第6章

CHAPTERXVII

WegottoBairdstownearlyenough，butwedidn\'tgotoworkthere。Wewastedallthatday。Theywassomethingwork-

inginthedoctor\'sheadhewasn\'ttalkingabout。

Isupposedhewasgettingcoldfeetonthehullproposition。Anyhow，hejestsetaroundthelittletaverninthatplaceanddonenothingallafternoon。

Theweatherwasfine，andwesetoutinfront。

Wehadn\'tsettheremore\'nanhourtillIcouldtellwewasbeingnoticedbytheblacks，notoutopenandaboveboard。Buteverynowandthenoneortwoorthreewouldpassalongdownthestreet，andlazyaboutandtakealookatus。

Theypertendedtheywasn\'tnoticing，buttheywas。

Thewordhadgotaround，andtheywasafeelingintheairIdidn\'tlikeatall。Toomuchcaged-upexcitementamongtheniggers。Thedoctorfeltittoo，Icouldseethat。Butneitheroneofussaidanythingaboutittotheother。

Alongtowardduskwetakesawalk。Theywasagood-sizedcrickattheedgeofthatlittleplace，andonitanold-fashionedwortermill。Abovethemillalittlepiecewasabridge。Wecrosseditandwalkedalongaroadthatfolleredthecrickbankclostefurquiteaspell。

Itwasn\'tmuchofatown——somethingbetwixtavillageandasettlement——althoughtheywasgoingtorunabranchoftherailroadovertoitbeforeverylong。Ithadhadachancettogetarailroadonce，yearsbeforethat。Butithadsaidthenitdidn\'twantnorailroad。Sountillatelyeverybranchbuiltthroughthatpartofthecountrygrinnedverysarcasticandgiveitthego-by。

Theywasconsiderablewoodsstandingalongthecrick，andaroundaturnintheroadwecomeontoSam，allofasudden，talkingwithanothernigger。

Samwasjesta-layingitofftothatnigger，buthekindofhushedaswecomenearer。Downtheroadquitealittlepiecewasagood-sizedwoodenbuildingthatneverhadbeenpaintedandlookedlikeitwasabigbarn。WithoutknowingitthedoctorandmehadbeenpintingourselvesrighttowardBigBethel。

TheniggerwithSamheyellsout，whenheseesus：

“Glorybe！HYAHdeycomes！HyahdeycomesNOW！”

Andhethroweduphisarms，andstartedonalopeuptheroadtowardthechurch，singingouteverytenorfifteenyards。Alittleknotofniggerscomeoutinfrontofthechurchwhentheyhearnhimcoming。

Sam，hestoodhisground，andwaitedfurustocomeuptohim，kindofapologeticandsneaking-

lookingaboutsomethingorother。

“Whatkindoflieshaveyoubeentellingtheseniggers，Sam？”saysthedoctor，verysharpandshortandmad-like。

Sam，hedigsastoneout\'ntheroadwiththetoeofhisshoe，andkindofgrinstohimself，stilllookingsheepish。Buthesaysheopinionateshebeentellingthemnothingatall。

“Idunnohow-comedeygetalldemniggernotionsindeyfoolhaid，“Samsays，“butdeyallwaitin\'

darinsidedechu\'chdo\'——someofdemos\'faifulan\'demos\'pra\'rfuloneso\'deBigBethelcong\'gationbeendarfo\'delas\'houaha-waitin\'an\'a-watchin\'，spiteo\'defac\'datreg\'lahmeetin\'ain\'tgwineterbecalledtwellartersupper。Debishop，hedartoo。Deygotsomedesehyahcoal-ilelampsdardesinsidedechu\'chdo\'an\'deybeenkeepin\'on\'emlighted，daytimesan\'nighttimes，fo\'twodaysnow，kazedeysaydeyain\'tgwinefo\'terbecotchednappingwhendebridegroomCOMeth。Yass，SAH！——

dey\'steno\'desehyahvergimsdar，fiveof\'emsleepin\'an\'fiveof\'emwatchin\'，an\'a-takin\'tuhnsathit，an\'mebbydathow-comefreeorfouahdeybes\'youngcolo\'hedmensbeenprojickin\'aroun\'

darallarternoon，a-helpin\'demdat\'sa-waitin\'

twelldebridegroomCOMeth！”

Weseenalittleknotofthem，downtheroadthereinfrontofthechurch，gatheringaroundtheniggerthathadbeenwithSam。Theyallstartstowardus。Butonemanstepsoutinfrontofthemall，andturnstowardthemandholdshishandsup，andwavesthemback。Theyallstopsintheirtracks。

Thenheturnshisfacetowardus，andcomesslowandsollumdowntheroadinourdirection，walkingwithacane，andmovingverydignified。Hewasacoupleofhundredyardsaway。

Butashecomecloseterwegraduallyseenhimplainerandplainer。Hewasabigman，andstout，anddressedveryneatinthesamekindofrigaswhitebishopswear，withoneofthesewhitecollarsthatbuttonsintheback。Isupposehewascomingontomeetusalone，becausenoonewasfittenfurtogiveusthefirstwelcomebuthimself。

Well，itwasalldernfoolishness，anditwashardtobelieveitcouldallhappen，andtheyain\'tsomanyplacesinthisherecountryitCOULDhappen。

Butfurallofitbeingfoolishness，whenhecomedowntheroadtowardussodignifiedandsollumandslowIketchedmyselffuraminutefeelinglikewereallyhadbeenelectedtosomethingandwasgoingtotakeofficesoon。AndSam，asthebishopcomecloseterandcloseter，gottojerkingandtwitchingwiththeexcitementthathehadbeenkeepingin——andyetallthetimeSamknoweditwasdopeandworksandnotfaiththathadmadehimspottedthat-a-way。

Hestops，thebishopdoes，abouttenyardsfromusandlooksusover。

“Ahyo\'degennlemanknownterdishyahsinfulgenehationbydestylean\'deentitleminto\'Docto\'

HahtleyKirby？”heaststhedoctorveryceremoni-

ousandgrand。

Thedoctorgivehimalookthatwasn\'tveryencouraging，buthenoddedtohim。

“Willyo\'dismissyo\'sehvantinordehdatwekinhol\'convehsean\'communionindemidsterprivacy？”

Thedoctor，henodstoSam，andSammoseysalongtowardthechurch。

“Now，then，“saysthedoctor，suddenandsharp，“takeoffyourhatandtellmewhatyouwant。“

Thebishop\'shandgoesuptohisheadwithajerkbeforehethought。Thenitstopsthere，whilehimandthedoctorlooksateachother。Thebishop\'smouthopenslikehewaswondering，butheslowlypullshishatoffandstandstherebare-headedintheroad。Buthewasn\'treallyhumble，thatbishop。

“Now，“saysthedoctor，“tellmeinasstraighttalkasyou\'vegotwhatallthisdamnedfoolishnessamongyouniggersmeans。“

Aqueerkindoflookpassedoverthebishop\'sface。Hehadn\'texpectedtobemetjestthatway，mebby。WhetherhehimselfhadreallybelievedinthecomingofthattherenewMessiahhehadbeenperdicting，Inevercouldsettleinmymind。MebbyhehadbeengettingreadytopassHIMSELFofffuronebeforewecomealongandtheniggersallgotthefoolideaDoctorKirbywasit。Beforethebishopspokeaginyoucouldseehiscrazinessandhiscunningnessbothworkinginhisface。Butwhenhedidspeakhedidn\'tquitbeingceremoniousnordignified。

“Dewohdhasgonefo\'thamongdefaifulan\'

depuahinheaht，“hesays，“datermanhascomeaccreditedwi\'signsan\'wi\'mahvelsan\'depoweho\'desperritfo\'tolayhishan\'ondesonso\'Haman\'termake\'emdesdesameincolluhasdeyuthersonsofea\'th。“

