第5章
ItwasSemperIdem"srecoverywhichhadsofullycompensatedDoctorBicknellforthelossofthesailorman。Livesweretohimasnothing，theunpleasantbutinevitableincidentsoftheprofession，butcases，ah，caseswereeverything。Peoplewhoknewhimwerepronetobrandhimabutcher，buthiscolleagueswereatoneinthebeliefthatabolderandyetamorecapablemanneverstoodoverthetable。Hewasnotanimaginativeman。Hedidnotpossess，andhencehadnotolerancefor，emotion。Hisnaturewasaccurate，precise，scientific。Menweretohimnomorethanpawns，withoutindividualityorpersonalvalue。Butascasesitwasdifferent。Themorebrokenamanwas，themoreprecarioushisgriponlife，thegreaterhissignificanceintheeyesofDoctorBicknell。Hewouldasreadilyforsakeapoetlaureatesufferingfromacommonaccidentforanameless，mangledvagrantwhodefiedeverylawoflifebyrefusingtodie，aswouldachildforsakeaPunchandJudyforacircus。
SoithadbeeninthecaseofSemperIdem。Themysteryofthemanhadnotappealedtohim，norhadhissilenceandtheveiledromancewhichtheyellowreportershadsosensationallyandsofruitlesslyexploitedindiversSundayeditions。ButSemperIdem"sthroathadbeencut。Thatwasthepoint。Thatwaswherehisinteresthadcentred。Cutfromeartoear，andnotonesurgeoninathousandtogiveasnapofthefingersforhischanceofrecovery。But，thankstotheswiftmunicipalambulanceserviceandtoDoctorBicknell，hehadbeendraggedbackintotheworldhehadsoughttoleave。TheDoctor"sco-workershadshakentheirheadswhenthecasewasbroughtin。Impossible，theysaid。Throat，windpipe，jugular，allbutactuallysevered，andthelossofbloodfrightful。Asitwassuchaforegoneconclusion，DoctorBicknellhademployedmethodsanddonethingswhichmadethem，evenintheirprofessionalcapacities，shudder。Andlo!
themanhadrecovered。
So，onthismorningthatSemperIdemwastoleavethehospital，haleandhearty，DoctorBicknell"sgenialitywasinnowisedisturbedbythesteward"sreport，andheproceededcheerfullytobringorderoutofthechaosofachild"sbodywhichhadbeengroundandcrunchedbeneaththewheelsofanelectriccar。
Asmanywillremember，thecaseofSemperIdemarousedavastdealofunseemlyyethighlynaturalcuriosity。Hehadbeenfoundinaslumlodging，withthroatcutasaforementioned，andblooddrippingdownupontheinmatesoftheroombelowanddisturbingtheirfestivities。Hehadevidentlydonethedeedstanding，withheadbowedforwardthathemightgazehislastuponaphotographwhichstoodonthetableproppedagainstacandlestick。ItwasthisattitudewhichhadmadeitpossibleforDoctorBicknelltosavehim。Soterrifichadbeenthesweepoftherazorthathadhehadhisheadthrownback，asheshouldhavedonetohaveaccomplishedtheactproperly，withhisneckstretchedandtheelasticvascularwallsdistended，hewouldhaveofacertaintywell-nighdecapitatedhimself。
Atthehospital，duringallthetimehetravelledtherepugnantroadbacktolife，notawordhadlefthislips。Norcouldanythingbelearnedofhimbythesleuthsdetailedbythechiefofpolice。Nobodyknewhim，norhadeverseenorheardofhimbefore。Hewasstrictly，uniquely，ofthepresent。Hisclothesandsurroundingswerethoseofthelowestlabourer，hishandsthehandsofagentleman。Butnotashredofwritingwasdiscovered，nothing，saveinoneparticular，whichwouldservetoindicatehispastorhispositioninlife。
Andthatoneparticularwasthephotograph。Ifitwereatallalikeness，thewomanwhogazedfranklyoutupontheonlookerfromthecard-mountmusthavebeenastrikingcreatureindeed。Itwasanamateurproduction，forthedetectiveswerebaffledinthatnoprofessionalphotographer"ssignatureorstudiowasappended。Acrossacornerofthemount，indelicatefemininetracery，waswritten:"Semperidem；semperfidelis。"
Andshelookedit。Asmanyrecollect，itwasafaceonecouldneverforget。Cleverhalf-tones，remarkablylike，werepublishedinalltheleadingpapersatthetime；butsuchproceduregaverisetonothingbuttheuncontrollablepubliccuriosityandinterminablecopytothespace-writers。
Forwantofabettername，therescuedsuicidewasknowntothehospitalattendants，andtotheworld，asSemperIdem。AndSemperIdemheremained。
Reporters，detectives，andnursesgavehimupindespair。Notonewordcouldhebepersuadedtoutter；yettheflittingconsciouslightofhiseyesshowedthathisearsheardandhisbraingraspedeveryquestionputtohim。
ButthismysteryandromanceplayednopartinDoctorBicknell"sinterestwhenhepausedintheofficetohaveapartingwordwithhispatient。He，theDoctor，hadperformedaprodigyinthematterofthisman，donewhatwasvirtuallyunprecedentedintheannalsofsurgery。Hedidnotcarewhoorwhatthemanwas，anditwashighlyimprobablethatheshouldeverseehimagain；but，liketheartistgazinguponafinishedcreation，hewishedtolookforthelasttimeupontheworkofhishandandbrain。
SemperIdemstillremainedmute。Heseemedanxioustobegone。NotawordcouldtheDoctorextractfromhim，andlittletheDoctorcared。Heexaminedthethroatoftheconvalescentcarefully，idlingoverthehideousscarwiththelingering，half-caressingfondnessofaparent。Itwasnotaparticularlypleasingsight。Anangrylinecircledthethroat——foralltheworldasthoughthemanhadjustescapedthehangman"snoose——and，disappearingbelowtheearoneitherside，hadtheappearanceofcompletingthefieryperipheryatthenapeoftheneck。
Maintaininghisdoggedsilence，yieldingtotheother"sexaminationinmuchthemannerofaleashedlion，SemperIdembetrayedonlyhisdesiretodropfromoutofthepubliceye。
