edgar huntly

7/31/2019 Edgar Huntly

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ed,andIadvancedonmyway,mysensationssunkintomelancholy.ThesceneandthetimeremindedmeofthefriendwhomIhadlost.Irecalledhisfeatures,andaccents,andgestures,andmusedwithunutterablefeelingsonthecircumstancesofhisdeath.

Myrecollectionsoncemoreplungedmeintoanguishandperplexity.OncemoreIasked,Whowashisassassin?Bywhatmotivescouldhebeimpelledtoadeedlikethis?Waldegravewaspurefromalloffence.Hispietywasrapturous.Hisbenevolencewasastrangertoremissnessortorpor.Allwhocamewithinthesphereofhisinfluenceexperiencedandacknowledgedhisbenignactivity.Hisfriendswerefew,becausehishabitsweretimidandreserved;buttheexistenceofanenemywasimpossible.

Irecalledtheincidentsofourlastinterview,myimportunitiesthatheshouldpostponehisill-omenedjourneytillthemorning,hisinexplicableobstinacy,hisresolutiontosetoutonfootduringadarkandtempestuousnight,andthehorribledisasterthatbefellhim.

ThefirstintimationIreceivedofthismisfortune,theinsanityofvengeanceandgriefintowhichIwashurried,myfruitlesssearchesfortheauthorofthisguilt,mymidnightwanderingsandreveriesbeneaththeshadeofthatfatalelm,wererevivedandreacted.Iheardthedischargeofthepistol,IwitnessedthealarmofInglefield,Iheardhiscallstohisservants,andsawthemissueforthwithlightsandhastentothespotwhencethesoundhadseemedtoproceed.Ibehe

ldmyfriend,stretchedupontheearth,ghastlywithamortalwound,alone,withnotracesoftheslayervisible,notokensbywhichhisplaceofrefugemightbesought,themotivesofhisenmityorhisinstrumentsofmischiefmightbedetected.

Ihungoverthedyingyouth,whoseinsensibilityforbadehimtorecognisehisfriend,orunfoldthecauseofhisdestruction.Iaccompaniedhisremainstothegrave;Itendedthesacredspotwherehelay;Ioncemoreexercisedmypenetrationandmyzealinpursuitofhisassassin.Oncemoremymeditationsandexertionsweredoomedtobedisappointed.

Ineednotremindtheeofwhatispast.Timeandreasonseemedtohavedissolvedthespellwhichmademedeaftothedictatesofdutyanddiscretion.Remembranc

eshadceasedtoagonize,tourgemetoheadlongactsandfostersanguinarypurposes.Thegloomwashalfdispersed,andaradiancehadsucceededsweeterthanmyformerjoys.

Now,bysomeunseenconcurrenceofreflections,mythoughtsrevertedintosomedegreeofbitterness.Methoughtthattoascertainthehandwhokilledmyfriendwasnotimpossible,andtopunishthecrimewasjust.ThattoforbearinquiryorwithholdpunishmentwastoviolatemydutytomyGodandtomankind.Theimpulsewasgraduallyawakenedthatbademeoncemoretoseektheelm;oncemoretoexploretheground;toscrutinizeitstrunk.WhatcouldIexpecttofind?Haditnotbeenahundredtimesexamined?HadInotextendedmysearchtotheneighbouringgrovesandprecipices?HadInotporeduponthebrooks,andpriedintothepitsandhollows,thatwereadjacenttothesceneofblood?

LatelyIhadviewedthisconductwithshameandregret;butinthepresentstateofmyminditassumedtheappearanceofconformitywithprudence,andIfeltmyselfirresistiblypromptedtorepeatmysearch.Sometimehadelapsedsincemydeparturefromthisdistrict,--timeenoughformomentouschangestooccur.ExpedientsthatformerlywereuselessmightnowleadinstantaneouslytotheendwhichIsought.Thetreewhichhadformerlybeenshunnedbythecriminalmight,intheabsenceoftheavengerofblood,beincautiouslyapproached.Thoughtlessorfearlessofmyreturn,itwaspossiblethathemight,atthismoment,bedetectedhoveringnearthesceneofhisoffences.



Nothingcanbepleadedinextenuationofthisrelapseintofolly.Myreturn,afteranabsenceofsomeduration,intothesceneofthesetransactionsandsufferings,thetimeofnight,theglimmeringofthestars,theobscurityinwhichexternalobjectswerewrapped,andwhich,consequently,didnotdrawmyattentionfromtheimagesoffancy,mayinsomedegreeaccountfortherevivalofthosesentimentsandresolutionswhichimmediatelysucceededthedeathofWaldegrave,andwhich,duringmyvisittoyou,hadbeensuspended.

Youknowthesituationoftheelm,inthemidstofaprivateroad,onthevergeofNorwalk,nearthehabitationofInglefield,butthreemilesfrommyuncle'shouse.Itwasnowmyintentiontovisitit.TheroadinwhichIwastravellingledadifferentway.Itwasrequisitetoleaveit,therefore,andmakeacircuitthroughmeadowsandoversteeps.Myjourneywould,bythesemeans,beconsiderablyprolonged;butonthatheadIwasindifferent,orrather,consideringhowfarthenighthadalreadyadvanced,itwasdesirablenottoreachhometillthedawn.

Iproceededinthisnewdirectionwithspeed.Time,however,wasallowedformyimpetuositiestosubside,andforsoberthoughtstotakeplace.StillIpersistedinthispath.Tolingerafewmomentsinthisshade,toponderonobjectsconnectedwitheventssomomentoustomyhappiness,promisedmeamournfulsatisfaction.Iwasfamiliarwiththeway,thoughtracklessandintricate,andIclimbedthesteeps,creptthroughthebrambles,leapedtherivuletsandfenceswithunde

viatingaim,tillatlengthIreachedthecraggyandobscurepathwhichledtoInglefield'shouse.

Inashorttime,Idescriedthroughtheduskthewidespreadbranchesoftheelm.Thistree,howeverfaintlyseen,cannotbemistakenforanother.Theremarkablebulkandshapeofitstrunk,itspositioninthemidstoftheway,itsbranchesspreadingintoanamplecircumference,madeitconspicuousfromafar.MypulsethrobbedasIapproachedit.

Myeyeswereeagerlybenttodiscoverthetrunkandtheareabeneaththeshade.These,asIapproached,graduallybecamevisible.Thetrunkwasnottheonlythingwhichappearedinview.Somewhatelse,whichmadeitselfdistinguishablebyitsmotions,waslikewisenoted.Ifalteredandstopped.

Toacasualobserverthisappearancewouldhavebeenunnoticed.Tome,itcouldnotbutpossessapowerfulsignificance.Allmysurmisesandsuspicionsinstantlyreturned.Thisapparitionwashuman,itwasconnectedwiththefateofWaldegrave,itledtoadisclosureoftheauthorofthatfate.WhatwasItodo?Toapproachunwarilywouldalarmtheperson.Instantflightwouldsethimbeyonddiscoveryandreach.

Iwalkedsoftlytotheroadside.Thegroundwascoveredwithrockymasses,scatteredamongshrub-oaksanddwarf-cedars,emblemsofitssterileanduncultivatedstate.Amongtheseitwaspossibletoeludeobservationandyetapproachnearenoughtogainanaccurateviewofthisbeing.

Atthistime,theatmospherewassomewhatilluminatedbythemoon,which,thoughithadalreadyset,wasyetsonearthehorizonastobenefitmebyitslight.Theshapeofaman,tallandrobust,wasnowdistinguished.Repeatedandcloserscrutinyenabledmetoperceivethathewasemployedindiggingtheearth.Somethinglikeflannelwaswrappedroundhiswaistandcoveredhislowerlimbs.Therestofhisframewasnaked.IdidnotrecogniseinhimanyonewhomIknew.

Afigure,robustandstrange,andhalfnaked,tobethusemployed,atthishourandplace,wascalculatedtorouseupmywholesoul.Hisoccupationwasmysteriousandobscure.Wasitagravethathewasdigging?Washispurposetoexploreo



Ihadfoodenoughforthelongestcontemplation.Mystepspartook,asusual,ofthevehemenceofmythoughts,andIreachedmyuncle'sgatebeforeIbelievedmyselftohavelostsightoftheelm.Ilookedupanddiscoveredthewell-knownhabitation.Icouldnotendurethatmyreflectionsshouldsospeedilybeinterrupted.Ithereforepassedthegate,andstoppednottillIhadreachedaneighbouringsummit,crownedwithchestnut-oaksandpoplars.

HereImoredeliberatelyreviewedtheincidentsthathadjustoccurred.Theinferencewasjust,thattheman,halfclothedanddigging,wasasleeper;butwhatwasthecauseofthismorbidactivity?Whatwasthemournfulvisionthatdissolvedhimintears,andextortedfromhimtokensofinconsolabledistress?Whatdidheseek,orwhatendeavourtoconceal,inthisfatalspot?Theincapacityofsoundsleepdenotesamindsorelywounded.Itisthusthatatrociouscriminalsdenotethepossessionofsomedreadfulsecret.Thethoughts,whichconsiderationsofsafetyenablethemtosuppressordisguiseduringwakefulness,operatewithoutimpediment,andexhibittheirgenuineeffects,whenthenoticesofsensearepartlyexcludedandtheyareshutoutfromaknowledgeoftheirentirecondition.

Thisistheperpetratorofsomenefariousdeed.WhatbutthemurderofWaldegravecoulddirecthisstepshither?Hisemploymentwaspartofsomefantasticdramainwhichhismindwasbusy.Tocomprehenditdemandspenetrationintotherecessesofhissoul.Butonethingissure:anincoherentconceptionofhisconcerninthattransactionbewitcheshimhither.Thisitisthatdelugeshisheartwith

bitternessandsupplieshimwithever-flowingtears.

Butwhencecomeshe?Hedoesnotstartfromthebosomoftheearth,orhidehimselfinairydistance.Hemusthaveanameandaterrestrialhabitation.Itcannotbeatanimmeasurabledistancefromthehauntedelm.Inglefield'shouseisthenearest.Thismaybeoneofitsinhabitants.Ididnotrecognisehisfeatures,butthiswasowingtotheduskyatmosphereandtothesingularityofhisgarb.Inglefieldhastwoservants,oneofwhomwasanativeofthisdistrict,simple,guileless,andincapableofanyactofviolence.Hewas,moreover,devoutlyattachedtohissect.Hecouldnotbethecriminal.

Theotherwasapersonofaverydifferentcast.HewasanemigrantfromIreland,andhadbeensixmonthsinthefamilyofmyfriend.Hewasapatternofsobrie

tyandgentleness.Hismindwassuperiortohissituation.Hisnaturalendowmentswerestrong,andhadenjoyedalltheadvantageofcultivation.Hisdemeanourwasgrave,andthoughtful,andcompassionate.Heappearednotuntincturedwithreligion;buthisdevotion,thoughunostentatious,wasofamelancholytenor.

Therewasnothinginthefirstviewofhischaractercalculatedtoengendersuspicion.Theneighbourhoodwaspopulous.But,asIconnedoverthecatalogue,IperceivedthattheonlyforeigneramonguswasClithero.Ourschemewas,forthemostpart,apatriarchalone.Eachfarmerwassurroundedbyhissonsandkinsmen.Thiswasanexceptiontotherule.Clitherowasastranger,whoseadventuresandcharacter,previouslytohiscominghither,wereunknowntous.Theelmwassurroundedbyhismaster'sdomains.Anactortheremustbe,andnoonewasequallyquestionable.

ThemoreIrevolvedthepensiveandreserveddeportmentofthisman,theignoranceinwhichwewereplacedrespectinghisformersituation,hispossiblemotivesforabandoninghiscountryandchoosingastationsomuchbelowthestandardofhisintellectualattainments,thestrongermysuspicionsbecame.Formerly,whenoccupiedwithconjecturesrelativetothesametopic,theimageofthismandidnotfailtooccur;buttheseemingharmlessnessofhisordinaryconducthadraisedhimtoalevelwithothers,andplacedhimequallybeyondthereachofsuspicion.Ididnot,tillnow,adverttotherecentnessofhisappearanceamongus,andtotheobscuritythathungoverhisoriginandpastlife.Butnowthesecons



iderationsappearedsohighlymomentousasalmosttodecidethequestionofhisguilt.

Buthowwerethesedoubtstobechangedintoabsolutecertainty?Henceforththismanwastobecomethesubjectofmyscrutiny.Iwastogainalltheknowledge,respectinghim,whichthosewithwhomhelived,andweretheperpetualwitnessesofhisactions,couldimpart.ForthisendIwastomakeminuteinquiries,andtoputseasonableinterrogatories.FromthisconductIpromisedmyselfanultimatesolutionofmydoubts.

Iacquiescedinthisviewofthingswithconsiderablesatisfaction.Itseemedasifthemazewasnolongerinscrutable.Itwouldbequicklydiscoveredwhoweretheagentsandinstigatorsofthemurderofmyfriend.

Butitsuddenlyoccurredtome,ForwhatpurposeshallIprosecutethissearch?WhatbenefitamItoreapfromthisdiscovery?HowshallIdemeanmyselfwhenthecriminalisdetected?Iwasnotinsensible,atthatmoment,oftheimpulsesofvengeance,buttheyweretransient.IdetestedthesanguinaryresolutionsthatIhadonceformed.YetIwasfearfuloftheeffectsofmyhastyrage,anddreadedanencounterinconsequenceofwhichImightrushintoevilswhichnotimecouldrepair,norpenitenceexpiate.

"Butwhy,"saidI,"shoulditbeimpossibletoarmmyselfwithfirmness?Ifforbearancebethedictateofwisdom,cannotitbesodeeplyengravenonmymindas

todefyalltemptation,andbeproofagainstthemostabruptsurprise?Mylateexperiencehasbeenofusetome.Ithasshownmemyweaknessandmystrength.Havingfoundmyancientfortificationsinsufficienttowithstandtheenemy,whatshouldIlearnfromthencebutthatitbecomesmetostrengthenandenlargethem?

"Nocaution,indeed,canhindertheexperimentfrombeinghazardous.Isitwisetoundertakeexperimentsbywhichnothingcanbegained,andmuchmaybelost?Curiosityisvicious,ifundisciplinedbyreason,andinconducivetobenefit."

Iwasnot,however,tobedivertedfrommypurpose.Curiosity,likevirtue,isitsownreward.Knowledgeisofvalueforitsownsake,andpleasureisannexedtotheacquisition,withoutregardtoanythingbeyond.Itispreciousevenwhendisconnectedwithmoralinducementsandheartfeltsympathies;buttheknowledge

whichIsoughtbyitsunionwiththesewascalculatedtoexcitethemostcomplexandfierysentimentsinmybosom.

Hourswereemployedinrevolvingthesethoughts.AtlengthIbegantobesensibleoffatigue,and,returninghome,exploredthewaytomychamberwithoutmolestingthereposeofthefamily.Youknowthatourdoorsarealwaysunfastened,andareaccessibleatallhoursofthenight.

Myslumberswereimperfect,andIrejoicedwhenthemorninglightpermittedmetoresumemymeditations.Thedayglidedaway,Iscarcelyknowhow,and,asIhadrejoicedatthereturnofmorning,Inowhailed,withpleasure,theapproachofnight.

Myuncleandsistershavingretired,Ibetookmyself,insteadoffollowingtheirexample,totheChestnut-hill.Concealedamongitsrocks,orgazingattheprospectwhichstretchedsofarandsowidearoundit,myfancyhasalwaysbeenaccustomedtoderiveitshighestenjoymentfromthisspot.IfoundmyselfagainatleisuretorecallthescenewhichIhadwitnessedduringthelastnight,toimagineitsconnectionwiththefateofWaldegrave,andtoplanthemeansofdiscoveringthesecretthatwashiddenundertheseappearances.

Shortly,Ibegantofeelinsupportabledisquietatthethoughtsofpostponingthisdiscovery.Wilesandstratagemswerepracticable,buttheyweretedious,and



ofdubioussuccess.WhyshouldIproceedlikeaplotter?DoIintendtheinjuryofthisperson?Agenerouspurposewillsurelyexcusemefromdescendingtoartifices.Therearetwomodesofdrawingforththesecretsofanother,--byopenanddirectmeansandbycircuitousandindirect.Whyscrupletoadopttheformermode?Whynotdemandaconference,andstatemydoubts,anddemandasolutionofthem,inamannerworthyofabeneficentpurpose?Whynothastentothespot?Hemaybe,atthismoment,mysteriouslyoccupiedunderthisshade.Imaynotehisbehaviour;Imayascertainhisperson,ifnotbythefeaturesthatbelongtohim,yetbytracinghisfootstepswhenhedeparts,andpursuinghimtohisretreats.

Iembracedthisscheme,whichwasthussuggested,witheagerness.Ithrewmyselfwithheadlongspeeddownthehillandpursuedmywaytotheelm.AsIapproachedthetree,mypalpitationsincreased,thoughmypaceslackened.Ilookedforwardwithananxiousglance.Thetrunkofthetreewashiddeninthedeepestshade.Iadvancedcloseuptoit.Noonewasvisible,butIwasnotdiscouraged.Thehourofhiscomingwas,perhaps,notarrived.Itookmystationatasmalldistance,besideafence,ontherighthand.

Anhourelapsedbeforemyeyeslightedontheobjectofwhichtheywereinsearch.Mypreviousobservationhadbeenrovingfromonequartertoanother.Atlast,itdweltuponthetree.ThepersonwhomIbeforedescribedwasseatedontheground.Ihadnotperceivedhimbefore,andthemeansbywhichheplacedhimselfinthissituationhadescapedmynotice.Heseemedlikeonewhomaneffortofwill,withouttheexerciseoflocomotion,hadtransportedhither,ormadevisible.

Hisstateofdisarray,andthedarknessthatshroudedhim,preventedme,asbefore,fromdistinguishinganypeculiaritiesinhisfigureorcountenance.

Icontinuedwatchfulandmute.Theappearancesalreadydescribedtookplaceonthisoccasion,exceptthecircumstanceofdiggingintheearth.Hesatmusingforawhile,thenburstintosighsandlamentations.

Thesebeingexhausted,herosetodepart.Hestalkedawaywithasolemnanddeliberatepace.Iresolvedtotread,ascloselyaspossible,inhisfootsteps,andnottolosesightofhimtilltheterminationofhiscareer.

Contrarytomyexpectation,hewentinadirectionoppositetothatwhichledtoInglefield's.Presently,hestoppedatbars,whichhecautiouslyremoved,and,

whenhehadpassedthroughthem,asdeliberatelyreplaced.Hethenproceededalonganobscurepath,whichledacrossstubble-fields,toawood.Thepathcontinuedthroughthewood,buthequicklystruckoutofit,andmadehisway,seeminglyatrandom,throughamostperplexingundergrowthofbushesandbriers.

Iwas,atfirst,fearfulthatthenoisewhichImadebehindhim,intramplingdownthethicket,wouldalarmhim;butheregardeditnot.Thewaythathehadselectedwasalwaysdifficult:sometimesconsiderableforcewasrequisitetobeatdownobstacles;sometimesitledintoadeepglen,thesidesofwhichweresosteepasscarcelytoaffordafooting;sometimesintofens,fromwhichsomeexertionswerenecessarytoextricatethefeet,andsometimesthroughrivulets,ofwhichthewaterrosetothemiddle.

ForsometimeIfeltnoabatementofmyspeedormyresolution.IthoughtImightproceed,withoutfear,throughbrakesanddellswhichmyguidewasabletopenetrate.Hewasperpetuallychanginghisdirection.Icouldformnojustopinionastomysituationordistancefromtheplaceatwhichwehadsetout.

Ibeganatlengthtobeweary.Asuspicion,likewise,suggesteditselftomymind,whethermyguidedidnotperceivethathewasfollowed,andthusprolongedhisjourneyinordertofatigueoreludehispursuer.Iwasdetermined,however,tobafflehisdesign.Thoughtheairwasfrosty,mylimbswerebedewedwithsweatandmyjointswererelaxedwithtoil,butIwasobstinatelybentuponproceedin



.Iblamedmyselfforneglectingtheopportunitiesthathadalreadybeenafforded,andwasdeterminedthatanothershouldnotescape.Myeyeswerefixedupontheentrance.Therustlingincreased,andpresentlyananimalleapedforth,ofwhatkindIwasunabletodiscover.Heart-struckbythisdisappointment,butnotdiscouraged,Icontinuedtowatch,butinvain.Thedaywasadvancingapace.Atlengththesunarose,anditsbeamsglistenedontheedgesofthecliffsabove,whosesaplessstalksandruggedmasseswerecoveredwithhoarfrost.Ibegantodespairofsuccess,butwasunwillingtodepartuntilitwasnolongerpossibletohopeforthereturnofthisextraordinarypersonage.Whetherhehadbeenswallowedupbysomeoftheabyssesofthisgrotto,orlurkedneartheentrance,waitingmydeparture,orhadmadehisexitatanotheranddistantaperture,wasunknowntome.

Exhaustedanddiscouraged,Iprepared,atlength,toreturn.Itwaseasytofindmywayoutofthiswildernessbygoingforwardinonedirection,regardlessofimpedimentsandcross-paths.MyabsenceIbelievedtohaveoccasionednoalarmtomyfamily,sincetheyknewnotofmyintentiontospendthenightabroad.Thusunsatisfactorilyterminatedthisnight'sadventures.ChapterIII.

Theensuingdaywasspentpartlyinsleep,andpartlyinlanguoranddisquietude.Iincessantlyruminatedontheincidentsofthelastnight.TheschemethatIhadformedwasdefeated.Wasitlikelythatthisunknownpersonwouldrepeathismidnightvisitstotheelm?Ifhedid,andcouldagainbediscovered,shouldI

resolvetoundertakeanewpursuit,whichmightterminateabortively,orinsomesignaldisaster?ButwhatproofhadIthatthesameroutewouldbetaken,andthathewouldagaininterhimselfaliveinthesamespot?Or,ifhedid,sincehisreappearancewouldsufficientlyprovethatthecavernwasnotdangerous,andthathewhoshouldadventureinmighthopetocomeoutagaininsafety,whynotenteritafterhim?Whatcouldbetheinducementsofthispersontobetakehimselftosubterraneanretreats?Thebasisofallthisregionislimestone;asubstancethateminentlyaboundsinriftsandcavities.These,bythegradualdecayoftheircementingparts,frequentlymaketheirappearanceinspotswheretheymighthavebeenleastexpected.Myattentionhasoftenbeenexcitedbythehollowsoundwhichwasproducedbymycasualfootsteps,andwhichshowedmethatItrodupontheroofofcaverns.Amountain-caveandtherumblingofanunseentorrentareappendagesofthisscene,deartomyyouthfulimagination.Manyofromantics

tructurewerefoundwithintheprecinctsofNorwalk.

TheseIhadindustriouslysoughtout;butthishadhithertoescapedmyobservation,andIformedtheresolutionofsometimeexploringit.AtpresentIdeterminedtorevisittheelm,anddiginthespotwherethispersonhadbeenemployedinasimilarway.Itmightbethatsomethingwasheredepositedwhichmightexhibitthistransactioninanewlight.Atthesuitablehour,ontheensuingnight,Itookmyformerstand.Thepersonagainappeared.Myintentiontodigwastobecarriedintoeffectonconditionofhisabsence,andwas,consequently,frustrated.

Insteadofrushingonhim,andbreakingatoncethespellbywhichhissenseswerebound,Iconcluded,contrarytomyfirstdesign,towaithisdeparture,anda

llowmyselftobeconductedwhithersoeverhepleased.Thetrackintowhichhenowledmewasdifferentfromtheformerone.Itwasamaze,oblique,circuitous,upwardanddownward,inadegreewhichonlycouldtakeplaceinaregionsoremarkablyirregularinsurface,soaboundingwithhillocksandsteepsandpitsandbrooks,asSolesbury.Itseemedtobethesoleendofhislabourstobewilderorfatiguehispursuer,topierceintothedeepestthickets,toplungeintothedarkestcavities,toascendthemostdifficultheights,andapproachtheslipperyandtremulousvergeofthedizziestprecipices.

Idisdainedtobeoutstrippedinthiscareer.Alldangerswereoverlooked,anda



lldifficultiesdefied.Iplungedintoobscurities,andclamberedoverobstacles,fromwhich,inadifferentstateofmind,andwithadifferentobjectofpursuit,Ishouldhaverecoiledwithinvincibletimidity.Whenthescenehadpassed,IcouldnotreviewtheperilsIhadundergonewithoutshuddering.

Atlengthmyconductorstruckintoapathwhich,comparedwiththeruggednessofthatwhichwehadlatelytrodden,waseasyandsmooth.Thistrackledustotheskirtofthewilderness,andatnolongtimewereachedanopenfield,whenadwellingappeared,atasmalldistance,whichIspeedilyrecognisedtobethatbelongingtoInglefield.Inowanticipatedthefulfilmentofmypredictions.Myconductordirectedhisstepstowardsthebarn,intowhichheenteredbyasmalldoor.

Howweremydoubtsremoved!ThiswasnootherthanClitheroEdny.Therewasnothinginhisappearanceincompatiblewiththisconclusion.Heandhisfellow-servantoccupiedanapartmentinthebarnasalodging-room.Thisarduouspurposewasaccomplished,andIretiredtotheshelterofaneighbouringshed,notsomuchtoreposemyselfafterthefatiguesofmyextraordinaryjourney,astodevisefurtherexpedients.

NothingnowremainedbuttotakeClitherototask;torepeattohimtheobservationsofthetwolastnights;tounfoldtohimmyconjecturesandsuspicions;toconvincehimoftherectitudeofmyintentions;andtoextortfromhimadisclosureofallthecircumstancesconnectedwiththedeathofWaldegravewhichitwas

inhispowertocommunicate.

Inordertoobtainaconference,Iresolvedtoinvitehimtomyuncle'stoperformacertainpieceofworkformeundermyowneyes.Hewould,ofcourse,spendthenightwithus,andintheeveningIwouldtakeanopportunityofenteringintoconversationwithhim.

Aperiodofthedeepestdeliberationwasnecessarytoqualifymyselfforperformingsuitablymypartinthisprojectedinterview.Iattendedtothefeelingsthatweresuggestedinthisnewstateofmyknowledge.Ifoundreasontoconfideinmynewly-acquiredequanimity."Remorse,"saidI,"isanampleandproperexpiationforalloffences.Whatdoesvengeancedesirebuttoinflictmisery?Ifmiserycome,itsdesiresareaccomplished.Itisonlytheobdurateandexultingcrimi

nalthatisworthyofourindignation.Itiscommonforpitytosucceedthebitterestsuggestionsofresentment.Ifthevengefulmindbedelightedwiththespectacleofwoesofitsowncontriving,atleastitscaninehungerisappeased,andthenceforthitshandsareinactive."

Ontheeveningofthenextday,IpaidavisittoInglefield.IwishedtoimparttohimthediscoveriesthatIhadmade,andtolistentohisreflectionsonthesubject.IlikewisedesiredtoobtainallpossibleinformationfromthefamilyrespectingtheconductofClithero.

Myfriendreceivedmewithhisusualkindness.Thouartnostrangertohischaracter;thouknowestwithwhatpaternalaffectionIhaveeverbeenregardedbythisoldman;withwhatsolicitudethewanderingsofmyreasonandmyfreaksofpas

sionhavebeennotedandcorrectedbyhim.Thouknowesthisactivitytosavethelifeofthybrother,andthehoursthathavebeenspentbyhiminaidingmyconjecturesastothecauseofhisdeath,andinculcatingthelessonsofpenitenceandduty.

Thetopicswhichcouldnotbutoccuratsuchameetingwerequicklydiscussed,andIhastilyproceededtothatsubjectwhichwasnearestmyheart.Irelatedtheadventuresofthetwoprecedingnights,andmentionedtheinferencetowhichtheyirresistiblyled.



Hesaidthatthisinferencecoincidedwithsuspicionshehadformed,sinceourlastinterview,inconsequenceofcertaincommunicationsfromhishousekeeper.ItseemsthecharacterofClitherohad,fromthefirst,exercisedtheinquisitivenessofthisoldlady.Shehadcarefullymarkedhismusingandmelancholydeportment.Shehadtriedinnumerableexpedientsforobtainingaknowledgeofhispastlife,andparticularlyofhismotivesforcomingtoAmerica.Theseexpedients,howeverprofoundandaddressful,hadfailed.Hetooknopainstoeludethem.Hecontentedhimselfwithturningadeafeartoallindirectallusionsandhints,and,whenmoreexplicitlyquestioned,withsimplydeclaringthathehadnothingtocommunicateworthyofhernotice.

Duringthedayhewasasoberanddiligentworkman.Hiseveningshespentinincommunicativesilence.OnSundays,healwaysrambledaway,nooneknewwhither,andwithoutacompanion.Ihavealreadyobservedthatheandhisfellow-servantoccupiedthesameapartmentinthebarn.ThiscircumstancewasnotunattendedtobyMissInglefield.ThenameofClithero'scompanionwasAmbrose.Thismanwascopiouslyinterrogatedbyhismistress,andshefoundhimbynomeanssorefractoryastheother.

Ambrose,inhistediousandconfusedway,relatedthat,soonafterClitheroandhehadbecomebedfellows,theformerwasconsiderablydisturbedbyrestlessnessandtalkinginhissleep.Hisdiscoursewasincoherent.Itwasgenerallyinthetoneofexpostulation,andappearedtobeentreatingtobesavedfromsomegreatinjury.Suchphrasesasthese,--"havepity;""havemercy,"werefrequentlyinte

rmingledwithgroans,andaccompaniedwithweeping.Sometimesheseemedtobeholdingconferenceswithsomeonewhowasmakinghimconsiderableoffersonconditionofhisperformingsomedangerousservice.Whathesaidinhisownperson,andinanswertohisimaginarytempter,testifiedtheutmostreluctance.

Ambrosehadnocuriosityonthesubject.Asthisinterruptionpreventedhimatfirstfromsleeping,itwashiscustomtoputanendtothedialogue,byawakeninghiscompanion,whobetrayedtokensofgreatalarmanddejectionondiscoveringhowhehadbeenemployed.Hewouldsolicitouslyinquirewhatwerethewordsthathehaduttered;butAmbrose'sreportwasseldomsatisfactory,becausehehadattendedtothembutlittle,andbecausehegrudgedeverymomentinwhichhewasdeprivedofhisaccustomedrepose.

WhetherClitherohadceasedfromthispractice,orhabithadreconciledhiscompaniontothesounds,theynolongeroccasionedanyinterruptiontohisslumber.

NooneappearedmoreshockedthanheatthedeathofWaldegrave.Afterthiseventhisdejectionsuddenlyincreased.Thissymptomwasobservedbythefamily,butnonebutthehousekeepertookthetroubletonoticeittohim,orbuildconjecturesontheincident.Duringnights,however,Ambroseexperiencedarenewalofhisancientdisturbances.HeremarkedthatClithero,onenight,haddisappearedfromhisside.Ambrose'srangeofreflectionwasextremelynarrow.Quicklyfallingasleep,andfindinghiscompanionbesidehimwhenheawoke,hedismisseditfromhismind.

Onseveralensuingnightsheawakenedinlikemanner,andalwaysfoundhiscompa

nion'splaceempty.TherepetitionofsostrangeanincidentatlengthincitedhimtomentionittoClithero.Thelatterwasconfoundedatthisintelligence.HequestionedAmbrosewithgreatanxietyastotheparticularsofthisevent,buthecouldgainnosatisfactionfromthestupidinattentionoftheother.Fromthistimetherewasavisibleaugmentationofhissadness.Hisfitsoftaciturnitybecamemoreobstinate,andadeepergloomsatuponhisbrow.

Therewasoneothercircumstance,ofparticularimportance,mentionedbythehousekeeper.Oneeveningsomeoneonhorsebackstoppedatthisgate.Herattledatthegate,withanairofauthority,intokenofhisdesirethatsomeonewouldc



omefromthehouse.MissInglefieldwasemployedinthekitchen,fromawindowofwhichsheperceivedwhoitwasthatmadethesignal.Clitherohappened,atthesamemoment,tobeemployednearher.She,therefore,desiredhimtogoandseewhomthestrangerwanted.Helaidasidehisworkandwent.Theconferencelastedabovefiveminutes.Thelengthofitexcitedinherafaintdegreeofsurprise,inducinghertoleaveheremploymentandpayanunintermittedattentiontothescene.Therewasnothing,however,butitsdurationthatrendereditremarkable.

Clitheroatlengthentered,andthetravellerproceeded.Thecountenanceoftheformerbetrayedadegreeofperturbationwhichshehadneverwitnessedbefore.Themusclesofhisfaceweredistortedandtremulous.Heimmediatelysatdowntohiswork,butheseemed,forsometime,tohavelostallpoweroverhislimbs.Hestruggledtoavoidthesightofthelady,andhisgestures,irresoluteormisdirected,betokenedthedeepestdismay.Aftersometime,herecovered,insomedegree,hisself-possession;but,whiletheobjectwasviewedthroughanewmedium,andthechangeexistedonlyintheimaginationoftheobserver,achangewascertainlydiscovered.

ThesecircumstanceswererelatedtomebyInglefieldandcorroboratedbyhishousekeeper.Oneconsequenceinevitablyflowedfromthem.Thesleep-walker,hewhohadledmethroughsodeviousatract,wasnootherthanClithero.Therewas,likewise,astrongrelationbetweenthispersonandhimwhostoppedatthegate.Whatwasthesubjectofdiscoursebetweenthem?InanswertoMissInglefield'sin

terrogatories,hemerelysaidthatthetravellerinquiredwhithertheroadledwhich,atasmalldistanceforward,struckoutoftheprincipalone.Consideringthelengthoftheinterview,itwasnotlikelythatthiswastheonlytopic.

Mydeterminationtoconferwithhiminprivateacquirednewforcefromthesereflections.Inglefieldassentedtomyproposal.Hisownaffairswouldpermittheabsenceofhisservantforoneday.Isawnonecessityfordelay,andimmediatelymademyrequesttoClithero.Iwasfashioninganimplement,Itoldhim,withrespecttowhichIcouldnotwhollydependuponmyownskill.Iwasacquaintedwiththedexterityofhiscontrivances,andtheneatnessofhisworkmanship.Hereadilyconsentedtoassistmeonthisoccasion.Nextdayhecame.Contrarytomyexpectation,hepreparedtoreturnhomeintheevening.Iurgedhimtospendthenightwithus:butno;itwasequallyconvenient,andmoreagreeabletohim,to

return.

Iwasnotawareofthisresolution.Imight,indeed,haveforeseenthat,beingconsciousofhisinfirmity,hewoulddesiretoavoidthescrutinyofstrangers.Iwaspainfullydisconcerted;butitoccurredtome,thatthebestthatcouldbedonewastobearhimcompany,andseizesomeopportunity,duringthisinterval,ofeffectingmypurpose.Itoldhim,that,sincehewouldnotremain,Icarednotif,forthesakeofrecreation,andofamuchmoremomentouspurpose,Iwentalongwithhim.Hetacitly,andwithoutapparentreluctance,consentedtomyscheme,and,accordingly,wesetofftogether.Thiswasanawfulcrisis.Thetimehadnowcomethatwastodissipatemyuncertainty.BywhatmeansshouldIintroduceatopicsomomentousandsingular?Ihadbeenqualifiedbynoexperienceforrightlyconductingmyselfonsocriticalanemergency.Mycompanionpreservedam

ournfulandinviolablesilence.HeaffordedmenoopeningbywhichImightreachthepointinview.Hisdemeanourwassedate,whileIwasalmostdisabled,bytheconfusionofmythoughts,toutteraword.

ItwasadreadfulchargethatIwasabouttoinsinuate.Iwastoaccusemycompanionofnothinglessthanmurder.Iwastocalluponhimforanavowalofhis^guilt.Iwastostatethegroundofmysuspicions,anddesirehimtoconfuteorconfirmthem.Indoingthis,Iwasprincipallystimulatedbyanungovernablecuriosity;yet,ifIintendednottheconferringofabenefit,Ididnot,atleast,purposetheinflictionofevil.IpersuadedmyselfthatIwasabletoexcludefr



ommybosomallsanguinaryorvengefulimpulses;andthat,whatevershouldbetheissueofthisconversation,myequanimitywouldbeunsubdued.

Irevolvedvariousmodesofintroducingthetopicbywhichmymindwasengaged.Ipassedrapidlyfromonetoanother.Noneofthemweresufficientlyfreefromobjectiontoallowmetoadoptit.Myperplexitybecame,everymoment,morepainful,andmyabilitytoextricatemyself,less.

Inthisstateofuncertainty,somuchtimeelapsed,thattheelmatlengthappearedinsight.Thisobjecthadsomewhatofamechanicalinfluenceuponme.Istoppedshort,andseizedthearmofmycompanion.Tillthismoment,heappearedtohavebeenengrossedbyhisownreflections,andnottohaveheededthoseemotionswhichmusthavebeensufficientlyconspicuousinmylooks.

Thisactionrecalledhimfromhisreverie.Thefirstideathatoccurredtohim,whenhehadnoticedmybehaviour,was,thatIwasassailedbysomesuddenindisposition.

"Whatisthematter?"saidhe,inatoneofanxiety:"areyounotwell?"

"Yes,"repliedI,--"perfectlywell.Butstopamoment;Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou."

"Tome?"answeredhe,withsurprise.

"Yes,"saidI."Letusturndownthispath,"(pointing,atthesametime,tothatalongwhichIhadfollowedhimtheprecedingnight.)

Henowpartook,insomedegree,ofmyembarrassment.

"Isthereanythingparticular?"saidhe,inadoubtingaccent.Therehestopped.

"Something,"Ianswered,"ofthehighestmoment.Gowithmedownthispath.Weshallbeinlessdangerofinterruption."

Hewasirresoluteandsilent,but,seeingmeremovethebarsandpassthroughth

em,hefollowedme.Nothingmorewassaidtillweenteredthewood.Itrustedtothesuggestionsofthemoment.Ihadnowgonetoofartorecede,andthenecessitythatpresseduponmesuppliedmewithwords.Icontinued:--

"Thisisaremarkablespot.YoumaywonderwhyIhaveledyoutoit.Ioughtnottokeepyouinsuspense.Thereisataleconnectedwithit,whichIamdesirousoftellingyou.ForthispurposeIhavebroughtyouhither.Listentome."

Ithenrecapitulatedtheadventuresofthetwoprecedingnights.Iaddednothing,norretrenchedanything.Helistenedinthedeepestsilence.Fromeveryincident,hegatherednewcauseofalarm.Repeatedlyhewipedhisfacewithhishandkerchief,andsigheddeeply.Itooknoverbalnoticeofthesesymptoms.Ideemeditincumbentonmetorepressnothing.WhenIcametotheconcludingcircumstanc

e,bywhichhispersonwasidentified,heheardmewithoutanynewsurprise.TothisnarrativeIsubjoinedtheinquiriesthatIhadmadeatInglefield's,andtheresultofthoseinquiries.Ithencontinuedinthesewords:--

"YoumayaskwhyIsubjectedmyselftoallthistrouble.Themysteriousnessofthesetransactionswouldhavenaturallysuggestedcuriosityinanyone.AtransientpassengerwouldprobablyhaveactedasIhavedone.ButIhadmotivespeculiartomyself.NeedIremindyouofalatedisaster?Thatithappenedbeneaththeshadeofthistree?AmInotjustifiedindrawingcertaininferencesfromyourbehaviour?Whattheyare,Ileaveyoutojudge.Beityourtasktoconfuteorcon



firmthem.ForthisendIhaveconductedyouhither.

"Mysuspicionsarevehement.Howcantheybeotherwise?Icalluponyoutosaywhethertheybejust."

Thespotwherewestoodwasilluminatedbythemoon,thathadnowrisen,thoughallaroundwasdark.Hencehisfeaturesandpersonwereeasilydistinguished.Hishandshungathisside.Hiseyesweredowncast,andhewasmotionlessasastatue.Mylastwordsseemedscarcelytohavemadeanyimpressiononhissense.Ihadnoneedtoprovideagainstthepossiblesuggestionsofrevenge.Ifeltnothingbutthetendernessofcompassion.Icontinued,forsometime,toobservehiminsilence,andcoulddiscovernotokensofachangeofmood.Icouldnotforbear,atlast,toexpressmyuneasinessatthefixednessofhisfeaturesandattitude.

"Recollectyourself.Imeannottourgeyoutooclosely.Thistopicissolemn,butitneednotdivestyouofthefortitudebecomingaman."

Thesoundofmyvoicestartledhim.Hebrokefromme,lookedup,andfixedhiseyesuponmewithanexpressionofaffright.Heshudderedandrecoiledasfromaspectre.Ibegantorepentofmyexperiment.Icouldsaynothingsuitabletothisoccasion.Iwasobligedtostandasilentandpowerlessspectator,andtosufferthisparoxysmtosubsideofitself.Whenitsviolenceappearedtobesomewhatabated,Iresumed:--

"Icanfeelforyou.Iactnotthusincompliancewithatemperthatdelightsinthemiseryofothers.TheexplanationthatIhavesolicitedisnolessnecessaryforyoursakethanformine.YouarenostrangertothelightinwhichIviewedthisman.Youhavewitnessedthegriefwhichhisfateoccasioned,andtheeffortsthatImadetodiscoveranddragtopunishmenthismurderer.YouheardtheexecrationsthatIheapeduponhim,andmyvowsofeternalrevenge.Youexpectthat,havingdetectedtheoffender,Iwillhunthimtoinfamyanddeath.Youaremistaken.Iconsiderthedeedassufficientlyexpiated.

"Iamnostrangertoyourgnawingcares;tothedeepandincurabledespairthathauntsyou,towhichyourwakingthoughtsareaprey,andfromwhichsleepcannotsecureyou.Iknowtheenormityofyourcrime,butIknownotyourinducements

.Whatevertheywere,Iseetheconsequenceswithregardtoyourself.Iseeproofsofthatremorsewhichmusteverbeattendantonguilt.

"Thisisenough.Whyshouldtheeffectsofourmisdeedsbeinexhaustible?Whyshouldwebedebarredfromacomforter?Anopportunityofrepairingourerrorsmay,atleast,bedemandedfromtherulersofourdestiny.

"IonceimaginedthathewhokilledWaldegraveinflictedthegreatestpossibleinjuryonme.Thatwasanerror,whichreflectionhascured.Werefuturitylaidopentomyview,andevents,withtheirconsequences,unfolded,Imightseereasontoembracetheassassinasmybestfriend.Becomforted."

Hewasstillincapableofspeaking;buttearscametohisrelief.Withoutattend

ingtomyremonstrances,hebetrayedadispositiontoreturn.Ihad,hitherto,hopedforsomedisclosure,butnowfearedthatitwasdesignedtobewithheld.HestoppednottillwereachedInglefield'spiazza.Hethenspoke,forthefirsttime,butinahollowandtremulousvoice:--

"Youdemandofmeaconfessionofcrimes.Youshallhaveit.Sometimeyoushallhaveit.Whenitwillbe,Icannottell.Somethingmustbedone,andshortly."

Hehurriedfrommeintothehouse,and,afterapause,Iturnedmystepshomewards.Myreflections,asIproceeded,perpetuallyrevolvedroundasinglepoint.



Thesewerescarcelymorethanarepetition,withslightvariations,ofasingleidea.

WhenIawokeinthemorning,Ihied,infancy,tothewilderness.Isawnothingbutthefigureofthewandererbeforeme.Itracedhisfootstepsanew,retoldmynarrative,andponderedonhisgesturesandwords.Myconditionwasnotdestituteofenjoyment.Mystormypassionshadsubsidedintoacalm,portentousandawful.Mysoulwasbigwithexpectation.IseemedasifIwereontheeveofbeingusheredintoaworldwhosescenesweretremendousbutsublime.Thesuggestionsofsorrowandmalicehad,foratime,takentheirflight,andyieldedplacetoageneroussympathy,whichfilledmyeyeswithtears,buthadmoreinitofpleasurethanofpain.ThatClitherowasinstrumentaltothedeathofWaldegrave,thathecouldfurnishtheclueexplanatoryofeverybloodyandmysteriouseventthathadhithertooccurred,therewasnolongerthepossibilityofdoubting."He,indeed,"saidI,"isthemurdererofexcellence;andyetitshallbemyprovincetoemulateafather'sclemency,andrestorethisunhappymantopurityandtopeace."

Dayafterdaypassed,withouthearinganythingofClithero.Ibegantogrowuneasyandimpatient.Ihadgainedsomuch,andbymeanssounexpected,thatIcouldmoreeasilyendureuncertaintywithrespecttowhatremainedtobeknown.Butmypatiencehaditslimits.Ishould,doubtless,havemadeuseofnewmeanstoacceleratethisdiscovery,hadnothistimelyappearancemadethemsuperfluous.

Sundaybeingatlengtharrived,IresolvedtogotoInglefield's,seekaninterviewwithhisservant,andurgehim,bynewimportunities,toconfidetomethesecret.Onmywaythither,Clitheroappearedinsight.Hisvisagewaspaleandwan,andhisformemaciatedandshrunk.Iwasastonishedatthealterationwhichthelapseofaweekhadmadeinhisappearance.AtasmalldistanceImistookhimforastranger.AssoonasIperceivedwhoitwas,Igreetedhimwiththeutmostfriendliness.Mycivilitiesmadelittleimpressiononhim,andhehastenedtoinformme,thathewascomingtomyuncle's,forthepurposeofmeetingandtalkingwithme.IfIthoughtproper,wewouldgointothewoodtogether,andfindsomespotwherewemightdiscourseatourleisureandbeexemptfrominterruption.

YouwilleasilyconceivewithwhatalacrityIacceptedhisinvitation.Wereturn

edfromtheroadintothefirstpath,andproceededinsilence,tillthewildnessofthesurroundingsceneryinformedusthatwewereintheheartofNorwalk.Welightedonarecess,towhichmycompanionappearedtobefamiliar,andwhichhadalltheadvantagesofsolitude,andwassuitabletorest.Herewestopped.Hithertomycompanionhaddisplayedacertaindegreeofcomposure.Nowhiscountenancebetokenedaviolentinternalstruggle.Itwasaconsiderabletimebeforehecouldcommandhisspeech.Whenhehadsofareffectedtheconquestofhisfeelings,hebegan.ChapterIV.

Youcalluponmeforaconfessionofmyoffences.Whatastrangefortuneismine!Thatahumanbeing,inthepresentcircumstances,shouldmakethisdemand,andthatIshouldbedriven,byanirresistiblenecessity,tocomplywithit!That

hereshouldterminatemycalamitousseries!Thatmydestinyshouldcalluponmetoliedownanddie,inaregionsoremotefromthesceneofmycrime;atadistancesogreatfromallthatwitnessedandenduredtheirconsequences!

Youbelievemetobeanassassin.Yourequiremetoexplainthemotivesthatinducedmetomurdertheinnocent.Whilethisisyourbelief,andthisthescopeofyourexpectations,youmaybesureofmycompliance.Icouldresisteverydemandbutthis.

ForwhatpurposehaveIcomehither?Isittorelatemystory?ShallIcalmlysi



there,andrehearsetheincidentsofmylife?Willmystrengthbeadequatetothisrehearsal?Letmerecollectthemotivesthatgovernedme,whenIformedthisdesign.Perhapsastrenuousnessmaybeimpartedbythemwhich,otherwise,Icannothopetoobtain.Forthesakeofthose,Iconsenttoconjureuptheghostofthepast,andtobeginatalethat,withafortitudelikemine,IamnotsurethatIshalllivetofinish.

Youareunacquaintedwiththemanbeforeyou.Theinferenceswhichyouhavedrawn,withregardtomydesignsandmyconduct,areatissueofdestructiveerrors.You,likeothers,areblindtothemostmomentousconsequencesofyourownactions.Youtalkofimpartingconsolation.Youboastthebeneficenceofyourintentions.Yousetyourselftodomeabenefit.Whataretheeffectsofyourmisguidedzealandrandomefforts?Theyhavebroughtmylifetoamiserableclose.Theyhaveshroudedthelastsceneofitinblood.Theyhaveputthesealtomyperdition.

Mymiseryhasbeengreaterthanhasfallentothelotofmortals.Yetitisbutbeginning.Mypresentpath,fullasitisofasperities,isbetterthanthatintowhichImustenterwhenthisisabandoned.Perhaps,ifmypilgrimagehadbeenlonger,Imight,atsomefutureday,havelighteduponhope.Inconsequenceofyourinterference,Iamforeverdebarredfromit.Myexistenceishenceforwardtobeinvariable.Thewoesthatarereservedformeareincapablealikeofalleviationorintermission.

ButIcamenothithertorecriminate.Icamenothithertoaccuseothers,butmyself.Iknowtheretributionthatisappointedforguiltlikemine.Itisjust.Imayshudderattheforesightofmypunishmentandshrinkintheenduranceofit;butIshallbeindebtedforpartofmytormenttothevigourofmyunderstanding,whichteachesmethatmypunishmentisjust.WhyshouldIprocrastinatemydoomandstrivetorendermyburdenmorelight?Itisbutjustthatitshouldcrushme.Itsprocrastinationisimpossible.Thestrokeisalreadyfelt.EvennowIdrinkofthecupofretribution.Achangeofbeingcannotaggravatemywoe.Tillconsciousnessitselfbeextinct,thewormthatgnawsmewillneverperish.

FainwouldIberelievedfromthistask.GladlywouldIburyinoblivionthetransactionsofmylife.Butno!Myfateisuniform.Thedemonthatcontrolledmeatfirstisstillinthefruitionofpower.Iamentangledinhisfold,andevery

effortthatImaketoescapeonlyinvolvesmeindeeperruin.Ineednotconceal,foralltheconsequencesofdisclosurearealreadyexperienced.Icannotendureagroundlessimputation,thoughtofreemefromitImustcreateandjustifyimputationsstillmoreatrocious.Mystorymayatleastbebrief.Iftheagoniesofremembrancemustbeawakenedafresh,letmedoallthatinmeliestoshortenthem.

IwasborninthecountyofArmagh.Myparentswereofthebettersortofpeasants,andwereabletoprovidemewiththerudimentsofknowledge.Ishoulddoubtlesshavetroddenintheirfootsteps,andhavespentmylifeinthecultivationoftheirscantyfields,ifaneventhadnothappened,Which,foralongtime,Iregardedasthemostfortunateofmylife,butwhichInowregardastheschemeofsomeinfernalagent,andastheprimarysourceofallmycalamities.

Myfather'sfarmwasaportionofthedemesneofonewhoresidedwhollyinthemetropolisandconsignedthemanagementofhisestatestohisstewardsandretainers.Thispersonmarriedaladywhobroughthimgreataccessionoffortune.Herwealthwasheronlyrecommendationintheeyesofherhusband,(whoseunderstandingwasdepravedbytheprejudicesofluxuryandrank,)butwastheleastofherattractionsintheestimateofreasonablebeings.

Theypassedsomeyearstogether.Iftheirunionwerenotasourceofmiserytothelady,shewasindebtedforhertranquillitytotheforceofhermind.Shewas



,indeed,governed,ineveryactionofherlife,bythepreceptsofduty,whileherhusbandlistenedtonocallsbutthoseofperniciousdissipation.Hewasimmersedinallthevicesthatgrowoutofopulenceandamistakeneducation.

Happilyforhiswife,hiscareerwasshort.Hewasenragedattheinfidelityofhismistress,topurchasewhoseattachmenthehadlavishedtwo-thirdsofhisfortune.Hecalledtheparamour,bywhomhehadbeensupplanted,tothefield.Thecontestwasobstinate,andterminatedinthedeathofthechallenger.

Thiseventfreedtheladyfrommanydistressfulandhumiliatingobligations.Shedeterminedtoprofitbyhernewly-acquiredindependence,tolivethenceforwardconformablytohernotionsofright,topreserveandimprove,byschemesofeconomy,theremainsofherfortune,andtoemployitinthediffusionofgood.Herplansmadeitnecessarytovisitherestatesinthedistantprovinces.

Duringherabodeinthemanorofwhichmyfatherwasavassal,shevisitedhiscottage.Iwasatthattimeachild.Shewaspleasedwithmyvivacityandpromptitude,anddeterminedtotakemeunderherownprotection.Myparentsjoyfullyaccededtoherproposal,andIreturnedwithhertothecapital.

Shehadanonlysonofmyownage.Herdesign,inrelationtome,wasthatIshouldbeeducatedwithherchild,andthatanaffection,inthisway,mightbeexcitedinmetowardsmyyoungmaster,whichmightrenderme,whenweshouldattaintomanhood,oneofhismostfaithfulandintelligentdependants.Ienjoyed,equ

allywithhim,alltheessentialbenefitsofeducation.Therewerecertainaccomplishments,fromwhichIwasexcluded,fromthebeliefthattheywereunsuitabletomyrankandstation.Iwaspermittedtoacquireothers,which,hadshebeenactuatedbytruediscernment,shewould,perhaps,havediscoveredtobefarmoreincompatiblewithaservilestation.Inproportionasmyviewswererefinedandenlargedbyhistoryandscience,Iwaslikelytocontractathirstofindependence,andanimpatienceofsubjectionandpoverty.

Whentheperiodofchildhoodandyouthwaspast,itwasthoughtpropertosendhersontoimprovehisknowledgeandmannersbyaresidenceonthecontinent.Thisyoungmanwasendowedwithsplendidabilities.Hiserrorswerethegrowthofhiscondition.Alltheexpedientsthatmaternalsolicitudeandwisdomcouldsuggestwereemployedtorenderhimausefulcitizen.Perhapsthiswisdomwasatteste

dbythelargeshareofexcellencewhichhereallypossessed;andthathischaracterwasnotunblemishedprovedonlythatnoexertionscouldpreservehimfromthevicesthatareinherentinwealthandrank,andwhichflowfromthespectacleofuniversaldepravity.

Astome,itwouldbefollytodenythatIhadbenefitedbymyopportunitiesofimprovement.Ifulfilledtheexpectationofmymistress,inonerespect.Iwasdeeplyimbuedwithaffectionforherson,andreverenceforherself.Perhapstheforceofeducationwasevincedinthoseparticulars,withoutreflectinganycreditonthedirectorsofit.Thosemightmeritthenameofdefects,whichwereregardedbythemasaccomplishments.Myunfavourablequalities,likethoseofmymaster,wereimputedtomycondition,though,perhaps,thedifferencewasadvantageoustome,sincethevicesofservitudearelesshatefulthanthoseoftyranny.

ItwasresolvedthatIshouldaccompanymymasterinhistravels,inqualityoffavouritedomestic.Myprinciples,whatevermightbetheirrectitude,wereharmoniousandflexible.Ihaddevotedmylifetotheserviceofmypatron.Ihadformedconceptionsofwhatwasreallyconducivetohisinterest,andwasnottobemisledbyspeciousappearances.Ifmyaffectionhadnotstimulatedmydiligence,Ishouldhavefoundsufficientmotivesinthebehaviourofhismother.Shecondescendedtoexpressherrelianceonmyintegrityandjudgment.Shewasnotashamedtomanifest,atparting,thetendernessofamother,andtoacknowledgethatallhertearswerenotshedonherson'saccount.Ihadmypartintheregretst



hatcalledthemforth.

Duringourabsence,Iwasmymaster'sconstantattendant.Icorrespondedwithhismother,andmadetheconductofhersontheprincipalthemeofmyletters.Ideemeditmyprivilege,aswellasduty,tositinjudgmentonhisactions,toformmyopinionswithoutregardtoselfishconsiderations,andtoavowthemwhenevertheavowaltendedtobenefit.EveryletterwhichIwrote,particularlythoseinwhichhisbehaviourwasfreelycriticized,Iallowedhimtoperuse.Iwould,onnoaccount,conniveatorparticipateintheslightestirregularity.Iknewthedutyofmystation,andassumednoothercontrolthanthatwhichresultedfromtheavoidingofdeceit,andtheopenexpressionofmysentiments.Theyouthwasofanoblespirit,buthisfirmnesswaswavering.HeyieldedtotemptationswhichacensorlessrigorousthanIwouldhaveregardedasvenial,or,perhaps,laudable.Mydutyrequiredmetosetbeforehimtheconsequencesofhisactions,andtogiveimpartialandtimelyinformationtohismother.

Hecouldnotbrookamonitor.Themoreheneededreproofthelesssupportableitbecame.Mycompanybecameeverydaylessagreeable,tillatlengththereappearedanecessityofparting.Aseparationtookplace,butnotasenemies.Ineverlosthisrespect.Inhisrepresentationstohismother,hewasjusttomycharacterandservices.Mydismissionwasnotallowedtoinjuremyfortune,andhismotherconsideredthiseventmerelyasanewproofoftheinflexibleconsistencyofmyprinciples.

Onthischangeinmysituation,sheproposedtometobecomeamemberofherownfamily.Noproposalcouldbemoreacceptable.Iwasfullyacquaintedwiththecharacterofthislady,andhadnothingtofearfrominjusticeandcaprice.Ididnotregardherwithfilialfamiliarity,butmyattachmentandreverencewouldhavedonehonourtothatrelation.Iperformedforherthefunctionsofasteward.Herestatesinthecitywereputundermydirection.Sheplacedboundlessconfidenceinmydiscretionandintegrity,andconsignedtomethepayment,and,insomedegree,theselectionandgovernment,ofherservants.Mystationwasaservileone,yetmostoftheevilsofservitudewereunknowntome.Mypersonaleaseandindependencewerelessinfringedthanthatofthosewhoareaccountedthefreestmembersofsociety.Iderivedasortofauthorityanddignityfromthereceiptanddisbursementofmoney.Thetenantsanddebtorsoftheladywere,insomerespects,mine.Itwas,forthemostpart,onmyjusticeandlenitythatthey

dependedfortheirtreatment.Mylady'shousehold-establishmentwaslargeandopulent.Herservantsweremyinferiorsandmenials.Myleisurewasconsiderable,andmyemolumentslargeenoughtosupplymewitheveryvaluableinstrumentofimprovementorpleasure.

ThesewerereasonswhyIshouldbecontentedwithmylot.Thesecircumstancesalonewouldhaverendereditmoreeligiblethananyother,butithadadditionalandfarmorepowerfulrecommendations,arisingfromthecharacterofMrs.Lorimer,andfromtherelationinwhichsheallowedmetostandtoher.

HowshallIenteruponthistheme?HowshallIexpatiateuponexcellencieswhichitwasmyfatetoviewintheirgenuinecolours,toadorewithanimmeasurableandinextinguishableardour,andwhich,nevertheless,itwasmyhatefultaskto

blastanddestroy?YetIwillnotbespared.Ishallfind,intherehearsal,newincitementstosorrow.Ideservetobesupremeinmisery,andwillnotbedeniedthefullmeasureofabitterretribution.

Noonewasbetterqualifiedtojudgeofherexcellencies.Acasualspectatormightadmireherbeauty,andthedignityofherdemeanour.Fromthecontemplationofthose,hemightgathermotivesforlovingorreveringher.Agewasfarfromhavingwitheredhercomplexion,ordestroyedtheevennessofherskin;butnotimecouldrobherofthesweetnessandintelligencewhichanimatedherfeatures.Herhabitualbeneficencewasbespokenineverylook.Alwaysinsearchofoccasions



fordoinggood,alwaysmeditatingscenesofhappiness,ofwhichshewastheauthor,orofdistress,forwhichshewaspreparingrelief,themosttorpidinsensibilitywas,foratime,subdued,andthemostdepravedsmittenbycharmsofwhich,inanotherperson,theywouldnotperhapshavebeensensible.

Acasualvisitantmightenjoyherconversation,mightapplaudtherectitudeofhersentiments,therichnessofherelocution,andherskillinalltheofficesofpoliteness.Butitwasonlyforhimwhodweltconstantlyunderthesameroof,tomarktheinviolableconsistencyofheractionsandopinions,theceaselessflowofhercandour,hercheerfulness,andherbenevolence.Itwasonlyforonewhowitnessedherbehaviouratallhours,insicknessandinhealth,hermanagementofthatgreatinstrumentofevilandgood,money,hertreatmentofherson,hermenials,andherkindred,rightlytoestimatehermerits.

Theintercoursebetweenuswasfrequent,butofapeculiarkind.Myofficeinherfamilyrequiredmeoftentoseeher,tosubmitschemestoherconsideration,andreceiveherdirections.Atthesetimesshetreatedmeinamannerinsomedegreeadaptedtothedifferenceofrankandtheinferiorityofmystation,andyetwidelydissimilarfromthatwhichadifferentpersonwouldhaveadoptedinthesamecircumstances.Thetreatmentwasnotthatofanequalandafriend,butstillmoreremotewasitfromthatofamistress.Itwasmerelycharacterizedbyaffabilityandcondescension,butassuchithadnolimits.

Shemadenoscrupletoaskmycounselineverypecuniaryaffair,tolistentomy

arguments,anddecideconformablytowhat,aftersufficientcanvassingsanddiscussions,shouldappeartoberight.Whenthedirectoccasionsofourinterviewweredismissed,Ididnotofcoursewithdraw.Todetainordismissmewasindeedatheroption;but,ifnoengagementinterfered,shewouldenterintogeneralconversation.Therewasnonewhocouldwithmoresafetytoherselfhavemadetheworldherconfessor;butthestateofsocietyinwhichshelivedimposedcertainlimitationsonhercandour.Inherintercoursewithmetherewerefewerrestraintsthanonanyotheroccasion.Mysituationhadmadememoreintimatelyacquaintedwithdomestictransactions,withherviewsrespectingherson,andwiththetermsonwhichshethoughtpropertostandwiththosewhomoldacquaintanceorkindredgavesometitletohergoodoffices.Inadditiontoallthosemotivestoacandidtreatmentofme,therewereotherswhichowedtheirefficacytohermaternalregardforme,andtotheartlessandunsuspectinggenerosityofherchara

cter.

Herhoursweredistributedwiththeutmostregularity,andappropriatedtothebestpurposes.Sheselectedhersocietywithoutregardtoanyqualitiesbutprobityandtalents.Herassociateswerenumerous,andhereveningconversationsembellishedwithallthatcouldcharmthesensesorinstructtheunderstanding.Thiswasachosenfieldforthedisplayofhermagnificence;buthergrandeurwasunostentatious,andhergravityunmingledwithhaughtiness.Fromthesemystationexcludedme;butIwascompensatedbythefreedomofhercommunicationsintheintervals.Shefoundpleasureindetailingtometheincidentsthatpassedonthoseoccasions,inrehearsingconversationsanddepictingcharacters.Therewasanuncommonportionofdramaticmeritinherrecitals,besidesvaluableandcuriousinformation.Oneuniformeffectwasproducedinmebythisbehaviour.Eachday

Ithoughtitimpossibleformyattachmenttoreceiveanynewaccessions,yetthemorrowwassuretoproducesomenewemotionofrespectorofgratitude,andtosettheunrivalledaccomplishmentsofthisladyinanewandmorefavourablepointofview.Icontemplatednochangeinmycondition.Thenecessityofchange,whateverwerethealternative,wouldhavebeenasubjectofpiercingregret.Ideemedmylifeacheapsacrificeinhercause.Notimewouldsufficetodischargethedebtofgratitudethatwasduetoher.Yetitwascontinuallyaccumulating.Ifananxiousthoughteverinvadedmybosom,itarosefromthissource.

Itwasnodifficulttaskfaithfullytoexecutethefunctionsassignedtome.No



meritcouldaccruetomefromthissource.Iwasexposedtonotemptation.Ihadpassedthefeverishperiodofyouth.Nocontagiousexamplehadcontaminatedmyprinciples.Ihadresisted,theallurementsofsensualityanddissipationincidenttomyage.Mydwellingwasinpompandsplendour.Ihadamassedsufficienttosecureme,incaseofunforeseenaccidents,intheenjoymentofcompetence.Mymentalresourceswerenotdespicable,andtheexternalmeansofintellectualgratificationwereboundless.Ienjoyedanunsulliedreputation.Mycharacterwaswellknowninthatspherewhichmyladyoccupied,notonlybymeansofherfavourablereport,butinnumberlesswaysinwhichitwasmyfortunetoperformpersonalservicestoothers.ChapterV.

