第4章

"Mytales！"criedOberon。"Thechimney！Theroof！TheFiendhasgoneforthbynight，andstartledthousandsinfearandwonderfromtheirbeds！HereIstand，——atriumphantauthor！Huzza！

Huzza！Mybrainhassetthetownonfire！Huzza！"

MYKINSMAN，MAJORMOLINEUX

AfterthekingsofGreatBritainhadassumedtherightofappointingthecolonialgovernors，themeasuresofthelatterseldommetwiththereadyandgenerousapprobationwhichhadbeenpaidtothoseoftheirpredecessors，undertheoriginalcharters。

Thepeoplelookedwithmostjealousscrutinytotheexerciseofpowerwhichdidnotemanatefromthemselves，andtheyusuallyrewardedtheirrulerswithslendergratitudeforthecompliancesbywhich，insofteningtheirinstructionsfrombeyondthesea，theyhadincurredthereprehensionofthosewhogavethem。TheannalsofMassachusettsBaywillinformus，thatofsixgovernorsinthespaceofaboutfortyyearsfromthesurrenderoftheoldcharter，underJamesII，twowereimprisonedbyapopularinsurrection;athird，asHutchinsoninclinestobelieve，wasdrivenfromtheprovincebythewhizzingofamusket-ball;afourth，intheopinionofthesamehistorian，washastenedtohisgravebycontinualbickeringswiththeHouseofRepresentatives;

andtheremainingtwo，aswellastheirsuccessors，tilltheRevolution，werefavoredwithfewandbriefintervalsofpeacefulsway。Theinferiormembersofthecourtparty，intimesofhighpoliticalexcitement，ledscarcelyamoredesirablelife。Theseremarksmayserveasaprefacetothefollowingadventures，whichchanceduponasummernight，notfarfromahundredyearsago。

Thereader，inordertoavoidalonganddrydetailofcolonialaffairs，isrequestedtodispensewithanaccountofthetrainofcircumstancesthathadcausedmuchtemporaryinflammationofthepopularmind。

Itwasnearnineo’clockofamoonlightevening，whenaboatcrossedtheferrywithasinglepassenger，whohadobtainedhisconveyanceatthatunusualhourbythepromiseofanextrafare。

Whilehestoodonthelanding-place，searchingineitherpocketforthemeansoffulfillinghisagreement，theferrymanliftedalantern，bytheaidofwhich，andthenewlyrisenmoon，hetookaveryaccuratesurveyofthestranger’sfigure。Hewasayouthofbarelyeighteenyears，evidentlycountry-bred，andnow，asitshouldseem，uponhisfirstvisittotown。Hewascladinacoarsegraycoat，wellworn，butinexcellentrepair;hisundergarmentsweredurablyconstructedofleather，andfittedtighttoapairofserviceableandwell-shapedlimbs;hisstockingsofblueyarnweretheincontrovertibleworkofamotherorasister;

andonhisheadwasathree-corneredhat，whichinitsbetterdayshadperhapsshelteredthegraverbrowofthelad’sfather。

Underhisleftarmwasaheavycudgelformedofanoaksapling，andretainingapartofthehardenedroot;andhisequipmentwascompletedbyawallet，notsoabundantlystockedastoincommodethevigorousshouldersonwhichithung。Brown，curlyhair，well-shapedfeatures，andbright，cheerfuleyeswerenature’sgifts，andworthallthatartcouldhavedoneforhisadornment。

Theyouth，oneofwhosenameswasRobin，finallydrewfromhispocketthehalfofalittleprovincebilloffiveshillings，which，inthedepreciationinthatsortofcurrency，didbutsatisfytheferryman’sdemand，withthesurplusofasexangularpieceofparchment，valuedatthreepence。Hethenwalkedforwardintothetown，withaslightastepasifhisday’sjourneyhadnotalreadyexceededthirtymiles，andwithaseageraneyeasifhewereenteringLondoncity，insteadofthelittlemetropolisofaNewEnglandcolony。BeforeRobinhadproceededfar，however，itoccurredtohimthatheknewnotwhithertodirecthissteps;sohepaused，andlookedupanddownthenarrowstreet，scrutinizingthesmallandmeanwoodenbuildingsthatwerescatteredoneitherside。

"Thislowhovelcannotbemykinsman’sdwelling，"thoughthe，"noryonderoldhouse，wherethemoonlightentersatthebrokencasement;andtrulyIseenonehereaboutsthatmightbeworthyofhim。Itwouldhavebeenwisetoinquiremywayoftheferryman，anddoubtlesshewouldhavegonewithme，andearnedashillingfromtheMajorforhispains。ButthenextmanImeetwilldoaswell。"

Heresumedhiswalk，andwasgladtoperceivethatthestreetnowbecamewider，andthehousesmorerespectableintheirappearance。Hesoondiscernedafiguremovingonmoderatelyinadvance，andhastenedhisstepstoovertakeit。AsRobindrewnigh，hesawthatthepassengerwasamaninyears，withafullperiwigofgrayhair，awide-skirtedcoatofdarkcloth，andsilkstockingsrolledabovehisknees。Hecarriedalongandpolishedcane，whichhestruckdownperpendicularlybeforehimateverystep;andatregularintervalsheutteredtwosuccessivehems，ofapeculiarlysolemnandsepulchralintonation。Havingmadetheseobservations，Robinlaidholdoftheskirtoftheoldman’scoatjustwhenthelightfromtheopendoorandwindowsofabarber’sshopfelluponboththeirfigures。

"Goodeveningtoyou，honoredsir，"saidhe，makingalowbow，andstillretaininghisholdoftheskirt。"Iprayyoutellmewhereaboutsisthedwellingofmykinsman，MajorMolineux。"

