Sherlock Holmes Complete Works 1

Chapter 14 Research on Scarlet Characters 14
There is no need to describe the ordeals these Mormons endured on their pre-settlement journeys.From the banks of the Mississippi River to the western foothills of the Rocky Mountains, they marched forward with unprecedented perseverance and tenacity.It is this indomitable fighting spirit of the Anglo-Saxons that enables them to overcome all the difficulties God has sent them, such as savages, beasts, hunger, thirst, and diseases.However, none of them would like to continue the long journey, accompanied by pain all day long.So when they were bathed in the sun in the Utah Valley and heard the prophet announce that this virgin land was a paradise given to them by God and would be under their management forever, they all happily knelt down and kowtowed and worshiped devoutly.

It soon became apparent that Young was not only a decisive leader with wise decisions, but also a shrewd and experienced administrator.After he made many plans, the outline of the city was faintly visible.The land around the city is distributed according to the status of the believers.It used to be a merchant, but now he is still allowed to do business, and the artisans are still working.The city is becoming more and more perfect, and streets and squares appear one after another.In the countryside, farmers open up wasteland and reclaim land, build fences and dig canals to sow and cultivate, presenting a joyous production scene.In the summer of the second year, all I saw was a piece of golden wheat in the countryside.A new, thriving atmosphere appeared in the magical land.A magnificent church gradually rises in the center of the city.In the church, there are workers working hard every day from dawn to dusk.This church was built by people to commemorate the God who guided them through hardships and dangers, and finally reached this fertile land.

John Ferrier and the little girl lived together, and soon the little girl was recognized as Ferriva's adopted daughter.The two of them followed the Mormons to the end of their journey.Lucy Ferrier sat all the way in Elder Sturt Jackson's caravan, and people liked her.She lived with Ster Jason's three wives and his mischievous, precocious 12-year-old son, and quickly recovered.Because she was young, well-behaved, and lost her mother at such a young age, the three women loved her very much.Lucy gradually adapted to the new life of wandering in the caravan.At the same time, Ferrier's body gradually recovered. He was not only a very useful guide, but also a tireless hunter with superb marksmanship.Therefore, his personality and excellent skills have been respected by everyone.When they settled in the Utah Valley at the end of their journey, it was unanimously agreed that Ferrier, with the exception of four elders, the Prophet Young and St. Jason, Kenbau, Johnston, and Draper, should share the same share as the other immigrants. A fertile land.

In this way, Ferrier acquired a piece of land.He built a solid wooden house on his land.The wooden house has been expanded every year and gradually transformed into a spacious villa.Ferrier is a very practical person, he is good at dealing with people, ingenious, in addition to his strong physique, burly body, and hard-working, he works diligently on his land from morning to night every day, constantly carrying out improved.As a result, the farm he managed by himself became more and more prosperous.Within three years, he surpassed his neighbors, became a well-off family within six years, became very rich within nine years, and after 12 years, there are very few people in the entire Salt Lake City area who can compare with him.John Ferrier became a man known far and wide, from the Salt Lake country to the distant Wasatch Mountains.

But there was one thing that ruined his relationship with his fellow teachers.That is, no matter how others persuade and enlighten him, he will not marry a wife and start a family like other believers.He never explained to anyone why he did what he did, but he was just stubborn.Some accused him of being unfaithful to the Mormon religion, others said he was a cheapskate who loved his possessions and didn't want to spend money, and others speculated that he had an affair, perhaps because he had a blonde on the Atlantic coast, Die for him, hit him hard.In short, Ferrier lived a strict celibate life in his own way, no matter what others said.In addition to this, he strictly abides by the religious rules in other aspects of this religion, and is considered to be an orthodox and upright person.

Lucy Ferrier grew up in this wooden house, helping her adoptive father with various affairs.The fresh air of the mountains and the scent of oil in the pine forest nurtured the young girl like a mother.As the years passed, she also grew taller and taller, and more and more fit.His cheeks became more rosy and his gait became lighter.Many people who pass by the Ferrier farm have often seen Lucy's graceful maiden walking lightly through the wheat field, or seeing her riding her father's horse, showing the unique skill of a western boy. And graceful posture. Twelve years have passed, and the bud that year has now grown into a blooming flower.In the year her father was the wealthiest farmer she was the most handsome American girl in all the mountains of the Pacific coast.

However, it was not her father who first sensed that the girl had grown up—and it was seldom the father who was the first to perceive such a thing, and this magical change was so subtle and so slow that it could not be measured in days.The girl herself feels this change only when she hears someone's voice or touches someone's hand.Then her heart would beat wildly, and she would discover with pride and horror that a new and passionate nature had awakened within her.There are few people in the world who do not remember that special day, or that trivial event that heralds the beginning of a new life.As far as Lucy Ferrier was concerned, the incident was serious enough in itself, leaving aside what effect it would have on her own future destiny and that of others.

It was a sunny, cloudless morning in June, and the Mormons were as busy as bees—they were marked by bee hives.In the fields and on the streets, the noise of people's hard work is everywhere.On the dusty avenue, groups of heavily laden mules were heading west in an endless stream. At that time, there was a gold rush in California, and the transcontinental road passed through the holy city of Mormons.There are also herds of cattle and sheep coming from distant pastoral areas on the road; there are also tired immigrants-they look tired after a long journey.In this tumultuous place, Lucy Ferrier relied on her superb riding skills to gallop her horse.Her pretty face was flushed with galloping horses, and her long chestnut hair flowed behind her head.She was in the city on orders from her father.As usual, with the fearless vigor of a young man, she rode the horse and galloped, thinking only of how to complete the task her father had given her.The dusty passers-by looked at her in amazement, even the indifferent Indians transporting leather were also very surprised to see this beautiful fair-skinned girl, contrary to their usual indifference, their rigid faces relaxed.

