One night, they walked on complicated paths or mountain roads that were rugged, winding, and rocky. Therefore, they lost their way several times. Fortunately, little Jefferson was familiar with the conditions in the mountains, and they were able to get back on the road.

On the right path.

After dawn, such a scene appeared in front of them. Although the scenery seemed very desolate, it was also magnificent. Currently, they were among the snow-capped peaks, with overlapping peaks extending to the distant horizon. On both sides of the mountain road

They are all cliffs, and the tall larches seem to be hanging above their heads. When a gust of wind blows, the larches seem to be blown down. This is not entirely an imaginary fear, because this is a desolate place.

The valley was overgrown with shrubs and weeds, and crisscrossed by rocks. Trees and stones had all rolled down involuntarily before. As they were walking, a huge boulder rolled down, and a thunderous "rumbling" sound echoed here.

In the quiet canyon, the frightened and tired horses were about to run wildly.

When the rising sun slowly rises from the eastern horizon, the overlapping peaks are like a scene during lantern decorations. One after another, they are lit up until all the peaks are covered with a reddish color, becoming more and more dazzling and bright.

This sight of sunrise invigorated the three fugitives, and they marched with greater vigor. At the mouth of a valley where rapids gushed out, they paused temporarily to let the mules and horses drink water; in this short section

It was time, and they ate breakfast in a hurry. Ferrier and Lucy wanted to rest a little longer, but little Jefferson insisted on walking quickly. He said: "At this time, they are probably catching up along our trail, success or failure."

Depends on how fast we go. Once we reach Carson City safely, we could rest for a lifetime."

The whole day, they ran on the mountain road. Near evening, they estimated their journey and found that they were already more than 30 miles away from the main area of ​​influence of the Mormons. That night, they chose a huge rock that could avoid the cold wind.

They settled down below. In order to stay warm, the three of them huddled together and slept for a few hours. However, before daybreak, they set off on their way again. They never found anyone following them.

Therefore, little Jefferson judged that they had probably escaped from the tiger's mouth, and that the invisible and terrifying organization that persecuted them was now beyond the reach of the whip. However, he had no idea how far the giant eagle's claws could extend.

He didn't expect that the giant eagle's claw would soon approach them and crush their plan.

On the second day of their escape, around noon, the food they brought was about to be eaten up. However, this incident did not make little Jefferson feel particularly uneasy. To him, there were many animals and birds in the mountains that could be hunted.

In the past, he often relied on hunting with his rifle to make a living. He specially chose a relatively secluded and quiet place, picked up some dead branches and dry firewood, and lit a fire to keep the father and daughter warm. Because they

He was now on a high mountain with an altitude of 5,000 feet, and the air was so cold that it penetrated into the bones. He tied up the mules and horses, said goodbye to Lucy, and went out to try his luck with the rifle on his back, hoping to hunt some animals and birds. He left

After walking for a while, he looked back and saw the father and daughter warming themselves around the fire, with the mule and horse standing quietly behind them. After walking a few steps, his view was blocked by a large rock and he could no longer see them.

He walked more than two miles across the ridge and mountains, but had no luck. Although he judged from the marks on the tree trunks and other signs that there were many wild bears nearby, he searched for two or three hours and found no results.

Nothing was found. Finally, when he was planning to go back empty-handed, he suddenly looked up and felt happy. It turned out that there was a beast standing on a protruding rock 300 to 400 feet above the ground.

It looks like a sheep, but it has two huge horns. This beast, which the hunters call "Big Horns", is probably standing guard for a herd of beasts that he has not yet discovered. Coincidentally, this beast has its back to

It was following him, so it didn't notice his presence. The young hunter lay on the ground and put his gun on a rock. He aimed slowly, calmly and steadily before firing. It jumped up and struggled a few times.

Down, it rolled to the bottom of the valley.

The "Big Horn" was quite heavy, and the tired little Jefferson couldn't carry it alone, so he cut off one of its legs and some flesh from its waist. At this time, it was already dusk. He picked up the trophy and hurriedly

He walked back along the way he came. However, just as he was about to take steps, he realized that he was in trouble. Because he was concentrating on finding his prey, he had gone too far, far out of the valley he was familiar with, and now he could no longer

It was already very difficult to recognize the road he had walked. He found that the valley he was in was like a thousand gorges and ravines, and they were so similar that it was difficult to distinguish them. He first walked along a ravine.

