第8章

Justherewasthewaysideshopofasmith;andnowarrivedalandedproprietorwhohadboughtthisgirlafewmilesback,deliverableherewhereherironscouldbetakenoff.Theywereremoved;thentherewasasquabblebetweenthegentlemanandthedealerastowhichshouldpaytheblacksmith.Themomentthegirlwasdeliveredfromherirons,sheflungherself,alltearsandfranticsobbings,intothearmsoftheslavewhohadturnedawayhisfacewhenshewaswhipped.Hestrainedhertohisbreast,andsmotheredherfaceandthechild"swithkisses,andwashedthemwiththerainofhistears.Isuspected.Iinquired.Yes,Iwasright;itwashusbandandwife.Theyhadtobetornapartbyforce;thegirlhadtobedraggedaway,andshestruggledandfoughtandshriekedlikeonegonemadtillaturnoftheroadhidherfromsight;andevenafterthat,wecouldstillmakeoutthefadingplaintofthoserecedingshrieks.Andthehusbandandfather,withhiswifeandchildgone,nevertobeseenbyhimagaininlife?——well,thelookofhimonemightnotbearatall,andsoIturnedaway;butIknewIshouldnevergethispictureoutofmymindagain,andthereitistothisday,towringmyheartstringswheneverIthinkofit.

Weputupattheinninavillagejustatnightfall,andwhenIrosenextmorningandlookedabroad,Iwaswarewhereaknightcameridinginthegoldengloryofthenewday,andrecognizedhimforknightofmine——SirOzanaleCureHardy.Hewasinthegentlemen"sfurnishingline,andhismissionaryingspecialtywasplughats.Hewasclothedallinsteel,inthebeautifulestarmorofthetime——uptowherehishelmetoughttohavebeen;buthehadn"tanyhelmet,heworeashinystove-pipehat,andwasridiculousaspectacleasonemightwanttosee.Itwasanotherofmysurreptitiousschemesforextinguishingknighthoodbymakingitgrotesqueandabsurd.SirOzana"ssaddlewashungaboutwithleatherhatboxes,andeverytimeheovercameawanderingknighthesworehimintomyserviceandfittedhimwithaplugandmadehimwearit.IdressedandrandowntowelcomeSirOzanaandgethisnews.

"Howistrade?"Iasked.

"YewillnotethatIhavebutthesefourleft;yetweretheysixteenwhenasIgotmefromCamelot."

"Why,youhavecertainlydonenobly,SirOzana.Wherehaveyoubeenforagingoflate?"

"IambutnowcomefromtheValleyofHoliness,pleaseyousir."

"Iampointedforthatplacemyself.Isthereanythingstirringinthemonkery,morethancommon?"

"Bythemassyemaynotquestionit!Givehimgoodfeed,boy,andstintitnot,anthouvaluestthycrown;sogetyelightlytothestableanddoevenasIbidSir,itisparlousnewsIbring,and——bethesepilgrims?Thenyemaynotdobetter,goodfolk,thangatherandhearthetaleIhavetotell,sithitconcernethyou,forasmuchasyegotofindthatyewillnotfind,andseekthatyewillseekinvain,mylifebeinghostageformyword,andmywordandmessagebeingthese,namely:Thatahaphashappenedwhereofthelikehasnotbeenseennomorebutoncethistwohundredyears,whichwasthefirstandlasttimethatthatsaidmisfortunestraketheholyvalleyinthatformbycommandmentoftheMostHighwheretobyreasonsjustandcausesthereuntocontributing,whereinthematter——"

"Themiraculousfounthathceasedtoflow!"Thisshoutburstfromtwentypilgrimmouthsatonce.

"Yesaywell,goodpeople.Iwasvergingtoit,evenwhenyespake.

"

"Hassomebodybeenwashingagain?"

"Nay,itissuspected,butnonebelieveit.Itisthoughttobesomeothersin,butnonewitwhat."

"Howaretheyfeelingaboutthecalamity?"

