IglancedatHolmesonhearingthedescriptionofthemurderer，whichtalliedsoexactlywithhisown。Therewas，however，notraceofexultationorsatisfactionuponhisface。
\"Didyoufindnothingintheroomwhichcouldfurnishacluetothemurderer?\"heasked。
\"Nothing。StangersonhadDrebber\'spurseinhispocket，butitseemsthatthiswasusual，ashedidallthepaying。
Therewaseightyoddpoundsinit，butnothinghadbeentaken。Whateverthemotivesoftheseextraordinarycrimes，robberyiscertainlynotoneofthem。Therewerenopapersormemorandainthemurderedman\'spocket，exceptasingletelegram，datedfromClevelandaboutamonthago，andcontainingthewords，`J。H。isinEurope。\'Therewasnonameappendedtothismessage。\"
\"Andtherewasnothingelse?\"Holmesasked。
\"Nothingofanyimportance。Theman\'snovel，withwhichhehadreadhimselftosleepwaslyinguponthebed，andhispipewasonachairbesidehim。Therewasaglassofwateronthetable，andonthewindow-sillasmallchipointmentboxcontainingacoupleofpills。\"
SherlockHolmessprangfromhischairwithanexclamationofdelight。
\"Thelastlink，\"hecried，exultantly。\"Mycaseiscomplete。\"
Thetwodetectivesstaredathiminamazement。
\"Ihavenowinmyhands，\"mycompanionsaid，confidently，\"allthethreadswhichhaveformedsuchatangle。Thereare，ofcourse，detailstobefilledin，butIamascertainofallthemainfacts，fromthetimethatDrebberpartedfromStangersonatthestation，uptothediscoveryofthebodyofthelatter，asifIhadseenthemwithmyowneyes。Iwillgiveyouaproofofmyknowledge。Couldyoulayyourhanduponthosepills?\"
\"Ihavethem，\"saidLestrade，producingasmallwhitebox；
\"Itookthemandthepurseandthetelegram，intendingtohavethemputinaplaceofsafetyatthePoliceStation。Itwasthemerestchancemytakingthesepills，forIamboundtosaythatIdonotattachanyimportancetothem。\"
\"Givethemhere，\"saidHolmes。\"Now，Doctor，\"turningtome，\"arethoseordinarypills?\"
Theycertainlywerenot。Theywereofapearlygreycolour，small，round，andalmosttransparentagainstthelight。
\"Fromtheirlightnessandtransparency，Ishouldimaginethattheyaresolubleinwater，\"Iremarked。
\"Preciselyso，\"answeredHolmes。\"Nowwouldyoumindgoingdownandfetchingthatpoorlittledevilofaterrierwhichhasbeenbadsolong，andwhichthelandladywantedyoutoputoutofitspainyesterday。\"
Iwentdownstairsandcarriedthedogupstairinmyarms。
It\'slabouredbreathingandglazingeyeshowedthatitwasnotfarfromitsend。Indeed，itssnow-whitemuzzleproclaimedthatithadalreadyexceededtheusualtermofcanineexistence。Iplacedituponacushionontherug。
\"Iwillnowcutoneofthesepillsintwo，\"saidHolmes，anddrawinghispenknifehesuitedtheactiontotheword。
\"Onehalfwereturnintotheboxforfuturepurposes。
TheotherhalfIwillplaceinthiswineglass，inwhichisateaspoonfulofwater。Youperceivethatourfriend，theDoctor，isright，andthatitreadilydissolves。\"
\"Thismaybeveryinteresting，\"saidLestrade，intheinjuredtoneofonewhosuspectsthatheisbeinglaughedat，\"Icannotsee，however，whatithastodowiththedeathofMr。JosephStangerson。\"
\"Patience，myfriend，patience!Youwillfindintimethatithaseverythingtodowithit。Ishallnowaddalittlemilktomakethemixturepalatable，andonpresentingittothedogwefindthathelapsitupreadilyenough。\"
Ashespokeheturnedthecontentsofthewineglassintoasaucerandplaceditinfrontoftheterrier，whospeedilylickeditdry。SherlockHolmes\'earnestdemeanourhadsofarconvincedusthatweallsatinsilence，watchingtheanimalintently，andexpectingsomestartlingeffect。Nonesuchappeared，however。Thedogcontinuedtoliestretchedupontho{16}cushion，breathinginalabouredway，butapparentlyneitherthebetternortheworseforitsdraught。
Holmeshadtakenouthiswatch，andasminutefollowedminutewithoutresult，anexpressionoftheutmostchagrinanddisappointmentappeareduponhisfeatures。Hegnawedhislip，drummedhisfingersuponthetable，andshowedeveryothersymptomofacuteimpatience。Sogreatwashisemotion，thatIfeltsincerelysorryforhim，whilethetwodetectivessmiledderisively，bynomeansdispleasedatthischeckwhichhehadmet。