After walking for more than 1.6 kilometers, he arrived at a place with gurgling water. He was sure that he had never seen this mountain stream when he came. So he concluded that he had gone to the wrong place. He walked into another ravine, but it turned out that it was still not the right path. Night fell quickly.

When he finally found the familiar path, it was completely dark. Although he found the familiar path, it was not easy to follow this path without making any mistakes. Since the moon was not there yet,

The towering cliffs on both sides of the path made it extremely dark and difficult to move forward. At this time, he was carrying the heavy trophy, which made him out of breath. Besides, after working for a long time, he already felt very tired.

However, he insisted on walking slowly, because he thought that if he took one step, he would be one step closer to his beloved Lucy, and he also brought back so much food, enough for them to eat on their future journey, so his spirit was renewed.

Mentioned it.

Finally, he came to the entrance of the valley where the father and daughter had been left. Although it was in the darkness, he could still make out the images of the huge rocks blocking the entrance. He thought to himself, Lucy and her adoptive father must have

We are anxiously waiting for him to come back! He has been away for about 5 hours. When he was happy, he put his hands on both sides of his mouth, and relying on the echo of the canyon, he called loudly to indicate that he was back.

. He paused for a while, listening carefully for the echo. But except for the countless echoes that his call reflected off the silent and desolate canyon walls, there was no other sound. He called again, which was better than the previous one.

The sound was louder, but he still didn't hear the answer from the father and daughter. He vaguely felt an inexplicable fear, and ran over in a hurry. In order to speed up, he temporarily abandoned the precious animal meat in his haste.

As soon as he turned the corner, he could clearly see the situation where he had made the fire. There was still a pile of coals flickering there; however, it was obvious that no one had tended to the fire since he left.

There was also deathly silence and desolation all around. His original fear became a living reality. He ran over in a hurry, and there was no living thing beside the fire. The father and daughter, as well as the mules and horses, were all gone. This was obviously a sign of death.

After he left, a terrible disaster suddenly occurred, and both father and daughter were not spared, leaving no trace of the other.

This sudden and unexpected blow made little Jefferson panic, and his mind went blank. He only felt dizzy for a while, and immediately used a rifle to support his body to avoid falling. However, he is a determined and tenacious young man after all. Soon,

He woke up from this confusion. In the fire, he picked up a piece of half-burnt wood and blew it to brighten it. With this light, he investigated the place. Horseshoe prints could be seen everywhere on the ground.

, this shows that a large group of people on horseback caught up with the fleeing father and daughter. Judging from the direction of the horse's hoof prints, it proves that they turned back to Salt Lake City. Did they take away both father and daughter?

?Little Jefferson was almost convinced that they must have done this. However, when his eyes fell on something, he couldn't help but his hair almost stood up. Just a few steps away from where the three of them were resting, there was a pile of

There was a low layer of red soil. He was sure that it was not there before. Yes, this was a newly dug grave. When little Jefferson came closer, he found that there was a wooden stick stuck on the mound of soil, and a piece of paper was sandwiched between the cracks in the stick.

There were a few lines of words scrawled on the note, which clearly read:

John Ferrier

Lived in Salt Lake City during his lifetime

Died on August 4, 1860

Not long after little Jefferson left, this old man died like this, and these lines actually became his epitaph. The young hunter looked around again to see if there was a second tomb, but he

No trace was found. It was obvious that Lucy had been taken back by these terrible people and met her seemingly destined fate of becoming the concubine of an elder's son. When the young hunter realized that his beloved

The girl's fate was like this, and when he was unable to save himself, he really wanted to follow the old man and sleep together in this place.

However, his always proactive spirit finally defeated the sadness and pessimism caused by temporary discouragement. If he really had no other way to think of, he could at least devote his life to revenge. Little Jefferson always

He has the patience and unwavering perseverance to fear hardships and dangers, so he also has a determination to take revenge without fear of hardships and dangers. His revenge mentality may have come from the Indians during the years he spent with them.

He learned it. He stood by the extremely desolate fire for a long time, thinking, and he felt that only by completely, thoroughly, cleanly, and heartily taking revenge, and killing the enemy with his own hands, could he alleviate the grief in his heart.

. He made up his mind to put 100% of his firm will and abundant energy into revenge. His face was extremely miserable and pale, and terrifyingly ferocious. He walked back step by step along the way he came. He first found the lost beast.

meat, and then stoked the dying fire. He roasted the animal meat patiently until the cooked meat was enough for him to eat for several days. He tied the cooked meat into a package. Although he was exhausted, he still stepped on

The hoof prints of these "avenging angels" crossed the mountains and walked back step by step.