"Well，I"llnotkeepyou，"DoctorBicknellfinallysaid，layingahandontheman"sshoulderandstealingalastglanceathisownhandiwork。"Butletmegiveyouabitofadvice。Nexttimeyoutryiton，holdyourchinup，so。Don"tsnuggleitdownandbutcheryourselflikeacow。Neatnessanddespatch，youknow。Neatnessanddespatch。"
SemperIdem"seyesflashedintokenthatheheard，andamomentlaterthehospitaldoorswungtoonhisheel。
ItwasabusydayforDoctorBicknell，andtheafternoonwaswellalongwhenhelightedacigarpreparatorytoleavingthetableuponwhichitseemedthesufferersalmostclamouredtobelaid。Butthelastone，anoldrag-pickerwithabrokenshoulder-blade，hadbeendisposedof，andthefirstfragrantsmokewreathshadbeguntocurlabouthishead，whenthegongofahurryingambulancecamethroughtheopenwindowfromthestreet，followedbytheinevitableentryofthestretcherwithitsghastlyfreight。
"Layitonthetable，"theDoctordirected，turningforamomenttoplacehiscigarinsafety。"Whatisit？"
"Suicide——throatcut，"respondedoneofthestretcherbearers。"DownonMorganAlley。Littlehope，Ithink，sir。He"s"mostgone。"
"Eh？Well，I"llgivehimalook，anyway。"Heleanedoverthemanatthemomentwhenthequickmadeitslastfaintflutterandsuccumbed。
"It"sSemperIdemcomebackagain，"thestewardsaid。
"Ay，"repliedDoctorBicknell，"andgoneagain。Nobunglingthistime。
Properlydone，uponmylife，sir，properlydone。Tookmyadvicetotheletter。I"mnotrequiredhere。Takeitalongtothemorgue。"
DoctorBicknellsecuredhiscigarandrelightedit。"That，"hesaidbetweenthepuffs，lookingatthesteward，"thatevensupfortheoneyoulostlastnight。We"requitsnow。"
ANOSEFORTHEKING
InthemorningcalmofKorea，whenitspeaceandtranquillitytrulymeriteditsancientname，"Cho-sen，"therelivedapoliticianbynameYiChinHo。
Hewasamanofparts，and——whoshallsay？——perhapsinnowiseworsethanpoliticianstheworldover。But，unlikehisbrethreninotherlands，YiChinHowasinjail。Notthathehadinadvertentlydivertedtohimselfpublicmoneys，butthathehadinadvertentlydivertedtoomuch。Excessistobedeploredinallthings，eveningrafting，andYiChinHo"sexcesshadbroughthimtomostdeplorablestraits。
TenthousandstringsofcashheowedtheGovernment，andhelayinprisonundersentenceofdeath。Therewasoneadvantagetothesituation——hehadplentyoftimeinwhichtothink。Andhethoughtwell。Thencalledhethejailertohim。
"Mostworthyman，youseebeforeyouonemostwretched，"hebegan。"Yetallwillbewellwithmeifyouwillbutletmegofreeforoneshorthourthisnight。Andallwillbewellwithyou，forIshallseetoyouradvancementthroughtheyears，andyoushallcomeatlengthtothedirectorshipofalltheprisonsofCho-sen。"
"Hownow？"demandedthejailer。"Whatfoolishnessisthis？Oneshorthour，andyoubutwaitingforyourheadtobechoppedoff!AndI，withanagedandmuch-to-be-respectedmother，nottosayanythingofawifeandseveralchildrenoftenderyears!Outuponyouforthescoundrelthatyouare!"
"FromtheSacredCitytotheendsofalltheEightCoaststhereisnoplaceformetohide，"YiChinHomadereply。"Iamamanofwisdom，butofwhatworthmywisdomhereinprison？WereIfree，wellIknowIcouldseekoutandobtainthemoneywherewithtorepaytheGovernment。Iknowofanosethatwillsavemefromallmydifficulties。"
"Anose!"criedthejailer。
"Anose，"saidYiChinHo。"Aremarkablenose，ifImaysayso，amostremarkablenose。"
Thejailerthrewuphishandsdespairingly。"Ah，whatawagyouare，whatawag，"helaughed。"Tothinkthatthatveryadmirablewitofyoursmustgothewayofthechopping-block!"
Andsosaying，heturnedandwentaway。Butintheend，beingamansoftofheadandheart，whenthenightwaswellalonghepermittedYiChinHotogo。
StraighthewenttotheGovernor，catchinghimaloneandarousinghimfromhissleep。
"YiChinHo，orI"mnoGovernor!"criedtheGovernor。"Whatdoyouherewhoshouldbeinprisonwaitingonthechopping-block？"
"IprayYourExcellencytolistentome，"saidYiChinHo，squattingonhishamsbythebedsideandlightinghispipefromthefire-box。"Adeadmaniswithoutvalue。Itistrue，Iamasadeadman，withoutvaluetotheGovernment，toYourExcellency，ortomyself。Butif，sotosay，YourExcellencyweretogivememyfreedom——"
"Impossible!"criedtheGovernor。"Beside，youarecondemnedtodeath。"
"YourExcellencywellknowsthatifIcanrepaythetenthousandstringsofcash，theGovernmentwillpardonme，"YiChinHowenton。"So，asIsay，ifYourExcellencyweretogivememyfreedomforafewdays，beingamanofunderstanding，IshouldthenrepaytheGovernmentandbeinpositiontobeofservicetoYourExcellency。IshouldbeinpositiontobeofverygreatservicetoYourExcellency。"
"Haveyouaplanwherebyyouhopetoobtainthismoney？"askedtheGovernor。
"Ihave，"saidYiChinHo。
"Thencomewithittometo-morrownight；Iwouldnowsleep，"saidtheGovernor，takinguphissnorewhereithadbeeninterrupted。
Onthefollowingnight，havingagainobtainedleaveofabsencefromthejailer，YiChinHopresentedhimselfattheGovernor"sbedside。
"Isityou，YiChinHo？"askedtheGovernor。"Andhaveyoutheplan？"
"ItisI，YourExcellency，"answeredYiChinHo，"andtheplanishere。"
"Speak，"commandedtheGovernor。
"Theplanishere，"repeatedYiChinHo，"hereinmyhand。"
TheGovernorsatupandopenedhiseyes。YiChinHoprofferedinhishandasheetofpaper。TheGovernorheldittothelight。
"Nothingbutanose，"saidhe。
"Abitpinched，so，andso，YourExcellency，"saidYiChinHo。
"Yes，abitpinchedhereandthere，asyousay，"saidtheGovernor。
"Withalitisanexceedingcorpulentnose，thus，andso，allinoneplace，attheend，"proceededYiChinHo。"YourExcellencywouldseekfarandwideandmanyadayforthatnoseandfinditnot!"
