Ho-ho——answermethat!"
　　Theshockthatwentthroughmewasdistressing.Inowbegantoreasonthatmysituationwasinthelastdegreeserious,dreamornodream;forIknewbypastexperienceofthelifelikeintensityofdreams,thattobeburnedtodeath,eveninadream,wouldbeveryfarfrombeingajest,andwasathingtobeavoided,byanymeans,fairorfoul,thatIcouldcontrive.SoIsaidbeseechingly:
　　"Ah,Clarence,goodboy,onlyfriendI'vegot,——foryouAREmyfriend,aren'tyou?——don'tfailme;helpmetodevisesomewayofescapingfromthisplace!"
　　"Nowdobuthearthyself!Escape?Why,man,thecorridorsareinguardandkeepofmen-at-arms."
　　"Nodoubt,nodoubt.Buthowmany,Clarence?Notmany,Ihope?"
　　"Fullascore.Onemaynothopetoescape."Afterapause——hesitatingly:
　　"andtherebeotherreasons——andweightier."
　　"Otherones?Whatarethey?"
　　"Well,theysay——oh,butIdaren't,indeeddaren't!"
　　"Why,poorlad,whatisthematter?Whydoyoublench?Whydoyoutrembleso?"
　　"Oh,insooth,thereisneed!Idowanttotellyou,but——"
　　"Come,come,bebrave,beaman——speakout,there'sagoodlad!"
　　Hehesitated,pulledonewaybydesire,theotherwaybyfear;thenhestoletothedoorandpeepedout,listening;andfinallycreptclosetomeandputhismouthtomyearandtoldmehisfearfulnewsinawhisper,andwithallthecoweringapprehensionofonewhowasventuringuponawfulgroundandspeakingofthingswhoseverymentionmightbefreightedwithdeath.
　　"Merlin,inhismalice,haswovenaspellaboutthisdungeon,andtherebidesnotthemaninthesekingdomsthatwouldbedesperateenoughtoessaytocrossitslineswithyou!NowGodpityme,Ihavetoldit!Ah,bekindtome,bemercifultoapoorboywhomeanstheewell;foranthoubetraymeIamlost!"
　　IlaughedtheonlyreallyrefreshinglaughIhadhadforsometime;
　　andshouted:
　　"Merlinhaswroughtaspell!MERLIN,forsooth!Thatcheapoldhumbug,thatmaunderingoldass?Bosh,purebosh,thesilliestboshintheworld!
　　Why,itdoesseemtomethatofallthechildish,idiotic,chuckle-headed,chicken-liveredsuperstitionsthatev——oh,damnMerlin!"
　　ButClarencehadslumpedtohiskneesbeforeIhadhalffinished,andhewasliketogooutofhismindwithfright.
　　"Oh,beware!Theseareawfulwords!Anymomentthesewallsmaycrumbleuponusifyousaysuchthings.Ohcallthembackbeforeitistoolate!"
　　Nowthisstrangeexhibitiongavemeagoodideaandsetmetothinking.
　　IfeverybodyaboutherewassohonestlyandsincerelyafraidofMerlin'spretendedmagicasClarencewas,certainlyasuperiormanlikemeoughttobeshrewdenoughtocontrivesomewaytotakeadvantageofsuchastateofthings.Iwentonthinking,andworkedoutaplan.ThenIsaid:
　　"Getup.Pullyourselftogether;lookmeintheeye.DoyouknowwhyIlaughed?"
　　"No——butforourblessedLady'ssake,doitnomore."
　　"Well,I'lltellyouwhyIlaughed.BecauseI'mamagicianmyself."
　　"Thou!"Theboyrecoiledastep,andcaughthisbreath,forthethinghithimrathersudden;buttheaspectwhichhetookonwasvery,veryrespectful.
　　Itookquicknoteofthat;itindicatedthatahumbugdidn'tneedtohaveareputationinthisasylum;peoplestoodreadytotakehimathisword,withoutthat.Iresumed.
　　"I'veknowMerlinsevenhundredyears,andhe——"
　　"Sevenhun——"
　　"Don'tinterruptme.Hehasdiedandcomealiveagainthirteentimes,andtraveledunderanewnameeverytime:Smith,Jones,Robinson,Jackson,Peters,Haskins,Merlin——anewaliaseverytimeheturnsup.IknewhiminEgyptthreehundredyearsago;IknewhiminIndiafivehundredyearsago——heisalwaysbletheringaroundinmyway,everywhereIgo;hemakesmetired.Hedon'tamounttoshucks,asamagician;knowssomeoftheoldcommontricks,buthasnevergotbeyondtherudiments,andneverwill.
