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Show CHAPTER XXI OVER THE RIM OF THE BASIN WE, too, returned full of fond hopes for the futurehopes that were to be dashed only too soon. The first blow was the news that the Federal troops had not yet assembled, and that, m all probability, they would not reach the Great Basin until late fall or the beginning of winter. The next blow was the discovery by the Bishop of Mr. Senby's ward that the merchant had failed to become a husband in fact to his plural wives. Though public work and private enterprise had ahke ceased and the commumty had thrown itself wrth fevensh energy mto the preparation for the 7omin~ war, the general excitement served only to mtenstfy the fanatrcrsm of the Reformation. While discourses and editorials blazed with incitations to treason and bloodshed, and every able-bodied man obeyed the command of the Lieutenant-General of the Nauvoo Legion to make ready for a prolonged wmter campaign, the Church inquisitors redoubled their catechrzing of the people, keener than ever to smell out the slightest taint of apostasy. As Mr. Senby was rather slow in responding to the urgent demands of the exhorters for contributions especial attention was given to detecting him in som~ fault. Ann .T ane was too stanch and smart for the spies .. But Helga at last succumbed to their threats and drsclosed the true relations of the merchant to his family. Ann .T ane was then forced to confess. She was counselled to keep silent, but her anguish over the betrayal drove her to whisper the truth to Lucy. The discovery alarmed us, though Mr. Senby THE MORMON LION 203 affected to believe that it would not lead to any really senous consequences. About a week later I was roused from sleep in the middle of the night by a heavy hand on my forehead. I sat up m bed. By the hght of the tallow dip which he held, I saw Chilcott bending over me. He was dressed for the road and fully armed. " What's the matter? " I asked wide awake on the instant. ' "You're counselled to join me on another mission," he answered. " Turn out." "Mission? To California?" "Not quite I Only for a day or two. Jump into your clothes. Waller's waiting with the horses. Bring your rifle." He set his candle on the bureau and went out into the parlour. Though full of misgivings as to the purport of this unexpected summons, I knew better than to keep Chilcott waiting. . . As I burned out to hrm, nfle m hand, he signed to me to take off my cartridge pouch. "Leave that, Dave. We want to ride light. Half a dozen cartridges is all you'll need. One of the wolves has bolted. The cussed apostate got hold of our war plans and's making a break to get out East wrth them, to tell the troops. We've got to head him off. Hurry up." I had learned enough of Brigham's methods not to have any doubts as to the manner in which the fugitive was to be headed off. Yet to attempt to avoid sharing in the mission would have been worse than useless. I hastened out into the street with Chilcott, secretly pledging myself to do all in my power to aid the escape of the fleeing man, whoever he rmght be. Waller sat hunched upon the back of a blooded horse and held the bridfes of two others that were larger and still better bred. We silently swung into the saddle and started off down the street in the clear moonlight. At the corner Chilcott reined around to |