CHAPTERXVII
　　WegottoBairdstownearlyenough，butwedidn'tgotoworkthere。Wewastedallthatday。Theywassomethingwork-
　　inginthedoctor'sheadhewasn'ttalkingabout。
　　Isupposedhewasgettingcoldfeetonthehullproposition。Anyhow，hejestsetaroundthelittletaverninthatplaceanddonenothingallafternoon。
　　Theweatherwasfine，andwesetoutinfront。
　　Wehadn'tsettheremore'nanhourtillIcouldtellwewasbeingnoticedbytheblacks，notoutopenandaboveboard。Buteverynowandthenoneortwoorthreewouldpassalongdownthestreet，andlazyaboutandtakealookatus。
　　Theypertendedtheywasn'tnoticing，buttheywas。
　　Thewordhadgotaround，andtheywasafeelingintheairIdidn'tlikeatall。Toomuchcaged-upexcitementamongtheniggers。Thedoctorfeltittoo，Icouldseethat。Butneitheroneofussaidanythingaboutittotheother。
　　Alongtowardduskwetakesawalk。Theywasagood-sizedcrickattheedgeofthatlittleplace，andonitanold-fashionedwortermill。Abovethemillalittlepiecewasabridge。Wecrosseditandwalkedalongaroadthatfolleredthecrickbankclostefurquiteaspell。
　　Itwasn'tmuchofatown——somethingbetwixtavillageandasettlement——althoughtheywasgoingtorunabranchoftherailroadovertoitbeforeverylong。Ithadhadachancettogetarailroadonce，yearsbeforethat。Butithadsaidthenitdidn'twantnorailroad。Sountillatelyeverybranchbuiltthroughthatpartofthecountrygrinnedverysarcasticandgiveitthego-by。
　　Theywasconsiderablewoodsstandingalongthecrick，andaroundaturnintheroadwecomeontoSam，allofasudden，talkingwithanothernigger。
　　Samwasjesta-layingitofftothatnigger，buthekindofhushedaswecomenearer。Downtheroadquitealittlepiecewasagood-sizedwoodenbuildingthatneverhadbeenpaintedandlookedlikeitwasabigbarn。WithoutknowingitthedoctorandmehadbeenpintingourselvesrighttowardBigBethel。
　　TheniggerwithSamheyellsout，whenheseesus：
　　“Glorybe！HYAHdeycomes！HyahdeycomesNOW！”
　　Andhethroweduphisarms，andstartedonalopeuptheroadtowardthechurch，singingouteverytenorfifteenyards。Alittleknotofniggerscomeoutinfrontofthechurchwhentheyhearnhimcoming。
　　Sam，hestoodhisground，andwaitedfurustocomeuptohim，kindofapologeticandsneaking-
　　lookingaboutsomethingorother。
　　“Whatkindoflieshaveyoubeentellingtheseniggers，Sam？”saysthedoctor，verysharpandshortandmad-like。
　　Sam，hedigsastoneout'ntheroadwiththetoeofhisshoe，andkindofgrinstohimself，stilllookingsheepish。Buthesaysheopinionateshebeentellingthemnothingatall。
　　“Idunnohow-comedeygetalldemniggernotionsindeyfoolhaid，“Samsays，“butdeyallwaitin'
　　darinsidedechu'chdo'——someofdemos'faifulan'demos'pra'rfuloneso'deBigBethelcong'gationbeendarfo'delas'houaha-waitin'an'a-watchin'，spiteo'defac'datreg'lahmeetin'ain'tgwineterbecalledtwellartersupper。Debishop，hedartoo。Deygotsomedesehyahcoal-ilelampsdardesinsidedechu'chdo'an'deybeenkeepin'on'emlighted，daytimesan'nighttimes，fo'twodaysnow，kazedeysaydeyain'tgwinefo'terbecotchednappingwhendebridegroomCOMeth。Yass，SAH！——
　　dey'steno'desehyahvergimsdar，fiveof'emsleepin'an'fiveof'emwatchin'，an'a-takin'tuhnsathit，an'mebbydathow-comefreeorfouahdeybes'youngcolo'hedmensbeenprojickin'aroun'
　　darallarternoon，a-helpin'demdat'sa-waitin'
　　twelldebridegroomCOMeth！”
　　Weseenalittleknotofthem，downtheroadthereinfrontofthechurch，gatheringaroundtheniggerthathadbeenwithSam。Theyallstartstowardus。Butonemanstepsoutinfrontofthemall，andturnstowardthemandholdshishandsup，andwavesthemback。Theyallstopsintheirtracks。
　　Thenheturnshisfacetowardus，andcomesslowandsollumdowntheroadinourdirection，walkingwithacane，andmovingverydignified。Hewasacoupleofhundredyardsaway。
　　Butashecomecloseterwegraduallyseenhimplainerandplainer。Hewasabigman，andstout，anddressedveryneatinthesamekindofrigaswhitebishopswear，withoneofthesewhitecollarsthatbuttonsintheback。Isupposehewascomingontomeetusalone，becausenoonewasfittenfurtogiveusthefirstwelcomebuthimself。
　　Well，itwasalldernfoolishness，anditwashardtobelieveitcouldallhappen，andtheyain'tsomanyplacesinthisherecountryitCOULDhappen。
　　Butfurallofitbeingfoolishness，whenhecomedowntheroadtowardussodignifiedandsollumandslowIketchedmyselffuraminutefeelinglikewereallyhadbeenelectedtosomethingandwasgoingtotakeofficesoon。AndSam，asthebishopcomecloseterandcloseter，gottojerkingandtwitchingwiththeexcitementthathehadbeenkeepingin——andyetallthetimeSamknoweditwasdopeandworksandnotfaiththathadmadehimspottedthat-a-way。
　　Hestops，thebishopdoes，abouttenyardsfromusandlooksusover。
　　“Ahyo'degennlemanknownterdishyahsinfulgenehationbydestylean'deentitleminto'Docto'
　　HahtleyKirby？”heaststhedoctorveryceremoni-
　　ousandgrand。
　　Thedoctorgivehimalookthatwasn'tveryencouraging，buthenoddedtohim。
　　“Willyo'dismissyo'sehvantinordehdatwekinhol'convehsean'communionindemidsterprivacy？”
　　Thedoctor，henodstoSam，andSammoseysalongtowardthechurch。
　　“Now，then，“saysthedoctor，suddenandsharp，“takeoffyourhatandtellmewhatyouwant。“
　　Thebishop'shandgoesuptohisheadwithajerkbeforehethought。Thenitstopsthere，whilehimandthedoctorlooksateachother。Thebishop'smouthopenslikehewaswondering，butheslowlypullshishatoffandstandstherebare-headedintheroad。Buthewasn'treallyhumble，thatbishop。
　　“Now，“saysthedoctor，“tellmeinasstraighttalkasyou'vegotwhatallthisdamnedfoolishnessamongyouniggersmeans。“
　　Aqueerkindoflookpassedoverthebishop'sface。Hehadn'texpectedtobemetjestthatway，mebby。WhetherhehimselfhadreallybelievedinthecomingofthattherenewMessiahhehadbeenperdicting，Inevercouldsettleinmymind。MebbyhehadbeengettingreadytopassHIMSELFofffuronebeforewecomealongandtheniggersallgotthefoolideaDoctorKirbywasit。Beforethebishopspokeaginyoucouldseehiscrazinessandhiscunningnessbothworkinginhisface。Butwhenhedidspeakhedidn'tquitbeingceremoniousnordignified。
　　“Dewohdhasgonefo'thamongdefaifulan'
　　depuahinheaht，“hesays，“datermanhascomeaccreditedwi'signsan'wi'mahvelsan'depoweho'desperritfo'tolayhishan'ondesonso'Haman'termake'emdesdesameincolluhasdeyuthersonsofea'th。“
