第7章

"Twothousanddollarsingold，andfiveinnotes。"

"Thatwilldo。Ihaveasmuchmoretoaddtoit。WemustpushforCarsonCitythroughthemountains。YouhadbestwakeLucy。Itisaswellthattheservantsdonotsleepinthehouse。"

WhileFerrierwasabsent，preparinghisdaughterfortheapproachingjourney，JeffersonHopepackedalltheeatablesthathecouldfindintoasmallparcel，andfilledastonewarejarwithwater，forheknewbyexperiencethatthemountainwellswerefewandfarbetween。Hehadhardlycompletedhisarrangementsbeforethefarmerreturnedwithhisdaughteralldressedandreadyforastart。Thegreetingbetweentheloverswaswarm，butbrief，forminuteswereprecious，andtherewasmuchtobedone。

"Wemustmakeourstartatonce，"saidJeffersonHope，speakinginalowbutresolutevoice，likeonewhorealizesthegreatnessoftheperil，buthassteeledhishearttomeetit。"Thefrontandbackentrancesarewatched，butwithcautionwemaygetawaythroughthesidewindowandacrossthefields。OnceontheroadweareonlytwomilesfromtheRavinewherethehorsesarewaiting。Bydaybreakweshouldbehalf-waythroughthemountains。"

"Whatifwearestopped，"askedFerrier。

Hopeslappedtherevolverbuttwhichprotrudedfromthefrontofhistunic。"Iftheyaretoomanyforusweshalltaketwoorthreeofthemwithus，"hesaidwithasinistersmile。

Thelightsinsidethehousehadallbeenextinguished，andfromthedarkenedwindowFerrierpeeredoverthefieldswhichhadbeenhisown，andwhichhewasnowabouttoabandonforever。Hehadlongnervedhimselftothesacrifice，however，andthethoughtofthehonourandhappinessofhisdaughteroutweighedanyregretathisruinedfortunes。Alllookedsopeacefulandhappy，therustlingtreesandthebroadsilentstretchofgrain-land，thatitwasdifficulttorealizethatthespiritofmurderlurkedthroughitall。Yetthewhitefaceandsetexpressionoftheyounghuntershowedthatinhisapproachtothehousehehadseenenoughtosatisfyhimuponthathead。

Ferriercarriedthebagofgoldandnotes，JeffersonHopehadthescantyprovisionsandwater，whileLucyhadasmallbundlecontainingafewofhermorevaluedpossessions。

Openingthewindowveryslowlyandcarefully，theywaiteduntiladarkcloudhadsomewhatobscuredthenight，andthenonebyonepassedthroughintothelittlegarden。Withbatedbreathandcrouchingfigurestheystumbledacrossit，andgainedtheshelterofthehedge，whichtheyskirteduntiltheycametothegapwhichopenedintothecornfields。Theyhadjustreachedthispointwhentheyoungmanseizedhistwocompanionsanddraggedthemdownintotheshadow，wheretheylaysilentandtrembling。

ItwasaswellthathisprairietraininghadgivenJeffersonHopetheearsofalynx。Heandhisfriendshadhardlycroucheddownbeforethemelancholyhootingofamountainowlwasheardwithinafewyardsofthem，whichwasimmediatelyansweredbyanotherhootatasmalldistance。Atthesamemomentavagueshadowyfigureemergedfromthegapforwhichtheyhadbeenmaking，andutteredtheplaintivesignalcryagain，onwhichasecondmanappearedoutoftheobscurity。

"To-morrowatmidnight，"saidthefirstwhoappearedtobeinauthority。"WhentheWhip-poor-Willcallsthreetimes。"

"Itiswell，"returnedtheother。"ShallItellBrotherDrebber?"

"Passitontohim，andfromhimtotheothers。Ninetoseven!"

"Seventofive!"repeatedtheother，andthetwofiguresflittedawayindifferentdirections。Theirconcludingwordshadevidentlybeensomeformofsignandcountersign。Theinstantthattheirfootstepshaddiedawayinthedistance，JeffersonHopesprangtohisfeet，andhelpinghiscompanionsthroughthegap，ledthewayacrossthefieldsatthetopofhisspeed，supportingandhalf-carryingthegirlwhenherstrengthappearedtofailher。

"Hurryon!hurryon!"hegaspedfromtimetotime。"Wearethroughthelineofsentinels。Everythingdependsonspeed。

Hurryon!"

Onceonthehighroadtheymaderapidprogress。Onlyoncedidtheymeetanyone，andthentheymanagedtoslipintoafield，andsoavoidrecognition。Beforereachingthetownthehunterbranchedawayintoaruggedandnarrowfootpathwhichledtothemountains。Twodarkjaggedpeaksloomedabovethemthroughthedarkness，andthedefilewhichledbetweenthemwastheEagleCanoninwhichthehorseswereawaitingthem。WithunerringinstinctJeffersonHopepickedhiswayamongthegreatbouldersandalongthebedofadried-upwatercourse，untilhecametotheretiredcorner，screenedwithrocks，wherethefaithfulanimalshadbeenpicketed。Thegirlwasplaceduponthemule，andoldFerrierupononeofthehorses，withhismoney-bag，whileJeffersonHopeledtheotheralongtheprecipitousanddangerouspath。

