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Show THE FAIR APOSTATE. 323 Happy home, ' tis sure I love thee, Can I can I say ' Farewell? ' Can I leave thee, Far in distant lands to dwell? " Yes, I hasten from you gladly, From the scenes I love so well ; Far away, ye billows, bear me ; Lovely native land, farewell! Pleased I leave thee, Far in distant lands to dwell. " Bear me on, thou restless ocean, Let the winds my canvas swell ; Heaves my heart with warm emotion, While I go far hence to dwell, Glad I bid thee, Native land, farewell, farewell." On ship- board the discipline was perfect. The new converts were distributed in quorums, over each an elder, and over all a trustee or apostle, insuring mutual respect and cleanliness; and in this order the emigrants traveled all the way to Iowa City, their outfitting point for the plains. It was there learned that over two thousand of the poorer and middle class of converts had that year left Europe, all of whom were to continue the journey from this point with hand- carts. But precious time was lost The Mormon agent had neglected to provide the carts; they were now hastily constructed of imperfectly seasoned wood, and the whole party set out joyfully late in July, and were soon strung along the route thence to the Missouri River. The first five hundred got an early start, and being largely composed of young and strong men, entered Salt Lake Valley just as the first snow of the season was falling. But our friends, with their companions, found themselves the second week in August just prepared to start from the Missouri. Fanatical as they were, some of them shrank from making the attempt so late in the season. The division contained five hun-dred persons : a hundred and twenty stout men, three hundred women, and children old enough to walk, and seventy babies to be carried by their mothers or hauled upon the carts this party starting to traverse eleven hundred miles of mountain and desert in the closing months of the season! Totally ignorant of the country and climate, the converts were eager to go on to " Zion," but there were four of the leaders who had been to the valley, and others at Florence attending to the emi-gration. Incredible as it may appear, all these urged them on but one; Levi Savage used his common sense and knowledge of the country, but was rebuked by the elders, who prophesied, in the name of Israel's |
