ll take his time. So you'd better
stick to mule-whacking and sowbelly."

Still it was only decent that I should inquire after her. No Daniel and no
"Bonnie Bravo" was going to shut me from my duty. Therefore this evening
after we had formed corral, watered our animals at the one good-water
spring, staked them out in the bottoms of the ravine here, and eaten our
supper, I went with clean hands and face and, I resolved, a clean heart,
to pay my respects at the Hyrum Adams fire.

A cheery sight it was, too, for one bred as I had been to the company of
women. Whereas during the day and somewhat in the evenings we Gentiles and
the Mormon men fraternized without conflict of sect save by long-winded
arguments, at nightfall the main Mormon gathering centered about the Adams
quarters, where the men and women sang hymns in praise of their
pretensions, and listened to homilies by Hyrum himself.

They were singing now, as I approached--every woman busy also with her
hands. The words were destined to be familiar to me, being from their
favorite lines:

Cheer, saints, cheer! We're bound for peaceful Zion!
Cheer, saints, cheer! For that free and happy land!
Cheer, saints, cheer! We'll Israel's God rely on;
We will be led by the power of His hand.

Away, far away to the everlasting mountains,
Away, far away to the valley in the West;
Away, far away to yonder gushing fountains,
Where all the faithful in the latter days are blest.

Into this domestic circle I civilly entered just as they had finished
their hymn. She was seated beside the sleek-haired Rachael, with Daniel
upon her other hand. I sensed her quickly ready smile; and with the same a
surly stare from him, disclosing that by one person at least I was not
welcomed.

"Anything special wanted, stranger?" Hyrum demanded.

"No, sir. I was attracted by your singing," I replied. "Do I intrude?"

"Not at all, not at all." He was more hospitable. "Set if you like, in the
circle of the Saints. You'll get no harm by it, that's certain."

So I seated myself just behind Rachael. A moment of constraint seemed to
fall upon the group. I broke it by my inquiry, addressed to a clean
profile.

"I came also to inquire after Mrs. Montoyo," I carefully said. "You have
stood the journey well, this far, madam?"

Daniel turned instantly.

"Thar's no 'Mrs. Montoyo' in this camp, Mister. And I'll thank yu it's