第5章

IglancedatHolmesonhearingthedescriptionofthemurderer，whichtalliedsoexactlywithhisown。Therewas，however，notraceofexultationorsatisfactionuponhisface。

"Didyoufindnothingintheroomwhichcouldfurnishacluetothemurderer?"heasked。

"Nothing。StangersonhadDrebber"spurseinhispocket，butitseemsthatthiswasusual，ashedidallthepaying。

Therewaseightyoddpoundsinit，butnothinghadbeentaken。Whateverthemotivesoftheseextraordinarycrimes，robberyiscertainlynotoneofthem。Therewerenopapersormemorandainthemurderedman"spocket，exceptasingletelegram，datedfromClevelandaboutamonthago，andcontainingthewords，`J。H。isinEurope。"Therewasnonameappendedtothismessage。"

"Andtherewasnothingelse?"Holmesasked。

"Nothingofanyimportance。Theman"snovel，withwhichhehadreadhimselftosleepwaslyinguponthebed，andhispipewasonachairbesidehim。Therewasaglassofwateronthetable，andonthewindow-sillasmallchipointmentboxcontainingacoupleofpills。"

SherlockHolmessprangfromhischairwithanexclamationofdelight。

"Thelastlink，"hecried，exultantly。"Mycaseiscomplete。"

Thetwodetectivesstaredathiminamazement。

"Ihavenowinmyhands，"mycompanionsaid，confidently，"allthethreadswhichhaveformedsuchatangle。Thereare，ofcourse，detailstobefilledin，butIamascertainofallthemainfacts，fromthetimethatDrebberpartedfromStangersonatthestation，uptothediscoveryofthebodyofthelatter，asifIhadseenthemwithmyowneyes。Iwillgiveyouaproofofmyknowledge。Couldyoulayyourhanduponthosepills?"

"Ihavethem，"saidLestrade，producingasmallwhitebox；

"Itookthemandthepurseandthetelegram，intendingtohavethemputinaplaceofsafetyatthePoliceStation。Itwasthemerestchancemytakingthesepills，forIamboundtosaythatIdonotattachanyimportancetothem。"

"Givethemhere，"saidHolmes。"Now，Doctor，"turningtome，"arethoseordinarypills?"

Theycertainlywerenot。Theywereofapearlygreycolour，small，round，andalmosttransparentagainstthelight。

"Fromtheirlightnessandtransparency，Ishouldimaginethattheyaresolubleinwater，"Iremarked。

"Preciselyso，"answeredHolmes。"Nowwouldyoumindgoingdownandfetchingthatpoorlittledevilofaterrierwhichhasbeenbadsolong，andwhichthelandladywantedyoutoputoutofitspainyesterday。"

Iwentdownstairsandcarriedthedogupstairinmyarms。

It"slabouredbreathingandglazingeyeshowedthatitwasnotfarfromitsend。Indeed，itssnow-whitemuzzleproclaimedthatithadalreadyexceededtheusualtermofcanineexistence。Iplacedituponacushionontherug。

"Iwillnowcutoneofthesepillsintwo，"saidHolmes，anddrawinghispenknifehesuitedtheactiontotheword。

"Onehalfwereturnintotheboxforfuturepurposes。

TheotherhalfIwillplaceinthiswineglass，inwhichisateaspoonfulofwater。Youperceivethatourfriend，theDoctor，isright，andthatitreadilydissolves。"

"Thismaybeveryinteresting，"saidLestrade，intheinjuredtoneofonewhosuspectsthatheisbeinglaughedat，"Icannotsee，however，whatithastodowiththedeathofMr。JosephStangerson。"

"Patience，myfriend，patience!Youwillfindintimethatithaseverythingtodowithit。Ishallnowaddalittlemilktomakethemixturepalatable，andonpresentingittothedogwefindthathelapsitupreadilyenough。"

Ashespokeheturnedthecontentsofthewineglassintoasaucerandplaceditinfrontoftheterrier，whospeedilylickeditdry。SherlockHolmes"earnestdemeanourhadsofarconvincedusthatweallsatinsilence，watchingtheanimalintently，andexpectingsomestartlingeffect。Nonesuchappeared，however。Thedogcontinuedtoliestretchedupontho{16}cushion，breathinginalabouredway，butapparentlyneitherthebetternortheworseforitsdraught。

Holmeshadtakenouthiswatch，andasminutefollowedminutewithoutresult，anexpressionoftheutmostchagrinanddisappointmentappeareduponhisfeatures。Hegnawedhislip，drummedhisfingersuponthetable，andshowedeveryothersymptomofacuteimpatience。Sogreatwashisemotion，thatIfeltsincerelysorryforhim，whilethetwodetectivessmiledderisively，bynomeansdispleasedatthischeckwhichhehadmet。