　　“Thenthatwordisalie，“saysthedoctor。“I
　　DIDcomeheretotryoutsomestufftochangethecolourofnegroskins。That'sall。AndIfindyouridioticfollowersareallstirredupandwaitingforsomekindofamiraclemonger。Whatyouhavebeenpreachingtothem，youknowbest。Isthatallyouwanttoknow？”
　　Thebishophemsandhawsandfiddleswithhisstick，andthenhesays：
　　“Suh，willdishyeahprepa'shunSHO'LYdodewohk？”DoctorKirbytellshimitwilldotheworkallright。
　　Andthenthebishop，afterbeatingaroundthebushsomemore，comesoutwithhisidea。WhetherheexpectedtherewouldbeanyMessiahcomeornot，ofcourseheknowedthedoctorwasn'thim。
　　Butheiswillingtoboostthedoctor'sgameaslongasitboostsHISgame。Hewantstobeinonthedeal。Hewantspartofthegraft。Hewantstogettogetherwiththedoctoronaplanbeforethedoctorseestheniggers。Andifthedoctordon'twanttokeeponwiththemiracleendofit，thebishopshowshimhowhecoulddohimgoodwithnomiracleattachment。Furhehasanawfulholtonthemniggers，andhissay-sowillsellthousandsandthousandsofbottles。Whatheislookingfurjestnowishislittletake-out。
　　Thatwashiscraftinessandhiscunningnessworkinginhim。Butallofasuddenoneofhiscrazystreakscomebulgingtothesurface。Itcomewithawild，eagerlookinhiseyes。
　　“Suh，“hecriesout，allofasudden，“efyo'kinmakemewhite，fo'Gawdsakes，dohit！Dohit！
　　Efyo'does，Igwineterblessyo'allyo'days！
　　“Yo'don'know——noonekinguessorcomper-
　　hen'——whatdesbein'whitewouldmeanterme！
　　Lawd！Lawd！”hesays，hisvoicesoft-spoken，butmoreeagerthaneverashewenton，andplead-
　　ingsomethingpitifultohear，“desthinkofalldeCaucasianbloodinme！GawdknowsdenightsermyyouthI'selaidawaketwelldedawncomeredindeEas'a-cryin'outterHimonlyfo'terbewhite！DESTERBEWHITE！Don'min'demblack，blackniggersdar——don'thinkerDEM——deyain'twuthnothin'norfittenfo'nofatebutwhatdeygot——Butme！What'sdonekep'mefromgwineterdetopbutdatonething：_I_WASN'TWHITE！Hitairtoolatenow——toolatefo'demambitionsI
　　donetriflewithan'shovebehin'me——hit'stoolatefo'dat！ButefIwasdestergitoneli'lyearo'hit——ONELI'LYEARO'BEIN'WHITE！——befo'
　　Idied——“
　　Andhewentonlikethat，shakingandstutteringthereintheroad，likeafithadstruckhim，crazyasaloon。Buthegotholdofhimselfenoughtoquittalking，inaminute，andhiscunningcomebacktohimbeforehewasthroughtrembling。
　　Thenthedoctorsaysslowandeven，butnotsevere：
　　“Yougobacktoyourpeoplenow，bishop，andtellthemthey'vemadeamistakeaboutme。Andifyoucan，undotheharmyou'vedonewiththisMessiahbusiness。Asfarasthisstuffofmineisconcerned，there'snoneofitforyounorforanyothernegro。Youtellthemthat。There'snoneofitbeensoldyet——andthereneverwillbe。“
　　Thenweturnedawayandlefthimstandingthereintheroad，stillwithhishatoffandhisfaceworking。
　　Walkingbacktowardthelittletavernthedoctorsays：
　　“Danny，thisistheendofthisgame。Thesepeopledownhereandthathalf-cracked，half-
　　crookedoldbishophavemademeseeafewthingsabouttheAfro-Americanbrother。Itwasn'tagoodschemeinthefirstplace。Andthiswasn'ttheplacetostartitgoing，anyhow——Ishouldhavetriedtheniggersinthebigtowns。ButI'moutofitnow，andI'mgladofit。Whatwewanttodoistogetawayfromhereto-morrow——gobacktoAtlantaandfixupaschemetorobsomewidowsandorphans，orsomethinghalf-wayrespectablelikethat。“
　　Well，Idrewalongbreath。IwaswithDoctorKirbyineverythinghedone，furhewasmyfriend，andIdidn'tintendtoquithim。ButIwasgladwewasoutofthis，andhadn'tsoldnoneofthatdope。Webothfeltbetterbecausewehadn't。
　　Allthemmillionswewasgoingtomake——shucks！
　　Wedidn'tneitheroneofusgiveadernaboutthemgettingawayfromus。Allwewantedwasjesttogetawayfromthereandnotgetmixedupwithnoniggerproblemsanymore。Weeatsupper，andwesetaroundawhile，andwewenttobedpurtymiddlingearly，soastogetagoodstartinthemorning。
　　Wegotupearly，butearlyasitwasthedevilhadbeenupearlierinthatneighbourhood。Aboutfouro'clockthatmorningawhitewomanaboutahalfamilefromthevillagehadbeenattackedbyanigger。Theywasdoubtastowhethershewouldlive，butifshelivedtheywasn'tnodoubtsshewouldalwaysbemoreorlesscrazy。Furbesideseverythingelse，hehadbeatherinsensible。
　　Andhehadchokedhernearlytodeath。Thecountry-sidewasup，withgunsandpistolslook-
　　ingfurthatnigger。Itwasn'tnotroubleguessingwhatwouldhappentohimwhentheyketchedhim，neither。
　　“And，“saysDoctorKirby，whenwehearnofit，“IhopetohighheaventheyDOcatchhim！”
　　Theywasn'tmuchdoubttheywould，either。
　　Theywasalreadybeatingupthewoodsandbushesandgangswasridingupanddowntheroads，andeverynigger'shousefurmilesaroundwasbeingsearchedandwatched。
　　Wesoonseenwewouldhavetroublegettinghossesandariginthevillagetotakeustotherailroad。Manyofthehosseswasbeingriddenintheman-hunt。Andmostofthemenwhomighthavedonethedrivingwasbusyatthattoo。Thehotel-keeperhimselfhadlefthisplacestandingwideopenandwentout。Wedidn'tgetanybreak-
　　fastneither。
　　“Danny，“saysthedoctor，“we'lljustputenoughmoneytopaythebillinanenvelopeontheregisterhere，andstrikeoutonshank'sponies。It'sonlynineortenmilestotherailroad——we'llwalk。“
　　“Buthowaboutourstuff？”Iastshim。Wehadtwobigcasesfullofsamplebottlesofthatdope，besidesoursuitcases。
　　“Hangthedope！”saysthedoctor，“Idon'teverwanttoseeitorhearofitagain！We'llleaveithere。Putthethingsoutofyoursuitcaseintomine，andleavethatheretoo。Samcancarrymine。Iwanttobeonthemove。“
　　Soweleft，withSamcarryingtheonesuitcase。
　　Itwasn'tnineinthemorningyet，andwewasstartingoutpurtyemptyfuralongwalk。
　　“Sam，“saysthedoctor，aswewaspassingthatthereBigBethelchurch——anditshoweduptheresilentandshabbyinthemorning，likeaoldcolouredmanthatknowsaheapmore'nhe'sgoingtotell——
　　“Sam，wereyouatthemeetingherelastnight？”
　　“Yass，suh！”
　　“IsupposeitwasaprettytameaffairaftertheyfoundouttheirElishawasn'tcomingafterall？”
　　Sam，hewalledhiseyes，andthenhekindofchuckled。
　　“Well，suh，“hesays，“I'spicionsdemos'on'emdon'knowdatYIT！”
　　Thedoctorastshimwhathemeans。
