Thethunderboomed，thelightningglared，thestorm-windsraged，thedelugepoureddown。Themimicroyaltyonthestage，withtheirsoakedsatinsclingingtotheirbodies，sloppedaboutankle-deepinwater，warblingtheirsweetestandbest，thefiddlersundertheeavesofthestatesawedawayfordearlife，withthecoldoverflowspoutingdownthebacksoftheirnecks，andthedryandhappyKingsatinhisloftyboxandworehisglovestoribbonsapplauding。
　　"Moreyet!"criedtheKing；"moreyet——letlooseallthethunder，turnonallthewater!Iwillhangthemanthatraisesanumbrella!"
　　Whenthismosttremendousandeffectivestormthathadeverbeenproducedinanytheaterwasatlastover，theKing'sapprobationwasmeasureless。Hecried:
　　"Magnificent，magnificent!ENCORE!Doitagain!"
　　Butthemanagersucceededinpersuadinghimtorecalltheencore，andsaidthecompanywouldfeelsufficientlyrewardedandcomplimentedinthemerefactthattheencorewasdesiredbyhisMajesty，withoutfatiguinghimwitharepetitiontogratifytheirownvanity。
　　Duringtheremainderoftheacttheluckyperformerswerethosewhosepartsrequiredchangesofdress；
　　theotherswereasoaked，bedraggled，anduncomfortablelot，butinthelastdegreepicturesque。Thestagescenerywasruined，trap-doorsweresoswollenthattheywouldn'tworkforaweekafterward，thefinecostumeswerespoiled，andnoendofminordamagesweredonebythatremarkablestorm。
　　Itwasroyalidea——thatstorm——androyallycarriedout。
　　ButobservethemoderationoftheKing；hedidnotinsistuponhisencore。Ifhehadbeenagladsome，unreflectingAmericanopera-audience，heprobablywouldhavehadhisstormrepeatedandrepeateduntilhedrownedallthosepeople。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　[IPainta"Turner"]
　　ThesummerdayspassedpleasantlyinHeidelberg。
　　Wehadaskilledtrainer，andunderhisinstructionsweweregettingourlegsintherightconditionforthecontemplatedpedestriantours；wewerewellsatisfiedwiththeprogresswhichwehadmadeintheGermanlanguage，[1。SeeAppendixDforinformationconcerningthisfearfultongue。]andmorethansatisfiedwithwhatwehadaccomplishedinart。WehadhadthebestinstructorsindrawingandpaintinginGermany——Ha"mmerling，Vogel，Mu"ller，Dietz，andSchumann。Ha"mmerlingtaughtuslandscape-painting。
　　Vogeltaughtusfigure-drawing，Mu"llertaughtustodostill-life，andDietzandSchumanngaveusafinishingcourseintwospecialties——battle-piecesandshipwrecks。
　　WhateverIaminArtIowetothesemen。Ihavesomethingofthemannerofeachandallofthem；buttheyallsaidthatI
　　hadalsoamannerofmyown，andthatitwasconspicuous。
　　Theysaidtherewasamarkedindividualityaboutmystyle——insomuchthatifIeverpaintedthecommonesttypeofadog，Ishouldbesuretothrowasomethingintotheaspectofthatdogwhichwouldkeephimfrombeingmistakenforthecreationofanyotherartist。
　　SecretlyIwantedtobelieveallthesekindsayings，butIcouldnot；Iwasafraidthatmymasters'
　　partialityforme，andprideinme，biasedtheirjudgment。
　　SoIresolvedtomakeatest。Privately，andunknowntoanyone，Ipaintedmygreatpicture，"HeidelbergCastleIlluminated"——myfirstreallyimportantworkinoils——andhadithungupinthemidstofawildernessofoil-picturesintheArtExhibition，withnonameattachedtoit。Tomygreatgratificationitwasinstantlyrecognizedasmine。
　　Allthetownflockedtoseeit，andpeopleevencamefromneighboringlocalitiestovisitit。ItmademorestirthananyotherworkintheExhibition。Butthemostgratifyingthingofallwas，thatchancestrangers，passingthrough，whohadnotheardofmypicture，werenotonlydrawntoit，asbyalodestone，themomenttheyenteredthegallery，butalwaystookitfora"Turner。"