"Anunusualnose，"admittedtheGovernor。
"Thereisawartuponit，"saidYiChinHo。
"Amostunusualnose，"saidtheGovernor。"NeverhaveIseenthelike。
Butwhatdoyouwiththisnose，YiChinHo？"
"IseekitwherebytorepaythemoneytotheGovernment，"saidYiChinHo。
"IseekittobeofservicetoYourExcellency，andIseekittosavemyownworthlesshead。Further，IseekYourExcellency"ssealuponthispictureofthenose。"
AndtheGovernorlaughedandaffixedthesealofState，andYiChinHodeparted。ForamonthandadayhetravelledtheKing"sRoadwhichleadstotheshoreoftheEasternSea；andthere，onenight，atthegateofthelargestmansionofawealthycityheknockedloudlyforadmittance。
"NoneotherthanthemasterofthehousewillIsee，"saidhefiercelytothefrightenedservants。"ItravelupontheKing"sbusiness。"
Straightwaywasheledtoaninnerroom，wherethemasterofthehousewasrousedfromhissleepandbroughtblinkingbeforehim。
"YouarePakChungChang，headmanofthiscity，"saidYiChinHointonesthatwereall-accusing。"IamupontheKing"sbusiness。"
PakChungChangtrembled。WellheknewtheKing"sbusinesswaseveraterriblebusiness。Hiskneessmotetogether，andhenearfelltothefloor。
"Thehourislate，"hequavered。"Wereitnotwellto——"
"TheKing"sbusinessneverwaits!"thunderedYiChinHo。"Comeapartwithme，andswiftly。Ihaveanaffairofmomenttodiscusswithyou。
"ItistheKing"saffair，"headdedwithevengreaterfierceness；sothatPakChungChang"ssilverpipedroppedfromhisnervelessfingersandclatteredonthefloor。
"Knowthen，"saidYiChinHo，whentheyhadgoneapart，"thattheKingistroubledwithanaffliction，averyterribleaffliction。Inthathefailedtocure，theCourtphysicianhashadnothingelsethanhisheadchoppedoff。FromalltheEightProvinceshavethephysicianscometowaitupontheKing。Wiseconsultationhavetheyheld，andtheyhavedecidedthatforaremedyfortheKing"safflictionnothingelseisrequiredthananose，acertainkindofnose，averypeculiarcertainkindofnose。
"ThenbynoneotherwasIsummonedthanHisExcellencythePrimeMinisterhimself。Heputapaperintomyhand。UponthispaperwastheverypeculiarkindofnosedrawnbythephysiciansoftheEightProvinces，withthesealofStateuponit。
""Go，"saidHisExcellencythePrimeMinister。"Seekoutthisnose，fortheKing"safflictionissore。Andwheresoeveryoufindthisnoseuponthefaceofaman，strikeitoffforthrightandbringitinallhastetotheCourt，fortheKingmustbecured。Go，andcomenotbackuntilyoursearchisrewarded。"
"AndsoIdeparteduponmyquest，"saidYiChinHo。"Ihavesoughtouttheremotestcornersofthekingdom；IhavetravelledtheEightHighways，searchedtheEightProvinces，andsailedtheseasoftheEightCoasts。AndhereIam。"
Withagreatflourishhedrewapaperfromhisgirdle，unrolleditwithmanysnappingsandcracklings，andthrustitbeforethefaceofPakChungChang。Uponthepaperwasthepictureofthenose。
PakChungChangstareduponitwithbulgingeyes。
"NeverhaveIbeheldsuchanose，"hebegan。
"Thereisawartuponit，"saidYiChinHo。
"NeverhaveIbeheld——"PakChungChangbeganagain。
"Bringyourfatherbeforeme，"YiChinHointerruptedsternly。
"Myancientandvery-much-to-be-respectedancestorsleeps，"saidPakChungChang。
"Whydissemble？"demandedYiChinHo。"Youknowitisyourfather"snose。
BringhimbeforemethatImaystrikeitoffandbegone。Hurry，lestI
makebadreportofyou。"
"Mercy!"criedPakChungChang，fallingonhisknees。"Itisimpossible!
Itisimpossible!Youcannotstrikeoffmyfather"snose。Hecannotgodownwithouthisnosetothegrave。Hewillbecomealaughterandabyword，andallmydaysandnightswillbefilledwithwoe。Oreflect!
Reportthatyouhaveseennosuchnoseinyourtravels。You，too，haveafather。"
PakChungChangclaspedYiChinHo"skneesandfelltoweepingonhissandals。
"Myheartsoftensstrangelyatyourtears，"saidYiChinHo。"I，too，knowfilialpietyandregard。But——"Hehesitated，thenadded，asthoughthinkingaloud，"Itisasmuchasmyheadisworth。"
"Howmuchisyourheadworth？"askedPakChungChanginathin，smallvoice。
"Anotremarkablehead，"saidYiChinHo。"Anabsurdlyunremarkablehead；
but，suchismygreatfoolishness，Ivalueitatnothinglessthanonehundredthousandstringsofcash。"
"Sobeit，"saidPakChungChang，risingtohisfeet。
"Ishallneedhorsestocarrythetreasure，"saidYiChinHo，"andmentoguarditwellasIjourneythroughthemountains。Therearerobbersabroadintheland。"
"Therearerobbersabroadintheland，"saidPakChungChang，sadly。"Butitshallbeasyouwish，solongasmyancientandvery-much-to-be-
respectedancestor"snoseabideinitsappointedplace。"
"Saynothingtoanymanofthisoccurrence，"saidYiChinHo，"elsewillotherandmoreloyalservantsthanIbesenttostrikeoffyourfather"snose。"
AndsoYiChinHodepartedonhiswaythroughthemountains，blitheofheartandgayofsongashelistenedtothejinglingbellsofhistreasure-
ladenponies。
Thereislittlemoretotell。YiChinHoprosperedthroughtheyears。ByhiseffortsthejailerattainedatlengthtothedirectorshipofalltheprisonsofCho-sen；theGovernorultimatelybetookhimselftotheSacredCitytobePrimeMinistertotheKing，whileYiChinHobecametheKing"sbooncompanionandsatattablewithhimtotheendofaround，fatlife。
ButPakChungChangfellintoamelancholy，andeverafterheshookhisheadsadly，withtearsinhiseyes，wheneverheregardedtheexpensivenoseofhisancientandvery-much-to-be-respectedancestor。