　　Itseemsthebishopmustofdonesomethinkingafterwelefthimintheroadoronhiswaybacktothatchurch。TheyhadallbeguntobelievethatthereElishyahwasonthewayto'em，andthebishop'screditwasmoreorlesswrappedupwithourbeingit。Itwastruehehadn'tstartedthatbelief；butitwasbelieved，andhedidn'tdaretostopitnow。Fur，ifhestoppedit，theywouldallthinkhehadfelldownonhisprophetics，evenalthoughhehadn'tprophesiedjestexactlyus。
　　Hewasinatightplace，thatbishop，butIbetyoucouldalwaysdependonhimtogetoutofitwithhisflock。Sowhathetoldthemniggersatthemeetinglastnightwasthathebrung'emamessagefromElishyah，Samsays，theElishyahthatwastocome。
　　AndthemessagewasthatthetimewasnotripefurhimtorevealhimselfasElishyahuntotheeyesofallmen，furtheyhadbeentoomuchsinfulnessandwickednessandwalkingintothewaysofevil，rightamongstthatverycongregation，anddisobedi-
　　enceofthebishop，whichwastheirguide。Andhehadsent'emword，Elishyahhad，thatthebishopwashistrustedservant，andintothekeepingofthebishopwasgivethepowertodealwithhispeopleandpreparethemfurthegreatdaytocome。Andthebishopwouldgivethewordofhiscoming。Hewasabox，thatbishopwas，inspiteofhiscrazystreaks；andhehadfoundawaytomakehimselfstrongerthaneverwithhisbunchoutoftheverykindofthingthatwouldhavespoiledmostpeople'sgraft。Theyhadhadabigmeetingtillnearlymorning，andthepowerhadhit'emstrong。Samtoldusallaboutit。
　　Butthethingthatseemedtointerestthedoctor，andmadehimfrown，wastheideathatallthemniggersroundabouttherestillhadtheideahewasthefellerthathadbeenprophesiedtocome。AllexceptSam，mebby。Samhadspellswhenhewasrealsensible，andotherspellswhenhewasasbadasthebelievingestofthemall。
　　Itwasafineday，andreallyjoyoustobea-walking。
　　Itwouldofbeenagooddealjoyouserifwehadhadsomebreakfast，butwefiggeredwewouldstopsomewheresatnoonandlayinagood，square，countrymeal。
　　Thatwasn'tsuchaverythicksettledcountry。
　　Buteverybodyseemedtoknowabouttheman-
　　huntthatwasgoingon，here，there，andeverywhere。
　　Peoplewouldcomedowntotheroadsideaswepassed，andgazeafterus。Ormebbyastusifweknowedwhetherhehadbeenketchedyet。
　　Womenandkidsmostly，oroldmen，butnowandthenayoungermantoo。Wenoticedtheywasn'tnoniggerstospeakofthatwasn'tbusier'nallgetout，workingatsomethingorother，thatday。
　　Theyisconsiderablewoodsinthatcountryyet，thoughlotshasbeencutoff。Buttheywassome-
　　timesrightlongstretcheswheretheywouldbewoodsonbothsidesoftheroad，moreorlessthick，withunderbrushbetweenthetrees。Wetrampedalong，eachbusythinkinghisownthoughts，andhavingapurtygoodtimejestdoingthatwithouttherebeingnouseoftalking。IwasthinkingthatIlikedthedoctorbetterfurturninghisbackonallthisgame，jestwhenhemightofmadesomesortofadealwiththebishopandreallymadesomemoneyoutofitintheend。Heneverwassogoodabusinessmanashethoughthewas，DoctorKirbywasn't。Healwayscouldmakehimselfthinkhewas。Butwhenitcomerightdowntobrasstackshewasn't。YougivehimaschemethatwouldTALKwell，thekindofajoshtalkhelikedtogetofffurhisownenjoyment，andhewouldtakeupwithiteverytimeinsteadofonethathadmorepromiseofmoneytoitifitwasworkedharder。
　　HewasthinkingoftheTALKmore'nhewasofthemoney，mostly；andhewasalwayssayingsome-
　　thingaboutartfurart'ssake，whichwasplumbfoolishness，furheneverpaintednopictures。Well，henevergotoverbeingmoreorlessofapuzzletome。Butfursomereasonorotherthismorningheseemedtobeinabetterhumourwithhimself，afterwehadwalkedawhile，thanIhadseenhiminfuralongtime。
　　Wecometothetopofonelonghill，whichithadmadeussweattoclimb，andwithoutsayingnothingtoeachotherwebothstoppedandtookoffourhatsandwipedourforeheads，anddrawedlongbreaths，contenttostandtherefurjestaminuteortwoandlookaroundus。Theroadrunstraightahead，anddippeddown，andthenclumbupanotherhillaboutaneighthofamileinfrontofus。Itmadealittlevalley。Jestaboutthemiddle，betweenthetwohills，acrickmeanderedthroughthebottomland。Woodsgrowedalongthecrick，andalongbothsidesoftheroadwewastravelling。
　　Rightnighthecricktheywasanotherroadcomeoutofthewoodstotheleft-handside，andswitchedintotheroadwewastravelling，andusedthesamebridgetocrossthecrickby。Theywasthreeorfourhouseshereandthere，withchimbleysbuiltupontheoutsideofthem，andbluesmokecomingout。Westoodandlookedatthesightbeforeusandforgotallthetroubleswehadleftbehind，furacoupleofminutes——italllookedsopeacefulandquietandhomeyfiedandnice。
　　“Well，“saysthedoctor，afterwehadstoodthereapiece，“Iguesswebetterbemovingonagain，Danny。“
　　ButjestasSam，whowasfolleringalongbehindwiththatsuitcase，picksitupandputsitonhisheadagin，theycomeasound，fromawayoffinthedistancesomewheres，thatmadehimsetitdownquick。Andweallstopsinourtracksandlooksateachother。
　　Itwasthevoiceofahounddog——notsoawfulloud，butclearandmellowandtuneful，andcarriedtousonthewind。Andtheninaminuteitcomeagin，sharperandquicker。Theyyellslikethatwhentheyhavestruckascent。
　　Aswestoodandlookedateachothertheycomeacrackleintheunderbrush，jesttotheleftofus。
　　Weturnedourheadsthat-a-way，jestasaniggermangivealeaptothetopofarailfencethatseparatedtheroadfromthewoods。Hewasgoingsofastthatinsteadofclimbingthatfenceandbal-
　　ancingonthetopandjumpingoffhejestsimplyseemedtohitthetoprailandbounceonover，likehehadbeenthrowedoutoftheheartofthewoods，andhefellsprawlingoverandoverintheroad，rightbeforeourfeet。
　　Hewasontohisfeetinasecond，andfuraminutehestoodupstraightandlookedatus——anashes-
　　colourednigger，raggedandbleedingfromtheunder-
　　brush，red-eyed，andwithslaverstricklingfromhisredlips，andsobbingandgaspingandpantingfurbreath。Underhisbrownskin，wherehisshirtwastornopenacrosthischest，youcouldseethatnigger'shearta-beating。
　　Butashelookedatustheycomeasuddenchangeacrosthisface——hemustofseenthedoctorbefore，andwithasobhethrowedhimselfonhiskneesintheroadandclaspedhishandsandheld'emouttowardDoctorKirby。
　　“ELISHyah！ELISHyah！”hesingsout，rockingofhisbodyinakindoftune，“revealyo'se'f，revealyo'se'fan'he'pmeNOW！LawdGawdELISHyah，beckonfo'aCHA'iot，yo'cha'iotofFIAH！Lif'me，lif'me——lif'meawayf'umhyahinercha'ioto'FIAH！”
　　Thedoctor，heturnedhisheadaway，andI
