第7章

Hesaidhewasafterthestove-polishman;andwiththishebrokeoutcursingandswearinganew.Thebulletin-boarderreferredtowasSirOssaiseofSurluse,abraveknight,andofconsiderablecelebrityonaccountofhishavingtriedconclusionsinatournamentonce,withnolessaMogulthatSirGaherishimself——althoughnotsuccessfully.Hewasofalightandlaughingdisposition,andtohimnothinginthisworldwasserious.ItwasforthisreasonthatIhadchosenhimtoworkupastove-polishsentiment.

Therewerenostovesyet,andsotherecouldbenothingseriousaboutstove-polish.

Allthattheagentneededtodowastodeftlyandbydegreespreparethepublicforthegreatchange,andhavethemestablishedinpredilectionstowardneatnessagainstthetimewhenthestoveshouldappearuponthestage.

SirMadokwasverybitter,andbrakeoutanewwithcursings.Hesaidhehadcursedhissoultorags;andyethewouldnotgetdownfromhishorse,neitherwouldhetakeanyrest,orlistentoanycomfort,untilheshouldhavefoundSirOssaiseandsettledthisaccount.Itappeared,bywhatIcouldpiecetogetheroftheunprofanefragmentsofhisstatement,thathehadchanceduponSirOssaiseatdawnofthemorning,andbeentoldthatifhewouldmakeashortcutacrossthefieldsandswampsandbrokenhillsandglades,hecouldheadoffacompanyoftravelerswhowouldberarecustomersforprophylacticsandtooth-wash.WithcharacteristiczealSirMadokhadplungedawayatonceuponthisquest,andafterthreehoursofawfulcrosslotridinghadoverhauledhisgame.Andbehold,itwasthefivepatriarchsthathadbeenreleasedfromthedungeonstheeveningbefore!

Pooroldcreatures,itwasalloftwentyyearssinceanyoneofthemhadknownwhatitwastobeequippedwithanyremainingsnagorremnantofatooth.

"Blank-blank-blankhim,"saidSirMadok,"anIdonotstove-polishhimanImayfindhim,leaveittome;fornevernoknightthathightOssaiseoraughtelsemaydomethisdisserviceandbideonlive,anImayfindhim,thewhichIhavethereuntoswornagreatoaththisday."

Andwiththesewordsandothers,helightlytookhisspearandgathimthence.Inthemiddleoftheafternoonwecameupononeofthoseverypatriarchsourselves,intheedgeofapoorvillage.Hewasbaskingintheloveofrelativesandfriendswhomhehadnotseenforfiftyyears;andabouthimandcaressinghimwerealsodescendantsofhisownbodywhomhehadneverseenatalltillnow;buttohimthesewereallstrangers,hismemorywasgone,hismindwasstagnant.Itseemedincrediblethatamancouldoutlasthalfacenturyshutupinadarkholelikearat,butherewerehisoldwifeandsomeoldcomradestotestifytoit.Theycouldrememberhimashewasinthefreshnessandstrengthofhisyoungmanhood,whenhekissedhischildanddeliveredittoitsmother"shandsandwentawayintothatlongoblivion.Thepeopleatthecastlecouldnottellwithinhalfagenerationthelengthoftimethemanhadbeenshutupthereforhisunrecordedandforgottenoffense;butthisoldwifeknew;andsodidheroldchild,whostoodthereamonghermarriedsonsanddaughterstryingtorealizeafatherwhohadbeentoheraname,athought,aformlessimage,atradition,allherlife,andnowwassuddenlyconcretedintoactualfleshandbloodandsetbeforeherface.

Itwasacurioussituation;yetitisnotonthataccountthatIhavemaderoomforithere,butonaccountofathingwhichseemedtomestillmorecurious.Towit,thatthisdreadfulmatterbroughtfromthesedowntroddenpeoplenooutburstofrageagainsttheseoppressors.Theyhadbeenheritorsandsubjectsofcrueltyandoutragesolongthatnothingcouldhavestartledthembutakindness.Yes,herewasacuriousrevelation,indeed,ofthedepthtowhichthispeoplehadbeensunkinslavery.Theirentirebeingwasreducedtoamonotonousdeadlevelofpatience,resignation,dumbuncomplainingacceptanceofwhatevermightbefalltheminthislife.Theirveryimaginationwasdead.Whenyoucansaythatofaman,hehasstruckbottom,Ireckon;

thereisnolowerdeepforhim.

