第15章

But，therewasrecompenseinthejoywithwhichHerbertwouldcomehomeofanightandtellmeofthesechanges，littleimaginingthathetoldmenonews，andwouldsketchairypicturesofhimselfconductingClaraBarleytothelandoftheArabianNights，andofmegoingouttojointhem(withacaravanofcamels，Ibelieve)，andofourallgoinguptheNileandseeingwonders。Withoutbeingsanguineastomyownpartinthesebrightplans，IfeltthatHerbert\'swaywasclearingfast，andthatoldBillBarleyhadbuttosticktohispepperandrum，andhisdaughterwouldsoonbehappilyprovidedfor。

WehadnowgotintothemonthofMarch。Myleftarm，thoughitpresentednobadsymptoms，tookinthenaturalcoursesolongtohealthatIwasstillunabletogetacoaton。Myrightarmwastolerablyrestored；-disfigured，butfairlyserviceable。

OnaMondaymorning，whenHerbertandIwereatbreakfast，IreceivedthefollowingletterfromWemmickbythepost。

`Walworth。Burnthisassoonasread。Earlyintheweek，orsayWednesday，youmightdowhatyouknowof，ifyoufeltdisposedtotryit。Nowburn。\'

WhenIhadshownthistoHerbertandhadputitinthefire-butnotbeforewehadbothgotitbyheart-weconsideredwhattodo。For，ofcoursemybeingdisabledcouldnowbenolongerkeptoutofview。

`Ihavethoughtitover，againandagain，\'saidHerbert，`andIthinkIknowabettercoursethantakingaThameswaterman。TakeStartop。Agoodfellow，askilledhand，fondofus，andenthusiasticandhonourable。\'

Ihadthoughtofhim，morethanonce。

`Buthowmuchwouldyoutellhim，Herbert？\'

`Itisnecessarytotellhimverylittle。Lethimsupposeitamerefreak，butasecretone，untilthemorningcomes:thenlethimknowthatthereisurgentreasonforyourgettingProvisabroadandaway。Yougowithhim？\'

`Nodoubt。\'

`Where？\'

Ithadseemedtome，inthemanyanxiousconsiderationsIhadgiventhepoint，almostindifferentwhatportwemadefor-Hamburg，Rotterdam，Antwerp-theplacesignifiedlittle，sothathewasgotoutofEngland。

Anyforeignsteamerthatfellinourwayandwouldtakeusup，woulddo。

Ihadalwaysproposedtomyselftogethimwelldowntheriverintheboat；

certainlywellbeyondGravesend，whichwasacriticalplaceforsearchorinquiryifsuspicionwereafoot。AsforeignsteamerswouldleaveLondonataboutthetimeofhigh-water，ourplanwouldbetogetdowntheriverbyapreviousebb-tide，andliebyinsomequietspotuntilwecouldpullofftoone。Thetimewhenonewouldbeduewherewelay，whereverthatmightbe，couldbecalculatedprettynearly，ifwemadeinquiriesbeforehand。

Herbertassentedtoallthis，andwewentoutimmediatelyafterbreakfasttopursueourinvestigations。WefoundthatasteamerforHamburgwaslikelytosuitourpurposebest，andwedirectedourthoughtschieflytothatvessel。ButwenoteddownwhatotherforeignsteamerswouldleaveLondonwiththesametide，andwesatisfiedourselvesthatweknewthebuildandcolourofeach。Wethenseparatedforafewhours；I，togetatoncesuchpassportsaswerenecessary；Herbert，toseeStartopathislodgings。Webothdidwhatwehadtodowithoutanyhindrance，andwhenwemetagainatoneo\'clockreporteddone。I，formypart，waspreparedwithpassports；

HerberthadseenStartop，andhewasmorethanreadytojoin。

Thosetwoshouldpullapairofoars，wesettled，andIwouldsteer；

ourchargewouldbesitter，andkeepquiet；asspeedwasnotourobject，weshouldmakewayenough。WearrangedthatHerbertshouldnotcomehometodinnerbeforegoingtoMillPondBankthatevening；thatheshouldnotgothereatall，to-morrowevening，Tuesday；thatheshouldprepareProvistocomedowntosomeStairshardbythehouse，onWednesday，whenhesawusapproach，andnotsooner；thatallthearrangementswithhimshouldbeconcludedthatMondaynight；andthatheshouldbecommunicatedwithnomoreinanyway，untilwetookhimonboard。

Theseprecautionswellunderstoodbybothofus，Iwenthome。

Onopeningtheouterdoorofourchamberswithmykey，Ifoundaletterinthebox，directedtome；averydirtyletter，thoughnotill-written。

Ithadbeendeliveredbyhand(ofcoursesinceIlefthome)，anditscontentswerethese:

`Ifyouarenotafraidtocometotheoldmarshesto-nightortomorrownightatNine，andtocometothelittlesluice-housebythelimekiln，youhadbettercome。IfyouwantinformationregardingyouruncleProvis，youhadmuchbettercomeandtellnooneandlosenotime。Youmustcomealone。Bringthiswithyou。\'

Ihadhadloadenoughuponmymindbeforethereceiptofthisstrangeletter。Whattodonow，Icouldnottell。Andtheworstwas，thatImustdecidequickly，orIshouldmisstheafternooncoach，whichwouldtakemedownintimeforto-night。To-morrownightIcouldnotthinkofgoing，foritwouldbetoocloseuponthetimeoftheflight。Andagain，foranythingIknew，theprofferedinformationmighthavesomeimportantbearingontheflightitself。

IfIhadhadampletimeforconsideration，IbelieveIshouldstillhavegone。Havinghardlyanytimeforconsideration-mywatchshowingmethatthecoachstartedwithinhalfandhour-Iresolvedtogo。Ishouldcertainlynothavegone，butforthereferencetomyUncleProvis；that，comingonWemmick\'sletterandthemorning\'sbusypreparation，turnedthescale。

Itissodifficulttobecomeclearlypossessedofcontentsofalmostanyletter，inaviolenthurry，thatIhadtoreadthismysteriousepistleagain，twice，beforeitsinjunctiontometobesecretgotmechanicallyintomymind。Yieldingtoitinthesamemechanicalkindofway，IleftanoteinpencilforHerbert，tellinghimthatasIshouldbesosoongoingaway，Iknewnotforhowlong，Ihaddecidedtohurrydownandback，toascertainformyselfhowMissHavishamwasfaring。Ihadthenbarelytimetogetmygreat-coat，lockupthechambers，andmakeforthecoach-officebytheshortby-ways。IfIhadtakenahackney-chariotandgonebythestreets，Ishouldhavemissedmyaim；goingasIdid，Icaughtthecoachjustasitcameoutoftheyard。Iwastheonlyinsidepassenger，joltingawayknee-deepinstraw，whenIcametomyself。

For，Ireallyhadnotbeenmyselfsincethereceiptoftheletter；ithadsobewilderedmeensuingonthehurryofthemorning。Themorninghurryandflutterhadbeengreat，for，longandanxiouslyasIhadwaitedforWemmick，hishinthadcomelikeasurpriseatlast。Andnow，Ibegantowonderatmyselfforbeinginthecoach，andtodoubtwhetherIhadsufficientreasonforbeingthere，andtoconsiderwhetherIshouldgetoutpresentlyandgoback，andtoargueagainsteverheedingananonymouscommunication，and，inshort，topassthroughallthosephasesofcontradictionandindecisiontowhichIsupposeveryfewhurriedpeoplearestrangers。Still，thereferencetoProvisbyname，masteredeverything。IreasonedasIhadreasonedalreadywithoutknowingit-ifthatbereasoning-incaseanyharmshouldbefallhimthroughmynotgoing，howcouldIeverforgivemyself！

Itwasdarkbeforewegotdown，andthejourneyseemedlonganddrearytomewhocouldseelittleofitinside，andwhocouldnotgooutsideinmydisabledstate。AvoidingtheBlueBoar，Iputupataninnofminorreputationdownthetown，andorderedsomedinner。Whileitwaspreparing，IwenttoSatisHouseandinquiredforMissHavisham；shewasstillveryill，thoughconsideredsomethingbetter。

Myinnhadoncebeenapartofanancientecclesiasticalhouse，andIdinedinalittleoctagonalcommon-room，likeafont。AsIwasnotabletocutmydinner，theoldlandlordwithashiningbaldheaddiditforme。Thisbringingusintoconversation，hewassogoodastoentertainmewithmyownstory-ofcoursewiththepopularfeaturethatPumblechookwasmyearliestbenefactorandthefounderofmyfortunes。

`Doyouknowtheyoungman？\'saidI。

`Knowhim！\'repeatedthelandlord。`Eversincehewas-noheightatall。\'

`Doesheevercomebacktothisneighbourhood？\'

`Ay，hecomesback，\'saidthelandlord，`tohisgreatfriends，nowandagain，andgivesthecoldshouldertothemanthatmadehim。\'

`Whatmanisthat？\'

`HimthatIspeakof，\'saidthelandlord。`MrPumblechook。\'

`Isheungratefultonooneelse？\'

