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."