"Itcan"tbeacoincidence，"hecried，atlastspringingfromhischairandpacingwildlyupanddowntheroom；"itisimpossiblethatitshouldbeamerecoincidence。TheverypillswhichIsuspectedinthecaseofDrebberareactuallyfoundafterthedeathofStangerson。Andyettheyareinert。

Whatcanitmean?Surelymywholechainofreasoningcannothavebeenfalse。Itisimpossible!Andyetthiswretcheddogisnonetheworse。Ah，Ihaveit!Ihaveit!"Withaperfectshriekofdelightherushedtothebox，cuttheotherpillintwo，dissolvedit，addedmilk，andpresentedittotheterrier。Theunfortunatecreature"stongueseemedhardlytohavebeenmoistenedinitbeforeitgaveaconvulsiveshiverineverylimb，andlayasrigidandlifelessasifithadbeenstruckbylightning。

SherlockHolmesdrewalongbreath，andwipedtheperspirationfromhisforehead。"Ishouldhavemorefaith，"

hesaid；"Ioughttoknowbythistimethatwhenafactappearstobeopposedtoalongtrainofdeductions，itinvariablyprovestobecapableofbearingsomeotherinterpretation。Ofthetwopillsinthatboxonewasofthemostdeadlypoison，andtheotherwasentirelyharmless。

IoughttohaveknownthatbeforeeverIsawtheboxatall。"

Thislaststatementappearedtometobesostartling，thatIcouldhardlybelievethathewasinhissobersenses。

Therewasthedeaddog，however，toprovethathisconjecturehadbeencorrect。Itseemedtomethatthemistsinmyownmindweregraduallyclearingaway，andIbegantohaveadim，vagueperceptionofthetruth。

"Allthisseemsstrangetoyou，"continuedHolmes，"becauseyoufailedatthebeginningoftheinquirytograsptheimportanceofthesinglerealcluewhichwaspresentedtoyou。Ihadthegoodfortunetoseizeuponthat，andeverythingwhichhasoccurredsincethenhasservedtoconfirmmyoriginalsupposition，and，indeed，wasthelogicalsequenceofit。Hencethingswhichhaveperplexedyouandmadethecasemoreobscure，haveservedtoenlightenmeandtostrengthenmyconclusions。Itisamistaketoconfoundstrangenesswithmystery。Themostcommonplacecrimeisoftenthemostmysteriousbecauseitpresentsnoneworspecialfeaturesfromwhichdeductionsmaybedrawn。

Thismurderwouldhavebeeninfinitelymoredifficulttounravelhadthebodyofthevictimbeensimplyfoundlyingintheroadwaywithoutanyofthose_outre_{17}andsensationalaccompanimentswhichhaverendereditremarkable。Thesestrangedetails，farfrommakingthecasemoredifficult，havereallyhadtheeffectofmakingitlessso。"

Mr。Gregson，whohadlistenedtothisaddresswithconsiderableimpatience，couldcontainhimselfnolonger。

"Lookhere，Mr。SherlockHolmes，"hesaid，"weareallreadytoacknowledgethatyouareasmartman，andthatyouhaveyourownmethodsofworking。Wewantsomethingmorethanmeretheoryandpreachingnow，though。Itisacaseoftakingtheman。Ihavemademycaseout，anditseemsIwaswrong。YoungCharpentiercouldnothavebeenengagedinthissecondaffair。Lestradewentafterhisman，Stangerson，anditappearsthathewaswrongtoo。Youhavethrownouthintshere，andhintsthere，andseemtoknowmorethanwedo，butthetimehascomewhenwefeelthatwehavearighttoaskyoustraighthowmuchyoudoknowofthebusiness。Canyounamethemanwhodidit?"

"IcannothelpfeelingthatGregsonisright，sir，"remarkedLestrade。"Wehavebothtried，andwehavebothfailed。

YouhaveremarkedmorethanoncesinceIhavebeenintheroomthatyouhadalltheevidencewhichyourequire。Surelyyouwillnotwithholditanylonger。"

"Anydelayinarrestingtheassassin，"Iobserved，"mightgivehimtimetoperpetratesomefreshatrocity。"

Thuspressedbyusall，Holmesshowedsignsofirresolution。

Hecontinuedtowalkupanddowntheroomwithhisheadsunkonhischestandhisbrowsdrawndown，aswashishabitwhenlostinthought。

"Therewillbenomoremurders，"hesaidatlast，stoppingabruptlyandfacingus。"Youcanputthatconsiderationoutofthequestion。YouhaveaskedmeifIknowthenameoftheassassin。Ido。Themereknowingofhisnameisasmallthing，however，comparedwiththepoweroflayingourhandsuponhim。ThisIexpectveryshortlytodo。Ihavegoodhopesofmanagingitthroughmyownarrangements；butitisathingwhichneedsdelicatehandling，forwehaveashrewdanddesperatemantodealwith，whoissupported，asIhavehadoccasiontoprove，byanotherwhoisascleverashimself。