“Thenthatwordisalie，“saysthedoctor。“I

DIDcomeheretotryoutsomestufftochangethecolourofnegroskins。That\'sall。AndIfindyouridioticfollowersareallstirredupandwaitingforsomekindofamiraclemonger。Whatyouhavebeenpreachingtothem，youknowbest。Isthatallyouwanttoknow？”

Thebishophemsandhawsandfiddleswithhisstick，andthenhesays：

“Suh，willdishyeahprepa\'shunSHO\'LYdodewohk？”DoctorKirbytellshimitwilldotheworkallright。

Andthenthebishop，afterbeatingaroundthebushsomemore，comesoutwithhisidea。WhetherheexpectedtherewouldbeanyMessiahcomeornot，ofcourseheknowedthedoctorwasn\'thim。

Butheiswillingtoboostthedoctor\'sgameaslongasitboostsHISgame。Hewantstobeinonthedeal。Hewantspartofthegraft。Hewantstogettogetherwiththedoctoronaplanbeforethedoctorseestheniggers。Andifthedoctordon\'twanttokeeponwiththemiracleendofit，thebishopshowshimhowhecoulddohimgoodwithnomiracleattachment。Furhehasanawfulholtonthemniggers，andhissay-sowillsellthousandsandthousandsofbottles。Whatheislookingfurjestnowishislittletake-out。

Thatwashiscraftinessandhiscunningnessworkinginhim。Butallofasuddenoneofhiscrazystreakscomebulgingtothesurface。Itcomewithawild，eagerlookinhiseyes。

“Suh，“hecriesout，allofasudden，“efyo\'kinmakemewhite，fo\'Gawdsakes，dohit！Dohit！

Efyo\'does，Igwineterblessyo\'allyo\'days！

“Yo\'don\'know——noonekinguessorcomper-

hen\'——whatdesbein\'whitewouldmeanterme！

Lawd！Lawd！”hesays，hisvoicesoft-spoken，butmoreeagerthaneverashewenton，andplead-

ingsomethingpitifultohear，“desthinkofalldeCaucasianbloodinme！GawdknowsdenightsermyyouthI\'selaidawaketwelldedawncomeredindeEas\'a-cryin\'outterHimonlyfo\'terbewhite！DESTERBEWHITE！Don\'min\'demblack，blackniggersdar——don\'thinkerDEM——deyain\'twuthnothin\'norfittenfo\'nofatebutwhatdeygot——Butme！What\'sdonekep\'mefromgwineterdetopbutdatonething：_I_WASN\'TWHITE！Hitairtoolatenow——toolatefo\'demambitionsI

donetriflewithan\'shovebehin\'me——hit\'stoolatefo\'dat！ButefIwasdestergitoneli\'lyearo\'hit——ONELI\'LYEARO\'BEIN\'WHITE！——befo\'

Idied——“

Andhewentonlikethat，shakingandstutteringthereintheroad，likeafithadstruckhim，crazyasaloon。Buthegotholdofhimselfenoughtoquittalking，inaminute，andhiscunningcomebacktohimbeforehewasthroughtrembling。

Thenthedoctorsaysslowandeven，butnotsevere：

“Yougobacktoyourpeoplenow，bishop，andtellthemthey\'vemadeamistakeaboutme。Andifyoucan，undotheharmyou\'vedonewiththisMessiahbusiness。Asfarasthisstuffofmineisconcerned，there\'snoneofitforyounorforanyothernegro。Youtellthemthat。There\'snoneofitbeensoldyet——andthereneverwillbe。“

Thenweturnedawayandlefthimstandingthereintheroad，stillwithhishatoffandhisfaceworking。

Walkingbacktowardthelittletavernthedoctorsays：

“Danny，thisistheendofthisgame。Thesepeopledownhereandthathalf-cracked，half-

crookedoldbishophavemademeseeafewthingsabouttheAfro-Americanbrother。Itwasn\'tagoodschemeinthefirstplace。Andthiswasn\'ttheplacetostartitgoing，anyhow——Ishouldhavetriedtheniggersinthebigtowns。ButI\'moutofitnow，andI\'mgladofit。Whatwewanttodoistogetawayfromhereto-morrow——gobacktoAtlantaandfixupaschemetorobsomewidowsandorphans，orsomethinghalf-wayrespectablelikethat。“

Well，Idrewalongbreath。IwaswithDoctorKirbyineverythinghedone，furhewasmyfriend，andIdidn\'tintendtoquithim。ButIwasgladwewasoutofthis，andhadn\'tsoldnoneofthatdope。Webothfeltbetterbecausewehadn\'t。

Allthemmillionswewasgoingtomake——shucks！

Wedidn\'tneitheroneofusgiveadernaboutthemgettingawayfromus。Allwewantedwasjesttogetawayfromthereandnotgetmixedupwithnoniggerproblemsanymore。Weeatsupper，andwesetaroundawhile，andwewenttobedpurtymiddlingearly，soastogetagoodstartinthemorning。

Wegotupearly，butearlyasitwasthedevilhadbeenupearlierinthatneighbourhood。Aboutfouro\'clockthatmorningawhitewomanaboutahalfamilefromthevillagehadbeenattackedbyanigger。Theywasdoubtastowhethershewouldlive，butifshelivedtheywasn\'tnodoubtsshewouldalwaysbemoreorlesscrazy。Furbesideseverythingelse，hehadbeatherinsensible。

Andhehadchokedhernearlytodeath。Thecountry-sidewasup，withgunsandpistolslook-

ingfurthatnigger。Itwasn\'tnotroubleguessingwhatwouldhappentohimwhentheyketchedhim，neither。

“And，“saysDoctorKirby，whenwehearnofit，“IhopetohighheaventheyDOcatchhim！”

Theywasn\'tmuchdoubttheywould，either。

Theywasalreadybeatingupthewoodsandbushesandgangswasridingupanddowntheroads，andeverynigger\'shousefurmilesaroundwasbeingsearchedandwatched。

Wesoonseenwewouldhavetroublegettinghossesandariginthevillagetotakeustotherailroad。Manyofthehosseswasbeingriddenintheman-hunt。Andmostofthemenwhomighthavedonethedrivingwasbusyatthattoo。Thehotel-keeperhimselfhadlefthisplacestandingwideopenandwentout。Wedidn\'tgetanybreak-

fastneither。

“Danny，“saysthedoctor，“we\'lljustputenoughmoneytopaythebillinanenvelopeontheregisterhere，andstrikeoutonshank\'sponies。It\'sonlynineortenmilestotherailroad——we\'llwalk。“

“Buthowaboutourstuff？”Iastshim。Wehadtwobigcasesfullofsamplebottlesofthatdope，besidesoursuitcases。

“Hangthedope！”saysthedoctor，“Idon\'teverwanttoseeitorhearofitagain！We\'llleaveithere。Putthethingsoutofyoursuitcaseintomine，andleavethatheretoo。Samcancarrymine。Iwanttobeonthemove。“

Soweleft，withSamcarryingtheonesuitcase。

Itwasn\'tnineinthemorningyet，andwewasstartingoutpurtyemptyfuralongwalk。

“Sam，“saysthedoctor，aswewaspassingthatthereBigBethelchurch——anditshoweduptheresilentandshabbyinthemorning，likeaoldcolouredmanthatknowsaheapmore\'nhe\'sgoingtotell——

“Sam，wereyouatthemeetingherelastnight？”

“Yass，suh！”

“IsupposeitwasaprettytameaffairaftertheyfoundouttheirElishawasn\'tcomingafterall？”

