Sherlock Holmes.

Chapter 7 The Tracking of Blood Letters (6)
"Yes, there is nothing, just bear with it! It may be fine in a while. Or, you can rest your head on my shoulder, which will be better. I am too thirsty to speak. I think , or let you know the truth of the matter! What are you holding in your hand?"

"Oh, it's two mica stones, and I'm going to give them to my brother, Bobby."

The adult sighed and said, "After a while, you may see something better. I just wanted to ask you, do you remember the river we left?"

"remember."

"Okay. At that time, I thought we would meet a river, but we haven't found it yet. I don't know why. It may be that the compass has malfunctioned. The water is getting less and less, so I can only leave it for you to drink."

"Is it because we can't wash our faces in the end?" The little girl said, looking up at the adult's face.

"Just no water to drink. Sir was the first to die, then Peter the Indian, then Mrs. McGregor, Jonny Hance, and finally your mother."

"My mother, you mean she's dead too?!" She covered her face with her little hands and burst into tears.

"Son, don't be sad, if we can't find water, the possibility of survival is very small."

The little girl moved her little hand when she heard this, raised her face with tears and asked, "Do you think we are going to die too?"

"Yes, soon, there is not much time."

The little girl showed no panic. "Why didn't you say it sooner? It's good now, I can see my mother and brother."

"Yes, we can see you, son."

"At that time, I will tell my mother all the good things you have done to me. At that time, my mother will definitely bring a big pot of water and give us the buckwheat cakes that my brother and I like to eat. The kind that are baked on both sides My brother and I both love buckwheat cakes. So how long will we have to wait before we die?"

"I don't think it will be too long." The adult said, looking into the distance.Suddenly, he saw three black spots approaching them.After a while, the three black dots turned into three large gray-brown birds. They first circled back and forth in the sky directly above where they were, and finally landed on a stone.This is the so-called bald eagle in the American West and is often considered a bad omen.

"Ah, rooster and hen," cried the little girl, pointing to the three vultures.She clapped her little hands and asked, "Did God make this place?"

"Yes." The adults were obviously not mentally prepared for this question.

"Everything is arranged by God. Like Illinois, Missouri and here."

The little girl asked puzzledly, "Did God forget to build forests and mountains here?"

The adults said, "Then let's say our prayers!"

"No, it's not evening yet." The little girl replied.

"It's okay. Prayer is a good thing. God won't punish us if we don't need a fixed time. Come on, boy, come and pray!"

The little girl asked strangely: "Then why don't you pray?"

"I can't remember the prayers. I haven't prayed since I was a child. Or you read the prayers and we pray together."

"Then come with me, you kneel first and raise your hands."

This scene may never be seen.In the vast wilderness, there are only two devout believers praying, one is a big and brave adventurer, and the other is a young girl who has not experienced vicissitudes.One voice is so crisp, and the other voice is so deep.They prayed to God for mercy, forgiveness, and forgiveness.After praying, the adult sat down leaning on the stone, and the little girl snuggled up to him, gradually falling asleep.They were so tired that they slept soundly.The adult's gray beard mixed with the little girl's golden hair, forming a landscape.

If they sleep ten minutes later, they can see a cloud of dust rising at the end of the wasteland.From a distance, it looks like a dark cloud.Apparently, a group of people was marching here, and that was the reason why such a big cloud of smoke was rolled up.If it is on the grassland, people will definitely think that this is a herd of cattle.The people and horses gradually became clear. It turned out to be an armed caravan heading west.This is a vast team, which has been lined up from the foot of the mountain to the end of the horizon.Some were on horseback, others on foot, some women were struggling with heavy loads, and finally some children were running around in the procession.It seems that this is not an ordinary immigrant team, it may be a nomadic people, they are looking for a new paradise for life.In this silent desert, the noise of people and the rumble of cars did not affect the two sleeping people.

More than 20 plainly dressed knights with firm expressions walked in front, each carrying a rifle.They stopped at the foot of the mountain and held a simple meeting.

An old man with gray hair and a radiant face pointed to the distance, "There must be a source of water over there, brothers."

"Let's take the right side of the Monte Blanca, and we'll reach Leo Grande," interjected another.

"Please don't worry about the water issue. The water god will not abandon his people." Another person said.Everyone said in unison: "Amen!"

Just as he was about to go back on the road, a knight suddenly screamed.The riders all reined in their horses and looked in the direction he pointed. They saw a pink mass floating around, which was extremely dazzling.Everyone couldn't help shouting: "There are celebrities!"

An old man who seemed to be a leader said: "There can be no red people here. Because we have passed the area where the Pawnee red people live, there will be no other tribes here."

"Let me go over and have a look!" said one of them.

"Let us go together!" said another.

"Okay, you guys leave your horses here and contact us anytime."

After finishing speaking, several knights got off their horses and crawled towards the floating target.

They climbed up quickly and seemed to be very easy.The young man who discovered the situation first arrived at the destination first, and the people behind him suddenly saw him raising his hands. Everyone rushed to find out what happened, and then they were all stunned.

