"Well，furabouttwohoursAndyswum，an'dove，an'comeupblubberin'，an'dodgedallsortsoffloatin'an'pitchin'stuff，furtheswellwasstillon。Buthecouldn'tevenbesomuchassartinthathe'dfoundthecannedvittles。Todivedownthroughhatchways，an'amongbrokenbulkheads，tohuntfuranypartiklarkindo'boxesundersevenfootofsea-water，ain'tnoeasyjob。
　　An'thoughAndysaidhegotholdoftheendofaboxthatfelttohimlikethebigunshe'dnoticedashavin'themeat-piesin，hecouldn'tmoveitnomore'nifithadbeenthestumpoftheforemast。Ifwecouldhavepumpedthewateroutoftheholdwecouldhavegotatanypartofthecargowewanted，butasitwas，wecouldn'tevenreachtheship'sstores，which，ofcourse，musthavebeenmostlysp'iledanyway，whereasthecannedvittleswasjustasgoodasnew。Thepumpswasallsmashedorstoppedup，forwetried'em，butiftheyhadn't'a'beenwethreecouldn'tneverhavepumpedoutthatshiponthreebiscuitaday，an'onlyabouttwodays'rationsatthat。
　　"SoAndyhecomeup，sofaggedoutthatitwasasmuchashecoulddotogethisclotheson，thoughtheywasn'tmuch，an'thenhestretchedhimselfoutunderthecanvasan'wenttosleep，an'
　　itwasn'tlongaforehewastalkin'aboutroastturkeyan'
　　cranberrysass，an'punkin-pie，an'sechstuff，mostofwhichweknowedwasunderourfeetthatpresentminnit。TomSimmonshejustb'iledover，an'sungout：`Rollhimoutinthesunan'lethimcook！Ican'tstandnomoreofthis！'ButIwasn'tgoin'tohaveAndytreatednosechwayasthat，furifithadn'tbeenfurTomSimmons'wifean'younguns，Andy'dbeenworthtwoofhimtoanybodywhowasconsid'rin'savin'life。ButIgivetheboyagoodpunchintheribstostophisdreamin'，furIwasashungryasTomwas，an'couldn'tstandnononsenseaboutChristmasdinners。
　　"ItwasalittlearternoonwhenAndywokeup，an'hewentoutsidetostretchhimself。InaboutaminutehegiveayellthatmadeToman'mejump。`Asail！'hehollered。`Asail！'An'
　　youmaybetyourlife，youngman，that'twasn'tmore'nhalfasecondaforeustwohadscuffledoutfromunderthatcanvas，an'
　　wasstandin'byAndy。`Theresheis！'heshouted，`notamiletowin'ard。'Igiveonelook，an'thenIsingsout：`'Tain'tasail！It'saflagofdistress！Can'tyousee，youland-lubber，thatthat'stheStarsandStripesupsidedown？'`Why，soitis，'
　　saysAndy，withacoupleofreefsinthejoyfulnessofhisvoice。An'Tomhebegantogrowlasifsomebodyhadcheatedhimoutofhalfayear'swages。
　　"Theflagthatwesawwasonthehullofasteamerthathadbeendriftin'downonuswhilewewassittin'underourcanvas。
　　Itwasplaintoseeshe'dbeencaughtinthetyphoon，too，furtherewasn'tamastorasmoke-stackonher。Butherhullwashighenoughoutofthewatertocatchwhatwindtherewas，whilewewassolowsunkthatwedidn'tmakenowayatall。Therewaspeopleaboard，andtheysawus，an'wavedtheirhatsan'arms，an'Andyan'mewavedours；butallwecoulddowastowaittilltheydriftednearer，furwehadn'tnoboatstogoto'emifwe'dwantedto。
　　"`I'dliketoknowwhatgoodthatoldhulkistous，'saysTomSimmons。`Shecan'ttakeusoff。'Itdidlooktomesomethin'liketheblindleadin'theblind。ButAndyhesingsout：`We'dbebetteroffaboardofher，fursheain'twater-
　　logged，an'，more'nthat，Idon'ts'poseherstoresareallsoakedupinsaltwater。'Therewassomesenseinthat，an'whenthesteamerhadgottowithinhalfamileofus，wewasgladtoseeaboatputoutfromherwiththreemeninit。Itwasaqueerboat，verylowan'flat，an'notlikeanyship'sboatIeversee。
　　Butthetwofellersattheoarspulledstiddy，an'prettysoontheboatwas'longsideofus，an'thethreemenonourdeck。Oneof'emwasthefirstmateoftheotherwreck，an'whenhefoundoutwhatwasthematterwithus，hespunhisyarn，whichwasalongeronethanours。HisvesselwastheWaterCrescent，ninehundredtons，from'FriscotoMelbourne，an'theyhadsailedaboutsixweeksaforewedid。Theywasabouttwoweeksoutwhensomeoftheirmachinerybrokedown，an'whentheygotitpatchedupitbrokeag'in，worsethanafore，sothattheycouldn'tdonothin'withit。Theykep'alongundersailforaboutamonth，makin'mightypoorheadwaytillthetyphoonstruck'em，an'thatcleanedtheirdecksoffaboutasslickasitdidours，buttheirhatcheswasn'tblowedoff，an'theydidn'tshipnowaterwuthmentionin'，an'thecrewhavin'kep'below，noneof'emwaslost。Butnowtheywascleanoutofprovisionsan'
　　water，havin'beenshortwhenthebreakdownhappened，furtheyhadsoldallthestorestheycouldsparetoaFrenchbrigindistressthattheyoverhauledwhenaboutaweekout。Whentheysightedustheyfeltprettysurethey'dgitsomeprovisionsoutofus。ButwhenItoldthematewhatafixwewasinhisjawdroppedtillhisfacewasaslongasoneofAndy'shands。
　　Howsomdever，hesaidhe'dsendtheboatbackfurasmanymenasitcouldbringover，an'seeiftheycouldn'tgitupsomeofourstores。Eveniftheywassoakedwithsaltwater，they'dbebetterthannothin'。PartofthecargooftheWaterCrescentwastoolsan，thingsfursomerailwaycontractorsoutinAustralier，an'thematetoldthementobringoversomeofthemironsthatmightbeusedtofishoutthestores。Alltheirship'sboatshadbeenblowedaway，an'theonetheyhadwasakindofshoreboatforfreshwater，thathadbeenshippedaspartofthecargo，an'stowedbelow。Itcouldn'tstandnokindofasea，buttherewasn'tnothin'butaswellon，an'whenitcomebackithadthecap'ninit，an'fivemen，besidesalotofchainsan'tools。
　　"Themfellersan'usworkedprettynightherestoftheday，an'wegotoutacoupleofbar'lsofwater，whichwasallright，havin'beentightbunged，an'alotofsea-biscuit，allsoakedansloppy，butweonlygotahalf-bar'lofmeat，thoughthreeorfourofthemenstrippedan'dovefurmore'nanhour。
　　Wecutupsomeofthemeatan'eatitraw，an'thecap'nsentsomeovertotheotherwreck，whichhaddriftedpastustoleeward，an'wouldhavegonecleanawayfromusifthecap'nhadn'thadalinegotoutan'madeusfasttoitwhilewewasa-
　　workin'atthestores。
　　"Thatnightthecap'ntookusthree，aswellastheprovisionswe'dgotout，onboardhishull，wherethe'commodationswasconsid'ablebetterthantheywasonthehalf-
　　sunkMaryAuguster。An'aforeweturnedinhetookmeaftan'hadatalkwithmeascommandin'off'cerofmyvessel。`Thatwrecko'yourn，'sayshe，`hasgotavallyblecargoinit，whichisn'tsp'iledbybein'underwater。Now，ifyoucouldgetthatcargointoportitwouldputalotofmoneyinyourpocket，furtheownerscouldn'tgitoutofpayin'youfurtakin'chargeofitan'havin'itbrungin。NowI'lltellyouwhatI'lldo。I'llliebyyou，an'I'vegotcarpentersaboardthat'llputyourpumpsinorder，an'I'llsetmymentoworktopumpoutyourvessel。
　　An'then，whenshe'safloatallright，I'llgotoworkag'inatmyvessel——whichIdidn'ts'posetherewasanyuseo'doin'，butwhilstIwashuntin'roundamongstourcargoto-dayIfoundthatsomeofthemachinerywecarriedmightbeworkedupso'stotaketheplaceofwhatisbrokeinourengine。We'vegotaforgeaboard，an'Ibelievewecanmakethesepiecesofmachineryfit，an'gitgoin'ag'in。ThenI'lltowyouintoSydney，an'we'lldividethesalvagemoney。Iwon'tgitnothin'fursavin'myvessel，cozthat'smybusiness，butyouwasn'tcap'no'yourn，an'tookchargeofhera-purposetosaveher，whichisanotherthing。'
　　"Iwasn'tatallsurethatIdidn'ttakechargeoftheMaryAugustertosavemyselfan'notthevessel，butIdidn'tmentionthat，an'askedthecap'nhowheexpectedtoliveallthistime。
