byCharlesDickens
　　CHAPTERI——INTHEOLDCITYOFROCHESTER
　　Strictlyspeaking，therewereonlysixPoorTravellers；but，beingaTravellermyself，thoughanidleone，andbeingwithalaspoorasI
　　hopetobe，Ibroughtthenumberuptoseven。Thiswordofexplanationisdueatonce，forwhatsaystheinscriptionoverthequaintolddoor？
　　RICHARDWATTS，Esq。
　　byhisWill，dated22Aug。1579，foundedthisCharityforSixpoorTravellers，whonotbeingROGUES，orPROCTORS，MayreceivegratisforoneNight，Lodging，Entertainment，andFourpenceeach。
　　ItwasintheancientlittlecityofRochesterinKent，ofallthegooddaysintheyearuponaChristmas—eve，thatIstoodreadingthisinscriptionoverthequaintolddoorinquestion。IhadbeenwanderingabouttheneighbouringCathedral，andhadseenthetombofRichardWatts，withtheeffigyofworthyMasterRichardstartingoutofitlikeaship’sfigure—head；andIhadfeltthatIcoulddonoless，asIgavetheVergerhisfee，thaninquirethewaytoWatts’sCharity。Thewaybeingveryshortandveryplain，Ihadcomeprosperouslytotheinscriptionandthequaintolddoor。
　　"Now，"saidItomyself，asIlookedattheknocker，"IknowIamnotaProctor；IwonderwhetherIamaRogue！"
　　Uponthewhole，thoughConsciencereproducedtwoorthreeprettyfaceswhichmighthavehadsmallerattractionforamoralGoliaththantheyhadhadforme，whoambutaTomThumbinthatway，IcametotheconclusionthatIwasnotaRogue。So，beginningtoregardtheestablishmentasinsomesortmyproperty，bequeathedtomeanddiversco—legatees，shareandsharealike，bytheWorshipfulMasterRichardWatts，Isteppedbackwardintotheroadtosurveymyinheritance。
　　Ifoundittobeacleanwhitehouse，ofastaidandvenerableair，withthequaintolddooralreadythreetimesmentioned（anarcheddoor），choicelittlelonglowlattice—windows，andaroofofthreegables。ThesilentHighStreetofRochesterisfullofgables，witholdbeamsandtimberscarvedintostrangefaces。Itisoddlygarnishedwithaqueeroldclockthatprojectsoverthepavementoutofagravered—brickbuilding，asifTimecarriedonbusinessthere，andhungouthissign。Soothtosay，hedidanactivestrokeofworkinRochester，intheolddaysoftheRomans，andtheSaxons，andtheNormans；anddowntothetimesofKingJohn，whentheruggedcastle——Iwillnotundertaketosayhowmanyhundredsofyearsoldthen——wasabandonedtothecenturiesofweatherwhichhavesodefacedthedarkaperturesinitswalls，thattheruinlooksasiftherooksanddawshadpeckeditseyesout。
　　Iwasverywellpleased，bothwithmypropertyanditssituation。
　　WhileIwasyetsurveyingitwithgrowingcontent，Iespied，atoneoftheupperlatticeswhichstoodopen，adecentbody，ofawholesomematronlyappearance，whoseeyesIcaughtinquiringlyaddressedtomine。Theysaidsoplainly，"Doyouwishtoseethehouse？"thatIansweredaloud，"Yes，ifyouplease。"Andwithinaminutetheolddooropened，andIbentmyhead，andwentdowntwostepsintotheentry。
　　"This，"saidthematronlypresence，usheringmeintoalowroomontheright，"iswheretheTravellerssitbythefire，andcookwhatbitsofsupperstheybuywiththeirfourpences。"
　　"O！ThentheyhavenoEntertainment？"saidI。Fortheinscriptionovertheouterdoorwasstillrunninginmyhead，andIwasmentallyrepeating，inakindoftune，"Lodging，entertainment，andfourpenceeach。"