　　Apparentlynobodyhadeverdonethat。Therewereruinedcastlesontheoverhangingcliffsandcragsalltheway；
　　theseweresaidtohavetheirlegends，likethoseontheRhine，andwhatwasbetterstill，theyhadneverbeeninprint。
　　Therewasnothinginthebooksaboutthatlovelyregion；
　　ithadbeenneglectedbythetourist，itwasvirginsoilfortheliterarypioneer。
　　Meantimetheknapsacks，theroughwalking-suitsandthestoutwalking-shoeswhichwehadordered，werefinishedandbroughttous。AMr。XandayoungMr。Zhadagreedtogowithus。
　　Wewentaroundoneeveningandbadegood-bytoourfriends，andafterwardhadalittlefarewellbanquetatthehotel。
　　Wegottobedearly，forwewantedtomakeanearlystart，soastotakeadvantageofthecoolofthemorning。
　　Wewereoutofbedatbreakofday，feelingfreshandvigorous，andtookaheartybreakfast，thenplungeddownthroughtheleafyarcadesoftheCastlegrounds，towardthetown。Whataglorioussummermorningitwas，andhowtheflowersdidpourouttheirfragrance，andhowthebirdsdidsing!Itwasjustthetimeforatrampthroughthewoodsandmountains。
　　Wewerealldressedalike:broadslouchhats，tokeepthesunoff；grayknapsacks；bluearmyshirts；blueoveralls；
　　leatherngaitersbuttonedtightfromkneedowntoankle；
　　high-quartercoarseshoessnuglylaced。Eachmanhadanopera-glass，acanteen，andaguide-bookcaseslungoverhisshoulder，andcarriedanalpenstockinonehandandasun-umbrellaintheother。Aroundourhatswerewoundmanyfoldsofsoftwhitemuslin，withtheendshangingandflappingdownourbacks——anideabroughtfromtheOrientandusedbytouristsalloverEurope。
　　Harriscarriedthelittlewatch-likemachinecalleda"pedometer，"whoseofficeistokeepcountofaman'sstepsandtellhowfarhehaswalked。Everybodystoppedtoadmireourcostumesandgiveusahearty"Pleasantmarchtoyou!"
　　WhenwegotdowntownIfoundthatwecouldgobyrailtowithinfivemilesofHeilbronn。Thetrainwasjuststarting，sowejumpedaboardandwenttearingawayinsplendidspirits。
　　Itwasagreedallaroundthatwehaddonewisely，becauseitwouldbejustasenjoyabletowalkDOWNtheNeckarasupit，anditcouldnotbeneedfultowalkbothways。
　　ThereweresomeniceGermanpeopleinourcompartment。
　　Igottotalkingsomeprettyprivatematterspresently，andHarrisbecamenervous；sohenudgedmeandsaid:
　　"SpeakinGerman——theseGermansmayunderstandEnglish。"
　　Ididso，itwaswellIdid；foritturnedoutthattherewasnotaGermaninthatpartywhodidnotunderstandEnglishperfectly。ItiscurioushowwidespreadourlanguageisinGermany。AfterawhilesomeofthosefolksgotoutandaGermangentlemanandhistwoyoungdaughtersgotin。
　　IspokeinGermanofoneofthelatterseveraltimes，butwithoutresult。Finallyshesaid:
　　"ICHVERSTEHENURDEUTCHUNDENGLISHE，"——orwordstothateffect。Thatis，"Idon'tunderstandanylanguagebutGermanandEnglish。"
　　Andsureenough，notonlyshebutherfatherandsisterspokeEnglish。Soafterthatwehadallthetalkwewanted；
　　andwewantedagooddeal，fortheywereagreeablepeople。
　　Theyweregreatlyinterestedinourcustoms；especiallythealpenstocks，fortheyhadnotseenanybefore。
　　TheysaidthattheNeckarroadwasperfectlylevel，sowemustbegoingtoSwitzerlandorsomeotherruggedcountry；
　　andaskedusifwedidnotfindthewalkingprettyfatiguinginsuchwarmweather。Butwesaidno。
　　WereachedWimpfen——IthinkitwasWimpfen——inaboutthreehours，andgotout，nottheleasttired；foundagoodhotelandorderedbeeranddinner——thentookastrollthroughthevenerableoldvillage。Itwasverypicturesqueandtumble-down，anddirtyandinteresting。