　　knowedthethoughtworkinginhimwasthethoughtofthatwhitewomanthatwouldalwaysbeanidiotforlife，ifshelived。Buthislipswasdumb，andhisonehandstretcheditselfouttowardthatniggerintheroadandmadeawipingmotion，likehewastryingfurtowipethepictureofhim，andthethoughtofhim，off'naslateforevermore。
　　Jestthen，nearerandlouderandsharper，andwithaneagersound，liketheyknowedtheyalmosthadhimnow，themhounds'voicescomeringingthroughthewoods，andwiththemcomethemixed-
　　upshoutsofmen。
　　“RUN！”yellsSam，wavingofthatsuitcaseroundhishead，furoneniggerwillalwaystrytohelpanothernomatterwhathe'sdone。“Runfo'debranch——gityo'footsindeworteran'fling'emoffdescent！”
　　Heboundeddownthehill，thatred-eyednigger，andleftusstandingthere。Butbeforehereachedthecrickthewholeman-huntcomebustingthroughthewoods，thedogsa-strainingattheirstraps。
　　Themenwasallonfoot，withgunsandpistolsintheirhands。Theyseenthenigger，andtheyallletoutayell，andwasafterhim。Theyketchedhimatthecrick，andtookhimoffalongthatroadthatturnedofftotheleft。IhearnlaterhewasamemberofBishopWarren'scongregation，sotheyhunghimrightinfrontofBigBethelchurch。
　　Westoodthereontopofthehillandsawthechaseandcapture。DoctorKirby'sfacewassweatingworsethanwhenwefirstclumbthehill。
　　Hewasthinkingaboutthatniggerthathadpleadedwithhim。Hewasthinkingalsoofthewoman。
　　Hewasgladithadn'tbeenuptohimpersonalrightthenandtheretobuttinandstopalynching。
　　Hewasglad，furwiththemtwopicturesinfrontofhimhedidn'tknowwhathewouldofdone。
　　“Thankheaven！”Ihearnhimsaytohimself。
　　“Thankheaventhatitwasn'tREALLYinmypowertochoose！”
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　Well，wehadporkandgreensfurdinnerthatday，withthebestcorn-breadIevereatanywheres，andbuttermilk，andsweetpotatopie。Wegot'ematthehouseofafellernamedWithers——OldDaddyWithers。Whichiftheywaseveraniceroldmanthanhim，oraniceroldwomanthanhiswife，Ineverrunacrost'emyet。
　　Theylivedallalone，themWitherses，withonlyacoupleofniggerstohelpthemruntheirfarm。
　　AfterweeatsourdinnerandSamgetshis'nouttothekitchen，wesetsoutinfrontofthehouseandgetstotalkingwiththem，andgetsrealwellacquainted。
　　WhichwesoonfoundoutthesecretofoldDaddyWithers'slife——thatthereinnocent-lookingoldjiggerwasapoet。Hewaskindofproudofitandkindofshamedofitbothtooncet。Thewayitcomeoutwaswhenthedoctorsaysoneofthemquotationsheisalwaysgettingoff，andtheoldmanhelookspleasedandsaystherestofthepieceitdroppedoutofstraightthrough。
　　Thentheyhadagreattimequotingitateachother，themtwo，andIseenthedoctorisgoodtoloafaroundtheretherestoftheday，likeasnot。
　　Purtysoontheoldladybeginstogetmightyproud-
　　lookingoversomethingorother，andsheleansoverandwhisperstotheoldman：
　　“ShallIbringitout，Lemuel？”
　　Theoldman，heshakeshishead，no。Butsheslipsintothehouseanyhow，andfetchesoutalittlebookwithapalegreencovertoit，andhandsittothedoctor。
　　“Blessmysoul，“saysDoctorKirby，lookingattheoldman，“youdon'tmeantosayyouwriteverseyourself？”
　　Theoldman，hegetsredalloverhisface，andupintotherootsofhiswhitehair，anddownintohiswhitebeard，andmakesbelieveheisalittlemadattheoldladyfurshowinghimoffthat-a-way。
　　“Mother，“hesays，“yo'shouldn'thavedonethat！”Theyhadhadaboyyearsbefore，andhehaddied，buthealwayscalledhermotherthesameasiftheboywasliving。Hegoesintothehouseandgetshispipe，andbringsitoutandlightsit，actinglikethatbookofpoetrywasamightysmallmattertohim。ButhelooksatDoctorKirbyoutofthecornerofhiseyes，andcan'tkeepfromgettingsortofeagerandtremblywithhispipe；andIcouldseehewasreallyanxiousoverwhatthedoctorwasthinkingofthempoemshewrote。Thedoctorreadssomeof'emoutloud。
　　Well，itwaskindofhome-madepoetry，OldDaddyWithers'swas。Itwasn'tlikenootherpoetryIeverstruck。AndIcouldtellthedoctorwasthinkingthesameaboutit。Itsoundedsomehowlikeithadn'tbeenjointedtogetherright。Youwouldkeeplisteningfurittorhyme，andgetallworkedupwatchingandwaitingfuritto，andmakebetswithyourselfwhetheritwouldrhymeoritwouldn't。
　　Andthenitginerallywouldn't。Ineverhearnsuchpoetrytogetaperson'sexpectancesallworkedup，andthengobackon'em。Butifyoucouldoftoldwhatitwasallabout，youwouldn'tofmindedthatsomuch。Notthatyoucantellwhatmostpoetryisabout，butyoudon'tcaresolongasitkeepshoppingalonglively。Whatyouwantinpoetrytomakehersoundgood，accordingtomywayofthinking，istomakeherjumplively，andthenstopwithabangontherhymes。ButDaddyWitherswassoindependent-likehewouldjestnatcherallytrytoforcetwowordstorhymewhethertheLordmade'emfurmatesornot——likeasifyouwouldtrytomakeacoupleofkidskissandmakeupbybumpingtheirheadstogether。Theyjestsimplywon'tdoit。ButDoctorKirby，heletonlikehethoughtitwasfinepoetry，andhereadthempiecesoverandoveragin，outloud，andtheoldmanandtheoldwomanwasbothmightytickledwiththewayhedoneit。Hewouldn'tofhad'emknowfuranythinghedidn'tbelieveitwasthefinestpoetryeverwrote，DoctorKirbywouldn't。
　　Theywasfourlittlebooksofitaltogether。Slimbooksthatlookedasiftheyhadn'thadenoughtoeat，likeastraycatwhoseribsisrubbingtogether。
　　IthadcostDaddyWithersfivehundreddollarsapiecetoget'empublished。AfellerinBostonchargedhimthatmuch，hesaid。Itseemshewouldgoalongfuryears，rakingandscrapingofhismoneytogether，soastogetenoughaheadtogetoutanotherbook。Eachtimehehadhishopesthebignews-
　　paperswouldmebbypaysomeattentiontoit，andhewouldgetrecognized。
　　“Buttheyneverdid，“saidtheoldman，kindofsad，“italwaysfellflat。“
　　“Why，FATHER！”——theoldladybegins，andfinishesbyrunningbackintothehouseagin。SheisoutinaminutewithaclippingfromanewspaperandhandsitovertoDoctorKirby，asproudasakidwithcopper-toedboots。Thedoctorreadsitallthewaythrough，andthenhehandsitbackwithoutsayingaword。Theoldladygoesawaytofiddlearoundaboutthehouseworkpurtysoonandtheoldmanlooksatthedoctorandsays：
　　“Well，yousee，don'tyou？”
　　“Yes，“saysthedoctor，verygentle。
　　“Iwouldn'thaveHERknowfortheworld，“saysDaddyWithers。“_I_knowandYOUknowthatnews-
　　paperpieceisjustsimplypokingfunatmypoetry，andmakingafoolofme，thewholewaythrough。
