第2章

’Areyewearied，lad？’sheaskedafterawhile。

’Iamnotsomuchwearied，Mary，’Ireplied，gettingonmyfeet，’asIamwearyofdelay，andperhapsofArostoo。Youknowmewellenoughtojudgemefairly，saywhatIlike。Well，Mary，youmaybesureofthis：youhadbetterbeanywherebuthere。’

’I’llbesureofonething，’shereturned：’I’llbewheremydutyis。’

’Youforget，youhaveadutytoyourself，’Isaid。

’Ay，man？’shereplied，poundingatthedough。’willyouhavefoundthatintheBible，now？’

’Mary，’Isaidsolemnly，’youmustnotlaughatmejustnow。GodknowsIaminnoheartforlaughing。Ifwecouldgetyourfatherwithus，itwouldbebest。butwithhimorwithouthim，Iwantyoufarawayfromhere，mygirl。foryourownsake，andformine，ay，andforyourfather’stoo，Iwantyoufar-farawayfromhere。I

camewithotherthoughts。Icamehereasamancomeshome。nowitisallchanged，andIhavenodesirenorhopebuttoflee-forthat’stheword-flee，likeabirdoutofthefowler’ssnare，fromthisaccursedisland。’

Shehadstoppedherworkbythistime。

’Anddoyouthink，now，’saidshe，’doyouthink，now，Ihaveneithereyesnorears？DoyethinkIhavenaebrokenmyhearttohavethesebraws(ashecallsthem，Godforgivehim！)thrownintothesea？DoyethinkIhavelivedwithhim，dayin，dayout，andnotseenwhatyousawinanhourortwo？No，’shesaid，’Iknowthere’swronginit。whatwrong，Ineitherknownorwanttoknow。

Therewasneveranillthingmadebetterbymeddling，thatIcouldhearof。But，mylad，youmustneveraskmetoleavemyfather。

Whilethebreathisinhisbody，I’llbewithhim。Andhe’snotlongforhere，either：thatIcantellyou，Charlie-he’snotlongforhere。Themarkisonhisbrow。andbetterso-maybebetterso。’

Iwasawhilesilent，notknowingwhattosay。andwhenIrousedmyheadatlasttospeak，shegotbeforeme。

’Charlie，’shesaid，’what’srightforme，neednaeberightforyou。There’ssinuponthishouseandtrouble。youareastranger。

takeyourthingsuponyourbackandgoyourwaystobetterplacesandtobetterfolk，andifyouwereevermindedtocomeback，thoughitweretwentyyearssyne，youwouldfindmeayewaiting。’

’MaryEllen，’Isaid，’Iaskedyoutobemywife，andyousaidasgoodasyes。That’sdoneforgood。Whereveryouare，Iam。asI

shallanswertomyGod。’

AsIsaidthewords，thewindsuddenlyburstoutraving，andthenseemedtostandstillandshudderroundthehouseofAros。Itwasthefirstsquall，orprologue，ofthecomingtempest，andaswestartedandlookedaboutus，wefoundthatagloom，liketheapproachofevening，hadsettledroundthehouse。

’Godpityallpoorfolksatsea！’shesaid。’We’llseenomoreofmyfathertillthemorrow’smorning。’

Andthenshetoldme，aswesatbythefireandhearkenedtotherisinggusts，ofhowthischangehadfallenuponmyuncle。Alllastwinterhehadbeendarkandfitfulinhismind。WhenevertheRoostranhigh，or，asMarysaid，whenevertheMerryMenweredancing，hewouldlieoutforhourstogetherontheHead，ifitwereatnight，oronthetopofArosbyday，watchingthetumultofthesea，andsweepingthehorizonforasail。AfterFebruarythetenth，whenthewealth-bringingwreckwascastashoreatSandag，hehadbeenatfirstunnaturallygay，andhisexcitementhadneverfallenindegree，butonlychangedinkindfromdarktodarker。Heneglectedhiswork，andkeptRorieidle。Theytwowouldspeaktogetherbythehouratthegableend，inguardedtonesandwithanairofsecrecyandalmostofguilt。andifshequestionedeither，asatfirstshesometimesdid，herinquirieswereputasidewithconfusion。SinceRoriehadfirstremarkedthefishthathungabouttheferry，hismasterhadneversetfootbutonceuponthemainlandoftheRoss。Thatonce-itwasintheheightofthesprings-hehadpasseddryshodwhilethetidewasout。but，havinglingeredoverlongonthefarside，foundhimselfcutofffromArosbythereturningwaters。Itwaswithashriekofagonythathehadleapedacrossthegut，andhehadreachedhomethereafterinafever-fitoffear。Afearofthesea，aconstanthauntingthoughtofthesea，appearedinhistalkanddevotions，andeveninhislookswhenhewassilent。

Roriealonecameintosupper。butalittlelatermyuncleappeared，tookabottleunderhisarm，putsomebreadinhispocket，andsetforthagaintohisoutlook，followedthistimebyRorie。Iheardthattheschoonerwaslosingground，butthecrewwerestillfightingeveryinchwithhopelessingenuityandcourse。

andthenewsfilledmymindwithblackness。

Alittleaftersundownthefullfuryofthegalebrokeforth，suchagaleasIhaveneverseeninsummer，nor，seeinghowswiftlyithadcome，eveninwinter。MaryandIsatinsilence，thehousequakingoverhead，thetempesthowlingwithout，thefirebetweenussputteringwithraindrops。Ourthoughtswerefarawaywiththepoorfellowsontheschooner，ormynotlessunhappyuncle，houselessonthepromontory。andyeteverandagainwewerestartledbacktoourselves，whenthewindwouldriseandstrikethegablelikeasolidbody，orsuddenlyfallanddrawaway，sothatthefireleapedintoflameandourheartsboundedinoursides。

Nowthestorminitsmightwouldseizeandshakethefourcornersoftheroof，roaringlikeLeviathaninanger。Anon，inalull，coldeddiesoftempestmovedshudderinglyintheroom，liftingthehairuponourheadsandpassingbetweenusaswesat。Andagainthewindwouldbreakforthinachorusofmelancholysounds，hootinglowinthechimney，wailingwithflutelikesoftnessroundthehouse。

Itwasperhapseighto’clockwhenRoriecameinandpulledmemysteriouslytothedoor。Myuncle，itappeared，hadfrightenedevenhisconstantcomrade。andRorie，uneasyathisextravagance，prayedmetocomeoutandsharethewatch。IhastenedtodoasI

wasasked。themorereadilyas，whatwithfearandhorror，andtheelectricaltensionofthenight，Iwasmyselfrestlessanddisposedforaction。ItoldMarytobeundernoalarm，forIshouldbeasafeguardonherfather。andwrappingmyselfwarmlyinaplaid，I

followedRorieintotheopenair。

Thenight，thoughweweresolittlepastmidsummer，wasasdarkasJanuary。Intervalsofagropingtwilightalternatedwithspellsofutterblackness。anditwasimpossibletotracethereasonofthesechangesintheflyinghorrorofthesky。Thewindblewthebreathoutofaman’snostrils。allheavenseemedtothunderoverheadlikeonehugesail。andwhentherefellamomentarylullonAros，wecouldhearthegustsdismallysweepinginthedistance。OverallthelowlandsoftheRoss，thewindmusthaveblownasfierceasontheopensea。andGodonlyknowstheuproarthatwasragingaroundtheheadofBenKyaw。Sheetsofmingledsprayandrainweredriveninourfaces。AllroundtheisleofArosthesurf，withanincessant，hammeringthunder，beatuponthereefsandbeaches。Nowlouderinoneplace，nowlowerinanother，likethecombinationsoforchestralmusic，theconstantmassofsoundwashardlyvariedforamoment。Andloudaboveallthishurly-burlyIcouldhearthechangefulvoicesoftheRoostandtheintermittentroaringoftheMerryMen。Atthathour，thereflashedintomymindthereasonofthenamethattheywerecalled。Forthenoiseofthemseemedalmostmirthful，asitout-toppedtheothernoisesofthenight。orifnotmirthful，yetinstinctwithaportentousjoviality。Nay，anditseemedevenhuman。Aswhensavagemenhavedrunkawaytheirreason，and，discardingspeech，bawltogetherintheirmadnessbythehour。so，tomyears，thesedeadlybreakersshoutedbyArosinthenight。

Arminarm，andstaggeringagainstthewind，RorieandIwoneveryyardofgroundwithconsciouseffort。Weslippedonthewetsod，wefelltogethersprawlingontherocks。Bruised，drenched，beaten，andbreathless，itmusthavetakenusnearhalfanhourtogetfromthehousedowntotheHeadthatoverlookstheRoost。