　　"Theyhaveafireprovidedfor’em，"returnedthematron——amightycivilperson，not，asIcouldmakeout，overpaid；"andthesecookingutensils。Andthiswhat’spaintedonaboardistherulesfortheirbehaviour。Theyhavetheirfourpenceswhentheygettheirticketsfromthestewardovertheway，——forIdon’tadmit’emmyself，theymustgettheirticketsfirst，——andsometimesonebuysarasherofbacon，andanotheraherring，andanotherapoundofpotatoes，orwhatnot。Sometimestwoorthreeof’emwillclubtheirfourpencestogether，andmakeasupperthatway。Butnotmuchofanythingistobegotforfourpence，atpresent，whenprovisionsissodear。"
　　"Trueindeed，"Iremarked。Ihadbeenlookingabouttheroom，admiringitssnugfiresideattheupperend，itsglimpseofthestreetthroughthelowmullionedwindow，anditsbeamsoverhead。
　　"Itisverycomfortable，"saidI。
　　"Ill—conwenient，"observedthematronlypresence。
　　Ilikedtohearhersayso；foritshowedacommendableanxietytoexecuteinnoniggardlyspirittheintentionsofMasterRichardWatts。ButtheroomwasreallysowelladaptedtoitspurposethatIprotested，quiteenthusiastically，againstherdisparagement。
　　"Nay，ma’am，"saidI，"Iamsureitiswarminwinterandcoolinsummer。Ithasalookofhomelywelcomeandsoothingrest。Ithasaremarkablycoseyfireside，theveryblinkofwhich，gleamingoutintothestreetuponawinternight，isenoughtowarmallRochester’sheart。AndastotheconvenienceofthesixPoorTravellers——"
　　"Idon’tmeanthem，"returnedthepresence。"Ispeakofitsbeinganill—conweniencetomyselfandmydaughter，havingnootherroomtositinofanight。"
　　Thiswastrueenough，buttherewasanotherquaintroomofcorrespondingdimensionsontheoppositesideoftheentry:soI
　　steppedacrosstoit，throughtheopendoorsofbothrooms，andaskedwhatthischamberwasfor。
　　"This，"returnedthepresence，"istheBoardRoom。Wherethegentlemenmeetwhentheycomehere。"
　　Letmesee。Ihadcountedfromthestreetsixupperwindowsbesidestheseontheground—story。Makingaperplexedcalculationinmymind，Irejoined，"ThenthesixPoorTravellerssleepupstairs？"
　　Mynewfriendshookherhead。"Theysleep，"sheanswered，"intwolittleoutergalleriesattheback，wheretheirbedshasalwaysbeen，eversincetheCharitywasfounded。Itbeingsoveryill—
　　conwenienttomeasthingsisatpresent，thegentlemenaregoingtotakeoffabitoftheback—yard，andmakeaslipofaroomfor’emthere，tositinbeforetheygotobed。"
　　"AndthenthesixPoorTravellers，"saidI，"willbeentirelyoutofthehouse？"
　　"Entirelyoutofthehouse，"assentedthepresence，comfortablysmoothingherhands。"Whichisconsideredmuchbetterforallparties，andmuchmoreconwenient。"
　　Ihadbeenalittlestartled，intheCathedral，bytheemphasiswithwhichtheeffigyofMasterRichardWattswasburstingoutofhistomb；butIbegantothink，now，thatitmightbeexpectedtocomeacrosstheHighStreetsomestormynight，andmakeadisturbancehere。
　　Howbeit，Ikeptmythoughtstomyself，andaccompaniedthepresencetothelittlegalleriesattheback。Ifoundthemonatinyscale，likethegalleriesinoldinn—yards；andtheywereveryclean。
　　WhileIwaslookingatthem，thematrongavemetounderstandthattheprescribednumberofPoorTravellerswereforthcomingeverynightfromyear’sendtoyear’send；andthatthebedswerealwaysoccupied。Myquestionsuponthis，andherreplies，broughtusbacktotheBoardRoomsoessentialtothedignityof"thegentlemen，"