　　Ithadqueerhousesfivehundredyearsoldinit，andamilitarytower115feethigh，whichhadstoodtheremorethantencenturies。Imadealittlesketchofit。
　　Ikeptacopy，butgavetheoriginaltotheBurgomaster。
　　Ithinktheoriginalwasbetterthanthecopy，becauseithadmorewindowsinitandthegrassstoodupbetterandhadabriskerlook。Therewasnonearoundthetower，though；
　　Icomposedthegrassmyself，fromstudiesImadeinafieldbyHeidelberginHa"mmerling'stime。Themanontop，lookingattheview，isapparentlytoolarge，butIfoundhecouldnotbemadesmaller，conveniently。Iwantedhimthere，andIwantedhimvisible，soIthoughtoutawaytomanageit；Icomposedthepicturefromtwopointsofview；thespectatoristoobservethemanfromboutwherethatflagis，andhemustobservethetoweritselffromtheground。Thisharmonizestheseemingdiscrepancy。
　　[Figure2]
　　Nearanoldcathedral，underashed，werethreecrossesofstone——moldyanddamagedthings，bearinglife-sizestonefigures。Thetwothievesweredressedinthefancifulcourtcostumesofthemiddleofthesixteenthcentury，whiletheSaviourwasnude，withtheexceptionofaclotharoundtheloins。
　　WehaddinnerunderthegreentreesinagardenbelongingtothehotelandoverlookingtheNeckar；then，afterasmoke，wewenttobed。Wehadarefreshingnap，thengotupaboutthreeintheafternoonandputonourpanoply。
　　Aswetrampedgailyoutatthegateofthetown，weovertookapeasant'scart，partlyladenwithoddsandendsofcabbagesandsimilarvegetablerubbish，anddrawnbyasmallcowandasmallerdonkeyyokedtogether。
　　Itwasaprettyslowconcern，butitgotusintoHeilbronnbeforedark——fivemiles，orpossiblyitwasseven。
　　Westoppedattheverysameinnwhichthefamousoldrobber-knightandroughfighterGo"tzvonBerlichingen，abodeinafterhegotoutofcaptivityintheSquareTowerofHeilbronnbetweenthreehundredandfiftyandfourhundredyearsago。HarrisandIoccupiedthesameroomwhichhehadoccupiedandthesamepaperhadnotquitepeeledoffthewallsyet。Thefurniturewasquaintoldcarvedstuff，fullfourhundredyearsold，andsomeofthesmellswereoverathousand。Therewasahookinthewall，whichthelandlordsaidtheterrificoldGo"tzusedtohanghisironhandonwhenhetookitofftogotobed。
　　Thisroomwasverylarge——itmightbecalledimmense——
　　anditwasonthefirstfloor；whichmeansitwasinthesecondstory，forinEuropethehousesaresohighthattheydonotcountthefirststory，elsetheywouldgettiredclimbingbeforetheygottothetop。
　　Thewallpaperwasafieryred，withhugegoldfiguresinit，wellsmirchedbytime，anditcoveredallthedoors。
　　Thesedoorsfittedsosnuglyandcontinuedthefiguresofthepapersounbrokenly，thatwhentheywereclosedonehadtogofeelingandsearchingalongthewalltofindthem。Therewasastoveinthecorner——oneofthosetall，square，statelywhiteporcelainthingsthatlookslikeamonumentandkeepsyouthinkingofdeathwhenyououghttobeenjoyingyourtravels。
　　Thewindowslookedoutonalittlealley，andoverthatintoastableandsomepoultryandpigyardsintherearofsometenement-houses。Therewerethecustomarytwobedsintheroom，oneinoneend，theotherintheother，aboutanold-fashionedbrass-mounted，single-barreledpistol-shotapart。TheywerefullyasnarrowastheusualGermanbed，too，andhadtheGermanbed'sineradicablehabitofspillingtheblanketsontheflooreverytimeyouforgotyourselfandwenttosleep。
　　AroundtableaslargeasKingArthur'sstoodinthecenteroftheroom；whilethewaitersweregettingreadytoserveourdinneronitweallwentouttoseetherenownedclockonthefrontofthemunicipalbuildings。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　[WhattheWivesSaved]
