第6章
CHAPTERXVII
WegottoBairdstownearlyenough，butwedidn"tgotoworkthere。Wewastedallthatday。Theywassomethingwork-
inginthedoctor"sheadhewasn"ttalkingabout。
Isupposedhewasgettingcoldfeetonthehullproposition。Anyhow，hejestsetaroundthelittletaverninthatplaceanddonenothingallafternoon。
Theweatherwasfine，andwesetoutinfront。
Wehadn"tsettheremore"nanhourtillIcouldtellwewasbeingnoticedbytheblacks，notoutopenandaboveboard。Buteverynowandthenoneortwoorthreewouldpassalongdownthestreet，andlazyaboutandtakealookatus。
Theypertendedtheywasn"tnoticing，buttheywas。
Thewordhadgotaround，andtheywasafeelingintheairIdidn"tlikeatall。Toomuchcaged-upexcitementamongtheniggers。Thedoctorfeltittoo，Icouldseethat。Butneitheroneofussaidanythingaboutittotheother。
Alongtowardduskwetakesawalk。Theywasagood-sizedcrickattheedgeofthatlittleplace，andonitanold-fashionedwortermill。Abovethemillalittlepiecewasabridge。Wecrosseditandwalkedalongaroadthatfolleredthecrickbankclostefurquiteaspell。
Itwasn"tmuchofatown——somethingbetwixtavillageandasettlement——althoughtheywasgoingtorunabranchoftherailroadovertoitbeforeverylong。Ithadhadachancettogetarailroadonce，yearsbeforethat。Butithadsaidthenitdidn"twantnorailroad。Sountillatelyeverybranchbuiltthroughthatpartofthecountrygrinnedverysarcasticandgiveitthego-by。
Theywasconsiderablewoodsstandingalongthecrick，andaroundaturnintheroadwecomeontoSam，allofasudden，talkingwithanothernigger。
Samwasjesta-layingitofftothatnigger，buthekindofhushedaswecomenearer。Downtheroadquitealittlepiecewasagood-sizedwoodenbuildingthatneverhadbeenpaintedandlookedlikeitwasabigbarn。WithoutknowingitthedoctorandmehadbeenpintingourselvesrighttowardBigBethel。
TheniggerwithSamheyellsout，whenheseesus：
“Glorybe！HYAHdeycomes！HyahdeycomesNOW！”
Andhethroweduphisarms，andstartedonalopeuptheroadtowardthechurch，singingouteverytenorfifteenyards。Alittleknotofniggerscomeoutinfrontofthechurchwhentheyhearnhimcoming。
Sam，hestoodhisground，andwaitedfurustocomeuptohim，kindofapologeticandsneaking-
lookingaboutsomethingorother。
“Whatkindoflieshaveyoubeentellingtheseniggers，Sam？”saysthedoctor，verysharpandshortandmad-like。
Sam，hedigsastoneout"ntheroadwiththetoeofhisshoe，andkindofgrinstohimself，stilllookingsheepish。Buthesaysheopinionateshebeentellingthemnothingatall。
“Idunnohow-comedeygetalldemniggernotionsindeyfoolhaid，“Samsays，“butdeyallwaitin"
darinsidedechu"chdo"——someofdemos"faifulan"demos"pra"rfuloneso"deBigBethelcong"gationbeendarfo"delas"houaha-waitin"an"a-watchin"，spiteo"defac"datreg"lahmeetin"ain"tgwineterbecalledtwellartersupper。Debishop，hedartoo。Deygotsomedesehyahcoal-ilelampsdardesinsidedechu"chdo"an"deybeenkeepin"on"emlighted，daytimesan"nighttimes，fo"twodaysnow，kazedeysaydeyain"tgwinefo"terbecotchednappingwhendebridegroomCOMeth。Yass，SAH！——
dey"steno"desehyahvergimsdar，fiveof"emsleepin"an"fiveof"emwatchin"，an"a-takin"tuhnsathit，an"mebbydathow-comefreeorfouahdeybes"youngcolo"hedmensbeenprojickin"aroun"
darallarternoon，a-helpin"demdat"sa-waitin"
twelldebridegroomCOMeth！”
Weseenalittleknotofthem，downtheroadthereinfrontofthechurch，gatheringaroundtheniggerthathadbeenwithSam。Theyallstartstowardus。Butonemanstepsoutinfrontofthemall，andturnstowardthemandholdshishandsup，andwavesthemback。Theyallstopsintheirtracks。
Thenheturnshisfacetowardus，andcomesslowandsollumdowntheroadinourdirection，walkingwithacane，andmovingverydignified。Hewasacoupleofhundredyardsaway。
Butashecomecloseterwegraduallyseenhimplainerandplainer。Hewasabigman，andstout，anddressedveryneatinthesamekindofrigaswhitebishopswear，withoneofthesewhitecollarsthatbuttonsintheback。Isupposehewascomingontomeetusalone，becausenoonewasfittenfurtogiveusthefirstwelcomebuthimself。
Well，itwasalldernfoolishness，anditwashardtobelieveitcouldallhappen，andtheyain"tsomanyplacesinthisherecountryitCOULDhappen。
Butfurallofitbeingfoolishness，whenhecomedowntheroadtowardussodignifiedandsollumandslowIketchedmyselffuraminutefeelinglikewereallyhadbeenelectedtosomethingandwasgoingtotakeofficesoon。AndSam，asthebishopcomecloseterandcloseter，gottojerkingandtwitchingwiththeexcitementthathehadbeenkeepingin——andyetallthetimeSamknoweditwasdopeandworksandnotfaiththathadmadehimspottedthat-a-way。
Hestops，thebishopdoes，abouttenyardsfromusandlooksusover。
“Ahyo"degennlemanknownterdishyahsinfulgenehationbydestylean"deentitleminto"Docto"
HahtleyKirby？”heaststhedoctorveryceremoni-
ousandgrand。
Thedoctorgivehimalookthatwasn"tveryencouraging，buthenoddedtohim。
“Willyo"dismissyo"sehvantinordehdatwekinhol"convehsean"communionindemidsterprivacy？”
Thedoctor，henodstoSam，andSammoseysalongtowardthechurch。
“Now，then，“saysthedoctor，suddenandsharp，“takeoffyourhatandtellmewhatyouwant。“
Thebishop"shandgoesuptohisheadwithajerkbeforehethought。Thenitstopsthere，whilehimandthedoctorlooksateachother。Thebishop"smouthopenslikehewaswondering，butheslowlypullshishatoffandstandstherebare-headedintheroad。Buthewasn"treallyhumble，thatbishop。
“Now，“saysthedoctor，“tellmeinasstraighttalkasyou"vegotwhatallthisdamnedfoolishnessamongyouniggersmeans。“
Aqueerkindoflookpassedoverthebishop"sface。Hehadn"texpectedtobemetjestthatway，mebby。WhetherhehimselfhadreallybelievedinthecomingofthattherenewMessiahhehadbeenperdicting，Inevercouldsettleinmymind。MebbyhehadbeengettingreadytopassHIMSELFofffuronebeforewecomealongandtheniggersallgotthefoolideaDoctorKirbywasit。Beforethebishopspokeaginyoucouldseehiscrazinessandhiscunningnessbothworkinginhisface。Butwhenhedidspeakhedidn"tquitbeingceremoniousnordignified。
“Dewohdhasgonefo"thamongdefaifulan"
depuahinheaht，“hesays，“datermanhascomeaccreditedwi"signsan"wi"mahvelsan"depoweho"desperritfo"tolayhishan"ondesonso"Haman"termake"emdesdesameincolluhasdeyuthersonsofea"th。“