　　"`Oh，wekingitatyourstoreseasyenough，'sayshe，whenthewater'spumpedout。'`They'llbemostlysp'iled，'saysI。
　　`Thatdon'tmatter'sayshe。`Men'lleatanythingwhentheycan'tgitnothin'else。'An'withthatheleftmetothinkitover。
　　"Imustsay，youngman，an'youkinb'lievemeifyouknowanythingaboutsechthings，thattheideeofapileofmoneywasmightytemptin'toafellerlikeme，whohadagirlathomereadytomarryhim，andwhowouldlikenothin'better'ntohavealittlehouseofhisown，an'alittlevesselofhisown，an'giveuptheothersideoftheworldaltogether。ButwhileIwasgoin'
　　overallthisinmymind，an'wonderin'ifthecap'nevercouldgitusintoport，alongcomesAndyBoyle，an'sitsdownbesideme。`Itdrivesmeprettynighcrazy，'sayshe，`tothinkthatto-morrer'sChristmas，an'we'vegottofeedonthatsloppystuffwefishedoutofourstores，an'notmuchofit，nuther，whilethere'sallthatroastturkeyan'plum-puddin'an'mince-piea-
　　floatin'outtherejustaforeoureyes，an'wecan'thavenoneofit。'`Youhadn'toughterthinksomuchabouteatin'，Andy，'saysI，`butifIwastalkin'aboutthemthingsIwouldn'tleaveoutcannedpeaches。ByGeorge！OnahotChristmaslikethisisgoin'tobe，I'dbethejolliestJackontheoceanifIcouldgitatthatcannedfruit。'`Well，there'saway，'saysAndy，`thatwemightgitsomeof'em。Apartofthecargoofthisshipisstufffarblastin'rocks——ca'tridges，'lectricbat'ries，an'
　　thatsortofthing；an'there'samanaboardwho'sgoin'outtotakechargeof'em。I'vebeentalkin'tothisbat'ryman，an'
　　I'vemadeupmymindit'llbeeasyenoughtoloweralittleca'tridgedownamongourcargoan'blowoutapartofit。'`What'u'dbethegoodofit，'saysI，`blowedintochips？'`Itmightsmashsome，'sayshe，`butotherswouldbeonlyloosened，an'
　　they'dfloatuptothetop，wherewecouldgit'em，speciallythemaswaspackedwithpies，whichmustbeprettylight。'`Gitout，Andy，'saysI，`withallthatstuff！'An'hegotout。
　　"Buttheideeshe'dputintomyheaddidn'tgitout，an'asI
　　laidonmybackonthedeck，lookin'upatthestars，theysometimesseemedtoputthemselvesintotheshapeofalittlehouse，withalittlewomancookin'atthekitchinfire，an'alittleschoonerlayin'atanchorjustoffshore。An'thenag'inthey'dhumpthemselvesuptilltheylookedlikealotofnewtincanswiththeirtopsoff，an'allkindsofgoodthingstoeatinside，speciallycannedpeaches——thebigwhitekind，softan'
　　cool，eachonesplitinhalf，withahollerinthemiddlefilledwithjuice。ByGeorge，sir！theverythoughtofatincanlikethatmademebeatmyheelsag'inthedeck。I'dbeenmightyhungry，an'hadeatalotofsaltpork，wetan'raw，an'nowtheveryideeofit，evencooked，turnedmystomach。Ilookeduptothestarsag'in，an'thelittlehousean'thelittleschoonerwascleangone，an'thewholeskywasfilledwithnothin'butbrightnewtincans。
　　"Inthemornin'Andyhecometomeag'in。`Haveyoumadeupyourmind，'sayshe，`aboutgittin'someofthemgoodthingsfurChristmasdinner？'`Confoundyou！'saysI，`youtalkasifallwehadtodowastogoan'git'em。'`An'that'swhatI
　　b'lievewekindo，'sayshe，`withthehelpofthatbat'ryman。'
　　`Yes，'saysI，`an'blowalotofthecargointoflinders，an'
　　damagetheMaryAugusterso'sshecouldn'tneverbetookintoport。'An'thenItoldhimwhatthecap'nhadsaidtome，an'
　　whatIwasgoin'todowiththemoney。`Alittleca'tridge，'
　　saysAndy，`woulddoallwewant，an'wouldn'thurtthevessel，nuther。Besidesthat，Idon'tb'lievewhatthiscap'nsaysabouttinkerin'uphisengine。'Tain'tlikelyhe'llevergitherrunnin'ag'in，norpumpouttheMaryAuguster，nuther。IfI
　　wasyouI'dadurnedsightrutherhaveaChristmasdinnerinhandthanahousean'wifeinthebush。'`Iain'tthinkin'o'
　　marryin'agirlinAustralier，'saysI。An'Andyhegrinned，an'
　　saidIwouldn'tmarrynobodyifIhadtoliveonsp'iledvittlestillIgother。
　　"AlittlearterthatIwenttothecap'nan'ItoldhimaboutAndy'sidee，buthewasdownonit。`It'syourvessel，an'notmine，'sayshe，`an'ifyouwanttotrytogitadinneroutofherI'llnotstandinyourway。Butit'smy'pinionyou'lljustdamagetheship，an'donothin'。'Howsomdever，Italkedtothebat'rymanaboutit，an'hethoughtitcouldbedone，an'nothurttheship，nuther。Themenwasallinfavorofit，furnoneof'emhadforgotitwasChristmasday。ButTomSimmonshewasag'in'itstrong，furhewasthinkin'he'dgitsomeofthemoneyifwegottheMaryAugusterintoport。Hewasaselfish-
　　mindedman，wasTom，butitwashisnater，an'Is'posehecouldn'thelpit。
　　"Well，itwasn'tlongaforeIbegantofeelprettyemptyan'
　　mean，an'ifI'dwantedanyoftheprogwegotoutthedayafore，Icouldn'thavefoundmuch，furthemenhadeatitupnearlyallinthenight。An'soIjustmadeupmymindwithoutanymorefoolin'，an'mean'AndyBoylean'thebat'ryman，withsomeca'tridgesan'acoilofwire，gotintothelittleshoreboat，an'pulledovertotheMaryAuguster。Thereweloweredasmallca'tridgedownthemainhatchway，an'letitrestdownamongthecargo。Thenwerowedbacktothesteamer，uncoilin'
　　thewireas。wewent。Thebat'rymanclumbupondeck，an'fixedhiswiretoa'lectricmachine，whichhe'dgotallreadyaforewestarted。Andyan'medidn'tgitoutoftheboat。Wehadtoomuchsensefurthat，withallthemhungryfellerswaitin'tojumpinher。Butwejustpushedalittleoff，an'sotwaitin'，withourmouthsawaterin'，furhimtotouchheroff。Heseemedtobealongtimeaboutit，butatlasthedidit，an'thatinstanttherewasabangonboardtheMaryAugusterthatmademyheartjump。Andyan'mepulledfurherlikemad，theothersa-
　　hollerin'arterus，an'wewasondeckinnotime。Thedeckwasallcoveredwiththewaterthathadbeenthrowedup。ButItellyou，sir，thatwepokedan'fishedabout，an'Andystrippedan'
　　wentdownan'swumallround，an'wecouldn'tfindonefloatin'
　　boxofcannedgoods。Therewasalotofsplinters，butwheretheycomefromwedidn'tknow。Bythistimemydanderwasup，an'Ijustpitchedaroundsavage。Thatlittleca'tridgewasn'tnogood，an'Ididn'tintendtostandanymorefoolin'。Wejustrowedbacktotheotherwreck，an'Icalledtotheba'trymantocomedown，an'bringsomebiggerca'tridgeswithhim，furifwewasgoin'todoanythingwemightaswelldoitright。Sohegotdownwithapackageofbiggerones，an'jumpedintotheboat。
　　Thecap'nhecalledouttoustobekeerful，an'TomSimmonsleanedovertherailan'swored；butIdidn'tpayno'tentiontonutherof'em，an'wepulledaway。
　　"WhenIgotaboardtheMaryAuguster，Isaystothebat'ryman：`Wedon'twantnononsensethistime，an'Iwantyoutoputinenoughca'tridgestoheaveupsomethin'that'lldofuraChristmasdinner。Idon'tknowhowthecargoisstored，butyoukinputonebigca'tridge'midship，anotherfor'ard，an'
　　anotheraft，an'oneornutherof'emoughterfetchupsomethin'。'Well，wegotthethreeca'tridgesintoplace。Theywasagooddealbiggerthantheonewefustused，an'wej'ined'emalltoonewire，an'thenwerowedback，carryin'thelongwirewithus。Whenwereachedthesteamer，mean'Andywasa-
　　goin'tostayintheboataswedidafore，butthecap'nsungoutthathewouldn'tallowthebat'rytobetouchedofftillwecomeaboard。`Ther'sgottobefairplay，'sayshe。`It'syourvittles，butit'smysidethat'sdoin'thework。Afterwe'veblastedherthistimeyoutwocangointheboatan'seewhatthereistogitholdof，buttwoofmymenmustgoalong。'Somean'Andyhadtogoondeck，an'twobigfellerswasdetailedtogowithusinthelittleboatwhenthetimecome，an'thenthebat'rymanhetechedheroff。
