HeproceededtoaboundinthepraisesofNapoleon，suchasIhadneverheardinFrance，oratleastonlyonthelipsofofficialspaidtoofferthem。”AndthisCaffarelli，now”hepursued：”heisasplendidfellow，too，ishenot？Ihavenotheardvastlymuchofhimmyself。Nodetails，sir-nodetails！Welabourunderhugedifficultieshereastounbiassedinformation。””IbelieveIhaveheardthesamecomplaintinothercountries”I
　　couldnothelpremarking。”ButastoCaffarelli，heisneitherlamenorblind，hehastwolegsandanoseinthemiddleofhisface。AndIcareasmuchabouthimasyoucareforthedeadbodyofMr。Perceval！”
　　Hestudiedmewithglowingeyes。”Youcannotdeceiveme！”hecried。”Youhaveservedunderhim。
　　YouareaFrenchman！Iholdbythehand，atlast，oneofthatnoblerace，thepioneersofthegloriousprinciplesoflibertyandbrotherhood。Hush！No，itisallright。Ithoughttherehadbeensomebodyatthedoor。Inthiswretched，enslavedcountrywedarenotevencalloursoulsourown。Thespyandthehangman，sir-
　　thespyandthehangman！Andyetthereisacandleburning，too。
　　Thegoodleavenisworking，sir-workingunderneath。Eveninthistownthereareafewbravespirits，whomeeteveryWednesday。Youmuststayoveradayorso，andjoinus。Wedonotusethishouse。
　　Another，andaquieter。Theydrawfineale，however-fair，mildale。Youwillfindyourselfamongfriends，amongbrothers。Youwillhearsomeverydaringsentimentsexpressed！”hecried，expandinghissmallchest。”Monarchy，Christianity-allthetrappingsofabloatedpast-theFreeConfraternityofDurhamandTynesidederide。”
　　Herewasadevilofaprospectforagentlemanwhosewholedesignwastoavoidobservation！TheFreeConfraternityhadnocharmsforme；daringsentimentswerenopartofmybaggage；andItried，instead，alittlecoldwater。”Youseemtoforget，sir，thatmyEmperorhasre-establishedChristianity”Iobserved。”Ah，sir，butthatwaspolicy！”heexclaimed。”YoudonotunderstandNapoleon。Ihavefollowedhiswholecareer。Icanexplainhispolicyfromfirsttolast。NowforinstanceinthePeninsula，onwhichyouweresoveryamusing，ifyouwillcometoafriend”shousewhohasamapofSpain，Icanmakethewholecourseofthewarquitecleartoyou，Iventuretosay，inhalfanhour。”
　　Thiswasintolerable。Ofthetwoextremes，IfoundIpreferredtheBritishtory；and，makinganappointmentforthemorrow，Ipleadedsuddenheadache，escapedtotheinn，packedmyknapsack，andfled，aboutnineatnight，fromthisaccursedneighbourhood。Itwascold，starry，andclear，andtheroaddry，withatouchoffrost。
　　Forallthat，Ihadnotthesmallestintentiontomakealongstageofit；andaboutteno”clock，spyingontheright-handsideofthewaythelightedwindowsofanalehouse，Ideterminedtobaitthereforthenight。
　　Itwasagainstmyprinciple，whichwastofrequentonlythedearestinns；andthemisadventurethatbefellmewassufficienttomakememoreparticularinthefuture。Alargecompanywasassembledintheparlour，whichwasheavywithcloudsoftobaccosmoke，andbrightlylightedupbyaroaringfireofcoal。HardbythechimneystoodavacantchairinwhatIthoughtanenviablesituation，whetherforwarmthorthepleasureofsociety；andIwasabouttotakeit，whenthenearestofthecompanystoppedmewithhishand。”Begthypardon，sir”saidhe；”butthattherechairbelongstoaBritishsoldier。”
　　Achorusofvoicesenforcedandexplained。ItwasoneofLordWellington”sheroes。HehadbeenwoundedunderRowlandHill。HewasColbourne”sright-handman。Inshort，thisfavouredindividualappearedtohaveservedwitheveryseparatecorps，andundereveryindividualgeneralinthePeninsula。OfcourseIapologised。I
　　hadnotknown。ThedevilwasinitifasoldierhadnotarighttothebestinEngland。Andwiththatsentiment，whichwasloudlyapplauded，Ifoundacornerofabench，andawaited，withsomehopesofentertainment，thereturnofthehero。Heproved，ofcourse，tobeaprivatesoldier。Isayofcourse，becausenoofficercouldpossiblyenjoysuchheightsofpopularity。HehadbeenwoundedbeforeSanSebastian，andstillworehisarminasling。Whatwasagreatdealworseforhim，everymemberofthecompanyhadbeenplyinghimwithdrink。Hishonestyokel”scountenanceblazedasifwithfever，hiseyeswereglazedandlookedthetwoways，andhisfeetstumbledas，amidstamurmurofapplause，hereturnedtothemidstofhisadmirers。
　　TwominutesafterwardsIwasagainpostinginthedarkalongthehighway；toexplainwhichsuddenmovementofretreatImusttroublethereaderwithareminiscenceofmyservices。
　　Ilayonenightwiththeout-picketsinCastile。Wewereinclosetouchwiththeenemy；theusualordershadbeenissuedagainstsmoking，fires，andtalk，andbotharmieslayasquietasmice，whenIsawtheEnglishsentineloppositemakingasignalbyholdinguphismusket。Irepeatedit，andwebothcrepttogetherinthedrybedofastream，whichmadethedemarcationofthearmies。Itwaswinehewanted，ofwhichwehadagoodprovision，andtheEnglishhadquiterunout。Hegavemethemoney，andI，aswasthecustom，lefthimmyfirelockinpledge，andsetoffforthecanteen。WhenIreturnedwithaskinofwine，behold，ithadpleasedsomeuneasydevilofanEnglishofficertowithdrawtheoutposts！Herewasasituationwithavengeance，andIlookedfornothingbutridiculeinthepresentandpunishmentinthefuture。
　　Doubtlessourofficerswinkedprettyhardatthisinterchangeofcourtesies，butdoubtlessitwouldbeimpossibletowinkatsogrossafault，orrathersopitiableamisadventureasmine；andyouaretoconceivemewanderingintheplainsofCastile，benighted，chargedwithawine-skinforwhichIhadnouse，andwithnoknowledgewhateverofthewhereaboutsofmymusket，beyondthatitwassomewhereinmyLordWellington”sarmy。ButmyEnglishmanwaseitheraveryhonestfellow，orelseextremelythirsty，andatlastcontrivedtoadvertisemeofhisnewposition。
　　Now，theEnglishsentryinCastile，andthewoundedherointheDurhampublic-house，wereoneandthesameperson；andifhehadbeenalittlelessdrunk，ormyselflesslivelyingettingaway，thetravelsofM。St。Ivesmighthavecometoanuntimelyend。
　　Isupposethiswokemeup；itstirredinmebesidesaspiritofopposition，andinspiteofcold，darkness，thehighwaymenandthefootpads，Ideterminedtowalkrightontillbreakfast-time：ahappyresolution，whichenabledmetoobserveoneofthosetraitsofmannerswhichatoncedepictacountryandcondemnit。ItwasnearmidnightwhenIsaw，agreatwayaheadofme，thelightofmanytorches；presentlyafter，thesoundofwheelsreachedme，andtheslowtreadoffeet，andsoonIhadjoinedmyselftotherearofasordid，silent，andlugubriousprocession，suchasweseeindreams。Closeonahundredpersonsmarchedbytorchlightinunbrokensilence；intheirmidstacart，andinthecart，onaninclinedplatform，thedeadbodyofaman-thecentre-pieceofthissolemnity，theherowhoseobsequieswewerecomeforthatthisunusualhourtocelebrate。Itwasbutaplain，dingyoldfellowoffiftyorsixty，histhroatcut，hisshirtturnedoverasthoughtoshowthewound。Bluetrousersandbrownsockscompletedhisattire，ifwecantalksoofthedead。Hehadahorridlookofawaxwork。Inthetossingofthelightsheseemedtomakefacesandmouthsatus，tofrown，andtobeattimesuponthepointofspeech。Thecart，withthisshabbyandtragicfreight，andsurroundedbyitssilentescortandbrighttorches，continuedforsomedistancetocreakalongthehigh-road，andItofollowitinamazement，whichwassoonexchangedforhorror。Atthecornerofalanetheprocessionstopped，and，asthetorchesrangedthemselvesalongthehedgerow-side，Ibecameawareofagraveduginthemidstofthethoroughfare，andaprovisionofquicklimepiledintheditch。Thecartwasbackedtothemargin，thebodyslungofftheplatformanddumpedintothegravewithanirreverentroughness。A
　　sharpenedstakehadhithertoserveditforapillow。Itwasnowwithdrawn，heldinitsplacebyseveralvolunteers，andafellowwithaheavymalletthesoundofwhichstillhauntsmeatnight
