Thekinglookedpuzzled——hewasn\'taveryheavyweight,intellectually.
Hisheadwasanhour-glass;itcouldstowanidea,butithadtodoitagrainatatime,notthewholeideaatonce.
\"WouldYOUhaveaseatalso——andsit?\"
\"IfIdidnotsit,themanwouldperceivethatwewereonlypretendingtobeequals——andplayingthedeceptionprettypoorly,too.\"
\"Itiswellandtrulysaid!Howwonderfulistruth,comeitinwhatsoeverunexpectedformitmay!Yes,hemustbringoutseatsandfoodforboth,andinservinguspresentnotewerandnapkinwithmoreshowofrespecttotheonethantotheother.\"
\"Andthereisevenyetadetailthatneedscorrecting.Hemustbringnothingoutside;wewillgoin——inamongthedirt,andpossiblyotherrepulsivethings,——andtakethefoodwiththehousehold,andafterthefashionofthehouse,andallonequalterms,exceptthemanbeoftheserfclass;andfinally,therewillbenoewerandnonapkin,whetherhebeserforfree.Pleasewalkagain,myliege.There——itisbetter——
itisthebestyet;butnotperfect.Theshouldershaveknownnoignoblerburdenthanironmail,andtheywillnotstoop.\"
\"Giveme,then,thebag.Iwilllearnthespiritthatgoethwithburdensthathavenothonor.Itisthespiritthatstoopeththeshoulders,Iween,andnottheweight;forarmorisheavy,yetitisaproudburden,andamanstandethstraightinitNay,butmenobuts,offermenoobjections.
Iwillhavethething.Strapituponmyback.\"
Hewascompletenowwiththatknapsackon,andlookedaslittlelikeakingasanymanIhadeverseen.Butitwasanobstinatepairofshoulders;
theycouldnotseemtolearnthetrickofstoopingwithanysortofdeceptivenaturalness.Thedrillwenton,Ipromptingandcorrecting:
\"Now,makebelieveyouareindebt,andeatenupbyrelentlesscreditors;
youareoutofwork——whichishorse-shoeing,letussay——andcangetnone;andyourwifeissick,yourchildrenarecryingbecausetheyarehungry——\"
Andsoon,andsoon.Idrilledhimasrepresentinginturnallsortsofpeopleoutofluckandsufferingdireprivationsandmisfortunes.Butlord,itwasonlyjustwords,words——theymeantnothingintheworldtohim,Imightjustaswellhavewhistled.Wordsrealizenothing,vivifynothingtoyou,unlessyouhavesufferedinyourownpersonthethingwhichthewordstrytodescribe.Therearewisepeoplewhotalkeversoknowinglyandcomplacentlyabout\"theworkingclasses,\"andsatisfythemselvesthataday\'shardintellectualworkisverymuchharderthanaday\'shardmanualtoil,andisrighteouslyentitledtomuchbiggerpay.Why,theyreallythinkthat,youknow,becausetheyknowallabouttheone,buthaven\'ttriedtheother.ButIknowallaboutboth;andsofarasIamconcerned,thereisn\'tmoneyenoughintheuniversetohiremetoswingapickaxethirtydays,butIwilldothehardestkindofintellectualworkforjustasnearnothingasyoucancipheritdown——andIwillbesatisfied,too.
Intellectual\"work\"ismisnamed;itisapleasure,adissipation,andisitsownhighestreward.Thepoorestpaidarchitect,engineer,general,author,sculptor,painter,lecturer,advocate,legislator,actor,preacher,singerisconstructivelyinheavenwhenheisatwork;andasforthemusicianwiththefiddle-bowinhishandwhositsinthemidstofagreatorchestrawiththeebbingandflowingtidesofdivinesoundwashingoverhim——why,certainly,heisatwork,ifyouwishtocallitthat,butlord,it\'sasarcasmjustthesame.Thelawofworkdoesseemutterlyunfair——butthereitis,andnothingcanchangeit:thehigherthepayinenjoymenttheworkergetsoutofit,thehighershallbehispayincash,also.Andit\'salsotheverylawofthosetransparentswindles,transmissiblenobilityandkingship.
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter29Chapter29-TheSmallpoxHutWHENwearrivedatthathutatmid-afternoon,wesawnosignsoflifeaboutit.Thefieldnearbyhadbeendenudedofitscropsometimebefore,andhadaskinnedlook,soexhaustivelyhaditbeenharvestedandgleaned.
