralso；whichisarecordofthepeopleofJared；whowerescatteredatthetimetheLordconfoundedthelanguageofthepeoplewhentheywerebuildingatowertogettoHeaven。

“Hidup“isgood。Andsois“wherefore“——thoughwhy“wherefore“?Anyotherwordwouldhaveansweredaswell——though——intruthitwouldnothavesoundedsoScriptural。

Nextcomes:

THETESTIMONYOFTHREEWITNESSES。

Beitknownuntoallnations，kindreds，tongues，andpeopleuntowhomthisworkshallcome，thatwe，throughthegraceofGodtheFather，andourLordJesusChrist，haveseentheplateswhichcontainthisrecord，whichisarecordofthepeopleofNephi，andalsooftheLamanites，theirbrethren，andalsoofthepeopleofJared，whocamefromthetowerofwhichhathbeenspoken；andwealsoknowthattheyhavebeentranslatedbythegiftandpowerofGod，forHisvoicehathdeclaredituntous；whereforeweknowofasuretythattheworkistrue。Andwealsotestifythatwehaveseentheengravingswhichareupontheplates；andtheyhavebeenshownuntousbythepowerofGod，andnotofman。Andwedeclarewithwordsofsoberness，thatanangelofGodcamedownfromheaven，andhebroughtandlaidbeforeoureyes，thatwebeheldandsawtheplates，andtheengravingsthereon；andweknowthatitisbythegraceofGodtheFather，andourLordJesusChrist，thatwebeheldandbearrecordthatthesethingsaretrue；anditismarvellousinoureyes；neverthelessthevoiceoftheLordcommandedusthatweshouldbearrecordofit；wherefore，tobeobedientuntothecommandmentsofGod，webeartestimonyofthesethings。AndweknowthatifwearefaithfulinChrist，weshallridourgarmentsofthebloodofallmen，andbefoundspotlessbeforethejudgment-seatofChrist，andshalldwellwithHimeternallyintheheavens。AndthehonorbetotheFather，andtotheSon，andtotheHolyGhost，whichisoneGod。Amen。

OLIVERCOWDERY，DAVIDWHITMER，MARTINHARRIS。

Somepeoplehavetohaveaworldofevidencebeforetheycancomeanywhereintheneighborhoodofbelievinganything；butforme，whenamantellsmethathehas“seentheengravingswhichareupontheplates，“

andnotonlythat，butanangelwasthereatthetime，andsawhimseethem，andprobablytookhisreceiptforit，Iamveryfarontheroadtoconviction，nomatterwhetherIeverheardofthatmanbeforeornot，andevenifIdonotknowthenameoftheangel，orhisnationalityeither。

Nextisthis:

ANDALSOTHETESTIMONYOFEIGHTWITNESSES。

Beitknownuntoallnations，kindreds，tongues，andpeopleuntowhomthisworkshallcome，thatJosephSmith，Jr。，thetranslatorofthiswork，hasshownuntoustheplatesofwhichhathbeenspoken，whichhavetheappearanceofgold；andasmanyoftheleavesasthesaidSmithhastranslated，wedidhandlewithourhands；andwealsosawtheengravingsthereon，allofwhichhastheappearanceofancientwork，andofcuriousworkmanship。Andthiswebearrecordwithwordsofsoberness，thatthesaidSmithhasshownuntous，forwehaveseenandhefted，andknowofasuretythatthesaidSmithhasgottheplatesofwhichwehavespoken。Andwegiveournamesuntotheworld，towitnessuntotheworldthatwhichwehaveseen；

andwelienot，Godbearingwitnessofit。

CHRISTIANWHITMER，JACOBWHITMER，PETERWHITMER，JR。，JOHNWHITMER，HIRAMPAGE，JOSEPHSMITH，SR。，HYRUMSMITH，SAMUELH。SMITH。

AndwhenIamfarontheroadtoconviction，andeightmen，betheygrammaticalorotherwise，comeforwardandtellmethattheyhaveseentheplatestoo；andnotonlyseenthoseplatesbut“hefted“them，Iamconvinced。IcouldnotfeelmoresatisfiedandatrestiftheentireWhitmerfamilyhadtestified。

