第7章

“AmItogoonorstop？“

“Goon。”saidGeorgesoftly。Thatwasenoughformyfather，soonhewent。

“YouarealreadydoingpartofwhatIwish。IwasdelightedwiththetwopassagesIheardonSunday，fromwhatyoucalltheSunchild’sSayings。Ineversaidawordofeitherpassage；IwishIhad；IwishIcouldsayanythinghalfsogood。AndIhavereadapamphletbyPresidentGurgoyle，whichIlikedextremely；butI

neversaidwhathesaysIdid。Again，IwishIhad。Keeptothissortofthing，andIwillbeasgoodaSunchildistasanyofyou。

Butyoumustbribesomethieftostealthatrelic，andbreakituptomendtheroadswith；and——forIbelievethathereaselsewherefiressometimesgetlightedthroughthecarelessnessofaworkman——

setthemostcarelessworkmanyoucanfindtodoaplumbingjobnearthatpicture。”

Hankylookedblackatthis，andGeorgetrodlightlyonmyfather’stoe，buthetoldmethatmyfather’sfacewasinnocenceitself。

“Thesearehardsayings。”saidDr。Downie。

“Iknowtheyare。”repliedmyfather，“andIdonotlikesayingthem，butthereisnoroyalroadtounlearning，andyouhavemuchtounlearn。Still，youMusicalBankpeoplebearwitnesstothefactthatbeyondthekingdomsofthisworldthereisanother，withinwhichthewritsofthisworld’skingdomsdonotrun。ThisisthegreatservicewhichourchurchdoesforusinEngland，andhencemanyofusupholdit，thoughwehavenosympathywiththepartynowdominantwithinit。’Better，’wethink，’acorruptchurchthannoneatall。’Moreover，thosewhoinmycountrywouldstepintothechurch’sshoesareascorruptasthechurch，andmoreexacting。Theyarealsomoredangerous，forthemassesdistrustthechurch，andareontheirguardagainstaggression，whereastheydonotsuspectthedoctrinairesandfaddists，who，iftheycould，wouldinterfereineveryconcernofourlives。

“Letmereturntoyourselves。YouMusicalBankManagersareverymuchsuchabodyofmenasyourcountryneeds——butwhenIwasherebeforeyouhadnofigurehead；Ihaveunwittinglysuppliedyouwithone，anditisperhapsbecauseyousawthis，thatyougoodpeopleofBridgefordtookupwithme。Sunchildismisstillyoungandplastic；ifyouwillletthecock-and-bullstoriesaboutmetacitlydrop，andinventnonewones，beyondsayingwhatadelightfulpersonIwas，IreallycannotseewhyIshouldnotdoforyouaswellasanyoneelse。

“There。WhatIhavesaidisnine-tenthsofitrottenandwrong，butitisthemostpracticablerottenandwrongthatIcansuggest，seeingintowhatarottenandwrongstateofthingsyouhavedrifted。Andnow，Mr。Mayor，doyounotthinkwemayjointheMayoressandMrs。Humdrum？“

“Asyouplease，Mr。Higgs。”answeredtheMayor。

“Thenletusgo，forIhavesaidtoomuchalready，andyoursonGeorgetellsmethatwemustbestartingshortly。”

AstheywereleavingtheroomPankysidleduptomyfatherandsaid，“Thereisapoint，Mr。Higgs，whichyoucansettleforme，thoughIfeelprettycertainhowyouwillsettleit。Ithinkthatacorruptionhascreptintothetextoftheverybeautiful——“

Atthismoment，asmyfather，whosawwhatwascoming，waswonderingwhatintheworldhecouldsay，Georgecameuptohimandsaid，“Mr。Higgs，mymotherwishesmetotakeyoudownintothestore-room，tomakesurethatshehasputeverythingforyouasyouwouldlikeit。”OnthismyfathersaidhewouldreturndirectlyandanswerwhatheknewwouldbePanky’squestion。

WhenYramhadshewnwhatshehadprepared——allofit，ofcourse，faultless——shesaid，“Andnow，Mr。Higgs，aboutourleave-taking。

