Hesaidhewasafterthestove-polishman;andwiththishebrokeoutcursingandswearinganew.Thebulletin-boarderreferredtowasSirOssaiseofSurluse,abraveknight,andofconsiderablecelebrityonaccountofhishavingtriedconclusionsinatournamentonce,withnolessaMogulthatSirGaherishimself——althoughnotsuccessfully.Hewasofalightandlaughingdisposition,andtohimnothinginthisworldwasserious.ItwasforthisreasonthatIhadchosenhimtoworkupastove-polishsentiment.
Therewerenostovesyet,andsotherecouldbenothingseriousaboutstove-polish.
Allthattheagentneededtodowastodeftlyandbydegreespreparethepublicforthegreatchange,andhavethemestablishedinpredilectionstowardneatnessagainstthetimewhenthestoveshouldappearuponthestage.
SirMadokwasverybitter,andbrakeoutanewwithcursings.Hesaidhehadcursedhissoultorags;andyethewouldnotgetdownfromhishorse,neitherwouldhetakeanyrest,orlistentoanycomfort,untilheshouldhavefoundSirOssaiseandsettledthisaccount.Itappeared,bywhatIcouldpiecetogetheroftheunprofanefragmentsofhisstatement,thathehadchanceduponSirOssaiseatdawnofthemorning,andbeentoldthatifhewouldmakeashortcutacrossthefieldsandswampsandbrokenhillsandglades,hecouldheadoffacompanyoftravelerswhowouldberarecustomersforprophylacticsandtooth-wash.WithcharacteristiczealSirMadokhadplungedawayatonceuponthisquest,andafterthreehoursofawfulcrosslotridinghadoverhauledhisgame.Andbehold,itwasthefivepatriarchsthathadbeenreleasedfromthedungeonstheeveningbefore!
Pooroldcreatures,itwasalloftwentyyearssinceanyoneofthemhadknownwhatitwastobeequippedwithanyremainingsnagorremnantofatooth.
\"Blank-blank-blankhim,\"saidSirMadok,\"anIdonotstove-polishhimanImayfindhim,leaveittome;fornevernoknightthathightOssaiseoraughtelsemaydomethisdisserviceandbideonlive,anImayfindhim,thewhichIhavethereuntoswornagreatoaththisday.\"
Andwiththesewordsandothers,helightlytookhisspearandgathimthence.Inthemiddleoftheafternoonwecameupononeofthoseverypatriarchsourselves,intheedgeofapoorvillage.Hewasbaskingintheloveofrelativesandfriendswhomhehadnotseenforfiftyyears;andabouthimandcaressinghimwerealsodescendantsofhisownbodywhomhehadneverseenatalltillnow;buttohimthesewereallstrangers,hismemorywasgone,hismindwasstagnant.Itseemedincrediblethatamancouldoutlasthalfacenturyshutupinadarkholelikearat,butherewerehisoldwifeandsomeoldcomradestotestifytoit.Theycouldrememberhimashewasinthefreshnessandstrengthofhisyoungmanhood,whenhekissedhischildanddeliveredittoitsmother\'shandsandwentawayintothatlongoblivion.Thepeopleatthecastlecouldnottellwithinhalfagenerationthelengthoftimethemanhadbeenshutupthereforhisunrecordedandforgottenoffense;butthisoldwifeknew;andsodidheroldchild,whostoodthereamonghermarriedsonsanddaughterstryingtorealizeafatherwhohadbeentoheraname,athought,aformlessimage,atradition,allherlife,andnowwassuddenlyconcretedintoactualfleshandbloodandsetbeforeherface.
Itwasacurioussituation;yetitisnotonthataccountthatIhavemaderoomforithere,butonaccountofathingwhichseemedtomestillmorecurious.Towit,thatthisdreadfulmatterbroughtfromthesedowntroddenpeoplenooutburstofrageagainsttheseoppressors.Theyhadbeenheritorsandsubjectsofcrueltyandoutragesolongthatnothingcouldhavestartledthembutakindness.Yes,herewasacuriousrevelation,indeed,ofthedepthtowhichthispeoplehadbeensunkinslavery.Theirentirebeingwasreducedtoamonotonousdeadlevelofpatience,resignation,dumbuncomplainingacceptanceofwhatevermightbefalltheminthislife.Theirveryimaginationwasdead.Whenyoucansaythatofaman,hehasstruckbottom,Ireckon;
thereisnolowerdeepforhim.
