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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Lorna Doone, by R. D. Blackmore
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Lorna Doone
+       A Romance of Exmoor
+
+Author: R. D. Blackmore
+
+Release Date: January 4, 2006 [EBook #17460]
+[Last updated November 3, 2011]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LORNA DOONE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Widger
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Cover]
+
+[Illustration: Frontispiece]
+
+[Illustration: Titlepage]
+
+[Illustration: Frontispiece2]
+
+
+LORNA DOONE,
+
+A Romance of Exmoor
+
+
+by R. D. Blackmore
+
+
+Copyright, 1889, by The Burrows Brothers Company
+
+
+[Illustration: map]
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+This work is called a "romance," because the incidents, characters,
+time, and scenery, are alike romantic. And in shaping this old tale, the
+Writer neither dares, nor desires, to claim for it the dignity or cumber
+it with the difficulty of an historic novel.
+
+And yet he thinks that the outlines are filled in more carefully, and
+the situations (however simple) more warmly coloured and quickened, than
+a reader would expect to find in what is called a "legend."
+
+And he knows that any son of Exmoor, chancing on this volume, cannot
+fail to bring to mind the nurse-tales of his childhood--the savage deeds
+of the outlaw Doones in the depth of Bagworthy Forest, the beauty of
+the hapless maid brought up in the midst of them, the plain John Ridd's
+Herculean power, and (memory's too congenial food) the exploits of Tom
+Faggus.
+
+March, 1869.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE TO THE SIXTH EDITION
+
+Few things have surprised me more, and nothing has more pleased me, than
+the great success of this simple tale.
+
+For truly it is a grand success to win the attention and kind regard,
+not of the general public only, but also of those who are at home with
+the scenery, people, life, and language, wherein a native cannot always
+satisfy the natives.
+
+Therefore any son of Devon may imagine, and will not grudge, the
+Writer's delight at hearing from a recent visitor to the west that
+'"Lorna Doone,' to a Devonshire man, is as good as clotted cream,
+almost!"
+
+Although not half so good as that, it has entered many a tranquil,
+happy, pure, and hospitable home, and the author, while deeply grateful
+for this genial reception, ascribes it partly to the fact that his story
+contains no word or thought disloyal to its birthright in the fairest
+county of England.
+
+[Illustration: autograph.jpg]
+
+January, 1873.
+
+
+
+
+PUBLISHERS' PREFACE
+
+In putting this new and somewhat elaborate edition of "Lorna Doone" upon
+a market already supplied with various others, some of them excellent
+in quality, we ask the literary men and women of the country to give us
+their kind support for the reasons set forth herewith.
+
+In the first place, it seems to us that of the countless thousands of
+books that have been written in all the various languages, and during
+the many ages since first man took to scribbling, no one has ever
+yet appeared which is the equal of this in its delicate and beautiful
+touches of both nature and human nature. We have had, in various ways,
+abundant proof that our feeling in this respect is not individual to
+ourselves, and we desire to thank heartily the many friends who have
+sent us their words and letters of encouragement, sympathy, and interest
+during the past year as they have by chance become aware of our plans.
+
+While there were creditable editions already published, the fact that
+none existed just such as we ourselves wished for our own library was
+our primary incentive in undertaking this task. The labor upon which
+we entered was in short, one of love, and great as has been the
+expenditure of time, trouble, and money in the preparation of this book,
+we have faith to believe that there are a sufficient number of lovers of
+the peerless maiden, _Lorna_, to greet her appearance in this new dress
+with an enthusiasm that will in time repay us.
+
+We earnestly hope that our judgment in the selection of artists, means,
+and materials has been, in the main, at least, wise, and that such, will
+be the verdict of book-lovers. Also, we hope that our lack of experience
+as publishers will disarm the critic, and that he will examine the book
+regarding only the excellences which he may find, and passing over its
+defects.
+
+One special feature we wish particularly to call to the attention of
+all, and that is the beautiful map of the country we have introduced.
+This may be regarded by some as an innovation in a romance, but we
+hope that it will be found such a manifest convenience as to be its own
+sufficient excuse.
+
+In this place it seems to be a duty, also, to call attention to the
+sympathizing and intelligent interest that has been so freely shown by
+the noble band of workers, artists, printers, engravers, etc., who have
+assisted us upon this work. To Mr. Henry Sandham, Mr. George Wharton
+Edwards, Mr. Harry Fenn, Mr. William Hamilton Gibson, Mr. W. H. Drake,
+Mr. Irving R. Wiles, Mr. George E. Graves, Mr. Charles Copeland, Mr.
+Harper Pennington, Mrs. Margaret MacDonald Pullman, Miss Harriet Thayer
+Durgin, Mr. A. V. S. Anthony, Mr. George T. Andrew, Goupil & Co. of
+Paris, Mr. Kurtz, The Wright Gravure Co., Mr. Fillebrown, Mr. William J.
+Dana, and our very able printers, Messrs. Fleming, Brewster & Alley-to
+them all we therefore extend our cordial acknowledgment of our
+indebtedness for their services. The fine map is the work of Messrs.
+Matthews, Northrup & Co.
+
+Very respectfully,
+
+The Burrows Brothers Co.
+
+[Illustration: xii.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE BY MISS KATHARINE HILLARD
+
+Author Of "The Doones Of Exmoor," In "Harper's Magazine," Vol. LXV. Page
+835.
+
+A novel that has stood the test of time so well as Mr. Blackmore's
+charming story of "Lorna Doone" scarcely needs a preface. Certainly no
+word of introduction is necessary to testify to its exquisite humor, its
+dramatic force, its under-current of poetic feeling, its fine touches of
+landscape-painting, and the novelty and interest of its subject. Since
+it first appeared in 1869 all these have become as household words,
+only, perhaps, all the admirers of "Lorna Doone" have not had the good
+fortune to wander through the romantic and picturesque region where
+the scene of the story is laid. To travel in North Devon, and over its
+border into Somerset ("the Summerland," as the old Northmen call it),
+is to be confronted with the scenes of the novel at every turn; for Mr.
+Blackmore has so successfully woven the legends of the whole countryside
+into his story that one grows to believe it a veritable history, and is
+as disappointed to find traces of the romancer's own hand here and there
+as to find the hills and valleys laid bare of the forests which adorned
+them in the time of the Doones.
+
+It is a singular country, this Devonshire coast, made up as it is of
+a series of rocky headlands jutting far out into the sea, and holding
+between their stretching arms deep fertile wooded valleys called
+_combes_ (pronounced _coomes_), watered by trout and salmon streams, and
+filled with an Italian profusion of vegetation, myrtles and fuchsias,
+growing in the open air, and the walls hidden with a luxuriant tapestry
+of ferns and ivies and blossoming vines. Even the roofs are covered with
+flowers; every cranny bears a blossom or a tuft of green. Then above,
+long stretches of barren heath (with a few twisted and wind-tortured
+trees), where the sheep pasture and the sky-lark sings, and in and out
+of the red-fronted cliffs the querulous sea-gulls flash in the sunshine,
+and make their plaintive moan. Near Lynton there is the famous Valley of
+Rocks, where the wise woman, _Mother Melldrum_, had her winter quarters
+under the Devil's Cheese-wring.
+
+[Illustration: xiv.jpg Cheese-wring]
+
+The irregular pile of rocks that goes by this name is wrongly called
+Cheese-_ring_ (or _scoop_) in some editions of "Lorna Doone," instead
+of Cheese-_wring_ or (_press_), which it somewhat resembles in shape.
+Southey began the fortune of Lynton as a watering-place, and wrote
+a glowing description of the village and the Valley of Rocks. Of the
+latter he says: "A palace of the pre-Adamite kings, a city of the Anakim
+must have appeared so shapeless and yet so like the ruins of what had
+been shaped after the waters of the flood subsided." Great bowlders,
+half hidden by the bracken, lie about in wildest confusion; the remains
+of what seem to be Druidic circles can be traced here and there, and it
+is hard to persuade one's self that the ragged towers and picturesque
+piles of rock are not the work of Cyclopean architects.
+
+"Our home-folk always call it the 'Danes,' or the 'Denes,' which is no
+more, they tell me, than a hollow place, even as the word 'den' is,"
+says _John Ridd_. "It is a pretty place," he adds, "though nothing to
+frighten any body, unless he hath lived in a gallipot." The valley is
+well protected from the wind, and "there is shelter and dry fern-bedding
+and folk to be seen in the distance from a bank whereon the sun shines."
+Here _John Ridd_ came to consult the wise woman toward the end of March,
+while the weather was still cold and piercing. In the warm days of
+summer she lived "in a pleasant cave facing the cool side of the hill,
+far inland, near Hawkridge, and close over Tarr-steps--a wonderful
+crossing of Barle River, made (as every body knows) by Satan for a
+wager." But the antiquarians of to-day assert that the curious steps
+were made by the early British.
+
+Not far beyond the Valley of Rocks are the grounds of Ley Abbey, a
+modern mansion, but occupying the site of Lev Manor, to whose owner,
+_Baron de Whichehalse, John Ridd_ accompanies _Master Huckaback_ in
+search of a warrant against the _Doones_. In fact, all the way from
+Barnstaple over the parapet of whose bridge _Tom Faggus_ leaped his
+wonderful mare, every nook and corner of the countryside teems with
+legends of the _Doones_. From Lynton we drive over the border into
+Porlock, in Somerset that quaint little village where Coleridge wrote
+his "Kubla Khan," and where Lord Lovelace brought Ada Byron to his seat
+of Ashley Combe.
+
+It was while riding home from Porlock market that _John Ridd's_ father
+was murdered by the _Doones_, and from Porlock we drove in a pony-trap
+over the high moors to Malmsmead, in search of the ruined huts of the
+_Doones_.
+
+[Illustration: xv.jpg Malmsmead]
+
+Over the heights of Yarner Moor, and past Oare Ford (now bridged over),
+the road lay past the old church of Oare, where _Lorna Doone_ and _John
+Ridd_ were married, and then into the deep flowery lanes that are the
+glory of Devon and Somerset. Malmsmead proved to be a little cluster of
+heavily thatched cottages, nestled under overhanging trees, where stood
+an ancient signboard with "Ba_d_gworthy" on one of its arms, pointing
+the way we should go. This _d_ on the old sign-board accounted for the
+local pronunciation of _Badgery_, as the river is always called.
+
+At Malmsmead the road ends, and thence one must proceed on foot. Several
+deep and flowery lanes lead one at length to the river where a lonely
+stone cottage stands on its further brink. This is Clowd Farm, and here
+all paths cease. Two hundred years ago, in the time of the _Doones_,
+the narrow valley through which the Bagworthy now dances in the open
+sunshine was filled with trees; but now, with the exception of a
+withered and stunted old orchard and grove near the farm, there is not a
+tree to be seen, and the Bagworthy, a lonely but cheerful trout stream,
+rattles along in the broad sunshine through a deep valley, whose sides
+slope steeply upward.
+
+After walking about three miles into the heart of the wilderness,
+another deep glen, shut in by the same sloping heather-covered hills,
+suddenly opens to the right. There are no cliffs, no overhanging trees,
+not even a bush, but all along the stream, "with its soft, dark babble,"
+lie heaps and half-circles of stone nearly buried in the turf, and
+almost hidden by the tall ferns and foxgloves. And this is what we went
+out for to see! These are the ruins of the _Doones'_ huts. There could
+not be anything more disappointing. Two hundred years have effectually
+destroyed all distinctive traits, and they might have been sheep-folds
+or pig-sties, or any other innocent agricultural erection for aught
+that we could tell. "Not a single house stood there but was the home of
+murder," says their historian. The suns and rains of two hundred and
+odd years have effectually washed out their blood-stains, and there is
+nothing left there but peace.
+
+Some way beyond the ruins stands a small stone cottage of the most
+modern order. We found it to be the abode of a shepherd, away with his
+flock on the hills, but his wife, no shepherdess of the Dresden china
+order, but a hearty and substantial dame, gave us a cordial welcome. She
+was in a state of intense delight at our disappointment about the ruins,
+and discussed the situation in that soft Somersetshire accent that gives
+such breadth and jollity to the language. "E'll not vind it a beet loike
+ta buik," she said, with her cheery laugh. "Buik's weel mad' up; it
+houlds 'ee loike, and 'ee can't put it by, but there's nobbut three
+pairts o't truth. Hunnerds cooms up here to se't," she added, with a
+chuckle.
+
+The fact is that the traditional and the ideal are as inextricably mixed
+in this charming story of "Lorna Doone" as the thousand varieties of
+seeds in the fairy tale which the princess was expected to sort out, and
+it would be almost as difficult to separate them. Perhaps the best way,
+after all, is--not to try.
+
+Katharine Hillard.
+
+[Illustration: map]
+
+
+
+CONTENTS:
+
+     I.       ELEMENTS OF EDUCATION
+
+     II.      AN IMPORTANT ITEM
+
+     III.     THE WARPATH OF THE DOONES
+
+     IV.      A VERY RASH VISIT
+
+     V.       AN ILLEGAL SETTLEMENT
+
+     VI.      NECESSARY PRACTICE
+
+     VII.     HARD IT IS TO CLIMB
+
+     VIII.    A BOY AND A GIRL
+
+     IX.      THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME
+
+     X.       A BRAVE RESCUE AND A ROUGH RIDE
+
+     XI.      TOM DESERVES HIS SUPPER
+
+     XII.     A MAN JUSTLY POPULAR
+
+     XIII.    MASTER HUCKABACK COMES IN
+
+     XIV.     A MOTION WHICH ENDS IN A MULL
+
+     XV.      QUO WARRANTO?
+
+     XVI.     LORNA GROWS FORMIDABLE
+
+     XVII.    JOHN IS BEWITCHED
+
+     XVIII.   WITCHERY LEADS TO WITCHCRAFT
+
+     XIX.     ANOTHER DANGEROUS INTERVIEW
+
+     XX.      LORNA BEGINS HER STORY
+
+     XXI.     LORNA ENDS HER STORY
+
+     XXII.    A LONG SPRING MONTH
+
+     XXIII.   A ROYAL INVITATION
+
+     XXIV.    A SAFE PASS FOR KING'S MESSENGER
+
+     XXV.     A GREAT MAN ATTENDS TO BUSINESS
+
+     XXVI.    JOHN IS DRAINED AND CAST ASIDE
+
+     XXVII.   HOME AGAIN AT LAST
+
+     XXVIII.  JOHN HAS HOPE OF LORNA
+
+     XXIX.    REAPING LEADS TO REVELLING
+
+     XXX.     ANNIE GETS THE BEST OF IT
+
+     XXXI.    JOHN FRY'S ERRAND
+
+     XXXII.   FEEDING OF THE PIGS
+
+     XXXIII.  AN EARLY MORNING CALLING
+
+     XXXIV.   TWO NEGATIVES MAKE AN AFFIRMATIVE
+
+     XXXV.    RUTH IS NOT LIKE LORNA
+
+     XXXVI.   JOHN RETURNS TO BUSINESS
+
+     XXXVII.  A VERY DESPERATE VENTURE
+
+     XXXVIII. A GOOD TURN FOR JEREMY
+
+     XXXIX.   A TROUBLED STATE AND A FOOLISH JOKE
+
+     XL.      TWO FOOLS TOGETHER
+
+     XLI.     COLD COMFORT
+
+     XLII.    THE GREAT WINTER
+
+     XLIII.   NOT TOO SOON
+
+     XLIV.    BROUGHT HOME AT LAST
+
+     XLV.     A CHANGE LONG NEEDED
+
+     XLVI.    SQUIRE FAGGUS MAKES SOME LUCKY HITS
+
+     XLVII.   JEREMY IN DANGER
+
+     XLVIII.  EVERY MAN MUST DEFEND HIMSELF
+
+     XLIX.    MAIDEN SENTINELS ARE BEST
+
+     L.       A MERRY MEETING A SAD ONE
+
+     LI.      A VISIT FROM THE COUNSELLOR
+
+     LII.     THE WAY TO MAKE THE CREAM RISE
+
+     LIII.    JEREMY FINDS OUT SOMETHING
+
+     LIV.     MUTUAL DISCOMFITURE
+
+     LV.      GETTING INTO CHANCERY
+
+     LVI.     JOHN BECOMES TOO POPULAR
+
+     LVII.    LORNA KNOWS HER NURSE
+
+     LVIII.   MASTER HUCKABACK'S SECRET
+
+     LIX.     LORNA GONE AWAY
+
+     LX.      ANNIE LUCKIER THAN JOHN
+
+     LXI.     THEREFORE HE SEEKS COMFORT
+
+     LXII.    THE KING MUST NOT BE PRAYED FOR
+
+     LXIII.   JOHN IS WORSTED BY THE WOMEN
+
+     LXIV.    SLAUGHTER IN THE MARSHES
+
+     LXV.     FALLING AMONG LAMBS
+
+     LXVI.    SUITABLE DEVOTION
+
+     LXVII.   LORNA STILL IS LORNA
+
+     LXVIII.  JOHN IS JOHN NO LONGER
+
+     LXIX.    NOT TO BE PUT UP WITH
+
+     LXX.     COMPELLED TO VOLUNTEER
+
+     LXXI.    A LONG ACCOUNT SETTLED
+
+     LXXII.   THE COUNSELLOR AND THE CARVER
+
+     LXXIII.  HOW TO GET OUT OF CHANCERY
+
+     LXXIV.   BLOOD UPON THE ALTAR
+
+     LXXV.    GIVE AWAY THE GRANDEUR
+
+
+
+[Illustration: 001a.jpg ]
+
+[Illustration: 001b.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+ELEMENTS OF EDUCATION
+
+If anybody cares to read a simple tale told simply, I, John Ridd, of the
+parish of Oare, in the county of Somerset, yeoman and churchwarden, have
+seen and had a share in some doings of this neighborhood, which I will
+try to set down in order, God sparing my life and memory. And they who
+light upon this book should bear in mind not only that I write for the
+clearing of our parish from ill fame and calumny, but also a thing which
+will, I trow, appear too often in it, to wit--that I am nothing more
+than a plain unlettered man, not read in foreign languages, as a
+gentleman might be, nor gifted with long words (even in mine own
+tongue), save what I may have won from the Bible or Master William
+Shakespeare, whom, in the face of common opinion, I do value highly. In
+short, I am an ignoramus, but pretty well for a yeoman.
+
+My father being of good substance, at least as we reckon in Exmoor, and
+seized in his own right, from many generations, of one, and that the
+best and largest, of the three farms into which our parish is divided
+(or rather the cultured part thereof), he John Ridd, the elder,
+churchwarden, and overseer, being a great admirer of learning, and well
+able to write his name, sent me his only son to be schooled at Tiverton,
+in the county of Devon. For the chief boast of that ancient town (next
+to its woollen staple) is a worthy grammar-school, the largest in the
+west of England, founded and handsomely endowed in the year 1604 by
+Master Peter Blundell, of that same place, clothier.
+
+Here, by the time I was twelve years old, I had risen into the upper
+school, and could make bold with Eutropius and Cæsar--by aid of an
+English version--and as much as six lines of Ovid. Some even said that
+I might, before manhood, rise almost to the third form, being of a
+persevering nature; albeit, by full consent of all (except my mother),
+thick-headed. But that would have been, as I now perceive, an ambition
+beyond a farmer's son; for there is but one form above it, and that made
+of masterful scholars, entitled rightly "monitors". So it came to
+pass, by the grace of God, that I was called away from learning,
+whilst sitting at the desk of the junior first in the upper school, and
+beginning the Greek verb
+
+[Illustration: greek1.jpg]
+
+My eldest grandson makes bold to say that I never could have learned
+
+[Illustration: greek2.jpg]
+
+ten pages further on, being all he himself could manage, with plenty of
+stripes to help him. I know that he hath more head than I--though never
+will he have such body; and am thankful to have stopped betimes, with a
+meek and wholesome head-piece.
+
+[Illustration: 002.jpg John Ridd's School Desk]
+
+But if you doubt of my having been there, because now I know so little,
+go and see my name, "John Ridd," graven on that very form. Forsooth,
+from the time I was strong enough to open a knife and to spell my name,
+I began to grave it in the oak, first of the block whereon I sate, and
+then of the desk in front of it, according as I was promoted from one to
+other of them: and there my grandson reads it now, at this present time
+of writing, and hath fought a boy for scoffing at it--"John Ridd his
+name"--and done again in "winkeys," a mischievous but cheerful device,
+in which we took great pleasure.
+
+This is the manner of a "winkey," which I here set down, lest child
+of mine, or grandchild, dare to make one on my premises; if he does,
+I shall know the mark at once, and score it well upon him. The scholar
+obtains, by prayer or price, a handful of saltpetre, and then with the
+knife wherewith he should rather be trying to mend his pens, what does
+he do but scoop a hole where the desk is some three inches thick. This
+hole should be left with the middle exalted, and the circumference dug
+more deeply. Then let him fill it with saltpetre, all save a little
+space in the midst, where the boss of the wood is. Upon that boss (and
+it will be the better if a splinter of timber rise upward) he sticks the
+end of his candle of tallow, or "rat's tail," as we called it, kindled
+and burning smoothly. Anon, as he reads by that light his lesson,
+lifting his eyes now and then it may be, the fire of candle lays hold of
+the petre with a spluttering noise and a leaping. Then should the pupil
+seize his pen, and, regardless of the nib, stir bravely, and he will see
+a glow as of burning mountains, and a rich smoke, and sparks going
+merrily; nor will it cease, if he stir wisely, and there be a good store
+of petre, until the wood is devoured through, like the sinking of a
+well-shaft. Now well may it go with the head of a boy intent upon his
+primer, who betides to sit thereunder! But, above all things, have good
+care to exercise this art before the master strides up to his desk, in
+the early gray of the morning.
+
+Other customs, no less worthy, abide in the school of Blundell, such as
+the singeing of nightcaps; but though they have a pleasant savour, and
+refreshing to think of, I may not stop to note them, unless it be that
+goodly one at the incoming of a flood. The school-house stands beside a
+stream, not very large, called Lowman, which flows into the broad river
+of Exe, about a mile below. This Lowman stream, although it be not fond
+of brawl and violence (in the manner of our Lynn), yet is wont to flood
+into a mighty head of waters when the storms of rain provoke it; and
+most of all when its little co-mate, called the Taunton Brook--where
+I have plucked the very best cresses that ever man put salt on--comes
+foaming down like a great roan horse, and rears at the leap of the
+hedgerows. Then are the gray stone walls of Blundell on every side
+encompassed, the vale is spread over with looping waters, and it is a
+hard thing for the day-boys to get home to their suppers.
+
+And in that time, old Cop, the porter (so called because he hath copper
+boots to keep the wet from his stomach, and a nose of copper also, in
+right of other waters), his place is to stand at the gate, attending to
+the flood-boards grooved into one another, and so to watch the torrents
+rise, and not be washed away, if it please God he may help it. But long
+ere the flood hath attained this height, and while it is only waxing,
+certain boys of deputy will watch at the stoop of the drain-holes, and
+be apt to look outside the walls when Cop is taking a cordial. And in
+the very front of the gate, just without the archway, where the ground
+is paved most handsomely, you may see in copy-letters done a great
+P.B. of white pebbles. Now, it is the custom and the law that when
+the invading waters, either fluxing along the wall from below the
+road-bridge, or pouring sharply across the meadows from a cut called
+Owen's Ditch--and I myself have seen it come both ways--upon the very
+instant when the waxing element lips though it be but a single pebble of
+the founder's letters, it is in the license of any boy, soever small
+and undoctrined, to rush into the great school-rooms, where a score of
+masters sit heavily, and scream at the top of his voice, "P.B."
+
+Then, with a yell, the boys leap up, or break away from their standing;
+they toss their caps to the black-beamed roof, and haply the very books
+after them; and the great boys vex no more the small ones, and the small
+boys stick up to the great ones. One with another, hard they go, to see
+the gain of the waters, and the tribulation of Cop, and are prone to
+kick the day-boys out, with words of scanty compliment. Then the masters
+look at one another, having no class to look to, and (boys being no more
+left to watch) in a manner they put their mouths up. With a spirited
+bang they close their books, and make invitation the one to the other
+for pipes and foreign cordials, recommending the chance of the time, and
+the comfort away from cold water.
+
+But, lo! I am dwelling on little things and the pigeons' eggs of the
+infancy, forgetting the bitter and heavy life gone over me since then.
+If I am neither a hard man nor a very close one, God knows I have had no
+lack of rubbing and pounding to make stone of me. Yet can I not somehow
+believe that we ought to hate one another, to live far asunder, and
+block the mouth each of his little den; as do the wild beasts of the
+wood, and the hairy outrangs now brought over, each with a chain upon
+him. Let that matter be as it will. It is beyond me to unfold, and
+mayhap of my grandson's grandson. All I know is that wheat is better
+than when I began to sow it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+AN IMPORTANT ITEM
+
+[Illustration: 005.jpg The School Room]
+
+Now the cause of my leaving Tiverton school, and the way of it, were as
+follows. On the 29th day of November, in the year of our Lord 1673, the
+very day when I was twelve years old, and had spent all my substance in
+sweetmeats, with which I made treat to the little boys, till the large
+boys ran in and took them, we came out of school at five o'clock, as
+the rule is upon Tuesdays. According to custom we drove the day-boys
+in brave rout down the causeway from the school-porch even to the gate
+where Cop has his dwelling and duty. Little it recked us and helped
+them less, that they were our founder's citizens, and haply his own
+grand-nephews (for he left no direct descendants), neither did we much
+inquire what their lineage was. For it had long been fixed among us,
+who were of the house and chambers, that these same day-boys were all
+"caddes," as we had discovered to call it, because they paid no groat
+for their schooling, and brought their own commons with them. In
+consumption of these we would help them, for our fare in hall fed
+appetite; and while we ate their victuals, we allowed them freely to
+talk to us. Nevertheless, we could not feel, when all the victuals
+were gone, but that these boys required kicking from the premises
+of Blundell. And some of them were shopkeepers' sons, young grocers,
+fellmongers, and poulterers, and these to their credit seemed to know
+how righteous it was to kick them. But others were of high family, as
+any need be, in Devon--Carews, and Bouchiers, and Bastards, and some of
+these would turn sometimes, and strike the boy that kicked them. But
+to do them justice, even these knew that they must be kicked for not
+paying.
+
+After these "charity-boys" were gone, as in contumely we called
+them--"If you break my bag on my head," said one, "how will feed thence
+to-morrow?"--and after old Cop with clang of iron had jammed the double
+gates in under the scruff-stone archway, whereupon are Latin verses,
+done in brass of small quality, some of us who were not hungry, and
+cared not for the supper-bell, having sucked much parliament and dumps
+at my only charges--not that I ever bore much wealth, but because I had
+been thrifting it for this time of my birth--we were leaning quite at
+dusk against the iron bars of the gate some six, or it may be seven of
+us, small boys all, and not conspicuous in the closing of the daylight
+and the fog that came at eventide, else Cop would have rated us up the
+green, for he was churly to little boys when his wife had taken their
+money. There was plenty of room for all of us, for the gate will hold
+nine boys close-packed, unless they be fed rankly, whereof is little
+danger; and now we were looking out on the road and wishing we could get
+there; hoping, moreover, to see a good string of pack-horses come by,
+with troopers to protect them. For the day-boys had brought us word that
+some intending their way to the town had lain that morning at Sampford
+Peveril, and must be in ere nightfall, because Mr. Faggus was after
+them. Now Mr. Faggus was my first cousin and an honour to the family,
+being a Northmolton man of great renown on the highway from Barum town
+even to London. Therefore of course, I hoped that he would catch the
+packmen, and the boys were asking my opinion as of an oracle, about it.
+
+A certain boy leaning up against me would not allow my elbow room, and
+struck me very sadly in the stomach part, though his own was full of my
+parliament. And this I felt so unkindly, that I smote him straightway in
+the face without tarrying to consider it, or weighing the question duly.
+Upon this he put his head down, and presented it so vehemently at the
+middle of my waistcoat, that for a minute or more my breath seemed
+dropped, as it were, from my pockets, and my life seemed to stop from
+great want of ease. Before I came to myself again, it had been settled
+for us that we should move to the "Ironing-box," as the triangle of turf
+is called where the two causeways coming from the school-porch and the
+hall-porch meet, and our fights are mainly celebrated; only we must
+wait until the convoy of horses had passed, and then make a ring by
+candlelight, and the other boys would like it. But suddenly there came
+round the post where the letters of our founder are, not from the way
+of Taunton but from the side of Lowman bridge, a very small string of
+horses, only two indeed (counting for one the pony), and a red-faced man
+on the bigger nag.
+
+"Plaise ye, worshipful masters," he said, being feared of the gateway,
+"carn 'e tull whur our Jan Ridd be?"
+
+"Hyur a be, ees fai, Jan Ridd," answered a sharp little chap, making
+game of John Fry's language.
+
+"Zhow un up, then," says John Fry poking his whip through the bars at
+us; "Zhow un up, and putt un aowt."
+
+The other little chaps pointed at me, and some began to hallo; but I
+knew what I was about.
+
+"Oh, John, John," I cried, "what's the use of your coming now, and Peggy
+over the moors, too, and it so cruel cold for her? The holidays don't
+begin till Wednesday fortnight, John. To think of your not knowing
+that!"
+
+John Fry leaned forward in the saddle, and turned his eyes away from
+me; and then there was a noise in his throat like a snail crawling on a
+window-pane.
+
+"Oh, us knaws that wull enough, Maister Jan; reckon every Oare-man knaw
+that, without go to skoo-ull, like you doth. Your moother have kept arl
+the apples up, and old Betty toorned the black puddens, and none dare
+set trap for a blagbird. Arl for thee, lad; every bit of it now for
+thee!"
+
+He checked himself suddenly, and frightened me. I knew that John Fry's
+way so well.
+
+"And father, and father--oh, how is father?" I pushed the boys right and
+left as I said it. "John, is father up in town! He always used to come
+for me, and leave nobody else to do it."
+
+"Vayther'll be at the crooked post, tother zide o' telling-house.* Her
+coodn't lave 'ouze by raison of the Chirstmas bakkon comin' on, and zome
+o' the cider welted."
+
+     * The "telling-houses" on the moor are rude cots where the
+     shepherds meet to "tell" their sheep at the end of the
+     pasturing season.
+
+
+He looked at the nag's ears as he said it; and, being up to John Fry's
+ways, I knew that it was a lie. And my heart fell like a lump of lead,
+and I leaned back on the stay of the gate, and longed no more to fight
+anybody. A sort of dull power hung over me, like the cloud of a brooding
+tempest, and I feared to be told anything. I did not even care to stroke
+the nose of my pony Peggy, although she pushed it in through the rails,
+where a square of broader lattice is, and sniffed at me, and began to
+crop gently after my fingers. But whatever lives or dies, business must
+be attended to; and the principal business of good Christians is, beyond
+all controversy, to fight with one another.
+
+"Come up, Jack," said one of the boys, lifting me under the chin; "he
+hit you, and you hit him, you know."
+
+"Pay your debts before you go," said a monitor, striding up to me, after
+hearing how the honour lay; "Ridd, you must go through with it."
+
+"Fight, for the sake of the junior first," cried the little fellow in my
+ear, the clever one, the head of our class, who had mocked John Fry, and
+knew all about the aorists, and tried to make me know it; but I never
+went more than three places up, and then it was an accident, and I came
+down after dinner. The boys were urgent round me to fight, though my
+stomach was not up for it; and being very slow of wit (which is not
+chargeable on me), I looked from one to other of them, seeking any cure
+for it. Not that I was afraid of fighting, for now I had been three
+years at Blundell's, and foughten, all that time, a fight at least once
+every week, till the boys began to know me; only that the load on my
+heart was not sprightly as of the hay-field. It is a very sad thing to
+dwell on; but even now, in my time of wisdom, I doubt it is a fond thing
+to imagine, and a motherly to insist upon, that boys can do without
+fighting. Unless they be very good boys, and afraid of one another.
+
+"Nay," I said, with my back against the wrought-iron stay of the gate,
+which was socketed into Cop's house-front: "I will not fight thee now,
+Robin Snell, but wait till I come back again."
+
+"Take coward's blow, Jack Ridd, then," cried half a dozen little boys,
+shoving Bob Snell forward to do it; because they all knew well enough,
+having striven with me ere now, and proved me to be their master--they
+knew, I say, that without great change, I would never accept that
+contumely. But I took little heed of them, looking in dull wonderment
+at John Fry, and Smiler, and the blunderbuss, and Peggy. John Fry was
+scratching his head, I could see, and getting blue in the face, by the
+light from Cop's parlour-window, and going to and fro upon Smiler, as if
+he were hard set with it. And all the time he was looking briskly from
+my eyes to the fist I was clenching, and methought he tried to wink at
+me in a covert manner; and then Peggy whisked her tail.
+
+"Shall I fight, John?" I said at last; "I would an you had not come,
+John."
+
+"Chraist's will be done; I zim thee had better faight, Jan," he
+answered, in a whisper, through the gridiron of the gate; "there be a
+dale of faighting avore thee. Best wai to begin gude taime laike. Wull
+the geatman latt me in, to zee as thee hast vair plai, lad?"
+
+He looked doubtfully down at the colour of his cowskin boots, and the
+mire upon the horses, for the sloughs were exceedingly mucky. Peggy,
+indeed, my sorrel pony, being lighter of weight, was not crusted much
+over the shoulders; but Smiler (our youngest sledder) had been well in
+over his withers, and none would have deemed him a piebald, save of red
+mire and black mire. The great blunderbuss, moreover, was choked with a
+dollop of slough-cake; and John Fry's sad-coloured Sunday hat was indued
+with a plume of marish-weed. All this I saw while he was dismounting,
+heavily and wearily, lifting his leg from the saddle-cloth as if with a
+sore crick in his back.
+
+By this time the question of fighting was gone quite out of our
+discretion; for sundry of the elder boys, grave and reverend signors,
+who had taken no small pleasure in teaching our hands to fight, to ward,
+to parry, to feign and counter, to lunge in the manner of sword-play,
+and the weaker child to drop on one knee when no cunning of fence might
+baffle the onset--these great masters of the art, who would far liefer
+see us little ones practise it than themselves engage, six or seven of
+them came running down the rounded causeway, having heard that there
+had arisen "a snug little mill" at the gate. Now whether that word
+hath origin in a Greek term meaning a conflict, as the best-read boys
+asseverated, or whether it is nothing more than a figure of similitude,
+from the beating arms of a mill, such as I have seen in counties where
+are no waterbrooks, but folk make bread with wind--it is not for a man
+devoid of scholarship to determine. Enough that they who made the ring
+intituled the scene a "mill," while we who must be thumped inside it
+tried to rejoice in their pleasantry, till it turned upon the stomach.
+
+Moreover, I felt upon me now a certain responsibility, a dutiful need to
+maintain, in the presence of John Fry, the manliness of the Ridd family,
+and the honour of Exmoor. Hitherto none had worsted me, although in the
+three years of my schooling, I had fought more than threescore battles,
+and bedewed with blood every plant of grass towards the middle of the
+Ironing-box. And this success I owed at first to no skill of my own;
+until I came to know better; for up to twenty or thirty fights, I struck
+as nature guided me, no wiser than a father-long-legs in the heat of a
+lanthorn; but I had conquered, partly through my native strength, and
+the Exmoor toughness in me, and still more that I could not see when I
+had gotten my bellyful. But now I was like to have that and more; for
+my heart was down, to begin with; and then Robert Snell was a bigger boy
+than I had ever encountered, and as thick in the skull and hard in the
+brain as even I could claim to be.
+
+I had never told my mother a word about these frequent strivings,
+because she was soft-hearted; neither had I told by father, because
+he had not seen it. Therefore, beholding me still an innocent-looking
+child, with fair curls on my forehead, and no store of bad language,
+John Fry thought this was the very first fight that ever had befallen
+me; and so when they let him at the gate, "with a message to the
+headmaster," as one of the monitors told Cop, and Peggy and Smiler were
+tied to the railings, till I should be through my business, John comes
+up to me with the tears in his eyes, and says, "Doon't thee goo for to
+do it, Jan; doon't thee do it, for gude now." But I told him that now it
+was much too late to cry off; so he said, "The Lord be with thee, Jan,
+and turn thy thumb-knuckle inwards."
+
+It was not a very large piece of ground in the angle of the causeways,
+but quite big enough to fight upon, especially for Christians, who loved
+to be cheek by jowl at it. The great boys stood in a circle around,
+being gifted with strong privilege, and the little boys had leave to lie
+flat and look through the legs of the great boys. But while we were yet
+preparing, and the candles hissed in the fog-cloud, old Phoebe, of more
+than fourscore years, whose room was over the hall-porch, came hobbling
+out, as she always did, to mar the joy of the conflict. No one ever
+heeded her, neither did she expect it; but the evil was that two senior
+boys must always lose the first round of the fight, by having to lead
+her home again.
+
+I marvel how Robin Snell felt. Very likely he thought nothing of it,
+always having been a boy of a hectoring and unruly sort. But I felt my
+heart go up and down as the boys came round to strip me; and greatly
+fearing to be beaten, I blew hot upon my knuckles. Then pulled I off
+my little cut jerkin, and laid it down on my head cap, and over that my
+waistcoat, and a boy was proud to take care of them. Thomas Hooper was
+his name, and I remember how he looked at me. My mother had made that
+little cut jerkin, in the quiet winter evenings. And taken pride to loop
+it up in a fashionable way, and I was loth to soil it with blood, and
+good filberds were in the pocket. Then up to me came Robin Snell (mayor
+of Exeter thrice since that), and he stood very square, and looking
+at me, and I lacked not long to look at him. Round his waist he had a
+kerchief busking up his small-clothes, and on his feet light pumpkin
+shoes, and all his upper raiment off. And he danced about in a way that
+made my head swim on my shoulders, and he stood some inches over me. But
+I, being muddled with much doubt about John Fry and his errand, was only
+stripped of my jerkin and waistcoat, and not comfortable to begin.
+
+"Come now, shake hands," cried a big boy, jumping in joy of the
+spectacle, a third-former nearly six feet high; "shake hands, you little
+devils. Keep your pluck up, and show good sport, and Lord love the
+better man of you."
+
+Robin took me by the hand, and gazed at me disdainfully, and then smote
+me painfully in the face, ere I could get my fence up.
+
+"Whutt be 'bout, lad?" cried John Fry; "hutt un again, Jan, wull 'e?
+Well done then, our Jan boy."
+
+For I had replied to Robin now, with all the weight and cadence of
+penthemimeral caesura (a thing, the name of which I know, but could
+never make head nor tail of it), and the strife began in a serious
+style, and the boys looking on were not cheated. Although I could not
+collect their shouts when the blows were ringing upon me, it was no
+great loss; for John Fry told me afterwards that their oaths went up
+like a furnace fire. But to these we paid no heed or hap, being in the
+thick of swinging, and devoid of judgment. All I know is, I came to my
+corner, when the round was over, with very hard pumps in my chest, and a
+great desire to fall away.
+
+"Time is up," cried head-monitor, ere ever I got my breath again; and
+when I fain would have lingered awhile on the knee of the boy that held
+me. John Fry had come up, and the boys were laughing because he wanted a
+stable lanthorn, and threatened to tell my mother.
+
+"Time is up," cried another boy, more headlong than head-monitor. "If we
+count three before the come of thee, thwacked thou art, and must go
+to the women." I felt it hard upon me. He began to count, one, too,
+three--but before the "three" was out of his mouth, I was facing my foe,
+with both hands up, and my breath going rough and hot, and resolved to
+wait the turn of it. For I had found seat on the knee of a boy sage and
+skilled to tutor me, who knew how much the end very often differs from
+the beginning. A rare ripe scholar he was; and now he hath routed up the
+Germans in the matter of criticism. Sure the clever boys and men have
+most love towards the stupid ones.
+
+"Finish him off, Bob," cried a big boy, and that I noticed especially,
+because I thought it unkind of him, after eating of my toffee as he
+had that afternoon; "finish him off, neck and crop; he deserves it for
+sticking up to a man like you."
+
+But I was not so to be finished off, though feeling in my knuckles now
+as if it were a blueness and a sense of chilblain. Nothing held except
+my legs, and they were good to help me. So this bout, or round, if you
+please, was foughten warily by me, with gentle recollection of what my
+tutor, the clever boy, had told me, and some resolve to earn his praise
+before I came back to his knee again. And never, I think, in all my
+life, sounded sweeter words in my ears (except when my love loved me)
+than when my second and backer, who had made himself part of my doings
+now, and would have wept to see me beaten, said,--
+
+"Famously done, Jack, famously! Only keep your wind up, Jack, and you'll
+go right through him!"
+
+Meanwhile John Fry was prowling about, asking the boys what they thought
+of it, and whether I was like to be killed, because of my mother's
+trouble. But finding now that I had foughten three-score fights already,
+he came up to me woefully, in the quickness of my breathing, while I sat
+on the knee of my second, with a piece of spongious coralline to ease
+me of my bloodshed, and he says in my ears, as if he was clapping spurs
+into a horse,--
+
+"Never thee knack under, Jan, or never coom naigh Hexmoor no more."
+
+With that it was all up with me. A simmering buzzed in my heavy brain,
+and a light came through my eyeplaces. At once I set both fists again,
+and my heart stuck to me like cobbler's wax. Either Robin Snell should
+kill me, or I would conquer Robin Snell. So I went in again with my
+courage up, and Bob came smiling for victory, and I hated him for
+smiling. He let at me with his left hand, and I gave him my right
+between his eyes, and he blinked, and was not pleased with it. I feared
+him not, and spared him not, neither spared myself. My breath came
+again, and my heart stood cool, and my eyes struck fire no longer. Only
+I knew that I would die sooner than shame my birthplace. How the rest
+of it was I know not; only that I had the end of it, and helped to put
+Robin in bed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE WAR-PATH OF THE DOONES
+
+[Illustration: 014.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+From Tiverton town to the town of Oare is a very long and painful road,
+and in good truth the traveller must make his way, as the saying is; for
+the way is still unmade, at least, on this side of Dulverton, although
+there is less danger now than in the time of my schooling; for now a
+good horse may go there without much cost of leaping, but when I was
+a boy the spurs would fail, when needed most, by reason of the
+slough-cake. It is to the credit of this age, and our advance upon
+fatherly ways, that now we have laid down rods and fagots, and even
+stump-oaks here and there, so that a man in good daylight need not sink,
+if he be quite sober. There is nothing I have striven at more than doing
+my duty, way-warden over Exmoor.
+
+But in those days, when I came from school (and good times they were,
+too, full of a warmth and fine hearth-comfort, which now are dying out),
+it was a sad and sorry business to find where lay the highway. We are
+taking now to mark it off with a fence on either side, at least, when
+a town is handy; but to me his seems of a high pretence, and a sort of
+landmark, and channel for robbers, though well enough near London, where
+they have earned a race-course.
+
+We left the town of the two fords, which they say is the meaning of it,
+very early in the morning, after lying one day to rest, as was demanded
+by the nags, sore of foot and foundered. For my part, too, I was glad to
+rest, having aches all over me, and very heavy bruises; and we lodged
+at the sign of the White Horse Inn, in the street called Gold Street,
+opposite where the souls are of John and Joan Greenway, set up in
+gold letters, because we must take the homeward way at cockcrow of the
+morning. Though still John Fry was dry with me of the reason of his
+coming, and only told lies about father, and could not keep them
+agreeable, I hoped for the best, as all boys will, especially after a
+victory. And I thought, perhaps father had sent for me because he had a
+good harvest, and the rats were bad in the corn-chamber.
+
+It was high noon before we were got to Dulverton that day, near to which
+town the river Exe and its big brother Barle have union. My mother had
+an uncle living there, but we were not to visit his house this time, at
+which I was somewhat astonished, since we needs must stop for at least
+two hours, to bait our horses thorough well, before coming to the black
+bogway. The bogs are very good in frost, except where the hot-springs
+rise; but as yet there had been no frost this year, save just enough
+to make the blackbirds look big in the morning. In a hearty black-frost
+they look small, until the snow falls over them.
+
+The road from Bampton to Dulverton had not been very delicate, yet
+nothing to complain of much--no deeper, indeed, than the hocks of a
+horse, except in the rotten places. The day was inclined to be mild and
+foggy, and both nags sweated freely; but Peggy carrying little weight
+(for my wardrobe was upon Smiler, and John Fry grumbling always), we
+could easily keep in front, as far as you may hear a laugh.
+
+John had been rather bitter with me, which methought was a mark of ill
+taste at coming home for the holidays; and yet I made allowance for
+John, because he had never been at school, and never would have chance
+to eat fry upon condition of spelling it; therefore I rode on, thinking
+that he was hard-set, like a saw, for his dinner, and would soften after
+tooth-work. And yet at his most hungry times, when his mind was far gone
+upon bacon, certes he seemed to check himself and look at me as if he
+were sorry for little things coming over great.
+
+But now, at Dulverton, we dined upon the rarest and choicest victuals
+that ever I did taste. Even now, at my time of life, to think of it
+gives me appetite, as once and awhile to think of my first love makes
+me love all goodness. Hot mutton pasty was a thing I had often heard
+of from very wealthy boys and men, who made a dessert of dinner; and to
+hear them talk of it made my lips smack, and my ribs come inwards.
+
+And now John Fry strode into the hostel, with the air and grace of a
+short-legged man, and shouted as loud as if he was calling sheep upon
+Exmoor,--
+
+"Hot mooton pasty for twoo trarv'lers, at number vaive, in vaive
+minnits! Dish un up in the tin with the grahvy, zame as I hardered last
+Tuesday."
+
+Of course it did not come in five minutes, nor yet in ten or twenty; but
+that made it all the better when it came to the real presence; and the
+smell of it was enough to make an empty man thank God for the room there
+was inside him. Fifty years have passed me quicker than the taste of
+that gravy.
+
+It is the manner of all good boys to be careless of apparel, and take no
+pride in adornment. Good lack, if I see a boy make to do about the fit
+of his crumpler, and the creasing of his breeches, and desire to be shod
+for comeliness rather than for use, I cannot 'scape the mark that God
+took thought to make a girl of him. Not so when they grow older, and
+court the regard of the maidens; then may the bravery pass from the
+inside to the outside of them; and no bigger fools are they, even then,
+than their fathers were before them. But God forbid any man to be a fool
+to love, and be loved, as I have been. Else would he have prevented it.
+
+When the mutton pasty was done, and Peggy and Smiler had dined well
+also, out I went to wash at the pump, being a lover of soap and water,
+at all risk, except of my dinner. And John Fry, who cared very little
+to wash, save Sabbath days in his own soap, and who had kept me from the
+pump by threatening loss of the dish, out he came in a satisfied manner,
+with a piece of quill in his hand, to lean against a door-post, and
+listen to the horses feeding, and have his teeth ready for supper.
+
+Then a lady's-maid came out, and the sun was on her face, and she turned
+round to go back again; but put a better face upon it, and gave a
+trip and hitched her dress, and looked at the sun full body, lest the
+hostlers should laugh that she was losing her complexion. With a long
+Italian glass in her fingers very daintily, she came up to the pump in
+the middle of the yard, where I was running the water off all my head
+and shoulders, and arms, and some of my breast even, and though I had
+glimpsed her through the sprinkle, it gave me quite a turn to see
+her, child as I was, in my open aspect. But she looked at me, no whit
+abashed, making a baby of me, no doubt, as a woman of thirty will do,
+even with a very big boy when they catch him on a hayrick, and she said
+to me in a brazen manner, as if I had been nobody, while I was shrinking
+behind the pump, and craving to get my shirt on, "Good leetle boy, come
+hither to me. Fine heaven! how blue your eyes are, and your skin like
+snow; but some naughty man has beaten it black. Oh, leetle boy, let me
+feel it. Ah, how then it must have hurt you! There now, and you shall
+love me."
+
+All this time she was touching my breast, here and there, very lightly,
+with her delicate brown fingers, and I understood from her voice and
+manner that she was not of this country, but a foreigner by extraction.
+And then I was not so shy of her, because I could talk better English
+than she; and yet I longed for my jerkin, but liked not to be rude to
+her.
+
+"If you please, madam, I must go. John Fry is waiting by the tapster's
+door, and Peggy neighing to me. If you please, we must get home
+to-night; and father will be waiting for me this side of the
+telling-house."
+
+"There, there, you shall go, leetle dear, and perhaps I will go after
+you. I have taken much love of you. But the baroness is hard to me. How
+far you call it now to the bank of the sea at Wash--Wash--"
+
+"At Watchett, likely you mean, madam. Oh, a very long way, and the roads
+as soft as the road to Oare."
+
+"Oh-ah, oh-ah--I shall remember; that is the place where my leetle boy
+live, and some day I will come seek for him. Now make the pump to flow,
+my dear, and give me the good water. The baroness will not touch unless
+a nebule be formed outside the glass."
+
+I did not know what she meant by that; yet I pumped for her very
+heartily, and marvelled to see her for fifty times throw the water away
+in the trough, as if it was not good enough. At last the water suited
+her, with a likeness of fog outside the glass, and the gleam of a
+crystal under it, and then she made a curtsey to me, in a sort of
+mocking manner, holding the long glass by the foot, not to take the
+cloud off; and then she wanted to kiss me; but I was out of breath, and
+have always been shy of that work, except when I come to offer it; and
+so I ducked under the pump-handle, and she knocked her chin on the knob
+of it; and the hostlers came out, and asked whether they would do as
+well.
+
+Upon this, she retreated up the yard, with a certain dark dignity, and
+a foreign way of walking, which stopped them at once from going farther,
+because it was so different from the fashion of their sweethearts. One
+with another they hung back, where half a cart-load of hay was, and
+they looked to be sure that she would not turn round; and then each one
+laughed at the rest of them.
+
+Now, up to the end of Dulverton town, on the northward side of it,
+where the two new pig-sties be, the Oare folk and the Watchett folk must
+trudge on together, until we come to a broken cross, where a murdered
+man lies buried. Peggy and Smiler went up the hill, as if nothing could
+be too much for them, after the beans they had eaten, and suddenly
+turning a corner of trees, we happened upon a great coach and six horses
+labouring very heavily. John Fry rode on with his hat in his hand, as
+became him towards the quality; but I was amazed to that degree, that I
+left my cap on my head, and drew bridle without knowing it.
+
+[Illustration: 019.jpg Great Coach and Six Horses Labouring]
+
+For in the front seat of the coach, which was half-way open, being of
+the city-make, and the day in want of air, sate the foreign lady, who
+had met me at the pump and offered to salute me. By her side was a
+little girl, dark-haired and very wonderful, with a wealthy softness on
+her, as if she must have her own way. I could not look at her for two
+glances, and she did not look at me for one, being such a little child,
+and busy with the hedges. But in the honourable place sate a handsome
+lady, very warmly dressed, and sweetly delicate of colour. And close
+to her was a lively child, two or it may be three years old, bearing a
+white cockade in his hat, and staring at all and everybody. Now, he saw
+Peggy, and took such a liking to her, that the lady his mother--if so
+she were--was forced to look at my pony and me. And, to tell the truth,
+although I am not of those who adore the high folk, she looked at us
+very kindly, and with a sweetness rarely found in the women who milk the
+cows for us.
+
+Then I took off my cap to the beautiful lady, without asking wherefore;
+and she put up her hand and kissed it to me, thinking, perhaps, that
+I looked like a gentle and good little boy; for folk always called me
+innocent, though God knows I never was that. But now the foreign lady,
+or lady's maid, as it might be, who had been busy with little dark eyes,
+turned upon all this going-on, and looked me straight in the face. I was
+about to salute her, at a distance, indeed, and not with the nicety she
+had offered to me, but, strange to say, she stared at my eyes as if she
+had never seen me before, neither wished to see me again. At this I was
+so startled, such things beings out of my knowledge, that I startled
+Peggy also with the muscle of my legs, and she being fresh from stable,
+and the mire scraped off with cask-hoop, broke away so suddenly that I
+could do no more than turn round and lower my cap, now five months old,
+to the beautiful lady. Soon I overtook John Fry, and asked him all about
+them, and how it was that we had missed their starting from the hostel.
+But John would never talk much till after a gallon of cider; and all
+that I could win out of him was that they were "murdering Papishers,"
+and little he cared to do with them, or the devil, as they came
+from. And a good thing for me, and a providence, that I was gone down
+Dulverton town to buy sweetstuff for Annie, else my stupid head would
+have gone astray with their great out-coming.
+
+We saw no more of them after that, but turned into the sideway; and soon
+had the fill of our hands and eyes to look to our own going. For the
+road got worse and worse, until there was none at all, and perhaps the
+purest thing it could do was to be ashamed to show itself. But we pushed
+on as best we might, with doubt of reaching home any time, except by
+special grace of God.
+
+The fog came down upon the moors as thick as ever I saw it; and there
+was no sound of any sort, nor a breath of wind to guide us. The little
+stubby trees that stand here and there, like bushes with a wooden leg
+to them, were drizzled with a mess of wet, and hung their points with
+dropping. Wherever the butt-end of a hedgerow came up from the hollow
+ground, like the withers of a horse, holes of splash were pocked and
+pimpled in the yellow sand of coneys, or under the dwarf tree's ovens.
+But soon it was too dark to see that, or anything else, I may say,
+except the creases in the dusk, where prisoned light crept up the
+valleys.
+
+After awhile even that was gone, and no other comfort left us except to
+see our horses' heads jogging to their footsteps, and the dark ground
+pass below us, lighter where the wet was; and then the splash, foot
+after foot, more clever than we can do it, and the orderly jerk of the
+tail, and the smell of what a horse is.
+
+John Fry was bowing forward with sleep upon his saddle, and now I could
+no longer see the frizzle of wet upon his beard--for he had a very brave
+one, of a bright red colour, and trimmed into a whale-oil knot, because
+he was newly married--although that comb of hair had been a subject of
+some wonder to me, whether I, in God's good time, should have the like
+of that, handsomely set with shining beads, small above and large below,
+from the weeping of the heaven. But still I could see the jog of his
+hat--a Sunday hat with a top to it--and some of his shoulder bowed out
+in the mist, so that one could say "Hold up, John," when Smiler put
+his foot in. "Mercy of God! where be us now?" said John Fry, waking
+suddenly; "us ought to have passed hold hash, Jan. Zeen it on the road,
+have 'ee?"
+
+[Illustration: 021.jpg Where be us now?]
+
+"No indeed, John; no old ash. Nor nothing else to my knowing; nor heard
+nothing, save thee snoring."
+
+"Watt a vule thee must be then, Jan; and me myzell no better. Harken,
+lad, harken!"
+
+We drew our horses up and listened, through the thickness of the air,
+and with our hands laid to our ears. At first there was nothing to hear,
+except the panting of the horses and the trickle of the eaving drops
+from our head-covers and clothing, and the soft sounds of the lonely
+night, that make us feel, and try not to think. Then there came a mellow
+noise, very low and mournsome, not a sound to be afraid of, but to long
+to know the meaning, with a soft rise of the hair. Three times it came
+and went again, as the shaking of a thread might pass away into the
+distance; and then I touched John Fry to know that there was something
+near me.
+
+"Doon't 'e be a vule, Jan! Vaine moozick as iver I 'eer. God bless the
+man as made un doo it."
+
+"Have they hanged one of the Doones then, John?"
+
+"Hush, lad; niver talk laike o' thiccy. Hang a Doone! God knoweth, the
+King would hang pretty quick if her did."
+
+"Then who is it in the chains, John?"
+
+I felt my spirit rise as I asked; for now I had crossed Exmoor so often
+as to hope that the people sometimes deserved it, and think that it
+might be a lesson to the rogues who unjustly loved the mutton they were
+never born to. But, of course, they were born to hanging, when they set
+themselves so high.
+
+"It be nawbody," said John, "vor us to make a fush about. Belong to
+t'other zide o' the moor, and come staling shape to our zide. Red Jem
+Hannaford his name. Thank God for him to be hanged, lad; and good cess
+to his soul for craikin' zo."
+
+So the sound of the quiet swinging led us very modestly, as it came and
+went on the wind, loud and low pretty regularly, even as far as the foot
+of the gibbet where the four cross-ways are.
+
+"Vamous job this here," cried John, looking up to be sure of it, because
+there were so many; "here be my own nick on the post. Red Jem, too, and
+no doubt of him; he do hang so handsome like, and his ribs up laike a
+horse a'most. God bless them as discoovered the way to make a rogue so
+useful. Good-naight to thee, Jem, my lad; and not break thy drames with
+the craikin'."
+
+John Fry shook his bridle-arm, and smote upon Smiler merrily, as he
+jogged into the homeward track from the guiding of the body. But I was
+sorry for Red Jem, and wanted to know more about him, and whether
+he might not have avoided this miserable end, and what his wife and
+children thought of it, if, indeed, he had any.
+
+But John would talk no more about it; and perhaps he was moved with a
+lonesome feeling, as the creaking sound came after us.
+
+"Hould thee tongue, lad,' he said sharply; 'us be naigh the Doone-track
+now, two maile from Dunkery Beacon hill, the haighest place of Hexmoor.
+So happen they be abroad to-naight, us must crawl on our belly-places,
+boy."
+
+I knew at once what he meant--those bloody Doones of Bagworthy, the awe
+of all Devon and Somerset, outlaws, traitors, murderers. My little legs
+began to tremble to and fro upon Peggy's sides, as I heard the dead
+robber in chains behind us, and thought of the live ones still in front.
+
+"But, John," I whispered warily, sidling close to his saddle-bow; "dear
+John, you don't think they will see us in such a fog as this?"
+
+"Never God made vog as could stop their eyesen," he whispered in answer,
+fearfully; "here us be by the hollow ground. Zober, lad, goo zober now,
+if thee wish to see thy moother."
+
+For I was inclined, in the manner of boys, to make a run of the danger,
+and cross the Doone-track at full speed; to rush for it, and be done
+with it. But even then I wondered why he talked of my mother so, and
+said not a word of father.
+
+We were come to a long deep "goyal," as they call it on Exmoor, a word
+whose fountain and origin I have nothing to do with. Only I know that
+when little boys laughed at me at Tiverton, for talking about a "goyal,"
+a big boy clouted them on the head, and said that it was in Homer, and
+meant the hollow of the hand. And another time a Welshman told me that
+it must be something like the thing they call a "pant" in those parts.
+Still I know what it means well enough--to wit, a long trough among
+wild hills, falling towards the plain country, rounded at the bottom,
+perhaps, and stiff, more than steep, at the sides of it. Whether it be
+straight or crooked, makes no difference to it.
+
+We rode very carefully down our side, and through the soft grass at
+the bottom, and all the while we listened as if the air was a
+speaking-trumpet. Then gladly we breasted our nags to the rise, and were
+coming to the comb of it, when I heard something, and caught John's
+arm, and he bent his hand to the shape of his ear. It was the sound of
+horses' feet knocking up through splashy ground, as if the bottom sucked
+them. Then a grunting of weary men, and the lifting noise of stirrups,
+and sometimes the clank of iron mixed with the wheezy croning of leather
+and the blowing of hairy nostrils.
+
+"God's sake, Jack, slip round her belly, and let her go where she wull."
+
+As John Fry whispered, so I did, for he was off Smiler by this time;
+but our two pads were too fagged to go far, and began to nose about and
+crop, sniffing more than they need have done. I crept to John's side
+very softly, with the bridle on my arm.
+
+"Let goo braidle; let goo, lad. Plaise God they take them for
+forest-ponies, or they'll zend a bullet through us."
+
+I saw what he meant, and let go the bridle; for now the mist was rolling
+off, and we were against the sky-line to the dark cavalcade below us.
+John lay on the ground by a barrow of heather, where a little gullet
+was, and I crept to him, afraid of the noise I made in dragging my legs
+along, and the creak of my cord breeches. John bleated like a sheep to
+cover it--a sheep very cold and trembling.
+
+Then just as the foremost horseman passed, scarce twenty yards below us,
+a puff of wind came up the glen, and the fog rolled off before it. And
+suddenly a strong red light, cast by the cloud-weight downwards, spread
+like fingers over the moorland, opened the alleys of darkness, and hung
+on the steel of the riders.
+
+"Dunkery Beacon," whispered John, so close into my ear, that I felt his
+lips and teeth ashake; "dursn't fire it now except to show the Doones
+way home again, since the naight as they went up and throwed the
+watchmen atop of it. Why, wutt be 'bout, lad? God's sake--"
+
+For I could keep still no longer, but wriggled away from his arm, and
+along the little gullet, still going flat on my breast and thighs, until
+I was under a grey patch of stone, with a fringe of dry fern round it;
+there I lay, scarce twenty feet above the heads of the riders, and I
+feared to draw my breath, though prone to do it with wonder.
+
+For now the beacon was rushing up, in a fiery storm to heaven, and the
+form of its flame came and went in the folds, and the heavy sky was
+hovering. All around it was hung with red, deep in twisted columns, and
+then a giant beard of fire streamed throughout the darkness. The sullen
+hills were flanked with light, and the valleys chined with shadow, and
+all the sombrous moors between awoke in furrowed anger.
+
+But most of all the flinging fire leaped into the rocky mouth of the
+glen below me, where the horsemen passed in silence, scarcely deigning
+to look round. Heavy men and large of stature, reckless how they bore
+their guns, or how they sate their horses, with leathern jerkins, and
+long boots, and iron plates on breast and head, plunder heaped behind
+their saddles, and flagons slung in front of them; I counted more than
+thirty pass, like clouds upon red sunset. Some had carcasses of sheep
+swinging with their skins on, others had deer, and one had a child flung
+across his saddle-bow. Whether the child were dead, or alive, was more
+than I could tell, only it hung head downwards there, and must take the
+chance of it. They had got the child, a very young one, for the sake of
+the dress, no doubt, which they could not stop to pull off from it; for
+the dress shone bright, where the fire struck it, as if with gold and
+jewels. I longed in my heart to know most sadly what they would do with
+the little thing, and whether they would eat it.
+
+It touched me so to see that child, a prey among those vultures, that in
+my foolish rage and burning I stood up and shouted to them leaping on
+a rock, and raving out of all possession. Two of them turned round, and
+one set his carbine at me, but the other said it was but a pixie, and
+bade him keep his powder. Little they knew, and less thought I, that the
+pixie then before them would dance their castle down one day.
+
+[Illustration: 026.jpg Said it was but a Pixie]
+
+John Fry, who in the spring of fright had brought himself down from
+Smiler's side, as if he were dipped in oil, now came up to me, all risk
+being over, cross, and stiff, and aching sorely from his wet couch of
+heather.
+
+"Small thanks to thee, Jan, as my new waife bain't a widder. And who be
+you to zupport of her, and her son, if she have one? Zarve thee right if
+I was to chuck thee down into the Doone-track. Zim thee'll come to un,
+zooner or later, if this be the zample of thee."
+
+And that was all he had to say, instead of thanking God! For if ever
+born man was in a fright, and ready to thank God for anything, the name
+of that man was John Fry not more than five minutes agone.
+
+However, I answered nothing at all, except to be ashamed of myself; and
+soon we found Peggy and Smiler in company, well embarked on the homeward
+road, and victualling where the grass was good. Right glad they were
+to see us again--not for the pleasure of carrying, but because a horse
+(like a woman) lacks, and is better without, self-reliance.
+
+My father never came to meet us, at either side of the telling-house,
+neither at the crooked post, nor even at home-linhay although the dogs
+kept such a noise that he must have heard us. Home-side of the
+linhay, and under the ashen hedge-row, where father taught me to catch
+blackbirds, all at once my heart went down, and all my breast was
+hollow. There was not even the lanthorn light on the peg against the
+cow's house, and nobody said "Hold your noise!" to the dogs, or shouted
+"Here our Jack is!"
+
+I looked at the posts of the gate, in the dark, because they were tall,
+like father, and then at the door of the harness-room, where he used to
+smoke his pipe and sing. Then I thought he had guests perhaps--people
+lost upon the moors--whom he could not leave unkindly, even for his
+son's sake. And yet about that I was jealous, and ready to be vexed with
+him, when he should begin to make much of me. And I felt in my pocket
+for the new pipe which I had brought him from Tiverton, and said to
+myself, "He shall not have it until to-morrow morning."
+
+Woe is me! I cannot tell. How I knew I know not now--only that I slunk
+away, without a tear, or thought of weeping, and hid me in a saw-pit.
+There the timber, over-head, came like streaks across me; and all I
+wanted was to lack, and none to tell me anything.
+
+By-and-by, a noise came down, as of woman's weeping; and there my mother
+and sister were, choking and holding together. Although they were my
+dearest loves, I could not bear to look at them, until they seemed to
+want my help, and put their hands before their eyes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+A VERY RASH VISIT
+
+[Illustration: 028.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+My dear father had been killed by the Doones of Bagworthy, while riding
+home from Porlock market, on the Saturday evening. With him were six
+brother-farmers, all of them very sober; for father would have no
+company with any man who went beyond half a gallon of beer, or a single
+gallon of cider. The robbers had no grudge against him; for he had never
+flouted them, neither made overmuch of outcry, because they robbed other
+people. For he was a man of such strict honesty, and due parish feeling,
+that he knew it to be every man's own business to defend himself and
+his goods; unless he belonged to our parish, and then we must look after
+him.
+
+These seven good farmers were jogging along, helping one another in the
+troubles of the road, and singing goodly hymns and songs to keep their
+courage moving, when suddenly a horseman stopped in the starlight full
+across them.
+
+By dress and arms they knew him well, and by his size and stature, shown
+against the glimmer of the evening star; and though he seemed one man to
+seven, it was in truth one man to one. Of the six who had been
+singing songs and psalms about the power of God, and their own
+regeneration--such psalms as went the round, in those days, of the
+public-houses--there was not one but pulled out his money, and sang
+small beer to a Doone.
+
+But father had been used to think that any man who was comfortable
+inside his own coat and waistcoat deserved to have no other set, unless
+he would strike a blow for them. And so, while his gossips doffed their
+hats, and shook with what was left of them, he set his staff above his
+head, and rode at the Doone robber. With a trick of his horse, the wild
+man escaped the sudden onset, although it must have amazed him sadly
+that any durst resist him. Then when Smiler was carried away with the
+dash and the weight of my father (not being brought up to battle, nor
+used to turn, save in plough harness), the outlaw whistled upon his
+thumb, and plundered the rest of the yeoman. But father, drawing at
+Smiler's head, to try to come back and help them, was in the midst of
+a dozen men, who seemed to come out of a turf-rick, some on horse, and
+some a-foot. Nevertheless, he smote lustily, so far as he could see;
+and being of great size and strength, and his blood well up, they had no
+easy job with him. With the play of his wrist, he cracked three or four
+crowns, being always famous at single-stick; until the rest drew their
+horses away, and he thought that he was master, and would tell his wife
+about it.
+
+[Illustration: 029.jpg He rode at the Doone robber]
+
+But a man beyond the range of staff was crouching by the peat-stack,
+with a long gun set to his shoulder, and he got poor father against the
+sky, and I cannot tell the rest of it. Only they knew that Smiler came
+home, with blood upon his withers, and father was found in the morning
+dead on the moor, with his ivy-twisted cudgel lying broken under him.
+Now, whether this were an honest fight, God judge betwixt the Doones and
+me.
+
+[Illustration: 030.jpg Father was found dead on the moor]
+
+It was more of woe than wonder, being such days of violence, that mother
+knew herself a widow, and her children fatherless. Of children there
+were only three, none of us fit to be useful yet, only to comfort
+mother, by making her to work for us. I, John Ridd, was the eldest,
+and felt it a heavy thing on me; next came sister Annie, with about two
+years between us; and then the little Eliza.
+
+Now, before I got home and found my sad loss--and no boy ever loved his
+father more than I loved mine--mother had done a most wondrous thing,
+which made all the neighbours say that she must be mad, at least. Upon
+the Monday morning, while her husband lay unburied, she cast a white
+hood over her hair, and gathered a black cloak round her, and, taking
+counsel of no one, set off on foot for the Doone-gate.
+
+In the early afternoon she came to the hollow and barren entrance, where
+in truth there was no gate, only darkness to go through. If I get on
+with this story, I shall have to tell of it by-and-by, as I saw it
+afterwards; and will not dwell there now. Enough that no gun was fired
+at her, only her eyes were covered over, and somebody led her by the
+hand, without any wish to hurt her.
+
+A very rough and headstrong road was all that she remembered, for she
+could not think as she wished to do, with the cold iron pushed against
+her. At the end of this road they delivered her eyes, and she could
+scarce believe them.
+
+For she stood at the head of a deep green valley, carved from out the
+mountains in a perfect oval, with a fence of sheer rock standing round
+it, eighty feet or a hundred high; from whose brink black wooded hills
+swept up to the sky-line. By her side a little river glided out from
+underground with a soft dark babble, unawares of daylight; then growing
+brighter, lapsed away, and fell into the valley. Then, as it ran down
+the meadow, alders stood on either marge, and grass was blading out
+upon it, and yellow tufts of rushes gathered, looking at the hurry. But
+further down, on either bank, were covered houses built of stone, square
+and roughly cornered, set as if the brook were meant to be the street
+between them. Only one room high they were, and not placed opposite each
+other, but in and out as skittles are; only that the first of all, which
+proved to be the captain's, was a sort of double house, or rather two
+houses joined together by a plank-bridge, over the river.
+
+Fourteen cots my mother counted, all very much of a pattern, and nothing
+to choose between them, unless it were the captain's. Deep in the quiet
+valley there, away from noise, and violence, and brawl, save that of
+the rivulet, any man would have deemed them homes of simple mind and
+innocence. Yet not a single house stood there but was the home of
+murder.
+
+Two men led my mother down a steep and gliddery stair-way, like the
+ladder of a hay-mow; and thence from the break of the falling water as
+far as the house of the captain. And there at the door they left her
+trembling, strung as she was, to speak her mind.
+
+Now, after all, what right had she, a common farmer's widow, to take it
+amiss that men of birth thought fit to kill her husband. And the Doones
+were of very high birth, as all we clods of Exmoor knew; and we had
+enough of good teaching now--let any man say the contrary--to feel that
+all we had belonged of right to those above us. Therefore my mother was
+half-ashamed that she could not help complaining.
+
+But after a little while, as she said, remembrance of her husband came,
+and the way he used to stand by her side and put his strong arm round
+her, and how he liked his bacon fried, and praised her kindly for
+it--and so the tears were in her eyes, and nothing should gainsay them.
+
+A tall old man, Sir Ensor Doone, came out with a bill-hook in his
+hand, hedger's gloves going up his arms, as if he were no better than a
+labourer at ditch-work. Only in his mouth and eyes, his gait, and most
+of all his voice, even a child could know and feel that here was no
+ditch-labourer. Good cause he has found since then, perhaps, to wish
+that he had been one.
+
+With his white locks moving upon his coat, he stopped and looked down
+at my mother, and she could not help herself but curtsey under the fixed
+black gazing.
+
+"Good woman, you are none of us. Who has brought you hither? Young men
+must be young--but I have had too much of this work."
+
+And he scowled at my mother, for her comeliness; and yet looked under
+his eyelids as if he liked her for it. But as for her, in her depth of
+love-grief, it struck scorn upon her womanhood; and in the flash she
+spoke.
+
+"What you mean I know not. Traitors! cut-throats! cowards! I am here to
+ask for my husband." She could not say any more, because her heart
+was now too much for her, coming hard in her throat and mouth; but she
+opened up her eyes at him.
+
+"Madam," said Sir Ensor Doone--being born a gentleman, although a very
+bad one--"I crave pardon of you. My eyes are old, or I might have known.
+Now, if we have your husband prisoner, he shall go free without ransoms,
+because I have insulted you."
+
+"Sir," said my mother, being suddenly taken away with sorrow, because of
+his gracious manner, "please to let me cry a bit."
+
+He stood away, and seemed to know that women want no help for that. And
+by the way she cried he knew that they had killed her husband. Then,
+having felt of grief himself, he was not angry with her, but left her to
+begin again.
+
+"Loth would I be," said mother, sobbing with her new red handkerchief,
+and looking at the pattern of it, "loth indeed, Sir Ensor Doone, to
+accuse any one unfairly. But I have lost the very best husband God ever
+gave to a woman; and I knew him when he was to your belt, and I not up
+to your knee, sir; and never an unkind word he spoke, nor stopped
+me short in speaking. All the herbs he left to me, and all the
+bacon-curing, and when it was best to kill a pig, and how to treat the
+maidens. Not that I would ever wish--oh, John, it seems so strange to
+me, and last week you were everything."
+
+Here mother burst out crying again, not loudly, but turning quietly,
+because she knew that no one now would ever care to wipe the tears. And
+fifty or a hundred things, of weekly and daily happening, came across my
+mother, so that her spirit fell like slackening lime.
+
+"This matter must be seen to; it shall be seen to at once," the old man
+answered, moved a little in spite of all his knowledge. "Madam, if any
+wrong has been done, trust the honour of a Doone; I will redress it to
+my utmost. Come inside and rest yourself, while I ask about it. What was
+your good husband's name, and when and where fell this mishap?"
+
+"Deary me," said mother, as he set a chair for her very polite, but she
+would not sit upon it; "Saturday morning I was a wife, sir; and Saturday
+night I was a widow, and my children fatherless. My husband's name was
+John Ridd, sir, as everybody knows; and there was not a finer or better
+man in Somerset or Devon. He was coming home from Porlock market, and a
+new gown for me on the crupper, and a shell to put my hair up--oh, John,
+how good you were to me!"
+
+Of that she began to think again, and not to believe her sorrow, except
+as a dream from the evil one, because it was too bad upon her, and
+perhaps she would awake in a minute, and her husband would have the
+laugh of her. And so she wiped her eyes and smiled, and looked for
+something.
+
+"Madam, this is a serious thing," Sir Ensor Doone said graciously, and
+showing grave concern: "my boys are a little wild, I know. And yet I
+cannot think that they would willingly harm any one. And yet--and yet,
+you do look wronged. Send Counsellor to me," he shouted, from the door
+of his house; and down the valley went the call, "Send Counsellor to
+Captain."
+
+Counsellor Doone came in ere yet my mother was herself again; and if any
+sight could astonish her when all her sense of right and wrong was gone
+astray with the force of things, it was the sight of the Counsellor.
+A square-built man of enormous strength, but a foot below the Doone
+stature (which I shall describe hereafter), he carried a long grey beard
+descending to the leather of his belt. Great eyebrows overhung his face,
+like ivy on a pollard oak, and under them two large brown eyes, as of an
+owl when muting. And he had a power of hiding his eyes, or showing them
+bright, like a blazing fire. He stood there with his beaver off, and
+mother tried to look at him, but he seemed not to descry her.
+
+"Counsellor," said Sir Ensor Doone, standing back in his height from
+him, "here is a lady of good repute--"
+
+"Oh, no, sir; only a woman."
+
+[Illustration: 034.jpg Here is a lady, Counsellor]
+
+"Allow me, madam, by your good leave. Here is a lady, Counsellor, of
+great repute in this part of the country, who charges the Doones with
+having unjustly slain her husband--"
+
+"Murdered him! murdered him!" cried my mother, "if ever there was a
+murder. Oh, sir! oh, sir! you know it."
+
+"The perfect rights and truth of the case is all I wish to know," said
+the old man, very loftily: "and justice shall be done, madam."
+
+"Oh, I pray you--pray you, sirs, make no matter of business of it. God
+from Heaven, look on me!"
+
+"Put the case," said the Counsellor.
+
+"The case is this," replied Sir Ensor, holding one hand up to mother:
+"This lady's worthy husband was slain, it seems, upon his return from
+the market at Porlock, no longer ago than last Saturday night. Madam,
+amend me if I am wrong."
+
+"No longer, indeed, indeed, sir. Sometimes it seems a twelvemonth, and
+sometimes it seems an hour."
+
+"Cite his name," said the Counsellor, with his eyes still rolling
+inwards.
+
+"Master John Ridd, as I understand. Counsellor, we have heard of him
+often; a worthy man and a peaceful one, who meddled not with our duties.
+Now, if any of our boys have been rough, they shall answer it dearly.
+And yet I can scarce believe it. For the folk about these parts are
+apt to misconceive of our sufferings, and to have no feeling for us.
+Counsellor, you are our record, and very stern against us; tell us how
+this matter was."
+
+"Oh, Counsellor!" my mother cried; "Sir Counsellor, you will be fair: I
+see it in your countenance. Only tell me who it was, and set me face to
+face with him, and I will bless you, sir, and God shall bless you, and
+my children."
+
+The square man with the long grey beard, quite unmoved by anything, drew
+back to the door and spoke, and his voice was like a fall of stones in
+the bottom of a mine.
+
+"Few words will be enow for this. Four or five of our best-behaved and
+most peaceful gentlemen went to the little market at Porlock with a lump
+of money. They bought some household stores and comforts at a very high
+price, and pricked upon the homeward road, away from vulgar revellers.
+When they drew bridle to rest their horses, in the shelter of a
+peat-rick, the night being dark and sudden, a robber of great size and
+strength rode into the midst of them, thinking to kill or terrify. His
+arrogance and hardihood at the first amazed them, but they would not
+give up without a blow goods which were on trust with them. He had
+smitten three of them senseless, for the power of his arm was terrible;
+whereupon the last man tried to ward his blow with a pistol. Carver,
+sir, it was, our brave and noble Carver, who saved the lives of
+his brethren and his own; and glad enow they were to escape.
+Notwithstanding, we hoped it might be only a flesh-wound, and not to
+speed him in his sins."
+
+As this atrocious tale of lies turned up joint by joint before her, like
+a "devil's coach-horse,"* mother was too much amazed to do any more than
+look at him, as if the earth must open. But the only thing that opened
+was the great brown eyes of the Counsellor, which rested on my mother's
+face with a dew of sorrow, as he spoke of sins.
+
+* The cock-tailed beetle has earned this name in the West of England.
+
+
+She, unable to bear them, turned suddenly on Sir Ensor, and caught (as
+she fancied) a smile on his lips, and a sense of quiet enjoyment.
+
+"All the Doones are gentlemen," answered the old man gravely, and
+looking as if he had never smiled since he was a baby. "We are always
+glad to explain, madam, any mistake which the rustic people may fall
+upon about us; and we wish you clearly to conceive that we do not charge
+your poor husband with any set purpose of robbery, neither will we bring
+suit for any attainder of his property. Is it not so, Counsellor?"
+
+"Without doubt his land is attainted; unless is mercy you forbear, sir."
+
+"Counsellor, we will forbear. Madam, we will forgive him. Like enough he
+knew not right from wrong, at that time of night. The waters are strong
+at Porlock, and even an honest man may use his staff unjustly in this
+unchartered age of violence and rapine."
+
+The Doones to talk of rapine! Mother's head went round so that she
+curtseyed to them both, scarcely knowing where she was, but calling to
+mind her manners. All the time she felt a warmth, as if the right was
+with her, and yet she could not see the way to spread it out before
+them. With that, she dried her tears in haste and went into the cold
+air, for fear of speaking mischief.
+
+But when she was on the homeward road, and the sentinels had charge of
+her, blinding her eyes, as if she were not blind enough with weeping,
+some one came in haste behind her, and thrust a heavy leathern bag into
+the limp weight of her hand.
+
+"Captain sends you this," he whispered; "take it to the little ones."
+
+But mother let it fall in a heap, as if it had been a blind worm; and
+then for the first time crouched before God, that even the Doones should
+pity her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+AN ILLEGAL SETTLEMENT
+
+[Illustration: 037.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Good folk who dwell in a lawful land, if any such there be, may for want
+of exploration, judge our neighbourhood harshly, unless the whole truth
+is set before them. In bar of such prejudice, many of us ask leave to
+explain how and why it was the robbers came to that head in the midst
+of us. We would rather not have had it so, God knows as well as anybody;
+but it grew upon us gently, in the following manner. Only let all who
+read observe that here I enter many things which came to my knowledge in
+later years.
+
+In or about the year of our Lord 1640, when all the troubles of England
+were swelling to an outburst, great estates in the North country were
+suddenly confiscated, through some feud of families and strong influence
+at Court, and the owners were turned upon the world, and might think
+themselves lucky to save their necks. These estates were in co-heirship,
+joint tenancy I think they called it, although I know not the meaning,
+only so that if either tenant died, the other living, all would come to
+the live one in spite of any testament.
+
+One of the joint owners was Sir Ensor Doone, a gentleman of brisk
+intellect; and the other owner was his cousin, the Earl of Lorne and
+Dykemont.
+
+Lord Lorne was some years the elder of his cousin, Ensor Doone, and was
+making suit to gain severance of the cumbersome joint tenancy by any
+fair apportionment, when suddenly this blow fell on them by wiles and
+woman's meddling; and instead of dividing the land, they were divided
+from it.
+
+The nobleman was still well-to-do, though crippled in his expenditure;
+but as for the cousin, he was left a beggar, with many to beg from him.
+He thought that the other had wronged him, and that all the trouble of
+law befell through his unjust petition. Many friends advised him to make
+interest at Court; for having done no harm whatever, and being a good
+Catholic, which Lord Lorne was not, he would be sure to find hearing
+there, and probably some favour. But he, like a very hot-brained man,
+although he had long been married to the daughter of his cousin (whom he
+liked none the more for that), would have nothing to say to any attempt
+at making a patch of it, but drove away with his wife and sons, and the
+relics of his money, swearing hard at everybody. In this he may have
+been quite wrong; probably, perhaps, he was so; but I am not convinced
+at all but what most of us would have done the same.
+
+Some say that, in the bitterness of that wrong and outrage, he slew a
+gentleman of the Court, whom he supposed to have borne a hand in the
+plundering of his fortunes. Others say that he bearded King Charles the
+First himself, in a manner beyond forgiveness. One thing, at any rate,
+is sure--Sir Ensor was attainted, and made a felon outlaw, through some
+violent deed ensuing upon his dispossession.
+
+He had searched in many quarters for somebody to help him, and with
+good warrant for hoping it, inasmuch as he, in lucky days, had been
+open-handed and cousinly to all who begged advice of him. But now
+all these provided him with plenty of good advice indeed, and great
+assurance of feeling, but not a movement of leg, or lip, or purse-string
+in his favour. All good people of either persuasion, royalty or
+commonalty, knowing his kitchen-range to be cold, no longer would play
+turnspit. And this, it may be, seared his heart more than loss of land
+and fame.
+
+In great despair at last, he resolved to settle in some outlandish part,
+where none could be found to know him; and so, in an evil day for us,
+he came to the West of England. Not that our part of the world is at all
+outlandish, according to my view of it (for I never found a better one),
+but that it was known to be rugged, and large, and desolate. And here,
+when he had discovered a place which seemed almost to be made for
+him, so withdrawn, so self-defended, and uneasy of access, some of the
+country-folk around brought him little offerings--a side of bacon, a
+keg of cider, hung mutton, or a brisket of venison; so that for a little
+while he was very honest. But when the newness of his coming began to
+wear away, and our good folk were apt to think that even a gentleman
+ought to work or pay other men for doing it, and many farmers were grown
+weary of manners without discourse to them, and all cried out to one
+another how unfair it was that owning such a fertile valley young men
+would not spade or plough by reason of noble lineage--then the young
+Doones growing up took things they would not ask for.
+
+And here let me, as a solid man, owner of five hundred acres (whether
+fenced or otherwise, and that is my own business), churchwarden also of
+this parish (until I go to the churchyard), and proud to be called the
+parson's friend--for a better man I never knew with tobacco and strong
+waters, nor one who could read the lessons so well and he has been at
+Blundell's too--once for all let me declare, that I am a thorough-going
+Church-and-State man, and Royalist, without any mistake about it. And
+this I lay down, because some people judging a sausage by the skin,
+may take in evil part my little glosses of style and glibness, and the
+mottled nature of my remarks and cracks now and then on the frying-pan.
+I assure them I am good inside, and not a bit of rue in me; only queer
+knots, as of marjoram, and a stupid manner of bursting.
+
+There was not more than a dozen of them, counting a few retainers who
+still held by Sir Ensor; but soon they grew and multiplied in a manner
+surprising to think of. Whether it was the venison, which we call a
+strengthening victual, or whether it was the Exmoor mutton, or the keen
+soft air of the moorlands, anyhow the Doones increased much faster than
+their honesty. At first they had brought some ladies with them, of good
+repute with charity; and then, as time went on, they added to their
+stock by carrying. They carried off many good farmers' daughters, who
+were sadly displeased at first; but took to them kindly after awhile,
+and made a new home in their babies. For women, as it seems to me, like
+strong men more than weak ones, feeling that they need some staunchness,
+something to hold fast by.
+
+And of all the men in our country, although we are of a thick-set breed,
+you scarce could find one in three-score fit to be placed among the
+Doones, without looking no more than a tailor. Like enough, we could
+meet them man for man (if we chose all around the crown and the skirts
+of Exmoor), and show them what a cross-buttock means, because we are
+so stuggy; but in regard of stature, comeliness, and bearing, no woman
+would look twice at us. Not but what I myself, John Ridd, and one or two
+I know of--but it becomes me best not to talk of that, although my hair
+is gray.
+
+Perhaps their den might well have been stormed, and themselves driven
+out of the forest, if honest people had only agreed to begin with them
+at once when first they took to plundering. But having respect for
+their good birth, and pity for their misfortunes, and perhaps a little
+admiration at the justice of God, that robbed men now were robbers,
+the squires, and farmers, and shepherds, at first did nothing more than
+grumble gently, or even make a laugh of it, each in the case of others.
+After awhile they found the matter gone too far for laughter, as
+violence and deadly outrage stained the hand of robbery, until every
+woman clutched her child, and every man turned pale at the very name of
+Doone. For the sons and grandsons of Sir Ensor grew up in foul liberty,
+and haughtiness, and hatred, to utter scorn of God and man, and
+brutality towards dumb animals. There was only one good thing about
+them, if indeed it were good, to wit, their faith to one another, and
+truth to their wild eyry. But this only made them feared the more, so
+certain was the revenge they wreaked upon any who dared to strike a
+Doone. One night, some ten years ere I was born, when they were sacking
+a rich man's house not very far from Minehead, a shot was fired at them
+in the dark, of which they took little notice, and only one of them knew
+that any harm was done. But when they were well on the homeward road,
+not having slain either man or woman, or even burned a house down, one
+of their number fell from his saddle, and died without so much as a
+groan. The youth had been struck, but would not complain, and perhaps
+took little heed of the wound, while he was bleeding inwardly. His
+brothers and cousins laid him softly on a bank of whortle-berries, and
+just rode back to the lonely hamlet where he had taken his death-wound.
+No man nor woman was left in the morning, nor house for any to dwell in,
+only a child with its reason gone.*
+
+     *This vile deed was done, beyond all doubt.
+
+This affair made prudent people find more reason to let them alone than
+to meddle with them; and now they had so entrenched themselves, and
+waxed so strong in number, that nothing less than a troop of soldiers
+could wisely enter their premises; and even so it might turn out ill, as
+perchance we shall see by-and-by.
+
+For not to mention the strength of the place, which I shall describe in
+its proper order when I come to visit it, there was not one among them
+but was a mighty man, straight and tall, and wide, and fit to lift four
+hundredweight. If son or grandson of old Doone, or one of the northern
+retainers, failed at the age of twenty, while standing on his naked feet
+to touch with his forehead the lintel of Sir Ensor's door, and to fill
+the door frame with his shoulders from sidepost even to sidepost, he was
+led away to the narrow pass which made their valley so desperate, and
+thrust from the crown with ignominy, to get his own living honestly.
+Now, the measure of that doorway is, or rather was, I ought to say,
+six feet and one inch lengthwise, and two feet all but two inches taken
+crossways in the clear. Yet I not only have heard but know, being so
+closely mixed with them, that no descendant of old Sir Ensor, neither
+relative of his (except, indeed, the Counsellor, who was kept by them
+for his wisdom), and no more than two of their following ever failed of
+that test, and relapsed to the difficult ways of honesty.
+
+Not that I think anything great of a standard the like of that: for
+if they had set me in that door-frame at the age of twenty, it is like
+enough that I should have walked away with it on my shoulders, though
+I was not come to my full strength then: only I am speaking now of the
+average size of our neighbourhood, and the Doones were far beyond that.
+Moreover, they were taught to shoot with a heavy carbine so delicately
+and wisely, that even a boy could pass a ball through a rabbit's head at
+the distance of fourscore yards. Some people may think nought of this,
+being in practice with longer shots from the tongue than from the
+shoulder; nevertheless, to do as above is, to my ignorance, very good
+work, if you can be sure to do it. Not one word do I believe of Robin
+Hood splitting peeled wands at seven-score yards, and such like. Whoever
+wrote such stories knew not how slippery a peeled wand is, even if one
+could hit it, and how it gives to the onset. Now, let him stick one in
+the ground, and take his bow and arrow at it, ten yards away, or even
+five.
+
+Now, after all this which I have written, and all the rest which a
+reader will see, being quicker of mind than I am (who leave more than
+half behind me, like a man sowing wheat, with his dinner laid in the
+ditch too near his dog), it is much but what you will understand the
+Doones far better than I did, or do even to this moment; and therefore
+none will doubt when I tell them that our good justiciaries feared to
+make an ado, or hold any public inquiry about my dear father's death.
+They would all have had to ride home that night, and who could say what
+might betide them. Least said soonest mended, because less chance of
+breaking.
+
+So we buried him quietly--all except my mother, indeed, for she could
+not keep silence--in the sloping little churchyard of Oare, as meek a
+place as need be, with the Lynn brook down below it. There is not much
+of company there for anybody's tombstone, because the parish spreads
+so far in woods and moors without dwelling-house. If we bury one man
+in three years, or even a woman or child, we talk about it for three
+months, and say it must be our turn next, and scarcely grow accustomed
+to it until another goes.
+
+Annie was not allowed to come, because she cried so terribly; but she
+ran to the window, and saw it all, mooing there like a little calf, so
+frightened and so left alone. As for Eliza, she came with me, one on
+each side of mother, and not a tear was in her eyes, but sudden starts
+of wonder, and a new thing to be looked at unwillingly, yet
+curiously. Poor little thing! she was very clever, the only one of our
+family--thank God for the same--but none the more for that guessed she
+what it is to lose a father.
+
+[Illustration: 042.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+NECESSARY PRACTICE
+
+[Illustration: 043.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+About the rest of all that winter I remember very little, being only a
+young boy then, and missing my father most out of doors, as when it
+came to the bird-catching, or the tracking of hares in the snow, or
+the training of a sheep-dog. Oftentimes I looked at his gun, an ancient
+piece found in the sea, a little below Glenthorne, and of which he was
+mighty proud, although it was only a match-lock; and I thought of the
+times I had held the fuse, while he got his aim at a rabbit, and once
+even at a red deer rubbing among the hazels. But nothing came of my
+looking at it, so far as I remember, save foolish tears of my own
+perhaps, till John Fry took it down one day from the hooks where
+father's hand had laid it; and it hurt me to see how John handled it, as
+if he had no memory.
+
+"Bad job for he as her had not got thiccy the naight as her coom acrass
+them Doones. Rackon Varmer Jan 'ood a-zhown them the wai to kingdom
+come, 'stead of gooin' herzel zo aisy. And a maight have been gooin' to
+market now, 'stead of laying banked up over yanner. Maister Jan, thee
+can zee the grave if thee look alang this here goon-barryel. Buy now,
+whutt be blubberin' at? Wish I had never told thee."
+
+"John Fry, I am not blubbering; you make a great mistake, John. You are
+thinking of little Annie. I cough sometimes in the winter-weather, and
+father gives me lickerish--I mean--I mean--he used to. Now let me have
+the gun, John."
+
+"Thee have the goon, Jan! Thee isn't fit to putt un to thy zhoulder.
+What a weight her be, for sure!"
+
+"Me not hold it, John! That shows how much you know about it. Get out
+of the way, John; you are opposite the mouth of it, and likely it is
+loaded."
+
+John Fry jumped in a livelier manner than when he was doing day-work;
+and I rested the mouth on a cross rack-piece, and felt a warm sort
+of surety that I could hit the door over opposite, or, at least, the
+cobwall alongside of it, and do no harm in the orchard. But John would
+not give me link or fuse, and, on the whole, I was glad of it, though
+carrying on as boys do, because I had heard my father say that the
+Spanish gun kicked like a horse, and because the load in it came from
+his hand, and I did not like to undo it. But I never found it kick very
+hard, and firmly set to the shoulder, unless it was badly loaded. In
+truth, the thickness of the metal was enough almost to astonish one; and
+what our people said about it may have been true enough, although most
+of them are such liars--at least, I mean, they make mistakes, as all
+mankind must do. Perchance it was no mistake at all to say that this
+ancient gun had belonged to a noble Spaniard, the captain of a fine
+large ship in the "Invincible Armada," which we of England managed to
+conquer, with God and the weather helping us, a hundred years ago or
+more--I can't say to a month or so.
+
+After a little while, when John had fired away at a rat the charge I
+held so sacred, it came to me as a natural thing to practise shooting
+with that great gun, instead of John Fry's blunderbuss, which looked
+like a bell with a stalk to it. Perhaps for a boy there is nothing
+better than a good windmill to shoot at, as I have seen them in flat
+countries; but we have no windmills upon the great moorland, yet here
+and there a few barn-doors, where shelter is, and a way up the hollows.
+And up those hollows you can shoot, with the help of the sides to lead
+your aim, and there is a fair chance of hitting the door, if you lay
+your cheek to the barrel, and try not to be afraid of it.
+
+[Illustration: 045.jpg Won skill in target practice]
+
+Gradually I won such skill, that I sent nearly all the lead gutter from
+the north porch of our little church through our best barn-door, a thing
+which has often repented me since, especially as churchwarden, and made
+me pardon many bad boys; but father was not buried on that side of the
+church.
+
+But all this time, while I was roving over the hills or about the farm,
+and even listening to John Fry, my mother, being so much older and
+feeling trouble longer, went about inside the house, or among the maids
+and fowls, not caring to talk to the best of them, except when she broke
+out sometimes about the good master they had lost, all and every one
+of us. But the fowls would take no notice of it, except to cluck for
+barley; and the maidens, though they had liked him well, were thinking
+of their sweethearts as the spring came on. Mother thought it wrong of
+them, selfish and ungrateful; and yet sometimes she was proud that none
+had such call as herself to grieve for him. Only Annie seemed to go
+softly in and out, and cry, with nobody along of her, chiefly in the
+corner where the bees are and the grindstone. But somehow she would
+never let anybody behold her; being set, as you may say, to think it
+over by herself, and season it with weeping. Many times I caught her,
+and many times she turned upon me, and then I could not look at her, but
+asked how long to dinner-time.
+
+Now in the depth of the winter month, such as we call December, father
+being dead and quiet in his grave a fortnight, it happened me to be out
+of powder for practice against his enemies. I had never fired a shot
+without thinking, "This for father's murderer"; and John Fry said that
+I made such faces it was a wonder the gun went off. But though I could
+hardly hold the gun, unless with my back against a bar, it did me good
+to hear it go off, and hope to have hitten his enemies.
+
+"Oh, mother, mother," I said that day, directly after dinner, while she
+was sitting looking at me, and almost ready to say (as now she did seven
+times in a week), "How like your father you are growing! Jack, come here
+and kiss me"--"oh, mother, if you only knew how much I want a shilling!"
+
+"Jack, you shall never want a shilling while I am alive to give thee
+one. But what is it for, dear heart, dear heart?"
+
+"To buy something over at Porlock, mother. Perhaps I will tell you
+afterwards. If I tell not it will be for your good, and for the sake of
+the children."
+
+"Bless the boy, one would think he was threescore years of age at least.
+Give me a little kiss, you Jack, and you shall have the shilling."
+
+For I hated to kiss or be kissed in those days: and so all honest boys
+must do, when God puts any strength in them. But now I wanted the powder
+so much that I went and kissed mother very shyly, looking round the
+corner first, for Betty not to see me.
+
+But mother gave me half a dozen, and only one shilling for all of them;
+and I could not find it in my heart to ask her for another, although I
+would have taken it. In very quick time I ran away with the shilling
+in my pocket, and got Peggy out on the Porlock road without my mother
+knowing it. For mother was frightened of that road now, as if all the
+trees were murderers, and would never let me go alone so much as a
+hundred yards on it. And, to tell the truth, I was touched with fear for
+many years about it; and even now, when I ride at dark there, a man by
+a peat-rick makes me shiver, until I go and collar him. But this time
+I was very bold, having John Fry's blunderbuss, and keeping a sharp
+look-out wherever any lurking place was. However, I saw only sheep and
+small red cattle, and the common deer of the forest, until I was nigh to
+Porlock town, and then rode straight to Mr. Pooke's, at the sign of the
+Spit and Gridiron.
+
+Mr. Pooke was asleep, as it happened, not having much to do that day;
+and so I fastened Peggy by the handle of a warming-pan, at which she
+had no better manners than to snort and blow her breath; and in I walked
+with a manful style, bearing John Fry's blunderbuss. Now Timothy Pooke
+was a peaceful man, glad to live without any enjoyment of mind at
+danger, and I was tall and large already as most lads of a riper age.
+Mr. Pooke, as soon as he opened his eyes, dropped suddenly under the
+counting-board, and drew a great frying-pan over his head, as if the
+Doones were come to rob him, as their custom was, mostly after the
+fair-time. It made me feel rather hot and queer to be taken for a
+robber; and yet methinks I was proud of it.
+
+"Gadzooks, Master Pooke," said I, having learned fine words at Tiverton;
+"do you suppose that I know not then the way to carry firearms? An it
+were the old Spanish match-lock in the lieu of this good flint-engine,
+which may be borne ten miles or more and never once go off, scarcely
+couldst thou seem more scared. I might point at thee muzzle on--just so
+as I do now--even for an hour or more, and like enough it would never
+shoot thee, unless I pulled the trigger hard, with a crock upon my
+finger; so you see; just so, Master Pooke, only a trifle harder."
+
+"God sake, John Ridd, God sake, dear boy," cried Pooke, knowing me by
+this time; "don't 'e, for good love now, don't 'e show it to me, boy,
+as if I was to suck it. Put 'un down, for good, now; and thee shall have
+the very best of all is in the shop."
+
+"Ho!" I replied with much contempt, and swinging round the gun so that
+it fetched his hoop of candles down, all unkindled as they were: "Ho!
+as if I had not attained to the handling of a gun yet! My hands are cold
+coming over the moors, else would I go bail to point the mouth at you
+for an hour, sir, and no cause for uneasiness."
+
+But in spite of all assurances, he showed himself desirous only to see
+the last of my gun and me. I dare say "villainous saltpetre," as the
+great playwright calls it, was never so cheap before nor since. For my
+shilling Master Pooke afforded me two great packages over-large to go
+into my pockets, as well as a mighty chunk of lead, which I bound upon
+Peggy's withers. And as if all this had not been enough, he presented me
+with a roll of comfits for my sister Annie, whose gentle face and pretty
+manners won the love of everybody.
+
+There was still some daylight here and there as I rose the hill above
+Porlock, wondering whether my mother would be in a fright, or would not
+know it. The two great packages of powder, slung behind my back, knocked
+so hard against one another that I feared they must either spill or blow
+up, and hurry me over Peggy's ears from the woollen cloth I rode
+upon. For father always liked a horse to have some wool upon his loins
+whenever he went far from home, and had to stand about, where one
+pleased, hot, and wet, and panting. And father always said that saddles
+were meant for men full-grown and heavy, and losing their activity; and
+no boy or young man on our farm durst ever get into a saddle, because
+they all knew that the master would chuck them out pretty quickly. As
+for me, I had tried it once, from a kind of curiosity; and I could not
+walk for two or three days, the leather galled my knees so. But now, as
+Peggy bore me bravely, snorting every now and then into a cloud of air,
+for the night was growing frosty, presently the moon arose over the
+shoulder of a hill, and the pony and I were half glad to see her, and
+half afraid of the shadows she threw, and the images all around us. I
+was ready at any moment to shoot at anybody, having great faith in my
+blunderbuss, but hoping not to prove it. And as I passed the narrow
+place where the Doones had killed my father, such a fear broke out upon
+me that I leaned upon the neck of Peggy, and shut my eyes, and was cold
+all over. However, there was not a soul to be seen, until we came home
+to the old farmyard, and there was my mother crying sadly, and Betty
+Muxworthy scolding.
+
+"Come along, now," I whispered to Annie, the moment supper was over;
+"and if you can hold your tongue, Annie, I will show you something."
+
+She lifted herself on the bench so quickly, and flushed so rich with
+pleasure, that I was obliged to stare hard away, and make Betty look
+beyond us. Betty thought I had something hid in the closet beyond the
+clock-case, and she was the more convinced of it by reason of my denial.
+Not that Betty Muxworthy, or any one else, for that matter, ever found
+me in a falsehood, because I never told one, not even to my mother--or,
+which is still a stronger thing, not even to my sweetheart (when I grew
+up to have one)--but that Betty being wronged in the matter of marriage,
+a generation or two agone, by a man who came hedging and ditching, had
+now no mercy, except to believe that men from cradle to grave are liars,
+and women fools to look at them.
+
+When Betty could find no crime of mine, she knocked me out of the way in
+a minute, as if I had been nobody; and then she began to coax "Mistress
+Annie," as she always called her, and draw the soft hair down her hands,
+and whisper into the little ears. Meanwhile, dear mother was falling
+asleep, having been troubled so much about me; and Watch, my father's
+pet dog, was nodding closer and closer up into her lap.
+
+"Now, Annie, will you come?" I said, for I wanted her to hold the ladle
+for melting of the lead; "will you come at once, Annie? or must I go for
+Lizzie, and let her see the whole of it?"
+
+"Indeed, then, you won't do that," said Annie; "Lizzie to come before
+me, John; and she can't stir a pot of brewis, and scarce knows a tongue
+from a ham, John, and says it makes no difference, because both are
+good to eat! Oh, Betty, what do you think of that to come of all her
+book-learning?"
+
+"Thank God he can't say that of me," Betty answered shortly, for she
+never cared about argument, except on her own side; "thank he, I says,
+every marning a'most, never to lead me astray so. Men is desaving and so
+is galanies; but the most desaving of all is books, with their heads
+and tails, and the speckots in 'em, lik a peg as have taken the maisles.
+Some folk purtends to laugh and cry over them. God forgive them for
+liars!"
+
+It was part of Betty's obstinacy that she never would believe in reading
+or the possibility of it, but stoutly maintained to the very last that
+people first learned things by heart, and then pretended to make them
+out from patterns done upon paper, for the sake of astonishing honest
+folk just as do the conjurers. And even to see the parson and clerk was
+not enough to convince her; all she said was, "It made no odds, they
+were all the same as the rest of us." And now that she had been on
+the farm nigh upon forty years, and had nursed my father, and made his
+clothes, and all that he had to eat, and then put him in his coffin, she
+was come to such authority, that it was not worth the wages of the best
+man on the place to say a word in answer to Betty, even if he would face
+the risk to have ten for one, or twenty.
+
+Annie was her love and joy. For Annie she would do anything, even so far
+as to try to smile, when the little maid laughed and danced to her. And
+in truth I know not how it was, but every one was taken with Annie at
+the very first time of seeing her. She had such pretty ways and manners,
+and such a look of kindness, and a sweet soft light in her long blue
+eyes full of trustful gladness. Everybody who looked at her seemed to
+grow the better for it, because she knew no evil. And then the turn she
+had for cooking, you never would have expected it; and how it was her
+richest mirth to see that she had pleased you. I have been out on the
+world a vast deal as you will own hereafter, and yet have I never seen
+Annie's equal for making a weary man comfortable.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+HARD IT IS TO CLIMB
+
+[Illustration: 051.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+So many a winter night went by in a hopeful and pleasant manner, with
+the hissing of the bright round bullets, cast into the water, and the
+spluttering of the great red apples which Annie was roasting for me. We
+always managed our evening's work in the chimney of the back-kitchen,
+where there was room to set chairs and table, in spite of the fire
+burning. On the right-hand side was a mighty oven, where Betty
+threatened to bake us; and on the left, long sides of bacon, made of
+favoured pigs, and growing very brown and comely. Annie knew the names
+of all, and ran up through the wood-smoke, every now and then, when a
+gentle memory moved her, and asked them how they were getting on, and
+when they would like to be eaten. Then she came back with foolish tears,
+at thinking of that necessity; and I, being soft in a different way,
+would make up my mind against bacon.
+
+But, Lord bless you! it was no good. Whenever it came to breakfast-time,
+after three hours upon the moors, I regularly forgot the pigs, but paid
+good heed to the rashers. For ours is a hungry county, if such there
+be in England; a place, I mean, where men must eat, and are quick to
+discharge the duty. The air of the moors is so shrewd and wholesome,
+stirring a man's recollection of the good things which have betided him,
+and whetting his hope of something still better in the future, that by
+the time he sits down to a cloth, his heart and stomach are tuned too
+well to say "nay" to one another.
+
+Almost everybody knows, in our part of the world at least, how pleasant
+and soft the fall of the land is round about Plover's Barrows farm. All
+above it is strong dark mountain, spread with heath, and desolate, but
+near our house the valleys cove, and open warmth and shelter. Here are
+trees, and bright green grass, and orchards full of contentment, and
+a man may scarce espy the brook, although he hears it everywhere. And
+indeed a stout good piece of it comes through our farm-yard, and swells
+sometimes to a rush of waves, when the clouds are on the hill-tops. But
+all below, where the valley bends, and the Lynn stream comes along with
+it, pretty meadows slope their breast, and the sun spreads on the water.
+And nearly all of this is ours, till you come to Nicholas Snowe's land.
+
+But about two miles below our farm, the Bagworthy water runs into
+the Lynn, and makes a real river of it. Thence it hurries away, with
+strength and a force of wilful waters, under the foot of a barefaced
+hill, and so to rocks and woods again, where the stream is covered over,
+and dark, heavy pools delay it. There are plenty of fish all down this
+way, and the farther you go the larger they get, having deeper grounds
+to feed in; and sometimes in the summer months, when mother could spare
+me off the farm, I came down here, with Annie to help (because it was so
+lonely), and caught well-nigh a basketful of little trout and minnows,
+with a hook and a bit of worm on it, or a fern-web, or a blow-fly, hung
+from a hazel pulse-stick. For of all the things I learned at Blundell's,
+only two abode with me, and one of these was the knack of fishing, and
+the other the art of swimming. And indeed they have a very rude manner
+of teaching children to swim there; for the big boys take the little
+boys, and put them through a certain process, which they grimly call
+"sheep-washing." In the third meadow from the gate of the school, going
+up the river, there is a fine pool in the Lowman, where the Taunton
+brook comes in, and they call it the Taunton Pool. The water runs down
+with a strong sharp stickle, and then has a sudden elbow in it, where
+the small brook trickles in; and on that side the bank is steep, four or
+it may be five feet high, overhanging loamily; but on the other side it
+is flat, pebbly, and fit to land upon. Now the large boys take the small
+boys, crying sadly for mercy, and thinking mayhap, of their mothers,
+with hands laid well at the back of their necks, they bring them up to
+the crest of the bank upon the eastern side, and make them strip their
+clothes off. Then the little boys, falling on their naked knees, blubber
+upwards piteously; but the large boys know what is good for them, and
+will not be entreated. So they cast them down, one after other into the
+splash of the water, and watch them go to the bottom first, and then
+come up and fight for it, with a blowing and a bubbling. It is a very
+fair sight to watch when you know there is little danger, because,
+although the pool is deep, the current is sure to wash a boy up on the
+stones, where the end of the depth is. As for me, they had no need to
+throw me more than once, because I jumped of my own accord, thinking
+small things of the Lowman, after the violent Lynn. Nevertheless, I
+learnt to swim there, as all the other boys did; for the greatest point
+in learning that is to find that you must do it. I loved the water
+naturally, and could not long be out of it; but even the boys who hated
+it most, came to swim in some fashion or other, after they had been
+flung for a year or two into the Taunton pool.
+
+But now, although my sister Annie came to keep me company, and was not
+to be parted from me by the tricks of the Lynn stream, because I put her
+on my back and carried her across, whenever she could not leap it, or
+tuck up her things and take the stones; yet so it happened that neither
+of us had been up the Bagworthy water. We knew that it brought a good
+stream down, as full of fish as of pebbles; and we thought that it must
+be very pretty to make a way where no way was, nor even a bullock came
+down to drink. But whether we were afraid or not, I am sure I cannot
+tell, because it is so long ago; but I think that had something to do
+with it. For Bagworthy water ran out of Doone valley, a mile or so from
+the mouth of it.
+
+But when I was turned fourteen years old, and put into good
+small-clothes, buckled at the knee, and strong blue worsted hosen,
+knitted by my mother, it happened to me without choice, I may say, to
+explore the Bagworthy water. And it came about in this wise.
+
+My mother had long been ailing, and not well able to eat much; and there
+is nothing that frightens us so much as for people to have no love of
+their victuals. Now I chanced to remember that once at the time of
+the holidays I had brought dear mother from Tiverton a jar of pickled
+loaches, caught by myself in the Lowman river, and baked in the kitchen
+oven, with vinegar, a few leaves of bay, and about a dozen pepper-corns.
+And mother had said that in all her life she had never tasted anything
+fit to be compared with them. Whether she said so good a thing out of
+compliment to my skill in catching the fish and cooking them, or whether
+she really meant it, is more than I can tell, though I quite believe
+the latter, and so would most people who tasted them; at any rate, I
+now resolved to get some loaches for her, and do them in the self-same
+manner, just to make her eat a bit.
+
+There are many people, even now, who have not come to the right
+knowledge what a loach is, and where he lives, and how to catch and
+pickle him. And I will not tell them all about it, because if I did,
+very likely there would be no loaches left ten or twenty years after the
+appearance of this book. A pickled minnow is very good if you catch him
+in a stickle, with the scarlet fingers upon him; but I count him no more
+than the ropes in beer compared with a loach done properly.
+
+Being resolved to catch some loaches, whatever trouble it cost me, I set
+forth without a word to any one, in the forenoon of St. Valentine's
+day, 1675-6, I think it must have been. Annie should not come with me,
+because the water was too cold; for the winter had been long, and snow
+lay here and there in patches in the hollow of the banks, like a lady's
+gloves forgotten. And yet the spring was breaking forth, as it always
+does in Devonshire, when the turn of the days is over; and though there
+was little to see of it, the air was full of feeling.
+
+It puzzles me now, that I remember all those young impressions so,
+because I took no heed of them at the time whatever; and yet they
+come upon me bright, when nothing else is evident in the gray fog
+of experience. I am like an old man gazing at the outside of his
+spectacles, and seeing, as he rubs the dust, the image of his grandson
+playing at bo-peep with him.
+
+But let me be of any age, I never could forget that day, and how bitter
+cold the water was. For I doffed my shoes and hose, and put them into
+a bag about my neck; and left my little coat at home, and tied my
+shirt-sleeves back to my shoulders. Then I took a three-pronged fork
+firmly bound to a rod with cord, and a piece of canvas kerchief, with
+a lump of bread inside it; and so went into the pebbly water, trying to
+think how warm it was. For more than a mile all down the Lynn stream,
+scarcely a stone I left unturned, being thoroughly skilled in the tricks
+of the loach, and knowing how he hides himself. For being gray-spotted,
+and clear to see through, and something like a cuttle-fish, only more
+substantial, he will stay quite still where a streak of weed is in the
+rapid water, hoping to be overlooked, not caring even to wag his tail.
+Then being disturbed he flips away, like whalebone from the finger, and
+hies to a shelf of stone, and lies with his sharp head poked in under
+it; or sometimes he bellies him into the mud, and only shows his
+back-ridge. And that is the time to spear him nicely, holding the fork
+very gingerly, and allowing for the bent of it, which comes to pass, I
+know not how, at the tickle of air and water.
+
+Or if your loach should not be abroad when first you come to look for
+him, but keeping snug in his little home, then you may see him come
+forth amazed at the quivering of the shingles, and oar himself and look
+at you, and then dart up-stream, like a little grey streak; and then you
+must try to mark him in, and follow very daintily. So after that, in a
+sandy place, you steal up behind his tail to him, so that he cannot set
+eyes on you, for his head is up-stream always, and there you see him
+abiding still, clear, and mild, and affable. Then, as he looks so
+innocent, you make full sure to prog him well, in spite of the wry of
+the water, and the sun making elbows to everything, and the trembling
+of your fingers. But when you gird at him lovingly, and have as good as
+gotten him, lo! in the go-by of the river he is gone as a shadow goes,
+and only a little cloud of mud curls away from the points of the fork.
+
+A long way down that limpid water, chill and bright as an iceberg, went
+my little self that day on man's choice errand--destruction. All
+the young fish seemed to know that I was one who had taken out God's
+certificate, and meant to have the value of it; every one of them was
+aware that we desolate more than replenish the earth. For a cow
+might come and look into the water, and put her yellow lips down; a
+kingfisher, like a blue arrow, might shoot through the dark alleys over
+the channel, or sit on a dipping withy-bough with his beak sunk into his
+breast-feathers; even an otter might float downstream likening himself
+to a log of wood, with his flat head flush with the water-top, and his
+oily eyes peering quietly; and yet no panic would seize other life, as
+it does when a sample of man comes.
+
+Now let not any one suppose that I thought of these things when I was
+young, for I knew not the way to do it. And proud enough in truth I
+was at the universal fear I spread in all those lonely places, where I
+myself must have been afraid, if anything had come up to me. It is
+all very pretty to see the trees big with their hopes of another year,
+though dumb as yet on the subject, and the waters murmuring gaiety,
+and the banks spread out with comfort; but a boy takes none of this to
+heart; unless he be meant for a poet (which God can never charge upon
+me), and he would liefer have a good apple, or even a bad one, if he
+stole it.
+
+When I had travelled two miles or so, conquered now and then with cold,
+and coming out to rub my legs into a lively friction, and only fishing
+here and there, because of the tumbling water; suddenly, in an open
+space, where meadows spread about it, I found a good stream flowing
+softly into the body of our brook. And it brought, so far as I could
+guess by the sweep of it under my knee-caps, a larger power of clear
+water than the Lynn itself had; only it came more quietly down, not
+being troubled with stairs and steps, as the fortune of the Lynn is, but
+gliding smoothly and forcibly, as if upon some set purpose.
+
+Hereupon I drew up and thought, and reason was much inside me; because
+the water was bitter cold, and my little toes were aching. So on the
+bank I rubbed them well with a sprout of young sting-nettle, and having
+skipped about awhile, was kindly inclined to eat a bit.
+
+Now all the turn of all my life hung upon that moment. But as I sat
+there munching a crust of Betty Muxworthy's sweet brown bread, and a bit
+of cold bacon along with it, and kicking my little red heels against the
+dry loam to keep them warm, I knew no more than fish under the fork what
+was going on over me. It seemed a sad business to go back now and tell
+Annie there were no loaches; and yet it was a frightful thing, knowing
+what I did of it, to venture, where no grown man durst, up the Bagworthy
+water. And please to recollect that I was only a boy in those days, fond
+enough of anything new, but not like a man to meet it.
+
+However, as I ate more and more, my spirit arose within me, and I
+thought of what my father had been, and how he had told me a hundred
+times never to be a coward. And then I grew warm, and my little heart
+was ashamed of its pit-a-patting, and I said to myself, "now if father
+looks, he shall see that I obey him." So I put the bag round my back
+again, and buckled my breeches far up from the knee, expecting deeper
+water, and crossing the Lynn, went stoutly up under the branches which
+hang so dark on the Bagworthy river.
+
+I found it strongly over-woven, turned, and torn with thicket-wood, but
+not so rocky as the Lynn, and more inclined to go evenly. There were
+bars of chafed stakes stretched from the sides half-way across the
+current, and light outriders of pithy weed, and blades of last year's
+water-grass trembling in the quiet places, like a spider's threads, on
+the transparent stillness, with a tint of olive moving it. And here and
+there the sun came in, as if his light was sifted, making dance upon the
+waves, and shadowing the pebbles.
+
+Here, although affrighted often by the deep, dark places, and feeling
+that every step I took might never be taken backward, on the whole I
+had very comely sport of loaches, trout, and minnows, forking some, and
+tickling some, and driving others to shallow nooks, whence I could bail
+them ashore. Now, if you have ever been fishing, you will not wonder
+that I was led on, forgetting all about danger, and taking no heed of
+the time, but shouting in a childish way whenever I caught a "whacker"
+(as we called a big fish at Tiverton); and in sooth there were very
+fine loaches here, having more lie and harbourage than in the rough Lynn
+stream, though not quite so large as in the Lowman, where I have even
+taken them to the weight of half a pound.
+
+But in answer to all my shouts there never was any sound at all, except
+of a rocky echo, or a scared bird hustling away, or the sudden dive of a
+water-vole; and the place grew thicker and thicker, and the covert grew
+darker above me, until I thought that the fishes might have good chance
+of eating me, instead of my eating the fishes.
+
+For now the day was falling fast behind the brown of the hill-tops, and
+the trees, being void of leaf and hard, seemed giants ready to beat me.
+And every moment as the sky was clearing up for a white frost, the cold
+of the water got worse and worse, until I was fit to cry with it. And
+so, in a sorry plight, I came to an opening in the bushes, where a great
+black pool lay in front of me, whitened with snow (as I thought) at the
+sides, till I saw it was only foam-froth.
+
+Now, though I could swim with great ease and comfort, and feared no
+depth of water, when I could fairly come to it, yet I had no desire to
+go over head and ears into this great pool, being so cramped and weary,
+and cold enough in all conscience, though wet only up to the middle,
+not counting my arms and shoulders. And the look of this black pit was
+enough to stop one from diving into it, even on a hot summer's day with
+sunshine on the water; I mean, if the sun ever shone there. As it was, I
+shuddered and drew back; not alone at the pool itself and the black
+air there was about it, but also at the whirling manner, and wisping of
+white threads upon it in stripy circles round and round; and the centre
+still as jet.
+
+But soon I saw the reason of the stir and depth of that great pit, as
+well as of the roaring sound which long had made me wonder. For skirting
+round one side, with very little comfort, because the rocks were high
+and steep, and the ledge at the foot so narrow, I came to a sudden sight
+and marvel, such as I never dreamed of. For, lo! I stood at the foot of
+a long pale slide of water, coming smoothly to me, without any break or
+hindrance, for a hundred yards or more, and fenced on either side with
+cliff, sheer, and straight, and shining. The water neither ran nor fell,
+nor leaped with any spouting, but made one even slope of it, as if it
+had been combed or planed, and looking like a plank of deal laid down a
+deep black staircase. However, there was no side-rail, nor any place to
+walk upon, only the channel a fathom wide, and the perpendicular walls
+of crag shutting out the evening.
+
+[Illustration: 058.jpg A long pale slide of water]
+
+The look of this place had a sad effect, scaring me very greatly, and
+making me feel that I would give something only to be at home again,
+with Annie cooking my supper, and our dog Watch sniffing upward. But
+nothing would come of wishing; that I had long found out; and it only
+made one the less inclined to work without white feather. So I laid the
+case before me in a little council; not for loss of time, but only that
+I wanted rest, and to see things truly.
+
+Then says I to myself--"John Ridd, these trees, and pools, and lonesome
+rocks, and setting of the sunlight are making a gruesome coward of thee.
+Shall I go back to my mother so, and be called her fearless boy?"
+
+Nevertheless, I am free to own that it was not any fine sense of shame
+which settled my decision; for indeed there was nearly as much of danger
+in going back as in going on, and perhaps even more of labour, the
+journey being so roundabout. But that which saved me from turning back
+was a strange inquisitive desire, very unbecoming in a boy of little
+years; in a word, I would risk a great deal to know what made the water
+come down like that, and what there was at the top of it.
+
+Therefore, seeing hard strife before me, I girt up my breeches anew,
+with each buckle one hole tighter, for the sodden straps were stretching
+and giving, and mayhap my legs were grown smaller from the coldness
+of it. Then I bestowed my fish around my neck more tightly, and not
+stopping to look much, for fear of fear, crawled along over the fork of
+rocks, where the water had scooped the stone out, and shunning thus the
+ledge from whence it rose like the mane of a white horse into the broad
+black pool, softly I let my feet into the dip and rush of the torrent.
+
+And here I had reckoned without my host, although (as I thought) so
+clever; and it was much but that I went down into the great black pool,
+and had never been heard of more; and this must have been the end of me,
+except for my trusty loach-fork. For the green wave came down like great
+bottles upon me, and my legs were gone off in a moment, and I had not
+time to cry out with wonder, only to think of my mother and Annie, and
+knock my head very sadly, which made it go round so that brains were
+no good, even if I had any. But all in a moment, before I knew aught,
+except that I must die out of the way, with a roar of water upon me, my
+fork, praise God stuck fast in the rock, and I was borne up upon it. I
+felt nothing except that here was another matter to begin upon; and it
+might be worth while, or again it might not, to have another fight for
+it. But presently the dash of the water upon my face revived me, and my
+mind grew used to the roar of it, and meseemed I had been worse off than
+this, when first flung into the Lowman.
+
+Therefore I gathered my legs back slowly, as if they were fish to be
+landed, stopping whenever the water flew too strongly off my shin-bones,
+and coming along without sticking out to let the wave get hold of
+me. And in this manner I won a footing, leaning well forward like a
+draught-horse, and balancing on my strength as it were, with the ashen
+stake set behind me. Then I said to my self, "John Ridd, the sooner you
+get yourself out by the way you came, the better it will be for you."
+But to my great dismay and affright, I saw that no choice was left me
+now, except that I must climb somehow up that hill of water, or else be
+washed down into the pool and whirl around it till it drowned me. For
+there was no chance of fetching back by the way I had gone down into
+it, and further up was a hedge of rock on either side of the waterway,
+rising a hundred yards in height, and for all I could tell five hundred,
+and no place to set a foot in.
+
+Having said the Lord's Prayer (which was all I knew), and made a very
+bad job of it, I grasped the good loach-stick under a knot, and steadied
+me with my left hand, and so with a sigh of despair began my course up
+the fearful torrent-way. To me it seemed half a mile at least of sliding
+water above me, but in truth it was little more than a furlong, as I
+came to know afterwards. It would have been a hard ascent even without
+the slippery slime and the force of the river over it, and I had scanty
+hope indeed of ever winning the summit. Nevertheless, my terror left
+me, now I was face to face with it, and had to meet the worst; and I set
+myself to do my best with a vigour and sort of hardness which did not
+then surprise me, but have done so ever since.
+
+The water was only six inches deep, or from that to nine at the utmost,
+and all the way up I could see my feet looking white in the gloom of
+the hollow, and here and there I found resting-place, to hold on by the
+cliff and pant awhile. And gradually as I went on, a warmth of courage
+breathed in me, to think that perhaps no other had dared to try that
+pass before me, and to wonder what mother would say to it. And then came
+thought of my father also, and the pain of my feet abated.
+
+How I went carefully, step by step, keeping my arms in front of me, and
+never daring to straighten my knees is more than I can tell clearly, or
+even like now to think of, because it makes me dream of it. Only I must
+acknowledge that the greatest danger of all was just where I saw no
+jeopardy, but ran up a patch of black ooze-weed in a very boastful
+manner, being now not far from the summit.
+
+Here I fell very piteously, and was like to have broken my knee-cap, and
+the torrent got hold of my other leg while I was indulging the bruised
+one. And then a vile knotting of cramp disabled me, and for awhile I
+could only roar, till my mouth was full of water, and all of my body was
+sliding. But the fright of that brought me to again, and my elbow caught
+in a rock-hole; and so I managed to start again, with the help of more
+humility.
+
+Now being in the most dreadful fright, because I was so near the top,
+and hope was beating within me, I laboured hard with both legs and arms,
+going like a mill and grunting. At last the rush of forked water, where
+first it came over the lips of the fall, drove me into the middle, and
+I stuck awhile with my toe-balls on the slippery links of the pop-weed,
+and the world was green and gliddery, and I durst not look behind me.
+Then I made up my mind to die at last; for so my legs would ache no
+more, and my breath not pain my heart so; only it did seem such a pity
+after fighting so long to give in, and the light was coming upon me, and
+again I fought towards it; then suddenly I felt fresh air, and fell into
+it headlong.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A BOY AND A GIRL
+
+[Illustration: 062.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+When I came to myself again, my hands were full of
+young grass and mould, and a little girl kneeling at my side was rubbing
+my forehead tenderly with a dock-leaf and a handkerchief.
+
+"Oh, I am so glad," she whispered softly, as I opened my eyes and looked
+at her; "now you will try to be better, won't you?"
+
+I had never heard so sweet a sound as came from between her bright red
+lips, while there she knelt and gazed at me; neither had I ever seen
+anything so beautiful as the large dark eyes intent upon me, full of
+pity and wonder. And then, my nature being slow, and perhaps, for that
+matter, heavy, I wandered with my hazy eyes down the black shower of
+her hair, as to my jaded gaze it seemed; and where it fell on the turf,
+among it (like an early star) was the first primrose of the season. And
+since that day I think of her, through all the rough storms of my life,
+when I see an early primrose. Perhaps she liked my countenance, and
+indeed I know she did, because she said so afterwards; although at the
+time she was too young to know what made her take to me. Not that I had
+any beauty, or ever pretended to have any, only a solid healthy face,
+which many girls have laughed at.
+
+Thereupon I sate upright, with my little trident still in one hand, and
+was much afraid to speak to her, being conscious of my country-brogue,
+lest she should cease to like me. But she clapped her hands, and made a
+trifling dance around my back, and came to me on the other side, as if I
+were a great plaything.
+
+[Illustration: 063.jpg Sate upright]
+
+"What is your name?" she said, as if she had every right to ask me; "and
+how did you come here, and what are these wet things in this great bag?"
+
+"You had better let them alone," I said; "they are loaches for my
+mother. But I will give you some, if you like."
+
+"Dear me, how much you think of them! Why, they are only fish. But how
+your feet are bleeding! oh, I must tie them up for you. And no shoes nor
+stockings! Is your mother very poor, poor boy?"
+
+"No," I said, being vexed at this; "we are rich enough to buy all this
+great meadow, if we chose; and here my shoes and stockings be."
+
+"Why, they are quite as wet as your feet; and I cannot bear to see your
+feet. Oh, please to let me manage them; I will do it very softly."
+
+"Oh, I don't think much of that," I replied; "I shall put some
+goose-grease to them. But how you are looking at me! I never saw any one
+like you before. My name is John Ridd. What is your name?"
+
+"Lorna Doone," she answered, in a low voice, as if afraid of it, and
+hanging her head so that I could see only her forehead and eyelashes;
+"if you please, my name is Lorna Doone; and I thought you must have
+known it."
+
+Then I stood up and touched her hand, and tried to make her look at me;
+but she only turned away the more. Young and harmless as she was, her
+name alone made guilt of her. Nevertheless I could not help looking at
+her tenderly, and the more when her blushes turned into tears, and her
+tears to long, low sobs.
+
+"Don't cry," I said, "whatever you do. I am sure you have never done any
+harm. I will give you all my fish Lorna, and catch some more for mother;
+only don't be angry with me."
+
+She flung her little soft arms up in the passion of her tears, and
+looked at me so piteously, that what did I do but kiss her. It seemed to
+be a very odd thing, when I came to think of it, because I hated kissing
+so, as all honest boys must do. But she touched my heart with a sudden
+delight, like a cowslip-blossom (although there were none to be seen
+yet), and the sweetest flowers of spring.
+
+She gave me no encouragement, as my mother in her place would have done;
+nay, she even wiped her lips (which methought was rather rude of her),
+and drew away, and smoothed her dress, as if I had used a freedom. Then
+I felt my cheeks grow burning red, and I gazed at my legs and was
+sorry. For although she was not at all a proud child (at any rate in her
+countenance), yet I knew that she was by birth a thousand years in front
+of me. They might have taken and framed me, or (which would be more to
+the purpose) my sisters, until it was time for us to die, and then have
+trained our children after us, for many generations; yet never could we
+have gotten that look upon our faces which Lorna Doone had naturally, as
+if she had been born to it.
+
+Here was I, a yeoman's boy, a yeoman every inch of me, even where I was
+naked; and there was she, a lady born, and thoroughly aware of it, and
+dressed by people of rank and taste, who took pride in her beauty and
+set it to advantage. For though her hair was fallen down by reason of
+her wildness, and some of her frock was touched with wet where she had
+tended me so, behold her dress was pretty enough for the queen of all
+the angels. The colours were bright and rich indeed, and the substance
+very sumptuous, yet simple and free from tinsel stuff, and matching most
+harmoniously. All from her waist to her neck was white, plaited in close
+like a curtain, and the dark soft weeping of her hair, and the shadowy
+light of her eyes (like a wood rayed through with sunset), made it seem
+yet whiter, as if it were done on purpose. As for the rest, she knew
+what it was a great deal better than I did, for I never could look far
+away from her eyes when they were opened upon me.
+
+Now, seeing how I heeded her, and feeling that I had kissed her,
+although she was such a little girl, eight years old or thereabouts, she
+turned to the stream in a bashful manner, and began to watch the water,
+and rubbed one leg against the other.
+
+I, for my part, being vexed at her behaviour to me, took up all my
+things to go, and made a fuss about it; to let her know I was going.
+But she did not call me back at all, as I had made sure she would do;
+moreover, I knew that to try the descent was almost certain death to
+me, and it looked as dark as pitch; and so at the mouth I turned round
+again, and came back to her, and said, "Lorna."
+
+"Oh, I thought you were gone," she answered; "why did you ever come
+here? Do you know what they would do to us, if they found you here with
+me?"
+
+"Beat us, I dare say, very hard; or me, at least. They could never beat
+you."
+
+"No. They would kill us both outright, and bury us here by the water;
+and the water often tells me that I must come to that."
+
+"But what should they kill me for?"
+
+"Because you have found the way up here, and they never could believe
+it. Now, please to go; oh, please to go. They will kill us both in
+a moment. Yes, I like you very much"--for I was teasing her to say
+it--"very much indeed, and I will call you John Ridd, if you like; only
+please to go, John. And when your feet are well, you know, you can come
+and tell me how they are."
+
+"But I tell you, Lorna, I like you very much indeed--nearly as much as
+Annie, and a great deal more than Lizzie. And I never saw any one like
+you, and I must come back again to-morrow, and so must you, to see me;
+and I will bring you such lots of things--there are apples still, and
+a thrush I caught with only one leg broken, and our dog has just had
+puppies--"
+
+"Oh, dear, they won't let me have a dog. There is not a dog in the
+valley. They say they are such noisy things--"
+
+"Only put your hand in mine--what little things they are, Lorna! And I
+will bring you the loveliest dog; I will show you just how long he is."
+
+"Hush!" A shout came down the valley, and all my heart was trembling,
+like water after sunset, and Lorna's face was altered from pleasant play
+to terror. She shrank to me, and looked up at me, with such a power of
+weakness, that I at once made up my mind to save her or to die with her.
+A tingle went through all my bones, and I only longed for my carbine.
+The little girl took courage from me, and put her cheek quite close to
+mine.
+
+"Come with me down the waterfall. I can carry you easily; and mother
+will take care of you."
+
+"No, no," she cried, as I took her up: "I will tell you what to do. They
+are only looking for me. You see that hole, that hole there?"
+
+She pointed to a little niche in the rock which verged the meadow, about
+fifty yards away from us. In the fading of the twilight I could just
+descry it.
+
+"Yes, I see it; but they will see me crossing the grass to get there."
+
+"Look! look!" She could hardly speak. "There is a way out from the top
+of it; they would kill me if I told it. Oh, here they come, I can see
+them."
+
+The little maid turned as white as the snow which hung on the rocks
+above her, and she looked at the water and then at me, and she cried,
+"Oh dear! oh dear!" And then she began to sob aloud, being so young and
+unready. But I drew her behind the withy-bushes, and close down to the
+water, where it was quiet and shelving deep, ere it came to the lip of
+the chasm. Here they could not see either of us from the upper valley,
+and might have sought a long time for us, even when they came quite
+near, if the trees had been clad with their summer clothes. Luckily I
+had picked up my fish and taken my three-pronged fork away.
+
+Crouching in that hollow nest, as children get together in ever so
+little compass, I saw a dozen fierce men come down, on the other side of
+the water, not bearing any fire-arms, but looking lax and jovial, as if
+they were come from riding and a dinner taken hungrily. "Queen, queen!"
+they were shouting, here and there, and now and then: "where the pest is
+our little queen gone?"
+
+"They always call me 'queen,' and I am to be queen by-and-by," Lorna
+whispered to me, with her soft cheek on my rough one, and her little
+heart beating against me: "oh, they are crossing by the timber there,
+and then they are sure to see us."
+
+"Stop," said I; "now I see what to do. I must get into the water, and
+you must go to sleep."
+
+"To be sure, yes, away in the meadow there. But how bitter cold it will
+be for you!"
+
+She saw in a moment the way to do it, sooner than I could tell her; and
+there was no time to lose.
+
+"Now mind you never come again," she whispered over her shoulder, as she
+crept away with a childish twist hiding her white front from me; "only I
+shall come sometimes--oh, here they are, Madonna!"
+
+Daring scarce to peep, I crept into the water, and lay down bodily
+in it, with my head between two blocks of stone, and some flood-drift
+combing over me. The dusk was deepening between the hills, and a white
+mist lay on the river; but I, being in the channel of it, could see
+every ripple, and twig, and rush, and glazing of twilight above it, as
+bright as in a picture; so that to my ignorance there seemed no chance
+at all but what the men must find me. For all this time they were
+shouting and swearing, and keeping such a hullabaloo, that the rocks all
+round the valley rang, and my heart quaked, so (what with this and
+the cold) that the water began to gurgle round me, and to lap upon the
+pebbles.
+
+Neither in truth did I try to stop it, being now so desperate, between
+the fear and the wretchedness; till I caught a glimpse of the little
+maid, whose beauty and whose kindliness had made me yearn to be with
+her. And then I knew that for her sake I was bound to be brave and hide
+myself. She was lying beneath a rock, thirty or forty yards from me,
+feigning to be fast asleep, with her dress spread beautifully, and her
+hair drawn over her.
+
+Presently one of the great rough men came round a corner upon her; and
+there he stopped and gazed awhile at her fairness and her innocence.
+Then he caught her up in his arms, and kissed her so that I heard him;
+and if I had only brought my gun, I would have tried to shoot him.
+
+"Here our queen is! Here's the queen, here's the captain's daughter!"
+he shouted to his comrades; "fast asleep, by God, and hearty! Now I have
+first claim to her; and no one else shall touch the child. Back to the
+bottle, all of you!"
+
+He set her dainty little form upon his great square shoulder, and her
+narrow feet in one broad hand; and so in triumph marched away, with the
+purple velvet of her skirt ruffling in his long black beard, and the
+silken length of her hair fetched out, like a cloud by the wind behind
+her. This way of her going vexed me so, that I leaped upright in the
+water, and must have been spied by some of them, but for their haste to
+the wine-bottle. Of their little queen they took small notice, being in
+this urgency; although they had thought to find her drowned; but trooped
+away after one another with kindly challenge to gambling, so far as I
+could make them out; and I kept sharp watch, I assure you.
+
+Going up that darkened glen, little Lorna, riding still the largest and
+most fierce of them, turned and put up a hand to me, and I put up a hand
+to her, in the thick of the mist and the willows.
+
+She was gone, my little dear (though tall of her age and healthy); and
+when I got over my thriftless fright, I longed to have more to say to
+her. Her voice to me was so different from all I had ever heard before,
+as might be a sweet silver bell intoned to the small chords of a harp.
+But I had no time to think about this, if I hoped to have any supper.
+
+I crept into a bush for warmth, and rubbed my shivering legs on
+bark, and longed for mother's fagot. Then as daylight sank below the
+forget-me-not of stars, with a sorrow to be quit, I knew that now must
+be my time to get away, if there were any.
+
+Therefore, wringing my sodden breaches, I managed to crawl from the bank
+to the niche in the cliff which Lorna had shown me.
+
+Through the dusk I had trouble to see the mouth, at even the five
+land-yards of distance; nevertheless, I entered well, and held on by
+some dead fern-stems, and did hope that no one would shoot me.
+
+But while I was hugging myself like this, with a boyish manner of
+reasoning, my joy was like to have ended in sad grief both to myself
+and my mother, and haply to all honest folk who shall love to read
+this history. For hearing a noise in front of me, and like a coward not
+knowing where, but afraid to turn round or think of it, I felt myself
+going down some deep passage into a pit of darkness. It was no good to
+catch the sides, the whole thing seemed to go with me. Then, without
+knowing how, I was leaning over a night of water.
+
+This water was of black radiance, as are certain diamonds, spanned
+across with vaults of rock, and carrying no image, neither showing marge
+nor end, but centred (at it might be) with a bottomless indrawal.
+
+With that chill and dread upon me, and the sheer rock all around, and
+the faint light heaving wavily on the silence of this gulf, I must have
+lost my wits and gone to the bottom, if there were any.
+
+But suddenly a robin sang (as they will do after dark, towards spring)
+in the brown fern and ivy behind me. I took it for our little Annie's
+voice (for she could call any robin), and gathering quick warm comfort,
+sprang up the steep way towards the starlight. Climbing back, as the
+stones glid down, I heard the cold greedy wave go japping, like a blind
+black dog, into the distance of arches and hollow depths of darkness.
+
+[Illustration: 069.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME
+
+[Illustration: 070.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+I can assure you, and tell no lie (as John Fry always used to say, when
+telling his very largest), that I scrambled back to the mouth of that
+pit as if the evil one had been after me. And sorely I repented now of
+all my boyish folly, or madness it might well be termed, in venturing,
+with none to help, and nothing to compel me, into that accursed valley.
+Once let me get out, thinks I, and if ever I get in again, without being
+cast in by neck and by crop, I will give our new-born donkey leave to
+set up for my schoolmaster.
+
+How I kept that resolution we shall see hereafter. It is enough for me
+now to tell how I escaped from the den that night. First I sat down
+in the little opening which Lorna had pointed out to me, and wondered
+whether she had meant, as bitterly occurred to me, that I should run
+down into the pit, and be drowned, and give no more trouble. But in less
+than half a minute I was ashamed of that idea, and remembered how she
+was vexed to think that even a loach should lose his life. And then
+I said to myself, "Now surely she would value me more than a thousand
+loaches; and what she said must be quite true about the way out of this
+horrible place."
+
+Therefore I began to search with the utmost care and diligence, although
+my teeth were chattering, and all my bones beginning to ache with the
+chilliness and the wetness. Before very long the moon appeared, over the
+edge of the mountain, and among the trees at the top of it; and then I
+espied rough steps, and rocky, made as if with a sledge-hammer, narrow,
+steep, and far asunder, scooped here and there in the side of the
+entrance, and then round a bulge of the cliff, like the marks upon a
+great brown loaf, where a hungry child has picked at it. And higher
+up, where the light of the moon shone broader upon the precipice, there
+seemed to be a rude broken track, like the shadow of a crooked stick
+thrown upon a house-wall.
+
+Herein was small encouragement; and at first I was minded to lie down
+and die; but it seemed to come amiss to me. God has His time for all
+of us; but He seems to advertise us when He does not mean to do it.
+Moreover, I saw a movement of lights at the head of the valley, as if
+lanthorns were coming after me, and the nimbleness given thereon to my
+heels was in front of all meditation.
+
+Straightway I set foot in the lowest stirrup (as I might almost call
+it), and clung to the rock with my nails, and worked to make a jump into
+the second stirrup. And I compassed that too, with the aid of my stick;
+although, to tell you the truth, I was not at that time of life so agile
+as boys of smaller frame are, for my size was growing beyond my years,
+and the muscles not keeping time with it, and the joints of my bones not
+closely hinged, with staring at one another. But the third step-hole was
+the hardest of all, and the rock swelled out on me over my breast, and
+there seemed to be no attempting it, until I espied a good stout rope
+hanging in a groove of shadow, and just managed to reach the end of it.
+
+How I clomb up, and across the clearing, and found my way home through
+the Bagworthy forest, is more than I can remember now, for I took all
+the rest of it then as a dream, by reason of perfect weariness. And
+indeed it was quite beyond my hopes to tell so much as I have told, for
+at first beginning to set it down, it was all like a mist before me.
+Nevertheless, some parts grew clearer, as one by one I remembered them,
+having taken a little soft cordial, because the memory frightens me.
+
+For the toil of the water, and danger of labouring up the long cascade
+or rapids, and then the surprise of the fair young maid, and terror of
+the murderers, and desperation of getting away--all these are much to
+me even now, when I am a stout churchwarden, and sit by the side of my
+fire, after going through many far worse adventures, which I will tell,
+God willing. Only the labour of writing is such (especially so as to
+construe, and challenge a reader on parts of speech, and hope to be even
+with him); that by this pipe which I hold in my hand I ever expect to be
+beaten, as in the days when old Doctor Twiggs, if I made a bad stroke
+in my exercise, shouted aloud with a sour joy, "John Ridd, sirrah, down
+with your small-clothes!"
+
+Let that be as it may, I deserved a good beating that night, after
+making such a fool of myself, and grinding good fustian to pieces. But
+when I got home, all the supper was in, and the men sitting at the white
+table, and mother and Annie and Lizzie near by, all eager, and offering
+to begin (except, indeed, my mother, who was looking out at the
+doorway), and by the fire was Betty Muxworthy, scolding, and cooking,
+and tasting her work, all in a breath, as a man would say. I looked
+through the door from the dark by the wood-stack, and was half of a mind
+to stay out like a dog, for fear of the rating and reckoning; but the
+way my dear mother was looking about and the browning of the sausages
+got the better of me.
+
+[Illustration: 072.jpg John Ridd at Supper]
+
+But nobody could get out of me where I had been all the day and evening;
+although they worried me never so much, and longed to shake me to
+pieces, especially Betty Muxworthy, who never could learn to let well
+alone. Not that they made me tell any lies, although it would have
+served them right almost for intruding on other people's business; but
+that I just held my tongue, and ate my supper rarely, and let them try
+their taunts and jibes, and drove them almost wild after supper, by
+smiling exceeding knowingly. And indeed I could have told them things,
+as I hinted once or twice; and then poor Betty and our little Lizzie
+were so mad with eagerness, that between them I went into the fire,
+being thoroughly overcome with laughter and my own importance.
+
+Now what the working of my mind was (if, indeed it worked at all, and
+did not rather follow suit of body) it is not in my power to say; only
+that the result of my adventure in the Doone Glen was to make me dream
+a good deal of nights, which I had never done much before, and to drive
+me, with tenfold zeal and purpose, to the practice of bullet-shooting.
+Not that I ever expected to shoot the Doone family, one by one, or even
+desired to do so, for my nature is not revengeful; but that it seemed
+to be somehow my business to understand the gun, as a thing I must be at
+home with.
+
+I could hit the barn-door now capitally well with the Spanish
+match-lock, and even with John Fry's blunderbuss, at ten good land-yards
+distance, without any rest for my fusil. And what was very wrong of me,
+though I did not see it then, I kept John Fry there, to praise my shots,
+from dinner-time often until the grey dusk, while he all the time should
+have been at work spring-ploughing upon the farm. And for that matter so
+should I have been, or at any rate driving the horses; but John was
+by no means loath to be there, instead of holding the plough-tail. And
+indeed, one of our old sayings is,--
+
+     "For pleasure's sake I would liefer wet,
+      Than ha' ten lumps of gold for each one of my sweat."
+
+And again, which is not a bad proverb, though unthrifty and unlike a
+Scotsman's,--
+
+     "God makes the wheat grow greener,
+      While farmer be at his dinner."
+
+And no Devonshire man, or Somerset either (and I belong to both of
+them), ever thinks of working harder than God likes to see him.
+
+Nevertheless, I worked hard at the gun, and by the time that I had
+sent all the church-roof gutters, so far as I honestly could cut them,
+through the red pine-door, I began to long for a better tool that would
+make less noise and throw straighter. But the sheep-shearing came and
+the hay-season next, and then the harvest of small corn, and the digging
+of the root called "batata" (a new but good thing in our neighbourhood,
+which our folk have made into "taties"), and then the sweating of the
+apples, and the turning of the cider-press, and the stacking of the
+firewood, and netting of the woodcocks, and the springles to be
+minded in the garden and by the hedgerows, where blackbirds hop to the
+molehills in the white October mornings, and grey birds come to look for
+snails at the time when the sun is rising.
+
+It is wonderful how time runs away, when all these things and a great
+many others come in to load him down the hill and prevent him from
+stopping to look about. And I for my part can never conceive how people
+who live in towns and cities, where neither lambs nor birds are (except
+in some shop windows), nor growing corn, nor meadow-grass, nor even so
+much as a stick to cut or a stile to climb and sit down upon--how these
+poor folk get through their lives without being utterly weary of them,
+and dying from pure indolence, is a thing God only knows, if His mercy
+allows Him to think of it.
+
+How the year went by I know not, only that I was abroad all day,
+shooting, or fishing, or minding the farm, or riding after some stray
+beast, or away by the seaside below Glenthorne, wondering at the great
+waters, and resolving to go for a sailor. For in those days I had a firm
+belief, as many other strong boys have, of being born for a seaman. And
+indeed I had been in a boat nearly twice; but the second time mother
+found it out, and came and drew me back again; and after that she cried
+so badly, that I was forced to give my word to her to go no more without
+telling her.
+
+But Betty Muxworthy spoke her mind quite in a different way about it,
+the while she was wringing my hosen, and clattering to the drying-horse.
+
+"Zailor, ees fai! ay and zarve un raight. Her can't kape out o' the
+watter here, whur a' must goo vor to vaind un, zame as a gurt to-ad
+squalloping, and mux up till I be wore out, I be, wi' the very saight of
+'s braiches. How wil un ever baide aboard zhip, wi' the watter zinging
+out under un, and comin' up splash when the wind blow. Latt un goo,
+missus, latt un goo, zay I for wan, and old Davy wash his clouts for
+un."
+
+And this discourse of Betty's tended more than my mother's prayers,
+I fear, to keep me from going. For I hated Betty in those days, as
+children always hate a cross servant, and often get fond of a false
+one. But Betty, like many active women, was false by her crossness only;
+thinking it just for the moment perhaps, and rushing away with a bucket;
+ready to stick to it, like a clenched nail, if beaten the wrong way with
+argument; but melting over it, if you left her, as stinging soap, left
+along in a basin, spreads all abroad without bubbling.
+
+But all this is beyond the children, and beyond me too for that matter,
+even now in ripe experience; for I never did know what women mean, and
+never shall except when they tell me, if that be in their power. Now let
+that question pass. For although I am now in a place of some authority,
+I have observed that no one ever listens to me, when I attempt to lay
+down the law; but all are waiting with open ears until I do enforce it.
+And so methinks he who reads a history cares not much for the wisdom or
+folly of the writer (knowing well that the former is far less than his
+own, and the latter vastly greater), but hurries to know what the people
+did, and how they got on about it. And this I can tell, if any one can,
+having been myself in the thick of it.
+
+The fright I had taken that night in Glen Doone satisfied me for a long
+time thereafter; and I took good care not to venture even in the fields
+and woods of the outer farm, without John Fry for company. John was
+greatly surprised and pleased at the value I now set upon him; until,
+what betwixt the desire to vaunt and the longing to talk things over,
+I gradually laid bare to him nearly all that had befallen me; except,
+indeed, about Lorna, whom a sort of shame kept me from mentioning. Not
+that I did not think of her, and wish very often to see her again; but
+of course I was only a boy as yet, and therefore inclined to despise
+young girls, as being unable to do anything, and only meant to listen to
+orders. And when I got along with the other boys, that was how we always
+spoke of them, if we deigned to speak at all, as beings of a lower
+order, only good enough to run errands for us, and to nurse boy-babies.
+
+And yet my sister Annie was in truth a great deal more to me than all
+the boys of the parish, and of Brendon, and Countisbury, put together;
+although at the time I never dreamed it, and would have laughed if told
+so. Annie was of a pleasing face, and very gentle manner, almost like
+a lady some people said; but without any airs whatever, only trying to
+give satisfaction. And if she failed, she would go and weep, without
+letting any one know it, believing the fault to be all her own, when
+mostly it was of others. But if she succeeded in pleasing you, it was
+beautiful to see her smile, and stroke her soft chin in a way of her
+own, which she always used when taking note how to do the right thing
+again for you. And then her cheeks had a bright clear pink, and her eyes
+were as blue as the sky in spring, and she stood as upright as a young
+apple-tree, and no one could help but smile at her, and pat her brown
+curls approvingly; whereupon she always curtseyed. For she never tried
+to look away when honest people gazed at her; and even in the court-yard
+she would come and help to take your saddle, and tell (without your
+asking her) what there was for dinner.
+
+And afterwards she grew up to be a very comely maiden, tall, and with a
+well-built neck, and very fair white shoulders, under a bright cloud
+of curling hair. Alas! poor Annie, like most of the gentle maidens--but
+tush, I am not come to that yet; and for the present she seemed to me
+little to look at, after the beauty of Lorna Doone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+A BRAVE RESCUE AND A ROUGH RIDE
+
+[Illustration: 077.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+It happened upon a November evening (when I was about fifteen years old,
+and out-growing my strength very rapidly, my sister Annie being turned
+thirteen, and a deal of rain having fallen, and all the troughs in the
+yard being flooded, and the bark from the wood-ricks washed down the
+gutters, and even our water-shoot going brown) that the ducks in the
+court made a terrible quacking, instead of marching off to their pen,
+one behind another. Thereupon Annie and I ran out to see what might be
+the sense of it. There were thirteen ducks, and ten lily-white (as the
+fashion then of ducks was), not I mean twenty-three in all, but ten
+white and three brown-striped ones; and without being nice about their
+colour, they all quacked very movingly. They pushed their gold-coloured
+bills here and there (yet dirty, as gold is apt to be), and they jumped
+on the triangles of their feet, and sounded out of their nostrils; and
+some of the over-excited ones ran along low on the ground, quacking
+grievously with their bills snapping and bending, and the roof of their
+mouths exhibited.
+
+Annie began to cry "Dilly, dilly, einy, einy, ducksey," according to
+the burden of a tune they seem to have accepted as the national duck's
+anthem; but instead of being soothed by it, they only quacked three
+times as hard, and ran round till we were giddy. And then they shook
+their tails together, and looked grave, and went round and round
+again. Now I am uncommonly fond of ducks, both roasted and roasting and
+roystering; and it is a fine sight to behold them walk, poddling one
+after other, with their toes out, like soldiers drilling, and their
+little eyes cocked all ways at once, and the way that they dib with
+their bills, and dabble, and throw up their heads and enjoy something,
+and then tell the others about it. Therefore I knew at once, by the way
+they were carrying on, that there must be something or other gone wholly
+amiss in the duck-world. Sister Annie perceived it too, but with a
+greater quickness; for she counted them like a good duck-wife, and could
+only tell thirteen of them, when she knew there ought to be fourteen.
+
+And so we began to search about, and the ducks ran to lead us aright,
+having come that far to fetch us; and when we got down to the foot of
+the court-yard where the two great ash-trees stand by the side of the
+little water, we found good reason for the urgency and melancholy of the
+duck-birds. Lo! the old white drake, the father of all, a bird of high
+manners and chivalry, always the last to help himself from the pan of
+barley-meal, and the first to show fight to a dog or cock intruding upon
+his family, this fine fellow, and pillar of the state, was now in a sad
+predicament, yet quacking very stoutly. For the brook, wherewith he
+had been familiar from his callow childhood, and wherein he was wont to
+quest for water-newts, and tadpoles, and caddis-worms, and other game,
+this brook, which afforded him very often scanty space to dabble in,
+and sometimes starved the cresses, was now coming down in a great brown
+flood, as if the banks never belonged to it. The foaming of it, and the
+noise, and the cresting of the corners, and the up and down, like a wave
+of the sea, were enough to frighten any duck, though bred upon stormy
+waters, which our ducks never had been.
+
+There is always a hurdle six feet long and four and a half in depth,
+swung by a chain at either end from an oak laid across the channel. And
+the use of this hurdle is to keep our kine at milking time from straying
+away there drinking (for in truth they are very dainty) and to fence
+strange cattle, or Farmer Snowe's horses, from coming along the bed of
+the brook unknown, to steal our substance. But now this hurdle, which
+hung in the summer a foot above the trickle, would have been dipped more
+than two feet deep but for the power against it. For the torrent came
+down so vehemently that the chains at full stretch were creaking, and
+the hurdle buffeted almost flat, and thatched (so to say) with the
+drift-stuff, was going see-saw, with a sulky splash on the dirty red
+comb of the waters. But saddest to see was between two bars, where a
+fog was of rushes, and flood-wood, and wild-celery haulm, and dead
+crowsfoot, who but our venerable mallard jammed in by the joint of his
+shoulder, speaking aloud as he rose and fell, with his top-knot full of
+water, unable to comprehend it, with his tail washed far away from him,
+but often compelled to be silent, being ducked very harshly against his
+will by the choking fall-to of the hurdle.
+
+For a moment I could not help laughing, because, being borne up high and
+dry by a tumult of the torrent, he gave me a look from his one little
+eye (having lost one in fight with the turkey-cock), a gaze of appealing
+sorrow, and then a loud quack to second it. But the quack came out of
+time, I suppose, for his throat got filled with water, as the hurdle
+carried him back again. And then there was scarcely the screw of his
+tail to be seen until he swung up again, and left small doubt by the
+way he sputtered, and failed to quack, and hung down his poor crest, but
+what he must drown in another minute, and frogs triumph over his body.
+
+Annie was crying, and wringing her hands, and I was about to rush into
+the water, although I liked not the look of it, but hoped to hold on by
+the hurdle, when a man on horseback came suddenly round the corner of
+the great ash-hedge on the other side of the stream, and his horse's
+feet were in the water.
+
+"Ho, there," he cried; "get thee back, boy. The flood will carry thee
+down like a straw. I will do it for thee, and no trouble."
+
+[Illustration: 079.jpg A Brave Rescue]
+
+With that he leaned forward, and spoke to his mare--she was just of the
+tint of a strawberry, a young thing, very beautiful--and she arched up
+her neck, as misliking the job; yet, trusting him, would attempt it. She
+entered the flood, with her dainty fore-legs sloped further and further
+in front of her, and her delicate ears pricked forward, and the size of
+her great eyes increasing, but he kept her straight in the turbid rush,
+by the pressure of his knee on her. Then she looked back, and wondered
+at him, as the force of the torrent grew stronger, but he bade her go
+on; and on she went, and it foamed up over her shoulders; and she tossed
+up her lip and scorned it, for now her courage was waking. Then as the
+rush of it swept her away, and she struck with her forefeet down the
+stream, he leaned from his saddle in a manner which I never could have
+thought possible, and caught up old Tom with his left hand, and set him
+between his holsters, and smiled at his faint quack of gratitude. In a
+moment all these were carried downstream, and the rider lay flat on his
+horse, and tossed the hurdle clear from him, and made for the bend of
+smooth water.
+
+They landed some thirty or forty yards lower, in the midst of our
+kitchen-garden, where the winter-cabbage was; but though Annie and I
+crept in through the hedge, and were full of our thanks and admiring
+him, he would answer us never a word, until he had spoken in full to the
+mare, as if explaining the whole to her.
+
+"Sweetheart, I know thou couldst have leaped it," he said, as he patted
+her cheek, being on the ground by this time, and she was nudging up to
+him, with the water pattering off her; "but I had good reason, Winnie
+dear, for making thee go through it."
+
+She answered him kindly with her soft eyes, and smiled at him very
+lovingly, and they understood one another. Then he took from his
+waistcoat two peppercorns, and made the old drake swallow them, and
+tried him softly upon his legs, where the leading gap in the hedge was.
+Old Tom stood up quite bravely, and clapped his wings, and shook off the
+wet from his tail-feathers; and then away into the court-yard, and his
+family gathered around him, and they all made a noise in their throats,
+and stood up, and put their bills together, to thank God for this great
+deliverance.
+
+Having taken all this trouble, and watched the end of that adventure,
+the gentleman turned round to us with a pleasant smile on his face, as
+if he were lightly amused with himself; and we came up and looked at
+him. He was rather short, about John Fry's height, or may be a little
+taller, but very strongly built and springy, as his gait at every step
+showed plainly, although his legs were bowed with much riding, and he
+looked as if he lived on horseback. To a boy like me he seemed very old,
+being over twenty, and well-found in beard; but he was not more than
+four-and-twenty, fresh and ruddy looking, with a short nose and keen
+blue eyes, and a merry waggish jerk about him, as if the world were not
+in earnest. Yet he had a sharp, stern way, like the crack of a pistol,
+if anything misliked him; and we knew (for children see such things)
+that it was safer to tickle than tackle him.
+
+[Illustration: 081.jpg Tom Faggus]
+
+"Well, young uns, what be gaping at?" He gave pretty Annie a chuck on
+the chin, and took me all in without winking.
+
+"Your mare," said I, standing stoutly up, being a tall boy now; "I never
+saw such a beauty, sir. Will you let me have a ride of her?"
+
+"Think thou couldst ride her, lad? She will have no burden but mine.
+Thou couldst never ride her. Tut! I would be loath to kill thee."
+
+"Ride her!" I cried with the bravest scorn, for she looked so kind and
+gentle; "there never was horse upon Exmoor foaled, but I could tackle in
+half an hour. Only I never ride upon saddle. Take them leathers off of
+her."
+
+He looked at me with a dry little whistle, and thrust his hands into his
+breeches-pockets, and so grinned that I could not stand it. And Annie
+laid hold of me in such a way that I was almost mad with her. And he
+laughed, and approved her for doing so. And the worst of all was--he
+said nothing.
+
+"Get away, Annie, will you? Do you think I'm a fool, good sir! Only
+trust me with her, and I will not override her."
+
+"For that I will go bail, my son. She is liker to override thee. But the
+ground is soft to fall upon, after all this rain. Now come out into the
+yard, young man, for the sake of your mother's cabbages. And the mellow
+straw-bed will be softer for thee, since pride must have its fall. I
+am thy mother's cousin, boy, and am going up to house. Tom Faggus is my
+name, as everybody knows; and this is my young mare, Winnie."