\"Itcan\'tbeacoincidence，\"hecried，atlastspringingfromhischairandpacingwildlyupanddowntheroom；\"itisimpossiblethatitshouldbeamerecoincidence。TheverypillswhichIsuspectedinthecaseofDrebberareactuallyfoundafterthedeathofStangerson。Andyettheyareinert。
Whatcanitmean?Surelymywholechainofreasoningcannothavebeenfalse。Itisimpossible!Andyetthiswretcheddogisnonetheworse。Ah，Ihaveit!Ihaveit!\"Withaperfectshriekofdelightherushedtothebox，cuttheotherpillintwo，dissolvedit，addedmilk，andpresentedittotheterrier。Theunfortunatecreature\'stongueseemedhardlytohavebeenmoistenedinitbeforeitgaveaconvulsiveshiverineverylimb，andlayasrigidandlifelessasifithadbeenstruckbylightning。
SherlockHolmesdrewalongbreath，andwipedtheperspirationfromhisforehead。\"Ishouldhavemorefaith，\"
hesaid；\"Ioughttoknowbythistimethatwhenafactappearstobeopposedtoalongtrainofdeductions，itinvariablyprovestobecapableofbearingsomeotherinterpretation。Ofthetwopillsinthatboxonewasofthemostdeadlypoison，andtheotherwasentirelyharmless。
IoughttohaveknownthatbeforeeverIsawtheboxatall。\"
Thislaststatementappearedtometobesostartling，thatIcouldhardlybelievethathewasinhissobersenses。
Therewasthedeaddog，however，toprovethathisconjecturehadbeencorrect。Itseemedtomethatthemistsinmyownmindweregraduallyclearingaway，andIbegantohaveadim，vagueperceptionofthetruth。
\"Allthisseemsstrangetoyou，\"continuedHolmes，\"becauseyoufailedatthebeginningoftheinquirytograsptheimportanceofthesinglerealcluewhichwaspresentedtoyou。Ihadthegoodfortunetoseizeuponthat，andeverythingwhichhasoccurredsincethenhasservedtoconfirmmyoriginalsupposition，and，indeed，wasthelogicalsequenceofit。Hencethingswhichhaveperplexedyouandmadethecasemoreobscure，haveservedtoenlightenmeandtostrengthenmyconclusions。Itisamistaketoconfoundstrangenesswithmystery。Themostcommonplacecrimeisoftenthemostmysteriousbecauseitpresentsnoneworspecialfeaturesfromwhichdeductionsmaybedrawn。
Thismurderwouldhavebeeninfinitelymoredifficulttounravelhadthebodyofthevictimbeensimplyfoundlyingintheroadwaywithoutanyofthose_outre_{17}andsensationalaccompanimentswhichhaverendereditremarkable。Thesestrangedetails，farfrommakingthecasemoredifficult，havereallyhadtheeffectofmakingitlessso。\"
Mr。Gregson，whohadlistenedtothisaddresswithconsiderableimpatience，couldcontainhimselfnolonger。
\"Lookhere，Mr。SherlockHolmes，\"hesaid，\"weareallreadytoacknowledgethatyouareasmartman，andthatyouhaveyourownmethodsofworking。Wewantsomethingmorethanmeretheoryandpreachingnow，though。Itisacaseoftakingtheman。Ihavemademycaseout，anditseemsIwaswrong。YoungCharpentiercouldnothavebeenengagedinthissecondaffair。Lestradewentafterhisman，Stangerson，anditappearsthathewaswrongtoo。Youhavethrownouthintshere，andhintsthere，andseemtoknowmorethanwedo，butthetimehascomewhenwefeelthatwehavearighttoaskyoustraighthowmuchyoudoknowofthebusiness。Canyounamethemanwhodidit?\"
\"IcannothelpfeelingthatGregsonisright，sir，\"remarkedLestrade。\"Wehavebothtried，andwehavebothfailed。
YouhaveremarkedmorethanoncesinceIhavebeenintheroomthatyouhadalltheevidencewhichyourequire。Surelyyouwillnotwithholditanylonger。\"
\"Anydelayinarrestingtheassassin，\"Iobserved，\"mightgivehimtimetoperpetratesomefreshatrocity。\"
Thuspressedbyusall，Holmesshowedsignsofirresolution。
Hecontinuedtowalkupanddowntheroomwithhisheadsunkonhischestandhisbrowsdrawndown，aswashishabitwhenlostinthought。
\"Therewillbenomoremurders，\"hesaidatlast，stoppingabruptlyandfacingus。\"Youcanputthatconsiderationoutofthequestion。YouhaveaskedmeifIknowthenameoftheassassin。Ido。Themereknowingofhisnameisasmallthing，however，comparedwiththepoweroflayingourhandsuponhim。ThisIexpectveryshortlytodo。Ihavegoodhopesofmanagingitthroughmyownarrangements；butitisathingwhichneedsdelicatehandling，forwehaveashrewdanddesperatemantodealwith，whoissupported，asIhavehadoccasiontoprove，byanotherwhoisascleverashimself。
