Wallowa chieftain. [volume] (Joseph, Union County, Or.) 1884-1909, 1902-10-23


were ascending the precipitous slope
which led up to the object which had
excited their curiosity.
They advanced rapidly and noiseless-
ly, with the confidence 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 skyline. The young man who had
first given the alarm was leading
them.
Suddenly his followers saw him
throw up his hands, as though over,
come with astonishment, and on join
ing 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 bowl
der there lay tall man, long bearded
and hard featured, but of an excessive
thinness.
His placid face and regular breath
ing showed that he was fast asleep.
Beside him lay little child, with
her 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 infantile features.
Her plump little white legs, termi-
mating in white socks and neat shoes
with shining buckles, offered a strange
contrast to the long. shriveled men,
bers of her companion.
On the ledge of rock above this
strange couple there stood three sol
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 over
taken him. and which was now trav-
ersed by this enormous body of men
and beasts.
| His face assumed an expression of
incridulity 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
nothing, but looked all around her with
the wondering, questioning gaze of
childhood.
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 hoisted 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
'un are all that's left O. twenty-three
people, The rest is all dead O. thirst
and hunger away down in the south.
is she your child?" asked some one,
81 guess she is now!" the other
cried, defantly; she's mine cause
saved her. No man will take her
away from me. She's Lucy Ferrier
from this day on. Who are you,
| thought" he continued, glancing with
curiosity at his stalwart, sunburned
rescuers; there seems to be a power
full lot of ye."
Nigh upon ten thousand" said one
of the young men; I'VE are the perse.
cuted children of God-the chosen OF
the angel Merona."
81 never heard tell on him." said the
wanderer. HE appears to have
chosen fair crowd of ye."
do not jest at that which is sa-
cred" said the other, sternly. "We are
Of those 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 Maui
VOC, 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 des-
ert''
The name Nauvoo evidently re-
called recollections to John Ferrier.
81 see," he said, you are the Nor
mons"
I'VE are the Mormons." answered
his companions. with one voice.
"And where are you going?"
I'VE do not know The hand of God
is leading MS 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 by this time. and were surrounded
by crowds of the nilSfims-pale-faced
meek-looking women strong, laugh
ing children, and anxious, earnest
eyed men.
Many were the cries of astonish-
ment and of commiseration which
arose from them when they perceived
the youth of one of the strangers and
the destitution of the other.
Their escort did not halt, however,
but pushed on, followed by a great
crowd of Mormons, until they reached
a wagon which was conspicuous for its
great size and for the gaudiness and
smartness of it's appearance.
Six horses were yoked to it. where
as the others were furnished with two
or, at most, four-apiece.
Beside, the driver there sat man
who could not have been more than
thirty years of age, but whose massive
head and resolute expression marked
him as a leader.
He was reading a brown backed, vol
ume but as the crowd aDnrOach6H he