Iwasgladwhenteno’clockcame，thebedtimeforyoungfolks，andoldfolkstoo，attheNutterHouse。AloneinthehallchamberIhadmycryout，onceforall，moisteningthepillowtosuchanextentthatIwasobligedtoturnitovertofindadryspottogotosleepon。
Mygrandfatherwiselyconcludedtoputmetoschoolatonce。IfIhadbeenpermittedtogomooningaboutthehouseandstables，Ishouldhavekeptmydiscontentaliveformonths。Thenextmorning，accordingly，hetookmebythehand，andwesetforthfortheacademy，whichwaslocatedatthefartherendofthetown。
TheTempleSchoolwasatwo—storybrickbuilding，standinginthecentreofagreatsquarepieceofland，surroundedbyahighpicketfence。Therewerethreeorfoursicklytrees，butnograss，inthisenclosure，whichhadbeenwornsmoothandhardbythetreadofmultitudinousfeet。Inoticedhereandtheresmallholesscoopedintheground，indicatingthatitwastheseasonformarbles。Abetterplaygroundforbaseballcouldn’thavebeendevised。
Onreachingtheschoolhousedoor，theCaptaininquiredforMr。Grimshaw。Theboywhoansweredourknockusheredusintoaside—room，andinafewminutes—duringwhichmyeyetookinforty—twocapshungonforty—twowoodenpegs—Mr。Grimshawmadehisappearance。Hewasaslenderman，withwhite，fragilehands，andeyesthatglancedhalfadozendifferentwaysatonce—ahabitprobablyacquiredfromwatchingtheboys。
Afterabriefconsultation，mygrandfatherpattedmeontheheadandleftmeinchargeofthisgentleman，whoseatedhimselfinfrontofmeandproceededtosoundthedepth，or，moreproperlyspeaking，theshallowness，ofmyattainments。Isuspectmyhistoricalinformationratherstartledhim。
IrecollectIgavehimtounderstandthatRichardIIIwasthelastkingofEngland。
Thisordealover，Mr。Grimshawroseandbademefollowhim。Adooropened，andIstoodintheblazeofforty—twopairsofupturnedeyes。Iwasacoolhandformyage，butIlackedtheboldnesstofacethisbatterywithoutwincing。InasortofdazedwayIstumbledafterMr。Grimshawdownanarrowaislebetweentworowsofdesks，andshylytooktheseatpointedouttome。
Thefaintbuzzthathadfloatedovertheschool—roomatourentrancediedaway，andtheinterruptedlessonswereresumed。BydegreesIrecoveredmycoolness，andventuredtolookaroundme。
Theownersoftheforty—twocapswereseatedatsmallgreendesksliketheoneassignedtome。Thedeskswerearrangedinsixrows，withspacesbetweenjustwideenoughtopreventtheboys’whispering。Ablackboardsetintothewallextendedclearacrosstheendoftheroom;onaraisedplatformnearthedoorstoodthemaster’stable;anddirectlyinfrontofthiswasarecitation—benchcapableofseatingfifteenortwentypupils。A
pairofglobes，tattooedwithdragonsandwingedhorses，occupiedashelfbetweentwowindows，whichweresohighfromthefloorthatnothingbutagiraffecouldhavelookedoutofthem。
Havingpossessedmyselfofthesedetails，Iscrutinizedmynewacquaintanceswithunconcealedcuriosity，instinctivelyselectingmyfriendsandpickingoutmyenemies—andinonlytwocasesdidImistakemyman。
Asallowboywithbrightredhair，sittinginthefourthrow，shookhisfistatmefurtivelyseveraltimesduringthemorning。IhadapresentimentI
shouldhavetroublewiththatboysomeday—apresentimentsubsequentlyrealized。
Onmyleftwasachubbylittlefellowwithagreatmanyfreckles（thiswasPepperWhitcomb），whomadesomemysteriousmotionstome。Ididn’tunderstandthem，but，astheywereclearlyofapacificnature，Iwinkedmyeyeathim。Thisappearedtobesatisfactory，forhethenwentonwithhisstudies。Atrecesshegavemethecoreofhisapple，thoughtherewereseveralapplicantsforit。
Presentlyaboyinalooseolive—greenjacketwithtworowsofbrassbuttonsheldupafoldedpaperbehindhisslate，intimatingthatitwasintendedforme。Thepaperwaspassedskillfullyfromdesktodeskuntilitreachedmyhands。Onopeningthescrap，Ifoundthatitcontainedasmallpieceofmolassescandyinanextremelyhumidstate。Thiswascertainlykind。I
noddedmyacknowledgmentsandhastilyslippedthedelicacyintomymouth。
InasecondIfeltmytonguegrowred—hotwithcayennepepper。
Myfacemusthaveassumedacomicalexpression，fortheboyintheolive—greenjacketgaveanhystericallaugh，forwhichhewasinstantlypunishedbyMr。Grimshaw。Iswallowedthefierycandy，thoughitbroughtthewatertomyeyes，andmanagedtolooksounconcernedthatIwastheonlypupilintheformwhoescapedquestioningastothecauseofMarden’smisdemeanor。C。Mardenwashisname。
Nothingelseoccurredthatmorningtointerrupttheexercises，exceptingthataboyinthereadingclassthrewusallintoconvulsionsbycallingAbsalomA—bol’—som\"Abolsom，OmysonAbolsom！\"Ilaughedasloudasanyone，butIamnotsosurethatIshouldn’thavepronounceditAbolsommyself。
Atrecessseveralofthescholarscametomydeskandshookhandswithme，Mr。GrimshawhavingpreviouslyintroducedmetoPhilAdams，charginghimtoseethatIgotintonotrouble。Mynewacquaintancessuggestedthatweshouldgototheplayground。Wewerenosoonerout—of—doorsthantheboywiththeredhairthrusthiswaythroughthecrowdandplacedhimselfatmyside。
’Isay，youngster，ifyou’recomin’tothisschoolyou’vegottotoethemark。\"
Ididn’tseeanymarktotoe，anddidn’tunderstandwhatbemeant;butI
repliedpolitely，that，ifitwasthecustomoftheschool，Ishouldbehappytotoethemark，ifhewouldpointitouttome。
\"Idon’twantanyofyoursarse，\"saidtheboy，scowling。
\"Lookhere，Conwayl\"criedaclearvoicefromtheothersideoftheplayground。\"YouletyoungBaileyalone。He’sastrangerhere，andmightbeafraidofyou，andthrashyou。Whydoyoualwaysthrowyourselfinthewayofgettingthrashed？\"
Iturnedtothespeaker，whobythistimehadreachedthespotwherewestood。Conwayslunkoff，favoringmewithapartingscowlofdefiance。I
gavemyhandtotheboywhohadbefriendedme—hisnamewasJackHarris—andthankedhimforhisgood—will。
\"Itellyouwhatitis，Bailey，\"hesaid，returningmypressuregood—naturedly，\"you’llhavetofightConwaybeforethequarterends，oryou’llhavenorest。Thatfellowisalwayshankeringafteralicking，andofcourseyou’llgivehimonebyandby;butwhat’stheuseofhurryingupanunpleasantjob？Let’shavesomebaseball。Bytheway，Bailey，youwereagoodkidnottoletontoGrimshawaboutthecandy。CharleyMardenwouldhavecaughtittwiceasheavy。He’ssorryheplayedthejokeonyou，andtoldmetotellyouso。Hallo，Blake！Wherearethebats？\"
