A Study in Scarlet Part II

Chapter 4

A Flight For Life

On the morning which followed his interview

with the Mormon Prophet, John Ferrier went in to

Salt Lake City, and having found his acquaintance,

who was bound for the Nevada Mountains, he en-

trusted him with his message to Jefferson Hope. In

it he told the young man of the imminent danger

which threatened them, and how necessary it was

that he should return. Having done thus he felt easier in his mind, and returned home with a lighter

heart.

As he approached his farm, he was surprised

to see a horse hitched to each of the posts of the

gate. Still more surprised was he on entering to

find two young men in possession of his sitting-

room. One, with a long pale face, was leaning

back in the rocking-chair, with his feet cocked up

upon the stove. The other, a bull-necked youth with

coarse bloated features, was standing in front of

the window with his hands in his pocket, whistling

a popular hymn. Both of them nodded to Ferrier

as he entered, and the one in the rocking-chair commenced the conversation.

"Maybe you don't know us," he said. "This here

is the son of Elder Drebber, and I'm Joseph Stanger-

son, who travelled with you in the desert when the

Lord stretched out His hand and gathered you into

the true fold."

"As He will all the nations in His own good

time," said the other in a nasal voice; "He grindeth

slowly but exceeding small."

John Ferrier bowed coldly. He had guessed who

his visitors were.

"We have come," continued Stangerson, "at the

advice of our fathers to solicit the hand of your

daughter for whichever of us may seem good to

you and to her. As I have but four wives and

Brother Drebber here has seven, it appears to me

that my claim is the stronger one."

"Nay, nay, Brother Stangerson," cried the other;

"the question is not how many wives we have, but

how many we can keep. My father has now given

over his mills to me, and I am the richer man."

"But my prospects are better," said the other,

warmly. "When the Lord removes my father, I shall

have his tanning yard and his leather factory. Then

I am your elder, and am higher in the Church."