ItwasabewilderingrouteforanyonewhowasnotaccustomedtofaceNatureinherwildestmoods。Ontheonesideagreatcragtoweredupathousandfeetormore，black，stern，andmenacing，withlongbasalticcolumnsuponitsruggedsurfaceliketheribsofsomepetrifiedmonster。Ontheotherhandawildchaosofbouldersanddebrismadealladvanceimpossible。Betweenthetworantheirregulartrack，sonarrowinplacesthattheyhadtotravelinIndianfile，andsoroughthatonlypractisedriderscouldhavetraverseditatall。Yetinspiteofalldangersanddifficulties

theheartsofthefugitiveswerelightwithinthem，foreverystepincreasedthedistancebetweenthemandtheterribledespotismfromwhichtheywereflying。

Theysoonhadaproof，however，thattheywerestillwithinthejurisdictionoftheSaints。Theyhadreachedtheverywildestandmostdesolateportionofthepasswhenthegirlgaveastartledcry，andpointedupwards。Onarockwhichoverlookedthetrack，showingoutdarkandplainagainstthesky，therestoodasolitarysentinel。Hesawthemassoonastheyperceivedhim，andhismilitarychallengeof"Whogoesthere?"rangthroughthesilentravine。

"TravellersforNevada，"saidJeffersonHope，withhishandupontheriflewhichhungbyhissaddle。

Theycouldseethelonelywatcherfingeringhisgun，andpeeringdownatthemasifdissatisfiedattheirreply。

"Bywhosepermission?"heasked。

"TheHolyFour，"answeredFerrier。HisMormonexperienceshadtaughthimthatthatwasthehighestauthoritytowhichhecouldrefer。

"Ninefromseven，"criedthesentinel。

"Sevenfromfive，"returnedJeffersonHopepromptly，rememberingthecountersignwhichhehadheardinthegarden。

"Pass，andtheLordgowithyou，"saidthevoicefromabove。

Beyondhispostthepathbroadenedout，andthehorseswereabletobreakintoatrot。Lookingback，theycouldseethesolitarywatcherleaninguponhisgun，andknewthattheyhadpassedtheoutlyingpostofthechosenpeople，andthatfreedomlaybeforethem。

CHAPTERV。

THEAVENGINGANGELS。

ALLnighttheircourselaythroughintricatedefilesandoverirregularandrock-strewnpaths。Morethanoncetheylosttheirway，butHope"sintimateknowledgeofthemountainsenabledthemtoregainthetrackoncemore。Whenmorningbroke，asceneofmarvellousthoughsavagebeautylaybeforethem。Ineverydirectionthegreatsnow-cappedpeakshemmedthemin，peepingovereachother"sshoulderstothefarhorizon。Sosteepweretherockybanksoneithersideofthem，thatthelarchandthepineseemedtobesuspendedovertheirheads，andtoneedonlyagustofwindtocomehurtlingdownuponthem。Norwasthefearentirelyanillusion，forthebarrenvalleywasthicklystrewnwithtreesandboulderswhichhadfalleninasimilarmanner。Evenastheypassed，agreatrockcamethunderingdownwithahoarserattlewhichwoketheechoesinthesilentgorges，andstartledthewearyhorsesintoagallop。

Asthesunroseslowlyabovetheeasternhorizon，thecapsofthegreatmountainslituponeaftertheother，likelampsatafestival，untiltheywereallruddyandglowing。Themagnificentspectaclecheeredtheheartsofthethreefugitivesandgavethemfreshenergy。Atawildtorrentwhichsweptoutofaravinetheycalledahaltandwateredtheirhorses，whiletheypartookofahastybreakfast。Lucyandherfatherwouldfainhaverestedlonger，butJeffersonHopewasinexorable。"Theywillbeuponourtrackbythistime，"hesaid。"Everythingdependsuponourspeed。OncesafeinCarsonwemayrestfortheremainderofourlives。"

Duringthewholeofthatdaytheystruggledonthroughthedefiles，andbyeveningtheycalculatedthattheyweremorethanthirtymilesfromtheirenemies。Atnight-timetheychosethebaseofabeetlingcrag，wheretherocksofferedsomeprotectionfromthechillwind，andtherehuddledtogetherforwarmth，theyenjoyedafewhours"sleep。Beforedaybreak，however，theywereupandontheirwayoncemore。

Theyhadseennosignsofanypursuers，andJeffersonHopebegantothinkthattheywerefairlyoutofthereachoftheterribleorganizationwhoseenmitytheyhadincurred。Helittleknewhowfarthatirongraspcouldreach，orhowsoonitwastocloseuponthemandcrushthem。

Aboutthemiddleoftheseconddayoftheirflighttheirscantystoreofprovisionsbegantorunout。Thisgavethehunterlittleuneasiness，however，fortherewasgametobehadamongthemountains，andhehadfrequentlybeforehadtodependuponhisriflefortheneedsoflife。Choosingashelterednook，hepiledtogetherafewdriedbranchesandmadeablazingfire，atwhichhiscompanionsmightwarmthemselves，fortheywerenownearlyfivethousandfeetabovethesealevel，andtheairwasbitterandkeen。Havingtetheredthehorses，andbadeLucyadieu，hethrewhisgunoverhisshoulder，andsetoutinsearchofwhateverchancemightthrowinhisway。Lookingbackhesawtheoldmanandtheyounggirlcrouchingovertheblazingfire，whilethethreeanimalsstoodmotionlessintheback-ground。

