“Why, how do you do, Mr. Smith? Am glad to see you, of course I am in earnest about crossing the plains, but where did you come from? I supposed you would be at the Missouri River before this time, have you turned back?” “Oh, no, we are waiting for better roads and good company.” “Come, go with us, I will promise you good company, and the roads will improve.” “Where are Cash and Neelie? I have not seen them.” “They did not stop, when I waited to see the wagons over the difficulties.” “Then I have missed seeing them; was in the mill when they passed. Remember me to them. We will start again to-morrow, and will overtake you in a few days, perhaps.” “Hope you will, good-bye until we meet again.” “Farewell, may you enjoy as pleasant a trip as you anticipate.” “Thank you,” and waving him good-bye, I spoke to Dick, and he cantered up the hill past the mill and the wagons. I soon caught up with Cash and Neelie. “Guess who I saw at the mill?” “Did you see any one we know?” “Yes, an especial friend of yours, Cash, Bob Smith, of Liberty.” “Oh, dear, I wish I had seen him. Was Thad Harper with him? Are they going back home?” “No; they are waiting for better roads and good company. I did not see Thad Harper. Bob said they will overtake us in a few days.” “I hope they will, they would be quite an addition to our party.” AN ADDITION TO OUR PARTY. “Yes, but they won’t; do you suppose they are going to let us see them cooking and washing dishes? Not if they know themselves. Then they would have to play the agreeable once in a while, and that is what they are not going to do on a trip of this kind. I do not expect to see them, they would rather stay where they are another week than join our party.” “I believe you are right, Neelie, for he did not say good-bye as if he expected to see me very soon.” When it was time to stop for lunch, we found a very nice place and waited for the wagons. While at lunch we saw an emigrant wagon, drawn by three yoke of oxen, coming up the road, and were somewhat surprised to see it turn from the road and come toward our camp. It proved to be Mr. John Milburn, of Etna, and his sister Augusta. They have traveled in one day and a half the distance we have been two and a half days coming. Miss Milburn is a very intelligent, well-educated young lady, some two or three years my senior. We are not very well acquainted with her, but have met her frequently, and have known of her several years. She is an active member of the Presbyterian Church at Etna. She has her little nephew, Ernest Talbot, with her. He is seven years old, her sister’s dying gift, a very bright child and considerably spoiled, but dear to his auntie’s heart as her own life. They have started to Montana to get rich in the gold mines. Mr. Milburn leaves a wife and two small children with his widowed mother, to watch, and wait, and pray for his success and safe return home.