　　wheresheshowedmetheprintedaccountsoftheCharityhangingupbythewindow。FromthemIgatheredthatthegreaterpartofthepropertybequeathedbytheWorshipfulMasterRichardWattsforthemaintenanceofthisfoundationwas，attheperiodofhisdeath，meremarsh—land；butthat，incourseoftime，ithadbeenreclaimedandbuiltupon，andwasveryconsiderablyincreasedinvalue。Ifound，too，thataboutathirtiethpartoftheannualrevenuewasnowexpendedonthepurposescommemoratedintheinscriptionoverthedoor；therestbeinghandsomelylaidoutinChancery，lawexpenses，collectorship，receivership，poundage，andotherappendagesofmanagement，highlycomplimentarytotheimportanceofthesixPoorTravellers。Inshort，Imadethenotentirelynewdiscoverythatitmaybesaidofanestablishmentlikethis，indearoldEngland，asofthefatoysterintheAmericanstory，thatittakesagoodmanymentoswallowitwhole。
　　"Andpray，ma’am，"saidI，sensiblethattheblanknessofmyfacebegantobrightenasthethoughtoccurredtome，"couldoneseetheseTravellers？"
　　"Well！"shereturneddubiously，"no！"
　　"Notto—night，forinstance！"saidI。
　　"Well！"shereturnedmorepositively，"no。Nobodyeveraskedtoseethem，andnobodyeverdidseethem。"
　　AsIamnoteasilybalkedinadesignwhenIamsetuponit，IurgedtothegoodladythatthiswasChristmas—eve；thatChristmascomesbutonceayear，——whichisunhappilytootrue，forwhenitbeginstostaywithusthewholeyearroundweshallmakethisearthaverydifferentplace；thatIwaspossessedbythedesiretotreattheTravellerstoasupperandatemperateglassofhotWassail；thatthevoiceofFamehadbeenheardinthatland，declaringmyabilitytomakehotWassail；thatifIwerepermittedtoholdthefeast，I
　　shouldbefoundconformabletoreason，sobriety，andgoodhours；inaword，thatIcouldbemerryandwisemyself，andhadbeenevenknownatapinchtokeepothersso，althoughIwasdecoratedwithnobadgeormedal，andwasnotaBrother，Orator，Apostle，Saint，orProphetofanydenominationwhatever。IntheendIprevailed，tomygreatjoy。Itwassettledthatatnineo’clockthatnightaTurkeyandapieceofRoastBeefshouldsmokeupontheboard；andthatI，faintandunworthyministerforonceofMasterRichardWatts，shouldpresideastheChristmas—supperhostofthesixPoorTravellers。
　　IwentbacktomyinntogivethenecessarydirectionsfortheTurkeyandRoastBeef，and，duringtheremainderoftheday，couldsettletonothingforthinkingofthePoorTravellers。Whenthewindblewhardagainstthewindows，——itwasacoldday，withdarkgustsofsleetalternatingwithperiodsofwildbrightness，asiftheyearweredyingfitfully，——Ipicturedthemadvancingtowardstheirresting—placealongvariouscoldroads，andfeltdelightedtothinkhowlittletheyforesawthesupperthatawaitedthem。I
　　paintedtheirportraitsinmymind，andindulgedinlittleheighteningtouches。Imadethemfootsore；Imadethemweary；I
　　madethemcarrypacksandbundles；Imadethemstopbyfinger—postsandmilestones，leaningontheirbentsticks，andlookingwistfullyatwhatwaswrittenthere；Imadethemlosetheirway；andfilledtheirfivewitswithapprehensionsoflyingoutallnight，andbeingfrozentodeath。Itookupmyhat，andwentout，climbedtothetopoftheOldCastle，andlookedoverthewindyhillsthatslopedowntotheMedway，almostbelievingthatIcoulddescrysomeofmyTravellersinthedistance。Afteritfelldark，andtheCathedralbellwasheardintheinvisiblesteeple——quiteaboweroffrostyrimewhenIhadlastseenit——strikingfive，six，seven，IbecamesofullofmyTravellersthatIcouldeatnodinner，andfeltconstrainedtowatchthemstillintheredcoalsofmyfire。Theywereallarrivedbythistime，Ithought，hadgottheirtickets，andweregonein。——TheremypleasurewasdashedbythereflectionthatprobablysomeTravellershadcometoolateandwereshutout。