"Nonemaydescribeitinwords.Thefountistheseninedaysdry.Theprayersthatdidbeginthen,andthelamentationsinsackclothandashes,andtheholyprocessions,noneofthesehaveceasednornightnorday;

andsothemonksandthenunsandthefoundlingsbeallexhausted,anddohangupprayerswrituponparchment,siththatnostrengthisleftinmantoliftupvoice.Andatlasttheysentforthee,SirBoss,totrymagicandenchantment;andifyoucouldnotcome,thenwasthemessengertofetchMerlin,andheistherethesethreedaysnow,andsaithhewillfetchthatwaterthoughhebursttheglobeandwreckitskingdomstoaccomplishit;andrightbravelydothheworkhismagicandcalluponhishellionstohiethemhitherandhelp,butnotawhiffofmoisturehathhestartedyet,evensomuchasmightqualifyasmistuponacoppermirroranyecountnotthebarrelofsweathesweatethbetwixtsunandsunoverthedirelaborsofhistask;andifye——"

Breakfastwasready.AssoonasitwasoverIshowedtoSirOzanathesewordswhichIhadwrittenontheinsideofhishat:ChemicalDepartment,Laboratoryextension,SectionG.Pxxp.Sendtwooffirstsize,twoofNo.

3,andsixofNo.4,togetherwiththepropercomplementarydetails——

andtwoofmytrainedassistants."AndIsaid:

"NowgetyoutoCamelotasfastasyoucanfly,braveknight,andshowthewritingtoClarence,andtellhimtohavetheserequiredmattersintheValleyofHolinesswithallpossibledispatch."

"Iwillwell,SirBoss,"andhewasoff.

AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur"sCourt-Chapter22Chapter22-TheHolyFountainTHEpilgrimswerehumanbeings.Otherwisetheywouldhaveacteddifferently.

Theyhadcomealonganddifficultjourney,andnowwhenthejourneywasnearlyfinished,andtheylearnedthatthemainthingtheyhadcomeforhadceasedtoexist,theydidn"tdoashorsesorcatsorangle-wormswouldprobablyhavedone——turnbackandgetatsomethingprofitable——no,anxiousastheyhadbeforebeentoseethemiraculousfountain,theywereasmuchasfortytimesasanxiousnowtoseetheplacewhereithadusedtobe.Thereisnoaccountingforhumanbeings.

Wemadegoodtime;andacoupleofhoursbeforesunsetwestooduponthehighconfinesoftheValleyofHoliness,andoureyessweptitfromendtoendandnoteditsfeatures.Thatis,itslargefeatures.Thesewerethethreemassesofbuildings.Theyweredistantandisolatedtemporalitiesshrunkentotoyconstructionsinthelonelywasteofwhatseemedadesert——andwas.Suchasceneisalwaysmournful,itissoimpressivelystill,andlookssosteepedindeath.Buttherewasasoundherewhichinterruptedthestillnessonlytoaddtoitsmournfulness;thiswasthefaintfarsoundoftollingbellswhichfloatedfitfullytousonthepassingbreeze,andsofaintly,sosoftly,thatwehardlyknewwhetherwehearditwithourearsorwithourspirits.

Wereachedthemonasterybeforedark,andtherethemalesweregivenlodging,butthewomenweresentovertothenunnery.Thebellswerecloseathandnow,andtheirsolemnboomingsmoteupontheearlikeamessageofdoom.Asuperstitiousdespairpossessedtheheartofeverymonkandpublisheditselfinhisghastlyface.Everywhere,theseblack-robed,soft-sandaled,tallow-visagedspectersappeared,flittedaboutanddisappeared,noiselessasthecreaturesofatroubleddream,andasuncanny.

Theoldabbot"sjoytoseemewaspathetic.Eventotears;buthedidthesheddinghimself.Hesaid:

"Delaynot,son,butgettothysavingwork.Anwebringnotthewaterbackagain,andsoon,weareruined,andthegoodworkoftwohundredyearsmustend.Andseethoudoitwithenchantmentsthatbeholy,fortheChurchwillnotendurethatworkinhercausebedonebydevil"smagic."

"WhenIwork,Father,besuretherewillbenodevil"sworkconnectedwithit.Ishallusenoartsthatcomeofthedevil,andnoelementsnotcreatedbythehandofGod.ButisMerlinworkingstrictlyonpiouslines?"

"Ah,hesaidhewould,myson,hesaidhewould,andtookoathtomakehispromisegood."

"Well,inthatcase,lethimproceed."

"Butsurelyyouwillnotsitidleby,buthelp?"

"Itwillnotanswertomixmethods,Father;neitherwoulditbeprofessionalcourtesy.Twoofatrademustnotunderbideachother.Wemightaswellcutratesandbedonewithit;itwouldarriveatthatintheend.Merlinhasthecontract;noothermagiciancantouchittillhethrowsitup."