Ofcourseweshallbothofusfeelmuch。Ishall；Iknowyouwill；

Georgewillhaveafewmorehourswithyouthantherestofus，buthistimetosaygood-byewillcome，anditwillbepainfultobothofyou。Iamgladyoucame——IamgladyouhaveseenGeorge，andGeorgeyou，andthatyoutooktooneanother。Iamgladmyhusbandhasseenyou；hehasspokentomeaboutyouverywarmly，forhehastakentoyoumuchasGeorgedid。Iamvery，verygladtohaveseenyoumyself，andtohavelearnedwhatbecameofyou——andofyourwife。Iknowyouwishwelltoallofus；besurethatweallofuswishmostheartilywelltoyouandyours。IsentforyouandGeorge，becauseIcouldnotsayallthisunlesswewerealone；itisallIcando。”shesaid，withasmile，“tosayitnow。”

Indeeditwas，forthetearswereinhereyesallthetime，astheywerealsoinmyfather’s。

“Letthis。”continuedYram，“beourleave-taking——forwemusthavenothinglikeasceneupstairs。Justshakehandswithusall，saytheusualconventionalthings，andmakeitasshortasyoucan；butIcouldnotbeartosendyouawaywithoutafewwarmerwordsthanI

couldhavesaidwhenotherswereintheroom。”

“Mayheavenblessyouandyours。”saidmyfather，“foreverandever。”

“Thatwilldo。”saidGeorgegently。“Now，bothofyoushakehands，andcomeupstairswithme。”

***

Whenallthreeofthemhadgotcalm，forGeorgehadbeenmovedalmostasmuchashisfatherandmother，theywentupstairs，andPankycameforhisanswer。“Youareverypossiblyright。”saidmyfather——“theversionyouholdtobecorruptistheoneincommonuseamongstourselves，butitisonlyatranslation，andverypossiblyonlyatranslationofatranslation，sothatitmayperhapshavebeencorruptedbeforeitreachedus。”

“That。”saidPanky，“willexplaineverything。”andhewentcontentedlyaway。

MyfathertalkedalittleasidewithMrs。Humdrumabouthergrand-

daughterandGeorge，forYramhadtoldhimthatsheknewallabouttheattachment，andthenGeorge，whosawthatmyfatherfoundthegreatestdifficultyinmaintaininganoutwardcalm，said，“Mr。

Higgs，thestreetsareempty；wehadbettergo。”

MyfatherdidasYramhadtoldhim；shookhandswitheveryone，saidallthatwasusualandproperasbrieflyashecould，andfollowedGeorgeoutoftheroom。TheMayorsawthemtothedoor，andsavedmyfatherfromembarrassmentbysaying，“Mr。Higgs，youandIunderstandoneanothertoowelltomakeitnecessaryforustosayso。Good-byetoyou，andmaynoillbefallyouereyougethome。”

Myfathergraspedhishandinbothhisown。“Again。”hesaid，“I

cansaynomorethanthatIthankyoufromthebottomofmyheart。”

Ashespokehebowedhishead，andwentoutwithGeorgeintothenight。

CHAPTERXXV：GEORGEESCORTSMYFATHERTOTHESTATUES；THETWOTHEN

PART

ThestreetswerequitedesertedasGeorgehadsaidtheywouldbe，andverydark，saveforanoccasionaloillamp。

“Assoonaswecangetwithinthepreserves。”saidGeorge，“wehadbetterwaittillmorning。Ihavearugformyselfaswellasforyou。”

“Isawyouhadtwo。”answeredmyfather；“youmustletmecarrythemboth；theprovisionsaremuchtheheavierload。

Georgefoughtashardasadogwoulddo，tillmyfathersaidthattheymustnotquarrelduringtheveryshorttimetheyhadtobetogether。OnthisGeorgegaveuponerugmeeklyenough，andmyfatheryieldedaboutthebasket，andtheotherrug。

Itwasabouthalf-pastelevenwhentheystarted，anditwasafteronebeforetheyreachedthepreserves。Forthefirstmilefromthetowntheywerenotmuchhinderedbythedarkness，andmyfathertoldGeorgeabouthisbookandmanyanothermatter；healsopromisedGeorgetosaynothingaboutthissecondvisit。Thentheroadbecamemorerough，andwhenitdwindledawaytobeamerelane——becomingpresentlyonlyafoottrack——theyhadtomindtheirfootsteps，andgotonbutslowly。Thenightwasstarlit，andwarm，consideringthattheyweremorethanthreethousandfeetabovethesea，butitwasverydark，sothatmyfatherwaswellenoughpleasedwhenGeorgeshowedhimthewhitestonesthatmarkedtheboundary，andsaidtheyhadbettersoonmakethemselvesascomfortableastheycouldtillmorning。