　　"Well，sir，thepopthatfollowedthattechwassomethin'toremember。Itshuckthewater，itshucktheair，an'itshuckthehullwewason。Areg'larcloudofsmokean'flyin'bitsofthingsroseupoutoftheMaryAuguster；an'whenthatsmokeclearedaway，an'thewaterwasallb'ilin'withthesplashofvarious-sizedhunksthatcomerainin'downfromthesky，whatwasleftoftheMaryAugusterwassprinkledoverthesealikeawoodencarpetfurwater-birdstowalkon。
　　"Someofthemensungoutonething，an'someanother，an'I
　　couldhearTomSimmonsswear；butAndyan'mesaidneveraword，butscuttleddownintotheboat，folleredclosebythetwomenwhowastogowithus。Thenwerowedlikedevilsfurthelotofstuffthatwasbobbin'aboutonthewater，outwheretheMaryAugusterhadbeen。Inwewentamongthefloatin'sparsandship'stimbers，Ikeepin'thethingsoffwithanoar，thetwomenrowin'，an'Andyinthebow。
　　"SuddenlyAndygiveayell，an'thenhereachedhimselffor'ardwithsechabouncethatIthoughthe'dgooverboard。Butuphecomeinaminnit，histwo'leven-inchhandsgrippedroundabox。Hesotdowninthebottomoftheboatwiththeboxonhislapan'hiseyesscrewedonsomelettersthatwasstampedononeend。`Pidjin-pies！'hesingsout。"Tain'tturkeys，nor'tain'tcranberriesbut，bytheLordHarry，it'sChristmaspiesallthesame！'AfterthatAndydidn'tdonomorework，butsotholdin'
　　thatboxasifithadbeenhisfustbaby。Butwekep'pushin'ontoseewhatelsetherewas。It'smy'pinionthatthebiggestpartofthatbark'scargowasblowedintomince-meat，an'themostoftherestofitwassoheavythatitsunk。Butitwasn'tallbustedup，an'itdidn'tallsink。Therewasabigpieceofwreckwithalotofboxesstoveintothetimbers，andsomeofthesehadin'embeefreadyb'iledan'packedintocans，an'
　　therewasotherkindsofmeat，an'dif'rentsortsofvegetables，an'oneboxofturtlesoup。Ilookedateveryoneof'emaswetook'emin，an'whenwegotthelittleboatprettywellloadedIwantedtostillkeeponsearchin'；butthementheysaidthatshoreboat'u'dsinkifwetookinanymorecargo，an'
　　soweputback，Ifeelin'glummer'nIoughterfelt，furIhadbeguntobeafearedthatcannedfruit，sechaspeaches，washeavy，an'li'bletosink。
　　"Assoonaswehadgotourboxesaboard，fourfreshmenputoutintheboat，an'afterawhiletheycomebackwithanotherload。An'Iwasmightykeerfultoreadthenamesonalltheboxes。Somewasmeat-pies，an'somewassalmon，an'somewaspottedherrin's，an'somewaslobsters。ButnaryathingcouldI
　　seethateverhadgrowedonatree。
　　"Well，sir，therewasthreeloadsbroughtinaltogether，an'
　　theChristmasdinnerwehadonthefor'arddeckofthatsteamer'shullwasaboutthejolliestonethatwaseverseenofahotdayaboardofawreckinthePacificOcean。Thecap'nkeptgoodorder，an'whenallwasreadythetopswasjerkedofftheboxes，andeachmangrabbedacanan'openeditwithhisknife。Whenhehadcleaneditout，hetukanotherwithoutdoin'muchquestionin'
　　astothebilloffare。Whetheranybodygotpidjin-pie'ceptAndy，Ican'tsay，butthewaywepiledinDelmonikerprogwould'a'madepeopleopentheireyesaswaseatin'theirChristmasdinnersonshorethatday。Someofthethingswould'a'beenbettercookedalittlemore，orhetup，butwewastoofearfulhungrytowaitfurthat，an'theywastiptopastheywas。
　　"Thecap'nwentoutafterwards，an'towedinacoupleofbar'lsofflourthatwasonlypartsoakedthrough，an'hegotsomeotherplainprogthatwoulddofurfutureuse。ButnoneofusgiveourmindstostufflikethisarterthegloriousChristmasdinnerthatwe'dquarriedoutoftheMaryAuguster。Everymanthatwasn'tondutywentbelowandturnedinfurasnooze——
　　all'ceptme，an'Ididn'tfeeljustaltogethersatisfied。Tobesure，I'dhadanA1dinner，an'，thoughalittlemixed，I'dnevereatajollieroneonanyChristmasthatIkinlookbackat。But，furallthat，therewasahankerinsideo'me。Ihadn'tgotallI'dlaidouttogitwhenwetechedofftheMaryAuguster。
　　Thedaywasblazin'hot，an'alotofthethingsI'deatwasprettypeppery。`Now，'thinksI，`iftherehadbeenjustonecano'peachessechasIseenshinin'inthestarslastnight！'An'
　　justthen，asIwaswalkin'aft，allbymyself，Iseedlodgedonthestumpofthemizzenmastaboxwithonecornerdruvdownamongthesplinters。Itwashalfsplitopen，an'Icouldseethetincansshinin'throughthecrack。Igiveonejumpatit，an'
　　wrenchedthesideoff。OnthetopofthefirstcanIseedwasapictureofabigwhitepeachwithgreenleaves。Thatboxhadbeenblowedupsohighthatifithadcomedownanywhere'ceptamongthemsplintersitwould'a'smasheditselftoflinders，orkilledsomebody。SofurasIknow，itwastheonlythingthatfellnighus，an'byGeorge，sir，Igotit！WhenIhadfinishedacanof'emIhuntedupAndy，an'thenwewentaftan'eatsomemore。`Well，'saysAndy，aswewasa-eatin'，`howd'yefeelnowaboutblowin'upyourwife，an'yourhouse，an'thatlittleschooneryouwasgoin'toown？'
　　"`Andy，'saysI，`thisisthejoyfulestChristmasI'vehadyit，an'ifIwastolivetilltwentyhundredIdon'tb'lieveI'dhavenojoyfuler，withthingscomin'insopat；sodon'tyouthrownoshadders。'
　　"`Shadders！'saysAndy。`Thatain'tme。IleavethatsortofthingfurTomSimmons。'
　　"`Shaddersiscool，'saysI，`an'Ikingotosleepunderallhethrows。'
　　"Well，sir，"continuedoldSilas，puttinghishandonthetillerandturninghisfaceseaward，"ifTomSimmonshadkeptcommandofthatwreck，weallwould'a'laidtherean'waitedan'
　　waitedtillsomeofuswasstarved，an'theothersgotnothin'
　　furit，furthecap'nnevermendedhisengine，an'itwasn'tmore'naweekaforewewastookoff，an'thenitwasbyasailin'
　　vessel，whichleftthehulloftheWaterCrescentbehindher，justasshewould'a'hadtoleavetheMaryAugusterifthatjollyoldChristmaswreckhadbeenthere。
　　"An'now，sir，"saidSilas，"d'yeseethatstretcho'littleripplesoveryander，lookin'asifitwasaloto'herrin'
　　turnin'overtodrytheirsides？Doyouknowwhatthatis？
　　That'sthesupperwind。Thatmeanscoffee，an'hotcakes，an'abitofbr'iledfish，an'pertaters，an'p'r'aps，iftheoldwomanfeelsinapartiklargoodhumor，somecannedpeaches——bigwhiteuns，cutinhalf，withahollerplaceinthemiddlefilledwithcool，sweetjuice。"
　　MYWELLANDWHATCAME
　　OUTOFIT
　　EarlyinmymarriedlifeIboughtasmallcountryestatewhichmywifeandIlookeduponasaparadise。AfterenjoyingitsdelightforalittlemorethanayearoursoulsweresaddenedbythediscoverythatourEdencontainedaserpent。Thiswasaninsufficientwater-supply。
　　Ithadbeenarainyseasonwhenwefirstwentthere，andforalongtimeourcisternsgaveusfullaqueoussatisfaction，butearlythisyearadroughthadsetin，andwewereobligedtobeexceedinglycarefulofourwater。
　　Itwasquitenaturalthatthescarcityofwaterfordomesticpurposesshouldaffectmywifemuchmorethanitdidme，andperceivingthediscontentwhichwasgrowinginhermind，I
　　determinedtodigawell。TheverynextdayIbegantolookforawell-digger。Suchanindividualwasnoteasytofind，forintheregioninwhichIlivedwellshadbecomeunfashionable；butI
　　determinedtopersevereinmysearch，andinaboutaweekIfoundawell-digger。
　　Hewasamanofsomewhatroughexterior，butofaningratiatingturnofmind。Itwaseasytoseethatitwashisearnestdesiretoserveme。