　　AftertheCathedralbellhadstruckeight，IcouldsmelladelicioussavourofTurkeyandRoastBeefrisingtothewindowofmyadjoiningbedroom，whichlookeddownintotheinn—yardjustwherethelightsofthekitchenreddenedamassivefragmentoftheCastleWall。ItwashightimetomaketheWassailnow；thereforeIhadupthematerials（which，togetherwiththeirproportionsandcombinations，Imustdeclinetoimpart，astheonlysecretofmyownIwaseverknowntokeep），andmadeagloriousjorum。Notinabowl；forabowlanywherebutonashelfisalowsuperstition，fraughtwithcoolingandslopping；butinabrownearthenwarepitcher，tenderlysuffocated，whenfull，withacoarsecloth。Itbeingnowuponthestrokeofnine，IsetoutforWatts’sCharity，carryingmybrownbeautyinmyarms。IwouldtrustBen，thewaiter，withuntoldgold；
　　buttherearestringsinthehumanheartwhichmustneverbesoundedbyanother，anddrinksthatImakemyselfarethosestringsinmine。
　　TheTravellerswereallassembled，theclothwaslaid，andBenhadbroughtagreatbilletofwood，andhadlaiditartfullyonthetopofthefire，sothatatouchortwoofthepokeraftersuppershouldmakearoaringblaze。Havingdepositedmybrownbeautyinarednookofthehearth，insidethefender，whereshesoonbegantosinglikeanetherealcricket，diffusingatthesametimeodoursasofripevineyards，spiceforests，andorangegroves，——Isay，havingstationedmybeautyinaplaceofsecurityandimprovement，I
　　introducedmyselftomyguestsbyshakinghandsallround，andgivingthemaheartywelcome。
　　Ifoundthepartytobethuscomposed。Firstly，myself。Secondly，averydecentmanindeed，withhisrightarminasling，whohadacertaincleanagreeablesmellofwoodabouthim，fromwhichIjudgedhimtohavesomethingtodowithshipbuilding。Thirdly，alittlesailor—boy，amerechild，withaprofusionofrichdarkbrownhair，anddeepwomanly—lookingeyes。Fourthly，ashabby—genteelpersonageinathreadbareblacksuit，andapparentlyinverybadcircumstances，withadrysuspiciouslook；theabsentbuttonsonhiswaistcoatekedoutwithredtape；andabundleofextraordinarilytatteredpapersstickingoutofaninnerbreast—pocket。Fifthly，aforeignerbybirth，butanEnglishmaninspeech，whocarriedhispipeinthebandofhishat，andlostnotimeintellingme，inaneasy，simple，engagingway，thathewasawatchmakerfromGeneva，andtravelledallabouttheContinent，mostlyonfoot，workingasajourneyman，andseeingnewcountries，——possibly（Ithought）alsosmugglingawatchorso，nowandthen。Sixthly，alittlewidow，whohadbeenveryprettyandwasstillveryyoung，butwhosebeautyhadbeenwreckedinsomegreatmisfortune，andwhosemannerwasremarkablytimid，scared，andsolitary。Seventhlyandlastly，aTravellerofakindfamiliartomyboyhood，butnowalmostobsolete，——aBook—Pedler，whohadaquantityofPamphletsandNumberswithhim，andwhopresentlyboastedthathecouldrepeatmoreversesinaneveningthanhecouldsellinatwelvemonth。
　　AlltheseIhavementionedintheorderinwhichtheysatattable。
　　Ipresided，andthematronlypresencefacedme。Wewerenotlongintakingourplaces，forthesupperhadarrivedwithme，inthefollowingprocession:
　　Myselfwiththepitcher。
　　BenwithBeer。
　　InattentiveBoywithhotplates。InattentiveBoywithhotplates。
　　THETURKEY。