"ButIwilltakeitfromhim;itisaterribleemergencyandtheactistherebyjustified.Andifitwerenotso,whowillgivelawtotheChurch?

TheChurchgivethlawtoall;andwhatshewillstodo,thatshemaydo,hurtwhomitmay.Iwilltakeitfromhim;youshallbeginuponthemoment."

"Itmaynotbe,Father.Nodoubt,asyousay,wherepowerissupreme,onecandoasonelikesandsuffernoinjury;butwepoormagiciansarenotsosituated.Merlinisaverygoodmagicianinasmallway,andhasquiteaneatprovincialreputation.Heisstrugglingalong,doingthebesthecan,anditwouldnotbeetiquetteformetotakehisjobuntilhehimselfabandonsit."

Theabbot"sfacelighted.

"Ah,thatissimple.Therearewaystopersuadehimtoabandonit."

"No-no,Father,itskillsnot,asthesepeoplesay.Ifhewerepersuadedagainsthiswill,hewouldloadthatwellwithamaliciousenchantmentwhichwouldbalkmeuntilIfoundoutitssecret.Itmighttakeamonth.

IcouldsetupalittleenchantmentofminewhichIcallthetelephone,andhecouldnotfindoutitssecretinahundredyears.Yes,youperceive,hemightblockmeforamonth.Wouldyouliketoriskamonthinadrytimelikethis?"

"Amonth!Themerethoughtofitmakethmetoshudder.Haveitthyway,myson.Butmyheartisheavywiththisdisappointment.Leaveme,andletmewearmyspiritwithwearinessandwaiting,evenasIhavedonethesetenlongdays,counterfeitingthusthethingthatiscalledrest,thepronebodymakingoutwardsignofreposewhereinwardlyisnone."

Ofcourse,itwouldhavebeenbest,allround,forMerlintowaiveetiquetteandquitandcallithalfaday,sincehewouldneverbeabletostartthatwater,forhewasatruemagicianofthetime;whichistosay,thebigmiracles,theonesthatgavehimhisreputation,alwayshadthelucktobeperformedwhennobodybutMerlinwaspresent;hecouldn"tstartthiswellwithallthiscrowdaroundtosee;acrowdwasasbadforamagician"smiracleinthatdayasitwasforaspiritualist"smiracleinmine;therewassuretobesomeskepticonhandtoturnupthegasatthecrucialmomentandspoileverything.ButIdidnotwantMerlintoretirefromthejobuntilIwasreadytotakeholdofiteffectivelymyself;andIcouldnotdothatuntilIgotmythingsfromCamelot,andthatwouldtaketwoorthreedays.

Mypresencegavethemonkshope,andcheeredthemupagooddeal;insomuchthattheyateasquaremealthatnightforthefirsttimeintendays.

Assoonastheirstomachshadbeenproperlyreinforcedwithfood,theirspiritsbegantorisefast;whenthemeadbegantogoroundtheyrosefaster.

Bythetimeeverybodywashalf-seasover,theholycommunitywasingoodshapetomakeanightofit;sowestayedbytheboardandputitthroughonthatline.Mattersgottobeveryjolly.Goodoldquestionablestoriesweretoldthatmadethetearsrundownandcavernousmouthsstandwideandtheroundbelliesshakewithlaughter;andquestionablesongswerebellowedoutinamightychorusthatdrownedtheboomofthetollingbells.

AtlastIventuredastorymyself;andvastwasthesuccessofit.Notrightoff,ofcourse,forthenativeofthoseislandsdoesnot,asarule,dissolveupontheearlyapplicationsofahumorousthing;butthefifthtimeItoldit,theybegantocrackinplaces;theeighttimeItoldit,theybegantocrumble;atthetwelfthrepetitiontheyfellapartinchunks;

andatthefifteenththeydisintegrated,andIgotabroomandsweptthemup.Thislanguageisfigurative.Thoseislanders——well,theyareslowpayatfirst,inthematterofreturnforyourinvestmentofeffort,butintheendtheymakethepayofallothernationspoorandsmallbycontrast.

Iwasatthewellnextdaybetimes.Merlinwasthere,enchantingawaylikeabeaver,butnotraisingthemoisture.Hewasnotinapleasanthumor;

andeverytimeIhintedthatperhapsthiscontractwasashadetooheftyforanoviceheunlimberedhistongueandcursedlikeabishop——FrenchbishopoftheRegencydays,Imean.

