Justherewasthewaysideshopofasmith;andnowarrivedalandedproprietorwhohadboughtthisgirlafewmilesback,deliverableherewhereherironscouldbetakenoff.Theywereremoved;thentherewasasquabblebetweenthegentlemanandthedealerastowhichshouldpaytheblacksmith.Themomentthegirlwasdeliveredfromherirons,sheflungherself,alltearsandfranticsobbings,intothearmsoftheslavewhohadturnedawayhisfacewhenshewaswhipped.Hestrainedhertohisbreast,andsmotheredherfaceandthechild'swithkisses,andwashedthemwiththerainofhistears.Isuspected.Iinquired.Yes,Iwasright;itwashusbandandwife.Theyhadtobetornapartbyforce;thegirlhadtobedraggedaway,andshestruggledandfoughtandshriekedlikeonegonemadtillaturnoftheroadhidherfromsight;andevenafterthat,wecouldstillmakeoutthefadingplaintofthoserecedingshrieks.Andthehusbandandfather,withhiswifeandchildgone,nevertobeseenbyhimagaininlife?——well,thelookofhimonemightnotbearatall,andsoIturnedaway;butIknewIshouldnevergethispictureoutofmymindagain,andthereitistothisday,towringmyheartstringswheneverIthinkofit.
　　Weputupattheinninavillagejustatnightfall,andwhenIrosenextmorningandlookedabroad,Iwaswarewhereaknightcameridinginthegoldengloryofthenewday,andrecognizedhimforknightofmine——SirOzanaleCureHardy.Hewasinthegentlemen'sfurnishingline,andhismissionaryingspecialtywasplughats.Hewasclothedallinsteel,inthebeautifulestarmorofthetime——uptowherehishelmetoughttohavebeen;buthehadn'tanyhelmet,heworeashinystove-pipehat,andwasridiculousaspectacleasonemightwanttosee.Itwasanotherofmysurreptitiousschemesforextinguishingknighthoodbymakingitgrotesqueandabsurd.SirOzana'ssaddlewashungaboutwithleatherhatboxes,andeverytimeheovercameawanderingknighthesworehimintomyserviceandfittedhimwithaplugandmadehimwearit.IdressedandrandowntowelcomeSirOzanaandgethisnews.
　　"Howistrade?"Iasked.
　　"YewillnotethatIhavebutthesefourleft;yetweretheysixteenwhenasIgotmefromCamelot."
　　"Why,youhavecertainlydonenobly,SirOzana.Wherehaveyoubeenforagingoflate?"
　　"IambutnowcomefromtheValleyofHoliness,pleaseyousir."
　　"Iampointedforthatplacemyself.Isthereanythingstirringinthemonkery,morethancommon?"
　　"Bythemassyemaynotquestionit!Givehimgoodfeed,boy,andstintitnot,anthouvaluestthycrown;sogetyelightlytothestableanddoevenasIbidSir,itisparlousnewsIbring,and——bethesepilgrims?Thenyemaynotdobetter,goodfolk,thangatherandhearthetaleIhavetotell,sithitconcernethyou,forasmuchasyegotofindthatyewillnotfind,andseekthatyewillseekinvain,mylifebeinghostageformyword,andmywordandmessagebeingthese,namely:Thatahaphashappenedwhereofthelikehasnotbeenseennomorebutoncethistwohundredyears,whichwasthefirstandlasttimethatthatsaidmisfortunestraketheholyvalleyinthatformbycommandmentoftheMostHighwheretobyreasonsjustandcausesthereuntocontributing,whereinthematter——"
　　"Themiraculousfounthathceasedtoflow!"Thisshoutburstfromtwentypilgrimmouthsatonce.
　　"Yesaywell,goodpeople.Iwasvergingtoit,evenwhenyespake.
　　"
　　"Hassomebodybeenwashingagain?"
　　"Nay,itissuspected,butnonebelieveit.Itisthoughttobesomeothersin,butnonewitwhat."