　　AssoonasIreaditovercarefulIsawitwasn'treallypraise，thoughtherewasaminuteortwoI
　　thoughtmyrecognitionhadcome。ButSHEdon'tknowitain'tseriousfromstarttofinish。SHEwasall-mightypleasedwhenthatpiececomeoutinprint。AndIdon'tintendsheevershallknowitain'trealpraise。“
　　HiswifewassoproudwhenthatpiececomeoutinthatNewYorkpaper，hesaid，shecriedoverit。
　　Shesaidnowshewasgladtheyhadbeendoingwithoutthingsfuryearsandyearssotheycouldgetthemlittlebooksprinted，oneaftertheother，furnowfamewascoming。Butsometimes，DaddyWitherssays，hesuspicionsshereallyknowshehasbeenmadeafoolof，andispertendingnottoseeit，furhissake，thesameasheispertendingfurHER
　　sake。Well，theywasamightyniceoldcouple，andthedoctordoneaheapofpertendingfurboththeirsakes——theywasn'tnothingelsetodo。
　　“How'dyoucometogetstartedatit？”heasts。
　　DaddyWitherssayshedon'trightlyknow。
　　Mebby，hesays，itwaslivingthereallhislifeandwatchingthingsgrowing——watchingthecottongrow，andthecornandgettingacquaintedwithbirdsandanimalsandtreesandthings。Helpingofthingstogrow，hesays，isagoodwaytounder-
　　standhowGodmustfeelabouthumans。Forwhatyouplantandhelptogrow，hesays，youaresuretogettocaringaheapabout。Youcan'thelpit。Andthatisthereason，hesays，Godcanbedependedontopullthehumanracethroughintheend，evenifappearancesdolooktobeaginHisdoingitsometimes，furHestartedittogrowinginthefirstplaceandthat-a-wayHegotinterestedpersonalinit。Andthatisthemainidea，hesays，hehasallthetimebeentryingtogetintothattherepoetryofhis'n。Buthereckonsheain'tgotherin。
　　Leastways，hesays，noonehasneverseenhertherebutthedoctorandtheoldladyandhimself。Well，formypart，Ineverwouldofseenittheremyself，butwhenhesaiditoutplainlikethatanyonecouldoftoldwhathemeant。
　　Youhadn'torterlaythingsupaginfolksifthefolkscan'thelp'em。AndIwillsayDaddyWitherswasafineoldboyinspiteofhispoetry。Whichitneverreallydoneanyharm，exceptbeingexpensivetohim，andlotswilldrinkthatmuchupandneverfiggeritanexpense，butoneofthenecessitiesoflife。Wewentalloverhisplacewithhim，andwenoticedaroundhishousealotoftincanstackeduptopostsandtrees。Theywasfurthebirdstodrinkoutof，andallthebirdsaroundtherehadfoundoutaboutit，andaboutDaddyWithers，andwasn'tscaredofhimatall。Hecouldgetacquaintedwithanimals，too，sothatafteralongspellsometimestheywouldevenlethimhandlethem。Butnotifanyonewasaround。Theywasacrowhehadmadeapetof，usedtohoparoundinfrontofhim，andtryfurtotalktohim。Ifhewenttosleepinthefrontyardwhilsthewasreading，thatcrowhadafavour-
　　itetrickofstealinghisspectaclesoff'nhisnoseandflyinguptotheridgepoleofthehouse，andcawingathim。Oncehehadbeensettingoutarowoftomatoplantsverycareful，andhegottotheendoftherowandturnedaround，andthattherecrowhadbeenhoppingalongbehindverysollum，pullingupeachplantashesetitout。Itactedlikeithaddonesomethingmightysmart，andknowedit，thatcrow。SoafterthattheoldmannamedhimSatan，furhesaiditwasSatan'stricktokeepthingsfromgrowing。Theywassomeblueandwhitepigeonswasn'tscaredtocomeandsetonhisshoul-
　　ders；butyoucouldseetheoldmanreallylikedthatcrowSatanbetter'nanyofthem。
　　Well，wehungaroundallafternoonlisteningtotheoldmantalk，andlikinghimbetterandbetter。
　　Firstthingweknoweditwasgettingalongtowardsuppertime。Andnothingwoulddobutwemuststaytosupper，too。WewaspintedtowardaplaceontherailroadcalledSmithtown，butwhenwefoundwecouldn'tgetatrainfromtheretillteno'clockthatnightanyhow，anditwasonlythreemilesaway，wesaidwe'dstay。
　　Aftersupperwecalculatedwe'dbettermove。
　　Buttheoldmanwouldn'thearofuswalkingthatthreemiles。Soabouteighto'clockhehitchedupamuletoaone-hosswagon，andwejoggedalong。
　　Theywasayallermoonsneakingupovertheedgeoftheworldwhenwestarted。Itwassolowdownintheskyyetthatitthrewlongshaddersontheroad，andtheywasthickandblackones，too。
　　Becausetheywasalotoftreesalongsidetheroad，andtheroadwasnarrow，wewentaheadmostlythroughthedarkness，withhereandtherepatchesofmoonlightsplashedontotheground。DoctorKirbyandOldManWitherswassettingontheseat，stillgassingawayaboutbooksandthings，andIwassettingonthesuitcaseinthewagonboxrightbehind'em。Sam，hewassometimesinthebackofthewagon。Hehadbeenmore'nhalfasleepallafternoon，butnowitwasnighthewaswakedup，thewayniggersandcatswilldo，andeveryonceinawhilehewouldgetoutbehindandcutafewcapersinamoonlightpatch，jestfurtheenjoymentofit，andthenrunandketchupwiththewagonandcrawlinagin，furitwasgoingpurtyslow。
　　Thegroundwassandyinspots，andIguesswemadeapurtygoodloadfurBeck，theoldmule。
　　Shestopped，goingupalittleslope，afterwehadwentaboutamilefromtheWitherses'。Samsayshe'llgetoutandwalk，furthewheelswasinpurtydeep，anditwashardgoing。
　　“Giddap，Beck！”saystheoldman。
　　ButBeck，shewon't。Shedon'tstandlikesheisstuck，neither，butlikeshesensesdangersome-
　　wheresabout。Ahossmightgoaheadintodanger，butamuleismorecarefulofitselfandnevergoesbuttinginunlessitfeelssuretheyisawayout。
　　“Giddap，“saystheoldmanagin。
　　Butjestthentheshaddersonbothsidesoftheroadcomestolife。Theywakesup，andmovesallaboutus。ItwasdonesosuddenandquietitwashalfaminutebeforeIseenitwasn'tshaddersbutaboutthirtymenhadgatheredallaboutusoneveryside。Theyhadguns。
　　“Whoareyou？Whatd'yewant？”aststheoldman，startled，asthreeorfourtookcareofthemule'sheadveryquickandquiet。
　　“Don'tbeskeered，DaddyWithers，“saysadrawlyvoiceoutofthedark；“weain'tgoin'tohurtYOU。
　　Wegotalittlemattero'businesstotendtowiththemtwofellersyo'totin'totown。“
　　CHAPTERXIX
　　Thirtymenwithgunswouldbeconsider-
　　ableofapropositiontobuckagainst，sowedidn'ttryit。Theytookusoutofthewagon，andtheypintedusdowntheroad，steeringusfuracountryschoolhousewhichwas，Ijudgedfromtheirtalk，aboutaquarterofamileaway。
　　Theytookussilent，furafterwefoundtheydidn'tanswernoquestionswequitaskingany。Wejestwalkedalong，andguessedwhatwewasupagainst，andwhy。DaddyWithers，hetrailedalongbehind。Theyhadtriedtosendhimalonghome，buthewouldn'tgo。Sotheylethimfollerandpaidnomoreheedtohim。