+
+What a fool I must have been not to know it at once! Tom Faggus, the
+great highwayman, and his young blood-mare, the strawberry! Already her
+fame was noised abroad, nearly as much as her master's; and my longing
+to ride her grew tenfold, but fear came at the back of it. Not that I
+had the smallest fear of what the mare could do to me, by fair play and
+horse-trickery, but that the glory of sitting upon her seemed to be too
+great for me; especially as there were rumours abroad that she was not a
+mare after all, but a witch. However, she looked like a filly all over,
+and wonderfully beautiful, with her supple stride, and soft slope of
+shoulder, and glossy coat beaded with water, and prominent eyes full of
+docile fire. Whether this came from her Eastern blood of the Arabs newly
+imported, and whether the cream-colour, mixed with our bay, led to
+that bright strawberry tint, is certainly more than I can decide, being
+chiefly acquaint with farm-horses. And these come of any colour and
+form; you never can count what they will be, and are lucky to get four
+legs to them.
+
+Mr. Faggus gave his mare a wink, and she walked demurely after him, a
+bright young thing, flowing over with life, yet dropping her soul to a
+higher one, and led by love to anything; as the manner is of females,
+when they know what is the best for them. Then Winnie trod lightly upon
+the straw, because it had soft muck under it, and her delicate feet came
+back again.
+
+"Up for it still, boy, be ye?" Tom Faggus stopped, and the mare stopped
+there; and they looked at me provokingly.
+
+"Is she able to leap, sir? There is good take-off on this side of the
+brook."
+
+Mr. Faggus laughed very quietly, turning round to Winnie so that she
+might enter into it. And she, for her part, seemed to know exactly where
+the fun lay.
+
+"Good tumble-off, you mean, my boy. Well, there can be small harm to
+thee. I am akin to thy family, and know the substance of their skulls."
+
+"Let me get up," said I, waxing wroth, for reasons I cannot tell you,
+because they are too manifold; "take off your saddle-bag things. I will
+try not to squeeze her ribs in, unless she plays nonsense with me."
+
+[Illustration: 083.jpg Bill Dadds]
+
+Then Mr. Faggus was up on his mettle, at this proud speech of mine; and
+John Fry was running up all the while, and Bill Dadds, and half a dozen.
+Tom Faggus gave one glance around, and then dropped all regard for me.
+The high repute of his mare was at stake, and what was my life compared
+to it? Through my defiance, and stupid ways, here was I in a duello,
+and my legs not come to their strength yet, and my arms as limp as a
+herring.
+
+Something of this occurred to him even in his wrath with me, for he
+spoke very softly to the filly, who now could scarce subdue herself;
+but she drew in her nostrils, and breathed to his breath and did all she
+could to answer him.
+
+"Not too hard, my dear," he said: "led him gently down on the mixen.
+That will be quite enough." Then he turned the saddle off, and I was
+up in a moment. She began at first so easily, and pricked her ears so
+lovingly, and minced about as if pleased to find so light a weight upon
+her, that I thought she knew I could ride a little, and feared to show
+any capers. "Gee wug, Polly!" cried I, for all the men were now looking
+on, being then at the leaving-off time: "Gee wug, Polly, and show what
+thou be'est made of." With that I plugged my heels into her, and Billy
+Dadds flung his hat up.
+
+Nevertheless, she outraged not, though her eyes were frightening Annie,
+and John Fry took a pick to keep him safe; but she curbed to and fro
+with her strong forearms rising like springs ingathered, waiting and
+quivering grievously, and beginning to sweat about it. Then her master
+gave a shrill clear whistle, when her ears were bent towards him, and I
+felt her form beneath me gathering up like whalebone, and her hind-legs
+coming under her, and I knew that I was in for it.
+
+First she reared upright in the air, and struck me full on the nose with
+her comb, till I bled worse than Robin Snell made me; and then down
+with her fore-feet deep in the straw, and her hind-feet going to heaven.
+Finding me stick to her still like wax, for my mettle was up as hers
+was, away she flew with me swifter than ever I went before, or since, I
+trow. She drove full-head at the cobwall--"Oh, Jack, slip off," screamed
+Annie--then she turned like light, when I thought to crush her, and
+ground my left knee against it. "Mux me," I cried, for my breeches were
+broken, and short words went the furthest--"if you kill me, you shall
+die with me." Then she took the court-yard gate at a leap, knocking my
+words between my teeth, and then right over a quick set hedge, as if the
+sky were a breath to her; and away for the water-meadows, while I lay
+on her neck like a child at the breast and wished I had never been
+born. Straight away, all in the front of the wind, and scattering clouds
+around her, all I knew of the speed we made was the frightful flash of
+her shoulders, and her mane like trees in a tempest. I felt the earth
+under us rushing away, and the air left far behind us, and my breath
+came and went, and I prayed to God, and was sorry to be so late of it.
+
+[Illustration: 084.jpg A Rough Ride]
+
+All the long swift while, without power of thought, I clung to her crest
+and shoulders, and dug my nails into her creases, and my toes into her
+flank-part, and was proud of holding on so long, though sure of being
+beaten. Then in her fury at feeling me still, she rushed at another
+device for it, and leaped the wide water-trough sideways across, to and
+fro, till no breath was left in me. The hazel-boughs took me too hard
+in the face, and the tall dog-briers got hold of me, and the ache of
+my back was like crimping a fish; till I longed to give up, thoroughly
+beaten, and lie there and die in the cresses. But there came a shrill
+whistle from up the home-hill, where the people had hurried to watch us;
+and the mare stopped as if with a bullet, then set off for home with
+the speed of a swallow, and going as smoothly and silently. I never had
+dreamed of such delicate motion, fluent, and graceful, and ambient,
+soft as the breeze flitting over the flowers, but swift as the summer
+lightning. I sat up again, but my strength was all spent, and no time
+left to recover it, and though she rose at our gate like a bird, I
+tumbled off into the mixen.
+
+[Illustration: 085.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+TOM DESERVES HIS SUPPER
+
+[Illustration: 086.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+"Well done, lad," Mr. Faggus said good naturedly; for all were now
+gathered round me, as I rose from the ground, somewhat tottering, and
+miry, and crest-fallen, but otherwise none the worse (having fallen
+upon my head, which is of uncommon substance); nevertheless John Fry was
+laughing, so that I longed to clout his ears for him; "Not at all bad
+work, my boy; we may teach you to ride by-and-by, I see; I thought not
+to see you stick on so long--"
+
+"I should have stuck on much longer, sir, if her sides had not been wet.
+She was so slippery--"
+
+"Boy, thou art right. She hath given many the slip. Ha, ha! Vex not,
+Jack, that I laugh at thee. She is like a sweetheart to me, and better,
+than any of them be. It would have gone to my heart if thou hadst
+conquered. None but I can ride my Winnie mare."
+
+"Foul shame to thee then, Tom Faggus," cried mother, coming up suddenly,
+and speaking so that all were amazed, having never seen her wrathful;
+"to put my boy, my boy, across her, as if his life were no more than
+thine! The only son of his father, an honest man, and a quiet man, not
+a roystering drunken robber! A man would have taken thy mad horse and
+thee, and flung them both into horse-pond--ay, and what's more, I'll
+have it done now, if a hair of his head is injured. Oh, my boy, my boy!
+What could I do without thee? Put up the other arm, Johnny." All the
+time mother was scolding so, she was feeling me, and wiping me; while
+Faggus tried to look greatly ashamed, having sense of the ways of women.
+
+"Only look at his jacket, mother!" cried Annie; "and a shillingsworth
+gone from his small-clothes!"
+
+"What care I for his clothes, thou goose? Take that, and heed thine own
+a bit." And mother gave Annie a slap which sent her swinging up against
+Mr. Faggus, and he caught her, and kissed and protected her, and she
+looked at him very nicely, with great tears in her soft blue eyes. "Oh,
+fie upon thee, fie upon thee!" cried mother (being yet more vexed with
+him, because she had beaten Annie); "after all we have done for thee,
+and saved thy worthless neck--and to try to kill my son for me! Never
+more shall horse of thine enter stable here, since these be thy returns
+to me. Small thanks to you, John Fry, I say, and you Bill Dadds, and you
+Jem Slocomb, and all the rest of your coward lot; much you care for your
+master's son! Afraid of that ugly beast yourselves, and you put a boy
+just breeched upon him!"
+
+"Wull, missus, what could us do?" began John; "Jan wudd goo, now wudd't
+her, Jem? And how was us--"
+
+"Jan indeed! Master John, if you please, to a lad of his years and
+stature. And now, Tom Faggus, be off, if you please, and think yourself
+lucky to go so; and if ever that horse comes into our yard, I'll
+hamstring him myself if none of my cowards dare do it."
+
+Everybody looked at mother, to hear her talk like that, knowing how
+quiet she was day by day and how pleasant to be cheated. And the men
+began to shoulder their shovels, both so as to be away from her, and
+to go and tell their wives of it. Winnie too was looking at her, being
+pointed at so much, and wondering if she had done amiss. And then she
+came to me, and trembled, and stooped her head, and asked my pardon, if
+she had been too proud with me.
+
+"Winnie shall stop here to-night," said I, for Tom Faggus still said
+never a word all the while; but began to buckle his things on, for he
+knew that women are to be met with wool, as the cannon-balls were at the
+siege of Tiverton Castle; "mother, I tell you, Winnie shall stop; else
+I will go away with her, I never knew what it was, till now, to ride a
+horse worth riding."
+
+"Young man," said Tom Faggus, still preparing sternly to depart, "you
+know more about a horse than any man on Exmoor. Your mother may well be
+proud of you, but she need have had no fear. As if I, Tom Faggus, your
+father's cousin--and the only thing I am proud of--would ever have let
+you mount my mare, which dukes and princes have vainly sought, except
+for the courage in your eyes, and the look of your father about you. I
+knew you could ride when I saw you, and rarely you have conquered. But
+women don't understand us. Good-bye, John; I am proud of you, and I
+hoped to have done you pleasure. And indeed I came full of some courtly
+tales, that would have made your hair stand up. But though not a crust
+have I tasted since this time yesterday, having given my meat to a
+widow, I will go and starve on the moor far sooner than eat the best
+supper that ever was cooked, in a place that has forgotten me." With
+that he fetched a heavy sigh, as if it had been for my father; and
+feebly got upon Winnie's back, and she came to say farewell to me. He
+lifted his hat to my mother, with a glance of sorrow, but never a word;
+and to me he said, "Open the gate, Cousin John, if you please. You have
+beaten her so, that she cannot leap it, poor thing."
+
+But before he was truly gone out of our yard, my mother came softly
+after him, with her afternoon apron across her eyes, and one hand ready
+to offer him. Nevertheless, he made as if he had not seen her, though he
+let his horse go slowly.
+
+"Stop, Cousin Tom," my mother said, "a word with you, before you go."
+
+"Why, bless my heart!" Tom Faggus cried, with the form of his
+countenance so changed, that I verily thought another man must have
+leaped into his clothes--"do I see my Cousin Sarah? I thought every one
+was ashamed of me, and afraid to offer me shelter, since I lost my best
+cousin, John Ridd. 'Come here,' he used to say, 'Tom, come here, when
+you are worried, and my wife shall take good care of you.' 'Yes, dear
+John,' I used to answer, 'I know she promised my mother so; but people
+have taken to think against me, and so might Cousin Sarah.' Ah, he was a
+man, a man! If you only heard how he answered me. But let that go, I am
+nothing now, since the day I lost Cousin Ridd." And with that he began
+to push on again; but mother would not have it so.
+
+"Oh, Tom, that was a loss indeed. And I am nothing either. And you
+should try to allow for me; though I never found any one that did." And
+mother began to cry, though father had been dead so long; and I looked
+on with a stupid surprise, having stopped from crying long ago.
+
+"I can tell you one that will," cried Tom, jumping off Winnie, in a
+trice, and looking kindly at mother; "I can allow for you, Cousin Sarah,
+in everything but one. I am in some ways a bad man myself; but I know
+the value of a good one; and if you gave me orders, by God--" And he
+shook his fists towards Bagworthy Wood, just heaving up black in the
+sundown.
+
+"Hush, Tom, hush, for God's sake!" And mother meant me, without pointing
+at me; at least I thought she did. For she ever had weaned me from
+thoughts of revenge, and even from longings for judgment. "God knows
+best, boy," she used to say, "let us wait His time, without wishing
+it." And so, to tell the truth, I did; partly through her teaching, and
+partly through my own mild temper, and my knowledge that father, after
+all, was killed because he had thrashed them.
+
+"Good-night, Cousin Sarah, good-night, Cousin Jack," cried Tom, taking
+to the mare again; "many a mile I have to ride, and not a bit inside of
+me. No food or shelter this side of Exeford, and the night will be black
+as pitch, I trow. But it serves me right for indulging the lad, being
+taken with his looks so."
+
+"Cousin Tom," said mother, and trying to get so that Annie and I could
+not hear her; "it would be a sad and unkinlike thing for you to despise
+our dwelling-house. We cannot entertain you, as the lordly inns on the
+road do; and we have small change of victuals. But the men will go home,
+being Saturday; and so you will have the fireside all to yourself and
+the children. There are some few collops of red deer's flesh, and a ham
+just down from the chimney, and some dried salmon from Lynmouth weir,
+and cold roast-pig, and some oysters. And if none of those be to your
+liking, we could roast two woodcocks in half an hour, and Annie would
+make the toast for them. And the good folk made some mistake last week,
+going up the country, and left a keg of old Holland cordial in the
+coving of the wood-rick, having borrowed our Smiler, without asking
+leave. I fear there is something unrighteous about it. But what can a
+poor widow do? John Fry would have taken it, but for our Jack. Our Jack
+was a little too sharp for him."
+
+Ay, that I was; John Fry had got it, like a billet under his apron,
+going away in the gray of the morning, as if to kindle his fireplace.
+"Why, John," I said, "what a heavy log! Let me have one end of it."
+"Thank'e, Jan, no need of thiccy," he answered, turning his back to
+me; "waife wanteth a log as will last all day, to kape the crock a
+zimmerin." And he banged his gate upon my heels to make me stop and rub
+them. "Why, John," said I, "you'm got a log with round holes in the end
+of it. Who has been cutting gun-wads? Just lift your apron, or I will."
+
+But, to return to Tom Faggus--he stopped to sup that night with us, and
+took a little of everything; a few oysters first, and then dried salmon,
+and then ham and eggs, done in small curled rashers, and then a few
+collops of venison toasted, and next to that a little cold roast-pig,
+and a woodcock on toast to finish with, before the Scheidam and hot
+water. And having changed his wet things first, he seemed to be in fair
+appetite, and praised Annie's cooking mightily, with a kind of noise
+like a smack of his lips, and a rubbing of his hands together, whenever
+he could spare them.
+
+He had gotten John Fry's best small-clothes on, for he said he was not
+good enough to go into my father's (which mother kept to look at), nor
+man enough to fill them. And in truth my mother was very glad that he
+refused, when I offered them. But John was over-proud to have it in his
+power to say that such a famous man had ever dwelt in any clothes of
+his; and afterwards he made show of them. For Mr. Faggus's glory, then,
+though not so great as now it is, was spreading very fast indeed all
+about our neighbourhood, and even as far as Bridgewater.
+
+Tom Faggus was a jovial soul, if ever there has been one, not making
+bones of little things, nor caring to seek evil. There was about him
+such a love of genuine human nature, that if a traveller said a good
+thing, he would give him back his purse again. It is true that he took
+people's money more by force than fraud; and the law (being used to the
+inverse method) was bitterly moved against him, although he could quote
+precedent. These things I do not understand; having seen so much of
+robbery (some legal, some illegal), that I scarcely know, as here we
+say, one crow's foot from the other. It is beyond me and above me, to
+discuss these subjects; and in truth I love the law right well, when it
+doth support me, and when I can lay it down to my liking, with prejudice
+to nobody. Loyal, too, to the King am I, as behoves churchwarden; and
+ready to make the best of him, as he generally requires. But after
+all, I could not see (until I grew much older, and came to have some
+property) why Tom Faggus, working hard, was called a robber and felon of
+great; while the King, doing nothing at all (as became his dignity), was
+liege-lord, and paramount owner; with everybody to thank him kindly for
+accepting tribute.
+
+For the present, however, I learned nothing more as to what our cousin's
+profession was; only that mother seemed frightened, and whispered to
+him now and then not to talk of something, because of the children being
+there; whereupon he always nodded with a sage expression, and applied
+himself to hollands.
+
+"Now let us go and see Winnie, Jack," he said to me after supper; "for
+the most part I feed her before myself; but she was so hot from the
+way you drove her. Now she must be grieving for me, and I never let her
+grieve long."
+
+I was too glad to go with him, and Annie came slyly after us. The filly
+was walking to and fro on the naked floor of the stable (for he would
+not let her have any straw, until he should make a bed for her), and
+without so much as a headstall on, for he would not have her fastened.
+"Do you take my mare for a dog?" he had said when John Fry brought him a
+halter. And now she ran to him like a child, and her great eyes shone at
+the lanthorn.
+
+"Hit me, Jack, and see what she will do. I will not let her hurt thee."
+He was rubbing her ears all the time he spoke, and she was leaning
+against him. Then I made believe to strike him, and in a moment she
+caught me by the waistband, and lifted me clean from the ground, and was
+casting me down to trample upon me, when he stopped her suddenly.
+
+"What think you of that, boy? Have you horse or dog that would do that
+for you? Ay, and more than that she will do. If I were to whistle,
+by-and-by, in the tone that tells my danger, she would break this
+stable-door down, and rush into the room to me. Nothing will keep her
+from me then, stone-wall or church-tower. Ah, Winnie, Winnie, you little
+witch, we shall die together."
+
+Then he turned away with a joke, and began to feed her nicely, for she
+was very dainty. Not a husk of oat would she touch that had been under
+the breath of another horse, however hungry she might be. And with her
+oats he mixed some powder, fetching it from his saddle-bags. What this
+was I could not guess, neither would he tell me, but laughed and called
+it "star-shavings." He watched her eat every morsel of it, with two or
+three drinks of pure water, ministered between whiles; and then he made
+her bed in a form I had never seen before, and so we said "Good-night"
+to her.
+
+Afterwards by the fireside he kept us very merry, sitting in the great
+chimney-corner, and making us play games with him. And all the while he
+was smoking tobacco in a manner I never had seen before, not using any
+pipe for it, but having it rolled in little sticks about as long as my
+finger, blunt at one end and sharp at the other. The sharp end he would
+put in his mouth, and lay a brand of wood to the other, and then draw
+a white cloud of curling smoke, and we never tired of watching him. I
+wanted him to let me do it, but he said, "No, my son; it is not meant
+for boys." Then Annie put up her lips and asked, with both hands on his
+knees (for she had taken to him wonderfully), "Is it meant for girls
+then cousin Tom?" But she had better not have asked, for he gave it her
+to try, and she shut both eyes, and sucked at it. One breath, however,
+was quite enough, for it made her cough so violently that Lizzie and
+I must thump her back until she was almost crying. To atone for that,
+cousin Tom set to, and told us whole pages of stories, not about his own
+doings at all, but strangely enough they seemed to concern almost every
+one else we had ever heard of. Without halting once for a word or a
+deed, his tales flowed onward as freely and brightly as the flames of
+the wood up the chimney, and with no smaller variety. For he spoke with
+the voices of twenty people, giving each person the proper manner, and
+the proper place to speak from; so that Annie and Lizzie ran all about,
+and searched the clock and the linen-press. And he changed his face
+every moment so, and with such power of mimicry that without so much as
+a smile of his own, he made even mother laugh so that she broke her new
+tenpenny waistband; and as for us children, we rolled on the floor, and
+Betty Muxworthy roared in the wash-up.
+
+[Illustration: 092.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+A MAN JUSTLY POPULAR
+
+[Illustration: 093.jpg Tom Faggus]
+
+Now although Mr. Faggus was so clever, and generous, and celebrated,
+I know not whether, upon the whole, we were rather proud of him as a
+member of our family, or inclined to be ashamed of him. And indeed I
+think that the sway of the balance hung upon the company we were in. For
+instance, with the boys at Brendon--for there is no village at Oare--I
+was exceeding proud to talk of him, and would freely brag of my Cousin
+Tom. But with the rich parsons of the neighbourhood, or the justices
+(who came round now and then, and were glad to ride up to a warm
+farm-house), or even the well-to-do tradesmen of Porlock--in a word, any
+settled power, which was afraid of losing things--with all of them we
+were very shy of claiming our kinship to that great outlaw.
+
+And sure, I should pity, as well as condemn him though our ways in the
+world were so different, knowing as I do his story; which knowledge,
+methinks, would often lead us to let alone God's prerogative--judgment,
+and hold by man's privilege--pity. Not that I would find excuse for
+Tom's downright dishonesty, which was beyond doubt a disgrace to him,
+and no credit to his kinsfolk; only that it came about without his
+meaning any harm or seeing how he took to wrong; yet gradually knowing
+it. And now, to save any further trouble, and to meet those who
+disparage him (without allowance for the time or the crosses laid upon
+him), I will tell the history of him, just as if he were not my cousin,
+and hoping to be heeded. And I defy any man to say that a word of this
+is either false, or in any way coloured by family. Much cause he had
+to be harsh with the world; and yet all acknowledged him very pleasant,
+when a man gave up his money. And often and often he paid the toll for
+the carriage coming after him, because he had emptied their pockets, and
+would not add inconvenience. By trade he had been a blacksmith, in the
+town of Northmolton, in Devonshire, a rough rude place at the end of
+Exmoor, so that many people marvelled if such a man was bred there. Not
+only could he read and write, but he had solid substance; a piece of
+land worth a hundred pounds, and right of common for two hundred sheep,
+and a score and a half of beasts, lifting up or lying down. And being
+left an orphan (with all these cares upon him) he began to work right
+early, and made such a fame at the shoeing of horses, that the farriers
+of Barum were like to lose their custom. And indeed he won a golden
+Jacobus for the best-shod nag in the north of Devon, and some say that
+he never was forgiven.
+
+As to that, I know no more, except that men are jealous. But whether
+it were that, or not, he fell into bitter trouble within a month of his
+victory; when his trade was growing upon him, and his sweetheart ready
+to marry him. For he loved a maid of Southmolton (a currier's daughter
+I think she was, and her name was Betsy Paramore), and her father had
+given consent; and Tom Faggus, wishing to look his best, and be clean of
+course, had a tailor at work upstairs for him, who had come all the way
+from Exeter. And Betsy's things were ready too--for which they accused
+him afterwards, as if he could help that--when suddenly, like a
+thunderbolt, a lawyer's writ fell upon him.
+
+This was the beginning of a law-suit with Sir Robert Bampfylde, a
+gentleman of the neighbourhood, who tried to oust him from his common,
+and drove his cattle and harassed them. And by that suit of law poor Tom
+was ruined altogether, for Sir Robert could pay for much swearing; and
+then all his goods and his farm were sold up, and even his smithery
+taken. But he saddled his horse, before they could catch him, and rode
+away to Southmolton, looking more like a madman than a good farrier,
+as the people said who saw him. But when he arrived there, instead of
+comfort, they showed him the face of the door alone; for the news of his
+loss was before him, and Master Paramore was a sound, prudent man, and
+a high member of the town council. It is said that they even gave him
+notice to pay for Betsy's wedding-clothes, now that he was too poor to
+marry her. This may be false, and indeed I doubt it; in the first place,
+because Southmolton is a busy place for talking; and in the next, that
+I do not think the action would have lain at law, especially as the
+maid lost nothing, but used it all for her wedding next month with Dick
+Vellacott, of Mockham.
+
+All this was very sore upon Tom; and he took it to heart so grievously,
+that he said, as a better man might have said, being loose of mind and
+property, "The world hath preyed on me like a wolf. God help me now to
+prey on the world."
+
+And in sooth it did seem, for a while, as if Providence were with him;
+for he took rare toll on the highway, and his name was soon as good as
+gold anywhere this side of Bristowe. He studied his business by night
+and by day, with three horses all in hard work, until he had made a fine
+reputation; and then it was competent to him to rest, and he had plenty
+left for charity. And I ought to say for society too, for he truly
+loved high society, treating squires and noblemen (who much affected his
+company) to the very best fare of the hostel. And they say that once
+the King's Justitiaries, being upon circuit, accepted his invitation,
+declaring merrily that if never true bill had been found against him,
+mine host should now be qualified to draw one. And so the landlords did;
+and he always paid them handsomely, so that all of them were kind to
+him, and contended for his visits. Let it be known in any township that
+Mr. Faggus was taking his leisure at the inn, and straightway all the
+men flocked thither to drink his health without outlay, and all the
+women to admire him; while the children were set at the cross-roads to
+give warning of any officers. One of his earliest meetings was with Sir
+Robert Bampfylde himself, who was riding along the Barum road with only
+one serving-man after him. Tom Faggus put a pistol to his head, being
+then obliged to be violent, through want of reputation; while the
+serving-man pretended to be along way round the corner. Then the baronet
+pulled out his purse, quite trembling in the hurry of his politeness.
+Tom took the purse, and his ring, and time-piece, and then handed them
+back with a very low bow, saying that it was against all usage for him
+to rob a robber. Then he turned to the unfaithful knave, and trounced
+him right well for his cowardice, and stripped him of all his property.
+
+But now Mr. Faggus kept only one horse, lest the Government should steal
+them; and that one was the young mare Winnie. How he came by her he
+never would tell, but I think that she was presented to him by a certain
+Colonel, a lover of sport, and very clever in horseflesh, whose life Tom
+had saved from some gamblers. When I have added that Faggus as yet
+had never been guilty of bloodshed (for his eyes, and the click of
+his pistol at first, and now his high reputation made all his wishes
+respected), and that he never robbed a poor man, neither insulted a
+woman, but was very good to the Church, and of hot patriotic opinions,
+and full of jest and jollity, I have said as much as is fair for him,
+and shown why he was so popular. Everybody cursed the Doones, who lived
+apart disdainfully. But all good people liked Mr. Faggus--when he had
+not robbed them--and many a poor sick man or woman blessed him for other
+people's money; and all the hostlers, stable-boys, and tapsters entirely
+worshipped him.
+
+I have been rather long, and perhaps tedious, in my account of him, lest
+at any time hereafter his character should be misunderstood, and his
+good name disparaged; whereas he was my second cousin, and the lover of
+my--But let that bide. 'Tis a melancholy story.
+
+He came again about three months afterwards, in the beginning of the
+spring-time, and brought me a beautiful new carbine, having learned my
+love of such things, and my great desire to shoot straight. But mother
+would not let me have the gun, until he averred upon his honour that he
+had bought it honestly. And so he had, no doubt, so far as it is honest
+to buy with money acquired rampantly. Scarce could I stop to make my
+bullets in the mould which came along with it, but must be off to the
+Quarry Hill, and new target I had made there. And he taught me then
+how to ride bright Winnie, who was grown since I had seen her, but
+remembered me most kindly. After making much of Annie, who had a
+wondrous liking for him--and he said he was her godfather, but God knows
+how he could have been, unless they confirmed him precociously--away he
+went, and young Winnie's sides shone like a cherry by candlelight.
+
+Now I feel that of those boyish days I have little more to tell, because
+everything went quietly, as the world for the most part does with us. I
+began to work at the farm in earnest, and tried to help my mother, and
+when I remembered Lorna Doone, it seemed no more than the thought of a
+dream, which I could hardly call to mind. Now who cares to know how many
+bushels of wheat we grew to the acre, or how the cattle milched till we
+ate them, or what the turn of the seasons was? But my stupid self seemed
+like to be the biggest of all the cattle; for having much to look after
+the sheep, and being always in kind appetite, I grew four inches longer
+in every year of my farming, and a matter of two inches wider; until
+there was no man of my size to be seen elsewhere upon Exmoor. Let that
+pass: what odds to any how tall or wide I be? There is no Doone's door
+at Plover's Barrows and if there were I could never go through it. They
+vexed me so much about my size, long before I had completed it, girding
+at me with paltry jokes whose wit was good only to stay at home, that
+I grew shame-faced about the matter, and feared to encounter a
+looking-glass. But mother was very proud, and said she never could have
+too much of me.
+
+The worst of all to make me ashamed of bearing my head so high--a thing
+I saw no way to help, for I never could hang my chin down, and my back
+was like a gatepost whenever I tried to bend it--the worst of all was
+our little Eliza, who never could come to a size herself, though she had
+the wine from the Sacrament at Easter and Allhallowmas, only to be small
+and skinny, sharp, and clever crookedly. Not that her body was out of
+the straight (being too small for that perhaps), but that her wit was
+full of corners, jagged, and strange, and uncomfortable. You never could
+tell what she might say next; and I like not that kind of women. Now God
+forgive me for talking so of my own father's daughter, and so much the
+more by reason that my father could not help it. The right way is
+to face the matter, and then be sorry for every one. My mother fell
+grievously on a slide, which John Fry had made nigh the apple-room door,
+and hidden with straw from the stable, to cover his own great idleness.
+My father laid John's nose on the ice, and kept him warm in spite of it;
+but it was too late for Eliza. She was born next day with more mind than
+body--the worst thing that can befall a man.
+
+But Annie, my other sister, was now a fine fair girl, beautiful to
+behold. I could look at her by the fireside, for an hour together, when
+I was not too sleepy, and think of my dear father. And she would do the
+same thing by me, only wait the between of the blazes. Her hair was done
+up in a knot behind, but some would fall over her shoulders; and the
+dancing of the light was sweet to see through a man's eyelashes. There
+never was a face that showed the light or the shadow of feeling, as if
+the heart were sun to it, more than our dear Annie's did. To look at her
+carefully, you might think that she was not dwelling on anything; and
+then she would know you were looking at her, and those eyes would tell
+all about it. God knows that I try to be simple enough, to keep to His
+meaning in me, and not make the worst of His children. Yet often have I
+been put to shame, and ready to bite my tongue off, after speaking amiss
+of anybody, and letting out my littleness, when suddenly mine eyes have
+met the pure soft gaze of Annie.
+
+As for the Doones, they were thriving still, and no one to come against
+them; except indeed by word of mouth, to which they lent no heed
+whatever. Complaints were made from time to time, both in high and low
+quarters (as the rank might be of the people robbed), and once or twice
+in the highest of all, to wit, the King himself. But His Majesty made
+a good joke about it (not meaning any harm, I doubt), and was so much
+pleased with himself thereupon, that he quite forgave the mischief.
+Moreover, the main authorities were a long way off; and the Chancellor
+had no cattle on Exmoor; and as for my lord the Chief Justice, some
+rogue had taken his silver spoons; whereupon his lordship swore that
+never another man would he hang until he had that one by the neck.
+Therefore the Doones went on as they listed, and none saw fit to meddle
+with them. For the only man who would have dared to come to close
+quarters with them, that is to say Tom Faggus, himself was a quarry for
+the law, if ever it should be unhooded. Moreover, he had transferred his
+business to the neighbourhood of Wantage, in the county of Berks, where
+he found the climate drier, also good downs and commons excellent for
+galloping, and richer yeomen than ours be, and better roads to rob them
+on.
+
+Some folk, who had wiser attended to their own affairs, said that I
+(being sizeable now, and able to shoot not badly) ought to do something
+against those Doones, and show what I was made of. But for a time I was
+very bashful, shaking when called upon suddenly, and blushing as deep as
+a maiden; for my strength was not come upon me, and mayhap I had grown
+in front of it. And again, though I loved my father still, and would
+fire at a word about him, I saw not how it would do him good for me to
+harm his injurers. Some races are of revengeful kind, and will for years
+pursue their wrong, and sacrifice this world and the next for a
+moment's foul satisfaction, but methinks this comes of some black blood,
+perverted and never purified. And I doubt but men of true English birth
+are stouter than so to be twisted, though some of the women may take
+that turn, if their own life runs unkindly.
+
+Let that pass--I am never good at talking of things beyond me. All I
+know is, that if I had met the Doone who had killed my father, I would
+gladly have thrashed him black and blue, supposing I were able; but
+would never have fired a gun at him, unless he began that game with me,
+or fell upon more of my family, or were violent among women. And to
+do them justice, my mother and Annie were equally kind and gentle, but
+Eliza would flame and grow white with contempt, and not trust herself to
+speak to us.
+
+Now a strange thing came to pass that winter, when I was twenty-one
+years old, a very strange thing, which affrighted the rest, and made me
+feel uncomfortable. Not that there was anything in it, to do harm to any
+one, only that none could explain it, except by attributing it to the
+devil. The weather was very mild and open, and scarcely any snow fell;
+at any rate, none lay on the ground, even for an hour, in the highest
+part of Exmoor; a thing which I knew not before nor since, as long as
+I can remember. But the nights were wonderfully dark, as though with no
+stars in the heaven; and all day long the mists were rolling upon
+the hills and down them, as if the whole land were a wash-house. The
+moorland was full of snipes and teal, and curlews flying and crying, and
+lapwings flapping heavily, and ravens hovering round dead sheep; yet no
+redshanks nor dottrell, and scarce any golden plovers (of which we have
+great store generally) but vast lonely birds, that cried at night, and
+moved the whole air with their pinions; yet no man ever saw them. It was
+dismal as well as dangerous now for any man to go fowling (which of late
+I loved much in the winter) because the fog would come down so thick
+that the pan of the gun was reeking, and the fowl out of sight ere the
+powder kindled, and then the sound of the piece was so dead, that the
+shooter feared harm, and glanced over his shoulder. But the danger of
+course was far less in this than in losing of the track, and falling
+into the mires, or over the brim of a precipice.
+
+Nevertheless, I must needs go out, being young and very stupid, and
+feared of being afraid; a fear which a wise man has long cast by, having
+learned of the manifold dangers which ever and ever encompass us. And
+beside this folly and wildness of youth, perchance there was something,
+I know not what, of the joy we have in uncertainty. Mother, in fear
+of my missing home--though for that matter, I could smell supper, when
+hungry, through a hundred land-yards of fog--my dear mother, who thought
+of me ten times for one thought about herself, gave orders to ring the
+great sheep-bell, which hung above the pigeon-cote, every ten minutes of
+the day, and the sound came through the plaits of fog, and I was vexed
+about it, like the letters of a copy-book. It reminded me, too, of
+Blundell's bell, and the grief to go into school again.
+
+But during those two months of fog (for we had it all the winter), the
+saddest and the heaviest thing was to stand beside the sea. To be upon
+the beach yourself, and see the long waves coming in; to know that they
+are long waves, but only see a piece of them; and to hear them lifting
+roundly, swelling over smooth green rocks, plashing down in the hollow
+corners, but bearing on all the same as ever, soft and sleek and
+sorrowful, till their little noise is over.
+
+[Illustration: 100.jpg To be upon the beach]
+
+One old man who lived at Lynmouth, seeking to be buried there, having
+been more than half over the world, though shy to speak about it, and
+fain to come home to his birthplace, this old Will Watcombe (who dwelt
+by the water) said that our strange winter arose from a thing he called
+the "Gulf-stream", rushing up Channel suddenly. He said it was hot
+water, almost fit for a man to shave with, and it threw all our cold
+water out, and ruined the fish and the spawning-time, and a cold spring
+would come after it. I was fond of going to Lynmouth on Sunday to hear
+this old man talk, for sometimes he would discourse with me, when nobody
+else could move him. He told me that this powerful flood set in upon our
+west so hard sometimes once in ten years, and sometimes not for fifty,
+and the Lord only knew the sense of it; but that when it came, therewith
+came warmth and clouds, and fog, and moisture, and nuts, and fruit, and
+even shells; and all the tides were thrown abroad. As for nuts he winked
+awhile, and chewed a piece of tobacco; yet did I not comprehend him.
+Only afterwards I heard that nuts with liquid kernels came, travelling
+on the Gulf stream; for never before was known so much foreign cordial
+landed upon our coast, floating ashore by mistake in the fog, and (what
+with the tossing and the mist) too much astray to learn its duty.
+
+Folk, who are ever too prone to talk, said that Will Watcombe himself
+knew better than anybody else about this drift of the Gulf-stream,
+and the places where it would come ashore, and the caves that took the
+in-draught. But De Whichehalse, our great magistrate, certified that
+there was no proof of unlawful importation; neither good cause to
+suspect it, at a time of Christian charity. And we knew that it was a
+foul thing for some quarrymen to say that night after night they had
+been digging a new cellar at Ley Manor to hold the little marks of
+respect found in the caverns at high-water weed. Let that be, it is none
+of my business to speak evil of dignities; duly we common people joked
+of the "Gulp-stream," as we called it.
+
+But the thing which astonished and frightened us so, was not, I do
+assure you, the landing of foreign spirits, nor the loom of a lugger at
+twilight in the gloom of the winter moonrise. That which made as crouch
+in by the fire, or draw the bed-clothes over us, and try to think of
+something else, was a strange mysterious sound.
+
+At grey of night, when the sun was gone, and no red in the west
+remained, neither were stars forthcoming, suddenly a wailing voice rose
+along the valleys, and a sound in the air, as of people running. It
+mattered not whether you stood on the moor, or crouched behind rocks
+away from it, or down among reedy places; all as one the sound would
+come, now from the heart of the earth beneath, now overhead bearing
+down on you. And then there was rushing of something by, and melancholy
+laughter, and the hair of a man would stand on end before he could
+reason properly.
+
+God, in His mercy, knows that I am stupid enough for any man, and very
+slow of impression, nor ever could bring myself to believe that our
+Father would let the evil one get the upper hand of us. But when I had
+heard that sound three times, in the lonely gloom of the evening fog,
+and the cold that followed the lines of air, I was loath to go abroad by
+night, even so far as the stables, and loved the light of a candle more,
+and the glow of a fire with company.
+
+There were many stories about it, of course, all over the breadth of the
+moorland. But those who had heard it most often declared that it must be
+the wail of a woman's voice, and the rustle of robes fleeing horribly,
+and fiends in the fog going after her. To that, however, I paid no heed,
+when anybody was with me; only we drew more close together, and barred
+the doors at sunset.
+
+[Illustration: 102.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+MASTER HUCKABACK COMES IN
+
+[Illustration: 103.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Mr. Reuben Huckaback, whom many good folk in Dulverton will remember
+long after my time, was my mother's uncle, being indeed her mother's
+brother. He owned the very best shop in the town, and did a fine
+trade in soft ware, especially when the pack-horses came safely in at
+Christmas-time. And we being now his only kindred (except indeed his
+granddaughter, little Ruth Huckaback, of whom no one took any heed),
+mother beheld it a Christian duty to keep as well as could be with him,
+both for love of a nice old man, and for the sake of her children. And
+truly, the Dulverton people said that he was the richest man in their
+town, and could buy up half the county armigers; 'ay, and if it came to
+that, they would like to see any man, at Bampton, or at Wivelscombe,
+and you might say almost Taunton, who could put down golden Jacobus and
+Carolus against him.
+
+Now this old gentleman--so they called him, according to his money;
+and I have seen many worse ones, more violent and less wealthy--he must
+needs come away that time to spend the New Year-tide with us; not that
+he wanted to do it (for he hated country-life), but because my mother
+pressing, as mothers will do to a good bag of gold, had wrung a promise
+from him; and the only boast of his life was that never yet had he
+broken his word, at least since he opened business.
+
+Now it pleased God that Christmas-time (in spite of all the fogs) to
+send safe home to Dulverton, and what was more, with their loads quite
+safe, a goodly string of packhorses. Nearly half of their charge was
+for Uncle Reuben, and he knew how to make the most of it. Then having
+balanced his debits and credits, and set the writs running against
+defaulters, as behoves a good Christian at Christmas-tide, he saddled
+his horse, and rode off towards Oare, with a good stout coat upon him,
+and leaving Ruth and his head man plenty to do, and little to eat, until
+they should see him again.
+
+It had been settled between us that we should expect him soon after noon
+on the last day of December. For the Doones being lazy and fond of bed,
+as the manner is of dishonest folk, the surest way to escape them was
+to travel before they were up and about, to-wit, in the forenoon of
+the day. But herein we reckoned without our host: for being in high
+festivity, as became good Papists, the robbers were too lazy, it seems,
+to take the trouble of going to bed; and forth they rode on the Old
+Year-morning, not with any view of business, but purely in search of
+mischief.
+
+We had put off our dinner till one o'clock (which to me was a sad
+foregoing), and there was to be a brave supper at six of the clock, upon
+New Year's-eve; and the singers to come with their lanthorns, and do
+it outside the parlour-window, and then have hot cup till their heads
+should go round, after making away with the victuals. For although there
+was nobody now in our family to be churchwarden of Oare, it was well
+admitted that we were the people entitled alone to that dignity; and
+though Nicholas Snowe was in office by name, he managed it only by
+mother's advice; and a pretty mess he made of it, so that every one
+longed for a Ridd again, soon as ever I should be old enough. This
+Nicholas Snowe was to come in the evening, with his three tall comely
+daughters, strapping girls, and well skilled in the dairy; and the
+story was all over the parish, on a stupid conceit of John Fry's, that
+I should have been in love with all three, if there had been but one of
+them. These Snowes were to come, and come they did, partly because Mr.
+Huckaback liked to see fine young maidens, and partly because none but
+Nicholas Snowe could smoke a pipe now all around our parts, except of
+the very high people, whom we durst never invite. And Uncle Ben, as we
+all knew well, was a great hand at his pipe, and would sit for hours
+over it, in our warm chimney-corner, and never want to say a word,
+unless it were inside him; only he liked to have somebody there over
+against him smoking.
+
+[Illustration: 105.jpg Uncle Ben in our warm chimney-corner]
+
+Now when I came in, before one o'clock, after seeing to the cattle--for
+the day was thicker than ever, and we must keep the cattle close at
+home, if we wished to see any more of them--I fully expected to find
+Uncle Ben sitting in the fireplace, lifting one cover and then another,
+as his favourite manner was, and making sweet mouths over them; for he
+loved our bacon rarely, and they had no good leeks at Dulverton; and
+he was a man who always would see his business done himself. But there
+instead of my finding him with his quaint dry face pulled out at me,
+and then shut up sharp not to be cheated--who should run out but Betty
+Muxworthy, and poke me with a saucepan lid.
+
+"Get out of that now, Betty," I said in my politest manner, for really
+Betty was now become a great domestic evil. She would have her own
+way so, and of all things the most distressful was for a man to try to
+reason.
+
+"Zider-press," cried Betty again, for she thought it a fine joke to call
+me that, because of my size, and my hatred of it; "here be a rare get
+up, anyhow."
+
+"A rare good dinner, you mean, Betty. Well, and I have a rare good
+appetite." With that I wanted to go and smell it, and not to stop for
+Betty.
+
+"Troost thee for thiccy, Jan Ridd. But thee must keep it bit langer, I
+reckon. Her baint coom, Maister Ziderpress. Whatt'e mak of that now?"
+
+"Do you mean to say that Uncle Ben has not arrived yet, Betty?"
+
+"Raived! I knaws nout about that, whuther a hath of noo. Only I tell 'e,
+her baint coom. Rackon them Dooneses hath gat 'un."
+
+And Betty, who hated Uncle Ben, because he never gave her a groat,
+and she was not allowed to dine with him, I am sorry to say that
+Betty Muxworthy grinned all across, and poked me again with the greasy
+saucepan cover. But I misliking so to be treated, strode through the
+kitchen indignantly, for Betty behaved to me even now, as if I were only
+Eliza.
+
+"Oh, Johnny, Johnny," my mother cried, running out of the grand
+show-parlour, where the case of stuffed birds was, and peacock-feathers,
+and the white hare killed by grandfather; "I am so glad you are come at
+last. There is something sadly amiss, Johnny."
+
+Mother had upon her wrists something very wonderful, of the nature of
+fal-lal as we say, and for which she had an inborn turn, being of good
+draper family, and polished above the yeomanry. Nevertheless I could
+never bear it, partly because I felt it to be out of place in our good
+farm-house, partly because I hate frippery, partly because it seemed to
+me to have nothing to do with father, and partly because I never could
+tell the reason of my hating it. And yet the poor soul had put them on,
+not to show her hands off (which were above her station) but simply
+for her children's sake, because Uncle Ben had given them. But another
+thing, I never could bear for man or woman to call me, "Johnny,"
+"Jack," or "John," I cared not which; and that was honest enough, and no
+smallness of me there, I say.
+
+"Well, mother, what is the matter, then?"
+
+"I am sure you need not be angry, Johnny. I only hope it is nothing to
+grieve about, instead of being angry. You are very sweet-tempered, I
+know, John Ridd, and perhaps a little too sweet at times"--here she
+meant the Snowe girls, and I hanged my head--"but what would you say if
+the people there"--she never would call them "Doones"--"had gotten your
+poor Uncle Reuben, horse, and Sunday coat, and all?"
+
+"Why, mother, I should be sorry for them. He would set up a shop by the
+river-side, and come away with all their money."
+
+"That all you have to say, John! And my dinner done to a very turn, and
+the supper all fit to go down, and no worry, only to eat and be done
+with it! And all the new plates come from Watchett, with the Watchett
+blue upon them, at the risk of the lives of everybody, and the capias
+from good Aunt Jane for stuffing a curlew with onion before he begins to
+get cold, and make a woodcock of him, and the way to turn the flap over
+in the inside of a roasting pig--"
+
+"Well, mother dear, I am very sorry. But let us have our dinner. You
+know we promised not to wait for him after one o'clock; and you only
+make us hungry. Everything will be spoiled, mother, and what a pity to
+think of! After that I will go to seek for him in the thick of the fog,
+like a needle in a hay-band. That is to say, unless you think"--for she
+looked very grave about it--"unless you really think, mother, that I
+ought to go without dinner."
+
+"Oh no, John, I never thought that, thank God! Bless Him for my
+children's appetites; and what is Uncle Ben to them?"
+
+So we made a very good dinner indeed, though wishing that he could have
+some of it, and wondering how much to leave for him; and then, as no
+sound of his horse had been heard, I set out with my gun to look for
+him.
+
+I followed the track on the side of the hill, from the farm-yard, where
+the sledd-marks are--for we have no wheels upon Exmoor yet, nor ever
+shall, I suppose; though a dunder-headed man tried it last winter, and
+broke his axle piteously, and was nigh to break his neck--and after
+that I went all along on the ridge of the rabbit-cleve, with the brook
+running thin in the bottom; and then down to the Lynn stream and leaped
+it, and so up the hill and the moor beyond. The fog hung close all
+around me then, when I turned the crest of the highland, and the gorse
+both before and behind me looked like a man crouching down in ambush.
+But still there was a good cloud of daylight, being scarce three of the
+clock yet, and when a lead of red deer came across, I could tell them
+from sheep even now. I was half inclined to shoot at them, for the
+children did love venison; but they drooped their heads so, and looked
+so faithful, that it seemed hard measure to do it. If one of them had
+bolted away, no doubt I had let go at him.
+
+After that I kept on the track, trudging very stoutly, for nigh upon
+three miles, and my beard (now beginning to grow at some length) was
+full of great drops and prickly, whereat I was very proud. I had not so
+much as a dog with me, and the place was unkind and lonesome, and the
+rolling clouds very desolate; and now if a wild sheep ran across he was
+scared at me as an enemy; and I for my part could not tell the meaning
+of the marks on him. We called all this part Gibbet-moor, not being in
+our parish; but though there were gibbets enough upon it, most part
+of the bodies was gone for the value of the chains, they said, and the
+teaching of young chirurgeons. But of all this I had little fear, being
+no more a schoolboy now, but a youth well-acquaint with Exmoor, and
+the wise art of the sign-posts, whereby a man, who barred the road, now
+opens it up both ways with his finger-bones, so far as rogues allow him.
+My carbine was loaded and freshly primed, and I knew myself to be
+even now a match in strength for any two men of the size around our
+neighbourhood, except in the Glen Doone. "Girt Jan Ridd," I was called
+already, and folk grew feared to wrestle with me; though I was tired of
+hearing about it, and often longed to be smaller. And most of all upon
+Sundays, when I had to make way up our little church, and the maidens
+tittered at me.
+
+The soft white mist came thicker around me, as the evening fell; and the
+peat ricks here and there, and the furze-hucks of the summer-time, were
+all out of shape in the twist of it. By-and-by, I began to doubt where
+I was, or how come there, not having seen a gibbet lately; and then I
+heard the draught of the wind up a hollow place with rocks to it; and
+for the first time fear broke out (like cold sweat) upon me. And yet I
+knew what a fool I was, to fear nothing but a sound! But when I stopped
+to listen, there was no sound, more than a beating noise, and that was
+all inside me. Therefore I went on again, making company of myself, and
+keeping my gun quite ready.
+
+Now when I came to an unknown place, where a stone was set up endwise,
+with a faint red cross upon it, and a polish from some conflict, I
+gathered my courage to stop and think, having sped on the way too hotly.
+Against that stone I set my gun, trying my spirit to leave it so,
+but keeping with half a hand for it; and then what to do next was the
+wonder. As for finding Uncle Ben that was his own business, or at any
+rate his executor's; first I had to find myself, and plentifully would
+thank God to find myself at home again, for the sake of all our family.
+
+The volumes of the mist came rolling at me (like great logs of wood,
+pillowed out with sleepiness), and between them there was nothing more
+than waiting for the next one. Then everything went out of sight, and
+glad was I of the stone behind me, and view of mine own shoes. Then a
+distant noise went by me, as of many horses galloping, and in my fright
+I set my gun and said, "God send something to shoot at." Yet nothing
+came, and my gun fell back, without my will to lower it.
+
+But presently, while I was thinking "What a fool I am!" arose as if from
+below my feet, so that the great stone trembled, that long, lamenting
+lonesome sound, as of an evil spirit not knowing what to do with it. For
+the moment I stood like a root, without either hand or foot to help me,
+and the hair of my head began to crawl, lifting my hat, as a snail lifts
+his house; and my heart like a shuttle went to and fro. But finding
+no harm to come of it, neither visible form approaching, I wiped my
+forehead, and hoped for the best, and resolved to run every step of the
+way, till I drew our own latch behind me.
+
+Yet here again I was disappointed, for no sooner was I come to the
+cross-ways by the black pool in the hole, but I heard through the patter
+of my own feet a rough low sound very close in the fog, as of a hobbled
+sheep a-coughing. I listened, and feared, and yet listened again, though
+I wanted not to hear it. For being in haste of the homeward road, and
+all my heart having heels to it, loath I was to stop in the dusk for the
+sake of an aged wether. Yet partly my love of all animals, and partly
+my fear of the farmer's disgrace, compelled me to go to the succour, and
+the noise was coming nearer. A dry short wheezing sound it was, barred
+with coughs and want of breath; but thus I made the meaning of it.
+
+"Lord have mercy upon me! O Lord, upon my soul have mercy! An if I
+cheated Sam Hicks last week, Lord knowest how well he deserved it, and
+lied in every stocking's mouth--oh Lord, where be I a-going?"
+
+These words, with many jogs between them, came to me through the
+darkness, and then a long groan and a choking. I made towards the sound,
+as nigh as ever I could guess, and presently was met, point-blank, by
+the head of a mountain-pony. Upon its back lay a man bound down, with
+his feet on the neck and his head to the tail, and his arms falling
+down like stirrups. The wild little nag was scared of its life by the
+unaccustomed burden, and had been tossing and rolling hard, in desire to
+get ease of it.
+
+Before the little horse could turn, I caught him, jaded as he was, by
+his wet and grizzled forelock, and he saw that it was vain to struggle,
+but strove to bite me none the less, until I smote him upon the nose.
+
+"Good and worthy sir," I said to the man who was riding so roughly;
+"fear nothing; no harm shall come to thee."
+
+"Help, good friend, whoever thou art," he gasped, but could not look at
+me, because his neck was jerked so; "God hath sent thee, and not to rob
+me, because it is done already."
+
+"What, Uncle Ben!" I cried, letting go the horse in amazement, that
+the richest man in Dulverton--"Uncle Ben here in this plight! What, Mr.
+Reuben Huckaback!"
+
+"An honest hosier and draper, serge and longcloth warehouseman"--he
+groaned from rib to rib--"at the sign of the Gartered Kitten in the
+loyal town of Dulverton. For God's sake, let me down, good fellow, from
+this accursed marrow-bone; and a groat of good money will I pay thee,
+safe in my house to Dulverton; but take notice that the horse is mine,
+no less than the nag they robbed from me."
+
+"What, Uncle Ben, dost thou not know me, thy dutiful nephew John Ridd?"
+
+Not to make a long story of it, I cut the thongs that bound him, and
+set him astride on the little horse; but he was too weak to stay so.
+Therefore I mounted him on my back, turning the horse into horse-steps,
+and leading the pony by the cords which I fastened around his nose, set
+out for Plover's Barrows.
+
+Uncle Ben went fast asleep on my back, being jaded and shaken beyond his
+strength, for a man of three-score and five; and as soon he felt assured
+of safety he would talk no more. And to tell the truth he snored so
+loudly, that I could almost believe that fearful noise in the fog every
+night came all the way from Dulverton.
+
+Now as soon as ever I brought him in, we set him up in the
+chimney-corner, comfortable and handsome; and it was no little delight
+to me to get him off my back; for, like his own fortune, Uncle Ben was
+of a good round figure. He gave his long coat a shake or two, and he
+stamped about in the kitchen, until he was sure of his whereabouts, and
+then he fell asleep again until supper should be ready.
+
+"He shall marry Ruth," he said by-and-by to himself, and not to me; "he
+shall marry Ruth for this, and have my little savings, soon as they be
+worth the having. Very little as yet, very little indeed; and ever so
+much gone to-day along of them rascal robbers."
+
+My mother made a dreadful stir, of course, about Uncle Ben being in such
+a plight as this; so I left him to her care and Annie's, and soon they
+fed him rarely, while I went out to see to the comfort of the captured
+pony. And in truth he was worth the catching, and served us very well
+afterwards, though Uncle Ben was inclined to claim him for his business
+at Dulverton, where they have carts and that like. "But," I said, "you
+shall have him, sir, and welcome, if you will only ride him home as
+first I found you riding him." And with that he dropped it.
+
+A very strange old man he was, short in his manner, though long of body,
+glad to do the contrary things to what any one expected of him, and
+always looking sharp at people, as if he feared to be cheated. This
+surprised me much at first, because it showed his ignorance of what we
+farmers are--an upright race, as you may find, scarcely ever cheating
+indeed, except upon market-day, and even then no more than may be helped
+by reason of buyers expecting it. Now our simple ways were a puzzle to
+him, as I told him very often; but he only laughed, and rubbed his mouth
+with the back of his dry shining hand, and I think he shortly began to
+languish for want of some one to higgle with. I had a great mind to give
+him the pony, because he thought himself cheated in that case; only he
+would conclude that I did it with some view to a legacy.
+
+Of course, the Doones, and nobody else, had robbed good Uncle Reuben;
+and then they grew sportive, and took his horse, an especially sober
+nag, and bound the master upon the wild one, for a little change as they
+told him. For two or three hours they had fine enjoyment chasing him
+through the fog, and making much sport of his groanings; and then
+waxing hungry, they went their way, and left him to opportunity. Now
+Mr. Huckaback growing able to walk in a few days' time, became thereupon
+impatient, and could not be brought to understand why he should have
+been robbed at all.
+
+"I have never deserved it," he said to himself, not knowing much of
+Providence, except with a small p to it; "I have never deserved it, and
+will not stand it in the name of our lord the King, not I!" At other
+times he would burst forth thus: "Three-score years and five have I
+lived an honest and laborious life, yet never was I robbed before. And
+now to be robbed in my old age, to be robbed for the first time now!"
+
+Thereupon of course we would tell him how truly thankful he ought to be
+for never having been robbed before, in spite of living so long in this
+world, and that he was taking a very ungrateful, not to say ungracious,
+view, in thus repining, and feeling aggrieved; when anyone else would
+have knelt and thanked God for enjoying so long an immunity. But say
+what we would, it was all as one. Uncle Ben stuck fast to it, that he
+had nothing to thank God for.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A MOTION WHICH ENDS IN A MULL
+
+[Illustration: 113.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Instead of minding his New-Year pudding, Master Huckaback carried on so
+about his mighty grievance, that at last we began to think there must be
+something in it, after all; especially as he assured us that choice and
+costly presents for the young people of our household were among the
+goods divested. But mother told him her children had plenty, and wanted
+no gold and silver, and little Eliza spoke up and said, "You can give us
+the pretty things, Uncle Ben, when we come in the summer to see you."
+
+Our mother reproved Eliza for this, although it was the heel of her
+own foot; and then to satisfy our uncle, she promised to call Farmer
+Nicholas Snowe, to be of our council that evening, "And if the young
+maidens would kindly come, without taking thought to smoothe themselves,
+why it would be all the merrier, and who knew but what Uncle Huckaback
+might bless the day of his robbery, etc., etc.--and thorough good honest
+girls they were, fit helpmates either for shop or farm." All of which
+was meant for me; but I stuck to my platter and answered not.
+
+In the evening Farmer Snowe came up, leading his daughters after him,
+like fillies trimmed for a fair; and Uncle Ben, who had not seen them on
+the night of his mishap (because word had been sent to stop them), was
+mightily pleased and very pleasant, according to his town bred ways.
+The damsels had seen good company, and soon got over their fear of his
+wealth, and played him a number of merry pranks, which made our mother
+quite jealous for Annie, who was always shy and diffident. However, when
+the hot cup was done, and before the mulled wine was ready, we packed
+all the maidens in the parlour and turned the key upon them; and then we
+drew near to the kitchen fire to hear Uncle Ben's proposal. Farmer Snowe
+sat up in the corner, caring little to bear about anything, but smoking
+slowly, and nodding backward like a sheep-dog dreaming. Mother was in
+the settle, of course, knitting hard, as usual; and Uncle Ben took to
+a three-legged stool, as if all but that had been thieved from him.
+Howsoever, he kept his breath from speech, giving privilege, as was due,
+to mother.
+
+[Illustration: 114.jpg Farmer Snow sat up in the chair]
+
+"Master Snowe, you are well assured," said mother, colouring like the
+furze as it took the flame and fell over, "that our kinsman here hath
+received rough harm on his peaceful journey from Dulverton. The times
+are bad, as we all know well, and there is no sign of bettering them,
+and if I could see our Lord the King I might say things to move him!
+nevertheless, I have had so much of my own account to vex for--"
+
+"You are flying out of the subject, Sarah," said Uncle Ben, seeing tears
+in her eyes, and tired of that matter.
+
+"Zettle the pralimbinaries," spoke Farmer Snowe, on appeal from us,
+"virst zettle the pralimbinaries; and then us knows what be drivin' at."
+
+"Preliminaries be damned, sir," cried Uncle Ben, losing his temper.
+"What preliminaries were there when I was robbed; I should like to know?
+Robbed in this parish as I can prove, to the eternal disgrace of Oare
+and the scandal of all England. And I hold this parish to answer for it,
+sir; this parish shall make it good, being a nest of foul thieves as it
+is; ay, farmers, and yeomen, and all of you. I will beggar every man
+in this parish, if they be not beggars already, ay, and sell your old
+church up before your eyes, but what I will have back my tarlatan,
+time-piece, saddle, and dove-tailed nag."
+
+Mother looked at me, and I looked at Farmer Snowe, and we all were sorry
+for Master Huckaback, putting our hands up one to another, that nobody
+should browbeat him; because we all knew what our parish was, and none
+the worse for strong language, however rich the man might be. But Uncle
+Ben took it in a different way. He thought that we all were afraid of
+him, and that Oare parish was but as Moab or Edom, for him to cast his
+shoe over.
+
+"Nephew Jack," he cried, looking at me when I was thinking what to say,
+and finding only emptiness, "you are a heavy lout, sir; a bumpkin, a
+clodhopper; and I shall leave you nothing, unless it be my boots to
+grease."
+
+"Well, uncle," I made answer, "I will grease your boots all the same for
+that, so long as you be our guest, sir."
+
+Now, that answer, made without a thought, stood me for two thousand
+pounds, as you shall see, by-and-by, perhaps.
+
+"As for the parish," my mother cried, being too hard set to contain
+herself, "the parish can defend itself, and we may leave it to do so.
+But our Jack is not like that, sir; and I will not have him spoken of.
+Leave him indeed! Who wants you to do more than to leave him alone, sir;
+as he might have done you the other night; and as no one else would
+have dared to do. And after that, to think so meanly of me, and of my
+children!"
+
+"Hoity, toity, Sarah! Your children, I suppose, are the same as other
+people's."
+
+"That they are not; and never will be; and you ought to know it, Uncle
+Reuben, if any one in the world ought. Other people's children!"
+
+"Well, well!" Uncle Reuben answered, "I know very little of children;
+except my little Ruth, and she is nothing wonderful."
+
+"I never said that my children were wonderful Uncle Ben; nor did I ever
+think it. But as for being good--"
+
+Here mother fetched out her handkerchief, being overcome by our
+goodness; and I told her, with my hand to my mouth, not to notice him;
+though he might be worth ten thousand times ten thousand pounds.
+
+But Farmer Snowe came forward now, for he had some sense sometimes; and
+he thought it was high time for him to say a word for the parish.
+
+"Maister Huckaback," he began, pointing with his pipe at him, the end
+that was done in sealing-wax, "tooching of what you was plaized to zay
+'bout this here parish, and no oother, mind me no oother parish but
+thees, I use the vreedom, zur, for to tell 'e, that thee be a laiar."
+
+Then Farmer Nicholas Snowe folded his arms across with the bowl of his
+pipe on the upper one, and gave me a nod, and then one to mother, to
+testify how he had done his duty, and recked not what might come of it.
+However, he got little thanks from us; for the parish was nothing at all
+to my mother, compared with her children's interests; and I thought it
+hard that an uncle of mine, and an old man too, should be called a liar,
+by a visitor at our fireplace. For we, in our rude part of the world,
+counted it one of the worst disgraces that could befall a man, to
+receive the lie from any one. But Uncle Ben, as it seems was used to
+it, in the way of trade, just as people of fashion are, by a style of
+courtesy.
+
+Therefore the old man only looked with pity at Farmer Nicholas; and
+with a sort of sorrow too, reflecting how much he might have made in a
+bargain with such a customer, so ignorant and hot-headed.
+
+"Now let us bandy words no more," said mother, very sweetly; "nothing is
+easier than sharp words, except to wish them unspoken; as I do many and
+many's the time, when I think of my good husband. But now let us hear
+from Uncle Reuben what he would have us do to remove this disgrace from
+amongst us, and to satisfy him of his goods."
+
+"I care not for my goods, woman," Master Huckaback answered grandly;
+"although they were of large value, about them I say nothing. But what I
+demand is this, the punishment of those scoundrels."
+
+"Zober, man, zober!" cried Farmer Nicholas; "we be too naigh Badgery
+'ood, to spake like that of they Dooneses."
+
+"Pack of cowards!" said Uncle Reuben, looking first at the door,
+however; "much chance I see of getting redress from the valour of this
+Exmoor! And you, Master Snowe, the very man whom I looked to to raise
+the country, and take the lead as churchwarden--why, my youngest shopman
+would match his ell against you. Pack of cowards," cried Uncle Ben,
+rising and shaking his lappets at us; "don't pretend to answer me. Shake
+you all off, that I do--nothing more to do with you!"
+
+We knew it useless to answer him, and conveyed our knowledge to one
+another, without anything to vex him. However, when the mulled wine
+was come, and a good deal of it gone (the season being Epiphany),
+Uncle Reuben began to think that he might have been too hard with us.
+Moreover, he was beginning now to respect Farmer Nicholas bravely,
+because of the way he had smoked his pipes, and the little noise made
+over them. And Lizzie and Annie were doing their best--for now we had
+let the girls out--to wake more lightsome uproar; also young Faith Snowe
+was toward to keep the old men's cups aflow, and hansel them to their
+liking.
+
+So at the close of our entertainment, when the girls were gone away
+to fetch and light their lanthorns (over which they made rare noise,
+blowing each the other's out for counting of the sparks to come), Master
+Huckaback stood up, without much aid from the crock-saw, and looked at
+mother and all of us.
+
+"Let no one leave this place," said he, "until I have said what I
+want to say; for saving of ill-will among us; and growth of cheer and
+comfort. May be I have carried things too far, even to the bounds of
+churlishness, and beyond the bounds of good manners. I will not unsay
+one word I have said, having never yet done so in my life; but I would
+alter the manner of it, and set it forth in this light. If you folks
+upon Exmoor here are loath and wary at fighting, yet you are brave
+at better stuff; the best and kindest I ever knew, in the matter of
+feeding."
+
+Here he sat down with tears in his eyes, and called for a little mulled
+bastard. All the maids, who were now come back, raced to get it for him,
+but Annie of course was foremost. And herein ended the expedition, a
+perilous and a great one, against the Doones of Bagworthy; an enterprise
+over which we had all talked plainly more than was good for us. For my
+part, I slept well that night, feeling myself at home again, now that
+the fighting was put aside, and the fear of it turned to the comfort of
+talking what we would have done.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+_QUO WARRANTO_?
+
+[Illustration: 118.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+On the following day Master Huckaback, with some show of mystery,
+demanded from my mother an escort into a dangerous part of the world, to
+which his business compelled him. My mother made answer to this that
+he was kindly welcome to take our John Fry with him; at which the good
+clothier laughed, and said that John was nothing like big enough, but
+another John must serve his turn, not only for his size, but because if
+he were carried away, no stone would be left unturned upon Exmoor, until
+he should be brought back again. Hereupon my mother grew very pale, and
+found fifty reasons against my going, each of them weightier than the
+true one, as Eliza (who was jealous of me) managed to whisper to
+Annie. On the other hand, I was quite resolved (directly the thing was
+mentioned) to see Uncle Reuben through with it; and it added much to my
+self-esteem to be the guard of so rich a man. Therefore I soon persuaded
+mother, with her head upon my breast, to let me go and trust in God; and
+after that I was greatly vexed to find that this dangerous enterprise
+was nothing more than a visit to the Baron de Whichehalse, to lay
+an information, and sue a warrant against the Doones, and a posse to
+execute it.
+
+Stupid as I always have been, and must ever be no doubt, I could well
+have told Uncle Reuben that his journey was no wiser than that of
+the men of Gotham; that he never would get from Hugh de Whichehalse a
+warrant against the Doones; moreover, that if he did get one, his own
+wig would be singed with it. But for divers reasons I held my peace,
+partly from youth and modesty, partly from desire to see whatever please
+God I should see, and partly from other causes.
+
+We rode by way of Brendon town, Illford Bridge, and Babbrook, to avoid
+the great hill above Lynmouth; and the day being fine and clear again, I
+laughed in my sleeve at Uncle Reuben for all his fine precautions. When
+we arrived at Ley Manor, we were shown very civilly into the hall, and
+refreshed with good ale and collared head, and the back of a Christmas
+pudding. I had never been under so fine a roof (unless it were of a
+church) before; and it pleased me greatly to be so kindly entreated by
+high-born folk. But Uncle Reuben was vexed a little at being set down
+side by side with a man in a very small way of trade, who was come
+upon some business there, and who made bold to drink his health after
+finishing their horns of ale.
+
+"Sir," said Uncle Ben, looking at him, "my health would fare much
+better, if you would pay me three pounds and twelve shillings, which you
+have owed me these five years back; and now we are met at the Justice's,
+the opportunity is good, sir."
+
+After that, we were called to the Justice-room, where the Baron himself
+was sitting with Colonel Harding, another Justiciary of the King's
+peace, to help him. I had seen the Baron de Whichehalse before, and was
+not at all afraid of him, having been at school with his son as he knew,
+and it made him very kind to me. And indeed he was kind to everybody,
+and all our people spoke well of him; and so much the more because we
+knew that the house was in decadence. For the first De Whichehalse had
+come from Holland, where he had been a great nobleman, some hundred and
+fifty years agone. Being persecuted for his religion, when the Spanish
+power was everything, he fled to England with all he could save, and
+bought large estates in Devonshire. Since then his descendants had
+intermarried with ancient county families, Cottwells, and Marwoods, and
+Walronds, and Welses of Pylton, and Chichesters of Hall; and several of
+the ladies brought them large increase of property. And so about fifty
+years before the time of which I am writing, there were few names in the
+West of England thought more of than De Whichehalse. But now they had
+lost a great deal of land, and therefore of that which goes with land,
+as surely as fame belongs to earth--I mean big reputation. How they had
+lost it, none could tell; except that as the first descendants had
+a manner of amassing, so the later ones were gifted with a power of
+scattering. Whether this came of good Devonshire blood opening the
+sluice of Low Country veins, is beyond both my province and my power to
+inquire. Anyhow, all people loved this last strain of De Whichehalse far
+more than the name had been liked a hundred years agone.
+
+[Illustration: 120.jpg Hugh de Whichehalse]
+
+Hugh de Whichehalse, a white-haired man, of very noble presence, with
+friendly blue eyes and a sweet smooth forehead, and aquiline nose
+quite beautiful (as you might expect in a lady of birth), and thin lips
+curving delicately, this gentleman rose as we entered the room; while
+Colonel Harding turned on his chair, and struck one spur against the
+other. I am sure that, without knowing aught of either, we must have
+reverenced more of the two the one who showed respect to us. And yet
+nine gentleman out of ten make this dull mistake when dealing with the
+class below them!
+
+Uncle Reuben made his very best scrape, and then walked up to the table,
+trying to look as if he did not know himself to be wealthier than both
+the gentlemen put together. Of course he was no stranger to them, any
+more than I was; and, as it proved afterwards, Colonel Harding owed him
+a lump of money, upon very good security. Of him Uncle Reuben took no
+notice, but addressed himself to De Whichehalse.
+
+The Baron smiled very gently, so soon as he learned the cause of this
+visit, and then he replied quite reasonably.
+
+"A warrant against the Doones, Master Huckaback. Which of the Doones, so
+please you; and the Christian names, what be they?"
+
+"My lord, I am not their godfather; and most like they never had any.
+But we all know old Sir Ensor's name, so that may be no obstacle."
+
+"Sir Ensor Doone and his sons--so be it. How many sons, Master
+Huckaback, and what is the name of each one?"
+
+"How can I tell you, my lord, even if I had known them all as well as my
+own shop-boys? Nevertheless there were seven of them, and that should be
+no obstacle."
+
+"A warrant against Sir Ensor Doone, and seven sons of Sir Ensor Doone,
+Christian names unknown, and doubted if they have any. So far so good
+Master Huckaback. I have it all down in writing. Sir Ensor himself was
+there, of course, as you have given in evidence--"
+
+"No, no, my lord, I never said that: I never said--"
+
+"If he can prove that he was not there, you may be indicted for perjury.
+But as for those seven sons of his, of course you can swear that they
+were his sons and not his nephews, or grandchildren, or even no Doones
+at all?"
+
+"My lord, I can swear that they were Doones. Moreover, I can pay for any
+mistake I make. Therein need be no obstacle."
+
+"Oh, yes, he can pay; he can pay well enough," said Colonel Harding
+shortly.
+
+"I am heartily glad to hear it," replied the Baron pleasantly; "for it
+proves after all that this robbery (if robbery there has been) was not
+so very ruinous. Sometimes people think they are robbed, and then it is
+very sweet afterwards to find that they have not been so; for it adds
+to their joy in their property. Now, are you quite convinced, good sir,
+that these people (if there were any) stole, or took, or even borrowed
+anything at all from you?"
+
+"My lord, do you think that I was drunk?"
+
+"Not for a moment, Master Huckaback. Although excuse might be made for
+you at this time of the year. But how did you know that your visitors
+were of this particular family?"
+
+"Because it could be nobody else. Because, in spite of the fog--"
+
+"Fog!" cried Colonel Harding sharply.
+
+"Fog!" said the Baron, with emphasis. "Ah, that explains the whole
+affair. To be sure, now I remember, the weather has been too thick for a
+man to see the head of his own horse. The Doones (if still there be any
+Doones) could never have come abroad; that is as sure as simony. Master
+Huckaback, for your good sake, I am heartily glad that this charge has
+miscarried. I thoroughly understand it now. The fog explains the whole
+of it."
+
+"Go back, my good fellow," said Colonel Harding; "and if the day is
+clear enough, you will find all your things where you left them. I know,
+from my own experience, what it is to be caught in an Exmoor fog."
+
+Uncle Reuben, by this time, was so put out, that he hardly knew what he
+was saying.
+
+"My lord, Sir Colonel, is this your justice! If I go to London myself
+for it, the King shall know how his commission--how a man may be robbed,
+and the justices prove that he ought to be hanged at back of it; that in
+his good shire of Somerset--"
+
+"Your pardon a moment, good sir," De Whichehalse interrupted him; "but I
+was about (having heard your case) to mention what need be an obstacle,
+and, I fear, would prove a fatal one, even if satisfactory proof were
+afforded of a felony. The mal-feasance (if any) was laid in Somerset;
+but we, two humble servants of His Majesty, are in commission of his
+peace for the county of Devon only, and therefore could never deal with
+it."
+
+"And why, in the name of God," cried Uncle Reuben now carried at last
+fairly beyond himself, "why could you not say as much at first, and save
+me all this waste of time and worry of my temper? Gentlemen, you are
+all in league; all of you stick together. You think it fair sport for an
+honest trader, who makes no shams as you do, to be robbed and wellnigh
+murdered, so long as they who did it won the high birthright of felony.
+If a poor sheep stealer, to save his children from dying of starvation,
+had dared to look at a two-month lamb, he would swing on the Manor
+gallows, and all of you cry 'Good riddance!' But now, because good birth
+and bad manners--" Here poor Uncle Ben, not being so strong as before
+the Doones had played with him, began to foam at the mouth a little, and
+his tongue went into the hollow where his short grey whiskers were.
+
+I forget how we came out of it, only I was greatly shocked at bearding
+of the gentry so, and mother scarce could see her way, when I told her
+all about it. "Depend upon it you were wrong, John," was all I could get
+out of her; though what had I done but listen, and touch my forelock,
+when called upon. "John, you may take my word for it, you have not done
+as you should have done. Your father would have been shocked to think of
+going to Baron de Whichehalse, and in his own house insulting him! And
+yet it was very brave of you John. Just like you, all over. And (as none
+of the men are here, dear John) I am proud of you for doing it."
+
+All throughout the homeward road, Uncle Ben had been very silent,
+feeling much displeased with himself and still more so with other
+people. But before he went to bed that night, he just said to me,
+"Nephew Jack, you have not behaved so badly as the rest to me. And
+because you have no gift of talking, I think that I may trust you.
+Now, mark my words, this villain job shall not have ending here. I have
+another card to play."
+
+"You mean, sir, I suppose, that you will go to the justices of this
+shire, Squire Maunder, or Sir Richard Blewitt, or--"
+
+"Oaf, I mean nothing of the sort; they would only make a laughing-stock,
+as those Devonshire people did, of me. No, I will go to the King
+himself, or a man who is bigger than the King, and to whom I have ready
+access. I will not tell thee his name at present, only if thou art
+brought before him, never wilt thou forget it." That was true enough,
+by the bye, as I discovered afterwards, for the man he meant was Judge
+Jeffreys.
+
+"And when are you likely to see him, sir?"
+
+"Maybe in the spring, maybe not until summer, for I cannot go to London
+on purpose, but when my business takes me there. Only remember my words,
+Jack, and when you see the man I mean, look straight at him, and tell
+no lie. He will make some of your zany squires shake in their shoes, I
+reckon. Now, I have been in this lonely hole far longer than I intended,
+by reason of this outrage; yet I will stay here one day more upon a
+certain condition."
+
+"Upon what condition, Uncle Ben? I grieve that you find it so lonely. We
+will have Farmer Nicholas up again, and the singers, and--"
+
+"The fashionable milkmaids. I thank you, let me be. The wenches are too
+loud for me. Your Nanny is enough. Nanny is a good child, and she shall
+come and visit me." Uncle Reuben would always call her "Nanny"; he said
+that "Annie" was too fine and Frenchified for us. "But my condition is
+this, Jack--that you shall guide me to-morrow, without a word to any
+one, to a place where I may well descry the dwelling of these scoundrel
+Doones, and learn the best way to get at them, when the time shall come.
+Can you do this for me? I will pay you well, boy."
+
+I promised very readily to do my best to serve him, but, of course,
+would take no money for it, not being so poor as that came to.
+Accordingly, on the day following, I managed to set the men at work on
+the other side of the farm, especially that inquisitive and busybody
+John Fry, who would pry out almost anything for the pleasure of telling
+his wife; and then, with Uncle Reuben mounted on my ancient Peggy, I
+made foot for the westward, directly after breakfast. Uncle Ben refused
+to go unless I would take a loaded gun, and indeed it was always wise
+to do so in those days of turbulence; and none the less because of late
+more than usual of our sheep had left their skins behind them. This, as
+I need hardly say, was not to be charged to the appetite of the Doones,
+for they always said that they were not butchers (although upon that
+subject might well be two opinions); and their practice was to make the
+shepherds kill and skin, and quarter for them, and sometimes carry to
+the Doone-gate the prime among the fatlings, for fear of any bruising,
+which spoils the look at table. But the worst of it was that ignorant
+folk, unaware of their fastidiousness, scored to them the sheep they
+lost by lower-born marauders, and so were afraid to speak of it: and the
+issue of this error was that a farmer, with five or six hundred sheep,
+could never command, on his wedding-day, a prime saddle of mutton for
+dinner.
+
+To return now to my Uncle Ben--and indeed he would not let me go more
+than three land-yards from him--there was very little said between us
+along the lane and across the hill, although the day was pleasant. I
+could see that he was half amiss with his mind about the business,
+and not so full of security as an elderly man should keep himself.
+Therefore, out I spake, and said,--
+
+"Uncle Reuben, have no fear. I know every inch of the ground, sir; and
+there is no danger nigh us."
+
+"Fear, boy! Who ever thought of fear? 'Tis the last thing would come
+across me. Pretty things those primroses."
+
+At once I thought of Lorna Doone, the little maid of six years back, and
+how my fancy went with her. Could Lorna ever think of me? Was I not a
+lout gone by, only fit for loach-sticking? Had I ever seen a face fit to
+think of near her? The sudden flash, the quickness, the bright desire to
+know one's heart, and not withhold her own from it, the soft withdrawal
+of rich eyes, the longing to love somebody, anybody, anything, not
+imbrued with wickedness--
+
+My uncle interrupted me, misliking so much silence now, with the
+naked woods falling over us. For we were come to Bagworthy forest, the
+blackest and the loneliest place of all that keep the sun out. Even
+now, in winter-time, with most of the wood unriddled, and the rest of it
+pinched brown, it hung around us like a cloak containing little comfort.
+I kept quite close to Peggy's head, and Peggy kept quite close to me,
+and pricked her ears at everything. However, we saw nothing there,
+except a few old owls and hawks, and a magpie sitting all alone, until
+we came to the bank of the hill, where the pony could not climb it.
+Uncle Ben was very loath to get off, because the pony seemed company,
+and he thought he could gallop away on her, if the worst came to
+the worst, but I persuaded him that now he must go to the end of it.
+Therefore he made Peggy fast, in a place where we could find her, and
+speaking cheerfully as if there was nothing to be afraid of, he took his
+staff, and I my gun, to climb the thick ascent.
+
+There was now no path of any kind; which added to our courage all it
+lessened of our comfort, because it proved that the robbers were not in
+the habit of passing there. And we knew that we could not go astray,
+so long as we breasted the hill before us; inasmuch as it formed the
+rampart, or side-fence of Glen Doone. But in truth I used the right word
+there for the manner of our ascent, for the ground came forth so steep
+against us, and withal so woody, that to make any way we must throw
+ourselves forward, and labour as at a breast-plough. Rough and loamy
+rungs of oak-root bulged here and there above our heads; briers needs
+must speak with us, using more of tooth than tongue; and sometimes bulks
+of rugged stone, like great sheep, stood across us. At last, though very
+loath to do it, I was forced to leave my gun behind, because I required
+one hand to drag myself up the difficulty, and one to help Uncle Reuben.
+And so at last we gained the top, and looked forth the edge of the
+forest, where the ground was very stony and like the crest of a quarry;
+and no more trees between us and the brink of cliff below, three hundred
+yards below it might be, all strong slope and gliddery. And now for the
+first time I was amazed at the appearance of the Doones's stronghold,
+and understood its nature. For when I had been even in the valley, and
+climbed the cliffs to escape from it, about seven years agone, I was no
+more than a stripling boy, noting little, as boys do, except for their
+present purpose, and even that soon done with. But now, what with
+the fame of the Doones, and my own recollections, and Uncle Ben's
+insistence, all my attention was called forth, and the end was simple
+astonishment.
+
+The chine of highland, whereon we stood, curved to the right and left
+of us, keeping about the same elevation, and crowned with trees and
+brushwood. At about half a mile in front of us, but looking as if we
+could throw a stone to strike any man upon it, another crest just like
+our own bowed around to meet it; but failed by reason of two narrow
+clefts of which we could only see the brink. One of these clefts was the
+Doone-gate, with a portcullis of rock above it, and the other was the
+chasm by which I had once made entrance. Betwixt them, where the hills
+fell back, as in a perfect oval, traversed by the winding water, lay a
+bright green valley, rimmed with sheer black rock, and seeming to have
+sunken bodily from the bleak rough heights above. It looked as if no
+frost could enter neither wind go ruffling; only spring, and hope, and
+comfort, breathe to one another. Even now the rays of sunshine dwelt and
+fell back on one another, whenever the clouds lifted; and the pale blue
+glimpse of the growing day seemed to find young encouragement.
+
+But for all that, Uncle Reuben was none the worse nor better. He looked
+down into Glen Doone first, and sniffed as if he were smelling it, like
+a sample of goods from a wholesale house; and then he looked at the
+hills over yonder, and then he stared at me.
+
+"See what a pack of fools they be?"
+
+"Of course I do, Uncle Ben. 'All rogues are fools,' was my first copy,
+beginning of the alphabet."
+
+"Pack of stuff lad. Though true enough, and very good for young people.
+But see you not how this great Doone valley may be taken in half an
+hour?"
+
+"Yes, to be sure I do, uncle; if they like to give it up, I mean."
+
+"Three culverins on yonder hill, and three on the top of this one, and
+we have them under a pestle. Ah, I have seen the wars, my lad, from
+Keinton up to Naseby; and I might have been a general now, if they had
+taken my advice--"
+
+But I was not attending to him, being drawn away on a sudden by a sight
+which never struck the sharp eyes of our General. For I had long ago
+descried that little opening in the cliff through which I made my exit,
+as before related, on the other side of the valley. No bigger than a
+rabbit-hole it seemed from where we stood; and yet of all the scene
+before me, that (from my remembrance perhaps) had the most attraction.
+Now gazing at it with full thought of all that it had cost me, I saw a
+little figure come, and pause, and pass into it. Something very light
+and white, nimble, smooth, and elegant, gone almost before I knew that
+any one had been there. And yet my heart came to my ribs, and all my
+blood was in my face, and pride within me fought with shame, and vanity
+with self-contempt; for though seven years were gone, and I from my
+boyhood come to manhood, and all must have forgotten me, and I had
+half-forgotten; at that moment, once for all, I felt that I was face to
+face with fate (however poor it might be), weal or woe, in Lorna Doone.
+
+[Illustration: 127.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+LORNA GROWING FORMIDABLE
+
+[Illustration: 128.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Having reconnoitred thus the position of the enemy, Master Huckaback, on
+the homeward road, cross-examined me in a manner not at all desirable.
+For he had noted my confusion and eager gaze at something unseen by
+him in the valley, and thereupon he made up his mind to know everything
+about it. In this, however, he partly failed; for although I was no hand
+at fence, and would not tell him a falsehood, I managed so to hold my
+peace that he put himself upon the wrong track, and continued thereon
+with many vaunts of his shrewdness and experience, and some chuckles at
+my simplicity. Thus much however, he learned aright, that I had been in
+the Doone valley several years before, and might be brought upon strong
+inducement to venture there again. But as to the mode of my getting in,
+the things I saw, and my thoughts upon them, he not only failed to learn
+the truth, but certified himself into an obstinacy of error, from which
+no after-knowledge was able to deliver him. And this he did, not only
+because I happened to say very little, but forasmuch as he disbelieved
+half of the truth I told him, through his own too great sagacity.
+
+Upon one point, however, he succeeded more easily than he expected,
+viz. in making me promise to visit the place again, as soon as occasion
+offered, and to hold my own counsel about it. But I could not help
+smiling at one thing, that according to his point of view my own counsel
+meant my own and Master Reuben Huckaback's.
+
+Now he being gone, as he went next day, to his favourite town of
+Dulverton, and leaving behind him shadowy promise of the mountains he
+would do for me, my spirit began to burn and pant for something to go on
+with; and nothing showed a braver hope of movement and adventure than a
+lonely visit to Glen Doone, by way of the perilous passage discovered in
+my boyhood. Therefore I waited for nothing more than the slow arrival of
+new small-clothes made by a good tailor at Porlock, for I was wishful
+to look my best; and when they were come and approved, I started,
+regardless of the expense, and forgetting (like a fool) how badly they
+would take the water.
+
+What with urging of the tailor, and my own misgivings, the time was now
+come round again to the high-day of St. Valentine, when all our maids
+were full of lovers, and all the lads looked foolish. And none of them
+more sheepish or innocent than I myself, albeit twenty-one years old,
+and not afraid of men much, but terrified of women, at least, if they
+were comely. And what of all things scared me most was the thought of
+my own size, and knowledge of my strength, which came like knots upon
+me daily. In honest truth I tell this thing, (which often since hath
+puzzled me, when I came to mix with men more), I was to that degree
+ashamed of my thickness and my stature, in the presence of a woman,
+that I would not put a trunk of wood on the fire in the kitchen, but
+let Annie scold me well, with a smile to follow, and with her own plump
+hands lift up a little log, and fuel it. Many a time I longed to be no
+bigger than John Fry was; whom now (when insolent) I took with my left
+hand by the waist-stuff, and set him on my hat, and gave him little
+chance to tread it; until he spoke of his family, and requested to come
+down again.
+
+[Illustration: 129.jpg Let Annie scold me well]
+
+Now taking for good omen this, that I was a seven-year Valentine, though
+much too big for a Cupidon, I chose a seven-foot staff of ash, and fixed
+a loach-fork in it, to look as I had looked before; and leaving word
+upon matters of business, out of the back door I went, and so through
+the little orchard, and down the brawling Lynn-brook. Not being now
+so much afraid, I struck across the thicket land between the meeting
+waters, and came upon the Bagworthy stream near the great black
+whirlpool. Nothing amazed me so much as to find how shallow the stream
+now looked to me, although the pool was still as black and greedy as it
+used to be. And still the great rocky slide was dark and difficult to
+climb; though the water, which once had taken my knees, was satisfied
+now with my ankles. After some labour, I reached the top; and halted to
+look about me well, before trusting to broad daylight.
+
+The winter (as I said before) had been a very mild one; and now the
+spring was toward so that bank and bush were touched with it. The valley
+into which I gazed was fair with early promise, having shelter from the
+wind and taking all the sunshine. The willow-bushes over the stream
+hung as if they were angling with tasseled floats of gold and silver,
+bursting like a bean-pod. Between them came the water laughing, like
+a maid at her own dancing, and spread with that young blue which never
+lives beyond the April. And on either bank, the meadow ruffled as
+the breeze came by, opening (through new tuft, of green) daisy-bud or
+celandine, or a shy glimpse now and then of the love-lorn primrose.
+
+[Illustration: 131.jpg The meadow ruffled in the breeze]
+
+Though I am so blank of wit, or perhaps for that same reason, these
+little things come and dwell with me, and I am happy about them, and
+long for nothing better. I feel with every blade of grass, as if it had
+a history; and make a child of every bud as though it knew and loved me.
+And being so, they seem to tell me of my own delusions, how I am no more
+than they, except in self-importance.
+
+While I was forgetting much of many things that harm one, and letting of
+my thoughts go wild to sounds and sights of nature, a sweeter note than
+thrush or ouzel ever wooed a mate in, floated on the valley breeze at
+the quiet turn of sundown. The words were of an ancient song, fit to
+laugh or cry at.
+
+[Illustration: 132.jpg Willow-Bushes over the stream]
+
+    "Love, an if there be one,
+     Come my love to be,
+     My love is for the one
+     Loving unto me.
+
+     Not for me the show, love,
+     Of a gilded bliss;
+     Only thou must know, love,
+     What my value is.
+
+     If in all the earth, love,
+     Thou hast none but me,
+     This shall be my worth, love:
+     To be cheap to thee.
+
+     But, if so thou ever
+     Strivest to be free,
+     'Twill be my endeavour
+     To be dear to thee.
+
+     So shall I have plea, love,
+     Is thy heart and breath
+     Clinging still to thee, love,
+     In the doom of death."
+
+All this I took in with great eagerness, not for the sake of the meaning
+(which is no doubt an allegory), but for the power and richness, and
+softness of the singing, which seemed to me better than we ever had even
+in Oare church. But all the time I kept myself in a black niche of the
+rock, where the fall of the water began, lest the sweet singer (espying
+me) should be alarmed, and flee away. But presently I ventured to look
+forth where a bush was; and then I beheld the loveliest sight--one
+glimpse of which was enough to make me kneel in the coldest water.
+
+By the side of the stream she was coming to me, even among the
+primroses, as if she loved them all; and every flower looked the
+brighter, as her eyes were on them, I could not see what her face was,
+my heart so awoke and trembled; only that her hair was flowing from
+a wreath of white violets, and the grace of her coming was like the
+appearance of the first wind-flower. The pale gleam over the western
+cliffs threw a shadow of light behind her, as if the sun were lingering.
+Never do I see that light from the closing of the west, even in these my
+aged days, without thinking of her. Ah me, if it comes to that, what do
+I see of earth or heaven, without thinking of her?
+
+The tremulous thrill of her song was hanging on her open lips; and she
+glanced around, as if the birds were accustomed to make answer. To me it
+was a thing of terror to behold such beauty, and feel myself the while
+to be so very low and common. But scarcely knowing what I did, as if
+a rope were drawing me, I came from the dark mouth of the chasm; and
+stood, afraid to look at her.
+
+She was turning to fly, not knowing me, and frightened, perhaps, at
+my stature, when I fell on the grass (as I fell before her seven years
+agone that day), and I just said, "Lorna Doone!"
+
+She knew me at once, from my manner and ways, and a smile broke through
+her trembling, as sunshine comes through aspen-leaves; and being so
+clever, she saw, of course, that she needed not to fear me.
+
+"Oh, indeed," she cried, with a feint of anger (because she had shown
+her cowardice, and yet in her heart she was laughing); "oh, if you
+please, who are you, sir, and how do you know my name?"
+
+"I am John Ridd," I answered; "the boy who gave you those beautiful
+fish, when you were only a little thing, seven years ago to-day."
+
+"Yes, the poor boy who was frightened so, and obliged to hide here in
+the water."
+
+"And do you remember how kind you were, and saved my life by your
+quickness, and went away riding upon a great man's shoulder, as if you
+had never seen me, and yet looked back through the willow-trees?"
+
+"Oh, yes, I remember everything; because it was so rare to see any
+except--I mean because I happen to remember. But you seem not to
+remember, sir, how perilous this place is."
+
+For she had kept her eyes upon me; large eyes of a softness, a
+brightness, and a dignity which made me feel as if I must for ever love
+and yet for ever know myself unworthy. Unless themselves should fill
+with love, which is the spring of all things. And so I could not answer
+her, but was overcome with thinking and feeling and confusion. Neither
+could I look again; only waited for the melody which made every word
+like a poem to me, the melody of her voice. But she had not the least
+idea of what was going on with me, any more than I myself had.
+
+"I think, Master Ridd, you cannot know," she said, with her eyes taken
+from me, "what the dangers of this place are, and the nature of the
+people."
+
+"Yes, I know enough of that; and I am frightened greatly, all the time,
+when I do not look at you."
+
+She was too young to answer me in the style some maidens would have
+used; the manner, I mean, which now we call from a foreign word
+"coquettish." And more than that, she was trembling from real fear of
+violence, lest strong hands might be laid on me, and a miserable end
+of it. And to tell the truth, I grew afraid; perhaps from a kind of
+sympathy, and because I knew that evil comes more readily than good to
+us.
+
+Therefore, without more ado, or taking any advantage--although I would
+have been glad at heart, if needs had been, to kiss her (without any
+thought of rudeness)--it struck me that I had better go, and have no
+more to say to her until next time of coming. So would she look the more
+for me and think the more about me, and not grow weary of my words and
+the want of change there is in me. For, of course, I knew what a churl I
+was compared to her birth and appearance; but meanwhile I might improve
+myself and learn a musical instrument. "The wind hath a draw after
+flying straw" is a saying we have in Devonshire, made, peradventure, by
+somebody who had seen the ways of women.
+
+"Mistress Lorna, I will depart"--mark you, I thought that a powerful
+word--"in fear of causing disquiet. If any rogue shot me it would grieve
+you; I make bold to say it, and it would be the death of mother. Few
+mothers have such a son as me. Try to think of me now and then, and I
+will bring you some new-laid eggs, for our young blue hen is beginning."
+
+"I thank you heartily," said Lorna; "but you need not come to see me.
+You can put them in my little bower, where I am almost always--I mean
+whither daily I repair to read and to be away from them."
+
+"Only show me where it is. Thrice a day I will come and stop--"
+
+"Nay, Master Ridd, I would never show thee--never, because of
+peril--only that so happens it thou hast found the way already."
+
+And she smiled with a light that made me care to cry out for no other
+way, except to her dear heart. But only to myself I cried for anything
+at all, having enough of man in me to be bashful with young maidens. So
+I touched her white hand softly when she gave it to me, and (fancying
+that she had sighed) was touched at heart about it, and resolved to
+yield her all my goods, although my mother was living; and then grew
+angry with myself (for a mile or more of walking) to think she would
+condescend so; and then, for the rest of the homeward road, was mad with
+every man in the world who would dare to think of having her.
+
+[Illustration: 136.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+JOHN IS BEWITCHED
+
+[Illustration: 137.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+To forget one's luck of life, to forget the cark of care and withering
+of young fingers; not to feel, or not be moved by, all the change of
+thought and heart, from large young heat to the sinewy lines and dry
+bones of old age--this is what I have to do ere ever I can make you
+know (even as a dream is known) how I loved my Lorna. I myself can never
+know; never can conceive, or treat it as a thing of reason, never can
+behold myself dwelling in the midst of it, and think that this was I;
+neither can I wander far from perpetual thought of it. Perhaps I have
+two farrows of pigs ready for the chapman; perhaps I have ten stones
+of wool waiting for the factor. It is all the same. I look at both, and
+what I say to myself is this: "Which would Lorna choose of them?" Of
+course, I am a fool for this; any man may call me so, and I will not
+quarrel with him, unless he guess my secret. Of course, I fetch my wit,
+if it be worth the fetching, back again to business. But there my heart
+is and must be; and all who like to try can cheat me, except upon parish
+matters.
+
+That week I could do little more than dream and dream and rove about,
+seeking by perpetual change to find the way back to myself. I cared
+not for the people round me, neither took delight in victuals; but made
+believe to eat and drink and blushed at any questions. And being called
+the master now, head-farmer, and chief yeoman, it irked me much that any
+one should take advantage of me; yet everybody did so as soon as ever it
+was known that my wits were gone moon-raking. For that was the way
+they looked at it, not being able to comprehend the greatness and the
+loftiness. Neither do I blame them much; for the wisest thing is to
+laugh at people when we cannot understand them. I, for my part, took no
+notice; but in my heart despised them as beings of a lesser nature, who
+never had seen Lorna. Yet I was vexed, and rubbed myself, when John Fry
+spread all over the farm, and even at the shoeing forge, that a mad dog
+had come and bitten me, from the other side of Mallond.
+
+This seems little to me now; and so it might to any one; but, at the
+time, it worked me up to a fever of indignity. To make a mad dog of
+Lorna, to compare all my imaginings (which were strange, I do assure
+you--the faculty not being apt to work), to count the raising of my soul
+no more than hydrophobia! All this acted on me so, that I gave John Fry
+the soundest threshing that ever a sheaf of good corn deserved, or a
+bundle of tares was blessed with. Afterwards he went home, too tired
+to tell his wife the meaning of it; but it proved of service to both of
+them, and an example for their children.
+
+Now the climate of this country is--so far as I can make of it--to throw
+no man into extremes; and if he throw himself so far, to pluck him
+back by change of weather and the need of looking after things. Lest we
+should be like the Southerns, for whom the sky does everything, and men
+sit under a wall and watch both food and fruit come beckoning. Their sky
+is a mother to them; but ours a good stepmother to us--fearing to
+hurt by indulgence, and knowing that severity and change of mood are
+wholesome.
+
+The spring being now too forward, a check to it was needful; and in the
+early part of March there came a change of weather. All the young growth
+was arrested by a dry wind from the east, which made both face
+and fingers burn when a man was doing ditching. The lilacs and the
+woodbines, just crowding forth in little tufts, close kernelling their
+blossom, were ruffled back, like a sleeve turned up, and nicked with
+brown at the corners. In the hedges any man, unless his eyes were very
+dull, could see the mischief doing. The russet of the young elm-bloom
+was fain to be in its scale again; but having pushed forth, there must
+be, and turn to a tawny colour. The hangers of the hazel, too, having
+shed their dust to make the nuts, did not spread their little combs and
+dry them, as they ought to do; but shrivelled at the base and fell, as
+if a knife had cut them. And more than all to notice was (at least about
+the hedges) the shuddering of everything and the shivering sound among
+them toward the feeble sun; such as we make to a poor fireplace when
+several doors are open. Sometimes I put my face to warm against the
+soft, rough maple-stem, which feels like the foot of a red deer; but the
+pitiless east wind came through all, and took and shook the caved
+hedge aback till its knees were knocking together, and nothing could
+be shelter. Then would any one having blood, and trying to keep at home
+with it, run to a sturdy tree and hope to eat his food behind it, and
+look for a little sun to come and warm his feet in the shelter. And if
+it did he might strike his breast, and try to think he was warmer.
+
+But when a man came home at night, after long day's labour, knowing
+that the days increased, and so his care should multiply; still he found
+enough of light to show him what the day had done against him in
+his garden. Every ridge of new-turned earth looked like an old man's
+muscles, honeycombed, and standing out void of spring, and powdery.
+Every plant that had rejoiced in passing such a winter now was cowering,
+turned away, unfit to meet the consequence. Flowing sap had stopped its
+course; fluted lines showed want of food, and if you pinched the topmost
+spray, there was no rebound or firmness.
+
+We think a good deal, in a quiet way, when people ask us about them--of
+some fine, upstanding pear-trees, grafted by my grandfather, who had
+been very greatly respected. And he got those grafts by sheltering a
+poor Italian soldier, in the time of James the First, a man who never
+could do enough to show his grateful memories. How he came to our place
+is a very difficult story, which I never understood rightly, having
+heard it from my mother. At any rate, there the pear-trees were, and
+there they are to this very day; and I wish every one could taste their
+fruit, old as they are, and rugged.
+
+Now these fine trees had taken advantage of the west winds, and the
+moisture, and the promise of the spring time, so as to fill the tips of
+the spray-wood and the rowels all up the branches with a crowd of eager
+blossom. Not that they were yet in bloom, nor even showing whiteness,
+only that some of the cones were opening at the side of the cap which
+pinched them; and there you might count perhaps, a dozen nobs, like very
+little buttons, but grooved, and lined, and huddling close, to make room
+for one another. And among these buds were gray-green blades, scarce
+bigger than a hair almost, yet curving so as if their purpose was to
+shield the blossom.
+
+Other of the spur-points, standing on the older wood where the sap was
+not so eager, had not burst their tunic yet, but were flayed and flaked
+with light, casting off the husk of brown in three-cornered patches, as
+I have seen a Scotchman's plaid, or as his legs shows through it. These
+buds, at a distance, looked as if the sky had been raining cream upon
+them.
+
+Now all this fair delight to the eyes, and good promise to the palate,
+was marred and baffled by the wind and cutting of the night-frosts. The
+opening cones were struck with brown, in between the button buds, and
+on the scapes that shielded them; while the foot part of the cover hung
+like rags, peeled back, and quivering. And there the little stalk of
+each, which might have been a pear, God willing, had a ring around its
+base, and sought a chance to drop and die. The others which had not
+opened comb, but only prepared to do it, were a little better off, but
+still very brown and unkid, and shrivelling in doubt of health, and
+neither peart nor lusty.
+
+Now this I have not told because I know the way to do it, for that I do
+not, neither yet have seen a man who did know. It is wonderful how
+we look at things, and never think to notice them; and I am as bad as
+anybody, unless the thing to be observed is a dog, or a horse, or a
+maiden. And the last of those three I look at, somehow, without knowing
+that I take notice, and greatly afraid to do it, only I knew afterwards
+(when the time of life was in me), not indeed, what the maiden was like,
+but how she differed from others.
+
+Yet I have spoken about the spring, and the failure of fair promise,
+because I took it to my heart as token of what would come to me in the
+budding of my years and hope. And even then, being much possessed, and
+full of a foolish melancholy, I felt a sad delight at being doomed to
+blight and loneliness; not but that I managed still (when mother
+was urgent upon me) to eat my share of victuals, and cuff a man for
+laziness, and see that a ploughshare made no leaps, and sleep of a night
+without dreaming. And my mother half-believing, in her fondness and
+affection, that what the parish said was true about a mad dog having
+bitten me, and yet arguing that it must be false (because God would have
+prevented him), my mother gave me little rest, when I was in the room
+with her. Not that she worried me with questions, nor openly regarded
+me with any unusual meaning, but that I knew she was watching slyly
+whenever I took a spoon up; and every hour or so she managed to place a
+pan of water by me, quite as if by accident, and sometimes even to spill
+a little upon my shoe or coat-sleeve. But Betty Muxworthy was worst;
+for, having no fear about my health, she made a villainous joke of it,
+and used to rush into the kitchen, barking like a dog, and panting,
+exclaiming that I had bitten her, and justice she would have on me, if
+it cost her a twelvemonth's wages. And she always took care to do this
+thing just when I had crossed my legs in the corner after supper, and
+leaned my head against the oven, to begin to think of Lorna.
+
+However, in all things there is comfort, if we do not look too hard
+for it; and now I had much satisfaction, in my uncouth state, from
+labouring, by the hour together, at the hedging and the ditching,
+meeting the bitter wind face to face, feeling my strength increase, and
+hoping that some one would be proud of it. In the rustling rush of
+every gust, in the graceful bend of every tree, even in the "lords and
+ladies," clumped in the scoops of the hedgerow, and most of all in the
+soft primrose, wrung by the wind, but stealing back, and smiling when
+the wrath was passed--in all of these, and many others there was aching
+ecstasy, delicious pang of Lorna.
+
+But however cold the weather was, and however hard the wind blew, one
+thing (more than all the rest) worried and perplexed me. This was, that
+I could not settle, turn and twist as I might, how soon I ought to go
+again upon a visit to Glen Doone. For I liked not at all the falseness
+of it (albeit against murderers), the creeping out of sight, and hiding,
+and feeling as a spy might. And even more than this. I feared how Lorna
+might regard it; whether I might seem to her a prone and blunt intruder,
+a country youth not skilled in manners, as among the quality, even when
+they rob us. For I was not sure myself, but that it might be very bad
+manners to go again too early without an invitation; and my hands and
+face were chapped so badly by the bitter wind, that Lorna might count
+them unsightly things, and wish to see no more of them.
+
+However, I could not bring myself to consult any one upon this point, at
+least in our own neighbourhood, nor even to speak of it near home. But
+the east wind holding through the month, my hands and face growing worse
+and worse, and it having occurred to me by this time that possibly Lorna
+might have chaps, if she came abroad at all, and so might like to talk
+about them and show her little hands to me, I resolved to take another
+opinion, so far as might be upon this matter, without disclosing the
+circumstances.
+
+Now the wisest person in all our parts was reckoned to be a certain wise
+woman, well known all over Exmoor by the name of Mother Melldrum. Her
+real name was Maple Durham, as I learned long afterwards; and she came
+of an ancient family, but neither of Devon nor Somerset. Nevertheless
+she was quite at home with our proper modes of divination; and knowing
+that we liked them best--as each man does his own religion--she would
+always practise them for the people of the country. And all the while,
+she would let us know that she kept a higher and nobler mode for those
+who looked down upon this one, not having been bred and born to it.
+
+[Illustration: 142.jpg Mother Melldrum]
+
+Mother Melldrum had two houses, or rather she had none at all, but two
+homes wherein to find her, according to the time of year. In summer she
+lived in a pleasant cave, facing the cool side of the hill, far inland
+near Hawkridge and close above Tarr-steps, a wonderful crossing of Barle
+river, made (as everybody knows) by Satan, for a wager. But throughout
+the winter, she found sea-air agreeable, and a place where things could
+be had on credit, and more occasion of talking. Not but what she could
+have credit (for every one was afraid of her) in the neighbourhood of
+Tarr-steps; only there was no one handy owning things worth taking.
+
+Therefore, at the fall of the leaf, when the woods grew damp and
+irksome, the wise woman always set her face to the warmer cliffs of the
+Channel; where shelter was, and dry fern bedding, and folk to be seen in
+the distance, from a bank upon which the sun shone. And there, as I
+knew from our John Fry (who had been to her about rheumatism, and sheep
+possessed with an evil spirit, and warts on the hand of his son, young
+John), any one who chose might find her, towards the close of a winter
+day, gathering sticks and brown fern for fuel, and talking to herself
+the while, in a hollow stretch behind the cliffs; which foreigners, who
+come and go without seeing much of Exmoor, have called the Valley of
+Rocks.
+
+[Illustration: 143.jpg Tarr-Steps]
+
+This valley, or goyal, as we term it, being small for a valley, lies to
+the west of Linton, about a mile from the town perhaps, and away towards
+Ley Manor. Our homefolk always call it the Danes, or the Denes, which is
+no more, they tell me, than a hollow place, even as the word "den" is.
+However, let that pass, for I know very little about it; but the place
+itself is a pretty one, though nothing to frighten anybody, unless he
+hath lived in a gallipot. It is a green rough-sided hollow, bending
+at the middle, touched with stone at either crest, and dotted here and
+there with slabs in and out the brambles. On the right hand is an upward
+crag, called by some the Castle, easy enough to scale, and giving great
+view of the Channel. Facing this, from the inland side and the elbow of
+the valley, a queer old pile of rock arises, bold behind one another,
+and quite enough to affright a man, if it only were ten times larger.
+This is called the Devil's Cheese-ring, or the Devil's Cheese-knife,
+which mean the same thing, as our fathers were used to eat their cheese
+from a scoop; and perhaps in old time the upmost rock (which has fallen
+away since I knew it) was like to such an implement, if Satan eat cheese
+untoasted.
+
+But all the middle of this valley was a place to rest in; to sit and
+think that troubles were not, if we would not make them. To know the sea
+outside the hills, but never to behold it; only by the sound of waves to
+pity sailors labouring. Then to watch the sheltered sun, coming warmly
+round the turn, like a guest expected, full of gentle glow and gladness,
+casting shadow far away as a thing to hug itself, and awakening life
+from dew, and hope from every spreading bud. And then to fall asleep and
+dream that the fern was all asparagus.
+
+Alas, I was too young in those days much to care for creature comforts,
+or to let pure palate have things that would improve it. Anything went
+down with me, as it does with most of us. Too late we know the good from
+bad; the knowledge is no pleasure then; being memory's medicine rather
+than the wine of hope.
+
+Now Mother Melldrum kept her winter in this vale of rocks, sheltering
+from the wind and rain within the Devil's Cheese-ring, which added
+greatly to her fame because all else, for miles around, were afraid to
+go near it after dark, or even on a gloomy day. Under eaves of lichened
+rock she had a winding passage, which none that ever I knew of durst
+enter but herself. And to this place I went to seek her, in spite of all
+misgivings, upon a Sunday in Lenten season, when the sheep were folded.
+
+Our parson (as if he had known my intent) had preached a beautiful
+sermon about the Witch of Endor, and the perils of them that meddle
+wantonly with the unseen Powers; and therein he referred especially to
+the strange noise in the neighbourhood, and upbraided us for want of
+faith, and many other backslidings. We listened to him very earnestly,
+for we like to hear from our betters about things that are beyond us,
+and to be roused up now and then, like sheep with a good dog after them,
+who can pull some wool without biting. Nevertheless we could not see how
+our want of faith could have made that noise, especially at night time,
+notwithstanding which we believed it, and hoped to do a little better.
+
+And so we all came home from church; and most of the people dined with
+us, as they always do on Sundays, because of the distance to go home,
+with only words inside them. The parson, who always sat next to mother,
+was afraid that he might have vexed us, and would not have the best
+piece of meat, according to his custom. But soon we put him at his ease,
+and showed him we were proud of him; and then he made no more to do, but
+accepted the best of the sirloin.
+
+[Illustration: 145.jpg The Devil's Cheese-wring]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+WITCHERY LEADS TO WITCHCRAFT
+
+[Illustration: 146.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Although wellnigh the end of March, the wind blew wild and piercing,
+as I went on foot that afternoon to Mother Melldrum's dwelling. It was
+safer not to take a horse, lest (if anything vexed her) she should put
+a spell upon him; as had been done to Farmer Snowe's stable by the wise
+woman of Simonsbath.
+
+The sun was low on the edge of the hills by the time I entered the
+valley, for I could not leave home till the cattle were tended, and
+the distance was seven miles or more. The shadows of rocks fell far and
+deep, and the brown dead fern was fluttering, and brambles with their
+sere leaves hanging, swayed their tatters to and fro, with a red look on
+them. In patches underneath the crags, a few wild goats were browsing;
+then they tossed their horns, and fled, and leaped on ledges, and stared
+at me. Moreover, the sound of the sea came up, and went the length of
+the valley, and there it lapped on a butt of rocks, and murmured like a
+shell.
+
+Taking things one with another, and feeling all the lonesomeness, and
+having no stick with me, I was much inclined to go briskly back,
+and come at a better season. And when I beheld a tall grey shape, of
+something or another, moving at the lower end of the valley, where the
+shade was, it gave me such a stroke of fear, after many others, that my
+thumb which lay in mother's Bible (brought in my big pocket for the sake
+of safety) shook so much that it came out, and I could not get it in
+again. "This serves me right," I said to myself, "for tampering with
+Beelzebub. Oh that I had listened to parson!"
+
+And thereupon I struck aside; not liking to run away quite, as some
+people might call it; but seeking to look like a wanderer who was come
+to see the valley, and had seen almost enough of it. Herein I should
+have succeeded, and gone home, and then been angry at my want of
+courage, but that on the very turn and bending of my footsteps, the
+woman in the distance lifted up her staff to me, so that I was bound to
+stop.
+
+And now, being brought face to face, by the will of God (as one might
+say) with anything that might come of it, I kept myself quite straight
+and stiff, and thrust away all white feather, trusting in my Bible
+still, hoping that it would protect me, though I had disobeyed it. But
+upon that remembrance, my conscience took me by the leg, so that I could
+not go forward.
+
+All this while, the fearful woman was coming near and more near to me;
+and I was glad to sit down on a rock because my knees were shaking so. I
+tried to think of many things, but none of them would come to me; and I
+could not take my eyes away, though I prayed God to be near me.
+
+But when she was come so nigh to me that I could descry her features,
+there was something in her countenance that made me not dislike her. She
+looked as if she had been visited by many troubles, and had felt them
+one by one, yet held enough of kindly nature still to grieve for others.
+Long white hair, on either side, was falling down below her chin; and
+through her wrinkles clear bright eyes seemed to spread themselves upon
+me. Though I had plenty of time to think, I was taken by surprise no
+less, and unable to say anything; yet eager to hear the silence broken,
+and longing for a noise or two.
+
+"Thou art not come to me," she said, looking through my simple face, as
+if it were but glass, "to be struck for bone-shave, nor to be blessed
+for barn-gun. Give me forth thy hand, John Ridd; and tell why thou art
+come to me."
+
+But I was so much amazed at her knowing my name and all about me, that I
+feared to place my hand in her power, or even my tongue by speaking.
+
+"Have no fear of me, my son; I have no gift to harm thee; and if I had,
+it should be idle. Now, if thou hast any wit, tell me why I love thee."
+
+"I never had any wit, mother," I answered in our Devonshire way; "and
+never set eyes on thee before, to the furthest of my knowledge."
+
+"And yet I know thee as well, John, as if thou wert my grandson.
+Remember you the old Oare oak, and the bog at the head of Exe, and the
+child who would have died there, but for thy strength and courage, and
+most of all thy kindness? That was my granddaughter, John; and all I
+have on earth to love."
+
+Now that she came to speak of it, with the place and that, so clearly, I
+remembered all about it (a thing that happened last August), and thought
+how stupid I must have been not to learn more of the little girl who had
+fallen into the black pit, with a basketful of whortleberries, and
+who might have been gulfed if her little dog had not spied me in the
+distance. I carried her on my back to mother; and then we dressed her
+all anew, and took her where she ordered us; but she did not tell us
+who she was, nor anything more than her Christian name, and that she was
+eight years old, and fond of fried batatas. And we did not seek to ask
+her more; as our manner is with visitors.
+
+But thinking of this little story, and seeing how she looked at me, I
+lost my fear of Mother Melldrum, and began to like her; partly because I
+had helped her grandchild, and partly that if she were so wise, no need
+would have been for me to save the little thing from drowning. Therefore
+I stood up and said, though scarcely yet established in my power against
+hers,--
+
+"Good mother, the shoe she lost was in the mire, and not with us. And we
+could not match it, although we gave her a pair of sister Lizzie's."
+
+"My son, what care I for her shoe? How simple thou art, and foolish!
+according to the thoughts of some. Now tell me, for thou canst not lie,
+what has brought thee to me."
+
+Being so ashamed and bashful, I was half-inclined to tell her a lie,
+until she said that I could not do it; and then I knew that I could not.
+
+"I am come to know," I said, looking at a rock the while, to keep my
+voice from shaking, "when I may go to see Lorna Doone."
+
+No more could I say, though my mind was charged to ask fifty other
+questions. But although I looked away, it was plain that I had asked
+enough. I felt that the wise woman gazed at me in wrath as well as
+sorrow; and then I grew angry that any one should seem to make light of
+Lorna.
+
+"John Ridd," said the woman, observing this (for now I faced her
+bravely), "of whom art thou speaking? Is it a child of the men who slew
+your father?"
+
+"I cannot tell, mother. How should I know? And what is that to thee?"
+
+"It is something to thy mother, John, and something to thyself, I trow;
+and nothing worse could befall thee."
+
+I waited for her to speak again, because she had spoken so sadly that it
+took my breath away.
+
+"John Ridd, if thou hast any value for thy body or thy soul, thy mother,
+or thy father's name, have nought to do with any Doone."
+
+She gazed at me in earnest so, and raised her voice in saying it, until
+the whole valley, curving like a great bell echoed "Doone," that it
+seemed to me my heart was gone for every one and everything. If it were
+God's will for me to have no more of Lorna, let a sign come out of the
+rocks, and I would try to believe it. But no sign came, and I turned to
+the woman, and longed that she had been a man.
+
+"You poor thing, with bones and blades, pails of water, and door-keys,
+what know you about the destiny of a maiden such as Lorna? Chilblains
+you may treat, and bone-shave, ringworm, and the scaldings; even scabby
+sheep may limp the better for your strikings. John the Baptist and his
+cousins, with the wool and hyssop, are for mares, and ailing dogs, and
+fowls that have the jaundice. Look at me now, Mother Melldrum, am I like
+a fool?"
+
+"That thou art, my son. Alas that it were any other! Now behold the end
+of that; John Ridd, mark the end of it."
+
+She pointed to the castle-rock, where upon a narrow shelf, betwixt us
+and the coming stars, a bitter fight was raging. A fine fat sheep, with
+an honest face, had clomb up very carefully to browse on a bit of juicy
+grass, now the dew of the land was upon it. To him, from an upper crag,
+a lean black goat came hurrying, with leaps, and skirmish of the horns,
+and an angry noise in his nostrils. The goat had grazed the place
+before, to the utmost of his liking, cropping in and out with jerks, as
+their manner is of feeding. Nevertheless he fell on the sheep with fury
+and great malice.
+
+The simple wether was much inclined to retire from the contest, but
+looked around in vain for any way to peace and comfort. His enemy stood
+between him and the last leap he had taken; there was nothing left him
+but to fight, or be hurled into the sea, five hundred feet below.
+
+"Lie down, lie down!" I shouted to him, as if he were a dog, for I had
+seen a battle like this before, and knew that the sheep had no chance of
+life except from his greater weight, and the difficulty of moving him.
+
+[Illustration: 150.jpg "Lie down!" I shouted]
+
+"Lie down, lie down, John Ridd!" cried Mother Melldrum, mocking me, but
+without a sign of smiling.
+
+The poor sheep turned, upon my voice, and looked at me so piteously that
+I could look no longer; but ran with all my speed to try and save him
+from the combat. He saw that I could not be in time, for the goat was
+bucking to leap at him, and so the good wether stooped his forehead,
+with the harmless horns curling aside of it; and the goat flung his
+heels up, and rushed at him, with quick sharp jumps and tricks of
+movement, and the points of his long horns always foremost, and his
+little scut cocked like a gun-hammer.
+
+As I ran up the steep of the rock, I could not see what they were doing,
+but the sheep must have fought very bravely at last, and yielded his
+ground quite slowly, and I hoped almost to save him. But just as my head
+topped the platform of rock, I saw him flung from it backward, with a
+sad low moan and a gurgle. His body made quite a short noise in the air,
+like a bucket thrown down a well shaft, and I could not tell when it
+struck the water, except by the echo among the rocks. So wroth was I
+with the goat at the moment (being somewhat scant of breath and unable
+to consider), that I caught him by the right hind-leg, before he could
+turn from his victory, and hurled him after the sheep, to learn how he
+liked his own compulsion.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+ANOTHER DANGEROUS INTERVIEW
+
+[Illustration: 152.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Although I left the Denes at once, having little heart for further
+questions of the wise woman, and being afraid to visit her house under
+the Devil's Cheese-ring (to which she kindly invited me), and although
+I ran most part of the way, it was very late for farm-house time upon
+a Sunday evening before I was back at Plover's Barrows. My mother had
+great desire to know all about the matter; but I could not reconcile it
+with my respect so to frighten her. Therefore I tried to sleep it off,
+keeping my own counsel; and when that proved of no avail, I strove to
+work it away, it might be, by heavy outdoor labour, and weariness, and
+good feeding. These indeed had some effect, and helped to pass a week or
+two, with more pain of hand than heart to me.
+
+[Illustration: 153.jpg Fields spread with growth]
+
+But when the weather changed in earnest, and the frost was gone, and
+the south-west wind blew softly, and the lambs were at play with the
+daisies, it was more than I could do to keep from thought of Lorna.
+For now the fields were spread with growth, and the waters clad with
+sunshine, and light and shadow, step by step, wandered over the furzy
+cleves. All the sides of the hilly wood were gathered in and out with
+green, silver-grey, or russet points, according to the several manner of
+the trees beginning. And if one stood beneath an elm, with any heart to
+look at it, lo! all the ground was strewn with flakes (too small to know
+their meaning), and all the sprays above were rasped and trembling with
+a redness. And so I stopped beneath the tree, and carved L.D. upon it,
+and wondered at the buds of thought that seemed to swell inside me.
+
+The upshot of it all was this, that as no Lorna came to me, except in
+dreams or fancy, and as my life was not worth living without constant
+sign of her, forth I must again to find her, and say more than a man can
+tell. Therefore, without waiting longer for the moving of the spring,
+dressed I was in grand attire (so far as I had gotten it), and thinking
+my appearance good, although with doubts about it (being forced to
+dress in the hay-tallat), round the corner of the wood-stack went I very
+knowingly--for Lizzie's eyes were wondrous sharp--and then I was sure of
+meeting none who would care or dare to speak of me.
+
+It lay upon my conscience often that I had not made dear Annie secret to
+this history; although in all things I could trust her, and she loved me
+like a lamb. Many and many a time I tried, and more than once began the
+thing; but there came a dryness in my throat, and a knocking under the
+roof of my mouth, and a longing to put it off again, as perhaps might be
+the wisest. And then I would remember too that I had no right to speak
+of Lorna as if she were common property.
+
+This time I longed to take my gun, and was half resolved to do so;
+because it seemed so hard a thing to be shot at and have no chance of
+shooting; but when I came to remember the steepness and the slippery
+nature of the waterslide, there seemed but little likelihood of keeping
+dry the powder. Therefore I was armed with nothing but a good stout
+holly staff, seasoned well for many a winter in our back-kitchen
+chimney.
+
+Although my heart was leaping high with the prospect of some adventure,
+and the fear of meeting Lorna, I could not but be gladdened by the
+softness of the weather, and the welcome way of everything. There was
+that power all round, that power and that goodness, which make us come,
+as it were, outside our bodily selves, to share them. Over and beside us
+breathes the joy of hope and promise; under foot are troubles past; in
+the distance bowering newness tempts us ever forward. We quicken with
+largesse of life, and spring with vivid mystery.
+
+And, in good sooth, I had to spring, and no mystery about it, ere ever I
+got to the top of the rift leading into Doone-glade. For the stream was
+rushing down in strength, and raving at every corner; a mort of rain
+having fallen last night and no wind come to wipe it. However, I reached
+the head ere dark with more difficulty than danger, and sat in a place
+which comforted my back and legs desirably.
+
+Hereupon I grew so happy at being on dry land again, and come to look
+for Lorna, with pretty trees around me, that what did I do but fall
+asleep with the holly-stick in front of me, and my best coat sunk in a
+bed of moss, with water and wood-sorrel. Mayhap I had not done so, nor
+yet enjoyed the spring so much, if so be I had not taken three parts of
+a gallon of cider at home, at Plover's Barrows, because of the lowness
+and sinking ever since I met Mother Melldrum.
+
+There was a little runnel going softly down beside me, falling from the
+upper rock by the means of moss and grass, as if it feared to make a
+noise, and had a mother sleeping. Now and then it seemed to stop, in
+fear of its own dropping, and wait for some orders; and the blades of
+grass that straightened to it turned their points a little way, and
+offered their allegiance to wind instead of water. Yet before their
+carkled edges bent more than a driven saw, down the water came again
+with heavy drops and pats of running, and bright anger at neglect.
+
+This was very pleasant to me, now and then, to gaze at, blinking as the
+water blinked, and falling back to sleep again. Suddenly my sleep was
+broken by a shade cast over me; between me and the low sunlight Lorna
+Doone was standing.
+
+"Master Ridd, are you mad?" she said, and took my hand to move me.
+
+"Not mad, but half asleep," I answered, feigning not to notice her, that
+so she might keep hold of me.
+
+"Come away, come away, if you care for life. The patrol will be here
+directly. Be quick, Master Ridd, let me hide thee."
+
+"I will not stir a step," said I, though being in the greatest fright
+that might be well imagined, "unless you call me 'John.'"
+
+"Well, John, then--Master John Ridd, be quick, if you have any to care
+for you."
+
+"I have many that care for me," I said, just to let her know; "and I
+will follow you, Mistress Lorna, albeit without any hurry, unless there
+be peril to more than me."
+
+Without another word she led me, though with many timid glances towards
+the upper valley, to, and into, her little bower, where the inlet
+through the rock was. I am almost sure that I spoke before (though I
+cannot now go seek for it, and my memory is but a worn-out tub) of
+a certain deep and perilous pit, in which I was like to drown myself
+through hurry and fright of boyhood. And even then I wondered greatly,
+and was vexed with Lorna for sending me in that heedless manner into
+such an entrance. But now it was clear that she had been right and the
+fault mine own entirely; for the entrance to the pit was only to be
+found by seeking it. Inside the niche of native stone, the plainest
+thing of all to see, at any rate by day light, was the stairway hewn
+from rock, and leading up the mountain, by means of which I had escaped,
+as before related. To the right side of this was the mouth of the pit,
+still looking very formidable; though Lorna laughed at my fear of it,
+for she drew her water thence. But on the left was a narrow crevice,
+very difficult to espy, and having a sweep of grey ivy laid, like a
+slouching beaver, over it. A man here coming from the brightness of the
+outer air, with eyes dazed by the twilight, would never think of seeing
+this and following it to its meaning.
+
+Lorna raised the screen for me, but I had much ado to pass, on account
+of bulk and stature. Instead of being proud of my size (as it seemed to
+me she ought to be) Lorna laughed so quietly that I was ready to knock
+my head or elbows against anything, and say no more about it. However,
+I got through at last without a word of compliment, and broke into the
+pleasant room, the lone retreat of Lorna.
+
+The chamber was of unhewn rock, round, as near as might be, eighteen
+or twenty feet across, and gay with rich variety of fern and moss
+and lichen. The fern was in its winter still, or coiling for the
+spring-tide; but moss was in abundant life, some feathering, and some
+gobleted, and some with fringe of red to it. Overhead there was no
+ceiling but the sky itself, flaked with little clouds of April whitely
+wandering over it. The floor was made of soft low grass, mixed with moss
+and primroses; and in a niche of shelter moved the delicate wood-sorrel.
+Here and there, around the sides, were "chairs of living stone," as some
+Latin writer says, whose name has quite escaped me; and in the midst a
+tiny spring arose, with crystal beads in it, and a soft voice as of
+a laughing dream, and dimples like a sleeping babe. Then, after going
+round a little, with surprise of daylight, the water overwelled the
+edge, and softly went through lines of light to shadows and an untold
+bourne.
+
+While I was gazing at all these things with wonder and some sadness,
+Lorna turned upon me lightly (as her manner was) and said,--
+
+"Where are the new-laid eggs, Master Ridd? Or hath blue hen ceased
+laying?"
+
+I did not altogether like the way in which she said it with a sort of
+dialect, as if my speech could be laughed at.
+
+"Here be some," I answered, speaking as if in spite of her. "I would
+have brought thee twice as many, but that I feared to crush them in the
+narrow ways, Mistress Lorna."
+
+[Illustration: 157.jpg Here be some Mistress Lorna]
+
+And so I laid her out two dozen upon the moss of the rock-ledge,
+unwinding the wisp of hay from each as it came safe out of my pocket.
+Lorna looked with growing wonder, as I added one to one; and when I
+had placed them side by side, and bidden her now to tell them, to my
+amazement what did she do but burst into a flood of tears.
+
+"What have I done?" I asked, with shame, scarce daring even to look
+at her, because her grief was not like Annie's--a thing that could be
+coaxed away, and left a joy in going--"oh, what have I done to vex you
+so?"
+
+"It is nothing done by you, Master Ridd," she answered, very proudly, as
+if nought I did could matter; "it is only something that comes upon me
+with the scent of the pure true clover-hay. Moreover, you have been too
+kind; and I am not used to kindness."
+
+Some sort of awkwardness was on me, at her words and weeping, as if I
+would like to say something, but feared to make things worse perhaps
+than they were already. Therefore I abstained from speech, as I would
+in my own pain. And as it happened, this was the way to make her tell me
+more about it. Not that I was curious, beyond what pity urged me and
+the strange affairs around her; and now I gazed upon the floor, lest I
+should seem to watch her; but none the less for that I knew all that she
+was doing.
+
+Lorna went a little way, as if she would not think of me nor care for
+one so careless; and all my heart gave a sudden jump, to go like a mad
+thing after her; until she turned of her own accord, and with a little
+sigh came back to me. Her eyes were soft with trouble's shadow, and
+the proud lift of her neck was gone, and beauty's vanity borne down by
+woman's want of sustenance.
+
+"Master Ridd," she said in the softest voice that ever flowed between
+two lips, "have I done aught to offend you?"
+
+Hereupon it went hard with me, not to catch her up and kiss her, in the
+manner in which she was looking; only it smote me suddenly that this
+would be a low advantage of her trust and helplessness. She seemed to
+know what I would be at, and to doubt very greatly about it, whether
+as a child of old she might permit the usage. All sorts of things went
+through my head, as I made myself look away from her, for fear of being
+tempted beyond what I could bear. And the upshot of it was that I said,
+within my heart and through it, "John Ridd, be on thy very best manners
+with this lonely maiden."
+
+Lorna liked me all the better for my good forbearance; because she did
+not love me yet, and had not thought about it; at least so far as I
+knew. And though her eyes were so beauteous, so very soft and kindly,
+there was (to my apprehension) some great power in them, as if she would
+not have a thing, unless her judgment leaped with it.
+
+But now her judgment leaped with me, because I had behaved so well; and
+being of quick urgent nature--such as I delight in, for the change
+from mine own slowness--she, without any let or hindrance, sitting over
+against me, now raising and now dropping fringe over those sweet
+eyes that were the road-lights of her tongue, Lorna told me all about
+everything I wished to know, every little thing she knew, except indeed
+that point of points, how Master Ridd stood with her.
+
+Although it wearied me no whit, it might be wearisome for folk who
+cannot look at Lorna, to hear the story all in speech, exactly as she
+told it; therefore let me put it shortly, to the best of my remembrance.
+
+Nay, pardon me, whosoever thou art, for seeming fickle and rude to thee;
+I have tried to do as first proposed, to tell the tale in my own words,
+as of another's fortune. But, lo! I was beset at once with many heavy
+obstacles, which grew as I went onward, until I knew not where I was,
+and mingled past and present. And two of these difficulties only were
+enough to stop me; the one that I must coldly speak without the force of
+pity, the other that I, off and on, confused myself with Lorna, as might
+be well expected.
+
+Therefore let her tell the story, with her own sweet voice and manner;
+and if ye find it wearisome, seek in yourselves the weariness.
+
+[Illustration: 159.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+LORNA BEGINS HER STORY
+
+[Illustration: 160.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+"I cannot go through all my thoughts so as to make them clear to you,
+nor have I ever dwelt on things, to shape a story of them. I know not
+where the beginning was, nor where the middle ought to be, nor even how
+at the present time I feel, or think, or ought to think. If I look for
+help to those around me, who should tell me right and wrong (being older
+and much wiser), I meet sometimes with laughter, and at other times with
+anger.
+
+"There are but two in the world who ever listen and try to help me; one
+of them is my grandfather, and the other is a man of wisdom, whom we
+call the Counsellor. My grandfather, Sir Ensor Doone, is very old and
+harsh of manner (except indeed to me); he seems to know what is right
+and wrong, but not to want to think of it. The Counsellor, on the other
+hand, though full of life and subtleties, treats my questions as of
+play, and not gravely worth his while to answer, unless he can make wit
+of them.
+
+"And among the women there are none with whom I can hold converse, since
+my Aunt Sabina died, who took such pains to teach me. She was a lady of
+high repute and lofty ways, and learning, but grieved and harassed more
+and more by the coarseness, and the violence, and the ignorance around
+her. In vain she strove, from year to year, to make the young men
+hearken, to teach them what became their birth, and give them sense of
+honour. It was her favourite word, poor thing! and they called her 'Old
+Aunt Honour.' Very often she used to say that I was her only comfort,
+and I am sure she was my only one; and when she died it was more to me
+than if I had lost a mother.
+
+"For I have no remembrance now of father or of mother, although they say
+that my father was the eldest son of Sir Ensor Doone, and the bravest
+and the best of them. And so they call me heiress to this little realm
+of violence; and in sorry sport sometimes, I am their Princess or their
+Queen.
+
+"Many people living here, as I am forced to do, would perhaps be
+very happy, and perhaps I ought to be so. We have a beauteous valley,
+sheltered from the cold of winter and power of the summer sun,
+untroubled also by the storms and mists that veil the mountains;
+although I must acknowledge that it is apt to rain too often. The grass
+moreover is so fresh, and the brook so bright and lively, and flowers
+of so many hues come after one another that no one need be dull, if only
+left alone with them.
+
+"And so in the early days perhaps, when morning breathes around me, and
+the sun is going upward, and light is playing everywhere, I am not so
+far beside them all as to live in shadow. But when the evening gathers
+down, and the sky is spread with sadness, and the day has spent itself;
+then a cloud of lonely trouble falls, like night, upon me. I cannot see
+the things I quest for of a world beyond me; I cannot join the peace
+and quiet of the depth above me; neither have I any pleasure in the
+brightness of the stars.
+
+"What I want to know is something none of them can tell me--what am
+I, and why set here, and when shall I be with them? I see that you are
+surprised a little at this my curiosity. Perhaps such questions never
+spring in any wholesome spirit. But they are in the depths of mine, and
+I cannot be quit of them.
+
+"Meantime, all around me is violence and robbery, coarse delight and
+savage pain, reckless joke and hopeless death. Is it any wonder that I
+cannot sink with these, that I cannot so forget my soul, as to live the
+life of brutes, and die the death more horrible because it dreams of
+waking? There is none to lead me forward, there is none to teach me
+right; young as I am, I live beneath a curse that lasts for ever."
+
+Here Lorna broke down for awhile, and cried so very piteously, that
+doubting of my knowledge, and of any power to comfort, I did my best to
+hold my peace, and tried to look very cheerful. Then thinking that might
+be bad manners, I went to wipe her eyes for her.
+
+[Illustration: 162.jpg I went to wipe her eyes]
+
+"Master Ridd," she began again, "I am both ashamed and vexed at my own
+childish folly. But you, who have a mother, who thinks (you say) so
+much of you, and sisters, and a quiet home; you cannot tell (it is not
+likely) what a lonely nature is. How it leaps in mirth sometimes, with
+only heaven touching it; and how it falls away desponding, when the
+dreary weight creeps on.
+
+"It does not happen many times that I give way like this; more shame
+now to do so, when I ought to entertain you. Sometimes I am so full of
+anger, that I dare not trust to speech, at things they cannot hide from
+me; and perhaps you would be much surprised that reckless men would care
+so much to elude a young girl's knowledge. They used to boast to Aunt
+Sabina of pillage and of cruelty, on purpose to enrage her; but they
+never boast to me. It even makes me smile sometimes to see how
+awkwardly they come and offer for temptation to me shining packets,
+half concealed, of ornaments and finery, of rings, or chains, or jewels,
+lately belonging to other people.
+
+[Illustration: 163.jpg Jewels lately belonging to others]
+
+"But when I try to search the past, to get a sense of what befell me ere
+my own perception formed; to feel back for the lines of childhood, as
+a trace of gossamer, then I only know that nought lives longer than God
+wills it. So may after sin go by, for we are children always, as the
+Counsellor has told me; so may we, beyond the clouds, seek this infancy
+of life, and never find its memory.
+
+"But I am talking now of things which never come across me when any work
+is toward. It might have been a good thing for me to have had a father
+to beat these rovings out of me; or a mother to make a home, and teach
+me how to manage it. For, being left with none--I think; and nothing
+ever comes of it. Nothing, I mean, which I can grasp and have with any
+surety; nothing but faint images, and wonderment, and wandering. But
+often, when I am neither searching back into remembrance, nor asking of
+my parents, but occupied by trifles, something like a sign, or message,
+or a token of some meaning, seems to glance upon me. Whether from the
+rustling wind, or sound of distant music, or the singing of a bird, like
+the sun on snow it strikes me with a pain of pleasure.
+
+"And often when I wake at night, and listen to the silence, or wander
+far from people in the grayness of the evening, or stand and look at
+quiet water having shadows over it, some vague image seems to hover on
+the skirt of vision, ever changing place and outline, ever flitting as I
+follow. This so moves and hurries me, in the eagerness and longing, that
+straightway all my chance is lost; and memory, scared like a wild bird,
+flies. Or am I as a child perhaps, chasing a flown cageling, who among
+the branches free plays and peeps at the offered cage (as a home not to
+be urged on him), and means to take his time of coming, if he comes at
+all?
+
+"Often too I wonder at the odds of fortune, which made me (helpless as
+I am, and fond of peace and reading) the heiress of this mad domain, the
+sanctuary of unholiness. It is not likely that I shall have much power
+of authority; and yet the Counsellor creeps up to be my Lord of the
+Treasury; and his son aspires to my hand, as of a Royal alliance. Well,
+'honour among thieves,' they say; and mine is the first honour: although
+among decent folk perhaps, honesty is better.
+
+"We should not be so quiet here, and safe from interruption but that I
+have begged one privilege rather than commanded it. This was that the
+lower end, just this narrowing of the valley, where it is most hard to
+come at, might be looked upon as mine, except for purposes of guard.
+Therefore none beside the sentries ever trespass on me here, unless it
+be my grandfather, or the Counsellor or Carver.
+
+"By your face, Master Ridd, I see that you have heard of Carver Doone.
+For strength and courage and resource he bears the first repute among
+us, as might well be expected from the son of the Counsellor. But he
+differs from his father, in being very hot and savage, and quite free
+from argument. The Counsellor, who is my uncle, gives his son the best
+advice; commending all the virtues, with eloquence and wisdom; yet
+himself abstaining from them accurately and impartially.
+
+"You must be tired of this story, and the time I take to think, and
+the weakness of my telling; but my life from day to day shows so little
+variance. Among the riders there is none whose safe return I watch
+for--I mean none more than other--and indeed there seems no risk, all
+are now so feared of us. Neither of the old men is there whom I
+can revere or love (except alone my grandfather, whom I love with
+trembling): neither of the women any whom I like to deal with, unless it
+be a little maiden whom I saved from starving.
+
+[Illustration: 165.jpg Gwenny Carfax]
+
+"A little Cornish girl she is, and shaped in western manner, not so very
+much less in width than if you take her lengthwise. Her father seems to
+have been a miner, a Cornishman (as she declares) of more than average
+excellence, and better than any two men to be found in Devonshire, or
+any four in Somerset. Very few things can have been beyond his power of
+performance, and yet he left his daughter to starve upon a peat-rick.
+She does not know how this was done, and looks upon it as a mystery,
+the meaning of which will some day be clear, and redound to her father's
+honour. His name was Simon Carfax, and he came as the captain of a gang
+from one of the Cornish stannaries. Gwenny Carfax, my young maid, well
+remembers how her father was brought up from Cornwall. Her mother had
+been buried, just a week or so before; and he was sad about it, and had
+been off his work, and was ready for another job. Then people came to
+him by night, and said that he must want a change, and everybody lost
+their wives, and work was the way to mend it. So what with grief,
+and over-thought, and the inside of a square bottle, Gwenny says they
+brought him off, to become a mighty captain, and choose the country
+round. The last she saw of him was this, that he went down a ladder
+somewhere on the wilds of Exmoor, leaving her with bread and cheese, and
+his travelling-hat to see to. And from that day to this he never came
+above the ground again; so far as we can hear of.
+
+"But Gwenny, holding to his hat, and having eaten the bread and cheese
+(when he came no more to help her), dwelt three days near the mouth of
+the hole; and then it was closed over, the while that she was sleeping.
+With weakness and with want of food, she lost herself distressfully, and
+went away for miles or more, and lay upon a peat-rick, to die before the
+ravens.
+
+"That very day I chanced to return from Aunt Sabina's dying-place; for
+she would not die in Glen Doone, she said, lest the angels feared to
+come for her; and so she was taken to a cottage in a lonely valley. I
+was allowed to visit her, for even we durst not refuse the wishes of the
+dying; and if a priest had been desired, we should have made bold with
+him. Returning very sorrowful, and caring now for nothing, I found this
+little stray thing lying, her arms upon her, and not a sign of life,
+except the way that she was biting. Black root-stuff was in her mouth,
+and a piece of dirty sheep's wool, and at her feet an old egg-shell of
+some bird of the moorland.
+
+"I tried to raise her, but she was too square and heavy for me; and so
+I put food in her mouth, and left her to do right with it. And this she
+did in a little time; for the victuals were very choice and rare, being
+what I had taken over to tempt poor Aunt Sabina. Gwenny ate them without
+delay, and then was ready to eat the basket and the ware that contained
+them.
+
+"Gwenny took me for an angel--though I am little like one, as you see,
+Master Ridd; and she followed me, expecting that I would open wings and
+fly when we came to any difficulty. I brought her home with me, so far
+as this can be a home, and she made herself my sole attendant, without
+so much as asking me. She has beaten two or three other girls, who used
+to wait upon me, until they are afraid to come near the house of my
+grandfather. She seems to have no kind of fear even of our roughest men;
+and yet she looks with reverence and awe upon the Counsellor. As for the
+wickedness, and theft, and revelry around her, she says it is no concern
+of hers, and they know their own business best. By this way of regarding
+men she has won upon our riders, so that she is almost free from all
+control of place and season, and is allowed to pass where none even of
+the youths may go. Being so wide, and short, and flat, she has none to
+pay her compliments; and, were there any, she would scorn them, as not
+being Cornishmen. Sometimes she wanders far, by moonlight, on the moors
+and up the rivers, to give her father (as she says) another chance of
+finding her, and she comes back not a wit defeated, or discouraged, or
+depressed, but confident that he is only waiting for the proper time.
+
+"Herein she sets me good example of a patience and contentment hard for
+me to imitate. Oftentimes I am vexed by things I cannot meddle with, yet
+which cannot be kept from me, that I am at the point of flying from this
+dreadful valley, and risking all that can betide me in the unknown outer
+world. If it were not for my grandfather, I would have done so long ago;
+but I cannot bear that he should die with no gentle hand to comfort him;
+and I fear to think of the conflict that must ensue for the government,
+if there be a disputed succession.
+
+"Ah me! We are to be pitied greatly, rather than condemned, by people
+whose things we have taken from them; for I have read, and seem almost
+to understand about it, that there are places on the earth where gentle
+peace, and love of home, and knowledge of one's neighbours prevail, and
+are, with reason, looked for as the usual state of things. There honest
+folk may go to work in the glory of the sunrise, with hope of coming
+home again quite safe in the quiet evening, and finding all their
+children; and even in the darkness they have no fear of lying down, and
+dropping off to slumber, and hearken to the wind of night, not as to an
+enemy trying to find entrance, but a friend who comes to tell the value
+of their comfort.
+
+"Of all this golden ease I hear, but never saw the like of it; and,
+haply, I shall never do so, being born to turbulence. Once, indeed, I
+had the offer of escape, and kinsman's aid, and high place in the gay,
+bright world; and yet I was not tempted much, or, at least, dared not to
+trust it. And it ended very sadly, so dreadfully that I even shrink from
+telling you about it; for that one terror changed my life, in a moment,
+at a blow, from childhood and from thoughts of play and commune with the
+flowers and trees, to a sense of death and darkness, and a heavy weight
+of earth. Be content now, Master Ridd ask me nothing more about it, so
+your sleep be sounder."
+
+But I, John Ridd, being young and new, and very fond of hearing things
+to make my blood to tingle, had no more of manners than to urge poor
+Lorna onwards, hoping, perhaps, in depth of heart, that she might have
+to hold by me, when the worst came to the worst of it. Therefore she
+went on again.
+
+[Illustration: 168.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+LORNA ENDS HER STORY
+
+[Illustration: 169.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+"It is not a twelvemonth yet, although it seems ten years agone, since
+I blew the downy globe to learn the time of day, or set beneath my
+chin the veinings of the varnished buttercup, or fired the fox-glove
+cannonade, or made a captive of myself with dandelion fetters; for then
+I had not very much to trouble me in earnest, but went about, romancing
+gravely, playing at bo-peep with fear, making for myself strong heroes
+of gray rock or fir-tree, adding to my own importance, as the children
+love to do.
+
+"As yet I had not truly learned the evil of our living, the scorn of
+law, the outrage, and the sorrow caused to others. It even was a point
+with all to hide the roughness from me, to show me but the gallant side,
+and keep in shade the other. My grandfather, Sir Ensor Doone, had given
+strictest order, as I discovered afterwards, that in my presence all
+should be seemly, kind, and vigilant. Nor was it very difficult to
+keep most part of the mischief from me, for no Doone ever robs at home,
+neither do they quarrel much, except at times of gambling. And though
+Sir Ensor Doone is now so old and growing feeble, his own way he will
+have still, and no one dare deny him. Even our fiercest and most mighty
+swordsmen, seared from all sense of right or wrong, yet have plentiful
+sense of fear, when brought before that white-haired man. Not that he is
+rough with them, or querulous, or rebukeful; but that he has a strange
+soft smile, and a gaze they cannot answer, and a knowledge deeper far
+than they have of themselves. Under his protection, I am as safe from
+all those men (some of whom are but little akin to me) as if I slept
+beneath the roof of the King's Lord Justiciary.
+
+"But now, at the time I speak of, one evening of last summer, a horrible
+thing befell, which took all play of childhood from me. The fifteenth
+day of last July was very hot and sultry, long after the time of
+sundown; and I was paying heed of it, because of the old saying that if
+it rain then, rain will fall on forty days thereafter. I had been long
+by the waterside at this lower end of the valley, plaiting a little
+crown of woodbine crocketed with sprigs of heath--to please my
+grandfather, who likes to see me gay at supper-time. Being proud of my
+tiara, which had cost some trouble, I set it on my head at once, to save
+the chance of crushing, and carrying my gray hat, ventured by a path not
+often trod. For I must be home at the supper-time, or grandfather
+would be exceeding wrath; and the worst of his anger is that he never
+condescends to show it.
+
+"Therefore, instead of the open mead, or the windings of the river, I
+made short cut through the ash-trees covert which lies in the middle of
+our vale, with the water skirting or cleaving it. You have never been
+up so far as that--at least to the best of my knowledge--but you see it
+like a long gray spot, from the top of the cliffs above us. Here I was
+not likely to meet any of our people because the young ones are afraid
+of some ancient tale about it, and the old ones have no love of trees
+where gunshots are uncertain.
+
+"It was more almost than dusk, down below the tree-leaves, and I was
+eager to go through, and be again beyond it. For the gray dark hung
+around me, scarcely showing shadow; and the little light that glimmered
+seemed to come up from the ground. For the earth was strown with the
+winter-spread and coil of last year's foliage, the lichened claws
+of chalky twigs, and the numberless decay which gives a light in its
+decaying. I, for my part, hastened shyly, ready to draw back and run
+from hare, or rabbit, or small field-mouse.
+
+"At a sudden turn of the narrow path, where it stopped again to the
+river, a man leaped out from behind a tree, and stopped me, and seized
+hold of me. I tried to shriek, but my voice was still; I could only hear
+my heart.
+
+"'Now, Cousin Lorna, my good cousin,' he said, with ease and calmness;
+'your voice is very sweet, no doubt, from all that I can see of you. But
+I pray you keep it still, unless you would give to dusty death your very
+best cousin and trusty guardian, Alan Brandir of Loch Awe.'
+
+"'You my guardian!' I said, for the idea was too ludicrous; and
+ludicrous things always strike me first, through some fault of nature.
+
+"'I have in truth that honour, madam,' he answered, with a sweeping bow;
+'unless I err in taking you for Mistress Lorna Doone.'
+
+"'You have not mistaken me. My name is Lorna Doone.'
+
+"He looked at me, with gravity, and was inclined to make some claim to
+closer consideration upon the score of kinship; but I shrunk back, and
+only said, 'Yes, my name is Lorna Doone.'
+
+"'Then I am your faithful guardian, Alan Brandir of Loch Awe; called
+Lord Alan Brandir, son of a worthy peer of Scotland. Now will you
+confide in me?'
+
+"'I confide in you!" I cried, looking at him with amazement; 'why, you
+are not older than I am!'
+
+"'Yes I am, three years at least. You, my ward, are not sixteen. I, your
+worshipful guardian, am almost nineteen years of age.'
+
+"Upon hearing this I looked at him, for that seemed then a venerable
+age; but the more I looked the more I doubted, although he was dressed
+quite like a man. He led me in a courtly manner, stepping at his tallest
+to an open place beside the water; where the light came as in channel,
+and was made the most of by glancing waves and fair white stones.
+
+[Illustration: 172.jpg She led me in a courtly manner]
+
+"'Now am I to your liking, cousin?' he asked, when I had gazed at him,
+until I was almost ashamed, except at such a stripling. 'Does my Cousin
+Lorna judge kindly of her guardian, and her nearest kinsman? In a word,
+is our admiration mutual?'
+
+"'Truly I know not,' I said; 'but you seem good-natured, and to have no
+harm in you. Do they trust you with a sword?'
+
+"For in my usage among men of stature and strong presence, this pretty
+youth, so tricked and slender, seemed nothing but a doll to me. Although
+he scared me in the wood, now that I saw him in good twilight, lo! he
+was but little greater than my little self; and so tasselled and so
+ruffled with a mint of bravery, and a green coat barred with red, and
+a slim sword hanging under him, it was the utmost I could do to look at
+him half-gravely.
+
+"'I fear that my presence hath scarce enough of ferocity about it'
+(he gave a jerk to his sword as he spoke, and clanked it on the
+brook-stones); 'yet do I assure you, cousin, that I am not without
+some prowess; and many a master of defence hath this good sword of mine
+disarmed. Now if the boldest and biggest robber in all this charming
+valley durst so much as breathe the scent of that flower coronal, which
+doth not adorn but is adorned'--here he talked some nonsense--'I would
+cleave him from head to foot, ere ever he could fly or cry.'
+
+"'Hush!' I said; 'talk not so loudly, or thou mayst have to do both
+thyself, and do them both in vain.'
+
+"For he was quite forgetting now, in his bravery before me, where he
+stood, and with whom he spoke, and how the summer lightning shone above
+the hills and down the hollow. And as I gazed on this slight fair youth,
+clearly one of high birth and breeding (albeit over-boastful), a chill
+of fear crept over me; because he had no strength or substance, and
+would be no more than a pin-cushion before the great swords of the
+Doones.
+
+"'I pray you be not vexed with me,' he answered, in a softer voice;
+'for I have travelled far and sorely, for the sake of seeing you. I know
+right well among whom I am, and that their hospitality is more of the
+knife than the salt-stand. Nevertheless I am safe enough, for my foot is
+the fleetest in Scotland, and what are these hills to me? Tush! I have
+seen some border forays among wilder spirits and craftier men than these
+be. Once I mind some years agone, when I was quite a stripling lad--'
+
+"'Worshipful guardian,' I said, 'there is no time now for history. If
+thou art in no haste, I am, and cannot stay here idling. Only tell me
+how I am akin and under wardship to thee, and what purpose brings thee
+here.'
+
+"'In order, cousin--all things in order, even with fair ladies. First,
+I am thy uncle's son, my father is thy mother's brother, or at least thy
+grandmother's--unless I am deceived in that which I have guessed, and no
+other man. For my father, being a leading lord in the councils of
+King Charles the Second, appointed me to learn the law, not for my
+livelihood, thank God, but because he felt the lack of it in affairs
+of state. But first your leave, young Mistress Lorna; I cannot lay down
+legal maxims, without aid of smoke.'
+
+"He leaned against a willow-tree, and drawing from a gilded box a little
+dark thing like a stick, placed it between his lips, and then striking
+a flint on steel made fire and caught it upon touchwood. With this he
+kindled the tip of the stick, until it glowed with a ring of red, and
+then he breathed forth curls of smoke, blue and smelling on the air
+like spice. I had never seen this done before, though acquainted with
+tobacco-pipes; and it made me laugh, until I thought of the peril that
+must follow it.
+
+"'Cousin, have no fear,' he said; 'this makes me all the safer; they
+will take me for a glow-worm, and thee for the flower it shines upon.
+But to return--of law I learned as you may suppose, but little; although
+I have capacities. But the thing was far too dull for me. All I care for
+is adventure, moving chance, and hot encounter; therefore all of law I
+learned was how to live without it. Nevertheless, for amusement's sake,
+as I must needs be at my desk an hour or so in the afternoon, I took to
+the sporting branch of the law, the pitfalls, and the ambuscades; and
+of all the traps to be laid therein, pedigrees are the rarest. There is
+scarce a man worth a cross of butter, but what you may find a hole in
+his shield within four generations. And so I struck our own escutcheon,
+and it sounded hollow. There is a point--but heed not that; enough that
+being curious now, I followed up the quarry, and I am come to this at
+last--we, even we, the lords of Loch Awe, have an outlaw for our cousin,
+and I would we had more, if they be like you.'
+
+"'Sir,' I answered, being amused by his manner, which was new to me (for
+the Doones are much in earnest), 'surely you count it no disgrace to be
+of kin to Sir Ensor Doone, and all his honest family!'
+
+"'If it be so, it is in truth the very highest honour and would heal ten
+holes in our escutcheon. What noble family but springs from a captain
+among robbers? Trade alone can spoil our blood; robbery purifies it. The
+robbery of one age is the chivalry of the next. We may start anew, and
+vie with even the nobility of France, if we can once enrol but half the
+Doones upon our lineage.'
+
+"'I like not to hear you speak of the Doones, as if they were no more
+than that,' I exclaimed, being now unreasonable; 'but will you tell me,
+once for all, sir, how you are my guardian?'
+
+"'That I will do. You are my ward because you were my father's ward,
+under the Scottish law; and now my father being so deaf, I have
+succeeded to that right--at least in my own opinion--under which claim I
+am here to neglect my trust no longer, but to lead you away from scenes
+and deeds which (though of good repute and comely) are not the best for
+young gentlewomen. There spoke I not like a guardian? After that can you
+mistrust me?'
+
+"'But,' said I, 'good Cousin Alan (if I may so call you), it is not
+meet for young gentlewomen to go away with young gentlemen, though fifty
+times their guardians. But if you will only come with me, and explain
+your tale to my grandfather, he will listen to you quietly, and take no
+advantage of you.'
+
+"'I thank you much, kind Mistress Lorna, to lead the goose into the
+fox's den! But, setting by all thought of danger, I have other reasons
+against it. Now, come with your faithful guardian, child. I will pledge
+my honour against all harm, and to bear you safe to London. By the law
+of the realm, I am now entitled to the custody of your fair person, and
+of all your chattels.'
+
+"'But, sir, all that you have learned of law, is how to live without
+it.'
+
+"'Fairly met, fair cousin mine! Your wit will do me credit, after a
+little sharpening. And there is none to do that better than your aunt,
+my mother. Although she knows not of my coming, she is longing to
+receive you. Come, and in a few months' time you shall set the mode at
+Court, instead of pining here, and weaving coronals of daisies.'
+
+"I turned aside, and thought a little. Although he seemed so light of
+mind, and gay in dress and manner, I could not doubt his honesty; and
+saw, beneath his jaunty air, true mettle and ripe bravery. Scarce had I
+thought of his project twice, until he spoke of my aunt, his mother, but
+then the form of my dearest friend, my sweet Aunt Sabina, seemed to come
+and bid me listen, for this was what she prayed for. Moreover I felt
+(though not as now) that Doone Glen was no place for me or any proud
+young maiden. But while I thought, the yellow lightning spread behind a
+bulk of clouds, three times ere the flash was done, far off and void of
+thunder; and from the pile of cloud before it, cut as from black paper,
+and lit to depths of blackness by the blaze behind it, a form as of an
+aged man, sitting in a chair loose-mantled, seemed to lift a hand and
+warn.
+
+"This minded me of my grandfather, and all the care I owed him.
+Moreover, now the storm was rising and I began to grow afraid; for of
+all things awful to me thunder is the dreadfulest. It doth so growl,
+like a lion coming, and then so roll, and roar, and rumble, out of a
+thickening darkness, then crack like the last trump overhead through
+cloven air and terror, that all my heart lies low and quivers, like a
+weed in water. I listened now for the distant rolling of the great black
+storm, and heard it, and was hurried by it. But the youth before me
+waved his rolled tobacco at it, and drawled in his daintiest tone and
+manner,--
+
+"'The sky is having a smoke, I see, and dropping sparks, and grumbling.
+I should have thought these Exmoor hills too small to gather thunder.'
+
+"'I cannot go, I will not go with you, Lord Alan Brandir,' I answered,
+being vexed a little by those words of his. 'You are not grave enough
+for me, you are not old enough for me. My Aunt Sabina would not
+have wished it; nor would I leave my grandfather, without his full
+permission. I thank you much for coming, sir; but be gone at once by the
+way you came; and pray how did you come, sir?'
+
+"'Fair cousin, you will grieve for this; you will mourn, when you cannot
+mend it. I would my mother had been here, soon would she have persuaded
+you. And yet,' he added, with the smile of his accustomed gaiety, 'it
+would have been an unco thing, as we say in Scotland, for her ladyship
+to have waited upon you, as her graceless son has done, and hopes to do
+again ere long. Down the cliffs I came, and up them I must make way back
+again. Now adieu, fair Cousin Lorna, I see you are in haste tonight;
+but I am right proud of my guardianship. Give me just one flower for
+token'--here he kissed his hand to me, and I threw him a truss of
+woodbine--'adieu, fair cousin, trust me well, I will soon be here
+again.'
+
+"'That thou never shalt, sir,' cried a voice as loud as a culverin; and
+Carver Doone had Alan Brandir as a spider hath a fly. The boy made a
+little shriek at first, with the sudden shock and the terror; then he
+looked, methought, ashamed of himself, and set his face to fight for
+it. Very bravely he strove and struggled, to free one arm and grasp
+his sword; but as well might an infant buried alive attempt to lift his
+gravestone. Carver Doone, with his great arms wrapped around the slim
+gay body, smiled (as I saw by the flash from heaven) at the poor young
+face turned up to him; then (as a nurse bears off a child, who is loath
+to go to bed), he lifted the youth from his feet, and bore him away into
+the darkness.
+
+"I was young then. I am older now; older by ten years, in thought,
+although it is not a twelvemonth since. If that black deed were done
+again, I could follow, and could combat it, could throw weak arms on
+the murderer, and strive to be murdered also. I am now at home with
+violence; and no dark death surprises me.
+
+"But, being as I was that night, the horror overcame me. The crash of
+thunder overhead, the last despairing look, the death-piece framed with
+blaze of lightning--my young heart was so affrighted that I could not
+gasp. My breath went from me, and I knew not where I was, or who, or
+what. Only that I lay, and cowered, under great trees full of thunder;
+and could neither count, nor moan, nor have my feet to help me.
+
+"Yet hearkening, as a coward does, through the brushing of the wind,
+and echo of far noises, I heard a sharp sound as of iron, and a fall
+of heavy wood. No unmanly shriek came with it, neither cry for mercy.
+Carver Doone knows what it was; and so did Alan Brandir."