　　Femalecarryingsaucestobeheatedonthespot。
　　THEBEEF。
　　ManwithTrayonhishead，containingVegetablesandSundries。
　　VolunteerHostlerfromHotel，grinning，Andrenderingnoassistance。
　　AswepassedalongtheHighStreet，comet—like，weleftalongtailoffragrancebehinduswhichcausedthepublictostop，sniffinginwonder。Wehadpreviouslyleftatthecorneroftheinn—yardawall—eyedyoungmanconnectedwiththeFlydepartment，andwellaccustomedtothesoundofarailwaywhistlewhichBenalwayscarriesinhispocket，whoseinstructionswere，sosoonasheshouldhearthewhistleblown，todashintothekitchen，seizethehotplum—puddingandmince—pies，andspeedwiththemtoWatts’sCharity，wheretheywouldbereceived（hewasfurtherinstructed）bythesauce—female，whowouldbeprovidedwithbrandyinabluestateofcombustion。
　　Allthesearrangementswereexecutedinthemostexactandpunctualmanner。Ineversawafinerturkey，finerbeef，orgreaterprodigalityofsauceandgravy；——andmyTravellersdidwonderfuljusticetoeverythingsetbeforethem。Itmademyheartrejoicetoobservehowtheirwindandfrosthardenedfacessoftenedintheclatterofplatesandknivesandforks，andmellowedinthefireandsupperheat。Whiletheirhatsandcapsandwrappers，hangingup，afewsmallbundlesonthegroundinacorner，andinanothercornerthreeorfouroldwalking—sticks，worndownattheendtomerefringe，linkedthissmuginteriorwiththebleakoutsideinagoldenchain。
　　Whensupperwasdone，andmybrownbeautyhadbeenelevatedonthetable，therewasageneralrequisitiontometo"takethecorner；"
　　whichsuggestedtomecomfortablyenoughhowmuchmyfriendsheremadeofafire，——forwhenhadIeverthoughtsohighlyofthecorner，sincethedayswhenIconnecteditwithJackHorner？
　　However，asIdeclined，Ben，whosetouchonallconvivialinstrumentsisperfect，drewthetableapart，andinstructingmyTravellerstoopenrightandleftoneithersideofme，andformroundthefire，closedupthecentrewithmyselfandmychair，andpreservedtheorderwehadkeptattable。Hehadalready，inatranquilmanner，boxedtheearsoftheinattentiveboysuntiltheyhadbeenbyimperceptibledegreesboxedoutoftheroom；andhenowrapidlyskirmishedthesauce—femaleintotheHighStreet，disappeared，andsoftlyclosedthedoor。
　　Thiswasthetimeforbringingthepokertobearonthebilletofwood。Itappeditthreetimes，likeanenchantedtalisman，andabrillianthostofmerry—makersburstoutofit，andsportedoffbythechimney，——rushingupthemiddleinafierycountrydance，andnevercomingdownagain。Meanwhile，bytheirsparklinglight，whichthrewourlampintotheshade，Ifilledtheglasses，andgavemyTravellers，CHRISTMAS！——CHRISTMAS—EVE，myfriends，whentheshepherds，whowerePoorTravellers，too，intheirway，heardtheAngelssing，"Onearth，peace。Good—willtowardsmen！"
　　Idon’tknowwhowasthefirstamongustothinkthatweoughttotakehandsaswesat，indeferencetothetoast，orwhetheranyoneofusanticipatedtheothers，butatanyratewealldidit。WethendranktothememoryofthegoodMasterRichardWatts。AndI
　　wishhisGhostmayneverhavehadworseusageunderthatroofthanithadfromus。
　　ItwasthewitchingtimeforStory—telling。"Ourwholelife，Travellers，"saidI，"isastorymoreorlessintelligible，——
　　generallyless；butweshallreaditbyaclearerlightwhenitisended。I，forone，amsodividedthisnightbetweenfactandfiction，thatIscarceknowwhichiswhich。ShallIbeguilethetimebytellingyouastoryaswesithere？"