Sam，hewalledhiseyes，andthenhekindofchuckled。

“Well，suh，“hesays，“I\'spicionsdemos\'on\'emdon\'knowdatYIT！”

Thedoctorastshimwhathemeans。

Itseemsthebishopmustofdonesomethinkingafterwelefthimintheroadoronhiswaybacktothatchurch。TheyhadallbeguntobelievethatthereElishyahwasonthewayto\'em，andthebishop\'screditwasmoreorlesswrappedupwithourbeingit。Itwastruehehadn\'tstartedthatbelief；butitwasbelieved，andhedidn\'tdaretostopitnow。Fur，ifhestoppedit，theywouldallthinkhehadfelldownonhisprophetics，evenalthoughhehadn\'tprophesiedjestexactlyus。

Hewasinatightplace，thatbishop，butIbetyoucouldalwaysdependonhimtogetoutofitwithhisflock。Sowhathetoldthemniggersatthemeetinglastnightwasthathebrung\'emamessagefromElishyah，Samsays，theElishyahthatwastocome。

AndthemessagewasthatthetimewasnotripefurhimtorevealhimselfasElishyahuntotheeyesofallmen，furtheyhadbeentoomuchsinfulnessandwickednessandwalkingintothewaysofevil，rightamongstthatverycongregation，anddisobedi-

enceofthebishop，whichwastheirguide。Andhehadsent\'emword，Elishyahhad，thatthebishopwashistrustedservant，andintothekeepingofthebishopwasgivethepowertodealwithhispeopleandpreparethemfurthegreatdaytocome。Andthebishopwouldgivethewordofhiscoming。Hewasabox，thatbishopwas，inspiteofhiscrazystreaks；andhehadfoundawaytomakehimselfstrongerthaneverwithhisbunchoutoftheverykindofthingthatwouldhavespoiledmostpeople\'sgraft。Theyhadhadabigmeetingtillnearlymorning，andthepowerhadhit\'emstrong。Samtoldusallaboutit。

Butthethingthatseemedtointerestthedoctor，andmadehimfrown，wastheideathatallthemniggersroundabouttherestillhadtheideahewasthefellerthathadbeenprophesiedtocome。AllexceptSam，mebby。Samhadspellswhenhewasrealsensible，andotherspellswhenhewasasbadasthebelievingestofthemall。

Itwasafineday，andreallyjoyoustobea-walking。

Itwouldofbeenagooddealjoyouserifwehadhadsomebreakfast，butwefiggeredwewouldstopsomewheresatnoonandlayinagood，square，countrymeal。

Thatwasn\'tsuchaverythicksettledcountry。

Buteverybodyseemedtoknowabouttheman-

huntthatwasgoingon，here，there，andeverywhere。

Peoplewouldcomedowntotheroadsideaswepassed，andgazeafterus。Ormebbyastusifweknowedwhetherhehadbeenketchedyet。

Womenandkidsmostly，oroldmen，butnowandthenayoungermantoo。Wenoticedtheywasn\'tnoniggerstospeakofthatwasn\'tbusier\'nallgetout，workingatsomethingorother，thatday。

Theyisconsiderablewoodsinthatcountryyet，thoughlotshasbeencutoff。Buttheywassome-

timesrightlongstretcheswheretheywouldbewoodsonbothsidesoftheroad，moreorlessthick，withunderbrushbetweenthetrees。Wetrampedalong，eachbusythinkinghisownthoughts，andhavingapurtygoodtimejestdoingthatwithouttherebeingnouseoftalking。IwasthinkingthatIlikedthedoctorbetterfurturninghisbackonallthisgame，jestwhenhemightofmadesomesortofadealwiththebishopandreallymadesomemoneyoutofitintheend。Heneverwassogoodabusinessmanashethoughthewas，DoctorKirbywasn\'t。Healwayscouldmakehimselfthinkhewas。Butwhenitcomerightdowntobrasstackshewasn\'t。YougivehimaschemethatwouldTALKwell，thekindofajoshtalkhelikedtogetofffurhisownenjoyment，andhewouldtakeupwithiteverytimeinsteadofonethathadmorepromiseofmoneytoitifitwasworkedharder。

HewasthinkingoftheTALKmore\'nhewasofthemoney，mostly；andhewasalwayssayingsome-

thingaboutartfurart\'ssake，whichwasplumbfoolishness，furheneverpaintednopictures。Well，henevergotoverbeingmoreorlessofapuzzletome。Butfursomereasonorotherthismorningheseemedtobeinabetterhumourwithhimself，afterwehadwalkedawhile，thanIhadseenhiminfuralongtime。

Wecometothetopofonelonghill，whichithadmadeussweattoclimb，andwithoutsayingnothingtoeachotherwebothstoppedandtookoffourhatsandwipedourforeheads，anddrawedlongbreaths，contenttostandtherefurjestaminuteortwoandlookaroundus。Theroadrunstraightahead，anddippeddown，andthenclumbupanotherhillaboutaneighthofamileinfrontofus。Itmadealittlevalley。Jestaboutthemiddle，betweenthetwohills，acrickmeanderedthroughthebottomland。Woodsgrowedalongthecrick，andalongbothsidesoftheroadwewastravelling。

Rightnighthecricktheywasanotherroadcomeoutofthewoodstotheleft-handside，andswitchedintotheroadwewastravelling，andusedthesamebridgetocrossthecrickby。Theywasthreeorfourhouseshereandthere，withchimbleysbuiltupontheoutsideofthem，andbluesmokecomingout。Westoodandlookedatthesightbeforeusandforgotallthetroubleswehadleftbehind，furacoupleofminutes——italllookedsopeacefulandquietandhomeyfiedandnice。

“Well，“saysthedoctor，afterwehadstoodthereapiece，“Iguesswebetterbemovingonagain，Danny。“

ButjestasSam，whowasfolleringalongbehindwiththatsuitcase，picksitupandputsitonhisheadagin，theycomeasound，fromawayoffinthedistancesomewheres，thatmadehimsetitdownquick。Andweallstopsinourtracksandlooksateachother。

Itwasthevoiceofahounddog——notsoawfulloud，butclearandmellowandtuneful，andcarriedtousonthewind。Andtheninaminuteitcomeagin，sharperandquicker。Theyyellslikethatwhentheyhavestruckascent。

Aswestoodandlookedateachothertheycomeacrackleintheunderbrush，jesttotheleftofus。

Weturnedourheadsthat-a-way，jestasaniggermangivealeaptothetopofarailfencethatseparatedtheroadfromthewoods。Hewasgoingsofastthatinsteadofclimbingthatfenceandbal-

ancingonthetopandjumpingoffhejestsimplyseemedtohitthetoprailandbounceonover，likehehadbeenthrowedoutoftheheartofthewoods，andhefellsprawlingoverandoverintheroad，rightbeforeourfeet。

Hewasontohisfeetinasecond，andfuraminutehestoodupstraightandlookedatus——anashes-

colourednigger，raggedandbleedingfromtheunder-

brush，red-eyed，andwithslaverstricklingfromhisredlips，andsobbingandgaspingandpantingfurbreath。Underhisbrownskin，wherehisshirtwastornopenacrosthischest，youcouldseethatnigger\'shearta-beating。

Butashelookedatustheycomeasuddenchangeacrosthisface——hemustofseenthedoctorbefore，andwithasobhethrowedhimselfonhiskneesintheroadandclaspedhishandsandheld\'emouttowardDoctorKirby。

“ELISHyah！ELISHyah！”hesingsout，rockingofhisbodyinakindoftune，“revealyo\'se\'f，revealyo\'se\'fan\'he\'pmeNOW！LawdGawdELISHyah，beckonfo\'aCHA\'iot，yo\'cha\'iotofFIAH！Lif\'me，lif\'me——lif\'meawayf\'umhyahinercha\'ioto\'FIAH！”

