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Show THE MORMON LION feelin~. He nodded, squirted a. stre~m of tobacco juice mto the cuspidor, and mquired m a matter-of-fact tone : " What's on now? " . Brigham looked at him and then at me With sudden gravity. "That dirty cuss Burr, the Surveyor General, has been reporting to Washington that the Lamamtes have attacked his survey parties. He complams that I'm not doing my duty as Supenntendent of Injin Affairs. First thing I know .. some of the cusses 'll Jose their scalps, and the lymg scoundrel will charge us with complicity, like they done over the killing of Lieutenant Gunnison." , . , " Anything to blaggard the Lord s Samts, commented Chilcott. "Well," continued Brigham," we mustn't give 'em any grounds for their lies. The Lamamtes must be persuaded to keep the peace. Trouble is, there's a shortage of weapons in some of the settl~ments. where there's most apt to be an outbreak. First thmg we know we' ll have another massacre and Injin war. We n~ed more guns- good modern rifles and Colts. Ought to've bought a slew of 'em months a,go, but this heavy rush of emigrants put us too deep mto the hole. We're in funds now, though." Chilcott sat for a moment staring fixedly at the Prophet, his jaws hard-set. " You're sure of that ? " he demanded. "Yes." , " It's not certain we can make through East, objected Chilcott. " Never knew such a winter since we f1rst came to the Valley." " . . " We'll break ground in a new field, said Bngham, once more smiling his blandest. " You're to head t'other way." " San Francisco? " " Yes, by way of the Southern Settlements and San Bernardino. Course, if you can pick up a wagonload of guns in Southern Californy, all well and good. THE MORMON LION 149 If not, you'll go up to 'Frisco by water. How soon can you hitch up and roll out? " "By noon," answered Chilcott. He looked grimly at me. "You're giving Jake and me good company. Is It to be company coming as well as going? Lots of young fellows fmd California so attractive that they settle there." "D~n't you worry about Dave. He's got a mighty prom1smg law busmess to return to- not to speak of something else," replied Brigham. He patted me on the knee. " You won't lose any of your clients, my boy, nor any of your cases, neither. They'll keep. Be at Bill's house at noon. Best pack along your citr, duds. It's all for the Kingdom. Good-bye! Good luck! ' He led us to the door and sent us off with a hearty handshake. We elbowed our way out to the street through the waiting crowd of callers .. Chilcott sprang into his carnage and drove off, without a word to me. I hastened to my law office, crammed all my law papers into the table drawer, and was out again on my way to Mr. Sen by's store. News of the merchant's marriage had brought a large crowd of inquisitive customers to see how he comported himself. I found him waiting upon the gossip-mongers with his usual dignified courtesy. " Good morning, Brother Sen by," I said as he bowed to me over the counter. " If these ladies and gentlemen will excuse me- Brother Brigham has just counselled me to go on mission, and I must have an outfit of clothes at once." "Ah, Brother Ford," he replied, " I have several gentlemen's travelling suits. Step back this way, please. I believe I can fit you satisfactorily." He led me to the room in which Chilcott had surprised us. This time he left the door unbolted and at once began to lay out his stock of clothes. As he fitted a coat, he bent close to my ear and whispered >harply: "Where?" |