+
+Here Lorna Doone could tell no more, being overcome with weeping. Only
+through her tears she whispered, as a thing too bad to tell, that she
+had seen that giant Carver, in a few days afterwards, smoking a little
+round brown stick, like those of her poor cousin. I could not press her
+any more with questions, or for clearness; although I longed very
+much to know whether she had spoken of it to her grandfather or the
+Counsellor. But she was now in such condition, both of mind and body,
+from the force of her own fear multiplied by telling it, that I did
+nothing more than coax her, at a distance humbly; and so that she could
+see that some one was at least afraid of her. This (although I knew
+not women in those days, as now I do, and never shall know much of it),
+this, I say, so brought her round, that all her fear was now for me,
+and how to get me safely off, without mischance to any one. And sooth to
+say, in spite of longing just to see if Master Carver could have served
+me such a trick--as it grew towards the dusk, I was not best pleased
+to be there; for it seemed a lawless place, and some of Lorna's fright
+stayed with me as I talked it away from her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+[Illustration: 178.jpg Glen Doone]
+
+After hearing that tale from Lorna, I went home in sorry spirits, having
+added fear for her, and misery about, to all my other ailments. And was
+it not quite certain now that she, being owned full cousin to a peer and
+lord of Scotland (although he was a dead one), must have nought to do
+with me, a yeoman's son, and bound to be the father of more yeomen? I
+had been very sorry when first I heard about that poor young popinjay,
+and would gladly have fought hard for him; but now it struck me that
+after all he had no right to be there, prowling (as it were) for Lorna,
+without any invitation: and we farmers love not trespass. Still, if I
+had seen the thing, I must have tried to save him.
+
+Moreover, I was greatly vexed with my own hesitation, stupidity, or
+shyness, or whatever else it was, which had held me back from saying,
+ere she told her story, what was in my heart to say, videlicet, that I
+must die unless she let me love her. Not that I was fool enough to think
+that she would answer me according to my liking, or begin to care about
+me for a long time yet; if indeed she ever should, which I hardly dared
+to hope. But that I had heard from men more skillful in the matter that
+it is wise to be in time, that so the maids may begin to think, when
+they know that they are thought of. And, to tell the truth, I had bitter
+fears, on account of her wondrous beauty, lest some young fellow of
+higher birth and finer parts, and finish, might steal in before poor me,
+and cut me out altogether. Thinking of which, I used to double my great
+fist, without knowing it, and keep it in my pocket ready.
+
+But the worst of all was this, that in my great dismay and anguish
+to see Lorna weeping so, I had promised not to cause her any further
+trouble from anxiety and fear of harm. And this, being brought to
+practice, meant that I was not to show myself within the precincts of
+Glen Doone, for at least another month. Unless indeed (as I contrived to
+edge into the agreement) anything should happen to increase her present
+trouble and every day's uneasiness. In that case, she was to throw a
+dark mantle, or covering of some sort, over a large white stone which
+hung within the entrance to her retreat--I mean the outer entrance--and
+which, though unseen from the valley itself, was (as I had observed)
+conspicuous from the height where I stood with Uncle Reuben.
+
+Now coming home so sad and weary, yet trying to console myself with the
+thought that love o'erleapeth rank, and must still be lord of all, I
+found a shameful thing going on, which made me very angry. For it needs
+must happen that young Marwood de Whichehalse, only son of the Baron,
+riding home that very evening, from chasing of the Exmoor bustards,
+with his hounds and serving-men, should take the short cut through
+our farmyard, and being dry from his exercise, should come and ask for
+drink. And it needs must happen also that there should be none to give
+it to him but my sister Annie. I more than suspect that he had heard
+some report of our Annie's comeliness, and had a mind to satisfy
+himself upon the subject. Now, as he took the large ox-horn of our
+quarantine-apple cider (which we always keep apart from the rest, being
+too good except for the quality), he let his fingers dwell on Annie's,
+by some sort of accident, while he lifted his beaver gallantly, and
+gazed on her face in the light from the west. Then what did Annie do (as
+she herself told me afterwards) but make her very best curtsey to him,
+being pleased that he was pleased with her, while she thought what a
+fine young man he was and so much breeding about him! And in truth he
+was a dark, handsome fellow, hasty, reckless, and changeable, with a
+look of sad destiny in his black eyes that would make any woman pity
+him. What he was thinking of our Annie is not for me to say, although I
+may think that you could not have found another such maiden on Exmoor,
+except (of course) my Lorna.
+
+[Illustration: 179.jpg Marwood de Whichehase]
+
+Though young Squire Marwood was so thirsty, he spent much time over his
+cider, or at any rate over the ox-horn, and he made many bows to Annie,
+and drank health to all the family, and spoke of me as if I had been his
+very best friend at Blundell's; whereas he knew well enough all the time
+that we had nought to say to one another; he being three years older,
+and therefore of course disdaining me. But while he was casting about
+perhaps for some excuse to stop longer, and Annie was beginning to fear
+lest mother should come after her, or Eliza be at the window, or Betty
+up in pigs' house, suddenly there came up to them, as if from the very
+heart of the earth, that long, low, hollow, mysterious sound which I
+spoke of in winter.
+
+The young man started in his saddle, let the horn fall on the
+horse-steps, and gazed all around in wonder; while as for Annie, she
+turned like a ghost, and tried to slam the door, but failed through the
+violence of her trembling; (for never till now had any one heard it so
+close at hand as you might say) or in the mere fall of the twilight. And
+by this time there was no man, at least in our parish, but knew--for the
+Parson himself had told us so--that it was the devil groaning because
+the Doones were too many for him.
+
+Marwood de Whichehalse was not so alarmed but what he saw a fine
+opportunity. He leaped from his horse, and laid hold of dear Annie in a
+highly comforting manner; and she never would tell us about it (being
+so shy and modest), whether in breathing his comfort to her he tried
+to take some from her pure lips. I hope he did not, because that to me
+would seem not the deed of a gentleman, and he was of good old family.
+
+At this very moment, who should come into the end of the passage upon
+them but the heavy writer of these doings I, John Ridd myself, and
+walking the faster, it may be, on account of the noise I mentioned. I
+entered the house with some wrath upon me at seeing the gazehounds in
+the yard; for it seems a cruel thing to me to harass the birds in the
+breeding-time. And to my amazement there I saw Squire Marwood among the
+milk-pans with his arm around our Annie's waist, and Annie all blushing
+and coaxing him off, for she was not come to scold yet.
+
+Perhaps I was wrong; God knows, and if I was, no doubt I shall pay for
+it; but I gave him the flat of my hand on his head, and down he went in
+the thick of the milk-pans. He would have had my fist, I doubt, but for
+having been at school with me; and after that it is like enough he would
+never have spoken another word. As it was, he lay stunned, with the
+cream running on him; while I took poor Annie up and carried her in to
+mother, who had heard the noise and was frightened.
+
+Concerning this matter I asked no more, but held myself ready to bear it
+out in any form convenient, feeling that I had done my duty, and
+cared not for the consequence; only for several days dear Annie seemed
+frightened rather than grateful. But the oddest result of it was that
+Eliza, who had so despised me, and made very rude verses about me, now
+came trying to sit on my knee, and kiss me, and give me the best of the
+pan. However, I would not allow it, because I hate sudden changes.
+
+Another thing also astonished me--namely, a beautiful letter from
+Marwood de Whichehalse himself (sent by a groom soon afterwards), in
+which he apologised to me, as if I had been his equal, for his rudeness
+to my sister, which was not intended in the least, but came of their
+common alarm at the moment, and his desire to comfort her. Also he
+begged permission to come and see me, as an old schoolfellow, and set
+everything straight between us, as should be among honest Blundellites.
+
+All this was so different to my idea of fighting out a quarrel, when
+once it is upon a man, that I knew not what to make of it, but bowed to
+higher breeding. Only one thing I resolved upon, that come when he would
+he should not see Annie. And to do my sister justice, she had no desire
+to see him.
+
+However, I am too easy, there is no doubt of that, being very quick to
+forgive a man, and very slow to suspect, unless he hath once lied to
+me. Moreover, as to Annie, it had always seemed to me (much against my
+wishes) that some shrewd love of a waiting sort was between her and Tom
+Faggus: and though Tom had made his fortune now, and everybody
+respected him, of course he was not to be compared, in that point of
+respectability, with those people who hanged the robbers when fortune
+turned against them.
+
+So young Squire Marwood came again, as though I had never smitten
+him, and spoke of it in as light a way as if we were still at school
+together. It was not in my nature, of course, to keep any anger against
+him; and I knew what a condescension it was for him to visit us. And
+it is a very grievous thing, which touches small landowners, to see an
+ancient family day by day decaying: and when we heard that Ley Barton
+itself, and all the Manor of Lynton were under a heavy mortgage debt to
+John Lovering of Weare-Gifford, there was not much, in our little way,
+that we would not gladly do or suffer for the benefit of De Whichehalse.
+
+Meanwhile the work of the farm was toward, and every day gave us
+more ado to dispose of what itself was doing. For after the long dry
+skeltering wind of March and part of April, there had been a fortnight
+of soft wet; and when the sun came forth again, hill and valley, wood
+and meadow, could not make enough of him. Many a spring have I seen
+since then, but never yet two springs alike, and never one so beautiful.
+Or was it that my love came forth and touched the world with beauty?
+
+[Illustration: 182.jpg Spring was in our valley]
+
+The spring was in our valley now; creeping first for shelter shyly in
+the pause of the blustering wind. There the lambs came bleating to her,
+and the orchis lifted up, and the thin dead leaves of clover lay for the
+new ones to spring through. There the stiffest things that sleep, the
+stubby oak, and the saplin'd beech, dropped their brown defiance to her,
+and prepared for a soft reply.
+
+While her over-eager children (who had started forth to meet her,
+through the frost and shower of sleet), catkin'd hazel, gold-gloved
+withy, youthful elder, and old woodbine, with all the tribe of good
+hedge-climbers (who must hasten while haste they may)--was there one of
+them that did not claim the merit of coming first?
+
+There she stayed and held her revel, as soon as the fear of frost was
+gone; all the air was a fount of freshness, and the earth of gladness,
+and the laughing waters prattled of the kindness of the sun.
+
+But all this made it much harder for us, plying the hoe and rake, to
+keep the fields with room upon them for the corn to tiller. The winter
+wheat was well enough, being sturdy and strong-sided; but the spring
+wheat and the barley and the oats were overrun by ill weeds growing
+faster. Therefore, as the old saying is,--
+
+    "Farmer, that thy wife may thrive,
+     Let not burr and burdock wive;
+     And if thou wouldst keep thy son,
+     See that bine and gith have none."
+
+So we were compelled to go down the field and up it, striking in and out
+with care where the green blades hung together, so that each had space
+to move in and to spread its roots abroad. And I do assure you now,
+though you may not believe me, it was harder work to keep John Fry, Bill
+Dadds, and Jem Slocomb all in a line and all moving nimbly to the tune
+of my own tool, than it was to set out in the morning alone, and hoe
+half an acre by dinner-time. For, instead of keeping the good ash
+moving, they would for ever be finding something to look at or to speak
+of, or at any rate, to stop with; blaming the shape of their tools
+perhaps, or talking about other people's affairs; or, what was most
+irksome of all to me, taking advantage as married men, and whispering
+jokes of no excellence about my having, or having not, or being ashamed
+of a sweetheart. And this went so far at last that I was forced to take
+two of them and knock their heads together; after which they worked with
+a better will.
+
+When we met together in the evening round the kitchen chimney-place,
+after the men had had their supper and their heavy boots were gone, my
+mother and Eliza would do their very utmost to learn what I was thinking
+of. Not that we kept any fire now, after the crock was emptied; but that
+we loved to see the ashes cooling, and to be together. At these times
+Annie would never ask me any crafty questions (as Eliza did), but would
+sit with her hair untwined, and one hand underneath her chin, sometimes
+looking softly at me, as much as to say that she knew it all and I was
+no worse off than she. But strange to say my mother dreamed not, even
+for an instant, that it was possible for Annie to be thinking of such
+a thing. She was so very good and quiet, and careful of the linen, and
+clever about the cookery and fowls and bacon-curing, that people used
+to laugh, and say she would never look at a bachelor until her mother
+ordered her. But I (perhaps from my own condition and the sense of what
+it was) felt no certainty about this, and even had another opinion, as
+was said before.
+
+Often I was much inclined to speak to her about it, and put her on her
+guard against the approaches of Tom Faggus; but I could not find how to
+begin, and feared to make a breach between us; knowing that if her
+mind was set, no words of mine would alter it; although they needs must
+grieve her deeply. Moreover, I felt that, in this case, a certain
+homely Devonshire proverb would come home to me; that one, I mean, which
+records that the crock was calling the kettle smutty. Not, of course,
+that I compared my innocent maid to a highwayman; but that Annie might
+think her worse, and would be too apt to do so, if indeed she loved Tom
+Faggus. And our Cousin Tom, by this time, was living a quiet and godly
+life; having retired almost from the trade (except when he needed
+excitement, or came across public officers), and having won the esteem
+of all whose purses were in his power.
+
+Perhaps it is needless for me to say that all this time while my month
+was running--or rather crawling, for never month went so slow as
+that with me--neither weed, nor seed, nor cattle, nor my own mother's
+anxiety, nor any care for my sister, kept me from looking once every
+day, and even twice on a Sunday, for any sign of Lorna. For my heart was
+ever weary; in the budding valleys, and by the crystal waters, looking
+at the lambs in fold, or the heifers on the mill, labouring in trickled
+furrows, or among the beaded blades; halting fresh to see the sun lift
+over the golden-vapoured ridge; or doffing hat, from sweat of brow, to
+watch him sink in the low gray sea; be it as it would of day, of work,
+or night, or slumber, it was a weary heart I bore, and fear was on the
+brink of it.
+
+All the beauty of the spring went for happy men to think of; all the
+increase of the year was for other eyes to mark. Not a sign of any
+sunrise for me from my fount of life, not a breath to stir the dead
+leaves fallen on my heart's Spring.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+A ROYAL INVITATION
+
+[Illustration: 185.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Although I had, for the most part, so very stout an appetite, that none
+but mother saw any need of encouraging me to eat, I could only manage
+one true good meal in a day, at the time I speak of. Mother was in
+despair at this, and tempted me with the whole of the rack, and even
+talked of sending to Porlock for a druggist who came there twice in
+a week; and Annie spent all her time in cooking, and even Lizzie sang
+songs to me; for she could sing very sweetly. But my conscience told me
+that Betty Muxworthy had some reason upon her side.
+
+"Latt the young ozebird aloun, zay I. Makk zuch ado about un, wi'
+hogs'-puddens, and hock-bits, and lambs'-mate, and whaten bradd indade,
+and brewers' ale avore dinner-time, and her not to zit wi' no winder
+aupen--draive me mad 'e doo, the ov'ee, zuch a passel of voouls. Do 'un
+good to starve a bit; and takk zome on's wackedness out ov un."
+
+But mother did not see it so; and she even sent for Nicholas Snowe
+to bring his three daughters with him, and have ale and cake in the
+parlour, and advise about what the bees were doing, and when a swarm
+might be looked for. Being vexed about this and having to stop at home
+nearly half the evening, I lost good manners so much as to ask him (even
+in our own house!) what he meant by not mending the swing-hurdle where
+the Lynn stream flows from our land into his, and which he is bound to
+maintain. But he looked at me in a superior manner, and said, "Business,
+young man, in business time."
+
+I had other reason for being vexed with Farmer Nicholas just now, viz.
+that I had heard a rumour, after church one Sunday--when most of all we
+sorrow over the sins of one another--that Master Nicholas Snowe had
+been seen to gaze tenderly at my mother, during a passage of the sermon,
+wherein the parson spoke well and warmly about the duty of Christian
+love. Now, putting one thing with another, about the bees, and about
+some ducks, and a bullock with a broken knee-cap, I more than suspected
+that Farmer Nicholas was casting sheep's eyes at my mother; not only to
+save all further trouble in the matter of the hurdle, but to override me
+altogether upon the difficult question of damming. And I knew quite well
+that John Fry's wife never came to help at the washing without declaring
+that it was a sin for a well-looking woman like mother, with plenty
+to live on, and only three children, to keep all the farmers for miles
+around so unsettled in their minds about her. Mother used to answer "Oh
+fie, Mistress Fry! be good enough to mind your own business." But we
+always saw that she smoothed her apron, and did her hair up afterwards,
+and that Mistress Fry went home at night with a cold pig's foot or a
+bowl of dripping.
+
+[Illustration: 186.jpg Mistress Ridd]
+
+Therefore, on that very night, as I could not well speak to mother
+about it, without seeming undutiful, after lighting the three young
+ladies--for so in sooth they called themselves--all the way home with
+our stable-lanthorn, I begged good leave of Farmer Nicholas (who had
+hung some way behind us) to say a word in private to him, before he
+entered his own house.
+
+"Wi' all the plaisure in laife, my zon," he answered very graciously,
+thinking perhaps that I was prepared to speak concerning Sally.
+
+"Now, Farmer Nicholas Snowe," I said, scarce knowing how to begin it,
+"you must promise not to be vexed with me, for what I am going to say to
+you."
+
+"Vaxed wi' thee! Noo, noo, my lad. I 'ave a knowed thee too long for
+that. And thy veyther were my best friend, afore thee. Never wronged his
+neighbours, never spak an unkind word, never had no maneness in him.
+Tuk a vancy to a nice young 'ooman, and never kep her in doubt about it,
+though there wadn't mooch to zettle on her. Spak his maind laike a man,
+he did, and right happy he were wi' her. Ah, well a day! Ah, God knoweth
+best. I never shall zee his laike again. And he were the best judge of a
+dung-heap anywhere in this county."
+
+"Well, Master Snowe," I answered him, "it is very handsome of you to
+say so. And now I am going to be like my father, I am going to speak my
+mind."
+
+"Raight there, lad; raight enough, I reckon. Us has had enough of
+pralimbinary."
+
+"Then what I want to say is this--I won't have any one courting my
+mother."
+
+"Coortin' of thy mother, lad?" cried Farmer Snowe, with as much
+amazement as if the thing were impossible; "why, who ever hath been
+dooin' of it?"
+
+"Yes, courting of my mother, sir. And you know best who comes doing it."
+
+"Wull, wull! What will boys be up to next? Zhud a' thought herzelf wor
+the proper judge. No thank 'ee, lad, no need of thy light. Know the wai
+to my own door, at laste; and have a raight to goo there." And he shut
+me out without so much as offering me a drink of cider.
+
+The next afternoon, when work was over, I had seen to the horses, for
+now it was foolish to trust John Fry, because he had so many children,
+and his wife had taken to scolding; and just as I was saying to myself
+that in five days more my month would be done, and myself free to seek
+Lorna, a man came riding up from the ford where the road goes through
+the Lynn stream. As soon as I saw that it was not Tom Faggus, I went no
+farther to meet him, counting that it must be some traveller bound
+for Brendon or Cheriton, and likely enough he would come and beg for a
+draught of milk or cider; and then on again, after asking the way.
+
+But instead of that, he stopped at our gate, and stood up from his
+saddle, and halloed as if he were somebody; and all the time he was
+flourishing a white thing in the air, like the bands our parson weareth.
+So I crossed the court-yard to speak with him.
+
+"Service of the King!" he saith; "service of our lord the King! Come
+hither, thou great yokel, at risk of fine and imprisonment."
+
+Although not pleased with this, I went to him, as became a loyal man;
+quite at my leisure, however, for there is no man born who can hurry me,
+though I hasten for any woman.
+
+"Plover Barrows farm!" said he; "God only knows how tired I be. Is there
+any where in this cursed county a cursed place called Plover Barrows
+farm? For last twenty mile at least they told me 'twere only half a mile
+farther, or only just round corner. Now tell me that, and I fain would
+thwack thee if thou wert not thrice my size."
+
+"Sir," I replied, "you shall not have the trouble. This is Plover's
+Barrows farm, and you are kindly welcome. Sheep's kidneys is for supper,
+and the ale got bright from the tapping. But why do you think ill of us?
+We like not to be cursed so."
+
+"Nay, I think no ill," he said; "sheep's kidneys is good, uncommon good,
+if they do them without burning. But I be so galled in the saddle ten
+days, and never a comely meal of it. And when they hear 'King's service'
+cried, they give me the worst of everything. All the way down from
+London, I had a rogue of a fellow in front of me, eating the fat of
+the land before me, and every one bowing down to him. He could go three
+miles to my one though he never changed his horse. He might have robbed
+me at any minute, if I had been worth the trouble. A red mare he rideth,
+strong in the loins, and pointed quite small in the head. I shall live
+to see him hanged yet."
+
+All this time he was riding across the straw of our courtyard, getting
+his weary legs out of the leathers, and almost afraid to stand yet. A
+coarse-grained, hard-faced man he was, some forty years of age or so,
+and of middle height and stature. He was dressed in a dark brown riding
+suit, none the better for Exmoor mud, but fitting him very differently
+from the fashion of our tailors. Across the holsters lay his cloak,
+made of some red skin, and shining from the sweating of the horse. As I
+looked down on his stiff bright head-piece, small quick eyes and black
+needly beard, he seemed to despise me (too much, as I thought) for a
+mere ignoramus and country bumpkin.
+
+"Annie, have down the cut ham," I shouted, for my sister was come to the
+door by chance, or because of the sound of a horse in the road, "and
+cut a few rashers of hung deer's meat. There is a gentleman come to sup,
+Annie. And fetch the hops out of the tap with a skewer that it may run
+more sparkling."
+
+"I wish I may go to a place never meant for me," said my new friend, now
+wiping his mouth with the sleeve of his brown riding coat, "if ever I
+fell among such good folk. You are the right sort, and no error therein.
+All this shall go in your favour greatly, when I make deposition. At
+least, I mean, if it be as good in the eating as in the hearing. 'Tis
+a supper quite fit for Tom Faggus himself, the man who hath stolen
+my victuals so. And that hung deer's meat, now is it of the red deer
+running wild in these parts?"
+
+"To be sure it is, sir," I answered; "where should we get any other?"
+
+"Right, right, you are right, my son. I have heard that the flavour
+is marvellous. Some of them came and scared me so, in the fog of the
+morning, that I hungered for them ever since. Ha, ha, I saw their
+haunches. But the young lady will not forget--art sure she will not
+forget it?"
+
+"You may trust her to forget nothing, sir, that may tempt a guest to his
+comfort."
+
+"In faith, then, I will leave my horse in your hands, and be off for
+it. Half the pleasure of the mouth is in the nose beforehand. But stay,
+almost I forgot my business, in the hurry which thy tongue hath spread
+through my lately despairing belly. Hungry I am, and sore of body, from
+my heels right upward, and sorest in front of my doublet, yet may I not
+rest nor bite barley-bread, until I have seen and touched John Ridd. God
+grant that he be not far away; I must eat my saddle, if it be so."
+
+"Have no fear, good sir," I answered; "you have seen and touched John
+Ridd. I am he, and not one likely to go beneath a bushel."
+
+"It would take a large bushel to hold thee, John Ridd. In the name of
+the King, His Majesty, Charles the Second, these presents!"
+
+He touched me with the white thing which I had first seen him waving,
+and which I now beheld to be sheepskin, such as they call parchment.
+It was tied across with cord, and fastened down in every corner
+with unsightly dabs of wax. By order of the messenger (for I was
+over-frightened now to think of doing anything), I broke enough of seals
+to keep an Easter ghost from rising; and there I saw my name in large;
+God grant such another shock may never befall me in my old age.
+
+"Read, my son; read, thou great fool, if indeed thou canst read," said
+the officer to encourage me; "there is nothing to kill thee, boy, and
+my supper will be spoiling. Stare not at me so, thou fool; thou art big
+enough to eat me; read, read, read."
+
+[Illustration: 190.jpg Read, Read Read!]
+
+"If you please, sir, what is your name?" I asked; though why I asked him
+I know not, except from fear of witchcraft.
+
+"Jeremy Stickles is my name, lad, nothing more than a poor apparitor of
+the worshipful Court of King's Bench. And at this moment a starving one,
+and no supper for me unless thou wilt read."
+
+Being compelled in this way, I read pretty nigh as follows; not that I
+give the whole of it, but only the gist and the emphasis,--
+
+"To our good subject, John Ridd, etc."--describing me ever so much
+better than I knew myself--"by these presents, greeting. These are to
+require thee, in the name of our lord the King, to appear in person
+before the Right Worshipful, the Justices of His Majesty's Bench at
+Westminster, laying aside all thine own business, and there to deliver
+such evidence as is within thy cognisance, touching certain matters
+whereby the peace of our said lord the King, and the well-being of this
+realm, is, are, or otherwise may be impeached, impugned, imperilled, or
+otherwise detrimented. As witness these presents." And then there were
+four seals, and then a signature I could not make out, only that it
+began with a J, and ended with some other writing, done almost in a
+circle. Underneath was added in a different handwriting "Charges will be
+borne. The matter is full urgent."
+
+The messenger watched me, while I read so much as I could read of it;
+and he seemed well pleased with my surprise, because he had expected it.
+Then, not knowing what else to do, I looked again at the cover, and
+on the top of it I saw, "Ride, Ride, Ride! On His Gracious Majesty's
+business; spur and spare not."
+
+It may be supposed by all who know me, that I was taken hereupon with
+such a giddiness in my head and noisiness in my ears, that I was forced
+to hold by the crook driven in below the thatch for holding of the
+hay-rakes. There was scarcely any sense left in me, only that the thing
+was come by power of Mother Melldrum, because I despised her warning,
+and had again sought Lorna. But the officer was grieved for me, and the
+danger to his supper.
+
+"My son, be not afraid," he said; "we are not going to skin thee. Only
+thou tell all the truth, and it shall be--but never mind, I will tell
+thee all about it, and how to come out harmless, if I find thy victuals
+good, and no delay in serving them."
+
+"We do our best, sir, without bargain," said I, "to please our
+visitors."
+
+But when my mother saw that parchment (for we could not keep it from
+her) she fell away into her favourite bed of stock gilly-flowers, which
+she had been tending; and when we brought her round again, did nothing
+but exclaim against the wickedness of the age and people. "It was
+useless to tell her; she knew what it was, and so should all the parish
+know. The King had heard what her son was, how sober, and quiet, and
+diligent, and the strongest young man in England; and being himself such
+a reprobate--God forgive her for saying so--he could never rest till
+he got poor Johnny, and made him as dissolute as himself. And if he did
+that"--here mother went off into a fit of crying; and Annie minded her
+face, while Lizzie saw that her gown was in comely order.
+
+But the character of the King improved, when Master Jeremy Stickles
+(being really moved by the look of it, and no bad man after all) laid it
+clearly before my mother that the King on his throne was unhappy, until
+he had seen John Ridd. That the fame of John had gone so far, and his
+size, and all his virtues--that verily by the God who made him, the King
+was overcome with it.
+
+Then mother lay back in her garden chair, and smiled upon the whole of
+us, and most of all on Jeremy; looking only shyly on me, and speaking
+through some break of tears. "His Majesty shall have my John; His
+Majesty is very good: but only for a fortnight. I want no titles for
+him. Johnny is enough for me; and Master John for the working men."
+
+Now though my mother was so willing that I should go to London,
+expecting great promotion and high glory for me, I myself was deeply
+gone into the pit of sorrow. For what would Lorna think of me? Here was
+the long month just expired, after worlds of waiting; there would be her
+lovely self, peeping softly down the glen, and fearing to encourage me;
+yet there would be nobody else, and what an insult to her! Dwelling upon
+this, and seeing no chance of escape from it, I could not find one wink
+of sleep; though Jeremy Stickles (who slept close by) snored loud enough
+to spare me some. For I felt myself to be, as it were, in a place of
+some importance; in a situation of trust, I may say; and bound not to
+depart from it. For who could tell what the King might have to say to
+me about the Doones--and I felt that they were at the bottom of this
+strange appearance--or what His Majesty might think, if after receiving
+a message from him (trusty under so many seals) I were to violate
+his faith in me as a churchwarden's son, and falsely spread his words
+abroad?
+
+Perhaps I was not wise in building such a wall of scruples.
+Nevertheless, all that was there, and weighed upon me heavily. And at
+last I made up my mind to this, that even Lorna must not know the reason
+of my going, neither anything about it; but that she might know I was
+gone a long way from home, and perhaps be sorry for it. Now how was I to
+let her know even that much of the matter, without breaking compact?
+
+Puzzling on this, I fell asleep, after the proper time to get up; nor
+was I to be seen at breakfast time; and mother (being quite strange to
+that) was very uneasy about it. But Master Stickles assured her that the
+King's writ often had that effect, and the symptom was a good one.
+
+"Now, Master Stickles, when must we start?" I asked him, as he lounged
+in the yard gazing at our turkey poults picking and running in the sun
+to the tune of their father's gobble. "Your horse was greatly foundered,
+sir, and is hardly fit for the road to-day; and Smiler was sledding
+yesterday all up the higher Cleve; and none of the rest can carry me."
+
+"In a few more years," replied the King's officer, contemplating me with
+much satisfaction; "'twill be a cruelty to any horse to put thee on his
+back, John."
+
+Master Stickles, by this time, was quite familiar with us, calling
+me "Jack," and Eliza "Lizzie," and what I liked the least of all, our
+pretty Annie "Nancy."
+
+"That will be as God pleases, sir," I answered him, rather sharply; "and
+the horse that suffers will not be thine. But I wish to know when we
+must start upon our long travel to London town. I perceive that the
+matter is of great despatch and urgency."
+
+"To be sure, so it is, my son. But I see a yearling turkey there, him
+I mean with the hop in his walk, who (if I know aught of fowls) would
+roast well to-morrow. Thy mother must have preparation: it is no more
+than reasonable. Now, have that turkey killed to-night (for his fatness
+makes me long for him), and we will have him for dinner to-morrow, with,
+perhaps, one of his brethren; and a few more collops of red deer's flesh
+for supper, and then on the Friday morning, with the grace of God, we
+will set our faces to the road, upon His Majesty's business."
+
+"Nay, but good sir," I asked with some trembling, so eager was I to see
+Lorna; "if His Majesty's business will keep till Friday, may it not keep
+until Monday? We have a litter of sucking-pigs, excellently choice and
+white, six weeks old, come Friday. There be too many for the sow, and
+one of them needeth roasting. Think you not it would be a pity to leave
+the women to carve it?"
+
+"My son Jack," replied Master Stickles, "never was I in such quarters
+yet: and God forbid that I should be so unthankful to Him as to hurry
+away. And now I think on it, Friday is not a day upon which pious people
+love to commence an enterprise. I will choose the young pig to-morrow at
+noon, at which time they are wont to gambol; and we will celebrate his
+birthday by carving him on Friday. After that we will gird our loins,
+and set forth early on Saturday."
+
+Now this was little better to me than if we had set forth at once.
+Sunday being the very first day upon which it would be honourable for me
+to enter Glen Doone. But though I tried every possible means with Master
+Jeremy Stickles, offering him the choice for dinner of every beast
+that was on the farm, he durst not put off our departure later than the
+Saturday. And nothing else but love of us and of our hospitality would
+have so persuaded him to remain with us till then. Therefore now my only
+chance of seeing Lorna, before I went, lay in watching from the cliff
+and espying her, or a signal from her.
+
+This, however, I did in vain, until my eyes were weary and often would
+delude themselves with hope of what they ached for. But though I lay
+hidden behind the trees upon the crest of the stony fall, and waited
+so quiet that the rabbits and squirrels played around me, and even the
+keen-eyed weasel took me for a trunk of wood--it was all as one; no cast
+of colour changed the white stone, whose whiteness now was hateful to
+me; nor did wreath or skirt of maiden break the loneliness of the vale.
+
+[Illustration: 194.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+A SAFE PASS FOR KING'S MESSENGER
+
+[Illustration: 195.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+A journey to London seemed to us in those bygone days as hazardous and
+dark an adventure as could be forced on any man. I mean, of course,
+a poor man; for to a great nobleman, with ever so many outriders,
+attendants, and retainers, the risk was not so great, unless the
+highwaymen knew of their coming beforehand, and so combined against
+them. To a poor man, however, the risk was not so much from those
+gentlemen of the road as from the more ignoble footpads, and the
+landlords of the lesser hostels, and the loose unguarded soldiers, over
+and above the pitfalls and the quagmires of the way; so that it was hard
+to settle, at the first outgoing whether a man were wise to pray more
+for his neck or for his head.
+
+But nowadays it is very different. Not that highway-men are scarce, in
+this the reign of our good Queen Anne; for in truth they thrive as
+well as ever, albeit they deserve it not, being less upright and
+courteous--but that the roads are much improved, and the growing use
+of stage-waggons (some of which will travel as much as forty miles in a
+summer day) has turned our ancient ideas of distance almost upside down;
+and I doubt whether God be pleased with our flying so fast away from
+Him. However, that is not my business; nor does it lie in my mouth to
+speak very strongly upon the subject, seeing how much I myself have done
+towards making of roads upon Exmoor.
+
+To return to my story (and, in truth, I lose that road too often), it
+would have taken ten King's messengers to get me away from Plover's
+Barrows without one goodbye to Lorna, but for my sense of the trust
+and reliance which His Majesty had reposed in me. And now I felt most
+bitterly how the very arrangements which seemed so wise, and indeed
+ingenious, may by the force of events become our most fatal obstacles.
+For lo! I was blocked entirely from going to see Lorna; whereas
+we should have fixed it so that I as well might have the power of
+signalling my necessity.
+
+It was too late now to think of that; and so I made up my mind at last
+to keep my honour on both sides, both to the King and to the maiden,
+although I might lose everything except a heavy heart for it. And
+indeed, more hearts than mine were heavy; for when it came to the tug of
+parting, my mother was like, and so was Annie, to break down altogether.
+But I bade them be of good cheer, and smiled in the briskest manner upon
+them, and said that I should be back next week as one of His Majesty's
+greatest captains, and told them not to fear me then. Upon which they
+smiled at the idea of ever being afraid of me, whatever dress I might
+have on; and so I kissed my hand once more, and rode away very bravely.
+But bless your heart, I could no more have done so than flown all the
+way to London if Jeremy Stickles had not been there.
+
+And not to take too much credit to myself in this matter, I must confess
+that when we were come to the turn in the road where the moor begins,
+and whence you see the last of the yard, and the ricks and the poultry
+round them and can (by knowing the place) obtain a glance of the kitchen
+window under the walnut-tree, it went so hard with me just here that I
+even made pretence of a stone in ancient Smiler's shoe, to dismount, and
+to bend my head awhile. Then, knowing that those I had left behind would
+be watching to see the last of me, and might have false hopes of my
+coming back, I mounted again with all possible courage, and rode after
+Jeremy Stickles.
+
+[Illustration: 197.jpg Jeremy kept me in jokes]
+
+Jeremy, seeing how much I was down, did his best to keep me up with
+jokes, and tales, and light discourse, until, before we had ridden a
+league, I began to long to see the things he was describing. The air,
+the weather, and the thoughts of going to a wondrous place, added to
+the fine company--at least so Jeremy said it was--of a man who knew all
+London, made me feel that I should be ungracious not to laugh a little.
+And being very simple then I laughed no more a little, but something
+quite considerable (though free from consideration) at the strange
+things Master Stickles told me, and his strange way of telling them.
+And so we became very excellent friends, for he was much pleased with my
+laughing.
+
+Not wishing to thrust myself more forward than need be in this
+narrative, I have scarcely thought it becoming or right to speak of my
+own adornments. But now, what with the brave clothes I had on, and the
+better ones still that were packed up in the bag behind the saddle,
+it is almost beyond me to forbear saying that I must have looked very
+pleasing. And many a time I wished, going along, that Lorna could only
+be here and there, watching behind a furze-bush, looking at me, and
+wondering how much my clothes had cost. For mother would have no
+stint in the matter, but had assembled at our house, immediately upon
+knowledge of what was to be about London, every man known to be a good
+stitcher upon our side of Exmoor. And for three days they had
+worked their best, without stint of beer or cider, according to the
+constitution of each. The result, so they all declared, was such as to
+create admiration, and defy competition in London. And to me it seemed
+that they were quite right; though Jeremy Stickles turned up his nose,
+and feigned to be deaf in the business.
+
+Now be that matter as you please--for the point is not worth
+arguing--certain it is that my appearance was better than it had been
+before. For being in the best clothes, one tries to look and to act
+(so far as may be) up to the quality of them. Not only for the fear of
+soiling them, but that they enlarge a man's perception of his value. And
+it strikes me that our sins arise, partly from disdain of others, but
+mainly from contempt of self, both working the despite of God. But men
+of mind may not be measured by such paltry rule as this.
+
+By dinner-time we arrived at Porlock, and dined with my old friend,
+Master Pooke, now growing rich and portly. For though we had plenty of
+victuals with us we were not to begin upon them, until all chance of
+victualling among our friends was left behind. And during that first day
+we had no need to meddle with our store at all; for as had been settled
+before we left home, we lay that night at Dunster in the house of
+a worthy tanner, first cousin to my mother, who received us very
+cordially, and undertook to return old Smiler to his stable at Plover's
+Barrows, after one day's rest.
+
+Thence we hired to Bridgwater; and from Bridgwater on to Bristowe,
+breaking the journey between the two. But although the whole way was so
+new to me, and such a perpetual source of conflict, that the remembrance
+still abides with me, as if it were but yesterday, I must not be so long
+in telling as it was in travelling, or you will wish me farther;
+both because Lorna was nothing there, and also because a man in our
+neighbourhood had done the whole of it since my time, and feigns to
+think nothing of it. However, one thing, in common justice to a person
+who has been traduced, I am bound to mention. And this is, that being
+two of us, and myself of such magnitude, we never could have made our
+journey without either fight or running, but for the free pass which
+dear Annie, by some means (I know not what), had procured from Master
+Faggus. And when I let it be known, by some hap, that I was the own
+cousin of Tom Faggus, and honoured with his society, there was not
+a house upon the road but was proud to entertain me, in spite of my
+fellow-traveller, bearing the red badge of the King.
+
+"I will keep this close, my son Jack," he said, having stripped it off
+with a carving-knife; "your flag is the best to fly. The man who starved
+me on the way down, the same shall feed me fat going home."
+
+Therefore we pursued our way, in excellent condition, having thriven
+upon the credit of that very popular highwayman, and being surrounded
+with regrets that he had left the profession, and sometimes begged to
+intercede that he might help the road again. For all the landlords on
+the road declared that now small ale was drunk, nor much of spirits
+called for, because the farmers need not prime to meet only common
+riders, neither were these worth the while to get drunk with afterwards.
+Master Stickles himself undertook, as an officer of the King's Justices
+to plead this case with Squire Faggus (as everybody called him now), and
+to induce him, for the general good, to return to his proper ministry.
+
+It was a long and weary journey, although the roads are wondrous good on
+the farther side of Bristowe, and scarcely any man need be bogged, if he
+keeps his eyes well open, save, perhaps, in Berkshire. In consequence
+of the pass we had, and the vintner's knowledge of it, we only met
+two public riders, one of whom made off straightway when he saw my
+companion's pistols and the stout carbine I bore; and the other came to
+a parley with us, and proved most kind and affable, when he knew
+himself in the presence of the cousin of Squire Faggus. "God save you,
+gentlemen," he cried, lifting his hat politely; "many and many a happy
+day I have worked this road with him. Such times will never be again.
+But commend me to his love and prayers. King my name is, and King my
+nature. Say that, and none will harm you." And so he made off down the
+hill, being a perfect gentleman, and a very good horse he was riding.
+
+The night was falling very thick by the time we were come to Tyburn, and
+here the King's officer decided that it would be wise to halt, because
+the way was unsafe by night across the fields to Charing village. I for
+my part was nothing loth, and preferred to see London by daylight.
+
+And after all, it was not worth seeing, but a very hideous and dirty
+place, not at all like Exmoor. Some of the shops were very fine, and
+the signs above them finer still, so that I was never weary of standing
+still to look at them. But in doing this there was no ease; for before
+one could begin almost to make out the meaning of them, either some
+of the wayfarers would bustle and scowl, and draw their swords, or the
+owner, or his apprentice boys, would rush out and catch hold of me,
+crying, "Buy, buy, buy! What d'ye lack, what d'ye lack? Buy, buy, buy!"
+At first I mistook the meaning of this--for so we pronounce the word
+"boy" upon Exmoor--and I answered with some indignation, "Sirrah, I am
+no boy now, but a man of one-and-twenty years; and as for lacking, I
+lack naught from thee, except what thou hast not--good manners."
+
+The only things that pleased me much, were the river Thames, and the
+hall and church of Westminster, where there are brave things to be seen,
+and braver still to think about. But whenever I wandered in the streets,
+what with the noise the people made, the number of the coaches, the
+running of the footmen, the swaggering of great courtiers, and the
+thrusting aside of everybody, many and many a time I longed to be back
+among the sheep again, for fear of losing temper. They were welcome to
+the wall for me, as I took care to tell them, for I could stand without
+the wall, which perhaps was more than they could do. Though I said this
+with the best intention, meaning no discourtesy, some of them were vexed
+at it; and one young lord, being flushed with drink, drew his sword and
+made at me. But I struck it up with my holly stick, so that it flew on
+the roof of a house, then I took him by the belt with one hand, and laid
+him in the kennel. This caused some little disturbance; but none of the
+rest saw fit to try how the matter might be with them.
+
+Now this being the year of our Lord 1683, more than nine years and a
+half since the death of my father, and the beginning of this history,
+all London was in a great ferment about the dispute between the Court of
+the King and the City. The King, or rather perhaps his party (for they
+said that His Majesty cared for little except to have plenty of money
+and spend it), was quite resolved to be supreme in the appointment of
+the chief officers of the corporation. But the citizens maintained that
+(under their charter) this right lay entirely with themselves; upon
+which a writ was issued against them for forfeiture of their charter;
+and the question was now being tried in the court of His Majesty's
+bench.
+
+This seemed to occupy all the attention of the judges, and my case
+(which had appeared so urgent) was put off from time to time, while
+the Court and the City contended. And so hot was the conflict and hate
+between them, that a sheriff had been fined by the King in 100,000
+pounds, and a former lord mayor had even been sentenced to the pillory,
+because he would not swear falsely. Hence the courtiers and the citizens
+scarce could meet in the streets with patience, or without railing and
+frequent blows.
+
+Now although I heard so much of this matter, for nothing else was talked
+of, and it seeming to me more important even than the churchwardenship
+of Oare, I could not for the life of me tell which side I should take
+to. For all my sense of position, and of confidence reposed in me, and
+of my father's opinions, lay heavily in one scale, while all my reason
+and my heart went down plump against injustice, and seemed to win the
+other scale. Even so my father had been, at the breaking out of the
+civil war, when he was less than my age now, and even less skilled in
+politics; and my mother told me after this, when she saw how I myself
+was doubting, and vexed with myself for doing so, that my father used
+to thank God often that he had not been called upon to take one side or
+other, but might remain obscure and quiet. And yet he always considered
+himself to be a good, sound Royalist.
+
+But now as I stayed there, only desirous to be heard and to get away,
+and scarcely even guessing yet what was wanted of me (for even Jeremy
+Stickles knew not, or pretended not to know), things came to a dreadful
+pass between the King and all the people who dared to have an opinion.
+For about the middle of June, the judges gave their sentence, that the
+City of London had forfeited its charter, and that its franchise should
+be taken into the hands of the King. Scarcely was this judgment forth,
+and all men hotly talking of it, when a far worse thing befell. News of
+some great conspiracy was spread at every corner, and that a man in the
+malting business had tried to take up the brewer's work, and lop the
+King and the Duke of York. Everybody was shocked at this, for the King
+himself was not disliked so much as his advisers; but everybody was more
+than shocked, grieved indeed to the heart with pain, at hearing that
+Lord William Russell and Mr. Algernon Sidney had been seized and sent to
+the Tower of London, upon a charge of high treason.
+
+Having no knowledge of these great men, nor of the matter how far it was
+true, I had not very much to say about either of them or it; but this
+silence was not shared (although the ignorance may have been) by the
+hundreds of people around me. Such a commotion was astir, such universal
+sense of wrong, and stern resolve to right it, that each man grasped his
+fellow's hand, and led him into the vintner's. Even I, although at that
+time given to excess in temperance, and afraid of the name of cordials,
+was hard set (I do assure you) not to be drunk at intervals without
+coarse discourtesy.
+
+However, that (as Betty Muxworthy used to say, when argued down, and
+ready to take the mop for it) is neither here nor there. I have naught
+to do with great history and am sorry for those who have to write it;
+because they are sure to have both friends and enemies in it, and cannot
+act as they would towards them, without damage to their own consciences.
+
+But as great events draw little ones, and the rattle of the churn
+decides the uncertainty of the flies, so this movement of the town, and
+eloquence, and passion had more than I guessed at the time, to do with
+my own little fortunes. For in the first place it was fixed (perhaps
+from down right contumely, because the citizens loved him so) that Lord
+Russell should be tried neither at Westminster nor at Lincoln's Inn, but
+at the Court of Old Bailey, within the precincts of the city. This kept
+me hanging on much longer; because although the good nobleman was to be
+tried by the Court of Common Pleas, yet the officers of King's Bench, to
+whom I daily applied myself, were in counsel with their fellows, and put
+me off from day to day.
+
+Now I had heard of the law's delays, which the greatest of all great
+poets (knowing much of the law himself, as indeed of everything) has
+specially mentioned, when not expected, among the many ills of life. But
+I never thought at my years to have such bitter experience of the evil;
+and it seemed to me that if the lawyers failed to do their duty, they
+ought to pay people for waiting upon them, instead of making them pay
+for it. But here I was, now in the second month living at my own
+charges in the house of a worthy fellmonger at the sign of the Seal and
+Squirrel, abutting upon the Strand road which leads from Temple Bar
+to Charing. Here I did very well indeed, having a mattress of good
+skin-dressings, and plenty to eat every day of my life, but the butter
+was something to cry "but" thrice at (according to a conceit of our
+school days), and the milk must have come from cows driven to water.
+However, these evils were light compared with the heavy bill sent up to
+me every Saturday afternoon; and knowing how my mother had pinched to
+send me nobly to London, and had told me to spare for nothing, but live
+bravely with the best of them, the tears very nearly came into my eyes,
+as I thought, while I ate, of so robbing her.
+
+At length, being quite at the end of my money, and seeing no other help
+for it, I determined to listen to clerks no more, but force my way up to
+the Justices, and insist upon being heard by them, or discharged from my
+recognisance. For so they had termed the bond or deed which I had been
+forced to execute, in the presence of a chief clerk or notary, the very
+day after I came to London. And the purport of it was, that on pain of
+a heavy fine or escheatment, I would hold myself ready and present, to
+give evidence when called upon. Having delivered me up to sign this,
+Jeremy Stickles was quit of me, and went upon other business, not but
+what he was kind and good to me, when his time and pursuits allowed of
+it.
+
+[Illustration: 203.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+A GREAT MAN ATTENDS TO BUSINESS
+
+[Illustration: 204.jpg Westminster Hall, 1650]
+
+Having seen Lord Russell murdered in the fields of Lincoln's Inn, or
+rather having gone to see it, but turned away with a sickness and a
+bitter flood of tears--for a whiter and a nobler neck never fell
+before low beast--I strode away towards Westminster, cured of half my
+indignation at the death of Charles the First. Many people hurried past
+me, chiefly of the more tender sort, revolting at the butchery. In their
+ghastly faces, as they turned them back, lest the sight should be coming
+after them, great sorrow was to be seen, and horror, and pity, and some
+anger.
+
+In Westminster Hall I found nobody; not even the crowd of crawling
+varlets, who used to be craving evermore for employment or for payment.
+I knocked at three doors, one after other, of lobbies going out of it,
+where I had formerly seen some officers and people pressing in and out,
+but for my trouble I took nothing, except some thumps from echo. And at
+last an old man told me that all the lawyers were gone to see the result
+of their own works, in the fields of Lincoln's Inn.
+
+However, in a few days' time, I had better fortune; for the court was
+sitting and full of business, to clear off the arrears of work, before
+the lawyers' holiday. As I was waiting in the hall for a good occasion,
+a man with horsehair on his head, and a long blue bag in his left hand,
+touched me gently on the arm, and led me into a quiet place. I followed
+him very gladly, being confident that he came to me with a message from
+the Justiciaries. But after taking pains to be sure that none could
+overhear us, he turned on me suddenly, and asked,--
+
+"Now, John, how is your dear mother?"
+
+"Worshipful sir" I answered him, after recovering from my surprise at
+his knowledge of our affairs, and kindly interest in them, "it is two
+months now since I have seen her. Would to God that I only knew how she
+is faring now, and how the business of the farm goes!"
+
+"Sir, I respect and admire you," the old gentleman replied, with a
+bow very low and genteel; "few young court-gallants of our time are so
+reverent and dutiful. Oh, how I did love my mother!" Here he turned up
+his eyes to heaven, in a manner that made me feel for him and yet with a
+kind of wonder.
+
+"I am very sorry for you, sir," I answered most respectfully, not
+meaning to trespass on his grief, yet wondering at his mother's age; for
+he seemed to be at least threescore; "but I am no court-gallant, sir; I
+am only a farmer's son, and learning how to farm a little."
+
+"Enough, John; quite enough," he cried, "I can read it in thy
+countenance. Honesty is written there, and courage and simplicity. But I
+fear that, in this town of London, thou art apt to be taken in by people
+of no principle. Ah me! Ah me! The world is bad, and I am too old to
+improve it."
+
+Then finding him so good and kind, and anxious to improve the age, I
+told him almost everything; how much I paid the fellmonger, and all the
+things I had been to see; and how I longed to get away, before the corn
+was ripening; yet how (despite of these desires) I felt myself bound to
+walk up and down, being under a thing called "recognisance." In short,
+I told him everything; except the nature of my summons (which I had no
+right to tell), and that I was out of money.
+
+My tale was told in a little archway, apart from other lawyers; and the
+other lawyers seemed to me to shift themselves, and to look askew, like
+sheep through a hurdle, when the rest are feeding.
+
+"What! Good God!" my lawyer cried, smiting his breast indignantly with a
+roll of something learned; "in what country do we live? Under what
+laws are we governed? No case before the court whatever; no primary
+deposition, so far as we are furnished; not even a King's writ
+issued--and here we have a fine young man dragged from his home and
+adoring mother, during the height of agriculture, at his own cost and
+charges! I have heard of many grievances; but this the very worst of
+all. Nothing short of a Royal Commission could be warranty for it. This
+is not only illegal, sir, but most gravely unconstitutional."
+
+"I had not told you, worthy sir," I answered him, in a lower tone, "if I
+could have thought that your sense of right would be moved so painfully.
+But now I must beg to leave you, sir--for I see that the door again is
+open. I beg you, worshipful sir, to accept--"
+
+Upon this he put forth his hand and said, "Nay, nay, my son, not two,
+not two:" yet looking away, that he might not scare me.
+
+"To accept, kind sir, my very best thanks, and most respectful
+remembrances." And with that, I laid my hand in his. "And if, sir, any
+circumstances of business or of pleasure should bring you to our part
+of the world, I trust you will not forget that my mother and myself (if
+ever I get home again) will do our best to make you comfortable with our
+poor hospitality."
+
+With this I was hasting away from him, but he held my hand and looked
+round at me. And he spoke without cordiality.
+
+"Young man, a general invitation is no entry for my fee book. I have
+spent a good hour of business-time in mastering thy case, and stating
+my opinion of it. And being a member of the bar, called six-and-thirty
+years agone by the honourable society of the Inner Temple, my fee is
+at my own discretion; albeit an honorarium. For the honour of the
+profession, and my position in it, I ought to charge thee at least five
+guineas, although I would have accepted one, offered with good will
+and delicacy. Now I will enter it two, my son, and half a crown for my
+clerk's fee."
+
+Saying this, he drew forth from his deep, blue bag, a red book having
+clasps to it, and endorsed in gold letters "Fee-book"; and before I
+could speak (being frightened so) he had entered on a page of it, "To
+consideration of case as stated by John Ridd, and advising thereupon,
+two guineas."
+
+"But sir, good sir," I stammered forth, not having two guineas left in
+the world, yet grieving to confess it, "I knew not that I was to pay,
+learned sir. I never thought of it in that way."
+
+"Wounds of God! In what way thought you that a lawyer listened to your
+rigmarole?"
+
+"I thought that you listened from kindness, sir, and compassion of my
+grievous case, and a sort of liking for me."
+
+"A lawyer like thee, young curmudgeon! A lawyer afford to feel
+compassion gratis! Either thou art a very deep knave, or the greenest of
+all greenhorns. Well, I suppose, I must let thee off for one guinea, and
+the clerk's fee. A bad business, a shocking business!"
+
+Now, if this man had continued kind and soft, as when he heard my story,
+I would have pawned my clothes to pay him, rather than leave a debt
+behind, although contracted unwittingly. But when he used harsh language
+so, knowing that I did not deserve it, I began to doubt within myself
+whether he deserved my money. Therefore I answered him with some
+readiness, such as comes sometimes to me, although I am so slow.
+
+"Sir, I am no curmudgeon: if a young man had called me so, it would not
+have been well with him. This money shall be paid, if due, albeit I
+had no desire to incur the debt. You have advised me that the Court
+is liable for my expenses, so far as they be reasonable. If this be
+a reasonable expense, come with me now to Lord Justice Jeffreys, and
+receive from him the two guineas, or (it may be) five, for the counsel
+you have given me to deny his jurisdiction." With these words, I took
+his arm to lead him, for the door was open still.
+
+"In the name of God, boy, let me go. Worthy sir, pray let me go. My wife
+is sick, and my daughter dying--in the name of God, sir, let me go."
+
+"Nay, nay," I said, having fast hold of him, "I cannot let thee go
+unpaid, sir. Right is right; and thou shalt have it."
+
+"Ruin is what I shall have, boy, if you drag me before that devil. He
+will strike me from the bar at once, and starve me, and all my family.
+Here, lad, good lad, take these two guineas. Thou hast despoiled
+the spoiler. Never again will I trust mine eyes for knowledge of a
+greenhorn."
+
+He slipped two guineas into the hand which I had hooked through his
+elbow, and spoke in an urgent whisper again, for the people came
+crowding around us--"For God's sake let me go, boy; another moment will
+be too late."
+
+"Learned sir," I answered him, "twice you spoke, unless I err, of the
+necessity of a clerk's fee, as a thing to be lamented."
+
+"To be sure, to be sure, my son. You have a clerk as much as I have.
+There it is. Now I pray thee, take to the study of the law. Possession
+is nine points of it, which thou hast of me. Self-possession is the
+tenth, and that thou hast more than the other nine."
+
+Being flattered by this, and by the feeling of the two guineas and
+half-crown, I dropped my hold upon Counsellor Kitch (for he was no less
+a man than that), and he was out of sight in a second of time, wig, blue
+bag, and family. And before I had time to make up my mind what I should
+do with his money (for of course I meant not to keep it) the crier of
+the Court (as they told me) came out, and wanted to know who I was. I
+told him, as shortly as I could, that my business lay with His Majesty's
+bench, and was very confidential; upon which he took me inside with
+warning, and showed me to an under-clerk, who showed me to a higher one,
+and the higher clerk to the head one.
+
+When this gentleman understood all about my business (which I told him
+without complaint) he frowned at me very heavily, as if I had done him
+an injury.
+
+"John Ridd," he asked me with a stern glance, "is it your deliberate
+desire to be brought into the presence of the Lord Chief Justice?"
+
+"Surely, sir, it has been my desire for the last two months and more."
+
+"Then, John, thou shalt be. But mind one thing, not a word of thy long
+detention, or thou mayst get into trouble."
+
+"How, sir? For being detained against my own wish?" I asked him; but he
+turned away, as if that matter were not worth his arguing, as, indeed, I
+suppose it was not, and led me through a little passage to a door with a
+curtain across it.
+
+"Now, if my Lord cross-question you," the gentleman whispered to me,
+"answer him straight out truth at once, for he will have it out of
+thee. And mind, he loves not to be contradicted, neither can he bear a
+hang-dog look. Take little heed of the other two; but note every word of
+the middle one; and never make him speak twice."
+
+I thanked him for his good advice, as he moved the curtain and thrust me
+in, but instead of entering withdrew, and left me to bear the brunt of
+it.
+
+The chamber was not very large, though lofty to my eyes, and dark, with
+wooden panels round it. At the further end were some raised seats, such
+as I have seen in churches, lined with velvet, and having broad elbows,
+and a canopy over the middle seat. There were only three men sitting
+here, one in the centre, and one on each side; and all three were done
+up wonderfully with fur, and robes of state, and curls of thick gray
+horsehair, crimped and gathered, and plaited down to their shoulders.
+Each man had an oak desk before him, set at a little distance, and
+spread with pens and papers. Instead of writing, however, they seemed
+to be laughing and talking, or rather the one in the middle seemed to
+be telling some good story, which the others received with approval. By
+reason of their great perukes it was hard to tell how old they were; but
+the one who was speaking seemed the youngest, although he was the chief
+of them. A thick-set, burly, and bulky man, with a blotchy broad face,
+and great square jaws, and fierce eyes full of blazes; he was one to be
+dreaded by gentle souls, and to be abhorred by the noble.
+
+Between me and the three lord judges, some few lawyers were gathering up
+bags and papers and pens and so forth, from a narrow table in the middle
+of the room, as if a case had been disposed of, and no other were called
+on. But before I had time to look round twice, the stout fierce man
+espied me, and shouted out with a flashing stare--
+
+"How now, countryman, who art thou?"
+
+"May it please your worship," I answered him loudly, "I am John Ridd, of
+Oare parish, in the shire of Somerset, brought to this London, some two
+months back by a special messenger, whose name is Jeremy Stickles;
+and then bound over to be at hand and ready, when called upon to give
+evidence, in a matter unknown to me, but touching the peace of our lord
+the King, and the well-being of his subjects. Three times I have met our
+lord the King, but he hath said nothing about his peace, and only held
+it towards me, and every day, save Sunday, I have walked up and down the
+great hall of Westminster, all the business part of the day, expecting
+to be called upon, yet no one hath called upon me. And now I desire to
+ask your worship, whether I may go home again?"
+
+"Well, done, John," replied his lordship, while I was panting with all
+this speech; "I will go bail for thee, John, thou hast never made such
+a long speech before; and thou art a spunky Briton, or thou couldst not
+have made it now. I remember the matter well, and I myself will attend
+to it, although it arose before my time"--he was but newly Chief
+Justice--"but I cannot take it now, John. There is no fear of losing
+thee, John, any more than the Tower of London. I grieve for His
+Majesty's exchequer, after keeping thee two months or more."
+
+"Nay, my lord, I crave your pardon. My mother hath been keeping me. Not
+a groat have I received."
+
+"Spank, is it so?" his lordship cried, in a voice that shook the
+cobwebs, and the frown on his brow shook the hearts of men, and mine as
+much as the rest of them,--"Spank, is His Majesty come to this, that he
+starves his own approvers?"
+
+"My lord, my lord," whispered Mr. Spank, the chief-officer of evidence,
+"the thing hath been overlooked, my lord, among such grave matters of
+treason."
+
+"I will overlook thy head, foul Spank, on a spike from Temple Bar, if
+ever I hear of the like again. Vile varlet, what art thou paid for? Thou
+hast swindled the money thyself, foul Spank; I know thee, though thou
+art new to me. Bitter is the day for thee that ever I came across thee.
+Answer me not--one word more and I will have thee on a hurdle." And he
+swung himself to and fro on his bench, with both hands on his knees; and
+every man waited to let it pass, knowing better than to speak to him.
+
+"John Ridd," said the Lord Chief Justice, at last recovering a sort of
+dignity, yet daring Spank from the corners of his eyes to do so much as
+look at him, "thou hast been shamefully used, John Ridd. Answer me not
+boy; not a word; but go to Master Spank, and let me know how he behaves
+to thee;" here he made a glance at Spank, which was worth at least ten
+pounds to me; "be thou here again to-morrow, and before any other case
+is taken, I will see justice done to thee. Now be off boy; thy name is
+Ridd, and we are well rid of thee."
+
+I was only too glad to go, after all this tempest; as you may well
+suppose. For if ever I saw a man's eyes become two holes for the devil
+to glare from, I saw it that day; and the eyes were those of the Lord
+Chief Justice Jeffreys.
+
+Mr. Spank was in the lobby before me, and before I had recovered
+myself--for I was vexed with my own terror--he came up sidling and
+fawning to me, with a heavy bag of yellow leather.
+
+"Good Master Ridd, take it all, take it all, and say a good word for me
+to his lordship. He hath taken a strange fancy to thee; and thou must
+make the most of it. We never saw man meet him eye to eye so, and yet
+not contradict him, and that is just what he loveth. Abide in London,
+Master Ridd, and he will make thy fortune. His joke upon thy name proves
+that. And I pray you remember, Master Ridd, that the Spanks are sixteen
+in family."
+
+But I would not take the bag from him, regarding it as a sort of bribe
+to pay me such a lump of money, without so much as asking how great had
+been my expenses. Therefore I only told him that if he would kindly keep
+the cash for me until the morrow, I would spend the rest of the day in
+counting (which always is sore work with me) how much it had stood me in
+board and lodging, since Master Stickles had rendered me up; for until
+that time he had borne my expenses. In the morning I would give Mr.
+Spank a memorandum, duly signed, and attested by my landlord, including
+the breakfast of that day, and in exchange for this I would take the
+exact amount from the yellow bag, and be very thankful for it.
+
+"If that is thy way of using opportunity," said Spank, looking at me
+with some contempt, "thou wilt never thrive in these times, my lad. Even
+the Lord Chief Justice can be little help to thee; unless thou knowest
+better than that how to help thyself."
+
+It mattered not to me. The word "approver" stuck in my gorge, as used
+by the Lord Chief Justice; for we looked upon an approver as a very low
+thing indeed. I would rather pay for every breakfast, and even every
+dinner, eaten by me since here I came, than take money as an approver.
+And indeed I was much disappointed at being taken in that light, having
+understood that I was sent for as a trusty subject, and humble friend of
+His Majesty.
+
+In the morning I met Mr. Spank waiting for me at the entrance, and very
+desirous to see me. I showed him my bill, made out in fair copy, and
+he laughed at it, and said, "Take it twice over, Master Ridd; once for
+thine own sake, and once for His Majesty's; as all his loyal tradesmen
+do, when they can get any. His Majesty knows and is proud of it, for
+it shows their love of his countenance; and he says, '_bis dat qui cito
+dat_,' then how can I grumble at giving twice, when I give so slowly?"
+
+"Nay, I will take it but once," I said; "if His Majesty loves to be
+robbed, he need not lack of his desire, while the Spanks are sixteen in
+family."
+
+The clerk smiled cheerfully at this, being proud of his children's
+ability; and then having paid my account, he whispered,--
+
+"He is all alone this morning, John, and in rare good humour. He hath
+been promised the handling of poor Master Algernon Sidney, and he
+says he will soon make republic of him; for his state shall shortly be
+headless. He is chuckling over his joke, like a pig with a nut; and that
+always makes him pleasant. John Ridd, my lord!" With that he swung up
+the curtain bravely, and according to special orders, I stood, face to
+face, and alone with Judge Jeffreys.
+
+[Illustration: 212.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+JOHN IS DRAINED AND CAST ASIDE
+
+[Illustration: 213.jpg His Lordship busy with letters]
+
+His lordship was busy with some letters, and did not look up for a
+minute or two, although he knew that I was there. Meanwhile I stood
+waiting to make my bow; afraid to begin upon him, and wondering at his
+great bull-head. Then he closed his letters, well-pleased with their
+import, and fixed his bold broad stare on me, as if I were an oyster
+opened, and he would know how fresh I was.
+
+"May it please your worship," I said, "here I am according to order,
+awaiting your good pleasure."
+
+"Thou art made to weight, John, more than order. How much dost thou tip
+the scales to?"
+
+"Only twelvescore pounds, my lord, when I be in wrestling trim. And sure
+I must have lost weight here, fretting so long in London."
+
+"Ha, ha! Much fret is there in thee! Hath His Majesty seen thee?"
+
+"Yes, my lord, twice or even thrice; and he made some jest concerning
+me."
+
+"A very bad one, I doubt not. His humour is not so dainty as mine, but
+apt to be coarse and unmannerly. Now John, or Jack, by the look of thee,
+thou art more used to be called."
+
+"Yes, your worship, when I am with old Molly and Betty Muxworthy."
+
+"Peace, thou forward varlet! There is a deal too much of thee. We shall
+have to try short commons with thee, and thou art a very long common.
+Ha, ha! Where is that rogue Spank? Spank must hear that by-and-by. It is
+beyond thy great thick head, Jack."
+
+"Not so, my lord; I have been at school, and had very bad jokes made
+upon me."
+
+"Ha, ha! It hath hit thee hard. And faith, it would be hard to miss
+thee, even with harpoon. And thou lookest like to blubber, now. Capital,
+in faith! I have thee on every side, Jack, and thy sides are manifold;
+many-folded at any rate. Thou shalt have double expenses, Jack, for the
+wit thou hast provoked in me."
+
+"Heavy goods lack heavy payment, is a proverb down our way, my lord."
+
+"Ah, I hurt thee, I hurt thee, Jack. The harpoon hath no tickle for
+thee. Now, Jack Whale, having hauled thee hard, we will proceed to
+examine thee." Here all his manner was changed, and he looked with his
+heavy brows bent upon me, as if he had never laughed in his life, and
+would allow none else to do so.
+
+"I am ready to answer, my lord," I replied, "if he asks me nought beyond
+my knowledge, or beyond my honour."
+
+"Hadst better answer me everything, lump. What hast thou to do with
+honour? Now is there in thy neighbourhood a certain nest of robbers,
+miscreants, and outlaws, whom all men fear to handle?"
+
+"Yes, my lord. At least, I believe some of them be robbers, and all of
+them are outlaws."
+
+"And what is your high sheriff about, that he doth not hang them all? Or
+send them up for me to hang, without more to do about them?"
+
+"I reckon that he is afraid, my lord; it is not safe to meddle with
+them. They are of good birth, and reckless; and their place is very
+strong."
+
+"Good birth! What was Lord Russell of, Lord Essex, and this Sidney? 'Tis
+the surest heirship to the block to be the chip of a good one. What is
+the name of this pestilent race, and how many of them are there?"
+
+"They are the Doones of Bagworthy forest, may it please your worship.
+And we reckon there be about forty of them, beside the women and
+children."
+
+"Forty Doones, all forty thieves! and women and children! Thunder of
+God! How long have they been there then?"
+
+"They may have been there thirty years, my lord; and indeed they may
+have been forty. Before the great war broke out they came, longer back
+than I can remember."
+
+"Ay, long before thou wast born, John. Good, thou speakest plainly.
+Woe betide a liar, whenso I get hold of him. Ye want me on the Western
+Circuit; by God, and ye shall have me, when London traitors are spun and
+swung. There is a family called De Whichehalse living very nigh thee,
+John?"
+
+This he said in a sudden manner, as if to take me off my guard, and
+fixed his great thick eyes on me. And in truth I was much astonished.
+
+"Yes, my lord, there is. At least, not so very far from us. Baron de
+Whichehalse, of Ley Manor."
+
+"Baron, ha! of the Exchequer--eh, lad? And taketh dues instead of His
+Majesty. Somewhat which halts there ought to come a little further, I
+trow. It shall be seen to, as well as the witch which makes it so to
+halt. Riotous knaves in West England, drunken outlaws, you shall dance,
+if ever I play pipe for you. John Ridd, I will come to Oare parish, and
+rout out the Oare of Babylon."
+
+"Although your worship is so learned," I answered seeing that now he
+was beginning to make things uneasy; "your worship, though being Chief
+Justice, does little justice to us. We are downright good and loyal
+folk; and I have not seen, since here I came to this great town of
+London, any who may better us, or even come anigh us, in honesty, and
+goodness, and duty to our neighbours. For we are very quiet folk, not
+prating our own virtues--"
+
+"Enough, good John, enough! Knowest thou not that modesty is the
+maidenhood of virtue, lost even by her own approval? Now hast thou ever
+heard or thought that De Whichehalse is in league with the Doones of
+Bagworthy?"
+
+Saying these words rather slowly, he skewered his great eyes into mine,
+so that I could not think at all, neither look at him, nor yet away.
+The idea was so new to me that it set my wits all wandering; and looking
+into me, he saw that I was groping for the truth.
+
+"John Ridd, thine eyes are enough for me. I see thou hast never dreamed
+of it. Now hast thou ever seen a man whose name is Thomas Faggus?"
+
+"Yes, sir, many and many a time. He is my own worthy cousin; and I fear
+he that hath intentions"--here I stopped, having no right there to speak
+about our Annie.
+
+"Tom Faggus is a good man," he said; and his great square face had a
+smile which showed me he had met my cousin; "Master Faggus hath made
+mistakes as to the title to property, as lawyers oftentimes may do; but
+take him all for all, he is a thoroughly straightforward man; presents
+his bill, and has it paid, and makes no charge for drawing it.
+Nevertheless, we must tax his costs, as of any other solicitor."
+
+"To be sure, to be sure, my lord!" was all that I could say, not
+understanding what all this meant.
+
+"I fear he will come to the gallows," said the Lord Chief Justice,
+sinking his voice below the echoes; "tell him this from me, Jack. He
+shall never be condemned before me; but I cannot be everywhere, and some
+of our Justices may keep short memory of his dinners. Tell him to change
+his name, turn parson, or do something else, to make it wrong to hang
+him. Parson is the best thing, he hath such command of features, and he
+might take his tithes on horseback. Now a few more things, John Ridd;
+and for the present I have done with thee."
+
+All my heart leaped up at this, to get away from London so: and yet I
+could hardly trust to it.
+
+"Is there any sound round your way of disaffection to His Majesty, His
+most gracious Majesty?"
+
+"No, my lord: no sign whatever. We pray for him in church perhaps,
+and we talk about him afterwards, hoping it may do him good, as it is
+intended. But after that we have naught to say, not knowing much about
+him--at least till I get home again."
+
+"That is as it should be, John. And the less you say the better. But I
+have heard of things in Taunton, and even nearer to you in Dulverton,
+and even nigher still upon Exmoor; things which are of the pillory
+kind, and even more of the gallows. I see that you know naught of them.
+Nevertheless, it will not be long before all England hears of them. Now,
+John, I have taken a liking to thee, for never man told me the truth,
+without fear or favour, more thoroughly and truly than thou hast done.
+Keep thou clear of this, my son. It will come to nothing; yet many shall
+swing high for it. Even I could not save thee, John Ridd, if thou wert
+mixed in this affair. Keep from the Doones, keep from De Whichehalse,
+keep from everything which leads beyond the sight of thy knowledge. I
+meant to use thee as my tool; but I see thou art too honest and simple.
+I will send a sharper down; but never let me find thee, John, either a
+tool for the other side, or a tube for my words to pass through."
+
+Here the Lord Justice gave me such a glare that I wished myself well
+rid of him, though thankful for his warnings; and seeing how he had
+made upon me a long abiding mark of fear, he smiled again in a jocular
+manner, and said,--
+
+"Now, get thee gone, Jack. I shall remember thee; and I trow, thou
+wilt'st not for many a day forget me."
+
+"My lord, I was never so glad to go; for the hay must be in, and the
+ricks unthatched, and none of them can make spars like me, and two men
+to twist every hay-rope, and mother thinking it all right, and listening
+right and left to lies, and cheated at every pig she kills, and even the
+skins of the sheep to go--"
+
+"John Ridd, I thought none could come nigh your folk in honesty, and
+goodness, and duty to their neighbours!"
+
+"Sure enough, my lord; but by our folk, I mean ourselves, not the men
+nor women neither--"
+
+"That will do, John. Go thy way. Not men, nor women neither, are better
+than they need be."
+
+I wished to set this matter right; but his worship would not hear me,
+and only drove me out of court, saying that men were thieves and liars,
+no more in one place than another, but all alike all over the world,
+and women not far behind them. It was not for me to dispute this point
+(though I was not yet persuaded of it), both because my lord was a
+Judge, and must know more about it, and also that being a man myself I
+might seem to be defending myself in an unbecoming manner. Therefore I
+made a low bow, and went; in doubt as to which had the right of it.
+
+But though he had so far dismissed me, I was not yet quite free to
+go, inasmuch as I had not money enough to take me all the way to Oare,
+unless indeed I should go afoot, and beg my sustenance by the way, which
+seemed to be below me. Therefore I got my few clothes packed, and my few
+debts paid, all ready to start in half an hour, if only they would give
+me enough to set out upon the road with. For I doubted not, being young
+and strong, that I could walk from London to Oare in ten days or in
+twelve at most, which was not much longer than horse-work; only I had
+been a fool, as you will say when you hear it. For after receiving from
+Master Spank the amount of the bill which I had delivered--less indeed
+by fifty shillings than the money my mother had given me, for I had
+spent fifty shillings, and more, in seeing the town and treating people,
+which I could not charge to His Majesty--I had first paid all my debts
+thereout, which were not very many, and then supposing myself to be an
+established creditor of the Treasury for my coming needs, and already
+scenting the country air, and foreseeing the joy of my mother, what had
+I done but spent half my balance, ay and more than three-quarters of it,
+upon presents for mother, and Annie, and Lizzie, John Fry, and his wife,
+and Betty Muxworthy, Bill Dadds, Jim Slocombe, and, in a word, half of
+the rest of the people at Oare, including all the Snowe family, who must
+have things good and handsome? And if I must while I am about it, hide
+nothing from those who read me, I had actually bought for Lorna a thing
+the price of which quite frightened me, till the shopkeeper said it was
+nothing at all, and that no young man, with a lady to love him, could
+dare to offer her rubbish, such as the Jew sold across the way. Now the
+mere idea of beautiful Lorna ever loving me, which he talked about as
+patly (though of course I never mentioned her) as if it were a settled
+thing, and he knew all about it, that mere idea so drove me abroad,
+that if he had asked three times as much, I could never have counted the
+money.
+
+Now in all this I was a fool of course--not for remembering my friends
+and neighbours, which a man has a right to do, and indeed is bound to
+do, when he comes from London--but for not being certified first what
+cash I had to go on with. And to my great amazement, when I went with
+another bill for the victuals of only three days more, and a week's
+expense on the homeward road reckoned very narrowly, Master Spank not
+only refused to grant me any interview, but sent me out a piece of blue
+paper, looking like a butcher's ticket, and bearing these words and no
+more, "John Ridd, go to the devil. He who will not when he may, when he
+will, he shall have nay." From this I concluded that I had lost favour
+in the sight of Chief Justice Jeffreys. Perhaps because my evidence had
+not proved of any value! perhaps because he meant to let the matter lie,
+till cast on him.
+
+Anyhow, it was a reason of much grief, and some anger to me, and very
+great anxiety, disappointment, and suspense. For here was the time of
+the hay gone past, and the harvest of small corn coming on, and the
+trout now rising at the yellow Sally, and the blackbirds eating our
+white-heart cherries (I was sure, though I could not see them), and who
+was to do any good for mother, or stop her from weeping continually? And
+more than this, what was become of Lorna? Perhaps she had cast me away
+altogether, as a flouter and a changeling; perhaps she had drowned
+herself in the black well; perhaps (and that was worst of all) she was
+even married, child as she was, to that vile Carver Doone, if the Doones
+ever cared about marrying! That last thought sent me down at once to
+watch for Mr. Spank again, resolved that if I could catch him, spank him
+I would to a pretty good tune, although sixteen in family.
+
+However, there was no such thing as to find him; and the usher vowed
+(having orders I doubt) that he was gone to the sea for the good of his
+health, having sadly overworked himself; and that none but a poor devil
+like himself, who never had handling of money, would stay in London this
+foul, hot weather; which was likely to bring the plague with it. Here
+was another new terror for me, who had heard of the plagues of London,
+and the horrible things that happened; and so going back to my lodgings
+at once, I opened my clothes and sought for spots, especially as being
+so long at a hairy fellmonger's; but finding none, I fell down and
+thanked God for that same, and vowed to start for Oare to-morrow, with
+my carbine loaded, come weal come woe, come sun come shower; though all
+the parish should laugh at me, for begging my way home again, after the
+brave things said of my going, as if I had been the King's cousin.
+
+But I was saved in some degree from this lowering of my pride, and what
+mattered more, of mother's; for going to buy with my last crown-piece
+(after all demands were paid) a little shot and powder, more needful on
+the road almost than even shoes or victuals, at the corner of the street
+I met my good friend Jeremy Stickles, newly come in search of me. I took
+him back to my little room--mine at least till to-morrow morning--and
+told him all my story, and how much I felt aggrieved by it. But he
+surprised me very much, by showing no surprise at all.
+
+"It is the way of the world, Jack. They have gotten all they can from
+thee, and why should they feed thee further? We feed not a dead pig, I
+trow, but baste him well with brine and rue. Nay, we do not victual him
+upon the day of killing; which they have done to thee. Thou art a lucky
+man, John; thou hast gotten one day's wages, or at any rate half a day,
+after thy work was rendered. God have mercy on me, John! The things I
+see are manifold; and so is my regard of them. What use to insist on
+this, or make a special point of that, or hold by something said of old,
+when a different mood was on? I tell thee, Jack, all men are liars; and
+he is the least one who presses not too hard on them for lying."
+
+This was all quite dark to me, for I never looked at things like that,
+and never would own myself a liar, not at least to other people, nor
+even to myself, although I might to God sometimes, when trouble was upon
+me. And if it comes to that, no man has any right to be called a "liar"
+for smoothing over things unwitting, through duty to his neighbour.
+
+"Five pounds thou shalt have, Jack," said Jeremy Stickles suddenly,
+while I was all abroad with myself as to being a liar or not; "five
+pounds, and I will take my chance of wringing it from that great rogue
+Spank. Ten I would have made it, John, but for bad luck lately. Put back
+your bits of paper, lad; I will have no acknowledgment. John Ridd, no
+nonsense with me!"
+
+For I was ready to kiss his hand, to think that any man in London (the
+meanest and most suspicious place, upon all God's earth) should trust me
+with five pounds, without even a receipt for it! It overcame me so that
+I sobbed; for, after all, though big in body, I am but a child at heart.
+It was not the five pounds that moved me, but the way of giving it; and
+after so much bitter talk, the great trust in my goodness.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+HOME AGAIN AT LAST
+
+[Illustration: 221.jpg Exmoor Hills]
+
+It was the beginning of wheat-harvest, when I came to Dunster town,
+having walked all the way from London, and being somewhat footsore. For
+though five pounds was enough to keep me in food and lodging upon the
+road, and leave me many a shilling to give to far poorer travellers, it
+would have been nothing for horse-hire, as I knew too well by the prices
+Jeremy Stickles had paid upon our way to London. Now I never saw a
+prettier town than Dunster looked that evening; for sooth to say, I had
+almost lost all hope of reaching it that night, although the castle was
+long in view. But being once there, my troubles were gone, at least as
+regarded wayfaring; for mother's cousin, the worthy tanner (with whom we
+had slept on the way to London), was in such indignation at the plight
+in which I came back to him, afoot, and weary, and almost shoeless--not
+to speak of upper things--that he swore then, by the mercy of God, that
+if the schemes abrewing round him, against those bloody Papists, should
+come to any head or shape, and show good chance of succeeding, he would
+risk a thousand pounds, as though it were a penny.
+
+[Illustration: 222.jpg The Luttrell Arms]
+
+I told him not to do it, because I had heard otherwise, but was not at
+liberty to tell one-tenth of what I knew, and indeed had seen in London
+town. But of this he took no heed, because I only nodded at him; and
+he could not make it out. For it takes an old man, or at least a
+middle-aged one, to nod and wink, with any power on the brains of other
+men. However, I think I made him know that the bad state in which I came
+to his town, and the great shame I had wrought for him among the folk
+round the card-table at the Luttrell Arms, was not to be, even there,
+attributed to King Charles the Second, nor even to his counsellors, but
+to my own speed of travelling, which had beat post-horses. For being
+much distraught in mind, and desperate in body, I had made all the way
+from London to Dunster in six days, and no more. It may be one hundred
+and seventy miles, I cannot tell to a furlong or two, especially as I
+lost my way more than a dozen times; but at any rate there in six days
+I was, and most kindly they received me. The tanner had some excellent
+daughters, I forget how many; very pretty damsels, and well set up, and
+able to make good pastry. But though they asked me many questions, and
+made a sort of lord of me, and offered to darn my stockings (which in
+truth required it), I fell asleep in the midst of them, although I would
+not acknowledge it; and they said, "Poor cousin! he is weary", and led
+me to a blessed bed, and kissed me all round like swan's down.
+
+In the morning all the Exmoor hills, the thought of which had frightened
+me at the end of each day's travel, seemed no more than bushels to me,
+as I looked forth the bedroom window, and thanked God for the sight of
+them. And even so, I had not to climb them, at least by my own labour.
+For my most worthy uncle (as we oft call a parent's cousin), finding it
+impossible to keep me for the day, and owning indeed that I was right
+in hastening to my mother, vowed that walk I should not, even though he
+lost his Saturday hides from Minehead and from Watchett. Accordingly he
+sent me forth on the very strongest nag he had, and the maidens came
+to wish me God-speed, and kissed their hands at the doorway. It made
+me proud and glad to think that after seeing so much of the world, and
+having held my own with it, I was come once more among my own people,
+and found them kinder, and more warm-hearted, ay and better looking too,
+than almost any I had happened upon in the mighty city of London.
+
+But how shall I tell you the things I felt, and the swelling of my heart
+within me, as I drew nearer, and more near, to the place of all I loved
+and owned, to the haunt of every warm remembrance, the nest of all the
+fledgling hopes--in a word, to home? The first sheep I beheld on the
+moor with a great red J.R. on his side (for mother would have them
+marked with my name, instead of her own as they should have been), I do
+assure you my spirit leaped, and all my sight came to my eyes. I shouted
+out, "Jem, boy!"--for that was his name, and a rare hand he was at
+fighting--and he knew me in spite of the stranger horse; and I leaned
+over and stroked his head, and swore he should never be mutton. And when
+I was passed he set off at full gallop, to call the rest of the J.R.'s
+together, and tell them young master was come home at last.
+
+[Illustration: 223.jpg Home at last]
+
+But bless your heart, and my own as well, it would take me all the
+afternoon to lay before you one-tenth of the things which came home to
+me in that one half-hour, as the sun was sinking, in the real way he
+ought to sink. I touched my horse with no spur nor whip, feeling that my
+slow wits would go, if the sights came too fast over them. Here was
+the pool where we washed the sheep, and there was the hollow that oozed
+away, where I had shot three wild ducks. Here was the peat-rick that hid
+my dinner, when I could not go home for it, and there was the bush with
+the thyme growing round it, where Annie had found a great swarm of our
+bees. And now was the corner of the dry stone wall, where the moor gave
+over in earnest, and the partridges whisked from it into the corn lands,
+and called that their supper was ready, and looked at our house and the
+ricks as they ran, and would wait for that comfort till winter.
+
+And there I saw--but let me go--Annie was too much for me. She nearly
+pulled me off my horse, and kissed the very mouth of the carbine.
+
+"I knew you would come. Oh John! Oh John! I have waited here every
+Saturday night; and I saw you for the last mile or more, but I would not
+come round the corner, for fear that I should cry, John, and then not
+cry when I got you. Now I may cry as much as I like, and you need
+not try to stop me, John, because I am so happy. But you mustn't cry
+yourself, John; what will mother think of you? She will be so jealous of
+me."
+
+What mother thought I cannot tell; and indeed I doubt if she thought at
+all for more than half an hour, but only managed to hold me tight, and
+cry, and thank God now and then, but with some fear of His taking me,
+if she should be too grateful. Moreover she thought it was my own
+doing, and I ought to have the credit of it, and she even came down very
+sharply upon John's wife, Mrs. Fry, for saying that we must not be too
+proud, for all of it was the Lord's doing. However, dear mother was
+ashamed of that afterwards, and asked Mrs. Fry's humble pardon; and
+perhaps I ought not to have mentioned it.
+
+Old Smiler had told them that I was coming--all the rest, I mean, except
+Annie--for having escaped from his halter-ring, he was come out to graze
+in the lane a bit; when what should he see but a strange horse coming
+with young master and mistress upon him, for Annie must needs get up
+behind me, there being only sheep to look at her. Then Smiler gave us
+a stare and a neigh, with his tail quite stiff with amazement, and then
+(whether in joy or through indignation) he flung up his hind feet and
+galloped straight home, and set every dog wild with barking.
+
+Now, methinks, quite enough has been said concerning this mighty return
+of the young John Ridd (which was known up at Cosgate that evening), and
+feeling that I cannot describe it, how can I hope that any one else will
+labour to imagine it, even of the few who are able? For very few can
+have travelled so far, unless indeed they whose trade it is, or very
+unsettled people. And even of those who have done so, not one in a
+hundred can have such a home as I had to come home to.
+
+Mother wept again, with grief and some wrath, and so did Annie also, and
+even little Eliza, and all were unsettled in loyalty, and talked about
+a republic, when I told them how I had been left without money for
+travelling homeward, and expected to have to beg my way, which Farmer
+Snowe would have heard of. And though I could see they were disappointed
+at my failure of any promotion, they all declared how glad they were,
+and how much better they liked me to be no more than what they were
+accustomed to. At least, my mother and Annie said so, without waiting
+to hear any more; but Lizzie did not answer to it, until I had opened my
+bag and shown the beautiful present I had for her. And then she kissed
+me, almost like Annie, and vowed that she thought very little of
+captains.
+
+For Lizzie's present was the best of all, I mean, of course, except
+Lorna's (which I carried in my breast all the way, hoping that it might
+make her love me, from having lain so long, close to my heart). For I
+had brought Lizzie something dear, and a precious heavy book it was,
+and much beyond my understanding; whereas I knew well that to both the
+others my gifts would be dear, for mine own sake. And happier people
+could not be found than the whole of us were that evening.
+
+[Illustration: 225.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+JOHN HAS HOPE OF LORNA
+
+[Illustration: 226.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Much as I longed to know more about Lorna, and though all my heart was
+yearning, I could not reconcile it yet with my duty to mother and Annie,
+to leave them on the following day, which happened to be a Sunday. For
+lo, before breakfast was out of our mouths, there came all the men of
+the farm, and their wives, and even the two crow-boys, dressed as if
+going to Barnstaple fair, to inquire how Master John was, and whether
+it was true that the King had made him one of his body-guard; and if
+so, what was to be done with the belt for the championship of the
+West-Counties wrestling, which I had held now for a year or more, and
+none were ready to challenge it. Strange to say, this last point seemed
+the most important of all to them; and none asked who was to manage the
+farm, or answer for their wages; but all asked who was to wear the belt.
+
+To this I replied, after shaking hands twice over all round with all
+of them, that I meant to wear the belt myself, for the honour of
+Oare parish, so long as ever God gave me strength and health to meet
+all-comers; for I had never been asked to be body-guard, and if asked
+I would never have done it. Some of them cried that the King must be
+mazed, not to keep me for his protection, in these violent times of
+Popery. I could have told them that the King was not in the least afraid
+of Papists, but on the contrary, very fond of them; however, I held my
+tongue, remembering what Judge Jeffreys bade me.
+
+In church, the whole congregation, man, woman, and child (except,
+indeed, the Snowe girls, who only looked when I was not watching),
+turned on me with one accord, and stared so steadfastly, to get some
+reflection of the King from me, that they forgot the time to kneel down
+and the parson was forced to speak to them. If I coughed, or moved
+my book, or bowed, or even said "Amen," glances were exchanged which
+meant--"That he hath learned in London town, and most likely from His
+Majesty."
+
+However, all this went off in time, and people became even angry with
+me for not being sharper (as they said), or smarter, or a whit more
+fashionable, for all the great company I had seen, and all the wondrous
+things wasted upon me.
+
+But though I may have been none the wiser by reason of my stay in
+London, at any rate I was much the better in virtue of coming home
+again. For now I had learned the joy of quiet, and the gratitude for
+good things round us, and the love we owe to others (even those who must
+be kind), for their indulgence to us. All this, before my journey, had
+been too much as a matter of course to me; but having missed it now I
+knew that it was a gift, and might be lost. Moreover, I had pined so
+much, in the dust and heat of that great town, for trees, and fields,
+and running waters, and the sounds of country life, and the air
+of country winds, that never more could I grow weary of those soft
+enjoyments; or at least I thought so then.
+
+To awake as the summer sun came slanting over the hill-tops, with hope
+on every beam adance to the laughter of the morning; to see the leaves
+across the window ruffling on the fresh new air, and the tendrils of the
+powdery vine turning from their beaded sleep. Then the lustrous meadows
+far beyond the thatch of the garden-wall, yet seen beneath the hanging
+scollops of the walnut-tree, all awaking, dressed in pearl, all amazed
+at their own glistening, like a maid at her own ideas. Down them troop
+the lowing kine, walking each with a step of character (even as men and
+women do), yet all alike with toss of horns, and spread of udders ready.
+From them without a word, we turn to the farm-yard proper, seen on the
+right, and dryly strawed from the petty rush of the pitch-paved runnel.
+Round it stand the snug out-buildings, barn, corn-chamber, cider-press,
+stables, with a blinker'd horse in every doorway munching, while his
+driver tightens buckles, whistles and looks down the lane, dallying
+to begin his labour till the milkmaids be gone by. Here the cock
+comes forth at last;--where has he been lingering?--eggs may tell
+to-morrow--he claps his wings and shouts "cock-a-doodle"; and no other
+cock dare look at him. Two or three go sidling off, waiting till their
+spurs be grown; and then the crowd of partlets comes, chattering how
+their lord has dreamed, and crowed at two in the morning, and praying
+that the old brown rat would only dare to face him. But while the cock
+is crowing still, and the pullet world admiring him, who comes up but
+the old turkey-cock, with all his family round him. Then the geese
+at the lower end begin to thrust their breasts out, and mum their
+down-bits, and look at the gander and scream shrill joy for the
+conflict; while the ducks in pond show nothing but tail, in proof of
+their strict neutrality.
+
+While yet we dread for the coming event, and the fight which would jar
+on the morning, behold the grandmother of sows, gruffly grunting right
+and left with muzzle which no ring may tame (not being matrimonial),
+hulks across between the two, moving all each side at once, and then all
+of the other side as if she were chined down the middle, and afraid
+of spilling the salt from her. As this mighty view of lard hides each
+combatant from the other, gladly each retires and boasts how he would
+have slain his neighbour, but that old sow drove the other away, and no
+wonder he was afraid of her, after all the chicks she had eaten.
+
+And so it goes on; and so the sun comes, stronger from his drink of dew;
+and the cattle in the byres, and the horses from the stable, and the men
+from cottage-door, each has had his rest and food, all smell alike of
+hay and straw, and every one must hie to work, be it drag, or draw, or
+delve.
+
+So thought I on the Monday morning; while my own work lay before me,
+and I was plotting how to quit it, void of harm to every one, and let my
+love have work a little--hardest perhaps of all work, and yet as sure as
+sunrise. I knew that my first day's task on the farm would be strictly
+watched by every one, even by my gentle mother, to see what I had
+learned in London. But could I let still another day pass, for Lorna to
+think me faithless?
+
+I felt much inclined to tell dear mother all about Lorna, and how I
+loved her, yet had no hope of winning her. Often and often, I had
+longed to do this, and have done with it. But the thought of my father's
+terrible death, at the hands of the Doones, prevented me. And it seemed
+to me foolish and mean to grieve mother, without any chance of my suit
+ever speeding. If once Lorna loved me, my mother should know it; and it
+would be the greatest happiness to me to have no concealment from her,
+though at first she was sure to grieve terribly. But I saw no more
+chance of Lorna loving me, than of the man in the moon coming down; or
+rather of the moon coming down to the man, as related in old mythology.
+
+Now the merriment of the small birds, and the clear voice of the waters,
+and the lowing of cattle in meadows, and the view of no houses (except
+just our own and a neighbour's), and the knowledge of everybody around,
+their kindness of heart and simplicity, and love of their neighbour's
+doings,--all these could not help or please me at all, and many of them
+were much against me, in my secret depth of longing and dark tumult of
+the mind. Many people may think me foolish, especially after coming from
+London, where many nice maids looked at me (on account of my bulk and
+stature), and I might have been fitted up with a sweetheart, in spite of
+my west-country twang, and the smallness of my purse; if only I had
+said the word. But nay; I have contempt for a man whose heart is like
+a shirt-stud (such as I saw in London cards), fitted into one to-day,
+sitting bravely on the breast; plucked out on the morrow morn, and the
+place that knew it, gone.
+
+Now, what did I do but take my chance; reckless whether any one heeded
+me or not, only craving Lorna's heed, and time for ten words to her.
+Therefore I left the men of the farm as far away as might be, after
+making them work with me (which no man round our parts could do, to his
+own satisfaction), and then knowing them to be well weary, very unlike
+to follow me--and still more unlike to tell of me, for each had his
+London present--I strode right away, in good trust of my speed, without
+any more misgivings; but resolved to face the worst of it, and to try to
+be home for supper.
+
+And first I went, I know not why, to the crest of the broken highland,
+whence I had agreed to watch for any mark or signal. And sure enough at
+last I saw (when it was too late to see) that the white stone had been
+covered over with a cloth or mantle,--the sign that something had arisen
+to make Lorna want me. For a moment I stood amazed at my evil fortune;
+that I should be too late, in the very thing of all things on which my
+heart was set! Then after eyeing sorrowfully every crick and cranny to
+be sure that not a single flutter of my love was visible, off I set,
+with small respect either for my knees or neck, to make the round of the
+outer cliffs, and come up my old access.
+
+Nothing could stop me; it was not long, although to me it seemed an
+age, before I stood in the niche of rock at the head of the slippery
+watercourse, and gazed into the quiet glen, where my foolish heart was
+dwelling. Notwithstanding doubts of right, notwithstanding sense of
+duty, and despite all manly striving, and the great love of my home,
+there my heart was ever dwelling, knowing what a fool it was, and
+content to know it.
+
+Many birds came twittering round me in the gold of August; many trees
+showed twinkling beauty, as the sun went lower; and the lines of water
+fell, from wrinkles into dimples. Little heeding, there I crouched;
+though with sense of everything that afterwards should move me, like a
+picture or a dream; and everything went by me softly, while my heart was
+gazing.
+
+At last, a little figure came, not insignificant (I mean), but looking
+very light and slender in the moving shadows, gently here and softly
+there, as if vague of purpose, with a gloss of tender movement, in and
+out the wealth of trees, and liberty of the meadow. Who was I to crouch,
+or doubt, or look at her from a distance; what matter if they killed me
+now, and one tear came to bury me? Therefore I rushed out at once, as if
+shot-guns were unknown yet; not from any real courage, but from prisoned
+love burst forth.
+
+I know not whether my own Lorna was afraid of what I looked, or what I
+might say to her, or of her own thoughts of me; all I know is that she
+looked frightened, when I hoped for gladness. Perhaps the power of my
+joy was more than maiden liked to own, or in any way to answer to; and
+to tell the truth, it seemed as if I might now forget myself; while she
+would take good care of it. This makes a man grow thoughtful; unless, as
+some low fellows do, he believe all women hypocrites.
+
+Therefore I went slowly towards her, taken back in my impulse; and said
+all I could come to say, with some distress in doing it.
+
+"Mistress Lorna, I had hope that you were in need of me."
+
+"Oh, yes; but that was long ago; two months ago, or more, sir." And
+saying this she looked away, as if it all were over. But I was now
+so dazed and frightened, that it took my breath away, and I could not
+answer, feeling sure that I was robbed and some one else had won her.
+And I tried to turn away, without another word, and go.
+
+But I could not help one stupid sob, though mad with myself for allowing
+it, but it came too sharp for pride to stay it, and it told a world
+of things. Lorna heard it, and ran to me, with her bright eyes full of
+wonder, pity, and great kindness, as if amazed that I had more than a
+simple liking for her. Then she held out both hands to me; and I took
+and looked at them.
+
+"Master Ridd, I did not mean," she whispered, very softly, "I did not
+mean to vex you."
+
+"If you would be loath to vex me, none else in this world can do it," I
+answered out of my great love, but fearing yet to look at her, mine eyes
+not being strong enough.
+
+"Come away from this bright place," she answered, trembling in her turn;
+"I am watched and spied of late. Come beneath the shadows, John."
+
+I would have leaped into the valley of the shadow of death (as described
+by the late John Bunyan), only to hear her call me "John"; though
+Apollyon were lurking there, and Despair should lock me in.
+
+She stole across the silent grass; but I strode hotly after her; fear
+was all beyond me now, except the fear of losing her. I could not but
+behold her manner, as she went before me, all her grace, and lovely
+sweetness, and her sense of what she was.
+
+She led me to her own rich bower, which I told of once before; and if
+in spring it were a sight, what was it in summer glory? But although my
+mind had notice of its fairness and its wonder, not a heed my heart took
+of it, neither dwelt it in my presence more than flowing water. All
+that in my presence dwelt, all that in my heart was felt, was the maiden
+moving gently, and afraid to look at me.
+
+For now the power of my love was abiding on her, new to her, unknown to
+her; not a thing to speak about, nor even to think clearly; only just to
+feel and wonder, with a pain of sweetness. She could look at me no more,
+neither could she look away, with a studied manner--only to let fall her
+eyes, and blush, and be put out with me, and still more with herself.
+
+I left her quite alone; though close, though tingling to have hold of
+her. Even her right hand was dropped and lay among the mosses. Neither
+did I try to steal one glimpse below her eyelids. Life and death to me
+were hanging on the first glance I should win; yet I let it be so.
+
+After long or short--I know not, yet ere I was weary, ere I yet began
+to think or wish for any answer--Lorna slowly raised her eyelids, with
+a gleam of dew below them, and looked at me doubtfully. Any look with so
+much in it never met my gaze before.
+
+"Darling, do you love me?" was all that I could say to her.
+
+"Yes, I like you very much," she answered, with her eyes gone from me,
+and her dark hair falling over, so as not to show me things.
+
+"But do you love me, Lorna, Lorna; do you love me more than all the
+world?"
+
+"No, to be sure not. Now why should I?"
+
+"In truth, I know not why you should. Only I hoped that you did, Lorna.
+Either love me not at all, or as I love you for ever."
+
+"John I love you very much; and I would not grieve you. You are the
+bravest, and the kindest, and the simplest of all men--I mean of all
+people--I like you very much, Master Ridd, and I think of you almost
+every day."
+
+"That will not do for me, Lorna. Not almost every day I think, but every
+instant of my life, of you. For you I would give up my home, my love of
+all the world beside, my duty to my dearest ones, for you I would give
+up my life, and hope of life beyond it. Do you love me so?"
+
+"Not by any means," said Lorna; "no, I like you very much, when you do
+not talk so wildly; and I like to see you come as if you would fill our
+valley up, and I like to think that even Carver would be nothing in
+your hands--but as to liking you like that, what should make it likely?
+especially when I have made the signal, and for some two months or more
+you have never even answered it! If you like me so ferociously, why do
+you leave me for other people to do just as they like with me?"
+
+"To do as they liked! Oh, Lorna, not to make you marry Carver?"
+
+"No, Master Ridd, be not frightened so; it makes me fear to look at
+you."
+
+"But you have not married Carver yet? Say quick! Why keep me waiting
+so?"
+
+"Of course I have not, Master Ridd. Should I be here if I had, think
+you, and allowing you to like me so, and to hold my hand, and make me
+laugh, as I declare you almost do sometimes? And at other times you
+frighten me."
+
+"Did they want you to marry Carver? Tell me all the truth of it."
+
+"Not yet, not yet. They are not half so impetuous as you are, John. I am
+only just seventeen, you know, and who is to think of marrying? But
+they wanted me to give my word, and be formally betrothed to him in the
+presence of my grandfather. It seems that something frightened them.
+There is a youth named Charleworth Doone, every one calls him 'Charlie';
+a headstrong and a gay young man, very gallant in his looks and manner;
+and my uncle, the Counsellor, chose to fancy that Charlie looked at me
+too much, coming by my grandfather's cottage."
+
+Here Lorna blushed so that I was frightened, and began to hate this
+Charlie more, a great deal more, than even Carver Doone.
+
+"He had better not," said I; "I will fling him over it, if he dare. He
+shall see thee through the roof, Lorna, if at all he see thee."
+
+"Master Ridd, you are worse than Carver! I thought you were so
+kind-hearted. Well, they wanted me to promise, and even to swear a
+solemn oath (a thing I have never done in my life) that I would wed
+my eldest cousin, this same Carver Doone, who is twice as old as I am,
+being thirty-five and upwards. That was why I gave the token that I
+wished to see you, Master Ridd. They pointed out how much it was for
+the peace of all the family, and for mine own benefit; but I would not
+listen for a moment, though the Counsellor was most eloquent, and my
+grandfather begged me to consider, and Carver smiled his pleasantest,
+which is a truly frightful thing. Then both he and his crafty father
+were for using force with me; but Sir Ensor would not hear of it; and
+they have put off that extreme until he shall be past its knowledge,
+or, at least, beyond preventing it. And now I am watched, and spied, and
+followed, and half my little liberty seems to be taken from me. I could
+not be here speaking with you, even in my own nook and refuge, but for
+the aid, and skill, and courage of dear little Gwenny Carfax. She is
+now my chief reliance, and through her alone I hope to baffle all my
+enemies, since others have forsaken me."
+
+Tears of sorrow and reproach were lurking in her soft dark eyes, until
+in fewest words I told her that my seeming negligence was nothing but
+my bitter loss and wretched absence far away; of which I had so vainly
+striven to give any tidings without danger to her. When she heard all
+this, and saw what I had brought from London (which was nothing less
+than a ring of pearls with a sapphire in the midst of them, as pretty as
+could well be found), she let the gentle tears flow fast, and came
+and sat so close beside me, that I trembled like a folded sheep at the
+bleating of her lamb. But recovering comfort quickly, without more ado,
+I raised her left hand and observed it with a nice regard, wondering at
+the small blue veins, and curves, and tapering whiteness, and the points
+it finished with. My wonder seemed to please her much, herself so well
+accustomed to it, and not fond of watching it. And then, before she
+could say a word, or guess what I was up to, as quick as ever I turned
+hand in a bout of wrestling, on her finger was my ring--sapphire for the
+veins of blue, and pearls to match white fingers.
+
+"Oh, you crafty Master Ridd!" said Lorna, looking up at me, and blushing
+now a far brighter blush than when she spoke of Charlie; "I thought that
+you were much too simple ever to do this sort of thing. No wonder you
+can catch the fish, as when first I saw you."
+
+"Have I caught you, little fish? Or must all my life be spent in
+hopeless angling for you?"
+
+"Neither one nor the other, John! You have not caught me yet altogether,
+though I like you dearly John; and if you will only keep away, I shall
+like you more and more. As for hopeless angling, John--that all others
+shall have until I tell you otherwise."
+
+With the large tears in her eyes--tears which seemed to me to rise
+partly from her want to love me with the power of my love--she put her
+pure bright lips, half smiling, half prone to reply to tears, against my
+forehead lined with trouble, doubt, and eager longing. And then she drew
+my ring from off that snowy twig her finger, and held it out to me; and
+then, seeing how my face was falling, thrice she touched it with her
+lips, and sweetly gave it back to me. "John, I dare not take it now;
+else I should be cheating you. I will try to love you dearly, even as
+you deserve and wish. Keep it for me just till then. Something tells me
+I shall earn it in a very little time. Perhaps you will be sorry then,
+sorry when it is all too late, to be loved by such as I am."
+
+What could I do at her mournful tone, but kiss a thousand times the hand
+which she put up to warn me, and vow that I would rather die with one
+assurance of her love, than without it live for ever with all beside
+that the world could give? Upon this she looked so lovely, with her dark
+eyelashes trembling, and her soft eyes full of light, and the colour of
+clear sunrise mounting on her cheeks and brow, that I was forced to turn
+away, being overcome with beauty.
+
+"Dearest darling, love of my life," I whispered through her clouds of
+hair; "how long must I wait to know, how long must I linger doubting
+whether you can ever stoop from your birth and wondrous beauty to a
+poor, coarse hind like me, an ignorant unlettered yeoman--"
+
+"I will not have you revile yourself," said Lorna, very tenderly--just
+as I had meant to make her. "You are not rude and unlettered, John. You
+know a great deal more than I do; you have learned both Greek and Latin,
+as you told me long ago, and you have been at the very best school in
+the West of England. None of us but my grandfather, and the Counsellor
+(who is a great scholar), can compare with you in this. And though I
+have laughed at your manner of speech, I only laughed in fun, John; I
+never meant to vex you by it, nor knew that it had done so."
+
+"Naught you say can vex me, dear," I answered, as she leaned towards
+me in her generous sorrow; "unless you say 'Begone, John Ridd; I love
+another more than you.'"
+
+"Then I shall never vex you, John. Never, I mean, by saying that. Now,
+John, if you please, be quiet--"
+
+For I was carried away so much by hearing her calling me "John" so
+often, and the music of her voice, and the way she bent toward me, and
+the shadow of soft weeping in the sunlight of her eyes, that some of
+my great hand was creeping in a manner not to be imagined, and far
+less explained, toward the lithesome, wholesome curving underneath her
+mantle-fold, and out of sight and harm, as I thought; not being her
+front waist. However, I was dashed with that, and pretended not to mean
+it; only to pluck some lady-fern, whose elegance did me no good.
+
+"Now, John," said Lorna, being so quick that not even a lover could
+cheat her, and observing my confusion more intently than she need have
+done. "Master John Ridd, it is high time for you to go home to your
+mother. I love your mother very much from what you have told me about
+her, and I will not have her cheated."
+
+"If you truly love my mother," said I, very craftily "the only way to
+show it is by truly loving me."
+
+Upon that she laughed at me in the sweetest manner, and with such
+provoking ways, and such come-and-go of glances, and beginning of quick
+blushes, which she tried to laugh away, that I knew, as well as if she
+herself had told me, by some knowledge (void of reasoning, and the surer
+for it), I knew quite well, while all my heart was burning hot within
+me, and mine eyes were shy of hers, and her eyes were shy of mine; for
+certain and for ever this I knew--as in a glory--that Lorna Doone had
+now begun and would go on to love me.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+REAPING LEADS TO REVELLING
+
+[Illustration: 236.jpg The Signal]
+
+Although I was under interdict for two months from my darling--"one for
+your sake, one for mine," she had whispered, with her head withdrawn,
+yet not so very far from me--lighter heart was not on Exmoor than I bore
+for half the time, and even for three quarters. For she was safe; I knew
+that daily by a mode of signals well-contrived between us now, on the
+strength of our experience. "I have nothing now to fear, John," she had
+said to me, as we parted; "it is true that I am spied and watched, but
+Gwenny is too keen for them. While I have my grandfather to prevent all
+violence; and little Gwenny to keep watch on those who try to watch me;
+and you, above all others, John, ready at a moment, if the worst comes
+to the worst--this neglected Lorna Doone was never in such case before.
+Therefore do not squeeze my hand, John; I am safe without it, and you do
+not know your strength."
+
+Ah, I knew my strength right well. Hill and valley scarcely seemed to be
+step and landing for me; fiercest cattle I would play with, making them
+go backward, and afraid of hurting them, like John Fry with his terrier;
+even rooted trees seemed to me but as sticks I could smite down, except
+for my love of everything. The love of all things was upon me, and a
+softness to them all, and a sense of having something even such as they
+had.
+
+[Illustration: 237.jpg A wealth of harvest]
+
+Then the golden harvest came, waving on the broad hill-side, and
+nestling in the quiet nooks scooped from out the fringe of wood. A
+wealth of harvest such as never gladdened all our country-side since my
+father ceased to reap, and his sickle hung to rust. There had not been
+a man on Exmoor fit to work that reaping-hook since the time its owner
+fell, in the prime of life and strength, before a sterner reaper. But
+now I took it from the wall, where mother proudly stored it, while she
+watched me, hardly knowing whether she should smile or cry.
+
+All the parish was assembled in our upper courtyard; for we were to open
+the harvest that year, as had been settled with Farmer Nicholas, and
+with Jasper Kebby, who held the third or little farm. We started in
+proper order, therefore, as our practice is: first, the parson Josiah
+Bowden, wearing his gown and cassock, with the parish Bible in his hand,
+and a sickle strapped behind him. As he strode along well and stoutly,
+being a man of substance, all our family came next, I leading mother
+with one hand, in the other bearing my father's hook, and with a loaf
+of our own bread and a keg of cider upon my back. Behind us Annie and
+Lizzie walked, wearing wreaths of corn-flowers, set out very prettily,
+such as mother would have worn if she had been a farmer's wife, instead
+of a farmer's widow. Being as she was, she had no adornment, except that
+her widow's hood was off, and her hair allowed to flow, as if she had
+been a maiden; and very rich bright hair it was, in spite of all her
+troubles.
+
+After us, the maidens came, milkmaids and the rest of them, with Betty
+Muxworthy at their head, scolding even now, because they would not walk
+fitly. But they only laughed at her; and she knew it was no good to
+scold, with all the men behind them.
+
+Then the Snowes came trooping forward; Farmer Nicholas in the middle,
+walking as if he would rather walk to a wheatfield of his own, yet
+content to follow lead, because he knew himself the leader; and signing
+every now and then to the people here and there, as if I were nobody.
+But to see his three great daughters, strong and handsome wenches,
+making upon either side, as if somebody would run off with them--this
+was the very thing that taught me how to value Lorna, and her pure
+simplicity.
+
+After the Snowes came Jasper Kebby, with his wife, new-married; and a
+very honest pair they were, upon only a hundred acres, and a right of
+common. After these the men came hotly, without decent order, trying to
+spy the girls in front, and make good jokes about them, at which their
+wives laughed heartily, being jealous when alone perhaps. And after
+these men and their wives came all the children toddling, picking
+flowers by the way, and chattering and asking questions, as the children
+will. There must have been threescore of us, take one with another, and
+the lane was full of people. When we were come to the big field-gate,
+where the first sickle was to be, Parson Bowden heaved up the rail with
+the sleeves of his gown done green with it; and he said that everybody
+might hear him, though his breath was short, "In the name of the Lord,
+Amen!"
+
+"Amen! So be it!" cried the clerk, who was far behind, being only a
+shoemaker.
+
+Then Parson Bowden read some verses from the parish Bible, telling us to
+lift up our eyes, and look upon the fields already white to harvest;
+and then he laid the Bible down on the square head of the gate-post,
+and despite his gown and cassock, three good swipes he cut off corn,
+and laid them right end onwards. All this time the rest were huddling
+outside the gate, and along the lane, not daring to interfere with
+parson, but whispering how well he did it.
+
+When he had stowed the corn like that, mother entered, leaning on me,
+and we both said, "Thank the Lord for all His mercies, and these the
+first-fruits of His hand!" And then the clerk gave out a psalm verse by
+verse, done very well; although he sneezed in the midst of it, from a
+beard of wheat thrust up his nose by the rival cobbler at Brendon. And
+when the psalm was sung, so strongly that the foxgloves on the bank were
+shaking, like a chime of bells, at it, Parson took a stoop of cider, and
+we all fell to at reaping.
+
+Of course I mean the men, not women; although I know that up the
+country, women are allowed to reap; and right well they reap it, keeping
+row for row with men, comely, and in due order, yet, meseems, the men
+must ill attend to their own reaping-hooks, in fear lest the other cut
+themselves, being the weaker vessel. But in our part, women do what
+seems their proper business, following well behind the men, out of harm
+of the swinging hook, and stooping with their breasts and arms up they
+catch the swathes of corn, where the reapers cast them, and tucking them
+together tightly with a wisp laid under them, this they fetch around and
+twist, with a knee to keep it close; and lo, there is a goodly sheaf,
+ready to set up in stooks! After these the children come, gathering each
+for his little self, if the farmer be right-minded; until each hath a
+bundle made as big as himself and longer, and tumbles now and again with
+it, in the deeper part of the stubble.
+
+We, the men, kept marching onwards down the flank of the yellow wall,
+with knees bent wide, and left arm bowed and right arm flashing steel.
+Each man in his several place, keeping down the rig or chine, on the
+right side of the reaper in front, and the left of the man that followed
+him, each making farther sweep and inroad into the golden breadth and
+depth, each casting leftwards his rich clearance on his foregoer's
+double track.
+
+So like half a wedge of wildfowl, to and fro we swept the field; and
+when to either hedge we came, sickles wanted whetting, and throats
+required moistening, and backs were in need of easing, and every man had
+much to say, and women wanted praising. Then all returned to the other
+end, with reaping-hooks beneath our arms, and dogs left to mind jackets.
+
+But now, will you believe me well, or will you only laugh at me? For
+even in the world of wheat, when deep among the varnished crispness of
+the jointed stalks, and below the feathered yielding of the graceful
+heads, even as I gripped the swathes and swept the sickle round them,
+even as I flung them by to rest on brother stubble, through the whirling
+yellow world, and eagerness of reaping, came the vision of my love, as
+with downcast eyes she wondered at my power of passion. And then the
+sweet remembrance glowed brighter than the sun through wheat, through my
+very depth of heart, of how she raised those beaming eyes, and ripened
+in my breast rich hope. Even now I could descry, like high waves in the
+distance, the rounded heads and folded shadows of the wood of Bagworthy.
+Perhaps she was walking in the valley, and softly gazing up at them. Oh,
+to be a bird just there! I could see a bright mist hanging just above
+the Doone Glen. Perhaps it was shedding its drizzle upon her. Oh, to
+be a drop of rain! The very breeze which bowed the harvest to my bosom
+gently, might have come direct from Lorna, with her sweet voice laden.
+Ah, the flaws of air that wander where they will around her, fan her
+bright cheek, play with lashes, even revel in her hair and reveal her
+beauties--man is but a breath, we know, would I were such breath as
+that!
+
+But confound it, while I ponder, with delicious dreams suspended, with
+my right arm hanging frustrate and the giant sickle drooped, with my
+left arm bowed for clasping something more germane than wheat, and my
+eyes not minding business, but intent on distant woods--confound it,
+what are the men about, and why am I left vapouring? They have taken
+advantage of me, the rogues! They are gone to the hedge for the
+cider-jars; they have had up the sledd of bread and meat, quite softly
+over the stubble, and if I can believe my eyes (so dazed with Lorna's
+image), they are sitting down to an excellent dinner, before the church
+clock has gone eleven!
+
+"John Fry, you big villain!" I cried, with John hanging up in the air by
+the scruff of his neck-cloth, but holding still by his knife and fork,
+and a goose-leg in between his lips, "John Fry, what mean you by this,
+sir?"
+
+"Latt me dowun, or I can't tell 'e," John answered with some difficulty.
+So I let him come down, and I must confess that he had reason on his
+side. "Plaise your worship"--John called me so, ever since I returned
+from London, firmly believing that the King had made me a magistrate
+at least; though I was to keep it secret--"us zeed as how your worship
+were took with thinkin' of King's business, in the middle of the
+whate-rigg: and so uz zed, 'Latt un coom to his zell, us had better zave
+taime, by takking our dinner'; and here us be, praise your worship, and
+hopps no offence with thick iron spoon full of vried taties."
+
+I was glad enough to accept the ladle full of fried batatas, and to make
+the best of things, which is generally done by letting men have their
+own way. Therefore I managed to dine with them, although it was so
+early.
+
+For according to all that I can find, in a long life and a varied one,
+twelve o'clock is the real time for a man to have his dinner. Then the
+sun is at his noon, calling halt to look around, and then the plants and
+leaves are turning, each with a little leisure time, before the work of
+the afternoon. Then is the balance of east and west, and then the right
+and left side of a man are in due proportion, and contribute fairly
+with harmonious fluids. And the health of this mode of life, and its
+reclaiming virtue are well set forth in our ancient rhyme,--
+
+    "Sunrise, breakfast; sun high, dinner;
+     Sundown, sup; makes a saint of a sinner."
+
+Whish, the wheat falls! Whirl again; ye have had good dinners; give your
+master and mistress plenty to supply another year. And in truth we did
+reap well and fairly, through the whole of that afternoon, I not only
+keeping lead, but keeping the men up to it. We got through a matter of
+ten acres, ere the sun between the shocks broke his light on wheaten
+plumes, then hung his red cloak on the clouds, and fell into grey
+slumber.
+
+Seeing this we wiped our sickles, and our breasts and foreheads, and
+soon were on the homeward road, looking forward to good supper.
+
+Of course all the reapers came at night to the harvest-supper, and
+Parson Bowden to say the grace as well as to help to carve for us. And
+some help was needed there, I can well assure you; for the reapers had
+brave appetites, and most of their wives having babies were forced to
+eat as a duty. Neither failed they of this duty; cut and come again was
+the order of the evening, as it had been of the day; and I had no time
+to ask questions, but help meat and ladle gravy. All the while our
+darling Annie, with her sleeves tucked up, and her comely figure
+panting, was running about with a bucket of taties mashed with lard and
+cabbage. Even Lizzie had left her books, and was serving out beer and
+cider; while mother helped plum-pudding largely on pewter-plates with
+the mutton. And all the time, Betty Muxworthy was grunting in and out
+everywhere, not having space to scold even, but changing the dishes,
+serving the meat, poking the fire, and cooking more. But John Fry would
+not stir a peg, except with his knife and fork, having all the airs of a
+visitor, and his wife to keep him eating, till I thought there would be
+no end of it.
+
+[Illustration: 242.jpg Annie and Lizzie]
+
+Then having eaten all they could, they prepared themselves, with one
+accord, for the business now of drinking. But first they lifted the neck
+of corn, dressed with ribbons gaily, and set it upon the mantelpiece,
+each man with his horn a-froth; and then they sang a song about it,
+every one shouting in the chorus louder than harvest thunderstorm. Some
+were in the middle of one verse, and some at the end of the next one;
+yet somehow all managed to get together in the mighty roar of the
+burden. And if any farmer up the country would like to know Exmoor
+harvest-song as sung in my time and will be sung long after I am
+garnered home, lo, here I set it down for him, omitting only the
+dialect, which perchance might puzzle him.
+
+[Illustration: 243.jpg Harvest]
+
+                   EXMOOR HARVEST-SONG
+
+     1
+
+     The corn, oh the corn, 'tis the ripening of the corn!
+     Go unto the door, my lad, and look beneath the moon,
+     Thou canst see, beyond the woodrick, how it is yelloon:
+     'Tis the harvesting of wheat, and the barley must be shorn.
+
+     (Chorus)
+
+     The corn, oh the corn, and the yellow, mellow corn!
+     Here's to the corn, with the cups upon the board!
+     We've been reaping all the day, and we'll reap again the morn
+     And fetch it home to mow-yard, and then we'll thank the Lord.
+
+
+     2
+
+     The wheat, oh the wheat, 'tis the ripening of the wheat!
+     All the day it has been hanging down its heavy head,
+     Bowing over on our bosoms with a beard of red:
+     'Tis the harvest, and the value makes the labour sweet.
+
+     (Chorus)
+
+     The wheat, oh the wheat, and the golden, golden wheat!
+     Here's to the wheat, with the loaves upon the board!
+     We've been reaping all the day, and we never will be beat
+     And fetch it all to mow-yard, and then we'll thank the Lord.
+
+
+     3
+
+     The barley, oh the barley, and the barley is in prime!
+     All the day it has been rustling, with its bristles brown,
+     Waiting with its beard abowing, till it can be mown!
+     'Tis the harvest and the barley must abide its time.
+
+     (Chorus)
+
+     The barley, oh the barley, and the barley ruddy brown!
+     Here's to the barley, with the beer upon the board!
+     We'll go amowing, soon as ever all the wheat is down;
+     When all is in the mow-yard, we'll stop, and thank the Lord.
+
+
+     4
+
+     The oats, oh the oats, 'tis the ripening of the oats!
+     All the day they have been dancing with their flakes of white,
+     Waiting for the girding-hook, to be the nags' delight:
+     'Tis the harvest, let them dangle in their skirted coats.
+
+     (Chorus)
+
+     The oats, oh the oats, and the silver, silver oats!
+     Here's to the oats with the blackstone on the board!
+     We'll go among them, when the barley has been laid in rotes:
+     When all is home to mow-yard, we'll kneel and thank the Lord.
+
+
+     5
+
+     The corn, oh the corn, and the blessing of the corn!
+     Come unto the door, my lads, and look beneath the moon,
+     We can see, on hill and valley, how it is yelloon,
+     With a breadth of glory, as when our Lord was born.
+
+     (Chorus)
+
+     The corn, oh the corn, and the yellow, mellow corn!
+     Thanks for the corn, with our bread upon the board!
+     So shall we acknowledge it, before we reap the morn,
+     With our hands to heaven, and our knees unto the Lord.
+
+
+Now we sang this song very well the first time, having the parish choir
+to lead us, and the clarionet, and the parson to give us the time with
+his cup; and we sang it again the second time, not so but what you might
+praise it (if you had been with us all the evening), although the parson
+was gone then, and the clerk not fit to compare with him in the matter
+of keeping time. But when that song was in its third singing, I defy any
+man (however sober) to have made out one verse from the other, or even
+the burden from the verses, inasmuch as every man present, ay, and woman
+too, sang as became convenient to them, in utterance both of words and
+tune.
+
+And in truth, there was much excuse for them; because it was a noble
+harvest, fit to thank the Lord for, without His thinking us hypocrites.
+For we had more land in wheat, that year, than ever we had before,
+and twice the crop to the acre; and I could not help now and then
+remembering, in the midst of the merriment, how my father in the
+churchyard yonder would have gloried to behold it. And my mother, who
+had left us now, happening to return just then, being called to have her
+health drunk (for the twentieth time at least), I knew by the sadness
+in her eyes that she was thinking just as I was. Presently, therefore,
+I slipped away from the noise, and mirth, and smoking (although of that
+last there was not much, except from Farmer Nicholas), and crossing the
+courtyard in the moonlight, I went, just to cool myself, as far as my
+father's tombstone.
+
+[Illustration: 245.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+ANNIE GETS THE BEST OF IT
+
+[Illustration: 246.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+I had long outgrown unwholesome feeling as to my father's death, and
+so had Annie; though Lizzie (who must have loved him least) still
+entertained some evil will, and longing for a punishment. Therefore I
+was surprised (and indeed, startled would not be too much to say,
+the moon being somewhat fleecy), to see our Annie sitting there as
+motionless as the tombstone, and with all her best fallals upon her,
+after stowing away the dishes.
+
+My nerves, however, are good and strong, except at least in love
+matters, wherein they always fail me, and when I meet with witches; and
+therefore I went up to Annie, although she looked so white and pure;
+for I had seen her before with those things on, and it struck me who she
+was.
+
+"What are you doing here, Annie?" I inquired rather sternly, being vexed
+with her for having gone so very near to frighten me.
+
+"Nothing at all," said our Annie shortly. And indeed it was truth enough
+for a woman. Not that I dare to believe that women are such liars as men
+say; only that I mean they often see things round the corner, and know
+not which is which of it. And indeed I never have known a woman
+(though right enough in their meaning) purely and perfectly true and
+transparent, except only my Lorna; and even so, I might not have loved
+her, if she had been ugly.
+
+"Why, how so?" said I; "Miss Annie, what business have you here, doing
+nothing at this time of night? And leaving me with all the trouble to
+entertain our guests!"
+
+"You seem not to me to be doing it, John," Annie answered softly; "what
+business have you here doing nothing, at this time of night?"
+
+I was taken so aback with this, and the extreme impertinence of it, from
+a mere young girl like Annie, that I turned round to march away and
+have nothing more to say to her. But she jumped up, and caught me by the
+hand, and threw herself upon my bosom, with her face all wet with tears.
+
+"Oh, John, I will tell you. I will tell you. Only don't be angry, John."
+
+"Angry! no indeed," said I; "what right have I to be angry with you,
+because you have your secrets? Every chit of a girl thinks now that she
+has a right to her secrets."
+
+"And you have none of your own, John; of course you have none of your
+own? All your going out at night--"
+
+"We will not quarrel here, poor Annie," I answered, with some loftiness;
+"there are many things upon my mind, which girls can have no notion of."
+
+"And so there are upon mine, John. Oh, John, I will tell you everything,
+if you will look at me kindly, and promise to forgive me. Oh, I am so
+miserable!"
+
+Now this, though she was behaving so badly, moved me much towards her;
+especially as I longed to know what she had to tell me. Therefore I
+allowed her to coax me, and to kiss me, and to lead me away a little, as
+far as the old yew-tree; for she would not tell me where she was.
+
+But even in the shadow there, she was very long before beginning, and
+seemed to have two minds about it, or rather perhaps a dozen; and she
+laid her cheek against the tree, and sobbed till it was pitiful; and I
+knew what mother would say to her for spoiling her best frock so.
+
+"Now will you stop?" I said at last, harder than I meant it, for I knew
+that she would go on all night, if any one encouraged her: and though
+not well acquainted with women, I understood my sisters; or else I must
+be a born fool--except, of course, that I never professed to understand
+Eliza.
+
+"Yes, I will stop," said Annie, panting; "you are very hard on me, John;
+but I know you mean it for the best. If somebody else--I am sure I don't
+know who, and have no right to know, no doubt, but she must be a wicked
+thing--if somebody else had been taken so with a pain all round the
+heart, John, and no power of telling it, perhaps you would have coaxed,
+and kissed her, and come a little nearer, and made opportunity to be
+very loving."
+
+Now this was so exactly what I had tried to do to Lorna, that my breath
+was almost taken away at Annie's so describing it. For a while I could
+not say a word, but wondered if she were a witch, which had never been
+in our family: and then, all of a sudden, I saw the way to beat her,
+with the devil at my elbow.
+
+"From your knowledge of these things, Annie, you must have had them done
+to you. I demand to know this very moment who has taken such liberties."
+
+"Then, John, you shall never know, if you ask in that manner. Besides,
+it was no liberty in the least at all, Cousins have a right to do
+things--and when they are one's godfather--" Here Annie stopped quite
+suddenly having so betrayed herself; but met me in the full moonlight,
+being resolved to face it out, with a good face put upon it.
+
+"Alas, I feared it would come to this," I answered very sadly; "I know
+he has been here many a time, without showing himself to me. There is
+nothing meaner than for a man to sneak, and steal a young maid's heart,
+without her people knowing it."
+
+"You are not doing anything of that sort yourself then, dear John, are
+you?"
+
+"Only a common highwayman!" I answered, without heeding her; "a man
+without an acre of his own, and liable to hang upon any common, and no
+other right of common over it--"
+
+"John," said my sister, "are the Doones privileged not to be hanged upon
+common land?"
+
+At this I was so thunderstruck, that I leaped in the air like a shot
+rabbit, and rushed as hard as I could through the gate and across the
+yard, and back into the kitchen; and there I asked Farmer Nicholas Snowe
+to give me some tobacco, and to lend me a spare pipe.
+
+[Illustration: 248.jpg Spare Pipe]
+
+This he did with a grateful manner, being now some five-fourths gone;
+and so I smoked the very first pipe that ever had entered my lips till
+then; and beyond a doubt it did me good, and spread my heart at leisure.
+
+Meanwhile the reapers were mostly gone, to be up betimes in the morning;
+and some were led by their wives; and some had to lead their wives
+themselves, according to the capacity of man and wife respectively. But
+Betty was as lively as ever, bustling about with every one, and looking
+out for the chance of groats, which the better off might be free with.
+And over the kneading-pan next day, she dropped three and sixpence out
+of her pocket; and Lizzie could not tell for her life how much more
+might have been in it.
+
+Now by this time I had almost finished smoking that pipe of tobacco, and
+wondering at myself for having so despised it hitherto, and making up my
+mind to have another trial to-morrow night, it began to occur to me that
+although dear Annie had behaved so very badly and rudely, and almost
+taken my breath away with the suddenness of her allusion, yet it was not
+kind of me to leave her out there at that time of night, all alone, and
+in such distress. Any of the reapers going home might be gotten so far
+beyond fear of ghosts as to venture into the churchyard; and although
+they would know a great deal better than to insult a sister of mine when
+sober, there was no telling what they might do in their present state of
+rejoicing. Moreover, it was only right that I should learn, for Lorna's
+sake, how far Annie, or any one else, had penetrated our secret.
+
+Therefore, I went forth at once, bearing my pipe in a skilful manner, as
+I had seen Farmer Nicholas do; and marking, with a new kind of pleasure,
+how the rings and wreaths of smoke hovered and fluttered in the
+moonlight, like a lark upon his carol. Poor Annie was gone back again
+to our father's grave, and there she sat upon the turf, sobbing very
+gently, and not wishing to trouble any one. So I raised her tenderly,
+and made much of her, and consoled her, for I could not scold her there;
+and perhaps after all she was not to be blamed so much as Tom Faggus
+himself was. Annie was very grateful to me, and kissed me many times,
+and begged my pardon ever so often for her rudeness to me. And then
+having gone so far with it, and finding me so complaisant, she must
+needs try to go a little further, and to lead me away from her own
+affairs, and into mine concerning Lorna. But although it was clever
+enough of her she was not deep enough for me there; and I soon
+discovered that she knew nothing, not even the name of my darling; but
+only suspected from things she had seen, and put together like a woman.
+Upon this I brought her back again to Tom Faggus and his doings.
+
+"My poor Annie, have you really promised him to be his wife?"
+
+"Then after all you have no reason, John, no particular reason, I mean,
+for slighting poor Sally Snowe so?"
+
+"Without even asking mother or me! Oh, Annie, it was wrong of you!"
+
+"But, darling, you know that mother wishes you so much to marry Sally;
+and I am sure you could have her to-morrow. She dotes on the very
+ground--"
+
+"I dare say he tells you that, Annie, that he dotes on the ground you
+walk upon--but did you believe him, child?"
+
+"You may believe me, I assure you, John, and half the farm to be settled
+upon her, after the old man's time; and though she gives herself little
+airs, it is only done to entice you; she has the very best hand in the
+dairy John, and the lightest at a turn-over cake--"
+
+"Now, Annie, don't talk nonsense so. I wish just to know the truth about
+you and Tom Faggus. Do you mean to marry him?"
+
+"I to marry before my brother, and leave him with none to take care of
+him! Who can do him a red deer collop, except Sally herself, as I can?
+Come home, dear, at once, and I will do you one; for you never ate a
+morsel of supper, with all the people you had to attend upon."
+
+This was true enough; and seeing no chance of anything more than cross
+questions and crooked purposes, at which a girl was sure to beat me,
+I even allowed her to lead me home, with the thoughts of the collop
+uppermost. But I never counted upon being beaten so thoroughly as I was;
+for knowing me now to be off my guard, the young hussy stopped at
+the farmyard gate, as if with a brier entangling her, and while I
+was stooping to take it away, she looked me full in the face by the
+moonlight, and jerked out quite suddenly,--
+
+"Can your love do a collop, John?"
+
+"No, I should hope not," I answered rashly; "she is not a mere cook-maid
+I should hope."
+
+"She is not half so pretty as Sally Snowe; I will answer for that," said
+Annie.
+
+"She is ten thousand times as pretty as ten thousand Sally Snowes," I
+replied with great indignation.
+
+"Oh, but look at Sally's eyes!" cried my sister rapturously.
+
+"Look at Lorna Doone's," said I; "and you would never look again at
+Sally's."
+
+"Oh Lorna Doone. Lorna Doone!" exclaimed our Annie half-frightened, yet
+clapping her hands with triumph, at having found me out so: "Lorna Doone
+is the lovely maiden, who has stolen poor somebody's heart so. Ah, I
+shall remember it; because it is so queer a name. But stop, I had better
+write it down. Lend me your hat, poor boy, to write on."
+
+"I have a great mind to lend you a box on the ear," I answered her in
+my vexation, "and I would, if you had not been crying so, you sly
+good-for-nothing baggage. As it is, I shall keep it for Master Faggus,
+and add interest for keeping."
+
+"Oh no, John; oh no, John," she begged me earnestly, being sobered in
+a moment. "Your hand is so terribly heavy, John; and he never would
+forgive you; although he is so good-hearted, he cannot put up with an
+insult. Promise me, dear John, that you will not strike him; and I will
+promise you faithfully to keep your secret, even from mother, and even
+from Cousin Tom himself."
+
+"And from Lizzie; most of all, from Lizzie," I answered very eagerly,
+knowing too well which of my relations would be hardest with me.
+
+"Of course from little Lizzie," said Annie, with some contempt; "a
+young thing like her cannot be kept too long, in my opinion, from the
+knowledge of such subjects. And besides, I should be very sorry if
+Lizzie had the right to know your secrets, as I have, dearest John. Not
+a soul shall be the wiser for your having trusted me, John; although
+I shall be very wretched when you are late away at night, among those
+dreadful people."
+
+"Well," I replied, "it is no use crying over spilt milk Annie. You have
+my secret, and I have yours; and I scarcely know which of the two is
+likely to have the worst time of it, when it comes to mother's ears. I
+could put up with perpetual scolding but not with mother's sad silence."
+
+"That is exactly how I feel, John." and as Annie said it she brightened
+up, and her soft eyes shone upon me; "but now I shall be much happier,
+dear; because I shall try to help you. No doubt the young lady deserves
+it, John. She is not after the farm, I hope?"
+
+"She!" I exclaimed; and that was enough, there was so much scorn in my
+voice and face.
+
+"Then, I am sure, I am very glad," Annie always made the best of things;
+"for I do believe that Sally Snowe has taken a fancy to our dairy-place,
+and the pattern of our cream-pans; and she asked so much about our
+meadows, and the colour of the milk--"
+
+"Then, after all, you were right, dear Annie; it is the ground she dotes
+upon."
+
+"And the things that walk upon it," she answered me with another kiss;
+"Sally has taken a wonderful fancy to our best cow, 'Nipple-pins.' But
+she never shall have her now; what a consolation!"
+
+We entered the house quite gently thus, and found Farmer Nicholas Snowe
+asleep, little dreaming how his plans had been overset between us. And
+then Annie said to me very slyly, between a smile and a blush,--
+
+"Don't you wish Lorna Doone was here, John, in the parlour along with
+mother; instead of those two fashionable milkmaids, as Uncle Ben will
+call them, and poor stupid Mistress Kebby?"
+
+"That indeed I do, Annie. I must kiss you for only thinking of it. Dear
+me, it seems as if you had known all about us for a twelvemonth."
+
+"She loves you, with all her heart, John. No doubt about that of
+course." And Annie looked up at me, as much as to say she would like to
+know who could help it.
+
+"That's the very thing she won't do," said I, knowing that Annie would
+love me all the more for it, "she is only beginning to like me, Annie;
+and as for loving, she is so young that she only loves her grandfather.
+But I hope she will come to it by-and-by."
+
+"Of course she must," replied my sister, "it will be impossible for her
+to help it."
+
+"Ah well! I don't know," for I wanted more assurance of it. "Maidens are
+such wondrous things!"
+
+[Illustration: 253.jpg Maidens are such wondrous things]
+
+"Not a bit of it," said Annie, casting her bright eyes downwards: "love
+is as simple as milking, when people know how to do it. But you must not
+let her alone too long; that is my advice to you. What a simpleton you
+must have been not to tell me long ago. I would have made Lorna wild
+about you, long before this time, Johnny. But now you go into the
+parlour, dear, while I do your collop. Faith Snowe is not come, but
+Polly and Sally. Sally has made up her mind to conquer you this very
+blessed evening, John. Only look what a thing of a scarf she has on; I
+should be quite ashamed to wear it. But you won't strike poor Tom, will
+you?"
+
+"Not I, my darling, for your sweet sake."
+
+And so dear Annie, having grown quite brave, gave me a little push into
+the parlour, where I was quite abashed to enter after all I had heard
+about Sally. And I made up my mind to examine her well, and try a little
+courting with her, if she should lead me on, that I might be in practice
+for Lorna. But when I perceived how grandly and richly both the
+young damsels were apparelled; and how, in their curtseys to me, they
+retreated, as if I were making up to them, in a way they had learned
+from Exeter; and how they began to talk of the Court, as if they had
+been there all their lives, and the latest mode of the Duchess of this,
+and the profile of the Countess of that, and the last good saying of my
+Lord something; instead of butter, and cream, and eggs, and things
+which they understood; I knew there must be somebody in the room besides
+Jasper Kebby to talk at.
+
+And so there was; for behind the curtain drawn across the window-seat no
+less a man than Uncle Ben was sitting half asleep and weary; and by his
+side a little girl very quiet and very watchful. My mother led me to
+Uncle Ben, and he took my hand without rising, muttering something not
+over-polite, about my being bigger than ever. I asked him heartily how
+he was, and he said, "Well enough, for that matter; but none the better
+for the noise you great clods have been making."
+
+"I am sorry if we have disturbed you, sir," I answered very civilly;
+"but I knew not that you were here even; and you must allow for harvest
+time."
+
+"So it seems," he replied; "and allow a great deal, including waste
+and drunkenness. Now (if you can see so small a thing, after emptying
+flagons much larger) this is my granddaughter, and my heiress"--here he
+glanced at mother--"my heiress, little Ruth Huckaback."
+
+"I am very glad to see you, Ruth," I answered, offering her my hand,
+which she seemed afraid to take, "welcome to Plover's Barrows, my good
+cousin Ruth."
+
+However, my good cousin Ruth only arose, and made me a curtsey, and
+lifted her great brown eyes at me, more in fear, as I thought, than
+kinship. And if ever any one looked unlike the heiress to great
+property, it was the little girl before me.
+
+"Come out to the kitchen, dear, and let me chuck you to the ceiling," I
+said, just to encourage her; "I always do it to little girls; and then
+they can see the hams and bacon." But Uncle Reuben burst out laughing;
+and Ruth turned away with a deep rich colour.
+
+"Do you know how old she is, you numskull?" said Uncle Ben, in his
+dryest drawl; "she was seventeen last July, sir."
+
+"On the first of July, grandfather," Ruth whispered, with her back still
+to me; "but many people will not believe it."
+
+Here mother came up to my rescue, as she always loved to do; and she
+said, "If my son may not dance Miss Ruth, at any rate he may dance with
+her. We have only been waiting for you, dear John, to have a little
+harvest dance, with the kitchen door thrown open. You take Ruth; Uncle
+Ben take Sally; Master Debby pair off with Polly; and neighbour Nicholas
+will be good enough, if I can awake him, to stand up with fair Mistress
+Kebby. Lizzie will play us the virginal. Won't you, Lizzie dear?"
+
+"But who is to dance with you, madam?" Uncle Ben asked, very politely.
+"I think you must rearrange your figure. I have not danced for a score
+of years; and I will not dance now, while the mistress and the owner of
+the harvest sits aside neglected."
+
+"Nay, Master Huckaback," cried Sally Snowe, with a saucy toss of her
+hair; "Mistress Ridd is too kind a great deal, in handing you over to
+me. You take her; and I will fetch Annie to be my partner this evening.
+I like dancing very much better with girls, for they never squeeze and
+rumple one. Oh, it is so much nicer!"
+
+"Have no fear for me, my dears," our mother answered smiling: "Parson
+Bowden promised to come back again; I expect him every minute; and he
+intends to lead me off, and to bring a partner for Annie too, a very
+pretty young gentleman. Now begin; and I will join you."
+
+There was no disobeying her, without rudeness; and indeed the girls'
+feet were already jigging; and Lizzie giving herself wonderful airs with
+a roll of learned music; and even while Annie was doing my collop,
+her pretty round instep was arching itself, as I could see from the
+parlour-door. So I took little Ruth, and I spun her around, as the sound
+of the music came lively and ringing; and after us came all the rest
+with much laughter, begging me not to jump over her; and anon my grave
+partner began to smile sweetly, and look up at me with the brightest of
+eyes, and drop me the prettiest curtseys; till I thought what a great
+stupe I must have been to dream of putting her in the cheese-rack. But
+one thing I could not at all understand; why mother, who used to do
+all in her power to throw me across Sally Snowe, should now do the very
+opposite; for she would not allow me one moment with Sally, not even to
+cross in the dance, or whisper, or go anywhere near a corner (which as I
+said, I intended to do, just by way of practice), while she kept me, all
+the evening, as close as possible with Ruth Huckaback, and came up
+and praised me so to Ruth, times and again, that I declare I was quite
+ashamed. Although of course I knew that I deserved it all, but I could
+not well say that.
+
+Then Annie came sailing down the dance, with her beautiful hair flowing
+round her; the lightest figure in all the room, and the sweetest, and
+the loveliest. She was blushing, with her fair cheeks red beneath
+her dear blue eyes, as she met my glance of surprise and grief at the
+partner she was leaning on. It was Squire Marwood de Whichehalse. I
+would sooner have seen her with Tom Faggus, as indeed I had expected,
+when I heard of Parson Bowden. And to me it seemed that she had no
+right to be dancing so with any other; and to this effect I contrived to
+whisper; but she only said, "See to yourself, John. No, but let us both
+enjoy ourselves. You are not dancing with Lorna, John. But you seem
+uncommonly happy."
+
+"Tush," I said; "could I flip about so, if I had my love with me?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+JOHN FRY'S ERRAND
+
+[Illustration: 256.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+We kept up the dance very late that night, mother being in such
+wonderful spirits, that she would not hear of our going to bed: while
+she glanced from young Squire Marwood, very deep in his talk with our
+Annie, to me and Ruth Huckaback who were beginning to be very pleasant
+company. Alas, poor mother, so proud as she was, how little she dreamed
+that her good schemes already were hopelessly going awry!
+
+Being forced to be up before daylight next day, in order to begin right
+early, I would not go to my bedroom that night for fear of disturbing my
+mother, but determined to sleep in the tallat awhile, that place being
+cool, and airy, and refreshing with the smell of sweet hay. Moreover,
+after my dwelling in town, where I had felt like a horse on a lime-kiln,
+I could not for a length of time have enough of country life. The mooing
+of a calf was music, and the chuckle of a fowl was wit, and the snore of
+the horses was news to me.
+
+"Wult have thee own wai, I reckon," said Betty, being cross with
+sleepiness, for she had washed up everything; "slape in hog-pound, if
+thee laikes, Jan."
+
+Letting her have the last word of it (as is the due of women) I stood in
+the court, and wondered awhile at the glory of the harvest moon, and the
+yellow world it shone upon. Then I saw, as sure as ever I was standing
+there in the shadow of the stable, I saw a short wide figure glide
+across the foot of the courtyard, between me and the six-barred gate.
+Instead of running after it, as I should have done, I began to consider
+who it could be, and what on earth was doing there, when all our people
+were in bed, and the reapers gone home, or to the linhay close against
+the wheatfield.
+
+Having made up my mind at last, that it could be none of our
+people--though not a dog was barking--and also that it must have been
+either a girl or a woman, I ran down with all speed to learn what might
+be the meaning of it. But I came too late to learn, through my own
+hesitation, for this was the lower end of the courtyard, not the
+approach from the parish highway, but the end of the sledd-way, across
+the fields where the brook goes down to the Lynn stream, and where
+Squire Faggus had saved the old drake. And of course the dry channel
+of the brook, being scarcely any water now, afforded plenty of place to
+hide, leading also to a little coppice, beyond our cabbage-garden, and
+so further on to the parish highway.
+
+I saw at once that it was vain to make any pursuit by moonlight; and
+resolving to hold my own counsel about it (though puzzled not a
+little) and to keep watch there another night, back I returned to the
+tallatt-ladder, and slept without leaving off till morning.
+
+Now many people may wish to know, as indeed I myself did very greatly,
+what had brought Master Huckaback over from Dulverton, at that time of
+year, when the clothing business was most active on account of harvest
+wages, and when the new wheat was beginning to sample from the early
+parts up the country (for he meddled as well in corn-dealing) and when
+we could not attend to him properly by reason of our occupation. And
+yet more surprising it seemed to me that he should have brought his
+granddaughter also, instead of the troop of dragoons, without which
+he had vowed he would never come here again. And how he had managed to
+enter the house together with his granddaughter, and be sitting quite at
+home in the parlour there, without any knowledge or even suspicion on
+my part. That last question was easily solved, for mother herself had
+admitted them by means of the little passage, during a chorus of the
+harvest-song which might have drowned an earthquake: but as for his
+meaning and motive, and apparent neglect of his business, none but
+himself could interpret them; and as he did not see fit to do so, we
+could not be rude enough to inquire.
+
+He seemed in no hurry to take his departure, though his visit was so
+inconvenient to us, as himself indeed must have noticed: and presently
+Lizzie, who was the sharpest among us, said in my hearing that she
+believed he had purposely timed his visit so that he might have liberty
+to pursue his own object, whatsoever it were, without interruption
+from us. Mother gazed hard upon Lizzie at this, having formed a very
+different opinion; but Annie and myself agreed that it was worth looking
+into.
+
+Now how could we look into it, without watching Uncle Reuben, whenever
+he went abroad, and trying to catch him in his speech, when he was
+taking his ease at night. For, in spite of all the disgust with which
+he had spoken of harvest wassailing, there was not a man coming into
+our kitchen who liked it better than he did; only in a quiet way, and
+without too many witnesses. Now to endeavour to get at the purpose of
+any guest, even a treacherous one (which we had no right to think Uncle
+Reuben) by means of observing him in his cups, is a thing which even the
+lowest of people would regard with abhorrence. And to my mind it was not
+clear whether it would be fair-play at all to follow a visitor even at a
+distance from home and clear of our premises; except for the purpose of
+fetching him back, and giving him more to go on with. Nevertheless we
+could not but think, the times being wild and disjointed, that Uncle
+Ben was not using fairly the part of a guest in our house, to make long
+expeditions we knew not whither, and involve us in trouble we knew not
+what.
+
+For his mode was directly after breakfast to pray to the Lord a little
+(which used not to be his practice), and then to go forth upon Dolly,
+the which was our Annie's pony, very quiet and respectful, with a bag of
+good victuals hung behind him, and two great cavalry pistols in front.
+And he always wore his meanest clothes as if expecting to be robbed,
+or to disarm the temptation thereto; and he never took his golden
+chronometer neither his bag of money. So much the girls found out and
+told me (for I was never at home myself by day); and they very craftily
+spurred me on, having less noble ideas perhaps, to hit upon Uncle
+Reuben's track, and follow, and see what became of him. For he never
+returned until dark or more, just in time to be in before us, who were
+coming home from the harvest. And then Dolly always seemed very weary,
+and stained with a muck from beyond our parish.
+
+But I refused to follow him, not only for the loss of a day's work to
+myself, and at least half a day to the other men, but chiefly because I
+could not think that it would be upright and manly. It was all very
+well to creep warily into the valley of the Doones, and heed everything
+around me, both because they were public enemies, and also because I
+risked my life at every step I took there. But as to tracking a feeble
+old man (however subtle he might be), a guest moreover of our own, and
+a relative through my mother.--"Once for all," I said, "it is below me,
+and I won't do it."
+
+Thereupon, the girls, knowing my way, ceased to torment me about it: but
+what was my astonishment the very next day to perceive that instead of
+fourteen reapers, we were only thirteen left, directly our breakfast
+was done with--or mowers rather I should say, for we were gone into the
+barley now.
+
+"Who has been and left his scythe?" I asked; "and here's a tin cup never
+been handled!"
+
+"Whoy, dudn't ee knaw, Maister Jan," said Bill Dadds, looking at me
+queerly, "as Jan Vry wur gane avore braxvass."
+
+"Oh, very well," I answered, "John knows what he is doing." For John
+Fry was a kind of foreman now, and it would not do to say anything that
+might lessen his authority. However, I made up my mind to rope him, when
+I should catch him by himself, without peril to his dignity.
+
+But when I came home in the evening, late and almost weary, there was no
+Annie cooking my supper, nor Lizzie by the fire reading, nor even little
+Ruth Huckaback watching the shadows and pondering. Upon this, I went to
+the girls' room, not in the very best of tempers, and there I found all
+three of them in the little place set apart for Annie, eagerly listening
+to John Fry, who was telling some great adventure. John had a great jug
+of ale beside him, and a horn well drained; and he clearly looked upon
+himself as a hero, and the maids seemed to be of the same opinion.
+
+"Well done, John," my sister was saying, "capitally done, John Fry. How
+very brave you have been, John. Now quick, let us hear the rest of it."
+
+"What does all this nonsense mean?" I said, in a voice which frightened
+them, as I could see by the light of our own mutton candles: "John Fry,
+you be off to your wife at once, or you shall have what I owe you now,
+instead of to-morrow morning."
+
+John made no answer, but scratched his head, and looked at the maidens
+to take his part.
+
+"It is you that must be off, I think," said Lizzie, looking straight at
+me with all the impudence in the world; "what right have you to come in
+here to the young ladies' room, without an invitation even?"
+
+"Very well, Miss Lizzie, I suppose mother has some right here." And with
+that, I was going away to fetch her, knowing that she always took my
+side, and never would allow the house to be turned upside down in that
+manner. But Annie caught hold of me by the arm, and little Ruth stood in
+the doorway; and Lizzie said, "Don't be a fool, John. We know things of
+you, you know; a great deal more than you dream of."
+
+Upon this I glanced at Annie, to learn whether she had been telling,
+but her pure true face reassured me at once, and then she said very
+gently,--
+
+"Lizzie, you talk too fast, my child. No one knows anything of our John
+which he need be ashamed of; and working as he does from light to dusk,
+and earning the living of all of us, he is entitled to choose his own
+good time for going out and for coming in, without consulting a little
+girl five years younger than himself. Now, John, sit down, and you shall
+know all that we have done, though I doubt whether you will approve of
+it."
+
+Upon this I kissed Annie, and so did Ruth; and John Fry looked a deal
+more comfortable, but Lizzie only made a face at us. Then Annie began as
+follows:--
+
+"You must know, dear John, that we have been extremely curious, ever
+since Uncle Reuben came, to know what he was come for, especially at
+this time of year, when he is at his busiest. He never vouchsafed any
+explanation, neither gave any reason, true or false, which shows his
+entire ignorance of all feminine nature. If Ruth had known, and refused
+to tell us, we should have been much easier, because we must have got it
+out of Ruth before two or three days were over. But darling Ruth knew no
+more than we did, and indeed I must do her the justice to say that she
+has been quite as inquisitive. Well, we might have put up with it, if it
+had not been for his taking Dolly, my own pet Dolly, away every morning,
+quite as if she belonged to him, and keeping her out until close upon
+dark, and then bringing her home in a frightful condition. And he even
+had the impudence, when I told him that Dolly was my pony, to say that
+we owed him a pony, ever since you took from him that little horse upon
+which you found him strapped so snugly; and he means to take Dolly to
+Dulverton with him, to run in his little cart. If there is law in the
+land he shall not. Surely, John, you will not let him?"
+
+"That I won't," said I, "except upon the conditions which I offered him
+once before. If we owe him the pony, we owe him the straps."
+
+Sweet Annie laughed, like a bell, at this, and then she went on with her
+story.
+
+"Well, John, we were perfectly miserable. You cannot understand it, of
+course; but I used to go every evening, and hug poor Dolly, and kiss
+her, and beg her to tell me where she had been, and what she had seen,
+that day. But never having belonged to Balaam, darling Dolly was quite
+unsuccessful, though often she strove to tell me, with her ears down,
+and both eyes rolling. Then I made John Fry tie her tail in a knot, with
+a piece of white ribbon, as if for adornment, that I might trace her
+among the hills, at any rate for a mile or two. But Uncle Ben was too
+deep for that; he cut off the ribbon before he started, saying he
+would have no Doones after him. And then, in despair, I applied to you,
+knowing how quick of foot you are, and I got Ruth and Lizzie to help me,
+but you answered us very shortly; and a very poor supper you had that
+night, according to your deserts.
+
+"But though we were dashed to the ground for a time, we were not wholly
+discomfited. Our determination to know all about it seemed to increase
+with the difficulty. And Uncle Ben's manner last night was so dry,
+when we tried to romp and to lead him out, that it was much worse than
+Jamaica ginger grated into a poor sprayed finger. So we sent him to
+bed at the earliest moment, and held a small council upon him. If
+you remember you, John, having now taken to smoke (which is a hateful
+practice), had gone forth grumbling about your bad supper and not taking
+it as a good lesson."
+
+"Why, Annie," I cried, in amazement at this, "I will never trust you
+again for a supper. I thought you were so sorry."
+
+"And so I was, dear; very sorry. But still we must do our duty. And when
+we came to consider it, Ruth was the cleverest of us all; for she said
+that surely we must have some man we could trust about the farm to go
+on a little errand; and then I remembered that old John Fry would do
+anything for money."
+
+"Not for money, plaize, miss," said John Fry, taking a pull at the beer;
+"but for the love of your swate face."
+
+"To be sure, John; with the King's behind it. And so Lizzie ran for John
+Fry at once, and we gave him full directions, how he was to slip out of
+the barley in the confusion of the breakfast, so that none might miss
+him; and to run back to the black combe bottom, and there he would find
+the very same pony which Uncle Ben had been tied upon, and there is no
+faster upon the farm. And then, without waiting for any breakfast unless
+he could eat it either running or trotting, he was to travel all up the
+black combe, by the track Uncle Reuben had taken, and up at the top to
+look forward carefully, and so to trace him without being seen."
+
+"Ay; and raight wull a doo'd un," John cried, with his mouth in the
+bullock's horn.
+
+"Well, and what did you see, John?" I asked, with great anxiety; though
+I meant to have shown no interest.
+
+"John was just at the very point of it," Lizzie answered me sharply,
+"when you chose to come in and stop him."
+
+"Then let him begin again," said I; "things being gone so far, it is now
+my duty to know everything, for the sake of you girls and mother."
+
+"Hem!" cried Lizzie, in a nasty way; but I took no notice of her, for
+she was always bad to deal with. Therefore John Fry began again, being
+heartily glad to do so, that his story might get out of the tumble which
+all our talk had made in it. But as he could not tell a tale in
+the manner of my Lorna (although he told it very well for those who
+understood him) I will take it from his mouth altogether, and state in
+brief what happened.
+
+When John, upon his forest pony, which he had much ado to hold (its
+mouth being like a bucket), was come to the top of the long black combe,
+two miles or more from Plover's Barrows, and winding to the southward,
+he stopped his little nag short of the crest, and got off and looked
+ahead of him, from behind a tump of whortles. It was a long flat sweep
+of moorland over which he was gazing, with a few bogs here and there,
+and brushy places round them. Of course, John Fry, from his shepherd
+life and reclaiming of strayed cattle, knew as well as need be where he
+was, and the spread of the hills before him, although it was beyond our
+beat, or, rather, I should say, beside it. Not but what we might have
+grazed there had it been our pleasure, but that it was not worth our
+while, and scarcely worth Jasper Kebby's even; all the land being
+cropped (as one might say) with desolation. And nearly all our knowledge
+of it sprang from the unaccountable tricks of cows who have young calves
+with them; at which time they have wild desire to get away from the
+sight of man, and keep calf and milk for one another, although it be
+in a barren land. At least, our cows have gotten this trick, and I have
+heard other people complain of it.
+
+John Fry, as I said, knew the place well enough, but he liked it none
+the more for that, neither did any of our people; and, indeed, all
+the neighbourhood of Thomshill and Larksborough, and most of all Black
+Barrow Down lay under grave imputation of having been enchanted with a
+very evil spell. Moreover, it was known, though folk were loath to speak
+of it, even on a summer morning, that Squire Thom, who had been murdered
+there, a century ago or more, had been seen by several shepherds, even
+in the middle day, walking with his severed head carried in his left
+hand, and his right arm lifted towards the sun.
+
+Therefore it was very bold in John (as I acknowledged) to venture across
+that moor alone, even with a fast pony under him, and some whisky by
+his side. And he would never have done so (of that I am quite certain),
+either for the sake of Annie's sweet face, or of the golden guinea,
+which the three maidens had subscribed to reward his skill and valour.
+But the truth was that he could not resist his own great curiosity. For,
+carefully spying across the moor, from behind the tuft of whortles, at
+first he could discover nothing having life and motion, except three or
+four wild cattle roving in vain search for nourishment, and a diseased
+sheep banished hither, and some carrion crows keeping watch on her. But
+when John was taking his very last look, being only too glad to go
+home again, and acknowledge himself baffled, he thought he saw a figure
+moving in the farthest distance upon Black Barrow Down, scarcely a thing
+to be sure of yet, on account of the want of colour. But as he watched,
+the figure passed between him and a naked cliff, and appeared to be a
+man on horseback, making his way very carefully, in fear of bogs and
+serpents. For all about there it is adders' ground, and large black
+serpents dwell in the marshes, and can swim as well as crawl.
+
+John knew that the man who was riding there could be none but Uncle
+Reuben, for none of the Doones ever passed that way, and the shepherds
+were afraid of it. And now it seemed an unkind place for an unarmed man
+to venture through, especially after an armed one who might not like
+to be spied upon, and must have some dark object in visiting such drear
+solitudes. Nevertheless John Fry so ached with unbearable curiosity to
+know what an old man, and a stranger, and a rich man, and a peaceable
+could possibly be after in that mysterious manner. Moreover, John so
+throbbed with hope to find some wealthy secret, that come what would of
+it he resolved to go to the end of the matter.
+
+Therefore he only waited awhile for fear of being discovered, till
+Master Huckaback turned to the left and entered a little gully, whence
+he could not survey the moor. Then John remounted and crossed the rough
+land and the stony places, and picked his way among the morasses as fast
+as ever he dared to go; until, in about half an hour, he drew nigh the
+entrance of the gully. And now it behoved him to be most wary; for Uncle
+Ben might have stopped in there, either to rest his horse or having
+reached the end of his journey. And in either case, John had little
+doubt that he himself would be pistolled, and nothing more ever heard
+of him. Therefore he made his pony come to the mouth of it sideways,
+and leaned over and peered in around the rocky corner, while the little
+horse cropped at the briars.
+
+But he soon perceived that the gully was empty, so far at least as its
+course was straight; and with that he hastened into it, though his heart
+was not working easily. When he had traced the winding hollow for half
+a mile or more, he saw that it forked, and one part led to the left up
+a steep red bank, and the other to the right, being narrow and slightly
+tending downwards. Some yellow sand lay here and there between the
+starving grasses, and this he examined narrowly for a trace of Master
+Huckaback.
+
+At last he saw that, beyond all doubt, the man he was pursuing had taken
+the course which led down hill; and down the hill he must follow him.
+And this John did with deep misgivings, and a hearty wish that he had
+never started upon so perilous an errand. For now he knew not where he
+was, and scarcely dared to ask himself, having heard of a horrible hole,
+somewhere in this neighbourhood, called the Wizard's Slough. Therefore
+John rode down the slope, with sorrow, and great caution. And these grew
+more as he went onward, and his pony reared against him, being scared,
+although a native of the roughest moorland. And John had just made up
+his mind that God meant this for a warning, as the passage seemed darker
+and deeper, when suddenly he turned a corner, and saw a scene which
+stopped him.