　　droveithomethroughthebosomofthecorpse。Theholewasfilledwithquicklime，andthebystanders，asifrelievedofsomeoppression，brokeatonceintoasoundofwhisperedspeech。
　　Myshirtstucktome，myhearthadalmostceasedbeating，andI
　　foundmytonguewithdifficulty。”Ibegyourpardon”Igaspedtoaneighbour，”whatisthis？whathashedone？isitallowed？””Why，wheredoyoucomefrom？”repliedtheman。”Iamatraveller，sir”saidI，”andatotalstrangerinthispartofthecountry。IhadlostmywaywhenIsawyourtorches，andcamebychanceonthis-thisincrediblescene。Whowastheman？””Asuicide”saidhe。”Ay，hewasabadone，wasJohnnieGreen。”
　　Itappearedthiswasawretchwhohadcommittedmanybarbarousmurders，andbeingatlastuponthepointofdiscoveryfellofhisownhand。Andthenightmareatthecrossroadswastheregularpunishment，accordingtothelawsofEngland，foranactwhichtheRomanshonouredasavirtue！WheneveranEnglishmanbeginstoprateofcivilisationas，indeed，it”sadefecttheyareratherproneto，Ihearthemeasuredblowsofamallet，seethebystanderscrowdwithtorchesaboutthegrave，smilealittletomyselfinconscioussuperiority-andtakeathimblefulofbrandyforthestomach”ssake。
　　Ibelieveitmusthavebeenatmynextstage，forIremembergoingtobedextremelyearly，thatIcametothemodelofagoodold-
　　fashionedEnglishinn，andwasattendedonbythepictureofaprettychambermaid。Wehadagoodmanypleasantpassagesasshewaitedtableorwarmedmybedformewithadevilofabrasswarmingpan，fullylargerthanherself；andasshewasnolesspertthanshewaspretty，shemaybesaidtohavegivenratherbetterthanshetook。Icannottellwhyunlessitwereforthesakeofhersaucyeyes，butImadehermyconfidante，toldherIwasattachedtoayoungladyinScotland，andreceivedtheencouragementofhersympathy，mingledandconnectedwithafairamountofrusticwit。WhileIsleptthedown-mailstoppedforsupper；itchancedthatoneofthepassengersleftbehindacopyoftheEDINBURGHCOURANT，andthenextmorningmyprettychambermaidsetthepaperbeforemeatbreakfast，withtheremarkthattherewassomenewsfrommylady-love。Itookiteagerly，hopingtofindsomefurtherwordofourescape，inwhichIwasdisappointed；andI
　　wasabouttolayitdown，whenmyeyefellonaparagraphimmediatelyconcerningme。Faawasinhospital，grievouslysick，andwarrantswereoutforthearrestofSimandCandlish。Thesetwomenhadshownthemselvesveryloyaltome。Thistroubleemerging，theleastIcoulddowastobeguidedbyasimilarloyaltytothem。Supposemyvisittomyunclecrownedwithsomesuccess，andmyfinancesre-established，IdeterminedIshouldimmediatelyreturntoEdinburgh，puttheircaseinthehandsofagoodlawyer，andawaitevents。Somymindwasverylightlymadeuptowhatprovedamightyseriousmatter。CandlishandSimwereallverywellintheirway，andIdosincerelytrustIshouldhavebeenatsomepainstohelpthem，hadtherebeennothingelse。Butintruthmyheartandmyeyesweresetonquiteanothermatter，andI
　　receivedthenewsoftheirtribulationalmostwithjoy。Thatisneverabadwindthatblowswherewewanttogo，andyoumaybesuretherewasnothingunwelcomeinacircumstancethatcarriedmebacktoEdinburghandFlora。FromthathourIbegantoindulgemyselfwiththemakingofimaginaryscenesandinterviews，inwhichIconfoundedtheaunt，flatteredRonald，andnowinthewitty，nowinthesentimentalmanner，declaredmyloveandreceivedtheassuranceofitsreturn。Bymeansofthisexercisemyresolutiondailygrewstronger，untilatlastIhadpiledtogethersuchamassofobstinacyasitwouldhavetakenacataclysmofnaturetosubvert。”Yes”saidItothechambermaid，”hereisnewsofmylady-loveindeed，andverygoodnewstoo。”
　　Allthatday，intheteethofakeenwinterwind，Ihuggedmyselfinmyplaid，anditwasasthoughherarmswereflungaroundme。
　　CHAPTERXII-IFOLLOWACOVEREDCARTNEARLYTOMYDESTINATION
　　ATlastIbegantodrawnear，byreasonablestages，totheneighbourhoodofWakefield；andthenameofMr。BurchellFenncametothetopinmymemory。ThiswasthegentlemanthereadermayrememberwhomadeatradeofforwardingtheescapeofFrenchprisoners。Howhedidso：whetherhehadasign-board，ESCAPES
　　FORWARDED，APPLYWITHIN；whathechargedforhisservices，orwhethertheyweregratuitousandcharitable，wereallmattersofwhichIwasatonceignorantandextremelycurious。ThankstomyproficiencyinEnglish，andMr。Romaine”sbank-notes，Iwasgettingonswimminglywithouthim；butthetroublewasthatIcouldnotbeeasytillIhadcometothebottomofthesemysteries，anditwasmydifficultythatIknewnothingofhimbeyondthename。IknewnothistradebeyondthatofForwarderofEscapes-whetherhelivedintownorcountry，whetherhewererichorpoor，norbywhatkindofaddressIwastogainhisconfidence。ItwouldhaveaverybadappearancetogoalongthehighwaysideaskingafteramanofwhomIcouldgivesoscantyanaccount；andIshouldlooklikeafool，indeed，ifIweretopresentmyselfathisdoorandfindthepoliceinoccupation！Theinterestoftheconundrum，however，temptedme，andIturnedasidefrommydirectroadtopassbyWakefield；keptmyearspricked，asIwent，foranymentionofhisname，andreliedfortherestonmygoodfortune。IfLuckwhomustcertainlybefemininefavouredmeasfarastothrowmeintheman”sway，Ishouldowetheladyacandle；ifnot，Icouldveryreadilyconsolemyself。Inthisexperimentalhumour，andwithsolittletohelpme，itwasamiraclethatIshouldhavebroughtmyenterprisetoagoodend；andthereareseveralsaintsinthecalendarwhomightbehappytoexchangewithSt。Ives！
　　IhadsleptthatnightinagoodinnatWakefield，mademybreakfastbycandle-lightwiththepassengersofanup-coach，andsetoffinaveryilltemperwithmyselfandmysurroundings。Itwasstillearly；theairrawandcold；thesunlow，andsoontodisappearunderavastcanopyofrain-cloudsthathadbeguntoassembleinthenorth-west，andfromthatquarterinvadedthewholewidthoftheheaven。Alreadytherainfellincrystalrods；
　　alreadythewholefaceofthecountrysoundedwiththedischargeofdrainsandditches；andIlookedforwardtoadayofdownpourandthehellofwetclothes，inwhichparticularIamasdaintyasacat。Atacorneroftheroad，andbythelastglintofthedrowningsun，Ispiedacoveredcart，ofakindthatIthoughtI
　　hadneverseenbefore，precedingmeatthefoot”spaceofjadedhorses。Anythingisinterestingtoapedestrianthatcanhelphimtoforgetthemiseriesofadayofrain；andIbetteredmypaceandgraduallyovertookthevehicle。
　　ThenearerIcame，themoreitpuzzledme。ItwasmuchsuchacartasIamtoldthecalicoprintersuse，mountedontwowheels，andfurnishedwithaseatinfrontforthedriver。Theinteriorclosedwithadoor，andwasofabignesstocontainagoodloadofcalico，oratapinchandifitwerenecessaryfourorfivepersons。
　　But，indeed，ifhumanbeingsweremeanttotravelthere，theyhadmypity！Theymusttravelinthedark，fortherewasnosignofawindow；andtheywouldbeshakenallthewaylikeaphialofdoctor”sstuff，forthecartwasnotonlyungainlytolookat-itwasbesidesveryimperfectlybalancedontheonepairofwheels，andpitchedunconscionably。Altogether，ifIhadanyglancingideathatthecartwasreallyacarriage，Ihadsoondismissedit；butI
　　wasstillinquisitiveastowhatitshouldcontain，andwhereithadcomefrom。Wheelsandhorsesweresplashedwithmanydifferentcoloursofmud，asthoughtheyhadcomefarandacrossaconsiderablediversityofcountry。Thedrivercontinuallyandvainlypliedhiswhip。Itseemedtofollowtheyhadmadealong，perhapsanall-night，stage；andthatthedriver，atthatearlyhourofalittleaftereightinthemorning，alreadyfelthimselfbelated。Ilookedforthenameoftheproprietorontheshaft，andstartedoutright。Fortunehadfavouredthecareless：itwasBurchellFenn！”Awetmorning，myman”saidI。
