ItwasSemperIdem'srecoverywhichhadsofullycompensatedDoctorBicknellforthelossofthesailorman。Livesweretohimasnothing，theunpleasantbutinevitableincidentsoftheprofession，butcases，ah，caseswereeverything。Peoplewhoknewhimwerepronetobrandhimabutcher，buthiscolleagueswereatoneinthebeliefthatabolderandyetamorecapablemanneverstoodoverthetable。Hewasnotanimaginativeman。Hedidnotpossess，andhencehadnotolerancefor，emotion。Hisnaturewasaccurate，precise，scientific。Menweretohimnomorethanpawns，withoutindividualityorpersonalvalue。Butascasesitwasdifferent。Themorebrokenamanwas，themoreprecarioushisgriponlife，thegreaterhissignificanceintheeyesofDoctorBicknell。Hewouldasreadilyforsakeapoetlaureatesufferingfromacommonaccidentforanameless，mangledvagrantwhodefiedeverylawoflifebyrefusingtodie，aswouldachildforsakeaPunchandJudyforacircus。
　　SoithadbeeninthecaseofSemperIdem。Themysteryofthemanhadnotappealedtohim，norhadhissilenceandtheveiledromancewhichtheyellowreportershadsosensationallyandsofruitlesslyexploitedindiversSundayeditions。ButSemperIdem'sthroathadbeencut。Thatwasthepoint。Thatwaswherehisinteresthadcentred。Cutfromeartoear，andnotonesurgeoninathousandtogiveasnapofthefingersforhischanceofrecovery。But，thankstotheswiftmunicipalambulanceserviceandtoDoctorBicknell，hehadbeendraggedbackintotheworldhehadsoughttoleave。TheDoctor'sco-workershadshakentheirheadswhenthecasewasbroughtin。Impossible，theysaid。Throat，windpipe，jugular，allbutactuallysevered，andthelossofbloodfrightful。Asitwassuchaforegoneconclusion，DoctorBicknellhademployedmethodsanddonethingswhichmadethem，evenintheirprofessionalcapacities，shudder。Andlo!
　　themanhadrecovered。
　　So，onthismorningthatSemperIdemwastoleavethehospital，haleandhearty，DoctorBicknell'sgenialitywasinnowisedisturbedbythesteward'sreport，andheproceededcheerfullytobringorderoutofthechaosofachild'sbodywhichhadbeengroundandcrunchedbeneaththewheelsofanelectriccar。
　　Asmanywillremember，thecaseofSemperIdemarousedavastdealofunseemlyyethighlynaturalcuriosity。Hehadbeenfoundinaslumlodging，withthroatcutasaforementioned，andblooddrippingdownupontheinmatesoftheroombelowanddisturbingtheirfestivities。Hehadevidentlydonethedeedstanding，withheadbowedforwardthathemightgazehislastuponaphotographwhichstoodonthetableproppedagainstacandlestick。ItwasthisattitudewhichhadmadeitpossibleforDoctorBicknelltosavehim。Soterrifichadbeenthesweepoftherazorthathadhehadhisheadthrownback，asheshouldhavedonetohaveaccomplishedtheactproperly，withhisneckstretchedandtheelasticvascularwallsdistended，hewouldhaveofacertaintywell-nighdecapitatedhimself。
　　Atthehospital，duringallthetimehetravelledtherepugnantroadbacktolife，notawordhadlefthislips。Norcouldanythingbelearnedofhimbythesleuthsdetailedbythechiefofpolice。Nobodyknewhim，norhadeverseenorheardofhimbefore。Hewasstrictly，uniquely，ofthepresent。Hisclothesandsurroundingswerethoseofthelowestlabourer，hishandsthehandsofagentleman。Butnotashredofwritingwasdiscovered，nothing，saveinoneparticular，whichwouldservetoindicatehispastorhispositioninlife。
　　Andthatoneparticularwasthephotograph。Ifitwereatallalikeness，thewomanwhogazedfranklyoutupontheonlookerfromthecard-mountmusthavebeenastrikingcreatureindeed。Itwasanamateurproduction，forthedetectiveswerebaffledinthatnoprofessionalphotographer'ssignatureorstudiowasappended。Acrossacornerofthemount，indelicatefemininetracery，waswritten:"Semperidem；semperfidelis。"
　　Andshelookedit。Asmanyrecollect，itwasafaceonecouldneverforget。Cleverhalf-tones，remarkablylike，werepublishedinalltheleadingpapersatthetime；butsuchproceduregaverisetonothingbuttheuncontrollablepubliccuriosityandinterminablecopytothespace-writers。
　　Forwantofabettername，therescuedsuicidewasknowntothehospitalattendants，andtotheworld，asSemperIdem。AndSemperIdemheremained。
　　Reporters，detectives，andnursesgavehimupindespair。Notonewordcouldhebepersuadedtoutter；yettheflittingconsciouslightofhiseyesshowedthathisearsheardandhisbraingraspedeveryquestionputtohim。
　　ButthismysteryandromanceplayednopartinDoctorBicknell'sinterestwhenhepausedintheofficetohaveapartingwordwithhispatient。He，theDoctor，hadperformedaprodigyinthematterofthisman，donewhatwasvirtuallyunprecedentedintheannalsofsurgery。Hedidnotcarewhoorwhatthemanwas，anditwashighlyimprobablethatheshouldeverseehimagain；but，liketheartistgazinguponafinishedcreation，hewishedtolookforthelasttimeupontheworkofhishandandbrain。
　　SemperIdemstillremainedmute。Heseemedanxioustobegone。NotawordcouldtheDoctorextractfromhim，andlittletheDoctorcared。Heexaminedthethroatoftheconvalescentcarefully，idlingoverthehideousscarwiththelingering，half-caressingfondnessofaparent。Itwasnotaparticularlypleasingsight。Anangrylinecircledthethroat——foralltheworldasthoughthemanhadjustescapedthehangman'snoose——and，disappearingbelowtheearoneitherside，hadtheappearanceofcompletingthefieryperipheryatthenapeoftheneck。
　　Maintaininghisdoggedsilence，yieldingtotheother'sexaminationinmuchthemannerofaleashedlion，SemperIdembetrayedonlyhisdesiretodropfromoutofthepubliceye。