`Nodoubthewouldbe，ifhecould，\'returnedthelandlord，`buthecan\'t。Andwhy？BecausePumblechookdoneeverythingforhim。\'

`DoesPumblechooksayso？\'

`Sayso！\'repliedthelandlord。`Hehan\'tnocalltosayso。\'

`Butdoeshesayso？\'

`Itwouldturnaman\'sbloodtowhitewinewinegartohearhimtellofit，sir，\'saidthelandlord。

Ithought，`YetJoe，dearJoe，younevertellofit。Long-sufferingandlovingJoe，younevercomplain。Noryou，sweet-temperedBiddy！\'

`Yourappetite\'sbeentouchedlike，byyouraccident，\'saidthelandlord，glancingatthebandagedarmundermycoat。`Tryatendererbit。\'

`Nothankyou，\'Ireplied，turningfromthetabletobroodoverthefire。`Icaneatnomore。Pleasetakeitaway。\'

Ihadneverbeenstruckatsokneely，formythanklessnesstoJoe，asthroughthebrazenimpostorPumblechook。Thefalserhe，thetruerJoe；

themeanerhe，thenoblerJoe。

MyheartwasdeeplyandmostdeservedlyhumbledasImusedoverthefireforanhourormore。Thestrikingoftheclockarousedme，butnotfrommydejectionorremorse，andIgotupandhadmycoatfastenedroundmyneck，andwentout。Ihadpreviouslysoughtinmypocketsfortheletter，thatImightrefertoitagain，butIcouldnotfindit，andwasuneasytothinkthatitmusthavebeendroppedinthestrawofthecoach。Iknewverywell，however，thattheappointedplacewasthelittlesluice-housebythelimekilnonthemarshes，andthehournine。TowardsthemarshesInowwentstraight，havingnotimetospare。

Chapter53

ITwasadarknight，thoughthefullmoonroseasIlefttheenclosedlands，andpassedoutuponthemarshes。Beyondtheirdarklinetherewasaribbonofclearsky，hardlybroadenoughtoholdtheredlargemoon。

Inafewminutesshehadascendedoutofthatclearfield，inamongthepiledmountainsofcloud。

Therewasamelancholywind，andthemarsheswereverydismal。Astrangerwouldhavefoundtheminsupportable，andeventometheyweresooppressivethatIhesitated，halfinclinedtogoback。But，Iknewthemwell，andcouldhavefoundmywayonafardarkernight，andhadnoexcuseforreturning，beingthere。So，havingcomethereagainstmyinclination，Iwentonagainstit。

ThedirectionthatItook，wasnotthatinwhichmyoldhomelay，northatinwhichwehadpursuedtheconvicts。MybackwasturnedtowardsthedistantHulksasIwalkedon，and，thoughIcouldseetheoldlightsawayonthespitsofsand，Isawthemovermyshoulder。IknewthelimekilnaswellasIknewtheoldBattery，buttheyweremilesapart；sothatifalighthadbeenburningateachpointthatnight，therewouldhavebeenalongstripoftheblankhorizonbetweenthetwobrightspecks。

Atfirst，Ihadtoshutsomegatesafterme，andnowandthentostandstillwhilethecattlethatwerelyinginthebanked-uppathway，aroseandblundereddownamongthegrassandreeds。Butafteralittlewhile，Iseemedtohavethewholeflatstomyself。

Itwasanotherhalf-hourbeforeIdrewneartothekiln。Thelimewasburningwithasluggishstiflingsmell，butthefiresweremadeupandleft，andnoworkmenwerevisible。Hardby，wasasmallstone-quarry。Itlaydirectlyinmyway，andhadbeenworkedthatday，asIsawbythetoolsandbarrowsthatwerelyingabout。

Comingupagaintothemarshleveloutofthisexcavation-fortherudepathlaythroughit-Isawalightintheoldsluice-house。Iquickenedmypace，andknockedatthedoorwithmyhand。Waitingforsomereply，Ilookedaboutme，noticinghowthesluicewasabandonedandbroken，andhowthehouse-ofwoodwithatiledroof-wouldnotbeproofagainsttheweathermuchlonger，ifitweresoevennow，andhowthemudandoozewerecoatedwithlime，andhowthechokingvapourofthekilncreptinaghostlywaytowardsme。Stilltherewasnoanswer，andIknockedagain。

Noanswerstill，andItriedthelatch。

Itroseundermyhand，andthedooryielded。Lookingin，Isawalightedcandleonatable，abench，andamattressonatrucklebedstead。Astherewasaloftabove，Icalled，`Isthereanyonehere？\'butnovoiceanswered。

Then，Ilookedatmywatch，and，findingthatitwaspastnine，calledagain，`Isthereanyonehere？\'Therebeingstillnoanswer，Iwentoutatthedoor，irresolutewhattodo。

Itwasbeginningtorainfast。SeeingnothingsavewhatIhadseenalready，Iturnedbackintothehouse，andstoodjustwithintheshelterofthedoorway，lookingoutintothenight。WhileIwasconsideringthatsomeonemusthavebeentherelatelyandmustsoonbecomingback，orthecandlewouldnotbeburning，itcameintomyheadtolookifthewickwerelong。

Iturnedroundtodoso，andhadtakenupthecandleinmyhand，whenitwasextinguishedbysomeviolentshock，andthenextthingIcomprehended，was，thatIhadbeencaughtinastrongrunningnoose，thrownovermyheadfrombehind。

`Now，\'saidasuppressedvoicewithanoath，`I\'vegotyou！\'

`Whatisthis？\'Icried，struggling。`Whoisit？Help，help，help！\'

Notonlyweremyarmspulledclosetomysides，butthepressureonmybadarmcausedmeexquisitepain。Sometimes，astrongman\'shand，sometimesastrongman\'sbreast，wassetagainstmymouthtodeadenmycries，andwithahotbreathalwaysclosetome，Istruggledineffectuallyinthedark，whileIwasfastenedtighttothewall。`Andnow，\'saidthesuppressedvoicewithanotheroath，`calloutagain，andI\'llmakeshortworkofyou！\'

Faintandsickwiththepainofmyinjuredarm，bewilderedbythesurprise，andyetconscioushoweasilythisthreatcouldbeputinexecution，Idesisted，andtriedtoeasemyarmwereiteversolittle。But，itwasboundtootightforthat。Ifeltasif，havingbeenburntbefore，itwerenowbeingboiled。

Thesuddenexclusionofthenightandthesubstitutionofblackdarknessinitsplace，warnedmethatthemanhadclosedashutter。Aftergropingaboutforalittle，hefoundtheflintandsteelhewanted，andbegantostrikealight。Istrainedmysightuponthesparksthatfellamongthetinder，anduponwhichhebreathedandbreathed，matchinhand，butIcouldonlyseehislips，andthebluepointofthematch；eventhose，butfitfully。

Thetinderwasdamp-nowonderthere-andoneafteranotherthesparksdiedout。

Themanwasinnohurry，andstruckagainwiththeflintandsteel。

Asthesparksfellthickandbrightabouthim，Icouldseehishands，andtouchesofhisface，andcouldmakeoutthathewasseatedandbendingoverthetable；butnothingmore。PresentlyIsawhisbluelipsagain，breathingonthetinder，andthenaflareoflightflashedup，andshowedmeOrlick。

WhomIhadlookedfor，Idon\'tknow。Ihadnotlookedforhim。Seeinghim，IfeltthatIwasinadangerousstraitindeed，andIkeptmyeyesuponhim。

Helightedthecandlefromtheflaringmatchwithgreatdeliberation，anddroppedthematch，andtroditout。Then，heputthecandleawayfromhimonthetable，sothathecouldseeme，andsatwithhisarmsfoldedonthetableandlookedatme。ImadeoutthatIwasfastenedtoastoutperpendicularladderafewinchesfromthewall-afixturethere-themeansofascenttotheloftabove。

`Now，\'saidhe，whenwehadsurveyedoneanotherforsometime，`I\'vegotyou。\'

`Unbindme。Letmego！\'

`Ah！\'hereturned，`I\'llletyougo。I\'llletyougotothemoon，I\'llletyougotothestars。Allingoodtime。\'

`Whyhaveyouluredmehere？\'

`Don\'tyouknow？\'saidhe，withadeadlylook`Whyhaveyousetuponmeinthedark？\'

`BecauseImeantodoitallmyself。Onekeepsasecretbetterthantwo。Ohyouenemy，youenemy！\'

HisenjoymentofthespectacleIfurnished，ashesatwithhisarmsfoldedonthetable，shakinghisheadatmeandhugginghimself，hadamalignityinitthatmademetremble。AsIwatchedhiminsilence，heputhishandintothecornerathisside，andtookupagunwithabrass-boundstock。

`Doyouknowthis？\'saidhe，makingasifhewouldtakeaimatme。`Doyouknowwhereyousawitafore？Speak，wolf！\'

`Yes，\'Ianswered。

`Youcostmethatplace。Youdid。Speak！\'

`WhatelsecouldIdo？\'

`Youdidthat，andthatwouldbeenough，withoutmore。HowdaredyoutocomebetwixtmeandayoungwomanIliked？\'