Thentheinterveningrockshidthemfromhisview。

Hewalkedforacoupleofmilesthroughoneravineafteranotherwithoutsuccess，thoughfromthemarksuponthebarkofthetrees，andotherindications，hejudgedthattherewerenumerousbearsinthevicinity。Atlast，aftertwoorthreehours"fruitlesssearch，hewasthinkingofturningbackindespair，whencastinghiseyesupwardshesawasightwhichsentathrillofpleasurethroughhisheart。Ontheedgeofajuttingpinnacle，threeorfourhundredfeetabovehim，therestoodacreaturesomewhatresemblingasheepinappearance，butarmedwithapairofgigantichorns。

Thebig-horn——forsoitiscalled——wasacting，probably，asaguardianoveraflockwhichwereinvisibletothehunter；

butfortunatelyitwasheadingintheoppositedirection，andhadnotperceivedhim。Lyingonhisface，herestedhisrifleuponarock，andtookalongandsteadyaimbeforedrawingthetrigger。Theanimalsprangintotheair，totteredforamomentupontheedgeoftheprecipice，andthencamecrashingdownintothevalleybeneath。

Thecreaturewastoounwieldytolift，sothehuntercontentedhimselfwithcuttingawayonehaunchandpartoftheflank。Withthistrophyoverhisshoulder，hehastenedtoretracehissteps，fortheeveningwasalreadydrawingin。

Hehadhardlystarted，however，beforeherealizedthedifficultywhichfacedhim。Inhiseagernesshehadwanderedfarpasttheravineswhichwereknowntohim，anditwasnoeasymattertopickoutthepathwhichhehadtaken。

Thevalleyinwhichhefoundhimselfdividedandsub-dividedintomanygorges，whichweresolikeeachotherthatitwasimpossibletodistinguishonefromtheother。Hefollowedoneforamileormoreuntilhecametoamountaintorrentwhichhewassurethathehadneverseenbefore。Convincedthathehadtakenthewrongturn，hetriedanother，butwiththesameresult。Nightwascomingonrapidly，anditwasalmostdarkbeforeheatlastfoundhimselfinadefilewhichwasfamiliartohim。Eventhenitwasnoeasymattertokeeptotherighttrack，forthemoonhadnotyetrisen，andthehighcliffsoneithersidemadetheobscuritymoreprofound。

Weigheddownwithhisburden，andwearyfromhisexertions，hestumbledalong，keepinguphisheartbythereflectionthateverystepbroughthimnearertoLucy，andthathecarriedwithhimenoughtoensurethemfoodfortheremainderoftheirjourney。

Hehadnowcometothemouthoftheverydefileinwhichhehadleftthem。Eveninthedarknesshecouldrecognizetheoutlineofthecliffswhichboundedit。Theymust，hereflected，beawaitinghimanxiously，forhehadbeenabsentnearlyfivehours。Inthegladnessofhisheartheputhishandstohismouthandmadetheglenre-echotoaloudhallooasasignalthathewascoming。Hepausedandlistenedforananswer。Nonecamesavehisowncry，whichclatteredupthedrearysilentravines，andwasbornebacktohisearsincountlessrepetitions。Againheshouted，evenlouderthanbefore，andagainnowhispercamebackfromthefriendswhomhehadleftsuchashorttimeago。Avague，namelessdreadcameoverhim，andhehurriedonwardsfrantically，droppingthepreciousfoodinhisagitation。

Whenheturnedthecorner，hecamefullinsightofthespotwherethefirehadbeenlit。Therewasstillaglowingpileofwoodashesthere，butithadevidentlynotbeentendedsincehisdeparture。Thesamedeadsilencestillreignedallround。Withhisfearsallchangedtoconvictions，hehurriedon。Therewasnolivingcreatureneartheremainsofthefire:animals，man，maiden，allweregone。Itwasonlytooclearthatsomesuddenandterribledisasterhadoccurredduringhisabsence——adisasterwhichhadembracedthemall，andyethadleftnotracesbehindit。

Bewilderedandstunnedbythisblow，JeffersonHopefelthisheadspinround，andhadtoleanuponhisrifletosavehimselffromfalling。Hewasessentiallyamanofaction，however，andspeedilyrecoveredfromhistemporaryimpotence。

Seizingahalf-consumedpieceofwoodfromthesmoulderingfire，heblewitintoaflame，andproceededwithitshelptoexaminethelittlecamp。Thegroundwasallstampeddownbythefeetofhorses，showingthatalargepartyofmountedmenhadovertakenthefugitives，andthedirectionoftheirtracksprovedthattheyhadafterwardsturnedbacktoSaltLakeCity。Hadtheycarriedbackbothofhiscompanionswiththem?JeffersonHopehadalmostpersuadedhimselfthattheymusthavedoneso，whenhiseyefelluponanobjectwhichmadeeverynerveofhisbodytinglewithinhim。Alittlewayononesideofthecampwasalow-lyingheapofreddishsoil，whichhadassuredlynotbeentherebefore。Therewasnomistakingitforanythingbutanewly-duggrave。Astheyounghunterapproachedit，heperceivedthatastickhadbeenplantedonit，withasheetofpaperstuckinthecleftforkofit。Theinscriptionuponthepaperwasbrief，buttothepoint:

