"A Mormon," was the answer, uttered with a groan. "Take me up. My
hands are slipping. Quick!"
"And you wanted my wife to follow you to that infernal Salt Lake,
City, I suppose?"
"For God's sake, release me! I'll quit the place, never to come
back. Do help me up, Dayton--I'm falling!"
I felt mightily inclined to let the villain drop; but it did not
suit my purpose to be hung for murder, so I swung him back again on
the sward, where he fell panting and exhausted.
"Will you quit the place to-night?" I said. "You'd better. By
heaven, if you don't, I'll tell all the men in the village, and
we'll lynch you, as sure as your name is Brake."
"I'll go--I'll go," he groaned. "I swear never to trouble you
again."
"You ought to be hanged, you villain. Be off!"
He slunk away through the trees like a beaten dog; and I went home
in a state bordering on despair. I found Elsie crying. She was
sitting by the window as of old. I knew now why she gazed so
constantly at the west. It was her Mecca. Something in my face, I
suppose, told her that I was laboring under great excitement.
Pages:
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562