　　"Well，I'llnotkeepyou，"DoctorBicknellfinallysaid，layingahandontheman'sshoulderandstealingalastglanceathisownhandiwork。"Butletmegiveyouabitofadvice。Nexttimeyoutryiton，holdyourchinup，so。Don'tsnuggleitdownandbutcheryourselflikeacow。Neatnessanddespatch，youknow。Neatnessanddespatch。"
　　SemperIdem'seyesflashedintokenthatheheard，andamomentlaterthehospitaldoorswungtoonhisheel。
　　ItwasabusydayforDoctorBicknell，andtheafternoonwaswellalongwhenhelightedacigarpreparatorytoleavingthetableuponwhichitseemedthesufferersalmostclamouredtobelaid。Butthelastone，anoldrag-pickerwithabrokenshoulder-blade，hadbeendisposedof，andthefirstfragrantsmokewreathshadbeguntocurlabouthishead，whenthegongofahurryingambulancecamethroughtheopenwindowfromthestreet，followedbytheinevitableentryofthestretcherwithitsghastlyfreight。
　　"Layitonthetable，"theDoctordirected，turningforamomenttoplacehiscigarinsafety。"Whatisit？"
　　"Suicide——throatcut，"respondedoneofthestretcherbearers。"DownonMorganAlley。Littlehope，Ithink，sir。He's'mostgone。"
　　"Eh？Well，I'llgivehimalook，anyway。"Heleanedoverthemanatthemomentwhenthequickmadeitslastfaintflutterandsuccumbed。
　　"It'sSemperIdemcomebackagain，"thestewardsaid。
　　"Ay，"repliedDoctorBicknell，"andgoneagain。Nobunglingthistime。
　　Properlydone，uponmylife，sir，properlydone。Tookmyadvicetotheletter。I'mnotrequiredhere。Takeitalongtothemorgue。"
　　DoctorBicknellsecuredhiscigarandrelightedit。"That，"hesaidbetweenthepuffs，lookingatthesteward，"thatevensupfortheoneyoulostlastnight。We'requitsnow。"
　　ANOSEFORTHEKING
　　InthemorningcalmofKorea，whenitspeaceandtranquillitytrulymeriteditsancientname，"Cho-sen，"therelivedapoliticianbynameYiChinHo。
　　Hewasamanofparts，and——whoshallsay？——perhapsinnowiseworsethanpoliticianstheworldover。But，unlikehisbrethreninotherlands，YiChinHowasinjail。Notthathehadinadvertentlydivertedtohimselfpublicmoneys，butthathehadinadvertentlydivertedtoomuch。Excessistobedeploredinallthings，eveningrafting，andYiChinHo'sexcesshadbroughthimtomostdeplorablestraits。
　　TenthousandstringsofcashheowedtheGovernment，andhelayinprisonundersentenceofdeath。Therewasoneadvantagetothesituation——hehadplentyoftimeinwhichtothink。Andhethoughtwell。Thencalledhethejailertohim。
　　"Mostworthyman，youseebeforeyouonemostwretched，"hebegan。"Yetallwillbewellwithmeifyouwillbutletmegofreeforoneshorthourthisnight。Andallwillbewellwithyou，forIshallseetoyouradvancementthroughtheyears，andyoushallcomeatlengthtothedirectorshipofalltheprisonsofCho-sen。"
　　"Hownow？"demandedthejailer。"Whatfoolishnessisthis？Oneshorthour，andyoubutwaitingforyourheadtobechoppedoff!AndI，withanagedandmuch-to-be-respectedmother，nottosayanythingofawifeandseveralchildrenoftenderyears!Outuponyouforthescoundrelthatyouare!"
　　"FromtheSacredCitytotheendsofalltheEightCoaststhereisnoplaceformetohide，"YiChinHomadereply。"Iamamanofwisdom，butofwhatworthmywisdomhereinprison？WereIfree，wellIknowIcouldseekoutandobtainthemoneywherewithtorepaytheGovernment。Iknowofanosethatwillsavemefromallmydifficulties。"
　　"Anose!"criedthejailer。
　　"Anose，"saidYiChinHo。"Aremarkablenose，ifImaysayso，amostremarkablenose。"
　　Thejailerthrewuphishandsdespairingly。"Ah，whatawagyouare，whatawag，"helaughed。"Tothinkthatthatveryadmirablewitofyoursmustgothewayofthechopping-block!"
　　Andsosaying，heturnedandwentaway。Butintheend，beingamansoftofheadandheart，whenthenightwaswellalonghepermittedYiChinHotogo。
　　StraighthewenttotheGovernor，catchinghimaloneandarousinghimfromhissleep。
　　"YiChinHo，orI'mnoGovernor!"criedtheGovernor。"Whatdoyouherewhoshouldbeinprisonwaitingonthechopping-block？"
　　"IprayYourExcellencytolistentome，"saidYiChinHo，squattingonhishamsbythebedsideandlightinghispipefromthefire-box。"Adeadmaniswithoutvalue。Itistrue，Iamasadeadman，withoutvaluetotheGovernment，toYourExcellency，ortomyself。Butif，sotosay，YourExcellencyweretogivememyfreedom——"
　　"Impossible!"criedtheGovernor。"Beside，youarecondemnedtodeath。"
　　"YourExcellencywellknowsthatifIcanrepaythetenthousandstringsofcash，theGovernmentwillpardonme，"YiChinHowenton。"So，asIsay，ifYourExcellencyweretogivememyfreedomforafewdays，beingamanofunderstanding，IshouldthenrepaytheGovernmentandbeinpositiontobeofservicetoYourExcellency。IshouldbeinpositiontobeofverygreatservicetoYourExcellency。"
　　"Haveyouaplanwherebyyouhopetoobtainthismoney？"askedtheGovernor。
　　"Ihave，"saidYiChinHo。
　　"Thencomewithittometo-morrownight；Iwouldnowsleep，"saidtheGovernor，takinguphissnorewhereithadbeeninterrupted。
　　Onthefollowingnight，havingagainobtainedleaveofabsencefromthejailer，YiChinHopresentedhimselfattheGovernor'sbedside。
　　"Isityou，YiChinHo？"askedtheGovernor。"Andhaveyoutheplan？"
　　"ItisI，YourExcellency，"answeredYiChinHo，"andtheplanishere。"
　　"Speak，"commandedtheGovernor。
　　"Theplanishere，"repeatedYiChinHo，"hereinmyhand。"
　　TheGovernorsatupandopenedhiseyes。YiChinHoprofferedinhishandasheetofpaper。TheGovernorheldittothelight。
　　"Nothingbutanose，"saidhe。
　　"Abitpinched，so，andso，YourExcellency，"saidYiChinHo。
　　"Yes，abitpinchedhereandthere，asyousay，"saidtheGovernor。
　　"Withalitisanexceedingcorpulentnose，thus，andso，allinoneplace，attheend，"proceededYiChinHo。"YourExcellencywouldseekfarandwideandmanyadayforthatnoseandfinditnot!"
