er, notwithstanding his
fierce and formidable aspect, did not dare to reply in the same strain.
He was evidently cowed, and suffering under some fearful apprehension.
"_Must_ go!" he muttered, half involuntarily, as if echoing the other's
words. "Yes, _must_ and _shall_!"

"I tell ye, Josh Stebbins, she'll niver consent."

"And I tell you, Hickman Holt, I don't want her consent. That I leave
_you_ to obtain; and if you can't get it otherwise, you must _force_ it.
Bah! what is it for? A good husband--a good home--plenty of meat,
drink, and dress: for don't you get it into your fancy that the
Latter-Day Saints resemble your canting hypocrites of other creeds, who
think they please God by their miserable penances. Quite the reverse, I
can assure you. We mean to live as God intended men should live--eat,
drink, and be merry. Look there!" The speaker exhibited a handful of
shining gold pieces. "That's the way our church provides for its
apostles. Your daughter will be a thousand times better off there, than
in this wretched hovel. Perhaps _she_ will not mind the change so much
as _you_ appear to think. I know many a first-rate girl that would be
glad of the chance."

"I know _she_ won't give in--far less to be made a Mormon o'. I've
heern her speak agin 'em."

"I say again, she must give in. After all, you needn't tell her I'm a
Mormon: she needn't know anything about _that_. Let her think I'm only
moving out west--to Oregon--where there are plenty of respectable
emigrants now going. She'll not suspect anything in that. Once out at
Salt Lake City, she'll soon get reconciled to Mormon life, I guess."

The squatter remained silent for some moments--his head hanging forward
over his broad breast--his eyes turned inward, as if searching within
his bosom for some thought to guide and direct him. In there, no doubt,
a terrible struggle was going on--a tumult of mixed emotions. He loved
his daughter, and would leave her to her own will; but he feared this
saintly suitor, and dared not gainsay him. It must have been some dread
secret, or fiendish scheme, that enabled this small insignificant man to
sway the will of such a giant!

A considerable time passed, and still the squatter vouchsafed no answer.
He was evidently wavering, as to the nature of the response he should
make.

Twice or thrice he raised his head, stealthily directing his glance to
the countenance of his visitor; but only to read, in the loo