ere that we
came one day to a man sitting by the roadside with a half-bushel measure
full of horse nails to sell at the modest price of a "bit" or twelve and
one-half cents apiece. No amount of remonstrance or argument about
taking advantage of one's necessity could bring down the price; so I
paid him ten dollars in gold for eighty nails. I really wanted to be
alone with that man for awhile, I loved him so. He, like some others who
had crossed the plains before, knew of the opportunity to sell such
things as the trailers might be short of at any price they might see fit
to ask.

It was here, too, that we came upon the great Independence Rock, an
immense boulder, lying isolated on the bank of the Sweetwater River. It
was oblong, with an oval-shaped top, as large as a block of buildings.
It was of such form that parties could walk up and over it lengthwise,
thereby getting a fine view of the surrounding country.

About a mile beyond was the Devil's Gate, a crack or rent in the
mountain, which was probably about fifty feet wide, the surface of the
walls showing that by some sort of force they had been separated,
projections on one side finding corresponding indentations on the other.
The river in its original course had run around the range, but now it
ran leaping and roaring through the Gate.

There was considerable alkali in this section. We had already lost two
horses from drinking it, and several others barely recovered from the
effects.

CHAPTER VII.

WE STEPPED OVER THE RIDGE AND COURTED THE FAVOR OF NEW AND UNTRIED
WATERS.

Between Independence Rock and Devil's Gate we cross the river, which is
about four feet deep and thirty or forty feet wide. There was a man
lying down in the shade of his tent, who had logs enough fastened
together to hold one wagon, which he kindly loaned the use of for fifty
cents for each wagon, we to do the work of ferrying. Rather than to wet
our traps, we paid the price. The stock was driven through the ford.

We camped at the base of some rocky cliffs, and while we were getting
our supper an Indian was noticed peering from behind some rocks, taking
a view of the camp. One of the boys got his rifle from the wagon and
fired at him. He drew in his head and we saw no more of him, but kept a
strong guard out all night.

The trail that followed up the Sweetwater was generally a very good
road, with good camping-place's and fair grass for stock; while grass
and sage brush for f