"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。