IratherwishedIhadgonesomeotherroad.Thiswasnotthesortofexperienceforastatesmantoencounterwhowasplanningoutapeacefulrevolutioninhismind.Foritcouldnothelpbringinguptheunget-aroundablefactthat,allgentlecantandphilosophizingtothecontrarynotwithstanding,nopeopleintheworldeverdidachievetheirfreedombygoody-goodytalkandmoralsuasion:itbeingimmutablelawthatallrevolutionsthatwillsucceedmustBEGINinblood,whatevermayanswerafterward.Ifhistoryteachesanything,itteachesthat.Whatthisfolkneeded,then,wasaReignofTerrorandaguillotine,andIwasthewrongmanforthem.
Twodayslater,towardnoon,Sandybegantoshowsignsofexcitementandfeverishexpectancy.Shesaidwewereapproachingtheogre\'scastle.
Iwassurprisedintoanuncomfortableshock.Theobjectofourquesthadgraduallydroppedoutofmymind;thissuddenresurrectionofitmadeitseemquitearealandstartlingthingforamoment,androusedupinmeasmartinterest.Sandy\'sexcitementincreasedeverymoment;andsodidmine,forthatsortofthingiscatching.Myheartgottothumping.Youcan\'treasonwithyourheart;ithasitsownlaws,andthumpsaboutthingswhichtheintellectscorns.Presently,whenSandyslidfromthehorse,motionedmetostop,andwentcreepingstealthily,withherheadbentnearlytoherknees,towardarowofbushesthatborderedadeclivity,thethumpingsgrewstrongerandquicker.Andtheykeptitupwhileshewasgainingherambushandgettingherglimpseoverthedeclivity;andalsowhileIwascreepingtohersideonmyknees.Hereyeswereburningnow,asshepointedwithherfinger,andsaidinapantingwhisper:
\"Thecastle!Thecastle!Lo,whereitlooms!\"
WhatawelcomedisappointmentIexperienced!Isaid:
\"Castle?Itisnothingbutapigsty;apigstywithawattledfencearoundit.\"
Shelookedsurprisedanddistressed.Theanimationfadedoutofherface;andduringmanymomentsshewaslostinthoughtandsilent.Then:
\"Itwasnotenchantedaforetime,\"shesaidinamusingfashion,asiftoherself.\"Andhowstrangeisthismarvel,andhowawful——thattotheoneperceptionitisenchantedanddightinabaseandshamefulaspect;
yettotheperceptionoftheotheritisnotenchanted,hathsufferednochange,butstandsfirmandstatelystill,girtwithitsmoatandwavingitsbannersintheblueairfromitstowers.AndGodshieldus,howitpricksthehearttoseeagainthesegraciouscaptives,andthesorrowdeepenedintheirsweetfaces!Wehavetarriedalong,andaretoblame.\"
Isawmycue.ThecastlewasenchantedtoME,nottoher.Itwouldbewastedtimetotrytoargueheroutofherdelusion,itcouldn\'tbedone;
Imustjusthumorit.SoIsaid:
\"Thisisacommoncase——theenchantingofathingtooneeyeandleavingitinitsproperformtoanother.Youhaveheardofitbefore,Sandy,thoughyouhaven\'thappenedtoexperienceit.Butnoharmisdone.Infact,itisluckythewayitis.Iftheseladieswerehogstoeverybodyandtothemselves,itwouldbenecessarytobreaktheenchantment,andthatmightbeimpossibleifonefailedtofindouttheparticularprocessoftheenchantment.Andhazardous,too;forinattemptingadisenchantmentwithoutthetruekey,youareliabletoerr,andturnyourhogsintodogs,andthedogsintocats,thecatsintorats,andsoon,andendbyreducingyourmaterialstonothingfinally,ortoanodorlessgaswhichyoucan\'tfollow——which,ofcourse,amountstothesamething.Buthere,bygoodluck,noone\'seyesbutmineareundertheenchantment,andsoitisofnoconsequencetodissolveit.Theseladiesremainladiestoyou,andtothemselves,andtoeverybodyelse;andatthesametimetheywillsufferinnowayfrommydelusion,forwhenIknowthatanostensiblehogisalady,thatisenoughforme,Iknowhowtotreather.\"