“Thenthatwordisalie，“saysthedoctor。“I
DIDcomeheretotryoutsomestufftochangethecolourofnegroskins。That"sall。AndIfindyouridioticfollowersareallstirredupandwaitingforsomekindofamiraclemonger。Whatyouhavebeenpreachingtothem，youknowbest。Isthatallyouwanttoknow？”
Thebishophemsandhawsandfiddleswithhisstick，andthenhesays：
“Suh，willdishyeahprepa"shunSHO"LYdodewohk？”DoctorKirbytellshimitwilldotheworkallright。
Andthenthebishop，afterbeatingaroundthebushsomemore，comesoutwithhisidea。WhetherheexpectedtherewouldbeanyMessiahcomeornot，ofcourseheknowedthedoctorwasn"thim。
Butheiswillingtoboostthedoctor"sgameaslongasitboostsHISgame。Hewantstobeinonthedeal。Hewantspartofthegraft。Hewantstogettogetherwiththedoctoronaplanbeforethedoctorseestheniggers。Andifthedoctordon"twanttokeeponwiththemiracleendofit，thebishopshowshimhowhecoulddohimgoodwithnomiracleattachment。Furhehasanawfulholtonthemniggers，andhissay-sowillsellthousandsandthousandsofbottles。Whatheislookingfurjestnowishislittletake-out。
Thatwashiscraftinessandhiscunningnessworkinginhim。Butallofasuddenoneofhiscrazystreakscomebulgingtothesurface。Itcomewithawild，eagerlookinhiseyes。
“Suh，“hecriesout，allofasudden，“efyo"kinmakemewhite，fo"Gawdsakes，dohit！Dohit！
Efyo"does，Igwineterblessyo"allyo"days！
“Yo"don"know——noonekinguessorcomper-
hen"——whatdesbein"whitewouldmeanterme！
Lawd！Lawd！”hesays，hisvoicesoft-spoken，butmoreeagerthaneverashewenton，andplead-
ingsomethingpitifultohear，“desthinkofalldeCaucasianbloodinme！GawdknowsdenightsermyyouthI"selaidawaketwelldedawncomeredindeEas"a-cryin"outterHimonlyfo"terbewhite！DESTERBEWHITE！Don"min"demblack，blackniggersdar——don"thinkerDEM——deyain"twuthnothin"norfittenfo"nofatebutwhatdeygot——Butme！What"sdonekep"mefromgwineterdetopbutdatonething：_I_WASN"TWHITE！Hitairtoolatenow——toolatefo"demambitionsI
donetriflewithan"shovebehin"me——hit"stoolatefo"dat！ButefIwasdestergitoneli"lyearo"hit——ONELI"LYEARO"BEIN"WHITE！——befo"
Idied——“
Andhewentonlikethat，shakingandstutteringthereintheroad，likeafithadstruckhim，crazyasaloon。Buthegotholdofhimselfenoughtoquittalking，inaminute，andhiscunningcomebacktohimbeforehewasthroughtrembling。
Thenthedoctorsaysslowandeven，butnotsevere：
“Yougobacktoyourpeoplenow，bishop，andtellthemthey"vemadeamistakeaboutme。Andifyoucan，undotheharmyou"vedonewiththisMessiahbusiness。Asfarasthisstuffofmineisconcerned，there"snoneofitforyounorforanyothernegro。Youtellthemthat。There"snoneofitbeensoldyet——andthereneverwillbe。“
Thenweturnedawayandlefthimstandingthereintheroad，stillwithhishatoffandhisfaceworking。
Walkingbacktowardthelittletavernthedoctorsays：
“Danny，thisistheendofthisgame。Thesepeopledownhereandthathalf-cracked，half-
crookedoldbishophavemademeseeafewthingsabouttheAfro-Americanbrother。Itwasn"tagoodschemeinthefirstplace。Andthiswasn"ttheplacetostartitgoing，anyhow——Ishouldhavetriedtheniggersinthebigtowns。ButI"moutofitnow，andI"mgladofit。Whatwewanttodoistogetawayfromhereto-morrow——gobacktoAtlantaandfixupaschemetorobsomewidowsandorphans，orsomethinghalf-wayrespectablelikethat。“
Well，Idrewalongbreath。IwaswithDoctorKirbyineverythinghedone，furhewasmyfriend，andIdidn"tintendtoquithim。ButIwasgladwewasoutofthis，andhadn"tsoldnoneofthatdope。Webothfeltbetterbecausewehadn"t。
Allthemmillionswewasgoingtomake——shucks！
Wedidn"tneitheroneofusgiveadernaboutthemgettingawayfromus。Allwewantedwasjesttogetawayfromthereandnotgetmixedupwithnoniggerproblemsanymore。Weeatsupper，andwesetaroundawhile，andwewenttobedpurtymiddlingearly，soastogetagoodstartinthemorning。
Wegotupearly，butearlyasitwasthedevilhadbeenupearlierinthatneighbourhood。Aboutfouro"clockthatmorningawhitewomanaboutahalfamilefromthevillagehadbeenattackedbyanigger。Theywasdoubtastowhethershewouldlive，butifshelivedtheywasn"tnodoubtsshewouldalwaysbemoreorlesscrazy。Furbesideseverythingelse，hehadbeatherinsensible。
Andhehadchokedhernearlytodeath。Thecountry-sidewasup，withgunsandpistolslook-
ingfurthatnigger。Itwasn"tnotroubleguessingwhatwouldhappentohimwhentheyketchedhim，neither。
“And，“saysDoctorKirby，whenwehearnofit，“IhopetohighheaventheyDOcatchhim！”
Theywasn"tmuchdoubttheywould，either。
Theywasalreadybeatingupthewoodsandbushesandgangswasridingupanddowntheroads，andeverynigger"shousefurmilesaroundwasbeingsearchedandwatched。
Wesoonseenwewouldhavetroublegettinghossesandariginthevillagetotakeustotherailroad。Manyofthehosseswasbeingriddenintheman-hunt。Andmostofthemenwhomighthavedonethedrivingwasbusyatthattoo。Thehotel-keeperhimselfhadlefthisplacestandingwideopenandwentout。Wedidn"tgetanybreak-
fastneither。
“Danny，“saysthedoctor，“we"lljustputenoughmoneytopaythebillinanenvelopeontheregisterhere，andstrikeoutonshank"sponies。It"sonlynineortenmilestotherailroad——we"llwalk。“
“Buthowaboutourstuff？”Iastshim。Wehadtwobigcasesfullofsamplebottlesofthatdope，besidesoursuitcases。
“Hangthedope！”saysthedoctor，“Idon"teverwanttoseeitorhearofitagain！We"llleaveithere。Putthethingsoutofyoursuitcaseintomine，andleavethatheretoo。Samcancarrymine。Iwanttobeonthemove。“
Soweleft，withSamcarryingtheonesuitcase。
Itwasn"tnineinthemorningyet，andwewasstartingoutpurtyemptyfuralongwalk。
“Sam，“saysthedoctor，aswewaspassingthatthereBigBethelchurch——anditshoweduptheresilentandshabbyinthemorning，likeaoldcolouredmanthatknowsaheapmore"nhe"sgoingtotell——
“Sam，wereyouatthemeetingherelastnight？”
“Yass，suh！”
“IsupposeitwasaprettytameaffairaftertheyfoundouttheirElishawasn"tcomingafterall？”
Sam，hewalledhiseyes，andthenhekindofchuckled。
“Well，suh，“hesays，“I"spicionsdemos"on"emdon"knowdatYIT！”
Thedoctorastshimwhathemeans。