Thiswasaddressedtoahandsome，frank—lookingladofaboutmyownage，whowasengagedjustthenincuttinghisinitialsonthebarkofatreeneartheschoolhouse。Blakeshutuphispenknifeandwentofftogetthebats。
DuringthegamewhichensuedImadetheacquaintanceofCharleyMarden，BinnyWallace，PepperWhitcomb，HarryBlake，andFredLangdon。Theseboys，noneofthemmorethanayearortwoolderthanI（BinnyWallacewasyounger），wereeveraftermychosencomrades。PhilAdamsandJackHarriswereconsiderablyourseniors，and，thoughtheyalwaystreatedus\"kids\"
verykindly，theygenerallywentwithanotherset。Ofcourse，beforelongI
knewalltheTempleboysmoreorlessintimately，butthefiveIhavenamedweremyconstantcompanions。
MyfirstdayattheTempleGrammarSchoolwasonthewholesatisfactory。I
hadmadeseveralwarmfriendsandonlytwopermanentenemies—Conwayandhisecho，SethRodgers;forthesetwoalwayswenttogetherlikeaderangedstomachandaheadache。
BeforetheendoftheweekIhadmystudieswellinhand。Iwasalittleashamedatfindingmyselfatthefootofthevariousclasses，andsecretlydeterminedtodeservepromotion。Theschoolwasanadmirableone。ImightmakethispartofmystorymoreentertainingbypicturingMr。Grimshawasatyrantwitharednoseandalargestick;butunfortunatelyforthepurposesofsensationalnarrative，Mr。Grimshawwasaquiet，kindheartedgentleman。Thougharigiddisciplinarian，hehadakeensenseofjustice，wasagoodreaderofcharacter，andtheboysrespectedhim。Thereweretwootherteachers—aFrenchtutorandawriting—master，whovisitedtheschooltwiceaweek。OnWednesdaysandSaturdaysweweredismissedatnoon，andthesehalf—holidayswerethebrightestepochsofmyexistence。
DailycontactwithboyswhohadnotbeenbroughtupasgentlyasIworkedanimmediate，and，insomerespects，abeneficialchangeinmycharacter。I
hadthenonsensetakenoutofme，asthesayingis—someofthenonsense，atleast。Ibecamemoremanlyandself—reliant。Idiscoveredthattheworldwasnotcreatedexclusivelyonmyaccount。InNewOrleansIlaboredunderthedelusionthatitwas。Havingneitherbrothernorsistertogiveuptoathome，andbeing，moreover，thelargestpupilatschoolthere，mywillhadseldombeenopposed。AtRivermouthmattersweredifferent，andIwasnotlonginadaptingmyselftothealteredcircumstances。OfcourseIgotmanysevererubs，oftenunconsciouslygiven;butIbadthesensetoseethatIwasallthebetterforthem。
Mysocialrelationswithmynewschoolfellowswerethepleasantestpossible。
Therewasalwayssomeexcitingexcursiononfoot—aramblethroughthepinewoods，avisittotheDevil’sPulpit，ahighcliffintheneighborhood—orasurreptitiouslowontheriver，involvinganexplorationofagroupofdiminutiveislands，upononeofwhichwepitchedatentandplayedweweretheSpanishsailorswhogotwreckedthereyearsago。Buttheendlesspineforestthatskirtedthetownwasourfavoritehaunt。Therewasagreatgreenpondhiddensomewhereinitsdepths，inhabitedbyamonstrouscolonyofturtles。HarryBlake，whohadaneccentricpassionforcarvinghisnameoneverything，neverletacapturedturtleslipthroughhisfingerswithoutleavinghismarkengravedonitsshell。Hemusthaveletteredabouttwothousandfromfirsttolast。WeusedtocallthemHarryBlake’ssheep。
Theseturtleswereofadiscontentedandmigratoryturnofmind，andwefrequentlyencounteredtwoorthreeofthemonthecross—roadsseveralmilesfromtheirancestralmud。UnspeakablewasourdelightwheneverwediscoveredonesoberlywalkingoffwithHarryBlake’sinitials！I’venodoubtthereare，atthismoment，fatancientturtleswanderingaboutthatgummywoodlandwithH。B。neatlycutontheirvenerablebacks。
Itsoonbecameacustomamongmyplaymatestomakeourbarntheirrendezvous。Gypsyprovedastrongattraction。CaptainNutterboughtmealittletwo—wheeledcart，whichshedrewquitenicely，afterkickingoutthedasherandbreakingtheshaftsonceortwice。Withourlunch—basketsandfishing—tacklestowedawayundertheseat，weusedtostartoffearlyintheafternoonforthesea—shore，wheretherewerecountlessmarvelsintheshapeofshells，mosses，andkelp。Gypsyenjoyedthesportaskeenlyasanyofus，evengoingsofar，oneday，astotrotdownthebeachintotheseawherewewerebathing。Asshetookthecartwithher，ourprovisionswerenotmuchimproved。Ishallneverforgethowsquash—pietastesafterbeingsousedintheAtlanticOcean。Soda—crackersdippedinsaltwaterarepalatable，butnotsquash—pie。
TherewasagooddealofwetweatherduringthosefirstsixweeksatRivermouth，andwesetourselvesatworktofindsomeindooramusementforourhalf—holidays。ItwasallverywellforAmadisdeGaulandDonQuixotenottomindtherain;theyhadironovercoats，andwerenot，fromallwecanlearn，subjecttocroupandtheguidanceoftheirgrandfathers。Ourcasewasdifferent。
\"Now，boys，whatshallwedo？\"Iasked，addressingathoughtfulconclaveofseven，assembledinourbarnonedismalrainyafternoon。
\"Let’shaveatheatre，\"suggestedBinnyWallace。
Theverything！Butwhere？TheloftofthestablewasreadytoburstwithhayprovidedforGypsy，butthelongroomoverthecarriage—housewasunoccupied。Theplaceofallplaces！Mymanagerialeyesawataglanceitscapabilitiesforatheatre。IhadbeentotheplayagreatmanytimesinNewOrleans，andwaswiseinmatterspertainingtothedrama。Sohere，induetime，wassetupsomeextraordinarysceneryofmyownpainting。Thecurtain，Irecollect，thoughitworkedsmoothlyenoughonotheroccasions，invariablyhitchedduringtheperformances;anditoftenrequiredtheunitedenergiesofthePrinceofDenmark，theKing，andtheGrave—digger，withanoccasionalbandfrom\"thefairOphelia\"（PepperWhitcombinalow—neckeddress），tohoistthatbitofgreencambric。