\"Thanks,oh,sweetmylord,thoutalkestlikeanangel.AndIknowthatthouwiltdeliverthem,forthatthouartmindedtogreatdeedsandartasstrongaknightofyourhandsandasbravetowillandtodo,asanythatisonlive.\"
\"Iwillnotleaveaprincessinthesty,Sandy.Arethosethreeyonderthattomydisorderedeyesarestarvelingswine-herds——\"
\"Theogres,AreTHEYchangedalso?Itismostwonderful.NowamIfearful;
forhowcanstthoustrikewithsureaimwhenfiveoftheirninecubitsofstaturearetotheeinvisible?Ah,gowarily,fairsir;thisisamightieremprisethanIwend.\"
\"Youbeeasy,Sandy.AllIneedtoknowis,howMUCHofanogreisinvisible;
thenIknowhowtolocatehisvitals.Don\'tyoubeafraid,Iwillmakeshortworkofthesebunco-steerers.Staywhereyouare.\"
IleftSandykneelingthere,corpse-facedbutpluckyandhopeful,androdedowntothepigsty,andstruckupatradewiththeswine-herds.I
wontheirgratitudebybuyingoutallthehogsatthelumpsumofsixteenpennies,whichwasratherabovelatestquotations.Iwasjustintime;
fortheChurch,thelordofthemanor,andtherestofthetax-gathererswouldhavebeenalongnextdayandsweptoffprettymuchallthestock,leavingtheswine-herdsveryshortofhogsandSandyoutofprincesses.
Butnowthetaxpeoplecouldbepaidincash,andtherewouldbeastakeleftbesides.Oneofthemenhadtenchildren;andhesaidthatlastyearwhenapriestcameandofhistenpigstookthefattestonefortithes,thewifeburstoutuponhim,andofferedhimachildandsaid:
\"Thoubeastwithoutbowelsofmercy,whyleavememychild,yetrobmeofthewherewithaltofeedit?\"
Howcurious.ThesamethinghadhappenedintheWalesofmyday,underthissameoldEstablishedChurch,whichwassupposedbymanytohavechangeditsnaturewhenitchangeditsdisguise.
Isentthethreemenaway,andthenopenedthestygateandbeckonedSandytocome——whichshedid;andnotleisurely,butwiththerushofaprairiefire.AndwhenIsawherflingherselfuponthosehogs,withtearsofjoyrunningdownhercheeks,andstrainthemtoherheart,andkissthem,andcaressthem,andcallthemreverentlybygrandprincelynames,Iwasashamedofher,ashamedofthehumanrace.
Wehadtodrivethosehogshome——tenmiles;andnoladieswereevermorefickle-mindedorcontrary.Theywouldstayinnoroad,nopath;theybrokeoutthroughthebrushonallsides,andflowedawayinalldirections,overrocks,andhills,andtheroughestplacestheycouldfind.Andtheymustnotbestruck,orroughlyaccosted;Sandycouldnotbeartoseethemtreatedinwaysunbecomingtheirrank.ThetroublesomestoldsowofthelothadtobecalledmyLady,andyourHighness,liketherest.Itisannoyinganddifficulttoscouraroundafterhogs,inarmor.Therewasonesmallcountess,withanironringinhersnoutandhardlyanyhaironherback,thatwasthedevilforperversity.Shegavemearaceofanhour,overallsortsofcountry,andthenwewererightwherewehadstartedfrom,havingmadenotarodofrealprogress.Iseizedheratlastbythetail,andbroughtheralongsquealing.WhenIovertookSandyshewashorrified,andsaiditwasinthelastdegreeindelicatetodragacountessbyhertrain.
Wegotthehogshomejustatdark——mostofthem.TheprincessNerovensdeMorganorewasmissing,andtwoofherladiesinwaiting:namely,MissAngelaBohun,andtheDemoiselleElaineCourtemains,theformerofthesetwobeingayoungblacksowwithawhitestarinherforehead,andthelatterabrownonewiththinlegsandaslightlimpintheforwardshankonthestarboardside——acoupleofthetryingestblisterstodrivethatIeversaw.Alsoamongthemissingwereseveralmerebaronesses——andIwantedthemtostaymissing;butno,allthatsausage-meathadtobefound;soservantsweresentoutwithtorchestoscourthewoodsandhillstothatend.
