Part 28 (1/2)

”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 a name yu'd best leave alone.”

”How so, sir?”

”Cause that's the right of it. I 'laow I've told yu.”

”I'm called Edna now, by my friends,” she vouchsafed, coloring. ”Yes, thank you, I've enjoyed the day.”

Rachael spoke softly, in her gentle English accents. I learned later that she was an English girl, convert to Mormonism.

”We Latter Day Saints know that the marriage rites of Gentiles are not countenanced by the Lord. If you would see the light you would understand.

Sister Edna is being well cared for. Whatever we have is hers.”

”You will take her on with you to Salt Lake?”

”That is as Hyrum says. He has spoken of putting her on the stage at the next crossing. He will decide.”

”I think I'd rather stay with the train,” My Lady murmured.

”Yu will, too, by gum,” Daniel p.r.o.nounced. ”I'll talk with paw. Yu're goin' to travel on to Zion 'long with me. I 'laow I'm man enough to look out for ye an' I got plenty room. The hull wagon's yourn. Guess thar won't n.o.body have anything to say ag'in that.” His tone was pointed, unmistakable, and I sat fuming with it.

My Lady drily acknowledged.

”You are very kind, Daniel.”

”Wall, yu see I'm the best man on the draw in this hyar train. I'm a bad one, I am. My name's Bonnie Bravo. That gambler--he 'laowed to pop me but I could ha' killed him 'fore his gun was loose. I kin ride, wrastle, drive a bull team ag'in ary man from the States, an' I got the gift o' tongues.

Ain't afeared o' Injuns, neither. I'm elected. I foller the Lord an' some day I'll be a bishop. I hain't been more'n middlin' interested in wimmen, but I'm gittin' old enough, an' yu an' me'll be purty well acquainted by the time we reach Zion. Thar's a long spell ahead of us, but I aim to look out for yu, yu bet.”

His blatancy was arrested by the intonation of another hymn. They all chimed in, except My Lady and me.

There is a people in the West, the world calls Mormonites in jest, The only people who can say, we have the truth, and own its sway.

Away in Utah's valleys, away in Utah's valleys, Away in Utah's valleys, the chambers of the Lord.

And all ye saints, where'er you be, from bondage try to be set free, Escape unto fair Zion's land, and thus fulfil the Lord's command, And help to build up Zion, and help to build up Zion, And help to build up Zion, before the Lord appear.

They concluded; sat with heads bowed while Hyrum, standing, delivered himself of a long-winded blessing, through his nose. It was the signal for breaking up. They stood. My Lady arose lithely; enc.u.mbered by her trailing skirt she pitched forward and I caught her. Daniel sprang in a moment, with a growl.

”None o' that, Mister. I'm takin' keer of her. Hands off.”