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Show MORMON HOSPITALITY- HOMEWARD JOUNREY. 217 Southward of that now crossing the mountains by the South Pass. I therefore disposed of all my wagons, and such instruments and public property as were no longer necessary, by selling them to the Mormon authorities; and arranged for the transportation of the baggage of the party entirely by pack- mules. The horses purchased from the Uintah Indians the past winter enabled me to mount a force sufficiently numerous for self- protection upon the projected route- part of which lay through the common battleground of the Sioux, Snakes, Utahs, Blackfeet, and Crow Indians. Before taking leave of the Mormon community, whose history has been the subject of no little interest in the country, I cannot but avail myself of the opportunity again to acknowledge the constant kindness and generous hospitality which was ever extended to the party during a sojourn of rather more than a year among them. The most disinterested efforts were made to afford us, both personally and officially, all the aids and facilities within the power of the people, as well to forward our labours as to contribute to our comfort and enjoyment. Official invitations were sent by the authorities to the officers of the party, while engaged in distant duty on the lake, to participate in the celebration of their annual jubilee, on the 24th of July, and an honourable position assigned them in the procession on that occasion. Upon our final departure, we were'followed with the kindest expressions of regard, and of anxious hopes for the safety and welfare of the party upon its homeward journey. CHAPTER IX. HOMEWARD JOURNEY.- EXPLORATION OF A NEW PASS THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. Wednesday, August 28.- Having completed our arrangements, we left the city of the Great Salt Lake for home, and encamped at the mouth of the " Big Kanyon," which affords a pass through the Wahsatch range of mountains to the plains beyond. Thursday, August 29.- Morning fine and cool. A train of Mormon wagons, just arrived from the States, is encamped near us. Our road to- day is up the Golden Pass, through a caflon formed |