Itseemsthebishopmustofdonesomethinkingafterwelefthimintheroadoronhiswaybacktothatchurch。TheyhadallbeguntobelievethatthereElishyahwasonthewayto"em，andthebishop"screditwasmoreorlesswrappedupwithourbeingit。Itwastruehehadn"tstartedthatbelief；butitwasbelieved，andhedidn"tdaretostopitnow。Fur，ifhestoppedit，theywouldallthinkhehadfelldownonhisprophetics，evenalthoughhehadn"tprophesiedjestexactlyus。
Hewasinatightplace，thatbishop，butIbetyoucouldalwaysdependonhimtogetoutofitwithhisflock。Sowhathetoldthemniggersatthemeetinglastnightwasthathebrung"emamessagefromElishyah，Samsays，theElishyahthatwastocome。
AndthemessagewasthatthetimewasnotripefurhimtorevealhimselfasElishyahuntotheeyesofallmen，furtheyhadbeentoomuchsinfulnessandwickednessandwalkingintothewaysofevil，rightamongstthatverycongregation，anddisobedi-
enceofthebishop，whichwastheirguide。Andhehadsent"emword，Elishyahhad，thatthebishopwashistrustedservant，andintothekeepingofthebishopwasgivethepowertodealwithhispeopleandpreparethemfurthegreatdaytocome。Andthebishopwouldgivethewordofhiscoming。Hewasabox，thatbishopwas，inspiteofhiscrazystreaks；andhehadfoundawaytomakehimselfstrongerthaneverwithhisbunchoutoftheverykindofthingthatwouldhavespoiledmostpeople"sgraft。Theyhadhadabigmeetingtillnearlymorning，andthepowerhadhit"emstrong。Samtoldusallaboutit。
Butthethingthatseemedtointerestthedoctor，andmadehimfrown，wastheideathatallthemniggersroundabouttherestillhadtheideahewasthefellerthathadbeenprophesiedtocome。AllexceptSam，mebby。Samhadspellswhenhewasrealsensible，andotherspellswhenhewasasbadasthebelievingestofthemall。
Itwasafineday，andreallyjoyoustobea-walking。
Itwouldofbeenagooddealjoyouserifwehadhadsomebreakfast，butwefiggeredwewouldstopsomewheresatnoonandlayinagood，square，countrymeal。
Thatwasn"tsuchaverythicksettledcountry。
Buteverybodyseemedtoknowabouttheman-
huntthatwasgoingon，here，there，andeverywhere。
Peoplewouldcomedowntotheroadsideaswepassed，andgazeafterus。Ormebbyastusifweknowedwhetherhehadbeenketchedyet。
Womenandkidsmostly，oroldmen，butnowandthenayoungermantoo。Wenoticedtheywasn"tnoniggerstospeakofthatwasn"tbusier"nallgetout，workingatsomethingorother，thatday。
Theyisconsiderablewoodsinthatcountryyet，thoughlotshasbeencutoff。Buttheywassome-
timesrightlongstretcheswheretheywouldbewoodsonbothsidesoftheroad，moreorlessthick，withunderbrushbetweenthetrees。Wetrampedalong，eachbusythinkinghisownthoughts，andhavingapurtygoodtimejestdoingthatwithouttherebeingnouseoftalking。IwasthinkingthatIlikedthedoctorbetterfurturninghisbackonallthisgame，jestwhenhemightofmadesomesortofadealwiththebishopandreallymadesomemoneyoutofitintheend。Heneverwassogoodabusinessmanashethoughthewas，DoctorKirbywasn"t。Healwayscouldmakehimselfthinkhewas。Butwhenitcomerightdowntobrasstackshewasn"t。YougivehimaschemethatwouldTALKwell，thekindofajoshtalkhelikedtogetofffurhisownenjoyment，andhewouldtakeupwithiteverytimeinsteadofonethathadmorepromiseofmoneytoitifitwasworkedharder。
HewasthinkingoftheTALKmore"nhewasofthemoney，mostly；andhewasalwayssayingsome-
thingaboutartfurart"ssake，whichwasplumbfoolishness，furheneverpaintednopictures。Well，henevergotoverbeingmoreorlessofapuzzletome。Butfursomereasonorotherthismorningheseemedtobeinabetterhumourwithhimself，afterwehadwalkedawhile，thanIhadseenhiminfuralongtime。
Wecometothetopofonelonghill，whichithadmadeussweattoclimb，andwithoutsayingnothingtoeachotherwebothstoppedandtookoffourhatsandwipedourforeheads，anddrawedlongbreaths，contenttostandtherefurjestaminuteortwoandlookaroundus。Theroadrunstraightahead，anddippeddown，andthenclumbupanotherhillaboutaneighthofamileinfrontofus。Itmadealittlevalley。Jestaboutthemiddle，betweenthetwohills，acrickmeanderedthroughthebottomland。Woodsgrowedalongthecrick，andalongbothsidesoftheroadwewastravelling。
Rightnighthecricktheywasanotherroadcomeoutofthewoodstotheleft-handside，andswitchedintotheroadwewastravelling，andusedthesamebridgetocrossthecrickby。Theywasthreeorfourhouseshereandthere，withchimbleysbuiltupontheoutsideofthem，andbluesmokecomingout。Westoodandlookedatthesightbeforeusandforgotallthetroubleswehadleftbehind，furacoupleofminutes——italllookedsopeacefulandquietandhomeyfiedandnice。
“Well，“saysthedoctor，afterwehadstoodthereapiece，“Iguesswebetterbemovingonagain，Danny。“
ButjestasSam，whowasfolleringalongbehindwiththatsuitcase，picksitupandputsitonhisheadagin，theycomeasound，fromawayoffinthedistancesomewheres，thatmadehimsetitdownquick。Andweallstopsinourtracksandlooksateachother。
Itwasthevoiceofahounddog——notsoawfulloud，butclearandmellowandtuneful，andcarriedtousonthewind。Andtheninaminuteitcomeagin，sharperandquicker。Theyyellslikethatwhentheyhavestruckascent。
Aswestoodandlookedateachothertheycomeacrackleintheunderbrush，jesttotheleftofus。
Weturnedourheadsthat-a-way，jestasaniggermangivealeaptothetopofarailfencethatseparatedtheroadfromthewoods。Hewasgoingsofastthatinsteadofclimbingthatfenceandbal-
ancingonthetopandjumpingoffhejestsimplyseemedtohitthetoprailandbounceonover，likehehadbeenthrowedoutoftheheartofthewoods，andhefellsprawlingoverandoverintheroad，rightbeforeourfeet。
Hewasontohisfeetinasecond，andfuraminutehestoodupstraightandlookedatus——anashes-
colourednigger，raggedandbleedingfromtheunder-
brush，red-eyed，andwithslaverstricklingfromhisredlips，andsobbingandgaspingandpantingfurbreath。Underhisbrownskin，wherehisshirtwastornopenacrosthischest，youcouldseethatnigger"shearta-beating。
Butashelookedatustheycomeasuddenchangeacrosthisface——hemustofseenthedoctorbefore，andwithasobhethrowedhimselfonhiskneesintheroadandclaspedhishandsandheld"emouttowardDoctorKirby。
“ELISHyah！ELISHyah！”hesingsout，rockingofhisbodyinakindoftune，“revealyo"se"f，revealyo"se"fan"he"pmeNOW！LawdGawdELISHyah，beckonfo"aCHA"iot，yo"cha"iotofFIAH！Lif"me，lif"me——lif"meawayf"umhyahinercha"ioto"FIAH！”
Thedoctor，heturnedhisheadaway，andI
