第6章

LittleLucyFerrierwasbornealongpleasantlyenoughinElderStangerson"swaggon，aretreatwhichshesharedwiththeMormon"sthreewivesandwithhisson，aheadstrongforwardboyoftwelve。Havingrallied，withtheelasticityofchildhood，fromtheshockcausedbyhermother"sdeath，shesoonbecameapetwiththewomen，andreconciledherselftothisnewlifeinhermovingcanvas-coveredhome。InthemeantimeFerrierhavingrecoveredfromhisprivations，distinguishedhimselfasausefulguideandanindefatigablehunter。Sorapidlydidhegaintheesteemofhisnewcompanions，thatwhentheyreachedtheendoftheirwanderings，itwasunanimouslyagreedthatheshouldbeprovidedwithaslargeandasfertileatractoflandasanyofthesettlers，withtheexceptionofYounghimself，andofStangerson，Kemball，Johnston，andDrebber，whowerethefourprincipalElders。

OnthefarmthusacquiredJohnFerrierbuilthimselfasubstantiallog-house，whichreceivedsomanyadditionsinsucceedingyearsthatitgrewintoaroomyvilla。Hewasamanofapracticalturnofmind，keeninhisdealingsandskilfulwithhishands。Hisironconstitutionenabledhimtoworkmorningandeveningatimprovingandtillinghislands。

Henceitcameaboutthathisfarmandallthatbelongedtohimprosperedexceedingly。Inthreeyearshewasbetteroffthanhisneighbours，insixhewaswell-to-do，inninehewasrich，andintwelvetherewerenothalfadozenmeninthewholeofSaltLakeCitywhocouldcomparewithhim。FromthegreatinlandseatothedistantWahsatchMountainstherewasnonamebetterknownthanthatofJohnFerrier。

Therewasonewayandonlyoneinwhichheoffendedthesusceptibilitiesofhisco-religionists。Noargumentorpersuasioncouldeverinducehimtosetupafemaleestablishmentafterthemannerofhiscompanions。Henevergavereasonsforthispersistentrefusal，butcontentedhimselfbyresolutelyandinflexiblyadheringtohisdetermination。Thereweresomewhoaccusedhimoflukewarmnessinhisadoptedreligion，andotherswhoputitdowntogreedofwealthandreluctancetoincurexpense。

Others，again，spokeofsomeearlyloveaffair，andofafair-hairedgirlwhohadpinedawayontheshoresoftheAtlantic。Whateverthereason，Ferrierremainedstrictlycelibate。Ineveryotherrespectheconformedtothereligionoftheyoungsettlement，andgainedthenameofbeinganorthodoxandstraight-walkingman。

LucyFerriergrewupwithinthelog-house，andassistedheradoptedfatherinallhisundertakings。Thekeenairofthemountainsandthebalsamicodourofthepinetreestooktheplaceofnurseandmothertotheyounggirl。Asyearsucceededtoyearshegrewtallerandstronger，hercheekmorerudy，andherstepmoreelastic。ManyawayfareruponthehighroadwhichranbyFerrier"sfarmfeltlong-forgottenthoughtsreviveintheirmindastheywatchedherlithegirlishfiguretrippingthroughthewheatfields，ormethermounteduponherfather"smustang，andmanagingitwithalltheeaseandgraceofatruechildoftheWest。Sothebudblossomedintoaflower，andtheyearwhichsawherfathertherichestofthefarmersleftherasfairaspecimenofAmericangirlhoodascouldbefoundinthewholePacificslope。

Itwasnotthefather，however，whofirstdiscoveredthatthechildhaddevelopedintothewoman。Itseldomisinsuchcases。Thatmysteriouschangeistoosubtleandtoogradualtobemeasuredbydates。Leastofalldoesthemaidenherselfknowituntilthetoneofavoiceorthetouchofahandsetsherheartthrillingwithinher，andshelearns，withamixtureofprideandoffear，thatanewandalargernaturehasawokenwithinher。Therearefewwhocannotrecallthatdayandremembertheonelittleincidentwhichheraldedthedawnofanewlife。InthecaseofLucyFerriertheoccasionwasseriousenoughinitself，apartfromitsfutureinfluenceonherdestinyandthatofmanybesides。