Theyouth’squestionwasutteredveryloudly;andoneofthebarbers，whoserazorwasdescendingonawell-soapedchin，andanotherwhowasdressingaRamillieswig，lefttheiroccupations，andcametothedoor。Thecitizen，inthemeantime，turnedalong-favoredcountenanceuponRobin，andansweredhiminatoneofexcessiveangerandannoyance。Histwosepulchralhems，however，brokeintotheverycentreofhisrebuke，withmostsingulareffect，likeathoughtofthecoldgraveobtrudingamongwrathfulpassions。

"Letgomygarment，fellow！Itellyou，Iknownotthemanyouspeakof。What！Ihaveauthority，Ihave——hem，hem——authority;

andifthisbetherespectyoushowforyourbetters，yourfeetshallbebroughtacquaintedwiththestocksbydaylight，tomorrowmorning！"

Robinreleasedtheoldman’sskirt，andhastenedaway，pursuedbyanill-manneredroaroflaughterfromthebarber’sshop。Hewasatfirstconsiderablysurprisedbytheresultofhisquestion，but，beingashrewdyouth，soonthoughthimselfabletoaccountforthemystery。

"Thisissomecountryrepresentative，"washisconclusion，"whohasneverseentheinsideofmykinsman’sdoor，andlacksthebreedingtoanswerastrangercivilly。Themanisold，orverily——Imightbetemptedtoturnbackandsmitehimonthenose。Ah，Robin，Robin！eventhebarber’sboyslaughatyouforchoosingsuchaguide！Youwillbewiserintime，friendRobin。"

Henowbecameentangledinasuccessionofcrookedandnarrowstreets，whichcrossedeachother，andmeanderedatnogreatdistancefromthewater-side。Thesmelloftarwasobvioustohisnostrils，themastsofvesselspiercedthemoonlightabovethetopsofthebuildings，andthenumeroussigns，whichRobinpausedtoread，informedhimthathewasnearthecentreofbusiness。

Butthestreetswereempty，theshopswereclosed，andlightswerevisibleonlyinthesecondstoriesofafewdwelling-houses。

Atlength，onthecornerofanarrowlane，throughwhichhewaspassing，hebeheldthebroadcountenanceofaBritishheroswingingbeforethedoorofaninn，whenceproceededthevoicesofmanyguests。Thecasementofoneofthelowerwindowswasthrownback，andaverythincurtainpermittedRobintodistinguishapartyatsupper，roundawell-furnishedtable。Thefragranceofthegoodcheersteamedforthintotheouterair，andtheyouthcouldnotfailtorecollectthatthelastremnantofhistravellingstockofprovisionhadyieldedtohismorningappetite，andthatnoonhadfoundandlefthimdinnerless。

"Oh，thataparchmentthree-pennymightgivemearighttositdownatyondertable！"saidRobin，withasigh。"ButtheMajorwillmakemewelcometothebestofhisvictuals;soIwillevenstepboldlyin，andinquiremywaytohisdwelling。"

Heenteredthetavern，andwasguidedbythemurmurofvoicesandthefumesoftobaccotothepublic-room。Itwasalongandlowapartment，withoakenwalls，growndarkinthecontinualsmoke，andafloorwhichwasthicklysanded，butofnoimmaculatepurity。Anumberofpersons——thelargerpartofwhomappearedtobemariners，orinsomewayconnectedwiththesea——occupiedthewoodenbenches，orleatherbottomedchairs，conversingonvariousmatters，andoccasionallylendingtheirattentiontosometopicofgeneralinterest。Threeorfourlittlegroupsweredrainingasmanybowlsofpunch，whichtheWestIndiatradehadlongsincemadeafamiliardrinkinthecolony。Others，whohadtheappearanceofmenwholivedbyregularandlaborioushandicraft，preferredtheinsulatedblissofanunsharedpotation，andbecamemoretaciturnunderitsinfluence。Nearlyall，inshort，evincedapredilectionfortheGoodCreatureinsomeofitsvariousshapes，forthisisavicetowhich，asFastDaysermonsofahundredyearsagowilltestify，wehavealonghereditaryclaim。

TheonlygueststowhomRobin’ssympathiesinclinedhimweretwoorthreesheepishcountrymen，whowereusingtheinnsomewhatafterthefashionofaTurkishcaravansary;theyhadgottenthemselvesintothedarkestcorneroftheroom，andheedlessoftheNicotianatmosphere，weresuppingonthebreadoftheirownovens，andthebaconcuredintheirownchimney-smoke。ButthoughRobinfeltasortofbrotherhoodwiththesestrangers，hiseyeswereattractedfromthemtoapersonwhostoodnearthedoor，holdingwhisperedconversationwithagroupofill-dressedassociates。Hisfeatureswereseparatelystrikingalmosttogrotesqueness，andthewholefaceleftadeepimpressiononthememory。Theforeheadbulgedoutintoadoubleprominence，withavalebetween;thenosecameboldlyforthinanirregularcurve，anditsbridgewasofmorethanafinger’sbreadth;theeyebrowsweredeepandshaggy，andtheeyesglowedbeneaththemlikefireinacave。

WhileRobindeliberatedofwhomtoinquirerespectinghiskinsman’sdwelling，hewasaccostedbytheinnkeeper，alittlemaninastainedwhiteapron，whohadcometopayhisprofessionalwelcometothestranger。BeinginthesecondgenerationfromaFrenchProtestant，heseemedtohaveinheritedthecourtesyofhisparentnation;butnovarietyofcircumstanceswaseverknowntochangehisvoicefromtheoneshrillnoteinwhichhenowaddressedRobin。

"Fromthecountry，Ipresume，sir？"saidhe，withaprofoundbow。

"Begleavetocongratulateyouonyourarrival，andtrustyouintendalongstaywithus。Finetownhere，sir，beautifulbuildings，andmuchthatmayinterestastranger。MayIhopeforthehonorofyourcommandsinrespecttosupper？"