knowedthethoughtworkinginhimwasthethoughtofthatwhitewomanthatwouldalwaysbeanidiotforlife，ifshelived。Buthislipswasdumb，andhisonehandstretcheditselfouttowardthatniggerintheroadandmadeawipingmotion，likehewastryingfurtowipethepictureofhim，andthethoughtofhim，off"naslateforevermore。
Jestthen，nearerandlouderandsharper，andwithaneagersound，liketheyknowedtheyalmosthadhimnow，themhounds"voicescomeringingthroughthewoods，andwiththemcomethemixed-
upshoutsofmen。
“RUN！”yellsSam，wavingofthatsuitcaseroundhishead，furoneniggerwillalwaystrytohelpanothernomatterwhathe"sdone。“Runfo"debranch——gityo"footsindeworteran"fling"emoffdescent！”
Heboundeddownthehill，thatred-eyednigger，andleftusstandingthere。Butbeforehereachedthecrickthewholeman-huntcomebustingthroughthewoods，thedogsa-strainingattheirstraps。
Themenwasallonfoot，withgunsandpistolsintheirhands。Theyseenthenigger，andtheyallletoutayell，andwasafterhim。Theyketchedhimatthecrick，andtookhimoffalongthatroadthatturnedofftotheleft。IhearnlaterhewasamemberofBishopWarren"scongregation，sotheyhunghimrightinfrontofBigBethelchurch。
Westoodthereontopofthehillandsawthechaseandcapture。DoctorKirby"sfacewassweatingworsethanwhenwefirstclumbthehill。
Hewasthinkingaboutthatniggerthathadpleadedwithhim。Hewasthinkingalsoofthewoman。
Hewasgladithadn"tbeenuptohimpersonalrightthenandtheretobuttinandstopalynching。
Hewasglad，furwiththemtwopicturesinfrontofhimhedidn"tknowwhathewouldofdone。
“Thankheaven！”Ihearnhimsaytohimself。
“Thankheaventhatitwasn"tREALLYinmypowertochoose！”
CHAPTERXVIII
Well，wehadporkandgreensfurdinnerthatday，withthebestcorn-breadIevereatanywheres，andbuttermilk，andsweetpotatopie。Wegot"ematthehouseofafellernamedWithers——OldDaddyWithers。Whichiftheywaseveraniceroldmanthanhim，oraniceroldwomanthanhiswife，Ineverrunacrost"emyet。
Theylivedallalone，themWitherses，withonlyacoupleofniggerstohelpthemruntheirfarm。
AfterweeatsourdinnerandSamgetshis"nouttothekitchen，wesetsoutinfrontofthehouseandgetstotalkingwiththem，andgetsrealwellacquainted。
WhichwesoonfoundoutthesecretofoldDaddyWithers"slife——thatthereinnocent-lookingoldjiggerwasapoet。Hewaskindofproudofitandkindofshamedofitbothtooncet。Thewayitcomeoutwaswhenthedoctorsaysoneofthemquotationsheisalwaysgettingoff，andtheoldmanhelookspleasedandsaystherestofthepieceitdroppedoutofstraightthrough。
Thentheyhadagreattimequotingitateachother，themtwo，andIseenthedoctorisgoodtoloafaroundtheretherestoftheday，likeasnot。
Purtysoontheoldladybeginstogetmightyproud-
lookingoversomethingorother，andsheleansoverandwhisperstotheoldman：
“ShallIbringitout，Lemuel？”
Theoldman，heshakeshishead，no。Butsheslipsintothehouseanyhow，andfetchesoutalittlebookwithapalegreencovertoit，andhandsittothedoctor。
“Blessmysoul，“saysDoctorKirby，lookingattheoldman，“youdon"tmeantosayyouwriteverseyourself？”
Theoldman，hegetsredalloverhisface，andupintotherootsofhiswhitehair，anddownintohiswhitebeard，andmakesbelieveheisalittlemadattheoldladyfurshowinghimoffthat-a-way。
“Mother，“hesays，“yo"shouldn"thavedonethat！”Theyhadhadaboyyearsbefore，andhehaddied，buthealwayscalledhermotherthesameasiftheboywasliving。Hegoesintothehouseandgetshispipe，andbringsitoutandlightsit，actinglikethatbookofpoetrywasamightysmallmattertohim。ButhelooksatDoctorKirbyoutofthecornerofhiseyes，andcan"tkeepfromgettingsortofeagerandtremblywithhispipe；andIcouldseehewasreallyanxiousoverwhatthedoctorwasthinkingofthempoemshewrote。Thedoctorreadssomeof"emoutloud。
Well，itwaskindofhome-madepoetry，OldDaddyWithers"swas。Itwasn"tlikenootherpoetryIeverstruck。AndIcouldtellthedoctorwasthinkingthesameaboutit。Itsoundedsomehowlikeithadn"tbeenjointedtogetherright。Youwouldkeeplisteningfurittorhyme，andgetallworkedupwatchingandwaitingfuritto，andmakebetswithyourselfwhetheritwouldrhymeoritwouldn"t。
Andthenitginerallywouldn"t。Ineverhearnsuchpoetrytogetaperson"sexpectancesallworkedup，andthengobackon"em。Butifyoucouldoftoldwhatitwasallabout，youwouldn"tofmindedthatsomuch。Notthatyoucantellwhatmostpoetryisabout，butyoudon"tcaresolongasitkeepshoppingalonglively。Whatyouwantinpoetrytomakehersoundgood，accordingtomywayofthinking，istomakeherjumplively，andthenstopwithabangontherhymes。ButDaddyWitherswassoindependent-likehewouldjestnatcherallytrytoforcetwowordstorhymewhethertheLordmade"emfurmatesornot——likeasifyouwouldtrytomakeacoupleofkidskissandmakeupbybumpingtheirheadstogether。Theyjestsimplywon"tdoit。ButDoctorKirby，heletonlikehethoughtitwasfinepoetry，andhereadthempiecesoverandoveragin，outloud，andtheoldmanandtheoldwomanwasbothmightytickledwiththewayhedoneit。Hewouldn"tofhad"emknowfuranythinghedidn"tbelieveitwasthefinestpoetryeverwrote，DoctorKirbywouldn"t。
Theywasfourlittlebooksofitaltogether。Slimbooksthatlookedasiftheyhadn"thadenoughtoeat，likeastraycatwhoseribsisrubbingtogether。
IthadcostDaddyWithersfivehundreddollarsapiecetoget"empublished。AfellerinBostonchargedhimthatmuch，hesaid。Itseemshewouldgoalongfuryears，rakingandscrapingofhismoneytogether，soastogetenoughaheadtogetoutanotherbook。Eachtimehehadhishopesthebignews-
paperswouldmebbypaysomeattentiontoit，andhewouldgetrecognized。
“Buttheyneverdid，“saidtheoldman，kindofsad，“italwaysfellflat。“
“Why，FATHER！”——theoldladybegins，andfinishesbyrunningbackintothehouseagin。SheisoutinaminutewithaclippingfromanewspaperandhandsitovertoDoctorKirby，asproudasakidwithcopper-toedboots。Thedoctorreadsitallthewaythrough，andthenhehandsitbackwithoutsayingaword。Theoldladygoesawaytofiddlearoundaboutthehouseworkpurtysoonandtheoldmanlooksatthedoctorandsays：
“Well，yousee，don"tyou？”
“Yes，“saysthedoctor，verygentle。
“Iwouldn"thaveHERknowfortheworld，“saysDaddyWithers。“_I_knowandYOUknowthatnews-
paperpieceisjustsimplypokingfunatmypoetry，andmakingafoolofme，thewholewaythrough。