There，itseemed，wasmyuncle’sfavouriteobservatory。Rightinthefaceofit，wherethecliffishighestandmostsheer，ahumpofearth，likeaparapet，makesaplaceofshelterfromthecommonwinds，whereamanmaysitinquietandseethetideandthemadbillowscontendingathisfeet。Ashemightlookdownfromthewindowofahouseuponsomestreetdisturbance，so，fromthispost，helooksdownuponthetumblingoftheMerryMen。Onsuchanight，ofcourse，hepeersuponaworldofblackness，wherethewaterswheelandboil，wherethewavesjousttogetherwiththenoiseofanexplosion，andthefoamtowersandvanishesinthetwinklingofaneye。NeverbeforehadIseentheMerryMenthusviolent。Thefury，height，andtransiencyoftheirspoutingswasathingtobeseenandnotrecounted。Highoverourheadsonthecliffrosetheirwhitecolumnsinthedarkness。andthesameinstant，likephantoms，theyweregone。Sometimesthreeatatimewouldthusaspireandvanish。sometimesagusttookthem，andthespraywouldfallaboutus，heavyasawave。Andyetthespectaclewasrathermaddeninginitslevitythanimpressivebyitsforce。Thoughtwasbeatendownbytheconfoundinguproar-agleefulvacancypossessedthebrainsofmen，astateakintomadness。andIfoundmyselfattimesfollowingthedanceoftheMerryMenasitwereatuneuponajigginginstrument。

Ifirstcaughtsightofmyunclewhenwewerestillsomeyardsawayinoneoftheflyingglimpsesoftwilightthatchequeredthepitchdarknessofthenight。Hewasstandingupbehindtheparapet，hisheadthrownbackandthebottletohismouth。Asheputitdown，hesawandrecogniseduswithatossofonehandfleeringlyabovehishead。

’Hashebeendrinking？’shoutedItoRorie。

’Hewillayebedrunkwhenthewindblaws，’returnedRorieinthesamehighkey，anditwasallthatIcoulddotohearhim。

’Then-washeso-inFebruary？’Iinquired。

Rorie’s’Ay’wasacauseofjoytome。Themurder，then，hadnotsprungincoldbloodfromcalculation。itwasanactofmadnessnomoretobecondemnedthantobepardoned。Myunclewasadangerousmadman，ifyouwill，buthewasnotcruelandbaseasIhadfeared。

Yetwhatasceneforacarouse，whatanincrediblevice，wasthisthatthepoormanhadchosen！Ihavealwaysthoughtdrunkennessawildandalmostfearfulpleasure，ratherdemoniacalthanhuman。butdrunkenness，outhereintheroaringblackness，ontheedgeofacliffabovethathellofwaters，theman’sheadspinningliketheRoost，hisfoottotteringontheedgeofdeath，hisearwatchingforthesignsofship-wreck，surelythat，ifitwerecredibleinanyone，wasmorallyimpossibleinamanlikemyuncle，whosemindwassetuponadamnatorycreedandhauntedbythedarkestsuperstitions。Yetsoitwas。and，aswereachedthebightofshelterandcouldbreatheagain，Isawtheman’seyesshininginthenightwithanunholyglimmer。

’Eh，Charlie，man，it’sgrand！’hecried。’Seetothem！’hecontinued，draggingmetotheedgeoftheabyssfromwhencearosethatdeafeningclamourandthosecloudsofspray。’seetothemdancin’，man！Isthatnowicked？’

Hepronouncedthewordwithgusto，andIthoughtitsuitedwiththescene。

’They’reyowlin’forthonschooner，’hewenton，histhin，insanevoiceclearlyaudibleintheshelterofthebank，’an’she’scomin’

ayenearer，ayenearer，ayeneareran’neareran’nearer。an’theyken’t，thefolkkensit，theykenwoolit’sbywi’them。Charlie，lad，they’rea’drunkinyonschooner，a’dozenedwi’drink。Theywerea’drunkintheCHRIST-ANNA，atthehinderend。There’snanecoulddroonatseawantin’thebrandy。Hootawa，whatdoyouken？’

withasuddenblastofanger。’Itellye，itcannaebe。theydroonwithootit。Ha’e，’holdingoutthebottle，’tak’asowp。’

Iwasabouttorefuse，butRorietouchedmeasifinwarning。andindeedIhadalreadythoughtbetterofthemovement。Itookthebottle，therefore，andnotonlydrankfreelymyself，butcontrivedtospillevenmoreasIwasdoingso。Itwaspurespirit，andalmoststrangledmetoswallow。Mykinsmandidnotobservetheloss，but，oncemorethrowingbackhishead，drainedtheremaindertothedregs。Then，withaloudlaugh，hecastthebottleforthamongtheMerryMen，whoseemedtoleapup，shoutingtoreceiveit。

’Ha’e，bairns！’hecried，’there’syourhan’sel。Ye’llgetbonniernorthat，ormorning。’

Suddenly，outintheblacknightbeforeus，andnottwohundredyardsaway，weheard，atamomentwhenthewindwassilent，theclearnoteofahumanvoice。InstantlythewindswepthowlingdownupontheHead，andtheRoostbellowed，andchurned，anddancedwithanewfury。Butwehadheardthesound，andweknew，withagony，thatthiswasthedoomedshipnowcloseonruin，andthatwhatwehadheardwasthevoiceofhermasterissuinghislastcommand。

Crouchingtogetherontheedge，wewaited，strainingeverysense，fortheinevitableend。Itwaslong，however，andtousitseemedlikeages，eretheschoonersuddenlyappearedforonebriefinstant，relievedagainstatowerofglimmeringfoam。Istillseeherreefedmainsailflappingloose，astheboomfellheavilyacrossthedeck。Istillseetheblackoutlineofthehull，andstillthinkIcandistinguishthefigureofamanstretcheduponthetiller。Yetthewholesightwehadofherpassedswifterthanlightning。theverywavethatdisclosedherfellburyingherforever。themingledcryofmanyvoicesatthepointofdeathroseandwasquenchedintheroaringoftheMerryMen。Andwiththatthetragedywasatanend。Thestrongship，withallhergear，andthelampperhapsstillburninginthecabin，thelivesofsomanymen，precioussurelytoothers，dear，atleast，asheaventothemselves，hadall，inthatonemoment，gonedownintothesurgingwaters。

Theyweregonelikeadream。Andthewindstillranandshouted，andthesenselesswatersintheRooststillleapedandtumbledasbefore。

Howlongwelaytheretogether，wethree，speechlessandmotionless，ismorethanIcantell，butitmusthavebeenforlong。Atlength，onebyone，andalmostmechanically，wecrawledbackintotheshelterofthebank。AsIlayagainsttheparapet，whollywretchedandnotentirelymasterofmymind，Icouldhearmykinsmanmaunderingtohimselfinanalteredandmelancholymood。

Nowhewouldrepeattohimselfwithmaudliniteration，’Sicafechtastheyhad-sicasairfechtastheyhad，puirlads，puirlads！’

andanonhewouldbewailthat’a’thegearwasasgude’stint，’

becausetheshiphadgonedownamongtheMerryMeninsteadofstrandingontheshore。andthroughout，thename-theCHRIST-ANNA-

wouldcomeandgoinhisdivagations，pronouncedwithshudderingawe。Thestormallthistimewasrapidlyabating。Inhalfanhourthewindhadfallentoabreeze，andthechangewasaccompaniedorcausedbyaheavy，cold，andplumpingrain。Imustthenhavefallenasleep，andwhenIcametomyself，drenched，stiff，andunrefreshed，dayhadalreadybroken，grey，wet，discomfortableday。

thewindblewinfaintandshiftingcapfuls，thetidewasout，theRoostwasatitslowest，andonlythestrongbeatingsurfroundallthecoastsofArosremainedtowitnessofthefuriesofthenight。

CHAPTERV。AMANOUTOFTHESEA。

Roriesetoutforthehouseinsearchofwarmthandbreakfast。butmyunclewasbentuponexaminingtheshoresofAros，andIfeltitapartofdutytoaccompanyhimthroughout。Hewasnowdocileandquiet，buttremulousandweakinmindandbody。anditwaswiththeeagernessofachildthathepursuedhisexploration。Heclimbedfardownupontherocks。onthebeaches，hepursuedtheretreatingbreakers。Themerestbrokenplankorragofcordagewasatreasureinhiseyestobesecuredattheperilofhislife。Toseehim，withweakandstumblingfootsteps，exposehimselftothepursuitofthesurf，orthesnaresandpitfallsoftheweedyrock，keptmeinaperpetualterror。Myarmwasreadytosupporthim，myhandclutchedhimbytheskirt，Ihelpedhimtodrawhispitifuldiscoveriesbeyondthereachofthereturningwave。anurseaccompanyingachildofsevenwouldhavehadnodifferentexperience。

Yet，weakenedashewasbythereactionfromhismadnessofthenightbefore，thepassionsthatsmoulderedinhisnaturewerethoseofastrongman。Histerrorofthesea，althoughconqueredforthemoment，wasstillundiminished。hadtheseabeenalakeoflivingflames，hecouldnothaveshrunkmorepanicallyfromitstouch。andonce，whenhisfootslippedandheplungedtothemidlegintoapoolofwater，theshriekthatcameupoutofhissoulwaslikethecryofdeath。Hesatstillforawhile，pantinglikeadog，afterthat。buthisdesireforthespoilsofshipwrecktriumphedoncemoreoverhisfears。oncemorehetotteredamongthecurdedfoam。

oncemorehecrawledupontherocksamongtheburstingbubbles。

oncemorehiswholeheartseemedtobesetondriftwood，fit，ifitwasfitforanything，tothrowuponthefire。Pleasedashewaswithwhathefound，hestillincessantlygrumbledathisill-

fortune。

’Aros，’hesaid，’isnoaplaceforwrecksava’-noava’。A’theyearsI’vedwalthere，thisanemaksthesecond。andthebesto’

thegearcleantint！’