Thedoctor，heturnedhisheadaway，andI

knowedthethoughtworkinginhimwasthethoughtofthatwhitewomanthatwouldalwaysbeanidiotforlife，ifshelived。Buthislipswasdumb，andhisonehandstretcheditselfouttowardthatniggerintheroadandmadeawipingmotion，likehewastryingfurtowipethepictureofhim，andthethoughtofhim，off\'naslateforevermore。

Jestthen，nearerandlouderandsharper，andwithaneagersound，liketheyknowedtheyalmosthadhimnow，themhounds\'voicescomeringingthroughthewoods，andwiththemcomethemixed-

upshoutsofmen。

“RUN！”yellsSam，wavingofthatsuitcaseroundhishead，furoneniggerwillalwaystrytohelpanothernomatterwhathe\'sdone。“Runfo\'debranch——gityo\'footsindeworteran\'fling\'emoffdescent！”

Heboundeddownthehill，thatred-eyednigger，andleftusstandingthere。Butbeforehereachedthecrickthewholeman-huntcomebustingthroughthewoods，thedogsa-strainingattheirstraps。

Themenwasallonfoot，withgunsandpistolsintheirhands。Theyseenthenigger，andtheyallletoutayell，andwasafterhim。Theyketchedhimatthecrick，andtookhimoffalongthatroadthatturnedofftotheleft。IhearnlaterhewasamemberofBishopWarren\'scongregation，sotheyhunghimrightinfrontofBigBethelchurch。

Westoodthereontopofthehillandsawthechaseandcapture。DoctorKirby\'sfacewassweatingworsethanwhenwefirstclumbthehill。

Hewasthinkingaboutthatniggerthathadpleadedwithhim。Hewasthinkingalsoofthewoman。

Hewasgladithadn\'tbeenuptohimpersonalrightthenandtheretobuttinandstopalynching。

Hewasglad，furwiththemtwopicturesinfrontofhimhedidn\'tknowwhathewouldofdone。

“Thankheaven！”Ihearnhimsaytohimself。

“Thankheaventhatitwasn\'tREALLYinmypowertochoose！”

CHAPTERXVIII

Well，wehadporkandgreensfurdinnerthatday，withthebestcorn-breadIevereatanywheres，andbuttermilk，andsweetpotatopie。Wegot\'ematthehouseofafellernamedWithers——OldDaddyWithers。Whichiftheywaseveraniceroldmanthanhim，oraniceroldwomanthanhiswife，Ineverrunacrost\'emyet。

Theylivedallalone，themWitherses，withonlyacoupleofniggerstohelpthemruntheirfarm。

AfterweeatsourdinnerandSamgetshis\'nouttothekitchen，wesetsoutinfrontofthehouseandgetstotalkingwiththem，andgetsrealwellacquainted。

WhichwesoonfoundoutthesecretofoldDaddyWithers\'slife——thatthereinnocent-lookingoldjiggerwasapoet。Hewaskindofproudofitandkindofshamedofitbothtooncet。Thewayitcomeoutwaswhenthedoctorsaysoneofthemquotationsheisalwaysgettingoff，andtheoldmanhelookspleasedandsaystherestofthepieceitdroppedoutofstraightthrough。

Thentheyhadagreattimequotingitateachother，themtwo，andIseenthedoctorisgoodtoloafaroundtheretherestoftheday，likeasnot。

Purtysoontheoldladybeginstogetmightyproud-

lookingoversomethingorother，andsheleansoverandwhisperstotheoldman：

“ShallIbringitout，Lemuel？”

Theoldman，heshakeshishead，no。Butsheslipsintothehouseanyhow，andfetchesoutalittlebookwithapalegreencovertoit，andhandsittothedoctor。

“Blessmysoul，“saysDoctorKirby，lookingattheoldman，“youdon\'tmeantosayyouwriteverseyourself？”

Theoldman，hegetsredalloverhisface，andupintotherootsofhiswhitehair，anddownintohiswhitebeard，andmakesbelieveheisalittlemadattheoldladyfurshowinghimoffthat-a-way。

“Mother，“hesays，“yo\'shouldn\'thavedonethat！”Theyhadhadaboyyearsbefore，andhehaddied，buthealwayscalledhermotherthesameasiftheboywasliving。Hegoesintothehouseandgetshispipe，andbringsitoutandlightsit，actinglikethatbookofpoetrywasamightysmallmattertohim。ButhelooksatDoctorKirbyoutofthecornerofhiseyes，andcan\'tkeepfromgettingsortofeagerandtremblywithhispipe；andIcouldseehewasreallyanxiousoverwhatthedoctorwasthinkingofthempoemshewrote。Thedoctorreadssomeof\'emoutloud。

Well，itwaskindofhome-madepoetry，OldDaddyWithers\'swas。Itwasn\'tlikenootherpoetryIeverstruck。AndIcouldtellthedoctorwasthinkingthesameaboutit。Itsoundedsomehowlikeithadn\'tbeenjointedtogetherright。Youwouldkeeplisteningfurittorhyme，andgetallworkedupwatchingandwaitingfuritto，andmakebetswithyourselfwhetheritwouldrhymeoritwouldn\'t。

Andthenitginerallywouldn\'t。Ineverhearnsuchpoetrytogetaperson\'sexpectancesallworkedup，andthengobackon\'em。Butifyoucouldoftoldwhatitwasallabout，youwouldn\'tofmindedthatsomuch。Notthatyoucantellwhatmostpoetryisabout，butyoudon\'tcaresolongasitkeepshoppingalonglively。Whatyouwantinpoetrytomakehersoundgood，accordingtomywayofthinking，istomakeherjumplively，andthenstopwithabangontherhymes。ButDaddyWitherswassoindependent-likehewouldjestnatcherallytrytoforcetwowordstorhymewhethertheLordmade\'emfurmatesornot——likeasifyouwouldtrytomakeacoupleofkidskissandmakeupbybumpingtheirheadstogether。Theyjestsimplywon\'tdoit。ButDoctorKirby，heletonlikehethoughtitwasfinepoetry，andhereadthempiecesoverandoveragin，outloud，andtheoldmanandtheoldwomanwasbothmightytickledwiththewayhedoneit。Hewouldn\'tofhad\'emknowfuranythinghedidn\'tbelieveitwasthefinestpoetryeverwrote，DoctorKirbywouldn\'t。

Theywasfourlittlebooksofitaltogether。Slimbooksthatlookedasiftheyhadn\'thadenoughtoeat，likeastraycatwhoseribsisrubbingtogether。

IthadcostDaddyWithersfivehundreddollarsapiecetoget\'empublished。AfellerinBostonchargedhimthatmuch，hesaid。Itseemshewouldgoalongfuryears，rakingandscrapingofhismoneytogether，soastogetenoughaheadtogetoutanotherbook。Eachtimehehadhishopesthebignews-

paperswouldmebbypaysomeattentiontoit，andhewouldgetrecognized。

“Buttheyneverdid，“saidtheoldman，kindofsad，“italwaysfellflat。“

“Why，FATHER！”——theoldladybegins，andfinishesbyrunningbackintothehouseagin。SheisoutinaminutewithaclippingfromanewspaperandhandsitovertoDoctorKirby，asproudasakidwithcopper-toedboots。Thedoctorreadsitallthewaythrough，andthenhehandsitbackwithoutsayingaword。Theoldladygoesawaytofiddlearoundaboutthehouseworkpurtysoonandtheoldmanlooksatthedoctorandsays：

“Well，yousee，don\'tyou？”