Aslongasthismanhasnoideathatanyonecanhaveacluethereissomechanceofsecuringhim；butifhehadtheslightestsuspicion，hewouldchangehisname，andvanishinaninstantamongthefourmillioninhabitantsofthisgreatcity。Withoutmeaningtohurteitherofyourfeelings，IamboundtosaythatIconsiderthesementobemorethanamatchfortheofficialforce，andthatiswhyIhavenotaskedyourassistance。IfIfailIshall，ofcourse，incuralltheblameduetothisomission；butthatIampreparedfor。AtpresentIamreadytopromisethattheinstantthatIcancommunicatewithyouwithoutendangeringmyowncombinations，Ishalldoso。"

GregsonandLestradeseemedtobefarfromsatisfiedbythisassurance，orbythedepreciatingallusiontothedetectivepolice。Theformerhadflusheduptotherootsofhisflaxenhair，whiletheother"sbeadyeyesglistenedwithcuriosityandresentment。Neitherofthemhadtimetospeak，however，beforetherewasatapatthedoor，andthespokesmanofthestreetArabs，youngWiggins，introducedhisinsignificantandunsavouryperson。

"Please，sir，"hesaid，touchinghisforelock，"Ihavethecabdownstairs。"

"Goodboy，"saidHolmes，blandly。"Whydon"tyouintroducethispatternatScotlandYard?"hecontinued，takingapairofsteelhandcuffsfromadrawer。"Seehowbeautifullythespringworks。Theyfasteninaninstant。"

"Theoldpatternisgoodenough，"remarkedLestrade，"ifwecanonlyfindthemantoputthemon。"

"Verygood，verygood，"saidHolmes，smiling。"Thecabmanmayaswellhelpmewithmyboxes。Justaskhimtostepup，Wiggins。"

Iwassurprisedtofindmycompanionspeakingasthoughhewereabouttosetoutonajourney，sincehehadnotsaidanythingtomeaboutit。Therewasasmallportmanteauintheroom，andthishepulledoutandbegantostrap。Hewasbusilyengagedatitwhenthecabmanenteredtheroom。

"Justgivemeahelpwiththisbuckle，cabman，"hesaid，kneelingoverhistask，andneverturninghishead。

Thefellowcameforwardwithasomewhatsullen，defiantair，andputdownhishandstoassist。Atthatinstanttherewasasharpclick，thejanglingofmetal，andSherlockHolmessprangtohisfeetagain。

"Gentlemen，"hecried，withflashingeyes，"letmeintroduceyoutoMr。JeffersonHope，themurdererofEnochDrebberandofJosephStangerson。"

Thewholethingoccurredinamoment——soquicklythatIhadnotimetorealizeit。Ihaveavividrecollectionofthatinstant，ofHolmes"triumphantexpressionandtheringofhisvoice，ofthecabman"sdazed，savageface，asheglaredattheglitteringhandcuffs，whichhadappearedasifbymagicuponhiswrists。Forasecondortwowemighthavebeenagroupofstatues。Then，withaninarticulateroaroffury，theprisonerwrenchedhimselffreefromHolmes"sgrasp，andhurledhimselfthroughthewindow。Woodworkandglassgavewaybeforehim；butbeforehegotquitethrough，Gregson，Lestrade，andHolmesspranguponhimlikesomanystaghounds。

Hewasdraggedbackintotheroom，andthencommencedaterrificconflict。Sopowerfulandsofiercewashe，thatthefourofuswereshakenoffagainandagain。Heappearedtohavetheconvulsivestrengthofamaninanepilepticfit。

Hisfaceandhandswereterriblymangledbyhispassagethroughtheglass，butlossofbloodhadnoeffectindiminishinghisresistance。ItwasnotuntilLestradesucceededingettinghishandinsidehisneckclothandhalf-stranglinghimthatwemadehimrealizethathisstruggleswereofnoavail；andeventhenwefeltnosecurityuntilwehadpinionedhisfeetaswellashishands。Thatdone，werosetoourfeetbreathlessandpanting。

"Wehavehiscab，"saidSherlockHolmes。"ItwillservetotakehimtoScotlandYard。Andnow，gentlemen，"

hecontinued，withapleasantsmile，"wehavereachedtheendofourlittlemystery。Youareverywelcometoputanyquestionsthatyouliketomenow，andthereisnodangerthatIwillrefusetoanswerthem。"

INthecentralportionofthegreatNorthAmericanContinentthereliesanaridandrepulsivedesert，whichformanyalongyearservedasabarrieragainsttheadvanceofcivilisation。FromtheSierraNevadatoNebraska，andfromtheYellowstoneRiverinthenorthtotheColoradouponthesouth，isaregionofdesolationandsilence。