Mrs.Lorimerhadatwin-brother.Naturehadimpressedthesameimageuponthem,andhadmodelledthemafterthesamepattern.Theresemblancebetweenthemwasexacttoadegreealmostincredible.Ininfancyandchildhoodtheywereperpetuallyliabletobemistakenforeachother.Astheygrewup,nothing,toasuperficialexamination,appearedtodistinguishthem,butthesexualcharacteristics.Asagaciousobserverwould,doubtless,havenotedthemostessentialdifferences.Inallthosemodificationsofthefeatureswhichareproducedbyhabitsandsentiments,notwopersonswerelessalike.Natureseemedtohaveintendedthemasexamplesofthefutilityofthosetheorieswhichascribeeverythingtoconformationandinstinctandnothingtoexternalcircumstances;inwhatdifferentmodesthesamematerialsmaybefashioned,andtowhatdifferentpurposesthesamematerialsmaybeapplied.Perhapstherudimentsoftheirintellectualcharacter,a

swellasoftheirform,w^erethesame;butthepowersthatinonecasewereexertedinthecauseofvirtuewere,intheother,misappliedtosordidandflagitiouspurposes.

ArthurWiatte(thatwashisname)hadeverbeentheobjectofhissister'saffection.Aslongasheexisted,sheneverceasedtolabourinthepromotionofhishappiness.Allherkindnesswasrepaidbyasternandinexorablehatred.Thismanwasanexceptiontoalltheruleswhichgovernusinourjudgmentsofhumannature.Heexceededindepravityallthathasbeenimputedtothearch-foeofmankind.Hiswickednesswaswithoutanyofthoseremorsefulintermissionsfromwhichithasbeensupposedthatthedeepestguiltisnotentirelyexempt.Heseemedtorelishnofoodbutpureunadulteratedevil.Herejoicedinproportiontothedepthofthatdistressofwhichhewastheauthor.

Hissister,bybeingplacedmostwithinthereachofhisenmity,experienceditsworsteffects.Shewasthesubjectonwhich,bybeingacquaintedwiththemeansofinfluencingherhappiness,hecouldtryhismalignantexperimentswithmosthopeofsuccess.Herparentsbeinghighinrankandwealth,themarriageoftheirdaughterwas,ofcourse,anobjectofanxiousattention.Thereisnoeventonwhichourfelicityandusefulnessmoremateriallydepends,andwithregardtowhich,therefore,thefreedomofchoiceandtheexerciseofourownunderstandingoughttobelessinfringed;butthismaximiscommonlydisregardedinproportiontotheelevationofourrankandextentofourproperty.

Theladymadeherownelection;butshewrasoneofthosewhoactedonacomprehensiveplan,andwouldnotadmitherprivateinclinationtodictateherdecision

.Thehappinessofothers,thoughfoundedonmistakenviews,shedidnotconsiderasunworthyofherregard.Thechoicewassuchaswasnotlikelytoobtaintheparentalsanction,towhomthemoralqualitiesoftheirson-in-law,thoughnotabsolutelyweightlessinthebalance,weregreatlyinferiortotheconsiderationsofwealthanddignity.

Thebrothersetnovalueonanythingbutthemeansofluxuryandpower.Hewasastonishedatthatperversenesswhichentertainedadifferentconceptionofhappinessfromhimself.Loveandfriendshipheconsideredasgroundlessandchimerical,andbelievedthatthosedelusionswould,inpeopleofsense,berectifiedby



experience;butheknewtheobstinacyofhissister'sattachmenttothesephantoms,andthattobereaveherofthegoodtheypromisedwasthemosteffectualmeansofrenderinghermiserable.Forthisendhesethimselftothwartherwishes.Intheimbecilityandfalseindulgenceofhisparentshefoundthemostpowerfulauxiliaries.Heprevaileduponthemtoforbidthatunionwhichwantednothingbuttheirconcurrence,andtheirconsenttoendowherwithasmallportionoftheirpatrimony,torendercompletelyeligible.Thecausewasthatofherhappinessandthehappinessofhimonwhomshehadbestowedherheart.Itbehoovedher,therefore,tocallforthallherenergiesindefenceofit,toweakenherbrother'sinfluenceonthemindsofherparents,ortowinhimtobeheradvocate.WhenIreflectuponhermentalpowers,andtheadvantageswhichshouldseemtoflowfromthecircumstanceofpleadinginthecharacterofdaughteraridsister,Icanscarcelybelievethatherattemptsmiscarried.Ishouldhaveimaginedthatallobstacleswouldyieldbeforeher,andparticularlyinacaselikethis,inwhichshemusthavesummonedallherforces,andneverhavebelievedthatshehadstruggledsufficiently.

Certainitisthatherlotwasfixed.Shewasnotonlydeniedthehusbandofherchoice,butanotherwasimposeduponher,whoserecommendationswereirresistibleineveryone'sapprehensionbutherown.Thediscardedloverwastreatedwitheverysortofcontumely.Deceitandviolencewereemployedbyherbrothertobringhishonour,hisliberty,andevenhislife,intohazard.Alltheseiniquitiesproducednoinconsiderableeffectonthemindofthelady.Themachinationstowhichherlovewasexposedwouldhaveexasperatedhimintomadness,hadnother

moststrenuousexertionsbeendirectedtoappeasehim.

Sheprevailedonhimatlengthtoabandonhiscountry,thoughshetherebymerelyturnedherbrother'sdepravityintoanewchannel.Herparentsdiedwithoutconsciousnessoftheevilstheyinflicted,buttheyexperiencedabitterretributionintheconductoftheirson.Hewasthedarlingandstayofanancientandillustrioushouse,buthisactionsreflectednothingbutdisgraceuponhisancestry,andthreatenedtobringthehonoursoftheirlinetoaperiodinhisperson.Attheirdeaththebulkoftheirpatrimonydevolveduponhim.Thishespeedilyconsumedingamingandriot.Fromsplendidhedescendedtomeanervices.Theeffortsofhissistertorecallhimtovirtuewereunintermittedandfruitless.Heraffectionforhimheconvertedintoameansofprolonginghisselfishgratifications.Shedecidedforthebest.Itwasnoargumentofweaknessthatshewassofr

equentlydeceived.Ifshehadjudgedtrulyofherbrother,shewouldhavejudgednotonlywithoutexample,butinoppositiontothegeneralexperienceofmankind.Butshewasnottobeforeverdeceived.Hertendernesswassubservienttojustice.Andwhenhisviceshadledhimfromthegaming-tabletothehighway,whenseizedatlengthbytheministersoflaw,whenconvictedandsentencedtotransportation,herintercessionwassolicited,whenalltheworldknewthatpardonwouldreadilybegrantedtoasuppliantofherrank,fortune,andcharacter,whenthecriminalhimself,hiskindred,hisfriends,andevenindifferentpersons,imploredherinterference,herjusticewasinflexible.Sheknewfullwelltheincurablenessofhisdepravity;thatbanishmentwasthemildestdestinythatwouldbefallhim;thatestrangementfromancienthauntsandassociateswastheconditionfromwhichhistruefriendshadleasttofear.Findingentreatiesunavailing,thewretchdeliveredhimselftothesuggestionsofhismalice,andhevowedtob

ebloodilyrevengedonherinflexibility.Thesentencewasexecuted.Thatcharactermustindeedbemonstrousfromwhichtheexecutionofsuchthreatswastobedreaded.Theeventsufficientlyshowedthatourfearsonthisheadwerewellgrounded.Thisevent,however,wasatagreatdistance.Itwasreportedthatthefelons,ofwhomhewasone,mutiniedonboardtheshipinwhichtheyhadbeenembarked.Intheaffraythatsucceeded,itwassaidthathewaskilled.

Amongthenefariousdeedswhichheperpetratedwastobenumberedtheseductionofayounglady,whoseheartwasbrokenbythedetectionofhisperfidy.Thefruitofthisunhappyunionwasadaughter.Hermotherdiedshortlyafterherbirth



.Herfatherwascarelessofherdestiny.Shewasconsignedtothecareofahireling,who,happilyfortheinnocentvictim,performedthematernalofficesforherownsake,anddidnotallowthewantofastipulatedrecompensetorenderhorcruelorneglectful.

ThisorphanwassoughtoutbythebenevolenceofMrs.Lorimerandplacedunderherownprotection.Shereceivedfromherthetreatmentofamother.Thetiesofkindred,corroboratedbyhabit,wasnottheonlythingthatunitedthem.Thatresemblancetoherselfwhichhadbeensodeplorablydefectiveinherbrotherwascompletelyrealizedinhisoffspring.Natureseemedtohaveprecludedeverydifferencebetweenthembutthatofage.Thisdarlingobjectexcitedinherbosommorethanmaternalsympathies.HersoulclungtothehappinessofherClaricewithmoreardourthantothatofherownson.Thelatterwasnotonlylessworthyofaffection,buttheirseparationnecessarilydiminishedtheirmutualconfidence.

ItwasnaturalforhertolookforwardtothefuturedestinyofClarice.Ontheseoccasionsshecouldnothelpcontemplatingthepossibilityofaunionbetweenhersonandniece.Considerableadvantagesbelongedtothisscheme,yetitwasthesubjectofhoperatherthanthescopeofaproject.Thecontingencieswerenumerousanddelicateonwhichtheultimatedesirablenessofthisuniondepended.Shewasfarfromcertainthathersonwouldbeworthyofthisbenefit,orthat,ifhewereworthy,hispropensitieswouldnotselectforthemselvesadifferentobject.Itwasequallydubiouswhethertheyoungladywouldnotthinkproperotherwisetodisposeofheraffections.Theseuncertaintiescouldbedissipatedonl

ybytime.Meanwhileshewaschieflysolicitoustorenderthemvirtuousandwise.

Astheyadvancedinyears,thehopesthatshehadformedwereannihilated.Theyouthwasnotexemptfromegregiouserrors.Inadditiontothis,itwasmanifestthattheyoungpeopleweredisposedtoregardeachotherinnootherlightthanthatofbrotherandsister.Iwasnotunapprizedofherviews.Isawthattheirunionwasimpossible.IwasnearenoughtojudgeofthecharacterofClarice.Myyouthandintellectualconstitutionmademepeculiarlysusceptibletofemalecharms.Iwasherplayfellowinchildhood,andherassociateinstudiesandamusementsatamaturerage.Thissituationmighthavebeensuspectedofadangeroustendency.Thistendency,however,wasobviatedbymotivesofwhichIwas,foralongtime,scarcelyconscious.

Iwashabituatedtoconsiderthedistinctionsofrankasindelible.Theobstructionsthatexisted,toanywishthatImightform,werelikethoseoftimeandspace,and,intheirownnature,asinsuperable.

Suchwasthestateofthingsprevioustooursettingoutuponourtravels.Claricewasindirectlyincludedinourcorrespondence.Myletterswereopentoherinspection,andIwassometimeshonouredwithafewcomplimentarylinesunderherownhand.Onreturningtomyancientabode,Iwasoncemoreexposedtothosesinisterinfluenceswhichabsencehadatleastsuspended.Varioussuitorshad,meanwhile,beenrejected.Theircharacter,forthemostpart,hadbeensilchastoaccountforherrefusal,withoutresortingtothesuppositionofalurkingorunavowedattachment.

Onourmeetingshegreetedmeinarespectfulbutdignifiedmanner.Observerscoulddiscoverinitnothingnotcorrespondingtothatdifferenceoffortunewhichsubsistedbetweenus.Ifherjoy,onthatoccasion,hadinitsomeportionoftenderness,thesoftnessofhertemper,andthepeculiarcircumstancesinwhichwehadbeenplaced,beingconsidered,themostrigidcensorcouldfindnooccasionforblameorsuspicion.

Ayearpassedaway,butnotwithoutmyattentionbeingsolicitedbysomethingnewandinexplicableinmyownsensations.AtfirstIwasnotawareoftheirtrue



cause;butthegradualprogressofmyfeelingsleftmenotlongindoubtastotheirorigin.Iwasalarmedatthediscovery,butmycouragedidnotsuddenlydesertme.MyhopesseemedtobeextinguishedthemomentthatIdistinctlyperceivedthepointtowhichtheyled.Mymindhadundergoneachange.Theideaswithwhichitwasfraughtwrerevaried.ThesightorrecollectionofClaricewassuretooccasionmymindtoadverttotherecentdiscovery,andtorevolvetheconsiderationsnaturallyconnectedwithit.Somelatentglowsandsecrettrepidationswerelikewiseexperienced,when,bysomeaccident,ourmeetingswereabruptorourinterviewsunwitnessed;yetmyusualtranquillitywasnotasyetsensiblydiminished.Icouldbeartothinkofhermarriagewithanotherwithoutpainfulemotions,andwasanxiousonlythatherchoiceshouldbejudiciousandfortunate.

Mythoughtscouldnotlongcontinueinthisstate.Theygraduallybecamemoreardentandmuseful.TheimageofClariceoccurredwithunseasonablefrequency.Itscharmswereenhancedbysomenamelessandindefinableadditions.WhenitmetmeinthewayIwasirresistiblydisposedtostopandsurveyitwithparticularattention.Thepatheticcastofherfeatures,thedeepglowofhercheek,andsomecatchofmeltingmusicshehadlatelybreathed,stoleincessantlyuponmyfancy.Onrecoveringfrommythoughtfulmoods,Isometimesfoundmycheekswetwithtearsthathadfallenunperceived,andmybosomheavedwithinvoluntarysighs.Theseimagesdidnotcontentthemselveswithinvadingmywakefulhours,but,likewise,encroacheduponmysleep.Icouldnolongerresignmyselftoslumberwiththesameeaseasbefore.WhenIslept,myvisionswereofthesameimpassionedtenor.

Therewasnodifficultyinjudgingrightlyofmysituation.Iknewwhatitwasthatdutyexactedfromme.Toremaininmypresentsituationwasachimericalproject.Thattimeandreflectionwouldsufficetorestoremetomyselfwasanotionequallyfallacious.YetIfeltaninsupportablereluctancetochangeit.Thisreluctancewasowing,notwhollyorchieflytomygrowingpassion,buttotheattachmentwhichboundmetotheserviceofmylady.Allmycontemplationshadhithertobeenmodelledonthebeliefofmyremaininginmypresentsituationduringmylife.Mymildestanticipationshadneverfashionedaneventlikethis.Anymisfortunewaslightincomparisonwiththatwhichtoremefromherpresenceandservice.But,shouldIultimatelyresolvetoseparate,howshouldIcommunicatemypurpose?Thepainofpartingwouldscarcelybelessonhersidethanonmine.CouldIconsenttobetheauthorofdisquietudetoher?Ihadconsecratedallm

yfacultiestoherservice.ThiswastherecompensewhichitwasinmypowertomakeforthebenefitsthatIhadreceived.Wouldnotthisprocedurebeartheappearanceofthebasestingratitude?Theshadowofanimputationlikethiswasmoreexcruciatingthantherack.

WhatmotivecouldIassignformyconduct?Thetruthmustnotbetold.Thiswouldbeequivalenttosupplicatingforanewbenefit.Itwouldmorebecomemetolessenthanincreasemyobligations.Amongallmyimaginationsonthissubject,thepossibilityofamutualpassionneveroccurredtome.Icouldnotbeblindtotheessentialdistinctionsthatsubsistamongmen.Icouldexpatiate,likeothers,onthefutilityofribbonsandtitles,andonthedignitythatwasannexedtoskillandvirtue;butthese,forthemostpart,weretheincoherencesofspeculation,andinnodegreeinfluencedthestreamofmyactionsandpracticalsentim

ents.ThebarrierthatexistedinthepresentcaseIdeemedinsurmountable.Thiswasnoteventhesubjectofdoubt.Indisclosingthetruth,Ishouldbeconceivedtobesolicitingmylady'smercyandintercession;butthiswouldbethemadnessofpresumption.LetmeimpressherwithanyotheropinionthanthatIgoinsearchofthehappinessthatIhavelostunderherroof.Letmesavehergenerousheartfromthepangswhichthispersuasionwouldinfalliblyproduce.

Icouldformnostableresolutions.Iseemedunalterablyconvincedofthenecessityofseparation,andyetcouldnotexecutemydesign.WhenIhadwroughtupmymindtotheintentionofexplainingmyselfonthenextinterview,whenthenext



interviewtookplacemytonguewaspowerless.Iadmittedanyexcuseforpostponingmydesign,andgladlyadmittedanytopic,howeverforeigntomypurpose.

Itmustnotbeimaginedthatmyhealthsustainednoinjuryfromthisconflictofmypassions.Mypatronessperceivedthisalteration.Sheinquiredwiththemostaffectionatesolicitudeintothecause.Itcouldnotbeexplained.Icouldsafelymakelightofit,andrepresenteditassomethingwhichwouldprobablydisappearofitself,asitoriginatedwithoutanyadequatecause.Shewasobligedtoacquiesceinmyimperfectaccount.

Dayafterdaypassedinthisstateoffluctuation.Iwasconsciousofthedangersofdelay,andthatprocrastination,withoutrenderingthetasklessnecessary,augmenteditsdifficulties.Atlength,summoningmyresolution,Idemandedanaudience.Shereceivedmewithherusualaffability.Commontopicswerestarted;butshesawtheconfusionandtrepidationofmythoughts,andquicklyrelinquishedthem.Shethennoticedtomewhatshehadobserved,andmentionedtheanxietywhichtheseappearanceshadgivenherSheremindedmeofthematernalregardwhichshehadalwaysmanifestedtowardsme,andappealedtomyownheartwhetheranythingcouldbesaidinvindicationofthatreservewithwhichIhadlatelytreatedher,andurgedme,asIvaluedhergoodopinion,toexplainthecauseofadejectionthatwastoovisible.

ToallthisIcouldmakebutoneanswer:--"Thinkmenot,madam,perverseorungrateful.IcamejustnowtoapprizeyouofaresolutionthatIhadformed.Icann

otexplainthemotivesthatinduceme.Inthiscase,tolietoyouwouldbeunpardonable,and,sinceIcannotassignmytruemotives,Iwillnotmisleadyoubyfalserepresentations.Icanletoinformyouofmyintentiontoleaveyourservice,andtoretire,withthefruitsofyourbounty,tomynativevillage,whereIshallspendmylife,Ihope,inpeace."

Hersurpriseatthisdeclarationwasbeyondmeasure.Shecouldnotbelieveherears.Shehadnotheardmerightly.Shecompelledmetorepeatit.StillIwasjesting.Icouldnotpossiblymeanwhatmywordsimported.

Iassuredher,intermsstillmoreexplicit,thatmyresolutionwastakenandwasunalterable,andagainentreatedhertosparemethetaskofassigningmymotives.

Thiswasastrangedetermination.Whatcouldbethegroundsofthisnewscheme?Whatcouldbethenecessityofhidingthemfromher?Thismysterywasnottobeendured.Shecouldbynomeansawaywithit.ShethoughtithardthatIshouldabandonheratthistime,whenshestoodinparticularneedofmyassistanceandadvice.Shewouldrefusenothingtomakemysituationeligible.Ihadonlytopointoutwhereshewasdeficientinhertreatmentofme,andshewouldendeavourtosupplyit.ShewaswillingtoaugmentmyemolumentsinanydegreethatIdesired.Shecouldnotthinkofpartingwithme;but,atanyrate,shemustbeinformedofmymotives.

"Itisahardtask,"answeredI,"thatIhaveimposeduponmyself.Iforesawitsdifficulties,andthisforesighthashithertopreventedmefromundertakingit;

butthenecessitybywhichIamimpelledwillnolongerbewithstood.Iamdeterminedtogo;buttosaywhyisimpossible.IhopeIshallnotbringuponmyselftheimputationofingratitude;butthisimputation,moreintolerablethananyother,mustbeborne,ifitcannotbeavoidedbutbythisdisclosure.

"Keepyourmotivestoyourself,"saidshe."Ihavetoogoodanopinionofyoutosupposethatyouwouldpractiseconcealmentwithoutgoodreason.Imerelydesireyoutoremainwhereyouare.Sinceyouwillnottellmewhyyoutakeupthisnewscheme,Icanonlysaythatitisimpossiblethereshouldbeanyadvantageinthisscheme.Iwillnothearofit,Itellyou.Therefore,submittomydecree



withagoodgrace."

Notwithstandingthisprohibition,Ipersistedindeclaringthatmydeterminationwasfixed,andthatthemotivesthatgovernedmewouldallowofnoalternative.

"So,youwillgo,willyou,whetherIwillorno?Ihavenopowertodetainyou?YouwillregardnothingthatIcansay?"

"Believeme,madam,noresolutioneverwasformedafteramorevehementstruggle.Ifmymotiveswereknown,youwouldnotonlyceasetooppose,butwouldhasten,mydeparture.Honourmesofarwithyourgoodopinionastobelievethat,insayingthis,Isaynothingbutthetruth,andrendermydutylessburdensomebycheerfullyacquiescinginitsdictates."

"Iwould,"repliedthelady,"IcouldfindsomebodythathasmorepoweroveryouthanIhave.WhomshallIcallintoaidmeinthisarduoustask?"

"Nay,dearmadam,ifIcanresistyourentreaties,surelynoothercanhopetosucceed."

"Iamnotsureofthat,"saidmyfriend,archly;"thereisonepersonintheworldwhosesupplications,Igreatlysuspect,youwouldnotwithstand."

"Whomdoyoumean?"saidI,insometrepidation.

"Youwillknowpresently.UnlessIcanprevailuponyou,Ishallbeobligedtocallforassistance."

"Sparemethepainofrepeatingthatnopoweronearthcanchangemyresolution."

"That'safib,"sherejoined,withincreasedarchness."Youknowitis.Ifacertainpersonentreatyoutostay,youwilleasilycomply.IseeIcannothopetoprevailbymyownstrength.Thatisamortifyingconsideration:butwemustnotpart;thatisapointsettled.Ifnothingelsewilldo,Imustgoandfetchmyadvocate.Stayhereamoment."

Ihadscarcelytimetobreathe,beforeshereturned,leadinginClarice.Ididnotyetcomprehendthemeaningofthisceremony.Theladywasoverwhelmedwithsweetconfusion.Avertedeyesandreluctantstepsmighthaveexplainedtomethepurposeofthismeeting,ifIhadbelievedthatpurposetobepossible.Ifeltthenecessityofnewfortitude,andstruggledtorecollectthemotivesthathadhithertosustainedme.

"There!"saidmypatroness;"Ihavebeenendeavouringtopersuadethisyoungmantolivewithusalittlelonger.Heisdetermined,itseems,tochangehisabode.Hewillnottellwhy,andIdonotcaretoknow,unlessIcouldshowhisreasonstobegroundless.Ihavemerelyremonstratedwithhimonthefollyofhisscheme,buthehasprovedrefractorytoallIcansay.Perhapsyoureffortsmaymeetwithbettersuccess."

Claricesaidnotaword.Myownembarrassmentequallydisabledmefromspeaking.Regardingusboth,forsometime,withabenignaspect,Mrs.Lorimerresumed,takingahandofeachandjoiningthemtogether:--

"Iverywellknowwhatitwasthatsuggestedthisscheme.Itisstrangethatyoushouldsupposemesocarelessanobserverasnottonote,ornottounderstand,yoursituation.Iamaswellacquaintedwithwhatispassinginyourheartasyouyourselfare:butwhyareyousoanxioustoconcealit?YouknowlessoftheadventurousnessoflovethanIshouldhavesuspected.ButIwillnottriflewith



yourfeelings.

"You,Clithero,knowthewishesthatIoncecherished.Ihadhopedthatmysonwouldhavefound,inthisdarlingchild,anobjectworthyofhischoice,andthatmygirlwouldhavepreferredhimtoallothers.ButIhavelongsincediscoveredthatthiscouldnotbe.Theyarenowisesuitedtoeachother.Thereisonethinginthenextplacedesirable,andnowmywishesareaccomplished.Iseethatyouloveeachother;andnever,inmyopinion,wasapassionmorerationalandjust.IshouldthinkmyselftheworstofbeingsifIdidnotcontributeallinmypowertoyourhappiness.Thereisnottheshadowofobjectiontoyourunion.Iknowyourscruples,Clithero,andamsorrytoseethatyouharbourthemforamoment.Nothingismoreunworthyofyourgoodsense.

"Ifoundoutthisgirllongago.Takemywordforit,youngman,shedoesnotfallshortofyouinthepurityandtendernessofherattachment.Whatneedisthereoftediouspreliminaries?Iwillleaveyoutogether,andhopeyouwillnotbelongincomingtoamutualunderstanding.Yourunioncannotbecompletedtoosoonformywishes.Clariceismyonlyanddarlingdaughter.Astoyou,Clithero,expecthenceforththattreatmentfromme,notonlytowhichyourownmeritentitlesyou,butwhichisduetothehusbandofmydaughter."--Withthesewordssheretired,andleftustogether.

GreatGod!delivermefromthetormentsofthisremembrance.ThatabeingbywhomIwassnatchedfrompenuryandbrutalignorance,exaltedtosomerankinthei

ntelligentcreation,rearedtoaffluenceandhonour,andthus,atlast,spontaneouslyendowedwithallthatremainedtocompletethesumofmyfelicity,thatabeinglikethis-Butsuchthoughtsmustnotyetbe:Imustshutthemout,orIshallneverarriveattheendofmytale.Myeffortshavebeenthusfarsuccessful.Ihavehithertobeenabletodeliveracoherentnarrative.LetthelastwordsthatIshallspeakaffordsomeglimmeringofmybetterdays.Letmeexecutewithoutfalteringtheonlytaskthatremainsforme.ChapterVI.

Howpropitious,howincredible,wasthisevent!Icouldscarcelyconfideinthetestimonyofmysenses.WasittruethatClaricewasbeforeme,thatshewaspreparedtocountenancemypresumption,thatshehadslightedobstacleswhichIhaddeemedinsurmountable,thatIwasfondlybelovedbyher,andshouldshortlybe

admittedtothepossessionofsoinestimableagood?IwillnotrepeatthetermsinwhichIpouredforth,atherfeet,therapturesofmygratitude.MyimpetuositysoonextortedfromClariceaconfirmationofhermother'sdeclaration.Anunrestrainedintercoursewasthenceforthestablishedbetweenus.Dejectionandlanguorgaveplace,inmybosom,totheirradiationsofjoyandhope.Myflowingfortunesseemedtohaveattainedtheirutmostandimmutableheight.

Alas!Theyweredestinedtoebbwithunspeakably-greaterrapidity,andtoleaveme,inamoment,strandedandwrecked.

Ournuptialswouldhavebeensolemnizedwithoutdelay,hadnotamelancholydutyinterfered.Claricehadafriendinadistantpartofthekingdom.Herhealthhadlongbeenthepreyofaconsumption.Shewasnowevidentlytendingtodissolu

tion.Inthisextremitysheentreatedherfriendtoaffordhertheconsolationofherpresence.Theonlywishthatremainedwastodieinherarms.

Thisrequestcouldnotbutbewillinglycompliedwith.Itbecamemepatientlytoendurethedelaythatwouldthencearisetothecompletionofmywishes.Consideringtheurgencyandmournfulnessoftheoccasion,itwasimpossibleformetomurmur,andtheaffectionateClaricewouldsuffernothingtointerferewiththedutywhichsheowedtoherdyingfriend.Iaccompaniedheronthisjourney,remainedwithherafewdays,andthenpartedfromhertoreturntothemetropolis.Itwasnotimaginedthatitwouldbenecessarytoprolongherabsencebeyondam



onth.WhenIbadeherfarewell,andinformedheronwhatdayIproposedtoreturnforher,Ifeltnodecayofmysatisfaction.Mythoughtswerebrightandfullofexultation.Whywasnotsomeintimationaffordedmeofthesnaresthatlayinmypath?Inthetrainlaidformydestruction,theagenthadsoskilfullycontrivedthatmysecuritywasnotmolestedbythefaintestomen.

Ihastentothecrisisofmytale.Iamalmostdubiousofmystrength.ThenearerIapproachtoit,thestrongerismyaversion.Mycourage,insteadofgatheringforceasIproceed,decays.Iamwillingtodwellstilllongeronpreliminarycircumstances.Thereareotherincidentswithoutwhichmystorywouldbelame.Iretailthembecausetheyaffordmeakindofrespitefromhorrorsatthethoughtofwhicheveryjointinmyframetrembles.Theymustbeendured,butthatinfirmitymaybeforgivenwhichmakesmeinclinedtoprocrastinatemysuffering.

Imentionedtheloverwhommypatronesswascompelled,bythemachinationsofherbrother,todiscard.Morethantwentyyearshadpassedsincetheirseparation.Hisbirthwasmeanandhewaswithoutfortune.Hisprofessionwasthatofasurgeon.Myladynotonlyprevaileduponhimtoabandonhiscountry,butenabledhimtodothisbysupplyinghisnecessitiesfromherownpurse.Hisexcellentunderstandingwas,foratime,obscuredbypassion;butitwasnotdifficultformyladyultimatelytoobtainhisconcurrencetoallherschemes.Hesawandadoredtherectitudeofhermotives,didnotdisdaintoaccepthergifts,andprojectedmeansformaintaininganepistolaryintercourseduringtheirseparation.

HerinterestprocuredhimapostintheserviceoftheEastIndiaCompany.Shewas,fromtimetotime,informedofhismotions.AwarbrokeoutbetweentheCompanyandsomeofthenativepowers.HewaspresentatagreatbattleinwhichtheEnglishweredefeated.Shecouldtracehimbyhislettersandbyothercircumstancesthusfar,butherethethreadwasdiscontinued,andnomeanswhichsheemployedcouldprocureanytidingsofhim.Whetherhewascaptive,ordead,continued,forseveralyears,tobemerelymatterofconjecture.

OnmyreturntoDublin,Ifoundmypatronessengagedinconversationwithastranger.Sheintroducedustoeachotherinamannerthatindicatedtherespectwhichsheentertainedforusboth.Isurveyedandlistenedtohimwithconsiderableattention.Hisaspectwasnobleandingenuous,buthissunburntandruggedfeaturesbespokeavariousandboisterouspilgrimage.Thefurrowsofhisbrowweret

heproductsofvicissitudeandhardship,ratherthanofage.Hisaccentswerefieryandenergetic,andtheimpassionedboldnessofhisaddress,aswellasthetenorofhisdiscourse,fullofallusionstothepast,andregretsthatthecourseofeventshadnotbeendifferent,mademesuspectsomethingextraordinaryinhischaracter.

Assoonasheleftus,myladyexplainedwhohewas.Hewasnootherthantheobjectofheryouthfulattachment,whohad,afewdaysbefore,droppedamongusasfromtheskies.Hehadalongandvariousstorytotell.Hehadaccountedforhissilencebyenumeratingtheincidentsofhislife.HehadescapedfromtheprisonsofHyder,hadwanderedonfoot,andundervariousdisguises,throughthenortherndistrictofHindostan.HewassometimesascholarofBenares,andsometimesadiscipleoftheMosque.Accordingtotheexigenciesofthetimes,hewasa

pilgrimtoMeccaortoJuggernaut.Byalong,circuitous,andperilousroute,heatlengtharrivedattheTurkishcapital.Hereheresidedforseveralyears,derivingaprecarioussubsistencefromtheprofessionofasurgeon.Hewasobligedtodesertthispost,inconsequenceofaduelbetweentwoScotsmen.OneofthemhadembracedtheGreekreligion,andwasbetrothedtothedaughterofawealthytraderofthatnation.Heperishedintheconflict,andthefamilyoftheladynotonlyprocuredtheexecutionofhisantagonist,butthreatenedtoinvolveallthosewhowereknowntobeconnectedwithhiminthesameruin.

Hislifebeingthusendangered,itbecamenecessaryforhimtoseekanewreside



nce.HefledfromConstantinoplewithsuchprecipitationasreducedhimtothelowestpoverty.HehadtraversedtheIndianconquestsofAlexander,asamendicant.Inthesamecharacter,henowwanderedoverthenativecountryofPhilipandPhilopoemen.Hepassedsafelythroughmultipliedperils,andfinally,embarkingatSalonica,hereachedVenice.HedescendedthroughthepassesoftheApenninesintoTuscany.Inthisjourneyhesufferedalongdetentionfrombanditti,bywhomhewaswaylaid.Inconsequenceofhisharmlessdeportment,andaseasonabledisplayofhischirurgicalskill,theygrantedhimhislife,thoughthey,foratime,restrainedhimofhisliberty,andcompelledhimtoenduretheirsociety.Thetimewasnotmisemployedwhichhespentimmuredincavernsandcarousingwithrobbers.Hisdetailswereeminentlysingularandcurious,andevincedtheacutenessofhispenetration,aswellasthesteadfastnessofhiscourage.

Afteremergingfromthesewilds,hefoundhiswayalongthebanksoftheArnotoLeghorn.ThenceheprocuredapassagetoAmerica,whencehehadjustreturned,withmanyadditionstohisexperience,butnonetohisfortune.

Thiswasaremarkableevent.Itdidnotatfirstappearhowfaritsconsequenceswouldextend.Theladywas,atpresent,disengagedandindependent.Thoughthepassionwhichcloudedherearlyprosperitywasextinct,timehadnotdiminishedtheworthofherfriend,andtheywerefarfromhavingreachedthatagewhenlovebecomeschimericalandmarriagefolly.Aconfidentialintercoursewasimmediatelyestablishedbetweenthem.ThebountyofMrs.Lorimersoondivestedherfriendofallfearofpoverty."Atanyrate,"saidshe,"heshallwandernofarther,

butshallbecomfortablysituatedfortherestofhislife."Allhisscrupleswerevanquishedbythereasonablenessofherremonstrancesandthevehemenceofhersolicitations.

Acordialintimacygrewbetweenmeandthenewly-arrived.Ourinterviewswerefrequent,andourcommunicationswithoutreserve.Hedetailedtometheresultofhisexperience,andexpatiatedwithoutendonthehistoryofhisactionsandopinions.Herelatedtheadventuresofhisyouth,anddweltuponallthecircumstancesofhisattachmenttomypatroness.OnthissubjectIhadheardonlygeneraldetails.Icontinuallyfoundcause,inthecourseofhisnarrative,toreveretheillustriousqualitiesofmylady,andtoweepatthecalamitiestowhichtheinfernalmaliceofherbrotherhadsubjectedher.

Thetaleofthatman'smisdeeds,amplifiedanddramatizedbytheindignanteloquenceofthishistorian,oppressedmewithastonishment.Ifapoethaddrawnsuchaportrait,Ishouldhavebeenpronetosuspectthesoundnessofhisjudgment.TillnowIhadimaginedthatnocharacterwasuniformandunmixed,andmytheoryofthepassionsdidnotenablemetoaccountforapropensitygratifiedmerelybyevil,anddelightinginshrieksandagonyfortheirownsake.

Itwasnaturaltosuggesttomyfriend,whenexpatiatingonthistheme,aninquiryastohowfarsubsequenteventshadobliteratedtheimpressionsthatwerethenmade,andastotheplausibilityofreviving,atthismoreauspiciousperiod,hisclaimsontheheartofhisfriend.Whenhethoughtpropertonoticethesehints,hegavemetounderstandthattimehadmadenoessentialalterationinhissentimentsinthisrespect;thathestillfosteredahope,towhicheverydayad

dednewvigour;that,whateverwastheultimateevent,hetrustedinhisfortitudetosustainit,ifadverse,andinhiswisdomtoextractfromitthemostvaluableconsequences,ifitshouldproveprosperous.

Theprogressofthingswasnotunfavourabletohishopes.Shetreatedhisinsinuationsandprofessionswithlevity;butherargumentsseemedtobeurgedwithnootherviewthantoaffordanopportunityofconfutation;and,sincetherewasnoabatementoffamiliarityandkindness,therewasroomtohopethattheaffairwouldterminateagreeablytohiswishes.ChapterVII.



Clarice,meanwhile,wasabsent.Herfriendseemed,attheendofamonth,tobelittlelessdistantfromthegravethanatfirst.Myimpatiencewouldnotallowmetowaittillherdeath.Ivisitedher,butwasoncemoreobligedtoreturnalone.Iarrivedlateinthecity,and,beinggreatlyfatigued,Iretiredalmostimmediatelytomychamber.

Onhearingofmyarrival,Sarsefieldhastenedtoseeme.Hecametomybedside,andsuch,inhisopinion,wastheimportanceofthetidingswhichhehadtocommunicate,thathedidnotscrupletorousemefromadeepsleep----

Atthisperiodofhisnarrative,Clitherostopped.Hiscomplexionvariedfromonedegreeofpalenesstoanother.Hisbrainappearedtosuffersomesevereconstriction.Hedesiredtobeexcused,forafewminutes,fromproceeding.Inashorttimehewasrelievedfromthisparoxysm,andresumedhistalewithanaccenttremulousatfirst,butacquiringstabilityandforceashewenton:--

Onwaking,asIhavesaid,Ifoundmyfriendseatedatmybedside.Hiscountenanceexhibitedvarioustokensofalarm.AssoonasIperceivedwhoitwas,Istarted,exclaiming,"Whatisthematter?"

Hesighed."Pardon,"saidhe,"thisunseasonableintrusion.Alightmatterwouldnothaveoccasionedit.Ihavewaited,fortwodayspast,inanagonyofimpatience,foryourreturn.Happilyyouare,atlast,come.Istandintheutmostnee

dofyourcounselandaid."

"Heavendefend!"criedI."Thisisaterribleprelude.Youmay,ofcourse,relyuponmyassistanceandadvice.Whatisitthatyouhavetopropose?"

"Tuesdayevening,"heanswered,"Ispenthere.ItwaslatebeforeIreturnedtomylodgings.Iwasintheactofliftingmyhandtothebell,whenmyeyewascaughtbyapersonstandingclosetothewall,atthedistanceoftenpaces.Hisattitudewasthatofoneemployedinwatchingmymotions.Hisfacewasturnedtowardsme,andhappened,atthatmoment,tobefullyilluminatedbytheraysofaglobe-lampthathungoverthedoor.Iinstantlyrecognisedhisfeatures.Iwaspetrified.Ihadnopowertoexecutemydesign,oreventomove,butstood,forsomeseconds,gazinguponhim.Hewas,innodegree,disconcertedbytheeagernes

sofmyscrutiny.Heseemedperfectlyindifferenttotheconsequencesofbeingknown.Atlengthheslowlyturnedhiseyestoanotherquarter,butwithoutchanginghisposture,orthesternnessofhislooks.Icannotdescribetoyoutheshockwhichthisencounterproducedinme.AtlastIwentintothehouse,andhaveeversincebeenexcessivelyuneasy."

"Idonotseeanygroundforuneasiness."

"Youdonotthensuspectwhothispersonis?"

"No."

"ItisArthurWiatte."

"Goodheaven!Itisimpossible.What!mylady'sbrother?"

"Thesame."

"Itcannotbe.Werewenotassuredofhisdeath?Thatheperishedinamutinyonboardthevesselinwhichhewasembarkedfortransportation?"

"Suchwasrumour,whichiseasilymistaken.Myeyescannotbedeceivedinthiscase.Ishouldaseasilyfailtorecognisehissister,whenIfirstmether,ash



Afteraslightrepastthecompanydispersed.Thisseparationtookplaceearlierthanusual,onaccountofaslightindispositioninMrs.Lorimer.SarsefieldandIwentouttogether.Wetookthatopportunityofexaminingouragent,and,receivingnosatisfactionfromhim,wedismissedhimforthatnight,enjoininghimtoholdhimselfinreadinessforrepeatingtheexperimentto-morrow.Myfrienddirectedhisstepshomeward,andIproceededtoexecuteacommissionwithwhichIhadchargedmyself.

Afewdaysbefore,alargesumhadbeendepositedinthehandsofabanker,fortheuseofmylady.Itwastheamountofadebtwhichhadlatelybeenrecovered.Itwaslodgedhereforthepurposeofbeingpaidondemandofherorheragents.Itwasmypresentbusinesstoreceivethismoney.Ihaddeferredtheperformanceofthisengagementtothislatehour,onaccountofcertainpreliminarieswhichwerenecessarytobeadjusted.

Havingreceivedthismoney,Ipreparedtoreturnhome.TheinquietudewhichhadbeenoccasionedbySarsefield'sintelligencehadnotincapacitatedmefromperformingmyusualdailyoccupations.Itwasathemetowhich,ateveryintervalofleisurefrombusinessordiscourse,Ididnotfailtoreturn.AtthosetimesIemployedmyselfinexaminingthesubjectonallsides;insupposingparticularemergencies,anddelineatingtheconductthatwaspropertobeobservedoneach.Mydailythoughtswere,bynomeans,sofear-inspiringasthemeditationsofthenighthadbeen.

AssoonasIleftthebanker'sdoor,mymeditationsfellintothischannel.Iagainreviewedtherecentoccurrences,andimaginedtheconsequenceslikelytoflowfromthem.Mydeductionswerenot,onthisoccasion,peculiarlydistressful.Thereturnofdarknesshadaddednothingtomyapprehensions.IregardedWiattemerelyasoneagainstwhosemaliceitwaswisetoemploythemostvigilantprecautions.Inrevolvingtheseprecautionsnothingoccurredthatwasnew.Thedangerappearedwithoutunusualaggravations,andtheexpedientsthatofferedthemselvestomychoicewereviewedwithatempernotmoresanguineordespondentthanbefore.

InthisstateofmindIbeganandcontinuedmywalk.ThedistancewasconsiderablebetweenmyownhabitationandthatwhichIhadleft.Mywaylaychieflythrou

ghpopulousandwell-frequentedstreets.Inonepartoftheway,however,itwasattheoptionofthepassengereithertokeepalongthelargestreets,orconsiderablytoshortenthejourneybyturningintoadark,crooked,andnarrowlane.Beingfamiliarwitheverypartofthismetropolis,anddeemingitadvisabletotaketheshortestandobscurestroad,Iturnedintothealley.Iproceededwithoutinterruptiontothenextturning.Onenight-officer,distinguishedbyhisusualensigns,wastheonlypersonwhopassedme.IhadgonethreestepsbeyondwhenIperceivedamanbymyside.Ihadscarcelytimetonoticethiscircumstance,whenahoarsevoiceexclaimed,"Damnye,villain,ye'readeadman!"

Atthesamemomentapistolflashedatmyear,andareportfollowed.This,however,producednoothereffectthan,forashortspace,tooverpowermysenses.Istaggeredback,butdidnotfall.

Theball,asIafterwardsdiscovered,hadgrazedmyforehead,butwithoutmakinganydangerousimpression.Theassassin,perceivingthathispistolhadbeenineffectual,muttered,inanenragedtone,"Thisshalldoyourbusiness!"Atthesametime,hedrewaknifeforthfromhisbosom.

Iwasabletodistinguishthisactionbytheraysofadistantlamp,whichglistenedontheblade.Allthispassedinaninstant.Theattackwassoabruptthatmythoughtscouldnotbesuddenlyrecalledfromtheconfusionintowhichtheywerethrown.Myexertionsweremechanical.Mywillmightbesaidtobepassive,an



ditwasonlybyretrospectandacontemplationofconsequencesthatIbecamefullyinformedofthenatureofthescene.

Ifmyassailanthaddisappearedassoonashehaddischargedthepistol,mystateofextremesurprisemighthaveslowlygivenplacetoresolutionandactivity.Asitwas,mysensewasnosoonerstruckbythereflectionfromtheblade,thanmyhand,asifbyspontaneousenergy,wasthrustintomypocket.Idrewforthapistol.

Helifteduphisweapontostrike,butitdroppedfromhispowerlessfingers.Hefell,andhisgroansinformedmethatIhadmanagedmyarmswithmoreskillthanmyadversary.Thenoiseofthisencountersoonattractedspectators.Lightswerebrought,andmyantagonistdiscoveredbleedingatmyfeet.Iexplained,asbrieflyasIwasable,thescenewhichtheywitnessed.Theprostratepersonwasraisedbytwomen,andcarriedintoapublichousenighathand.

Ihadnotlostmypresenceofmind.Iatonceperceivedtheproprietyofadministeringassistancetothewoundedman.Idespatched,therefore,oneofthebystandersforasurgeonofconsiderableeminence,wholivedatasmalldistance,andtowhomIwaswellknown.Themanwascarriedintoaninnerapartmentandlaiduponthefloor.ItwasnottillnowthatIhadasuitableopportunityofascertainingwhoitwaswithwhomIhadbeenengaged.Inowlookeduponhisface.Thepalenessofdeathcouldnotconcealhiswell-knownfeatures.ItwasWiattehimselfwhowasbreathinghislastgroansatmyfeet!

Thesurgeon,whomIhadsummoned,attended;butimmediatelyperceivedtheconditionofhispatienttobehopeless.Inaquarterofanhourheexpired.Duringthisinterval,hewasinsensibletoallaroundhim.Iwasknowntothesurgeon,thelandlord,andsomeofthewitnesses.Thecaseneededlittleexplanation.Theaccidentreflectednoguiltuponme.Thelandlordwaschargedwiththecareofthecorpsetillthemorning,andIwasallowedtoreturnhome,withoutfurtherimpediment.ChapterVIII.

Tillnowmymindhadbeenswayedbytheurgenciesofthisoccasion.Thesereflectionswereexcluded,whichrushedtumultuouslyuponmethemomentIwasatleisuretoreceivethem.Withoutforesightofapreviousmoment,anentirechangehad

beenwroughtinmycondition.

Ihadbeenoppressedwithasenseofthedangerthatflowedfromtheexistenceofthisman.Bywhatmeanstheperilcouldbeannihilated,andwebeplacedinsecurityfromhisattempts,noeffortsofmindcouldsuggest.Todevisethesemeans,andemploythemwithsuccess,demanded,asIconceived,themostpowerfulsagacityandthefirmestcourage.Nowthedangerwasnomore.Theintelligenceinwhichplansofmischiefmightbegeneratedwasextinguishedorflown.Lifelesswerethehandsreadytoexecutethedictatesofthatintelligence.Thecontriverofenormousevilwas,inonemoment,bereftofthepowerandthewilltoinjure.Ourpasttranquillityhadbeenowingtothebeliefofhisdeath.Fearanddismayhadresumedtheirdominionwhenthemistakewasdiscovered.Butnowwemightregainpossessionofourwontedconfidence.Ihadbeheldwithmyowneyesthelife

lesscorpseofourimplacableadversary.Thus,inamoment,hadterminatedhislongandflagitiouscareer.Hisrestlessindignation,hismalignantprojects,thathadsolongoccupiedthestageandbeensofertileofcalamity,werenowatanend!

Inthecourseofmymeditations,theideaofthedeathofthismanhadoccurred,anditboretheappearanceofadesirableevent.Yetitwaslittlequalifiedtotranquillizemyfears.Inthelongcatalogueofcontingencies,this,indeed,wastobefound;butitwasaslittlelikelytohappenasanyother.Itcouldnothappenwithoutaseriesofanterioreventspavingthewayforit.Ifhisdeathc



amefromus,itmustbethethemeofdesign.Itmustspringfromlaboriouscircumventionanddeep-laidstratagems.

No.Hewasdead.Ihadkilledhim.WhathadIdone?Ihadmeditatednothing.Iwasimpelledbyanunconsciousnecessity.Hadtheassailantbeenmyfather,theconsequencewouldhavebeenthesame.Myunderstandinghadbeenneutral.Coulditbe?Inaspacesoshort,wasitpossiblethatsotremendousadeedhadbeenexecuted?WasInotdeceivedbysomeportentousvision?IhadwitnessedtheconvulsionsandlastagoniesofWiatte.Hewasnomore,andIwashisdestroyer!

Suchwasthestateofmymindforsometimeafterthisdreadfulevent.PreviouslytoitIwascalm,considerate,andself-collected.ImarkedthewaythatIwasgoing.Passingobjectswereobserved.IfIadvertedtotheseriesofmyownreflections,myattentionwasnotseizedandfastenedbythem.Icoulddisengagemyselfatpleasure,andcouldpass,withoutdifficulty,fromattentiontotheworldwithin,tothecontemplationofthatwithout.

Nowmyliberty,inthisrespect,wasatanend.Iwasfettered,confounded,smittenwithexcessofthought,andlaidprostratewithwonder!Inolongerattendedtomysteps.WhenIemergedfrommystupor,IfoundthatIhadtroddenbackthewaywhichIhadlatelycome,andhadarrivedwithinsightofthebanker'sdoor.Icheckedmyself,andoncemoreturnedmystepshomeward.

Thisseemedtobeahintforenteringintonewreflections."Thedeed,"saidI,

"isirretrievable.Ihavekilledthebrotherofmypatroness,thefatherofmylove."

Thissuggestionwasnew.Itinstantlyinvolvedmeinterrorandperplexity.HowshallIcommunicatethetidings?Whateffectwilltheyproduce?Mylady'ssagacityisobscuredbythebenevolenceofhertemper.Herbrotherwassordidlywicked,--ahoaryruffian,towhomthelanguageofpitywasasunintelligibleasthegabbleofmonkeys.Hisheartwasfortifiedagainstcompunction,bytheatrocioushabitsoffortyyears;helivedonlytointerruptherpeace,toconfutethepromisesofvirtue,andconverttorancourandreproachthefairdameoffidelity.

Hewasherbrotherstill.Asahumanbeing,hisdepravitywasneverbeyondthehealth-restoringpowerofrepentance.Hisheart,solongasitbeat,wasaccessib

letoremorse.Thesingularityofhisbirthhadmadeherregardthisbeingasmoreintimatelyherbrother,thanwouldhavehappenedindifferentcircumstances.Itwasherobstinatepersuasionthattheirfateswereblended.Therumourofhisdeathshehadnevercredited.Itwasatopicofcongratulationtoherfriends,butofmourninganddistresstoher.Thathewouldonedayreappearuponthestage,andassumethedignityofvirtue,wasasourceofconsolationwithwhichshewouldneverconsenttopart.

Hercharacterwasnowknown.Whenthedoomofexilewaspronounceduponhim,shedeemeditincumbentonhertovindicateherselffromaspersionsfoundedonmisconceptionsofhermotivesinrefusingherinterference.Themanuscript,thoughunpublished,waswidelycirculated.Nonecouldresisthersimpleandtouchingeloquence,norrisefromtheperusalwithoutresigninghishearttothemostimpetu

ousimpulsesofadmiration,andenlistinghimselfamongtheeulogistsofherjusticeandherfortitude.Thiswastheonlymonument,inawrittenform,ofhergenius.Assuchitwasengravenonmymemory.Thepicturethatitdescribedwastheperpetualcompanionofmythoughts.

Alas!Ithad,perhaps,beenwellformeifithadbeenburiedineternaloblivion.Ireadinitthecondemnationofmydeed,theagoniesshewaspreparingtosuffer,andtheindignationthatwouldoverflowupontheauthorofsosignalacalamity.



Ihadrescuedmylifebythesacrificeofhis.WhereasIshouldhavedied.Wretchedandprecipitatecoward!Whathadbecomeofmyboastedgratitude?SuchwasthezealthatIhadvowedtoher.Suchtheserviceswhichitwasthebusinessofmylifetoperform.Ihadsnatchedherbrotherfromexistence.Ihadtornfromherthehopewhichshesoardentlyandindefatigablycherished.FromacontemptibleanddastardlyregardtomyownsafetyIhadfailedinthemomentoftrialandwhencalleduponbyHeaventoevincethesincerityofmyprofessions.

Shehadtreatedmyprofessionslightly.Myvowsofeternaldevotionshehadrejectedwithloftydisinterestedness.Shehadarraignedmyimpatienceofobligationascriminal,andcondemnedeveryschemeIhadprojectedforfreeingmyselffromtheburdenwhichherbeneficencehadlaiduponme.Theimpassionedandvehementanxietywithwhich,informerdays,shehaddeprecatedthevengeanceofherloveragainstWiatte,runginmyears.Mysenseswereshockedanewbythedreadfulsounds,"Touchnotmybrother.Whereveryoumeetwithhim,ofwhateveroutragehebeguilty,sufferhimtopassinsafety.Despiseme;abandonme;killme.AllthisIcanbearevenfromyou;butspare,Iimploreyou,myunhappybrother.Thestrokethatdepriveshimoflifewillnotonlyhavethesameeffectuponme,butwillsetmyportionineverlastingmisery."

TothesesupplicationsIhadbeendeaf.ItistrueIhadnotrusheduponhimunarmed,intendingnoinjurynorexpectingany.OfthatdegreeofwickednessIwas,perhaps,incapable.Alas!Ihaveimmersedmyselfsufficientlydeepincrimes.Ihavetrampledunderfooteverymotivedeartotheheartofhonour.Ihaveshown

myselfunworthythesocietyofmen.

Suchweretheturbulentsuggestionsofthatmoment.Mypaceslackened.Istopped,andwasobligedtosupportmyselfagainstawall.Thesicknessthathadseizedmyheartpenetratedeverypartofmyframe.Therewasbutonethingwantingtocompletemydistraction.--"Mylady,"saidI,"believedherfatetobeblendedwiththatofWiatte.Whoshallaffirmthatthepersuasionisagroundlessone?Shehadlivedandprospered,notwithstandingthegeneralbeliefthatherbrotherwasdead.Shewouldnothearkentotherumour.Why?Becausenothinglessthanindubitableevidencewouldsufficetoconvinceher?Becausethecounter-intimationflowedfromaninfalliblesource?Howcanthelattersuppositionbeconfuted?Hasshenotpredictedtheevent?

"Theperiodofterriblefulfilmenthasarrived.Thesameblowthatbereavedhimoflifehaslikewiseratifiedherdoom.

"Shehasbeendeceived.Itisnothingmore,perhaps,thanafondimagination.Itmattersnot.Whoknowsnotthecogencyoffaith?Thatthepulsesoflifeareatthecommandofthewill?Thebearerofthesetidingswillbethemessengerofdeath.Afatalsympathywillseizeher.Shewillshrink,andswoon,andperish,atthenews!

"Fondandshort-sightedwretch!Thisisthepricethouhastgivenforsecurity.Intherashnessofthythought,thousaidst,'Nothingiswantingbuthisdeathtorestoreustoconfidenceandsafety.'Lo!thepurchaseismade.Havocanddespair,thatwererestrainedduringhislife,wereletloosebyhislastsigh.Now

onlyisdestructionmadesure.Thylady,thyClarice,thyfriend,andthyself,are,bythisact,involvedinirretrievableandcommonruin!"

Istartedfrommyattitude.Iwasscarcelyconsciousofanytransition.Theintervalwasfraughtwithstupor,andamazement.Itseemedasifmysenseshadbeenhushedinsleep,whilethepowersoflocomotionwereunconsciouslyexertedtobearmetomychamber.Bywhatevermeansthechangewaseffected,thereIwas.

Ihavebeenabletoproceedthusfar.Icanscarcelybelievethetestimonyofmymemorythatassuresmeofthis.Mytaskisalmostexecuted;butwhenceshallI



obtainstrengthenoughtofinishit?WhatIhavetoldislightasgossamer,comparedwiththeinsupportableandcrushinghorrorsofthatwhichistocome.Heaven,intokenofitsvengeance,willenablemetoproceed.Itisfittingthatmysceneshouldthusclose.

Myfancybegantobeinfectedwiththeerrorsofmyunderstanding.Themoodintowhichmymindwasplungedwasincapableofanypropitiousintermission.Allwithinmewastempestuousanddark.Myearswereaccessibletonosoundsbutthoseofshrieksandlamentations.Itwasdeepestmidnight,andallthenoisesofagreatmetropoliswerehushed.YetIlistenedasiftocatchsomestrainofthedirgethatwasbegun.Sablerobes,sobs,andadrearysolemnityencompassedmeonallsides,Iwashauntedtodespairbyimagesofdeath,imaginaryclamours,andthetrainoffuneralpageantry.Iseemedtohavepassedforwardtoadistanteraofmylife.Theeffectswhichwerecomewerealreadyrealized.Theforesightofmiserycreatedit,andsetmeinthemidstofthathellwhichIfeared.

Fromaparoxysmlikethistheworstmightreasonablybedreaded,yetthenextsteptodestructionwasnotsuddenlytaken.Ipausedonthebrinkoftheprecipice,asiftosurveythedepthofthatfrenzythatinvadedme;wasabletoponderonthescene,anddeliberate,inastatethatpartookofcalm,onthecircumstancesofmysituation.Mymindwasharassedbytherepetitionofoneidea.Conjecturedeepenedintocertainty.Icouldplacetheobjectinnolightwhichdidnotcorroboratethepersuasionthat,intheactcommitted,Ihadinsuredthedestructionofmylady.Atlengthmymind,somewhatrelievedfromthetempestofmyfear

s,begantotraceandanalyzetheconsequenceswhichIdreaded.

ThefateofWiattewouldinevitablydrawalongwithitthatofhissister.Inwhatwaywouldthiseffectbeproduced?Weretheylinkedtogetherbyasympathywhoseinfluencewasindependentofsensiblecommunication?Couldshearriveataknowledgeofhismiserableandbyotherthanverbalmeans?Ihadheardofsuchextraordinarycopartnershipsinbeingandmodesofinstantaneousintercourseamongbeingslocallydistant.Wasthisanewinstanceofthesubtletyofmind?Hadshealreadyenduredhisagonies,andlikehimalreadyceasedtobreathe?

Everyhairbristledatthishorriblesuggestion.Buttheforceofsympathymightbechimerical.Buriedinsleep,orengagedincarelessmeditation,theinstrumentbywhichherdestinymightbeaccomplishedwasthesteelofanassassin.Ase

riesofevents,equallybeyondthereachofforesightwiththosewhichhadjusthappened,mightintroduce,withequalabruptness,asimilardisaster.What,atthatmoment,washercondition?Reposinginsafetyinherchamber,asherfamilyimagined.Butweretheynotdeceived?Wasshenotamangledcorpse?Whateverwerehersituation,itcouldnotbeascertained,exceptbyextraordinarymeans,tillthemorning.Wasitwisetodeferthescrutinytillthen?Whynotinstantlyinvestigatethetruth?

Theseideaspassedrapidlythroughmymind.Aconsiderableportionoftimeandamplificationofphrasearenecessarytoexhibit,verbally,ideascontemplatedinaspaceofincalculablebrevity.WiththesamerapidityIconceivedtheresolutionofdeterminingthetruthofmysuspicions.Allthefamily,butmyself,wereatrest.Windingpassageswouldconductme,withoutdangerofdisturbingthem,t

othehall,fromwhichdoublestaircasesascended.Oneoftheseledtoasaloonabove,ontheeastsideofwhichwasadoorthatcommunicatedwithasuiteofroomsoccupiedbytheladyofthemansion.Thefirstwasanantechamber,inwhichafemaleservantusuallylay.Thesecondwasthelady'sownbedchamber.Thiswasasacredrecess,withwhosesituation,relativetotheotherapartmentsofthebuilding,Iwaswellacquainted,butofwhichIknewnothingfrommyownexamination,havingneverbeenadmittedintoit.

ThitherIwasnowresolvedtorepair.Iwasnotdeterredbythesanctityoftheplaceandhour.Iwasinsensibletoallconsequencesbuttheremovalofmydoubt



s.Notthatmyhopeswerebalancedbymyfears.Thatthesametragedyhadbeenperformedinherchamberandinthestreet,nothinghinderedmefrombelievingwithasmuchcogencyasifmyowneyeshadwitnessedit,butthereluctancewithwhichweadmitadetestabletruth.

Toterminateastateofintolerablesuspense,Iresolvedtoproceedforthwithtoherchamber.Itookthelightandpaced,withnointerruption,alongthegalleries.Iusednoprecaution.IfIhadmetaservantorrobber,IamnotsurethatIshouldhavenoticedhim.Myattentionwastooperfectlyengrossedtoallowmetospareanytoacasualobject.Icannotaffirmthatnooneobservedme.This,however,wasprobablefromthedistributionofthedwelling.Itconsistedofacentraledificeandtwowings,oneofwhichwasappropriatedtodomesticsandtheother,attheextremityofwhichmyapartmentwasplaced,comprehendedalibrary,androomsforformalandsocialandliteraryconferences.These,therefore,weredesertedatnight,andmywaylayalongthese.Henceitwasnotlikelythatmystepswouldbeobserved.

Iproceededtothehall.Theprincipalparlourwasbeneathherchamber.Intheconfusionofmythoughts,Imistookonefortheother.Irectified,assoonasIdetected,mymistake.Iascended,withabeatingheart,thestaircase.Thedooroftheantechamberwasunfastened.Ientered,totallyregardlessofdisturbingthegirlwhosleptwithin.Thebedwhichsheoccupiedwasconcealedbycurtains.Whethershewerethere,Ididnotstoptoexamine.Icannotrecollectthatanytokensweregivenofwakefulnessoralarm.ItwasnottillIreachedthedoorof

herownapartmentthatmyheartbegantofalter.

ItwasnowthatthemomentousnessofthequestionIwasabouttodeciderushedwithitsgenuineforceuponmyapprehension.Appalledandaghast,Ihadscarcelypowertomovethebolt.Iftheimaginationofherdeathwasnottobesupported,howshouldIbearthespectacleofwoundsandblood?Yetthiswasreservedforme.AfewpaceswouldsetmeinthemidstofasceneofwhichIwastheabhorredcontriver.Wasitrighttoproceed?Therewerestilltheremnantsofdoubt.Myforebodingsmightpossiblybegroundless.Allwithinmightbesafetyandserenity.Arespitemightbegainedfromtheexecutionofanirrevocablesentence.WhatcouldIdo?Wasnotanythingeasytoendureincomparisonwiththeagoniesofsuspense?IfIcouldnotobviatetheevilImustbearit,butthetormentsofsuspenseweresusceptibleofremedy.

Idrewbackthebolt,andenteredwiththereluctanceoffear,ratherthanthecautiousnessofguilt.Icouldnotliftmyeyesfromtheground.Iadvancedtothemiddleoftheroom.Notasoundlikethatofthedyingsalutedmy-ear.Atlength,shakingoffthefettersofhopelessness,Ilookedup.

Isawnothingcalculatedtoconfirmmyfears.Everywheretherereignedquietandorder.Myheartleapedwithexultation."Canitbe,"saidI,"thatIhavebeenbetrayedwithshadows?--Butthisisnotsufficient."

Withinanalcovewasthebedthatbelongedtoher.Ifhersafetywereinviolate,itwasherethatshereposed.Whatremainedtoconverttormentingdoubtintoravishingcertainty?Iwasinsensibletotheperilsofmypresentsituation.Ifsh

e,indeed,werethere,wouldnotmyintrusionawakenher?Shewouldstartandperceiveme,atthishour,standingatherbedside.HowshouldIaccountforanintrusionsounexampledandaudacious?Icouldnotcommunicatemyfears.Icouldnottellherthatthebloodwithwhichmyhandswerestainedhadflowedfromthewoundsofherbrother.

Mymindwasinaccessibletosuchconsiderations.Theydidnotevenmodifymypredominantidea.Obstacleslikethese,hadtheyexisted,wouldhavebeentrampledunderfoot.



Leavingthelamp,thatIbore,onthetable,Iapproachedthebed.Islowlydrewasidethecurtain,andbeheldhertranquillyslumbering.Ilistened,butsoprofoundwashersleep,thatnotevenherbreathingscouldbeoverheard.Idroppedthecurtainandretired.

Howblissfulandmildweretheilluminationsofmybosomatthisdiscovery!Ajoythatsurpassedallutterancesucceededthefiercenessofdesperation.Istood,forsomemoments,wrappedindelightfulcontemplation.Alas!itwasaluminousbuttransientinterval.Themadnesstowhoseblacksuggestionsitboresostrongacontrastbegannowtomakesensibleapproachesonmyunderstanding.