+
+For there was the Wizard's Slough itself, as black as death, and
+bubbling, with a few scant yellow reeds in a ring around it. Outside
+these, bright water-grass of the liveliest green was creeping, tempting
+any unwary foot to step, and plunge, and founder. And on the marge
+were blue campanula, sundew, and forget-me-not, such as no child could
+resist. On either side, the hill fell back, and the ground was
+broken with tufts of rush, and flag, and mares-tail, and a few rough
+alder-trees overclogged with water. And not a bird was seen or heard,
+neither rail nor water-hen, wag-tail nor reed-warbler.
+
+Of this horrible quagmire, the worst upon all Exmoor, John had heard
+from his grandfather, and even from his mother, when they wanted to keep
+him quiet; but his father had feared to speak of it to him, being a man
+of piety, and up to the tricks of the evil one. This made John the more
+desirous to have a good look at it now, only with his girths well up,
+to turn away and flee at speed, if anything should happen. And now
+he proved how well it is to be wary and wide-awake, even in lonesome
+places. For at the other side of the Slough, and a few land-yards beyond
+it, where the ground was less noisome, he had observed a felled tree
+lying over a great hole in the earth, with staves of wood, and slabs of
+stone, and some yellow gravel around it. But the flags of reeds around
+the morass partly screened it from his eyes, and he could not make
+out the meaning of it, except that it meant no good, and probably was
+witchcraft. Yet Dolly seemed not to be harmed by it, for there she was
+as large as life, tied to a stump not far beyond, and flipping the flies
+away with her tail.
+
+While John was trembling within himself, lest Dolly should get scent of
+his pony, and neigh and reveal their presence, although she could not
+see them, suddenly to his great amazement something white arose out of
+the hole, under the brown trunk of the tree. Seeing this his blood went
+back within him, yet he was not able to turn and flee, but rooted his
+face in among the loose stones, and kept his quivering shoulders back,
+and prayed to God to protect him. However, the white thing itself was
+not so very awful, being nothing more than a long-coned night-cap with a
+tassel on the top, such as criminals wear at hanging-time. But when John
+saw a man's face under it, and a man's neck and shoulders slowly rising
+out of the pit, he could not doubt that this was the place where the
+murderers come to life again, according to the Exmoor story. He knew
+that a man had been hanged last week, and that this was the ninth day
+after it.
+
+Therefore he could bear no more, thoroughly brave as he had been,
+neither did he wait to see what became of the gallows-man; but climbed
+on his horse with what speed he might, and rode away at full gallop.
+Neither did he dare go back by the way he came, fearing to face Black
+Barrow Down! therefore he struck up the other track leading away towards
+Cloven Rocks, and after riding hard for an hour and drinking all
+his whisky, he luckily fell in with a shepherd, who led him on to a
+public-house somewhere near Exeford. And here he was so unmanned, the
+excitement being over, that nothing less than a gallon of ale and half
+a gammon of bacon, brought him to his right mind again. And he took good
+care to be home before dark, having followed a well-known sheep track.
+
+When John Fry finished his story at last, after many exclamations from
+Annie, and from Lizzie, and much praise of his gallantry, yet some
+little disappointment that he had not stayed there a little longer,
+while he was about it, so as to be able to tell us more, I said to him
+very sternly,--
+
+"Now, John, you have dreamed half this, my man. I firmly believe that
+you fell asleep at the top of the black combe, after drinking all your
+whisky, and never went on the moor at all. You know what a liar you are,
+John."
+
+The girls were exceedingly angry at this, and laid their hands before
+my mouth; but I waited for John to answer, with my eyes fixed upon him
+steadfastly.
+
+"Bain't for me to denai," said John, looking at me very honestly, "but
+what a maight tull a lai, now and awhiles, zame as other men doth, and
+most of arl them as spaks again it; but this here be no lai, Maister
+Jan. I wush to God it wor, boy: a maight slape this naight the better."
+
+"I believe you speak the truth, John; and I ask your pardon. Now not a
+word to any one, about this strange affair. There is mischief brewing, I
+can see; and it is my place to attend to it. Several things come across
+me now--only I will not tell you."
+
+They were not at all contented with this; but I would give them no
+better; except to say, when they plagued me greatly, and vowed to sleep
+at my door all night,--
+
+"Now, my dears, this is foolish of you. Too much of this matter is known
+already. It is for your own dear sakes that I am bound to be cautious.
+I have an opinion of my own; but it may be a very wrong one; I will not
+ask you to share it with me; neither will I make you inquisitive."
+
+Annie pouted, and Lizzie frowned, and Ruth looked at me with her eyes
+wide open, but no other mark of regarding me. And I saw that if any one
+of the three (for John Fry was gone home with the trembles) could be
+trusted to keep a secret, that one was Ruth Huckaback.
+
+[Illustration: 267.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+
+FEEDING OF THE PIGS
+
+[Illustration: 268.jpg Charles II.]
+
+The story told by John Fry that night, and my conviction of its truth,
+made me very uneasy, especially as following upon the warning of Judge
+Jeffreys, and the hints received from Jeremy Stickles, and the outburst
+of the tanner at Dunster, as well as sundry tales and rumours, and signs
+of secret understanding, seen and heard on market-days, and at places of
+entertainment. We knew for certain that at Taunton, Bridgwater, and even
+Dulverton, there was much disaffection towards the King, and regret for
+the days of the Puritans. Albeit I had told the truth, and the pure and
+simple truth, when, upon my examination, I had assured his lordship,
+that to the best of my knowledge there was nothing of the sort with us.
+
+But now I was beginning to doubt whether I might not have been mistaken;
+especially when we heard, as we did, of arms being landed at Lynmouth,
+in the dead of the night, and of the tramp of men having reached some
+one's ears, from a hill where a famous echo was. For it must be plain to
+any conspirator (without the example of the Doones) that for the secret
+muster of men and the stowing of unlawful arms, and communication by
+beacon lights, scarcely a fitter place could be found than the wilds
+of Exmoor, with deep ravines running far inland from an unwatched and
+mostly a sheltered sea. For the Channel from Countisbury Foreland up
+to Minehead, or even farther, though rocky, and gusty, and full of
+currents, is safe from great rollers and the sweeping power of the
+south-west storms, which prevail with us more than all the others, and
+make sad work on the opposite coast.
+
+But even supposing it probable that something against King Charles
+the Second (or rather against his Roman advisers, and especially his
+brother) were now in preparation amongst us, was it likely that Master
+Huckaback, a wealthy man, and a careful one, known moreover to the Lord
+Chief Justice, would have anything to do with it? To this I could
+make no answer; Uncle Ben was so close a man, so avaricious, and so
+revengeful, that it was quite impossible to say what course he
+might pursue, without knowing all the chances of gain, or rise, or
+satisfaction to him. That he hated the Papists I knew full well, though
+he never spoke much about them; also that he had followed the march of
+Oliver Cromwell's army, but more as a suttler (people said) than as a
+real soldier; and that he would go a long way, and risk a great deal
+of money, to have his revenge on the Doones; although their name never
+passed his lips during the present visit.
+
+But how was it likely to be as to the Doones themselves? Which side
+would they probably take in the coming movement, if movement indeed it
+would be? So far as they had any religion at all, by birth they were
+Roman Catholics--so much I knew from Lorna; and indeed it was well known
+all around, that a priest had been fetched more than once to the valley,
+to soothe some poor outlaw's departure. On the other hand, they were
+not likely to entertain much affection for the son of the man who had
+banished them and confiscated their property. And it was not at all
+impossible that desperate men, such as they were, having nothing to
+lose, but estates to recover, and not being held by religion much,
+should cast away all regard for the birth from which they had been cast
+out, and make common cause with a Protestant rising, for the chance of
+revenge and replacement.
+
+However I do not mean to say that all these things occurred to me as
+clearly as I have set them down; only that I was in general doubt, and
+very sad perplexity. For mother was so warm, and innocent, and kind
+so to every one, that knowing some little by this time of the English
+constitution, I feared very greatly lest she should be punished for
+harbouring malcontents. As well as possible I knew, that if any poor man
+came to our door, and cried, "Officers are after me; for God's sake take
+and hide me," mother would take him in at once, and conceal, and feed
+him, even though he had been very violent; and, to tell the truth, so
+would both my sisters, and so indeed would I do. Whence it will be clear
+that we were not the sort of people to be safe among disturbances.
+
+Before I could quite make up my mind how to act in this difficulty, and
+how to get at the rights of it (for I would not spy after Uncle Reuben,
+though I felt no great fear of the Wizard's Slough, and none of the man
+with the white night-cap), a difference came again upon it, and a change
+of chances. For Uncle Ben went away as suddenly as he first had come to
+us, giving no reason for his departure, neither claiming the pony, and
+indeed leaving something behind him of great value to my mother. For
+he begged her to see to his young grand-daughter, until he could find
+opportunity of fetching her safely to Dulverton. Mother was overjoyed
+at this, as she could not help displaying; and Ruth was quite as much
+delighted, although she durst not show it. For at Dulverton she had
+to watch and keep such ward on the victuals, and the in and out of the
+shopmen, that it went entirely against her heart, and she never could
+enjoy herself. Truly she was an altered girl from the day she came to
+us; catching our unsuspicious manners, and our free goodwill, and hearty
+noise of laughing.
+
+[Illustration: 271.jpg Thatching of the ricks]
+
+By this time, the harvest being done, and the thatching of the ricks
+made sure against south-western tempests, and all the reapers being
+gone, with good money and thankfulness, I began to burn in spirit for
+the sight of Lorna. I had begged my sister Annie to let Sally Snowe
+know, once for all, that it was not in my power to have any thing more
+to do with her. Of course our Annie was not to grieve Sally, neither to
+let it appear for a moment that I suspected her kind views upon me, and
+her strong regard for our dairy: only I thought it right upon our part
+not to waste Sally's time any longer, being a handsome wench as she was,
+and many young fellows glad to marry her.
+
+And Annie did this uncommonly well, as she herself told me afterwards,
+having taken Sally in the sweetest manner into her pure confidence, and
+opened half her bosom to her, about my very sad love affair. Not that
+she let Sally know, of course, who it was, or what it was; only that she
+made her understand, without hinting at any desire of it, that there was
+no chance now of having me. Sally changed colour a little at this, and
+then went on about a red cow which had passed seven needles at milking
+time.
+
+Inasmuch as there are two sorts of month well recognised by the
+calendar, to wit the lunar and the solar, I made bold to regard both
+my months, in the absence of any provision, as intended to be strictly
+lunar. Therefore upon the very day when the eight weeks were expiring
+forth I went in search of Lorna, taking the pearl ring hopefully, and
+all the new-laid eggs I could find, and a dozen and a half of small
+trout from our brook. And the pleasure it gave me to catch those trout,
+thinking as every one came forth and danced upon the grass, how much
+she would enjoy him, is more than I can now describe, although I well
+remember it. And it struck me that after accepting my ring, and saying
+how much she loved me, it was possible that my Queen might invite
+me even to stay and sup with her: and so I arranged with dear Annie
+beforehand, who was now the greatest comfort to me, to account for my
+absence if I should be late.
+
+But alas, I was utterly disappointed; for although I waited and waited
+for hours, with an equal amount both of patience and peril, no Lorna
+ever appeared at all, nor even the faintest sign of her. And another
+thing occurred as well, which vexed me more than it need have done, for
+so small a matter. And this was that my little offering of the trout
+and the new-laid eggs was carried off in the coolest manner by that vile
+Carver Doone. For thinking to keep them the fresher and nicer, away from
+so much handling, I laid them in a little bed of reeds by the side of
+the water, and placed some dog-leaves over them. And when I had quite
+forgotten about them, and was watching from my hiding-place beneath
+the willow-tree (for I liked not to enter Lorna's bower, without her
+permission; except just to peep that she was not there), and while I was
+turning the ring in my pocket, having just seen the new moon, I
+became aware of a great man coming leisurely down the valley. He had a
+broad-brimmed hat, and a leather jerkin, and heavy jack-boots to his
+middle thigh, and what was worst of all for me, on his shoulder he bore
+a long carbine. Having nothing to meet him withal but my staff, and
+desiring to avoid disturbance, I retired promptly into the chasm,
+keeping the tree betwixt us that he might not descry me, and watching
+from behind the jut of a rock, where now I had scraped myself a neat
+little hole for the purpose.
+
+Presently the great man reappeared, being now within fifty yards of me,
+and the light still good enough, as he drew nearer for me to descry
+his features: and though I am not a judge of men's faces, there was
+something in his which turned me cold, as though with a kind of horror.
+Not that it was an ugly face; nay, rather it seemed a handsome one, so
+far as mere form and line might go, full of strength, and vigour, and
+will, and steadfast resolution. From the short black hair above the
+broad forehead, to the long black beard descending below the curt, bold
+chin, there was not any curve or glimpse of weakness or of afterthought.
+Nothing playful, nothing pleasant, nothing with a track of smiles;
+nothing which a friend could like, and laugh at him for having. And
+yet he might have been a good man (for I have known very good men so
+fortified by their own strange ideas of God): I say that he might
+have seemed a good man, but for the cold and cruel hankering of his
+steel-blue eyes.
+
+Now let no one suppose for a minute that I saw all this in a moment; for
+I am very slow, and take a long time to digest things; only I like to
+set down, and have done with it, all the results of my knowledge, though
+they be not manifold. But what I said to myself, just then, was no more
+than this: "What a fellow to have Lorna!" Having my sense of right so
+outraged (although, of course, I would never allow her to go so far as
+that), I almost longed that he might thrust his head in to look after
+me. For there I was, with my ash staff clubbed, ready to have at him,
+and not ill inclined to do so; if only he would come where strength, not
+firearms, must decide it. However, he suspected nothing of my dangerous
+neighbourhood, but walked his round like a sentinel, and turned at the
+brink of the water.
+
+Then as he marched back again, along the margin of the stream, he espied
+my little hoard, covered up with dog-leaves. He saw that the leaves were
+upside down, and this of course drew his attention. I saw him stoop,
+and lay bare the fish, and the eggs set a little way from them and in
+my simple heart, I thought that now he knew all about me. But to my
+surprise, he seemed well-pleased; and his harsh short laughter came to
+me without echo,--
+
+"Ha, ha! Charlie boy! Fisherman Charlie, have I caught thee setting
+bait for Lorna? Now, I understand thy fishings, and the robbing of
+Counsellor's hen roost. May I never have good roasting, if I have it not
+to-night and roast thee, Charlie, afterwards!"
+
+[Illustration: 274.jpg Ha, Ha! Charlie boy]
+
+With this he calmly packed up my fish, and all the best of dear Annie's
+eggs; and went away chuckling steadfastly, to his home, if one may
+call it so. But I was so thoroughly grieved and mortified by this most
+impudent robbery, that I started forth from my rocky screen with the
+intention of pursuing him, until my better sense arrested me, barely
+in time to escape his eyes. For I said to myself, that even supposing
+I could contend unarmed with him, it would be the greatest folly in the
+world to have my secret access known, and perhaps a fatal barrier placed
+between Lorna and myself, and I knew not what trouble brought upon her,
+all for the sake of a few eggs and fishes. It was better to bear this
+trifling loss, however ignominious and goading to the spirit, than to
+risk my love and Lorna's welfare, and perhaps be shot into the bargain.
+And I think that all will agree with me, that I acted for the wisest, in
+withdrawing to my shelter, though deprived of eggs and fishes.
+
+Having waited (as I said) until there was no chance whatever of my love
+appearing, I hastened homeward very sadly; and the wind of early autumn
+moaned across the moorland. All the beauty of the harvest, all the
+gaiety was gone, and the early fall of dusk was like a weight upon
+me. Nevertheless, I went every evening thenceforward for a fortnight;
+hoping, every time in vain to find my hope and comfort. And meanwhile,
+what perplexed me most was that the signals were replaced, in order as
+agreed upon, so that Lorna could scarcely be restrained by any rigour.
+
+One time I had a narrow chance of being shot and settled with; and
+it befell me thus. I was waiting very carelessly, being now a little
+desperate, at the entrance to the glen, instead of watching through my
+sight-hole, as the proper practice was. Suddenly a ball went by me, with
+a whizz and whistle, passing through my hat and sweeping it away all
+folded up. My soft hat fluttered far down the stream, before I had time
+to go after it, and with the help of both wind and water, was fifty
+yards gone in a moment. At this I had just enough mind left to shrink
+back very suddenly, and lurk very still and closely; for I knew what
+a narrow escape it had been, as I heard the bullet, hard set by the
+powder, sing mournfully down the chasm, like a drone banished out of the
+hive. And as I peered through my little cranny, I saw a wreath of smoke
+still floating where the thickness was of the withy-bed; and presently
+Carver Doone came forth, having stopped to reload his piece perhaps, and
+ran very swiftly to the entrance to see what he had shot.
+
+Sore trouble had I to keep close quarters, from the slipperiness of the
+stone beneath me with the water sliding over it. My foe came quite to
+the verge of the fall, where the river began to comb over; and there he
+stopped for a minute or two, on the utmost edge of dry land, upon the
+very spot indeed where I had fallen senseless when I clomb it in my
+boyhood. I could hear him breathing hard and grunting, as in doubt and
+discontent, for he stood within a yard of me, and I kept my right
+fist ready for him, if he should discover me. Then at the foot of the
+waterslide, my black hat suddenly appeared, tossing in white foam, and
+fluttering like a raven wounded. Now I had doubted which hat to take,
+when I left home that day; till I thought that the black became me best,
+and might seem kinder to Lorna.
+
+"Have I killed thee, old bird, at last?" my enemy cried in triumph;
+"'tis the third time I have shot at thee, and thou wast beginning to
+mock me. No more of thy cursed croaking now, to wake me in the morning.
+Ha, ha! there are not many who get three chances from Carver Doone; and
+none ever go beyond it."
+
+I laughed within myself at this, as he strode away in his triumph; for
+was not this his third chance of me, and he no whit the wiser? And then
+I thought that perhaps the chance might some day be on the other side.
+
+For to tell the truth, I was heartily tired of lurking and playing
+bo-peep so long; to which nothing could have reconciled me, except
+my fear for Lorna. And here I saw was a man of strength fit for me to
+encounter, such as I had never met, but would be glad to meet with;
+having found no man of late who needed not my mercy at wrestling, or at
+single-stick. And growing more and more uneasy, as I found no Lorna, I
+would have tried to force the Doone Glen from the upper end, and take my
+chance of getting back, but for Annie and her prayers.
+
+Now that same night I think it was, or at any rate the next one, that I
+noticed Betty Muxworthy going on most strangely. She made the queerest
+signs to me, when nobody was looking, and laid her fingers on her lips,
+and pointed over her shoulder. But I took little heed of her, being in
+a kind of dudgeon, and oppressed with evil luck; believing too that all
+she wanted was to have some little grumble about some petty grievance.
+
+But presently she poked me with the heel of a fire-bundle, and passing
+close to my ear whispered, so that none else could hear her, "Larna
+Doo-un."
+
+By these words I was so startled, that I turned round and stared at her;
+but she pretended not to know it, and began with all her might to scour
+an empty crock with a besom.
+
+"Oh, Betty, let me help you! That work is much too hard for you," I
+cried with a sudden chivalry, which only won rude answer.
+
+"Zeed me adooing of thic, every naight last ten year, Jan, wiout vindin'
+out how hard it wor. But if zo bee thee wants to help, carr peg's bucket
+for me. Massy, if I ain't forgotten to fade the pegs till now."
+
+Favouring me with another wink, to which I now paid the keenest heed,
+Betty went and fetched the lanthorn from the hook inside the door. Then
+when she had kindled it, not allowing me any time to ask what she was
+after, she went outside, and pointed to the great bock of wash, and
+riddlings, and brown hulkage (for we ground our own corn always), and
+though she knew that Bill Dadds and Jem Slocombe had full work to carry
+it on a pole (with another to help to sling it), she said to me as
+quietly as a maiden might ask one to carry a glove, "Jan Ridd, carr thic
+thing for me."
+
+So I carried it for her, without any words; wondering what she was up
+to next, and whether she had ever heard of being too hard on the willing
+horse. And when we came to hog-pound, she turned upon me suddenly, with
+the lanthorn she was bearing, and saw that I had the bock by one hand
+very easily.
+
+"Jan Ridd," she said, "there be no other man in England cud a' dood it.
+Now thee shalt have Larna."
+
+[Illustration: 277.jpg The Pigs]
+
+While I was wondering how my chance of having Lorna could depend upon
+my power to carry pig's wash, and how Betty could have any voice in the
+matter (which seemed to depend upon her decision), and in short, while
+I was all abroad as to her knowledge and everything, the pigs, who had
+been fast asleep and dreaming in their emptiness, awoke with one accord
+at the goodness of the smell around them. They had resigned themselves,
+as even pigs do, to a kind of fast, hoping to break their fast more
+sweetly on the morrow morning. But now they tumbled out all headlong,
+pigs below and pigs above, pigs point-blank and pigs across, pigs
+courant and pigs rampant, but all alike prepared to eat, and all in good
+cadence squeaking.
+
+"Tak smarl boocket, and bale un out; wad 'e waste sich stoof as thic
+here be?" So Betty set me to feed the pigs, while she held the lanthorn;
+and knowing what she was, I saw that she would not tell me another word
+until all the pigs were served. And in truth no man could well look at
+them, and delay to serve them, they were all expressing appetite in so
+forcible a manner; some running to and fro, and rubbing, and squealing
+as if from starvation, some rushing down to the oaken troughs, and
+poking each other away from them; and the kindest of all putting up
+their fore-feet on the top-rail on the hog-pound, and blinking their
+little eyes, and grunting prettily to coax us; as who would say, "I
+trust you now; you will be kind, I know, and give me the first and the
+very best of it."
+
+"Oppen ge-at now, wull 'e, Jan? Maind, young sow wi' the baible back
+arlway hath first toorn of it, 'cos I brought her up on my lap, I did.
+Zuck, zuck, zuck! How her stickth her tail up; do me good to zee un! Now
+thiccy trough, thee zany, and tak thee girt legs out o' the wai. Wish
+they wud gie thee a good baite, mak thee hop a bit vaster, I reckon. Hit
+that there girt ozebird over's back wi' the broomstick, he be robbing
+of my young zow. Choog, choog, choog! and a drap more left in the
+dripping-pail."
+
+"Come now, Betty," I said, when all the pigs were at it sucking,
+swilling, munching, guzzling, thrusting, and ousting, and spilling
+the food upon the backs of their brethren (as great men do with their
+charity), "come now, Betty, how much longer am I to wait for your
+message? Surely I am as good as a pig."
+
+"Dunno as thee be, Jan. No straikiness in thy bakkon. And now I come to
+think of it, Jan, thee zed, a wake agone last Vriday, as how I had got a
+girt be-ard. Wull 'e stick to that now, Maister Jan?"
+
+"No, no, Betty, certainly not; I made a mistake about it. I should have
+said a becoming mustachio, such as you may well be proud of."
+
+"Then thee be a laiar, Jan Ridd. Zay so, laike a man, lad."
+
+"Not exactly that, Betty; but I made a great mistake; and I humbly ask
+your pardon; and if such a thing as a crown-piece, Betty"--
+
+"No fai, no fai!" said Betty, however she put it into her pocket; "now
+tak my advice, Jan; thee marry Zally Snowe."
+
+"Not with all England for her dowry. Oh, Betty, you know better."
+
+"Ah's me! I know much worse, Jan. Break thy poor mother's heart it will.
+And to think of arl the danger! Dost love Larna now so much?"
+
+"With all the strength of my heart and soul. I will have her, or I will
+die, Betty."
+
+"Wull. Thee will die in either case. But it baint for me to argify. And
+do her love thee too, Jan?"
+
+"I hope she does, Betty I hope she does. What do you think about it?"
+
+"Ah, then I may hold my tongue to it. Knaw what boys and maidens be, as
+well as I knew young pegs. I myzell been o' that zort one taime every
+bit so well as you be." And Betty held the lanthorn up, and defied me to
+deny it; and the light through the horn showed a gleam in her eyes, such
+as I had never seer there before. "No odds, no odds about that,"
+she continued; "mak a fool of myzell to spake of it. Arl gone into
+churchyard. But it be a lucky foolery for thee, my boy, I can tull 'ee.
+For I love to see the love in thee. Coom'th over me as the spring do,
+though I be naigh three score. Now, Jan, I will tell thee one thing,
+can't abear to zee thee vretting so. Hould thee head down, same as they
+pegs do."
+
+So I bent my head quite close to her; and she whispered in my ear, "Goo
+of a marning, thee girt soft. Her can't get out of an avening now, her
+hath zent word to me, to tull 'ee."
+
+In the glory of my delight at this, I bestowed upon Betty a chaste
+salute, with all the pigs for witnesses; and she took it not amiss,
+considering how long she had been out of practice. But then she fell
+back, like a broom on its handle, and stared at me, feigning anger.
+
+"Oh fai, oh fai! Lunnon impudence, I doubt. I vear thee hast gone on
+zadly, Jan."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII
+
+AN EARLY MORNING CALL
+
+[Illustration: 280.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Of course I was up the very next morning before the October sunrise, and
+away through the wild and the woodland towards the Bagworthy water, at
+the foot of the long cascade. The rising of the sun was noble in the
+cold and warmth of it; peeping down the spread of light, he raised his
+shoulder heavily over the edge of grey mountain, and wavering length of
+upland. Beneath his gaze the dew-fogs dipped, and crept to the hollow
+places; then stole away in line and column, holding skirts, and clinging
+subtly at the sheltering corners, where rock hung over grass-land; while
+the brave lines of the hills came forth, one beyond other gliding.
+
+Then the woods arose in folds, like drapery of awakened mountains,
+stately with a depth of awe, and memory of the tempests. Autumn's mellow
+hand was on them, as they owned already, touched with gold, and red,
+and olive; and their joy towards the sun was less to a bridegroom than a
+father.
+
+[Illustration: 281.jpg Autumn's mellow hand]
+
+Yet before the floating impress of the woods could clear itself,
+suddenly the gladsome light leaped over hill and valley, casting amber,
+blue, and purple, and a tint of rich red rose; according to the scene
+they lit on, and the curtain flung around; yet all alike dispelling fear
+and the cloven hoof of darkness, all on the wings of hope advancing,
+and proclaiming, "God is here." Then life and joy sprang reassured
+from every crouching hollow; every flower, and bud, and bird, had a
+fluttering sense of them; and all the flashing of God's gaze merged into
+soft beneficence.
+
+So perhaps shall break upon us that eternal morning, when crag and chasm
+shall be no more, neither hill and valley, nor great unvintaged ocean;
+when glory shall not scare happiness, neither happiness envy glory;
+but all things shall arise and shine in the light of the Father's
+countenance, because itself is risen.
+
+Who maketh His sun to rise upon both the just and the unjust. And surely
+but for the saving clause, Doone Glen had been in darkness. Now, as I
+stood with scanty breath--for few men could have won that climb--at
+the top of the long defile, and the bottom of the mountain gorge all of
+myself, and the pain of it, and the cark of my discontent fell away
+into wonder and rapture. For I cannot help seeing things now and then,
+slow-witted as I have a right to be; and perhaps because it comes so
+rarely, the sight dwells with me like a picture.
+
+The bar of rock, with the water-cleft breaking steeply through it, stood
+bold and bare, and dark in shadow, grey with red gullies down it. But
+the sun was beginning to glisten over the comb of the eastern highland,
+and through an archway of the wood hung with old nests and ivy. The
+lines of many a leaning tree were thrown, from the cliffs of the
+foreland, down upon the sparkling grass at the foot of the western
+crags. And through the dewy meadow's breast, fringed with shade, but
+touched on one side with the sun-smile, ran the crystal water, curving
+in its brightness like diverted hope.
+
+On either bank, the blades of grass, making their last autumn growth,
+pricked their spears and crisped their tuftings with the pearly purity.
+The tenderness of their green appeared under the glaucous mantle; while
+that grey suffusion, which is the blush of green life, spread its damask
+chastity. Even then my soul was lifted, worried though my mind was: who
+can see such large kind doings, and not be ashamed of human grief?
+
+Not only unashamed of grief, but much abashed with joy, was I, when
+I saw my Lorna coming, purer than the morning dew, than the sun more
+bright and clear. That which made me love her so, that which lifted my
+heart to her, as the Spring wind lifts the clouds, was the gayness of
+her nature, and its inborn playfulness. And yet all this with maiden
+shame, a conscious dream of things unknown, and a sense of fate about
+them.
+
+Down the valley still she came, not witting that I looked at her, having
+ceased (through my own misprison) to expect me yet awhile; or at least
+she told herself so. In the joy of awakened life and brightness of
+the morning, she had cast all care away, and seemed to float upon the
+sunrise, like a buoyant silver wave. Suddenly at sight of me, for I
+leaped forth at once, in fear of seeming to watch her unawares, the
+bloom upon her cheeks was deepened, and the radiance of her eyes; and
+she came to meet me gladly.
+
+"At last then, you are come, John. I thought you had forgotten me. I
+could not make you understand--they have kept me prisoner every evening:
+but come into my house; you are in danger here."
+
+[Illustration: 283.jpg At last then, you are come John]
+
+Meanwhile I could not answer, being overcome with joy, but followed
+to her little grotto, where I had been twice before. I knew that the
+crowning moment of my life was coming--that Lorna would own her love for
+me.
+
+She made for awhile as if she dreamed not of the meaning of my gaze,
+but tried to speak of other things, faltering now and then, and mantling
+with a richer damask below her long eyelashes.
+
+"This is not what I came to know," I whispered very softly, "you know
+what I am come to ask."
+
+"If you are come on purpose to ask anything, why do you delay so?" She
+turned away very bravely, but I saw that her lips were trembling.
+
+"I delay so long, because I fear; because my whole life hangs in balance
+on a single word; because what I have near me now may never more be near
+me after, though more than all the world, or than a thousand worlds,
+to me." As I spoke these words of passion in a low soft voice, Lorna
+trembled more and more; but she made no answer, neither yet looked up at
+me.
+
+"I have loved you long and long," I pursued, being reckless now, "when
+you were a little child, as a boy I worshipped you: then when I saw
+you a comely girl, as a stripling I adored you: now that you are a
+full-grown maiden all the rest I do, and more--I love you more than
+tongue can tell, or heart can hold in silence. I have waited long and
+long; and though I am so far below you I can wait no longer; but must
+have my answer."
+
+"You have been very faithful, John," she murmured to the fern and moss;
+"I suppose I must reward you."
+
+"That will not do for me," I said; "I will not have reluctant liking,
+nor assent for pity's sake; which only means endurance. I must have all
+love, or none, I must have your heart of hearts; even as you have mine,
+Lorna."
+
+While I spoke, she glanced up shyly through her fluttering lashes,
+to prolong my doubt one moment, for her own delicious pride. Then she
+opened wide upon me all the glorious depth and softness of her loving
+eyes, and flung both arms around my neck, and answered with her heart on
+mine,--
+
+"Darling, you have won it all. I shall never be my own again. I am
+yours, my own one, for ever and for ever."
+
+I am sure I know not what I did, or what I said thereafter, being
+overcome with transport by her words and at her gaze. Only one thing I
+remember, when she raised her bright lips to me, like a child, for me to
+kiss, such a smile of sweet temptation met me through her flowing hair,
+that I almost forgot my manners, giving her no time to breathe.
+
+"That will do," said Lorna gently, but violently blushing; "for the
+present that will do, John. And now remember one thing, dear. All the
+kindness is to be on my side; and you are to be very distant, as behoves
+to a young maiden; except when I invite you. But you may kiss my hand,
+John; oh, yes, you may kiss my hand, you know. Ah to be sure! I had
+forgotten; how very stupid of me!"
+
+For by this time I had taken one sweet hand and gazed on it, with the
+pride of all the world to think that such a lovely thing was mine; and
+then I slipped my little ring upon the wedding finger; and this time
+Lorna kept it, and looked with fondness on its beauty, and clung to me
+with a flood of tears.
+
+"Every time you cry," said I, drawing her closer to me "I shall consider
+it an invitation not to be too distant. There now, none shall make you
+weep. Darling, you shall sigh no more, but live in peace and happiness,
+with me to guard and cherish you: and who shall dare to vex you?" But
+she drew a long sad sigh, and looked at the ground with the great tears
+rolling, and pressed one hand upon the trouble of her pure young breast.
+
+"It can never, never be," she murmured to herself alone: "Who am I, to
+dream of it? Something in my heart tells me it can be so never, never."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV
+
+TWO NEGATIVES MAKE AN AFFIRMATIVE
+
+[Illustration: 286.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+There was, however, no possibility of depressing me at such a time. To
+be loved by Lorna, the sweet, the pure, the playful one, the fairest
+creature on God's earth and the most enchanting, the lady of high birth
+and mind; that I, a mere clumsy, blundering yeoman, without wit, or
+wealth, or lineage, should have won that loving heart to be my own for
+ever, was a thought no fears could lessen, and no chance could steal
+from me.
+
+Therefore at her own entreaty taking a very quick adieu, and by her own
+invitation an exceeding kind one, I hurried home with deep exulting, yet
+some sad misgivings, for Lorna had made me promise now to tell my mother
+everything; as indeed I always meant to do, when my suit should be gone
+too far to stop. I knew, of course, that my dear mother would be greatly
+moved and vexed, the heirship of Glen Doone not being a very desirable
+dower, but in spite of that, and all disappointment as to little Ruth
+Huckaback, feeling my mother's tenderness and deep affection to me, and
+forgiving nature, I doubted not that before very long she would view the
+matter as I did. Moreover, I felt that if once I could get her only to
+look at Lorna, she would so love and glory in her, that I should obtain
+all praise and thanks, perchance without deserving them.
+
+Unluckily for my designs, who should be sitting down at breakfast with
+my mother and the rest but Squire Faggus, as everybody now began to
+entitle him. I noticed something odd about him, something uncomfortable
+in his manner, and a lack of that ease and humour which had been wont to
+distinguish him. He took his breakfast as it came, without a single
+joke about it, or preference of this to that; but with sly soft looks
+at Annie, who seemed unable to sit quiet, or to look at any one
+steadfastly. I feared in my heart what was coming on, and felt truly
+sorry for poor mother. After breakfast it became my duty to see to the
+ploughing of a barley-stubble ready for the sowing of a French grass,
+and I asked Tom Faggus to come with me, but he refused, and I knew the
+reason. Being resolved to allow him fair field to himself, though with
+great displeasure that a man of such illegal repute should marry into
+our family, which had always been counted so honest, I carried my dinner
+upon my back, and spent the whole day with the furrows.
+
+When I returned, Squire Faggus was gone; which appeared to me but
+a sorry sign, inasmuch as if mother had taken kindly to him and his
+intentions, she would surely have made him remain awhile to celebrate
+the occasion. And presently no doubt was left: for Lizzie came running
+to meet me, at the bottom of the woodrick, and cried,--
+
+"Oh, John, there is such a business. Mother is in such a state of mind,
+and Annie crying her eyes out. What do you think? You would never guess,
+though I have suspected it, ever so long."
+
+"No need for me to guess," I replied, as though with some indifference,
+because of her self-important air; "I knew all about it long ago. You
+have not been crying much, I see. I should like you better if you had."
+
+"Why should I cry? I like Tom Faggus. He is the only one I ever see with
+the spirit of a man."
+
+This was a cut, of course, at me. Mr. Faggus had won the goodwill of
+Lizzie by his hatred of the Doones, and vows that if he could get a
+dozen men of any courage to join him, he would pull their stronghold
+about their ears without any more ado. This malice of his seemed strange
+to me, as he had never suffered at their hands, so far at least as I
+knew; was it to be attributed to his jealousy of outlaws who excelled
+him in his business? Not being good at repartee, I made no answer to
+Lizzie, having found this course more irksome to her than the very best
+invective: and so we entered the house together; and mother sent at once
+for me, while I was trying to console my darling sister Annie.
+
+"Oh, John! speak one good word for me," she cried with both hands laid
+in mine, and her tearful eyes looking up at me.
+
+"Not one, my pet, but a hundred," I answered, kindly embracing her:
+"have no fear, little sister: I am going to make your case so bright, by
+comparison, I mean, that mother will send for you in five minutes, and
+call you her best, her most dutiful child, and praise Cousin Tom to the
+skies, and send a man on horseback after him; and then you will have a
+harder task to intercede for me, my dear."
+
+"Oh, John, dear John, you won't tell her about Lorna--oh, not to-day,
+dear."
+
+"Yes, to-day, and at once, Annie. I want to have it over, and be done
+with it."
+
+"Oh, but think of her, dear. I am sure she could not bear it, after this
+great shock already."
+
+"She will bear it all the better," said I; "the one will drive the other
+out. I know exactly what mother is. She will be desperately savage first
+with you, and then with me, and then for a very little while with both
+of us together; and then she will put one against the other (in her mind
+I mean) and consider which was most to blame; and in doing that she will
+be compelled to find the best in either's case, that it may beat the
+other; and so as the pleas come before her mind, they will gain upon the
+charges, both of us being her children, you know: and before very long
+(particularly if we both keep out of the way) she will begin to think
+that after all she has been a little too hasty, and then she will
+remember how good we have always been to her; and how like our father.
+Upon that, she will think of her own love-time, and sigh a good bit,
+and cry a little, and then smile, and send for both of us, and beg our
+pardon, and call us her two darlings."
+
+"Now, John, how on earth can you know all that?" exclaimed my sister,
+wiping her eyes, and gazing at me with a soft bright smile. "Who on
+earth can have told you, John? People to call you stupid indeed! Why,
+I feel that all you say is quite true, because you describe so exactly
+what I should do myself; I mean--I mean if I had two children, who had
+behaved as we have done. But tell me, darling John, how you learned all
+this."
+
+"Never you mind," I replied, with a nod of some conceit, I fear: "I must
+be a fool if I did not know what mother is by this time."
+
+Now inasmuch as the thing befell according to my prediction, what need
+for me to dwell upon it, after saying how it would be? Moreover, I would
+regret to write down what mother said about Lorna, in her first surprise
+and tribulation; not only because I was grieved by the gross injustice
+of it, and frightened mother with her own words (repeated deeply after
+her); but rather because it is not well, when people repent of hasty
+speech, to enter it against them.
+
+That is said to be the angels' business; and I doubt if they can attend
+to it much, without doing injury to themselves.
+
+However, by the afternoon, when the sun began to go down upon us, our
+mother sat on the garden bench, with her head on my great otter-skin
+waistcoat (which was waterproof), and her right arm round our Annie's
+waist, and scarcely knowing which of us she ought to make the most of,
+or which deserved most pity. Not that she had forgiven yet the rivals to
+her love--Tom Faggus, I mean, and Lorna--but that she was beginning to
+think a tattle better of them now, and a vast deal better of her own
+children.
+
+And it helped her much in this regard, that she was not thinking half
+so well as usual of herself, or rather of her own judgment; for in good
+truth she had no self, only as it came home to her, by no very distant
+road, but by way of her children. A better mother never lived; and can
+I, after searching all things, add another word to that?
+
+And indeed poor Lizzie was not so very bad; but behaved (on the whole)
+very well for her. She was much to be pitied, poor thing, and great
+allowances made for her, as belonging to a well-grown family, and a very
+comely one; and feeling her own shortcomings. This made her leap to the
+other extreme, and reassert herself too much, endeavouring to exalt the
+mind at the expense of the body; because she had the invisible one (so
+far as can be decided) in better share than the visible. Not but what
+she had her points, and very comely points of body; lovely eyes to wit,
+and very beautiful hands and feet (almost as good as Lorna's), and a
+neck as white as snow; but Lizzie was not gifted with our gait and port,
+and bounding health.
+
+Now, while we sat on the garden bench, under the great ash-tree, we left
+dear mother to take her own way, and talk at her own pleasure. Children
+almost always are more wide-awake than their parents. The fathers and
+the mothers laugh; but the young ones have the best of them. And now
+both Annie knew, and I, that we had gotten the best of mother; and
+therefore we let her lay down the law, as if we had been two dollies.
+
+[Illustration: 290.jpg Gotten the best of mother]
+
+"Darling John," my mother said, "your case is a very hard one. A young
+and very romantic girl--God send that I be right in my charitable
+view of her--has met an equally simple boy, among great dangers and
+difficulties, from which my son has saved her, at the risk of his life
+at every step. Of course, she became attached to him, and looked up to
+him in every way, as a superior being"--
+
+"Come now, mother," I said; "if you only saw Lorna, you would look upon
+me as the lowest dirt"--
+
+"No doubt I should," my mother answered; "and the king and queen, and
+all the royal family. Well, this poor angel, having made up her mind to
+take compassion upon my son, when he had saved her life so many times,
+persuades him to marry her out of pure pity, and throw his poor mother
+overboard. And the saddest part of it all is this--"
+
+"That my mother will never, never, never understand the truth," said I.
+
+"That is all I wish," she answered; "just to get at the simple truth
+from my own perception of it. John, you are very wise in kissing me;
+but perhaps you would not be so wise in bringing Lorna for an afternoon,
+just to see what she thinks of me. There is a good saddle of mutton now;
+and there are some very good sausages left, on the blue dish with the
+anchor, Annie, from the last little sow we killed."
+
+"As if Lorna would eat sausages!" said I, with appearance of high
+contempt, though rejoicing all the while that mother seemed to have her
+name so pat; and she pronounced it in a manner which made my heart leap
+to my ears: "Lorna to eat sausages!"
+
+"I don't see why she shouldn't," my mother answered smiling, "if she
+means to be a farmer's wife, she must take to farmer's ways, I think.
+What do you say, Annie?"
+
+"She will eat whatever John desires, I should hope," said Annie gravely;
+"particularly as I made them."
+
+"Oh that I could only get the chance of trying her!" I answered, "if you
+could once behold her, mother, you would never let her go again. And she
+would love you with all her heart, she is so good and gentle."
+
+"That is a lucky thing for me"; saying this my mother wept, as she had
+been doing off and on, when no one seemed to look at her; "otherwise I
+suppose, John, she would very soon turn me out of the farm, having you
+so completely under her thumb, as she seems to have. I see now that my
+time is over. Lizzie and I will seek our fortunes. It is wiser so."
+
+"Now, mother," I cried; "will you have the kindness not to talk any
+nonsense? Everything belongs to you; and so, I hope, your children do.
+And you, in turn, belong to us; as you have proved ever since--oh, ever
+since we can remember. Why do you make Annie cry so? You ought to know
+better than that."
+
+Mother upon this went over all the things she had done before; how many
+times I know not; neither does it matter. Only she seemed to enjoy it
+more, every time of doing it. And then she said she was an old fool; and
+Annie (like a thorough girl) pulled her one grey hair out.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV
+
+RUTH IS NOT LIKE LORNA
+
+[Illustration: 292.jpg Carver Doone]
+
+Although by our mother's reluctant consent a large part of the obstacles
+between Annie and her lover appeared to be removed, on the other hand
+Lorna and myself gained little, except as regarded comfort of mind, and
+some ease to the conscience. Moreover, our chance of frequent meetings
+and delightful converse was much impaired, at least for the present;
+because though mother was not aware of my narrow escape from Carver
+Doone, she made me promise never to risk my life by needless visits.
+And upon this point, that is to say, the necessity of the visit, she was
+well content, as she said, to leave me to my own good sense and honour;
+only begging me always to tell her of my intention beforehand. This
+pledge, however, for her own sake, I declined to give; knowing how
+wretched she would be during all the time of my absence; and, on that
+account, I promised instead, that I would always give her a full account
+of my adventure upon returning.
+
+Now my mother, as might be expected, began at once to cast about for
+some means of relieving me from all further peril, and herself from
+great anxiety. She was full of plans for fetching Lorna, in some
+wonderful manner, out of the power of the Doones entirely, and into her
+own hands, where she was to remain for at least a twelve-month, learning
+all mother and Annie could teach her of dairy business, and farm-house
+life, and the best mode of packing butter. And all this arose from my
+happening to say, without meaning anything, how the poor dear had longed
+for quiet, and a life of simplicity, and a rest away from violence!
+Bless thee, mother--now long in heaven, there is no need to bless thee;
+but it often makes a dimness now in my well-worn eyes, when I think of
+thy loving-kindness, warmth, and romantic innocence.
+
+As to stealing my beloved from that vile Glen Doone, the deed itself was
+not impossible, nor beyond my daring; but in the first place would she
+come, leaving her old grandfather to die without her tendence? And
+even if, through fear of Carver and that wicked Counsellor, she should
+consent to fly, would it be possible to keep her without a regiment of
+soldiers? Would not the Doones at once ride forth to scour the country
+for their queen, and finding her (as they must do), burn our house, and
+murder us, and carry her back triumphantly?
+
+All this I laid before my mother, and to such effect that she
+acknowledged, with a sigh that nothing else remained for me (in the
+present state of matters) except to keep a careful watch upon Lorna from
+safe distance, observe the policy of the Doones, and wait for a tide in
+their affairs. Meanwhile I might even fall in love (as mother unwisely
+hinted) with a certain more peaceful heiress, although of inferior
+blood, who would be daily at my elbow. I am not sure but what dear
+mother herself would have been disappointed, had I proved myself so
+fickle; and my disdain and indignation at the mere suggestion did not so
+much displease her; for she only smiled and answered,--
+
+"Well, it is not for me to say; God knows what is good for us. Likings
+will not come to order; otherwise I should not be where I am this day.
+And of one thing I am rather glad; Uncle Reuben well deserves that his
+pet scheme should miscarry. He who called my boy a coward, an ignoble
+coward, because he would not join some crack-brained plan against the
+valley which sheltered his beloved one! And all the time this dreadful
+'coward' risking his life daily there, without a word to any one! How
+glad I am that you will not have, for all her miserable money, that
+little dwarfish granddaughter of the insolent old miser!"
+
+She turned, and by her side was standing poor Ruth Huckaback herself,
+white, and sad, and looking steadily at my mother's face, which became
+as red as a plum while her breath deserted her.
+
+[Illustration: 294.jpg Poor Ruth Huckaback herself]
+
+"If you please, madam," said the little maiden, with her large calm eyes
+unwavering, "it is not my fault, but God Almighty's, that I am a little
+dwarfish creature. I knew not that you regarded me with so much contempt
+on that account; neither have you told my grandfather, at least
+within my hearing, that he was an insolent old miser. When I return to
+Dulverton, which I trust to do to-morrow (for it is too late to-day),
+I shall be careful not to tell him your opinion of him, lest I should
+thwart any schemes you may have upon his property. I thank you all for
+your kindness to me, which has been very great, far more than a little
+dwarfish creature could, for her own sake, expect. I will only add for
+your further guidance one more little truth. It is by no means certain
+that my grandfather will settle any of his miserable money upon me. If
+I offend him, as I would in a moment, for the sake of a brave and
+straightforward man"--here she gave me a glance which I scarcely knew
+what to do with--"my grandfather, upright as he is, would leave me
+without a shilling. And I often wish it were so. So many miseries come
+upon me from the miserable money--" Here she broke down, and burst out
+crying, and ran away with a faint good-bye; while we three looked at one
+another, and felt that we had the worst of it.
+
+"Impudent little dwarf!" said my mother, recovering her breath after
+ever so long. "Oh, John, how thankful you ought to be! What a life she
+would have led you!"
+
+"Well, I am sure!" said Annie, throwing her arms around poor mother:
+"who could have thought that little atomy had such an outrageous spirit!
+For my part I cannot think how she can have been sly enough to hide it
+in that crafty manner, that John might think her an angel!"
+
+"Well, for my part," I answered, laughing, "I never admired Ruth
+Huckaback half, or a quarter so much before. She is rare stuff. I would
+have been glad to have married her to-morrow, if I had never seen my
+Lorna."
+
+"And a nice nobody I should have been, in my own house!" cried mother:
+"I never can be thankful enough to darling Lorna for saving me. Did you
+see how her eyes flashed?"
+
+"That I did; and very fine they were. Now nine maidens out of ten would
+have feigned not to have heard one word that was said, and have borne
+black malice in their hearts. Come, Annie, now, would not you have done
+so?"
+
+"I think," said Annie, "although of course I cannot tell, you know,
+John, that I should have been ashamed at hearing what was never meant
+for me, and should have been almost as angry with myself as anybody."
+
+"So you would," replied my mother; "so any daughter of mine would have
+done, instead of railing and reviling. However, I am very sorry that any
+words of mine which the poor little thing chose to overhear should have
+made her so forget herself. I shall beg her pardon before she goes, and
+I shall expect her to beg mine."
+
+"That she will never do," said I; "a more resolute little maiden never
+yet had right upon her side; although it was a mere accident. I might
+have said the same thing myself, and she was hard upon you, mother
+dear."
+
+After this, we said no more, at least about that matter; and little
+Ruth, the next morning, left us, in spite of all that we could do. She
+vowed an everlasting friendship to my younger sister Eliza; but she
+looked at Annie with some resentment, when they said good-bye, for being
+so much taller. At any rate so Annie fancied, but she may have been
+quite wrong. I rode beside the little maid till far beyond Exeford, when
+all danger of the moor was past, and then I left her with John Fry, not
+wishing to be too particular, after all the talk about her money. She
+had tears in her eyes when she bade me farewell, and she sent a kind
+message home to mother, and promised to come again at Christmas, if she
+could win permission.
+
+[Illustration: 296.jpg She had tears in her eyes]
+
+Upon the whole, my opinion was that she had behaved uncommonly well for
+a maid whose self-love was outraged, with spirit, I mean, and proper
+pride; and yet with a great endeavour to forgive, which is, meseems, the
+hardest of all things to a woman, outside of her own family.
+
+After this, for another month, nothing worthy of notice happened, except
+of course that I found it needful, according to the strictest good sense
+and honour, to visit Lorna immediately after my discourse with mother,
+and to tell her all about it. My beauty gave me one sweet kiss with all
+her heart (as she always did, when she kissed at all), and I begged for
+one more to take to our mother, and before leaving, I obtained it. It
+is not for me to tell all she said, even supposing (what is not likely)
+that any one cared to know it, being more and more peculiar to ourselves
+and no one else. But one thing that she said was this, and I took good
+care to carry it, word for word, to my mother and Annie:--
+
+"I never can believe, dear John, that after all the crime and outrage
+wrought by my reckless family, it ever can be meant for me to settle
+down to peace and comfort in a simple household. With all my heart I
+long for home; any home, however dull and wearisome to those used to
+it, would seem a paradise to me, if only free from brawl and tumult,
+and such as I could call my own. But even if God would allow me this, in
+lieu of my wild inheritance, it is quite certain that the Doones never
+can and never will."
+
+Again, when I told her how my mother and Annie, as well as myself,
+longed to have her at Plover's Barrows, and teach her all the quiet
+duties in which she was sure to take such delight, she only answered
+with a bright blush, that while her grandfather was living she would
+never leave him; and that even if she were free, certain ruin was all
+she should bring to any house that received her, at least within the
+utmost reach of her amiable family. This was too plain to be denied,
+and seeing my dejection at it, she told me bravely that we must hope for
+better times, if possible, and asked how long I would wait for her.
+
+"Not a day if I had my will," I answered very warmly; at which she
+turned away confused, and would not look at me for awhile; "but all my
+life," I went on to say, "if my fortune is so ill. And how long would
+you wait for me, Lorna?"
+
+"Till I could get you," she answered slyly, with a smile which
+was brighter to me than the brightest wit could be. "And now," she
+continued, "you bound me, John, with a very beautiful ring to you, and
+when I dare not wear it, I carry it always on my heart. But I will bind
+you to me, you dearest, with the very poorest and plainest thing that
+ever you set eyes on. I could give you fifty fairer ones, but they would
+not be honest; and I love you for your honesty, and nothing else of
+course, John; so don't you be conceited. Look at it, what a queer
+old thing! There are some ancient marks upon it, very grotesque and
+wonderful; it looks like a cat in a tree almost, but never mind what it
+looks like. This old ring must have been a giant's; therefore it will
+fit you perhaps, you enormous John. It has been on the front of my old
+glass necklace (which my grandfather found them taking away, and very
+soon made them give back again) ever since I can remember; and long
+before that, as some woman told me. Now you seem very greatly amazed;
+pray what thinks my lord of it?"
+
+"That is worth fifty of the pearl thing which I gave you, you darling;
+and that I will not take it from you."
+
+"Then you will never take me, that is all. I will have nothing to do
+with a gentleman"--
+
+"No gentleman, dear--a yeoman."
+
+"Very well, a yeoman--nothing to do with a yeoman who will not accept my
+love-gage. So, if you please, give it back again, and take your lovely
+ring back."
+
+She looked at me in such a manner, half in earnest, half in jest, and
+three times three in love, that in spite of all good resolutions, and
+her own faint protest, I was forced to abandon all firm ideas, and kiss
+her till she was quite ashamed, and her head hung on my bosom, with the
+night of her hair shed over me. Then I placed the pearl ring back on the
+soft elastic bend of the finger she held up to scold me; and on my own
+smallest finger drew the heavy hoop she had given me. I considered this
+with satisfaction, until my darling recovered herself; and then I began
+very gravely about it, to keep her (if I could) from chiding me:--
+
+"Mistress Lorna, this is not the ring of any giant. It is nothing more
+nor less than a very ancient thumb-ring, such as once in my father's
+time was ploughed up out of the ground in our farm, and sent to learned
+doctors, who told us all about it, but kept the ring for their trouble.
+I will accept it, my own one love; and it shall go to my grave with
+me." And so it shall, unless there be villains who would dare to rob the
+dead.
+
+Now I have spoken about this ring (though I scarcely meant to do so,
+and would rather keep to myself things so very holy) because it holds an
+important part in the history of my Lorna. I asked her where the glass
+necklace was from which the ring was fastened, and which she had worn
+in her childhood, and she answered that she hardly knew, but remembered
+that her grandfather had begged her to give it up to him, when she was
+ten years old or so, and had promised to keep it for her until she
+could take care of it; at the same time giving her back the ring, and
+fastening it from her pretty neck, and telling her to be proud of it.
+And so she always had been, and now from her sweet breast she took it,
+and it became John Ridd's delight.
+
+All this, or at least great part of it, I told my mother truly,
+according to my promise; and she was greatly pleased with Lorna for
+having been so good to me, and for speaking so very sensibly; and then
+she looked at the great gold ring, but could by no means interpret it.
+Only she was quite certain, as indeed I myself was, that it must have
+belonged to an ancient race of great consideration, and high rank,
+in their time. Upon which I was for taking it off, lest it should be
+degraded by a common farmer's finger. But mother said "No," with tears
+in her eyes; "if the common farmer had won the great lady of the ancient
+race, what were rings and old-world trinkets, when compared to the
+living jewel?" Being quite of her opinion in this, and loving the ring
+(which had no gem in it) as the token of my priceless gem, I resolved to
+wear it at any cost, except when I should be ploughing, or doing things
+likely to break it; although I must own that it felt very queer (for I
+never had throttled a finger before), and it looked very queer, for a
+length of time, upon my great hard-working hand.
+
+And before I got used to my ring, or people could think that it belonged
+to me (plain and ungarnished though it was), and before I went to see
+Lorna again, having failed to find any necessity, and remembering my
+duty to mother, we all had something else to think of, not so pleasant,
+and more puzzling.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI
+
+JOHN RETURNS TO BUSINESS
+
+[Illustration: 299.jpg Guy Fawkes]
+
+Now November was upon us, and we had kept Allhallowmass, with roasting
+of skewered apples (like so many shuttlecocks), and after that the day
+of Fawkes, as became good Protestants, with merry bonfires and burned
+batatas, and plenty of good feeding in honour of our religion; and then
+while we were at wheat-sowing, another visitor arrived.
+
+This was Master Jeremy Stickles, who had been a good friend to me (as
+described before) in London, and had earned my mother's gratitude, so
+far as ever he chose to have it. And he seemed inclined to have it all;
+for he made our farm-house his headquarters, and kept us quite at his
+beck and call, going out at any time of the evening, and coming back at
+any time of the morning, and always expecting us to be ready, whether
+with horse, or man, or maiden, or fire, or provisions. We knew that he
+was employed somehow upon the service of the King, and had at different
+stations certain troopers and orderlies quite at his disposal; also
+we knew that he never went out, nor even slept in his bedroom, without
+heavy firearms well loaded, and a sharp sword nigh his hand; and that
+he held a great commission, under royal signet, requiring all good
+subjects, all officers of whatever degree, and especially justices of
+the peace, to aid him to the utmost, with person, beast, and chattel, or
+to answer it at their peril.
+
+Now Master Jeremy Stickles, of course, knowing well what women are,
+durst not open to any of them the nature of his instructions. But, after
+awhile, perceiving that I could be relied upon, and that it was a great
+discomfort not to have me with him, he took me aside in a lonely place,
+and told me nearly everything; having bound me first by oath, not to
+impart to any one, without his own permission, until all was over.
+
+But at this present time of writing, all is over long ago; ay and
+forgotten too, I ween, except by those who suffered. Therefore may I
+tell the whole without any breach of confidence. Master Stickles was
+going forth upon his usual night journey, when he met me coming home,
+and I said something half in jest, about his zeal and secrecy; upon
+which he looked all round the yard, and led me to an open space in the
+clover field adjoining.
+
+"John," he said, "you have some right to know the meaning of all this,
+being trusted as you were by the Lord Chief Justice. But he found you
+scarcely supple enough, neither gifted with due brains."
+
+"Thank God for that same," I answered, while he tapped his head, to
+signify his own much larger allowance. Then he made me bind myself,
+which in an evil hour I did, to retain his secret; and after that he
+went on solemnly, and with much importance,--
+
+"There be some people fit to plot, and others to be plotted against,
+and others to unravel plots, which is the highest gift of all. This last
+hath fallen to my share, and a very thankless gift it is, although a
+rare and choice one. Much of peril too attends it; daring courage and
+great coolness are as needful for the work as ready wit and spotless
+honour. Therefore His Majesty's advisers have chosen me for this high
+task, and they could not have chosen a better man. Although you have
+been in London, Jack, much longer than you wished it, you are wholly
+ignorant, of course, in matters of state, and the public weal."
+
+"Well," said I, "no doubt but I am, and all the better for me. Although
+I heard a deal of them; for everybody was talking, and ready to come to
+blows; if only it could be done without danger. But one said this, and
+one said that; and they talked so much about Birminghams, and Tantivies,
+and Whigs and Tories, and Protestant flails and such like, that I was
+only too glad to have my glass and clink my spoon for answer."
+
+"Right, John, thou art right as usual. Let the King go his own gait. He
+hath too many mistresses to be ever England's master. Nobody need fear
+him, for he is not like his father: he will have his own way, 'tis true,
+but without stopping other folk of theirs: and well he knows what women
+are, for he never asks them questions. Now heard you much in London town
+about the Duke of Monmouth?"
+
+"Not so very much," I answered; "not half so much as in Devonshire: only
+that he was a hearty man, and a very handsome one, and now was banished
+by the Tories; and most people wished he was coming back, instead of the
+Duke of York, who was trying boots in Scotland."
+
+"Things are changed since you were in town. The Whigs are getting up
+again, through the folly of the Tories killing poor Lord Russell; and
+now this Master Sidney (if my Lord condemns him) will make it worse
+again. There is much disaffection everywhere, and it must grow to an
+outbreak. The King hath many troops in London, and meaneth to bring
+more from Tangier; but he cannot command these country places; and the
+trained bands cannot help him much, even if they would. Now, do you
+understand me, John?"
+
+"In truth, not I. I see not what Tangier hath to do with Exmoor; nor the
+Duke of Monmouth with Jeremy Stickles."
+
+"Thou great clod, put it the other way. Jeremy Stickles may have much to
+do about the Duke of Monmouth. The Whigs having failed of Exclusion, and
+having been punished bitterly for the blood they shed, are ripe for any
+violence. And the turn of the balance is now to them. See-saw is the
+fashion of England always; and the Whigs will soon be the top-sawyers."
+
+"But," said I, still more confused, "'The King is the top-sawyer,'
+according to our proverb. How then can the Whigs be?"
+
+"Thou art a hopeless ass, John. Better to sew with a chestnut than to
+teach thee the constitution. Let it be so, let it be. I have seen a
+boy of five years old more apt at politics than thou. Nay, look not
+offended, lad. It is my fault for being over-deep to thee. I should have
+considered thy intellect."
+
+"Nay, Master Jeremy, make no apologies. It is I that should excuse
+myself; but, God knows, I have no politics."
+
+"Stick to that, my lad," he answered; "so shalt thou die easier. Now,
+in ten words (without parties, or trying thy poor brain too much), I am
+here to watch the gathering of a secret plot, not so much against the
+King as against the due succession."
+
+"Now I understand at last. But, Master Stickles, you might have said all
+that an hour ago almost."
+
+"It would have been better, if I had, to thee," he replied with much
+compassion; "thy hat is nearly off thy head with the swelling of brain I
+have given thee. Blows, blows, are thy business, Jack. There thou art in
+thine element. And, haply, this business will bring thee plenty even
+for thy great head to take. Now hearken to one who wishes thee well,
+and plainly sees the end of it--stick thou to the winning side, and have
+naught to do with the other one."
+
+"That," said I, in great haste and hurry, "is the very thing I want
+to do, if I only knew which was the winning side, for the sake of
+Lorna--that is to say, for the sake of my dear mother and sisters, and
+the farm."
+
+"Ha!" cried Jeremy Stickles, laughing at the redness of my face--"Lorna,
+saidst thou; now what Lorna? Is it the name of a maiden, or a
+light-o'-love?"
+
+"Keep to your own business," I answered, very proudly; "spy as much as
+e'er thou wilt, and use our house for doing it, without asking leave or
+telling; but if I ever find thee spying into my affairs, all the King's
+lifeguards in London, and the dragoons thou bringest hither, shall not
+save thee from my hand--or one finger is enough for thee."
+
+Being carried beyond myself by his insolence about Lorna, I looked
+at Master Stickles so, and spake in such a voice, that all his daring
+courage and his spotless honour quailed within him, and he shrank--as if
+I would strike so small a man.
+
+Then I left him, and went to work at the sacks upon the corn-floor, to
+take my evil spirit from me before I should see mother. For (to tell the
+truth) now my strength was full, and troubles were gathering round me,
+and people took advantage so much of my easy temper, sometimes when
+I was over-tried, a sudden heat ran over me, and a glowing of all
+my muscles, and a tingling for a mighty throw, such as my utmost
+self-command, and fear of hurting any one, could but ill refrain.
+Afterwards, I was always very sadly ashamed of myself, knowing how poor
+a thing bodily strength is, as compared with power of mind, and that it
+is a coward's part to misuse it upon weaker folk. For the present there
+was a little breach between Master Stickles and me, for which I blamed
+myself very sorely. But though, in full memory of his kindness and
+faithfulness in London, I asked his pardon many times for my foolish
+anger with him, and offered to undergo any penalty he would lay upon me,
+he only said it was no matter, there was nothing to forgive. When people
+say that, the truth often is that they can forgive nothing.
+
+So for the present a breach was made between Master Jeremy and myself,
+which to me seemed no great loss, inasmuch as it relieved me from any
+privity to his dealings, for which I had small liking. All I feared was
+lest I might, in any way, be ungrateful to him; but when he would have
+no more of me, what could I do to help it? However, in a few days' time
+I was of good service to him, as you shall see in its proper place.
+
+But now my own affairs were thrown into such disorder that I could
+think of nothing else, and had the greatest difficulty in hiding my
+uneasiness. For suddenly, without any warning, or a word of message,
+all my Lorna's signals ceased, which I had been accustomed to watch for
+daily, and as it were to feed upon them, with a glowing heart. The first
+time I stood on the wooded crest, and found no change from yesterday, I
+could hardly believe my eyes, or thought at least that it must be some
+great mistake on the part of my love. However, even that oppressed me
+with a heavy heart, which grew heavier, as I found from day to day no
+token.
+
+Three times I went and waited long at the bottom of the valley, where
+now the stream was brown and angry with the rains of autumn, and the
+weeping trees hung leafless. But though I waited at every hour of day,
+and far into the night, no light footstep came to meet me, no sweet
+voice was in the air; all was lonely, drear, and drenched with sodden
+desolation. It seemed as if my love was dead, and the winds were at her
+funeral.
+
+Once I sought far up the valley, where I had never been before, even
+beyond the copse where Lorna had found and lost her brave young cousin.
+Following up the river channel, in shelter of the evening fog, I gained
+a corner within stone's throw of the last outlying cot. This was a
+gloomy, low, square house, without any light in the windows, roughly
+built of wood and stone, as I saw when I drew nearer. For knowing it
+to be Carver's dwelling (or at least suspecting so, from some words of
+Lorna's), I was led by curiosity, and perhaps by jealousy, to have a
+closer look at it. Therefore, I crept up the stream, losing half my
+sense of fear, by reason of anxiety. And in truth there was not much to
+fear, the sky being now too dark for even a shooter of wild fowl to make
+good aim. And nothing else but guns could hurt me, as in the pride of my
+strength I thought, and in my skill of single-stick.
+
+[Illustration: 304.jpg Nevertheless, I went warily]
+
+Nevertheless, I went warily, being now almost among this nest of
+cockatrices. The back of Carver's house abutted on the waves of the
+rushing stream; and seeing a loop-hole, vacant for muskets, I looked in,
+but all was quiet. So far as I could judge by listening, there was no
+one now inside, and my heart for a moment leaped with joy, for I
+had feared to find Lorna there. Then I took a careful survey of the
+dwelling, and its windows, and its door, and aspect, as if I had been
+a robber meaning to make privy entrance. It was well for me that I did
+this, as you will find hereafter.
+
+Having impressed upon my mind (a slow but, perhaps retentive mind), all
+the bearings of the place, and all its opportunities, and even the
+curve of the stream along it, and the bushes near the door, I was much
+inclined to go farther up, and understand all the village. But a bar of
+red light across the river, some forty yards on above me, and crossing
+from the opposite side like a chain, prevented me. In that second house
+there was a gathering of loud and merry outlaws, making as much noise as
+if they had the law upon their side. Some, indeed, as I approached, were
+laying down both right and wrong, as purely, and with as high a sense,
+as if they knew the difference. Cold and troubled as I was, I could
+hardly keep from laughing.
+
+Before I betook myself home that night, and eased dear mother's heart
+so much, and made her pale face spread with smiles, I had resolved to
+penetrate Glen Doone from the upper end, and learn all about my Lorna.
+Not but what I might have entered from my unsuspected channel, as so
+often I had done; but that I saw fearful need for knowing something more
+than that. Here was every sort of trouble gathering upon me, here was
+Jeremy Stickles stealing upon every one in the dark; here was
+Uncle Reuben plotting Satan only could tell what; here was a white
+night-capped man coming bodily from the grave; here was my own sister
+Annie committed to a highwayman, and mother in distraction; most of
+all--here, there, and where--was my Lorna stolen, dungeoned, perhaps
+outraged. It was no time for shilly shally, for the balance of this and
+that, or for a man with blood and muscle to pat his nose and ponder.
+If I left my Lorna so; if I let those black-soul'd villains work their
+pleasure on my love; if the heart that clave to mine could find no
+vigour in it--then let maidens cease from men, and rest their faith in
+tabby-cats.
+
+Rudely rolling these ideas in my heavy head and brain I resolved to let
+the morrow put them into form and order, but not contradict them. And
+then, as my constitution willed (being like that of England), I slept,
+and there was no stopping me.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII
+
+A VERY DESPERATE VENTURE
+
+[Illustration: 306.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+That the enterprise now resolved upon was far more dangerous than any
+hitherto attempted by me, needs no further proof than this:--I went and
+made my will at Porlock, with a middling honest lawyer there; not that I
+had much to leave, but that none could say how far the farm, and all the
+farming stock, might depend on my disposition. It makes me smile when I
+remember how particular I was, and how for the life of me I was puzzled
+to bequeath most part of my clothes, and hats, and things altogether
+my own, to Lorna, without the shrewd old lawyer knowing who she was and
+where she lived. At last, indeed, I flattered myself that I had baffled
+old Tape's curiosity; but his wrinkled smile and his speech at parting
+made me again uneasy.
+
+"A very excellent will, young sir. An admirably just and virtuous will;
+all your effects to your nearest of kin; filial and fraternal duty
+thoroughly exemplified; nothing diverted to alien channels, except a
+small token of esteem and reverence to an elderly lady, I presume: and
+which may or may not be valid, or invalid, on the ground of uncertainty,
+or the absence of any legal status on the part of the legatee. Ha, ha!
+Yes, yes! Few young men are so free from exceptionable entanglements.
+Two guineas is my charge, sir: and a rare good will for the money. Very
+prudent of you, sir. Does you credit in every way. Well, well; we all
+must die; and often the young before the old."
+
+Not only did I think two guineas a great deal too much money for a
+quarter of an hour's employment, but also I disliked particularly the
+words with which he concluded; they sounded, from his grating voice,
+like the evil omen of a croaking raven. Nevertheless I still abode in my
+fixed resolve to go, and find out, if I died for it, what was become of
+Lorna. And herein I lay no claim to courage; the matter being simply
+a choice between two evils, of which by far the greater one was, of
+course, to lose my darling.
+
+The journey was a great deal longer to fetch around the Southern hills,
+and enter by the Doone-gate, than to cross the lower land and steal in
+by the water-slide. However, I durst not take a horse (for fear of
+the Doones who might be abroad upon their usual business), but started
+betimes in the evening, so as not to hurry, or waste any strength upon
+the way. And thus I came to the robbers' highway, walking circumspectly,
+scanning the sky-line of every hill, and searching the folds of every
+valley, for any moving figure.
+
+Although it was now well on towards dark, and the sun was down an hour
+or so, I could see the robbers' road before me, in a trough of the
+winding hills, where the brook ploughed down from the higher barrows,
+and the coving banks were roofed with furze. At present, there was no
+one passing, neither post nor sentinel, so far as I could descry; but
+I thought it safer to wait a little, as twilight melted into night;
+and then I crept down a seam of the highland, and stood upon the
+Doone-track.
+
+As the road approached the entrance, it became more straight and strong,
+like a channel cut from rock, with the water brawling darkly along the
+naked side of it. Not a tree or bush was left, to shelter a man from
+bullets: all was stern, and stiff, and rugged, as I could not help
+perceiving, even through the darkness, and a smell as of churchyard
+mould, a sense of being boxed in and cooped, made me long to be out
+again.
+
+And here I was, or seemed to be, particularly unlucky; for as I drew
+near the very entrance, lightly of foot and warily, the moon (which had
+often been my friend) like an enemy broke upon me, topping the eastward
+ridge of rock, and filling all the open spaces with the play of wavering
+light. I shrank back into the shadowy quarter on the right side of the
+road; and gloomily employed myself to watch the triple entrance, on
+which the moonlight fell askew.
+
+All across and before the three rude and beetling archways hung a
+felled oak overhead, black, and thick, and threatening. This, as I heard
+before, could be let fall in a moment, so as to crush a score of men,
+and bar the approach of horses. Behind this tree, the rocky mouth was
+spanned, as by a gallery with brushwood and piled timber, all upon a
+ledge of stone, where thirty men might lurk unseen, and fire at any
+invader. From that rampart it would be impossible to dislodge them,
+because the rock fell sheer below them twenty feet, or it may be more;
+while overhead it towered three hundred, and so jutted over that nothing
+could be cast upon them; even if a man could climb the height. And
+the access to this portcullis place--if I may so call it, being no
+portcullis there--was through certain rocky chambers known to the
+tenants only.
+
+But the cleverest of their devices, and the most puzzling to an enemy,
+was that, instead of one mouth only, there were three to choose from,
+with nothing to betoken which was the proper access; all being pretty
+much alike, and all unfenced and yawning. And the common rumour was
+that in times of any danger, when any force was known to be on muster in
+their neighbourhood, they changed their entrance every day, and diverted
+the other two, by means of sliding doors to the chasms and dark abysses.
+
+Now I could see those three rough arches, jagged, black, and terrible;
+and I knew that only one of them could lead me to the valley; neither
+gave the river now any further guidance; but dived underground with a
+sullen roar, where it met the cross-bar of the mountain. Having no means
+at all of judging which was the right way of the three, and knowing that
+the other two would lead to almost certain death, in the ruggedness and
+darkness,--for how could a man, among precipices and bottomless depths
+of water, without a ray of light, have any chance to save his life?--I
+do declare that I was half inclined to go away, and have done with it.
+
+However, I knew one thing for certain, to wit, that the longer I stayed
+debating the more would the enterprise pall upon me, and the less my
+relish be. And it struck me that, in times of peace, the middle way was
+the likeliest; and the others diverging right and left in their farther
+parts might be made to slide into it (not far from the entrance), at the
+pleasure of the warders. Also I took it for good omen that I remembered
+(as rarely happened) a very fine line in the Latin grammar, whose
+emphasis and meaning is "middle road is safest."
+
+Therefore, without more hesitation, I plunged into the middle way,
+holding a long ash staff before me, shodden at the end with iron.
+Presently I was in black darkness groping along the wall, and feeling a
+deal more fear than I wished to feel; especially when upon looking back
+I could no longer see the light, which I had forsaken. Then I stumbled
+over something hard, and sharp, and very cold, moreover so grievous to
+my legs that it needed my very best doctrine and humour to forbear from
+swearing, in the manner they use in London. But when I arose and felt
+it, and knew it to be a culverin, I was somewhat reassured thereby,
+inasmuch as it was not likely that they would plant this engine except
+in the real and true entrance.
+
+Therefore I went on again, more painfully and wearily, and presently
+found it to be good that I had received that knock, and borne it with
+such patience; for otherwise I might have blundered full upon the
+sentries, and been shot without more ado. As it was, I had barely time
+to draw back, as I turned a corner upon them; and if their lanthorn had
+been in its place, they could scarce have failed to descry me, unless
+indeed I had seen the gleam before I turned the corner.
+
+There seemed to be only two of them, of size indeed and stature as all
+the Doones must be, but I need not have feared to encounter them both,
+had they been unarmed, as I was. It was plain, however, that each had a
+long and heavy carbine, not in his hands (as it should have been), but
+standing close beside him. Therefore it behoved me now to be exceedingly
+careful, and even that might scarce avail, without luck in proportion.
+So I kept well back at the corner, and laid one cheek to the rock
+face, and kept my outer eye round the jut, in the wariest mode I could
+compass, watching my opportunity: and this is what I saw.
+
+The two villains looked very happy--which villains have no right to be,
+but often are, meseemeth--they were sitting in a niche of rock, with
+the lanthorn in the corner, quaffing something from glass measures, and
+playing at push-pin, or shepherd's chess, or basset; or some trivial
+game of that sort. Each was smoking a long clay pipe, quite of new
+London shape, I could see, for the shadow was thrown out clearly; and
+each would laugh from time to time, as he fancied he got the better of
+it. One was sitting with his knees up, and left hand on his thigh; and
+this one had his back to me, and seemed to be the stouter. The other
+leaned more against the rock, half sitting and half astraddle, and
+wearing leathern overalls, as if newly come from riding. I could see his
+face quite clearly by the light of the open lanthorn, and a handsomer
+or a bolder face I had seldom, if ever, set eyes upon; insomuch that it
+made me very unhappy to think of his being so near my Lorna.
+
+"How long am I to stand crouching here?" I asked of myself, at last,
+being tired of hearing them cry, "score one," "score two," "No,
+by--, Charlie," "By --, I say it is, Phelps." And yet my only chance of
+slipping by them unperceived was to wait till they quarrelled more, and
+came to blows about it. Presently, as I made up my mind to steal along
+towards them (for the cavern was pretty wide, just there), Charlie, or
+Charleworth Doone, the younger and taller man, reached forth his hand
+to seize the money, which he swore he had won that time. Upon this,
+the other jerked his arm, vowing that he had no right to it; whereupon
+Charlie flung at his face the contents of the glass he was sipping,
+but missed him and hit the candle, which sputtered with a flare of
+blue flame (from the strength perhaps of the spirit) and then went out
+completely. At this, one swore, and the other laughed; and before they
+had settled what to do, I was past them and round the corner.
+
+And then, like a giddy fool as I was, I needs must give them a
+startler--the whoop of an owl, done so exactly, as John Fry had taught
+me, and echoed by the roof so fearfully, that one of them dropped the
+tinder box; and the other caught up his gun and cocked it, at least as
+I judged by the sounds they made. And then, too late, I knew my madness,
+for if either of them had fired, no doubt but what all the village would
+have risen and rushed upon me. However, as the luck of the matter went,
+it proved for my advantage; for I heard one say to the other,--
+
+"Curse it, Charlie, what was that? It scared me so, I have dropped my
+box; my flint is gone, and everything. Will the brimstone catch from
+your pipe, my lad?"
+
+"My pipe is out, Phelps, ever so long. Damn it, I am not afraid of an
+owl, man. Give me the lanthorn, and stay here. I'm not half done with
+you yet, my friend."
+
+"Well said, my boy, well said! Go straight to Carver's, mind you. The
+other sleepy heads be snoring, as there is nothing up to-night. No
+dallying now under Captain's window. Queen will have nought to say to
+you; and Carver will punch your head into a new wick for your lanthorn."
+
+"Will he though? Two can play at that." And so after some rude jests,
+and laughter, and a few more oaths, I heard Charlie (or at any rate
+somebody) coming toward me, with a loose and not too sober footfall. As
+he reeled a little in his gait, and I would not move from his way one
+inch, after his talk of Lorna, but only longed to grasp him (if common
+sense permitted it), his braided coat came against my thumb, and his
+leathern gaiters brushed my knee. If he had turned or noticed it, he
+would have been a dead man in a moment; but his drunkenness saved him.
+
+So I let him reel on unharmed; and thereupon it occurred to me that I
+could have no better guide, passing as he would exactly where I wished
+to be; that is to say under Lorna's window. Therefore I followed him
+without any especial caution; and soon I had the pleasure of seeing
+his form against the moonlit sky. Down a steep and winding path, with
+a handrail at the corners (such as they have at Ilfracombe), Master
+Charlie tripped along--and indeed there was much tripping, and he must
+have been an active fellow to recover as he did--and after him walked I,
+much hoping (for his own poor sake) that he might not turn and espy me.
+
+But Bacchus (of whom I read at school, with great wonder about his
+meaning--and the same I may say of Venus) that great deity preserved
+Charlie, his pious worshipper, from regarding consequences. So he led
+me very kindly to the top of the meadow land, where the stream from
+underground broke forth, seething quietly with a little hiss of bubbles.
+Hence I had fair view and outline of the robbers' township, spread
+with bushes here and there, but not heavily overshadowed. The moon,
+approaching now the full, brought the forms in manner forth, clothing
+each with character, as the moon (more than the sun) does, to an eye
+accustomed.
+
+I knew that the Captain's house was first, both from what Lorna had
+said of it, and from my mother's description, and now again from seeing
+Charlie halt there for a certain time, and whistle on his fingers, and
+hurry on, fearing consequence. The tune that he whistled was strange to
+me, and lingered in my ears, as having something very new and striking,
+and fantastic in it. And I repeated it softly to myself, while I marked
+the position of the houses and the beauty of the village. For the
+stream, in lieu of any street, passing between the houses, and affording
+perpetual change, and twinkling, and reflections moreover by its sleepy
+murmur soothing all the dwellers there, this and the snugness of the
+position, walled with rock and spread with herbage, made it look, in the
+quiet moonlight, like a little paradise. And to think of all the inmates
+there, sleeping with good consciences, having plied their useful trade
+of making others work for them, enjoying life without much labour, yet
+with great renown.
+
+Master Charlie went down the village, and I followed him carefully,
+keeping as much as possible in the shadowy places, and watching the
+windows of every house, lest any light should be burning. As I passed
+Sir Ensor's house, my heart leaped up, for I spied a window, higher than
+the rest above the ground, and with a faint light moving. This could
+hardly fail to be the room wherein my darling lay; for here that
+impudent young fellow had gazed while he was whistling. And here my
+courage grew tenfold, and my spirit feared no evil--for lo, if Lorna had
+been surrendered to that scoundrel, Carver, she would not have been at
+her grandfather's house, but in Carver's accursed dwelling.
+
+Warm with this idea, I hurried after Charleworth Doone, being resolved
+not to harm him now, unless my own life required it. And while I watched
+from behind a tree, the door of the farthest house was opened; and sure
+enough it was Carver's self, who stood bareheaded, and half undressed in
+the doorway. I could see his great black chest, and arms, by the light
+of the lamp he bore.
+
+"Who wants me this time of night?" he grumbled, in a deep gruff voice;
+"any young scamp prowling after the maids shall have sore bones for his
+trouble."
+
+"All the fair maids are for thee, are they, Master Carver?" Charlie
+answered, laughing; "we young scamps must be well-content with coarser
+stuff than thou wouldst have."
+
+"Would have? Ay, and will have," the great beast muttered angrily. "I
+bide my time; but not very long. Only one word for thy good, Charlie. I
+will fling thee senseless into the river, if ever I catch thy girl-face
+there again."
+
+"Mayhap, Master Carver, it is more than thou couldst do. But I will not
+keep thee; thou art not pleasant company to-night. All I want is a light
+for my lanthorn, and a glass of schnapps, if thou hast it."
+
+"What is become of thy light, then? Good for thee I am not on duty."
+
+"A great owl flew between me and Phelps, as we watched beside the
+culvern, and so scared was he at our fierce bright eyes that he fell and
+knocked the light out."
+
+"Likely tale, or likely lie, Charles! We will have the truth to-morrow.
+Here take thy light, and be gone with thee. All virtuous men are in bed
+now."
+
+"Then so will I be, and why art thou not? Ha, have I earned my schnapps
+now?"
+
+"If thou hast, thou hast paid a bad debt; there is too much in thee
+already. Be off! my patience is done with."
+
+Then he slammed the door in the young man's face, having kindled his
+lanthorn by this time: and Charlie went up to the watchplace again,
+muttering as he passed me, "Bad look-out for all of us, when that surly
+old beast is Captain. No gentle blood in him, no hospitality, not even
+pleasant language, nor a good new oath in his frowsy pate! I've a mind
+to cut the whole of it; and but for the girls I would so."
+
+My heart was in my mouth, as they say, when I stood in the shade by
+Lorna's window, and whispered her name gently. The house was of one
+story only, as the others were, with pine-ends standing forth the stone,
+and only two rough windows upon that western side of it, and perhaps
+both of them were Lorna's. The Doones had been their own builders, for
+no one should know their ins and outs; and of course their work was
+clumsy. As for their windows, they stole them mostly from the houses
+round about. But though the window was not very close, I might have
+whispered long enough, before she would have answered me; frightened as
+she was, no doubt by many a rude overture. And I durst not speak
+aloud because I saw another watchman posted on the western cliff, and
+commanding all the valley. And now this man (having no companion for
+drinking or for gambling) espied me against the wall of the house, and
+advanced to the brink, and challenged me.
+
+"Who are you there? Answer! One, two, three; and I fire at thee."
+
+The nozzle of his gun was pointed full upon me, as I could see, with the
+moonlight striking on the barrel; he was not more than fifty yards off,
+and now he began to reckon. Being almost desperate about it, I began to
+whistle, wondering how far I should get before I lost my windpipe:
+and as luck would have it, my lips fell into that strange tune I
+had practised last; the one I had heard from Charlie. My mouth would
+scarcely frame the notes, being parched with terror; but to my surprise,
+the man fell back, dropped his gun, and saluted. Oh, sweetest of all
+sweet melodies!
+
+That tune was Carver Doone's passport (as I heard long afterwards),
+which Charleworth Doone had imitated, for decoy of Lorna. The sentinel
+took me for that vile Carver; who was like enough to be prowling there,
+for private talk with Lorna; but not very likely to shout forth his
+name, if it might be avoided. The watchman, perceiving the danger
+perhaps of intruding on Carver's privacy, not only retired along the
+cliff, but withdrew himself to good distance.
+
+Meanwhile he had done me the kindest service; for Lorna came to the
+window at once, to see what the cause of the shout was, and drew back
+the curtain timidly. Then she opened the rough lattice; and then she
+watched the cliff and trees; and then she sighed very sadly.
+
+"Oh, Lorna, don't you know me?" I whispered from the side, being afraid
+of startling her by appearing over suddenly.
+
+Quick though she always was of thought, she knew me not from my whisper,
+and was shutting the window hastily when I caught it back, and showed
+myself.
+
+"John!" she cried, yet with sense enough not to speak aloud: "oh, you
+must be mad, John."
+
+"As mad as a March hare," said I, "without any news of my darling. You
+knew I would come: of course you did."
+
+"Well, I thought, perhaps--you know: now, John, you need not eat my
+hand. Do you see they have put iron bars across?"
+
+"To be sure. Do you think I should be contented, even with this lovely
+hand, but for these vile iron bars. I will have them out before I go.
+Now, darling, for one moment--just the other hand, for a change, you
+know."
+
+So I got the other, but was not honest; for I kept them both, and felt
+their delicate beauty trembling, as I laid them to my heart.
+
+"Oh, John, you will make me cry directly"--she had been crying long
+ago--"if you go on in that way. You know we can never have one another;
+every one is against it. Why should I make you miserable? Try not to
+think of me any more."
+
+"And will you try the same of me, Lorna?"
+
+"Oh yes, John; if you agree to it. At least I will try to try it."
+
+"Then you won't try anything of the sort," I cried with great
+enthusiasm, for her tone was so nice and melancholy: "the only thing
+we will try to try, is to belong to one another. And if we do our best,
+Lorna, God alone can prevent us."
+
+She crossed herself, with one hand drawn free as I spoke so boldly;
+and something swelled in her little throat, and prevented her from
+answering.
+
+"Now tell me," I said; "what means all this? Why are you so pent up
+here? Why have you given me no token? Has your grandfather turned
+against you? Are you in any danger?"
+
+"My poor grandfather is very ill: I fear that he will not live long. The
+Counsellor and his son are now the masters of the valley; and I dare
+not venture forth, for fear of anything they might do to me. When I went
+forth, to signal for you, Carver tried to seize me; but I was too quick
+for him. Little Gwenny is not allowed to leave the valley now; so that
+I could send no message. I have been so wretched, dear, lest you should
+think me false to you. The tyrants now make sure of me. You must watch
+this house, both night and day, if you wish to save me. There is nothing
+they would shrink from; if my poor grandfather--oh, I cannot bear to
+think of myself, when I ought to think of him only; dying without a son
+to tend him, or a daughter to shed a tear."
+
+"But surely he has sons enough; and a deal too many," I was going to
+say, but stopped myself in time: "why do none of them come to him?"
+
+"I know not. I cannot tell. He is a very strange old man; and few have
+ever loved him. He was black with wrath at the Counsellor, this very
+afternoon--but I must not keep you here--you are much too brave, John;
+and I am much too selfish: there, what was that shadow?"
+
+"Nothing more than a bat, darling, come to look for his sweetheart. I
+will not stay long; you tremble so: and yet for that very reason, how
+can I leave you, Lorna?"
+
+"You must--you must," she answered; "I shall die if they hurt you. I
+hear the old nurse moving. Grandfather is sure to send for me. Keep back
+from the window."
+
+However, it was only Gwenny Carfax, Lorna's little handmaid: my darling
+brought her to the window and presented her to me, almost laughing
+through her grief.
+
+"Oh, I am so glad, John; Gwenny, I am so glad you came. I have wanted
+long to introduce you to my 'young man,' as you call him. It is rather
+dark, but you can see him. I wish you to know him again, Gwenny."
+
+"Whoy!" cried Gwenny, with great amazement, standing on tiptoe to look
+out, and staring as if she were weighing me: "her be bigger nor any
+Doone! Heared as her have bate our Cornish champion awrastling. 'Twadn't
+fair play nohow: no, no; don't tell me, 'twadn't fair play nohow."
+
+"True enough, Gwenny," I answered her; for the play had been very unfair
+indeed on the side of the Bodmin champion; "it was not a fair bout,
+little maid; I am free to acknowledge that." By that answer, or rather
+by the construction she put upon it, the heart of the Cornish girl was
+won, more than by gold and silver.
+
+"I shall knoo thee again, young man; no fear of that," she answered,
+nodding with an air of patronage. "Now, missis, gae on coortin', and
+I wall gae outside and watch for 'ee." Though expressed not over
+delicately, this proposal arose, no doubt, from Gwenny's sense of
+delicacy; and I was very thankful to her for taking her departure.
+
+"She is the best little thing in the world," said Lorna, softly
+laughing; "and the queerest, and the truest. Nothing will bribe her
+against me. If she seems to be on the other side, never, never doubt
+her. Now no more of your 'coortin', John! I love you far too well for
+that. Yes, yes, ever so much! If you will take a mean advantage of me.
+And as much as ever you like to imagine; and then you may double it,
+after that. Only go, do go, good John; kind, dear, darling John; if you
+love me, go."
+
+"How can I go without settling anything?" I asked very sensibly. "How
+shall I know of your danger now? Hit upon something; you are so quick.
+Anything you can think of; and then I will go, and not frighten you."
+
+"I have been thinking long of something," Lorna answered rapidly, with
+that peculiar clearness of voice which made every syllable ring like
+music of a several note, "you see that tree with the seven rooks' nests
+bright against the cliffs there? Can you count them, from above, do you
+think? From a place where you will be safe, dear"--
+
+"No doubt, I can; or if I cannot, it will not take me long to find a
+spot, whence I can do it."
+
+"Gwenny can climb like any cat. She has been up there in the summer,
+watching the young birds, day by day, and daring the boys to touch them.
+There are neither birds, nor eggs there now, of course, and nothing
+doing. If you see but six rooks' nests; I am in peril and want you. If
+you see but five, I am carried off by Carver."
+
+"Good God!" said I, at the mere idea; in a tone which frightened Lorna.
+
+"Fear not, John," she whispered sadly, and my blood grew cold at it:
+"I have means to stop him; or at least to save myself. If you can come
+within one day of that man's getting hold of me, you will find me quite
+unharmed. After that you will find me dead, or alive, according to
+circumstances, but in no case such that you need blush to look at me."
+
+Her dear sweet face was full of pride, as even in the gloom I saw: and I
+would not trespass on her feelings by such a thing, at such a moment, as
+an attempt at any caress. I only said, "God bless you, darling!" and
+she said the same to me, in a very low sad voice. And then I stole below
+Carver's house, in the shadow from the eastern cliff; and knowing
+enough of the village now to satisfy all necessity, betook myself to my
+well-known track in returning from the valley; which was neither down
+the waterslide (a course I feared in the darkness) nor up the cliffs at
+Lorna's bower; but a way of my own inventing, which there is no need to
+dwell upon.
+
+A weight of care was off my mind; though much of trouble hung there
+still. One thing was quite certain--if Lorna could not have John Ridd,
+no one else should have her. And my mother, who sat up for me, and with
+me long time afterwards, agreed that this was comfort.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII
+
+A GOOD TURN FOR JEREMY
+
+[Illustration: 318.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+John Fry had now six shillings a week of regular and permanent wage,
+besides all harvest and shearing money, as well as a cottage rent-free,
+and enough of garden-ground to rear pot-herbs for his wife and all
+his family. Now the wages appointed by our justices, at the time of
+sessions, were four-and-sixpence a week for summer, and a shilling less
+for the winter-time; and we could be fined, and perhaps imprisoned, for
+giving more than the sums so fixed. Therefore John Fry was looked upon
+as the richest man upon Exmoor, I mean of course among labourers, and
+there were many jokes about robbing him, as if he were the mint of the
+King; and Tom Faggus promised to try his hand, if he came across John
+on the highway, although he had ceased from business, and was seeking a
+Royal pardon.
+
+Now is it according to human nature, or is it a thing contradictory
+(as I would fain believe)? But anyhow, there was, upon Exmoor, no more
+discontented man, no man more sure that he had not his worth, neither
+half so sore about it, than, or as, John Fry was. And one thing he did
+which I could not wholly (or indeed I may say, in any measure)
+reconcile with my sense of right, much as I laboured to do John justice,
+especially because of his roguery; and this was, that if we said too
+much, or accused him at all of laziness (which he must have known to be
+in him), he regularly turned round upon us, and quite compelled us
+to hold our tongues, by threatening to lay information against us for
+paying him too much wages!
+
+Now I have not mentioned all this of John Fry, from any disrespect for
+his memory (which is green and honest amongst us), far less from any
+desire to hurt the feelings of his grandchildren; and I will do them the
+justice, once for all, to avow, thus publicly, that I have known a great
+many bigger rogues, and most of themselves in the number. But I have
+referred, with moderation, to this little flaw in a worthy character (or
+foible, as we call it, when a man is dead) for this reason only--that
+without it there was no explaining John's dealings with Jeremy Stickles.
+
+Master Jeremy, being full of London and Norwich experience, fell into
+the error of supposing that we clods and yokels were the simplest of the
+simple, and could be cheated at his good pleasure. Now this is not so:
+when once we suspect that people have that idea of us, we indulge them
+in it to the top of their bent, and grieve that they should come out of
+it, as they do at last in amazement, with less money than before, and
+the laugh now set against them.
+
+Ever since I had offended Jeremy, by threatening him (as before related)
+in case of his meddling with my affairs, he had more and more allied
+himself with simple-minded John, as he was pleased to call him. John
+Fry was everything: it was "run and fetch my horse, John"--"John, are my
+pistols primed well?"--"I want you in the stable, John, about something
+very particular", until except for the rudeness of it, I was longing
+to tell Master Stickles that he ought to pay John's wages. John for
+his part was not backward, but gave himself the most wonderful airs of
+secrecy and importance, till half the parish began to think that the
+affairs of the nation were in his hand, and he scorned the sight of a
+dungfork.
+
+It was not likely that this should last; and being the only man in the
+parish with any knowledge of politics, I gave John Fry to understand
+that he must not presume to talk so freely, as if he were at least a
+constable, about the constitution; which could be no affair of his, and
+might bring us all into trouble. At this he only tossed his nose, as if
+he had been in London at least three times for my one; which vexed me so
+that I promised him the thick end of the plough-whip if even the name of
+a knight of the shire should pass his lips for a fortnight.
+
+Now I did not suspect in my stupid noddle that John Fry would ever tell
+Jeremy Stickles about the sight at the Wizard's Slough and the man in
+the white nightcap; because John had sworn on the blade of his knife not
+to breathe a word to any soul, without my full permission. However, it
+appears that John related, for a certain consideration, all that he
+had seen, and doubtless more which had accrued to it. Upon this Master
+Stickles was much astonished at Uncle Reuben's proceedings, having
+always accounted him a most loyal, keen, and wary subject.
+
+All this I learned upon recovering Jeremy's good graces, which came to
+pass in no other way than by the saving of his life. Being bound to keep
+the strictest watch upon the seven rooks' nests, and yet not bearing
+to be idle and to waste my mother's stores, I contrived to keep my work
+entirely at the western corner of our farm, which was nearest to Glen
+Doone, and whence I could easily run to a height commanding the view I
+coveted.
+
+One day Squire Faggus had dropped in upon us, just in time for dinner;
+and very soon he and King's messenger were as thick as need be. Tom had
+brought his beloved mare to show her off to Annie, and he mounted his
+pretty sweetheart upon her, after giving Winnie notice to be on her
+very best behaviour. The squire was in great spirits, having just
+accomplished a purchase of land which was worth ten times what he gave
+for it; and this he did by a merry trick upon old Sir Roger Bassett, who
+never supposed him to be in earnest, as not possessing the money. The
+whole thing was done on a bumper of claret in a tavern where they met;
+and the old knight having once pledged his word, no lawyers could
+hold him back from it. They could only say that Master Faggus, being
+attainted of felony, was not a capable grantee. "I will soon cure that,"
+quoth Tom, "my pardon has been ready for months and months, so soon as I
+care to sue it."
+
+And now he was telling our Annie, who listened very rosily, and believed
+every word he said, that, having been ruined in early innocence by the
+means of lawyers, it was only just, and fair turn for turn, that having
+become a match for them by long practice upon the highway, he should
+reinstate himself, at their expense, in society. And now he would go
+to London at once, and sue out his pardon, and then would his lovely
+darling Annie, etc., etc.--things which I had no right to hear, and in
+which I was not wanted.
+
+Therefore I strode away up the lane to my afternoon's employment, sadly
+comparing my love with theirs (which now appeared so prosperous), yet
+heartily glad for Annie's sake; only remembering now and then the old
+proverb "Wrong never comes right."
+
+I worked very hard in the copse of young ash, with my billhook and a
+shearing-knife; cutting out the saplings where they stooled too close
+together, making spars to keep for thatching, wall-crooks to drive into
+the cob, stiles for close sheep hurdles, and handles for rakes, and
+hoes, and two-bills, of the larger and straighter stuff. And all the
+lesser I bound in faggots, to come home on the sledd to the woodrick.
+It is not to be supposed that I did all this work, without many peeps at
+the seven rooks' nests, which proved my Lorna's safety. Indeed, whenever
+I wanted a change, either from cleaving, or hewing too hard, or stooping
+too much at binding, I was up and away to the ridge of the hill, instead
+of standing and doing nothing.
+
+Soon I forgot about Tom and Annie; and fell to thinking of Lorna only;
+and how much I would make of her; and what I should call our children;
+and how I would educate them, to do honour to her rank; yet all the time
+I worked none the worse, by reason of meditation. Fresh-cut spars are
+not so good as those of a little seasoning; especially if the sap
+was not gone down at the time of cutting. Therefore we always find it
+needful to have plenty still in stock.
+
+It was very pleasant there in the copse, sloping to the west as it was,
+and the sun descending brightly, with rocks and banks to dwell upon. The
+stems of mottled and dimpled wood, with twigs coming out like elbows,
+hung and clung together closely, with a mode of bending in, as children
+do at some danger; overhead the shrunken leaves quivered and rustled
+ripely, having many points like stars, and rising and falling
+delicately, as fingers play sad music. Along the bed of the slanting
+ground, all between the stools of wood, there were heaps of dead brown
+leaves, and sheltered mats of lichen, and drifts of spotted stick gone
+rotten, and tufts of rushes here and there, full of fray and feathering.
+
+All by the hedge ran a little stream, a thing that could barely name
+itself, flowing scarce more than a pint in a minute, because of the
+sunny weather. Yet had this rill little crooks and crannies dark and
+bravely bearded, and a gallant rush through a reeden pipe--the stem of
+a flag that was grounded; and here and there divided threads, from the
+points of a branching stick, into mighty pools of rock (as large as a
+grown man's hat almost) napped with moss all around the sides and hung
+with corded grasses. Along and down the tiny banks, and nodding into one
+another, even across main channel, hung the brown arcade of ferns; some
+with gold tongues languishing; some with countless ear-drops jerking,
+some with great quilled ribs uprising and long saws aflapping; others
+cupped, and fanning over with the grace of yielding, even as a hollow
+fountain spread by winds that have lost their way.
+
+Deeply each beyond other, pluming, stooping, glancing, glistening,
+weaving softest pillow lace, coying to the wind and water, when their
+fleeting image danced, or by which their beauty moved,--God has made no
+lovelier thing; and only He takes heed of them.
+
+It was time to go home to supper now, and I felt very friendly towards
+it, having been hard at work for some hours, with only the voice of the
+little rill, and some hares and a pheasant for company. The sun was gone
+down behind the black wood on the farther cliffs of Bagworthy, and the
+russet of the tufts and spear-beds was becoming gray, while the greyness
+of the sapling ash grew brown against the sky; the hollow curves of
+the little stream became black beneath the grasses and the fairy fans
+innumerable, while outside the hedge our clover was crimping its leaves
+in the dewfall, like the cocked hats of wood-sorrel,--when, thanking God
+for all this scene, because my love had gifted me with the key to all
+things lovely, I prepared to follow their example, and to rest from
+labour.
+
+Therefore I wiped my bill-hook and shearing-knife very carefully, for
+I hate to leave tools dirty; and was doubting whether I should try for
+another glance at the seven rooks' nests, or whether it would be too
+dark for it. It was now a quarter of an hour mayhap, since I had made
+any chopping noise, because I had been assorting my spars, and tying
+them in bundles, instead of plying the bill-hook; and the gentle tinkle
+of the stream was louder than my doings. To this, no doubt, I owe my
+life, which then (without my dreaming it) was in no little jeopardy.
+
+For, just as I was twisting the bine of my very last faggot, before
+tucking the cleft tongue under, there came three men outside the hedge,
+where the western light was yellow; and by it I could see that all three
+of them carried firearms. These men were not walking carelessly, but
+following down the hedge-trough, as if to stalk some enemy: and for a
+moment it struck me cold to think it was I they were looking for. With
+the swiftness of terror I concluded that my visits to Glen Doone were
+known, and now my life was the forfeit.
+
+It was a most lucky thing for me, that I heard their clothes catch in
+the brambles, and saw their hats under the rampart of ash, which is made
+by what we call "splashing," and lucky, for me that I stood in a goyal,
+and had the dark coppice behind me. To this I had no time to fly, but
+with a sort of instinct, threw myself flat in among the thick fern, and
+held my breath, and lay still as a log. For I had seen the light gleam
+on their gun-barrels, and knowing the faults of the neighbourhood, would
+fain avoid swelling their number. Then the three men came to the gap
+in the hedge, where I had been in and out so often; and stood up, and
+looked in over.
+
+It is all very well for a man to boast that, in all his life, he has
+never been frightened, and believes that he never could be so. There
+may be men of that nature--I will not dare to deny it; only I have
+never known them. The fright I was now in was horrible, and all my bones
+seemed to creep inside me; when lying there helpless, with only a billet
+and the comb of fern to hide me, in the dusk of early evening, I saw
+three faces in the gap; and what was worse, three gun-muzzles.
+
+"Somebody been at work here--" it was the deep voice of Carver Doone;
+"jump up, Charlie, and look about; we must have no witnesses."
+
+"Give me a hand behind," said Charlie, the same handsome young Doone I
+had seen that night; "this bank is too devilish steep for me."
+
+"Nonsense, man!" cried Marwood de Whichehalse, who to my amazement was
+the third of the number; "only a hind cutting faggots; and of course he
+hath gone home long ago. Blind man's holiday, as we call it. I can see
+all over the place; and there is not even a rabbit there."
+
+At that I drew my breath again, and thanked God I had gotten my coat on.
+
+"Squire is right," said Charlie, who was standing up high (on a root
+perhaps), "there is nobody there now, captain; and lucky for the poor
+devil that he keepeth workman's hours. Even his chopper is gone, I see."
+
+"No dog, no man, is the rule about here, when it comes to coppice work,"
+continued young de Whichehalse; "there is not a man would dare work
+there, without a dog to scare the pixies."
+
+"There is a big young fellow upon this farm," Carver Doone muttered
+sulkily, "with whom I have an account to settle, if ever I come across
+him. He hath a cursed spite to us, because we shot his father. He was
+going to bring the lumpers upon us, only he was afeared, last winter.
+And he hath been in London lately, for some traitorous job, I doubt."
+
+"Oh, you mean that fool, John Ridd," answered the young squire; "a very
+simple clod-hopper. No treachery in him I warrant; he hath not the head
+for it. All he cares about is wrestling. As strong as a bull, and with
+no more brains."
+
+"A bullet for that bull," said Carver; and I could see the grin on his
+scornful face; "a bullet for ballast to his brain, the first time I come
+across him."
+
+"Nonsense, captain! I won't have him shot, for he is my old
+school-fellow, and hath a very pretty sister. But his cousin is of a
+different mould, and ten times as dangerous."
+
+"We shall see, lads, we shall see," grumbled the great black-bearded
+man. "Ill bodes for the fool that would hinder me. But come, let us
+onward. No lingering, or the viper will be in the bush from us. Body and
+soul, if he give us the slip, both of you shall answer it."
+
+"No fear, captain, and no hurry," Charlie answered gallantly, "would I
+were as sure of living a twelvemonth as he is of dying within the hour!
+Extreme unction for him in my bullet patch. Remember, I claim to be his
+confessor, because he hath insulted me."
+
+"Thou art welcome to the job for me," said Marwood, as they turned away,
+and kept along the hedge-row; "I love to meet a man sword to sword; not
+to pop at him from a foxhole."
+
+What answer was made I could not hear, for by this time the stout ashen
+hedge was between us, and no other gap to be found in it, until at the
+very bottom, where the corner of the copse was. Yet I was not quit of
+danger now; for they might come through that second gap, and then would
+be sure to see me, unless I crept into the uncut thicket, before they
+could enter the clearing. But in spite of all my fear, I was not wise
+enough to do that. And in truth the words of Carver Doone had filled me
+with such anger, knowing what I did about him and his pretence to Lorna;
+and the sight of Squire Marwood, in such outrageous company, had so
+moved my curiosity, and their threats against some unknown person so
+aroused my pity, that much of my prudence was forgotten, or at least the
+better part of courage, which loves danger at long distance.
+
+Therefore, holding fast my bill-hook, I dropped myself very quietly
+into the bed of the runnel, being resolved to take my chance of their
+entrance at the corner, where the water dived through the hedge-row. And
+so I followed them down the fence, as gently as a rabbit goes, only I
+was inside it, and they on the outside; but yet so near that I heard the
+branches rustle as they pushed them.
+
+Perhaps I had never loved ferns so much as when I came to the end of
+that little gully, and stooped betwixt two patches of them, now my
+chiefest shelter, for cattle had been through the gap just there, in
+quest of fodder and coolness, and had left but a mound of trodden earth
+between me and the outlaws. I mean at least on my left hand (upon which
+side they were), for in front where the brook ran out of the copse was a
+good stiff hedge of holly. And now I prayed Heaven to lead them straight
+on; for if they once turned to their right, through the gap, the muzzles
+of their guns would come almost against my forehead.
+
+I heard them, for I durst not look; and could scarce keep still for
+trembling--I heard them trampling outside the gap, uncertain which track
+they should follow. And in that fearful moment, with my soul almost
+looking out of my body, expecting notice to quit it, what do you think
+I did? I counted the threads in a spider's web, and the flies he had
+lately eaten, as their skeletons shook in the twilight.
+
+"We shall see him better in there," said Carver, in his horrible gruff
+voice, like the creaking of the gallows chain; "sit there, behind holly
+hedge, lads, while he cometh down yonder hill; and then our good-evening
+to him; one at his body, and two at his head; and good aim, lest we
+baulk the devil."
+
+"I tell you, captain, that will not do," said Charlie, almost
+whispering: "you are very proud of your skill, we know, and can hit a
+lark if you see it: but he may not come until after dark, and we cannot
+be too nigh to him. This holly hedge is too far away. He crosses down
+here from Slocomslade, not from Tibbacot, I tell you; but along that
+track to the left there, and so by the foreland to Glenthorne, where his
+boat is in the cove. Do you think I have tracked him so many evenings,
+without knowing his line to a hair? Will you fool away all my trouble?"
+
+"Come then, lad, we will follow thy lead. Thy life for his, if we fail
+of it."
+
+"After me then, right into the hollow; thy legs are growing stiff,
+captain."
+
+"So shall thy body be, young man, if thou leadest me astray in this."
+
+I heard them stumbling down the hill, which was steep and rocky in that
+part; and peering through the hedge, I saw them enter a covert, by the
+side of the track which Master Stickles followed, almost every evening,
+when he left our house upon business. And then I knew who it was they
+were come on purpose to murder--a thing which I might have guessed long
+before, but for terror and cold stupidity.
+
+"Oh that God," I thought for a moment, waiting for my blood to flow; "Oh
+that God had given me brains, to meet such cruel dastards according to
+their villainy! The power to lie, and the love of it; the stealth to
+spy, and the glory in it; above all, the quiet relish for blood, and joy
+in the death of an enemy--these are what any man must have, to contend
+with the Doones upon even terms. And yet, I thank God that I have not
+any of these."
+
+It was no time to dwell upon that, only to try, if might be, to prevent
+the crime they were bound upon. To follow the armed men down the hill
+would have been certain death to me, because there was no covert there,
+and the last light hung upon it. It seemed to me that my only chance to
+stop the mischief pending was to compass the round of the hill, as fast
+as feet could be laid to ground; only keeping out of sight from the
+valley, and then down the rocks, and across the brook, to the track from
+Slocombslade: so as to stop the King's messenger from travelling any
+farther, if only I could catch him there.
+
+And this was exactly what I did; and a terrible run I had for it,
+fearing at every step to hear the echo of shots in the valley, and
+dropping down the scrubby rocks with tearing and violent scratching.
+Then I crossed Bagworthy stream, not far below Doone-valley, and
+breasted the hill towards Slocombslade, with my heart very heavily
+panting. Why Jeremy chose to ride this way, instead of the more direct
+one (which would have been over Oare-hill), was more than I could account
+for: but I had nothing to do with that; all I wanted was to save his
+life.
+
+And this I did by about a minute; and (which was the hardest thing of
+all) with a great horse-pistol at my head as I seized upon his bridle.
+
+"Jeremy, Jerry," was all I could say, being so fearfully short of
+breath; for I had crossed the ground quicker than any horse could.
+
+"Spoken just in time, John Ridd!" cried Master Stickles, still however
+pointing the pistol at me: "I might have known thee by thy size, John.
+What art doing here?"
+
+"Come to save your life. For God's sake, go no farther. Three men in the
+covert there, with long guns, waiting for thee."
+
+"Ha! I have been watched of late. That is why I pointed at thee, John.
+Back round this corner, and get thy breath, and tell me all about it. I
+never saw a man so hurried. I could beat thee now, John."
+
+Jeremy Stickles was a man of courage, and presence of mind, and much
+resource: otherwise he would not have been appointed for this business;
+nevertheless he trembled greatly when he heard what I had to tell
+him. But I took good care to keep back the name of young Marwood de
+Whichehalse; neither did I show my knowledge of the other men; for
+reasons of my own not very hard to conjecture.
+
+"We will let them cool their heels, John Ridd," said Jeremy, after
+thinking a little. "I cannot fetch my musketeers either from Glenthorne
+or Lynmouth, in time to seize the fellows. And three desperate Doones,
+well-armed, are too many for you and me. One result this attempt will
+have, it will make us attack them sooner than we had intended. And one
+more it will have, good John, it will make me thy friend for ever. Shake
+hands my lad, and forgive me freely for having been so cold to thee.
+Mayhap, in the troubles coming, it will help thee not a little to have
+done me this good turn."
+
+Upon this he shook me by the hand, with a pressure such as we feel not
+often; and having learned from me how to pass quite beyond view of his
+enemies, he rode on to his duty, whatever it might be. For my part I was
+inclined to stay, and watch how long the three fusiliers would have the
+patience to lie in wait; but seeing less and less use in that, as I
+grew more and more hungry, I swung my coat about me, and went home to
+Plover's Barrows.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX
+
+A TROUBLED STATE AND A FOOLISH JOKE
+
+[Illustration: 328.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Stickles took me aside the next day, and opened all his business to me,
+whether I would or not. But I gave him clearly to understand that he was
+not to be vexed with me, neither to regard me as in any way dishonest,
+if I should use for my own purpose, or for the benefit of my friends,
+any part of the knowledge and privity thus enforced upon me. To this he
+agreed quite readily; but upon the express provision that I should
+do nothing to thwart his schemes, neither unfold them to any one; but
+otherwise be allowed to act according to my own conscience, and as
+consisted with the honour of a loyal gentleman--for so he was pleased to
+term me. Now what he said lay in no great compass and may be summed in
+smaller still; especially as people know the chief part of it already.
+Disaffection to the King, or rather dislike to his brother James, and
+fear of Roman ascendancy, had existed now for several years, and of late
+were spreading rapidly; partly through the downright arrogance of
+the Tory faction, the cruelty and austerity of the Duke of York, the
+corruption of justice, and confiscation of ancient rights and charters;
+partly through jealousy of the French king, and his potent voice in our
+affairs; and partly (or perhaps one might even say, mainly) through that
+natural tide in all political channels, which verily moves as if it had
+the moon itself for its mistress. No sooner is a thing done and fixed,
+being set far in advance perhaps of all that was done before (like a new
+mole in the sea), but immediately the waters retire, lest they should
+undo it; and every one says how fine it is, but leaves other people to
+walk on it. Then after awhile, the vague endless ocean, having retired
+and lain still without a breeze or murmur, frets and heaves again with
+impulse, or with lashes laid on it, and in one great surge advances over
+every rampart.
+
+And so there was at the time I speak of, a great surge in England, not
+rolling yet, but seething; and one which a thousand Chief Justices,
+and a million Jeremy Stickles, should never be able to stop or turn,
+by stringing up men in front of it; any more than a rope of onions can
+repulse a volcano. But the worst of it was that this great movement took
+a wrong channel at first; not only missing legitimate line, but roaring
+out that the back ditchway was the true and established course of it.
+
+Against this rash and random current nearly all the ancient mariners of
+the State were set; not to allow the brave ship to drift there, though
+some little boats might try it. For the present there seemed to be
+a pause, with no open onset, but people on the shore expecting, each
+according to his wishes, and the feel of his own finger, whence the rush
+of wind should come which might direct the water.
+
+Now,--to reduce high figures of speech into our own little
+numerals,--all the towns of Somersetshire and half the towns of
+Devonshire were full of pushing eager people, ready to swallow anything,
+or to make others swallow it. Whether they believed the folly about the
+black box, and all that stuff, is not for me to say; only one thing
+I know, they pretended to do so, and persuaded the ignorant rustics.
+Taunton, Bridgwater, Minehead, and Dulverton took the lead of the other
+towns in utterance of their discontent, and threats of what they meant
+to do if ever a Papist dared to climb the Protestant throne of England.
+On the other hand, the Tory leaders were not as yet under apprehension
+of an immediate outbreak, and feared to damage their own cause by
+premature coercion, for the struggle was not very likely to begin in
+earnest during the life of the present King; unless he should (as some
+people hoped) be so far emboldened as to make public profession of
+the faith which he held (if any). So the Tory policy was to watch, not
+indeed permitting their opponents to gather strength, and muster in
+armed force or with order, but being well apprised of all their schemes
+and intended movements, to wait for some bold overt act, and then to
+strike severely. And as a Tory watchman--or spy, as the Whigs would call
+him--Jeremy Stickles was now among us; and his duty was threefold.
+
+First, and most ostensibly, to see to the levying of poundage in the
+little haven of Lynmouth, and farther up the coast, which was now
+becoming a place of resort for the folk whom we call smugglers, that is
+to say, who land their goods without regard to King's revenue as by
+law established. And indeed there had been no officer appointed to take
+toll, until one had been sent to Minehead, not so very long before.
+The excise as well (which had been ordered in the time of the Long
+Parliament) had been little heeded by the people hereabouts.
+
+Second, his duty was (though only the Doones had discovered it) to watch
+those outlaws narrowly, and report of their manners (which were scanty),
+doings (which were too manifold), reputation (which was execrable), and
+politics, whether true to the King and the Pope, or otherwise.
+
+Jeremy Stickles' third business was entirely political; to learn the
+temper of our people and the gentle families, to watch the movements of
+the trained bands (which could not always be trusted), to discover any
+collecting of arms and drilling of men among us, to prevent (if need
+were, by open force) any importation of gunpowder, of which there had
+been some rumour; in a word, to observe and forestall the enemy.
+
+Now in providing for this last-mentioned service, the Government had
+made a great mistake, doubtless through their anxiety to escape any
+public attention. For all the disposable force at their emissary's
+command amounted to no more than a score of musketeers, and these
+so divided along the coast as scarcely to suffice for the duty of
+sentinels. He held a commission, it is true, for the employment of the
+train-bands, but upon the understanding that he was not to call upon
+them (except as a last resource), for any political object; although
+he might use them against the Doones as private criminals, if found
+needful; and supposing that he could get them.
+
+"So you see, John," he said in conclusion, "I have more work than tools
+to do it with. I am heartily sorry I ever accepted such a mixed and
+meagre commission. At the bottom of it lies (I am well convinced) not
+only the desire to keep things quiet, but the paltry jealousy of the
+military people. Because I am not a Colonel, forsooth, or a Captain in
+His Majesty's service, it would never do to trust me with a company of
+soldiers! And yet they would not send either Colonel or Captain, for
+fear of a stir in the rustic mind. The only thing that I can do with
+any chance of success, is to rout out these vile Doone fellows, and burn
+their houses over their heads. Now what think you of that, John Ridd?"
+
+"Destroy the town of the Doones," I said, "and all the Doones inside it!
+Surely, Jeremy, you would never think of such a cruel act as that!"
+
+"A cruel act, John! It would be a mercy for at least three counties. No
+doubt you folk, who live so near, are well accustomed to them, and would
+miss your liveliness in coming home after nightfall, and the joy of
+finding your sheep and cattle right, when you not expected it. But after
+awhile you might get used to the dullness of being safe in your beds,
+and not losing your sisters and sweethearts. Surely, on the whole, it is
+as pleasant not to be robbed as to be robbed."
+
+"I think we should miss them very much," I answered after consideration;
+for the possibility of having no Doones had never yet occurred to me,
+and we all were so thoroughly used to them, and allowed for it in
+our year's reckoning; "I am sure we should miss them very sadly; and
+something worse would come of it."
+
+"Thou art the staunchest of all staunch Tories," cried Stickles,
+laughing, as he shook my hand; "thou believest in the divine right of
+robbers, who are good enough to steal thy own fat sheep. I am a jolly
+Tory, John, but thou art ten times jollier: oh! the grief in thy face at
+the thought of being robbed no longer!"
+
+He laughed in a very unseemly manner; while I descried nothing to laugh
+about. For we always like to see our way; and a sudden change upsets us.
+And unless it were in the loss of the farm, or the death of the King, or
+of Betty Muxworthy, there was nothing that could so unsettle our minds
+as the loss of the Doones of Bagworthy.
+
+And beside all this, I was thinking, of course, and thinking more than
+all the rest, about the troubles that might ensue to my own beloved
+Lorna. If an attack of Glen Doone were made by savage soldiers and
+rude train-bands, what might happen, or what might not, to my delicate,
+innocent darling? Therefore, when Jeremy Stickles again placed the
+matter before me, commending my strength and courage and skill (to
+flatter me of the highest), and finished by saying that I would be worth
+at least four common men to him, I cut him short as follows:--
+
+"Master Stickles, once for all, I will have naught to do with it. The
+reason why is no odds of thine, nor in any way disloyal. Only in thy
+plans remember that I will not strike a blow, neither give any counsel,
+neither guard any prisoners."
+
+"Not strike a blow," cried Jeremy, "against thy father's murderers,
+John!"
+
+"Not a single blow, Jeremy; unless I knew the man who did it, and he
+gloried in his sin. It was a foul and dastard deed, yet not done in cold
+blood; neither in cold blood will I take God's task of avenging it."
+
+"Very well, John," answered Master Stickles, "I know thine obstinacy.
+When thy mind is made up, to argue with thee is pelting a rock with
+peppercorns. But thou hast some other reason, lad, unless I am much
+mistaken, over and above thy merciful nature and Christian forgiveness.
+Anyhow, come and see it, John. There will be good sport, I reckon;
+especially when we thrust our claws into the nest of the ravens. Many
+a yeoman will find his daughter, and some of the Porlock lads their
+sweethearts. A nice young maiden, now, for thee, John; if indeed, any--"
+
+"No more of this!" I answered very sternly: "it is no business of thine,
+Jeremy; and I will have no joking upon this matter."
+
+"Good, my lord; so be it. But one thing I tell thee in earnest. We will
+have thy old double-dealing uncle, Huckaback of Dulverton, and march him
+first to assault Doone Castle, sure as my name is Stickles. I hear that
+he hath often vowed to storm the valley himself, if only he could find a
+dozen musketeers to back him. Now, we will give him chance to do it, and
+prove his loyalty to the King, which lies under some suspicion of late."
+
+With regard to this, I had nothing to say; for it seemed to me very
+reasonable that Uncle Reuben should have first chance of recovering his
+stolen goods, about which he had made such a sad to-do, and promised
+himself such vengeance. I made bold, however, to ask Master Stickles at
+what time he intended to carry out this great and hazardous attempt. He
+answered that he had several things requiring first to be set in order,
+and that he must make an inland Journey, even as far as Tiverton, and
+perhaps Crediton and Exeter, to collect his forces and ammunition
+for them. For he meant to have some of the yeomanry as well as of the
+trained bands, so that if the Doones should sally forth, as perhaps they
+would, on horseback, cavalry might be there to meet them, and cut them
+off from returning.
+
+All this made me very uncomfortable, for many and many reasons, the
+chief and foremost being of course my anxiety about Lorna. If the attack
+succeeded, what was to become of her? Who would rescue her from the
+brutal soldiers, even supposing that she escaped from the hands of her
+own people, during the danger and ferocity? And in smaller ways, I was
+much put out; for instance, who would ensure our corn-ricks, sheep, and
+cattle, ay, and even our fat pigs, now coming on for bacon, against the
+spreading all over the country of unlicensed marauders? The Doones
+had their rights, and understood them, and took them according to
+prescription, even as the parsons had, and the lords of manors, and the
+King himself, God save him! But how were these low soldiering fellows
+(half-starved at home very likely, and only too glad of the fat of the
+land, and ready, according to our proverb, to burn the paper they
+fried in), who were they to come hectoring and heroing over us, and
+Heliogabalising, with our pretty sisters to cook for them, and be
+chucked under chin perhaps afterwards? There is nothing England hates
+so much, according to my sense of it, as that fellows taken from
+plough-tail, cart-tail, pot-houses and parish-stocks, should be hoisted
+and foisted upon us (after a few months' drilling, and their lying
+shaped into truckling) as defenders of the public weal, and heroes of
+the universe.
+
+In another way I was vexed, moreover--for after all we must consider the
+opinions of our neighbours--namely, that I knew quite well how everybody
+for ten miles round (for my fame must have been at least that wide,
+after all my wrestling), would lift up hands and cry out thus--"Black
+shame on John Ridd, if he lets them go without him!"
+
+Putting all these things together, as well as many others, which your
+own wits will suggest to you, it is impossible but what you will freely
+acknowledge that this unfortunate John Ridd was now in a cloven stick.
+There was Lorna, my love and life, bound by her duty to that old
+vil--nay, I mean to her good grandfather, who could now do little
+mischief, and therefore deserved all praise--Lorna bound, at any rate,
+by her womanly feelings, if not by sense of duty, to remain in the thick
+danger, with nobody to protect her, but everybody to covet her, for
+beauty and position. Here was all the country roused with violent
+excitement, at the chance of snapping at the Doones; and not only
+getting tit for tat; but every young man promising his sweetheart a
+gold chain, and his mother at least a shilling. And here was our own
+mow-yard, better filled than we could remember, and perhaps every sheaf
+in it destined to be burned or stolen, before we had finished the bread
+we had baked.
+
+Among all these troubles, there was, however, or seemed to be, one
+comfort. Tom Faggus returned from London very proudly and very happily,
+with a royal pardon in black and white, which everybody admired the
+more, because no one could read a word of it. The Squire himself
+acknowledged cheerfully that he could sooner take fifty purses than read
+a single line of it. Some people indeed went so far as to say that the
+parchment was made from a sheep Tom had stolen, and that was why it
+prevaricated so in giving him a character. But I, knowing something by
+this time, of lawyers, was able to contradict them; affirming that the
+wolf had more than the sheep to do with this matter.
+
+For, according to our old saying, the three learned professions live by
+roguery on the three parts of a man. The doctor mauls our bodies; the
+parson starves our souls, but the lawyer must be the adroitest knave,
+for he has to ensnare our minds. Therefore he takes a careful delight in
+covering his traps and engines with a spread of dead-leaf words, whereof
+himself knows little more than half the way to spell them.
+
+But now Tom Faggus, although having wit to gallop away on his strawberry
+mare, with the speed of terror, from lawyers (having paid them with
+money too honest to stop), yet fell into a reckless adventure, ere ever
+he came home, from which any lawyer would have saved him, although he
+ought to have needed none beyond common thought for dear Annie. Now I
+am, and ever have been, so vexed about this story that I cannot tell it
+pleasantly (as I try to write in general) in my own words and manner.
+Therefore I will let John Fry (whom I have robbed of another story,
+to which he was more entitled, and whom I have robbed of many speeches
+(which he thought very excellent), lest I should grieve any one with his
+lack of education,--the last lack he ever felt, by the bye), now with
+your good leave, I will allow poor John to tell this tale, in his own
+words and style; which he has a perfect right to do, having been the
+first to tell us. For Squire Faggus kept it close; not trusting even
+Annie with it (or at least she said so); because no man knows much of
+his sweetheart's tongue, until she has borne him a child or two.
+
+Only before John begins his story, this I would say, in duty to him, and
+in common honesty,--that I dare not write down some few of his words,
+because they are not convenient, for dialect or other causes; and that I
+cannot find any way of spelling many of the words which I do repeat, so
+that people, not born on Exmoor, may know how he pronounced them; even
+if they could bring their lips and their legs to the proper attitude.
+And in this I speak advisedly; having observed some thousand times that
+the manner a man has of spreading his legs, and bending his knees,
+or stiffening, and even the way he will set his heel, make all the
+difference in his tone, and time of casting his voice aright, and power
+of coming home to you.
+
+We always liked John's stories, not for any wit in them; but because we
+laughed at the man, rather than the matter. The way he held his head was
+enough, with his chin fixed hard like a certainty (especially during his
+biggest lie), not a sign of a smile in his lips or nose, but a power of
+not laughing; and his eyes not turning to anybody, unless somebody had
+too much of it (as young girls always do) and went over the brink of
+laughter. Thereupon it was good to see John Fry; how he looked gravely
+first at the laughter, as much as to ask, "What is it now?" then if
+the fool went laughing more, as he or she was sure to do upon that dry
+inquiry, John would look again, to be sure of it, and then at somebody
+else to learn whether the laugh had company; then if he got another
+grin, all his mirth came out in glory, with a sudden break; and he wiped
+his lips, and was grave again.
+
+Now John, being too much encouraged by the girls (of which I could never
+break them), came into the house that December evening, with every inch
+of him full of a tale. Annie saw it, and Lizzie, of course; and even I,
+in the gloom of great evils, perceived that John was a loaded gun; but I
+did not care to explode him. Now nothing primed him so hotly as this: if
+you wanted to hear all John Fry had heard, the surest of all sure ways
+to it was, to pretend not to care for a word of it.
+
+"I wor over to Exeford in the morning," John began from the
+chimney-corner, looking straight at Annie; "for to zee a little calve,
+Jan, as us cuddn't get thee to lave houze about. Meesus have got a quare
+vancy vor un, from wutt her have heer'd of the brade. Now zit quite,
+wull 'e Miss Luzzie, or a 'wunt goo on no vurder. Vaine little tayl I'll
+tull' ee, if so be thee zits quite. Wull, as I coom down the hill, I
+zeed a saight of volks astapping of the ro-udwai. Arl on 'em wi' girt
+goons, or two men out of dree wi' 'em. Rackon there wor dree score
+on 'em, tak smarl and beg togather laike; latt aloun the women and
+chillers; zum on em wi' matches blowing, tothers wi' flint-lacks. 'Wutt
+be up now?' I says to Bill Blacksmith, as had knowledge of me: 'be the
+King acoomin? If her be, do 'ee want to shutt 'un?'
+
+"'Thee not knaw!' says Bill Blacksmith, just the zame as I be a tullin
+of it: 'whai, man, us expex Tam Faggus, and zum on us manes to shutt
+'un.'
+
+"'Shutt 'un wi'out a warrant!' says I: 'sure 'ee knaws better nor thic,
+Bill! A man mayn't shutt to another man, wi'out have a warrant, Bill.
+Warship zed so, last taime I zeed un, and nothing to the contrairy.'
+
+"'Haw, haw! Never frout about that,' saith Bill, zame as I be tullin
+you; 'us has warrants and warships enow, dree or vour on 'em. And more
+nor a dizzen warranties; fro'ut I know to contrairy. Shutt 'un, us
+manes; and shutt 'un, us will--' Whai, Miss Annie, good Lord, whuttiver
+maks 'ee stear so?'
+
+"Nothing at all, John," our Annie answered; "only the horrible ferocity
+of that miserable blacksmith."
+
+"That be nayther here nor there," John continued, with some wrath at
+his own interruption: "Blacksmith knawed whutt the Squire had been; and
+veared to lose his own custom, if Squire tuk to shooin' again. Shutt any
+man I would myzell as intervared wi' my trade laike. 'Lucky for thee,'
+said Bill Blacksmith, 'as thee bee'st so shart and fat, Jan. Dree on us
+wor a gooin' to shutt 'ee, till us zeed how fat thee waz, Jan.'
+
+"'Lor now, Bill!' I answered 'un, wi' a girt cold swat upon me: 'shutt
+me, Bill; and my own waife niver drame of it!'"
+
+Here John Fry looked round the kitchen; for he had never said anything
+of the kind, I doubt; but now made it part of his discourse, from
+thinking that Mistress Fry was come, as she generally did, to fetch him.
+
+"Wull done then, Jan Vry," said the woman, who had entered quietly, but
+was only our old Molly. "Wutt handsome manners thee hast gat, Jan, to
+spake so well of thy waife laike; after arl the laife she leads thee!"
+
+"Putt thee pot on the fire, old 'ooman, and bile thee own bakkon," John
+answered her, very sharply: "nobody no raight to meddle wi' a man's bad
+ooman but himzell. Wull, here was all these here men awaitin', zum wi'
+harses, zum wi'out; the common volk wi' long girt guns, and tha quarlity
+wi' girt broad-swords. Who wor there? Whay latt me zee. There wor Squire
+Maunder," here John assumed his full historical key, "him wi' the pot to
+his vittle-place; and Sir Richard Blewitt shaking over the zaddle, and
+Squaire Sandford of Lee, him wi' the long nose and one eye, and Sir
+Gronus Batchildor over to Ninehead Court, and ever so many more on 'em,
+tulling up how they was arl gooin' to be promoted, for kitching of Tom
+Faggus.
+
+"'Hope to God,' says I to myzell, 'poor Tom wun't coom here to-day: arl
+up with her, if 'a doeth: and who be there to suckzade 'un?' Mark me
+now, all these charps was good to shutt 'un, as her coom crass the
+watter; the watter be waide enow there and stony, but no deeper than my
+knee-place.
+
+"'Thee cas'n goo no vurder,' Bill Blacksmith saith to me: 'nawbody
+'lowed to crass the vord, until such time as Faggus coom; plaise God us
+may mak sure of 'un.'
+
+"'Amen, zo be it,' says I; 'God knoweth I be never in any hurry, and
+would zooner stop nor goo on most taimes.'
+
+"Wi' that I pulled my vittles out, and zat a horsebarck, atin' of 'em,
+and oncommon good they was. 'Won't us have 'un this taime just,' saith
+Tim Potter, as keepeth the bull there; 'and yet I be zorry for 'un. But
+a man must kape the law, her must; zo be her can only learn it. And now
+poor Tom will swing as high as the tops of they girt hashes there.'
+
+"'Just thee kitch 'un virst,' says I; 'maisure rope, wi' the body to
+maisure by.'
+
+"'Hurrah! here be another now,' saith Bill Blacksmith, grinning;
+'another coom to help us. What a grave gentleman! A warship of the pace,
+at laste!'
+
+"For a gentleman, on a cue-ball horse, was coming slowly down the hill
+on tother zide of watter, looking at us in a friendly way, and with a
+long papper standing forth the lining of his coat laike. Horse stapped
+to drink in the watter, and gentleman spak to 'un kindly, and then they
+coom raight on to ussen, and the gentleman's face wor so long and so
+grave, us veared 'a wor gooin' to prache to us.
+
+"'Coort o' King's Bench,' saith one man; 'Checker and Plays,' saith
+another; 'Spishal Commission, I doubt,' saith Bill Blacksmith; 'backed
+by the Mayor of Taunton.'
+
+"'Any Justice of the King's Peace, good people, to be found near here?'
+said the gentleman, lifting his hat to us, and very gracious in his
+manner.
+
+"'Your honour,' saith Bill, with his hat off his head; 'there be sax or
+zeven warships here: arl on 'em very wise 'uns. Squaire Maunder there be
+the zinnyer.'
+
+"So the gentleman rode up to Squire Maunder, and raised his cocked hat
+in a manner that took the Squire out of countenance, for he could not do
+the like of it.
+
+"'Sir,' said he, 'good and worshipful sir, I am here to claim your
+good advice and valour; for purposes of justice. I hold His Majesty's
+commission, to make to cease a notorious rogue, whose name is Thomas
+Faggus.' With that he offered his commission; but Squire Maunder told
+the truth, that he could not rade even words in print, much less written
+karakters.* Then the other magistrates rode up, and put their heads
+together, how to meet the London gentleman without loss of importance.
+There wor one of 'em as could rade purty vair, and her made out King's
+mark upon it: and he bowed upon his horse to the gentleman, and he laid
+his hand on his heart and said, 'Worshipful sir, we, as has the honour
+of His Gracious Majesty's commission, are entirely at your service, and
+crave instructions from you.'"
+
+     * Lest John Fry seem to under-rate the erudition of
+     Devonshire magistrates, I venture to offer copy of a letter
+     from a Justice of the Peace to his bookseller, circa 1810
+     A.D., now in my possession:--
+
+    'Sur.
+           'plez to zen me the aks relatting to _A-gustus-paks_,'
+
+    --Ed. of L.D.
+
+    [Emphasized this in original]
+
+"Then a waving of hats began, and a bowing, and making of legs to wan
+anather, sich as nayver wor zeed afore; but none of 'em arl, for air and
+brading, cud coom anaigh the gentleman with the long grave face.
+
+"'Your warships have posted the men right well,' saith he with anather
+bow all round; 'surely that big rogue will have no chance left among so
+many valiant musketeers. Ha! what see I there, my friend? Rust in the
+pan of your gun! That gun would never go off, sure as I am the King's
+Commissioner. And I see another just as bad; and lo, there the
+third! Pardon me, gentlemen, I have been so used to His Majesty's
+Ordnance-yards. But I fear that bold rogue would ride through all of
+you, and laugh at your worship's beards, by George.'
+
+"'But what shall us do?' Squire Maunder axed; 'I vear there be no oil
+here.'
+
+"'Discharge your pieces, gentlemen, and let the men do the same; or at
+least let us try to discharge them, and load again with fresh powder. It
+is the fog of the morning hath spoiled the priming. That rogue is not
+in sight yet: but God knows we must not be asleep with him, or what will
+His Majesty say to me, if we let him slip once more?'
+
+"'Excellent, wondrous well said, good sir,' Squire Maunder answered him;
+'I never should have thought of that now. Bill Blacksmith, tell all the
+men to be ready to shoot up into the air, directly I give the word. Now,
+are you ready there, Bill?'
+
+"'All ready, your worship,' saith Bill, saluting like a soldier.
+
+"'Then, one, two, dree, and shutt!' cries Squire Maunder, standing up in
+the irons of his stirrups.
+
+"Thereupon they all blazed out, and the noise of it went all round the
+hills; with a girt thick cloud arising, and all the air smelling of
+powder. Before the cloud was gone so much as ten yards on the wind,
+the gentleman on the cue-bald horse shuts up his face like a pair of
+nut-cracks, as wide as it was long before, and out he pulls two girt
+pistols longside of zaddle, and clap'th one to Squire Maunder's head,
+and tother to Sir Richard Blewitt's.
+
+"'Hand forth your money and all your warrants,' he saith like a clap of
+thunder; 'gentlemen, have you now the wit to apprehend Tom Faggus?'
+
+[Illustration: 339.jpg Hand forth your money]
+
+"Squire Maunder swore so that he ought to be fined; but he pulled out
+his purse none the slower for that, and so did Sir Richard Blewitt.
+
+"'First man I see go to load a gun, I'll gi'e 'un the bullet to do it
+with,' said Tom; for you see it was him and no other, looking quietly
+round upon all of them. Then he robbed all the rest of their warships,
+as pleasant as might be; and he saith, 'Now, gentlemen, do your duty:
+serve your warrants afore you imprison me'; with that he made them give
+up all the warrants, and he stuck them in the band of his hat, and then
+he made a bow with it.
+
+"'Good morning to your warships now, and a merry Christmas all of
+you! And the merrier both for rich and poor, when gentlemen see their
+almsgiving. Lest you deny yourselves the pleasure, I will aid your
+warships. And to save you the trouble of following me, when your guns be
+loaded--this is my strawberry mare, gentlemen, only with a little cream
+on her. Gentlemen all, in the name of the King, I thank you.'
+
+"All this while he was casting their money among the poor folk by the
+handful; and then he spak kaindly to the red mare, and wor over the back
+of the hill in two zeconds, and best part of two maile away, I reckon,
+afore ever a gun wor loaded."*
+
+* The truth of this story is well established by first-rate tradition.
+
+[Illustration: 341.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XL
+
+TWO FOOLS TOGETHER
+
+[Illustration: 342.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+That story of John Fry's, instead of causing any amusement, gave us
+great disquietude; not only because it showed that Tom Faggus could not
+resist sudden temptation and the delight of wildness, but also that we
+greatly feared lest the King's pardon might be annulled, and all his
+kindness cancelled, by a reckless deed of that sort. It was true (as
+Annie insisted continually, even with tears, to wear in her arguments)
+that Tom had not brought away anything, except the warrants, which were
+of no use at all, after receipt of the pardon; neither had he used any
+violence, except just to frighten people; but could it be established,
+even towards Christmas-time, that Tom had a right to give alms, right
+and left, out of other people's money?
+
+Dear Annie appeared to believe that it could; saying that if the rich
+continually chose to forget the poor, a man who forced them to remember,
+and so to do good to themselves and to others, was a public benefactor,
+and entitled to every blessing. But I knew, and so Lizzie knew--John Fry
+being now out of hearing--that this was not sound argument. For, if it
+came to that, any man might take the King by the throat, and make him
+cast away among the poor the money which he wanted sadly for Her Grace
+the Duchess, and the beautiful Countess, of this, and of that. Lizzie,
+of course, knew nothing about His Majesty's diversions, which were not
+fit for a young maid's thoughts; but I now put the form of the argument
+as it occurred to me.
+
+Therefore I said, once for all (and both my sisters always listened when
+I used the deep voice from my chest):
+
+"Tom Faggus hath done wrong herein; wrong to himself, and to our Annie.
+All he need have done was to show his pardon, and the magistrates would
+have rejoiced with him. He might have led a most godly life, and have
+been respected by everybody; and knowing how brave Tom is, I thought
+that he would have done as much. Now if I were in love with a maid"--I
+put it thus for the sake of poor Lizzie--"never would I so imperil my
+life, and her fortune in life along with me, for the sake of a poor
+diversion. A man's first duty is to the women, who are forced to hang
+upon him"--
+
+"Oh, John, not that horrible word," cried Annie, to my great surprise,
+and serious interruption; "oh, John, any word but that!" And she burst
+forth crying terribly.
+
+"What word, Lizzie? What does the wench mean?" I asked, in the saddest
+vexation; seeing no good to ask Annie at all, for she carried on most
+dreadfully.
+
+"Don't you know, you stupid lout?" said Lizzie, completing my
+wonderment, by the scorn of her quicker intelligence; "if you don't
+know, axe about?"
+
+And with that, I was forced to be content; for Lizzie took Annie in such
+a manner (on purpose to vex me, as I could see) with her head drooping
+down, and her hair coming over, and tears and sobs rising and falling,
+to boot, without either order or reason, that seeing no good for a
+man to do (since neither of them was Lorna), I even went out into the
+courtyard, and smoked a pipe, and wondered what on earth is the meaning
+of women.
+
+Now in this I was wrong and unreasonable (as all women will
+acknowledge); but sometimes a man is so put out, by the way they take
+on about nothing, that he really cannot help thinking, for at least
+a minute, that women are a mistake for ever, and hence are for ever
+mistaken. Nevertheless I could not see that any of these great thoughts
+and ideas applied at all to my Lorna; but that she was a different
+being; not woman enough to do anything bad, yet enough of a woman for
+man to adore.
+
+And now a thing came to pass which tested my adoration pretty sharply,
+inasmuch as I would far liefer faced Carver Doone and his father, nay,
+even the roaring lion himself with his hoofs and flaming nostrils, than
+have met, in cold blood, Sir Ensor Doone, the founder of all the colony,
+and the fear of the very fiercest.
+
+But that I was forced to do at this time, and in the manner following.
+When I went up one morning to look for my seven rooks' nests, behold
+there were but six to be seen; for the topmost of them all was gone,
+and the most conspicuous. I looked, and looked, and rubbed my eyes, and
+turned to try them by other sights; and then I looked again; yes, there
+could be no doubt about it; the signal was made for me to come, because
+my love was in danger. For me to enter the valley now, during the broad
+daylight, could have brought no comfort, but only harm to the maiden,
+and certain death to myself. Yet it was more than I could do to keep
+altogether at distance; therefore I ran to the nearest place where I
+could remain unseen, and watched the glen from the wooded height, for
+hours and hours, impatiently.
+
+However, no impatience of mine made any difference in the scene upon
+which I was gazing. In the part of the valley which I could see, there
+was nothing moving, except the water, and a few stolen cows, going sadly
+along, as if knowing that they had no honest right there. It sank very
+heavily into my heart, with all the beds of dead leaves around it, and
+there was nothing I cared to do, except blow on my fingers, and long for
+more wit.
+
+For a frost was beginning, which made a great difference to Lorna and to
+myself, I trow; as well as to all the five million people who dwell in
+this island of England; such a frost as never I saw before,* neither
+hope ever to see again; a time when it was impossible to milk a cow for
+icicles, or for a man to shave some of his beard (as I liked to do for
+Lorna's sake, because she was so smooth) without blunting his razor
+on hard gray ice. No man could "keep yatt" (as we say), even though he
+abandoned his work altogether, and thumped himself, all on the chest and
+the front, till his frozen hands would have been bleeding except for the
+cold that kept still all his veins.
+
+     * If John Ridd lived until the year 1740 (as so strong a man
+     was bound to do), he must have seen almost a harder frost;
+     and perhaps it put an end to him; for then he would be some
+     fourscore years old. But tradition makes him "keep yatt," as
+     he says, up to fivescore years.--Ed. L.D.
+
+However, at present there was no frost, although for a fortnight
+threatening; and I was too young to know the meaning of the way the dead
+leaves hung, and the worm-casts prickling like women's combs, and
+the leaden tone upon everything, and the dead weight of the sky. Will
+Watcombe, the old man at Lynmouth, who had been half over the world
+almost, and who talked so much of the Gulf-stream, had (as I afterwards
+called to mind) foretold a very bitter winter this year. But no one
+would listen to him because there were not so many hips and haws as
+usual; whereas we have all learned from our grandfathers that Providence
+never sends very hard winters, without having furnished a large supply
+of berries for the birds to feed upon.
+
+It was lucky for me, while I waited here, that our very best sheep-dog,
+old Watch, had chosen to accompany me that day. For otherwise I must
+have had no dinner, being unpersuaded, even by that, to quit my survey
+of the valley. However, by aid of poor Watch, I contrived to obtain a
+supply of food; for I sent him home with a note to Annie fastened upon
+his chest; and in less than an hour back he came, proud enough to wag
+his tail off, with his tongue hanging out from the speed of his journey,
+and a large lump of bread and of bacon fastened in a napkin around his
+neck. I had not told my sister, of course, what was toward; for why
+should I make her anxious?
+
+When it grew towards dark, I was just beginning to prepare for my
+circuit around the hills; but suddenly Watch gave a long low growl; I
+kept myself close as possible, and ordered the dog to be silent, and
+presently saw a short figure approaching from a thickly-wooded hollow on
+the left side of my hiding-place. It was the same figure I had seen once
+before in the moonlight, at Plover's Barrows; and proved, to my great
+delight, to be the little maid Gwenny Carfax. She started a moment, at
+seeing me, but more with surprise than fear; and then she laid both her
+hands upon mine, as if she had known me for twenty years.
+
+"Young man," she said, "you must come with me. I was gwain' all the
+way to fetch thee. Old man be dying; and her can't die, or at least her
+won't, without first considering thee."
+
+"Considering me!" I cried; "what can Sir Ensor Doone want with
+considering me? Has Mistress Lorna told him?"
+
+"All concerning thee, and thy doings; when she knowed old man were so
+near his end. That vexed he was about thy low blood, a' thought her
+would come to life again, on purpose for to bate 'ee. But after all,
+there can't be scarcely such bad luck as that. Now, if her strook thee,
+thou must take it; there be no denaying of un. Fire I have seen afore,
+hot and red, and raging; but I never seen cold fire afore, and it maketh
+me burn and shiver."
+
+And in truth, it made me both burn and shiver, to know that I must
+either go straight to the presence of Sir Ensor Doone, or give up Lorna,
+once for all, and rightly be despised by her. For the first time of my
+life, I thought that she had not acted fairly. Why not leave the old man
+in peace, without vexing him about my affair? But presently I saw again
+that in this matter she was right; that she could not receive the old
+man's blessing (supposing that he had one to give, which even a worse
+man might suppose), while she deceived him about herself, and the life
+she had undertaken.
+
+Therefore, with great misgiving of myself, but no ill thought of my
+darling, I sent Watch home, and followed Gwenny; who led me along very
+rapidly, with her short broad form gliding down the hollow, from which
+she had first appeared. Here at the bottom, she entered a thicket of
+gray ash stubs and black holly, with rocks around it gnarled with roots,
+and hung with masks of ivy. Here in a dark and lonely corner, with a
+pixie ring before it, she came to a narrow door, very brown and solid,
+looking like a trunk of wood at a little distance. This she opened,
+without a key, by stooping down and pressing it, where the threshold met
+the jamb; and then she ran in very nimbly, but I was forced to be
+bent in two, and even so without comfort. The passage was close and
+difficult, and as dark as any black pitch; but it was not long (be it as
+it might), and in that there was some comfort. We came out soon at the
+other end, and were at the top of Doone valley. In the chilly dusk air,
+it looked most untempting, especially during that state of mind under
+which I was labouring. As we crossed towards the Captain's house, we
+met a couple of great Doones lounging by the waterside. Gwenny said
+something to them, and although they stared very hard at me, they let me
+pass without hindrance. It is not too much to say that when the little
+maid opened Sir Ensor's door, my heart thumped, quite as much with
+terror as with hope of Lorna's presence.
+
+But in a moment the fear was gone, for Lorna was trembling in my arms,
+and my courage rose to comfort her. The darling feared, beyond all
+things else, lest I should be offended with her for what she had said to
+her grandfather, and for dragging me into his presence; but I told her
+almost a falsehood (the first, and the last, that ever I did tell her),
+to wit, that I cared not that much--and showed her the tip of my thumb
+as I said it--for old Sir Ensor, and all his wrath, so long as I had his
+granddaughter's love.
+
+Now I tried to think this as I said it, so as to save it from being a
+lie; but somehow or other it did not answer, and I was vexed with myself
+both ways. But Lorna took me by the hand as bravely as she could, and
+led me into a little passage where I could hear the river moaning and
+the branches rustling.
+
+Here I passed as long a minute as fear ever cheated time of, saying
+to myself continually that there was nothing to be frightened at, yet
+growing more and more afraid by reason of so reasoning. At last my Lorna
+came back very pale, as I saw by the candle she carried, and whispered,
+"Now be patient, dearest. Never mind what he says to you; neither
+attempt to answer him. Look at him gently and steadfastly, and, if you
+can, with some show of reverence; but above all things, no compassion;
+it drives him almost mad. Now come; walk very quietly."
+
+She led me into a cold, dark room, rough and very gloomy, although with
+two candles burning. I took little heed of the things in it, though I
+marked that the window was open. That which I heeded was an old man,
+very stern and comely, with death upon his countenance; yet not lying in
+his bed, but set upright in a chair, with a loose red cloak thrown over
+him. Upon this his white hair fell, and his pallid fingers lay in a
+ghastly fashion without a sign of life or movement or of the power that
+kept him up; all rigid, calm, and relentless. Only in his great black
+eyes, fixed upon me solemnly, all the power of his body dwelt, all the
+life of his soul was burning.
+
+I could not look at him very nicely, being afeared of the death in his
+face, and most afeared to show it. And to tell the truth, my poor
+blue eyes fell away from the blackness of his, as if it had been my
+coffin-plate. Therefore I made a low obeisance, and tried not to shiver.
+Only I groaned that Lorna thought it good manners to leave us two
+together.
+
+"Ah," said the old man, and his voice seemed to come from a cavern of
+skeletons; "are you that great John Ridd?"
+
+"John Ridd is my name, your honour," was all that I could answer; "and I
+hope your worship is better."
+
+"Child, have you sense enough to know what you have been doing?"
+
+"Yes, I knew right well," I answered, "that I have set mine eyes far
+above my rank."
+
+"Are you ignorant that Lorna Doone is born of the oldest families
+remaining in North Europe?"
+
+"I was ignorant of that, your worship; yet I knew of her high descent
+from the Doones of Bagworthy."
+
+The old man's eyes, like fire, probed me whether I was jesting; then
+perceiving how grave I was, and thinking that I could not laugh (as many
+people suppose of me), he took on himself to make good the deficiency
+with a very bitter smile.
+
+"And know you of your own low descent from the Ridds of Oare?"
+
+"Sir," I answered, being as yet unaccustomed to this style of speech,
+"the Ridds, of Oare, have been honest men twice as long as the Doones
+have been rogues."
+
+"I would not answer for that, John," Sir Ensor replied, very quietly,
+when I expected fury. "If it be so, thy family is the very oldest in
+Europe. Now hearken to me, boy, or clown, or honest fool, or whatever
+thou art; hearken to an old man's words, who has not many hours to live.
+There is nothing in this world to fear, nothing to revere or trust,
+nothing even to hope for; least of all, is there aught to love."
+
+"I hope your worship is not quite right," I answered, with great
+misgivings; "else it is a sad mistake for anybody to live, sir."
+
+"Therefore," he continued, as if I had never spoken, "though it may seem
+hard for a week or two, like the loss of any other toy, I deprive you of
+nothing, but add to your comfort, and (if there be such a thing) to your
+happiness, when I forbid you ever to see that foolish child again. All
+marriage is a wretched farce, even when man and wife belong to the same
+rank of life, have temper well assorted, similar likes and dislikes, and
+about the same pittance of mind. But when they are not so matched,
+the farce would become a long, dull tragedy, if anything were worth
+lamenting. There, I have reasoned enough with you; I am not in the habit
+of reasoning. Though I have little confidence in man's honour, I have
+some reliance in woman's pride. You will pledge your word in Lorna's
+presence never to see or to seek her again; never even to think of her
+more. Now call her, for I am weary."
+
+He kept his great eyes fixed upon me with their icy fire (as if he
+scorned both life and death), and on his haughty lips some slight
+amusement at my trouble; and then he raised one hand (as if I were a
+poor dumb creature), and pointed to the door. Although my heart rebelled
+and kindled at his proud disdain, I could not disobey him freely; but
+made a low salute, and went straightway in search of Lorna.
+
+I found my love (or not my love; according as now she should behave; for
+I was very desperate, being put upon so sadly); Lorna Doone was crying
+softly at a little window, and listening to the river's grief. I laid
+my heavy arm around her, not with any air of claiming or of forcing
+her thoughts to me, but only just to comfort her, and ask what she was
+thinking of. To my arm she made no answer, neither to my seeking eyes;
+but to my heart, once for all, she spoke with her own upon it. Not a
+word, nor sound between us; not even a kiss was interchanged; but man,
+or maid, who has ever loved hath learned our understanding.
+
+Therefore it came to pass, that we saw fit to enter Sir Ensor's room in
+the following manner. Lorna, with her right hand swallowed entirely by
+the palm of mine, and her waist retired from view by means of my left
+arm. All one side of her hair came down, in a way to be remembered, upon
+the left and fairest part of my favourite otter-skin waistcoat; and
+her head as well would have lain there doubtless, but for the danger
+of walking so. I, for my part, was too far gone to lag behind in the
+matter; but carried my love bravely, fearing neither death nor hell,
+while she abode beside me.
+
+Old Sir Ensor looked much astonished. For forty years he had been obeyed
+and feared by all around him; and he knew that I had feared him vastly,
+before I got hold of Lorna. And indeed I was still afraid of him; only
+for loving Lorna so, and having to protect her.
+
+Then I made him a bow, to the very best of all I had learned both at
+Tiverton and in London; after that I waited for him to begin, as became
+his age and rank in life.
+
+"Ye two fools!" he said at last, with a depth of contempt which no words
+may express; "ye two fools!"
+
+"May it please your worship," I answered softly; "maybe we are not such
+fools as we look. But though we be, we are well content, so long as we
+may be two fools together."
+
+"Why, John," said the old man, with a spark, as of smiling in his eyes;
+"thou art not altogether the clumsy yokel, and the clod, I took thee
+for."
+
+"Oh, no, grandfather; oh, dear grandfather," cried Lorna, with such zeal
+and flashing, that her hands went forward; "nobody knows what John Ridd
+is, because he is so modest. I mean, nobody except me, dear." And here
+she turned to me again, and rose upon tiptoe, and kissed me.
+
+"I have seen a little o' the world," said the old man, while I was half
+ashamed, although so proud of Lorna; "but this is beyond all I have
+seen, and nearly all I have heard of. It is more fit for southern
+climates than for the fogs of Exmoor."
+
+"It is fit for all the world, your worship; with your honour's good
+leave, and will," I answered in humility, being still ashamed of it;
+"when it happens so to people, there is nothing that can stop it, sir."
+
+Now Sir Ensor Doone was leaning back upon his brown chair-rail, which
+was built like a triangle, as in old farmhouses (from one of which it
+had come, no doubt, free from expense or gratitude); and as I spoke he
+coughed a little; and he sighed a good deal more; and perhaps his dying
+heart desired to open time again, with such a lift of warmth and hope as
+he descried in our eyes, and arms. I could not understand him then; any
+more than a baby playing with his grandfather's spectacles; nevertheless
+I wondered whether, at his time of life, or rather on the brink of
+death, he was thinking of his youth and pride.
+
+"Fools you are; be fools for ever," said Sir Ensor Doone, at last; while
+we feared to break his thoughts, but let each other know our own, with
+little ways of pressure; "it is the best thing I can wish you; boy and
+girl, be boy and girl, until you have grandchildren."
+
+Partly in bitterness he spoke, and partly in pure weariness, and then
+he turned so as not to see us; and his white hair fell, like a shroud,
+around him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLI
+
+COLD COMFORT
+
+[Illustration: 351.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+All things being full of flaw, all things being full of holes, the
+strength of all things is in shortness. If Sir Ensor Doone had dwelled
+for half an hour upon himself, and an hour perhaps upon Lorna and me,
+we must both have wearied of him, and required change of air. But now
+I longed to see and know a great deal more about him, and hoped that he
+might not go to Heaven for at least a week or more. However, he was too
+good for this world (as we say of all people who leave it); and I verily
+believe his heart was not a bad one, after all.
+
+Evil he had done, no doubt, as evil had been done to him; yet how many
+have done evil, while receiving only good! Be that as it may; and not
+vexing a question (settled for ever without our votes), let us own that
+he was, at least, a brave and courteous gentleman.
+
+And his loss aroused great lamentation, not among the Doones alone, and
+the women they had carried off, but also of the general public, and many
+even of the magistrates, for several miles round Exmoor. And this,
+not only from fear lest one more wicked might succeed him (as appeared
+indeed too probable), but from true admiration of his strong will, and
+sympathy with his misfortunes.
+
+I will not deceive any one, by saying that Sir Ensor Doone gave (in so
+many words) his consent to my resolve about Lorna. This he never did,
+except by his speech last written down; from which as he mentioned
+grandchildren, a lawyer perhaps might have argued it. Not but what he
+may have meant to bestow on us his blessing; only that he died next day,
+without taking the trouble to do it.
+
+He called indeed for his box of snuff, which was a very high thing to
+take; and which he never took without being in very good humour, at
+least for him. And though it would not go up his nostrils, through the
+failure of his breath, he was pleased to have it there, and not to think
+of dying.
+
+"Will your honour have it wiped?" I asked him very softly, for the
+brown appearance of it spoiled (to my idea) his white mostacchio; but
+he seemed to shake his head; and I thought it kept his spirits up. I had
+never before seen any one do, what all of us have to do some day; and it
+greatly kept my spirits down, although it did not so very much frighten
+me.
+
+For it takes a man but a little while, his instinct being of death
+perhaps, at least as much as of life (which accounts for his slaying his
+fellow men so, and every other creature), it does not take a man very
+long to enter into another man's death, and bring his own mood to suit
+it. He knows that his own is sure to come; and nature is fond of the
+practice. Hence it came to pass that I, after easing my mother's fears,
+and seeing a little to business, returned (as if drawn by a polar
+needle) to the death-bed of Sir Ensor.
+
+There was some little confusion, people wanting to get away, and people
+trying to come in, from downright curiosity (of all things the most
+hateful), and others making great to-do, and talking of their own time
+to come, telling their own age, and so on. But every one seemed to
+think, or feel, that I had a right to be there; because the women took
+that view of it. As for Carver and Counsellor, they were minding their
+own affairs, so as to win the succession; and never found it in their
+business (at least so long as I was there) to come near the dying man.
+
+He, for his part, never asked for any one to come near him, not even
+a priest, nor a monk or friar; but seemed to be going his own way,
+peaceful, and well contented. Only the chief of the women said that from
+his face she believed and knew that he liked to have me at one side of
+his bed, and Lorna upon the other. An hour or two ere the old man died,
+when only we two were with him, he looked at us both very dimly and
+softly, as if he wished to do something for us, but had left it now too
+late. Lorna hoped that he wanted to bless us; but he only frowned at
+that, and let his hand drop downward, and crooked one knotted finger.
+
+"He wants something out of the bed, dear," Lorna whispered to me; "see
+what it is, upon your side, there."
+
+I followed the bent of his poor shrunken hand, and sought among the
+pilings; and there I felt something hard and sharp, and drew it forth
+and gave it to him. It flashed, like the spray of a fountain upon us, in
+the dark winter of the room. He could not take it in his hand, but let
+it hang, as daisies do; only making Lorna see that he meant her to have
+it.
+
+"Why, it is my glass necklace!" Lorna cried, in great surprise; "my
+necklace he always promised me; and from which you have got the ring,
+John. But grandfather kept it, because the children wanted to pull it
+from my neck. May I have it now, dear grandfather? Not unless you wish,
+dear."