Fences,sheds,everythinghadaruinedlook,andwereeloquentofpoverty.
Noanimalwasaroundanywhere,nolivingthinginsight.Thestillnesswasawful,itwaslikethestillnessofdeath.Thecabinwasaone-storyone,whosethatchwasblackwithage,andraggedfromlackofrepair.
Thedoorstoodatrifleajar.Weapproacheditstealthily——ontiptoeandathalf-breath——forthatisthewayone\'sfeelingmakeshimdo,atsuchatime.Thekingknocked.Wewaited.Noanswer.Knockedagain.Noanswer.Ipushedthedoorsoftlyopenandlookedin.Imadeoutsomedimforms,andawomanstartedupfromthegroundandstaredatme,asonedoeswhoiswakenedfromsleep.Presentlyshefoundhervoice:
\"Havemercy!\"shepleaded.\"Allistaken,nothingisleft.\"
\"Ihavenotcometotakeanything,poorwoman.\"
\"Youarenotapriest?\"
\"No.\"
\"Norcomenotfromthelordofthemanor?\"
\"No,Iamastranger.\"
\"Oh,then,forthefearofGod,whovisitswithmiseryanddeathsuchasbeharmless,tarrynothere,butfly!Thisplaceisunderhiscurse——andhisChurch\'s.\"
\"Letmecomeinandhelpyou——youaresickandintrouble.\"
Iwasbetterusedtothedimlightnow.Icouldseeherholloweyesfixeduponme.Icouldseehowemaciatedshewas.
\"ItellyoutheplaceisundertheChurch\'sban.Saveyourself——andgo,beforesomestragglerseetheehere,andreportit.\"
\"Giveyourselfnotroubleaboutme;Idon\'tcareanythingfortheChurch\'scurse.Letmehelpyou.\"
\"Nowallgoodspirits——iftherebeanysuch——blesstheeforthatword.WouldGodIhadasupofwater!——buthold,hold,forgetIsaidit,andfly;forthereisthatherethatevenhethatfearethnottheChurchmustfear:thisdiseasewhereofwedie.Leaveus,thoubrave,goodstranger,andtakewiththeesuchwholeandsincereblessingasthemthatbeaccursedcangive.\"
ButbeforethisIhadpickedupawoodenbowlandwasrushingpastthekingonmywaytothebrook.Itwastenyardsaway.WhenIgotbackandentered,thekingwaswithin,andwasopeningtheshutterthatclosedthewindow-hole,toletinairandlight.Theplacewasfullofafoulstench.
Iputthebowltothewoman\'slips,andasshegrippeditwithhereagertalonstheshuttercameopenandastronglightfloodedherface.Smallpox!
Isprangtotheking,andsaidinhisear:
\"Outofthedoorontheinstant,sire!thewomanisdyingofthatdiseasethatwastedtheskirtsofCamelottwoyearsago.\"
Hedidnotbudge.
\"OfatruthIshallremain——andlikewisehelp.\"
Iwhisperedagain:
\"King,itmustnotbe.Youmustgo.\"
\"Yemeanwell,andyespeaknotunwisely.Butitwereshamethatakingshouldknowfear,andshamethatbeltedknightshouldwithholdhishandwherebesuchasneedsuccor.Peace,Iwillnotgo.Itisyouwhomustgo.TheChurch\'sbanisnotuponme,butitforbiddethyoutobehere,andshewilldealwithyouwithaheavyhandanwordcometoherofyourtrespass.\"
Itwasadesperateplaceforhimtobein,andmightcosthimhislife,butitwasnousetoarguewithhim.Ifheconsideredhisknightlyhonoratstakehere,thatwastheendofargument;hewouldstay,andnothingcouldpreventit;Iwasawareofthat.AndsoIdroppedthesubject.Thewomanspoke:
\"Fairsir,ofyourkindnesswillyeclimbtheladderthere,andbringmenewsofwhatyefind?Benotafraidtoreport,fortimescancomewhenevenamother\'sheartispastbreaking——beingalreadybroke.\"
\"Abide,\"saidtheking,\"andgivethewomantoeat.Iwillgo.\"Andheputdowntheknapsack.
Iturnedtostart,butthekinghadalreadystarted.Hehalted,andlookeddownuponamanwholayinadimlight,andhadnotnoticedusthusfar,orspoken.
\"Isityourhusband?\"thekingasked.