"Themanseesafamilylikeness！theroguehasguessedthatIamrelatedtotheMajor！"thoughtRobin，whohadhithertoexperiencedlittlesuperfluouscivility。

Alleyeswerenowturnedonthecountrylad，standingatthedoor，inhiswornthree-corneredhat，graycoat，leatherbreeches，andblueyarnstockings，leaningonanoakencudgel，andbearingawalletonhisback。

Robinrepliedtothecourteousinnkeeper，withsuchanassumptionofconfidenceasbefittedtheMajor’srelative。"Myhonestfriend，"hesaid，"Ishallmakeitapointtopatronizeyourhouseonsomeoccasion，when"——herehecouldnothelploweringhisvoice——"whenImayhavemorethanaparchmentthree-penceinmypocket。Mypresentbusiness，"continuedhe，speakingwithloftyconfidence，"ismerelytoinquiremywaytothedwellingofmykinsman，MajorMolineux。"

Therewasasuddenandgeneralmovementintheroom，whichRobininterpretedasexpressingtheeagernessofeachindividualtobecomehisguide。Buttheinnkeeperturnedhiseyestoawrittenpaperonthewall，whichheread，orseemedtoread，withoccasionalrecurrencestotheyoungman’sfigure。

"Whathavewehere？"saidhe，breakinghisspeechintolittledryfragments。"’Leftthehouseofthesubscriber，boundenservant，HezekiahMudge，——hadon，whenhewentaway，graycoat，leatherbreeches，master’sthird-besthat。Onepoundcurrencyrewardtowhosoevershalllodgehiminanyjailoftheprovidence。’Bettertrudge，boy;bettertrudge！"

Robinhadbeguntodrawhishandtowardsthelighterendoftheoakcudgel，butastrangehostilityineverycountenanceinducedhimtorelinquishhispurposeofbreakingthecourteousinnkeeper’shead。Asheturnedtoleavetheroom，heencounteredasneeringglancefromthebold-featuredpersonagewhomhehadbeforenoticed;andnosoonerwashebeyondthedoor，thanheheardagenerallaugh，inwhichtheinnkeeper’svoicemightbedistinguished，likethedroppingofsmallstonesintoakettle。

"Now，isitnotstrange，"thoughtRobin，withhisusualshrewdness，"isitnotstrangethattheconfessionofanemptypocketshouldoutweighthenameofmykinsman，MajorMolineux？

Oh，ifIhadoneofthosegrinningrascalsinthewoods，whereI

andmyoaksaplinggrewuptogether，Iwouldteachhimthatmyarmisheavythoughmypursebelight！"

Onturningthecornerofthenarrowlane，Robinfoundhimselfinaspaciousstreet，withanunbrokenlineofloftyhousesoneachside，andasteepledbuildingattheupperend，whencetheringingofabellannouncedthehourofnine。Thelightofthemoon，andthelampsfromthenumerousshop-windows，discoveredpeoplepromenadingonthepavement，andamongstthemRobinhadhopedtorecognizehishithertoinscrutablerelative。Theresultofhisformerinquiriesmadehimunwillingtohazardanother，inasceneofsuchpublicity，andhedeterminedtowalkslowlyandsilentlyupthestreet，thrustinghisfaceclosetothatofeveryelderlygentleman，insearchoftheMajor’slineaments。Inhisprogress，Robinencounteredmanygayandgallantfigures。

Embroideredgarmentsofshowycolors，enormousperiwigs，gold-lacedhats，andsilver-hiltedswordsglidedpasthimanddazzledhisoptics。Travelledyouths，imitatorsoftheEuropeanfinegentlemenoftheperiod，trodjauntilyalong，halfdancingtothefashionabletuneswhichtheyhummed，andmakingpoorRobinashamedofhisquietandnaturalgait。Atlength，aftermanypausestoexaminethegorgeousdisplayofgoodsintheshop-windows，andaftersufferingsomerebukesfortheimpertinenceofhisscrutinyintopeople’sfaces，theMajor’skinsmanfoundhimselfnearthesteepledbuilding，stillunsuccessfulinhissearch。Asyet，however，hehadseenonlyonesideofthethrongedstreet;soRobincrossed，andcontinuedthesamesortofinquisitiondowntheoppositepavement，withstrongerhopesthanthephilosopherseekinganhonestman，butwithnobetterfortune。Hehadarrivedaboutmidwaytowardsthelowerend，fromwhichhiscoursebegan，whenheoverheardtheapproachofsomeonewhostruckdownacaneontheflag-stonesateverystep，utteringatregularintervals，twosepulchralhems。

"Mercyonus！"quothRobin，recognizingthesound。

Turningacorner，whichchancedtobecloseathisrighthand，hehastenedtopursuehisresearchesinsomeotherpartofthetown。

Hispatiencenowwaswearinglow，andheseemedtofeelmorefatiguefromhisramblessincehecrossedtheferry，thanfromhisjourneyofseveraldaysontheotherside。Hungeralsopleadedloudlywithinhim，andRobinbegantobalancetheproprietyofdemanding，violently，andwithliftedcudgel，thenecessaryguidancefromthefirstsolitarypassengerwhomheshouldmeet。Whilearesolutiontothiseffectwasgainingstrength，heenteredastreetofmeanappearance，oneithersideofwhicharowofill-builthouseswasstragglingtowardstheharbor。Themoonlightfelluponnopassengeralongthewholeextent，butinthethirddomicilewhichRobinpassedtherewasahalf-openeddoor，andhiskeenglancedetectedawoman’sgarmentwithin。