　　TheRATHHAUS，ormunicipalbuilding，isofthequaintestandmostpicturesqueMiddle-Agearchitecture。Ithasamassiveporticoandsteps，beforeit，heavilybalustraded，andadornedwithlife-sizedrustyironknightsincompletearmor。Theclock-faceonthefrontofthebuildingisverylargeandofcuriouspattern。Ordinarily，agildedangelstrikesthehouronabigbellwithahammer；
　　asthestrikingceases，alife-sizedfigureofTimeraisesitshour-glassandturnsit；twogoldenramsadvanceandbutteachother；agildedcockliftsitswings；
　　butthemainfeaturesaretwogreatangels，whostandoneachsideofthedialwithlonghornsattheirlips；
　　itwassaidthattheyblewmelodiousblastsonthesehornseveryhour——buttheydidnotdoitforus。
　　Weweretold，later，thantheyblewonlyatnight，whenthetownwasstill。
　　WithintheRATHHAUSwereanumberofhugewildboars'
　　heads，preserved，andmountedonbracketsalongthewall；
　　theyboreinscriptionstellingwhokilledthemandhowmanyhundredyearsagoitwasdone。Oneroominthebuildingwasdevotedtothepreservationofancientarchives。
　　Theretheyshowedusnoendofageddocuments；someweresignedbyPopes，somebyTillyandothergreatgenerals，andonewasaletterwrittenandsubscribedbyGo"tzvonBerlichingeninHeilbronnin1519justafterhisreleasefromtheSquareTower。
　　Thisfineoldrobber-knightwasadevoutlyandsincerelyreligiousman，hospitable，charitabletothepoor，fearlessinfight，active，enterprising，andpossessedofalargeandgenerousnature。Hehadinhimaqualityofbeingabletooverlookmoderateinjuries，andbeingabletoforgiveandforgetmortalonesassoonashehadsoundlytrouncedtheauthorsofthem。
　　Hewasprompttotakeupanypoordevil'squarrelandriskhisnecktorighthim。Thecommonfolkheldhimdear，andhismemoryisstillgreeninballadandtradition。
　　Heusedtogoonthehighwayandrobrichwayfarers；
　　andothertimeshewouldswoopdownfromhishighcastleonthehillsoftheNeckarandcapturepassingcargoesofmerchandise。InhismemoirshepiouslythankstheGiverofallGoodforrememberinghiminhisneedsanddeliveringsundrysuchcargoesintohishandsattimeswhenonlyspecialprovidencescouldhaverelievedhim。
　　Hewasadoughtywarriorandfoundadeepjoyinbattle。
　　InanassaultuponastrongholdinBavariawhenhewasonlytwenty-threeyearsold，hisrighthandwasshotaway，buthewassointerestedinthefightthathedidnotobserveitforawhile。Hesaidthattheironhandwhichwasmadeforhimafterward，andwhichheworeformorethanhalfacentury，wasnearlyascleveramemberasthefleshyonehadbeen。IwasgladtogetafacsimileoftheletterwrittenbythisfineoldGermanRobinHood，thoughIwasnotabletoreadit。Hewasabetterartistwithhisswordthanwithhispen。
　　WewentdownbytheriverandsawtheSquareTower。
　　Itwasaveryvenerablestructure，verystrong，andveryornamental。Therewasnoopeningneartheground。
　　Theyhadtousealaddertogetintoit，nodoubt。
　　Wevisitedtheprincipalchurch，also——acuriousoldstructure，withatowerlikespireadornedwithallsortsofgrotesqueimages。Theinnerwallsofthechurchwereplacardedwithlargemuraltabletsofcopper，bearingengravedinscriptionscelebratingthemeritsofoldHeilbronnworthiesoftwoorthreecenturiesago，andalsobearingrudelypaintedeffigiesofthemselvesandtheirfamiliestrickedoutinthequeercostumesofthosedays。Theheadofthefamilysatintheforeground，andbeyondhimextendedasharplyrecedinganddiminishingrowofsons；facinghimsathiswife，andbeyondherextendedalowrowofdiminishingdaughters。
　　Thefamilywasusuallylarge，buttheperspectivebad。