AssoonasIreaditovercarefulIsawitwasn"treallypraise，thoughtherewasaminuteortwoI
thoughtmyrecognitionhadcome。ButSHEdon"tknowitain"tseriousfromstarttofinish。SHEwasall-mightypleasedwhenthatpiececomeoutinprint。AndIdon"tintendsheevershallknowitain"trealpraise。“
HiswifewassoproudwhenthatpiececomeoutinthatNewYorkpaper，hesaid，shecriedoverit。
Shesaidnowshewasgladtheyhadbeendoingwithoutthingsfuryearsandyearssotheycouldgetthemlittlebooksprinted，oneaftertheother，furnowfamewascoming。Butsometimes，DaddyWitherssays，hesuspicionsshereallyknowshehasbeenmadeafoolof，andispertendingnottoseeit，furhissake，thesameasheispertendingfurHER
sake。Well，theywasamightyniceoldcouple，andthedoctordoneaheapofpertendingfurboththeirsakes——theywasn"tnothingelsetodo。
“How"dyoucometogetstartedatit？”heasts。
DaddyWitherssayshedon"trightlyknow。
Mebby，hesays，itwaslivingthereallhislifeandwatchingthingsgrowing——watchingthecottongrow，andthecornandgettingacquaintedwithbirdsandanimalsandtreesandthings。Helpingofthingstogrow，hesays，isagoodwaytounder-
standhowGodmustfeelabouthumans。Forwhatyouplantandhelptogrow，hesays，youaresuretogettocaringaheapabout。Youcan"thelpit。Andthatisthereason，hesays，Godcanbedependedontopullthehumanracethroughintheend，evenifappearancesdolooktobeaginHisdoingitsometimes，furHestartedittogrowinginthefirstplaceandthat-a-wayHegotinterestedpersonalinit。Andthatisthemainidea，hesays，hehasallthetimebeentryingtogetintothattherepoetryofhis"n。Buthereckonsheain"tgotherin。
Leastways，hesays，noonehasneverseenhertherebutthedoctorandtheoldladyandhimself。Well，formypart，Ineverwouldofseenittheremyself，butwhenhesaiditoutplainlikethatanyonecouldoftoldwhathemeant。
Youhadn"torterlaythingsupaginfolksifthefolkscan"thelp"em。AndIwillsayDaddyWitherswasafineoldboyinspiteofhispoetry。Whichitneverreallydoneanyharm，exceptbeingexpensivetohim，andlotswilldrinkthatmuchupandneverfiggeritanexpense，butoneofthenecessitiesoflife。Wewentalloverhisplacewithhim，andwenoticedaroundhishousealotoftincanstackeduptopostsandtrees。Theywasfurthebirdstodrinkoutof，andallthebirdsaroundtherehadfoundoutaboutit，andaboutDaddyWithers，andwasn"tscaredofhimatall。Hecouldgetacquaintedwithanimals，too，sothatafteralongspellsometimestheywouldevenlethimhandlethem。Butnotifanyonewasaround。Theywasacrowhehadmadeapetof，usedtohoparoundinfrontofhim，andtryfurtotalktohim。Ifhewenttosleepinthefrontyardwhilsthewasreading，thatcrowhadafavour-
itetrickofstealinghisspectaclesoff"nhisnoseandflyinguptotheridgepoleofthehouse，andcawingathim。Oncehehadbeensettingoutarowoftomatoplantsverycareful，andhegottotheendoftherowandturnedaround，andthattherecrowhadbeenhoppingalongbehindverysollum，pullingupeachplantashesetitout。Itactedlikeithaddonesomethingmightysmart，andknowedit，thatcrow。SoafterthattheoldmannamedhimSatan，furhesaiditwasSatan"stricktokeepthingsfromgrowing。Theywassomeblueandwhitepigeonswasn"tscaredtocomeandsetonhisshoul-
ders；butyoucouldseetheoldmanreallylikedthatcrowSatanbetter"nanyofthem。
Well，wehungaroundallafternoonlisteningtotheoldmantalk，andlikinghimbetterandbetter。
Firstthingweknoweditwasgettingalongtowardsuppertime。Andnothingwoulddobutwemuststaytosupper，too。WewaspintedtowardaplaceontherailroadcalledSmithtown，butwhenwefoundwecouldn"tgetatrainfromtheretillteno"clockthatnightanyhow，anditwasonlythreemilesaway，wesaidwe"dstay。
Aftersupperwecalculatedwe"dbettermove。
Buttheoldmanwouldn"thearofuswalkingthatthreemiles。Soabouteighto"clockhehitchedupamuletoaone-hosswagon，andwejoggedalong。
Theywasayallermoonsneakingupovertheedgeoftheworldwhenwestarted。Itwassolowdownintheskyyetthatitthrewlongshaddersontheroad，andtheywasthickandblackones，too。
Becausetheywasalotoftreesalongsidetheroad，andtheroadwasnarrow，wewentaheadmostlythroughthedarkness，withhereandtherepatchesofmoonlightsplashedontotheground。DoctorKirbyandOldManWitherswassettingontheseat，stillgassingawayaboutbooksandthings，andIwassettingonthesuitcaseinthewagonboxrightbehind"em。Sam，hewassometimesinthebackofthewagon。Hehadbeenmore"nhalfasleepallafternoon，butnowitwasnighthewaswakedup，thewayniggersandcatswilldo，andeveryonceinawhilehewouldgetoutbehindandcutafewcapersinamoonlightpatch，jestfurtheenjoymentofit，andthenrunandketchupwiththewagonandcrawlinagin，furitwasgoingpurtyslow。
Thegroundwassandyinspots，andIguesswemadeapurtygoodloadfurBeck，theoldmule。
Shestopped，goingupalittleslope，afterwehadwentaboutamilefromtheWitherses"。Samsayshe"llgetoutandwalk，furthewheelswasinpurtydeep，anditwashardgoing。
“Giddap，Beck！”saystheoldman。
ButBeck，shewon"t。Shedon"tstandlikesheisstuck，neither，butlikeshesensesdangersome-
wheresabout。Ahossmightgoaheadintodanger，butamuleismorecarefulofitselfandnevergoesbuttinginunlessitfeelssuretheyisawayout。
“Giddap，“saystheoldmanagin。
Butjestthentheshaddersonbothsidesoftheroadcomestolife。Theywakesup，andmovesallaboutus。ItwasdonesosuddenandquietitwashalfaminutebeforeIseenitwasn"tshaddersbutaboutthirtymenhadgatheredallaboutusoneveryside。Theyhadguns。
“Whoareyou？Whatd"yewant？”aststheoldman，startled，asthreeorfourtookcareofthemule"sheadveryquickandquiet。
“Don"tbeskeered，DaddyWithers，“saysadrawlyvoiceoutofthedark；“weain"tgoin"tohurtYOU。
Wegotalittlemattero"businesstotendtowiththemtwofellersyo"totin"totown。“
CHAPTERXIX
Thirtymenwithgunswouldbeconsider-
ableofapropositiontobuckagainst，sowedidn"ttryit。Theytookusoutofthewagon，andtheypintedusdowntheroad，steeringusfuracountryschoolhousewhichwas，Ijudgedfromtheirtalk，aboutaquarterofamileaway。
Theytookussilent，furafterwefoundtheydidn"tanswernoquestionswequitaskingany。Wejestwalkedalong，andguessedwhatwewasupagainst，andwhy。DaddyWithers，hetrailedalongbehind。Theyhadtriedtosendhimalonghome，buthewouldn"tgo。Sotheylethimfollerandpaidnomoreheedtohim。