"Myluckmaybebetterhere，"saidhetohimself。

Accordingly，heapproachedthedoorsandbehelditshutcloserashedidso;yetanopenspaceremained，sufficingforthefairoccupanttoobservethestranger，withoutacorrespondingdisplayonherpart。AllthatRobincoulddiscernwasastripofscarletpetticoat，andtheoccasionalsparkleofaneye，asifthemoonbeamsweretremblingonsomebrightthing。

"Prettymistress，"forImaycallhersowithagoodconsciencethoughttheshrewdyouth，sinceIknownothingtothecontrary，——"mysweetprettymistress，willyoubekindenoughtotellmewhereaboutsImustseekthedwellingofmykinsman，MajorMolineux？"

Robin’svoicewasplaintiveandwinning，andthefemale，seeingnothingtobeshunnedinthehandsomecountryyouth，thrustopenthedoor，andcameforthintothemoonlight。Shewasadaintylittlefigurewithawhiteneck，roundarms，andaslenderwaist，attheextremityofwhichherscarletpetticoatjuttedoutoverahoop，asifshewerestandinginaballoon。Moreover，herfacewasovalandpretty，herhairdarkbeneaththelittlecap，andherbrighteyespossessedaslyfreedom，whichtriumphedoverthoseofRobin。

"MajorMolineuxdwellshere，"saidthisfairwoman。

Now，hervoicewasthesweetestRobinhadheardthatnight，yethecouldnothelpdoubtingwhetherthatsweetvoicespokeGospeltruth。Helookedupanddownthemeanstreet，andthensurveyedthehousebeforewhichtheystood。Itwasasmall，darkedificeoftwostories，thesecondofwhichprojectedoverthelowerfloor，andthefrontapartmenthadtheaspectofashopforpettycommodities。

"Now，truly，Iaminluck，"repliedRobin，cunningly，"andsoindeedismykinsman，theMajor，inhavingsoprettyahousekeeper。ButIpritheetroublehimtosteptothedoor;I

willdeliverhimamessagefromhisfriendsinthecountry，andthengobacktomylodgingsattheinn。"

"Nay，theMajorhasbeenabedthishourormore，"saidtheladyofthescarletpetticoat;"anditwouldbetolittlepurposetodisturbhimto-night，seeinghiseveningdraughtwasofthestrongest。Butheisakind-heartedman，anditwouldbeasmuchasmylife’sworthtoletakinsmanofhisturnawayfromthedoor。Youarethegoodoldgentleman’sverypicture，andIcouldswearthatwashisrainy-weatherhat。Alsohehasgarmentsverymuchresemblingthoseleathersmall-clothes。Butcomein，Ipray，forIbidyouheartywelcomeinhisname。"

Sosaying，thefairandhospitabledametookourherobythehand;andthetouchwaslight，andtheforcewasgentleness，andthoughRobinreadinhereyeswhathedidnothearinherwords，yettheslender-waistedwomaninthescarletpetticoatprovedstrongerthantheathleticcountryyouth。Shehaddrawnhishalf-willingfootstepsnearlytothethreshold，whentheopeningofadoorintheneighborhoodstartledtheMajor’shousekeeper，and，leavingtheMajor’skinsman，shevanishedspeedilyintoherowndomicile。Aheavyyawnprecededtheappearanceofaman，who，liketheMoonshineofPyramusandThisbe，carriedalantern，needlesslyaidinghissisterluminaryintheheavens。Ashewalkedsleepilyupthestreet，heturnedhisbroad，dullfaceonRobin，anddisplayedalongstaff，spikedattheend。

"Home，vagabond，home！"saidthewatchman，inaccentsthatseemedtofallasleepassoonastheywereuttered。"Home，orwe’llsetyouinthestocksbypeepofday！"

"Thisisthesecondhintofthekind，"thoughtRobin。"Iwishtheywouldendmydifficulties，bysettingmethereto-night。"

Nevertheless，theyouthfeltaninstinctiveantipathytowardstheguardianofmidnightorder，whichatfirstpreventedhimfromaskinghisusualquestion。Butjustwhenthemanwasabouttovanishbehindthecorner，Robinresolvednottolosetheopportunity，andshoutedlustilyafterhim，"Isay，friend！willyouguidemetothehouseofmykinsman，MajorMolineux？"

Thewatchmanmadenoreply，butturnedthecornerandwasgone;

yetRobinseemedtohearthesoundofdrowsylaughterstealingalongthesolitarystreet。Atthatmoment，also，apleasanttittersalutedhimfromtheopenwindowabovehishead;helookedup，andcaughtthesparkleofasaucyeye;aroundarmbeckonedtohim，andnextheheardlightfootstepsdescendingthestaircasewithin。ButRobin，beingofthehouseholdofaNewEnglandclergyman，wasagoodyouth，aswellasashrewdone;soheresistedtemptation，andfledaway。

Henowroameddesperately，andatrandom，throughthetown，almostreadytobelievethataspellwasonhim，likethatbywhichawizardofhiscountryhadoncekeptthreepursuerswandering，awholewinternight，withintwentypacesofthecottagewhichtheysought。Thestreetslaybeforehim，strangeanddesolate，andthelightswereextinguishedinalmosteveryhouse。Twice，however，littlepartiesofmen，amongwhomRobindistinguishedindividualsinoutlandishattire，camehurryingalong;but，thoughonbothoccasions，theypausedtoaddresshimsuchintercoursedidnotatallenlightenhisperplexity。TheydidbututterafewwordsinsomelanguageofwhichRobinknewnothing，andperceivinghisinabilitytoanswer，bestowedacurseuponhiminplainEnglishandhastenedaway。Finally，theladdeterminedtoknockatthedoorofeverymansionthatmightappearworthytobeoccupiedbyhiskinsman，trustingthatperseverancewouldovercomethefatalitythathadhithertothwartedhim。Firminthisresolve，hewaspassingbeneaththewallsofachurch，whichformedthecorneroftwostreets，when，asheturnedintotheshadeofitssteeple，heencounteredabulkystrangermuffledinacloak。Themanwasproceedingwiththespeedofearnestbusiness，butRobinplantedhimselffullbeforehim，holdingtheoakcudgelwithbothhandsacrosshisbodyasabartofurtherpassage"Halt，honestman，andanswermeaquestion，"saidhe，veryresolutely。"Tellme，thisinstant，whereaboutsisthedwellingofmykinsman，MajorMolineux！"

