Finally Mr.Bennett spoke and said:-- "Now I will make you a proposition.

I propose that we select two of our youngest, strongest men and ask them to take some food and go ahead on foot to try to seek a settlement, and food, and we will go back to the good spring we have just left and wait for their return.

It will surely not take them more than ten days for the trip, and when they get back we shall know all about the road and its character and how long it will take us to travel it.

They can secure some other kind of food that will make us feel better, and when the oxen have rested a little at the spring we can get out with our wagons and animals and be safe.

I think this is the best and safest way." "Now what do you all say ?" After a little discussion all seemed to agree that this was the best, and now it remained to find the men to go.