+
+Darling Lorna wept again, because the old man could not tell her (except
+by one very feeble nod) that she was doing what he wished. Then she gave
+to me the trinket, for the sake of safety; and I stowed it in my breast.
+He seemed to me to follow this, and to be well content with it.
+
+Before Sir Ensor Doone was buried, the greatest frost of the century
+had set in, with its iron hand, and step of stone, on everything. How
+it came is not my business, nor can I explain it; because I never have
+watched the skies; as people now begin to do, when the ground is not to
+their liking. Though of all this I know nothing, and less than nothing I
+may say (because I ought to know something); I can hear what people tell
+me; and I can see before my eyes.
+
+The strong men broke three good pickaxes, ere they got through the hard
+brown sod, streaked with little maps of gray where old Sir Ensor was to
+lie, upon his back, awaiting the darkness of the Judgment-day. It was in
+the little chapel-yard; I will not tell the name of it; because we are
+now such Protestants, that I might do it an evil turn; only it was the
+little place where Lorna's Aunt Sabina lay.
+
+Here was I, remaining long, with a little curiosity; because some people
+told me plainly that I must be damned for ever by a Papist funeral; and
+here came Lorna, scarcely breathing through the thick of stuff around
+her, yet with all her little breath steaming on the air, like frost.
+
+I stood apart from the ceremony, in which of course I was not entitled,
+either by birth or religion, to bear any portion; and indeed it would
+have been wiser in me to have kept away altogether; for now there was no
+one to protect me among those wild and lawless men; and both Carver
+and the Counsellor had vowed a fearful vengeance on me, as I heard from
+Gwenny. They had not dared to meddle with me while the chief lay dying;
+nor was it in their policy, for a short time after that, to endanger
+their succession by an open breach with Lorna, whose tender age and
+beauty held so many of the youths in thrall.
+
+The ancient outlaw's funeral was a grand and moving sight; more perhaps
+from the sense of contrast than from that of fitness. To see those dark
+and mighty men, inured to all of sin and crime, reckless both of man and
+God, yet now with heads devoutly bent, clasped hands, and downcast eyes,
+following the long black coffin of their common ancestor, to the place
+where they must join him when their sum of ill was done; and to see the
+feeble priest chanting, over the dead form, words the living would
+have laughed at, sprinkling with his little broom drops that could not
+purify; while the children, robed in white, swung their smoking censers
+slowly over the cold and twilight grave; and after seeing all, to ask,
+with a shudder unexpressed, "Is this the end that God intended for a man
+so proud and strong?"
+
+Not a tear was shed upon him, except from the sweetest of all sweet
+eyes; not a sigh pursued him home. Except in hot anger, his life had
+been cold, and bitter, and distant; and now a week had exhausted all
+the sorrow of those around him, a grief flowing less from affection than
+fear. Aged men will show his tombstone; mothers haste with their infants
+by it; children shrink from the name upon it, until in time his history
+shall lapse and be forgotten by all except the great Judge and God.
+
+After all was over, I strode across the moors very sadly; trying to
+keep the cold away by virtue of quick movement. Not a flake of snow had
+fallen yet; all the earth was caked and hard, with a dry brown crust
+upon it; all the sky was banked with darkness, hard, austere, and
+frowning. The fog of the last three weeks was gone, neither did any
+rime remain; but all things had a look of sameness, and a kind of furzy
+colour. It was freezing hard and sharp, with a piercing wind to back it;
+and I had observed that the holy water froze upon Sir Ensor's coffin.
+
+One thing struck me with some surprise, as I made off for our fireside
+(with a strong determination to heave an ash-tree up the chimney-place),
+and that was how the birds were going, rather than flying as they used
+to fly. All the birds were set in one direction, steadily journeying
+westward, not with any heat of speed, neither flying far at once; but
+all (as if on business bound), partly running, partly flying, partly
+fluttering along; silently, and without a voice, neither pricking head
+nor tail. This movement of the birds went on, even for a week or more;
+every kind of thrushes passed us, every kind of wild fowl, even plovers
+went away, and crows, and snipes and wood-cocks. And before half the
+frost was over, all we had in the snowy ditches were hares so tame that
+we could pat them; partridges that came to hand, with a dry noise in
+their crops; heath-poults, making cups of snow; and a few poor hopping
+redwings, flipping in and out the hedge, having lost the power to fly.
+And all the time their great black eyes, set with gold around them,
+seemed to look at any man, for mercy and for comfort.
+
+Annie took a many of them, all that she could find herself, and all the
+boys would bring her; and she made a great hutch near the fire, in the
+back-kitchen chimney-place. Here, in spite of our old Betty (who sadly
+wanted to roast them), Annie kept some fifty birds, with bread and milk,
+and raw chopped meat, and all the seed she could think of, and lumps of
+rotten apples, placed to tempt them, in the corners. Some got on, and
+some died off; and Annie cried for all that died, and buried them under
+the woodrick; but, I do assure you, it was a pretty thing to see, when
+she went to them in the morning. There was not a bird but knew her well,
+after one day of comforting; and some would come to her hand, and sit,
+and shut one eye, and look at her. Then she used to stroke their heads,
+and feel their breasts, and talk to them; and not a bird of them all was
+there but liked to have it done to him. And I do believe they would eat
+from her hand things unnatural to them, lest she should be grieved and
+hurt by not knowing what to do for them. One of them was a noble bird,
+such as I never had seen before, of very fine bright plumage, and larger
+than a missel-thrush. He was the hardest of all to please: and yet he
+tried to do his best. I have heard since then, from a man who knows all
+about birds, and beasts, and fishes, that he must have been a Norwegian
+bird, called in this country a Roller, who never comes to England but in
+the most tremendous winters.
+
+Another little bird there was, whom I longed to welcome home, and
+protect from enemies, a little bird no native to us, but than any
+native dearer. But lo, in the very night which followed old Sir Ensor's
+funeral, such a storm of snow began as never have I heard nor read of,
+neither could have dreamed it. At what time of night it first began is
+more than I can say, at least from my own knowledge, for we all went to
+bed soon after supper, being cold and not inclined to talk. At that time
+the wind was moaning sadly, and the sky as dark as a wood, and the straw
+in the yard swirling round and round, and the cows huddling into the
+great cowhouse, with their chins upon one another. But we, being blinder
+than they, I suppose, and not having had a great snow for years, made
+no preparation against the storm, except that the lambing ewes were in
+shelter.
+
+It struck me, as I lay in bed, that we were acting foolishly; for an
+ancient shepherd had dropped in and taken supper with us, and foretold a
+heavy fall and great disaster to live stock. He said that he had known
+a frost beginning, just as this had done, with a black east wind, after
+days of raw cold fog, and then on the third night of the frost, at this
+very time of year (to wit on the 15th of December) such a snow set in
+as killed half of the sheep and many even of the red deer and the forest
+ponies. It was three-score years agone,* he said; and cause he had to
+remember it, inasmuch as two of his toes had been lost by frost-nip,
+while he dug out his sheep on the other side of the Dunkery. Hereupon
+mother nodded at him, having heard from her father about it, and how
+three men had been frozen to death, and how badly their stockings came
+off from them.
+
+     * The frost of 1625.
+
+Remembering how the old man looked, and his manner of listening to the
+wind and shaking his head very ominously (when Annie gave him a glass
+of schnapps), I grew quite uneasy in my bed, as the room got colder and
+colder; and I made up my mind, if it only pleased God not to send the
+snow till the morning, that every sheep, and horse, and cow, ay, and
+even the poultry, should be brought in snug, and with plenty to eat, and
+fodder enough to roast them.
+
+Alas what use of man's resolves, when they come a day too late; even if
+they may avail a little, when they are most punctual!
+
+In the bitter morning I arose, to follow out my purpose, knowing the
+time from the force of habit, although the room was so dark and gray.
+An odd white light was on the rafters, such as I never had seen before;
+while all the length of the room was grisly, like the heart of a mouldy
+oat-rick. I went to the window at once, of course; and at first I could
+not understand what was doing outside of it. It faced due east (as I may
+have said), with the walnut-tree partly sheltering it; and generally I
+could see the yard, and the woodrick, and even the church beyond.
+
+But now, half the lattice was quite blocked up, as if plastered with
+gray lime; and little fringes, like ferns, came through, where the
+joining of the lead was; and in the only undarkened part, countless dots
+came swarming, clustering, beating with a soft, low sound, then gliding
+down in a slippery manner, not as drops of rain do, but each distinct
+from his neighbour. Inside the iron frame (which fitted, not to say too
+comfortably, and went along the stonework), at least a peck of snow had
+entered, following its own bend and fancy; light as any cobweb.
+
+With some trouble, and great care, lest the ancient frame should yield,
+I spread the lattice open; and saw at once that not a moment must be
+lost, to save our stock. All the earth was flat with snow, all the air
+was thick with snow; more than this no man could see, for all the world
+was snowing.
+
+I shut the window and dressed in haste; and when I entered the kitchen,
+not even Betty, the earliest of all early birds, was there. I raked the
+ashes together a little, just to see a spark of warmth; and then set
+forth to find John Fry, Jem Slocombe, and Bill Dadds. But this was
+easier thought than done; for when I opened the courtyard door, I
+was taken up to my knees at once, and the power of the drifting cloud
+prevented sight of anything. However, I found my way to the woodrick,
+and there got hold of a fine ash-stake, cut by myself not long ago. With
+this I ploughed along pretty well, and thundered so hard at John
+Fry's door, that he thought it was the Doones at least, and cocked his
+blunderbuss out of the window.
+
+John was very loth to come down, when he saw the meaning of it; for he
+valued his life more than anything else; though he tried to make out
+that his wife was to blame. But I settled his doubts by telling him,
+that I would have him on my shoulder naked, unless he came in five
+minutes; not that he could do much good, but because the other men would
+be sure to skulk, if he set them the example. With spades, and shovels,
+and pitch-forks, and a round of roping, we four set forth to dig out the
+sheep; and the poor things knew that it was high time.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLII
+
+THE GREAT WINTER
+
+[Illustration: 358.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+It must have snowed most wonderfully to have made that depth of covering
+in about eight hours. For one of Master Stickles' men, who had been out
+all the night, said that no snow began to fall until nearly midnight.
+And here it was, blocking up the doors, stopping the ways, and the water
+courses, and making it very much worse to walk than in a saw-pit newly
+used. However, we trudged along in a line; I first, and the other men
+after me; trying to keep my track, but finding legs and strength not
+up to it. Most of all, John Fry was groaning; certain that his time was
+come, and sending messages to his wife, and blessings to his children.
+For all this time it was snowing harder than it ever had snowed before,
+so far as a man might guess at it; and the leaden depth of the sky came
+down, like a mine turned upside down on us. Not that the flakes were
+so very large; for I have seen much larger flakes in a shower of March,
+while sowing peas; but that there was no room between them, neither any
+relaxing, nor any change of direction.
+
+Watch, like a good and faithful dog, followed us very cheerfully,
+leaping out of the depth, which took him over his back and ears already,
+even in the level places; while in the drifts he might have sunk to any
+distance out of sight, and never found his way up again. However, we
+helped him now and then, especially through the gaps and gateways; and
+so after a deal of floundering, some laughter, and a little swearing, we
+came all safe to the lower meadow, where most of our flock was hurdled.
+
+But behold, there was no flock at all! None, I mean, to be seen
+anywhere; only at one corner of the field, by the eastern end, where the
+snow drove in, a great white billow, as high as a barn, and as broad as
+a house. This great drift was rolling and curling beneath the violent
+blast, tufting and combing with rustling swirls, and carved (as in
+patterns of cornice) where the grooving chisel of the wind swept round.
+Ever and again the tempest snatched little whiffs from the channelled
+edges, twirled them round and made them dance over the chime of the
+monster pile, then let them lie like herring-bones, or the seams of sand
+where the tide has been. And all the while from the smothering sky, more
+and more fiercely at every blast, came the pelting, pitiless arrows,
+winged with murky white, and pointed with the barbs of frost.
+
+But although for people who had no sheep, the sight was a very fine one
+(so far at least as the weather permitted any sight at all); yet for us,
+with our flock beneath it, this great mount had but little charm. Watch
+began to scratch at once, and to howl along the sides of it; he knew
+that his charge was buried there, and his business taken from him. But
+we four men set to in earnest, digging with all our might and main,
+shovelling away at the great white pile, and fetching it into the
+meadow. Each man made for himself a cave, scooping at the soft, cold
+flux, which slid upon him at every stroke, and throwing it out behind
+him, in piles of castled fancy. At last we drove our tunnels in (for
+we worked indeed for the lives of us), and all converging towards the
+middle, held our tools and listened.
+
+The other men heard nothing at all; or declared that they heard nothing,
+being anxious now to abandon the matter, because of the chill in their
+feet and knees. But I said, "Go, if you choose all of you. I will work
+it out by myself, you pie-crusts," and upon that they gripped their
+shovels, being more or less of Englishmen; and the least drop of English
+blood is worth the best of any other when it comes to lasting out.
+
+But before we began again, I laid my head well into the chamber; and
+there I hears a faint "ma-a-ah," coming through some ells of snow, like
+a plaintive, buried hope, or a last appeal. I shouted aloud to cheer him
+up, for I knew what sheep it was, to wit, the most valiant of all the
+wethers, who had met me when I came home from London, and been so glad
+to see me. And then we all fell to again; and very soon we hauled
+him out. Watch took charge of him at once, with an air of the noblest
+patronage, lying on his frozen fleece, and licking all his face and
+feet, to restore his warmth to him. Then fighting Tom jumped up at once,
+and made a little butt at Watch, as if nothing had ever ailed him, and
+then set off to a shallow place, and looked for something to nibble at.
+
+Further in, and close under the bank, where they had huddled themselves
+for warmth, we found all the rest of the poor sheep packed, as closely
+as if they were in a great pie. It was strange to observe how their
+vapour and breath, and the moisture exuding from their wool had scooped,
+as it were, a coved room for them, lined with a ribbing of deep yellow
+snow. Also the churned snow beneath their feet was as yellow as gamboge.
+Two or three of the weaklier hoggets were dead, from want of air, and
+from pressure; but more than three-score were as lively as ever; though
+cramped and stiff for a little while.
+
+"However shall us get 'em home?" John Fry asked in great dismay, when
+we had cleared about a dozen of them; which we were forced to do very
+carefully, so as not to fetch the roof down. "No manner of maning to
+draive 'un, drough all they girt driftnesses."
+
+"You see to this place, John," I replied, as we leaned on our shovels
+a moment, and the sheep came rubbing round us; "let no more of them out
+for the present; they are better where they be. Watch, here boy, keep
+them!"
+
+Watch came, with his little scut of a tail cocked as sharp as duty, and
+I set him at the narrow mouth of the great snow antre. All the sheep
+sidled away, and got closer, that the other sheep might be bitten first,
+as the foolish things imagine; whereas no good sheep-dog even so much as
+lips a sheep to turn it.
+
+Then of the outer sheep (all now snowed and frizzled like a lawyer's
+wig) I took the two finest and heaviest, and with one beneath my right
+arm, and the other beneath my left, I went straight home to the upper
+sheppey, and set them inside and fastened them. Sixty and six I took
+home in that way, two at a time on each journey; and the work grew harder
+and harder each time, as the drifts of the snow were deepening. No other
+man should meddle with them; I was resolved to try my strength against
+the strength of the elements; and try it I did, ay, and proved it. A
+certain fierce delight burned in me, as the struggle grew harder; but
+rather would I die than yield; and at last I finished it. People talk of
+it to this day; but none can tell what the labour was, who have not felt
+that snow and wind.
+
+[Illustration: 361.jpg None can tell what the labour was]
+
+Of the sheep upon the mountain, and the sheep upon the western farm, and
+the cattle on the upper barrows, scarcely one in ten was saved; do what
+we would for them, and this was not through any neglect (now that our
+wits were sharpened), but from the pure impossibility of finding them
+at all. That great snow never ceased a moment for three days and nights;
+and then when all the earth was filled, and the topmost hedges were
+unseen, and the trees broke down with weight (wherever the wind had not
+lightened them), a brilliant sun broke forth and showed the loss of all
+our customs.
+
+All our house was quite snowed up, except where we had purged a way, by
+dint of constant shovellings. The kitchen was as dark and darker than
+the cider-cellar, and long lines of furrowed scollops ran even up to the
+chimney-stacks. Several windows fell right inwards, through the weight
+of the snow against them; and the few that stood, bulged in, and bent
+like an old bruised lanthorn. We were obliged to cook by candle-light;
+we were forced to read by candle-light; as for baking, we could not do
+it, because the oven was too chill; and a load of faggots only brought a
+little wet down the sides of it.
+
+For when the sun burst forth at last upon that world of white, what he
+brought was neither warmth, nor cheer, nor hope of softening; only a
+clearer shaft of cold, from the violet depths of sky. Long-drawn alleys
+of white haze seemed to lead towards him, yet such as he could not come
+down, with any warmth remaining. Broad white curtains of the frost-fog
+looped around the lower sky, on the verge of hill and valley, and above
+the laden trees. Only round the sun himself, and the spot of heaven he
+claimed, clustered a bright purple-blue, clear, and calm, and deep.
+
+That night such a frost ensued as we had never dreamed of, neither read
+in ancient books, or histories of Frobisher. The kettle by the fire
+froze, and the crock upon the hearth-cheeks; many men were killed, and
+cattle rigid in their head-ropes. Then I heard that fearful sound, which
+never I had heard before, neither since have heard (except during that
+same winter), the sharp yet solemn sound of trees burst open by the
+frost-blow. Our great walnut lost three branches, and has been dying
+ever since; though growing meanwhile, as the soul does. And the ancient
+oak at the cross was rent, and many score of ash trees. But why should
+I tell all this? the people who have not seen it (as I have) will only
+make faces, and disbelieve; till such another frost comes; which perhaps
+may never be.
+
+This terrible weather kept Tom Faggus from coming near our house for
+weeks; at which indeed I was not vexed a quarter so much as Annie was;
+for I had never half approved of him, as a husband for my sister; in
+spite of his purchase from Squire Bassett, and the grant of the Royal
+pardon. It may be, however, that Annie took the same view of my love for
+Lorna, and could not augur well of it; but if so, she held her peace,
+though I was not so sparing. For many things contributed to make me less
+good-humoured now than my real nature was; and the very least of all
+these things would have been enough to make some people cross, and rude,
+and fractious. I mean the red and painful chapping of my face and hands,
+from working in the snow all day, and lying in the frost all night. For
+being of a fair complexion, and a ruddy nature, and pretty plump withal,
+and fed on plenty of hot victuals, and always forced by my mother to sit
+nearer the fire than I wished, it was wonderful to see how the cold ran
+revel on my cheeks and knuckles. And I feared that Lorna (if it should
+ever please God to stop the snowing) might take this for a proof of low
+and rustic blood and breeding.
+
+And this I say was the smallest thing; for it was far more serious that
+we were losing half our stock, do all we would to shelter them. Even the
+horses in the stables (mustered all together for the sake of breath and
+steaming) had long icicles from their muzzles, almost every morning.
+But of all things the very gravest, to my apprehension, was the
+impossibility of hearing, or having any token of or from my loved one.
+Not that those three days alone of snow (tremendous as it was) could
+have blocked the country so; but that the sky had never ceased, for more
+than two days at a time, for full three weeks thereafter, to pour fresh
+piles of fleecy mantle; neither had the wind relaxed a single day from
+shaking them. As a rule, it snowed all day, cleared up at night, and
+froze intensely, with the stars as bright as jewels, earth spread out in
+lustrous twilight, and the sounds in the air as sharp and crackling as
+artillery; then in the morning, snow again; before the sun could come to
+help.
+
+It mattered not what way the wind was. Often and often the vanes went
+round, and we hoped for change of weather; the only change was that it
+seemed (if possible) to grow colder. Indeed, after a week or so, the
+wind would regularly box the compass (as the sailors call it) in the
+course of every day, following where the sun should be, as if to make
+a mock of him. And this of course immensely added to the peril of the
+drifts; because they shifted every day; and no skill or care might learn
+them.
+
+I believe it was on Epiphany morning, or somewhere about that period,
+when Lizzie ran into the kitchen to me, where I was thawing my
+goose-grease, with the dogs among the ashes--the live dogs, I mean, not
+the iron ones, for them we had given up long ago,--and having caught
+me, by way of wonder (for generally I was out shoveling long before my
+"young lady" had her nightcap off), she positively kissed me, for the
+sake of warming her lips perhaps, or because she had something proud to
+say.
+
+"You great fool, John," said my lady, as Annie and I used to call her,
+on account of her airs and graces; "what a pity you never read, John!"
+
+"Much use, I should think, in reading!" I answered, though pleased with
+her condescension; "read, I suppose, with roof coming in, and only this
+chimney left sticking out of the snow!"
+
+"The very time to read, John," said Lizzie, looking grander; "our worst
+troubles are the need, whence knowledge can deliver us."
+
+"Amen," I cried out; "are you parson or clerk? Whichever you are,
+good-morning."
+
+Thereupon I was bent on my usual round (a very small one nowadays), but
+Eliza took me with both hands, and I stopped of course; for I could not
+bear to shake the child, even in play, for a moment, because her back
+was tender. Then she looked up at me with her beautiful eyes, so large,
+unhealthy and delicate, and strangely shadowing outward, as if to spread
+their meaning; and she said,--
+
+"Now, John, this is no time to joke. I was almost frozen in bed last
+night; and Annie like an icicle. Feel how cold my hands are. Now, will
+you listen to what I have read about climates ten times worse than this;
+and where none but clever men can live?"
+
+"Impossible for me to listen now, I have hundreds of things to see to;
+but I will listen after breakfast to your foreign climates, child. Now
+attend to mother's hot coffee."
+
+She looked a little disappointed, but she knew what I had to do; and
+after all she was not so utterly unreasonable; although she did
+read books. And when I had done my morning's work, I listened to her
+patiently; and it was out of my power to think that all she said was
+foolish.
+
+For I knew common sense pretty well, by this time, whether it happened
+to be my own, or any other person's, if clearly laid before me. And
+Lizzie had a particular way of setting forth very clearly whatever she
+wished to express and enforce. But the queerest part of it all was this,
+that if she could but have dreamed for a moment what would be the first
+application made me by of her lesson, she would rather have bitten her
+tongue off than help me to my purpose.
+
+She told me that in the Arctic Regions, as they call some places, a long
+way north, where the Great Bear lies all across the heavens, and no
+sun is up, for whole months at a time, and yet where people will go
+exploring, out of pure contradiction, and for the sake of novelty, and
+love of being frozen--that here they always had such winters as we were
+having now. It never ceased to freeze, she said; and it never ceased to
+snow; except when it was too cold; and then all the air was choked with
+glittering spikes; and a man's skin might come off of him, before he
+could ask the reason. Nevertheless the people there (although the snow
+was fifty feet deep, and all their breath fell behind them frozen, like
+a log of wood dropped from their shoulders), yet they managed to
+get along, and make the time of the year to each other, by a little
+cleverness. For seeing how the snow was spread, lightly over everything,
+covering up the hills and valleys, and the foreskin of the sea, they
+contrived a way to crown it, and to glide like a flake along. Through
+the sparkle of the whiteness, and the wreaths of windy tossings, and
+the ups and downs of cold, any man might get along with a boat on either
+foot, to prevent his sinking.
+
+She told me how these boats were made; very strong and very light,
+of ribs with skin across them; five feet long, and one foot wide; and
+turned up at each end, even as a canoe is. But she did not tell me, nor
+did I give it a moment's thought myself, how hard it was to walk upon
+them without early practice. Then she told me another thing equally
+useful to me; although I would not let her see how much I thought about
+it. And this concerned the use of sledges, and their power of gliding,
+and the lightness of their following; all of which I could see at once,
+through knowledge of our own farm-sleds; which we employ in lieu of
+wheels, used in flatter districts. When I had heard all this from her, a
+mere chit of a girl as she was, unfit to make a snowball even, or to fry
+snow pancakes, I looked down on her with amazement, and began to wish a
+little that I had given more time to books.
+
+But God shapes all our fitness, and gives each man his meaning, even as
+he guides the wavering lines of snow descending. Our Eliza was meant for
+books; our dear Annie for loving and cooking; I, John Ridd, for sheep,
+and wrestling, and the thought of Lorna; and mother to love all three
+of us, and to make the best of her children. And now, if I must tell
+the truth, as at every page I try to do (though God knows it is hard
+enough), I had felt through all this weather, though my life was
+Lorna's, something of a satisfaction in so doing duty to my kindest and
+best of mothers, and to none but her. For (if you come to think of it)
+a man's young love is very pleasant, very sweet, and tickling; and takes
+him through the core of heart; without his knowing how or why. Then he
+dwells upon it sideways, without people looking, and builds up all sorts
+of fancies, growing hot with working so at his own imaginings. So his
+love is a crystal Goddess, set upon an obelisk; and whoever will not bow
+the knee (yet without glancing at her), the lover makes it a sacred rite
+either to kick or to stick him. I am not speaking of me and Lorna, but
+of common people.
+
+Then (if you come to think again) lo!--or I will not say lo! for no one
+can behold it--only feel, or but remember, what a real mother is. Ever
+loving, ever soft, ever turning sin to goodness, vices into virtues;
+blind to all nine-tenths of wrong; through a telescope beholding (though
+herself so nigh to them) faintest decimal of promise, even in her vilest
+child. Ready to thank God again, as when her babe was born to her;
+leaping (as at kingdom-come) at a wandering syllable of Gospel for her
+lost one.
+
+All this our mother was to us, and even more than all of this; and hence
+I felt a pride and joy in doing my sacred duty towards her, now that the
+weather compelled me. And she was as grateful and delighted as if she
+had no more claim upon me than a stranger's sheep might have. Yet from
+time to time I groaned within myself and by myself, at thinking of
+my sad debarment from the sight of Lorna, and of all that might have
+happened to her, now she had no protection.
+
+Therefore, I fell to at once, upon that hint from Lizzie, and being used
+to thatching-work, and the making of traps, and so on, before very long
+I built myself a pair of strong and light snow-shoes, framed with ash
+and ribbed of withy, with half-tanned calf-skin stretched across, and
+an inner sole to support my feet. At first I could not walk at all, but
+floundered about most piteously, catching one shoe in the other, and
+both of them in the snow-drifts, to the great amusement of the girls,
+who were come to look at me. But after a while I grew more expert,
+discovering what my errors were, and altering the inclination of the
+shoes themselves, according to a print which Lizzie found in a book of
+adventures. And this made such a difference, that I crossed the farmyard
+and came back again (though turning was the worst thing of all) without
+so much as falling once, or getting my staff entangled.
+
+But oh, the aching of my ankles, when I went to bed that night; I was
+forced to help myself upstairs with a couple of mopsticks! and I rubbed
+the joints with neatsfoot oil, which comforted them greatly. And likely
+enough I would have abandoned any further trial, but for Lizzie's
+ridicule, and pretended sympathy; asking if the strong John Ridd would
+have old Betty to lean upon. Therefore I set to again, with a fixed
+resolve not to notice pain or stiffness, but to warm them out of me.
+And sure enough, before dark that day, I could get along pretty freely;
+especially improving every time, after leaving off and resting. The
+astonishment of poor John Fry, Bill Dadds, and Jem Slocombe, when they
+saw me coming down the hill upon them, in the twilight, where they were
+clearing the furze rick and trussing it for cattle, was more than I
+can tell you; because they did not let me see it, but ran away with one
+accord, and floundered into a snowdrift. They believed, and so did every
+one else (especially when I grew able to glide along pretty rapidly),
+that I had stolen Mother Melldrum's sieves, on which she was said to fly
+over the foreland at midnight every Saturday.
+
+Upon the following day, I held some council with my mother; not liking
+to go without her permission, yet scarcely daring to ask for it. But
+here she disappointed me, on the right side of disappointment; saying
+that she had seen my pining (which she never could have done; because
+I had been too hard at work), and rather than watch me grieving so,
+for somebody or other, who now was all in all to me, I might go upon my
+course, and God's protection go with me! At this I was amazed, because
+it was not at all like mother; and knowing how well I had behaved, ever
+since the time of our snowing up, I was a little moved to tell her that
+she could not understand me. However my sense of duty kept me, and my
+knowledge of the catechism, from saying such a thing as that, or even
+thinking twice of it. And so I took her at her word, which she was
+not prepared for; and telling her how proud I was of her trust in
+Providence, and how I could run in my new snow-shoes, I took a short
+pipe in my mouth, and started forth accordingly.
+
+[Illustration: 368.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIII
+
+NOT TOO SOON
+
+[Illustration: 369.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+When I started on my road across the hills and valleys (which now were
+pretty much alike), the utmost I could hope to do was to gain the crest
+of hills, and look into the Doone Glen. Hence I might at least descry
+whether Lorna still was safe, by the six nests still remaining, and the
+view of the Captain's house. When I was come to the open country, far
+beyond the sheltered homestead, and in the full brunt of the wind, the
+keen blast of the cold broke on me, and the mighty breadth of snow. Moor
+and highland, field and common, cliff and vale, and watercourse, over
+all the rolling folds of misty white were flung. There was nothing
+square or jagged left, there was nothing perpendicular; all the rugged
+lines were eased, and all the breaches smoothly filled. Curves, and
+mounds, and rounded heavings, took the place of rock and stump; and all
+the country looked as if a woman's hand had been on it.
+
+[Illustration: 370.jpg Open country]
+
+Through the sparkling breadth of white, which seemed to glance my eyes
+away, and outside the humps of laden trees, bowing their backs like a
+woodman, I contrived to get along, half-sliding and half-walking, in
+places where a plain-shodden man must have sunk, and waited freezing
+till the thaw should come to him. For although there had been such
+violent frost, every night, upon the snow, the snow itself, having never
+thawed, even for an hour, had never coated over. Hence it was as soft
+and light as if all had fallen yesterday. In places where no drift had
+been, but rather off than on to them, three feet was the least of
+depth; but where the wind had chased it round, or any draught led like a
+funnel, or anything opposed it; there you might very safely say that
+it ran up to twenty feet, or thirty, or even fifty, and I believe some
+times a hundred.
+
+At last I got to my spy-hill (as I had begun to call it), although I
+never should have known it but for what it looked on. And even to
+know this last again required all the eyes of love, soever sharp
+and vigilant. For all the beautiful Glen Doone (shaped from out
+the mountains, as if on purpose for the Doones, and looking in the
+summer-time like a sharp cut vase of green) now was besnowed half up
+the sides, and at either end so, that it was more like the white basins
+wherein we boil plum-puddings. Not a patch of grass was there, not
+a black branch of a tree; all was white; and the little river flowed
+beneath an arch of snow; if it managed to flow at all.
+
+Now this was a great surprise to me; not only because I believed Glen
+Doone to be a place outside all frost, but also because I thought
+perhaps that it was quite impossible to be cold near Lorna. And now it
+struck me all at once that perhaps her ewer was frozen (as mine had been
+for the last three weeks, requiring embers around it), and perhaps her
+window would not shut, any more than mine would; and perhaps she wanted
+blankets. This idea worked me up to such a chill of sympathy, that
+seeing no Doones now about, and doubting if any guns would go off, in
+this state of the weather, and knowing that no man could catch me up
+(except with shoes like mine), I even resolved to slide the cliffs, and
+bravely go to Lorna.
+
+It helped me much in this resolve, that the snow came on again, thick
+enough to blind a man who had not spent his time among it, as I had done
+now for days and days. Therefore I took my neatsfoot oil, which now was
+clogged like honey, and rubbed it hard into my leg-joints, so far as
+I could reach them. And then I set my back and elbows well against a
+snowdrift, hanging far adown the cliff, and saying some of the Lord's
+Prayer, threw myself on Providence. Before there was time to think or
+dream, I landed very beautifully upon a ridge of run-up snow in a quiet
+corner. My good shoes, or boots, preserved me from going far beneath it;
+though one of them was sadly strained, where a grub had gnawed the ash,
+in the early summer-time. Having set myself aright, and being in good
+spirits, I made boldly across the valley (where the snow was furrowed
+hard), being now afraid of nobody.
+
+If Lorna had looked out of the window she would not have known me, with
+those boots upon my feet, and a well-cleaned sheepskin over me, bearing
+my own (J.R.) in red, just between my shoulders, but covered now in
+snow-flakes. The house was partly drifted up, though not so much as ours
+was; and I crossed the little stream almost without knowing that it was
+under me. At first, being pretty safe from interference from the other
+huts, by virtue of the blinding snow and the difficulty of walking, I
+examined all the windows; but these were coated so with ice, like ferns
+and flowers and dazzling stars, that no one could so much as guess what
+might be inside of them. Moreover I was afraid of prying narrowly into
+them, as it was not a proper thing where a maiden might be; only I
+wanted to know just this, whether she were there or not.
+
+Taking nothing by this movement, I was forced, much against my will, to
+venture to the door and knock, in a hesitating manner, not being sure
+but what my answer might be the mouth of a carbine. However it was not
+so, for I heard a pattering of feet and a whispering going on, and then
+a shrill voice through the keyhole, asking, "Who's there?"
+
+"Only me, John Ridd," I answered; upon which I heard a little laughter,
+and a little sobbing, or something that was like it; and then the door
+was opened about a couple of inches, with a bar behind it still; and
+then the little voice went on,--
+
+"Put thy finger in, young man, with the old ring on it. But mind thee,
+if it be the wrong one, thou shalt never draw it back again."
+
+Laughing at Gwenny's mighty threat, I showed my finger in the opening;
+upon which she let me in, and barred the door again like lightning.
+
+"What is the meaning of all this, Gwenny?" I asked, as I slipped
+about on the floor, for I could not stand there firmly with my great
+snow-shoes on.
+
+"Maning enough, and bad maning too," the Cornish girl made answer. "Us be
+shut in here, and starving, and durstn't let anybody in upon us. I wish
+thou wer't good to ate, young man: I could manage most of thee."
+
+I was so frightened by her eyes, full of wolfish hunger, that I could
+only say "Good God!" having never seen the like before. Then drew I
+forth a large piece of bread, which I had brought in case of accidents,
+and placed it in her hands. She leaped at it, as a starving dog leaps at
+sight of his supper, and she set her teeth in it, and then withheld
+it from her lips, with something very like an oath at her own vile
+greediness; and then away round the corner with it, no doubt for her
+young mistress. I meanwhile was occupied, to the best of my ability, in
+taking my snow-shoes off, yet wondering much within myself why Lorna did
+not come to me.
+
+But presently I knew the cause, for Gwenny called me, and I ran, and
+found my darling quite unable to say so much as, "John, how are you?"
+Between the hunger and the cold, and the excitement of my coming, she
+had fainted away, and lay back on a chair, as white as the snow around
+us. In betwixt her delicate lips, Gwenny was thrusting with all her
+strength the hard brown crust of the rye-bread, which she had snatched
+from me so.
+
+"Get water, or get snow," I said; "don't you know what fainting is, you
+very stupid child?"
+
+"Never heerd on it, in Cornwall," she answered, trusting still to the
+bread; "be un the same as bleeding?"
+
+"It will be directly, if you go on squeezing away with that crust so.
+Eat a piece: I have got some more. Leave my darling now to me."
+
+Hearing that I had some more, the starving girl could resist no longer,
+but tore it in two, and had swallowed half before I had coaxed my Lorna
+back to sense, and hope, and joy, and love.
+
+"I never expected to see you again. I had made up my mind to die, John;
+and to die without your knowing it."
+
+As I repelled this fearful thought in a manner highly fortifying, the
+tender hue flowed back again into her famished cheeks and lips, and a
+softer brilliance glistened from the depth of her dark eyes. She gave me
+one little shrunken hand, and I could not help a tear for it.
+
+"After all, Mistress Lorna," I said, pretending to be gay, for a smile
+might do her good; "you do not love me as Gwenny does; for she even
+wanted to eat me."
+
+"And shall, afore I have done, young man," Gwenny answered laughing;
+"you come in here with they red chakes, and make us think o' sirloin."
+
+"Eat up your bit of brown bread, Gwenny. It is not good enough for
+your mistress. Bless her heart, I have something here such as she never
+tasted the like of, being in such appetite. Look here, Lorna; smell it
+first. I have had it ever since Twelfth Day, and kept it all the time
+for you. Annie made it. That is enough to warrant it good cooking."
+
+And then I showed my great mince-pie in a bag of tissue paper, and I
+told them how the mince-meat was made of golden pippins finely shred,
+with the undercut of the sirloin, and spice and fruit accordingly and
+far beyond my knowledge. But Lorna would not touch a morsel until she
+had thanked God for it, and given me the kindest kiss, and put a piece
+in Gwenny's mouth.
+
+I have eaten many things myself, with very great enjoyment, and keen
+perception of their merits, and some thanks to God for them. But I never
+did enjoy a thing, that had found its way between my own lips, half, or
+even a quarter as much as I now enjoyed beholding Lorna, sitting
+proudly upwards (to show that she was faint no more) entering into
+that mince-pie, and moving all her pearls of teeth (inside her little
+mouth-place) exactly as I told her. For I was afraid lest she should be
+too fast in going through it, and cause herself more damage so, than she
+got of nourishment. But I had no need to fear at all, and Lorna could
+not help laughing at me for thinking that she had no self-control.
+
+Some creatures require a deal of food (I myself among the number), and
+some can do with a very little; making, no doubt, the best of it. And I
+have often noticed that the plumpest and most perfect women never eat so
+hard and fast as the skinny and three-cornered ones. These last be often
+ashamed of it, and eat most when the men be absent. Hence it came to
+pass that Lorna, being the loveliest of all maidens, had as much as she
+could do to finish her own half of pie; whereas Gwenny Carfax (though
+generous more than greedy), ate up hers without winking, after finishing
+the brown loaf; and then I begged to know the meaning of this state of
+things.
+
+"The meaning is sad enough," said Lorna; "and I see no way out of it. We
+are both to be starved until I let them do what they like with me.
+
+"That is to say until you choose to marry Carver Doone, and be slowly
+killed by him?"
+
+"Slowly! No, John, quickly. I hate him so intensely, that less than a
+week would kill me."
+
+"Not a doubt of that," said Gwenny; "oh, she hates him nicely then; but
+not half so much as I do."
+
+I told them that this state of things could be endured no longer, on
+which point they agreed with me, but saw no means to help it. For
+even if Lorna could make up her mind to come away with me and live at
+Plover's Barrows farm, under my good mother's care, as I had urged so
+often, behold the snow was all around us, heaped as high as mountains,
+and how could any delicate maiden ever get across it?
+
+Then I spoke with a strange tingle upon both sides of my heart, knowing
+that this undertaking was a serious one for all, and might burn our farm
+down,--
+
+"If I warrant to take you safe, and without much fright or hardship,
+Lorna, will you come with me?"
+
+"To be sure I will, dear," said my beauty, with a smile and a glance to
+follow it; "I have small alternative, to starve, or go with you, John."
+
+"Gwenny, have you courage for it? Will you come with your young
+mistress?"
+
+"Will I stay behind?" cried Gwenny, in a voice that settled it. And so
+we began to arrange about it; and I was much excited. It was useless
+now to leave it longer; if it could be done at all, it could not be too
+quickly done. It was the Counsellor who had ordered, after all other
+schemes had failed, that his niece should have no food until she would
+obey him. He had strictly watched the house, taking turns with Carver,
+to ensure that none came nigh it bearing food or comfort. But this
+evening, they had thought it needless to remain on guard; and it
+would have been impossible, because themselves were busy offering high
+festival to all the valley, in right of their own commandership. And
+Gwenny said that nothing made her so nearly mad with appetite as
+the account she received from a woman of all the dishes preparing.
+Nevertheless she had answered bravely,--
+
+"Go and tell the Counsellor, and go and tell the Carver, who sent you to
+spy upon us, that we shall have a finer dish than any set before them."
+And so in truth they did, although so little dreaming it; for no Doone
+that was ever born, however much of a Carver, might vie with our Annie
+for mince-meat.
+
+Now while we sat reflecting much, and talking a good deal more, in spite
+of all the cold--for I never was in a hurry to go, when I had Lorna with
+me--she said, in her silvery voice, which always led me so along, as if
+I were a slave to a beautiful bell,--
+
+"Now, John, we are wasting time, dear. You have praised my hair, till it
+curls with pride, and my eyes till you cannot see them, even if they are
+brown diamonds which I have heard for the fiftieth time at least; though
+I never saw such a jewel. Don't you think it is high time to put on your
+snow-shoes, John?"
+
+"Certainly not," I answered, "'till we have settled something more. I was
+so cold when I came in; and now I am as warm as a cricket. And so are
+you, you lively soul; though you are not upon my hearth yet."
+
+"Remember, John," said Lorna, nestling for a moment to me; "the severity
+of the weather makes a great difference between us. And you must never
+take advantage."
+
+"I quite understand all that, dear. And the harder it freezes the
+better, while that understanding continues. Now do try to be serious."
+
+"I try to be serious! And I have been trying fifty times, and could
+not bring you to it, John! Although I am sure the situation, as the
+Counsellor says at the beginning of a speech, the situation, to say the
+least, is serious enough for anything. Come, Gwenny, imitate him."
+
+Gwenny was famed for her imitation of the Counsellor making a speech;
+and she began to shake her hair, and mount upon a footstool; but I
+really could not have this, though even Lorna ordered it. The truth
+was that my darling maiden was in such wild spirits, at seeing me so
+unexpected, and at the prospect of release, and of what she had never
+known, quiet life and happiness, that like all warm and loving natures,
+she could scarce control herself.
+
+"Come to this frozen window, John, and see them light the stack-fire.
+They will little know who looks at them. Now be very good, John. You
+stay in that corner, dear, and I will stand on this side; and try to
+breathe yourself a peep-hole through the lovely spears and banners. Oh,
+you don't know how to do it. I must do it for you. Breathe three times,
+like that, and that; and then you rub it with your fingers, before it
+has time to freeze again."
+
+All this she did so beautifully, with her lips put up like cherries, and
+her fingers bent half back, as only girls can bend them, and her little
+waist thrown out against the white of the snowed-up window, that I made
+her do it three times over; and I stopped her every time and let it
+freeze again, that so she might be the longer. Now I knew that all her
+love was mine, every bit as much as mine was hers; yet I must have her
+to show it, dwelling upon every proof, lengthening out all certainty.
+Perhaps the jealous heart is loath to own a life worth twice its own. Be
+that as it may, I know that we thawed the window nicely.
+
+And then I saw, far down the stream (or rather down the bed of it, for
+there was no stream visible), a little form of fire arising, red, and
+dark, and flickering. Presently it caught on something, and went upward
+boldly; and then it struck into many forks, and then it fell, and rose
+again.
+
+"Do you know what all that is, John?" asked Lorna, smiling cleverly at
+the manner of my staring.
+
+"How on earth should I know? Papists burn Protestants in the flesh; and
+Protestants burn Papists in effigy, as we mock them. Lorna, are they
+going to burn any one to-night?"
+
+"No, you dear. I must rid you of these things. I see that you are
+bigoted. The Doones are firing Dunkery beacon, to celebrate their new
+captain."
+
+"But how could they bring it here through the snow? If they have
+sledges, I can do nothing."
+
+"They brought it before the snow began. The moment poor grandfather was
+gone, even before his funeral, the young men, having none to check them,
+began at once upon it. They had always borne a grudge against it; not
+that it ever did them harm; but because it seemed so insolent. 'Can't a
+gentleman go home, without a smoke behind him?' I have often heard them
+saying. And though they have done it no serious harm, since they threw
+the firemen on the fire, many, many years ago, they have often promised
+to bring it here for their candle; and now they have done it. Ah, now
+look! The tar is kindled."
+
+Though Lorna took it so in joke, I looked upon it very gravely, knowing
+that this heavy outrage to the feelings of the neighbourhood would cause
+more stir than a hundred sheep stolen, or a score of houses sacked. Not
+of course that the beacon was of the smallest use to any one, neither
+stopped anybody from stealing, nay, rather it was like the parish knell,
+which begins when all is over, and depresses all the survivors; yet
+I knew that we valued it, and were proud, and spoke of it as a mighty
+institution; and even more than that, our vestry had voted, within
+the last two years, seven shillings and six-pence to pay for it, in
+proportion with other parishes. And one of the men who attended to
+it, or at least who was paid for doing so, was our Jem Slocombe's
+grandfather.
+
+However, in spite of all my regrets, the fire went up very merrily,
+blazing red and white and yellow, as it leaped on different things.
+And the light danced on the snow-drifts with a misty lilac hue. I was
+astonished at its burning in such mighty depths of snow; but Gwenny said
+that the wicked men had been three days hard at work, clearing, as it
+were, a cock-pit, for their fire to have its way. And now they had a
+mighty pile, which must have covered five land-yards square, heaped up
+to a goodly height, and eager to take fire.
+
+In this I saw great obstacle to what I wished to manage. For when this
+pyramid should be kindled thoroughly, and pouring light and blazes
+round, would not all the valley be like a white room full of candles?
+Thinking thus, I was half inclined to abide my time for another night:
+and then my second thoughts convinced me that I would be a fool in this.
+For lo, what an opportunity! All the Doones would be drunk, of course,
+in about three hours' time, and getting more and more in drink as the
+night went on. As for the fire, it must sink in about three hours or
+more, and only cast uncertain shadows friendly to my purpose. And then
+the outlaws must cower round it, as the cold increased on them, helping
+the weight of the liquor; and in their jollity any noise would be
+cheered as a false alarm. Most of all, and which decided once for all my
+action,--when these wild and reckless villains should be hot with ardent
+spirits, what was door, or wall, to stand betwixt them and my Lorna?
+
+This thought quickened me so much that I touched my darling reverently,
+and told her in a few short words how I hoped to manage it.
+
+"Sweetest, in two hours' time, I shall be again with you. Keep the bar
+up, and have Gwenny ready to answer any one. You are safe while they are
+dining, dear, and drinking healths, and all that stuff; and before they
+have done with that, I shall be again with you. Have everything you care
+to take in a very little compass, and Gwenny must have no baggage. I
+shall knock loud, and then wait a little; and then knock twice, very
+softly."
+
+With this I folded her in my arms; and she looked frightened at me; not
+having perceived her danger; and then I told Gwenny over again what I
+had told her mistress: but she only nodded her head and said, "Young
+man, go and teach thy grandmother."
+
+[Illustration: 378.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIV
+
+BROUGHT HOME AT LAST
+
+[Illustration: 379.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+To my great delight I found that the weather, not often friendly to
+lovers, and lately seeming so hostile, had in the most important matter
+done me a signal service. For when I had promised to take my love from
+the power of those wretches, the only way of escape apparent lay
+through the main Doone-gate. For though I might climb the cliffs myself,
+especially with the snow to aid me, I durst not try to fetch Lorna up
+them, even if she were not half-starved, as well as partly frozen;
+and as for Gwenny's door, as we called it (that is to say, the little
+entrance from the wooded hollow), it was snowed up long ago to the level
+of the hills around. Therefore I was at my wit's end how to get them
+out; the passage by the Doone-gate being long, and dark, and difficult,
+and leading to such a weary circuit among the snowy moors and hills.
+
+But now, being homeward-bound by the shortest possible track, I slipped
+along between the bonfire and the boundary cliffs, where I found a caved
+way of snow behind a sort of avalanche: so that if the Doones had been
+keeping watch (which they were not doing, but revelling), they could
+scarcely have discovered me. And when I came to my old ascent, where I
+had often scaled the cliff and made across the mountains, it struck me
+that I would just have a look at my first and painful entrance, to wit,
+the water-slide. I never for a moment imagined that this could help me
+now; for I never had dared to descend it, even in the finest weather;
+still I had a curiosity to know what my old friend was like, with so
+much snow upon him. But, to my very great surprise, there was scarcely
+any snow there at all, though plenty curling high overhead from the
+cliff, like bolsters over it. Probably the sweeping of the north-east
+wind up the narrow chasm had kept the showers from blocking it,
+although the water had no power under the bitter grip of frost. All my
+water-slide was now less a slide than path of ice; furrowed where the
+waters ran over fluted ridges; seamed where wind had tossed and combed
+them, even while congealing; and crossed with little steps wherever the
+freezing torrent lingered. And here and there the ice was fibred with
+the trail of sludge-weed, slanting from the side, and matted, so as to
+make resting-place.
+
+Lo it was easy track and channel, as if for the very purpose made, down
+which I could guide my sledge with Lorna sitting in it. There were only
+two things to be feared; one lest the rolls of snow above should fall in
+and bury us; the other lest we should rush too fast, and so be carried
+headlong into the black whirlpool at the bottom, the middle of which was
+still unfrozen, and looking more horrible by the contrast. Against this
+danger I made provision, by fixing a stout bar across; but of the other
+we must take our chance, and trust ourselves to Providence.
+
+I hastened home at my utmost speed, and told my mother for God's sake
+to keep the house up till my return, and to have plenty of fire blazing,
+and plenty of water boiling, and food enough hot for a dozen people, and
+the best bed aired with the warming-pan. Dear mother smiled softly at my
+excitement, though her own was not much less, I am sure, and enhanced by
+sore anxiety. Then I gave very strict directions to Annie, and praised
+her a little, and kissed her; and I even endeavoured to flatter Eliza,
+lest she should be disagreeable.
+
+After this I took some brandy, both within and about me; the former,
+because I had sharp work to do; and the latter in fear of whatever might
+happen, in such great cold, to my comrades. Also I carried some other
+provisions, grieving much at their coldness: and then I went to the
+upper linhay, and took our new light pony-sledd, which had been made
+almost as much for pleasure as for business; though God only knows how
+our girls could have found any pleasure in bumping along so. On the
+snow, however, it ran as sweetly as if it had been made for it; yet I
+durst not take the pony with it; in the first place, because his hoofs
+would break through the ever-shifting surface of the light and piling
+snow; and secondly, because these ponies, coming from the forest, have a
+dreadful trick of neighing, and most of all in frosty weather.
+
+Therefore I girded my own body with a dozen turns of hay-rope, twisting
+both the ends in under at the bottom of my breast, and winding the hay
+on the skew a little, that the hempen thong might not slip between, and
+so cut me in the drawing. I put a good piece of spare rope in the sledd,
+and the cross-seat with the back to it, which was stuffed with our
+own wool, as well as two or three fur coats; and then, just as I was
+starting, out came Annie, in spite of the cold, panting for fear of
+missing me, and with nothing on her head, but a lanthorn in one hand.
+
+"Oh, John, here is the most wonderful thing! Mother has never shown it
+before; and I can't think how she could make up her mind. She had
+gotten it in a great well of a cupboard, with camphor, and spirits, and
+lavender. Lizzie says it is a most magnificent sealskin cloak, worth
+fifty pounds, or a farthing."
+
+"At any rate it is soft and warm," said I, very calmly flinging it into
+the bottom of the sledd. "Tell mother I will put it over Lorna's feet."
+
+"Lorna's feet! Oh, you great fool," cried Annie, for the first time
+reviling me; "over her shoulders; and be proud, you very stupid John."
+
+"It is not good enough for her feet," I answered, with strong emphasis;
+"but don't tell mother I said so, Annie. Only thank her very kindly."
+
+With that I drew my traces hard, and set my ashen staff into the snow,
+and struck out with my best foot foremost (the best one at snow-shoes, I
+mean), and the sledd came after me as lightly as a dog might follow; and
+Annie, with the lanthorn, seemed to be left behind and waiting like a
+pretty lamp-post.
+
+The full moon rose as bright behind me as a paten of pure silver,
+casting on the snow long shadows of the few things left above, burdened
+rock, and shaggy foreland, and the labouring trees. In the great white
+desolation, distance was a mocking vision; hills looked nigh, and
+valleys far; when hills were far and valleys nigh. And the misty breath
+of frost, piercing through the ribs of rock, striking to the pith of
+trees, creeping to the heart of man, lay along the hollow places, like a
+serpent sloughing. Even as my own gaunt shadow (travestied as if I were
+the moonlight's daddy-longlegs), went before me down the slope; even
+I, the shadow's master, who had tried in vain to cough, when coughing
+brought good liquorice, felt a pressure on my bosom, and a husking in my
+throat.
+
+However, I went on quietly, and at a very tidy speed; being only too
+thankful that the snow had ceased, and no wind as yet arisen. And from
+the ring of low white vapour girding all the verge of sky, and from the
+rosy blue above, and the shafts of starlight set upon a quivering bow,
+as well as from the moon itself and the light behind it, having learned
+the signs of frost from its bitter twinges, I knew that we should have
+a night as keen as ever England felt. Nevertheless, I had work enough to
+keep me warm if I managed it. The question was, could I contrive to save
+my darling from it?
+
+Daring not to risk my sledd by any fall from the valley-cliffs, I
+dragged it very carefully up the steep incline of ice, through the
+narrow chasm, and so to the very brink and verge where first I had seen
+my Lorna, in the fishing days of boyhood. As I then had a trident fork,
+for sticking of the loaches, so I now had a strong ash stake, to lay
+across from rock to rock, and break the speed of descending. With this I
+moored the sledd quite safe, at the very lip of the chasm, where all was
+now substantial ice, green and black in the moonlight; and then I set
+off up the valley, skirting along one side of it.
+
+The stack-fire still was burning strongly, but with more of heat than
+blaze; and many of the younger Doones were playing on the verge of it,
+the children making rings of fire, and their mothers watching them. All
+the grave and reverend warriors having heard of rheumatism, were inside
+of log and stone, in the two lowest houses, with enough of candles
+burning to make our list of sheep come short.
+
+All these I passed, without the smallest risk or difficulty, walking up
+the channel of drift which I spoke of once before. And then I crossed,
+with more of care, and to the door of Lorna's house, and made the sign,
+and listened, after taking my snow-shoes off.
+
+But no one came, as I expected, neither could I espy a light. And I
+seemed to hear a faint low sound, like the moaning of the snow-wind.
+Then I knocked again more loudly, with a knocking at my heart: and
+receiving no answer, set all my power at once against the door. In a
+moment it flew inwards, and I glided along the passage with my feet
+still slippery. There in Lorna's room I saw, by the moonlight flowing
+in, a sight which drove me beyond sense.
+
+[Illustration: 383.jpg Set all my power against the door]
+
+Lorna was behind a chair, crouching in the corner, with her hands up,
+and a crucifix, or something that looked like it. In the middle of the
+room lay Gwenny Carfax, stupid, yet with one hand clutching the ankle of
+a struggling man. Another man stood above my Lorna, trying to draw the
+chair away. In a moment I had him round the waist, and he went out of
+the window with a mighty crash of glass; luckily for him that window had
+no bars like some of them. Then I took the other man by the neck; and he
+could not plead for mercy. I bore him out of the house as lightly as I
+would bear a baby, yet squeezing his throat a little more than I fain
+would do to an infant. By the bright moonlight I saw that I carried
+Marwood de Whichehalse. For his father's sake I spared him, and because
+he had been my schoolfellow; but with every muscle of my body strung
+with indignation, I cast him, like a skittle, from me into a snowdrift,
+which closed over him. Then I looked for the other fellow, tossed
+through Lorna's window, and found him lying stunned and bleeding,
+neither able to groan yet. Charleworth Doone, if his gushing blood did
+not much mislead me.
+
+It was no time to linger now; I fastened my shoes in a moment, and
+caught up my own darling with her head upon my shoulder, where she
+whispered faintly; and telling Gwenny to follow me, or else I would come
+back for her, if she could not walk the snow, I ran the whole distance
+to my sledd, caring not who might follow me. Then by the time I had set
+up Lorna, beautiful and smiling, with the seal-skin cloak all over her,
+sturdy Gwenny came along, having trudged in the track of my snow-shoes,
+although with two bags on her back. I set her in beside her mistress,
+to support her, and keep warm; and then with one look back at the glen,
+which had been so long my home of heart, I hung behind the sledd, and
+launched it down the steep and dangerous way.
+
+Though the cliffs were black above us, and the road unseen in front, and
+a great white grave of snow might at a single word come down, Lorna was
+as calm and happy as an infant in its bed. She knew that I was with her;
+and when I told her not to speak, she touched my hand in silence. Gwenny
+was in a much greater fright, having never seen such a thing before,
+neither knowing what it is to yield to pure love's confidence. I could
+hardly keep her quiet, without making a noise myself. With my staff from
+rock to rock, and my weight thrown backward, I broke the sledd's too
+rapid way, and brought my grown love safely out, by the selfsame road
+which first had led me to her girlish fancy, and my boyish slavery.
+
+Unpursued, yet looking back as if some one must be after us, we skirted
+round the black whirling pool, and gained the meadows beyond it. Here
+there was hard collar work, the track being all uphill and rough; and
+Gwenny wanted to jump out, to lighten the sledd and to push behind. But
+I would not hear of it; because it was now so deadly cold, and I feared
+that Lorna might get frozen, without having Gwenny to keep her warm. And
+after all, it was the sweetest labour I had ever known in all my
+life, to be sure that I was pulling Lorna, and pulling her to our own
+farmhouse.
+
+Gwenny's nose was touched with frost, before we had gone much farther,
+because she would not keep it quiet and snug beneath the sealskin. And
+here I had to stop in the moonlight (which was very dangerous) and rub
+it with a clove of snow, as Eliza had taught me; and Gwenny scolding
+all the time, as if myself had frozen it. Lorna was now so far oppressed
+with all the troubles of the evening, and the joy that followed them, as
+well as by the piercing cold and difficulty of breathing, that she lay
+quite motionless, like fairest wax in the moonlight--when we stole a
+glance at her, beneath the dark folds of the cloak; and I thought that
+she was falling into the heavy snow-sleep, whence there is no awaking.
+
+Therefore, I drew my traces tight, and set my whole strength to the
+business; and we slipped along at a merry pace, although with many
+joltings, which must have sent my darling out into the cold snowdrifts
+but for the short strong arm of Gwenny. And so in about an hour's time,
+in spite of many hindrances, we came home to the old courtyard, and all
+the dogs saluted us. My heart was quivering, and my cheeks as hot as
+the Doones' bonfire, with wondering both what Lorna would think of
+our farm-yard, and what my mother would think of her. Upon the former
+subject my anxiety was wasted, for Lorna neither saw a thing, nor even
+opened her heavy eyes. And as to what mother would think of her, she was
+certain not to think at all, until she had cried over her.
+
+And so indeed it came to pass. Even at this length of time, I can hardly
+tell it, although so bright before my mind, because it moves my heart
+so. The sledd was at the open door, with only Lorna in it; for Gwenny
+Carfax had jumped out, and hung back in the clearing, giving any reason
+rather than the only true one--that she would not be intruding. At the
+door were all our people; first, of course, Betty Muxworthy, teaching
+me how to draw the sledd, as if she had been born in it, and flourishing
+with a great broom, wherever a speck of snow lay. Then dear Annie,
+and old Molly (who was very quiet, and counted almost for nobody), and
+behind them, mother, looking as if she wanted to come first, but
+doubted how the manners lay. In the distance Lizzie stood, fearful of
+encouraging, but unable to keep out of it.
+
+Betty was going to poke her broom right in under the sealskin cloak,
+where Lorna lay unconscious, and where her precious breath hung frozen,
+like a silver cobweb; but I caught up Betty's broom, and flung it clean
+away over the corn chamber; and then I put the others by, and fetched my
+mother forward.
+
+"You shall see her first," I said: "is she not your daughter? Hold the
+light there, Annie."
+
+Dear mother's hands were quick and trembling, as she opened the shining
+folds; and there she saw my Lorna sleeping, with her black hair all
+dishevelled, and she bent and kissed her forehead, and only said, "God
+bless her, John!" And then she was taken with violent weeping, and I was
+forced to hold her.
+
+"Us may tich of her now, I rackon," said Betty in her most jealous way;
+"Annie, tak her by the head, and I'll tak her by the toesen. No taime
+to stand here like girt gawks. Don'ee tak on zo, missus. Ther be vainer
+vish in the zea--Lor, but, her be a booty!"
+
+With this, they carried her into the house, Betty chattering all the
+while, and going on now about Lorna's hands, and the others crowding
+round her, so that I thought I was not wanted among so many women, and
+should only get the worst of it, and perhaps do harm to my darling.
+Therefore I went and brought Gwenny in, and gave her a potful of
+bacon and peas, and an iron spoon to eat it with, which she did right
+heartily.
+
+Then I asked her how she could have been such a fool as to let those two
+vile fellows enter the house where Lorna was; and she accounted for it
+so naturally, that I could only blame myself. For my agreement had been
+to give one loud knock (if you happen to remember) and after that two
+little knocks. Well these two drunken rogues had come; and one, being
+very drunk indeed, had given a great thump; and then nothing more to
+do with it; and the other, being three-quarters drunk, had followed his
+leader (as one might say) but feebly, and making two of it. Whereupon up
+jumped Lorna, and declared that her John was there.
+
+All this Gwenny told me shortly, between the whiles of eating, and even
+while she licked the spoon; and then there came a message for me that my
+love was sensible, and was seeking all around for me. Then I told Gwenny
+to hold her tongue (whatever she did among us), and not to trust to
+women's words; and she told me they all were liars, as she had found
+out long ago; and the only thing to believe in was an honest man, when
+found. Thereupon I could have kissed her as a sort of tribute, liking to
+be appreciated; yet the peas upon her lips made me think about it; and
+thought is fatal to action. So I went to see my dear.
+
+That sight I shall not forget; till my dying head falls back, and my
+breast can lift no more. I know not whether I were then more blessed,
+or harrowed by it. For in the settle was my Lorna, propped with
+pillows round her, and her clear hands spread sometimes to the blazing
+fireplace. In her eyes no knowledge was of anything around her, neither
+in her neck the sense of leaning towards anything. Only both her lovely
+hands were entreating something, to spare her, or to love her; and the
+lines of supplication quivered in her sad white face.
+
+[Illustration: 387.jpg For in the settle was my Lorna]
+
+"All go away, except my mother," I said very quietly, but so that I
+would be obeyed; and everybody knew it. Then mother came to me alone;
+and she said, "The frost is in her brain; I have heard of this before,
+John." "Mother, I will have it out," was all that I could answer her;
+"leave her to me altogether; only you sit there and watch." For I felt
+that Lorna knew me, and no other soul but me; and that if not interfered
+with, she would soon come home to me. Therefore I sat gently by her,
+leaving nature, as it were, to her own good time and will. And presently
+the glance that watched me, as at distance and in doubt, began to
+flutter and to brighten, and to deepen into kindness, then to beam with
+trust and love, and then with gathering tears to falter, and in shame
+to turn away. But the small entreating hands found their way, as if by
+instinct, to my great projecting palms; and trembled there, and rested
+there.
+
+For a little while we lingered thus, neither wishing to move away,
+neither caring to look beyond the presence of the other; both alike so
+full of hope, and comfort, and true happiness; if only the world would
+let us be. And then a little sob disturbed us, and mother tried to make
+believe that she was only coughing. But Lorna, guessing who she was,
+jumped up so very rashly that she almost set her frock on fire from the
+great ash log; and away she ran to the old oak chair, where mother was
+by the clock-case pretending to be knitting, and she took the work from
+mother's hands, and laid them both upon her head, kneeling humbly, and
+looking up.
+
+"God bless you, my fair mistress!" said mother, bending nearer, and then
+as Lorna's gaze prevailed, "God bless you, my sweet child!"
+
+And so she went to mother's heart by the very nearest road, even as she
+had come to mine; I mean the road of pity, smoothed by grace, and youth,
+and gentleness.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLV
+
+A CHANGE LONG NEEDED
+
+[Illustration: 389.jpg Marwood Whichehalse]
+
+Jeremy Stickles was gone south, ere ever the frost set in, for the
+purpose of mustering forces to attack the Doone Glen. But, of course,
+this weather had put a stop to every kind of movement; for even if men
+could have borne the cold, they could scarcely be brought to face the
+perils of the snow-drifts. And to tell the truth I cared not how long
+this weather lasted, so long as we had enough to eat, and could keep
+ourselves from freezing. Not only that I did not want Master Stickles
+back again, to make more disturbances; but also that the Doones could
+not come prowling after Lorna while the snow lay piled between us, with
+the surface soft and dry. Of course they would very soon discover where
+their lawful queen was, although the track of sledd and snow-shoes had
+been quite obliterated by another shower, before the revellers could
+have grown half as drunk as they intended. But Marwood de Whichehalse,
+who had been snowed up among them (as Gwenny said), after helping
+to strip the beacon, that young Squire was almost certain to have
+recognised me, and to have told the vile Carver. And it gave me no
+little pleasure to think how mad that Carver must be with me, for
+robbing him of the lovely bride whom he was starving into matrimony.
+However, I was not pleased at all with the prospect of the consequences;
+but set all hands on to thresh the corn, ere the Doones could come and
+burn the ricks. For I knew that they could not come yet, inasmuch as
+even a forest pony could not traverse the country, much less the heavy
+horses needed to carry such men as they were. And hundreds of the forest
+ponies died in this hard weather, some being buried in the snow, and
+more of them starved for want of grass.
+
+Going through this state of things, and laying down the law about
+it (subject to correction), I very soon persuaded Lorna that for the
+present she was safe, and (which made her still more happy) that she was
+not only welcome, but as gladdening to our eyes as the flowers of May.
+Of course, so far as regarded myself, this was not a hundredth part of
+the real truth; and even as regarded others, I might have said it ten
+times over. For Lorna had so won them all, by her kind and gentle ways,
+and her mode of hearkening to everybody's trouble, and replying without
+words, as well as by her beauty, and simple grace of all things, that
+I could almost wish sometimes the rest would leave her more to me. But
+mother could not do enough; and Annie almost worshipped her; and even
+Lizzie could not keep her bitterness towards her; especially when she
+found that Lorna knew as much of books as need be.
+
+As for John Fry, and Betty, and Molly, they were a perfect plague when
+Lorna came into the kitchen. For betwixt their curiosity to see a
+live Doone in the flesh (when certain not to eat them), and their high
+respect for birth (with or without honesty), and their intense desire to
+know all about Master John's sweetheart (dropped, as they said, from the
+snow-clouds), and most of all their admiration of a beauty such as never
+even their angels could have seen--betwixt and between all this, I say,
+there was no getting the dinner cooked, with Lorna in the kitchen.
+
+And the worst of it was that Lorna took the strangest of all strange
+fancies for this very kitchen; and it was hard to keep her out of it.
+Not that she had any special bent for cooking, as our Annie had; rather
+indeed the contrary, for she liked to have her food ready cooked; but
+that she loved the look of the place, and the cheerful fire burning, and
+the racks of bacon to be seen, and the richness, and the homeliness, and
+the pleasant smell of everything. And who knows but what she may have
+liked (as the very best of maidens do) to be admired, now and then,
+between the times of business?
+
+Therefore if you wanted Lorna (as I was always sure to do, God knows
+how many times a day), the very surest place to find her was our own
+old kitchen. Not gossiping, I mean, nor loitering, neither seeking into
+things, but seeming to be quite at home, as if she had known it from a
+child, and seeming (to my eyes at least) to light it up, and make life
+and colour out of all the dullness; as I have seen the breaking sun do
+among brown shocks of wheat.
+
+But any one who wished to learn whether girls can change or not, as the
+things around them change (while yet their hearts are steadfast, and for
+ever anchored), he should just have seen my Lorna, after a fortnight
+of our life, and freedom from anxiety. It is possible that my
+company--although I am accounted stupid by folk who do not know my
+way--may have had something to do with it; but upon this I will not say
+much, lest I lose my character. And indeed, as regards company, I had
+all the threshing to see to, and more than half to do myself (though any
+one would have thought that even John Fry must work hard this weather),
+else I could not hope at all to get our corn into such compass that a
+good gun might protect it.
+
+But to come back to Lorna again (which I always longed to do, and must
+long for ever), all the change between night and day, all the shifts
+of cloud and sun, all the difference between black death and brightsome
+liveliness, scarcely may suggest or equal Lorna's transformation. Quick
+she had always been and "peart" (as we say on Exmoor) and gifted with a
+leap of thought too swift for me to follow; and hence you may find fault
+with much, when I report her sayings. But through the whole had always
+run, as a black string goes through pearls, something dark and touched
+with shadow, coloured as with an early end.
+
+But, now, behold! there was none of this! There was no getting her, for
+a moment, even to be serious. All her bright young wit was flashing,
+like a newly-awakened flame, and all her high young spirits leaped, as
+if dancing to its fire. And yet she never spoke a word which gave more
+pain than pleasure.
+
+And even in her outward look there was much of difference. Whether it
+was our warmth, and freedom, and our harmless love of God, and trust
+in one another; or whether it were our air, and water, and the pea-fed
+bacon; anyhow my Lorna grew richer and more lovely, more perfect and
+more firm of figure, and more light and buoyant, with every passing day
+that laid its tribute on her cheeks and lips. I was allowed one kiss
+a day; only one for manners' sake, because she was our visitor; and I
+might have it before breakfast, or else when I came to say "good-night!"
+according as I decided. And I decided every night, not to take it in the
+morning, but put it off till the evening time, and have the pleasure to
+think about, through all the day of working. But when my darling came up
+to me in the early daylight, fresher than the daystar, and with no one
+looking; only her bright eyes smiling, and sweet lips quite ready, was
+it likely I could wait, and think all day about it? For she wore a frock
+of Annie's, nicely made to fit her, taken in at the waist and curved--I
+never could explain it, not being a mantua-maker; but I know how her
+figure looked in it, and how it came towards me.
+
+But this is neither here nor there; and I must on with my story. Those
+days are very sacred to me, and if I speak lightly of them, trust
+me, 'tis with lip alone; while from heart reproach peeps sadly at the
+flippant tricks of mind.
+
+Although it was the longest winter ever known in our parts (never having
+ceased to freeze for a single night, and scarcely for a single day, from
+the middle of December till the second week in March), to me it was the
+very shortest and the most delicious; and verily I do believe it was
+the same to Lorna. But when the Ides of March were come (of which I
+do remember something dim from school, and something clear from my
+favourite writer) lo, there were increasing signals of a change of
+weather.
+
+One leading feature of that long cold, and a thing remarked by every one
+(however unobservant) had been the hollow moaning sound ever present in
+the air, morning, noon, and night-time, and especially at night, whether
+any wind were stirring, or whether it were a perfect calm. Our people
+said that it was a witch cursing all the country from the caverns by the
+sea, and that frost and snow would last until we could catch and drown
+her. But the land, being thoroughly blocked with snow, and the inshore
+parts of the sea with ice (floating in great fields along), Mother
+Melldrum (if she it were) had the caverns all to herself, for there
+was no getting at her. And speaking of the sea reminds me of a thing
+reported to us, and on good authority; though people might be found
+hereafter who would not believe it, unless I told them that from what I
+myself beheld of the channel I place perfect faith in it: and this is,
+that a dozen sailors at the beginning of March crossed the ice, with the
+aid of poles from Clevedon to Penarth, or where the Holm rocks barred
+the flotage.
+
+But now, about the tenth of March, that miserable moaning noise, which
+had both foregone and accompanied the rigour, died away from out the
+air; and we, being now so used to it, thought at first that we must be
+deaf. And then the fog, which had hung about (even in full sunshine)
+vanished, and the shrouded hills shone forth with brightness manifold.
+And now the sky at length began to come to its true manner, which we
+had not seen for months, a mixture (if I so may speak) of various
+expressions. Whereas till now from Allhallows-tide, six weeks ere the
+great frost set in, the heavens had worn one heavy mask of ashen gray
+when clouded, or else one amethystine tinge with a hazy rim, when
+cloudless. So it was pleasant to behold, after that monotony, the fickle
+sky which suits our England, though abused by foreign folk.
+
+And soon the dappled softening sky gave some earnest of its mood; for a
+brisk south wind arose, and the blessed rain came driving, cold indeed,
+yet most refreshing to the skin, all parched with snow, and the eyeballs
+so long dazzled. Neither was the heart more sluggish in its thankfulness
+to God. People had begun to think, and somebody had prophesied, that we
+should have no spring this year, no seed-time, and no harvest; for that
+the Lord had sent a judgment on this country of England, and the
+nation dwelling in it, because of the wickedness of the Court, and the
+encouragement shown to Papists. And this was proved, they said, by what
+had happened in the town of London; where, for more than a fortnight,
+such a chill of darkness lay that no man might behold his neighbour,
+even across the narrowest street; and where the ice upon the Thames was
+more than four feet thick, and crushing London Bridge in twain. Now
+to these prophets I paid no heed, believing not that Providence would
+freeze us for other people's sins; neither seeing how England could for
+many generations have enjoyed good sunshine, if Popery meant frost and
+fogs. Besides, why could not Providence settle the business once for
+all by freezing the Pope himself; even though (according to our view) he
+were destined to extremes of heat, together with all who followed him?
+
+Not to meddle with that subject, being beyond my judgment, let me tell
+the things I saw, and then you must believe me. The wind, of course, I
+could not see, not having the powers of a pig; but I could see the laden
+branches of the great oaks moving, hoping to shake off the load packed
+and saddled on them. And hereby I may note a thing which some one may
+explain perhaps in the after ages, when people come to look at things.
+This is that in desperate cold all the trees were pulled awry, even
+though the wind had scattered the snow burden from them. Of some sorts
+the branches bended downwards, like an archway; of other sorts the
+boughs curved upwards, like a red deer's frontlet. This I know no
+reason* for; but am ready to swear that I saw it.
+
+     * The reason is very simple, as all nature's reasons are;
+     though the subject has not yet been investigated thoroughly.
+     In some trees the vascular tissue is more open on the upper
+     side, in others on the under side, of the spreading
+     branches; according to the form of growth, and habit of the
+     sap. Hence in very severe cold, when the vessels
+     (comparatively empty) are constricted, some have more power
+     of contraction on the upper side, and some upon the under.
+     Ed. L.D.
+
+Now when the first of the rain began, and the old familiar softness
+spread upon the window glass, and ran a little way in channels (though
+from the coldness of the glass it froze before reaching the bottom),
+knowing at once the difference from the short sharp thud of snow, we all
+ran out, and filled our eyes and filled our hearts with gazing. True,
+the snow was piled up now all in mountains round us; true, the air was
+still so cold that our breath froze on the doorway, and the rain was
+turned to ice wherever it struck anything; nevertheless that it was rain
+there was no denying, as we watched it across black doorways, and could
+see no sign of white. Mother, who had made up her mind that the farm
+was not worth having after all those prophesies, and that all of us must
+starve, and holes be scratched in the snow for us, and no use to put up
+a tombstone (for our church had been shut up long ago) mother fell
+upon my breast, and sobbed that I was the cleverest fellow ever born
+of woman. And this because I had condemned the prophets for a pack of
+fools; not seeing how business could go on, if people stopped to hearken
+to them.
+
+Then Lorna came and glorified me, for I had predicted a change of
+weather, more to keep their spirits up, than with real hope of it; and
+then came Annie blushing shyly, as I looked at her, and said that Winnie
+would soon have four legs now. This referred to some stupid joke made
+by John Fry or somebody, that in this weather a man had no legs, and a
+horse had only two.
+
+But as the rain came down upon us from the southwest wind, and we could
+not have enough of it, even putting our tongues to catch it, as little
+children might do, and beginning to talk of primroses; the very noblest
+thing of all was to hear and see the gratitude of the poor beasts yet
+remaining and the few surviving birds. From the cowhouse lowing came,
+more than of fifty milking times; moo and moo, and a turn-up noise at
+the end of every bellow, as if from the very heart of kine. Then the
+horses in the stables, packed as closely as they could stick, at the
+risk of kicking, to keep the warmth in one another, and their spirits
+up by discoursing; these began with one accord to lift up their voices,
+snorting, snaffling, whinnying, and neighing, and trotting to the door
+to know when they should have work again. To whom, as if in answer, came
+the feeble bleating of the sheep, what few, by dint of greatest care,
+had kept their fleeces on their backs, and their four legs under them.
+
+Neither was it a trifling thing, let whoso will say the contrary, to
+behold the ducks and geese marching forth in handsome order from their
+beds of fern and straw. What a goodly noise they kept, what a flapping
+of their wings, and a jerking of their tails, as they stood right up and
+tried with a whistling in their throats to imitate a cockscrow! And then
+how daintily they took the wet upon their dusty plumes, and ducked their
+shoulders to it, and began to dress themselves, and laid their grooved
+bills on the snow, and dabbled for more ooziness!
+
+Lorna had never seen, I dare say, anything like this before, and it was
+all that we could do to keep her from rushing forth with only little
+lambswool shoes on, and kissing every one of them. "Oh, the dear things,
+oh, the dear things!" she kept saying continually, "how wonderfully
+clever they are! Only look at that one with his foot up, giving orders
+to the others, John!"
+
+"And I must give orders to you, my darling," I answered, gazing on her
+face, so brilliant with excitement; "and that is, that you come in at
+once, with that worrisome cough of yours; and sit by the fire, and warm
+yourself."
+
+"Oh, no, John! Not for a minute, if you please, good John. I want to see
+the snow go away, and the green meadows coming forth. And here comes our
+favourite robin, who has lived in the oven so long, and sang us a song
+every morning. I must see what he thinks of it!"
+
+"You will do nothing of the sort," I answered very shortly, being only
+too glad of a cause for having her in my arms again. So I caught her up,
+and carried her in; and she looked and smiled so sweetly at me instead
+of pouting (as I had feared) that I found myself unable to go very fast
+along the passage. And I set her there in her favourite place, by the
+sweet-scented wood-fire; and she paid me porterage without my even
+asking her; and for all the beauty of the rain, I was fain to stay with
+her; until our Annie came to say that my advice was wanted.
+
+Now my advice was never much, as everybody knew quite well; but that was
+the way they always put it, when they wanted me to work for them. And in
+truth it was time for me to work; not for others, but myself, and (as I
+always thought) for Lorna. For the rain was now coming down in earnest;
+and the top of the snow being frozen at last, and glazed as hard as a
+china cup, by means of the sun and frost afterwards, all the rain ran
+right away from the steep inclines, and all the outlets being blocked
+with ice set up like tables, it threatened to flood everything. Already
+it was ponding up, like a tide advancing at the threshold of the door
+from which we had watched the duck-birds; both because great piles of
+snow trended in that direction, in spite of all our scraping, and also
+that the gulley hole, where the water of the shoot went out (I mean when
+it was water) now was choked with lumps of ice, as big as a man's body.
+For the "shoot," as we called our little runnel of everlasting water,
+never known to freeze before, and always ready for any man either to
+wash his hands, or drink, where it spouted from a trough of bark, set
+among white flint-stones; this at last had given in, and its music
+ceased to lull us, as we lay in bed.
+
+It was not long before I managed to drain off this threatening flood,
+by opening the old sluice-hole; but I had much harder work to keep the
+stables, and the cow-house, and the other sheds, from flooding. For we
+have a sapient practice (and I never saw the contrary round about our
+parts, I mean), of keeping all rooms underground, so that you step down
+to them. We say that thus we keep them warmer, both for cattle and for
+men, in the time of winter, and cooler in the summer-time. This I will
+not contradict, though having my own opinion; but it seems to me to be
+a relic of the time when people in the western countries lived in caves
+beneath the ground, and blocked the mouths with neat-skins.
+
+Let that question still abide, for men who study ancient times to inform
+me, if they will; all I know is, that now we had no blessings for the
+system. If after all their cold and starving, our weak cattle now should
+have to stand up to their knees in water, it would be certain death to
+them; and we had lost enough already to make us poor for a long time;
+not to speak of our kind love for them. And I do assure you, I loved
+some horses, and even some cows for that matter, as if they had been my
+blood-relations; knowing as I did their virtues. And some of these were
+lost to us; and I could not bear to think of them. Therefore I worked
+hard all night to try and save the rest of them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVI
+
+SQUIRE FAGGUS MAKES SOME LUCKY HITS
+
+[Illustration: 397.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Through that season of bitter frost the red deer of the forest, having
+nothing to feed upon, and no shelter to rest in, had grown accustomed to
+our ricks of corn, and hay, and clover. There we might see a hundred
+of them almost any morning, come for warmth, and food, and comfort, and
+scarce willing to move away. And many of them were so tame, that they
+quietly presented themselves at our back door, and stood there with
+their coats quite stiff, and their flanks drawn in and panting,
+and icicles sometimes on their chins, and their great eyes fastened
+wistfully upon any merciful person; craving for a bit of food, and a
+drink of water; I suppose that they had not sense enough to chew the
+snow and melt it; at any rate, all the springs being frozen, and rivers
+hidden out of sight, these poor things suffered even more from thirst
+than they did from hunger.
+
+But now there was no fear of thirst, and more chance indeed of drowning;
+for a heavy gale of wind arose, with violent rain from the south-west,
+which lasted almost without a pause for three nights and two days. At
+first the rain made no impression on the bulk of snow, but ran from
+every sloping surface and froze on every flat one, through the coldness
+of the earth; and so it became impossible for any man to keep his legs
+without the help of a shodden staff. After a good while, however, the
+air growing very much warmer, this state of things began to change, and
+a worse one to succeed it; for now the snow came thundering down from
+roof, and rock, and ivied tree, and floods began to roar and foam in
+every trough and gulley. The drifts that had been so white and fair,
+looked yellow, and smirched, and muddy, and lost their graceful curves,
+and moulded lines, and airiness. But the strangest sight of all to me
+was in the bed of streams, and brooks, and especially of the Lynn river.
+It was worth going miles to behold such a thing, for a man might never
+have the chance again.
+
+Vast drifts of snow had filled the valley, and piled above the
+river-course, fifty feet high in many places, and in some as much as a
+hundred. These had frozen over the top, and glanced the rain away from
+them, and being sustained by rock and tree, spanned the water mightily.
+But meanwhile the waxing flood, swollen from every moorland hollow
+and from every spouting crag, had dashed away all icy fetters, and
+was rolling gloriously. Under white fantastic arches, and long tunnels
+freaked and fretted, and between pellucid pillars jagged with nodding
+architraves, the red impetuous torrent rushed, and the brown foam
+whirled and flashed. I was half inclined to jump in and swim through
+such glorious scenery; for nothing used to please me more than swimming
+in a flooded river. But I thought of the rocks, and I thought of the
+cramp, and more than all, of Lorna; and so, between one thing and
+another, I let it roll on without me.
+
+[Illustration: 399.jpg Jump in and swim]
+
+It was now high time to work very hard; both to make up for the
+farm-work lost during the months of frost and snow, and also to be ready
+for a great and vicious attack from the Doones, who would burn us in our
+beds at the earliest opportunity. Of farm-work there was little yet for
+even the most zealous man to begin to lay his hand to; because when the
+ground appeared through the crust of bubbled snow (as at last it did,
+though not as my Lorna had expected, at the first few drops of rain)
+it was all so soaked and sodden, and as we call it, "mucksy," that to
+meddle with it in any way was to do more harm than good. Nevertheless,
+there was yard work, and house work, and tendence of stock, enough to
+save any man from idleness.
+
+As for Lorna, she would come out. There was no keeping her in the house.
+She had taken up some peculiar notion that we were doing more for her
+than she had any right to, and that she must earn her living by the
+hard work of her hands. It was quite in vain to tell her that she was
+expected to do nothing, and far worse than vain (for it made her cry
+sadly) if any one assured her that she could do no good at all. She even
+began upon mother's garden before the snow was clean gone from it, and
+sowed a beautiful row of peas, every one of which the mice ate.
+
+But though it was very pretty to watch her working for her very life,
+as if the maintenance of the household hung upon her labours, yet I was
+grieved for many reasons, and so was mother also. In the first place,
+she was too fair and dainty for this rough, rude work; and though it
+made her cheeks so bright, it surely must be bad for her to get her
+little feet so wet. Moreover, we could not bear the idea that she should
+labour for her keep; and again (which was the worst of all things)
+mother's garden lay exposed to a dark deceitful coppice, where a man
+might lurk and watch all the fair gardener's doings. It was true that
+none could get at her thence, while the brook which ran between poured
+so great a torrent. Still the distance was but little for a gun to
+carry, if any one could be brutal enough to point a gun at Lorna. I
+thought that none could be found to do it; but mother, having more
+experience, was not so certain of mankind.
+
+Now in spite of the floods, and the sloughs being out, and the state of
+the roads most perilous, Squire Faggus came at last, riding his famous
+strawberry mare. There was a great ado between him and Annie, as you
+may well suppose, after some four months of parting. And so we left them
+alone awhile, to coddle over their raptures. But when they were tired of
+that, or at least had time enough to do so, mother and I went in to know
+what news Tom had brought with him. Though he did not seem to want us
+yet, he made himself agreeable; and so we sent Annie to cook the dinner
+while her sweetheart should tell us everything.
+
+Tom Faggus had very good news to tell, and he told it with such force of
+expression as made us laugh very heartily. He had taken up his purchase
+from old Sir Roger Bassett of a nice bit of land, to the south of the
+moors, and in the parish of Molland. When the lawyers knew thoroughly
+who he was, and how he had made his money, they behaved uncommonly well
+to him, and showed great sympathy with his pursuits. He put them up to a
+thing or two; and they poked him in the ribs, and laughed, and said that
+he was quite a boy; but of the right sort, none the less. And so they
+made old Squire Bassett pay the bill for both sides; and all he got for
+three hundred acres was a hundred and twenty pounds; though Tom had paid
+five hundred. But lawyers know that this must be so, in spite of all
+their endeavours; and the old gentleman, who now expected to find a bill
+for him to pay, almost thought himself a rogue, for getting anything out
+of them.
+
+It is true that the land was poor and wild, and the soil exceeding
+shallow; lying on the slope of rock, and burned up in hot summers. But
+with us, hot summers are things known by tradition only (as this great
+winter may be); we generally have more moisture, especially in July,
+than we well know what to do with. I have known a fog for a fortnight
+at the summer solstice, and farmers talking in church about it when they
+ought to be praying. But it always contrives to come right in the end,
+as other visitations do, if we take them as true visits, and receive
+them kindly.
+
+Now this farm of Squire Faggus (as he truly now had a right to be
+called) was of the very finest pasture, when it got good store of rain.
+And Tom, who had ridden the Devonshire roads with many a reeking jacket,
+knew right well that he might trust the climate for that matter. The
+herbage was of the very sweetest, and the shortest, and the closest,
+having perhaps from ten to eighteen inches of wholesome soil between it
+and the solid rock. Tom saw at once what it was fit for--the breeding of
+fine cattle.
+
+Being such a hand as he was at making the most of everything, both his
+own and other people's (although so free in scattering, when the
+humour lay upon him) he had actually turned to his own advantage that
+extraordinary weather which had so impoverished every one around him.
+For he taught his Winnie (who knew his meaning as well as any child
+could, and obeyed not only his word of mouth, but every glance he
+gave her) to go forth in the snowy evenings when horses are seeking
+everywhere (be they wild or tame) for fodder and for shelter; and to
+whinny to the forest ponies, miles away from home perhaps, and lead
+them all with rare appetites and promise of abundance, to her master's
+homestead. He shod good Winnie in such a manner that she could not sink
+in the snow; and he clad her over the loins with a sheep-skin dyed to
+her own colour, which the wild horses were never tired of coming up and
+sniffing at; taking it for an especial gift, and proof of inspiration.
+And Winnie never came home at night without at least a score of ponies
+trotting shyly after her, tossing their heads and their tails in turn,
+and making believe to be very wild, although hard pinched by famine. Of
+course Tom would get them all into his pound in about five minutes,
+for he himself could neigh in a manner which went to the heart of the
+wildest horse. And then he fed them well, and turned them into his great
+cattle pen, to abide their time for breaking, when the snow and frost
+should be over.
+
+[Illustration: 401.jpg He clad her over the loins]
+
+He had gotten more than three hundred now, in this sagacious manner; and
+he said it was the finest sight to see their mode of carrying on, how
+they would snort, and stamp, and fume, and prick their ears, and rush
+backwards, and lash themselves with their long rough tails, and shake
+their jagged manes, and scream, and fall upon one another, if a strange
+man came anigh them. But as for feeding time, Tom said it was better
+than fifty plays to watch them, and the tricks they were up to, to cheat
+their feeders, and one another. I asked him how on earth he had managed
+to get fodder, in such impassable weather, for such a herd of horses;
+but he said that they lived upon straw and sawdust; and he knew that I
+did not believe him, any more than about his star-shavings. And this was
+just the thing he loved--to mystify honest people, and be a great deal
+too knowing. However, I may judge him harshly, because I myself tell
+everything.
+
+I asked him what he meant to do with all that enormous lot of horses,
+and why he had not exerted his wits to catch the red deer as well. He
+said that the latter would have been against the laws of venery, and
+might have brought him into trouble, but as for disposing of his stud,
+it would give him little difficulty. He would break them, when the
+spring weather came on, and deal with them as they required, and keep
+the handsomest for breeding. The rest he would despatch to London, where
+he knew plenty of horse-dealers; and he doubted not that they would
+fetch him as much as ten pounds apiece all round, being now in great
+demand. I told him I wished that he might get it; but as it proved
+afterwards, he did.
+
+Then he pressed us both on another point, the time for his marriage to
+Annie; and mother looked at me to say when, and I looked back at mother.
+However, knowing something of the world, and unable to make any further
+objection, by reason of his prosperity, I said that we must even do as
+the fashionable people did, and allow the maid herself to settle, when
+she would leave home and all. And this I spoke with a very bad grace,
+being perhaps of an ancient cast, and over fond of honesty--I mean, of
+course, among lower people.
+
+But Tom paid little heed to this, knowing the world a great deal better
+than ever I could pretend to do; and being ready to take a thing, upon
+which he had set his mind, whether it came with a good grace, or whether
+it came with a bad one. And seeing that it would be awkward to provoke
+my anger, he left the room, before more words, to submit himself to
+Annie.
+
+Upon this I went in search of Lorna, to tell her of our cousin's
+arrival, and to ask whether she would think fit to see him, or to dine
+by herself that day; for she should do exactly as it pleased her in
+everything, while remaining still our guest. But I rather wished that
+she might choose not to sit in Tom's company, though she might be
+introduced to him. Not but what he could behave quite as well as could,
+and much better, as regarded elegance and assurance, only that his
+honesty had not been as one might desire. But Lorna had some curiosity
+to know what this famous man was like, and declared that she would by
+all means have the pleasure of dining with him, if he did not object to
+her company on the ground of the Doones' dishonesty; moreover, she said
+that it would seem a most foolish air on her part, and one which would
+cause the greatest pain to Annie, who had been so good to her, if she
+should refuse to sit at table with a man who held the King's pardon, and
+was now a pattern of honesty.
+
+Against this I had not a word to say; and could not help acknowledging
+in my heart that she was right, as well as wise, in her decision. And
+afterwards I discovered that mother would have been much displeased, if
+she had decided otherwise.
+
+Accordingly she turned away, with one of her very sweetest smiles (whose
+beauty none can describe) saying that she must not meet a man of such
+fashion and renown, in her common gardening frock; but must try to look
+as nice as she could, if only in honour of dear Annie. And truth to
+tell, when she came to dinner, everything about her was the neatest
+and prettiest that can possibly be imagined. She contrived to match
+the colours so, to suit one another and her own, and yet with a certain
+delicate harmony of contrast, and the shape of everything was so nice,
+so that when she came into the room, with a crown of winning modesty
+upon the consciousness of beauty, I was quite as proud as if the Queen
+of England entered.
+
+My mother could not help remarking, though she knew that it was not
+mannerly, how like a princess Lorna looked, now she had her best things
+on; but two things caught Squire Faggus's eyes, after he had made a
+most gallant bow, and received a most graceful courtesy; and he kept his
+bright bold gaze upon them, first on one, and then on the other, until
+my darling was hot with blushes, and I was ready to knock him down if he
+had not been our visitor. But here again I should have been wrong, as I
+was apt to be in those days; for Tom intended no harm whatever, and his
+gaze was of pure curiosity; though Annie herself was vexed with it. The
+two objects of his close regard, were first, and most worthily, Lorna's
+face, and secondly, the ancient necklace restored to her by Sir Ensor
+Doone.
+
+Now wishing to save my darling's comfort, and to keep things quiet, I
+shouted out that dinner was ready, so that half the parish could hear
+me; upon which my mother laughed, and chid me, and despatched her guests
+before her. And a very good dinner we made, I remember, and a very
+happy one; attending to the women first, as now is the manner of eating;
+except among the workmen. With them, of course, it is needful that
+the man (who has his hours fixed) should be served first, and make the
+utmost of his time for feeding, while the women may go on, as much as
+ever they please, afterwards. But with us, who are not bound to time,
+there is no such reason to be quoted; and the women being the weaker
+vessels, should be the first to begin to fill. And so we always arranged
+it.
+
+Now, though our Annie was a graceful maid, and Lizzie a very learned
+one, you should have seen how differently Lorna managed her dining; she
+never took more than about a quarter of a mouthful at a time, and she
+never appeared to be chewing that, although she must have done so.
+Indeed, she appeared to dine as if it were a matter of no consequence,
+and as if she could think of other things more than of her business. All
+this, and her own manner of eating, I described to Eliza once, when I
+wanted to vex her for something very spiteful that she had said; and
+I never succeeded so well before, for the girl was quite outrageous,
+having her own perception of it, which made my observation ten times as
+bitter to her. And I am not sure but what she ceased to like poor Lorna
+from that day; and if so, I was quite paid out, as I well deserved, for
+my bit of satire.
+
+For it strikes me that of all human dealings, satire is the very lowest,
+and most mean and common. It is the equivalent in words of what bullying
+is in deeds; and no more bespeaks a clever man, than the other does a
+brave one. These two wretched tricks exalt a fool in his own low esteem,
+but never in his neighbour's; for the deep common sense of our nature
+tells that no man of a genial heart, or of any spread of mind, can take
+pride in either. And though a good man may commit the one fault or the
+other, now and then, by way of outlet, he is sure to have compunctions
+soon, and to scorn himself more than the sufferer.
+
+Now when the young maidens were gone--for we had quite a high dinner of
+fashion that day, with Betty Muxworthy waiting, and Gwenny Carfax at the
+gravy--and only mother, and Tom, and I remained at the white deal table,
+with brandy, and schnapps, and hot water jugs; Squire Faggus said quite
+suddenly, and perhaps on purpose to take us aback, in case of our hiding
+anything,--"What do you know of the history of that beautiful maiden,
+good mother?"
+
+"Not half so much as my son does," mother answered, with a soft smile at
+me; "and when John does not choose to tell a thing, wild horses will not
+pull it out of him."
+
+"That is not at all like me, mother," I replied rather sadly; "you know
+almost every word about Lorna, quite as well as I do."
+
+"Almost every word, I believe, John; for you never tell a falsehood. But
+the few unknown may be of all the most important to me."
+
+To this I made no answer, for fear of going beyond the truth, or else
+of making mischief. Not that I had, or wished to have, any mystery with
+mother; neither was there in purest truth, any mystery in the matter;
+to the utmost of my knowledge. And the only things that I had kept back,
+solely for mother's comfort, were the death of poor Lord Alan Brandir
+(if indeed he were dead) and the connection of Marwood de Whichehalse
+with the dealings of the Doones, and the threats of Carver Doone against
+my own prosperity; and, may be, one or two little things harrowing more
+than edifying.
+
+"Come, come," said Master Faggus, smiling very pleasantly, "you two
+understand each other, if any two on earth do. Ah, if I had only had a
+mother, how different I might have been!" And with that he sighed,
+in the tone which always overcame mother upon that subject, and had
+something to do with his getting Annie; and then he produced his pretty
+box, full of rolled tobacco, and offered me one, as I now had joined the
+goodly company of smokers. So I took it, and watched what he did with
+his own, lest I might go wrong about mine.
+
+But when our cylinders were both lighted, and I enjoying mine
+wonderfully, and astonishing mother by my skill, Tom Faggus told us that
+he was sure he had seen my Lorna's face before, many and many years ago,
+when she was quite a little child, but he could not remember where it
+was, or anything more about it at present; though he would try to do so
+afterwards. He could not be mistaken, he said, for he had noticed her
+eyes especially; and had never seen such eyes before, neither
+again, until this day. I asked him if he had ever ventured into the
+Doone-valley; but he shook his head, and replied that he valued his life
+a deal too much for that. Then we put it to him, whether anything might
+assist his memory; but he said that he knew not of aught to do so,
+unless it were another glass of schnapps.
+
+This being provided, he grew very wise, and told us clearly and candidly
+that we were both very foolish. For he said that we were keeping Lorna,
+at the risk not only of our stock, and the house above our heads, but
+also of our precious lives; and after all was she worth it, although so
+very beautiful? Upon which I told him, with indignation, that her beauty
+was the least part of her goodness, and that I would thank him for his
+opinion when I had requested it.
+
+"Bravo, our John Ridd!" he answered; "fools will be fools till the end
+of the chapter; and I might be as big a one, if I were in thy shoes,
+John. Nevertheless, in the name of God, don't let that helpless child go
+about with a thing worth half the county on her."
+
+"She is worth all the county herself," said I, "and all England put
+together; but she has nothing worth half a rick of hay upon her; for the
+ring I gave her cost only,"--and here I stopped, for mother was looking,
+and I never would tell her how much it had cost me; though she had tried
+fifty times to find out.
+
+"Tush, the ring!" Tom Faggus cried, with a contempt that moved me: "I
+would never have stopped a man for that. But the necklace, you great
+oaf, the necklace is worth all your farm put together, and your Uncle
+Ben's fortune to the back of it; ay, and all the town of Dulverton."
+
+"What," said I, "that common glass thing, which she has had from her
+childhood!"
+
+"Glass indeed! They are the finest brilliants ever I set eyes on; and I
+have handled a good many."
+
+"Surely," cried mother, now flushing as red as Tom's own cheeks with
+excitement, "you must be wrong, or the young mistress would herself have
+known it."
+
+I was greatly pleased with my mother, for calling Lorna "the young
+mistress"; it was not done for the sake of her diamonds, whether they
+were glass or not; but because she felt as I had done, that Tom Faggus,
+a man of no birth whatever, was speaking beyond his mark, in calling a
+lady like Lorna a helpless child; as well as in his general tone, which
+displayed no deference. He might have been used to the quality, in the
+way of stopping their coaches, or roystering at hotels with them; but he
+never had met a high lady before, in equality, and upon virtue; and we
+both felt that he ought to have known it, and to have thanked us for the
+opportunity, in a word, to have behaved a great deal more humbly than he
+had even tried to do.
+
+"Trust me," answered Tom, in his loftiest manner, which Annie said
+was "so noble," but which seemed to me rather flashy, "trust me, good
+mother, and simple John, for knowing brilliants, when I see them. I
+would have stopped an eight-horse coach, with four carabined out-riders,
+for such a booty as that. But alas, those days are over; those were days
+worth living in. Ah, I never shall know the like again. How fine it was
+by moonlight!"
+
+"Master Faggus," began my mother, with a manner of some dignity, such
+as she could sometimes use, by right of her integrity, and thorough
+kindness to every one, "this is not the tone in which you have hitherto
+spoken to me about your former pursuits and life, I fear that the
+spirits"--but here she stopped, because the spirits were her own, and
+Tom was our visitor,--"what I mean, Master Faggus, is this: you have
+won my daughter's heart somehow; and you won my consent to the matter
+through your honest sorrow, and manly undertaking to lead a different
+life, and touch no property but your own. Annie is my eldest daughter,
+and the child of a most upright man. I love her best of all on earth,
+next to my boy John here"--here mother gave me a mighty squeeze, to be
+sure that she would have me at least--"and I will not risk my Annie's
+life with a man who yearns for the highway."
+
+[Illustration: 407.jpg "Master Faggus," began my mother]
+
+Having made this very long speech (for her), mother came home upon my
+shoulder, and wept so that (but for heeding her) I would have taken Tom
+by the nose, and thrown him, and Winnie after him, over our farm-yard
+gate. For I am violent when roused; and freely hereby acknowledge it;
+though even my enemies will own that it takes a great deal to rouse me.
+But I do consider the grief and tears (when justly caused) of my dearest
+friends, to be a great deal to rouse me.
+
+[Illustration: 409.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVII
+
+JEREMY IN DANGER
+
+[Illustration: 410.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Nothing very long abides, as the greatest of all writers (in whose
+extent I am for ever lost in raptured wonder, and yet for ever quite at
+home, as if his heart were mine, although his brains so different), in a
+word as Mr. William Shakespeare, in every one of his works insists, with
+a humoured melancholy. And if my journey to London led to nothing else
+of advancement, it took me a hundred years in front of what I might else
+have been, by the most simple accident.
+
+Two women were scolding one another across the road, very violently,
+both from upstair windows; and I in my hurry for quiet life, and not
+knowing what might come down upon me, quickened my step for the nearest
+corner. But suddenly something fell on my head; and at first I was
+afraid to look, especially as it weighed heavily. But hearing no
+breakage of ware, and only the other scold laughing heartily, I turned
+me about and espied a book, which one had cast at the other, hoping to
+break her window. So I took the book, and tendered it at the door of the
+house from which it had fallen; but the watchman came along just then,
+and the man at the door declared that it never came from their house,
+and begged me to say no more. This I promised readily, never wishing to
+make mischief; and I said, "Good sir, now take the book; I will go on
+to my business." But he answered that he would do no such thing; for
+the book alone, being hurled so hard, would convict his people of a lewd
+assault; and he begged me, if I would do a good turn, to put the book
+under my coat and go. And so I did: in part at least. For I did not put
+the book under my coat, but went along with it openly, looking for any
+to challenge it. Now this book, so acquired, has been not only the
+joy of my younger days, and main delight of my manhood, but also the
+comfort, and even the hope, of my now declining years. In a word, it is
+next to my Bible to me, and written in equal English; and if you espy
+any goodness whatever in my own loose style of writing, you must not
+thank me, John Ridd, for it, but the writer who holds the champion's
+belt in wit, as I once did in wrestling.
+
+[Illustration: 411.jpg Something fell on my head]
+
+Now, as nothing very long abides, it cannot be expected that a woman's
+anger should last very long, if she be at all of the proper sort. And
+my mother, being one of the very best, could not long retain her wrath
+against the Squire Faggus especially when she came to reflect, upon
+Annie's suggestion, how natural, and one might say, how inevitable
+it was that a young man fond of adventure and change and winning good
+profits by jeopardy, should not settle down without some regrets to a
+fixed abode and a life of sameness, however safe and respectable.
+And even as Annie put the case, Tom deserved the greater credit for
+vanquishing so nobly these yearnings of his nature; and it seemed very
+hard to upbraid him, considering how good his motives were; neither
+could Annie understand how mother could reconcile it with her knowledge
+of the Bible, and the one sheep that was lost, and the hundredth piece
+of silver, and the man that went down to Jericho.
+
+Whether Annie's logic was good and sound, I am sure I cannot tell; but
+it seemed to me that she ought to have let the Jericho traveller alone,
+inasmuch as he rather fell among Tom Fagusses, than resembled them.
+However, her reasoning was too much for mother to hold out against; and
+Tom was replaced, and more than that, being regarded now as an injured
+man. But how my mother contrived to know, that because she had been too
+hard upon Tom, he must be right about the necklace, is a point which I
+never could clearly perceive, though no doubt she could explain it.
+
+To prove herself right in the conclusion, she went herself to fetch
+Lorna, that the trinket might be examined, before the day grew dark. My
+darling came in, with a very quick glance and smile at my cigarro (for I
+was having the third by this time, to keep things in amity); and I waved
+it towards her, as much as to say, "you see that I can do it." And then
+mother led her up to the light, for Tom to examine her necklace.
+
+On the shapely curve of her neck it hung, like dewdrops upon a white
+hyacinth; and I was vexed that Tom should have the chance to see it
+there. But even if she had read my thoughts, or outrun them with her
+own, Lorna turned away, and softly took the jewels from the place which
+so much adorned them. And as she turned away, they sparkled through
+the rich dark waves of hair. Then she laid the glittering circlet in
+my mother's hands; and Tom Faggus took it eagerly, and bore it to the
+window.
+
+[Illustration: 413.jpg Tom Faggus took it eagerly]
+
+"Don't you go out of sight," I said; "you cannot resist such things as
+those, if they be what you think them."
+
+"Jack, I shall have to trounce thee yet. I am now a man of honour, and
+entitled to the duello. What will you take for it, Mistress Lorna? At a
+hazard, say now."
+
+"I am not accustomed to sell things, sir," replied Lorna, who did not
+like him much, else she would have answered sportively, "What is it
+worth, in your opinion?"
+
+"Do you think it is worth five pounds, now?"
+
+"Oh, no! I never had so much money as that in all my life. It is very
+bright, and very pretty; but it cannot be worth five pounds, I am sure."
+
+"What a chance for a bargain! Oh, if it were not for Annie, I could make
+my fortune."
+
+"But, sir, I would not sell it to you, not for twenty times five pounds.
+My grandfather was so kind about it; and I think it belonged to my
+mother."
+
+"There are twenty-five rose diamonds in it, and twenty-five large
+brilliants that cannot be matched in London. How say you, Mistress
+Lorna, to a hundred thousand pounds?"
+
+My darling's eyes so flashed at this, brighter than any diamonds, that
+I said to myself, "Well, all have faults; and now I have found out
+Lorna's--she is fond of money!" And then I sighed rather heavily; for of
+all faults this seems to me one of the worst in a woman. But even before
+my sigh was finished, I had cause to condemn myself. For Lorna took the
+necklace very quietly from the hands of Squire Faggus, who had not half
+done with admiring it, and she went up to my mother with the sweetest
+smile I ever saw.
+
+"Dear kind mother, I am so glad," she said in a whisper, coaxing mother
+out of sight of all but me; "now you will have it, won't you, dear? And
+I shall be so happy; for a thousandth part of your kindness to me no
+jewels in the world can match."
+
+I cannot lay before you the grace with which she did it, all the air
+of seeking favour, rather than conferring it, and the high-bred fear of
+giving offence, which is of all fears the noblest. Mother knew not what
+to say. Of course she would never dream of taking such a gift as that;
+and yet she saw how sadly Lorna would be disappointed. Therefore, mother
+did, from habit, what she almost always did, she called me to help her.
+But knowing that my eyes were full--for anything noble moves me so,
+quite as rashly as things pitiful--I pretended not to hear my mother,
+but to see a wild cat in the dairy.
+
+Therefore I cannot tell what mother said in reply to Lorna; for when I
+came back, quite eager to let my love know how I worshipped her, and
+how deeply I was ashamed of myself, for meanly wronging her in my heart,
+behold Tom Faggus had gotten again the necklace which had such charms
+for him, and was delivering all around (but especially to Annie, who was
+wondering at his learning) a dissertation on precious stones, and his
+sentiments about those in his hand. He said that the work was very
+ancient, but undoubtedly very good; the cutting of every line was
+true, and every angle was in its place. And this he said, made all the
+difference in the lustre of the stone, and therefore in its value. For
+if the facets were ill-matched, and the points of light so ever little
+out of perfect harmony, all the lustre of the jewel would be loose
+and wavering, and the central fire dulled; instead of answering, as it
+should, to all possibilities of gaze, and overpowering any eye intent on
+its deeper mysteries. We laughed at the Squire's dissertation; for how
+should he know all these things, being nothing better, and indeed much
+worse than a mere Northmolton blacksmith? He took our laughter with much
+good nature; having Annie to squeeze his hand and convey her grief at
+our ignorance: but he said that of one thing he was quite certain, and
+therein I believed him. To wit, that a trinket of this kind never could
+have belonged to any ignoble family, but to one of the very highest and
+most wealthy in England. And looking at Lorna, I felt that she must have
+come from a higher source than the very best of diamonds.
+
+Tom Faggus said that the necklace was made, he would answer for it, in
+Amsterdam, two or three hundred years ago, long before London jewellers
+had begun to meddle with diamonds; and on the gold clasp he found some
+letters, done in some inverted way, the meaning of which was beyond him;
+also a bearing of some kind, which he believed was a mountain-cat. And
+thereupon he declared that now he had earned another glass of schnapps,
+and would Mistress Lorna mix it for him?
+
+I was amazed at his impudence; and Annie, who thought this her business,
+did not look best pleased; and I hoped that Lorna would tell him at once
+to go and do it for himself. But instead of that she rose to do it with
+a soft humility, which went direct to the heart of Tom; and he leaped up
+with a curse at himself, and took the hot water from her, and would not
+allow her to do anything except to put the sugar in; and then he bowed
+to her grandly. I knew what Lorna was thinking of; she was thinking all
+the time that her necklace had been taken by the Doones with violence
+upon some great robbery; and that Squire Faggus knew it, though he would
+not show his knowledge; and that this was perhaps the reason why mother
+had refused it so.
+
+We said no more about the necklace for a long time afterwards; neither
+did my darling wear it, now that she knew its value, but did not know
+its history. She came to me the very next day, trying to look cheerful,
+and begged me if I loved her (never mind how little) to take charge of
+it again, as I once had done before, and not even to let her know in
+what place I stored it. I told her that this last request I could not
+comply with; for having been round her neck so often, it was now a
+sacred thing, more than a million pounds could be. Therefore it should
+dwell for the present in the neighbourhood of my heart; and so could not
+be far from her. At this she smiled her own sweet smile, and touched
+my forehead with her lips and wished that she could only learn how to
+deserve such love as mine.
+
+Tom Faggus took his good departure, which was a kind farewell to me,
+on the very day I am speaking of, the day after his arrival. Tom was
+a thoroughly upright man, according to his own standard; and you might
+rely upon him always, up to a certain point I mean, to be there or
+thereabouts. But sometimes things were too many for Tom, especially with
+ardent spirits, and then he judged, perhaps too much, with only himself
+for the jury. At any rate, I would trust him fully, for candour and
+for honesty, in almost every case in which he himself could have no
+interest. And so we got on very well together; and he thought me a fool;
+and I tried my best not to think anything worse of him.
+
+Scarcely was Tom clean out of sight, and Annie's tears not dry yet (for
+she always made a point of crying upon his departure), when in came
+Master Jeremy Stickles, splashed with mud from head to foot, and not in
+the very best of humours, though happy to get back again.
+
+"Curse those fellows!" he cried, with a stamp which sent the water
+hissing from his boot upon the embers; "a pretty plight you may call
+this, for His Majesty's Commissioner to return to his headquarters in!
+Annie, my dear," for he was always very affable with Annie, "will you
+help me off with my overalls, and then turn your pretty hand to the
+gridiron? Not a blessed morsel have I touched for more than twenty-four
+hours."
+
+"Surely then you must be quite starving, sir," my sister replied with
+the greatest zeal; for she did love a man with an appetite; "how glad I
+am that the fire is clear!" But Lizzie, who happened to be there, said
+with her peculiar smile,--
+
+"Master Stickles must be used to it; for he never comes back without
+telling us that."
+
+"Hush!" cried Annie, quite shocked with her; "how would you like to
+be used to it? Now, Betty, be quick with the things for me. Pork, or
+mutton, or deer's meat, sir? We have some cured since the autumn."
+
+"Oh, deer's meat, by all means," Jeremy Stickles answered; "I have
+tasted none since I left you, though dreaming of it often. Well, this
+is better than being chased over the moors for one's life, John. All the
+way from Landacre Bridge, I have ridden a race for my precious life, at
+the peril of my limbs and neck. Three great Doones galloping after me,
+and a good job for me that they were so big, or they must have overtaken
+me. Just go and see to my horse, John, that's an excellent lad. He
+deserves a good turn this day, from me; and I will render it to him."
+
+However he left me to do it, while he made himself comfortable: and
+in truth the horse required care; he was blown so that he could hardly
+stand, and plastered with mud, and steaming so that the stable was
+quite full with it. By the time I had put the poor fellow to rights, his
+master had finished dinner, and was in a more pleasant humour, having
+even offered to kiss Annie, out of pure gratitude, as he said; but Annie
+answered with spirit that gratitude must not be shown by increasing the
+obligation. Jeremy made reply to this that his only way to be grateful
+then was to tell us his story: and so he did, at greater length than
+I can here repeat it; for it does not bear particularly upon Lorna's
+fortunes.
+
+It appears that as he was riding towards us from the town of Southmolton
+in Devonshire, he found the roads very soft and heavy, and the floods
+out in all directions; but met with no other difficulty until he came to
+Landacre Bridge. He had only a single trooper with him, a man not of the
+militia but of the King's army, whom Jeremy had brought from Exeter.
+As these two descended towards the bridge they observed that both the
+Kensford water and the River Barle were pouring down in mighty floods
+from the melting of the snow. So great indeed was the torrent, after
+they united, that only the parapets of the bridge could be seen above
+the water, the road across either bank being covered and very deep on
+the hither side. The trooper did not like the look of it, and proposed
+to ride back again, and round by way of Simonsbath, where the stream is
+smaller. But Stickles would not have it so, and dashing into the river,
+swam his horse for the bridge, and gained it with some little trouble;
+and there he found the water not more than up to his horse's knees
+perhaps. On the crown of the bridge he turned his horse to watch the
+trooper's passage, and to help him with directions; when suddenly he saw
+him fall headlong into the torrent, and heard the report of a gun from
+behind, and felt a shock to his own body, such as lifted him out of
+the saddle. Turning round he beheld three men, risen up from behind the
+hedge on one side of his onward road, two of them ready to load again,
+and one with his gun unfired, waiting to get good aim at him. Then
+Jeremy did a gallant thing, for which I doubt whether I should have had
+the presence of mind in danger. He saw that to swim his horse back again
+would be almost certain death; as affording such a target, where even
+a wound must be fatal. Therefore he struck the spurs into the nag, and
+rode through the water straight at the man who was pointing the long gun
+at him. If the horse had been carried off his legs, there must have been
+an end of Jeremy; for the other men were getting ready to have another
+shot at him. But luckily the horse galloped right on without any need
+for swimming, being himself excited, no doubt, by all he had seen and
+heard of it. And Jeremy lay almost flat on his neck, so as to give
+little space for good aim, with the mane tossing wildly in front of him.
+Now if that young fellow with the gun had his brains as ready as his
+flint was, he would have shot the horse at once, and then had Stickles
+at his mercy; but instead of that he let fly at the man, and missed him
+altogether, being scared perhaps by the pistol which Jeremy showed him
+the mouth of. And galloping by at full speed, Master Stickles tried to
+leave his mark behind him, for he changed the aim of his pistol to the
+biggest man, who was loading his gun and cursing like ten cannons. But
+the pistol missed fire, no doubt from the flood which had gurgled in
+over the holsters; and Jeremy seeing three horses tethered at a gate
+just up the hill, knew that he had not yet escaped, but had more of
+danger behind him. He tried his other great pistol at one of the
+horses tethered there, so as to lessen (if possible) the number of his
+pursuers. But the powder again failed him; and he durst not stop to cut
+the bridles, bearing the men coming up the hill. So he even made the
+most of his start, thanking God that his weight was light, compared at
+least to what theirs was.
+
+And another thing he had noticed which gave him some hope of escaping,
+to wit that the horses of the Doones, although very handsome animals,
+were suffering still from the bitter effects of the late long frost, and
+the scarcity of fodder. "If they do not catch me up, or shoot me, in the
+course of the first two miles, I may see my home again"; this was what
+he said to himself as he turned to mark what they were about, from
+the brow of the steep hill. He saw the flooded valley shining with the
+breadth of water, and the trooper's horse on the other side, shaking
+his drenched flanks and neighing; and half-way down the hill he saw the
+three Doones mounting hastily. And then he knew that his only chance lay
+in the stoutness of his steed.
+
+The horse was in pretty good condition; and the rider knew him
+thoroughly, and how to make the most of him; and though they had
+travelled some miles that day through very heavy ground, the bath in
+the river had washed the mud off, and been some refreshment. Therefore
+Stickles encouraged his nag, and put him into a good hard gallop,
+heading away towards Withycombe. At first he had thought of turning to
+the right, and making off for Withypool, a mile or so down the valley;
+but his good sense told him that no one there would dare to protect him
+against the Doones, so he resolved to go on his way; yet faster than he
+had intended.
+
+The three villains came after him, with all the speed they could muster,
+making sure from the badness of the road that he must stick fast ere
+long, and so be at their mercy. And this was Jeremy's chiefest fear,
+for the ground being soft and thoroughly rotten, after so much frost and
+snow, the poor horse had terrible work of it, with no time to pick the
+way; and even more good luck than skill was needed to keep him from
+foundering. How Jeremy prayed for an Exmoor fog (such as he had often
+sworn at), that he might turn aside and lurk, while his pursuers went
+past him! But no fog came, nor even a storm to damp the priming of their
+guns; neither was wood or coppice nigh, nor any place to hide in; only
+hills, and moor, and valleys; with flying shadows over them, and great
+banks of snow in the corners. At one time poor Stickles was quite in
+despair; for after leaping a little brook which crosses the track at
+Newland, be stuck fast in a "dancing bog," as we call them upon Exmoor.
+The horse had broken through the crust of moss and sedge and marishweed,
+and could do nothing but wallow and sink, with the black water spirting
+over him. And Jeremy, struggling with all his might, saw the three
+villains now topping the crest, less than a furlong behind him; and
+heard them shout in their savage delight. With the calmness of despair,
+he yet resolved to have one more try for it; and scrambling over the
+horse's head, gained firm land, and tugged at the bridle. The poor nag
+replied with all his power to the call upon his courage, and reared his
+forefeet out of the slough, and with straining eyeballs gazed at him.
+"Now," said Jeremy, "now, my fine fellow!" lifting him with the bridle,
+and the brave beast gathered the roll of his loins, and sprang from his
+quagmired haunches. One more spring, and he was on earth again, instead
+of being under it; and Jeremy leaped on his back, and stooped, for he
+knew that they would fire. Two bullets whistled over him, as the horse,
+mad with fright, dashed forward; and in five minutes more he had come to
+the Exe, and the pursuers had fallen behind him. The Exe, though a much
+smaller stream than the Barle, now ran in a foaming torrent, unbridged,
+and too wide for leaping. But Jeremy's horse took the water well; and
+both he and his rider were lightened, as well as comforted by it. And as
+they passed towards Lucott hill, and struck upon the founts of Lynn,
+the horses of the three pursuers began to tire under them. Then Jeremy
+Stickles knew that if he could only escape the sloughs, he was safe for
+the present; and so he stood up in his stirrups, and gave them a loud
+halloo, as if they had been so many foxes.
+
+[Illustration: 419.jpg With a wave of his hat]
+
+Their only answer was to fire the remaining charge at him; but the
+distance was too great for any aim from horseback; and the dropping
+bullet idly ploughed the sod upon one side of him. He acknowledged it
+with a wave of his hat, and laid one thumb to his nose, in the manner
+fashionable in London for expression of contempt. However, they followed
+him yet farther; hoping to make him pay out dearly, if he should only
+miss the track, or fall upon morasses. But the neighbourhood of our Lynn
+stream is not so very boggy; and the King's messenger now knew his
+way as well as any of his pursuers did; and so he arrived at Plover's
+Barrows, thankful, and in rare appetite.
+
+"But was the poor soldier drowned?" asked Annie; "and you never went to
+look for him! Oh, how very dreadful!"
+
+"Shot, or drowned; I know not which. Thank God it was only a trooper.
+But they shall pay for it, as dearly as if it had been a captain."
+
+"And how was it you were struck by a bullet, and only shaken in your
+saddle? Had you a coat of mail on, or of Milanese chain-armour? Now,
+Master Stickles, had you?"
+
+"No, Mistress Lizzie; we do not wear things of that kind nowadays. You
+are apt, I perceive, at romances. But I happened to have a little flat
+bottle of the best stoneware slung beneath my saddle-cloak, and filled
+with the very best _eau de vie_, from the George Hotel, at Southmolton.
+The brand of it now is upon my back. Oh, the murderous scoundrels, what
+a brave spirit they have spilled!"
+
+"You had better set to and thank God," said I, "that they have not
+spilled a braver one."
+
+[Illustration: 421.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVIII
+
+EVERY MAN MUST DEFEND HIMSELF
+
+[Illustration: 422.jpg The Bagworthy Water]
+
+It was only right in Jeremy Stickles, and of the simplest common sense,
+that he would not tell, before our girls, what the result of his journey
+was. But he led me aside in the course of the evening, and told me all
+about it; saying that I knew, as well as he did, that it was not woman's
+business. This I took, as it was meant, for a gentle caution that Lorna
+(whom he had not seen as yet) must not be informed of any of his doings.
+Herein I quite agreed with him; not only for his furtherance, but
+because I always think that women, of whatever mind, are best when least
+they meddle with the things that appertain to men.
+
+Master Stickles complained that the weather had been against him
+bitterly, closing all the roads around him; even as it had done with us.
+It had taken him eight days, he said, to get from Exeter to Plymouth;
+whither he found that most of the troops had been drafted off from
+Exeter. When all were told, there was but a battalion of one of the
+King's horse regiments, and two companies of foot soldiers; and their
+commanders had orders, later than the date of Jeremy's commission, on
+no account to quit the southern coast, and march inland. Therefore,
+although they would gladly have come for a brush with the celebrated
+Doones, it was more than they durst attempt, in the face of their
+instructions. However, they spared him a single trooper, as a companion
+of the road, and to prove to the justices of the county, and the lord
+lieutenant, that he had their approval.
+
+To these authorities Master Stickles now was forced to address himself,
+although he would rather have had one trooper than a score from the
+very best trained bands. For these trained bands had afforded very good
+soldiers, in the time of the civil wars, and for some years afterwards;
+but now their discipline was gone; and the younger generation had seen
+no real fighting. Each would have his own opinion, and would want to
+argue it; and if he were not allowed, he went about his duty in such a
+temper as to prove that his own way was the best.
+
+Neither was this the worst of it; for Jeremy made no doubt but what (if
+he could only get the militia to turn out in force) he might manage,
+with the help of his own men, to force the stronghold of the enemy; but
+the truth was that the officers, knowing how hard it would be to collect
+their men at that time of the year, and in that state of the weather,
+began with one accord to make every possible excuse. And especially
+they pressed this point, that Bagworthy was not in their county; the
+Devonshire people affirming vehemently that it lay in the shire of
+Somerset, and the Somersetshire folk averring, even with imprecations,
+that it lay in Devonshire. Now I believe the truth to be that the
+boundary of the two counties, as well as of Oare and Brendon parishes,
+is defined by the Bagworthy river; so that the disputants on both sides
+were both right and wrong.
+
+Upon this, Master Stickles suggested, and as I thought very sensibly,
+that the two counties should unite, and equally contribute to the
+extirpation of this pest, which shamed and injured them both alike. But
+hence arose another difficulty; for the men of Devon said they would
+march when Somerset had taken the field; and the sons of Somerset
+replied that indeed they were quite ready, but what were their cousins
+of Devonshire doing? And so it came to pass that the King's Commissioner
+returned without any army whatever; but with promise of two hundred men
+when the roads should be more passable. And meanwhile, what were we to
+do, abandoned as we were to the mercies of the Doones, with only our own
+hands to help us? And herein I grieved at my own folly, in having let
+Tom Faggus go, whose wit and courage would have been worth at least half
+a dozen men to us. Upon this matter I held long council with my good
+friend Stickles; telling him all about Lorna's presence, and what I knew
+of her history. He agreed with me that we could not hope to escape an
+attack from the outlaws, and the more especially now that they knew
+himself to be returned to us. Also he praised me for my forethought
+in having threshed out all our corn, and hidden the produce in such a
+manner that they were not likely to find it. Furthermore, he recommended
+that all the entrances to the house should at once be strengthened,
+and a watch must be maintained at night; and he thought it wiser that
+I should go (late as it was) to Lynmouth, if a horse could pass the
+valley, and fetch every one of his mounted troopers, who might now be
+quartered there. Also if any men of courage, though capable only of
+handling a pitchfork, could be found in the neighbourhood, I was to try
+to summon them. But our district is so thinly peopled, that I had little
+faith in this; however my errand was given me, and I set forth upon it;
+for John Fry was afraid of the waters.
+
+Knowing how fiercely the floods were out, I resolved to travel the
+higher road, by Cosgate and through Countisbury; therefore I swam my
+horse through the Lynn, at the ford below our house (where sometimes you
+may step across), and thence galloped up and along the hills. I could
+see all the inland valleys ribbon'd with broad waters; and in every
+winding crook, the banks of snow that fed them; while on my right the
+turbid sea was flaked with April showers. But when I descended the hill
+towards Lynmouth, I feared that my journey was all in vain.
+
+For the East Lynn (which is our river) was ramping and roaring
+frightfully, lashing whole trunks of trees on the rocks, and rending
+them, and grinding them. And into it rushed, from the opposite side, a
+torrent even madder; upsetting what it came to aid; shattering wave with
+boiling billow, and scattering wrath with fury. It was certain death to
+attempt the passage: and the little wooden footbridge had been carried
+away long ago. And the men I was seeking must be, of course, on the
+other side of this deluge, for on my side there was not a single house.
+
+I followed the bank of the flood to the beach, some two or three hundred
+yards below; and there had the luck to see Will Watcombe on the opposite
+side, caulking an old boat. Though I could not make him hear a word,
+from the deafening roar of the torrent, I got him to understand at last
+that I wanted to cross over. Upon this he fetched another man, and the
+two of them launched a boat; and paddling well out to sea, fetched round
+the mouth of the frantic river. The other man proved to be Stickles's
+chief mate; and so he went back and fetched his comrades, bringing their
+weapons, but leaving their horses behind. As it happened there were
+but four of them; however, to have even these was a help; and I started
+again at full speed for my home; for the men must follow afoot, and
+cross our river high up on the moorland.
+
+This took them a long way round, and the track was rather bad to find,
+and the sky already darkening; so that I arrived at Plover's Barrows
+more than two hours before them. But they had done a sagacious thing,
+which was well worth the delay; for by hoisting their flag upon the
+hill, they fetched the two watchmen from the Foreland, and added them to
+their number.
+
+It was lucky that I came home so soon; for I found the house in a great
+commotion, and all the women trembling. When I asked what the matter
+was, Lorna, who seemed the most self-possessed, answered that it was all
+her fault, for she alone had frightened them. And this in the following
+manner. She had stolen out to the garden towards dusk, to watch some
+favourite hyacinths just pushing up, like a baby's teeth, and just
+attracting the fatal notice of a great house-snail at night-time. Lorna
+at last had discovered the glutton, and was bearing him off in triumph
+to the tribunal of the ducks, when she descried two glittering eyes
+glaring at her steadfastly, from the elder-bush beyond the stream.
+The elder was smoothing its wrinkled leaves, being at least two months
+behind time; and among them this calm cruel face appeared; and she knew
+it was the face of Carver Doone.
+
+The maiden, although so used to terror (as she told me once before),
+lost all presence of mind hereat, and could neither shriek nor fly, but
+only gaze, as if bewitched. Then Carver Doone, with his deadly smile,
+gloating upon her horror, lifted his long gun, and pointed full at
+Lorna's heart. In vain she strove to turn away; fright had stricken her
+stiff as stone. With the inborn love of life, she tried to cover the
+vital part wherein the winged death must lodge--for she knew Carver's
+certain aim--but her hands hung numbed, and heavy; in nothing but her
+eyes was life.
+
+With no sign of pity in his face, no quiver of relenting, but a
+well-pleased grin at all the charming palsy of his victim, Carver Doone
+lowered, inch by inch, the muzzle of his gun. When it pointed to the
+ground, between her delicate arched insteps, he pulled the trigger,
+and the bullet flung the mould all over her. It was a refinement of
+bullying, for which I swore to God that night, upon my knees, in secret,
+that I would smite down Carver Doone or else he should smite me down.
+Base beast! what largest humanity, or what dreams of divinity, could
+make a man put up with this?
+
+My darling (the loveliest, and most harmless, in the world of maidens),
+fell away on a bank of grass, and wept at her own cowardice; and
+trembled, and wondered where I was; and what I would think of this. Good
+God! What could I think of it? She over-rated my slow nature, to admit
+the question.
+
+While she leaned there, quite unable yet to save herself, Carver came
+to the brink of the flood, which alone was between them; and then he
+stroked his jet-black beard, and waited for Lorna to begin. Very likely,
+he thought that she would thank him for his kindness to her. But she was
+now recovering the power of her nimble limbs; and ready to be off like
+hope, and wonder at her own cowardice.
+
+"I have spared you this time," he said, in his deep calm voice, "only
+because it suits my plans; and I never yield to temper. But unless you
+come back to-morrow, pure, and with all you took away, and teach me
+to destroy that fool, who has destroyed himself for you, your death is
+here, your death is here, where it has long been waiting."
+
+Although his gun was empty, he struck the breech of it with his finger;
+and then he turned away, not deigning even once to look back again; and
+Lorna saw his giant figure striding across the meadow-land, as if the
+Ridds were nobodies, and he the proper owner. Both mother and I were
+greatly hurt at hearing of this insolence: for we had owned that meadow,
+from the time of the great Alfred; and even when that good king lay in
+the Isle of Athelney, he had a Ridd along with him.
+
+Now I spoke to Lorna gently, seeing how much she had been tried; and
+I praised her for her courage, in not having run away, when she was so
+unable; and my darling was pleased with this, and smiled upon me for
+saying it; though she knew right well that, in this matter, my judgment
+was not impartial. But you may take this as a general rule, that a woman
+likes praise from the man whom she loves, and cannot stop always to
+balance it.
+
+Now expecting a sharp attack that night--when Jeremy Stickles the more
+expected, after the words of Carver, which seemed to be meant to mislead
+us--we prepared a great quantity of knuckles of pork, and a ham in full
+cut, and a fillet of hung mutton. For we would almost surrender rather
+than keep our garrison hungry. And all our men were exceedingly brave;
+and counted their rounds of the house in half-pints.
+
+Before the maidens went to bed, Lorna made a remark which seemed to me a
+very clever one, and then I wondered how on earth it had never occurred
+to me before. But first she had done a thing which I could not in the
+least approve of: for she had gone up to my mother, and thrown herself
+into her arms, and begged to be allowed to return to Glen Doone.
+
+"My child, are you unhappy here?" mother asked her, very gently, for she
+had begun to regard her now as a daughter of her own.
+
+"Oh, no! Too happy, by far too happy, Mrs. Ridd. I never knew rest or
+peace before, or met with real kindness. But I cannot be so ungrateful,
+I cannot be so wicked, as to bring you all into deadly peril, for
+my sake alone. Let me go: you must not pay this great price for my
+happiness."
+
+"Dear child, we are paying no price at all," replied my mother,
+embracing her; "we are not threatened for your sake only. Ask John,
+he will tell you. He knows every bit about politics, and this is a
+political matter."
+
+Dear mother was rather proud in her heart, as well as terribly
+frightened, at the importance now accruing to Plover's Barrows farm;
+and she often declared that it would be as famous in history as the Rye
+House, or the Meal-tub, or even the great black box, in which she was a
+firm believer: and even my knowledge of politics could not move her upon
+that matter. "Such things had happened before," she would say, shaking
+her head with its wisdom, "and why might they not happen again? Women
+would be women, and men would be men, to the end of the chapter; and if
+she had been in Lucy Water's place, she would keep it quiet, as she
+had done"; and then she would look round, for fear, lest either of her
+daughters had heard her; "but now, can you give me any reason, why it
+may not have been so? You are so fearfully positive, John: just as men
+always are." "No," I used to say; "I can give you no reason, why it may
+not have been so, mother. But the question is, if it was so, or not;
+rather than what it might have been. And, I think, it is pretty good
+proof against it, that what nine men of every ten in England would
+only too gladly believe, if true, is nevertheless kept dark from them."
+"There you are again, John," mother would reply, "all about men, and not
+a single word about women. If you had any argument at all, you would own
+that marriage is a question upon which women are the best judges." "Oh!"
+I would groan in my spirit, and go; leaving my dearest mother quite
+sure, that now at last she must have convinced me. But if mother had
+known that Jeremy Stickles was working against the black box, and its
+issue, I doubt whether he would have fared so well, even though he was
+a visitor. However, she knew that something was doing and something of
+importance; and she trusted in God for the rest of it. Only she used to
+tell me, very seriously, of an evening, "The very least they can give
+you, dear John, is a coat of arms. Be sure you take nothing less, dear;
+and the farm can well support it."
+
+But lo! I have left Lorna ever so long, anxious to consult me upon
+political matters. She came to me, and her eyes alone asked a hundred
+questions, which I rather had answered upon her lips than troubled her
+pretty ears with them. Therefore I told her nothing at all, save that
+the attack (if any should be) would not be made on her account; and that
+if she should hear, by any chance, a trifle of a noise in the night, she
+was to wrap the clothes around her, and shut her beautiful eyes again.
+On no account, whatever she did, was she to go to the window. She liked
+my expression about her eyes, and promised to do the very best she could
+and then she crept so very close, that I needs must have her closer; and
+with her head on my breast she asked,--
+
+"Can't you keep out of this fight, John?"
+
+"My own one," I answered, gazing through the long black lashes, at the
+depths of radiant love; "I believe there will be nothing: but what there
+is I must see out."
+
+"Shall I tell you what I think, John? It is only a fancy of mine, and
+perhaps it is not worth telling."
+
+"Let us have it, dear, by all means. You know so much about their ways."
+
+"What I believe is this, John. You know how high the rivers are, higher
+than ever they were before, and twice as high, you have told me. I
+believe that Glen Doone is flooded, and all the houses under water."
+
+"You little witch," I answered; "what a fool I must be not to think
+of it! Of course it is: it must be. The torrent from all the Bagworthy
+forest, and all the valleys above it, and the great drifts in the glen
+itself, never could have outlet down my famous waterslide. The valley
+must be under water twenty feet at least. Well, if ever there was a
+fool, I am he, for not having thought of it."
+
+"I remember once before," said Lorna, reckoning on her fingers, "when
+there was heavy rain, all through the autumn and winter, five or it may
+be six years ago, the river came down with such a rush that the
+water was two feet deep in our rooms, and we all had to camp by the
+cliff-edge. But you think that the floods are higher now, I believe I
+heard you say, John."
+
+"I don't think about it, my treasure," I answered; "you may trust me for
+understanding floods, after our work at Tiverton. And I know that the
+deluge in all our valleys is such that no living man can remember,
+neither will ever behold again. Consider three months of snow, snow,
+snow, and a fortnight of rain on the top of it, and all to be drained
+in a few days away! And great barricades of ice still in the rivers
+blocking them up, and ponding them. You may take my word for it,
+Mistress Lorna, that your pretty bower is six feet deep."
+
+"Well, my bower has served its time", said Lorna, blushing as she
+remembered all that had happened there; "and my bower now is here, John.
+But I am so sorry to think of all the poor women flooded out of their
+houses and sheltering in the snowdrifts. However, there is one good of
+it: they cannot send many men against us, with all this trouble upon
+them."
+
+"You are right," I replied; "how clever you are! and that is why there
+were only three to cut off Master Stickles. And now we shall beat them,
+I make no doubt, even if they come at all. And I defy them to fire the
+house: the thatch is too wet for burning."
+
+We sent all the women to bed quite early, except Gwenny Carfax and our
+old Betty. These two we allowed to stay up, because they might be useful
+to us, if they could keep from quarreling. For my part, I had little
+fear, after what Lorna had told me, as to the result of the combat. It
+was not likely that the Doones could bring more than eight or ten men
+against us, while their homes were in such danger: and to meet these
+we had eight good men, including Jeremy, and myself, all well armed and
+resolute, besides our three farm-servants, and the parish-clerk, and the
+shoemaker. These five could not be trusted much for any valiant conduct,
+although they spoke very confidently over their cans of cider. Neither
+were their weapons fitted for much execution, unless it were at close
+quarters, which they would be likely to avoid. Bill Dadds had a sickle,
+Jem Slocombe a flail, the cobbler had borrowed the constable's staff
+(for the constable would not attend, because there was no warrant), and
+the parish clerk had brought his pitch-pipe, which was enough to break
+any man's head. But John Fry, of course, had his blunderbuss, loaded
+with tin-tacks and marbles, and more likely to kill the man who
+discharged it than any other person: but we knew that John had it only
+for show, and to describe its qualities.
+
+Now it was my great desire, and my chiefest hope, to come across Carver
+Doone that night, and settle the score between us; not by any shot
+in the dark, but by a conflict man to man. As yet, since I came to
+full-grown power, I had never met any one whom I could not play teetotum
+with: but now at last I had found a man whose strength was not to be
+laughed at. I could guess it in his face, I could tell it in his arms, I
+could see it in his stride and gait, which more than all the rest betray
+the substance of a man. And being so well used to wrestling, and to
+judge antagonists, I felt that here (if anywhere) I had found my match.
+
+Therefore I was not content to abide within the house, or go the rounds
+with the troopers; but betook myself to the rick yard, knowing that the
+Doones were likely to begin their onset there. For they had a pleasant
+custom, when they visited farm-houses, of lighting themselves towards
+picking up anything they wanted, or stabbing the inhabitants, by first
+creating a blaze in the rick yard. And though our ricks were all now of
+mere straw (except indeed two of prime clover-hay), and although on
+the top they were so wet that no firebrands might hurt them; I was both
+unwilling to have them burned, and fearful that they might kindle, if
+well roused up with fire upon the windward side.
+
+By the bye, these Doones had got the worst of this pleasant trick
+one time. For happening to fire the ricks of a lonely farm called
+Yeanworthy, not far above Glenthorne, they approached the house to get
+people's goods, and to enjoy their terror. The master of the farm was
+lately dead, and had left, inside the clock-case, loaded, the great long
+gun, wherewith he had used to sport at the ducks and the geese on the
+shore. Now Widow Fisher took out this gun, and not caring much what
+became of her (for she had loved her husband dearly), she laid it upon
+the window-sill, which looked upon the rick-yard; and she backed up the
+butt with a chest of oak drawers, and she opened the window a little
+back, and let the muzzle out on the slope. Presently five or six fine
+young Doones came dancing a reel (as their manner was) betwixt her and
+the flaming rick. Upon which she pulled the trigger with all the force
+of her thumb, and a quarter of a pound of duck-shot went out with a
+blaze on the dancers. You may suppose what their dancing was, and their
+reeling how changed to staggering, and their music none of the sweetest.
+One of them fell into the rick, and was burned, and buried in a ditch
+next day; but the others were set upon their horses, and carried home
+on a path of blood. And strange to say, they never avenged this very
+dreadful injury; but having heard that a woman had fired this desperate
+shot among them, they said that she ought to be a Doone, and inquired
+how old she was.
+
+Now I had not been so very long waiting in our mow-yard, with my best
+gun ready, and a big club by me, before a heaviness of sleep began to
+creep upon me. The flow of water was in my ears, and in my eyes a hazy
+spreading, and upon my brain a closure, as a cobbler sews a vamp up. So
+I leaned back in the clover-rick, and the dust of the seed and the smell
+came round me, without any trouble; and I dozed about Lorna, just once
+or twice, and what she had said about new-mown hay; and then back went
+my head, and my chin went up; and if ever a man was blest with slumber,
+down it came upon me, and away went I into it.
+
+Now this was very vile of me, and against all good resolutions, even
+such as I would have sworn to an hour ago or less. But if you had been
+in the water as I had, ay, and had long fight with it, after a good
+day's work, and then great anxiety afterwards, and brain-work (which is
+not fair for me), and upon that a stout supper, mayhap you would not be
+so hard on my sleep; though you felt it your duty to wake me.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIX
+
+MAIDEN SENTINELS ARE BEST
+
+[Illustration: 432.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+It was not likely that the outlaws would attack out premises until some
+time after the moon was risen; because it would be too dangerous to
+cross the flooded valleys in the darkness of the night. And but for this
+consideration, I must have striven harder against the stealthy
+approach of slumber. But even so, it was very foolish to abandon watch,
+especially in such as I, who sleep like any dormouse. Moreover, I had
+chosen the very worst place in the world for such employment, with a
+goodly chance of awakening in a bed of solid fire.
+
+And so it might have been, nay, it must have been, but for Lorna's
+vigilance. Her light hand upon my arm awoke me, not too readily; and
+leaping up, I seized my club, and prepared to knock down somebody.
+
+"Who's that?" I cried; "stand back, I say, and let me have fair chance
+at you."
+
+"Are you going to knock me down, dear John?" replied the voice I loved
+so well; "I am sure I should never get up again, after one blow from
+you, John."
+
+"My darling, is it you?" I cried; "and breaking all your orders? Come
+back into the house at once: and nothing on your head, dear!"
+
+"How could I sleep, while at any moment you might be killed beneath my
+window? And now is the time of real danger; for men can see to travel."
+
+I saw at once the truth of this. The moon was high and clearly lighting
+all the watered valleys. To sleep any longer might be death, not only to
+myself, but all.
+
+[Illustration: 433.jpg The moon was high]
+
+"The man on guard at the back of the house is fast asleep," she
+continued; "Gwenny, who let me out, and came with me, has heard him
+snoring for two hours. I think the women ought to be the watch, because
+they have had no travelling. Where do you suppose little Gwenny is?"
+
+"Surely not gone to Glen Doone?" I was not sure, however: for I could
+believe almost anything of the Cornish maiden's hardihood.
+
+"No," replied Lorna, "although she wanted even to do that. But of course
+I would not hear of it, on account of the swollen waters. But she is
+perched on yonder tree, which commands the Barrow valley. She says that
+they are almost sure to cross the streamlet there; and now it is so wide
+and large, that she can trace it in the moonlight, half a mile beyond
+her. If they cross, she is sure to see them, and in good time to let us
+know."
+
+"What a shame," I cried, "that the men should sleep, and the maidens
+be the soldiers! I will sit in that tree myself, and send little Gwenny
+back to you. Go to bed, my best and dearest; I will take good care not
+to sleep again."
+
+"Please not to send me away, dear John," she answered very mournfully;
+"you and I have been together through perils worse than this. I shall
+only be more timid, and more miserable, indoors."
+
+"I cannot let you stay here," I said; "it is altogether impossible. Do
+you suppose that I can fight, with you among the bullets, Lorna? If this
+is the way you mean to take it, we had better go both to the apple-room,
+and lock ourselves in, and hide under the tiles, and let them burn all
+the rest of the premises."
+
+At this idea Lorna laughed, as I could see by the moonlight; and then
+she said,--
+
+"You are right, John. I should only do more harm than good: and of all
+things I hate fighting most, and disobedience next to it. Therefore I
+will go indoors, although I cannot go to bed. But promise me one thing,
+dearest John. You will keep yourself out of the way, now won't you, as
+much as you can, for my sake?"
+
+"Of that you may be quite certain, Lorna. I will shoot them all through
+the hay-ricks."
+
+"That is right, dear," she answered, never doubting but what I could do
+it; "and then they cannot see you, you know. But don't think of climbing
+that tree, John; it is a great deal too dangerous. It is all very well
+for Gwenny; she has no bones to break."
+
+"None worth breaking, you mean, I suppose. Very well; I will not climb
+the tree, for I should defeat my own purpose, I fear; being such a
+conspicuous object. Now go indoors, darling, without more words. The
+more you linger, the more I shall keep you."
+
+She laughed her own bright laugh at this, and only said, "God keep you,
+love!" and then away she tripped across the yard, with the step I loved
+to watch so. And thereupon I shouldered arms, and resolved to tramp till
+morning. For I was vexed at my own neglect, and that Lorna should have
+to right it.
+
+But before I had been long on duty, making the round of the ricks and
+stables, and hailing Gwenny now and then from the bottom of her tree,
+a short wide figure stole towards me, in and out the shadows, and I saw
+that it was no other than the little maid herself, and that she bore
+some tidings.
+
+"Ten on 'em crossed the watter down yonner," said Gwenny, putting her
+hand to her mouth, and seeming to regard it as good news rather than
+otherwise: "be arl craping up by hedgerow now. I could shutt dree on 'em
+from the bar of the gate, if so be I had your goon, young man."
+
+"There is no time to lose, Gwenny. Run to the house and fetch Master
+Stickles, and all the men; while I stay here, and watch the rick-yard."
+
+Perhaps I was wrong in heeding the ricks at such a time as that;
+especially as only the clover was of much importance. But it seemed
+to me like a sort of triumph that they should be even able to boast of
+having fired our mow-yard. Therefore I stood in a nick of the clover,
+whence we had cut some trusses, with my club in hand, and gun close by.
+
+The robbers rode into our yard as coolly as if they had been invited,
+having lifted the gate from the hinges first on account of its being
+fastened. Then they actually opened our stable-doors, and turned our
+honest horses out, and put their own rogues in the place of them. At
+this my breath was quite taken away; for we think so much of our horses.
+By this time I could see our troopers, waiting in the shadow of the
+house, round the corner from where the Doones were, and expecting the
+order to fire. But Jeremy Stickles very wisely kept them in readiness,
+until the enemy should advance upon them.
+
+"Two of you lazy fellows go," it was the deep voice of Carver Doone,
+"and make us a light, to cut their throats by. Only one thing, once
+again. If any man touches Lorna, I will stab him where he stands. She
+belongs to me. There are two other young damsels here, whom you may take
+away if you please. And the mother, I hear, is still comely. Now for our
+rights. We have borne too long the insolence of these yokels. Kill every
+man, and every child, and burn the cursed place down."
+
+As he spoke thus blasphemously, I set my gun against his breast; and
+by the light buckled from his belt, I saw the little "sight" of brass
+gleaming alike upon either side, and the sleek round barrel glimmering.
+The aim was sure as death itself. If I only drew the trigger (which
+went very lightly) Carver Doone would breathe no more. And yet--will you
+believe me?--I could not pull the trigger. Would to God that I had done
+so!
+
+For I never had taken human life, neither done bodily harm to man;
+beyond the little bruises, and the trifling aches and pains, which
+follow a good and honest bout in the wrestling ring. Therefore I
+dropped my carbine, and grasped again my club, which seemed a more
+straight-forward implement.
+
+Presently two young men came towards me, bearing brands of resined hemp,
+kindled from Carver's lamp. The foremost of them set his torch to the
+rick within a yard of me, and smoke concealing me from him. I struck
+him with a back-handed blow on the elbow, as he bent it; and I heard the
+bone of his arm break, as clearly as ever I heard a twig snap. With a
+roar of pain he fell on the ground, and his torch dropped there, and
+singed him. The other man stood amazed at this, not having yet gained
+sight of me; till I caught his firebrand from his hand, and struck it
+into his countenance. With that he leaped at me; but I caught him, in a
+manner learned from early wrestling, and snapped his collar-bone, as I
+laid him upon the top of his comrade.
+
+This little success so encouraged me, that I was half inclined to
+advance, and challenge Carver Doone to meet me; but I bore in mind that
+he would be apt to shoot me without ceremony; and what is the utmost of
+human strength against the power of powder? Moreover, I remembered my
+promise to sweet Lorna; and who would be left to defend her, if the
+rogues got rid of me?
+
+While I was hesitating thus (for I always continue to hesitate, except
+in actual conflict), a blaze of fire lit up the house, and brown smoke
+hung around it. Six of our men had let go at the Doones, by Jeremy
+Stickles' order, as the villains came swaggering down in the moonlight
+ready for rape or murder. Two of them fell, and the rest hung back, to
+think at their leisure what this was. They were not used to this sort of
+thing: it was neither just nor courteous.
+
+Being unable any longer to contain myself, as I thought of Lorna's
+excitement at all this noise of firing, I came across the yard,
+expecting whether they would shoot at me. However, no one shot at me;
+and I went up to Carver Doone, whom I knew by his size in the moonlight,
+and I took him by the beard, and said, "Do you call yourself a man?"
+
+[Illustration: 437.jpg I took him by the beard]
+
+For a moment he was so astonished that he could not answer. None had
+ever dared, I suppose, to look at him in that way; and he saw that he
+had met his equal, or perhaps his master. And then he tried a pistol at
+me, but I was too quick for him.
+
+"Now, Carver Doone, take warning," I said to him, very soberly; "you
+have shown yourself a fool by your contempt of me. I may not be your
+match in craft; but I am in manhood. You are a despicable villain. Lie
+low in your native muck."
+
+And with that word, I laid him flat upon his back in our straw-yard, by
+a trick of the inner heel, which he could not have resisted (though his
+strength had been twice as great as mine), unless he were a wrestler.
+Seeing him down the others ran, though one of them made a shot at me,
+and some of them got their horses, before our men came up; and some went
+away without them. And among these last was Captain Carver who arose,
+while I was feeling myself (for I had a little wound), and strode away
+with a train of curses enough to poison the light of the moon.
+
+We gained six very good horses, by this attempted rapine, as well as
+two young prisoners, whom I had smitten by the clover-rick. And two
+dead Doones were left behind, whom (as we buried them in the churchyard,
+without any service over them), I for my part was most thankful that
+I had not killed. For to have the life of a fellow-man laid upon one's
+conscience--deserved he his death, or deserved it not--is to my sense of
+right and wrong the heaviest of all burdens; and the one that wears most
+deeply inwards, with the dwelling of the mind on this view and on that
+of it.
+
+I was inclined to pursue the enemy and try to capture more of them; but
+Jeremy Stickles would not allow it, for he said that all the advantage
+would be upon their side, if we went hurrying after them, with only the
+moon to guide us. And who could tell but what there might be another
+band of them, ready to fall upon the house, and burn it, and seize the
+women, if we left them unprotected? When he put the case thus, I was
+glad enough to abide by his decision. And one thing was quite certain,
+that the Doones had never before received so rude a shock, and so
+violent a blow to their supremacy, since first they had built up their
+power, and become the Lords of Exmoor. I knew that Carver Doone would
+gnash those mighty teeth of his, and curse the men around him, for
+the blunder (which was in truth his own) of over-confidence and
+carelessness. And at the same time, all the rest would feel that such a
+thing had never happened, while old Sir Ensor was alive; and that it was
+caused by nothing short of gross mismanagement.
+
+I scarcely know who made the greatest fuss about my little wound,
+mother, or Annie, or Lorna. I was heartily ashamed to be so treated like
+a milksop; but most unluckily it had been impossible to hide it. For the
+ball had cut along my temple, just above the eyebrow; and being fired so
+near at hand, the powder too had scarred me. Therefore it seemed a great
+deal worse than it really was; and the sponging, and the plastering,
+and the sobbing, and the moaning, made me quite ashamed to look Master
+Stickles in the face.
+
+However, at last I persuaded them that I had no intention of giving up
+the ghost that night; and then they all fell to, and thanked God with an
+emphasis quite unknown in church. And hereupon Master Stickles said, in
+his free and easy manner (for no one courted his observation), that I
+was the luckiest of all mortals in having a mother, and a sister, and
+a sweetheart, to make much of me. For his part, he said, he was just as
+well off in not having any to care for him. For now he might go and get
+shot, or stabbed, or knocked on the head, at his pleasure, without any
+one being offended. I made bold, upon this, to ask him what was become
+of his wife; for I had heard him speak of having one. He said that he
+neither knew nor cared; and perhaps I should be like him some day.
+That Lorna should hear such sentiments was very grievous to me. But she
+looked at me with a smile, which proved her contempt for all such
+ideas; and lest anything still more unfit might be said, I dismissed the
+question.
+
+But Master Stickles told me afterwards, when there was no one with us,
+to have no faith in any woman, whatever she might seem to be. For he
+assured me that now he possessed very large experience, for so small
+a matter; being thoroughly acquainted with women of every class, from
+ladies of the highest blood, to Bonarobas, and peasants' wives: and that
+they all might be divided into three heads and no more; that is to
+say as follows. First, the very hot and passionate, who were only
+contemptible; second, the cold and indifferent, who were simply odious;
+and third, the mixture of the other two, who had the bad qualities of
+both. As for reason, none of them had it; it was like a sealed book to
+them, which if they ever tried to open, they began at the back of the
+cover.
+
+Now I did not like to hear such things; and to me they appeared to be
+insolent, as well as narrow-minded. For if you came to that, why might
+not men, as well as women, be divided into the same three classes,
+and be pronounced upon by women, as beings even more devoid than their
+gentle judges of reason? Moreover, I knew, both from my own sense, and
+from the greatest of all great poets, that there are, and always have
+been, plenty of women, good, and gentle, warm-hearted, loving, and
+lovable; very keen, moreover, at seeing the right, be it by reason, or
+otherwise. And upon the whole, I prefer them much to the people of my
+own sex, as goodness of heart is more important than to show good reason
+for having it. And so I said to Jeremy,--
+
+"You have been ill-treated, perhaps, Master Stickles, by some woman or
+other?"
+
+"Ah, that have I," he replied with an oath; "and the last on earth who
+should serve me so, the woman who was my wife. A woman whom I never
+struck, never wronged in any way, never even let her know that I like
+another better. And yet when I was at Berwick last, with the regiment
+on guard there against those vile moss-troopers, what does that woman
+do but fly in the face of all authority, and of my especial business, by
+running away herself with the biggest of all moss-troopers? Not that I
+cared a groat about her; and I wish the fool well rid of her: but the
+insolence of the thing was such that everybody laughed at me; and back
+I went to London, losing a far better and safer job than this; and all
+through her. Come, let's have another onion."
+
+Master Stickles's view of the matter was so entirely unromantic, that I
+scarcely wondered at Mistress Stickles for having run away from him to
+an adventurous moss-trooper. For nine women out of ten must have some
+kind of romance or other, to make their lives endurable; and when their
+love has lost this attractive element, this soft dew-fog (if such
+it be), the love itself is apt to languish; unless its bloom be well
+replaced by the budding hopes of children. Now Master Stickles neither
+had, nor wished to have, any children.
+
+Without waiting for any warrant, only saying something about "captus in
+flagrante delicto,"--if that be the way to spell it--Stickles sent our
+prisoners off, bound and looking miserable, to the jail at Taunton. I
+was desirous to let them go free, if they would promise amendment; but
+although I had taken them, and surely therefore had every right to let
+them go again, Master Stickles said, "Not so." He assured me that it was
+a matter of public polity; and of course, not knowing what he meant,
+I could not contradict him; but thought that surely my private rights
+ought to be respected. For if I throw a man in wrestling, I expect to
+get his stakes; and if I take a man prisoner--why, he ought, in common
+justice, to belong to me, and I have a good right to let him go, if I
+think proper to do so. However, Master Stickles said that I was quite
+benighted, and knew nothing of the Constitution; which was the very
+thing I knew, beyond any man in our parish!
+
+[Illustration: 440.jpg Annie bound the broken arm]
+
+Nevertheless, it was not for me to contradict a commissioner; and
+therefore I let my prisoners go, and wished them a happy deliverance.
+Stickles replied, with a merry grin, that if ever they got it, it would
+be a jail deliverance, and the bliss of dancing; and he laid his hand to
+his throat in a manner which seemed to me most uncourteous. However, his
+foresight proved too correct; for both those poor fellows were executed,
+soon after the next assizes. Lorna had done her very best to earn
+another chance for them; even going down on her knees to that common
+Jeremy, and pleading with great tears for them. However, although much
+moved by her, he vowed that he durst do nothing else. To set them free
+was more than his own life was worth; for all the country knew, by this
+time, that two captive Doones were roped to the cider-press at Plover's
+Barrows. Annie bound the broken arm of the one whom I had knocked down
+with the club, and I myself supported it; and then she washed and
+rubbed with lard the face of the other poor fellow, which the torch had
+injured; and I fetched back his collar-bone to the best of my ability.
+For before any surgeon could arrive, they were off with a well-armed
+escort. That day we were reinforced so strongly from the stations along
+the coast, even as far as Minehead, that we not only feared no further
+attack, but even talked of assaulting Glen Doone, without waiting
+for the train-bands. However, I thought that it would be mean to take
+advantage of the enemy in the thick of the floods and confusion; and
+several of the others thought so too, and did not like fighting in
+water. Therefore it was resolved to wait and keep a watch upon the
+valley, and let the floods go down again.
+
+[Illustration: 441.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER L
+
+A MERRY MEETING A SAD ONE
+
+[Illustration: 442.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Now the business I had most at heart (as every one knows by this time)
+was to marry Lorna as soon as might be, if she had no objection, and
+then to work the farm so well, as to nourish all our family. And herein
+I saw no difficulty; for Annie would soon be off our hands, and somebody
+might come and take a fancy to little Lizzie (who was growing up very
+nicely now, though not so fine as Annie); moreover, we were almost sure
+to have great store of hay and corn after so much snow, if there be any
+truth in the old saying,--
+
+    "A foot deep of rain
+     Will kill hay and grain;
+     But three feet of snow
+     Will make them come mo'."
+
+And although it was too true that we had lost a many cattle, yet even so
+we had not lost money; for the few remaining fetched such prices as
+were never known before. And though we grumbled with all our hearts,
+and really believed, at one time, that starvation was upon us, I doubt
+whether, on the whole, we were not the fatter, and the richer, and the
+wiser for that winter. And I might have said the happier, except for the
+sorrow which we felt at the failures among our neighbours. The Snowes
+lost every sheep they had, and nine out of ten horned cattle; and poor
+Jasper Kebby would have been forced to throw up the lease of his farm,
+and perhaps to go to prison, but for the help we gave him.
+
+However, my dear mother would have it that Lorna was too young, as yet,
+to think of being married: and indeed I myself was compelled to admit
+that her form was becoming more perfect and lovely; though I had not
+thought it possible. And another difficulty was, that as we had all
+been Protestants from the time of Queen Elizabeth, the maiden must be
+converted first, and taught to hate all Papists. Now Lorna had not the
+smallest idea of ever being converted. She said that she loved me truly,
+but wanted not to convert me; and if I loved her equally, why should I
+wish to convert her? With this I was tolerably content, not seeing so
+very much difference between a creed and a credo, and believing God to
+be our Father, in Latin as well as English. Moreover, my darling knew
+but little of the Popish ways--whether excellent or otherwise--inasmuch
+as the Doones, though they stole their houses, or at least the joiner's
+work, had never been tempted enough by the devil to steal either church
+or chapel.
+
+Lorna came to our little church, when Parson Bowden reappeared after the
+snow was over; and she said that all was very nice, and very like what
+she had seen in the time of her Aunt Sabina, when they went far away to
+the little chapel, with a shilling in their gloves. It made the tears
+come into her eyes, by the force of memory, when Parson Bowden did the
+things, not so gracefully nor so well, yet with pleasant imitation of
+her old Priest's sacred rites.
+
+"He is a worthy man," she said, being used to talk in the service time,
+and my mother was obliged to cough: "I like him very much indeed: but I
+wish he would let me put his things the right way on his shoulders."