\"Yes.\"
\"Isheasleep?\"
\"Godbethankedforthatonecharity,yes——thesethreehours.WhereshallIpaytothefull,mygratitude!formyheartisburstingwithitforthatsleephesleepethnow.\"
Isaid:
\"Wewillbecareful.Wewillnotwakehim.\"
\"Ah,no,thatyewillnot,forheisdead.\"
\"Dead?\"
\"Yes,whattriumphitistoknowit!Nonecanharmhim,noneinsulthimmore.Heisinheavennow,andhappy;orifnotthere,hebidesinhellandiscontent;forinthatplacehewillfindneitherabbotnoryetbishop.Wewereboyandgirltogether;weweremanandwifethesefiveandtwentyyears,andneverseparatedtillthisday.Thinkhowlongthatistoloveandsuffertogether.Thismorningwasheoutofhismind,andinhisfancywewereboyandgirlagainandwanderinginthehappyfields;
andsointhatinnocentgladconversewanderedhefarandfarther,stilllightlygossiping,andenteredintothoseotherfieldsweknownotof,andwasshutawayfrommortalsight.Andsotherewasnoparting,forinhisfancyIwentwithhim;heknewnotbutIwentwithhim,myhandinhis——myyoungsofthand,notthiswitheredclaw.Ah,yes,togo,andknowitnot;toseparateandknowitnot;howcouldonegopeace——fullerthanthat?Itwashisrewardforacruellifepatientlyborne.\"
Therewasaslightnoisefromthedirectionofthedimcornerwheretheladderwas.Itwasthekingdescending.Icouldseethathewasbearingsomethinginonearm,andassistinghimselfwiththeother.Hecameforwardintothelight;uponhisbreastlayaslendergirloffifteen.Shewasbuthalfconscious;shewasdyingofsmallpox.Herewasheroismatitslastandloftiestpossibility,itsutmostsummit;thiswaschallengingdeathintheopenfieldunarmed,withalltheoddsagainstthechallenger,norewardsetuponthecontest,andnoadmiringworldinsilksandclothofgoldtogazeandapplaud;andyettheking\'sbearingwasasserenelybraveasithadalwaysbeeninthosecheapercontestswhereknightmeetsknightinequalfightandclothedinprotectingsteel.Hewasgreatnow;
sublimelygreat.Therudestatuesofhisancestorsinhispalaceshouldhaveanaddition——Iwouldseetothat;anditwouldnotbeamailedkingkillingagiantoradragon,liketherest,itwouldbeakingincommoner\'sgarbbearingdeathinhisarmsthatapeasantmothermightlookherlastuponherchildandbecomforted.
Helaidthegirldownbyhermother,whopouredoutendearmentsandcaressesfromanoverflowingheart,andonecoulddetectaflickeringfaintlightofresponseinthechild\'seyes,butthatwasall.Themotherhungoverher,kissingher,pettingher,andimploringhertospeak,butthelipsonlymovedandnosoundcame.Isnatchedmyliquorflaskfrommyknapsack,butthewomanforbademe,andsaid:
\"No——shedoesnotsuffer;itisbetterso.Itmightbringherbacktolife.Nonethatbesogoodandkindasyearewoulddoherthatcruelhurt.Forlookyou——whatislefttolivefor?Herbrothersaregone,herfatherisgone,hermothergoeth,theChurch\'scurseisuponher,andnonemayshelterorbefriendhereventhoughshelayperishingintheroad.
Sheisdesolate.Ihavenotaskedyou,goodheart,ifhersisterbestillonlive,hereoverhead;Ihadnoneed;yehadgoneback,else,andnotleftthepoorthingforsaken——\"
\"Sheliethatpeace,\"interruptedtheking,inasubduedvoice.
\"Iwouldnotchangeit.Howrichisthisdayinhappiness!Ah,myAnnis,thoushaltjointhysistersoon——thou\'rtonthyway,andthesebemercifulfriendsthatwillnothinder.\"
Andsoshefelltomurmuringandcooingoverthegirlagain,andsoftlystrokingherfaceandhair,andkissingherandcallingherbyendearingnames;buttherewasscarcelysignofresponsenowintheglazingeyes.