　　"Anunusualnose，"admittedtheGovernor。
　　"Thereisawartuponit，"saidYiChinHo。
　　"Amostunusualnose，"saidtheGovernor。"NeverhaveIseenthelike。
　　Butwhatdoyouwiththisnose，YiChinHo？"
　　"IseekitwherebytorepaythemoneytotheGovernment，"saidYiChinHo。
　　"IseekittobeofservicetoYourExcellency，andIseekittosavemyownworthlesshead。Further，IseekYourExcellency'ssealuponthispictureofthenose。"
　　AndtheGovernorlaughedandaffixedthesealofState，andYiChinHodeparted。ForamonthandadayhetravelledtheKing'sRoadwhichleadstotheshoreoftheEasternSea；andthere，onenight，atthegateofthelargestmansionofawealthycityheknockedloudlyforadmittance。
　　"NoneotherthanthemasterofthehousewillIsee，"saidhefiercelytothefrightenedservants。"ItravelupontheKing'sbusiness。"
　　Straightwaywasheledtoaninnerroom，wherethemasterofthehousewasrousedfromhissleepandbroughtblinkingbeforehim。
　　"YouarePakChungChang，headmanofthiscity，"saidYiChinHointonesthatwereall-accusing。"IamupontheKing'sbusiness。"
　　PakChungChangtrembled。WellheknewtheKing'sbusinesswaseveraterriblebusiness。Hiskneessmotetogether，andhenearfelltothefloor。
　　"Thehourislate，"hequavered。"Wereitnotwellto——"
　　"TheKing'sbusinessneverwaits!"thunderedYiChinHo。"Comeapartwithme，andswiftly。Ihaveanaffairofmomenttodiscusswithyou。
　　"ItistheKing'saffair，"headdedwithevengreaterfierceness；sothatPakChungChang'ssilverpipedroppedfromhisnervelessfingersandclatteredonthefloor。
　　"Knowthen，"saidYiChinHo，whentheyhadgoneapart，"thattheKingistroubledwithanaffliction，averyterribleaffliction。Inthathefailedtocure，theCourtphysicianhashadnothingelsethanhisheadchoppedoff。FromalltheEightProvinceshavethephysicianscometowaitupontheKing。Wiseconsultationhavetheyheld，andtheyhavedecidedthatforaremedyfortheKing'safflictionnothingelseisrequiredthananose，acertainkindofnose，averypeculiarcertainkindofnose。
　　"ThenbynoneotherwasIsummonedthanHisExcellencythePrimeMinisterhimself。Heputapaperintomyhand。UponthispaperwastheverypeculiarkindofnosedrawnbythephysiciansoftheEightProvinces，withthesealofStateuponit。
　　"'Go，'saidHisExcellencythePrimeMinister。'Seekoutthisnose，fortheKing'safflictionissore。Andwheresoeveryoufindthisnoseuponthefaceofaman，strikeitoffforthrightandbringitinallhastetotheCourt，fortheKingmustbecured。Go，andcomenotbackuntilyoursearchisrewarded。'
　　"AndsoIdeparteduponmyquest，"saidYiChinHo。"Ihavesoughtouttheremotestcornersofthekingdom；IhavetravelledtheEightHighways，searchedtheEightProvinces，andsailedtheseasoftheEightCoasts。AndhereIam。"
　　Withagreatflourishhedrewapaperfromhisgirdle，unrolleditwithmanysnappingsandcracklings，andthrustitbeforethefaceofPakChungChang。Uponthepaperwasthepictureofthenose。
　　PakChungChangstareduponitwithbulgingeyes。
　　"NeverhaveIbeheldsuchanose，"hebegan。
　　"Thereisawartuponit，"saidYiChinHo。
　　"NeverhaveIbeheld——"PakChungChangbeganagain。
　　"Bringyourfatherbeforeme，"YiChinHointerruptedsternly。
　　"Myancientandvery-much-to-be-respectedancestorsleeps，"saidPakChungChang。
　　"Whydissemble？"demandedYiChinHo。"Youknowitisyourfather'snose。
　　BringhimbeforemethatImaystrikeitoffandbegone。Hurry，lestI
　　makebadreportofyou。"
　　"Mercy!"criedPakChungChang，fallingonhisknees。"Itisimpossible!
　　Itisimpossible!Youcannotstrikeoffmyfather'snose。Hecannotgodownwithouthisnosetothegrave。Hewillbecomealaughterandabyword，andallmydaysandnightswillbefilledwithwoe。Oreflect!
　　Reportthatyouhaveseennosuchnoseinyourtravels。You，too，haveafather。"
　　PakChungChangclaspedYiChinHo'skneesandfelltoweepingonhissandals。
　　"Myheartsoftensstrangelyatyourtears，"saidYiChinHo。"I，too，knowfilialpietyandregard。But——"Hehesitated，thenadded，asthoughthinkingaloud，"Itisasmuchasmyheadisworth。"
　　"Howmuchisyourheadworth？"askedPakChungChanginathin，smallvoice。
　　"Anotremarkablehead，"saidYiChinHo。"Anabsurdlyunremarkablehead；
　　but，suchismygreatfoolishness，Ivalueitatnothinglessthanonehundredthousandstringsofcash。"
　　"Sobeit，"saidPakChungChang，risingtohisfeet。
　　"Ishallneedhorsestocarrythetreasure，"saidYiChinHo，"andmentoguarditwellasIjourneythroughthemountains。Therearerobbersabroadintheland。"
　　"Therearerobbersabroadintheland，"saidPakChungChang，sadly。"Butitshallbeasyouwish，solongasmyancientandvery-much-to-be-
　　respectedancestor'snoseabideinitsappointedplace。"
　　"Saynothingtoanymanofthisoccurrence，"saidYiChinHo，"elsewillotherandmoreloyalservantsthanIbesenttostrikeoffyourfather'snose。"
　　AndsoYiChinHodepartedonhiswaythroughthemountains，blitheofheartandgayofsongashelistenedtothejinglingbellsofhistreasure-
　　ladenponies。
　　Thereislittlemoretotell。YiChinHoprosperedthroughtheyears。ByhiseffortsthejailerattainedatlengthtothedirectorshipofalltheprisonsofCho-sen；theGovernorultimatelybetookhimselftotheSacredCitytobePrimeMinistertotheKing，whileYiChinHobecametheKing'sbooncompanionandsatattablewithhimtotheendofaround，fatlife。