JOHNFERRIER，FORMERLYOFSALTLAKECITY，{22}

DiedAugust4th，1860。

Thesturdyoldman，whomhehadleftsoshortatimebefore，wasgone，then，andthiswasallhisepitaph。JeffersonHopelookedwildlyroundtoseeiftherewasasecondgrave，buttherewasnosignofone。Lucyhadbeencarriedbackbytheirterriblepursuerstofulfilheroriginaldestiny，bybecomingoneoftheharemoftheElder"sson。Astheyoungfellowrealizedthecertaintyofherfate，andhisownpowerlessnesstopreventit，hewishedthathe，too，waslyingwiththeoldfarmerinhislastsilentresting-place。

Again，however，hisactivespiritshookoffthelethargywhichspringsfromdespair。Iftherewasnothingelselefttohim，hecouldatleastdevotehislifetorevenge。

Withindomitablepatienceandperseverance，JeffersonHopepossessedalsoapowerofsustainedvindictiveness，whichhemayhavelearnedfromtheIndiansamongstwhomhehadlived。

Ashestoodbythedesolatefire，hefeltthattheonlyonethingwhichcouldassuagehisgriefwouldbethoroughandcompleteretribution，broughtbyhisownhanduponhisenemies。Hisstrongwillanduntiringenergyshould，hedetermined，bedevotedtothatoneend。Withagrim，whiteface，heretracedhisstepstowherehehaddroppedthefood，andhavingstirredupthesmoulderingfire，hecookedenoughtolasthimforafewdays。Thishemadeupintoabundle，and，tiredashewas，hesethimselftowalkbackthroughthemountainsuponthetrackoftheavengingangels。

Forfivedayshetoiledfootsoreandwearythroughthedefileswhichhehadalreadytraversedonhorseback。

Atnightheflunghimselfdownamongtherocks，andsnatchedafewhoursofsleep；butbeforedaybreakhewasalwayswellonhisway。Onthesixthday，hereachedtheEagleCanon，fromwhichtheyhadcommencedtheirill-fatedflight。Thencehecouldlookdownuponthehomeofthesaints。Wornandexhausted，heleaneduponhisrifleandshookhisgaunthandfiercelyatthesilentwidespreadcitybeneathhim。Ashelookedatit，heobservedthattherewereflagsinsomeoftheprincipalstreets，andothersignsoffestivity。Hewasstillspeculatingastowhatthismightmeanwhenheheardtheclatterofhorse"shoofs，andsawamountedmanridingtowardshim。Asheapproached，herecognizedhimasaMormonnamedCowper，towhomhehadrenderedservicesatdifferenttimes。Hethereforeaccostedhimwhenhegotuptohim，withtheobjectoffindingoutwhatLucyFerrier"sfatehadbeen。

"IamJeffersonHope，"hesaid。"Yourememberme。"

TheMormonlookedathimwithundisguisedastonishment——

indeed，itwasdifficulttorecognizeinthistattered，unkemptwanderer，withghastlywhitefaceandfierce，wildeyes，thespruceyounghunterofformerdays。

Having，however，atlast，satisfiedhimselfastohisidentity，theman"ssurprisechangedtoconsternation。

"Youaremadtocomehere，"hecried。"Itisasmuchasmyownlifeisworthtobeseentalkingwithyou。ThereisawarrantagainstyoufromtheHolyFourforassistingtheFerriersaway。"

"Idon"tfearthem，ortheirwarrant，"Hopesaid，earnestly。

"Youmustknowsomethingofthismatter，Cowper。Iconjureyoubyeverythingyouholddeartoanswerafewquestions。

Wehavealwaysbeenfriends。ForGod"ssake，don"trefusetoanswerme。"

"Whatisit?"theMormonaskeduneasily。"Bequick。

Theveryrockshaveearsandthetreeseyes。"

"WhathasbecomeofLucyFerrier?"

"ShewasmarriedyesterdaytoyoungDrebber。Holdup，man，holdup，youhavenolifeleftinyou。"

"Don"tmindme，"saidHopefaintly。Hewaswhitetotheverylips，andhadsunkdownonthestoneagainstwhichhehadbeenleaning。"Married，yousay?"

"Marriedyesterday——that"swhatthoseflagsareforontheEndowmentHouse。TherewassomewordsbetweenyoungDrebberandyoungStangersonastowhichwastohaveher。They"dbothbeeninthepartythatfollowedthem，andStangersonhadshotherfather，whichseemedtogivehimthebestclaim；butwhentheyargueditoutincouncil，Drebber"spartywasthestronger，sotheProphetgaveherovertohim。Noonewon"thaveherverylongthough，forIsawdeathinherfaceyesterday。

Sheismorelikeaghostthanawoman。Areyouoff，then?"

"Yes，Iamoff，"saidJeffersonHope，whohadrisenfromhisseat。Hisfacemighthavebeenchiselledoutofmarble，sohardandsetwasitsexpression，whileitseyesglowedwithabalefullight。

"Whereareyougoing?"