’Uncle，’saidI，forwewerenowonastretchofopensand，wheretherewasnothingtodiverthismind，’Isawyoulastnight，asI

neverthoughttoseeyou-youweredrunk。’

’Na，na，’hesaid，’noasbadasthat。Ihadbeendrinking，though。AndtotellyetheGod’struth，it’sathingIcannaemend。There’snaesoberermanthanmeinmyordnar。butwhenI

hearthewindblawinmylug，it’smybeliefthatIganggyte。’

’Youareareligiousman，’Ireplied，’andthisissin’。

’Ou，’hereturned，’ifitwasnaesin，IdinnaekenthatIwouldcarefor’t。Yesee，man，it’sdefiance。There’sasairspango’

theauldsino’thewarldinyousea。it’sanunchristianbusinessatthebesto’t。an’whileswhenitgetsup，an’thewindskreights-thewindan’herareakindofsib，I’mthinkin’-an’thaeMerryMen，thedaftcallants，blawin’andlauchin’，andpuirsoulsinthedeidthrawswarstlin’theleelangnichtwi’theirbitships-weel，itcomesowermelikeaglamour。I’madeil，Iken’t。ButIthinknaethingo’thepuirsailorlads。I’mwi’thesea，I’mjustlikeaneo’herainMerryMen。’

IthoughtIshouldtouchhiminajointofhisharness。Iturnedmetowardsthesea。thesurfwasrunninggaily，waveafterwave，withtheirmanesblowingbehindthem，ridingoneafteranotherupthebeach，towering，curving，fallingoneuponanotheronthetrampledsand。Without，thesaltair，thescaredgulls，thewidespreadarmyofthesea-chargers，neighingtoeachother，astheygatheredtogethertotheassaultofAros。andclosebeforeus，thatlineontheflatsandsthat，withalltheirnumberandtheirfury，theymightneverpass。

’Thusfarshaltthougo，’saidI，’andnofarther。’AndthenI

quotedassolemnlyasIwasableaversethatIhadoftenbeforefittedtothechorusofthebreakers：-

ButyettheLordthatisonhigh，Ismoreofmightbyfar，Thannoiseofmanywatersis，Asgreatseabillowsare。

’Ay，’saidmykinsinan，’atthehinderend，theLordwilltriumph。

Idinnaemisdoobtthat。Buthereonearth，evensillymen-folkdaurHimtoHisface。Itisnaewise。Iamnaesayin’thatit’swise。butit’stheprideoftheeye，andit’sthelusto’life，an’

it’sthewaleo’pleesures。’

Isaidnomore，forwehadnowbeguntocrossaneckoflandthatlaybetweenusandSandag。andIwithheldmylastappealtotheman’sbetterreasontillweshouldstanduponthespotassociatedwithhiscrime。Nordidhepursuethesubject。buthewalkedbesidemewithafirmerstep。ThecallthatIhadmadeuponhismindactedlikeastimulant，andIcouldseethathehadforgottenhissearchforworthlessjetsam，inaprofound，gloomy，andyetstirringtrainofthought。InthreeorfourminuteswehadtoppedthebraeandbeguntogodownuponSandag。Thewreckhadbeenroughlyhandledbythesea。thestemhadbeenspunroundanddraggedalittlelowerdown。andperhapsthesternhadbeenforcedalittlehigher，forthetwopartsnowlayentirelyseparateonthebeach。WhenwecametothegraveIstopped，uncoveredmyheadinthethickrain，and，lookingmykinsmanintheface，addressedhim。

’Aman，’saidI，’wasinGod’sprovidencesufferedtoescapefrommortaldangers。hewaspoor，hewasnaked，hewaswet，hewasweary，hewasastranger。hehadeveryclaimuponthebowelsofyourcompassion。itmaybethathewasthesaltoftheearth，holy，helpful，andkind。itmaybehewasamanladenwithiniquitiestowhomdeathwasthebeginningoftorment。Iaskyouinthesightofheaven：GordonDarnaway，whereisthemanforwhomChristdied？’

Hestartedvisiblyatthelastwords。buttherecamenoanswer，andhisfaceexpressednofeelingbutavaguealarm。

’Youweremyfather’sbrother，’Icontinued。’You，havetaughtmetocountyourhouseasifitweremyfather’shouse。andwearebothsinfulmenwalkingbeforetheLordamongthesinsanddangersofthislife。ItisbyourevilthatGodleadsusintogood。wesin，IdarenotsaybyHistemptation，butImustsaywithHisconsent。andtoanybutthebrutishmanhissinsarethebeginningofwisdom。Godhaswarnedyoubythiscrime。Hewarnsyoustillbythebloodygravebetweenourfeet。andifthereshallfollownorepentance，noimprovement，noreturntoHim，whatcanwelookforbutthefollowingofsomememorablejudgment？’

EvenasIspokethewords，theeyesofmyunclewanderedfrommyface。Achangefelluponhislooksthatcannotbedescribed。hisfeaturesseemedtodwindleinsize，thecolourfadedfromhischeeks，onehandrosewaveringlyandpointedovermyshoulderintothedistance，andtheoft-repeatednamefelloncemorefromhislips：’TheCHRIST-ANNA！’

Iturned。andifIwasnotappalledtothesamedegree，asIreturnthankstoHeaventhatIhadnotthecause，Iwasstillstartledbythesightthatmetmyeyes。Theformofamanstooduprightonthecabin-hutchofthewreckedship。hisbackwastowardsus。heappearedtobescanningtheoffingwithshadedeyes，andhisfigurewasrelievedtoitsfullheight，whichwasplainlyverygreat，againsttheseaandsky。IhavesaidathousandtimesthatIamnotsuperstitious。butatthatmoment，withmymindrunningupondeathandsin，theunexplainedappearanceofastrangeronthatsea-girt，solitaryislandfilledmewithasurprisethatborderedcloseonterror。ItseemedscarcepossiblethatanyhumansoulshouldhavecomeashorealiveinsuchaseaashadratedlastnightalongthecoastsofAros。andtheonlyvesselwithinmileshadgonedownbeforeoureyesamongtheMerryMen。Iwasassailedwithdoubtsthatmadesuspenseunbearable，and，toputthemattertothetouchatonce，steppedforwardandhailedthefigurelikeaship。

Heturnedabout，andIthoughthestartedtobeholdus。Atthismycourageinstantlyrevived，andIcalledandsignedtohimtodrawnear，andhe，onhispart，droppedimmediatelytothesands，andbeganslowlytoapproach，withmanystopsandhesitations。Ateachrepeatedmarkoftheman’suneasinessIgrewthemoreconfidentmyself。andIadvancedanotherstep，encouraginghimasIdidsowithmyheadandhand。Itwasplainthecastawayhadheardindifferentaccountsofourislandhospitality。andindeed，aboutthistime，thepeoplefarthernorthhadasorryreputation。

’Why，’Isaid，’themanisblack！’

Andjustatthatmoment，inavoicethatIcouldscarcehaverecognised，mykinsmanbeganswearingandprayinginamingledstream。Ilookedathim。hehadfallenonhisknees，hisfacewasagonised。ateachstepofthecastaway’sthepitchofhisvoicerose，thevolubilityofhisutteranceandthefervourofhislanguageredoubled。Icallitprayer，foritwasaddressedtoGod。

butsurelynosuchrantingincongruitieswereeverbeforeaddressedtotheCreatorbyacreature：surelyifprayercanbeasin，thismadharanguewassinful。Irantomykinsman，Iseizedhimbytheshoulders，Idraggedhimtohisfeet。

’Silence，man，’saidI，’respectyourGodinwords，ifnotinaction。Here，ontheverysceneofyourtransgressions，Hesendsyouanoccasionofatonement。Forwardandembraceit。welcomelikeafatheryoncreaturewhocomestremblingtoyourmercy。’