　　ButPakChungChangfellintoamelancholy，andeverafterheshookhisheadsadly，withtearsinhiseyes，wheneverheregardedtheexpensivenoseofhisancientandvery-much-to-be-respectedancestor。
　　THE"FRANCISSPAIGHT"
　　ATRUETALERETOLD
　　TheFrancisSpaightwasrunningbeforeitsolelyunderamizzentopsail，whenthethinghappened。Itwasnotduetocarelessnesssomuchastothelackofdisciplineofthecrewandtothefactthattheywereindifferentseamenatbest。Themanatthewheelinparticular，aLimerickman，hadhadnoexperiencewithsaltwaterbeyondthatofraftingtimberontheShannonbetweentheQuebecvesselsandtheshore。Hewasafraidofthehugeseasthatroseoutofthemurkasternandboredownuponhim，andhewasmoregiventocoweringawayfromtheirthreatenedimpactthanhewastomeetingtheirblowswiththewheelandcheckingtheship'srushtobroachto。
　　Itwasthreeinthemorningwhenhisunseamanlikeconductprecipitatedthecatastrophe。Atsightofaseafarlargerthanitsfellows，hecroucheddown，releasinghishandsfromthespokes。TheFrancisSpaightsheeredashersternliftedonthesea，receivingthefullflingofthecaponherquarter。Thenextinstantshewasinthetrough，herlee-railburiedtilltheoceanwaslevelwithherhatch-coamings，seaafterseabreakingoverherweatherrailandsweepingwhatremainedexposedofthedeckwithicydeluges。
　　Themenwereoutofhand，helplessandhopeless，stupidintheirbewildermentandfear，andresoluteonlyinthattheywouldnotobeyorders。Somewailed，othersclungsilentlyintheweathershrouds，andstillothersmutteredprayersorshriekedvileimprecations；andneithercaptainnormatecouldgetthemtobearahandatthepumpsoratsettingpatchesofsailstobringthevesseluptothewindandsea。Insidethehourtheshipwasoveronherbeamends，thelubberlycowardsclimbinguphersideandhangingonintherigging。Whenshewentover，thematewascaughtanddrownedintheafter-cabin，asweretwosailorswhohadsoughtrefugeintheforecastle。
　　Thematehadbeentheablestmanonboard，andthecaptainwasnowscarcelylesshelplessthanhismen。Beyondcursingthemfortheirworthlessness，hedidnothing；anditremainedforamannamedMahoney，aBelfastman，andaboy，O'Brien，ofLimerick，tocutawaytheforeandmainmasts。Thistheydidatgreatriskontheperpendicularwallofthewreck，sendingthemizzentopmastoversidealonginthegeneralcrash。TheFrancisSpaightrighted，anditwaswellthatshewaslumberladen，elseshewouldhavesunk，forshewasalreadywater-logged。Themainmast，stillfastbytheshrouds，beatlikeathunderoussledge-hammeragainsttheship'sside，everystrokebringinggroansfromthemen。
　　Daydawnedonthesavageocean，andinthecoldgraylightallthatcouldbeseenoftheFrancisSpaightemergingfromtheseawerethepoop，theshatteredmizzenmast，andaraggedlineofbulwarks。ItwasmidwinterintheNorthAtlantic，andthewretchedmenwerehalf-deadfromcold。Buttherewasnoplacewheretheycouldfindrest。Everyseabreachedcleanoverthewreck，washingawaythesaltincrustationsfromtheirbodiesanddepositingfreshincrustations。Thecabinunderthepoopwasawashtotheknees，buthereatleastwasshelterfromthechillwind，andherethesurvivorscongregated，standingupright，holdingonbythecabinfurnishings，andleaningagainstoneanotherforsupport。
　　InvainMahoneystrovetogetthementotaketurnsinwatchingaloftfromthemizzenmastforanychancevessel。Theicygalewastoomuchforthem，andtheypreferredtheshelterofthecabin。O'Brien，theboy，whowasonlyfifteen，tookturnswithMahoneyonthefreezingperch。Itwastheboy，atthreeintheafternoon，whocalleddownthathehadsightedasail。
　　Thisdidbringthemfromthecabin，andtheycrowdedthepooprailandweathermizzenshroudsastheywatchedthestrangeship。Butitscoursedidnotlienear，andwhenitdisappearedbelowtheskyline，theyreturnedshiveringtothecabin，notoneofferingtorelievethewatchatthemasthead。
　　Bytheendofthesecondday，MahoneyandO'Briengaveuptheirattempt，andthereafterthevesseldriftedinthegaleuncaredforandwithoutalookout。Therewerethirteenalive，andforseventy-twohourstheystoodknee-deepinthesloshingwateronthecabinfloor，half-frozen，withoutfood，andwithbutthreebottlesofwinesharedamongthem。Allfoodandfreshwaterwerebelow，andtherewasnogettingatsuchsuppliesinthewater-loggedconditionofthewreck。Asthedayswentby，nofoodwhateverpassedtheirlips。Freshwater，insmallquantities，theywereabletoobtainbyholdingacoverofatureenunderthesaddleofthemizzenmast。
　　Buttherainfellinfrequently，andtheywerehardput。Whenitrained，theyalsosoakedtheirhandkerchiefs，squeezingthemoutintotheirmouthsorintotheirshoes。Asthewindandseawentdown，theywereevenabletomoptheexposedportionsofthedeckthatwerefreefrombrineandsoaddtotheirwatersupply。Butfoodtheyhadnone，andnowayofgettingit，thoughsea-birdsflewrepeatedlyoverhead。
　　Inthecalmweatherthatfollowedthegale，afterhavingremainedontheirfeetforninety-sixhours，theywereabletofinddryplanksinthecabinonwhichtolie。Butthelonghoursofstandinginthesaltwaterhadcausedsorestoformontheirlegs。Thesesoreswereextremelypainful。
