Thousands of our people, many of them mothers with babes in their arms, walked every foot of that ten hundred thirty-seven mile stretch from Winter Quarters to Salt Lake. Day after day the toilsome journey is renewed. At night a quilt or blanket is spread upon mother earth for a resting place. Days pass into weeks, and weeks into months, before the longing eyes find rest and the weary feet pass down the dusty road of Emigration Canyon. Picture then, their feelings, when, on reaching a certain eminence, the Salt Lake Valley, with the Dead Sea glimmering beyond, burst like a vision of glory upon their view! Old and young break down, and weep for joy. O, marvel not, dear reader, if on this day and place Unbidden tears bedew each care-worn, sun-burnt face! If long enshrined hope, and over-burdened heart Cause weary, toiling pilgrims here to act the childish part, If the glory of this vision, of a truly "sought out land," Like a cloud of joy descending, enshroud the little band, Reveal to them the blessings their future life shall gain, And blurs the recollections of former toils and pain-- Recall the days of sorrows, of Diahman, and Far West, When the cup of bitter anguish to their trembling lips was pressed, When hordes of heartless mobbers, led by Lucas, and by Clark, Despoiled them of their homes--the fruits of honest work; Confined in chains and dungeons their youthful prophet guide-- And scattered wives and children on Missouri's prairie wide, Then like a bird of plunder, followed on their footsore trail Till Joseph and Hyrum were martyred, in Carthage bloodstained jail. And still the lash and fire brand, to our backs and home applied, Compelled us to surrender, and cross the Mississippi's tide, Take to our tents and travel, like Israel of old, To the valleys of the mountains, a standard to unfold, An ensign to the nations, a banner ever blest-- Where the children of the covenant can find God-given rest, Where the "stone cut from the mountain," not by mortal hand, Shall become a mighty people, and fill "the promised land." Such was the glorious vista that opened to their souls And filled with joy and gladness, their hearts beyond control, Filled hearts with joy and gratitude, and bent each willing knee, To Him, their loving Father, the Lord who set them free. Chapter 8. Mormon Stalwarts.--A Waif on the Plains.--Death of Celestia Kimball.--Two Indian Girls Tortured.--Sally's Death.--Ira Eldredge's Dog and the Wolf.--Delicious Rawhide Soup.--Eat Thistles.--The Devastating Crickets.--Deliverance Wrought by the Sea Gulls.