Conscience, or common sense, told me, that emigrants in a wilderness might not look very favourably upon one, employed to protect them, deserting from his duty, and taking property along with him--of which every citizen of the United States believes himself to be the owner of a share. They might not actually repel me. In all probability they would give me something to eat; but they might also give information concerning me--should I be pursued--that would enable my pursuers to make a prisoner of me. Before daybreak I awoke, having enjoyed a brief slumber; and, silently mounting my horse, I rode beyond the emigrants' camp--deviating widely from the trail to get around them. I soon recovered the track; and pursued it as fast as my steed was willing to carry me. When, looking out for a place where water could be obtained--with the intention of stopping awhile and killing some bird or animal for food--I came in sight of another party of emigrants, who were just taking their departure from the spot where they had encamped for the night. I had put one train of these travellers between me and the fort; and now fancied myself tolerably safe from pursuit. Riding boldly up to the waggons, I told the first man I encountered, and in very plain terms that I must have something to eat. "Now, I like that way of talking," said he. "Had you asked for something in the humble manner many would have done, perhaps you would not have got it. People don't like to carry victuals five hundred miles, to give away for nothing; but when you say you _must_ have something to eat, then, of course, I can do nothing but give it to you. Sally!" he continued, calling out to a young woman who stood by one of the waggons, "get this stranger something to eat." Looking around me, I saw a number of people--men, women, and children of every age. There appeared to be three families forming the "caravan" no doubt emigrating together, for the purpose of mutual protection and assistance. There were five or six young men--who appeared to be the sons of the elder ones--and a like number of young women, who were evidently the daughters of three others of middle age, while a large flock of miscellaneous children, a small flock of sheep, a smaller number of cattle, several horses, and half-a-dozen half-famished dogs completed the live-stock of the train. "I guess you're a deserter?" said the man, to whom I had first addressed myself, after he had finished his survey of myself and horse. "No," I answered. "I'm on my route to Fort Wool. I have lost my way, and gone without eating for two days." "Now, I like that way of talking," responded the emigrant, who appeared to be the head man of the party. "When a man tells me a story, I like it to be a good one, and well told--whether I believe it, or not." "What reason have you to disbelieve me?" I asked, pretending to be offended at having my word doubted.