On arriving at the Fort Hall Road (which was the route to California), Spicer was informed that several trains had been robbed and some persons killed while traveling in that direction. He, therefore, decided to change his plans and go through Utah, as this was his last chance.
I replied, "D the odds, Spicer, we will die brave!" naturally supposing that the "Mormons" would kill me or mark me in some way for recognition.
Up to this time all our company were ignorant of my parentage, and I thought I had better make a confidant of one of the boys named James Lefler. I told him I had a father in Utah.
He was very anxious to know who my father was, and I informed him it was either Brigham or Heber, I was not sure which, though I thought it was Brigham.
At Green River Ferry we met Lewis Robison and sons. They soon discovered who I was, and commenced joking me by remarking that I could not cross on their ferry, as they did not ferry "Mormons."
This maddened me, and I threw off my clothes, and, placing them in the wagon, I jumped into the river, telling them they could go to h .
I swam across the river, which was very high and rapid, and approached the bank lower down the stream.
Lewis Robison, desirous of making my acquaintance, and having learned that I was the lost boy, brought my clothes down to me.
When I saw him coming I remained in the water, for fear he would catch me, for I felt that I would rather drown than be taken to Utah.
He tried hard to persuade me to come out, but I declined, for fear he would take me to Salt Lake.
He informed me who he was, and that he was acquainted with my father, but did not tell me his name, and I did not care to know it.
Perceiving that I would not leave the water, he returned to the boat, leaving my clothes on the bank.
I then came out and dressed myself, and was soon mounted on one of Spicer's best horses, which had been brought over.
Robison, seeing that I had come ashore, made another attempt to converse with me, stating that I need not be afraid.
I told him that I was not, but for all that I did not allow him to get closer than thirty feet.
Finding that I would not keep still long enough for him to approach me, he talked with me from a distance, asking me if I would go and see my father, Heber C. Kimball, when I got to Salt Lake.
I told him I did not know.
He added that my father was a good man, and would be pleased to see me, and said he was going to Salt Lake in a few days and would inform him that I was coming.
On learning this, I was careful not to dismount again while remaining at the ferry.
CHAPTER III
ARRIVAL AT PARLEY'S PARK PREPARE FOR THE WORST, AND VISIT WM. H. KIMBALL FAVORABLY IMPRESSED WITH MY NEWLY-FOUND RELATIVES ARRIVAL IN SALT LAKE CITY DREAD AT THOUGHTS OF FALLING INTO THE HANDS OF THE "MORMONS" DECIDE TO GO AND SEE MY FATHER AND SURRENDER, EXPECTING TO BE CAPTURED IF I ATTEMPTED TO ESCAPE ODD APPEARANCE GOING UP EAST TEMPLE STREET MEETING WITH MY FATHER INVITED TO CHANGE MY CLOTHES.
We did not encounter any more "Mormons" that knew me until after arriving at Silver Creek, near Parley's Park, Utah. On arriving there I learned that William H. Kimball lived at the Park.
I had a faint recollection of having seen him at grandfather's, when he called several years previous, as he returned from his European mission.
I concluded then that I was approaching a region where something desperate would be required of me if I protected myself; so I made up my mind to put on a bold front and prepare for the worst. Feeling that I might as well meet my troubles first as last, I decided to pay William H. Kimball a visit before he came after me. I accordingly armed myself with a revolver and a quid of tobacco, and asked one of the boys, a daring fellow, to go over to the ranch with me.
On reaching there I inquired for William H. Kimball, and was informed that he was in the meadow, a short distance off, hauling hay.
From the description my uncle had given of me, my brother William at once recognized me, and said, "Hello, Abe! where did you come from?"
He seemed very glad to see me, and asked me to wait a few minutes and he would go to the house with me, as his mother (Vilate Kimball) was there, also two other brothers (Charles and Solomon), and part of his own family.
After being introduced to all, we were invited to partake of a civilized meal.
I was asked a great many questions respecting my previous career and future intentions.
After remaining till sunset we returned to camp with cordial invitations to call again, which we did, during our stay on Silver Creek.
I had one fight while there, and came very near getting whipped, as my opponent was left-handed. I managed, however, with a skillful blow, to dispossess him of his "goatee."
The acquaintance formed at the Park with my relatives made a favorable impression upon me, and great inducements were held out for me to call and see my father.
My brother Charles went to Salt Lake and informed my father where I was. He immediately sent a team for me, but I declined to go. Spicer had been a friend to me, and I did not think it right to forsake an old friend for a new one. I, therefore, refused to leave him on any account until I saw his outfit safely landed in Salt Lake City, as he would have been short of help had I done so.
It took us two days to travel from the Park to Salt Lake City.
My brother remained one day after we left, as he expected to overtake us before we reached the City, and intended to prevail on me to go home with him.
He failed, however, to find us, as we went over the "Little Mountain" while he proceeded down Parley's Canyon and reached the City before we did.
We encamped on Emigration Square for the night, and it was a very sad night to me, as I expected to fall into the hands of the "Mormons" on the following morning, and then I could not conceive what my fate would be. I expected, however, it would be something awful, and dreaded it the more as I thought of my early teachings.
About breakfast time next morning an unexpected visitor Sister Tuft called to see me, for the purpose of urging me to go and see my father, though I never knew her reason.
Shortly afterwards Lewis Robison called, having learned that I had arrived. He was anxious to know if I was going to see my father. I carelessly remarked that I did not know.
He said he would call in a little while, and accompany me.
Towards noon Spicer came to me, and said:
"Abe, what are you going to do? Are you going to stop with your father, or go with me?"
I told him I did not know, but thought I had better stop, for if I went on they would take me prisoner and bring me back, and I thought I would surrender. They might treat me better and not be so severe as they would if I tried to escape.
He thought the same as I did, but said if I was not suited, and could get away, I should find him at Camp Floyd, where he would winter; and if I came there he would give me a home as long as he had one.
We bade each other good by, both shedding tears, as we parted.
If I had been called upon to mount the gallows I should not have done so with greater reluctance than I then manifested as I went forth to meet my father.
I started out with a small flour sack over my shoulder, containing all my earthly possessions, and these consisted of the following articles of clothing: one old-fashioned coat, of the claw-hammer pattern, one checkered gingham coat and a pair of pants (home-made and colored with walnut bark). The legs of the pants were about five inches too long, and proportionately large in other parts.