“Yes，“saysthedoctor，verygentle。

“Iwouldn\'thaveHERknowfortheworld，“saysDaddyWithers。“_I_knowandYOUknowthatnews-

paperpieceisjustsimplypokingfunatmypoetry，andmakingafoolofme，thewholewaythrough。

AssoonasIreaditovercarefulIsawitwasn\'treallypraise，thoughtherewasaminuteortwoI

thoughtmyrecognitionhadcome。ButSHEdon\'tknowitain\'tseriousfromstarttofinish。SHEwasall-mightypleasedwhenthatpiececomeoutinprint。AndIdon\'tintendsheevershallknowitain\'trealpraise。“

HiswifewassoproudwhenthatpiececomeoutinthatNewYorkpaper，hesaid，shecriedoverit。

Shesaidnowshewasgladtheyhadbeendoingwithoutthingsfuryearsandyearssotheycouldgetthemlittlebooksprinted，oneaftertheother，furnowfamewascoming。Butsometimes，DaddyWitherssays，hesuspicionsshereallyknowshehasbeenmadeafoolof，andispertendingnottoseeit，furhissake，thesameasheispertendingfurHER

sake。Well，theywasamightyniceoldcouple，andthedoctordoneaheapofpertendingfurboththeirsakes——theywasn\'tnothingelsetodo。

“How\'dyoucometogetstartedatit？”heasts。

DaddyWitherssayshedon\'trightlyknow。

Mebby，hesays，itwaslivingthereallhislifeandwatchingthingsgrowing——watchingthecottongrow，andthecornandgettingacquaintedwithbirdsandanimalsandtreesandthings。Helpingofthingstogrow，hesays，isagoodwaytounder-

standhowGodmustfeelabouthumans。Forwhatyouplantandhelptogrow，hesays，youaresuretogettocaringaheapabout。Youcan\'thelpit。Andthatisthereason，hesays，Godcanbedependedontopullthehumanracethroughintheend，evenifappearancesdolooktobeaginHisdoingitsometimes，furHestartedittogrowinginthefirstplaceandthat-a-wayHegotinterestedpersonalinit。Andthatisthemainidea，hesays，hehasallthetimebeentryingtogetintothattherepoetryofhis\'n。Buthereckonsheain\'tgotherin。

Leastways，hesays，noonehasneverseenhertherebutthedoctorandtheoldladyandhimself。Well，formypart，Ineverwouldofseenittheremyself，butwhenhesaiditoutplainlikethatanyonecouldoftoldwhathemeant。

Youhadn\'torterlaythingsupaginfolksifthefolkscan\'thelp\'em。AndIwillsayDaddyWitherswasafineoldboyinspiteofhispoetry。Whichitneverreallydoneanyharm，exceptbeingexpensivetohim，andlotswilldrinkthatmuchupandneverfiggeritanexpense，butoneofthenecessitiesoflife。Wewentalloverhisplacewithhim，andwenoticedaroundhishousealotoftincanstackeduptopostsandtrees。Theywasfurthebirdstodrinkoutof，andallthebirdsaroundtherehadfoundoutaboutit，andaboutDaddyWithers，andwasn\'tscaredofhimatall。Hecouldgetacquaintedwithanimals，too，sothatafteralongspellsometimestheywouldevenlethimhandlethem。Butnotifanyonewasaround。Theywasacrowhehadmadeapetof，usedtohoparoundinfrontofhim，andtryfurtotalktohim。Ifhewenttosleepinthefrontyardwhilsthewasreading，thatcrowhadafavour-

itetrickofstealinghisspectaclesoff\'nhisnoseandflyinguptotheridgepoleofthehouse，andcawingathim。Oncehehadbeensettingoutarowoftomatoplantsverycareful，andhegottotheendoftherowandturnedaround，andthattherecrowhadbeenhoppingalongbehindverysollum，pullingupeachplantashesetitout。Itactedlikeithaddonesomethingmightysmart，andknowedit，thatcrow。SoafterthattheoldmannamedhimSatan，furhesaiditwasSatan\'stricktokeepthingsfromgrowing。Theywassomeblueandwhitepigeonswasn\'tscaredtocomeandsetonhisshoul-

ders；butyoucouldseetheoldmanreallylikedthatcrowSatanbetter\'nanyofthem。

Well，wehungaroundallafternoonlisteningtotheoldmantalk，andlikinghimbetterandbetter。

Firstthingweknoweditwasgettingalongtowardsuppertime。Andnothingwoulddobutwemuststaytosupper，too。WewaspintedtowardaplaceontherailroadcalledSmithtown，butwhenwefoundwecouldn\'tgetatrainfromtheretillteno\'clockthatnightanyhow，anditwasonlythreemilesaway，wesaidwe\'dstay。

Aftersupperwecalculatedwe\'dbettermove。

Buttheoldmanwouldn\'thearofuswalkingthatthreemiles。Soabouteighto\'clockhehitchedupamuletoaone-hosswagon，andwejoggedalong。

Theywasayallermoonsneakingupovertheedgeoftheworldwhenwestarted。Itwassolowdownintheskyyetthatitthrewlongshaddersontheroad，andtheywasthickandblackones，too。

Becausetheywasalotoftreesalongsidetheroad，andtheroadwasnarrow，wewentaheadmostlythroughthedarkness，withhereandtherepatchesofmoonlightsplashedontotheground。DoctorKirbyandOldManWitherswassettingontheseat，stillgassingawayaboutbooksandthings，andIwassettingonthesuitcaseinthewagonboxrightbehind\'em。Sam，hewassometimesinthebackofthewagon。Hehadbeenmore\'nhalfasleepallafternoon，butnowitwasnighthewaswakedup，thewayniggersandcatswilldo，andeveryonceinawhilehewouldgetoutbehindandcutafewcapersinamoonlightpatch，jestfurtheenjoymentofit，andthenrunandketchupwiththewagonandcrawlinagin，furitwasgoingpurtyslow。

Thegroundwassandyinspots，andIguesswemadeapurtygoodloadfurBeck，theoldmule。

Shestopped，goingupalittleslope，afterwehadwentaboutamilefromtheWitherses\'。Samsayshe\'llgetoutandwalk，furthewheelswasinpurtydeep，anditwashardgoing。

“Giddap，Beck！”saystheoldman。

ButBeck，shewon\'t。Shedon\'tstandlikesheisstuck，neither，butlikeshesensesdangersome-

wheresabout。Ahossmightgoaheadintodanger，butamuleismorecarefulofitselfandnevergoesbuttinginunlessitfeelssuretheyisawayout。

“Giddap，“saystheoldmanagin。

Butjestthentheshaddersonbothsidesoftheroadcomestolife。Theywakesup，andmovesallaboutus。ItwasdonesosuddenandquietitwashalfaminutebeforeIseenitwasn\'tshaddersbutaboutthirtymenhadgatheredallaboutusoneveryside。Theyhadguns。

“Whoareyou？Whatd\'yewant？”aststheoldman，startled，asthreeorfourtookcareofthemule\'sheadveryquickandquiet。

“Don\'tbeskeered，DaddyWithers，“saysadrawlyvoiceoutofthedark；“weain\'tgoin\'tohurtYOU。

Wegotalittlemattero\'businesstotendtowiththemtwofellersyo\'totin\'totown。“

CHAPTERXIX

Thirtymenwithgunswouldbeconsider-

ableofapropositiontobuckagainst，sowedidn\'ttryit。Theytookusoutofthewagon，andtheypintedusdowntheroad，steeringusfuracountryschoolhousewhichwas，Ijudgedfromtheirtalk，aboutaquarterofamileaway。

