A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
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he leaned up against the wall with_his hand to_his throat to stifle his inclination to_call out . his first thought was_that the prostrate figure was_that of some wounded or dying man, but as he watched it he_saw it writhe along the ground and into_the hall with_the rapidity and noiselessness of a serpent . once within_the house the man sprang to_his feet, closed the door, and revealed to_the astonished farmer the fierce face and resolute expression of Jefferson hope .

" good god ! " gasped John Ferrier ." how you scared me ! whatever made you come in like that ."

" give_me food," the other said, hoarsely ." I_have_had no time for bite or sup for eight- and-forty hours ." he flung himself upon_the {21} cold meat and bread which were still lying upon_the table from_his host's supper, and devoured it voraciously ."Does Lucy bear up well ? " he asked, when he had satisfied his hunger .

" yes . she does_not know the danger," her father answered .

" that_is well . the house is watched on every side . that_is why I crawled my way up to_it . they_may_be darned sharp, but they're not quite sharp enough to catch aWashoe hunter ."

John Ferrier felt a different man now that he realized that he had a devoted ally . he seized the young man's leathery hand and wrung it cordially ." you're a man to_be proud of," he_said ." there_are not many who_would come to share our danger and_our troubles ."

" you've hit it there, pard," the young hunter answered ." I_have a respect for_you, but if_you were alone in_this business I'd think twice before I put my head into such a hornet's nest . it's Lucy that brings me here, and before harm comes on her I guess there_will_be one less o' the hope family in Utah ."

" what_are we to_do ? "

" to- morrow is your last day, and unless you act to- night you_are lost . I_have a mule and two horses waiting in_the eagle ravine . how_much money have_you ? "

" two thousand dollars in gold, and five in notes ."

" that_will do . I_have as_much more to add to_it . we_must push for Carson city through_the mountains . you had best wake Lucy . it_is as_well that_the servants do_not sleep in_the house ."

while Ferrier was absent, preparing his daughter for_the approaching journey, Jefferson hope packed all the eatables that he_could find into a small parcel, and filled a stoneware jar with water, for he_knew by experience that_the mountain wells were few and far between . he had hardly completed his arrangements before_the farmer returned with_his daughter all dressed and ready for a start . the greeting between_the lovers was warm, but brief, for minutes were precious, and there_was much to_be_done .

" we_must make our start at once," said Jefferson hope, speaking in a low but resolute voice, like one who realizes the greatness of_the peril, but has steeled his heart to meet it ." the front and back entrances are watched, but with caution we_may get away through_the side window and across the fields . once on_the road we_are only two miles from_the ravine where the horses are waiting . by daybreak we_should_be half- way through_the mountains ."

" what if_we_are stopped," asked Ferrier .

hope slapped the revolver butt which protruded from_the front of_his tunic ." if_they_are too many for_us we_shall take two_or_three of_them with_us," he_said with a sinister smile .

the lights inside the house had all been extinguished, and from_the darkened window Ferrier peered over the fields which had_been his own, and which he_was now about to abandon for ever . he had long nerved himself to_the sacrifice, however, and_the thought of_the honour and happiness of_his daughter outweighed any regret at his ruined fortunes . all looked so peaceful and happy, the rustling trees and_the broad silent stretch of grain- land, that_it_was difficult to realize_that the spirit of murder lurked through it all . yet the white face and set expression of_the young hunter showed that in_his approach to_the house he had seen enough to satisfy him upon that head .

Ferrier carried the bag of gold and notes, Jefferson hope had the scanty provisions and water, while Lucy had a small bundle containing a few of her more valued possessions .Opening the window very slowly and carefully, they waited until a dark cloud had somewhat obscured the night, and then one by one passed through into_the little garden . with bated breath and crouching figures they stumbled across it, and gained the shelter of_the hedge, which they skirted until they came to_the gap which opened into_the cornfields . they had just reached this point when_the young man seized his two companions and dragged them down into_the shadow, where they lay silent and trembling .

it_was as_well that his prairie training had given Jefferson hope the ears of a lynx . he and_his friends had hardly crouched down before_the melancholy hooting of a mountain owl was heard within a few yards of_them, which_was immediately answered by another hoot at a small distance . at_the same moment a vague shadowy figure emerged from_the gap for_which they had_been making, and uttered the plaintive signal cry again, on_which a second man appeared out_of_the obscurity .

" to- morrow at midnight," said the first who appeared to_be in authority ." when_the whip- poor- will calls three times ."

" it_is well," returned the other ." shall I tell brother Drebber ? "

" pass it on to him, and from_him to_the others .Nine to seven ! "

"Seven to five ! " repeated the other, and_the two figures flitted away in different directions . their concluding words had evidently been some form of sign and countersign . the instant that their footsteps had died away in_the distance, Jefferson hope sprang to_his feet, and helping his companions through_the gap, led the way across the fields at_the top of_his speed, supporting and half-carrying the girl when her strength appeared to fail her .