ItwasawarmJunemorning，andtheLatterDaySaintswereasbusyasthebeeswhosehivetheyhavechosenfortheiremblem。Inthefieldsandinthestreetsrosethesamehumofhumanindustry。Downthedustyhighroadsdefiledlongstreamsofheavily-ladenmules，allheadingtothewest，forthegoldfeverhadbrokenoutinCalifornia，andtheOverlandRoutelaythroughtheCityoftheElect。There，too，weredrovesofsheepandbullockscominginfromtheoutlyingpasturelands，andtrainsoftiredimmigrants，menandhorsesequallywearyoftheirinterminablejourney。Throughallthismotleyassemblage，threadingherwaywiththeskillofanaccomplishedrider，theregallopedLucyFerrier，herfairfaceflushedwiththeexerciseandherlongchestnuthairfloatingoutbehindher。ShehadacommissionfromherfatherintheCity，andwasdashinginasshehaddonemanyatimebefore，withallthefearlessnessofyouth，thinkingonlyofhertaskandhowitwastobeperformed。

Thetravel-stainedadventurersgazedafterherinastonishment，andeventheunemotionalIndians，journeyinginwiththeirpelties，relaxedtheiraccustomedstoicismastheymarvelledatthebeautyofthepale-facedmaiden。

Shehadreachedtheoutskirtsofthecitywhenshefoundtheroadblockedbyagreatdroveofcattle，drivenbyahalf-dozenwild-lookingherdsmenfromtheplains。Inherimpatiencesheendeavouredtopassthisobstaclebypushingherhorseintowhatappearedtobeagap。Scarcelyhadshegotfairlyintoit，however，beforethebeastsclosedinbehindher，andshefoundherselfcompletelyimbeddedinthemovingstreamoffierce-eyed，long-hornedbullocks。

Accustomedasshewastodealwithcattle，shewasnotalarmedathersituation，buttookadvantageofeveryopportunitytourgeherhorseoninthehopesofpushingherwaythroughthecavalcade。Unfortunatelythehornsofoneofthecreatures，eitherbyaccidentordesign，cameinviolentcontactwiththeflankofthemustang，andexcitedittomadness。Inaninstantitrearedupuponitshindlegswithasnortofrage，andprancedandtossedinawaythatwouldhaveunseatedanybutamostskilfulrider。Thesituationwasfullofperil。Everyplungeoftheexcitedhorsebroughtitagainstthehornsagain，andgoadedittofreshmadness。

Itwasallthatthegirlcoulddotokeepherselfinthesaddle，yetaslipwouldmeanaterribledeathunderthehoofsoftheunwieldyandterrifiedanimals。Unaccustomedtosuddenemergencies，herheadbegantoswim，andhergripuponthebridletorelax。Chokedbytherisingcloudofdustandbythesteamfromthestrugglingcreatures，shemighthaveabandonedhereffortsindespair，butforakindlyvoiceatherelbowwhichassuredherofassistance。Atthesamemomentasinewybrownhandcaughtthefrightenedhorsebythecurb，andforcingawaythroughthedrove，soonbroughthertotheoutskirts。

"You"renothurt，Ihope，miss，"saidherpreserver，respectfully。

Shelookedupathisdark，fierceface，andlaughedsaucily。

"I"mawfulfrightened，"shesaid，naively；"whoeverwouldhavethoughtthatPonchowouldhavebeensoscaredbyalotofcows?"

"ThankGodyoukeptyourseat，"theothersaidearnestly。

Hewasatall，savage-lookingyoungfellow，mountedonapowerfulroanhorse，andcladintheroughdressofahunter，withalongrifleslungoverhisshoulders。"IguessyouarethedaughterofJohnFerrier，"heremarked，"Isawyouridedownfromhishouse。Whenyouseehim，askhimifherememberstheJeffersonHopesofSt。Louis。Ifhe"sthesameFerrier，myfatherandhewereprettythick。"

"Hadn"tyoubettercomeandaskyourself?"sheasked，demurely。

Theyoungfellowseemedpleasedatthesuggestion，andhisdarkeyessparkledwithpleasure。"I"lldoso，"hesaid，"we"vebeeninthemountainsfortwomonths，andarenotoverandaboveinvisitingcondition。Hemusttakeusashefindsus。"

"Hehasagooddealtothankyoufor，andsohaveI，"sheanswered，"he"sawfulfondofme。Ifthosecowshadjumpedonmehe"dhavenevergotoverit。"

"NeitherwouldI，"saidhercompanion。

"You!Well，Idon"tseethatitwouldmakemuchmattertoyou，anyhow。Youain"tevenafriendofours。"

Theyounghunter"sdarkfacegrewsogloomyoverthisremarkthatLucyFerrierlaughedaloud。

"There，Ididn"tmeanthat，"shesaid；"ofcourse，youareafriendnow。Youmustcomeandseeus。NowImustpushalong，orfatherwon"ttrustmewithhisbusinessanymore。Good-bye!"