+
+Everybody in our parish, who could walk at all, or hire a boy and a
+wheelbarrow, ay, and half the folk from Countisbury, Brendon, and even
+Lynmouth, was and were to be found that Sunday, in our little church
+of Oare. People who would not come anigh us, when the Doones were
+threatening with carbine and with fire-brand, flocked in their very best
+clothes, to see a lady Doone go to church. Now all this came of that
+vile John Fry; I knew it as well as possible; his tongue was worse than
+the clacker of a charity-school bell, or the ladle in the frying-pan,
+when the bees are swarming.
+
+However, Lorna was not troubled; partly because of her natural dignity
+and gentleness; partly because she never dreamed that the people were
+come to look at her. But when we came to the Psalms of the day, with
+some vague sense of being stared at more than ought to be, she dropped
+the heavy black lace fringing of the velvet hat she wore, and concealed
+from the congregation all except her bright red lips, and the oval
+snowdrift of her chin. I touched her hand, and she pressed mine; and we
+felt that we were close together, and God saw no harm in it.
+
+As for Parson Bowden (as worthy a man as ever lived, and one who could
+shoot flying), he scarcely knew what he was doing, without the clerk to
+help him. He had borne it very well indeed, when I returned from London;
+but to see a live Doone in his church, and a lady Doone, and a lovely
+Doone, moreover one engaged to me, upon whom he almost looked as the
+Squire of his parish (although not rightly an Armiger), and to feel that
+this lovely Doone was a Papist, and therefore of higher religion--as all
+our parsons think--and that she knew exactly how he ought to do all
+the service, of which he himself knew little; I wish to express my firm
+belief that all these things together turned Parson Bowden's head a
+little, and made him look to me for orders.
+
+My mother, the very best of women, was (as I could well perceive) a
+little annoyed and vexed with things. For this particular occasion,
+she had procured from Dulverton, by special message to Ruth Huckaback
+(whereof more anon), a head-dress with a feather never seen before upon
+Exmoor, to the best of every one's knowledge. It came from a bird
+called a flaming something--a flaming oh, or a flaming ah, I will not be
+positive--but I can assure you that it did flame; and dear mother had no
+other thought, but that all the congregation would neither see nor think
+of any other mortal thing, or immortal even, to the very end of the
+sermon.
+
+Herein she was so disappointed, that no sooner did she get home, but
+upstairs she went at speed, not even stopping at the mirror in our
+little parlour, and flung the whole thing into a cupboard, as I knew by
+the bang of the door, having eased the lock for her lately. Lorna saw
+there was something wrong; and she looked at Annie and Lizzie (as more
+likely to understand it) with her former timid glance; which I knew so
+well, and which had first enslaved me.
+
+"I know not what ails mother," said Annie, who looked very beautiful,
+with lilac lute-string ribbons, which I saw the Snowe girls envying;
+"but she has not attended to one of the prayers, nor said 'Amen,' all
+the morning. Never fear, darling Lorna, it is nothing about you. It is
+something about our John, I am sure; for she never worries herself very
+much about anybody but him." And here Annie made a look at me, such as I
+had had five hundred of.
+
+"You keep your opinions to yourself," I replied; because I knew the
+dear, and her little bits of jealousy; "it happens that you are quite
+wrong, this time. Lorna, come with me, my darling."
+
+"Oh yes, Lorna; go with him," cried Lizzie, dropping her lip, in a way
+which you must see to know its meaning; "John wants nobody now but you;
+and none can find fault with his taste, dear."
+
+"You little fool, I should think not," I answered, very rudely; for,
+betwixt the lot of them, my Lorna's eyelashes were quivering; "now,
+dearest angel, come with me; and snap your hands at the whole of them."
+
+My angel did come, with a sigh, and then with a smile, when we were
+alone; but without any unangelic attempt at snapping her sweet white
+fingers.
+
+These little things are enough to show that while every one so admired
+Lorna, and so kindly took to her, still there would, just now and then,
+be petty and paltry flashes of jealousy concerning her; and perhaps
+it could not be otherwise among so many women. However, we were always
+doubly kind to her afterwards; and although her mind was so sensitive
+and quick that she must have suffered, she never allowed us to perceive
+it, nor lowered herself by resenting it.
+
+Possibly I may have mentioned that little Ruth Huckaback had been asked,
+and had even promised to spend her Christmas with us; and this was the
+more desirable, because she had left us through some offence, or sorrow,
+about things said of her. Now my dear mother, being the kindest and
+best-hearted of all women, could not bear that poor dear Ruth (who would
+some day have such a fortune), should be entirely lost to us. "It is our
+duty, my dear children," she said more than once about it, "to forgive
+and forget, as freely as we hope to have it done to us. If dear little
+Ruth has not behaved quite as we might have expected, great allowance
+should be made for a girl with so much money. Designing people get hold
+of her, and flatter her, and coax her, to obtain a base influence over
+her; so that when she falls among simple folk, who speak the honest
+truth of her, no wonder the poor child is vexed, and gives herself airs,
+and so on. Ruth can be very useful to us in a number of little ways; and
+I consider it quite a duty to pardon her freak of petulance."
+
+Now one of the little ways in which Ruth had been very useful, was the
+purchase of the scarlet feathers of the flaming bird; and now that
+the house was quite safe from attack, and the mark on my forehead was
+healing, I was begged, over and over again, to go and see Ruth, and make
+all things straight, and pay for the gorgeous plumage. This last I was
+very desirous to do, that I might know the price of it, having made
+a small bet on the subject with Annie; and having held counsel with
+myself, whether or not it were possible to get something of the kind for
+Lorna, of still more distinguished appearance. Of course she could not
+wear scarlet as yet, even if I had wished it; but I believed that people
+of fashion often wore purple for mourning; purple too was the royal
+colour, and Lorna was by right a queen; therefore I was quite resolved
+to ransack Uncle Reuben's stores, in search of some bright purple bird,
+if nature had kindly provided one.
+
+All this, however, I kept to myself, intending to trust Ruth Huckaback,
+and no one else in the matter. And so, one beautiful spring morning,
+when all the earth was kissed with scent, and all the air caressed with
+song, up the lane I stoutly rode, well armed, and well provided.
+
+Now though it is part of my life to heed, it is no part of my tale to
+tell, how the wheat was coming on. I reckon that you, who read this
+story, after I am dead and gone (and before that none shall read it),
+will say, "Tush! What is his wheat to us? We are not wheat: we are human
+beings: and all we care for is human doings." This may be very good
+argument, and in the main, I believe that it is so. Nevertheless, if a
+man is to tell only what he thought and did, and not what came around
+him, he must not mention his own clothes, which his father and mother
+bought for him. And more than my own clothes to me, ay, and as much as
+my own skin, are the works of nature round about, whereof a man is the
+smallest.
+
+And now I will tell you, although most likely only to be laughed at,
+because I cannot put it in the style of Mr. Dryden--whom to compare to
+Shakespeare! but if once I begin upon that, you will never hear the last
+of me--nevertheless, I will tell you this; not wishing to be rude, but
+only just because I know it; the more a man can fling his arms (so
+to say) round Nature's neck, the more he can upon her bosom, like an
+infant, lie and suck,--the more that man shall earn the trust and love
+of all his fellow men.
+
+In this matter is no jealousy (when the man is dead); because thereafter
+all others know how much of the milk be had; and he can suck no longer;
+and they value him accordingly, for the nourishment he is to them. Even
+as when we keep a roaster of the sucking-pigs, we choose, and praise at
+table most, the favourite of its mother. Fifty times have I seen this,
+and smiled, and praised our people's taste, and offered them more of the
+vitals.
+
+Now here am I upon Shakespeare (who died, of his own fruition, at the
+age of fifty-two, yet lived more than fifty thousand men, within his
+little span of life), when all the while I ought to be riding as hard as
+I can to Dulverton. But, to tell the truth, I could not ride hard, being
+held at every turn, and often without any turn at all, by the beauty
+of things around me. These things grow upon a man if once he stops to
+notice them.
+
+It wanted yet two hours to noon, when I came to Master Huckaback's door,
+and struck the panels smartly. Knowing nothing of their manners, only
+that people in a town could not be expected to entertain (as we do in
+farm-houses), having, moreover, keen expectation of Master Huckaback's
+avarice, I had brought some stuff to eat, made by Annie, and packed by
+Lorna, and requiring no thinking about it.
+
+Ruth herself came and let me in, blushing very heartily; for which
+colour I praised her health, and my praises heightened it. That little
+thing had lovely eyes, and could be trusted thoroughly. I do like an
+obstinate little woman, when she is sure that she is right. And indeed
+if love had never sped me straight to the heart of Lorna (compared to
+whom, Ruth was no more than the thief is to the candle), who knows but
+what I might have yielded to the law of nature, that thorough trimmer of
+balances, and verified the proverb that the giant loves the dwarf?
+
+"I take the privilege, Mistress Ruth, of saluting you according to
+kinship, and the ordering of the Canons." And therewith I bussed her
+well, and put my arm around her waist, being so terribly restricted in
+the matter of Lorna, and knowing the use of practice. Not that I had any
+warmth--all that was darling Lorna's--only out of pure gallantry, and my
+knowledge of London fashions. Ruth blushed to such a pitch at this, and
+looked up at me with such a gleam; as if I must have my own way; that
+all my love of kissing sunk, and I felt that I was wronging her. Only
+my mother had told me, when the girls were out of the way, to do all I
+could to please darling Ruth, and I had gone about it accordingly.
+
+Now Ruth as yet had never heard a word about dear Lorna; and when she
+led me into the kitchen (where everything looked beautiful), and told me
+not to mind, for a moment, about the scrubbing of my boots, because she
+would only be too glad to clean it all up after me, and told me how glad
+she was to see me, blushing more at every word, and recalling some of
+them, and stooping down for pots and pans, when I looked at her too
+ruddily--all these things came upon me so, without any legal notice,
+that I could only look at Ruth, and think how very good she was, and how
+bright her handles were; and wonder if I had wronged her. Once or twice,
+I began--this I say upon my honour--to endeavour to explain exactly, how
+we were at Plover's Barrows; how we all had been bound to fight, and had
+defeated the enemy, keeping their queen amongst us. But Ruth would
+make some great mistake between Lorna and Gwenny Carfax, and gave me no
+chance to set her aright, and cared about nothing much, except some news
+of Sally Snowe.
+
+What could I do with this little thing? All my sense of modesty, and
+value for my dinner, were against my over-pressing all the graceful
+hints I had given about Lorna. Ruth was just a girl of that sort, who
+will not believe one word, except from her own seeing; not so much
+from any doubt, as from the practice of using eyes which have been in
+business.
+
+I asked Cousin Ruth (as we used to call her, though the cousinship was
+distant) what was become of Uncle Ben, and how it was that we never
+heard anything of or from him now. She replied that she hardly knew
+what to make of her grandfather's manner of carrying on, for the last
+half-year or more. He was apt to leave his home, she said, at any hour
+of the day or night; going none knew whither, and returning no one
+might say when. And his dress, in her opinion, was enough to frighten
+a hodman, of a scavenger of the roads, instead of the decent suit
+of kersey, or of Sabbath doeskins, such as had won the respect and
+reverence of his fellow-townsmen. But the worst of all things was, as
+she confessed with tears in her eyes, that the poor old gentleman had
+something weighing heavily on his mind.
+
+"It will shorten his days, Cousin Ridd," she said, for she never would
+call me Cousin John; "he has no enjoyment of anything that he eats or
+drinks, nor even in counting his money, as he used to do all Sunday;
+indeed no pleasure in anything, unless it be smoking his pipe, and
+thinking and staring at bits of brown stone, which he pulls, every now
+and then, out of his pockets. And the business he used to take such
+pride in is now left almost entirely to the foreman, and to me."
+
+"And what will become of you, dear Ruth, if anything happens to the old
+man?"
+
+"I am sure I know not," she answered simply; "and I cannot bear to think
+of it. It must depend, I suppose, upon dear grandfather's pleasure about
+me."
+
+"It must rather depend," said I, though having no business to say it,
+"upon your own good pleasure, Ruth; for all the world will pay court to
+you."
+
+"That is the very thing which I never could endure. I have begged dear
+grandfather to leave no chance of that. When he has threatened me with
+poverty, as he does sometimes, I have always met him truly, with the
+answer that I feared one thing a great deal worse than poverty; namely,
+to be an heiress. But I cannot make him believe it. Only think how
+strange, Cousin Ridd, I cannot make him believe it."
+
+"It is not strange at all," I answered; "considering how he values
+money. Neither would any one else believe you, except by looking into
+your true, and very pretty eyes, dear."
+
+Now I beg that no one will suspect for a single moment, either that I
+did not mean exactly what I said, or meant a single atom more, or would
+not have said the same, if Lorna had been standing by. What I had always
+liked in Ruth, was the calm, straightforward gaze, and beauty of her
+large brown eyes. Indeed I had spoken of them to Lorna, as the only ones
+to be compared (though not for more than a moment) to her own, for truth
+and light, but never for depth and softness. But now the little maiden
+dropped them, and turned away, without reply.
+
+"I will go and see to my horse," I said; "the boy that has taken him
+seemed surprised at his having no horns on his forehead. Perhaps he will
+lead him into the shop, and feed him upon broadcloth."
+
+"Oh, he is such a stupid boy," Ruth answered with great sympathy: "how
+quick of you to observe that now: and you call yourself 'Slow John
+Ridd!' I never did see such a stupid boy: sometimes he spoils my temper.
+But you must be back in half an hour, at the latest, Cousin Ridd. You
+see I remember what you are; when once you get among horses, or cows, or
+things of that sort."
+
+"Things of that sort! Well done, Ruth! One would think you were quite a
+Cockney."
+
+Uncle Reuben did not come home to his dinner; and his granddaughter said
+she had strictest orders never to expect him. Therefore we had none to
+dine with us, except the foreman of the shop, a worthy man, named
+Thomas Cockram, fifty years of age or so. He seemed to me to have strong
+intentions of his own about little Ruth, and on that account to regard
+me with a wholly undue malevolence. And perhaps, in order to justify
+him, I may have been more attentive to her than otherwise need have
+been; at any rate, Ruth and I were pleasant; and he the very opposite.
+
+"My dear Cousin Ruth," I said, on purpose to vex Master Cockram, because
+he eyed us so heavily, and squinted to unluckily, "we have long been
+looking for you at our Plover's Barrows farm. You remember how you used
+to love hunting for eggs in the morning, and hiding up in the tallat
+with Lizzie, for me to seek you among the hay, when the sun was down.
+Ah, Master Cockram, those are the things young people find
+their pleasure in, not in selling a yard of serge, and giving
+twopence-halfpenny change, and writing 'settled' at the bottom, with a
+pencil that has blacked their teeth. Now, Master Cockram, you ought to
+come as far as our good farm, at once, and eat two new-laid eggs for
+breakfast, and be made to look quite young again. Our good Annie would
+cook for you; and you should have the hot new milk and the pope's eye
+from the mutton; and every foot of you would become a yard in about a
+fortnight." And hereupon, I spread my chest, to show him an example.
+Ruth could not keep her countenance: but I saw that she thought it wrong
+of me; and would scold me, if ever I gave her the chance of taking those
+little liberties. However, he deserved it all, according to my young
+ideas, for his great impertinence in aiming at my cousin.
+
+But what I said was far less grievous to a man of honest mind than
+little Ruth's own behaviour. I could hardly have believed that so
+thoroughly true a girl, and one so proud and upright, could have got rid
+of any man so cleverly as she got rid of Master Thomas Cockram. She gave
+him not even a glass of wine, but commended to his notice, with a sweet
+and thoughtful gravity, some invoice which must be corrected, before her
+dear grandfather should return; and to amend which three great ledgers
+must be searched from first to last. Thomas Cockram winked at me, with
+the worst of his two wrong eyes; as much as to say, "I understand it;
+but I cannot help myself. Only you look out, if ever"--and before he had
+finished winking, the door was shut behind him. Then Ruth said to me in
+the simplest manner, "You have ridden far today, Cousin Ridd; and have
+far to ride to get home again. What will dear Aunt Ridd say, if we send
+you away without nourishment? All the keys are in my keeping, and
+dear grandfather has the finest wine, not to be matched in the west of
+England, as I have heard good judges say; though I know not wine from
+cider. Do you like the wine of Oporto, or the wine of Xeres?"
+
+"I know not one from the other, fair cousin, except by the colour," I
+answered: "but the sound of Oporto is nobler, and richer. Suppose we try
+wine of Oporto."
+
+The good little creature went and fetched a black bottle of an ancient
+cast, covered with dust and cobwebs. These I was anxious to shake aside;
+and indeed I thought that the wine would be better for being roused up a
+little. Ruth, however, would not hear a single word to that purport;
+and seeing that she knew more about it, I left her to manage it. And the
+result was very fine indeed, to wit, a sparkling rosy liquor, dancing
+with little flakes of light, and scented like new violets. With this I
+was so pleased and gay, and Ruth so glad to see me gay, that we quite
+forgot how the time went on; and though my fair cousin would not be
+persuaded to take a second glass herself, she kept on filling mine so
+fast that it was never empty, though I did my best to keep it so.
+
+"What is a little drop like this to a man of your size and strength,
+Cousin Ridd?" she said, with her cheeks just brushed with rose, which
+made her look very beautiful; "I have heard you say that your head is so
+thick--or rather so clear, you ought to say--that no liquor ever moves
+it."
+
+"That is right enough," I answered; "what a witch you must be, dear
+Ruth, to have remembered that now!"
+
+"Oh, I remember every word I have ever heard you say, Cousin Ridd;
+because your voice is so deep, you know, and you talk so little. Now
+it is useless to say 'no'. These bottles hold almost nothing. Dear
+grandfather will not come home, I fear, until long after you are gone.
+What will Aunt Ridd think of me, I am sure? You are all so dreadfully
+hospitable. Now not another 'no,' Cousin Ridd. We must have another
+bottle."
+
+"Well, must is must," I answered, with a certain resignation. "I cannot
+bear bad manners, dear; and how old are you next birthday?"
+
+"Eighteen, dear John;" said Ruth, coming over with the empty bottle;
+and I was pleased at her calling me "John," and had a great mind to kiss
+her. However, I thought of my Lorna suddenly, and of the anger I should
+feel if a man went on with her so; therefore I lay back in my chair, to
+wait for the other bottle.
+
+"Do you remember how we danced that night?" I asked, while she was
+opening it; "and how you were afraid of me first, because I looked so
+tall, dear?"
+
+"Yes, and so very broad, Cousin Ridd. I thought that you would eat me.
+But I have come to know, since then, how very kind and good you are."
+
+"And will you come and dance again, at my wedding, Cousin Ruth?"
+
+She nearly let the bottle fall, the last of which she was sloping
+carefully into a vessel of bright glass; and then she raised her hand
+again, and finished it judiciously. And after that, she took the window,
+to see that all her work was clear; and then she poured me out a glass
+and said, with very pale cheeks, but else no sign of meaning about her,
+"What did you ask me, Cousin Ridd?"
+
+"Nothing of any importance, Ruth; only we are so fond of you. I mean to
+be married as soon as I can. Will you come and help us?"
+
+"To be sure I will, Cousin Ridd--unless, unless, dear grandfather cannot
+spare me from the business." She went away; and her breast was heaving,
+like a rick of under-carried hay. And she stood at the window long,
+trying to make yawns of sighs.
+
+For my part, I knew not what to do. And yet I could think about it, as
+I never could with Lorna; with whom I was always in a whirl, from the
+power of my love. So I thought some time about it; and perceived that it
+was the manliest way, just to tell her everything; except that I feared
+she liked me. But it seemed to me unaccountable that she did not even
+ask the name of my intended wife. Perhaps she thought that it must be
+Sally; or perhaps she feared to trust her voice.
+
+"Come and sit by me, dear Ruth; and listen to a long, long story, how
+things have come about with me."
+
+"No, thank you, Cousin Ridd," she answered; "at least I mean that I
+shall be happy--that I shall be ready to hear you--to listen to you, I
+mean of course. But I would rather stay where I am, and have the air--or
+rather be able to watch for dear grandfather coming home. He is so kind
+and good to me. What should I do without him?"
+
+Then I told her how, for years and years, I had been attached to Lorna,
+and all the dangers and difficulties which had so long beset us, and
+how I hoped that these were passing, and no other might come between
+us, except on the score of religion; upon which point I trusted soon
+to overcome my mother's objections. And then I told her how poor, and
+helpless, and alone in the world, my Lorna was; and how sad all her
+youth had been, until I brought her away at last. And many other little
+things I mentioned, which there is no need for me again to dwell upon.
+Ruth heard it all without a word, and without once looking at me; and
+only by her attitude could I guess that she was weeping. Then when all
+my tale was told, she asked in a low and gentle voice, but still without
+showing her face to me,--
+
+"And does she love you, Cousin Ridd? Does she say that she loves you
+with--with all her heart?"
+
+"Certainly, she does," I answered. "Do you think it impossible for one
+like her to do so?"
+
+She said no more; but crossed the room before I had time to look at her,
+and came behind my chair, and kissed me gently on the forehead.
+
+"I hope you may be very happy, with--I mean in your new life," she
+whispered very softly; "as happy as you deserve to be, and as happy as
+you can make others be. Now how I have been neglecting you! I am quite
+ashamed of myself for thinking only of grandfather: and it makes me so
+low-spirited. You have told me a very nice romance, and I have never
+even helped you to a glass of wine. Here, pour it for yourself, dear
+cousin; I shall be back again directly."
+
+With that she was out of the door in a moment; and when she came back,
+you would not have thought that a tear had dimmed those large bright
+eyes, or wandered down those pale clear cheeks. Only her hands were cold
+and trembling: and she made me help myself.
+
+Uncle Reuben did not appear at all; and Ruth, who had promised to come
+and see us, and stay for a fortnight at our house (if her grandfather
+could spare her), now discovered, before I left, that she must not think
+of doing so. Perhaps she was right in deciding thus; at any rate it had
+now become improper for me to press her. And yet I now desired tenfold
+that she should consent to come, thinking that Lorna herself would work
+the speediest cure of her passing whim.
+
+For such, I tried to persuade myself, was the nature of Ruth's regard
+for me: and upon looking back I could not charge myself with any
+misconduct towards the little maiden. I had never sought her company, I
+had never trifled with her (at least until that very day), and being so
+engrossed with my own love, I had scarcely ever thought of her. And the
+maiden would never have thought of me, except as a clumsy yokel, but for
+my mother's and sister's meddling, and their wily suggestions. I believe
+they had told the little soul that I was deeply in love with her;
+although they both stoutly denied it. But who can place trust in a
+woman's word, when it comes to a question of match-making?
+
+[Illustration: 454.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LI
+
+A VISIT FROM THE COUNSELLOR
+
+[Illustration: 455.jpg Counsellor]
+
+Now while I was riding home that evening, with a tender conscience
+about Ruth, although not a wounded one, I guessed but little that all
+my thoughts were needed much for my own affairs. So however it proved
+to be; for as I came in, soon after dark, my sister Eliza met me at
+the corner of the cheese-room, and she said, "Don't go in there, John,"
+pointing to mother's room; "until I have had a talk with you."
+
+"In the name of Moses," I inquired, having picked up that phrase at
+Dulverton; "what are you at about me now? There is no peace for a quiet
+fellow."
+
+"It is nothing we are at," she answered; "neither may you make light of
+it. It is something very important about Mistress Lorna Doone."
+
+"Let us have it at once," I cried; "I can bear anything about Lorna,
+except that she does not care for me."
+
+"It has nothing to do with that, John. And I am quite sure that
+you never need fear anything of that sort. She perfectly wearies me
+sometimes, although her voice is so soft and sweet, about your endless
+perfections."
+
+"Bless her little heart!" I said; "the subject is inexhaustible."
+
+"No doubt," replied Lizzie, in the driest manner; "especially to your
+sisters. However this is no time to joke. I fear you will get the worst
+of it, John. Do you know a man of about Gwenny's shape, nearly as broad
+as he is long, but about six times the size of Gwenny, and with a
+length of snow-white hair, and a thickness also; as the copses were last
+winter. He never can comb it, that is quite certain, with any comb yet
+invented."
+
+"Then you go and offer your services. There are few things you cannot
+scarify. I know the man from your description, although I have never
+seen him. Now where is my Lorna?"
+
+"Your Lorna is with Annie, having a good cry, I believe; and Annie too
+glad to second her. She knows that this great man is here, and knows
+that he wants to see her. But she begged to defer the interview, until
+dear John's return."
+
+"What a nasty way you have of telling the very commonest piece of news!"
+I said, on purpose to pay her out. "What man will ever fancy you, you
+unlucky little snapper? Now, no more nursery talk for me. I will go and
+settle this business. You had better go and dress your dolls; if you can
+give them clothes unpoisoned." Hereupon Lizzie burst into a perfect roar
+of tears; feeling that she had the worst of it. And I took her up, and
+begged her pardon; although she scarcely deserved it; for she knew that
+I was out of luck, and she might have spared her satire.
+
+I was almost sure that the man who was come must be the Counsellor
+himself; of whom I felt much keener fear than of his son Carver. And
+knowing that his visit boded ill to me and Lorna, I went and sought
+my dear; and led her with a heavy heart, from the maiden's room to
+mother's, to meet our dreadful visitor.
+
+Mother was standing by the door, making curtseys now and then, and
+listening to a long harangue upon the rights of state and land, which
+the Counsellor (having found that she was the owner of her property, and
+knew nothing of her title to it) was encouraged to deliver it. My dear
+mother stood gazing at him, spell-bound by his eloquence, and only
+hoping that he would stop. He was shaking his hair upon his shoulders,
+in the power of his words, and his wrath at some little thing, which he
+declared to be quite illegal.
+
+Then I ventured to show myself, in the flesh, before him; although he
+feigned not to see me; but he advanced with zeal to Lorna; holding out
+both hands at once.
+
+"My darling child, my dearest niece; how wonderfully well you look!
+Mistress Ridd, I give you credit. This is the country of good things. I
+never would have believed our Queen could have looked so royal. Surely
+of all virtues, hospitality is the finest, and the most romantic.
+Dearest Lorna, kiss your uncle; it is quite a privilege."
+
+"Perhaps it is to you, sir," said Lorna, who could never quite check her
+sense of oddity; "but I fear that you have smoked tobacco, which spoils
+reciprocity."
+
+"You are right, my child. How keen your scent is! It is always so with
+us. Your grandfather was noted for his olfactory powers. Ah, a great
+loss, dear Mrs. Ridd, a terrible loss to this neighbourhood! As one of
+our great writers says--I think it must be Milton--'We ne'er shall look
+upon his like again.'"
+
+"With your good leave sir," I broke in, "Master Milton could never
+have written so sweet and simple a line as that. It is one of the great
+Shakespeare."
+
+"Woe is me for my neglect!" said the Counsellor, bowing airily; "this
+must be your son, Mistress Ridd, the great John, the wrestler. And one
+who meddles with the Muses! Ah, since I was young, how everything is
+changed, madam! Except indeed the beauty of women, which seems to me to
+increase every year." Here the old villain bowed to my mother; and she
+blushed, and made another curtsey, and really did look very nice.
+
+"Now though I have quoted the poets amiss, as your son informs me (for
+which I tender my best thanks, and must amend my reading), I can hardly
+be wrong in assuming that this young armiger must be the too attractive
+cynosure to our poor little maiden. And for my part, she is welcome to
+him. I have never been one of those who dwell upon distinctions of rank,
+and birth, and such like; as if they were in the heart of nature, and
+must be eternal. In early youth, I may have thought so, and been full
+of that little pride. But now I have long accounted it one of the first
+axioms of political economy--you are following me, Mistress Ridd?"
+
+"Well, sir, I am doing my best; but I cannot quite keep up with you."
+
+"Never mind, madam; I will be slower. But your son's intelligence is so
+quick--"
+
+"I see, sir; you thought that mine must be. But no; it all comes from
+his father, sir. His father was that quick and clever--"
+
+"Ah, I can well suppose it, madam. And a credit he is to both of you.
+Now, to return to our muttons--a figure which you will appreciate--I may
+now be regarded, I think, as this young lady's legal guardian; although
+I have not had the honour of being formally appointed such. Her father
+was the eldest son of Sir Ensor Doone; and I happened to be the second
+son; and as young maidens cannot be baronets, I suppose I am 'Sir
+Counsellor.' Is it so, Mistress Ridd, according to your theory of
+genealogy?"
+
+"I am sure I don't know, sir," my mother answered carefully; "I know not
+anything of that name, sir, except in the Gospel of Matthew: but I see
+not why it should be otherwise."
+
+"Good, madam! I may look upon that as your sanction and approval: and
+the College of Heralds shall hear of it. And in return, as Lorna's
+guardian, I give my full and ready consent to her marriage with your
+son, madam."
+
+"Oh, how good of you, sir, how kind! Well, I always did say, that the
+learnedest people were, almost always, the best and kindest, and the
+most simple-hearted."
+
+"Madam, that is a great sentiment. What a goodly couple they will be!
+and if we can add him to our strength--"
+
+"Oh no, sir, oh no!" cried mother: "you really must not think of it. He
+has always been brought up so honest--"
+
+"Hem! that makes a difference. A decided disqualification for domestic
+life among the Doones. But, surely, he might get over those prejudices,
+madam?"
+
+"Oh no, sir! he never can: he never can indeed. When he was only that
+high, sir, he could not steal even an apple, when some wicked boys tried
+to mislead him."
+
+"Ah," replied the Counsellor, shaking his white head gravely; "then I
+greatly fear that his case is quite incurable. I have known such cases;
+violent prejudice, bred entirely of education, and anti-economical
+to the last degree. And when it is so, it is desperate: no man, after
+imbibing ideas of that sort, can in any way be useful."
+
+"Oh yes, sir, John is very useful. He can do as much work as three other
+men; and you should see him load a sledd, sir."
+
+"I was speaking, madam, of higher usefulness,--power of the brain and
+heart. The main thing for us upon earth is to take a large view of
+things. But while we talk of the heart, what is my niece Lorna
+doing, that she does not come and thank me, for my perhaps too prompt
+concession to her youthful fancies? Ah, if I had wanted thanks, I should
+have been more stubborn."
+
+Lorna, being challenged thus, came up and looked at her uncle, with
+her noble eyes fixed full upon his, which beneath his white eyebrows
+glistened, like dormer windows piled with snow.
+
+"For what am I to thank you, uncle?"
+
+"My dear niece, I have told you. For removing the heaviest obstacle,
+which to a mind so well regulated could possibly have existed, between
+your dutiful self and the object of your affections."
+
+"Well, uncle, I should be very grateful, if I thought that you did
+so from love of me; or if I did not know that you have something yet
+concealed from me."
+
+"And my consent," said the Counsellor, "is the more meritorious, the
+more liberal, frank, and candid, in the face of an existing fact, and a
+very clearly established one; which might have appeared to weaker minds
+in the light of an impediment; but to my loftier view of matrimony seems
+quite a recommendation."
+
+"What fact do you mean, sir? Is it one that I ought to know?"
+
+"In my opinion it is, good niece. It forms, to my mind, so fine a basis
+for the invariable harmony of the matrimonial state. To be brief--as I
+always endeavour to be, without becoming obscure--you two young people
+(ah, what a gift is youth! one can never be too thankful for it) you
+will have the rare advantage of commencing married life, with a subject
+of common interest to discuss, whenever you weary of--well, say of one
+another; if you can now, by any means, conceive such a possibility. And
+perfect justice meted out: mutual goodwill resulting, from the sense of
+reciprocity."
+
+"I do not understand you, sir. Why can you not say what you mean, at
+once?"
+
+"My dear child, I prolong your suspense. Curiosity is the most powerful
+of all feminine instincts; and therefore the most delightful, when not
+prematurely satisfied. However, if you must have my strong realities,
+here they are. Your father slew dear John's father, and dear John's
+father slew yours."
+
+Having said thus much, the Counsellor leaned back upon his chair, and
+shaded his calm white-bearded eyes from the rays of our tallow candles.
+He was a man who liked to look, rather than to be looked at. But Lorna
+came to me for aid; and I went up to Lorna and mother looked at both of
+us.
+
+Then feeling that I must speak first (as no one would begin it), I took
+my darling round the waist, and led her up to the Counsellor; while she
+tried to bear it bravely; yet must lean on me, or did.
+
+"Now, Sir Counsellor Doone," I said, with Lorna squeezing both my hands,
+I never yet knew how (considering that she was walking all the time, or
+something like it); "you know right well, Sir Counsellor, that Sir Ensor
+Doone gave approval." I cannot tell what made me think of this: but so
+it came upon me.
+
+"Approval to what, good rustic John? To the slaughter so reciprocal?"
+
+"No, sir, not to that; even if it ever happened; which I do not believe.
+But to the love betwixt me and Lorna; which your story shall not break,
+without more evidence than your word. And even so, shall never break; if
+Lorna thinks as I do."
+
+The maiden gave me a little touch, as much as to say, "You are right,
+darling: give it to him, again, like that." However, I held my peace,
+well knowing that too many words do mischief.
+
+Then mother looked at me with wonder, being herself too amazed to speak;
+and the Counsellor looked, with great wrath in his eyes, which he tried
+to keep from burning.
+
+"How say you then, John Ridd," he cried, stretching out one hand, like
+Elijah; "is this a thing of the sort you love? Is this what you are used
+to?"
+
+"So please your worship," I answered; "no kind of violence can surprise
+us, since first came Doones upon Exmoor. Up to that time none heard
+of harm; except of taking a purse, maybe, or cutting a strange sheep's
+throat. And the poor folk who did this were hanged, with some benefit of
+clergy. But ever since the Doones came first, we are used to anything."
+
+"Thou varlet," cried the Counsellor, with the colour of his eyes quite
+changed with the sparkles of his fury; "is this the way we are to deal
+with such a low-bred clod as thou? To question the doings of our people,
+and to talk of clergy! What, dream you not that we could have clergy,
+and of the right sort, too, if only we cared to have them? Tush! Am I to
+spend my time arguing with a plough-tail Bob?"
+
+"If your worship will hearken to me," I answered very modestly, not
+wishing to speak harshly, with Lorna looking up at me; "there are many
+things that might be said without any kind of argument, which I would
+never wish to try with one of your worship's learning. And in the first
+place it seems to me that if our fathers hated one another bitterly, yet
+neither won the victory, only mutual discomfiture; surely that is but
+a reason why we should be wiser than they, and make it up in this
+generation by goodwill and loving"--
+
+"Oh, John, you wiser than your father!" mother broke upon me here; "not
+but what you might be as wise, when you come to be old enough."
+
+"Young people of the present age," said the Counsellor severely, "have
+no right feeling of any sort, upon the simplest matter. Lorna Doone,
+stand forth from contact with that heir of parricide; and state in your
+own mellifluous voice, whether you regard this slaughter as a pleasant
+trifle."
+
+"You know, without any words of mine," she answered very softly, yet not
+withdrawing from my hand, "that although I have been seasoned well to
+every kind of outrage, among my gentle relatives, I have not yet so
+purely lost all sense of right and wrong as to receive what you have
+said, as lightly as you declared it. You think it a happy basis for our
+future concord. I do not quite think that, my uncle; neither do I quite
+believe that a word of it is true. In our happy valley, nine-tenths of
+what is said is false; and you were always wont to argue that true
+and false are but a blind turned upon a pivot. Without any failure of
+respect for your character, good uncle, I decline politely to believe a
+word of what you have told me. And even if it were proved to me, all I
+can say is this, if my John will have me, I am his for ever."
+
+This long speech was too much for her; she had overrated her strength
+about it, and the sustenance of irony. So at last she fell into my arms,
+which had long been waiting for her; and there she lay with no other
+sound, except a gurgling in her throat.
+
+"You old villain," cried my mother, shaking her fist at the Counsellor,
+while I could do nothing else but hold, and bend across, my darling, and
+whisper to deaf ears; "What is the good of the quality; if this is
+all that comes of it? Out of the way! You know the words that make the
+deadly mischief; but not the ways that heal them. Give me that bottle,
+if hands you have; what is the use of Counsellors?"
+
+I saw that dear mother was carried away; and indeed I myself was
+something like it; with the pale face upon my bosom, and the heaving of
+the heart, and the heat and cold all through me, as my darling breathed
+or lay. Meanwhile the Counsellor stood back, and seemed a little sorry;
+although of course it was not in his power to be at all ashamed of
+himself.
+
+"My sweet love, my darling child," our mother went on to Lorna, in a way
+that I shall never forget, though I live to be a hundred; "pretty pet,
+not a word of it is true, upon that old liar's oath; and if every word
+were true, poor chick, you should have our John all the more for it.
+You and John were made by God and meant for one another, whatever falls
+between you. Little lamb, look up and speak: here is your own John and
+I; and the devil take the Counsellor."
+
+I was amazed at mother's words, being so unlike her; while I loved her
+all the more because she forgot herself so. In another moment in ran
+Annie, ay and Lizzie also, knowing by some mystic sense (which I have
+often noticed, but never could explain) that something was astir,
+belonging to the world of women, yet foreign to the eyes of men. And now
+the Counsellor, being well-born, although such a heartless miscreant,
+beckoned to me to come away; which I, being smothered with women, was
+only too glad to do, as soon as my own love would let go of me.
+
+"That is the worst of them," said the old man; when I had led him into
+our kitchen, with an apology at every step, and given him hot schnapps
+and water, and a cigarro of brave Tom Faggus: "you never can say much,
+sir, in the way of reasoning (however gently meant and put) but what
+these women will fly out. It is wiser to put a wild bird in a cage, and
+expect him to sit and look at you, and chirp without a feather rumpled,
+than it is to expect a woman to answer reason reasonably." Saying this,
+he looked at his puff of smoke as if it contained more reason.
+
+"I am sure I do not know, sir," I answered according to a phrase which
+has always been my favourite, on account of its general truth: moreover,
+he was now our guest, and had right to be treated accordingly: "I am,
+as you see, not acquainted with the ways of women, except my mother and
+sisters."
+
+"Except not even them, my son," said the Counsellor, now having finished
+his glass, without much consultation about it; "if you once understand
+your mother and sisters--why you understand the lot of them."
+
+He made a twist in his cloud of smoke, and dashed his finger through
+it, so that I could not follow his meaning, and in manners liked not to
+press him.
+
+"Now of this business, John," he said, after getting to the bottom of
+the second glass, and having a trifle or so to eat, and praising our
+chimney-corner; "taking you on the whole, you know, you are wonderfully
+good people; and instead of giving me up to the soldiers, as you might
+have done, you are doing your best to make me drunk."
+
+"Not at all, sir," I answered; "not at all, your worship. Let me mix
+you another glass. We rarely have a great gentleman by the side of our
+embers and oven. I only beg your pardon, sir, that my sister Annie (who
+knows where to find all the good pans and the lard) could not wait upon
+you this evening; and I fear they have done it with dripping instead,
+and in a pan with the bottom burned. But old Betty quite loses her head
+sometimes, by dint of over-scolding."
+
+"My son," replied the Counsellor, standing across the front of the fire,
+to prove his strict sobriety: "I meant to come down upon you to-night;
+but you have turned the tables upon me. Not through any skill on your
+part, nor through any paltry weakness as to love (and all that stuff,
+which boys and girls spin tops at, or knock dolls' noses together), but
+through your simple way of taking me, as a man to be believed; combined
+with the comfort of this place, and the choice tobacco and cordials. I
+have not enjoyed an evening so much, God bless me if I know when!"
+
+"Your worship," said I, "makes me more proud than I well know what to
+do with. Of all the things that please and lead us into happy sleep
+at night, the first and chiefest is to think that we have pleased a
+visitor."
+
+"Then, John, thou hast deserved good sleep; for I am not pleased easily.
+But although our family is not so high now as it hath been, I have
+enough of the gentleman left to be pleased when good people try me. My
+father, Sir Ensor, was better than I in this great element of birth, and
+my son Carver is far worse. _Aetas parentum_, what is it, my boy? I hear
+that you have been at a grammar-school."
+
+"So I have, your worship, and at a very good one; but I only got far
+enough to make more tail than head of Latin."
+
+"Let that pass," said the Counsellor; "John, thou art all the wiser."
+And the old man shook his hoary locks, as if Latin had been his ruin.
+I looked at him sadly, and wondered whether it might have so ruined me,
+but for God's mercy in stopping it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LII
+
+THE WAY TO MAKE THE CREAM RISE
+
+[Illustration: 464.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+That night the reverend Counsellor, not being in such state of mind as
+ought to go alone, kindly took our best old bedstead, carved in panels,
+well enough, with the woman of Samaria. I set him up, both straight
+and heavy, so that he need but close both eyes, and keep his mouth just
+open; and in the morning he was thankful for all that he could remember.
+
+I, for my part, scarcely knew whether he really had begun to feel
+goodwill towards us, and to see that nothing else could be of any use
+to him; or whether he was merely acting, so as to deceive us. And it
+had struck me, several times, that he had made a great deal more of the
+spirit he had taken than the quantity would warrant, with a man so wise
+and solid. Neither did I quite understand a little story which Lorna
+told me, how that in the night awaking, she had heard, or seemed to
+hear, a sound of feeling in her room; as if there had been some
+one groping carefully among the things within her drawers or
+wardrobe-closet. But the noise had ceased at once, she said, when she
+sat up in bed and listened; and knowing how many mice we had, she took
+courage and fell asleep again.
+
+After breakfast, the Counsellor (who looked no whit the worse for
+schnapps, but even more grave and venerable) followed our Annie into the
+dairy, to see how we managed the clotted cream, of which he had eaten
+a basinful. And thereupon they talked a little; and Annie thought him a
+fine old gentleman, and a very just one; for he had nobly condemned the
+people who spoke against Tom Faggus.
+
+"Your honour must plainly understand," said Annie, being now alone
+with him, and spreading out her light quick hands over the pans, like
+butterflies, "that they are brought in here to cool, after being set in
+the basin-holes, with the wood-ash under them, which I showed you in the
+back-kitchen. And they must have very little heat, not enough to simmer
+even; only just to make the bubbles rise, and the scum upon the top set
+thick; and after that, it clots as firm--oh, as firm as my two hands
+be."
+
+"Have you ever heard," asked the Counsellor, who enjoyed this talk with
+Annie, "that if you pass across the top, without breaking the surface, a
+string of beads, or polished glass, or anything of that kind, the cream
+will set three times as solid, and in thrice the quantity?"
+
+"No, sir; I have never heard that," said Annie, staring with all her
+simple eyes; "what a thing it is to read books, and grow learned! But
+it is very easy to try it: I will get my coral necklace; it will not be
+witchcraft, will it, sir?"
+
+"Certainly not," the old man replied; "I will make the experiment
+myself; and you may trust me not to be hurt, my dear. But coral will not
+do, my child, neither will anything coloured. The beads must be of plain
+common glass; but the brighter they are the better."
+
+"Then I know the very thing," cried Annie; "as bright as bright can be,
+and without any colour in it, except in the sun or candle light. Dearest
+Lorna has the very thing, a necklace of some old glass-beads, or I think
+they called them jewels: she will be too glad to lend it to us. I will
+go for it, in a moment."
+
+"My dear, it cannot be half so bright as your own pretty eyes. But
+remember one thing, Annie, you must not say what it is for; or even that
+I am going to use it, or anything at all about it; else the charm will
+be broken. Bring it here, without a word; if you know where she keeps
+it."
+
+"To be sure I do," she answered; "John used to keep it for her. But
+she took it away from him last week, and she wore it when--I mean when
+somebody was here; and he said it was very valuable, and spoke with
+great learning about it, and called it by some particular name, which I
+forget at this moment. But valuable or not, we cannot hurt it, can we,
+sir, by passing it over the cream-pan?"
+
+"Hurt it!" cried the Counsellor: "nay, we shall do it good, my dear.
+It will help to raise the cream: and you may take my word for it, young
+maiden, none can do good in this world, without in turn receiving it."
+Pronouncing this great sentiment, he looked so grand and benevolent,
+that Annie (as she said afterwards) could scarce forbear from kissing
+him, yet feared to take the liberty. Therefore, she only ran away to
+fetch my Lorna's necklace.
+
+Now as luck would have it--whether good luck or otherwise, you must not
+judge too hastily,--my darling had taken it into her head, only a day or
+two before, that I was far too valuable to be trusted with her necklace.
+Now that she had some idea of its price and quality, she had begun to
+fear that some one, perhaps even Squire Faggus (in whom her faith was
+illiberal), might form designs against my health, to win the bauble from
+me. So, with many pretty coaxings, she had led me to give it up; which,
+except for her own sake, I was glad enough to do, misliking a charge of
+such importance.
+
+Therefore Annie found it sparkling in the little secret hole, near the
+head of Lorna's bed, which she herself had recommended for its safer
+custody; and without a word to any one she brought it down, and danced
+it in the air before the Counsellor, for him to admire its lustre.
+
+"Oh, that old thing!" said the gentleman, in a tone of some contempt; "I
+remember that old thing well enough. However, for want of a better, no
+doubt it will answer our purpose. Three times three, I pass it over.
+Crinkleum, crankum, grass and clover! What are you feared of, you silly
+child?"
+
+"Good sir, it is perfect witchcraft! I am sure of that, because it
+rhymes. Oh, what would mother say to me? Shall I ever go to heaven
+again? Oh, I see the cream already!"
+
+"To be sure you do; but you must not look, or the whole charm will be
+broken, and the devil will fly away with the pan, and drown every cow
+you have got in it."
+
+"Oh, sir, it is too horrible. How could you lead me to such a sin? Away
+with thee, witch of Endor!"
+
+For the door began to creak, and a broom appeared suddenly in the
+opening, with our Betty, no doubt, behind it. But Annie, in the greatest
+terror, slammed the door, and bolted it, and then turned again to the
+Counsellor; yet looking at his face, had not the courage to reproach
+him. For his eyes rolled like two blazing barrels, and his white shagged
+brows were knit across them, and his forehead scowled in black furrows,
+so that Annie said that if she ever saw the devil, she saw him then, and
+no mistake. Whether the old man wished to scare her, or whether he was
+trying not to laugh, is more than I can tell you.
+
+"Now," he said, in a deep stern whisper; "not a word of this to a living
+soul; neither must you, nor any other enter this place for three hours
+at least. By that time the charm will have done its work: the pan will
+be cream to the bottom; and you will bless me for a secret which will
+make your fortune. Put the bauble under this pannikin; which none must
+lift for a day and a night. Have no fear, my simple wench; not a breath
+of harm shall come to you, if you obey my orders."
+
+"Oh, that I will, sir, that I will: if you will only tell me what to
+do."
+
+"Go to your room, without so much as a single word to any one. Bolt
+yourself in, and for three hours now, read the Lord's Prayer backwards."
+
+Poor Annie was only too glad to escape, upon these conditions; and the
+Counsellor kissed her upon the forehead and told her not to make her
+eyes red, because they were much too sweet and pretty. She dropped them
+at this, with a sob and a curtsey, and ran away to her bedroom; but as
+for reading the Lord's Prayer backwards, that was much beyond her;
+and she had not done three words quite right, before the three hours
+expired.
+
+Meanwhile the Counsellor was gone. He bade our mother adieu, with so
+much dignity of bearing, and such warmth of gratitude, and the high-bred
+courtesy of the old school (now fast disappearing), that when he was
+gone, dear mother fell back on the chair which he had used last night,
+as if it would teach her the graces. And for more than an hour she made
+believe not to know what there was for dinner.
+
+"Oh, the wickedness of the world! Oh, the lies that are told of
+people--or rather I mean the falsehoods--because a man is better born,
+and has better manners! Why, Lorna, how is it that you never speak about
+your charming uncle? Did you notice, Lizzie, how his silver hair was
+waving upon his velvet collar, and how white his hands were, and every
+nail like an acorn; only pink like shell-fish, or at least like shells?
+And the way he bowed, and dropped his eyes, from his pure respect for
+me! And then, that he would not even speak, on account of his emotion;
+but pressed my hand in silence! Oh, Lizzie, you have read me beautiful
+things about Sir Gallyhead, and the rest; but nothing to equal Sir
+Counsellor."
+
+"You had better marry him, madam," said I, coming in very sternly;
+though I knew I ought not to say it: "he can repay your adoration. He
+has stolen a hundred thousand pounds."
+
+"John," cried my mother, "you are mad!" And yet she turned as pale as
+death; for women are so quick at turning; and she inkled what it was.
+
+"Of course I am, mother; mad about the marvels of Sir Galahad. He has
+gone off with my Lorna's necklace. Fifty farms like ours can never make
+it good to Lorna."
+
+Hereupon ensued grim silence. Mother looked at Lizzie's face, for she
+could not look at me; and Lizzie looked at me, to know: and as for me, I
+could have stamped almost on the heart of any one. It was not the value
+of the necklace--I am not so low a hound as that--nor was it even the
+damned folly shown by every one of us--it was the thought of Lorna's
+sorrow for her ancient plaything; and even more, my fury at the breach
+of hospitality.
+
+But Lorna came up to me softly, as a woman should always come; and she
+laid one hand upon my shoulder; and she only looked at me. She even
+seemed to fear to look, and dropped her eyes, and sighed at me. Without
+a word, I knew by that, how I must have looked like Satan; and the evil
+spirit left my heart; when she had made me think of it.
+
+"Darling John, did you want me to think that you cared for my money,
+more than for me?"
+
+I led her away from the rest of them, being desirous of explaining
+things, when I saw the depth of her nature opened, like an everlasting
+well, to me. But she would not let me say a word, or do anything by
+ourselves, as it were: she said, "Your duty is to your mother: this blow
+is on her, and not on me."
+
+I saw that she was right; though how she knew it is beyond me; and I
+asked her just to go in front, and bring my mother round a little. For I
+must let my passion pass: it may drop its weapons quickly; but it cannot
+come and go, before a man has time to think.
+
+Then Lorna went up to my mother, who was still in the chair of elegance;
+and she took her by both hands, and said,--
+
+"Dearest mother, I shall fret so, if I see you fretting. And to fret
+will kill me, mother. They have always told me so."
+
+Poor mother bent on Lorna's shoulder, without thought of attitude, and
+laid her cheek on Lorna's breast, and sobbed till Lizzie was jealous,
+and came with two pocket-handkerchiefs. As for me, my heart was lighter
+(if they would only dry their eyes, and come round by dinnertime) than
+it had been since the day on which Tom Faggus discovered the value of
+that blessed and cursed necklace. None could say that I wanted Lorna for
+her money now. And perhaps the Doones would let me have her; now that
+her property was gone.
+
+But who shall tell of Annie's grief? The poor little thing would have
+staked her life upon finding the trinket, in all its beauty, lying under
+the pannikin. She proudly challenged me to lift it--which I had done,
+long ere that, of course--if only I would take the risk of the spell for
+my incredulity. I told her not to talk of spells, until she could spell
+a word backwards; and then to look into the pan where the charmed cream
+should be. She would not acknowledge that the cream was the same as all
+the rest was: and indeed it was not quite the same, for the points of
+poor Lorna's diamonds had made a few star-rays across the rich firm
+crust of yellow.
+
+But when we raised the pannikin, and there was nothing under it, poor
+Annie fell against the wall, which had been whitened lately; and her
+face put all the white to scorn. My love, who was as fond of her, as if
+she had known her for fifty years, hereupon ran up and caught her, and
+abused all diamonds. I will dwell no more upon Annie's grief, because we
+felt it all so much. But I could not help telling her, if she wanted a
+witch, to seek good Mother Melldrum, a legitimate performer.
+
+That same night Master Jeremy Stickles (of whose absence the Counsellor
+must have known) came back, with all equipment ready for the grand
+attack. Now the Doones knew, quite as well as we did, that this attack
+was threatening; and that but for the wonderful weather it would have
+been made long ago. Therefore we, or at least our people (for I was
+doubtful about going), were sure to meet with a good resistance, and due
+preparation.
+
+It was very strange to hear and see, and quite impossible to account
+for, that now some hundreds of country people (who feared to whisper
+so much as a word against the Doones a year ago, and would sooner have
+thought of attacking a church, in service time, than Glen Doone) now
+sharpened their old cutlasses, and laid pitch-forks on the grindstone,
+and bragged at every village cross, as if each would kill ten Doones
+himself, neither care to wipe his hands afterwards. And this fierce
+bravery, and tall contempt, had been growing ever since the news of the
+attack upon our premises had taken good people by surprise; at least as
+concerned the issue.
+
+Jeremy Stickles laughed heartily about Annie's new manner of charming
+the cream; but he looked very grave at the loss of the jewels, so soon
+as he knew their value.
+
+"My son," he exclaimed, "this is very heavy. It will go ill with all of
+you to make good this loss, as I fear that you will have to do."
+
+"What!" cried I, with my blood running cold. "We make good the loss,
+Master Stickles! Every farthing we have in the world, and the labour of
+our lives to boot, will never make good the tenth of it."
+
+"It would cut me to the heart," he answered, laying his hand on mine,
+"to hear of such a deadly blow to you and your good mother. And this
+farm; how long, John, has it been in your family?"
+
+"For at least six hundred years," I said, with a foolish pride that was
+only too like to end in groans; "and some people say, by a Royal grant,
+in the time of the great King Alfred. At any rate, a Ridd was with him
+throughout all his hiding-time. We have always held by the King and
+crown: surely none will turn us out, unless we are guilty of treason?"
+
+"My son," replied Jeremy very gently, so that I could love him for
+it, "not a word to your good mother of this unlucky matter. Keep it to
+yourself, my boy, and try to think but little of it. After all, I may be
+wrong: at any rate, least said best mended."
+
+"But Jeremy, dear Jeremy, how can I bear to leave it so? Do you suppose
+that I can sleep, and eat my food, and go about, and look at other
+people, as if nothing at all had happened? And all the time have it on
+my mind, that not an acre of all the land, nor even our old sheep-dog,
+belongs to us, of right at all! It is more than I can do, Jeremy. Let me
+talk, and know the worst of it."
+
+"Very well," replied Master Stickles, seeing that both the doors were
+closed; "I thought that nothing could move you, John; or I never would
+have told you. Likely enough I am quite wrong; and God send that I be
+so. But what I guessed at some time back seems more than a guess, now
+that you have told me about these wondrous jewels. Now will you keep, as
+close as death, every word I tell you?"
+
+"By the honour of a man, I will. Until you yourself release me."
+
+"That is quite enough, John. From you I want no oath; which, according
+to my experience, tempts a man to lie the more, by making it more
+important. I know you now too well to swear you, though I have the
+power. Now, my lad, what I have to say will scare your mind in one way,
+and ease it in another. I think that you have been hard pressed--I can
+read you like a book, John--by something which that old villain said,
+before he stole the necklace. You have tried not to dwell upon it; you
+have even tried to make light of it for the sake of the women: but on
+the whole it has grieved you more than even this dastard robbery."
+
+"It would have done so, Jeremy Stickles, if I could once have believed
+it. And even without much belief, it is so against our manners, that it
+makes me miserable. Only think of loving Lorna, only think of kissing
+her; and then remembering that her father had destroyed the life of
+mine!"
+
+"Only think," said Master Stickles, imitating my very voice, "of Lorna
+loving you, John, of Lorna kissing you, John; and all the while saying
+to herself, 'this man's father murdered mine.' Now look at it in Lorna's
+way as well as in your own way. How one-sided all men are!"
+
+"I may look at it in fifty ways, and yet no good will come of it.
+Jeremy, I confess to you, that I tried to make the best of it; partly to
+baffle the Counsellor, and partly because my darling needed my help, and
+bore it so, and behaved to me so nobly. But to you in secret, I am not
+ashamed to say that a woman may look over this easier than a man may."
+
+"Because her nature is larger, my son, when she truly loves; although
+her mind be smaller. Now, if I can ease you from this secret burden,
+will you bear, with strength and courage, the other which I plant on
+you?"
+
+"I will do my best," said I.
+
+"No man can do more," said he and so began his story.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LIII
+
+JEREMY FINDS OUT SOMETHING
+
+[Illustration: 472.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+"You know, my son," said Jeremy Stickles, with a good pull at his pipe,
+because he was going to talk so much, and putting his legs well along
+the settle; "it has been my duty, for a wearier time than I care to
+think of (and which would have been unbearable, except for your great
+kindness), to search this neighbourhood narrowly, and learn everything
+about everybody. Now the neighbourhood itself is queer; and people
+have different ways of thinking from what we are used to in London. For
+instance now, among your folk, when any piece of news is told, or any
+man's conduct spoken of, the very first question that arises in your
+mind is this--'Was this action kind and good?' Long after that, you say
+to yourselves, 'does the law enjoin or forbid this thing?' Now here
+is your fundamental error: for among all truly civilised people the
+foremost of all questions is, 'how stands the law herein?' And if the
+law approve, no need for any further questioning. That this is so, you
+may take my word: for I know the law pretty thoroughly.
+
+"Very well; I need not say any more about that, for I have shown that
+you are all quite wrong. I only speak of this savage tendency, because
+it explains so many things which have puzzled me among you, and most of
+all your kindness to men whom you never saw before; which is an utterly
+illegal thing. It also explains your toleration of these outlaw Doones
+so long. If your views of law had been correct, and law an element of
+your lives, these robbers could never have been indulged for so many
+years amongst you: but you must have abated the nuisance."
+
+"Now, Stickles," I cried, "this is too bad!" he was delivering himself
+so grandly. "Why you yourself have been amongst us, as the balance, and
+sceptre, and sword of law, for nigh upon a twelvemonth; and have you
+abated the nuisance, or even cared to do it, until they began to shoot
+at you?"
+
+"My son," he replied, "your argument is quite beside the purpose, and
+only tends to prove more clearly that which I have said of you. However,
+if you wish to hear my story, no more interruptions. I may not have a
+chance to tell you, perhaps for weeks, or I know not when, if once those
+yellows and reds arrive, and be blessed to them, the lubbers! Well,
+it may be six months ago, or it may be seven, at any rate a good while
+before that cursed frost began, the mere name of which sends a shiver
+down every bone of my body, when I was riding one afternoon from
+Dulverton to Watchett"--
+
+"Dulverton to Watchett!" I cried. "Now what does that remind me of? I am
+sure, I remember something--"
+
+"Remember this, John, if anything--that another word from thee, and thou
+hast no more of mine. Well, I was a little weary perhaps, having been
+plagued at Dulverton with the grossness of the people. For they would
+tell me nothing at all about their fellow-townsmen, your worthy Uncle
+Huckaback, except that he was a God-fearing man, and they only wished
+I was like him. I blessed myself for a stupid fool, in thinking to have
+pumped them; for by this time I might have known that, through your
+Western homeliness, every man in his own country is something more than
+a prophet. And I felt, of course, that I had done more harm than good by
+questioning; inasmuch as every soul in the place would run straightway
+and inform him that the King's man from the other side of the forest had
+been sifting out his ways and works."
+
+"Ah," I cried, for I could not help it; "you begin to understand at
+last, that we are not quite such a set of oafs, as you at first believed
+us."
+
+"I was riding on from Dulverton," he resumed, with great severity, yet
+threatening me no more, which checked me more than fifty threats: "and
+it was late in the afternoon, and I was growing weary. The road (if road
+it could be called) turned suddenly down from the higher land to the
+very brink of the sea; and rounding a little jut of cliff, I met the
+roar of the breakers. My horse was scared, and leaped aside; for a
+northerly wind was piping, and driving hunks of foam across, as children
+scatter snow-balls. But he only sank to his fetlocks in the dry sand,
+piled with pop-weed: and I tried to make him face the waves; and then I
+looked about me.
+
+"Watchett town was not to be seen, on account of a little foreland, a
+mile or more upon my course, and standing to the right of me. There was
+room enough below the cliffs (which are nothing there to yours, John),
+for horse and man to get along, although the tide was running high with
+a northerly gale to back it. But close at hand and in the corner, drawn
+above the yellow sands and long eye-brows of rackweed, as snug a little
+house blinked on me as ever I saw, or wished to see.
+
+[Illustration: 474.jpg Snug little house blinked on me]
+
+"You know that I am not luxurious, neither in any way given to the
+common lusts of the flesh, John. My father never allowed his hair to
+grow a fourth part of an inch in length, and he was a thoroughly godly
+man; and I try to follow in his footsteps, whenever I think about it.
+Nevertheless, I do assure you that my view of that little house and the
+way the lights were twinkling, so different from the cold and darkness
+of the rolling sea, moved the ancient Adam in me, if he could be found
+to move. I love not a house with too many windows: being out of house
+and doors some three-quarters of my time, when I get inside a house I
+like to feel the difference. Air and light are good for people who have
+any lack of them; and if a man once talks about them, 'tis enough to
+prove his need of them. But, as you well know, John Ridd, the horse who
+has been at work all day, with the sunshine in his eyes, sleeps better
+in dark stables, and needs no moon to help him.
+
+"Seeing therefore that this same inn had four windows, and no more,
+I thought to myself how snug it was, and how beautiful I could sleep
+there. And so I made the old horse draw hand, which he was only too glad
+to do, and we clomb above the spring-tide mark, and over a little piece
+of turf, and struck the door of the hostelry. Some one came and peeped
+at me through the lattice overhead, which was full of bulls' eyes; and
+then the bolt was drawn back, and a woman met me very courteously. A
+dark and foreign-looking woman, very hot of blood, I doubt, but not
+altogether a bad one. And she waited for me to speak first, which an
+Englishwoman would not have done.
+
+"'Can I rest here for the night?' I asked, with a lift of my hat to her;
+for she was no provincial dame, who would stare at me for the courtesy;
+'my horse is weary from the sloughs, and myself but little better:
+beside that, we both are famished.'
+
+"'Yes, sir, you can rest and welcome. But of food, I fear, there is but
+little, unless of the common order. Our fishers would have drawn the
+nets, but the waves were violent. However, we have--what you call it? I
+never can remember, it is so hard to say--the flesh of the hog salted.'
+
+"'Bacon!' said I; 'what can be better? And half dozen of eggs with it,
+and a quart of fresh-drawn ale. You make me rage with hunger, madam. Is
+it cruelty, or hospitality?'
+
+"'Ah, good!' she replied, with a merry smile, full of southern sunshine:
+'you are not of the men round here; you can think, and you can laugh!'
+
+"'And most of all, I can eat, good madam. In that way I shall astonish
+you; even more than by my intellect.'
+
+"She laughed aloud, and swung her shoulders, as your natives cannot do;
+and then she called a little maid to lead my horse to stable. However,
+I preferred to see that matter done myself, and told her to send the
+little maid for the frying-pan and the egg-box.
+
+"Whether it were my natural wit and elegance of manner; or whether it
+were my London freedom and knowledge of the world; or (which is perhaps
+the most probable, because the least pleasing supposition) my ready and
+permanent appetite, and appreciation of garlic--I leave you to decide,
+John: but perhaps all three combined to recommend me to the graces of my
+charming hostess. When I say 'charming,' I mean of course by manners
+and by intelligence, and most of all by cooking; for as regards external
+charms (most fleeting and fallacious) hers had ceased to cause distress,
+for I cannot say how many years. She said that it was the climate--for
+even upon that subject she requested my opinion--and I answered, 'if
+there be a change, let madam blame the seasons.'
+
+"However, not to dwell too much upon our little pleasantries (for I
+always get on with these foreign women better than with your Molls and
+Pegs), I became, not inquisitive, but reasonably desirous to know, by
+what strange hap or hazard, a clever and a handsome woman, as she must
+have been some day, a woman moreover with great contempt for the rustic
+minds around her, could have settled here in this lonely inn, with
+only the waves for company, and a boorish husband who slaved all day in
+turning a potter's wheel at Watchett. And what was the meaning of the
+emblem set above her doorway, a very unattractive cat sitting in a
+ruined tree?
+
+"However, I had not very long to strain my curiosity; for when she found
+out who I was, and how I held the King's commission, and might be called
+an officer, her desire to tell me all was more than equal to mine
+of hearing it. Many and many a day, she had longed for some one both
+skilful and trustworthy, most of all for some one bearing warrant from
+a court of justice. But the magistrates of the neighbourhood would have
+nothing to say to her, declaring that she was a crack-brained woman, and
+a wicked, and even a foreign one.
+
+"With many grimaces she assured me that never by her own free-will would
+she have lived so many years in that hateful country, where the sky for
+half the year was fog, and rain for nearly the other half. It was so
+the very night when first her evil fortune brought her there; and so no
+doubt it would be, long after it had killed her. But if I wished to know
+the reason of her being there, she would tell me in few words, which I
+will repeat as briefly.
+
+"By birth she was an Italian, from the mountains of Apulia, who had
+gone to Rome to seek her fortunes, after being badly treated in some
+love-affair. Her Christian name was Benita; as for her surname, that
+could make no difference to any one. Being a quick and active girl,
+and resolved to work down her troubles, she found employment in a large
+hotel; and rising gradually, began to send money to her parents. And
+here she might have thriven well, and married well under sunny skies,
+and been a happy woman, but that some black day sent thither a rich and
+noble English family, eager to behold the Pope. It was not, however,
+their fervent longing for the Holy Father which had brought them to St.
+Peter's roof; but rather their own bad luck in making their home too
+hot to hold them. For although in the main good Catholics, and pleasant
+receivers of anything, one of their number had given offence, by the
+folly of trying to think for himself. Some bitter feud had been among
+them, Benita knew not how it was; and the sister of the nobleman who
+had died quite lately was married to the rival claimant, whom they all
+detested. It was something about dividing land; Benita knew not what it
+was.
+
+"But this Benita did know, that they were all great people, and rich,
+and very liberal; so that when they offered to take her, to attend to
+the children, and to speak the language for them, and to comfort the
+lady, she was only too glad to go, little foreseeing the end of it.
+Moreover, she loved the children so, from their pretty ways and that,
+and the things they gave her, and the style of their dresses, that it
+would have broken her heart almost never to see the dears again.
+
+"And so, in a very evil hour, she accepted the service of the noble
+Englishman, and sent her father an old shoe filled to the tongue with
+money, and trusted herself to fortune. But even before she went, she
+knew that it could not turn out well; for the laurel leaf which she
+threw on the fire would not crackle even once, and the horn of the goat
+came wrong in the twist, and the heel of her foot was shining. This made
+her sigh at the starting-time; and after that what could you hope for?
+
+"However, at first all things went well. My Lord was as gay as gay could
+be: and never would come inside the carriage, when a decent horse could
+be got to ride. He would gallop in front, at a reckless pace, without a
+weapon of any kind, delighted with the pure blue air, and throwing his
+heart around him. Benita had never seen any man so admirable, and so
+childish. As innocent as an infant; and not only contented, but noisily
+happy with anything. Only other people must share his joy; and the
+shadow of sorrow scattered it, though it were but the shade of poverty.
+
+"Here Benita wept a little; and I liked her none the less, and believed
+her ten times more; in virtue of a tear or two.
+
+"And so they travelled through Northern Italy, and throughout the south
+of France, making their way anyhow; sometimes in coaches, sometimes in
+carts, sometimes upon mule-back, sometimes even a-foot and weary; but
+always as happy as could be. The children laughed, and grew, and throve
+(especially the young lady, the elder of the two), and Benita began
+to think that omens must not be relied upon. But suddenly her faith in
+omens was confirmed for ever.
+
+"My Lord, who was quite a young man still, and laughed at English
+arrogance, rode on in front of his wife and friends, to catch the first
+of a famous view, on the French side of the Pyrenee hills. He kissed his
+hand to his wife, and said that he would save her the trouble of coming.
+For those two were so one in one, that they could make each other know
+whatever he or she had felt. And so my Lord went round the corner, with
+a fine young horse leaping up at the steps.
+
+"They waited for him, long and long; but he never came again; and within
+a week, his mangled body lay in a little chapel-yard; and if the priests
+only said a quarter of the prayers they took the money for, God knows
+they can have no throats left; only a relaxation.
+
+"My lady dwelled for six months more--it is a melancholy tale (what true
+tale is not so?)--scarcely able to believe that all her fright was not a
+dream. She would not wear a piece or shape of any mourning-clothes;
+she would not have a person cry, or any sorrow among us. She simply
+disbelieved the thing, and trusted God to right it. The Protestants, who
+have no faith, cannot understand this feeling. Enough that so it was;
+and so my Lady went to heaven.
+
+"For when the snow came down in autumn on the roots of the Pyrenees, and
+the chapel-yard was white with it, many people told the lady that it was
+time for her to go. And the strongest plea of all was this, that now she
+bore another hope of repeating her husband's virtues. So at the end of
+October, when wolves came down to the farm-lands, the little English
+family went home towards their England.
+
+"They landed somewhere on the Devonshire coast, ten or eleven years
+agone, and stayed some days at Exeter; and set out thence in a hired
+coach, without any proper attendance, for Watchett, in the north of
+Somerset. For the lady owned a quiet mansion in the neighbourhood of
+that town, and her one desire was to find refuge there, and to meet her
+lord, who was sure to come (she said) when he heard of his new infant.
+Therefore with only two serving-men and two maids (including Benita),
+the party set forth from Exeter, and lay the first night at Bampton.
+
+"On the following morn they started bravely, with earnest hope of
+arriving at their journey's end by daylight. But the roads were soft and
+very deep, and the sloughs were out in places; and the heavy coach broke
+down in the axle, and needed mending at Dulverton; and so they lost
+three hours or more, and would have been wiser to sleep there. But her
+ladyship would not hear of it; she must be home that night, she said,
+and her husband would be waiting. How could she keep him waiting now,
+after such a long, long time?
+
+"Therefore, although it was afternoon, and the year now come to
+December, the horses were put to again, and the heavy coach went up the
+hill, with the lady and her two children, and Benita, sitting inside
+of it; the other maid, and two serving-men (each man with a great
+blunderbuss) mounted upon the outside; and upon the horses three Exeter
+postilions. Much had been said at Dulverton, and even back at Bampton,
+about some great freebooters, to whom all Exmoor owed suit and service,
+and paid them very punctually. Both the serving-men were scared, even
+over their ale, by this. But the lady only said, 'Drive on; I know a
+little of highwaymen: they never rob a lady.'"
+
+"Through the fog and through the muck the coach went on, as best
+it might; sometimes foundered in a slough, with half of the horses
+splashing it, and some-times knuckled up on a bank, and straining across
+the middle, while all the horses kicked at it. However, they went on
+till dark as well as might be expected. But when they came, all thanking
+God, to the pitch and slope of the sea-bank, leading on towards Watchett
+town, and where my horse had shied so, there the little boy jumped up,
+and clapped his hands at the water; and there (as Benita said) they met
+their fate, and could not fly it.
+
+"Although it was past the dusk of day, the silver light from the sea
+flowed in, and showed the cliffs, and the gray sand-line, and the drifts
+of wreck, and wrack-weed. It showed them also a troop of horsemen,
+waiting under a rock hard by, and ready to dash upon them. The
+postilions lashed towards the sea, and the horses strove in the depth of
+sand, and the serving-men cocked their blunder-busses, and cowered away
+behind them; but the lady stood up in the carriage bravely, and neither
+screamed nor spoke, but hid her son behind her. Meanwhile the drivers
+drove into the sea, till the leading horses were swimming.
+
+"But before the waves came into the coach, a score of fierce men were
+round it. They cursed the postilions for mad cowards, and cut the
+traces, and seized the wheel-horses, all-wild with dismay in the wet and
+the dark. Then, while the carriage was heeling over, and well-nigh upset
+in the water, the lady exclaimed, 'I know that man! He is our ancient
+enemy;' and Benita (foreseeing that all their boxes would be turned
+inside out, or carried away), snatched the most valuable of the jewels,
+a magnificent necklace of diamonds, and cast it over the little girl's
+head, and buried it under her travelling-cloak, hoping to save it. Then
+a great wave, crested with foam, rolled in, and the coach was thrown
+on its side, and the sea rushed in at the top and the windows, upon
+shrieking, and clashing, and fainting away.
+
+"What followed Benita knew not, as one might well suppose, herself being
+stunned by a blow on the head, beside being palsied with terror. 'See,
+I have the mark now,' she said, 'where the jamb of the door came down on
+me!' But when she recovered her senses, she found herself lying upon
+the sand, the robbers were out of sight, and one of the serving-men was
+bathing her forehead with sea water. For this she rated him well, having
+taken already too much of that article; and then she arose and ran to
+her mistress, who was sitting upright on a little rock, with her dead
+boy's face to her bosom, sometimes gazing upon him, and sometimes
+questing round for the other one.
+
+"Although there were torches and links around, and she looked at her
+child by the light of them, no one dared to approach the lady, or speak,
+or try to help her. Each man whispered his fellow to go, but each hung
+back himself, and muttered that it was too awful to meddle with. And
+there she would have sat all night, with the fine little fellow stone
+dead in her arms, and her tearless eyes dwelling upon him, and her heart
+but not her mind thinking, only that the Italian women stole up softly
+to her side, and whispered, 'It is the will of God.'
+
+"'So it always seems to be,' were all the words the mother answered;
+and then she fell on Benita's neck; and the men were ashamed to be near
+her weeping; and a sailor lay down and bellowed. Surely these men are
+the best.
+
+"Before the light of the morning came along the tide to Watchett my Lady
+had met her husband. They took her into the town that night, but not
+to her own castle; and so the power of womanhood (which is itself
+maternity) came over swiftly upon her. The lady, whom all people
+loved (though at certain times particular), lies in Watchett little
+churchyard, with son and heir at her right hand, and a little babe, of
+sex unknown, sleeping on her bosom.
+
+"This is a miserable tale," said Jeremy Stickles brightly; "hand me
+over the schnapps, my boy. What fools we are to spoil our eyes for other
+people's troubles! Enough of our own to keep them clean, although we
+all were chimney-sweeps. There is nothing like good hollands, when a
+man becomes too sensitive. Restore the action of the glands; that is
+my rule, after weeping. Let me make you another, John. You are quite
+low-spirited."
+
+But although Master Jeremy carried on so (as became his manhood), and
+laughed at the sailor's bellowing; bless his heart, I knew as well that
+tears were in his brave keen eyes, as if I had dared to look for them,
+or to show mine own.
+
+"And what was the lady's name?" I asked; "and what became of the little
+girl? And why did the woman stay there?"
+
+"Well!" cried Jeremy Stickles, only too glad to be cheerful again: "talk
+of a woman after that! As we used to say at school--Who dragged whom,
+how many times, in what manner, round the wall of what?" But to begin,
+last first, my John (as becomes a woman): Benita stayed in that blessed
+place, because she could not get away from it. The Doones--if Doones
+indeed they were, about which you of course know best--took every stiver
+out of the carriage: wet or dry they took it. And Benita could never get
+her wages: for the whole affair is in Chancery, and they have appointed
+a receiver."
+
+"Whew!" said I, knowing something of London, and sorry for Benita's
+chance.
+
+"So the poor thing was compelled to drop all thought of Apulia, and
+settle down on the brink of Exmoor, where you get all its evils, without
+the good to balance them. She married a man who turned a wheel for
+making the blue Watchett ware, partly because he could give her a house,
+and partly because he proved himself a good soul towards my Lady. There
+they are, and have three children; and there you may go and visit them."
+
+"I understand all that, Jeremy, though you do tell things too quickly,
+and I would rather have John Fry's style; for he leaves one time for
+his words to melt. Now for my second question. What became of the little
+maid?"
+
+"You great oaf!" cried Jeremy Stickles: "you are rather more likely to
+know, I should think, than any one else in all the kingdoms."
+
+"If I knew, I should not ask you. Jeremy Stickles, do try to be neither
+conceited nor thick-headed."
+
+"I will when you are neither," answered Master Jeremy; "but you occupy
+all the room, John. No one else can get in with you there."
+
+"Very well then, let me out. Take me down in both ways."
+
+"If ever you were taken down; you must have your double joints ready
+now. And yet in other ways you will be as proud and set up as Lucifer.
+As certain sure as I stand here, that little maid is Lorna Doone."
+
+[Illustration: 482.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LIV
+
+MUTUAL DISCOMFITURE
+
+[Illustration: 483.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+It must not be supposed that I was altogether so thick-headed as Jeremy
+would have made me out. But it is part of my character that I like other
+people to think me slow, and to labour hard to enlighten me, while all
+the time I can say to myself, "This man is shallower than I am; it is
+pleasant to see his shoals come up while he is sounding mine so!" Not
+that I would so behave, God forbid, with anybody (be it man or woman)
+who in simple heart approached me, with no gauge of intellect. But when
+the upper hand is taken, upon the faith of one's patience, by a man of
+even smaller wits (not that Jeremy was that, neither could he have lived
+to be thought so), why, it naturally happens, that we knuckle under,
+with an ounce of indignation.
+
+Jeremy's tale would have moved me greatly both with sorrow and anger,
+even without my guess at first, and now my firm belief, that the child
+of those unlucky parents was indeed my Lorna. And as I thought of the
+lady's troubles, and her faith in Providence, and her cruel, childless
+death, and then imagined how my darling would be overcome to hear it,
+you may well believe that my quick replies to Jeremy Stickles's banter
+were but as the flourish of a drum to cover the sounds of pain.
+
+For when he described the heavy coach and the persons in and upon it,
+and the breaking down at Dulverton, and the place of their destination,
+as well as the time and the weather, and the season of the year, my
+heart began to burn within me, and my mind replaced the pictures, first
+of the foreign lady's-maid by the pump caressing me, and then of the
+coach struggling up the hill, and the beautiful dame, and the fine
+little boy, with the white cockade in his hat; but most of all the
+little girl, dark-haired and very lovely, and having even in those days
+the rich soft look of Lorna.
+
+But when he spoke of the necklace thrown over the head of the little
+maiden, and of her disappearance, before my eyes arose at once the
+flashing of the beacon-fire, the lonely moors embrowned with the light,
+the tramp of the outlaw cavalcade, and the helpless child head-downward,
+lying across the robber's saddle-bow.
+
+Then I remembered my own mad shout of boyish indignation, and marvelled
+at the strange long way by which the events of life come round. And
+while I thought of my own return, and childish attempt to hide myself
+from sorrow in the sawpit, and the agony of my mother's tears, it did
+not fail to strike me as a thing of omen, that the selfsame day should
+be, both to my darling and myself, the blackest and most miserable of
+all youthful days.
+
+The King's Commissioner thought it wise, for some good reason of his
+own, to conceal from me, for the present, the name of the poor lady
+supposed to be Lorna's mother; and knowing that I could easily now
+discover it, without him, I let that question abide awhile. Indeed I was
+half afraid to hear it, remembering that the nobler and the wealthier
+she proved to be, the smaller was my chance of winning such a wife for
+plain John Ridd. Not that she would give me up: that I never dreamed of.
+But that others would interfere; or indeed I myself might find it only
+honest to relinquish her. That last thought was a dreadful blow, and
+took my breath away from me.
+
+Jeremy Stickles was quite decided--and of course the discovery being
+his, he had a right to be so--that not a word of all these things must
+be imparted to Lorna herself, or even to my mother, or any one
+whatever. "Keep it tight as wax, my lad," he cried, with a wink of
+great expression; "this belongs to me, mind; and the credit, ay, and the
+premium, and the right of discount, are altogether mine. It would have
+taken you fifty years to put two and two together so, as I did, like a
+clap of thunder. Ah, God has given some men brains; and others have good
+farms and money, and a certain skill in the lower beasts. Each must use
+his special talent. You work your farm: I work my brains. In the end, my
+lad, I shall beat you."
+
+"Then, Jeremy, what a fool you must be, if you cudgel your brains to
+make money of this, to open the barn-door to me, and show me all your
+threshing."
+
+"Not a whit, my son. Quite the opposite. Two men always thresh better
+than one. And here I have you bound to use your flail, one two, with
+mine, and yet in strictest honour bound not to bushel up, till I tell
+you."
+
+"But," said I, being much amused by a Londoner's brave, yet uncertain,
+use of simplest rural metaphors, for he had wholly forgotten the
+winnowing: "surely if I bushel up, even when you tell me, I must take
+half-measure."
+
+"So you shall, my boy," he answered, "if we can only cheat those
+confounded knaves of Equity. You shall take the beauty, my son, and
+the elegance, and the love, and all that--and, my boy, I will take the
+money."
+
+This he said in a way so dry, and yet so richly unctuous, that being
+gifted somehow by God, with a kind of sense of queerness, I fell back in
+my chair, and laughed, though the underside of my laugh was tears.
+
+"Now, Jeremy, how if I refuse to keep this half as tight as wax. You
+bound me to no such partnership, before you told the story; and I am not
+sure, by any means, of your right to do so afterwards."
+
+"Tush!" he replied: "I know you too well, to look for meanness in you.
+If from pure goodwill, John Ridd, and anxiety to relieve you, I made no
+condition precedent, you are not the man to take advantage, as a lawyer
+might. I do not even want your promise. As sure as I hold this glass,
+and drink your health and love in another drop (forced on me by pathetic
+words), so surely will you be bound to me, until I do release you. Tush!
+I know men well by this time: a mere look of trust from one is worth
+another's ten thousand oaths."
+
+"Jeremy, you are right," I answered; "at least as regards the issue.
+Although perhaps you were not right in leading me into a bargain like
+this, without my own consent or knowledge. But supposing that we should
+both be shot in this grand attack on the valley (for I mean to go
+with you now, heart and soul), is Lorna to remain untold of that which
+changes all her life?"
+
+"Both shot!" cried Jeremy Stickles: "my goodness, boy, talk not like
+that! And those Doones are cursed good shots too. Nay, nay, the yellows
+shall go in front; we attack on the Somerset side, I think. I from a
+hill will reconnoitre, as behoves a general, you shall stick behind a
+tree, if we can only find one big enough to hide you. You and I to be
+shot, John Ridd, with all this inferior food for powder anxious to be
+devoured?"
+
+I laughed, for I knew his cool hardihood, and never-flinching courage;
+and sooth to say no coward would have dared to talk like that.
+
+"But when one comes to think of it," he continued, smiling at himself;
+"some provision should be made for even that unpleasant chance. I will
+leave the whole in writing, with orders to be opened, etc., etc.--Now no
+more of that, my boy; a cigarro after schnapps, and go to meet my yellow
+boys."
+
+His "yellow boys," as he called the Somersetshire trained bands, were
+even now coming down the valley from the London Road, as every one since
+I went up to town, grandly entitled the lane to the moors. There was one
+good point about these men, that having no discipline at all, they made
+pretence to none whatever. Nay, rather they ridiculed the thing, as
+below men of any spirit. On the other hand, Master Stickles's troopers
+looked down on these native fellows from a height which I hope they may
+never tumble, for it would break the necks of all of them.
+
+Now these fine natives came along, singing, for their very lives, a song
+the like of which set down here would oust my book from modest
+people, and make everybody say, "this man never can have loved Lorna."
+Therefore, the less of that the better; only I thought, "what a
+difference from the goodly psalms of the ale house!"
+
+Having finished their canticle, which contained more mirth than melody,
+they drew themselves up, in a sort of way supposed by them to be
+military, each man with heel and elbow struck into those of his
+neighbour, and saluted the King's Commissioner. "Why, where are your
+officers?" asked Master Stickles; "how is it that you have no officers?"
+Upon this there arose a general grin, and a knowing look passed along
+their faces, even up to the man by the gatepost. "Are you going to tell
+me, or not," said Jeremy, "what is become of your officers?"
+
+"Plaise zur," said one little fellow at last, being nodded at by the
+rest to speak, in right of his known eloquence; "hus tould Harfizers, as
+a wor no nade of un, now King's man hiszell wor coom, a puppose vor to
+command us laike."
+
+"And do you mean to say, you villains," cried Jeremy, scarce knowing
+whether to laugh, or to swear, or what to do; "that your officers took
+their dismissal thus, and let you come on without them?"
+
+"What could 'em do?" asked the little man, with reason certainly on his
+side: "hus zent 'em about their business, and they was glad enough to
+goo."
+
+"Well!" said poor Jeremy, turning to me; "a pretty state of things,
+John! Threescore cobblers, and farming men, plasterers, tailors, and
+kettles-to-mend; and not a man to keep order among them, except my
+blessed self, John! And I trow there is not one among them could hit all
+in-door flying. The Doones will make riddles of all of us."
+
+However, he had better hopes when the sons of Devon appeared, as
+they did in about an hour's time; fine fellows, and eager to prove
+themselves. These had not discarded their officers, but marched in good
+obedience to them, and were quite prepared to fight the men of Somerset
+(if need be) in addition to the Doones. And there was scarcely a man
+among them but could have trounced three of the yellow men, and would
+have done it gladly too, in honour of the red facings.
+
+"Do you mean to suppose, Master Jeremy Stickles," said I, looking on
+with amazement, beholding also all our maidens at the upstair windows
+wondering; "that we, my mother a widow woman, and I a young man of small
+estate, can keep and support all these precious fellows, both yellow
+ones, and red ones, until they have taken the Doone Glen?"
+
+"God forbid it, my son!" he replied, laying a finger upon his lip:
+"Nay, nay, I am not of the shabby order, when I have the strings of
+government. Kill your sheep at famine prices, and knead your bread at
+a figure expressing the rigours of last winter. Let Annie make out the
+bill every day, and I at night will double it. You may take my word for
+it, Master John, this spring-harvest shall bring you in three times
+as much as last autumn's did. If they cheated you in town, my lad, you
+shall have your change in the country. Take thy bill, and write down
+quickly."
+
+However this did not meet my views of what an honest man should do; and
+I went to consult my mother about it, as all the accounts would be made
+in her name.
+
+Dear mother thought that if the King paid only half again as much as
+other people would have to pay, it would be perhaps the proper thing;
+the half being due for loyalty: and here she quoted an ancient saying,--
+
+    "The King and his staff.
+     Be a man and a half;"
+
+which, according to her judgment, ruled beyond dispute the law of the
+present question. To argue with her after that (which she brought up
+with such triumph) would have been worse than useless. Therefore I just
+told Annie to make the bills at a third below the current market prices;
+so that the upshot would be fair. She promised me honestly that she
+would; but with a twinkle in her bright blue eyes, which she must have
+caught from Tom Faggus. It always has appeared to me that stern and
+downright honesty upon money matters is a thing not understood of women;
+be they as good as good can be.
+
+The yellows and the reds together numbered a hundred and twenty men,
+most of whom slept in our barns and stacks; and besides these we had
+fifteen troopers of the regular army. You may suppose that all the
+country was turned upside down about it; and the folk who came to see
+them drill--by no means a needless exercise--were a greater plague
+than the soldiers. The officers too of the Devonshire hand were such a
+torment to us, that we almost wished their men had dismissed them, as
+the Somerset troop had done with theirs. For we could not keep them out
+of our house, being all young men of good family, and therefore not to
+be met with bars. And having now three lovely maidens (for even Lizzie
+might be called so, when she cared to please), mother and I were at
+wit's ends, on account of those blessed officers. I never got a wink of
+sleep; they came whistling under the window so; and directly I went out
+to chase them, there was nothing but a cat to see.
+
+Therefore all of us were right glad (except perhaps Farmer Snowe, from
+whom we had bought some victuals at rare price), when Jeremy Stickles
+gave orders to march, and we began to try to do it. A good deal of
+boasting went overhead, as our men defiled along the lane; and the thick
+broad patins of pennywort jutted out between the stones, ready to
+heal their bruises. The parish choir came part of the way, and the
+singing-loft from Countisbury; and they kept our soldiers' spirits up
+with some of the most pugnacious Psalms. Parson Bowden marched ahead,
+leading all our van and file, as against the Papists; and promising
+to go with us, till we came to bullet distance. Therefore we marched
+bravely on, and children came to look at us. And I wondered where Uncle
+Reuben was, who ought to have led the culverins (whereof we had no less
+than three), if Stickles could only have found him; and then I thought
+of little Ruth; and without any fault on my part, my heart went down
+within me.
+
+The culverins were laid on bark; and all our horses pulling them, and
+looking round every now and then, with their ears curved up like a
+squirrel'd nut, and their noses tossing anxiously, to know what sort
+of plough it was man had been pleased to put behind them--man, whose
+endless whims and wildness they could never understand, any more than
+they could satisfy. However, they pulled their very best--as all our
+horses always do--and the culverins went up the hill, without smack
+of whip, or swearing. It had been arranged, very justly, no doubt, and
+quite in keeping with the spirit of the Constitution, but as it proved
+not too wisely, that either body of men should act in its own county
+only. So when we reached the top of the hill, the sons of Devon marched
+on, and across the track leading into Doone-gate, so as to fetch round
+the western side, and attack with their culverin from the cliffs, whence
+the sentry had challenged me on the night of my passing the entrance.
+Meanwhile the yellow lads were to stay upon the eastern highland, whence
+Uncle Reuben and myself had reconnoitred so long ago; and whence I had
+leaped into the valley at the time of the great snow-drifts. And here
+they were not to show themselves; but keep their culverin in the woods,
+until their cousins of Devon appeared on the opposite parapet of the
+glen.
+
+The third culverin was entrusted to the fifteen troopers; who, with ten
+picked soldiers from either trained hand, making in all five-and-thirty
+men, were to assault the Doone-gate itself, while the outlaws were
+placed between two fires from the eastern cliff and the western. And
+with this force went Jeremy Stickles, and with it went myself, as
+knowing more about the passage than any other stranger did. Therefore,
+if I have put it clearly, as I strive to do, you will see that the
+Doones must repulse at once three simultaneous attacks, from an army
+numbering in the whole one hundred and thirty-five men, not including
+the Devonshire officers; fifty men on each side, I mean, and thirty-five
+at the head of the valley.
+
+The tactics of this grand campaign appeared to me so clever, and
+beautifully ordered, that I commended Colonel Stickles, as everybody
+now called him, for his great ability and mastery of the art of war. He
+admitted that he deserved high praise; but said that he was not by any
+means equally certain of success, so large a proportion of his forces
+being only a raw militia, brave enough no doubt for anything, when they
+saw their way to it; but knowing little of gunnery, and wholly unused
+to be shot at. Whereas all the Doones were practised marksmen, being
+compelled when lads (like the Balearic slingers) to strike down their
+meals before tasting them. And then Colonel Stickles asked me, whether I
+myself could stand fire; he knew that I was not a coward, but this was
+a different question. I told him that I had been shot at, once or twice
+before; but nevertheless disliked it, as much as almost anything. Upon
+that he said that I would do; for that when a man got over the first
+blush of diffidence, he soon began to look upon it as a puff of destiny.
+
+I wish I could only tell what happened, in the battle of that day,
+especially as nearly all the people round these parts, who never saw
+gun-fire in it, have gotten the tale so much amiss; and some of them
+will even stand in front of my own hearth, and contradict me to the
+teeth; although at the time they were not born, nor their fathers put
+into breeches. But in truth, I cannot tell, exactly, even the part in
+which I helped, how then can I be expected, time by time, to lay before
+you, all the little ins and outs of places, where I myself was not? Only
+I can contradict things, which I know could not have been; and what I
+plainly saw should not be controverted in my own house.
+
+Now we five-and-thirty men lay back a little way round the corner,
+in the hollow of the track which leads to the strong Doone-gate. Our
+culverin was in amongst us, loaded now to the muzzle, and it was not
+comfortable to know that it might go off at any time. Although the
+yeomanry were not come (according to arrangement), some of us had horses
+there; besides the horses who dragged the cannon, and now were sniffing
+at it. And there were plenty of spectators to mind these horses for us,
+as soon as we should charge; inasmuch as all our friends and neighbours,
+who had so keenly prepared for the battle, now resolved to take no part,
+but look on, and praise the winners.
+
+At last we heard the loud bang-bang, which proved that Devon and
+Somerset were pouring their indignation hot into the den of malefactors,
+or at least so we supposed; therefore at double quick march we advanced
+round the bend of the cliff which had hidden us, hoping to find the gate
+undefended, and to blow down all barriers with the fire of our cannon.
+And indeed it seemed likely at first to be so, for the wild and
+mountainous gorge of rock appeared to be all in pure loneliness, except
+where the coloured coats of our soldiers, and their metal trappings,
+shone with the sun behind them. Therefore we shouted a loud hurrah, as
+for an easy victory.
+
+But while the sound of our cheer rang back among the crags above us, a
+shrill clear whistle cleft the air for a single moment, and then a dozen
+carbines bellowed, and all among us flew murderous lead. Several of our
+men rolled over, but the rest rushed on like Britons, Jeremy and myself
+in front, while we heard the horses plunging at the loaded gun behind
+us. "Now, my lads," cried Jeremy, "one dash, and we are beyond them!"
+For he saw that the foe was overhead in the gallery of brushwood.
+
+Our men with a brave shout answered him, for his courage was fine
+example; and we leaped in under the feet of the foe, before they could
+load their guns again. But here, when the foremost among us were past,
+an awful crash rang behind us, with the shrieks of men, and the din of
+metal, and the horrible screaming of horses. The trunk of the tree
+had been launched overhead, and crashed into the very midst of us. Our
+cannon was under it, so were two men, and a horse with his poor back
+broken. Another horse vainly struggled to rise, with his thigh-bone
+smashed and protruding.
+
+Now I lost all presence of mind at this, for I loved both those good
+horses, and shouting for any to follow me, dashed headlong into the
+cavern. Some five or six men came after me, the foremost of whom was
+Jeremy, when a storm of shot whistled and patted around me, with a blaze
+of light and a thunderous roar. On I leaped, like a madman, and pounced
+on one gunner, and hurled him across his culverin; but the others had
+fled, and a heavy oak door fell to with a bang, behind them. So utterly
+were my senses gone, and naught but strength remaining, that I caught up
+the cannon with both hands, and dashed it, breech-first, at the doorway.
+The solid oak burst with the blow, and the gun stuck fast, like a
+builder's putlog.
+
+But here I looked round in vain for any one to come and follow up my
+success. The scanty light showed me no figure moving through the length
+of the tunnel behind me; only a heavy groan or two went to my heart, and
+chilled it. So I hurried back to seek Jeremy, fearing that he must be
+smitten down.
+
+And so indeed I found him, as well as three other poor fellows, struck
+by the charge of the culverin, which had passed so close beside me. Two
+of the four were as dead as stones, and growing cold already, but Jeremy
+and the other could manage to groan, just now and then. So I turned my
+attention to them, and thought no more of fighting.
+
+Having so many wounded men, and so many dead among us, we loitered at
+the cavern's mouth, and looked at one another, wishing only for somebody
+to come and take command of us. But no one came; and I was griefed so
+much about poor Jeremy, besides being wholly unused to any violence of
+bloodshed, that I could only keep his head up, and try to stop him from
+bleeding. And he looked up at me pitifully, being perhaps in a haze of
+thought, as a calf looks at a butcher.
+
+The shot had taken him in the mouth; about that no doubt could be, for
+two of his teeth were in his beard, and one of his lips was wanting. I
+laid his shattered face on my breast, and nursed him, as a woman might.
+But he looked at me with a jerk at this; and I saw that he wanted
+coolness.
+
+While here we stayed, quite out of danger (for the fellows from the
+gallery could by no means shoot us, even if they remained there, and the
+oaken door whence the others fled was blocked up by the culverin), a boy
+who had no business there (being in fact our clerk's apprentice to the
+art of shoe-making) came round the corner upon us in the manner which
+boys, and only boys, can use with grace and freedom; that is to say,
+with a sudden rush, and a sidelong step, and an impudence,--
+
+"Got the worst of it!" cried the boy; "better be off all of you.
+Zoomerzett and Devon a vighting; and the Doones have drashed 'em both.
+Maister Ridd, even thee be drashed."
+
+We few, who yet remained of the force which was to have won the
+Doone-gate, gazed at one another, like so many fools, and nothing more.
+For we still had some faint hopes of winning the day, and recovering our
+reputation, by means of what the other men might have done without us.
+And we could not understand at all how Devonshire and Somerset, being
+embarked in the same cause, should be fighting with one another.
+
+Finding nothing more to be done in the way of carrying on the war, we
+laid poor Master Stickles and two more of the wounded upon the carriage
+of bark and hurdles, whereon our gun had lain; and we rolled the gun
+into the river, and harnessed the horses yet alive, and put the others
+out of their pain, and sadly wended homewards, feeling ourselves to be
+thoroughly beaten, yet ready to maintain that it was no fault of ours
+whatever. And in this opinion the women joined, being only too glad and
+thankful to see us home alive again.
+
+Now, this enterprise having failed so, I prefer not to dwell too long
+upon it; only just to show the mischief which lay at the root of the
+failure. And this mischief was the vile jealousy betwixt red and yellow
+uniform. Now I try to speak impartially, belonging no more to Somerset
+than I do to Devonshire, living upon the borders, and born of either
+county. The tale was told me by one side first; and then quite to a
+different tune by the other; and then by both together, with very hot
+words of reviling and a desire to fight it out again. And putting this
+with that, the truth appears to be as follows:--
+
+The men of Devon, who bore red facings, had a long way to go round the
+hills, before they could get into due position on the western side of
+the Doone Glen. And knowing that their cousins in yellow would claim the
+whole of the glory, if allowed to be first with the firing, these worthy
+fellows waited not to take good aim with their cannons, seeing the
+others about to shoot; but fettled it anyhow on the slope, pointing in a
+general direction; and trusting in God for aimworthiness, laid the rope
+to the breech, and fired. Now as Providence ordained it, the shot,
+which was a casual mixture of anything considered hard--for instance,
+jug-bottoms and knobs of doors--the whole of this pernicious dose came
+scattering and shattering among the unfortunate yellow men upon the
+opposite cliff; killing one and wounding two.
+
+Now what did the men of Somerset do, but instead of waiting for their
+friends to send round and beg pardon, train their gun full mouth upon
+them, and with a vicious meaning shoot. Not only this, but they loudly
+cheered, when they saw four or five red coats lie low; for which savage
+feeling not even the remarks of the Devonshire men concerning their
+coats could entirely excuse them. Now I need not tell the rest of it,
+for the tale makes a man discontented. Enough that both sides waxed
+hotter and hotter with the fire of destruction. And but that the gorge
+of the cliffs lay between, very few would have lived to tell of it; for
+our western blood becomes stiff and firm, when churned with the sense of
+wrong in it.
+
+At last the Doones (who must have laughed at the thunder passing
+overhead) recalling their men from the gallery, issued out of Gwenny's
+gate (which had been wholly overlooked) and fell on the rear of
+the Somerset men, and slew four beside their cannon. Then while the
+survivors ran away, the outlaws took the hot culverin, and rolled it
+down into their valley. Thus, of the three guns set forth that morning,
+only one ever came home again, and that was the gun of the Devonshire
+men, who dragged it home themselves, with the view of making a boast
+about it.
+
+This was a melancholy end of our brave setting out, and everybody blamed
+every one else; and several of us wanted to have the whole thing over
+again, as then we must have righted it. But upon one point all agreed,
+by some reason not clear to me, that the root of the evil was to be
+found in the way Parson Bowden went up the hill, with his hat on, and no
+cassock.
+
+[Illustration: 494.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LV
+
+GETTING INTO CHANCERY
+
+[Illustration: 495.jpg Devonshire Town]
+
+Two of the Devonshire officers (Captains Pyke and Dallan) now took
+command of the men who were left, and ordered all to go home again,
+commending much the bravery which had been displayed on all sides, and
+the loyalty to the King, and the English constitution. This last word
+always seems to me to settle everything when said, because nobody
+understands it, and yet all can puzzle their neighbours. So the
+Devonshire men, having beans to sow (which they ought to have done on
+Good Friday) went home; and our Somerset friends only stayed for two
+days more to backbite them.
+
+To me the whole thing was purely grievous; not from any sense of defeat
+(though that was bad enough) but from the pain and anguish caused by
+death, and wounds, and mourning. "Surely we have woes enough," I used to
+think of an evening, when the poor fellows could not sleep or rest, or
+let others rest around them; "surely all this smell of wounds is not
+incense men should pay to the God who made them. Death, when it comes
+and is done with, may be a bliss to any one; but the doubt of life or
+death, when a man lies, as it were, like a trunk upon a sawpit and a
+grisly head looks up at him, and the groans of pain are cleaving him,
+this would be beyond all bearing--but for Nature's sap--sweet hope."
+
+Jeremy Stickles lay and tossed, and thrust up his feet in agony, and
+bit with his lipless mouth the clothes, and was proud to see blood upon
+them. He looked at us ever so many times, as much as to say, "Fools, let
+me die, then I shall have some comfort"; but we nodded at him sagely,
+especially the women, trying to convey to him, on no account to die yet.
+And then we talked to one another (on purpose for him to hear us), how
+brave he was, and not the man to knock under in a hurry, and how he
+should have the victory yet; and how well he looked, considering.
+
+These things cheered him a little now, and a little more next time; and
+every time we went on so, he took it with less impatience. Then once
+when he had been very quiet, and not even tried to frown at us, Annie
+leaned over, and kissed his forehead, and spread the pillows and sheet,
+with a curve as delicate as his own white ears; and then he feebly
+lifted hands, and prayed to God to bless her. And after that he came
+round gently; though never to the man he had been, and never to speak
+loud again.
+
+For a time (as I may have implied before) Master Stickles's authority,
+and manner of levying duties, had not been taken kindly by the people
+round our neighbourhood. The manors of East Lynn and West Lynn, and even
+that of Woolhanger--although just then all three were at issue about
+some rights of wreck, and the hanging of a sheep-stealer (a man of no
+great eminence, yet claimed by each for the sake of his clothes)--these
+three, having their rights impugned, or even superseded, as they
+declared by the quartering of soldiers in their neighbourhood, united
+very kindly to oppose the King's Commissioner. However, Jeremy had
+contrived to conciliate the whole of them, not so much by anything
+engaging in his deportment or delicate address, as by holding out bright
+hopes that the plunder of the Doone Glen might become divisible among
+the adjoining manors. Now I have never discovered a thing which the
+lords of manors (at least in our part of the world) do not believe to
+belong to themselves, if only they could get their rights. And it
+did seem natural enough that if the Doones were ousted, and a nice
+collection of prey remained, this should be parted among the people
+having ancient rights of plunder. Nevertheless, Master Jeremy knew that
+the soldiers would have the first of it, and the King what they could
+not carry.
+
+And perhaps he was punished justly for language so misleading, by the
+general indignation of the people all around us, not at his failure, but
+at himself, for that which he could in no wise prevent. And the stewards
+of the manors rode up to our house on purpose to reproach him, and were
+greatly vexed with all of us, because he was too ill to see them.
+
+To myself (though by rights the last to be thought of, among so much
+pain and trouble) Jeremy's wound was a great misfortune, in more ways
+than one. In the first place, it deferred my chance of imparting either
+to my mother or to Mistress Lorna my firm belief that the maid I loved
+was not sprung from the race which had slain my father; neither could
+he in any way have offended against her family. And this discovery I was
+yearning more and more to declare to them; being forced to see (even
+in the midst of all our warlike troubles) that a certain difference was
+growing betwixt them both, and betwixt them and me. For although the
+words of the Counsellor had seemed to fail among us, being bravely
+met and scattered, yet our courage was but as wind flinging wide the
+tare-seeds, when the sower casts them from his bag. The crop may not
+come evenly, many places may long lie bare, and the field be all in
+patches; yet almost every vetch will spring, and tiller out, and stretch
+across the scatterings where the wind puffed.
+
+And so dear mother and darling Lorna now had been for many a day
+thinking, worrying, and wearing, about the matter between us. Neither
+liked to look at the other, as they used to do; with mother admiring
+Lorna's eyes, and grace, and form of breeding; and Lorna loving mother's
+goodness, softness, and simplicity. And the saddest and most hurtful
+thing was that neither could ask the other of the shadow falling between
+them. And so it went on, and deepened.
+
+In the next place Colonel Stickles's illness was a grievous thing to
+us, in that we had no one now to command the troopers. Ten of these were
+still alive, and so well approved to us, that they could never fancy
+aught, whether for dinner or supper, without its being forth-coming. If
+they wanted trout they should have it; if colloped venison, or broiled
+ham, or salmon from Lynmouth and Trentisoe, or truffles from the
+woodside, all these were at the warriors' service, until they lusted for
+something else. Even the wounded men ate nobly; all except poor Jeremy,
+who was forced to have a young elder shoot, with the pith drawn, for to
+feed him. And once, when they wanted pickled loach*  (from my description
+of it), I took up my boyish sport again, and pronged them a good jarful.
+Therefore, none of them could complain; and yet they were not satisfied;
+perhaps for want of complaining.
+
+     * There are said to be no loach now in Lynn. This proves
+     that John Ridd caught them all.
+
+Be that as it might, we knew that if they once resolved to go (as they
+might do at any time, with only a corporal over them) all our house, and
+all our goods, ay, and our own precious lives, would and must be at the
+mercy of embittered enemies. For now the Doones, having driven back, as
+every one said, five hundred men--though not thirty had ever fought with
+them--were in such feather all round the country, that nothing was too
+good for them. Offerings poured in at the Doone gate, faster than Doones
+could away with them, and the sympathy both of Devon and Somerset became
+almost oppressive. And perhaps this wealth of congratulation, and mutual
+good feeling between plundered and victim, saved us from any piece of
+spite; kindliness having won the day, and every one loving every one.
+
+But yet another cause arose, and this the strongest one of all, to prove
+the need of Stickles's aid, and calamity of his illness. And this came
+to our knowledge first, without much time to think of it. For two men
+appeared at our gate one day, stripped to their shirts, and void of
+horses, and looking very sorrowful. Now having some fear of attack from
+the Doones, and scarce knowing what their tricks might be, we received
+these strangers cautiously, desiring to know who they were before we let
+them see all our premises.
+
+However, it soon became plain to us that although they might not be
+honest fellows, at any rate they were not Doones; and so we took them
+in, and fed, and left them to tell their business. And this they were
+glad enough to do; as men who have been maltreated almost always are.
+And it was not for us to contradict them, lest our victuals should go
+amiss.
+
+These two very worthy fellows--nay, more than that by their own account,
+being downright martyrs--were come, for the public benefit, from the
+Court of Chancery, sitting for everybody's good, and boldly redressing
+evil. This court has a power of scent unknown to the Common-law
+practitioners, and slowly yet surely tracks its game; even as the great
+lumbering dogs, now introduced from Spain, and called by some people
+"pointers," differ from the swift gaze-hound, who sees his prey and runs
+him down in the manner of the common lawyers. If a man's ill fate should
+drive him to make a choice between these two, let him rather be chased
+by the hounds of law, than tracked by the dogs of Equity.
+
+Now, as it fell in a very black day (for all except the lawyers) His
+Majesty's Court of Chancery, if that be what it called itself, gained
+scent of poor Lorna's life, and of all that might be made of it. Whether
+through that brave young lord who ran into such peril, or through any
+of his friends, or whether through that deep old Counsellor, whose game
+none might penetrate; or through any disclosures of the Italian woman,
+or even of Jeremy himself; none just now could tell us; only this truth
+was too clear--Chancery had heard of Lorna, and then had seen how
+rich she was; and never delaying in one thing, had opened mouth, and
+swallowed her.
+
+The Doones, with a share of that dry humour which was in them
+hereditary, had welcomed the two apparitors (if that be the proper name
+for them) and led them kindly down the valley, and told them then to
+serve their writ. Misliking the look of things, these poor men began to
+fumble among their clothes; upon which the Doones cried, "off with them!
+Let us see if your message he on your skins." And with no more manners
+than that, they stripped, and lashed them out of the valley; only
+bidding them come to us, if they wanted Lorna Doone; and to us they came
+accordingly. Neither were they sure at first but that we should treat
+them so; for they had no knowledge of the west country, and thought it
+quite a godless place, wherein no writ was holy.
+
+We however comforted and cheered them so considerably, that, in
+gratitude, they showed their writs, to which they had stuck like
+leeches. And these were twofold; one addressed to Mistress Lorna Doone,
+so called, and bidding her keep in readiness to travel whenever called
+upon, and commit herself to nobody, except the accredited messengers
+of the right honourable Court; while the other was addressed to all
+subjects of His Majesty, having custody of Lorna Doone, or any power
+over her. And this last threatened and exhorted, and held out hopes
+of recompense, if she were rendered truly. My mother and I held
+consultation, over both these documents, with a mixture of some wrath
+and fear, and a fork of great sorrow to stir them. And now having Jeremy
+Stickles's leave, which he gave with a nod when I told him all, and at
+last made him understand it, I laid bare to my mother as well what
+I knew, as what I merely surmised, or guessed, concerning Lorna's
+parentage. All this she received with great tears, and wonder, and
+fervent thanks to God, and still more fervent praise of her son, who had
+nothing whatever to do with it. However, now the question was, how to
+act about these writs. And herein it was most unlucky that we could not
+have Master Stickles, with his knowledge of the world, and especially
+of the law-courts, to advise us what to do, and to help in doing it. And
+firstly of the first I said, "We have rogues to deal with; but try we
+not to rogue them."
+
+To this, in some measure, dear mother agreed, though she could not see
+the justice of it, yet thought that it might be wiser, because of our
+want of practice. And then I said, "Now we are bound to tell Lorna, and
+to serve her citation upon her, which these good fellows have given us."
+
+"Then go, and do it thyself, my son," mother replied with a mournful
+smile, misdoubting what the end might be. So I took the slip of brown
+parchment, and went to seek my darling.
+
+Lorna was in her favourite place, the little garden which she tended
+with such care and diligence. Seeing how the maiden loved it, and was
+happy there, I had laboured hard to fence it from the dangers of the
+wood. And here she had corrected me, with better taste, and sense of
+pleasure, and the joys of musing. For I meant to shut out the brook, and
+build my fence inside of it; but Lorna said no; if we must have a fence,
+which could not but be injury, at any rate leave the stream inside,
+and a pleasant bank beyond it. And soon I perceived that she was right,
+though not so much as afterwards; for the fairest of all things in a
+garden, and in summer-time most useful, is a brook of crystal water;
+where a man may come and meditate, and the flowers may lean and see
+themselves, and the rays of the sun are purified. Now partly with her own
+white hands, and partly with Gwenny's red ones, Lorna had made of this
+sunny spot a haven of beauty to dwell in. It was not only that colours
+lay in the harmony we would seek of them, neither was it the height of
+plants, sloping to one another; nor even the delicate tone of foliage
+following suit, and neighbouring. Even the breathing of the wind, soft
+and gentle in and out, moving things that need not move, and passing
+longer-stalked ones, even this was not enough among the flush of
+fragrance, to tell a man the reason of his quiet satisfaction. But so it
+shall for ever be. As the river we float upon (with wine, and flowers,
+and music,) is nothing at the well-spring but a bubble without reason.
+
+Feeling many things, but thinking without much to guide me, over the
+grass-plats laid between, I went up to Lorna. She in a shower of damask
+roses, raised her eyes and looked at me. And even now, in those sweet
+eyes, so deep with loving-kindness, and soft maiden dreamings, there
+seemed to be a slight unwilling, half confessed withdrawal; overcome by
+love and duty, yet a painful thing to see.
+
+[Illustration: 502.jpg In a shower of damask roses]
+
+"Darling," I said, "are your spirits good? Are you strong enough to-day,
+to bear a tale of cruel sorrow; but which perhaps, when your tears are
+shed, will leave you all the happier?"
+
+"What can you mean?" she answered trembling, not having been very strong
+of late, and now surprised at my manner; "are you come to give me up,
+John?"
+
+"Not very likely," I replied; "neither do I hope such a thing would
+leave you all the happier. Oh, Lorna, if you can think that so quickly
+as you seem to have done, now you have every prospect and strong
+temptation to it. You are far, far above me in the world, and I have no
+right to claim you. Perhaps, when you have heard these tidings you will
+say, 'John Ridd, begone; your life and mine are parted.'"
+
+"Will I?" cried Lorna, with all the brightness of her playful ways
+returning: "you very foolish and jealous John, how shall I punish you
+for this? Am I to forsake every flower I have, and not even know that
+the world goes round, while I look up at you, the whole day long and
+say, 'John, I love, love, love you?'"
+
+During these words she leaned upon me, half in gay imitation of what
+I had so often made her do, and half in depth of earnestness, as the
+thrice-repeated word grew stronger, and grew warmer, with and to her
+heart. And as she looked up at the finish, saying, "you," so musically,
+I was much inclined to clasp her round; but remembering who she was,
+forbore; at which she seemed surprised with me.
+
+"Mistress Lorna," I replied, with I know not what temptation, making
+little of her caresses, though more than all my heart to me: "Mistress
+Lorna, you must keep your rank and proper dignity. You must never look
+at me with anything but pity now."
+
+"I shall look at you with pity, John," said Lorna, trying to laugh it
+off, yet not knowing what to make of me, "if you talk any more of this
+nonsense, knowing me as you ought to do. I shall even begin to think
+that you, and your friends, are weary of me, and of so long supporting
+me; and are only seeking cause to send me back to my old misery. If it
+be so, I will go. My life matters little to any one." Here the great
+bright tears arose; but the maiden was too proud to sob.
+
+"Sweetest of all sweet loves," I cried, for the sign of a tear defeated
+me; "what possibility could make me ever give up Lorna?"
+
+"Dearest of all dears," she answered; "if you dearly love me, what
+possibility could ever make me give you up, dear?"
+
+Upon that there was no more forbearing, but I kissed and clasped her,
+whether she were Countess, or whether Queen of England; mine she was, at
+least in heart; and mine she should be wholly. And she being of the same
+opinion, nothing was said between us.
+
+"Now, Lorna," said I, as she hung on my arm, willing to trust me
+anywhere, "come to your little plant-house, and hear my moving story."
+
+"No story can move me much, dear," she answered rather faintly, for any
+excitement stayed with her; "since I know your strength of kindness,
+scarcely any tale can move me, unless it be of yourself, love; or of my
+poor mother."
+
+"It is of your poor mother, darling. Can you bear to hear it?" And yet I
+wondered why she did not say as much of her father.
+
+"Yes, I can bear anything. But although I cannot see her, and have long
+forgotten, I could not bear to hear ill of her."
+
+"There is no ill to hear, sweet child, except of evil done to her.
+Lorna, you are of an ill-starred race."
+
+"Better that than a wicked race," she answered with her usual quickness,
+leaping at conclusion; "tell me I am not a Doone, and I will--but I
+cannot love you more."
+
+"You are not a Doone, my Lorna, for that, at least, I can answer; though
+I know not what your name is."
+
+"And my father--your father--what I mean is--"
+
+"Your father and mine never met one another. Your father was killed by
+an accident in the Pyrenean mountains, and your mother by the Doones; or
+at least they caused her death, and carried you away from her."
+
+All this, coming as in one breath upon the sensitive maiden, was more
+than she could bear all at once; as any but a fool like me must of
+course have known. She lay back on the garden bench, with her black hair
+shed on the oaken bark, while her colour went and came and only by that,
+and her quivering breath, could any one say that she lived and thought.
+And yet she pressed my hand with hers, that I might tell her all of it.
+
+[Illustration: 504.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LVI
+
+JOHN BECOMES TOO POPULAR
+
+[Illustration: 505.jpg Lorna]
+
+No flower that I have ever seen, either in shifting of light and shade,
+or in the pearly morning, may vie with a fair young woman's face when
+tender thought and quick emotion vary, enrich, and beautify it. Thus my
+Lorna hearkened softly, almost without word or gesture, yet with sighs
+and glances telling, and the pressure of my hand, how each word was
+moving her.
+
+When at last my tale was done, she turned away, and wept bitterly for
+the sad fate of her parents. But to my surprise she spoke not even a
+word of wrath or rancour. She seemed to take it all as fate.
+
+"Lorna, darling," I said at length, for men are more impatient in trials
+of time than women are, "do you not even wish to know what your proper
+name is?"
+
+"How can it matter to me, John?" she answered, with a depth of grief
+which made me seem a trifler. "It can never matter now, when there are
+none to share it."
+
+"Poor little soul!" was all I said in a tone of purest pity; and to my
+surprise she turned upon me, caught me in her arms, and loved me as she
+had never done before.
+
+"Dearest, I have you," she cried; "you, and only you, love. Having you I
+want no other. All my life is one with yours. Oh, John, how can I treat
+you so?"
+
+Blushing through the wet of weeping, and the gloom of pondering, yet she
+would not hide her eyes, but folded me, and dwelled on me.
+
+"I cannot believe," in the pride of my joy, I whispered into one little
+ear, "that you could ever so love me, beauty, as to give up the world
+for me."
+
+"Would you give up your farm for me, John?" cried Lorna, leaping back
+and looking, with her wondrous power of light at me; "would you give up
+your mother, your sisters, your home, and all that you have in the world
+and every hope of your life, John?"
+
+"Of course I would. Without two thoughts. You know it; you know it,
+Lorna."
+
+"It is true that I do," she answered in a tone of deepest sadness; "and
+it is this power of your love which has made me love you so. No good can
+come of it, no good. God's face is set against selfishness."
+
+As she spoke in that low tone I gazed at the clear lines of her face
+(where every curve was perfect) not with love and wonder only, but with
+a strange new sense of awe.
+
+"Darling," I said, "come nearer to me. Give me surety against that. For
+God's sake never frighten me with the thought that He would part us."
+
+"Does it then so frighten you?" she whispered, coming close to me; "I
+know it, dear; I have known it long; but it never frightens me. It makes
+me sad, and very lonely, till I can remember."
+
+"'Till you can remember what?" I asked, with a long, deep shudder; for we
+are so superstitious.
+
+"Until I do remember, love, that you will soon come back to me, and be
+my own for ever. This is what I always think of, this is what I hope
+for."
+
+Although her eyes were so glorious, and beaming with eternity, this
+distant sort of beatitude was not much to my liking. I wanted to have
+my love on earth; and my dear wife in my own home; and children in good
+time, if God should please to send us any. And then I would be to them,
+exactly what my father was to me. And beside all this, I doubted much
+about being fit for heaven; where no ploughs are, and no cattle, unless
+sacrificed bulls went thither.
+
+Therefore I said, "Now kiss me, Lorna; and don't talk any nonsense." And
+the darling came and did it; being kindly obedient, as the other world
+often makes us.
+
+"You sweet love," I said at this, being slave to her soft obedience; "do
+you suppose I should be content to leave you until Elysium?"
+
+"How on earth can I tell, dear John, what you will be content with?"
+
+"You, and only you," said I; "the whole of it lies in a syllable. Now
+you know my entire want; and want must be my comfort."
+
+"But surely if I have money, sir, and birth, and rank, and all sorts of
+grandeur, you would never dare to think of me."
+
+She drew herself up with an air of pride, as she gravely pronounced
+these words, and gave me a scornful glance, or tried; and turned away
+as if to enter some grand coach or palace; while I was so amazed and
+grieved in my raw simplicity especially after the way in which she had
+first received my news, so loving and warm-hearted, that I never said a
+word, but stared and thought, "How does she mean it?"
+
+She saw the pain upon my forehead, and the wonder in my eyes, and
+leaving coach and palace too, back she flew to me in a moment, as simple
+as simplest milkmaid.
+
+"Oh, you fearful stupid, John, you inexpressibly stupid, John," she
+cried with both arms round my neck, and her lips upon my forehead; "you
+have called yourself thick-headed, John, and I never would believe it.
+But now I do with all my heart. Will you never know what I am, love?"
+
+"No, Lorna, that I never shall. I can understand my mother well, and one
+at least of my sisters, and both the Snowe girls very easily, but you I
+never understand; only love you all the more for it."
+
+"Then never try to understand me, if the result is that, dear John. And
+yet I am the very simplest of all foolish simple creatures. Nay, I am
+wrong; therein I yield the palm to you, my dear. To think that I can
+act so! No wonder they want me in London, as an ornament for the stage,
+John."
+
+Now in after days, when I heard of Lorna as the richest, and noblest,
+and loveliest lady to be found in London, I often remembered that little
+scene, and recalled every word and gesture, wondering what lay under it.
+Even now, while it was quite impossible once to doubt those clear deep
+eyes, and the bright lips trembling so; nevertheless I felt how much
+the world would have to do with it; and that the best and truest people
+cannot shake themselves quite free. However, for the moment, I was very
+proud and showed it.
+
+And herein differs fact from fancy, things as they befall us from things
+as we would have them, human ends from human hopes; that the first are
+moved by a thousand and the last on two wheels only, which (being named)
+are desire and fear. Hope of course is nothing more than desire with a
+telescope, magnifying distant matters, overlooking near ones; opening
+one eye on the objects, closing the other to all objections. And if hope
+be the future tense of desire, the future of fear is religion--at least
+with too many of us.
+
+Whether I am right or wrong in these small moralities, one thing is sure
+enough, to wit, that hope is the fastest traveller, at any rate, in the
+time of youth. And so I hoped that Lorna might be proved of blameless
+family, and honourable rank and fortune; and yet none the less for that,
+love me and belong to me. So I led her into the house, and she fell into
+my mother's arms; and I left them to have a good cry of it, with Annie
+ready to help them.
+
+If Master Stickles should not mend enough to gain his speech a little,
+and declare to us all he knew, I was to set out for Watchett, riding
+upon horseback, and there to hire a cart with wheels, such as we had not
+begun, as yet, to use on Exmoor. For all our work went on broad wood,
+with runners and with earthboards; and many of us still looked upon
+wheels (though mentioned in the Bible) as the invention of the evil one,
+and Pharoah's especial property.
+
+Now, instead of getting better, Colonel Stickles grew worse and worse,
+in spite of all our tendance of him, with simples and with nourishment,
+and no poisonous medicine, such as doctors would have given him. And the
+fault of this lay not with us, but purely with himself and his unquiet
+constitution. For he roused himself up to a perfect fever, when through
+Lizzie's giddiness he learned the very thing which mother and Annie were
+hiding from him, with the utmost care; namely, that Sergeant Bloxham had
+taken upon himself to send direct to London by the Chancery officers,
+a full report of what had happened, and of the illness of his chief,
+together with an urgent prayer for a full battalion of King's troops,
+and a plenary commander.
+
+This Sergeant Bloxham, being senior of the surviving soldiers, and a
+very worthy man in his way, but a trifle over-zealous, had succeeded to
+the captaincy upon his master's disablement. Then, with desire to serve
+his country and show his education, he sat up most part of three nights,
+and wrote this very wonderful report by the aid of our stable lanthorn.
+It was a very fine piece of work, as three men to whom he read it (but
+only one at a time) pronounced, being under seal of secrecy. And all
+might have gone well with it, if the author could only have held his
+tongue, when near the ears of women. But this was beyond his sense as it
+seems, although so good a writer. For having heard that our Lizzie was
+a famous judge of literature (as indeed she told almost every one), he
+could not contain himself, but must have her opinion upon his work.
+
+Lizzie sat on a log of wood, and listened with all her ears up, having
+made proviso that no one else should be there to interrupt her. And she
+put in a syllable here and there, and many a time she took out one (for
+the Sergeant overloaded his gun, more often than undercharged it; like
+a liberal man of letters), and then she declared the result so good,
+so chaste, and the style to be so elegant, and yet so fervent, that the
+Sergeant broke his pipe in three, and fell in love with her on the spot.
+Now this has led me out of my way; as things are always doing, partly
+through their own perverseness, partly through my kind desire to give
+fair turn to all of them, and to all the people who do them. If any one
+expects of me a strict and well-drilled story, standing "at attention"
+all the time, with hands at the side like two wens on my trunk, and eyes
+going neither right nor left; I trow that man has been disappointed
+many a page ago, and has left me to my evil ways; and if not, I love his
+charity. Therefore let me seek his grace, and get back, and just begin
+again.
+
+That great despatch was sent to London by the Chancery officers, whom
+we fitted up with clothes, and for three days fattened them; which in
+strict justice they needed much, as well as in point of equity. They
+were kind enough to be pleased with us, and accepted my new shirts
+generously; and urgent as their business was, another week (as they both
+declared) could do no harm to nobody, and might set them upon their legs
+again. And knowing, although they were London men, that fish do live
+in water, these two fellows went fishing all day, but never landed
+anything. However, their holiday was cut short; for the Sergeant, having
+finished now his narrative of proceedings, was not the man to let it
+hang fire, and be quenched perhaps by Stickles.
+
+Therefore, having done their business, and served both citations,
+these two good men had a pannier of victuals put up by dear Annie, and
+borrowing two of our horses, rode to Dunster, where they left them, and
+hired on towards London. We had not time to like them much, and so we
+did not miss them, especially in our great anxiety about poor Master
+Stickles.
+
+Jeremy lay between life and death, for at least a fortnight. If the link
+of chain had flown upwards (for half a link of chain it was which took
+him in the mouth so), even one inch upwards, the poor man could have
+needed no one except Parson Bowden; for the bottom of his skull, which
+holds the brain as in the egg-cup, must have clean gone from him. But
+striking him horizontally, and a little upon the skew, the metal
+came out at the back of his neck, and (the powder not being strong, I
+suppose) it lodged in his leather collar.
+
+Now the rust of this iron hung in the wound, or at least we thought so;
+though since I have talked with a man of medicine, I am not so sure of
+it. And our chief aim was to purge this rust; when rather we should have
+stopped the hole, and let the oxide do its worst, with a plug of new
+flesh on both sides of it.
+
+At last I prevailed upon him by argument, that he must get better, to
+save himself from being ignobly and unjustly superseded; and hereupon
+I reviled Sergeant Bloxham more fiercely than Jeremy's self could have
+done, and indeed to such a pitch that Jeremy almost forgave him, and
+became much milder. And after that his fever and the inflammation of his
+wound, diminished very rapidly.
+
+However, not knowing what might happen, or even how soon poor Lorna
+might be taken from our power, and, falling into lawyers' hands, have
+cause to wish herself most heartily back among the robbers, I set forth
+one day for Watchett, taking advantage of the visit of some troopers
+from an outpost, who would make our house quite safe. I rode alone,
+being fully primed, and having no misgivings. For it was said that even
+the Doones had begun to fear me, since I cast their culverin through the
+door, as above related; and they could not but believe, from my being
+still untouched (although so large an object) in the thickest of their
+fire, both of gun and cannon, that I must bear a charmed life, proof
+against ball and bullet. However, I knew that Carver Doone was not
+a likely man to hold any superstitious opinions; and of him I had an
+instinctive dread, although quite ready to face him.
+
+Riding along, I meditated upon Lorna's history; how many things were
+now beginning to unfold themselves, which had been obscure and dark!
+For instance, Sir Ensor Doone's consent, or to say the least his
+indifference, to her marriage with a yeoman; which in a man so proud
+(though dying) had greatly puzzled both of us. But now, if she not only
+proved to be no grandchild of the Doone, but even descended from his
+enemy, it was natural enough that he should feel no great repugnance to
+her humiliation. And that Lorna's father had been a foe to the house
+of Doone I gathered from her mother's cry when she beheld their leader.
+Moreover that fact would supply their motive in carrying off the
+unfortunate little creature, and rearing her among them, and as one of
+their own family; yet hiding her true birth from her. She was a "great
+card," as we say, when playing All-fours at Christmas-time; and if one
+of them could marry her, before she learned of right and wrong, vast
+property, enough to buy pardons for a thousand Doones, would be at their
+mercy. And since I was come to know Lorna better, and she to know me
+thoroughly--many things had been outspoken, which her early bashfulness
+had kept covered from me. Attempts I mean to pledge her love to this
+one, or that other; some of which perhaps might have been successful, if
+there had not been too many.
+
+And then, as her beauty grew richer and brighter, Carver Doone was
+smitten strongly, and would hear of no one else as a suitor for her; and
+by the terror of his claim drove off all the others. Here too may the
+explanation of a thing which seemed to be against the laws of human
+nature, and upon which I longed, but dared not to cross-question Lorna.
+How could such a lovely girl, although so young, and brave, and distant,
+have escaped the vile affections of a lawless company?
+
+But now it was as clear as need be. For any proven violence would have
+utterly vitiated all claim upon her grand estate; at least as those
+claims must be urged before a court of equity. And therefore all the
+elders (with views upon her real estate) kept strict watch on the
+youngers, who confined their views to her personality.
+
+Now I do not mean to say that all this, or the hundred other things
+which came, crowding consideration, were half as plain to me at the
+time, as I have set them down above. Far be it from me to deceive you
+so. No doubt my thoughts were then dark and hazy, like an oil-lamp full
+of fungus; and I have trimmed them, as when they burned, with scissors
+sharpened long afterwards. All I mean to say is this, that jogging along
+to a certain tune of the horse's feet, which we call "three-halfpence
+and twopence," I saw my way a little into some things which had puzzled
+me.
+
+When I knocked at the little door, whose sill was gritty and grimed with
+sand, no one came for a very long time to answer me, or to let me in.
+Not wishing to be unmannerly, I waited a long time, and watched the sea,
+from which the wind was blowing; and whose many lips of waves--though
+the tide was half-way out--spoke to and refreshed me. After a while I
+knocked again, for my horse was becoming hungry; and a good while after
+that again, a voice came through the key-hole,--
+
+"Who is that wishes to enter?"
+
+"The boy who was at the pump," said I, "when the carriage broke down
+at Dulverton. The boy that lives at oh--ah; and some day you would come
+seek for him."
+
+"Oh, yes, I remember certainly. My leetle boy, with the fair white skin.
+I have desired to see him, oh many, yes, many times."
+
+She was opening the door, while saying this, and then she started back
+in affright that the little boy should have grown so.
+
+"You cannot be that leetle boy. It is quite impossible. Why do you
+impose on me?"
+
+"Not only am I that little boy, who made the water to flow for you, till
+the nebule came upon the glass; but also I am come to tell you all about
+your little girl."
+
+"Come in, you very great leetle boy," she answered, with her dark eyes
+brightened. And I went in, and looked at her. She was altered by time,
+as much as I was. The slight and graceful shape was gone; not that I
+remembered anything of her figure, if you please; for boys of twelve are
+not yet prone to note the shapes of women; but that her lithe straight
+gait had struck me as being so unlike our people. Now her time for
+walking so was past, and transmitted to her children. Yet her face was
+comely still, and full of strong intelligence. I gazed at her, and she
+at me; and we were sure of one another.
+
+"Now what will ye please to eat?" she asked, with a lively glance at
+the size of my mouth: "that is always the first thing you people ask, in
+these barbarous places."
+
+"I will tell you by-and-by," I answered, misliking this satire upon us;
+"but I might begin with a quart of ale, to enable me to speak, madam."
+
+"Very well. One quevart of be-or;" she called out to a little maid,
+who was her eldest child, no doubt. "It is to be expected, sir. Be-or,
+be-or, be-or, all day long, with you Englishmen!"
+
+"Nay," I replied, "not all day long, if madam will excuse me. Only a
+pint at breakfast-time, and a pint and a half at eleven o'clock, and a
+quart or so at dinner. And then no more till the afternoon; and half a
+gallon at supper-time. No one can object to that."
+
+"Well, I suppose it is right," she said, with an air of resignation;
+"God knows. But I do not understand it. It is 'good for business,' as
+you say, to preclude everything."
+
+"And it is good for us, madam," I answered with indignation, "for beer is
+my favourite beverage; and I am a credit to beer, madam; and so are all
+who trust to it."
+
+"At any rate, you are, young man. If beer has made you grow so large, I
+will put my children upon it; it is too late for me to begin. The smell
+to me is hateful."
+
+Now I only set down that to show how perverse those foreign people
+are. They will drink their wretched heartless stuff, such as they call
+claret, or wine of Medoc, or Bordeaux, or what not, with no more meaning
+than sour rennet, stirred with the pulp from the cider press, and
+strained through the cap of our Betty. This is very well for them; and
+as good as they deserve, no doubt, and meant perhaps by the will of God,
+for those unhappy natives. But to bring it over to England and set it
+against our home-brewed ale (not to speak of wines from Portugal) and
+sell it at ten times the price, as a cure for British bile, and a great
+enlightenment; this I say is the vilest feature of the age we live in.
+
+Madam Benita Odam--for the name of the man who turned the wheel proved
+to be John Odam--showed me into a little room containing two chairs and
+a fir-wood table, and sat down on a three-legged seat and studied me
+very steadfastly. This she had a right to do; and I, having all my
+clothes on now, was not disconcerted. It would not become me to repeat
+her judgment upon my appearance, which she delivered as calmly as if I
+were a pig at market, and as proudly as if her own pig. And she asked me
+whether I had ever got rid of the black marks on my breast.
+
+Not wanting to talk about myself (though very fond of doing so, when
+time and season favour) I led her back to that fearful night of the day
+when first I had seen her. She was not desirous to speak of it,
+because of her own little children; however, I drew her gradually to
+recollection of Lorna, and then of the little boy who died, and the
+poor mother buried with him. And her strong hot nature kindled, as she
+dwelled upon these things; and my wrath waxed within me; and we forgot
+reserve and prudence under the sense of so vile a wrong. She told me
+(as nearly as might be) the very same story which she had told to Master
+Jeremy Stickles; only she dwelled upon it more, because of my knowing
+the outset. And being a woman, with an inkling of my situation, she
+enlarged upon the little maid, more than to dry Jeremy.
+
+"Would you know her again?" I asked, being stirred by these accounts of
+Lorna, when she was five years old: "would you know her as a full-grown
+maiden?"
+
+"I think I should," she answered; "it is not possible to say until one
+sees the person; but from the eyes of the little girl, I think that I
+must know her. Oh, the poor young creature! Is it to be believed that
+the cannibals devoured her! What a people you are in this country! Meat,
+meat, meat!"
+
+As she raised her hands and eyes in horror at our carnivorous
+propensities, to which she clearly attributed the disappearance of
+Lorna, I could scarce help laughing, even after that sad story. For
+though it is said at the present day, and will doubtless be said
+hereafter, that the Doones had devoured a baby once, as they came up
+Porlock hill, after fighting hard in the market-place, I knew that the
+tale was utterly false; for cruel and brutal as they were, their taste
+was very correct and choice, and indeed one might say fastidious.
+Nevertheless I could not stop to argue that matter with her.
+
+"The little maid has not been devoured," I said to Mistress Odam: "and
+now she is a tall young lady, and as beautiful as can be. If I sleep in
+your good hostel to-night after going to Watchett town, will you come
+with me to Oare to-morrow, and see your little maiden?"
+
+"I would like--and yet I fear. This country is so barbarous. And I am
+good to eat--my God, there is much picking on my bones!"
+
+She surveyed herself with a glance so mingled of pity and admiration,
+and the truth of her words was so apparent (only that it would have
+taken a week to get at the bones, before picking) that I nearly lost
+good manners; for she really seemed to suspect even me of cannibal
+inclinations. However, at last I made her promise to come with me on the
+morrow, presuming that Master Odam could by any means be persuaded to
+keep her company in the cart, as propriety demanded. Having little doubt
+that Master Odam was entirely at his wife's command, I looked upon that
+matter as settled, and set off for Watchett, to see the grave of Lorna's
+poor mother, and to hire a cart for the morrow.
+
+And here (as so often happens with men) I succeeded without any trouble
+or hindrance, where I had looked for both of them, namely, in finding a
+suitable cart; whereas the other matter, in which I could have expected
+no difficulty, came very near to defeat me. For when I heard that
+Lorna's father was the Earl of Dugal--as Benita impressed upon me with a
+strong enforcement, as much as to say, "Who are you, young man, to come
+even asking about her?"--then I never thought but that everybody in
+Watchett town must know all about the tombstone of the Countess of
+Dugal.
+
+This, however, proved otherwise. For Lord Dugal had never lived at
+Watchett Grange, as their place was called; neither had his name become
+familiar as its owner. Because the Grange had only devolved to him by
+will, at the end of a long entail, when the last of the Fitz-Pains died
+out; and though he liked the idea of it, he had gone abroad, without
+taking seisin. And upon news of his death, John Jones, a rich gentleman
+from Llandaff, had taken possession, as next of right, and hushed up all
+the story. And though, even at the worst of times, a lady of high rank
+and wealth could not be robbed, and as bad as murdered, and then buried
+in a little place, without moving some excitement, yet it had been given
+out, on purpose and with diligence, that this was only a foreign lady
+travelling for her health and pleasure, along the seacoast of England.
+And as the poor thing never spoke, and several of her servants and her
+baggage looked so foreign, and she herself died in a collar of lace
+unlike any made in England, all Watchett, without hesitation, pronounced
+her to be a foreigner. And the English serving man and maid, who might
+have cleared up everything, either were bribed by Master Jones, or else
+decamped of their own accord with the relics of the baggage. So the poor
+Countess of Dugal, almost in sight of her own grand house, was buried in
+an unknown grave, with her pair of infants, without a plate, without a
+tombstone (worse than all) without a tear, except from the hired Italian
+woman.
+
+Surely my poor Lorna came of an ill-starred family.
+
+Now in spite of all this, if I had only taken Benita with me, or even
+told her what I wished, and craved her directions, there could have been
+no trouble. But I do assure you that among the stupid people at Watchett
+(compared with whom our folk of Oare, exceeding dense though being, are
+as Hamlet against Dogberry) what with one of them and another, and the
+firm conviction of all the town that I could be come only to wrestle, I
+do assure you (as I said before) that my wits almost went out of me.
+And what vexed me yet more about it was, that I saw my own mistake, in
+coming myself to seek out the matter, instead of sending some unknown
+person. For my face and form were known at that time (and still are so)
+to nine people out of every ten living in forty miles of me. Not through
+any excellence, or anything of good desert, in either the one or
+the other, but simply because folks will be fools on the rivalry of
+wrestling. The art is a fine one in itself, and demands a little wit of
+brain, as well as strength of body; it binds the man who studies it to
+temperance, and chastity, to self-respect, and most of all to an even
+and sweet temper; for I have thrown stronger men than myself (when I was
+a mere sapling, and before my strength grew hard on me) through their
+loss of temper. But though the art is an honest one, surely they who
+excel therein have a right (like all the rest of man-kind) to their own
+private life.
+
+Be that either way--and I will not speak too strongly, for fear of
+indulging my own annoyance--anyhow, all Watchett town cared ten times as
+much to see John Ridd, as to show him what he wanted. I was led to every
+public-house, instead of to the churchyard; and twenty tables were ready
+for me, in lieu of a single gravestone. "Zummerzett thou bee'st, Jan
+Ridd, and Zummerzett thou shalt be. Thee carl theezell a Davonsheer man!
+Whoy, thee lives in Zummerzett; and in Zummerzett thee wast barn, lad."
+And so it went on, till I was weary; though very much obliged to them.
+
+Dull and solid as I am, and with a wild duck waiting for me at good
+Mistress Odam's, I saw that there was nothing for it but to yield to
+these good people, and prove me a man of Somerset, by eating a dinner
+at their expense. As for the churchyard, none would hear of it; and I
+grieved for broaching the matter.
+
+But how was I to meet Lorna again, without having done the thing of all
+things which I had promised to see to? It would never do to tell her
+that so great was my popularity, and so strong the desire to feed me,
+that I could not attend to her mother. Least of all could I say that
+every one in Watchett knew John Ridd; while none had heard of the
+Countess of Dugal. And yet that was about the truth, as I hinted very
+delicately to Mistress Odam that evening. But she (being vexed about her
+wild duck, and not having English ideas on the matter of sport, and so
+on) made a poor unwitting face at me. Nevertheless Master Odam restored
+me to my self-respect; for he stared at me till I went to bed; and he
+broke his hose with excitement. For being in the leg-line myself, I
+wanted to know what the muscles were of a man who turned a wheel all
+day. I had never seen a treadmill (though they have one now at Exeter),
+and it touched me much to learn whether it were good exercise. And
+herein, from what I saw of Odam, I incline to think that it does great
+harm; as moving the muscles too much in a line, and without variety.
+
+[Illustration: 517.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LVII
+
+LORNA KNOWS HER NURSE
+
+[Illustration: 518.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Having obtained from Benita Odam a very close and full description of
+the place where her poor mistress lay, and the marks whereby to know it,
+I hastened to Watchett the following morning, before the sun was up,
+or any people were about. And so, without interruption, I was in the
+churchyard at sunrise.
+
+In the farthest and darkest nook, overgrown with grass, and overhung by
+a weeping-tree a little bank of earth betokened the rounding off of a
+hapless life. There was nothing to tell of rank, or wealth, of love, or
+even pity; nameless as a peasant lay the last (as supposed) of a mighty
+race. Only some unskilful hand, probably Master Odam's under his wife's
+teaching, had carved a rude L., and a ruder D., upon a large pebble from
+the beach, and set it up as a headstone.
+
+I gathered a little grass for Lorna and a sprig of the weeping-tree, and
+then returned to the Forest Cat, as Benita's lonely inn was called.
+For the way is long from Watchett to Oare; and though you may ride
+it rapidly, as the Doones had done on that fatal night, to travel
+on wheels, with one horse only, is a matter of time and of prudence.
+Therefore, we set out pretty early, three of us and a baby, who could
+not well be left behind. The wife of the man who owned the cart had
+undertaken to mind the business, and the other babies, upon condition of
+having the keys of all the taps left with her.
+
+[Illustration: 519.jpg In the Churchyard]
+
+As the manner of journeying over the moor has been described oft enough
+already, I will say no more, except that we all arrived before dusk
+of the summer's day, safe at Plover's Barrows. Mistress Benita was
+delighted with the change from her dull hard life; and she made many
+excellent observations, such as seem natural to a foreigner looking at
+our country.
+
+As luck would have it, the first who came to meet us at the gate was
+Lorna, with nothing whatever upon her head (the weather being summerly)
+but her beautiful hair shed round her; and wearing a sweet white frock
+tucked in, and showing her figure perfectly. In her joy she ran straight
+up to the cart; and then stopped and gazed at Benita. At one glance her
+old nurse knew her: "Oh, the eyes, the eyes!" she cried, and was over
+the rail of the cart in a moment, in spite of all her substance. Lorna,
+on the other hand, looked at her with some doubt and wonder, as though
+having right to know much about her, and yet unable to do so. But when
+the foreign woman said something in Roman language, and flung new hay
+from the cart upon her, as if in a romp of childhood, the young maid
+cried, "Oh, Nita, Nita!" and fell upon her breast, and wept; and after
+that looked round at us.
+
+This being so, there could be no doubt as to the power of proving Lady
+Lorna's birth, and rights, both by evidence and token. For though we had
+not the necklace now--thanks to Annie's wisdom--we had the ring of heavy
+gold, a very ancient relic, with which my maid (in her simple way) had
+pledged herself to me. And Benita knew this ring as well as she knew her
+own fingers, having heard a long history about it; and the effigy on it
+of the wild cat was the bearing of the house of Lorne.
+
+For though Lorna's father was a nobleman of high and goodly lineage, her
+mother was of yet more ancient and renowned descent, being the last
+in line direct from the great and kingly chiefs of Lorne. A wild and
+headstrong race they were, and must have everything their own way. Hot
+blood was ever among them, even of one household; and their sovereignty
+(which more than once had defied the King of Scotland) waned and fell
+among themselves, by continual quarrelling. And it was of a piece with
+this, that the Doones (who were an offset, by the mother's side, holding
+in co-partnership some large property, which had come by the spindle,
+as we say) should fall out with the Earl of Lorne, the last but one of
+that title.
+
+The daughter of this nobleman had married Sir Ensor Doone; but this,
+instead of healing matters, led to fiercer conflict. I never could quite
+understand all the ins and outs of it; which none but a lawyer may go
+through, and keep his head at the end of it. The motives of mankind are
+plainer than the motions they produce. Especially when charity (such
+as found among us) sits to judge the former, and is never weary of it;
+while reason does not care to trace the latter complications, except for
+fee or title.
+
+Therefore it is enough to say, that knowing Lorna to be direct in
+heirship to vast property, and bearing especial spite against the house
+of which she was the last, the Doones had brought her up with full
+intention of lawful marriage; and had carefully secluded her from the
+wildest of their young gallants. Of course, if they had been next in
+succession, the child would have gone down the waterfall, to save any
+further trouble; but there was an intercepting branch of some honest
+family; and they being outlaws, would have a poor chance (though the law
+loves outlaws) against them. Only Lorna was of the stock; and Lorna they
+must marry. And what a triumph against the old earl, for a cursed Doone
+to succeed him!
+
+As for their outlawry, great robberies, and grand murders, the veriest
+child, nowadays, must know that money heals the whole of that. Even if
+they had murdered people of a good position, it would only cost about
+twice as much to prove their motives loyal. But they had never slain any
+man above the rank of yeoman; and folk even said that my father was the
+highest of their victims; for the death of Lorna's mother and brother
+was never set to their account.
+
+Pure pleasure it is to any man, to reflect upon all these things. How
+truly we discern clear justice, and how well we deal it. If any poor
+man steals a sheep, having ten children starving, and regarding it as
+mountain game (as a rich man does a hare), to the gallows with him. If
+a man of rank beats down a door, smites the owner upon the head, and
+honours the wife with attention, it is a thing to be grateful for, and
+to slouch smitten head the lower.
+
+While we were full of all these things, and wondering what would happen
+next, or what we ought ourselves to do, another very important matter
+called for our attention. This was no less than Annie's marriage to the
+Squire Faggus. We had tried to put it off again; for in spite of all
+advantages, neither my mother nor myself had any real heart for it. Not
+that we dwelled upon Tom's short-comings or rather perhaps his going too
+far, at the time when he worked the road so. All that was covered by
+the King's pardon, and universal respect of the neighbourhood. But our
+scruple was this--and the more we talked the more it grew upon us--that
+we both had great misgivings as to his future steadiness.
+
+For it would be a thousand pities, we said, for a fine, well-grown, and
+pretty maiden (such as our Annie was), useful too, in so many ways, and
+lively, and warm-hearted, and mistress of 500 pounds, to throw herself
+away on a man with a kind of a turn for drinking. If that last were even
+hinted, Annie would be most indignant, and ask, with cheeks as red as
+roses, who had ever seen Master Faggus any the worse for liquor indeed?
+Her own opinion was, in truth, that he took a great deal too little,
+after all his hard work, and hard riding, and coming over the hills to
+be insulted! And if ever it lay in her power, and with no one to grudge
+him his trumpery glass, she would see that poor Tom had the nourishment
+which his cough and his lungs required.
+
+His lungs being quite as sound as mine, this matter was out of all
+argument; so mother and I looked at one another, as much as to say, "let
+her go upstairs, she will cry and come down more reasonable." And while
+she was gone, we used to say the same thing over and over again; but
+without perceiving a cure for it. And we almost always finished up with
+the following reflection, which sometimes came from mother's lips, and
+sometimes from my own: "Well, well, there is no telling. None can say
+how a man may alter; when he takes to matrimony. But if we could only
+make Annie promise to be a little firm with him!"
+
+I fear that all this talk on our part only hurried matters forward,
+Annie being more determined every time we pitied her. And at last Tom
+Faggus came, and spoke as if he were on the King's road, with a pistol
+at my head, and one at mother's. "No more fast and loose," he cried.
+"either one thing or the other. I love the maid, and she loves me; and
+we will have one another, either with your leave, or without it. How
+many more times am I to dance over these vile hills, and leave my
+business, and get nothing more than a sigh or a kiss, and 'Tom, I must
+wait for mother'? You are famous for being straightforward, you Ridds.
+Just treat me as I would treat you now."
+
+I looked at my mother; for a glance from her would have sent Tom out of
+the window; but she checked me with her hand, and said, "You have
+some ground of complaint, sir; I will not deny it. Now I will be as
+straight-forward with you, as even a Ridd is supposed to be. My son and
+myself have all along disliked your marriage with Annie. Not for what
+you have been so much, as for what we fear you will be. Have patience,
+one moment, if you please. We do not fear your taking to the highway
+life again; for that you are too clever, no doubt, now that you have
+property. But we fear that you will take to drinking, and to squandering
+money. There are many examples of this around us; and we know what the
+fate of the wife is. It has been hard to tell you this, under our own
+roof, and with our own--" Here mother hesitated.
+
+"Spirits, and cider, and beer," I broke in; "out with it, like a Ridd,
+mother; as he will have all of it."
+
+"Spirits, and cider, and beer," said mother very firmly after me; and
+then she gave way and said, "You know, Tom, you are welcome to every
+drop and more of it."
+
+Now Tom must have had a far sweeter temper than ever I could claim; for
+I should have thrust my glass away, and never have taken another drop
+in the house where such a check had met me. But instead of that, Master
+Faggus replied, with a pleasant smile,--
+
+"I know that I am welcome, good mother; and to prove it, I will have
+some more."
+
+And thereupon be mixed himself another glass of hollands with lemon and
+hot water, yet pouring it very delicately.
+
+"Oh, I have been so miserable--take a little more, Tom," said mother,
+handing the bottle.
+
+"Yes, take a little more," I said; "you have mixed it over weak, Tom."
+
+"If ever there was a sober man," cried Tom, complying with our request;
+"if ever there was in Christendom a man of perfect sobriety, that man is
+now before you. Shall we say to-morrow week, mother? It will suit your
+washing day."
+
+"How very thoughtful you are, Tom! Now John would never have thought of
+that, in spite of all his steadiness."
+
+"Certainly not," I answered proudly; "when my time comes for Lorna, I
+shall not study Betty Muxworthy."
+
+In this way the Squire got over us; and Farmer Nicholas Snowe was
+sent for, to counsel with mother about the matter and to set his two
+daughters sewing.
+
+When the time for the wedding came, there was such a stir and commotion
+as had never been known in the parish of Oare since my father's
+marriage. For Annie's beauty and kindliness had made her the pride of
+the neighbourhood; and the presents sent her, from all around, were
+enough to stock a shop with. Master Stickles, who now could walk, and
+who certainly owed his recovery, with the blessing of God, to Annie,
+presented her with a mighty Bible, silver-clasped, and very handsome,
+beating the parson's out and out, and for which he had sent to Taunton.
+Even the common troopers, having tasted her cookery many times (to help
+out their poor rations), clubbed together, and must have given at least
+a week's pay apiece, to have turned out what they did for her. This was
+no less than a silver pot, well-designed, but suited surely rather
+to the bridegroom's taste than bride's. In a word, everybody gave her
+things.
+
+And now my Lorna came to me, with a spring of tears in appealing
+eyes--for she was still somewhat childish, or rather, I should say, more
+childish now than when she lived in misery--and she placed her little
+hand in mine, and she was half afraid to speak, and dropped her eyes for
+me to ask.
+
+"What is it, little darling?" I asked, as I saw her breath come fast;
+for the smallest emotion moved her form.
+
+"You don't think, John, you don't think, dear, that you could lend me
+any money?"
+
+"All I have got," I answered; "how much do you want, dear heart?"
+
+"I have been calculating; and I fear that I cannot do any good with less
+than ten pounds, John."
+
+Here she looked up at me, with horror at the grandeur of the sum, and
+not knowing what I could think of it. But I kept my eyes from her.
+"Ten pounds!" I said in my deepest voice, on purpose to have it out
+in comfort, when she should be frightened; "what can you want with ten
+pounds, child?"
+
+[Illustration: 524.jpg Kept my eyes from her]
+
+"That is my concern," said Lorna, plucking up her spirit at this: "when
+a lady asks for a loan, no gentleman pries into the cause of her asking
+it."
+
+"That may be as may be," I answered in a judicial manner; "ten pounds,
+or twenty, you shall have. But I must know the purport."
+
+"Then that you never shall know, John. I am very sorry for asking you.
+It is not of the smallest consequence. Oh, dear, no." Herewith she was
+running away.
+
+"Oh, dear, yes," I replied; "it is of very great consequence; and I
+understand the whole of it. You want to give that stupid Annie, who
+has lost you a hundred thousand pounds, and who is going to be married
+before us, dear--God only can tell why, being my younger sister--you
+want to give her a wedding present. And you shall do it, darling;
+because it is so good of you. Don't you know your title, love? How
+humble you are with us humble folk. You are Lady Lorna something, so far
+as I can make out yet: and you ought not even to speak to us. You will
+go away and disdain us."
+
+"If you please, talk not like that, John. I will have nothing to do with
+it, if it comes between you and me, John."
+
+"You cannot help yourself," said I. And then she vowed that she could
+and would. And rank and birth were banished from between our lips in no
+time.
+
+"What can I get her good enough? I am sure I do not know," she asked:
+"she has been so kind and good to me, and she is such a darling. How I
+shall miss her, to be sure! By the bye, you seem to think, John, that I
+shall be rich some day."
+
+"Of course you will. As rich as the French King who keeps ours. Would
+the Lord Chancellor trouble himself about you, if you were poor?"
+
+"Then if I am rich, perhaps you would lend me twenty pounds, dear John.
+Ten pounds would be very mean for a wealthy person to give her."
+
+To this I agreed, upon condition that I should make the purchase myself,
+whatever it might be. For nothing could be easier than to cheat Lorna
+about the cost, until time should come for her paying me. And this was
+better than to cheat her for the benefit of our family. For this end,
+and for many others, I set off to Dulverton, bearing more commissions,
+more messages, and more questions than a man of thrice my memory might
+carry so far as the corner where the sawpit is. And to make things
+worse, one girl or other would keep on running up to me, or even after
+me (when started) with something or other she had just thought of, which
+she could not possibly do without, and which I must be sure to remember,
+as the most important of the whole.
+
+To my dear mother, who had partly outlived the exceeding value of
+trifles, the most important matter seemed to ensure Uncle Reuben's
+countenance and presence at the marriage. And if I succeeded in this,
+I might well forget all the maidens' trumpery. This she would have been
+wiser to tell me when they were out of hearing; for I left her to fight
+her own battle with them; and laughing at her predicament, promised to
+do the best I could for all, so far as my wits would go.
+
+Uncle Reuben was not at home, but Ruth, who received me very kindly,
+although without any expressions of joy, was sure of his return in the
+afternoon, and persuaded me to wait for him. And by the time that I had
+finished all I could recollect of my orders, even with paper to help
+me, the old gentleman rode into the yard, and was more surprised than
+pleased to see me. But if he was surprised, I was more than that--I was
+utterly astonished at the change in his appearance since the last time I
+had seen him. From a hale, and rather heavy man, gray-haired, but plump,
+and ruddy, he was altered to a shrunken, wizened, trembling, and almost
+decrepit figure. Instead of curly and comely locks, grizzled indeed, but
+plentiful, he had only a few lank white hairs scattered and flattened
+upon his forehead. But the greatest change of all was in the expression
+of his eyes, which had been so keen, and restless, and bright, and
+a little sarcastic. Bright indeed they still were, but with a slow
+unhealthy lustre; their keenness was turned to perpetual outlook, their
+restlessness to a haggard want. As for the humour which once gleamed
+there (which people who fear it call sarcasm) it had been succeeded by
+stares of terror, and then mistrust, and shrinking. There was none of
+the interest in mankind, which is needful even for satire.
+
+"Now what can this be?" thought I to myself, "has the old man lost all
+his property, or taken too much to strong waters?"
+
+"Come inside, John Ridd," he said; "I will have a talk with you. It is
+cold out here; and it is too light. Come inside, John Ridd, boy."
+
+I followed him into a little dark room, quite different from Ruth
+Huckaback's. It was closed from the shop by an old division of boarding,
+hung with tanned canvas; and the smell was very close and faint. Here
+there was a ledger desk, and a couple of chairs, and a long-legged
+stool.
+
+"Take the stool," said Uncle Reuben, showing me in very quietly, "it is
+fitter for your height, John. Wait a moment; there is no hurry."
+
+Then he slipped out by another door, and closing it quickly after him,
+told the foreman and waiting-men that the business of the day was done.
+They had better all go home at once; and he would see to the fastenings.
+Of course they were only too glad to go; but I wondered at his sending
+them, with at least two hours of daylight left.
+
+However, that was no business of mine, and I waited, and pondered
+whether fair Ruth ever came into this dirty room, and if so, how she
+kept her hands from it. For Annie would have had it upside down in about
+two minutes, and scrubbed, and brushed, and dusted, until it looked
+quite another place; and yet all this done without scolding and
+crossness; which are the curse of clean women, and ten times worse than
+the dustiest dust.
+
+Uncle Ben came reeling in, not from any power of liquor, but because he
+was stiff from horseback, and weak from work and worry.
+
+"Let me be, John, let me be," he said, as I went to help him; "this is
+an unkind dreary place; but many a hundred of good gold Carolus has been
+turned in this place, John."
+
+"Not a doubt about it, sir," I answered in my loud and cheerful manner;
+"and many another hundred, sir; and may you long enjoy them!"
+
+"My boy, do you wish me to die?" he asked, coming up close to my stool,
+and regarding me with a shrewd though blear-eyed gaze; "many do. Do you,
+John?"
+
+"Come," said I, "don't ask such nonsense. You know better than that,
+Uncle Ben. Or else, I am sorry for you. I want you to live as long as
+possible, for the sake of--" Here I stopped.
+
+"For the sake of what, John? I knew it is not for my own sake. For the
+sake of what, my boy?"
+
+"For the sake of Ruth," I answered; "if you must have all the truth. Who
+is to mind her when you are gone?"
+
+"But if you knew that I had gold, or a manner of getting gold, far more
+than ever the sailors got out of the Spanish galleons, far more than
+ever was heard of; and the secret was to be yours, John; yours after me
+and no other soul's--then you would wish me dead, John." Here he eyed me
+as if a speck of dust in my eyes should not escape him.
+
+"You are wrong, Uncle Ben; altogether wrong. For all the gold ever heard
+or dreamed of, not a wish would cross my heart to rob you of one day of
+life."
+
+At last he moved his eyes from mine; but without any word, or sign, to
+show whether he believed, or disbelieved. Then he went to a chair, and
+sat with his chin upon the ledger-desk; as if the effort of probing me
+had been too much for his weary brain. "Dreamed of! All the gold ever
+dreamed of! As if it were but a dream!" he muttered; and then he closed
+his eyes to think.
+
+"Good Uncle Reuben," I said to him, "you have been a long way to-day,
+sir. Let me go and get you a glass of good wine. Cousin Ruth knows where
+to find it."
+
+"How do you know how far I have been?" he asked, with a vicious look
+at me. "And Cousin Ruth! You are very pat with my granddaughter's name,
+young man!"
+
+"It would be hard upon me, sir, not to know my own cousin's name."
+
+"Very well. Let that go by. You have behaved very badly to Ruth. She
+loves you; and you love her not."
+
+At this I was so wholly amazed--not at the thing itself, I mean, but at
+his knowledge of it--that I could not say a single word; but looked, no
+doubt, very foolish.
+
+"You may well be ashamed, young man," he cried, with some triumph over
+me, "you are the biggest of all fools, as well as a conceited coxcomb.
+What can you want more than Ruth? She is a little damsel, truly; but
+finer men than you, John Ridd, with all your boasted strength and
+wrestling, have wedded smaller maidens. And as for quality, and
+value--bots! one inch of Ruth is worth all your seven feet put
+together."