`WhendidI？\'

`Whendidn\'tyou？ItwasyouasalwaysgiveOldOrlickabadnametoher。\'

`Yougaveittoyourself；yougaineditforyourself。Icouldhavedoneyounoharm，ifyouhaddoneyourselfnone。\'

`You\'realiar。Andyou\'lltakeanypains，andspendanymoney，todrivemeoutofthiscountry，willyou？\'saidhe，repeatingmywordstoBiddyinthelastinterviewIhadwithher。`Now，I\'lltellyouapieceofinformation。

Itwasneversowellworthyourwhiletogetmeoutofthiscountryasitisto-night。Ah！Ifitwasallyourmoneytwentytimestold，tothelastbrassfarden！\'Asheshookhisheavyhandatme，withhismouthsnarlinglikeatiger\'s，Ifeltthatitwastrue。

`Whatareyougoingtodotome？\'

`I\'mgoing，\'saidhe，bringinghisfirstdownuponthetablewithaheavyblow，andrisingastheblowfell，togiveitgreaterforce，`I\'magoingtohaveyourlife！\'

Heleanedforwardstaringatme，slowlyunclenchedhishandanddrewitacrosshismouthasifhismouthwateredforme，andsatdownagain。

`YouwasalwaysinOldOrlick\'swaysinceeveryouwasachild。Yougoesoutofhisway，thispresentnight。He\'llhavenomoreonyou。You\'redead。\'

IfeltthatIhadcometothebrinkofmygrave。ForamomentIlookedwildlyroundmytrapforanychanceofescape；buttherewasnone。

`Morethanthat，\'saidhe，foldinghisarmsonthetableagain，`Iwon\'thavearagofyou，Iwon\'thaveaboneofyou，leftonearth。I\'llputyourbodyinthekiln-I\'dcarrytwosuchtoit，onmyshoulders-and，letpeoplesupposewhattheymayofyou，theyshallneverknownothing。\'

Mymind，withinconceivablerapidity，followedoutalltheconsequencesofsuchadeath。Estella\'sfatherwouldbelieveIhaddesertedhim，wouldbetaken，woulddieaccusingme；evenHerbertwoulddoubtme，whenhecomparedtheletterIhadleftforhim，withthefactthatIhadcalledatMissHavisham\'sgateforonlyamoment；JoeandBiddywouldneverknowhowsorryIhadbeenthatnight；nonewouldeverknowwhatIhadsuffered，howtrueIhadmeanttobe，whatanagonyIhadpassedthrough。Thedeathclosebeforemewasterrible，butfarmoreterriblethandeathwasthedreadofbeingmisrememberedafterdeath。Andsoquickweremythoughts，thatIsawmyselfdespisedbyunborngenerations-Estella\'schildren，andtheirchildren-whilethewretch\'swordswereyetonhislips。

`Now，wolf，\'saidhe，`aforeIkillyoulikeanyotherbeast-whichiswotImeantodoandwotIhavetiedyouupfor-I\'llhaveagoodlookatyouandagoodgoadatyou。Oh，youenemy！\'

Ithadpassedthroughmythoughtstocryoutforhelpagain；thoughfewcouldknowbetterthanI，thesolitarynatureofthespot，andthehopelessnessofaid。Butashesatgloatingoverme，Iwassupportedbyascornfuldetestationofhimthatsealedmylips。Aboveallthings，I

resolvedthatIwouldnotentreathim，andthatIwoulddiemakingsomelastpoorresistancetohim。Softenedasmythoughtsofalltherestofmenwereinthatdireextremity；humblybeseechingpardon，asIdid，ofHeaven；meltedatheart，asIwas，bythethoughtthatIhadtakennofarewell，andnevernevernowcouldtakefarewell，ofthosewhoweredeartome，orcouldexplainmyselftothem，oraskfortheircompassiononmymiserableerrors；still，ifIcouldhavekilledhim，evenindying，Iwouldhavedoneit。

Hehadbeendrinking，andhiseyeswereredandbloodshot。Aroundhisneckwasslungatinbottle，asIhadoftenseenhismeatanddrinkslungabouthiminotherdays。Hebroughtthebottletohislips，andtookafierydrinkfromit；andIsmeltthestrongspiritsthatIsawflashintohisface。

`Wolf！\'saidhe，foldinghisarmsagain，`OldOrlick\'sagoingtotellyousomethink。Itwasyouasdidforyourshrewsister。\'

Againmymind，withitsformerinconceivablerapidity，hadexhaustedthewholesubjectoftheattackuponmysister，herillness，andherdeath，beforehisslowandhesitatingspeechhadformedthesewords。

`Itwasyou，villain，\'saidI。

`Itellyouitwasyourdoing-Itellyouitwasdonethroughyou，\'

heretorted，catchingupthegun，andmakingablowwiththestockatthevacantairbetweenus。`Icomeuponherfrombehind，asIcomeuponyouto-night。Igiv\'ither！Ileftherfordead，andiftherehadbeenalimekilnasnighherasthereisnownighyou，sheshouldn\'thavecometolifeagain。Butitwarn\'tOldOrlickasdidit；itwasyou。Youwasfavoured，andhewasbulliedandbeat。OldOrlickbulliedandbeat，eh？

Nowyoupaysforit。Youdoneit；nowyoupaysforit。\'

Hedrankagain，andbecamemoreferocious。Isawbyhistiltingofthebottlethattherewasnogreatquantityleftinit。Idistinctlyunderstoodthathewasworkinghimselfupwithitscontents，tomakeanendofme。

Iknewthateverydropitheld，wasadropofmylife。IknewthatwhenIwaschangedintoapartofthevapourthathadcrepttowardsmebutalittlewhilebefore，likemyownwarningghost，hewoulddoashehaddoneinmysister\'scase-makeallhastetothetown，andbeseenslouchingaboutthere，drinkingattheale-houses。Myrapidmindpursuedhimtothetown，madeapictureofthestreetwithhiminit，andcontrasteditslightsandlifewiththelonelymarshandthewhitevapourcreepingoverit，intowhichIshouldhavedissolved。

ItwasnotonlythatIcouldhavesummedupyearsandyearsandyearswhilehesaidadozenwords，butthatwhathedidsaypresentedpicturestome，andnotmerewords。Intheexcitedandexaltedstateofmybrain，Icouldnotthinkofaplacewithoutseeingit，orofpersonswithoutseeingthem。Itisimpossibletoover-statethevividnessoftheseimages，andyetIwassointent，allthetime，uponhimhimself-whowouldnotbeintentonthetigercrouchingtospring！-thatIknewoftheslightestactionofhisfingers。

Whenhehaddrunkthissecondtime，herosefromthebenchonwhichhesat，andpushedthetableaside。Then，hetookupthecandle，andshadingitwithhismurderoushandsoastothrowitslightonme，stoodbeforeme，lookingatmeandenjoyingthesight。

`Wolf，I\'lltellyousomethingmore。ItwasOldOrlickasyoutumbledoveronyourstairsthatnight。\'

Isawthestaircasewithitsextinguishedlamps。Isawtheshadowsoftheheavystair-rails，thrownbythewatchman\'slanternonthewall。I

sawtheroomsthatIwasnevertoseeagain；here，adoorhalfopen；there，adoorclosed；allthearticlesoffurniturearound。

`AndwhywasOldOrlickthere？I\'lltellyousomethingmore，wolf。Youandherhaveprettywellhuntedmeoutofthiscountry，sofarasgettingaeasylivinginitgoes，andI\'vetookupwithnewcompanions，andnewmasters。Someof\'emwritesmyletterswhenIwants\'emwrote-

doyoumind？-writesmyletters，wolf！Theywritesfiftyhands；they\'renotlikesneakingyou，aswritesbutone。I\'vehadafirmmindandafirmwilltohaveyourlife，sinceyouwasdownhereatyoursister\'sburying。

Ihan\'tseenawaytogetyousafe，andI\'velookedarteryoutoknowyourinsandouts。For，saysOldOrlicktohimself，""SomehoworanotherI\'llhavehim！""What！WhenIlooksforyou，IfindsyouruncleProvis，eh？\'

MillPondBank，andChinks\'sBasin，andtheOldGreenCopperRope-Walk，allsoclearandplain！Provisinhisrooms，thesignalwhoseusewasover，prettyClara，thegoodmotherlywoman，oldBillBarleyonhisback，alldriftingby，asontheswiftstreamofmylifefastrunningouttosea！

`Youwithauncletoo！Why，Iknow\'dyouatGargery\'swhenyouwassosmallawolfthatIcouldhavetookyourweazenbetwixtthisfingerandthumbandchuckedyouawaydead(asI\'dthoughtso\'doing，oddtimes，whenIseeyouloiteringamongstthepollardsonaSunday)，andyouhadn\'tfoundnounclesthen。No，notyou！ButwhenOldOrlickcomefortohearthatyouruncleProvishadmostlikeworetheleg-ironwotOldOrlickhadpickedup，filedasunder，onthesemesheseversomanyyearago，andwothekepbyhimtillhedroppedyoursisterwithit，likeabullock，ashemeanstodropyou-hey？-whenhecomefortohearthat-hey？——\'