TheMormonBibleconsistsoffifteen“books“——beingthebooksofJacob，Enos，Jarom，Omni，Mosiah，Zeniff，Alma，Helaman，Ether，Moroni，two“books“ofMormon，andthreeofNephi。

InthefirstbookofNephiisaplagiarismoftheOldTestament，whichgivesanaccountoftheexodusfromJerusalemofthe“childrenofLehi“；

anditgoesontotelloftheirwanderingsinthewilderness，duringeightyears，andtheirsupernaturalprotectionbyoneoftheirnumber，apartybythenameofNephi。Theyfinallyreachedthelandof“Bountiful，“andcampedbythesea。Aftertheyhadremainedthere“forthespaceofmanydays“——whichismoreScripturalthandefinite——Nephiwascommandedfromonhightobuildashipwhereinto“carrythepeopleacrossthewaters。”HetravestiedNoah"sark——butheobeyedordersinthematteroftheplan。Hefinishedtheshipinasingleday，whilehisbrethrenstoodbyandmadefunofit——andofhim，too——“saying，ourbrotherisafool，forhethinkeththathecanbuildaship。”Theydidnotwaitforthetimberstodry，butthewholetribeornationsailedthenextday。Thenabitofgenuinenaturecroppedout，andisrevealedbyoutspokenNephiwithScripturalfrankness——theyallgotonaspree！

They，“andalsotheirwives，begantomakethemselvesmerry，insomuchthattheybegantodance，andtosing，andtospeakwithmuchrudeness；

yea，theywereliftedupuntoexceedingrudeness。”

Nephitriedtostopthesescandalousproceedings；buttheytiedhimneckandheels，andwentonwiththeirlark。ButobservehowNephitheprophetcircumventedthembytheaidoftheinvisiblepowers:

Anditcametopassthataftertheyhadboundme，insomuchthatI

couldnotmove，thecompass，whichhadbeenpreparedoftheLord，didceasetowork；wherefore，theyknewnotwhithertheyshouldsteertheship，insomuchthattherearoseagreatstorm，yea，agreatandterribletempest，andweweredrivenbackuponthewatersforthespaceofthreedays；andtheybegantobefrightenedexceedingly，lesttheyshouldbedrownedinthesea；neverthelesstheydidnotlooseme。Andonthefourthday，whichwehadbeendrivenback，thetempestbegantobeexceedingsore。Anditcametopassthatwewereabouttobeswallowedupinthedepthsofthesea。

Thentheyuntiedhim。

Anditcametopassaftertheyhadloosedme，behold，Itookthecompass，anditdidworkwhitherIdesiredit。AnditcametopassthatIprayeduntotheLord；andafterIhadprayed，thewindsdidcease，andthestormdidcease，andtherewasagreatcalm。

Equippedwiththeircompass，theseancientsappeartohavehadtheadvantageofNoah。

Theirvoyagewastowarda“promisedland“——theonlynametheygiveit。

Theyreacheditinsafety。

PolygamyisarecentfeatureintheMormonreligion，andwasaddedbyBrighamYoungafterJosephSmith"sdeath。Beforethat，itwasregardedasan“abomination。”ThisversefromtheMormonBibleoccursinChapterII。ofthebookofJacob:

Forbehold，thussaiththeLord，thispeoplebegintowaxininiquity；theyunderstandnottheScriptures；fortheyseektoexcusethemselvesincommittingwhoredoms，becauseofthethingswhichwerewrittenconcerningDavid，andSolomonhisson。Behold，DavidandSolomontrulyhadmanywivesandconcubines，whichthingwasabominablebeforeme，saiththeLord；wherefore，thussaiththeLord，IhaveledthispeopleforthoutofthelandofJerusalem，bythepowerofminearm，thatImightraiseupuntomearighteousbranchfromthefruitoftheloinsofJoseph。Wherefore，ItheLordGod，willnosufferthatthispeopleshalldolikeuntothemofold。

However，theprojectfailed——oratleastthemodernMormonendofit——forBrigham“suffers“it。Thisverseisfromthesamechapter:

Behold，theLamanitesyourbrethren，whomyehate，becauseoftheirfilthinessandthecursingswhichhathcomeupontheirskins，aremorerighteousthanyou；fortheyhavenotforgottenthecommandmentoftheLord，whichwasgivenuntoourfathers，thattheyshouldhave，saveitwereonewife；andconcubinestheyshouldhavenone。