　　Theyallanswered，yes。Ihadlittletotellthem，butIwasboundbymyownproposal。Therefore，afterlookingforawhileatthespiralcolumnofsmokewreathingupfrommybrownbeauty，throughwhichIcouldhavealmostswornIsawtheeffigyofMasterRichardWattslessstartledthanusual，Ifiredaway。
　　CHAPTERII——THESTORYOFRICHARDDOUBLEDICK
　　Intheyearonethousandsevenhundredandninety—nine，arelativeofminecamelimpingdown，onfoot，tothistownofChatham。Icallitthistown，becauseifanybodypresentknowstoanicetywhereRochesterendsandChathambegins，itismorethanIdo。Hewasapoortraveller，withnotafarthinginhispocket。Hesatbythefireinthisveryroom，andhesleptonenightinabedthatwillbeoccupiedtonightbysomeonehere。
　　MyrelativecamedowntoChathamtoenlistinacavalryregiment，ifacavalryregimentwouldhavehim；ifnot，totakeKingGeorge’sshillingfromanycorporalorsergeantwhowouldputabunchofribbonsinhishat。Hisobjectwastogetshot；buthethoughthemightaswellridetodeathasbeatthetroubleofwalking。
　　Myrelative’sChristiannamewasRichard，buthewasbetterknownasDick。Hedroppedhisownsurnameontheroaddown，andtookupthatofDoubledick。HewaspassedasRichardDoubledick；age，twenty—
　　two；height，fivefootten；nativeplace，Exmouth，whichhehadneverbeennearinhislife。TherewasnocavalryinChathamwhenhelimpedoverthebridgeherewithhalfashoetohisdustyfeet，soheenlistedintoaregimentoftheline，andwasgladtogetdrunkandforgetallaboutit。
　　Youaretoknowthatthisrelativeofminehadgonewrong，andrunwild。Hisheartwasintherightplace，butitwassealedup。Hehadbeenbetrothedtoagoodandbeautifulgirl，whomhehadlovedbetterthanshe——orperhapsevenhe——believed；butinanevilhourhehadgivenhercausetosaytohimsolemnly，"Richard，Iwillnevermarryanotherman。Iwilllivesingleforyoursake，butMaryMarshall’slips"——hernamewasMaryMarshall——"neveraddressanotherwordtoyouonearth。Go，Richard！Heavenforgiveyou！"Thisfinishedhim。ThisbroughthimdowntoChatham。ThismadehimPrivateRichardDoubledick，withadeterminationtobeshot。
　　TherewasnotamoredissipatedandrecklesssoldierinChathambarracks，intheyearonethousandsevenhundredandninety—nine，thanPrivateRichardDoubledick。Heassociatedwiththedregsofeveryregiment；hewasasseldomsoberashecouldbe，andwasconstantlyunderpunishment。ItbecamecleartothewholebarracksthatPrivateRichardDoubledickwouldverysoonbeflogged。
　　NowtheCaptainofRichardDoubledick’scompanywasayounggentlemannotabovefiveyearshissenior，whoseeyeshadanexpressioninthemwhichaffectedPrivateRichardDoubledickinaveryremarkableway。Theywerebright，handsome，darkeyes，——whatarecalledlaughingeyesgenerally，and，whenserious，rathersteadythansevere，——buttheyweretheonlyeyesnowleftinhisnarrowedworldthatPrivateRichardDoubledickcouldnotstand。Unabashedbyevilreportandpunishment，defiantofeverythingelseandeverybodyelse，hehadbuttoknowthatthoseeyeslookedathimforamoment，andhefeltashamed。HecouldnotsomuchassaluteCaptainTauntoninthestreetlikeanyotherofficer。Hewasreproachedandconfused，——troubledbythemerepossibilityofthecaptain’slookingathim。Inhisworstmoments，hewouldratherturnback，andgoanydistanceoutofhisway，thanencounterthosetwohandsome，dark，brighteyes。