Inhissavagetaunting，heflaredthecandlesocloseatme，thatI

turnedmyfaceaside，tosaveitfromtheflame。

`Ah！\'hecried，laughing，afterdoingitagain，`theburntchilddreadsthefire！OldOrlickknowedyouwasburnt，OldOrlickknowedyouwassmugglingyouruncleProvisaway，OldOrlick\'samatchforyouandknow\'dyou\'dcometo-night！NowI\'lltellyousomethingmore，wolf，andthisendsit。There\'sthemthat\'sasgoodamatchforyouruncleProvisasOldOrlickhasbeenforyou。Lethim\'warethem，whenhe\'slosthisnevvy！Lethim\'warethem，whennomancan\'tfindaragofhisdearrelation\'sclothes，noryetaboneofhisbody。There\'sthemthatcan\'tandthatwon\'thaveMagwitch-yes，Iknowthename！-aliveinthesamelandwiththem，andthat\'shadsuchsureinformationofhimwhenhewasaliveinanotherland，asthathecouldn\'tandshouldn\'tleaveitunbeknownandputthemindanger。

P\'rapsit\'sthemthatwritesfiftyhands，andthat\'snotlikesneakingyouaswritesbutone。\'WareCompeyson，Magwitch，andthegallows！\'

Heflaredthecandleatmeagain，smokingmyfaceandhair，andforaninstantblindingme，andturnedhispowerfulbackashereplacedthelightonthetable。Ihadthoughtaprayer，andhadbeenwithJoeandBiddyandHerbert，beforeheturnedtowardsmeagain。

Therewasaclearspaceofafewfeetbetweenthetableandtheoppositewall。Withinthisspace，henowslouchedbackwardsandforwards。Hisgreatstrengthseemedtositstrongeruponhimthaneverbefore，ashedidthiswithhishandshanginglooseandheavyathissides，andwithhiseyesscowlingatme。Ihadnograinofhopeleft。Wildasmyinwardhurrywas，andwonderfultheforceofthepicturesthatrushedbymeinsteadofthoughts，IcouldyetclearlyunderstandthatunlesshehadresolvedthatIwaswithinafewmomentsofsurelyperishingoutofallhumanknowledge，hewouldneverhavetoldmewhathehadtold。

Ofasudden，hestopped，tookthecorkoutofhisbottle，andtosseditaway。Lightasitwas，Ihearditfalllikeaplummet。Heswallowedslowly，tiltingupthebottlebylittleandlittle，andnowhelookedatmenomore。Thelastfewdropsofliquorhepouredintothepalmofhishand，andlickedup。Then，withasuddenhurryofviolenceandswearinghorribly，hethrewthebottlefromhim，andstooped；andIsawinhishandastone-hammerwithalongheavyhandle。

TheresolutionIhadmadedidnotdesertme，for，withoututteringonevainwordofappealtohim，Ishoutedoutwithallmymight，andstruggledwithallmymight。ItwasonlymyheadandmylegsthatIcouldmove，buttothatextentIstruggledwithalltheforce，untilthenunknown，thatwaswithinme。InthesameinstantIheardresponsiveshouts，sawfiguresandagleamoflightdashinatthedoor，heardvoicesandtumult，andsawOrlickemergefromastruggleofmen，asifitweretumblingwater，clearthetableataleap，andflyoutintothenight。

Afterablank，IfoundthatIwaslyingunbound，onthefloor，inthesameplace，withmyheadonsomeone\'sknee。Myeyeswerefixedontheladderagainstthewall，whenIcametomyself-hadopenedonitbeforemymindsawit-andthusasIrecoveredconsciousness，IknewthatIwasintheplacewhereIhadlostit。

Tooindifferentatfirst，eventolookroundandascertainwhosupportedme，Iwaslyinglookingattheladder，whentherecamebetweenmeandit，aface。ThefaceofTrabb\'sboy！

`Ithinkhe\'sallright！\'saidTrabb\'sboy，inasobervoice；`butain\'thejustpalethough！\'

Atthesewords，thefaceofhimwhosupportedmelookedoverintomine，andIsawmysupportertobe——

`Herbert！GreatHeaven！\'

`Softly，\'saidHerbert。`Gently，Handel。Don\'tbetooeager。\'

`Andouroldcomrade，Startop！\'Icried，ashetoobentoverme。

`Rememberwhatheisgoingtoassistusin，\'saidHerbert，`andbecalm。\'

Theallusionmademespringup；thoughIdroppedagainfromthepaininmyarm。`Thetimehasnotgoneby，Herbert，hasit？Whatnightisto-night？

HowlonghaveIbeenhere？\'For，IhadastrangeandstrongmisgivingthatIhadbeenlyingtherealongtime-adayandanight-twodaysandnights-more。

`Thetimehasnotgoneby。ItisstillMondaynight。\'

`ThankGod！\'

`Andyouhaveallto-morrow，Tuesday，torestin，\'saidHerbert。`Butyoucan\'thelpgroaning，mydearHandel。Whathurthaveyougot？Canyoustand？\'

`Yes，yes，\'saidI，`Icanwalk。Ihavenohurtbutinthisthrobbingarm。\'

Theylaiditbare，anddidwhattheycould。Itwasviolentlyswollenandinflamed，andIcouldscarcelyenduretohaveittouched。But，theytoreuptheirhandkerchiefstomakefreshbandages，andcarefullyreplaceditinthesling，untilwecouldgettothetownandobtainsomecoolinglotiontoputuponit。Inalittlewhilewehadshutthedoorofthedarkandemptysluice-house，andwerepassingthroughthequarryonourwayback。Trabb\'sboy-Trabb\'sovergrownyoungmannow-wentbeforeuswithalantern，whichwasthelightIhadseencomeinatthedoor。But，themoonwasagoodtwohourshigherthanwhenIhadlastseenthesky，andthenightthoughrainywasmuchlighter。Thewhitevapourofthekilnwaspassingfromusaswewentby，and，asIhadthoughtaprayerbefore，I

thoughtathanksgivingnow。

EntreatingHerberttotellmehowhehadcometomyrescue-whichatfirsthehadflatlyrefusedtodo，buthadinsistedonmyremainingquiet-IlearntthatIhadinmyhurrydroppedtheletter，open，inourchambers，wherehe，cominghometobringwithhimStartopwhomhehadmetinthestreetonhiswaytome，foundit，verysoonafterIwasgone。Itstonemadehimuneasy，andthemoresobecauseoftheinconsistencybetweenitandthehastyletterIhadleftforhim。Hisuneasinessincreasinginsteadofsubsidingafteraquarterofanhour\'sconsideration，hesetoffforthecoach-office，withStartop，whovolunteeredhiscompany，tomakeinquirywhenthenextcoachwentdown。Findingthattheafternooncoachwasgone，andfindingthathisuneasinessgrewintopositivealarm，asobstaclescameinhisway，heresolvedtofollowinapost-chaise。So，heandStartoparrivedattheBlueBoar，fullyexpectingtheretofindme，ortidingsofme；but，findingneither，wentontoMissHavisham\'s，wheretheylostme。Hereupontheywentbacktothehotel(doubtlessataboutthetimewhenIwashearingthepopularlocalversionofmyownstory)，torefreshthemselvesandtogetsomeonetoguidethemoutuponthemarshes。AmongtheloungersundertheBoar\'sarchway，happenedtobeTrabb\'sboy-truetohisancienthabitofhappeningtobeeverywherewherehehadnobusiness-andTrabb\'sboyhadseenmepassingfromMissHavisham\'sinthedirectionofmydining-place。

Thus，Trabb\'sboybecametheirguide，andwithhimtheywentouttothesluice-house:thoughbythetownwaytothemarshes，whichIhadavoided。

Now，astheywentalong，Herbertreflected，thatImight，afterall，havebeenbroughtthereonsomegenuineandserviceableerrandtendingtoProvis\'ssafety，and，bethinkinghimselfthatinthatcaseinterruptionmustbemischievous，lefthisguideandStartopontheedgeofthequarry，andwentonbyhimself，andstoleroundthehousetwoorthreetimes，endeavouringtoascertainwhetherallwasrightwithin。Ashecouldhearnothingbutindistinctsoundsofonedeeproughvoice(thiswaswhilemymindwassobusy)，heevenatlastbegantodoubtwhetherIwasthere，whensuddenlyIcriedoutloudly，andheansweredthecries，andrushedin，closelyfollowedbytheothertwo。

WhenItoldHerbertwhathadpassedwithinthehouse，hewasforourimmediatelygoingbeforeamagistrateinthetown，lateatnightasitwas，andgettingoutawarrant。But，Ihadalreadyconsideredthatsuchacourse，bydetainingusthere，orbindingustocomeback，mightbefataltoProvis。Therewasnogainsayingthisdifficulty，andwerelinquishedallthoughtsofpursuingOrlickatthattime。Forthepresent，underthecircumstances，wedeemeditprudenttomakeratherlightofthemattertoTrabb\'sboy；whoIamconvincedwouldhavebeenmuchaffectedbydisappointment，ifhehadknownthathisinterventionsavedmefromthelimekiln。NotthatTrabb\'sboywasofamalignantnature，butthathehadtoomuchsparevivacity，andthatitwasinhisconstitutiontowantvarietyandexcitementatanybody\'sexpense。Whenweparted，Ipresentedhimwithtwoguineas(whichseemedtomeethisviews)，andtoldhimthatIwassorryevertohavehadanillopinionofhim(whichmadenoimpressiononhimatall)。