　　Heiswellenoughfortheprovinces——one-nightstandsandthatsortofthing,youknow——butdearme,HEoughtn'ttosetupforanexpert——
　　anywaynotwherethere'sarealartist.Nowlookhere,Clarence,Iamgoingtostandyourfriend,rightalong,andinreturnyoumustbemine.Iwantyoutodomeafavor.IwantyoutogetwordtothekingthatIamamagicianmyself——andtheSupremeGrandHigh-yu-Muckamuckandheadofthetribe,atthat;andIwanthimtobemadetounderstandthatIamjustquietlyarrangingalittlecalamityherethatwillmakethefurflyintheserealmsifSirKay'sprojectiscarriedoutandanyharmcomestome.Willyougetthattothekingforme?"
　　Thepoorboywasinsuchastatethathecouldhardlyanswerme.Itwaspitifultoseeacreaturesoterrified,sounnerved,sodemoralized.
　　Buthepromisedeverything;andonmysidehemademepromiseoverandoveragainthatIwouldremainhisfriend,andneverturnagainsthimorcastanyenchantmentsuponhim.Thenheworkedhiswayout,stayinghimselfwithhishandalongthewall,likeasickperson.
　　Presentlythisthoughtoccurredtome:howheedlessIhavebeen!Whentheboygetscalm,hewillwonderwhyagreatmagicianlikemeshouldhavebeggedaboylikehimtohelpmegetoutofthisplace;hewillputthisandthattogether,andwillseethatIamahumbug.
　　Iworriedoverthatheedlessblunderforanhour,andcalledmyselfagreatmanyhardnames,meantime.Butfinallyitoccurredtomeallofasuddenthattheseanimalsdidn'treason;thatTHEYneverputthisandthattogether;thatalltheirtalkshowedthattheydidn'tknowadiscrepancywhentheysawit.Iwasatrest,then.
　　Butassoonasoneisatrest,inthisworld,offhegoesonsomethingelsetoworryabout.ItoccurredtomethatIhadmadeanotherblunder:
　　Ihadsenttheboyofftoalarmhisbetterswithathreat——Iintendingtoinventacalamityatmyleisure;nowthepeoplewhoarethereadiestandeagerestandwillingesttoswallowmiraclesaretheveryoneswhoarehungriesttoseeyouperformthem;supposeIshouldbecalledonforasample?SupposeIshouldbeaskedtonamemycalamity?Yes,Ihadmadeablunder;Ioughttohaveinventedmycalamityfirst."WhatshallIdo?
　　whatcanIsay,togainalittletime?"Iwasintroubleagain;inthedeepestkindoftrouble:"There'safootstep!——they'recoming.IfIhadonlyjustamomenttothinkGood,I'vegotit.I'mallright."
　　Yousee,itwastheeclipse.Itcameintomymindinthenickoftime,howColumbus,orCortez,oroneofthosepeople,playedaneclipseasasavingtrumponce,onsomesavages,andIsawmychance.Icouldplayitmyself,now,anditwouldn'tbeanyplagiarism,either,becauseIshouldgetitinnearlyathousandyearsaheadofthoseparties.
　　Clarencecamein,subdued,distressed,andsaid:
　　"Ihastedthemessagetoourliegetheking,andstraightwayhehadmetohispresence.Hewasfrightedeventothemarrow,andwasmindedtogiveorderforyourinstantenlargement,andthatyoubeclothedinfineraimentandlodgedasbefittedonesogreat;butthencameMerlinandspoiledall;forhepersuadedthekingthatyouaremad,andknownotwhereofyouspeak;andsaidyourthreatisbutfoolishnessandidlevaporing.
　　Theydisputedlong,butintheend,Merlin,scoffing,said,'WhereforehathhenotNAMEDhisbravecalamity?Verilyitisbecausehecannot.'
　　Thisthrustdidinamostsuddensortclosetheking'smouth,andhecouldoffernaughttoturntheargument;andso,reluctant,andfulllothtodoyouthediscourtesy,heyetprayethyoutoconsiderhisperplexedcase,asnotinghowthematterstands,andnamethecalamity——ifsobeyouhavedeterminedthenatureofitandthetimeofitscoming.Oh,pritheedelaynot;todelayatsuchatimeweretodoubleandtrebletheperilsthatalreadycompasstheeabout.Oh,bethouwise——namethecalamity!"