Aslongasthismanhasnoideathatanyonecanhaveacluethereissomechanceofsecuringhim；butifhehadtheslightestsuspicion，hewouldchangehisname，andvanishinaninstantamongthefourmillioninhabitantsofthisgreatcity。Withoutmeaningtohurteitherofyourfeelings，IamboundtosaythatIconsiderthesementobemorethanamatchfortheofficialforce，andthatiswhyIhavenotaskedyourassistance。IfIfailIshall，ofcourse，incuralltheblameduetothisomission；butthatIampreparedfor。AtpresentIamreadytopromisethattheinstantthatIcancommunicatewithyouwithoutendangeringmyowncombinations，Ishalldoso。\"
GregsonandLestradeseemedtobefarfromsatisfiedbythisassurance，orbythedepreciatingallusiontothedetectivepolice。Theformerhadflusheduptotherootsofhisflaxenhair，whiletheother\'sbeadyeyesglistenedwithcuriosityandresentment。Neitherofthemhadtimetospeak，however，beforetherewasatapatthedoor，andthespokesmanofthestreetArabs，youngWiggins，introducedhisinsignificantandunsavouryperson。
\"Please，sir，\"hesaid，touchinghisforelock，\"Ihavethecabdownstairs。\"
\"Goodboy，\"saidHolmes，blandly。\"Whydon\'tyouintroducethispatternatScotlandYard?\"hecontinued，takingapairofsteelhandcuffsfromadrawer。\"Seehowbeautifullythespringworks。Theyfasteninaninstant。\"
\"Theoldpatternisgoodenough，\"remarkedLestrade，\"ifwecanonlyfindthemantoputthemon。\"
\"Verygood，verygood，\"saidHolmes，smiling。\"Thecabmanmayaswellhelpmewithmyboxes。Justaskhimtostepup，Wiggins。\"
Iwassurprisedtofindmycompanionspeakingasthoughhewereabouttosetoutonajourney，sincehehadnotsaidanythingtomeaboutit。Therewasasmallportmanteauintheroom，andthishepulledoutandbegantostrap。Hewasbusilyengagedatitwhenthecabmanenteredtheroom。
\"Justgivemeahelpwiththisbuckle，cabman，\"hesaid，kneelingoverhistask，andneverturninghishead。
Thefellowcameforwardwithasomewhatsullen，defiantair，andputdownhishandstoassist。Atthatinstanttherewasasharpclick，thejanglingofmetal，andSherlockHolmessprangtohisfeetagain。
\"Gentlemen，\"hecried，withflashingeyes，\"letmeintroduceyoutoMr。JeffersonHope，themurdererofEnochDrebberandofJosephStangerson。\"
Thewholethingoccurredinamoment——soquicklythatIhadnotimetorealizeit。Ihaveavividrecollectionofthatinstant，ofHolmes\'triumphantexpressionandtheringofhisvoice，ofthecabman\'sdazed，savageface，asheglaredattheglitteringhandcuffs，whichhadappearedasifbymagicuponhiswrists。Forasecondortwowemighthavebeenagroupofstatues。Then，withaninarticulateroaroffury，theprisonerwrenchedhimselffreefromHolmes\'sgrasp，andhurledhimselfthroughthewindow。Woodworkandglassgavewaybeforehim；butbeforehegotquitethrough，Gregson，Lestrade，andHolmesspranguponhimlikesomanystaghounds。
Hewasdraggedbackintotheroom，andthencommencedaterrificconflict。Sopowerfulandsofiercewashe，thatthefourofuswereshakenoffagainandagain。Heappearedtohavetheconvulsivestrengthofamaninanepilepticfit。
Hisfaceandhandswereterriblymangledbyhispassagethroughtheglass，butlossofbloodhadnoeffectindiminishinghisresistance。ItwasnotuntilLestradesucceededingettinghishandinsidehisneckclothandhalf-stranglinghimthatwemadehimrealizethathisstruggleswereofnoavail；andeventhenwefeltnosecurityuntilwehadpinionedhisfeetaswellashishands。Thatdone，werosetoourfeetbreathlessandpanting。
\"Wehavehiscab，\"saidSherlockHolmes。\"ItwillservetotakehimtoScotlandYard。Andnow，gentlemen，\"
hecontinued，withapleasantsmile，\"wehavereachedtheendofourlittlemystery。Youareverywelcometoputanyquestionsthatyouliketomenow，andthereisnodangerthatIwillrefusetoanswerthem。\"
INthecentralportionofthegreatNorthAmericanContinentthereliesanaridandrepulsivedesert，whichformanyalongyearservedasabarrieragainsttheadvanceofcivilisation。FromtheSierraNevadatoNebraska，andfromtheYellowstoneRiverinthenorthtotheColoradouponthesouth，isaregionofdesolationandsilence。