Isawtearswellfromtheking\'seyes,andtrickledownhisface.Thewomannoticedthem,too,andsaid:
\"Ah,Iknowthatsign:thou\'stawifeathome,poorsoul,andyouandshehavegonehungrytobed,many\'sthetime,thatthelittleonesmighthaveyourcrust;youknowwhatpovertyis,andthedailyinsultsofyourbetters,andtheheavyhandoftheChurchandtheking.\"
Thekingwincedunderthisaccidentalhome-shot,butkeptstill;hewaslearninghispart;andhewasplayingitwell,too,foraprettydullbeginner.Istruckupadiversion.Iofferedthewomanfoodandliquor,butsherefusedboth.Shewouldallownothingtocomebetweenherandthereleaseofdeath.ThenIslippedawayandbroughtthedeadchildfromaloft,andlaiditbyher.Thisbrokeherdownagain,andtherewasanotherscenethatwasfullofheartbreak.ByandbyImadeanotherdiversion,andbeguiledhertosketchherstory.
\"Yeknowitwellyourselves,havingsufferedit——fortrulynoneofourconditioninBritainescapeit.Itistheold,wearytale.Wefoughtandstruggledandsucceeded;meaningbysuccess,thatwelivedanddidnotdie;morethanthatisnottobeclaimed.Notroublescamethatwecouldnotoutlive,tillthisyearbroughtthem;thencametheyallatonce,asonemightsay,andoverwhelmedus.Yearsagothelordofthemanorplantedcertainfruittreesonourfarm;inthebestpartofit,too——agrievouswrongandshame——\"
\"Butitwashisright,\"interruptedtheking.
\"Nonedenieththat,indeed;anthelawmeananything,whatisthelord\'sishis,andwhatismineishisalso.Ourfarmwasoursbylease,therefore\'twaslikewisehis,todowithitashewould.Somelittletimeago,threeofthosetreeswerefoundhewndown.Ourthreegrownsonsranfrightenedtoreportthecrime.Well,inhislordship\'sdungeontheretheylie,whosaiththereshalltheylieandrottilltheyconfess.Theyhavenaughttoconfess,beinginnocent,whereforetherewilltheyremainuntiltheydie.Yeknowthatrightwell,Iween.Thinkhowthisleftus;aman,awomanandtwochildren,togatheracropthatwasplantedbysomuchgreaterforce,yes,andprotectitnightanddayfrompigeonsandprowlinganimalsthatbesacredandmustnotbehurtbyanyofoursort.Whenmylord\'scropwasnearlyreadyfortheharvest,soalsowasours;whenhisbellrangtocallustohisfieldstoharvesthiscropfornothing,hewouldnotallowthatIandmytwogirlsshouldcountforourthreecaptivesons,butforonlytwoofthem;so,forthelackingonewerewedailyfined.
Allthistimeourowncropwasperishingthroughneglect;andsoboththepriestandhislordshipfinedusbecausetheirsharesofitweresufferingthroughdamage.Intheendthefinesateupourcrop——andtheytookitall;theytookitallandmadeusharvestitforthem,withoutpayorfood,andwestarving.ThentheworstcamewhenI,beingoutofmymindwithhungerandlossofmyboys,andgrieftoseemyhusbandandmylittlemaidsinragsandmiseryanddespair,utteredadeepblasphemy——oh!athousandofthem!——againsttheChurchandtheChurch\'sways.Itwastendaysago.
Ihadfallensickwiththisdisease,anditwastothepriestIsaidthewords,forhewascometochidemeforlackofduehumilityunderthechasteninghandofGod.Hecarriedmytrespasstohisbetters;Iwasstubborn;wherefore,presentlyuponmyheadanduponallheadsthatweredeartome,fellthecurseofRome.
\"Sincethatdayweareavoided,shunnedwithhorror.Nonehascomenearthishuttoknowwhetherweliveornot.Therestofusweretakendown.
ThenIrousedmeandgotup,aswifeandmotherwill.Itwaslittletheycouldhaveeateninanycase;itwaslessthanlittletheyhadtoeat.
Buttherewaswater,andIgavethemthat.Howtheycravedit!andhowtheyblessedit!Buttheendcameyesterday;mystrengthbrokedown.YesterdaywasthelasttimeIeversawmyhusbandandthisyoungestchildalive.
Ihavelainhereallthesehours——theseages,yemaysay——listening,listeningforanysounduptherethat——\"
Shegaveasharpquickglanceathereldestdaughter,thencriedout,\"Oh,mydarling!\"andfeeblygatheredthestiffeningformtohershelteringarms.Shehadrecognizedthedeath-rattle.