　　IallowedsilencetoaccumulatewhileIgotmyimpressivenesstogether,andthensaid:
　　"HowlonghaveIbeenshutupinthishole?"
　　"YewereshutupwhenyesterdaywaswellspentItis9ofthemorningnow."
　　"No!ThenIhavesleptwell,sureenough.Nineinthemorningnow!Andyetitistheverycomplexionofmidnight,toashade.Thisisthe20th,then?"
　　"The20th——yes."
　　"AndIamtobeburnedaliveto-morrow."Theboyshuddered.
　　"Atwhathour?"
　　"Athighnoon."
　　"Nowthen,Iwilltellyouwhattosay."Ipaused,andstoodoverthatcoweringladawholeminuteinawfulsilence;then,inavoicedeep,measured,chargedwithdoom,Ibegan,androsebydramaticallygradedstagestomycolossalclimax,whichIdeliveredinassublimeandnobleawayaseverIdidsuchathinginmylife:"GobackandtellthekingthatatthathourIwillsmotherthewholeworldinthedeadblacknessofmidnight;
　　Iwillblotoutthesun,andheshallnevershineagain;thefruitsoftheearthshallrotforlackoflightandwarmth,andthepeoplesoftheearthshallfamishanddie,tothelastman!"
　　Ihadtocarrytheboyoutmyself,hesunkintosuchacollapse.Ihandedhimovertothesoldiers,andwentback.
　　AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur'sCourt-Chapter6Chapter6-TheEclipseINthestillnessandthedarkness,realizationsoonbegantosupplementknowledge.Themereknowledgeofafactispale;butwhenyoucometoREALIZE
　　yourfact,ittakesoncolor.Itisallthedifferencebetweenhearingofamanbeingstabbedtotheheart,andseeingitdone.Inthestillnessandthedarkness,theknowledgethatIwasindeadlydangertooktoitselfdeeperanddeepermeaningallthetime;asomethingwhichwasrealizationcreptinchbyinchthroughmyveinsandturnedmecold.
　　Butitisablessedprovisionofnaturethatattimeslikethese,assoonasaman'smercuryhasgotdowntoacertainpointtherecomesarevulsion,andherallies.Hopespringsup,andcheerfulnessalongwithit,andthenheisingoodshapetodosomethingforhimself,ifanythingcanbedone.
　　Whenmyrallycame,itcamewithabound.Isaidtomyselfthatmyeclipsewouldbesuretosaveme,andmakemethegreatestmaninthekingdombesides;
　　andstraightwaymymercurywentuptothetopofthetube,andmysolicitudesallvanished.Iwasashappyamanastherewasintheworld.Iwasevenimpatientfortomorrowtocome,Isowantedtogatherinthatgreattriumphandbethecenterofallthenation'swonderandreverence.Besides,inabusinesswayitwouldbethemakingofme;Iknewthat.
　　Meantimetherewasonethingwhichhadgotpushedintothebackgroundofmymind.Thatwasthehalfconvictionthatwhenthenatureofmyproposedcalamityshouldbereportedtothosesuperstitiouspeople,itwouldhavesuchaneffectthattheywouldwanttocompromise.So,byandbywhenI
　　heardfootstepscoming,thatthoughtwasrecalledtome,andIsaidtomyself,"Assureasanything,it'sthecompromise.Well,ifitisgood,allright,Iwillaccept;butifitisn't,Imeantostandmygroundandplaymyhandforallitisworth."
　　Thedooropened,andsomemen-at-armsappeared.Theleadersaid:
　　"Thestakeisready.Come!"
　　Thestake!Thestrengthwentoutofme,andIalmostfelldown.Itishardtogetone'sbreathatsuchatime,suchlumpscomeintoone'sthroat,andsuchgaspings;butassoonasIcouldspeak,Isaid:
　　"Butthisisamistake——theexecutionistomorrow."
　　"Orderchanged;beensetforwardaday.Hastethee!"