MatterswereaboutasIexpectedtofindthem.The"fountain"wasanordinarywell,ithadbeendugintheordinaryway,andstonedupintheordinaryway.Therewasnomiracleaboutit.Eventheliethathadcreateditsreputationwasnotmiraculous;Icouldhavetolditmyself,withonehandtiedbehindme.Thewellwasinadarkchamberwhichstoodinthecenterofacut-stonechapel,whosewallswerehungwithpiouspicturesofaworkmanshipthatwouldhavemadeachromofeelgood;pictureshistoricallycommemorativeofcurativemiracleswhichhadbeenachievedbythewaterswhennobodywaslooking.Thatis,nobodybutangels;theyarealwaysondeckwhenthereisamiracletothefore——soastogetputinthepicture,perhaps.Angelsareasfondofthatasafirecompany;lookattheoldmasters.

Thewell-chamberwasdimlylightedbylamps;thewaterwasdrawnwithawindlassandchainbymonks,andpouredintotroughswhichdelivereditintostonereservoirsoutsideinthechapel——whentherewaswatertodraw,Imean——andnonebutmonkscouldenterthewell-chamber.Ienteredit,forIhadtemporaryauthoritytodoso,bycourtesyofmyprofessionalbrotherandsubordinate.Buthehadn"tenteredithimself.Hedideverythingbyincantations;heneverworkedhisintellect.Ifhehadsteppedinthereandusedhiseyes,insteadofhisdisorderedmind,hecouldhavecuredthewellbynaturalmeans,andthenturneditintoamiracleinthecustomaryway;butno,hewasanoldnumskull,amagicianwhobelievedinhisownmagic;andnomagiciancanthrivewhoishandicappedwithasuperstitionlikethat.

Ihadanideathatthewellhadsprungaleak;thatsomeofthewallstonesnearthebottomhadfallenandexposedfissuresthatallowedthewatertoescape.Imeasuredthechain——98feet.ThenIcalledincoupleofmonks,lockedthedoor,tookacandle,andmadethemlowermeinthebucket.Whenthechainwasallpaidout,thecandleconfirmedmysuspicion;

aconsiderablesectionofthewallwasgone,exposingagoodbigfissure.

Ialmostregrettedthatmytheoryaboutthewell"stroublewascorrect,becauseIhadanotheronethathadashowypointortwoaboutitforamiracle.IrememberedthatinAmerica,manycenturieslater,whenanoilwellceasedtoflow,theyusedtoblastitoutwithadynamitetorpedo.

IfIshouldfindthiswelldryandnoexplanationofit,Icouldastonishthesepeoplemostnoblybyhavingapersonofnoespecialvaluedropadynamitebombintoit.ItwasmyideatoappointMerlin.However,itwasplainthattherewasnooccasionforthebomb.Onecannothaveeverythingthewayhewouldlikeit.Amanhasnobusinesstobedepressedbyadisappointment,anyway;heoughttomakeuphismindtogeteven.ThatiswhatIdid.I

saidtomyself,Iaminnohurry,Icanwait;thatbombwillcomegoodyet.Anditdid,too.

WhenIwasabovegroundagain,Iturnedoutthemonks,andletdownafish-line;thewellwasahundredandfiftyfeetdeep,andtherewasforty-onefeetofwaterinitIIcalledinamonkandasked:

"Howdeepisthewell?"

"That,sir,Iwitnot,havingneverbeentold."

"Howdoesthewaterusuallystandinit?"

"Neartothetop,thesetwocenturies,asthetestimonygoeth,broughtdowntousthroughourpredecessors."

Itwastrue——astorecenttimesatleast——fortherewaswitnesstoit,andbetterwitnessthanamonk;onlyabouttwentyorthirtyfeetofthechainshowedwearanduse,therestofitwasunwornandrusty.

Whathadhappenedwhenthewellgaveoutthatothertime?Withoutdoubtsomepracticalpersonhadcomealongandmendedtheleak,andthenhadcomeupandtoldtheabbothehaddiscoveredbydivinationthatifthesinfulbathweredestroyedthewellwouldflowagain.Theleakhadbefallenagainnow,andthesechildrenwouldhaveprayed,andprocessioned,andtolledtheirbellsforheavenlysuccortilltheyalldriedupandblewaway,andnoinnocentofthemallwouldeverhavethoughttodropafish-lineintothewellorgodowninitandfindoutwhatwasreallythematter.