　　"Howaretheyfeelingaboutthecalamity?"
　　"Nonemaydescribeitinwords.Thefountistheseninedaysdry.Theprayersthatdidbeginthen,andthelamentationsinsackclothandashes,andtheholyprocessions,noneofthesehaveceasednornightnorday;
　　andsothemonksandthenunsandthefoundlingsbeallexhausted,anddohangupprayerswrituponparchment,siththatnostrengthisleftinmantoliftupvoice.Andatlasttheysentforthee,SirBoss,totrymagicandenchantment;andifyoucouldnotcome,thenwasthemessengertofetchMerlin,andheistherethesethreedaysnow,andsaithhewillfetchthatwaterthoughhebursttheglobeandwreckitskingdomstoaccomplishit;andrightbravelydothheworkhismagicandcalluponhishellionstohiethemhitherandhelp,butnotawhiffofmoisturehathhestartedyet,evensomuchasmightqualifyasmistuponacoppermirroranyecountnotthebarrelofsweathesweatethbetwixtsunandsunoverthedirelaborsofhistask;andifye——"
　　Breakfastwasready.AssoonasitwasoverIshowedtoSirOzanathesewordswhichIhadwrittenontheinsideofhishat:ChemicalDepartment,Laboratoryextension,SectionG.Pxxp.Sendtwooffirstsize,twoofNo.
　　3,andsixofNo.4,togetherwiththepropercomplementarydetails——
　　andtwoofmytrainedassistants."AndIsaid:
　　"NowgetyoutoCamelotasfastasyoucanfly,braveknight,andshowthewritingtoClarence,andtellhimtohavetheserequiredmattersintheValleyofHolinesswithallpossibledispatch."
　　"Iwillwell,SirBoss,"andhewasoff.
　　AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur'sCourt-Chapter22Chapter22-TheHolyFountainTHEpilgrimswerehumanbeings.Otherwisetheywouldhaveacteddifferently.
　　Theyhadcomealonganddifficultjourney,andnowwhenthejourneywasnearlyfinished,andtheylearnedthatthemainthingtheyhadcomeforhadceasedtoexist,theydidn'tdoashorsesorcatsorangle-wormswouldprobablyhavedone——turnbackandgetatsomethingprofitable——no,anxiousastheyhadbeforebeentoseethemiraculousfountain,theywereasmuchasfortytimesasanxiousnowtoseetheplacewhereithadusedtobe.Thereisnoaccountingforhumanbeings.
　　Wemadegoodtime;andacoupleofhoursbeforesunsetwestooduponthehighconfinesoftheValleyofHoliness,andoureyessweptitfromendtoendandnoteditsfeatures.Thatis,itslargefeatures.Thesewerethethreemassesofbuildings.Theyweredistantandisolatedtemporalitiesshrunkentotoyconstructionsinthelonelywasteofwhatseemedadesert——andwas.Suchasceneisalwaysmournful,itissoimpressivelystill,andlookssosteepedindeath.Buttherewasasoundherewhichinterruptedthestillnessonlytoaddtoitsmournfulness;thiswasthefaintfarsoundoftollingbellswhichfloatedfitfullytousonthepassingbreeze,andsofaintly,sosoftly,thatwehardlyknewwhetherwehearditwithourearsorwithourspirits.
　　Wereachedthemonasterybeforedark,andtherethemalesweregivenlodging,butthewomenweresentovertothenunnery.Thebellswerecloseathandnow,andtheirsolemnboomingsmoteupontheearlikeamessageofdoom.Asuperstitiousdespairpossessedtheheartofeverymonkandpublisheditselfinhisghastlyface.Everywhere,theseblack-robed,soft-sandaled,tallow-visagedspectersappeared,flittedaboutanddisappeared,noiselessasthecreaturesofatroubleddream,andasuncanny.
