concentrated and
keen. I scarcely felt joy that my life was saved; I almost wished that
I had perished by the hands of the Indians!

The strange story of the trapper, now fully corroborated by its own
heroine--with the additional facts obtained from herself--were only
partially the cause of the horrid fancies that now shaped themselves in
my imagination. I could have but one belief about the intention of
Stebbins. That was, that the base wretch was playing procurator to his
despot master, doubtless to serve some ends of self-advancement: since I
well knew that such were the titles to promotion in the Mormon
hierarchy. With the experience of her sister fresh before my eyes, I
could have no other belief than that Lilian, too, was being led to a
like sacrifice. And how was this sacrifice to be stayed? How was the
sad catastrophe to be averted? It was in the endeavour to answer these
interrogatories that I felt my feebleness--the utter absence of
strength. Had it been a mere question of overtaking the caravan, there
would have been no need for the slightest uneasiness. It would still be
many days--weeks, indeed--before the north-going train could, arrive at
its destination; and if my apprehensions about the designs of Stebbins
were well founded, Lilian would be in no danger until after her arrival
in the so-called "Mormon city." It was there--within the walls of that
modern Gomorrah--upon a shrine consecrated to the mockery of every moral
sentiment, that the sacrifice of virtue was to be offered up--there was
it that the wolf awaited the lamb for his victim-bride!

I knew, if no obstacle should be encountered--such as that which had
just delayed us--that we could easily come up with the Mormon emigrants.
We had no longer a similar obstacle to dread. The whole country beyond
the mountains was Utah territory; and we could count upon these Indians
as friends. From that quarter we had nothing to apprehend; and the
caravan might easily be overtaken. But what then? Even though in
company with it, for my purpose I should be as powerless as ever. By
what right should I interfere with either the squatter or his child? No
doubt it was their determination to proceed with the Mormons, and to the
Mormon city--at least the father's determination. This was no longer a
matter of doubt; and what could I urge to prevent his carrying it out?
I had no argument--not the colour of a claim--for interference in any
way! Nay, it