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Show THE MORMON LION "Southern California and probably San Francisco," I answered. " It's to be in company with Chilcott and Waller." " 'Frisco! " he gasped. " The chance I've been praying for! You're certain? " " Of California at least. We're going to buy rifles." " To use against the Government," he stated. "That? " I exclaimed. " I'm dull! He said, the Indians. I can't abet treason! " "You've got to do it. You'll be leaving Lucy behind. But there will be one thing we may be able to carry through." He went out to fetch me a broad-brimmed felt hat and two or three of the embroidered flannel shirts affected by the majority of the Saints. Tossing one of the shitis to me, he stepped behind a curtain and remained hidden several moments. When he came out, he pushed me towards the curtain. " Put on the money-belt," he muttered- " Five thousand, two hundred and thirty-five dollars, gold and bank notes-- Been hoarding almost two years. Falsified my account books to deceive them. Be quick!" I slipped behind the curtain and buckled the belt around my waist, under my clothes. " How about a receipt? " I asked when I came out. " Your honour is enough," he answered. " The amount is part payment of Lucy's inheritance. Deposit it so that etther of us can draw it out of bank. I may be able to help her escape, even if you-God only knows how'll we come out! TheY. now think they have me fast- three wives. But tf only I could get my Ellen away! When do you start? " " At noon, from Chilcott's place." "I'll be there with a letter of introduction to my San Francisco correspondents- all open and aboveboard; nothing that Chilcott can take exceptions to." " What if he called on me to use it for the pur-poses of our mission ? " THE MORMON LION 151 :: f\h! . : . You'll of course say farewell to Lucy." I m gomg stratght there." " Send Ankotash to me. He can fetch you a letter to concealm the belt .. Wait! If I provide a mule for htm, do you thmk Clulcott . would permit him to go south wtth your party? He'd be seized again as a slave tf he went alone; but he is not satisfied to stay here, and besides "- a spasm contorted the merchant's kindly face. He bent over, and continued" besides, we have no room to spare now. I've ordered a wing built on to what was our home. Meantime, the boy-- You'll take him if you can?" " I will insist." "Not if it angers Chilcott," he cautioned. "Another thing-- Whatever you do, be careful that you write nothing to which Brigham can take exceptions. The post office here is one of his i nformation bureaux. He does what he pleases with the mails. You will remember that he knew of my receipt to Dr. Neville. Our letters telling the Nevilles of the terrible conditions here never reached them. Those letters are what condemned me as an apostate." " They tamper with the mails! " I muttered. All thts time Mr. Sen by had been fttting me for the road. He now conducted me out to the front of the store, wishing me bon voyage and assuring me, in response to my request, that he would send my city clothes to Chilcott's house, ready packed for travel. A few minutes of fast walking brought me to his home. Ann Jane opened the door for me. Great as was my haste, she was so changed that I had to pause to speak with her. Though the iron had entered her soul too deeply for the wound to be healed so soon, she was already quite another girl. She held out her hand to me with shy confidence, and she smtled-for the first time in my knowledge. "Come right in, Brother Ford," she invited. "You want to see Sister Lucy, don't you ? Have a seat. |