Thetheatre，however，wasasuccess，asfarasitwent。Iretiredfromthebusinesswithnofewerthanfifteenhundredpins，afterdeductingtheheadless，thepointless，andthecrookedpinswithwhichourdoorkeeperfrequentlygot\"stuck。\"Fromfirsttolastwetookinagreatdealofthiscounterfeitmoney。Thepriceofadmissiontothe\"RivermouthTheatre\"wastwentypins。Iplayedalltheprincipalpartsmyself—notthatIwasafineractorthantheotherboys，butbecauseIownedtheestablishment。
Atthetenthrepresentation，mydramaticcareerwasbroughttoaclosebyanunfortunatecircumstance。Wewereplayingthedramaof\"WilliamTell，theHeroofSwitzerland。\"OfcourseIwasWilliamTell，inspiteofFredLangdon，whowantedtoactthatcharacterhimself。Iwouldn’tlethim，sohewithdrewfromthecompany，takingtheonlybowandarrowwehad。Imadeacross—bowoutofapieceofwhalebone，anddidverywellwithouthim。WehadreachedthatexcitingscenewhereGessler，theAustriantyrant，commandsTelltoshoottheapplefromhisson’shead。PepperWhitcomb，whoplayedallthejuvenileandwomenparts，wasmyson。Toguardagainstmischance，apieceofpasteboardwasfastenedbyahandkerchiefovertheupperportionofWhitcomb’sface，while。thearrowtobeusedwassewedupinastripofflannel。Iwasacapitalmarksman，andthebigapple，onlytwoyardsdistant，turneditsrussetcheekfairlytowardsme。
IcanseepoorlittlePeppernow，ashestoodwithoutflinching，waitingformetoperformmygreatfeat。Iraisedthecrossbowamidthebreathlesssilenceofthecrowdedaudienceconsistingofsevenboysandthreegirls，exclusiveofKittyCollins，whoinsistedonpayingherwayinwithaclothes—pin。Iraisedthecross—bow，Irepeat。Twang！wentthewhipcord;
but，alas！insteadofhittingtheapple，thearrowflewrightintoPepperWhitcomb’smouth，whichhappenedtobeopenatthetime，anddestroyedmyaim。
Ishallneverbeabletobanishthatawfulmomentfrommymemory。Pepper’sroar，expressiveofastonishment，indignation，andpain，isstillringinginmycars。Ilookeduponhimasacorpse，and，glancingnotfarintothedrearyfuture，picturedmyselfledforthtoexecutioninthepresenceoftheverysamespectatorsthenassembled。
LuckilypoorPepperwasnotseriouslyhurt;butGrandfatherNutter，appearinginthemidstoftheconfusion（attractedbythehowlsofyoungTell），issuedaninjunctionagainstalltheatricalsthereafter，andtheplacewasclosed;not，however，withoutafarewellspeechfromme，inwhichIsaidthatthiswouldhavebeentheproudestmomentofmylifeifIhadn’thitPepperWhitcombinthemouth。Whereupontheaudience（assisted，Iamgladtostate，byPepper）cried\"Hear！Hear！\"IthenattributedtheaccidenttoPepperhimself，whosemouth，beingopenattheinstantIfired，acteduponthearrowmuchafterthefashionofawhirlpool，anddrewinthefatalshaft。Iwasabouttoexplainbowacomparativelysmallmaelstromcouldsuckinthelargestship，whenthecurtainfellofitsownaccord，amidtheshoutsoftheaudience。
Thiswasmylastappearanceonanystage。Itwassometime，though，beforeI
heardtheendoftheWilliamTellbusiness。Maliciouslittleboyswhohadnotbeenallowedtobuyticketstomytheatreusedtocryoutaftermeinthestreet，\"’WhokilledCockRobin？’
’I，’saidthesparrer，’Withmybowandarrer，IkilledCockRobini\"’
ThesarcasmofthisversewasmorethanIcouldstand。AnditmadePepperWhitcombprettymadtobecalledCockRobin，Icantellyou！
Sothedaysglidedon，withfewercloudsandmoresunshinethanfalltothelotofmostboys。Conwaywascertainlyacloud。Withinschool—boundsheseldomventuredtobeaggressive;butwheneverwemetabouttownheneverfailedtobrushagainstme，orpullmycapovermyeyes，ordrivemedistractedbyinquiringaftermyfamilyinNewOrleans，alwaysalludingtothemashighlyrespectablecoloredpeople。
JackHarriswasrightwhenhesaidConwaywouldgivemenorestuntilI
foughthim。Ifeltitwasordainedagesbeforeourbirththatweshouldmeetonthisplanetandfight。Withtheviewofnotrunningcountertodestiny，Iquietlypreparedmyselffortheimpendingconflict。Thesceneofmydramatictriumphswasturnedintoagymnasiumforthispurpose，thoughI
didnotopenlyavowthefacttotheboys。Bypersistentlystandingonmyhead，raisingheavyweights，andgoinghandoverhandupaladder，I
developedmymuscleuntilmylittlebodywasastoughasahickoryknotandassuppleastripe。Ialsotookoccasionallessonsinthenobleartofself—defence，underthetuitionofPhilAdams。
IbroodedoverthematteruntiltheideaoffightingConwaybecameapartofme。Ifoughthiminimaginationduringschool—hours;Idreamedoffightingwithhimatnight，whenhewouldsuddenlyexpandintoagianttwelvefeethigh，andthenassuddenlyshrinkintoapygmysosmallthatIcouldn’thithim。Inthislattershapehewouldgetintomyhair，orpopintomywaistcoat—pocket，treatingmewithaslittleceremonyastheLiliputiansshowedCaptainLemuelGulliver—allofwhichwasnotpleasant，tobesure。
Onthewhole，Conwaywasacloud。
AndthenIhadacloudathome。ItwasnotGrandfatherNutter，norMissAbigail，norKittyCollins，thoughtheyallhelpedtocomposeit。Itwasavague，funereal，impalpablesomethingwhichnoamountofgymnastictrainingwouldenablemetoknockover。ItwasSunday。IfeverIhaveaboytobringupinthewayheshouldgo，IintendtomakeSundayacheerfuldaytohim。
SundaywasnotacheerfuldayattheNutterHouse。Youshalljudgeforyourself。
ItisSundaymorning。IshouldpremisebysayingthatthedeepgloomwhichhassettledovereverythingsetinlikeaheavyfogearlyonSaturdayevening。
Atseveno’clockmygrandfathercomessmilelesslydownstairs。Heisdressedinblack，andlooksasifbehadlostallhisfriendsduringthenight。
MissAbigail，alsoinblack，looksasifshewerepreparedtoburythem，andnotindisposedtoenjoytheceremony。EvenKittyCollinshascaughtthecontagiousgloom，asIperceivewhenshebringsinthecoffee—um—asolemnandsculpturesqueurnatanytime，butmonumentalnow—andsetsitdowninfrontofMissAbigail。MissAbigailgazesattheurnasifitheldtheashesofherancestors，insteadofagenerousquantityoffineoldJavacoffee。Themealprogressesinsilence。