" hurry on ! hurry on ! " he gasped from_time to_time ." we_are through_the line of sentinels . everything depends on speed . hurry on ! "

once on_the high road they made rapid progress . only once did they meet anyone, and then they managed to slip into a field, and so avoid recognition . before reaching the town the hunter branched away into a rugged and narrow footpath which led to_the mountains . two dark jagged peaks loomed above them through_the darkness, and_the defile which led between_them was_the eagle Canon in_which_the horses were awaiting them . with unerring instinct Jefferson hope picked his way among_the great boulders and along the bed of a dried- up watercourse, until he_came to_the retired corner, screened with rocks, where the faithful animals had_been picketed . the girl was placed upon_the mule, and old Ferrier upon one_of_the horses, with_his money- bag, while Jefferson hope led the other along the precipitous and dangerous path .

it_was abewildering route for anyone who was not accustomed to_face nature in her wildest moods . on_the one side a great crag towered up a thousand feet or more, black, stern, and menacing, with long basaltic columns upon its rugged surface like the ribs of some petrified monster . on_the other hand a wild chaos of boulders and debris made all advance impossible . between_the two ran the irregular track, so narrow in places that_they had to travel in Indian file, and so rough that only practised riders could_have traversed it at all . yet in_spite of all dangers and difficulties, the hearts of_the fugitives were light within them, for every step increased the distance between_them and_the terrible despotism from_which they were flying .

they soon had a proof, however, that_they were still within_the jurisdiction of_the Saints . they had reached the very wildest and most desolate portion of_the pass when_the girl gave a startled cry, and pointed upwards . on a rock which overlooked the track, showing out dark and plain against the sky, there stood a solitary sentinel . he_saw them as_soon_as they perceived him, and_his military challenge of " who goes there ? " rang through_the silent ravine .

"Travellers for Nevada," said Jefferson hope, with_his hand upon_the rifle which hung by his saddle .

they_could see the lonely watcher fingering his gun, and peering down at them as_if dissatisfied at their reply .

" by whose permission ? " he asked .

" the holy Four," answered Ferrier . his Mormon experiences had taught him that that was_the highest authority to_which he_could refer .

"Nine from seven," cried the sentinel .

"Seven from five," returned Jefferson hope promptly, remembering the countersign which he had heard in_the garden .

" pass, and_the lord go with_you," said the voice from above . beyond his post the path broadened out, and_the horses were able to break into a trot . looking back, they_could see the solitary watcher leaning upon his gun, and knew that_they had passed the outlying post of_the chosen people, and_that freedom lay before them .

chapter V .

the AVENGING ANGELS .

all night their course lay through intricate defiles and over irregular and rock- strewn paths . more than once they lost their way, but hope's intimate knowledge of_the mountains enabled them to regain the track once more . when morning broke, ascene of marvellous though savage beauty lay before them . in every direction the great snow- capped peaks hemmed them in, peeping over each_other's shoulders to_the far horizon . so steep were the rocky banks on either side of_them, that_the larch and_the pine seemed to_be suspended over their heads, and to need only a gust of wind to_come hurtling down upon them . nor was_the fear entirely an illusion, for_the barren valley was thickly strewn with trees and boulders which had fallen in a similar manner . even as_they passed, a great rock came thundering down with a hoarse rattle which woke the echoes in_the silent gorges, and startled the weary horses into a gallop .

as_the sun rose slowly above the eastern horizon, the caps of_the great mountains lit up one after_the other, like lamps at a festival, until they were all ruddy and glowing . the magnificent spectacle cheered the hearts of_the three fugitives and gave them fresh energy . at a wild torrent which swept out of a ravine they called a halt and watered their horses, while they partook of a hasty breakfast .Lucy and her father would fain have rested longer, but Jefferson hope was inexorable ." they_will_be upon our track by_this_time," he_said ." everything depends upon our speed . once safe in Carson we_may rest for_the remainder of_our lives ."

during the whole of_that day they struggled on through_the defiles, and by evening they calculated that_they were more than thirty miles from their enemies . at night- time they chose the base of abeetling crag, where the rocks offered some protection from_the chill wind, and there huddled together for warmth, they enjoyed a few hours' sleep . before daybreak, however, they were up and on their way once more . they had seen no signs of any pursuers, and Jefferson hope began to_think that_they were fairly out_of_the reach of_the terrible organization whose enmity they had incurred . he little knew how far that iron grasp could reach, or how soon it_was to close upon them and crush them .

about_the middle of_the second day of_their flight their scanty store of provisions began to run out . this gave the hunter little uneasiness, however, for there_was game to_be had among_the mountains, and he had frequently before had to depend upon his rifle for_the needs of life .Choosing a sheltered nook, he piled together a few dried branches and made ablazing fire, at which his companions might warm themselves, for they were now nearly five thousand feet above the sea level, and_the air was bitter and keen .Having tethered the horses, and bade Lucy adieu, he threw his gun over his shoulder, and set out in search of whatever chance might throw in_his way . looking back he_saw the old man and_the young girl crouching over the blazing fire, while the three animals stood motionless in_the back- ground . then the intervening rocks hid them from_his view .

he walked for a couple of miles through one ravine after another without success, though from_the marks upon_the bark of_the trees, and other indications, he judged that there were numerous bears in_the vicinity . at last, after two_or_three hours' fruitless search, he_was thinking of turning back in despair, when casting his eyes upwards he_saw a sight which sent a thrill of pleasure through his heart . on_the edge of ajutting pinnacle, three or four hundred feet above him, there stood a creature somewhat resembling a sheep in appearance, but armed with a pair of gigantic horns . the big- horn -- for so it_is called -- was acting, probably, as a guardian over a flock which were invisible to_the hunter; but fortunately it_was heading in_the opposite direction, and had_not perceived him .Lying on_his face, he rested his rifle upon a rock, and took a long and steady aim before drawing the trigger . the animal sprang into_the air, tottered for a moment upon_the edge of_the precipice, and then came crashing down into_the valley beneath .

the creature was too unwieldy to lift, so the hunter contented himself with cutting away one haunch and part of_the flank . with_this trophy over his shoulder, he hastened to retrace his steps, for_the evening was already drawing in . he had hardly started, however, before he realized the difficulty which faced him . in_his eagerness he had wandered far past the ravines which were known to him, and it_was no easy matter to pick out the path which he had taken . the valley in_which he_found himself divided

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