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Show \ 318 THE MORMON LION pitched forward headlong. I had a glimpse of his glaring eyes. Over the body, as it fell, I saw Waller turning to run back to the mules. I dropped the revolver to complete the loading of my rille. My bullet struck the fleeing man square between the shoulders. He fell at the edge of the spring rill. With utmost wariness I peered over at Chilcott. He lay outstretched as Mr. Senby had lain in the road beyond the Weber River. I walked forward, calling to the mules. They were munching their oats, indifferent to the tragedy that had taken place so close before them. Not until I had them fast could I venture to give way to my exultant joy. Shouting and waving like a madman, I started for the ravine. Lucy was already coming to meet me as fast as she could run in her clumsy boots. She had come out of the ravine as soon as the f1ring ceased. She flung herself into my arms, laughin&" and cryinq in the same breath : " David ! my Dav1d I " 'He is dead!" I shouted. " Now you are safe, darling! He has made blood atonement! For his sins he has--" " Hush! hush! Do not speak those awful words. All that is now behind us." "Behind us, darling! ... And yet-- We need have no more fear of pursuers now ; but when Brigham learns!-- He sends men on mission to all parts of the world. He may send other Danites after us." She clutched me in a spasm of terror. "You'll take me away- promise me, promise me! -away from where they are ! You'll change your name and never speak of them- never! Promise me!" " I promise, darling. I'll change my name, and no one shall know that we were ever believers in that religion of Satan." .....,_ ....... ~' ' ·~ ,. ~ ~· . THE MORMON LION "Nor were we," she said. " No, we were dupes of those crafty charlatansdupes, like thousands of other innocent converts, many of whom are so ignorant and fanatical that they cannot see the truth. But we, darling, we have escaped out of the snare of the fowler- out of the jaws of the Lion! " " God sent you to save me, David! " she cried. "You have saved me- saved me body and soul! You are my father, my brother, my husband- my beloved husband!" * The dead I buried decently, even as they had helped me bury Mr. Sen by. From their bodies I took only Brigham's order to the President of the Stake at San Bernardino. We started on before night. Lucy could not endure to remain longer .at the place. But she soon forgot the dead in the JOY of our love. Reheved of our oppressive dread of pursuit, we journeyed on across the desert by easy stages, forgetful of all else than our bliss. The Danite sign carried us unquestioned past the watcher at the crossing of the Mohave. It was the same when we reached San Bernardino. I delivered Brigham's order to the President of the Stake, and stated that we must hasten on to carry out a secret mission. Between San Bernardino and Port San Pedro we twice changed our travelling outfit and twice changed our dress. It was a vast relief to Lucy to be rid of Waller's clothes. I burned them, Endowment shirt and all, within a few miles of Los Angeles. I had bought her a calico gown at a wayside store. We came into San Pedro under an assumed name and costumed in half Mexican style. We took ship |