Theytookussilent，furafterwefoundtheydidn\'tanswernoquestionswequitaskingany。Wejestwalkedalong，andguessedwhatwewasupagainst，andwhy。DaddyWithers，hetrailedalongbehind。Theyhadtriedtosendhimalonghome，buthewouldn\'tgo。Sotheylethimfollerandpaidnomoreheedtohim。

Sam，hekepta-talkinganda-begging，andseveralmena-tellingofhimtoshutup。Andhimnota-doingit。Tillfinallyonefellersaysverydisgusted-like：

“Boys，I\'mgoingtoturnthisniggerloose。“

“We\'llwanthisevidence，“saysanotherone。

“Evidence！”saysthefirstone。“What\'stheevidenceofascaredniggerworth？”

“Ireckonthatonethisafternoonwasconsider-

ablescared，whenhegiveusthatevidenceagainsthimself——thatis，ifyoucallitevidence。“

“Aniggercangiveevidenceagainstanigger，andit\'sallright，“saysanothervoice——whichitcomefromafellerthathada-holtofmywristontheleft-handsideofme——“butthesearewhitemenwearegoingtotryto-night。Thecaseistooserioustotakeniggerevidence。Besides，Ireckonwegotalltheevidenceanyonecouldneed。Thisniggerain\'tchargedwithanycrimehimself，andmyideaisthatheain\'ttobeallowedtofigureonewayortheotherinthisthing。“

SotheyturnedSamloose。IneverseennorhearntellofSamsincethen。Theyfiredacoupleofgunsintotheairashestarteddowntheroad，jestfurfun，andmebbyheisrunningyet。

Thefellerhadbeentalkinglikehewasalawyer，soIastshimwhatcrimewewaschargedwith。Buthedidn\'tanswerme。Andjestthenwegetsinsightofthatschoolhouse。

Itsetontopofalittlehill，partiallyinthemoon-

light，withafewsad-lookingpinetreesscatteredaroundit，andthefenceinfrontbrokedown。

Evenafternightyoucouldseeitwasashabby-

lookinglittleplace。

OldDaddyWitherstiedhismuletothebrokendownfence。Somebodybustedthefrontdoordown。Somebodyelselightedmatches。ThefirstthingIknowed，wewasallinside，andfourorfivedirtylittlecoaloillamps，withtinreflectorsto\'em，whichIs\'posewasusedordinaryfurschoolexhibi-

tions，wasbeinglighted。

Wewaswaltzedupontotheteacher\'splatform，DoctorKirbyandme，andsetdowninchairsthere，withtwomentoeachofus，andthenatall，raw-

bonedfellerstalksuptotheteacher\'sdesk，andrapsonitwiththebuttendofapistol，andsays：

“Gentlemen，thismeetingwillcometoorder。“

Whichtheywasorderlyenoughbeforethat，buttheyalltookofftheirhatswhenherapped，likeinacourtroomorachurch，andmostof\'emsetdown。

Theysetdownintheschoolkids\'seats，orontopofthedesks，andtheirlegsstuckoutintotheaisles，andtheylookeduncomfortableandawkward。Buttheylookedearnestandtheylookedsollum，too，andtheywasn\'tnojokingnorskylarkinggoingon，nornokindofrowdyness，neither。Theseheremenwasn\'ttoughs，byanymannerofmeans，butthemostpartof\'emrespectablefarmers。Theyhadalookofmeaningbusiness。

“Gentlemen，“saysthefellerwhohadrapped，“whowillyouhaveforyourchairman？”

“Ireckonyou\'lldo，Will，“saysanotherfellertotheraw-bonedman，whichseemedtosatisfyhim。Buthemade\'emvoteonitbeforehetookoffice。

“Nowthen，“saysWill，“theaccusedmusthavecounsel。“

“Will，“saysanotherfeller，veryhasty，“what\'stheuseofallthisfussan\'feathers？YouknowaswellasIdothere\'snothinglegalaboutthis。It\'sonlynecessary。Formypart——“

“BuckHightower，“saysWill，poundingonthedesk，“youwillpleasecometoorder。“WhichBuckdoneit。

“Now，“saysthechairman，turningtowardDoctorKirby，whohadbeensettingtherelookingthoughtfulfromonemantoanother，likehewassizingeachoneup，“nowImustexplaintothechiefdefendantthatwedon\'tintendtolynchhim。“

HestoppedasecondonthatwordLYNCHasiftoletitsoakin。Thedoctor，hebowedtowardhimverycoolandceremonious，andsays，mockingofhim：

“Youreassureme，Mister——Mister——Whatisyourname？”Hesaiditinawaythatwouldofmadeasaintmad。

“Mynameain\'tanydifference，“saysWill，tryingnottoshowhewasnettled。

“Youarequiteright，“saysthedoctor，lookingWillupanddownfromheadtofoot，veryslowandinsulting，“it\'sofnoconsequenceintheworld。“

Will，heflushedup，buthemakeshimselfsteadyandcool，andhegoesonwithhislittlespeech：

“Thereistobenolynchinghereto-night。Thereistobeatrial，and，ifnecessary，anexecution。“

“Woulditbeaskingtoomuch，“saysthedoctorverypolite，“ifIweretoinquirewhoistobetried，andbeforewhatcourt，anduponwhatcharge？”

Therewasaclearingofthroatsandashufflingoffeetfuraminute。Oneolddeaffeller，witharednose，whohadhishandbehindhisearandwasleaningforwardsoasnottomissabreathofwhatanyonesaid，asthisneighbourinaloudwhisper，“How？”Thenanundersizedlittlefeller，whowasn\'tafarmerbyhisclothes，gotupandmovedtowardtheplatform。Hehadabulging-outfore-

head，andthinlips，andaquick，nervouswayabouthim：

“Youaretobetried，“hesaystothedoctor，speakinginakindofshrillsing-songthatcutyournervesinthatroomfullofbottled-upexcitementlikealocustonahotday。“Youaretobetriedbeforethisself-constitutedcourtofCaucasiancitizens——

Anglo-Saxons，sir，everymanofthem，whosefor-

bearswereatRunnymede！Thechargeagainstyouisstirringupthenegroesofthiscommunitytothepointofrevolt。Youareaccused，sir，ofrepresentingyourselftothemassomekindofaMoses。YouarearraignedhereforendangeringthepeaceofthecountyandthesupremacyoftheCaucasianracebyinspiringinthenegroesthehopeofequality。“

OldDaddyWithershadbeensettingbackbythedoor。Iseenhimgetupandslipout。Itdidn\'tlooktometobeanyplacefuragentleoldpoet。

Whilethatlittlefellerwasmakingthatchargeyoucouldfeeltheairgettingtingly，likeitdoesbeforearainstorm。

Somefellersstartedtoclaptheirhandslikeatapoliticalrallyandtosay，“Goit，Billy！”“That\'sright，Harden！”WhichIfoundoutlaterBillyHardenwasinthestatelegislature，andquiteaspeaker，andknowedit。Will，thechairman，hepoundeddowntheapplause，andthenhesaystothedoctor，pointingtoBillyHarden：

“Nomanshallsayofusthatwedidnotgiveyouafairtrialandasquaredeal。I\'mgoin\'toappointthisgentlemanasyourcounsel，andI\'mgoin\'togiveyouareasonabletimetotalkwithhiminpri-

vateandprepareyourcase。HeistheablestlawyerinsouthwestGeorgiaandthebrightestsonofWatsonCounty。“

ThedoctorlookskindoflazyandBillHarden，andbackaginatWill，thechairman，andsmilesoutofthecornerofhismouth。Thenhesays，sortoftakingintherestofthecrowdwithhisremark，likethemtwostandingtherepay-

ingeachothercomplimentswasn\'tnothingbutajoke：

“IhopeneitherofyouwilltakeittoomuchtoheartifI\'mnotimpressedbyyoursenseofjus-

tice——oryourfriend\'sability。“

“Then，“saidWill，“Itakeitthatyouintendtoactasyourowncounsel？”