Ourparlorisbynomeansthrownopeneveryday。ItisopenthisJunemorning，andispervadedbyastrongsmellofcentretable。Thefurnitureoftheroom，andthelittleChinaornamentsonthemantel—piece，haveaconstrained，unfamiliarlook。Mygrandfathersitsinamahoganychair，readingalargeBiblecoveredwithgreenbaize。MissAbigailoccupiesoneendofthesofa，andhasherhandscrossedstifflyinherlap。Isitinthecomer，crushed。RobinsonCrusoeandGilBlasareincloseconfinement。
BaronTrenck，whomanagedtoescapefromthefortressofClatz，can’tforthelifeofhimgetoutofoursittingroomcloset。EventheRivermouthBarnacleissuppresseduntilMonday。Genialconverse，harmlessbooks，smiles，lightsomehearts，allarebanished。IfIwanttoreadanything，I
canreadBaxter’sSaints’Rest。Iwoulddiefirst。SoIsittherekickingmyheels，thinkingaboutNewOrleans，andwatchingamorbidblue—bottleflythatattemptstocommitsuicidebybuttinghisheadagainstthewindow—pane。Listen！—no，yes—itis—itistherobinssinginginthegarden—thegrateful，joyousrobinssingingawaylikemad，justasifitwasn’tSunday。Theiraudacityticklesme。
Mygrandfatherlooksup，andinquiresinasepulchralvoiceifIamreadyforSabbathschool。Itistimetogo。IliketheSabbathschool;therearebrightyoungfacesthere，atallevents。WhenIgetoutintothesunshinealone，Idrawalongbreath;IwouldturnasomersaultupagainstNeighborPenhallow’snewlypaintedfenceifIhadn’tmybesttrouserson，sogladamItoescapefromtheoppressiveatmosphereoftheNutterHouse。
Sabbathschoolover，Igotomeeting，joiningmygrandfather，whodoesn’tappeartobeanyrelationtomethisday，andMissAbigail，intheporch。
Ourministerholdsoutverylittlehopetoanyofusofbeingsaved。
ConvincedthatIamalostcreature，incommonwiththehumanfamily，I
returnhomebehindmyguardiansatasnail’space。Wehaveadeadcolddinner。Isawitlaidoutyesterday。
Thereisalongintervalbetweenthisrepastandthesecondservice，andastilllongerintervalbetweenthebeginningandtheendofthatservice;
fortheRev。WibirdHawkins’ssermonsarenoneoftheshortest，whateverelsetheymaybe。
Aftermeeting，mygrandfatherandItakeawalk。Wevisitappropriatelyenough—aneighboringgraveyard。Iambythistimeinaconditionofmindtobecomeawillinginmateoftheplace。Theusualeveningprayer—meetingispostponedforsomereason。AthalfpasteightIgotobed。
ThisisthewaySundaywasobservedintheNutterHouse，andprettygenerallythroughoutthetown，twentyyearsago。1PeoplewhowereprosperousandnaturalandhappyonSaturdaybecamethemostruefulofhumanbeingsinthebriefspaceoftwelvehours。Idon’tthinktherewasanyhypocrisyinthis。ItwasmerelytheoldPuritanausteritycroppingoutonceaweek。ManyofthesepeoplewerepureChristianseverydayintheseven—exceptingtheseventh。Thentheyweredecorousandsolemntothevergeofmoroseness。Ishouldnotliketobemisunderstoodonthispoint。
Sundayisablessedday，andthereforeitshouldnotbemadeagloomyone。
ItistheLord’sday，andIdobelievethatcheerfulheartsandfacesarenotunpleasantinHissight。
\"Odayofrest！Howbeautiful，howfair，Howwelcometothewearyandtheold！
DayoftheLord！andtrucetoearthlycares！
DayoftheLord，asallourdaysshouldbe！
Ah，whywillmanbyhisausteritiesShutouttheblessedsunshineandthelight，Andmakeoftheeadungeonofdespair！\"
1About1850。
ChapterSevenOneMemorableNightTwomonthshadelapsedsincemyarrivalatRivermouth，whentheapproachofanimportantcelebrationproducedthegreatestexcitementamongthejuvenilepopulationofthetown。
TherewasverylittlehardstudydoneintheTempleGrammarSchooltheweekprecedingtheFourthofJuly。Formypart，myheartandbrainweresofulloffire—crackers，Romancandles，rockets，pin—wheels，squibs，andgunpowderinvariousseductiveforms，thatIwonderIdidn’texplodeunderMr。
Grimshaw’sverynose。Icouldn’tdoasumtosaveme;Icouldn’ttell，forloveormoney，whetherTallahasseewasthecapitalofTennesseeorofFlorida;thepresentandthepluperfecttenseswereinextricablymixedinmymemory，andIdidn’tknowaverbfromanadjectivewhenImetone。Thiswasnotalonemycondition，butthatofeveryboyintheschool。
Mr。Grimshawconsideratelymadeallowancesforourtemporarydistraction，andsoughttofixourinterestonthelessonsbyconnectingthemdirectlyorindirectlywiththecomingEvent。Theclassinarithmetic，forinstance，wasrequestedtostatehowmanyboxesoffire—crackers，eachboxmeasuringsixteeninchessquare，couldbestoredinaroomofsuchandsuchdimensions。HegaveustheDeclarationofIndependenceforaparsingexercise，andingeographyconfinedhisquestionsalmostexclusivelytolocalitiesrenderedfamousintheRevolutionaryWar。
\"WhatdidthepeopleofBostondowiththeteaonboardtheEnglishvessels？\"askedourwilyinstructor。
\"Threwitintotheriver！\"shriekedthesmallerboys，withanimpetuositythatmadeMr。Grimshawsmileinspiteofhimself。Onelucklessurchinsaid，\"Chuckedit，\"forwhichhappyexpressionhewaskeptinatrecess。
Notwithstandingthesecleverstratagems，therewasnotmuchsolidworkdonebyanybody。Thetrailoftheserpent（aninexpensivebutdangerousfire—toy）wasoverusall。WewentrounddeformedbyquantitiesofChinesecrackersartlesslyconcealedinourtrousers—pockets;andifaboywhippedouthishandkerchiefwithoutproperprecaution，hewassuretoletofftwoorthreetorpedoes。
EvenMr。Grimshawwasmadeasortofaccessorytotheuniversaldemoralization。Incallingtheschooltoorder，healwaysrappedonthetablewithaheavyruler。Underthegreenbaizetable—cloth，ontheexactspotwhereheusuallystruck，certainboy，whosenameIwithhold，placedafattorpedo。Theresultwasaloudexplosion，whichcausedMr。Grimshawtolookqueer。CharleyMardenwasatthewater—pail，atthetime，anddirectedgeneralattentiontohimselfbystranglingforseveralsecondsandthensquirtingaslenderthreadofwaterovertheblackboard。
Mr。GrimshawfixedhiseyesreproachfullyonCharley，butsaidnothing。Therealculprit（itwasn’tCharleyMarden，buttheboywhosenameIwithhold）
instantlyregrettedhisbadness，andafterschoolconfessedthewholethingtoMr。Grimshaw，whoheapedcoalsoffireuponthenamelessboy’sheadgivinghimfivecentsfortheFourthofJuly。IfMr。Grimshawhadcanedthisunknownyouth，thepunishmentwouldnothavebeenhalfsosevere。