Thefollowingverse(fromChapterIX。oftheBookofNephi)appearstocontaininformationnotfamiliartoeverybody:

AndnowitcametopassthatwhenJesushadascendedintoheaven，themultitudediddisperse，andeverymandidtakehiswifeandhischildren，anddidreturntohisownhome。

Anditcametopassthatonthemorrow，whenthemultitudewasgatheredtogether，behold，Nephiandhisbrotherwhomhehadraisedfromthedead，whosenamewasTimothy，andalsohisson，whosenamewasJonas，andalsoMathoni，andMathonihah，hisbrother，andKumen，andKumenenhi，andJeremiah，andShemnon，andJonas，andZedekiah，andIsaiah；nowthesewerethenamesofthediscipleswhomJesushadchosen。

Inorderthatthereadermayobservehowmuchmoregrandeurandpicturesqueness(asseenbytheseMormontwelve)accompaniedonofthetenderestepisodesinthelifeofourSaviourthanothereyesseemtohavebeenawareof，Iquotethefollowingfromthesame“book“——Nephi:

AnditcametopassthatJesusspakeuntothem，andbadethemarise。

Andtheyarosefromtheearth，andHesaiduntothem，Blessedareyebecauseofyourfaith。Andnowbehold，Myjoyisfull。AndwhenHehadsaidthesewords，Hewept，andthemultitudebearrecordofit，andHetooktheirlittlechildren，onebyone，andblessedthem，andprayeduntotheFatherforthem。AndwhenHehaddonethisHeweptagain，andHespakeuntothemultitude，andsaithuntothem，Beholdyourlittleones。Andastheylookedtobehold，theycasttheireyestowardheaven，andtheysawtheheavensopen，andtheysawangelsdescendingoutofheavenasitwere，inthemidstoffire；

andtheycamedownandencircledthoselittleonesabout，andtheywereencircledaboutwithfire；andtheangelsdidministeruntothem，andthemultitudedidseeandhearandbearrecord；andtheyknowthattheirrecordistrue，fortheyallofthemdidseeandhear，everymanforhimself；andtheywereinnumberabouttwothousandandfivehundredsouls；andtheydidconsistofmen，women，andchildren。

Andwhatelsewouldtheybelikelytoconsistof?

TheBookofEtherisanincomprehensiblemedleyofif“history，“muchofitrelatingtobattlesandsiegesamongpeopleswhomthereaderhaspossiblyneverheardof；andwhoinhabitedacountrywhichisnotsetdowninthegeography。ThesewasaKingwiththeremarkablenameofCoriantumr，^^andhewarredwithShared，andLib，andShiz，andothers，inthe“plainsofHeshlon“；andthe“valleyofGilgal“；andthe“wildernessofAkish“；andthe“landofMoran“；andthe“plainsofAgosh“；and“Ogath，“and“Ramah，“andthe“landofCorihor，“andthe“hillComnor，“by“thewatersofRipliancum，“etc。，etc。，etc。“Anditcametopass，“afteradealoffighting，thatCoriantumr，uponmakingcalculationofhislosses，foundthat“therehadbeenslaintwomillionsofmightymen，andalsotheirwivesandtheirchildren“——say5，000，000or6，000，000inall——“andhebegantosorrowinhisheart。”Unquestionablyitwastime。SohewrotetoShiz，askingacessationofhostilities，andofferingtogiveuphiskingdomtosavehispeople。Shizdeclined，exceptuponconditionthatCoriantumrwouldcomeandlethimcuthisheadofffirst——athingwhichCoriantumrwouldnotdo。Thentherewasmorefightingforaseason；thenfouryearsweredevotedtogatheringtheforcesforafinalstruggle——afterwhichensuedabattle，which，Itakeit，isthemostremarkablesetforthinhistory，——except，perhaps，thatoftheKilkennycats，whichitresemblesinsomerespects。Thisistheaccountofthegatheringandthebattle:

7。Anditcametopassthattheydidgathertogetherallthepeople，uponallthefaceoftheland，whohadnotbeenslain，saveitwasEther。AnditcametopassthatEtherdidbeholdallthedoingsofthepeople；andhebeheldthatthepeoplewhowereforCoriantumr，weregatheredtogethertothearmyofCoriantumr；andthepeoplewhowereforShiz，weregatheredtogethertothearmyofShiz；whereforetheywereforthespaceoffouryearsgatheringtogetherthepeople，thattheymightgetallwhowereuponthefaceoftheland，andthattheymightreceiveallthestrengthwhichitwaspossiblethattheycouldreceive。Anditcametopassthatwhentheywereallgatheredtogether，everyonetothearmywhichhewould，withtheirwivesandtheirchildren；bothmen，women，andchildrenbeingarmedwithweaponsofwar，havingshields，andbreast-plates，andhead-plates，andbeingclothedafterthemannerofwar，theydidmarchforthoneagainstanother，tobattle；andtheyfoughtallthatday，andconquerednot。Anditcametopassthatwhenitwasnighttheywereweary，andretiredtotheircamps；

andaftertheyhadretiredtotheircamps，theytookupahowlingandalamentationforthelossoftheslainoftheirpeople；andsogreatweretheircries，theirhowlingsandlamentations，thatitdidrendtheairexceedingly。Anditcametopassthatonthemorrowtheydidgoagaintobattle，andgreatandterriblewasthatday；

neverthelesstheyconquerednot，andwhenthenightcameagain，theydidrendtheairwiththeircries，andtheirhowlings，andtheirmournings，forthelossoftheslainoftheirpeople。

8。AnditcametopassthatCoriantumrwroteagainanepistleuntoShiz，desiringthathewouldnotcomeagaintobattle，butthathewouldtakethekingdom，andsparethelivesofthepeople。Butbehold，theSpiritoftheLordhadceasedstrivingwiththem，andSatanhadfullpowerovertheheartsofthepeople，fortheyweregivenupuntothehardnessoftheirhearts，andtheblindnessoftheirmindsthattheymightbedestroyed；whereforetheywentagaintobattle。Anditcametopassthattheyfoughtallthatday，andwhenthenightcametheysleptupontheirswords；andonthemorrowtheyfoughtevenuntilthenightcame；andwhenthenightcametheyweredrunkenwithanger，evenasamanwhoisdrunkenwithwine；andtheysleptagainupontheirswords；andonthemorrowtheyfoughtagain；andwhenthenightcametheyhadallfallenbytheswordsaveitwerefiftyandtwoofthepeopleofCoriantumr，andsixtyandnineofthepeopleofShiz。Anditcametopassthattheysleptupontheirswordsthatnight，andonthemorrowtheyfoughtagain，andtheycontendedintheirmightswiththeirswords，andwiththeirshields，allthatday；andwhenthenightcametherewerethirtyandtwoofthepeopleofShiz，andtwentyandsevenofthepeopleofCoriantumr。

9。Anditcametopassthattheyateandslept，andpreparedfordeathonthemorrow。Andtheywerelargeandmightymen，astothestrengthofmen。Anditcametopassthattheyfoughtforthespaceofthreehours，andtheyfaintedwiththelossofblood。AnditcametopassthatwhenthemenofCoriantumrhadreceivedsufficientstrength，thattheycouldwalk，theywereabouttofleefortheirlives，butbehold，Shizarose，andalsohismen，andhesworeinhiswraththathewouldslayCoriantumr，orhewouldperishbythesword:whereforehedidpursuethem，andonthemorrowhedidovertakethem；andtheyfoughtagainwiththesword。Anditcametopassthatwhentheyhadallfallenbythesword，saveitwereCoriantumrandShiz，beholdShizhadfaintedwithlossofblood。

AnditcametopassthatwhenCoriantumrhadleaneduponhissword，thatherestedalittle，hesmoteofftheheadofShiz。AnditcametopassthatafterhehadsmoteofftheheadofShiz，thatShizraiseduponhishandsandfell；andafterthathehadstruggledforbreath，hedied。AnditcametopassthatCoriantumrfelltotheearth，andbecameasifhehadnolife。AndtheLordspakeuntoEther，andsaiduntohim，goforth。Andhewentforth，andbeheldthatthewordsoftheLordhadallbeenfulfilled；andhefinishedhisrecord；andthehundredthpartIhavenotwritten。

Itseemsapityhedidnotfinish，forafterallhisdrearyformerchaptersofcommonplace，hestoppedjustashewasindangerofbecominginteresting。