　　Thedriver，aloutishfellow，shock-headedandturnip-faced，returnednotawordtomysalutation，butsavagelyfloggedhishorses。Thetiredanimals，whocouldscarceputtheonefootbeforetheother，paidnoattentiontohiscruelty；andIcontinuedwithoutefforttomaintainmypositionalongside，smilingtomyselfatthefutilityofhisattempts，andatthesametimeprickedwithcuriosityastowhyhemadethem。ImadenosuchformidableafigureasthatamanshouldfleewhenIaccostedhim；andmyconsciencenotbeingentirelyclear，Iwasmoreaccustomedtobeuneasymyselfthantoseeotherstimid。Presentlyhedesisted，andputbackhiswhipintheholsterwiththeairofamanvanquished。”Soyouwouldrunawayfromme？”saidI。”Come，come，that”snotEnglish。””Begpardon，master：nooffencemeant”hesaid，touchinghishat。”Andnonetaken！”criedI。”AllIdesireisalittlegaietybytheway。”
　　Iunderstoodhimtosayhedidn”t”takewithgaiety。””ThenIwilltryyouwithsomethingelse”saidI。”Oh，Icanbeallthingstoallmen，liketheapostle！IdaretosayIhavetravelledwithheavierfellowsthanyouinmytime，anddonefamouslywellwiththem。Areyougoinghome？””Yes，I”magoin”home，Iam”hesaid。”Averyfortunatecircumstanceforme！”saidI。”Atthisrateweshallseeagooddealofeachother，goingthesameway；and，nowI
　　cometothinkofit，whyshouldyounotgivemeacast？Thereisroombesideyouonthebench。”
　　Withasuddensnatch，hecarriedthecarttwoyardsintotheroadway。Thehorsesplungedandcametoastop。”No，youdon”t！”
　　hesaid，menacingmewiththewhip。”Noneo”thatwithme。””Noneofwhat？”saidI。”Iaskedyouforalift，butIhavenoideaoftakingonebyforce。””Well，I”vegottotakecareofthecartand”orses，Ihave”sayshe。”Idon”ttakeupwithnorunagatevagabones，yousee，else。””Ioughttothankyouforyourtouchingconfidence”saidI，approachingcarelesslynearerasIspoke。”ButIadmittheroadissolitaryhereabouts，andnodoubtanaccidentsoonhappens。Littlefearofanythingofthekindwithyou！Ilikeyouforit，likeyourprudence，likethatpastoralshynessofdisposition。Butwhynotputitoutofmypowertohurt？Whynotopenthedoorandbestowmehereinthebox，orwhateveryoupleasetocallit？”AndIlaidmyhanddemonstrativelyonthebodyofthecart。
　　Hehadbeentimorousbefore；butatthis，heseemedtolosethepowerofspeechamoment，andstaredatmeinaperfectenthusiasmoffear。”Whynot？”Icontinued。”Theideaisgood。IshouldbesafeinthereifIwerethemonsterWilliamshimself。Thegreatthingistohavemeunderlockandkey。Foritdoeslock；itislockednow”saidI，tryingthedoor。”APROPOS，whathaveyouforacargo？Itmustbeprecious。”
　　Hefoundnotawordtoanswer。
　　Rat-tat-tat，Iwentuponthedoorlikeawell-drilledfootman。”Anyoneathome？”Isaid，andstoopedtolisten。
　　Therecameoutoftheinteriorastifledsneeze，thefirstofanuncontrollableparoxysm；anotherfollowedimmediatelyontheheelsofit；andthenthedriverturnedwithanoath，laidthelashuponthehorseswithsomuchenergythattheyfoundtheirheelsagain，andthewholeequipagefleddowntheroadatagallop。
　　Atthefirstsoundofthesneeze，Ihadstartedbacklikeamanshot。Thenextmoment，agreatlightbrokeonmymind，andI
　　understood。HerewasthesecretofFenn”strade：thiswashowheforwardedtheescapeofprisoners，hawkingthembynightaboutthecountryinhiscoveredcart。TherehadbeenFrenchmenclosetome；
　　hewhohadjustsneezedwasmycountryman，mycomrade，perhapsalreadymyfriend！Itooktomyheelsinpursuit。”Holdhard！”I
　　shouted。”Stop！It”sallright！Stop！”Butthedriveronlyturnedawhitefaceonmeforamoment，andredoubledhisefforts，bendingforward，plyinghiswhipandcryingtohishorses；theselaythemselvesdowntothegallopandbeatthehighwaywithflyinghoofs；andthecartboundedafterthemamongtherutsandfledinahaloofrainandspatteringmud。Butaminutesince，andithadbeentrundlingalonglikealamecow；andnowitwasoffasthoughdrawnbyApollo”scoursers。Thereisnotellingwhatamancando，untilyoufrightenhim！
　　ItwasasmuchasIcoulddomyself，thoughIranvaliantly，tomaintainmydistance；andthatsinceIknewmycountrymensonear
　　wasbecomeachiefpointwithme。Ahundredyardsfartheronthecartwhippedoutofthehigh-roadintoalaneemboweredwithleaflesstrees，andbecamelosttoview。WhenIsawitnext，thedriverhadincreasedhisadvantageconsiderably，butalldangerwasatanend，andthehorseshadagaindeclinedintoahobblingwalk。
　　Persuadedthattheycouldnotescapeme，Itookmytime，andrecoveredmybreathasIfollowedthem。
　　Presentlythelanetwistedatrightangles，andshowedmeagateandthebeginningofagravelsweep；andalittleafter，asI
　　continuedtoadvance，aredbrickhouseaboutseventyyearsold，inafinestyleofarchitecture，andpresentingafrontofmanywindowstoalawnandgarden。Behind，Icouldseeouthousesandthepeakedroofsofstacks；andIjudgedthatamanor-househadinsomewaydeclinedtobetheresidenceofatenant-farmer，carelessalikeofappearancesandsubstantialcomfort。Themarksofneglectwerevisibleoneveryside，inflower-bushesstragglingbeyondtheborders，intheill-keptturf，andinthebrokenwindowsthatwereincongruouslypatchedwithpaperorstuffedwithrags。Athicketoftrees，mostlyevergreen，fencedtheplaceroundandsecludeditfromtheeyesofpryingneighbours。AsIcameinviewofit，onthatmelancholywinter”smorning，inthedelugeofthefallingrain，andwiththewindthatnowroseinoccasionalgustsandhootedovertheoldchimneys，thecarthadalreadydrawnupatthefront-doorsteps，andthedriverwasalreadyinearnestdiscoursewithMr。BurchellFenn。Hewasstandingwithhishandsbehindhisback-amanofagross，misbegottenfaceandbody，dewlappedlikeabullandredasaharvestmoon；andinhisjockeycap，bluecoatandtopboots，hehadmuchtheairofagood，solidtenant-farmer。
　　ThepaircontinuedtospeakasIcameuptheapproach，butreceivedmeatlastinasortofgogglingsilence。Ihadmyhatinmyhand。”IhavethepleasureofaddressingMr。BurchellFenn？”saidI。”Thesame，sir”repliedMr。Fenn，takingoffhisjockeycapinanswertomycivility，butwiththedistantlookandthetardymovementsofonewhocontinuestothinkofsomethingelse。”Andwhomayyoube？”heasked。”Ishalltellyouafterwards”saidI。”Sufficeit，inthemeantime，thatIcomeonbusiness。”
　　Heseemedtodigestmyanswerlaboriously，hismouthgaping，hislittleeyesneverstrayingfrommyface。”Suffermetopointouttoyou，sir”Iresumed，”thatthisisadevilofawetmorning；andthatthechimneycorner，andpossiblyaglassofsomethinghot，areclearlyindicated。”
　　Indeed，therainwasnowgrowntobeadeluge；theguttersofthehouseroared；theairwasfilledwiththecontinuous，stridentcrash。Thestolidityofhisface，onwhichtherainstreamed，wasfarfromreassuringme。Onthecontrary，Iwasawareofadistinctqualmofapprehension，whichwasnotatalllessenedbyaviewofthedriver，craningfromhisperchtoobserveuswiththeexpressionofafascinatedbird。Sowestoodsilent，whentheprisoneragainbegantosneezefromthebodyofthecart；andatthesound，promptasatransformation，thedriverhadwhippeduphishorsesandwasshamblingoffroundthecornerofthehouse，andMr。Fenn，recoveringhiswitswithagulp，hadturnedtothedoorbehindhim。”Comein，comein，sir”hesaid。”Ibegyourpardon，sir；thelockgoesatriflehard。”
　　Indeed，ittookhimasurprisingtimetoopenthedoor，whichwasnotonlylockedontheoutside，butthelockseemedrebelliousfromdisuse；andwhenatlasthestoodbackandmotionedmetoenterbeforehim，Iwasgreetedonthethresholdbythatpeculiarandconvincingsoundoftherainechoingoveremptychambers。Theentrance-hall，inwhichInowfoundmyself，wasofagoodsizeandgoodproportions；pottedplantsoccupiedthecorners；thepavedfloorwassoiledwithmuddyfootprintsandencumberedwithstraw；
