All of these took the cut-off, being eager to save time in their travel.

They reached Salt Lake after unspeakable difficulties.

Farther west, in the deserts of Nevada, they lost many of their cattle.
Now began among the party dissensions and grumblings.

The story is a long one.

It reached its tragic denouement just below the summit of the Sierras, on the shores of Donner Lake.