THE"FRANCISSPAIGHT"
(ATRUETALERETOLD)
TheFrancisSpaightwasrunningbeforeitsolelyunderamizzentopsail，whenthethinghappened。Itwasnotduetocarelessnesssomuchastothelackofdisciplineofthecrewandtothefactthattheywereindifferentseamenatbest。Themanatthewheelinparticular，aLimerickman，hadhadnoexperiencewithsaltwaterbeyondthatofraftingtimberontheShannonbetweentheQuebecvesselsandtheshore。Hewasafraidofthehugeseasthatroseoutofthemurkasternandboredownuponhim，andhewasmoregiventocoweringawayfromtheirthreatenedimpactthanhewastomeetingtheirblowswiththewheelandcheckingtheship"srushtobroachto。
Itwasthreeinthemorningwhenhisunseamanlikeconductprecipitatedthecatastrophe。Atsightofaseafarlargerthanitsfellows，hecroucheddown，releasinghishandsfromthespokes。TheFrancisSpaightsheeredashersternliftedonthesea，receivingthefullflingofthecaponherquarter。Thenextinstantshewasinthetrough，herlee-railburiedtilltheoceanwaslevelwithherhatch-coamings，seaafterseabreakingoverherweatherrailandsweepingwhatremainedexposedofthedeckwithicydeluges。
Themenwereoutofhand，helplessandhopeless，stupidintheirbewildermentandfear，andresoluteonlyinthattheywouldnotobeyorders。Somewailed，othersclungsilentlyintheweathershrouds，andstillothersmutteredprayersorshriekedvileimprecations；andneithercaptainnormatecouldgetthemtobearahandatthepumpsoratsettingpatchesofsailstobringthevesseluptothewindandsea。Insidethehourtheshipwasoveronherbeamends，thelubberlycowardsclimbinguphersideandhangingonintherigging。Whenshewentover，thematewascaughtanddrownedintheafter-cabin，asweretwosailorswhohadsoughtrefugeintheforecastle。
Thematehadbeentheablestmanonboard，andthecaptainwasnowscarcelylesshelplessthanhismen。Beyondcursingthemfortheirworthlessness，hedidnothing；anditremainedforamannamedMahoney，aBelfastman，andaboy，O"Brien，ofLimerick，tocutawaytheforeandmainmasts。Thistheydidatgreatriskontheperpendicularwallofthewreck，sendingthemizzentopmastoversidealonginthegeneralcrash。TheFrancisSpaightrighted，anditwaswellthatshewaslumberladen，elseshewouldhavesunk，forshewasalreadywater-logged。Themainmast，stillfastbytheshrouds，beatlikeathunderoussledge-hammeragainsttheship"sside，everystrokebringinggroansfromthemen。
Daydawnedonthesavageocean，andinthecoldgraylightallthatcouldbeseenoftheFrancisSpaightemergingfromtheseawerethepoop，theshatteredmizzenmast，andaraggedlineofbulwarks。ItwasmidwinterintheNorthAtlantic，andthewretchedmenwerehalf-deadfromcold。Buttherewasnoplacewheretheycouldfindrest。Everyseabreachedcleanoverthewreck，washingawaythesaltincrustationsfromtheirbodiesanddepositingfreshincrustations。Thecabinunderthepoopwasawashtotheknees，buthereatleastwasshelterfromthechillwind，andherethesurvivorscongregated，standingupright，holdingonbythecabinfurnishings，andleaningagainstoneanotherforsupport。
InvainMahoneystrovetogetthementotaketurnsinwatchingaloftfromthemizzenmastforanychancevessel。Theicygalewastoomuchforthem，andtheypreferredtheshelterofthecabin。O"Brien，theboy，whowasonlyfifteen，tookturnswithMahoneyonthefreezingperch。Itwastheboy，atthreeintheafternoon，whocalleddownthathehadsightedasail。
Thisdidbringthemfromthecabin，andtheycrowdedthepooprailandweathermizzenshroudsastheywatchedthestrangeship。Butitscoursedidnotlienear，andwhenitdisappearedbelowtheskyline，theyreturnedshiveringtothecabin，notoneofferingtorelievethewatchatthemasthead。
Bytheendofthesecondday，MahoneyandO"Briengaveuptheirattempt，andthereafterthevesseldriftedinthegaleuncaredforandwithoutalookout。Therewerethirteenalive，andforseventy-twohourstheystoodknee-deepinthesloshingwateronthecabinfloor，half-frozen，withoutfood，andwithbutthreebottlesofwinesharedamongthem。Allfoodandfreshwaterwerebelow，andtherewasnogettingatsuchsuppliesinthewater-loggedconditionofthewreck。Asthedayswentby，nofoodwhateverpassedtheirlips。Freshwater，insmallquantities，theywereabletoobtainbyholdingacoverofatureenunderthesaddleofthemizzenmast。
Buttherainfellinfrequently，andtheywerehardput。Whenitrained，theyalsosoakedtheirhandkerchiefs，squeezingthemoutintotheirmouthsorintotheirshoes。Asthewindandseawentdown，theywereevenabletomoptheexposedportionsofthedeckthatwerefreefrombrineandsoaddtotheirwatersupply。Butfoodtheyhadnone，andnowayofgettingit，thoughsea-birdsflewrepeatedlyoverhead。
Inthecalmweatherthatfollowedthegale，afterhavingremainedontheirfeetforninety-sixhours，theywereabletofinddryplanksinthecabinonwhichtolie。Butthelonghoursofstandinginthesaltwaterhadcausedsorestoformontheirlegs。Thesesoreswereextremelypainful。
