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Show 136 FORTY YEARS AMONG THE INDIANS. The main command under Canby intended to follow what was known as Lorin's trail up the Grand river, cross over and go down to Fort Garland, while a com-pany under Lieutenant Stith was to explore the Dolores river. I was wanted for both, but as this could not be I was sent on the Lorin trail, accompanied by a sergeant and an Indian, to the junction of the Grand and Gunni-son rivers, to find the road and see how the crossing was. My hopes were that after this trip and finding the road all right to this point that I could get off and return home, but not so. It was decided that we had to go on and guide the exploring expedition through on the Dolores. I told Canby I did not know the country. No difference. My natural ability, with my general knowl-edge of the country, was all sufficient, so at length I gave up and went willingly. The most of the officers treated me with great kindness and respect. They knew I was a member of the " Mormon" church and often asked me questions about our religion. Many evenings were spent in chatting about Utah affairs in a very pleas-ant and agreeable manner. After crossing Green river there is a desert of fifty-five miles to Grand river. The troops suffered consider-able on this desert. Some few leaving the road to hunt water got lost, and one or two never were found ; they either perished or fell into the hands of some hostile Indians. One little circumstance showing the need of understanding something of their language or signs in dealing with Indians happened at Green river. There were quite a number of Utes camped below the crossing. These Indians came into camp quite often. One day I noticed a crowd of soldiers making some curious and exciting moves. I approached to see what was the matter. I saw an Indian standing, holding |