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