NorisNaturealwaysinonemoodthroughoutthisgrimdistrict。

Itcomprisessnow-cappedandloftymountains，anddarkandgloomyvalleys。Thereareswift-flowingriverswhichdashthroughjaggedcanons；{18}andthereareenormousplains，whichinwinterarewhitewithsnow，andinsummeraregreywiththesalinealkalidust。Theyallpreserve，however，thecommoncharacteristicsofbarrenness，inhospitality，andmisery。

Therearenoinhabitantsofthislandofdespair。AbandofPawneesorofBlackfeetmayoccasionallytraverseitinordertoreachotherhunting-grounds，butthehardiestofthebravesaregladtolosesightofthoseawesomeplains，andtofindthemselvesoncemoreupontheirprairies。Thecoyoteskulksamongthescrub，thebuzzardflapsheavilythroughtheair，andtheclumsygrizzlybearlumbersthroughthedarkravines，andpicksupsuchsustenanceasitcanamongsttherocks。Thesearethesoledwellersinthewilderness。

InthewholeworldtherecanbenomoredrearyviewthanthatfromthenorthernslopeoftheSierraBlanco。Asfarastheeyecanreachstretchesthegreatflatplain-land，alldustedoverwithpatchesofalkali，andintersectedbyclumpsofthedwarfishchaparralbushes。Ontheextremevergeofthehorizonliealongchainofmountainpeaks，withtheirruggedsummitsfleckedwithsnow。Inthisgreatstretchofcountrythereisnosignoflife，norofanythingappertainingtolife。Thereisnobirdinthesteel-blueheaven，nomovementuponthedull，greyearth——aboveall，thereisabsolutesilence。Listenasonemay，thereisnoshadowofasoundinallthatmightywilderness；nothingbutsilence——completeandheart-subduingsilence。

Ithasbeensaidthereisnothingappertainingtolifeuponthebroadplain。Thatishardlytrue。LookingdownfromtheSierraBlanco，oneseesapathwaytracedoutacrossthedesert，whichwindsawayandislostintheextremedistance。

Itisruttedwithwheelsandtroddendownbythefeetofmanyadventurers。Hereandtheretherearescatteredwhiteobjectswhichglisteninthesun，andstandoutagainstthedulldepositofalkali。Approach，andexaminethem!Theyarebones:somelargeandcoarse，otherssmallerandmoredelicate。Theformerhavebelongedtooxen，andthelattertomen。Forfifteenhundredmilesonemaytracethisghastlycaravanroutebythesescatteredremainsofthosewhohadfallenbythewayside。

Lookingdownonthisveryscene，therestooduponthefourthofMay，eighteenhundredandforty-seven，asolitarytraveller。Hisappearancewassuchthathemighthavebeentheverygeniusordemonoftheregion。Anobserverwouldhavefounditdifficulttosaywhetherhewasnearertofortyortosixty。Hisfacewasleanandhaggard，andthebrownparchment-likeskinwasdrawntightlyovertheprojectingbones；hislong，brownhairandbeardwereallfleckedanddashedwithwhite；hiseyesweresunkeninhishead，andburnedwithanunnaturallustre；whilethehandwhichgraspedhisriflewashardlymorefleshythanthatofaskeleton。

Ashestood，heleaneduponhisweaponforsupport，andyethistallfigureandthemassiveframeworkofhisbonessuggestedawiryandvigorousconstitution。Hisgauntface，however，andhisclothes，whichhungsobaggilyoverhisshrivelledlimbs，proclaimedwhatitwasthatgavehimthatsenileanddecrepitappearance。Themanwasdying——dyingfromhungerandfromthirst。

Hehadtoiledpainfullydowntheravine，andontothislittleelevation，inthevainhopeofseeingsomesignsofwater。Nowthegreatsaltplainstretchedbeforehiseyes，andthedistantbeltofsavagemountains，withoutasignanywhereofplantortree，whichmightindicatethepresenceofmoisture。Inallthatbroadlandscapetherewasnogleamofhope。North，andeast，andwesthelookedwithwildquestioningeyes，andthenherealisedthathiswanderingshadcometoanend，andthatthere，onthatbarrencrag，hewasabouttodie。"Whynothere，aswellasinafeatherbed，twentyyearshence，"hemuttered，asheseatedhimselfintheshelterofaboulder。

Beforesittingdown，hehaddepositeduponthegroundhisuselessrifle，andalsoalargebundletiedupinagreyshawl，whichhehadcarriedslungoverhisrightshoulder。

Itappearedtobesomewhattooheavyforhisstrength，forinloweringit，itcamedownonthegroundwithsomelittleviolence。Instantlytherebrokefromthegreyparcelalittlemoaningcry，andfromitthereprotrudedasmall，scaredface，withverybrightbrowneyes，andtwolittlespeckled，dimpledfists。