Theslightestcontactorscrapecausedsevereanguish，andintheirweakconditionandcrowdedsituationtheywerecontinuallyhurtingoneanotherinthismanner。Notamancouldmoveaboutwithoutbeingfollowedbyvolleysofabuse，curses，andgroans。Sogreatwastheirmiserythatthestrongoppressedtheweak，shovingthemasidefromthedryplankstoshiftforthemselvesinthecoldandwet。Theboy，O"Brien，wasspeciallymaltreated。Thoughtherewerethreeotherboys，itwasO"Brienwhocameinformostoftheabuse。Therewasnoexplainingit，exceptonthegroundthathiswasastrongerandmoredominantspiritthanthoseoftheotherboys，andthathestoodupmoreforhisrights，resentingthepettyinjusticesthatweremetedouttoalltheboysbythemen。WheneverO"Briencamenearthemeninsearchofadryplacetosleep，ormerelymovedabout，hewaskickedandcuffedaway。Inreturn，hecursedthemfortheirselfishbrutishness，andblowsandkicksandcurseswereraineduponhim。Miserableaswereallofthem，hewasthusmadefarmoremiserable；
anditwasonlytheflameoflife，unusuallystronginhim，thatenabledhimtoendure。
Asthedayswentbyandtheygrewweaker，theirpeevishnessandill-temperincreased，which，inturn，increasedtheill-treatmentandsufferingsofO"Brien。Bythesixteenthdayallhandswerefargonewithhunger，andtheystoodtogetherinsmallgroups，talkinginundertonesandoccasionallyglancingatO"Brien。Itwasathighnoonthattheconferencecametoahead。Thecaptainwasthespokesman。Allwerecollectedonthepoop。
"Men，"thecaptainbegan，"wehavebeenalongtimewithoutfood——twoweeksandtwodaysitis，thoughitseemsmoreliketwoyearsandtwomonths。Wecan"thangoutmuchlonger。Itisbeyondhumannaturetogoonhangingoutwithnothinginourstomachs。Thereisaseriousquestiontoconsider:
whetheritisbetterforalltodie，orforonetodie。Wearestandingwithourfeetinourgraves。Ifoneofusdies，therestmayliveuntilashipissighted。Whatsayyou？"
MichaelBehane，themanwhohadbeenatthewheelwhentheFrancisSpaightbroachedto，calledoutthatitwaswell。Theothersjoinedinthecry。
"Letitbeoneoftheb"ys!"criedSullivan，aTarbertman，glancingatthesametimesignificantlyatO"Brien。
"Itismyopinion，"thecaptainwenton，"thatitwillbeagooddeedforoneofustodiefortherest。"
"Agooddeed!Agooddeed!"themeninterjected。
"Anditismyopinionthat"tisbestforoneoftheboystodie。Theyhavenofamiliestosupport，norwouldtheybeconsideredsogreatalosstotheirfriendsasthosewhohavewivesandchildren。"
""Tisright。""Veryright。""Veryfititshouldbedone，"themenmutteredonetoanother。
Butthefourboyscriedoutagainsttheinjusticeofit。
"Ourlivesisjustasdeartousastherestivyez，"O"Brienprotested。
"An"ourfamblies，too。Asforwivesan"childer，whoistheresavin"
meselftocareformeoldmotherthat"sawidow，asyouknowwell，MichaelBehane，thatcomesfromLimerick？"Tisnotfair。Letthelotsbedrawnbetweenallofus，menandb"ys。"
Mahoneywastheonlymanwhospokeinfavouroftheboys，declaringthatitwasthefairthingforalltosharealike。Sullivanandthecaptaininsistedonthedrawingoflotsbeingconfinedtotheboys。Therewerehighwords，inthemidstofwhichSullivanturneduponO"Brien，snarling——
""Twouldbeagooddeedtoputyououtoftheway。Youdeserveit。
"Twouldbetherightwaytoserveyou，an"serveyouwewill。"
HestartedtowardO"Brien，withintenttolayhandsonhimandproceedatoncewiththekilling，whileseveralotherslikewiseshuffledtowardhimandreachedforhim。Hestumbledbackwardstoescapethem，atthesametimecryingthathewouldsubmittothedrawingofthelotsamongtheboys。
ThecaptainpreparedfoursticksofdifferentlengthsandhandedthemtoSullivan。
"You"rethinkin"thedrawin"llnotbefair，"thelattersneeredtoO"Brien。
"Soit"syerself"lldothedrawin"。"
TothisO"Brienagreed。Ahandkerchiefwastiedoverhiseyes，blindfoldinghim，andhekneltdownonthedeckwithhisbacktoSullivan。
"Whoeveryounamefortheshorteststick"lldie，"thecaptainsaid。
Sullivanhelduponeofthesticks。Therestwereconcealedinhishandsothatnoonecouldseewhetheritwastheshortstickornot。
"An"whosestickwillitbe？"Sullivandemanded。
"ForlittleJohnnySheehan，"O"Brienanswered。
Sullivanlaidthestickaside。Thosewholookedcouldnottellifitwerethefatalone。Sullivanheldupanotherstick。
"Whosewillitbe？"
"ForGeorgeBurns，"wasthereply。
Thestickwaslaidwiththefirstone，andathirdheldup。
"An"whoseisthiswan？"
"Formyself，"saidO"Brien。
Withaquickmovement，Sullivanthrewthefourstickstogether。Noonehadseen。
""Tisforyourselfye"vedrawnit，"Sullivanannounced。
"Agooddeed，"severalofthemenmuttered。
O"Brienwasveryquiet。Hearosetohisfeet，tookthebandageoff，andlookedaround。
"Whereisut？"hedemanded。"Theshortstick？Thewanforme？"
Thecaptainpointedtothefourstickslyingonthedeck。
"Howdoyouknowthestickwasmine？"O"Brienquestioned。"Didyouseeut，JohnnySheehan？"
JohnnySheehan，whowastheyoungestoftheboys，didnotanswer。
"Didyouseeut？"O"BriennextaskedMahoney。
"No，Ididn"tseeut。"
Themenweremutteringandgrowling。
""Twasafairdrawin"，"Sullivansaid。"Yehadyerchanctan"yelost，that"sallivut。"
"Afairdrawin"，"thecaptainadded。"Didn"tIbeholditmyself？Thestickwasyours，O"Brien，an"yemayaswellgetready。Where"sthecook？
Gorman，comehere。Fetchthetureencover，someofye。Gorman，doyourdutylikeaman。"
"Buthow"llIdoit，"thecookdemanded。Hewasaweak-eyed，weak-chinned，indecisiveman。
""Tisadamnedmurder!"O"Briencriedout。
"I"llhavenoneofut，"Mahoneyannounced。"Notabiteshallpassmelips。"