+
+Now I am not seven feet high; nor ever was six feet eight inches, in
+my very prime of life; and nothing vexes me so much as to make me out a
+giant, and above human sympathy, and human scale of weakness. It cost
+me hard to hold my tongue; which luckily is not in proportion to my
+stature. And only for Ruth's sake I held it. But Uncle Ben (being old
+and worn) was vexed by not having any answer, almost as much as a woman
+is.
+
+"You want me to go on," he continued, with a look of spite at me, "about
+my poor Ruth's love for you, to feed your cursed vanity. Because a
+set of asses call you the finest man in England; there is no maid (I
+suppose) who is not in love with you. I believe you are as deep as you
+are long, John Ridd. Shall I ever get to the bottom of your character?"
+
+This was a little too much for me. Any insult I could take (with
+goodwill) from a white-haired man, and one who was my relative; unless
+it touched my love for Lorna, or my conscious modesty. Now both of
+these were touched to the quick by the sentences of the old gentleman.
+Therefore, without a word, I went; only making a bow to him.
+
+But women who are (beyond all doubt) the mothers of all mischief, also
+nurse that babe to sleep, when he is too noisy. And there was Ruth, as I
+took my horse (with a trunk of frippery on him), poor little Ruth was
+at the bridle, and rusting all the knops of our town-going harness with
+tears.
+
+[Illustration: 531.jpg Little Ruth was at the bridle]
+
+"Good-bye dear," I said, as she bent her head away from me; "shall I put
+you up on the saddle, dear?"
+
+"Cousin Ridd, you may take it lightly," said Ruth, turning full upon me,
+"and very likely you are right, according to your nature"--this was
+the only cutting thing the little soul ever said to me--"but oh, Cousin
+Ridd, you have no idea of the pain you will leave behind you."
+
+"How can that be so, Ruth, when I am as good as ordered to be off the
+premises?"
+
+"In the first place, Cousin Ridd, grandfather will be angry with
+himself, for having so ill-used you. And now he is so weak and poorly,
+that he is always repenting. In the next place I shall scold him first,
+until he admits his sorrow; and when he has admitted it, I shall scold
+myself for scolding him. And then he will come round again, and think
+that I was hard on him; and end perhaps by hating you--for he is like a
+woman now, John."
+
+That last little touch of self-knowledge in Ruth, which she delivered
+with a gleam of some secret pleasantry, made me stop and look closely
+at her: but she pretended not to know it. "There is something in this
+child," I thought, "very different from other girls. What it is I cannot
+tell; for one very seldom gets at it."
+
+At any rate the upshot was that the good horse went back to stable, and
+had another feed of corn, while my wrath sank within me. There are two
+things, according to my experience (which may not hold with another man)
+fitted beyond any others to take hot tempers out of us. The first is
+to see our favourite creatures feeding, and licking up their food, and
+happily snuffling over it, yet sparing time to be grateful, and showing
+taste and perception; the other is to go gardening boldly, in the spring
+of the year, without any misgiving about it, and hoping the utmost of
+everything. If there be a third anodyne, approaching these two in power,
+it is to smoke good tobacco well, and watch the setting of the moon; and
+if this should only be over the sea, the result is irresistible.
+
+Master Huckaback showed no especial signs of joy at my return; but
+received me with a little grunt, which appeared to me to mean, "Ah, I
+thought he would hardly be fool enough to go." I told him how sorry I
+was for having in some way offended him; and he answered that I did well
+to grieve for one at least of my offences. To this I made no reply, as
+behoves a man dealing with cross and fractious people; and presently he
+became better-tempered, and sent little Ruth for a bottle of wine. She
+gave me a beautiful smile of thanks for my forbearance as she passed;
+and I knew by her manner that she would bring the best bottle in all the
+cellar.
+
+As I had but little time to spare (although the days were long and
+light) we were forced to take our wine with promptitude and rapidity;
+and whether this loosened my uncle's tongue, or whether he meant
+beforehand to speak, is now almost uncertain. But true it is that he
+brought his chair very near to mine, after three or four glasses, and
+sent Ruth away upon some errand which seemed of small importance. At
+this I was vexed, for the room always looked so different without her.
+
+"Come, Jack," he said, "here's your health, young fellow, and a good and
+obedient wife to you. Not that your wife will ever obey you though; you
+are much too easy-tempered. Even a bitter and stormy woman might live
+in peace with you, Jack. But never you give her the chance to try. Marry
+some sweet little thing, if you can. If not, don't marry any. Ah, we
+have the maid to suit you, my lad, in this old town of Dulverton."
+
+"Have you so, sir? But perhaps the maid might have no desire to suit
+me."
+
+"That you may take my word she has. The colour of this wine will prove
+it. The little sly hussy has been to the cobwebbed arch of the cellar,
+where she has no right to go, for any one under a magistrate. However,
+I am glad to see it, and we will not spare it, John. After my time,
+somebody, whoever marries little Ruth, will find some rare wines there,
+I trow, and perhaps not know the difference."
+
+Thinking of this the old man sighed, and expected me to sigh after him.
+But a sigh is not (like a yawn) infectious; and we are all more prone
+to be sent to sleep than to sorrow by one another. Not but what a sigh
+sometimes may make us think of sighing.
+
+"Well, sir," cried I, in my sprightliest manner, which rouses up most
+people, "here's to your health and dear little Ruth's: and may you live
+to knock off the cobwebs from every bottle in under the arch. Uncle
+Reuben, your life and health, sir?"
+
+With that I took my glass thoughtfully, for it was wondrous good; and
+Uncle Ben was pleased to see me dwelling pleasantly on the subject with
+parenthesis, and self-commune, and oral judgment unpronounced, though
+smacking of fine decision. "_Curia vult advisari_," as the lawyers say;
+which means, "Let us have another glass, and then we can think about
+it."
+
+"Come now, John," said Uncle Ben, laying his wrinkled hand on my knee,
+when he saw that none could heed us, "I know that you have a sneaking
+fondness for my grandchild Ruth. Don't interrupt me now; you have; and
+to deny it will only provoke me."
+
+"I do like Ruth, sir," I said boldly, for fear of misunderstanding; "but
+I do not love her."
+
+"Very well; that makes no difference. Liking may very soon be loving (as
+some people call it) when the maid has money to help her."
+
+"But if there be, as there is in my case--"
+
+"Once for all, John, not a word. I do not attempt to lead you into any
+engagement with little Ruth; neither will I blame you (though I may be
+disappointed) if no such engagement should ever be. But whether you will
+have my grandchild, or whether you will not--and such a chance is
+rarely offered to a fellow of your standing"--Uncle Ben despised all
+farmers--"in any case I have at least resolved to let you know my
+secret; and for two good reasons. The first is that it wears me out
+to dwell upon it, all alone, and the second is that I can trust you to
+fulfil a promise. Moreover, you are my next of kin, except among
+the womankind; and you are just the man I want, to help me in my
+enterprise."
+
+"And I will help you, sir," I answered, fearing some conspiracy, "in
+anything that is true, and loyal, and according to the laws of the
+realm."
+
+"Ha, ha!" cried the old man, laughing until his eyes ran over, and
+spreading out his skinny hands upon his shining breeches, "thou hast
+gone the same fools' track as the rest; even as spy Stickles went, and
+all his precious troopers. Landing of arms at Glenthorne, and Lynmouth,
+wagons escorted across the moor, sounds of metal and booming noises!
+Ah, but we managed it cleverly, to cheat even those so near to
+us. Disaffection at Taunton, signs of insurrection at Dulverton,
+revolutionary tanner at Dunster! We set it all abroad, right well. And
+not even you to suspect our work; though we thought at one time that you
+watched us. Now who, do you suppose, is at the bottom of all this Exmoor
+insurgency, all this western rebellion--not that I say there is none,
+mind--but who is at the bottom of it?"
+
+"Either Mother Melldrum," said I, being now a little angry, "or else old
+Nick himself."
+
+"Nay, old Uncle Reuben!" Saying this, Master Huckaback cast back his
+coat, and stood up, and made the most of himself.
+
+[Illustration: 534.jpg Master Huckaback cast back his coat]
+
+"Well!" cried I, being now quite come to the limits of my intellect,
+"then, after all, Captain Stickles was right in calling you a rebel,
+sir!"
+
+"Of course he was; could so keen a man be wrong about an old fool like
+me? But come, and see our rebellion, John. I will trust you now with
+everything. I will take no oath from you; only your word to keep
+silence; and most of all from your mother."
+
+"I will give you my word," I said, although liking not such pledges;
+which make a man think before he speaks in ordinary company, against
+his usual practices. However, I was now so curious, that I thought of
+nothing else; and scarcely could believe at all that Uncle Ben was quite
+right in his head.
+
+"Take another glass of wine, my son," he cried with a cheerful
+countenance, which made him look more than ten years younger; "you shall
+come into partnership with me: your strength will save us two horses,
+and we always fear the horse work. Come and see our rebellion, my boy;
+you are a made man from to-night."
+
+"But where am I to come and see it? Where am I to find it, sir?"
+
+"Meet me," he answered, yet closing his hands, and wrinkling with
+doubt his forehead, "come alone, of course; and meet me at the Wizard's
+Slough, at ten to-morrow morning."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LVIII
+
+MASTER HUCKABACK'S SECRET
+
+[Illustration: 535.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Knowing Master Huckaback to be a man of his word, as well as one who
+would have others so, I was careful to be in good time the next morning,
+by the side of the Wizard's Slough. I am free to admit that the name of
+the place bore a feeling of uneasiness, and a love of distance, in some
+measure to my heart. But I did my best not to think of this; only I
+thought it a wise precaution, and due for the sake of my mother and
+Lorna, to load my gun with a dozen slugs made from the lead of the old
+church-porch, laid by, long since, against witchcraft.
+
+I am well aware that some people now begin to doubt about witchcraft; or
+at any rate feign to do so; being desirous to disbelieve whatever they
+are afraid of. This spirit is growing too common among us, and will end
+(unless we put a stop to it!) in the destruction of all religion. And
+as regards witchcraft, a man is bound either to believe in it, or to
+disbelieve the Bible. For even in the New Testament, discarding many
+things of the Old, such as sacrifices, and Sabbath, and fasting, and
+other miseries, witchcraft is clearly spoken of as a thing that
+must continue; that the Evil One be not utterly robbed of his vested
+interests. Hence let no one tell me that witchcraft is done away with;
+for I will meet him with St. Paul, than whom no better man, and few less
+superstitious, can be found in all the Bible.
+
+Feeling these things more in those days than I feel them now, I fetched
+a goodish compass round, by the way of the cloven rocks, rather than
+cross Black Barrow Down, in a reckless and unholy manner. There were
+several spots, upon that Down, cursed and smitten, and blasted, as if
+thunderbolts had fallen there, and Satan sat to keep them warm. At any
+rate it was good (as every one acknowledged) not to wander there too
+much; even with a doctor of divinity on one arm and of medicine upon the
+other.
+
+Therefore, I, being all alone, and on foot (as seemed the wisest),
+preferred a course of roundabout; and starting about eight o'clock,
+without mentioning my business, arrived at the mouth of the deep
+descent, such as John Fry described it. Now this (though I have not
+spoken of it) was not my first time of being there. For, although I
+could not bring myself to spy upon Uncle Reuben, as John Fry had done,
+yet I thought it no ill manners, after he had left our house, to have a
+look at the famous place, where the malefactor came to life, at least
+in John's opinion. At that time, however, I saw nothing except the great
+ugly black morass, with the grisly reeds around it; and I did not care
+to go very near it, much less to pry on the further side.
+
+Now, on the other hand, I was bent to get at the very bottom of this
+mystery (if there were any), having less fear of witch or wizard, with
+a man of Uncle Reuben's wealth to take my part, and see me through. So
+I rattled the ramrod down my gun, just to know if the charge were right,
+after so much walking; and finding it full six inches deep, as I like to
+have it, went boldly down the steep gorge of rock, with a firm resolve
+to shoot any witch unless it were good Mother Melldrum. Nevertheless to
+my surprise, all was quiet, and fair to look at, in the decline of
+the narrow way, with great stalked ferns coming forth like trees, yet
+hanging like cobwebs over one. And along one side, a little spring was
+getting rid of its waters. Any man might stop and think; or he might
+go on and think; and in either case, there was none to say that he was
+making a fool of himself.
+
+When I came to the foot of this ravine, and over against the great black
+slough, there was no sign of Master Huckaback, nor of any other living
+man, except myself, in the silence. Therefore, I sat in a niche of rock,
+gazing at the slough, and pondering the old tradition about it.
+
+They say that, in the ancient times, a mighty necromancer lived in the
+wilderness of Exmoor. Here, by spell and incantation, he built himself
+a strong high palace, eight-sided like a spider's web, and standing on
+a central steep; so that neither man nor beast could cross the moors
+without his knowledge. If he wished to rob and slay a traveller, or to
+have wild ox, or stag for food, he had nothing more to do than sit at
+one of his eight windows, and point his unholy book at him. Any moving
+creature, at which that book was pointed, must obey the call, and come
+from whatever distance, if sighted once by the wizard.
+
+This was a bad condition of things, and all the country groaned under
+it; and Exmoor (although the most honest place that a man could wish
+to live in) was beginning to get a bad reputation, and all through that
+vile wizard. No man durst even go to steal a sheep, or a pony, or so
+much as a deer for dinner, lest he should be brought to book by a far
+bigger rogue than he was. And this went on for many years; though they
+prayed to God to abate it. But at last, when the wizard was getting fat
+and haughty upon his high stomach, a mighty deliverance came to Exmoor,
+and a warning, and a memory. For one day the sorcerer gazed from his
+window facing the southeast of the compass, and he yawned, having killed
+so many men that now he was weary of it.
+
+"Ifackins," he cried, or some such oath, both profane and uncomely,
+"I see a man on the verge of the sky-line, going along laboriously. A
+pilgrim, I trow, or some such fool, with the nails of his boots inside
+them. Too thin to be worth eating; but I will have him for the fun of
+the thing; and most of those saints have got money."
+
+With these words he stretched forth his legs on a stool, and pointed
+the book of heathenish spells back upwards at the pilgrim. Now this good
+pilgrim was plodding along, soberly and religiously, with a pound of
+flints in either boot, and not an ounce of meat inside him. He felt the
+spell of the wicked book, but only as a horse might feel a "gee-wug!"
+addressed to him. It was in the power of this good man, either to go
+on, or turn aside, and see out the wizard's meaning. And for a moment he
+halted and stood, like one in two minds about a thing. Then the wizard
+clapped one cover to, in a jocular and insulting manner; and the sound
+of it came to the pilgrim's ear, about five miles in the distance, like
+a great gun fired at him.
+
+"By our Lady," he cried, "I must see to this; although my poor feet have
+no skin below them. I will teach this heathen miscreant how to scoff at
+Glastonbury."
+
+Thereupon he turned his course, and ploughed along through the moors
+and bogs, towards the eight-sided palace. The wizard sat on his chair of
+comfort, and with the rankest contempt observed the holy man ploughing
+towards him. "He has something good in his wallet, I trow," said the
+black thief to himself; "these fellows get always the pick of the wine,
+and the best of a woman's money." Then he cried, "Come in, come in, good
+sir," as he always did to every one.
+
+"Bad sir, I will not come in," said the pilgrim; "neither shall you come
+out again. Here are the bones of all you have slain; and here shall your
+own bones be."
+
+"Hurry me not," cried the sorcerer; "that is a thing to think about. How
+many miles hast thou travelled this day?"
+
+But the pilgrim was too wide awake, for if he had spoken of any number,
+bearing no cross upon it, the necromancer would have had him, like a
+ball at bando-play. Therefore he answered, as truly as need be, "By the
+grace of our Lady, nine."
+
+Now nine is the crossest of all cross numbers, and full to the lip of
+all crochets. So the wizard staggered back, and thought, and inquired
+again with bravery, "Where can you find a man and wife, one going
+up-hill and one going down, and not a word spoken between them?"
+
+"In a cucumber plant," said the modest saint; blushing even to think of
+it; and the wizard knew he was done for.
+
+"You have tried me with ungodly questions," continued the honest
+pilgrim, with one hand still over his eyes, as he thought of the
+feminine cucumber; "and now I will ask you a pure one. To whom of
+mankind have you ever done good, since God saw fit to make you?"
+
+The wizard thought, but could quote no one; and he looked at the saint,
+and the saint at him, and both their hearts were trembling. "Can you
+mention only one?" asked the saint, pointing a piece of the true cross
+at him, hoping he might cling to it; "even a little child will do; try
+to think of some one."
+
+The earth was rocking beneath their feet, and the palace windows
+darkened on them, with a tint of blood, for now the saint was come
+inside, hoping to save the wizard.
+
+"If I must tell the pure truth," said the wizard, looking up at the
+arches of his windows, "I can tell of only one to whom I ever have done
+good."
+
+"One will do; one is quite enough; be quick before the ground opens. The
+name of one--and this cross will save you. Lay your thumb on the end of
+it."
+
+"Nay, that I cannot do, great saint. The devil have mercy upon me."
+
+All this while the palace was sinking, and blackness coming over them.
+
+"Thou hast all but done for thyself," said the saint, with a glory
+burning round his head; "by that last invocation. Yet give us the name
+of the one, my friend, if one there be; it will save thee, with the
+cross upon thy breast. All is crashing round us; dear brother, who is
+that one?"
+
+"My own self," cried the wretched wizard.
+
+"Then there is no help for thee." And with that the honest saint went
+upward, and the wizard, and all his palace, and even the crag that bore
+it, sank to the bowels of the earth; and over them was nothing left
+except a black bog fringed with reed, of the tint of the wizard's
+whiskers. The saint, however, was all right, after sleeping off the
+excitement; and he founded a chapel, some three miles westward; and
+there he lies with his holy relic and thither in after ages came (as
+we all come home at last) both my Lorna's Aunt Sabina, and her guardian
+Ensor Doone.
+
+While yet I dwelled upon this strange story, wondering if it all were
+true, and why such things do not happen now, a man on horseback appeared
+as suddenly as if he had risen out of the earth, on the other side of
+the great black slough. At first I was a little scared, my mind being
+in the tune for wonders; but presently the white hair, whiter from the
+blackness of the bog between us, showed me that it was Uncle Reuben come
+to look for me, that way. Then I left my chair of rock, and waved my hat
+and shouted to him, and the sound of my voice among the crags and lonely
+corners frightened me.
+
+Old Master Huckaback made no answer, but (so far as I could guess)
+beckoned me to come to him. There was just room between the fringe of
+reed and the belt of rock around it, for a man going very carefully to
+escape that horrible pit-hole. And so I went round to the other side,
+and there found open space enough, with stunted bushes, and starveling
+trees, and straggling tufts of rushes.
+
+"You fool, you are frightened," said Uncle Ben, as he looked at my face
+after shaking hands: "I want a young man of steadfast courage, as well
+as of strength and silence. And after what I heard of the battle at Glen
+Doone, I thought I might trust you for courage."
+
+"So you may," said I, "wherever I see mine enemy; but not where witch
+and wizard be."
+
+"Tush, great fool!" cried Master Huckaback; "the only witch or wizard
+here is the one that bewitcheth all men. Now fasten up my horse, John
+Ridd, and not too near the slough, lad. Ah, we have chosen our entrance
+wisely. Two good horsemen, and their horses, coming hither to spy us
+out, are gone mining on their own account (and their last account it is)
+down this good wizard's bog-hole."
+
+With these words, Uncle Reuben clutched the mane of his horse and came
+down, as a man does when his legs are old; and as I myself begin to do,
+at this time of writing. I offered a hand, but he was vexed, and would
+have nought to do with it.
+
+"Now follow me, step for step," he said, when I had tethered his horse
+to a tree; "the ground is not death (like the wizard's hole), but many
+parts are treacherous, I know it well by this time."
+
+Without any more ado, he led me in and out the marshy places, to a great
+round hole or shaft, bratticed up with timber. I never had seen the like
+before, and wondered how they could want a well, with so much water on
+every side. Around the mouth were a few little heaps of stuff unused to
+the daylight; and I thought at once of the tales I had heard concerning
+mines in Cornwall, and the silver cup at Combe-Martin, sent to the Queen
+Elizabeth.
+
+[Illustration: 541.jpg Never had seen the like before]
+
+"We had a tree across it, John," said Uncle Reuben, smiling grimly at my
+sudden shrink from it: "but some rogue came spying here, just as one of
+our men went up. He was frightened half out of his life, I believe, and
+never ventured to come again. But we put the blame of that upon you. And
+I see that we were wrong, John." Here he looked at me with keen eyes,
+though weak.
+
+"You were altogether wrong," I answered. "Am I mean enough to spy upon
+any one dwelling with us? And more than that, Uncle Reuben, it was mean
+of you to suppose it."
+
+"All ideas are different," replied the old man to my heat, like a little
+worn-out rill running down a smithy; "you with your strength and youth,
+and all that, are inclined to be romantic. I take things as I have known
+them, going on for seventy years. Now will you come and meet the wizard,
+or does your courage fail you?"
+
+"My courage must be none," said I, "if I would not go where you go,
+sir."
+
+He said no more, but signed to me to lift a heavy wooden corb with an
+iron loop across it, and sunk in a little pit of earth, a yard or so
+from the mouth of the shaft. I raised it, and by his direction dropped
+it into the throat of the shaft, where it hung and shook from a great
+cross-beam laid at the level of the earth. A very stout thick rope was
+fastened to the handle of the corb, and ran across a pulley hanging from
+the centre of the beam, and thence out of sight in the nether places.
+
+"I will first descend," he said; "your weight is too great for safety.
+When the bucket comes up again, follow me, if your heart is good."
+
+Then he whistled down, with a quick sharp noise, and a whistle from
+below replied; and he clomb into the vehicle, and the rope ran through
+the pulley, and Uncle Ben went merrily down, and was out of sight,
+before I had time to think of him.
+
+Now being left on the bank like that, and in full sight of the goodly
+heaven, I wrestled hard with my flesh and blood, about going down
+into the pit-hole. And but for the pale shame of the thing, that a
+white-headed man should adventure so, and green youth doubt about
+it, never could I have made up my mind; for I do love air and heaven.
+However, at last up came the bucket; and with a short sad prayer I went
+into whatever might happen.
+
+My teeth would chatter, do all I could; but the strength of my arms was
+with me; and by them I held on the grimy rope, and so eased the foot
+of the corb, which threatened to go away fathoms under me. Of course I
+should still have been safe enough, being like an egg in an egg-cup, too
+big to care for the bottom; still I wished that all should be done, in
+good order, without excitement.
+
+The scoopings of the side grew black, and the patch of sky above more
+blue, as with many thoughts of Lorna, a long way underground I sank.
+Then I was fetched up at the bottom with a jerk and rattle; and but for
+holding by the rope so, must have tumbled over. Two great torches of
+bale-resin showed me all the darkness, one being held by Uncle Ben and
+the other by a short square man with a face which seemed well-known to
+me.
+
+"Hail to the world of gold, John Ridd," said Master Huckaback, smiling
+in the old dry manner; "bigger coward never came down the shaft, now did
+he, Carfax?"
+
+"They be all alike," said the short square man, "fust time as they doos
+it."
+
+"May I go to heaven," I cried, "which is a thing quite out of
+sight"--for I always have a vein of humour, too small to be followed
+by any one--"if ever again of my own accord I go so far away from it!"
+Uncle Ben grinned less at this than at the way I knocked my shin in
+getting out of the bucket; and as for Master Carfax, he would not
+even deign to smile. And he seemed to look upon my entrance as an
+interloping.
+
+For my part, I had nought to do, after rubbing my bruised leg, except to
+look about me, so far as the dullness of light would help. And herein I
+seemed, like a mouse in a trap, able no more than to run to and fro,
+and knock himself, and stare at things. For here was a little channel
+grooved with posts on either side of it, and ending with a heap of
+darkness, whence the sight came back again; and there was a scooped
+place, like a funnel, but pouring only to darkness. So I waited for
+somebody to speak first, not seeing my way to anything.
+
+"You seem to be disappointed, John," said Uncle Reuben, looking blue by
+the light of the flambeaux; "did you expect to see the roof of gold, and
+the sides of gold, and the floor of gold, John Ridd?"
+
+"Ha, ha!" cried Master Carfax; "I reckon her did; no doubt her did."
+
+"You are wrong," I replied; "but I did expect to see something better
+than dirt and darkness."
+
+"Come on then, my lad; and we will show you some-thing better. We want
+your great arm on here, for a job that has beaten the whole of us."
+
+With these words, Uncle Ben led the way along a narrow passage, roofed
+with rock and floored with slate-coloured shale and shingle, and winding
+in and out, until we stopped at a great stone block or boulder, lying
+across the floor, and as large as my mother's best oaken wardrobe.
+Beside it were several sledge-hammers, battered, and some with broken
+helves.
+
+"Thou great villain!" cried Uncle Ben, giving the boulder a little kick;
+"I believe thy time is come at last. Now, John, give us a sample of the
+things they tell of thee. Take the biggest of them sledge-hammers and
+crack this rogue in two for us. We have tried at him for a fortnight,
+and he is a nut worth cracking. But we have no man who can swing that
+hammer, though all in the mine have handled it."
+
+"I will do my very best," said I, pulling off my coat and waistcoat, as
+if I were going to wrestle; "but I fear he will prove too tough for me."
+
+"Ay, that her wull," grunted Master Carfax; "lack'th a Carnishman, and
+a beg one too, not a little charp such as I be. There be no man outside
+Carnwall, as can crack that boolder."
+
+"Bless my heart," I answered; "but I know something of you, my friend,
+or at any rate of your family. Well, I have beaten most of your Cornish
+men, though not my place to talk of it. But mind, if I crack this rock
+for you, I must have some of the gold inside it."
+
+"Dost think to see the gold come tumbling out like the kernel of a nut,
+thou zany?" asked Uncle Reuben pettishly; "now wilt thou crack it or
+wilt thou not? For I believe thou canst do it, though only a lad of
+Somerset."
+
+Uncle Reuben showed by saying this, and by his glance at Carfax, that he
+was proud of his county, and would be disappointed for it if I failed to
+crack the boulder. So I begged him to stoop his torch a little, that
+I might examine my subject. To me there appeared to be nothing at all
+remarkable about it, except that it sparkled here and there, when the
+flash of the flame fell upon it. A great obstinate, oblong, sullen
+stone; how could it be worth the breaking, except for making roads with?
+
+Nevertheless, I took up the hammer, and swinging it far behind my head,
+fetched it down, with all my power, upon the middle of the rock. The
+roof above rang mightily, and the echo went down delven galleries, so
+that all the miners flocked to know what might be doing. But Master
+Carfax only smiled, although the blow shook him where he stood, for
+behold the stone was still unbroken, and as firm as ever. Then I smote
+it again, with no better fortune, and Uncle Ben looked vexed and angry,
+but all the miners grinned with triumph.
+
+"This little tool is too light," I cried; "one of you give me a piece of
+strong cord."
+
+Then I took two more of the weightiest hammers, and lashed them fast to
+the back of mine, not so as to strike, but to burden the fall. Having
+made this firm, and with room to grasp the handle of the largest one
+only--for the helves of the others were shorter--I smiled at Uncle Ben,
+and whirled the mighty implement round my head, just to try whether I
+could manage it. Upon that the miners gave a cheer, being honest men,
+and desirous of seeing fair play between this "shameless stone" (as Dan
+Homer calls it) and me with my hammer hammering.
+
+Then I swung me on high to the swing of the sledge, as a thresher
+bends back to the rise of his flail, and with all my power descending
+delivered the ponderous onset. Crashing and crushed the great stone fell
+over, and threads of sparkling gold appeared in the jagged sides of the
+breakage.
+
+[Illustration: 544.jpg Swung me on high]
+
+"How now, Simon Carfax?" cried Uncle Ben triumphantly; "wilt thou find a
+man in Cornwall can do the like of that?"
+
+"Ay, and more," he answered; "however, it be pretty fair for a lad of
+these outlandish parts. Get your rollers, my lads, and lead it to the
+crushing engine."
+
+I was glad to have been of some service to them; for it seems that this
+great boulder had been too large to be drawn along the gallery and too
+hard to crack. But now they moved it very easily, taking piece by piece,
+and carefully picking up the fragments.
+
+"Thou hast done us a good turn, my lad," said Uncle Reuben, as the
+others passed out of sight at the corner; "and now I will show thee the
+bottom of a very wondrous mystery. But we must not do it more than once,
+for the time of day is the wrong one."
+
+The whole affair being a mystery to me, and far beyond my understanding,
+I followed him softly, without a word, yet thinking very heavily, and
+longing to be above ground again. He led me through small passages, to a
+hollow place near the descending shaft, where I saw a most extraordinary
+monster fitted up. In form it was like a great coffee-mill, such as
+I had seen in London, only a thousand times larger, and with heavy
+windlass to work it.
+
+"Put in a barrow-load of the smoulder," said Uncle Ben to Carfax, "and
+let them work the crank, for John to understand a thing or two."
+
+"At this time of day!" cried Simon Carfax; "and the watching as has been
+o' late!"
+
+However, he did it without more remonstrance; pouring into the scuttle
+at the top of the machine about a basketful of broken rock; and then a
+dozen men went to the wheel, and forced it round, as sailors do. Upon
+that such a hideous noise arose, as I never should have believed any
+creature capable of making, and I ran to the well of the mine for air,
+and to ease my ears, if possible.
+
+"Enough, enough!" shouted Uncle Ben by the time I was nearly deafened;
+"we will digest our goodly boulder after the devil is come abroad for
+his evening work. Now, John, not a word about what you have learned; but
+henceforth you will not be frightened by the noise we make at dusk."
+
+I could not deny but what this was very clever management. If they could
+not keep the echoes of the upper air from moving, the wisest plan was to
+open their valves during the discouragement of the falling evening;
+when folk would rather be driven away, than drawn into the wilds and
+quagmires, by a sound so deep and awful, coming through the darkness.
+
+[Illustration: 546.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LIX
+
+LORNA GONE AWAY
+
+[Illustration: 547.jpg Wizard]
+
+Although there are very ancient tales of gold being found upon Exmoor,
+in lumps and solid hummocks, and of men who slew one another for it,
+this deep digging and great labour seemed to me a dangerous and unholy
+enterprise. And Master Huckaback confessed that up to the present time
+his two partners and himself (for they proved to be three adventurers)
+had put into the earth more gold than they had taken out of it.
+Nevertheless he felt quite sure that it must in a very short time
+succeed, and pay them back an hundredfold; and he pressed me with great
+earnestness to join them, and work there as much as I could, without
+moving my mother's suspicions. I asked him how they had managed so long
+to carry on without discovery; and he said that this was partly through
+the wildness of the neighbourhood, and the legends that frightened
+people of a superstitious turn; partly through their own great caution,
+and the manner of fetching both supplies and implements by night;
+but most of all, they had to thank the troubles of the period, the
+suspicions of rebellion, and the terror of the Doones, which (like the
+wizard I was speaking of) kept folk from being too inquisitive where
+they had no business. The slough, moreover, had helped them well,
+both by making their access dark, and yet more by swallowing up and
+concealing all that was cast from the mouth of the pit. Once, before
+the attack on Glen Doone, they had a narrow escape from the King's
+Commissioner; for Captain Stickles having heard no doubt the story of
+John Fry, went with half a dozen troopers, on purpose to search the
+neighbourhood. Now if he had ridden alone, most likely he would have
+discovered everything; but he feared to venture so, having suspicion of
+a trap. Coming as they did in a company, all mounted and conspicuous,
+the watchman (who was posted now on the top of the hill, almost every
+day since John Fry's appearance) could not help espying them, miles
+distant, over the moorland. He watched them under the shade of his hand,
+and presently ran down the hill, and raised a great commotion. Then
+Simon Carfax and all his men came up, and made things natural, removing
+every sign of work; and finally, sinking underground, drew across the
+mouth of the pit a hurdle thatched with sedge and heather. Only Simon
+himself was left behind, ensconced in a hole of the crags, to observe
+the doings of the enemy.
+
+Captain Stickles rode very bravely, with all his men clattering after
+him, down the rocky pass, and even to the margin of the slough. And
+there they stopped, and held council; for it was a perilous thing to
+risk the passage upon horseback, between the treacherous brink and
+the cliff, unless one knew it thoroughly. Stickles, however, and one
+follower, carefully felt the way along, having their horses well in
+hand, and bearing a rope to draw them out, in case of being foundered.
+Then they spurred across the rough boggy land, farther away than the
+shaft was. Here the ground lay jagged and shaggy, wrought up with high
+tufts of reed, or scragged with stunted brushwood. And between the ups
+and downs (which met anybody anyhow) green-covered places tempted the
+foot, and black bog-holes discouraged it. It is not to be marvelled at
+that amid such place as this, for the first time visited, the horses
+were a little skeary; and their riders partook of the feeling, as all
+good riders do. In and out of the tufts they went, with their eyes
+dilating, wishing to be out of harm, if conscience were but satisfied.
+And of this tufty flaggy ground, pocked with bogs and boglets, one
+especial nature is that it will not hold impressions.
+
+Seeing thus no track of men, nor anything but marsh-work, and stormwork,
+and of the seasons, these two honest men rode back, and were glad to do
+so. For above them hung the mountains, cowled with fog, and seamed with
+storm; and around them desolation; and below their feet the grave. Hence
+they went, with all goodwill; and vowed for ever afterwards that fear of
+a simple place like that was only too ridiculous. So they all rode
+home with mutual praises, and their courage well-approved; and the only
+result of the expedition was to confirm John Fry's repute as a bigger
+liar than ever.
+
+Now I had enough of that underground work, as before related, to last me
+for a year to come; neither would I, for sake of gold, have ever stepped
+into that bucket, of my own goodwill again. But when I told Lorna--whom
+I could trust in any matter of secrecy, as if she had never been a
+woman--all about my great descent, and the honeycombing of the earth,
+and the mournful noise at eventide, when the gold was under the crusher
+and bewailing the mischief it must do, then Lorna's chief desire was to
+know more about Simon Carfax.
+
+"It must be our Gwenny's father," she cried; "the man who disappeared
+underground, and whom she has ever been seeking. How grieved the poor
+little thing will be, if it should turn out, after all, that he left his
+child on purpose! I can hardly believe it; can you, John?"
+
+"Well," I replied; "all men are wicked, more or less, to some extent;
+and no man may say otherwise."
+
+For I did not wish to commit myself to an opinion about Simon, lest I
+might be wrong, and Lorna think less of my judgment.
+
+But being resolved to see this out, and do a good turn, if I could, to
+Gwenny, who had done me many a good one, I begged my Lorna to say not a
+word of this matter to the handmaiden, until I had further searched
+it out. And to carry out this resolve, I went again to the place of
+business where they were grinding gold as freely as an apothecary at his
+pills.
+
+Having now true right of entrance, and being known to the watchman, and
+regarded (since I cracked the boulder) as one who could pay his footing,
+and perhaps would be the master, when Uncle Ben should be choked with
+money, I found the corb sent up for me rather sooner than I wished it.
+For the smell of the places underground, and the way men's eyes came out
+of them, with links, and brands, and flambeaux, instead of God's light
+to look at, were to me a point of caution, rather than of pleasure.
+
+No doubt but what some men enjoy it, being born, like worms, to dig, and
+to live in their own scoopings. Yet even the worms come up sometimes,
+after a good soft shower of rain, and hold discourse with one another;
+whereas these men, and the horses let down, come above ground never.
+
+And the changing of the sky is half the change our nature calls for.
+Earth we have, and all its produce (moving from the first appearance,
+and the hope with infants' eyes, through the bloom of beauty's promise,
+to the rich and ripe fulfilment, and the falling back to rest); sea we
+have (with all its wonder shed on eyes, and ears, and heart; and the
+thought of something more)--but without the sky to look at, what would
+earth, and sea, and even our own selves, be to us?
+
+Do we look at earth with hope? Yes, for victuals only. Do we look at
+sea with hope? Yes, that we may escape it. At the sky alone (though
+questioned with the doubts of sunshine, or scattered with uncertain
+stars), at the sky alone we look with pure hope and with memory.
+
+Hence it always hurt my feelings when I got into that bucket, with my
+small-clothes turned up over, and a kerchief round my hat. But knowing
+that my purpose was sound, and my motives pure, I let the sky grow to
+a little blue hole, and then to nothing over me. At the bottom Master
+Carfax met me, being captain of the mine, and desirous to know my
+business. He wore a loose sack round his shoulders, and his beard was
+two feet long.
+
+"My business is to speak with you," I answered rather sternly; for
+this man, who was nothing more than Uncle Reuben's servant, had carried
+things too far with me, showing no respect whatever; and though I did
+not care for much, I liked to receive a little, even in my early days.
+
+"Coom into the muck-hole, then," was his gracious answer; and he led me
+into a filthy cell, where the miners changed their jackets.
+
+"Simon Carfax," I began, with a manner to discourage him; "I fear you are
+a shallow fellow, and not worth my trouble."
+
+"Then don't take it," he replied; "I want no man's trouble."
+
+"For your sake I would not," I answered; "but for your daughter's sake
+I will; the daughter whom you left to starve so pitifully in the
+wilderness."
+
+The man stared at me with his pale gray eyes, whose colour was lost from
+candle light; and his voice as well as his body shook, while he cried,--
+
+"It is a lie, man. No daughter, and no son have I. Nor was ever child of
+mine left to starve in the wilderness. You are too big for me to tackle,
+and that makes you a coward for saying it." His hands were playing with
+a pickaxe helve, as if he longed to have me under it.
+
+"Perhaps I have wronged you, Simon," I answered very softly; for the
+sweat upon his forehead shone in the smoky torchlight; "if I have, I
+crave your pardon. But did you not bring up from Cornwall a little maid
+named 'Gwenny,' and supposed to be your daughter?"
+
+"Ay, and she was my daughter, my last and only child of five; and for
+her I would give this mine, and all the gold will ever come from it."
+
+"You shall have her, without either mine or gold; if you only prove to
+me that you did not abandon her."
+
+"Abandon her! I abandon Gwenny!" He cried with such a rage of scorn,
+that I at once believed him. "They told me she was dead, and crushed,
+and buried in the drift here; and half my heart died with her. The
+Almighty blast their mining-work, if the scoundrels lied to me!"
+
+"The scoundrels must have lied to you," I answered, with a spirit fired
+by his heat of fury: "the maid is living and with us. Come up; and you
+shall see her."
+
+"Rig the bucket," he shouted out along the echoing gallery; and then he
+fell against the wall, and through the grimy sack I saw the heaving of
+his breast, as I have seen my opponent's chest, in a long hard bout of
+wrestling. For my part, I could do no more than hold my tongue and look
+at him.
+
+Without another word we rose to the level of the moors and mires;
+neither would Master Carfax speak, as I led him across the barrows. In
+this he was welcome to his own way, for I do love silence; so little
+harm can come of it. And though Gwenny was no beauty, her father might
+be fond of her.
+
+So I put him in the cow-house (not to frighten the little maid), and
+the folding shutters over him, such as we used at the beestings; and he
+listened to my voice outside, and held on, and preserved himself. For
+now he would have scooped the earth, as cattle do at yearning-time, and
+as meekly and as patiently, to have his child restored to him. Not to
+make long tale of it--for this thing is beyond me, through want of true
+experience--I went and fetched his Gwenny forth from the back kitchen,
+where she was fighting, as usual, with our Betty.
+
+"Come along, you little Vick," I said, for so we called her; "I have a
+message to you, Gwenny, from the Lord in heaven."
+
+"Don't 'ee talk about He," she answered; "Her have long forgatten me."
+
+"That He has never done, you stupid. Come, and see who is in the
+cowhouse."
+
+Gwenny knew; she knew in a moment. Looking into my eyes, she knew; and
+hanging back from me to sigh, she knew it even better.
+
+She had not much elegance of emotion, being flat and square all over;
+but none the less for that her heart came quick, and her words came
+slowly.
+
+"Oh, Jan, you are too good to cheat me. Is it joke you are putting upon
+me?"
+
+I answered her with a gaze alone; and she tucked up her clothes and
+followed me because the road was dirty. Then I opened the door just wide
+enough for the child to to go her father, and left those two to have it
+out, as might be most natural. And they took a long time about it.
+
+Meanwhile I needs must go and tell my Lorna all the matter; and her joy
+was almost as great as if she herself had found a father. And the
+wonder of the whole was this, that I got all the credit; of which not
+a thousandth part belonged by right and reason to me. Yet so it almost
+always is. If I work for good desert, and slave, and lie awake at night,
+and spend my unborn life in dreams, not a blink, nor wink, nor inkling
+of my labour ever tells. It would have been better to leave unburned,
+and to keep undevoured, the fuel and the food of life. But if I have
+laboured not, only acted by some impulse, whim, caprice, or anything;
+or even acting not at all, only letting things float by; piled upon me
+commendations, bravoes, and applauses, almost work me up to tempt once
+again (though sick of it) the ill luck of deserving.
+
+Without intending any harm, and meaning only good indeed, I had now done
+serious wrong to Uncle Reuben's prospects. For Captain Carfax was full
+as angry at the trick played on him as he was happy in discovering the
+falsehood and the fraud of it. Nor could I help agreeing with him, when
+he told me all of it, as with tears in his eyes he did, and ready to be
+my slave henceforth; I could not forbear from owning that it was a low
+and heartless trick, unworthy of men who had families; and the recoil
+whereof was well deserved, whatever it might end in.
+
+For when this poor man left his daughter, asleep as he supposed, and
+having his food, and change of clothes, and Sunday hat to see to, he
+meant to return in an hour or so, and settle about her sustenance in
+some house of the neighbourhood. But this was the very thing of all
+things which the leaders of the enterprise, who had brought him up from
+Cornwall, for his noted skill in metals, were determined, whether by
+fair means or foul, to stop at the very outset. Secrecy being their main
+object, what chance could there be of it, if the miners were allowed to
+keep their children in the neighbourhood? Hence, on the plea of feasting
+Simon, they kept him drunk for three days and three nights, assuring him
+(whenever he had gleams enough to ask for her) that his daughter was as
+well as could be, and enjoying herself with the children. Not wishing
+the maid to see him tipsy, he pressed the matter no further; but applied
+himself to the bottle again, and drank her health with pleasure.
+
+However, after three days of this, his constitution rose against it, and
+he became quite sober; with a certain lowness of heart moreover, and a
+sense of error. And his first desire to right himself, and easiest way
+to do it, was by exerting parental authority upon Gwenny. Possessed with
+this intention (for he was not a sweet tempered man, and his head was
+aching sadly) he sought for Gwenny high and low; first with threats, and
+then with fears, and then with tears and wailing. And so he became to
+the other men a warning and a great annoyance. Therefore they combined
+to swear what seemed a very likely thing, and might be true for all
+they knew, to wit, that Gwenny had come to seek for her father down the
+shaft-hole, and peering too eagerly into the dark, had toppled forward,
+and gone down, and lain at the bottom as dead as a stone.
+
+"And thou being so happy with drink," the villains finished up to him,
+"and getting drunker every day, we thought it shame to trouble thee; and
+we buried the wench in the lower drift; and no use to think more of her;
+but come and have a glass, Sim."
+
+But Simon Carfax swore that drink had lost him his wife, and now had
+lost him the last of his five children, and would lose him his own soul,
+if further he went on with it; and from that day to his death he never
+touched strong drink again. Nor only this; but being soon appointed
+captain of the mine, he allowed no man on any pretext to bring cordials
+thither; and to this and his stern hard rule and stealthy secret
+management (as much as to good luck and place) might it be attributed
+that scarcely any but themselves had dreamed about this Exmoor mine.
+
+As for me, I had no ambition to become a miner; and the state to which
+gold-seeking had brought poor Uncle Ben was not at all encouraging. My
+business was to till the ground, and tend the growth that came of it,
+and store the fruit in Heaven's good time, rather than to scoop and
+burrow like a weasel or a rat for the yellow root of evil. Moreover, I
+was led from home, between the hay and corn harvests (when we often have
+a week to spare), by a call there was no resisting; unless I gave up all
+regard for wrestling, and for my county.
+
+Now here many persons may take me amiss, and there always has been some
+confusion; which people who ought to have known better have wrought into
+subject of quarrelling. By birth it is true, and cannot be denied,
+that I am a man of Somerset; nevertheless by breed I am, as well as by
+education, a son of Devon also. And just as both of our two counties
+vowed that Glen Doone was none of theirs, but belonged to the other
+one; so now, each with hot claim and jangling (leading even to blows
+sometimes), asserted and would swear to it (as I became more famous)
+that John Ridd was of its own producing, bred of its own true blood, and
+basely stolen by the other.
+
+Now I have not judged it in any way needful or even becoming and
+delicate, to enter into my wrestling adventures, or describe my
+progress. The whole thing is so different from Lorna, and her gentle
+manners, and her style of walking; moreover I must seem (even to kind
+people) to magnify myself so much, or at least attempt to do it, that I
+have scratched out written pages, through my better taste and sense.
+
+Neither will I, upon this head, make any difference even now; being
+simply betrayed into mentioning the matter because bare truth requires
+it, in the tale of Lorna's fortunes.
+
+For a mighty giant had arisen in a part of Cornwall: and his calf was
+twenty-five inches round, and the breadth of his shoulders two feet
+and a quarter; and his stature seven feet and three-quarters. Round the
+chest he was seventy inches, and his hand a foot across, and there were
+no scales strong enough to judge of his weight in the market-place. Now
+this man--or I should say, his backers and his boasters, for the giant
+himself was modest--sent me a brave and haughty challenge, to meet
+him in the ring at Bodmin-town, on the first day of August, or else to
+return my champion's belt to them by the messenger.
+
+It is no use to deny but that I was greatly dashed and scared at first.
+For my part, I was only, when measured without clothes on, sixty inches
+round the breast, and round the calf scarce twenty-one, only two feet
+across the shoulders, and in height not six and three-quarters. However,
+my mother would never believe that this man could beat me; and Lorna
+being of the same mind, I resolved to go and try him, as they would pay
+all expenses and a hundred pounds, if I conquered him; so confident were
+those Cornishmen.
+
+Now this story is too well known for me to go through it again and
+again. Every child in Devonshire knows, and his grandson will know, the
+song which some clever man made of it, after I had treated him to water,
+and to lemon, and a little sugar, and a drop of eau-de-vie. Enough that
+I had found the giant quite as big as they had described him, and enough
+to terrify any one. But trusting in my practice and study of the art, I
+resolved to try a back with him; and when my arms were round him once,
+the giant was but a farthingale put into the vice of a blacksmith. The
+man had no bones; his frame sank in, and I was afraid of crushing him.
+He lay on his back, and smiled at me; and I begged his pardon.
+
+Now this affair made a noise at the time, and redounded so much to my
+credit, that I was deeply grieved at it, because deserving none. For
+I do like a good strife and struggle; and the doubt makes the joy of
+victory; whereas in this case, I might as well have been sent for a
+match with a hay-mow. However, I got my hundred pounds, and made up my
+mind to spend every farthing in presents for mother and Lorna.
+
+For Annie was married by this time, and long before I went away; as need
+scarcely be said, perhaps; if any one follows the weeks and the months.
+The wedding was quiet enough, except for everybody's good wishes; and I
+desire not to dwell upon it, because it grieved me in many ways.
+
+But now that I had tried to hope the very best for dear Annie, a deeper
+blow than could have come, even through her, awaited me. For after that
+visit to Cornwall, and with my prize-money about me, I came on foot
+from Okehampton to Oare, so as to save a little sum towards my time of
+marrying. For Lorna's fortune I would not have; small or great I would
+not have it; only if there were no denying we would devote the whole of
+it to charitable uses, as Master Peter Blundell had done; and perhaps
+the future ages would endeavour to be grateful. Lorna and I had settled
+this question at least twice a day, on the average; and each time with
+more satisfaction.
+
+Now coming into the kitchen with all my cash in my breeches pocket
+(golden guineas, with an elephant on them, for the stamp of the Guinea
+Company), I found dear mother most heartily glad to see me safe and
+sound again--for she had dreaded that giant, and dreamed of him--and
+she never asked me about the money. Lizzie also was softer, and more
+gracious than usual; especially when she saw me pour guineas, like
+peppercorns, into the pudding-basin. But by the way they hung about, I
+knew that something was gone wrong.
+
+"Where is Lorna?" I asked at length, after trying not to ask it; "I want
+her to come, and see my money. She never saw so much before."
+
+"Alas!" said mother with a heavy sigh; "she will see a great deal more,
+I fear; and a deal more than is good for her. Whether you ever see her
+again will depend upon her nature, John."
+
+"What do you mean, mother? Have you quarrelled? Why does not Lorna come
+to me? Am I never to know?"
+
+"Now, John, be not so impatient," my mother replied, quite calmly, for
+in truth she was jealous of Lorna, "you could wait now, very well, John,
+if it were till this day week, for the coming of your mother, John. And
+yet your mother is your best friend. Who can ever fill her place?"
+
+Thinking of her future absence, mother turned away and cried; and the
+box-iron singed the blanket.
+
+"Now," said I, being wild by this time; "Lizzie, you have a little
+sense; will you tell me where is Lorna?"
+
+"The Lady Lorna Dugal," said Lizzie, screwing up her lips as if the
+title were too grand, "is gone to London, brother John; and not likely
+to come back again. We must try to get on without her."
+
+"You little--[something]" I cried, which I dare not write down here,
+as all you are too good for such language; but Lizzie's lip provoked me
+so--"my Lorna gone, my Lorna gone! And without good-bye to me even! It
+is your spite has sickened her."
+
+"You are quite mistaken there," she replied; "how can folk of low degree
+have either spite or liking towards the people so far above them? The
+Lady Lorna Dugal is gone, because she could not help herself; and she
+wept enough to break ten hearts--if hearts are ever broken, John."
+
+"Darling Lizzie, how good you are!" I cried, without noticing her sneer;
+"tell me all about it, dear; tell me every word she said."
+
+"That will not take long," said Lizzie, quite as unmoved by soft coaxing
+as by urgent cursing; "the lady spoke very little to any one, except
+indeed to mother, and to Gwenny Carfax; and Gwenny is gone with her, so
+that the benefit of that is lost. But she left a letter for 'poor John,'
+as in charity she called him. How grand she looked, to be sure, with the
+fine clothes on that were come for her!"
+
+"Where is the letter, you utter vixen! Oh, may you have a husband! Who
+will thresh it out of you, and starve it, and swear it out of you!"
+was the meaning of my imprecation: but Lizzie, not dreaming as yet of
+such things, could not understand me, and was rather thankful; therefore
+she answered quietly,--
+
+"The letter is in the little cupboard, near the head of Lady Lorna's
+bed, where she used to keep the diamond necklace, which we contrived to
+get stolen."
+
+Without another word I rushed (so that every board in the house shook)
+up to my lost Lorna's room, and tore the little wall-niche open and
+espied my treasure. It was as simple, and as homely, and loving, as even
+I could wish. Part of it ran as follows,--the other parts it behoves me
+not to open out to strangers:--"My own love, and sometime lord,--Take it
+not amiss of me, that even without farewell, I go; for I cannot persuade
+the men to wait, your return being doubtful. My great-uncle, some grand
+lord, is awaiting me at Dunster, having fear of venturing too near this
+Exmoor country. I, who have been so lawless always, and the child of
+outlaws, am now to atone for this, it seems, by living in a court of
+law, and under special surveillance (as they call it, I believe) of
+His Majesty's Court of Chancery. My uncle is appointed my guardian and
+master; and I must live beneath his care, until I am twenty-one years
+old. To me this appears a dreadful thing, and very unjust, and cruel;
+for why should I lose my freedom, through heritage of land and gold? I
+offered to abandon all if they would only let me go; I went down on my
+knees to them, and said I wanted titles not, neither land, nor money;
+only to stay where I was, where first I had known happiness. But they
+only laughed and called me 'child,' and said I must talk of that to the
+King's High Chancellor. Their orders they had, and must obey them; and
+Master Stickles was ordered too, to help as the King's Commissioner. And
+then, although it pierced my heart not to say one 'goodbye, John,' I
+was glad upon the whole that you were not here to dispute it. For I am
+almost certain that you would not, without force to yourself, have let
+your Lorna go to people who never, never can care for her."
+
+Here my darling had wept again, by the tokens on the paper; and then
+there followed some sweet words, too sweet for me to chatter them.
+But she finished with these noble lines, which (being common to all
+humanity, in a case of steadfast love) I do no harm, but rather help all
+true love by repeating. "Of one thing rest you well assured--and I do
+hope that it may prove of service to your rest, love, else would my own
+be broken--no difference of rank, or fortune, or of life itself, shall
+ever make me swerve from truth to you. We have passed through many
+troubles, dangers, and dispartments, but never yet was doubt between us;
+neither ever shall be. Each has trusted well the other; and still
+each must do so. Though they tell you I am false, though your own mind
+harbours it, from the sense of things around, and your own undervaluing,
+yet take counsel of your heart, and cast such thoughts away from you;
+being unworthy of itself they must be unworthy also of the one who
+dwells there; and that one is, and ever shall be, your own Lorna Dugal."
+
+Some people cannot understand that tears should come from pleasure; but
+whether from pleasure or from sorrow (mixed as they are in the twisted
+strings of a man's heart, or a woman's), great tears fell from my stupid
+eyes, even on the blots of Lorna's.
+
+"No doubt it is all over," my mind said to me bitterly; "trust me, all
+shall yet be right," my heart replied very sweetly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LX
+
+ANNIE LUCKIER THAN JOHN
+
+[Illustration: 559.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Some people may look down upon us for our slavish ways (as they may
+choose to call them), but in our part of the country, we do love to
+mention title, and to roll it on our tongues, with a conscience and a
+comfort. Even if a man knows not, through fault of education, who the
+Duke of this is, or the Earl of that, it will never do for him to say
+so, lest the room look down on him. Therefore he must nod his head,
+and say, "Ah, to be sure! I know him as well as ever I know my own
+good woman's brother. He married Lord Flipflap's second daughter, and a
+precious life she led him." Whereupon the room looks up at him. But
+I, being quite unable to carry all this in my head, as I ought, was
+speedily put down by people of a noble tendency, apt at Lords, and pat
+with Dukes, and knowing more about the King than His Majesty would have
+requested. Therefore, I fell back in thought, not daring in words to do
+so, upon the titles of our horses. And all these horses deserved their
+names, not having merely inherited, but by their own doing earned them.
+Smiler, for instance, had been so called, not so much from a habit of
+smiling, as from his general geniality, white nose, and white ankle.
+This worthy horse was now in years, but hale and gay as ever; and when
+you let him out of the stable, he could neigh and whinny, and make men
+and horses know it. On the other hand, Kickums was a horse of morose
+and surly order; harbouring up revenge, and leading a rider to false
+confidence. Very smoothly he would go, and as gentle as a turtle-dove;
+until his rider fully believed that a pack-thread was enough for him,
+and a pat of approval upon his neck the aim and crown of his worthy
+life. Then suddenly up went his hind feet to heaven, and the rider for
+the most part flew over his nose; whereupon good Kickums would take
+advantage of his favourable position to come and bite a piece out of
+his back. Now in my present state of mind, being understood of nobody,
+having none to bear me company, neither wishing to have any, an
+indefinite kind of attraction drew me into Kickum's society. A bond of
+mutual sympathy was soon established between us; I would ride no other
+horse, neither Kickums be ridden by any other man. And this good horse
+became as jealous about me as a dog might be; and would lash out, or run
+teeth foremost, at any one who came near him when I was on his back.
+
+This season, the reaping of the corn, which had been but a year ago so
+pleasant and so lightsome, was become a heavy labour, and a thing for
+grumbling rather than for gladness. However, for the sake of all, it
+must be attended to, and with as fair a show of spirit and alacrity as
+might be. For otherwise the rest would drag, and drop their hands and
+idle, being quicker to take infection of dullness than of diligence. And
+the harvest was a heavy one, even heavier than the year before, although
+of poorer quality. Therefore was I forced to work as hard as any horse
+could during all the daylight hours, and defer till night the brooding
+upon my misfortune. But the darkness always found me stiff with work,
+and weary, and less able to think than to dream, may be, of Lorna. And
+now the house was so dull and lonesome, wanting Annie's pretty presence,
+and the light of Lorna's eyes, that a man had no temptation after
+supper-time even to sit and smoke a pipe.
+
+For Lizzie, though so learned, and pleasant when it suited her, never
+had taken very kindly to my love for Lorna, and being of a proud and
+slightly upstart nature, could not bear to be eclipsed in bearing,
+looks, and breeding, and even in clothes, by the stranger. For one thing
+I will say of the Doones, that whether by purchase or plunder, they had
+always dressed my darling well, with her own sweet taste to help them.
+And though Lizzie's natural hate of the maid (as a Doone and burdened
+with father's death) should have been changed to remorse when she
+learned of Lorna's real parentage, it was only altered to sullenness,
+and discontent with herself, for frequent rudeness to an innocent
+person, and one of such high descent. Moreover, the child had imbibed
+strange ideas as to our aristocracy, partly perhaps from her own way of
+thinking, and partly from reading of history. For while, from one point
+of view she looked up at them very demurely, as commissioned by God for
+the country's good; from another sight she disliked them, as ready to
+sacrifice their best and follow their worst members.
+
+Yet why should this wench dare to judge upon a matter so far beyond her,
+and form opinions which she knew better than declare before mother? But
+with me she had no such scruple, for I had no authority over her; and my
+intellect she looked down upon, because I praised her own so. Thus
+she made herself very unpleasant to me; by little jags and jerks of
+sneering, sped as though unwittingly; which I (who now considered myself
+allied to the aristocracy, and perhaps took airs on that account) had
+not wit enough to parry, yet had wound enough to feel.
+
+Now any one who does not know exactly how mothers feel and think, would
+have expected my mother (than whom could be no better one) to pet me,
+and make much of me, under my sad trouble; to hang with anxiety on my
+looks, and shed her tears with mine (if any), and season every dish of
+meat put by for her John's return. And if the whole truth must be told,
+I did expect that sort of thing, and thought what a plague it would
+be to me; yet not getting it, was vexed, as if by some new injury.
+For mother was a special creature (as I suppose we all are), being the
+warmest of the warm, when fired at the proper corner; and yet, if taken
+at the wrong point, you would say she was incombustible.
+
+Hence it came to pass that I had no one even to speak to, about Lorna
+and my grievances; for Captain Stickles was now gone southward; and John
+Fry, of course, was too low for it, although a married man, and well
+under his wife's management. But finding myself unable at last to bear
+this any longer, upon the first day when all the wheat was cut, and the
+stooks set up in every field, yet none quite fit for carrying, I saddled
+good Kickums at five in the morning, and without a word to mother (for a
+little anxiety might do her good) off I set for Molland parish, to have
+the counsel and the comfort of my darling Annie.
+
+The horse took me over the ground so fast (there being few better to go
+when he liked), that by nine o'clock Annie was in my arms, and blushing
+to the colour of Winnie's cheeks, with sudden delight and young
+happiness.
+
+"You precious little soul!" I cried: "how does Tom behave to you?"
+
+"Hush!" said Annie: "how dare you ask? He is the kindest, and the best,
+and the noblest of all men, John; not even setting yourself aside. Now
+look not jealous, John: so it is. We all have special gifts, you know.
+You are as good as you can be, John; but my husband's special gift is
+nobility of character." Here she looked at me, as one who has discovered
+something quite unknown.
+
+"I am devilish glad to hear it," said I, being touched at going down so:
+"keep him to that mark, my dear; and cork the whisky bottle."
+
+"Yes, darling John," she answered quickly, not desiring to open that
+subject, and being too sweet to resent it: "and how is lovely Lorna?
+What an age it is since I have seen you! I suppose we must thank her for
+that."
+
+"You may thank her for seeing me now," said I; "or rather,"--seeing how
+hurt she looked,--"you may thank my knowledge of your kindness, and my
+desire to speak of her to a soft-hearted dear little soul like you. I
+think all the women are gone mad. Even mother treats me shamefully. And
+as for Lizzie--" Here I stopped, knowing no words strong enough, without
+shocking Annie.
+
+"Do you mean to say that Lorna is gone?" asked Annie, in great
+amazement; yet leaping at the truth, as women do, with nothing at all to
+leap from.
+
+"Gone. And I never shall see her again. It serves me right for aspiring
+so."
+
+Being grieved at my manner, she led me in where none could interrupt
+us; and in spite of all my dejection, I could not help noticing how very
+pretty and even elegant all things were around. For we upon Exmoor have
+little taste; all we care for is warm comfort, and plenty to eat and to
+give away, and a hearty smack in everything. But Squire Faggus had seen
+the world, and kept company with great people; and the taste he had
+first displayed in the shoeing of farmers' horses (which led almost to
+his ruin, by bringing him into jealousy, and flattery, and dashing ways)
+had now been cultivated in London, and by moonlight, so that none could
+help admiring it.
+
+"Well!" I cried, for the moment dropping care and woe in astonishment:
+"we have nothing like this at Plover's Barrows; nor even Uncle Reuben. I
+do hope it is honest, Annie?"
+
+"Would I sit in a chair that was not my own?" asked Annie, turning
+crimson, and dropping defiantly, and with a whisk of her dress which
+I never had seen before, into the very grandest one: "would I lie on a
+couch, brother John, do you think, unless good money was paid for it?
+Because other people are clever, John, you need not grudge them their
+earnings."
+
+"A couch!" I replied: "why what can you want with a couch in the
+day-time, Annie? A couch is a small bed, set up in a room without space
+for a good four-poster. What can you want with a couch downstairs? I
+never heard of such nonsense. And you ought to be in the dairy."
+
+"I won't cry, brother John, I won't; because you want to make me
+cry"--and all the time she was crying--"you always were so nasty, John,
+sometimes. Ah, you have no nobility of character, like my husband. And I
+have not seen you for two months, John; and now you come to scold me!"
+
+"You little darling," I said, for Annie's tears always conquered me;
+"if all the rest ill-use me, I will not quarrel with you, dear. You have
+always been true to me; and I can forgive your vanity. Your things
+are very pretty, dear; and you may couch ten times a day, without my
+interference. No doubt your husband has paid for all this, with the
+ponies he stole from Exmoor. Nobility of character is a thing beyond
+my understanding; but when my sister loves a man, and he does well and
+flourishes, who am I to find fault with him? Mother ought to see these
+things: they would turn her head almost: look at the pimples on the
+chairs!"
+
+"They are nothing," Annie answered, after kissing me for my kindness:
+"they are only put in for the time indeed; and we are to have much
+better, with gold all round the bindings, and double plush at the
+corners; so soon as ever the King repays the debt he owes to my poor
+Tom."
+
+I thought to myself that our present King had been most unlucky in one
+thing--debts all over the kingdom. Not a man who had struck a blow for
+the King, or for his poor father, or even said a good word for him,
+in the time of his adversity, but expected at least a baronetcy, and
+a grant of estates to support it. Many have called King Charles
+ungrateful: and he may have been so. But some indulgence is due to
+a man, with entries few on the credit side, and a terrible column of
+debits.
+
+"Have no fear for the chair," I said, for it creaked under me very
+fearfully, having legs not so large as my finger; "if the chair breaks,
+Annie, your fear should be, lest the tortoise-shell run into me. Why, it
+is striped like a viper's loins! I saw some hundreds in London; and very
+cheap they are. They are made to be sold to the country people, such as
+you and me, dear; and carefully kept they will last for almost half
+a year. Now will you come back from your furniture, and listen to my
+story?"
+
+Annie was a hearty dear, and she knew that half my talk was joke, to
+make light of my worrying. Therefore she took it in good part, as I well
+knew that she would do; and she led me to a good honest chair; and she
+sat in my lap and kissed me.
+
+"All this is not like you, John. All this is not one bit like you:
+and your cheeks are not as they ought to be. I shall have to come home
+again, if the women worry my brother so. We always held together, John;
+and we always will, you know."
+
+"You dear," I cried, "there is nobody who understands me as you do.
+Lorna makes too much of me, and the rest they make too little."
+
+"Not mother; oh, not mother, John!"
+
+"No, mother makes too much, no doubt; but wants it all for herself
+alone; and reckons it as a part of her. She makes me more wroth than any
+one: as if not only my life, but all my head and heart must seek from
+hers, and have no other thought or care."
+
+Being sped of my grumbling thus, and eased into better temper, I told
+Annie all the strange history about Lorna and her departure, and the
+small chance that now remained to me of ever seeing my love again. To
+this Annie would not hearken twice, but judging women by her faithful
+self, was quite vexed with me for speaking so. And then, to my surprise
+and sorrow, she would deliver no opinion as to what I ought to do until
+she had consulted darling Tom.
+
+Dear Tom knew much of the world, no doubt, especially the dark side of
+it. But to me it scarcely seemed becoming that my course of action with
+regard to the Lady Lorna Dugal should be referred to Tom Faggus, and
+depend upon his decision. However, I would not grieve Annie again by
+making light of her husband; and so when he came in to dinner, the
+matter was laid before him.
+
+Now this man never confessed himself surprised, under any circumstances;
+his knowledge of life being so profound, and his charity universal. And
+in the present case he vowed that he had suspected it all along, and
+could have thrown light upon Lorna's history, if we had seen fit to
+apply to him. Upon further inquiry I found that this light was a very
+dim one, flowing only from the fact that he had stopped her mother's
+coach, at the village of Bolham, on the Bampton Road, the day before I
+saw them. Finding only women therein, and these in a sad condition, Tom
+with his usual chivalry (as he had no scent of the necklace) allowed
+them to pass; with nothing more than a pleasant exchange of courtesies,
+and a testimonial forced upon him, in the shape of a bottle of Burgundy
+wine. This the poor countess handed him; and he twisted the cork out
+with his teeth, and drank her health with his hat off.
+
+"A lady she was, and a true one; and I am a pretty good judge," said
+Tom: "ah, I do like a high lady!"
+
+Our Annie looked rather queer at this, having no pretensions to be one:
+but she conquered herself, and said, "Yes, Tom; and many of them liked
+you."
+
+With this, Tom went on the brag at once, being but a shallow fellow, and
+not of settled principles, though steadier than he used to be; until I
+felt myself almost bound to fetch him back a little; for of all things
+I do hate brag the most, as any reader of this tale must by this time
+know. Therefore I said to Squire Faggus, "Come back from your highway
+days. You have married the daughter of an honest man; and such talk
+is not fit for her. If you were right in robbing people, I am right
+in robbing you. I could bind you to your own mantelpiece, as you know
+thoroughly well, Tom; and drive away with your own horses, and all your
+goods behind them, but for the sense of honesty. And should I not do as
+fine a thing as any you did on the highway? If everything is of public
+right, how does this chair belong to you? Clever as you are, Tom Faggus,
+you are nothing but a fool to mix your felony with your farmership. Drop
+the one, or drop the other; you cannot maintain them both."
+
+As I finished very sternly a speech which had exhausted me more than ten
+rounds of wrestling--but I was carried away by the truth, as sometimes
+happens to all of us--Tom had not a word to say; albeit his mind was
+so much more nimble and rapid than ever mine was. He leaned against the
+mantelpiece (a newly-invented affair in his house) as if I had corded
+him to it, even as I spoke of doing. And he laid one hand on his breast
+in a way which made Annie creep softly to him, and look at me not like a
+sister.
+
+"You have done me good, John," he said at last, and the hand he gave me
+was trembling: "there is no other man on God's earth would have dared
+to speak to me as you have done. From no other would I have taken it.
+Nevertheless every word is true; and I shall dwell on it when you are
+gone. If you never did good in your life before, John, my brother, you
+have done it now."
+
+He turned away, in bitter pain, that none might see his trouble; and
+Annie, going along with him, looked as if I had killed our mother. For
+my part, I was so upset, for fear of having gone too far, that without
+a word to either of them, but a message on the title-page of King
+James his Prayer-book, I saddled Kickums, and was off, and glad of the
+moorland air again.
+
+[Illustration: 566.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LXI
+
+THEREFORE HE SEEKS COMFORT
+
+[Illustration: 567.jpg Dulvertin Church and Street]
+
+It was for poor Annie's sake that I had spoken my mind to her husband so
+freely, and even harshly. For we all knew she would break her heart, if
+Tom took to evil ways again. And the right mode of preventing this
+was, not to coax, and flatter, and make a hero of him (which he did for
+himself, quite sufficiently), but to set before him the folly of the
+thing, and the ruin to his own interests. They would both be vexed with
+me, of course, for having left them so hastily, and especially just
+before dinner-time; but that would soon wear off; and most likely they
+would come to see mother, and tell her that I was hard to manage, and
+they could feel for her about it.
+
+Now with a certain yearning, I know not what, for softness, and for one
+who could understand me--for simple as a child though being, I found
+few to do that last, at any rate in my love-time--I relied upon Kickum's
+strength to take me round by Dulverton. It would make the journey some
+eight miles longer, but what was that to a brisk young horse, even with
+my weight upon him?
+
+And having left Squire Faggus and Annie much sooner than had been
+intended, I had plenty of time before me, and too much, ere a prospect
+of dinner. Therefore I struck to the right, across the hills, for
+Dulverton.
+
+Pretty Ruth was in the main street of the town, with a basket in her
+hand, going home from the market.
+
+"Why, Cousin Ruth, you are grown," I exclaimed; "I do believe you are,
+Ruth. And you were almost too tall, already."
+
+At this the little thing was so pleased, that she smiled through her
+blushes beautifully, and must needs come to shake hands with me; though
+I signed to her not to do it, because of my horse's temper. But scarcely
+was her hand in mine, when Kickums turned like an eel upon her, and
+caught her by the left arm with his teeth, so that she screamed with
+agony. I saw the white of his vicious eye, and struck him there with all
+my force, with my left hand over her right arm, and he never used that
+eye again; none the less he kept his hold on her. Then I smote him again
+on the jaw, and caught the little maid up by her right hand, and laid
+her on the saddle in front of me; while the horse being giddy and
+staggered with blows, and foiled of his spite, ran backward. Ruth's wits
+were gone; and she lay before me, in such a helpless and senseless way
+that I could have killed vile Kickums. I struck the spurs into him past
+the rowels, and away he went at full gallop; while I had enough to do to
+hold on, with the little girl lying in front of me. But I called to the
+men who were flocking around, to send up a surgeon, as quick as could
+be, to Master Reuben Huckaback's.
+
+The moment I brought my right arm to bear, the vicious horse had no
+chance with me; and if ever a horse was well paid for spite, Kickums
+had his change that day. The bridle would almost have held a whale and
+I drew on it so that his lower jaw was well-nigh broken from him; while
+with both spurs I tore his flanks, and he learned a little lesson.
+There are times when a man is more vicious than any horse may vie with.
+Therefore by the time we had reached Uncle Reuben's house at the top of
+the hill, the bad horse was only too happy to stop; every string of his
+body was trembling, and his head hanging down with impotence. I leaped
+from his back at once, and carried the maiden into her own sweet room.
+
+Now Cousin Ruth was recovering softly from her fright and faintness; and
+the volley of the wind from galloping so had made her little ears quite
+pink, and shaken her locks all round her. But any one who might wish
+to see a comely sight and a moving one, need only have looked at Ruth
+Huckaback, when she learned (and imagined yet more than it was) the
+manner of her little ride with me. Her hair was of a hazel-brown, and
+full of waving readiness; and with no concealment of the trick, she
+spread it over her eyes and face. Being so delighted with her, and so
+glad to see her safe, I kissed her through the thick of it, as a cousin
+has a right to do; yea, and ought to do, with gravity.
+
+"Darling," I said; "he has bitten you dreadfully: show me your poor arm,
+dear."
+
+She pulled up her sleeve in the simplest manner, rather to look at it
+herself, than to show me where the wound was. Her sleeve was of dark
+blue Taunton staple; and her white arm shone, coming out of it, as round
+and plump and velvety, as a stalk of asparagus, newly fetched out of the
+ground. But above the curved soft elbow, where no room was for one cross
+word (according to our proverb),* three sad gashes, edged with crimson,
+spoiled the flow of the pearly flesh. My presence of mind was lost
+altogether; and I raised the poor sore arm to my lips, both to stop the
+bleeding and to take the venom out, having heard how wise it was, and
+thinking of my mother. But Ruth, to my great amazement, drew away from
+me in bitter haste, as if I had been inserting instead of extracting
+poison. For the bite of a horse is most venomous; especially when he
+sheds his teeth; and far more to be feared than the bite of a dog, or
+even of a cat. And in my haste I had forgotten that Ruth might not know
+a word about this, and might doubt about my meaning, and the warmth
+of my osculation. But knowing her danger, I durst not heed her
+childishness, or her feelings.
+
+     * "A maid with an elbow sharp, or knee,
+     Hath cross words two, out of every three."
+
+"Don't be a fool, Cousin Ruth," I said, catching her so that she could
+not move; "the poison is soaking into you. Do you think that I do it for
+pleasure?"
+
+The spread of shame on her face was such, when she saw her own
+misunderstanding, that I was ashamed to look at her; and occupied myself
+with drawing all the risk of glanders forth from the white limb, hanging
+helpless now, and left entirely to my will. Before I was quite sure of
+having wholly exhausted suction, and when I had made the holes in her
+arm look like the gills of a lamprey, in came the doctor, partly drunk,
+and in haste to get through his business.
+
+"Ha, ha! I see," he cried; "bite of a horse, they tell me. Very
+poisonous; must be burned away. Sally, the iron in the fire. If you have
+a fire, this weather."
+
+"Crave your pardon, good sir," I said; for poor little Ruth was fainting
+again at his savage orders: "but my cousin's arm shall not be burned; it
+is a great deal too pretty, and I have sucked all the poison out. Look,
+sir, how clean and fresh it is."
+
+"Bless my heart! And so it is! No need at all for cauterising. The
+epidermis will close over, and the cutis and the pellis. John Ridd, you
+ought to have studied medicine, with your healing powers. Half my virtue
+lies in touch. A clean and wholesome body, sir; I have taught you the
+Latin grammar. I leave you in excellent hands, my dear, and they wait
+for me at shovel-board. Bread and water poultice cold, to be renewed,
+_tribus horis_. John Ridd, I was at school with you, and you beat me very
+lamentably, when I tried to fight with you. You remember me not? It is
+likely enough: I am forced to take strong waters, John, from infirmity
+of the liver. Attend to my directions; and I will call again in the
+morning."
+
+And in that melancholy plight, caring nothing for business, went one
+of the cleverest fellows ever known at Tiverton. He could write Latin
+verses a great deal faster than I could ever write English prose, and
+nothing seemed too great for him. We thought that he would go to Oxford
+and astonish every one, and write in the style of Buchanan; but he fell
+all abroad very lamentably; and now, when I met him again, was come down
+to push-pin and shovel-board, with a wager of spirits pending.
+
+When Master Huckaback came home, he looked at me very sulkily; not only
+because of my refusal to become a slave to the gold-digging, but also
+because he regarded me as the cause of a savage broil between Simon
+Carfax and the men who had cheated him as to his Gwenny. However, when
+Uncle Ben saw Ruth, and knew what had befallen her, and she with tears
+in her eyes declared that she owed her life to Cousin Ridd, the old man
+became very gracious to me; for if he loved any one on earth, it was his
+little granddaughter.
+
+I could not stay very long, because, my horse being quite unfit to
+travel from the injuries which his violence and vice had brought upon
+him, there was nothing for me but to go on foot, as none of Uncle Ben's
+horses could take me to Plover's Barrows, without downright cruelty: and
+though there would be a harvest-moon, Ruth agreed with me that I must
+not keep my mother waiting, with no idea where I might be, until a
+late hour of the night. I told Ruth all about our Annie, and her noble
+furniture; and the little maid was very lively (although her wounds were
+paining her so, that half her laughter came "on the wrong side of her
+mouth," as we rather coarsely express it); especially she laughed about
+Annie's new-fangled closet for clothes, or standing-press, as she called
+it. This had frightened me so that I would not come without my stick to
+look at it; for the front was inlaid with two fiery dragons, and a glass
+which distorted everything, making even Annie look hideous; and when it
+was opened, a woman's skeleton, all in white, revealed itself, in the
+midst of three standing women. "It is only to keep my best frocks in
+shape," Annie had explained to me; "hanging them up does ruin them so.
+But I own that I was afraid of it, John, until I had got all my best
+clothes there, and then I became very fond of it. But even now it
+frightens me sometimes in the moonlight."
+
+Having made poor Ruth a little cheerful, with a full account of all
+Annie's frocks, material, pattern, and fashion (of which I had taken a
+list for my mother, and for Lizzie, lest they should cry out at man's
+stupidity about anything of real interest), I proceeded to tell her
+about my own troubles, and the sudden departure of Lorna; concluding
+with all the show of indifference which my pride could muster, that
+now I never should see her again, and must do my best to forget her, as
+being so far above me. I had not intended to speak of this, but Ruth's
+face was so kind and earnest, that I could not stop myself.
+
+"You must not talk like that, Cousin Ridd," she said, in a low and
+gentle tone, and turning away her eyes from me; "no lady can be above
+a man, who is pure, and brave, and gentle. And if her heart be worth
+having, she will never let you give her up, for her grandeur, and her
+nobility."
+
+She pronounced those last few words, as I thought, with a little
+bitterness, unperceived by herself perhaps, for it was not in her
+appearance. But I, attaching great importance to a maiden's opinion
+about a maiden (because she might judge from experience), would have led
+her further into that subject. But she declined to follow, having now no
+more to say in a matter so removed from her. Then I asked her full and
+straight, and looking at her in such a manner that she could not look
+away, without appearing vanquished by feelings of her own--which thing
+was very vile of me; but all men are so selfish,--
+
+"Dear cousin, tell me, once for all, what is your advice to me?"
+
+[Illustration: 572.jpg What is your advice to me?]
+
+"My advice to you," she answered bravely, with her dark eyes full of
+pride, and instead of flinching, foiling me,--"is to do what every man
+must do, if he would win fair maiden. Since she cannot send you token,
+neither is free to return to you, follow her, pay your court to her;
+show that you will not be forgotten; and perhaps she will look down--I
+mean, she will relent to you."
+
+"She has nothing to relent about. I have never vexed nor injured her.
+My thoughts have never strayed from her. There is no one to compare with
+her."
+
+"Then keep her in that same mind about you. See now, I can advise no
+more. My arm is swelling painfully, in spite of all your goodness, and
+bitter task of surgeonship. I shall have another poultice on, and go to
+bed, I think, Cousin Ridd, if you will not hold me ungrateful. I am so
+sorry for your long walk. Surely it might be avoided. Give my love to
+dear Lizzie: oh, the room is going round so."
+
+And she fainted into the arms of Sally, who was come just in time to
+fetch her: no doubt she had been suffering agony all the time she talked
+to me. Leaving word that I would come again to inquire for her,
+and fetch Kickums home, so soon as the harvest permitted me, I gave
+directions about the horse, and striding away from the ancient town, was
+soon upon the moorlands.
+
+Now, through the whole of that long walk--the latter part of which was
+led by starlight, till the moon arose--I dwelt, in my young and foolish
+way, upon the ordering of our steps by a Power beyond us. But as I could
+not bring my mind to any clearness upon this matter, and the stars shed
+no light upon it, but rather confused me with wondering how their Lord
+could attend to them all, and yet to a puny fool like me, it came to
+pass that my thoughts on the subject were not worth ink, if I knew them.
+
+But it is perhaps worth ink to relate, so far as I can do so, mother's
+delight at my return, when she had almost abandoned hope, and concluded
+that I was gone to London, in disgust at her behaviour. And now she was
+looking up the lane, at the rise of the harvest-moon, in despair, as she
+said afterwards. But if she had despaired in truth, what use to look at
+all? Yet according to the epigram made by a good Blundellite,--
+
+    "Despair was never yet so deep
+     In sinking as in seeming;
+     Despair is hope just dropped asleep
+     For better chance of dreaming."
+
+And mother's dream was a happy one, when she knew my step at a furlong
+distant; for the night was of those that carry sound thrice as far as
+day can. She recovered herself, when she was sure, and even made up her
+mind to scold me, and felt as if she could do it. But when she was in
+my arms, into which she threw herself, and I by the light of the moon
+descried the silver gleam on one side of her head (now spreading since
+Annie's departure), bless my heart and yours therewith, no room was left
+for scolding. She hugged me, and she clung to me; and I looked at her,
+with duty made tenfold, and discharged by love. We said nothing to one
+another; but all was right between us.
+
+Even Lizzie behaved very well, so far as her nature admitted; not even
+saying a nasty thing all the time she was getting my supper ready, with
+a weak imitation of Annie. She knew that the gift of cooking was not
+vouchsafed by God to her; but sometimes she would do her best, by
+intellect to win it. Whereas it is no more to be won by intellect than
+is divine poetry. An amount of strong quick heart is needful, and the
+understanding must second it, in the one art as in the other. Now my
+fare was very choice for the next three days or more; yet not turned out
+like Annie's. They could do a thing well enough on the fire; but they
+could not put it on table so; nor even have plates all piping hot. This
+was Annie's special gift; born in her, and ready to cool with her; like
+a plate borne away from the fireplace. I sighed sometimes about Lorna,
+and they thought it was about the plates. And mother would stand and
+look at me, as much as to say, "No pleasing him"; and Lizzie would jerk
+up one shoulder, and cry, "He had better have Lorna to cook for him";
+while the whole truth was that I wanted not to be plagued about any
+cookery; but just to have something good and quiet, and then smoke and
+think about Lorna.
+
+Nevertheless the time went on, with one change and another; and we
+gathered all our harvest in; and Parson Bowden thanked God for it,
+both in church and out of it; for his tithes would be very goodly. The
+unmatched cold of the previous winter, and general fear of scarcity, and
+our own talk about our ruin, had sent prices up to a grand high pitch;
+and we did our best to keep them there. For nine Englishmen out of every
+ten believe that a bitter winter must breed a sour summer, and explain
+away topmost prices. While according to my experience, more often it
+would be otherwise, except for the public thinking so. However, I have
+said too much; and if any farmer reads my book, he will vow that I wrote
+it for nothing else except to rob his family.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LXII
+
+THE KING MUST NOT BE PRAYED FOR
+
+[Illustration: 575.jpg Lynmouth]
+
+All our neighbourhood was surprised that the Doones had not ere now
+attacked, and probably made an end of us. For we lay almost at their
+mercy now, having only Sergeant Bloxham, and three men, to protect us,
+Captain Stickles having been ordered southwards with all his force;
+except such as might be needful for collecting toll, and watching the
+imports at Lynmouth, and thence to Porlock. The Sergeant, having now
+imbibed a taste for writing reports (though his first great effort had
+done him no good, and only offended Stickles), reported weekly from
+Plover's Barrows, whenever he could find a messenger. And though we fed
+not Sergeant Bloxham at our own table, with the best we had (as in the
+case of Stickles, who represented His Majesty), yet we treated him so
+well, that he reported very highly of us, as loyal and true-hearted
+lieges, and most devoted to our lord the King. And indeed he could
+scarcely have done less, when Lizzie wrote great part of his reports,
+and furbished up the rest to such a pitch of lustre, that Lord Clarendon
+himself need scarce have been ashamed of them. And though this cost a
+great deal of ale, and even of strong waters (for Lizzie would have it
+the duty of a critic to stand treat to the author), and though it was
+otherwise a plague, as giving the maid such airs of patronage, and such
+pretence to politics; yet there was no stopping it, without the risk
+of mortal offence to both writer and reviewer. Our mother also, while
+disapproving Lizzie's long stay in the saddle-room on a Friday night and
+a Saturday, and insisting that Betty should be there, was nevertheless
+as proud as need be, that the King should read our Eliza' s writings--at
+least so the innocent soul believed--and we all looked forward to
+something great as the fruit of all this history. And something great
+did come of it, though not as we expected; for these reports, or as many
+of them as were ever opened, stood us in good stead the next year, when
+we were accused of harbouring and comforting guilty rebels.
+
+Now the reason why the Doones did not attack us was that they were
+preparing to meet another and more powerful assault upon their fortress;
+being assured that their repulse of King's troops could not be looked
+over when brought before the authorities. And no doubt they were right;
+for although the conflicts in the Government during that summer and
+autumn had delayed the matter yet positive orders had been issued that
+these outlaws and malefactors should at any price be brought to justice;
+when the sudden death of King Charles the Second threw all things into
+confusion, and all minds into a panic.
+
+We heard of it first in church, on Sunday, the eighth day of February,
+1684-5, from a cousin of John Fry, who had ridden over on purpose from
+Porlock. He came in just before the anthem, splashed and heated from his
+ride, so that every one turned and looked at him. He wanted to create a
+stir (knowing how much would be made of him), and he took the best way
+to do it. For he let the anthem go by very quietly--or rather I should
+say very pleasingly, for our choir was exceeding proud of itself, and
+I sang bass twice as loud as a bull, to beat the clerk with the
+clarionet--and then just as Parson Bowden, with a look of pride at his
+minstrels, was kneeling down to begin the prayer for the King's Most
+Excellent Majesty (for he never read the litany, except upon Easter
+Sunday), up jumps young Sam Fry, and shouts,--
+
+"I forbid that there prai-er."
+
+"What!" cried the parson, rising slowly, and looking for some one to
+shut the door: "have we a rebel in the congregation?" For the parson was
+growing short-sighted now, and knew not Sam Fry at that distance.
+
+"No," replied Sam, not a whit abashed by the staring of all the parish;
+"no rebel, parson; but a man who mislaiketh popery and murder. That
+there prai-er be a prai-er for the dead."
+
+"Nay," cried the parson, now recognising and knowing him to be our
+John's first cousin, "you do not mean to say, Sam, that His Gracious
+Majesty is dead!"
+
+"Dead as a sto-un: poisoned by they Papishers." And Sam rubbed his hands
+with enjoyment, at the effect he had produced.
+
+"Remember where you are, Sam," said Parson Bowden solemnly; "when did
+this most sad thing happen? The King is the head of the Church, Sam Fry;
+when did he leave her?"
+
+"Day afore yesterday. Twelve o'clock. Warn't us quick to hear of 'un?"
+
+"Can't be," said the minister: "the tidings can never have come so
+soon. Anyhow, he will want it all the more. Let us pray for His Gracious
+Majesty."
+
+And with that he proceeded as usual; but nobody cried "Amen," for fear
+of being entangled with Popery. But after giving forth his text, our
+parson said a few words out of book, about the many virtues of His
+Majesty, and self-denial, and devotion, comparing his pious mirth to the
+dancing of the patriarch David before the ark of the covenant; and he
+added, with some severity, that if his flock would not join their pastor
+(who was much more likely to judge aright) in praying for the King, the
+least they could do on returning home was to pray that the King might
+not be dead, as his enemies had asserted.
+
+Now when the service was over, we killed the King, and we brought him to
+life, at least fifty times in the churchyard: and Sam Fry was mounted on
+a high gravestone, to tell every one all he knew of it. But he knew no
+more than he had told us in the church, as before repeated: upon which
+we were much disappointed with him, and inclined to disbelieve him;
+until he happily remembered that His Majesty had died in great pain,
+with blue spots on his breast and black spots all across his back, and
+these in the form of a cross, by reason of Papists having poisoned him.
+When Sam called this to his remembrance (or to his imagination) he was
+overwhelmed, at once, with so many invitations to dinner, that he scarce
+knew which of them to accept; but decided in our favour.
+
+Grieving much for the loss of the King, however greatly it might be (as
+the parson had declared it was, while telling us to pray against it) for
+the royal benefit, I resolved to ride to Porlock myself, directly after
+dinner, and make sure whether he were dead, or not. For it was not by
+any means hard to suppose that Sam Fry, being John's first cousin, might
+have inherited either from grandfather or grandmother some of those
+gifts which had made our John so famous for mendacity. At Porlock I
+found that it was too true; and the women of the town were in great
+distress, for the King had always been popular with them: the men, on
+the other hand, were forecasting what would be likely to ensue.
+
+And I myself was of this number, riding sadly home again; although bound
+to the King as churchwarden now; which dignity, next to the parson's in
+rank, is with us (as it ought to be in every good parish) hereditary.
+For who can stick to the church like the man whose father stuck to it
+before him; and who knows all the little ins, and great outs, which must
+in these troublous times come across?
+
+But though appointed at last, by virtue of being best farmer in the
+parish (as well as by vice of mismanagement on the part of my mother,
+and Nicholas Snowe, who had thoroughly mixed up everything, being too
+quick-headed); yet, while I dwelled with pride upon the fact that I
+stood in the King's shoes, as the manager and promoter of the Church of
+England, and I knew that we must miss His Majesty (whose arms were above
+the Commandments), as the leader of our thoughts in church, and handsome
+upon a guinea; nevertheless I kept on thinking how his death would act
+on me.
+
+And here I saw it, many ways. In the first place, troubles must break
+out; and we had eight-and-twenty ricks; counting grain, and straw, and
+hay. Moreover, mother was growing weak about riots, and shooting, and
+burning; and she gathered the bed-clothes around her ears every night,
+when her feet were tucked up; and prayed not to awake until morning. In
+the next place, much rebellion (though we would not own it; in either
+sense of the verb, to "own") was whispering, and plucking skirts, and
+making signs, among us. And the terror of the Doones helped greatly;
+as a fruitful tree of lawlessness, and a good excuse for everybody.
+And after this--or rather before it, and first of all indeed (if I must
+state the true order)--arose upon me the thought of Lorna, and how these
+things would affect her fate.
+
+And indeed I must admit that it had occurred to me sometimes, or been
+suggested by others, that the Lady Lorna had not behaved altogether
+kindly, since her departure from among us. For although in those days
+the post (as we call the service of letter-carrying, which now comes
+within twenty miles of us) did not extend to our part of the world, yet
+it might have been possible to procure for hire a man who would ride
+post, if Lorna feared to trust the pack-horses, or the troopers, who
+went to and fro. Yet no message whatever had reached us; neither any
+token even of her safety in London. As to this last, however, we had no
+misgivings, having learned from the orderlies, more than once, that
+the wealth, and beauty, and adventures of young Lady Lorna Dugal were
+greatly talked of, both at court and among the common people.
+
+Now riding sadly homewards, in the sunset of the early spring, I was
+more than ever touched with sorrow, and a sense of being, as it were,
+abandoned. And the weather growing quite beautiful, and so mild that the
+trees were budding, and the cattle full of happiness, I could not but
+think of the difference between the world of to-day and the world of
+this day twelvemonth. Then all was howling desolation, all the earth
+blocked up with snow, and all the air with barbs of ice as small
+as splintered needles, yet glittering, in and out, like stars, and
+gathering so upon a man (if long he stayed among them) that they began
+to weigh him down to sleepiness and frozen death. Not a sign of life
+was moving, nor was any change of view; unless the wild wind struck the
+crest of some cold drift, and bowed it.
+
+Now, on the other hand, all was good. The open palm of spring was laid
+upon the yielding of the hills; and each particular valley seemed to be
+the glove for a finger. And although the sun was low, and dipping in the
+western clouds, the gray light of the sea came up, and took, and taking,
+told the special tone of everything. All this lay upon my heart, without
+a word of thinking, spreading light and shadow there, and the soft
+delight of sadness. Nevertheless, I would it were the savage snow around
+me, and the piping of the restless winds, and the death of everything.
+For in those days I had Lorna.
+
+Then I thought of promise fair; such as glowed around me, where the
+red rocks held the sun, when he was departed; and the distant crags
+endeavoured to retain his memory. But as evening spread across them,
+shading with a silent fold, all the colour stole away; all remembrance
+waned and died.
+
+"So it has been with love," I thought, "and with simple truth and
+warmth. The maid has chosen the glittering stars, instead of the plain
+daylight."
+
+Nevertheless I would not give in, although in deep despondency
+(especially when I passed the place where my dear father had fought in
+vain), and I tried to see things right and then judge aright about them.
+This, however, was more easy to attempt than to achieve; and by the time
+I came down the hill, I was none the wiser. Only I could tell my mother
+that the King was dead for sure; and she would have tried to cry, but
+for thought of her mourning.
+
+There was not a moment for lamenting. All the mourning must be ready (if
+we cared to beat the Snowes) in eight-and-forty hours: and, although
+it was Sunday night, mother now feeling sure of the thing, sat up with
+Lizzie, cutting patterns, and stitching things on brown paper, and
+snipping, and laying the fashions down, and requesting all opinions, yet
+when given, scorning them; insomuch that I grew weary even of tobacco
+(which had comforted me since Lorna), and prayed her to go on until the
+King should be alive again.
+
+The thought of that so flurried her--for she never yet could see a
+joke--that she laid her scissors on the table and said, "The Lord
+forbid, John! after what I have cut up!"
+
+"It would be just like him," I answered, with a knowing smile: "Mother,
+you had better stop. Patterns may do very well; but don't cut up any
+more good stuff."
+
+"Well, good lack, I am a fool! Three tables pegged with needles! The
+Lord in His mercy keep His Majesty, if ever He hath gotten him!"
+
+By this device we went to bed; and not another stitch was struck until
+the troopers had office-tidings that the King was truly dead. Hence the
+Snowes beat us by a day; and both old Betty and Lizzie laid the blame
+upon me, as usual.
+
+Almost before we had put off the mourning, which as loyal subjects we
+kept for the King three months and a week; rumours of disturbances, of
+plottings, and of outbreak began to stir among us. We heard of fighting
+in Scotland, and buying of ships on the continent, and of arms in Dorset
+and Somerset; and we kept our beacon in readiness to give signals of a
+landing; or rather the soldiers did. For we, having trustworthy reports
+that the King had been to high mass himself in the Abbey of Westminster,
+making all the bishops go with him, and all the guards in London, and
+then tortured all the Protestants who dared to wait outside, moreover
+had received from the Pope a flower grown in the Virgin Mary's garden,
+and warranted to last for ever, we of the moderate party, hearing all
+this and ten times as much, and having no love for this sour James,
+such as we had for the lively Charles, were ready to wait for what might
+happen, rather than care about stopping it. Therefore we listened to
+rumours gladly, and shook our heads with gravity, and predicted, every
+man something, but scarce any two the same. Nevertheless, in our part,
+things went on as usual, until the middle of June was nigh. We ploughed
+the ground, and sowed the corn, and tended the cattle, and heeded every
+one his neighbour's business, as carefully as heretofore; and the only
+thing that moved us much was that Annie had a baby. This being a very
+fine child with blue eyes, and christened "John" in compliment to me,
+and with me for his godfather, it is natural to suppose that I thought
+a good deal about him; and when mother or Lizzie would ask me, all of a
+sudden, and treacherously, when the fire flared up at supper-time (for
+we always kept a little wood just alight in summer-time, and enough to
+make the pot boil), then when they would say to me, "John, what are
+you thinking of? At a word, speak!" I would always answer, "Little John
+Faggus"; and so they made no more of me.
+
+But when I was down, on Saturday the thirteenth of June, at the
+blacksmith's forge by Brendon town, where the Lynn-stream runs so close
+that he dips his horseshoes in it, and where the news is apt to come
+first of all to our neighbourhood (except upon a Sunday), while we were
+talking of the hay-crop, and of a great sheep-stealer, round the corner
+came a man upon a piebald horse looking flagged and weary. But seeing
+half a dozen of us, young, and brisk, and hearty, he made a flourish
+with his horse, and waved a blue flag vehemently, shouting with great
+glory,--
+
+[Illustration: 582.jpg Waved a blue flag vehemently]
+
+"Monmouth and the Protestant faith! Monmouth and no Popery! Monmouth,
+the good King's eldest son! Down with the poisoning murderer! Down with
+the black usurper, and to the devil with all papists!"
+
+"Why so, thou little varlet?" I asked very quietly; for the man was too
+small to quarrel with: yet knowing Lorna to be a "papist," as we choose
+to call them--though they might as well call us "kingists," after the
+head of our Church--I thought that this scurvy scampish knave might show
+them the way to the place he mentioned, unless his courage failed him.
+
+"Papist yourself, be you?" said the fellow, not daring to answer much:
+"then take this, and read it."
+
+And he handed me a long rigmarole, which he called a "Declaration": I
+saw that it was but a heap of lies, and thrust it into the blacksmith's
+fire, and blew the bellows thrice at it. No one dared attempt to stop
+me, for my mood had not been sweet of late; and of course they knew my
+strength.
+
+The man rode on with a muttering noise, having won no recruits from us,
+by force of my example: and he stopped at the ale-house farther down,
+where the road goes away from the Lynn-stream. Some of us went thither
+after a time, when our horses were shodden and rasped, for although we
+might not like the man, we might be glad of his tidings, which seemed to
+be something wonderful. He had set up his blue flag in the tap-room, and
+was teaching every one.
+
+"Here coom'th Maister Jan Ridd," said the landlady, being well pleased
+with the call for beer and cider: "her hath been to Lunnon-town, and
+live within a maile of me. Arl the news coom from them nowadays, instead
+of from here, as her ought to do. If Jan Ridd say it be true, I will try
+almost to belave it. Hath the good Duke landed, sir?" And she looked at
+me over a foaming cup, and blew the froth off, and put more in.
+
+"I have no doubt it is true enough," I answered, before drinking; "and
+too true, Mistress Pugsley. Many a poor man will die; but none shall die
+from our parish, nor from Brendon, if I can help it."
+
+And I knew that I could help it; for every one in those little places
+would abide by my advice; not only from the fame of my schooling and
+long sojourn in London, but also because I had earned repute for being
+very "slow and sure": and with nine people out of ten this is the very
+best recommendation. For they think themselves much before you in wit,
+and under no obligation, but rather conferring a favour, by doing the
+thing that you do. Hence, if I cared for influence--which means, for
+the most part, making people do one's will, without knowing it--my first
+step toward it would be to be called, in common parlance, "slow but
+sure."
+
+For the next fortnight we were daily troubled with conflicting rumours,
+each man relating what he desired, rather than what he had right, to
+believe. We were told that the Duke had been proclaimed King of England
+in every town of Dorset and of Somerset; that he had won a great battle
+at Axminster, and another at Bridport, and another somewhere else;
+that all the western counties had risen as one man for him, and all
+the militia had joined his ranks; that Taunton, and Bridgwater, and
+Bristowe, were all mad with delight, the two former being in his hands,
+and the latter craving to be so. And then, on the other hand, we heard
+that the Duke had been vanquished, and put to flight, and upon being
+apprehended, had confessed himself an impostor and a papist as bad as
+the King was.
+
+We longed for Colonel Stickles (as he always became in time of war,
+though he fell back to Captain, and even Lieutenant, directly the fight
+was over), for then we should have won trusty news, as well as good
+consideration. But even Sergeant Bloxham, much against his will, was
+gone, having left his heart with our Lizzie, and a collection of all
+his writings. All the soldiers had been ordered away at full speed for
+Exeter, to join the Duke of Albemarle, or if he were gone, to follow
+him. As for us, who had fed them so long (although not quite for
+nothing), we must take our chance of Doones, or any other enemies.
+
+Now all these tidings moved me a little; not enough to spoil appetite,
+but enough to make things lively, and to teach me that look of wisdom
+which is bred of practice only, and the hearing of many lies. Therefore
+I withheld my judgment, fearing to be triumphed over, if it should
+happen to miss the mark. But mother and Lizzie, ten times in a day,
+predicted all they could imagine; and their prophecies increased in
+strength according to contradiction. Yet this was not in the proper
+style for a house like ours, which knew the news, or at least had known
+it; and still was famous, all around, for the last advices. Even from
+Lynmouth, people sent up to Plover's Barrows to ask how things were
+going on: and it was very grievous to answer that in truth we knew not,
+neither had heard for days and days; and our reputation was so great,
+especially since the death of the King had gone abroad from Oare parish,
+that many inquirers would only wink, and lay a finger on the lip, as if
+to say, "you know well enough, but see not fit to tell me." And before
+the end arrived, those people believed that they had been right all
+along, and that we had concealed the truth from them.
+
+For I myself became involved (God knows how much against my will and my
+proper judgment) in the troubles, and the conflict, and the cruel work
+coming afterwards. If ever I had made up my mind to anything in all my
+life, it was at this particular time, and as stern and strong as could
+be. I had resolved to let things pass,--to hear about them gladly, to
+encourage all my friends to talk, and myself to express opinion upon
+each particular point, when in the fullness of time no further doubt
+could be. But all my policy went for nothing, through a few touches of
+feeling.
+
+One day at the beginning of July, I came home from mowing about noon, or
+a little later, to fetch some cider for all of us, and to eat a morsel
+of bacon. For mowing was no joke that year, the summer being wonderfully
+wet (even for our wet country), and the swathe falling heavier over the
+scythe than ever I could remember it. We were drenched with rain almost
+every day; but the mowing must be done somehow; and we must trust to God
+for the haymaking.
+
+In the courtyard I saw a little cart, with iron brakes underneath it,
+such as fastidious people use to deaden the jolting of the road; but few
+men under a lord or baronet would be so particular. Therefore I wondered
+who our noble visitor could be. But when I entered the kitchen-place,
+brushing up my hair for somebody, behold it was no one greater than our
+Annie, with my godson in her arms, and looking pale and tear-begone.
+And at first she could not speak to me. But presently having sat down a
+little, and received much praise for her baby, she smiled and blushed,
+and found her tongue as if she had never gone from us.
+
+"How natural it all looks again! Oh, I love this old kitchen so! Baby
+dear, only look at it wid him pitty, pitty eyes, and him tongue out of
+his mousy! But who put the flour-riddle up there. And look at the pestle
+and mortar, and rust I declare in the patty pans! And a book, positively
+a dirty book, where the clean skewers ought to hang! Oh, Lizzie, Lizzie,
+Lizzie!"
+
+"You may just as well cease lamenting," I said, "for you can't alter
+Lizzie's nature, and you will only make mother uncomfortable, and
+perhaps have a quarrel with Lizzie, who is proud as Punch of her
+housekeeping."
+
+"She," cried Annie, with all the contempt that could be compressed in a
+syllable. "Well, John, no doubt you are right about it. I will try not
+to notice things. But it is a hard thing, after all my care, to see
+everything going to ruin. But what can be expected of a girl who knows
+all the kings of Carthage?"
+
+"There were no kings of Carthage, Annie. They were called, why let me
+see--they were called--oh, something else."
+
+"Never mind what they were called," said Annie; "will they cook our
+dinner for us? But now, John, I am in such trouble. All this talk is
+make-believe."
+
+"Don't you cry, my dear: don't cry, my darling sister," I answered,
+as she dropped into the worn place of the settle, and bent above her
+infant, rocking as if both their hearts were one: "don't you know,
+Annie, I cannot tell, but I know, or at least I mean, I have heard the
+men of experience say, it is so bad for the baby."
+
+"Perhaps I know that as well as you do, John," said Annie, looking up at
+me with a gleam of her old laughing: "but how can I help crying; I am in
+such trouble."
+
+"Tell me what it is, my dear. Any grief of yours will vex me greatly;
+but I will try to bear it."
+
+"Then, John, it is just this. Tom has gone off with the rebels; and you
+must, oh, you must go after him."
+
+[Illustration: 586.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LXIII
+
+JOHN IS WORSTED BY THE WOMEN
+
+[Illustration: 587.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Moved as I was by Annie's tears, and gentle style of coaxing, and most
+of all by my love for her, I yet declared that I could not go, and leave
+our house and homestead, far less my dear mother and Lizzie, at the
+mercy of the merciless Doones.
+
+"Is that all your objection, John?" asked Annie, in her quick panting
+way: "would you go but for that, John?"
+
+"Now," I said, "be in no such hurry"--for while I was gradually
+yielding, I liked to pass it through my fingers, as if my fingers shaped
+it: "there are many things to be thought about, and many ways of viewing
+it."
+
+"Oh, you never can have loved Lorna! No wonder you gave her up so! John,
+you can love nobody, but your oat-ricks, and your hay-ricks."
+
+"Sister mine, because I rant not, neither rave of what I feel, can you
+be so shallow as to dream that I feel nothing? What is your love for
+Tom Faggus? What is your love for your baby (pretty darling as he is)
+to compare with such a love as for ever dwells with me? Because I do not
+prate of it; because it is beyond me, not only to express, but even form
+to my own heart in thoughts; because I do not shape my face, and would
+scorn to play to it, as a thing of acting, and lay it out before you,
+are you fools enough to think--" but here I stopped, having said more
+than was usual with me.
+
+"I am very sorry, John. Dear John, I am so sorry. What a shallow fool I
+am!"
+
+"I will go seek your husband," I said, to change the subject, for even
+to Annie I would not lay open all my heart about Lorna: "but only
+upon condition that you ensure this house and people from the Doones
+meanwhile. Even for the sake of Tom, I cannot leave all helpless. The
+oat-ricks and the hay-ricks, which are my only love, they are welcome to
+make cinders of. But I will not have mother treated so; nor even little
+Lizzie, although you scorn your sister so."
+
+"Oh, John, I do think you are the hardest, as well as the softest of all
+the men I know. Not even a woman's bitter word but what you pay her out
+for. Will you never understand that we are not like you, John? We say
+all sorts of spiteful things, without a bit of meaning. John, for God's
+sake fetch Tom home; and then revile me as you please, and I will kneel
+and thank you."
+
+"I will not promise to fetch him home," I answered, being ashamed of
+myself for having lost command so: "but I will promise to do my best, if
+we can only hit on a plan for leaving mother harmless."
+
+Annie thought for a little while, trying to gather her smooth clear brow
+into maternal wrinkles, and then she looked at her child, and said, "I
+will risk it, for daddy's sake, darling; you precious soul, for daddy's
+sake." I asked her what she was going to risk. She would not tell me;
+but took upper hand, and saw to my cider-cans and bacon, and went from
+corner to cupboard, exactly as if she had never been married; only
+without an apron on. And then she said, "Now to your mowers, John; and
+make the most of this fine afternoon; kiss your godson before you go."
+And I, being used to obey her, in little things of that sort, kissed the
+baby, and took my cans, and went back to my scythe again.
+
+By the time I came home it was dark night, and pouring again with a
+foggy rain, such as we have in July, even more than in January. Being
+soaked all through, and through, and with water squelching in my boots,
+like a pump with a bad bucket, I was only too glad to find Annie's
+bright face, and quick figure, flitting in and out the firelight,
+instead of Lizzie sitting grandly, with a feast of literature, and not
+a drop of gravy. Mother was in the corner also, with her cheery-coloured
+ribbons glistening very nice by candle-light, looking at Annie now and
+then, with memories of her babyhood; and then at her having a baby: yet
+half afraid of praising her much, for fear of that young Lizzie. But
+Lizzie showed no jealousy: she truly loved our Annie (now that she
+was gone from us), and she wanted to know all sorts of things, and she
+adored the baby. Therefore Annie was allowed to attend to me, as she
+used to do.
+
+"Now, John, you must start the first thing in the morning," she said,
+when the others had left the room, but somehow she stuck to the baby,
+"to fetch me back my rebel, according to your promise."
+
+"Not so," I replied, misliking the job, "all I promised was to go, if
+this house were assured against any onslaught of the Doones."
+
+"Just so; and here is that assurance." With these words she drew forth a
+paper, and laid it on my knee with triumph, enjoying my amazement. This,
+as you may suppose was great; not only at the document, but also at her
+possession of it. For in truth it was no less than a formal undertaking,
+on the part of the Doones, not to attack Plover's Barrows farm, or
+molest any of the inmates, or carry off any chattels, during the absence
+of John Ridd upon a special errand. This document was signed not only
+by the Counsellor, but by many other Doones: whether Carver's name were
+there, I could not say for certain; as of course he would not sign it
+under his name of "Carver," and I had never heard Lorna say to what (if
+any) he had been baptized.
+
+In the face of such a deed as this, I could no longer refuse to go; and
+having received my promise, Annie told me (as was only fair) how she had
+procured that paper. It was both a clever and courageous act; and would
+have seemed to me, at first sight, far beyond Annie's power. But none
+may gauge a woman's power, when her love and faith are moved.
+
+The first thing Annie had done was this: she made herself look ugly.
+This was not an easy thing; but she had learned a great deal from her
+husband, upon the subject of disguises. It hurt her feelings not a
+little to make so sad a fright of herself; but what could it matter?--if
+she lost Tom, she must be a far greater fright in earnest, than now
+she was in seeming. And then she left her child asleep, under Betty
+Muxworthy's tendance--for Betty took to that child, as if there never
+had been a child before--and away she went in her own "spring-cart" (as
+the name of that engine proved to be), without a word to any one, except
+the old man who had driven her from Molland parish that morning, and who
+coolly took one of our best horses, without "by your leave" to any one.
+
+Annie made the old man drive her within easy reach of the Doone-gate,
+whose position she knew well enough, from all our talk about it. And
+there she bade the old man stay, until she should return to him. Then
+with her comely figure hidden by a dirty old woman's cloak, and her fair
+young face defaced by patches and by liniments, so that none might covet
+her, she addressed the young man at the gate in a cracked and trembling
+voice; and they were scarcely civil to the "old hag," as they called
+her. She said that she bore important tidings for Sir Counsellor
+himself, and must be conducted to him. To him accordingly she was led,
+without even any hoodwinking, for she had spectacles over her eyes, and
+made believe not to see ten yards.
+
+She found Sir Counsellor at home, and when the rest were out of sight,
+threw off all disguise to him, flashing forth as a lovely young woman,
+from all her wraps and disfigurements. She flung her patches on the
+floor, amid the old man's laughter, and let her tucked-up hair come
+down; and then went up and kissed him.
+
+"Worthy and reverend Counsellor, I have a favour to ask," she began.
+
+"So I should think from your proceedings,"--the old man
+interrupted--"ah, if I were half my age"--
+
+"If you were, I would not sue so. But most excellent Counsellor, you owe
+me some amends, you know, for the way in which you robbed me."
+
+"Beyond a doubt I do, my dear. You have put it rather strongly; and it
+might offend some people. Nevertheless I own my debt, having so fair a
+creditor."
+
+"And do you remember how you slept, and how much we made of you, and
+would have seen you home, sir; only you did not wish it?"
+
+"And for excellent reasons, child. My best escort was in my cloak, after
+we made the cream to rise. Ha, ha! The unholy spell. My pretty child,
+has it injured you?"
+
+"Yes, I fear it has," said Annie; "or whence can all my ill luck come?"
+And here she showed some signs of crying, knowing that Counsellor hated
+it.
+
+"You shall not have ill luck, my dear. I have heard all about your
+marriage to a very noble highwayman. Ah, you made a mistake in that; you
+were worthy of a Doone, my child; your frying was a blessing meant for
+those who can appreciate."
+
+"My husband can appreciate," she answered very proudly; "but what I wish
+to know is this, will you try to help me?"
+
+The Counsellor answered that he would do so, if her needs were moderate;
+whereupon she opened her meaning to him, and told of all her anxieties.
+Considering that Lorna was gone, and her necklace in his possession, and
+that I (against whom alone of us the Doones could bear any malice) would
+be out of the way all the while, the old man readily undertook that
+our house should not be assaulted, nor our property molested, until
+my return. And to the promptitude of his pledge, two things perhaps
+contributed, namely, that he knew not how we were stripped of all
+defenders, and that some of his own forces were away in the rebel camp.
+For (as I learned thereafter) the Doones being now in direct feud with
+the present Government, and sure to be crushed if that prevailed, had
+resolved to drop all religious questions, and cast in their lot with
+Monmouth. And the turbulent youths, being long restrained from their
+wonted outlet for vehemence, by the troopers in the neighbourhood, were
+only too glad to rush forth upon any promise of blows and excitement.
+
+However, Annie knew little of this, but took the Counsellor's pledge as
+a mark of especial favour in her behalf (which it may have been to some
+extent), and thanked him for it most heartily, and felt that he had
+earned the necklace; while he, like an ancient gentleman, disclaimed all
+obligation, and sent her under an escort safe to her own cart again.
+But Annie, repassing the sentinels, with her youth restored and blooming
+with the flush of triumph, went up to them very gravely, and said,
+"The old hag wishes you good-evening, gentlemen"; and so made her best
+curtsey.
+
+Now, look at it as I would, there was no excuse left for me, after the
+promise given. Dear Annie had not only cheated the Doones, but also had
+gotten the best of me, by a pledge to a thing impossible. And I bitterly
+said, "I am not like Lorna: a pledge once given, I keep it."
+
+"I will not have a word against Lorna," cried Annie; "I will answer for
+her truth as surely as I would for my own or yours, John." And with that
+she vanquished me.
+
+But when my poor mother heard that I was committed, by word of honour,
+to a wild-goose chase, among the rebels, after that runagate Tom Faggus,
+she simply stared, and would not believe it. For lately I had joked with
+her, in a little style of jerks, as people do when out of sorts; and
+she, not understanding this, and knowing jokes to be out of my power,
+would only look, and sigh, and toss, and hope that I meant nothing. At
+last, however, we convinced her that I was in earnest, and must be off
+in the early morning, and leave John Fry with the hay crop.
+
+Then mother was ready to fall upon Annie, as not content with disgracing
+us, by wedding a man of new honesty (if indeed of any), but laying traps
+to catch her brother, and entangle him perhaps to his death, for the
+sake of a worthless fellow; and "felon"--she was going to say, as by the
+shape of her lips I knew. But I laid my hand upon dear mother's lips;
+because what must be, must be; and if mother and daughter stayed at
+home, better in love than in quarrelling.
+
+Right early in the morning, I was off, without word to any one; knowing
+that mother and sister mine had cried each her good self to sleep;
+relenting when the light was out, and sorry for hard words and thoughts;
+and yet too much alike in nature to understand each other. Therefore
+I took good Kickums, who (although with one eye spoiled) was worth ten
+sweet-tempered horses, to a man who knew how to manage him; and being
+well charged both with bacon and powder, forth I set on my wild-goose
+chase.
+
+For this I claim no bravery. I cared but little what came of it;
+save for mother's sake, and Annie's, and the keeping of the farm, and
+discomfiture of the Snowes, and lamenting of Lorna at my death, if die I
+must in a lonesome manner, not found out till afterwards, and bleaching
+bones left to weep over. However, I had a little kettle, and a pound and
+a half of tobacco, and two dirty pipes and a clean one; also a bit of
+clothes for change, also a brisket of hung venison, and four loaves of
+farmhouse bread, and of the upper side of bacon a stone and a half it
+might be--not to mention divers small things for campaigning, which may
+come in handily, when no one else has gotten them.
+
+We went away in merry style; my horse being ready for anything, and I
+only glad of a bit of change, after months of working and brooding; with
+no content to crown the work; no hope to hatch the brooding; or
+without hatching to reckon it. Who could tell but what Lorna might be
+discovered, or at any rate heard of, before the end of this campaign; if
+campaign it could be called of a man who went to fight nobody, only
+to redeem a runagate? And vexed as I was about the hay, and the
+hunch-backed ricks John was sure to make (which spoil the look of a
+farm-yard), still even this was better than to have the mows and houses
+fired, as I had nightly expected, and been worn out with the worry of
+it.
+
+Yet there was one thing rather unfavourable to my present enterprise,
+namely, that I knew nothing of the country I was bound to, nor even in
+what part of it my business might be supposed to lie. For beside the
+uncertainty caused by the conflict of reports, it was likely that King
+Monmouth's army would be moving from place to place, according to the
+prospect of supplies and of reinforcements. However, there would arise
+more chance of getting news as I went on: and my road being towards the
+east and south, Dulverton would not lie so very far aside of it, but
+what it might be worth a visit, both to collect the latest tidings, and
+to consult the maps and plans in Uncle Reuben's parlour. Therefore I
+drew the off-hand rein, at the cross-road on the hills, and made for
+the town; expecting perhaps to have breakfast with Master Huckaback, and
+Ruth, to help and encourage us. This little maiden was now become a very
+great favourite with me, having long outgrown, no doubt, her childish
+fancies and follies, such as my mother and Annie had planted under her
+soft brown hair. It had been my duty, as well as my true interest (for
+Uncle Ben was more and more testy, as he went on gold-digging), to ride
+thither, now and again, to inquire what the doctor thought of her. Not
+that her wounds were long in healing, but that people can scarcely
+be too careful and too inquisitive, after a great horse-bite. And she
+always let me look at the arm, as I had been first doctor; and she held
+it up in a graceful manner, curving at the elbow, and with a sweep of
+white roundness going to a wrist the size of my thumb or so, and
+without any thimble-top standing forth, such as even our Annie had. But
+gradually all I could see, above the elbow, where the bite had been,
+was very clear, transparent skin, with very firm sweet flesh below, and
+three little blue marks as far asunder as the prongs of a toasting-fork,
+and no deeper than where a twig has chafed the peel of a waxen apple.
+And then I used to say in fun, as the children do, "Shall I kiss it, to
+make it well, dear?"
+
+Now Ruth looked very grave indeed, upon hearing of this my enterprise;
+and crying, said she could almost cry, for the sake of my dear mother.
+Did I know the risks and chances, not of the battlefield alone, but
+of the havoc afterwards; the swearing away of innocent lives, and the
+hurdle, and the hanging? And if I would please not to laugh (which was
+so unkind of me), had I never heard of imprisonments, and torturing with
+the cruel boot, and selling into slavery, where the sun and the lash
+outvied one another in cutting a man to pieces? I replied that of all
+these things I had heard, and would take especial care to steer me free
+of all of them. My duty was all that I wished to do; and none could harm
+me for doing that. And I begged my cousin to give me good-speed, instead
+of talking dolefully. Upon this she changed her manner wholly, becoming
+so lively and cheerful that I was convinced of her indifference, and
+surprised even more than gratified.
+
+"Go and earn your spurs, Cousin Ridd," she said: "you are strong enough
+for anything. Which side is to have the benefit of your doughty arm?"
+
+"Have I not told you, Ruth," I answered, not being fond of this kind of
+talk, more suitable for Lizzie, "that I do not mean to join either side,
+that is to say, until--"
+
+"Until, as the common proverb goes, you know which way the cat will
+jump. Oh, John Ridd! Oh, John Ridd!"
+
+"Nothing of the sort," said I: "what a hurry you are in! I am for the
+King of course."
+
+"But not enough to fight for him. Only enough to vote, I suppose, or
+drink his health, or shout for him."
+
+"I can't make you out to-day, Cousin Ruth; you are nearly as bad as
+Lizzie. You do not say any bitter things, but you seem to mean them."
+
+"No, cousin, think not so of me. It is far more likely that I say them,
+without meaning them."
+
+"Anyhow, it is not like you. And I know not what I can have done in any
+way, to vex you."
+
+"Dear me, nothing, Cousin Ridd; you never do anything to vex me."
+
+"Then I hope I shall do something now, Ruth, when I say good-bye. God
+knows if we ever shall meet again, Ruth: but I hope we may."
+
+"To be sure we shall," she answered in her brightest manner. "Try not
+to look wretched, John: you are as happy as a Maypole."
+
+"And you as a rose in May," I said; "and pretty nearly as pretty. Give
+my love to Uncle Ben; and I trust him to keep on the winning side."
+
+"Of that you need have no misgivings. Never yet has he failed of it.
+Now, Cousin Ridd, why go you not? You hurried me so at breakfast time?"
+
+"My only reason for waiting, Ruth, is that you have not kissed me, as
+you are almost bound to do, for the last time perhaps of seeing me."
+
+"Oh, if that is all, just fetch the stool; and I will do my best,
+cousin."
+
+"I pray you be not so vexatious; you always used to do it nicely,
+without any stool, Ruth."
+
+"Ah, but you are grown since then, and become a famous man, John Ridd,
+and a member of the nobility. Go your way, and win your spurs. I want no
+lip-service."
+
+Being at the end of my wits, I did even as she ordered me. At least I
+had no spurs to win, because there were big ones on my boots, paid for
+in the Easter bill, and made by a famous saddler, so as never to clog
+with marsh-weed, but prick as hard as any horse, in reason, could
+desire. And Kickums never wanted spurs; but always went tail-foremost,
+if anybody offered them for his consideration.
+
+[Illustration: 595.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LXIV
+
+SLAUGHTER IN THE MARSHES
+
+[Illustration: 596.jpg James I.]
+
+We rattled away at a merry pace, out of the town of Dulverton; my horse
+being gaily fed, and myself quite fit again for going. Of course I was
+puzzled about Cousin Ruth; for her behaviour was not at all such as I
+had expected; and indeed I had hoped for a far more loving and moving
+farewell than I got from her. But I said to myself, "It is useless ever
+to count upon what a woman will do; and I think that I must have vexed
+her, almost as much as she vexed me. And now to see what comes of
+it." So I put my horse across the moorland; and he threw his chest out
+bravely.
+
+Now if I tried to set down at length all the things that happened to me,
+upon this adventure, every in and out, and up and down, and to and fro,
+that occupied me, together with the things I saw, and the things I heard
+of, however much the wiser people might applaud my narrative, it is
+likely enough that idle readers might exclaim, "What ails this man?
+Knows he not that men of parts and of real understanding, have told
+us all we care to hear of that miserable business. Let him keep to his
+farm, and his bacon, and his wrestling, and constant feeding."
+
+Fearing to meet with such rebuffs (which after my death would vex me), I
+will try to set down only what is needful for my story, and the clearing
+of my character, and the good name of our parish. But the manner in
+which I was bandied about, by false information, from pillar to post, or
+at other times driven quite out of my way by the presence of the King's
+soldiers, may be known by the names of the following towns, to which
+I was sent in succession, Bath, Frome, Wells, Wincanton, Glastonbury,
+Shepton, Bradford, Axbridge, Somerton, and Bridgwater.
+
+This last place I reached on a Sunday night, the fourth or fifth of
+July, I think--or it might be the sixth, for that matter; inasmuch as I
+had been too much worried to get the day of the month at church. Only I
+know that my horse and myself were glad to come to a decent place, where
+meat and corn could be had for money; and being quite weary of wandering
+about, we hoped to rest there a little.
+
+Of this, however, we found no chance, for the town was full of the good
+Duke's soldiers; if men may be called so, the half of whom had never
+been drilled, nor had fired a gun. And it was rumoured among them,
+that the "popish army," as they called it, was to be attacked that very
+night, and with God's assistance beaten. However, by this time I had
+been taught to pay little attention to rumours; and having sought vainly
+for Tom Faggus among these poor rustic warriors, I took to my hostel;
+and went to bed, being as weary as weary can be.
+
+Falling asleep immediately, I took heed of nothing; although the town
+was all alive, and lights had come glancing, as I lay down, and shouts
+making echo all round my room. But all I did was to bolt the door; not
+an inch would I budge, unless the house, and even my bed, were on fire.
+And so for several hours I lay, in the depth of the deepest slumber,
+without even a dream on its surface; until I was roused and awakened at
+last by a pushing, and pulling, and pinching, and a plucking of hair out
+by the roots. And at length, being able to open mine eyes, I saw the old
+landlady, with a candle, heavily wondering at me.
+
+"Can't you let me alone?" I grumbled. "I have paid for my bed, mistress;
+and I won't get up for any one."
+
+"Would to God, young man," she answered, shaking me as hard as ever,
+"that the popish soldiers may sleep this night, only half as strong as
+thou dost! Fie on thee, fie on thee! Get up, and go fight; we can hear
+the battle already; and a man of thy size mought stop a cannon."
+
+"I would rather stop a-bed," said I; "what have I to do with fighting? I
+am for King James, if any."
+
+"Then thou mayest even stop a-bed," the old woman muttered sulkily. "A
+would never have laboured half an hour to awake a Papisher. But hearken
+you one thing, young man; Zummerzett thou art, by thy brogue; or at
+least by thy understanding of it; no Zummerzett maid will look at thee,
+in spite of thy size and stature, unless thou strikest a blow this
+night."
+
+"I lack no Zummerzett maid, mistress: I have a fairer than your brown
+things; and for her alone would I strike a blow."
+
+At this the old woman gave me up, as being beyond correction: and
+it vexed me a little that my great fame had not reached so far as
+Bridgwater, when I thought that it went to Bristowe. But those people in
+East Somerset know nothing about wrestling. Devon is the headquarters
+of the art; and Devon is the county of my chief love. Howbeit, my vanity
+was moved, by this slur upon it--for I had told her my name was John
+Ridd, when I had a gallon of ale with her, ere ever I came upstairs; and
+she had nodded, in such a manner, that I thought she knew both name
+and fame--and here was I, not only shaken, pinched, and with many hairs
+pulled out, in the midst of my first good sleep for a week, but also
+abused, and taken amiss, and (which vexed me most of all) unknown.
+
+Now there is nothing like vanity to keep a man awake at night, however
+he be weary; and most of all, when he believes that he is doing
+something great--this time, if never done before--yet other people will
+not see, except what they may laugh at; and so be far above him, and
+sleep themselves the happier. Therefore their sleep robs his own; for
+all things play so, in and out (with the godly and ungodly ever moving
+in a balance, as they have done in my time, almost every year or two),
+all things have such nice reply of produce to the call for it, and such
+a spread across the world, giving here and taking there, yet on the
+whole pretty even, that haply sleep itself has but a certain stock,
+and keeps in hand, and sells to flattered (which can pay) that which
+flattened vanity cannot pay, and will not sue for.
+
+Be that as it may, I was by this time wide awake, though much aggrieved
+at feeling so, and through the open window heard the distant roll of
+musketry, and the beating of drums, with a quick rub-a-dub, and the
+"come round the corner" of trumpet-call. And perhaps Tom Faggus might be
+there, and shot at any moment, and my dear Annie left a poor widow, and
+my godson Jack an orphan, without a tooth to help him.
+
+Therefore I reviled myself for all my heavy laziness; and partly through
+good honest will, and partly through the stings of pride, and yet a
+little perhaps by virtue of a young man's love of riot, up I arose, and
+dressed myself, and woke Kickums (who was snoring), and set out to see
+the worst of it. The sleepy hostler scratched his poll, and could not
+tell me which way to take; what odds to him who was King, or Pope, so
+long as he paid his way, and got a bit of bacon on Sunday? And would I
+please to remember that I had roused him up at night, and the quality
+always made a point of paying four times over for a man's loss of
+his beauty-sleep. I replied that his loss of beauty-sleep was rather
+improving to a man of so high complexion; and that I, being none of the
+quality, must pay half-quality prices: and so I gave him double fee, as
+became a good farmer; and he was glad to be quit of Kickums; as I saw by
+the turn of his eye, while going out at the archway.
+
+All this was done by lanthorn light, although the moon was high and
+bold; and in the northern heaven, flags and ribbons of a jostling
+pattern; such as we often have in autumn, but in July very rarely. Of
+these Master Dryden has spoken somewhere, in his courtly manner; but of
+him I think so little--because by fashion preferred to Shakespeare--that
+I cannot remember the passage; neither is it a credit to him.
+
+Therefore I was guided mainly by the sound of guns and trumpets, in
+riding out of the narrow ways, and into the open marshes. And thus I
+might have found my road, in spite of all the spread of water, and the
+glaze of moonshine; but that, as I followed sound (far from hedge or
+causeway), fog (like a chestnut-tree in blossom, touched with moonlight)
+met me. Now fog is a thing that I understand, and can do with well
+enough, where I know the country; but here I had never been before. It
+was nothing to our Exmoor fogs; not to be compared with them; and all
+the time one could see the moon; which we cannot do in our fogs; nor
+even the sun, for a week together. Yet the gleam of water always makes
+the fog more difficult: like a curtain on a mirror; none can tell the
+boundaries.
+
+And here we had broad-water patches, in and out, inlaid on land, like
+mother-of-pearl in brown Shittim wood. To a wild duck, born and bred
+there, it would almost be a puzzle to find her own nest amongst us; what
+chance then had I and Kickums, both unused to marsh and mere? Each time
+when we thought that we must be right, now at last, by track or passage,
+and approaching the conflict, with the sounds of it waxing nearer,
+suddenly a break of water would be laid before us, with the moon looking
+mildly over it, and the northern lights behind us, dancing down the
+lines of fog.
+
+It was an awful thing, I say (and to this day I remember it), to hear
+the sounds of raging fight, and the yells of raving slayers, and the
+howls of poor men stricken hard, and shattered from wrath to wailing;
+then suddenly the dead low hush, as of a soul departing, and spirits
+kneeling over it. Through the vapour of the earth, and white breath of
+the water, and beneath the pale round moon (bowing as the drift went
+by), all this rush and pause of fear passed or lingered on my path.
+
+At last, when I almost despaired of escaping from this tangle of spongy
+banks, and of hazy creeks, and reed-fringe, my horse heard the neigh
+of a fellow-horse, and was only too glad to answer it; upon which the
+other, having lost its rider, came up and pricked his ears at us, and
+gazed through the fog very steadfastly. Therefore I encouraged him with
+a soft and genial whistle, and Kickums did his best to tempt him with a
+snort of inquiry. However, nothing would suit that nag, except to enjoy
+his new freedom; and he capered away with his tail set on high, and the
+stirrup-irons clashing under him. Therefore, as he might know the way,
+and appeared to have been in the battle, we followed him very carefully;
+and he led us to a little hamlet, called (as I found afterwards) West
+Zuyland, or Zealand, so named perhaps from its situation amid this
+inland sea.
+
+Here the King's troops had been quite lately, and their fires were still
+burning; but the men themselves had been summoned away by the night
+attack of the rebels. Hence I procured for my guide a young man who knew
+the district thoroughly, and who led me by many intricate ways to the
+rear of the rebel army. We came upon a broad open moor striped with
+sullen water courses, shagged with sedge, and yellow iris, and in the
+drier part with bilberries. For by this time it was four o'clock, and
+the summer sun, rising wanly, showed us all the ghastly scene.
+
+Would that I had never been there! Often in the lonely hours, even now
+it haunts me: would, far more, that the piteous thing had never been
+done in England! Flying men, flung back from dreams of victory and
+honour, only glad to have the luck of life and limbs to fly with,
+mud-bedraggled, foul with slime, reeking both with sweat and blood,
+which they could not stop to wipe, cursing, with their pumped-out lungs,
+every stick that hindered them, or gory puddle that slipped the step,
+scarcely able to leap over the corses that had dragged to die. And to
+see how the corses lay; some, as fair as death in sleep; with the smile
+of placid valour, and of noble manhood, hovering yet on the silent lips.
+These had bloodless hands put upwards, white as wax, and firm as death,
+clasped (as on a monument) in prayer for dear ones left behind, or in
+high thanksgiving. And of these men there was nothing in their broad
+blue eyes to fear. But others were of different sort; simple fellows
+unused to pain, accustomed to the bill-hook, perhaps, or rasp of the
+knuckles in a quick-set hedge, or making some to-do at breakfast, over a
+thumb cut in sharpening a scythe, and expecting their wives to make more
+to-do. Yet here lay these poor chaps, dead; dead, after a deal of pain,
+with little mind to bear it, and a soul they had never thought of; gone,
+their God alone knows whither; but to mercy we may trust. Upon these
+things I cannot dwell; and none I trow would ask me: only if a plain man
+saw what I saw that morning, he (if God had blessed him with the heart
+that is in most of us) must have sickened of all desire to be great
+among mankind.
+
+Seeing me riding to the front (where the work of death went on among
+the men of true English pluck; which, when moved, no farther moves), the
+fugitives called out to me, in half a dozen dialects, to make no utter
+fool of myself; for the great guns were come, and the fight was over;
+all the rest was slaughter.
+
+"Arl oop wi Moonmo," shouted one big fellow, a miner of the Mendip
+hills, whose weapon was a pickaxe: "na oose to vaight na moor. Wend thee
+hame, yoong mon agin."
+
+Upon this I stopped my horse, desiring not to be shot for nothing; and
+eager to aid some poor sick people, who tried to lift their arms to
+me. And this I did to the best of my power, though void of skill in
+the business; and more inclined to weep with them than to check their
+weeping. While I was giving a drop of cordial from my flask to one poor
+fellow, who sat up, while his life was ebbing, and with slow insistence
+urged me, when his broken voice would come, to tell his wife (whose name
+I knew not) something about an apple-tree, and a golden guinea stored in
+it, to divide among six children--in the midst of this I felt warm lips
+laid against my cheek quite softly, and then a little push; and behold
+it was a horse leaning over me! I arose in haste, and there stood
+Winnie, looking at me with beseeching eyes, enough to melt a heart of
+stone. Then seeing my attention fixed she turned her head, and glanced
+back sadly toward the place of battle, and gave a little wistful neigh:
+and then looked me full in the face again, as much as to say, "Do you
+understand?" while she scraped with one hoof impatiently. If ever a
+horse tried hard to speak, it was Winnie at that moment. I went to her
+side and patted her; but that was not what she wanted. Then I offered to
+leap into the empty saddle; but neither did that seem good to her: for
+she ran away toward the part of the field at which she had been glancing
+back, and then turned round, and shook her mane, entreating me to follow
+her.
+
+Upon this I learned from the dying man where to find his apple-tree, and
+promised to add another guinea to the one in store for his children; and
+so, commending him to God, I mounted my own horse again, and to Winnie's
+great delight, professed myself at her service. With her ringing silvery
+neigh, such as no other horse of all I ever knew could equal, she at
+once proclaimed her triumph, and told her master (or meant to tell, if
+death should not have closed his ears) that she was coming to his aid,
+and bringing one who might be trusted, of the higher race that kill.
+
+A cannon-bullet (fired low, and ploughing the marsh slowly) met poor
+Winnie front to front; and she, being as quick as thought, lowered her
+nose to sniff at it. It might be a message from her master; for it made
+a mournful noise. But luckily for Winnie's life, a rise of wet ground
+took the ball, even under her very nose; and there it cut a splashy
+groove, missing her off hindfoot by an inch, and scattering black mud
+over her. It frightened me much more than Winnie; of that I am quite
+certain: because though I am firm enough, when it comes to a real
+tussle, and the heart of a fellow warms up and tells him that he must go
+through with it; yet I never did approve of making a cold pie of death.
+
+Therefore, with those reckless cannons, brazen-mouthed, and bellowing,
+two furlongs off, or it might be more (and the more the merrier), I
+would have given that year's hay-crop for a bit of a hill, or a thicket
+of oaks, or almost even a badger's earth. People will call me a coward
+for this (especially when I had made up my mind, that life was not worth
+having without any sign of Lorna); nevertheless, I cannot help it: those
+were my feelings; and I set them down, because they made a mark on me.
+At Glen Doone I had fought, even against cannon, with some spirit and
+fury: but now I saw nothing to fight about; but rather in every poor
+doubled corpse, a good reason for not fighting. So, in cold blood riding
+on, and yet ashamed that a man should shrink where a horse went bravely,
+I cast a bitter blame upon the reckless ways of Winnie.
+
+Nearly all were scattered now. Of the noble countrymen (armed with
+scythe or pickaxe, blacksmith's hammer, or fold-pitcher), who had stood
+their ground for hours against blazing musketry (from men whom they
+could not get at, by reason of the water-dyke), and then against the
+deadly cannon, dragged by the Bishop's horses to slaughter his own
+sheep; of these sturdy Englishmen, noble in their want of sense, scarce
+one out of four remained for the cowards to shoot down. "Cross the
+rhaine," they shouted out, "cross the rhaine, and coom within rache:"
+but the other mongrel Britons, with a mongrel at their head, found it
+pleasanter to shoot men who could not shoot in answer, than to meet the
+chance of mischief from strong arms, and stronger hearts.
+
+The last scene of this piteous play was acting, just as I rode up. Broad
+daylight, and upstanding sun, winnowing fog from the eastern hills,
+and spreading the moors with freshness; all along the dykes they shone,
+glistened on the willow-trunks, and touched the banks with a hoary gray.
+But alas! those banks were touched more deeply with a gory red, and
+strewn with fallen trunks, more woeful than the wreck of trees; while
+howling, cursing, yelling, and the loathsome reek of carnage, drowned
+the scent of the new-mown hay, and the carol of the lark.
+
+Then the cavalry of the King, with their horses at full speed, dashed
+from either side upon the helpless mob of countrymen. A few pikes
+feebly levelled met them; but they shot the pikemen, drew swords, and
+helter-skelter leaped into the shattered and scattering mass. Right and
+left they hacked and hewed; I could hear the snapping of scythes beneath
+them, and see the flash of their sweeping swords. How it must end was
+plain enough, even to one like myself, who had never beheld such a
+battle before. But Winnie led me away to the left; and as I could
+not help the people, neither stop the slaughter, but found the
+cannon-bullets coming very rudely nigh me, I was only too glad to follow
+her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LXV
+
+FALLING AMONG LAMBS
+
+[Illustration: 604.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+That faithful creature, whom I began to admire as if she were my own
+(which is no little thing for a man to say of another man's horse),
+stopped in front of a low black shed, such as we call a "linhay." And
+here she uttered a little greeting, in a subdued and softened voice,
+hoping to obtain an answer, such as her master was wont to give in a
+cheery manner. Receiving no reply, she entered; and I (who could scarce
+keep up with her, poor Kickums being weary) leaped from his back, and
+followed. There I found her sniffing gently, but with great emotion, at
+the body of Tom Faggus. A corpse poor Tom appeared to be, if ever
+there was one in this world; and I turned away, and felt unable to keep
+altogether from weeping. But the mare either could not understand, or
+else would not believe it. She reached her long neck forth, and felt him
+with her under lip, passing it over his skin as softly as a mother would
+do to an infant; and then she looked up at me again; as much as to say,
+"he is all right."
+
+Upon this I took courage, and handled poor Tom, which being young I had
+feared at first to do. He groaned very feebly, as I raised him up; and
+there was the wound, a great savage one (whether from pike-thrust or
+musket-ball), gaping and welling in his right side, from which a piece
+seemed to be torn away. I bound it up with some of my linen, so far as I
+knew how; just to stanch the flow of blood, until we could get a doctor.
+Then I gave him a little weak brandy and water, which he drank with the
+greatest eagerness, and made sign to me for more of it. But not knowing
+how far it was right to give cordial under the circumstances, I handed
+him unmixed water that time; thinking that he was too far gone to
+perceive the difference. But herein I wrong Tom Faggus; for he shook his
+head and frowned at me. Even at the door of death, he would not drink
+what Adam drank, by whom came death into the world. So I gave him a
+little more eau-de-vie, and he took it most submissively.
+
+After that he seemed better, and a little colour came into his cheeks;
+and he looked at Winnie and knew her; and would have her nose in his
+clammy hand, though I thought it not good for either of them. With the
+stay of my arm he sat upright, and faintly looked about him; as if at
+the end of a violent dream, too much for his power of mind. Then he
+managed to whisper, "Is Winnie hurt?"
+
+"As sound as a roach," I answered. "Then so am I," said he: "put me upon
+her back, John; she and I die together."
+
+Surprised as I was at this fatalism (for so it appeared to me), of which
+he had often shown symptoms before (but I took them for mere levity),
+now I knew not what to do; for it seemed to me a murderous thing to set
+such a man on horseback; where he must surely bleed to death, even if he
+could keep the saddle. But he told me, with many breaks and pauses,
+that unless I obeyed his orders, he would tear off all my bandages, and
+accept no further aid from me.
+
+While I was yet hesitating, a storm of horse at full gallop went by,
+tearing, swearing, bearing away all the country before them. Only a
+little pollard hedge kept us from their blood-shot eyes. "Now is the
+time," said my cousin Tom, so far as I could make out his words; "on
+their heels, I am safe, John, if I have only Winnie under me. Winnie and
+I die together."
+
+Seeing this strong bent of his mind, stronger than any pains of death,
+I even did what his feeble eyes sometimes implored, and sometimes
+commanded. With a strong sash, from his own hot neck, bound and twisted,
+tight as wax, around his damaged waist, I set him upon Winnie's back,
+and placed his trembling feet in stirrups, with a band from one to
+another, under the good mare's body; so that no swerve could throw him
+out: and then I said, "Lean forward, Tom; it will stop your hurt from
+bleeding." He leaned almost on the neck of the mare, which, as I knew,
+must close the wound; and the light of his eyes was quite different,
+and the pain of his forehead unstrung itself, as if he felt the undulous
+readiness of her volatile paces under him.
+
+"God bless you, John; I am safe," he whispered, fearing to open his
+lungs much: "who can come near my Winnie mare? A mile of her gallop
+is ten years of life. Look out for yourself, John Ridd." He sucked his
+lips, and the mare went off, as easy and swift as a swallow.
+
+"Well," thought I, as I looked at Kickums, ignobly cropping up a bit
+of grass, "I have done a very good thing, no doubt, and ought to be
+thankful to God for the chance. But as for getting away unharmed, with
+all these scoundrels about me, and only a foundered horse to trust
+in--good and spiteful as he is--upon the whole, I begin to think that I
+have made a fool of myself, according to my habit. No wonder Tom said,
+'Look out for yourself!' I shall look out from a prison window, or
+perhaps even out of a halter. And then, what will Lorna think of me?"
+
+Being in this wistful mood, I resolved to abide awhile, even where fate
+had thrown me; for my horse required good rest no doubt, and was taking
+it even while he cropped, with his hind legs far away stretched out, and
+his forelegs gathered under him, and his muzzle on the mole-hills; so
+that he had five supportings from his mother earth. Moreover, the linhay
+itself was full of very ancient cow dung; than which there is no balmier
+and more maiden soporific. Hence I resolved, upon the whole, though
+grieving about breakfast, to light a pipe, and go to sleep; or at least
+until the hot sun should arouse the flies.
+
+I may have slept three hours, or four, or it might be even five--for I
+never counted time, while sleeping--when a shaking more rude than the
+old landlady's, brought me back to the world again. I looked up, with a
+mighty yawn; and saw twenty, or so, of foot-soldiers.
+
+"This linhay is not yours," I said, when they had quite aroused me, with
+tongue, and hand, and even sword-prick: "what business have you here,
+good fellows?"
+
+"Business bad for you," said one, "and will lead you to the gallows."
+
+"Do you wish to know the way out again?" I asked, very quietly, as being
+no braggadocio.
+
+"We will show thee the way out," said one, "and the way out of the
+world," said another: "but not the way to heaven," said one chap, most
+unlikely to know it: and thereupon they all fell wagging, like a bed of
+clover leaves in the morning, at their own choice humour.
+
+"Will you pile your arms outside," I said, "and try a bit of fair play
+with me?"
+
+For I disliked these men sincerely, and was fain to teach them a lesson;
+they were so unchristian in appearance, having faces of a coffee colour,
+and dirty beards half over them. Moreover their dress was outrageous,
+and their address still worse. However, I had wiser let them alone, as
+will appear afterwards. These savage-looking fellows laughed at the idea
+of my having any chance against some twenty of them: but I knew that
+the place was in my favour; for my part of it had been fenced off (for
+weaning a calf most likely), so that only two could come at me at once;
+and I must be very much out of training, if I could not manage two of
+them. Therefore I laid aside my carbine, and the two horse-pistols; and
+they with many coarse jokes at me went a little way outside, and
+set their weapons against the wall, and turned up their coat sleeves
+jauntily; and then began to hesitate.
+
+"Go you first, Bob," I heard them say: "you are the biggest man of us;
+and Dick the wrestler along of you. Us will back you up, boy."
+
+"I'll warrant I'll draw the badger," said Bob; "and not a tooth will I
+leave him. But mind, for the honour of Kirke's lambs, every man stands
+me a glass of gin." Then he, and another man, made a rush, and the
+others came double-quick-march on their heels. But as Bob ran at me most
+stupidly, not even knowing how to place his hands, I caught him with my
+knuckles at the back of his neck, and with all the sway of my right arm
+sent him over the heads of his comrades. Meanwhile Dick the wrestler had
+grappled me, expecting to show off his art, of which indeed he had some
+small knowledge; but being quite of the light-weights, in a second he
+was flying after his companion Bob.
+
+Now these two men were hurt so badly, the light one having knocked his
+head against the lintel of the outer gate, that the rest had no desire
+to encounter the like misfortune. So they hung back whispering; and
+before they had made up their minds, I rushed into the midst of them.
+The suddenness and the weight of my onset took them wholly by surprise;
+and for once in their lives, perhaps, Kirke's lambs were worthy of their
+name. Like a flock of sheep at a dog's attack they fell away, hustling
+one another, and my only difficulty was not to tumble over them.
+
+I had taken my carbine out with me, having a fondness for it; but the
+two horse-pistols I left behind; and therefore felt good title to take
+two from the magazine of the lambs. And with these, and my carbine, I
+leaped upon Kickums, who was now quite glad of a gallop again; and I
+bade adieu to that mongrel lot; yet they had the meanness to shoot at
+me. Thanking God for my deliverance (inasmuch as those men would have
+strung me up, from a pollard-ash without trial, as I heard them tell
+one another, and saw the tree they had settled upon), I ventured to go
+rather fast on my way, with doubt and uneasiness urging me. And now my
+way was home again. Nobody could say but what I had done my duty, and
+rescued Tom (if he could be rescued) from the mischief into which
+his own perverseness and love of change (rather than deep religious
+convictions, to which our Annie ascribed his outbreak) had led, or
+seemed likely to lead him. And how proud would my mother be; and--ah
+well, there was nobody else to be proud of me now.
+
+But while thinking these things, and desiring my breakfast, beyond any
+power of describing, and even beyond my remembrance, I fell into another
+fold of lambs, from which there was no exit. These, like true crusaders,
+met me, swaggering very heartily, and with their barrels of cider set,
+like so many cannon, across the road, over against a small hostel.
+
+"We have won the victory, my lord King, and we mean to enjoy it. Down
+from thy horse, and have a stoup of cider, thou big rebel."
+
+"No rebel am I. My name is John Ridd. I belong to the side of the King:
+and I want some breakfast."
+
+These fellows were truly hospitable; that much will I say for them.
+Being accustomed to Arab ways, they could toss a grill, or fritter, or
+the inner meaning of an egg, into any form they pleased, comely and
+very good to eat; and it led me to think of Annie. So I made the rarest
+breakfast any man might hope for, after all his troubles; and getting
+on with these brown fellows better than could be expected, I craved
+permission to light a pipe, if not disagreeable. Hearing this, they
+roared at me, with a superior laughter, and asked me, whether or not,
+I knew the tobacco-leaf from the chick-weed; and when I was forced to
+answer no, not having gone into the subject, but being content with
+anything brown, they clapped me on the back and swore they had never
+seen any one like me. Upon the whole this pleased me much; for I do
+not wish to be taken always as of the common pattern: and so we smoked
+admirable tobacco--for they would not have any of mine, though very
+courteous concerning it--and I was beginning to understand a little of
+what they told me; when up came those confounded lambs, who had shown
+more tail than head to me, in the linhay, as I mentioned.
+
+Now these men upset everything. Having been among wrestlers so much as
+my duty compelled me to be, and having learned the necessity of the rest
+which follows the conflict, and the right of discussion which all people
+have to pay their sixpence to enter; and how they obtrude this right,
+and their wisdom, upon the man who has laboured, until he forgets all
+the work he did, and begins to think that they did it; having some
+knowledge of this sort of thing, and the flux of minds swimming in
+liquor, I foresaw a brawl, as plainly as if it were Bear Street in
+Barnstaple.
+
+And a brawl there was, without any error, except of the men who hit
+their friends, and those who defended their enemies. My partners in
+breakfast and beer-can swore that I was no prisoner, but the best and
+most loyal subject, and the finest-hearted fellow they had ever the luck
+to meet with. Whereas the men from the linhay swore that I was a rebel
+miscreant; and have me they would, with a rope's-end ready, in spite
+of every [violent language] who had got drunk at my expense, and been
+misled by my [strong word] lies.
+
+While this fight was going on (and its mere occurrence shows, perhaps,
+that my conversation in those days was not entirely despicable--else
+why should my new friends fight for me, when I had paid for the ale, and
+therefore won the wrong tense of gratitude?) it was in my power at any
+moment to take horse and go. And this would have been my wisest plan,
+and a very great saving of money; but somehow I felt as if it would be a
+mean thing to slip off so. Even while I was hesitating, and the men were
+breaking each other's heads, a superior officer rode up, with his sword
+drawn, and his face on fire.
+
+"What, my lambs, my lambs!" he cried, smiting with the flat of his
+sword; "is this how you waste my time and my purse, when you ought to be
+catching a hundred prisoners, worth ten pounds apiece to me? Who is this
+young fellow we have here? Speak up, sirrah; what art thou, and how much
+will thy good mother pay for thee?"
+
+"My mother will pay naught for me," I answered; while the lambs fell
+back, and glowered at one another: "so please your worship, I am no
+rebel; but an honest farmer, and well-proved of loyalty."
+
+"Ha, ha; a farmer art thou? Those fellows always pay the best. Good
+farmer, come to yon barren tree; thou shalt make it fruitful."
+
+Colonel Kirke made a sign to his men, and before I could think of
+resistance, stout new ropes were flung around me; and with three men on
+either side I was led along very painfully. And now I saw, and repented
+deeply of my careless folly, in stopping with those boon-companions,
+instead of being far away. But the newness of their manners to me, and
+their mode of regarding the world (differing so much from mine own), as
+well as the flavour of their tobacco, had made me quite forget my duty
+to the farm and to myself. Yet methought they would be tender to me,
+after all our speeches: how then was I disappointed, when the men who
+had drunk my beer, drew on those grievous ropes, twice as hard as the
+men I had been at strife with! Yet this may have been from no ill will;
+but simply that having fallen under suspicion of laxity, they were
+compelled, in self-defence, now to be over-zealous.
+
+Nevertheless, however pure and godly might be their motives, I beheld
+myself in a grievous case, and likely to get the worst of it. For the
+face of the Colonel was hard and stern as a block of bogwood oak; and
+though the men might pity me and think me unjustly executed, yet they
+must obey their orders, or themselves be put to death. Therefore I
+addressed myself to the Colonel, in a most ingratiating manner; begging
+him not to sully the glory of his victory, and dwelling upon my pure
+innocence, and even good service to our lord the King. But Colonel Kirke
+only gave command that I should be smitten in the mouth; which office
+Bob, whom I had flung so hard out of the linhay, performed with great
+zeal and efficiency. But being aware of the coming smack, I thrust
+forth a pair of teeth; upon which the knuckles of my good friend made a
+melancholy shipwreck.
+
+It is not in my power to tell half the thoughts that moved me, when
+we came to the fatal tree, and saw two men hanging there already, as
+innocent perhaps as I was, and henceforth entirely harmless. Though
+ordered by the Colonel to look steadfastly upon them, I could not bear
+to do so; upon which he called me a paltry coward, and promised my
+breeches to any man who would spit upon my countenance. This vile
+thing Bob, being angered perhaps by the smarting wound of his knuckles,
+bravely stepped forward to do for me, trusting no doubt to the rope I
+was led with. But, unluckily as it proved for him, my right arm was free
+for a moment; and therewith I dealt him such a blow, that he never spake
+again. For this thing I have often grieved; but the provocation was very
+sore to the pride of a young man; and I trust that God has forgiven me.
+At the sound and sight of that bitter stroke, the other men drew back;
+and Colonel Kirke, now black in the face with fury and vexation, gave
+orders for to shoot me, and cast me into the ditch hard by. The men
+raised their pieces, and pointed at me, waiting for the word to fire;
+and I, being quite overcome by the hurry of these events, and quite
+unprepared to die yet, could only think all upside down about Lorna,
+and my mother, and wonder what each would say to it. I spread my hands
+before my eyes, not being so brave as some men; and hoping, in some
+foolish way, to cover my heart with my elbows. I heard the breath of
+all around, as if my skull were a sounding-board; and knew even how the
+different men were fingering their triggers. And a cold sweat broke all
+over me, as the Colonel, prolonging his enjoyment, began slowly to say,
+"Fire."
+
+But while he was yet dwelling on the "F," the hoofs of a horse dashed
+out on the road, and horse and horseman flung themselves betwixt me and
+the gun muzzles. So narrowly was I saved that one man could not check
+his trigger: his musket went off, and the ball struck the horse on the
+withers, and scared him exceedingly. He began to lash out with his heels
+all around, and the Colonel was glad to keep clear of him; and the men
+made excuse to lower their guns, not really wishing to shoot me.
+
+"How now, Captain Stickles?" cried Kirke, the more angry because he had
+shown his cowardice; "dare you, sir, to come betwixt me and my lawful
+prisoner?"
+
+"Nay, hearken one moment, Colonel," replied my old friend Jeremy; and
+his damaged voice was the sweetest sound I had heard for many a day;
+"for your own sake, hearken." He looked so full of momentous tidings,
+that Colonel Kirke made a sign to his men not to shoot me till further
+orders; and then he went aside with Stickles, so that in spite of all my
+anxiety I could not catch what passed between them. But I fancied that
+the name of the Lord Chief-Justice Jeffreys was spoken more than once,
+and with emphasis and deference.
+
+"Then I leave him in your hands, Captain Stickles," said Kirke at last,
+so that all might hear him; and though the news was good for me, the
+smile of baffled malice made his dark face look most hideous; "and I
+shall hold you answerable for the custody of this prisoner."
+
+"Colonel Kirke, I will answer for him," Master Stickles replied, with a
+grave bow, and one hand on his breast: "John Ridd, you are my prisoner.
+Follow me, John Ridd."
+
+Upon that, those precious lambs flocked away, leaving the rope still
+around me; and some were glad, and some were sorry, not to see me
+swinging. Being free of my arms again, I touched my hat to Colonel
+Kirke, as became his rank and experience; but he did not condescend to
+return my short salutation, having espied in the distance a prisoner,
+out of whom he might make money.
+
+I wrung the hand of Jeremy Stickles, for his truth and goodness; and
+he almost wept (for since his wound he had been a weakened man) as he
+answered, "Turn for turn, John. You saved my life from the Doones; and
+by the mercy of God, I have saved you from a far worse company. Let your
+sister Annie know it."
+
+[Illustration: 612.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LXVI
+
+SUITABLE DEVOTION
+
+[Illustration: 613.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Now Kickums was not like Winnie, any more than a man is like a woman;
+and so he had not followed my fortunes, except at his own distance. No
+doubt but what he felt a certain interest in me; but his interest was
+not devotion; and man might go his way and be hanged, rather than horse
+would meet hardship. Therefore, seeing things to be bad, and his master
+involved in trouble, what did this horse do but start for the ease and
+comfort of Plover's Barrows, and the plentiful ration of oats abiding
+in his own manger. For this I do not blame him. It is the manner of
+mankind.
+
+But I could not help being very uneasy at the thought of my mother's
+discomfort and worry, when she should spy this good horse coming home,
+without any master, or rider, and I almost hoped that he might be caught
+(although he was worth at least twenty pounds) by some of the King's
+troopers, rather than find his way home, and spread distress among
+our people. Yet, knowing his nature, I doubted if any could catch, or
+catching would keep him.
+
+Jeremy Stickles assured me, as we took the road to Bridgwater, that the
+only chance for my life (if I still refused to fly) was to obtain
+an order forthwith, for my despatch to London, as a suspected person
+indeed, but not found in open rebellion, and believed to be under the
+patronage of the great Lord Jeffreys. "For," said he, "in a few hours
+time you would fall into the hands of Lord Feversham, who has won this
+fight, without seeing it, and who has returned to bed again, to have his
+breakfast more comfortably. Now he may not be quite so savage perhaps
+as Colonel Kirke, nor find so much sport in gibbeting; but he is equally
+pitiless, and his price no doubt would be higher."
+
+"I will pay no price whatever," I answered, "neither will I fly. An hour
+agone I would have fled for the sake of my mother, and the farm. But
+now that I have been taken prisoner, and my name is known, if I fly,
+the farm is forfeited; and my mother and sister must starve. Moreover, I
+have done no harm; I have borne no weapons against the King, nor desired
+the success of his enemies. I like not that the son of a bona-roba
+should be King of England; neither do I count the Papists any worse than
+we are. If they have aught to try me for, I will stand my trial."
+
+"Then to London thou must go, my son. There is no such thing as trial
+here: we hang the good folk without it, which saves them much anxiety.
+But quicken thy step, good John; I have influence with Lord Churchill,
+and we must contrive to see him, ere the foreigner falls to work again.
+Lord Churchill is a man of sense, and imprisons nothing but his money."
+
+We were lucky enough to find this nobleman, who has since become so
+famous by his foreign victories. He received us with great civility;
+and looked at me with much interest, being a tall and fine young
+man himself, but not to compare with me in size, although far better
+favoured. I liked his face well enough, but thought there was something
+false about it. He put me a few keen questions, such as a man not
+assured of honesty might have found hard to answer; and he stood in a
+very upright attitude, making the most of his figure.
+
+I saw nothing to be proud of, at the moment, in this interview; but
+since the great Duke of Marlborough rose to the top of glory, I have
+tried to remember more about him than my conscience quite backs up.
+How should I know that this man would be foremost of our kingdom in
+five-and-twenty years or so; and not knowing, why should I heed
+him, except for my own pocket? Nevertheless, I have been so
+cross-questioned--far worse than by young Lord Churchill--about His
+Grace the Duke of Marlborough, and what he said to me, and what I said
+then, and how His Grace replied to that, and whether he smiled like
+another man, or screwed up his lips like a button (as our parish tailor
+said of him), and whether I knew from the turn of his nose that no
+Frenchman could stand before him: all these inquiries have worried me
+so, ever since the Battle of Blenheim, that if tailors would only print
+upon waistcoats, I would give double price for a vest bearing
+this inscription, "No information can be given about the Duke of
+Marlborough."
+
+Now this good Lord Churchill--for one might call him good, by comparison
+with the very bad people around him--granted without any long hesitation
+the order for my safe deliverance to the Court of King's Bench at
+Westminster; and Stickles, who had to report in London, was empowered to
+convey me, and made answerable for producing me. This arrangement would
+have been entirely to my liking, although the time of year was bad for
+leaving Plover's Barrows so; but no man may quite choose his times,
+and on the while I would have been quite content to visit London, if my
+mother could be warned that nothing was amiss with me, only a mild, and
+as one might say, nominal captivity. And to prevent her anxiety, I did
+my best to send a letter through good Sergeant Bloxham, of whom I heard
+as quartered with Dumbarton's regiment at Chedzuy. But that regiment was
+away in pursuit; and I was forced to entrust my letter to a man who said
+that he knew him, and accepted a shilling to see to it.