“Wecanstayhere。”hesaid，“tillhalf-pastthree，therewillbealittledaylightthen；wewillresthalfanhourforbreakfastataboutfive，andbynoonweshallbeatthestatues，wherewewilldine。”

Thisbeingsettled，Georgerolledhimselfupinhisrug，andinafewminuteswentcomfortablyofftosleep。Notsomypoorfather。

Hewounduphiswatch，wrappedhisrugroundhim，andlaydown；buthecouldgetnosleep。Aftersuchaday，andsuchanevening，howcouldanyonehaveslept？

Aboutthreethefirstsignsofdawnbegantoshow，andhalfanhourlatermyfathercouldseethesleepingfaceofhisson——whomitwenttohishearttowake。Neverthelesshewokehim，andinafewminutesthetwowereontheirway——Georgeasfreshasalark——mypoorfatherintentonnothingsomuchasonhidingfromGeorgehowillandunsoundinbodyandmindhewasfeeling。

Theywalkedon，sayingbutlittle，tillatfivebymyfather’swatchGeorgeproposedahaltforbreakfast。Thespothechosewasagrassyoasisamongthetrees，carpetedwithsubalpineflowers，nowintheirfullestbeauty，andclosetoasmallstreamthatherecamedownfromasidevalley。Thefreshnessofthemorningair，theextremebeautyoftheplace，thelovelybirdsthatflittedfromtreetotree，theexquisiteshapesandcoloursoftheflowers，stilldew-bespangled，andaboveall，thetendernesswithwhichGeorgetreatedhim，soothedmyfather，andwhenheandGeorgehadlitafireandmadesomehotcorn-coffee——withaviewtowhichYramhadputupabottleofmilk——hefeltsomuchrestoredastolookforwardtotherestofhisjourneywithoutalarm。Moreoverhehadnothingtocarry，forGeorgehadlefthisownrugattheplacewheretheyhadslept，knowingthatheshouldfinditonhisreturn；

hehadthereforeinsistedoncarryingmyfather’s。Myfatherfoughtaslongashecould，buthehadtogivein。

“Nowtellme。”saidGeorge，gladtochangethesubject，“whatwillthosethreemendoaboutwhatyousaidtothemlastnight？Willtheypayanyattentiontoit？“

Myfatherlaughed。“MydearGeorge，whataquestion——Idonotknowthemwellenough。”

“Ohyes，youdo。Atanyratesaywhatyouthinkmostlikely。”

“Verywell。IthinkDr。DowniewilldomuchasIsaid。Hewillnotthrowthewholethingover，throughfearofschism，loyaltytoapartyfromwhichhecannotwelldetachhimself，andbecausehedoesnotthinkthatthepublicisquitetiredenoughofitstoy。

Hewillneitherpreachnorwriteagainstit，buthewilllivelukewarmlyagainstit，andthisiswhattheHankyshate。Theycanstandeitherhotorcold，buttheyareafraidoflukewarm。InEnglandDr。DowniewouldbeaBroadChurchman。”

“DoyouthinkweshallevergetridofSunchildismaltogether？“

“Iftheysticktothecock-and-bullstoriestheyaretellingnow，andrubthemin，asHankydidonSunday，itmaygo，andgosoon。

Ithastakenroottooquicklyandeasily；anditstopistooheavyforitsroots；stilltherearesomanychancesinitsfavourthatitmaylastalongtime。”

“AndhowaboutHanky？“

“Hewillbrazenitout，relic，chariot，andall：andhewillwelcomemorerelicsandmorecock-and-bullstories；hissingleeyewillbeuponhisownaggrandisementandthatofhisorder。

Plausible，unscrupulous，heartlessscoundrelthatheis，hewillplayforthequeenandthewomenofthecourt，asDr。Downiewillplayforthekingandthemen。Heandhispartywillsleepneithernightnorday，buttheywillhaveoneredeemingfeature——whoevertheymaydeceive，theywillnotdeceivethemselves。Theybelieveeveryoneelsetobeasbadastheyare，andseenoreasonwhytheyshouldnotpushtheirownwaresinthewayofbusiness。HankyiseverythingthatweinEnglandrightlyorwronglybelieveatypicalJesuittobe。”