Wednesdaybeingsocloseuponus，wedeterminedtogobacktoLondonthatnight，threeinthepost-chaise；therather，asweshouldthenbeclearaway，beforethenight\'sadventurebegantobetalkedof。Herbertgotalargebottleofstuffformyarm，andbydintofhavingthisstuffdroppedoveritallthenightthrough，Iwasjustabletobearitspainonthejourney。ItwasdaylightwhenwereachedtheTemple，andIwentatoncetobed，andlayinbedallday。

Myterror，asIlaythere，offallingillandbeingunfittedfortomorrow，wassobesetting，thatIwonderitdidnotdisablemeofitself。Itwouldhavedoneso，prettysurely，inconjunctionwiththementalwearandtearIhadsuffered，butfortheunnaturalstrainuponmethatto-morrowwas。

Soanxiouslylookedforwardto，chargedwithsuchconsequences，itsresultssoimpenetrablyhiddenthoughsonear。

Noprecautioncouldhavebeenmoreobviousthanourrefrainingfromcommunicationwithhimthatday；yetthisagainincreasedmyrestlessness。

Istartedateveryfootstepandeverysound，believingthathewasdiscoveredandtaken，andthiswasthemessengertotellmeso。IpersuadedmyselfthatIknewhewastaken；thattherewassomethingmoreuponmymindthanafearorapresentiment；thatthefacthadoccurred，andIhadamysteriousknowledgeofit。Asthedayworeonandnoillnewscame，asthedayclosedinanddarknessfell，myovershadowingdreadofbeingdisabledbyillnessbeforeto-morrowmorning，altogethermasteredme。Myburningarmthrobbed，andmyburningheadthrobbed，andIfanciedIwasbeginningtowander。

Icounteduptohighnumbers，tomakesureofmyself，andrepeatedpassagesthatIknewinproseandverse。Ithappenedsometimesthatinthemereescapeofafatiguedmind，Idozedforsomemomentsorforgot；thenIwouldsaytomyselfwithastart，`Nowithascome，andIamturningdelirious！\'

Theykeptmeveryquietallday，andkeptmyarmconstantlydressed，andgavemecoolingdrinks。WheneverIfellasleep，IawokewiththenotionIhadhadinthesluice-house，thatalongtimehadelapsedandtheopportunitytosavehimwasgone。AboutmidnightIgotoutofbedandwenttoHerbert，withtheconvictionthatIhadbeenasleepforfour-and-twentyhours，andthatWednesdaywaspast。Itwasthelastself-exhaustingeffortofmyfretfulness，for，afterthat，Isleptsoundly。

WednesdaymorningwasdawningwhenIlookedoutofwindow。Thewinkinglightsuponthebridgeswerealreadypale，thecomingsunwaslikeamarshoffireonthehorizon。Theriver，stilldarkandmysterious，wasspannedbybridgesthatwereturningcoldlygrey，withhereandthereattopawarmtouchfromtheburninginthesky。AsIlookedalongtheclusteredroofs，withChurchtowersandspiresshootingintotheunusuallyclearair，thesunroseup，andaveilseemedtobedrawnfromtheriver，andmillionsofsparklesburstoutuponitswaters。Frommetoo，aveilseemedtobedrawn，andIfeltstrongandwell。

Herbertlayasleepinhisbed，andouroldfellow-studentlayasleeponthesofa。Icouldnotdressmyselfwithouthelp，butImadeupthefire，whichwasstillburning，andgotsomecoffeereadyforthem。Ingoodtimetheytoostartedupstrongandwell，andweadmittedthesharpmorningairatthewindows，andlookedatthetidethatwasstillflowingtowardsus。

`Whenitturnsatnineo\'clock，\'saidHerbert，cheerfully，`lookoutforus，andstandready，youoverthereatMillPondBank！\'

Chapter54

ITwasoneofthoseMarchdayswhenthesunshineshotandthewindblowscold:whenitissummerinthelight，andwinterintheshade。Wehadoutpea-coatswithus，andItookabag。OfallmyworldlypossessionsItooknomorethanthefewnecessariesthatfilledthebag。WhereImightgo，whatImightdo，orwhenImightreturn，werequestionsutterlyunknowntome；nordidIvexmymindwiththem，foritwaswhollysetonProvis\'ssafety。Ionlywonderedforthepassingmoment，asIstoppedatthedoorandlookedback，underwhatalteredcircumstancesIshouldnextseethoserooms，ifever。

WeloitereddowntotheTemplestairs，andstoodloiteringthere，asifwewerenotquitedecidedtogouponthewateratall。OfcourseIhadtakencarethattheboatshouldbereadyandeverythinginorder。Afteralittleshowofindecision，whichtherewerenonetoseebutthetwoorthreeamphibiouscreaturesbelongingtoourTemplestairs，wewentonboardandcastoff；Herbertinthebow，Isteering。Itwasthenabouthigh-water-half-pasteight。

Ourplanwasthis。Thetide，beginningtorundownatnine，andbeingwithusuntilthree，weintendedstilltocreeponafterithadturned，androwagainstituntildark。WeshouldthenbewellinthoselongreachesbelowGravesend，betweenKentandEssex，wheretheriverisbroadandsolitary，wherethewatersideinhabitantsareveryfew，andwherelonepublic-housesarescatteredhereandthere，ofwhichwecouldchooseoneforaresting-place。

There，wemeanttolieby，allnight。ThesteamerforHamburg，andthesteamerforRotterdam，wouldstartfromLondonataboutnineonThursdaymorning。Weshouldknowatwhattimetoexpectthem，accordingtowherewewere，andwouldhailthefirst；sothatifbyanyaccidentwewerenottakenabroad，weshouldhaveanotherchance。Weknewthedistinguishingmarksofeachvessel。

Thereliefofbeingatlastengagedintheexecutionofthepurpose，wassogreattomethatIfeltitdifficulttorealizetheconditioninwhichIhadbeenafewhoursbefore。Thecrispair，thesunlight，themovementontheriver，andthemovingriveritself-theroadthatranwithus，seemingtosympathizewithus，animateus，andencourageuson-freshenedmewithnewhope。Ifeltmortifiedtobeofsolittleuseintheboat；

but，therewerefewbetteroarsmenthanmytwofriends，andtheyrowedwithasteadystrokethatwastolastallday。

Atthattime，thesteam-trafficontheThameswasfarbelowitspresentextent，andwatermen\'sboatswerefarmorenumerous。Ofbarges，sailingcolliers，andcoastingtraders，therewereperhapsasmanyasnow；but，ofsteam-ships，greatandsmall，notatitheoratwentiethpartsomany。

Earlyasitwas，therewereplentyofscullersgoinghereandtherethatmorning，andplentyofbargesdroppingdownwiththetide；thenavigationoftheriverbetweenbridges，inanopenboat，wasamucheasierandcommonermatterinthosedaysthanitisinthese；andwewentaheadamongmanyskiffsandwherries，briskly。

OldLondonBridgewassoonpassed，andoldBillingsgatemarketwithitsoyster-boatsandDutchmen，andtheWhiteTowerandTraitor\'sGate，andwewereinamongthetiersofshipping。Here，weretheLeith，Aberdeen，andGlasgowsteamers，loadingandunloadinggoods，andlookingimmenselyhighoutofthewateraswepassedalongside；here，werecolliersbythescoreandscore，withthecoal-whippersplungingoffstagesondeck，ascounterweightstomeasuresofcoalswingingup，whichwerethenrattledoverthesideintobarges；here，athermooringswasto-morrow\'ssteamerforRotterdam，ofwhichwetookgoodnotice；andhereto-morrow\'sforHamburg，underwhosebowspritwecrossed。AndnowI，sittinginthestern，couldseewithafasterbeatingheart，MillPondBankandMillPondstairs。

`Ishethere？\'saidHerbert。

`Notyet。\'

`Right！Hewasnottocomedowntillhesawus。Canyouseehissignal？\'

`Notwellfromhere；butIthinkIseeit-Now，Iseehim！Pullboth。

Easy，Herbert。Oars！\'

Wetouchedthestairslightlyforasinglemoment，andhewasonboardandwewereoffagain。Hehadaboat-cloakwithhim，andablackcanvasbag，andhelookedaslikeariver-pilotasmyheartcouldhavewished。

`Dearboy！\'hesaid，puttinghisarmonmyshoulderashetookhisseat。

`Faithfuldearboy，welldone。Thankye，thankye！\'