　　Oneday，whenPrivateRichardDoubledickcameoutoftheBlackhole，wherehehadbeenpassingthelasteight—and—fortyhours，andinwhichretreathespentagooddealofhistime，hewasorderedtobetakehimselftoCaptainTaunton’squarters。InthestaleandsqualidstateofamanjustoutoftheBlackhole，hehadlessfancythaneverforbeingseenbythecaptain；buthewasnotsomadyetastodisobeyorders，andconsequentlywentuptotheterraceoverlookingtheparade—ground，wheretheofficers’quarterswere；
　　twistingandbreakinginhishands，ashewentalong，abitofthestrawthathadformedthedecorativefurnitureoftheBlackhole。
　　"Comein！"criedtheCaptain，whenhehadknockedwithhisknucklesatthedoor。PrivateRichardDoubledickpulledoffhiscap，tookastrideforward，andfeltveryconsciousthathestoodinthelightofthedark，brighteyes。
　　Therewasasilentpause。PrivateRichardDoubledickhadputthestrawinhismouth，andwasgraduallydoublingitupintohiswindpipeandchokinghimself。
　　"Doubledick，"saidtheCaptain，"doyouknowwhereyouaregoingto？"
　　"TotheDevil，sir？"falteredDoubledick。
　　"Yes，"returnedtheCaptain。"Andveryfast。"
　　PrivateRichardDoubledickturnedthestrawoftheBlackholeinhismonth，andmadeamiserablesaluteofacquiescence。
　　"Doubledick，"saidtheCaptain，"sinceIenteredhisMajesty’sservice，aboyofseventeen，Ihavebeenpainedtoseemanymenofpromisegoingthatroad；butIhaveneverbeensopainedtoseeamanmaketheshamefuljourneyasIhavebeen，eversinceyoujoinedtheregiment，toseeyou。"
　　PrivateRichardDoubledickbegantofindafilmstealingovertheflooratwhichhelooked；alsotofindthelegsoftheCaptain’sbreakfast—tableturningcrooked，asifhesawthemthroughwater。
　　"Iamonlyacommonsoldier，sir，"saidhe。"Itsignifiesverylittlewhatsuchapoorbrutecomesto。"
　　"Youareaman，"returnedtheCaptain，withgraveindignation，"ofeducationandsuperioradvantages；andifyousaythat，meaningwhatyousay，youhavesunklowerthanIhadbelieved。Howlowthatmustbe，Ileaveyoutoconsider，knowingwhatIknowofyourdisgrace，andseeingwhatIsee。"
　　"Ihopetogetshotsoon，sir，"saidPrivateRichardDoubledick；
　　"andthentheregimentandtheworldtogetherwillberidofme。"
　　Thelegsofthetablewerebecomingverycrooked。Doubledick，lookinguptosteadyhisvision，mettheeyesthathadsostronganinfluenceoverhim。Heputhishandbeforehisowneyes，andthebreastofhisdisgrace—jacketswelledasifitwouldflyasunder。
　　"Iwouldrather，"saidtheyoungCaptain，"seethisinyou，Doubledick，thanIwouldseefivethousandguineascountedoutuponthistableforagifttomygoodmother。Haveyouamother？"
　　"Iamthankfultosaysheisdead，sir。"
　　"Ifyourpraises，"returnedtheCaptain，"weresoundedfrommouthtomouththroughthewholeregiment，throughthewholearmy，throughthewholecountry，youwouldwishshehadlivedtosay，withprideandjoy，’Heismyson！’"
　　"Spareme，sir，"saidDoubledick。"Shewouldneverhaveheardanygoodofme。Shewouldneverhavehadanyprideandjoyinowningherselfmymother。Loveandcompassionshemighthavehad，andwouldhavealwayshad，Iknowbutnot——Spareme，sir！Iamabrokenwretch，quiteatyourmercy！"Andheturnedhisfacetothewall，andstretchedouthisimploringhand。
　　"Myfriend——"begantheCaptain。
　　"Godblessyou，sir！"sobbedPrivateRichardDoubledick。
　　"Youareatthecrisisofyourfate。Holdyourcourseunchangedalittlelonger，andyouknowwhatmusthappen。Iknowevenbetterthanyoucanimagine，that，afterthathashappened，youarelost。
　　Nomanwhocouldshedthosetearscouldbearthosemarks。"