Withthat，Itriedtoforcehimtowardstheblack。buthefelledmetotheground，burstfrommygrasp，leavingtheshoulderofhisjacket，andfledupthehillsidetowardsthetopofAroslikeadeer。Istaggeredtomyfeetagain，bruisedandsomewhatstunned。

thenegrohadpausedinsurprise，perhapsinterror，somehalfwaybetweenmeandthewreck。myunclewasalreadyfaraway，boundingfromrocktorock。andIthusfoundmyselftornforatimebetweentwoduties。ButIjudged，andIprayHeaventhatIjudgedrightly，infavourofthepoorwretchuponthesands。hismisfortunewasatleastnotplainlyofhisowncreation。itwasone，besides，thatI

couldcertainlyrelieve。andIhadbegunbythattimetoregardmyuncleasanincurableanddismallunatic。Iadvancedaccordinglytowardstheblack，whonowawaitedmyapproachwithfoldedarms，likeonepreparedforeitherdestiny。AsIcamenearer，hereachedforthhishandwithagreatgesture，suchasIhadseenfromthepulpit，andspoketomeinsomethingofapulpitvoice，butnotawordwascomprehensible。ItriedhimfirstinEnglish，theninGaelic，bothinvain。sothatitwasclearwemustrelyuponthetongueoflooksandgestures。ThereuponIsignedtohimtofollowme，whichhedidreadilyandwithagraveobeisancelikeafallenking。allthewhiletherehadcomenoshadeofalterationinhisface，neitherofanxietywhilehewasstillwaiting，norofreliefnowthathewasreassured。ifhewereaslave，asIsupposed，I

couldnotbutjudgehemusthavefallenfromsomehighplaceinhisowncountry，andfallenashewas，Icouldnotbutadmirehisbearing。Aswepassedthegrave，Ipausedandraisedmyhandsandeyestoheavenintokenofrespectandsorrowforthedead。andhe，asifinanswer，bowedlowandspreadhishandsabroad。itwasastrangemotion，butdonelikeathingofcommoncustom。andI

supposeditwasceremonialinthelandfromwhichhecame。Atthesametimehepointedtomyuncle，whomwecouldjustseepercheduponaknoll，andtouchedhisheadtoindicatethathewasmad。

Wetookthelongwayroundtheshore，forIfearedtoexcitemyuncleifwestruckacrosstheisland。andaswewalked，IhadtimeenoughtomaturethelittledramaticexhibitionbywhichIhopedtosatisfymydoubts。Accordingly，pausingonarock，IproceededtoimitatebeforethenegrotheactionofthemanwhomIhadseenthedaybeforetakingbearingswiththecompassatSandag。Heunderstoodmeatonce，and，takingtheimitationoutofmyhands，showedmewheretheboatwas，pointedoutseawardasiftoindicatethepositionoftheschooner，andthendownalongtheedgeoftherockwiththewords’EspiritoSanto，’strangelypronounced，butclearenoughforrecognition。Ihadthusbeenrightinmyconjecture。thepretendedhistoricalinquiryhadbeenbutacloakfortreasure-hunting。themanwhohadplayedonDr。RobertsonwasthesameastheforeignerwhovisitedGrisapolinspring，andnow，withmanyothers，laydeadundertheRoostofAros：therehadtheirgreedbroughtthem，thereshouldtheirbonesbetossedforevermore。Inthemeantimetheblackcontinuedhisimitationofthescene，nowlookingupskywardasthoughwatchingtheapproachofthestormnow，inthecharacterofaseaman，wavingtheresttocomeaboard。nowasanofficer，runningalongtherockandenteringtheboat。andanonbendingoverimaginaryoarswiththeairofahurriedboatman。butallwiththesamesolemnityofmanner，sothatIwasneverevenmovedtosmile。Lastly，heindicatedtome，byapantomimenottobedescribedinwords，howhehimselfhadgoneuptoexaminethestrandedwreck，and，tohisgriefandindignation，hadbeendesertedbyhiscomrades。andthereuponfoldedhisarmsoncemore，andstoopedhishead，likeoneacceptingfate。

Themysteryofhispresencebeingthussolvedforme，Iexplainedtohimbymeansofasketchthefateofthevesselandofallaboardher。Heshowednosurprisenorsorrow，and，withasuddenliftingofhisopenhand，seemedtodismisshisformerfriendsormasters(whichevertheyhadbeen)intoGod’spleasure。Respectcameuponmeandgrewstronger，themoreIobservedhim。Isawhehadapowerfulmindandasoberandseverecharacter，suchasI

lovedtocommunewith。andbeforewereachedthehouseofArosI

hadalmostforgotten，andwhollyforgivenhim，hisuncannycolour。

ToMaryItoldallthathadpassedwithoutsuppression，thoughI

ownmyheartfailedme。butIdidwrongtodoubthersenseofjustice。

’Youdidtheright，’shesaid。’God’swillbedone。’Andshesetoutmeatforusatonce。

AssoonasIwassatisfied，IbadeRoriekeepaneyeuponthecastaway，whowasstilleating，andsetforthagainmyselftofindmyuncle。IhadnotgonefarbeforeIsawhimsittinginthesameplace，upontheverytopmostknoll，andseeminglyinthesameattitudeaswhenIhadlastobservedhim。Fromthatpoint，asI

havesaid，themostofArosandtheneighbouringRosswouldbespreadbelowhimlikeamap。anditwasplainthathekeptabrightlook-outinalldirections，formyheadhadscarcelyrisenabovethesummitofthefirstascentbeforehehadleapedtohisfeetandturnedasiftofaceme。Ihailedhimatonce，aswellasIwasable，inthesametonesandwordsasIhadoftenusedbefore，whenIhadcometosummonhimtodinner。Hemadenotsomuchasamovementinreply。Ipassedonalittlefarther，andagaintriedparley，withthesameresult。ButwhenIbeganasecondtimetoadvance，hisinsanefearsblazedupagain，andstillindeadsilence，butwithincrediblespeed，hebegantofleefrombeforemealongtherockysummitofthehill。Anhourbefore，hehadbeendeadweary，andIhadbeencomparativelyactive。Butnowhisstrengthwasrecruitedbythefervourofinsanity，anditwouldhavebeenvainformetodreamofpursuit。Nay，theveryattempt，Ithought，mighthaveinflamedhisterrors，andthusincreasedthemiseriesofourposition。AndIhadnothingleftbuttoturnhomewardandmakemysadreporttoMary。

Sheheardit，asshehadheardthefirst，withaconcernedcomposure，and，biddingmeliedownandtakethatrestofwhichI

stoodsomuchinneed，setforthherselfinquestofhermisguidedfather。Atthatageitwouldhavebeenastrangethingthatputmefromeithermeatorsleep。Isleptlonganddeep。anditwasalreadylongpastnoonbeforeIawokeandcamedownstairsintothekitchen。Mary，Rorie，andtheblackcastawaywereseatedaboutthefireinsilence。andIcouldseethatMaryhadbeenweeping。Therewascauseenough，asIsoonlearned，fortears。Firstshe，andthenRorie，hadbeenforthtoseekmyuncle。eachinturnhadfoundhimpercheduponthehill-top，andfromeachinturnhehadsilentlyandswiftlyfled。Roriehadtriedtochasehim，butinvain。madnesslentanewvigourtohisbounds。hesprangfromrocktorockoverthewidestgullies。hescouredlikethewindalongthehill-tops。hedoubledandtwistedlikeaharebeforethedogs。andRorieatlengthgavein。andthelastthathesaw，myunclewasseatedasbeforeuponthecrestofAros。Evenduringthehottestexcitementofthechase，evenwhenthefleet-footedservanthadcome，foramoment，veryneartocapturehim，thepoorlunatichadutterednotasound。Hefled，andhewassilent，likeabeast。andthissilencehadterrifiedhispursuer。

Therewassomethingheart-breakinginthesituation。Howtocapturethemadman，howtofeedhiminthemeanwhile，andwhattodowithhimwhenhewascaptured，werethethreedifficultiesthatwehadtosolve。

’Theblack，’saidI，’isthecauseofthisattack。Itmayevenbehispresenceinthehousethatkeepsmyuncleonthehill。Wehavedonethefairthing。hehasbeenfedandwarmedunderthisroof。

nowIproposethatRorieputhimacrossthebayinthecoble，andtakehimthroughtheRossasfarasGrisapol。’

InthisproposalMaryheartilyconcurred。andbiddingtheblackfollowus，weallthreedescendedtothepier。Certainly，Heaven’swillwasdeclaredagainstGordonDarnaway。athinghadhappened，neverparalleledbeforeinAros。duringthestorm，thecoblehadbrokenloose，and，strikingontheroughsplintersofthepier，nowlayinfourfeetofwaterwithonesidestovein。Threedaysofworkatleastwouldberequiredtomakeherfloat。ButIwasnottobebeaten。Iledthewholepartyroundtowherethegutwasnarrowest，swamtotheotherside，andcalledtotheblacktofollowme。Hesigned，withthesameclearnessandquietasbefore，thatheknewnottheart。andtherewastruthapparentinhissignals，itwouldhaveoccurredtononeofustodoubthistruth。

andthathopebeingover，wemustallgobackevenaswecametothehouseofAros，thenegrowalkinginourmidstwithoutembarrassment。

Allwecoulddothatdaywastomakeonemoreattempttocommunicatewiththeunhappymadman。Againhewasvisibleonhisperch。againhefledinsilence。Butfoodandagreatcloakwereatleastleftforhiscomfort。therain，besides，hadclearedaway，andthenightpromisedtobeevenwarm。Wemightcomposeourselves，wethought，untilthemorrow。restwasthechiefrequisite，thatwemightbestrengthenedforunusualexertions。andasnonecaredtotalk，weseparatedatanearlyhour。