IratherwishedIhadgonesomeotherroad.Thiswasnotthesortofexperienceforastatesmantoencounterwhowasplanningoutapeacefulrevolutioninhismind.Foritcouldnothelpbringinguptheunget-aroundablefactthat,allgentlecantandphilosophizingtothecontrarynotwithstanding,nopeopleintheworldeverdidachievetheirfreedombygoody-goodytalkandmoralsuasion:itbeingimmutablelawthatallrevolutionsthatwillsucceedmustBEGINinblood,whatevermayanswerafterward.Ifhistoryteachesanything,itteachesthat.Whatthisfolkneeded,then,wasaReignofTerrorandaguillotine,andIwasthewrongmanforthem.

Twodayslater,towardnoon,Sandybegantoshowsignsofexcitementandfeverishexpectancy.Shesaidwewereapproachingtheogre"scastle.

Iwassurprisedintoanuncomfortableshock.Theobjectofourquesthadgraduallydroppedoutofmymind;thissuddenresurrectionofitmadeitseemquitearealandstartlingthingforamoment,androusedupinmeasmartinterest.Sandy"sexcitementincreasedeverymoment;andsodidmine,forthatsortofthingiscatching.Myheartgottothumping.Youcan"treasonwithyourheart;ithasitsownlaws,andthumpsaboutthingswhichtheintellectscorns.Presently,whenSandyslidfromthehorse,motionedmetostop,andwentcreepingstealthily,withherheadbentnearlytoherknees,towardarowofbushesthatborderedadeclivity,thethumpingsgrewstrongerandquicker.Andtheykeptitupwhileshewasgainingherambushandgettingherglimpseoverthedeclivity;andalsowhileIwascreepingtohersideonmyknees.Hereyeswereburningnow,asshepointedwithherfinger,andsaidinapantingwhisper:

"Thecastle!Thecastle!Lo,whereitlooms!"

WhatawelcomedisappointmentIexperienced!Isaid:

"Castle?Itisnothingbutapigsty;apigstywithawattledfencearoundit."

Shelookedsurprisedanddistressed.Theanimationfadedoutofherface;andduringmanymomentsshewaslostinthoughtandsilent.Then:

"Itwasnotenchantedaforetime,"shesaidinamusingfashion,asiftoherself."Andhowstrangeisthismarvel,andhowawful——thattotheoneperceptionitisenchantedanddightinabaseandshamefulaspect;

yettotheperceptionoftheotheritisnotenchanted,hathsufferednochange,butstandsfirmandstatelystill,girtwithitsmoatandwavingitsbannersintheblueairfromitstowers.AndGodshieldus,howitpricksthehearttoseeagainthesegraciouscaptives,andthesorrowdeepenedintheirsweetfaces!Wehavetarriedalong,andaretoblame."

Isawmycue.ThecastlewasenchantedtoME,nottoher.Itwouldbewastedtimetotrytoargueheroutofherdelusion,itcouldn"tbedone;

Imustjusthumorit.SoIsaid:

"Thisisacommoncase——theenchantingofathingtooneeyeandleavingitinitsproperformtoanother.Youhaveheardofitbefore,Sandy,thoughyouhaven"thappenedtoexperienceit.Butnoharmisdone.Infact,itisluckythewayitis.Iftheseladieswerehogstoeverybodyandtothemselves,itwouldbenecessarytobreaktheenchantment,andthatmightbeimpossibleifonefailedtofindouttheparticularprocessoftheenchantment.Andhazardous,too;forinattemptingadisenchantmentwithoutthetruekey,youareliabletoerr,andturnyourhogsintodogs,andthedogsintocats,thecatsintorats,andsoon,andendbyreducingyourmaterialstonothingfinally,ortoanodorlessgaswhichyoucan"tfollow——which,ofcourse,amountstothesamething.Buthere,bygoodluck,noone"seyesbutmineareundertheenchantment,andsoitisofnoconsequencetodissolveit.Theseladiesremainladiestoyou,andtothemselves,andtoeverybodyelse;andatthesametimetheywillsufferinnowayfrommydelusion,forwhenIknowthatanostensiblehogisalady,thatisenoughforme,Iknowhowtotreather."