　　Theoldabbot'sjoytoseemewaspathetic.Eventotears;buthedidthesheddinghimself.Hesaid:
　　"Delaynot,son,butgettothysavingwork.Anwebringnotthewaterbackagain,andsoon,weareruined,andthegoodworkoftwohundredyearsmustend.Andseethoudoitwithenchantmentsthatbeholy,fortheChurchwillnotendurethatworkinhercausebedonebydevil'smagic."
　　"WhenIwork,Father,besuretherewillbenodevil'sworkconnectedwithit.Ishallusenoartsthatcomeofthedevil,andnoelementsnotcreatedbythehandofGod.ButisMerlinworkingstrictlyonpiouslines?"
　　"Ah,hesaidhewould,myson,hesaidhewould,andtookoathtomakehispromisegood."
　　"Well,inthatcase,lethimproceed."
　　"Butsurelyyouwillnotsitidleby,buthelp?"
　　"Itwillnotanswertomixmethods,Father;neitherwoulditbeprofessionalcourtesy.Twoofatrademustnotunderbideachother.Wemightaswellcutratesandbedonewithit;itwouldarriveatthatintheend.Merlinhasthecontract;noothermagiciancantouchittillhethrowsitup."
　　"ButIwilltakeitfromhim;itisaterribleemergencyandtheactistherebyjustified.Andifitwerenotso,whowillgivelawtotheChurch?
　　TheChurchgivethlawtoall;andwhatshewillstodo,thatshemaydo,hurtwhomitmay.Iwilltakeitfromhim;youshallbeginuponthemoment."
　　"Itmaynotbe,Father.Nodoubt,asyousay,wherepowerissupreme,onecandoasonelikesandsuffernoinjury;butwepoormagiciansarenotsosituated.Merlinisaverygoodmagicianinasmallway,andhasquiteaneatprovincialreputation.Heisstrugglingalong,doingthebesthecan,anditwouldnotbeetiquetteformetotakehisjobuntilhehimselfabandonsit."
　　Theabbot'sfacelighted.
　　"Ah,thatissimple.Therearewaystopersuadehimtoabandonit."
　　"No-no,Father,itskillsnot,asthesepeoplesay.Ifhewerepersuadedagainsthiswill,hewouldloadthatwellwithamaliciousenchantmentwhichwouldbalkmeuntilIfoundoutitssecret.Itmighttakeamonth.
　　IcouldsetupalittleenchantmentofminewhichIcallthetelephone,andhecouldnotfindoutitssecretinahundredyears.Yes,youperceive,hemightblockmeforamonth.Wouldyouliketoriskamonthinadrytimelikethis?"
　　"Amonth!Themerethoughtofitmakethmetoshudder.Haveitthyway,myson.Butmyheartisheavywiththisdisappointment.Leaveme,andletmewearmyspiritwithwearinessandwaiting,evenasIhavedonethesetenlongdays,counterfeitingthusthethingthatiscalledrest,thepronebodymakingoutwardsignofreposewhereinwardlyisnone."
　　Ofcourse,itwouldhavebeenbest,allround,forMerlintowaiveetiquetteandquitandcallithalfaday,sincehewouldneverbeabletostartthatwater,forhewasatruemagicianofthetime;whichistosay,thebigmiracles,theonesthatgavehimhisreputation,alwayshadthelucktobeperformedwhennobodybutMerlinwaspresent;hecouldn'tstartthiswellwithallthiscrowdaroundtosee;acrowdwasasbadforamagician'smiracleinthatdayasitwasforaspiritualist'smiracleinmine;therewassuretobesomeskepticonhandtoturnupthegasatthecrucialmomentandspoileverything.ButIdidnotwantMerlintoretirefromthejobuntilIwasreadytotakeholdofiteffectivelymyself;andIcouldnotdothatuntilIgotmythingsfromCamelot,andthatwouldtaketwoorthreedays.
　　Mypresencegavethemonkshope,andcheeredthemupagooddeal;insomuchthattheyateasquaremealthatnightforthefirsttimeintendays.
