CHAPTER XVIII.

Caught in a Snowstorm--Via the Santa Clara and Rio Virgen to the Muddy--News of Sad Disaster to the Emigrant Company--Making Charcoal and Nails--An Apostle as a Blacksmith--Searching for Water on the Desert--Crossing an Alkali Stream--Discover Gold near Salt Springs--Hurrying on over the Desert--Cattle Poisoned at Bitter Springs--Killing Animals to Relieve their Sufferings--First Wagon over Cajon Pass, going West--Severe Journey to the Summit of the Pass--All get Over Safely--Sense of Great Relief--Grass and Water In Abundance--Overtaken by survivors of the Emigrant Company--Their Story of Terrible Suffering--Divide Provisions with Them--Celebrating Christmas, 1849--Continuing the Journey North--Spanish Warning in a Cemetery to Indians--Cruelty of the Spaniards to the Indians--The Writer Placed In Charge of the Company--Directed to go to the Gold Mines.