　　onamahoganyhall-table，whichwastheonlyfurniture，acandlehadbeenstuckandsufferedtoburndown-plainlyalongwhileago，forthegutteringsweregreenwithmould。Mymind，underthesenewimpressions，workedwithunusualvivacity。IwashereshutoffwithFennandhishirelinginadesertedhouse，aneglectedgarden，andawoodofevergreens：themosteligibletheatreforadeedofdarkness。Therecametomeavisionoftwoflagstonesraisedinthehall-floor，andthedriverputtingintherainyafternoonovermygrave，andtheprospectdispleasedmeextremely。IfeltIhadcarriedmypleasantryasfaraswassafe；
　　Imustlosenotimeindeclaringmytruecharacter，andIwasevenchoosingthewordsinwhichIwastobegin，whenthehall-doorwasslammed-tobehindmewithabang，andIturned，droppingmystickasIdidso，intime-andnotanymorethantime-tosavemylife。
　　Thesurpriseoftheonslaughtandthehugeweightofmyassailantgavehimtheadvantage。Hehadapistolinhisrighthandofaportentoussize，whichittookmeallmystrengthtokeepdeflected。Withhisleftarmhestrainedmetohisbosom，sothatIthoughtImustbecrushedorstifled。Hismouthwasopen，hisfacecrimson，andhepantedaloudwithhardanimalsounds。Theaffairwasasbriefasitwashotandsudden。Thepotationswhichhadswelledandbloatedhiscarcasehadalreadyweakenedthespringsofenergy。Onemorehugeeffort，thatcameneartooverpowerme，andinwhichthepistolhappilyexploded，andIfelthisgraspslackenandweaknesscomeonhisjoints；hislegssuccumbedunderhisweight，andhegrovelledonhiskneesonthestonefloor。”Spareme！”hegasped。
　　Ihadnotonlybeenabominablyfrightened；Iwasshockedbesides：
　　mydelicacywasinarms，likealadytowhomviolenceshouldhavebeenofferedbyasimilarmonster。Ipluckedmyselffromhishorridcontact，Isnatchedthepistol-evendischarged，itwasaformidableweapon-andmenacedhimwiththebutt。”Spareyou！”I
　　cried，”youbeast！”
　　Hisvoicediedinhisfatinwards，buthislipsstillvehementlyframedthesamewordsofsupplication。Myangerbegantopassoff，butnotallmyrepugnance；thepicturehemaderevoltedme，andI
　　wasimpatienttobesparedthefurtherviewofit。”Here”saidI，”stopthisperformance：itsickensme。Iamnotgoingtokillyou，doyouhear？Ihaveneedofyou。”
　　Alookofrelief，thatIcouldalmosthavecalledbeautiful，dawnedonhiscountenance。”Anything-anythingyouwish”saidhe。
　　Anythingisabigword，andhisuseofitbroughtmeforamomenttoastand。”Why，whatdoyoumean？”Iasked。”Doyoumeanthatyouwillblowthegaffonthewholebusiness？”
　　HeansweredmeYeswitheagerasseverations。”IknowMonsieurdeSaint-Yvesisinit；itwasthroughhispaperswetracedyou”Isaid。”Doyouconsenttomakeacleanbreastoftheothers？””Ido-Iwill！”hecried。”The”olecrewof”em；there”sgoodnamesamong”em。I”llbeking”sevidence。””Sothatallshallhangexceptyourself？Youdamnedvillain！”I
　　brokeout。”UnderstandatoncethatIamnospyorthief-taker。I
　　amakinsmanofMonsieurdeSt。Yves-hereinhisinterest。Uponmyword，youhaveputyourfootinitprettily，Mr。BurchellFenn！
　　Come，standup；don”tgrovelthere。Standup，youlumpofiniquity！”
　　Hescrambledtohisfeet。Hewasutterlyunmanned，oritmighthavegonehardwithmeyet；andIconsideredhimhesitating，as，indeed，therewascause。Themanwasadouble-dyedtraitor：hehadtriedtomurderme，andIhadfirstbaffledhisendeavoursandthenexposedandinsultedhim。Wasitwisetoplacemyselfanylongerathismercy？WithhishelpIshoulddoubtlesstravelmorequickly；doubtlessalsofarlessagreeably；andtherewaseverythingtoshowthatitwouldbeatagreaterrisk。Inshort，I
　　shouldhavewashedmyhandsofhimonthespot，butforthetemptationoftheFrenchofficers，whomIknewtobesonear，andforwhosesocietyIfeltsogreatandnaturalanimpatience。IfI
　　wastoseeanythingofmycountrymen，itwasclearIhadfirstofalltomakemypeacewithMr。Fenn；andthatwasnoeasymatter。
　　Tomakefriendswithanyoneimpliesconcessionsonbothsides；andwhatcouldIconcede？WhatcouldIsayofhim，butthathehadprovedhimselfavillainandafool，andtheworseman？”Well”saidI，”herehasbeenratherapoorpieceofbusiness，whichIdaresayyoucanhavenopleasureincallingtomind；and，tosaytruth，Iwouldasreadilyforgetitmyself。Supposewetry。
　　Takebackyourpistol，whichsmellsveryill；putitinyourpocketorwhereveryouhaditconcealed。There！Nowletusmeetforthefirsttime-Giveyougoodmorning，Mr。Fenn！Ihopeyoudoverywell。Icomeontherecommendationofmykinsman，theVicomtedeSt。Yves。””Doyoumeanit？”hecried。”Doyoumeanyouwillpassoverourlittlescrimmage？””Why，certainly！”saidI。”Itshowsyouareaboldfellow，whomaybetrustedtoforgetthebusinesswhenitcomestothepoint。
　　Thereisnothingagainstyouinthelittlescrimmage，unlessthatyourcourageisgreaterthanyourstrength。Youarenotsoyoungasyouoncewere，thatisall。””AndIbegofyou，sir，don”tbetraymetotheVis-count”hepleaded。”I”llnotdenybutwhatmy”eartfailedmeatrifle；butitwasonlyaword，sir，whatanybodymighthavesaidinthe”eatofthemoment，andoverwithit。””Certainly”saidI。”Thatisquitemyownopinion。””ThewayIcametobeanxiousabouttheVis-count”hecontinued，”isthatIbelievehemightbeinducedtoforman”astyjudgment。
　　Andthebusiness，inapecuniarypointofview，isallthatIcouldask；onlytrying，sir-verytrying。It”smakinganoldmanofmebeforemytime。Youmighthaveobservedyourself，sir，thatI”aven”tgotthekneesIonce”ad。Thekneesandthebreathing，there”swhereittakesme。ButI”mverysure，sir，Iaddressagentlemanaswouldbethelasttomaketroublebetweenfriends。””Iamsureyoudomenomorethanjustice”saidI；”andIshallthinkitquiteunnecessarytodwellonanyofthesepassingcircumstancesinmyreporttotheVicomte。””Whichyoudofavourhimifyou”llexcusemebeingsoboldastomentionitexac”ly！”saidhe。”Ishouldhaveknownyouanywheres。
　　MayIofferyouapotof”ome-brewedale，sir？Byyourleave！
　　Thisway，ifyouplease。Iam”eartilygrateful-”eartilypleasedtobeofanyservicetoagentlemanlikeyou，sir，whichisrelatedtotheVis-count，andreallyafamblyofwhichyoumightwellbeproud！Takecareofthestep，sir。Youhavegoodnewsof”is”ealth，Itrust？aswellasthatofMonseertheCount？”
　　Godforgiveme！thehorriblefellowwasstillpuffingandpantingwiththefuryofhisassault，andalreadyhehadfallenintoanobsequious，wheedlingfamiliaritylikethatofanoldservant，-
　　alreadyhewasflatteringmeonmyfamilyconnections！
　　Ifollowedhimthroughthehouseintothestable-yard，whereI
　　observedthedriverwashingthecartinashed。Hemusthaveheardtheexplosionofthepistol。Hecouldnotchoosebuthearit：thethingwasshapedlikealittleblunderbuss，chargedtothemouth，andmadeareportlikeapieceoffieldartillery。Hehadheard，hehadpaidnoattention；andnow，aswecameforthbytheback-
　　door，heraisedforamomentapaleandtell-talefacethatwasasdirectasaconfession。TherascalhadexpectedtoseeFenncomeforthalone；hewaswaitingtobecalledonforthatpartofsexton，whichIhadalreadyallottedtohiminfancy。
　　Ineednotdetainthereaderverylongwithanydescriptionofmyvisittotheback-kitchen；ofhowwemulledouralethere，andmulleditverywell；norofhowwesattalking，Fennlikeanold，faithful，affectionatedependant，andI-well！Imyselffallenintoamereadmirationofsomuchimpudence，thattranscendedwords，andhadverysoonconqueredanimosity。Itookafancytotheman，hewassovastahumbug。Ibegantoseeakindofbeautyinhim，hisAPLOMBwassomajestic。Ineverknewaroguetocutsofat；hisvillainywasample，likehisbelly，andIcouldscarcefinditinmyhearttoholdhimresponsibleforeither。Hewasgoodenoughtodropintotheautobiographical；tellingmehowthefarm，inspiteofthewarandthehighprices，hadprovedadisappointment；howtherewas”asightofcold，wetlandasyoucomealongthe”igh-road”；howthewindsandrainsandtheseasonshadbeenmisdirected，itseemed”o”purpose”；howMrs。Fennhaddied-”Ilosthercomingtwoyearagone；aremarkablefinewoman，myoldgirl，sir！ifyou”llexcuseme”headded，withaburstofhumility。Inshort，hegavemeanopportunityofstudyingJohnBull，asImaysay，stuffednaked-hisgreed，hisusuriousness，hishypocrisy，hisperfidyoftheback-stairs，allswelledtothesuperlative-suchaswaswellworththelittledisarrayandflusterofourpassageinthehall。