"Thanks,oh,sweetmylord,thoutalkestlikeanangel.AndIknowthatthouwiltdeliverthem,forthatthouartmindedtogreatdeedsandartasstrongaknightofyourhandsandasbravetowillandtodo,asanythatisonlive."

"Iwillnotleaveaprincessinthesty,Sandy.Arethosethreeyonderthattomydisorderedeyesarestarvelingswine-herds——"

"Theogres,AreTHEYchangedalso?Itismostwonderful.NowamIfearful;

forhowcanstthoustrikewithsureaimwhenfiveoftheirninecubitsofstaturearetotheeinvisible?Ah,gowarily,fairsir;thisisamightieremprisethanIwend."

"Youbeeasy,Sandy.AllIneedtoknowis,howMUCHofanogreisinvisible;

thenIknowhowtolocatehisvitals.Don"tyoubeafraid,Iwillmakeshortworkofthesebunco-steerers.Staywhereyouare."

IleftSandykneelingthere,corpse-facedbutpluckyandhopeful,androdedowntothepigsty,andstruckupatradewiththeswine-herds.I

wontheirgratitudebybuyingoutallthehogsatthelumpsumofsixteenpennies,whichwasratherabovelatestquotations.Iwasjustintime;

fortheChurch,thelordofthemanor,andtherestofthetax-gathererswouldhavebeenalongnextdayandsweptoffprettymuchallthestock,leavingtheswine-herdsveryshortofhogsandSandyoutofprincesses.

Butnowthetaxpeoplecouldbepaidincash,andtherewouldbeastakeleftbesides.Oneofthemenhadtenchildren;andhesaidthatlastyearwhenapriestcameandofhistenpigstookthefattestonefortithes,thewifeburstoutuponhim,andofferedhimachildandsaid:

"Thoubeastwithoutbowelsofmercy,whyleavememychild,yetrobmeofthewherewithaltofeedit?"

Howcurious.ThesamethinghadhappenedintheWalesofmyday,underthissameoldEstablishedChurch,whichwassupposedbymanytohavechangeditsnaturewhenitchangeditsdisguise.

Isentthethreemenaway,andthenopenedthestygateandbeckonedSandytocome——whichshedid;andnotleisurely,butwiththerushofaprairiefire.AndwhenIsawherflingherselfuponthosehogs,withtearsofjoyrunningdownhercheeks,andstrainthemtoherheart,andkissthem,andcaressthem,andcallthemreverentlybygrandprincelynames,Iwasashamedofher,ashamedofthehumanrace.

Wehadtodrivethosehogshome——tenmiles;andnoladieswereevermorefickle-mindedorcontrary.Theywouldstayinnoroad,nopath;theybrokeoutthroughthebrushonallsides,andflowedawayinalldirections,overrocks,andhills,andtheroughestplacestheycouldfind.Andtheymustnotbestruck,orroughlyaccosted;Sandycouldnotbeartoseethemtreatedinwaysunbecomingtheirrank.ThetroublesomestoldsowofthelothadtobecalledmyLady,andyourHighness,liketherest.Itisannoyinganddifficulttoscouraroundafterhogs,inarmor.Therewasonesmallcountess,withanironringinhersnoutandhardlyanyhaironherback,thatwasthedevilforperversity.Shegavemearaceofanhour,overallsortsofcountry,andthenwewererightwherewehadstartedfrom,havingmadenotarodofrealprogress.Iseizedheratlastbythetail,andbroughtheralongsquealing.WhenIovertookSandyshewashorrified,andsaiditwasinthelastdegreeindelicatetodragacountessbyhertrain.