NorisNaturealwaysinonemoodthroughoutthisgrimdistrict。
Itcomprisessnow-cappedandloftymountains，anddarkandgloomyvalleys。Thereareswift-flowingriverswhichdashthroughjaggedcanons；{18}andthereareenormousplains，whichinwinterarewhitewithsnow，andinsummeraregreywiththesalinealkalidust。Theyallpreserve，however，thecommoncharacteristicsofbarrenness，inhospitality，andmisery。
Therearenoinhabitantsofthislandofdespair。AbandofPawneesorofBlackfeetmayoccasionallytraverseitinordertoreachotherhunting-grounds，butthehardiestofthebravesaregladtolosesightofthoseawesomeplains，andtofindthemselvesoncemoreupontheirprairies。Thecoyoteskulksamongthescrub，thebuzzardflapsheavilythroughtheair，andtheclumsygrizzlybearlumbersthroughthedarkravines，andpicksupsuchsustenanceasitcanamongsttherocks。Thesearethesoledwellersinthewilderness。
InthewholeworldtherecanbenomoredrearyviewthanthatfromthenorthernslopeoftheSierraBlanco。Asfarastheeyecanreachstretchesthegreatflatplain-land，alldustedoverwithpatchesofalkali，andintersectedbyclumpsofthedwarfishchaparralbushes。Ontheextremevergeofthehorizonliealongchainofmountainpeaks，withtheirruggedsummitsfleckedwithsnow。Inthisgreatstretchofcountrythereisnosignoflife，norofanythingappertainingtolife。Thereisnobirdinthesteel-blueheaven，nomovementuponthedull，greyearth——aboveall，thereisabsolutesilence。Listenasonemay，thereisnoshadowofasoundinallthatmightywilderness；nothingbutsilence——completeandheart-subduingsilence。
Ithasbeensaidthereisnothingappertainingtolifeuponthebroadplain。Thatishardlytrue。LookingdownfromtheSierraBlanco，oneseesapathwaytracedoutacrossthedesert，whichwindsawayandislostintheextremedistance。
Itisruttedwithwheelsandtroddendownbythefeetofmanyadventurers。Hereandtheretherearescatteredwhiteobjectswhichglisteninthesun，andstandoutagainstthedulldepositofalkali。Approach，andexaminethem!Theyarebones:somelargeandcoarse，otherssmallerandmoredelicate。Theformerhavebelongedtooxen，andthelattertomen。Forfifteenhundredmilesonemaytracethisghastlycaravanroutebythesescatteredremainsofthosewhohadfallenbythewayside。
Lookingdownonthisveryscene，therestooduponthefourthofMay，eighteenhundredandforty-seven，asolitarytraveller。Hisappearancewassuchthathemighthavebeentheverygeniusordemonoftheregion。Anobserverwouldhavefounditdifficulttosaywhetherhewasnearertofortyortosixty。Hisfacewasleanandhaggard，andthebrownparchment-likeskinwasdrawntightlyovertheprojectingbones；hislong，brownhairandbeardwereallfleckedanddashedwithwhite；hiseyesweresunkeninhishead，andburnedwithanunnaturallustre；whilethehandwhichgraspedhisriflewashardlymorefleshythanthatofaskeleton。
Ashestood，heleaneduponhisweaponforsupport，andyethistallfigureandthemassiveframeworkofhisbonessuggestedawiryandvigorousconstitution。Hisgauntface，however，andhisclothes，whichhungsobaggilyoverhisshrivelledlimbs，proclaimedwhatitwasthatgavehimthatsenileanddecrepitappearance。Themanwasdying——dyingfromhungerandfromthirst。
Hehadtoiledpainfullydowntheravine，andontothislittleelevation，inthevainhopeofseeingsomesignsofwater。Nowthegreatsaltplainstretchedbeforehiseyes，andthedistantbeltofsavagemountains，withoutasignanywhereofplantortree，whichmightindicatethepresenceofmoisture。Inallthatbroadlandscapetherewasnogleamofhope。North，andeast，andwesthelookedwithwildquestioningeyes，andthenherealisedthathiswanderingshadcometoanend，andthatthere，onthatbarrencrag，hewasabouttodie。\"Whynothere，aswellasinafeatherbed，twentyyearshence，\"hemuttered，asheseatedhimselfintheshelterofaboulder。
Beforesittingdown，hehaddepositeduponthegroundhisuselessrifle，andalsoalargebundletiedupinagreyshawl，whichhehadcarriedslungoverhisrightshoulder。