"Nevermind，"heanswered；and，slinginghisweaponoverhisshoulder，strodeoffdownthegorgeandsoawayintotheheartofthemountainstothehauntsofthewildbeasts。

Amongstthemalltherewasnonesofierceandsodangerousashimself。

ThepredictionoftheMormonwasonlytoowellfulfilled。

Whetheritwastheterribledeathofherfatherortheeffectsofthehatefulmarriageintowhichshehadbeenforced，poorLucyneverheldupherheadagain，butpinedawayanddiedwithinamonth。Hersottishhusband，whohadmarriedherprincipallyforthesakeofJohnFerrier"sproperty，didnotaffectanygreatgriefathisbereavement；

buthisotherwivesmournedoverher，andsatupwithherthenightbeforetheburial，asistheMormoncustom。Theyweregroupedroundthebierintheearlyhoursofthemorning，when，totheirinexpressiblefearandastonishment，thedoorwasflungopen，andasavage-looking，weather-beatenmanintatteredgarmentsstrodeintotheroom。Withoutaglanceorawordtothecoweringwomen，hewalkeduptothewhitesilentfigurewhichhadoncecontainedthepuresoulofLucyFerrier。Stoopingoverher，hepressedhislipsreverentlytohercoldforehead，andthen，snatchingupherhand，hetookthewedding-ringfromherfinger。"Sheshallnotbeburiedinthat，"hecriedwithafiercesnarl，andbeforeanalarmcouldberaisedsprangdownthestairsandwasgone。

Sostrangeandsobriefwastheepisode，thatthewatchersmighthavefoundithardtobelieveitthemselvesorpersuadeotherpeopleofit，haditnotbeenfortheundeniablefactthatthecircletofgoldwhichmarkedherashavingbeenabridehaddisappeared。

ForsomemonthsJeffersonHopelingeredamongthemountains，leadingastrangewildlife，andnursinginhisheartthefiercedesireforvengeancewhichpossessedhim。TalesweretoldintheCityoftheweirdfigurewhichwasseenprowlingaboutthesuburbs，andwhichhauntedthelonelymountaingorges。OnceabulletwhistledthroughStangerson"swindowandflatteneditselfuponthewallwithinafootofhim。Onanotheroccasion，asDrebberpassedunderacliffagreatbouldercrasheddownonhim，andheonlyescapedaterribledeathbythrowinghimselfuponhisface。ThetwoyoungMormonswerenotlongindiscoveringthereasonoftheseattemptsupontheirlives，andledrepeatedexpeditionsintothemountainsinthehopeofcapturingorkillingtheirenemy，butalwayswithoutsuccess。Thentheyadoptedtheprecautionofnevergoingoutaloneorafternightfall，andofhavingtheirhousesguarded。Afteratimetheywereabletorelaxthesemeasures，fornothingwaseitherheardorseenoftheiropponent，andtheyhopedthattimehadcooledhisvindictiveness。

Farfromdoingso，ithad，ifanything，augmentedit。

Thehunter"smindwasofahard，unyieldingnature，andthepredominantideaofrevengehadtakensuchcompletepossessionofitthattherewasnoroomforanyotheremotion。Hewas，however，aboveallthingspractical。Hesoonrealizedthatevenhisironconstitutioncouldnotstandtheincessantstrainwhichhewasputtinguponit。Exposureandwantofwholesomefoodwerewearinghimout。Ifhediedlikeadogamongthemountains，whatwastobecomeofhisrevengethen?Andyetsuchadeathwassuretoovertakehimifhepersisted。Hefeltthatthatwastoplayhisenemy"sgame，sohereluctantlyreturnedtotheoldNevadamines，theretorecruithishealthandtoamassmoneyenoughtoallowhimtopursuehisobjectwithoutprivation。

Hisintentionhadbeentobeabsentayearatthemost，butacombinationofunforeseencircumstancespreventedhisleavingtheminesfornearlyfive。Attheendofthattime，however，hismemoryofhiswrongsandhiscravingforrevengewerequiteaskeenasonthatmemorablenightwhenhehadstoodbyJohnFerrier"sgrave。Disguised，andunderanassumedname，hereturnedtoSaltLakeCity，carelesswhatbecameofhisownlife，aslongasheobtainedwhatheknewtobejustice。

Therehefoundeviltidingsawaitinghim。TherehadbeenaschismamongtheChosenPeopleafewmonthsbefore，someoftheyoungermembersoftheChurchhavingrebelledagainsttheauthorityoftheElders，andtheresulthadbeenthesecessionofacertainnumberofthemalcontents，whohadleftUtahandbecomeGentiles。AmongthesehadbeenDrebberandStangerson；andnooneknewwhithertheyhadgone。

RumourreportedthatDrebberhadmanagedtoconvertalargepartofhispropertyintomoney，andthathehaddepartedawealthyman，whilehiscompanion，Stangerson，wascomparativelypoor。Therewasnoclueatall，however，astotheirwhereabouts。

Manyaman，howevervindictive，wouldhaveabandonedallthoughtofrevengeinthefaceofsuchadifficulty，butJeffersonHopeneverfalteredforamoment。Withthesmallcompetencehepossessed，ekedoutbysuchemploymentashecouldpickup，hetravelledfromtowntotownthroughtheUnitedStatesinquestofhisenemies。Yearpassedintoyear，hisblackhairturnedgrizzled，butstillhewanderedon，ahumanbloodhound，withhismindwhollysetupontheoneobjectuponwhichhehaddevotedhislife。Atlasthisperseverancewasrewarded。Itwasbutaglanceofafaceinawindow，

butthatoneglancetoldhimthatClevelandinOhiopossessedthemenwhomhewasinpursuitof。Hereturnedtohismiserablelodgingswithhisplanofvengeanceallarranged。Itchanced，however，thatDrebber，lookingfromhiswindow，hadrecognizedthevagrantinthestreet，andhadreadmurderinhiseyes。Hehurriedbeforeajusticeofthepeace，accompaniedbyStangerson，whohadbecomehisprivatesecretary，andrepresentedtohimthattheywereindangeroftheirlivesfromthejealousyandhatredofanoldrival。

