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A PERIOD OF PROSPERITY. 79

border, crossed the Kansas River, and began their work among the Lamanites, or Indians, thereabout. The chief of the Delawares was sachem of ten tribes. He received the missionaries with courtesy, and set food before them. When they asked him to call a council before which they might expound their doctrines, he at first declined, then assented ; where- upon Cowdery gave them an account of their ances- tors, as contained in the wonderful book, a copy of which he left with the chief on taking his depart- ure, which soon occurred; for when it was known upon the border settlements what the missionaries were doing, they were ordered out of the Indian coun- try as disturbers of the peace.^ After preaching a short time in Missouri, the five brethren thought it best that one of their number should return east and report. The choice fell on Pratt. Starting out on foot, he reached St Louis, three hundred miles dis- tant, in nine days. Thence he proceeded by steamer to Cincinnati, and from that point journeyed on foot to Strongville, forty miles from Kirtland. Overcome by fatigue and illness, he was forced to remain at this place some ten days, when he continued his journey on horseback. He was w^elcomed at Kirtland by hundreds of the saints, Joseph Smith himself being present.

In December 1830 comes Sidney Rigdon to Jo- seph Smith at Manchester, and with him Edward Partridge, to inquire of the Lord ; and they are told what they shall do; they shall preach thereabout, and also on the Ohio.^

^ ' One of their leading articles of faith is, that the Indians of North Amer- ica, in a very few years, will be converted to Mormonism, and through rivers of blood will again take possession of their ancient inheritance.' Howe's Mormonism Unveiled, 145.

' ' We before had Moses and Aaron in the persons of Smith and Cowdery, and we now have John the Baptist, in the person of Sidney Rigdon. Their plans of deception appear to have been more fully matured and developed after the meeting of iSmith and Rigdon. The latter being found very inti- mate with the scriptures, a close reasoner, and as fully competent to make