Itappearedtobesomewhattooheavyforhisstrength，forinloweringit，itcamedownonthegroundwithsomelittleviolence。Instantlytherebrokefromthegreyparcelalittlemoaningcry，andfromitthereprotrudedasmall，scaredface，withverybrightbrowneyes，andtwolittlespeckled，dimpledfists。
\"You\'vehurtme!\"saidachildishvoicereproachfully。
\"HaveIthough，\"themanansweredpenitently，\"Ididn\'tgofortodoit。\"Ashespokeheunwrappedthegreyshawlandextricatedaprettylittlegirlofaboutfiveyearsofage，whosedaintyshoesandsmartpinkfrockwithitslittlelinenapronallbespokeamother\'scare。Thechildwaspaleandwan，butherhealthyarmsandlegsshowedthatshehadsufferedlessthanhercompanion。
\"Howisitnow?\"heansweredanxiously，forshewasstillrubbingthetowsygoldencurlswhichcoveredthebackofherhead。
\"Kissitandmakeitwell，\"shesaid，withperfectgravity，shoving{19}theinjuredpartuptohim。\"That\'swhatmotherusedtodo。Where\'smother?\"
\"Mother\'sgone。Iguessyou\'llseeherbeforelong。\"
\"Gone，eh!\"saidthelittlegirl。\"Funny，shedidn\'tsaygood-bye；she\'mostalwaysdidifshewasjustgoin\'overtoAuntie\'sfortea，andnowshe\'sbeenawaythreedays。
Say，it\'sawfuldry，ain\'tit?Ain\'ttherenowater，nornothingtoeat?\"
\"No，thereain\'tnothing，dearie。You\'lljustneedtobepatientawhile，andthenyou\'llbeallright。Putyourheadupaginmelikethat，andthenyou\'llfeelbullier。Itain\'teasytotalkwhenyourlipsislikeleather，butIguessI\'dbestletyouknowhowthecardslie。What\'sthatyou\'vegot?\"
\"Prettythings!finethings!\"criedthelittlegirlenthusiastically，holdinguptwoglitteringfragmentsofmica。
\"WhenwegoesbacktohomeI\'llgivethemtobrotherBob。\"
\"You\'llseeprettierthingsthanthemsoon，\"saidthemanconfidently。\"Youjustwaitabit。Iwasgoingtotellyouthough——yourememberwhenwelefttheriver?\"
\"Oh，yes。\"
\"Well，wereckonedwe\'dstrikeanotherriversoon，d\'yesee。
Buttherewassomethin\'wrong；compasses，ormap，orsomethin\'，anditdidn\'tturnup。Waterranout。Justexceptalittledropforthelikesofyouand——and——\"
\"Andyoucouldn\'twashyourself，\"interruptedhiscompaniongravely，staringupathisgrimyvisage。
\"No，nordrink。AndMr。Bender，hewasthefusttogo，andthenIndianPete，andthenMrs。McGregor，andthenJohnnyHones，andthen，dearie，yourmother。\"
\"Thenmother\'sadeadertoo，\"criedthelittlegirldroppingherfaceinherpinaforeandsobbingbitterly。
\"Yes，theyallwentexceptyouandme。ThenIthoughttherewassomechanceofwaterinthisdirection，soIheavedyouovermyshoulderandwetrampedittogether。Itdon\'tseemasthoughwe\'veimprovedmatters。There\'sanalmightysmallchanceforusnow!\"
\"Doyoumeanthatwearegoingtodietoo?\"askedthechild，checkinghersobs，andraisinghertear-stainedface。
\"Iguessthat\'saboutthesizeofit。\"
\"Whydidn\'tyousaysobefore?\"shesaid，laughinggleefully。
\"Yougavemesuchafright。Why，ofcourse，nowaslongaswediewe\'llbewithmotheragain。\"
\"Yes，youwill，dearie。\"
\"Andyoutoo。I\'lltellherhowawfulgoodyou\'vebeen。
I\'llbetshemeetsusatthedoorofHeavenwithabigpitcherofwater，andalotofbuckwheatcakes，hot，andtoastedonbothsides，likeBobandmewasfondof。
Howlongwillitbefirst?\"
\"Idon\'tknow——notverylong。\"Theman\'seyeswerefixeduponthenorthernhorizon。Inthebluevaultoftheheaventherehadappearedthreelittlespeckswhichincreasedinsizeeverymoment，sorapidlydidtheyapproach。Theyspeedilyresolvedthemselvesintothreelargebrownbirds，whichcircledovertheheadsofthetwowanderers，andthensettleduponsomerockswhichoverlookedthem。Theywerebuzzards，thevulturesofthewest，whosecomingistheforerunnerofdeath。
\"Cocksandhens，\"criedthelittlegirlgleefully，pointingattheirill-omenedforms，andclappingherhandstomakethemrise。\"Say，didGodmakethiscountry?\"
\"IncourseHedid，\"saidhercompanion，ratherstartledbythisunexpectedquestion。
\"HemadethecountrydowninIllinois，andHemadetheMissouri，\"
thelittlegirlcontinued。\"Iguesssomebodyelsemadethecountryintheseparts。It\'snotnearlysowelldone。
Theyforgotthewaterandthetrees。\"
\"Whatwouldyethinkofofferingupprayer?\"themanaskeddiffidently。