On the top of this uninhabited mountain, there was a thin and bony man lying impressively.He was leaning against a boulder, with long beard and hair, and a little girl was snuggling beside him. Her chubby little hands were resting on the man's broad chest. Her blond hair was mixed with the man's beard. People can't help but be moved when they see it.

There is still a smile on her face, showing her white front teeth, wearing a pair of beautiful shoes and a pair of small socks on her feet, everything looks so natural and harmonious.The two sleeping figures appear to be from two different centuries.On the rocks near the old and the young, there were a few giant eagles, and when they saw someone else coming, they cried out in disappointment and flew away.

The two sleeping people were awakened. They opened their sleepy eyes and looked around, not knowing what happened.The man stood up unsteadily, put his withered hands on his forehead and looked up. A large group of people in the distance were looking up.Is it a dream?The little girl tugged at his skirt, not knowing whether it was fear or surprise, she kept staring at everything in front of her with wide eyes.

It was a long time before they finally woke up and realized that they were indeed saved.A knight carried the little girl on his shoulders, and several others supported the thin man and walked towards the large group of horses.The man struggled to tell everything: "My name is John Ferrier, there were 21 of us, but they all died one after another because they didn't eat or drink, and now only me and the little girl survived.

"She must be my child now. From now on she will be called Lucy Ferrier, and no one can take her away from me. Where do you come from? Why are there so many of you?"

"There are tens of thousands of us in total, who are the victims of God's children and the chosen ones of the angel Melona." A young man said.

"I haven't heard about that angel, but I believe that she did choose the right ones for you loyal and pious voters."

"I forbid you to gossip and laugh about the gods, we all believe in the Mormon scriptures, which are to be written in Egyptian script on gold leaf, to be given by the saints of Permyra to holy Joseph Smith."

"But he is very authoritarian and overbearing. We are all from Nauvre, Illinois, just to escape from the unreasonable Smith and those who don't respect God. Although we are now living in this desert, we don't regret it."

When Ferrier heard Nauveau, he said, "Oh, you are Mormons."

"Yes, we are Mormons."

"Where are you going now?"

"We don't know either. God arranged for our prophet to guide us. Then, we must take you to see the prophet now to see how he arranges you."

As soon as they came down the mountain, they were surrounded by a group of people.Everyone looked curiously at the two strangers with huge differences in appearance.One of them is so delicate and the other is so thin, it is really sympathetic.The young man who rescued them pushed away the crowd and walked forward, followed by a large group of people.They didn't stop until they came to a magnificent carriage.The carriage looked very ornate and was drawn by six horses.A man was sitting on the side of the carriage, about 30 years old.The man was well-dressed, had a determined face, and exuded a natural charisma.He was engrossed in a book when the crowd gathered around him.He put the book aside when he saw people approaching.After listening to everyone's report, he carefully looked at the old and the young, and then said seriously: "You must believe in our religion, otherwise we will not be able to take you away."

"I will do anything as long as I can go with you," said Ferrier eagerly. "Brother Stangerson, you take them in!" the leader said solemnly. "Provide them with food and drink, and then teach them our teachings. Hurry up and head towards Mount Xion!"

"Go to Mount Xion! Go!" The instructions were passed down one after another, and disappeared into the distance.The sound of whips and wheels rolling intertwined, and the team moved forward slowly.

Elder Stangerson took the two sufferers into his car, and prepared food and drink for them.The elder said: "From now on, you will live here, and your body will recover in a few days. But remember, you are already Mormons. This is what Brigham instructed. His will is that Joseph Smith's will, which is the voice of God, we must obey."

The journey of the immigrants before they settled down was full of hardships and pains, especially in the land from the banks of the Mississippi River to the western foothills of the Rocky Mountains. They not only had to fight wildfires and wild animals tenaciously, but also endured the torment of hunger, thirst and disease.But with their perseverance and indomitable spirit, they kept moving forward.Until they came to this land, they decided they didn't want to travel any longer.When they saw the vast Utah Valley bestowed upon them by God, they all knelt down and kowtowed in tears, praying devoutly.

Before long, their shrewd leader once again demonstrated his extraordinary leadership skills.He formulated many sets of planning schemes, and soon the city had the face of the city.He made a reasonable division of labor and arrangements according to the previous identities and status of the believers.Those who were originally merchants were allowed to do business, and those who were originally workers are still workers.Cities are constantly being built and improved, and farmers are beginning to sow seeds in the wasteland.In autumn, there is a scene of harvest everywhere.The golden wheat is like a beautiful barrier, and a majestic church stands in the center of the city. Every day, people pray in the church from dawn to night, and there is an endless stream.

John Ferrier lives with the little girl Lucy, whom he regards as his adopted daughter.The two of them also followed the Mormons to their paradise, Utah Valley, and got used to living in a caravan.Living with three of Stangerson's wives and a son, Lucy quickly recovered and was popular with everyone for being cute, and she herself grew to like the erratic, caravan-based family. new life.Ferrier's body gradually recovered, and he acted as everyone's guide, but also a hunter with excellent marksmanship.Because of his character and ability, everyone admired him very much, and unanimously approved him to settle in Utah Valley, and allocated a piece of fertile land like other immigrants.