"True,"saidI,"shelives.Herslumberissereneandhappy.Sheisblindtoherapproachingdestiny.Somehourswillatleastberescuedfromanguishanddeath.Whenshewakes,thephantomthatsoothedherwillvanish.Thetidingscannotbewithheldfromher.Themurdererofthybrothercannothopetoenjoythysmiles.Thoseravishingaccents,withwhichthouhastusedtogreetme,willbechanged.Scowlingandreproaches,theinvectivesofthyangerandthemaledictionsofthyjustice,willrestuponmyhead,

"WhatistheblessingwhichImadethethemeofmyboastfularrogance?Thisintervalofbeingandreposeismomentary.Shewillawake,butonlytoperishatthespectacleofmyingratitude.Shewillawakeonlytotheconsciousnessofinstantly-impendingdeath.Whensheagainsleepsshewillwakenomore.I,herson,--I,whomthelawofmybirthdoomedtopovertyandhardship,butwhomherunsolici

tedbeneficencesnatchedfromthoseevils,andendowedwiththehighestgoodknowntointelligentbeings,theconsolationsofscienceandtheblandishmentsofaffluence,--towhomthedarlingofherlife,theoffspringinwhomarefaithfullypreservedthelineamentsofitsangelicmother,shehasnotdenied!WhatistherecompensethatIhavemade?HowhaveIdischargedthemeasurelessdebtofgratitudetowhichsheisentitled?Thus!--

"Cannotmyguiltbeextenuated?IstherenotagoodthatIcandothee?MustIperpetrateunmingledevil?Istheprovinceassignedmethatofaninfernalemissary,whoseeffortsareconcentredinasinglepurpose,andthatpurposeamalignantone?Iamtheauthorofthycalamities.Whatevermiseryisreservedforthee,Iamthesourcewhenceitflows.CanInotsetboundstothestream?CannotIpreventtheefromreturningtoaconsciousnesswhich,tillitceasestoexist,wi

llnotceasetoberentandmangled?

"Yes.Itisinmypowertoscreentheefromthecomingstorm;toacceleratethyjourneytorest.Iwilldoit."

Theimpulsewasnottoberesisted.Imovedwiththesuddennessoflightning.Armedwithapointedimplementthatlay----itwasadagger.AsIsetdownthelamp,Istrucktheedge.YetIsawitnot,ornoticeditnottillIneededitsassistance.Bywhataccidentitcamehither,towhatdeedofdarknessithadalreadybeensubservient,Ihadnopowertoinquire.Isteppedtothetableandseizedit.

Thetimewhichthisactionrequiredwasinsufficienttosaveme.Mydoomwasrat

ifiedbypowerswhichnohumanenergiescancounterwork.--NeedIgofurther?Didyouentertainanyimaginationofsofrightfulacatastrophe?Iamoverwhelmedbyturnswithdismayandwithwonder.Iampromptedbyturnstotearmyheartfrommybreastanddenyfaithtotheverdictofmysenses.

WasitIthathurriedtothedeed?No.Itwasthedemonthatpossessedme.Mylimbswereguidedtothebloodyofficebyapowerforeignandsuperiortomine.Ihadbeendefrauded,foramoment,oftheempireofmymuscles.Alittlemomentforthatsufficed.Ifmydestructionhadnotbeendecreed,whywastheimageofClaricesolongexcluded?YetwhydoIsaylong?Thefatalresolutionwasconceiv



ed,andIhastenedtotheexecution,inaperiodtoobriefformorethanitselftobeviewedbytheintellect.

Whatthen?Weremyhandsimbruedinthispreciousblood?Wasittothisextremityofhorrorthatmyevilgeniuswasdeterminedtourgeme?Toosurelythiswashispurpose;toosurelyIwasqualifiedtobeitsminister.

Iliftedtheweapon.Itspointwasaimedatthebosomofthesleeper.Theimpulsewasgiven.

Attheinstantapiercingshriekwasutteredbehindme,andastretched-outhand,graspingtheblade,madeitswervewidelyfromitsaim.Itdescended,butwithoutinflictingawound.Itsforcewasspentuponthebed.

Ohforwordstopaintthatstormytransition!Iloosedmyholdofthedagger.Istartedback,andfixedeyesoffranticcuriosityontheauthorofmyrescue.Hethatinterposedtoarrestmydeed,thatstartedintobeingandactivityatamomentsopregnantwithfate,withouttokensofhispurposeorhiscomingbeingpreviouslyimparted,couldnot,methought,belessthandivinity.

ThefirstglancethatIdartedonthisbeingcorroboratedmyconjecture.ItwasthefigureandlineamentsofMrs.Lorimer.Negligentlyhabitedinflowingandbrilliantwhite,withfeaturesburstingwithterrorandwonder,thelikenessofthatbeingwhowasstretcheduponthebednowstoodbeforeme.

AllthatIamabletoconceiveofangelwascomprisedinthemoralconstitutionofthiswoman.Thathergeniushadoverleapedallbounds,andinterposedtosaveher,wasnoaudaciousimagination.Inthestateinwhichmymindthenwas,nootherbeliefthanthiscouldoccupythefirstplace.

Mytonguewastied.Igazedbyturnsuponherwhostoodbeforeme,andherwholayuponthebed,andwho,awakenedbytheshriekthathadbeenuttered,nowopenedhereyes.Shestartedfromherpillow,and,byassuminganewandmoredistinctattitude,permittedmetorecogniseClariceherself!

Threedaysbefore,Ihadlefther,besidethebedofadyingfriend,atasolitarymansioninthemountainsofDonegal.Hereithadbeenherresolutiontoremai

ntillherfriendshouldbreatheherlast.Fraughtwiththispersuasion,knowingthistobetheplaceandhourofreposeofmylady,hurriedforwardbytheimpetuosityofmyownconceptions,deceivedbythefaintgleamwhichpenetratedthroughthecurtainandimperfectly-irradiatedfeatureswhichbore,atalltimes,apowerfulresemblancetothoseofMrs.Lorimer,Ihadrushedtothebrinkofthisterribleprecipice!

WhydidIlingerontheverge?Why,thusperilouslysituated,didInotthrowmyselfheadlong?Thesteelwasyetinmyhand.Asingleblowwouldhavepiercedmyheart,andshutoutfrommyremembranceandforesightthepastandthefuture.

Themomentofinsanityhadgoneby,andIwasoncemoremyself.InsteadofregardingtheactwhichIhadmeditatedasthedictateofcompassionorofjustice,i

tonlyaddedtothesumofmyingratitude,andgavewingstothewhirlwindthatwassenttobearmetoperdition.

PerhapsIwasinfluencedbyasentimentwhichIhadnotleisuretodistributeintoparts.Myunderstandingwas,nodoubt,bewilderedinthemazeofconsequenceswhichwouldspringfrommyact.HowshouldIexplainmycominghitherinthismurderousguise,myarmliftedtodestroytheidolofmysoulandthedarlingchildofmypatroness?InwhatwordsshouldIunfoldthetaleofWiatte,andenumeratethemotivesthatterminatedinthepresentscene?Whatpenaltyhadnotmyinfatuationandcrueltydeserved?WhatcouldIlessthanturnthedagger'spointa



gainstmyownbosom?

Asecondtime,theblowwasthwartedanddiverted.Oncemorethisbeneficentinterposerheldmyarmfromtheperpetrationofanewiniquity.Oncemorefrustratedtheinstigationsofthatdemon,ofwhosemaliceamysteriousdestinyhadconsignedmetobethesportandtheprey.

Everynewmomentaddedtothesumofmyinexpiableguilt.Murderwassucceeded,inaninstant,bythemoredetestableenormityofsuicide.Shetowhommyingratitudewasflagrantinproportiontothebenefitsofwhichshewastheauthor,hadnowaddedtoherformeractsthatofrescuingmefromthelastofmischiefs.

Ithrewtheweapononthefloor.Thezealwhichpromptedhertoseizemyarm,thisactionoccasionedtosubside,andtoyieldplacetothoseemotionswhichthisspectaclewascalculatedtoexcite.Shewatchedmeinsilence,andwithanairofineffablesolicitude.Clarice,governedbytheinstinctofmodesty,wrappedherbosomandfaceinthebedclothes,andtestifiedherhorrorbyvehementbutscarcely-articulateexclamations.

Imovedforward,butmystepswererandomandtottering.Mythoughtswerefetteredbyreverie,andmygesticulationsdestituteofmeaning.Mytonguefalteredwithoutspeaking,andIfeltasiflifeanddeathwerestrugglingwithinmeforthemastery.

Mywill,indeed,wasfarfrombeingneutralinthiscontest.TosuchasI,annihilationisthesupremegood.Toshakeofftheillsthatfastenonusbyshakingoffexistence,isalotwhichthesystemofnaturehasdeniedtoman.Byescapingfromlife,Ishouldbedeliveredfromthisscene,butshouldonlyrushintoaworldofretribution,andbeimmersedinnewagonies.

Iwasyettolive.Noinstrumentofmydeliverancewaswithinreach.Iwaspowerless.Torushfromthepresenceofthesewomentohidemeforeverfromtheirscrutinyandtheirupbraiding,tosnatchfromtheirmindsalltracesoftheexistenceofClithero,wasthescopeofunutterablelongings.

Urgedtoflightbyeverymotiveofwhichmynaturewassusceptible,Iwasyetrootedtothespot.Hadthepausebeenonlytobeinterruptedbyme,itwouldhave

lastedforever.

Atlength,thelady,claspingherhandsandliftingthem,exclaimed,inatonemeltingintopityandgrief,--

"Clithero!whatisthis?Howcameyouhither,andwhy?"

Istruggledforutterance:--"Icametomurderyou.Yourbrotherhasperishedbymyhands.Freshfromthecommissionofthisdeed,Ihavehastenedhithertoperpetratethesamecrimeuponyou."

"Mybrother!"repliedthelady,withnewvehemence."Oh,saynotso!Ihavejustheardofhisreturn,fromSarsefield,andthathelives."

"Heisdead,"repeatedI,withfierceness;"Iknowit.ItwasIthatkilledhim."

"Dead!"shefaintlyarticulated."Andbythee,Clithero?Oh!cursedchancethathinderedtheefromkillingmealso!Dead!Thenistheomenfulfilled!ThenamIundone!Lostforever!"

Hereyesnowwanderedfromme,andhercountenancesunkintoawildandruefulexpression.Hopewasutterlyextinguishedinherheart,andlifeforsookheratt



hesamemoment.Shesunkuponthefloorpallidandbreathless.

HowshecameintopossessionofthisknowledgeIknownot.ItispossiblethatSarsefieldhadrepentedofconcealment,and,intheintervalthatpassedbetweenourseparationandmyencounterwithWiatte,hadreturned,andinformedherofthereappearanceofthismiscreant.

Thus,then,wasmyfateconsummated.Iwasrescuedfromdestroyingherbyadagger,onlytobeholdherperishbythetidingswhichIbrought.Thuswaseveryomenofmischiefandmiseryfulfilled.ThuswastheenmityofWiatterenderedefficacious,andtheinstrumentofhisdestructionchangedintotheexecutionerofhisrevenge.

Suchisthetaleofmycrimes.Itisnotformetohopethatthecurtainofoblivionwillevershutoutthedismalspectacle.Itwillhauntmeforever.Thetormentsthatgrowoutofitcanterminateonlywiththethreadofmyexistence,butthat,Iknowfullwell,willneverend.Deathisbutashiftingofthescene;andtheendlessprogressofeternity,whichtothegoodismerelytheperfectionoffelicity,istothewickedanaccumulationofwoe.Theself-destroyerishisownenemy:thishaseverbeenmyopinion.Hithertoithasinfluencedmyactions.Now,thoughthebeliefcontinues,itsinfluenceonmyconductisannihilated.IamnostrangertothedepthofthatabyssintowhichIshallplunge.Nomatter.Changeispreciousforitsownsake.

Well,Iwasstilltolive.Myabodemustbesomewherefixed.Myconductwashenceforththeresultofaperverseandrebelliousprinciple.Ibanishedmyselfforeverfrommynativesoil.IvowednevermoretobeholdthefaceofmyClarice,toabandonmyfriends,mybooks,allmywontedlaboursandaccustomedrecreations.

Iwasneitherashamednorafraid.Iconsiderednotinwhatwaythejusticeofthecountrywouldaffectme.Itmerelymadenopartofmycontemplations.Iwasnotembarrassedbythechoiceofexpedientsfortrammellingupthevisibleconsequencesandforeludingsuspicion.Theideaofabjuringmycountryandflyingforeverfromthehatefulscenepartook,tomyapprehension,ofthevast,theboundless,andstrange;ofplungingfromtheheightoffortunetoobscurityandindigence,correspondedwithmypresentstateofmind.Itwasofapiecewiththetremendousandwonderfuleventsthathadjusthappened.

Theseweretheimagesthathauntedme,whileIstoodspeechlesslygazingattheruinbeforeme.Iheardanoisefromwithout,orimaginedthatIheardit.Myreveriewasbroken,andmymuscularpowerrestored.Idescendedintothestreet,throughdoorsofwhichIpossessedonesetofkeys,andhurriedbytheshortestwaybeyondtheprecinctsofthecity.Ihadlaidnoplan.Myconceptionswithregardtothefuturewereshapelessandconfused.Successiveincidentssuppliedmewithaclue,andsuggested,astheyrose,thenextsteptobetaken.Ithrewoffthegarbofaffluence,andassumedabeggar'sattire.ThatIhadmoneyaboutmefortheaccomplishmentofmypurposeswaswhollyaccidental.Itravelledalongthecoast,and,whenIarrivedatonetown,knewnotwhyIshouldgofarther;butmyrestlessnesswasunabated,andchangewassomerelief.IitlengtharrivedatBelfast.AvesselwaspreparingforAmerica.Iembracedeagerlytheopportuni

tyofpassingintoanewworld.IarrivedatPhiladelphia.AssoonasIlandedIwanderedhither,andwascontenttowearoutmyfewremainingdaysintheserviceofInglefield.

Ihavenofriends.WhyshouldItrustmystorytomother?Ihavenosolicitudeaboutconcealment;butwhoistherewhowillderivepleasureorbenefitfrommyrehearsal?AndwhyshouldIexpatiateonsohatefulascheme?YetnowhaveIconsentedtothis.Ihaveconfidedinyouthehistoryofmydisasters.Iamnotfearfuloftheusethatyoumaybedisposedtomakeofit.Ishallquicklysetmyselfbeyondthereachofhumantribunals.Ishallrelievetheministersoflawfrom



thetroubleofpunishing.Therecenteventswhichinducedyoutosummonmetothisconferencehavelikewisedeterminedmetomakethisdisclosure.

Iwasnotaware,forsometime,ofmyperturbedsleep.Nowonderthatsleepcannotsoothemiserieslikemine;thatIamalikeinfestedbymemoryinwakefulnessandslumber.YetIwasanewdistressedbythediscoverythatmythoughtsfoundtheirwaytomylips,withoutmybeingconsciousofit,andthatmystepswanderedforthunknowinglyandwithouttheguidanceofmywill.

Thestoryyouhavetoldisnotincredible.Thedisastertowhichyoualludedidnotfailtoexcitemyregret.Icanstillweepovertheuntimelyfallofyouthandworth.IcannootherwiseaccountformyfrequentinghisshadethanbythedistantresemblancewhichthedeathofthismanboretothatofwhichIwastheperpetrator.Thisresemblanceoccurredtomeatfirst.Ifhewereabletoweakentheimpressionwhichwasproducedbymycrime,thissimilitudewasadaptedtoreviveandenforcethem.

Thewilderness,andthecavetowhichyoufollowedme,werefamiliartomySundayrambles.OftenhaveIindulgedinaudiblegriefsonthecliffsofthatvalley.OftenhaveIbroodedovermysorrowsintherecessesofthatcavern.Thissceneisadaptedtomytemper.Itsmountainousasperitiessupplymewithimagesofdesolationandseclusion,anditsheadlongstreamslullmeintotemporaryforgetfulnessofmankind.

Icomprehendyou.YoususpectmeofconcerninthedeathofWaldegrave.Youcouldnotdootherwise.Theconductthatyouhavewitnessedwasthatofamurderer.Iwillnotupbraidyouforyoursuspicions,thoughIhaveboughtexemptionfromthematahighprice.ChapterIX.

Thereendedhisnarrative.Hestartedfromthespotwherehestood,and,withoutaffordingmeanyopportunityofreplyingorcommenting,disappearedamidstthethickestofthewood.Ihadnotimetoexertmyselfforhisdetention.Icouldhaveusednoargumentsforthisend,towhichitisprobablehewouldhavelistened.ThestoryIhadheardwastooextraordinary,toocompletelythereverseofallmyexpectations,toallowmetoattendtotheintimationsofself-murderwhichhedropped.

ThesecretwhichIimaginedwasabouttobedisclosedwasasinscrutableasever.Notacircumstance,fromthemomentwhenClithero'scharacterbecamethesubjectofmymeditations,tilltheconclusionofhistalk,butservedtoconfirmmysuspicion.Wasthiserrortobeimputedtocredulity.Wouldnotanyone,fromsimilarappearances,havedrawnsimilarconclusions?Oristhereacriterionbywhichtruthcanalwaysbedistinguished?Wasitowingtomyimperfecteducationthattheinquietudesofthismanwerenottracedtoadeedperformedatthedistanceofathousandleagues,tothemurderofhispatronessandfriend?

Ihadheardatalewhichapparentlyrelatedtoscenesandpersonsfardistant:but,thoughmysuspicionshaveappearedtohavebeenmisplaced,whatshouldhinderbutthatthedeathofmyfriendwas,inlikemanner,anactofmomentaryinsan

ityandoriginatedinalikespiritofmistakenbenevolence?

ButIdidnotconsiderthistalemerelyinrelationtomyself.Mylifehadbeenlimitedanduniform.Ihadcommunedwithromancersandhistorians,buttheimpressionmadeuponmebythisincidentwasunexampledinmyexperience.Myreadinghadfurnishedmewithnoinstanceinanydegreeparalleltothis,andIfoundthattobeadistantandsecond-handspectatorofeventswaswidelydifferentfromwitnessingthemmyselfandpartakingintheirconsequences.Myjudgmentwas,foratime,sunkintoimbecilityandconfusion.Mymindwasfulloftheimagesunavoidablysuggestedbythistale,buttheyexistedinakindofchaos,andnotot



herwisethangraduallywasIabletoreducethemtodistinctparticulars,andsubjectthemtoadeliberateandmethodicalinspection.

HowwasItoconsiderthisactofClithero?Whatadeplorableinfatuation!Yetitwasthenecessaryresultofaseriesofideasmutuallylinkedandconnected.Hisconductwasdictatedbyamotivealliedtovirtue.Itwasthefruitofanardentandgratefulspirit.

ThedeathofWiattecouldnotbecensured.ThelifeofClitherowasunspeakablymorevaluablethanthatofhisantagonist.Itwastheinstinctofself-preservationthatswayedhim.Heknewnothisadversaryintimeenoughtogovernhimselfbythatknowledge.Hadtheassailantbeenanunknownruffian,hisdeathwouldhavebeenfollowedbynoremorse.Thespectacleofhisdyingagonieswouldhavedweltuponthememoryofhisassassinlikeanyothermournfulsight,intheproductionofwhichheborenopart.

Itmustatleastbesaidthathiswillwasnotconcernedinthistransaction.Heactedinobediencetoanimpulsewhichhecouldnotcontrolnorresist.Shallweimputeguiltwherethereisnodesign?Shallamanextractfoodforself-reproachfromanactiontowhichitisnotenoughtosaythathewasactuatedbynoculpableintention,butthathewasswayedbynointentionwhatever?Ifconsequencesarisethatcannotbeforeseen,shallwefindnorefugeinthepersuasionofourrectitudeandofhumanfrailty?ShallwedeemourselvescriminalbecausewedonotenjoytheattributesofDeity?Becauseourpowerandourknowledgeareco

nfinedbyimpassableboundaries?

Butwhencearosethesubsequentintention?Itwasthefruitofadreadfulmistake.Hisintentswerenobleandcompassionate.Butthisisofnoavailtofreehimfromtheimputationofguilt.Noremembranceofpastbeneficencecancompensateforthiscrime.Thescaleloadedwiththerecriminationsofhisconscience,isimmovablebyanycounter-weight.

Butwhataretheconclusionstobedrawnbydispassionateobservers?Isitpossibletoregardthispersonwithdisdainorwithenmity?Thecrimeoriginatedinthoselimitationswhichnaturehasimposeduponhumanfaculties.Proofsofajustintentionareallthatarerequisitetoexemptusfromblame;heisthus,inconsequenceofadoublemistake.Thelightinwhichheviewsthiseventiserroneo

us.Hejudgeswrong,andisthereforemiserable.

HowimperfectarethegroundsofallourdecisionsWasitofnousetosuperintendhischildhood,toselecthisinstructorsandexamples,tomarktheoperationsofhisprinciples,toseehimemergingintoyouth,tofollowhimthroughvariousscenesandtryingvicissitudes,andmarktheuniformityofhisintegrity?Whowouldhavepredictedhisfutureconduct?Whowouldnothaveaffirmedtheimpossibilityofanactionlikethis?

HowmysteriouswastheconnectionbetweenthefateofWiatteandhissister!Bysuchcircuitousandyetinfalliblemeanswerethepredictionoftheladyandthevengeanceofthebrotheraccomplished!Inhowmanycasesmayitbesaid,asinthis,thatthepredictionwasthecauseofitsownfulfilment!Thattheveryact

whichconsiderateobservers,andevenhimself,foratime,imaginedtohaveutterlyprecludedtheexecutionofWiatte'smenaces,shouldbethatinevitablyleadingtoit!Thattheexecutionshouldbeassignedtohimwho,aboundinginabhorrence,andintheactofself-defence,wastheslayerofthemenacer!

Astheobstructerofhisdesigns,WiattewaylaidandassaultedClithero.Heperishedintheattempt.Werehisdesignsfrustrated?No.Itwasthusthathesecuredthegratificationofhisvengeance.Hissisterwascutoffinthebloomoflifeandprosperity.Byarefinementofgoodfortune,thevoluntaryministerofhismalicehadentaileduponhimselfexilewithoutreprieveandmiserywithoutend.



ButwhatchieflyexcitedmywonderwastheconnectionofthistalewiththedestinyofSarsefield.ThiswashewhomIhavefrequentlymentionedtoyouasmypreceptor.Aboutfouryearsprevioustothisera,heappearedinthisdistrictwithoutfortuneorfriend.Hedesired,oneevening,tobeaccommodatedatmyuncle'shouse.Theconversationturningontheobjectsofhisjourneyandhispresentsituation,heprofessedhimselfinsearchoflucrativeemployment.Myuncleproposedtohimtobecomeateacher,therebeingasufficientnumberofyoungpeopleinthisneighbourhoodtoaffordhimoccupationandsubsistence.Hefoundithisinteresttoembracethisproposal.

I,ofcourse,becamehispupil,anddemeanedmyselfinsuchamannerasspeedilytogrowintoafavourite.Hecommunicatedtousnopartofhisearlyhistory,butinformedussufficientlyofhisadventuresinAsiaandItalytomakeitplainthatthiswasthesamepersonalludedtobyClithero.Duringhisabodeamongushisconductwasirreproachable.Whenheleftus,hemanifestedthemostpoignantregret,butthisoriginatedchiefiyinhisregardtome.Hepromisedtomaintainwithmeanepistolaryintercourse.Sincehisdeparture,however,Ihadheardnothingrespectinghim.ItwaswithunspeakableregretthatInowheardofthedisappointmentofhishopes,andwasinquisitiverespectingthemeasureswhichhewouldadoptinhisnewsituation.Perhapshewould'oncemorereturntoAmerica,andIshouldagainbeadmittedtotheenjoymentofhissociety.ThiseventIanticipatedwiththehighestsatisfaction.

Atpresent,thefateoftheunhappyClitherowasthesubjectofabundantanxiety.Onhissuddenlyleavingme,attheconclusionofhistale,Isupposedthathehadgoneupononeofhisusualrambles,andthatitwouldterminateonlywiththeday.NextmorningamessagewasreceivedfromInglefield,inquiringifanyoneknewwhathadbecomeofhisservant.Icouldnotlistentothismessagewithtranquillity,Irecollectedthehintsthathehadgivenofsomedesignuponhislife,andadmittedthemostdrearyforebodings.IspeededtoInglefield's.Clitherohadnotreturned,theytoldme,theprecedingevening.Hehadnotapprizedthemofanyintentiontochangehisabode.Hisboxes,andallthatcomposedhisslenderproperty,werefoundintheirordinarystate.Hehadexpressednodissatisfactionwithhispresentcondition.

Severaldayspassed,andnotidingscouldbeprocuredofhim.Hisabsencewasa

topicofgeneralspeculation,butwasasourceofparticularanxietytonoonebutmyself.Myapprehensionsweresurelybuiltuponsufficientgrounds.Fromthemomentthatweparted,noonehadseenorheardofhim.Whatmodeofsuicidehehadselected,hehaddisabledusfromdiscovering,bytheimpenetrablesecrecyinwhichhehadinvolvedit.

Inthemidstofmyreflectionsuponthissubject,theideaofthewildernessoccurred.Couldhehaveexecutedhisdesigninthedeepestofitsrecesses?Thesewereunvisitedbyhumanfootsteps,andhisbonesmightlieforagesinthissolitudewithoutattractingobservation.Toseekthemwheretheylay,togatherthemtogetherandprovideforthemagrave,wasadutywhichappearedincumbentonme,andofwhichtheperformancewasconnectedwithathousandhabitualsentimentsandmixedpleasures.

Thouknowestmydevotiontothespiritthatbreathesitsinspirationinthegloomofforestsandonthevergeofstreams.Ilovetoimmersemyselfinshadesanddells,andholdconversewiththesolemnitiesandsecreciesofnatureintheruderetreatsofNorwalk.ThedisappearanceofClitherohadfurnishednewincitementstoascenditscliffsandpervadeitsthickets,asIcherishedthehopeofmeetinginmyrambleswithsometracesofthisman.Butmighthenotstilllive?Hiswordshadimpartedthebeliefthatheintendedtodestroyhimself.Thiscatastrophe,however,wasfarfromcertain.Wasitnotinmypowertoavertit?CouldInotrestoreamindthusvigorous,totranquilandwholesomeexistence?Could



Inotsubduehisperversedisdainandimmeasurableabhorrenceofhimself?Hisupbraidingandhisscornwereunmeritedandmisplaced.Perhapstheyarguedfrenzyratherthanprejudice;butfrenzy,likeprejudice,wascurable.Reasonwasnolessanantidotetotheillusionsofinsanitylikehis,thantotheillusionsoferror.

Ididnotimmediatelyrecollectthattosubsistinthisdesertwasimpossible.Nutsweretheonlyfruitsitproduced,andthesewereinadequatetosustainhumanlife.IfitwerehauntedbyClithero,hemustoccasionallypassitslimitsandbegorpurloinvictuals.Thisdeportmentwastoohumiliatingandflagitioustobeimputedtohim.Therewasreasontosupposehimsmittenwiththecharmsofsolitude,ofalonelyabodeinthemidstofmountainousandruggednature;butthiscouldnotbeuninterruptedlyenjoyed.Lifecouldbesupportedonlybyoccasionallyvisitingthehauntsofmen,intheguiseofathieforamendicant.Hence,sinceClitherowasnotknowntohavereappearedatanyfarm-houseintheneighbourhood,Iwascompelledtoconcludeeitherthathehadretiredfarfromthisdistrict,orthathewasdead.

ThoughIdesignedthatmyleisureshouldchieflybeconsumedinthebosomofNorwalk,Ialmostdismissedthehopeofmeetingwiththefugitive.Therewereindeedtwosourcesofmyhopelessnessonthisoccasion.NotonlyitwasprobablethatClitherohadfledfaraway,but,shouldhehaveconcealedhimselfinsomenookorcavernwithintheseprecincts,hisconcealmentwasnottobetraced.Thisarosefromthenatureofthatsterileregion.

Itwouldnotbeeasytodescribethefaceofthisdistrict,inafewwords.HalfofSolesbury,thouknowest,admitsneitherofploughnorspade.Thecultivablespaceliesalongtheriver,andthedesert,lyingonthenorth,hasgained,bysomemeans,theappellationofNorwalk.Canstthouimagineaspace,somewhatcircular,aboutsixmilesindiameter,andexhibitingaperpetualandintricatevarietyofcraggyeminencesanddeepdells?

Thehollowsaresingle,andwalledaroundbycliffs,evervaryinginshapeandheight,andhaveseldomanyperceptiblecommunicationwitheachother.Thesehollowsareofalldimensions,fromthenarrownessanddepthofawell,totheamplitudeofonehundredyards.Winter'ssnowisfrequentlyfoundinthesecavitiesatmidsummer.Thestreamsthatburstforthfromeverycrevicearethrown,bythe

irregularitiesofthesurface,intonumberlesscascades,oftendisappearinmistsorinchasms,andemergefromsubterraneanchannels,and,finally,eithersubsideintolakes,orquietlymeanderthroughthelowerandmorelevelgrounds.

Wherevernatureleftaflatitismaderuggedandscarcelypassablebyenormousandfallentrunks,accumulatedbythestormsofages,andforming,bytheirslowdecay,amoss-coveredsoil,thehauntofrabbitsandlizards.Thesespotsareobscuredbythemelancholyumbrageofpines,whoseeternalmurmursareinunisonwithvacancyandsolitude,withthereverberationsofthetorrentsandthewhistlingoftheblasts.Hickoryandpoplar,whichaboundinthelowlands,findherenofosteringelements.

Asortofcontinuedvale,windingandabrupt,leadsintothemidstofthisregio

nandthroughit.Thisvaleservesthepurposeofaroad.Itisatediousmazeandperpetualdeclivity,andrequires,fromthepassenger,acautiousandsurefoot.Openingsandascentsoccasionallypresentthemselvesoneachside,whichseemtopromiseyouaccesstotheinteriorregion,butalwaysterminate,soonerorlater,ininsuperabledifficulties,atthevergeofaprecipiceorthebottomofasteep.

PerhapsnoonewasmoreacquaintedwiththiswildernessthanI,butmyknowledgewasextremelyimperfect.Ihadtraversedpartsofit,atanearlyage,inpursuitofberriesandnuts,orledbyaroamingdisposition.Afterwardsthesphereo



fmyrambleswasenlargedandtheirpurposechanged.WhenSarsefieldcameamongus,Ibecamehisfavouritescholarandthecompanionofallhispedestrianexcursions.Hewasfondofpenetratingintotheserecesses,partlyfromtheloveofpicturesquescenes,partlytoinvestigateitsbotanicalandmineralproductions,andpartlytocarryonmoreeffectuallythatspeciesofinstructionwhichhehadadoptedwithregardtome,andwhichchieflyconsistedinmoralizingnarrativesorsyntheticalreasonings.Theseexcursionshadfamiliarizedmewithitsoutlinesandmostaccessibleparts;buttherewasmuchwhich,perhaps,couldneverbereachedwithoutwings,andmuchtheonlypathstowhichImightforeveroverlook.

Everynewexcursion,indeed,addedsomewhattomyknowledge.Newtrackswerepursued,newprospectsdetected,andnewsummitsweregained.Myrambleswereproductiveofincessantnovelty,thoughtheyalwaysterminatedintheprospectoflimitsthatcouldnotbeoverleaped.ButnoneofthesehadledmewiderfrommycustomarypathsthanthatwhichhadtakenplacewheninpursuitofClithero.IhadafaintremembranceofthevalleyintowhichIhaddescendedafterhim;buttillthenIhadvieweditatadistance,andsupposeditimpossibletoreachthebottombutbyleapingfromaprecipicesomehundredfeetinheight.Theoppositesteepseemednolessinaccessible,andthecavernatthebottomwasimpervioustoanyviewswhichmyformerpositionshadenabledmetotakeofit.

Myintentiontore-examinethiscaveandascertainwhitheritledhad,foratime,beensuspendedbydifferentconsiderations.Itwasnowrevivedwithmoreener

gythanever.IreflectedthatthishadformerlybeenhauntedbyClithero,andmightpossiblyhavebeenthesceneofthedesperateactwhichhehadmeditated.Itmightatleastconcealsometokenofhispastexistence.Itmightleadintospaceshithertounvisited,andtosummitsfromwhichwiderlandscapesmightbeseen.

OnemorningIsetouttoexplorethisscene.TheroadwhichClitherohadtakenwaslaboriouslycircuitous.Onmyreturnfromthefirstpursuitofhim,Iascendedthecliffinmyformerfootsteps,butsoonlightedonthebeatentrackwhichIhavealreadydescribed.Thisenabledmetoshunathousandobstacleswhichhadlatelyrisenbeforeme,andopenedaneasypassagetothecavern.

Ioncemoretraversedthisway.Thebrowofthehillwasgained.Theledgesofw

hichitconsistedaffordedsufficientfooting,whentheattemptwasmade,thoughviewedatadistancetheyseemedtobetoonarrowforthatpurpose.AsIdescendedtheruggedstair,Icouldnotbutwonderatthetemerityandprecipitationwithwhichthisdescenthadformerlybeenmade.Itseemedasifthenoondaylightandthetardiestcircumspectionwouldscarcelyenablemetoaccomplishit;yetthenithadbeendonewithheadlongspeed,andwithnoguidancebutthemoon'suncertainrays.

Ireachedthemouthofthecave.TillnowIhadforgottenthatalamporatorchmightbenecessarytodirectmysubterraneanfootsteps.Iwasunwillingtodefertheattempt.Lightmightpossiblyberequisite,ifthecavehadnootheroutlet.Somewhatmightpresentitselfwithintotheeyes,whichmightforevereludethehands,butIwasmoreinclinedtoconsideritmerelyasanavenueterminating

inanopeningonthesummitofthesteep,orontheoppositesideoftheridge.Cautionmightsupplytheplaceoflight,or,havingexploredthecaveasfaraspossibleatpresent,Imighthereafterreturn,betterfurnishedforthescrutiny.ChapterX.

Withthesedeterminations,Iproceeded.Theentrancewaslow,andcompelledmetoresorttohandsaswellasfeet.Atafewyardsfromthemouththelightdisappeared,andIfoundmyselfimmersedinthedunnestobscurity.HadInotbeenpersuadedthatanotherhadgonebeforeme,Ishouldhaverelinquishedtheattempt.



Iproceededwiththeutmostcaution,alwaysascertaining,byoutstretchedarms,theheightandbreadthofthecavitybeforeme.Inashorttimethedimensionsexpandedonallsides,andpermittedmetoresumemyfeet.

Iwalkeduponasmoothandgentledeclivity.Presentlythewallononeside,andtheceiling,recededbeyondmyreach.IbegantofearthatIshouldbeinvolvedinamaze,andshouldbedisabledfromreturning.Toobviatethisdangeritwasrequisitetoadheretothenearestwall,andconformtothedirectionwhichitshouldtake,withoutstrayingthroughthepalpableobscurity.Whethertheceilingwasloftyorlow,whethertheoppositewallofthepassagewasdistantornear,thisIdeemednoproperopportunitytoinvestigate.

Inashorttime,myprogresswasstoppedbyanabruptdescent.Isetdowntheadvancingfootwithcaution,beingawarethatImightatthenextstepencounterabottomlesspit.TothebrinkofsuchaoneIseemednowtohavearrived.Istooped,andstretchedmyhandforwardanddownward,butallwasvacuity.

Hereitwasneedfultopause.IhadreachedthebrinkofacavitywhosedepthitAvasimpossibletoascertain.Itmightbeafewinchesbeyondmyreach,orhundredsoffeet.ByleapingdownImightincurnoinjury,ormightplungeintoalakeordashmyselftopiecesonthepointsofrocks.

Inowsawwithnewforcetheproprietyofbeingfurnishedwithalight.Thefirstsuggestionwastoreturnuponmyfootsteps,andresumemyundertakingonthem

orrow.Yet,havingadvancedthusfar,Ifeltreluctancetorecedewithoutaccomplishingmypurposes.IreflectedlikewisethatClitherohadboldlyenteredthisrecess,andhadcertainlycomeforthatadifferentavenuefromthatatwhichheentered.

Atlengthitoccurredtomethat,thoughIcouldnotgoforward,yetImightproceedalongtheedgeofthiscavity.Thisedgewouldbeassafeaguidance,andwouldserveaswellforacluebywhichImightreturn,asthewallwhichitwasnownecessarytoforsake.

Intensedarkisalwaystheparentoffears.Impendinginjuriescannotinthisstatebedescried,norshunned,norrepelled.Ibegantofeelsomefalteringofmycourage,andseatedmyself,forafewminutes,onastonymasswhicharosebefo

reme.Mysituationwasnew.ThecavernsIhadhithertometwithinthisdesertwerechieflyformedoflow-browedrocks.Theywerechambers,moreorlessspacious,intowhichtwilightwasatleastadmitted;buthereitseemedasifIweresurroundedbybarriersthatwouldforevercutoffmyreturntoairandtolight.

PresentlyIresumedmycourageandproceeded.Myroadappearednowtoascend.OnonesideIseemedstilluponthevergeofaprecipice,andontheotherallwasemptyandwaste.Ihadgonenoinconsiderabledistance,andpersuadedmyselfthatmycareerwouldspeedilyterminate.Inashorttime,thespaceonthelefthandwasagainoccupied,andIcautiouslyproceededbetweentheedgeofthegulfandaruggedwall.AsthespacebetweenthemwidenedIadheredtothewall.

Iwasnotinsensiblethatmypathbecamemoreintricateandmoredifficulttore

treadinproportionasIadvanced.IendeavouredtopreserveavividconceptionofthewaywhichIhadalreadypassed,andtokeeptheimagesoftheleftandright-handwall,andthegulf,induesuccessioninmymemory.

Thepath,whichhadhithertobeenconsiderablysmooth,nowbecameruggedandsteep.Chillingdamps,thesecrettrepidationwhichattendedme,thelengthanddifficultiesofmyway,enhancedbytheceaselesscautionandthenumerousexpedientswhichtheutterdarknessobligedmetoemploy,begantooverpowermystrength.Iwasfrequentlycompelledtostopandrecruitmyselfbyrest.Theserespitesfromtoilwereofuse,buttheycouldnotenablemetoprosecuteanendlessjour



ney,andtoreturnwasscarcelyalessarduoustaskthantoproceed.

Ilookedanxiouslyforward,inthehopeofbeingcomfortedbysomedimray,whichmightassuremethatmylabourswereapproachinganend.Atlastthispropitioustokenappeared,andIissuedforthintoakindofchamber,onesideofwhichwasopentotheairandallowedmetocatchaportionofthecheckeredsky.Thisspectacleneverbeforeexcitedsuchexquisitesensationsinmybosom.Theair,likewise,breathedintothecavern,wasunspeakablydelicious.

Inowfoundmyselfontheprojectureofarock.Aboveandbelow,thehill-sidewasnearlyperpendicular.Opposite,andatthedistanceoffifteenortwentyyards,wasasimilarascent.Atthebottomwasaglen,cold,narrow,andobscure.Thisprojecture,whichservedasakindofvestibuletothecave,wasconnectedwithaledge,bywhich,thoughnotwithoutperilandtoil,Iwasconductedtothesummit.

Thissummitwashigherthananyofthosewhichwereinterposedbetweenitselfandtheriver.Alargepartofthischaosofrocksandprecipiceswassubjected,atoneview,totheeye.Thefertilelawnsandvaleswhichlaybeyondthis,thewindingcourseoftheriver,andtheslopeswhichroseonitsfartherside,werepartsofthisextensivescene.Theseobjectswereatanytimefittedtoinspirerapture.NowmydelightwasenhancedbythecontrastwhichthislightsomeandsereneelementboretothegloomsfromwhichIhadlatelyemerged.Mystation,also,washigher,andthelimitsofmyview,consequently,moreamplethananywhic

hIhadhithertoenjoyed.

Iadvancedtotheoutervergeofthehill,whichIfoundtooverlookasteepnolessinaccessible,andaglenequallyprofound.Ichangedfrequentlymystationinordertodiversifythescenery.AtlengthitbecamenecessarytoinquirebywhatmeansIshouldreturn.Itraversedtheedgeofthehill,butoneverysideitwasequallysteepandalwaystooloftytopermitmetoleapfromit.AsIkeptalongtheverge,Iperceivedthatittendedinacirculardirection,andbroughtmeback,atlast,tothespotfromwhichIhadsetout.Fromthisinspection,itseemedasifreturnwasimpossiblebyanyotherwaythanthatthroughthecavern.

Inowturnedmyattentiontotheinteriorspace.Ifyouimagineacylindricalma

ss,withacavityduginthecentre,whoseedgeconformstotheexterioredge;andifyouplaceinthiscavityanothercylinder,higherthanthatwhichsurroundsit,butsosmallastoleavebetweenitssidesandthoseofthecavityahollowspace,youwillgainasdistinctanimageofthishillaswordscanconvey.Thesummitoftheinnerrockwasruggedandcoveredwithtreesofunequalgrowth.Toreachthissummitwouldnotrendermyreturneasier;butitsgreaterelevationwouldextendmyview,andperhapsfurnishaspotfromwhichthewholehorizonwasconspicuous.

AsIhadtraversedtheouter,Inowexploredtheinner,edgeofthishill.AtlengthIreachedaspotwherethechasm,separatingthetworocks,wasnarrowerthanatanyotherpart.Atfirstview,itseemedasifitwerepossibletoleapoverit,butanearerexaminationshowedmethatthepassagewasimpracticable.So

farasmyeyecouldestimateit,thebreadthwasthirtyorfortyfeet.Icouldscarcelyventuretolookbeneath.Theheightwasdizzy,andthewalls,whichapproachedeachotherattop,recededatthebottom,soastoformtheresemblanceofanimmensehall,lightedfromariftwhichsomeconvulsionofnaturehadmadeintheroof.WhereIstoodthereascendedaperpetualmist,occasionedbyatorrentthatdashedalongtheruggedpavementbelow.

FromtheseobjectsIwillinglyturnedmyeyeuponthosebeforeandaboveme,ontheoppositeascent.Astream,rushingfromabove,fellintoacavity,whichitsownforceseemedgraduallytohavemade.Thenoiseandthemotionequallyattra



ctedmyattention.Therewasadesolateandsolitarygrandeurinthescene,enhancedbythecircumstancesinwhichitwasbeheld,andbytheperilsthroughwhichIhadrecentlypassed,thathadneverbeforebeenwitnessedbyme.

Asortofsanctityandaweenvironedit,owingtotheconsciousnessofabsoluteandutterloneliness.Itwasprobablethathumanfeethadneverbeforegainedthisrecess,thathumaneyeshadneverbeenfixeduponthesegushingwaters.Theaboriginalinhabitantshadnomotivestoleadthemintocaveslikethisandponderonthevergeofsuchaprecipice.Theirsuccessorswerestilllesslikelytohavewanderedhither.Sincethebirthofthiscontinent,Iwasprobablythefirstwhohaddeviatedthusremotelyfromthecustomarypathsofmen.

Whilemusingupontheseideas,myeyewasfixeduponthefoamingcurrent.AtlengthIlookedupontherockswhichconfinedandembarrasseditscourse.Iadmiredtheirfantasticshapesandendlessirregularities.Passingfromonetotheotherofthese,myattentionlighted,atlength,asifbysomemagicaltransition,on--ahumancountenance!

Mysurprisewassoabrupt,andmysensationssotumultuous,thatIforgotforamomenttheperilousnatureofmysituation.Iloosenedmyholdofapine-branch,whichhadbeenhithertooneofmysupports,andalmoststartedfrommyseat.Hadmystationbeeninaslightdegreenearerthebrinkthanitwas,Ishouldhavefallenheadlongintotheabyss.

Tomeetahumancreature,evenonthatsideofthechasmwhichIoccupied,wouldhavebeenwhollyadversetomyexpectation.MystationwasaccessiblebynootherroadthanthatthroughwhichIhadpassed,andnomotiveswereimaginablebywhichotherscouldbepromptedtoexplorethisroad.ButhewhomInowbeheldwasseatedwhereitseemedimpossibleforhumaneffortstohaveplacedhim.

Butthisaffectedmebutlittleincomparisonwithotherincidents.Notonlythecountenancewashuman,but,inspiteofshaggyandtangledlocks,andanairofmelancholywildness,IspeedilyrecognisedthefeaturesofthefugitiveClithero!

Oneglancewasnotsufficienttomakemeacquaintedwiththisscene.Ihadcomehitherpartlyinpursuitofthisman,butsomecasualappendageofhisperson,s

omethingwhichshouldindicatehispastratherthanhispresentexistence,wasallthatIhopedtofind.Thatheshouldbefoundaliveinthisdesert,thatheshouldhavegainedthissummit,accesstowhichwasapparentlyimpossible,werescarcelywithintheboundariesofbelief.

Hisscantyandcoarsegarbhadbeennearlyrentawaybybramblesandthorns;hisarms,bosom,andcheekswereovergrownandhalfconcealedbyhair.Therewassomewhatinhisattitudeandlooksdenotingmorethananarchyofthoughtsandpassions.Hisrueful,ghastly,andimmovableeyestestifiednotonlythathismindwasravagedbydespair,butthathewaspinchedwithfamine.

Theseproofsofhismiserythrilledtomyinmostheart.HorrorandshudderinginvadedmeasIstoodgazinguponhim,and,foratime,Iwaswithoutthepowrero

fdeliberatingonthemeasureswhichitwasmydutytoadoptforhisrelief.Thefirstsuggestionwas,bycalling,toinformhimofmypresence.Iknewnotwhatcounselorcomforttooffer.Bywhatwordstobespeakhisattention,orbywhattopicstomollifyhisdirefulpassions,Iknewnot.Thoughsonear,thegulfbywhichwewereseparatedwasimpassable.AllthatIcoulddowastospeak.

Mysurpriseandmyhorrorwerestillstrongenoughtogiveashrillandpiercingtonetomyvoice.ThechasmandtherocksloudenedandreverberatedmyaccentswhileIexclaimed,--"Man!Clithero!"



Mysummonswaseffectual.Heshookoffhistranceinamoment.Hehadbeenstretcheduponhisback,withhiseyesfixeduponacraggyprojectureabove,asifhewereinmomentaryexpectationofitsfallandcrushinghimtoatoms.Nowhestartedonhisfeet.Hewasconsciousofthevoice,butnotofthequarterwhenceitcame.HewaslookinganxiouslyaroundwhenIagainspoke:--"Lookhither.ItisIwhocalled."

Helooked.Astonishmentwasnowmingledwitheveryotherdreadfulmeaninginhisvisage.Heclaspedhishandstogetherandbentforward,asiftosatisfyhimselfthathissummonerwasreal.Atthenextmomenthedrewback,placedhishandsuponhisbreast,andfixedhiseyesontheground.

Thispausewasnotlikelytobebrokenbutbyme.Iwaspreparingagaintospeak.Tobemoredistinctlyheard,Iadvancedclosertothebrink.Duringthisaction,myeyewasnecessarilywithdrawnfromhim.Havinggainedasomewhatnearerstation,Ilookedagain,but--hewasgone!

Theseatwhichhesolatelyoccupiedwasempty.Iwasnotforewarnedofhisdisappearanceordirectedtothecourseofhisflightbyanyrustlingamongleaves.These,indeed,wouldhavebeenoverpoweredbythenoiseofthecataract.Theplacewherehesatwasthebottomofacavity,onesideofwhichterminatedinthevergeoftheabyss,buttheothersideswereperpendicularoroverhanging.Surelyhehadnotleapedintothisgulf;andyetthathehadsospeedilyscaledthesteepwasimpossible.

Ilookedintothegulf,butthedepthandthegloomallowedmetoseenothingwithdistinctness.Hiscriesorgroanscouldnotbeoverheardamidsttheuproarofthewaters.Hisfallmusthaveinstantlydestroyedhim,andthathehadfallenwastheonlyconclusionIcoulddraw.

Mysensationsonthisincidentcannotbeeasilydescribed.Theimageofthisman'sdespair,andofthesuddencatastrophetowhichmyinauspiciousinterferencehadled,filledmewithcompunctionandterror.Someofmyfearswererelievedbythenewconjecture,that,behindtherockonwhichhehadlain,theremightbesomeapertureorpitintowhichhehaddescended,orinwhichhemightbeconcealed.

Iderivedconsolationfromthisconjecture.NotonlytheevilwhichIdreadedmightnothavehappened,butsomealleviationofhismiserywaspossible.CouldIarresthisfootstepsandwinhisattention,Imightbeabletoinsinuatethelessonsoffortitude;butifwordswereimpotent,andargumentswerenugatory,yettositbyhiminsilence,tomoistenhishandwithtears,tosighinunison,toofferhimthespectacleofsympathy,thesolaceofbelievingthathisdemeritswerenotestimatedbysorigidastandardbyothersasbyhimself,thatoneatleastamonghisfellow-menregardedhimwithloveandpity,couldnotfailtobeofbenigninfluence.

Thesethoughtsinspiredmewithnewzeal.Toeffectmypurposeitwasrequisitetoreachtheoppositesteep.Iwasnowconvincedthatthiswasnotanimpracticableundertaking,sinceClitherohadalreadyperformedit.Ioncemoremadethec

ircuitofthehill.Everysidewassteepandofenormousheight,andthegulfwasnowheresonarrowasatthisspot.Ithereforereturnedhither,andoncemoreponderedonthemeansofpassingthistremendouschasminsafety.

Castingmyeyesupward,InotedthetreeattherootofwhichIwasstanding.Icomparedthebreadthofthegulfwiththelengthofthetrunkofthistree,anditappearedverysuitableforabridge.Happilyitgrewobliquely,and,iffelledbyanaxe,wouldprobablyfallofitself,insuchamannerastobesuspendedacrossthechasm.Thestockwasthickenoughtoaffordmefooting,andwouldenablemetoreachtheoppositedeclivitywithoutdangerordelay.



Amorecarefulexaminationofthespot,thesiteofthetree,itsdimensions,andthedirectionofitsgrowth,convincedmefullyofthepracticabilityofthisexpedient,andIdeterminedtocarryitintoimmediateexecution.ForthisendImusthastenhome,procureanaxe,andreturnwithallexpeditionhither.Itookmyformerway,oncemoreenteredthesubterraneanavenue,andslowlyre-emergedintoday.BeforeIreachedhome,theeveningwasathand,andmytiredlimbsandjadedspiritsobligedmetodefermyundertakingtillthemorrow.

Thoughmylimbswereatrest,mythoughtswereactivethroughthenight.Icarefullyreviewedthesituationofthishill,andwasunabletoconjecturebywhatmeansClitherocouldplacehimselfuponit.Unlessheoccasionallyreturnedtothehabitablegrounds,itwasimpossibleforhimtoescapeperishingbyfamine.Hemightintendtodestroyhimselfbythismeans,andmyfirsteffortsweretobeemployedtoovercomethisfatalresolution.Topersuadehimtoleavehisdesolatehauntsmightbealaboriousandtedioustask;meanwhile,allmybenevolentintentionswouldbefrustratedbyhiswantofsustenance.Itwasproper,therefore,tocarrybreadwithme,andtoplaceitbeforehim.Thesightoffood,theurgenciesofhunger,andmyvehemententreaties,mightprevailonhimtoeat,thoughnoexpostulationsmightsufficetomakehimseekfoodatadistance.ChapterXI.

NextmorningIstoredasmallbagwithmeatandbread,and,throwinganaxeonmyshoulder,setout,withoutinforminganyoneofmyintentions,forthehill.M

ypassagewasrenderedmoredifficultbytheseencumbrances,butmyperseverancesurmountedeveryimpediment,andIgained,inafewhours,thefootofthetreewhosetrunkwastoservemeforabridge.InthisjourneyIsawnotracesofthefugitive.

Anewsurveyofthetreeconfirmedmyformerconclusions,andIbeganmyworkwithdiligence.Mystrokeswererepeatedbyathousandechoes,andIpausedatfirst,somewhatstartledbyreverberationswhichmadeitappearasifnotonebutascoreofaxeswereemployedatthesametimeonbothsidesofthegulf.

Quicklythetreefell,andexactlyinthemannerwhichIexpectedariddesired.Thewide-spreadlimbsoccupiedandchokedupthechannelofthetorrent,andcompelledittoseekanewoutletandmultiplieditsmurmurs.Idarednottrustmys

elftocrossitinanuprightposture,butclung,withhandsandfeet,toitsruggedbark.Havingreachedtheoppositecliff,IproceededtoexaminethespotwhereClitherohaddisappeared.Myfondesthopeswererealized,foraconsiderablecavityappeared,which,onaformerday,hadbeenconcealedfrommydistantviewbytherock.

Itwasobvioustoconcludethatthiswashispresenthabitation,orthatanavenue,conductinghitherandterminatingintheunexploredsidesofthispit,wasthatbywhichhehadcomehither,andbywhichhehadretired.Icouldnothesitatelongtoslideintothepit.IfoundanentrancethroughwhichIfearlesslypenetrated.IwaspreparedtoencounterobstaclesandperilssimilartothosewhichIhavealreadydescribed,butwasrescuedfromthembyascending,inafewminutes,intoakindofpassage,openabove,butwalledbyacontinuedrockonboth

sides.Thesidesofthispassageconformedwiththeutmostexactnesstoeachother.Nature,atsomeformerperiod,hadoccasionedthesolidmasstodispartatthisplace,andhadthusaffordedaccesstothesummitofthehill.Loosestonesandraggedpointsformedtheflooringofthispassage,whichrapidlyandcircuitouslyascended.

Iwasnowwithinafewyardsofthesurfaceoftherock.Thepassageopenedintoakindofchamberorpit,thesidesofwhichwerenotdifficulttoclimb.Irejoicedattheprospectofthisterminationofmyjourney.HereIpaused,and,throwingmywearylimbsontheground,begantoexaminetheobjectsaroundme,and



tomeditateonthestepsthatwerenexttobetaken.

MyfirstglancelightedontheverybeingofwhomIwasinsearch.Stretcheduponabedofmoss,atthedistanceofafewfeetfrommystation,IbeheldClithero.Hehadnotbeenrousedbymyapproach,thoughmyfootstepswereperpetuallystumblingandsliding.Thisreflectiongavebirthtothefearthathewasdead.Anearerinspectiondispelledmyapprehensions,andshowedmethathewasmerelyburiedinprofoundslumber.Thosevigilsmustindeedhavebeenlongwhichwereatlastsucceededbyasleepsooblivious.

Thismeetingwas,inthehighestdegree,propitious.Itnotonlyassuredmeofhisexistence,butprovedthathismiserieswerecapableofbeingsuspended.Hisslumberenabledmetopause,toruminateonthemannerbywhichhisunderstandingmightbemostsuccessfullyaddressed;tocollectandarrangethetopicsfittedtorectifyhisgloomyanddisastrousperceptions.

ThouknowestthatIamqualifiedforsuchtasksneitherbymyeducationnormygenius.Theheadlongandferociousenergiesofthismancouldnotberepelledordivertedintobetterpathsbyeffortssoundisciplinedasmine.Adespairsostormyandimpetuouswoulddrownmyfeebleaccents.HowshouldIattempttoreasonwithhim?HowshouldIoutrootprepossessionssoinveterate,--thefruitsofhisearliesteducation,fosteredandmaturedbytheobservationandexperienceofhiswholelife?HowshouldIconvincehimthat,sincethedeathofWiattewasnotintended,thedeedwaswithoutcrime?that,ifithadbeendeliberatelyconcerte

d,itwasstillavirtue,sincehisownlifecouldbynoothermeansbepreserved?thatwhenhepointedadaggeratthebosomofhismistresshewasactuated,notbyavarice,orambition,orrevenge,ormalice?Hedesiredtoconferonherthehighestandtheonlybenefitofwhichhebelievedhercapable.Hesoughttorescueherfromtormentingregretsandlingeringagonies.

Thesepositionsweresufficientlyjusttomyownview,butIwasnotcalledupontoreducethemtopractice.Ihadnottostrugglewiththeconsciousnessofhavingbeenrescued,bysomemiraculouscontingency,fromimbruingmyhandsinthebloodofherwhomIadored;ofhavingdrawnuponmyselfsuspicionsofingratitudeandmurdertoodeeptobeevereffaced;ofhavingbereftmyselfoflove,andhonour,andfriends,andspotlessreputation;ofhavingdoomedmyselftoinfamyanddetestation,tohopelessexile,penury,andserviletoil.Theseweretheevil

swhichhismalignantdestinyhadmadetheunalterableportionofClithero,andhowshouldmyimperfecteloquenceannihilatetheseevils?Everyman,nothimselfthevictimofirretrievabledisasters,perceivesthefollyofruminatingonthepast,andoffosteringagriefwhichcannotreverseorrecallthedecreesofanimmutablenecessity;buteverymanwhosuffersisunavoidablyshackledbytheerrorswhichhecensuresinhisneighbour,andhiseffortstorelievehimselfareasfruitlessasthosewithwhichheattemptedthereliefofothers.

Notopic,therefore,couldbeproperlyemployedbymeonthepresentoccasion.AllthatIcoulddowastoofferhimfood,and,bypatheticsupplications,toprevailonhimtoeat.Famine,howeverobstinate,wouldscarcelyrefrainwhenbreadwasplacedwithinsightandreach.Whenmadetoswervefromhisresolutioninoneinstance,itwouldbelessdifficulttoconqueritasecondtime.Themagico

fsympathy,theperseveranceofbenevolence,thoughsilent,mightworkagradualandsecretrevolution,andbetterthoughtsmightinsensiblydisplacethosedesperatesuggestionswhichnowgovernedhim.

Havingrevolvedtheseideas,IplacedthefoodwhichIhadbroughtathisrighthand,and,seatingmyselfathisfeet,attentivelysurveyedhiscountenance.Theemotionswhichwerevisibleduringwakefulnesshadvanishedduringthiscessationofremembranceandremorse,orwerefaintlydiscernible.Theyservedtodignifyandsolemnizehisfeatures,andtoembellishthoseimmutablelineswhichbetokenedthespiritofhisbetterdays.Lineamentswerenowobservedwhichcouldne



vercoexistwithfollyorassociatewithobdurateguilt.

Ihadnoinclinationtoawakenhim.Thisrespitewastoosweettobeneedlesslyabridged.Ideterminedtoawaittheoperationofnature,andtoprolong,bysilenceandbykeepinginterruptionatadistance,thissalutaryperiodofforgetfulness.Thisintervalpermittednewideastosucceedinmymind.

Clitherobelievedhissolitudetobeunapproachable.Whatnewexpedientstoescapeinquiryandintrusionmightnotmypresencesuggest!Mighthenotvanish,ashehaddoneontheformerday,andaffordmenotimetoassailhisconstancyandtempthishunger?If,however,Iwithdrewduringhissleep,hewouldawakewithoutdisturbance,andbeunconscious,foratime,thathissecrecyhadbeenviolated.Hewouldquicklyperceivethevictuals,andwouldneednoforeigninducementstoeat.Aprovisionsounexpectedandextraordinarymightsuggestnewthoughts,andbeconstruedintoakindofheavenlycondemnationofhispurpose.Hewouldnotreadilysuspectthemotivesorpersonofhisvisitant,wouldtakenoprecautionagainsttherepetitionofmyvisit,and,atthesametime,ourinterviewwouldnotbeattendedwithsomuchsurprise.ThemoreIrevolvedthesereflections,thegreaterforcetheyacquired.Atlength,Ideterminedtowithdraw,and,leavingthefoodwhereitcouldscarcelyfailofattractinghisnotice,IreturnedbythewaythatIhadcome.Ihadscarcelyreachedhome,whenamessengerfromInglefieldarrived,requestingmetospendthesucceedingnightathishouse,assomeengagementhadoccurredtodrawhimtothecity.

Ireadilycompliedwiththisrequest.Itwasnotnecessary,however,tobeearlyinmyvisit.Ideferredgoingtilltheeveningwasfaradvanced.Mywayledunderthebranchesoftheelmwhichrecenteventshadrenderedsomemorable.Hencemyreflectionsrevertedtothecircumstanceswhichhadlatelyoccurredinconnectionwiththistree.

Ipaused,forsometime,underitsshade.ImarkedthespotwhereClitherohadbeendiscovereddigging.Itshowedmarksofbeingunsettled;butthesodwhichhadformerlycoveredit,andwhichhadlatelybeenremoved,wasnowcarefullyreplaced.ThishadnotbeendonebyhimonthatoccasioninwhichIwasawitnessofhisbehaviour.Theearthwasthenhastilyremoved,andashastilythrownagainintotheholefromwhichithadbeentaken.

Somecuriositywasnaturallyexcitedbythisappearance.Eithersomeotherperson,orClithero,onasubsequentoccasion,hadbeenhere.Iwasnowlikewiseledtoreflectonthepossiblemotivesthatpromptedthemaniactoturnupthisearth.Thereisalwayssomesignificanceintheactionsofasleeper.Somewhatwas,perhaps,buriedinthisspot,connectedwiththehistoryofMrs.LorimerorofClarice.Wasitnotpossibletoascertainthetruthinthisrespect?

Therewasbutonemethod.Bycarefullyuncoveringthishole,anddiggingasdeepasClitherohadalreadydug,itwouldquicklyappearwhetheranythingwashidden.Todothispubliclybydaylightwasevidentlyindiscreet.Besides,amoment'sdelaywassuperfluous.Thenighthadnowfallen,andbeforeitwaspastthisnewundertakingmightbefinished.Aninterviewwas,ifpossible,tobegainedwithClitheroonthemorrow,andforthisinterviewthediscoveriesmadeonthiss

potmighteminentlyqualifyme.Influencedbytheseconsiderations,Iresolvedtodig.Iwasfirst,however,toconverseanhourwiththehousekeeper,andthentowithdrawtomychamber.Whenthefamilywereallretired,andtherewasnofearofobservationorinterruption,Iproposedtoriseandhasten,withaproperimplement,hither.

OnechamberinInglefield'shousewasusuallyreservedforvisitants.Inthischamberthyunfortunatebrotherdied,andhereitwasthatIwastosleep.Theimageofitslastinhabitantcouldnotfailofbeingcalledup,andofbanishingrepose;buttheschemewhichIhadmeditatedwasanadditionalincitementtowatch



fulness.HitherIrepairedatthedueseason,havingpreviouslyfurnishedmyselfwithcandles,sinceIknewnotwhatmightoccurtomakealightnecessary.

Ididnotgotobed,buteithersatmusingbyatableorwalkedacrosstheroom.Thebedbeforemewasthatonwhichmyfriendbreathedhislast.Torestmyheaduponthesamepillow,tolieonthatpalletwhichsustainedhiscoldandmotionlesslimbs,wereprovocationstoremembranceandgriefthatIdesiredtoshun.Iendeavouredtofillmymindwithmorerecentincidents,withthedisastersofClithero,mysubterraneanadventures,andtheprobableissueoftheschemeswhichInowcontemplated.

Irecalledtheconversationwhichhadjustendedwiththehousekeeper.Clitherohadbeenourtheme,butshehaddealtchieflyinrepetitionsofwhathadformerlybeenrelatedbyherorbyInglefield.Iinquiredwhatthismanhadleftbehind,andfoundthatitconsistedofasquarebox,puttogetherbyhimselfwithuncommonstrength,butofruggedworkmanship.Sheproceededtomentionthatshehadadvisedherbrother,Mr.Inglefield,tobreakopenthisboxandascertainitscontents;butthishedidnotthinkhimselfjustifiedindoing.Clitherowasguiltyofnoknowncrime,wasresponsibletonooneforhisactions,andmightsometimereturntoclaimhisproperty.Thisboxcontainednothingwithwhichothershadarighttomeddle.Somewhatmightbefoundinit,throwinglightuponhispastorpresentsituation;butcuriositywasnottobegratifiedbythesemeans.WhatClitherothoughtpropertoconceal,itwascriminalforustoextortfromhim.

