After this we moved on smoothly unil we reached a point about midway between the Platte and Sweetwater, when one of our best oxen laid down in the yoak as if poisened and all supposed he would die. Father Lott now blustered about as if the world was about at an end. "There" said he "I told you ^you would have to be helped, and that you would be a burden on the company." but in this he was mistaken, for after praying for the ox, and pouring oil upon him he got up and we drove along only detaining the company a very short time. but we had not gone far when another fell down like the first. but with the same treatment he got up, as the other. I believe this was repeated the 3rd time, to the astonishment of all who saw and the chagrin of Father Lott. On reaching Rattlesnake bend on the Sweetwater, one of our oxen, "old bully," from shear old age and exhaustion laid down and died. He was hardly missed however as he had been able to render but little service for sometime.