"You"vehurtme!"saidachildishvoicereproachfully。

"HaveIthough，"themanansweredpenitently，"Ididn"tgofortodoit。"Ashespokeheunwrappedthegreyshawlandextricatedaprettylittlegirlofaboutfiveyearsofage，whosedaintyshoesandsmartpinkfrockwithitslittlelinenapronallbespokeamother"scare。Thechildwaspaleandwan，butherhealthyarmsandlegsshowedthatshehadsufferedlessthanhercompanion。

"Howisitnow?"heansweredanxiously，forshewasstillrubbingthetowsygoldencurlswhichcoveredthebackofherhead。

"Kissitandmakeitwell，"shesaid，withperfectgravity，shoving{19}theinjuredpartuptohim。"That"swhatmotherusedtodo。Where"smother?"

"Mother"sgone。Iguessyou"llseeherbeforelong。"

"Gone，eh!"saidthelittlegirl。"Funny，shedidn"tsaygood-bye；she"mostalwaysdidifshewasjustgoin"overtoAuntie"sfortea，andnowshe"sbeenawaythreedays。

Say，it"sawfuldry，ain"tit?Ain"ttherenowater，nornothingtoeat?"

"No，thereain"tnothing，dearie。You"lljustneedtobepatientawhile，andthenyou"llbeallright。Putyourheadupaginmelikethat，andthenyou"llfeelbullier。Itain"teasytotalkwhenyourlipsislikeleather，butIguessI"dbestletyouknowhowthecardslie。What"sthatyou"vegot?"

"Prettythings!finethings!"criedthelittlegirlenthusiastically，holdinguptwoglitteringfragmentsofmica。

"WhenwegoesbacktohomeI"llgivethemtobrotherBob。"

"You"llseeprettierthingsthanthemsoon，"saidthemanconfidently。"Youjustwaitabit。Iwasgoingtotellyouthough——yourememberwhenwelefttheriver?"

"Oh，yes。"

"Well，wereckonedwe"dstrikeanotherriversoon，d"yesee。

Buttherewassomethin"wrong；compasses，ormap，orsomethin"，anditdidn"tturnup。Waterranout。Justexceptalittledropforthelikesofyouand——and——"

"Andyoucouldn"twashyourself，"interruptedhiscompaniongravely，staringupathisgrimyvisage。

"No，nordrink。AndMr。Bender，hewasthefusttogo，andthenIndianPete，andthenMrs。McGregor，andthenJohnnyHones，andthen，dearie，yourmother。"

"Thenmother"sadeadertoo，"criedthelittlegirldroppingherfaceinherpinaforeandsobbingbitterly。

"Yes，theyallwentexceptyouandme。ThenIthoughttherewassomechanceofwaterinthisdirection，soIheavedyouovermyshoulderandwetrampedittogether。Itdon"tseemasthoughwe"veimprovedmatters。There"sanalmightysmallchanceforusnow!"

"Doyoumeanthatwearegoingtodietoo?"askedthechild，checkinghersobs，andraisinghertear-stainedface。

"Iguessthat"saboutthesizeofit。"

"Whydidn"tyousaysobefore?"shesaid，laughinggleefully。

"Yougavemesuchafright。Why，ofcourse，nowaslongaswediewe"llbewithmotheragain。"

"Yes，youwill，dearie。"

"Andyoutoo。I"lltellherhowawfulgoodyou"vebeen。

I"llbetshemeetsusatthedoorofHeavenwithabigpitcherofwater，andalotofbuckwheatcakes，hot，andtoastedonbothsides，likeBobandmewasfondof。

Howlongwillitbefirst?"

"Idon"tknow——notverylong。"Theman"seyeswerefixeduponthenorthernhorizon。Inthebluevaultoftheheaventherehadappearedthreelittlespeckswhichincreasedinsizeeverymoment，sorapidlydidtheyapproach。Theyspeedilyresolvedthemselvesintothreelargebrownbirds，whichcircledovertheheadsofthetwowanderers，andthensettleduponsomerockswhichoverlookedthem。Theywerebuzzards，thevulturesofthewest，whosecomingistheforerunnerofdeath。

"Cocksandhens，"criedthelittlegirlgleefully，pointingattheirill-omenedforms，andclappingherhandstomakethemrise。"Say，didGodmakethiscountry?"