　　ThenwehiredthehackandthehorsewhichGo"tzvonBerlichingenusedtouse，anddroveseveralmilesintothecountrytovisittheplacecalledWEIBERTREU——Wife'sFidelityIsupposeitmeans。ItwasafeudalcastleoftheMiddleAges。Whenwereacheditsneighborhoodwefounditwasbeautifullysituated，butontopofamound，orhill，roundandtolerablysteep，andabouttwohundredfeethigh。Therefore，asthesunwasblazinghot，wedidnotclimbupthere，buttooktheplaceontrust，andobserveditfromadistancewhilethehorseleanedupagainstafenceandrested。Theplacehasnointerestexceptthatwhichislentitbyitslegend，whichisaveryprettyone——tothiseffect:
　　THELEGEND
　　IntheMiddleAges，acoupleofyoungdukes，brothers，tookoppositesidesinoneofthewars，theonefightingfortheEmperor，theotheragainsthim。OneofthemownedthecastleandvillageontopofthemoundwhichI
　　havebeenspeakingof，andinhisabsencehisbrothercamewithhisknightsandsoldiersandbeganasiege。
　　Itwasalongandtediousbusiness，forthepeoplemadeastubbornandfaithfuldefense。Butatlasttheirsuppliesranoutandstarvationbeganitswork；
　　morefellbyhungerthanbythemissilesoftheenemy。
　　Theybyandbysurrendered，andbeggedforcharitableterms。
　　Butthebeleagueringprincewassoincensedagainstthemfortheirlongresistancethathesaidhewouldsparenonebutthewomenandchildren——allmenshouldbeputtotheswordwithoutexception，andalltheirgoodsdestroyed。
　　Thenthewomencameandfellontheirkneesandbeggedforthelivesoftheirhusbands。
　　"No，"saidtheprince，"notamanofthemshallescapealive；
　　youyourselvesshallgowithyourchildrenintohouselessandfriendlessbanishment；butthatyoumaynotstarveIgrantyouthisonegrace，thateachwomanmaybearwithherfromthisplaceasmuchofhermostvaluablepropertyassheisabletocarry。"
　　Verywell，presentlythegatesswungopenandoutfiledthosewomencarryingtheirHUSBANDSontheirshoulders。
　　Thebesiegers，furiousatthetrick，rushedforwardtoslaughterthemen，buttheDukesteppedbetweenandsaid:
　　"No，putupyourswords——aprince'swordisinviolable。"
　　Whenwegotbacktothehotel，KingArthur'sRoundTablewasreadyforusinitswhitedrapery，andtheheadwaiterandhisfirstassistant，inswallow-tailsandwhitecravats，broughtinthesoupandthehotplatesatonce。
　　Mr。Xhadorderedthedinner，andwhenthewinecameon，hepickedupabottle，glancedatthelabel，andthenturnedtothegrave，themelancholy，thesepulchralheadwaiterandsaiditwasnotthesortofwinehehadaskedfor。
　　Theheadwaiterpickedupthebottle，casthisundertaker-eyeonitandsaid:
　　"Itistrue；Ibegpardon。"Thenheturnedonhissubordinateandcalmlysaid，"Bringanotherlabel。"
　　Atthesametimeheslidthepresentlabeloffwithhishandandlaiditaside；ithadbeennewlyputon，itspastewasstillwet。Whenthenewlabelcame，heputiton；
　　ourFrenchwinebeingnowturnedintoGermanwine，accordingtodesire，theheadwaiterwentblandlyabouthisotherduties，asiftheworkingofthissortofmiraclewasacommonandeasythingtohim。
　　Mr。Xsaidhehadnotknown，before，thattherewerepeoplehonestenoughtodothismiracleinpublic，buthewasawarethatthousandsuponthousandsoflabelswereimportedintoAmericafromEuropeeveryyear，toenabledealerstofurnishtotheircustomersinaquietandinexpensivewayallthedifferentkindsofforeignwinestheymightrequire。
　　Wetookaturnaroundthetown，afterdinner，andfounditfullyasinterestinginthemoonlightasithadbeeninthedaytime。Thestreetswerenarrowandroughlypaved，andtherewasnotasidewalkorastreet-lampanywhere。
　　Thedwellingswerecenturiesold，andvastenoughforhotels。
　　Theywidenedallthewayup；thestoriesprojectedfurtherandfurtherforwardandasideastheyascended，andthelongrowsoflightedwindows，filledwithlittlebitsofpanes，curtainedwithfiguredwhitemuslinandadornedoutsidewithboxesofflowers，madeaprettyeffect。