ThateveningJeffersonHopewastakenintocustody，andnotbeingabletofindsureties，wasdetainedforsomeweeks。

Whenatlasthewasliberated，itwasonlytofindthatDrebber"shousewasdeserted，andthatheandhissecretaryhaddepartedforEurope。

Againtheavengerhadbeenfoiled，andagainhisconcentratedhatredurgedhimtocontinuethepursuit。Fundswerewanting，however，andforsometimehehadtoreturntowork，savingeverydollarforhisapproachingjourney。Atlast，havingcollectedenoughtokeeplifeinhim，hedepartedforEurope，andtrackedhisenemiesfromcitytocity，workinghiswayinanymenialcapacity，butneverovertakingthefugitives。WhenhereachedSt。PetersburgtheyhaddepartedforParis；andwhenhefollowedthemtherehelearnedthattheyhadjustsetoffforCopenhagen。AttheDanishcapitalhewasagainafewdayslate，fortheyhadjourneyedontoLondon，whereheatlastsucceededinrunningthemtoearth。

Astowhatoccurredthere，wecannotdobetterthanquotetheoldhunter"sownaccount，asdulyrecordedinDr。Watson"sJournal，towhichwearealreadyundersuchobligations。

CHAPTERVI。

ACONTINUATIONOFTHEREMINISCENCESOFJOHNWATSON，M。D。

OURprisoner"sfuriousresistancedidnotapparentlyindicateanyferocityinhisdispositiontowardsourselves，foronfindinghimselfpowerless，hesmiledinanaffablemanner，andexpressedhishopesthathehadnothurtanyofusinthescuffle。"Iguessyou"regoingtotakemetothepolice-station，"

heremarkedtoSherlockHolmes。"Mycab"satthedoor。

Ifyou"llloosemylegsI"llwalkdowntoit。I"mnotsolighttoliftasIusedtobe。"

GregsonandLestradeexchangedglancesasiftheythoughtthispropositionratheraboldone；butHolmesatoncetooktheprisonerathisword，andloosenedthetowelwhichwehadboundroundhisancles。{23}Heroseandstretchedhislegs，asthoughtoassurehimselfthattheywerefreeoncemore。

IrememberthatIthoughttomyself，asIeyedhim，thatIhadseldomseenamorepowerfullybuiltman；andhisdarksunburnedfaceboreanexpressionofdeterminationandenergywhichwasasformidableashispersonalstrength。

"Ifthere"savacantplaceforachiefofthepolice，Ireckonyouarethemanforit，"hesaid，gazingwithundisguisedadmirationatmyfellow-lodger。"Thewayyoukeptonmytrailwasacaution。"

"Youhadbettercomewithme，"saidHolmestothetwodetectives。

"Icandriveyou，"saidLestrade。

"Good!andGregsoncancomeinsidewithme。Youtoo，Doctor，youhavetakenaninterestinthecaseandmayaswellsticktous。"

Iassentedgladly，andwealldescendedtogether。Ourprisonermadenoattemptatescape，butsteppedcalmlyintothecabwhichhadbeenhis，andwefollowedhim。Lestrademountedthebox，whippedupthehorse，andbroughtusinaveryshorttimetoourdestination。WewereusheredintoasmallchamberwhereapoliceInspectornoteddownourprisoner"snameandthenamesofthemenwithwhosemurderhehadbeencharged。Theofficialwasawhite-facedunemotionalman，whowentthroughhisdutiesinadullmechanicalway。

"Theprisonerwillbeputbeforethemagistratesinthecourseoftheweek，"hesaid；"inthemeantime，Mr。

JeffersonHope，haveyouanythingthatyouwishtosay?

Imustwarnyouthatyourwordswillbetakendown，andmaybeusedagainstyou。"

"I"vegotagooddealtosay，"ourprisonersaidslowly。

"Iwanttotellyougentlemenallaboutit。"

"Hadn"tyoubetterreservethatforyourtrial?"askedtheInspector。

"Imayneverbetried，"heanswered。"Youneedn"tlookstartled。Itisn"tsuicideIamthinkingof。AreyouaDoctor?"Heturnedhisfiercedarkeyesuponmeasheaskedthislastquestion。

"Yes；Iam，"Ianswered。

"Thenputyourhandhere，"hesaid，withasmile，motioningwithhismanacledwriststowardshischest。

Ididso；andbecameatonceconsciousofanextraordinarythrobbingandcommotionwhichwasgoingoninside。Thewallsofhischestseemedtothrillandquiverasafrailbuildingwoulddoinsidewhensomepowerfulenginewasatwork。InthesilenceoftheroomIcouldhearadullhummingandbuzzingnoisewhichproceededfromthesamesource。

"Why，"Icried，"youhaveanaorticaneurism!"