Wegotthehogshomejustatdark——mostofthem.TheprincessNerovensdeMorganorewasmissing,andtwoofherladiesinwaiting:namely,MissAngelaBohun,andtheDemoiselleElaineCourtemains,theformerofthesetwobeingayoungblacksowwithawhitestarinherforehead,andthelatterabrownonewiththinlegsandaslightlimpintheforwardshankonthestarboardside——acoupleofthetryingestblisterstodrivethatIeversaw.Alsoamongthemissingwereseveralmerebaronesses——andIwantedthemtostaymissing;butno,allthatsausage-meathadtobefound;soservantsweresentoutwithtorchestoscourthewoodsandhillstothatend.

Ofcourse,thewholedrovewashousedinthehouse,and,greatguns!——

well,Ineversawanythinglikeit.Noreverheardanythinglikeit.

Andneversmeltanythinglikeit.Itwaslikeaninsurrectioninagasometer.

AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur"sCourt-Chapter21Chapter21-ThePilgrimsWHENIdidgettobedatlastIwasunspeakablytired;thestretchingout,andtherelaxingofthelong-tensemuscles,howluxurious,howdelicious!

butthatwasasfarasIcouldget——sleepwasoutofthequestionforthepresent.Therippingandtearingandsquealingofthenobilityupanddownthehallsandcorridorswaspandemoniumcomeagain,andkeptmebroadawake.Beingawake,mythoughtswerebusy,ofcourse;andmainlytheybusiedthemselveswithSandy"scuriousdelusion.Hereshewas,assaneapersonasthekingdomcouldproduce;andyet,frommypointofviewshewasactinglikeacrazywoman.Myland,thepoweroftraining!ofinfluence!ofeducation!

Itcanbringabodyuptobelieveanything.IhadtoputmyselfinSandy"splacetorealizethatshewasnotalunatic.Yes,andputherinmine,todemonstratehoweasyitistoseemalunatictoapersonwhohasnotbeentaughtasyouhavebeentaught.IfIhadtoldSandyIhadseenawagon,uninfluencedbyenchantment,spinalongfiftymilesanhour;hadseenaman,unequippedwithmagicpowers,getintoabasketandsoaroutofsightamongtheclouds;andhadlistened,withoutanynecromancer"shelp,totheconversationofapersonwhowasseveralhundredmilesaway,Sandywouldnotmerelyhavesupposedmetobecrazy,shewouldhavethoughtsheknewit.Everybodyaroundherbelievedinenchantments;nobodyhadanydoubts;todoubtthatacastlecouldbeturnedintoasty,anditsoccupantsintohogs,wouldhavebeenthesameasmydoubtingamongConnecticutpeopletheactualityofthetelephoneanditswonders,——andinbothcaseswouldbeabsoluteproofofadiseasedmind,anunsettledreason.Yes,Sandywassane;thatmustbeadmitted.IfIalsowouldbesane——toSandy——Imustkeepmysuperstitionsaboutunenchantedandunmiraculouslocomotives,balloons,andtelephones,tomyself.Also,Ibelievedthattheworldwasnotflat,andhadn"tpillarsunderittosupportit,noracanopyoverittoturnoffauniverseofwaterthatoccupiedallspaceabove;butasIwastheonlypersoninthekingdomafflictedwithsuchimpiousandcriminalopinions,Irecognizedthatitwouldbegoodwisdomtokeepquietaboutthismatter,too,ifIdidnotwishtobesuddenlyshunnedandforsakenbyeverybodyasamadman.

ThenextmorningSandyassembledtheswineinthedining-roomandgavethemtheirbreakfast,waitinguponthempersonallyandmanifestingineverywaythedeepreverencewhichthenativesofherisland,ancientandmodern,havealwaysfeltforrank,letitsoutwardcasketandthementalandmoralcontentsbewhattheymay.IcouldhaveeatenwiththehogsifIhadhadbirthapproachingmyloftyofficialrank;butIhadn"t,andsoacceptedtheunavoidableslightandmadenocomplaint.SandyandIhadourbreakfastatthesecondtable.Thefamilywerenotathome.Isaid:

"Howmanyareinthefamily,Sandy,andwheredotheykeepthemselves?"

"Family?"

"Yes."

"Whichfamily,goodmylord?"

"Why,thisfamily;yourownfamily."

"Soothtosay,Iunderstandyounot.Ihavenofamily."

"Nofamily?Why,Sandy,isn"tthisyourhome?"