　　Themoonwasbright，andthelightandshadowverystrong；
　　andnothingcouldbemorepicturesquethanthosecurvingstreets，withtheirrowsofhugehighgablesleaningfarovertowardeachotherinafriendlygossipingway，andthecrowdsbelowdriftingthroughthealternatingblotsofgloomandmellowbarsofmoonlight。Nearlyeverybodywasabroad，chatting，singing，romping，ormassedinlazycomfortableattitudesinthedoorways。
　　Inoneplacetherewasapublicbuildingwhichwasfencedaboutwithathick，rustychain，whichsaggedfromposttopostinasuccessionoflowswings。
　　Thepavement，here，wasmadeofheavyblocksofstone。
　　Intheglareofthemoonapartyofbarefootedchildrenwereswingingonthosechainsandhavinganoisygoodtime。
　　Theywerenotthefirstoneswhohavedonethat；
　　eventheirgreat-great-grandfathershadnotbeenthefirsttodoitwhentheywerechildren。Thestrokesofthebarefeethadworngroovesinchesdeepinthestoneflags；
　　ithadtakenmanygenerationsofswingingchildrentoaccomplishthat。Everywhereinthetownwerethemoldanddecaythatgowithantiquity，andevidenceofit；
　　butIdonotknowthatanythingelsegaveussovividasenseoftheoldageofHeilbronnasthosefootworngroovesinthepaving-stones。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　[MyLongCrawlintheDark]
　　WhenwegotbacktothehotelIwoundandsetthepedometerandputitinmypocket，forIwastocarryitnextdayandkeeprecordofthemileswemade。
　　Theworkwhichwehadgiventheinstrumenttododuringwhichhadjustclosedhadnotfatigueditperceptibly。
　　Wewereinbedbyten，forwewantedtobeupandawayonourtramphomewardwiththedawn。Ihungfire，butHarriswenttosleepatonce。Ihateamanwhogoestosleepatonce；thereisasortofindefinablesomethingaboutitwhichisnotexactlyaninsult，andyetisaninsolence；
　　andonewhichishardtobear，too。Ilaytherefrettingoverthisinjury，andtryingtogotosleep；buttheharderItried，thewiderawakeIgrew。Igottofeelingverylonelyinthedark，ithnocompanybutanundigesteddinner。
　　Mymindgotastartbyandby，andbegantoconsiderthebeginningofeverysubjectwhichhaseverbeenthoughtof；
　　butitneverwentfurtherthanthebeginning；itwastouchandgo；itfledfromtopictotopicwithafranticspeed。
　　AttheendofanhourmyheadwasinaperfectwhirlandI
　　wasdeadtired，faggedout。
　　Thefatiguewassogreatthatitpresentlybegantomakesomeheadagainstthenervousexcitement；whileimaginingmyselfwideawake，Iwouldreallydozeintomomentaryunconsciousness，andcomesuddenlyoutofitwithaphysicaljerkwhichnearlywrenchedmyjointsapart——thedelusionoftheinstantbeingthatIwastumblingbackwardoveraprecipice。
　　AfterIhadfallenovereightornineprecipicesandthusfoundoutthatonehalfofmybrainhadbeenasleepeightorninetimeswithoutthewide-awake，hard-workingotherhalfsuspectingit，theperiodicalunconsciousnessesbegantoextendtheirspellgraduallyovermoreofmybrain-territory，andatlastIsankintoadrowsewhichgrewdeeperanddeeperandwasdoubtlessjustontheverypointofbeingasolid，blesseddreamlessstupor，when——whatwasthat?
　　Mydulledfacultiesdraggedthemselvespartlybacktolifeandtookareceptiveattitude。Nowoutofanimmense，alimitlessdistance，cameasomethingwhichgrewandgrew，andapproached，andpresentlywasrecognizableasasound——
　　ithadratherseemedtobeafeeling，before。Thissoundwasamileaway，now——perhapsitwasthemurmurofastorm；
　　andnowitwasnearer——notaquarterofamileaway；
　　wasitthemuffledraspingandgrindingofdistantmachinery?No，itcamestillnearer；wasitthemeasuredtrampofamarchingtroop?Butitcamenearerstill，andstillnearer——andatlastitwasrightintheroom:itwasmerelyamousegnawingthewoodwork。SoIhadheldmybreathallthattimeforsuchatrifle。