\"Itain\'tnightyet，\"sheanswered。
\"Itdon\'tmatter。Itain\'tquiteregular，butHewon\'tmindthat，youbet。YousayoverthemonesthatyouusedtosayeverynightinthewaggonwhenwewasonthePlains。\"
\"Whydon\'tyousaysomeyourself?\"thechildasked，withwonderingeyes。
\"Idisrememberthem，\"heanswered。\"Ihain\'tsaidnonesinceIwashalftheheighto\'thatgun。Iguessit\'snevertoolate。
Yousaythemout，andI\'llstandbyandcomeinonthechoruses。\"
\"Thenyou\'llneedtokneeldown，andmetoo，\"shesaid，layingtheshawloutforthatpurpose。\"You\'vegottoputyourhandsuplikethis。Itmakesyoufeelkindo\'good。\"
Itwasastrangesighthadtherebeenanythingbutthebuzzardstoseeit。Sidebysideonthenarrowshawlkneltthetwowanderers，thelittleprattlingchildandthereckless，hardenedadventurer。Herchubbyface，andhishaggard，angularvisagewerebothturneduptothecloudlessheaveninheartfeltentreatytothatdreadbeingwithwhomtheywerefacetoface，whilethetwovoices——theonethinandclear，theotherdeepandharsh——unitedintheentreatyformercyandforgiveness。Theprayerfinished，theyresumedtheirseatintheshadowoftheboulderuntilthechildfellasleep，nestlinguponthebroadbreastofherprotector。
Hewatchedoverherslumberforsometime，butNatureprovedtobetoostrongforhim。Forthreedaysandthreenightshehadallowedhimselfneitherrestnorrepose。Slowlytheeyelidsdroopedoverthetiredeyes，andtheheadsunklowerandloweruponthebreast，untiltheman\'sgrizzledbeardwasmixedwiththegoldtressesofhiscompanion，andbothsleptthesamedeepanddreamlessslumber。
Hadthewandererremainedawakeforanotherhalfhourastrangesightwouldhavemethiseyes。Farawayontheextremevergeofthealkaliplainthereroseupalittlesprayofdust，veryslightatfirst，andhardlytobedistinguishedfromthemistsofthedistance，butgraduallygrowinghigherandbroaderuntilitformedasolid，well-definedcloud。Thiscloudcontinuedtoincreaseinsizeuntilitbecameevidentthatitcouldonlyberaisedbyagreatmultitudeofmovingcreatures。Inmorefertilespotstheobserverwouldhavecometotheconclusionthatoneofthosegreatherdsofbisonswhichgrazeupontheprairielandwasapproachinghim。Thiswasobviouslyimpossibleinthesearidwilds。Asthewhirlofdustdrewnearertothesolitarybluffuponwhichthetwocastawayswerereposing，thecanvas-coveredtiltsofwaggonsandthefiguresofarmedhorsemenbegantoshowupthroughthehaze，andtheapparitionrevealed
itselfasbeingagreatcaravanuponitsjourneyfortheWest。Butwhatacaravan!Whentheheadofithadreachedthebaseofthemountains，therearwasnotyetvisibleonthehorizon。Rightacrosstheenormousplainstretchedthestragglingarray，waggonsandcarts，menonhorseback，andmenonfoot。Innumerablewomenwhostaggeredalongunderburdens，andchildrenwhotoddledbesidethewaggonsorpeepedoutfromunderthewhitecoverings。
Thiswasevidentlynoordinarypartyofimmigrants，butrathersomenomadpeoplewhohadbeencompelledfromstressofcircumstancestoseekthemselvesanewcountry。Thererosethroughtheclearairaconfusedclatteringandrumblingfromthisgreatmassofhumanity，withthecreakingofwheelsandtheneighingofhorses。Loudasitwas，itwasnotsufficienttorousethetwotiredwayfarersabovethem。
Attheheadofthecolumnthererodeascoreormoreofgraveironfacedmen，cladinsombrehomespungarmentsandarmedwithrifles。Onreachingthebaseoftheblufftheyhalted，andheldashortcouncilamongthemselves。
\"Thewellsaretotheright，mybrothers，\"saidone，ahard-lipped，clean-shavenmanwithgrizzlyhair。
\"TotherightoftheSierraBlanco——soweshallreachtheRioGrande，\"saidanother。
\"Fearnotforwater，\"criedathird。\"HewhocoulddrawitfromtherockswillnotnowabandonHisownchosenpeople。\"
\"Amen!Amen!\"respondedthewholeparty。
Theywereabouttoresumetheirjourneywhenoneoftheyoungestandkeenest-eyedutteredanexclamationandpointedupattheruggedcragabovethem。Fromitssummitthereflutteredalittlewispofpink，showinguphardandbrightagainstthegreyrocksbehind。Atthesighttherewasageneralreiningupofhorsesandunslingingofguns，whilefreshhorsemencamegallopinguptoreinforcethevanguard。