Sam，hekepta-talkinganda-begging，andseveralmena-tellingofhimtoshutup。Andhimnota-doingit。Tillfinallyonefellersaysverydisgusted-like：
“Boys，I"mgoingtoturnthisniggerloose。“
“We"llwanthisevidence，“saysanotherone。
“Evidence！”saysthefirstone。“What"stheevidenceofascaredniggerworth？”
“Ireckonthatonethisafternoonwasconsider-
ablescared，whenhegiveusthatevidenceagainsthimself——thatis，ifyoucallitevidence。“
“Aniggercangiveevidenceagainstanigger，andit"sallright，“saysanothervoice——whichitcomefromafellerthathada-holtofmywristontheleft-handsideofme——“butthesearewhitemenwearegoingtotryto-night。Thecaseistooserioustotakeniggerevidence。Besides，Ireckonwegotalltheevidenceanyonecouldneed。Thisniggerain"tchargedwithanycrimehimself，andmyideaisthatheain"ttobeallowedtofigureonewayortheotherinthisthing。“
SotheyturnedSamloose。IneverseennorhearntellofSamsincethen。Theyfiredacoupleofgunsintotheairashestarteddowntheroad，jestfurfun，andmebbyheisrunningyet。
Thefellerhadbeentalkinglikehewasalawyer，soIastshimwhatcrimewewaschargedwith。Buthedidn"tanswerme。Andjestthenwegetsinsightofthatschoolhouse。
Itsetontopofalittlehill，partiallyinthemoon-
light，withafewsad-lookingpinetreesscatteredaroundit，andthefenceinfrontbrokedown。
Evenafternightyoucouldseeitwasashabby-
lookinglittleplace。
OldDaddyWitherstiedhismuletothebrokendownfence。Somebodybustedthefrontdoordown。Somebodyelselightedmatches。ThefirstthingIknowed，wewasallinside，andfourorfivedirtylittlecoaloillamps，withtinreflectorsto"em，whichIs"posewasusedordinaryfurschoolexhibi-
tions，wasbeinglighted。
Wewaswaltzedupontotheteacher"splatform，DoctorKirbyandme，andsetdowninchairsthere，withtwomentoeachofus，andthenatall，raw-
bonedfellerstalksuptotheteacher"sdesk，andrapsonitwiththebuttendofapistol，andsays：
“Gentlemen，thismeetingwillcometoorder。“
Whichtheywasorderlyenoughbeforethat，buttheyalltookofftheirhatswhenherapped，likeinacourtroomorachurch，andmostof"emsetdown。
Theysetdownintheschoolkids"seats，orontopofthedesks，andtheirlegsstuckoutintotheaisles，andtheylookeduncomfortableandawkward。Buttheylookedearnestandtheylookedsollum，too，andtheywasn"tnojokingnorskylarkinggoingon，nornokindofrowdyness，neither。Theseheremenwasn"ttoughs，byanymannerofmeans，butthemostpartof"emrespectablefarmers。Theyhadalookofmeaningbusiness。
“Gentlemen，“saysthefellerwhohadrapped，“whowillyouhaveforyourchairman？”
“Ireckonyou"lldo，Will，“saysanotherfellertotheraw-bonedman，whichseemedtosatisfyhim。Buthemade"emvoteonitbeforehetookoffice。
“Nowthen，“saysWill，“theaccusedmusthavecounsel。“
“Will，“saysanotherfeller，veryhasty，“what"stheuseofallthisfussan"feathers？YouknowaswellasIdothere"snothinglegalaboutthis。It"sonlynecessary。Formypart——“
“BuckHightower，“saysWill，poundingonthedesk，“youwillpleasecometoorder。“WhichBuckdoneit。
“Now，“saysthechairman，turningtowardDoctorKirby，whohadbeensettingtherelookingthoughtfulfromonemantoanother，likehewassizingeachoneup，“nowImustexplaintothechiefdefendantthatwedon"tintendtolynchhim。“
HestoppedasecondonthatwordLYNCHasiftoletitsoakin。Thedoctor，hebowedtowardhimverycoolandceremonious，andsays，mockingofhim：
“Youreassureme，Mister——Mister——Whatisyourname？”Hesaiditinawaythatwouldofmadeasaintmad。
“Mynameain"tanydifference，“saysWill，tryingnottoshowhewasnettled。
“Youarequiteright，“saysthedoctor，lookingWillupanddownfromheadtofoot，veryslowandinsulting，“it"sofnoconsequenceintheworld。“
Will，heflushedup，buthemakeshimselfsteadyandcool，andhegoesonwithhislittlespeech：
“Thereistobenolynchinghereto-night。Thereistobeatrial，and，ifnecessary，anexecution。“
“Woulditbeaskingtoomuch，“saysthedoctorverypolite，“ifIweretoinquirewhoistobetried，andbeforewhatcourt，anduponwhatcharge？”
Therewasaclearingofthroatsandashufflingoffeetfuraminute。Oneolddeaffeller，witharednose，whohadhishandbehindhisearandwasleaningforwardsoasnottomissabreathofwhatanyonesaid，asthisneighbourinaloudwhisper，“How？”Thenanundersizedlittlefeller，whowasn"tafarmerbyhisclothes，gotupandmovedtowardtheplatform。Hehadabulging-outfore-
head，andthinlips，andaquick，nervouswayabouthim：
“Youaretobetried，“hesaystothedoctor，speakinginakindofshrillsing-songthatcutyournervesinthatroomfullofbottled-upexcitementlikealocustonahotday。“Youaretobetriedbeforethisself-constitutedcourtofCaucasiancitizens——
Anglo-Saxons，sir，everymanofthem，whosefor-
bearswereatRunnymede！Thechargeagainstyouisstirringupthenegroesofthiscommunitytothepointofrevolt。Youareaccused，sir，ofrepresentingyourselftothemassomekindofaMoses。YouarearraignedhereforendangeringthepeaceofthecountyandthesupremacyoftheCaucasianracebyinspiringinthenegroesthehopeofequality。“
OldDaddyWithershadbeensettingbackbythedoor。Iseenhimgetupandslipout。Itdidn"tlooktometobeanyplacefuragentleoldpoet。
Whilethatlittlefellerwasmakingthatchargeyoucouldfeeltheairgettingtingly，likeitdoesbeforearainstorm。
Somefellersstartedtoclaptheirhandslikeatapoliticalrallyandtosay，“Goit，Billy！”“That"sright，Harden！”WhichIfoundoutlaterBillyHardenwasinthestatelegislature，andquiteaspeaker，andknowedit。Will，thechairman，hepoundeddowntheapplause，andthenhesaystothedoctor，pointingtoBillyHarden：
“Nomanshallsayofusthatwedidnotgiveyouafairtrialandasquaredeal。I"mgoin"toappointthisgentlemanasyourcounsel，andI"mgoin"togiveyouareasonabletimetotalkwithhiminpri-
vateandprepareyourcase。HeistheablestlawyerinsouthwestGeorgiaandthebrightestsonofWatsonCounty。“
ThedoctorlookskindoflazyandBillHarden，andbackaginatWill，thechairman，andsmilesoutofthecornerofhismouth。Thenhesays，sortoftakingintherestofthecrowdwithhisremark，likethemtwostandingtherepay-
ingeachothercomplimentswasn"tnothingbutajoke：
“IhopeneitherofyouwilltakeittoomuchtoheartifI"mnotimpressedbyyoursenseofjus-