"Then"tisyershareforbettermenthanyerself，"Sullivansneered。"Goonwithyerduty，cook。"
""Tisnotmeduty，thekillin"ofb"ys，"Gormanprotestedirresolutely。
"Ifyezdon"tmakemateforus，we"llbemakin"mateofyerself，"Behanethreatened。"Somebodymustdie，an"aswellyouasanother。"
JohnnySheehanbegantocry。O"Brienlistenedanxiously。Hisfacewaspale。Hislipstrembled，andattimeshiswholebodyshook。
"Isignedonascook，"Gormanenounced。"An"cookIwudifgalleytherewas。ButI"llnotlaymehandtomurder。"Tisnotinthearticles。I"mthecook——"
"An"cookye"llbeforwanminutemoreonly，"Sullivansaidgrimly，atthesamemomentgrippingthecook"sheadfrombehindandbendingitbacktillthewindpipeandjugularwerestretchedtaut。"Where"syerknife，Mike？
Passitalong。"
Atthetouchofthesteel，Gormanwhimpered。
"I"lldout，ifyez"llholdtheb"y。"
ThepitiableconditionofthecookseemedinsomefashiontonerveupO"Brien。
"It"sallright，Gorman，"hesaid。"Goonwithut。"Tismeselfknowsyernotwantin"todout。It"sallright，sir"——thistothecaptain，whohadlaidahandheavilyonhisarm。"Yewon"thavetoholdme，sir。I"llstandstill。"
"Stopyerblitherin"，an"goan"getthetureencover，"BehanecommandedJohnnySheehan，atthesametimedealinghimaheavycuffalongsidethehead。
Theboy，whowasscarcelymorethanachild，fetchedthecover。Hecrawledandtotteredalongthedeck，soweakwashefromhunger。Thetearsstillrandownhischeeks。Behanetookthecoverfromhim，atthesametimeadministeringanothercuff。
O"Brientookoffhiscoatandbaredhisrightarm。Hisunderlipstilltrembled，butheheldatightgriponhimself。Thecaptain"spenknifewasopenedandpassedtoGorman。
"Mahoney，tellmemotherwhathappenedtome，ifeveryegetback，"O"Brienrequested。
Mahoneynodded。
""Tisblackmurder，blackan"damned，"hesaid。"Theb"y"sflesh"lldononeivyezannygood。Markmewords。Ye"llnotprofitbyit，noneivyez。"
"Getready，"thecaptainordered。"You，Sullivan，holdthecover——that"sit——closeup。Spillnothing。It"spreciousstuff。"
Gormanmadeaneffort。Theknifewasdull。Hewasweak。Besides，hishandwasshakingsoviolentlythathenearlydroppedtheknife。Thethreeboyswerecrouchedapart，inahuddle，cryingandsobbing。WiththeexceptionofMahoney，themenweregatheredaboutthevictim，craningtheirneckstosee。
"Beaman，Gorman，"thecaptaincautioned。
Thewretchedcookwasseizedwithaspasmofresolution，sawingbackandforthwiththebladeonO"Brien"swrist。Theveinsweresevered。Sullivanheldthetureencovercloseunderneath。Thecutveinsgapedwide，butnoruddyfloodgushedforth。Therewasnobloodatall。Theveinsweredryandempty。Noonespoke。Thegrimandsilentfiguresswayedinunisonwitheachheaveoftheship。Everyeyewasturnedfixedlyuponthatinconceivableandmonstrousthing，thedryveinsofacreaturethatwasalive。
""Tisawarnin"，"Mahoneycried。"Lavetheb"yalone。Markmewords。Hisdeath"lldononeivyezannygood。"
"Tryattheelbow——theleftelbow，"tisnearertheheart，"thecaptainsaidfinally，inadimandhuskyvoicethatwasunlikehisown。
"Givemetheknife，"O"Briensaidroughly，takingitoutofthecook"shand。"Ican"tbelookin"atyeputtin"metohurt。"
Quitecoollyhecuttheveinattheleftelbow，but，likethecook，hefailedtobringblood。
"Thisisallivnouse，"Sullivansaid。""Tisbettertoputhimoutivhismiserybybleedin"himatthethroat。"
Thestrainhadbeentoomuchforthelad。
"Don"tbedoin"ut，"hecried。"There"llbenobloodinmethroat。Givemealittletime。"Tiscoldan"weakIam。Belettin"melaydownan"
slapeabit。ThenI"llbewarman"theblood"llflow。"
""Tisnouse，"Sullivanobjected。"Asifyecudbeslapin"atatimelikethis。Ye"llnotslape，andye"llnotwarmup。Lookatyenow。You"veanague。"
"IwassickatLimerickwannight，"O"Brienhurriedon，"an"thedochtorcudn"tbleedme。Butafterslapin"afewhoursan"gettin"warminbedthebloodcamefreely。It"sGod"struthI"mtellin"yez。Don"tbemurderin"
me!"
"Hisveinsareopennow，"thecaptainsaid。""Tisnouseleavin"himinhispain。Doitnowan"bedonewithit。"
TheystartedtoreachforO"Brien，buthebackedaway。
"I"llbethedeathivyez!"hescreamed。"Takeyerhandsoffivme，Sullivan!I"llcomeback!I"llhauntyez!Wakin"orslapin"，I"llhauntyeztillyoudie!"
""Tisdisgraceful!"yelledBehane。"Iftheshortstick"dbenmine，I"da-
letmematescuttheheadoffivmean"diedhappy。"
Sullivanleapedinandcaughttheunhappyladbythehair。Therestofthemenfollowed，O"Brienkickedandstruggled，snarlingandsnappingatthehandsthatclutchedhimfromeveryside。LittleJohnnySheehanbrokeoutintowildscreaming，butthementooknonoticeofhim。O"Brienwasbentbackwardtothedeck，thetureencoverunderhisneck。Gormanwasshovedforward。Someonehadthrustalargesheath-knifeintohishand。
"Doyerduty!Doyerduty!"themencried。
Thecookbentover，buthecaughttheboy"seyesandfaltered。
"Ifyedon"t，I"llkillyewithmeownhands，"Behaneshouted。
Fromeverysideatorrentofabuseandthreatspouredinuponthecook。
Stillhehungback。
"Maybethere"llbemorebloodinhisveinsthanO"Brien"s，"Sullivansuggestedsignificantly。
BehanecaughtGormanbythehairandtwistedhisheadback，whileSullivanattemptedtotakepossessionofthesheath-knife。ButGormanclungtoitdesperately。
"Lavego，an"I"lldout!"hescreamedfrantically。"Don"tbecuttin"methroat!I"lldothedeed!I"lldothedeed!"