Ilaylongawake，planningacampaignforthemorrow。IwastoplacetheblackonthesideofSandag，whenceheshouldheadmyuncletowardsthehouse。Rorieinthewest，Iontheeast，weretocompletethecordon，asbestwemight。Itseemedtome，themoreI

recalledtheconfigurationoftheisland，thatitshouldbepossible，thoughhard，toforcehimdownuponthelowgroundalongArosBay。andoncethere，evenwiththestrengthofhismadness，ultimateescapewashardlytobefeared。ItwasonhisterroroftheblackthatIrelied。forImadesure，howeverhemightrun，itwouldnotbeinthedirectionofthemanwhomhesupposedtohavereturnedfromthedead，andthusonepointofthecompassatleastwouldbesecure。

WhenatlengthIfellasleep，itwastobeawakenedshortlyafterbyadreamofwrecks，blackmen，andsubmarineadventure。andI

foundmyselfsoshakenandfeveredthatIarose，descendedthestair，andsteppedoutbeforethehouse。Within，Rorieandtheblackwereasleeptogetherinthekitchen。outsidewasawonderfulclearnightofstars，withhereandthereacloudstillhanging，laststragglersofthetempest。Itwasnearthetopoftheflood，andtheMerryMenwereroaringinthewindlessquietofthenight。

Never，notevenintheheightofthetempest，hadIheardtheirsongwithgreaterawe。Now，whenthewindsweregatheredhome，whenthedeepwasdandlingitselfbackintoitssummerslumber，andwhenthestarsrainedtheirgentlelightoverlandandsea，thevoiceofthesetide-breakerswasstillraisedforhavoc。Theyseemed，indeed，tobeapartoftheworld’sevilandthetragicsideoflife。Norweretheirmeaninglessvociferationstheonlysoundsthatbrokethesilenceofthenight。ForIcouldhear，nowshrillandthrillingandnowalmostdrowned，thenoteofahumanvoicethataccompaniedtheuproaroftheRoost。Iknewitformykinsman’s。andagreatfearfelluponmeofGod’sjudgments，andtheevilintheworld。Iwentbackagainintothedarknessofthehouseasintoaplaceofshelter，andlaylonguponmybed，ponderingthesemysteries。

ItwaslatewhenIagainwoke，andIleapedintomyclothesandhurriedtothekitchen。Noonewasthere。Rorieandtheblackhadbothstealthilydepartedlongbefore。andmyheartstoodstillatthediscovery。IcouldrelyonRorie’sheart，butIplacednotrustinhisdiscretion。Ifhehadthussetoutwithoutaword，hewasplainlybentuponsomeservicetomyuncle。Butwhatservicecouldhehopetorenderevenalone，farlessinthecompanyofthemaninwhommyunclefoundhisfearsincarnated？EvenifIwerenotalreadytoolatetopreventsomedeadlymischief，itwasplainImustdelaynolonger。WiththethoughtIwasoutofthehouse。

andoftenasIhaverunontheroughsidesofAros，IneverranasIdidthatfatalmorning。IdonotbelieveIputtwelveminutestothewholeascent。

Myunclewasgonefromhisperch。Thebaskethadindeedbeentornopenandthemeatscatteredontheturf。but，aswefoundafterwards，nomouthfulhadbeentasted。andtherewasnotanothertraceofhumanexistenceinthatwidefieldofview。Dayhadalreadyfilledtheclearheavens。thesunalreadylightedinarosybloomuponthecrestofBenKyaw。butallbelowmetherudeknollsofArosandtheshieldofsealaysteepedinthecleardarklingtwilightofthedawn。

’Rorie！’Icried。andagain’Rorie！’Myvoicediedinthesilence，buttherecamenoanswerback。Iftherewereindeedanenterpriseafoottocatchmyuncle，itwasplainlynotinfleetnessoffoot，butindexterityofstalking，thatthehuntersplacedtheirtrust。

Iranonfarther，keepingthehigherspurs，andlookingrightandleft，nordidIpauseagaintillIwasonthemountaboveSandag。

Icouldseethewreck，theuncoveredbeltofsand，thewavesidlybeating，thelongledgeofrocks，andoneitherhandthetumbledknolls，boulders，andgulliesoftheisland。Butstillnohumanthing。

AtastridethesunshinefellonAros，andtheshadowsandcoloursleapedintobeing。Nothalfamomentlater，belowmetothewest，sheepbegantoscatterasinapanic。Therecameacry。Isawmyunclerunning。Isawtheblackjumpupinhotpursuit。andbeforeIhadtimetounderstand，Roriealsohadappeared，callingdirectionsinGaelicastoadogherdingsheep。

Itooktomyheelstointerfere，andperhapsIhaddonebettertohavewaitedwhereIwas，forIwasthemeansofcuttingoffthemadman’slastescape。Therewasnothingbeforehimfromthatmomentbutthegrave，thewreck，andtheseainSandagBay。AndyetHeavenknowsthatwhatIdidwasforthebest。

MyuncleGordonsawinwhatdirection，horribletohim，thechasewasdrivinghim。Hedoubled，dartingtotherightandleft。buthighasthefeverraninhisveins，theblackwasstilltheswifter。Turnwherehewould，hewasstillforestalled，stilldriventowardthesceneofhiscrime。Suddenlyhebegantoshriekaloud，sothatthecoastre-echoed。andnowbothIandRoriewerecallingontheblacktostop。Butallwasvain，foritwaswrittenotherwise。Thepursuerstillran，thechasestillspedbeforehimscreaming。theyavoidedthegrave，andskimmedclosepastthetimbersofthewreck。inabreaththeyhadclearedthesand。andstillmykinsmandidnotpause，butdashedstraightintothesurf。

andtheblack，nowalmostwithinreach，stillfollowedswiftlybehindhim。RorieandIbothstopped，forthethingwasnowbeyondthehandsofmen，andthesewerethedecreesofGodthatcametopassbeforeoureyes。Therewasneverasharperending。Onthatsteepbeachtheywerebeyondtheirdepthatabound。neithercouldswim。theblackroseonceforamomentwithathrottlingcry。butthecurrenthadthem，racingseaward。andifevertheycameupagain，whichGodalonecantell，itwouldbetenminutesafter，atthefarendofArosRoost，wheretheseabirdshoverfishing。

WILLO’THEMILL。

CHAPTERI。THEPLAINANDTHESTARS。

THEMillhereWilllivedwithhisadoptedparentsstoodinafallingvalleybetweenpinewoodsandgreatmountains。Above，hillafterhill，soaredupwardsuntiltheysoaredoutofthedepthofthehardiesttimber，andstoodnakedagainstthesky。Somewayup，alonggreyvillagelaylikeaseamorarayofvapouronawoodedhillside。andwhenthewindwasfavourable，thesoundofthechurchbellswoulddropdown，thinandsilvery，toWill。Below，thevalleygreweversteeperandsteeper，andatthesametimewidenedoutoneitherhand。andfromaneminencebesidethemillitwaspossibletoseeitswholelengthandawaybeyonditoverawideplain，wheretheriverturnedandshone，andmovedonfromcitytocityonitsvoyagetowardsthesea。Itchancedthatoverthisvalleytherelayapassintoaneighbouringkingdom。sothat，quietandruralasitwas，theroadthatranalongbesidetheriverwasahighthoroughfarebetweentwosplendidandpowerfulsocieties。Allthroughthesummer，travelling-carriagescamecrawlingup，orwentplungingbrisklydownwardspastthemill。andasithappenedthattheothersidewasverymucheasierofascent，thepathwasnotmuchfrequented，exceptbypeoplegoinginonedirection。andofallthecarriagesthatWillsawgoby，five-sixthswereplungingbrisklydownwardsandonlyone-sixthcrawlingup。Muchmorewasthisthecasewithfoot-passengers。Allthelight-footedtourists，allthepedlarsladenwithstrangewares，weretendingdownwardliketheriverthataccompaniedtheirpath。Norwasthisall。forwhenWillwasyetachildadisastrouswararoseoveragreatpartoftheworld。Thenewspaperswerefullofdefeatsandvictories，theearthrangwithcavalryhoofs，andoftenfordaystogetherandformilesaroundthecoilofbattleterrifiedgoodpeoplefromtheirlaboursinthefield。Ofallthis，nothingwasheardforalongtimeinthevalley。butatlastoneofthecommanderspushedanarmyoverthepassbyforcedmarches，andforthreedayshorseandfoot，cannonandtumbril，drumandstandard，keptpouringdownwardpastthemill。Alldaythechildstoodandwatchedthemontheirpassage-therhythmicalstride，thepale，unshavenfacestannedabouttheeyes，thediscolouredregimentalsandthetatteredflags，filledhimwithasenseofweariness，pity，andwonder。andallnightlong，afterhewasinbed，hecouldhearthecannonpoundingandthefeettrampling，andthegreatarmamentsweepingonwardanddownwardpastthemill。Nooneinthevalleyeverheardthefateoftheexpedition，fortheylayoutofthewayofgossipinthosetroubloustimes。butWillsawonethingplainly，thatnotamanreturned。Whitherhadtheyallgone？Whitherwentallthetouristsandpedlarswithstrangewares？whitherallthebriskbaroucheswithservantsinthedicky？whitherthewaterofthestream，evercoursingdownwardandeverrenewedfromabove？Eventhewindblewoftenerdownthevalley，andcarriedthedeadleavesalongwithitinthefall。Itseemedlikeagreatconspiracyofthingsanimateandinanimate。theyallwentdownward，fleetlyandgailydownward，andonlyhe，itseemed，remainedbehind，likeastockuponthewayside。Itsometimesmadehimgladwhenhenoticedhowthefisheskepttheirheadsupstream。They，atleast，stoodfaithfullybyhim，whileallelsewerepostingdownwardtotheunknownworld。

