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Show 24 THE MORMON LION " No " I hastened to answer. " Dr. Neville and his daughter are from England. We lost Mrs. Neville at the last Platte crossing." I dropped my voice to a mumble inaudible to the doctor's dulled ear. " We fear he is about to j"oin her." "I see!-Jake, end a hand. We can't do better than stay back here and help Dave." "Needn't tell me twice, Brother Chilcott," assented Waller. " I ain't forgot how Mr.-Brother Ford helped me escape the persecution of them ungodl) l Gentiles." If l had been dying, I must have had my smile at the pious tone in which the little rascal brought this out. But I made no comment. It was evident that he was a member in good standing among the brethren ; and a lawyer is required by professional ethics to keep the secrets of his clients. Regardless of the doctor's faintly whispered protests, Chilcott swung him up on his broad shoulder. Waller placed himself between Lucy and me. Walking along with a vigorous helper to lean upon was very different from staggering after the wagons, hampered by one still more exhausted than ourselves. We reached the supply wagons, and the commissary doled out to us our scanty share of biscuits and pork scraps. As the doctor was too weak to chew the hard biscuits, we tied the largest piece of J?Ork to the upper buttonhole of his coat and placed It in his mouth that he might suck at the fat. Lucy and I devoured our portions ravenously, though striving our best not to bolt all down whole. Neither of us had eaten anything for two days. There had been too many others worse off than ourselves. But now, with the coming of these fresh supplies, we could deny ourselves no longer. Never had any food tasted as delicious to me as that raw bacon. It roused the craving of my famished stomach to maddening intensity. I had to exert the utmost power of my will not to beg for more. I could not resist asking THE MORMON LION 25 that another morsel be given Lucy. In return the Elder administered a reproof that was as bitter as it was just. At the time I could feel only the bitterness. I rejoined by reminding my admonisher how Dr. Neville and myself had each turned over to the common store enough provisions to have kept us in abundance all the journey to Salt Lake City. Curtly questioned by Chilcott, the Elder admitted the truth of my statement, and hurried away as though ashamed of his tirade. We three were now left alone with Chilcott and Waller, who were in charge of the supply wagon from which we had been fed. All the rest of the train and the other supply wagons were toiling on along the trail. I stood staring at the gaunt back of the departing commissary. Lucy left her father and came to put her hand on my arm. ' Brother David, donotgiveway to hard thoughts," she begged. " Have we not had our share of food with the others ? " "Yes," I admitted, gazing down into the sunken eyes from which shone all the spiritual radiancy of her pure soul. " You are right. Yet the thought of you and your father--" "You're all to ride in my wagon," broke in Chilcott. " Jake and I can walk. First, though, let me tell you, this is my outfit, food and all, and I'm not under anybody's orders. Jake, light a fire." " What are you going to do? " I asked, as Waller hastened to obey. "That's my affair, Dave. All you've got to do is to sit down on that wagon seat with Sister Neville and her father." "But, brother, we cannot allow--" began Lucy. " It's not meet for women to offer counsel," interrupted Chilcott. I'll answer to Brigham for what I do. Sit down, Build the fire close before them, Jake. They're chilled to the bone." |