"Seethatyoudoit，then，"thecaptainthreatenedhim。
Gormanallowedhimselftobeshovedforward。Helookedattheboy，closedhiseyes，andmutteredaprayer。Then，withoutopeninghiseyes，hedidthedeedthathadbeenappointedhim。O"Brienemittedashriekthatsankswiftlytoagurglingsob。Themenheldhimtillhisstrugglesceased，whenhewaslaiduponthedeck。Theywereeagerandimpatient，andwithoathsandthreatstheyurgedGormantohurrywiththepreparationofthemeal。
"Laveut，youbloodybutchers，"Mahoneysaidquietly。"Laveut，Itellyez。Ye"llnotbeneedin"annyivutnow。"TisasIsaid:ye"llnotbeprofitin"bythelad"sblood。Emptyutoverside，Behane。Emptyutoverside。"
Behane，stillholdingthetureencoverinbothhishands，glancedtowindward。Hewalkedtotherailandthrewthecoverandcontentsintothesea。Afull-riggedshipwasbearingdownuponthemashortmileaway。Sooccupiedhadtheybeenwiththedeedjustcommitted，thatnonehadhadeyesforalookout。Allhandswatchedhercomingon——thebrightlycopperedforefootpartingthewaterlikeagoldenknife，theheadsailsflappinglazilyandemptilyateachdownwardsurge，andthetoweringcanvastiersdippingandcurtsyingwitheachstatelyswingofthesea。Nomanspoke。
Asshehoveto，acablelengthaway，thecaptainoftheFrancisSpaightbestirredhimselfandorderedatarpaulintobethrownoverO"Brien"scorpse。Aboatwasloweredfromthestranger"ssideandbegantopulltowardthem。JohnGormanlaughed。Helaughedsoftlyatfirst，butheaccompaniedeachstrokeoftheoarswithspasmodicallyincreasingglee。Itwasthismaniacallaughterthatgreetedtherescueboatasithauledalongsideandthefirstofficerclamberedonboard。
ACURIOUSFRAGMENT
[Thecapitalist，orindustrialoligarch，RogerVanderwater，mentionedinthenarrative，hasbeenidentifiedastheninthinthelineoftheVanderwatersthatcontrolledforhundredsofyearsthecottonfactoriesoftheSouth。ThisRogerVanderwaterflourishedinthelastdecadesofthetwenty-sixthcenturyafterChrist，whichwasthefifthcenturyoftheterribleindustrialoligarchythatwasrearedupontheruinsoftheearlyRepublic。
Frominternalevidencesweareconvincedthatthenarrativewhichfollowswasnotreducedtowritingtillthetwenty-ninthcentury。Notonlywasitunlawfultowriteorprintsuchmatterduringthatperiod，buttheworking-
classwassoilliteratethatonlyinrareinstanceswereitsmembersabletoreadandwrite。Thiswasthedarkreignoftheoverman，inwhosespeechthegreatmassofthepeoplewerecharacterizedasthe"herdanimals。"Allliteracywasfrowneduponandstampedout。Fromthestatute-booksofthetimesmaybeinstancedthatblacklawthatmadeitacapitaloffenceforanyman，nomatterofwhatclass，toteacheventhealphabettoamemberoftheworking-class。Suchstringentlimitationofeducationtotherulingclasswasnecessaryifthatclasswastocontinuetorule。
Oneresultoftheforegoingwasthedevelopmentoftheprofessionalstory-
tellers。Thesestory-tellerswerepaidbytheoligarchy，andthetalestheytoldwerelegendary，mythical，romantic，andharmless。Butthespiritoffreedomneverquitediedout，andagitators，undertheguiseofstory-
tellers，preachedrevolttotheslaveclass。ThatthefollowingtalewasbannedbytheoligarchswehaveprooffromtherecordsofthecriminalpolicecourtofAshbury，wherein，onJanuary27，2734，oneJohnTourney，foundguiltyoftellingthetaleinaboozing-kenoflabourers，wassentencedtofiveyears"penalservitudeintheboraxminesoftheArizonaDesert——EDITOR"SNOTE。]
Listen，mybrothers，andIwilltellyouataleofanarm。ItwasthearmofTomDixon，andTomDixonwasaweaverofthefirstclassinafactoryofthathell-houndandmaster，RogerVanderwater。Thisfactorywascalled"Hell"sBottom"……bytheslaveswhotoiledinit，andIguesstheyoughttoknow；anditwassituatedinKingsbury，attheotherendofthetownfromVanderwater"ssummerpalace。YoudonotknowwhereKingsburyis？
Therearemanythings，mybrothers，thatyoudonotknow，anditissad。
Itisbecauseyoudonotknowthatyouareslaves。WhenIhavetoldyouthistale，Ishouldliketoformaclassamongyouforthelearningofwrittenandprintedspeech。Ourmastersreadandwriteandpossessmanybooks，anditisbecauseofthatthattheyareourmasters，andliveinpalaces，anddonotwork。Whenthetoilerslearntoreadandwrite——allofthem——theywillgrowstrong；thentheywillusetheirstrengthtobreaktheirbonds，andtherewillbenomoremastersandnomoreslaves。
Kingsbury，mybrothers，isintheoldStateofAlabama。ForthreehundredyearstheVanderwatershaveownedKingsburyanditsslavepensandfactories，andslavepensandfactoriesinmanyotherplacesandStates。
YouhaveheardoftheVanderwaters——whohasnot？——butletmetellyouthingsyoudonotknowaboutthem。ThefirstVanderwaterwasaslave，evenasyouandI。Haveyougotthat？Hewasaslave，andthatwasoverthreehundredyearsago。HisfatherwasamachinistintheslavepenofAlexanderBurrell，andhismotherwasawasherwomaninthesameslavepen。
Thereisnodoubtaboutthis。Iamtellingyoutruth。Itishistory。Itisprinted，everywordofit，inthehistorybooksofourmasters，whichyoucannotreadbecauseyourmasterswillnotpermityoutolearntoread。
Youcanunderstandwhytheywillnotpermityoutolearntoread，whentherearesuchthingsinthebooks。Theyknow，andtheyareverywise。Ifyoudidreadsuchthings，youmightbewantinginrespecttoyourmasters，whichwouldbeadangerousthing……toyourmasters。ButIknow，forI
canread，andIamtellingyouwhatIhavereadwithmyowneyesinthehistorybooksofourmasters。
ThefirstVanderwater"snamewasnotVanderwater；itwasVange——BillVange，thesonofYergisVange，themachinist，andLauraCarnly，thewasherwoman。
