Chapter 13

           LongbeforedaylightthecampatNephiwasastir.Thecattleweredrivenouttowaterandpasture.Whilethemenunchainedthewheelsanddrewthewagonsapartandclearforyokingin,thewomencookedfortybreakfastsoverfortyfires.Thechildren,inthechillofdawn,clusteredaboutthefires,sharingplaces,hereandthere,withthelastreliefofthenight-watchwaitingsleepilyforcoffee.

           Itrequirestimetogetalargetrainsuchasoursunderway,foritsspeedisthespeedoftheslowest.SothesunwasanhourhighandthedaywasalreadyuncomfortablyhotwhenwerolledoutofNephiandonintothesandybarrens.Noinhabitantoftheplacesawusoff.Allchosetoremainindoors,thusmakingourdepartureasominousastheyhadmadeourarrivalthenightbefore.

           Againitwaslonghoursofparchingheatandbitingdust,sage-brushandsand,andalandaccursed.Nodwellingsofmen,neithercattlenorfences,noranysignofhumankind,didweencounterallthatday;andatnightwemadeourwagon-circlebesideanemptystream,inthedampsandofwhichwedugmanyholesthatfilledslowlywithwaterseepage.

           Oursubsequentjourneyisalwaysabrokenexperiencetome.Wemadecampsomanytimes,alwayswiththewagonsdrawnincircle,thattomychildmindawearylongtimepassedafterNephi.Butalways,stronguponallofus,wasthatsenseofdriftingtoanimpendingandcertaindoom.