　　CHAPTERXIII-IMEETTWOOFMYCOUNTRYMEN
　　ASsoonasIjudgeditsafe，andthatwasnotbeforeBurchellFennhadtalkedhimselfbackintohisbreathandacompletegoodhumour，IproposedheshouldintroducemetotheFrenchofficers，henceforthtobecomemyfellow-passengers。Thereweretwoofthem，itappeared，andmyheartbeatasIapproachedthedoor。ThespecimenofPerfidiousAlbionwhomIhadjustbeenstudyinggavemethestrongerzestformyfellow-countrymen。Icouldhaveembracedthem；Icouldhaveweptontheirnecks。AndallthetimeIwasgoingtoadisappointment。
　　Itwasinaspaciousandlowroom，withanoutlookonthecourt，thatIfoundthembestowed。Inthegooddaysofthathousetheapartmenthadprobablyservedasalibrary，forthereweretracesofshelvesalongthewainscot。Fourorfivemattresseslayonthefloorinacorner，withafrowsyheapofbedding；nearbywasabasinandacubeofsoap；arudekitchen-tableandsomedealchairsstoodtogetheratthefarend；andtheroomwasilluminatedbynolessthanfourwindows，andwarmedbyalittle，crazy，sidelonggrate，proppedupwithbricksintheventofahospitablechimney，inwhichapileofcoalssmokedprodigiouslyandgaveoutafewstarvelingflames。Anold，frail，white-hairedofficersatinoneofthechairs，whichhehaddrawnclosetothisapologyforafire。
　　Hewaswrappedinacamletcloak，ofwhichthecollarwasturnedup，hiskneestouchedthebars，hishandswerespreadintheverysmoke，andyetheshiveredforcold。Thesecond-abig，florid，fineanimalofaman，whoseeverygesturelabelledhimthecockofthewalkandtheadmirationoftheladies-hadapparentlydespairedofthefire，andnowstrodeupanddown，sneezinghard，bitterlyblowinghisnose，andprofferingacontinualstreamofbluster，complaint，andbarrack-roomoaths。
　　Fennshowedmeinwiththebriefformofintroduction：”Gentlemenall，thishere”sanotherfare！”andwasgoneagainatonce。Theoldmangavemebuttheoneglanceoutoflack-lustreeyes；andevenashelookedashivertookhimassharpasahiccough。Buttheother，whorepresentedtoadmirationthepictureofaBeauinaCatarrh，staredatmearrogantly。”Andwhoareyou，sir？”heasked。
　　Imadethemilitarysalutetomysuperiors。”Champdivers，private，EighthoftheLine”saidI。”Prettybusiness！”saidhe。”Andyouaregoingonwithus？Threeinacart，andagreattrollopingprivateatthat！Andwhoistopayforyou，myfinefellow？”heinquired。”Ifmonsieurcomestothat”Iansweredcivilly，”whopaidforhim？””Oh，ifyouchoosetoplaythewit！”saidhe，-andbegantorailatlargeuponhisdestiny，theweather，thecold，thedangerandtheexpenseoftheescape，and，aboveall，thecookingoftheaccursedEnglish。ItseemedtoannoyhimparticularlythatI
　　shouldhavejoinedtheirparty。”Ifyouknewwhatyouweredoing，thirtythousandmillionsofpigs！youwouldkeepyourselftoyourself！Thehorsescan”tdragthecart；theroadsareallrutsandswamps。NolongeragothanlastnighttheColonelandIhadtomarchhalftheway-thunderofGod！-halfthewaytothekneesinmud-andIwiththisinfernalcold-andthedangerofdetection！
　　Happilywemetnoone：adesert-arealdesert-likethewholeabominablecountry！Nothingtoeat-no，sir，thereisnothingtoeatbutrawcowandgreensboiledinwater-nortodrinkbutWorcestershiresauce！NowI，withmycatarrh，Ihavenoappetite；
　　isitnotso？Well，ifIwereinFrance，Ishouldhaveagoodsoupwithacrustinit，anomelette，afowlinrice，apartridgeincabbages-thingstotemptme，thunderofGod！Buthere-dayofGod！-whatacountry！Andcold，too！TheytalkaboutRussia-
　　thisisallthecoldIwant！Andthepeople-lookatthem！Whatarace！Neveranyhandsomemen；neveranyfineofficers！”-andhelookeddowncomplacentlyforamomentathiswaist-”Andthewomen-whatfaggots！No，thatisonepointclear，IcannotstomachtheEnglish！”
　　Therewassomethinginthismansoantipathetictome，assentthemustardintomynose。Icanneverbearyourbucksanddandies，evenwhentheyaredecent-lookingandwelldressed；andtheMajor-
　　forthatwashisrank-wastheimageofaflunkeyingoodluck。
　　Eventobeinagreementwithhim，ortoseemtobeso，wasmorethanIcouldmakeouttoendure。”Youcouldscarcebeexpectedtostomachthem”saidIcivilly，”afterhavingjustdigestedyourparole。”
　　HewhippedroundonhisheelandturnedonmeacountenancewhichI
　　daresayheimaginedtobeawful；butanotherfitofsneezingcuthimofferehecouldcomethelengthofspeech。”Ihavenottriedthedishmyself”Itooktheopportunitytoadd。”Itissaidtobeunpalatable。Didmonsieurfinditso？”
　　WithsurprisingvivacitytheColonelwokefromhislethargy。Hewasbetweenusereanotherwordcouldpass。”Shame，gentlemen！”hesaid。”IsthisatimeforFrenchmenandfellow-soldierstofallout？Weareinthemidstofourenemies；aquarrel，aloudword，maysufficetoplungeusbackintoirretrievabledistress。MONSIEURLECOMMANDANT，youhavebeengravelyoffended。Imakeitmyrequest，Imakeitmyprayer-ifneedbe，Igiveyoumyorders-thatthemattershallstandbyuntilwecomesafetoFrance。Then，ifyouplease，Iwillserveyouinanycapacity。Andforyou，youngman，youhaveshownallthecrueltyandcarelessnessofyouth。Thisgentlemanisyoursuperior；heisnolongeryoung”-atwhichwordyouaretoconceivetheMajor”sface。”Itisadmittedhehasbrokenhisparole。Iknownothisreason，andnomoredoyou。Itmightbepatriotisminthishourofourcountry”sadversity，itmightbehumanity，necessity；youknownotwhatintheleast，andyoupermityourselftoreflectonhishonour。Tobreakparolemaybeasubjectforpityandnotderision。Ihavebrokenmine-I，acoloneloftheEmpire。Andwhy？Ihavebeenyearsnegotiatingmyexchange，anditcannotbemanaged；thosewhohaveinfluenceattheMinistryofWarcontinuallyrushinbeforeme，andIhavetowait，andmydaughterathomeisinadecline。Iamgoingtoseemydaughteratlast，anditismyonlyconcernlestIshouldhavedelayedtoolong。Sheisill，andveryill，-atdeath”sdoor。
　　Nothingisleftmebutmydaughter，myEmperor，andmyhonour；andIgivemyhonour，blamemeforitwhodare！”
　　Atthismyheartsmoteme。”ForGod”ssake”Icried，”thinknomoreofwhatIhavesaid！A
　　parole？whatisaparoleagainstlifeanddeathandlove？Iaskyourpardon；thisgentleman”salso。AslongasIshallbewithyou，youshallnothavecausetocomplainofmeagain。IprayGodyouwillfindyourdaughteraliveandrestored。””Thatispastprayingfor”saidtheColonel；andimmediatelythebrieffirediedoutofhim，and，returningtothehearth，herelapsedintohisformerabstraction。
　　ButIwasnotsoeasytocompose。Theknowledgeofthepoorgentleman”strouble，andthesightofhisface，hadfilledmewiththebitternessofremorse；andIinsisteduponshakinghandswiththeMajorwhichhedidwithaveryillgrace，andaboundedinpalinodesandapologies。”Afterall”saidI，”whoamItotalk？Iaminthelucktobeaprivatesoldier；Ihavenoparoletogiveortokeep；onceIamovertherampart，Iamasfreeasair。IbegyoutobelievethatI
　　regretfrommysoultheuseoftheseungenerousexpressions。Allowme……Istherenowayinthisdamnedhousetoattractattention？
　　Whereisthisfellow，Fenn？”
　　Irantooneofthewindowsandthrewitopen。Fenn，whowasatthemomentpassingbelowinthecourt，castuphisarmslikeoneindespair，calledtometokeepback，plungedintothehouse，andappearednextmomentinthedoorwayofthechamber。”Oh，sir！”sayshe，”keepawayfromthosetherewindows。Abodymightseeyoufromthebacklane。””Itisregistered”saidI。”HenceforwardIwillbeamouseforprecautionandaghostforinvisibility。Butinthemeantime，forGod”ssake，fetchusabottleofbrandy！Yourroomisasdampasthebottomofawell，andthesegentlemenareperishingofcold。”
