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Show FORTY YEARS AMONG THE INDIANS. 305 There had been attempts made to explore the south-ern country that had practically failed. President Young had expressed confidence in my ability to make the trip and so I felt determined to do my best. I knew that our little mules and ponies were our dependence, for if we had lost them we might have per-ished, or at least suffered great hardships as well as los-ing time. And more still I realized the success or failure of our trip would have a great effect upon others who might follow after. All this made me extremely careful. One fault I have always had, and with all my expe-rience in life it still hangs to me, that is, anything that is clear to my understanding to be right I naturally think others ought to see the same. It was so on this trip. I naturally thought every man understood as well as I did the importance of taking care of our outfit. I was so much discouraged at the effects of these reports that I felt as though I never wanted to take charge of another mission of any kind. I wrote a note to President Young, asking him to appoint someone else to take charge and I would go along as guide and inter-preter. President Young paid no attention to my sugges-tion. I went to Brother Woodruff and asked him to speak to Brother Brigham on the subject; instead of doing which he told me I was wrong to notice these reports, and that all men who were called to do a good work met opposition. I told him that I really believed it would be a mis-take to put me in charge of the colony; that I had been used to doing hard service so much that I had gotten in the habit of being arbitrary, and I was afraid I would not have patience to act as a presiding Elder should. Brother Woodruff said he believed I was honest and 19 |