TheMormonBibleisratherstupidandtiresometoread，butthereisnothingviciousinitsteachings。Itscodeofmoralsisunobjectionable——

itis“smouched“[Milton]fromtheNewTestamentandnocreditgiven。

CHAPTERXVII。

Attheendofourtwodays"sojourn，weleftGreatSaltLakeCityheartyandwellfedandhappy——physicallysuperbbutnotsoverymuchwiser，asregardsthe“Mormonquestion，“thanwewerewhenwearrived，perhaps。

Wehadadealmore“information“thanwehadbefore，ofcourse，butwedidnotknowwhatportionofitwasreliableandwhatwasnot——foritallcamefromacquaintancesofaday——strangers，strictlyspeaking。Weweretold，forinstance，thatthedreadful“MountainMeadowsMassacre“wastheworkoftheIndiansentirely，andthattheGentileshadmeanlytriedtofastenitupontheMormons；weweretold，likewise，thattheIndiansweretoblame，partly，andpartlytheMormons；andweweretold，likewise，andjustaspositively，thattheMormonswerealmostifnotwhollyandcompletelyresponsibleforthatmosttreacherousandpitilessbutchery。

Wegotthestoryinallthesedifferentshapes，butitwasnottillseveralyearsafterwardthatMrs。Waite"sbook，“TheMormonProphet，“

cameoutwithJudgeCradlebaugh"strialoftheaccusedpartiesinitandrevealedthetruththatthelatterversionwasthecorrectoneandthattheMormonsweretheassassins。Allour“information“hadthreesidestoit，andsoIgaveuptheideathatIcouldsettlethe“Mormonquestion“

intwodays。StillIhaveseennewspapercorrespondentsdoitinone。

IleftGreatSaltLakeagooddealconfusedastowhatstateofthingsexistedthere——andsometimesevenquestioninginmyownmindwhetherastateofthingsexistedthereatallornot。ButpresentlyIrememberedwithalighteningsenseofreliefthatwehadlearnedtwoorthreetrivialthingstherewhichwecouldbecertainof；andsothetwodayswerenotwhollylost。Forinstance，wehadlearnedthatwewereatlastinapioneerland，inabsoluteandtangiblereality。

Thehighpriceschargedfortrifleswereeloquentofhighfreightsandbewilderingdistancesoffreightage。Intheeast，inthosedays，thesmallestmoneyeddenominationwasapennyanditrepresentedthesmallestpurchasablequantityofanycommodity。WestofCincinnatithesmallestcoininusewasthesilverfive-centpieceandnosmallerquantityofanarticlecouldbeboughtthan“fivecents"worth。”InOverlandCitythelowestcoinappearedtobetheten-centpiece；butinSaltLaketheredidnotseemtobeanymoneyincirculationsmallerthanaquarter，oranysmallerquantitypurchasableofanycommoditythantwenty-fivecents"

worth。Wehadalwaysbeenusedtohalfdimesand“fivecents"worth“astheminimumoffinancialnegotiations；butinSaltLakeifonewantedacigar，itwasaquarter；ifhewantedachalkpipe，itwasaquarter；ifhewantedapeach，oracandle，oranewspaper，orashave，oralittleGentilewhiskeytorubonhiscornstoarrestindigestionandkeephimfromhavingthetoothache，twenty-fivecentswastheprice，everytime。

Whenwelookedattheshot-bagofsilver，nowandthen，weseemedtobewastingoursubstanceinriotousliving，butifwereferredtotheexpenseaccountwecouldseethatwehadnotbeendoinganythingofthekind。

Butpeopleeasilygetreconciledtobigmoneyandbigprices，andfondandvainofboth——itisadescenttolittlecoinsandcheappricesthatishardesttobearandslowesttotakeholduponone"stoleration。Afteramonth"sacquaintancewiththetwenty-fivecentminimum，theaveragehumanbeingisreadytoblusheverytimehethinksofhisdespicablefive-centdays。HowsunburntwithblushesIusedtogetingaudyNevada，everytimeIthoughtofmyfirstfinancialexperienceinSaltLake。

