He laughed and said that I must not mind that, for they seldom saw a person like me, and they wanted to find out all they could about the Indians.
After a while he invited me in to supper. I did not want to go, but he would have his way, so I went in with him. I think he said his name was West.
This Bishop West, if that was his name, asked me a good many questions, but he said he would not weary me by talking too long. I was in bed soon after dark that night. I intended to get off early the next morning, and give them the slip as before; but just as I was packing up, the bishop came out and said, “Hold on there, you are not going before breakfast.”
I told him that I had plenty to eat with me; but he insisted that I take breakfast with him, and I had to stay. He asked me a great many more questions, but he was very nice about it. I felt glad to talk with him, for he was so kind and good to me.
Jordan River and Wasatch Mountains, Salt Lake Valley, Utah. The Pony Express and Overland Stage road ran through this valley.
He said that I would be a very useful man, if I was treated right. He asked me whether I had been to school much, and he was very much surprised when I told him that I had never attended school a day in my life. He said that I must go to school, and if I lived near him he would see that I did go. As I started away he asked me to go and see Governor Young when I got to Salt Lake; but I thought I did not want to do it. I was a young boy then and did not realize the importance of his request.
That day I reached a place called Farmington. Just as I was nearing town, I saw some boys driving cows.
“Where can I camp tonight?” I asked them.
“Up on the mountain if you want to,” said one of them.