Ofcourse,thewholedrovewashousedinthehouse,and,greatguns!——
well,Ineversawanythinglikeit.Noreverheardanythinglikeit.
Andneversmeltanythinglikeit.Itwaslikeaninsurrectioninagasometer.
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter21Chapter21-ThePilgrimsWHENIdidgettobedatlastIwasunspeakablytired;thestretchingout,andtherelaxingofthelong-tensemuscles,howluxurious,howdelicious!
butthatwasasfarasIcouldget——sleepwasoutofthequestionforthepresent.Therippingandtearingandsquealingofthenobilityupanddownthehallsandcorridorswaspandemoniumcomeagain,andkeptmebroadawake.Beingawake,mythoughtswerebusy,ofcourse;andmainlytheybusiedthemselveswithSandy\'scuriousdelusion.Hereshewas,assaneapersonasthekingdomcouldproduce;andyet,frommypointofviewshewasactinglikeacrazywoman.Myland,thepoweroftraining!ofinfluence!ofeducation!
Itcanbringabodyuptobelieveanything.IhadtoputmyselfinSandy\'splacetorealizethatshewasnotalunatic.Yes,andputherinmine,todemonstratehoweasyitistoseemalunatictoapersonwhohasnotbeentaughtasyouhavebeentaught.IfIhadtoldSandyIhadseenawagon,uninfluencedbyenchantment,spinalongfiftymilesanhour;hadseenaman,unequippedwithmagicpowers,getintoabasketandsoaroutofsightamongtheclouds;andhadlistened,withoutanynecromancer\'shelp,totheconversationofapersonwhowasseveralhundredmilesaway,Sandywouldnotmerelyhavesupposedmetobecrazy,shewouldhavethoughtsheknewit.Everybodyaroundherbelievedinenchantments;nobodyhadanydoubts;todoubtthatacastlecouldbeturnedintoasty,anditsoccupantsintohogs,wouldhavebeenthesameasmydoubtingamongConnecticutpeopletheactualityofthetelephoneanditswonders,——andinbothcaseswouldbeabsoluteproofofadiseasedmind,anunsettledreason.Yes,Sandywassane;thatmustbeadmitted.IfIalsowouldbesane——toSandy——Imustkeepmysuperstitionsaboutunenchantedandunmiraculouslocomotives,balloons,andtelephones,tomyself.Also,Ibelievedthattheworldwasnotflat,andhadn\'tpillarsunderittosupportit,noracanopyoverittoturnoffauniverseofwaterthatoccupiedallspaceabove;butasIwastheonlypersoninthekingdomafflictedwithsuchimpiousandcriminalopinions,Irecognizedthatitwouldbegoodwisdomtokeepquietaboutthismatter,too,ifIdidnotwishtobesuddenlyshunnedandforsakenbyeverybodyasamadman.
ThenextmorningSandyassembledtheswineinthedining-roomandgavethemtheirbreakfast,waitinguponthempersonallyandmanifestingineverywaythedeepreverencewhichthenativesofherisland,ancientandmodern,havealwaysfeltforrank,letitsoutwardcasketandthementalandmoralcontentsbewhattheymay.IcouldhaveeatenwiththehogsifIhadhadbirthapproachingmyloftyofficialrank;butIhadn\'t,andsoacceptedtheunavoidableslightandmadenocomplaint.SandyandIhadourbreakfastatthesecondtable.Thefamilywerenotathome.Isaid:
\"Howmanyareinthefamily,Sandy,andwheredotheykeepthemselves?\"
\"Family?\"
\"Yes.\"
\"Whichfamily,goodmylord?\"
\"Why,thisfamily;yourownfamily.\"
\"Soothtosay,Iunderstandyounot.Ihavenofamily.\"
\"Nofamily?Why,Sandy,isn\'tthisyourhome?\"
\"Nowhowindeedmightthatbe?Ihavenohome.\"
\"Well,then,whosehouseisthis?\"
\"Ah,wityouwellIwouldtellyouanIknewmyself.\"
\"Come——youdon\'tevenknowthesepeople?Thenwhoinvitedushere?\"
\"Noneinvitedus.Webutcame;thatisall.\"
\"Why,woman,thisisamostextraordinaryperformance.Theeffronteryofitisbeyondadmiration.Weblandlymarchintoaman\'shouse,andcramitfulloftheonlyreallyvaluablenobilitythesunhasyetdiscoveredintheearth,andthenitturnsoutthatwedon\'tevenknowtheman\'sname.