"Nowhowindeedmightthatbe?Ihavenohome."

"Well,then,whosehouseisthis?"

"Ah,wityouwellIwouldtellyouanIknewmyself."

"Come——youdon"tevenknowthesepeople?Thenwhoinvitedushere?"

"Noneinvitedus.Webutcame;thatisall."

"Why,woman,thisisamostextraordinaryperformance.Theeffronteryofitisbeyondadmiration.Weblandlymarchintoaman"shouse,andcramitfulloftheonlyreallyvaluablenobilitythesunhasyetdiscoveredintheearth,andthenitturnsoutthatwedon"tevenknowtheman"sname.

Howdidyoueverventuretotakethisextravagantliberty?Isupposed,ofcourse,itwasyourhome.Whatwillthemansay?"

"Whatwillhesay?Forsoothwhatcanhesaybutgivethanks?"

"Thanksforwhat?"

Herfacewasfilledwithapuzzledsurprise:

"Verily,thoutroublestmineunderstandingwithstrangewords.Doyedreamthatoneofhisestateisliketohavethehonortwiceinhislifetoentertaincompanysuchaswehavebroughttogracehishousewithal?"

"Well,no——whenyoucometothat.No,it"sanevenbetthatthisisthefirsttimehehashadatreatlikethis."

"Thenlethimbethankful,andmanifestthesamebygratefulspeechandduehumility;hewereadog,else,andtheheirandancestorofdogs."

Tomymind,thesituationwasuncomfortable.Itmightbecomemoreso.

Itmightbeagoodideatomusterthehogsandmoveon.SoIsaid:

"Thedayiswasting,Sandy.Itistimetogetthenobilitytogetherandbemoving."

"Wherefore,fairsirandBoss?"

"Wewanttotakethemtotheirhome,don"twe?"

"La,butlisttohim!Theybeofalltheregionsoftheearth!Eachmusthietoherownhome;wendyouwemightdoallthesejourneysinonesobrieflifeasHehathappointedthatcreatedlife,andtheretodeathlikewisewithhelpofAdam,whobysindonethroughpersuasionofhishelpmeet,shebeingwroughtuponandbewrayedbythebeguilementsofthegreatenemyofman,thatserpenthightSatan,aforetimeconsecratedandsetapartuntothatevilworkbyovermasteringspiteandenvybegotteninhisheartthroughfellambitionsthatdidblightandmildewanatureerstsowhiteandpurewhensoithovewiththeshiningmultitudesitsbrethren-borningladeandshadeofthatfairheavenwhereinallsuchasnativebetothatrichestateand——"

"GreatScott!"

"Mylord?"

"Well,youknowwehaven"tgottimeforthissortofthing.Don"tyousee,wecoulddistributethesepeoplearoundtheearthinlesstimethanitisgoingtotakeyoutoexplainthatwecan"t.Wemustn"ttalknow,wemustact.Youwanttobecareful;youmustn"tletyourmillgetthestartofyouthatway,atatimelikethis.Tobusinessnow——andsharp"stheword.Whoistotakethearistocracyhome?"

"Eventheirfriends.Thesewillcomeforthemfromthefarpartsoftheearth."

Thiswaslightningfromaclearsky,forunexpectedness;andthereliefofitwaslikepardontoaprisoner.Shewouldremaintodeliverthegoods,ofcourse.

"Well,then,Sandy,asourenterpriseishandsomelyandsuccessfullyended,Iwillgohomeandreport;andifeveranotherone——"

"Ialsoamready;Iwillgowiththee."

Thiswasrecallingthepardon.

"How?Youwillgowithme?Whyshouldyou?"

"WillIbetraitortomyknight,dostthink?Thatweredishonor.Imaynotpartfromtheeuntilinknightlyencounterinthefieldsomeovermatchingchampionshallfairlywinandfairlywearme.IweretoblameanIthoughtthatthatmighteverhap."

"Electedforthelongterm,"Isighedtomyself."Imayaswellmakethebestofit."SothenIspokeupandsaid:

"Allright;letusmakeastart."