　　Sam，hekepta-talkinganda-begging，andseveralmena-tellingofhimtoshutup。Andhimnota-doingit。Tillfinallyonefellersaysverydisgusted-like：
　　“Boys，I'mgoingtoturnthisniggerloose。“
　　“We'llwanthisevidence，“saysanotherone。
　　“Evidence！”saysthefirstone。“What'stheevidenceofascaredniggerworth？”
　　“Ireckonthatonethisafternoonwasconsider-
　　ablescared，whenhegiveusthatevidenceagainsthimself——thatis，ifyoucallitevidence。“
　　“Aniggercangiveevidenceagainstanigger，andit'sallright，“saysanothervoice——whichitcomefromafellerthathada-holtofmywristontheleft-handsideofme——“butthesearewhitemenwearegoingtotryto-night。Thecaseistooserioustotakeniggerevidence。Besides，Ireckonwegotalltheevidenceanyonecouldneed。Thisniggerain'tchargedwithanycrimehimself，andmyideaisthatheain'ttobeallowedtofigureonewayortheotherinthisthing。“
　　SotheyturnedSamloose。IneverseennorhearntellofSamsincethen。Theyfiredacoupleofgunsintotheairashestarteddowntheroad，jestfurfun，andmebbyheisrunningyet。
　　Thefellerhadbeentalkinglikehewasalawyer，soIastshimwhatcrimewewaschargedwith。Buthedidn'tanswerme。Andjestthenwegetsinsightofthatschoolhouse。
　　Itsetontopofalittlehill，partiallyinthemoon-
　　light，withafewsad-lookingpinetreesscatteredaroundit，andthefenceinfrontbrokedown。
　　Evenafternightyoucouldseeitwasashabby-
　　lookinglittleplace。
　　OldDaddyWitherstiedhismuletothebrokendownfence。Somebodybustedthefrontdoordown。Somebodyelselightedmatches。ThefirstthingIknowed，wewasallinside，andfourorfivedirtylittlecoaloillamps，withtinreflectorsto'em，whichIs'posewasusedordinaryfurschoolexhibi-
　　tions，wasbeinglighted。
　　Wewaswaltzedupontotheteacher'splatform，DoctorKirbyandme，andsetdowninchairsthere，withtwomentoeachofus，andthenatall，raw-
　　bonedfellerstalksuptotheteacher'sdesk，andrapsonitwiththebuttendofapistol，andsays：
　　“Gentlemen，thismeetingwillcometoorder。“
　　Whichtheywasorderlyenoughbeforethat，buttheyalltookofftheirhatswhenherapped，likeinacourtroomorachurch，andmostof'emsetdown。
　　Theysetdownintheschoolkids'seats，orontopofthedesks，andtheirlegsstuckoutintotheaisles，andtheylookeduncomfortableandawkward。Buttheylookedearnestandtheylookedsollum，too，andtheywasn'tnojokingnorskylarkinggoingon，nornokindofrowdyness，neither。Theseheremenwasn'ttoughs，byanymannerofmeans，butthemostpartof'emrespectablefarmers。Theyhadalookofmeaningbusiness。
　　“Gentlemen，“saysthefellerwhohadrapped，“whowillyouhaveforyourchairman？”
　　“Ireckonyou'lldo，Will，“saysanotherfellertotheraw-bonedman，whichseemedtosatisfyhim。Buthemade'emvoteonitbeforehetookoffice。
　　“Nowthen，“saysWill，“theaccusedmusthavecounsel。“
　　“Will，“saysanotherfeller，veryhasty，“what'stheuseofallthisfussan'feathers？YouknowaswellasIdothere'snothinglegalaboutthis。It'sonlynecessary。Formypart——“
　　“BuckHightower，“saysWill，poundingonthedesk，“youwillpleasecometoorder。“WhichBuckdoneit。
　　“Now，“saysthechairman，turningtowardDoctorKirby，whohadbeensettingtherelookingthoughtfulfromonemantoanother，likehewassizingeachoneup，“nowImustexplaintothechiefdefendantthatwedon'tintendtolynchhim。“
　　HestoppedasecondonthatwordLYNCHasiftoletitsoakin。Thedoctor，hebowedtowardhimverycoolandceremonious，andsays，mockingofhim：
　　“Youreassureme，Mister——Mister——Whatisyourname？”Hesaiditinawaythatwouldofmadeasaintmad。
　　“Mynameain'tanydifference，“saysWill，tryingnottoshowhewasnettled。
　　“Youarequiteright，“saysthedoctor，lookingWillupanddownfromheadtofoot，veryslowandinsulting，“it'sofnoconsequenceintheworld。“
　　Will，heflushedup，buthemakeshimselfsteadyandcool，andhegoesonwithhislittlespeech：
　　“Thereistobenolynchinghereto-night。Thereistobeatrial，and，ifnecessary，anexecution。“
　　“Woulditbeaskingtoomuch，“saysthedoctorverypolite，“ifIweretoinquirewhoistobetried，andbeforewhatcourt，anduponwhatcharge？”
　　Therewasaclearingofthroatsandashufflingoffeetfuraminute。Oneolddeaffeller，witharednose，whohadhishandbehindhisearandwasleaningforwardsoasnottomissabreathofwhatanyonesaid，asthisneighbourinaloudwhisper，“How？”Thenanundersizedlittlefeller，whowasn'tafarmerbyhisclothes，gotupandmovedtowardtheplatform。Hehadabulging-outfore-
　　head，andthinlips，andaquick，nervouswayabouthim：
　　“Youaretobetried，“hesaystothedoctor，speakinginakindofshrillsing-songthatcutyournervesinthatroomfullofbottled-upexcitementlikealocustonahotday。“Youaretobetriedbeforethisself-constitutedcourtofCaucasiancitizens——
　　Anglo-Saxons，sir，everymanofthem，whosefor-
　　bearswereatRunnymede！Thechargeagainstyouisstirringupthenegroesofthiscommunitytothepointofrevolt。Youareaccused，sir，ofrepresentingyourselftothemassomekindofaMoses。YouarearraignedhereforendangeringthepeaceofthecountyandthesupremacyoftheCaucasianracebyinspiringinthenegroesthehopeofequality。“
　　OldDaddyWithershadbeensettingbackbythedoor。Iseenhimgetupandslipout。Itdidn'tlooktometobeanyplacefuragentleoldpoet。
　　Whilethatlittlefellerwasmakingthatchargeyoucouldfeeltheairgettingtingly，likeitdoesbeforearainstorm。
　　Somefellersstartedtoclaptheirhandslikeatapoliticalrallyandtosay，“Goit，Billy！”“That'sright，Harden！”WhichIfoundoutlaterBillyHardenwasinthestatelegislature，andquiteaspeaker，andknowedit。Will，thechairman，hepoundeddowntheapplause，andthenhesaystothedoctor，pointingtoBillyHarden：
　　“Nomanshallsayofusthatwedidnotgiveyouafairtrialandasquaredeal。I'mgoin'toappointthisgentlemanasyourcounsel，andI'mgoin'togiveyouareasonabletimetotalkwithhiminpri-
　　vateandprepareyourcase。HeistheablestlawyerinsouthwestGeorgiaandthebrightestsonofWatsonCounty。“
　　ThedoctorlookskindoflazyandBillHarden，andbackaginatWill，thechairman，andsmilesoutofthecornerofhismouth。Thenhesays，sortoftakingintherestofthecrowdwithhisremark，likethemtwostandingtherepay-
　　ingeachothercomplimentswasn'tnothingbutajoke：
　　“IhopeneitherofyouwilltakeittoomuchtoheartifI'mnotimpressedbyyoursenseofjus-
　　tice——oryourfriend'sability。“