Thehousekeeperwasbynomeansconvincedbythesearguments,andatlengthobtainedherbrother'spermissiontotrywhetheranyofherownkeyswouldunlockthischest.Thekeyswereproduced,butnolocknorkeyholewerediscoverable.Thelidwasfast,butbywhatmeansitwasfastenedthemostaccurateinspectioncouldnotdetect.Henceshewascompelledtolayasideherproject.ThischesthadalwaysstoodinthechamberwhichInowoccupied.

Theseincidentswerenowremembered,andIfeltdisposedtoprofitbythisopportunityofexaminingthisbox.Itstoodinacorner,andwaseasilydistinguishedbyitsform.Ilifteditandfounditsweightbynomeansextraordinary.Itsstructurewasremarkable.Itconsistedofsixsides,squareandofsimilardimensions.Thesewerejoined,notbymortiseandtennon,notbynails,notbyhinges,

butthejunctionwasaccurate.Themeansbywhichtheyweremadetocoherewereinvisible.

Appearancesoneverysidewereuniform,norwerethereanymarksbywhichthelidwasdistinguishablefromitsothersurfaces.

DuringhisresidencewithInglefield,manyspecimensofmechanicalingenuityweregivenbyhisservant.Thiswastheworkmanshipofhisownhands.Ilookedatitforsometime,tillthedesireinsensiblyaroseofopeningitandexaminingitscontents.

IhadnomorerighttodothisthantheInglefields;perhaps,indeed,thiscuriositywasmoreabsurd,andthegratificationmoreculpable,inmethaninthem.I

wasacquaintedwiththehistoryofClithero'spastlife,andwithhispresentcondition.Respectingthese,Ihadnonewintelligencetogain,andnodoubtstosolve.WhatexcusecouldImaketotheproprietor,shouldheeverreappeartoclaimhisown,ortoInglefieldforbreakingopenareceptaclewhichallthemaximsofsocietycombinetorendersacred?

Butcouldnotmyendbegainedwithoutviolence?Themeansofopeningmightpresentthemselvesonapatientscrutiny.Thelidmightberaisedandshutdownagainwithoutanytokensofmyact;itscontentsmightbeexamined,andallthingsrestoredtotheirformercondition,inafewminutes.



Iintendednotatheft.Iintendedtobenefitmyselfwithoutinflictinginjuryonothers.Nay,mightnotthediscoveriesIshouldmakethrowlightupontheconductofthisextraordinarymanwhichhisownnarrativehadwithheld?WastherereasontoconfideimplicitlyonthetalewhichIhadheard?

Inspiteofthetestimonyofmyownfeelings,themiseriesofClitheroappearedinsomedegreefantasticandgroundless.Athousandconceivablemotivesmightinducehimtopervertorconcealthetruth.Ifhewerethoroughlyknown,hischaractermightassumeanewappearance;andwhatisnowsodifficulttoreconciletocommonmaximsmightproveperfectlyconsistentwiththem.Idesiretorestorehimtopeace;butathoroughknowledgeofhisactionsisnecessary,bothtoshowthatheisworthyofcompassion,andtosuggestthebestmeansofextirpatinghiserrors.Itwaspossiblethatthisboxcontainedthemeansofthisknowledge.

Therewerelikewiseothermotives,which,astheypossessedsomeinfluence,howeversmall,deservetobementioned.ThouknowestthatIalsoamamechanist.Ihadconstructedawriting-deskandcabinet,inwhichIhadendeavouredtocombinethepropertiesofsecrecy,security,andstrength,inthehighestpossibledegree.Ilookeduponthis,therefore,withtheeyeofanartist,andwassolicitoustoknowtheprinciplesonwhichitwasformed.Ideterminedtoexamine,and,ifpossible,toopenit.ChapterXII.

Isurveyeditwiththeutmostattention.Allitspartsappearedequallysolidandsmooth.Itcouldnotbedoubtedthatoneofitssidesservedthepurposeofalid,andwaspossibletoberaised.Merestrengthcouldnotbeappliedtoraiseit,becausetherewasnoprojecturewhichmightbefirmlyheldbythehand,andbywhichforcecouldbeexerted.Somespring,therefore,secretlyexisted,whichmightforevereludethesenses,butonwhichthehand,bybeingmovedoveritinalldirections,mightaccidentallylight.

Thisprocesswaseffectual.Atouch,casuallyappliedatanangle,drovebackabolt,andaspring,atthesametime,wassetinaction,bywhichthelidwasraisedabovehalfaninch.Noeventcouldbesupposedmorefortuitousthanthis.Ahundredhandsmighthavesoughtinvainforthisspring.Thespotinwhichacertaindegreeofpressurewassufficienttoproducethiseffectwas,ofall,the

leastlikelytoattractnoticeorawakensuspicion.

Iopenedthetrunkwitheagerness.Thespacewithinwasdividedintonumerouscompartments,noneofwhichcontainedanythingofmoment.Toolsofdifferentandcuriousconstructions,andremnantsofminutemachinery,wereallthatofferedthemselvestomynotice.

Myexpectationsbeingthusfrustrated,Iproceededtorestorethingstotheirformerstate.Iattemptedtoclosethelid;butthespringwhichhadraiseditrefusedtobend.NomeasurethatIcouldadoptenabledmetoplacethelidinthesamesituationinwhichIhadfoundit.Inmyeffortstopressdownthelid,whichwereaugmentedinproportiontotheresistancethatImetwith,thespringwasbroken.Thisobstaclebeingremoved,thelidresumeditsproperplace;butnom

eans,withinthereachofmyingenuitytodiscover,enabledmetopushforwardthebolt,andthustorestorethefastening.

InowperceivedthatClitherohadprovidednotonlyagainsttheopeningofhiscabinet,butlikewiseagainstthepossibilityofconcealingthatithadbeenopened.Thisdiscoverythrewmeintosomeconfusion.Ihadbeentemptedthusfarbythebeliefthatmyactionwaswithoutwitnesses,andmightbeforeverconcealed.Thisopinionwasnowconfuted.IfClitheroshouldeverreclaimhisproperty,hewouldnotfailtodetecttheviolenceofwhichIhadbeenguilty.Inglefieldwoulddisapproveinanotherwhathehadnotpermittedtohimself,andtheunauthor



izedandclandestinemannerinwhichIhadbehavedwouldaggravate,inhiseyes,theheinousnessofmyoffence.

Butnowtherewasnoremedy.Allthatremainedwastohindersuspicionfromlightingontheinnocent,andtoconfess,tomyfriend,theoffencewhichIhadcommitted.Meanwhilemyfirstprojectwasresumed,and,thefamilybeingnowwrappedinprofoundsleep,Ileftmychamber,andproceededtotheelm.Themoonwasextremelybrilliant,butIhopedthatthisunfrequentedroadandunseasonablehourwouldhindermefrombeingobserved.Mychamberwasabovethekitchen,withwhichitcommunicatedbyasmallstaircase,andthebuildingtowhichitbelongedwasconnectedwiththedwellingbyagallery.Iextinguishedthelight,andleftitinthekitchen,intendingtorelightit,bytheembersthatstillglowedonthehearth,onmyreturn.

Ibegantoremovethesodandcastouttheearth,withlittleconfidenceinthesuccessofmyproject.Theissueofmyexaminationoftheboxhumbledanddisheartenedme.ForsometimeIfoundnothingthattendedtoinvigoratemyhopes.Idetermined,however,todescend,aslongastheunsettledconditionoftheearthshowedmethatsomeonehadprecededme.Smallmassesofstonewereoccasionallymetwith,whichservedonlytoperplexmewithgroundlessexpectations.Atlengthmyspadestruckuponsomethingwhichemittedaverydifferentsound.Iquicklydrewitforth,andfoundittobewood.Itsregularform,andthecreviceswhichwerefaintlydiscernible,persuadedmethatitwashumanworkmanship,andthattherewasacavitywithin.Theplaceinwhichitwasfoundeasilysuggestedso

meconnectionbetweenthisandthedestinyofClithero.Coveringuptheholewithspeed,Ihastenedwithmyprizetothehouse.Thedoorbywhichthekitchenwasenteredwasnottobeseenfromtheroad.Itopenedonafield,thefartherlimitofwhichwasaledgeofrocks,whichformed,onthisside,theboundaryofInglefield'sestateandthewesternmostbarrierofNorwalk.

AsIturnedtheangleofthehouse,andcameinviewofthisdoor,methoughtIsawafigureissuefromit.Iwasstartledatthisincident,and,stopping,crouchedclosetothewall,thatImightnotbediscovered.Assoonasthefigurepassedbeyondthevergeoftheshade,itwaseasilydistinguishedtobethatofClithero!Hecrossedthefieldwitharapidpace,andquicklypassedbeyondthereachofmyeye.

Thisappearancewasmysterious.Forwhatendheshouldvisitthishabitationcouldnotbeguessed.Wasthecontingencytobelamentedinconsequenceofwhichaninterviewhadbeenavoided?Wouldithavecompelledmetoexplainthebrokenconditionofhistrunk?Iknewnotwhethertorejoiceathavingavoidedthisinterview,ortodeploreit.

ThesethoughtsdidnotdivertmefromexaminingthenatureoftheprizewhichIhadgained.Irelightedmycandleandhiedoncemoretothechamber.Thefirstobjectwhich,onenteringit,attractedmyattention,wasthecabinetbrokenintotwentyfragments,onthehearth.Ihadleftitonalowtable,atadistantcorneroftheroom.

NoconclusioncouldbeformedbutthatClitherohadbeenhere,haddiscoveredth

eviolencewhichhadbeencommittedonhisproperty,and,inthefirsttransportofhisindignation,hadshatteredittopieces.IshudderedonreflectinghownearIhadbeentobeingdetectedbyhimintheveryact,andbyhowsmallanintervalIhadescapedthatresentmentwhich,inthatcase,wouldhaveprobablybeenwreakeduponme.

Myattentionwaswithdrawn,atlength,fromthisobject,andfixeduponthecontentsoftheboxwhichIhaddugup.Thiswasequallyinaccessiblewiththeother.Ihadnotthesamemotivesforcautionandforbearance.Iwassomewhatdesperate,astheconsequencesofmyindiscretioncouldnotbeaggravated,andmycurio



sitywasmoreimpetuouswithregardtothesmallerthantothelargercabinet.Iplaceditonthegroundandcrushedittopieceswithmyheel.

Somethingwaswithin.Ibroughtittothelight,and,afterloosingnumerousfolds,atlengthdrewforthavolume.Noobjectinthecircleofnaturewasmoreadaptedthanthistorouseupallmyfaculties.Myfeelingswereanewexcitedonobservingthatitwasamanuscript.Iboltedthedoor,and,drawingnearthelight,openedandbegantoread.

Afewpagesweresufficienttoexplainthenatureofthework.Clitherohadmentionedthathisladyhadcomposedavindicationofherconducttowardsherbrotherwhenherintercessioninhisfavourwassolicitedandrefused.Thisperformancehadneverbeenpublished,buthadbeenreadbymany,andwaspreservedbyherfriendsasapreciousmonumentofhergeniusandhervirtue.Thismanuscriptwasnowbeforeme.

ThatClitheroshouldpreservethismanuscript,amidstthewreckofhishopesandfortunes,wasapparentlyconformabletohistemper.That,havingformedtheresolutiontodie,heshouldseektohidethisvolumefromtheprofanecuriosityofsurvivors,wasanaturalproceeding.Toburyitratherthantoburn,ordisperseitintofragments,wouldbesuggestedbythewishtoconceal,withoutcommittingwhathisheatedfancywouldregardassacrilege.Toburyitbeneaththeelmwasdictatedbynofortuitousorinexplicablecaprice.Thiseventcouldscarcelyfailofexercisingsomeinfluenceontheperturbationsofhissleep,andthus,i

nadditiontoothercauses,mighthishoveringnearthistrunk,andthrowingupthisearth,intheintervalsofslumber,beaccountedfor.Clithero,indeed,hadnotmentionedthisproceedinginthecourseofhisnarrative;butthatwouldhavecontravenedtheendforwhichhehadprovidedagraveforthisbook.

Ireadthiscopioustalewithunspeakableeagerness.ItessentiallyagreedwiththatwhichhadbeentoldbyClithero.Bydrawingfortheventsintoalltheircircumstances,moredistinctimpressionswereproducedonthemind,andproofsoffortitudeandequanimitywereheregiventowhichIhadhithertoknownnoparallel.NowonderthatasoullikeClithero's,pervadedbytheseproofsofinimitableexcellence,andthrillinglyalivetothepassionofvirtuousfame,andthevalueofthatexistencewhichhehaddestroyed,shouldbeoverbornebyhorrorattheviewofthepast.

Theinstabilityoflifeandhappinesswasforciblyillustrated,aswellastheperniciousnessoferror.Exemptasthisladywasfromalmosteverydefect,shewasindebtedforherruintoabsurdopinionsofthesacrednessofconsanguinity,toheranxietyforthepreservationofaruffianbecausethatruffianwasherbrother.ThespiritofClitherowasenlightenedanderect,butheweaklysufferedthedictatesofeternaljusticetobeswallowedupbygratitude.Thedreadofunjustupbraidinghurriedhimtomurderandtosuicide,andtheimputationofimaginaryguiltimpelledhimtotheperpetrationofgenuineandenormouscrimes.

Theperusalofthisvolumeendednotbutwiththenight.Contrarytomyhopes,thenextdaywasstormyandwet.Thisdidnotdetermefromvisitingthemountain.SlipperypathsandmuddytorrentswerenoobstaclestothepurposeswhichIha

dadopted.Iwrappedmyself,andabagofprovisions,inacloakofpaintedcanvas,andspeededtothedwellingofClithero.

Ipassedthroughthecaveandreachedthebridgewhichmyowningenuityhadformed.Atthatmoment,torrentsofrainpouredfromabove,andstrongerblaststhunderedamidstthesedesolaterecessesandprofoundchasms.Insteadoflamentingtheprevalenceofthistempest,Inowbegantoregarditwithpleasure.Itconferrednewformsofsublimityandgrandeuronthisscene.

AsIcreptwithhandsandfeetalongmyimperfectbridge,asuddengusthadnear



lywhirledmeintothefrightfulabyssbelow.Topreservemyself,Iwasobligedtoloosemyholdofmyburden,anditfellintothegulf.Thisincidentdisconcertedanddistressedme.AssoonasIhadeffectedmydangerouspassage,Iscreenedmyselfbehindacliffandgavemyselfuptoreflection.

ThepurposeofthisarduousjourneywasdefeatedbythelossoftheprovisionsIhadbrought.Idespairedofwinningtheattentionofthefugitivetosupplications,orargumentstendingtosmotherremorseorrevivehisfortitude.Thescopeofmyeffortswastoconsistinvanquishinghisaversiontofood;buttheseeffortswouldnowbeuseless,sinceIhadnopowertosupplyhiscravings.

Thisdeficiency,however,waseasilysupplied.Ihadonlytoreturnhomeandsupplymyselfanew.Notimewastobelostindoingthis;butIwaswillingtoremainunderthissheltertillthefuryofthetempesthadsubsided.Besides,IwasnotcertainthatClitherohadagainretreatedhither.Itwasrequisitetoexplorethesummitofthishill,andascertainwhetherithadanyinhabitant.Imightlikewisediscoverwhathadbeenthesuccessofmyformerexperiment,andwhetherthefood,whichhadbeenlefthereontheformerday,wasconsumedorneglected.

Whileoccupiedwiththesereflections,myeyeswerefixedupontheoppositesteeps.Thetopsofthetrees,wavingtoandfrointhewildestcommotion,andtheirtrunks,occasionallybendingtotheblast,which,intheseloftyregions,blewwithaviolenceunknowninthetractsbelow,exhibitedanawfulspectacle.Atle

ngth,myattentionwasattractedbythetrunkwhichlayacrossthegulf,andwhichIhadconvertedintoabridge.Iperceivedthatithadalreadysomewhatswervedfromitsoriginalposition,thateveryblastbrokeorloosenedsomeofthefibresbywhichitsrootswereconnectedwiththeoppositebank,andthat,ifthestormdidnotspeedilyabate,therewasimminentdangerofitsbeingtornfromtherockandprecipitatedintothechasm.Thusmyretreatwouldbecutoff,andtheevilsfromwhichIwasendeavouringtorescueanotherwouldbeexperiencedbymyself.

IdidnotjustthenreflectthatClitherohadfoundaccesstothishillbyothermeans,andthattheavenuebywhichhecamewouldbeequallycommodioustome.IbelievedmydestinytohangupontheexpeditionwithwhichIshouldrecrossthisgulf.Themomentsthatwerespentinthesedeliberationswerecritical,andI

shudderedtoobservethatthetrunkwasheldinitsplacebyoneortwofibreswhichwerealreadystretchedalmosttobreaking.

Topassalongthetrunk,renderedslipperybythewetandunsteadfastbythewind,wasimminentlydangerous.Tomaintainmyhold,inpassing,indefianceofthewhirlwind,requiredthemostvigorousexertions.Forthisenditwasnecessarytodiscommodemyselfofmycloak,andofthevolumewhichIcarriedinthepocketofmycloak.Ibelievedtherewasnoreasontodreadtheirbeingdestroyedorpurloined,ifleft,forafewhoursoraday,inthisrecess.Iflaidbesideastone,undershelterofthiscliff,theywould,nodoubt,remainunmolestedtillthedisappearanceofthestormshouldpermitmetorevisitthisspotintheafternoonoronthemorrow.

JustasIhaddisposedoftheseencumbrancesandhadrisenfrommyseat,myattentionwasagaincalledtotheoppositesteep,bythemostunwelcomeobjectthat,atthistime,couldpossiblyoccur.Somethingwasperceivedmovingamongthebushesandrocks,which,foratime,Ihopedwasnomorethanaraccoonoropossum,butwhichpresentlyappearedtobeapanther.Hisgraycoat,extendedclaws,fieryeyes,andacrywhichheatthatmomentuttered,andwhich,byitsresemblancetothehumanvoice,ispeculiarlyterrific,denotedhimtobethemostferociousanduntamableofthatdetestedrace.

[Footnote:Thegraycougar.Thisanimalhasalltheessentialcharacteristicsof



atiger.Thoughsomewhatinferiorinsizeandstrength,thesearesuchastomakehimequallyformidabletoman.]

Theindustryofourhuntershasnearlybanishedanimalsofpreyfromtheseprecincts.ThefastnessesofNorwalk,however,couldnotbutaffordrefugetosomeofthem.OflateIhadmetthemsorarely,thatmyfearswereseldomalive,andItrod,withoutcaution,theruggedestandmostsolitaryhaunts.Still,however,Ihadseldombeenunfurnishedinmyrambleswiththemeansofdefence.

Mytemperneverdelightedincarnageandblood.Ifoundnopleasureinplungingintobogs,wadingthroughrivulets,andpenetratingthickets,forthesakeofdispatchingwoodcocksandsquirrels.Towatchtheirgambolsandflittings,andinvitethemtomyhand,wasmydarlingamusementwhenloiteringamongthewoodsandtherocks.Itwasmuchotherwise,however,withregardtorattlesnakesandpanthers.TheseIthoughtitnobreachofdutytoexterminatewherevertheycouldbefound.Thesejudiciousandsanguinaryspoilerswereequallytheenemiesofmanandoftheharmlessracethatsportedinthetrees,andmanyoftheirskinsarestillpreservedbymeastrophiesofmyjuvenileprowess.

Ashuntingwasnevermytradeormysport,Ineverloadedmyselfwithfowling-pieceorrifle.Assiduousexercisehadmadememasterofaweaponofmucheasiercarriage,and,withinamoderatedistance,moredestructiveandunerring.Thiswasthetomahawk.WiththisIhaveoftenseveredanoak-branch,andcutthesinewsofacatamount,atthedistanceofsixtyfeet.

TheunfrequencywithwhichIhadlatelyencounteredthisfoe,andtheencumbranceofprovision,mademeneglect,onthisoccasion,tobringwithmemyusualarms.Thebeastthatwasnowbeforeme,whenstimulatedbyhunger,wasaccustomedtoassailwhatevercouldprovidehimwithabanquetofblood.Hewouldsetuponthemanandthedeerwithequalandirresistibleferocity.Hissagacitywasequaltohisstrength,andheseemedabletodiscoverwhenhisantagonistwasarmedandpreparedfordefence.

Mypastexperienceenabledmetoestimatethefullextentofmydanger.Hesatonthebrowofthesteep,eyeingthebridge,andapparentlydeliberatingwhetherheshouldcrossit.Itwasprobablethathehadscentedmyfootstepsthusfar,and,shouldhepassover,hisvigilancecouldscarcelyfailofdetectingmyasylu

m.ThepitintowhichClitherohadsunkfrommyviewwasatsomedistance.Toreachitwasthefirstimpulseofmyfear,butthiscouldnotbedonewithoutexcitingtheobservationandpursuitofthisenemy.Ideeplyregrettedtheuntowardchancethathadledme,whenIfirstcameover,toadifferentshelter.

Shouldheretainhispresentstation,mydangerwasscarcelylessened.Topassoverinthefaceofafamishedtigerwasonlytorushuponmyfate.Thefallingofthetrunk,whichhadlatelybeensoanxiouslydeprecated,wasnow,withnolesssolicitude,desired.Everynewgust,Ihoped,wouldtearasunderitsremainingbands,and,bycuttingoffallcommunicationbetweentheoppositesteeps,placemeinsecurity.

Myhopes,however,weredestinedtobefrustrated.Thefibresoftheprostratet

reewereobstinatelytenaciousoftheirhold,andpresentlytheanimalscrambleddowntherockandproceededtocrossit.

Ofallkindsofdeath,thatwhichnowmenacedmewasthemostabhorred.Todiebydisease,orbythehandofafellow-creature,waspropitiousandlenientincomparisonwithbeingrenttopiecesbythefangsofthissavage.Toperishinthisobscureretreat,bymeanssoimpervioustotheanxiouscuriosityofmyfriends,tolosemyportionofexistencebysountowardandignobleadestiny,wasinsupportable.Ibitterlydeploredmyrashnessincominghitherunprovidedforanencounterlikethis.



Theevilofmypresentcircumstancesconsistedchieflyinsuspense.Mydeathwasunavoidable,butmyimaginationhadleisuretotormentitselfbyanticipations.Onefootofthesavagewasslowlyandcautiouslymovedaftertheother.Hestruckhisclawssodeeplyintothebarkthattheywerewithdifficultywithdrawn.Atlengthheleapedupontheground.Wewerenowseparatedbyanintervalofscarcelyeightfeet.ToleavethespotwhereIcrouchedwasimpossible.Behindandbesideme,thecliffroseperpendicularly,andbeforemewasthisgrimandterrificvisage.Ishrunkstillclosertothegroundandclosedmyeyes.

FromthispauseofhorrorIwasarousedbythenoiseoccasionedbyasecondspringoftheanimal.Heleapedintothepit,inwhichIhadsodeeplyregrettedthatIhadnottakenrefuge,anddisappeared.Myrescuewassosudden,andsomuchbeyondmybelieformyhope,thatIdoubted,foramoment,whethermysensesdidnotdeceiveme.Thisopportunityofescapewasnottobeneglected.Ileftmyplace,andscrambledoverthetrunkwithaprecipitationwhichhadlikedtohaveprovedfatal.Thetreegroanedandshookunderme,thewindblewwithunexampledviolence,andIhadscarcelyreachedtheoppositesteepwhentherootswereseveredfromtherockandthewholefellthunderingtothebottomofthechasm.

Mytrepidationswerenotspeedilyquieted.Ilookedbackwithwonderonmyhairbreadthescape,andonthatsingularconcurrenceofeventswhichhadplacedme,insoshortaperiod,inabsolutesecurity.Hadthetrunkfallenamomentearlier,Ishouldhavebeenimprisonedonthehillorthrownheadlong.Haditsfallbee

ndelayedanothermoment,Ishouldhavebeenpursued;forthebeastnowissuedfromhisden,andtestifiedhissurpriseanddisappointmentbytokensthesightofwhichmademybloodruncold.

Hesawme,andhastenedtothevergeofthechasm.Hesquattedonhishind-legsandassumedtheattitudeofonepreparingtoleap.Myconsternationwasexcitedafreshbytheseappearances.Itseemedatfirstasiftheriftwastoowideforanypowerofmusclestocarryhiminsafetyover;butIknewtheunparalleledagilityofthisanimal,andthathisexperiencehadmadehimabetterjudgeofthepracticabilityofthisexploitthanIwas.Stilltherewashopethathewouldrelinquishthisdesignasdesperate.Thishopewasquicklyatanend.Hesprung,andhisfore-legstouchedthevergeoftherockonwhichIstood.Inspiteofvehementexertions,however,thesurfacewastoosmoothandtoohardtoallowhim

tomakegoodhishold.Hefell,andapiercingcry,utteredbelow,showedthatnothinghadobstructedhisdescenttothebottom.

ThuswasIagainrescuedfromdeath.Nothingbutthepressureoffaminecouldhavepromptedthissavagetosoaudaciousandhazardousaneffort;but,byyieldingtothisimpulse,hehadmademyfuturevisitstothisspotexemptfromperil.Clitherowas,likewise,relievedfromadangerthatwasimminentandunforeseen.Prowlingoverthesegrounds,thepanthercouldscarcelyhavefailedtomeetwiththissolitaryfugitive.

Hadtheanimallived,myfirstdutywouldhavebeentohavesoughthimoutandassailedhimwithmytomahawk;butnoundertakingwouldhavebeenmorehazardous.Lurkinginthegrass,orinthebranchesofatree,hiseyemighthavedescried

myapproach,hemightleapuponmeunperceived,andmyweaponwouldbeuseless.

Withaheartbeatingwithunwontedrapidity,Ioncemoredescendedthecliff,enteredthecavern,andarrivedatHuntlyfarm,drenchedwithrain,andexhaustedbyfatigue.

Bynightthestormwasdispelled;butmyexhaustedstrengthwouldnotallowmetoreturntothemountain.AtthecustomaryhourIretiredtomychamber.Iincessantlyruminatedontheadventuresofthelastday,andinquiredintotheconductwhichIwasnexttopursue.



Thebridgebeingdestroyed,mycustomaryaccesswascutoff.Therewasnopossibilityofrestoringthisbridge.Mystrengthwouldnotsufficetodragafallentreefromadistance,andtherewasnonewhosepositionwouldabridgeorsupersedethatlabour.Someotherexpedientmust,therefore,bediscoveredtopassthischasm.

Ireviewedthecircumstancesofmysubterraneanjourney.Thecavernwasimperfectlyexplored.Itsbranchesmightbenumerous.ThatwhichIhadhithertopursuedterminatedinanopeningataconsiderabledistancefromthebottom.Otherbranchesmightexist,someofwhichmightleadtothefootoftheprecipice,andthenceacommunicationmightbefoundwiththesummitoftheinteriorhill.

Thedangerofwanderingintodarkanduntriedpaths,andthecommodiousnessofthatroadwhichhadatfirstbeentaken,weresufficientreasonsforhavinghithertosuspendedmyexaminationofthedifferentbranchesofthislabyrinth.Nowmycustomaryroadwasnolongerpracticable,andanotherwastobecarefullyexplored.Forthisend,onmynextjourneytothemountain,Ideterminedtotakewithmealamp,andunravelthisdarksomemaze:thisprojectIresolvedtoexecutethenextday.

Inowrecollectedwhat,ifithadmoreseasonablyoccurred,wouldhavetaughtmecaution.Somemonthsbeforethisafarmer,livingintheskirtsofNorwalk,discoveredtwomaraudersinhisfield,whomheimaginedtobeamaleandfemalepan

ther.Theyhaddestroyedsomesheep,andhadbeenhuntedbythefarmerwithlongandfruitlessdiligence.Sheephadlikewisebeendestroyedindifferentquarters;buttheownershadfixedtheimputationofthecrimeupondogs,manyofwhomhadatonedfortheirsupposedoffencesbytheirdeath.Hewhohadmentionedhisdiscoveryofpanthersreceivedlittlecreditfromhisneighbours;becausealongtimehadelapsedsincetheseanimalsweresupposedtohavebeenexiledfromthisdistrict,andbecausenootherpersonhadseenthem.Thetruthofthisseemednowtobeconfirmedbythetestimonyofmyownsenses;but,iftherumourweretrue,therestillexistedanotheroftheseanimals,whomightharbourintheobscuritiesofthisdesert,andagainstwhomitwasnecessarytoemploysomeprecaution.HenceforthIresolvednevertotraversethewildernessunfurnishedwithmytomahawk.

Theseimages,mingledwiththosewhichthecontemplationoffuturitysuggested,floated,foratime,inmybrain,butatlengthgaveplacetosleep.ChapterXIII.

Sincemyreturnhome,mymindhadbeenfullyoccupiedbyschemesandreflectionsrelativetoClithero.Theprojectsuggestedbythee,andtowhichIhaddeterminedtodevotemyleisure,wasforgotten,orrememberedforamomentandatwideintervals.What,however,wasnearlybanishedfrommywakingthoughts,occurredinanincongruousandhalf-seenform,tomydreams.Duringmysleep,theimageofWaldegraveflittedbeforeme.Methoughtthesentimentthatimpelledhimtovisitmewasnotaffectionorcomplacency,butinquietudeandanger.Someserviceordutyremainedtobeperformedbyme,whichIhadculpablyneglected:toinspiritmyzeal,toawakenmyremembrance,andincitemetotheperformanceofthisd

uty,didthisglimmeringmessenger,thishalf-indignantapparition,come.

Icommonlyawakesoonenoughtomarktheyoungestdawnofthemorning.Now,inconsequenceperhapsofmyperturbedsleep,Iopenedmyeyesbeforethestarshadlostanyoftheirlustre.Thiscircumstanceproducedsomesurprise,untiltheimagesthatlatelyhoveredinmyfancywererecalled,andfurnishedsomewhatlikeasolutionoftheproblem.Connectedwiththeimageofmydeadfriendwasthatofhissister.Thediscoursethattookplaceatourlastinterview;theschemeoftranscribing,forthyuse,alltheletterswhich,duringhisshortbutbusylife,Ireceivedfromhim;thenatureofthiscorrespondence,andtheopportunityw



hichthisemploymentwouldaffordmeofcontemplatingtheseampleandpreciousmonumentsoftheintellectualexistenceandmoralpre-eminenceofmyfriend,occurredtomythoughts.

Theresolutiontoprosecutethetaskwasrevived.Theobligationofbenevolence,withregardtoClithero,wasnotdischarged.This,neitherdutynorcuriositywouldpermittobeoverlookedordelayed;butwhyshouldmywholeattentionandactivitybedevotedtothisman?Thehourswhichwerespentathomeandinmychambercouldnotbemoreusefullyemployedthaninmakingmyintendedcopy.

InafewhoursaftersunriseIpurposedtoresumemywaytothemountain.Couldthisintervalbeappropriatedtoabetterpurposethanincountingovermyfriend'sletters,settingthemapartfrommyown,andpreparingthemforthattranscriptionfromwhichIexpectedsohighandyetsomournfulagratification?

Thispurpose,bynoviolentunion,wasblendedwiththerecollectionofmydream.Thisrecollectioninfusedsomedegreeofwaveringanddejectionintomymind.IntranscribingtheselettersIshouldviolatepatheticandsolemninjunctionsfrequentlyrepeatedbythewriter.Wastheresomeconnectionbetweenthispurposeandtheincidentsofmyvision?Wasthelattersenttoenforcetheinterdictionswhichhadbeenformerlyimposed?

Thouartnotfullyacquaintedwiththeintellectualhistoryofthybrother.Someinformationonthatheadwillbenecessarytoexplainthenatureofthatreluct

ancewhichInowfeeltocomplywiththyrequest,andwhichhadformerlysomuchexcitedthysurprise.

Waldegrave,likeothermenearlydevotedtomeditationandbooks,hadadopted,atdifferentperiods,differentsystemsofopinionontopicsconnectedwithreligionandmorals.Hisearliestcreedstendedtoeffacetheimpressionsofhiseducation;todeifynecessityanduniversalizematter;todestroythepopulardistinctionsbetweensoulandbody,andtodissolvethesupposedconnectionbetweenthemoralconditionofmananteriorandsubsequenttodeath.

Thiscreedheadoptedwithallthefulnessofconviction,andpropagatedwiththeutmostzeal.Soonafterourfriendshipcommenced,fortuneplacedusatadistancefromeachother,andnointercoursewasallowedbutbythepen.Ourletters,

however,werepunctualandcopious.ThoseofWaldegraveweretoofrequentlydevotedtothedefenceofhisfavouritetenets.

Thouartacquaintedwiththerevolutionthatafterwardstookplaceinhismind.Placedwithinthesphereofreligiousinfluence,andlisteningdailytothereasoningsandexhortationsofMr.S----,whosebenigntemperandblamelessdeportmentwasavisibleandconstantlesson,heinsensiblyresumedthefaithwhichhehadrelinquished,andbecamethevehementopponentofallthathehadformerlydefended.Thechiefobjectofhislabours,inthisnewstateofhismind,wastocounteracttheeffectofhisformerreasoningsonmyopinions.

Atthistime,otherchangestookplaceinhissituation,inconsequenceofwhichwewereoncemorepermittedtoresideunderthesameroof.Theintercoursenow

ceasedtobebyletter,andthesubtleandlaboriousargumentationswhichhehadformerlyproducedagainstreligion,andwhichwerecontainedinapermanentform,werecombatedintransientconversation.Hewasnotonlyeagertosubvertthoseopinionswhichhehadcontributedtoinstilintome,butwasanxiousthatthelettersandmanuscriptswhichhadbeenemployedintheirsupportshouldbedestroyed.Hedidnotfearwhollyorchieflyonmyownaccount.Hebelievedthattheinfluenceofformerreasoningsonmyfaithwouldbesufficientlyeradicatedbythenew;buthedreadedlestthesemanuscriptsmightfallintootherhands,andthusproducemischiefswhichitwouldnotbeinhispowertorepair.Withregardtome,thepoisonhadbeenfollowedbyitsantidote;butwithrespecttoothers



,theseletterswouldcommunicatethepoisonwhentheantidotecouldnotbeadministered.

Iwouldnotconsenttothissacrifice.Ididnotentirelyabjurethecreedwhichhad,withgreatcopiousnessandeloquence,beendefendedintheseletters.Besides,mixedupwithabstractreasoningswerenumberlesspassageswhichelucidatedthecharacterandhistoryofmyfriend.Theseweretooprecioustobeconsignedtooblivion;andtotakethemoutoftheirpresentconnectionandarrangementwouldbetomutilateanddeformthem.

Hisentreatiesandremonstranceswereearnestandfrequent,butalwaysineffectual.Hehadtoomuchpurityofmotivestobeangryatmystubbornness;buthissenseofthemischievoustendencyoftheseletterswassogreat,thatmyintractabilitycosthimmanyapang.

Hewasnowgone,andIhadnotonlydeterminedtopreservethesemonuments,buthadconsentedtocopythemfortheuseofanother;fortheuseofonewhosepresentandeternalwelfarehadbeenthechiefobjectofhiscaresandefforts.Thou,likeothersofthysex,artunaccustomedtometaphysicalrefinements.Thyreligionisthegrowthofsensibilityandnotofargument.ThouartnotfortifiedandprepossessedagainstthesubtletieswithwhichthebeingandattributesoftheDeityhavebeenassailed.Woulditbejusttoexposetheetopollutionanddepravityfromthissource?Tomakethybrothertheinstrumentofthyapostasy,theauthorofthyfall?Thatbrotherwhoselatterdaysweresoardentlydevotedtoc

herishingthespiritofdevotioninthyheart?

Theseideasnowoccurredwithmoreforcethanformerly.Ihadpromised,notwithoutreluctance,togivetheetheentirecopyofhisletters;butInowrecededfromthispromise.Iresolvedmerelytoselectforthyperusalsuchaswerenarrativeordescriptive.Thiscouldnotbedonewithtoomuchexpedition.Itwasstilldark,butmysleepwasatanend,and,byacommonapparatus,thatlaybesidemybed,Icouldinstantlyproducealight.

Thelightwasproduced,andIproceededtothecabinetwhereallmypapersandbooksaredeposited.Thiswasmyowncontrivanceandworkmanship,undertakenbytheadviceofSarsefield,whotookinfinitepainstofosterthatmechanicalgeniuswhichdisplayeditselfsoearlyandsoforciblyinthyfriend.Thekeybelongi

ngtothiswas,likethecabinetitself,ofsingularstructure.Forgreatersafety,itwasconstantlyplacedinacloset,whichwaslikewiselocked.

Thekeywasfoundasusual,andthecabinetopened.Theletterswereboundtogetherinacompactform,lodgedinaparchmentcase,andplacedinasecretdrawer.Thisdrawerwouldnothavebeendetectedbycommoneyes,anditopenedbythemotionofaspring,ofwhoseexistencenonebutthemakerwasconscious.ThisdrawerIhadopenedbeforeIwenttosleep,andtheletterswerethensafe.

Thoucanstnotimaginemyconfusionandastonishment,when,onopeningthedrawer,Iperceivedthatthepacketwasgone.Ilookedwithmoreattention,andputmyhandwithinit;butthespacewasempty.Whitherhaditgone,andbywhomwasitpurloined?Iwasnotconsciousofhavingtakenitaway,yetnohandsbutmine

couldhavedoneit.OnthelasteveningIhaddoubtlessremovedittosomeothercorner,buthadforgottenit.Itaskedmyunderstandingandmymemory.Icouldnotconceivethepossibilityofanymotivesinducingmetoaltermyarrangementsinthisrespect,andwasunabletorecollectthatIhadmadethischange.

Whatremained?Thisinvaluablerelichaddisappeared.Everythoughtandeveryeffortmustbedevotedtothesinglepurposeofregainingit.AsyetIdidnotdespair.UntilIhadopenedandransackedeverypartofthecabinetinvain,IdidnotadmitthebeliefthatIhadlostit.Eventhenthispersuasionwastumultuousandfluctuating.Ithadvanishedtomysenses,butthesesenseswereabusedan



ddepraved.Tohavepassed,ofitsownaccord,throughtheporesofthiswood,wasimpossible;but,ifitweregone,thusdiditescape.

Iwaslostinhorrorandamazement.Iexploredeverynookasecondandathirdtime,butstilliteludedmyeyeandmytouch.Iopenedmyclosetsandcases.Ipriedeverywhere,unfoldedeveryarticleofclothing,turnedandscrutinizedeveryinstrumentandtool,butnothingavailed.

Mythoughtswerenotspeedilycollectedorcalmed.Ithrewmyselfonthebedandresignedmyselftomusing.Thatmylosswasirretrievablewasasuppositionnottobeendured.Yetominousterrorshauntedme,--awhisperingintimationthatarelicwhichIvaluedmorethanlifewastornforeverawaybysomemalignantandinscrutabledestiny.Thesamepowerthathadtakenitfromthisreceptaclewasabletowaftitovertheoceanorthemountains,andcondemnmetoafruitlessandeternalsearch.

Butwhatwashethatcommittedthetheft?Thouonly,ofthebeingswholive,wastacquaintedwiththeexistenceofthesemanuscripts.Thouartmanymilesdistant,andartutterlyastrangertothemodeorplaceoftheirconcealment.Notonlyaccesstothecabinet,butaccesstotheroom,withoutmyknowledgeandpermission,wasimpossible.Bothwerelockedduringthisnight.Notfivehourshadelapsedsincethecabinetanddrawerhadbeenopened,andsincethelettershadbeenseenandtouched,beingintheirordinaryposition.Duringthisinterval,thethiefhadentered,anddespoiledmeofmytreasure.

Thisevent,soinexplicableandsodreadful,threwmysoulintoakindofstuporordistraction,fromwhichIwassuddenlyrousedbyafootstepsoftlymovingintheentrynearmydoor.Istartedfrommybed,asifIhadgainedaglimpseoftherobber.BeforeIcouldruntothedoor,someoneknocked.Ididnotthinkupontheproprietyofansweringthesignal,buthastenedwithtremulousfingersandthrobbinghearttoopenthedoor.Myuncle,inhisnight-dress,andapparentlyjustrisenfromhisbed,stoodbeforeme!

Hemarkedtheeagernessandperturbationofmylooks,andinquiredintothecause.Ididnotanswerhisinquiries.Hisappearanceinmychamberandinthisguiseaddedtomysurprise.Mymindwasfullofthelatediscovery,andinstantlyconceivedsomeconnectionbetweenthisunseasonablevisitandmylostmanuscript.

Iinterrogatedhiminmyturnastothecauseofhiscoming.

"Why,"saidhe,"Icametoascertainwhetheritwasyouornotwhoamusedhimselfsostrangelyatthistimeofnight.Whatisthematterwithyou?Whyareyouupsoearly?"

ItoldhimthatIhadbeenrousedbymydreams,and,findingnoinclinationtocourtmyslumberbackagain,Ihadrisen,thoughearlierbysomehoursthantheusualperiodofmyrising.

"Butwhydidyougoup-stairs?Youmighteasilyimaginethatthesoundofyourstepswouldalarmthosebelow,whowouldbepuzzledtoguesswhoitwasthathadthoughtpropertoamusehimselfinthismanner."

"Up-stairs?Ihavenotleftmyroomthisnight.ItisnottenminutessinceIawoke,andmydoorhasnotsincebeenopened."

"Indeed!Thatisstrange.Nay,itisimpossible!ItwasyourfeetsurelythatIheardpacingsosolemnlyandindefatigablyacrossthelongroomfornearanhour.Icouldnotformylifeconjecture,foratime,whoitwas,butfinallyconcludedthatitwasyou.Therewasstill,however,somedoubt,andIcamehithertosatisfymyself."



Thesetidingswereadaptedtoraiseallmyemotionstoastillhigherpitch.Iquestionedhimwitheagernessastothecircumstanceshehadnoticed.Hesaidhehadbeenrousedbyasound,whosepowerofdisturbinghimarose,notfromitsloudness,butfromitsuncommonness.Hedistinctlyheardsomeonepacingtoandfrowithbarefeet,inthelongroom:thissoundcontinued,withlittleintermission,foranhour.Hethennoticedacessationofthewalking,andasoundasifsomeonewereliftingthelidofthelargecedarchestthatstoodinthecornerofthisroom.Thewalkingwasnotresumed,andallwassilent.Helistenedforaquarterofanhour,andbusiedhimselfinconjecturingthecauseofthisdisturbance.Themostprobableconclusionwas,thatthewalkerwashisnephew,andhiscuriosityhadledhimtomychambertoascertainthetruth.

Thisdwellinghasthreestories.Thetwolowerstoriesaredividedintonumerousapartments.Theupperstoryconstitutesasingleroomwhosesidesarethefourwallsofthehouse,andwhoseceilingistheroof.Thisroomisunoccupied,exceptbylumber,andimperfectlylightedbyasmallcasementatoneend.Inthisroomwerefootstepsheardbymyuncle.

Thestaircaseleadingtoitterminatedinapassagenearmydoor.Isnatchedthecandle,and,desiringhimtofollowme,addedthatIwouldascertainthetruthinamoment.Hefollowed,butobservedthatthewalkinghadceasedlongenoughforthepersontoescape.

Iascendedtotheroom,andlookedbehindandamongthetables,andchairs,and

casks,whichwereconfusedlyscatteredthroughit,butfoundnothingintheshapeofman.Thecedarchest,spokenofbyMr.Huntly,containedoldbooks,andremnantsofmapsandcharts,whoseworthlessnessunfittedthemforaccomodationelsewhere.Thelidwaswithouthingesorlock.Iexaminedthisrepository,buttherewasnothingwhichattractedmyattention.

Thewaybetweenthekitchen-doorandthedoorofthelongroomhadnoimpediments.Bothwereusuallyunfastened;butthemotivesbywhichanystrangertothedwelling,orindeedanyonewithinit,couldbepromptedtochoosethisplaceandhourforanemploymentofthiskind,werewhollyincomprehensible.

Whenthefamilyrose,inquiriesweremade;butnosatisfactionwasobtained.Thefamilyconsistedonlyoffourpersons,--myuncle,mytwosisters,andmyself.I

mentionedtothemthelossIhadsustained,buttheirconjectureswerenolessunsatisfactoryonthisthanontheformerincident.

Therewasnoendtomyrestlessmeditations.Waldegravewastheonlybeing,besidesmyself,acquaintedwiththesecretsofmycabinet.Duringhislifethesemanuscriptshadbeentheobjectsofperpetualsolicitude;togainpossession,todestroyorsecretethem,wasthestrongestofhiswishes.Hadheretainedhissensibilityontheapproachofdeath,nodoubthewouldhaverenewed,withirresistiblesolemnity,hisinjunctionstodestroythem.

Now,however,theyhadvanished.Therewerenomaterialsofconjecture;noprobabilitiestobeweighed,orsuspicionstorevolve.Humanartificeorpowerwasunequaltothisexploit.Meanslessthanpreternaturalwouldnotfurnishaconveya

nceforthistreasure.

Itwasotherwisewithregardtothisunseasonablewalker.Hisinducementsindeedwerebeyondmypowertoconceive;buttoenterthesedoorsandascendthesestairsdemandednotthefacultiesofanybeingmorethanhuman.

Thisintrusion,andthepillageofmycabinet,werecontemporaryevents.Wastherenomoreconnectionbetweenthemthanthatwhichresultsfromtime?Wasnotthepurloinerofmytreasureandthewandererthesameperson?Icouldnotreconciletheformerincidentwiththeattributesofman;andyetasecretfaith,nott



obeoutrootedorsuspended,swayedme,andcompelledmetoimaginethatthedetectionofthisvisitantwouldunveilthethief.

Thesethoughtswerepregnantwithdejectionandreverie.Clithero,duringtheday,wasforgotten.Onthesucceedingnight,myintentions,withregardtothisman,returned.Iderivedsomeslenderconsolationfromreflecting,thattime,initslonglapseandceaselessrevolutions,mightdissipatethegloomthatenvironedme.Meanwhile,IstruggledtodismisstheimagesconnectedwithmylossandtothinkonlyofClithero.

Myimpatiencewasasstrongasevertoobtainanotherinterviewwiththisman.Ilongedwithvehemenceforthereturnofday.Ibelievedthateverymomentaddedtohissufferings,intellectualandphysical,andconfidedintheefficacyofmypresencetoalleviateorsuspendthem.TheprovisionsIhadleftwouldbespeedilyconsumed,andtheabstinenceofthreedayswassufficienttounderminethevitalenergies.IsometimeshesitatedwhetherIoughtnotinstantlytodepart.Itwasnightindeed,butthelatestormhadpurifiedtheair,andtheradianceofafullmoonwasuniversalanddazzling.

FromthisattemptIwasdeterredbyreflectingthatmyownframeneededtherepairsofsleep.Toilandwatchfulness,ifprolongedanotherday,woulddeeplyinjureaconstitutionbynomeansdistinguishedforitsforce.Imust,therefore,compel,ifitwerepossible,somehoursofrepose.Ipreparedtoretiretobed,whenanewincidentoccurredtodivertmyattentionforatimefromthesedesigns.

ChapterXIV.

Whilesittingalonebytheparlour-fire,markingtheeffectsofmoonlight,Inotedoneonhorsebackcomingtowardsthegate.Atfirstsight,methoughthisshapeandguisewerenotwhollynewtome;butallthatIcoulddiscernwasmerelyaresemblancetosomeonewhomIhadbeforeseen.Presentlyhestopped,and,lookingtowardsthehouse,madeinquiriesofapassengerwhochancedtobenear.Beingapparentlysatisfiedwiththeanswershereceived,herodewithaquickpaceintothecourtandalightedatthedoor.Istartedfrommyseat,and,goingforth,waitedwithsomeimpatiencetohearhispurposeexplained.

Heaccostedmewiththeformalityofastranger,andaskedifayoungman,bynameEdgarHuntly,residedhere.Beingansweredintheaffirmative,andbeingrequ

estedtocomein,heentered,andseatedhimself,withouthesitation,bythefire.Somedoubtandanxietywerevisibleinhislooks.Heseemeddesirousofinformationuponsometopic,andyetbetrayedterrorlesttheanswershemightreceiveshouldsubvertsomehopeorconfirmsomeforeboding.

MeanwhileIscrutinizedhisfeatureswithmuchsolicitude.Anearerandmoredeliberateviewconvincedmethatthefirstimpressionwasjust;butstillIwasunabletocalluphisnameorthecircumstancesofourformermeeting.Thepausewasatlengthendedbyhissaying,inafalteringvoice,--

"MynameisWeymouth.Icamehithertoobtaininformationonasubjectinwhichmyhappinessisdeeplyconcerned."

Atthementionofhisname,Istarted.Itwasanametoocloselyconnectedwiththeimageofthybrother,nottocallupaffectingandvividrecollections.Weymouth,thouknowest,wasthybrother'sfriend.ItisthreeyearssincethismanleftAmerica,duringwhichtimenotidingshadbeenheardofhim,--atleast,bythybrother.Hehadnowreturned,andwasprobablyunacquaintedwiththefateofhisfriend.

Afterananxiouspause,hecontinued:--"SincemyarrivalIhaveheardofaneventwhichhas,onmanyaccounts,givenmethedeepestsorrow.IlovedWaldegrave,andknownotanypersonintheworldwhoselifewasdearertomethanhis.There



wereconsiderations,however,whichmadeitmoreprecioustomethanthelifeofonewhosemeritsmightbegreater.Withhislife,myownexistenceandpropertywere,Ihavereasontothink,inseparablyunited.

"Onmyreturntomycountry,afteralongabsence,Imadeimmediateinquiriesafterhim.Iwasinformedofhisuntimelydeath.Ihadquestions,ofinfinitemomenttomyhappiness,todecidewithregardtothestateanddispositionofhisproperty.Isoughtoutthoseofhisfriendswhohadmaintainedwithhimthemostfrequentandconfidentialintercourse,buttheycouldnotaffordmeanysatisfaction.Atlength,Iwasinformedthatayoungmanofyourname,andlivinginthisdistrict,hadenjoyedmoreofhisaffectionandsocietythananyother,hadregulatedthepropertywhichheleftbehind,andwasbestqualifiedtoaffordtheintelligencewhichIsought.You,itseems,arethisperson,andofyouImustmakeinquiriestowhichIconjureyoutoreturnsincereandexplicitanswers."

"That,"saidI,"Ishallfindnodifficultyindoing.Whateverquestionsyoushallthinkpropertoask,Iwillanswerwithreadinessandtruth."

"Whatkindofproperty,andtowhatamount,wasyourfriendpossessedofathisdeath?"

"Itwasmoney,andconsistedofdepositsattheBankofNorthAmerica.Theamountwaslittleshortofeightthousanddollars."

"Onwhomhasthispropertydevolved?"

"Hissisterwashisonlykindred,andsheisnowinpossessionofit."

"Didheleaveanywillbywhichhedirectedthedispositionofhisproperty?"Whilethusspeaking,Weymouthfixedhiseyesuponmycountenance,andseemedanxioustopierceintomyinmostsoul.Iwassomewhatsurprisedathisquestions,butmuchmoreatthemannerinwhichtheywereput.Iansweredhim,however,withoutdelay:--"Heleftnowill,norwasanypaperdiscoveredbywhichwecouldguessathisintentions.Nodoubt,indeed,hadhemadeawill,hissisterwouldhavebeenplacedpreciselyinthesameconditioninwhichshenowis.Hewasnotonlyboundtoherbythestrongesttiesofkindred,butbyaffectionandgratitude."

Weymouthnowwithdrewhiseyesfrommyface,andsunkintoamournfulreverie.Hesighedoftenanddeeply.Thisdeportmentandthestrainofhisinquiriesexcitedmuchsurprise.HisinterestinthefateofWaldegraveoughttohavemadetheinformationhehadreceivedasourceofsatisfactionratherthanofregret.ThepropertywhichWaldegraveleftwasmuchgreaterthanhismodeoflifeandhisownprofessionshadgivenusreasontoexpect,butitwasnomorethansufficienttoinsuretotheeanadequatesubsistence.ItascertainedthehappinessofthosewhoweredearesttoWaldegrave,andplacedthemforeverbeyondthereachofthatpovertywhichhadhithertobesetthem.Imadenoattempttointerruptthesilence,butpreparedtoansweranynewinterrogatory.Atlength,Weymouthresumed:--

"Waldegravewasafortunatemantoamasssoconsiderableasuminsoshortatim

e.Iremember,whenweparted,hewaspoor.Heusedtolamentthathisscrupulousintegrityprecludedhimfromallthecommonroadstowealth.Hedidnotcontemnriches,buthesetthehighestvalueuponcompetence,andimaginedthathewasdoomedforevertopoverty.Hisreligiousdutycompelledhimtoseekhislivelihoodbyteachingaschoolofblacks.Thelabourwasdisproportionedtohisfeebleconstitution,andtheprofitwasgreatlydisproportionedtothelabour.Itscarcelysuppliedthenecessitiesofnature,andwasreducedsometimesevenbelowthatstandardbyhisfrequentindisposition.Irejoicetofindthathisscrupleshadsomewhatrelaxedtheirforce,andthathehadbetakenhimselftosomemoreprofitableoccupation.Pray,whatwashisnewwayofbusiness?"



"Nay,"saidI,"hisscruplescontinuedasrigid,inthisrespect,asever.Hewasteacherofthenegrofreeschoolwhenhedied."

"Indeed!How,then,camehetoamasssomuchmoney?Couldheblendanymorelucrativepursuitwithhisdutyasaschoolmaster?"

"Soitseems."

"Whatwashispursuit?"

"Thatquestion,Ibelieve,noneofhisfriendsarequalifiedtoanswer.Ithoughtmyselfacquaintedwiththemostsecrettransactionsofhislife,butthishadbeencarefullyconcealedfromme.Iwasnotonlyunapprizedofanyotheremploymentofhistime,buthadnottheslightestsuspicionofhispossessinganypropertybesideshisclothesandbooks.Ransackinghispapers,withadifferentview,Ilightedonhisbank-book,inwhichwasaregularreceiptforseventhousandfivehundreddollars.Bywhatmeansheacquiredthismoney,andeventheacquisitionofit,tillhisdeathputusinpossessionofhispapers,waswhollyunknowntous."

"Possiblyhemighthavehelditintrustforanother.Inthiscasesomememorandumsorletterswouldbefoundexplainingthisaffair."

"True.Thissuppositioncouldnotfailtooccur,inconsequenceofwhichthemostdiligentsearchwasmadeamonghispapers,butnoshredorscrapwastobefoundwhichcountenancedourconjecture."

"Youmayreasonablybesurprised,andperhapsoffended,"saidWeymouth,"attheseinquiries;butitistimetoexplainmymotivesformakingthem.ThreeyearsagoIwas,likeWaldegrave,indigent,andearnedmybreadbydailylabour.Duringsevenyears'serviceinapublicoffice,Isaved,fromtheexpensesofsubsistence,afewhundreddollars.Ideterminedtostrikeintoanewpath,and,withthissum,tolaythefoundationofbetterfortune.Iturneditintoabulkycommodity,freightedandloadedasmallvessel,andwentwithittoBarcelonainSpain.Iwasnotunsuccessfulinmyprojects,and,changingmyabodetoEngland,France,andGermany,accordingasmyinterestrequired,Ibecamefinallypossessedo

fsufficientforthesupplyofallmywants.Ithenresolvedtoreturntomynativecountry,and,layingoutmymoneyinland,tospendtherestofmydaysintheluxuryandquietofanopulentfarmer.ForthisendIinvestedthegreatestpartofmypropertyinacargoofwinefromMadeira.TheremainderIturnedintoabillofexchangeforseventhousandfivehundreddollars.IhadmaintainedafriendlycorrespondencewithWaldegraveduringmyabsence.TherewasnoonewithwhomIhadlivedontermsofsomuchintimacy,andhadboundlessconfidenceinhisintegrity.TohimthereforeIdeterminedtotransmitthisbill,requestinghimtotakethemoneyintosafe-keepinguntilmyreturn.InthismannerIendeavouredtoprovideagainsttheaccidentsthatmightbefallmypersonormycargoincrossingtheocean.

"Itwasmyfatetoencountertheworstofthesedisasters.Wewereovertakenby

astorm,myvesselwasdrivenashoreonthecoastofPortugal,mycargowasutterlylost,andthegreaterpartofthecrewandpassengersweredrowned.Iwasrescuedfromthesamefatebysomefishermen.InconsequenceofthehardshipstowhichIhadbeenexposed,havinglabouredforseveraldaysatthepumps,andspentthegreaterpartofawinternighthangingfromtheriggingoftheshipandperpetuallybeatenbythewaves,Icontractedaseveredisease,whichbereavedmeoftheuseofmylimbs.Thefishermenwhorescuedmecarriedmetotheirhuts,andthereIremainedthreeweekshelplessandmiserable.

"ThatpartofthecoastonwhichIwasthrownwas,inthehighestdegree,steril



eandrude.Itsfewinhabitantssubsistedprecariouslyontheproduceoftheocean.Theirdwellingswereofmud,--low,filthy,dark,andcomfortless.Theirfuelwasthestalksofshrubssparinglyscatteredoverasandydesert.Theirpovertyscarcelyallowedthemsaltandblackbreadwiththeirfish,whichwasobtainedinunequalandsometimesinsufficientquantities,andwhichtheyatewithallitsimpurities,andhalfcooked.

"Myformerhabits,aswellasmypresentindisposition,requiredverydifferenttreatmentfromwhattheignoranceandpenuryofthesepeopleobligedthemtobestow.Ilayuponthemoistearth,imperfectlyshelteredfromthesky,andwithneitherraimentnorfiretokeepmewarm.Myhostshadlittleattentionorcompassiontosparetothewantsofothers.Theycouldnotremovemetoamorehospitabledistrict;andhere,withoutdoubt,Ishouldhaveperished,hadnotamonkchancedtovisittheirhovels.HebelongedtoaconventofSt.Jago,someleaguesfartherfromtheshore,whichusedtosendoneofitsmembersannuallytoinspectthereligiousconcernsofthoseoutcasts.Happily,thiswastheperiodoftheirvisitations.

"MyabodeinSpainhadmademesomewhatconversantwithitslanguage.ThedialectofthismonkdidnotsomuchdifferfromCastilianbutthat,withtheassistanceofLatin,wewereabletoconverse.Thejargonofthefishermenwasunintelligible,andtheyhadvainlyendeavouredtokeepupmyspiritsbyinformingmeofthisexpectedvisit.

"Thismonkwastouchedwithcompassionatmycalamity,andspeedilyprovidedthemeansofmyremovaltohisconvent.HereIwascharitablyentertained,andtheaidofaphysicianwasprocuredforme.Hewasbutpoorlyskilledinhisprofession,andratherconfirmedthanalleviatedmydisease.ThePortugueseofhistrade,especiallyinremoterdistricts,arelittlemorethandealersintalismansandnostrums.ForalongtimeIwasunabletoleavemypallet,andhadnoprospectbeforemebutthatofconsumingmydaysinthegloomofthiscloister.

"Allthemembersofthisconventbuthewhohadbeenmyfirstbenefactor,andwhosenamewasChaledro,werebigotedandsordid.Theirchiefmotivefortreatingmewithkindnesswasthehopeofobtainingaconvertfromheresy.Theysparednopainstosubduemyerrors,andwerewillingtoprolongmyimprisonment,inthehopeoffinallygainingtheirend.Hadmyfatebeengovernedbythose,Ishould

havebeenimmuredinthisconvent,andcompelledeithertoadopttheirfanaticalcreedortoputanendtomyownlife,inordertoescapetheirwell-meantpersecutions.Chaledro,however,thoughnolesssincereinhisfaithandurgentinhisentreaties,yetfindingmeinvincible,exertedhisinfluencetoobtainmyliberty.

"Aftermanydelays,andstrenuousexertionsofmyfriend,theyconsentedtoremovemetoOporto.Thejourneywastobeperformedinanopencart,overamountainouscountry,intheheatsofsummer.Themonksendeavouredtodissuademefromtheenterprise,formyownsake,itbeingscarcelypossiblethatoneinmyfeeblestateshouldsurviveajourneylikethis;butIdespairedofimprovingmyconditionbyothermeans.IpreferreddeathtotheimprisonmentofaPortuguesemonastery,andknewthatIcouldhopefornoalleviationofmydiseasebutfromthe

skillofScottishorFrenchphysicians,whomIexpectedtomeetwithinthatcity.Iadheredtomypurposewithsomuchvehemenceandobstinacy,thattheyfinallyyieldedtomywishes.

"Myroadlaythroughthewildestandmostruggeddistricts.Itdidnotexceedninetymiles,butsevendayswereconsumedontheway.Themotionofthevehiclerackedmewiththekeenestpangs,andmyattendantsconcludedthateverystagewouldbemylast.Theyhadbeenselectedwithoutdueregardtotheircharacters.Theywereknavishandinhuman,andomittednothingbutactualviolencetohastenmydeath.Theypurposelyretardedthejourney,andprotractedtosevenwhatmigh



thavebeenreadilyperformedinfourdays.Theyneglectedtoexecutetheorderswhichtheyhadreceivedrespectingmylodgingandprovisions;andfromthem,aswellasfromthepeasants,whoweresuretobeinformedthatIwasaheretic,Isufferedeveryspeciesofinsultandinjury.Myconstitution,aswellasmyframe,possessedafundofstrengthofwhichIhadnopreviousconception.Inspiteofhardship,andexposure,andabstinence,IatlastarrivedatOporto.

"Insteadofbeingcarried,agreeablytoChaledro'sdirection,toaconventofSt.Jago,Iwasleft,lateintheevening,intheporchofacommonhospital.Myattendants,havinglaidmeonthepavementandloadedmewithimprecations,leftmetoobtainadmissionbymyownefforts.Ipassedthelivelongnightinthisspot,andinthemorningwasreceivedintothehouseinastatewhichleftituncertainwhetherIwasaliveordead.

"Afterrecoveringmysensibility,ImadevariouseffortstoprocureavisitfromsomeEnglishmerchant.Thiswasnoeasyundertakingforoneinmydeplorablecondition.Iwastooweaktoarticulatemywordsdistinctly,andthesewordswererendered,bymyforeignaccent,scarcelyintelligible.Thelikelihoodofmyspeedydeathmadethepeopleaboutmemoreindifferenttomywantsandpetitions.

"Iwillnotdwelluponmyrepeateddisappointments,butcontentmyselfwithmentioningthatIgainedtheattentionofaFrenchgentlemanwhosecuriositybroughthimtoviewthehospital.ThroughhimIobtainedavisitfromanEnglishmerchant,andfinallygainedthenoticeofapersonwhoformerlyresidedinAmerica,a

ndofwhomIhadimperfectknowledge.BytheirkindnessIwasremovedfromthehospitaltoaprivatehouse.AScottishsurgeonwassummonedtomyassistance,andinsevenmonthsIwasrestoredtomypresentstateofhealth.

"AtOporto,Iembarked,inanAmericanship,forNewYork.Iwasdestituteofallproperty,andrelied,forthepaymentofthedebtswhichIwasobligedtocontract,aswellasformyfuturesubsistence,onmyremittancetoWaldegrave.IhastenedtoPhiladelphia,andwassooninformedthatmyfriendwasdead.Hisdeathhadtakenplacealongtimesincemyremittancetohim:hencethisdisasterwasasubjectofregretchieflyonhisownaccount.Ientertainednodoubtbutthatmypropertyhadbeensecured,andthateithersometestamentarydirectionsorsomepapershadbeenleftbehindrespectingthisaffair.