“Youmaytakeit，“saysthedoctor，rousingofhimselfup，“youmaytakeit——fromme——thatIrefusetorecognizeyouandyourcrowdasacourtofanykind；thatIknownothingofthesillyaccusa-

tionsagainstme；thatIfindnoreasonatallwhyI

shouldtakethetroubleofmakingadefencebeforeanarmedmobthatcanonlymeanoneoftwothings。“

“Oneoftwothings？”saysWill。

“Yes，“saysthedoctor，veryquiet，butraisinghisvoicealittleandlookinghimhardintheeyes。

“Youandyourgangcanmeanonlyoneoftwothings。Eitherabadjoke，orelse——“

Andhestoppedasecond，leaningforwardinhischair，withthelookofhalfraisingoutofit，soastobringoutthewordverydecided——

“MURDER！”

Thewayhedoneitleftthattherewordhangingintheroom，soyoucouldalmostseeitandalmostfeelitthere，likeitwasathingthathadtobefacedandlookedatandtookintoaccount。Theyallfeltitthat-a-way，too；furtheywasn\'tasoundfuraminute。ThenWillsays：

“Wedon\'tplanmurder，andyou\'llfindthisain\'tajoke。Andsinceyourefusetoacceptcounsel——“

JestthenBuckHightowerinterruptshimbyyell-

ingout，“ImakeamotionBillyHardenbeprosecut-

ingattorney，then。Let\'shurrythisthingalong！”

Andseveralstartedtoapplaud，andcallfurBillyHardentoprosecute。ButWill，hepoundeddowntheapplauseagin，andsays：

“IwasabouttosuggestthatMr。Hardenmightbeprevailedupontoacceptthattask。“

“Yes，“saysthedoctor，verygentleandeasy。

“Quiteso！IfanciedmyselfthatMr。Hardencamealongwiththeideaofmakingaspeecheitherfororagainst。“AndhegrinnedatBillyHardeninawaythatseemedtomakehimwild，thoughhetriednottoshowit。Somehowthedoctorseemedtobeallkeyedup，insteadofscared，likeafellerthat\'shadjestenoughtodrinktogivehimafightingedge。

“Mr。Chairman，“saysBillyHarden，flushingupandstutteringjestalittle，“Ib-begleavetod-d-decline。“

“What，“saysthedoctor，sortofplayingwithBillywithhiseyesandgrin，andturningliketoletthewholecrowdinonthejoke，“DECLINE？Theeminentgentlemandeclines！Andheisgoingtositdown，too，withallthatspeechbottledupinhim！ODemosthenes！”hesays，“youhavelostyourpebbleinfrontofallGreece。“

SeveralgrinnedatBillyHardenashesetdown，andthreeorfourlaughedoutright。Iguessabouthalfofthemthereknowedhimfurawindbag，andsomewasn\'tsorrytoseehimjoshed。ButIseenwhatthedoctorwastryingtodo。Heknowedhewasinanawfultightplace，andhewasfeelingthatcrowd\'spulse，sotospeak。Hehadbeentalkingtocrowdsfurtwentyyears，andheknowedthekindofsuddenturnstheywilltake，andhowtotakeadvantageof\'em。Hewasplanningandfiggeringinhismindallthetimejestwhatsidetoketch\'emon，andhowtosplituptheone，solidcrowd-mindintodifferentminds。ButthelittlebitofalaughheturnedagainstBillyHardenwasonlyonthesurface，likeastrawfloatingonawhirl-

pool。Thesemenwasherefurbusiness。

BuckHightowerjumpsupandsays：

“Will，I\'mgettingtiredofthiscourtfoolishness。

Thequestionis，Doesthismancomeintothiscountyanddowhathehasdoneandgetoutagain？

Weknowallabouthim。Hesneakedinhereandgaveouthewasheretoturntheniggerswhite——

thathewassomekindofanew-fangledJesussentespeciallytoniggers，whichisblasphemyinitself——

andhe\'sgot\'emstirredup。They\'reboilin\'andfesterin\'withnotionsofequalitytillwe\'reluckyifwedon\'thavetolynchadozenof\'em，liketheydidinAtlantalastsummer，toget\'embackintotheirplacesagain。Dowesaveourselvesmoretroublebystringinghimupasawarningtothenegroes？Ordoweinvitetroublebyturninghimloose？Which？Allitneedsisavote。“

Andhesetdownagin。Youcouldseehehadmadeahitwiththeboys。Theywasakindofagrowlrolledaroundtheroom。Thefeelingsinthatplacewasgettingstrongerandstronger。I

wasscared，buttryingnottoshowit。Myfingerskeptfeelingaroundinmypocketfursomethingthatwasn\'tthere。Butmybraincouldn\'trememberwhatmyfingerswasfeelingfur。ThenitcomeonmesuddenitwasabuckeyeIpickedupinthewoodsinIndianyoneday，andIhadlostit。Iain\'tsuper-

stitiousaboutbuckeyesorhorse-shoes，butremem-

beringIhadlostitsomehowmademefeelworse。

ButDoctorKirbyhadagoodholtonhimself；hisfacewasabitredder\'nusual，andhiseyeswasspark-

ling，andhewasbotheagerandwatchful。WhenBuckHightowersetsdownthechairmanclearshisthroatlikeheisgoingtospeak。But——

“Justamoment，“saysDoctorKirby，gettingonhisfeet，andtakingasteptowardthechairman。

Andthewayhestoppedandstoodmadeeverybodylookathim。Thenhewenton：

“Oncemore，“hesays，“Icalltheattentionofeverymanpresenttothefactthatwhatthelastspeakerproposesis——“

Andthenhelet\'emhavethatwordagin，fullintheirfaces，tothinkabout——

“MURDER！Merelymurder。“

Hewasboundtheyshouldn\'tgetawayfromthatwordandwhatitstoodfur。AndeverymanthereDIDthink，too，furtheywasanotherlittlepause。

Andnotoneof\'emlookedatanotheronefuraminute。DoctorKirbyleanedforwardfromtheplatform，runninghiseyesoverthecrowd，andjestnatcherallyshovedthatwordintotheroomsohardwithhismindthateverymindtherehadtotakeitin。

Butasheheld\'emtoittheycomeabangfromoneofthewindows。Itbrokethecharm。Fureverybodyjumped。Ijumpedmyself。Whentheendoftheworldcomesandtheearthbustsinthemiddle，itwon\'tsoundnolouderthanthatbangdid。Itwasawoodenshutter。Thewindwasris-

ingoutside，anditflewopenandwhackedagin\'

thebuilding。

Thenabig，heavy-setmanthathadn\'tspokebeforerizupfromoneofthehindseats，likehehadheardadaretofight，andwalkedslowlydowntowardthefront。Hehadaredface，whichwasconsiderablepock-marked，andverydeep-seteyes，andadeepvoice。

“Sincewhen，“hesays，takinguphisstandadozenfeetorsoinfrontofthedoctor，“sincewhenhasanycivilizationrefusedtocommitmurderwhenmurderwasnecessaryforitsprotection？”

Oneofthetopglassesofthatwindowwasout，andwiththeshutteropentheycomeabreezethroughthatflutteredsomestripsofdirty-colouredpapers，fly-speckedanddustyandspider-webbed，thathungonstringsacrosttheroom，jestbelowtheceiling。IguesstheyhadbeenleftoverfromsomeChristmasdoings。