Againamongthetiersofshipping，inandout，avoidingrustychain-cablesfrayedhempenhawsersandbobbingbuoys，sinkingforthemomentfloatingbrokenbaskets，scatteringfloatingchipsofwoodandshaving，cleavingfloatingscumofcoal，inandout，underthefigure-headoftheJohnofSunderlandmakingaspeechtothewinds(asisdonebymanyJohns)，andtheBetsyofYarmouthwithafirmformalityofbosomandhernobbyeyesstartingtwoinchesoutofherhead，inandout，hammersgoinginshipbuilders\'yards，sawsgoingattimber，clashingenginesgoingatthingsunknown，pumpsgoinginleakyships，capstansgoing，shipsgoingouttosea，andunintelligiblesea-creaturesroaringcursesoverthebulwarksatrespondentlightermen，inandout-outatlastupontheclearerriver，wheretheships\'boysmighttaketheirfendersin，nolongerfishingintroubledwaterswiththemovertheside，andwherethefestoonedsailsmightflyouttothewind。

AttheStairswherewehadtakenhimabroad，andeversince，Ihadlookedwarilyforanytokenofourbeingsuspected。Ihadseennone。Wecertainlyhadnotbeen，andatthattimeascertainlywewerenot，eitherattendedorfollowedbyanyboat。Ifwehadbeenwaitedonbyanyboat，Ishouldhaverunintoshore，andhaveobligedhertogoon，ortomakeherpurposeevident。But，weheldourown，withoutanyappearanceofmolestation。

Hehadhisboat-cloakonhim，andlooked，asIhavesaid，anaturalpartofthescene。Itwasremarkable(butperhapsthewretchedlifehehadled，accountedforit)，thathewastheleastanxiousofanyofus。

Hewasnoindifferent，forhetoldmethathehopedtolivetoseehisgentlemanoneofthebestofgentlemeninaforeigncountry；hewasnotdisposedtobepassiveorresigned，asIunderstoodit；buthehadnonotionofmeetingdangerhalfway。Whenitcameuponhim，heconfrontedit，butitmustcomebeforehetroubledhimself。

`Ifyouknowed，dearboy，\'hesaidtome，`whatitistositherealongermydearboyandhavemysmoke，arterhavingbeendaybydaybetwixtfourwalls，you\'denvyme。Butyoudon\'tknowwhatitis。\'

`IthinkIknowthedelightsoffreedom，\'Ianswered。

`Ah，\'saidhe，shakinghisheadgravely。`Butyoudon\'tknowitequaltome。Youmusthavebeenunderlockandkey，dearboy，toknowitequaltome-butIain\'tagoingtobelow。\'

Itoccurredtomeasinconsistent，thatforanymasteringidea，heshouldhaveendangeredhisfreedomandevenhislife。ButIreflectedthatperhapsfreedomwithoutdangerwastoomuchapartfromallthehabitofhisexistencetobetohimwhatitwouldbetoanotherman。Iwasnotfarout，sincehesaid，aftersmokingalittle:

`Yousee，dearboy，whenIwasoveryonder，t\'othersidetheworld，Iwasalwaysalookingtothisside；anditcomeflattobethere，forallIwasagrowingrich。EverybodyknowedMagwitch，andMagwitchcouldcome，andMagwitchcouldgo，andnobody\'sheadwouldbetroubledabouthim。Theyain\'tsoeasyconcerningmehere，dearboy-wouldn\'tbe，leastwise，iftheyknowedwhereIwas。\'

`Ifallgoeswell，\'saidI，`youwillbeperfectlyfreeandsafeagain，withinafewhours。\'

`Well，\'hereturned，drawingalongbreath，`Ihopeso。\'

`Andthinkso？\'

Hedippedhishandinthewaterovertheboat\'sgunwale，andsaid，smilingwiththatsoftenedairuponhimwhichwasnotnewtome:

`Ay，Is\'poseIthinkso，dearboy。We\'dbepuzzledtobemorequietandeasy-goingthanweareatpresent。But-it\'saflowingsosoftandpleasantthroughthewater，p\'raps，asmakesmethinkit-Iwasathinkingthroughmysmokejustthen，thatwecannomoreseetothebottomofthenextfewhours，thanwecanseetothebottomofthisriverwhatIcatchesholdof。Noryetwecan\'tnomoreholdtheirtidethanIcanholdthis。

Andit\'srunthroughmyfingersandgone，yousee！\'holdinguphisdrippinghand。

`Butforyourface，Ishouldthinkyouwerealittledespondent，\'saidI。

`Notabitonit，dearboy！Itcomesofflowingonsoquiet，andofthatthereripplingattheboat\'sheadmakingasortofaSundaytune。

MaybeI\'magrowingatrifleoldbesides。\'

Heputhispipebackinhismouthwithanundisturbedexpressionofface，andsatascomposedandcontentedasifwewerealreadyoutofEngland。

Yethewasassubmissivetoawordofadviceasifhehadbeeninconstantterror，for，whenweranashoretogetsomebottlesofbeerintotheboat，andhewassteppingout，IhintedthatIthoughthewouldbesafestwherehewas，andhesaid。`Doyou，dearboy？\'andquietlysatdownagain。

Theairfeltcoldupontheriver，butitwasabrightday，andthesunshinewasverycheering。Thetideranstrong，Itookcaretolosenoneofit，andoursteadystrokecarriedusonthoroughlywell。Byimperceptibledegrees，asthetideranout，welostmoreandmoreofthenearerwoodsandhills，anddroppedlowerandlowerbetweenthemuddybanks，butthetidewasyetwithuswhenwewereoffGravesend。Asourchargewaswrappedinhiscloak，Ipurposelypassedwithinaboatortwo\'slengthofthefloatingCustomHouse，andsoouttocatchthestream，alongsideoftwoemigrantships，andunderthebowsofalargetransportwithtroopsontheforecastlelookingdownatus。Andsoonthetidebegantoslacken，andthecraftlyingatanchortoswing，andpresentlytheyhadallswunground，andtheshipsthatweretakingadvantageofthenewtidetogetuptothePool，begantocrowduponusinafleet，andwekeptundertheshore，asmuchoutofthestrengthofthetidenowaswecould，standingcarefullyofffromlowshallowsandmudbanks。

Ouroarsmenweresofresh，bydintofhavingoccasionallyletherdrivewiththetideforaminuteortwo，thataquarterofanhour\'srestprovedfullasmuchastheywanted。Wegotashoreamongsomeslipperystoneswhileweateanddrankwhatwehadwithus，andlookedabout。Itwaslikemyownmarshcountry，flatandmonotonous，andwithadimhorizon；whilethewindingriverturnedandturned，andthegreatfloatingbuoysuponitturnedandturned，andeverythingelseseemedstrandedandstill。For，now，thelastofthefleetofshipswasroundthelastlowpointwehadheaded；

andthelastgreenbarge，straw-laden，withabrownsail，hadfollowed；

andsomeballast-lighters，shapedlikeachild\'sfirstrudeimitationofaboat，laylowinthemud；andalittlesquatshoal-lighthouseonopenpiles，stoodcrippledinthemudonstiltsandcrutches；andslimystakesstuckoutofthemud，andslimystonesstuckoutofthemud，andredlandmarksandtidemarksstuckoutofthemud，andanoldlanding-stageanoldrooflessbuildingslippedintothemud，andallaboutuswasstagnationandmud。

Wepushedoffagain，andmadewhatwaywecould。Itwasmuchharderworknow，butHerbertandStartoppersevered，androwed，androwed，androwed，untilthesunwentdown。Bythattimetheriverhasliftedusalittle，sothatwecouldseeabovethebank。Therewastheredsun，onthelowleveloftheshore，inapurplehaze，fastdeepeningintoblack；

andtherewasthesolitaryflatmarsh；andfarawaythereweretherisinggrounds，betweenwhichandusthereseemedtobenolife，savehereandthereintheforegroundamelancholygull。

Asthenightwasfastfalling，andasthemoon，beingpastthefull，wouldnotriseearly，weheldalittlecouncil:ashortone，forclearlyourcoursewastoliebyatthefirstlonelytavernwecouldfind。So，theypliedtheiroarsoncemore，andIlookedoutforanythinglikeahouse。

Thusweheldon，speakinglittle，forfourorfivedullmiles。Itwasverycold，and，acolliercomingbyus，withhergalley-firesmokingandflaring，lookedlikeacomfortablehome。Thenightwasasdarkbythistimeasitwouldbeuntilmorning；andwhatlightwehad，seemedtocomemorefromtheriverthanthesky，astheoarsintheirdippingstruckasafewreflectedstars。Atthisdismaltimewewereevidentlyallpossessedbytheideathatwewerefollowed。Asthetidemade，itflappedheavilyatirregularintervalsagainsttheshore；andwheneversuchasoundcame，oneorotherofuswassuretostartandlookinthatdirection。Hereandthere，thesetofthecurrenthadworndownthebankintoalittlecreek，andwewereallsuspiciousofsuchplaces，andeyedthemnervously。Sometimes，`Whatwasthatripple？\'oneofuswouldsayinalowvoice。Oranother，`Isthataboatyonder？\'Andafterwards，wewouldfallintoadeadsilence，andIwouldsitimpatientlythinkingwithwhatanunusualamountofnoisetheoarsworkedinthethowels。