Oldhabitofmindisoneofthetoughestthingstogetawayfromintheworld.Ittransmitsitselflikephysicalformandfeature;andforaman,inthosedays,tohavehadanideathathisancestorshadn"thad,wouldhavebroughthimundersuspicionofbeingillegitimate.Isaidtothemonk:

"Itisadifficultmiracletorestorewaterinadrywell,butwewilltry,ifmybrotherMerlinfails.BrotherMerlinisaverypassableartist,butonlyintheparlor-magicline,andhemaynotsucceed;infact,isnotlikelytosucceed.Butthatshouldbenothingtohisdiscredit;themanthatcandoTHISkindofmiracleknowsenoughtokeephotel."

"Hotel?Imindnottohaveheard——"

"Ofhotel?It"swhatyoucallhostel.Themanthatcandothismiraclecankeephostel.Icandothismiracle;Ishalldothismiracle;yetI

donottrytoconcealfromyouthatitisamiracletotaxtheoccultpowerstothelaststrain."

"Noneknoweththattruthbetterthanthebrotherhood,indeed;foritisofrecordthataforetimeitwasparlousdifficultandtookayear.Natheless,Godsendyougoodsuccess,andtothatendwillwepray."

Asamatterofbusinessitwasagoodideatogetthenotionaroundthatthethingwasdifficult.Manyasmallthinghasbeenmadelargebytherightkindofadvertising.Thatmonkwasfilledupwiththedifficultyofthisenterprise;hewouldfilluptheothers.Intwodaysthesolicitudewouldbebooming.

Onmywayhomeatnoon,ImetSandy.Shehadbeensamplingthehermits.

Isaid:

"Iwouldliketodothatmyself.ThisisWednesday.Isthereamatinee?"

"Awhich,pleaseyou,sir?"

"Matinee.Dotheykeepopenafternoons?"

"Who?"

"Thehermits,ofcourse."

"Keepopen?"

"Yes,keepopen.Isn"tthatplainenough?Dotheyknockoffatnoon?"

"Knockoff?"

"Knockoff?——yes,knockoff.Whatisthematterwithknockoff?I

neversawsuchadunderhead;can"tyouunderstandanythingatall?Inplainterms,dotheyshutupshop,drawthegame,bankthefires——"

"Shutupshop,draw——"

"There,nevermind,letitgo;youmakemetired.Youcan"tseemtounderstandthesimplestthing."

IwouldImightpleasethee,sir,anditistomedoleandsorrowthatIfail,albeitsithIambutasimpledamselandtaughtofnone,beingfromthecradleunbaptizedinthosedeepwatersoflearningthatdoanointwithasovereigntyhimthatpartakethofthatmostnoblesacrament,investinghimwithreverendstatetothementaleyeofthehumblemortalwho,bybarandlackofthatgreatconsecrationseethinhisownunlearnedestatebutasymbolofthatothersortoflackandlosswhichmendopublishtothepityingeyewithsackclothtrappingswhereontheashesofgriefdoliebepowderedandbestrewn,andso,whensuchshallinthedarknessofhismindencounterthesegoldenphrasesofhighmystery,theseshut-up-shops,anddraw-the-game,andbank-the-fires,itisbutbythegraceofGodthatheburstnotforenvyofthemindthatcanbeget,andtonguethatcandeliversogreatandmellow-soundingmiraclesofspeech,andiftheredoensueconfusioninthathumblermind,andfailuretodivinethemeaningsofthesewonders,thenifsobethismiscomprehensionisnotvainbutsoothandtrue,wityewellitistheverysubstanceofworshipfuldearhomageandmaynotlightlybemisprized,norhadbeen,anyehadnotedthiscomplexionofmoodandmindandunderstoodthatthatIwouldIcouldnot,andthatIcouldnotImightnot,noryetnormightNORcould,normight-notnorcould-not,mightbebyadvantageturnedtothedesiredWOULD,andsoI

prayyoumercyofmyfault,andthatyewillofyourkindnessandyourcharityforgiveit,goodmymasterandmostdearlord."

Icouldn"tmakeitallout——thatis,thedetails——butIgotthegeneralidea;andenoughofit,too,tobeashamed.Itwasnotfairtospringthosenineteenthcenturytechnicalitiesupontheuntutoredinfantofthesixthandthenrailatherbecauseshecouldn"tgettheirdrift;

andwhenshewasmakingthehonestbestdriveatitshecould,too,andnofaultofhersthatshecouldn"tfetchthehomeplate;andsoIapologized.