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter30Chapter30-TheTragedyoftheManor-HouseATmidnightallwasover,andwesatinthepresenceoffourcorpses.Wecoveredthemwithsuchragsaswecouldfind,andstartedaway,fasteningthedoorbehindus.Theirhomemustbethesepeople\'sgrave,fortheycouldnothaveChristianburial,orbeadmittedtoconsecratedground.Theywereasdogs,wildbeasts,lepers,andnosoulthatvalueditshopeofeternallifewouldthrowitawaybymeddlinginanysortwiththeserebukedandsmittenoutcasts.
WehadnotmovedfourstepswhenIcaughtasoundasoffootstepsupongravel.Myheartflewtomythroat.Wemustnotbeseencomingfromthathouse.Ipluckedattheking\'srobeandwedrewbackandtookshelterbehindthecornerofthecabin.
\"Nowwearesafe,\"Isaid,\"butitwasaclosecall——sotospeak.
Ifthenighthadbeenlighterhemighthaveseenus,nodoubt,heseemedtobesonear.\"
\"Mayhapitisbutabeastandnotamanatall.\"
\"True.Butmanorbeast,itwillbewisetostayhereaminuteandletitgetbyandoutoftheway.\"
\"Hark!Itcomethhither.\"
Trueagain.Thestepwascomingtowardus——straighttowardthehut.
Itmustbeabeast,then,andwemightaswellhavesavedourtrepidation.
Iwasgoingtostepout,butthekinglaidhishanduponmyarm.Therewasamomentofsilence,thenweheardasoftknockonthecabindoor.
Itmademeshiver.Presentlytheknockwasrepeated,andthenweheardthesewordsinaguardedvoice:
\"Mother!Father!Open——wehavegotfree,andwebringnewstopaleyourcheeksbutgladyourhearts;andwemaynottarry,butmustfly!And——buttheyanswernot.Mother!father!——\"
Idrewthekingtowardtheotherendofthehutandwhispered:
\"Come——nowwecangettotheroad.\"
Thekinghesitated,wasgoingtodemur;butjustthenweheardthedoorgiveway,andknewthatthosedesolatemenwereinthepresenceoftheirdead.
\"Come,myliege!inamomenttheywillstrikealight,andthenwillfollowthatwhichitwouldbreakyourhearttohear.\"
Hedidnothesitatethistime.ThemomentwewereintheroadIran;
andafteramomenthethrewdignityasideandfollowed.Ididnotwanttothinkofwhatwashappeninginthehut——Icouldn\'tbearit;Iwantedtodriveitoutofmymind;soIstruckintothefirstsubjectthatlayunderthatoneinmymind:
\"Ihavehadthediseasethosepeoplediedof,andsohavenothingtofear;butifyouhavenothaditalso——\"
Hebrokeinuponmetosayhewasintrouble,anditwashisconsciencethatwastroublinghim:
\"Theseyoungmenhavegotfree,theysay——butHOW?Itisnotlikelythattheirlordhathsetthemfree.\"
\"Oh,no,Imakenodoubttheyescaped.\"
\"Thatismytrouble;Ihaveafearthatthisisso,andyoursuspiciondothconfirmit,youhavingthesamefear.
\"Ishouldnotcallitbythatnamethough.Idosuspectthattheyescaped,butiftheydid,Iamnotsorry,certainly.\"
\"Iamnotsorry,ITHINK——but——\"
\"Whatisit?Whatisthereforonetobetroubledabout?\"
\"IFtheydidescape,thenareweboundindutytolayhandsuponthemanddeliverthemagaintotheirlord;foritisnotseemlythatoneofhisqualityshouldsufferasoinsolentandhigh-handedoutragefrompersonsoftheirbasedegree.\"
Thereitwasagain.Hecouldseeonlyonesideofit.Hewasbornso,educatedso,hisveinswerefullofancestralbloodthatwasrottenwiththissortofunconsciousbrutality,broughtdownbyinheritancefromalongprocessionofheartsthathadeachdoneitssharetowardpoisoningthestream.Toimprisonthesemenwithoutproof,andstarvetheirkindred,wasnoharm,fortheyweremerelypeasantsandsubjecttothewillandpleasureoftheirlord,nomatterwhatfearfulformitmighttake;butforthesementobreakoutofunjustcaptivitywasinsultandoutrage,andathingnottobecountenancedbyanyconscientiouspersonwhoknewhisdutytohissacredcaste.