Theword`Redskins\'wasoneverylip。
\"Therecan\'tbeanynumberofInjunshere，\"saidtheelderlymanwhoappearedtobeincommand。\"WehavepassedthePawnees，andtherearenoothertribesuntilwecrossthegreatmountains。\"
\"ShallIgoforwardandsee，BrotherStangerson，\"
askedoneoftheband。
\"AndI，\"\"andI，\"criedadozenvoices。
\"Leaveyourhorsesbelowandwewillawaityouhere，\"
theElderanswered。Inamomenttheyoungfellowshaddismounted，fastenedtheirhorses，andwereascendingtheprecipitousslopewhichleduptotheobjectwhichhadexcitedtheircuriosity。Theyadvancedrapidlyandnoiselessly，withtheconfidenceanddexterityofpractisedscouts。Thewatchersfromtheplainbelowcouldseethemflitfromrocktorockuntiltheirfiguresstoodoutagainsttheskyline。Theyoungmanwhohadfirstgiventhealarmwasleadingthem。Suddenlyhisfollowerssawhimthrowuphishands，asthoughovercomewithastonishment，andonjoininghimtheywereaffectedinthesamewaybythesightwhichmettheireyes。
Onthelittleplateauwhichcrownedthebarrenhilltherestoodasinglegiantboulder，andagainstthisbouldertherelayatallman，long-beardedandhard-featured，butofanexcessivethinness。Hisplacidfaceandregularbreathingshowedthathewasfastasleep。Besidehimlayalittlechild，withherroundwhitearmsencirclinghisbrownsinewyneck，andhergoldenhairedheadrestinguponthebreastofhisvelveteentunic。Herrosylipswereparted，showingtheregularlineofsnow-whiteteethwithin，andaplayfulsmileplayedoverherinfantilefeatures。Herplumplittlewhitelegsterminatinginwhitesocksandneatshoeswithshiningbuckles，offeredastrangecontrasttothelongshrivelledmembersofhercompanion。Ontheledgeofrockabovethisstrangecoupletherestoodthreesolemnbuzzards，who，atthesightofthenewcomersutteredraucousscreamsofdisappointmentandflappedsullenlyaway。
Thecriesofthefoulbirdsawokethetwosleeperswhostaredabout{20}theminbewilderment。Themanstaggeredtohisfeetandlookeddownupontheplainwhichhadbeensodesolatewhensleephadovertakenhim，andwhichwasnowtraversedbythisenormousbodyofmenandofbeasts。Hisfaceassumedanexpressionofincredulityashegazed，andhepassedhisboneyhandoverhiseyes。\"Thisiswhattheycalldelirium，Iguess，\"hemuttered。Thechildstoodbesidehim，holdingontotheskirtofhiscoat，andsaidnothingbutlookedallroundherwiththewonderingquestioninggazeofchildhood。
Therescuingpartywerespeedilyabletoconvincethetwocastawaysthattheirappearancewasnodelusion。Oneofthemseizedthelittlegirl，andhoistedheruponhisshoulder，whiletwootherssupportedhergauntcompanion，andassistedhimtowardsthewaggons。
\"MynameisJohnFerrier，\"thewandererexplained；\"meandthatlittleunareallthat\'slefto\'twenty-onepeople。
Therestisalldeado\'thirstandhungerawaydowninthesouth。\"
\"Issheyourchild?\"askedsomeone。
\"Iguesssheisnow，\"theothercried，defiantly；
\"she\'smine\'causeIsavedher。Nomanwilltakeherfromme。
She\'sLucyFerrierfromthisdayon。Whoareyou，though?\"
hecontinued，glancingwithcuriosityathisstalwart，sunburnedrescuers；\"thereseemstobeapowerfullotofye。\"
\"Nighupontenthousand，\"saidoneoftheyoungmen；
\"wearethepersecutedchildrenofGod——thechosenoftheAngelMerona。\"
\"Ineverheardtellonhim，\"saidthewanderer。
\"Heappearstohavechosenafaircrowdofye。\"
\"Donotjestatthatwhichissacred，\"saidtheothersternly。\"Weareofthosewhobelieveinthosesacredwritings，drawninEgyptianlettersonplatesofbeatengold，whichwerehandeduntotheholyJosephSmithatPalmyra。
WehavecomefromNauvoo，intheStateofIllinois，wherewehadfoundedourtemple。Wehavecometoseekarefugefromtheviolentmanandfromthegodless，eventhoughitbetheheartofthedesert。\"
ThenameofNauvooevidentlyrecalledrecollectionstoJohnFerrier。\"Isee，\"hesaid，\"youaretheMormons。\"
\"WearetheMormons，\"answeredhiscompanionswithonevoice。
\"Andwhereareyougoing?\"
\"Wedonotknow。ThehandofGodisleadingusunderthepersonofourProphet。Youmustcomebeforehim。