“Myfriend，“saidthepock-markedmantothedoctor——andthefunnythingaboutitwashedidn\'ttalkunfriendlywhenhesaidit——“thewordyouinsistonisjustaWORD，likeanyotherword。“

Theywasaspiderroustedoutofhiswebbythatdisturbanceamongthestringsandpapers。Hestarteddownfromaboveonjestonestringofweb，seeminglyspinningpartofitoutofhimselfashecome，thewaytheydo。Icouldn\'tkeepmyeyesoff\'nhim。

“Murder，“saysthedoctor，“isathing。“

“ItisaWORD，“saystheotherman，“FORathing。

Forathingwhichsometimesseemsnecessary。

Lynching，war，execution，murder——theyareallwordsfordifferentwaysofwipingouthumanlife。

Killingsometimesseemswrong，andsometimesright。Butrightorwrong，andwithonewordoranothertackedtoit，itisDONEwhenacommunitywantstogetridofsomethingdangeroustoit。“

Thattherespiderwasasquat，ugly-lookingdevil，huncheduponhisstringamongstallhiscrookedlegs。Thewindwouldcomeinlittlepuffs，andswinghimalittlewaytowardthedoctor\'shead，andthentowardthepock-markedman\'shead，backandforthandbackandforth，betweenthemtwoastheyspoke。Itlookedtomelikehewaslisteningtowhattheysaidandwaitingfursomething。

“Murder，“saysthedoctor，“ismurder——illegalkilling——andyoucan\'tmakeanythingelseoutofit，ortalkanythingelseintoit。“

Itcometomealltooncetthatthatuglyspiderwasswingingbackandforthlikethependulumonaclock，andmarkingtime。Iwonderedhowmuchtimetheywasleftintheworld。

“Itwouldbenonethelessamurder，“saidthepock-markedman，“ifyouweretobehangedafteratrialinsomecountycourt。Societyhadbeenobligedtodenytheprivilegeofcommittingmurdertotheindividualandreserveitforthecommunity。

Ifourcommunalsensesaysyoushoulddie，thethingisneitherbetternorworsethanifasheriffhangedyou。“

“Iamnottobehangedbyasheriff，“saysthedoctor，verycoolandsteady，“becauseIhavecom-

mittednocrime。Iamnottobekilledbyyoubecauseyoudarenot，inspiteofallyousay，outragethelawtothatextent。“

Andtheylookedeachotherintheeyessolongandhardthateveryoneelseintheschoolhouseheldtheirbreath。

“DAREnot？”saysthepock-markedman。Andhereachedforwardslowandtookthatspiderinhishand，andcrusheditthere，andwipedhishandalonghispantsleg。“Darenot？YES，BUTWEDARE。

Theonlyquestionforusmenhereiswhetherwedaretoletyougofree。“

“Yourdefenceoflynching，“saysDoctorKirby，“showsthatyou，atleast，areamanwhocanthink。

TellmewhatIamaccusedof？”

Andthenthetrialbeguninearnest。

CHAPTERXX

Thedoctoractedashisownlawyer，andthepock-markedman，whosenamewasGrimes，asthelawyeraginus。Youcouldseethatcrowdhadmadeupitsmindbefore-hand，andwasonlygivinguswhattheycalledatrialtosatisfytheirownconscience。Butthefightwasbe-

twixtGrimesandDoctorKirbythehullwaythrough。

OnewitnesswasafellerthathadbeeninthehotelatCottonvillethenightwestruckthatplace。Wehaddrunksomeofhislicker。

“Thismanadmittedhimselfthathewasheretoturntheniggerswhite，“saidthewitness。

DoctorKirbyhadtold\'emwhatkindofmedicinehewasselling。Webothrememberedit。Webothhadtoadmitit。

ThenextwitnesswasthefellerthatrunthetavernatBairdstown。Hehadwithhim，furproof，abottleofthestuffwehadbroughtwithus。Hetoldhowwehadwentawayandleftittherethatverymorning。

Anotherwitnesstoldofseeingthedoctortalkingintheroadtothatthereniggerbishop。Whichanyonecouldofseeniteasyenough，furtheywasn\'tnothingsecretaboutit。Wehadmethimbyac-

cident。Butyoucouldseeitmadeaginus。

AnotherwitnesssayshelivesnotfurfromthatBigBethelchurch。Hesayshehasnoticedtheniggerswasworkedupaboutsomethingfurseveraldays。Theyarekeepingthecauseofitsecret。HewentovertoBigBethelchurchthenightbefore，hesaid，andhelistenedoutsideoneofthewindowstofindoutwhatkindofdoctrinethatcrazybishopwaspreachingtothem。Theywasallsoworkedup，andthepowerwaswith\'emsostrong，andtheywassoexcitedtheywouldn\'tofhearnanarmymarch-

ingby。HehadhearnthebishopdeliveramessagetohisflockfromtheMessiah。Hehadseenhimgowild，afterward，andpreachanequalitysermon。

Thatwasthelyingmessagetheoldbishophadtookto\'em，andthatSamhadtoldusabout。Buthowwasthisfellertoknowitwasalie？Hebelievedinit，andhetolditinastraight-aheadwaythatwouldmakeanyoneseehewastellingthetruthashethoughtittobe。

Thentheywassixotherwitnesses。Allhadbeeninthegangthatlynchedtheniggerthatday。Thatniggerhadconfessedhiscrimebeforehewaslynched。

HehadtoldhowtheniggershadbeenexpectingofaMessiahfurseveraldays，andhowthedoctorwashim。Hehaddieda-preachinganda-prophesyingandthinkingtothelastminutemaybehewasgoingtogettookupinachariotoffire。

Thingskeptlookingworseandworsefurus。

Theyhadthestoryastheniggersthoughtittobe。

Theythoughtthedoctorhaddeliberatelyrepre-

sentedhimselfassuch，insteadofwhichthedoc-

torhadrefusedtoberepresentedasthatthereMessiah。Morethanthat，hehadneversoldabottleofthatmedicine。Hehadflungtheideaofsellingitwaybehindhimjestassoonasheseenwhatthesituationreallywasintheblackcoun-

ties。Hehadevendespisedhimselffurgoingintoit。Butthelooksofthingswasalltheotherway。

Thenthedoctorgivehisowntestimony。

“Gentlemen，“hesays，“itistruethatIcamedownheretotryoutthatstuffinthebottlethere，andseeifamarketcouldbeworkedupforit。Itisalsotruethat，afterIcamehereanddiscoveredwhatconditionswere，Idecidednottosellthestuff。

Ididn\'tsellany。AboutthisMessiahbusinessI

knowverylittlemorethanyoudo。Thesituationwascreated，andIblunderedintoit。IsentthenegroeswordthatIwasnotthepersontheyex-

pected。Thebishopliedtothem。Thatismywholestory。“

Buttheydidn\'tbelievehim。Furitwasjestwhathewouldofsaidifhehadbeenguilty，astheythoughthim。AndthenGrimesgetsupandsays：

“Gentlemen，Idemandforthisprisonerthepenaltyofdeath。

“Hehaslenthimselftoasituationcalculatedtodisturbinthiscountythepeacefuldominationoftheblackracebythewhite。

“HeisaNorthernman。Butthatisnotagainsthim。Ifthiswereacasewhereleniencywerepossi-

ble，itshouldcountforhim，asindicatinganig-

noranceofthegravityofconditionswhichconfrontushere，everydayandallthetime。Ifheweremyownbrother，Iwouldstilldemandhisdeath。

“Lestheshouldthinkmyattitudedictatedbyanylingeringsectionalprejudice，Imaytellhimwhatyouallknow——youpeopleamongwhomIhavelivedforthirtyyears——thatIamaNorthernmanmyself。