　　Theslightestcontactorscrapecausedsevereanguish，andintheirweakconditionandcrowdedsituationtheywerecontinuallyhurtingoneanotherinthismanner。Notamancouldmoveaboutwithoutbeingfollowedbyvolleysofabuse，curses，andgroans。Sogreatwastheirmiserythatthestrongoppressedtheweak，shovingthemasidefromthedryplankstoshiftforthemselvesinthecoldandwet。Theboy，O'Brien，wasspeciallymaltreated。Thoughtherewerethreeotherboys，itwasO'Brienwhocameinformostoftheabuse。Therewasnoexplainingit，exceptonthegroundthathiswasastrongerandmoredominantspiritthanthoseoftheotherboys，andthathestoodupmoreforhisrights，resentingthepettyinjusticesthatweremetedouttoalltheboysbythemen。WheneverO'Briencamenearthemeninsearchofadryplacetosleep，ormerelymovedabout，hewaskickedandcuffedaway。Inreturn，hecursedthemfortheirselfishbrutishness，andblowsandkicksandcurseswereraineduponhim。Miserableaswereallofthem，hewasthusmadefarmoremiserable；
　　anditwasonlytheflameoflife，unusuallystronginhim，thatenabledhimtoendure。
　　Asthedayswentbyandtheygrewweaker，theirpeevishnessandill-temperincreased，which，inturn，increasedtheill-treatmentandsufferingsofO'Brien。Bythesixteenthdayallhandswerefargonewithhunger，andtheystoodtogetherinsmallgroups，talkinginundertonesandoccasionallyglancingatO'Brien。Itwasathighnoonthattheconferencecametoahead。Thecaptainwasthespokesman。Allwerecollectedonthepoop。
　　"Men，"thecaptainbegan，"wehavebeenalongtimewithoutfood——twoweeksandtwodaysitis，thoughitseemsmoreliketwoyearsandtwomonths。Wecan'thangoutmuchlonger。Itisbeyondhumannaturetogoonhangingoutwithnothinginourstomachs。Thereisaseriousquestiontoconsider:
　　whetheritisbetterforalltodie，orforonetodie。Wearestandingwithourfeetinourgraves。Ifoneofusdies，therestmayliveuntilashipissighted。Whatsayyou？"
　　MichaelBehane，themanwhohadbeenatthewheelwhentheFrancisSpaightbroachedto，calledoutthatitwaswell。Theothersjoinedinthecry。
　　"Letitbeoneoftheb'ys!"criedSullivan，aTarbertman，glancingatthesametimesignificantlyatO'Brien。
　　"Itismyopinion，"thecaptainwenton，"thatitwillbeagooddeedforoneofustodiefortherest。"
　　"Agooddeed!Agooddeed!"themeninterjected。
　　"Anditismyopinionthat'tisbestforoneoftheboystodie。Theyhavenofamiliestosupport，norwouldtheybeconsideredsogreatalosstotheirfriendsasthosewhohavewivesandchildren。"
　　"'Tisright。""Veryright。""Veryfititshouldbedone，"themenmutteredonetoanother。
　　Butthefourboyscriedoutagainsttheinjusticeofit。
　　"Ourlivesisjustasdeartousastherestivyez，"O'Brienprotested。
　　"An'ourfamblies，too。Asforwivesan'childer，whoistheresavin'
　　meselftocareformeoldmotherthat'sawidow，asyouknowwell，MichaelBehane，thatcomesfromLimerick？'Tisnotfair。Letthelotsbedrawnbetweenallofus，menandb'ys。"
　　Mahoneywastheonlymanwhospokeinfavouroftheboys，declaringthatitwasthefairthingforalltosharealike。Sullivanandthecaptaininsistedonthedrawingoflotsbeingconfinedtotheboys。Therewerehighwords，inthemidstofwhichSullivanturneduponO'Brien，snarling——
　　"'Twouldbeagooddeedtoputyououtoftheway。Youdeserveit。
　　'Twouldbetherightwaytoserveyou，an'serveyouwewill。"
　　HestartedtowardO'Brien，withintenttolayhandsonhimandproceedatoncewiththekilling，whileseveralotherslikewiseshuffledtowardhimandreachedforhim。Hestumbledbackwardstoescapethem，atthesametimecryingthathewouldsubmittothedrawingofthelotsamongtheboys。
　　ThecaptainpreparedfoursticksofdifferentlengthsandhandedthemtoSullivan。
　　"You'rethinkin'thedrawin'llnotbefair，"thelattersneeredtoO'Brien。
　　"Soit'syerself'lldothedrawin'。"
　　TothisO'Brienagreed。Ahandkerchiefwastiedoverhiseyes，blindfoldinghim，andhekneltdownonthedeckwithhisbacktoSullivan。
　　"Whoeveryounamefortheshorteststick'lldie，"thecaptainsaid。
　　Sullivanhelduponeofthesticks。Therestwereconcealedinhishandsothatnoonecouldseewhetheritwastheshortstickornot。
　　"An'whosestickwillitbe？"Sullivandemanded。
　　"ForlittleJohnnySheehan，"O'Brienanswered。
　　Sullivanlaidthestickaside。Thosewholookedcouldnottellifitwerethefatalone。Sullivanheldupanotherstick。
　　"Whosewillitbe？"
　　"ForGeorgeBurns，"wasthereply。
　　Thestickwaslaidwiththefirstone，andathirdheldup。
　　"An'whoseisthiswan？"
　　"Formyself，"saidO'Brien。
　　Withaquickmovement，Sullivanthrewthefourstickstogether。Noonehadseen。
　　"'Tisforyourselfye'vedrawnit，"Sullivanannounced。
　　"Agooddeed，"severalofthemenmuttered。
　　O'Brienwasveryquiet。Hearosetohisfeet，tookthebandageoff，andlookedaround。
　　"Whereisut？"hedemanded。"Theshortstick？Thewanforme？"
　　Thecaptainpointedtothefourstickslyingonthedeck。
　　"Howdoyouknowthestickwasmine？"O'Brienquestioned。"Didyouseeut，JohnnySheehan？"
　　JohnnySheehan，whowastheyoungestoftheboys，didnotanswer。
　　"Didyouseeut？"O'BriennextaskedMahoney。
　　"No，Ididn'tseeut。"
　　Themenweremutteringandgrowling。
　　"'Twasafairdrawin'，"Sullivansaid。"Yehadyerchanctan'yelost，that'sallivut。"
　　"Afairdrawin'，"thecaptainadded。"Didn'tIbeholditmyself？Thestickwasyours，O'Brien，an'yemayaswellgetready。Where'sthecook？
　　Gorman，comehere。Fetchthetureencover，someofye。Gorman，doyourdutylikeaman。"
　　"Buthow'llIdoit，"thecookdemanded。Hewasaweak-eyed，weak-chinned，indecisiveman。
　　"'Tisadamnedmurder!"O'Briencriedout。
　　"I'llhavenoneofut，"Mahoneyannounced。"Notabiteshallpassmelips。"