　　Iwaslost.Therewasnohelpforme.Iwasdazed,stupefied;Ihadnocommandovermyself,Ionlywanderedpurposelyabout,likeoneoutofhismind;sothesoldierstookholdofme,andpulledmealongwiththem,outofthecellandalongthemazeofundergroundcorridors,andfinallyintothefierceglareofdaylightandtheupperworld.AswesteppedintothevastenclosedcourtofthecastleIgotashock;forthefirstthingIsawwasthestake,standinginthecenter,andnearitthepiledfagotsandamonk.Onallfoursidesofthecourttheseatedmultitudesroserankaboverank,formingslopingterracesthatwererichwithcolor.Thekingandthequeensatintheirthrones,themostconspicuousfiguresthere,ofcourse.
　　Tonoteallthis,occupiedbutasecond.ThenextsecondClarencehadslippedfromsomeplaceofconcealmentandwaspouringnewsintomyear,hiseyesbeamingwithtriumphandgladness.Hesaid:
　　"'TisthroughMEthechangewaswrought!AndmainhardhaveIworkedtodoit,too.ButwhenIrevealedtothemthecalamityinstore,andsawhowmightywastheterroritdidengender,thensawIalsothatthiswasthetimetostrike!WhereforeIdiligentlypretended,untothisandthatandtheotherone,thatyourpoweragainstthesuncouldnotreachitsfulluntilthemorrow;andsoifanywouldsavethesunandtheworld,youmustbeslainto-day,whileyourenchantmentsarebutintheweavingandlackpotency.Odsbodikins,itwasbutadulllie,amostindifferentinvention,butyoushouldhaveseenthemseizeitandswallowit,inthefrenzyoftheirfright,asitweresalvationsentfromheaven;andallthewhilewasIlaughinginmysleevetheonemoment,toseethemsocheaplydeceived,andglorifyingGodthenext,thatHewascontenttoletthemeanestofHiscreaturesbeHisinstrumenttothesavingofthylife.Ahhowhappyhasthemattersped!YouwillnotneedtodothesunaREALhurt——ah,forgetnotthat,onyoursoulforgetitnot!Onlymakealittledarkness——onlythelittlestlittledarkness,mind,andceasewiththat.Itwillbesufficient.TheywillseethatIspokefalsely,——beingignorant,astheywillfancy——andwiththefallingofthefirstshadowofthatdarknessyoushallseethemgomadwithfear;andtheywillsetyoufreeandmakeyougreat!Gotothytriumph,now!Butremember——ah,goodfriend,Iimploretheeremembermysupplication,anddotheblessedsunnohurt.ForMYsake,thytruefriend."
　　Ichokedoutsomewordsthroughmygriefandmisery;asmuchastosayIwouldsparethesun;forwhichthelad'seyespaidmebackwithsuchdeepandlovinggratitudethatIhadnotthehearttotellhimhisgood-heartedfoolishnesshadruinedmeandsentmetomydeath.
　　AsthesoldiersassistedmeacrossthecourtthestillnesswassoprofoundthatifIhadbeenblindfoldIshouldhavesupposedIwasinasolitudeinsteadofwalledinbyfourthousandpeople.Therewasnotamovementperceptibleinthosemassesofhumanity;theywereasrigidasstoneimages,andaspale;anddreadsatuponeverycountenance.ThishushcontinuedwhileIwasbeingchainedtothestake;itstillcontinuedwhilethefagotswerecarefullyandtediouslypiledaboutmyankles,myknees,mythighs,mybody.Thentherewasapause,andadeeperhush,ifpossible,andamankneltdownatmyfeetwithablazingtorch;themultitudestrainedforward,gazing,andpartingslightlyfromtheirseatswithoutknowingit;themonkraisedhishandsabovemyhead,andhiseyestowardthebluesky,andbegansomewordsinLatin;inthisattitudehedronedonandon,alittlewhile,andthenstopped.Iwaitedtwoorthreemoments;thenlookedup;hewasstandingtherepetrified.Withacommonimpulsethemultituderoseslowlyupandstaredintothesky.Ifollowedtheireyes,assureasguns,therewasmyeclipsebeginning!Thelifewentboilingthroughmyveins;Iwasanewman!Therimofblackspreadslowlyintothesun'sdisk,myheartbeathigherandhigher,andstilltheassemblageandtheprieststaredintothesky,motionless.Iknewthatthisgazewouldbeturneduponme,next.Whenitwas,lwasready.IwasinoneofthemostgrandattitudesIeverstruck,withmyarmstretcheduppointingtothesun.Itwasanobleeffect.YoucouldSEEtheshuddersweepthemasslikeawave.Twoshoutsrangout,onecloseupontheheelsoftheother:
　　"Applythetorch!"