IworkedmorethanhalfanhourbeforeIgothimtochangethesubject——andeventhenanoutsidematterdiditforme.Thiswasasomethingwhichcaughtoureyesaswestruckthesummitofasmallhill——aredglow,agoodwayoff.
\"That\'safire,\"saidI.
Firesinterestedmeconsiderably,becauseIwasgettingagooddealofaninsurancebusinessstarted,andwasalsotrainingsomehorsesandbuildingsomesteamfire-engines,withaneyetoapaidfiredepartmentbyandby.Thepriestsopposedbothmyfireandlifeinsurance,onthegroundthatitwasaninsolentattempttohinderthedecreesofGod;andifyoupointedoutthattheydidnothinderthedecreesintheleast,butonlymodifiedthehardconsequencesofthemifyoutookoutpoliciesandhadluck,theyretortedthatthatwasgamblingagainstthedecreesofGod,andwasjustasbad.Sotheymanagedtodamagethoseindustriesmoreorless,butIgotevenonmyAccidentbusiness.Asarule,aknightisalummox,andsometimesevenalabrick,andhenceopentoprettypoorargumentswhentheycomegliblyfromasuperstition-monger,butevenHEcouldseethepracticalsideofathingonceinawhile;andsooflateyoucouldn\'tcleanupatournamentandpiletheresultwithoutfindingoneofmyaccident-ticketsineveryhelmet.
Westoodthereawhile,inthethickdarknessandstillness,lookingtowardtheredblurinthedistance,andtryingtomakeoutthemeaningofafar-awaymurmurthatroseandfellfitfullyonthenight.Sometimesitswelledupandforamomentseemedlessremote;butwhenwewerehopefullyexpectingittobetrayitscauseandnature,itdulledandsankagain,carryingitsmysterywithit.Westarteddownthehillinitsdirection,andthewindingroadplungedusatonceintoalmostsoliddarkness——darknessthatwaspackedandcrammedinbetweentwotallforestwalls.Wegropedalongdownforhalfamile,perhaps,thatmurmurgrowingmoreandmoredistinctallthetime.thecomingstormthreateningmoreandmore,withnowandthenalittleshiverofwind,afaintshowoflightning,anddullgrumblingsofdistantthunder.Iwasinthelead.Iranagainstsomething——asoftheavysomethingwhichgave,slightly,totheimpulseofmyweight;
atthesamemomentthelightningglaredout,andwithinafootofmyfacewasthewrithingfaceofamanwhowashangingfromthelimbofatree!
Thatis,itseemedtobewrithing,butitwasnot.Itwasagrewsomesight.
Straightwaytherewasanearsplittingexplosionofthunder,andthebottomofheavenfellout;therainpoureddowninadeluge.Nomatter,wemusttrytocutthismandown,onthechancethattheremightbelifeinhimyet,mustn\'twe?Thelightningcamequickandsharpnow,andtheplacewasalternatelynoondayandmidnight.Onemomentthemanwouldbehangingbeforemeinanintenselight,andthenexthewasblottedoutagaininthedarkness.Itoldthekingwemustcuthimdown.Thekingatonceobjected.
\"Ifhehangedhimself,hewaswillingtolosehimpropertytohislord;
solethimbe.Ifothershangedhim,beliketheyhadtheright——lethimhang.\"
\"But——\"
\"Butmenobuts,butevenleavehimasheis.Andforyetanotherreason.
Whenthelightningcomethagain——there,lookabroad.\"
Twoothershanging,withinfiftyyardsofus!
\"Itisnotweathermeetfordoinguselesscourtesiesuntodeadfolk.
Theyarepastthankingyou.Come——itisunprofitabletotarryhere.\"
Therewasreasoninwhathesaid,sowemovedon.Withinthenextmilewecountedsixmorehangingformsbytheblazeofthelightning,andaltogetheritwasagrislyexcursion.Thatmurmurwasamurmurnolonger,itwasaroar;aroarofmen\'svoices.Amancameflyingbynow,dimlythroughthedarkness,andothermenchasinghim.Theydisappeared.Presentlyanothercaseofthekindoccurred,andthenanotherandanother.Thenasuddenturnoftheroadbroughtusinsightofthatfire——itwasalargemanorhouse,andlittleornothingwasleftofit——andeverywheremenwereflyingandothermenragingaftertheminpursuit.
