Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-09-02
CHAPTER. r(Continued)


halted and held short council among
themselves.
THE wells are to the right, my
brothers, said one, a hard-lipped,
.cIean-shaven man with grizzled hair.
"To the right of the Sierra Blanco-
so we shall reach the Rio Grande,"
said another.
''Fear not for water" cried a third
sslIc who cou!6f draw it from the rocks
will not now abandon his chosen peo-
ple.''
amen! Amenr' responded the whole
party.
They were about to resume their
Journey when one Of the youngest ana
keenest-eyed uttered an exclamation
and pointed up to the. rugged crag
above them. From it's summit there
futtered a little whisp Of pink, show
ing I'D hard and bright against the
gray rocks behind At the sight there
was a general refining up Of horses and
1,nslinging Of guns, while fresh horse
men came gallOping UP to reinforce the
vanguard The word Redskins" was
on every lip
"There can't be any number OF In
iuns here" said the elderly man VINO
appeared to be in command. I'VE nave
passed the Pawnees. and there are no
other tribes until we cross the great
mountains
"Shan 1 go forward and see, Broth
-er Strangerson? asked one OF the
band.
And l." "And l." cried a dozen
voices.
Leave your horses below and we
will await you here the Elder answer
ed. In moment the young fellows
had dismounted, fastened their horses,
and were ascending the prec:Dltous
slope which led up to the object which
had excited their curiosity. They ad-
vanCed rapidly and uoiselessly, with the
confidence and dexterity Of Dracticed
scouts. The watchers from the plain
below could see them fit from rock to
rock until their figures stood out
against the skyline. The young man
who had first given the alarm was
leading them. Suddenly his followers
saw him throw up his hands, as though
overcome with establishment, 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 single
giant boulder and against this boulder
there lay a tall man, long-bearded
and manufactured, but of an excessive
thinness. His placid face and regular
breathing showed that he was fast
asleep. Beside him lay q little child,
with her round white arms encircling
his brown, sinewy neck, and her gold
en-haired head resting upon the breast
of his velveteen tunic. Her rosy lips
were parted, showing the regular line
OF snow-wIite teeth within, and play
full smile played over her infantile fea
terminating in white socks and neat
shoes, with shining buckles, offered a
strange contrast to the long, shrivelled
members OF her companion. On the
ledge Of the rock above the strange
couple there stood three solemn buz-
yards who, at the sight of the new
Corners, uttered raucous screams Of
disappointment and tapped sllllenly
away.
The cries Of the foul birds awoke 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 beasts. His face as
Sumed an expression of incredullty as
he gaZed, and he passed his ebony hand
over his eyes This is what they call
delirium. I guess he mutterad. The
child stood beside him, holding on the
skirt of his coat, and said nothing,
but looked all around her With the
wondering, questioning gaze Of child
hood
The rescuing party were speedily able
to convince the two caStaWays that
their appearance was no delusion. One
of them seized the little girl, and hoist
ed her upon his shoulder, while two
others supported her gaunt companion,
and assisted him toward the wagons.
my name is John Ferrier," the wan
derer explained; me and that little
I'm are all that's left O. twanty-one peo-
pie. The rest is all dead O. thirst and
hunger away down in the south"
rs she your child?" asked some one
81 guess she is now" the other cried
defiantly; ''she's mine cause [ saved
her No man will take her from me.
She's Lucy Terrier from this day on.
Who are you, though?' he continued,
CHANGING with curiosity at his stalwart,
sunburned rescuers; there seems to be
Il powerful lot of ye!"
Nigh upon ten thousand" said one
of the young men; Eve are the perSe-
cuted children of God-the chosen Of
the Angel Merona."
II never heard on him." said the
wanderer. He appears to have chosen
a fair crowd of ye."
''Do not jest at 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 gold, which were hand
ed unto the holy Joseph Smith at Pal
myra We have come from Nauvoo,
in the State Of Illinois, where we have
founded our temple. We have come
to seek refuge from the violent man
and from the goddess even though it
be in the heart of the desert.
The name OF Nauvoo evidently recall
ed recollcctions to John Ferrier. see,"
he said; you are the Mormons."
1--WE are the Mormons," answered his
companions with one voice.
And where are you going"
eve do not know The hand Of