　　"Andnow，then，"saidhe，whenwehadhadalittleconversationaboutterms，"thefirstthingtodoistofindoutwherethereiswater。Haveyouapeach-treeontheplace？"Wewalkedtosuchatree，andhecuttherefromaforkedtwig。
　　"Ithought，"saidI，"thatdivining-rodswerealwaysofhazelwood。"
　　"Apeachtwigwilldoquiteaswell，"saidhe，andIhavesincefoundthathewasright。Divining-rodsofpeachwillturnandfindwaterquiteaswellasthoseofhazeloranyotherkindofwood。
　　Hetookanendofthetwigineachhand，and，withthepointprojectinginfrontofhim，heslowlywalkedalongoverthegrassinmylittleorchard。Presentlythepointofthetwigseemedtobenditselfdownwardtowardtheground。
　　"There，"saidhe，stopping，"youwillfindwaterhere。"
　　"Idonotwantawellhere，"saidI。"Thisisatthebottomofahill，andmybarn-yardisatthetop。Besides，itistoofarfromthehouse。"
　　"Verygood，"saidhe。"Wewilltrysomewhereelse。"
　　Hisrodturnedatseveralotherplaces，butIhadobjectionstoallofthem。Asanitaryengineerhadoncevisitedme，andhehadgivenmeagreatdealofadviceaboutdrainage，andIknewwhattoavoid。
　　Wecrossedtheridgeofthehillintothelowgroundontheotherside。Herewerenobuildings，nothingwhichwouldinterferewiththepurityofawell。Mywell-diggerwalkedslowlyoverthegroundwithhisdivining-rod。Verysoonheexclaimed："Hereiswater！"Andpickingupastick，hesharpenedoneendofitanddroveitintotheground。Thenhetookastringfromhispocket，andmakingaloopinoneend，heputitoverthestick。
　　"Whatareyougoingtodo？"Iasked。
　　"Iamgoingtomakeacirclefourfeetindiameter，"hesaid。
　　"Wehavetodigthewellaswideasthat，youknow。"
　　"ButIdonotwantawellhere，"saidI。"It'stooclosetothewall。Icouldnotbuildahouseoverit。Itwouldnotdoatall。"
　　Hestoodupandlookedatme。"Well，sir，"saidhe，"willyoutellmewhereyouwouldliketohaveawell？"
　　"Yes，"saidI。"Iwouldliketohaveitoverthereinthecornerofthehedge。Itwouldbenearenoughtothehouse；itwouldhaveawarmexposure，whichwillbedesirableinwinter；
　　andthelittlehousewhichIintendtobuildoveritwouldlookbettertherethananywhereelse。"
　　Hetookhisdivining-rodandwenttothespotIhadindicated。"Isthistheplace？"heaskedwishingtobesurehehadunderstoodme。
　　"Yes，"Ireplied。
　　Heputhistwiginposition，andinafewsecondsitturnedinthedirectionoftheground。Thenhedrovedownastick，markedoutacircle，andthenextdayhecamewithtwomenandaderrick，andbegantodigmywell。
　　Whentheyhadgonedowntwenty-fivefeettheyfoundwater，andwhentheyhadprogressedafewfeetdeepertheybegantobeafraidofdrowning。Ithoughttheyoughttogodeeper，butthewell-diggersaidthattheycouldnotdigwithoutfirsttakingoutthewater，andthatthewatercameinasfastastheybaileditout，andheaskedmetoputittomyselfandtellhimhowtheycoulddigitdeeper。Iputthequestiontomyself，butcouldfindnoanswer。Ialsolaidthematterbeforesomespecialists，anditwasgenerallyagreedthatifwatercameinasfastasitwastakenout，nothingmorecouldbedesired。Thewellwas，therefore，pronounceddeepenough。Itwaslinedwithgreattiles，nearlyayardindiameter，andmywell-digger，aftercongratulatingmeonfindingwatersoeasily，bademegood-byanddepartedwithhismenandhisderrick。
　　Ontheothersideofthewallwhichboundedmygrounds，andnearwhichmywellhadbeendug，thereranacountrylane，leadingnowhereinparticular，whichseemedtobethereforthepurposeofallowingpeopletopassmyhouse，whomightotherwisebeobligedtostop。
　　Alongthislanemyneighborswouldpass，andoftenstrangersdroveby，andasmywellcouldeasilybeseenoverthelowstonewall，itsconstructionhadexcitedagreatdealofinterest。
　　Someofthepeoplewhodrovebyweresummerfolksfromthecity，andIamsure，fromremarksIoverheard，thatitwasthoughtaveryqueerthingtodigforwater。Ofcoursetheymusthaveknownthatpeopleusedtodothisintheoldentimes，evenasfarbackasthetimeofJacobandRebecca，buttheexpressionsofsomeoftheirfacesindicatedthattheyrememberedthatthiswasthenineteenthcentury。
　　Myneighbors，however，wereallruralpeople，andmuchmoreintelligentinregardtowater-supplies。Oneofthem，PhineasColwellbyname，tookamorelivelyinterestinmyoperationsthandidanyoneelse。Hewasamanofaboutfiftyyearsofage，whohadbeenasoldier。Thisfactwaskeptaliveinthemindsofhisassociatesbyhisdress，apartofwhichwasalwaysmilitary。Ifhedidnotwearanoldfatigue-jacketwithbrassbuttons，heworehisbluetrousers，or，perhaps，awaistcoatthatbelongedtohisuniform，andifheworenoneofthese，hismilitaryhatwouldappearuponhishead。Ithinkhemustalsohavebeenasailor，judgingfromthelittlegoldringsinhisears。ButwhenIfirstknewhimhewasacarpenter，whodidmason-workwheneveranyoftheneighborshadanyjobsofthesort。Healsoworkedingardensbytheday，andhadtoldmethatheunderstoodthecareofhorsesandwasaverygooddriver。Hesometimesworkedonfarms，especiallyatharvest-time，andIknowhecouldpaint，forheonceshowedmeafencewhichhesaidhehadpainted。Ifrequentlysawhim，becausehealwaysseemedtobeeithergoingtohisworkorcomingfromit。Infact，heappearedtoconsideractuallaborinthelightofabadhabitwhichhewishedtoconceal，andwhichhewascontinuallyendeavoringtoreform。
　　Phineaswalkedalongourlaneatleastonceaday，andwheneverhesawmehetoldmesomethingaboutthewell。HedidnotapproveoftheplaceIhadselectedforit。Ifhehadbeendiggingawellhewouldhaveputitinaverydifferentplace。
　　WhenIhadtalkedwithhimforsometimeandexplainedwhyIhadchosenthisspot，hewouldsaythatperhapsIwasright，andbegintotalkofsomethingelse。ButthenexttimeIsawhimhewouldagainassertthatifhehadbeendiggingthatwellhewouldnothaveputitthere。
　　Aboutaquarterofamilefrommyhouse，ataturnofthelane，livedMrs。BettyPerch。Shewasawidowwithabouttwelvechildren。Afewofthesewereherown，andtheothersshehadinheritedfromtwosisterswhohadmarriedanddied，andwhosehusbands，havingprovedtheirdisloyaltybymarryingagain，werenotallowedbytheindignantMrs。Perchtoresumepossessionoftheiroffspring。Thecasualobservermighthavesupposedthenumberofthesechildrentobeverygreat，——fifteenorperhapseventwenty，——forifhehappenedtoseeagroupofthemonthedoor-step，hewouldseealotmoreifhelookedintothelittlegarden；andundersomecedar-treesatthebackofthehousetherewerealwayssomeofthemonfinedays。Butperhapstheysoughttoincreasetheirapparentnumber，andranfromoneplacetoanothertobereadytomeetobservation，likethefamousclownGrimaldi，whousedtogothroughhisperformancesatoneLondontheatre，andthendashoffinhispaintandmotleytoanother，sothatperambulatingtheatre-goingmenmightimaginethatthereweretwogreatestclownsintheworld。
　　WhenMrs。Perchhadtimeshesewedfortheneighbors，and，whethershehadtimeornot，shewasalwaysreadytosupplythemwithnews。FromthemomentsheheardIwasgoingtodigawellshetookavitalinterestinit。Herownwater-supplywasunsatisfactory，asshedependeduponalittlespringwhichsometimesdriedupinsummer，andshouldmywellturnouttobeagoodone，sheknewIwouldnotobjecttohersendingthechildrenforpailsofwateronoccasions。
