men, left their companions, or were sent forward by Reed, and reached
the cabins some hours in advance of the party. At one time, near the
present station of Summit Valley, Cady and Stone became bewildered,
thought they were lost, and wanted to return. Mr. Clark, however,
prevailed upon them to press forward, agreeing that if they did not
catch some glimpse of Donner Lake when they reached a certain mountain
top in the distance, he would give up and return with them. Had they
reached the mountain top they could not have seen the lake, and so
would have turned back, but while they were ascending, they came to the
lifeless body of C. T. Stanton sitting upright against a tree. There was
no longer room for doubting that they were going in the right direction
to reach Donner Lake. Poor Stanton! even in death he pointed out to
the relief party the way to the starving emigrants, to save whom he had
sacrificed his life.

Reed's diary continues:

"Feb. 28. Left camp about twelve o'clock at night, but was compelled to
camp about two o'clock, the snow still being soft. Left again about four
o'clock, all hands, and made this day fourteen miles. Encamped early;
snow very soft. The snow here is thirty feet deep. Three of my men,
Cady, Clark, and Stone, kept on during the night to within two miles
of the cabins, where they halted, and remained without fire during the
night, on account of having seen ten Indians. The boys did not have any
arms, and supposed these Indians had taken the cabins and destroyed the
people. In the morning they started, and reached the cabins. All were
alive in the houses. They gave provisions to Keseberg, Breen, Graves,
and Mrs. Murphy, and the two then left for Donner's, a distance of seven
miles, which they made by the middle of the day."

"March 1. I came up with the remainder of my party, and told the people
that all who were able should start day after to-morrow. Made soup for
the infirm, washed and clothed afresh Eddy's and Foster's children, and
rendered every assistance in my power. I left Mr. Stone with Keseberg's
people to cook, and to watch the eating of Mrs. Murphy, Keseberg, and
three children."

In Patrick Breen's diary is found the following:

"Feb. 23. Froze hard last night. To-day pleasant and thawy; has the
appearance of spring, all but the deep snow. Wind south-south-east. Shot
a dog to-day and dressed his flesh."

"Feb. 25. To-day Mrs. Murphy says the wolves are about to dig up the