Howdidyoueverventuretotakethisextravagantliberty?Isupposed,ofcourse,itwasyourhome.Whatwillthemansay?\"
\"Whatwillhesay?Forsoothwhatcanhesaybutgivethanks?\"
\"Thanksforwhat?\"
Herfacewasfilledwithapuzzledsurprise:
\"Verily,thoutroublestmineunderstandingwithstrangewords.Doyedreamthatoneofhisestateisliketohavethehonortwiceinhislifetoentertaincompanysuchaswehavebroughttogracehishousewithal?\"
\"Well,no——whenyoucometothat.No,it\'sanevenbetthatthisisthefirsttimehehashadatreatlikethis.\"
\"Thenlethimbethankful,andmanifestthesamebygratefulspeechandduehumility;hewereadog,else,andtheheirandancestorofdogs.\"
Tomymind,thesituationwasuncomfortable.Itmightbecomemoreso.
Itmightbeagoodideatomusterthehogsandmoveon.SoIsaid:
\"Thedayiswasting,Sandy.Itistimetogetthenobilitytogetherandbemoving.\"
\"Wherefore,fairsirandBoss?\"
\"Wewanttotakethemtotheirhome,don\'twe?\"
\"La,butlisttohim!Theybeofalltheregionsoftheearth!Eachmusthietoherownhome;wendyouwemightdoallthesejourneysinonesobrieflifeasHehathappointedthatcreatedlife,andtheretodeathlikewisewithhelpofAdam,whobysindonethroughpersuasionofhishelpmeet,shebeingwroughtuponandbewrayedbythebeguilementsofthegreatenemyofman,thatserpenthightSatan,aforetimeconsecratedandsetapartuntothatevilworkbyovermasteringspiteandenvybegotteninhisheartthroughfellambitionsthatdidblightandmildewanatureerstsowhiteandpurewhensoithovewiththeshiningmultitudesitsbrethren-borningladeandshadeofthatfairheavenwhereinallsuchasnativebetothatrichestateand——\"
\"GreatScott!\"
\"Mylord?\"
\"Well,youknowwehaven\'tgottimeforthissortofthing.Don\'tyousee,wecoulddistributethesepeoplearoundtheearthinlesstimethanitisgoingtotakeyoutoexplainthatwecan\'t.Wemustn\'ttalknow,wemustact.Youwanttobecareful;youmustn\'tletyourmillgetthestartofyouthatway,atatimelikethis.Tobusinessnow——andsharp\'stheword.Whoistotakethearistocracyhome?\"
\"Eventheirfriends.Thesewillcomeforthemfromthefarpartsoftheearth.\"
Thiswaslightningfromaclearsky,forunexpectedness;andthereliefofitwaslikepardontoaprisoner.Shewouldremaintodeliverthegoods,ofcourse.
\"Well,then,Sandy,asourenterpriseishandsomelyandsuccessfullyended,Iwillgohomeandreport;andifeveranotherone——\"
\"Ialsoamready;Iwillgowiththee.\"
Thiswasrecallingthepardon.
\"How?Youwillgowithme?Whyshouldyou?\"
\"WillIbetraitortomyknight,dostthink?Thatweredishonor.Imaynotpartfromtheeuntilinknightlyencounterinthefieldsomeovermatchingchampionshallfairlywinandfairlywearme.IweretoblameanIthoughtthatthatmighteverhap.\"
\"Electedforthelongterm,\"Isighedtomyself.\"Imayaswellmakethebestofit.\"SothenIspokeupandsaid:
\"Allright;letusmakeastart.\"
Whileshewasgonetocryherfarewellsoverthepork,Igavethatwholepeerageawaytotheservants.AndIaskedthemtotakeadusteranddustaroundalittlewherethenobilitieshadmainlylodgedandpromenaded;
buttheyconsideredthatthatwouldbehardlyworthwhile,andwouldmoreoverbearathergravedeparturefromcustom,andthereforelikelytomaketalk.