　　"Then'tisyershareforbettermenthanyerself，"Sullivansneered。"Goonwithyerduty，cook。"
　　"'Tisnotmeduty，thekillin'ofb'ys，"Gormanprotestedirresolutely。
　　"Ifyezdon'tmakemateforus，we'llbemakin'mateofyerself，"Behanethreatened。"Somebodymustdie，an'aswellyouasanother。"
　　JohnnySheehanbegantocry。O'Brienlistenedanxiously。Hisfacewaspale。Hislipstrembled，andattimeshiswholebodyshook。
　　"Isignedonascook，"Gormanenounced。"An'cookIwudifgalleytherewas。ButI'llnotlaymehandtomurder。'Tisnotinthearticles。I'mthecook——"
　　"An'cookye'llbeforwanminutemoreonly，"Sullivansaidgrimly，atthesamemomentgrippingthecook'sheadfrombehindandbendingitbacktillthewindpipeandjugularwerestretchedtaut。"Where'syerknife，Mike？
　　Passitalong。"
　　Atthetouchofthesteel，Gormanwhimpered。
　　"I'lldout，ifyez'llholdtheb'y。"
　　ThepitiableconditionofthecookseemedinsomefashiontonerveupO'Brien。
　　"It'sallright，Gorman，"hesaid。"Goonwithut。'Tismeselfknowsyernotwantin'todout。It'sallright，sir"——thistothecaptain，whohadlaidahandheavilyonhisarm。"Yewon'thavetoholdme，sir。I'llstandstill。"
　　"Stopyerblitherin'，an'goan'getthetureencover，"BehanecommandedJohnnySheehan，atthesametimedealinghimaheavycuffalongsidethehead。
　　Theboy，whowasscarcelymorethanachild，fetchedthecover。Hecrawledandtotteredalongthedeck，soweakwashefromhunger。Thetearsstillrandownhischeeks。Behanetookthecoverfromhim，atthesametimeadministeringanothercuff。
　　O'Brientookoffhiscoatandbaredhisrightarm。Hisunderlipstilltrembled，butheheldatightgriponhimself。Thecaptain'spenknifewasopenedandpassedtoGorman。
　　"Mahoney，tellmemotherwhathappenedtome，ifeveryegetback，"O'Brienrequested。
　　Mahoneynodded。
　　"'Tisblackmurder，blackan'damned，"hesaid。"Theb'y'sflesh'lldononeivyezannygood。Markmewords。Ye'llnotprofitbyit，noneivyez。"
　　"Getready，"thecaptainordered。"You，Sullivan，holdthecover——that'sit——closeup。Spillnothing。It'spreciousstuff。"
　　Gormanmadeaneffort。Theknifewasdull。Hewasweak。Besides，hishandwasshakingsoviolentlythathenearlydroppedtheknife。Thethreeboyswerecrouchedapart，inahuddle，cryingandsobbing。WiththeexceptionofMahoney，themenweregatheredaboutthevictim，craningtheirneckstosee。
　　"Beaman，Gorman，"thecaptaincautioned。
　　Thewretchedcookwasseizedwithaspasmofresolution，sawingbackandforthwiththebladeonO'Brien'swrist。Theveinsweresevered。Sullivanheldthetureencovercloseunderneath。Thecutveinsgapedwide，butnoruddyfloodgushedforth。Therewasnobloodatall。Theveinsweredryandempty。Noonespoke。Thegrimandsilentfiguresswayedinunisonwitheachheaveoftheship。Everyeyewasturnedfixedlyuponthatinconceivableandmonstrousthing，thedryveinsofacreaturethatwasalive。
　　"'Tisawarnin'，"Mahoneycried。"Lavetheb'yalone。Markmewords。Hisdeath'lldononeivyezannygood。"
　　"Tryattheelbow——theleftelbow，'tisnearertheheart，"thecaptainsaidfinally，inadimandhuskyvoicethatwasunlikehisown。
　　"Givemetheknife，"O'Briensaidroughly，takingitoutofthecook'shand。"Ican'tbelookin'atyeputtin'metohurt。"
　　Quitecoollyhecuttheveinattheleftelbow，but，likethecook，hefailedtobringblood。
　　"Thisisallivnouse，"Sullivansaid。"'Tisbettertoputhimoutivhismiserybybleedin'himatthethroat。"
　　Thestrainhadbeentoomuchforthelad。
　　"Don'tbedoin'ut，"hecried。"There'llbenobloodinmethroat。Givemealittletime。'Tiscoldan'weakIam。Belettin'melaydownan'
　　slapeabit。ThenI'llbewarman'theblood'llflow。"
　　"'Tisnouse，"Sullivanobjected。"Asifyecudbeslapin'atatimelikethis。Ye'llnotslape，andye'llnotwarmup。Lookatyenow。You'veanague。"
　　"IwassickatLimerickwannight，"O'Brienhurriedon，"an'thedochtorcudn'tbleedme。Butafterslapin'afewhoursan'gettin'warminbedthebloodcamefreely。It'sGod'struthI'mtellin'yez。Don'tbemurderin'
　　me!"
　　"Hisveinsareopennow，"thecaptainsaid。"'Tisnouseleavin'himinhispain。Doitnowan'bedonewithit。"
　　TheystartedtoreachforO'Brien，buthebackedaway。
　　"I'llbethedeathivyez!"hescreamed。"Takeyerhandsoffivme，Sullivan!I'llcomeback!I'llhauntyez!Wakin'orslapin'，I'llhauntyeztillyoudie!"
　　"'Tisdisgraceful!"yelledBehane。"Iftheshortstick'dbenmine，I'da-
　　letmematescuttheheadoffivmean'diedhappy。"
　　Sullivanleapedinandcaughttheunhappyladbythehair。Therestofthemenfollowed，O'Brienkickedandstruggled，snarlingandsnappingatthehandsthatclutchedhimfromeveryside。LittleJohnnySheehanbrokeoutintowildscreaming，butthementooknonoticeofhim。O'Brienwasbentbackwardtothedeck，thetureencoverunderhisneck。Gormanwasshovedforward。Someonehadthrustalargesheath-knifeintohishand。
　　"Doyerduty!Doyerduty!"themencried。
　　Thecookbentover，buthecaughttheboy'seyesandfaltered。
　　"Ifyedon't，I'llkillyewithmeownhands，"Behaneshouted。
　　Fromeverysideatorrentofabuseandthreatspouredinuponthecook。
　　Stillhehungback。
　　"Maybethere'llbemorebloodinhisveinsthanO'Brien's，"Sullivansuggestedsignificantly。
　　BehanecaughtGormanbythehairandtwistedhisheadback，whileSullivanattemptedtotakepossessionofthesheath-knife。ButGormanclungtoitdesperately。
　　"Lavego，an'I'lldout!"hescreamedfrantically。"Don'tbecuttin'methroat!I'lldothedeed!I'lldothedeed!"
