On the morning which followed his interview with the Mormon Prophet, John

Ferrier went in to Salt Lake City, and having found his acquaintance, who was

bound for the Nevada Mountains, he entrusted him with his message to Jefferson

Hope. In it he told the young man of the imminent danger which threatened them,

and how necessary it was that he should return. Having done thus he felt easier

in his mind, and returned home with a lighter heart.

 

As he approached his farm, he was surprised to see a horse hitched to each of

the posts of the gate. Still more surprised was he on entering to find two young

men in possession of his sitting-room. One, with a long pale face, was leaning

back in the rocking-chair, with his feet cocked up upon the stove. The other, a

bull-necked youth with coarse bloated features, was standing in front of the

window with his hands in his pocket, whistling a popular hymn. Both of them

nodded to Ferrier as he entered, and the one in the rocking-chair commenced the

conversation.

 

“Maybe you don’t know us,” he said. “This here is the son of Elder Drebber, and

I’m Joseph Stangerson, who travelled with you in the desert when the Lord

stretched out His hand and gathered you into the true fold.”

 

“As He will all the nations in His own good time,” said the other in a nasal

voice; “He grindeth slowly but exceeding small.”

 

John Ferrier bowed coldly. He had guessed who his visitors were.