Adeparturefromcustom——thatsettledit;itwasanationcapableofcommittinganycrimebutthat.Theservantssaidtheywouldfollowthefashion,afashiongrownsacredthroughimmemorialobservance;theywouldscatterfreshrushesinalltheroomsandhalls,andthentheevidenceofthearistocraticvisitationwouldbenolongervisible.ItwasakindofsatireonNature:itwasthescientificmethod,thegeologicmethod;
itdepositedthehistoryofthefamilyinastratifiedrecord;andtheantiquarycoulddigthroughitandtellbytheremainsofeachperiodwhatchangesofdietthefamilyhadintroducedsuccessivelyforahundredyears.
Thefirstthingwestruckthatdaywasaprocessionofpilgrims.Itwasnotgoingourway,butwejoinedit,nevertheless;foritwashourlybeingborneinuponmenow,thatifIwouldgovernthiscountrywisely,Imustbepostedinthedetailsofitslife,andnotatsecondhand,butbypersonalobservationandscrutiny.
ThiscompanyofpilgrimsresembledChaucer\'sinthis:thatithadinitasampleofaboutalltheupperoccupationsandprofessionsthecountrycouldshow,andacorrespondingvarietyofcostume.Therewereyoungmenandoldmen,youngwomenandoldwomen,livelyfolkandgravefolk.Theyrodeuponmulesandhorses,andtherewasnotaside-saddleintheparty;
forthisspecialtywastoremainunknowninEnglandforninehundredyearsyet.
Itwasapleasant,friendly,sociableherd;pious,happy,merryandfullofunconsciouscoarsenessesandinnocentindecencies.WhattheyregardedasthemerrytalewentthecontinualroundandcausednomoreembarrassmentthanitwouldhavecausedinthebestEnglishsocietytwelvecenturieslater.PracticaljokesworthyoftheEnglishwitsofthefirstquarterofthefar-offnineteenthcenturyweresprunghereandthereandyonderalongtheline,andcompelledthedelightedestapplause;andsometimeswhenabrightremarkwasmadeatoneendoftheprocessionandstartedonitstravelstowardtheother,youcouldnoteitsprogressallthewaybythesparklingsprayoflaughteritthrewofffromitsbowsasitplowedalong;andalsobytheblushesofthemulesinitswake.
Sandyknewthegoalandpurposeofthispilgrimage,andshepostedme.
Shesaid:
\"TheyjourneytotheValleyofHoliness,fortobeblessedofthegodlyhermitsanddrinkofthemiraculouswatersandbecleasedfromsin.\"
\"Whereisthiswateringplace?\"
\"Itliethatwo-dayjourneyhence,bythebordersofthelandthathighttheCuckooKingdom.\"
\"Tellmeaboutit.Isitacelebratedplace?\"
\"Oh,ofatruth,yes.Therebenonemoreso.Ofoldtimetherelivedthereanabbotandhismonks.Belikewerenoneintheworldmoreholythanthese;fortheygavethemselvestostudyofpiousbooks,andspokenottheonetotheother,orindeedtoany,andatedecayedherbsandnaughtthereto,andslepthard,andprayedmuch,andwashednever;alsotheyworethesamegarmentuntilitfellfromtheirbodiesthroughageanddecay.