　　"Itwillbefunforthem，"shesaid，"andifyourwaterreallyisgooditwilloftencomeinverywellforme。Mr。
　　Colwelltellsme，"shecontinued，"thatyouputyourwellinthewrongplace。Heisapracticalmanandknowsallaboutwells，andIdohopethatforyoursakehemaybewrong。"
　　Myneighborsweregenerallypessimists。Countrypeopleareproverbiallyprudent，andpessimismisprudence。Wefeelsafewhenwedoubtthesuccessofanother，becauseifheshouldsucceedwecansayweweregladweweremistaken，andsostepfromapositionofgoodjudgmenttooneofgenerousdispositionwithoutfeelingthatwehavechangedourplaneofmerit。Buttheoptimistoftengetshimselfintoterriblescrapes，forifheiswronghecannotsayheisgladofit。
　　But，whateverelsehemaybe，apessimistisdepressing，anditwas，therefore，agreatpleasuretometohaveafriendwhowasanout-and-outoptimist。Infact，hemightbecalledaworkingoptimist。Helivedaboutsixmilesfrommyhouse，andhadahobby，whichwasnaturalphenomena。Hewasalwaysonthelookoutforthatsortofthing，andwhenhefoundithewouldstudyitsnatureandeffect。Hewasamaninthematurityofyouth，andiftheestateonwhichhelivedhadnotbelongedtohismother，hewouldhavespentmuchtimeandmoneyininvestigatingitsnaturalphenomena。Heoftendroveovertoseeme，andalwaystoldmehowgladhewouldbeifhehadanopportunityofdiggingawell。
　　"Ihavethewildestdesire，"hesaid，"toknowwhatisintheearthunderourplace，andifitshouldsohappeninthecourseoftimethatthelimitsofearthlyexistenceshouldbereachedby——Imeaniftheestateshouldcomeintomyhands——Iwouldgodown，down，down，untilIhadfoundoutallthatcouldbediscovered。Toownaplugofearthfourthousandmileslongandonlytoknowwhatisonthesurfaceoftheupperendofitisunmanly。Wemightaswellbegrazingbeasts。"
　　HewassorrythatIwasdiggingonlyforwater，becausewaterisaverycommonplacething，buthewasquitesureIwouldgetit，andwhenmywellwasfinishedhewasoneofthefirsttocongratulateme。
　　"ButifIhadbeeninyourplace，"saidhe，"withfullrighttodoasIpleased，Iwouldnothaveletthosemengoaway。I
　　wouldhavesetthemtoworkinsomeplacewheretherewouldbenodangerofgettingwater，——atleast，foralongtime，——andthenyouwouldhavefoundoutwhatarethedeepertreasuresofyourland。"
　　Havingfinishedmywell，Inowsetaboutgettingthewaterintomyresidencenearby。Ibuiltahouseoverthewellandputinitalittleengine，andbymeansofasystemofpipes，likethearteriesandveinsofthehumanbody，Iproposedtodistributethewatertothevariousdesirablepointsinmyhouse。
　　Theenginewastheheart，whichshouldstartthecirculation，whichshouldkeepitgoing，andwhichshouldsendthrobbingthrougheverypipethewaterwhich，ifitwerenotourlife，wasverynecessarytoit。
　　Whenallwasreadywestartedtheengine，andinaveryshorttimewediscoveredthatsomethingwaswrong。Forfifteenortwentyminuteswaterflowedintothetankatthetopofthehouse，withasoundthatwasgranderintheearsofmywifeandmyselfthantheroarofNiagara，andthenitstopped。
　　Investigationprovedthattheflowhadstoppedbecausetherewasnomorewaterinthewell。
　　Itisneedlesstodetailtheexaminations，investigations，andthemultitudeofcounselsandopinionswithwhichourmindswerefilledforthenextfewdays。Itwasplaintoseethatalthoughthiswellwasfullyabletomeetthedemandsofahand-
　　pumporofbailingbuckets，thewaterdidnotflowintoitasfastasitcouldbepumpedoutbyanengine。Therefore，forthepurposesofsupplyingthecirculationofmydomesticwatersystem，thewellwasdeclaredafailure。
　　Mynon-successwasmuchtalkedaboutintheneighborhood，andwereceivedagreatdealofsympathyandcondolence。PhineasColwellwasnotsurprisedattheoutcomeoftheaffair。Hehadsaidthatthewellhadbeenputinthewrongplace。Mrs。Bettywasnotonlysurprised，butdisgusted。
　　"Itisallverywellforyou，"shesaid，"whocouldaffordtobuywaterifitwasnecessary，butitisverydifferentwiththewidowandtheorphan。IfIhadnotsupposedyouweregoingtohavearealwell，Iwouldhavehadmyspringcleanedoutanddeepened。Icouldhavehaditdoneintheearlysummer，butitisofnousenow。Thespringhasdriedup。"
　　Shetoldaneighborthatshebelievedthediggingofmywellhaddriedupherspring，andthatthatwasthewayofthisworld，wherethewidowandtheorphanweresuretocomeoutatthelittleend。
　　OfcourseIdidnotsubmittodefeat——atleast，notwithoutastruggle。Ihadawell，andifanythingcouldbedonetomakethatwellsupplymewithwater，Iwasgoingtodoit。I
　　consultedspecialists，and，aftercarefulconsiderationofthematter，theyagreedthatitwouldbeunadvisableformetoattempttodeepenmypresentwell，astherewasreasontosupposetherewasverylittlewaterintheplacewhereIhaddugit，andthattheverybestthingIcoulddowouldbetotryadrivenwell。AsIhadalreadyexcavatedaboutthirtyfeet，thatwassomuchgaintome，andifIshouldhaveasix-inchpipeputintomypresentwellandthendrivendownanddownuntilitcametoaplacewheretherewasplentyofwater，IwouldhaveallIwanted。
　　Howfardownthepipewouldhavetobedriven，ofcoursetheydidnotknow，buttheyallagreedthatifIdrovedeepenoughIwouldgetallthewaterIwanted。Thiswastheonlykindofawell，theysaid，whichonecouldsinkasdeepashepleasedwithoutbeinginterferedwithbythewateratthebottom。MywifeandI
　　thenconsideredthematter，andultimatelydecidedthatitwouldbeawasteofthemoneywhichwehadalreadyspentupontheengine，thepipes，andthelittlehouse，and，astherewasnothingelsetobedonebuttodriveawell，wewouldhaveawelldriven。
　　Ofcoursewewerebothverysorrythattheworkmustbebegunagain，butIwasespeciallydissatisfied，fortheweatherwasgettingcold，therewasalreadysnowupontheground，andIwastoldthatworkcouldnotbecarriedoninwinterweather。Ilostnotime，however，inmakingacontractwithawell-driver，whoassuredmethatassoonastheworkingseasonshouldopen，whichprobablywouldbeveryearlyinthespring，hewouldcometomyplaceandbegintodrivemywell。
　　Theseasondidopen，andsodidthepea-blossoms，andthepodsactuallybegantofillbeforeIsawthatwell-driveragain。Ihadhadagooddealofcorrespondencewithhiminthemeantime，urginghimtopromptaction，buthealwayshadsomegoodreasonfordelay。Ifoundoutafterwardsthathewasbusyfulfillingacontractmadebeforemine，inwhichhepromisedtodriveawellassoonastheseasonshouldopen。
　　Atlast——itwasearlyinthesummer——hecamewithhisderricks，asteam-engine，atrip-hammer，andalotofmen。Theytookofftheroofofmyhouse，removedtheengine，andsettowork。
　　Formanyalongday，andIamsorrytosayformanyalongernight，thattrip-hammerhammeredandbanged。Onthenextdayafterthenight-workbegan，oneofmyneighborscametometoknowwhattheydidthatfor。Itoldhimtheywereanxioustogetthrough。
　　"Getthroughwhat？"saidhe。"Theearth？Iftheydothat，andyoursix-inchpipecomesoutinaChinaman'sbackyard，hewillsueyoufordamages。"
　　Whenthepipehadbeendriventhroughthesoftstratumundertheoldwell，andbegantoreachfirmerground，thepoundingandshakingoftheearthbecameworseandworse。Mywifewasobligedtoleavehomewithourchild。
　　"Ifheistodowithoutbothwaterandsleep，"saidshe，"hecannotlongsurvive。"AndIagreedwithher。