　　SosoonasIhadpaidhimforeverything，Ifound，mustbepaidinadvance，Iturnedmyattentiontothefire，andwhetherbecauseI
　　threwgreaterenergyintothebusiness，orbecausethecoalswerenowwarmedandthetimeripe，Isoonstartedablazethatmadethechimneyroaragain。Theshineofit，inthatdark，rainyday，seemedtoreanimatetheColonellikeablinkofsun。Withtheoutburstoftheflames，besides，adraughtwasestablished，whichimmediatelydeliveredusfromtheplagueofsmoke；andbythetimeFennreturned，carryingabottleunderhisarmandasingletumblerinhishand，therewasalreadyanairofgaietyintheroomthatdidtheheartgood。
　　Ipouredoutsomeofthebrandy。”Colonel”saidI，”Iamayoungmanandaprivatesoldier。Ihavenotbeenlonginthisroom，andalreadyIhaveshownthepetulancethatbelongstotheonecharacterandtheillmannersthatyoumaylookforintheother。Havethehumanitytopasstheseslipsover，andhonourmesofarastoacceptthisglass。””Mylad”sayshe，wakingupandblinkingatmewithanairofsuspicion，”areyousureyoucanaffordit？”
　　IassuredhimIcould。”Ithankyou，then：Iamverycold。”Hetooktheglassout，andalittlecolourcameinhisface。”Ithankyouagain”saidhe。”Itgoestotheheart。”
　　TheMajor，whenImotionedhimtohelphimself，didsowithagooddealofliberality；continuedtodosofortherestofthemorning，nowwithsomesortofapology，nowwithnoneatall；andthebottlebegantolookfoolishbeforedinnerwasserved。Itwassuchamealashehadhimselfpredicted：beef，greens，potatoes，mustardinateacup，andbeerinabrownjugthatwasalloverhounds，horses，andhunters，withafoxatthefatendandagiganticJohnBull-
　　foralltheworldlikeFenn-sittinginthemidstinabob-wigandsmokingtobacco。Thebeerwasagoodbrew，butnotgoodenoughfortheMajor；helaceditwithbrandy-forhiscold，hesaid；andinthiscurativedesigntheremainderofthebottleebbedaway。Hecalledmyattentionrepeatedlytothecircumstance；helpedmepointedlytothedregs，threwthebottleintheairandplayedtrickswithit；andatlast，havingexhaustedhisingenuity，andseeingmeremainquiteblindtoeveryhint，heorderedandpaidforanotherhimself。
　　AsfortheColonel，heatenothing，satsunkinamuse，andonlyawokeoccasionallytoasenseofwherehewas，andwhathewassupposedtobedoing。Oneachoftheseoccasionsheshowedagratitudeandkindcourtesythatendearedhimtomebeyondexpression。”Champdivers，mylad，yourhealth！”hewouldsay。”TheMajorandIhadaveryarduousmarchlastnight，andI
　　positivelythoughtIshouldhaveeatennothing，butyourfortunateideaofthebrandyhasmadequiteanewmanofme-quiteanewman。”Andhewouldfalltowithagreatairofheartiness，cuthimselfamouthful，and，beforehehadswallowedit，wouldhaveforgottenhisdinner，hiscompany，theplacewherehethenwas，andtheescapehewasengagedon，andbecomeabsorbedinthevisionofasick-roomandadyinggirlinFrance。Thepathosofthiscontinualpreoccupation，inamansoold，sick，andover-weary，andwhomIlookeduponasamerebundleofdyingbonesanddeath-pains，putmewhollyfrommyvictuals：itseemedtherewasanelementofsin，akindofrudebravadoofyouth，inthemererelishingoffoodatthesametablewiththistragicfather；andthoughIwaswellenoughusedtothecoarse，plaindietoftheEnglish，Iatescarcemorethanhimself。Dinnerwashardlyoverbeforehesuccumbedtoalethargicsleep；lyingononeofthemattresseswithhislimbsrelaxed，andhisbreathseeminglysuspended-theveryimageofdissolution。
　　ThislefttheMajorandmyselfaloneatthetable。YoumustnotsupposeourTETE-A-TETEwaslong，butitwasalivelyperiodwhileitlasted。HedranklikeafishoranEnglishman；shouted，beatthetable，roaredoutsongs，quarrelled，madeitupagain，andatlasttriedtothrowthedinner-platesthroughthewindow，afeatofwhichhewasatthattimequiteincapable。Forapartyoffugitives，condemnedtothemostrigorousdiscretion，therewasneverseensonoisyacarnival；andthroughitalltheColonelcontinuedtosleeplikeachild。SeeingtheMajorsowelladvanced，andnoretreatpossible，Imadeafairwindofafoulone，keepinghisglassfull，pushinghimwithtoasts；andsoonerthanIcouldhavedaredtohope，hebecamedrowsyandincoherent。
　　Withthewrong-headednessofallsuchsots，hewouldnotbepersuadedtoliedownupononeofthemattressesuntilIhadstretchedmyselfuponanother。Butthecomedywassoonover；soonhesleptthesleepofthejust，andsnoredlikeamilitarymusic；
　　andImightgetupagainandfaceasbestIcouldtheexcessivetediumoftheafternoon。
　　Ihadpassedthenightbeforeinagoodbed；Iwasdeniedtheresourceofslumber；andtherewasnothingopenformebuttopacetheapartment，maintainthefire，andbroodonmyposition。I
　　comparedyesterdayandto-day-thesafety，comfort，jollity，open-
　　airexerciseandpleasantroadsideinnsoftheone，withthetedium，anxiety，anddiscomfortoftheother。IrememberedthatI
　　wasinthehandsofFenn，whocouldnotbemorefalse-thoughhemightbemorevindictive-thanIfanciedhim。Ilookedforwardtonightsofpitchinginthecoveredcart，anddaysofmonotonyinI
　　knewnotwhathiding-places；andmyheartfailedme，andIwasintwomindswhethertoslinkoffereitwastoolate，andreturntomyformersolitarywayoftravel。ButtheColonelstoodinthepath。Ihadnotseenmuchofhim；butalreadyIjudgedhimamanofachildlikenature-withthatsortofinnocenceandcourtesythat，Ithink，isonlytobefoundinoldsoldiersoroldpriests-
　　andbrokenwithyearsandsorrow。Icouldnotturnmybackonhisdistress；couldnotleavehimalonewiththeselfishtrooperwhosnoredonthenextmattress。”Champdivers，mylad，yourhealth！”
　　saidavoiceinmyear，andstoppedme-andtherearefewthingsI
　　ammoregladofintheretrospectthanthatitdid。
　　Itmusthavebeenaboutfourintheafternoon-atleasttherainhadtakenoff，andthesunwassettingwithsomewintrypomp-whenthecurrentofmyreflectionswaseffectuallychangedbythearrivaloftwovisitorsinagig。Theywerefarmersoftheneighbourhood，Isuppose-big，burlyfellowsingreat-coatsandtop-boots，mightilyflushedwithliquorwhentheyarrived，and，beforetheyleft，inimitablydrunk。TheystayedlonginthekitchenwithBurchell，drinking，shouting，singing，andkeepingitup；andthesoundoftheirmerryminstrelsykeptmeakindofcompany。Thenightfell，andtheshineofthefirebrightenedandblinkedonthepanelledwall。OurilluminatedwindowsmusthavebeenvisiblenotonlyfromthebacklaneofwhichFennhadspoken，butfromthecourtwherethefarmers”gigawaitedthem。Inthefarendofthefirelitroomlaymycompanions，theonesilent，theotherclamorouslynoisy，theimagesofdeathanddrunkenness。
　　LittlewonderifIweretemptedtojoininthechorusesbelow，andsometimescouldhardlyrefrainfromlaughter，andsometimes，I
　　believe，fromtears-sounmitigatedwasthetedium，socruelthesuspense，ofthisperiod。
　　Atlast，aboutsixatnight，Ishouldfancy，thenoisyminstrelsappearedinthecourt，headedbyFennwithalantern，andknockingtogetherastheycame。Thevisitorsclamberednoisilyintothegig，oneofthemshookthereins，andtheyweresnatchedoutofsightandhearingwithasuddennessthatpartookofthenatureofprodigy。IamwellawarethereisaProvidencefordrunkenmen，thatholdsthereinsforthemandpresidesovertheirtroubles；
　　doubtlesshehadhisworkcutoutforhimwiththisparticulargigful！Fennrescuedhistoeswithanejaculationfromunderthedepartingwheels，andturnedatoncewithuncertainstepsanddeviouslanterntothefarendofthecourt。There，throughtheopendoorsofacoach-house，theshock-headedladwasalreadytobeseendrawingforththecoveredcart。IfIwishedanyprivatetalkwithourhost，itmustbenowornever。