Iwarnedthekingthatthiswasnotasafeplaceforstrangers.Wewouldbettergetawayfromthelight,untilmattersshouldimprove.Westeppedbackalittle,andhidintheedgeofthewood.Fromthishiding-placewesawbothmenandwomenhuntedbythemob.Thefearfulworkwentonuntilnearlydawn.Then,thefirebeingoutandthestormspent,thevoicesandflyingfootstepspresentlyceased,anddarknessandstillnessreignedagain.
Weventuredout,andhurriedcautiouslyaway;andalthoughwewerewornoutandsleepy,wekeptonuntilwehadputthisplacesomemilesbehindus.Thenweaskedhospitalityatthehutofacharcoalburner,andgotwhatwastobehad.Awomanwasupandabout,butthemanwasstillasleep,onastrawshake-down,ontheclayfloor.ThewomanseemeduneasyuntilIexplainedthatweweretravelersandhadlostourwayandbeenwanderinginthewoodsallnight.Shebecametalkative,then,andaskedifwehadheardoftheterriblegoings-onatthemanor-houseofAbblasoure.Yes,wehadheardofthem,butwhatwewantednowwasrestandsleep.Thekingbrokein:
\"Sellusthehouseandtakeyourselvesaway,forwebeperilouscompany,beinglatecomefrompeoplethatdiedoftheSpottedDeath.\"
Itwasgoodofhim,butunnecessary.Oneofthecommonestdecorationsofthenationwasthewaffleironface.Ihadearlynoticedthatthewomanandherhusbandwerebothsodecorated.Shemadeusentirelywelcome,andhadnofears;andplainlyshewasimmenselyimpressedbytheking\'sproposition;
for,ofcourse,itwasagooddealofaneventinherlifetorunacrossapersonoftheking\'shumbleappearancewhowasreadytobuyaman\'shouseforthesakeofanight\'slodging.Itgaveheralargerespectforus,andshestrainedtheleanpossibilitiesofherhoveltotheutmosttomakeuscomfortable.
Weslepttillfarintotheafternoon,andthengotuphungryenoughtomakecotterfarequitepalatabletotheking,themoreparticularlyasitwasscantinquantity.Andalsoinvariety;itconsistedsolelyofonions,salt,andthenationalblackbreadÑmadeoutofhorsefeed.
Thewomantoldusabouttheaffairoftheeveningbefore.Attenorelevenatnight,wheneverybodywasinbed,themanor-houseburstintoflames.
Thecountry-sideswarmedtotherescue,andthefamilyweresaved,withoneexception,themaster.Hedidnotappear.Everybodywasfranticoverthisloss,andtwobraveyeomensacrificedtheirlivesinransackingtheburninghouseseekingthatvaluablepersonage.Butafterawhilehewasfound——whatwasleftofhim——whichwashiscorpse.Itwasinacopsethreehundredyardsaway,bound,gagged,stabbedinadozenplaces.
Whohaddonethis?Suspicionfelluponahumblefamilyintheneighborhoodwhohadbeenlatelytreatedwithpeculiarharshnessbythebaron;andfromthesepeoplethesuspicioneasilyextendeditselftotheirrelativesandfamiliars.Asuspicionwasenough;mylord\'sliveriedretainersproclaimedaninstantcrusadeagainstthesepeople,andwerepromptlyjoinedbythecommunityingeneral.Thewoman\'shusbandhadbeenactivewiththemob,andhadnotreturnedhomeuntilnearlydawn.Hewasgonenowtofindoutwhatthegeneralresulthadbeen.Whilewewerestilltalkinghecamebackfromhisquest.Hisreportwasrevoltingenough.Eighteenpersonshangedorbutchered,andtwoyeomenandthirteenprisonerslostinthefire.
\"Andhowmanyprisonersweretherealtogetherinthevaults?\"
\"Thirteen.\"
\"Theneveryoneofthemwaslost?\"
\"Yes,all.\"
\"Butthepeoplearrivedintimetosavethefamily;howisittheycouldsavenoneoftheprisoners?\"
Themanlookedpuzzled,andsaid:
\"Wouldoneunlockthevaultsatsuchatime?Marry,somewouldhaveescaped.\"
\"ThenyoumeanthatnobodyDIDunlockthem?\"
\"Nonewentnearthem,eithertolockorunlock.Itstandethtoreasonthattheboltswerefast;whereforeitwasonlyneedfultoestablishawatch,sothatifanybrokethebondshemightnotescape,butbetaken.