　　Shedepartedforapleasantsummerresortwherehermarriedsisterwithherchildwasstaying，andfromweektoweekI
　　receivedverypleasantlettersfromher，tellingmeofthecharmsoftheplace，anddwellingparticularlyupontheabundanceofcoolspringwaterwithwhichthehousewassupplied。
　　WhilethisterriblepoundingwasgoingonIheardvariousreportsofitseffectuponmyneighbors。Oneofthem，anagriculturist，withwhomIhadalwaysbeenonthebestofterms，camewithacloudedbrow。
　　"WhenIfirstfeltthoseshakes，"hesaid，"Ithoughttheyweretheeffectsofseismicdisturbances，andIdidnotmind，butwhenIfounditwasyourwellIthoughtIoughttocomeovertospeakaboutit。Idonotobjecttotheshakingofmybarn，becausemymantellsmethecontinualjoltingisthrashingouttheoatsandwheat，butIdonotliketohaveallmyapplesandpearsshakenoffmytrees。Andthen，"saidhe，"Ihavealatebroodofchickens，andtheycannotwalk，becauseeverytimetheytrytomakeasteptheyarejoltedintotheairaboutafoot。
　　Andagain，wehavehadtogiveuphavingsoup。Welikesoup，butwedonotcaretohaveitspoutuplikeafountainwheneverthathammercomesdown。"
　　Iwasgrievedtotroublethisfriend，andIaskedhimwhatI
　　shoulddo。"Doyouwantmetostoptheworkonthewell？"saidI。
　　"Oh，no，"saidhe，heartily。"Goonwiththework。Youmusthavewater，andwewilltrytostandthebumping。Idaresayitisgoodfordyspepsia，andthecowsaregettingusedtohavingthegrassjammedupagainsttheirnoses。Goahead；wecanstanditinthedaytime，butifyoucouldstopthenight-workwewouldbeveryglad。Somepeoplemaythinkitawell-springofpleasuretobebouncedoutofbed，butIdon't。"
　　Mrs。Perchcametomewithafacelikeasqueezedlemon，andaskedmeifIcouldlendherfivenails。
　　"Whatsort？"saidI。
　　"Thekindyounailclapboardsonwith，"saidshe。"Thereisoneofthembeenshookentirelyoffmyhousebyyourwell。IaminhopesthatbeforetherestareallshookoffIshallgetinsomemoneythatisowingmeandcanaffordtobuynailsformyself。"
　　Istoppedthenight-work，butthiswasallIcoulddofortheseneighbors。
　　Myoptimistfriendwasdelightedwhenheheardofmydrivenwell。Helivedsofarawaythatheandhismotherwerenotdisturbedbythejarringoftheground。Nowhewassurethatsomeoftheinternalsecretsoftheearthwouldbelaidbare，andherodeordroveovereverydaytoseewhatweweregettingoutofthewell。Iknowthathewasafraidwewouldsoongetwater，butwastookind-heartedtosayso。
　　Onedaythepiperefusedtogodeeper。Nomatterhowharditwasstruck，itbouncedupagain。WhensomeofthesubstanceithadstruckwasbroughtupitlookedlikeFrenchchalk，andmyoptimisteagerlyexaminedit。
　　"AFrench-chalkmine，"saidhe，"wouldnotbeabadthing，butIhopedthatyouhadstruckabedofmineralgutta-percha。
　　Thatwouldbeagrandfind。"
　　Butthechalk-bedwasatlastpassed，andwebeganagaintobringupnothingbutcommonearth。
　　"Isuppose，"saidmyoptimisttome，onemorning，"thatyoumustsooncometowater，andifyoudoIhopeitwillbehotwater。"
　　"Hotwater！"Iexclaimed。"Idonotwantthat。"
　　"Oh，yes，youwould，ifyouhadthoughtaboutitasmuchasI
　　have，"hereplied。"Ilayawakeforhourslastnight，thinkingwhatwouldhappenifyoustruckhotwater。Inthefirstplace，itwouldbeabsolutelypure，because，evenifitwerepossibleforgermsandbacillitogetdownsodeep，theywouldbeboiledbeforeyougotthem，andthenyoucouldcoolthatwaterfordrinking。Whenfreshitwouldbealreadyheatedforcookingandhotbaths。Andthen——justthinkofit！——youcouldintroducethehot-watersystemofheatingintoyourhouse，andtherewouldbethehotwateralwaysready。Butthegreatthingwouldbeyourgarden。Thinkoftherefusehotwatercirculatinginpipesupanddownandunderallyourbeds！Thatgardenwouldbloominthewinterasothersdointhesummer；atleast，youcouldbegintohaveLima-beansandtomatoesassoonasthefrostwasoutoftheair。"
　　Ilaughed。"Itwouldtakealotofpumping，"Isaid，"todoallthatwiththehotwater。"
　　"Oh，Iforgottosay，"hecried，withsparklingeyes，"thatI
　　donotbelieveyouwouldeverhaveanymorepumpingtodo。YouhavenowgonedownsofarthatIamsurewhateveryoufindwillforceitselfup。Itwillspouthighintotheairorthroughallyourpipes，andrunalways。"
　　PhineasColwellwasbywhenthiswassaid，andhemusthavegonedowntoMrs。BettyPerch'shousetotalkitoverwithher，forintheafternoonshecametoseeme。
　　"Iunderstand，"saidshe，"thatyouaretryingtogethotwateroutofyourwell，andthatthereislikelytobealotmorethanyouneed，sothatitwillrundownbythesideoftheroad。
　　Ijustwanttosaythatifastreamofhotwatercomesdownpastmyhousesomeofthechildrenwillbeboundtogetintoitandbescaldedtodeath，andIcametosaythatifthatwellisgoingtosquirtb'ilingwaterI'dliketohavenoticesothatI
　　canmove，thoughwhereawidowwithsomanyorphansisgoingtomovetonobodyknows。Mr。Colwellsaysthatifyouhadgothimtotellyouwheretoputthatwelltherewouldhavebeennodangerofthissortofthing。"
　　Thenextdaytheoptimistcametome，hisfacefairlyblazingwithanewidea。"Irodeoveronpurposetourgeyou，"hecried，"ifyoushouldstrikehotwater，nottostopthere。Goon，and，byGeorge！youmaystrikefire。"
　　"Heavens！"Icried。
　　"Oh，quitetheopposite，"saidhe。"Butdonotletusjoke。
　　Ithinkthatwouldbethegrandestthingofthisage。Thinkofafirewell，withtheflamesshootingupperhapsahundredfeetintotheair！"
　　IwishPhineasColwellhadnotbeenthere。Asitwas，heturnedpaleandsatdownonthewall。
　　"Youlookastonished！"exclaimedtheoptimist，"butlistentome。YouhavenotthoughtofthisthingasIhave。Ifyoushouldstrikefireyourfortunewouldbemade。Byasystemofreflectorsyoucouldlightupthewholecountry。Bymeansoftilesandpipesthisregioncouldbemadetropical。Youcouldwarmallthehousesintheneighborhoodwithhotair。Andthenthepoweryoucouldgenerate——justthinkofit！Heatispower；
　　thecostofpoweristhefuel。Youcouldfurnishpowertoallwhowantedit。Youcouldfillthisregionwithindustries。Mydearsir，youmustexcusemyagitation，butifyoushouldstrikefirethereisnolimittothepossibilitiesofachievement。"
　　"ButIwantwater，"saidI。"Firewouldnottaketheplaceofthat。"
　　"Oh，waterisatrifle，"saidhe。"Youcouldhavepipeslaidfromtown；itisonlyabouttwomiles。Butfire！Nobodyhasyetgonedowndeepenoughforthat。Youhaveyourfutureinyourhands。"
　　AsIdidnotcaretoconnectmyfuturewithfire，thisideadidnotstrikemeveryforcibly，butitstruckPhineasColwell。
　　Hedidnotsayanythingtome，butafterIhadgonehewenttothewell-drivers。
　　"Ifyoufeelthempipesgettinghot，"hesaidtothem，"I
　　warnyoutostop。Ihavebeenincountrieswheretherearevolcanoes，andIknowwhattheyare。There'senoughoftheminthisworld，andthere'snoneedofmakingnewones。"
　　Intheafternoonawagoner，whohappenedtobepassing，broughtmeanotefromMrs。Perch，verybadlyspelled，askingifIwouldletoneofmymenbringherapailofwater，forshecouldnotthinkofcomingherselforlettinganyofthechildrencomenearmyplaceifspoutingfireswereexpected。
　　Thewell-drivinghadgoneonandon，withintermissionsonaccountofsicknessinthefamiliesofthevariousworkmen，untilithadreachedthelimitwhichIhadfixed，andwehadnotfoundwaterinsufficientquantity，hotorcold，norhadwestruckfire，oranythingelseworthhaving。