Oneeveningheaskedthemillerwheretheriverwent。

’Itgoesdownthevalley，’answeredhe，’andturnsapowerofmills-sixscoremills，theysay，fromheretoUnterdeck-andisnonethewearierafterall。Andthenitgoesoutintothelowlands，andwatersthegreatcorncountry，andrunsthroughasightoffinecities(sotheysay)wherekingsliveallaloneingreatpalaces，withasentrywallingupanddownbeforethedoor。Anditgoesunderbridgeswithstonemenuponthem，lookingdownandsmilingsocuriousitthewater，andlivingfolksleaningtheirelbowsonthewallandlookingovertoo。Andthenitgoesonandon，anddownthroughmarshesandsands，untilatlastitfallsintothesea，wheretheshipsarethatbringparrotsandtobaccofromtheIndies。

Ay，ithasalongtrotbeforeitasitgoessingingoverourweir，blessitsheart！’

’Andwhatisthesea？’askedWill。

’Thesea！’criedthemiller。’Lordhelpusall，itisthegreatestthingGodmade！Thatiswhereallthewaterintheworldrunsdownintoagreatsaltlake。Thereitlies，asflatasmyhandandasinnocent-likeasachild。buttheydosaywhenthewindblowsitgetsupintowater-mountainsbiggerthananyofours，andswallowsdowngreatshipsbiggerthanourmill，andmakessucharoaringthatyoucanhearitmilesawayupontheland。Therearegreatfishinitfivetimesbiggerthanabull，andoneoldserpentasloneasourriverandasoldasalltheworld，withwhiskerslikeaman，andacrownofsilveronherhead。’

Willthoughthehadneverheardanythinglikethis，andhekeptonaskingquestionafterquestionabouttheworldthatlayawaydowntheriver，withallitsperilsandmarvels，untiltheoldmillerbecamequiteinterestedhimself，andatlasttookhimbythehandandledhimtothehilltopthatoverlooksthevalleyandtheplain。

Thesunwasnearsetting，andhunglowdowninacloudlesssky。

Everythingwasdefinedandglorifiedingoldenlight。Willhadneverseensogreatanexpanseofcountryinhislife。hestoodandgazedwithallhiseyes。Hecouldseethecities，andthewoodsandfields，andthebrightcurvesoftheriver，andfarawaytowheretherimoftheplaintrenchedalongtheshiningheavens。Anover-masteringemotionseizedupontheboy，soulandbody。hisheartbeatsothicklythathecouldnotbreathe。thesceneswambeforehiseyes。thesunseemedtowheelroundandround，andthrowoff，asitturned，strangeshapeswhichdisappearedwiththerapidityofthought，andweresucceededbyothers。Willcoveredhisfacewithhishands，andburstintoaviolentfitoftears。andthepoormiller，sadlydisappointedandperplexed，sawnothingbetterforitthantotakehimupinhisarmsandcarryhimhomeinsilence。

FromthatdayforwardWillwasfullofnewhopesandlongings。

Somethingkepttuggingathisheart-strings。therunningwatercarriedhisdesiresalongwithitashedreamedoveritsfleetingsurface。thewind，asitranoverinnumerabletree-tops，hailedhimwithencouragingwords。branchesbeckoneddownward。theopenroad，asitshoulderedroundtheanglesandwentturningandvanishingfastandfasterdownthevalley，torturedhimwithitssolicitations。Hespentlongwhilesontheeminence，lookingdowntherivershedandabroadonthefatlowlands，andwatchedthecloudsthattravelledforthuponthesluggishwindandtrailedtheirpurpleshadowsontheplain。orhewouldlingerbythewayside，andfollowthecarriageswithhiseyesastheyrattleddownwardbytheriver。Itdidnotmatterwhatitwas。everythingthatwentthatway，wereitcloudorcarriage，birdorbrownwaterinthestream，hefelthisheartflowoutafteritinanecstasyoflonging。

Wearetoldbymenofsciencethatalltheventuresofmarinersonthesea，allthatcounter-marchingoftribesandracesthatconfoundsoldhistorywithitsdustandrumour，sprangfromnothingmoreabstrusethanthelawsofsupplyanddemand，andacertainnaturalinstinctforcheaprations。Toanyonethinkingdeeply，thiswillseemadullandpitifulexplanation。ThetribesthatcameswarmingoutoftheNorthandEast，iftheywereindeedpressedonwardfrombehindbyothers，weredrawnatthesametimebythemagneticinfluenceoftheSouthandWest。Thefameofotherlandshadreachedthem。thenameoftheeternalcityrangintheirears。theywerenotcolonists，butpilgrims。theytravelledtowardswineandgoldandsunshine，buttheirheartsweresetonsomethinghigher。Thatdivineunrest，thatoldstingingtroubleofhumanitythatmakesallhighachievementsandallmiserablefailure，thesamethatspreadwingswithIcarus，thesamethatsentColumbusintothedesolateAtlantic，inspiredandsupportedthesebarbariansontheirperilousmarch。Thereisonelegendwhichprofoundlyrepresentstheirspirit，ofhowaflyingpartyofthesewanderersencounteredaveryoldmanshodwithiron。Theoldmanaskedthemwhithertheyweregoing。andtheyansweredwithonevoice：’TotheEternalCity！’Helookeduponthemgravely。’Ihavesoughtit，’

hesaid，’overthemostpartoftheworld。ThreesuchpairsasI

nowcarryonmyfeethaveIwornoutuponthispilgrimage，andnowthefourthisgrowingslenderunderneathmysteps。AndallthiswhileIhavenotfoundthecity。’Andheturnedandwenthisownwayalone，leavingthemastonished。

AndyetthiswouldscarcelyparalleltheintensityofWill’sfeelingfortheplain。Ifhecouldonlygofarenoughoutthere，hefeltasifhiseyesightwouldbepurgedandclarified，asifhishearingwouldgrowmoredelicate，andhisverybreathwouldcomeandgowithluxury。Hewastransplantedandwitheringwherehewas。helayinastrangecountryandwassickforhome。Bitbybit，hepiecedtogetherbrokennotionsoftheworldbelow：oftheriver，evermovingandgrowinguntilitsailedforthintothemajesticocean。ofthecities，fullofbriskandbeautifulpeople，playingfountains，bandsofmusicandmarblepalaces，andlightedupatnightfromendtoendwithartificialstarsofgold。ofthegreatchurches，wiseuniversities，bravearmies，anduntoldmoneylyingstoredinvaults。ofthehigh-flyingvicethatmovedinthesunshine，andthestealthandswiftnessofmidnightmurder。Ihavesaidhewassickasifforhome：thefigurehalts。Hewaslikesomeonelyingintwilit，formlesspreexistence，andstretchingouthishandslovinglytowardsmany-coloured，many-soundinglife。Itwasnowonderhewasunhappy，hewouldgoandtellthefish：theyweremadefortheirlife，wishedfornomorethanwormsandrunningwater，andaholebelowafallingbank。buthewasdifferentlydesigned，fullofdesiresandaspirations，itchingatthefingers，lustingwiththeeyes，whomthewholevariegatedworldcouldnotsatisfywithaspects。Thetruelife，thetruebrightsunshine，layfaroutupontheplain。AndO！toseethissunlightoncebeforehedied！tomovewithajocundspiritinagoldenland！tohearthetrainedsingersandsweetchurchbells，andseetheholidaygardens！’AndOfish！’hewouldcry，’ifyouwouldonlyturnyournosesdownstream，youcouldswimsoeasilyintothefabledwatersandseethevastshipspassingoveryourheadlikeclouds，andhearthegreatwater-hillsmakingmusicoveryoualldaylong！’Butthefishkeptlookingpatientlyintheirowndirection，untilWillhardlyknewwhethertolaughorcry。