　　Assoonastheirstomachshadbeenproperlyreinforcedwithfood,theirspiritsbegantorisefast;whenthemeadbegantogoroundtheyrosefaster.
　　Bythetimeeverybodywashalf-seasover,theholycommunitywasingoodshapetomakeanightofit;sowestayedbytheboardandputitthroughonthatline.Mattersgottobeveryjolly.Goodoldquestionablestoriesweretoldthatmadethetearsrundownandcavernousmouthsstandwideandtheroundbelliesshakewithlaughter;andquestionablesongswerebellowedoutinamightychorusthatdrownedtheboomofthetollingbells.
　　AtlastIventuredastorymyself;andvastwasthesuccessofit.Notrightoff,ofcourse,forthenativeofthoseislandsdoesnot,asarule,dissolveupontheearlyapplicationsofahumorousthing;butthefifthtimeItoldit,theybegantocrackinplaces;theeighttimeItoldit,theybegantocrumble;atthetwelfthrepetitiontheyfellapartinchunks;
　　andatthefifteenththeydisintegrated,andIgotabroomandsweptthemup.Thislanguageisfigurative.Thoseislanders——well,theyareslowpayatfirst,inthematterofreturnforyourinvestmentofeffort,butintheendtheymakethepayofallothernationspoorandsmallbycontrast.
　　Iwasatthewellnextdaybetimes.Merlinwasthere,enchantingawaylikeabeaver,butnotraisingthemoisture.Hewasnotinapleasanthumor;
　　andeverytimeIhintedthatperhapsthiscontractwasashadetooheftyforanoviceheunlimberedhistongueandcursedlikeabishop——FrenchbishopoftheRegencydays,Imean.
　　MatterswereaboutasIexpectedtofindthem.The"fountain"wasanordinarywell,ithadbeendugintheordinaryway,andstonedupintheordinaryway.Therewasnomiracleaboutit.Eventheliethathadcreateditsreputationwasnotmiraculous;Icouldhavetolditmyself,withonehandtiedbehindme.Thewellwasinadarkchamberwhichstoodinthecenterofacut-stonechapel,whosewallswerehungwithpiouspicturesofaworkmanshipthatwouldhavemadeachromofeelgood;pictureshistoricallycommemorativeofcurativemiracleswhichhadbeenachievedbythewaterswhennobodywaslooking.Thatis,nobodybutangels;theyarealwaysondeckwhenthereisamiracletothefore——soastogetputinthepicture,perhaps.Angelsareasfondofthatasafirecompany;lookattheoldmasters.
　　Thewell-chamberwasdimlylightedbylamps;thewaterwasdrawnwithawindlassandchainbymonks,andpouredintotroughswhichdelivereditintostonereservoirsoutsideinthechapel——whentherewaswatertodraw,Imean——andnonebutmonkscouldenterthewell-chamber.Ienteredit,forIhadtemporaryauthoritytodoso,bycourtesyofmyprofessionalbrotherandsubordinate.Buthehadn'tenteredithimself.Hedideverythingbyincantations;heneverworkedhisintellect.Ifhehadsteppedinthereandusedhiseyes,insteadofhisdisorderedmind,hecouldhavecuredthewellbynaturalmeans,andthenturneditintoamiracleinthecustomaryway;butno,hewasanoldnumskull,amagicianwhobelievedinhisownmagic;andnomagiciancanthrivewhoishandicappedwithasuperstitionlikethat.
　　Ihadanideathatthewellhadsprungaleak;thatsomeofthewallstonesnearthebottomhadfallenandexposedfissuresthatallowedthewatertoescape.Imeasuredthechain——98feet.ThenIcalledincoupleofmonks,lockedthedoor,tookacandle,andmadethemlowermeinthebucket.Whenthechainwasallpaidout,thecandleconfirmedmysuspicion;
　　aconsiderablesectionofthewallwasgone,exposingagoodbigfissure.