"Good-bye，"heanswered，raisinghisbroadsombrero，andbendingoverherlittlehand。Shewheeledhermustanground，gaveitacutwithherriding-whip，anddartedawaydownthebroadroadinarollingcloudofdust。

YoungJeffersonHoperodeonwithhiscompanions，gloomyandtaciturn。HeandtheyhadbeenamongtheNevadaMountainsprospectingforsilver，andwerereturningtoSaltLakeCityinthehopeofraisingcapitalenoughtoworksomelodeswhichtheyhaddiscovered。Hehadbeenaskeenasanyofthemuponthebusinessuntilthissuddenincidenthaddrawnhisthoughtsintoanotherchannel。Thesightofthefairyounggirl，asfrankandwholesomeastheSierrabreezes，hadstirredhisvolcanic，untamedhearttoitsverydepths。

Whenshehadvanishedfromhissight，herealizedthatacrisishadcomeinhislife，andthatneithersilverspeculationsnoranyotherquestionscouldeverbeofsuchimportancetohimasthisnewandall-absorbingone。Thelovewhichhadsprungupinhisheartwasnotthesudden，changeablefancyofaboy，butratherthewild，fiercepassionofamanofstrongwillandimperioustemper。Hehadbeenaccustomedtosucceedinallthatheundertook。Hesworeinhisheartthathewouldnotfailinthisifhumaneffortandhumanperseverancecouldrenderhimsuccessful。

HecalledonJohnFerrierthatnight，andmanytimesagain，untilhisfacewasafamiliaroneatthefarm-house。

John，coopedupinthevalley，andabsorbedinhiswork，hadhadlittlechanceoflearningthenewsoftheoutsideworldduringthelasttwelveyears。AllthisJeffersonHopewasabletotellhim，andinastylewhichinterestedLucyaswellasherfather。HehadbeenapioneerinCalifornia，andcouldnarratemanyastrangetaleoffortunesmadeandfortuneslostinthosewild，halcyondays。Hehadbeenascouttoo，andatrapper，asilverexplorer，andaranchman。

Whereverstirringadventuresweretobehad，JeffersonHopehadbeenthereinsearchofthem。Hesoonbecameafavouritewiththeoldfarmer，whospokeeloquentlyofhisvirtues。

Onsuchoccasions，Lucywassilent，butherblushingcheekandherbright，happyeyes，showedonlytooclearlythatheryoungheartwasnolongerherown。Herhonestfathermaynothaveobservedthesesymptoms，buttheywereassuredlynotthrownawayuponthemanwhohadwonheraffections。

Itwasasummereveningwhenhecamegallopingdowntheroadandpulledupatthegate。Shewasatthedoorway，andcamedowntomeethim。Hethrewthebridleoverthefenceandstrodeupthepathway。

"Iamoff，Lucy，"hesaid，takinghertwohandsinhis，andgazingtenderlydownintoherface；"Iwon"taskyoutocomewithmenow，butwillyoubereadytocomewhenIamhereagain?"

"Andwhenwillthatbe?"sheasked，blushingandlaughing。

"Acoupleofmonthsattheoutside。Iwillcomeandclaimyouthen，mydarling。There"snoonewhocanstandbetweenus。"

"Andhowaboutfather?"sheasked。

"Hehasgivenhisconsent，providedwegettheseminesworkingallright。Ihavenofearonthathead。"

"Oh，well；ofcourse，ifyouandfatherhavearrangeditall，there"snomoretobesaid，"shewhispered，withhercheekagainsthisbroadbreast。

"ThankGod!"hesaid，hoarsely，stoopingandkissingher。

"Itissettled，then。ThelongerIstay，theharderitwillbetogo。Theyarewaitingformeatthecanon。Good-bye，myowndarling——good-bye。Intwomonthsyoushallseeme。"

Hetorehimselffromherashespoke，and，flinginghimselfuponhishorse，gallopedfuriouslyaway，neverevenlookinground，asthoughafraidthathisresolutionmightfailhimifhetookoneglanceatwhathewasleaving。Shestoodatthegate，gazingafterhimuntilhevanishedfromhersight。Thenshewalkedbackintothehouse，thehappiestgirlinallUtah。

CHAPTERIII。

JOHNFERRIERTALKSWITHTHEPROPHET。

THREEweekshadpassedsinceJeffersonHopeandhiscomradeshaddepartedfromSaltLakeCity。JohnFerrier"sheartwassorewithinhimwhenhethoughtoftheyoungman"sreturn，andoftheimpendinglossofhisadoptedchild。Yetherbrightandhappyfacereconciledhimtothearrangementmorethananyargumentcouldhavedone。Hehadalwaysdetermined，deepdowninhisresoluteheart，thatnothingwouldeverinducehimtoallowhisdaughtertowedaMormon。Suchamarriageheregardedasnomarriageatall，butasashameandadisgrace。WhateverhemightthinkoftheMormondoctrines，uponthatonepointhewasinflexible。Hehadtosealhismouthonthesubject，however，fortoexpressanunorthodoxopinionwasadangerousmatterinthosedaysintheLandoftheSaints。