Noneweretaken.\"
\"Natheless,threedidescape,\"saidtheking,\"andyewilldowelltopublishitandsetjusticeupontheirtrack,forthesemurtheredthebaronandfiredthehouse.\"
Iwasjustexpectinghewouldcomeoutwiththat.Foramomentthemanandhiswifeshowedaneagerinterestinthisnewsandanimpatiencetogooutandspreadit;thenasuddensomethingelsebetrayeditselfintheirfaces,andtheybegantoaskquestions.Iansweredthequestionsmyself,andnarrowlywatchedtheeffectsproduced.Iwassoonsatisfiedthattheknowledgeofwhothesethreeprisonerswerehadsomehowchangedtheatmosphere;
thatourhosts\'continuedeagernesstogoandspreadthenewswasnowonlypretendedandnotreal.Thekingdidnotnoticethechange,andIwasgladofthat.Iworkedtheconversationaroundtowardotherdetailsofthenight\'sproceedings,andnotedthatthesepeoplewererelievedtohaveittakethatdirection.
Thepainfulthingobservableaboutallthisbusinesswasthealacritywithwhichthisoppressedcommunityhadturnedtheircruelhandsagainsttheirownclassintheinterestofthecommonoppressor.Thismanandwomanseemedtofeelthatinaquarrelbetweenapersonoftheirownclassandhislord,itwasthenaturalandproperandrightfulthingforthatpoordevil\'swholecastetosidewiththemasterandfighthisbattleforhim,withouteverstoppingtoinquireintotherightsorwrongsofthematter.
Thismanhadbeenouthelpingtohanghisneighbors,andhaddonehisworkwithzeal,andyetwasawarethattherewasnothingagainstthembutameresuspicion,withnothingbackofitdescribableasevidence,stillneitherhenorhiswifeseemedtoseeanythinghorribleaboutit.
Thiswasdepressing——toamanwiththedreamofarepublicinhishead.Itremindedmeofatimethirteencenturiesaway,whenthe\"poorwhites\"ofourSouthwhowerealwaysdespisedandfrequentlyinsultedbytheslave-lordsaroundthem,andwhoowedtheirbaseconditionsimplytothepresenceofslaveryintheirmidst,wereyetpusillanimouslyreadytosidewiththeslave-lordsinallpoliticalmovesfortheupholdingandperpetuatingofslavery,anddidalsofinallyshouldertheirmusketsandpourouttheirlivesinanefforttopreventthedestructionofthatveryinstitutionwhichdegradedthem.Andtherewasonlyoneredeemingfeatureconnectedwiththatpitifulpieceofhistory;andthatwas,thatsecretlythe\"poorwhite\"diddetesttheslave-lord,anddidfeelhisownshame.
Thatfeelingwasnotbroughttothesurface,butthefactthatitwasthereandcouldhavebeenbroughtout,underfavoringcircumstances,wassomething——infact,itwasenough;foritshowedthatamanisatbottomaman,afterall,evenifitdoesn\'tshowontheoutside.
Well,asitturnedout,thischarcoalburnerwasjustthetwinoftheSouthern\"poorwhite\"ofthefarfuture.Thekingpresentlyshowedimpatience,andsaid:
\"Anyeprattleherealltheday,justicewillmiscarry.Thinkyethecriminalswillabideintheirfather\'shouse?Theyarefleeing,theyarenotwaiting.Youshouldlooktoitthatapartyofhorsebesetupontheirtrack.\"
Thewomanpaledslightly,butquiteperceptibly,andthemanlookedflusteredandirresolute.Isaid:
\"Come,friend,Iwillwalkalittlewaywithyou,andexplainwhichdirectionIthinktheywouldtrytotake.IftheyweremerelyresistersofthegabelleorsomekindredabsurdityIwouldtrytoprotectthemfromcapture;butwhenmenmurderapersonofhighdegreeandlikewiseburnhishouse,thatisanothermatter.\"
Thelastremarkwasfortheking——toquiethim.Ontheroadthemanpulledhisresolutiontogether,andbeganthemarchwithasteadygait,buttherewasnoeagernessinit.ByandbyIsaid:
\"Whatrelationwerethesementoyou——cousins?\"
Heturnedaswhiteashislayerofcharcoalwouldlethim,andstopped,trembling.
\"Ah,myGod,howknowyethat?\"
\"Ididn\'tknowit;itwasachanceguess.\"
\"Poorlads,theyarelost.Andgoodladstheywere,too.\"