YoungBillVangewasstrong。Hemighthaveremainedwiththeslavesandledthemtofreedom；instead，however，heservedthemastersandwaswellrewarded。Hebeganhisservice，whenyetasmallchild，asaspyinhishomeslavepen。Heisknowntohaveinformedonhisownfatherforseditiousutterance。Thisisfact。Ihavereaditwithmyowneyesintherecords。Hewastoogoodaslavefortheslavepen。AlexanderBurrelltookhimout，whileyetachild，andhewastaughttoreadandwrite。Hewastaughtmanythings，andhewasenteredinthesecretserviceoftheGovernment。Ofcourse，henolongerworetheslavedress，exceptfordisguiseatsuchtimeswhenhesoughttopenetratethesecretsandplotsoftheslaves。Itwashe，whenbuteighteenyearsofage，whobroughtthatgreatheroandcomrade，RalphJacobus，totrialandexecutionintheelectricchair。Ofcourse，youhaveallheardthesacrednameofRalphJacobus，butitisnewstoyouthathewasbroughttohisdeathbythefirstVanderwater，whosenamewasVange。Iknow。Ihavereaditinthebooks。Therearemanyinterestingthingslikethatinthebooks。
AndafterRalphJacobusdiedhisshamefuldeath，BillVange"snamebeganthemanychangesitwastoundergo。Hewasknownas"SlyVange"farandwide。Herosehighinthesecretservice，andhewasrewardedingrandways，butstillhewasnotamemberofthemasterclass。Themenwerewillingthatheshouldbecomeso；itwasthewomenofthemasterclasswhorefusedtohaveSlyVangeoneofthem。SlyVangegavegoodservicetothemasters。Hehadbeenaslavehimself，andheknewthewaysoftheslaves。
Therewasnofoolinghim。Inthosedaystheslaveswerebraverthannow，andtheywerealwaystryingfortheirfreedom。AndSlyVangewaseverywhere，inalltheirschemesandplans，bringingtheirschemesandplanstonaughtandtheirleaderstotheelectricchair。Itwasin2255
thathisnamewasnextchangedforhim。ItwasinthatyearthattheGreatMutinytookplace。InthatregionwestoftheRockyMountains，seventeenmillionsofslavesstrovebravelytooverthrowtheirmasters。Whoknows，ifSlyVangehadnotlived，butthattheywouldhavesucceeded？ButSlyVangewasverymuchalive。Themastersgavehimsupremecommandofthesituation。Ineightmonthsoffighting，onemillionandthreehundredandfiftythousandslaveswerekilled。Vange，BillVange，SlyVange，killedthem，andhebroketheGreatMutiny。Andhewasgreatlyrewarded，andsoredwerehishandswiththebloodoftheslavesthatthereafterhewascalled"BloodyVange。"Yousee，mybrothers，whatinterestingthingsaretobefoundinthebookswhenonecanreadthem。And，takemywordforit，therearemanyotherthings，evenmoreinteresting，inthebooks。Andifyouwillbutstudywithme，inayear"stimeyoucanreadthosebooksforyourselves——ay，insixmonthssomeofyouwillbeabletoreadthosebooksforyourselves。
BloodyVangelivedtoaripeoldage，andalways，tothelast，washereceivedinthecouncilsofthemasters；butneverwashemadeamasterhimself。Hehadfirstopenedhiseyes，yousee，inaslavepen。Butoh，hewaswellrewarded!Hehadadozenpalacesinwhichtolive。He，whowasnomaster，ownedthousandsofslaves。Hehadagreatpleasureyachtupontheseathatwasafloatingpalace，andheownedawholeislandintheseawheretoiledtenthousandslavesonhiscoffeeplantations。Butinhisoldagehewaslonely，forhelivedapart，hatedbyhisbrothers，theslaves，andlookeddownuponbythosehehadservedandwhorefusedtobehisbrothers。Themasterslookeddownuponhimbecausehehadbeenbornaslave。Enormouslywealthyhedied；buthediedhorribly，tormentedbyhisconscience，regrettingallhehaddoneandtheredstainonhisname。
Butwithhischildrenitwasdifferent。Theyhadnotbeenbornintheslavepen，andbythespecialrulingoftheChiefOligarchofthattime，JohnMorrison，theywereelevatedtothemasterclass。AnditwasthenthatthenameofVangedisappearsfromthepageofhistory。ItbecomesVanderwater，andJasonVange，thesonofBloodyVange，becomesJasonVanderwater，thefounderoftheVanderwaterline。Butthatwasthreehundredyearsago，andtheVanderwatersofto-dayforgettheirbeginningsandimaginethatsomehowtheclayoftheirbodiesisdifferentstufffromtheclayinyourbodyandmineandinthebodiesofallslaves。AndIaskyou，Whyshouldaslavebecomethemasterofanotherslave？Andwhyshouldthesonofaslavebecomethemasterofmanyslaves？Ileavethesequestionsforyoutoanswerforyourselves，butdonotforgetthatinthebeginningtheVanderwaterswereslaves。
Andnow，mybrothers，IcomebacktothebeginningofmytaletotellyouofTomDixon"sarm。RogerVanderwater"sfactoryinKingsburywasrightlynamed"Hell"sBottom，"butthemenwhotoiledinitweremen，asyoushallsee。Womentoiledthere，too，andchildren，littlechildren。Allthattoiledtherehadtheregularslaverightsunderthelaw，butonlyunderthelaw，fortheyweredeprivedofmanyoftheirrightsbythetwooverseersofHell"sBottom，JosephClancyandAdolphMunster。
Itisalongstory，butIshallnottellallofittoyou。Ishalltellonlyaboutthearm。Ithappenedthat，accordingtothelaw，aportionofthestarvationwageoftheslaveswasheldbackeachmonthandputintoafund。Thisfundwasforthepurposeofhelpingsuchunfortunatefellow-
workmenashappenedtobeinjuredbyaccidentsortobeovertakenbysickness。Asyouknowwithyourselves，thesefundsarecontrolledbytheoverseers。Itisthelaw，andsoitwasthatthefundatHell"sBottomwascontrolledbythetwooverseersofaccursedmemory。
Now，ClancyandMunstertookthisfundfortheirownuse。Whenaccidentshappenedtotheworkmen，theirfellows，aswasthecustom，madegrantsfromthefund；buttheoverseersrefusedtopayoverthegrants。Whatcouldtheslavesdo？Theyhadtheirrightsunderthelaw，buttheyhadnoaccesstothelaw。Thosethatcomplainedtotheoverseerswerepunished。Youknowyourselveswhatformsuchpunishmenttakes——thefinesforfaultyworkthatisnotfaulty；theoverchargingofaccountsintheCompany"sstore；theviletreatmentofone"swomenandchildren；andtheallotmenttobadmachineswhereon，workasonewill，hestarves。