Thenwemeanderedpleasantlyawaytowardthehermitholesinsociableconversetogether,andbetterfriendsthanever.

Iwasgraduallycomingtohaveamysteriousandshudderyreverenceforthisgirl;nowadayswhenevershepulledoutfromthestationandgothertrainfairlystartedononeofthosehorizonlesstranscontinentalsentencesofhers,itwasborneinuponmethatIwasstandingintheawfulpresenceoftheMotheroftheGermanLanguage.Iwassoimpressedwiththis,thatsometimeswhenshebegantoemptyoneofthesesentencesonmeIunconsciouslytooktheveryattitudeofreverence,andstooduncovered;andifwordshadbeenwater,Ihadbeendrowned,sure.ShehadexactlytheGermanway;

whateverwasinhermindtobedelivered,whetheramereremark,orasermon,oracyclopedia,orthehistoryofawar,shewouldgetitintoasinglesentenceordie.WhenevertheliteraryGermandivesintoasentence,thatisthelastyouaregoingtoseeofhimtillheemergesontheothersideofhisAtlanticwithhisverbinhismouth.

Wedriftedfromhermittohermitalltheafternoon.Itwasamoststrangemenagerie.Thechiefemulationamongthemseemedtobe,toseewhichcouldmanagetobetheuncleanestandmostprosperouswithvermin.Theirmannerandattitudeswerethelastexpressionofcomplacentself-righteousness.

Itwasoneanchorite"spridetolienakedinthemudandlettheinsectsbitehimandblisterhimunmolested;itwasanother"stoleanagainstarock,alldaylong,conspicuoustotheadmirationofthethrongofpilgrimsandpray;itwasanother"stogonakedandcrawlaroundonallfours;itwasanother"stodragaboutwithhim,yearinandyearout,eightypoundsofiron;itwasanother"stoneverliedownwhenheslept,buttostandamongthethorn-bushesandsnorewhentherewerepilgrimsaroundtolook;

awoman,whohadthewhitehairofage,andnootherapparel,wasblackfromcrowntoheelwithforty-sevenyearsofholyabstinencefromwater.

Groupsofgazingpilgrimsstoodaroundallandeveryofthesestrangeobjects,lostinreverentwonder,andenviousoftheflecklesssanctitywhichthesepiousausteritieshadwonforthemfromanexactingheaven.

Byandbywewenttoseeoneofthesupremelygreatones.Hewasamightycelebrity;hisfamehadpenetratedallChristendom;thenobleandtherenownedjourneyedfromtheremotestlandsontheglobetopayhimreverence.Hisstandwasinthecenterofthewidestpartofthevalley;andittookallthatspacetoholdhiscrowds.

Hisstandwasapillarsixtyfeethigh,withabroadplatformonthetopofit.Hewasnowdoingwhathehadbeendoingeverydayfortwentyyearsupthere——bowinghisbodyceaselesslyandrapidlyalmosttohisfeet.Itwashiswayofpraying.Itimedhimwithastopwatch,andhemade1,244revolutionsin24minutesand46seconds.Itseemedapitytohaveallthispowergoingtowaste.Itwasoneofthemostusefulmotionsinmechanics,thepedalmovement;soImadeanoteinmymemorandumbook,purposingsomedaytoapplyasystemofelasticcordstohimandrunasewingmachinewithit.Iafterwardcarriedoutthatscheme,andgotfiveyears"goodserviceoutofhim;inwhichtimeheturnedoutupwardofeighteenthousandfirst-ratetow-linenshirts,whichwastenaday.IworkedhimSundaysandall;hewasgoing,Sundays,thesameasweekdays,anditwasnousetowastethepower.Theseshirtscostmenothingbutjustthemeretrifleforthematerials——Ifurnishedthosemyself,itwouldnothavebeenrighttomakehimdothat——andtheysoldlikesmoketopilgrimsatadollarandahalfapiece,whichwasthepriceoffiftycowsorabloodedracehorseinArthurdom.Theywereregardedasaperfectprotectionagainstsin,andadvertisedassuchbymyknightseverywhere,withthepaint-potandstencil-plate;insomuchthattherewasnotaclifforabowlderoradeadwallinEnglandbutyoucouldreadonitatamiledistance:

"BuytheonlygenuineSt.Stylite;patronizedbytheNobility.Patentappliedfor."