Heshallsaywhatistobedonewithyou。\"
Theyhadreachedthebaseofthehillbythistime，andweresurroundedbycrowdsofthepilgrims——pale-facedmeek-lookingwomen，stronglaughingchildren，andanxiousearnest-eyedmen。
Manywerethecriesofastonishmentandofcommiserationwhicharosefromthemwhentheyperceivedtheyouthofoneofthestrangersandthedestitutionoftheother。Theirescortdidnothalt，however，butpushedon，followedbyagreatcrowdofMormons，untiltheyreachedawaggon，whichwasconspicuousforitsgreatsizeandforthegaudinessandsmartnessofitsappearance。Sixhorseswereyokedtoit，whereastheotherswerefurnishedwithtwo，or，atmost，foura-piece。
Besidethedrivertheresatamanwhocouldnothavebeenmorethanthirtyyearsofage，butwhosemassiveheadandresoluteexpressionmarkedhimasaleader。Hewasreadingabrown-backedvolume，butasthecrowdapproachedhelaiditaside，andlistenedattentivelytoanaccountoftheepisode。
Thenheturnedtothetwocastaways。
\"Ifwetakeyouwithus，\"hesaid，insolemnwords，\"itcanonlybeasbelieversinourowncreed。Weshallhavenowolvesinourfold。Betterfarthatyourbonesshouldbleachinthiswildernessthanthatyoushouldprovetobethatlittlespeckofdecaywhichintimecorruptsthewholefruit。
Willyoucomewithusontheseterms?\"
\"GuessI\'llcomewithyouonanyterms，\"saidFerrier，withsuchemphasisthatthegraveElderscouldnotrestrainasmile。Theleaderaloneretainedhisstern，impressiveexpression。
\"Takehim，BrotherStangerson，\"hesaid，\"givehimfoodanddrink，andthechildlikewise。Letitbeyourtaskalsototeachhimourholycreed。Wehavedelayedlongenough。
Forward!On，ontoZion!\"
\"On，ontoZion!\"criedthecrowdofMormons，andthewordsrippleddownthelongcaravan，passingfrommouthtomouthuntiltheydiedawayinadullmurmurinthefardistance。
Withacrackingofwhipsandacreakingofwheelsthegreatwaggonsgotintomotion，andsoonthewholecaravanwaswindingalongoncemore。TheEldertowhosecarethetwowaifshadbeencommitted，ledthemtohiswaggon，whereamealwasalreadyawaitingthem。
\"Youshallremainhere，\"hesaid。\"Inafewdaysyouwillhaverecoveredfromyourfatigues。Inthemeantime，rememberthatnowandforeveryouareofourreligion。BrighamYounghassaidit，andhehasspokenwiththevoiceofJosephSmith，whichisthevoiceofGod。\"
CHAPTERII。
THEFLOWEROFUTAH。
THISisnottheplacetocommemoratethetrialsandprivationsenduredbytheimmigrantMormonsbeforetheycametotheirfinalhaven。FromtheshoresoftheMississippitothewesternslopesoftheRockyMountainstheyhadstruggledonwithaconstancyalmostunparalleledinhistory。Thesavageman，andthesavagebeast，hunger，thirst，fatigue，anddisease——everyimpedimentwhichNaturecouldplaceintheway，hadallbeenovercomewithAnglo-Saxontenacity。
Yetthelongjourneyandtheaccumulatedterrorshadshakentheheartsofthestoutestamongthem。TherewasnotonewhodidnotsinkuponhiskneesinheartfeltprayerwhentheysawthebroadvalleyofUtahbathedinthesunlightbeneaththem，andlearnedfromthelipsoftheirleaderthatthiswasthepromisedland，andthatthesevirginacresweretobetheirsforevermore。
Youngspeedilyprovedhimselftobeaskilfuladministratoraswellasaresolutechief。Mapsweredrawnandchartsprepared，inwhichthefuturecitywassketchedout。Allaroundfarmswereapportionedandallottedinproportiontothestandingofeachindividual。Thetradesmanwasputtohistradeandtheartisantohiscalling。Inthetownstreetsandsquaressprangup，asifbymagic。Inthecountrytherewasdrainingandhedging，plantingandclearing，untilthenextsummersawthewholecountrygoldenwiththewheatcrop。Everythingprosperedinthestrangesettlement。Aboveall，thegreattemplewhichtheyhaderectedinthecentreofthecitygrewevertallerandlarger。Fromthefirstblushofdawnuntiltheclosingofthetwilight，theclatterofthehammerandtheraspofthesawwasneverabsentfromthemonumentwhichtheimmigrantserectedtoHimwhohadledthemsafethroughmanydangers。
Thetwocastaways，JohnFerrierandthelittlegirlwhohadsharedhisfortunesandhadbeenadoptedashisdaughter，accompaniedtheMormonstotheendoftheirgreatpilgrimage。
