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?\"