Therewasmoremoneyinthebusinessthanoneknewwhattodowith.

Asitextended,Ibroughtoutalineofgoodssuitableforkings,andanobbythingforduchessesandthatsort,withrufflesdowntheforehatchandtherunning-gearclewedupwithafeatherstitchtoleewardandthenhauledaftwithaback-stayandtricedupwithahalf-turninthestandingriggingforwardoftheweather-gaskets.Yes,itwasadaisy.

ButaboutthattimeInoticedthatthemotivepowerhadtakentostandingononeleg,andIfoundthattherewassomethingthematterwiththeotherone;soIstockedthebusinessandunloaded,takingSirBorsdeGanisintocampfinanciallyalongwithcertainofhisfriends;fortheworksstoppedwithinayear,andthegoodsaintgothimtohisrest.Buthehadearnedit.Icansaythatforhim.

WhenIsawhimthatfirsttime——however,hispersonalconditionwillnotquitebeardescriptionhere.YoucanreaditintheLivesoftheSaints.

*

[*Allthedetailsconcerningthehermits,inthischapter,arefromLecky——butgreatlymodified.Thisbooknotbeingahistorybutonlyatale,themajorityofthehistorian"sfrankdetailsweretoostrongforreproductioninit-EDITOR]

AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur"sCourt-Chapter23Chapter23-RestorationoftheFountainSATURDAYnoonIwenttothewellandlookedonawhile.Merlinwasstillburningsmoke-powders,andpawingtheair,andmutteringgibberishashardasever,butlookingprettydown-hearted,forofcoursehehadnotstartedevenaperspirationinthatwellyet.FinallyIsaid:

"Howdoesthethingpromisebythistime,partner?"

"Behold,IamevennowbusiedwithtrialofthepowerfulestenchantmentknowntotheprincesoftheoccultartsinthelandsoftheEast;anitfailme,naughtcanavail.Peace,untilIfinish."

Heraisedasmokethistimethatdarkenedalltheregion,andmusthavemademattersuncomfortableforthehermits,forthewindwastheirway,anditrolleddownovertheirdensinadenseandbillowyfog.Hepouredoutvolumesofspeechtomatch,andcontortedhisbodyandsawedtheairwithhishandsinamostextraordinaryway.Attheendoftwentyminuteshedroppeddownpanting,andaboutexhausted.Nowarrivedtheabbotandseveralhundredmonksandnuns,andbehindthemamultitudeofpilgrimsandacoupleofacresoffoundlings,alldrawnbytheprodigioussmoke,andallinagrandstateofexcitement.Theabbotinquiredanxiouslyforresults.Merlinsaid:

"Ifanylaborofmortalmightbreakthespellthatbindsthesewaters,thiswhichIhavebutjustessayedhaddoneit.Ithasfailed;wherebyIdonowknowthatthatwhichIhadfearedisatruthestablished;thesignofthisfailureis,thatthemostpotentspiritknowntothemagiciansoftheEast,andwhosenamenonemayutterandlive,haslaidhisspelluponthiswell.Themortaldoesnotbreathe,noreverwill,whocanpenetratethesecretofthatspell,andwithoutthatsecretnonecanbreakit.Thewaterwillflownomoreforever,goodFather.Ihavedonewhatmancould.

Suffermetogo."

Ofcoursethisthrewtheabbotintoagooddealofaconsternation.

Heturnedtomewiththesignsofitinhisface,andsaid:

"Yehaveheardhim.Isittrue?"

"Partofitis."

"Notall,then,notall!Whatpartistrue?"

"ThatthatspiritwiththeRussiannamehasputhisspelluponthewell."

"God"swownds,thenareweruined!"

"Possibly."

"Butnotcertainly?Yemean,notcertainly?"

"Thatisit."

"Wherefore,yealsomeanthatwhenhesaithnonecanbreakthespell——"

"Yes,whenhesaysthat,hesayswhatisn"tnecessarilytrue.Thereareconditionsunderwhichanefforttobreakitmayhavesomechance——

thatis,somesmall,sometriflingchance——ofsuccess."

"Theconditions——"

"Oh,theyarenothingdifficult.Onlythese:Iwantthewellandthesurroundingsforthespaceofhalfamile,entirelytomyselffromsunsetto-dayuntilIremovetheban——andnobodyallowedtocrossthegroundbutbymyauthority."

"Aretheseall?"

"Yes."

"Andyouhavenofeartotry?"