History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

250 AT THE MISSOURI.
nier, but it was deemed inexpedient to move forward
that year. Some twelve hundred cattle were herded
on the rush bottoms, about a hundred miles up the
river.
The building of a water flouring mill was in process
of construction, and Brigham superintended the work.
As the camp journalist writes: "He sleeps with one
eye open and one foot out of bed, and when anything
is wanted he is on hand." The tithing collected was
distributed among the destitute at Mount Pisgah.
To the gentiles who visited their camps such hospitality
was extended as their means permitted, which though
often scant was never stinted.
Within the camp the women attended not only to
their ordinary household duties, but were busily occupied
spinning, knitting, making leggings from deer and
elk skins, and in weaving willow baskets for market. 30
With cheerfulness and courage they adapted themselves
to their many vicissitudes, their faith in their
religion never swerving, and supported by it to a patient
endurance beyond human strength. Most of
them had exchanged their household treasures and
personal effects, even to their table and bed furniture,
for stores of maize or flour, which with milk were
their only articles of diet. As evening approached,
the tinkling of cattle bells announced the return of the
men, when the women went forth to meet them, and
welcome them back to their log hut and frugal meal.
Then a little later all sounds were hushed, save that on
the still night arose the strains of the evening hymn
and the murmur of the evening prayer, the day
closing, as it had commenced, with a supplication for
the blessing of the Almighty, and with heartfelt
thanksgiving that he had been pleased to deliver his
people from the hands of their persecutors.
During the latter part of the winter and toward
the early spring matters assumed a brighter look.
30 Several loads of willow baskets were manufactured. Hist. B. Young,
MS., 534.