　　Ialmostregrettedthatmytheoryaboutthewell'stroublewascorrect,becauseIhadanotheronethathadashowypointortwoaboutitforamiracle.IrememberedthatinAmerica,manycenturieslater,whenanoilwellceasedtoflow,theyusedtoblastitoutwithadynamitetorpedo.
　　IfIshouldfindthiswelldryandnoexplanationofit,Icouldastonishthesepeoplemostnoblybyhavingapersonofnoespecialvaluedropadynamitebombintoit.ItwasmyideatoappointMerlin.However,itwasplainthattherewasnooccasionforthebomb.Onecannothaveeverythingthewayhewouldlikeit.Amanhasnobusinesstobedepressedbyadisappointment,anyway;heoughttomakeuphismindtogeteven.ThatiswhatIdid.I
　　saidtomyself,Iaminnohurry,Icanwait;thatbombwillcomegoodyet.Anditdid,too.
　　WhenIwasabovegroundagain,Iturnedoutthemonks,andletdownafish-line;thewellwasahundredandfiftyfeetdeep,andtherewasforty-onefeetofwaterinitIIcalledinamonkandasked:
　　"Howdeepisthewell?"
　　"That,sir,Iwitnot,havingneverbeentold."
　　"Howdoesthewaterusuallystandinit?"
　　"Neartothetop,thesetwocenturies,asthetestimonygoeth,broughtdowntousthroughourpredecessors."
　　Itwastrue——astorecenttimesatleast——fortherewaswitnesstoit,andbetterwitnessthanamonk;onlyabouttwentyorthirtyfeetofthechainshowedwearanduse,therestofitwasunwornandrusty.
　　Whathadhappenedwhenthewellgaveoutthatothertime?Withoutdoubtsomepracticalpersonhadcomealongandmendedtheleak,andthenhadcomeupandtoldtheabbothehaddiscoveredbydivinationthatifthesinfulbathweredestroyedthewellwouldflowagain.Theleakhadbefallenagainnow,andthesechildrenwouldhaveprayed,andprocessioned,andtolledtheirbellsforheavenlysuccortilltheyalldriedupandblewaway,andnoinnocentofthemallwouldeverhavethoughttodropafish-lineintothewellorgodowninitandfindoutwhatwasreallythematter.
　　Oldhabitofmindisoneofthetoughestthingstogetawayfromintheworld.Ittransmitsitselflikephysicalformandfeature;andforaman,inthosedays,tohavehadanideathathisancestorshadn'thad,wouldhavebroughthimundersuspicionofbeingillegitimate.Isaidtothemonk:
　　"Itisadifficultmiracletorestorewaterinadrywell,butwewilltry,ifmybrotherMerlinfails.BrotherMerlinisaverypassableartist,butonlyintheparlor-magicline,andhemaynotsucceed;infact,isnotlikelytosucceed.Butthatshouldbenothingtohisdiscredit;themanthatcandoTHISkindofmiracleknowsenoughtokeephotel."
　　"Hotel?Imindnottohaveheard——"
　　"Ofhotel?It'swhatyoucallhostel.Themanthatcandothismiraclecankeephostel.Icandothismiracle;Ishalldothismiracle;yetI
　　donottrytoconcealfromyouthatitisamiracletotaxtheoccultpowerstothelaststrain."
　　"Noneknoweththattruthbetterthanthebrotherhood,indeed;foritisofrecordthataforetimeitwasparlousdifficultandtookayear.Natheless,Godsendyougoodsuccess,andtothatendwillwepray."
　　Asamatterofbusinessitwasagoodideatogetthenotionaroundthatthethingwasdifficult.Manyasmallthinghasbeenmadelargebytherightkindofadvertising.Thatmonkwasfilledupwiththedifficultyofthisenterprise;hewouldfilluptheothers.Intwodaysthesolicitudewouldbebooming.
　　Onmywayhomeatnoon,ImetSandy.Shehadbeensamplingthehermits.
　　Isaid:
　　"Iwouldliketodothatmyself.ThisisWednesday.Isthereamatinee?"
