She grasped the decoction and gulped it eagerly. “Thanks,” she said, returning the cup. “I must be going now. I’ve stayed too long already. The Danites will be after me. Do you think any of them are in hearing now? President Young put me under their surveillance before they’d let me start. He put his hands on my head and blessed me, too. Talk about your popes! Why, Brigham Young can discount a ten-acre field full of Apostolic successors, and be the father of a whole regiment of American progeny in the bargain. I know you think I’m crazy, but there’s plenty of method in my madness. I’m not half as crazy as I act and talk.” “Will the Danites protect you till you reach the end of your journey?” asked Jean. “Are you sure?” “Not if they catch me among Gentiles. President Young took precautions to prevent me from talking to outsiders, he thought. I mustn’t be seen here. But I must tell you before I go that his blessing came direct from God. It filled my very marrow-bones with light. It was like phosphorus in the dark, or diamonds in the sunlight. I felt like a bird! No man can do these things that President Young is doing unless God be with him.” “Do you believe that Brigham Young is really inspired of God?” asked Mary, incredulously. “It is by their fruits that we know them, miss. Zion has been greatly blessed under the ministrations and guidance of President Young.” “Then why do you wish to escape from his kingdom?” asked Marjorie. “Because I was not good enough to endure polygamy; I was too great a sinner. I couldn’t obey the gospel and keep my senses.” “Did the thought never strike you that the fault might be in the gospel, instead of your heart or head?” asked Hal. “The High and Holy One of Israel cannot err,” she replied, shaking her head, and again waving her long arms to and fro in the smoky air. “There are disbelievers in this camp, and I cannot tarry. May Heaven guide and protect you all, and bring you into the holy faith of the Latter-Day Saints! O blessed Lord, direct these souls into Thy kingdom before it is everlastingly too late!” She waved her arms over their heads once more, and turning suddenly, vanished like a deer into the darkness. “That poor misguided creature has the spirit of a martyr,” said Captain Ranger, after a painful silence. “It is a good deal easier for some folks to preach than to practise,” exclaimed Sally O’Dowd. “There are kernels of truth in all ’ologies,” said Scotty. “As a man thinketh, so is he,” exclaimed Mary. “She is striving to save her immortal soul. All religions have their origin in human selfishness,” remarked the Captain, dryly. “Better say they originate in human needs,” replied Jean; “but selfishness is universal, all the same.” “Yes. Selfishness is a necessary attribute of human existence,” said the Little Doctor, punching the dying fire into a blaze. “Don’t you think so, Mr. Burns?”