"Isoughtoutthosewhowereformerlyourmutualacquaintance.Ifoundthattheywerewhollystrangerstohisaffairs.Theycouldmerelyrelatesomeparticularsofhissingulardeath,andpointoutthelodgingswhichheformerlyoccupied.HitherIforthwithrepaired,anddiscoveredthathelivedinthishousewithhissister,disconnectedwithitsotherinhabitants.Theydescribedhismodeoflifeintermsthatshowedthemtobeveryimperfectlyacquaintedwithit.Itwaseasyindeedtoinfer,fromtheiraspectandmanners,thatlittlesympathyorunioncouldhavesubsistedbetweenthemandtheirco-tenants;andthisinferencewasconfirmedbytheirinsinuations,thegrowthofprejudiceandenvy.TheytoldmethatWaldegrave'ssisterhadgonetoliveinthecountry,butwhither,orforhowlong,shehadnotcondescendedtoinformthem,andtheydidnotcaretoask.Shewasatoppingdame,whosenotionsweremuchtoohighforherstation;whowasmorenicethanwise,andyetwasonewhocouldstoopwhenitmostbecameherto

standupright.Itwasnobusinessoftheirs;buttheycouldnotbutmentiontheirsuspicionsthatshehadgoodreasonsforleavingthecityandforconcealingtheplaceofherretreat.Somethingswerehardtobedisguised.Theyspokeforthemselves,andtheonlywaytohinderdisagreeablediscoverieswastokeepoutofsight.

"IwaswhollyastrangertoWaldegrave'ssister.Iknewmerelythathehadsucharelation.Therewasnothing,therefore,tooutbalancethisunfavourablereport,buttheapparentmalignityandgrossnessofthosewhogaveit.Itwasnot,however,hercharacteraboutwhichIwassolicitous,butmerelytheplacewhereshe



mightbefoundandthesuitableinquiriesrespectingherdeceasedbrotherbeanswered.Onthishead,thesepeopleprofessedutterignorance,andwereeitherunableorunwillingtodirectmetoanypersoninthecitywhoknewmorethanthemselves.Aftermuchdiscourse,they,atlength,letfallanintimationthat,ifanyoneknewherplaceofretreat,itwasprobablyacountry-lad,bynameHuntly,wholivedneartheForksofDelaware.AfterWaldegrave'sdeaththisladhadpaidhissisteravisit,andseemedtobeadmittedonaveryconfidentialfooting.Sheleftthehouse,forthelasttime,inhiscompany,andhe,therefore,wasmostlikelytoknowwhathadbecomeofher.

"ThenameofHuntlywasnottotallyunknowntome.ImyselfwasbornandbroughtupintheneighbouringtownshipofChetasco.Ihadsomeknowledgeofyourfamily,andyournameusedoftentobementionedbyWaldegraveasthatofonewho,atamaturerage,wouldprovehimselfusefultohiscountry.Idetermined,therefore,toapplytoyouforwhatinformationyoucouldgive.Idesignedtovisitmyfather,wholivesinChetasco,andrelievehimfromthatdisquietwhichhisignoranceofmyfatecouldnotfailtohaveinspired,andboththeseendscouldbethus,atthesametime,accomplished.

"BeforeIleftthecity,Ithoughtitpropertoapplytothemerchantonwhommybillhadbeendrawn.Ifthisbillhadbeenpresentedandpaid,hehaddoubtlesspreservedsomerecordofit,andhenceacluemightbeafforded,thougheveryotherexpedientshouldfail.Myusualillfortunepursuedmeuponthisoccasion;forthemerchanthadlatelybecomeinsolvent,and,toavoidtherageofhiscred

itors,hadfled,withoutleavinganyvestigeofthisorsimilartransactionsbehindhim.Hehad,someyearssince,beenanadventurerfromHolland,andwassuspectedtohavereturnedthither."ChapterXV.

"Icamehitherwithaheartdespondingofsuccess.Adversityhadweakenedmyfaithinthepromisesofthefuture,andIwaspreparedtoreceivejustsuchtidingsasyouhavecommunicated.UnacquaintedwiththesecretmotivesofWaldegraveandhissister,itisimpossibleformetoweightheprobabilitiesoftheirrectitude.Ihaveonlymyownassertiontoproduceinsupportofmyclaim.Allotherevidence,allvouchersandpapers,whichmightattestmyveracityorsanctionmyclaiminacourtoflaw,areburiedintheocean.ThebillwastransmittedjustbeforemydeparturefromMadeira,andthelettersbywhichitwasaccompaniedi

nformedWaldegraveofmydesigntofollowitimmediately.Hencehedidnot,itisprobable,acknowledgethereceiptofmyletters.Thevesselsinwhichtheyweresentarrivedindueseason.Iwasassuredthatalllettersweredulydepositedinthepost-office,where,atpresent,minearenottobefound.

"Youassuremethatnothinghasbeenfoundamonghispapers,hintingatanypecuniarytransactionbetweenhimandme.Somecorrespondencepassedbetweenusprevioustothatevent.Havenoletters,withmysignature,beenfound?Areyouqualified,byyourknowledgeofhispapers,toanswermeexplicitly?Isitnotpossibleforsomeletterstohavebeenmislaid?"

"Iamqualified,"saidI,"toansweryourinquiriesbeyondanyotherpersonintheworld.Waldegravemaintainedonlygeneralintercoursewiththerestofmankin

d.Withmehiscorrespondencewascopious,andhisconfidence,asIimagined,withoutbounds.Hisbooksandpaperswerecontainedinasinglechestathislodgings,thekeysofwhichhehadabouthimwhenhedied.ThesekeysIcarriedtohissister,andwasauthorizedbyhertoopenandexaminethecontentsofthischest.Thiswasdonewiththeutmostcare.Thesepapersarenowinmypossession.Amongthemnopaper,ofthetenoryoumention,wasfound,andnoletterwithyoursignature.NeitherMaryWaldegravenorIarecapableofdisguisingthetruthorcommittinganinjustice.Themomentshereceivesconvictionofyourright,shewillrestorethismoneytoyou.ThemomentIimbibethisconviction,Iwillexertallmyinfluence(anditisnotsmall)toinducehertorestoreit.Permitme,



however,toquestionyouinyourturn.Whowasthemerchantonwhomyourbillwasdrawn,whatwasthedateofit,andwhendidthebillanditscounterpartsarrive?""Idonotexactlyrememberthedateofthebills.Theyweremadeout,however,sixdaysbeforeImyselfembarked,whichhappenedonthe10thofAugust,1784.Theyweresentbythreevessels,oneofwhichwasboundtoCharlestonandtheotherstoNewYork.Thelastarrivedwithintwodaysofeachother,andaboutthemiddleofNovemberinthesameyear.ThenameofthepayerwasMonteith."

Afterapauseofrecollection,Ianswered,"Iwillnothesitatetoapprizeyouofeverythingwhichmaythrowlightuponthistransaction,andwhetherfavourableorotherwisetoyourclaim.Ihavetoldyou,amongmyfriend'spapersyournameisnottobefound.ImustlikewiserepeatthatthepossessionofthismoneybyWaldegravewaswhollyunknowntoustillhisdeath.Wearelikewiseunacquaintedwithanymeansbywhichhecouldgetpossessionofsolargeasuminhisownright.Hespentnomorethanhisscantystipendasateacher,thoughthisstipendwasinsufficienttosupplyhiswants.Thisbank-receiptisdatedinDecember,1784,afortnight,perhaps,afterthedatethatyouhavementioned.Youwillperceivehowmuchthiscoincidence,whichcouldscarcelyhavetakenplacebychance,isfavourabletoyourclaim.

"MaryWaldegraveresides,atpresent,atAbingdon.Shewillrejoice,asIdo,toseeonewho,asherbrother'sfriend,isentitledtoheraffection.Doubtnotbutthatshewilllistenwithimpartialityandcandourtoallthatyoucanurgeindefenceofyourtitletothismoney.Herdecisionwillnotbeprecipitate,but

itwillbegenerousandjust,andfoundedonsuchreasonsthat,evenifitbeadversetoyourwishes,youwillbecompelledtoapproveit?"

"Icanentertainnodoubt,"heanswered,"astotheequityofmyclaim.Thecoincidencesyoumentionaresufficienttoconvincemethatthissumwasreceiveduponmybill;butthisconvictionmustnecessarilybeconfinedtomyself.NoonebutIcanbeconscioustothetruthofmyownstory.TheevidenceonwhichIbuildmyfaith,inthiscase,isthatofmyownmemoryandsenses;butthisevidencecannotmakeitselfconspicuoustoyou.Youhavenothingbutmybareassertion,inadditiontosomeprobabilitiesflowingfromtheconductofWaldegrave.Whatfactsmayexisttocorroboratemyclaim,whichyouhaveforgotten,orwhichyoumaythinkpropertoconceal,Icannotjudge.Iknownotwhatispassinginthesecretofyourhearts;Iamunacquaintedwiththecharacterofthisladyandwith

yours.Ihavenothingonwhichtobuildsurmisesandsuspicionsofyourintegrity,andnothingtogenerateunusualconfidence.ThefrailtyofyourvirtueandthestrengthofyourtemptationsIknownot.Howevershedecidesinthiscase,andwhateveropinionIshallformastothereasonablenessofherdecision,itwillnotbecomemeeithertoupbraidher,ortonourishdiscontentmentandrepinings.

"Iknowthatmyclaimhasnolegalsupport;that,ifthismoneyberesignedtome,itwillbetheimpulseofspontaneousjustice,andnotthecoercionoflaw,towhichIamindebtedforit.Since,therefore,thejusticeofmyclaimistobemeasurednotbylaw,butbysimpleequity,Iwillcandidlyacknowledgethat,asyet,itisuncertainwhetherIoughttoreceive,evenshouldMissWaldegravebewillingtogiveit.Iknowmyownnecessitiesandschemes,andinwhatdegreet

hismoneywouldbesubservienttothese;butIknownottheviewsandwantsofothers,andcannotestimatetheusefulnessofthismoneytothem.HoweverIdecideuponyourconductinwithholdingorretainingit,Ishallmakesuitableallowanceformyimperfectknowledgeofyourmotivesandwants,aswellasforyourunavoidableignoranceofmine.

"Ihaverelatedmysufferingsfromshipwreckandpoverty,nottobiasyourjudgmentorengageyourpity,butmerelybecausetheimpulsetorelatethemchancedtoawake;becausemyheartissoftenedbytheremembranceofWaldegrave,whohasbeenmyonlyfriend,andbythesightofonewhomheloved.



"ItoldyouthatmyfatherlivedinChetasco.Heisnowaged,andIamhisonlychild.Ishouldhaverejoicedinbeingabletorelievehisgrayhairsfromlabourtowhichhisfailingstrengthcannotbeequal.ThiswasoneofmyinducementsincomingtoAmerica.Anotherwas,topreparethewayforawomanwhomImarriedinEuropeandwhoisnowawaitingintelligencefrommeinLondon.Herpovertyisnotlessthanmyown,andbymarryingagainstthewishesofherkindredshehasbereavedherselfofallsupportbutthatofherhusband.WhetherIshallbeabletorescueherfromindigence,whetherIshallalleviatethepovertyofmyfather,orincreaseitbyburdeninghisscantyfriendsbymyownmaintenanceaswellashis,thefuturealonecandetermine.

"Iconfessthatmystockofpatienceandhopehasneverbeenlarge,andthatmymisfortuneshavenearlyexhaustedit.Theflowerofmyyearshasbeenconsumedinstrugglingwithadversity,andmyconstitutionhasreceivedashock,fromsicknessandmistreatmentinPortugal,whichIcannotexpectlongtosurvive.ButImakeyousad,"hecontinued."IhavesaidallthatImeanttosayinthisinterview.Iamimpatienttoseemyfather,andnighthasalreadycome.Ihavesomemilesyettoridetohiscottage,andoveraroughroad.Iwillshortlyvisityouagain,andtalktoyouatgreaterleisureontheseandothertopics.AtpresentIleaveyou."

Iwasunwillingtopartsoabruptlywiththisguest,andentreatedhimtoprolonghisvisit;buthewouldnotbeprevailedupon.Repeatinghispromiseofshortl

yseeingmeagain,hemountedhishorseanddisappeared.Ilookedafterhimwithaffectingandcomplexemotions.Ireviewedtheincidentsofthisunexpectedandextraordinaryinterview,asifithadexistedinadream.Anhourhadpassed,andthisstrangerhadalightedamongusasfromtheclouds,todrawtheveilfromthoseobscuritieswhichhadbewilderedussolong,tomakevisibleanewtrainofdisastrousconsequencesflowingfromtheuntimelydeathofthybrother,andtoblastthatschemeofhappinessonwhichthouandIhadsofondlymeditated.

Butwhatwiltthouthinkofthisnew-bornclaim?Thestory,hadstthouobservedthefeaturesandguiseoftherelater,wouldhavewonthyimplicitcredit.Hiscountenanceexhibiteddeeptracesoftheafflictionshehadendured,andthefortitudewhichhehadexercised.Hewassallowandemaciated,buthiscountenancewasfullofseriousnessanddignity.Asortofruggednessofbrow,thetokenofg

reatmentalexertionandvariedexperience,arguedaprematureoldage.

Whatamournfultale!Issuchthelotofthosewhowanderfromtheirrustichomesinsearchoffortune?Ourcountrymenarepronetoenterprise,andarescatteredovereveryseaandeverylandinpursuitofthatwealthwhichwillnotscreenthemfromdiseaseandinfirmity,whichismissedmuchoftenerthanfound,andwhich,whengained,bynomeanscompensatesthemforthehardshipsandvicissitudesenduredinthepursuit.

Butwhatifthetruthofthesepretensionsbeadmitted?Themoneymustberestoredtoitsrightowner.Iknowthat,whateverinconveniencesmayfollowthedeed,thouwiltnothesitatetoactjustly.Affluenceanddignity,howevervaluable,maybepurchasedtoodear.Honestywillnottakeawayitskeennessfromthewint

erblast,itsignominyandunwholesomenessfromservilelabour,orstripofitscharmsthelifeofeleganceandleisure;butthese,unaccompaniedwithself-reproach,arelessdeplorablethanwealthandhonourthepossessionofwhichismarredbyourowndisapprobation.

Iknowthebitternessofthissacrifice.Iknowtheimpatiencewithwhichyourpovertyhasformerlybeenborne;howmuchyourearlyeducationisatwarwiththatdegradationandobscuritytowhichyouryouthhasbeencondemned;howearnestlyyourwishespantedafterastatewhichmightexemptyoufromdependenceupondailylabourandonthecapricesofothers,andmightsecuretoyouleisuretocu



ltivateandindulgeyourloveofknowledgeandyoursocialandbeneficentaffections.

Yourmotivefordesiringachangeoffortunehasbeengreatlyenforcedsincewehavebecomeknowntoeachother.Thouhasthonouredmewiththyaffection;butthatunion,onwhichwerelyforhappiness,couldnottakeplacewhilebothofuswerepoor.Myhabits,indeed,havemadelabourandrusticobscuritylesspainfulthantheywouldprovetomyfriend,butmypresentconditioniswhollyinconsistentwithmarriage.Aslongasmyexertionsareinsufficienttomaintainusboth,itwouldbeunjustifiabletoburdenyouwithnewcaresandduties.OfthisyouaremorethoroughlyconvincedthanIam.Theloveofindependenceandease,andimpatienceofdrudgery,arewovenintoyourconstitution.Perhapstheyarecarriedtoanerroneousextreme,andderogatefromthatuncommonexcellencebywhichyourcharacteris,inotherrespects,distinguished;buttheycannotberemoved.

Thisobstaclewasunexpectedlyremovedbythedeathofyourbrother.Howeverjustlytobedeploredwasthiscatastrophe,yet,likeeveryotherevent,someofitsconsequencesweregood.Bygivingyoupossessionofthemeansofindependenceandleisure,byenablingustocompleteacontractwhichpovertyalonehadthuslongdelayed,thiseventhasbeen,atthesametime,themostdisastrousandpropitiouswhichcouldhavehappened.

Whythybrothershouldhaveconcealedfromusthepossessionofthismoney,--why

,withsuchcopiousmeansofindulgenceandleisure,heshouldstillpursuehisirksometrade,andliveinsopenuriousamanner,--hasbeenatopicofendlessandunsatisfactoryconjecturebetweenus.Itwasnotdifficulttosupposethatthismoneywasheldintrustforanother;butinthatcaseitwasunavoidablethatsomedocumentormemorandum,oratleastsomeclaimant,wouldappear.Muchtimehassinceelapsed,andyouhavethoughtyourselfatlengthjustifiedinappropriatingthismoneytoyourownuse.

Ourflatteringprospectsarenowshutin.Youmustreturntoyouroriginalpoverty,andoncemoredependforprecarioussubsistenceonyourneedle.Youcannotrestorethewhole,forunavoidableexpensesandthechangeofyourmodeoflivinghaveconsumedsomepartofit.ForsomuchyoumustconsideryourselfasWeymouth'sdebtor.

Repinenot,myfriend,atthisunlooked-forreverse.Thinkuponthemeritsandmisfortunesofyourbrother'sfriend;thinkuponhisagedfather,whomweshallenablehimtorescuefrompoverty;thinkuponhisdesolatewife,whosemeritsare,probably,atleastequaltoyourown,andwhosehelplessnessislikelytobegreater.Iamnotinsensibletotheevilswhichhavereturneduponuswithaugmentedforce,afterhaving,foramoment,takentheirflight.Iknowtheprecariousnessofmyconditionandthatofmysisters;thatoursubsistencehangsuponthelifeofanoldman.Myuncle'sdeathwilltransferthispropertytohisson,whoisastrangerandanenemytous,andthefirstactofwhoseauthoritywillunquestionablybetoturnusforthfromthesedoors.Marriagewiththeewasanticipatedwithjoyousemotions,notmerelyonmyownaccountoronthine,butlikewiseforthesakeofthosebelovedgirlstowhomthateventwouldenablemetofur

nishanasylum.

Butwedlockisnowmoredistantthanever.MvheartbleedstothinkofthesufferingswhichmybelovedMaryisagainfatedtoendure;butregretsareonlyaggravationsofcalamity.Theyarepernicious,anditisourdutytoshakethemoff.

IcanentertainnodoubtsastotheequityofWeymouth'sclaim.Somanycoincidencescouldnothavehappenedbychance.Thenon-appearanceofanylettersorpapersconnectedwithitisindeedamysteriouscircumstance;butwhyshouldWaldegravebestudiousofpreservingthese?Theywereuselesspaper,andmight,withou



timpropriety,becastawayormadetoserveanytemporarypurpose.Perhaps,indeed,theystilllurkinsomeunsuspectedcorner.Towishthattimemayexplainthismysteryinadifferentmanner,andsoastopermitourretentionofthismoney,is,perhaps,thedictateofselfishness.ThetransfertoWeymouthwillnotbeproductiveoflessbenefittohimandtohisfamily,thanweshouldderivefromtheuseofit.

Theseconsiderations,however,willbeweighedwhenwemeet.MeanwhileIwillreturntomynarrative.ChapterXVI.

Here,myfriend,thoumustpermitmetopause.Thefollowingincidentsareofakindtowhichthemostardentinventionhasneverconceivedaparallel.Fortune,inhermostwaywardmood,couldscarcelybesuspectedofaninfluencelikethis.Thescenewaspregnantwithastonishmentandhorror.Icannot,evennow,recallitwithoutrevivingthedismayandconfusionwhichIthenexperienced.

Possibly,theperiodwillarrivewhenIshalllookbackwithoutagonyontheperilsIhaveundergone.Thatperiodisstilldistant.Solitudeandsleeparenownomorethanthesignalstosummonupatribeofuglyphantoms.Famine,andblindness,anddeath,andsavageenemies,neverfailtobeconjuredupbythesilenceanddarknessofthenight.Icannotdissipatethembyanyeffortsofreason.Slycowardicerequirestheperpetualconsolationoflight.MyheartdroopswhenImarkthedeclineofthesun,andIneversleepbutwithacandleburningatmyp

illow.If,byanychance,Ishouldawakeandfindmyselfimmersedindarkness,IknownotwhatactofdesperationImightbesuddenlyimpelledtocommit.

Ihavedelayedthisnarrativelongerthanmydutytomyfriendenjoined.NowthatIamabletoholdapen,Iwillhastentoterminatethatuncertaintywithregardtomyfateinwhichmysilencehasinvolvedthee.Iwillrecallthatseriesofunheard-ofanddisastrousvicissitudeswhichhasconstitutedthelatestportionofmylife.

Iamnotcertain,however,thatIshallrelatetheminanintelligiblemanner.Oneimagerunsintoanother;sensationssucceedinsorapidatrain,thatIfearIshallbeunabletodistributeandexpressthemwithsufficientperspicuity.AsIlookback,myheartissore,andacheswithinmybosom.Iamconscioustoak

indofcomplexsentimentofdistressandforlornnessthatcannotbeperfectlyportrayedbywords;butImustdoaswellasIcan.Intheutmostvigourofmyfaculties,noeloquencethatIpossesswoulddojusticetothetale.Now,inmylanguishingandfeeblestate,Ishallfurnishtheewithlittlemorethanaglimpseofthetruth.Withtheseglimpses,transientandfaintastheyare,thoumustbesatisfied.

IhavesaidthatIslept.Mymemoryassuresmeofthis;itinformsmeofthepreviouscircumstancesofmylayingasidemyclothes,ofplacingthelightuponachairwithinreachofmypillow,ofthrowingmyselfuponthebed,andofgazingontheraysofthemoonreflectedonthewallandalmostobscuredbythoseofthecandle.Iremembermyoccasionalrelapsesintofitsofincoherentfancies,theharbingersofsleep.Iremember,asitwere,theinstantwhenmythoughtsceased

toflowandmysenseswerearrestedbytheleadenwandofforgetfulness.

Myreturntosensationandtoconsciousnesstookplaceinnosuchtranquilscene.Iemergedfromoblivionbydegreessoslowandsofaint,thattheirsuccessioncannotbemarked.Whenenabledatlengthtoattendtotheinformationwhichmysensesafforded,Iwasconsciousforatimeofnothingbutexistence.Itwasunaccompaniedwithlassitudeorpain,butIfeltdisinclinedtostretchmylimbsorraisemyeyelids.Mythoughtswerewilderingandmazy,and,thoughconsciousnesswaspresent,itwasdisconnectedwiththelocomotiveorvoluntarypower.



Fromthisstateatransitionwasspeedilyeffected.Iperceivedthatmyposturewassupine,andthatIlayuponmyback.Iattemptedtoopenmyeyes.Theweightthatoppressedthemwastoogreatforaslightexertiontoremove.TheexertionwhichImadecostmeapangmoreacutethananywhichIeverexperienced.Myeyes,however,wereopened;butthedarknessthatenvironedmewasasintenseasbefore.

Iattemptedtorise,butmylimbswerecold,andmyjointshadalmostlosttheirflexibility.Myeffortswererepeated,andatlengthIattainedasittingposture.Iwasnowsensibleofpaininmyshouldersandback.Iwasuniversallyinthatstatetowhichtheframeisreducedbyblowsofaclub,mercilesslyandendlesslyrepeated;mytemplesthrobbed,andmyfacewascoveredwithclammyandcolddrops:butthatwhichthrewmeintodeepestconsternationwasmyinabilitytosee.Iturnedmyheadtodifferentquarters;Istretchedmyeyelids,andexertedeveryvisualenergy,butinvain.Iwaswrappedinthemurkiestandmostimpenetrablegloom.

ThefirsteffortofreflectionwastosuggestthebeliefthatIwasblind:thatdiseaseisknowntoassailusinamomentandwithoutpreviouswarning.This,surely,wasthemisfortunethathadnowbefallenme.Someray,howeverfleetinganduncertain,couldnotfailtobediscerned,ifthepowerofvisionwerenotutterlyextinguished.InwhatcircumstancescouldIpossiblybeplaced,fromwhicheveryparticleoflightshould,byothermeans,beexcluded?

Thisledmythoughtsintoanewtrain.Iendeavouredtorecallthepast;butthepastwastoomuchincontradictiontothepresent,andmyintellectwastoomuchshatteredbyexternalviolence,toallowmeaccuratelytoreviewit.

Sincemysightavailednothingtotheknowledgeofmycondition,Ibetookmyselftootherinstruments.TheelementwhichIbreathedwasstagnantandcold.ThespotwhereIlaywasruggedandhard.Iwasneithernakednorclothed:ashirtandtrouserscomposedmydress,andtheshoesandstockings,whichalwaysaccompaniedthese,werenowwanting.WhatcouldIinferfromthisscantygarb,thischillingatmosphere,thisstonybed?

Ihadawakenedasfromsleep.WhatwasmyconditionwhenIfellasleep?Surelyitwasdifferentfromthepresent.ThenIinhabitedalightsomechamberandwass

tretcheduponadownbed;nowIwassupineuponaruggedsurfaceandimmersedinpalpableobscurity.ThenIwasinperfecthealth;nowmyframewascoveredwithbruisesandeveryjointwasrackedwithpain.Whatdungeonordenhadreceivedme,andbywhosecommandwasItransportedhither?

AftervariouseffortsIstooduponmyfeet.AtfirstItotteredandstaggered.Istretchedoutmyhandsonallsides,butmetonlywithvacuity.Iadvancedforward.Atthethirdstepmyfootmovedsomethingwhichlayupontheground:Istoopedandtookitup,andfound,onexamination,thatitwasanIndiantomahawk.ThisincidentaffordedmenohintfromwhichImightconjecturemystate.

Proceedingirresolutelyandslowlyforward,myhandsatlengthtouchedawall.This,liketheflooring,wasofstone,andwasruggedandimpenetrable.Ifollowe

dthiswall.Anadvancingangleoccurredatashortdistance,whichwasfollowedbysimilarangles.Icontinuedtoexplorethisclue,tillthesuspicionoccurredthatIwasmerelygoingroundthewallsofavastandirregularapartment.

Theutterdarknessdisabledmefromcomparingdirectionsanddistances.Thisdiscovery,therefore,wasnotmadeonasudden,andwasstillentangledwithsomedoubt.Mybloodrecoveredsomewarmth,andmymusclessomeelasticity;butinproportionasmysensibilityreturned,mypainsaugmented.Overpoweredbymyfearsandmyagonies,Idesistedfrommyfruitlesssearch,andsatdown,supportingmybackagainstthewall.



Myexcruciatingsensationsforatimeoccupiedmyattention.These,incombinationwithothercauses,graduallyproducedaspeciesofdelirium.Iexisted,asitwere,inawakefuldream.Withnothingtocorrectmyerroneousperceptions,theimagesofthepastoccurredincapriciouscombinationsandvividhues.MethoughtIwasthevictimofsometyrantwhohadthrustmeintoadungeonofhisfortress,andleftmenopowertodeterminewhetherheintendedIshouldperishwithfamine,orlingeroutalonglifeinhopelessimprisonment.Whetherthedaywasshutoutbyinsuperablewalls,orthedarknessthatsurroundedmewasowingtothenightandtothesmallnessofthosecranniesthroughwhichdaylightwastobeadmitted,Iconjecturedinvain.

SometimesIimaginedmyselfburiedalive.MethoughtIhadfallenintoseemingdeath,andmyfriendshadconsignedmetothetomb,fromwhicharesurrectionwasimpossible.That,insuchacase,mylimbswouldhavebeenconfinedtoacoffin,andmycoffintoagrave,andthatIshouldinstantlyhavebeensuffocated,didnotoccurtodestroymysupposition.Neitherdidthissuppositionoverwhelmmewithterrororpromptmyeffortsatdeliverance.Mystatewasfulloftumultandconfusion,andmyattentionwasincessantlydividedbetweenmypainfulsensationsandmyfeverishdreams.

Thereisnostandardbywhichtimecanbemeasuredbutthesuccessionofourthoughtsandthechangesthattakeplaceintheexternalworld.FromthelatterIwastotallyexcluded.Theformermadethelapseofsomehoursappearliketheted

iousnessofweeksandmonths.Atlength,anewsensationrecalledmyramblingmeditations,andgavesubstancetomyfears.Inowfeltthecravingsofhunger,andperceivedthat,unlessmydeliverancewerespeedilyeffected,Imustsufferatediousandlingeringdeath.

Ioncemoretaskedmyunderstandingandmysensestodiscoverthenatureofmypresentsituationandthemeansofescape.Ilistenedtocatchsomesound.Iheardanunequalandvaryingecho,sometimesnearandsometimesdistant,sometimesdyingawayandsometimesswellingintoloudness.ItwasunlikeanythingIhadbeforeheard,butitwasevidentthatitarosefromwindsweepingthroughspacioushallsandwindingpassages.ThesetokenswereincompatiblewiththeresultoftheexaminationIhadmade.Ifmyhandsweretrue,Iwasimmuredbetweenwallsthroughwhichtherewasnoavenue.

Inowexertedmyvoice,andcriedasloudasmywastedstrengthwouldadmit.Itsechoesweresentbacktomeinbrokenandconfusedsoundsandfromabove.Thiseffortwascasual,butsomepartofthatuncertaintyinwhichIwasinvolvedwasinstantlydispelledbyit.Inpassingthroughthecavernontheformerday,IhavementionedthevergeofthepitatwhichIarrived.Toacquaintmeasfaraswaspossiblewiththedimensionsoftheplace,Ihadhallooedwithallmyforce,knowingthatsoundisreflectedaccordingtothedistanceandrelativepositionsofthesubstancesfromwhichitisrepelled.

Theeffectproducedbymyvoiceonthisoccasionresembled,withremarkableexactness,theeffectwhichwasthenproduced.WasI,then,shutupinthesamecavern?HadIreachedthebrinkofthesameprecipiceandbeenthrownheadlonginto

thatvacuity?WhenceelsecouldarisethebruiseswhichIhadreceived,butfrommyfall?Yetallremembranceofmyjourneyhitherwaslost.Ihaddeterminedtoexplorethiscaveontheensuingday,butmymemoryinformedmenotthatthisintentionhadbeencarriedintoeffect.Still,itwasonlypossibletoconcludethatIhadcomehitheronmyintendedexpedition,andhadbeenthrownbyanother,orhad,bysomeillchance,fallen,intothepit.

ThisopinionwasconformabletowhatIhadalreadyobserved.ThepavementandwallswereruggedlikethoseofthefootingandsidesofthecavethroughwhichIhadformerlypassed.



Butifthisweretrue,whatwastheabhorredcatastrophetowhichIwasnowreserved?Thesidesofthispitwereinaccessible;humanfootstepswouldneverwanderintotheserecesses.Myfriendswereunapprizedofmyforlornstate.HereIshouldcontinuetillwastedbyfamine.InthisgraveshouldIlingeroutafewdaysinunspeakableagonies,andthenperishforever.

Theinroadsofhungerwerealreadyexperienced;andthisknowledgeofthedesperatenessofmycalamityurgedmetofrenzy.Ihadnonebutcapriciousandunseenfatetocondemn.Theauthorofmydistress,andthemeanshehadtakentodecoymehither,wereincomprehensible.Surelymysenseswerefetteredordepravedbysomespell.Iwasstillasleep,andthiswasmerelyatormentingvision;ormadnesshadseizedme,andthedarknessthatenvironedandthehungerthatafflictedmeexistedonlyinmyowndistemperedimagination.

Theconsolationofthesedoubtscouldnotlastlong.Everyhouraddedtotheproofthatmyperceptionswerereal.Myhungerspeedilybecameferocious.Itorethelinenofmyshirtbetweenmyteethandswallowedthefragments.Ifeltastrongpropensitytobitethefleshfrommyarm.Myheartoverflowedwithcruelty,andIponderedonthedelightIshouldexperienceinrendingsomelivinganimaltopieces,anddrinkingitsbloodandgrindingitsquiveringfibresbetweenmyteeth.

Thisagonyhadalreadypassedbeyondthelimitsofendurance.Isawthattime,i

nsteadofbringingrespiteorrelief,wouldonlyaggravatemywants,andthatmyonlyremaininghopewastodiebeforeIshouldbeassaultedbythelastextremesoffamine.Inowrecollectedthatatomahawkwasathand,andrejoicedinthepossessionofaninstrumentbywhichIcouldsoeffectuallyterminatemysufferings.

Itookitinmyhand,moveditsedgeovermyfingers,andreflectedontheforcethatwasrequiredtomakeitreachmyheart.Iinvestigatedthespotwhereitshouldenter,andstrovetofortifymyselfwithresolutiontorepeatthestrokeasecondorthirdtime,ifthefirstshouldproveinsufficient.IwassensiblethatImightfailtoinflictamortalwound,butdelightedtoconsiderthatthebloodwhichwouldbemadetoflowwouldfinallyreleaseme,andthatmeanwhilemypainswouldbealleviatedbyswallowingthisblood.

YouwillnotwonderthatIfeltsomereluctancetoemploysofatalthoughindispensablearemedy.Ioncemoreruminatedonthepossibilityofrescuingmyselfbyothermeans.Inowreflectedthattheupperterminationofthewallcouldnotbeatanimmeasurabledistancefromthepavement.Ihadfallenfromaheight;butifthatheighthadbeenconsiderable,insteadofbeingmerelybruised,shouldInothavebeendashedintopieces?

Gleamsofhopeburstanewuponmysoul.Wasitnotpossible,Iasked,toreachthetopofthispit?Thesideswereruggedanduneven.WouldnottheirprojecturesandabruptnessesservemeasstepsbywhichImightascendinsafety?Thisexpedientwastobetriedwithoutdelay.Shortlymystrengthwouldfail,andmydoomwouldbeirrevocablysealed.

Iwillnotenumeratemylaboriousefforts,myalternationsofdespondencyandconfidence,theeagerandunweariedscrutinywithwhichIexaminedthesurface,theattemptswhichImade,andthefailureswhich,foratime,succeededeachother.Ahundredtimes,whenIhadascendedsomefeetfromthebottom,Iwascompelledtorelinquishmyundertakingbytheuntenablesmoothnessofthespaceswhichremainedtobegoneover.AhundredtimesIthrewmyself,exhaustedbyfatigueandmypains,ontheground.Theconsciousnesswasgraduallyrestoredthat,tillIhadattemptedeverypartofthewall,itwasabsurdtodespair,andIagaindrewmytotteringlimbsandachingjointstothatpartofthewallwhichhadnotb



eensurveyed.

Atlength,asIstretchedmyhandupward,Ifoundsomewhatthatseemedlikearecessioninthewall.Itwaspossiblethatthiswasthetopofthecavity,andthismightbetheavenuetoliberty.Myheartleapedwithjoy,andIproceededtoclimbthewall.Noundertakingcouldbeconceivedmorearduousthanthis.Thespacebetweenthisvergeandthefloorwasnearlysmooth.Thevergewashigherfromthebottomthanmyhead.Theonlymeansofascendingthatwereofferedmewerebymyhands,withwhichIcoulddrawmyselfupwardsoas,atlength,tomaintainmyholdwithmyfeet.

Myeffortswereindefatigable,andatlengthIplacedmyselfontheverge.Whenthiswasaccomplished,mystrengthwasnearlygone.HadInotfoundspaceenoughbeyondthisbrinktostretchmyselfatlength,Ishouldunavoidablyhavefallenbackwardintothepit,andallmypainshadservednootherendthantodeepenmydespairandhastenmydestruction.

WhatimpedimentsandperilsremainedtobeencounteredIcouldnotjudge.Iwasnowinclinedtoforebodetheworst.Theintervalofreposewhichwasnecessarytobetaken,inordertorecruitmystrength,wouldacceleratetheravagesoffamine,andleavemewithoutthepowertoproceed.

Inthisstate,Ioncemoreconsoledmyselfthataninstrumentofdeathwasathand.Ihaddrawnupwithmethetomahawk,beingsensiblethat,shouldthisimpedi

mentbeovercome,othersmightremainthatwouldproveinsuperable.BeforeIemployedit,however,Icastmyeyeswildlyandlanguidlyaround.Thedarknesswasnolessintensethaninthepitbelow,andyettwoobjectsweredistinctlyseen.

Theyresembledafixedandobscureflame.Theyweremotionless.Thoughlustrousthemselves,theycreatednoilluminationaroundthem.Thiscircumstance,addedtoothers,whichremindedmeofsimilarobjectsnotedonformeroccasions,immediatelyexplainedthenatureofwhatIbeheld.Theseweretheeyesofapanther.

ThushadIstruggledtoobtainapostwhereasavagewaslurkingandwaitedonlytillmyeffortsshouldplacemewithinreachofhisfangs.Thefirstimpulsewastoarmmyselfagainstthisenemy.Thedesperatenessofmyconditionwas,foramoment,forgotten.Theweaponwhichwassolatelyliftedagainstmyownbosomw

asnowraisedtodefendmylifeagainsttheassaultofanother.

Therewasnotimefordeliberationanddelay.Inamomenthemightspringfromhisstationandtearmetopieces.Myutmostspeedmightnotenablemetoreachhimwherehesat,butmerelytoencounterhisassault.Ididnotreflecthowfarmystrengthwasadequatetosaveme.Alltheforcethatremainedwasmusteredupandexertedinathrow.

Nooneknowsthepowersthatarelatentinhisconstitution.Calledforthbyimminentdangers,oureffortsfrequentlyexceedourmostsanguinebelief.Thoughtotteringonthevergeofdissolution,andapparentlyunabletocrawlfromthisspot,aforcewasexertedinthisthrow,probablygreaterthanIhadeverbeforeexerted.Itwasresistlessandunerring.Iaimedatthemiddlespacebetweenthos

eglowingorbs.Itpenetratedtheskull,andtheanimalfell,strugglingandshrieking,ontheground.

Myearsquicklyinformedmewhenhispangswereatanend.Hiscriesandhisconvulsionslastedforamomentandthenceased.Theeffectofhisvoice,inthesesubterraneanabodes,wasunspeakablyrueful.

Theabruptnessofthisincident,andthepreternaturalexertionofmystrength,leftmeinastateoflanguorandsinking,fromwhichslowlyandwithdifficultyIrecovered.Thefirstsuggestionthatoccurredwastofeeduponthecarcassof



thisanimal.Myhungerhadarrivedatthatpitchwhereallfastidiousnessandscruplesareatanend.Icrepttothespot.Iwillnotshockyoubyrelatingtheextremestowhichdirenecessityhaddrivenme.Ireviewthisscenewithloathingandhorror.NowthatitispastIlookbackuponitasonsomehideousdream.Thewholeappearstobesomefreakofinsanity.Noalternativewasoffered,andhungerwascapableofbeingappeasedevenbyabanquetsodetestable.

Ifthisappetitehassometimessubduedthesentimentsofnature,andcompelledthemothertofeeduponthefleshofheroffspring,itwillnotexciteamazementthatIdidnotturnfromtheyetwarmbloodandreekingfibresofabrute.

Oneevilwasnowremoved,onlytogiveplacetoanother.Thefirstsensationsoffullnesshadscarcelybeenfeltwhenmystomachwasseizedbypangs,whoseacutenessexceededallthatIeverbeforeexperienced.Ibitterlylamentedmyinordinateavidity.Theexcruciationsoffaminewerebetterthantheagonieswhichthisabhorredmealhadproduced.

Deathwasnowimpendingwithnolessproximityandcertainty,thoughinadifferentform.Deathwasasweetreliefformypresentmiseries,andIvehementlylongedforitsarrival.Istretchedmyselfontheground.Ithrewmyselfintoeveryposturethatpromisedsomealleviationofthisevil.Irolledalongthepavementofthecavern,whollyinattentivetothedangersthatenvironedme.ThatIdidnotfallintothepitwhenceIhadjustemergedmustbeascribedtosomemiraculouschance.

Howlongmymiseriesendured,itisnotpossibletotell.Icannotevenformaplausibleconjecture.Judgingbythelingeringtrainofmysensations,Ishouldconjecturethatsomedayselapsedinthisdeplorablecondition;butnaturecouldriothavesolongsustainedaconflictlikethis.

Graduallymypainssubsided,andIfellintoadeepsleep.Iwasvisitedbydreamsofathousandhues.Theyledmetoflowingstreamsandplenteousbanquets,which,thoughplacedwithinmyview,somepowerforbademetoapproach.FromthissleepIrecoveredtothefruitionofsolitudeanddarkness,butmyframewasinastatelessfeeblethanbeforeThatwhichIhadeatenhadproducedtemporarydistress,butonthewholehadbeenofuse.IfthisfoodhadnotbeenprovidedformeIshouldscarcelyhaveavoideddeath.Ihadreason,therefore,tocongratula

temyselfonthedangerthathadlatelyoccurred.

Ihadactedwithoutforesight,andyetnowisdomcouldhaveprescribedmoresalutarymeasures.Thepantherwasslain,notfromaviewtothereliefofmyhunger,butfromtheself-preservingandinvoluntaryimpulse.HadIforeknownthepangstowhichmyravenousandbloodymealwouldgivebirth,Ishouldhavecarefullyabstained;andyetthesepangswereausefuleffortofnaturetosubdueandconverttonourishmentthematterIhadswallowed.

Iwasnowassailedbythetormentsofthirst.Myinventionandmycouragewereanewbenttoobviatethispressingevil.Ireflectedthattherewassomerecessfromthiscavern,evenfromthespotwhereInowstood.Before,Iwasdoubtfulwhetherinthisdirectionfromthispitanyavenuecouldbefound;but,sincethe

pantherhadcomehither,therewasreasontosupposetheexistenceofsomesuchavenue.

Inowlikewiseattendedtoasound,which,fromitsinvariabletenor,denotedsomewhatdifferentfromthewhistlingofagale.Itseemedlikethemurmurofarunningstream.Inowpreparedtogoforwardandendeavourtomovealonginthatdirectioninwhichthissoundapparentlycame.

Oneitherside,andabovemyhead,therewasnothingbutvacuity.Mystepsweretobeguidedbythepavement,which,thoughunequalandrugged,appeared,onthe



whole,toascend.MysafetyrequiredthatIshouldemploybothhandsandfeetinexploringmyway.

Iwentonthusforaconsiderableperiod.Themurmur,insteadofbecomingmoredistinct,graduallydiedaway.Myprogresswasarrestedbyfatigue,andIbeganoncemoretodespond.Myexertionsproducedaperspiration,which,whileitaugmentedmythirst,happilysuppliedmewithimperfectmeansofappeasingit.

Thisexpedientwould,perhaps,havebeenaccidentallysuggested;butmyingenuitywasassistedbyrememberingthehistoryofcertainEnglishprisonersinBengal,whomtheirmercilessenemyimprisonedinasmallroom,andsomeofwhompreservedthemselvesalivemerelybyswallowingthemoisturethatflowedfromtheirbodies.ThisexperimentInowperformedwithnolesssuccess.

Thiswasslenderaridtransitoryconsolation.Iknewthat,wanderingatrandom,Imightneverreachtheoutletofthiscavern,ormightbedisabled,byhungerandfatigue,fromgoingfartherthantheoutlet.Thecravingswhichhadlatelybeensatiatedwouldspeedilyreturn,andmynegligencehadcutmeofffromtheresourcewhichhadrecentlybeenfurnished.Ithoughtnottillnowthatasecondmealmightbeindispensable.

Toreturnuponmyfootstepstothespotwherethedeadanimallaywasaheartlessproject.Imightthusbeplacingmyselfatahopelessdistancefromliberty.Besides,mytrackcouldnotberetraced.Ihadfrequentlydeviatedfromastraigh

tdirectionforthesakeofavoidingimpediments.AllofwhichIwassensiblewas,thatIwastravellingupanirregularacclivity.Ihopedsometimetoreachthesummit,buthadnoreasonforadheringtoonelineofascentinpreferencetoanother.

ToremainwhereIwaswasmanifestlyabsurd.WhetherImountedordescended,achangeofplacewasmostlikelytobenefitme.Iresolvedtovarymydirection,and,insteadofascending,keepalongthesideofwhatIaccountedahill.Ihadgonesomehundredfeetwhenthemurmur,beforedescribed,oncemoresalutedmyear.

Thissound,beingimaginedtoproceedfromarunningstream,couldnotbutlightupjoyintheheartofonenearlyperishingwiththirst.Iproceededwithnewc

ourage.Thesoundapproachednonearer,norbecamemoredistinct;but,aslongasitdiednotaway,Iwassatisfiedtolistenandtohope.

Iwaseagerlyobservantifanytheleastglimmeringoflightshouldvisitthisrecess.Atlength,ontherighthand,agleam,infinitelyfaint,caughtmyattention.Itwaswaveringandunequal.Idirectedmystepstowardsit.Itbecamemorevividandpermanent.Itwasofthatkind,however,whichproceededfromafire,kindledwithdrysticks,andnotfromthesun.Inowheardthecracklingofflames.

Thissoundmademepause,or,atleast,toproceedwithcircumspection.Atlengththesceneopened,andIfoundmyselfattheentranceofacave.Iquicklyreachedastation,whenIsawafireburning.Atfirstnootherobjectwasnoted,bu

titwaseasytoinferthatthefirewaskindledbymen,andthattheywhokindleditcouldbeatnogreatdistance.ChapterXVII.

ThuswasIdeliveredfrommyprison,andrestoredtotheenjoymentoftheairandthelight.Perhapsthechancewasalmostmiraculousthatledmetothisopening.Inanyotherdirection,Imighthaveinvolvedmyselfinaninextricablemazeandrenderedmydestructionsure;butwhatnowremainedtoplacemeinabsolutesecurity?BeyondthefireIcouldseenothing;but,sincethesmokerolledrapidlyaway,itwasplainthatontheoppositesidethecavernwasopentotheair.



Iwentforward,butmyeyeswerefixeduponthefire:presently,inconsequenceofchangingmystation,Iperceivedseveralfeet,andtheskirtsofblankets.Iwassomewhatstartledattheseappearances.Thelegswerenaked,andscoredintouncouthfigures.Themoccasinswhichlaybesidethem,andwhichwereadornedinagrotesquemanner,inadditiontootherincidents,immediatelysuggestedthesuspicionthattheywereIndians.Nospectaclewasmoreadaptedthanthistoexcitewonderandalarm.Hadsomemysteriouspowersnatchedmefromtheearth,andcastme,inamoment,intotheheartofthewilderness?WasIstillinthevicinityofmyparentalhabitation,orwasIthousandsofmilesdistant?

Werethesethepermanentinhabitantsofthisregion,orweretheywanderersandrobbers?Whileintheheartofthemountain,IhadentertainedavaguebeliefthatIwasstillwithintheprecinctsofNorwalk.ThisopinionwasshakenforamomentbytheobjectswhichInowbeheld,butitinsensiblyreturned:yethowwasthisopiniontobereconciledtoappearancessostrangeanduncouth,andwhatmeasuredidadueregardtomysafetyenjoinmetotake?

Inowgainedaviewoffourbrawnyandterrificfigures,stretchedupontheground.Theylayparalleltoeachother,ontheirleftsides;inconsequenceofwhichtheirfaceswereturnedfromme.Betweeneachwasanintervalwherelayamusket.Theirrighthandsseemedplaceduponthestocksoftheirguns,asiftoseizethemonthefirstmomentofalarm.

Theaperturethroughwhichtheseobjectswereseenwasatthebackofthecave,andsomefeetfromtheground.Itwasmerelylargeenoughtosufferahumanbodytopass.Itwasinvolvedinprofounddarkness,andtherewasnodangerofbeingsuspectedordiscoveredaslongasImaintainedsilenceandkeptoutofview.

Itwaseasilyimaginedthattheseguestswouldmakebutashortsojourninthisspot.Therewasreasontosupposethatitwasnownight,andthat,afterashortrepose,theywouldstartupandresumetheirjourney.Itwasmyfirstdesigntoremainshroudedinthiscoverttilltheirdeparture,andIpreparedtoendureimprisonmentandthirstsomewhatlonger.

Meanwhilemythoughtswerebusyinaccountingforthisspectacle.IneednottelltheethatNorwalkistheterminationofasterileandnarrowtractwhichbegin

sintheIndiancountry.Itformsasortofruggedandrockyvein,andcontinuesupwardsoffiftymiles.Itiscrossedinafewplacesbynarrowandintricatepaths,bywhichacommunicationismaintainedbetweenthefarmsandsettlementsontheoppositesidesoftheridge.

DuringformerIndianwars,thisrudesurfacewassometimestraversedbytheredmen,andtheymade,bymeansofit,frequentanddestructiveinroadsintotheheartoftheEnglishsettlements.Duringthelastwar,notwithstandingtheprogressofpopulation,andthemultipliedperilsofsuchanexpedition,abandofthemhadoncepenetratedintoNorwalk,andlingeredlongenoughtopillageandmurdersomeoftheneighbouringinhabitants.

Ihavereasontorememberthatevent.Myfather'shousewasplacedontheverge

ofthissolitude.Eightoftheseassassinsassaileditatthedeadofnight.Myparentsandaninfantchildweremurderedintheirbeds;thehousewaspillaged,andthenburnttotheground.Happily,myselfandmytwosisterswereabroaduponavisit.Theprecedingdayhadbeenfixedforourreturntoourfather'shouse;butastormoccurred,whichmadeitdangeroustocrosstheriver,and,byobligingustodeferourjourney,rescuedusfromcaptivityordeath.

Mostmenarehauntedbysomespeciesofterrororantipathy,whichtheyare,forthemostpart,abletotracetosomeincidentwhichbefellthemintheirearlyyears.Youwillnotbesurprisedthatthefateofmyparents,andthesightoft



hebodyofoneofthissavageband,who,inthepursuitthatwasmadeafterthem,wasovertakenandkilled,shouldproducelastingandterrificimagesinmyfancy.Ineverlookeduponorcalleduptheimageofasavagewithoutshuddering.

Iknewthat,atthistime,somehostilitieshadbeencommittedonthefrontier;thatalongcourseofinjuriesandencroachmentshadlatelyexasperatedtheIndiantribes;thatanimplacableandexterminatingwarwasgenerallyexpected.Weimaginedourselvesataninaccessibledistancefromthedanger;butIcouldnotbutrememberthatthispersuasionwasformerlyasstrongasatpresent,andthatanexpeditionwhichhadoncesucceededmightpossiblybeattemptedagain.Herewaseverytokenofenmityandbloodshed.Eachprostratefigurewasfurnishedwitharifledmusket,andaleathernbagtiedroundhiswaist,whichwas,probably,storedwithpowderandball.

Fromthesereflections,thesenseofmyowndangerwasrevivedandenforced;butIlikewiseruminatedontheevilswhichmightimpendoverothers.Ishould,nodoubt,besafebyremaininginthisnook;butmightnotsomemeansbepursuedtowarnothersoftheirdanger?Shouldtheyleavethisspotwithoutnoticeoftheirapproachbeinggiventothefearlessandpacifictenantsoftheneighbouringdistrict,theymightcommit,inafewhours,themosthorridandirreparabledevastation.

Thealarmcouldonlybediffusedinoneway.CouldInotescape,unperceived,andwithoutalarmingthesleepers,fromthiscavern?TheslumberofanIndianisb

rokenbytheslightestnoise;but,ifallnoisebeprecluded,itiscommonlyprofound.Itwaspossible,Iconceived,toleavemypresentpost,todescendintothecave,andissueforthwithoutthesmallestsignal.Theirsupinepostureassuredmethattheywereasleep.Sleepusuallycomesattheirbidding,andif,perchance,theyshouldbewakefulatanunseasonablemoment,theyalwayssitupontheirhaunches,and,leaningtheirelbowsontheirknees,consumethetedioushoursinsmoking.Myperilwouldbegreat.AccidentswhichIcouldnotforesee,andoverwhichIhadnocommand,mightoccurtoawakensomeoneatthemomentIwaspassingthefire.ShouldIpassinsafety,Imightissueforthintoawilderness,ofwhichIhadnoknowledge,whereImightwandertillIperishedwithfamine,orwheremyfootstepsmightbenotedandpursuedandovertakenbytheseimplacablefoes.Theseperilswereenormousandimminent;butIlikewiseconsideredthatImightbeatnogreatdistancefromthehabitationsofmen,andthatmyescape

mightrescuethemfromthemostdreadfulcalamities.Ideterminedtomakethisdangerousexperimentwithoutdelay.

Icamenearertotheaperture,andhad,consequently,alargerviewofthisrecess.Tomyunspeakabledismay,Inowcaughtaglimpseofoneseatedatthefire.Hisbackwasturnedtowardsme,sothatIcoulddistinctlysurveyhisgiganticformandfantasticornaments.

Myprojectwasfrustrated.Thisonewasprobablycommissionedtowatchandtoawakenhiscompanionswhenadueportionofsleephadbeentaken.Thathewouldnotbeunfaithfulorremissintheperformanceofthepartassignedtohimwaseasilypredicted.Topasshimwithoutexcitinghisnotice(andtheentrancecouldnototherwisebereached)wasimpossible.OncemoreIshrunkback,andrevolvedw

ithhopelessnessandanguishthenecessitytowhichIwasreduced.

Thisintervalofdrearyforebodingdidnotlastlong.Somemotioninhimthatwasseatedbythefireattractedmynotice.Ilooked,andbeheldhimrisefromhisplaceandgoforthfromthecavern.Thisunexpectedincidentledmythoughtsintoanewchannel.Couldnotsomeadvantagebetakenofhisabsence?Couldnotthisopportunitybeseizedformakingmyescape?Hehadlefthisgunandhatchetontheground.Itwaslikely,therefore,thathehadnotgonefar,andwouldspeedilyreturn.Mightnottheseweaponsbeseized,andsomeprovisionbethusmadeagainstthedangerofmeetinghimwithout,orofbeingpursued?



Beforearesolutioncouldbeformed,anewsoundsalutedmyear.Itwasadeepgroan,succeededbysobsthatseemedstrugglingforutterancebutwerevehementlycounteractedbythesufferer.Thislowandbitterlamentationapparentlyproceededfromsomeonewithinthecave.Itcouldnotbefromoneofthisswarthyband.Itmust,then,proceedfromacaptive,whomtheyhadreservedfortormentorservitude,andwhohadseizedtheopportunityaffordedbytheabsenceofhimthatwatchedtogiveventtohisdespair.

Iagainthrustmyheadforward,andbeheld,lyingontheground,apartfromtherest,andboundhandandfoot,ayounggirl.Herdresswasthecoarserussetgarbofthecountry,andbespokehertobesomefarmer'sdaughter.Herfeaturesdenotedthelastdegreeoffearandanguish,andshemovedherlimbsinsuchamannerasshowedthattheligaturesbywhichshewasconfinedproduced,bytheirtightness,theutmostdegreeofpain.

Mywisheswerenowbentnotonlytopreservemyselfandtofrustratethefutureattemptsofthesesavages,butlikewisetorelievethismiserablevictim.Thiscouldonlybedonebyescapingfromthecavernandreturningwithseasonableaid.Thesobsofthegirlwerelikelytorousethesleepers.Myappearancebeforeherwouldprompthertotestifyhersurprisebysomeexclamationorshriek.Whatcouldhencebepredictedbutthatthebandwouldstartontheirfeetandleveltheirunerringpiecesatmyhead?

IknownotwhyIwasinsensibletothesedangers.Mythirstwasrenderedbythesedelaysintolerable.Ittookfromme,insomedegree,thepowerofdeliberation.Themurmurswhichhaddrawnmehithercontinuedstilltobeheard.Sometorrentorcascadecouldnotbefardistantfromtheentranceofthecavern,anditseemedasifonedraughtofclearwaterwasaluxurycheaplypurchasedbydeathitself.This,inadditiontoconsiderationsmoredisinterested,andwhichIhavealreadymentioned,impelledmeforward.

Thegirl'scheekrestedonthehardrock,andhereyesweredimwithtears.Astheywereturnedtowardsme,however,Ihopedthatmymovementswouldbenoticedbyhergraduallyandwithoutabruptness.Thisexpectationwasfulfilled.Ihadnotadvancedmanystepsbeforeshediscoveredme.Thismomentwascriticalbeyondallothersinthecourseofmyexistence.Mylifewassuspended,asitwere,by

aspider'sthread.Allrestedontheeffectwhichthisdiscoveryshouldmakeuponthisfeeblevictim.

Iwaswatchfulofthefirstmovementofhereyewhichshouldindicateaconsciousnessofmypresence.Ilaboured,bygesturesandlooks,todeterherfrombetrayingheremotion.Myattentionwas,atthesametime,fixeduponthesleepers,andananxiousglancewascasttowardsthequarterwhencethewatchfulsavagemightappear.

Istoopedandseizedthemusketandhatchet.Thespacebeyondthefirewas,asIexpected,opentotheair.Iissuedforthwithtremblingsteps.Thesensationsinspiredbythedangerswhichenvironedme,addedtomyrecenthorrors,andtheinfluenceofthemoon,whichhadnowgainedthezenith,andwhoselustredazzled

mylong-benightedsenses,cannotbeadequatelydescribed.

Foraminute,Iwasunabletodistinguishobjects.Thisconfusionwasspeedilycorrected,andIfoundmyselfonthevergeofasteep.Craggyeminencesaroseonallsides.Onthelefthandwasaspacethatofferedsomefooting,andhitherIturned.Atorrentwasbelowme,andthispathappearedtoleadtoit.Itquicklyappearedinsight,andallforeigncareswere,foratime,suspended.

Thiswaterfellfromtheupperregionsofthehill,uponaflatprojecturewhichwascontinuedoneitherside,andonpartofwhichIwasnowstanding.Thepath



wasboundedontheleftbyaninaccessiblewall,andontherightterminated,atthedistanceoftwoorthreefeetfromthewall,inaprecipice.Thewaterwaseightortenpacesdistant,andnoimpedimentseemedlikelytorisebetweenus.Irushedforwardwithspeed.

Myprogresswasquicklychecked.Closetothefallingwater,seatedontheedge,hisbacksupportedbytherock,andhislegshangingovertheprecipice,Inowbeheldthesavagewholeftthecavebeforeme.Thenoiseofthecascadeandtheimprobabilityofinterruption,atleastfromthisquarter,hadmadehiminattentivetomymotions.

Ipaused.AlongthisvergelaytheonlyroadbywhichIcouldreachthewater,andbywhichIcouldescape.Thepassagewascompletelyoccupiedbythisantagonist.Toadvancetowardshim,ortoremainwhereIwas,wouldproducethesameeffect.Ishould,ineithercase,bedetected.Hewasunarmed;buthisoutcrieswouldinstantlysummonhiscompanionstohisaid.Icouldnothopetooverpowerhim,andpasshimindefianceofhisopposition.But,ifthiswereeffected,pursuitwouldbeinstantlycommenced.Iwasunacquaintedwiththeway.Thewaywasunquestionablydifficult.Mystrengthwasnearlyannihilated;Ishouldbeovertakeninamoment,ortheirdeficiencyinspeedwouldbesuppliedbytheaccuracyoftheiraim.Theirbullets,atleast,wouldreachme.

Therewasonemethodofremovingthisimpediment.ThepiecewhichIheldinmyhandwascocked.Therecouldbenodoubtthatitwasloaded.Aprecautionofthis

kindwouldneverbeomittedbyawarriorofthishue.Atagreaterdistancethanthis,Ishouldnotfeartoreachthemark.ShouldInotdischargeit,and,atthesamemoment,rushforwardtosecuretheroadwhichmyadversary'sdeathwouldopentome?

Perhapsyouwillconceiveapurposelikethistohavearguedasanguinaryandmurderousdisposition.Letitberemembered,however,thatIentertainednodoubtsaboutthehostiledesignsofthesemen.Thiswassufficientlyindicatedbytheirarms,theirguise,andthecaptivewhoattendedthem.Letthefateofmyparentsbe,likewise,remembered.Iwasnotcertainbutthattheseverymenweretheassassinsofmyfamily,andwerethosewhohadreducedmeandmysisterstotheconditionoforphansanddependants.Nowordscandescribethetormentsofmythirst.Relieftothesetorments,andsafetytomylife,werewithinview.Howcou

ldIhesitate?

YetIdidhesitate.Myaversiontobloodshedwasnottobesubduedbutbythedirestnecessity.Iknew,indeed,thatthedischargeofamusketwouldonlyalarmtheenemieswhoremainedbehind;butIhadanotherandabetterweaponinmygrasp.Icouldrivetheheadofmyadversary,andcasthimheadlong,withoutanynoisewhichshouldbeheard,intothecavern.

StillIwaswillingtowithdraw,tore-enterthecave,andtakeshelterinthedarksomerecessesfromwhichIhademerged.HereImightremain,unsuspected,tillthesedetestedguestsshoulddepart.Thehazardsattendingmyre-entranceweretobeboldlyencountered,andthetormentsofunsatisfiedthirstweretobepatientlyendured,ratherthanimbruemyhandsinthebloodofmyfellowmen.Butth

isexpedientwouldbeineffectualifmyretreatshouldbeobservedbythissavage.OfthatIwasboundtobeincontestablyassured.Iretreated,therefore,butkeptmyeyefixedatthesametimeupontheenemy.

SomeillfatedecreedthatIshouldnotretreatunobserved.ScarcelyhadIwithdrawnthreepaceswhenhestartedfromhisseat,and,turningtowardsme,walkedwithaquickpace.Theshadowoftherock,andtheimprobabilityofmeetinganenemyhere,concealedmeforamomentfromhisobservation.Istoodstill.Theslightestmotionwouldhaveattractedhisnotice.Atpresent,thenarrowspaceengagedallhisvigilance.Cautiousfootsteps,andattentiontothepath,wereindi



spensabletohissafety.Therespitewasmomentary,andIemployeditinmyowndefence.

HowotherwisecouldIact?Thedangerthatimpendedaimedatnothinglessthanmylife.Totakethelifeofanotherwastheonlymethodofavertingit.Themeanswereinmyhand,andtheywereused.Inanextremitylikethis,mymuscleswouldhaveactedalmostindefianceofmywill.

Thestrokewasquickaslightning,andthewoundmortalanddeep.Hehadnottimetodescrytheauthorofhisfate,but,sinkingonthepath,expiredwithoutagroan.Thehatchetburieditselfinhisbreast,androlledwithhimtothebottomoftheprecipice.

NeverbeforehadItakenthelifeofahumancreature.OnthisheadIhad,indeed,entertainedsomewhatofreligiousscruples.Thesescruplesdidnotforbidmetodefendmyself,buttheymademecautiousandreluctanttodecide.Thoughtheycouldnotwithholdmyhandwhenurgedbyanecessitylikethis,theyweresufficienttomakemelookbackuponthedeedwithremorseanddismay.

Ididnotescapeallcompunctioninthepresentinstance,butthetumultofmyfeelingswasquicklyallayed.Toquenchmythirstwasaconsiderationbywhichallothersweresupplanted.Iapproachedthetorrent,andnotonlydrankcopiously,butlavedmyhead,neck,andarms,inthisdeliciouselement.

ChapterXVIII.

NeverwasanydelightworthyofcomparisonwiththeraptureswhichIthenexperienced.Life,thatwasrapidlyebbing,appearedtoreturnuponmewithredoubledviolence.Mylanguors,myexcruciatingheat,vanishedinamoment,andIfeltpreparedtoundergothelaboursofHercules.Havingfullysuppliedthedemandsofnatureinthisrespect,Ireturnedtoreflectiononthecircumstancesofmysituation.Thepathwindingroundthehillwasnowfreefromallimpediments.Whatremainedbuttoprecipitatemyflight?Imightspeedilyplacemyselfbeyondalldanger.Imightgainsomehospitableshelter,wheremyfatiguesmightberepairedbyrepose,andmywoundsbecured.Imightlikewiseimparttomyprotectorsseasonableinformationoftheenemieswhomeditatedtheirdestruction.

IthoughtupontheconditionofthehaplessgirlwhomIhadleftinthepowerofthesavages.Wasitimpossibletorescueher?MightInotrelieveherfromherbonds,andmakeherthecompanionofmyflight?Theexploitwasperilous,butnotimpracticable.Therewassomethingdastardlyandignominiousinwithdrawingfromthedanger,andleavingahelplessbeingexposedtoit.Asingleminutemightsufficetosnatchherfromdeathorcaptivity.TheparentsmightdeservethatIshouldhazardorevensacrificemylifeinthecauseoftheirchild.