　　"Awhich,pleaseyou,sir?"
　　"Matinee.Dotheykeepopenafternoons?"
　　"Who?"
　　"Thehermits,ofcourse."
　　"Keepopen?"
　　"Yes,keepopen.Isn'tthatplainenough?Dotheyknockoffatnoon?"
　　"Knockoff?"
　　"Knockoff?——yes,knockoff.Whatisthematterwithknockoff?I
　　neversawsuchadunderhead;can'tyouunderstandanythingatall?Inplainterms,dotheyshutupshop,drawthegame,bankthefires——"
　　"Shutupshop,draw——"
　　"There,nevermind,letitgo;youmakemetired.Youcan'tseemtounderstandthesimplestthing."
　　IwouldImightpleasethee,sir,anditistomedoleandsorrowthatIfail,albeitsithIambutasimpledamselandtaughtofnone,beingfromthecradleunbaptizedinthosedeepwatersoflearningthatdoanointwithasovereigntyhimthatpartakethofthatmostnoblesacrament,investinghimwithreverendstatetothementaleyeofthehumblemortalwho,bybarandlackofthatgreatconsecrationseethinhisownunlearnedestatebutasymbolofthatothersortoflackandlosswhichmendopublishtothepityingeyewithsackclothtrappingswhereontheashesofgriefdoliebepowderedandbestrewn,andso,whensuchshallinthedarknessofhismindencounterthesegoldenphrasesofhighmystery,theseshut-up-shops,anddraw-the-game,andbank-the-fires,itisbutbythegraceofGodthatheburstnotforenvyofthemindthatcanbeget,andtonguethatcandeliversogreatandmellow-soundingmiraclesofspeech,andiftheredoensueconfusioninthathumblermind,andfailuretodivinethemeaningsofthesewonders,thenifsobethismiscomprehensionisnotvainbutsoothandtrue,wityewellitistheverysubstanceofworshipfuldearhomageandmaynotlightlybemisprized,norhadbeen,anyehadnotedthiscomplexionofmoodandmindandunderstoodthatthatIwouldIcouldnot,andthatIcouldnotImightnot,noryetnormightNORcould,normight-notnorcould-not,mightbebyadvantageturnedtothedesiredWOULD,andsoI
　　prayyoumercyofmyfault,andthatyewillofyourkindnessandyourcharityforgiveit,goodmymasterandmostdearlord."
　　Icouldn'tmakeitallout——thatis,thedetails——butIgotthegeneralidea;andenoughofit,too,tobeashamed.Itwasnotfairtospringthosenineteenthcenturytechnicalitiesupontheuntutoredinfantofthesixthandthenrailatherbecauseshecouldn'tgettheirdrift;
　　andwhenshewasmakingthehonestbestdriveatitshecould,too,andnofaultofhersthatshecouldn'tfetchthehomeplate;andsoIapologized.
　　Thenwemeanderedpleasantlyawaytowardthehermitholesinsociableconversetogether,andbetterfriendsthanever.
　　Iwasgraduallycomingtohaveamysteriousandshudderyreverenceforthisgirl;nowadayswhenevershepulledoutfromthestationandgothertrainfairlystartedononeofthosehorizonlesstranscontinentalsentencesofhers,itwasborneinuponmethatIwasstandingintheawfulpresenceoftheMotheroftheGermanLanguage.Iwassoimpressedwiththis,thatsometimeswhenshebegantoemptyoneofthesesentencesonmeIunconsciouslytooktheveryattitudeofreverence,andstooduncovered;andifwordshadbeenwater,Ihadbeendrowned,sure.ShehadexactlytheGermanway;
　　whateverwasinhermindtobedelivered,whetheramereremark,orasermon,oracyclopedia,orthehistoryofawar,shewouldgetitintoasinglesentenceordie.WhenevertheliteraryGermandivesintoasentence,thatisthelastyouaregoingtoseeofhimtillheemergesontheothersideofhisAtlanticwithhisverbinhismouth.