“AndPanky——whatabouthim？“

“Pankymustpersuadehimselfofhisownlies，beforeheisquitecomfortableabouttellingthemtootherpeople。HankykeepsHankywelloutofit；PankymusthaveabaseofoperationsinPanky。

Hankywillleadhimbythenose，bitbybit，forhisisthemasterspirit。InEnglandPankywouldbewhatwecallanextremeritualist。”

“ThentherealbattlewillbebetweenHankyandDr。Downie。Whichwillcarrytheday？“

“Forthepresent，probablyHanky。Heisthemorevigilant，andenergetic；inthiscaseSunchildismwillhavetogo，andIamafraidyourwholeMusicalBanksystemwillbesweptawayalongwithit。”

“Andwhynot？“

“Because，mydearboy，thoughfalseintheletter，ifgoodcounselsprevail，itmaybemadetrueenoughinspirit。Ifitweretogo，itsplacewouldbesoonfilledbymenwhowouldbeasfalseinletterastheotherswere，andmuchmorefalseinspirit。Youwantahearttocheckyourhead，andaheadtocheckyourheart。AsinourEnglishbodypolitictherearetwopartiesopposedtooneanother，neitherofwhichcanthriveiftheotherisundulyweakened，soinourspiritualandintellectualworldtwopartiesmoreorlessantagonisticareequallynecessary。Thosewhoareattheheadofscienceprovideuswiththeoneparty；thosewhomwecallourchurchmenaretheother。Botharecorrupt，butwecanspareneither，foreachchecksasfarasitcanthecorruptionsoftheother。”

“ThenyouwouldhaveusupholdSunchildism，knowingittobeuntrue？“

“Dowhatyouwill，youwillnotgetperfecttruth。AndifyoucanfollowtheleadwhichIbelieveDr。Downiewillgiveyou，thatistosay，getridofcock-and-bullstories，idealisemyunworthyself，and，asIsaidlastnight，makemeapegonwhichtohangyourownbestthoughts——Sunchildismwillbeasneartruthasanythingyouarelikelytoget。ButifHankyismtriumphs，comewhatmayyoumustgetridofit，forheandhisschoolwilltamperwiththeonesureandeverlastingwordofGodrevealedtousbyhumanexperience。HewhoplaysfastandloosewiththisisasonewhowouldforgeGod’ssignaturetoachequedrawnonGod’sownbank。”

“ArewetofosterthebeliefthatitwasindeedtheSunchildwhointerruptedHanky’ssermon？“

“Yes，whereyousafelycan，butnototherwise；andcommitthefactstowritingassoonasyoucanfindtime。Donothingtojeopardiseyourownsafety；youcandomorebyperfunctoryacquiescencethanbyopendissent。Andtellthosefriendswhomyoucantrust，whatthesemypartingwordstoyouhavebeen。ButaboveallIchargeyousolemnly，donothingtojeopardiseyourownsafety；youcannotplayintoHanky’shandsmorecertainlythanbyriskingthis。ThinkhowheandPankywouldrejoice，andhowDr。Downiewouldgrieve。

Bewiseandwary；bideyourtime；dowhatyouprudentlycan，andyouwillfindyoucandomuch；trytodomore，andyouwilldonothing。BeguidedbytheMayor，byyourmother——andbythatdearoldladywhosegrandsonyouwill——“

“Thentheyhavetoldyou。”interruptedtheyouthblushingscarlet。

“Mydearestboy，ofcoursetheyhave，andIhaveseenher，andamheadoverearsinlovewithhermyself。”

Hewasallsmilesandblushes，andvowedforafewminutesthatitwasashameofthemtotellme，butpresentlyhesaid-

“Thenyoulikeher。”

“Rather！“saidmyfathervehemently，andshakingGeorgebythehand。Buthesaidnothingaboutthenuggetsandthesovereigns，knowingthatYramdidnotwishhimtodoso。NeitherdidGeorgesayanythingabouthisdeterminationtostartforthecapitalinthemorning，andmakeacleanbreastofeverythingtotheKing。Sosoondoesitbecomenecessaryevenforthosewhoaremostcordiallyattachedtohidethingsfromoneanother。Myfather，however，wasmadecomfortablebyreceivingapromisefromtheyouththathewouldtakenostepofwhichthepersonshehadnamedwoulddisapprove。