Rightsocametheytobeknownofalltheworldbyreasonoftheseholyausterities,andvisitedbyrichandpoor,andreverenced.\"
\"Proceed.\"
\"Butalwaystherewaslackofwaterthere.Whereas,uponatime,theholyabbotprayed,andforansweragreatstreamofclearwaterburstforthbymiracleinadesertplace.NowweretheficklemonkstemptedoftheFiend,andtheywroughtwiththeirabbotunceasinglybybeggingsandbeseechingsthathewouldconstructabath;andwhenhewasbecomeawearyandmightnotresistmore,hesaidhaveyeyourwill,then,andgrantedthattheyasked.Nowmarkthouwhat\'tistoforsakethewaysofpuritythewhichHeloveth,andwantonwithsuchasbeworldlyandanoffense.Thesemonksdidenterintothebathandcomethencewashedaswhiteassnow;andlo,inthatmomentHissignappeared,inmiraculousrebuke!forHisinsultedwatersceasedtoflow,andutterlyvanishedaway.\"
\"Theyfaredmildly,Sandy,consideringhowthatkindofcrimeisregardedinthiscountry.\"
\"Belike;butitwastheirfirstsin;andtheyhadbeenofperfectlifeforlong,anddifferinginnaughtfromtheangels.Prayers,tears,torturingsoftheflesh,allwasvaintobeguilethatwatertoflowagain.Evenprocessions;
evenburnt-offerings;evenvotivecandlestotheVirgin,didfaileveryeachofthem;andallinthelanddidmarvel.\"
\"Howoddtofindthateventhisindustryhasitsfinancialpanics,andattimesseesitsassignatsandgreenbackslanguishtozero,andeverythingcometoastandstill.Goon,Sandy.\"
\"Andsouponatime,afteryearandday,thegoodabbotmadehumblesurrenderanddestroyedthebath.Andbehold,Hisangerwasinthatmomentappeased,andthewatersgushedrichlyforthagain,andevenuntothisdaytheyhavenotceasedtoflowinthatgenerousmeasure.\"
\"ThenItakeitnobodyhaswashedsince.\"
\"Hethatwouldessayitcouldhavehishalterfree;yes,andswiftlywouldheneedit,too.\"
\"Thecommunityhasprosperedsince?\"
\"Evenfromthatveryday.Thefameofthemiraclewentabroadintoalllands.Fromeverylandcamemonkstojoin;theycameevenasthefishescome,inshoals;andthemonasteryaddedbuildingtobuilding,andyetotherstothese,andsospreadwideitsarmsandtookthemin.Andnunscame,also;andmoreagain,andyetmore;andbuiltoveragainstthemonasteryontheyonsideofthevale,andaddedbuildingtobuilding,untilmightywasthatnunnery.Andthesewerefriendlyuntothose,andtheyjoinedtheirlovinglaborstogether,andtogethertheybuiltafairgreatfoundlingasylummidwayofthevalleybetween.\"
\"Youspokeofsomehermits,Sandy.\"
\"Thesehavegatheredtherefromtheendsoftheearth.Ahermitthrivethbestwheretherebemultitudesofpilgrims.Yeshallnotfindnohermitofnosortwanting.Ifanyshallmentionahermitofakindhethinkethnewandnottobefoundbutinsomefarstrangeland,lethimbutscratchamongtheholesandcavesandswampsthatlinethatValleyofHoliness,andwhatsoeverbehisbreed,itskillsnot,heshallfindasampleofitthere.\"
Iclosedupalongsideofaburlyfellowwithafatgood-humoredface,purposingtomakemyselfagreeableandpickupsomefurthercrumbsoffact;
butIhadhardlymorethanscrapedacquaintancewithhimwhenhebeganeagerlyandawkwardlytoleadup,intheimmemorialway,tothatsameoldanecdote——theoneSirDinadantoldme,whattimeIgotintotroublewithSirSagramorandwaschallengedofhimonaccountofit.Iexcusedmyselfanddroppedtotherearoftheprocession,sadatheart,willingtogohencefromthistroubledlife,thisvaleoftears,thisbriefdayofbrokenrest,ofcloudandstorm,ofwearystruggleandmonotonousdefeat;andyetshrinkingfromthechange,asrememberinghowlongeternityis,andhowmanyhavewendedthitherwhoknowthatanecdote.
Earlyintheafternoonweovertookanotherprocessionofpilgrims;butinthisonewasnomerriment,nojokes,nolaughter,noplayfulways,noranyhappygiddiness,whetherofyouthorage.Yetbothwerehere,bothageandyouth;grayoldmenandwomen,strongmenandwomenofmiddleage,younghusbands,youngwives,littleboysandgirls,andthreebabiesatthebreast.Eventhechildrenweresmileless;therewasnotafaceamongallthesehalfahundredpeoplebutwascastdown,andborethatsetexpressionofhopelessnesswhichisbredoflongandhardtrialsandoldacquaintancewithdespair.Theywereslaves.Chainsledfromtheirfetteredfeetandtheirmanacledhandstoasole-leatherbeltabouttheirwaists;andallexceptthechildrenwerealsolinkedtogetherinafilesixfeetapart,byasinglechainwhichledfromcollartocollaralldowntheline.Theywereonfoot,andhadtrampedthreehundredmilesineighteendays,uponthecheapestoddsandendsoffood,andstingyrationsofthat.Theyhadsleptinthesechainseverynight,bundledtogetherlikeswine.Theyhadupontheirbodiessomepoorrags,buttheycouldnotbesaidtobeclothed.