Yes，adangerousmatter——sodangerousthateventhemostsaintlydaredonlywhispertheirreligiousopinionswithbatedbreath，lestsomethingwhichfellfromtheirlipsmightbemisconstrued，andbringdownaswiftretributionuponthem。Thevictimsofpersecutionhadnowturnedpersecutorsontheirownaccount，andpersecutorsofthemostterribledescription。NottheInquisitionofSeville，northeGermanVehm-gericht，northeSecretSocietiesofItaly，wereeverabletoputamoreformidablemachineryinmotionthanthatwhichcastacloudovertheStateofUtah。

Itsinvisibility，andthemysterywhichwasattachedtoit，madethisorganizationdoublyterrible。Itappearedtobeomniscientandomnipotent，andyetwasneitherseennorheard。ThemanwhoheldoutagainsttheChurchvanishedaway，andnoneknewwhitherhehadgoneorwhathadbefallenhim。Hiswifeandhischildrenawaitedhimathome，butnofathereverreturnedtotellthemhowhehadfaredatthehandsofhissecretjudges。Arashwordorahastyactwasfollowedbyannihilation，andyetnoneknewwhatthenaturemightbeofthisterriblepowerwhichwassuspendedoverthem。

Nowonderthatmenwentaboutinfearandtrembling，andthatevenintheheartofthewildernesstheydarednotwhisperthedoubtswhichoppressedthem。

Atfirstthisvagueandterriblepowerwasexercisedonlyupontherecalcitrantswho，havingembracedtheMormonfaith，wishedafterwardstopervertortoabandonit。Soon，however，ittookawiderrange。Thesupplyofadultwomenwasrunningshort，andpolygamywithoutafemalepopulationonwhichtodrawwasabarrendoctrineindeed。Strangerumoursbegantobebandiedabout——rumoursofmurderedimmigrantsandrifledcampsinregionswhereIndianshadneverbeenseen。FreshwomenappearedintheharemsoftheElders——womenwhopinedandwept，andboreupontheirfacesthetracesofanunextinguishablehorror。Belatedwanderersuponthemountainsspokeofgangsofarmedmen，masked，stealthy，andnoiseless，whoflittedbytheminthedarkness。

Thesetalesandrumourstooksubstanceandshape，andwerecorroboratedandre-corroborated，untiltheyresolvedthemselvesintoadefinitename。Tothisday，inthelonelyranchesoftheWest，thenameoftheDaniteBand，ortheAvengingAngels，isasinisterandanill-omenedone。

Fullerknowledgeoftheorganizationwhichproducedsuchterribleresultsservedtoincreaseratherthantolessenthehorrorwhichitinspiredinthemindsofmen。Noneknewwhobelongedtothisruthlesssociety。Thenamesoftheparticipatorsinthedeedsofbloodandviolencedoneunderthenameofreligionwerekeptprofoundlysecret。TheveryfriendtowhomyoucommunicatedyourmisgivingsastotheProphetandhismission，mightbeoneofthosewhowouldcomeforthatnightwithfireandswordtoexactaterriblereparation。Henceeverymanfearedhisneighbour，andnonespokeofthethingswhichwerenearesthisheart。

Onefinemorning，JohnFerrierwasabouttosetouttohiswheatfields，whenheheardtheclickofthelatch，and，lookingthroughthewindow，sawastout，sandy-haired，middle-agedmancomingupthepathway。Hisheartleapttohismouth，forthiswasnoneotherthanthegreatBrighamYounghimself。Fulloftrepidation——forheknewthatsuchavisitbodedhimlittlegood——FerrierrantothedoortogreettheMormonchief。Thelatter，however，receivedhissalutationscoldly，andfollowedhimwithasternfaceintothesitting-room。

"BrotherFerrier，"hesaid，takingaseat，andeyeingthefarmerkeenlyfromunderhislight-colouredeyelashes，"thetruebelievershavebeengoodfriendstoyou。Wepickedyouupwhenyouwerestarvinginthedesert，wesharedourfoodwithyou，ledyousafetotheChosenValley，gaveyouagoodlyshareofland，andallowedyoutowaxrichunderourprotection。Isnotthisso?"