"IncourseHedid，"saidhercompanion，ratherstartledbythisunexpectedquestion。

"HemadethecountrydowninIllinois，andHemadetheMissouri，"

thelittlegirlcontinued。"Iguesssomebodyelsemadethecountryintheseparts。It"snotnearlysowelldone。

Theyforgotthewaterandthetrees。"

"Whatwouldyethinkofofferingupprayer?"themanaskeddiffidently。

"Itain"tnightyet，"sheanswered。

"Itdon"tmatter。Itain"tquiteregular，butHewon"tmindthat，youbet。YousayoverthemonesthatyouusedtosayeverynightinthewaggonwhenwewasonthePlains。"

"Whydon"tyousaysomeyourself?"thechildasked，withwonderingeyes。

"Idisrememberthem，"heanswered。"Ihain"tsaidnonesinceIwashalftheheighto"thatgun。Iguessit"snevertoolate。

Yousaythemout，andI"llstandbyandcomeinonthechoruses。"

"Thenyou"llneedtokneeldown，andmetoo，"shesaid，layingtheshawloutforthatpurpose。"You"vegottoputyourhandsuplikethis。Itmakesyoufeelkindo"good。"

Itwasastrangesighthadtherebeenanythingbutthebuzzardstoseeit。Sidebysideonthenarrowshawlkneltthetwowanderers，thelittleprattlingchildandthereckless，hardenedadventurer。Herchubbyface，andhishaggard，angularvisagewerebothturneduptothecloudlessheaveninheartfeltentreatytothatdreadbeingwithwhomtheywerefacetoface，whilethetwovoices——theonethinandclear，theotherdeepandharsh——unitedintheentreatyformercyandforgiveness。Theprayerfinished，theyresumedtheirseatintheshadowoftheboulderuntilthechildfellasleep，nestlinguponthebroadbreastofherprotector。

Hewatchedoverherslumberforsometime，butNatureprovedtobetoostrongforhim。Forthreedaysandthreenightshehadallowedhimselfneitherrestnorrepose。Slowlytheeyelidsdroopedoverthetiredeyes，andtheheadsunklowerandloweruponthebreast，untiltheman"sgrizzledbeardwasmixedwiththegoldtressesofhiscompanion，andbothsleptthesamedeepanddreamlessslumber。

Hadthewandererremainedawakeforanotherhalfhourastrangesightwouldhavemethiseyes。Farawayontheextremevergeofthealkaliplainthereroseupalittlesprayofdust，veryslightatfirst，andhardlytobedistinguishedfromthemistsofthedistance，butgraduallygrowinghigherandbroaderuntilitformedasolid，well-definedcloud。Thiscloudcontinuedtoincreaseinsizeuntilitbecameevidentthatitcouldonlyberaisedbyagreatmultitudeofmovingcreatures。Inmorefertilespotstheobserverwouldhavecometotheconclusionthatoneofthosegreatherdsofbisonswhichgrazeupontheprairielandwasapproachinghim。Thiswasobviouslyimpossibleinthesearidwilds。Asthewhirlofdustdrewnearertothesolitarybluffuponwhichthetwocastawayswerereposing，thecanvas-coveredtiltsofwaggonsandthefiguresofarmedhorsemenbegantoshowupthroughthehaze，andtheapparitionrevealed

itselfasbeingagreatcaravanuponitsjourneyfortheWest。Butwhatacaravan!Whentheheadofithadreachedthebaseofthemountains，therearwasnotyetvisibleonthehorizon。Rightacrosstheenormousplainstretchedthestragglingarray，waggonsandcarts，menonhorseback，andmenonfoot。Innumerablewomenwhostaggeredalongunderburdens，andchildrenwhotoddledbesidethewaggonsorpeepedoutfromunderthewhitecoverings。

Thiswasevidentlynoordinarypartyofimmigrants，butrathersomenomadpeoplewhohadbeencompelledfromstressofcircumstancestoseekthemselvesanewcountry。Thererosethroughtheclearairaconfusedclatteringandrumblingfromthisgreatmassofhumanity，withthecreakingofwheelsandtheneighingofhorses。Loudasitwas，itwasnotsufficienttorousethetwotiredwayfarersabovethem。

Attheheadofthecolumnthererodeascoreormoreofgraveironfacedmen，cladinsombrehomespungarmentsandarmedwithrifles。Onreachingthebaseoftheblufftheyhalted，andheldashortcouncilamongthemselves。

"Thewellsaretotheright，mybrothers，"saidone，ahard-lipped，clean-shavenmanwithgrizzlyhair。

"TotherightoftheSierraBlanco——soweshallreachtheRioGrande，"saidanother。

"Fearnotforwater，"criedathird。"HewhocoulddrawitfromtherockswillnotnowabandonHisownchosenpeople。"

"Amen!Amen!"respondedthewholeparty。

Theywereabouttoresumetheirjourneywhenoneoftheyoungestandkeenest-eyedutteredanexclamationandpointedupattheruggedcragabovethem。Fromitssummitthereflutteredalittlewispofpink，showinguphardandbrightagainstthegreyrocksbehind。Atthesighttherewasageneralreiningupofhorsesandunslingingofguns，whilefreshhorsemencamegallopinguptoreinforcethevanguard。