"Keepyourtonguebetweenyourteeth，fool，andletmepass！"

saidadeep，gruffvoice，whichRobinpartlyremembered。"Letmepass，orI’llstrikeyoutotheearth！"

"No，no，neighbor！"criedRobin，flourishinghiscudgel，andthenthrustingitslargerendclosetotheman’smuffledface。"No，no，I’mnotthefoolyoutakemefor，nordoyoupasstillIhaveananswertomyquestion。Whereaboutsisthedwellingofmykinsman，MajorMolineux？"Thestranger，insteadofattemptingtoforcehispassage，steppedbackintothemoonlight，unmuffledhisface，andstaredfullintothatofRobin。

"Watchhereanhour，andMajorMolineuxwillpassby，"saidhe。

Robingazedwithdismayandastonishmentontheunprecedentedphysiognomyofthespeaker。Theforeheadwithitsdoubleprominencethebroadhookednose，theshaggyeyebrows，andfieryeyeswerethosewhichhehadnoticedattheinn，buttheman’scomplexionhadundergoneasingular，or，moreproperly，atwofoldchange。Onesideofthefaceblazedanintensered，whiletheotherwasblackasmidnight，thedivisionlinebeinginthebroadbridgeofthenose;andamouthwhichseemedtoextendfromeartoearwasblackorred，incontrasttothecolorofthecheek。

Theeffectwasasiftwoindividualdevils，afiendoffireandafiendofdarkness，hadunitedthemselvestoformthisinfernalvisage。ThestrangergrinnedinRobin’sface，muffledhisparty-coloredfeatures，andwasoutofsightinamoment。

"Strangethingswetravellerssee！"ejaculatedRobin。

Heseatedhimself，however，uponthestepsofthechurch-door，resolvingtowaittheappointedtimeforhiskinsman。Afewmomentswereconsumedinphilosophicalspeculationsuponthespeciesofmanwhohadjustlefthim;buthavingsettledthispointshrewdly，rationally，andsatisfactorily，hewascompelledtolookelsewhereforhisamusement。Andfirsthethrewhiseyesalongthestreet。Itwasofmorerespectableappearancethanmostofthoseintowhichhehadwandered，andthemoon，creating，liketheimaginativepower，abeautifulstrangenessinfamiliarobjects，gavesomethingofromancetoascenethatmightnothavepossesseditinthelightofday。Theirregularandoftenquaintarchitectureofthehouses，someofwhoseroofswerebrokenintonumerouslittlepeaks，whileothersascended，steepandnarrow，intoasinglepoint，andothersagainweresquare;thepuresnow-whiteofsomeoftheircomplexions，theageddarknessofothers，andthethousandsparklings，reflectedfrombrightsubstancesinthewallsofmany;thesemattersengagedRobin’sattentionforawhile，andthenbegantogrowwearisome。Nextheendeavoredtodefinetheformsofdistantobjects，startingaway，withalmostghostlyindistinctness，justashiseyeappearedtograspthem，andfinallyhetookaminutesurveyofanedificewhichstoodontheoppositesideofthestreet，directlyinfrontofthechurch-door，wherehewasstationed。Itwasalarge，squaremansion，distinguishedfromitsneighborsbyabalcony，whichrestedontallpillars，andbyanelaborateGothicwindow，communicatingtherewith。

"PerhapsthisistheveryhouseIhavebeenseeking，"thoughtRobin。

Thenhestrovetospeedawaythetime，bylisteningtoamurmurwhichsweptcontinuallyalongthestreet，yetwasscarcelyaudible，excepttoanunaccustomedearlikehis;itwasalow，dull，dreamysound，compoundedofmanynoises，eachofwhichwasattoogreatadistancetobeseparatelyheard。Robinmarvelledatthissnoreofasleepingtown，andmarvelledmorewheneveritscontinuitywasbrokenbynowandthenadistantshout，apparentlyloudwhereitoriginated。Butaltogetheritwasasleep-inspiringsound，and，toshakeoffitsdrowsyinfluence，Robinarose，andclimbedawindow-frame，thathemightviewtheinteriorofthechurch。Therethemoonbeamscametremblingin，andfelldownuponthedesertedpews，andextendedalongthequietaisles。Afainteryetmoreawfulradiancewashoveringaroundthepulpit，andonesolitaryrayhaddaredtorestupontheopenpageofthegreatBible。Hadnature，inthatdeephour，becomeaworshipperinthehousewhichmanhadbuilded？Orwasthatheavenlylightthevisiblesanctityoftheplace，——visiblebecausenoearthlyandimpurefeetwerewithinthewalls？ThescenemadeRobin’sheartshiverwithasensationoflonelinessstrongerthanhehadeverfeltintheremotestdepthsofhisnativewoods;soheturnedawayandsatdownagainbeforethedoor。Thereweregravesaroundthechurch，andnowanuneasythoughtobtrudedintoRobin’sbreast。Whatiftheobjectofhissearch，whichhadbeensooftenandsostrangelythwarted，wereallthetimemoulderinginhisshroud？Whatifhiskinsmanshouldglidethroughyondergate，andnodandsmiletohimindimlypassingby？

