own mere motive— It was suggested to me that it would be well to keep watch in that direction as it was expected the Mormons would come up to rescue the Smiths that evening— I went out on my own responsibility— was not sent— I did not send or express back to the men coming up from — and dont know that any body else did— No pledges were given or entered into between the Captains of the different companies about here to enter into a conspiracy to kill the Smiths— knows of no such arrangement— when I went out towards that day, I saw three companies or groups of men coming towards from the direction of — knew the Smith was in custody, but did not know they were in jail— Dont know whether either of the Defendants made pledges to the that these men <​the Smiths​> should be protected— I know that such pledges were made by the companies here to the , but do not know that those men (the Defdts) were here— my object in going out that day, was to see if there was any thing suspicious that way— we were standing, and letting our horses graze when we saw these men— there is no mound there— it is an elevated piece of ground— when I saw these men coming I Supposed them to be on the road— These three groups of companies <​were​> about a mile or half mile apart— they looked like distinct companies— we were standing north of the road— and the road is South of the road— I could only see these men for a few minutes— When I saw these men, they were about 3 miles from town— I think as we came back within about 2 miles of we saw some of the men returning back— the men both came and returned pretty rapidly [p. 41]