"Itisso，"answeredJohnFerrier。

"Inreturnforallthisweaskedbutonecondition:thatwas，thatyoushouldembracethetruefaith，andconformineverywaytoitsusages。Thisyoupromisedtodo，andthis，ifcommonreportsaystruly，youhaveneglected。"

"AndhowhaveIneglectedit?"askedFerrier，throwingouthishandsinexpostulation。"HaveInotgiventothecommonfund?HaveInotattendedattheTemple?HaveInot——?"

"Whereareyourwives?"askedYoung，lookingroundhim。

"Callthemin，thatImaygreetthem。"

"ItistruethatIhavenotmarried，"Ferrieranswered。

"Butwomenwerefew，andthereweremanywhohadbetterclaimsthanI。Iwasnotalonelyman:Ihadmydaughtertoattendtomywants。"

"ItisofthatdaughterthatIwouldspeaktoyou，"saidtheleaderoftheMormons。"ShehasgrowntobetheflowerofUtah，andhasfoundfavourintheeyesofmanywhoarehighintheland。"

JohnFerriergroanedinternally。

"TherearestoriesofherwhichIwouldfaindisbelieve——

storiesthatsheissealedtosomeGentile。Thismustbethegossipofidletongues。WhatisthethirteenthruleinthecodeofthesaintedJosephSmith?`Leteverymaidenofthetruefaithmarryoneoftheelect；forifshewedaGentile，shecommitsagrievoussin。"Thisbeingso，itisimpossiblethatyou，whoprofesstheholycreed，shouldsufferyourdaughtertoviolateit。"

JohnFerriermadenoanswer，butheplayednervouslywithhisriding-whip。

"Uponthisonepointyourwholefaithshallbetested——soithasbeendecidedintheSacredCouncilofFour。Thegirlisyoung，andwewouldnothaveherwedgreyhairs，neitherwouldwedepriveherofallchoice。WeEldershavemanyheifers，*butourchildrenmustalsobeprovided。Stangersonhasason，andDrebberhasason，andeitherofthemwouldgladlywelcomeyourdaughtertotheirhouse。Letherchoosebetweenthem。Theyareyoungandrich，andofthetruefaith。

Whatsayyoutothat?"

Ferrierremainedsilentforsomelittletimewithhisbrowsknitted。

"Youwillgiveustime，"hesaidatlast。"Mydaughterisveryyoung——sheisscarceofanagetomarry。"

"Sheshallhaveamonthtochoose，"saidYoung，risingfromhisseat。"Attheendofthattimesheshallgiveheranswer。"

Hewaspassingthroughthedoor，whenheturned，withflushedfaceandflashingeyes。"Itwerebetterforyou，JohnFerrier，"

hethundered，"thatyouandshewerenowlyingblanchedskeletonsupontheSierraBlanco，thanthatyoushouldputyourweakwillsagainsttheordersoftheHolyFour!"

Withathreateninggestureofhishand，heturnedfromthedoor，andFerrierheardhisheavystepscrunchingalongtheshinglypath。

Hewasstillsittingwithhiselbowsuponhisknees，consideringhowheshouldbroachthemattertohisdaughterwhenasofthandwaslaiduponhis，andlookingup，hesawherstandingbesidehim。Oneglanceatherpale，frightenedfaceshowedhimthatshehadheardwhathadpassed。

"Icouldnothelpit，"shesaid，inanswertohislook。

"Hisvoicerangthroughthehouse。Oh，father，father，whatshallwedo?"

"Don"tyouscareyourself，"heanswered，drawinghertohim，andpassinghisbroad，roughhandcaressinglyoverherchestnuthair。"We"llfixitupsomehoworanother。

Youdon"tfindyourfancykindo"lesseningforthischap，doyou?"

Asobandasqueezeofhishandwasheronlyanswer。

"No；ofcoursenot。Ishouldn"tcaretohearyousayyoudid。He"salikelylad，andhe"saChristian，whichismorethanthesefolkhere，inspiteo"alltheirprayingandpreaching。There"sapartystartingforNevadato-morrow，andI"llmanagetosendhimamessagelettinghimknowtheholewearein。IfIknowanythingo"thatyoungman，he"llbebackherewithaspeedthatwouldwhipelectro-telegraphs。"

Lucylaughedthroughhertearsatherfather"sdescription。

"Whenhecomes，hewilladviseusforthebest。ButitisforyouthatIamfrightened，dear。Onehears——onehearssuchdreadfulstoriesaboutthosewhoopposetheProphet:

somethingterriblealwayshappenstothem。"

"Butwehaven"topposedhimyet，"herfatheranswered。

"Itwillbetimetolookoutforsquallswhenwedo。

Wehaveaclearmonthbeforeus；attheendofthat，IguesswehadbestshinoutofUtah。"

"LeaveUtah!"