Whileshewasgonetocryherfarewellsoverthepork,Igavethatwholepeerageawaytotheservants.AndIaskedthemtotakeadusteranddustaroundalittlewherethenobilitieshadmainlylodgedandpromenaded;

buttheyconsideredthatthatwouldbehardlyworthwhile,andwouldmoreoverbearathergravedeparturefromcustom,andthereforelikelytomaketalk.

Adeparturefromcustom——thatsettledit;itwasanationcapableofcommittinganycrimebutthat.Theservantssaidtheywouldfollowthefashion,afashiongrownsacredthroughimmemorialobservance;theywouldscatterfreshrushesinalltheroomsandhalls,andthentheevidenceofthearistocraticvisitationwouldbenolongervisible.ItwasakindofsatireonNature:itwasthescientificmethod,thegeologicmethod;

itdepositedthehistoryofthefamilyinastratifiedrecord;andtheantiquarycoulddigthroughitandtellbytheremainsofeachperiodwhatchangesofdietthefamilyhadintroducedsuccessivelyforahundredyears.

Thefirstthingwestruckthatdaywasaprocessionofpilgrims.Itwasnotgoingourway,butwejoinedit,nevertheless;foritwashourlybeingborneinuponmenow,thatifIwouldgovernthiscountrywisely,Imustbepostedinthedetailsofitslife,andnotatsecondhand,butbypersonalobservationandscrutiny.

ThiscompanyofpilgrimsresembledChaucer"sinthis:thatithadinitasampleofaboutalltheupperoccupationsandprofessionsthecountrycouldshow,andacorrespondingvarietyofcostume.Therewereyoungmenandoldmen,youngwomenandoldwomen,livelyfolkandgravefolk.Theyrodeuponmulesandhorses,andtherewasnotaside-saddleintheparty;

forthisspecialtywastoremainunknowninEnglandforninehundredyearsyet.

Itwasapleasant,friendly,sociableherd;pious,happy,merryandfullofunconsciouscoarsenessesandinnocentindecencies.WhattheyregardedasthemerrytalewentthecontinualroundandcausednomoreembarrassmentthanitwouldhavecausedinthebestEnglishsocietytwelvecenturieslater.PracticaljokesworthyoftheEnglishwitsofthefirstquarterofthefar-offnineteenthcenturyweresprunghereandthereandyonderalongtheline,andcompelledthedelightedestapplause;andsometimeswhenabrightremarkwasmadeatoneendoftheprocessionandstartedonitstravelstowardtheother,youcouldnoteitsprogressallthewaybythesparklingsprayoflaughteritthrewofffromitsbowsasitplowedalong;andalsobytheblushesofthemulesinitswake.

Sandyknewthegoalandpurposeofthispilgrimage,andshepostedme.

Shesaid:

"TheyjourneytotheValleyofHoliness,fortobeblessedofthegodlyhermitsanddrinkofthemiraculouswatersandbecleasedfromsin."

"Whereisthiswateringplace?"

"Itliethatwo-dayjourneyhence,bythebordersofthelandthathighttheCuckooKingdom."

"Tellmeaboutit.Isitacelebratedplace?"

"Oh,ofatruth,yes.Therebenonemoreso.Ofoldtimetherelivedthereanabbotandhismonks.Belikewerenoneintheworldmoreholythanthese;fortheygavethemselvestostudyofpiousbooks,andspokenottheonetotheother,orindeedtoany,andatedecayedherbsandnaughtthereto,andslepthard,andprayedmuch,andwashednever;alsotheyworethesamegarmentuntilitfellfromtheirbodiesthroughageanddecay.

Rightsocametheytobeknownofalltheworldbyreasonoftheseholyausterities,andvisitedbyrichandpoor,andreverenced."

"Proceed."

"Butalwaystherewaslackofwaterthere.Whereas,uponatime,theholyabbotprayed,andforansweragreatstreamofclearwaterburstforthbymiracleinadesertplace.NowweretheficklemonkstemptedoftheFiend,andtheywroughtwiththeirabbotunceasinglybybeggingsandbeseechingsthathewouldconstructabath;andwhenhewasbecomeawearyandmightnotresistmore,hesaidhaveyeyourwill,then,andgrantedthattheyasked.Nowmarkthouwhat"tistoforsakethewaysofpuritythewhichHeloveth,andwantonwithsuchasbeworldlyandanoffense.Thesemonksdidenterintothebathandcomethencewashedaswhiteassnow;andlo,inthatmomentHissignappeared,inmiraculousrebuke!forHisinsultedwatersceasedtoflow,andutterlyvanishedaway."