tice——oryourfriend"sability。“
“Then，“saidWill，“Itakeitthatyouintendtoactasyourowncounsel？”
“Youmaytakeit，“saysthedoctor，rousingofhimselfup，“youmaytakeit——fromme——thatIrefusetorecognizeyouandyourcrowdasacourtofanykind；thatIknownothingofthesillyaccusa-
tionsagainstme；thatIfindnoreasonatallwhyI
shouldtakethetroubleofmakingadefencebeforeanarmedmobthatcanonlymeanoneoftwothings。“
“Oneoftwothings？”saysWill。
“Yes，“saysthedoctor，veryquiet，butraisinghisvoicealittleandlookinghimhardintheeyes。
“Youandyourgangcanmeanonlyoneoftwothings。Eitherabadjoke，orelse——“
Andhestoppedasecond，leaningforwardinhischair，withthelookofhalfraisingoutofit，soastobringoutthewordverydecided——
“MURDER！”
Thewayhedoneitleftthattherewordhangingintheroom，soyoucouldalmostseeitandalmostfeelitthere，likeitwasathingthathadtobefacedandlookedatandtookintoaccount。Theyallfeltitthat-a-way，too；furtheywasn"tasoundfuraminute。ThenWillsays：
“Wedon"tplanmurder，andyou"llfindthisain"tajoke。Andsinceyourefusetoacceptcounsel——“
JestthenBuckHightowerinterruptshimbyyell-
ingout，“ImakeamotionBillyHardenbeprosecut-
ingattorney，then。Let"shurrythisthingalong！”
Andseveralstartedtoapplaud，andcallfurBillyHardentoprosecute。ButWill，hepoundeddowntheapplauseagin，andsays：
“IwasabouttosuggestthatMr。Hardenmightbeprevailedupontoacceptthattask。“
“Yes，“saysthedoctor，verygentleandeasy。
“Quiteso！IfanciedmyselfthatMr。Hardencamealongwiththeideaofmakingaspeecheitherfororagainst。“AndhegrinnedatBillyHardeninawaythatseemedtomakehimwild，thoughhetriednottoshowit。Somehowthedoctorseemedtobeallkeyedup，insteadofscared，likeafellerthat"shadjestenoughtodrinktogivehimafightingedge。
“Mr。Chairman，“saysBillyHarden，flushingupandstutteringjestalittle，“Ib-begleavetod-d-decline。“
“What，“saysthedoctor，sortofplayingwithBillywithhiseyesandgrin，andturningliketoletthewholecrowdinonthejoke，“DECLINE？Theeminentgentlemandeclines！Andheisgoingtositdown，too，withallthatspeechbottledupinhim！ODemosthenes！”hesays，“youhavelostyourpebbleinfrontofallGreece。“
SeveralgrinnedatBillyHardenashesetdown，andthreeorfourlaughedoutright。Iguessabouthalfofthemthereknowedhimfurawindbag，andsomewasn"tsorrytoseehimjoshed。ButIseenwhatthedoctorwastryingtodo。Heknowedhewasinanawfultightplace，andhewasfeelingthatcrowd"spulse，sotospeak。Hehadbeentalkingtocrowdsfurtwentyyears，andheknowedthekindofsuddenturnstheywilltake，andhowtotakeadvantageof"em。Hewasplanningandfiggeringinhismindallthetimejestwhatsidetoketch"emon，andhowtosplituptheone，solidcrowd-mindintodifferentminds。ButthelittlebitofalaughheturnedagainstBillyHardenwasonlyonthesurface，likeastrawfloatingonawhirl-
pool。Thesemenwasherefurbusiness。
BuckHightowerjumpsupandsays：
“Will，I"mgettingtiredofthiscourtfoolishness。
Thequestionis，Doesthismancomeintothiscountyanddowhathehasdoneandgetoutagain？
Weknowallabouthim。Hesneakedinhereandgaveouthewasheretoturntheniggerswhite——
thathewassomekindofanew-fangledJesussentespeciallytoniggers，whichisblasphemyinitself——
andhe"sgot"emstirredup。They"reboilin"andfesterin"withnotionsofequalitytillwe"reluckyifwedon"thavetolynchadozenof"em，liketheydidinAtlantalastsummer，toget"embackintotheirplacesagain。Dowesaveourselvesmoretroublebystringinghimupasawarningtothenegroes？Ordoweinvitetroublebyturninghimloose？Which？Allitneedsisavote。“
Andhesetdownagin。Youcouldseehehadmadeahitwiththeboys。Theywasakindofagrowlrolledaroundtheroom。Thefeelingsinthatplacewasgettingstrongerandstronger。I
wasscared，buttryingnottoshowit。Myfingerskeptfeelingaroundinmypocketfursomethingthatwasn"tthere。Butmybraincouldn"trememberwhatmyfingerswasfeelingfur。ThenitcomeonmesuddenitwasabuckeyeIpickedupinthewoodsinIndianyoneday，andIhadlostit。Iain"tsuper-
stitiousaboutbuckeyesorhorse-shoes，butremem-
beringIhadlostitsomehowmademefeelworse。
ButDoctorKirbyhadagoodholtonhimself；hisfacewasabitredder"nusual，andhiseyeswasspark-
ling，andhewasbotheagerandwatchful。WhenBuckHightowersetsdownthechairmanclearshisthroatlikeheisgoingtospeak。But——
“Justamoment，“saysDoctorKirby，gettingonhisfeet，andtakingasteptowardthechairman。
Andthewayhestoppedandstoodmadeeverybodylookathim。Thenhewenton：
“Oncemore，“hesays，“Icalltheattentionofeverymanpresenttothefactthatwhatthelastspeakerproposesis——“
Andthenhelet"emhavethatwordagin，fullintheirfaces，tothinkabout——
“MURDER！Merelymurder。“
Hewasboundtheyshouldn"tgetawayfromthatwordandwhatitstoodfur。AndeverymanthereDIDthink，too，furtheywasanotherlittlepause。
Andnotoneof"emlookedatanotheronefuraminute。DoctorKirbyleanedforwardfromtheplatform，runninghiseyesoverthecrowd，andjestnatcherallyshovedthatwordintotheroomsohardwithhismindthateverymindtherehadtotakeitin。
Butasheheld"emtoittheycomeabangfromoneofthewindows。Itbrokethecharm。Fureverybodyjumped。Ijumpedmyself。Whentheendoftheworldcomesandtheearthbustsinthemiddle，itwon"tsoundnolouderthanthatbangdid。Itwasawoodenshutter。Thewindwasris-
ingoutside，anditflewopenandwhackedagin"
thebuilding。
Thenabig，heavy-setmanthathadn"tspokebeforerizupfromoneofthehindseats，likehehadheardadaretofight，andwalkedslowlydowntowardthefront。Hehadaredface，whichwasconsiderablepock-marked，andverydeep-seteyes，andadeepvoice。
“Sincewhen，“hesays，takinguphisstandadozenfeetorsoinfrontofthedoctor，“sincewhenhasanycivilizationrefusedtocommitmurderwhenmurderwasnecessaryforitsprotection？”
Oneofthetopglassesofthatwindowwasout，andwiththeshutteropentheycomeabreezethroughthatflutteredsomestripsofdirty-colouredpapers，fly-speckedanddustyandspider-webbed，thathungonstringsacrosttheroom，jestbelowtheceiling。IguesstheyhadbeenleftoverfromsomeChristmasdoings。
“Myfriend，“saidthepock-markedmantothedoctor——andthefunnythingaboutitwashedidn"ttalkunfriendlywhenhesaidit——“thewordyouinsistonisjustaWORD，likeanyotherword。“