"That"saboutthesizeofit。"

"Butthefarm?"

"Wewillraiseasmuchaswecaninmoney，andlettherestgo。

Totellthetruth，Lucy，itisn"tthefirsttimeIhavethoughtofdoingit。Idon"tcareaboutknucklingundertoanyman，asthesefolkdototheirdarnedprophet。I"mafree-bornAmerican，andit"sallnewtome。GuessI"mtoooldtolearn。Ifhecomesbrowsingaboutthisfarm，hemightchancetorunupagainstachargeofbuckshottravellingintheoppositedirection。"

"Buttheywon"tletusleave，"hisdaughterobjected。

"WaittillJeffersoncomes，andwe"llsoonmanagethat。

Inthemeantime，don"tyoufretyourself，mydearie，anddon"tgetyoureyesswelledup，elsehe"llbewalkingintomewhenheseesyou。There"snothingtobeafearedabout，andthere"snodangeratall。"

JohnFerrierutteredtheseconsolingremarksinaveryconfidenttone，butshecouldnothelpobservingthathepaidunusualcaretothefasteningofthedoorsthatnight，andthathecarefullycleanedandloadedtherustyoldshotgunwhichhunguponthewallofhisbedroom。

CHAPTERIV。

AFLIGHTFORLIFE。

ONthemorningwhichfollowedhisinterviewwiththeMormonProphet，JohnFerrierwentintoSaltLakeCity，andhavingfoundhisacquaintance，whowasboundfortheNevadaMountains，heentrustedhimwithhismessagetoJeffersonHope。Inithetoldtheyoungmanoftheimminentdangerwhichthreatenedthem，andhownecessaryitwasthatheshouldreturn。Havingdonethushefelteasierinhismind，andreturnedhomewithalighterheart。

Asheapproachedhisfarm，hewassurprisedtoseeahorsehitchedtoeachofthepostsofthegate。Stillmoresurprisedwasheonenteringtofindtwoyoungmeninpossessionofhissitting-room。One，withalongpaleface，wasleaningbackintherocking-chair，withhisfeetcockedupuponthestove。Theother，abull-neckedyouthwithcoarsebloatedfeatures，wasstandinginfrontofthewindowwithhishandsinhispocket，whistlingapopularhymn。

BothofthemnoddedtoFerrierasheentered，andtheoneintherocking-chaircommencedtheconversation。

"Maybeyoudon"tknowus，"hesaid。"ThishereisthesonofElderDrebber，andI"mJosephStangerson，whotravelledwithyouinthedesertwhentheLordstretchedoutHishandandgatheredyouintothetruefold。"

"AsHewillallthenationsinHisowngoodtime，"saidtheotherinanasalvoice；"Hegrindethslowlybutexceedingsmall。"

JohnFerrierbowedcoldly。Hehadguessedwhohisvisitorswere。

"Wehavecome，"continuedStangerson，"attheadviceofourfatherstosolicitthehandofyourdaughterforwhicheverofusmayseemgoodtoyouandtoher。AsIhavebutfourwivesandBrotherDrebberherehasseven，itappearstomethatmyclaimisthestrongerone。"

"Nay，nay，BrotherStangerson，"criedtheother；"thequestionisnothowmanywiveswehave，buthowmanywecankeep。

Myfatherhasnowgivenoverhismillstome，andIamthericherman。"

"Butmyprospectsarebetter，"saidtheother，warmly。

"WhentheLordremovesmyfather，Ishallhavehistanningyardandhisleatherfactory。ThenIamyourelder，andamhigherintheChurch。"

"Itwillbeforthemaidentodecide，"rejoinedyoungDrebber，smirkingathisownreflectionintheglass。"Wewillleaveitalltoherdecision。"

Duringthisdialogue，JohnFerrierhadstoodfuminginthedoorway，hardlyabletokeephisriding-whipfromthebacksofhistwovisitors。

"Lookhere，"hesaidatlast，stridinguptothem，"whenmydaughtersummonsyou，youcancome，butuntilthenIdon"twanttoseeyourfacesagain。"

ThetwoyoungMormonsstaredathiminamazement。

Intheireyesthiscompetitionbetweenthemforthemaiden"shandwasthehighestofhonoursbothtoherandherfather。

"Therearetwowaysoutoftheroom，"criedFerrier；"thereisthedoor，andthereisthewindow。Whichdoyoucaretouse?"