　　Wedriftedfromhermittohermitalltheafternoon.Itwasamoststrangemenagerie.Thechiefemulationamongthemseemedtobe,toseewhichcouldmanagetobetheuncleanestandmostprosperouswithvermin.Theirmannerandattitudeswerethelastexpressionofcomplacentself-righteousness.
　　Itwasoneanchorite'spridetolienakedinthemudandlettheinsectsbitehimandblisterhimunmolested;itwasanother'stoleanagainstarock,alldaylong,conspicuoustotheadmirationofthethrongofpilgrimsandpray;itwasanother'stogonakedandcrawlaroundonallfours;itwasanother'stodragaboutwithhim,yearinandyearout,eightypoundsofiron;itwasanother'stoneverliedownwhenheslept,buttostandamongthethorn-bushesandsnorewhentherewerepilgrimsaroundtolook;
　　awoman,whohadthewhitehairofage,andnootherapparel,wasblackfromcrowntoheelwithforty-sevenyearsofholyabstinencefromwater.
　　Groupsofgazingpilgrimsstoodaroundallandeveryofthesestrangeobjects,lostinreverentwonder,andenviousoftheflecklesssanctitywhichthesepiousausteritieshadwonforthemfromanexactingheaven.
　　Byandbywewenttoseeoneofthesupremelygreatones.Hewasamightycelebrity;hisfamehadpenetratedallChristendom;thenobleandtherenownedjourneyedfromtheremotestlandsontheglobetopayhimreverence.Hisstandwasinthecenterofthewidestpartofthevalley;andittookallthatspacetoholdhiscrowds.
　　Hisstandwasapillarsixtyfeethigh,withabroadplatformonthetopofit.Hewasnowdoingwhathehadbeendoingeverydayfortwentyyearsupthere——bowinghisbodyceaselesslyandrapidlyalmosttohisfeet.Itwashiswayofpraying.Itimedhimwithastopwatch,andhemade1,244revolutionsin24minutesand46seconds.Itseemedapitytohaveallthispowergoingtowaste.Itwasoneofthemostusefulmotionsinmechanics,thepedalmovement;soImadeanoteinmymemorandumbook,purposingsomedaytoapplyasystemofelasticcordstohimandrunasewingmachinewithit.Iafterwardcarriedoutthatscheme,andgotfiveyears'goodserviceoutofhim;inwhichtimeheturnedoutupwardofeighteenthousandfirst-ratetow-linenshirts,whichwastenaday.IworkedhimSundaysandall;hewasgoing,Sundays,thesameasweekdays,anditwasnousetowastethepower.Theseshirtscostmenothingbutjustthemeretrifleforthematerials——Ifurnishedthosemyself,itwouldnothavebeenrighttomakehimdothat——andtheysoldlikesmoketopilgrimsatadollarandahalfapiece,whichwasthepriceoffiftycowsorabloodedracehorseinArthurdom.Theywereregardedasaperfectprotectionagainstsin,andadvertisedassuchbymyknightseverywhere,withthepaint-potandstencil-plate;insomuchthattherewasnotaclifforabowlderoradeadwallinEnglandbutyoucouldreadonitatamiledistance:
　　"BuytheonlygenuineSt.Stylite;patronizedbytheNobility.Patentappliedfor."
　　Therewasmoremoneyinthebusinessthanoneknewwhattodowith.
　　Asitextended,Ibroughtoutalineofgoodssuitableforkings,andanobbythingforduchessesandthatsort,withrufflesdowntheforehatchandtherunning-gearclewedupwithafeatherstitchtoleewardandthenhauledaftwithaback-stayandtricedupwithahalf-turninthestandingriggingforwardoftheweather-gaskets.Yes,itwasadaisy.
