They were singing now, as I approached—every woman busy also with her hands. The words were destined to be familiar to me, being from their favorite lines:
|
Cheer, saints, cheer! We’re bound for peaceful Zion!
Cheer, saints, cheer! For that free and happy land!
Cheer, saints, cheer! We’ll Israel’s God rely on;
We will be led by the power of His hand. Away, far away to the everlasting mountains, Away, far away to the valley in the West; Away, far away to yonder gushing fountains, Where all the faithful in the latter days are blest. |
Into this domestic circle I civilly entered just as they had finished their hymn. She was seated beside the sleek-haired Rachael, with Daniel upon her other hand. I sensed her quickly ready smile; and with the same a surly stare from him, disclosing that by one person at least I was not welcomed.
“Anything special wanted, stranger?” Hyrum demanded. 193
“No, sir. I was attracted by your singing,” I replied. “Do I intrude?”
“Not at all, not at all.” He was more hospitable. “Set if you like, in the circle of the Saints. You’ll get no harm by it, that’s certain.”
So I seated myself just behind Rachael. A moment of constraint seemed to fall upon the group. I broke it by my inquiry, addressed to a clean profile.
“I came also to inquire after Mrs. Montoyo,” I carefully said. “You have stood the journey well, this far, madam?”
Daniel turned instantly.
“Thar’s no ’Mrs. Montoyo’ in this camp, Mister. And I’ll thank yu it’s a name yu’d best leave alone.”