"That"swhattheycallit，"hesaid，placidly。"IwenttoaDoctorlastweekaboutit，andhetoldmethatitisboundtoburstbeforemanydayspassed。Ithasbeengettingworseforyears。Igotitfromover-exposureandunder-feedingamongtheSaltLakeMountains。I"vedonemyworknow，andIdon"tcarehowsoonIgo，butIshouldliketoleavesomeaccountofthebusinessbehindme。Idon"twanttoberememberedasacommoncut-throat。"

TheInspectorandthetwodetectiveshadahurrieddiscussionastotheadvisabilityofallowinghimtotellhisstory。

"Doyouconsider，Doctor，thatthereisimmediatedanger?"

theformerasked，{24}

"Mostcertainlythereis，"Ianswered。

"Inthatcaseitisclearlyourduty，intheinterestsofjustice，totakehisstatement，"saidtheInspector。

"Youareatliberty，sir，togiveyouraccount，whichIagainwarnyouwillbetakendown。"

"I"llsitdown，withyourleave，"theprisonersaid，suitingtheactiontotheword。"Thisaneurismofminemakesmeeasilytired，andthetusslewehadhalfanhouragohasnotmendedmatters。I"monthebrinkofthegrave，andIamnotlikelytolietoyou。EverywordIsayistheabsolutetruth，andhowyouuseitisamatterofnoconsequencetome。"

Withthesewords，JeffersonHopeleanedbackinhischairandbeganthefollowingremarkablestatement。Hespokeinacalmandmethodicalmanner，asthoughtheeventswhichhenarratedwerecommonplaceenough。Icanvouchfortheaccuracyofthesubjoinedaccount，forIhavehadaccesstoLestrade"snote-book，inwhichtheprisoner"swordsweretakendownexactlyastheywereuttered。

"Itdon"tmuchmattertoyouwhyIhatedthesemen，"hesaid；

"it"senoughthattheywereguiltyofthedeathoftwohumanbeings——afatherandadaughter——andthattheyhad，therefore，forfeitedtheirownlives。Afterthelapseoftimethathaspassedsincetheircrime，itwasimpossibleformetosecureaconvictionagainsttheminanycourt。Iknewoftheirguiltthough，andIdeterminedthatIshouldbejudge，jury，andexecutionerallrolledintoone。You"dhavedonethesame，ifyouhaveanymanhoodinyou，ifyouhadbeeninmyplace。

"ThatgirlthatIspokeofwastohavemarriedmetwentyyearsago。ShewasforcedintomarryingthatsameDrebber，andbrokeherheartoverit。Itookthemarriageringfromherdeadfinger，andIvowedthathisdyingeyesshouldrestuponthatveryring，andthathislastthoughtsshouldbeofthecrimeforwhichhewaspunished。Ihavecarrieditaboutwithme，andhavefollowedhimandhisaccompliceovertwocontinentsuntilIcaughtthem。Theythoughttotiremeout，buttheycouldnotdoit。IfIdieto-morrow，asislikelyenough，Idieknowingthatmyworkinthisworldisdone，andwelldone。Theyhaveperished，andbymyhand。

Thereisnothingleftformetohopefor，ortodesire。

"TheywererichandIwaspoor，sothatitwasnoeasymatterformetofollowthem。WhenIgottoLondonmypocketwasaboutempty，andIfoundthatImustturnmyhandtosomethingformyliving。Drivingandridingareasnaturaltomeaswalking，soIappliedatacabowner"soffice，andsoongotemployment。Iwastobringacertainsumaweektotheowner，andwhateverwasoverthatImightkeepformyself。Therewasseldommuchover，butImanagedtoscrapealongsomehow。Thehardestjobwastolearnmywayabout，forIreckonthatofallthemazesthateverwerecontrived，thiscityisthemostconfusing。Ihadamapbesidemethough，andwhenonceIhadspottedtheprincipalhotelsandstations，Igotonprettywell。

"ItwassometimebeforeIfoundoutwheremytwogentlemenwereliving；butIinquiredandinquireduntilatlastI

droppedacrossthem。Theywereataboarding-houseatCamberwell，overontheothersideoftheriver。WhenonceI

foundthemoutIknewthatIhadthematmymercy。Ihadgrownmybeard，andtherewasnochanceoftheirrecognizingme。IwoulddogthemandfollowthemuntilIsawmyopportunity。

Iwasdeterminedthattheyshouldnotescapemeagain。

"Theywereveryneardoingitforallthat。GowheretheywouldaboutLondon，Iwasalwaysattheirheels。SometimesI

followedthemonmycab，andsometimesonfoot，buttheformerwasthebest，forthentheycouldnotgetawayfromme。ItwasonlyearlyinthemorningorlateatnightthatI

couldearnanything，sothatIbegantogetbehindhandwithmyemployer。Ididnotmindthat，however，aslongasI

couldlaymyhanduponthemenIwanted。

"Theywereverycunning，though。Theymusthavethoughtthattherewassomechanceoftheirbeingfollowed，fortheywouldnevergooutalone，andneverafternightfall。DuringtwoweeksIdrovebehindthemeveryday，andneveroncesawthemseparate。Drebberhimselfwasdrunkhalfthetime，butStangersonwasnottobecaughtnapping。Iwatchedthemlateandearly，butneversawtheghostofachance；butIwasnotdiscouraged，forsomethingtoldmethatthehourhadalmostcome。Myonlyfearwasthatthisthinginmychestmightburstalittletoosoonandleavemyworkundone。