Atlengthwedescriedalightandaroof，andpresentlyafterwardsranalongsidealittlecausewaymadeofstonesthathadbeenpickeduphardby。Leavingtherestintheboat，Isteppedashore，andfoundthelighttobeinawindowofapublic-house。Itwasadirtyplaceenough，andI

daresaynotunknowntosmugglingadventurers；buttherewasagoodfireinthekitchen，andtherewereeggsandbacontoeat，andvariousliquorstodrink。Also，thereweretwodouble-beddedrooms-`suchastheywere，\'

thelandlordsaid。Noothercompanywasinthehousethanthelandlord，hiswife，andagrizzledmalecreature，the`Jack\'ofthelittlecauseway，whowasasslimyandsmearyasifhehadbeenlow-watermarktoo。

Withthisassistant，Iwentdowntotheboatagain，andweallcameashore，andbroughtouttheoars，andrudder，andboat-hook，andallelse，andhauledherupforthenight。Wemadeaverygoodmealbythekitchenfire，andthenapportionedthebedrooms:HerbertandStartopweretooccupyone；Iandourchargetheother。Wefoundtheairascarefullyexcludedfromboth，asifairwerefataltolife；andthereweremoredirtyclothesandbandboxesunderthebedsthanIshouldhavethoughtthefamilypossessed。

But，weconsideredourselveswelloff，notwithstanding，foramoresolitaryplacewecouldnothavefound。

Whilewewerecomfortingourselvesbythefireafterourmeal，theJack-whowassittinginacorner，andwhohadabloatedpairofshoeson，whichhehadexhibitedwhilewewereeatingoureggsandbacon，asinterestingrelicsthathehadtakenafewdaysagofromthefeetofadrownedseamanwashedashore-askedmeifwehadseenafour-oaredgalleygoingupwiththetide？WhenItoldhimNo，hesaidshemusthavegonedownthen，andyetshe`tookuptoo，\'whensheleftthere。

`Theymustha\'thoughtbetteron\'tforsomereasonoranother，\'saidtheJack，`andgonedown。\'

`Afour-oaredgalley，didyousay？\'saidI。

`Afour，\'saidtheJack，`andtwositters。\'

`Didtheycomeashorehere？\'

`Theyputinwithastonetwo-gallonjar，forsomebeer。I\'dha\'beengladtopisonthebeermyself，\'saidtheJack，`orputsomerattlingphysicinit。\'

`Why？\'

`Iknowwhy，\'saidtheJack。Hespokeinaslushyvoice，asifmuchmudhadwashedintohisthroat。

`Hethinks，\'saidthelandlord:aweaklymeditativemanwithapaleeye，whoseemedtorelygreatlyonhisJack:`hethinkstheywas，whattheywasn\'t。\'

`IknowswhatIthinks，\'observedtheJack。

`YouthinksCustum\'Us，Jack？\'saidthelandlord。

`Ido，\'saidtheJack。

`Thenyou\'rewrong，Jack。\'

`AMI！\'

Intheinfinitemeaningofhisreplyandhisboundlessconfidenceinhisviews，theJacktookoneofhisbloatedshoesoff，lookedintoit，knockedafewstonesoutofitonthekitchenfloor，andputitonagain。

HedidthiswiththeairofaJackwhowassorightthathecouldaffordtodoanything。

`Why，whatdoyoumakeoutthattheydonewiththeirbuttonsthen，Jack？\'

askedthelandlord，vacillatingweakly。

`Donewiththeirbuttons？\'returnedtheJack。`Chucked\'emoverboard。

Swallered\'em。Sowed\'em，tocomeupsmallsalad。Donewiththeirbuttons！\'

`Don\'tbecheeky，Jack，\'remonstratedthelandlord，inamelancholyandpatheticway。

`ACustum\'UsofficerknowswhattodowithhisButtons，\'saidtheJack，repeatingtheobnoxiouswordwiththegreatestcontempt，`whentheycomesbetwixthimandhisownlight。AFourandtwosittersdon\'tgohangingandhovering，upwithonetideanddownwithanother，andbothwithandagainstanother，withouttherebeingCustum\'Usatthebottomofit。\'Sayingwhichhewentoutindisdain；andthelandlord，havingnoonetoreplyupon，founditimpracticabletopursuethesubject。

Thisdialoguemadeusalluneasy，andmeveryuneasy。Thedismalwindwasmutteringroundthehouse，thetidewasflappingattheshore，andIhadafeelingthatwewerecagedandthreatened。Afour-oaredgalleyhoveringaboutinsounusualawayastoattractthisnotice，wasanuglycircumstancethatIcouldnotgetridof。WhenIhadinducedProvistogouptobed，Iwentoutsidewithmytwocompanions(Starlopbythistimeknewthestateofthecase)，andheldanothercouncil。Whetherweshouldremainatthehouseuntilnearthesteamer\'stime，whichwouldbeaboutoneintheafternoon；orwhetherweshouldputoffearlyinthemorning；

wasthequestionwediscussed。Onthewholewedeemeditthebettercoursetoliewherewewere，untilwithinanhourorsoofthesteamer\'stime，andthentogetoutinhertrack，anddrifteasilywiththetide。Havingsettledtodothis，wereturnedintothehouseandwenttobed。

Ilaydownwiththegreaterpartofmyclotheson，andsleptwellforafewhours。WhenIawoke，thewindhadrisen，andthesignofthehouse(theShip)wascreakingandbangingabout，withnoisesthatstartledme。

Risingsoftly，formychargelayfastasleep，Ilookedoutofthewindow。

Itcommandedthecausewaywherewehadhauledupourboat，and，asmyeyesadaptedthemselvestothelightofthecloudedmoon，Isawtwomenlookingintoher。Theypassedbyunderthewindow，lookingatnothingelse，andtheydidnotgodowntothelanding-placewhichIcoulddiscerntobeempty，butstruckacrossthemarshinthedirectionoftheNore。

MyfirstimpulsewastocallupHerbert，andshowhimthetwomengoingaway。But，reflectingbeforeIgotintohisroom，whichwasatthebackofthehouseandadjoinedmine，thatheandStartophadhadaharderdaythanI，andwerefatigued，Iforbore。Goingbacktomywindow，Icouldseethetwomenmovingoverthemarsh。Inthatlight，however，Isoonlostthem，andfeelingverycold，laydowntothinkofthematter，andfellasleepagain。

Wewereupearly。Aswewalkedtoandfro，allfourtogether，beforebreakfast，IdeemeditrighttorecountwhatIhadseen。Againourchargewastheleastanxiousoftheparty。ItwasverylikelythatthemenbelongedtotheCustomHouse，hesaidquietly，andthattheyhadnothoughtofus。

Itriedtopersuademyselfthatitwasso-as，indeed，itmighteasilybe。However，IproposedthatheandIshouldwalkawaytogethertoadistantpointwecouldsee，andthattheboatshouldtakeusaboradthere，orasnearthereasmightprovefeasible，ataboutnoon。Thisbeingconsideredagoodprecaution，soonafterbreakfastheandIsetforth，withoutsayinganythingatthetavern。

Hesmokedhispipeaswewentalong，andsometimesstoppedtoclapmeontheshoulder。OnewouldhavesupposedthatitwasIwhowasindanger，nothe，andthathewasreassuringme。Wespokeverylittle。Asweapproachedthepoint，Ibeggedhimtoremaininashelteredplace，whileIwentontoreconnoitre；for，itwastowardsitthatthemenhadpassedinthenight。

Hecomplied，andIwentonalone。Therewasnoboatoffthepoint，noranyboatdrawnupanywherenearit，norwerethereanysignsofthemenhavingembarkedthere。But，tobesurethetidewashigh，andtheremighthavebeensomefootpintsunderwater。

Whenhelookedoutfromhisshelterinthedistance，andsawthatI

wavedmyhattohimtocomeup，herejoinedme，andtherewewaited；sometimeslyingonthebankwrappedinourcoats，andsometimesmovingabouttowarmourselves:untilwesawourboatcominground。Wegotaboradeasily，androwedoutintothetrackofthesteamer。Bythattimeitwantedbuttenminutesofoneo\'clock，andwebegantolookoutforhersmoke。

But，itwashalf-pastonebeforewesawhersmoke，andsoonafterwardswesawbehinditthesmokeofanothersteamer。Astheywerecomingonatfullspeed，wegotthetwobagsready，andtookthatopportunityofsayinggood-byetoHerbertandStartop。Wehadallshakenhandscordially，andneitherHerbert\'seyesnorminewerequitedry，whenIsawafour-oaredgalleyshootoutfromunderthebankbutalittlewayaheadofus，androwoutintothesametrack。

Astretchofshorehadbeenasyetbetweenusandthesteamer\'ssmoke，byreasonofthebendandwindoftheriver；butnowshewasvisible，comingheadon。IcalledtoHerbertandStartoptokeepbeforethetide，thatshemightseeuslyingbyforher，andIadjuredProvistositquitestill，wrappedinhiscloak。Heansweredcheerily，`Trusttome，dearboy，\'andsatlikeastatue。Meantimethegalley，whichwasveryskilfullyhandled，hadcrossedus，letuscomeupwithher，andfallenalongside。Leavingjustroomenoughfortheplayoftheoars，shekeptalongside，driftingwhenwedrifted，andpullingastrokeortwowhenwepulled。Ofthetwosittersoneheldtherudderlines，andlookedatusattentively-asdidalltherowers；theothersitterwaswrappedup，muchasProviswas，andseemedtoshrink，andwhispersomeinstructiontothesteererashelookedatus。Notawordwasspokenineitherboat。