　　Thewell-driversandsomespecialistswereoftheopinionthatifIweretogoten，twenty，orperhapsahundredfeetdeeper，IwouldbeverylikelytogetallthewaterIwanted。
　　But，ofcourse，theycouldnottellhowdeeptheymustgo，forsomewellswereoverathousandfeetdeep。Ishookmyheadatthis。Thereseemedtobeonlyonethingcertainaboutthisdrillingbusiness，andthatwastheexpense。Ideclinedtogoanydeeper。
　　"Ithink，"afacetiousneighborsaidtome，"itwouldbecheaperforyoutobuyalotofApollinariswater，——atwholesalerates，ofcourse，——andletyourmenopensomanybottlesadayandemptythemintoyourtank。Youwouldfindthatwouldpaybetterinthelongrun。"
　　PhineasColwelltoldmethatwhenhehadinformedMrs。PerchthatIwasgoingtostopoperations，shewasinadreadfulstateofmind。Afterallshehadundergone，shesaid，itwassimplycrueltothinkofmystoppingbeforeIgotwater，andthatafterhavingdriedupherspring！
　　ThisiswhatPhineassaidshesaid，butwhennextImethershetoldmethathehaddeclaredthatifIhadputthewellwherehethoughtitoughttobe，IshouldhavebeenhavingallthewaterIwantedbeforenow。
　　MyoptimistwasdreadfullycastdownwhenheheardthatI
　　woulddrivenodeeper。
　　"Ihavebeenafraidofthis，"hesaid。"Ihave，beenafraidofit。AndifcircumstanceshadsoarrangedthemselvesthatI
　　shouldhavecommandofmoney，Ishouldhavebeengladtoassumetheexpenseofdeeperexplorations。Ihavebeenthinkingagreatdealaboutthematter，andIfeelquitesurethatevenifyoudidnotgetwateroranythingelsethatmightproveofvaluetoyou，itwouldbeagreatadvantagetohaveapipesunkintotheearthtothedepthof，say，onethousandfeet。"
　　"Whatpossibleadvantagecouldthatbe？"Iasked。
　　"Iwilltellyou，"hesaid。"Youwouldthenhaveoneofthegrandestopportunitieseverofferedtomanofconstructingagravity-engine。Thiswouldbeanenginewhichwouldbeofnoexpenseatalltorun。Itwouldneednofuel。Gravitywouldbethepower。Itwouldworkapumpsplendidly。Youcouldstartitwhenyoulikedandstopitwhenyouliked。"
　　"Pump！"saidI。"Whatisthegoodofapumpwithoutwater？"
　　"Oh，ofcourseyouwouldhavetohavewater，"heanswered。
　　"But，nomatterhowyougetit，youwillhavetopumpituptoyourtanksoastomakeitcirculateoveryourhouse。Now，mygravity-pumpwoulddothisbeautifully。Yousee，thepumpwouldbearrangedwithcog-wheelsandallthatsortofthing，andthepowerwouldbesuppliedbyaweight，whichwouldbeacylinderofleadoriron，fastenedtoaropeandrundowninsideyourpipe。
　　Justthinkofit！Itwouldrundownathousandfeet，andwhereisthereanythingworkedbyweightthathassuchafallasthat？"
　　Ilaughed。"Thatisallverywell，"saidI。"Buthowaboutthepowerrequiredtowindthatweightupagainwhenitgottothebottom？Ishouldhavetohaveanenginetodothat。"
　　"Oh，no，"saidhe。"Ihaveplannedthethingbetterthanthat。Yousee，thegreatertheweightthegreaterthepowerandthevelocity。Now，ifyoutakeasolidcylinderofleadaboutfourinchesindiameter，sothatitwouldslipeasilydownyourpipe，——youmightgreaseit，forthatmatter，——andtwentyfeetinlength，itwouldbeanenormousweight，andinslowlydescendingforaboutanhouraday——forthatwouldbelongenoughforyourpumping——andgoingdownathousandfeet，itwouldrunyourengineforayear。Now，then，attheendoftheyearyoucouldnotexpecttohaulthatweightupagain。Youwouldhaveatriggerarrangementwhichwoulddetachitfromtheropewhenitgottothebottom。Thenyouwouldwindupyourrope，——amancoulddothatinashorttime，——andyouwouldattachanothercylinderoflead，andthatwouldrunyourengineforanotheryear，minusafewdays，becauseitwouldonlygodownninehundredandeightyfeet。Thenextyearyouwouldputonanothercylinder，andsoon。Ihavenotworkedoutthefiguresexactly，butIthinkthatinthiswayyourenginewouldrunforthirtyyearsbeforethepipebecameentirelyfilledwithcylinders。
　　Thatwouldbeprobablyaslongasyouwouldcaretohavewaterforcedintothehouse。"
　　"Yes"'saidI，"Ithinkthatislikely。"
　　Hesawthathisschemedidnotstrikemefavorably。Suddenlyalightflashedacrosshisface。
　　"Itellyouwhatyoucandowithyourpipe，"hesaid，"justasitis。Youcansetupaclockoveritwhichwouldrunforfortyyearswithoutwinding。"
　　Ismiled，andheturnedsadlyawaytohishorse；buthehadnotriddentenyardsbeforehecamebackandcalledtomeoverthewall。
　　"Iftheearthatthebottomofyourpipeshouldeveryieldtopressureandgiveway，andifwaterorgas，or——anything，shouldbesquirtedoutofit，Ibegyouwillletmeknowassoonaspossible。"
　　Ipromisedtodoso。
　　Whenthepoundingwasatanendmywifeandchildcamehome。
　　Buttheseasoncontinueddry，andeventheirpresencecouldnotcounteractthefeelingofariditywhichseemedtopermeateeverythingwhichbelongedtous，materialorimmaterial。Wehadagreatdealofcommiserationfromourneighbors。IthinkevenMrs。BettyPerchbegantopityusalittle，forherspringhadbeguntotrickleagaininasmallway，andshesentwordtomethatifwewerereallyinneedofwatershewouldbewillingtodividewithus。PhineasColwellwassorryforus，ofcourse，buthecouldnothelpfeelingandsayingthatifIhadconsultedhimthemisfortunewouldhavebeenprevented。
　　Itwaslateinthesummerwhenmywifereturned，andwhenshemadeherfirstvisitofinspectiontothegroundsandgardens，hereyes，ofcourse，fellupontheunfinishedwell。Shewasshocked。
　　"Ineversawsuchasceneofwreckage，"shesaid。"ItlookslikeaWesterntownafteracyclone。Ithinkthebestthingyoucandoistohavethisdreadfullitterclearedup，thegroundsmoothedandraked，thewallmended，andtheroofputbackonthatlittlehouse，andthenifwecanmakeanybodybelieveitisanice-house，somuchthebetter。"
　　Thiswasgoodadvice，andIsentforamantoputthevicinityofthewellinorderandgiveittheairofneatnesswhichcharacterizestherestofourhome。
　　ThemanwhocamewasnamedMr。Barnet。Hewasacontemplativefellowwithapipeinhismouth。Afterhavingworkedattheplaceforhalfadayhesentformeandsaid：
　　"I'lltellyouwhatIwoulddoifIwasinyourplace。I'dputthatpump-houseinorder，andI'dsetuptheengine，andputthepumpdownintothatthirty-footwellyoufirstdug，andI'dpumpwaterintomyhouse。"
　　Ilookedathiminamazement。
　　"There'slotsofwaterinthatwell，"hecontinued，"andifthere'sthatmuchnowinthisdrought，youwillsurelyhaveeversomuchmorewhentheweatherisn'tsodry。Ihavemeasuredthewater，andIknow。"
　　Icouldnotunderstandhim。Itseemedtomethathewastalkingwildly。Hefilledhispipeandlighteditandsatuponthewall。
　　"Now，"saidhe，afterhehadtakenafewpuffs，"I'lltellyouwherethetrouble'sbeenwithyourwell。Peoplearealwaysintoobigahurryinthisworldaboutallsortsofthingsaswellaswells。Iamawell-diggerandIknowallaboutthem。Weknowifthereisanywaterinthegrounditwillalwaysfinditswaytothedeepestholethereis，andwedigawellsoastogiveitadeepholetogotointheplacewherewewantit。Butyoucan'texpectthewatertocometothatholejusttheverydayit'sfinished。Ofcourseyouwillgetsome，becauseit'srightthereintheneighborhood，butthereisalwaysalotmorethatwillcomeifyougiveittime。It'sgottomakelittlechannelsandpassagesforitself，andofcourseittakestimetodothat。
