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。