"Ohthatanybreathingthingwereherewithme！"saidRobin。

Recallinghisthoughtsfromthisuncomfortabletrack，hesentthemoverforest，hill，andstream，andattemptedtoimaginehowthateveningofambiguityandwearinesshadbeenspentbyhisfather’shousehold。Hepicturedthemassembledatthedoor，beneaththetree，thegreatoldtree，whichhadbeensparedforitshugetwistedtrunkandvenerableshade，whenathousandleafybrethrenfell。There，atthegoingdownofthesummersun，itwashisfather’scustomtoperformdomesticworshipthattheneighborsmightcomeandjoinwithhimlikebrothersofthefamily，andthatthewayfaringmanmightpausetodrinkatthatfountain，andkeephisheartpurebyfresheningthememoryofhome。Robindistinguishedtheseatofeveryindividualofthelittleaudience;hesawthegoodmaninthemidst，holdingtheScripturesinthegoldenlightthatfellfromthewesternclouds;

hebeheldhimclosethebookandallriseuptopray。Heheardtheoldthanksgivingsfordailymercies，theoldsupplicationsfortheircontinuancetowhichhehadsooftenlistenedinweariness，butwhichwerenowamonghisdearremembrances。Heperceivedtheslightinequalityofhisfather’svoicewhenhecametospeakoftheabsentone;henotedhowhismotherturnedherfacetothebroadandknottedtrunk;howhiselderbrotherscorned，becausethebeardwasroughuponhisupperlip，topermithisfeaturestobemoved;howtheyoungersisterdrewdownalowhangingbranchbeforehereyes;andhowthelittleoneofall，whosesportshadhithertobrokenthedecorumofthescene，understoodtheprayerforherplaymate，andburstintoclamorousgrief。Thenhesawthemgoinatthedoor;andwhenRobinwouldhaveenteredalso，thelatchtinkledintoitsplace，andhewasexcludedfromhishome。

"AmIhere，orthere？"criedRobin，starting;forallatonce，whenhisthoughtshadbecomevisibleandaudibleinadream，thelong，wide，solitarystreetshoneoutbeforehim。

Hearousedhimself，andendeavoredtofixhisattentionsteadilyuponthelargeedificewhichhehadsurveyedbefore。Butstillhismindkeptvibratingbetweenfancyandreality;byturns，thepillarsofthebalconylengthenedintothetall，barestemsofpines，dwindleddowntohumanfigures，settledagainintotheirtrueshapeandsize，andthencommencedanewsuccessionofchanges。Forasinglemoment，whenhedeemedhimselfawake，hecouldhaveswornthatavisage——onewhichheseemedtoremember，yetcouldnotabsolutelynameashiskinsman’s——waslookingtowardshimfromtheGothicwindow。Adeepersleepwrestledwithandnearlyovercamehim，butfledatthesoundoffootstepsalongtheoppositepavement。Robinrubbedhiseyes，discernedamanpassingatthefootofthebalcony，andaddressedhiminaloud，peevish，andlamentablecry。

"Hallo，friend！mustIwaithereallnightformykinsman，MajorMolineux？"

Thesleepingechoesawoke，andansweredthevoice;andthepassenger，barelyabletodiscernafiguresittingintheobliqueshadeofthesteeple，traversedthestreettoobtainanearerview。Hewashimselfagentlemaninhisprime，ofopen，intelligent，cheerful，andaltogetherprepossessingcountenance。

Perceivingacountryyouth，apparentlyhomelessandwithoutfriends，heaccostedhiminatoneofrealkindness，whichhadbecomestrangetoRobin’sears。

"Well，mygoodlad，whyareyousittinghere？"inquiredhe。"CanIbeofservicetoyouinanyway？"

"Iamafraidnot，sir，"repliedRobin，despondingly;"yetIshalltakeitkindly，ifyou’llanswermeasinglequestion。I’vebeensearching，halfthenight，foroneMajorMolineux，now，sir，istherereallysuchapersonintheseparts，oramIdreaming？"

"MajorMolineux！Thenameisnotaltogetherstrangetome，"saidthegentleman，smiling。"Haveyouanyobjectiontotellingmethenatureofyourbusinesswithhim？"

ThenRobinbrieflyrelatedthathisfatherwasaclergyman，settledonasmallsalary，atalongdistancebackinthecountry，andthatheandMajorMolineuxwerebrothers’children。

TheMajor，havinginheritedriches，andacquiredcivilandmilitaryrank，hadvisitedhiscousin，ingreatpomp，ayearortwobefore;hadmanifestedmuchinterestinRobinandanelderbrother，and，beingchildlesshimself，hadthrownouthintsrespectingthefutureestablishmentofoneoftheminlife。Theelderbrotherwasdestinedtosucceedtothefarmwhichhisfathercultivatedintheintervalofsacredduties;itwasthereforedeterminedthatRobinshouldprofitbyhiskinsman’sgenerousintentions，especiallyasheseemedtoberatherthefavorite，andwasthoughttopossessothernecessaryendowments。

"ForIhavethenameofbeingashrewdyouth，"observedRobin，inthispartofhisstory。

"Idoubtnotyoudeserveit，"repliedhisnewfriend，good-naturedly;"butprayproceed。"

"Well，sir，beingnearlyeighteenyearsold，andwellgrown，asyousee，"continuedRobin，drawinghimselfuptohisfullheight，"Ithoughtithightimetobeginintheworld。Somymotherandsisterputmeinhandsometrim，andmyfathergavemehalftheremnantofhislastyear’ssalary，andfivedaysagoIstartedforthisplace，topaytheMajoravisit。But，wouldyoubelieveit，sir！Icrossedtheferryalittleafterdark，andhaveyetfoundnobodythatwouldshowmethewaytohisdwelling;only，anhourortwosince，Iwastoldtowaithere，andMajorMolineuxwouldpassby。"

