Межзвёздный скиталец

           Thehorsesoftheotherwagonwereplungingandrearingandtheirdriverwastryingtoholdthem.

           *****

           ItwaswhenthelittleboythatwasIwasrunningaftertheDunlapgirlsthatblacknesscameuponhim.Allmemorythereceases,forJesseFancherthereceased,and,asJesseFancher,ceasedforever.TheformthatwasJesseFancher,thebodythatwashis,beingmatterandapparitional,likeanapparitionpassedandwasnot.Buttheimperishablespiritdidnotcease.Itcontinuedtoexist,and,initsnextincarnation,becametheresidingspiritofthatapparitionalbodyknownasDarrellStanding’swhichsoonistobetakenoutandhangedandsentintothenothingnesswhitherallapparitionsgo.

           ThereisaliferhereinFolsom,MatthewDavies,ofoldpioneerstock,whoistrustyofthescaffoldandexecutionchamber.Heisanoldman,andhisfolkscrossedtheplainsintheearlydays.Ihavetalkedwithhim,andhehasverifiedthemassacreinwhichJesseFancherwaskilled.WhenthisoldliferwasachildtherewasmuchtalkinhisfamilyoftheMountainMeadowsMassacre.Thechildreninthewagons,hesaid,weresaved,becausetheyweretooyoungtotelltales.

           AllofwhichIsubmit.Never,inmylifeofDarrellStanding,haveIreadalineorheardawordspokenoftheFancherCompanythatperishedatMountainMeadows.Yet,inthejacketinSanQuentinprison,allthisknowledgecametome