Theirironshadchafedtheskinfromtheiranklesandmadesoreswhichwereulceratedandwormy.Theirnakedfeetweretorn,andnonewalkedwithoutalimp.Originallytherehadbeenahundredoftheseunfortunates,butabouthalfhadbeensoldonthetrip.Thetraderinchargeofthemrodeahorseandcarriedawhipwithashorthandleandalongheavylashdividedintoseveralknottedtailsattheend.Withthiswhiphecuttheshouldersofanythattotteredfromwearinessandpain,andstraightenedthemup.
Hedidnotspeak;thewhipconveyedhisdesirewithoutthat.Noneofthesepoorcreatureslookedupaswerodealongby;theyshowednoconsciousnessofourpresence.Andtheymadenosoundbutone;thatwasthedullandawfulclankoftheirchainsfromendtoendofthelongfile,asforty-threeburdenedfeetroseandfellinunison.Thefilemovedinacloudofitsownmaking.
Allthesefacesweregraywithacoatingofdust.Onehasseenthelikeofthiscoatinguponfurnitureinunoccupiedhouses,andhaswrittenhisidlethoughtinitwithhisfinger.IwasremindedofthiswhenInoticedthefacesofsomeofthosewomen,youngmotherscarryingbabesthatwereneartodeathandfreedom,howasomethingintheirheartswaswritteninthedustupontheirfaces,plaintosee,andlord,howplaintoread!
foritwasthetrackoftears.Oneoftheseyoungmotherswasbutagirl,andithurtmetothehearttoreadthatwriting,andreflectthatitwascomeupoutofthebreastofsuchachild,abreastthatoughtnottoknowtroubleyet,butonlythegladnessofthemorningoflife;andnodoubt——
Shereeledjustthen,giddywithfatigue,anddowncamethelashandflickedaflakeofskinfromhernakedshoulder.ItstungmeasifIhadbeenhitinstead.Themasterhaltedthefileandjumpedfromhishorse.
Hestormedandsworeatthisgirl,andsaidshehadmadeannoyanceenoughwithherlaziness,andasthiswasthelastchanceheshouldhave,hewouldsettletheaccountnow.Shedroppedonherkneesandputupherhandsandbegantobeg,andcry,andimplore,inapassionofterror,butthemastergavenoattention.Hesnatchedthechildfromher,andthenmadethemen-slaveswhowerechainedbeforeandbehindherthrowheronthegroundandholdherthereandexposeherbody;andthenhelaidonwithhislashlikeamadmantillherbackwasflayed,sheshriekingandstrugglingthewhilepiteously.Oneofthemenwhowasholdingherturnedawayhisface,andforthishumanityhewasreviledandflogged.
Allourpilgrimslookedonandcommented——ontheexpertwayinwhichthewhipwashandled.Theyweretoomuchhardenedbylifelongeverydayfamiliaritywithslaverytonoticethattherewasanythingelseintheexhibitionthatinvitedcomment.Thiswaswhatslaverycoulddo,inthewayofossifyingwhatonemaycallthesuperiorlobeofhumanfeeling;
forthesepilgrimswerekind-heartedpeople,andtheywouldnothaveallowedthatmantotreatahorselikethat.
Iwantedtostopthewholethingandsettheslavesfree,butthatwouldnotdo.Imustnotinterferetoomuchandgetmyselfanameforridingoverthecountry\'slawsandthecitizen\'srightsroughshod.IfIlivedandprosperedIwouldbethedeathofslavery,thatIwasresolvedupon;
butIwouldtrytofixitsothatwhenIbecameitsexecutioneritshouldbebycommandofthenation.