"Atlast，oneeveningIwasdrivingupanddownTorquayTerrace，asthestreetwascalledinwhichtheyboarded，whenIsawacabdriveuptotheirdoor。Presentlysomeluggagewasbroughtout，andafteratimeDrebberandStangersonfollowedit，anddroveoff。Iwhippedupmyhorseandkeptwithinsightofthem，feelingveryillatease，forIfearedthattheyweregoingtoshifttheirquarters。AtEustonStationtheygotout，andIleftaboytoholdmyhorse，andfollowedthemontotheplatform。IheardthemaskfortheLiverpooltrain，andtheguardanswerthatonehadjustgoneandtherewouldnotbeanotherforsomehours。Stangersonseemedtobeputoutatthat，butDrebberwasratherpleasedthanotherwise。IgotsoclosetotheminthebustlethatI

couldheareverywordthatpassedbetweenthem。Drebbersaidthathehadalittlebusinessofhisowntodo，andthatiftheotherwouldwaitforhimhewouldsoonrejoinhim。Hiscompanionremonstratedwithhim，andremindedhimthattheyhadresolvedtosticktogether。Drebberansweredthatthematterwasadelicateone，andthathemustgoalone。

IcouldnotcatchwhatStangersonsaidtothat，buttheotherburstoutswearing，andremindedhimthathewasnothingmorethanhispaidservant，andthathemustnotpresumetodictatetohim。OnthattheSecretarygaveitupasabadjob，andsimplybargainedwithhimthatifhemissedthelasttrainheshouldrejoinhimatHalliday"sPrivateHotel；

towhichDrebberansweredthathewouldbebackontheplatformbeforeeleven，andmadehiswayoutofthestation。

"ThemomentforwhichIhadwaitedsolonghadatlastcome。

Ihadmyenemieswithinmypower。Togethertheycouldprotecteachother，butsinglytheywereatmymercy。Ididnotact，however，withundueprecipitation。Myplanswerealreadyformed。Thereisnosatisfactioninvengeanceunlesstheoffenderhastimetorealizewhoitisthatstrikeshim，andwhyretributionhascomeuponhim。IhadmyplansarrangedbywhichIshouldhavetheopportunityofmakingthemanwhohadwrongedmeunderstandthathisoldsinhadfoundhimout。ItchancedthatsomedaysbeforeagentlemanwhohadbeenengagedinlookingoversomehousesintheBrixtonRoadhaddroppedthekeyofoneoftheminmycarriage。

Itwasclaimedthatsameevening，andreturned；butintheintervalIhadtakenamouldingofit，andhadaduplicateconstructed。BymeansofthisIhadaccesstoatleastonespotinthisgreatcitywhereIcouldrelyuponbeingfreefrominterruption。HowtogetDrebbertothathousewasthedifficultproblemwhichIhadnowtosolve。

"Hewalkeddowntheroadandwentintooneortwoliquorshops，stayingfornearlyhalf-an-hourinthelastofthem。

Whenhecameouthestaggeredinhiswalk，andwasevidentlyprettywellon。Therewasahansomjustinfrontofme，andhehailedit。Ifolloweditsoclosethatthenoseofmyhorsewaswithinayardofhisdriverthewholeway。

WerattledacrossWaterlooBridgeandthroughmilesofstreets，until，tomyastonishment，wefoundourselvesbackintheTerraceinwhichhehadboarded。Icouldnotimaginewhathisintentionwasinreturningthere；butIwentonandpulledupmycabahundredyardsorsofromthehouse。

Heenteredit，andhishansomdroveaway。Givemeaglassofwater，ifyouplease。Mymouthgetsdrywiththetalking。"

Ihandedhimtheglass，andhedrankitdown。

"That"sbetter，"hesaid。"Well，Iwaitedforaquarterofanhour，ormore，whensuddenlytherecameanoiselikepeoplestrugglinginsidethehouse。Nextmomentthedoorwasflungopenandtwomenappeared，oneofwhomwasDrebber，andtheotherwasayoungchapwhomIhadneverseenbefore。

ThisfellowhadDrebberbythecollar，andwhentheycametotheheadofthestepshegavehimashoveandakickwhichsenthimhalfacrosstheroad。`Youhound，"hecried，shakinghisstickathim；`I"llteachyoutoinsultanhonestgirl!"HewassohotthatIthinkhewouldhavethrashedDrebberwithhiscudgel，onlythatthecurstaggeredawaydowntheroadasfastashislegswouldcarryhim。Heranasfarasthecorner，andthen，seeingmycab，hehailedmeandjumpedin。`DrivemetoHalliday"sPrivateHotel，"saidhe。

"WhenIhadhimfairlyinsidemycab，myheartjumpedsowithjoythatIfearedlestatthislastmomentmyaneurismmightgowrong。Idrovealongslowly，weighinginmyownmindwhatitwasbesttodo。Imighttakehimrightoutintothecountry，andthereinsomedesertedlanehavemylastinterviewwithhim。Ihadalmostdecideduponthis，whenhesolvedtheproblemforme。Thecrazefordrinkhadseizedhimagain，andheorderedmetopullupoutsideaginpalace。