　　"Ifullybelieveit，sir，"inalow，shiveringvoicesaidPrivateRichardDoubledick。
　　"Butamaninanystationcandohisduty，"saidtheyoungCaptain，"and，indoingit，canearnhisownrespect，evenifhiscaseshouldbesoveryunfortunateandsoveryrarethathecanearnnootherman’s。Acommonsoldier，poorbrutethoughyoucalledhimjustnow，hasthisadvantageinthestormytimeswelivein，thathealwaysdoeshisdutybeforeahostofsympathisingwitnesses。Doyoudoubtthathemaysodoitastobeextolledthroughawholeregiment，throughawholearmy，throughawholecountry？Turnwhileyoumayyetretrievethepast，andtry。"
　　"Iwill！Iaskforonlyonewitness，sir，"criedRichard，withaburstingheart。
　　"Iunderstandyou。Iwillbeawatchfulandafaithfulone。"
　　IhaveheardfromPrivateRichardDoubledick’sownlips，thathedroppeddownuponhisknee，kissedthatofficer’shand，arose，andwentoutofthelightofthedark，brighteyes，analteredman。
　　Inthatyear，onethousandsevenhundredandninety—nine，theFrenchwereinEgypt，inItaly，inGermany，wherenot？NapoleonBonapartehadlikewisebeguntostiragainstusinIndia，andmostmencouldreadthesignsofthegreattroublesthatwerecomingon。Intheverynextyear，whenweformedanalliancewithAustriaagainsthim，CaptainTaunton’sregimentwasonserviceinIndia。Andtherewasnotafinernon—commissionedofficerinit，——no，norinthewholeline——thanCorporalRichardDoubledick。
　　Ineighteenhundredandone，theIndianarmywereonthecoastofEgypt。Nextyearwastheyearoftheproclamationoftheshortpeace，andtheywererecalled。Ithadthenbecomewellknowntothousandsofmen，thatwhereverCaptainTaunton，withthedark，brighteyes，led，there，closetohim，everathisside，firmasarock，trueasthesun，andbraveasMars，wouldbecertaintobefound，whilelifebeatintheirhearts，thatfamoussoldier，SergeantRichardDoubledick。
　　Eighteenhundredandfive，besidesbeingthegreatyearofTrafalgar，wasayearofhardfightinginIndia。ThatyearsawsuchwondersdonebyaSergeant—Major，whocuthiswaysingle—handedthroughasolidmassofmen，recoveredthecoloursofhisregiment，whichhadbeenseizedfromthehandofapoorboyshotthroughtheheart，andrescuedhiswoundedCaptain，whowasdown，andinaveryjungleofhorses’hoofsandsabres，——sawsuchwondersdone，Isay，bythisbraveSergeant—Major，thathewasspeciallymadethebearerofthecolourshehadwon；andEnsignRichardDoubledickhadrisenfromtheranks。
　　Sorelycutupineverybattle，butalwaysreinforcedbythebravestofmen，——forthefameoffollowingtheoldcolours，shotthroughandthrough，whichEnsignRichardDoubledickhadsaved，inspiredallbreasts，——thisregimentfoughtitswaythroughthePeninsularwar，uptotheinvestmentofBadajosineighteenhundredandtwelve。
　　AgainandagainithadbeencheeredthroughtheBritishranksuntilthetearshadsprungintomen’seyesatthemerehearingofthemightyBritishvoice，soexultantintheirvalour；andtherewasnotadrummer—boybutknewthelegend，thatwhereverthetwofriends，MajorTaunton，withthedark，brighteyes，andEnsignRichardDoubledick，whowasdevotedtohim，wereseentogo，theretheboldestspiritsintheEnglisharmybecamewildtofollow。
　　Oneday，atBadajos，——notinthegreatstorming，butinrepellingahotsallyofthebesiegeduponourmenatworkinthetrenches，whohadgivenway，——thetwoofficersfoundthemselveshurryingforward，facetoface，againstapartyofFrenchinfantry，whomadeastand。