　　"Iforbidit!"
　　TheonewasfromMerlin,theotherfromtheking.Merlinstartedfromhisplace——toapplythetorchhimself,Ijudged.Isaid:
　　"Staywhereyouare.Ifanymanmoves——eventheking——beforeIgivehimleave,Iwillblasthimwiththunder,Iwillconsumehimwithlightnings!"
　　Themultitudesankmeeklyintotheirseats,andIwasjustexpectingtheywould.Merlinhesitatedamomentortwo,andIwasonpinsandneedlesduringthatlittlewhile.Thenhesatdown,andItookagoodbreath;forIknewIwasmasterofthesituationnow.Thekingsaid:
　　"Bemerciful,fairsir,andessaynofurtherinthisperilousmatter,lestdisasterfollow.Itwasreportedtousthatyourpowerscouldnotattainuntotheirfullstrengthuntilthemorrow;but——"
　　"YourMajestythinksthereportmayhavebeenalie?ItWASalie."
　　Thatmadeanimmenseeffect;upwentappealinghandseverywhere,andthekingwasassailedwithastormofsupplicationsthatImightbeboughtoffatanyprice,andthecalamitystayed.Thekingwaseagertocomply.
　　Hesaid:
　　"Nameanyterms,reverendsir,eventothehalvingofmykingdom;butbanishthiscalamity,sparethesun!"
　　Myfortunewasmade.Iwouldhavetakenhimupinaminute,butIcouldn'tstopaneclipse;thethingwasoutofthequestion.SoIaskedtimetoconsider.Thekingsaid:
　　"Howlong——ah,howlong,goodsir?Bemerciful;look,itgrowethdarker,momentbymoment.Pritheehowlong?"
　　"Notlong.Halfanhour——maybeanhour."
　　Therewereathousandpatheticprotests,butIcouldn'tshortenupany,forIcouldn'trememberhowlongatotaleclipselasts.Iwasinapuzzledcondition,anyway,andwantedtothink.Somethingwaswrongaboutthateclipse,andthefactwasveryunsettling.Ifthiswasn'ttheoneIwasafter,howwasItotellwhetherthiswasthesixthcentury,ornothingbutadream?Dearme,ifIcouldonlyproveitwasthelatter!Herewasagladnewhope.Iftheboywasrightaboutthedate,andthiswassurelythe20th,itWASN'Tthesixthcentury.Ireachedforthemonk'ssleeve,inconsiderableexcitement,andaskedhimwhatdayofthemonthitwas.
　　Hanghim,hesaiditwastheTWENTY-FIRST!Itmademeturncoldtohearhim.Ibeggedhimnottomakeanymistakeaboutit;buthewassure;heknewitwasthe21st.So,thatfeather-headedboyhadbotchedthingsagain!
　　Thetimeofthedaywasrightfortheeclipse;Ihadseenthatformyself,inthebeginning,bythedialthatwasnearby.Yes,IwasinKingArthur'scourt,andImightaswellmakethemostoutofitIcould.
　　Thedarknesswassteadilygrowing,thepeoplebecomingmoreandmoredistressed.Inowsaid:
　　"Ihavereflected,SirKing.Foralesson,Iwillletthisdarknessproceed,andspreadnightintheworld;butwhetherIblotoutthesunforgood,orrestoreit,shallrestwithyou.Thesearetheterms,towit:
　　Youshallremainkingoverallyourdominions,andreceiveallthegloriesandhonorsthatbelongtothekingship;butyoushallappointmeyourperpetualministerandexecutive,andgivemeformyservicesonepercent.ofsuchactualincreaseofrevenueoverandaboveitspresentamountasImaysucceedincreatingforthestate.IfIcan'tliveonthat,Isha'n'taskanybodytogivemealift.Isitsatisfactory?"
　　Therewasaprodigiousroarofapplause,andoutofthemidstofittheking'svoicerose,saying:
　　"Awaywithhisbonds,andsethimfree!anddohimhomage,highandlow,richandpoor,forheisbecometheking'srighthand,isclothedwithpowerandauthority,andhisseatisuponthehigheststepofthethrone!Nowsweepawaythiscreepingnight,andbringthelightandcheeragain,thatalltheworldmayblessthee."