　　“Then，“saidWill，“Itakeitthatyouintendtoactasyourowncounsel？”
　　“Youmaytakeit，“saysthedoctor，rousingofhimselfup，“youmaytakeit——fromme——thatIrefusetorecognizeyouandyourcrowdasacourtofanykind；thatIknownothingofthesillyaccusa-
　　tionsagainstme；thatIfindnoreasonatallwhyI
　　shouldtakethetroubleofmakingadefencebeforeanarmedmobthatcanonlymeanoneoftwothings。“
　　“Oneoftwothings？”saysWill。
　　“Yes，“saysthedoctor，veryquiet，butraisinghisvoicealittleandlookinghimhardintheeyes。
　　“Youandyourgangcanmeanonlyoneoftwothings。Eitherabadjoke，orelse——“
　　Andhestoppedasecond，leaningforwardinhischair，withthelookofhalfraisingoutofit，soastobringoutthewordverydecided——
　　“MURDER！”
　　Thewayhedoneitleftthattherewordhangingintheroom，soyoucouldalmostseeitandalmostfeelitthere，likeitwasathingthathadtobefacedandlookedatandtookintoaccount。Theyallfeltitthat-a-way，too；furtheywasn'tasoundfuraminute。ThenWillsays：
　　“Wedon'tplanmurder，andyou'llfindthisain'tajoke。Andsinceyourefusetoacceptcounsel——“
　　JestthenBuckHightowerinterruptshimbyyell-
　　ingout，“ImakeamotionBillyHardenbeprosecut-
　　ingattorney，then。Let'shurrythisthingalong！”
　　Andseveralstartedtoapplaud，andcallfurBillyHardentoprosecute。ButWill，hepoundeddowntheapplauseagin，andsays：
　　“IwasabouttosuggestthatMr。Hardenmightbeprevailedupontoacceptthattask。“
　　“Yes，“saysthedoctor，verygentleandeasy。
　　“Quiteso！IfanciedmyselfthatMr。Hardencamealongwiththeideaofmakingaspeecheitherfororagainst。“AndhegrinnedatBillyHardeninawaythatseemedtomakehimwild，thoughhetriednottoshowit。Somehowthedoctorseemedtobeallkeyedup，insteadofscared，likeafellerthat'shadjestenoughtodrinktogivehimafightingedge。
　　“Mr。Chairman，“saysBillyHarden，flushingupandstutteringjestalittle，“Ib-begleavetod-d-decline。“
　　“What，“saysthedoctor，sortofplayingwithBillywithhiseyesandgrin，andturningliketoletthewholecrowdinonthejoke，“DECLINE？Theeminentgentlemandeclines！Andheisgoingtositdown，too，withallthatspeechbottledupinhim！ODemosthenes！”hesays，“youhavelostyourpebbleinfrontofallGreece。“
　　SeveralgrinnedatBillyHardenashesetdown，andthreeorfourlaughedoutright。Iguessabouthalfofthemthereknowedhimfurawindbag，andsomewasn'tsorrytoseehimjoshed。ButIseenwhatthedoctorwastryingtodo。Heknowedhewasinanawfultightplace，andhewasfeelingthatcrowd'spulse，sotospeak。Hehadbeentalkingtocrowdsfurtwentyyears，andheknowedthekindofsuddenturnstheywilltake，andhowtotakeadvantageof'em。Hewasplanningandfiggeringinhismindallthetimejestwhatsidetoketch'emon，andhowtosplituptheone，solidcrowd-mindintodifferentminds。ButthelittlebitofalaughheturnedagainstBillyHardenwasonlyonthesurface，likeastrawfloatingonawhirl-
　　pool。Thesemenwasherefurbusiness。
　　BuckHightowerjumpsupandsays：
　　“Will，I'mgettingtiredofthiscourtfoolishness。
　　Thequestionis，Doesthismancomeintothiscountyanddowhathehasdoneandgetoutagain？
　　Weknowallabouthim。Hesneakedinhereandgaveouthewasheretoturntheniggerswhite——
　　thathewassomekindofanew-fangledJesussentespeciallytoniggers，whichisblasphemyinitself——
　　andhe'sgot'emstirredup。They'reboilin'andfesterin'withnotionsofequalitytillwe'reluckyifwedon'thavetolynchadozenof'em，liketheydidinAtlantalastsummer，toget'embackintotheirplacesagain。Dowesaveourselvesmoretroublebystringinghimupasawarningtothenegroes？Ordoweinvitetroublebyturninghimloose？Which？Allitneedsisavote。“
　　Andhesetdownagin。Youcouldseehehadmadeahitwiththeboys。Theywasakindofagrowlrolledaroundtheroom。Thefeelingsinthatplacewasgettingstrongerandstronger。I
　　wasscared，buttryingnottoshowit。Myfingerskeptfeelingaroundinmypocketfursomethingthatwasn'tthere。Butmybraincouldn'trememberwhatmyfingerswasfeelingfur。ThenitcomeonmesuddenitwasabuckeyeIpickedupinthewoodsinIndianyoneday，andIhadlostit。Iain'tsuper-
　　stitiousaboutbuckeyesorhorse-shoes，butremem-
　　beringIhadlostitsomehowmademefeelworse。
　　ButDoctorKirbyhadagoodholtonhimself；hisfacewasabitredder'nusual，andhiseyeswasspark-
　　ling，andhewasbotheagerandwatchful。WhenBuckHightowersetsdownthechairmanclearshisthroatlikeheisgoingtospeak。But——
　　“Justamoment，“saysDoctorKirby，gettingonhisfeet，andtakingasteptowardthechairman。
　　Andthewayhestoppedandstoodmadeeverybodylookathim。Thenhewenton：
　　“Oncemore，“hesays，“Icalltheattentionofeverymanpresenttothefactthatwhatthelastspeakerproposesis——“
　　Andthenhelet'emhavethatwordagin，fullintheirfaces，tothinkabout——
　　“MURDER！Merelymurder。“
　　Hewasboundtheyshouldn'tgetawayfromthatwordandwhatitstoodfur。AndeverymanthereDIDthink，too，furtheywasanotherlittlepause。
　　Andnotoneof'emlookedatanotheronefuraminute。DoctorKirbyleanedforwardfromtheplatform，runninghiseyesoverthecrowd，andjestnatcherallyshovedthatwordintotheroomsohardwithhismindthateverymindtherehadtotakeitin。
　　Butasheheld'emtoittheycomeabangfromoneofthewindows。Itbrokethecharm。Fureverybodyjumped。Ijumpedmyself。Whentheendoftheworldcomesandtheearthbustsinthemiddle，itwon'tsoundnolouderthanthatbangdid。Itwasawoodenshutter。Thewindwasris-
　　ingoutside，anditflewopenandwhackedagin'
　　thebuilding。
　　Thenabig，heavy-setmanthathadn'tspokebeforerizupfromoneofthehindseats，likehehadheardadaretofight，andwalkedslowlydowntowardthefront。Hehadaredface，whichwasconsiderablepock-marked，andverydeep-seteyes，andadeepvoice。
　　“Sincewhen，“hesays，takinguphisstandadozenfeetorsoinfrontofthedoctor，“sincewhenhasanycivilizationrefusedtocommitmurderwhenmurderwasnecessaryforitsprotection？”
　　Oneofthetopglassesofthatwindowwasout，andwiththeshutteropentheycomeabreezethroughthatflutteredsomestripsofdirty-colouredpapers，fly-speckedanddustyandspider-webbed，thathungonstringsacrosttheroom，jestbelowtheceiling。IguesstheyhadbeenleftoverfromsomeChristmasdoings。
　　“Myfriend，“saidthepock-markedmantothedoctor——andthefunnythingaboutitwashedidn'ttalkunfriendlywhenhesaidit——“thewordyouinsistonisjustaWORD，likeanyotherword。“