OnthelastdayofJunetheCaptainreceivedaletterfrommyfather，enclosingfivedollars\"formysonTom，\"whichenabledthatyounggentlemantomakeregalpreparationsforthecelebrationofournationalindependence。Aportionofthismoney，twodollars，Ihastenedtoinvestinfireworks;thebalanceIputbyforcontingencies。Inplacingthefundinmypossession，theCaptainimposedoneconditionthatdampenedmyardorconsiderably—Iwastobuynogunpowder。Imighthaveallthesnapping—crackersandtorpedoesIwanted;butgunpowderwasoutofthequestion。
Ithoughtthisratherhard，forallmyyoungfriendswereprovidedwithpistolsofvarioussizes。PepperWhitcombhadahorse—pistolnearlyaslargeashimself，andJackHarris，thoughhe，tobesure，wasabigboy，wasgoingtohavearealoldfashionedflintlockmusket。However，Ididn’tmeantoletthisdrawbackdestroymyhappiness。IhadonechargeofpowderstowedawayinthelittlebrasspistolwhichIbroughtfromNewOrleans，andwasboundtomakeanoiseintheworldonce，ifIneverdidagain。
Itwasacustomobservedfromtimeimmemorialforthetowns—boystohaveabonfireontheSquareonthemidnightbeforetheFourth。Ididn’tasktheCaptain’sleavetoattendthisceremony，forIhadageneralideathathewouldn’tgiveit。IftheCaptain，Ireasoned，doesn’tforbidme，Ibreaknoordersbygoing。Nowthiswasaspeciouslineofargument，andthemishapsthatbefellmeinconsequenceofadoptingitwererichlydeserved。
Ontheeveningofthe3dIretiredtobedveryearly，inordertodisarmsuspicion。Ididn’tsleepawink，waitingforeleveno’clocktocomeround;
andIthoughtitneverwouldcomeround，asIlaycountingfromtimetotimetheslowstrokesoftheponderousbellinthesteepleoftheOldNorthChurch。Atlengththelaggardhourarrived。WhiletheclockwasstrikingI
jumpedoutofbedandbegandressing。
MygrandfatherandMissAbigailwereheavysleepers，andImighthavestolendownstairsandoutatthefrontdoorundetected;butsuchacommonplaceproceedingdidnotsuitmyadventurousdisposition。Ifastenedoneendofarope（itwasafewyardscutfromKittyCollins’sclothes—line）tothebedpostnearestthewindow，andcautiouslyclimbedoutonthewidepedimentoverthehalldoor。Ihadneglectedtoknottherope;theresultwas，that，themomentIswungclearofthepediment，Idescendedlikeaflashoflightning，andwarmedbothmyhandssmartly。Therope，moreover，wasfourorfivefeettooshort;soIgotafallthatwouldhaveprovedserioushadInottumbledintothemiddleofoneofthebigrose—bushesgrowingoneithersideofthesteps。
Iscrambledoutofthatwithoutdelay，andwascongratulatingmyselfonmygoodluck，whenIsawbythelightofthesettingmoontheformofamanleaningoverthegardengate。Itwasoneofthetownwatch，whohadprobablybeenobservingmyoperationswithcuriosity。Seeingnochanceofescape，Iputaboldfaceonthematterandwalkeddirectlyuptohim。
’Whatonairthairyouadoin’？\"askedtheman，graspingthecollarofmyjacket。
\"Ilivehere，sir，ifyouplease，\"Ireplied，\"andamgoingtothebonfire。
Ididn’twanttowakeuptheoldfolks，that’sall。\"
Themancockedhiseyeatmeinthemostamiablemanner，andreleasedhishold。
\"Boysisboys，\"hemuttered。Hedidn’tattempttostopmeasIslippedthroughthegate。
Oncebeyondhisclutches，ItooktomyheelsandsoonreachedtheSquare，whereIfoundfortyorfiftyfellowsassembled，engagedinbuildingapyramidoftar—barrels。ThepalmsofmyhandsstilltingledsothatI
couldn’tjoininthesport。IstoodinthedoorwayoftheNautilusBank，watchingtheworkers，amongwhomIrecognizedlotsofmyschoolmates。Theylookedlikealegionofimps，comingandgoinginthetwilight，busyinraisingsomeinfernaledifice。WhataBabelofvoicesitwas，everybodydirectingeverybodyelse，andeverybodydoingeverythingwrong！
Whenallwasprepared，someoneappliedamatchtothesombrepile。Afierytonguethrustitselfouthereandthere，thensuddenlythewholefabricburstintoflames，blazingandcracklingbeautifully。Thiswasasignalfortheboystojoinhandsanddancearoundtheburningbarrels，whichtheydidshoutinglikemadcreatures。Whenthefirehadburntdownalittle，freshstaveswerebroughtandheapedonthepyre。IntheexcitementofthemomentIforgotmytinglingpalms，andfoundmyselfinthethickofthecarousal。
Beforewewerehalfready，ourcombustiblematerialwasexpended，andadishearteningkindofdarknesssettleddownuponus。Theboyscollectedtogetherhereandthereinknots，consultingastowhatshouldbedone。Ityetlackedfourorfivehoursofdaybreak，andnoneofuswereinthehumortoreturntobed。Iapproachedoneofthegroupsstandingnearthetownpump，anddiscoveredintheuncertainlightofthedyingbrandsthefiguresofJackHarris，PhilAdams，HarryBlake，andPepperWhitcomb，theirfacesstreakedwithperspirationandtar，and，theirwholeappearancesuggestiveofNewZealandchiefs。
\"Hullo！Here’sTomBailey！\"shoutedPepperWhitcomb。\"He’lljoinin！\"
Ofcoursehewould。Thestinghadgoneoutofmyhands，andIwasripeforanything—nonethelessripefornotknowingwhatwasonthetapis。Afterwhisperingtogetherforamomenttheboysmotionedmetofollowthem。
Weglidedoutfromthecrowdandsilentlywendedourwaythroughaneighboringalley，attheheadofwhichstoodatumble—downoldbarn，ownedbyoneEzraWingate。Informerdaysthiswasthestableofthemail—coachthatranbetweenRivermouthandBoston。Whentherailroadsupersededthatprimitivemodeoftravel，thelumberingvehiclewasrolledinthebarn，andthereitstayed。Thestage—driver，afterprophesyingtheimmediatedownfallofthenation，diedofgriefandapoplexy，andtheoldcoachfollowedinhiswakeasfastascouldbyquietlydroppingtopieces。Thebarnhadthereputationofbeinghaunted，andIthinkweallkeptveryclosetogetherwhenwefoundourselvesstandingintheblackshadowcastbythetallgable。Here，inalowvoice，JackHarrislaidbarehisplan，whichwastoburntheancientstage—coach。
\"Theoldtrundle—cartisn’tworthtwenty—fivecents，\"saidJackHarris，\"andEzraWingateoughttothankusforgettingtherubbishoutoftheway。Butifanyfellowheredoesn’twanttohaveahandinit，lethimcutandrun，andkeepaquiettongueinhisheadeverafter。\"
