and kind, mild blue eyes. Shefford observed
that Lake seemed unusually respectful. Withers introduced these Mormons
merely as Smith and Henninger. They were very cordial and pleasant in
their greetings to Shefford. Presently another, somewhat younger, man
joined the group, a stalwart, jovial fellow with ruddy face. There was
certainly no mistaking his kindly welcome as he shook Shefford's hand.
His name was Beal. The three stood round the camp-fire for a while,
evidently glad of the presence of fellow-men and to hear news from the
outside. Finally they went away, taking Joe with them. Withers took up
the task of getting supper where Joe had been made to leave it.

"Shefford, listen," he said, presently, as he knelt before the fire. "I
told them right out that you'd been a Gentile clergyman--that you'd gone
back on your religion. It impressed them and you've been well received.
I'll tell the same thing over at Stonebridge. You'll get in right. Of
course I don't expect they'll make a Mormon of you. But they'll try to.
Meanwhile you can be square and friendly all the time you're trying to
find your Fay Larkin. To-morrow you'll meet some of the women. They're
good souls, but, like any women, crazy for news. Think what it is to be
shut up in here between these walls!"

"Withers, I'm intensely interested," replied Shefford, "and excited,
too. Shall we stay here long?"

"I'll stay a couple of days, then go to Stonebridge with Joe. He'll
come back here, and when you both feel like leaving, and if Nas Ta Bega
thinks it safe, you'll take a trail over to some Indian hogans and pack
me out a load of skins and blankets.... My boy, you've all the time
there is, and I wish you luck. This isn't a bad place to loaf. I always
get sentimental over here. Maybe it's the women. Some of them are
pretty, and one of them--Shefford, they call her the Sago Lily. Her
first name is Mary, I'm told. Don't know her last name. She's lovely.
And I'll bet you forget Fay Larkin in a flash. Only--be careful. You
drop in here with rather peculiar credentials, so to speak--as my helper
and as a man with no religion! You'll not only be fully trusted, but
you'll be welcome to these lonely women. So be careful. Remember it's
my secret belief they are sealed wives and are visited occasionally at
night by their husbands. I don't know this, but I believe it. And you're
not supposed to dream of that."

"How many men in the village?" asked Shefford.

"Three. Yo