"Theyfaredmildly,Sandy,consideringhowthatkindofcrimeisregardedinthiscountry."

"Belike;butitwastheirfirstsin;andtheyhadbeenofperfectlifeforlong,anddifferinginnaughtfromtheangels.Prayers,tears,torturingsoftheflesh,allwasvaintobeguilethatwatertoflowagain.Evenprocessions;

evenburnt-offerings;evenvotivecandlestotheVirgin,didfaileveryeachofthem;andallinthelanddidmarvel."

"Howoddtofindthateventhisindustryhasitsfinancialpanics,andattimesseesitsassignatsandgreenbackslanguishtozero,andeverythingcometoastandstill.Goon,Sandy."

"Andsouponatime,afteryearandday,thegoodabbotmadehumblesurrenderanddestroyedthebath.Andbehold,Hisangerwasinthatmomentappeased,andthewatersgushedrichlyforthagain,andevenuntothisdaytheyhavenotceasedtoflowinthatgenerousmeasure."

"ThenItakeitnobodyhaswashedsince."

"Hethatwouldessayitcouldhavehishalterfree;yes,andswiftlywouldheneedit,too."

"Thecommunityhasprosperedsince?"

"Evenfromthatveryday.Thefameofthemiraclewentabroadintoalllands.Fromeverylandcamemonkstojoin;theycameevenasthefishescome,inshoals;andthemonasteryaddedbuildingtobuilding,andyetotherstothese,andsospreadwideitsarmsandtookthemin.Andnunscame,also;andmoreagain,andyetmore;andbuiltoveragainstthemonasteryontheyonsideofthevale,andaddedbuildingtobuilding,untilmightywasthatnunnery.Andthesewerefriendlyuntothose,andtheyjoinedtheirlovinglaborstogether,andtogethertheybuiltafairgreatfoundlingasylummidwayofthevalleybetween."

"Youspokeofsomehermits,Sandy."

"Thesehavegatheredtherefromtheendsoftheearth.Ahermitthrivethbestwheretherebemultitudesofpilgrims.Yeshallnotfindnohermitofnosortwanting.Ifanyshallmentionahermitofakindhethinkethnewandnottobefoundbutinsomefarstrangeland,lethimbutscratchamongtheholesandcavesandswampsthatlinethatValleyofHoliness,andwhatsoeverbehisbreed,itskillsnot,heshallfindasampleofitthere."

Iclosedupalongsideofaburlyfellowwithafatgood-humoredface,purposingtomakemyselfagreeableandpickupsomefurthercrumbsoffact;

butIhadhardlymorethanscrapedacquaintancewithhimwhenhebeganeagerlyandawkwardlytoleadup,intheimmemorialway,tothatsameoldanecdote——theoneSirDinadantoldme,whattimeIgotintotroublewithSirSagramorandwaschallengedofhimonaccountofit.Iexcusedmyselfanddroppedtotherearoftheprocession,sadatheart,willingtogohencefromthistroubledlife,thisvaleoftears,thisbriefdayofbrokenrest,ofcloudandstorm,ofwearystruggleandmonotonousdefeat;andyetshrinkingfromthechange,asrememberinghowlongeternityis,andhowmanyhavewendedthitherwhoknowthatanecdote.

Earlyintheafternoonweovertookanotherprocessionofpilgrims;butinthisonewasnomerriment,nojokes,nolaughter,noplayfulways,noranyhappygiddiness,whetherofyouthorage.Yetbothwerehere,bothageandyouth;grayoldmenandwomen,strongmenandwomenofmiddleage,younghusbands,youngwives,littleboysandgirls,andthreebabiesatthebreast.Eventhechildrenweresmileless;therewasnotafaceamongallthesehalfahundredpeoplebutwascastdown,andborethatsetexpressionofhopelessnesswhichisbredoflongandhardtrialsandoldacquaintancewithdespair.Theywereslaves.Chainsledfromtheirfetteredfeetandtheirmanacledhandstoasole-leatherbeltabouttheirwaists;andallexceptthechildrenwerealsolinkedtogetherinafilesixfeetapart,byasinglechainwhichledfromcollartocollaralldowntheline.Theywereonfoot,andhadtrampedthreehundredmilesineighteendays,uponthecheapestoddsandendsoffood,andstingyrationsofthat.Theyhadsleptinthesechainseverynight,bundledtogetherlikeswine.Theyhadupontheirbodiessomepoorrags,buttheycouldnotbesaidtobeclothed.