　　ButIsaid:
　　"Thatacommonmanshouldbeshamedbeforetheworld,isnothing;butitweredishonortotheKINGifanythatsawhisministernakedshouldnotalsoseehimdeliveredfromhisshame.IfImightaskthatmyclothesbebroughtagain——"
　　"Theyarenotmeet,"thekingbrokein."Fetchraimentofanothersort;
　　clothehimlikeaprince!"
　　Myideaworked.Iwantedtokeepthingsastheyweretilltheeclipsewastotal,otherwisetheywouldbetryingagaintogetmetodismissthedarkness,andofcourseIcouldn'tdoit.Sendingfortheclothesgainedsomedelay,butnotenough.SoIhadtomakeanotherexcuse.Isaiditwouldbebutnaturalifthekingshouldchangehismindandrepenttosomeextentofwhathehaddoneunderexcitement;thereforeIwouldletthedarknessgrowawhile,andifattheendofareasonabletimethekinghadkepthismindthesame,thedarknessshouldbedismissed.Neitherthekingnoranybodyelsewassatisfiedwiththatarrangement,butIhadtosticktomypoint.
　　Itgrewdarkeranddarkerandblackerandblacker,whileIstruggledwiththoseawkwardsixth-centuryclothes.Itgottobepitchdark,atlast,andthemultitudegroanedwithhorrortofeelthecolduncannynightbreezesfanthroughtheplaceandseethestarscomeoutandtwinkleinthesky.
　　Atlasttheeclipsewastotal,andIwasverygladofit,buteverybodyelsewasinmisery;whichwasquitenatural.Isaid:
　　"Theking,byhissilence,stillstandstotheterms."ThenIliftedupmyhands——stoodjustsoamoment——thenIsaid,withthemostawfulsolemnity:"Lettheenchantmentdissolveandpassharmlessaway!"
　　Therewasnoresponse,foramoment,inthatdeepdarknessandthatgraveyardhush.Butwhenthesilverrimofthesunpusheditselfout,amomentortwolater,theassemblagebrokeloosewithavastshoutandcamepouringdownlikeadelugetosmothermewithblessingsandgratitude;
　　andClarencewasnotthelastofthewash,tobesure.
　　AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur'sCourt-Chapter7Chapter7-Merlin'sTowerINASMUCHasIwasnowthesecondpersonageintheKingdom,asfaraspoliticalpowerandauthortywereconcerned,muchwasmadeofme.Myraimentwasofsilksandvelvetsandclothofgold,andbyconsequencewasveryshowy,alsouncomfortable.Buthabitwouldsoonreconcilemetomyclothes;I
　　wasawareofthat.Iwasgiventhechoicestsuiteofapartmentsinthecastle,aftertheking's.Theywereaglowwithloud-coloredsilkenhangings,butthestonefloorshadnothingbutrushesonthemforacarpet,andtheyweremisfitrushesatthat,beingnotallofonebreed.Asforconveniences,properlyspeaking,thereweren'tany.ImeanLITTLEconveniences;itisthelittleconveniencesthatmaketherealcomfortoflife.Thebigoakenchairs,gracedwithrudecarvings,werewellenough,butthatwasthestoppingplace.Therewasnosoap,nomatches,nolooking-glass——exceptametalone,aboutaspowerfulasapailofwater.Andnotachromo.Ihadbeenusedtochromosforyears,andIsawnowthatwithoutmysuspectingitapassionforarthadgotworkedintothefabricofmybeing,andwasbecomeapartofme.ItmademehomesicktolookaroundoverthisproudandgaudybutheartlessbarrennessandrememberthatinourhouseinEastHartford,allunpretendingasitwas,youcouldn'tgointoaroombutyouwouldfindaninsurance-chromo,oratleastathree-colorGod-Bless-Our-Homeoverthedoor;andintheparlorwehadnine.Buthere,eveninmygrandroomofstate,therewasn'tanythinginthenatureofapictureexceptathingthesizeofabedquilt,whichwaseitherwovenorknittedithaddarnedplacesinit,andnothinginitwastherightcolorortherightshape;
　　andasforproportions,evenRaphaelhimselfcouldn'thavebotchedthemmoreformidably,afterallhispracticeonthosenightmarestheycallhis"celebratedHamptonCourtcartoons."Raphaelwasabird.Wehadseveralofhischromos;onewashis"MiraculousDraughtofFishes,"whereheputsinamiracleofhisown——putsthreemenintoacanoewhichwouldn'thaveheldadogwithoutupsetting.IalwaysadmiredtostudyR.'sart,itwassofreshandunconventional.