　　AccordinglyIgropedmywaydownstairs，andcametohimashelookedonatandlightedtheharnessingofthehorses。”Thehourapproacheswhenwehavetopart”saidI；”andIshallbeobligedifyouwilltellyourservanttodropmeatthenearestpointforDunstable。Iamdeterminedtogosofarwithourfriends，ColonelXandMajorY，butmybusinessisperemptory，andittakesmetotheneighbourhoodofDunstable。”
　　Ordersweregiventomysatisfaction，withanobsequiousnessthatseemedonlyinflamedbyhispotations。
　　CHAPTERXIV-TRAVELSOFTHECOVEREDCART
　　MYcompanionswerearousedwithdifficulty：theColonel，pooroldgentleman，toasortofpermanentdream，inwhichyoucouldsayofhimonlythathewasverydeafandanxiouslypolite；theMajorstillmaudlindrunk。Wehadadishofteabythefireside，andthenissuedlikecriminalsintothescathingcoldofthenight。
　　Fortheweatherhadinthemeantimechanged。Uponthecessationoftherain，astrictfrosthadsucceeded。Themoon，beingyoung，wasalreadynearthezenithwhenwestarted，glitteredeverywhereonsheetsofice，andsparkledintenthousandicicles。Amoreunpromisingnightforajourneyitwashardtoconceive。Butinthecourseoftheafternoonthehorseshadbeenwellroughed；andKingforsuchwasthenameoftheshock-headedladwasverypositivethathecoulddriveuswithoutmisadventure。Hewasasgoodashisword；indeed，despiteagawkyair，hewassimplyinvaluableinhispresentemployment，showingmarkedsagacityinallthatconcernedthecareofhorses，andguidingusbyoneshortcutafteranotherfordays，andwithoutafault。
　　Theinteriorofthatengineoftorture，thecoveredcart，wasfittedwithabench，onwhichwetookourplaces；thedoorwasshut；inamoment，thenightcloseduponussolidandstifling；andwefeltthatwewerebeingdrivencarefullyoutofthecourtyard。
　　Carefulwasthewordallnight，anditwasanalleviationofourmiseriesthatwedidnotoftenenjoy。Ingeneral，asweweredriventhebetterpartofthenightandday，oftenataprettyquickpaceandalwaysthroughalabyrinthofthemostinfamouscountrylanesandby-roads，weweresobruiseduponthebench，sodashedagainstthetopandsidesofthecart，thatwereachedtheendofastageintrulypitiablecase，sometimesflungourselvesdownwithouttheformalityofeating，madebutonesleepofituntilthehourofdeparturereturned，andwereonlyproperlyawakenedbythefirstjoltoftherenewedjourney。Therewereinterruptions，attimes，thatwehailedasalleviations。Attimesthecartwasbogged，onceitwasupset，andwemustalightandlendthedrivertheassistanceofourarms；attimes，tooasontheoccasionwhenIhadfirstencounteredit，thehorsesgaveout，andwehadtotrailalongsideinmudorfrostuntilthefirstpeepofdaylight，ortheapproachtoahamletorahighroad，badeusdisappearlikeghostsintoourprison。
　　ThemainroadsofEnglandareincomparableforexcellence，ofabeautifulsmoothness，veryingeniouslylaiddown，andsowellkeptthatinmostweathersyoucouldtakeyourdinneroffanypartofthemwithoutdistaste。Onthem，tothenoteofthebugle，themaildiditssixtymilesaday；innumerablechaiseswhiskedafterthebobbingpostboys；orsomeyoungbloodwouldflitbyinacurricleandtandem，tothevastdelightanddangerofthelieges。Onthem，theslow-pacingwaggonsmadeamusicofbells，andalldaylongthetravellersonhorse-backandthetravellersonfootlikehappyMr。
　　St。Ivessolittleawhilebefore！keptcomingandgoing，andbaitingandgapingateachother，asthoughafairweredue，andtheyweregatheringtoitfromallEngland。No，nowhereintheworldistravelsogreatapleasureasinthatcountry。Butunhappilyouroneneedwastobesecret；andallthisrapidandanimatedpictureoftheroadsweptquiteapartfromus，aswelumbereduphillanddowndale，underhedgeandoverstone，amongcircuitousbyways。OnlytwicedidIreceive，asitwere，awhiffofthehighway。Thefirstreachedmyearsalone。Imighthavebeenanywhere。IonlyknewIwaswalkinginthedarknightandamongruts，whenIheardveryfaroff，overthesilentcountrythatsurroundedus，theguard”shornwailingitssignaltothenextpost-houseforachangeofhorses。Itwaslikethevoiceofthedayheardindarkness，avoiceoftheworldheardinprison，thenoteofacockcrowinginthemid-seas-inshort，Icannottellyouwhatitwaslike，youwillhavetofancyforyourself-butI
　　couldhavewepttohearit。Oncewewerebelated：thecattlecouldhardlycrawl，thedaywasathand，itwasanipping，rigorousmorning，Kingwaslashinghishorses，IwasgivinganarmtotheoldColonel，andtheMajorwascoughinginourrear。ImustsupposethatKingwasathoughtcareless，beingnearlyindesperationabouthisteam，and，inspiteofthecoldmorning，breathinghotwithhisexertions。Wecame，atlast，alittlebeforesunrisetothesummitofahill，andsawthehigh-roadpassingatrightanglesthroughanopencountryofmeadowsandhedgerowpollards；andnotonlytheYorkmail，speedingsmoothlyatthegallopofthefourhorses，butapost-chaisebesides，withthepost-boytituppingbriskly，andthetravellerhimselfputtinghisheadoutofthewindow，butwhethertobreathethedawn，orthebettertoobservethepassageofthemail，Idonotknow。Sothatweenjoyedforaninstantapictureoffreelifeontheroad，initsmostluxuriousformsofdespatchandcomfort。Andthereafter，withapoignantfeelingofcontrastinourhearts，wemustmountagainintoourwheeleddungeon。
　　Wecametoourstagesatallsortsofoddhours，andtheywereinallkindsofoddplaces。Imaysayatoncethatmyfirstexperiencewasmybest。NowhereagainwerewesowellentertainedasatBurchellFenn”s。Andthis，Isuppose，wasnatural，andindeedinevitable，insolongandsecretajourney。Thefirststop，welaysixhoursinabarnstandingbyitselfinapoor，marshyorchard，andpackedwithhay；tomakeitmoreattractive，weweretoldithadbeenthesceneofanabominablemurder，andwasnowhaunted。Butthedaywasbeginningtobreak，andourfatiguewastooextremeforvisionaryterrors。Thesecondorthird，wealightedonabarrenheathaboutmidnight，builtafiretowarmusundertheshelterofsomethorns，suppedlikebeggarsonbreadandapieceofcoldbacon，andsleptlikegipsieswithourfeettothefire。Inthemeanwhile，Kingwasgonewiththecart，Iknownotwhere，togetachangeofhorses，anditwaslateinthedarkmorningwhenhereturnedandwewereabletoresumeourjourney。
　　Inthemiddleofanothernight，wecametoastopbyanancient，whitewashedcottageoftwostories；aprivethedgesurroundedit；
　　thefrostymoonshoneblanklyontheupperwindows；butthroughthoseofthekitchenthefirelightwasseenglintingontheroofandreflectedfromthedishesonthewall。Here，aftermuchhammeringonthedoor，Kingmanagedtoarouseanoldcronefromthechimney-cornerchair，whereshehadbeendozinginthewatch；andwewerehadin，andentertainedwithadishofhottea。ThisoldladywasanauntofBurchellFenn”s-andanunwillingpartnerinhisdangeroustrade。Thoughthehousestoodsolitary，andthehourwasanunlikelyoneforanypassengerupontheroad，Kingandsheconversedinwhispersonly。Therewassomethingdismal，somethingofthesick-room，inthisperpetual，guardedsibilation。Theapprehensionsofourhostessinsensiblycommunicatedthemselvestoeveryonepresent。Weatelikemiceinacat”sear；ifoneofusjingledateaspoon，allwouldstart；andwhenthehourcametotaketheroadagain，wedrewalongbreathofrelief，andclimbedtoourplacesinthecoveredcartwithapositivesenseofescape。Themostofourmeals，however，weretakenboldlyathedgerowalehouses，usuallyatuntimelyhoursoftheday，whentheclientswereinthefieldorthefarmyardatlabour。Ishallhavetotellpresentlyofourlastexperienceofthesort，andhowunfortunatelyitmiscarried；butasthatwasthesignalformyseparationfrommyfellow-travellers，Imustfirstfinishwiththem。