Aftersomefluctuation,Ideterminedtoreturntothecavernandattempttherescueofthegirl.Thesuccessofthisprojectdependedonthecontinuanceoftheirsleep.Itwaspropertoapproachwithwariness,andtoheedthesmallesttokenwhichmightbespeaktheircondition.Icreptalongthepath,bendingmyearforwardtocatchanysoundthatmightarise.Iheardnothingbutthehalf-stifleds

obsofthegirl.

Ienteredwiththeslowestandmostanxiouscircumspection.Everythingwasfoundinitspristinestate.Thegirlnoticedmyentrancewithamixtureofterrorandjoy.Mygesturesandlooksenjoineduponhersilence.Istoopeddown,and,takinganotherhatchet,cutasunderthedeer-skinthongsbywhichherwristsandanklesweretied.Ithenmadesignsforhertoriseandfollowme.Shewillinglycompliedwithmydirections;butherbenumbedjointsandlaceratedsinewsrefusedtosupporther.Therewasnotimetobelost;Ithereforeliftedherinmyarms,and,feebleandtotteringasIwas,proceededwiththisburdenalongtheperi



loussteepandoveramostrugged-path.

Ihopedthatsomeexertionwouldenablehertoretrievetheuseofherlimbs.Isether,therefore,onherfeet,exhortinghertowalkaswellasshewasable,andpromisinghermyoccasionalassistance.Thepoorgirlwasnotdeficientinzeal,andpresentlymovedalongwithlightandquicksteps.Wespeedilyreachedthebottomofthehill.

Nofancycanconceiveascenemorewildanddesolatethanthatwhichnowpresenteditself.Thesoilwasnearlycoveredwithsharpfragmentsofstone.Betweenthese,sprungbramblesandcreepingvines,whosetwigs,crossingandintertwiningwitheachother,addedtotheroughnessbelow,madethepassageinfinitelytoilsome.Scatteredoverthisspaceweresinglecedarswiththeirraggedspinesandwreathsofmoss,andcopsesofdwarfoaks,whichwereonlynewemblemsofsterility.

Iwaswhollyunacquaintedwiththescenebeforeme.Nomarksofhabitationorculture,notracesofthefootstepsofmen,werediscernible.IscarcelyknewinwhatregionoftheglobeIwasplaced.IhadcomehitherbymeanssoinexplicableastoleaveitequallyindoubtwhetherIwasseparatedfrommypaternalabodebyariveroranocean.

Imadeinquiriesofmycompanion,butshewasunabletotalkcoherently.Sheansweredmyquestionswithweeping,andsobs,andentreatiestoflyfromthescene

ofherdistress.Icollectedfromher,atlength,thatherfather'shousehadbeenattackedontheprecedingevening,andallthefamilybutherselfdestroyed.Sincethisdisastershehadwalkedveryfastandagreatway,butknewnothowfarorinwhatdirection.

Inawildernesslikethis,myonlyhopewastolightuponobscurepaths,madebycattle.MeanwhileIendeavouredtoadheretooneline,andtoburstthroughthevexatiousobstacleswhichencumberedourway.Thegroundwasconcealedbythebushes,andwewereperplexedandfatiguedbyacontinualsuccessionofhollowsandprominences.Atonemomentwewerenearlythrownheadlongintoapit.Atanotherwestruckourfeetagainsttheanglesofstones.Thebranchesoftheoakreboundedinourfacesorentangledourlegs,andtheunseenthornsinflictedonusathousandwounds.

Iwasobliged,inthesearduouscircumstances,tosupportnotonlymyself,butmycompanion.Herstrengthwasoverpoweredbyhereveningjourney,andtheterrorofbeingovertakenincessantlyharassedher.

Sometimeswelightedupontrackswhichaffordedusaneasierfootingandinspireduswithcouragetoproceed.These,foratime,terminatedatabrookorinabog,andwewereoncemorecompelledtogoforwardatrandom.Oneofthesetracksinsensiblybecamemorebeaten,and,atlength,exhibitedthetracesofwheels.TothisIadhered,confidentthatitwouldfinallyconductustoadwelling.

Oneitherside,theundergrowthofshrubsandbramblescontinuedasbefore.Sometimessmallspaceswereobserved,whichhadlatelybeenclearedbyfire.Atleng

thavacantspace,oflargerdimensionsthanhadhithertooccurred,presenteditselftomyview.Itwasafieldofsomeacres,thathad,apparently,beenupturnedbythehoe.Atthecornerofthisfieldwasasmallhouse.

Myheartleapedwithjoyatthissight.Ihastenedtowardsit,inthehopethatmyuncertainties,andtoils,anddangers,werenowdrawingtoaclose.Thisdwellingwassuitedtothepovertyanddesolationwhichsurroundedit.Itconsistedofafewunhewnlogslaiduponeachother,totheheightofeightortenfeet,includingaquadrangularspaceofsimilardimensions,andcoveredbyathatch.Therewasnowindow,lightbeingsufficientlyadmittedintothecrevicesbetweent



helogs.Thesehadformerlybeenlooselyplasteredwithclay;butairandrainhadcrumbledandwashedthegreaterpartofthisrudecementaway.Somewhatlikeachimney,builtofhalf-burntbricks,wasperceivedatonecorner.Thedoorwasfastenedbyaleathernthong,tiedtoapeg.

Allwithinwassilenceanddarkness.Iknockedatthedoorandcalled,butnoonemovedoranswered.Thetenant,whoeverhewas,wasabsent.Hisleavecouldnotbeobtained,andI,therefore,enteredwithoutit.Theautumnhadmadesomeprogress,andtheairwasfrostyandsharp.Mymindandmuscleshadbeenoflatesostrenuouslyoccupied,thatthecoldhadnotbeenfelt.Thecessationofexercise,however,quicklyrestoredmysensibilityinthisrespect,buttheunhappygirlcomplainedofbeinghalffrozen.

Fire,therefore,wasthefirstobjectofmysearch.Happily,someemberswerefounduponthehearth,togetherwithpotato-stalksanddrychips.Ofthese,withmuchdifficulty,Ikindledafire,bywhichsomewarmthwasimpartedtoourshiveringlimbs.Thelightenabledme,asIsatupontheground,tosurveytheinteriorofthismansion.Threesaplings,strippedoftheirbranchesandboundtogetherattheirendsbytwigs,formedakindofbedstead,whichwasraisedfromthegroundbyfourstones.Ropesstretchedacrossthese,andcoveredbyablanket,constitutedthebed.Aboard,ofwhichoneendrestedonthebedsteadandtheotherwasthrustbetweenthelogsthatcomposedthewall,sustainedthestalefragmentsofarye-loaf,andacedarbucketkeptentirebywithesinsteadofhoops.Inthebucketwasalittlewater,fullofdroppingsfromtheroof,drownedinsects

,andsand.Abasketortwoneatlymade,andahoe,withastakethrustintoitbywayofhandle,madeupallthefurniturethatwasvisible.

Nexttocold,hungerwasthemosturgentnecessitybywhichwewerenowpressed.Thiswasnotimetogiveeartoscruples.We,therefore,unceremoniouslydividedthebreadandwaterbetweenus.Ihadnowleisuretobestowsomeregardsuponthefuture.

Theseremnantsoffireandfoodconvincedmethatthisdwellingwasusuallyinhabited,andthatithadlatelybeendeserted.Someengagementhadprobablycarriedthetenantabroad.Hisabsencemightbeterminatedinafewminutes,ormightendurethroughthenight.Onhisreturn,IquestionednotmypowertoappeaseanyindignationhemightfeelatthelibertieswhichIhadtaken.Iwaswillingto

supposehimonewhowouldreadilyaffordusalltheinformationandsuccourthatweneeded.

Ifheshouldnotreturntillsunrise,Imeanttoresumemyjourney.Bythecomfortablemealwehadmade,andthereposeofafewhours,weshouldbeconsiderablyinvigoratedandrefreshed,andtheroadwouldleadustosomemorehospitabletenement.

Mythoughtsweretootumultuous,andmysituationtooprecarious,toallowmetosleep.Thegirl,onthecontrary,soonsankintoasweetoblivionofallhercares.Shelaidherself,bymyadvice,uponthebed,andleftmetoruminatewithoutinterruption.

Iwasnotwhollyfreefromtheapprehensionofdanger.Whatinfluencethisboisterousandsolitarylifemighthaveuponthetemperofthebeingwhoinhabitedthishut,Icouldnotpredict.HowsoontheIndiansmightawake,andwhatpaththeywouldpursue,Iwasequallyunabletoguess.Itwasbynomeansimpossiblethattheymighttreaduponmyfootsteps,andknock,inafewminutes,atthedoorofthiscottage.Itbehoovedmetomakeallthepreparationsinmypoweragainstuntowardincidents.

IhadnotpartedwiththegunwhichIhadfirstseizedinthecavern,norwiththehatchetwhichIhadafterwardsusedtocutthebandsofthegirl.Thesewere



atoncemytrophiesandmymeansofdefence,whichithadbeenrashandabsurdtohaverelinquished.Mypresentreliancewasplaceduponthese.

Inow,forthefirsttime,examinedtheprizethatIhadmade.Otherconsiderationshadpreventedme,tillnow,fromexaminingthestructureofthepiece;butIcouldnotbutobservethatithadtwobarrels,andwaslighterandsmallerthananordinarymusket.Thelightofthefirenowenabledmetoinspectitwithmoreaccuracy.

ScarcelyhadIfixedmyeyesuponthestock,whenIperceivedmarksthatwerefamiliartomyapprehension.Shape,ornaments,andciphers,wereevidentlythesamewiththoseofapiecewhichIhadfrequentlyhandled.Themarkswereofakindwhichcouldnotbemistaken.Thispiecewasmine;and,whenIleftmyuncle'shouse,itwasdeposited,asIbelieved,intheclosetofmychamber.

Thouwilteasilyconceivetheinferencewhichthiscircumstancesuggested.Myhairsroseandmyteethchatteredwithhorror.Mywholeframewaspetrified,andIpacedtoandfro,hurriedfromthechimneytothedoor,andfromthedoortothechimney,withthemisguidedfuryofamaniac.

Ineedednoproofofmycalamitymoreincontestablethanthis.Myuncleandmysistershadbeenmurdered;thedwellinghadbeenpillaged,andthishadbeenapartoftheplunder.Defencelessandasleep,theywereassailedbytheseinexorableenemies,andI,whooughttohavebeentheirprotectorandchampion,wasremov

edtoanimmeasurabledistance,andwasdisabled,bysomeaccursedchance,fromaffordingthemthesuccourwhichtheyneeded.

Foratime,IdoubtedwhetherIhadnotwitnessedandsharedthiscatastrophe.Ihadnomemoryofthecircumstancesthatprecededmyawakinginthepit.Hadnotthecauseofmybeingcastintothisabysssomeconnectionwiththeruinofmyfamily?HadInotbeendraggedhitherbythesesavagesandreduced,bytheirmalice,tothatbreathlessandinsensiblecondition?WasIborntoamalignantdestinynevertiredofpersecuting?Thushadmyparentsandtheirinfantoffspringperished,andthuscompletedwasthefateofallthosetowhommyaffectionscleaved,andwhomthefirstdisasterhadspared.

Hithertothedeathofthesavage,whomIhaddispatchedwithmyhatchet,hadnot

beenrememberedwithoutsomeremorse.Nowmyemotionsweretotallychanged.Iwassomewhatcomfortedinthinkingthatthusmuchofnecessaryvengeancehadbeenexecuted.NewandmorevehementregretswereexcitedbyreflectingontheforbearanceIhadpractisedwhensomuchwasinmypower.Allthemiscreantshadbeenatmymercy,andabloodyretributionmight,withsafetyandease,havebeeninflictedontheirprostratebodies.

Itwasnowtoolate.Whatofconsolationorofhoperemainedtome?Toreturntomyancientdwelling,nowpollutedwithblood,or,perhaps,nothingbutasmokingruin,wasabhorred.Life,connectedwiththeremembranceofmymisfortunes,wasdetestable.Iwasnolongeranxiousforflight.NochangeofthescenebutthatwhichterminatedallconsciousnesscouldIenduretothinkof.

Amidstthesegloomymeditationstheideawassuddenlysuggestedofreturning,withtheutmostexpedition,tothecavern.Itwaspossiblethattheassassinswerestillasleep.Hewhowasappointedtowatch,andtomake,indueseason,thesignalforresumingtheirmarch,wasforeversilent.Withoutthissignalitwasnotunlikelythattheywouldsleeptilldawnofday.But,iftheyshouldberoused,theymightbeovertakenormet,and,bychoosingaproperstation,twovictimsmightatleastfall.Theultimateeventtomyselfwouldsurelybefatal;butmyowndeathwasanobjectofdesireratherthanofdread.Todiethusspeedily,andaftersomeatonementwasmadeforthosewhohadalreadybeenslain,wassweet.



Thewaytothemountainwasdifficultandtedious,buttheridgewasdistinctlyseenfromthedoorofthecottage,andItrustedthatauspiciouschancewouldleadmetothatpartofitwheremypreywastobefound.Isnatchedupthegunandtomahawkinatransportofeagerness.Onexaminingtheformer,Ifoundthatbothbarrelsweredeeplyloaded.

Thispiecewasofextraordinaryworkmanship.ItwasthelegacyofanEnglishofficer,whodiedinBengal,toSarsefield.Itwasconstructedforthepurposesnotofsportbutofwar.Theartisthadmadeitacongeriesoftubesandsprings,bywhicheverypurposeofprotectionandoffencewaseffectuallyserved.Adagger'sbladewasattachedtoit,capableofbeingfixedattheend,andofansweringthedestructivepurposeofabayonet.OnhisdeparturefromSolesbury,myfriendleftit,asapledgeofhisaffection,inmypossession.HithertoIhadchieflyemployeditinshootingatamark,inordertoimprovemysight;nowwasItoprofitbythegiftinadifferentway.

Thusarmed,Ipreparedtosallyforthonmyadventurousexpedition.Soberviewsmighthavespeedilysucceededtothepresenttempestofmypassions.Imighthavegraduallydiscoveredtheromanticandcriminaltemerityofmyproject,thefollyofrevenge,andthedutyofpreservingmylifeforthebenefitofmankind.Imighthavesuspectedtheproprietyofmyconclusion,andhaveadmittedsomedoubtsastothecatastrophewhichIimaginedtohavebefallenmyuncleandsisters.Imight,atleast,haveconsentedtoascertaintheirconditionwithmyowneyes

,andforthisendhavereturnedtothecottage,andhavepatientlywaitedtillthemorninglightshouldpermitmetoresumemyjourney.

Thisconductwasprecludedbyanewincident.BeforeIopenedthedoorIlookedthroughacreviceofthewall,andperceivedthreehumanfiguresatthefartherendofthefield.Theyapproachedthehouse.Thoughindistinctlyseen,somethingintheirportpersuadedmethattheseweretheIndiansfromwhomIhadlatelyparted.Iwasstartledbutnotdismayed.Mythirstofvengeancewasstillpowerful,andIbelievedthatthemomentofitsgratificationwashastening.Inashorttimetheywouldarriveandenterthehouse.Inwhatmannershouldtheybereceived?

Istudiednotmyownsecurity.Itwasthescopeofmywishestokillthewholen

umoerofmyfoes;but,thatbeingdone,Iwasindifferenttotheconsequences.Idesirednottolivetorelateortoexultinthedeed.

Togoforthwasperilousanduseless.Allthatremainedwastosituponthegroundoppositethedoor,andfireateachasheentered.InthehastysurveyIhadtakenofthisapartment,oneobjecthadbeenoverlooked,orimperfectlynoticed.Closetothechimneywasanaperture,formedbyacavitypartlyinthewallandintheground.Itwastheentranceofanoven,whichresembled,ontheoutside,amoundofearth,andwhichwasfilledwithdrystalksofpotatoesandotherrubbish.

Intothisitwaspossibletothrustmybody.Asortofscreenmightbeformedofthebrushwood,andmoredeliberateandeffectualexecutionbedoneupontheene

my.Iweighednotthedisadvantagesofthisscheme,butprecipitatelythrewmyselfintothiscavity.Idiscovered,inaninstant,thatitwastotallyunfitformypurpose;butitwastoolatetorepairmymiscarriage.

Thiswallofthehovelwasplacednearthevergeofasand-bank.Theovenwaserectedontheverybrink.Thisbank,beingofalooseandmutablesoil,couldnotsustainmyweight.Itsunk,andIsunkalongwithit.Theheightofthebankwasthreeorfourfeet,sothat,thoughdisconcertedandembarrassed,Ireceivednoinjury.Istillgraspedmygun,andresumedmyfeetinamoment.



Whatwasnowtobedone?Thebankscreenedmefromtheviewofthesavages.Thethicketwashardby,and,ifIwereeagertoescape,thewaywasobviousandsure.But,thoughsingle,thoughenfeebledbytoil,byabstinence,andbydisease,andthoughsomuchexceededinnumberandstrengthbymyfoes,Iwasdeterminedtoawaitandprovokethecontest.

Inadditiontothedesperateimpulseofpassion,Iwasswayedbythoughtsofthedangerwhichbesetthesleepinggirl,andfromwhichmyflightwouldleaveherwithoutprotection.Howstrangeisthedestinythatgovernsmankind!Theconsequenceofshroudingmyselfinthiscavityhadnotbeenforeseen.Itwasanexpedientwhichcourageandnotcowardicesuggested;andyetitwastheonlyexpedientbywhichflighthadbeenrenderedpracticable.Tohaveissuedfromthedoorwouldonlyhavebeentoconfront,andnottoelude,thedanger.

Thefirstimpulsepromptedmetore-enterthecottagebythisavenue,butthiscouldnotbedonewithcertaintyandexpedition.Whatthenremained?WhileIdeliberated,themenapproached,and,afteramoment'shesitation,enteredthehouse,thedoorbeingpartlyopen.

Thefireonthehearthenabledthemtosurveytheroom.Oneofthemutteredasuddenexclamationofsurprise.Thiswaseasilyinterpreted.Theyhadnoticedthegirlwhohadlatelybeentheircaptivelyingasleepontheblanket.Theirastonishmentatfindingherhere,andinthiscondition,maybeeasilyconceived.

InowreflectedthatImightplacemyself,withoutbeingobserved,neartheentrance,atanangleofthebuilding,andshootateachashesuccessivelycameforth.Iperceivedthatthebankconformedtotwosidesofthehouse,andthatImightgainaviewofthefrontandoftheentrance,withoutexposingmyselftoobservation.

Ilostnotimeingainingthisstation.Thebankwasashighasmybreast.Itwaseasy,therefore,tocrouchbeneathit,tobringmyeyeclosetotheverge,and,layingmygunuponthetopofitamongthegrass,withitsmuzzlespointedtothedoor,patientlytowaittheirforthcoming.

Myeyeandmyearwereequallyattentivetowhatwaspassing.Alowandmutteringconversationwasmaintainedinthehouse.PresentlyIheardaheavystrokedes

cend.Ishuddered,andmybloodrancoldatthesound.Ientertainednodoubtbutthatitwasthestrokeofahatchetontheheadorbreastofthehelplesssleeper.

Itwasfollowedbyaloudshriek.Thecontinuanceoftheseshrieksprovedthatthestrokehadnotbeeninstantlyfatal.Iwaitedtohearitrepeated,butthesoundsthatnowarosewerelikethoseproducedbydraggingsomewhatalongtheground.Theshrieks,meanwhile,wereincessantandpiteous.Myheartfaltered,andIsawthatmightyeffortsmustbemadetopreservemyjointsandmynervessteadfast.Alldependedonthestrenuousexertionsandthefortunatedexterityofamoment.

Onenowapproachedthedoor,andcameforth,draggingthegirl,whomheheldby

thehair,afterhim.Whathinderedmefromshootingathisfirstappearance,Iknownot.Thishadbeenmypreviousresolution.Myhandtouchedthetrigger,and,ashemoved,thepiecewaslevelledathisrightear.Perhapsthemomentousconsequencesofmyfailuremademewaittillhisceasingtomovemightrendermyaimmoresure.

Havingdraggedthegirl,stillpiteouslyshrieking,tothedistanceoftenfeetfromthehouse,hethrewherfromhimwithviolence.Shefellupontheground,and,observinghimlevelhispieceatherbreast,renewedhersupplicationsinastillmorepiercingtone.Littledidtheforlornwretchthinkthatherdeliveran



cewascertainandnear.Irebukedmyselfforhavingthuslongdelayed.Ifired,andmyenemysunkuponthegroundwithoutastruggle.

Thusfarhadsuccessattendedmeinthisunequalcontest.Thenextshotwouldleavemenearlypowerless.Ifthat,however,provedasunerringasthefirst,thechancesofdefeatwerelessened.Thesavageswithin,knowingtheintentionsoftheirassociatewithregardtothecaptivegirl,wouldprobablymistakethereportwhichtheyheardforthatofhispiece.Theirmistake,however,wouldspeedilygiveplacetodoubts,andtheywouldrushforthtoascertainthetruth.Itbehoovedmetoprovideasimilarreceptionforhimthatnextappeared.

ItwasasIexpected.Scarcelywasmyeyeagainfixedupontheentrance,whenatawnyandterrificvisagewasstretchedfearfullyforth.Itwasthesignalofhisfate.Hisglances,castwildlyandswiftlyround,lighteduponme,andonthefatalinstrumentwhichwaspointedathisforehead.Hismuscleswereatonceexertedtowithdrawhishead,andtovociferateawarningtohisfellow;buthismovementwastooslow.Theballenteredabovehisear.Hetumbledheadlongtotheground,bereavedofsensationthoughnotoflife,andhadpoweronlytostruggleandmutter.ChapterXVIX.

ThinknotthatIrelatethesethingswithexultationortranquillity.Allmyeducationandthehabitsofmylifetendedtounfitmeforacontestandascenelikethis.ButIwasnotgovernedbythesoulwhichusuallyregulatesmyconduct.

Ihadimbibed,fromtheunparalleledeventswhichhadlatelyhappened,aspiritvengeful,unrelenting,andferocious.

Therewasnowanintervalforflight.Throwingmyweaponsaway,Imightgainthethicketinamoment.Ihadnoammunition,norwouldtimebeaffordedmetoreloadmypiece.Myantagonistwouldrendermyponiardandmyspeedofnousetome.ShouldhemissmeasIfled,thegirlwouldremaintoexpiate,byheragoniesanddeath,thefateofhiscompanions.

Thesethoughtspassedthroughmymindinashortertimethanisdemandedtoexpressthem.Theyyieldedtoanexpedientsuggestedbythesightofthegunthathadbeenraisedtodestroythegirl,andwhichnowlayupontheground.Iamnotlargeofbone,butamnotdeficientinagilityandstrength.Allthatremainedto

meofthesequalitieswasnowexerted;and,droppingmyownpiece,Ileapeduponthebank,andflewtoseizemyprize.

ItwasnottillIsnatcheditfromtheground,thattheproprietyofregainingmyformerpostrusheduponmyapprehension.Hethatwasstillpostedinthehovelwouldmarkmethroughtheseamsofthewall,andrendermydestructionsure.Ioncemorerantowardsthebank,withtheintentiontothrowmyselfbelowit.Allthiswasperformedinaninstant;butmyvigilantfoewasawareofhisadvantage,andfiredthroughanopeningbetweenthelogs.Thebulletgrazedmycheek,andproducedabenumbingsensationthatmademeinstantlyfalltotheearth.Thoughbereavedofstrength,andfraughtwiththebeliefthatIhadreceivedamortalwound,mycautionwasnotremitted.Iloosenednotmygraspofthegun,andthepostureintowhichIaccidentallyfellenabledmetokeepaneyeuponthehouse

andahanduponthetrigger.Perceivingmycondition,thesavagerushedfromhiscovertinordertocompletehiswork;butatthreestepsfromthethresholdhereceivedmybulletinhisbreast.Theupliftedtomahawkfellfromhishand,and,utteringaloudshriek,hefelluponthebodyofhiscompanion.Hiscriesstruckuponmyheart,andIwishedthathisbetterfortunehadcastthisevilfromhimuponme.

ThusIhavetoldtheeabloodyanddisastroustale.Whenthoureflectestonthemildnessofmyhabits,myantipathytoscenesofviolenceandbloodshed,myunacquaintancewiththeuseoffire-armsandthemotivesofasoldier,thouwiltsca



rcelyallowcredittomystory.Thatonerushingintothesedangers,unfurnishedwithstratagemsorweapons,disheartenedandenfeebledbyhardshipsandpain,shouldsubduefourantagoniststrainedfromtheirinfancytotheartificesandexertionsofIndianwarfare,willseemthevisionoffancy,ratherthanthelessonoftruth.

Iliftedmyheadfromthegroundandpondereduponthisscene.Themagnitudeofthisexploitmademequestionitsreality.Byattendingtomyownsensations,IdiscoveredthatIhadreceivednowound,or,atleast,noneofwhichtherewasreasontocomplain.Thebloodflowedplentifullyfrommycheek,buttheinjurywassuperficial.Itwasotherwisewithmyantagonists.Thelastthathadfallennowceasedtogroan.Theirhugelimbs,inuredtocombatand_war-worn_,wereuselesstotheirowndefence,andtotheinjuryofothers.

ThedestructionthatIwitnessedwasvast.Threebeings,fullofenergyandheroism,endowedwithmindsstrenuousandlofty,pouredouttheirlivesbeforeme.Iwastheinstrumentoftheirdestruction.Thissceneofcarnageandbloodwaslaidbyme.TothishavocandhorrorwasIledbysuchrapidfootsteps!

Myanguishwasmingledwithastonishment.Inspiteoftheforceanduniformitywithwhichmysenseswereimpressedbyexternalobjects,thetransitionIhadundergonewassowildandinexplicable;allthatIhadperformed,allthatIhadwitnessedsincemyegressfromthepit,weresocontradictorytoprecedentevents,thatIstillclungtothebeliefthatmythoughtswereconfusedbydelirium.Fr

omthesereveriesIwasatlengthrecalledbythegroansofthegirl,wholaynearmeontheground.

Iwenttoherandendeavouredtoconsoleher.Ifoundthat,whilelyinginthebed,shehadreceivedablowupontheside,whichwasstillproductiveofacutepain.Shewasunabletoriseortowalk,anditwasplainthatoneormoreofherribshadbeenfracturedbytheblow.

Iknewnotwhatmeanstodeviseforourmutualrelief.Itwaspossiblethatthenearestdwellingwasmanyleaguesdistant.Iknewnotinwhatdirectiontogoinordertofindit,andmystrengthwouldnotsufficetocarrymywoundedcompanionthitherinmyarms.Therewasnoexpedientbuttoremaininthisfieldofbloodtillthemorning.

Ihadscarcelyformedthisresolutionbeforethereportofamusketwasheardatasmalldistance.Atthesamemoment,Idistinctlyheardthewhistlingofabulletnearme.Inowrememberedthat,ofthefiveIndianswhomIsawinthecavern,Iwasacquaintedwiththedestinyonlyoffour.Thefifthmightbestillalive,andfortunemightreserveforhimthetaskofavenginghiscompanions.Hisstepsmightnowbetendinghitherinsearchofthem.

Themusketbelongingtohimwhowasshotuponthethresholdwasstillcharged.Itwasdiscreettomakealltheprovisioninmypoweragainstdanger.Ipossessedmyselfofthisgun,and,seatingmyselfontheground,lookedcarefullyonallsides,todescrytheapproachoftheenemy.Ilistenedwithbreathlesseagerness.

Presentlyvoiceswereheard.Theyascendedfromthatpartofthethicketfromwhichmyviewwasinterceptedbythecottage.Thesevoiceshadsomethinginthemthatbespokethemtobelongtofriendsandcountrymen.AsyetIwasunabletodistinguishwords.

Presentlymyeyewasattractedtoonequarter,byasoundasoffeettramplingdownbushes.Severalheadswereseenmovinginsuccession,andatlengththewholepersonwasconspicuous.Oneafteranotherleapedoverakindofmoundwhichborderedthefield,andmadetowardsthespotwhereIsat.Thisbandwascomposed



oftenortwelvepersons,witheachagunuponhisshoulder.Theirguise,themomentitwasperceived,dissipatedallmyapprehensions.

Theycamewithinthedistanceofafewpacesbeforetheydiscoveredme.Onestopped,and,bespeakingtheattentionofhisfollowers,calledtoknowwhowasthere.IansweredthatIwasafriend,whoentreatedtheirassistance.Ishallnotpainttheirastonishmentwhen,oncomingnearer,theybeheldmesurroundedbythearmsanddeadbodiesofmyenemies.

Isatupontheground,supportingmyheadwithmylefthand,andrestingonmykneethestockofaheavymusket.Mycountenancewaswanandhaggard,myneckandbosomweredyedinblood,andmylimbs,almoststrippedbythebramblesoftheirslendercovering,werelaceratedbyathousandwounds.Threesavages,twoofwhomweresteepedingore,layatasmalldistance,withthetracesofrecentlifeontheirvisages.Hardbywasthegirl,ventingheranguishinthedeepestgroans,andentreatingrelieffromthenew-comers.

Oneofthecompany,onapproachingthegirl,betrayedtheutmostperturbation."GoodGod!"hecried,"isthisadream?Canitbeyou?Speak!"

"Ah,myfather!myfather!"answeredshe,"itisIindeed."

Thecompany,attractedbythisdialogue,crowdedroundthegirl,whomherfather,claspinginhisarms,liftedfromtheground,andpressed,inatransportofj

oy,tohisbreast.Thisdelightwassucceededbysolicituderespectinghercondition.Shecouldonlyanswerhisinquiriesbycomplainingthathersidewasbruisedtopieces."Howcameyouhere?"--"Whohurtyou?"--"WheredidtheIndianscarryyou?"--werequestionstowhichshecouldmakenoreplybutbysobsandplaints.

Myowncalamitieswereforgottenincontemplatingthefondnessandcompassionofthemanforhischild.IderivednewjoyfromreflectingthatIhadnotabandonedher,andthatsheowedherpreservationtomyefforts.Theinquirieswhichthegirlwasunabletoanswerwerenowputtome.EveryoneinterrogatedmewhoIwas,whenceIhadcome,andwhathadgivenrisetothisbloodycontest.

Iwasnotwillingtoexpatiateonmystory.Thespiritwhichhadhithertosustai

nedmebegannowtosubside.Mystrengthebbedawaywithmyblood.Tremors,lassitude,anddeadlycold,invadedme,andIfaintedontheground.

Suchisthecapriciousconstitutionofthehumanmind.Whiledangerswereathand,whilemylifewastobepreservedonlybyzeal,andvigilance,andcourage,Iwasnotwantingtomyself.Hadmyperilscontinued,orevenmultiplied,nodoubtmyenergieswouldhavekeptequalpacewiththem;butthemomentthatIwasencompassedbyprotectors,andplacedinsecurity,Igrewpowerlessandfaint.Myweaknesswasproportionedtothedurationandintensityofmypreviousefforts,andtheswoonintowhichInowsunkwas,nodoubt,mistakenbythespectatorsfordeath.

Onrecoveringfromthisswoon,mysensationswerenotunlikethosewhichIhade

xperiencedonawakinginthepit.Foramomentamistinessinvolvedeveryobject,andIwasabletodistinguishnothing.Mysight,byrapiddegrees,wasrestored,mypainfuldizzinesswasbanished,andIsurveyedthescenebeforemewithanxietyandwonder.

Ifoundmyselfstretchedupontheground.Iperceivedthecottageandtheneighbouringthicket,illuminatedbyadecliningmoon.Myheadresteduponsomething,which,onturningtoexamine,IfoundtobeoneoftheslainIndians.Theothertworemainedupontheearth,atasmalldistance,andintheattitudesinwhichtheyhadfallen.Theirarms,thewoundedgirl,andthetroopwhowerenearmewh



enIfainted,weregone.

MyheadhadreposeduponthebreastofhimwhomIhadshotinthispartofhisbody.Thebloodhadceasedtooozefromthewound,butmydishevelledlocksweremattedandsteepedinthatgorewhichhadoverflowedandchokeduptheorifice.Istartedfromthisdetestablepillow,andregainedmyfeet.

Ididnotsuddenlyrecallwhathadlatelypassed,orcomprehendthenatureofmysituation.Atlength,however,lateeventswererecollected.

ThatIshouldbeabandonedinthisforlornstatebythesemenseemedtoargueadegreeofcowardiceorcrueltyofwhichIshouldhavethoughtthemincapable.Presently,however,Ireflectedthatappearancesmighthaveeasilymisledthemintoabeliefofmydeath.Onthissupposition,tohavecarriedmeaway,ortohavestayedbesideme,wouldbeuseless.Otherenemiesmightbeabroad;ortheirfamilies,nowthattheirfearsweresomewhattranquillized,mightrequiretheirpresenceandprotection.

Iwentintothecottage.Thefirestillburned,andaffordedmeagenialwarmth.Isatbeforeit,andbegantoruminateonthestatetowhichIwasreduced,andonthemeasuresIshouldnextpursue.Daylightcouldnotbeverydistant.ShouldIremaininthishoveltillthemorning,orimmediatelyresumemyjourney?Iwasfeeble,indeed;but,byremaininghere,shouldInotincreasemyfeebleness?ThesoonerIshouldgainsomehumanhabitationthebetter;whereaswatchfulness

andhungerwouldrenderme,ateachminute,lessabletoproceedthanontheformer.

Thisspotmightbevisitedonthenextday;butthiswasinvolvedinuncertainty.Thevisitants,shouldanycome,wouldcomemerelytoexamineandburythedead,andbringwiththemneithertheclothingnorthefoodwhichmynecessitiesdemanded.Theroadwassufficientlydiscernible,andwould,unavoidably,conductmetosomedwelling.Idetermined,therefore,tosetoutwithoutdelay.EveninthisstateIwasnotunmindfulthatmysafetymightrequiretheprecautionofbeingarmed.Besides,thefusilwhichhadbeengivenmebySarsefield,andwhichIhadsounexpectedlyrecovered,hadlostnoneofitsvalueinmyeyes.Ihopedthatithadescapedthesearchofthetroopwhohadbeenhere,andstilllaybelowthebankinthespotwhereIhaddroppedit.

InthishopeIwasnotdeceived.Itwasfound.Ipossessedmyselfofthepowderandshotbelongingtooneofthesavages,andloadedit.Thusequippedfordefence,Iregainedtheroad,andproceeded,withalacrity,onmyway.Forthewoundinmycheek,naturehadprovidedastyptic,butthesorenesswasextreme,andIthoughtofnoremedybutwater,withwhichImightwashawaytheblood.Mythirstlikewiseincommodedme,andIlookedwitheagernessforthetracesofaspring.Inasoillikethatofthewildernessaroundme,nothingwaslesstobeexpectedthantolightuponwater.Inthisrespect,however,mydestinywaspropitious.Iquicklyperceivedwaterintheruts.Ittrickledhitherfromthethicketononeside,and,pursuingitamongthebushes,Ireachedthebubblingsource.Thoughscantyandbrackish,itaffordedmeunspeakablerefreshment.

Thouwiltthink,perhaps,thatmyperilswerenowatanend;thatthebloodIhadalreadyshedwassufficientformysafety.IferventlyhopedthatnonewexigencewouldoccurcompellingmetousethearmsthatIboreinmyowndefence.Iformedasortofresolutiontoshunthecontestwithanewenemy,almostattheexpenseofmyownlife.Iwassatiatedandgorgedwithslaughter,andthoughtuponanewactofdestructionwithabhorrenceandloathing.

But,thoughIdreadedtoencounteranewenemy,Iwassensiblethatanenemymightpossiblybeathand.Ihadmovedforwardwithcaution,andmysightandhearingwereattentivetotheslightesttokens.Othertroops,besidesthatwhichIen



countered,mightbehoveringnear,andofthattroopIrememberedthatoneatleasthadsurvived.

Thegratificationwhichthespringhadaffordedmewassogreat,thatIwasinnohastetodepart.Ilayuponarock,whichchancedtobeshadedbyatreebehindme.FromthispostIcouldoverlooktheroadtosomedistance,and,atthesametime,beshadedfromtheobservationofothers.

Myeyewasnowcaughtbymovementswhichappearedlikethoseofabeast.Indifferentcircumstances,Ishouldhaveinstantlysupposedittobeawolf,orpanther,orbear.Nowmysuspicionswerealiveonadifferentaccount,andmystartledfancyfiguredtoitselfnothingbutahumanadversary.

Athicketwasoneithersideoftheroad.Thatoppositetomystationwasdiscontinuedatasmalldistancebythecultivatedfield.Theroadcontinuedalongthisfield,boundedbythethicketontheonesideandtheopenspaceontheother.Tothisspacethebeingwhowasnowdescribedwascautiouslyapproaching.

Hemoveduponallfours,andpresentlycamenearenoughtobedistinguished.Hisdisfiguredlimbs,pendantsfromhisearsandnose,andhisshornlocks,wereindubitableindicationsofasavage,Occasionallyherearedhimselfabovethebushes,andscanned,withsuspiciousvigilance,thecottageandthespacesurroundingit.Thenhestooped,andcreptalongasbefore.

Iwasatnolosstointerprettheseappearances.Thiswasmysurvivingenemy.Hewasunacquaintedwiththefateofhisassociates,andwasnowapproachingthetheatreofcarnagetoascertaintheirfate.Oncemorewastheadvantageaffordedme.Fromthisspotmightunerringaimbetaken,andthelastofthishostiletroopbemadetosharethefateoftherest.ShouldIfire,orsufferhimtopassinsafety?

Myabhorrenceofbloodshedwasnotabated.ButIhadnotforeseenthisoccurrence.Mysuccesshithertohadseemedtodependuponacombinationoffortunateincidents,whichcouldnotbeexpectedagaintotakeplace;butnowwasIinvestedwiththesamepower.Themarkwasnear;nothingobstructedordelayed;Iincurrednodanger,andtheeventwascertain.

Whyshouldhebesufferedtolive?Hecamehithertomurderanddespoilmyfriends;thisworkhehas,nodoubt,performed.Nay,hashenotbornehispartinthedestructionofmyuncleandmysisters?Hewillliveonlytopursuethesamesanguinarytrade;todrinkthebloodandexultinthelamentsofhisunhappyfoesandofmyownbrethren.Fatehasreservedhimforabloodyandviolentdeath.Forhowlongatimesoeveritmaybedeferred,itisthusthathiscareerwillinevitablyterminate.

Shouldhebespared,hewillstillroaminthewilderness,andImayagainbefatedtoencounterhim.Thenourmutualsituationmaybewidelydifferent,andtheadvantageInowpossessmaybehis.

Whilehastilyrevolvingthesethoughts,Iwasthoroughlyawarethatoneeventmi

ghttakeplacewhichwouldrenderalldeliberationuseless.ShouldhespymewhereIlay,myfluctuationsmustend.Mysafetywouldindispensablyrequiremetoshoot.Thispersuasionmademekeepasteadfasteyeuponhismotions,andbepreparedtoanticipatehisassault.

Itnowmostseasonablyoccurredtomethatoneessentialdutyremainedtobeperformed.Oneoperation,withoutwhichfire-armsareuseless,hadbeenunaccountablyomitted.Mypiecewasuncocked.Ididnotreflectthatinmovingthespringasoundwouldnecessarilybeproducedsufficienttoalarmhim.ButIknewthatthechancesofescapinghisnotice,shouldIbeperfectlymuteandstill,wereext



remelyslender,andthat,insuchacase,hismovementswouldbequickerthanthelight:itbehoovedme,therefore,torepairmyomission.

Thesoundstruckhimwithalarm.Heturnedanddartedatmeaninquiringglance.Isawthatforbearancewasnolongerinmypower;butmyheartsunkwhileIcompliedwithwhatmaysurelybedeemedanindispensablenecessity.Thisfaltering,perhaps,itwasthatmademeswervesomewhatfromthefatalline.Hewasdisabledbythewound,butnotkilled.

Helostallpowerofresistance,andwas,therefore,nolongertobedreaded.Herolledupontheground,utteringdolefulshrieks,andthrowinghislimbsintothosecontortionswhichbespeakthekeenestagoniestowhichill-fatedmanissubject.Horror,andcompassion,andremorse,weremingledintoonesentiment,andtookpossessionofmyheart.Toshutoutthisspectacle,Iwithdrewfromthespot,butIstoppedbeforeIhadmovedbeyondhearingofhiscries.

Theimpulsethatdrovemefromthescenewaspusillanimousandcowardly.Thepast,howeverdeplorable,couldnotberecalled;butcouldnotIaffordsomerelieftothiswretch?CouldnotIatleastbringhispangstoaspeedyclose?Thushemightcontinue,writhingandcallingupondeath,forhours.Whyshouldhismiseriesbeuselesslyprolonged?

Therewasbutonewaytoendthem.Tokillhimoutrightwasthedictateofcompassionandofduty.Ihastilyreturned,andoncemorelevelledmypieceathishe

ad.Itwasaloathsomeobligation,andwasperformedwithunconquerablereluctance.Thustoassaultandtomanglethebodyofanenemy,alreadyprostrateandpowerless,wasanactworthyofabhorrence;yetitwas,inthiscase,prescribedbypity.

Myfalteringhandrenderedthissecondbulletineffectual.Oneexpedient,stillmoredetestable,remained.Havinggonethusfar,itwouldhavebeeninhumantostopshort.Hisheartmighteasilybepiercedbythebayonet,andhisstruggleswouldcease.

Thistaskofcruellenitywasatlengthfinished.Idroppedtheweaponandthrewmyselfontheground,overpoweredbythehorrorsofthisscene.Sucharethedeedswhichperversenaturecompelsthousandsofrationalbeingstoperformandto

witness!Suchisthespectacle,endlesslyprolongedanddiversified,whichisexhibitedineveryfieldofbattle;ofwhichhabitandexample,thetemptationsofgain,andtheillusionsofhonour,willmakeus,notreluctantorindifferent,butzealousanddelightedactorsandbeholders!

Thus,byaseriesofeventsimpossibletobecomputedorforeseen,wasthedestructionofaband,selectedfromtheirfellowsforanarduousenterprise,distinguishedbyprowessandskill,andequallyarmedagainstsurpriseandforce,completedbythehandofaboy,uninuredtohostility,unprovidedwitharms,precipitateandtimorous!Ihavenotedmenwhoseemedbornfornoendbutbytheirachievementstobelieexperience,andbaffleforesight,andoutstripbelief.WouldtoGodthatIhadnotdeservedtobenumberedamongthese!Butwhatpowerwasitthatcalledmefromthesleepofdeathjustintimetoescapethemercilessknife

ofthisenemy?Hadmyswooncontinuedtillhehadreachedthespot,hewouldhaveeffectuatedmydeathbynewwoundsandtornawaytheskinfrommybrows.Sucharethesubtlethreadsonwhichhangthefateofmanandoftheuniverse!

Whileengagedinthesereflections,Iperceivedthatthemoonlighthadbeguntofadebeforethatofthesun.Aduskyandreddishhuespreaditselfovertheeast.Cheeredbythisappearance,Ioncemoreresumedmyfeetandtheroad.Ileftthesavagewrherehelay,butmadeprizeofhistomahawk.Ihadleftmyowninthecavern;andthisweaponaddedlittletomyburden.Promptedbysomefreakoffancy,Istuckhismusketintheground,andleftitstandinguprightinthemidd



leoftheroad.ChapterXX.

Imovedforwardwithasquickapaceasmyfeeblelimbswouldpermit.Ididnotallowmyselftomeditate.Thegreatobjectofmywisheswasadwellingwherefoodandreposemightbeprocured.Ilookedearnestlyforward,andoneachside,insearchofsometokenofhumanresidence;butthespotsofcultivation,thewell-pole,thewormfence,andthehayrick,werenowheretobeseen.Ididnotevenmeetwithawildhogorabewilderedcow.Thepathwasnarrow,andoneithersidewasatracklesswilderness.Ontherightandleftwerethewavinglinesofmountainousridges,whichhadnopeculiarityenablingmetoascertainwhetherIhadeverbeforeseenthem.

AtlengthInoticedthatthetracksofwheelshaddisappearedfromthepaththatIwastreading;thatitbecamemorenarrow,andexhibitedfewermarksofbeingfrequented.Theseappearanceswerediscouraging.InowsuspectedthatIhadtakenawrongdirection,and,insteadofapproaching,wasrecedingfrom,thehabitationofmen.

Itwaswisest,however,toproceed.Theroadcouldnotbuthavesomeoriginaswellasend.Somehourspassedawayinthisuncertainty.Thesunrose,andbynoondayIseemedtobefartherthaneverfromtheendofmytoils.Thepathwasmoreobscure,andthewildernessmorerugged.Thirstmoreincommodedmethanhunger,butreliefwasseasonablyaffordedbythebrooksthatflowedacrossthepath.

Comingtooneofthese,andhavingslakedmythirst,Isatdownuponthebank,toreflectonmysituation.Thecircuityofthepathhadfrequentlybeennoticed,andIbegantosuspectthat,thoughIhadtravelledlong,IhadnotmovedfarfromthespotwhereIhadcommencedmypilgrimage.

Turningmyeyesonallsides,Inoticedasortofpool,formedbytherivulet,atafewpacesdistantfromtheroad.Inapproachingandinspectingit,Iobservedthefootstepsofcattle,whohadretiredbyapaththatseemedmuchbeaten:Ilikewisenoticedacedarbucket,brokenandold,lyingonthemargin.Thesetokensrevivedmydroopingspirits,aridIbetookmyselftothisnewtrack.Itwasintricate,but,atlength,ledupasteep,thesummitofwhichwasofbettersoilthanthatofwhichtheflatsconsisted.Aclover-field,andseveralapple-trees

,--sureattendantsofman,--werenowdiscovered.FromthisspaceIenteredacorn-field,andatlength,tomyinexpressiblejoy,caughtaglimpseofahouse.

ThisdwellingwasfardifferentfromthatIhadlatelyleft.Itwasassmallandaslow,butitswallsconsistedofboards.Awindowoffourpanesadmittedthelight,andachimneyofbrick,wellburntandneatlyarranged,peepedovertheroof.AsIapproached,Iheardthevoiceofchildrenandthehumofaspinning-wheel.

Icannotmaketheeconceivethedelightwhichwasaffordedmebyallthesetokens.Inowfoundmyself,indeed,amongbeingslikemyself,andfromwhomhospitableentertainmentmightbeconfidentlyexpected.Icompassedthehouse,andmademyappearanceatthedoor.

Agoodwoman,busyatherwheel,withtwochildrenplayingonthegroundbeforeher,weretheobjectsthatnowpresentedthemselves.Theuncouthnessofmygarb,mywildandweatherwornappearance,myfusilandtomahawk,couldnotbutstartlethem.Thewomanstoppedherwheel,andgazedasifaspectrehadstartedintoview.

Iwassomewhatawareoftheseconsequences,andendeavouredtoeludethembyassuminganairofsupplicationandhumility.ItoldherthatIwasatraveller,whohadunfortunatelylosthiswayandhadrambledinthiswildtillnearlyfamish



edforwant.Ientreatedhertogivemesomefood;anything,howeverscantyorcoarse,wouldbeacceptable.

Aftersomepauseshedesiredme,thoughnotwithoutsomemarksoffear,towalkin.Sheplacedbeforemesomebrownbreadandmilk.SheeyedmewhileIeagerlydevouredthismorsel.Itwas,indeed,moredeliciousthananyIhadevertasted.Atlengthshebrokesilence,andexpressedherastonishmentandcommiserationatmyseemingly-forlornstate,addingthatperhapsIwasthemanwhomthemenwerelookingafterwhohadbeentheresomehoursbefore.

Mycuriositywasrousedbythisintimation.Inanswertomyinterrogations,shesaidthatthreepersonshadlatelystopped,toinquireifherhusbandhadnotmet,withinthelastthreedays,apersonofwhomtheirdescriptionseemedprettymuchtosuitmypersonanddress.Hewastall,slender,worenothingbutshirtandtrousers,andwaswoundedonthecheek.

"What,"Iasked,"didtheystatetherankorconditionofthepersontobe?"

HelivedinSolesbury.Hewassupposedtohaverambledinthemountains,andtohavelosthisway,ortohavemetwithsomemischance.Itwasthreedayssincehehaddisappeared,buthadbeenseenbysomeone,thelastnight,atDeb'shut.

WhatandwherewasDeb'shut?

Itwasahutinthewilderness,occupiedbyanoldIndianwoman,knownamongherneighboursbythenameofOldDeb.SomepeoplecalledherQueenMab.Herdwellingwaseightlongmilesfromthishouse.

Athousandquestionswereprecludedandathousanddoubtssolvedbythisinformation.QueenMabweresoundsfamiliartomyears;fortheyoriginatedwithmyself.

ThiswomanoriginallybelongedtothetribeofDelawares,orLenni-lennapee.Allthesedistrictswereoncecomprisedwithinthedominionsofthatnation.Aboutthirtyyearsago,inconsequenceofperpetualencroachmentsoftheEnglishcolonists,theyabandonedtheirancientseatsandretiredtothebanksoftheWabashandMuskingum.

Thisemigrationwasconcertedinageneralcouncilofthetribe,andobtainedtheconcurrenceofallbutonefemale.Herbirth,talents,andage,gavehermuchconsiderationandauthorityamonghercountrymen;andallherzealandeloquencewereexertedtoinducethemtolayasidetheirscheme.Inthis,however,shecouldnotsucceed.Findingthemrefractory,shedeclaredherresolutiontoremainbehindandmaintainpossessionofthelandwhichhercountrymenshouldimpiouslyabandon.

Thevillageinhabitedbythisclanwasbuiltupongroundwhichnowconstitutesmyuncle'sbarnyardandorchard.Onthedepartureofhercountrymen,thisfemaleburnttheemptywigwamsandretiredintothefastnessesofNorwalk.SheselectedaspotsuitableforanIndiandwellingandasmallplantationofmaize,andin

whichshewasseldomliabletointerruptionandintrusion.

Heronlycompanionswerethreedogs,oftheIndianorwolfspecies.Theseanimalsdifferedinnothingfromtheirkinsmenoftheforestbutintheirattachmentandobediencetotheirmistress.Shegovernedthemwithabsolutesway.Theywereherservantsandprotectors,andattendedherpersonorguardedherthreshold,agreeablytoherdirections.Shefedthemwithcorn,andtheysuppliedherandthemselveswithmeat,byhuntingsquirrels,raccoons,andrabbits.

Totherestofmankindtheywerealiensorenemies.Theyneverleftthedesertb



utincompanywiththeirmistress,and,whensheenteredafarm-house,waitedherreturnatadistance.Theywouldsuffernonetoapproachthem,butattackednoonewhodidnotimprudentlycravetheiracquaintance,orwhokeptatarespectfuldistancefromtheirwigwam.Thatsacredasylumtheywouldnotsuffertobeviolated,andnostrangercouldenteritbutattheimminenthazardofhislife,unlessaccompaniedandprotectedbytheirdame.

Thechiefemploymentofthiswoman,whenathome,besidespluckingtheweedsfromamonghercorn,bruisingthegrainbetweentwostones,andsettinghersnaresforrabbitsandopossums,wastotalk.Thoughinsolitude,hertonguewasneveratrestbutwhenshewasasleep;butherconversationwasmerelyaddressedtoherdogs.Hervoicewassharpandshrill,andhergesticulationswerevehementandgrotesque.Ahearerwouldnaturallyimaginethatshewasscolding;but,intruth,shewasmerelygivingthemdirections.Havingnootherobjectofcontemplationorsubjectofdiscourse,shealwaysfound,intheirposturesandlooks,occasionforpraise,orblame,orcommand.Thereadinesswithwhichtheyunderstood,andthedocilitywithwhichtheyobeyed,hermovementsandwords,weretrulywonderful.

Ifastrangerchancedtowandernearherhutandoverhearherjargon,incessantasitwas,andshrill,hemightspeculateinvainonthereasonofthesesounds.Ifhewaitedinexpectationofhearingsomereply,hewaitedinvain.Thestrain,alwaysvolubleandsharp,wasneverintermittedforamoment,andwouldcontinueforhoursatatime.

Sheseldomleftthehutbuttovisittheneighbouringinhabitantsanddemandfromthemfoodandclothing,orwhateverhernecessitiesrequired.Thesewereexactedasherdue;tohaveherwantssuppliedwasherprerogative,andtowithholdwhatsheclaimedwasrebellion.Sheconceivedthatbyremainingbehindhercountrymenshesucceededtothegovernmentandretainedthepossessionofallthisregion.TheEnglishwerealiensandsojourners,whooccupiedthelandmerelybyherconnivanceandpermission,andwhomsheallowedtoremainonnotermsbutthoseofsupplyingherwants.

Beingawomanagedandharmless,herdemandsbeinglimitedtothatofwhichshereallystoodinneed,andwhichherownindustrycouldnotprocure,herpretensionswereasubjectofmirthandgood-humour,andherinjunctionsobeyedwithsee

mingdeferenceandgravity.Tomesheearlybecameanobjectofcuriosityandspeculation.Idelightedtoobserveherhabitsandhumourherprejudices.Shefrequentlycametomyuncle'shouse,andIsometimesvisitedher:insensiblysheseemedtocontractanaffectionforme,andregardedmewithmorecomplacencyandcondescensionthananyotherreceived.

ShealwaysdisdainedtospeakEnglish,andcustomhadrenderedherintelligibletomostinhernativelanguage,withregardtoafewsimplequestions.Ihadtakensomepainstostudyherjargon,andcouldmakeouttodiscoursewithheronthefewideaswhichshepossessed.Thiscircumstance,likewise,wonderfullyprepossessedherinmyfavour.

ThenamebywhichshewasformerlyknownwasDeb;butherpretensionstoroyalty

,thewildnessofheraspectandgarb,hershrivelledanddiminutiveform,aconstitutionthatseemedtodefytheravagesoftimeandtheinfluenceoftheelements,herage,(whichsomedidnotscrupletoaffirmexceededahundredyears,)herromanticsolitudeandmountainoushaunts,suggestedtomyfancytheappellationofQueenMab.Thereappearedtomesomerudeanalogybetweenthispersonageandherwhomthepoetsofoldtimehavedelightedtocelebrate:thouperhapswiltdiscovernothingbutincongruitiesbetweenthem;but,bethatasitmay,OldDebandQueenMabsooncameintoindiscriminateandgeneraluse.

ShedweltinNorwalkupwardsoftwentyyears.Shewasnotforgottenbyhercount



rymen,andgenerallyreceivedfromherbrothersandsonsanautumnalvisit;butnosolicitationsorentreatiescouldprevailonhertoreturnwiththem.Twoyearsago,somesuspicionordisgustinducedhertoforsakeherancienthabitationandtoseekahewone.Happilyshefoundamoreconvenienthabitationtwentymilestothewestward,andinaspotabundantlysterileandrude.

Thisdwellingwasoflogs,andhadbeenerectedbyaScottishemigrant,who,notbeingrichenoughtopurchaseland,andentertainingapassionforsolitudeandindependence,clearedafieldintheunappropriatedwildernessandsubsistedonitsproduce.Aftersometimehedisappeared.Variousconjectureswereformedastothecauseofhisabsence.Noneofthemweresatisfactory;butthat,whichobtainedmostcreditwas,thathehadbeenmurderedbytheIndians,who,aboutthesameperiod,paidtheirannualvisittotheQueen.Thisconjectureacquiredsomeforcebyobservingthattheoldwomanshortlyaftertookpossessionofhishut,hisimplementsoftillage,andhiscorn-field.

Shewasnotmolestedinhernewabode,andherlifepassedinthesamequiettenorasbefore.Herperiodicalrambles,herregalclaims,herguardianwolves,andheruncouthvolubility,wereequallyremarkable;buthercircuitswerenew.HerdistancemadehervisitstoSoleburymorerare,andhadpreventedmefromeverextendingmypedestrianexcursionstoherpresentabode.

Theserecollectionswerenowsuddenlycalledupbytheinformationofmyhostess.ThehutwhereIhadsoughtshelterandreliefwas,itseems,theresidenceof

QueenMab.Somefortunateoccurrencehadcalledherawayduringmyvisit.Hadsheandherdogsbeenathome,Ishouldhavebeensetuponbytheseferocioussentinels,and,beforetheirdamecouldhaveinterfered,havebeen,togetherwithmyhelplesscompanion,mangledorkilled.Theseanimalsneverbarked:Ishouldhaveenteredunawareofmydanger,andmyfatecouldscarcelyhavebeenavertedbymyfusil.

Herabsenceatthisunseasonablehourwasmysterious.Itwasnowthetimeofyearwhenhercountrymenwereaccustomedtorenewtheirvisit.WastherealeaguebetweenherandtheplundererswhomIhadencountered?

Butwhoweretheybywhommyfootstepsweresoindustriouslytraced?ThosewhomIhadseenatDeb'shutwerestrangerstome,butthewounduponmyfacewaskno

wnonlytothem.Tothiscircumstancewasnowaddedmyplaceofresidenceandname.IsupposedthemimpressedwiththebeliefthatIwasdead;butthismistakemusthavespeedilybeenrectified.Revisitingthespot,findingmegone,andobtainingsomeintelligenceofmyformercondition,theyhadinstitutedasearchafterme.

Butwhattidingswerethese?Iwassupposedtohavebeenbewilderedinthemountains,andthreedaysweresaidtohavepassedsincemydisappearance.TwelvehourshadscarcelyelapsedsinceIemergedfromthecavern.Hadtwodaysandahalfbeenconsumedinmysubterraneanprison?

Thesereflectionswerequicklysupplantedbyothers.Inowgainedasufficientacquaintancewiththeregionthatwasspreadaroundme.Iwasinthemidstofav

aleincludedbetweenridgesthatgraduallyapproachedeachother,and,whenjoined,werebrokenupintohollowsandsteeps,and,spreadingthemselvesoveracircularspace,assumedtheappellationofNorwalk.Thisvalegraduallywidenedasittendedtothewestward,andwas,inthisplace,tenortwelvemilesinbreadth.Mydeviousfootstepshadbroughtmetothefootofthesouthernbarrier.Theouterbasisofthiswaslavedbytheriver;but,asittendedeastward,themountainandriverrecededfromeachother,andoneofthecultivabledistrictslyingbetweenthemwasSolesbury,mynataltownship.Hitheritwasnowmydutytoreturnwiththeutmostexpedition.



Thereweretwowaysbeforeme.Onelayalongtheinteriorbaseofthehill,overasterileandtracklessspace,andexposedtotheencounterofsavages,someofwhommightpossiblybelurkinghere.Theotherwasthewell-frequentedroadontheoutsideandalongtheriver,andwhichwastobegainedbypassingoverthishill.Thepracticabilityofthepassagewastobeascertainedbyinquiriesmadetomyhostess.Shepointedoutapaththatledtotherockysummitanddowntotheriver'sbrink.Thepathwasnoteasytobekeptinviewortobetrodden,butitwasundoubtedlytobepreferredtoanyother.

Aroutesomewhatcircuitouswouldterminateintheriver-road.ThenceforwardthewaytoSolesburywaslevelanddirect;butthewholespacewhichIhadtotraversewasnotlessthanthirtymiles.Insixhoursitwouldbenight,andtoperformthejourneyinthattimewoulddemandtheagileboundingsofaleopardandtheindefatigablesinewsofanelk.

Myframewasinamiserableplight.Mystrengthhadbeenassailedbyanguish,andfear,andwatchfulness,bytoil,andabstinence,andwounds.Still,however,someremnantwasleft;woulditnotenablemetoreachmyhomebynightfall?Ihaddelighted,frommychildhood,infeatsofagilityandperseverance.Inrovingthroughthemazeofthicketsandprecipices,Ihadputmyenergies,bothmoralandphysical,frequentlytothetest.Greaterachievementsthanthishadbeenperformed,andIdisdainedtobeoutdoneinperspicacitybythelynx,inhissure-footedinstinctbytheroe,orinpatienceunderhardship,andcontentionwithfatigue,bytheMohawk.Ihaveeveraspiredtotranscendtherestofanimalsinal

lthatiscommontotherationalandbrute,aswellasinallbywhichtheyaredistinguishedfromeachother.ChapterXXI.

Ilikewiseburnedwithimpatiencetoknowtheconditionofmyfamily,todissipateatoncetheirtormentingdoubtsandmyownwithregardtoourmutualsafety.TheevilthatIfearedhadbefallenthemwastooenormoustoallowmetoreposeinsuspense,andmyrestlessnessandominousforebodingswouldbemoreintolerablethananyhardshiportoilstowhichIcouldpossiblybesubjectedduringthisjourney.

IwasmuchrefreshedandinvigoratedbythefoodthatIhadtaken,andbytherestofanhour.WiththisstockofrecruitedforceIdeterminedtoscalethehill

.Afterreceivingminutedirections,and,returningmanythanksformyhospitableentertainment,Isetout.

Thepathwasindeedintricate,anddeliberateattentionwasobligedtobeexertedinordertopreserveit.HencemyprogresswasslowerthanIwished.Thefirstimpulsewastofixmyeyeuponthesummit,andtoleapfromcragtocragtillIreachedit;butthismyexperiencehadtaughtmewasimpracticable.Itwasonlybywindingthroughgullies,andcoastingprecipicesandbestridingchasms,thatIcouldhopefinallytogainthetop;andIwasassuredthatbyonewayonlywasitpossibletoaccomplisheventhis.

Anhourwasspentinstrugglingwithimpediments,andIseemedtohavegainednoway.HenceadoubtwassuggestedwhetherIhadnotmissedthetrueroad.Inthi

sdoubtIwasconfirmedbythedifficultieswhichnowgrewupbeforeme.Thebrooks,theangles,andthehollows,whichmyhostesshaddescribed,werenottobeseen.Insteadofthese,deeperdells,moreheadlongtorrents,andwider-gapingrifts,wereincessantlyencountered.

Toreturnwasashopelessastoproceed.Iconsoledmyselfwiththinkingthatthesurveywhichmyinformanthadmadeofthehill-sidemightproveinaccurate,andthat,inspiteofherpredictions,theheightsmightbereachedbyothermeansthanbythosepointedoutbyher.Iwillnotenumeratemytoilsomeexpedients,myfrequentdisappointments,andmydesperateexertions.Sufficeittosaythat



Igainedtheupperspacenottillthesunhaddippedbeneaththehorizon.

Mysatisfactionataccomplishingthusmuchwasnotsmall,andIhied,withrenovatedspirits,totheoppositebrow.Thisprovedtobeasteepthatcouldnotbedescended.Theriverflowedatitsfoot.Theoppositebankwasfivehundredyardsdistant,andwasequallytoweringandsteepasthatonwhichIstood.Appearanceswereadaptedtopersuadeyouthattheserockshadformerlyjoined,butbysomemightyeffortofnaturehadbeensevered,thatthestreammightfindwaythroughthechasm.Thechannel,however,wasencumberedwithasperities,overwhichtheriverfrettedandfoamedwiththunderingimpetuosity.

Iponderedforawhileonthesestupendousscenes.Theyravishedmyattentionfromconsiderationsthatrelatedtomyself;butthisintervalwassnort,andIbegantomeasurethedescent,inordertoascertainthepracticabilityoftreadingit.Mysurveyterminatedinbitterdisappointment.Iturnedmyeyesuccessivelyeastwardandwestward.Solesburylayintheformerdirection,andthitherIdesiredtogo.IkeptalongthevergeinthisdirectiontillIreachedanimpassablerift.BeyondthisIsawthatthesteepgrewlower;butitwasimpossibletoproceedfarther.Higherupthedescentmightbepracticable,and,thoughmoredistantfromSolesbury,itwasbettertoreachtheroadevenatthatdistancethannevertoreachit.