HithertothetrafficontheroadhadpassedbyWill，likesomethingseeninapicture：hehadperhapsexchangedsalutationswithatourist，orcaughtsightofanoldgentlemaninatravellingcapatacarriagewindow。butforthemostpartithadbeenameresymbol，whichhecontemplatedfromapartandwithsomethingofasuperstitiousfeeling。Atimecameatlastwhenthiswastobechanged。Themiller，whowasagreedymaninhisway，andneverforewentanopportunityofhonestprofit，turnedthemill-houseintoalittlewaysideinn，and，severalpiecesofgoodfortunefallinginopportunely，builtstablesandgotthepositionofpostmasterontheroad。ItnowbecameWill’sdutytowaituponpeople，astheysattobreaktheirfastsinthelittlearbouratthetopofthemillgarden。andyoumaybesurethathekepthisearsopen，andlearnedmanynewthingsabouttheoutsideworldashebroughttheomeletteorthewine。Nay，hewouldoftengetintoconversationwithsingleguests，andbyadroitquestionsandpoliteattention，notonlygratifyhisowncuriosity，butwinthegoodwillofthetravellers。Manycomplimentedtheoldcoupleontheirserving-boy。andaprofessorwaseagertotakehimawaywithhim，andhavehimproperlyeducatedintheplain。Themillerandhiswifeweremightilyastonishedandevenmorepleased。Theythoughtitaverygoodthingthattheyshouldhaveopenedtheirinn。’Yousee，’theoldmanwouldremark，’hehasakindoftalentforapublican。heneverwouldhavemadeanythingelse！’Andsolifewaggedoninthevalley，withhighsatisfactiontoallconcernedbutWill。Everycarriagethatlefttheinn-doorseemedtotakeapartofhimawaywithit。andwhenpeoplejestinglyofferedhimalift，hecouldwithdifficultycommandhisemotion。Nightafternighthewoulddreamthathewasawakenedbyflusteredservants，andthatasplendidequipagewaitedatthedoortocarryhimdownintotheplain。nightafternight。untilthedream，whichhadseemedalljollitytohimatfirst，begantotakeonacolourofgravity，andthenocturnalsummonsandwaitingequipageoccupiedaplaceinhismindassomethingtobebothfearedandhopedfor。

Oneday，whenWillwasaboutsixteen，afatyoungmanarrivedatsunsettopassthenight。Hewasacontented-lookingfellow，withajollyeye，andcarriedaknapsack。Whiledinnerwaspreparing，hesatinthearbourtoreadabook。butassoonashehadbeguntoobserveWill，thebookwaslaidaside。hewasplainlyoneofthosewhopreferlivingpeopletopeoplemadeofinkandpaper。Will，onhispart，althoughhehadnotbeenmuchinterestedinthestrangeratfirstsight，soonbegantotakeagreatdealofpleasureinhistalk，whichwasfullofgoodnatureandgoodsense，andatlastconceivedagreatrespectforhischaracterandwisdom。Theysatfarintothenight。andabouttwointhemorningWillopenedhishearttotheyoungman，andtoldhimhowhelongedtoleavethevalleyandwhatbrighthopeshehadconnectedwiththecitiesoftheplain。Theyoungmanwhistled，andthenbrokeintoasmile。

’Myyoungfriend，’heremarked，’youareaverycuriouslittlefellowtobesure，andwishagreatmanythingswhichyouwillneverget。Why，youwouldfeelquiteashamedifyouknewhowthelittlefellowsinthesefairycitiesofyoursareallafterthesamesortofnonsense，andkeepbreakingtheirheartstogetupintothemountains。Andletmetellyou，thosewhogodownintotheplainsareaveryshortwhiletherebeforetheywishthemselvesheartilybackagain。Theairisnotsolightnorsopure。noristhesunanybrighter。Asforthebeautifulmenandwomen，youwouldseemanyoftheminragsandmanyofthemdeformedwithhorribledisorders。andacityissohardaplaceforpeoplewhoarepoorandsensitivethatmanychoosetodiebytheirownhand。’

’Youmustthinkmeverysimple，’answeredWill。’AlthoughIhaveneverbeenoutofthisvalley，believeme，Ihaveusedmyeyes。I

knowhowonethinglivesonanother。forinstance，howthefishhangsintheeddytocatchhisfellows。andtheshepherd，whomakessoprettyapicturecarryinghomethelamb，isonlycarryingithomefordinner。Idonotexpecttofindallthingsrightinyourcities。Thatisnotwhattroublesme。itmighthavebeenthatonceuponatime。butalthoughIliveherealways，Ihaveaskedmanyquestionsandlearnedagreatdealintheselastyears，andcertainlyenoughtocuremeofmyoldfancies。Butyouwouldnothavemedielikeadogandnotseeallthatistobeseen，anddoallthatamancando，letitbegoodorevil？youwouldnothavemespendallmydaysbetweenthisroadhereandtheriver，andnotsomuchasmakeamotiontobeupandlivemylife？-Iwouldratherdieoutofhand，’hecried，’thanlingeronasIamdoing。’

’Thousandsofpeople，’saidtheyoungman，’liveanddielikeyou，andarenonethelesshappy。’

’Ah！’saidWill，’iftherearethousandswhowouldlike，whyshouldnotoneofthemhavemyplace？’

Itwasquitedark。therewasahanginglampinthearbourwhichlitupthetableandthefacesofthespeakers。andalongthearch，theleavesuponthetrellisstoodoutilluminatedagainstthenightsky，apatternoftransparentgreenuponaduskypurple。Thefatyoungmanrose，and，takingWillbythearm，ledhimoutundertheopenheavens。

’Didyoueverlookatthestars？’heasked，pointingupwards。

’Oftenandoften，’answeredWill。

’Anddoyouknowwhattheyare？’

’Ihavefanciedmanythings。’

’Theyareworldslikeours，’saidtheyoungman。’Someofthemless。manyofthemamilliontimesgreater。andsomeoftheleastsparklesthatyouseearenotonlyworlds，butwholeclustersofworldsturningabouteachotherinthemidstofspace。Wedonotknowwhattheremaybeinanyofthem。perhapstheanswertoallourdifficultiesorthecureofalloursufferings：andyetwecanneverreachthem。notalltheskillofthecraftiestofmencanfitoutashipforthenearestoftheseourneighbours，norwouldthelifeofthemostagedsufficeforsuchajourney。Whenagreatbattlehasbeenlostoradearfriendisdead，whenwearehippedorinhighspirits，theretheyareunweariedlyshiningoverhead。

Wemaystanddownhere，awholearmyofustogether，andshoutuntilwebreakourhearts，andnotawhisperreachesthem。Wemayclimbthehighestmountain，andwearenonearerthem。Allwecandoistostanddownhereinthegardenandtakeoffourhats。thestarshinelightsuponourheads，andwheremineisalittlebald，I

daresayyoucanseeitglisteninthedarkness。Themountainandthemouse。ThatisliketobeallweshalleverhavetodowithArcturusorAldebaran。Canyouapplyaparable？’headded，layinghishanduponWill’sshoulder。’Itisnotthesamethingasareason，butusuallyvastlymoreconvincing。’

Willhunghisheadalittle，andthenraiseditoncemoretoheaven。Thestarsseemedtoexpandandemitasharperbrilliancy。

andashekeptturninghiseyeshigherandhigher，theyseemedtoincreaseinmultitudeunderhisgaze。

’Isee，’hesaid，turningtotheyoungman。’Weareinarat-

trap。’

’Somethingofthatsize。Didyoueverseeasquirrelturninginacage？andanothersquirrelsittingphilosophicallyoverhisnuts？

Ineedn’taskyouwhichofthemlookedmoreofafool。’

CHAPTERII。THEPARSON’SMARJORY。

Aftersomeyearstheoldpeopledied，bothinonewinter，verycarefullytendedbytheiradoptedson，andveryquietlymournedwhentheyweregone。Peoplewhohadheardofhisrovingfanciessupposedhewouldhastentoselltheproperty，andgodowntherivertopushhisfortunes。ButtherewasneveranysignofsuchinintentiononthepartofWill。Onthecontrary，hehadtheinnsetonabetterfooting，andhiredacoupleofservantstoassisthimincarryingiton。andtherehesettleddown，akind，talkative，inscrutableyoungman，sixfeetthreeinhisstockings，withanironconstitutionandafriendlyvoice。Hesoonbegantotakerankinthedistrictasabitofanoddity：itwasnotmuchtobewonderedatfromthefirst，forhewasalwaysfullofnotions，andkeptcallingtheplainestcommon-senseinquestion。butwhatmostraisedthereportuponhimwastheoddcircumstanceofhiscourtshipwiththeparson’sMarjory。

Theparson’sMarjorywasalassaboutnineteen，whenWillwouldbeaboutthirty。wellenoughlooking，andmuchbettereducatedthananyothergirlinthatpartofthecountry，asbecameherparentage。Sheheldherheadveryhigh，andhadalreadyrefusedseveraloffersofmarriagewithagrandair，whichhadgotherhardnamesamongtheneighbours。Forallthatshewasagoodgirl，andonethatwouldhavemadeanymanwellcontented。

Willhadneverseenmuchofher。foralthoughthechurchandparsonagewereonlytwomilesfromhisowndoor，hewasneverknowntogotherebutonSundays。Itchanced，however，thattheparsonagefellintodisrepair，andhadtobedismantled。andtheparsonandhisdaughtertooklodgingsforamonthorso，onverymuchreducedterms，atWill’sinn。Now，whatwiththeinn，andthemill，andtheoldmiller’ssavings，ourfriendwasamanofsubstance。andbesidesthat，hehadanameforgoodtemperandshrewdness，whichmakeacapitalportioninmarriage。andsoitwascurrentlygossiped，amongtheirill-wishers，thattheparsonandhisdaughterhadnotchosentheirtemporarylodgingwiththeireyesshut。Willwasaboutthelastmanintheworldtobecajoledorfrightenedintomarriage。Youhadonlytolookintohiseyes，limpidandstilllikepoolsofwater，andyetwithasortofclearlightthatseemedtocomefromwithin，andyouwouldunderstandatoncethatherewasonewhoknewhisownmind，andwouldstandtoitimmovably。Marjoryherselfwasnoweaklingbyherlooks，withstrong，steadyeyesandaresoluteandquietbearing。ItmightbeaquestionwhethershewasnotWill’smatchinstedfastness，afterall，orwhichofthemwouldruletheroastinmarriage。ButMarjoryhadnevergivenitathought，andaccompaniedherfatherwiththemostunshakeninnocenceandunconcern。