"Canyoudescribethemanwhotoldyouthis？"inquiredthegentleman。

"Oh，hewasaveryill-favoredfellow，sir，"repliedRobin，"withtwogreatbumpsonhisforehead，ahooknose，fieryeyes;and，whatstruckmeasthestrangest，hisfacewasoftwodifferentcolors。Doyouhappentoknowsuchaman，sir？"

"Notintimately，"answeredthestranger，"butIchancedtomeethimalittletimeprevioustoyourstoppingme。Ibelieveyoumaytrusthisword，andthattheMajorwillveryshortlypassthroughthisstreet。Inthemeantime，asIhaveasingularcuriositytowitnessyourmeeting，Iwillsitdownhereuponthestepsandbearyoucompany。"

Heseatedhimselfaccordingly，andsoonengagedhiscompanioninanimateddiscourse。Itwasbutofbriefcontinuance，however，foranoiseofshouting，whichhadlongbeenremotelyaudible，drewsomuchnearerthatRobininquireditscause。

"Whatmaybethemeaningofthisuproar？"askedhe。"Truly，ifyourtownbealwaysasnoisy，IshallfindlittlesleepwhileI

amaninhabitant。"

"Why，indeed，friendRobin，theredoappeartobethreeorfourriotousfellowsabroadto-night，"repliedthegentleman。"Youmustnotexpectallthestillnessofyournativewoodshereinourstreets。Butthewatchwillshortlybeattheheelsoftheseladsand——"

"Ay，andsettheminthestocksbypeepofday，"interruptedRobinrecollectinghisownencounterwiththedrowsylantern-bearer。"But，dearsir，ifImaytrustmyears，anarmyofwatchmenwouldnevermakeheadagainstsuchamultitudeofrioters。Therewereatleastathousandvoiceswentuptomakethatoneshout。"

"Maynotamanhaveseveralvoices，Robin，aswellastwocomplexions？"saidhisfriend。

"Perhapsamanmay;butHeavenforbidthatawomanshould！"

respondedtheshrewdyouth，thinkingoftheseductivetonesoftheMajor’shousekeeper。

Thesoundsofatrumpetinsomeneighboringstreetnowbecamesoevidentandcontinual，thatRobin’scuriositywasstronglyexcited。Inadditiontotheshouts，heheardfrequentburstsfrommanyinstrumentsofdiscord，andawildandconfusedlaughterfilleduptheintervals。Robinrosefromthesteps，andlookedwistfullytowardsapointwhitherpeopleseemedtobehastening。

"Surelysomeprodigiousmerry-makingisgoingon，"exclaimedhe"IhavelaughedverylittlesinceIlefthome，sir，andshouldbesorrytoloseanopportunity。Shallwesteproundthecornerbythatdarkishhouseandtakeourshareofthefun？"

"Sitdownagain，sitdown，goodRobin，"repliedthegentleman，layinghishandontheskirtofthegraycoat。"Youforgetthatwemustwaithereforyourkinsman;andthereisreasontobelievethathewillpassby，inthecourseofaveryfewmoments。"

Thenearapproachoftheuproarhadnowdisturbedtheneighborhood;windowsflewopenonallsides;andmanyheads，intheattireofthepillow，andconfusedbysleepsuddenlybroken，wereprotrudedtothegazeofwhoeverhadleisuretoobservethem。Eagervoiceshailedeachotherfromhousetohouse，alldemandingtheexplanation，whichnotasoulcouldgive。

Half-dressedmenhurriedtowardstheunknowncommotionstumblingastheywentoverthestonestepsthatthrustthemselvesintothenarrowfoot-walk。Theshouts，thelaughter，andthetunelessbraytheantipodesofmusic，cameonwardswithincreasingdin，tillscatteredindividuals，andthendenserbodies，begantoappearroundacorneratthedistanceofahundredyards"Willyourecognizeyourkinsman，ifhepassesinthiscrowd？"

inquiredthegentleman"Indeed，Ican’twarrantit，sir;butI’lltakemystandhere，andkeepabrightlookout，"answeredRobin，descendingtotheouteredgeofthepavement。

Amightystreamofpeoplenowemptiedintothestreet，andcamerollingslowlytowardsthechurch。Asinglehorsemanwheeledthecornerinthemidstofthem，andclosebehindhimcameabandoffearfulwindinstruments，sendingforthafresherdiscordnowthatnointerveningbuildingskeptitfromtheear。Thenaredderlightdisturbedthemoonbeams，andadensemultitudeoftorchesshonealongthestreet，concealing，bytheirglare，whateverobjecttheyilluminated。Thesinglehorseman，cladinamilitarydress，andbearingadrawnsword，rodeonwardastheleader，and，byhisfierceandvariegatedcountenance，appearedlikewarpersonified;theredofonecheekwasanemblemoffireandsword;theblacknessoftheotherbetokenedthemourningthatattendsthem。InhistrainwerewildfiguresintheIndiandress，andmanyfantasticshapeswithoutamodel，givingthewholemarchavisionaryair，asifadreamhadbrokenforthfromsomefeverishbrain，andweresweepingvisiblythroughthemidnightstreets。Amassofpeople，inactive，exceptasapplaudingspectators，hemmedtheprocessionin;andseveralwomenranalongthesidewalk，piercingtheconfusionofheaviersoundswiththeirshrillvoicesofmirthorterror。

"Thedouble-facedfellowhashiseyeuponme，"mutteredRobin，withanindefinitebutanuncomfortableideathathewashimselftobearapartinthepageantry。

