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?"