Theywasaspiderroustedoutofhiswebbythatdisturbanceamongthestringsandpapers。Hestarteddownfromaboveonjestonestringofweb，seeminglyspinningpartofitoutofhimselfashecome，thewaytheydo。Icouldn"tkeepmyeyesoff"nhim。
“Murder，“saysthedoctor，“isathing。“
“ItisaWORD，“saystheotherman，“FORathing。
Forathingwhichsometimesseemsnecessary。
Lynching，war，execution，murder——theyareallwordsfordifferentwaysofwipingouthumanlife。
Killingsometimesseemswrong，andsometimesright。Butrightorwrong，andwithonewordoranothertackedtoit，itisDONEwhenacommunitywantstogetridofsomethingdangeroustoit。“
Thattherespiderwasasquat，ugly-lookingdevil，huncheduponhisstringamongstallhiscrookedlegs。Thewindwouldcomeinlittlepuffs，andswinghimalittlewaytowardthedoctor"shead，andthentowardthepock-markedman"shead，backandforthandbackandforth，betweenthemtwoastheyspoke。Itlookedtomelikehewaslisteningtowhattheysaidandwaitingfursomething。
“Murder，“saysthedoctor，“ismurder——illegalkilling——andyoucan"tmakeanythingelseoutofit，ortalkanythingelseintoit。“
Itcometomealltooncetthatthatuglyspiderwasswingingbackandforthlikethependulumonaclock，andmarkingtime。Iwonderedhowmuchtimetheywasleftintheworld。
“Itwouldbenonethelessamurder，“saidthepock-markedman，“ifyouweretobehangedafteratrialinsomecountycourt。Societyhadbeenobligedtodenytheprivilegeofcommittingmurdertotheindividualandreserveitforthecommunity。
Ifourcommunalsensesaysyoushoulddie，thethingisneitherbetternorworsethanifasheriffhangedyou。“
“Iamnottobehangedbyasheriff，“saysthedoctor，verycoolandsteady，“becauseIhavecom-
mittednocrime。Iamnottobekilledbyyoubecauseyoudarenot，inspiteofallyousay，outragethelawtothatextent。“
Andtheylookedeachotherintheeyessolongandhardthateveryoneelseintheschoolhouseheldtheirbreath。
“DAREnot？”saysthepock-markedman。Andhereachedforwardslowandtookthatspiderinhishand，andcrusheditthere，andwipedhishandalonghispantsleg。“Darenot？YES，BUTWEDARE。
Theonlyquestionforusmenhereiswhetherwedaretoletyougofree。“
“Yourdefenceoflynching，“saysDoctorKirby，“showsthatyou，atleast，areamanwhocanthink。
TellmewhatIamaccusedof？”
Andthenthetrialbeguninearnest。
CHAPTERXX
Thedoctoractedashisownlawyer，andthepock-markedman，whosenamewasGrimes，asthelawyeraginus。Youcouldseethatcrowdhadmadeupitsmindbefore-hand，andwasonlygivinguswhattheycalledatrialtosatisfytheirownconscience。Butthefightwasbe-
twixtGrimesandDoctorKirbythehullwaythrough。
OnewitnesswasafellerthathadbeeninthehotelatCottonvillethenightwestruckthatplace。Wehaddrunksomeofhislicker。
“Thismanadmittedhimselfthathewasheretoturntheniggerswhite，“saidthewitness。
DoctorKirbyhadtold"emwhatkindofmedicinehewasselling。Webothrememberedit。Webothhadtoadmitit。
ThenextwitnesswasthefellerthatrunthetavernatBairdstown。Hehadwithhim，furproof，abottleofthestuffwehadbroughtwithus。Hetoldhowwehadwentawayandleftittherethatverymorning。
Anotherwitnesstoldofseeingthedoctortalkingintheroadtothatthereniggerbishop。Whichanyonecouldofseeniteasyenough，furtheywasn"tnothingsecretaboutit。Wehadmethimbyac-
cident。Butyoucouldseeitmadeaginus。
AnotherwitnesssayshelivesnotfurfromthatBigBethelchurch。Hesayshehasnoticedtheniggerswasworkedupaboutsomethingfurseveraldays。Theyarekeepingthecauseofitsecret。HewentovertoBigBethelchurchthenightbefore，hesaid，andhelistenedoutsideoneofthewindowstofindoutwhatkindofdoctrinethatcrazybishopwaspreachingtothem。Theywasallsoworkedup，andthepowerwaswith"emsostrong，andtheywassoexcitedtheywouldn"tofhearnanarmymarch-
ingby。HehadhearnthebishopdeliveramessagetohisflockfromtheMessiah。Hehadseenhimgowild，afterward，andpreachanequalitysermon。
Thatwasthelyingmessagetheoldbishophadtookto"em，andthatSamhadtoldusabout。Buthowwasthisfellertoknowitwasalie？Hebelievedinit，andhetolditinastraight-aheadwaythatwouldmakeanyoneseehewastellingthetruthashethoughtittobe。
Thentheywassixotherwitnesses。Allhadbeeninthegangthatlynchedtheniggerthatday。Thatniggerhadconfessedhiscrimebeforehewaslynched。
HehadtoldhowtheniggershadbeenexpectingofaMessiahfurseveraldays，andhowthedoctorwashim。Hehaddieda-preachinganda-prophesyingandthinkingtothelastminutemaybehewasgoingtogettookupinachariotoffire。
Thingskeptlookingworseandworsefurus。
Theyhadthestoryastheniggersthoughtittobe。
Theythoughtthedoctorhaddeliberatelyrepre-
sentedhimselfassuch，insteadofwhichthedoc-
torhadrefusedtoberepresentedasthatthereMessiah。Morethanthat，hehadneversoldabottleofthatmedicine。Hehadflungtheideaofsellingitwaybehindhimjestassoonasheseenwhatthesituationreallywasintheblackcoun-
ties。Hehadevendespisedhimselffurgoingintoit。Butthelooksofthingswasalltheotherway。
Thenthedoctorgivehisowntestimony。
“Gentlemen，“hesays，“itistruethatIcamedownheretotryoutthatstuffinthebottlethere，andseeifamarketcouldbeworkedupforit。Itisalsotruethat，afterIcamehereanddiscoveredwhatconditionswere，Idecidednottosellthestuff。
Ididn"tsellany。AboutthisMessiahbusinessI
knowverylittlemorethanyoudo。Thesituationwascreated，andIblunderedintoit。IsentthenegroeswordthatIwasnotthepersontheyex-
pected。Thebishopliedtothem。Thatismywholestory。“
Buttheydidn"tbelievehim。Furitwasjestwhathewouldofsaidifhehadbeenguilty，astheythoughthim。AndthenGrimesgetsupandsays：
“Gentlemen，Idemandforthisprisonerthepenaltyofdeath。
“Hehaslenthimselftoasituationcalculatedtodisturbinthiscountythepeacefuldominationoftheblackracebythewhite。
“HeisaNorthernman。Butthatisnotagainsthim。Ifthiswereacasewhereleniencywerepossi-
ble，itshouldcountforhim，asindicatinganig-
noranceofthegravityofconditionswhichconfrontushere，everydayandallthetime。Ifheweremyownbrother，Iwouldstilldemandhisdeath。
“Lestheshouldthinkmyattitudedictatedbyanylingeringsectionalprejudice，Imaytellhimwhatyouallknow——youpeopleamongwhomIhavelivedforthirtyyears——thatIamaNorthernmanmyself。