Itwasonthiswise(whichisafavoriteexpressionofgreatauthors，andaveryneatone，too，butIneverhearanybodysayonthiswisewhentheyaretalking)。Ayounghalf-breedwithacomplexionlikeayellow-jacketaskedmeifIwouldhavemybootsblacked。ItwasattheSaltLakeHousethemorningafterwearrived。Isaidyes，andheblackedthem。ThenI

handedhimasilverfive-centpiece，withthebenevolentairofapersonwhoisconferringwealthandblessednessuponpovertyandsuffering。Theyellow-jackettookitwithwhatIjudgedtobesuppressedemotion，andlaiditreverentlydowninthemiddleofhisbroadhand。Thenhebegantocontemplateit，muchasaphilosophercontemplatesagnat"searintheamplefieldofhismicroscope。Severalmountaineers，teamsters，stage-

drivers，etc。，drewnearanddroppedintothetableauandfelltosurveyingthemoneywiththatattractiveindifferencetoformalitywhichisnoticeableinthehardypioneer。Presentlytheyellow-jackethandedthehalfdimebacktomeandtoldmeIoughttokeepmymoneyinmypocket-bookinsteadofinmysoul，andthenIwouldn"tgetitcrampedandshriveledupso！

Whataroarofvulgarlaughtertherewas！Idestroyedthemongrelreptileonthespot，butIsmiledandsmiledallthetimeIwasdetachinghisscalp，fortheremarkhemadewasgoodforan“Injun。”

Yes，wehadlearnedinSaltLaketobechargedgreatpriceswithoutlettingtheinwardshudderappearonthesurface——forevenalreadywehadoverheardandnotedthetenorofconversationsamongdrivers，conductors，andhostlers，andfinallyamongcitizensofSaltLake，untilwewerewellawarethatthesesuperiorbeingsdespised“emigrants。”Wepermittednotell-taleshuddersandwincesinourcountenances，forwewantedtoseempioneers，orMormons，half-breeds，teamsters，stage-drivers，MountainMeadowassassins——anythingintheworldthattheplainsandUtahrespectedandadmired——butwewerewretchedlyashamedofbeing“emigrants，“andsorryenoughthatwehadwhiteshirtsandcouldnotswearinthepresenceofladieswithoutlookingtheotherway。

AndmanyatimeinNevada，afterwards，wehadoccasiontorememberwithhumiliationthatwewere“emigrants，“andconsequentlyalowandinferiorsortofcreatures。PerhapsthereaderhasvisitedUtah，Nevada，orCalifornia，evenintheselatterdays，andwhilecommuningwithhimselfuponthesorrowfulbanishmentofthesecountriesfromwhatheconsiders“theworld，“hashadhiswingsclippedbyfindingthatheistheonetobepitied，andthatthereareentirepopulationsaroundhimreadyandwillingtodoitforhim——yea，whoarecomplacentlydoingitforhimalready，whereverhestepshisfoot。

Poorthing，theyaremakingfunofhishat；andthecutofhisNewYorkcoat；andhisconscientiousnessabouthisgrammar；andhisfeebleprofanity；andhisconsuminglyludicrousignoranceofores，shafts，tunnels，andotherthingswhichheneversawbefore，andneverfeltenoughinterestintoreadabout。Andallthetimethatheisthinkingwhatasadfateitistobeexiledtothatfarcountry，thatlonelyland，thecitizensaroundhimarelookingdownonhimwithablightingcompassionbecauseheisan“emigrant“insteadofthatproudestandblessedestcreaturethatexistsonalltheearth，a“FORTY-NINER。”

Theaccustomedcoachlifebeganagain，now，andbymidnightitalmostseemedasifweneverhadbeenoutofoursnuggeryamongthemailsacksatall。Wehadmadeonealteration，however。Wehadprovidedenoughbread，boiledhamandhardboiledeggstolastdoublethesixhundredmilesofstagingwehadstilltodo。

Anditwascomfortinthosesucceedingdaystositupandcontemplatethemajesticpanoramaofmountainsandvalleysspreadoutbelowusandeathamandhardboiledeggswhileourspiritualnaturesrevelledalternatelyinrainbows，thunderstorms，andpeerlesssunsets。Nothinghelpsscenerylikehamandeggs。Hamandeggs，andaftertheseapipe——anold，rank，deliciouspipe——hamandeggsandscenery，a“downgrade，“aflyingcoach，afragrantpipeandacontentedheart——thesemakehappiness。Itiswhatalltheageshavestruggledfor。