Theleaderturnedhimselfinthesaddle，andfixedhisglancefulluponthecountryyouth，asthesteedwentslowlyby。WhenRobinhadfreedhiseyesfromthosefieryones，themusicianswerepassingbeforehim，andthetorcheswerecloseathand;buttheunsteadybrightnessofthelatterformedaveilwhichhecouldnotpenetrate。Therattlingofwheelsoverthestonessometimesfounditswaytohisear，andconfusedtracesofahumanformappearedatintervals，andthenmeltedintothevividlight。Amomentmore，andtheleaderthunderedacommandtohalt：

thetrumpetsvomitedahorridbreath，andthenheldtheirpeace;

theshoutsandlaughterofthepeoplediedaway，andthereremainedonlyauniversalhum，alliedtosilence。RightbeforeRobin’seyeswasanuncoveredcart。Therethetorchesblazedthebrightest，therethemoonshoneoutlikeday，andthere，intar-and-featherydignity，sathiskinsman，MajorMolineux！

Hewasanelderlyman，oflargeandmajesticperson，andstrong，squarefeatures，betokeningasteadysoul;butsteadyasitwas，hisenemieshadfoundmeanstoshakeit。Hisfacewaspaleasdeath，andfarmoreghastly;thebroadforeheadwascontractedinhisagony，sothathiseyebrowsformedonegrizzledline;hiseyeswereredandwild，andthefoamhungwhiteuponhisquiveringlip。Hiswholeframewasagitatedbyaquickandcontinualtremor，whichhispridestrovetoquell，eveninthosecircumstancesofoverwhelminghumiliation。ButperhapsthebitterestpangofallwaswhenhiseyesmetthoseofRobin;forheevidentlyknewhimontheinstant，astheyouthstoodwitnessingthefouldisgraceofaheadgrowngrayinhonor。Theystaredateachotherinsilence，andRobin’skneesshook，andhishairbristled，withamixtureofpityandterror。Soon，however，abewilderingexcitementbegantoseizeuponhismind;theprecedingadventuresofthenight，theunexpectedappearanceofthecrowd，thetorches，theconfuseddinandthehushthatfollowed，thespectreofhiskinsmanreviledbythatgreatmultitude，——allthis，and，morethanall，aperceptionoftremendousridiculeinthewholescene，affectedhimwithasortofmentalinebriety。AtthatmomentavoiceofsluggishmerrimentsalutedRobin’sears;heturnedinstinctively，andjustbehindthecornerofthechurchstoodthelantern-bearer，rubbinghiseyes，anddrowsilyenjoyingthelad’samazement。Thenheheardapealoflaughterliketheringingofsilverybells;awomantwitchedhisarm，asaucyeyemethis，andhesawtheladyofthescarletpetticoat。Asharp，drycachinnationappealedtohismemory，and，standingontiptoeinthecrowd，withhiswhiteapronoverhishead，hebeheldthecourteouslittleinnkeeper。

Andlastly，theresailedovertheheadsofthemultitudeagreat，broadlaugh，brokeninthemidstbytwosepulchralhems;thus，"Haw，haw，haw，——hem，hem，——haw，haw，haw，haw！"

Thesoundproceededfromthebalconyoftheoppositeedifice，andthitherRobinturnedhiseyes。InfrontoftheGothicwindowstoodtheoldcitizen，wrappedinawidegown，hisgrayperiwigexchangedforanightcap，whichwasthrustbackfromhisforehead，andhissilkstockingshangingabouthislegs。Hesupportedhimselfonhispolishedcaneinafitofconvulsivemerriment，whichmanifesteditselfonhissolemnoldfeatureslikeafunnyinscriptiononatombstone。ThenRobinseemedtohearthevoicesofthebarbers，oftheguestsoftheinn，andofallwhohadmadesportofhimthatnight。Thecontagionwasspreadingamongthemultitude，whenallatonce，itseizeduponRobin，andhesentforthashoutoflaughterthatechoedthroughthestreet，——everymanshookhissides，everymanemptiedhislungs，butRobin’sshoutwastheloudestthere。Thecloud-spiritspeepedfromtheirsilveryislands，asthecongregatedmirthwentroaringupthesky！TheManintheMoonheardthefarbellow。

"Oho，"quothhe，"theoldearthisfrolicsometo-night！"

Whentherewasamomentarycalminthattempestuousseaofsound，theleadergavethesign，theprocessionresumeditsmarch。Ontheywent，likefiendsthatthronginmockeryaroundsomedeadpotentate，mightynomore，butmajesticstillinhisagony。Ontheywent，incounterfeitedpomp，insenselessuproar，infrenziedmerriment，tramplingallonanoldman’sheart。Onsweptthetumult，andleftasilentstreetbehind……

"Well，Robin，areyoudreaming？"inquiredthegentleman，layinghishandontheyouth’sshoulder。

Robinstarted，andwithdrewhisarmfromthestoneposttowhichhehadinstinctivelyclung，asthelivingstreamrolledbyhim。

Hischeekwassomewhatpale，andhiseyenotquiteaslivelyasintheearlierpartoftheevening。

"Willyoubekindenoughtoshowmethewaytotheferry？"saidhe，afteramoment’spause。

"Youhave，then，adoptedanewsubjectofinquiry？"observedhiscompanion，withasmile。

"Why，yes，sir，"repliedRobin，ratherdryly。"Thankstoyou，andtomyotherfriends，Ihaveatlastmetmykinsman，andhewillscarcedesiretoseemyfaceagain。Ibegintogrowwearyofatownlife，sir。Willyoushowmethewaytotheferry？"

"No，mygoodfriendRobin，——notto-night，atleast，"saidthegentleman。"Somefewdayshence，ifyouwishit，Iwillspeedyouonyourjourney。Or，ifyouprefertoremainwithus，perhaps，asyouareashrewdyouth，youmayriseintheworldwithoutthehelpofyourkinsman，MajorMolineux。"