"I think I will not go to Missouri this time, gentlemen. These are my boys."
Then he mounted his favorite horse, Joe Duncan; and the entire company proceeded to a farmhouse and made a halt. This party of the Prophet's friends was under the leadership of Thomas Grover, and from them it was learned that Elders Charles C. Rich and Wilson Law with other and larger parties were seeking the Prophet to prevent his murder and abduction.
Reynolds and Wilson shook with fear. Peter W. Cownover, one of the Prophet's friends, said to Wilson: "What is the matter with you? Have you got the ague?"
Wilson managed to stammer, "No."
Reynolds asked, "Is Jem Flack in the crowd?"
Someone answered: "He is not now, but you will see him tomorrow about this time."
"Then," said Reynolds, "I am a dead man; for I know him of old."
Cownover told the foolish fellow not to be frightened, for no one intended to injure him.
Stephen Markham had turned back when he met this party and was with them. He walked up to Reynolds and offered his hand, when the bandit cried out: "Do you meet me as a friend? I expected to be a dead man when I met you again."
Markham replied: "We are friends, except in law; that must have its course."