　　ButaboutthattimeInoticedthatthemotivepowerhadtakentostandingononeleg,andIfoundthattherewassomethingthematterwiththeotherone;soIstockedthebusinessandunloaded,takingSirBorsdeGanisintocampfinanciallyalongwithcertainofhisfriends;fortheworksstoppedwithinayear,andthegoodsaintgothimtohisrest.Buthehadearnedit.Icansaythatforhim.
　　WhenIsawhimthatfirsttime——however,hispersonalconditionwillnotquitebeardescriptionhere.YoucanreaditintheLivesoftheSaints.
　　*
　　[*Allthedetailsconcerningthehermits,inthischapter,arefromLecky——butgreatlymodified.Thisbooknotbeingahistorybutonlyatale,themajorityofthehistorian'sfrankdetailsweretoostrongforreproductioninit-EDITOR]
　　AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur'sCourt-Chapter23Chapter23-RestorationoftheFountainSATURDAYnoonIwenttothewellandlookedonawhile.Merlinwasstillburningsmoke-powders,andpawingtheair,andmutteringgibberishashardasever,butlookingprettydown-hearted,forofcoursehehadnotstartedevenaperspirationinthatwellyet.FinallyIsaid:
　　"Howdoesthethingpromisebythistime,partner?"
　　"Behold,IamevennowbusiedwithtrialofthepowerfulestenchantmentknowntotheprincesoftheoccultartsinthelandsoftheEast;anitfailme,naughtcanavail.Peace,untilIfinish."
　　Heraisedasmokethistimethatdarkenedalltheregion,andmusthavemademattersuncomfortableforthehermits,forthewindwastheirway,anditrolleddownovertheirdensinadenseandbillowyfog.Hepouredoutvolumesofspeechtomatch,andcontortedhisbodyandsawedtheairwithhishandsinamostextraordinaryway.Attheendoftwentyminuteshedroppeddownpanting,andaboutexhausted.Nowarrivedtheabbotandseveralhundredmonksandnuns,andbehindthemamultitudeofpilgrimsandacoupleofacresoffoundlings,alldrawnbytheprodigioussmoke,andallinagrandstateofexcitement.Theabbotinquiredanxiouslyforresults.Merlinsaid:
　　"Ifanylaborofmortalmightbreakthespellthatbindsthesewaters,thiswhichIhavebutjustessayedhaddoneit.Ithasfailed;wherebyIdonowknowthatthatwhichIhadfearedisatruthestablished;thesignofthisfailureis,thatthemostpotentspiritknowntothemagiciansoftheEast,andwhosenamenonemayutterandlive,haslaidhisspelluponthiswell.Themortaldoesnotbreathe,noreverwill,whocanpenetratethesecretofthatspell,andwithoutthatsecretnonecanbreakit.Thewaterwillflownomoreforever,goodFather.Ihavedonewhatmancould.
　　Suffermetogo."
　　Ofcoursethisthrewtheabbotintoagooddealofaconsternation.
　　Heturnedtomewiththesignsofitinhisface,andsaid:
　　"Yehaveheardhim.Isittrue?"
　　"Partofitis."
　　"Notall,then,notall!Whatpartistrue?"
　　"ThatthatspiritwiththeRussiannamehasputhisspelluponthewell."
　　"God'swownds,thenareweruined!"
　　"Possibly."
　　"Butnotcertainly?Yemean,notcertainly?"
　　"Thatisit."
　　"Wherefore,yealsomeanthatwhenhesaithnonecanbreakthespell——"
　　"Yes,whenhesaysthat,hesayswhatisn'tnecessarilytrue.Thereareconditionsunderwhichanefforttobreakitmayhavesomechance——
　　thatis,somesmall,sometriflingchance——ofsuccess."
　　"Theconditions——"
　　"Oh,theyarenothingdifficult.Onlythese:Iwantthewellandthesurroundingsforthespaceofhalfamile,entirelytomyselffromsunsetto-dayuntilIremovetheban——andnobodyallowedtocrossthegroundbutbymyauthority."
　　"Aretheseall?"
　　"Yes."
　　"Andyouhavenofeartotry?"