Changingmycourse,therefore,Iexploredthespacesabove.Thenightwasrapidlyadvancing;thegraycloudsgatheredinthesoutheast,andachillingblast,th

eusualattendantofanightinOctober,begantowhistleamongthepigmycedarsthatscantilygrewupontheseheights.Myprogresswouldquicklybearrestedbydarkness,anditbehoovedmetoprovidesomeplaceofshelterandrepose.Norecessbetterthanahollowintherockpresenteditselftomyanxiousscrutiny.

Meanwhile,Iwouldnotdismissthehopeofreachingtheroad,whichIsawsomehundredfeetbelow,windingalongtheedgeoftheriver,beforedaylightshouldutterlyfail.Speedilythesehopesderivednewvigourfrommeetingaledgethatirregularlydeclinedfromthebrowofthehill.Itwaswideenoughtoallowofcautiousfooting.Onasimilarstratum,orledge,projectingstillfartherfromthebodyofthehill,andclosetothesurfaceoftheriver,wastheroad.Thisstratumascendedfromthelevelofthestream,whilethatonwhichItrodrapidlydescended.Ihopedthattheywouldspeedilybeblended,or,atleast,approachs

onearastoallowmetoleapfromonetotheotherwithoutenormoushazard.

Thisfondexpectationwasfrustrated.PresentlyIperceivedthattheledgebelowbegantodescend,whilethatabovebegantotendupwardandwasquicklyterminatedbytheuppermostsurfaceofthecliff.Hereitwasneedfultopause.Ilookedoverthebrink,andconsideredwhetherImightnotleapfrommypresentstationwithoutendangeringmylimbs.TheroadintowhichIshouldfallwasarockypavementfarfrombeingsmooth.Thedescentcouldnotbelessthanfortyorfiftyfeet.Suchanattemptwas,tothelastdegree,hazardous;butwasitnotbettertoriskmylifebyleapingfromthiseminencethantoremainandperishonthetopofthisinhospitablemountain?ThetoilswhichIhadenduredinreachingthisheightappeared,tomypanic-struckfancy,lesseasytobeborneagainthandeath.

IknownotbutthatIshouldhavefinallyresolvedtoleap,hadnotdifferentviewsbeensuggestedbyobservingthattheouteredgeoftheroadwas,inlikemanner,thebrowofasteepwhichterminatedintheriver.Thesurfaceoftheroadwastwelveorfifteenfeetabovethelevelofthestream,which,inthisspot,wasstillandsmooth.HenceIinferredthatthewaterwasnotofinconsiderabledepth.Tofalluponrockypointswas,indeed,dangerous,buttoplungeintowaterofsufficientdepth,evenfromaheightgreaterthanthatatwhichInowstood,especiallytoonetowhomhabithadrenderedwateralmostascongenialanelementasair,wasscarcelyattendedwithinconvenience.Thisexpedientwaseasyand



boonwasdelicious,andIfeltasifIwereunabletosupportalongerdeprivationofit.

Iproceededtoexecutethisscheme.Itookthedriestleaves,andendeavouredtousethemastinder;butthedriestleavesweremoistenedbythedews.Theywereonlytobefoundinthehollows,insomeofwhichwerepoolsofwaterandothersweredank.Iwasnotspeedilydiscouraged;butmyrepeatedattemptsfailed,andIwasfinallycompelledtorelinquishthisexpedient.

Allthatnowremainedwastowanderforthandkeepmyselfinmotiontillthemorning.Thenightwaslikelytoprovetempestuousandlong.Thegaleseemedfreightedwithice,andacteduponmybodylikethepointsofathousandneedles.Therewasnoremedy,andImusteredmypatiencetoendureit.

Ireturnedagaintothebrowofthehill.IrangedalongittillIreachedaplacewherethedescentwasperpendicular,and,inconsequenceofaffordingnosustenancetotreesorbushes,wasnearlysmoothandbare.Therewasnoroadtobeseen;andthiscircumstance,addedtothesoundswhichtheripplingcurrentproduced,affordedmesomeknowledgeofmysituation.

Theledgealongwhichtheroadwasconducteddisappearednearthisspot.Theoppositesidesofthechasmthroughwhichflowedtheriverapproachednearertoeachother,intheformofjuttingpromontories.Inowstooduponthevergeofthatonthenorthernside.Thewaterflowredatthefoot,but,forthespaceoften

ortwelvefeetfromtherock,wassoshallowastopermitthetravellerandhishorsetowadethroughit,andthustoregaintheroadwhichtherecedingprecipicehadallowedtobecontinuedonthefartherside.

Iknewthenatureanddimensionsofthisford.Iknewthat,atafewyardsfromtherock,thechannelwasofgreatdepth.Toleapintoit,inthisplace,wasalessdangerousexploitthanatthespotwhereIhadformerlybeentemptedtoleap.ThereIwasunacquaintedwiththedepth,buthereIknewittobeconsiderable.Still,therewassomegroundofhesitationandfear.Mypresentstationwasloftier,andhowdeeplyImightsinkintothisgulf,howfarthefallandtheconcussionwouldbereavemeofmypresenceofmind,Icouldnotdetermine.Thishesitationvanished,and,placingmytomahawkandfusilupontheground,Ipreparedtoleap.

Thispurposewassuspended,inthemomentofitsexecution,byafaintsound,heardfromthequarterwhenceIhadcome.Itwasthewarningofmen,buthadnothingincommonwiththosewhichIhadbeenaccustomedtohear.Itwasnotthehowlingofawolfortheyellingofapanther.Thesehadoftenbeenoverheardbynightduringmylastyear'sexcursiontothelakes.Myfearswhisperedthatthiswasthevociferationofasavage.

Iwasunacquaintedwiththenumberoftheenemieswhohadadventuredintothisdistrict.WhetherthosewhomIhadencounteredatDeb'shutwereofthatbandwhomIhadmetwithinthecavern,wasmerelyatopicofconjecture.Theremightbeahalf-scoreoftroops,equallynumerous,spreadoverthewilderness,andthesignalIhadjustheardmightbetokentheapproachofoneofthese.Yetbywhatm

eanstheyshouldgainthisnook,andwhatpreytheyexpectedtodiscover,werenoteasilyconceived.

Thesounds,somewhatdiversified,nearerandrisingfromdifferentquarters,wereagainheard.Mydoubtsandapprehensionswereincreased.Whatexpedienttoadoptformyownsafetywasasubjectofrapidmeditation:--whethertoremainstretcheduponthegroundortoriseandgoforward.Wasitlikelytheenemywouldcoastalongtheedgeofthesteep?Wouldtheyramblehithertolookupontheamplescenewhichspreadonallsidesaroundthebaseofthisrockypinnacle?Inthatcase,howshouldIconductmyself?Myarmswerereadyforuse.CouldInotelud



ethenecessityofsheddingmoreblood?CouldInotanticipatetheirassaultbycastingmyselfwithoutdelayintothestream?

Thesenseofdangerdemandedmoreattentiontobepaidtoexternalobjectsthantothemotivesbywhichmyfutureconductshouldbeinfluenced.Mypostwasonacircularprefecture,insomedegreedetachedfromthebodyofthehill,thebrowofwhichcontinuedinastraightline,uninterruptedbythisprojecture,whichwassomewhathigherthanthecontinuedsummitoftheridge.Thislineranatthedistanceofafewpacesfrommypost.Objectsmovingalongthislinecouldmerelybeperceivedtomove,inthepresentobscurity.

Myscrutinywasentirelydirectedtothisquarter.Presentlythetreadingofmanyfeetwasheard,andseveralfigureswerediscovered,followingeachotherinthatstraightandregularsuccessionwhichispeculiartotheIndians.Theykeptalongthebrowofthehilljoiningthepromontory.Idistinctlymarkedsevenfiguresinsuccession.

Myresolutionwasformed.Shouldanyonecasthiseyehither,suspectordiscoveranenemy,andrushtowardsme,Ideterminedtostartuponmyfeet,fireonmyfoeasheadvanced,throwmypieceontheground,andthenleapintotheriver.

Happily,theypassedunobservantandinsilence.Iremainedinthesamepostureforseveralminutes.Atlength,justasmyalarmsbegantosubside,thehalloos,beforeheard,arose,andfromthesamequarterasbefore.Thisconvincedmetha

tmyperilswerenotatanend.Thisnowappearedtobemerelythevanguard,andwouldspeedilybefollowedbyothers,againstwhomthesamecautionwasnecessarytobetaken.

Myeye,anxiouslybenttheonlywaybywhichanyonecouldapproach,nowdiscernedafigure,whichwasindubitablythatofamanarmed.Noneotherappearedincompany;butdoubtlessotherswerenear.Heapproached,stoodstill,andappearedtogazesteadfastlyatthespotwhereIlay.

TheopticsofaLenni-lennapeeIknewtobefarkeenerthanmyown.Alogoracouchedfawnwouldneverbemistakenforaman,noramanforacouchedfawnoralog.Notonlyahumanbeingwouldbeinstantlydetected,butadecisionbeunerringlymadewhetheritwrerefriendorfoe.Thatmyprostratebodywastheobjec

tonwhichtheattentionofthisvigilantandsteadfastgazerwasfixedcouldnotbedoubted.Yet,sincehecontinuedaninactivegazer,therewasgroundforapossibilitytostanduponthatIwasnotrecognised.Myfatethereforewasstillinsuspense.

Thisintervalwasmomentary.Imarkedamovement,whichmyfearsinstantlyinterpretedtobethatoflevellingagunatmyhead.Thisactionwassufficientlyconformabletomyprognostics.Supposingmetobedetected,therewasnoneedforhimtochangehispost.Aimmightbetoofatallytaken,andhispreybesecured,fromthedistanceatwhichhenowstood.

Theseimagesglanceduponmythought,andputanendtomysuspense.Asingleeffortplacedmeonmyfeet.Ifiredwithaprecipitationthatprecludedthecerta

intyofhittingmymark,droppedmypieceupontheground,andleapedfromthistremendousheightintotheriver.Ireachedthesurface,andsunkinamomenttothebottom.

Plungingendlongintothewater,theimpetuscreatedbymyfallfromsuchaheightwouldbeslowlyresistedbythisdenserelement.Hadthedepthbeenless,itsresistancewouldnotperhapshavehinderedmefrombeingmortallyinjuredagainsttherockybottom.Hadthedepthbeengreater,timeenoughwouldnothavebeenallowedmetoregainthesurface.HadIfallenonmyside,Ishouldhavebeenbereftoflifeorsensibilitybytheshockwhichmyframewouldhavereceived.As



itwas,myfatewassuspendedonathread.Tohavelostmypresenceofmind,tohaveforbornetocounteractmysinking,foraninstant,afterIhadreachedthewater,wouldhavemadeallexertionstoregaintheairfruitless.Tosofortunateaconcurrenceofeventswasthyfriendindebtedforhissafety!

YetIonlyemergedfromthegulftoencounternewperils.ScarcelyhadIraisedmyheadabovethesurface,andinhaledthevitalbreath,whentwentyshotswereaimedatmefromtheprecipiceabove.Ashowerofbulletsfelluponthewater.Someofthemdidnotfallfartherthantwoinchesfrommyhead.Ihadnotbeenawareofthisnewdanger,and,nowthatitassailedme,continuedgaspingtheairandflounderingatrandom.Themeansofeludingitdidnotreadilyoccur.Mycaseseemeddesperate,andallcautionwasdismissed.

Thisstateofdiscomfitingsurprisequicklydisappeared.Imademyselfacquainted,ataglance,withthepositionofsurroundingobjects.Iconceivedthattheoppositebankoftheriverwouldaffordmemostsecurity,andthitherItendedwithalltheexpeditioninmypower.

Meanwhile,mysafetydependedoneludingthebulletsthatcontinuedincessantlytostrikethewateratanarm's-lengthfrommybody.ForthisendIplungedbeneaththesurface,andonlyrosetoinhalefreshair.Presentlythefiringceased,theflashesthatlatelyilluminatedthebankdisappeared,andacertainbustleandmurmurofconfusedvoicesgaveplacetosolitudeandsilence.ChapterXXII.

Ireachedwithoutdifficultytheoppositebank,butthesteepwasinaccessible.IswamalongtheedgeinhopesofmeetingwithsomeprojectionorrecesswhereImight,atleast,restmywearylimbs,and,ifitwerenecessarytorecrosstheriver,tolayinastockofrecruitedspiritsandstrengthforthatpurpose.Itrustedthatthewaterwouldspeedilybecomeshoal,orthatthesteepwouldaffordresttomyfeet.InboththesehopesIwasdisappointed.

ThereisnoonetowhomIwouldyieldthesuperiorityinswimming;butmystrength,likethatofotherhumanbeings,haditslimits.Mypreviousfatigueshadbeenenormous,andmyclothes,heavywithmoisture,greatlyencumberedandretardedmymovements.Ihadproposedtofreemyselffromthisimprisonment;butIforesawtheinconveniencesofwanderingoverthissceneinabsolutenakedness,andw

aswillingtherefore,atwhateverhazard,toretainthem.Icontinuedtostrugglewiththecurrentandtosearchforthemeansofscalingthesteeps.Mysearchwasfruitless,andIbegantomeditatetherecrossingoftheriver.

Surelymyfatehasneverbeenparalleled!Wherewasthisseriesofhardshipsandperilstoend?Nosoonerwasonecalamityeluded,thanIwasbesetbyanother.Ihademergedfromabhorreddarknessintheheartoftheearth,onlytoenduretheextremitiesoffamineandencounterthefangsofawildbeast.FromtheseIwasdeliveredonlytobethrownintothemidstofsavages,towageanendlessandhopelesswarwithadeptsinkilling,withappetitesthatlongedtofeastuponmybowelsandtoquaffmyheart'sblood.FromtheselikewisewasIrescued,butmerelytoperishinthegulfsoftheriver,towelteronunvisitedshores,ortobewashedfarawayfromcuriosityorpity.

Formerlywaterwasnotonlymyfieldofsportbutmysofaandmybed.Icouldfloatforhoursonitssurface,enjoyingitsdeliciouscool,almostwithouttheexpenseoftheslightestmotion.Itwasanelementasfittedforreposeasforexercise;butnowthebuoyantspiritseemedtohaveflown.Mymuscleswereshrunk,theairandwaterwereequallycongealed,andmymostvehementexertionswererequisitetosustainmeonthesurface.

AtfirstIhadmovedalongwithmywontedcelerityandease,butquicklymyforceswereexhausted.Mypantingsandeffortswereaugmented,andIsawthattocro



sstheriveragainwasimpracticable.Imustcontinue,therefore,tosearchoutsomeaccessiblespotinthebankalongwhichIwasswimming.

Eachmomentdiminishedmystockofstrength,anditbehoovedmetomakegoodmyfootingbeforeanotherminuteshouldescape.Icontinuedtoswim,tosurveythebank,andtomakeineffectualattemptstograsptherock.Theshrubswhichgrewuponitwouldnotupholdme,andthefragmentswhich,foramoment,inspiredmewithhope,crumbledawayassoonastheyweretouched.

AtlengthInoticedapinewhichwasrootedinacrevicenearthewater.Thetrunk,oranypartoftheroot,wasbeyondmyreach;butItrustedthatIcouldcatchholdofthebranchwhichhunglowest,andthat,whencaught,itwouldassistmeingainingthetrunk,andthusdelivermefromthedeathwhichcouldnotbeotherwiseaverted.

Theattemptwasarduous.HaditbeenmadewhenIfirstreachedthebank,nodifficultyhadattendedit;butnowtothrowmyselfsomefeetabovethesurfacecouldscarcelybeexpectedfromonewhoseutmosteffortsseemedtobedemandedtokeephimfromsinking.Yetthisexploit,arduousasitwas,wasattemptedandaccomplished.HappilythetwigswerestrongenoughtosustainmyweighttillIcaughtatotherbranchesandfinallyplacedmyselfuponthetrunk.

Thisdangerwasnowpast;butIadmittedtheconvictionthatothers,nolessformidable,remainedtobeencountered,andthatmyultimatedestinywasdeath.Il

ookedupward.Neweffortsmightenablemetogainthesummitofthissteep,butperhapsIshouldthusbeplacedmerelyinthesituationfromwhichIhadjustbeendelivered.Itwasoflittlemomentwhetherthesceneofmyimprisonmentwasadungeonnottobebroken,orasummitfromwhichdescentwasimpossible.

Theriver,indeed,severedmefromaroadwhichwaslevelandsafe,butmyrecentdangerswererememberedonlytomakemeshudderatthethoughtofincurringthemasecondtimebyattemptingtocrossit.Iblushattherecollectionofthiscowardice.ItwaslittleakintothespiritwhichIhadrecentlydisplayed.Itwas,indeed,analientomybosom,andwasquicklysupplantedbyintrepidityandperseverance.

Iproceededtomountthehill.Fromroottoroot,andfrombranchtobranch,lay

myjourney.Itwasfinished,andIsatdownuponthehighestbrowtomeditateonfuturetrials.Noroadlayalongthissideoftheriver.Itwasruggedandsterile,andfarmsweresparinglydispersedoverit.Toreachoneofthesewasnowtheobjectofmywishes.IhadnotlostthedesireofreachingSolesburybeforemorning,butmywetclothesandthecoldnessofthenightseemedtohavebereavedmeofthepower.

Itraversedthissummit,keepingtheriveronmyrighthand.Happily,itsdeclinationsandascentswerebynomeansdifficult,andIwascheered,inthemidstofmyvexations,byobservingthateverymilebroughtmenearertomyuncle'sdwelling.MeanwhileIanxiouslylookedforsometokensofahabitation.Theseatlengthpresentedthemselves.Awildheath,whistledoverbyOctoberblasts,meagrelyadornedwiththedrystalksofscentedshrubsandthebaldheadsofthesaple

ssmullein,wassucceededbyafencedfieldandacorn-stack.Thedwellingtowhichthesebelongedwaseagerlysought.

Iwasnotsurprisedthatallvoiceswerestillandalllightsextinguished,forthiswasthehourofrepose.Havingreachedapiazzabeforethehouse,Ipaused.Whether,atthisdrowsytime,toknockforadmission,toalarmthepeacefultenantsandtakefromthemtherestwhichtheirdailytoilsandtheirruralinnocencehadmadesosweet,ortoretiretowhatshelterahaystackorbarncouldafford,wasthethemeofmydeliberations.



Meanwhile,Ilookedupatthehouse.Itwasthemodelofcleanlinessandcomfort.Itwasbuiltofwood;butthematerialshadundergonetheplane,aswellastheaxeandthesaw.Itwaspaintedwhite,andthewindowsnotonlyhadsashes,butthesesashesweresupplied,contrarytocustom,withglass.Inmostcasestheaperturewhereglassshouldbeisstuifedwithanoldhatorapetticoat.Thedoorhadnotonlyallitspartsentire,butwasembellishedwithmouldingsandapediment.Igatheredfromthesetokensthatthiswastheabodenotonlyofruralcompetenceandinnocence,butofsomebeingsraisedbyeducationandfortuneabovetheintellectualmediocrityofclowns.

MethoughtIcouldclaimconsanguitywithsuchbeings.Nottosharetheircharityandkindnesswouldbeinflictingaswellasreceivinginjury.Thetroubleofaffordingshelter,andwarmth,andwholesomediet,toawretchdestituteasIwas,wouldbeeagerlysoughtbythem.

Still,Iwasunwillingtodisturbthem.Ibethoughtmyselfthattheirkitchenmightbeentered,andallthatmynecessitiesrequiredbeobtainedwithoutinterruptingtheirslumber.Ineedednothingbutthewarmthwhichtheirkitchen-hearthwouldafford.Stretcheduponthebricks,Imightdrymyclothes,andperhapsenjoysomeunmolestedsleep,inspiteofpresagesofillandthehorridremembrancesofwhatIhadperformedandendured.Ibelievedthatnaturewouldaffordashortrespitetomycares.

Iwenttothedoorofwhatappearedtobeakitchen.Thedoorwaswideopen.Thi

scircumstanceportendedevil.Thoughitbenotcustomarytolockortobolt,itisstilllessusualtohaveentrancesunclosed.Ienteredwithsuspicioussteps,andsawenoughtoconfirmmyapprehensions.Severalpiecesofwood,halfburned,layinthemidstofthefloor.Theyappearedtohavebeenremovedhitherfromthechimney,doubtlesswithaviewtosetfiretothewholebuilding.

Thefirehadmadesomeprogressonthefloor,buthadbeenseasonablyextinguishedbypailfulsofwaterthrownuponit.Thefloorwasstilldelugedwithwet:thepail,notemptiedofallitscontents,stoodUponthehearth.Theearthenvesselsandplates,whoseproperplacewasthedresser,werescatteredinfragmentsinallpartsoftheroom.Ilookedaroundmeforsomeonetoexplainthisscene,butnooneappeared.

Thelastsparkoffirewasputout,sothat,hadmycuriositybeenidle,mypurposecouldnotbeaccomplished.Toretirefromthisscene,neithercuriositynorbenevolencewouldpermit.Thatsomemortalinjuryhadbeenintendedwasapparent.Whatgreatermischiefhadbefallen,orwhethergreatermightnot,bymyinterposition,beaverted,couldonlybeascertainedbypenetratingfartherintothehouse.Iopenedadoorononesidewhichledtothemainbodyofthebuildingandenteredtoabed-chamber.Istoodattheentranceandknocked,butnooneansweredmysignals.

Theskywasnottotallyclouded,sothatsomelightpervadedtheroom.Isawthatabedstoodinthecorner,butwhetheroccupiedornotitscurtainshinderedmefromjudging.Istoodinsuspenseafewminutes,whenamotioninthebedshowedmethatsomeonewasthere.Iknockedagain,butwithdrewtotheoutsideoft

hedoor.Thisrousedthesleeper,who,halfgroaning,andpuffingtheairthroughhisnostrils,grumbledout,inthehoarsestvoicethatIeverheard,andinatoneofsurlyimpatience,"Whoisthere?"

Ihesitatedforananswer;butthevoiceinstantlycontinued,inthemannerofonehalfasleepandenragedatbeingdisturbed,"Is'tyou,Peg?Damnye,stayaway,now!Itellye,stayaway,or,byGod,Iwillcutyourthroat!--Iwill!"Hecontinuedtomutterandswear,butwithoutcoherenceordistinctness.

Theseweretheaccentsofdrunkenness,anddenotedawildandruffianlife.They



werelittleinunisonwiththeexternalappearancesofthemansion,andblastedallthehopesIhadformedofmeetingunderthisroofwithgentlenessandhospitality.Totalkwiththisbeing,toattempttoreasonhimintohumanityandsoberness,wasuseless.Iwasatalossinwhatmannertoaddresshim,orwhetheritwaspropertomaintainanyparley.Meanwhile,mysilencewassuppliedbythesuggestionsofhisowndistemperedfancy."Ay,"saidhe;"yewill,willye?Well,comeon;let'sseewho'sthebetterattheoakstick.IfIpartwithyebeforeIhavebaredyourbones!--I'llteachyetobealwaysdippinginmydish,yedevil'sdamye."

Sosaying,hetumbledoutofbed.Atthefirststep,hestruckhisheadagainstthebedpost,but,settinghimselfupright,hestaggeredtowardsthespotwhereIstood.Somenewobstacleoccurred.Hestumbledandfellathislengthuponthefloor.

Toencounterorexpostulatewithamaninthisstatewasplainlyabsurd.Iturnedandissuedforth,withanachingheart,intothecourtbeforethehouse.Themiserieswhichadebauchedhusbandorfatherinflicteduponallwhomtheirevildestinyalliestohimwerepicturedbymyfancy,andwrungfrommetearsofanguish,Theseimages,however,quicklyyieldedtoreflectionsonmyownstate.Noexpedientnowremainedbuttoseekthebarnandfindacoveringandabedofstraw.

IhadscarcelysetfootwithinthebarnyardwhenIheardasoundasofthecryin

gofaninfant.Itappearedtoissuefromthebarn.Iapproachedsoftlyandlistenedatthedoor.Thecriesofthebabecontinued,butwereaccompaniedbytheentreatiesofanurseoramothertobequiet.Theseentreatiesweremingledwithheart-breakingsobs,andexclamationsof,"Ah,me,mybabe!Canstthounotsleepandaifordthyunhappymothersomepeace?Thouartcold,andIhavenotsufficientwarmthtocherishthee!Whatwillbecomeofus?Thydeludedfathercaresnotifwebothperish."

Aglimpseofthetruenatureofthesceneseemedtobeimpartedbythesewords.Inowlikewiserecollectedincidentsthataffordedadditionallight.SomewhereonthisbankoftheriverthereformerlyresidedonebynameSelby.Hewasanagedperson,whounitedscienceandtastetothesimpleandlaborioushabitsofahusbandman.HehadasonwhoresidedseveralyearsinEurope,butonthedeathof

hisfatherreturnedhome,accompaniedbyawife.Hehadsucceededtotheoccupationofthefarm,butrumourhadwhisperedmanytalestothedisadvantageofhismorals.Hiswifewasaffirmedtobeofdelicateandpolishedmanners,andmuchunlikehercompanion.

ItnowoccurredtomethatthiswasthedwellingoftheSelbys,andIseemedtohavegainedsomeinsightintothediscordanddomesticmiseriesbywhichtheunhappyladysuffered.Thiswasnotimetowastemysympathyonothers.Icouldbenefithernothing.Selbyhadprobablyreturnedfromacarousal,withallhismalignantpassionsraisedintofrenzybyintoxication.Hehaddrivenhisdesolatewifefromherbedandhouse,and,toshunoutrageandviolence,shehadfled,withherhelplessinfant,tothebarn.Toappeasehisfury,toconsoleher,tosuggestaremedyforthisdistress,wasnotinmypower.Tohavesoughtaninterview

wouldbemerelytoexciteherterrorsandalarmherdelicacy,withoutcontributingtoalleviatehercalamity.Here,then,wasnoasylumforme.Aplaceofrestmustbesoughtatsomeneighbouringhabitation.Itwasprobablethatonewouldbefoundatnogreatdistance:thepaththatledfromthespotwhereIstood,throughagate,intoameadow,mightconductmetothenearestdwelling;andthispathIimmediatelyresolvedtoexplore.

Iwasanxioustoopenthegatewithoutnoise,butIcouldnotsucceed.Somecreakingofitshingeswasunavoidablyproduced,whichIfearedwouldbeoverheardbytheladyandmultiplyherapprehensionsandperplexities.Thisinconveniencew



asirremediable.Ithereforeclosedthegateandpursuedthefootwaybeforemewiththeutmostexpedition.IhadnotgainedthefartherendofthemeadowwhenIlightedonsomethingwhichlayacrossthepath,andwhich,onbeingcloselyinspected,appearedtobeahumanbody.Itwasthecorpseofagirl,mangledbyahatchet.Herhead,goryanddeprivedofitslocks,easilyexplainedthekindofenemiesbywhomshehadbeenassailed.Herewasproofthatthisquietandremotehabitationhadbeenvisited,intheirdestructiveprogress,bytheIndians.Thegirlhadbeenslainbythem,andherscalp,accordingtotheirsavagecustom,hadbeentornawaytobepreservedasatrophy.

Thefirewhichhadbeenkindledonthekitchen-floortvasnowremembered,andcorroboratedtheinferenceswhichweredrawnfromthisspectacle.Andyetthatthemischiefhadbeenthuslimited,thatthebesottedwretchwholayhelplessonhisbedandcarelessofimpendingdanger,andthatthemotherandherinfant,shouldescape,excitedsomedegreeofsurprise.Couldthesavageshavebeeninterruptedintheirwork,andobligedtoleavetheirvengeanceunfinished?

Theirvisithadbeenrecent.Manyhourshadnotelapsedsincetheyprowledaboutthesegrounds.Hadtheywhollydisappeared,andmeanttheynottoreturn?TowhatnewdangermightIbeexposedinremainingthusguidelessanddestituteofalldefence?

Inconsequenceofthesereflections,Iproceededwithmorecaution.Ilookedwithsuspiciousglancesbeforeandoneithersideofme.Inowapproachedthefence

which,onthisside,boundedthemeadow.Somethingwasdiscerned,orimagined,stretchedclosetothefence,ontheground,andfillingupthepathway.Myapprehensionsofalurkingenemyhadbeenpreviouslyawakened,andmyfancyinstantlyfiguredtoitselfanarmedmanlyingonthegroundandwaitingtoassailtheunsuspectingpassenger.

AtfirstIwaspromptedtofly,butasecondthoughtshowedmethatIhadalreadyapproachednearenoughtobeendangered.Notwithstandingmypause,theformwasmotionless.Thepossibilityofbeingmisledinmyconjectureswaseasilysupposed.WhatIsawmightbealog,oritmightbeanothervictimtosavageferocity.Thistrackwasthatwhichmysafetyrequiredmetopursue.Toturnasideorgobackwouldbemerelytobewildermyselfanew.

Urgedbythesemotives,Iwentnearer,andatlastwascloseenoughtoperceivethatthefigurewashuman.Helayuponhisface.Nearhisrighthandwasamusket,unclenched.Thiscircumstance,hisdeathlikeattitude,andthegarbandornamentsofanIndian,mademereadilysuspectthenatureandcauseofthiscatastrophe.Heretheinvadershadbeenencounteredandrepulsed,andoneatleastoftheirnumberhadbeenleftuponthefield.

Iwaswearyofcontemplatingtheseruefulobjects.Custom,likewise,eveninsoshortaperiod,hadinuredmetospectaclesofhorror.Iwasgrowncallousandimmovable.Istayednottoponderonthescene,but,snatchingthemusket,whichwasnowwithoutanowner,andwhichmightbeindispensabletomydefence,Ihastenedintothewood.Onthissidethemeadowwasskirtedbyaforest;butabeatenroadledintoit,andmightthereforebeattemptedwithoutdanger.

ChapterXXIII.

Theroadwasintricateandlong.Itseemeddesignedtopervadetheforestineverypossibledirection.Ifrequentlynoticedcutwoodpiledinheapsuponeitherside,andrejoicedinthesetokensthattheresidenceofmanwasnear.AtlengthIreachedasecondfence,whichprovedtobetheboundaryofaroadstillmorefrequented.Ipursuedthis,andpresentlybeheldbeforemetheriveranditsoppositebarriers.

Thisobjectaffordedmesomeknowledgeofmysituation.Therewasafordoverwh



ichtravellersusedtopass,andinwhichtheroadthatIwasnowpursuingterminated.Thestreamwasrapidandtumultuous,butinthisplacedidnotrisehigherthantheshoulders.Ontheoppositesidewasahighway,passablebyhorsesandmen,thoughnotbycarriages,andwhichledintothemidstofSolesbury.ShouldInotrushintothestream,andstillaimatreachingmyuncle'shousebeforemorning?WhyshouldIdelay?

Thirtyhoursofincessantwatchfulnessandtoil,ofenormouseffortsandperils,precededandaccompaniedbyabstinenceandwounds,wereenoughtoannihilatethestrengthandcourageofordinarymen.Inthecourseofthem,Ihadfrequentlybelievedmyselftohavereachedthevergebeyondwhichmyforcewouldnotcarryme;butexperienceasfrequentlydemonstratedmyerror.Thoughmanymileswereyettobetraversed,thoughmyclotheswereoncemoretobedrenchedandloadedwithmoisture,thougheveryhourseemedtoaddsomewhattothekeennessoftheblast,yethowshouldIknow,butbytrial,whethermystockofenergywasnotsufficientforthislastexploit?

Myresolutiontoproceedwasnearlyformed,whenthefigureofamanmovingslowlyacrosstheroadatsomedistancebeforemewasobserved.HardbythisfordlivedamanbynameBisset,ofwhomIhadslightknowledge.Hetendedhistwohundredacreswithaploddingandmoney-dotingspirit,whilehissonoverlookedagrist-millontheriver.Hewasacreatureofgain,coarseandharmless.ThemanwhomIsawbeforememightbehe,orsomeonebelongingtohisfamily.Beingarmedfordefence,Ilessscrupledatmeetingwithanythingintheshapeofman.I

thereforecalled.Thefigurestoppedandansweredmewithoutsurlinessoranger.ThevoicewasunlikethatofBisset,butthisperson'sinformationIbelievedwouldbeofsomeservice.

Cominguptohim,heprovedtobeaclownbelongingtoBisset'shabitation.Hispanicandsurpriseonseeingmemadehimaghast.InmypresentgarbIshouldnothaveeasilybeenrecognisedbymynearestkinsman,andmuchlesseasilybyonewhohadseldommetme.

Itmaybeeasilyconceivedthatmythoughts,whenallowedtowanderfromtheobjectsbeforeme,weretormentedwithforebodingsandinquietudesonaccountoftheillswhichIhadsomuchreasontobelievehadbefallenmyfamily.Ihadnodoubtthatsomeevilhadhappened,butthefullextentofitwasstilluncertain.

Idesiredanddreadedtodiscoverthetruth,andwasunabletointerrogatethispersoninadirectmanner.Icoulddealonlyincircuitiesandhints.IshudderedwhileIwaitedforananswertomyinquiries.

HadnotIndians,Iasked,beenlatelyseeninthisneighbourhood?Weretheynotsuspectedofhostiledesigns?Hadtheynotalreadycommittedsomemischief?Somepassenger,perhaps,hadbeenattacked,orfirehadbeensettosomehouse?Onwhichsideoftheriverhadtheirstepsbeenobservedoranydevastationbeencommitted?Abovethefordorbelowit?Atwhatdistancefromtheriver?

Whenhisattentioncouldbewithdrawnfrommypersonandbestoweduponmyquestions,heansweredthatsomealarmhadindeedbeenspreadaboutIndians,andthatpartiesfromSolesburyandChetascowereoutinpursuitofthem,thatmanyperso

nshadbeenkilledbythem,andthatonehouseinSolesburyhadbeenrifledandburntonthenightbeforethelast.

Thesetidingswereadreadfulconfirmationofmyfears.Therescarcelyremainedadoubt;butstillmyexpiringhopepromptedmetoinquire,"Towhomdidthehousebelong?"

Heansweredthathehadnotheardthenameoftheowner.Hewasastrangertothepeopleontheothersideoftheriver.



Wereanyoftheinhabitantsmurdered?

Yes;allthatwereathome,exceptagirlwhomtheycarriedoff.Somesaidthatthegirlhadbeenretaken.

Whatwasthename?WasitHuntly?

Huntly?Yes.No.Hedidnotknow.Hehadforgotten.

Ifixedmyeyesupontheground.Anintervalofgloomymeditationsucceeded.Allwaslost!AllforwhosesakeIhaddesiredtolivehadperishedbythehandsoftheseassassins!Thatdearhome,thesceneofmysportivechildhood,ofmystudies,labours,andrecreations,wasravagedbyfireandthesword,--wasreducedtoafrightfulruin!

Notonlyallthatembellishedandendearedexistencewasdestroyed,butthemeansofsubsistenceitself.ThouknowestthatmysistersandIweredependantsonthebountyofouruncle.Hisdeathwouldmakewayforthesuccessionofhisson,amanfraughtwithenvyandmalignity,whoalwaystestifiedamortalhatredtous,merelybecauseweenjoyedtheprotectionofhisfather.Thegroundwhichfurnishedmewithbreadwasnowbecomethepropertyofonewho,ifhecouldhavedoneitwithsecurity,wouldgladlyhavemingledpoisonwithmyfood.

Allthatmyimaginationormyheartregardedasofvaluehadlikewiseperished.

Whatevermychamber,myclosets,mycabinetscontained,myfurniture,mybooks,therecordsofmyownskill,themonumentsoftheirexistencewhomIloved,myveryclothing,wereinvolvedinindiscriminateandirretrievabledestruction.WhyshouldIsurvivethiscalamity?

Butdidnothesaythatonehadescaped?Theonlyfemalesinthefamilyweremysisters.Oneofthesehadbeenreservedforafateworsethandeath;togratifytheinnateandinsatiablecrueltyofsavages,bysufferingallthetormentstheirinventioncansuggest,ortolingeroutyearsofwearybondageandunintermittedhardshipinthebosomofthewilderness.Torestorehertoliberty,tocherishthislastsurvivorofmyunfortunaterace,wasasufficientmotivetolifeandtoactivity.

Butsoft!Hadnotrumourwhisperedthatthecaptivewasretaken?Oh!whowasherangelofdeliverance?Wheredidshenowabide?Weepingovertheuntimelyfallofherprotectorandherfriend?Lamentingandupbraidingtheabsenceofherbrother?WhyshouldInothastetofindher?--tominglemytearswithhers,toassureherofmysafety,andexpatiatetheinvoluntarycrimeofmydesertionbydevotingallfuturitytothetaskofherconsolationandimprovement?

Thepathwasopenanddirect.Mynewmotiveswouldhavetrampleduponeveryimpedimentandmademerecklessofalldangersandalltoils.Ibrokefrommyreverie,and,withouttakingleaveorexpressinggratitudetomyinformant,Iranwithfranticexpeditiontowardstheriver,and,plungingintoit,gainedtheoppositesideinamoment.

Iwassufficientlyacquaintedwiththeroad.Sometwelveorfifteenmilesremainedtobetraversed.Ididnotfearthatmystrengthwouldfailintheperformanceofmyjourney.Itwasnotmyuncle'shabitationtowhichIdirectedmysteps.Inglefieldwasmyfriend.Ifmysisterhadexistence,orwassnatchedfromcaptivity,itwasherethatanasylumhadbeenaffordedtoher,andherewasItoseektheknowledgeofmydestiny.Forthisreason,havingreachedaspotwheretheroaddividedintotwobranches,oneofwhichledtoInglefield'sandtheothertoHuntly's,Istruckintotheformer.

ScarcelyhadIpassedtheanglewhenInoticedabuildingontherighthand,at



somedistancefromtheroad.Inthepresentstateofmythoughts,itwouldnothaveattractedmyattention,hadnotalightgleamedfromanupperwindowandtoldmethatallwithinwerenotatrest.

Iwasacquaintedwiththeownerofthismansion.Hemeritedesteemandconfidence,andcouldnotfailtobeacquaintedwithrecentevents.FromhimIshouldobtainalltheinformationthatIneeded,andIshouldbedeliveredfromsomepartoftheagoniesofmysuspense.Ishouldreachhisdoorinafewminutes,andthewindow-lightwasaproofthatmyentranceatthishourwouldnotdisturbthefamily,someofwhomwerestirring.

ThroughagateIenteredanavenueoftalloaks,thatledtothehouse.Icouldnotbutreflectontheeffectwhichmyappearancewouldproduceuponthefamily.Thesleeklocks,neatapparel,pacificguise,sobrietyandgentlenessofaspectbywhichIwascustomarilydistinguished,wouldinvainbesoughtintheapparitionwhichwouldnowpresentitselfbeforethem.Mylegs,neck,andbosomwerebare,andtheirnativehuewasexchangedforthelividmarksofbruisesandscarifications.Ahorridscaruponmycheek,andmyuncombedlocks;holloweyes,madeghastlybyabstinenceandcold,andtheruthlesspassionsofwhichmymindhadbeenthetheatre,addedtothemusketwhichIcarriedinmyhand,wouldprepossessthemwiththenotionofamaniacorruffian.

Someinconveniencesmighthencearise,which,however,couldnotbeavoided.Imusttrusttothespeedwithwhichmyvoiceandmywordsshoulddisclosemytrue

characterandrectifytheirmistake.

Inowreachedtheprincipaldoorofthehouse.Itwasopen,andIunceremoniouslyentered.InthemidstoftheroomstoodaGermanstove,wellheated.Tothawmyhalf-frozenlimbswasmyfirstcare.MeanwhileIgazedaroundme,andmarkedtheappearancesofthings.

Twolightedcandlesstooduponthetable.Besidethemwerecider-bottlesandpipesoftobacco.Thefurnitureandroomwasinthatstatewhichdenotedittohavebeenlatelyfilledwithdrinkersandsmokers;yetneithervoice,norvisage,normotion,wereanywhereobservable.Ilistened;butneitherabovenorbelow,withinnorwithout,couldanytokensofahumanbeingbeperceived.

Thisvacancyandsilencemusthavebeenlatelyprecededbynoise,andconcourse,andbustle.Thecontrastwasmysteriousandambiguous.Noadequatecauseofsoquickandabsoluteatransitionoccurredtome.Havinggainedsomewarmthandlingeredsometenortwentyminutesinthisuncertainty,Ideterminedtoexploretheotherapartmentsofthebuilding.Iknewnotwhatmightbetideinmyabsence,orwhatImightencounterinmysearchtojustifyprecaution,and,therefore,kepttheguninmyhand.Isnatchedacandlefromthetableandproceededintotwootherapartmentsonthefirstfloorandthekitchen.Neitherwasinhabited,thoughchairsandtableswerearrangedintheirusualorder,andnotracesofviolenceorhurrywereapparent.

Havinggainedthefootofthestaircase,Iknocked,butmyknockingwaswhollydisregarded.Alighthadappearedinanupperchamber.Itwasnot,indeed,inone

ofthoseapartmentswhichthefamilypermanentlyoccupied,butinthatwhich,accordingtoruralcustom,wasreservedforguests;butitindubitablybetokenedthepresenceofsomebeingbywhommydoubtsmightbesolved.Thesedoubtsweretootormentingtoallowofscruplesanddelay.Imountedthestairs.

Ateachchamber-doorIknocked,butIknockedinvain.Itriedtoopen,butfoundthemtobelocked.Iatlengthreachedtheentranceofthatinwhichalighthadbeendiscovered.Hereitwascertainthatsomeonewouldbefound;buthere,aswellaselsewhere,myknockingwasunnoticed.



Toenterthischamberwasaudacious,butnootherexpedientwasaffordedmetodeterminewhetherthehousehadanyinhabitants.Ithereforeentered,thoughwithcautionandreluctance.Noonewaswithin,butthereweresufficienttracesofsomepersonwhohadlatelybeenhere.Onthetablestoodatravelling-escritoire,open,withpensandinkstand.Achairwasplacedbeforeit,andacandleontherighthand.Thisapparatuswasrarelyseeninthiscountry.Sometraveller,itseemed,occupiedthisroom,thoughtherestofthemansionwasdeserted.Thepilgrim,astheseappearancestestified,wasofnovulgarorder,andbelongednottotheclassofperiodicalandevery-dayguests.

Itnowoccurredtomethattheoccupantofthisapartmentcouldnotbefaroff,andthatsomedangerandembarrassmentcouldnotfailtoaccruefrombeingfound,thusaccoutredandgarbed,inaplacesacredtothestudyandreposeofanother.Itwasproper,therefore,towithdraw,andeithertoresumemyjourney,orwaitforthestranger'sreturn,whomperhapssometemporaryengagementhadcalledaway,inthelowerandpublicroom.Theformernowappearedtobethebestexpedient,asthereturnofthisunknownpersonwasuncertain,aswellashispowertocommunicatetheinformationwhichIwanted.

Hadpaper,aswellastheimplementsofwriting,lainuponthedesk,perhapsmylawlesscuriositywouldnothavescrupledtohavepriedintoit.Onthefirstglancenothingofthatkindappeared;butnow,asIturnedtowardsthedoor,somewhat,lyingbesidethedesk,onthesideoppositethecandle,caughtmyattention.Theimpulsewasinstantaneousandmechanicalthatmademeleaptothespotand

laymyhanduponit.TillIfeltitbetweenmyfingers,tillIbroughtitnearmyeyesandreadfrequentlytheinscriptionsthatappeareduponit,Iwasdoubtfulwhethermysenseshaddeceivedme.

Few,perhaps,amongmankind,haveundergonevicissitudesofperilandwonderequaltomine.Themiraclesofpoetry,thetransitionsofenchantment,arebeggarlyandmeancomparedwiththosewhichIhadexperienced.Passageintonewforms,overleapingthebarsoftimeandspace,reversalofthelawsofinanimateandintelligentexistence,hadbeenminetoperformandtowitness.

Noeventhadbeenmorefertileofsorrowandperplexitythanthelossofthybrother'sletters.Theywentbymeansinvisible,anddisappearedatamomentwhenforesightwouldhaveleastpredictedtheirdisappearance.Theynowplacedthemsel

vesbeforeme,inamannerequallyabrupt,inaplaceandbymeansnolesscontrarytoexpectation.ThepaperswhichInowseizedwerethoseletters.Theparchmentcover,thestringthattiedandthewaxthatsealedthem,appearednottohavebeenopenedorviolated.

Thepowerthatremovedthem,frommycabinet,anddroppedtheminthishouse,--ahousewhichIrarelyvisited,whichIhadnotenteredduringthelastyear,withwhoseinhabitantsImaintainednocordialintercourse,andtowhommyoccupationsandamusements,myjoysandmysorrows,wereunknown,--wasnoobjectevenofconjecture.Buttheywerenotpossessedbyanyofthefamily.Somestrangerwashere,bywhomtheyhadbeenstolen,orintowhosepossessiontheyhad,bysomeincomprehensiblechance,fallen.

Thatstrangerwasnear.Hehadleftthisapartmentforamoment.Hewouldspeedilyreturn.Togohencemightpossiblyoccasionmetomisshim.Here,then,Iwouldwait,tillheshouldgrantmeaninterview.Thepapersweremine,andwererecovered.Iwouldneverpartwiththem.ButtoknowbywhoseforceorbywhosestratagemsIhadbeenbereavedofthemthuslong,wasnowthesupremepassionofmysoul.Iseatedmyselfnearatableandanxiouslywaitedforaninterview,onwhichIwasirresistiblypersuadedtobelievethatmuchofmyhappinessdepended.

Meanwhile,Icouldnotbutconnectthisincidentwiththedestructionofmyfamily.Thelossofthesepapershadexcitedtransportsofgrief;andyettohavelo



stthemthuswasperhapsthesoleexpedientbywhichtheirfinalpreservationcouldberenderedpossible.Hadthey,remainedinmycabinet,theycouldnothaveescapedthedestinywhichovertookthehouseanditsfurniture.Savagesarenotaccustomedtoleavetheirexterminatingworkunfinished.Thehousewhichtheyhaveplunderedtheyarecarefultolevelwiththeground.Thisnotonlytheirrevenge,buttheircaution,prescribes.Firemayoriginatebyaccidentaswellasbydesign,andthetracesofpillageandmurderaretotallyobliteratedbytheflames.

Thesethoughtswereinterruptedbytheshuttingofadoorbelow,andbyfootstepsascendingthestairs.Myheartthrobbedatthesound.MyseatbecameuneasyandIstartedonmyfeet.Ievenadvancedhalf-waytotheentranceoftheroom.Myeyeswereintenselyfixeduponthedoor.Myimpatiencewouldhavemademeguessatthepersonofthisvisitantbymeasuringhisshadow,ifhisshadowwerefirstseen;butthiswasprecludedbythepositionofthelight.Itwasonlywhenthefigureentered,andthewholepersonwasseen,thatmycuriositywasgratified.Hewhostoodbeforemewastheparentandfostererofmymind,thecompanionandinstructorofmyyouth,fromwhomIhadbeenpartedforyears,fromwhomIbelievedmyselftobeforeverseparated,--Sarsefieldhimself!ChapterXXIV.

Mydeportment,ataninterviewsomuchdesiredandsowhollyunforeseen,wasthatofamaniac.Thepetrifyinginfluenceofsurpriseyieldedtotheimpetuositiesofpassion.Iheldhiminmyarms;Iweptuponhisbosom;Isobbedwithemotion

which,haditnotfoundpassageatmyeyes,wouldhaveburstmyheart-strings.ThusI,whohadescapedthedeathsthathadpreviouslyassailedmeinsomanyforms,shouldhavebeenreservedtosolemnizeascenelikethisby--dyingforjoy!

Thesternerpassionsandhabitualausteritiesofmycompanionexemptedhimfrompouringoutthistestimonyofhisfeelings.Hisfeelingswere,indeed,morealliedtoastonishmentandincredulitythanminehadbeen.Mypersonwasnotinstantlyrecognised.HeshrunkfrommyembraceasifIwereanapparitionorimpostor.Hequicklydisengagedhimselffrommyarms,and,withdrawingafewpaces,gazeduponmeasononewhomhehadneverbeforeseen.

Theserepulseswereascribedtothelossofhisaffection.IwasnotmindfulofthehideousguiseinwhichIstoodbeforehim,andbywhichhemightjustlybem

isledtoimaginemearuffianoralunatic.Mytearsflowednowonanewaccount,andIarticulated,inabrokenandfaintvoice,"Mymaster!myfriend!Haveyouforgotten,haveyouceasedtoloveme?"

Thesoundofmyvoicemadehimstartandexclaim,"AmIalive?amIawake?Speakagain,Ibeseechyou,andconvincemethatIamnotdreamingordelirious."

"Canyouneedanyproof,"Ianswered,"thatitisEdgarHuntly,yourpupil,yourchild,thatspeakstoyou?"

Henowwithdrewhiseyesfrommeandfixedthemonthefloor.Afterapauseheresumed,inemphaticaccents:--"Well,Ihavelivedtothisageinunbelief.Tocreditortrustinmiraculousagencywasforeigntomynature,butnowIamnolon

gerskeptical.Callmetoanybar,andexactfrommeanoaththatyouhavetwicebeendeadandtwicerecalledtolife;thatyoumoveaboutinvisibly,andchangeyourplacebytheforce,notofmuscles,butofthought,andIwillgiveit.

"Howcameyouhither?Didyoupenetratethewall?Didyourisethroughthefloor?

"Yetsurely'tisanerror.Youcouldnotbehewhomtwentywitnessesaffirmedtohavebeheldalifelessandmangledcorpseupontheground,whommyowneyessawinthatcondition.



"Inseekingthespotoncemoretoprovideyouagrave,youhadvanished.AgainImetyou.Youplungedintoarapidstream,fromaheightfromwhichitwasimpossibletofallandtolive;yet,asiftosetthelimitsofnatureatdefiance,tosportwithhumanpenetration,youroseuponthesurface;youfloated;youswam;thirtybulletswereaimedatyourhead,bymarksmencelebratedfortheexactnessoftheirsight.Imyselfwasofthenumber,andInevermissedwhatIdesiredtohit.

"Mypredictionswereconfirmedbytheevent.Youceasedtostruggle;yousunktorisenomore;andyet,aftertheseaccumulateddeaths,youlightuponthisfloor,sofardistantfromthesceneofyourcatastrophe,overspacesonlytobepassed,insoshortatimeashassinceelapsed,bythosewhohavewings.

"Myeyes,myears,beartestimonytoyourexistencenow,astheyformerlyconvincedmeofyourdeath.WhatamItothink?whatproofsamItocredit?"Therehestopped.

Everyaccentofthisspeechaddedtotheconfusionofmythoughts.Theallusionsthatmyfriendhadmadewerenotunintelligible.Igainedaglimpseofthecomplicatederrorsbywhichwehadbeenmutuallydeceived.IhadfaintedontheareabeforeDeb'shut.IwasfoundbySarsefieldinthiscondition,andimaginedtobedead.

ThemanwhomIhadseenuponthepromontorywasnotanIndian.Hebelongedtoanumerousbandofpursuers,whommyhostileandprecipitatedeportmentcausedtosuspectmeforanenemy.Theythatfiredfromthesteepwerefriends.Theinterpositionthatscreenedmefromsomanybulletswasindeedmiraculous.Nowonderthatmyvoluntarysinking,inordertoeludetheirshots,wasmistakenfordeath,andthat,havingaccomplishedthedestructionofthisfoe,theyresumedtheirpursuitofothers.ButhowwasSarsefieldapprizedthatitwasIwhoplungedintotheriver?Nosubsequenteventwaspossibletoimparttohimtheincredibletruth.

Apauseofmutualsilenceensued.AtlengthSarsefieldrenewedhisexpressionsofamazementatthisinterview,andbesoughtmetoexplainwhyIhaddisappearedbynightfrommyuncle'shouse,andbywhatseriesofunheard-ofeventsthisint

erviewwasbroughtabout.WasitindeedHuntlywhomheexaminedandmournedoveratthethresholdofDeb'shut.WhomhehadsoughtineverythicketandcaveintheamplecircuitofNorwalkandChetasco?WhomhehadseenperishinthecurrentoftheDelaware?

Insteadofnoticinghisquestions,mysoulwasharrowedwithanxietyrespectingthefateofmyuncleandsisters.Sarsefieldcouldcommunicatethetidingswhichwoulddecideonmyfuturelotandsetmyportioninhappinessormisery.YetIhadnotbreathtospeakmyinquiries.Hopetottered,andIfeltasifasinglewordwouldbesufficientforitsuttersubversion.AtlengthIarticulatedthenameofmyuncle.

Thesinglewordsufficientlyimpartedmyfears,andthesefearsneedednoverbal

confirmation.Atthatdearnamemycompanion'sfeatureswereoverspreadbysorrow.

"Youruncle,"saidhe,"isdead."

"Dead?MercifulHeaven!Andmysisterstoo!Both?"

"Yoursistersarealiveandwell."

"Nay,"resumedI,infalteringaccents,"jestnotwithmyfeelings.Benotcruel



inyourpity.Tellmethetruth."

"Ihavesaidthetruth.Theyarewell,atMr.Inglefield's."

Mywisheswereeagertoassenttothetruthofthesetidings.Thebetterpartofmewas,then,safe:buthowdidtheyescapethefatethatovertookmyuncle?Howdidtheyevadethedestroyinghatchetandthemidnightconflagration?Thesedoubtswereimpartedinatumultuousandobscuremannertomyfriend.Henosoonerfullycomprehendedthem,thanhelookedatmewithsomeinquietudeandsurprise.

"Huntly,"saidhe,"areyoumad?Whathasfilledyouwiththesehideousprepossessions?MuchhavochasindeedbeencommittedinChetascoandthewilderness,andaloghuthasbeenburnt,bydesignorbyaccident,inSolesbury;butthatisall.Yourhousehasnotbeenassailedbyeitherfirebrandortomahawk.Everythingissafeandinitsancientorder.Themasterindeedisgone,buttheoldmanfellavictimtohisowntemerityandhardihood.ItisthirtyyearssinceheretiredwiththreewoundsfromthefieldofBraddock;buttimeinnodegreeabatedhisadventurousandmilitaryspirit.Onthefirstalarm,hesummonedhisneighbours,andledtheminpursuitoftheinvaders.Alas!hewasthefirsttoattackthem,andtheonlyonewhofellinthecontest."

Thesewordswereutteredinamannerthatleftmenoroomtodoubtoftheirtruth.Myunclehadalreadybeenlamented,andthediscoveryofthenatureofhisde

ath,socontrarytomyforebodings,andofthesafetyofmygirls,madethestateofmymindpartakemoreofexultationandjoythanofgrieforregret.

ButhowwasIdeceived?Hadnotmyfusilbeenfoundinthehandsofanenemy?Whencecouldhehaveplundereditbutfrommyownchamber?Ithungagainstthewallofacloset,fromwhichnostrangercouldhavetakenitexceptbyviolence.Myperplexitiesanddoubtswerenotatanend,butthosewhichconstitutedmychieftormentwereremoved.Ilistenedtomyfriend'sentreatiestotellhimthecauseofmyelopement,andtheincidentsthatterminatedinthepresentinterview.

Ibeganwithrelatingmyreturntoconsciousnessinthebottomofthepit;myeffortstofreemyselffromthisabhorredprison;theactsofhorrortowhichIwasimpelledbyfamine,andtheirexcruciatingconsequences;mygainingtheoutlet

ofthecavern,thedesperateexpedientbywhichIremovedtheimpedimenttomyescape,andthedeliveranceofthecaptivegirl;thecontestImaintainedbeforeDeb'shut;mysubsequentwanderings;thebanquetwhichhospitalityaffordedme;myjourneytotheriver-bank;mymeditationsonthemeansofreachingtheroad;mymotivesforhazardingmylifebyplungingintothestream;andmysubsequentperilsandfearstillIreachedthethresholdofthishabitation.

"Thus,"continuedI,"Ihavecompliedwithyourrequest.IhavetoldallthatImyselfknow.Whatweretheincidentsbetweenmysinkingtorestatmyuncle'sandmyawakinginthechambersofthehill;bywhatmeansandbywhosecontrivance,preternaturalorhuman,thistransitionwaseffected,Iamunabletoexplain;Icannotevenguess.

"Whathaseludedmysagacitymaynotbebeyondthereachofanother.Yourownreflectionsonmytale,orsomefactsthathavefallenunderyournotice,mayenableyoutofurnishasolution.But,meanwhile,howamItoaccountforyourappearanceonthisspot?Thismeetingwasunexpectedandabrupttoyou,butithasnotbeenlesssotome.Ofallmankind,SarsefieldwasthefurthestfrommythoughtswhenIsawthesetokensofatravellerandastranger.

"Youwereimperfectlyacquaintedwithmywanderings.YousawmeonthegroundbeforeDeb'shut.Yousawmeplungeintotheriver.Youendeavouredtodestroymewhileswimming;andyouknew,beforemynarrativewasheard,thatHuntlywasthe



objectofyourenmity.Whatwasthemotiveofyoursearchinthedesert,andhowwereyouapprizedofmycondition?ThesethingsarenotlesswonderfulthatanyofthosewhichIhavealreadyrelated."

DuringmytalethefeaturesofSarsefieldbetokenedthedeepestattention.Hiseyestrayednotamomentfrommyface.Allmyperilsandforebodingswerefreshinmyremembrance:theyhadscarcelygoneby;theirskirts,sotospeak,werestillvisible.Nowonderthatmyeloquencewasvividandpathetic;thatIportrayedthepastasifitwerethepresentscene;andthatnotmytongueonly,buteverymuscleandlimb,spoke.

WhenIhadfinishedmyrelation,Sarsefieldsankintothoughtfulness.Fromthis,afteratime,herecovered,andsaid,"Yourtale,Huntly,istrue;yet,didInotseeyoubeforeme,wereInotacquaintedwiththeartlessnessandrectitudeofyourcharacter,and,aboveall,hadnotmyownexperience,duringthelastthreedays,confirmedeveryincident,Ishouldquestionitstruth.Youhaveamplygratifiedmycuriosity,anddeservethatyourownshouldbegratifiedasfully.Listentome.

"Muchhashappenedsinceweparted,whichshallnotbenowmentioned.Ipromisedtoinformyouofmywelfarebyletter,anddidnotfailtowrite;butwhethermyletterswerereceived,oranywerewrittenbyyouinreturn,orifwrittenwereevertransmitted,Icannottell:nonewereeverreceived.

"Somedayssince,Iarrived,incompanywithaladywhoismywife,inAmerica.Youhaveneverbeenforgottenbyme.Iknewyoursituationtobelittleinagreementwithyourwishes,andoneofthebenefitswhichfortunehaslatelyconferreduponmeisthepowerofsnatchingyoufromalifeoflabourandobscurity,whosegoods,scantyastheyare,weretransientandprecarious,andaffordingyouthesuitableleisureandmeansofintellectualgratificationandimprovement.

"Yoursilencemademeentertainsomedoubtsconcerningyourwelfare,andevenyourexistence.Tosolvethesedoubts,IhastenedtoSolesbury.Somedelaysupontheroadhinderedmefromaccomplishingmyjourneybydaylight.ItwasnightbeforeIenteredtheNorwalkpath;butmyancientrambleswithyoumademefamiliarwithit,andIwasnotafraidofbeingobstructedorbewildered.

"JustasIgainedthesouthernoutlet,Ispiedapassengeronfoot,comingtowardsmewithaquickpace.Theincidentwasofnomoment;andyetthetimeofnight,theseemingexpeditionofthewalker,recollectionofthemazesandobstacleswhichhewasgoingtoencounter,andavagueconjecturethatperhapshewasunacquaintedwiththedifficultiesthatawaitedhim,mademeeyehimwithattentionashepassed.

"Hecamenear,andIthoughtIrecognisedafriendinthistraveller.Theform,thegesture,thestature,boreapowerfulresemblancetothoseofEdgarHuntly.Thisresemblancewassostrong,thatIstopped,and,afterhehadgoneby,calledhimbyyourname.Thatnonoticewastakenofmycallprovedthatthepersonwasmistaken;but,eventhoughitwereanother,thatheshouldnotevenhesitateorturnatasummonswhichhecouldnotbutperceivetobeaddressed,thougherr

oneously,tohim,wasthesourceofsomesurprise.Ididnotrepeatmycall,butproceededonmyway.

"Allhadretiredtoreposeinyouruncle'sdwelling.Ididnotscrupletorousethem,andwasreceivedwithaffectionateandjoyousgreetings.Thatyouallowedyouruncletorisebeforeyouwasanewtopicofreflection.Tomyinquiriesconcerningyou,answersweremadethataccordedwithmywishes.Iwastoldthatyouwereingoodhealthandweretheninbed.Thatyouhadnotheardandrisenatmyknockingwasmentionedwithsurprise;butyouruncleaccountedforyourindolencebysayingthatduringthelastweekyouhadfatiguedyourselfbyrambling,n



ightandday,insearchofsomemaniacorvisionarywhowassupposedtohaveretreatedintoNorwalk.

"Iinsisteduponawakeningyoumyself.Ianticipatedtheeffectofthissuddenandunlooked-formeetingwithsomeemotionsofprideaswellasofpleasure.Tofind,inopeningyoureyes,youroldpreceptorstandingbyyourbedsideandgazinginyourface,wouldplaceyou,Iconceived,inanaffectingsituation.

"Yourchamber-doorwasopen,butyourbedwasempty.Youruncleandsistersweremadeacquaintedwiththiscircumstance.Theirsurprisegavewaytoconjecturesthatyourrestlessandromanticspirithadtemptedyoufromyourrepose,thatyouhadrambledabroadonsomefantasticerrand,andwouldprobablyreturnbeforethedawn.Iwillinglyacquiescedinthisopinion,and,myfeelingsbeingtoothoroughlyarousedtoallowmetosleep,Itookpossessionofyourchamberandpatientlyawaitedyourreturn.

"Themorningreturned,butHuntlymadenothisappearance.Yourunclebecamesomewhatuneasyatthisunseasonableabsence.Muchspeculationandinquiryastothepossiblereasonsofyourflightwasmade.Inmysurveyofyourchamber,Inotedthatonlypartofyourclothingremainedbesideyourbed.Coat,hat,stockingsandshoeslayuponthespotwheretheyhadprobablybeenthrownwhenyouhaddisrobedyourself;butthepantaloons,which,accordingtoMr.Huntly'sreport,completedyourdress,werenowheretobefound.Thatyoushouldgoforthonsocoldanightsoslenderlyapparelled,wasalmostincredible.Yourreasonoryourse

nseshaddesertedyou,beforesorashanactioncouldbemeditated.

"InowrememberedthepersonIhadmetinNorwalk.Hisresemblancetoyourfigure,hisgarb,whichwantedhat,coat,stockingsandshoes,andyourabsencefromyourbedatthathour,wereremarkablecoincidences:butwhydidyoudisregardmycall?Yourname,utteredbyavoicethatcouldnotbeunknown,wassurelysufficienttoarrestyoursteps.

"Eachhouraddedtotheimpatienceofyourfriends.TotheirrecollectionsandconjecturesIlistenedwithaviewtoextractfromthemsomesolutionofthismystery.Atlengthastorywasalludedtoofsomeonewho,ontheprecedingnight,hadbeenheardwalkinginthelongroom:tothiswasaddedthetaleofyouranxietiesandwondersoccasionedbythelossofcertainmanuscripts.

"Whileruminatingupontheseincidents,andendeavouringtoextractfromthisintelligenceaclueexplanatoryofyourpresentsituation,asingleword,casuallydroppedbyyouruncle,instantlyilluminatedmydarknessanddispelledmydoubts.--'Afterall,'saidtheoldman,'tentoonebutEdgarhimselfwasthemanwhomweheardwalking,buttheladwasasleep,andknewnotwhathewasabout.'