Hisbrownfacelookedsosavage，andhisgaunthandssothreatening，thathisvisitorssprangtotheirfeetandbeatahurriedretreat。Theoldfarmerfollowedthemtothedoor。

"Letmeknowwhenyouhavesettledwhichitistobe，"

hesaid，sardonically。

"Youshallsmartforthis!"Stangersoncried，whitewithrage。

"YouhavedefiedtheProphetandtheCouncilofFour。

Youshallrueittotheendofyourdays。"

"ThehandoftheLordshallbeheavyuponyou，"criedyoungDrebber；"Hewillariseandsmiteyou!"

"ThenI"llstartthesmiting，"exclaimedFerrierfuriously，andwouldhaverushedupstairsforhisgunhadnotLucyseizedhimbythearmandrestrainedhim。Beforehecouldescapefromher，theclatterofhorses"hoofstoldhimthattheywerebeyondhisreach。

"Theyoungcantingrascals!"heexclaimed，wipingtheperspirationfromhisforehead；"Iwouldsoonerseeyouinyourgrave，mygirl，thanthewifeofeitherofthem。"

"AndsoshouldI，father，"sheanswered，withspirit；

"butJeffersonwillsoonbehere。"

"Yes。Itwillnotbelongbeforehecomes。Thesoonerthebetter，forwedonotknowwhattheirnextmovemaybe。"

Itwas，indeed，hightimethatsomeonecapableofgivingadviceandhelpshouldcometotheaidofthesturdyoldfarmerandhisadopteddaughter。InthewholehistoryofthesettlementtherehadneverbeensuchacaseofrankdisobediencetotheauthorityoftheElders。Ifminorerrorswerepunishedsosternly，whatwouldbethefateofthisarchrebel。Ferrierknewthathiswealthandpositionwouldbeofnoavailtohim。Othersaswellknownandasrichashimselfhadbeenspiritedawaybeforenow，andtheirgoodsgivenovertotheChurch。Hewasabraveman，buthetrembledatthevague，shadowyterrorswhichhungoverhim。Anyknowndangerhecouldfacewithafirmlip，butthissuspensewasunnerving。Heconcealedhisfearsfromhisdaughter，however，andaffectedtomakelightofthewholematter，thoughshe，withthekeeneyeoflove，sawplainlythathewasillatease。

HeexpectedthathewouldreceivesomemessageorremonstrancefromYoungastohisconduct，andhewasnotmistaken，thoughitcameinanunlooked-formanner。Uponrisingnextmorninghefound，tohissurprise，asmallsquareofpaperpinnedontothecoverletofhisbedjustoverhischest。Onitwasprinted，inboldstragglingletters:——

"Twenty-ninedaysaregivenyouforamendment，andthen——"

Thedashwasmorefear-inspiringthananythreatcouldhavebeen。HowthiswarningcameintohisroompuzzledJohnFerriersorely，forhisservantssleptinanouthouse，andthedoorsandwindowshadallbeensecured。Hecrumpledthepaperupandsaidnothingtohisdaughter，buttheincidentstruckachillintohisheart。Thetwenty-ninedayswereevidentlythebalanceofthemonthwhichYounghadpromised。

Whatstrengthorcouragecouldavailagainstanenemyarmedwithsuchmysteriouspowers?Thehandwhichfastenedthatpinmighthavestruckhimtotheheart，andhecouldneverhaveknownwhohadslainhim。

Stillmoreshakenwashenextmorning。TheyhadsatdowntotheirbreakfastwhenLucywithacryofsurprisepointedupwards。Inthecentreoftheceilingwasscrawled，withaburnedstickapparently，thenumber28。Tohisdaughteritwasunintelligible，andhedidnotenlightenher。Thatnighthesatupwithhisgunandkeptwatchandward。Hesawandheheardnothing，andyetinthemorningagreat27hadbeenpaintedupontheoutsideofhisdoor。

Thusdayfollowedday；andassureasmorningcamehefoundthathisunseenenemieshadkepttheirregister，andhadmarkedupinsomeconspicuouspositionhowmanydayswerestilllefttohimoutofthemonthofgrace。Sometimesthefatalnumbersappeareduponthewalls，sometimesuponthefloors，occasionallytheywereonsmallplacardsstuckuponthegardengateortherailings。WithallhisvigilanceJohnFerriercouldnotdiscoverwhencethesedailywarningsproceeded。Ahorrorwhichwasalmostsuperstitiouscameuponhimatthesightofthem。Hebecamehaggardandrestless，andhiseyeshadthetroubledlookofsomehuntedcreature。

