Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-03-09

At the head of the column there rode
q score or more of grave, iron-faced
men, clad in somber, homespun gar
ments and armed with rifles. on reach
the base of the bluff they halted and
held short council among themselves.
The wells are to the right, my
brothers," said a one, hard-lipped,
clean-shaven man with grizzly hair.
TO the right of the Sierra Blanco-
so we shall reach the Rio Grande. said
another.
Fear not for water" cried third.
"He who could draw it from the rocks
win not now abandon His own chosen
people"
''Amenl Amen" responded the whole
party.
They were about to resume their
journey when one of the youngest and
keenest-eyed uttered an exclamation
and pointed up at the rugged crag
above them. From its summit there
futtered little wisp of pink, showing
up hard and bright against the gray
rocks behind. At the sight there was
a general refining up of horses and un-
singing of guns, while fresh horsemen
came galloping up to reinforce the
vanguard. The word redskins" was
on every lip.
There can't be any number of In
juns here" said the elderly man who
appeared TO be in command I'VE
have passed the Pawnees, and there
are no other tribes until we cross the
great mountains"
"Shall go forward and see. Brother
Stangerson?" asked one of the band.
"And T." "And J." cried a dozen
voices.
Leave your horses below and we
viii wait you here, the elder answered.
In moment the young fellows had
dismounted. fastened their horses, and
were ascending the precipitous slope
which led up to the object which had
excited their curiosity. They advanced
rapidly and noiselessly, with the con-
fidence and dexterity of practiscd
scouts The watchers from the plain
below could see them Hit from rock to
rock until their figures stood ont
against the skyline. The young man
who had first given the alarm was Lead
ing them. Suddenly his followers saw
overcome with astonishnent. and on
joining him they were affected in the
same way by the sight which met their
eyes.
On the little plateau which crowned
the barren hill there stood a single
giant bowlder, and against this bowlder
there lay tall man, long-bearded and
Manufactured. but of an excessive thin
ness. His placid face and regular
breathing showed that he was fast
asleep. Beside him lay n little child.
with her round white arms eneircling
his brown, sinewy neck. and her
golden-haired head resting upon the
breast of his velveteen tunic. Her rosy
lips were parted, showing the regular
line of snow-white teeth within, and n
playful smile played over her infantile
features. Her plump little white
legs, terminating in white socks, and
neat shoes with shining buckles,
offered strange contrast to the long,
shriveled members of her companion.
On the ledge of rock above this strange
couple there stood three solemn buzz
yards, who, at the sight OF the new
comers, uttered raucous screams of dis
appointment and tapped sullenly
away.
The cries of the foul birds awolSe the
two sleepers, who stared about them in
bewilderment. The man staggered TO
his feet and looked down upon the
plain which had been SO desolate when
sleep had overtaken him, and which
was now traversed by this enormous
body Of men and of beasts His face
assumed an expression of incredulity
as he gazed. and he passed his bony
hand over his eyes. This is what they
call delirium, ! guess" he muttered.
The child stood beside him, holding on
to the skirt of his coat, and said moth
ing. but looked all round her with the
wondering, questioning gaze OF child
hood.
The rescuing party were speedily |
able tc convince the two castaways |
that their appearance was no delusion.
One Of them seized the little girl and |
hoisted her upon his shoulder, while |
two others supported her gaunt com |
panion and assisted him toward the |
wagons.
"My name il John Ferricr," the wan
derer exclaimed; ''me and the little un /
are all that's left o twenty-one people. |
The rest is all dead o thirst and hun |
ger away down in the south"
''Is she your child?" asked some
one.
81 guess she is now" the other cried,
dcflantly; "she's mine cause saved
her. No one will take her away from
me She's Lucy Ferrier from this day
on. Who are you. though?" he con-
tinued, Plancing with curiosity at his
stalwart, sunburned rcscuers. "There
seems TO be powerful lot Of ye."
Nigh upon ten thousand" said one
Of the young men. Owe are the per-
secuted children OF God--the chosen OF
the angel Mcrona.'
~ never heard .cll on him, said the !
wandcrer. "He appears TO have chosen
a fair crowd of yc."
'Do not Jest ut that which Is sacred"
said the other, sternly. I'VE are OF /
those who believe IN those sacred writ |
ings, drawn in Egyptian letters on
plates Of beaten rold, which were |
handed unto the holy Joseph Smith at |
We have come from Nau-
VOC, in the state Of Illinois, where we |
had founded our temple. We have
come 10 seek a refuge from the violent !
man and from the goddess, even though
IL be the heart OF the desert"
The name of Nauvoo evidently re- |
called recollections 10 John Ferrier.
az see" he said; ''you are the Nor
mons"
owe are the Mormons," answered his
companions with one voice.
"And where are you going7"
eve do not know. The hand OF
God Is leading us under the person OF
our prophet You must come before
him. He shall say what is 10 be done
with YOU
They had reached the base OF tho |
hill by this time, and were surrounded I
by crowds of the PILGRIM -pale-faced,
meek-loolsing women. strong, laughing .
children, and anxious, earnest-eyed .
men Many were the cries OF aston /
ishment and Of commiseration which .
arose from them when they perceived
the youth of one of the strangers and
the desttution of the other. Their
escort did not halt, however, but |
pushed on, followed by a great crowd /
of Mormons, until they reached wag- |
on which was conspicuous for it's great