　　"Seethatyoudoit，then，"thecaptainthreatenedhim。
　　Gormanallowedhimselftobeshovedforward。Helookedattheboy，closedhiseyes，andmutteredaprayer。Then，withoutopeninghiseyes，hedidthedeedthathadbeenappointedhim。O'Brienemittedashriekthatsankswiftlytoagurglingsob。Themenheldhimtillhisstrugglesceased，whenhewaslaiduponthedeck。Theywereeagerandimpatient，andwithoathsandthreatstheyurgedGormantohurrywiththepreparationofthemeal。
　　"Laveut，youbloodybutchers，"Mahoneysaidquietly。"Laveut，Itellyez。Ye'llnotbeneedin'annyivutnow。'TisasIsaid:ye'llnotbeprofitin'bythelad'sblood。Emptyutoverside，Behane。Emptyutoverside。"
　　Behane，stillholdingthetureencoverinbothhishands，glancedtowindward。Hewalkedtotherailandthrewthecoverandcontentsintothesea。Afull-riggedshipwasbearingdownuponthemashortmileaway。Sooccupiedhadtheybeenwiththedeedjustcommitted，thatnonehadhadeyesforalookout。Allhandswatchedhercomingon——thebrightlycopperedforefootpartingthewaterlikeagoldenknife，theheadsailsflappinglazilyandemptilyateachdownwardsurge，andthetoweringcanvastiersdippingandcurtsyingwitheachstatelyswingofthesea。Nomanspoke。
　　Asshehoveto，acablelengthaway，thecaptainoftheFrancisSpaightbestirredhimselfandorderedatarpaulintobethrownoverO'Brien'scorpse。Aboatwasloweredfromthestranger'ssideandbegantopulltowardthem。JohnGormanlaughed。Helaughedsoftlyatfirst，butheaccompaniedeachstrokeoftheoarswithspasmodicallyincreasingglee。Itwasthismaniacallaughterthatgreetedtherescueboatasithauledalongsideandthefirstofficerclamberedonboard。
　　ACURIOUSFRAGMENT
　　[Thecapitalist，orindustrialoligarch，RogerVanderwater，mentionedinthenarrative，hasbeenidentifiedastheninthinthelineoftheVanderwatersthatcontrolledforhundredsofyearsthecottonfactoriesoftheSouth。ThisRogerVanderwaterflourishedinthelastdecadesofthetwenty-sixthcenturyafterChrist，whichwasthefifthcenturyoftheterribleindustrialoligarchythatwasrearedupontheruinsoftheearlyRepublic。
　　Frominternalevidencesweareconvincedthatthenarrativewhichfollowswasnotreducedtowritingtillthetwenty-ninthcentury。Notonlywasitunlawfultowriteorprintsuchmatterduringthatperiod，buttheworking-
　　classwassoilliteratethatonlyinrareinstanceswereitsmembersabletoreadandwrite。Thiswasthedarkreignoftheoverman，inwhosespeechthegreatmassofthepeoplewerecharacterizedasthe"herdanimals。"Allliteracywasfrowneduponandstampedout。Fromthestatute-booksofthetimesmaybeinstancedthatblacklawthatmadeitacapitaloffenceforanyman，nomatterofwhatclass，toteacheventhealphabettoamemberoftheworking-class。Suchstringentlimitationofeducationtotherulingclasswasnecessaryifthatclasswastocontinuetorule。
　　Oneresultoftheforegoingwasthedevelopmentoftheprofessionalstory-
　　tellers。Thesestory-tellerswerepaidbytheoligarchy，andthetalestheytoldwerelegendary，mythical，romantic，andharmless。Butthespiritoffreedomneverquitediedout，andagitators，undertheguiseofstory-
　　tellers，preachedrevolttotheslaveclass。ThatthefollowingtalewasbannedbytheoligarchswehaveprooffromtherecordsofthecriminalpolicecourtofAshbury，wherein，onJanuary27，2734，oneJohnTourney，foundguiltyoftellingthetaleinaboozing-kenoflabourers，wassentencedtofiveyears'penalservitudeintheboraxminesoftheArizonaDesert——EDITOR'SNOTE。]
　　Listen，mybrothers，andIwilltellyouataleofanarm。ItwasthearmofTomDixon，andTomDixonwasaweaverofthefirstclassinafactoryofthathell-houndandmaster，RogerVanderwater。Thisfactorywascalled"Hell'sBottom"……bytheslaveswhotoiledinit，andIguesstheyoughttoknow；anditwassituatedinKingsbury，attheotherendofthetownfromVanderwater'ssummerpalace。YoudonotknowwhereKingsburyis？
　　Therearemanythings，mybrothers，thatyoudonotknow，anditissad。
　　Itisbecauseyoudonotknowthatyouareslaves。WhenIhavetoldyouthistale，Ishouldliketoformaclassamongyouforthelearningofwrittenandprintedspeech。Ourmastersreadandwriteandpossessmanybooks，anditisbecauseofthatthattheyareourmasters，andliveinpalaces，anddonotwork。Whenthetoilerslearntoreadandwrite——allofthem——theywillgrowstrong；thentheywillusetheirstrengthtobreaktheirbonds，andtherewillbenomoremastersandnomoreslaves。
　　Kingsbury，mybrothers，isintheoldStateofAlabama。ForthreehundredyearstheVanderwatershaveownedKingsburyanditsslavepensandfactories，andslavepensandfactoriesinmanyotherplacesandStates。
　　YouhaveheardoftheVanderwaters——whohasnot？——butletmetellyouthingsyoudonotknowaboutthem。ThefirstVanderwaterwasaslave，evenasyouandI。Haveyougotthat？Hewasaslave，andthatwasoverthreehundredyearsago。HisfatherwasamachinistintheslavepenofAlexanderBurrell，andhismotherwasawasherwomaninthesameslavepen。
　　Thereisnodoubtaboutthis。Iamtellingyoutruth。Itishistory。Itisprinted，everywordofit，inthehistorybooksofourmasters，whichyoucannotreadbecauseyourmasterswillnotpermityoutolearntoread。
　　Youcanunderstandwhytheywillnotpermityoutolearntoread，whentherearesuchthingsinthebooks。Theyknow，andtheyareverywise。Ifyoudidreadsuchthings，youmightbewantinginrespecttoyourmasters，whichwouldbeadangerousthing……toyourmasters。ButIknow，forI
　　canread，andIamtellingyouwhatIhavereadwithmyowneyesinthehistorybooksofourmasters。
　　ThefirstVanderwater'snamewasnotVanderwater；itwasVange——BillVange，thesonofYergisVange，themachinist，andLauraCarnly，thewasherwoman。