　　Therewasn'tevenabelloraspeaking-tubeinthecastle.Ihadagreatmanyservants,andthosethatwereondutylolledintheanteroom;andwhenIwantedoneofthemIhadtogoandcallforhim.Therewasnogas,therewerenocandles;abronzedishhalffullofboarding-housebutterwithablazingragfloatinginitwasthethingthatproducedwhatwasregardedaslight.Alotofthesehungalongthewallsandmodifiedthedark,justtoneditdownenoughtomakeitdismal.Ifyouwentoutatnight,yourservantscarriedtorches.Therewerenobooks,pens,paperorink,andnoglassintheopeningstheybelievedtobewindows.Itisalittlething——glassis——untilitisabsent,thenitbecomesabigthing.Butperhapstheworstofallwas,thattherewasn'tanysugar,coffee,tea,ortobacco.IsawthatIwasjustanotherRobinsonCrusoecastawayonanuninhabitedisland,withnosocietybutsomemoreorlesstameanimals,andifIwantedtomakelifebearableImustdoashedid——invent,contrive,create,reorganizethings;setbrainandhandtowork,andkeepthembusy.
　　Well,thatwasinmyline.
　　Onethingtroubledmealongatfirst——theimmenseinterestwhichpeopletookinme.Apparentlythewholenationwantedalookatme.ItsoontranspiredthattheeclipsehadscaredtheBritishworldalmosttodeath;thatwhileitlastedthewholecountry,fromoneendtotheother,wasinapitiablestateofpanic,andthechurches,hermitages,andmonkeriesoverflowedwithprayingandweepingpoorcreatureswhothoughttheendoftheworldwascome.Thenhadfollowedthenewsthattheproducerofthisawfuleventwasastranger,amightymagicianatArthur'scourt;thathecouldhaveblownoutthesunlikeacandle,andwasjustgoingtodoitwhenhismercywaspurchased,andhethendissolvedhisenchantments,andwasnowrecognizedandhonoredasthemanwhohadbyhisunaidedmightsavedtheglobefromdestructionanditspeoplesfromextinction.Nowifyouconsiderthateverybodybelievedthat,andnotonlybelievedit,butneverevendreamedofdoubtingit,youwilleasilyunderstandthattherewasnotapersoninallBritainthatwouldnothavewalkedfiftymilestogetasightofme.OfcourseIwasallthetalk——allothersubjectsweredropped;eventhekingbecamesuddenlyapersonofminorinterestandnotoriety.Withintwentyfourhoursthedelegationsbegantoarrive,andfromthattimeonwardforafortnighttheykeptcoming.Thevillagewascrowded,andallthecountryside.Ihadtogooutadozentimesadayandshowmyselftothesereverentandawe-strickenmultitudes.Itcametobeagreatburden,astotimeandtrouble,butofcourseitwasatthesametimecompensatinglyagreeabletobesocelebratedandsuchacenterofhomage.ItturnedBrerMerlingreenwithenvyandspite,whichwasagreatsatisfactiontome.ButtherewasonethingI
　　couldn'tunderstand——nobodyhadaskedforanautograph.IspoketoClarenceaboutit.ByGeorge!Ihadtoexplaintohimwhatitwas.Thenhesaidnobodyinthecountrycouldreadorwritebutafewdozenpriests.Land!
　　thinkofthat.
　　Therewasanotherthingthattroubledmealittle.Thosemultitudespresentlybegantoagitateforanothermiracle.Thatwasnatural.Tobeabletocarrybacktotheirfarhomestheboastthattheyhadseenthemanwhocouldcommandthesun,ridingintheheavens,andbeobeyed,wouldmakethemgreatintheeyesoftheirneighbors,andenviedbythemall;
　　buttobeabletoalsosaytheyhadseenhimworkamiraclethemselves——why,peoplewouldcomeadistancetoseeTHEM.Thepressuregottobeprettystrong.Therewasgoingtobeaneclipseofthemoon,andIknewthedateandhour,butitwastoofaraway.Twoyears.Iwouldhavegivenagooddealforlicensetohurryitupanduseitnowwhentherewasabigmarketforit.Itseemedagreatpitytohaveitwastedso,andcomelaggingalongatatimewhenabodywouldn'thaveanyuseforit,aslikeasnot.Ifithadbeenbookedforonlyamonthaway,Icouldhavesolditshort;but,asmattersstood,Icouldn'tseemtocipheroutanywaytomakeitdomeanygood,soIgaveuptrying.Next,ClarencefoundthatoldMerlinwasmakinghimselfbusyontheslyamongthosepeople.HewasspreadingareportthatIwasahumbug,andthatthereasonIdidn'taccommodatethepeoplewithamiraclewasbecauseIcouldn't.IsawthatImustdosomething.Ipresentlythoughtoutaplan.