When she came outside the market place, she found that six rough-faced shepherds had brought a large herd of cattle from the wasteland, blocking the road.Eager to hurry, she rode her horse into a gap in the herd, trying to get over the obstacle.However, as soon as she entered the herd, the cattle behind squeezed up and surrounded her.She was caught in a sea of ​​cows, swarming around with bulging eyes and long horns.Since she was often in contact with the herd, she was not panicked at all, but concentrated on looking for opportunities to push the horse forward, intending to pass through it.During the rush, a cow slammed the horse's flank with its horn intentionally or unintentionally, startling the horse.Immediately the horse raised its front hooves, neighed, and bounded; if it had not been for the skill of riding, she would have fallen down.The situation is very dangerous.The more the frightened horse jumped, the more it bumped against the horns around it, making it even more irritable.Lucy could only lie on the saddle at this time, there was no other way.If she let go, she would fall to the ground and be trampled to pieces by those terrible hooves.She had never encountered this scene before.Lucy felt dizzy from the tension and fatigue, and the tight grip on the rein began to loosen.She was also smothered by the dust and acrid smell from the cattle.At this dangerous moment, Lucy is likely to give up in despair.Just then, a big, strong brown hand grabbed the startled horse by the bit and forced his way through the herd, quickly taking her outside.

The savior said politely: "Miss, are you not hurt?"

She looked up at his dark and rugged face, and then smiled indifferently.She said naively, "I was terrified just now. Who would have thought the horse would be frightened like this by a herd of cows?"

"Thank God," he said sincerely, "for holding on tight to the saddle." The lad was a tall, rough-faced fellow, in a stout rough hunting jacket, with a long-barreled rifle slung over his shoulder.He said: "You are the daughter of John Ferrier. If he is the Ferrier we knew before, then my father and he were close friends. Please ask him if he remembers Jefferson." Hou Po."

She said it would be better for the young man to ask himself.

The young man was very pleased, but said that he was in such a state that he could not call on them, but that Ferrier would be sure to entertain them when he saw him.

The girl said that her father would be very grateful to him--and of course she would thank him--for saving her.

She added: "We are friends now, you must come to see us in the future, goodbye!"

"Goodbye." He lowered his head and kissed her little hand, and she turned her horse's head and galloped away.

Jefferson Hope and his companions continued on their way.Along the way, he was sullen and depressed.They had just returned from hunting for silver in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and they were going back to Salt Lake City to raise funds to develop the silver mine they had discovered.In the past, Hou Po was very enthusiastic about this kind of mining industry, but what happened today led his thoughts to other places.Lucy, a pure and beautiful girl, deeply moved his heart, and his heart erupted with uncontrollable enthusiasm like a volcano.When that innocent face disappeared before his eyes, he felt empty in his heart, as if nothing else was important to him, only Lucy was important.It seemed that he had come to a critical juncture in his life.The feeling he had for Lucy was no longer a child's erratic fantasy, but a strong passion from the heart of a man with rich feelings and a resolute character, which could not be suppressed.He has grown up so much, and he has never encountered anything unsatisfactory, so he vowed in his heart that he will succeed this time through his unremitting efforts, perseverance, and perseverance.

He called on John Ferrier that evening, and afterward he visited many times, and became a frequent visitor to John's house, and the two became acquainted.John Ferrier, who had lived so long in the valley, and was so absorbed in his land, his estate, knew little of the outside world.Jefferson Hope knew a lot of things outside, and he told him everything he saw and heard.He spoke vividly and eloquently, and not only attracted the father, but Lucy was also fascinated.Hopper was one of the first to arrive in California, and he could tell exactly how many became rich and how many lost their fortunes in that land of gold and violence.He had done many things, he had been a scout, he had hunted wild animals, he had been a ranch hand, he had searched for silver mines.He will try to do anything that is thrilling and exciting.His wit and courage quickly won the favor of the old man and was praised by the old man.At this time, Lucy always watched silently from the side.Her ruddy cheeks and bright and penetrating eyes are full of affection, which is enough to show that her restless heart has already flown to the young man who rescued him.The unsophisticated father might not have noticed this, but these reactions never escaped the eyes of the young man who had won her heart.

One summer evening, Hopper rode his horse to Ferrier's house.Lucy, who was standing at the door, saw him coming, and hurried to meet him.He got off his horse, put the reins on the fence, and strode over along the path in front of the door.

"I'm going, Lucy," he said, taking her hand tenderly and looking into her face lovingly. "I don't ask you to come with me right away, but next time I come back, you Would you like to come with me?"

"When will you be back?" she asked with a blushing smile.

"Up to two months, dear. At that time, I will definitely marry you, and no one can stop us from being together."

"But what about my father's opinion?" she asked.

"He's already agreed, provided our silver mines go well. I'm not at all worried about that."

"Oh, that's good. Since you have arranged everything, there is nothing to say." She said softly, leaning her face against his generous chest.

"Thank God!" he said hoarsely, bowing his head and kissing her, "it's settled. The longer I stay the harder it is to leave you, and they're still waiting for me in the ravine. Good-bye, dear, In two months you will be with me forever."

After finishing speaking, he turned his head abruptly, got on his horse, and galloped away without looking back, as if he couldn't bear to leave once he turned his head.She stood at the door, staring blankly at his back until she couldn't see him.Then she turned and went into the house, and she was literally the happiest girl in Utah now.

(End of this chapter)