We can eat our cattle as we go along.

It would be better to arrive in California without a rag to our backs than to leave our bones here; and leave them we will if we start a ruction." With final reiterated warnings against violence of speech or act, the impromptu meeting broke up.

I was slow in falling asleep that night.

My rage against the Mormon had left my brain in such a tingle that I was still awake when my father crawled into the wagon after a last round of the night-watch.

They thought I slept, but I heard mother ask him if he thought that the Mormons would let us depart peacefully from their land.
His face was turned aside from her as he busied himself with pulling off a boot, while he answered her with hearty confidence that he was sure the Mormons would let us go if none of our own company started trouble.
But I saw his face at that moment in the light of a small tallow dip, and in it was none of the confidence that was in his voice.