Theirironshadchafedtheskinfromtheiranklesandmadesoreswhichwereulceratedandwormy.Theirnakedfeetweretorn,andnonewalkedwithoutalimp.Originallytherehadbeenahundredoftheseunfortunates,butabouthalfhadbeensoldonthetrip.Thetraderinchargeofthemrodeahorseandcarriedawhipwithashorthandleandalongheavylashdividedintoseveralknottedtailsattheend.Withthiswhiphecuttheshouldersofanythattotteredfromwearinessandpain,andstraightenedthemup.

Hedidnotspeak;thewhipconveyedhisdesirewithoutthat.Noneofthesepoorcreatureslookedupaswerodealongby;theyshowednoconsciousnessofourpresence.Andtheymadenosoundbutone;thatwasthedullandawfulclankoftheirchainsfromendtoendofthelongfile,asforty-threeburdenedfeetroseandfellinunison.Thefilemovedinacloudofitsownmaking.

Allthesefacesweregraywithacoatingofdust.Onehasseenthelikeofthiscoatinguponfurnitureinunoccupiedhouses,andhaswrittenhisidlethoughtinitwithhisfinger.IwasremindedofthiswhenInoticedthefacesofsomeofthosewomen,youngmotherscarryingbabesthatwereneartodeathandfreedom,howasomethingintheirheartswaswritteninthedustupontheirfaces,plaintosee,andlord,howplaintoread!

foritwasthetrackoftears.Oneoftheseyoungmotherswasbutagirl,andithurtmetothehearttoreadthatwriting,andreflectthatitwascomeupoutofthebreastofsuchachild,abreastthatoughtnottoknowtroubleyet,butonlythegladnessofthemorningoflife;andnodoubt——

Shereeledjustthen,giddywithfatigue,anddowncamethelashandflickedaflakeofskinfromhernakedshoulder.ItstungmeasifIhadbeenhitinstead.Themasterhaltedthefileandjumpedfromhishorse.

Hestormedandsworeatthisgirl,andsaidshehadmadeannoyanceenoughwithherlaziness,andasthiswasthelastchanceheshouldhave,hewouldsettletheaccountnow.Shedroppedonherkneesandputupherhandsandbegantobeg,andcry,andimplore,inapassionofterror,butthemastergavenoattention.Hesnatchedthechildfromher,andthenmadethemen-slaveswhowerechainedbeforeandbehindherthrowheronthegroundandholdherthereandexposeherbody;andthenhelaidonwithhislashlikeamadmantillherbackwasflayed,sheshriekingandstrugglingthewhilepiteously.Oneofthemenwhowasholdingherturnedawayhisface,andforthishumanityhewasreviledandflogged.

Allourpilgrimslookedonandcommented——ontheexpertwayinwhichthewhipwashandled.Theyweretoomuchhardenedbylifelongeverydayfamiliaritywithslaverytonoticethattherewasanythingelseintheexhibitionthatinvitedcomment.Thiswaswhatslaverycoulddo,inthewayofossifyingwhatonemaycallthesuperiorlobeofhumanfeeling;

forthesepilgrimswerekind-heartedpeople,andtheywouldnothaveallowedthatmantotreatahorselikethat.

Iwantedtostopthewholethingandsettheslavesfree,butthatwouldnotdo.Imustnotinterferetoomuchandgetmyselfanameforridingoverthecountry"slawsandthecitizen"srightsroughshod.IfIlivedandprosperedIwouldbethedeathofslavery,thatIwasresolvedupon;

butIwouldtrytofixitsothatwhenIbecameitsexecutioneritshouldbebycommandofthenation.