　　Well，whatwasdonecouldnotbehelped；Iwouldgotosleepatonceandmakeupthelosttime。Thatwasathoughtlessthought。Withoutintendingit——hardlyknowingit——Ifelltolisteningintentlytothatsound，andevenunconsciouslycountingthestrokesofthemouse'snutmeg-grater。PresentlyIwasderivingexquisitesufferingfromthisemployment，yetmaybeIcouldhaveendureditifthemousehadattendedsteadilytohiswork；
　　buthedidnotdothat；hestoppedeverynowandthen，andIsufferedmorewhilewaitingandlisteningforhimtobeginagainthanIdidwhilehewasgnawing。
　　AlongatfirstIwasmentallyofferingarewardoffive——six——seven——ten——dollarsforthatmouse；
　　buttowardthelastIwasofferingrewardswhichwereentirelybeyondmymeans。Iclose-reefedmyears——
　　thatistosay，Ibenttheflapsofthemdownandfurledthemintofiveorsixfolds，andpressedthemagainstthehearing-orifice——butitdidnogood:thefacultywassosharpenedbynervousexcitementthatitwasbecomeamicrophoneandcouldhearthroughtheoverlayswithouttrouble。
　　Myangergrewtoafrenzy。Ifinallydidwhatallpersonsbeforemehavedone，clearbacktoAdam，——resolvedtothrowsomething。Ireacheddownandgotmywalking-shoes，thensatupinbedandlistened，inordertoexactlylocatethenoise。ButIcouldn'tdoit；itwasasunlocatableasacricket'snoise；andwhereonethinksthatthatis，isalwaystheveryplacewhereitisn't。SoIpresentlyhurledashoeatrandom，andwithaviciousvigor。
　　ItstruckthewalloverHarris'sheadandfelldownonhim；
　　IhadnotimaginedIcouldthrowsofar。ItwokeHarris，andIwasgladofituntilIfoundhewasnotangry；
　　thenIwassorry。Hesoonwenttosleepagain，whichpleasedme；butstraightwaythemousebeganagain，whichrousedmytemperoncemore。IdidnotwanttowakeHarrisasecondtime，butthegnawingcontinueduntilI
　　wascompelledtothrowtheothershoe。ThistimeIbrokeamirror——thereweretwointheroom——Igotthelargestone，ofcourse。Harriswokeagain，butdidnotcomplain，andIwassorrierthanever。IresolvedthatIwouldsufferallpossibletorturebeforeIwoulddisturbhimathirdtime。
　　Themouseeventuallyretired，andbyandbyIwassinkingtosleep，whenaclockbegantostrike；Icountedtillitwasdone，andwasabouttodrowseagainwhenanotherclockbegan；Icounted；thenthetwogreatRATHHAUSclockangelsbegantosendforthsoft，rich，melodiousblastsfromtheirlongtrumpets。Ihadneverheardanythingthatwassolovely，orweird，ormysterious——butwhentheygottoblowingthequarter-hours，theyseemedtometobeoverdoingthething。EverytimeIdroppedoffforthemoment，anewnoisewokeme。EachtimeIwokeImissedmycoverlet，andhadtoreachdowntothefloorandgetitagain。
　　Atlastallsleepinessforsookme。IrecognizedthefactthatIwashopelesslyandpermanentlywideawake。
　　Wideawake，andfeverishandthirsty。WhenIhadlaintossingthereaslongasIcouldendureit，itoccurredtomethatitwouldbeagoodideatodressandgooutinthegreatsquareandtakearefreshingwashinthefountain，andsmokeandreflectthereuntiltheremnantofthenightwasgone。
　　IbelievedIcoulddressinthedarkwithoutwakingHarris。
　　Ihadbanishedmyshoesafterthemouse，butmyslipperswoulddoforasummernight。SoIrosesoftly，andgraduallygotoneverything——downtoonesock。Icouldn'tseemtogetonthetrackofthatsock，anywayIcouldfixit。
　　ButIhadtohaveit；soIwentdownonmyhandsandknees，withoneslipperonandtheotherinmyhand，andbegantopawgentlyaroundandrakethefloor，butwithnosuccess。
　　Ienlargedmycircle，andwentonpawingandraking。
　　Witheverypressureofmyknee，howthefloorcreaked!