He trekked hard for five days along the path he had passed by on horseback. His feet were extremely painful and he was extremely exhausted. At night, he lay down among the rocks and slept for a few hours. But it was still dark.

When it was light, he got up and started on his way again. On the sixth day, he finally returned to Eagle Valley, where the three of them began their escape career. Looking down from Eagle Valley, he could clearly see the Mormons

Our homes and fields. Now, he is extremely haggard and skinny. He leans on his beloved rifle and waves his fist viciously at the silent and huge city at his feet. When he overlooks the city

, found that bright flags and other festival symbols were hung on some important streets. While he was guessing the reason, he suddenly heard the sound of horse hooves and saw a man riding towards him. When the rider walked

Recently, he recognized it as a Mormon named Couch.

Little Jefferson had helped him several times, so when he approached, little Jefferson greeted him and wanted to ask him about Lucy's experience. He said: "I am Jefferson Hope, do you remember

Me?"

Couch looked at him with undisguised surprise. Indeed, it was difficult for Couch to recognize the pale, ferocious-looking, disheveled, and unkempt wanderer in front of him as the beautiful, young and excellent hunter. However,

When he finally confirmed that this was little Jefferson in front of him, his surprise turned into fear. He shouted: "You are crazy! You actually dare to come here. If anyone finds me talking to you, even I

Your life is at risk. You helped the Ferriers and his daughter escape, and the Four Saints have issued a wanted order for you."

Little Jefferson said: "I'm not afraid of them, nor are I afraid of any wanted warrants. Couch, you must have heard about this. I beg you to answer a few key questions of mine. We are friends, for the sake of God.

Come on, don’t refuse to answer my questions.”

Couch said nervously: "What questions do you have? Ask quickly. The rocks here have ears and the trees have eyes!"

"How's Lucy?"

Couch replied: "Yesterday, she married little Delib."

Little Jefferson felt dizzy.

Couch shouted: "Hey, stand firm, you have to stand firm. Look at you, why are you so confused?"

"Leave me alone," little Jefferson said feebly, his lips turned white, and he slumped down on the stone he was leaning on, and asked, "You mean, Lucy was forced to get married?"

"Yes, we got married yesterday. Look at the bright flags hanging on the new house, just for this happy event! Who is qualified to marry her? On this issue, there is a dispute between little Stangerson and little Delib.

After a dispute, both of them chased you. Little Stangerson shot and killed Lucy's adoptive father, so he had more reason to ask to marry her. However, through the vote of the Four Saints meeting,

Since the Driber family was more powerful, the prophet married Lucy to the younger Driber. However, I think whoever possesses her will not have it for too long. Because yesterday I saw her face was full of death.

Her complexion no longer resembles that of a beautiful woman, she looks like an ugly ghost. Jefferson, are you ready to leave?"

"Yes, I'm ready to leave." Little Jefferson stood up when he said this. His face was like a marble sculpture, with a serious and determined expression.

Couch asked: "Where do you want to go?"

"Don't worry about that." Little Jefferson said as he shouldered his rifle and strode down the valley, from there to the area deep in the mountains where wild beasts were. Compared to him, he should be more mature than the wild beasts.

Fierce and even more dangerous.

Couch's prophecy came true. I don't know whether it was because of the tragic death of her adoptive father or because Lucy was too depressed after being forced to get married. Poor Lucy was always in low spirits and lost interest in living. It was less than a month after the wedding.

Lucy died in depression. One of the main reasons why the young Drebber married her was for John Ferrier's huge property. Therefore, the young Drebber did not feel too sad about her death. On the contrary, the young Drebber

Some conscientious women in the family expressed condolences for her death, and according to Mormon custom, some women kept vigil for her all night before she was buried.

Early the next morning, when they were sitting around the coffin, the door suddenly opened, and a disheveled, pale-faced man who looked like he had suffered a lot came in. They were so horrified that they all said in fright:

He was speechless. This man didn't even look at those women, ignored their existence, and went straight to Lucy's pale body that once contained a pure soul. He bent down and looked at his beloved Lucy coldly.

He kissed her passionately on the forehead. Then he took her hand and took off the gold wedding ring from her finger. He shouted sadly: "Lucy, my dear, you must not wear it.
To be continued...