Startopcouldmakeout，afterafewminutes，whichsteamerwasfirst，andgavemetheword`Hamburg，\'inalowvoiceaswesatfacetoface。

Shewasnearingusveryfast，andthebeatingofherpeddlesgrewlouderandlouder。Ifeltasifhershadowwereabsolutelyuponus，whenthegalleyhailedus。Ianswered。

`YouhaveareturnedTransportthere，\'saidthemanwhoheldthelines。

`That\'stheman，wrappedinthecloak。HisnameisAbelMagwitch，otherwiseProvis。Iapprehendthatman，andcalluponhimtosurrender，andyoutoassist。\'

Atthesamemoment，withoutgivinganyaudibledirectiontohiscrew，heranthegalleyabroadofus。Theyhadpulledonesuddenstrokeahead，hadgottheiroarsin，hadrunathwartus，andwereholdingontoourgunwale，beforeweknewwhattheyweredoing。Thiscausedgreatconfusiononboardthesteamer，andIheardthemcallingtous，andheardtheordergiventostopthepaddles，andheardthemstop，butfeltherdrivingdownuponusirresistibly。Inthesamemoment，Isawthesteersmanofthegalleylayhishandonhisprisoner\'sshoulder，andsawthatbothboatswereswingingroundwiththeforceofthetide，andsawthatallhandsonboardthesteamerwererunningforwardquitefrantically。Stillinthesamemoment，Isawtheprisonerstartup，leanacrosshiscaptor，andpullthecloakfromtheneckoftheshrinkingsitterinthegalley。Stillinthesamemoment，Isawthatthefacedisclosed，wasthefaceoftheotherconvictoflongago。Stillinthesamemoment，IsawthefacetiltbackwardwithawhiteterroronitthatIshallneverforget，andheardagreatcryonboardthesteamerandaloudsplashinthewater，andfelttheboatsinkfromunderme。

ItwasbutforaninstantthatIseemedtostrugglewithathousandmill-weirsandathousandflashesoflight；thatinstantpast，Iwastakenonboardthegalley。Herbertwasthere，andStartopwasthere；butourboatwasgone，andthetwoconvictsweregone。

Whatwiththecriesabroadthesteamer，andthefuriousblowingoffofhersteam，andherdrivingon，andourdrivingon，Icouldnotatfirstdistinguishskyfromwaterorshorefromshore；but，thecrewofthegalleyrightedherwithgreatspeed，and，pullingcertainswiftstrongstrokesahead，layupontheiroars，everymanlookingsilentlyandeagerlyatthewaterastern。Presentlyadarkobjectwasseeninit，bearingtowardsusonthetide。Nomanspoke，butthesteersmanhelduphishand，andallsoftlybackedwater，andkepttheboatstraightandtruebeforeit。Asitcamenearer，IsawittobeMagwitch，swimming，butnotswimmingfreely。

Hewastakenonboard，andinstantlymanacledatthewristsandankles。

Thegalleywaskeptsteady，andthesilenteagerlook-outatthewaterwasresumed。But，theRotterdamsteamernowcameup，andapparentlynotunderstandingwhathadhappened，cameonatspeed。Bythetimeshehadbeenhailedandstopped，bothsteamersweredriftingawayfromus，andwewererisingandfallinginatroubledwakeofwater。Thelook-outwaskept，longafterallwasstillagainandthetwosteamersweregone；but，everybodyknewthatitwashopelessnow。

Atlengthwegaveitup，andpulledundertheshoretowardsthetavernwehadlatelyleft，wherewewerereceivedwithnolittlesurprise。Here，IwasabletogetsomecomfortsforMagwitch-Provisnolonger-whohadreceivedsomeverysevereinjuryinthechestandadeepcutinthehead。

Hetoldmethathebelievedhimselftohavegoneunderthekeelofthesteamer，andtohavebeenstruckontheheadinrising。Theinjurytohischest(whichrenderedhisbreathingextremelypainful)hethoughthehadreceivedagainstthesideofthegalley。HeaddedthathedidnotpretendtosaywhathemightormightnothavedonetoCompeyson，but，thatinthemomentofhislayinghishandonhiscloaktoidentifyhim，thatvillainhadstaggeredupandstaggeredback，andtheyhadbothgoneoverboardtogether；

whenthesuddenwrenchingofhim(Magwitch)outofourboat，andtheendeavourofhiscaptortokeephiminit，hadcapsizedus。Hetoldmeinawhisperthattheyhadgonedown，fiercelylockedineachother\'sarms，andthattherehadbeenastruggleunderwater，andthathehaddisengagedhimself，struckout，andswumaway。

Ineverhadanyreasontodoubttheexacttruthofwhathethustoldme。Theofficerwhosteeredthegalleygavethesameaccountoftheirgoingoverboard。

WhenIaskedthisofficer\'spermissiontochangetheprisoner\'swetclothesbypurchasinganysparegarmentsIcouldgetatthepublic-house，hegaveitreadily:merelyobservingthathemusttakechargeofeverythinghisprisonerhadabouthim。Sothepocketbookwhichhadoncebeeninmyhands，passedintotheofficer\'s。HefurthergavemeleavetoaccompanytheprisonertoLondon；but，declinedtoaccordthatgracetomytwofriends。

TheJackattheShipwasinstructedwherethedrownedmanhadgonedown，andundertooktosearchforthebodyintheplaceswhereitwaslikeliesttocomeashore。Hisinterestinitsrecoveryseemedtometobemuchheightenedwhenheheardthatithadstockingson。Probably，ittookaboutadozendrownedmentofithimoutcompletely；andthatmayhavebeenthereasonwhythedifferentarticlesofhisdresswereinvariousstagesofdecay。

Weremainedatthepublic-houseuntilthetideturned，andthenMagwitchwascarrieddowntothegalleyandputonboard。HerbertandStartopweretogettoLondonbyland，assoonastheycould。Wehadadolefulparting，andwhenItookmyplacebyMagwitch\'sside，Ifeltthatthatwasmyplacehenceforthwhilehelived。

Fornow，myrepugnancetohimhadallmeltedaway，andinthehuntedwoundedshackledcreaturewhoheldmyhandinhis，Ionlysawamanwhohadmeanttobemybenefactor，andwhohadfeltaffectionately，gratefully，andgenerously，towardsmewithgreatconstancythroughaseriesofyears。

IonlysawinhimamuchbettermanthanIhadbeentoJoe。

Hisbreathingbecamemoredifficultandpainfulasthenightdrewon，andoftenhecouldnotrepressagroan。ItriedtoresthimonthearmIcoulduse，inanyeasyposition；but，itwasdreadfultothinkthatI

couldnotbesorryatheartforhisbeingbadlyhurt，sinceitwasunquestionablybestthatheshoulddie。Thattherewere，stillliving，peopleenoughwhowereableandwillingtoidentifyhim，Icouldnotdoubt。Thathewouldbelenientlytreated，Icouldnothope。Hewhohadbeenpresentedintheworstlightathistrial，whohadsincebrokenprisonandhadbeentriedagain，whohadreturnedfromtransportationunderalifesentence，andwhohadoccasionedthedeathofthemanwhowasthecauseofhisarrest。

Aswereturnedtowardsthesettingsunwehadyesterdayleftbehindus，andasthestreamofourhopesseemedallrunningback，ItoldhimhowgrievedIwastothinkthathehadcomehomeformysake。

`Dearboy，\'heanswered，`I\'mquitecontenttotakemychance。I\'veseenmyboy，andhecanbeagentlemanwithoutme。\'

No。Ihadthoughtaboutthat，whilewehadbeentheresidebyside。

No。Apartfromanyinclinationsofmyown，IunderstoodWemmick\'shintnow。Iforesawthat，beingconvicted，hispossessionswouldbeforfeitedtotheCrown。

`Lookeehere，dearboy，\'saidhe`It\'sbestasagentlemanshouldnotbeknowedtobelongtomenow。OnlycometoseemeasifyoucomebychancealongerWemmick。SitwhereIcanseeyouwhenIamsworeto，forthelasto\'manytimes，andIdon\'tasknomore。\'

`Iwillneverstirfromyourside，\'saidI，`whenIamsufferedtobenearyou。PleaseGod，Iwillbeastruetoyou，asyouhavebeentome！\'

Ifelthishandtrembleasitheldmine，andheturnedhisfaceawayashelayinthebottomoftheboat，andIheardthatoldsoundinhisthroat-softenednow，likealltherestofhim。Itwasagoodthingthathehadtouchedthispoint，foritputintomymindwhatImightnototherwisehavethoughtofuntiltoolate:Thatheneedneverknowhowhishopesofenrichingmehadperished。