Withthishepulledoutthestaplesthatheldthelock，andthebigbarndoorswungslowlyopen。Theinteriorofthestablewaspitch—dark，ofcourse。Aswemadeamovementtoenter，asuddenscrambling，andthesoundofheavybodiesleapinginalldirections，causedustostartbackinterror。
\"Rats！\"criedPhilAdams。
\"Bats！\"exclaimedHarryBlake。
’Cats！\"suggestedJackHarris。\"Who’safraid？\"
Well，thetruthis，wewereallafraid;andifthepoleofthestagehadnotbeenlyingclosetothethreshold，Idon’tbelieveanythingonearthwouldhaveinducedustocrossit。Weseizedholdofthepole—strapsandsucceededwithgreattroubleindraggingthecoachout。Thetwoforewheelshadrustedtotheaxle—tree，andrefusedtorevolve。Itwasthemerestskeletonofacoach。Thecushionshadlongsincebeenremoved，andtheleatherhangings，wheretheyhadnotcrumbledaway，dangledinshredsfromtheworm—eatenframe。Aloadofghostsandaspanofphantomhorsestodragthemwouldhavemadetheghastlythingcomplete。
Luckilyforourundertaking，thestablestoodatthetopofaverysteephill。Withthreeboystopushbehind，andtwoinfronttosteer，westartedtheoldcoachonitslasttripwith。littleornodifficulty。Ourspeedincreasedeverymoment，and，theforewheelsbecomingunlockedaswearrivedatthefootofthedeclivity，wechargeduponthecrowdlikearegimentofcavalry，scatteringthepeoplerightandleft。Beforereachingthebonfire，towhichsomeonehadaddedseveralbushelsofshavings，JackHarrisandPhilAdams，whoweresteering，droppedontheground，andallowedthevehicletopassoverthem，whichitdidwithoutinjuringthem;
buttheboyswhowereclingingfordearlifetothetrunk—rackbehindfellovertheprostratesteersman，andtherewealllayinaheap，twoorthreeofusquitepicturesquewiththenose—bleed。
Thecoach，withanintuitiveperceptionofwhatwasexpectedofit，plungedintothecentreofthekindlingshavings，andstopped。Theflamessprungupandclungtotherottenwoodwork，whichburnedliketinder。Atthismomentafigurewasseenleapingwildlyfromtheinsideoftheblazingcoach。Thefiguremadethreeboundstowardsus，andtrippedoverHarryBlake。ItwasPepperWhitcomb，withhishairsomewhatsinged，andhiseyebrowscompletelyscorchedoff！
Pepperhadslylyensconcedhimselfonthebackseatbeforewestarted，intendingtohaveaneatlittleridedownhill，andalaughatusafterwards。Butthelaugh，asithappened，wasonourside，orwouldhavebeen，ifhalfadozenwatchmenhadnotsuddenlypounceddownuponus，aswelayscramblingontheground，weakwithmirthoverPepper’smisfortune。Wewerecollaredandmarchedoffbeforewewellknewwhathadhappened。
TheabrupttransitionfromthenoiseandlightoftheSquaretothesilent，gloomybrickroomintherearoftheMeatMarketseemedliketheworkofenchantment。Westaredateachother，aghast。
\"Well，\"remarkedJackHarris，withasicklysmile，\"thisisago！\"
\"Nogo，Ishouldsay，\"whimperedHarryBlake，glancingatthebarebrickwallsandtheheavyironplateddoor。
\"Neversaydie，\"mutteredPhilAdams，dolefully。
Thebridewellwasasmalllow—studdedchamberbuiltupagainsttherearendoftheMeatMarket，andapproachedfromtheSquarebyanarrowpassage—way。
Aportionoftheroomspartitionedoffintoeightcells，numbered，eachcapableofholdingtwopersons。Thecellswerefullatthetime，aswepresentlydiscoveredbyseeingseveralhideousfacesleeringoutatusthroughthegratingsofthedoors。
Asmokyoil—lampinalanternsuspendedfromtheceilingthrewaflickeringlightovertheapartment，whichcontainednofurnitureexceptingacoupleofstoutwoodenbenches。Itwasadismalplacebynight，andonlylittlelessdismalbyday，tallhousessurrounding\"thelock—up\"preventedthefaintestrayofsunshinefrompenetratingtheventilatoroverthedoor—longnarrowwindowopeninginwardandproppedupbyapieceoflath。
Asweseatedourselvesinarowononeofthebenches，Iimaginethatouraspectwasanythingbutcheerful。AdamsandHarrislookedveryanxious，andHarryBlake，whosenosehadjuststoppedbleeding，wasmournfullycarvinghisname，bysheerforceofhabit，ontheprisonbench。Idon’tthinkI
eversawamore\"wrecked\"expressiononanyhumancountenancethanPepperWhitcomb’spresented。Hislookofnaturalastonishmentatfindinghimselfincarceratedinajailwasconsiderablyheightenedbyhislackofeyebrows。
Asforme，itwasonlybythinkinghowthelateBaronTrenckwouldhaveconductedhimselfundersimilarcircumstancesthatIwasabletorestrainmytears。
Noneofuswereinclinedtoconversation。Adeepsilence，brokennowandthenbyastartlingsnorefromthecells，reignedthroughoutthechamber。
ByandbyPepperWhitcombglancednervouslytowardsPhilAdamsandsaid，\"Phil，doyouthinktheywill—hangus？\"
\"Hangyourgrandmother！\"returnedAdams，impatiently。\"WhatI’mafraidofisthatthey’llkeepuslockedupuntiltheFourthisover。\"
\"Youain’tsmarteftheydo！\"criedavoicefromoneofthecells。Itwasadeepbassvoicethatsentachillthroughme。
\"Whoareyou？\"saidJackHarris，addressingthecellsingeneral;fortheechoingqualitiesoftheroommadeitdifficulttolocatethevoice。
\"Thatdon’tmatter，\"repliedthespeaker，puttinghisfacecloseuptothegratingsofNo。3，\"butefIwasayoungsterlikeyou，freean’easyoutsidethere，thisspotwouldn’tholdmelong。\"
\"That’ssoI\"chimedseveraloftheprison—birds，waggingtheirheadsbehindtheironlattices。
\"Hush！\"whisperedJackHarris，risingfromhisseatandwalkingontip—toetothedoorofcellNo。3。\"Whatwouldyoudo？\"
\"Do？Why，I’dpilethem’erebenchesupaginthat’eredoor，an’crawloutofthat’ercwinderinnotime。That’smyadwice。\"
\"Andwerrygoodadwiceitis，Jim，\"saidtheoccupantofNo。5，approvingly。
JackHarrisseemedtobeofthesameopinion，forhehastilyplacedthebenchesoneonthetopofanotherundertheventilator，and，climbinguponthehighestbench，peepedoutintothepassage—way。
\"Ifanygenthappenstohaveaninepenceabouthim，\"saidthemanincellNo。3，\"there’sasufferin’familyhereascouldmakeuseofit。Smallestfavorsgratefullyreceived，an’noquestionsaxed。\"
Thisappealtouchedanewsilverquarterofadollarinmytrousers—pocket;