　　It'slikesettlingupanewcountry。Onlyafewpioneerscomeatfirst，andyouhavetowaitforthepopulationtoflowin。Thisbeingadryseason，andthewaterinthegroundalittlesluggishonthataccount，itwasagoodwhilefindingoutwhereyourwellwas。IfIhadhappenedalongwhenyouwastalkingaboutawell，IthinkIshouldhavesaidtoyouthatIknewaproverbwhichwouldaboutfityourcase，andthatis：`Letwellenoughalone。'"
　　Ifeltliketakingthisgoodmanbythehand，butIdidnot。I
　　onlytoldhimtogoaheadanddoeverythingthatwasproper。
　　Thenextmorning，asIwasgoingtothewell，IsawPhineasColwellcomingdownthelaneandMrs。BettyPerchcomingupit。
　　Ididnotwishthemtoquestionme，soIsteppedbehindsomebushes。Whentheymettheystopped。
　　"Uponmyword！"exclaimedMrs。Betty，"ifheisn'tgoingtoworkagainonthateverlastingwell！Ifhe'sgotsomuchmoneyhedon'tknowwhattodowithit，Icouldtellhimthatthere'speopleinthisworld，andnotfarawayeither，whowouldbethebetterforsomeofit。It'sasinandashameandanabomination。Doyoubelieve，Mr。Colwell，thatthereistheleastchanceintheworldofhisevergettingwaterenoughoutofthatwelltoshavehimselfwith？"
　　"Mrs。Perch，"saidPhineas，"itain'tnousetalkingaboutthatwell。Itain'tnouse，anditnevercanbenouse，becauseit'sinthewrongplace。IfheeverpumpswateroutofthatwellintohishouseI'lldo——"
　　"Whatwillyoudo？"askedMr。Barnet，whojustthenappearedfromtherecessesoftheengine-house。
　　"I'lldoanythingonthisearththatyouchoosetoname，"
　　saidPhineas。"Iamsafe，whateveritis。"
　　"Well，then，"saidMr。Barnet，knockingtheashesfromhispipepreparatorytofillingitagain，"willyoumarryMrs。
　　Perch？"
　　Phineaslaughed。"Yes，"hesaid。"IpromisedIwoulddoanything，andI'llpromisethat。"
　　"Aslimchanceforme，"saidMrs。Betty，"evenifI'dhaveyou。"Andshemarchedonwithhernoseintheair。
　　WhenMr。Barnetgotfairlytoworkwithhisderrick，hismen，andhisbuckets，hefoundthattherewasagooddealmoretodothanhehadexpected。Thewell-drivershadinjuredtheoriginalwellbybreakingsomeofthetileswhichlinedit，andthesehadtobetakenoutandothersputin，andinthecourseofthisworkotherimprovementssuggestedthemselvesandweremade。
　　SeveraltimesoperationsweredelayedbysicknessinthefamilyofMr。Barnet，andalsointhefamiliesofhisworkmen，butstilltheworkwentoninaveryfairmanner，althoughmuchmoreslowlythanhadbeensupposedbyanyone。Butinthecourseoftime——I
　　willnotsayhowmuchtime——theworkwasfinished，theenginewasinitsplace，anditpumpedwaterintomyhouse，andeverydaysincethenithaspumpedallthewaterweneed，pure，cold，anddelicious。
　　KnowingthepromisePhineasColwellhadmade，andfeelingdesirousofhavingeverythingwhichconcernedmywellsettledandfinished，IwenttolookforhimtoremindhimofhisdutytowardMrs。Perch，butIcouldnotfindthatnavalandmilitarymechanicalagriculturist。Hehadgoneawaytotakeajoboracontract，——Icouldnotdiscoverwhich，——andhehasnotsinceappearedinourneighborhood。Mrs。Perchisverysevereonmeaboutthis。
　　"There'splentyofbadthingscomeoutofthatwell，"shesaid，"butIneverthoughtanythingbadenoughwouldcomeoutofittomakeMr。Colwellgoawayandleavemetokeeponbeingawidowwithallthemorphans。"
　　MR。TOLMAN
　　Mr。Tolmanwasagentlemanwhoseapparentagewasofavaryingcharacter。Attimes，whendeepinthoughtonbusinessmattersorotheraffairs，onemighthavethoughthimfifty-fiveorfifty-
　　seven，orevensixty。Ordinarily，however，whenthingswererunningalonginasatisfactoryandcommonplaceway，heappearedtobeaboutfiftyyearsold，whileuponsomeextraordinaryoccasions，whentheworldassumedanunusuallyattractiveaspect，hisageseemedtorundowntoforty-fiveorless。
　　Hewastheheadofabusinessfirm。Infact，hewastheonlymemberofit。ThefirmwasknownasPuseyandCo。ButPuseyhadlongbeendeadandthe"Co。，"ofwhichMr。Tolmanhadbeenamember，wasdissolved。Ourelderlyhero，havingboughtoutthebusiness，firm-nameandall，formanyyearshadcarrieditonwithsuccessandprofit。Hiscounting-housewasasmallandquietplace，butagreatdealofmoneyhadbeenmadeinit。Mr。
　　Tolmanwasrich——veryrichindeed。
　　Andyet，ashesatinhiscounting-roomonewinterevening，helookedhisoldest。Hehadonhishatandhisovercoat，hisglovesandhisfurcollar。Everyoneelseintheestablishmenthadgonehome，andhe，withthekeysinhishand，wasreadytolockupandleavealso。Heoftenstayedlaterthananyoneelse，andleftthekeyswithMr。Canterfield，theheadclerk，ashepassedhishouseonhiswayhome。
　　Mr。Tolmanseemedinnohurrytogo。Hesimplysatandthought，andincreasedhisapparentage。Thetruthwas，hedidnotwanttogohome。Hewastiredofgoinghome。Thiswasnotbecausehishomewasnotapleasantone。Nosinglegentlemaninthecityhadahandsomerormorecomfortablesuiteofrooms。Itwasnotbecausehefeltlonely，orregrettedthatawifeandchildrendidnotbrightenandenlivenhishome。Hewasperfectlysatisfiedtobeabachelor。Theconditionssuitedhimexactly。
　　But，inspiteofallthis，hewastiredofgoinghome。
　　"Iwish，"saidMr。Tolmantohimself，"thatIcouldfeelsomeinterestingoinghome。"Thenheroseandtookaturnortwoupanddowntheroom。Butasthatdidnotseemtogivehimanymoreinterestinthematter，hesatdownagain。"Iwishitwerenecessaryformetogohome，"saidhe，"butitisn't。"Sothenhefellagaintothinking。"WhatIneed，"hesaid，afterawhile，"istodependmoreuponmyself——tofeelthatIamnecessarytomyself。JustnowI'mnot。I'llstopgoinghome——atleast，inthisway。Where'sthesenseinenvyingothermen，whenIcanhaveallthattheyhavejustaswellasnot？AndI'llhaveit，too，"saidMr。Tolman，ashewentoutandlockedthedoors。
　　Onceinthestreets，andwalkingrapidly，hisideasshapedthemselveseasilyandreadilyintoaplanwhich，bythetimehereachedthehouseofhisheadclerk，wasquitematured。Mr。
　　Canterfieldwasjustgoingdowntodinnerashisemployerrangthebell，soheopenedthedoorhimself。"Iwilldetainyoubutaminuteortwo，"saidMr。Tolman，handingthekeystoMr。Canterfield。"Shallwestepintotheparlor？"
　　Whenhisemployerhadgone，andMr。Canterfieldhadjoinedhisfamilyatthedinner-table，hiswifeimmediatelyaskedhimwhatMr。Tolmanwanted。
　　"Onlytosaythatheisgoingawayto-morrow，andthatIamtoattendtothebusiness，andsendhispersonallettersto——，"
　　namingacitynotahundredmilesaway。
　　"Howlongishegoingtostay？"
　　"Hedidn'tsay，"answeredMr。Canterfield。
　　"I'lltellyouwhatheoughttodo，"saidthelady。"Heoughttomakeyouapartnerinthefirm，andthenhecouldgoawayandstayaslongashepleased。"
　　"Hecandothatnow，"returnedherhusband。"HehasmadeagoodmanytripssinceIhavebeenwithhim，andthingshavegoneonverymuchinthesamewayaswhenheishere。Heknowsthat。"
　　"Butstillyou'dliketobeapartner？"
　　"Oh，yes，"saidMr。Canterfield。
　　"Andcommongratitudeoughttoprompthimtomakeyouone，"
　　saidhiswife。
　　Mr。Tolmanwenthomeandwroteawill。Heleftallhisproperty，withtheexceptionofafewlegacies，totherichestandmostpowerfulcharitableorganizationinthecountry。
　　"PeoplewillthinkIamcrazy，"saidhetohimself，"andifI
　　shoulddiewhileIamcarryingoutmyplan，Iwillleavethetaskofdefendingmysanitytopeoplewhoareabletomakeagoodfightforme。"Andbeforehewenttobedhiswillwassignedandwitnessed。