　　andeverytimeIchancedtorakeagainstanyarticle，itseemedtogiveoutthirty-fiveorthirty-sixtimesmorenoisethanitwouldhavedoneinthedaytime。
　　InthosecasesIalwaysstoppedandheldmybreathtillI
　　wassureHarrishadnotawakened——thenIcreptalongagain。
　　Imovedonandon，butIcouldnotfindthesock；
　　Icouldnotseemtofindanythingbutfurniture。
　　IcouldnotrememberthattherewasmuchfurnitureintheroomwhenIwenttobed，buttheplacewasalivewithitnow——especiallychairs——chairseverywhere——
　　hadacoupleoffamiliesmovedin，inthemeantime?AndInevercouldseemtoGLANCEononeofthosechairs，butalwaysstruckitfullandsquarewithmyhead。
　　Mytemperrose，bysteadyandsuredegrees，andasI
　　pawedonandon，Ifelltomakingviciouscommentsundermybreath。
　　Finally，withavenomousaccessofirritation，IsaidI
　　wouldleavewithoutthesock；soIroseupandmadestraightforthedoor——asIsupposed——andsuddenlyconfrontedmydimspectralimageintheunbrokenmirror。Itstartledthebreathoutofme，foraninstant；italsoshowedmethatIwaslost，andhadnosortofideawhereIwas。
　　WhenIrealizedthis，IwassoangrythatIhadtositdownonthefloorandtakeholdofsomethingtokeepfromliftingtheroofoffwithanexplosionofopinion。
　　Iftherehadbeenonlyonemirror，itmightpossiblyhavehelpedtolocateme；butthereweretwo，andtwowereasbadasathousand；besides，thesewereonoppositesidesoftheroom。Icouldseethedimblurofthewindows，butinmyturned-aroundconditiontheywereexactlywheretheyoughtnottobe，andsotheyonlyconfusedmeinsteadofhelpingme。
　　Istartedtogetup，andknockeddownanumbrella；
　　itmadeanoiselikeapistol-shotwhenitstruckthathard，slick，carpetlessfloor；Igratedmyteethandheldmybreath——Harrisdidnotstir。Isettheumbrellaslowlyandcarefullyonendagainstthewall，butassoonasItookmyhandaway，itsheelslippedfromunderit，anddownitcameagainwithanotherbang。
　　Ishrunktogetherandlistenedamomentinsilentfury——
　　noharmdone，everythingquiet。Withthemostpainstakingcareandnicety，Istoodtheumbrellauponcemore，tookmyhandaway，anddownitcameagain。
　　Ihavebeenstrictlyreared，butifithadnotbeensodarkandsolemnandawfulthereinthatlonely，vastroom，IdobelieveIshouldhavesaidsomethingthenwhichcouldnotbeputintoaSunday-schoolbookwithoutinjuringthesaleofit。Ifmyreasoningpowershadnotbeenalreadysappeddrybymyharassments，IwouldhaveknownbetterthantotrytosetanumbrellaonendononeofthoseglassyGermanfloorsinthedark；
　　itcan'tbedoneinthedaytimewithoutfourfailurestoonesuccess。Ihadonecomfort，though——Harriswasyetstillandsilent——hehadnotstirred。
　　Theumbrellacouldnotlocateme——therewerefourstandingaroundtheroom，andallalike。IthoughtI
　　wouldfeelalongthewallandfindthedoorinthatway。
　　Iroseupandbeganthisoperation，butrakeddownapicture。Itwasnotalargeone，butitmadenoiseenoughforapanorama。Harrisgaveoutnosound，butI
　　feltthatifIexperimentedanyfurtherwiththepicturesIshouldbesuretowakehim。Bettergiveuptryingtogetout。Yes，IwouldfindKingArthur'sRoundTableoncemore——Ihadalreadyfounditseveraltimes——anduseitforabaseofdepartureonanexploringtourformybed；
　　ifIcouldfindmybedIcouldthenfindmywaterpitcher；
　　Iwouldquenchmyragingthirstandturnin。SoIstartedonmyhandsandknees，becauseIcouldgofasterthatway，andwithmoreconfidence，too，andnotknockdownthings。
　　ByandbyIfoundthetable——withmyhead——rubbedthebruisealittle，thenroseupandstarted，withhandsabroadandfingersspread，tobalancemyself。Ifoundachair；thenawall；thenanotherchair；thenasofa；
　　thenanalpenstock，thenanothersofa；thisconfoundedme，forIhadthoughttherewasonlyonesofa。Ihuntedupthetableagainandtookafreshstart；foundsomemorechairs。
　　Itoccurredtome，now，asitoughttohavedonebefore，thatasthetablewasround，itwasthereforeofnovalueasabasetoaimfrom；soImovedoffoncemore，andatrandomamongthewildernessofchairsandsofas——
　　wanderingoffintounfamiliarregions，andpresentlyknockedacandlestickandknockedoffalamp，grabbedatthelampandknockedoffawaterpitcherwitharattlingcrash，andthoughttomyself，"I'vefoundyouatlast——I
　　judgedIwascloseuponyou。"Harrisshouted"murder，"
　　and"thieves，"andfinishedwith"I'mabsolutelydrowned。"
　　Thecrashhadrousedthehouse。Mr。Xprancedin，inhislongnight-garment，withacandle，youngZafterhimwithanothercandle；aprocessionsweptinatanotherdoor，withcandlesandlanterns——landlordandtwoGermanguestsintheirnightgownsandachambermaidinhers。
　　Ilookedaround；IwasatHarris'sbed，aSabbath-day'sjourneyfrommyown。Therewasonlyonesofa；itwasagainstthewall；therewasonlyonechairwhereabodycouldgetatit——Ihadbeenrevolvingarounditlikeaplanet，andcollidingwithitlikeacomethalfthenight。