　　YoungBillVangewasstrong。Hemighthaveremainedwiththeslavesandledthemtofreedom；instead，however，heservedthemastersandwaswellrewarded。Hebeganhisservice，whenyetasmallchild，asaspyinhishomeslavepen。Heisknowntohaveinformedonhisownfatherforseditiousutterance。Thisisfact。Ihavereaditwithmyowneyesintherecords。Hewastoogoodaslavefortheslavepen。AlexanderBurrelltookhimout，whileyetachild，andhewastaughttoreadandwrite。Hewastaughtmanythings，andhewasenteredinthesecretserviceoftheGovernment。Ofcourse，henolongerworetheslavedress，exceptfordisguiseatsuchtimeswhenhesoughttopenetratethesecretsandplotsoftheslaves。Itwashe，whenbuteighteenyearsofage，whobroughtthatgreatheroandcomrade，RalphJacobus，totrialandexecutionintheelectricchair。Ofcourse，youhaveallheardthesacrednameofRalphJacobus，butitisnewstoyouthathewasbroughttohisdeathbythefirstVanderwater，whosenamewasVange。Iknow。Ihavereaditinthebooks。Therearemanyinterestingthingslikethatinthebooks。
　　AndafterRalphJacobusdiedhisshamefuldeath，BillVange'snamebeganthemanychangesitwastoundergo。Hewasknownas"SlyVange"farandwide。Herosehighinthesecretservice，andhewasrewardedingrandways，butstillhewasnotamemberofthemasterclass。Themenwerewillingthatheshouldbecomeso；itwasthewomenofthemasterclasswhorefusedtohaveSlyVangeoneofthem。SlyVangegavegoodservicetothemasters。Hehadbeenaslavehimself，andheknewthewaysoftheslaves。
　　Therewasnofoolinghim。Inthosedaystheslaveswerebraverthannow，andtheywerealwaystryingfortheirfreedom。AndSlyVangewaseverywhere，inalltheirschemesandplans，bringingtheirschemesandplanstonaughtandtheirleaderstotheelectricchair。Itwasin2255
　　thathisnamewasnextchangedforhim。ItwasinthatyearthattheGreatMutinytookplace。InthatregionwestoftheRockyMountains，seventeenmillionsofslavesstrovebravelytooverthrowtheirmasters。Whoknows，ifSlyVangehadnotlived，butthattheywouldhavesucceeded？ButSlyVangewasverymuchalive。Themastersgavehimsupremecommandofthesituation。Ineightmonthsoffighting，onemillionandthreehundredandfiftythousandslaveswerekilled。Vange，BillVange，SlyVange，killedthem，andhebroketheGreatMutiny。Andhewasgreatlyrewarded，andsoredwerehishandswiththebloodoftheslavesthatthereafterhewascalled"BloodyVange。"Yousee，mybrothers，whatinterestingthingsaretobefoundinthebookswhenonecanreadthem。And，takemywordforit，therearemanyotherthings，evenmoreinteresting，inthebooks。Andifyouwillbutstudywithme，inayear'stimeyoucanreadthosebooksforyourselves——ay，insixmonthssomeofyouwillbeabletoreadthosebooksforyourselves。
　　BloodyVangelivedtoaripeoldage，andalways，tothelast，washereceivedinthecouncilsofthemasters；butneverwashemadeamasterhimself。Hehadfirstopenedhiseyes，yousee，inaslavepen。Butoh，hewaswellrewarded!Hehadadozenpalacesinwhichtolive。He，whowasnomaster，ownedthousandsofslaves。Hehadagreatpleasureyachtupontheseathatwasafloatingpalace，andheownedawholeislandintheseawheretoiledtenthousandslavesonhiscoffeeplantations。Butinhisoldagehewaslonely，forhelivedapart，hatedbyhisbrothers，theslaves，andlookeddownuponbythosehehadservedandwhorefusedtobehisbrothers。Themasterslookeddownuponhimbecausehehadbeenbornaslave。Enormouslywealthyhedied；buthediedhorribly，tormentedbyhisconscience，regrettingallhehaddoneandtheredstainonhisname。
　　Butwithhischildrenitwasdifferent。Theyhadnotbeenbornintheslavepen，andbythespecialrulingoftheChiefOligarchofthattime，JohnMorrison，theywereelevatedtothemasterclass。AnditwasthenthatthenameofVangedisappearsfromthepageofhistory。ItbecomesVanderwater，andJasonVange，thesonofBloodyVange，becomesJasonVanderwater，thefounderoftheVanderwaterline。Butthatwasthreehundredyearsago，andtheVanderwatersofto-dayforgettheirbeginningsandimaginethatsomehowtheclayoftheirbodiesisdifferentstufffromtheclayinyourbodyandmineandinthebodiesofallslaves。AndIaskyou，Whyshouldaslavebecomethemasterofanotherslave？Andwhyshouldthesonofaslavebecomethemasterofmanyslaves？Ileavethesequestionsforyoutoanswerforyourselves，butdonotforgetthatinthebeginningtheVanderwaterswereslaves。
　　Andnow，mybrothers，IcomebacktothebeginningofmytaletotellyouofTomDixon'sarm。RogerVanderwater'sfactoryinKingsburywasrightlynamed"Hell'sBottom，"butthemenwhotoiledinitweremen，asyoushallsee。Womentoiledthere，too，andchildren，littlechildren。Allthattoiledtherehadtheregularslaverightsunderthelaw，butonlyunderthelaw，fortheyweredeprivedofmanyoftheirrightsbythetwooverseersofHell'sBottom，JosephClancyandAdolphMunster。
　　Itisalongstory，butIshallnottellallofittoyou。Ishalltellonlyaboutthearm。Ithappenedthat，accordingtothelaw，aportionofthestarvationwageoftheslaveswasheldbackeachmonthandputintoafund。Thisfundwasforthepurposeofhelpingsuchunfortunatefellow-
　　workmenashappenedtobeinjuredbyaccidentsortobeovertakenbysickness。Asyouknowwithyourselves，thesefundsarecontrolledbytheoverseers。Itisthelaw，andsoitwasthatthefundatHell'sBottomwascontrolledbythetwooverseersofaccursedmemory。
　　Now，ClancyandMunstertookthisfundfortheirownuse。Whenaccidentshappenedtotheworkmen，theirfellows，aswasthecustom，madegrantsfromthefund；buttheoverseersrefusedtopayoverthegrants。Whatcouldtheslavesdo？Theyhadtheirrightsunderthelaw，buttheyhadnoaccesstothelaw。Thosethatcomplainedtotheoverseerswerepunished。Youknowyourselveswhatformsuchpunishmenttakes——thefinesforfaultyworkthatisnotfaulty；theoverchargingofaccountsintheCompany'sstore；theviletreatmentofone'swomenandchildren；andtheallotmenttobadmachineswhereon，workasonewill，hestarves。