"'Surely,'saidI,'thisinferenceisjust.Hismanuscriptscouldnotberemovedbyanyhandsbuthisown,sincetherestofmankindwereunacquaintednotonlywiththeplaceoftheirconcealment,butwiththeirexistence.Nonebutamaninsaneorasleepwouldwanderforthsoslightlydressed,andnonebutasleeperwouldhavedisregardedmycalls.'Thisconclusionwasgenerallyadopted;butitgavebirthinmymindtoinfiniteinquietudes.YouhadrovedintoNorwalk,ascene

ofinequalities,ofprominencesandpits,amongwhich,thusdestituteoftheguidanceofyoursenses,youcouldscarcelyfailtobedestroyed,or,atleast,irretrievablybewildered.Ipaintedtomyselfthedangerstowhichyouweresubjected.Yourcarelessfeetwouldbearyouintosomewhirlpoolortotheedgeofsomeprecipice;someinternalrevolutionoroutwardshockwouldrecallyoutoconsciousnessatsomeperilousmoment.Surpriseandfearwoulddisableyoufromtakingseasonableorsuitableprecautions,andyourdestructionbemadesure.

"Thelapseofeverynewhour,withoutbringingtidingsofyourstate,enhancedthesefears.Atlengththeproprietyofsearchingforyouoccurred;Mr.Huntlyan



dIdeterminedtosetoutuponthispursuit,aswellastocommissionothers.AplanwaslaidbywhicheveryaccessiblepartofNorwalk,thewildernessbeyondtheflatsofSolesbury,andthevalleyofChetasco,shouldbetraversedandexplored.

"Scarcelyhadweequippedourselvesforthisexpedition,whenamessengerarrived,whobroughtthedisastrousnewsofIndiansbeingseenwithintheseprecincts,andonthelastnightafarmerwasshotinhisfields,adwellinginChetascowasburnttotheground,anditsinhabitantsmurderedormadecaptives.Rumourandinquiryhadbeenbusy,andaplausibleconjecturehadbeenformedastothecourseandnumberoftheenemies.Theyweresaidtobedividedintobands,andtoamountinthewholetothirtyorfortywarriors.Thismessengerhadcometowarnusofdangerwhichmightimpend,andtosummonustojoininthepursuitandextirpationofthesedetestablefoes.

"Youruncle,whosealacrityandvigouragehadnotabated,eagerlyengagedinthisscheme.Iwasnotaversetocontributemyeffortstoanendlikethis.Theroadwhichwehadpreviouslydesignedtotake,insearchofmyfugitivepupil,wasthesamebywhichwemusttraceorintercepttheretreatofthesavages.Thustwopurposes,equallymomentous,wouldbeansweredbythesamemeans.

"Mr.Huntlyarmedhimselfwithyourfusil;Inglefieldsuppliedmewithagun.Duringourabsencethedwellingwasclosedandlocked,andyoursistersplacedundertheprotectionofInglefield,whoseageandpacificsentimentsunfittedhimf

orarduousandsanguinaryenterprises.Atroopofrusticswascollected,halfofwhomremainedtotraverseSolesbury,andtheother,whomMr.HuntlyandIaccompanied,hastenedtoChetasco."ChapterXXV.

"Itwasnoondaybeforewereachedthetheatreofaction.FearandrevengecombinedtomakethepeopleofChetascodiligentandzealousintheirowndefence.Thehavocalreadycommittedhadbeenmournful.Topreventarepetitionofthesamecalamities,theyresolvedtohuntoutthehostilefootstepsandexactamercilessretribution.

"Itwaslikelythattheenemy,ontheapproachofday,hadwithdrawnfromthevalleyandconcealedthemselvesinthethicketsbetweentheparallelridgesofthe

mountain.Thisspace,which,accordingtotheobjectwithwhichitiscompared,iseitheravaleorthetopofahill,wasobscureanddesolate.Itwasundoubtedlytheavenuebywhichtherobbershadissuedforth,andbywhichtheywouldescapetotheOhio.Heretheymightstillremain,intendingtoemergefromtheirconcealmentonthenextnightandperpetratenewhorrors.

"Acertaindistributionwasmadeofournumber,soastomoveinalldirectionsatthesametime.Iwillnotdwelluponparticulars.Itwillsufficetosaythatkeeneyesandindefatigablefeetbroughtusatlasttothepresenceofthelargestnumberofthesemarauders.Sevenofthemwereslainbytheedgeofabrook,wheretheysatwhollyunconsciousofthedangerwhichhungoverthem.Fiveescaped,andoneofthesesecuredhisretreatbywrestingyourfusilfromyouruncleandshootinghimdead.Beforeourcompanioncouldberescuedorrevenged,theas

sassin,withtheremnantofthetroop,disappeared,andboreawaywithhimthefusilasatrophyofhisvictory."Thisdisasterwasdeplored,notonlyonaccountofthatlifewhichhadthusbeensacrificed,butbecauseasagaciousguideandintrepidleaderwaslost.HisacquaintancewiththehabitsoftheIndians,andhisexperienceintheirwars,madehimtracetheirfootstepswithmorecertaintythananyofhisassociates.

"Thepursuitwasstillcontinued,andpartiesweresostationedthattheescapeoftheenemywasdifficult,ifnotimpossible.Oursearchwasunremitted,but,duringtwelveorfourteenhours,unsuccessful.QueenMabdidnoteludeallsuspic



ion.Herhutwasvisitedbydifferentparties,buttheoldwomanandherdogshaddisappeared.

"Meanwhileyoursituationwasnotforgotten.Everyonewaschargedtoexploreyourfootstepsaswellasthoseofthesavages;butthissearchwasnolessunsuccessfulthantheformer.Nonehadheardofyouorseenyou.

"Thiscontinuedtillmidnight.Threeofusmadeapauseatabrook,andintendedtorepairourfatiguesbyarespiteofafewhours;butscarcelyhadwestretchedourselvesonthegroundwhenwewerealarmedbyashotwhichseemedtohavebeenfiredatashortdistance.Westartedonourfeetandconsultedwitheachotheronthemeasurestobetaken.Asecond,athird,andafourthshot,fromthesamequarter,excitedourattentionanew.Mab'shutwasknowntostandatthedistanceandinthedirectionofthissound,andthitherweresolvedtorepair.

"Thiswasdonewithspeed,butwiththeutmostcircumspection.Weshortlygainedtheroadthatleadsnearthishut,andatlengthgainedaviewofthebuilding.Manypersonswerediscovered,inasortofbustlinginactivity,beforethehut.Theywereeasilydistinguishedtobefriends,andwerethereforeapproachedwithoutscruple.

"Theobjectsthatpresentedthemselvestoanearerviewwerefivebodiesstretchedupontheground.Threeofthemweresavages.Thefourthwasagirl,who,thoughalive,seemedtohavereceivedamortalwound.Thefifth,breathlessandmang

led,andhisfeaturesalmostconcealedbythebloodthatoverspreadhisface,wasEdgar,--thefugitiveforwhomIhadmadesuchanxioussearch.

"AboutthesamehouronthelastnightIhadmetyouhasteningintoNorwalk.Nowwereyoulyinginthemidstofsavages,atthedistanceofthirtymilesfromyourhome,andinaspotwhichitwasimpossibleforyoutohavereachedunlessbyanimmensecircuitoverrocksandthickets.Thatyouhadfoundariftatthebasisofahill,andthuspenetrateditssolidities,andthusprecludedsotediousandcircuitousajourneyasmustotherwisehavebeenmade,wasnottobeimagined.

"Butwhencearosethisscene?Itwasobvioustoconcludethatmyassociateshadsurprisedtheirenemiesinthishouse,andexactedfromthemtheforfeitofthei

rcrimes;buthowyoushouldhavebeenconfoundedwiththeirfoes,orwhencecamethewoundedgirl,wasasubjectofastonishment.

"YouwilljudgehowmuchthissurprisewasaugmentedwhenIwasinformedthatthepartywhomwefoundhadbeenattractedhitherbythesamesignalsbywhichwehadbeenalarmed.Thatonreachingthisspotyouhadbeendiscovered,alive,seatedontheground,andstillsustainingthegunwithwhichyouhadapparentlycompletedthedestructionofsomanyadversaries.Inamomentaftertheirarrivalyousunkdownandexpired.

"Thisscenewasattendedwithinexplicablecircumstances.Themusketwhichlaybesideyouappearedtohavebelongedtooneofthesavages.Thewoundbywhicheachhaddiedwassingle.Ofthefourshotswehaddistinguishedatadistance,th

reeofthemwerethereforefataltotheIndians,andthefourthwasdoubtlessthatbywhichyouhadfallen;yetthreemusketsonlywerediscoverable.

"Thearmswerecollected,andthegirlcarriedtothenearesthouseinthearmsofherfather.Hersituationwasdeemedcapableofremedy,andthesorrowandwonderwhichIfeltatyouruntimelyandextraordinaryfatedidnothindermefromendeavouringtorestorethehealthofthisunfortunatevictim.Ireflected,likewise,thatsomelightmightbethrownupontransactionssomysteriousbytheinformationwhichmightbecollectedfromherstory.Numberlessquestionsandhintswerenecessarytoextractfromheraconsistentorintelligibletale.Shehad



beendragged,itseems,formiles,attheheelsofherconquerors,whoatlengthstoppedinacavernforthesakeofsomerepose.Allsleptbutone,whosatandwatched.Somethingcalledhimaway,and,atthesamemoment,youappearedatthebottomofthecave,halfnakedandwithoutarms.Youinstantlysuppliedthelastdeficiencybyseizingthegunandtomahawkofhimwhohadgoneforth,andwhohadnegligentlylefthisweaponsbehind.Then,steppingoverthebodiesofthesleepers,yourushedoutofthecavern.

"Shethenmentionedyourunexpectedreturn,herdeliveranceandflight,andarrivalatDeb'shut.Youwatcheduponthehearth,andshefellasleepupontheblanket.Fromthissleepshewasarousedbyviolentandcruelblows.Shelookedup:youweregone,andthebedonwhichshelaywassurroundedbythemenfromwhomshehadsolatelyescaped.Onedraggedheroutofthehutandlevelledhisgunatherbreast.Atthemomentwhenhetouchedthetrigger,ashotcamefromanunknownquarter,andhefellatherfeet.Ofsubsequenteventsshehadanincoherentrecollection.TheIndiansweresuccessivelyslain,andyoucametoher,andinterrogatedandconsoledher.

"Inyourjourneytothehutyouwerearmed.Thisinsomedegreeaccountedforappearances:butwherewereyourarms?Threemusketsonlywerediscovered,andtheseundoubtedlybelongedtoyourenemies.

"Inowhadleisuretoreflectuponyourdestiny.IhadarrivedsoonenoughonthisshoremerelytowitnessthecatastropheoftwobeingswhomImostloved.Both

wereovertakenbythesamefate,nearlyatthesamehour.Thesamehandhadpossiblyaccomplishedthedestructionofuncleandnephew.

"Now,however,Ibegantoentertainahopethatyourstatemightnotbeirretrievable.Youhadwalkedandspokenafterthefiringhadceasedandyourenemieshadceasedtocontendwithyou.Awoundhad,nodoubt,beenpreviouslyreceived.Ihadhastilyinferredthatthewoundwasmortal,andthatlifecouldnotberecalled.Occupiedwithattentiontothewailingsofthegirl,andfullofsorrowandperplexity,Ihadadmittedanopinionwhichwouldhaveneverbeenadoptedindifferentcircumstances.Myacquaintancewithwoundswouldhavetaughtmetoregardsunkenmuscles,lividness,andcessationofthepulse,asmereindicationsofaswoon,andnotastokensofdeath.

"Perhapsmyerrorwasnotirreparable.Byhasteningtothehut,Imightascertainyourcondition,andatleasttransportyourremainstosomedwellingandfinallysecuretoyouthedecenciesofburial.

"Oftwelvesavagesdiscoveredontheprecedingday,tenwerenowkilled.Twoatleastremained,afterwhomthepursuitwasstillzealouslymaintained.Attentiontothewoundedgirlhadwithdrawnmefromtheparty,andIhadnowleisuretoreturntothesceneofthesedisasters.Thesunhadrisen,and,accompaniedbytwoothers,Irepairedthither.

"Asharpturnintheroad,attheentranceofafield,setbeforeusastartlingspectacle.AnIndian,mangledbyrepeatedwoundsofbayonetandbullet,wasdiscovered.Hismusketwasstuckintheground,bywayofbeaconattractingouratt

entiontothespot.OverthisspaceIhadgoneafewhoursbefore,andnothinglikethiswasthenseen.Thepartiesabroadhadhiedawaytoadistantquarter.Someinvisiblepowerseemedtobeenlistedinourdefenceandtoprecludethenecessityofourarms.

"Weproceededtothehut.Thesavageswerethere,butEdgarhadrisenandflown!Nothingnowseemedtobeincredible.Youhadslainthreefoes,andtheweaponwithwhichthevictoryhadbeenachievedhadvanished.Youhadrisenfromthedead,hadassailedoneofthesurvivingenemies,hademployedbulletanddaggerinhisdestruction,withbothofwhichyoucouldonlybesuppliedbysupernaturalm



omeoftheshotsaimedatyouhadreachedtheirmark,andthatyouhadsunktorisenomore.

"Thegunwhichwasfiredandthrowndownwastakenandexamined.Ithadbeenmycompanioninmanyatoilsomeexpedition.Ithadrescuedmeandmyfriendsfromathousanddeaths.Inordertorecogniseit,Ineededonlytotouchandhandleit.IinstantlydiscoveredthatIheldinmyhandthefusilwhichIhadleftwithyouonparting,withwhichyourunclehadequippedhimself,andwhichhadbeenravishedfromhimbyasavage.WhatwasIhencetoinferrespectingthepersonofthelastpossessor?

"Myinquiriesrespectingyou,ofthewomanwhosemilkandbreadyouhadeaten,wereminute.Youentered,shesaid,withahatchetandguninyourhand.Whileyouate,thegunwaslaiduponthetable.Shesatnear,andthepiecebecametheobjectofinquisitiveattention.Thestockandbarrelsweredescribedbyherinsuchtermsasleftnodoubtthatthiswasthefusil.

"Acomparisonofincidentsenabledmetotracethemannerinwhichyoucameintopossessionofthisinstrument.Oneofthosewhomyoufoundinthecavernwastheassassinofyouruncle.Accordingtothegirl'sreport,onissuingfromyourhiding-placeyouseizedagunthatwasunoccupied,andthisgunchancedtobeyourown.

"Itstwobarrelswereprobablythecauseofyoursuccessinthatunequalcontest

atMab'shut.Onrecoveringfrom_deliquium_,youfounditwhereithadbeendroppedbyyou,outofsightandunsuspectedbythepartythathadafterwardsarrived.Inyourpassagetotheriver,haditoncemorefallenintohostilehands?orhadyoumissedtheway,wanderedtothispromontory,andmistakenatroopoffriendsforabandofIndianmarauders?

"Eithersuppositionwasdreadful.Thelatterwasthemostplausible.Nomotiveswereconceivablebywhichoneofthefugitivescouldbeinducedtoposthimselfhere,inthisconspicuousstation;whereas,theroadwhichledyoutothesummitofthehill,tothatspotwheredescenttotheriver-roadwaspracticable,couldnotbefoundbutbythosewhowereaccustomedtotraverseit.Thedirectionswhichyouhadexactedfromyourhostessprovedyourpreviousunacquaintancewiththesetracts.

"Iacquiescedinthisopinionwithaheavyanddespondingheart.Fatehadledusintoamazewhichcouldonlyterminateinthedestructionofoneoroftheother.BythebreadthofahairhadIescapeddeathfromyourhand.Thesamefortunehadnotbefriendedyou.Aftermytedioussearch,Ihadlightedonyou,forlorn,bewildered,perishingwithcoldandhunger.Insteadofrecognisingandaffordingyourelief,Icompelledyoutoleapintotheriver,fromaperilousheight,andhaddesistedfrommypersecutiononlywhenIhadbereavedyouoflifeandplungedyoutothebottomofthegulf.

"MymotivesincomingtoAmericawerenumerousandmixed.Amongthesewastheparentalaffectionwithwhichyouhadinspiredme.Icamewithfortune,andabettergiftthanfortune,inmyhand.Iintendedtobestowbothuponyou,notonlyt

ogiveyoucompetence,butonewhowouldendeartoyouthatcompetence,whowouldenhance,byparticipating,everygratification.

"Myschemeswerenowatanend.Youweregone,beyondthereachofmybenevolenceandjustice.Ihadrobbedyourtwosistersofafriendandguardian.Itwassomeconsolationtothinkthatitwasinmypowertostand,withregardtothem,inyourplace;thatIcouldsnatchthemfromthepoverty,dependence,andhumiliation,towhichyourdeathandthatofyourunclehadreducedthem.

"IwasnowdoublywearyoftheenterpriseinwhichIwasengaged,andreturnedw



"Heavens!"criedI,inatransportofexultationandastonishment."Ofwhomdoyouspeak?OfthemotherofClarice?ThesisterofWiatte?Thesisteroftheruffianwholaidsnaresforherlife?WhopursuedyouandtheunhappyClitherowiththebitterestanimosity?"

Myfriendstartedatthesesoundsasiftheearthhadyawnedathisfeet.Hiscountenancewasequallysignificantofterrorandrage.Assoonasheregainedthepowerofutterance,hespoke:--"Clithero!Curseslightuponthylipsforhavingutteredthatdetestedname!ThousandsofmileshaveIflowntoshunthehearingofit.Isthemadmanhere?Haveyouseteyesuponhim?Doesheyetcrawluponthefaceoftheearth?Unhappy?Unparalleled,unheard-of,thanklessmiscreant!Hashetoldhisexecrablefalsehoodshere?HashedaredtoutternamessosacredasthoseofEuphemiaLorimerandClarice?"

"Hehas;hehastoldatalethathadalltheappearancesoftruth----"

Outuponthevillain!Thetruth!Truthwouldprovehimtobeunnatural,devilish;athingforwhichnolanguagehasyetprovidedaname!Hehascalledhimselfunhappy?Nodoubt,avictimtoinjustice!Overtakenbyunmeritedcalamity.Say!Hashefooledtheewithsuchtales?"

"No.Histalewasacatalogueofcrimesandmiseriesofwhichhewastheauthorandsufferer.Youknownothismotives,hishorrors------"

"Hisdeedsweremonstrousandinfernal.Hismotivesweresordidandflagitious.Todisplayalltheiruglinessandinfamywasnothisprovince.No;hedidnottellyouthathestoleatmidnighttothechamberofhismistress;awomanwhoastonishedtheworldbyherloftinessandmagnanimity,byindefatigablebeneficenceandunswervingequity;whohadlavishedonthiswretch,whomshesnatchedfromthedirt,allthegoodsoffortune,allthebenefitsofeducation;allthetreasuresoflove;everyprovocationtogratitude;everystimulanttojustice.

"Hedidnottellyouthat,inrecompenseforeverybenefit,hestoleuponhersleepandaimedadaggeratherbreast.Therewasnoroomforflight,orambiguity,orprevarication.Shewhomhemeanttomurderstoodnear,sawtheliftedweapon,andheardhimconfessandgloryinhispurposes.

"Nowonderthattheshockberefther,foratime,oflife.Theintervalwasseizedbytheruffiantoeffecthisescape.Therebukesofjusticewereshunnedbyawretchconsciousofhisinexpiableguilt.Thesethingshehashiddenfromyou,andhassuppliedtheirplacebyatalespeciousasfalse."

"No.Amongthenumberofhiscrimes,hypocrisyisnottobenumbered.Thesethingsarealreadyknowntome:hesparedhimselftoolittleinthenarrative.Theexcellenciesofhislady,herclaimstogratitudeandveneration,wereurgedbeyondtheirtruebounds.Hisattemptsuponherlifewererelated.Itistruethathedesiredandendeavouredtodestroyher."

"How?Hashetoldyouthis?"

"Hehastoldmeall.Alas!thecriminalintentionhasbeenamplyexpiated."

"Whatmeanyou?Whenceandhowcamehehither?Whereishenow?Iwillnotoccupythesameland,thesameworld,withhim.Havethiswomanandherdaughterlightedontheshorehauntedbythisinfernalandimplacableenemy?"

"Alas!Itisdoubtfulwhetherheexists.Ifhelives,heisnolongertobefeared;buthelivesnot.Famineandremorsehaveutterlyconsumedhim."

"Famine?Remorse?Youtalkinriddles."



"Hehasimmuredhimselfinthedesert.Hehasabjuredtheintercourseofmankind.Hehasshuthimselfincavernswherefaminemustinevitablyexpeditethatdeathforwhichhelongsastheonlysolaceofhiswoes.Tonoimaginationarehisoffencesblackerandmoreodiousthantohisown.Ihadhopesofrescuinghimfromthisfate,butmyowninfirmitiesanderrorshaveaffordedmesufficientoccupation."

Sarsefieldrenewedhisimprecationsonthememoryofthatunfortunateman,andhisinquiriesastothecircumstancesthatledhimintothisremotedistrict.Hisinquirieswerenottobeansweredbyoneinmypresentcondition.Mylanguorsandfatigueshadnowgainedapitchthatwasinsupportable.Thewoundinmyfacehadbeenchafedandinflamedbythecoldwaterandthebleakair;andthepainattendingitwouldnolongersuffermyattentiontostray.Isunkuponthefloor,andentreatedhimtoaffordmetherespiteofafewhours'repose.

Hewassensibleofthedeplorablenessofmycondition,andchidhimselfforthenegligenceofwhichhehadalreadybeenguilty.Heliftedmetothebed,anddeliberatedonthemodeheshouldpursueformyrelief.Somemollifyingapplicationtomywoundwasimmediatelynecessary;but,inourpresentlonelycondition,itwasnotathand.Itcouldonlybeprocuredfromadistance.Itwasproperthereforetohastentothenearestinhabiteddwelling,whichbelongedtoonebynameWalton,andsupplyhimselfwithsuchmedicinesascouldbefound.

Meanwhile,therewasnodangerofmolestationandintrusion.Therewasreasontoexpectthespeedyreturnofthosewhohadgoneinpursuitofthesavages.Thiswastheirplaceofrendezvous,andhithertheyappointedtoreassemblebeforethemorrow'sdawn.Thedistanceoftheneighbouringfarmwassmall,andSarsefieldpromisedtobeexpeditious.Heleftmetomyselfandmyownruminations.

Harassedbyfatigueandpain,Ihadyetpowertoruminateonthatseriesofunparalleledeventsthathadlatelyhappened.Iwept,butmytearsflowedfromadoublesource:fromsorrow,onaccountoftheuntimelyfateofmyuncle,andfromjoy,thatmysisterswerepreserved,thatSarsefieldhadreturnedandwasnotunhappy.

IreflectedontheuntowarddestinyofClithero.Partofhiscalamityconsisted

intheconsciousnessofhavingkilledhispatroness;butitnowappeared,thoughbysomeinfatuationIhadnotpreviouslysuspected,thatthefirstimpulseofsorrowintheladyhadbeenweakenedbyreflectionandbytime;thattheprejudicepersuadingherthatherlifeandthatofherbrotherweretoendureandtoterminatetogetherwasconqueredbyexperienceorbyargument.Shehadcome,incompanywithSarsefieldandClarice,toAmerica.WhatinfluencemighttheseeventshaveuponthegloomymeditationsofClithero?Wasitpossibletobringthemtogether;towinthemaniacfromhissolitude,wrestfromhimhisfatalpurposes,andrestorehimtocommunionwiththebeingswhoseimaginedindignationisthetormentofhislife?

Thesemusingswereinterruptedbyasoundfrombelow,whichwaseasilyinterpretedintotokensofthereturnofthosewithwhomSarsefieldhadpartedatthepro

montory.Voiceswereconfusedandbusy,butnotturbulent.Theyenteredthelowerroom,andthemotionofchairsandtablesshowedthattheywerepreparingtorestthemselvesaftertheirtoils.

Fewofthemwereunacquaintedwithme,sincetheyprobablywereresidentsinthisdistrict.Noinconvenience,therefore,wouldfollowfromaninterview,though,ontheirpart,whollyunexpected.Besides,Sarsefieldwouldspeedilyreturn,andnoneofthepresentvisitantswouldbelikelytowithdrawtothisapartment.

Meanwhile,Ilayuponthebed,withmyfaceturnedtowardsthedoor,andlanguid



lygazingattheceilingandWalls.Justthenamusketwasdischargedintheroombelow.Theshockaffectedmemechanically,andthefirstimpulseofsurprisemademealmoststartuponmyfeet.

Thesoundwasfollowedbyconfusionandbustle.Somerushedforthandcalledoneachothertorundifferentways,andthewords,"Thatishe,"--"Stophim!"werespokeninatoneofeagernessandrage.Myweaknessandpainwereforamomentforgotten,andmywholeattentionwasbenttodiscoverthemeaningofthishubbub.ThemusketwhichIhadbroughtwithmetothischamberlayacrossthebed.Unknowingoftheconsequencesofthisaffraywithregardtomyself,Iwasprompted,byakindofself-preservinginstinct,tolayholdofthegunandpreparetorepelanyattackthatmightbemadeuponme.

Afewmomentselapsed,whenIthoughtIheardlightfootstepsintheentryleadingtothisroom.Ihadnotimetoconstruethesesignals,but,watchingfearfullytheentrance,Igraspedmyweaponwithnewforce,andraiseditsoastobereadyatthemomentofmydanger.Ididnotwatchlong.Afigurecautiouslythrustitselfforward.ThefirstglancewassufficienttoinformmethatthisintruderwasanIndian,and,ofconsequence,anenemy.Hewasunarmed.Lookingeagerlyonallsides,heatlastspiedmeasIlay.Myappearancethrewhimintoconsternation,and,afterthefluctuationofaninstant,hedartedtothewindow,threwupthesash,andleapedoutupontheground.

Hisflightmighthavebeeneasilyarrestedbymyshot,butsurprise,addedtomy

habitualantipathytobloodshedunlessincasesofabsolutenecessity,mademehesitate.Hewasgone,andIwaslefttomarktheprogressofthedrama.Thesilencewaspresentlybrokenbyfiringatadistance.Threeshots,inquicksuccession,werefollowedbythedeepestpause.

Thattheparty,recentlyarrived,hadbroughtwiththemoneormorecaptives,andthatbysomesuddenefforttheprisonershadattemptedtoescape,wastheonlysuppositionthatIcouldform.Bywrhatmotiveseitherofthemcouldbeinducedtoseekconcealmentinmychambercouldnotbeimagined.

Inowheardasinglesteponthethresholdbelow.Someoneenteredthecommonroom.Hetraversedthefloorduringafewminutes,andthen,ascendingthestaircase,heenteredmychamber.ItwasSarsefield.Troubleanddismaywerestronglyw

rittenonhiscountenance.Heseemedtotallyunconsciousofmypresence;hiseyeswerefixeduponthefloor,and,ashecontinuedtomoveacrosstheroom,heheavedforthdeepsighs.

Thisdeportmentwasmournfulandmysterious.Itwaslittleinunisonwiththoseappearanceswhichheworeatourparting,andmusthavebeensuggestedbysomeeventthathadsincehappened.Mycuriosityimpelledmetorecallhimfromhisreverie.Irose,and,seizinghimbythearm,lookedathimwithanairofinquisitiveanxiety.Itwasneedlesstospeak.

Henoticedmymovement,and,turningtowardsme,spokeinatoneofsomeresentment:--"Whydidyoudeceiveme?DidyounotsayClitherowasdead?"

"Isaidsobecauseitwasmybelief.Knowyouanythingtothecontrary?Heavengrantthatheisstillalive,andthatourmutualeffortsmayrestorehimtopeace!"

"Heavengrant,"repliedmyfriend,withavehemencethatbordereduponfury,--"Heavengrantthathemaylivethousandsofyears,andknownot,intheirlongcourse,amoment'srespitefromremorseandfromanguish!Butthisprayerisfruitless.Heisnotdead,butdeathhoversoverhim.Shouldhelive,hewillliveonlytodefyjusticeandperpetratenewhorrors.Myskillmightperhapssavehim,butafingershallnotbemovedtoaverthisfate.



"LittledidIthinkthatthewretchwhommyfriendsrescuedfromthepowerofthesavages,andbroughtwoundedandexpiringhither,wasClithero.Theysentformeinhastetoaffordhimsurgicalassistance.Ifoundhimstretcheduponthefloorbelow,deserted,helpless,andbleeding.ThemomentIbeheldhim,hewasrecognised.Thelastofevilswastolookuponthefaceofthisassassin;butthatevilispast,andshallneverbeenduredagain.

"Rise,andcomewithme.AccommodationispreparedforyouatWalcot's.Letusleavethishouse,and,themomentyouareabletoperformajourney,abandonforeverthisdistrict."

Icouldnotreadilyconsenttothisproposal.Clitherohadbeendeliveredfromcaptivity,butwasdyingforwantofthataidwhichSarsefieldwasabletoafford.Wasitnotinhumantodeserthiminthisextremity?Whatoffencehadhecommittedthatdeservedsuchimplacablevengeance?NothingIhadheardfromSarsefieldwasincontradictiontohisownstory.Hisdeed,imperfectlyobserved,wouldappeartobeatrociousanddetestable;buttheviewofallitsantecedentandaccompanyingeventsandmotiveswouldsurelyplaceitinthelist,notofcrimes,butofmisfortunes.

Butwrhatisthatguiltwhichnopenitencecanexpiate?HadnotClithero'sremorsebeenmorethanadequatetocrimesfarmoredeadlyandenormousthanthis?This,however,wasnotimetoarguewiththepassionsofSarsefield.Nothingbuta

repetitionofClithero'stalecouldvanquishhisprepossessionsandmollifyhisrage;butthisrepetitionwasimpossibletobegivenbyme,tillamomentofsafetyandcomposure.

Thesethoughtsmademelinger,buthinderedmefromattemptingtochangethedeterminationofmyfriend.Herenewedhisimportunitiesformetoflywithhim.Hedraggedmebythearm,and,waveringandreluctant,Ifollowedwherehechosetolead.Hecrossedthecommonroom,withhurriedsteps,andeyesavertedfromafigurewhichinstantlyfastenedmyattention.

ItwasindeedClitherowhomInowbeheld,supine,pollutedwithblood,hiseyesclosed,andapparentlyinsensible.Thisobjectwasgazedatwithemotionsthatrootedmetothespot.Sarsefield,perceivingmedeterminedtoremainwhereIwas

,rushedoutofthehouse,anddisappeared.ChapterXXVII.

Ihungovertheunhappywretch,whoseemaciatedformandruefulfeaturessufficientlybespokethatsavagehandshadonlycompletedthatdestructionwhichhismiserieshadbegun.Hewasmangledbythetomahawkinashockingmanner,andtherewaslittlehopethathumanskillcouldsavehislife.

Iwassensibleofnothingbutcompassion.Iactedwithoutdesign,when,seatingmyselfonthefloor,Iraisedhisheadandplaceditonmyknees.Thismovementawakenedhisattention,and,openinghiseyes,hefixedthemonmycountenance.Theytestifiedneitherinsensibility,norhorror,nordistraction.Afaintemotionofsurprisegavewaytoanappearanceoftranquillity.Havingperceivedthese

tokensofastatelesshopelessthanIatfirstimagined,Ispoketohim:--"Myfriend,howdoyoufeel?Cananythingbedoneforyou?"

HeansweredmeinatonemorefirmandwithInorecoherenceofideasthanpreviousappearanceshadtaughtmetoexpect."No,"saidhe;"thykindness,goodyouth,canavailmenothing.Theendofmyexistencehereisathand.MaymyguiltbeexpiatedbythemiseriesthatIhavesuffered,andmygooddeedsonlyattendmetothepresenceofmydivineJudge!

"Iamwaiting,notwithtremblingordismay,forthiscloseofmysorrows.Ibre



athedbutoneprayer,andthatprayerhasbeenanswered.Iaskedforaninterviewwiththee,youngman;but,feelingasInowfeel,thisinterview,somuchdesired,wasbeyondmyhope.Nowthouartcome,indueseason,tohearthelastwordsthatIshallneedtoutter.

"Iwantedtoassuretheethatthyeffortsformybenefitwerenotuseless.Theyhavesavedmefrommurderingmyself,aguiltmoreinexpiablethananywhichitwasinmypowertocommit.

"IretiredtotheinnermostrecessofNorwalk,andgainedthesummitofahill,bysubterraneanpaths.ThishillIknewtobeonallsidesinaccessibletohumanfootsteps,andthesubterraneanpassageswereclosedupbystones.HereIbelievedmysolitudeexemptfrominterruption,andmydeath,inconsequenceoffamine,sure.

"Thispersuasionwasnottakenawaybyyourappearanceontheoppositesteep.ThechasmwhichseveredusIknewtobeimpassable.Iwithdrewfromyoursight.

"Sometimeafter,awakeningfromalongsleep,Ifoundvictualsbesideme.Hethatbroughtitwasinvisible.Foratime,Idoubtedwhethersomemessengerofheavenhadnotinterposedformysalvation.Howotherthanbysupernaturalmeansmyretreatshouldbeexplored,Iwasunabletoconceive.Thesummitwasencompassedbydizzyandprofoundgulfs,andthesubterraneanpassageswerestillclosed.

"Thisopinion,thoughcorrectedbysubsequentreflection,tendedtochangethecourseofmydesperatethoughts.Myhunger,thusimportunatelyurged,wouldnotabstain,andIateofthefoodthatwasprovided.HenceforthIdeterminedtolive,toresumethepathofobscurityandlabourwhichIhadrelinquished,andwaittillmyGodshouldsummonmetoretribution.Toanticipatehiscallisonlytoredoubleourguilt.

"IdesignednottoreturntoInglefield'sservice,buttochoosesomeotherandremoterdistrict.Meanwhile,Ihadleftinhispossessionatreasure,whichmydeterminationtodiehadrenderedofnovalue,butwhichmychangeofresolutionrestored.EnclosedinaboxatInglefield'sw^erethememoirsofEuphemiaLorimer,bywhich,inallmyvicissitudes,Ihadbeenhithertoaccompanied,andfromwhichIconsentedtopartonlybecauseIhadrefusedtolive.Myexistencewasno

wtobeprolonged,andthismanuscriptwasoncemoretoconstitutethetormentandthesolaceofmybeing.

"IhastenedtoInglefield'sbynight.Therewasnoneedtowarnhimofmypurpose.Idesiredthatmyfateshouldbeaneternalsecrettomyancientmasterandhisneighbours.Theapartmentcontainingmyboxwaswellknown,andeasilyaccessible.

"Theboxwasfound,butbrokenandrifledofitstreasure.Mytransportsofastonishment,andindignation,andgrief,yieldedtotheresumptionofmyfatalpurpose.Ihastenedbacktothehill,anddeterminedanewtoperish.

"Thismoodcontinuedtotheeveningoftheensuingday.Wanderingoverrocksand

pits,Idiscoveredthemanuscriptlyingunderajuttingprecipice.ThechancethatbroughtithitherwasnotlesspropitiousandmiraculousthanthatbywhichIhadbeensuppliedwithfood.Itproducedasimilareffectuponmyfeelings,and,whileinpossessionofthismanuscript,Iwasreconciledtothemeansoflife.Ileftthemountain,and,traversingthewilderness,stoppedinChetasco.ThatkindofemploymentwhichIsoughtwasinstantlyprocured;butmynewvocationwasscarcelyassumedwhenabandofsavagesinvadedoursecurity.

"Ramblinginthedesertbymoonlight,Iencounteredthesefoes.Theyrusheduponme,and,afternumerouswounds,whichforthepresentneitherkillednordisabl



edme,theycompelledmetokeeppacewiththemintheirretreat.Somehourshavepassedsincethetroopwasovertakenandmylibertyredeemed.Hardships,andrepeatedwounds,inflictedatthemomentwhentheinvadersweresurprisedandslain,havebroughtmetomypresentcondition.Irejoicethatmycourseisabouttoterminate."

Herethespeakerwasinterruptedbythetumultuousentranceofthepartybywhomhehadbeenbroughthither.Theirastonishmentatseeingmesustainingtheheadofthedyingmanmaybeeasilyconceived.Theirsurprisewasmorestronglyexcitedbythedisappearanceofthecaptivewhomtheyhadleftinthisapartment,boundhandandfoot.Itnowappearedthat,ofthesavagetroopwhohadadventuredthusfarinsearchofpillageandblood,allhadbeendestroyedbuttwo,whohadbeenledhitherasprisoners.Ontheirentranceintothishouse,oneofthepartyhadbeensenttoWalcot'stosummonSarsefieldtotheaidofthewoundedman,whileothershadgoneinsearchofcordstosecurethearmsandlegsofthecaptives,whohadhithertobeenmanacledimperfectly.

Thecordswerebroughtandoneofthemwasbound;buttheother,beforethesameoperationwasbegunuponhim,broke,byasuddeneffort,thefeebleligaturesbywhichhewasatpresentconstrained,and,seizingamusketthatlaynearhim,firedonhisenemies,andthenrushedoutofdoors.Alleagerlyengagedinthepursuit.Thesavagewasfleetasadeer,andfinallyeludedhispursuers.

Whiletheirattentionwasthusengagedabroad,hethatremainedfoundmeanstoe

xtricatehiswristsandanklesfromhisbonds,and,betakinghimselftothestairs,escaped,asIbeforedescribed,throughthewindowoftheroomwhichIhadoccupied.Theypesteredmewiththeircuriosityandwonder,forIwasknowntoallofthem;but,waivingthediscussionofmyownconcerns,IentreatedtheirassistancetocarryClitherotothechamberandthebedwhichIhadjustdeserted.

Inow,inspiteofpain,fatigue,andwatchfulness,setouttogotoWalton's.Sarsefieldwasreadytoreceivemeatthedoor,andthekindnessandcompassionofthefamilywereactiveinmybehalf.Iwasconductedtoachamberandprovidedwithsuitableattendanceandremedies.

IwasnotunmindfulofthemoredeplorableconditionofClithero.Iincessantlymeditatedonthemeansforhisrelief.Hiscasestoodinneedofallthevigilan

ceandskillofaphysician,andSarsefieldwastheonlyoneofthatprofessionwhoseaidcouldbeseasonablyadministered.Sarsefield,therefore,mustbepersuadedtobestowthisaid.

Therewasbutonemodeofconqueringhisabhorrenceofthisman,--toprepossessmyfriendwiththebeliefoftheinnocenceofClithero,ortosoothehimintopitybyapictureofremorseandsuffering.Thiscouldbedone,andinthemannermostconformabletotruth,byasimplerecitaloftheincidentsthathadbefallen,andbyrepeatingtheconfessionwhichhadbeenextortedfromClithero.

Irequestedallbutmyfriendtoleavemychamber,andthen,solicitingapatienthearing,beganthenarrativeofWaldegrave'sdeath;ofthedetectionofClitherobeneaththeshadeoftheelm;ofthesuspicionswhichwerethenceproduced;a

ndoftheforestinterviewtowhichthesesuspicionsgavebirth.Ithenrepeated,withoutvariationoraddition,thetalewhichwasthentold.IlikewisementionedmysubsequenttransactionsinNorwalk,sofarastheyillustratedthedestinyofClithero.

Duringthisrecital,IfixedmyeyesuponthecountenanceofSarsefield,andwatchedeveryemotionasitaroseordeclined.Withtheprogressofmytale,hisindignationandhisfurygrewless,andatlengthgaveplacetohorrorandcompassion.



Hisseatbecameuneasy;hispulsethrobbedwithnewvehemence.WhenIcametothemotiveswhichpromptedtheunhappymantovisitthechamberofhismistress,hestartedfromhisseat,andsometimesstrodeacrossthefloorinatroubledmood,andsometimesstoodbeforeme,withhisbreathalmostsuspendedintheeagernessofhisattention.WhenImentionedthelifteddagger,theshriekfrombehind,andtheapparitionthatinterposed,heshudderedanddrewback,asifadaggerhadbeenaimedathisbreast.

Whenthetalewasdone,sometimeelapsedinmutualandprofoundsilence.Myfriend'sthoughtswereinvolvedinamournfulandindefinablereverie.Fromthisheatlengthrecoveredandspoke:--

"Itistrue.Atalelikethiscouldneverbethefruitofinvention,orbeinventedtodeceive.Hehasdonehimselfinjustice.Hischaracterwasspotlessandfair.Allhismoralpropertiesseemedtohaveresolvedthemselvesintogratitude,fidelity,andhonour.

"Wepartedatthedoor,lateintheevening,ashementioned,andheguessedtrulythatsubsequentreflectionhadinducedmetoreturnandtodisclosethetruthtoMrs.Lorimer.Clarice,relievedbythesuddendeathofherfriend,andunexpectedlybyall,arrivedatthesamehour.

"Thesetidingsastonished,afflicted,anddelightedthelady.Herbrother'sdeathhadbeenlongbelievedbyallbutherself.Tofindherdoubtsverified,andhi

sexistenceascertained,wasthedearestconsolationthatheevercouldbestow.Shewasafflictedattheproofsthathadbeennotedofthecontinuanceofhisdepravity,butshedreadednodangertoherselffromhismalignityorvengeance.

"Theignoranceandprepossessionsofthiswomanwereremarkable.Onthissubjectonlyshewasperverse,headstrong,obstinate.Heranxietytobenefitthisarchruffianoccupiedherwholethoughts,andallowedhernotimetoreflectuponthereasoningsorremonstrancesofothers.Shecouldnotbeprevailedontodenyherselftohisvisits,andIpartedfromherintheutmostperplexity.

"Amessengercametomeatmidnight,entreatingmyimmediatepresence.Somedisasterhadhappened,butofwhatkindthemessengerwasunabletotell.MyfearseasilyconjureduptheimageofWiatte.Terrorscarcelyallowedmetobreathe.Wh

enIenteredthehouseofMrs.Lorimer,Iwasconductedtoherchamber.Shelayuponthebedinastateofstupefaction,thatarosefromsomementalcause.Claricesatbyher,wringingherhands,andpouringforthhertearswithoutintermission.Neithercouldexplaintomethenatureofthescene.Imadeinquiriesoftheservantsandattendants.Theymerelysaidthatthefamilyasusualhadretiredtorest,buttheirlady'sbellrungwithgreatviolence,andcalledtheminhastetoherchamber,wheretheyfoundherinaswoonuponthefloor,andtheyoungladyintheutmostaffrightandperturbation.

"Suitablemeansbeingused,Mrs.Lorimerhad,atlength,recovered,butwasstillnearlyinsensible.IwenttoClithero'sapartments;buthewasnottobefound,andthedomesticsinformedmethat,sincehehadgonewithme,hehadnotreturned.Thedoorsbetweenthischamberandthecourtwereopen;hence,thatsomed

readfulinterviewhadtakenplace,perhapswithWiatte,wasanunavoidableconjecture.Hehadwithdrawn,however,withoutcommittinganypersonalinjury.

"Ineednotmentionmyreflectionsuponthisscene.Allwastormentingdoubtandsuspense,tillthemorningarrived,andtidingswerereceivedthatWiattehadbeenkilledinthestreets.ThiseventwasantecedenttothatwhichhadoccasionedMrs.Lorimer'sdistressandalarm.Inowrememberedthatfatalprepossessionbywhichtheladywasgoverned,andherfranticbeliefthatherdeathandthatofherbrotherweretofalloutatthesametime.Couldsomewitnessofhisdeathhavebroughthertidingsofit?Hadhepenetrated,unexpectedandunlicensed,to



herchamber?andwerethesetheeffectsproducedbytheintelligence?

"PresentlyIknewthatnotonlyWiattewasdead,butthatClitherohadkilledhim.Clitherohadnotbeenknowntoreturn,andwasnowheretobefound.He,then,wasthebearerofthesetidings,fornonebuthecouldhavefoundaccessoregresswithoutdisturbingtheservants.

"Thesedoubtswereatlengthatanend.Inabrokenandconfusedmanner,andafterthelapseofsomedays,themonstrousandportentoustruthwasdisclosed.Afterourinterview,theladyandherdaughterhadretiredtothesamechamber;theformerhadwithdrawntohercloset,andthelattertobed.Someone'sentrancealarmedthelady,and,comingforthafteramoment'spause,thespectaclewhichClitherohastoofaithfullydescribedpresenteditself.

"WhatcouldIthink?Alifeofuniformhypocrisy,orasuddenlossofreason,weretheonlysuppositionstobeformed.Clitherowastheparentoffuryandabhorrenceinmyheart.IneithercaseIstartedatthename.Ishudderedattheimageoftheapostateorthemaniac.

"What?Killthebrotherwhoseexistencewasinterwovenwiththatofhisbenefactressandhisfriend?Thenhastentoherchamber,andattemptherlife?Liftadaggertodestroyherwhohadbeentheauthorofhisbeingandhishappiness?

"Hethatcouldmeditateadeedlikethiswasnolongerman.Anagentfromhellh

admasteredhisfaculties.Hewasbecometheengineofinfernalmalice,againstwhomitwasthedutyofallmankindtoriseupinarmsandnevertodesisttill,byshatteringittoatoms,itspowertoinjurewastakenaway.

"Allinquiriestodiscovertheplaceofhisretreatwerevain.Nowonder,methought,thathewrappedhimselfinthefoldsofimpenetrablesecrecy.Curbed,checked,baffledinthemidstofhiscareer,nowonderthatheshrunkintoobscurity,thathefledfromjusticeandrevenge,thathedarednotmeettherebukesofthateyewhich,dissolvingintendernessorflashingwithdisdain,hadeverbeenirresistible.

"ButhowshallIdescribethelady'scondition?Clitheroshehadcherishedfromhisinfancy.Hewasthestay,theconsolation,theprideofherlife.Hisprojec

tedalliancewithherdaughtermadehimstillmoredear.Hereloquencewasnevertiredofexpatiatingonhispurityandrectitude.Nowonderthatshedelightedinthistheme,forhewasherownwork.Hisvirtueswerethecreaturesofherbounty.

"Howhardtobeenduredwasthissadreverse!Shecanbetranquil,butnevermorewillshebehappy.Topromoteherforgetfulnessofhim,Ipersuadedhertoleavehercountry,whichcontainedathousandmemorialsofpastcalamity,andwhichwaslapsingfastintocivilbroils.Claricehasaccompaniedus,andtimemayeffectthehappinessofothersbyhermeans,thoughshecanneverremovethemelancholyofhermother.

"Ihavelistenedtoyourtale,notwithoutcompassion.Whatwouldyouhavemeto

do?Toprolonghislifewouldbemerelytoprotracthismisery.

"Hecanneverberegardedwithcomplacencybymywife.HecanneverbethoughtofwithoutshudderingbyClarice.Commonillsarenotwithoutacurelessthandeath,buthereallremediesarevain.Consciousnessitselfisthemalady,thepest,ofwhichheonlyiscuredwhoceasestothink."

Icouldnotbutassenttothismournfulconclusion:yet,thoughdeathwasbettertoClitherothanlife,couldnotsomeofhismistakesberectified?EuphemiaLorimer,contrarytohisbelief,wasstillalive.Hedreamedthatshewasdead,an



dathousandevilswereimaginedtoflowfromthatdeath.Thisdeath,anditsprogenyofills,hauntedhisfancy,andaddedkeennesstohisremorse.Wasitnotourdutytorectifythiserror?

Sarsefieldreluctantlyassentedtothetruthofmyargumentsonthishead.Heconsentedtoreturn,andaffordthedyingmantheconsolationofknowingthatthebeingwhomheadoredasabenefactorandparenthadnotbeendeprivedofexistence,thoughbereftofpeacebyhisact.

DuringSarsefield'sabsencemymindwasbusyinrevolvingtheincidentsthathadjustoccurred.IruminatedonthelastwordsofClithero.Therewassomewhatinhisnarrativethatwasobscureandcontradictory.Hehadleftthemanuscript,whichhesomuchandsojustlyprized,inhiscabinet.Heenteredthechamberinmyabsence,andfoundthecabinetunfastenedandthemanuscriptgone.ItwasIbywhomthecabinetwasopened;butthemanuscriptsupposedtobecontainedinitwasburiedintheearthbeneaththeelm.HowshouldClitherobeunacquaintedwithitssituation,sincenonebutClitherocouldhavedugforitthisgrave?

ThismysteryvanishedwhenIreflectedonthehistoryofmyownmanuscript.Clitherohadburiedhistreasurewithhisownhands,asminehadbeensecretedbymyself;butbothactshadbeenperformedduringsleep.Thedeedwasneitherpromptedbythewillnornoticedbythesensesofhimbywhomitwasdone.Disastrousandhumiliatingisthestateofman!Byhisownhandsisconstructedthemassofmiseryanderrorinwhichhisstepsareforeverinvolved.

Thusitwaswiththyfriend.Hurriedonbyphantomstooindistincttobenowrecalled,Iwanderedfrommychambertothedesert.Iplungedintosomeunvisitedcavern,andeasilyproceededtillIreachedtheedgeofapit.Theremystepwasdeceived,andItumbledheadlongfromtheprecipice.Thefallbereavedmeofsense,andIcontinuedbreathlessandmotionlessduringtheremainderofthenightandtheensuingday.

Howlittlecognizancehavemenovertheactionsandmotivesofeachother!Howtotalisourblindnesswithregardtoourownperformances!Whowouldhavesoughtmeinthebowelsofthismountain?Agesmighthavepassedaway,beforemyboneswouldbediscoveredinthistombbysometravellerwhomcuriosityhadpromptedtoexploreit.

IwasrousedfromthesereflectionsbySarsefield'sreturn.InquiringintoClithero'scondition,heansweredthattheunhappymanwasinsensible,butthat,notwithstandingnumerousanddreadfulgashesindifferentpartsofhisbody,itwaspossiblethat,bysubmittingtothenecessarytreatment,hemightrecover.

Encouragedbythisinformation,IendeavouredtoawakenthezealandcompassionofmyfriendinClithero'sbehalf.Herecoiledwithinvoluntaryshudderingfromanytaskwhichwouldconfinehimtothepresenceofthisman.Timeandreflection,hesaid,mightintroducedifferentsentimentsandfeelings,butatpresenthecouldnotbutregardthispersonasamaniac,whosediseasewasirremediable,andwhoseexistencecouldnotbeprotractedbuttohisownmiseryandthemiseryofothers.

FindinghimirreconcilablyaversetoanyschemeconnectedwiththewelfareofClithero,Ibegantothinkthathisassistanceasasurgeonwasbynomeansnecessary.Hehaddeclaredthatthesuffererneedednothingmorethancommontreatment;andtothistheskillofascoreofagedwomeninthisdistrict,furnishedwithsimplesculledfromtheforest,andpointedout,ofoldtime,byIndianleeches,wasnolessadequatethanthatofSarsefield.Thesewomenwerereadyandofficiousintheircharity,andnoneofthemwereprepossessedagainstthesuffererbyaknowledgeofhisgenuinestory.



ginedthattheScotsmanwhobuiltithadreturned;but,makingcloserinquiries,Ifoundthatthenewtenantwasmyservant.Ihadnoinclinationtovisithimmyself,butfrequentlyinquiredrespectinghimofthosewholivedorpassedthatway,andfindthathestilllivesthere."

"Buthow!"saidI:"whatishismodeofsubsistence?Thewinterhasbeennotimeforcultivation;andhefound,Ipresume,nothingintheground."

"Deb'shut,"repliedmyfriend,"ishislodgingandhisplaceofretirement,butfoodandclothingheprocuresbylabouringonaneighbouringfarm.ThisfarmisnexttothatofBeddington,whoconsequentlyknowssomethingofhispresentsituation.Ifindlittleornodifferenceinhispresentdeportmentandthoseappearanceswhichheassumedwhilelivingwithme,exceptthatheretireseverynighttohishut,andholdsaslittleintercourseaspossiblewiththerestofmankind.Hedinesathisemployer'stable;buthissupper,whichisnothingbutrye-bread,hecarrieshomewithhim,and,atallthosetimeswhendisengagedfromemployment,hesecludeshimselfinhishut,orwandersnobodyknowswhither."

ThiswasthesubstanceofInglefield'sintelligence.Igleanedfromitsomesatisfaction.ItprovedtheconditionofGlitherotobelessdeplorableanddesperatethanIhadpreviouslyimagined.Hisfatalandgloomythoughtsseemedtohavesomewhatyieldedtotranquillity.

Inthecourseofmyreflections,however,Icouldnotbutperceivethathiscond

ition,thougheligiblewhencomparedwithwhatitoncewas,waslikewisedisastrousandhumiliating,comparedwithhisyouthfulhopesandhisactualmerits.Forsuchaonetomopeawayhislifeinthisunsocialandsavagestatewasdeeplytobedeplored.Itwasmyduty,ifpossible,toprevailonhimtorelinquishhisscheme.Andwhatwouldberequisite,forthatend,buttoinformhimofthetruth?

Thesourceofhisdejectionwasthegroundlessbeliefthathehadoccasionedthedeathofhisbenefactress.Itwasthisalonethatcouldjustlyproduceremorseorgrief.Itwasadistemperedimaginationbothinhimandinmethathadgivenbirthtothisopinion,sincethetermsofhisnarrative,impartiallyconsidered,werefarfromimplyingthatcatastrophe.Tohim,however,theevidencewhichhepossessedwasincontestable.Nodeductionsfromprobabilitycouldoverthrowhis

belief.Thiscouldonlybeeffectedbysimilarandcounterevidence.Toapprizehimthatshewasnowalive,inpossessionofsomedegreeofhappiness,thewifeofSarsefield,andanactualresidentonthisshore,woulddissipatethesanguinaryapparitionthathauntedhim,curehisdiseasedintellects,andrestorehimtothosevocationsforwhichhistalents,andthatrankinsocietyforwhichhiseducation,hadqualifiedhim.Influencedbythesethoughts,Ideterminedtovisithisretreat.BeingobligedtoleaveSolesburythenextday,Iresolvedtosetoutthesameafternoon,and,stoppinginChetascoforthenight,seekhishabitationatthehourwhenhehadprobablyretiredtoit.

Thiswasdone.IarrivedatBeddington'satnightfall.MyinquiriesrespectingClitheroobtainedformethesameintelligencefromhimwhichIhadreceivedfromInglefield.Deb'shutwasthreemilesfromthishabitation,andthither,whent

heeveninghadsomewhatadvanced,Irepaired.Thiswasthespotwhichhadwitnessedsomanyperilsduringthelastyear;andmyemotions,onapproachingit,wereawful.WithpalpitatingheartandquickstepsItraversedtheroad,skirtedoneachsidebythickets,andtheareabeforethehouse.ThedwellingwasbynomeansinsoruinousastateaswhenIlastvisitedit.Thecranniesbetweenthelogshadbeenfilledup,andthelightwithinwasperceivableonlyatacreviceinthedoor.

Lookingthroughthiscrevice,Iperceivedafireinthechimney,buttheobjectofmyvisitwasnowheretobeseen.Iknockedandrequestedadmission,butnoan



AtthesewordsClitherostartedfromtheground,andcastuponmelooksoffuriousindignation."Andcomeyouhither,"hemuttered,"forthisend?--torecountmyoffencesanddrivemeagaintodespair?"

"No,"answeredI,withquickness;"Icometooutrootafatalbutpowerfulillusion.Icometoassureyouthatthewomanwithwhosedestructionyouchargeyourselfisnotdead."

Thesewords,utteredwiththemostemphaticalsolemnity,merelyproducedlooksinwhichcontemptwasmingledwithanger.Hecontinuedsilent.

"Iperceive,"resumedI,"thatmywordsaredisregarded.WouldtoHeavenIwereabletoconqueryourincredulity,couldshowyounotonlythetruthbuttheprobabilityofmytale!Canyounotconfideinme?thatEuphemiaLorimerisnowalive,ishappy,isthewifeofSarsefield?thatherbrotherisforgottenandhismurdererregardedwithoutenmityorvengeance?"

Helookedatmewithastrangeexpressionofcontempt."Come,"saidhe,atlength;"makeoutthyassertiontobetrue.Fallonthyknees,andinvokethethunderofHeaventolightonthyheadifthywordsbefalse.SwearthatEuphemiaLorimerisalive;happy;forgetfulofWiatteandcompassionateofme.Swearthatthouhastseenher;talkedwithher;receivedfromherownlipstheconfessionofherpityforhimwhoaimedadaggeratherbosom.SwearthatsheisSarsefield'sw

ife."

Iputmyhandstogether,and,liftingmyeyestoheaven,exclaimed,"Icomplywithyourconditions.IcalltheomniscientGodtowitnessthatEuphemiaLorimerisalive;thatIhaveseenherwiththeseeyes;havetalkedwithher;haveinhabitedthesamehouseformonths."

Theseasseverationswerelistenedtowithshuddering.Helaidnotaside,however,anairofincredulityandcontempt."Perhaps,"saidhe,"thoucanstpointouttheplaceofherabode?--canstguidemetothecity,thestreet,theverydoorofherhabitation?"

"Ican.SheresidesatthismomentinthecityofNewYork;inBroadway;inaho

usecontiguoustothe--."

"'Tiswell!"exclaimedmycompanion,inatoneloud,abrupt,andintheutmostdegreevehement."'Tiswell!Rashandinfatuatedyouth,thouhastratified,beyondappealorforgiveness,thyowndoom.Thouhastoncemoreletloosemysteps,andsentmeonafearfuljourney.Thouhastfurnishedthemeansofdetectingthyimposture.Iwillflytothespotwhichthoudescribest.Iwillascertainthyfalsehoodwithmyowneyes.Ifshebealive,thenamIreservedfortheperformanceofanewcrime.Myevildestinywillhaveitso.Ifshebedead,Ishallmaketheeexpiate."

Sosaying,hedartedthroughthedoor,andwasgoneinamomentbeyondmysightandmyreach.Irantotheroad,lookedoneveryside,andcalled;butmycalls

wererepeatedinvain.Hehadfledwiththeswiftnessofadeer.

Myownembarrassment,confusion,andterrorwereinexpressible.Hislastwordswereincoherent.Theydenotedthetumultandvehemenceoffrenzy.Theyintimatedhisresolutiontoseekthepresenceofyourwife.Ihadfurnishedacluewhichcouldnotfailtoconducthimtoherpresence.Whatmightnotbedreadedfromtheinterview?Clitheroisamaniac.Thistruthcannotbeconcealed.Yourwifecanwithdifficultypreservehertranquillitywhenhisimageoccurstoherremembrance.Whatmustitbewhenhestartsupbeforeherinhisneglectedandferociousguise,andarmedwithpurposesperhapsasterribleasthosewhichhadformerlyl



edhimtohersecretchamberandherbedside?

Hismeaningwasobscurelyconveyed.Hetalkedofadeedfortheperformanceofwhichhismalignantfatehadreservedhim,whichwastoensuetheirmeeting,andwhichwastoafforddisastroustestimonyoftheinfatuationwhichhadledmehither.

Heavengrantthatsomemeansmaysuggestthemselvestoyouofinterceptinghisapproach!YetIknownotwhatmeanscanbeconceived.Somemiraculouschancemaybefriendyou;yetthisisscarcelytobehoped.Itisavisionaryandfantasticbaseonwhichtorestoursecurity.

Icannotforgetthatmyunfortunatetemerityhascreatedthisevil.Yetwhocouldforeseethisconsequenceofmyintelligence?IimaginedthatClitherowasmerelyavictimoferroneousgratitude,aslaveoftheerrorsofhiseducationandtheprejudicesofhisrank;thathisunderstandingwasdeludedbyphantomsinthemaskofvirtueandduty,andnot,asyouhavestrenuouslymaintained,utterlysubverted.

Ishallnotescapeyourcensure,butIshall,likewise,gainyourcompassion.Ihaveerred,notthroughsinisterormalignantintentions,butfromtheimpulseofmisguided,indeed,butpowerful,benevolence.LetterIII.ToEdgarHuntly.

NewYork.

Edgar:--

Afterthefatiguesoftheday,Ireturnedhome.AsIentered,mywifewasbreakingthesealofaletter;but,onseeingme,sheforbore,andpresentedthelettertome.

"Isaw,"saidshe,"bythesuperscriptionofthisletter,whothewriterwas.So,agreeablytoyourwishes,Iproceededtoopenit;butyouhavecomejusttimeenoughtosavemethetrouble."

Thisletterwasfromyou.ItcontainedinformationrelativetoClithero.Seehowimminentachanceitwasthatsavedmywifefromaknowledgeofitscontents!Itrequiredallmyeffortstohidemyperturbationfromherandexcusemyselffromshowinghertheletter.

IknowbetterthanyouthecharacterofClithero,andtheconsequencesofameetingbetweenhimandmywife.YoumaybesurethatIwouldexertmyselftopreventameeting.

Themethodformetopursuewasextremelyobvious.Clitheroisamadman,whoselibertyisdangerous,andwhorequirestobefetteredandimprisonedasthemostatrociouscriminal.

Ihastenedtothechief-magistrate,whoismyfriend,and,byproperrepresentations,obtainedfromhimauthoritytoseizeClitherowhereverIshouldmeetwithhim,andeffectuallydebarhimfromtheperpetrationofnewmischiefs.

NewYorkdoesnotaffordaplaceofconfinementforlunaticsassuitabletohiscaseasPennsylvania.Iwasdesirousofplacinghimasfaraspossiblefromtheplaceofmywife'sresidence.Fortunately,therewasapacketforPhiladelphiaonthepointofsettingoutonhervoyage.ThisvesselIengagedtowaitadayortwo,forthepurposeofconveyinghimtoPennsylvaniaHospital.Meanwhile,properpersonswerestationedatPowlesHook,andatthequayswherethevarioussta



ge-boatsfromJerseyarrive.

Theseprecautionswereeffectual.Notmanyhoursafterthereceiptofyourintelligence,thisunfortunatemanappliedforapassageatElizabethtown,wasseizedthemomenthesethisfootonshore,andwasforthwithconveyedtothepacket,whichimmediatelysetsail.

Idesignedthatalltheseproceedingsshouldbeconcealedfromthewomen,butunfortunatelyneglectedtotakesuitablemeasuresforhinderingtheletter,whichyougavemereasontoexpectontheensuingday,fromcomingintotheirhands.Itwasdeliveredtomywifeinmyabsence,andopenedimmediatelybyher.

Youknowwhatis,atpresent,herpersonalcondition.YouknowwhatstrongreasonsIhadtopreventanydangeroralarmfromapproachingher.Terrorcouldnotassumeashapemoreghastlythanthis.Theeffectshavebeenwhatmighthavebeeneasilypredicted.Herownlifehasbeenimminentlyendangered,andanuntimelybirthhasblastedmyfondesthope.Herinfant,withwhosefutureexistencesomanypleasureswereentwined,isdead.

Iassureyou,Edgar,myphilosophyhasnotfounditselflightsomeandactiveunderthisburden.Ifindithardtoforbearcommentingonyourrashnessinnoverymildterms.Youactedindirectoppositiontomycounselandtotheplainestdictatesofpropriety.Bemorecircumspectandmoreobsequiousforthefuture.

Youknewthelibertythatwouldbetakenofopeningmyletters;youknewofmyabsencefromhomeduringthegreatestpartoftheday,andthelikelihood,therefore,thatyourletterswouldfallintomywife'shandsbeforetheycameintomine.TheseconsiderationsshouldhavepromptedyoutosendthemundercovertoWhitworthorHarvey,withdirectionstogivethemimmediatelytome.

Someoftheseeventshappenedinmyabsence;forIdeterminedtoaccompanythepacketmyself,andseethemadmansafelydeliveredtothecareofthehospital.

Iwillnottortureyoursensibilitybyrecountingtheincidentsofhisarrestanddetention.Youwillimaginethathisstrongbutpervertedreasonexclaimedloudlyagainsttheinjusticeofhistreatment.Itwaseasyforhimtoout-reasonhis antagonist and nothing but force could subdue his opposition On me devolved

edgar huntly

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