　　Theywasaspiderroustedoutofhiswebbythatdisturbanceamongthestringsandpapers。Hestarteddownfromaboveonjestonestringofweb，seeminglyspinningpartofitoutofhimselfashecome，thewaytheydo。Icouldn'tkeepmyeyesoff'nhim。
　　“Murder，“saysthedoctor，“isathing。“
　　“ItisaWORD，“saystheotherman，“FORathing。
　　Forathingwhichsometimesseemsnecessary。
　　Lynching，war，execution，murder——theyareallwordsfordifferentwaysofwipingouthumanlife。
　　Killingsometimesseemswrong，andsometimesright。Butrightorwrong，andwithonewordoranothertackedtoit，itisDONEwhenacommunitywantstogetridofsomethingdangeroustoit。“
　　Thattherespiderwasasquat，ugly-lookingdevil，huncheduponhisstringamongstallhiscrookedlegs。Thewindwouldcomeinlittlepuffs，andswinghimalittlewaytowardthedoctor'shead，andthentowardthepock-markedman'shead，backandforthandbackandforth，betweenthemtwoastheyspoke。Itlookedtomelikehewaslisteningtowhattheysaidandwaitingfursomething。
　　“Murder，“saysthedoctor，“ismurder——illegalkilling——andyoucan'tmakeanythingelseoutofit，ortalkanythingelseintoit。“
　　Itcometomealltooncetthatthatuglyspiderwasswingingbackandforthlikethependulumonaclock，andmarkingtime。Iwonderedhowmuchtimetheywasleftintheworld。
　　“Itwouldbenonethelessamurder，“saidthepock-markedman，“ifyouweretobehangedafteratrialinsomecountycourt。Societyhadbeenobligedtodenytheprivilegeofcommittingmurdertotheindividualandreserveitforthecommunity。
　　Ifourcommunalsensesaysyoushoulddie，thethingisneitherbetternorworsethanifasheriffhangedyou。“
　　“Iamnottobehangedbyasheriff，“saysthedoctor，verycoolandsteady，“becauseIhavecom-
　　mittednocrime。Iamnottobekilledbyyoubecauseyoudarenot，inspiteofallyousay，outragethelawtothatextent。“
　　Andtheylookedeachotherintheeyessolongandhardthateveryoneelseintheschoolhouseheldtheirbreath。
　　“DAREnot？”saysthepock-markedman。Andhereachedforwardslowandtookthatspiderinhishand，andcrusheditthere，andwipedhishandalonghispantsleg。“Darenot？YES，BUTWEDARE。
　　Theonlyquestionforusmenhereiswhetherwedaretoletyougofree。“
　　“Yourdefenceoflynching，“saysDoctorKirby，“showsthatyou，atleast，areamanwhocanthink。
　　TellmewhatIamaccusedof？”
　　Andthenthetrialbeguninearnest。
　　CHAPTERXX
　　Thedoctoractedashisownlawyer，andthepock-markedman，whosenamewasGrimes，asthelawyeraginus。Youcouldseethatcrowdhadmadeupitsmindbefore-hand，andwasonlygivinguswhattheycalledatrialtosatisfytheirownconscience。Butthefightwasbe-
　　twixtGrimesandDoctorKirbythehullwaythrough。
　　OnewitnesswasafellerthathadbeeninthehotelatCottonvillethenightwestruckthatplace。Wehaddrunksomeofhislicker。
　　“Thismanadmittedhimselfthathewasheretoturntheniggerswhite，“saidthewitness。
　　DoctorKirbyhadtold'emwhatkindofmedicinehewasselling。Webothrememberedit。Webothhadtoadmitit。
　　ThenextwitnesswasthefellerthatrunthetavernatBairdstown。Hehadwithhim，furproof，abottleofthestuffwehadbroughtwithus。Hetoldhowwehadwentawayandleftittherethatverymorning。
　　Anotherwitnesstoldofseeingthedoctortalkingintheroadtothatthereniggerbishop。Whichanyonecouldofseeniteasyenough，furtheywasn'tnothingsecretaboutit。Wehadmethimbyac-
　　cident。Butyoucouldseeitmadeaginus。
　　AnotherwitnesssayshelivesnotfurfromthatBigBethelchurch。Hesayshehasnoticedtheniggerswasworkedupaboutsomethingfurseveraldays。Theyarekeepingthecauseofitsecret。HewentovertoBigBethelchurchthenightbefore，hesaid，andhelistenedoutsideoneofthewindowstofindoutwhatkindofdoctrinethatcrazybishopwaspreachingtothem。Theywasallsoworkedup，andthepowerwaswith'emsostrong，andtheywassoexcitedtheywouldn'tofhearnanarmymarch-
　　ingby。HehadhearnthebishopdeliveramessagetohisflockfromtheMessiah。Hehadseenhimgowild，afterward，andpreachanequalitysermon。
　　Thatwasthelyingmessagetheoldbishophadtookto'em，andthatSamhadtoldusabout。Buthowwasthisfellertoknowitwasalie？Hebelievedinit，andhetolditinastraight-aheadwaythatwouldmakeanyoneseehewastellingthetruthashethoughtittobe。
　　Thentheywassixotherwitnesses。Allhadbeeninthegangthatlynchedtheniggerthatday。Thatniggerhadconfessedhiscrimebeforehewaslynched。
　　HehadtoldhowtheniggershadbeenexpectingofaMessiahfurseveraldays，andhowthedoctorwashim。Hehaddieda-preachinganda-prophesyingandthinkingtothelastminutemaybehewasgoingtogettookupinachariotoffire。
　　Thingskeptlookingworseandworsefurus。
　　Theyhadthestoryastheniggersthoughtittobe。
　　Theythoughtthedoctorhaddeliberatelyrepre-
　　sentedhimselfassuch，insteadofwhichthedoc-
　　torhadrefusedtoberepresentedasthatthereMessiah。Morethanthat，hehadneversoldabottleofthatmedicine。Hehadflungtheideaofsellingitwaybehindhimjestassoonasheseenwhatthesituationreallywasintheblackcoun-
　　ties。Hehadevendespisedhimselffurgoingintoit。Butthelooksofthingswasalltheotherway。
　　Thenthedoctorgivehisowntestimony。
　　“Gentlemen，“hesays，“itistruethatIcamedownheretotryoutthatstuffinthebottlethere，andseeifamarketcouldbeworkedupforit。Itisalsotruethat，afterIcamehereanddiscoveredwhatconditionswere，Idecidednottosellthestuff。
　　Ididn'tsellany。AboutthisMessiahbusinessI
　　knowverylittlemorethanyoudo。Thesituationwascreated，andIblunderedintoit。IsentthenegroeswordthatIwasnotthepersontheyex-
　　pected。Thebishopliedtothem。Thatismywholestory。“
　　Buttheydidn'tbelievehim。Furitwasjestwhathewouldofsaidifhehadbeenguilty，astheythoughthim。AndthenGrimesgetsupandsays：
　　“Gentlemen，Idemandforthisprisonerthepenaltyofdeath。
　　“Hehaslenthimselftoasituationcalculatedtodisturbinthiscountythepeacefuldominationoftheblackracebythewhite。
　　“HeisaNorthernman。Butthatisnotagainsthim。Ifthiswereacasewhereleniencywerepossi-
　　ble，itshouldcountforhim，asindicatinganig-
　　noranceofthegravityofconditionswhichconfrontushere，everydayandallthetime。Ifheweremyownbrother，Iwouldstilldemandhisdeath。
　　“Lestheshouldthinkmyattitudedictatedbyanylingeringsectionalprejudice，Imaytellhimwhatyouallknow——youpeopleamongwhomIhavelivedforthirtyyears——thatIamaNorthernmanmyself。