　　BymyauthorityasexecutiveIthrewMerlinintoprison——thesamecellIhadoccupiedmyself.ThenIgavepublicnoticebyheraldandtrumpetthatIshouldbebusywithaffairsofstateforafortnight,butabouttheendofthattimeIwouldtakeamoment'sleisureandblowupMerlin'sstonetowerbyfiresfromheaven;inthemeantime,whosolistenedtoevilreportsaboutme,lethimbeware.Furthermore,Iwouldperformbutthisonemiracleatthistime,andnomore;ifitfailedtosatisfyandanymurmured,Iwouldturnthemurmurersintohorses,andmakethemuseful.
　　Quietensued.
　　ItookClarenceintomyconfidence,toacertaindegree,andwewenttoworkprivately.Itoldhimthatthiswasasortofmiraclethatrequiredatrifleofpreparation,andthatitwouldbesuddendeathtoevertalkaboutthesepreparationstoanybody.Thatmadehismouthsafeenough.Clandestinelywemadeafewbushelsoffirst-rateblastingpowder,andIsuperintendedmyarmorerswhiletheyconstructedalightningrodandsomewires.Thisoldstonetowerwasverymassive——andratherruinous,too,foritwasRoman,andfourhundredyearsold.Yes,andhandsome,afterarudefashion,andclothedwithivyfrombasetosummit,aswithashirtofscalemail.
　　Itstoodonalonelyeminence,ingoodviewfromthecastle,andabouthalfamileaway.
　　Workingbynight,westowedthepowderinthetower——dugstonesout,ontheinside,andburiedthepowderinthewallsthemselves,whichwerefifteenfeetthickatthebase.Weputinapeckatatime,inadozenplaces.WecouldhaveblownuptheTowerofLondonwiththesecharges.
　　Whenthethirteenthnightwascomeweputupourlightning-rod,beddeditinoneofthebatchesofpowder,andranwiresfromittotheotherbatches.Everybodyhadshunnedthatlocalityfromthedayofmyproclamation,butonthemorningofthefourteenthIthoughtbesttowarnthepeople,throughtheheralds,tokeepclearaway——aquarterofamileaway.Thenadded,bycommand,thatatsometimeduringthetwenty-fourhoursIwouldconsummatethemiracle,butwouldfirstgiveabriefnotice;byflagsonthecastletowersifinthedaytime,bytorch-basketsinthesameplacesifatnight.
　　Thunder-showershadbeentolerablyfrequentoflate,andIwasnotmuchafraidofafailure;still,Ishouldn'thavecaredforadelayofadayortwo;IshouldhaveexplainedthatIwasbusywithaffairsofstateyet,andthepeoplemustwait.
　　Ofcourse,wehadablazingsunnyday——almostthefirstonewithoutacloudforthreeweeks;thingsalwayshappenso.Ikeptsecluded,andwatchedtheweather.Clarencedroppedinfromtimetotimeandsaidthepublicexcitementwasgrowingandgrowingallthetime,andthewholecountryfillingupwithhumanmassesasfarasonecouldseefromthebattlements.
　　Atlastthewindsprangupandacloudappeared——intherightquarter,too,andjustatnightfall.ForalittlewhileIwatchedthatdistantcloudspreadandblacken,thenIjudgeditwastimeformetoappear.Iorderedthetorch-basketstobelit,andMerlinliberatedandsenttome.AquarterofanhourlaterIascendedtheparapetandtherefoundthekingandthecourtassembledandgazingoffinthedarknesstowardMerlin'sTower.Alreadythedarknesswassoheavythatonecouldnotseefar;thesepeopleandtheoldturrets,beingpartlyindeepshadowandpartlyintheredglowfromthegreattorch-basketsoverhead,madeagooddealofapicture.