In his eagerness he began to run.

Once a sound stopped him--the distant beating of galloping hoofs.
He heard the shout of a man, a reply farther away, the quick, excited yelping of a dog.

His blood danced as he thought of the gathering of the Mormon fighters, the men and boys racing down the black trails from the inland forests, the excitement in St.James.As he ran on again he thought of Arbor Croche mustering the panting, vengeful defenders; of Strang, his great voice booming encouragement and promise, above the brazen thunder of the bell; he saw in fancy the frightened huddling groups of women and children and beyond and above all the coming of the "vengeance of God"-- a hundred beats, a thousand men--and there went out from his soul if not from his lips a great cry of joy.

At the edge of the forest he stopped for a moment.

Over beyond the clearing a light burned dimly through the lilacs.