+
+For fear of any unpleasant change, we set forth at once for London; and
+truly thankful may I be that God in His mercy spared me the sight of
+the cruel and bloody work with which the whole country reeked and howled
+during the next fortnight. I have heard things that set my hair on end,
+and made me loathe good meat for days; but I make a point of setting
+down only the things which I saw done; and in this particular case, not
+many will quarrel with my decision. Enough, therefore, that we rode on
+(for Stickles had found me a horse at last) as far as Wells, where we
+slept that night; and being joined in the morning by several troopers
+and orderlies, we made a slow but safe journey to London, by way of Bath
+and Reading.
+
+The sight of London warmed my heart with various emotions, such as a
+cordial man must draw from the heart of all humanity. Here there are
+quick ways and manners, and the rapid sense of knowledge, and the power
+of understanding, ere a word be spoken. Whereas at Oare, you must say a
+thing three times, very slowly, before it gets inside the skull of the
+good man you are addressing. And yet we are far more clever there than
+in any parish for fifteen miles.
+
+But what moved me most, when I saw again the noble oil and tallow of the
+London lights, and the dripping torches at almost every corner, and
+the handsome signboards, was the thought that here my Lorna lived, and
+walked, and took the air, and perhaps thought now and then of the old
+days in the good farm-house. Although I would make no approach to her,
+any more than she had done to me (upon which grief I have not dwelt, for
+fear of seeming selfish), yet there must be some large chance, or the
+little chance might be enlarged, of falling in with the maiden somehow,
+and learning how her mind was set. If against me, all should be over. I
+was not the man to sigh and cry for love, like a Romeo: none should even
+guess my grief, except my sister Annie.
+
+But if Lorna loved me still--as in my heart of hearts I hoped--then
+would I for no one care, except her own delicious self. Rank and title,
+wealth and grandeur, all should go to the winds, before they scared me
+from my own true love.
+
+Thinking thus, I went to bed in the centre of London town, and was
+bitten so grievously by creatures whose name is "legion," mad with the
+delight of getting a wholesome farmer among them, that verily I was
+ashamed to walk in the courtly parts of the town next day, having lumps
+upon my face of the size of a pickling walnut. The landlord said that
+this was nothing; and that he expected, in two days at the utmost,
+a very fresh young Irishman, for whom they would all forsake me.
+Nevertheless, I declined to wait, unless he could find me a hayrick to
+sleep in; for the insects of grass only tickle. He assured me that no
+hayrick could now be found in London; upon which I was forced to leave
+him, and with mutual esteem we parted.
+
+The next night I had better luck, being introduced to a decent widow, of
+very high Scotch origin. That house was swept and garnished so, that
+not a bit was left to eat, for either man or insect. The change of air
+having made me hungry, I wanted something after supper; being quite
+ready to pay for it, and showing my purse as a symptom. But the face of
+Widow MacAlister, when I proposed to have some more food, was a thing to
+be drawn (if it could be drawn further) by our new caricaturist.
+
+Therefore I left her also; for liefer would I be eaten myself than have
+nothing to eat; and so I came back to my old furrier; the which was
+a thoroughly hearty man, and welcomed me to my room again, with two
+shillings added to the rent, in the joy of his heart at seeing me. Being
+under parole to Master Stickles, I only went out betwixt certain hours;
+because I was accounted as liable to be called upon; for what purpose
+I knew not, but hoped it might be a good one. I felt it a loss, and
+a hindrance to me, that I was so bound to remain at home during the
+session of the courts of law; for thereby the chance of ever beholding
+Lorna was very greatly contracted, if not altogether annihilated. For
+these were the very hours in which the people of fashion, and the high
+world, were wont to appear to the rest of mankind, so as to encourage
+them. And of course by this time, the Lady Lorna was high among people
+of fashion, and was not likely to be seen out of fashionable hours. It
+is true that there were some places of expensive entertainment, at which
+the better sort of mankind might be seen and studied, in their hours of
+relaxation, by those of the lower order, who could pay sufficiently. But
+alas, my money was getting low; and the privilege of seeing my betters
+was more and more denied to me, as my cash drew shorter. For a man must
+have a good coat at least, and the pockets not wholly empty, before he
+can look at those whom God has created for his ensample.
+
+Hence, and from many other causes--part of which was my own pride--it
+happened that I abode in London betwixt a month and five weeks' time,
+ere ever I saw Lorna. It seemed unfit that I should go, and waylay
+her, and spy on her, and say (or mean to say), "Lo, here is your poor
+faithful farmer, a man who is unworthy of you, by means of his common
+birth; and yet who dares to crawl across your path, that you may pity
+him. For God's sake show a little pity, though you may not feel it."
+Such behaviour might be comely in a love-lorn boy, a page to some grand
+princess; but I, John Ridd, would never stoop to the lowering of love
+so.
+
+Nevertheless I heard of Lorna, from my worthy furrier, almost every day,
+and with a fine exaggeration. This honest man was one of those who in
+virtue of their trade, and nicety of behaviour, are admitted into noble
+life, to take measurements, and show patterns. And while so doing,
+they contrive to acquire what is to the English mind at once the most
+important and most interesting of all knowledge,--the science of being
+able to talk about the titled people. So my furrier (whose name was
+Ramsack), having to make robes for peers, and cloaks for their wives and
+otherwise, knew the great folk, sham or real, as well as he knew a fox
+or skunk from a wolverine skin.
+
+And when, with some fencing and foils of inquiry, I hinted about Lady
+Lorna Dugal, the old man's face became so pleasant that I knew her birth
+must be wondrous high. At this my own countenance fell, I suppose,--for
+the better she was born, the harder she would be to marry--and mistaking
+my object, he took me up:--
+
+"Perhaps you think, Master Ridd, that because her ladyship, Lady Lorna
+Dugal, is of Scottish origin, therefore her birth is not as high as of
+our English nobility. If you think so you are wrong, sir. She comes
+not of the sandy Scotch race, with high cheek-bones, and raw
+shoulder-blades, who set up pillars in their courtyards. But she comes
+of the very best Scotch blood, descended from the Norsemen. Her mother
+was of the very noblest race, the Lords of Lorne; higher even than the
+great Argyle, who has lately made a sad mistake, and paid for it most
+sadly. And her father was descended from the King Dugal, who fought
+against Alexander the Great. No, no, Master Ridd; none of your
+promiscuous blood, such as runs in the veins of half our modern
+peerage."
+
+"Why should you trouble yourself about it, Master Ramsack?" I replied:
+"let them all go their own ways: and let us all look up to them, whether
+they come by hook or crook."
+
+"Not at all, not at all, my lad. That is not the way to regard it. We
+look up at the well-born men, and side-ways at the base-born."
+
+"Then we are all base-born ourselves. I will look up to no man, except
+for what himself has done."
+
+"Come, Master Ridd, you might be lashed from Newgate to Tyburn and back
+again, once a week, for a twelvemonth, if some people heard you. Keep
+your tongue more close, young man; or here you lodge no longer; albeit
+I love your company, which smells to me of the hayfield. Ah, I have not
+seen a hayfield for nine-and-twenty years, John Ridd. The cursed moths
+keep me at home, every day of the summer."
+
+"Spread your furs on the haycocks," I answered very boldly: "the indoor
+moth cannot abide the presence of the outdoor ones."
+
+"Is it so?" he answered: "I never thought of that before. And yet I
+have known such strange things happen in the way of fur, that I can
+well believe it. If you only knew, John, the way in which they lay their
+eggs, and how they work tail-foremost--"
+
+"Tell me nothing of the kind," I replied, with equal confidence: "they
+cannot work tail-foremost; and they have no tails to work with." For I
+knew a little about grubs, and the ignorance concerning them, which
+we have no right to put up with. However, not to go into that (for the
+argument lasted a fortnight; and then was only come so far as to begin
+again), Master Ramsack soon convinced me of the things I knew already;
+the excellence of Lorna's birth, as well as her lofty place at Court,
+and beauty, and wealth, and elegance. But all these only made me sigh,
+and wish that I were born to them.
+
+From Master Ramsack I discovered that the nobleman to whose charge Lady
+Lorna had been committed, by the Court of Chancery, was Earl Brandir
+of Lochawe, her poor mother's uncle. For the Countess of Dugal was
+daughter, and only child, of the last Lord Lorne, whose sister had
+married Sir Ensor Doone; while he himself had married the sister of
+Earl Brandir. This nobleman had a country house near the village of
+Kensington; and here his niece dwelled with him, when she was not in
+attendance on Her Majesty the Queen, who had taken a liking to her.
+Now since the King had begun to attend the celebration of mass, in the
+chapel at Whitehall--and not at Westminster Abbey, as our gossips had
+averred--he had given order that the doors should be thrown open, so
+that all who could make interest to get into the antechamber, might see
+this form of worship. Master Ramsack told me that Lorna was there almost
+every Sunday; their Majesties being most anxious to have the presence
+of all the nobility of the Catholic persuasion, so as to make a goodly
+show. And the worthy furrier, having influence with the door-keepers,
+kindly obtained admittance for me, one Sunday, into the antechamber.
+
+Here I took care to be in waiting, before the Royal procession entered;
+but being unknown, and of no high rank, I was not allowed to stand
+forward among the better people, but ordered back into a corner very
+dark and dismal; the verger remarking, with a grin, that I could see
+over all other heads, and must not set my own so high. Being frightened
+to find myself among so many people of great rank and gorgeous apparel,
+I blushed at the notice drawn upon me by this uncourteous fellow; and
+silently fell back into the corner by the hangings.
+
+You may suppose that my heart beat high, when the King and Queen
+appeared, and entered, followed by the Duke of Norfolk, bearing the
+sword of state, and by several other noblemen, and people of repute.
+Then the doors of the chapel were thrown wide open; and though I
+could only see a little, being in the corner so, I thought that it was
+beautiful. Bowers of rich silk were there, and plenty of metal shining,
+and polished wood with lovely carving; flowers too of the noblest kind,
+and candles made by somebody who had learned how to clarify tallow. This
+last thing amazed me more than all, for our dips never will come clear,
+melt the mutton-fat how you will. And methought that this hanging of
+flowers about was a pretty thing; for if a man can worship God best of
+all beneath a tree, as the natural instinct is, surely when by fault of
+climate the tree would be too apt to drip, the very best make-believe is
+to have enough and to spare of flowers; which to the dwellers in London
+seem to have grown on the tree denied them.
+
+Be that as it may, when the King and Queen crossed the threshold, a
+mighty flourish of trumpets arose, and a waving of banners. The Knights
+of the Garter (whoever they be) were to attend that day in state;
+and some went in, and some stayed out, and it made me think of the
+difference betwixt the ewes and the wethers. For the ewes will go
+wherever you lead them; but the wethers will not, having strong
+opinions, and meaning to abide by them. And one man I noticed was of the
+wethers, to wit the Duke of Norfolk; who stopped outside with the sword
+of state, like a beadle with a rapping-rod. This has taken more to tell
+than the time it happened in. For after all the men were gone, some
+to this side, some to that, according to their feelings, a number of
+ladies, beautifully dressed, being of the Queen's retinue, began to
+enter, and were stared at three times as much as the men had been. And
+indeed they were worth looking at (which men never are to my ideas,
+when they trick themselves with gewgaws), but none was so well worth
+eye-service as my own beloved Lorna. She entered modestly and shyly,
+with her eyes upon the ground, knowing the rudeness of the gallants, and
+the large sum she was priced at. Her dress was of the purest white, very
+sweet and simple, without a line of ornament, for she herself adorned
+it. The way she walked and touched her skirt (rather than seemed to
+hold it up) with a white hand beaming one red rose, this and her stately
+supple neck, and the flowing of her hair would show, at a distance of a
+hundred yards, that she could be none but Lorna Doone. Lorna Doone of
+my early love; in the days when she blushed for her name before me
+by reason of dishonesty; but now the Lady Lorna Dugal as far beyond
+reproach as above my poor affection. All my heart, and all my mind,
+gathered themselves upon her. Would she see me, or would she pass? Was
+there instinct in our love?
+
+By some strange chance she saw me. Or was it through our destiny? While
+with eyes kept sedulously on the marble floor, to shun the weight of
+admiration thrust too boldly on them, while with shy quick steps she
+passed, some one (perhaps with purpose) trod on the skirt of her clear
+white dress,--with the quickness taught her by many a scene of danger,
+she looked up, and her eyes met mine.
+
+As I gazed upon her, steadfastly, yearningly, yet with some reproach,
+and more of pride than humility, she made me one of the courtly bows
+which I do so much detest; yet even that was sweet and graceful, when my
+Lorna did it. But the colour of her pure clear cheeks was nearly as
+deep as that of my own, when she went on for the religious work. And the
+shining of her eyes was owing to an unpaid debt of tears.
+
+Upon the whole I was satisfied. Lorna had seen me, and had not
+(according to the phrase of the high world then) even tried to "cut" me.
+Whether this low phrase is born of their own stupid meanness, or whether
+it comes of necessity exercised on a man without money, I know not, and
+I care not. But one thing I know right well; any man who "cuts" a man
+(except for vice or meanness) should be quartered without quarter.
+
+All these proud thoughts rose within me as the lovely form of Lorna went
+inside, and was no more seen. And then I felt how coarse I was; how apt
+to think strong thoughts, and so on; without brains to bear me out: even
+as a hen's egg, laid without enough of lime, and looking only a poor
+jelly.
+
+Nevertheless, I waited on; as my usual manner is. For to be beaten,
+while running away, is ten times worse than to face it out, and take
+it, and have done with it. So at least I have always found, because of
+reproach of conscience: and all the things those clever people carried
+on inside, at large, made me long for our Parson Bowden that he might
+know how to act.
+
+While I stored up, in my memory, enough to keep our parson going through
+six pipes on a Saturday night--to have it as right as could be next
+day--a lean man with a yellow beard, too thin for a good Catholic (which
+religion always fattens), came up to me, working sideways, in the manner
+of a female crab.
+
+"This is not to my liking," I said: "if aught thou hast, speak plainly;
+while they make that horrible noise inside."
+
+Nothing had this man to say; but with many sighs, because I was not of
+the proper faith, he took my reprobate hand to save me: and with several
+religious tears, looked up at me, and winked with one eye. Although the
+skin of my palms was thick, I felt a little suggestion there, as of a
+gentle leaf in spring, fearing to seem too forward. I paid the man, and
+he went happy; for the standard of heretical silver is purer than that
+of the Catholics.
+
+Then I lifted up my little billet; and in that dark corner read it, with
+a strong rainbow of colours coming from the angled light. And in mine
+eyes there was enough to make rainbow of strongest sun, as my anger
+clouded off.
+
+Not that it began so well; but that in my heart I knew (ere three lines
+were through me) that I was with all heart loved--and beyond that, who
+may need? The darling of my life went on, as if I were of her own rank,
+or even better than she was; and she dotted her "i"s, and crossed
+her "t"s, as if I were at least a schoolmaster. All of it was done in
+pencil; but as plain as plain could be. In my coffin it shall lie, with
+my ring and something else. Therefore will I not expose it to every man
+who buys this book, and haply thinks that he has bought me to the bottom
+of my heart. Enough for men of gentle birth (who never are inquisitive)
+that my love told me, in her letter, just to come and see her.
+
+I ran away, and could not stop. To behold even her, at the moment, would
+have dashed my fancy's joy. Yet my brain was so amiss, that I must do
+something. Therefore to the river Thames, with all speed, I hurried;
+and keeping all my best clothes on (indeed for sake of Lorna), into the
+quiet stream I leaped, and swam as far as London Bridge, and ate nobler
+dinner afterwards.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LXVII
+
+LORNA STILL IS LORNA
+
+[Illustration: 623.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Although a man may be as simple as the flowers of the field; knowing
+when, but scarcely why, he closes to the bitter wind; and feeling why,
+but scarcely when, he opens to the genial sun; yet without his questing
+much into the capsule of himself--to do which is a misery--he may have a
+general notion how he happens to be getting on.
+
+I felt myself to be getting on better than at any time since the last
+wheat-harvest, as I took the lane to Kensington upon the Monday evening.
+For although no time was given in my Lorna's letter, I was not inclined
+to wait more than decency required. And though I went and watched
+the house, decency would not allow me to knock on the Sunday evening,
+especially when I found at the corner that his lordship was at home.
+
+The lanes and fields between Charing Cross and the village of
+Kensington, are, or were at that time, more than reasonably infested
+with footpads and with highwaymen. However, my stature and holly club
+kept these fellows from doing more than casting sheep's eyes at me.
+For it was still broad daylight, and the view of the distant villages,
+Chelsea, Battersea, Tyburn, and others, as well as a few large houses,
+among the hams and towards the river, made it seem less lonely.
+Therefore I sang a song in the broadest Exmoor dialect, which caused no
+little amazement in the minds of all who met me.
+
+When I came to Earl Brandir's house, my natural modesty forbade me to
+appear at the door for guests; therefore I went to the entrance for
+servants and retainers. Here, to my great surprise, who should come
+and let me in but little Gwenny Carfax, whose very existence had almost
+escaped my recollection. Her mistress, no doubt, had seen me coming, and
+sent her to save trouble. But when I offered to kiss Gwenny, in my joy
+and comfort to see a farm-house face again, she looked ashamed, and
+turned away, and would hardly speak to me.
+
+I followed her to a little room, furnished very daintily; and there she
+ordered me to wait, in a most ungracious manner. "Well," thought I, "if
+the mistress and the maid are alike in temper, better it had been for
+me to abide at Master Ramsack's." But almost ere my thought was done, I
+heard the light quick step which I knew as well as "Watch," my dog, knew
+mine; and my breast began to tremble, like the trembling of an arch ere
+the keystone is put in.
+
+Almost ere I hoped--for fear and hope were so entangled that they
+hindered one another--the velvet hangings of the doorway parted, with
+a little doubt, and then a good face put on it. Lorna, in her perfect
+beauty, stood before the crimson folds, and her dress was all pure
+white, and her cheeks were rosy pink, and her lips were scarlet.
+
+Like a maiden, with skill and sense checking violent impulse, she stayed
+there for one moment only, just to be admired; and then like a woman,
+she came to me, seeing how alarmed I was. The hand she offered me I
+took, and raised it to my lips with fear, as a thing too good for me.
+"Is that all?" she whispered; and then her eyes gleamed up at me; and in
+another instant, she was weeping on my breast.
+
+"Darling Lorna, Lady Lorna," I cried, in astonishment, yet unable but to
+keep her closer to me, and closer; "surely, though I love you so, this
+is not as it should be."
+
+"Yes, it is, John. Yes, it is. Nothing else should ever be. Oh, why have
+you behaved so?"
+
+"I am behaving." I replied, "to the very best of my ability. There is no
+other man in the world could hold you so, without kissing you."
+
+"Then why don't you do it, John?" asked Lorna, looking up at me, with a
+flash of her old fun.
+
+Now this matter, proverbially, is not for discussion, and repetition.
+Enough that we said nothing more than, "Oh, John, how glad I am!" and
+"Lorna, Lorna Lorna!" for about five minutes. Then my darling drew
+back proudly, with blushing cheeks, and tear-bright eyes, she began to
+cross-examine me.
+
+"Master John Ridd, you shall tell the truth, the whole truth, and
+nothing but the truth. I have been in Chancery, sir; and can detect a
+story. Now why have you never, for more than a twelvemonth, taken the
+smallest notice of your old friend, Mistress Lorna Doone?" Although she
+spoke in this lightsome manner, as if it made no difference, I saw that
+her quick heart was moving, and the flash of her eyes controlled.
+
+"Simply for this cause," I answered, "that my old friend and true love,
+took not the smallest heed of me. Nor knew I where to find her."
+
+"What!" cried Lorna; and nothing more; being overcome with wondering;
+and much inclined to fall away, but for my assistance. I told her, over
+and over again, that not a single syllable of any message from her,
+or tidings of her welfare, had reached me, or any one of us, since the
+letter she left behind; except by soldier's gossip.
+
+"Oh, you poor dear John!" said Lorna, sighing at thought of my misery:
+"how wonderfully good of you, thinking of me as you must have done, not
+to marry that little plain thing (or perhaps I should say that lovely
+creature, for I have never seen her), Mistress Ruth--I forget her name;
+but something like a towel."
+
+"Ruth Huckaback is a worthy maid," I answered with some dignity; "and
+she alone of all our world, except indeed poor Annie, has kept her
+confidence in you, and told me not to dread your rank, but trust your
+heart, Lady Lorna."
+
+"Then Ruth is my best friend," she answered, "and is worthy of you, dear
+John. And now remember one thing, dear; if God should part us, as may be
+by nothing short of death, try to marry that little Ruth, when you cease
+to remember me. And now for the head-traitor. I have often suspected it:
+but she looks me in the face, and wishes--fearful things, which I cannot
+repeat."
+
+With these words, she moved an implement such as I had not seen before,
+and which made a ringing noise at a serious distance. And before I had
+ceased wondering--for if such things go on, we might ring the church
+bells, while sitting in our back-kitchen--little Gwenny Carfax came,
+with a grave and sullen face.
+
+"Gwenny," began my Lorna, in a tone of high rank and dignity, "go and
+fetch the letters which I gave you at various times for despatch to
+Mistress Ridd."
+
+"How can I fetch them, when they are gone? It be no use for him to tell
+no lies--"
+
+"Now, Gwenny, can you look at me?" I asked, very sternly; for the matter
+was no joke to me, after a year's unhappiness.
+
+"I don't want to look at 'ee. What should I look at a young man for,
+although he did offer to kiss me?"
+
+I saw the spite and impudence of this last remark, and so did Lorna,
+although she could not quite refrain from smiling.
+
+"Now, Gwenny, not to speak of that," said Lorna, very demurely, "if you
+thought it honest to keep the letters, was it honest to keep the money?"
+
+At this the Cornish maiden broke into a rage of honesty: "A putt the
+money by for 'ee. 'Ee shall have every farden of it." And so she flung
+out of the room.
+
+"And, Gwenny," said Lorna very softly, following under the
+door-hangings; "if it is not honest to keep the money, it is not honest
+to keep the letters, which would have been worth more than any gold to
+those who were so kind to you. Your father shall know the whole, Gwenny,
+unless you tell the truth."
+
+"Now, a will tell all the truth," this strange maiden answered, talking
+to herself at least as much as to her mistress, while she went out of
+sight and hearing. And then I was so glad at having my own Lorna once
+again, cleared of all contempt for us, and true to me through all of it,
+that I would have forgiven Gwenny for treason, or even forgery.
+
+"I trusted her so much," said Lorna, in her old ill-fortuned way; "and
+look how she has deceived me! That is why I love you, John (setting
+other things aside), because you never told me falsehood; and you never
+could, you know."
+
+"Well, I am not so sure of that. I think I could tell any lie, to have
+you, darling, all my own."
+
+"Yes. And perhaps it might be right. To other people besides us two.
+But you could not do it to me, John. You never could do it to me,
+you know." Before I quite perceived my way to the bottom of the
+distinction--although beyond doubt a valid one--Gwenny came back with a
+leathern bag, and tossed it upon the table. Not a word did she vouchsafe
+to us; but stood there, looking injured.
+
+"Go, and get your letters, John," said Lorna very gravely; "or at least
+your mother's letters, made of messages to you. As for Gwenny, she shall
+go before Lord Justice Jeffreys." I knew that Lorna meant it not; but
+thought that the girl deserved a frightening; as indeed she did. But we
+both mistook the courage of this child of Cornwall. She stepped upon a
+little round thing, in the nature of a stool, such as I never had seen
+before, and thus delivered her sentiments.
+
+"And you may take me, if you please, before the great Lord Jeffreys. I
+have done no more than duty, though I did it crookedly, and told a heap
+of lies, for your sake. And pretty gratitude I gets."
+
+"Much gratitude you have shown," replied Lorna, "to Master Ridd, for all
+his kindness and his goodness to you. Who was it that went down, at the
+peril of his life, and brought your father to you, when you had lost him
+for months and months? Who was it? Answer me, Gwenny?"
+
+"Girt Jan Ridd," said the handmaid, very sulkily.
+
+"What made you treat me so, little Gwenny?" I asked, for Lorna would not
+ask lest the reply should vex me.
+
+"Because 'ee be'est below her so. Her shanna' have a poor farmering
+chap, not even if her were a Carnishman. All her land, and all her
+birth--and who be you, I'd like to know?"
+
+"Gwenny, you may go," said Lorna, reddening with quiet anger; "and
+remember that you come not near me for the next three days. It is the
+only way to punish her," she continued to me, when the maid was gone, in
+a storm of sobbing and weeping. "Now, for the next three days, she will
+scarcely touch a morsel of food, and scarcely do a thing but cry. Make
+up your mind to one thing, John; if you mean to take me, for better for
+worse, you will have to take Gwenny with me.
+
+"I would take you with fifty Gwennies," said I, "although every one
+of them hated me, which I do not believe this little maid does, in the
+bottom of her heart."
+
+"No one can possibly hate you, John," she answered very softly; and I
+was better pleased with this, than if she had called me the most noble
+and glorious man in the kingdom.
+
+After this, we spoke of ourselves and the way people would regard us,
+supposing that when Lorna came to be her own free mistress (as she must
+do in the course of time) she were to throw her rank aside, and refuse
+her title, and caring not a fig for folk who cared less than a fig-stalk
+for her, should shape her mind to its native bent, and to my perfect
+happiness. It was not my place to say much, lest I should appear to use
+an improper and selfish influence. And of course to all men of common
+sense, and to everybody of middle age (who must know best what is good
+for youth), the thoughts which my Lorna entertained would be enough to
+prove her madness.
+
+Not that we could not keep her well, comfortably, and with nice clothes,
+and plenty of flowers, and fruit, and landscape, and the knowledge of
+our neighbours' affairs, and their kind interest in our own. Still this
+would not be as if she were the owner of a county, and a haughty title;
+and able to lead the first men of the age, by her mind, and face, and
+money.
+
+Therefore was I quite resolved not to have a word to say, while this
+young queen of wealth and beauty, and of noblemen's desire, made her
+mind up how to act for her purest happiness. But to do her justice, this
+was not the first thing she was thinking of: the test of her judgment
+was only this, "How will my love be happiest?"
+
+"Now, John," she cried; for she was so quick that she always had my
+thoughts beforehand; "why will you be backward, as if you cared not
+for me? Do you dream that I am doubting? My mind has been made up, good
+John, that you must be my husband, for--well, I will not say how long,
+lest you should laugh at my folly. But I believe it was ever since you
+came, with your stockings off, and the loaches. Right early for me to
+make up my mind; but you know that you made up yours, John; and, of
+course, I knew it; and that had a great effect on me. Now, after all
+this age of loving, shall a trifle sever us?"
+
+I told her that it was no trifle, but a most important thing, to abandon
+wealth, and honour, and the brilliance of high life, and be despised
+by every one for such abundant folly. Moreover, that I should appear a
+knave for taking advantage of her youth, and boundless generosity, and
+ruining (as men would say) a noble maid by my selfishness. And I told
+her outright, having worked myself up by my own conversation, that she
+was bound to consult her guardian, and that without his knowledge, I
+would come no more to see her. Her flash of pride at these last words
+made her look like an empress; and I was about to explain myself better,
+but she put forth her hand and stopped me.
+
+"I think that condition should rather have proceeded from me. You are
+mistaken, Master Ridd, in supposing that I would think of receiving
+you in secret. It was a different thing in Glen Doone, where all except
+yourself were thieves, and when I was but a simple child, and oppressed
+with constant fear. You are quite right in threatening to visit me thus
+no more; but I think you might have waited for an invitation, sir."
+
+"And you are quite right, Lady Lorna, in pointing out my presumption. It
+is a fault that must ever be found in any speech of mine to you."
+
+This I said so humbly, and not with any bitterness--for I knew that I
+had gone too far--and made her so polite a bow, that she forgave me in a
+moment, and we begged each other's pardon.
+
+"Now, will you allow me just to explain my own view of this matter,
+John?" said she, once more my darling. "It may be a very foolish view,
+but I shall never change it. Please not to interrupt me, dear, until you
+have heard me to the end. In the first place, it is quite certain that
+neither you nor I can be happy without the other. Then what stands
+between us? Worldly position, and nothing else. I have no more education
+than you have, John Ridd; nay, and not so much. My birth and ancestry
+are not one whit more pure than yours, although they may be better
+known. Your descent from ancient freeholders, for five-and-twenty
+generations of good, honest men, although you bear no coat of arms, is
+better than the lineage of nine proud English noblemen out of every ten
+I meet with. In manners, though your mighty strength, and hatred of any
+meanness, sometimes break out in violence--of which I must try to cure
+you, dear--in manners, if kindness, and gentleness, and modesty are
+the true things wanted, you are immeasurably above any of our
+Court-gallants; who indeed have very little. As for difference of
+religion, we allow for one another, neither having been brought up
+in a bitterly pious manner."
+
+Here, though the tears were in my eyes, at the loving things love said
+of me, I could not help a little laugh at the notion of any bitter piety
+being found among the Doones, or even in mother, for that matter. Lorna
+smiled, in her slyest manner, and went on again:--
+
+"Now, you see, I have proved my point; there is nothing between us but
+worldly position--if you can defend me against the Doones, for which, I
+trow, I may trust you. And worldly position means wealth, and title,
+and the right to be in great houses, and the pleasure of being envied.
+I have not been here for a year, John, without learning something. Oh,
+I hate it; how I hate it! Of all the people I know, there are but two,
+besides my uncle, who do not either covet, or detest me. And who are
+those two, think you?"
+
+"Gwenny, for one," I answered.
+
+"Yes, Gwenny, for one. And the queen, for the other. The one is too far
+below me (I mean, in her own opinion), and the other too high above.
+As for the women who dislike me, without having even heard my voice, I
+simply have nothing to do with them. As for the men who covet me, for
+my land and money, I merely compare them with you, John Ridd; and all
+thought of them is over. Oh, John, you must never forsake me, however
+cross I am to you. I thought you would have gone, just now; and though I
+would not move to stop you, my heart would have broken."
+
+"You don't catch me go in a hurry," I answered very sensibly, "when the
+loveliest maiden in all the world, and the best, and the dearest, loves
+me. All my fear of you is gone, darling Lorna, all my fear--"
+
+"Is it possible you could fear me, John, after all we have been through
+together? Now you promised not to interrupt me; is this fair behaviour?
+Well, let me see where I left off--oh, that my heart would have broken.
+Upon that point, I will say no more, lest you should grow conceited,
+John; if anything could make you so. But I do assure you that half
+London--however, upon that point also I will check my power of speech,
+lest you think me conceited. And now to put aside all nonsense; though I
+have talked none for a year, John, having been so unhappy; and now it is
+such a relief to me--"
+
+"Then talk it for an hour," said I; "and let me sit and watch you. To me
+it is the very sweetest of all sweetest wisdom."
+
+"Nay, there is no time," she answered, glancing at a jewelled timepiece,
+scarcely larger than an oyster, which she drew from her waist-band; and
+then she pushed it away, in confusion, lest its wealth should startle
+me. "My uncle will come home in less than half an hour, dear: and you
+are not the one to take a side-passage, and avoid him. I shall tell him
+that you have been here; and that I mean you to come again."
+
+As Lorna said this, with a manner as confident as need be, I saw that
+she had learned in town the power of her beauty, and knew that she could
+do with most men aught she set her mind upon. And as she stood there,
+flushed with pride and faith in her own loveliness, and radiant with the
+love itself, I felt that she must do exactly as she pleased with every
+one. For now, in turn, and elegance, and richness, and variety, there
+was nothing to compare with her face, unless it were her figure.
+Therefore I gave in, and said,--
+
+"Darling, do just what you please. Only make no rogue of me."
+
+For that she gave me the simplest, kindest, and sweetest of all kisses;
+and I went down the great stairs grandly, thinking of nothing else but
+that.
+
+[Illustration: 631.jpg Old London Bridge]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LXVIII
+
+JOHN IS JOHN NO LONGER
+
+[Illustration: 632.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+It would be hard for me to tell the state of mind in which I lived for a
+long time after this. I put away from me all torment, and the thought of
+future cares, and the sight of difficulty; and to myself appeared,
+which means that I became the luckiest of lucky fellows, since the world
+itself began. I thought not of the harvest even, nor of the men who
+would get their wages without having earned them, nor of my mother's
+anxiety and worry about John Fry's great fatness (which was growing upon
+him), and how she would cry fifty times in a day, "Ah, if our John would
+only come home, how different everything would look!"
+
+Although there were no soldiers now quartered at Plover's Barrows, all
+being busied in harassing the country, and hanging the people where the
+rebellion had thriven most, my mother, having received from me a message
+containing my place of abode, contrived to send me, by the pack-horses,
+as fine a maund as need be of provisions, and money, and other comforts.
+Therein I found addressed to Colonel Jeremiah Stickles, in Lizzie's best
+handwriting, half a side of the dried deer's flesh, in which he rejoiced
+so greatly. Also, for Lorna, a fine green goose, with a little salt
+towards the tail, and new-laid eggs inside it, as well as a bottle of
+brandied cherries, and seven, or it may have been eight pounds of fresh
+homemade butter. Moreover, to myself there was a letter full of good
+advice, excellently well expressed, and would have been of the greatest
+value, if I had cared to read it. But I read all about the farm affairs,
+and the man who had offered himself to our Betty for the five pounds
+in her stocking; as well as the antics of Sally Snowe, and how she had
+almost thrown herself at Parson Bowden's head (old enough to be her
+grandfather), because on the Sunday after the hanging of a Countisbury
+man, he had preached a beautiful sermon about Christian love; which
+Lizzie, with her sharp eyes, found to be the work of good Bishop Ken.
+Also I read that the Doones were quiet; the parishes round about having
+united to feed them well through the harvest time, so that after the
+day's hard work, the farmers might go to bed at night. And this plan had
+been found to answer well, and to save much trouble on both sides, so
+that everybody wondered it had not been done before. But Lizzie thought
+that the Doones could hardly be expected much longer to put up with it,
+and probably would not have done so now, but for a little adversity; to
+wit, that the famous Colonel Kirke had, in the most outrageous manner,
+hanged no less than six of them, who were captured among the rebels;
+for he said that men of their rank and breeding, and above all of
+their religion, should have known better than to join plough-boys, and
+carters, and pickaxemen, against our Lord the King, and his Holiness
+the Pope. This hanging of so many Doones caused some indignation among
+people who were used to them; and it seemed for a while to check the
+rest from any spirit of enterprise.
+
+Moreover, I found from this same letter (which was pinned upon the
+knuckle of a leg of mutton, for fear of being lost in straw) that good
+Tom Faggus was at home again, and nearly cured of his dreadful wound;
+but intended to go to war no more, only to mind his family. And it
+grieved him more than anything he ever could have imagined, that his
+duty to his family, and the strong power of his conscience, so totally
+forbade him to come up and see after me. For now his design was to lead
+a new life, and be in charity with all men. Many better men than he had
+been hanged, he saw no cause to doubt; but by the grace of God he hoped
+himself to cheat the gallows.
+
+There was no further news of moment in this very clever letter, except
+that the price of horses' shoes was gone up again, though already
+twopence-farthing each; and that Betty had broken her lover's head with
+the stocking full of money; and then in the corner it was written that
+the distinguished man of war, and worshipful scholar, Master Bloxham,
+was now promoted to take the tolls, and catch all the rebels around our
+part.
+
+Lorna was greatly pleased with the goose, and the butter, and the
+brandied cherries; and the Earl Brandir himself declared that he never
+tasted better than those last, and would beg the young man from the
+country to procure him instructions for making them. This nobleman,
+being as deaf as a post, and of a very solid mind, could never be
+brought to understand the nature of my thoughts towards Lorna. He looked
+upon me as an excellent youth, who had rescued the maiden from the
+Doones, whom he cordially detested; and learning that I had thrown two
+of them out of window (as the story was told him), he patted me on the
+back, and declared that his doors would ever be open to me, and that I
+could not come too often.
+
+I thought this very kind of his lordship, especially as it enabled me to
+see my darling Lorna, not indeed as often as I wished, but at any
+rate very frequently, and as many times as modesty (ever my leading
+principle) would in common conscience approve of. And I made up my mind
+that if ever I could help Earl Brandir, it would be--as we say, when
+with brandy and water--the "proudest moment of my life," when I could
+fulfil the pledge.
+
+And I soon was able to help Lord Brandir, as I think, in two different
+ways; first of all as regarded his mind, and then as concerned his body:
+and the latter perhaps was the greatest service, at his time of life.
+But not to be too nice about that; let me tell how these things were.
+
+Lorna said to me one day, being in a state of excitement--whereto she
+was over prone, when reft of my slowness to steady her,--
+
+"I will tell him, John; I must tell him, John. It is mean of me to
+conceal it."
+
+I thought that she meant all about our love, which we had endeavoured
+thrice to drill into his fine old ears; but could not make him
+comprehend, without risk of bringing the house down: and so I said, "By
+all means; darling; have another try at it."
+
+Lorna, however, looked at me--for her eyes told more than tongue--as
+much as to say, "Well, you are a stupid. We agreed to let that subject
+rest." And then she saw that I was vexed at my own want of quickness;
+and so she spoke very kindly,--
+
+"I meant about his poor son, dearest; the son of his old age almost;
+whose loss threw him into that dreadful cold--for he went, without hat,
+to look for him--which ended in his losing the use of his dear old ears.
+I believe if we could only get him to Plover's Barrows for a month, he
+would be able to hear again. And look at his age! he is not much over
+seventy, John, you know; and I hope that you will be able to hear me,
+long after you are seventy, John."
+
+"Well," said I, "God settles that. Or at any rate, He leaves us time
+to think about those questions, when we are over fifty. Now let me know
+what you want, Lorna. The idea of my being seventy! But you would still
+be beautiful."
+
+"To the one who loves me," she answered, trying to make wrinkles in her
+pure bright forehead: "but if you will have common sense, as you always
+will, John, whether I wish it or otherwise--I want to know whether I am
+bound, in honour, and in conscience, to tell my dear and good old uncle
+what I know about his son?"
+
+"First let me understand quite clearly," said I, never being in a hurry,
+except when passion moves me, "what his lordship thinks at present; and
+how far his mind is urged with sorrow and anxiety." This was not the
+first time we had spoken of the matter.
+
+"Why, you know, John, well enough," she answered, wondering at my
+coolness, "that my poor uncle still believes that his one beloved
+son will come to light and live again. He has made all arrangements
+accordingly: all his property is settled on that supposition. He knows
+that young Alan always was what he calls a 'feckless ne'er-do-weel;' but
+he loves him all the more for that. He cannot believe that he will die,
+without his son coming back to him; and he always has a bedroom ready,
+and a bottle of Alan's favourite wine cool from out the cellar; he has
+made me work him a pair of slippers from the size of a mouldy boot; and
+if he hears of a new tobacco--much as he hates the smell of it--he will
+go to the other end of London to get some for Alan. Now you know how
+deaf he is; but if any one say, 'Alan,' even in the place outside the
+door, he will make his courteous bow to the very highest visitor, and be
+out there in a moment, and search the entire passage, and yet let no one
+know it."
+
+"It is a piteous thing," I said; for Lorna's eyes were full of tears.
+
+"And he means me to marry him. It is the pet scheme of his life. I am
+to grow more beautiful, and more highly taught, and graceful; until
+it pleases Alan to come back, and demand me. Can you understand this
+matter, John? Or do you think my uncle mad?"
+
+"Lorna, I should be mad myself, to call any other man mad, for hoping."
+
+"Then will you tell me what to do? It makes me very sorrowful. For I
+know that Alan Brandir lies below the sod in Doone-valley."
+
+"And if you tell his father," I answered softly, but clearly, "in a few
+weeks he will lie below the sod in London; at least if there is any."
+
+"Perhaps you are right, John," she replied: "to lose hope must be a
+dreadful thing, when one is turned of seventy. Therefore I will never
+tell him."
+
+The other way in which I managed to help the good Earl Brandir was of
+less true moment to him; but as he could not know of the first, this was
+the one which moved him. And it happened pretty much as follows--though
+I hardly like to tell, because it advanced me to such a height as I
+myself was giddy at; and which all my friends resented greatly (save
+those of my own family), and even now are sometimes bitter, in spite of
+all my humility. Now this is a matter of history, because the King was
+concerned in it; and being so strongly misunderstood, (especially in
+my own neighbourhood, I will overcome so far as I can) my diffidence in
+telling it.
+
+The good Earl Brandir was a man of the noblest charity. True charity
+begins at home, and so did his; and was afraid of losing the way, if it
+went abroad. So this good nobleman kept his money in a handsome
+pewter box, with his coat of arms upon it, and a double lid and locks.
+Moreover, there was a heavy chain, fixed to a staple in the wall, so
+that none might carry off the pewter with the gold inside of it. Lorna
+told me the box was full, for she had seen him go to it, and she often
+thought that it would be nice for us to begin the world with. I told
+her that she must not allow her mind to dwell upon things of this sort;
+being wholly against the last commandment set up in our church at Oare.
+
+Now one evening towards September, when the days were drawing in,
+looking back at the house to see whether Lorna were looking after me,
+I espied (by a little glimpse, as it were) a pair of villainous fellows
+(about whom there could be no mistake) watching from the thicket-corner,
+some hundred yards or so behind the good Earl's dwelling. "There is
+mischief afoot," thought I to myself, being thoroughly conversant with
+theft, from my knowledge of the Doones; "how will be the moon to-night,
+and when may we expect the watch?"
+
+I found that neither moon nor watch could be looked for until the
+morning; the moon, of course, before the watch, and more likely to be
+punctual. Therefore I resolved to wait, and see what those two villains
+did, and save (if it were possible) the Earl of Brandir's pewter box.
+But inasmuch as those bad men were almost sure to have seen me leaving
+the house and looking back, and striking out on the London road, I
+marched along at a merry pace, until they could not discern me; and
+then I fetched a compass round, and refreshed myself at a certain inn,
+entitled The Cross-bones and Buttons.
+
+Here I remained until it was very nearly as dark as pitch; and the house
+being full of footpads and cutthroats, I thought it right to leave them.
+One or two came after me, in the hope of designing a stratagem; but I
+dropped them in the darkness; and knowing all the neighbourhood well, I
+took up my position, two hours before midnight, among the shrubs at the
+eastern end of Lord Brandir's mansion. Hence, although I might not see,
+I could scarcely fail to hear, if any unlawful entrance either at back
+or front were made.
+
+From my own observation, I thought it likely that the attack would be
+in the rear; and so indeed it came to pass. For when all the lights were
+quenched, and all the house was quiet, I heard a low and wily whistle
+from a clump of trees close by; and then three figures passed between me
+and a whitewashed wall, and came to a window which opened into a part
+of the servants' basement. This window was carefully raised by some one
+inside the house; and after a little whispering, and something which
+sounded like a kiss, all the three men entered.
+
+"Oh, you villains!" I said to myself, "this is worse than any Doone job;
+because there is treachery in it." But without waiting to consider the
+subject from a moral point of view, I crept along the wall, and entered
+very quietly after them; being rather uneasy about my life, because I
+bore no fire-arms, and had nothing more than my holly staff, for even a
+violent combat.
+
+To me this was matter of deep regret, as I followed these vile men
+inward. Nevertheless I was resolved that my Lorna should not be robbed
+again. Through us (or at least through our Annie) she had lost that
+brilliant necklace; which then was her only birthright: therefore it
+behoved me doubly, to preserve the pewter box; which must belong to her
+in the end, unless the thieves got hold of it.
+
+I went along very delicately (as a man who has learned to wrestle can
+do, although he may weigh twenty stone), following carefully the light,
+brought by the traitorous maid, and shaking in her loose dishonest hand.
+I saw her lead the men into a little place called a pantry; and there
+she gave them cordials, and I could hear them boasting.
+
+Not to be too long over it--which they were much inclined to be--I
+followed them from this drinking-bout, by the aid of the light they
+bore, as far as Earl Brandir's bedroom, which I knew, because Lorna had
+shown it to me that I might admire the tapestry. But I had said that no
+horse could ever be shod as the horses were shod therein, unless he had
+the foot of a frog, as well as a frog to his foot. And Lorna had been
+vexed at this (as taste and high art always are, at any small accurate
+knowledge), and so she had brought me out again, before I had time to
+admire things.
+
+Now, keeping well away in the dark, yet nearer than was necessary to my
+own dear Lorna's room, I saw these fellows try the door of the good Earl
+Brandir, knowing from the maid, of course, that his lordship could hear
+nothing, except the name of Alan. They tried the lock, and pushed at it,
+and even set their knees upright; but a Scottish nobleman may be trusted
+to secure his door at night. So they were forced to break it open; and
+at this the guilty maid, or woman, ran away. These three rogues--for
+rogues they were, and no charity may deny it--burst into Earl Brandir's
+room, with a light, and a crowbar, and fire-arms. I thought to myself
+that this was hard upon an honest nobleman; and if further mischief
+could be saved, I would try to save it.
+
+When I came to the door of the room, being myself in shadow, I beheld
+two bad men trying vainly to break open the pewter box, and the third
+with a pistol-muzzle laid to the night-cap of his lordship. With foul
+face and yet fouler words, this man was demanding the key of the box,
+which the other men could by no means open, neither drag it from the
+chain.
+
+[Illustration: 639.jpg Two bad men]
+
+"I tell you," said this aged Earl, beginning to understand at last what
+these rogues were up for; "I will give no key to you. It all belongs to
+my boy, Alan. No one else shall have a farthing."
+
+"Then you may count your moments, lord. The key is in your old cramped
+hand. One, two, and at three, I shoot you."
+
+I saw that the old man was abroad; not with fear, but with great wonder,
+and the regrets of deafness. And I saw that rather would he be shot
+than let these men go rob his son, buried now, or laid to bleach in the
+tangles of the wood, three, or it might be four years agone, but still
+alive to his father. Hereupon my heart was moved; and I resolved to
+interfere. The thief with the pistol began to count, as I crossed the
+floor very quietly, while the old Earl fearfully gazed at the muzzle,
+but clenched still tighter his wrinkled hand. The villain, with hair all
+over his eyes, and the great horse-pistol levelled, cried "three," and
+pulled the trigger; but luckily, at that very moment, I struck up the
+barrel with my staff, so that the shot pierced the tester, and then
+with a spin and a thwack I brought the good holly down upon the rascal's
+head, in a manner which stretched him upon the floor.
+
+Meanwhile the other two robbers had taken the alarm, and rushed at me,
+one with a pistol and one with a hanger; which forced me to be very
+lively. Fearing the pistol most, I flung the heavy velvet curtain of the
+bed across, that he might not see where to aim at me, and then stooping
+very quickly I caught up the senseless robber, and set him up for a
+shield and target; whereupon he was shot immediately, without having the
+pain of knowing it; and a happy thing it was for him. Now the other two
+were at my mercy, being men below the average strength; and no hanger,
+except in most skilful hands, as well as firm and strong ones, has
+any chance to a powerful man armed with a stout cudgel, and thoroughly
+practised in single-stick.
+
+So I took these two rogues, and bound them together; and leaving them
+under charge of the butler (a worthy and shrewd Scotchman), I myself
+went in search of the constables, whom, after some few hours, I found;
+neither were they so drunk but what they could take roped men to prison.
+In the morning, these two men were brought before the Justices of the
+Peace: and now my wonderful luck appeared; for the merit of having
+defeated, and caught them, would never have raised me one step in the
+State, or in public consideration, if they had only been common robbers,
+or even notorious murderers. But when these fellows were recognised,
+by some one in the court, as Protestant witnesses out of employment,
+companions and understrappers to Oates, and Bedloe, and Carstairs, and
+hand in glove with Dangerfield, Turberville; and Dugdale--in a word, the
+very men against whom His Majesty the King bore the bitterest rancour,
+but whom he had hitherto failed to catch--when this was laid before the
+public (with emphasis and admiration), at least a dozen men came
+up, whom I had never seen before, and prayed me to accept their
+congratulations, and to be sure to remember them; for all were of
+neglected merit, and required no more than a piece of luck.
+
+I answered them very modestly, and each according to his worth, as
+stated by himself, who of course could judge the best. The magistrate
+made me many compliments, ten times more than I deserved, and took good
+care to have them copied, that His Majesty might see them. And ere the
+case was thoroughly heard, and those poor fellows were committed, more
+than a score of generous men had offered to lend me a hundred pounds,
+wherewith to buy a new Court suit, when called before His Majesty.
+
+Now this may seem very strange to us who live in a better and purer
+age--or say at least that we do so--and yet who are we to condemn our
+fathers for teaching us better manners, and at their own expense? With
+these points any virtuous man is bound to deal quite tenderly, making
+allowance for corruption, and not being too sure of himself. And to tell
+the truth, although I had seen so little of the world as yet, that which
+astonished me in the matter, was not so much that they paid me court, as
+that they found out so soon the expediency of doing it.
+
+In the course of that same afternoon I was sent for by His Majesty. He
+had summoned first the good Earl Brandir, and received the tale from
+him, not without exaggeration, although my lord was a Scotchman. But
+the chief thing His Majesty cared to know was that, beyond all possible
+doubt, these were the very precious fellows from perjury turned to
+robbery.
+
+Being fully assured at last of this, His Majesty had rubbed his hands,
+and ordered the boots of a stricter pattern (which he himself had
+invented) to be brought at once, that he might have them in the best
+possible order. And he oiled them himself, and expressed his fear that
+there was no man in London quite competent to work them. Nevertheless
+he would try one or two, rather than wait for his pleasure, till the
+torturer came from Edinburgh.
+
+The next thing he did was to send for me; and in great alarm and flurry
+I put on my best clothes, and hired a fashionable hairdresser, and drank
+half a gallon of ale, because both my hands were shaking. Then forth I
+set, with my holly staff, wishing myself well out of it. I was shown at
+once, and before I desired it, into His Majesty's presence, and there I
+stood most humbly, and made the best bow I could think of.
+
+As I could not advance any farther--for I saw that the Queen was
+present, which frightened me tenfold--His Majesty, in the most gracious
+manner, came down the room to encourage me. And as I remained with my
+head bent down, he told me to stand up, and look at him.
+
+"I have seen thee before, young man," he said; "thy form is not one to be
+forgotten. Where was it? Thou art most likely to know."
+
+"May it please Your Most Gracious Majesty the King," I answered, finding
+my voice in a manner which surprised myself; "it was in the Royal
+Chapel."
+
+Now I meant no harm whatever by this. I ought to have said the
+"Ante-chapel," but I could not remember the word, and feared to keep the
+King looking at me.
+
+"I am well-pleased," said His Majesty, with a smile which almost made
+his dark and stubborn face look pleasant, "to find that our greatest
+subject, greatest I mean in the bodily form, is also a good Catholic.
+Thou needest not say otherwise. The time shall be, and that right soon,
+when men shall be proud of the one true faith." Here he stopped, having
+gone rather far! but the gleam of his heavy eyes was such that I durst
+not contradict.
+
+"This is that great Johann Reed," said Her Majesty, coming forward,
+because the King was in meditation; "for whom I have so much heard, from
+the dear, dear Lorna. Ah, she is not of this black countree, she is of
+the breet Italie."
+
+I have tried to write it, as she said it: but it wants a better scholar
+to express her mode of speech.
+
+"Now, John Ridd," said the King, recovering from his thoughts about the
+true Church, and thinking that his wife was not to take the lead upon
+me; "thou hast done great service to the realm, and to religion. It was
+good to save Earl Brandir, a loyal and Catholic nobleman; but it was
+great service to catch two of the vilest bloodhounds ever laid on by
+heretics. And to make them shoot one another: it was rare; it was rare,
+my lad. Now ask us anything in reason; thou canst carry any honours, on
+thy club, like Hercules. What is thy chief ambition, lad?"
+
+"Well," said I, after thinking a little, and meaning to make the most
+of it, for so the Queen's eyes conveyed to me; "my mother always used to
+think that having been schooled at Tiverton, with thirty marks a year to
+pay, I was worthy of a coat of arms. And that is what she longs for."
+
+"A good lad! A very good lad," said the King, and he looked at the
+Queen, as if almost in joke; "but what is thy condition in life?"
+
+"I am a freeholder," I answered, in my confusion, "ever since the time
+of King Alfred. A Ridd was with him in the isle of Athelney, and we hold
+our farm by gift from him; or at least people say so. We have had three
+very good harvests running, and might support a coat of arms; but for
+myself I want it not."
+
+"Thou shalt have a coat, my lad," said the King, smiling at his own
+humour; "but it must be a large one to fit thee. And more than that
+shalt thou have, John Ridd, being of such loyal breed, and having done
+such service."
+
+And while I wondered what he meant, he called to some of the people in
+waiting at the farther end of the room, and they brought him a little
+sword, such as Annie would skewer a turkey with. Then he signified to me
+to kneel, which I did (after dusting the board, for the sake of my
+best breeches), and then he gave me a little tap very nicely upon my
+shoulder, before I knew what he was up to; and said, "Arise, Sir John
+Ridd!"
+
+This astonished and amazed me to such extent of loss of mind, that when
+I got up I looked about, and thought what the Snowes would think of it.
+And I said to the King, without forms of speech,--
+
+"Sir, I am very much obliged. But what be I to do with it?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LXIX
+
+NOT TO BE PUT UP WITH
+
+[Illustration: 644.jpg Coat of Arms]
+
+The coat of arms, devised for me by the Royal heralds, was of great
+size, and rich colours, and full of bright imaginings. They did me the
+honour to consult me first, and to take no notice of my advice. For I
+begged that there might be a good-sized cow on it, so as to stamp our
+pats of butter before they went to market: also a horse on the other
+side, and a flock snowed up at the bottom. But the gentlemen would not
+hear of this; and to find something more appropriate, they inquired
+strictly into the annals of our family. I told them, of course, all
+about King Alfred; upon which they settled that one quarter should be,
+three cakes on a bar, with a lion regardant, done upon a field of gold.
+Also I told them that very likely there had been a Ridd in the battle
+fought, not very far from Plover's Barrows, by the Earl of Devon against
+the Danes, when Hubba their chief was killed, and the sacred standard
+taken. As some of the Danes are said to be buried, even upon land
+of ours, and we call their graves (if such they be) even to this day
+"barrows," the heralds quite agreed with me that a Ridd might have been
+there, or thereabouts; and if he was there, he was almost certain to
+have done his best, being in sight of hearth and home; and it was plain
+that he must have had good legs to be at the same time both there and in
+Athelney; and good legs are an argument for good arms; and supposing
+a man of this sort to have done his utmost (as the manner of the Ridds
+is), it was next to certain that he himself must have captured the
+standard. Moreover, the name of our farm was pure proof; a plover being
+a wild bird, just the same as a raven is. Upon this chain of reasoning,
+and without any weak misgivings, they charged my growing escutcheon with
+a black raven on a ground of red. And the next thing which I mentioned
+possessing absolute certainty, to wit, that a pig with two heads had
+been born upon our farm, not more than two hundred years agone (although
+he died within a week), my third quarter was made at once, by a
+two-headed boar with noble tusks, sable upon silver. All this was very
+fierce and fine; and so I pressed for a peaceful corner in the lower
+dexter, and obtained a wheat-sheaf set upright, gold upon a field of
+green.
+
+[Illustration: 645.jpg John Ridd admiring his coat of arms]
+
+Here I was inclined to pause, and admire the effect; for even De
+Whichehalse could not show a bearing so magnificent. But the heralds
+said that it looked a mere sign-board, without a good motto under it;
+and the motto must have my name in it. They offered me first, "_Ridd
+non ridendus_"; but I said, "for God's sake, gentlemen, let me forget my
+Latin." Then they proposed, "Ridd readeth riddles": but I begged them
+not to set down such a lie; for no Ridd ever had made, or made out, such
+a thing as a riddle, since Exmoor itself began. Thirdly, they gave me,
+"Ridd never be ridden," and fearing to make any further objections, I
+let them inscribe it in bronze upon blue. The heralds thought that the
+King would pay for this noble achievement; but His Majesty, although
+graciously pleased with their ingenuity, declined in the most decided
+manner to pay a farthing towards it; and as I had now no money left, the
+heralds became as blue as azure, and as red as gules; until Her Majesty
+the Queen came forward very kindly, and said that if His Majesty gave
+me a coat of arms, I was not to pay for it; therefore she herself did so
+quite handsomely, and felt goodwill towards me in consequence.
+
+Now being in a hurry--so far at least as it is in my nature to hurry--to
+get to the end of this narrative, is it likely that I would have dwelled
+so long upon my coat of arms, but for some good reason? And this good
+reason is that Lorna took the greatest pride in it, and thought (or at
+any rate said) that it quite threw into the shade, and eclipsed, all her
+own ancient glories. And half in fun, and half in earnest, she called
+me "Sir John" so continually, that at last I was almost angry with
+her; until her eyes were bedewed with tears; and then I was angry with
+myself.
+
+Beginning to be short of money, and growing anxious about the farm,
+longing also to show myself and my noble escutcheon to mother, I
+took advantage of Lady Lorna's interest with the Queen, to obtain my
+acquittance and full discharge from even nominal custody. It had been
+intended to keep me in waiting, until the return of Lord Jeffreys, from
+that awful circuit of shambles, through which his name is still used by
+mothers to frighten their children into bed. And right glad was
+I--for even London shrank with horror at the news--to escape a man
+so bloodthirsty, savage, and even to his friends (among whom I was
+reckoned) malignant.
+
+Earl Brandir was greatly pleased with me, not only for having saved his
+life, but for saving that which he valued more, the wealth laid by for
+Lord Alan. And he introduced me to many great people, who quite kindly
+encouraged me, and promised to help me in every way when they heard how
+the King had spoken. As for the furrier, he could never have enough of
+my society; and this worthy man, praying my commendation, demanded of me
+one thing only--to speak of him as I found him. As I had found him many
+a Sunday, furbishing up old furs for new, with a glaze to conceal the
+moths' ravages, I begged him to reconsider the point, and not to demand
+such accuracy. He said, "Well, well; all trades had tricks, especially
+the trick of business; and I must take him--if I were his true
+friend--according to his own description." This I was glad enough to do;
+because it saved so much trouble, and I had no money to spend with him.
+But still he requested the use of my name; and I begged him to do the
+best with it, as I never had kept a banker. And the "John Ridd cuffs,"
+and the "Sir John mantles," and the "Holly-staff capes," he put into
+his window, as the winter was coming on, ay and sold (for everybody was
+burning with gossip about me), must have made this good man's fortune;
+since the excess of price over value is the true test of success in
+life.
+
+To come away from all this stuff, which grieves a man in London--when
+the brisk air of the autumn cleared its way to Ludgate Hill, and clever
+'prentices ran out, and sniffed at it, and fed upon it (having little
+else to eat); and when the horses from the country were a goodly sight
+to see, with the rasp of winter bristles rising through and among the
+soft summer-coat; and when the new straw began to come in, golden
+with the harvest gloss, and smelling most divinely at those strange
+livery-stables, where the nags are put quite tail to tail; and when
+all the London folk themselves are asking about white frost (from
+recollections of childhood); then, I say, such a yearning seized me for
+moory crag, and for dewy blade, and even the grunting of our sheep (when
+the sun goes down), that nothing but the new wisps of Samson could have
+held me in London town.
+
+Lorna was moved with equal longing towards the country and country ways;
+and she spoke quite as much of the glistening dew as she did of the
+smell of our oven. And here let me mention--although the two are quite
+distinct and different--that both the dew and the bread of Exmoor may
+be sought, whether high or low, but never found elsewhere. The dew is so
+crisp, and pure, and pearly, and in such abundance; and the bread is so
+sweet, so kind, and homely, you can eat a loaf, and then another.
+
+Now while I was walking daily in and out great crowds of men (few of
+whom had any freedom from the cares of money, and many of whom were
+even morbid with a worse pest called "politics"), I could not be quit of
+thinking how we jostle one another. God has made the earth quite large,
+with a spread of land large enough for all to live on, without fighting.
+Also a mighty spread of water, laying hands on sand and cliff with a
+solemn voice in storm-time; and in the gentle weather moving men to
+thoughts of equity. This, as well, is full of food; being two-thirds of
+the world, and reserved for devouring knowledge; by the time the sons
+of men have fed away the dry land. Yet before the land itself has
+acknowledged touch of man, upon one in a hundred acres; and before one
+mile in ten thousand of the exhaustless ocean has ever felt the plunge
+of hook, or combing of the haul-nets; lo, we crawl, in flocks together
+upon the hot ground that stings us, even as the black grubs crowd upon
+the harried nettle! Surely we are too much given to follow the tracks of
+each other.
+
+However, for a moralist, I never set up, and never shall, while common
+sense abides with me. Such a man must be very wretched in this pure
+dearth of morality; like a fisherman where no fish be; and most of us
+have enough to do to attend to our own morals. Enough that I resolved
+to go; and as Lorna could not come with me, it was even worse than
+stopping. Nearly everybody vowed that I was a great fool indeed, to
+neglect so rudely--which was the proper word, they said--the pushing
+of my fortunes. But I answered that to push was rude, and I left it to
+people who had no room; and thought that my fortune must be heavy, if it
+would not move without pushing.
+
+Lorna cried when I came away (which gave me great satisfaction), and she
+sent a whole trunkful of things for mother and Annie, and even Lizzie.
+And she seemed to think, though she said it not, that I made my own
+occasion for going, and might have stayed on till the winter. Whereas
+I knew well that my mother would think (and every one on the farm the
+same) that here I had been in London, lagging, and taking my pleasure,
+and looking at shops, upon pretence of King's business, and leaving the
+harvest to reap itself, not to mention the spending of money; while all
+the time there was nothing whatever, except my own love of adventure
+and sport, to keep me from coming home again. But I knew that my coat
+of arms, and title, would turn every bit of this grumbling into fine
+admiration.
+
+And so it fell out, to a greater extent than even I desired; for all
+the parishes round about united in a sumptuous dinner, at the Mother
+Melldrum inn--for now that good lady was dead, and her name and face
+set on a sign-post--to which I was invited, so that it was as good as a
+summons. And if my health was no better next day, it was not from want
+of good wishes, any more than from stint of the liquor.
+
+It is needless to say that the real gentry for a long time treated my
+new honours with contempt and ridicule; but gradually as they found that
+I was not such a fool as to claim any equality with them, but went about
+my farm-work, and threw another man at wrestling, and touched my hat to
+the magistrates, just the same as ever; some gentlemen of the highest
+blood--of which we think a great deal more than of gold, around our
+neighbourhood--actually expressed a desire to make my acquaintance.
+And when, in a manner quite straightforward, and wholly free from
+bitterness, I thanked them for this (which appeared to me the highest
+honour yet offered me), but declined to go into their company because it
+would make me uncomfortable, and themselves as well, in a different
+way, they did what nearly all Englishmen do, when a thing is right and
+sensible. They shook hands with me; and said that they could not deny
+but that there was reason in my view of the matter. And although they
+themselves must be the losers--which was a handsome thing to say--they
+would wait until I was a little older and more aware of my own value.
+
+Now this reminds me how it is that an English gentleman is so far in
+front of foreign noblemen and princes. I have seen at times, a little,
+both of one and of the other, and making more than due allowance for
+the difficulties of language, and the difference of training, upon the
+whole, the balance is in favour of our people. And this, because we have
+two weights, solid and (even in scale of manners) outweighing all light
+complaisance; to wit, the inborn love of justice, and the power of
+abiding.
+
+Yet some people may be surprised that men with any love of justice,
+whether inborn or otherwise, could continue to abide the arrogance, and
+rapacity, and tyranny of the Doones.
+
+For now as the winter passed, the Doones were not keeping themselves at
+home, as in honour they were bound to do. Twenty sheep a week, and one
+fat ox, and two stout red deer (for wholesome change of diet), as well
+as threescore bushels of flour, and two hogsheads and a half of cider,
+and a hundredweight of candles, not to mention other things of almost
+every variety which they got by insisting upon it--surely these might
+have sufficed to keep the people in their place, with no outburst of
+wantonness. Nevertheless, it was not so; they had made complaint about
+something--too much ewe-mutton, I think it was--and in spite of all the
+pledges given, they had ridden forth, and carried away two maidens of
+our neighbourhood.
+
+Now these two maidens were known, because they had served the beer at
+an ale-house; and many men who had looked at them, over a pint or quart
+vessel (especially as they were comely girls), thought that it was very
+hard for them to go in that way, and perhaps themselves unwilling. And
+their mother (although she had taken some money, which the Doones were
+always full of) declared that it was a robbery; and though it increased
+for a while the custom, that must soon fall off again. And who would
+have her two girls now, clever as they were and good?
+
+Before we had finished meditating upon this loose outrage--for so I
+at least would call it, though people accustomed to the law may take a
+different view of it--we had news of a thing far worse, which turned the
+hearts of our women sick. This I will tell in most careful language, so
+as to give offence to none, if skill of words may help it.*
+
+     * The following story is strictly true; and true it is that
+     the country-people rose, to a man, at this dastard cruelty,
+     and did what the Government failed to do.--Ed. L.D.
+
+Mistress Margery Badcock, a healthy and upright young woman, with a
+good rich colour, and one of the finest hen-roosts anywhere round our
+neighbourhood, was nursing her child about six of the clock, and
+looking out for her husband. Now this child was too old to be nursed, as
+everybody told her; for he could run, say two yards alone, and perhaps
+four or five, by holding to handles. And he had a way of looking round,
+and spreading his legs, and laughing, with his brave little body well
+fetched up, after a desperate journey to the end of the table, which
+his mother said nothing could equal. Nevertheless, he would come to
+be nursed, as regular as a clock, almost; and, inasmuch as he was
+the first, both father and mother made much of him; for God only knew
+whether they could ever compass such another one.
+
+Christopher Badcock was a tenant farmer, in the parish of Martinhoe,
+renting some fifty acres of land, with a right of common attached to
+them; and at this particular time, being now the month of February,
+and fine open weather, he was hard at work ploughing and preparing for
+spring corn. Therefore his wife was not surprised although the dusk
+was falling, that farmer Christopher should be at work in "blind man's
+holiday," as we call it.
+
+But she was surprised, nay astonished, when by the light of the kitchen
+fire (brightened up for her husband), she saw six or seven great armed
+men burst into the room upon her; and she screamed so that the maid in
+the back kitchen heard her, but was afraid to come to help. Two of the
+strongest and fiercest men at once seized poor young Margery; and though
+she fought for her child and home, she was but an infant herself in
+their hands. In spite of tears, and shrieks, and struggles, they tore
+the babe from the mother's arms, and cast it on the lime ash floor; then
+they bore her away to their horses (for by this time she was senseless),
+and telling the others to sack the house, rode off with their prize to
+the valley. And from the description of one of those two, who carried
+off the poor woman, I knew beyond all doubt that it was Carver Doone
+himself.
+
+[Illustration: 652.jpg Siezed poor Margery]
+
+The other Doones being left behind, and grieved perhaps in some
+respects, set to with a will to scour the house, and to bring away all
+that was good to eat. And being a little vexed herein (for the Badcocks
+were not a rich couple) and finding no more than bacon, and eggs, and
+cheese, and little items, and nothing to drink but water; in a word,
+their taste being offended, they came back, to the kitchen, and stamped;
+and there was the baby lying.
+
+By evil luck, this child began to squeal about his mother, having been
+petted hitherto, and wont to get all he wanted, by raising his voice but
+a little. Now the mark of the floor was upon his head, as the maid (who
+had stolen to look at him, when the rough men were swearing upstairs)
+gave evidence. And she put a dish-cloth under his head, and kissed him,
+and ran away again. Her name was Honour Jose, and she meant what was
+right by her master and mistress; but could not help being frightened.
+And many women have blamed her, as I think unduly, for her mode of
+forsaking baby so. If it had been her own baby, instinct rather than
+reason might have had the day with her; but the child being born of her
+mistress, she wished him good luck, and left him, as the fierce men came
+downstairs. And being alarmed by their power of language (because they
+had found no silver), she crept away in a breathless hurry, and afraid
+how her breath might come back to her. For oftentime she had hiccoughs.
+
+While this good maid was in the oven, by side of back-kitchen fireplace,
+with a faggot of wood drawn over her, and lying so that her own heart
+beat worse than if she were baking; the men (as I said before) came
+downstairs, and stamped around the baby.
+
+"Rowland, is the bacon good?" one of them asked with an oath or two; "it
+is too bad of Carver to go off with the only prize, and leave us in a
+starving cottage; and not enough to eat for two of us. Fetch down the
+staves of the rack, my boy. What was farmer to have for supper?"
+
+"Naught but an onion or two, and a loaf and a rasher of rusty bacon.
+These poor devils live so badly, they are not worth robbing."
+
+"No game! Then let us have a game of loriot with the baby! It will
+be the best thing that could befall a lusty infant heretic. Ride a
+cock-horse to Banbury Cross. Bye, bye, baby Bunting; toss him up, and
+let me see if my wrist be steady."
+
+The cruelty of this man is a thing it makes me sick to speak of; enough
+that when the poor baby fell (without attempt at cry or scream, thinking
+it part of his usual play, when they tossed him up, to come down again),
+the maid in the oven of the back-kitchen, not being any door between,
+heard them say as follows,--
+
+    "If any man asketh who killed thee,
+     Say 'twas the Doones of Bagworthy.'*
+
+          * Always pronounced "Badgery."
+
+Now I think that when we heard this story, and poor Kit Badcock came all
+around, in a sort of half-crazy manner, not looking up at any one,
+but dropping his eyes, and asking whether we thought he had been
+well-treated, and seeming void of regard for life, if this were all the
+style of it; then having known him a lusty man, and a fine singer in an
+ale-house, and much inclined to lay down the law, as show a high hand
+about women, I really think that it moved us more than if he had gone
+about ranting, and raving, and vowing revenge upon every one.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LXX
+
+COMPELLED TO VOLUNTEER
+
+[Illustration: 654.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+There had been some trouble in our own home during the previous autumn,
+while yet I was in London. For certain noted fugitives from the army
+of King Monmouth (which he himself had deserted, in a low and currish
+manner), having failed to obtain free shipment from the coast near
+Watersmouth, had returned into the wilds of Exmoor, trusting to
+lurk, and be comforted among the common people. Neither were they
+disappointed, for a certain length of time; nor in the end was their
+disappointment caused by fault on our part. Major Wade was one of them;
+an active and well-meaning man; but prone to fail in courage, upon
+lasting trial; although in a moment ready. Squire John Whichehalse (not
+the baron) and Parson Powell* caught him (two or three months before my
+return) in Farley farmhouse, near Brendon. He had been up at our house
+several times; and Lizzie thought a great deal of him. And well I know
+that if at that time I had been in the neighbourhood, he should not have
+been taken so easily.
+
+     * Not our parson Bowden, nor any more a friend of his. Our
+     Parson Bowden never had naught whatever to do with it; and
+     never smoked a pipe with Parson Powell after it.--J.R.
+
+John Birch, the farmer who had sheltered him, was so fearful of
+punishment, that he hanged himself, in a few days' time, and even before
+he was apprehended. But nothing was done to Grace Howe, of Bridgeball,
+who had been Wade's greatest comforter; neither was anything done to us;
+although Eliza had added greatly to mother's alarm and danger by falling
+upon Rector Powell, and most soundly rating him for his meanness,
+and his cruelty, and cowardice, as she called it, in setting men
+with firearms upon a poor helpless fugitive, and robbing all our
+neighbourhood of its fame for hospitality. However, by means of Sergeant
+Bloxham, and his good report of us, as well as by virtue of Wade's
+confession (which proved of use to the Government) my mother escaped all
+penalties.
+
+It is likely enough that good folk will think it hard upon our
+neighbourhood to be threatened, and sometimes heavily punished, for
+kindness and humanity; and yet to be left to help ourselves against
+tyranny, and base rapine. And now at last our gorge was risen, and
+our hearts in tumult. We had borne our troubles long, as a wise and
+wholesome chastisement; quite content to have some few things of our own
+unmeddled with. But what could a man dare to call his own, or what right
+could he have to wish for it, while he left his wife and children at the
+pleasure of any stranger?
+
+The people came flocking all around me, at the blacksmith's forge, and
+the Brendon alehouse; and I could scarce come out of church, but they
+got me among the tombstones. They all agreed that I was bound to take
+command and management. I bade them go to the magistrates, but they
+said they had been too often. Then I told them that I had no wits for
+ordering of an armament, although I could find fault enough with the one
+which had not succeeded. But they would hearken to none of this.
+
+All they said was "Try to lead us; and we will try not to run away."
+
+This seemed to me to be common sense, and good stuff, instead of mere
+bragging; moreover, I myself was moved by the bitter wrongs of Margery,
+having known her at the Sunday-school, ere ever I went to Tiverton;
+and having in those days, serious thoughts of making her my
+sweetheart; although she was three years my elder. But now I felt this
+difficulty--the Doones had behaved very well to our farm, and to mother,
+and all of us, while I was away in London. Therefore, would it not be
+shabby, and mean, for me to attack them now?
+
+Yet being pressed still harder and harder, as day by day the excitement
+grew (with more and more talking over it), and no one else coming forward
+to undertake the business, I agreed at last to this; that if the Doones,
+upon fair challenge, would not endeavour to make amends by giving up
+Mistress Margery, as well as the man who had slain the babe, then I
+would lead the expedition, and do my best to subdue them. All our men
+were content with this, being thoroughly well assured from experience,
+that the haughty robbers would only shoot any man who durst approach
+them with such proposal.
+
+And then arose a difficult question--who was to take the risk of making
+overtures so unpleasant? I waited for the rest to offer; and as none was
+ready, the burden fell on me, and seemed to be of my own inviting. Hence
+I undertook the task, sooner than reason about it; for to give the cause
+of everything is worse than to go through with it.
+
+It may have been three of the afternoon, when leaving my witnesses
+behind (for they preferred the background) I appeared with our Lizzie's
+white handkerchief upon a kidney-bean stick, at the entrance to the
+robbers' dwelling. Scarce knowing what might come of it, I had taken the
+wise precaution of fastening a Bible over my heart, and another across
+my spinal column, in case of having to run away, with rude men shooting
+after me. For my mother said that the Word of God would stop a two-inch
+bullet, with three ounces of powder behind it. Now I took no weapons,
+save those of the Spirit, for fear of being misunderstood. But I could
+not bring myself to think that any of honourable birth would take
+advantage of an unarmed man coming in guise of peace to them.
+
+And this conclusion of mine held good, at least for a certain length of
+time; inasmuch as two decent Doones appeared, and hearing of my purpose,
+offered, without violence, to go and fetch the Captain; if I would stop
+where I was, and not begin to spy about anything. To this, of course,
+I agreed at once; for I wanted no more spying, because I had thorough
+knowledge of all ins and outs already. Therefore, I stood waiting
+steadily, with one hand in my pocket feeling a sample of corn for
+market; and the other against the rock, while I wondered to see it so
+brown already.
+
+Those men came back in a little while, with a sharp short message that
+Captain Carver would come out and speak to me by-and-by, when his pipe
+was finished. Accordingly, I waited long, and we talked about the signs
+of bloom for the coming apple season, and the rain that had fallen last
+Wednesday night, and the principal dearth of Devonshire, that it will
+not grow many cowslips--which we quite agreed to be the prettiest of
+spring flowers; and all the time I was wondering how many black and
+deadly deeds these two innocent youths had committed, even since last
+Christmas.
+
+At length, a heavy and haughty step sounded along the stone roof of the
+way; and then the great Carver Doone drew up, and looked at me rather
+scornfully. Not with any spoken scorn, nor flash of strong contumely;
+but with that air of thinking little, and praying not to be troubled,
+which always vexes a man who feels that he ought not to be despised so,
+and yet knows not how to help it.
+
+"What is it you want, young man?" he asked, as if he had never seen me
+before.
+
+In spite of that strong loathing which I always felt at sight of him,
+I commanded my temper moderately, and told him that I was come for his
+good, and that of his worshipful company, far more than for my own.
+That a general feeling of indignation had arisen among us at the recent
+behaviour of certain young men, for which he might not be answerable,
+and for which we would not condemn him, without knowing the rights of
+the question. But I begged him clearly to understand that a vile and
+inhuman wrong had been done, and such as we could not put up with; but
+that if he would make what amends he could by restoring the poor woman,
+and giving up that odious brute who had slain the harmless infant, we
+would take no further motion; and things should go on as usual. As I put
+this in the fewest words that would meet my purpose, I was grieved to
+see a disdainful smile spread on his sallow countenance. Then he made me
+a bow of mock courtesy, and replied as follows,--
+
+[Illustration: 657.jpg Disdainful smile]
+
+"Sir John, your new honours have turned your poor head, as might have
+been expected. We are not in the habit of deserting anything that
+belongs to us; far less our sacred relatives. The insolence of your
+demand well-nigh outdoes the ingratitude. If there be a man upon Exmoor
+who has grossly ill-used us, kidnapped our young women, and slain half
+a dozen of our young men, you are that outrageous rogue, Sir John. And
+after all this, how have we behaved? We have laid no hand upon your
+farm, we have not carried off your women, we have even allowed you to
+take our Queen, by creeping and crawling treachery; and we have given
+you leave of absence to help your cousin the highwayman, and to come
+home with a title. And now, how do you requite us? By inflaming the
+boorish indignation at a little frolic of our young men; and by
+coming with insolent demands, to yield to which would ruin us. Ah, you
+ungrateful viper!"
+
+As he turned away in sorrow from me, shaking his head at my badness, I
+became so overcome (never having been quite assured, even by people's
+praises, about my own goodness); moreover, the light which he threw upon
+things differed so greatly from my own, that, in a word--not to be too
+long--I feared that I was a villain. And with many bitter pangs--for
+I have bad things to repent of--I began at my leisure to ask myself
+whether or not this bill of indictment against John Ridd was true. Some
+of it I knew to be (however much I condemned myself) altogether out of
+reason; for instance, about my going away with Lorna very quietly, over
+the snow, and to save my love from being starved away from me. In this
+there was no creeping neither crawling treachery; for all was done with
+sliding; and yet I was so out of training for being charged by other
+people beyond mine own conscience, that Carver Doone's harsh words came
+on me, like prickly spinach sown with raking. Therefore I replied, and
+said,--
+
+"It is true that I owe you gratitude, sir, for a certain time of
+forbearance; and it is to prove my gratitude that I am come here now. I
+do not think that my evil deeds can be set against your own; although I
+cannot speak flowingly upon my good deeds as you can. I took your Queen
+because you starved her, having stolen her long before, and killed her
+mother and brother. This is not for me to dwell upon now; any more than
+I would say much about your murdering of my father. But how the balance
+hangs between us, God knows better than thou or I, thou low miscreant,
+Carver Doone."
+
+I had worked myself up, as I always do, in the manner of heavy men;
+growing hot like an ill-washered wheel revolving, though I start with
+a cool axle; and I felt ashamed of myself for heat, and ready to ask
+pardon. But Carver Doone regarded me with a noble and fearless grandeur.
+
+"I have given thee thy choice, John Ridd," he said in a lofty manner,
+which made me drop away under him; "I always wish to do my best with the
+worst people who come near me. And of all I have ever met with thou art
+the very worst, Sir John, and the most dishonest."
+
+Now after all my labouring to pay every man to a penny, and to allow the
+women over, when among the couch-grass (which is a sad thing for their
+gowns), to be charged like this, I say, so amazed me that I stood, with
+my legs quite open, and ready for an earthquake. And the scornful way
+in which he said "Sir John," went to my very heart, reminding me of my
+littleness. But seeing no use in bandying words, nay, rather the chance
+of mischief, I did my best to look calmly at him, and to say with a
+quiet voice, "Farewell, Carver Doone, this time, our day of reckoning is
+nigh."
+
+"Thou fool, it is come," he cried, leaping aside into the niche of rock
+by the doorway; "Fire!"
+
+Save for the quickness of spring, and readiness, learned in many a
+wrestling bout, that knavish trick must have ended me; but scarce was
+the word "fire!" out of his mouth ere I was out of fire, by a single
+bound behind the rocky pillar of the opening. In this jump I was so
+brisk, at impulse of the love of life (for I saw the muzzles set upon
+me from the darkness of the cavern), that the men who had trained their
+guns upon me with goodwill and daintiness, could not check their fingers
+crooked upon the heavy triggers; and the volley sang with a roar behind
+it, down the avenue of crags.
+
+[Illustration: 660.jpg Volley sang with a roar]
+
+With one thing and another, and most of all the treachery of this
+dastard scheme, I was so amazed that I turned and ran, at the very top
+of my speed, away from these vile fellows; and luckily for me, they
+had not another charge to send after me. And thus by good fortune, I
+escaped; but with a bitter heart, and mind at their treacherous usage.
+
+Without any further hesitation; I agreed to take command of the honest
+men who were burning to punish, ay and destroy, those outlaws, as now
+beyond all bearing. One condition, however, I made, namely, that the
+Counsellor should be spared if possible; not because he was less a
+villain than any of the others, but that he seemed less violent; and
+above all, had been good to Annie. And I found hard work to make them
+listen to my wish upon this point; for of all the Doones, Sir Counsellor
+had made himself most hated, by his love of law and reason.
+
+We arranged that all our men should come and fall into order with pike
+and musket, over against our dung-hill, and we settled early in the day,
+that their wives might come and look at them. For most of these men had
+good wives; quite different from sweethearts, such as the militia had;
+women indeed who could hold to a man, and see to him, and bury him--if
+his luck were evil--and perhaps have no one afterwards. And all these
+women pressed their rights upon their precious husbands, and brought so
+many children with them, and made such a fuss, and hugging, and racing
+after little legs, that our farm-yard might be taken for an out-door
+school for babies rather than a review ground.
+
+I myself was to and fro among the children continually; for if I love
+anything in the world, foremost I love children. They warm, and yet they
+cool our hearts, as we think of what we were, and what in young clothes
+we hoped to be; and how many things have come across. And to see our
+motives moving in the little things that know not what their aim or
+object is, must almost or ought at least, to lead us home, and soften
+us. For either end of life is home; both source and issue being God.
+
+Nevertheless, I must confess that the children were a plague sometimes.
+They never could have enough of me--being a hundred to one, you might
+say--but I had more than enough of them; and yet was not contented.
+For they had so many ways of talking, and of tugging at my hair, and
+of sitting upon my neck (not even two with their legs alike), and they
+forced me to jump so vehemently, seeming to court the peril of my coming
+down neck and crop with them, and urging me still to go faster, however
+fast I might go with them; I assure you that they were sometimes so hard
+and tyrannical over me, that I might almost as well have been among the
+very Doones themselves.
+
+Nevertheless, the way in which the children made me useful proved also
+of some use to me; for their mothers were so pleased by the exertions of
+the "great Gee-gee"--as all the small ones entitled me--that they gave
+me unlimited power and authority over their husbands; moreover, they did
+their utmost among their relatives round about, to fetch recruits
+for our little band. And by such means, several of the yeomanry from
+Barnstaple, and from Tiverton, were added to our number; and inasmuch
+as these were armed with heavy swords, and short carabines, their
+appearance was truly formidable.
+
+Tom Faggus also joined us heartily, being now quite healed of his
+wound, except at times when the wind was easterly. He was made second in
+command to me; and I would gladly have had him first, as more fertile
+in expedients; but he declined such rank on the plea that I knew most
+of the seat of war; besides that I might be held in some measure to draw
+authority from the King. Also Uncle Ben came over to help us with his
+advice and presence, as well as with a band of stout warehousemen, whom
+he brought from Dulverton. For he had never forgiven the old outrage put
+upon him; and though it had been to his interest to keep quiet during
+the last attack, under Commander Stickles--for the sake of his secret
+gold mine--yet now he was in a position to give full vent to his
+feelings. For he and his partners when fully-assured of the value of
+their diggings, had obtained from the Crown a licence to adventure in
+search of minerals, by payment of a heavy fine and a yearly royalty.
+Therefore they had now no longer any cause for secrecy, neither for
+dread of the outlaws; having so added to their force as to be a match
+for them. And although Uncle Ben was not the man to keep his miners idle
+an hour more than might be helped, he promised that when we had fixed
+the moment for an assault on the valley, a score of them should come
+to aid us, headed by Simon Carfax, and armed with the guns which they
+always kept for the protection of their gold.
+
+[Illustration: 663.jpg Having pipes and schnapps]
+
+Now whether it were Uncle Ben, or whether it were Tom Faggus or even my
+own self--for all three of us claimed the sole honour--is more than I
+think fair to settle without allowing them a voice. But at any rate, a
+clever thing was devised among us; and perhaps it would be the fairest
+thing to say that this bright stratagem (worthy of the great Duke
+himself) was contributed, little by little, among the entire three of
+us, all having pipes, and schnapps-and-water, in the chimney-corner.
+However, the world, which always judges according to reputation, vowed
+that so fine a stroke of war could only come from a highwayman; and so
+Tom Faggus got all the honour, at less perhaps than a third of the cost.
+
+Not to attempt to rob him of it--for robbers, more than any other,
+contend for rights of property--let me try to describe this grand
+artifice. It was known that the Doones were fond of money, as well as
+strong drink, and other things; and more especially fond of gold, when
+they could get it pure and fine. Therefore it was agreed that in this
+way we should tempt them; for we knew that they looked with ridicule
+upon our rustic preparations; after repulsing King's troopers, and the
+militia of two counties, was it likely that they should yield their
+fortress to a set of ploughboys? We, for our part, felt of course,
+the power of this reasoning, and that where regular troops had failed,
+half-armed countrymen must fail, except by superior judgment and harmony
+of action. Though perhaps the militia would have sufficed, if they had
+only fought against the foe, instead of against each other. From these
+things we took warning; having failed through over-confidence, was it
+not possible now to make the enemy fail through the selfsame cause?
+
+Hence, what we devised was this; to delude from home a part of the
+robbers, and fall by surprise on the other part. We caused it to be
+spread abroad that a large heap of gold was now collected at the mine
+of the Wizard's Slough. And when this rumour must have reached them,
+through women who came to and fro, as some entirely faithful to them
+were allowed to do, we sent Captain Simon Carfax, the father of little
+Gwenny, to demand an interview with the Counsellor, by night, and as it
+were secretly. Then he was to set forth a list of imaginary grievances
+against the owners of the mine; and to offer partly through resentment,
+partly through the hope of gain, to betray into their hands, upon the
+Friday night, by far the greatest weight of gold as yet sent up for
+refining. He was to have one quarter part, and they to take the residue.
+But inasmuch as the convoy across the moors, under his command, would
+be strong, and strongly armed, the Doones must be sure to send not less
+than a score of men, if possible. He himself, at a place agreed upon,
+and fit for an ambuscade, would call a halt, and contrive in the
+darkness to pour a little water into the priming of his company's guns.
+
+It cost us some trouble and a great deal of money to bring the sturdy
+Cornishman into this deceitful part; and perhaps he never would have
+consented but for his obligation to me, and the wrongs (as he said) of
+his daughter. However, as he was the man for the task, both from his
+coolness and courage, and being known to have charge of the mine, I
+pressed him, until he undertook to tell all the lies we required.
+And right well he did it too, having once made up his mind to it; and
+perceiving that his own interests called for the total destruction of
+the robbers.
+
+[Illustration: 664.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LXXI
+
+A LONG ACCOUNT SETTLED
+
+[Illustration: 665.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Having resolved on a night-assault (as our undisciplined men,
+three-fourths of whom had never been shot at, could not fairly be
+expected to march up to visible musket-mouths), we cared not much about
+drilling our forces, only to teach them to hold a musket, so far as we
+could supply that weapon to those with the cleverest eyes; and to give
+them familiarity with the noise it made in exploding. And we fixed upon
+Friday night for our venture, because the moon would be at the full; and
+our powder was coming from Dulverton on the Friday afternoon.
+
+Uncle Reuben did not mean to expose himself to shooting, his time of
+life for risk of life being now well over and the residue too valuable.
+But his counsels, and his influence, and above all his warehousemen,
+well practised in beating carpets, were of true service to us. His
+miners also did great wonders, having a grudge against the Doones; as
+indeed who had not for thirty miles round their valley?
+
+It was settled that the yeomen, having good horses under them, should
+give account (with the miners' help) of as many Doones as might be
+despatched to plunder the pretended gold. And as soon as we knew that
+this party of robbers, be it more or less, was out of hearing from the
+valley, we were to fall to, ostensibly at the Doone-gate (which was
+impregnable now), but in reality upon their rear, by means of my old
+water-slide. For I had chosen twenty young fellows, partly miners, and
+partly warehousemen, and sheep farmers, and some of other vocations, but
+all to be relied upon for spirit and power of climbing. And with proper
+tools to aid us, and myself to lead the way, I felt no doubt whatever
+but that we could all attain the crest where first I had met with Lorna.
+
+Upon the whole, I rejoiced that Lorna was not present now. It must have
+been irksome to her feelings to have all her kindred and old associates
+(much as she kept aloof from them) put to death without ceremony, or
+else putting all of us to death. For all of us were resolved this
+time to have no more shilly-shallying; but to go through with a nasty
+business, in the style of honest Englishmen, when the question comes to
+"Your life or mine."
+
+There was hardly a man among us who had not suffered bitterly from the
+miscreants now before us. One had lost his wife perhaps, another had
+lost a daughter--according to their ages, another had lost his favourite
+cow; in a word, there was scarcely any one who had not to complain of
+a hayrick; and what surprised me then, not now, was that the men least
+injured made the greatest push concerning it. But be the wrong too great
+to speak of, or too small to swear about, from poor Kit Badcock to rich
+Master Huckaback, there was not one but went heart and soul for stamping
+out these firebrands.
+
+The moon was lifting well above the shoulder of the uplands, when we,
+the chosen band, set forth, having the short cut along the valleys to
+foot of the Bagworthy water; and therefore having allowed the rest an
+hour, to fetch round the moors and hills; we were not to begin our climb
+until we heard a musket fired from the heights on the left-hand side,
+where John Fry himself was stationed, upon his own and his wife's
+request; so as to keep out of action. And that was the place where I had
+been used to sit, and to watch for Lorna. And John Fry was to fire his
+gun, with a ball of wool inside it, so soon as he heard the hurly-burly
+at the Doone-gate beginning; which we, by reason of waterfall, could not
+hear, down in the meadows there.
+
+We waited a very long time, with the moon marching up heaven
+steadfastly, and the white fog trembling in chords and columns, like
+a silver harp of the meadows. And then the moon drew up the fogs, and
+scarfed herself in white with them; and so being proud, gleamed upon the
+water, like a bride at her looking-glass; and yet there was no sound of
+either John Fry, or his blunderbuss.
+
+I began to think that the worthy John, being out of all danger, and
+having brought a counterpane (according to his wife's directions,
+because one of the children had a cold), must veritably have gone to
+sleep; leaving other people to kill, or be killed, as might be the will
+of God; so that he were comfortable. But herein I did wrong to John,
+and am ready to acknowledge it; for suddenly the most awful noise that
+anything short of thunder could make, came down among the rocks, and
+went and hung upon the corners.
+
+"The signal, my lads," I cried, leaping up and rubbing my eyes; for even
+now, while condemning John unjustly, I was giving him right to be hard
+upon me. "Now hold on by the rope, and lay your quarter-staffs across,
+my lads; and keep your guns pointing to heaven, lest haply we shoot one
+another."
+
+"Us shan't never shutt one anoother, wi' our goons at that mark, I
+reckon," said an oldish chap, but as tough as leather, and esteemed a
+wit for his dryness.
+
+"You come next to me, old Ike; you be enough to dry up the waters; now,
+remember, all lean well forward. If any man throws his weight back, down
+he goes; and perhaps he may never get up again; and most likely he will
+shoot himself."
+
+I was still more afraid of their shooting me; for my chief alarm in
+this steep ascent was neither of the water nor of the rocks, but of
+the loaded guns we bore. If any man slipped, off might go his gun, and
+however good his meaning, I being first was most likely to take far more
+than I fain would apprehend.
+
+For this cause, I had debated with Uncle Ben and with Cousin Tom as to
+the expediency of our climbing with guns unloaded. But they, not being
+in the way themselves, assured me that there was nothing to fear, except
+through uncommon clumsiness; and that as for charging our guns at
+the top, even veteran troops could scarcely be trusted to perform it
+properly in the hurry, and the darkness, and the noise of fighting
+before them.
+
+However, thank God, though a gun went off, no one was any the worse
+for it, neither did the Doones notice it, in the thick of the firing in
+front of them. For the orders to those of the sham attack, conducted by
+Tom Faggus, were to make the greatest possible noise, without exposure
+of themselves; until we, in the rear, had fallen to; which John Fry was
+again to give the signal of.
+
+Therefore we, of the chosen band, stole up the meadow quietly, keeping
+in the blots of shade, and hollow of the watercourse. And the earliest
+notice the Counsellor had, or any one else, of our presence, was the
+blazing of the log-wood house, where lived that villain Carver. It
+was my especial privilege to set this house on fire; upon which I had
+insisted, exclusively and conclusively. No other hand but mine
+should lay a brand, or strike steel on flint for it; I had made all
+preparations carefully for a goodly blaze. And I must confess that I
+rubbed my hands, with a strong delight and comfort, when I saw the home
+of that man, who had fired so many houses, having its turn of smoke, and
+blaze, and of crackling fury.
+
+We took good care, however, to burn no innocent women or children in
+that most righteous destruction. For we brought them all out beforehand;
+some were glad, and some were sorry; according to their dispositions.
+For Carver had ten or a dozen wives; and perhaps that had something to
+do with his taking the loss of Lorna so easily. One child I noticed, as
+I saved him; a fair and handsome little fellow, whom (if Carver Doone
+could love anything on earth beside his wretched self) he did love. The
+boy climbed on my back and rode; and much as I hated his father, it was
+not in my heart to say or do a thing to vex him.
+
+Leaving these poor injured people to behold their burning home, we drew
+aside, by my directions, into the covert beneath the cliff. But not
+before we had laid our brands to three other houses, after calling the
+women forth, and bidding them go for their husbands, and to come and
+fight a hundred of us. In the smoke and rush, and fire, they believed
+that we were a hundred; and away they ran, in consternation, to the
+battle at the Doone-gate.
+
+"All Doone-town is on fire, on fire!" we heard them shrieking as they
+went; "a hundred soldiers are burning it, with a dreadful great man at
+the head of them!"
+
+Presently, just as I expected, back came the warriors of the Doones;
+leaving but two or three at the gate, and burning with wrath to crush
+under foot the presumptuous clowns in their valley. Just then the waxing
+fire leaped above the red crest of the cliffs, and danced on the pillars
+of the forest, and lapped like a tide on the stones of the slope. All
+the valley flowed with light, and the limpid waters reddened, and the
+fair young women shone, and the naked children glistened.
+
+But the finest sight of all was to see those haughty men striding down
+the causeway darkly, reckless of their end, but resolute to have two
+lives for every one. A finer dozen of young men could not have been
+found in the world perhaps, nor a braver, nor a viler one.
+
+Seeing how few there were of them, I was very loath to fire, although I
+covered the leader, who appeared to be dashing Charley; for they were at
+easy distance now, brightly shone by the fire-light, yet ignorant where
+to look for us. I thought that we might take them prisoners--though
+what good that could be God knows, as they must have been hanged
+thereafter--anyhow I was loath to shoot, or to give the word to my
+followers.
+
+But my followers waited for no word; they saw a fair shot at the men
+they abhorred, the men who had robbed them of home or of love, and the
+chance was too much for their charity. At a signal from old Ikey, who
+levelled his own gun first, a dozen muskets were discharged, and half
+of the Doones dropped lifeless, like so many logs of firewood, or
+chopping-blocks rolled over.
+
+Although I had seen a great battle before, and a hundred times the
+carnage, this appeared to me to be horrible; and I was at first inclined
+to fall upon our men for behaving so. But one instant showed me that
+they were right; for while the valley was filled with howling, and with
+shrieks of women, and the beams of the blazing houses fell, and hissed
+in the bubbling river; all the rest of the Doones leaped at us, like
+so many demons. They fired wildly, not seeing us well among the hazel
+bushes; and then they clubbed their muskets, or drew their swords, as
+might be; and furiously drove at us.
+
+For a moment, although we were twice their number, we fell back before
+their valorous fame, and the power of their onset. For my part, admiring
+their courage greatly, and counting it slur upon manliness that two
+should be down upon one so, I withheld my hand awhile; for I cared to
+meet none but Carver; and he was not among them. The whirl and hurry
+of this fight, and the hard blows raining down--for now all guns were
+empty--took away my power of seeing, or reasoning upon anything. Yet
+one thing I saw, which dwelled long with me; and that was Christopher
+Badcock spending his life to get Charley's.
+
+How he had found out, none may tell; both being dead so long ago; but,
+at any rate, he had found out that Charley was the man who had robbed
+him of his wife and honour. It was Carver Doone who took her away, but
+Charleworth Doone was beside him; and, according to cast of dice, she
+fell to Charley's share. All this Kit Badcock (who was mad, according
+to our measures) had discovered, and treasured up; and now was his
+revenge-time.
+
+He had come into the conflict without a weapon of any kind; only begging
+me to let him be in the very thick of it. For him, he said, life was no
+matter, after the loss of his wife and child; but death was matter to
+him, and he meant to make the most of it. Such a face I never saw, and
+never hope to see again, as when poor Kit Badcock spied Charley coming
+towards us.
+
+We had thought this man a patient fool, a philosopher of a little sort,
+or one who could feel nothing. And his quiet manner of going about, and
+the gentleness of his answers (when some brutes asked him where his wife
+was, and whether his baby had been well-trussed), these had misled us
+to think that the man would turn the mild cheek to everything. But I, in
+the loneliness of our barn, had listened, and had wept with him.
+
+Therefore was I not surprised, so much as all the rest of us, when, in
+the foremost of red light, Kit went up to Charleworth Doone, as if to
+some inheritance; and took his seisin of right upon him, being himself a
+powerful man; and begged a word aside with him. What they said aside, I
+know not; all I know is that without weapon, each man killed the other.
+And Margery Badcock came, and wept, and hung upon her poor husband; and
+died, that summer, of heart-disease.
+
+Now for these and other things (whereof I could tell a thousand) was the
+reckoning come that night; and not a line we missed of it; soon as our
+bad blood was up. I like not to tell of slaughter, though it might be
+of wolves and tigers; and that was a night of fire and slaughter, and
+of very long-harboured revenge. Enough that ere the daylight broke
+upon that wan March morning, the only Doones still left alive were the
+Counsellor and Carver. And of all the dwellings of the Doones (inhabited
+with luxury, and luscious taste, and licentiousness) not even one was
+left, but all made potash in the river.
+
+This may seem a violent and unholy revenge upon them. And I (who led
+the heart of it) have in these my latter years doubted how I shall
+be judged, not of men--for God only knows the errors of man's
+judgments--but by that great God Himself, the front of whose forehead is
+mercy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LXXII
+
+THE COUNSELLOR AND THE CARVER
+
+[Illustration: 671.jpg Law and Justice]
+
+From that great confusion--for nothing can be broken up, whether lawful
+or unlawful, without a vast amount of dust, and many people grumbling,
+and mourning for the good old times, when all the world was happiness,
+and every man a gentleman, and the sun himself far brighter than since
+the brassy idol upon which he shone was broken--from all this loss of
+ancient landmarks (as unrobbed men began to call our clearance of those
+murderers) we returned on the following day, almost as full of anxiety
+as we were of triumph. In the first place, what could we possibly do
+with all these women and children, thrown on our hands as one might say,
+with none to protect and care for them? Again how should we answer to
+the justices of the peace, or perhaps even to Lord Jeffreys, for having,
+without even a warrant, taken the law into our own hands, and abated
+our nuisance so forcibly? And then, what was to be done with the spoil,
+which was of great value; though the diamond necklace came not to public
+light? For we saw a mighty host of claimants already leaping up for
+booty. Every man who had ever been robbed, expected usury on his loss;
+the lords of the manors demanded the whole; and so did the King's
+Commissioner of revenue at Porlock; and so did the men who had fought
+our battle; while even the parsons, both Bowden and Powell, and another
+who had no parish in it, threatened us with the just wrath of the
+Church, unless each had tithes of the whole of it.
+
+Now this was not as it ought to be; and it seemed as if by burning the
+nest of robbers, we had but hatched their eggs; until being made sole
+guardian of the captured treasure (by reason of my known honesty) I
+hit upon a plan, which gave very little satisfaction; yet carried this
+advantage, that the grumblers argued against one another and for the
+most part came to blows; which renewed their goodwill to me, as being
+abused by the adversary.
+
+And my plan was no more than this--not to pay a farthing to lord of
+manor, parson, or even King's Commissioner, but after making good some
+of the recent and proven losses--where the men could not afford to
+lose--to pay the residue (which might be worth some fifty thousand
+pounds) into the Exchequer at Westminster; and then let all the
+claimants file what wills they pleased in Chancery.
+
+Now this was a very noble device, for the mere name of Chancery, and the
+high repute of the fees therein, and low repute of the lawyers, and the
+comfortable knowledge that the woolsack itself is the golden fleece,
+absorbing gold for ever, if the standard be but pure; consideration of
+these things staved off at once the lords of the manors, and all the
+little farmers, and even those whom most I feared; videlicet, the
+parsons. And the King's Commissioner was compelled to profess himself
+contented, although of all he was most aggrieved; for his pickings would
+have been goodly.
+
+Moreover, by this plan I made--although I never thought of that--a
+mighty friend worth all the enemies, whom the loss of money moved. The
+first man now in the kingdom (by virtue perhaps of energy, rather than
+of excellence) was the great Lord Jeffreys, appointed the head of the
+Equity, as well as the law of the realm, for his kindness in hanging
+five hundred people, without the mere brief of trial. Nine out of ten
+of these people were innocent, it was true; but that proved the merit of
+the Lord Chief Justice so much the greater for hanging them, as showing
+what might be expected of him, when he truly got hold of a guilty man.
+Now the King had seen the force of this argument; and not being without
+gratitude for a high-seasoned dish of cruelty, had promoted the only man
+in England, combining the gifts of both butcher and cook.
+
+Nevertheless, I do beg you all to believe of me--and I think that, after
+following me so long, you must believe it--that I did not even know at
+the time of Lord Jeffreys's high promotion. Not that my knowledge of
+this would have led me to act otherwise in the matter; for my object was
+to pay into an office, and not to any official; neither if I had known
+the fact, could I have seen its bearing upon the receipt of my money.
+For the King's Exchequer is, meseemeth, of the Common Law; while
+Chancery is of Equity, and well named for its many chances. But the true
+result of the thing was this--Lord Jeffreys being now head of the law,
+and almost head of the kingdom, got possession of that money, and was
+kindly pleased with it.
+
+And this met our second difficulty; for the law having won and laughed
+over the spoil, must have injured its own title by impugning our
+legality.
+
+Next, with regard to the women and children, we were long in a state of
+perplexity. We did our very best at the farm, and so did many others to
+provide for them, until they should manage about their own subsistence.
+And after a while this trouble went, as nearly all troubles go with
+time. Some of the women were taken back by their parents, or their
+husbands, or it may be their sweethearts; and those who failed of this,
+went forth, some upon their own account to the New World plantations,
+where the fairer sex is valuable; and some to English cities; and the
+plainer ones to field work. And most of the children went with their
+mothers, or were bound apprentices; only Carver Doone's handsome child
+had lost his mother and stayed with me.
+
+This boy went about with me everywhere. He had taken as much of liking
+to me--first shown in his eyes by the firelight--as his father had of
+hatred; and I, perceiving his noble courage, scorn of lies, and high
+spirit, became almost as fond of Ensie as he was of me. He told us that
+his name was "Ensie," meant for "Ensor," I suppose, from his father's
+grandfather, the old Sir Ensor Doone. And this boy appeared to be
+Carver's heir, having been born in wedlock, contrary to the general
+manner and custom of the Doones.
+
+However, although I loved the poor child, I could not help feeling very
+uneasy about the escape of his father, the savage and brutal Carver.
+This man was left to roam the country, homeless, foodless, and
+desperate, with his giant strength, and great skill in arms, and the
+whole world to be revenged upon. For his escape the miners, as I shall
+show, were answerable; but of the Counsellor's safe departure the burden
+lay on myself alone. And inasmuch as there are people who consider
+themselves ill-used, unless one tells them everything, straitened though
+I am for space, I will glance at this transaction.
+
+After the desperate charge of young Doones had been met by us, and
+broken, and just as Poor Kit Badcock died in the arms of the dead
+Charley, I happened to descry a patch of white on the grass of the
+meadow, like the head of a sheep after washing-day. Observing with
+some curiosity how carefully this white thing moved along the bars of
+darkness betwixt the panels of firelight, I ran up to intercept it,
+before it reached the little postern which we used to call Gwenny's
+door. Perceiving me, the white thing stopped, and was for making back
+again; but I ran up at full speed; and lo, it was the flowing silvery
+hair of that sage the Counsellor, who was scuttling away upon all fours;
+but now rose and confronted me.
+
+"John," he said, "Sir John, you will not play falsely with your ancient
+friend, among these violent fellows, I look to you to protect me, John."
+
+"Honoured sir, you are right," I replied; "but surely that posture was
+unworthy of yourself, and your many resources. It is my intention to let
+you go free."
+
+"I knew it. I could have sworn to it. You are a noble fellow, John. I
+said so, from the very first; you are a noble fellow, and an ornament to
+any rank."
+
+"But upon two conditions," I added, gently taking him by the arm; for
+instead of displaying any desire to commune with my nobility, he was
+edging away toward the postern; "the first is that you tell me truly
+(for now it can matter to none of you) who it was that slew my father."
+
+"I will tell you truly and frankly, John; however painful to me to
+confess it. It was my son, Carver."
+
+"I thought as much, or I felt as much all along," I answered; "but the
+fault was none of yours, sir; for you were not even present."
+
+"If I had been there, it would not have happened. I am always opposed
+to violence. Therefore, let me haste away; this scene is against my
+nature."
+
+"You shall go directly, Sir Counsellor, after meeting my other
+condition; which is, that you place in my hands Lady Lorna's diamond
+necklace."
+
+"Ah, how often I have wished," said the old man with a heavy sigh, "that
+it might yet be in my power to ease my mind in that respect, and to do a
+thoroughly good deed by lawful restitution."
+
+"Then try to have it in your power, sir. Surely, with my encouragement,
+you might summon resolution."
+
+"Alas, John, the resolution has been ready long ago. But the thing is
+not in my possession. Carver, my son, who slew your father, upon him you
+will find the necklace. What are jewels to me, young man, at my time of
+life? Baubles and trash,--I detest them, from the sins they have led me
+to answer for. When you come to my age, good Sir John, you will scorn
+all jewels, and care only for a pure and bright conscience. Ah! ah! Let
+me go. I have made my peace with God."
+
+He looked so hoary, and so silvery, and serene in the moonlight, that
+verily I must have believed him, if he had not drawn in his breast. But
+I happened to have noticed that when an honest man gives vent to noble
+and great sentiments, he spreads his breast, and throws it out, as if
+his heart were swelling; whereas I had seen this old gentleman draw in
+his breast more than once, as if it happened to contain better goods
+than sentiment.
+
+"Will you applaud me, kind sir," I said, keeping him very tight, all the
+while, "if I place it in your power to ratify your peace with God? The
+pledge is upon your heart, no doubt, for there it lies at this moment."
+
+With these words, and some apology for having recourse to strong
+measures, I thrust my hand inside his waistcoat, and drew forth Lorna's
+necklace, purely sparkling in the moonlight, like the dancing of new
+stars. The old man made a stab at me, with a knife which I had not
+espied; but the vicious onset failed; and then he knelt, and clasped his
+hands.
+
+"Oh, for God's sake, John, my son, rob me not in that manner. They
+belong to me; and I love them so; I would give almost my life for them.
+There is one jewel I can look at for hours, and see all the lights of
+heaven in it; which I never shall see elsewhere. All my wretched, wicked
+life--oh, John, I am a sad hypocrite--but give me back my jewels. Or
+else kill me here; I am a babe in your hands; but I must have back my
+jewels."
+
+As his beautiful white hair fell away from his noble forehead, like a
+silver wreath of glory, and his powerful face, for once, was moved with
+real emotion, I was so amazed and overcome by the grand contradictions
+of nature, that verily I was on the point of giving him back the
+necklace. But honesty, which is said to be the first instinct of all the
+Ridds (though I myself never found it so), happened here to occur to me,
+and so I said, without more haste than might be expected,--
+
+"Sir Counsellor, I cannot give you what does not belong to me. But if
+you will show me that particular diamond which is heaven to you, I will
+take upon myself the risk and the folly of cutting it out for you. And
+with that you must go contented; and I beseech you not to starve with
+that jewel upon your lips."
+
+Seeing no hope of better terms, he showed me his pet love of a jewel;
+and I thought of what Lorna was to me, as I cut it out (with the hinge
+of my knife severing the snakes of gold) and placed it in his careful
+hand. Another moment, and he was gone, and away through Gwenny's
+postern; and God knows what became of him.
+
+Now as to Carver, the thing was this--so far as I could ascertain from
+the valiant miners, no two of whom told the same story, any more than
+one of them told it twice. The band of Doones which sallied forth for
+the robbery of the pretended convoy was met by Simon Carfax, according
+to arrangement, at the ruined house called The Warren, in that part of
+Bagworthy Forest where the river Exe (as yet a very small stream) runs
+through it. The Warren, as all our people know, had belonged to a fine
+old gentleman, whom every one called "The Squire," who had retreated
+from active life to pass the rest of his days in fishing, and shooting,
+and helping his neighbours. For he was a man of some substance; and no
+poor man ever left The Warren without a bag of good victuals, and a
+few shillings put in his pocket. However, this poor Squire never made
+a greater mistake, than in hoping to end his life peacefully upon the
+banks of a trout-stream, and in the green forest of Bagworthy. For as
+he came home from the brook at dusk, with his fly-rod over his shoulder,
+the Doones fell upon him, and murdered him, and then sacked his house,
+and burned it.
+
+Now this had made honest people timid about going past The Warren at
+night; for, of course, it was said that the old Squire "walked," upon
+certain nights of the moon, in and out of the trunks of trees, on the
+green path from the river. On his shoulder he bore a fishing-rod, and
+his book of trout-flies, in one hand, and on his back a wicker-creel;
+and now and then he would burst out laughing to think of his coming so
+near the Doones.
+
+And now that one turns to consider it, this seems a strangely righteous
+thing, that the scene of one of the greatest crimes even by Doones
+committed should, after twenty years, become the scene of vengeance
+falling (like hail from heaven) upon them. For although The Warren lies
+well away to the westward of the mine; and the gold, under escort to
+Bristowe, or London, would have gone in the other direction; Captain
+Carfax, finding this place best suited for working of his design, had
+persuaded the Doones, that for reasons of Government, the ore must go
+first to Barnstaple for inspection, or something of that sort. And
+as every one knows that our Government sends all things westward
+when eastward bound, this had won the more faith for Simon, as being
+according to nature.
+
+Now Simon, having met these flowers of the flock of villainy, where the
+rising moonlight flowed through the weir-work of the wood, begged them
+to dismount; and led them with an air of mystery into the Squire's
+ruined hall, black with fire, and green with weeds.
+
+[Illustration: 677.jpg Rising moonlight]
+
+"Captain, I have found a thing," he said to Carver Doone, himself,
+"which may help to pass the hour, ere the lump of gold comes by. The
+smugglers are a noble race; but a miner's eyes are a match for them.
+There lies a puncheon of rare spirit, with the Dutchman's brand upon it,
+hidden behind the broken hearth. Set a man to watch outside; and let us
+see what this be like."
+
+With one accord they agreed to this, and Carver pledged Master Carfax,
+and all the Doones grew merry. But Simon being bound, as he said, to
+see to their strict sobriety, drew a bucket of water from the well into
+which they had thrown the dead owner, and begged them to mingle it with
+their drink; which some of them did, and some refused.
+
+But the water from that well was poured, while they were carousing, into
+the priming-pan of every gun of theirs; even as Simon had promised to do
+with the guns of the men they were come to kill. Then just as the giant
+Carver arose, with a glass of pure hollands in his hand, and by the
+light of the torch they had struck, proposed the good health of the
+Squire's ghost--in the broken doorway stood a press of men, with pointed
+muskets, covering every drunken Doone. How it fared upon that I know
+not, having none to tell me; for each man wrought, neither thought of
+telling, nor whether he might be alive to tell. The Doones rushed
+to their guns at once, and pointed them, and pulled at them; but the
+Squire's well had drowned their fire; and then they knew that they were
+betrayed, but resolved to fight like men for it. Upon fighting I can
+never dwell; it breeds such savage delight in me; of which I would
+fain have less. Enough that all the Doones fought bravely; and like men
+(though bad ones) died in the hall of the man they had murdered. And
+with them died poor young De Whichehalse, who, in spite of his good
+father's prayers, had cast in his lot with the robbers. Carver Doone
+alone escaped. Partly through his fearful strength, and his yet more
+fearful face; but mainly perhaps through his perfect coolness, and his
+mode of taking things.
+
+I am happy to say that no more than eight of the gallant miners were
+killed in that combat, or died of their wounds afterwards; and adding
+to these the eight we had lost in our assault on the valley (and two of
+them excellent warehousemen), it cost no more than sixteen lives to be
+rid of nearly forty Doones, each of whom would most likely have killed
+three men in the course of a year or two. Therefore, as I said at the
+time, a great work was done very reasonably; here were nigh upon forty
+Doones destroyed (in the valley, and up at The Warrens) despite their
+extraordinary strength and high skill in gunnery; whereas of us ignorant
+rustics there were only sixteen to be counted dead--though others might
+be lamed, or so,--and of those sixteen only two had left wives, and
+their wives did not happen to care for them.
+
+Yet, for Lorna' s sake, I was vexed at the bold escape of Carver.
+Not that I sought for Carver's life, any more than I did for the
+Counsellor's; but that for us it was no light thing, to have a man of
+such power, and resource, and desperation, left at large and furious,
+like a famished wolf round the sheepfold. Yet greatly as I blamed the
+yeomen, who were posted on their horses, just out of shot from the
+Doone-gate, for the very purpose of intercepting those who escaped the
+miners, I could not get them to admit that any blame attached to them.
+
+But lo, he had dashed through the whole of them, with his horse at
+full gallop; and was nearly out of shot before they began to think of
+shooting him. Then it appears from what a boy said--for boys manage to
+be everywhere--that Captain Carver rode through the Doone-gate, and so
+to the head of the valley. There, of course, he beheld all the houses,
+and his own among the number, flaming with a handsome blaze, and
+throwing a fine light around such as he often had revelled in, when of
+other people's property. But he swore the deadliest of all oaths, and
+seeing himself to be vanquished (so far as the luck of the moment went),
+spurred his great black horse away, and passed into the darkness.
+
+[Illustration: 679.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LXXIII
+
+HOW TO GET OUT OF CHANCERY
+
+[Illustration: 680.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+Things at this time so befell me, that I cannot tell one half; but
+am like a boy who has left his lesson (to the master's very footfall)
+unready, except with false excuses. And as this makes no good work, so
+I lament upon my lingering, in the times when I might have got through
+a good page, but went astray after trifles. However, every man must
+do according to his intellect; and looking at the easy manner of
+my constitution, I think that most men will regard me with pity and
+goodwill for trying, more than with contempt and wrath for having tried
+unworthily. Even as in the wrestling ring, whatever man did his best,
+and made an honest conflict, I always laid him down with softness,
+easing off his dusty fall.
+
+But the thing which next betided me was not a fall of any sort; but
+rather a most glorious rise to the summit of all fortune. For in good
+truth it was no less than the return of Lorna--my Lorna, my own darling;
+in wonderful health and spirits, and as glad as a bird to get back
+again. It would have done any one good for a twelve-month to behold her
+face and doings, and her beaming eyes and smile (not to mention blushes
+also at my salutation), when this Queen of every heart ran about our
+rooms again. She did love this, and she must see that, and where was our
+old friend the cat? All the house was full of brightness, as if the sun
+had come over the hill, and Lorna were his mirror.
+
+My mother sat in an ancient chair, and wiped her cheeks, and looked at
+her; and even Lizzie's eyes must dance to the freshness and joy of her
+beauty. As for me, you might call me mad; for I ran out and flung my
+best hat on the barn, and kissed mother Fry, till she made at me with
+the sugar-nippers.
+
+What a quantity of things Lorna had to tell us! And yet how often we
+stopped her mouth--at least mother, I mean, and Lizzie--and she quite as
+often would stop her own, running up in her joy to some one of us!
+And then there arose the eating business--which people now call
+"refreshment," in these dandyfied days of our language--for how was it
+possible that our Lorna could have come all that way, and to her own
+Exmoor, without being terribly hungry?
+
+"Oh, I do love it all so much," said Lorna, now for the fiftieth time,
+and not meaning only the victuals: "the scent of the gorse on the moors
+drove me wild, and the primroses under the hedges. I am sure I was meant
+for a farmer's--I mean for a farm-house life, dear Lizzie"--for Lizzie
+was looking saucily--"just as you were meant for a soldier's bride, and
+for writing despatches of victory. And now, since you will not ask me,
+dear mother, in the excellence of your manners, and even John has not
+the impudence, in spite of all his coat of arms--I must tell you a
+thing, which I vowed to keep until tomorrow morning; but my resolution
+fails me. I am my own mistress--what think you of that, mother? I am my
+own mistress!"
+
+"Then you shall not be so long," cried I; for mother seemed not to
+understand her, and sought about for her glasses: "darling, you shall be
+mistress of me; and I will be your master."
+
+"A frank announcement of your intent, and beyond doubt a true one; but
+surely unusual at this stage, and a little premature, John. However,
+what must be, must be." And with tears springing out of smiles, she fell
+on my breast, and cried a bit.
+
+When I came to smoke a pipe over it (after the rest were gone to bed), I
+could hardly believe in my good luck. For here was I, without any merit,
+except of bodily power, and the absence of any falsehood (which surely
+is no commendation), so placed that the noblest man in England might
+envy me, and be vexed with me. For the noblest lady in all the land, and
+the purest, and the sweetest--hung upon my heart, as if there was none
+to equal it.
+
+I dwelled upon this matter, long and very severely, while I smoked a
+new tobacco, brought by my own Lorna for me, and next to herself most
+delicious; and as the smoke curled away, I thought, "Surely this is too
+fine to last, for a man who never deserved it."
+
+Seeing no way out of this, I resolved to place my faith in God; and so
+went to bed and dreamed of it. And having no presence of mind to pray
+for anything, under the circumstances, I thought it best to fall asleep,
+and trust myself to the future. Yet ere I fell asleep the roof above me
+swarmed with angels, having Lorna under it.
+
+In the morning Lorna was ready to tell her story, and we to hearken; and
+she wore a dress of most simple stuff; and yet perfectly wonderful, by
+means of the shape and her figure. Lizzie was wild with jealousy, as
+might be expected (though never would Annie have been so, but have
+praised it, and craved for the pattern), and mother not understanding
+it, looked forth, to be taught about it. For it was strange to note that
+lately my dear mother had lost her quickness, and was never quite brisk,
+unless the question were about myself. She had seen a great deal of
+trouble; and grief begins to close on people, as their power of life
+declines. We said that she was hard of hearing; but my opinion was,
+that seeing me inclined for marriage made her think of my father, and
+so perhaps a little too much, to dwell on the courting of thirty years
+agone. Anyhow, she was the very best of mothers; and would smile and
+command herself; and be (or try to believe herself) as happy as could
+be, in the doings of the younger folk, and her own skill in detecting
+them. Yet, with the wisdom of age, renouncing any opinion upon the
+matter; since none could see the end of it.
+
+But Lorna in her bright young beauty, and her knowledge of my heart, was
+not to be checked by any thoughts of haply coming evil. In the morning
+she was up, even sooner than I was, and through all the corners of the
+hens, remembering every one of them. I caught her and saluted her with
+such warmth (being now none to look at us), that she vowed she would
+never come out again; and yet she came the next morning.
+
+These things ought not to be chronicled. Yet I am of such nature, that
+finding many parts of life adverse to our wishes, I must now and then
+draw pleasure from the blessed portions. And what portion can be more
+blessed than with youth, and health, and strength, to be loved by a
+virtuous maid, and to love her with all one's heart? Neither was my
+pride diminished, when I found what she had done, only from her love of
+me.
+
+Earl Brandir's ancient steward, in whose charge she had travelled, with
+a proper escort, looked upon her as a lovely maniac; and the mixture of
+pity and admiration wherewith he regarded her, was a strange thing to
+observe; especially after he had seen our simple house and manners. On
+the other hand, Lorna considered him a worthy but foolish old gentleman;
+to whom true happiness meant no more than money and high position.
+
+These two last she had been ready to abandon wholly, and had in part
+escaped from them, as the enemies of her happiness. And she took
+advantage of the times, in a truly clever manner. For that happened
+to be a time--as indeed all times hitherto (so far as my knowledge
+extends), have, somehow, or other, happened to be--when everybody
+was only too glad to take money for doing anything. And the greatest
+money-taker in the kingdom (next to the King and Queen, of course, who
+had due pre-eminence, and had taught the maids of honour) was generally
+acknowledged to be the Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys.
+
+Upon his return from the bloody assizes, with triumph and great glory,
+after hanging every man who was too poor to help it, he pleased his
+Gracious Majesty so purely with the description of their delightful
+agonies, that the King exclaimed, "This man alone is worthy to be at the
+head of the law." Accordingly in his hand was placed the Great Seal of
+England.
+
+So it came to pass that Lorna's destiny hung upon Lord Jeffreys; for at
+this time Earl Brandir died, being taken with gout in the heart, soon
+after I left London. Lorna was very sorry for him; but as he had never
+been able to hear one tone of her sweet silvery voice, it is not to be
+supposed that she wept without consolation. She grieved for him as we
+ought to grieve for any good man going; and yet with a comforting sense
+of the benefit which the blessed exchange must bring to him.
+
+Now the Lady Lorna Dugal appeared to Lord Chancellor Jeffreys so
+exceeding wealthy a ward that the lock would pay for turning. Therefore
+he came, of his own accord, to visit her, and to treat with her; having
+heard (for the man was as big a gossip as never cared for anybody,
+yet loved to know all about everybody) that this wealthy and beautiful
+maiden would not listen to any young lord, having pledged her faith to
+the plain John Ridd.
+
+Thereupon, our Lorna managed so to hold out golden hopes to the Lord
+High Chancellor, that he, being not more than three parts drunk, saw his
+way to a heap of money. And there and then (for he was not the man
+to daily long about anything) upon surety of a certain round sum--the
+amount of which I will not mention, because of his kindness towards
+me--he gave to his fair ward permission, under sign and seal, to marry
+that loyal knight, John Ridd; upon condition only that the King's
+consent should be obtained.
+
+His Majesty, well-disposed towards me for my previous service, and
+regarding me as a good Catholic, being moved moreover by the Queen, who
+desired to please Lorna, consented, without much hesitation, upon the
+understanding that Lorna, when she became of full age, and the mistress
+of her property (which was still under guardianship), should pay a
+heavy fine to the Crown, and devote a fixed portion of her estate to the
+promotion of the holy Catholic faith, in a manner to be dictated by the
+King himself. Inasmuch, however, as King James was driven out of his
+kingdom before this arrangement could take effect, and another king
+succeeded, who desired not the promotion of the Catholic religion,
+neither hankered after subsidies, whether French or English, that
+agreement was pronounced invalid, improper, and contemptible. However,
+there was no getting back the money once paid to Lord Chancellor
+Jeffreys.
+
+But what thought we of money at this present moment; or of position,
+or anything else, except indeed one another? Lorna told me, with the
+sweetest smile, that if I were minded to take her at all, I must take
+her without anything; inasmuch as she meant, upon coming of age, to make
+over the residue of her estates to the next-of-kin, as being unfit for a
+farmer's wife. And I replied with the greatest warmth and a readiness
+to worship her, that this was exactly what I longed for, but had never
+dared to propose it. But dear mother looked most exceeding grave; and
+said that to be sure her opinion could not be expected to count for
+much, but she really hoped that in three years' time we should both he a
+little wiser, and have more regard for our interests, and perhaps those
+of others by that time; and Master Snowe having daughters only, and
+nobody coming to marry them, if anything happened to the good old
+man--and who could tell in three years' time what might happen to all
+or any of us?--why perhaps his farm would be for sale, and perhaps Lady
+Lorna's estates in Scotland would fetch enough money to buy it, and so
+throw the two farms into one, and save all the trouble about the brook,
+as my poor father had longed to do many and many a time, but not having
+a title could not do all quite as he wanted. And then if we young
+people grew tired of the old mother, as seemed only too likely, and was
+according to nature, why we could send her over there, and Lizzie to
+keep her company.
+
+When mother had finished, and wiped her eyes, Lorna, who had been
+blushing rosily at some portions of this great speech, flung her fair
+arms around mother's neck, and kissed her very heartily, and scolded
+her (as she well deserved) for her want of confidence in us. My mother
+replied that if anybody could deserve her John, it was Lorna; but that
+she could not hold with the rashness of giving up money so easily; while
+her next-of-kin would be John himself, and who could tell what others,
+by the time she was one-and-twenty?
+
+Hereupon, I felt that after all my mother had common sense on her side;
+for if Master Snowe's farm should be for sale, it would be far more to
+the purpose than my coat of arms, to get it; for there was a different
+pasture there, just suited for change of diet to our sheep as well
+as large cattle. And beside this, even with all Annie's skill (and of
+course yet more now she was gone), their butter would always command in
+the market from one to three farthings a pound more than we could get
+for ours. And few things vexed us more than this. Whereas, if we got
+possession of the farm, we might, without breach of the market-laws, or
+any harm done to any one (the price being but a prejudice), sell all our
+butter as Snowe butter, and do good to all our customers.
+
+Thinking thus, yet remembering that Farmer Nicholas might hold out for
+another score of years--as I heartily hoped he might--or that one, if
+not all, of his comely daughters might marry a good young farmer (or
+farmers, if the case were so)--or that, even without that, the farm
+might never be put up for sale; I begged my Lorna to do as she liked; or
+rather to wait and think of it; for as yet she could do nothing.
+
+[Illustration: 685.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LXXIV
+
+BLOOD UPON THE ALTAR
+
+[Illustration: 686.jpg Entrance to Oare Church]
+
+Everything was settled smoothly, and without any fear or fuss, that
+Lorna might find end of troubles, and myself of eager waiting, with
+the help of Parson Bowden, and the good wishes of two counties. I could
+scarce believe my fortune, when I looked upon her beauty, gentleness,
+and sweetness, mingled with enough of humour and warm woman's feeling,
+never to be dull or tiring; never themselves to be weary.
+
+For she might be called a woman now; although a very young one, and as
+full of playful ways, or perhaps I may say ten times as full, as if she
+had known no trouble. To wit, the spirit of bright childhood, having
+been so curbed and straitened, ere its time was over, now broke forth,
+enriched and varied with the garb of conscious maidenhood. And the sense
+of steadfast love, and eager love enfolding her, coloured with so many
+tinges all her looks, and words, and thoughts, that to me it was the
+noblest vision even to think about her.
+
+But this was far too bright to last, without bitter break, and the
+plunging of happiness in horror, and of passionate joy in agony. My
+darling in her softest moments, when she was alone with me, when the
+spark of defiant eyes was veiled beneath dark lashes, and the challenge
+of gay beauty passed into sweetest invitation; at such times of her
+purest love and warmest faith in me, a deep abiding fear would flutter
+in her bounding heart, as of deadly fate's approach. She would cling to
+me, and nestle to me, being scared of coyishness, and lay one arm around
+my neck, and ask if I could do without her.
+
+Hence, as all emotions haply, of those who are more to us than
+ourselves, find within us stronger echo, and more perfect answer, so
+I could not be regardless of some hidden evil; and my dark misgivings
+deepened as the time drew nearer. I kept a steadfast watch on Lorna,
+neglecting a field of beans entirely, as well as a litter of young pigs,
+and a cow somewhat given to jaundice. And I let Jem Slocombe go to sleep
+in the tallat, all one afternoon, and Bill Dadds draw off a bucket of
+cider, without so much as a "by your leave." For these men knew that my
+knighthood, and my coat of arms, and (most of all) my love, were greatly
+against good farming; the sense of our country being--and perhaps it may
+be sensible--that a man who sticks up to be anything, must allow himself
+to be cheated.
+
+But I never did stick up, nor would, though all the parish bade me; and
+I whistled the same tunes to my horses, and held my plough-tree, just
+the same as if no King, nor Queen, had ever come to spoil my tune or
+hand. For this thing, nearly all the men around our parts upbraided me;
+but the women praised me: and for the most part these are right, when
+themselves are not concerned.
+
+However humble I might be, no one knowing anything of our part of the
+country, would for a moment doubt that now here was a great to do and
+talk of John Ridd and his wedding. The fierce fight with the Doones so
+lately, and my leading of the combat (though I fought not more than need
+be), and the vanishing of Sir Counsellor, and the galloping madness of
+Carver, and the religious fear of the women that this last was gone to
+hell--for he himself had declared that his aim, while he cut through
+the yeomanry--also their remorse, that he should have been made to go
+thither with all his children left behind--these things, I say (if
+ever I can again contrive to say anything), had led to the broadest
+excitement about my wedding of Lorna. We heard that people meant to come
+from more than thirty miles around, upon excuse of seeing my stature and
+Lorna's beauty; but in good truth out of sheer curiosity, and the love
+of meddling.
+
+Our clerk had given notice, that not a man should come inside the door
+of his church without shilling-fee; and women (as sure to see twice as
+much) must every one pay two shillings. I thought this wrong; and as
+church-warden, begged that the money might be paid into mine own hands,
+when taken. But the clerk said that was against all law; and he had
+orders from the parson to pay it to him without any delay. So as I
+always obey the parson, when I care not much about a thing, I let them
+have it their own way; though feeling inclined to believe, sometimes,
+that I ought to have some of the money.
+
+Dear mother arranged all the ins and outs of the way in which it was
+to be done; and Annie and Lizzie, and all the Snowes, and even Ruth
+Huckaback (who was there, after great persuasion), made such a sweeping
+of dresses that I scarcely knew where to place my feet, and longed for a
+staff, to put by their gowns. Then Lorna came out of a pew half-way, in
+a manner which quite astonished me, and took my left hand in her right,
+and I prayed God that it were done with.
+
+My darling looked so glorious, that I was afraid of glancing at her, yet
+took in all her beauty. She was in a fright, no doubt; but nobody should
+see it; whereas I said (to myself at least), "I will go through it like
+a grave-digger."
+
+Lorna's dress was of pure white, clouded with faint lavender (for the
+sake of the old Earl Brandir), and as simple as need be, except for
+perfect loveliness. I was afraid to look at her, as I said before,
+except when each of us said, "I will," and then each dwelled upon the
+other.
+
+It is impossible for any who have not loved as I have to conceive my joy
+and pride, when after ring and all was done, and the parson had blessed
+us, Lorna turned to look at me with her glances of subtle fun subdued by
+this great act.
+
+Her eyes, which none on earth may ever equal, or compare with, told me
+such a depth of comfort, yet awaiting further commune, that I was almost
+amazed, thoroughly as I knew them. Darling eyes, the sweetest eyes, the
+loveliest, the most loving eyes--the sound of a shot rang through the
+church, and those eyes were filled with death.
+
+Lorna fell across my knees when I was going to kiss her, as the
+bridegroom is allowed to do, and encouraged, if he needs it; a flood of
+blood came out upon the yellow wood of the altar steps, and at my feet
+lay Lorna, trying to tell me some last message out of her faithful eyes.
+I lifted her up, and petted her, and coaxed her, but it was no good; the
+only sign of life remaining was a spirt of bright red blood.
+
+Some men know what things befall them in the supreme time of their
+life--far above the time of death--but to me comes back as a hazy dream,
+without any knowledge in it, what I did, or felt, or thought, with my
+wife's arms flagging, flagging, around my neck, as I raised her up, and
+softly put them there. She sighed a long sigh on my breast, for her last
+farewell to life, and then she grew so cold, and cold, that I asked the
+time of year.
+
+It was Whit-Tuesday, and the lilacs all in blossom; and why I thought
+of the time of year, with the young death in my arms, God or His angels,
+may decide, having so strangely given us. Enough that so I did, and
+looked; and our white lilacs were beautiful. Then I laid my wife in my
+mother's arms, and begging that no one would make a noise, went forth
+for my revenge.
+
+Of course, I knew who had done it. There was but one man in the
+world, or at any rate, in our part of it, who could have done such a
+thing--such a thing. I use no harsher word about it, while I leaped upon
+our best horse, with bridle but no saddle, and set the head of Kickums
+towards the course now pointed out to me. Who showed me the course, I
+cannot tell. I only know that I took it. And the men fell back before
+me.
+
+Weapon of no sort had I. Unarmed, and wondering at my strange attire
+(with a bridal vest, wrought by our Annie, and red with the blood of the
+bride), I went forth just to find out this; whether in this world there
+be or be not God of justice.
+
+With my vicious horse at a furious speed, I came upon Black Barrow Down,
+directed by some shout of men, which seemed to me but a whisper. And
+there, about a furlong before me, rode a man on a great black horse, and
+I knew that the man was Carver Doone.
+
+"Your life or mine," I said to myself; "as the will of God may be. But
+we two live not upon this earth, one more hour together."
+
+I knew the strength of this great man; and I knew that he was armed with
+a gun--if he had time to load again, after shooting my Lorna--or at any
+rate with pistols, and a horseman's sword as well. Nevertheless, I had
+no more doubt of killing the man before me than a cook has of spitting a
+headless fowl.
+
+Sometimes seeing no ground beneath me, and sometimes heeding every leaf,
+and the crossing of the grass-blades, I followed over the long moor,
+reckless whether seen or not. But only once the other man turned round
+and looked back again, and then I was beside a rock, with a reedy swamp
+behind me.
+
+Although he was so far before me, and riding as hard as ride he might, I
+saw that he had something on the horse in front of him; something which
+needed care, and stopped him from looking backward. In the whirling of
+my wits, I fancied first that this was Lorna; until the scene I had been
+through fell across hot brain and heart, like the drop at the close of
+a tragedy. Rushing there through crag and quag, at utmost speed of a
+maddened horse, I saw, as of another's fate, calmly (as on canvas laid),
+the brutal deed, the piteous anguish, and the cold despair.
+
+The man turned up the gully leading from the moor to Cloven Rocks,
+through which John Fry had tracked Uncle Ben, as of old related. But as
+Carver entered it, he turned round, and beheld me not a hundred yards
+behind; and I saw that he was bearing his child, little Ensie, before
+him. Ensie also descried me, and stretched his hands and cried to me;
+for the face of his father frightened him.
+
+Carver Doone, with a vile oath, thrust spurs into his flagging horse,
+and laid one hand on a pistol-stock; whence I knew that his slung
+carbine had received no bullet since the one that had pierced Lorna. And
+a cry of triumph rose from the black depths of my heart. What cared I
+for pistols? I had no spurs, neither was my horse one to need the rowel;
+I rather held him in than urged him, for he was fresh as ever; and I
+knew that the black steed in front, if he breasted the steep ascent,
+where the track divided, must be in our reach at once.
+
+His rider knew this; and, having no room in the rocky channel to turn
+and fire, drew rein at the crossways sharply, and plunged into the black
+ravine leading to the Wizard's Slough. "Is it so?" I said to myself
+with a brain and head cold as iron; "though the foul fiend come from the
+slough, to save thee; thou shalt carve it, Carver."
+
+I followed my enemy carefully, steadily, even leisurely; for I had him,
+as in a pitfall, whence no escape might be. He thought that I feared to
+approach him, for he knew not where he was: and his low disdainful laugh
+came back. "Laugh he who wins," thought I.
+
+A gnarled and half-starved oak, as stubborn as my own resolve, and
+smitten by some storm of old, hung from the crag above me. Rising from
+my horse's back, although I had no stirrups, I caught a limb, and tore
+it (like a mere wheat-awn) from the socket. Men show the rent even now,
+with wonder; none with more wonder than myself.
+
+Carver Doone turned the corner suddenly on the black and bottomless bog;
+with a start of fear he reined back his horse, and I thought he would
+have turned upon me. But instead of that, he again rode on; hoping to
+find a way round the side.
+
+Now there is a way between cliff and slough for those who know the
+ground thoroughly, or have time enough to search it; but for him there
+was no road, and he lost some time in seeking it. Upon this he made up
+his mind; and wheeling, fired, and then rode at me.
+
+His bullet struck me somewhere, but I took no heed of that. Fearing only
+his escape, I laid my horse across the way, and with the limb of the
+oak struck full on the forehead his charging steed. Ere the slash of the
+sword came nigh me, man and horse rolled over, and wellnigh bore my own
+horse down, with the power of their onset.
+
+Carver Doone was somewhat stunned, and could not arise for a moment.
+Meanwhile I leaped on the ground and awaited, smoothing my hair back,
+and baring my arms, as though in the ring for wrestling. Then the little
+boy ran to me, clasped my leg, and looked up at me, and the terror in
+his eyes made me almost fear myself.
+
+"Ensie, dear," I said quite gently, grieving that he should see his
+wicked father killed, "run up yonder round the corner and try to find
+a pretty bunch of bluebells for the lady." The child obeyed me,
+hanging back, and looking back, and then laughing, while I prepared for
+business. There and then I might have killed mine enemy, with a single
+blow, while he lay unconscious; but it would have been foul play.
+
+With a sullen and black scowl, the Carver gathered his mighty limbs, and
+arose, and looked round for his weapons; but I had put them well away.
+Then he came to me and gazed; being wont to frighten thus young men.
+
+"I would not harm you, lad," he said, with a lofty style of sneering: "I
+have punished you enough, for most of your impertinence. For the rest I
+forgive you; because you have been good and gracious to my little son.
+Go, and be contented."
+
+For answer, I smote him on the cheek, lightly, and not to hurt him: but
+to make his blood leap up. I would not sully my tongue by speaking to a
+man like this.
+
+There was a level space of sward between us and the slough. With the
+courtesy derived from London, and the processions I had seen, to this
+place I led him. And that he might breathe himself, and have every fibre
+cool, and every muscle ready, my hold upon his coat I loosed, and left
+him to begin with me, whenever he thought proper.
+
+I think that he felt that his time was come. I think he knew from my
+knitted muscles, and the firm arch of my breast, and the way in which
+I stood; but most of all from my stern blue eyes; that he had found his
+master. At any rate a paleness came, an ashy paleness on his cheeks, and
+the vast calves of his legs bowed in, as if he were out of training.
+
+Seeing this, villain as he was, I offered him first chance. I stretched
+forth my left hand, as I do to a weaker antagonist, and I let him have
+the hug of me. But in this I was too generous; having forgotten my
+pistol-wound, and the cracking of one of my short lower ribs. Carver
+Doone caught me round the waist, with such a grip as never yet had been
+laid upon me.
+
+I heard my rib go; I grasped his arm, and tore the muscle out of it* (as
+the string comes out of an orange); then I took him by the throat, which
+is not allowed in wrestling; but he had snatched at mine; and now was no
+time of dalliance. In vain he tugged, and strained, and writhed, dashed
+his bleeding fist into my face, and flung himself on me with gnashing
+jaws. Beneath the iron of my strength--for God that day was with me--I
+had him helpless in two minutes, and his fiery eyes lolled out.
+
+     * A far more terrible clutch than this is handed down, to
+     weaker ages, of the great John Ridd.--Ed.
+
+"I will not harm thee any more," I cried, so far as I could for panting,
+the work being very furious: "Carver Doone, thou art beaten: own it, and
+thank God for it; and go thy way, and repent thyself."
+
+It was all too late. Even if he had yielded in his ravening frenzy--for
+his beard was like a mad dog's jowl--even if he would have owned that,
+for the first time in his life, he had found his master; it was all too
+late.
+
+The black bog had him by the feet; the sucking of the ground drew on
+him, like the thirsty lips of death. In our fury, we had heeded neither
+wet nor dry; nor thought of earth beneath us. I myself might scarcely
+leap, with the last spring of o'er-laboured legs, from the engulfing
+grave of slime. He fell back, with his swarthy breast (from which my
+gripe had rent all clothing), like a hummock of bog-oak, standing out
+the quagmire; and then he tossed his arms to heaven, and they were black
+to the elbow, and the glare of his eyes was ghastly. I could only gaze
+and pant; for my strength was no more than an infant's, from the fury
+and the horror. Scarcely could I turn away, while, joint by joint, he
+sank from sight.
+
+[Illustration: 693.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LXXV
+
+GIVE AWAY THE GRANDEUR
+
+[Illustration: 694.jpg Illustrated Capital]
+
+When the little boy came back with the bluebells, which he had managed
+to find--as children always do find flowers, when older eyes see
+none--the only sign of his father left was a dark brown bubble, upon a
+newly formed patch of blackness. But to the center of its pulpy gorge
+the greedy slough was heaving, and sullenly grinding its weltering jaws
+among the flags and the sedges.
+
+With pain, and ache, both of mind and body, and shame at my own fury, I
+heavily mounted my horse again, and, looked down at the innocent Ensie.
+Would this playful, loving child grow up like his cruel father, and end
+a godless life of hatred with a death of violence? He lifted his noble
+forehead towards me, as if to answer, "Nay, I will not": but the words
+he spoke were these:--
+
+"Don,"--for he could never say "John"--"oh, Don, I am so glad that nasty
+naughty man is gone away. Take me home, Don. Take me home."
+
+It has been said of the wicked, "not even their own children love them."
+And I could easily believe that Carver Doone's cold-hearted ways had
+scared from him even his favorite child. No man would I call truly
+wicked, unless his heart be cold.
+
+It hurt me, more than I can tell, even through all other grief, to take
+into my arms the child of the man just slain by me. The feeling was a
+foolish one, and a wrong one, as the thing has been--for I would fain
+have saved that man, after he was conquered--nevertheless my arms went
+coldly round that little fellow; neither would they have gone at all,
+if there had been any help for it. But I could not leave him there, till
+some one else might fetch him; on account of the cruel slough, and the
+ravens which had come hovering over the dead horse; neither could I,
+with my wound, tie him on my horse and walk.
+
+For now I had spent a great deal of blood, and was rather faint and
+weary. And it was lucky for me that Kickums had lost spirit, like his
+master, and went home as mildly as a lamb. For, when we came towards the
+farm, I seemed to be riding in a dream almost; and the voices both of
+man and women (who had hurried forth upon my track), as they met me,
+seemed to wander from a distant muffling cloud. Only the thought of
+Lorna's death, like a heavy knell, was tolling in the belfry of my
+brain.
+
+When we came to the stable door, I rather fell from my horse than got
+off; and John Fry, with a look of wonder took Kickum's head, and led
+him in. Into the old farmhouse I tottered, like a weanling child, with
+mother in her common clothes, helping me along, yet fearing, except by
+stealth, to look at me.
+
+"I have killed him," was all I said; "even as he killed Lorna. Now let
+me see my wife, mother. She belongs to me none the less, though dead."
+
+"You cannot see her now, dear John," said Ruth Huckaback, coming
+forward; since no one else had the courage. "Annie is with her now,
+John."
+
+"What has that to do with it? Let me see my dead one; and pray myself to
+die."
+
+All the women fell away, and whispered, and looked at me, with side
+glances, and some sobbing; for my face was hard as flint. Ruth alone
+stood by me, and dropped her eyes, and trembled. Then one little hand
+of hers stole into my great shaking palm, and the other was laid on
+my tattered coat: yet with her clothes she shunned my blood, while she
+whispered gently,--
+
+"John, she is not your dead one. She may even be your living one yet,
+your wife, your home, and your happiness. But you must not see her now."
+
+"Is there any chance for her? For me, I mean; for me, I mean?"
+
+"God in heaven knows, dear John. But the sight of you, and in this sad
+plight, would be certain death to her. Now come first, and be healed
+yourself."
+
+I obeyed her, like a child, whispering only as I went, for none but
+myself knew her goodness--"Almighty God will bless you, darling, for the
+good you are doing now."
+
+Tenfold, ay and a thousandfold, I prayed and I believed it, when I came
+to know the truth. If it had not been for this little maid, Lorna must
+have died at once, as in my arms she lay for dead, from the dastard and
+murderous cruelty. But the moment I left her Ruth came forward and took
+the command of every one, in right of her firmness and readiness.
+
+She made them bear her home at once upon the door of the pulpit, with
+the cushion under the drooping head. With her own little hands she cut
+off, as tenderly as a pear is peeled, the bridal-dress, so steeped and
+stained, and then with her dainty transparent fingers (no larger than a
+pencil) she probed the vile wound in the side, and fetched the reeking
+bullet forth; and then with the coldest water stanched the flowing of
+the life-blood. All this while my darling lay insensible, and white as
+death; and needed nothing but her maiden shroud.
+
+But Ruth still sponged the poor side and forehead, and watched the long
+eyelashes flat upon the marble cheek; and laid her pure face on the
+faint heart, and bade them fetch her Spanish wine. Then she parted the
+pearly teeth (feebly clenched on the hovering breath), and poured in
+wine from a christening spoon, and raised the graceful neck and breast,
+and stroked the delicate throat, and waited; and then poured in a little
+more.
+
+Annie all the while looked on with horror and amazement, counting
+herself no second-rate nurse, and this as against all theory. But the
+quiet lifting of Ruth's hand, and one glance from her dark bright eyes,
+told Annie just to stand away, and not intercept the air so. And at the
+very moment when all the rest had settled that Ruth was a simple idiot,
+but could not harm the dead much, a little flutter in the throat,
+followed by a short low sigh, made them pause, and look and hope.
+
+For hours, however, and days, she lay at the very verge of death,
+kept alive by nothing but the care, the skill, the tenderness, and the
+perpetual watchfulness of Ruth. Luckily Annie was not there very often,
+so as to meddle; for kind and clever nurse as she was, she must have
+done more harm than good. But my broken rib, which was set by a doctor,
+who chanced to be at the wedding, was allotted to Annie's care; and
+great inflammation ensuing, it was quite enough to content her. This
+doctor had pronounced poor Lorna dead; wherefore Ruth refused most
+firmly to have aught to do with him. She took the whole case on herself;
+and with God's help she bore it through.
+
+Now whether it were the light and brightness of my Lorna's nature; or
+the freedom from anxiety--for she knew not of my hurt;--or, as some
+people said, her birthright among wounds and violence, or her manner of
+not drinking beer--I leave that doctor to determine who pronounced her
+dead. But anyhow, one thing is certain; sure as stars of hope above us;
+Lorna recovered, long ere I did.
+
+For the grief was on me still of having lost my love and lover at the
+moment she was mine. With the power of fate upon me, and the black
+cauldron of the wizard's death boiling in my heated brain, I had
+no faith in the tales they told. I believed that Lorna was in the
+churchyard, while these rogues were lying to me. For with strength of
+blood like mine, and power of heart behind it, a broken bone must burn
+itself.
+
+Mine went hard with fires of pain, being of such size and thickness; and
+I was ashamed of him for breaking by reason of a pistol-ball, and the
+mere hug of a man. And it fetched me down in conceit of strength; so
+that I was careful afterwards.
+
+All this was a lesson to me. All this made me very humble; illness being
+a thing, as yet, altogether unknown to me. Not that I cried small, or
+skulked, or feared the death which some foretold; shaking their heads
+about mortification, and a green appearance. Only that I seemed quite
+fit to go to heaven, and Lorna. For in my sick distracted mind (stirred
+with many tossings), like the bead in the spread of frog-spawn carried
+by the current, hung the black and central essence of my future life. A
+life without Lorna; a tadpole life. All stupid head; and no body.
+
+Many men may like such life; anchorites, fakirs, high-priests, and so
+on; but to my mind, it is not the native thing God meant for us. My
+dearest mother was a show, with crying and with fretting. The Doones,
+as she thought, were born to destroy us. Scarce had she come to some
+liveliness (though sprinkled with tears, every now and then) after her
+great bereavement, and ten years' time to dwell on it--when lo, here was
+her husband's son, the pet child of her own good John, murdered like his
+father! Well, the ways of God were wonderful!
+
+So they were, and so they are; and so they ever will be. Let us debate
+them as we will, our ways are His, and much the same; only second-hand
+from Him. And I expected something from Him, even in my worst of times,
+knowing that I had done my best.
+
+This is not edifying talk--as our Nonconformist parson says, when he can
+get no more to drink--therefore let me only tell what became of Lorna.
+One day, I was sitting in my bedroom, for I could not get downstairs,
+and there was no one strong enough to carry me, even if I would have
+allowed it.
+
+Though it cost me sore trouble and weariness, I had put on all my Sunday
+clothes, out of respect for the doctor, who was coming to bleed me again
+(as he always did twice a week); and it struck me that he had seemed
+hurt in his mind, because I wore my worst clothes to be bled in--for lie
+in bed I would not, after six o'clock; and even that was great laziness.
+
+I looked at my right hand, whose grasp had been like that of a
+blacksmith's vice; and it seemed to myself impossible that this could
+be John Ridd's. The great frame of the hand was there, as well as the
+muscles, standing forth like the guttering of a candle, and the broad
+blue veins, going up the back, and crossing every finger. But as
+for colour, even Lorna's could scarcely have been whiter; and as for
+strength, little Ensie Doone might have come and held it fast. I laughed
+as I tried in vain to lift the basin set for bleeding me.
+
+Then I thought of all the lovely things going on out-of-doors just now,
+concerning which the drowsy song of the bees came to me. These must
+be among the thyme, by the sound of their great content. Therefore the
+roses must be in blossom, and the woodbine, and clove-gilly-flower; the
+cherries on the wall must be turning red, the yellow Sally must be on
+the brook, wheat must be callow with quavering bloom, and the early
+meadows swathed with hay.
+
+Yet here was I, a helpless creature quite unfit to stir among them,
+gifted with no sight, no scent of all the changes that move our love,
+and lead our hearts, from month to month, along the quiet path of life.
+And what was worse, I had no hope of caring ever for them more.
+
+Presently a little knock sounded through my gloomy room, and supposing
+it to be the doctor, I tried to rise and make my bow. But to my surprise
+it was little Ruth, who had never once come to visit me, since I
+was placed under the doctor's hands. Ruth was dressed so gaily, with
+rosettes, and flowers, and what not, that I was sorry for her bad
+manners; and thought she was come to conquer me, now that Lorna was done
+with.
+
+Ruth ran towards me with sparkling eyes, being rather short of sight;
+then suddenly she stopped, and I saw entire amazement in her face.
+
+"Can you receive visitors, Cousin Ridd?--why, they never told me of
+this!" she cried: "I knew that you were weak, dear John; but not that
+you were dying. Whatever is that basin for?"
+
+"I have no intention of dying, Ruth; and I like not to talk about it.
+But that basin, if you must know, is for the doctor's purpose."
+
+"What, do you mean bleeding you? You poor weak cousin! Is it possible
+that he does that still?"
+
+"Twice a week for the last six weeks, dear. Nothing else has kept me
+alive."
+
+"Nothing else has killed you, nearly. There!" and she set her little
+boot across the basin, and crushed it. "Not another drop shall they have
+from you. Is Annie such a fool as that? And Lizzie, like a zany, at her
+books! And killing her brother, between them!"
+
+I was surprised to see Ruth excited; her character being so calm and
+quiet. And I tried to soothe her with my feeble hand, as now she knelt
+before me.
+
+"Dear cousin, the doctor must know best. Annie says so, every day. What
+has he been brought up for?"
+
+"Brought up for slaying and murdering. Twenty doctors killed King
+Charles, in spite of all the women. Will you leave it to me, John? I
+have a little will of my own; and I am not afraid of doctors. Will you
+leave it to me, dear John? I have saved your Lorna's life. And now I
+will save yours; which is a far, far easier business."
+
+"You have saved my Lorna's life! What do you mean by talking so?"
+
+"Only what I say, Cousin John. Though perhaps I overprize my work. But
+at any rate she says so."
+
+"I do not understand," I said, falling back with bewilderment; "all
+women are such liars."
+
+"Have you ever known me tell a lie?" Ruth in great indignation--more
+feigned, I doubt, than real--"your mother may tell a story, now and then
+when she feels it right; and so may both your sisters. But so you cannot
+do, John Ridd; and no more than you can I do it."
+
+If ever there was virtuous truth in the eyes of any woman, it was now
+in Ruth Huckaback's: and my brain began very slowly to move, the heart
+being almost torpid from perpetual loss of blood.
+
+"I do not understand," was all I could say for a very long time.
+
+"Will you understand, if I show you Lorna? I have feared to do it, for
+the sake of you both. But now Lorna is well enough, if you think that
+you are, Cousin John. Surely you will understand, when you see your
+wife."
+
+Following her, to the very utmost of my mind and heart, I felt that all
+she said was truth; and yet I could not make it out. And in her last
+few words there was such a power of sadness rising through the cover
+of gaiety, that I said to myself, half in a dream, "Ruth is very
+beautiful."
+
+Before I had time to listen much for the approach of footsteps, Ruth
+came back, and behind her Lorna; coy as if of her bridegroom; and
+hanging back with her beauty. Ruth banged the door, and ran away; and
+Lorna stood before me.
+
+But she did not stand for an instant, when she saw what I was like. At
+the risk of all thick bandages, and upsetting a dozen medicine bottles,
+and scattering leeches right and left, she managed to get into my arms,
+although they could not hold her. She laid her panting warm young breast
+on the place where they meant to bleed me, and she set my pale face up;
+and she would not look at me, having greater faith in kissing.
+
+I felt my life come back, and warm; I felt my trust in women flow; I
+felt the joys of living now, and the power of doing it. It is not a
+moment to describe; who feels can never tell of it. But the rush of
+Lorna's tears, and the challenge of my bride's lips, and the throbbing
+of my wife's heart (now at last at home on mine), made me feel that the
+world was good, and not a thing to be weary of.
+
+Little more have I to tell. The doctor was turned out at once; and
+slowly came back my former strength, with a darling wife, and good
+victuals. As for Lorna, she never tired of sitting and watching me eat
+and eat. And such is her heart that she never tires of being with me
+here and there, among the beautiful places, and talking with her arm
+around me--so far at least as it can go, though half of mine may go
+round her--of the many fears and troubles, dangers and discouragements,
+and worst of all the bitter partings, which we used to have, somehow.
+
+There is no need for my farming harder than becomes a man of weight.
+Lorna has great stores of money, though we never draw it out, except for
+some poor neighbor; unless I find her a sumptuous dress, out of her own
+perquisites. And this she always looks upon as a wondrous gift from me;
+and kisses me much when she puts it on, and walks like the noble woman
+she is. And yet I may never behold it again; for she gets back to her
+simple clothes, and I love her the better in them. I believe that she
+gives half the grandeur away, and keeps the other half for the children.
+
+As for poor Tom Faggus, every one knows his bitter adventures, when his
+pardon was recalled, because of his journey to Sedgemoor. Not a child
+in the country, I doubt, but knows far more than I do of Tom's most
+desperate doings. The law had ruined him once, he said; and then he had
+been too much for the law: and now that a quiet life was his object,
+here the base thing came after him. And such was his dread of this
+evil spirit, that being caught upon Barnstaple Bridge, with soldiers
+at either end of it (yet doubtful about approaching him), he set his
+strawberry mare, sweet Winnie, at the left-hand parapet, with a whisper
+into her dove-coloured ear. Without a moment's doubt she leaped it, into
+the foaming tide, and swam, and landed according to orders. Also his
+flight from a public-house (where a trap was set for him, but Winnie
+came and broke down the door, and put two men under, and trod on them,)
+is as well known as any ballad. It was reported for awhile that poor Tom
+had been caught at last, by means of his fondness for liquor, and was
+hanged before Taunton Jail; but luckily we knew better. With a good
+wife, and a wonderful horse, and all the country attached to him, he
+kept the law at a wholesome distance, until it became too much for its
+master; and a new king arose. Upon this, Tom sued his pardon afresh; and
+Jeremy Stickles, who suited the times, was glad to help him in getting
+it, as well as a compensation. Thereafter the good and respectable
+Tom lived a godly (though not always sober) life; and brought up his
+children to honesty, as the first of all qualifications.
+
+My dear mother was as happy as possibly need be with us; having no
+cause for jealousy, as others arose around her. And everybody was well
+pleased, when Lizzy came in one day and tossed her bookshelf over, and
+declared that she would have Captain Bloxham, and nobody should prevent
+her. For that he alone, of all the men she had ever met with, knew good
+writing when he saw it, and could spell a word when told. As he had now
+succeeded to Captain Stickle's position (Stickles going up the tree),
+and had the power of collecting, and of keeping, what he liked, there
+was nothing to be said against it; and we hoped that he would pay her
+out.
+
+I sent little Ensie to Blundell's school, at my own cost and charges,
+having changed his name, for fear of what anyone might do to him. I
+called him Ensie Jones; and we got him a commission, and after many
+scrapes of spirit, he did great things in the Low Countries. He looks
+upon me as his father; and without my leave will not lay claim to the
+heritage and title of the Doones, which clearly belong to him.
+
+Ruth Huckaback is not married yet; although upon Uncle Reuben's death
+she came into all his property; except, indeed, 2000 pounds, which Uncle
+Ben, in his driest manner, bequeathed "to Sir John Ridd, the worshipful
+knight, for greasing of the testator's boots." And he left almost a
+mint of money, not from the mine, but from the shop, and the good use of
+usury. For the mine had brought in just what it cost, when the vein of
+gold ended suddenly; leaving all concerned much older, and some, I fear,
+much poorer; but no one utterly ruined, as is the case with most of
+them. Ruth herself was his true mine, as upon death-bed he found. I know
+a man even worthy of her: and though she is not very young, he loves
+her, as I love Lorna. It is my firm conviction, that in the end he
+will win her; and I do not mean to dance again, except at dear Ruth's
+wedding; if the floor be strong enough.
+
+Of Lorna, of my lifelong darling, of my more and more loved wife, I will
+not talk; for it is not seemly that a man should exalt his pride. Year
+by year her beauty grows, with the growth of goodness, kindness, and
+true happiness--above all with loving. For change, she makes a joke of
+this, and plays with it, and laughs at it; and then, when my slow nature
+marvels, back she comes to the earnest thing. And if I wish to pay her
+out for something very dreadful--as may happen once or twice, when we
+become too gladsome--I bring her to forgotten sadness, and to me for
+cure of it, by the two words "Lorna Doone."
+
+[Illustration: 703.jpg Tailpiece]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Lorna Doone, by R. D. Blackmore
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