Theword`Redskins"wasoneverylip。

"Therecan"tbeanynumberofInjunshere，"saidtheelderlymanwhoappearedtobeincommand。"WehavepassedthePawnees，andtherearenoothertribesuntilwecrossthegreatmountains。"

"ShallIgoforwardandsee，BrotherStangerson，"

askedoneoftheband。

"AndI，""andI，"criedadozenvoices。

"Leaveyourhorsesbelowandwewillawaityouhere，"

theElderanswered。Inamomenttheyoungfellowshaddismounted，fastenedtheirhorses，andwereascendingtheprecipitousslopewhichleduptotheobjectwhichhadexcitedtheircuriosity。Theyadvancedrapidlyandnoiselessly，withtheconfidenceanddexterityofpractisedscouts。Thewatchersfromtheplainbelowcouldseethemflitfromrocktorockuntiltheirfiguresstoodoutagainsttheskyline。Theyoungmanwhohadfirstgiventhealarmwasleadingthem。Suddenlyhisfollowerssawhimthrowuphishands，asthoughovercomewithastonishment，andonjoininghimtheywereaffectedinthesamewaybythesightwhichmettheireyes。

Onthelittleplateauwhichcrownedthebarrenhilltherestoodasinglegiantboulder，andagainstthisbouldertherelayatallman，long-beardedandhard-featured，butofanexcessivethinness。Hisplacidfaceandregularbreathingshowedthathewasfastasleep。Besidehimlayalittlechild，withherroundwhitearmsencirclinghisbrownsinewyneck，andhergoldenhairedheadrestinguponthebreastofhisvelveteentunic。Herrosylipswereparted，showingtheregularlineofsnow-whiteteethwithin，andaplayfulsmileplayedoverherinfantilefeatures。Herplumplittlewhitelegsterminatinginwhitesocksandneatshoeswithshiningbuckles，offeredastrangecontrasttothelongshrivelledmembersofhercompanion。Ontheledgeofrockabovethisstrangecoupletherestoodthreesolemnbuzzards，who，atthesightofthenewcomersutteredraucousscreamsofdisappointmentandflappedsullenlyaway。

Thecriesofthefoulbirdsawokethetwosleeperswhostaredabout{20}theminbewilderment。Themanstaggeredtohisfeetandlookeddownupontheplainwhichhadbeensodesolatewhensleephadovertakenhim，andwhichwasnowtraversedbythisenormousbodyofmenandofbeasts。Hisfaceassumedanexpressionofincredulityashegazed，andhepassedhisboneyhandoverhiseyes。"Thisiswhattheycalldelirium，Iguess，"hemuttered。Thechildstoodbesidehim，holdingontotheskirtofhiscoat，andsaidnothingbutlookedallroundherwiththewonderingquestioninggazeofchildhood。

Therescuingpartywerespeedilyabletoconvincethetwocastawaysthattheirappearancewasnodelusion。Oneofthemseizedthelittlegirl，andhoistedheruponhisshoulder，whiletwootherssupportedhergauntcompanion，andassistedhimtowardsthewaggons。

"MynameisJohnFerrier，"thewandererexplained；"meandthatlittleunareallthat"slefto"twenty-onepeople。

Therestisalldeado"thirstandhungerawaydowninthesouth。"

"Issheyourchild?"askedsomeone。

"Iguesssheisnow，"theothercried，defiantly；

"she"smine"causeIsavedher。Nomanwilltakeherfromme。

She"sLucyFerrierfromthisdayon。Whoareyou，though?"

hecontinued，glancingwithcuriosityathisstalwart，sunburnedrescuers；"thereseemstobeapowerfullotofye。"

"Nighupontenthousand，"saidoneoftheyoungmen；

"wearethepersecutedchildrenofGod——thechosenoftheAngelMerona。"

"Ineverheardtellonhim，"saidthewanderer。

"Heappearstohavechosenafaircrowdofye。"

"Donotjestatthatwhichissacred，"saidtheothersternly。"Weareofthosewhobelieveinthosesacredwritings，drawninEgyptianlettersonplatesofbeatengold，whichwerehandeduntotheholyJosephSmithatPalmyra。

WehavecomefromNauvoo，intheStateofIllinois，wherewehadfoundedourtemple。Wehavecometoseekarefugefromtheviolentmanandfromthegodless，eventhoughitbetheheartofthedesert。"

ThenameofNauvooevidentlyrecalledrecollectionstoJohnFerrier。"Isee，"hesaid，"youaretheMormons。"

"WearetheMormons，"answeredhiscompanionswithonevoice。

"Andwhereareyougoing?"