Hehadbutonehopeinlifenow，andthatwasforthearrivaloftheyounghunterfromNevada。

Twentyhadchangedtofifteenandfifteentoten，buttherewasnonewsoftheabsentee。Onebyonethenumbersdwindleddown，andstilltherecamenosignofhim。Wheneverahorsemanclattereddowntheroad，oradrivershoutedathisteam，theoldfarmerhurriedtothegatethinkingthathelphadarrivedatlast。Atlast，whenhesawfivegivewaytofourandthatagaintothree，helostheart，andabandonedallhopeofescape。Single-handed，andwithhislimitedknowledgeofthemountainswhichsurroundedthesettlement，heknewthathewaspowerless。Themore-frequentedroadswerestrictlywatchedandguarded，andnonecouldpassalongthemwithoutanorderfromtheCouncil。Turnwhichwayhewould，thereappearedtobenoavoidingtheblowwhichhungoverhim。Yettheoldmanneverwaveredinhisresolutiontopartwithlifeitselfbeforeheconsentedtowhatheregardedashisdaughter"sdishonour。

Hewassittingaloneoneeveningponderingdeeplyoverhistroubles，andsearchingvainlyforsomewayoutofthem。

Thatmorninghadshownthefigure2uponthewallofhishouse，andthenextdaywouldbethelastoftheallottedtime。Whatwastohappenthen?Allmannerofvagueandterriblefanciesfilledhisimagination。Andhisdaughter——

whatwastobecomeofherafterhewasgone?Wastherenoescapefromtheinvisiblenetworkwhichwasdrawnallroundthem。Hesankhisheaduponthetableandsobbedatthethoughtofhisownimpotence。

Whatwasthat?Inthesilenceheheardagentlescratchingsound——low，butverydistinctinthequietofthenight。

Itcamefromthedoorofthehouse。Ferriercreptintothehallandlistenedintently。Therewasapauseforafewmoments，andthenthelowinsidioussoundwasrepeated。

Someonewasevidentlytappingverygentlyupononeofthepanelsofthedoor。Wasitsomemidnightassassinwhohadcometocarryoutthemurderousordersofthesecrettribunal?Orwasitsomeagentwhowasmarkingupthatthelastdayofgracehadarrived。JohnFerrierfeltthatinstantdeathwouldbebetterthanthesuspensewhichshookhisnervesandchilledhisheart。Springingforwardhedrewtheboltandthrewthedooropen。

Outsideallwascalmandquiet。Thenightwasfine，andthestarsweretwinklingbrightlyoverhead。Thelittlefrontgardenlaybeforethefarmer"seyesboundedbythefenceandgate，butneithertherenorontheroadwasanyhumanbeingtobeseen。Withasighofrelief，Ferrierlookedtorightandtoleft，untilhappeningtoglancestraightdownathisownfeethesawtohisastonishmentamanlyingflatuponhisfaceupontheground，witharmsandlegsallasprawl。

Sounnervedwasheatthesightthatheleanedupagainstthewallwithhishandtohisthroattostiflehisinclinationtocallout。Hisfirstthoughtwasthattheprostratefigurewasthatofsomewoundedordyingman，butashewatchedithesawitwrithealongthegroundandintothehallwiththerapidityandnoiselessnessofaserpent。Oncewithinthehousethemansprangtohisfeet，closedthedoor，andrevealedtotheastonishedfarmerthefiercefaceandresoluteexpressionofJeffersonHope。

"GoodGod!"gaspedJohnFerrier。"Howyouscaredme!

Whatevermadeyoucomeinlikethat。"

"Givemefood，"theothersaid，hoarsely。"Ihavehadnotimeforbiteorsupforeight-and-fortyhours。"Heflunghimselfuponthe{21}coldmeatandbreadwhichwerestilllyinguponthetablefromhishost"ssupper，anddevoureditvoraciously。"DoesLucybearupwell?"heasked，whenhehadsatisfiedhishunger。

"Yes。Shedoesnotknowthedanger，"herfatheranswered。

"Thatiswell。Thehouseiswatchedoneveryside。

ThatiswhyIcrawledmywayuptoit。Theymaybedarnedsharp，butthey"renotquitesharpenoughtocatchaWashoehunter。"

JohnFerrierfeltadifferentmannowthatherealizedthathehadadevotedally。Heseizedtheyoungman"sleatheryhandandwrungitcordially。"You"reamantobeproudof，"

hesaid。"Therearenotmanywhowouldcometoshareourdangerandourtroubles。"

"You"vehititthere，pard，"theyounghunteranswered。

"Ihavearespectforyou，butifyouwerealoneinthisbusinessI"dthinktwicebeforeIputmyheadintosuchahornet"snest。It"sLucythatbringsmehere，andbeforeharmcomesonherIguesstherewillbeonelesso"theHopefamilyinUtah。"

"Whatarewetodo?"

"To-morrowisyourlastday，andunlessyouactto-nightyouarelost。IhaveamuleandtwohorseswaitingintheEagleRavine。Howmuchmoneyhaveyou?"