　　IhadneveranyoccasiontowaverinmyfirstjudgmentoftheColonel。Theoldgentlemanseemedtome，andstillseemsintheretrospect，thesaltoftheearth。Ihadoccasiontoseehimintheextremesofhardship，hungerandcold；hewasdying，andhelookedit；andyetIcannotrememberanyhasty，harsh，orimpatientwordtohavefallenfromhislips。Onthecontrary，heevershowedhimselfcarefultoplease；andevenifherambledinhistalk，rambledalwaysgently-likeahumane，half-wittedoldhero，truetohiscolourstothelast。Iwouldnotdaretosayhowoftenheawokesuddenlyfromalethargy，andtoldusagain，asthoughwehadneverheardit，thestoryofhowhehadearnedthecross，howithadbeengivenhimbythehandoftheEmperor，andoftheinnocent-and，indeed，foolish-sayingsofhisdaughterwhenhereturnedwithitonhisbosom。Hehadanotheranecdotewhichhewasveryapttogive，bywayofarebuke，whentheMajorweariedusbeyondendurancewithdispraisesoftheEnglish。ThiswasanaccountoftheBRAVESGENSwithwhomhehadbeenboarding。Trueenough，hewasamansosimpleandgratefulbynature，thatthemostcommoncivilitieswereabletotouchhimtotheheart，andwouldremainwritteninhismemory；butfromathousandinconsiderablebutconclusiveindications，Igatheredthatthisfamilyhadreallylovedhim，andloadedhimwithkindness。Theymadeafireinhisbedroom，whichthesonsanddaughterstendedwiththeirownhands；
　　lettersfromFrancewerelookedforwithscarcemoreeagernessbyhimselfthanbythesealiensympathisers；whentheycame，hewouldreadthemaloudintheparlourtotheassembledfamily，translatingashewent。TheColonel”sEnglishwaselementary；hisdaughternotintheleastlikelytobeanamusingcorrespondent；and，asI
　　conceivedthesescenesintheparlour，IfeltsuretheinterestcentredintheColonelhimself，andIthoughtIcouldfeelinmyownheartthatmixtureoftheridiculousandthepathetic，thecontestoftearsandlaughter，whichmusthaveshakenthebosomsofthefamily。Theirkindnesshadcontinuedtilltheend。Itappearstheywereprivytohisflight，thecamletcloakhadbeenlinedexpresslyforhim，andhewasthebearerofaletterfromthedaughterofthehousetohisowndaughterinParis。Thelastevening，whenthetimecametosaygood-night，itwastacitlyknowntoallthattheyweretolookuponhisfacenomore。Herose，pleadingfatigue，andturnedtothedaughter，whohadbeenhischiefally：”Youwillpermitme，mydear-toanoldandveryunhappysoldier-andmayGodblessyouforyourgoodness！”Thegirlthrewherarmsabouthisneckandsobbeduponhisbosom；theladyofthehouseburstintotears；”ETJEVOUSLEJURE，LEPERESE
　　MOUCHAIT！”quoththeColonel，twistinghismoustacheswithacavalryair，andatthesametimeblinkingthewaterfromhiseyesatthemererecollection。
　　Itwasagoodthoughttomethathehadfoundthesefriendsincaptivity；thathehadstartedonthisfataljourneyfromsocordialafarewell。Hehadbrokenhisparoleforhisdaughter：
　　thatheshouldeverlivetoreachhersick-bed，thathecouldcontinuetoenduretoanendthehardships，thecrushingfatigue，thesavagecold，ofourpilgrimage，Ihadearlyceasedtohope。I
　　didforhimwhatIwasable，-nursedhim，kepthimcovered，watchedoverhisslumbers，sometimesheldhiminmyarmsattheroughplacesoftheroad。”Champdivers”heoncesaid，”youarelikeasontome-likeason。”Itisgoodtoremember，thoughatthetimeitputmeontherack。Allwastonopurpose。FastasweweretravellingtowardsFrance，hewastravellingfasterstilltoanotherdestination。Dailyhegrewweakerandmoreindifferent。
　　AnoldrusticaccentofLowerNormandyreappearedinhisspeech，fromwhichithadlongbeenbanished，andgrewstronger；oldwordsofthePATOIS，too：OUISTREHAM，MATRASSE，andothers，thesenseofwhichweweresometimesunabletoguess。OntheverylastdayhebeganagainhiseternalstoryofthecrossandtheEmperor。TheMajor，whowasparticularlyill，oratleastparticularlycross，utteredsomeangrywordsofprotest。”PARDONNEZ-MOI，MONSIEURLE
　　COMMANDANT，MAISC”ESTPOURMONSIEUR”saidtheColonel：”Monsieurhasnotyetheardthecircumstance，andisgoodenoughtofeelaninterest。”Presentlyafter，however，hebegantolosethethreadofhisnarrative；andatlast：”QUEQUEJ”AI？JEM”EMBROUILLE！”
　　sayshe，”SUFFIT：S”M”ALADONNE，ETBERTHEENETAITBIEN
　　CONTENTE。”Itstruckmeasthefallingofthecurtainortheclosingofthesepulchredoors。
　　Sureenough，inbutalittlewhileafter，hefellintoasleepasgentleasaninfant”s，whichinsensiblychangedintothesleepofdeath。Ihadmyarmabouthisbodyatthetimeandremarkednothing，unlessitwerethatheoncestretchedhimselfalittle，sokindlytheendcametothatdisastrouslife。ItwasonlyatoureveninghaltthattheMajorandIdiscoveredweweretravellingalonewiththepoorclay。Thatnightwestoleaspadefromafield-IthinknearMarketBosworth-andalittlefartheron，inawoodofyoungoaktreesandbythelightofKing”slantern，weburiedtheoldsoldieroftheEmpirewithbothprayersandtears。
　　WehadneedsinventHeavenifithadnotbeenrevealedtous；therearesomethingsthatfallsobitterlyillonthissideTime！AsfortheMajor，Ihavelongsinceforgivenhim。HebrokethenewstothepoorColonel”sdaughter；Iamtoldhediditkindly；andsure，nobodycouldhavedoneitwithouttears！Hisshareofpurgatorywillbebrief；andinthisworld，asIcouldnotverywellpraisehim，Ihavesuppressedhisname。TheColonel”salso，forthesakeofhisparole。REQUIESCAT。
　　CHAPTERXV-THEADVENTUREOFTHEATTORNEY”SCLERK
　　IHAVEmentionedourusualcourse，whichwastoeatininconsiderablewaysidehostelries，knowntoKing。Itwasadangerousbusiness；wewentdailyunderfiretosatisfyourappetite，andputourheadintheloin”smouthforapieceofbread。Sometimes，tominimisetherisk，wewouldalldismountbeforewecameinviewofthehouse，straggleinseverally，andgivewhatorderswepleased，likedisconnectedstrangers。Inlikemannerwedeparted，tofindthecartatanappointedplace，somehalfamilebeyond。TheColonelandtheMajorhadeachawordortwoofEnglish-Godhelptheirpronunciation！Buttheydidwellenoughtoorderarasherandapotorcallareckoning；and，tosaytruth，thesecountryfolksdidnotgivethemselvesthepains，andhadscarcetheknowledge，tobecritical。
　　AboutnineortenatnightthepainsofhungerandcolddroveustoanalehouseintheflatsofBedfordshire，notfarfromBedforditself。Intheinnkitchenwasalong，lean，characteristic-
　　lookingfellowofperhapsforty，dressedinblack。Hesatonasettlebythefireside，smokingalongpipe，suchastheycallayardofclay。Hishatandwigwerehangedupontheknobbehindhim，hisheadasbaldasabladderoflard，andhisexpressionveryshrewd，cantankerous，andinquisitive。Heseemedtovaluehimselfabovehiscompany，togivehimselftheairsofamanoftheworldamongthatrusticherd；whichwasoftennomorethanhisdue；
　　being，asIafterwardsdiscovered，anattorney”sclerk。Itookuponmyselfthemoreungratefulpartofarrivinglast；andbythetimeIenteredonthescenetheMajorwasalreadyservedatasidetable。Somegeneralconversationmusthavepassed，andIsmelleddangerintheair。TheMajorlookedflustered，theattorney”sclerktriumphant，andthreeorfourpeasantsinsmock-frockswhosataboutthefiretoplaychorushadlettheirpipesgoout。”Giveyougoodevening，sir！”saidtheattorney”sclerktome。”Thesametoyou，sir”saidI。”Ithinkthisonewilldo”quoththeclerktotheyokelswithawink；andthen，assoonasIhadgivenmyorder，”Pray，sir，whitherareyoubound？”headded。”Sir”saidI，”Iamnotoneofthosewhospeakeitheroftheirbusinessortheirdestinationinhousesofpublicentertainment。””Agoodanswer”saidhe，”andanexcellentprinciple。Sir，doyouspeakFrench？””Why，no，sir”saidI。”AlittleSpanishatyourservice。””ButyouknowtheFrenchaccent，perhaps？”saidtheclerk。”WelldoIdothat！”saidI。”TheFrenchaccent？Why，IbelieveI
　　cantellaFrenchmanintenwords。””Hereisapuzzleforyou，then！”hesaid。”Ihavenomaterialdoubtmyself，butsomeofthesegentlemenaremorebackward。Thelackofeducation，youknow。Imakeboldtosaythatamancannotwalk，cannothear，andcannotsee，withouttheblessingsofeducation。”