Ifishedoutthecoinfromamassoffireworks，andgaveittotheprisoner。Heappearedtobesogood—naturedafellowthatIventuredtoaskwhathehaddonetogetintojail。
\"Intirelyinnocent。IwasclappedinherebyarascallynevewaswishestoenjoymywealthaforeI’mdead。’
\"Yourname，Sir？’Iinquired，withaviewofreportingtheoutragetomygrandfatherandhavingtheinjuredpersonreinstatedinsociety。
\"Gitout，youinsolentyoungreptyle！\"shoutedtheman，inapassion。
Iretreatedprecipitately，amidaroaroflaughterfromtheothercells。
’Can’tyoukeepstill？\"exclaimedHarris，withdrawinghisheadfromthewindow。
Aportlywatchmanusuallysatonastooloutsidethedoordayandnight;butonthisparticularoccasion，hisservicesbeingrequiredelsewhere，thebridewellhadbeenlefttoguarditself。
\"Allclear，\"whisperedJackHarris，ashevanishedthroughtheapertureanddroppedsoftlyonthegroundoutside。Weallfollowedhimexpeditiously—PepperWhitcombandmyselfgettingstuckinthewindowforamomentinourfranticeffortsnottobelast。
\"Now，boys，everybodyforhimself！\"
ChapterEightTheAdventuresofaFourthThesuncastabroadcolumnofquiveringgoldacrosstheriveratthefootofourstreet，justasIreachedthedoorstepoftheNutterHouse。KittyCollins，withherdresstuckedabouthersothatshelookedasifshehadonapairofcalicotrousers，waswashingoffthesidewalk。
\"Arrahyoubadboy！\"criedKitty，leaningonthemop。handle。\"TheCapenhasjistbeenaskin’foryou。He’sgoneuptown，now。It’sanatethingyoudonewithmyclothes—line，and，it’smeyoumaythankforgettin’itoutofthewaybeforetheCapencomedown。\"
Thekindcreaturehadhauledintherope，andmyescapadehadnotbeendiscoveredbythefamily;butIknewverywellthattheburningofthestage—coach，andthearrestoftheboysconcernedinthemischief，weresuretoreachmygrandfathersearssoonerorlater。
\"Well，Thomas，\"saidtheoldgentleman，anhourorsoafterwards，beaminguponmebenevolentlyacrossthebreakfasttable，\"youdidn’twaittobecalledthismorning。\"
’No，sir，\"Ireplied，growingverywarm，\"Itookalittlerunuptowntoseewhatwasgoingon。\"
Ididn’tsayanythingaboutthelittlerunItookhomeagain！\"TheyhadquiteatimeontheSquarelastnight，\"remarkedCaptainNutter，lookingupfromtheRivermouthBamacle，whichwasalwaysplacedbesidehiscoffee—cupatbreakfast。
Ifeltthatmyhairwaspreparingtostandonend。
\"Quiteatime，\"continuedmygrandfather。\"SomeboysbrokeintoEzraWingate’sbarnandcarriedofftheoldstagecoach。Theyoungrascals！Idobelievethey’dburnupthewholetowniftheyhadtheirway。\"
Withthisheresumedthepaper。Afteralongsilenceheexclaimed，\"Hullo！\"
uponwhichInearlyfelloffthechair。
\"’Miscreantsunknown，\"’readmygrandfather，followingtheparagraphwithhisforefinger;\"’escapedfromthebridewell，leavingnoclewtotheiridentity，excepttheletterH，cutononeofthebenches。’’Fivedollarsrewardofferedfortheapprehensionoftheperpetrators。’Sho！IhopeWingatewillcatchthem。\"
Idon’tseehowIcontinuedtolive，foronhearingthisthebreathwententirelyoutofmybody。IbeataretreatfromtheroomassoonasIcould，andflewtothestablewithamistyintentionofmountingGypsyandescapingfromtheplace。Iwasponderingwhatstepstotake，whenJackHarrisandCharleyMardenenteredtheyard。
\"Isay，\"saidHarris，asblitheasalark，\"hasoldWingatebeenhere？\"
\"Beenhere？\"Icried，\"Ishouldhopenot！\"
\"Thewholething’sout，youknow，\"saidHarris，pullingGypsy’sforelockoverhereyesandblowingplayfullyintohernostrils。
\"Youdon’tmeanit！\"Igasped。
\"Yes，Ido，andwearetopayWingatethreedollarsapiece。He’llmakeratheragoodspecoutofit。\"
\"Buthowdidhediscoverthatwewerethe—themiscreants？\"Iasked，quotingmechanicallyfromtheRivermouthBamacle。
\"Why，hesawustaketheoldark，confoundhim！He’sbeentryingtosellitanytimethesetenyears。Nowhehassoldittous。WhenhefoundthatwehadslippedoutoftheMeatMarket，hewentrightoffandwrotetheadvertisementofferingfivedollarsreward;thoughheknewwellenoughwhohadtakenthecoach，forhecameroundtomyfather’shousebeforethepaperwasprintedtotalkthematterover。Wasn’tthegovernormad，though！
Butit’sallsettled，Itellyou。We’retopayWingatefifteendollarsfortheoldgo—cart，whichhewantedtoselltheotherdayforseventy—fivecents，andcouldn’t。It’sadownrightswindle。Butthefunnypartofitistocome。\"
O，there’safunnyparttoit，isthere？\"Iremarkedbitterly。
\"Yes。ThemomentBillConwaysawtheadvertisement，heknewitwasHarryBlakewhocutthatletterHonthebench;sooffherushesuptoWingate—kindofhim，wasn’tit？—andclaimsthereward。’Toolate，youngman，’saysoldWingate，’theculpritshasbeendiscovered。’YouseeSly—bootshadn’tanyintentionofpayingthatfivedollars。\"
JackHarris’sstatementliftedaweightfrommybosom。ThearticleintheRivermouthBarnaclebadplacedtheaffairbeforemeinanewlight。Ihadthoughtlesslycommittedagraveoffence。Thoughthepropertyinquestionwasvalueless，wewereclearlywrongindestroyingit。AtthesametimeMr。
Wingatehadtacitlysanctionedtheactbynotpreventingitwhenhemighteasilyhavedoneso。Hehadallowedhispropertytobedestroyedinorderthatbemightrealizealargeprofit。
Withoutwaitingtohearmore，IwentstraighttoCaptainNutter，and，layingmyremainingthreedollarsonhisknee，confessedmyshareinthepreviousnight’stransaction。
TheCaptainheardmethroughinprofoundsilence，pocketedthebank—notes，andwalkedoffwithoutspeakingaword。Hehadpunishedmeinhisownwhimsicalfashionatthebreakfasttable，for，attheverymomentbewasharrowingupmysoulbyreadingtheextractsfromtheRivermouthBarnacle，henotonlyknewallaboutthebonfire，buthadpaidEzraWingatehisthreedollars。SuchwastheduplicityofthatagedimpostorIthinkCaptainNutterwasjustifiedinretainingmypocketmoney，asadditionalpunishment，thoughthepossessionofitlaterinthedaywouldhavegotmeoutofadifficultposition，asthereaderwillseefurtheron。