He built a wooden house on his allotted land.Because he left early and returned late, was diligent and pragmatic, and had outstanding skills, he cultivated his pastoral land impressively and his life became richer and richer.More than ten years later, there are few local people whose wealth can compare with his.From the Salt Lake region to the distant Wasatch Mountains, there is no one who does not know John Ferrier.

Although Ferrier has always been good at dealing with people, there is one thing that arouses the suspicion of his fellow teachers.That is, no matter how people persuaded him, he refused to marry a wife and start a family, and he never explained the reason.As a result, some people accused him of not being loyal to his sect, others said that he might be afraid of spending money, and some people suspected that he must have been in love, but was hurt.In short, Ferrier did not listen to other people's persuasion at all, and lived his own life in his own way.Other than that, he is a devout believer who abides by the canon.In people's minds, he has always been a man of faith and integrity.

Lucy gradually grew up on this land, helping her father with all the housework.The beautiful and pleasant environment with fresh air and the aroma of pine wood have always accompanied Lucy's growth, and she has become more and more beautiful, generous and charming.Many people passing by the road next to Ferrier's house could not help recalling the past when they saw Lucy walking lightly through the wheat field.She was petite and pitiful back then, but now she is fully mature.Both her and her father should be the richest in the entire valley along the Pacific Ocean. Her father is the richest person, and she is the most beautiful and beautiful girl.

But John Ferrier did not feel all this change in his daughter.Because this change was so subtle that even Lucy herself didn't notice it.For a girl, all of this may only be felt suddenly when she hears someone's words and touches someone's palm.And only at this time, her heart will start to germinate, and human nature will start to wake up.

On a sunny morning in June, the Mormons started their day at work.The laughter and laughter of their labor can be heard everywhere.On the main road, a group of mules and horses dragged their heavy loads to and fro, and the dust was flying up and down—they were heading west, and there was a gold rush in California.The Gold Rush Belt stretched across the continent to the Pacific Coast avenue.Passing through the city of Ereked, there are often herds of cattle and sheep and groups of immigrants passing by on the road.They had come from far, far away, looking tired.Despite the chaos on the road, Lucy Ferrier can always walk freely on the road with her superb riding skills.Her rosy face was even more beautiful against the brown hair.At this time, she was going to do some things in the city for her father, and she walked through the herd like a gust of wind as usual.The gold diggers stared blankly, and forgot to roll their eyes. Even the Indians who were transporting leather relaxed their stiff faces at this moment.As we approached the outskirts of the city, a herd of cattle was crossing the road with six herdsmen, and the road was blocked by the cattle.Because she didn't want to wait another second, Lucy rode her horse and squeezed into the herd of cattle, but she soon fell into the sea of ​​bulls.But she didn't panic, and still wanted to pass through the gap.As a result, at this moment, Lucy's horse's belly was hit by a cow's horn.The horse immediately raised its front hooves and neighed wildly.If it weren't for her good equestrian skills, she might have been thrown off.The horse keeps prancing, and every time it prizes, it cannot avoid being pushed by the horns of the bull.It became more and more anxious, and the only way for Lucy was to cling to the saddle, because as long as she let go, she might be thrown off at any time.But after persisting for a while, she felt dizzy, and the flying dust and the stench from the cattle made her breathless, almost unbearable.At this moment, she heard someone yelling, and then a pair of big hands grabbed the horse's bridle, and finally calmed it down slowly.She was then taken out of the herd.

The man asked politely, "Miss, are you okay?"

Lucy opened her slightly closed eyes and looked at the tall and strong man in front of her, and said with a sweet smile, "It's okay, but it scared me to death. I didn't expect this horse to be like this!"

"Thanks for holding on to the saddle," he said very sincerely.He was tall and tall, wearing a thick hunting suit on his upper body, with a rifle hanging on his back, and riding a green horse. "You are John Ferrier's daughter, because I saw you coming from his estate. Please ask him if he remembers the Jefferson Hopes. If he is really John Ferrier, or A good friend of my father's."

Lucy asked puzzledly: "Why don't you ask yourself? Wouldn't that be more appropriate?"

The young man was very excited when he heard this. He glanced at Lucy with piercing eyes and said, "Actually, I also want to ask him in person. But I guess it's not appropriate for me to dress like this now! But if he sees me , I believe they will entertain me."

"I am very grateful to you, and I think my father is also grateful to you. He loves me very much. If I were trampled to death by a cow today, he would be very sad." Lucy said gratefully.

"I'd be sad too," he said.

"Why? We are neither relatives nor friends."

Hearing this, the young man squeezed out an embarrassed smile on his face.Lucy snickered. "Don't get me wrong, we are friends now, you must come and see us more often. I'm going back, maybe my father is still worried! Goodbye!"

The young man raised her little hand to kiss it, and said, "Goodbye."

Lucy turned her horse's head and ran off into the distance.

Little Jefferson Hope and his companions started on their way again, but along the way he lost his usual laughter and said nothing.They had been looking for silver in the Sierra Nevada, and were now going back to raise funds to develop the deposits they had found.

(End of this chapter)