The Press., 1895-03-14

other tribes until we cross the great mountains.
 Shall go forward and see, Brother Stangerson?' asked one of hc band.
 And I?'' And I?'' cried dozen voices.
 "Leave your horses below and we will wait you here " the elder answer. ed. In moment the young fellows had dismounted, fastened their houses and were ascending the precipitouS slope which led up to the object which had excited their curiosity They advanced rapidly and noiselessly, with the conf dence and dexterity of practiced scouts. The watchers from the plain below could see them fit from rock to rock until their figures stood out against the sky line. The young man who had first given the alarm was leading them. Sud denly his followers saw him throw up his hands, as though overcome with as. tonishnfent, 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 
 lay tall man, long bearded and hard featured, but of an excessive thinness. His placid face and regular breathing showed that he was fast asleep. Beside him lay little child, with her round white arms encircling 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 a playful smile played over her in- fantilo features. Her plump little white | legs, terminating in white socks and neat shoes, with shining buckles, offered 8 strange contrast to the long, shriveled members of her companion. On the l ledge of rock above this strange couple there stood three solemn buzzards who at the sight of the newcomers uttered raucous screams of disappointment and Tapped sullenly 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 of beasts His face assumed an ex- pression of incredulity as he gazed, snd he passed his bony hand over his ey ss. ''This is what they call delirium, guess, '' he muttered The child stood beside him, holding on to the skirt of his coat, and said nothing, but looked all around her with the wondering, questioning gaze of childhood. The rescuing party were speedily able 1 to convince the two castaways that their appearance was no delusion. One of them seized the little girl and hoistcd her upon his shoulder, while two others supported her gaunt companion and as sisted him toward the wagons
 My name is John Ferrier," the wanderer explained. Me and that lit tie un are all that's left O 21 people The rest is all dead O thirst and hunger away down in the south. '
 ''Is she your child?" asked some one Il guess she is now!" the other cried defantly;' ''she's mine cause l saved her. No man will take her away from me. She's Lucy Terrier from this day on. Who are you, though?" he con- tinued, glancing with curiosity at his stalwart, sunburned rescuers 'There seems to be powerful lot O ye ''
 Nigh upon 10, 0O0," said one of the young men. "We are the persecuted l children of God, the chosen of the angel Merona'' ;
 T never heard tell on him, ' said the wanderer. Her sgas sgbesif.l E hsvs closell 9 falf CtoWel Q, ye.
 Do not jest at that which is sacred, 2. said the other sternly. "We are of tE3se who believe in those sacred writings drawn in Egyptian letters on plates of beaten gold, which were handed unto the holy Joseph Smith at Palmyra. We have come from Nauvoo, in the state of Illinois, where we had founded our tenn pie. We have come to seek refuge from the violent man and from the god less, even though it be the heart of the desert.
 The name of Nauvoo evidently re- called recollections to John Terrier. "I see, '' he said. ''Ye are the Mormons. y
 we are the Mormons," answered his companions with one voice. And where are ye going?"
 We 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 to be done with you. '
 They had reached the base of the hill l by this time and were surrounded by crowds of the pilgrims, pale faced, meek looking women, strong, laughing chil' dren and anxious, earnest eyed men. Many were the cries of astonishment and of commisefation which arose from them when they perceived the youth o1 one of the strangers and the Restitution of the other. Their escort did not halt however, but pushed on, followed by 2 great crowd of Mormons, until they reached wagon, which was conspicu ous for its great size and for the gaudi ness and smartness of its appearance Six horses were yoked to it, whereas tht others were furnished with two or a most four apiece.
 Beside the driver there sat a man whC could not have been more than 30 year of age, but whose massive head and res olute expression marked him as lead CT. He was reading a brown backed volume, but as the crowd approached he laid it aside and listened attentivel. to an account of the episode Then h turned to the two castaways.
 If wo take you with us, he said il solemn words, Lit can only be as bcliev CTS in. our own creed. We shall hav no wolves in our fold. Better far tha your bones should bleach ill this wilder ness than that you should provo to b that little speck of decay which in tim corrupts the whole fruit. Will you com with us on these terlns?'
 "Guess I'll come with ye OH all, terms," said Terrier, with such em phasis that the grave elders could no