Ireturnedwithalightheartandalargepieceofpunktomyfriendsinthestable—yard，wherewecelebratedtheterminationofourtroublebysettingofftwopacksoffire—crackersinanemptywine—cask。Theymadeaprodigiousracket，butfailedsomehowtofullyexpressmyfeelings。Thelittlebrasspistolinmybedroomsuddenlyoccurredtome。IthadbeenloadedIdon’tknowhowmanymonths，longbeforeIleftNewOrleans，andnowwasthetime，ifever，tofireitoff。Muskets，blunderbusses，andpistolswerebangingawaylivelyallovertown，andthesmellofgunpowder，floatingontheair，setmewildtoaddsomethingrespectabletotheuniversaldin。
Whenthepistolwasproduced，JackHarrisexaminedtherustycapandprophesiedthatitwouldnotexplode。
\"Nevermind，\"saidI，\"let’stryit。\"
Ihadfiredthepistolonce，secretly，inNewOrleans，and，rememberingthenoiseitgavebirthtoonthatoccasion，IshutbotheyestightasIpulledthetrigger。Thehammerclickedonthecapwithadull，deadsound。ThenHarristriedit;thenCharleyMarden;thenItookitagain，andafterthreeorfourtrialswasonthepointofgivingitupasabadjob，whentheobstinatethingwentoffwithatremendousexplosion，nearlyjerkingmyarmfromthesocket。Thesmokeclearedaway，andthereIstoodwiththestockofthepistolclutchedconvulsivelyinmyhand—thebarrel，lock，trigger，andramrodhavingvanishedintothinair。
\"Areyouhurt？\"criedtheboys，inonebreath。
\"N—no，\"Ireplied，dubiously，fortheconcussionhadbewilderedmealittle。
WhenIrealizedthenatureofthecalamity，mygriefwasexcessive。Ican’timaginewhatledmetodosoridiculousathing，butIgravelyburiedtheremainsofmybelovedpistolinourbackgarden，anderectedoverthemoundaslatetablettotheeffectthat\"Mr。BarkerformerlyofnewOrleans，waskilledaccidentallyontheFourthofJuly，18——inthe2ndyearofhisAge。\"1BinnyWallace，arrivingonthespotjustafterthedisaster，andCharleyMarden（whoenjoyedtheobsequiesimmensely），actedwithmeaschiefmourners。I，formypart，wasaverysincereone。
AsIturnedawayinadisconsolatemoodfromthegarden，CharleyMardenremarkedthatheshouldn’tbesurprisedifthepistol—butttookrootandgrewintoamahogany—treeorsomething。Hesaidheonceplantedanoldmusket—stock，andshortlyafterwardsalotofshootssprungup！JackHarrislaughed;butneitherInorBinnyWallacesawCharley’swickedjoke。
WewerenowjoinedbyPepperWhitcomb，FredLangdon，andseveralotherdesperatecharacters，ontheirwaytotheSquare，whichwasalwaysabusyplacewhenpublicfestivitiesweregoingon。FeelingthatIwasstillindisgracewiththeCaptain，Ithoughtitpolitictoaskhisconsentbeforeaccompanyingtheboys。
Hegaveitwithsomehesitation，advisingmetobecarefulnottogetinfrontofthefirearms。Onceheputhisfingersmechanicallyintohisvest—pocketandhalfdrewforthsomedollarbills，thenslowlythrustthembackagainashissenseofjusticeovercamehisgenialdisposition。Iguessitcuttheoldgentlemantothehearttobeobligedtokeepmeoutofmypocket—money。Iknowitdidme。However，asIwaspassingthroughthehall，MissAbigail，withaveryseverecastofcountenance，slippedabrand—newquarterintomyhand。Wehadsilvercurrencyinthosedays，thankHeaven！
GreatwerethebustleandconfusionontheSquare。Bytheway，Idon’tknowwhytheycalledthislargeopenspaceasquare，unlessbecauseitwasanoval—anovalformedbytheconfluenceofhalfadozenstreets，nowthrongedbycrowdsofsmartlydressedtowns—peopleandcountryfolks;forRivermouthontheFourthwasthecentreofattractiontotheinhabitantsoftheneighboringvillages。
OnonesideoftheSquareweretwentyorthirtyboothsarrangedinasemi—circle，gaywithlittleflagsandseductivewithlemonade，ginger—beer，andseedcakes。Hereandthereweretablesatwhichcouldbepurchasedthesmallersortoffireworks，suchaspin—wheels，serpents，double—headers，andpunkwarrantednottogoout。Manyoftheadjacenthousesmadeaprettydisplayofbunting，andacrosseachofthestreetsopeningontheSquarewasanarchofspruceandevergreen，blossomingalloverwithpatrioticmottoesandpaperroses。
Itwasanoisy，merry，bewilderingsceneaswecameupontheground。Theincessantrattleofsmallarms，theboomingofthetwelve—pounderfiringontheMillDam，andthesilveryclangorofthechurch—bellsringingsimultaneously—nottomentionanambitiousbrass—bandthatwasblowingitselftopiecesonabalcony—wereenoughtodriveonedistracted。Weamusedourselvesforanhourortwo，dartinginandoutamongthecrowdandsettingoffourcrackers。Atoneo’clocktheHon。HezekiahElkinsmountedaplatforminthemiddleoftheSquareanddeliveredanoration，towhichhis\"feller—citizens\"didn’tpaymuchattention，havingalltheycoulddotododgethesquibsthatweresetlooseuponthembymischievousboysstationedonthesurroundinghousetops。
Ourlittlepartywhichhadpickeduprecruitshereandthere，notbeingswayedbyeloquence，withdrewtoaboothontheoutskirtsofthecrowd，whereweregaledourselveswithrootbeerattwocentsaglass。Irecollectbeingmuchstruckbytheplacardsurmountingthistent：
ROOTBEER
SOLDHERE
Itseemedtometheperfectionofpithandpoetry。Whatcouldbemoreterse？
Notawordtospare，andyeteverythingfullyexpressed。Rhymeandrhythmfaultless。Itwasadelightfulpoetwhomadethoseverses。Asforthebeeritself—that，Ithink，musthavebeenmadefromtherootofallevil！A
singleglassofitinsuredanuninterruptedpainfortwenty—fourhours。
TheinfluenceofmyliberalityworkingonCharleyMarden—foritwasIwhopaidforthebeer—hepresentlyinvitedusalltotakeanice—creamwithhimatPettingil’ssaloon。PettingilwastheDelmonicoofRivermouth。Hefurnishedicesandconfectioneryforaristocraticballsandparties，anddidn’tdisdaintoofficiateasleaderoftheorchestraatthesame;forPettingilplayedontheviolin，asPepperWhitcombdescribedit，\"likeOldScratch。\"
Pettingil’sconfectionerystorewasonthecornerofWillowandHighStreets。Thesaloon，separatedfromtheshopbyaflightofthreestepsleadingtoadoorhungwithfadedreddrapery，hadaboutitanairofmysteryandseclusionquitedelightful。Fourwindows，alsodraped，facedtheside—street，affordinganunobstructedviewofMarmHatch’sbackyard，whereanumberofinexplicablegarmentsonaclothes—linewerealwaystobeseencareeringinthewind。