"Wedonotknow。ThehandofGodisleadingusunderthepersonofourProphet。Youmustcomebeforehim。

Heshallsaywhatistobedonewithyou。"

Theyhadreachedthebaseofthehillbythistime，andweresurroundedbycrowdsofthepilgrims——pale-facedmeek-lookingwomen，stronglaughingchildren，andanxiousearnest-eyedmen。

Manywerethecriesofastonishmentandofcommiserationwhicharosefromthemwhentheyperceivedtheyouthofoneofthestrangersandthedestitutionoftheother。Theirescortdidnothalt，however，butpushedon，followedbyagreatcrowdofMormons，untiltheyreachedawaggon，whichwasconspicuousforitsgreatsizeandforthegaudinessandsmartnessofitsappearance。Sixhorseswereyokedtoit，whereastheotherswerefurnishedwithtwo，or，atmost，foura-piece。

Besidethedrivertheresatamanwhocouldnothavebeenmorethanthirtyyearsofage，butwhosemassiveheadandresoluteexpressionmarkedhimasaleader。Hewasreadingabrown-backedvolume，butasthecrowdapproachedhelaiditaside，andlistenedattentivelytoanaccountoftheepisode。

Thenheturnedtothetwocastaways。

"Ifwetakeyouwithus，"hesaid，insolemnwords，"itcanonlybeasbelieversinourowncreed。Weshallhavenowolvesinourfold。Betterfarthatyourbonesshouldbleachinthiswildernessthanthatyoushouldprovetobethatlittlespeckofdecaywhichintimecorruptsthewholefruit。

Willyoucomewithusontheseterms?"

"GuessI"llcomewithyouonanyterms，"saidFerrier，withsuchemphasisthatthegraveElderscouldnotrestrainasmile。Theleaderaloneretainedhisstern，impressiveexpression。

"Takehim，BrotherStangerson，"hesaid，"givehimfoodanddrink，andthechildlikewise。Letitbeyourtaskalsototeachhimourholycreed。Wehavedelayedlongenough。

Forward!On，ontoZion!"

"On，ontoZion!"criedthecrowdofMormons，andthewordsrippleddownthelongcaravan，passingfrommouthtomouthuntiltheydiedawayinadullmurmurinthefardistance。

Withacrackingofwhipsandacreakingofwheelsthegreatwaggonsgotintomotion，andsoonthewholecaravanwaswindingalongoncemore。TheEldertowhosecarethetwowaifshadbeencommitted，ledthemtohiswaggon，whereamealwasalreadyawaitingthem。

"Youshallremainhere，"hesaid。"Inafewdaysyouwillhaverecoveredfromyourfatigues。Inthemeantime，rememberthatnowandforeveryouareofourreligion。BrighamYounghassaidit，andhehasspokenwiththevoiceofJosephSmith，whichisthevoiceofGod。"

CHAPTERII。

THEFLOWEROFUTAH。

THISisnottheplacetocommemoratethetrialsandprivationsenduredbytheimmigrantMormonsbeforetheycametotheirfinalhaven。FromtheshoresoftheMississippitothewesternslopesoftheRockyMountainstheyhadstruggledonwithaconstancyalmostunparalleledinhistory。Thesavageman，andthesavagebeast，hunger，thirst，fatigue，anddisease——everyimpedimentwhichNaturecouldplaceintheway，hadallbeenovercomewithAnglo-Saxontenacity。

Yetthelongjourneyandtheaccumulatedterrorshadshakentheheartsofthestoutestamongthem。TherewasnotonewhodidnotsinkuponhiskneesinheartfeltprayerwhentheysawthebroadvalleyofUtahbathedinthesunlightbeneaththem，andlearnedfromthelipsoftheirleaderthatthiswasthepromisedland，andthatthesevirginacresweretobetheirsforevermore。

Youngspeedilyprovedhimselftobeaskilfuladministratoraswellasaresolutechief。Mapsweredrawnandchartsprepared，inwhichthefuturecitywassketchedout。Allaroundfarmswereapportionedandallottedinproportiontothestandingofeachindividual。Thetradesmanwasputtohistradeandtheartisantohiscalling。Inthetownstreetsandsquaressprangup，asifbymagic。Inthecountrytherewasdrainingandhedging，plantingandclearing，untilthenextsummersawthewholecountrygoldenwiththewheatcrop。Everythingprosperedinthestrangesettlement。Aboveall，thegreattemplewhichtheyhaderectedinthecentreofthecitygrewevertallerandlarger。Fromthefirstblushofdawnuntiltheclosingofthetwilight，theclatterofthehammerandtheraspofthesawwasneverabsentfromthemonumentwhichtheimmigrantserectedtoHimwhohadledthemsafethroughmanydangers。

Thetwocastaways，JohnFerrierandthelittlegirlwhohadsharedhisfortunesandhadbeenadoptedashisdaughter，accompaniedtheMormonstotheendoftheirgreatpilgrimage。