TheseasonwasstillsoearlythatWill’scustomerswerefewandfarbetween。butthelilacswerealreadyflowering，andtheweatherwassomildthatthepartytookdinnerunderthetrellice，withthenoiseoftheriverintheirearsandthewoodsringingaboutthemwiththesongsofbirds。Willsoonbegantotakeaparticularpleasureinthesedinners。Theparsonwasratheradullcompanion，withahabitofdozingattable。butnothingrudeorcrueleverfellfromhislips。Andasfortheparson’sdaughter，shesuitedhersurroundingswiththebestgraceimaginable。andwhatevershesaidseemedsopatandprettythatWillconceivedagreatideaofhertalents。Hecouldseeherface，assheleanedforward，againstabackgroundofrisingpinewoods。hereyesshonepeaceably。thelightlayaroundherhairlikeakerchief。somethingthatwashardlyasmilerippledherpalecheeks，andWillcouldnotcontainhimselffromgazingonherinanagreeabledismay。Shelooked，eveninherquietestmoments，socompleteinherself，andsoquickwithlifedowntoherfingertipsandtheveryskirtsofherdress，thattheremainderofcreatedthingsbecamenomorethanablotbycomparison。andifWillglancedawayfromhertohersurroundings，thetreeslookedinanimateandsenseless，thecloudshunginheavenlikedeadthings，andeventhemountaintopsweredisenchanted。

Thewholevalleycouldnotcompareinlookswiththisonegirl。

Willwasalwaysobservantinthesocietyofhisfellow-creatures。

buthisobservationbecamealmostpainfullyeagerinthecaseofMarjory。Helistenedtoallsheuttered，andreadhereyes，atthesametime，fortheunspokencommentary。Manykind，simple，andsincerespeechesfoundanechoinhisheart。Hebecameconsciousofasoulbeautifullypoiseduponitself，nothingdoubting，nothingdesiring，clothedinpeace。Itwasnotpossibletoseparateherthoughtsfromherappearance。Theturnofherwrist，thestillsoundofhervoice，thelightinhereyes，thelinesofherbody，fellintunewithhergraveandgentlewords，liketheaccompanimentthatsustainsandharmonisesthevoiceofthesinger。

Herinfluencewasonething，nottobedividedordiscussed，onlytohefeltwithgratitudeandjoy。ToWill，herpresencerecalledsomethingofhischildhood，andthethoughtofhertookitsplaceinhismindbesidethatofdawn，ofrunningwater，andoftheearliestvioletsandlilacs。Itisthepropertyofthingsseenforthefirsttime，orforthefirsttimeafterlong，liketheflowersinspring，toreawakeninusthesharpedgeofsenseandthatimpressionofmysticstrangenesswhichotherwisepassesoutoflifewiththecomingofyears。butthesightofalovedfaceiswhatrenewsaman’scharacterfromthefountainupwards。

OnedayafterdinnerWilltookastrollamongthefirs。agravebeatitudepossessedhimfromtoptotoe，andhekeptsmilingtohimselfandthelandscapeashewent。Theriverranbetweenthestepping-stoneswithaprettywimple。abirdsangloudlyinthewood。thehill-topslookedimmeasurablyhigh，andasheglancedatthemfromtimetotimeseemedtocontemplatehismovementswithabeneficentbutawfulcuriosity。Hiswaytookhimtotheeminencewhichoverlookedtheplain。andtherehesatdownuponastone，andfellintodeepandpleasantthought。Theplainlayabroadwithitscitiesandsilverriver。everythingwasasleep，exceptagreateddyofbirdswhichkeptrisingandfallingandgoingroundandroundintheblueair。HerepeatedMarjory’snamealoud，andthesoundofitgratifiedhisear。Heshuthiseyes，andherimagesprangupbeforehim，quietlyluminousandattendedwithgoodthoughts。Therivermightrunforever。thebirdsflyhigherandhighertilltheytouchedthestars。Hesawitwasemptybustleafterall。forhere，withoutstirringafeet，waitingpatientlyinhisownnarrowvalley，healsohadattainedthebettersunlight。

ThenextdayWillmadeasortofdeclarationacrossthedinner-

table，whiletheparsonwasfillinghispipe。

’MissMarjory，’hesaid，’IneverknewanyoneIlikedsowellasyou。Iammostlyacold，unkindlysortofman。notfromwantofheart，butoutofstrangenessinmywayofthinking。andpeopleseemfarawayfromme。’Tisasiftherewereacircleroundme，whichkepteveryoneoutbutyou。Icanheartheotherstalkingandlaughing。butyoucomequiteclose。Maybe，thisisdisagreeabletoyou？’heasked。

Marjorymadenoanswer。

’Speakup，girl，’saidtheparson。

’Nay，now，’returnedWill，’Iwouldn’tpressher，parson。Ifeeltongue-tiedmyself，whoamnotusedtoit。andshe’sawoman，andlittlemorethanachild，whenallissaid。Butformypart，asfarasIcanunderstandwhatpeoplemeanbyit，IfancyImustbewhattheycallinlove。Idonotwishtobeheldascommittingmyself。forImaybewrong。butthatishowIbelievethingsarewithme。AndifMissMarjoryshouldfeelanyotherwiseonherpart，mayhapshewouldbesokindasshakeherhead。’

Marjorywassilent，andgavenosignthatshehadheard。

’Howisthat，parson？’askedWill。

’Thegirlmustspeak，’repliedtheparson，layingdownhispipe。

’Here’sourneighbourwhosayshelovesyou，Madge。Doyoulovehim，ayorno？’

’IthinkIdo，’saidMarjory，faintly。

’Wellthen，that’sallthatcouldbewished！’criedWill，heartily。

Andhetookherhandacrossthetable，andhelditamomentinbothofhiswithgreatsatisfaction。

’Youmustmarry，’observedtheparson，replacinghispipeinhismouth。

’Isthattherightthingtodo，thinkyou？’demandedWill。

’Itisindispensable，’saidtheparson。

’Verywell，’repliedthewooer。

TwoorthreedayspassedawaywithgreatdelighttoWill，althoughabystandermightscarcehavefounditout。HecontinuedtotakehismealsoppositeMarjory，andtotalkwithherandgazeuponherinherfather’spresence。buthemadenoattempttoseeheralone，norinanyotherwaychangedhisconducttowardsherfromwhatithadbeensincethebeginning。Perhapsthegirlwasalittledisappointed，andperhapsnotunjustly。andyetifithadbeenenoughtobealwaysinthethoughtsofanotherperson，andsopervadeandalterhiswholelife，shemighthavebeenthoroughlycontented。ForshewasneveroutofWill’smindforaninstant。

Hesatoverthestream，andwatchedthedustoftheeddy，andthepoisedfish，andstrainingweeds。hewanderedoutaloneintothepurpleeven，withalltheblackbirdspipingroundhiminthewood。

heroseearlyinthemorning，andsawtheskyturnfromgreytogold，andthelightleapuponthehill-tops。andallthewhilehekeptwonderingifhehadneverseensuchthingsbefore，orhowitwasthattheyshouldlooksodifferentnow。Thesoundofhisownmill-wheel，orofthewindamongthetrees，confoundedandcharmedhisheart。Themostenchantingthoughtspresentedthemselvesunbiddeninhismind。Hewassohappythathecouldnotsleepatnight，andsorestless，thathecouldhardlysitstilloutofhercompany。Andyetitseemedasifheavoidedherratherthansoughtherout。

Oneday，ashewascominghomefromaramble，WillfoundMarjoryinthegardenpickingflowers，andashecameupwithher，slackenedhispaceandcontinuedwalkingbyherside。

’Youlikeflowers？’hesaid。

’IndeedIlovethemdearly，’shereplied。’Doyou？’

’Why，no，’saidhe，’notsomuch。Theyareaverysmallaffair，whenallisdone。Icanfancypeoplecaringforthemgreatly，butnotdoingasyouarejustnow。’

’How？’sheasked，pausingandlookingupathim。

’Pluckingthem，’saidhe。’Theyareadealbetteroffwheretheyare，andlookadealprettier，ifyougotothat。’

’Iwishtohavethemformyown，’sheanswered，’tocarrythemnearmyheart，andkeeptheminmyroom。Theytemptmewhentheygrowhere。theyseemtosay，Comeanddosomethingwithus。butonceI

havecutthemandputthemby，thecharmislaid，andIcanlookatthemwithquiteaneasyheart。’

’Youwishtopossessthem，’repliedWill，’inordertothinknomoreaboutthem。It’sabitlikekillingthegoosewiththegoldeneggs。It’sabitlikewhatIwishedtodowhenIwasaboy。