18th. Crossed the Sweet Water three times to-day. Got in with a train
of ox wagons which hindered us so much that we turned out and camped at
3 o'clock, P.M. Found good grass at camp, but have had sandy roads and
no grass on the drive. Left our heavy wagon, for the good of other
comers, who will probably burn it. Ice made last night half an inch in
thickness.
19th. Started at half past three o'clock this morning, and passed all
the ox trains in their camp ground, the Sweet Water, four miles from
camp, from which crossing we will have 16 miles to travel without water
or grass. Saw several dead oxen along the 16 miles, which were killed
by alkali.--Crossed the Sweet Water again--passed one tent on the river
of a man and his wife, the man down with the mountain fever. Roads
sandy and grass poor. We overtook the balance of our company, who left
us last Sunday, again to-day. This is the second time they have left
us, and we have overtaken them within three days afterwards, which
shows pretty conclusively, I think, that nothing is gained by driving
Sundays.