WhenonceMrs。Humdrum’sgrand-daughterhadbeenintroducedtherewasnomoretalkingaboutHankyandPanky；forGeorgebegantobubbleoverwiththesubjectthatwasnearesthisheart，andhowmuchhefearedthatitwouldbesometimeyetbeforehecouldbemarried。Manyastorydidhetellofhisearlyattachmentandofitscourseforthelasttenyears，butmyspacewillnotallowmetoinflictoneofthemonthereader。Myfathersawthatthemorehelistenedandsympathisedandencouraged，thefonderGeorgebecameofhim，andthiswasallhecaredabout。

Thusdidtheyconversehourafterhour。TheypassedtheBluePool，withoutseeingitoreventalkingaboutitformorethanaminute。

Georgekeptaneyeonthequailsanddeclaredthemfairlyplentifulandstrongonthewing，butnothingnowcouldkeephimfrompouringouthiswholeheartaboutMrs。Humdrum’sgrand-daughter，untiltowardsnoontheycaughtsightofthestatues，andahaltwasmadewhichgavemyfatherthefirstpanghehadfeltthatmorning，forheknewthatthestatueswouldbethebeginningoftheend。

Therewasnoneedtolightafire，forYramhadpackedforthemtwobottlesofadeliciouswhitewine，somethinglikeWhiteCapri，whichwentadmirablywiththemanymoresolidgoodthingsthatshehadprovidedforthem。AssoonastheyhadfinishedaheartymealmyfathersaidtoGeorge，“Youmusthavemywatchforakeepsake；I

seeyouarenotwearingmyboots。Ifearyoudidnotfindthemcomfortable，butIamgladyouhavenotgotthemon，forIhavesetmyheartonkeepingyours。”

“Letussettleaboutthebootsfirst。IratherfanciedthatthatwaswhyyouputmeoffwhenIwantedtogetmyownbackagain；andthenIthoughtIshouldlikeyoursforakeepsake，soIputonanotherpairlastnight，andtheyarenothinglikesocomfortableasyourswere。”

“NowIwonder。”saidmyfathertome，“whetherthiswastrue，orwhetheritwasonlythatdearfellow’sprettyinvention；buttrueorfalseIwasasdelightedashemeantmetobe。”

IaskedGeorgeaboutthiswhenIsawhim，andheconfessedwithaningenuousblushthatmyfather’sbootshadhurthim，andthathehadneverthoughtofmakingakeepsakeofthem，tillmyfather’swordsstimulatedhisinvention。

Asforthewatch，whichwasonlyasilverone，butofthebestmake，Georgeprotestedforatime，butwhenhehadyielded，myfathercouldseethathewasoverjoyedatgettingit；forwatches，thoughnowpermitted，wereexpensiveandnotincommonuse。

Havingthusbribedhim，myfatherbroachedthepossibilityofhismeetinghimatthestatuesonthatdaytwelvemonth，butofcoursesayingnothingaboutwhyhewassoanxiousthatheshouldcome。

“Iwillcome。”saidmyfather，“notayardfartherthanthestatues，andifIcannotcomeIwillsendyourbrother。AndIwillcomeatnoon；butitispossiblethattheriverdownbelowmaybeinfresh，andImaynotbeabletohitofftheday，thoughIwillmoveheavenandearthtodoso。ThereforeifIdonotmeetyouonthedayappointed，doyourbesttocomealsoatnoononthefollowingday。Iknowhowinconvenientthiswillbeforyou，andwillcometruetothedayifitispossible。”

Tomyfather’ssurprise，Georgedidnotraisesomanydifficultiesashehadexpected。Hesaiditmightbedone，ifneitherhenormyfatherweretogobeyondthestatues。“Anddifficultasitwillbeforyou。”saidGeorge，“youhadbettercomeaseconddayifnecessary，asIwill，forwhocantellwhatmighthappentomakethefirstdayimpossible？“

“Then。”saidmyfather，“weshallbesparedthathorriblefeelingthatwearepartingwithouthopeofseeingeachotheragain。I

findithardenoughtosaygood-byeevennow，butIdonotknowhowIcouldhavefaceditifyouhadnotagreedtoourmeetingagain。”

“ThedayfixeduponwillbeourXXI。i。3，andthehournoonasnearasmaybe？“

“So。Letmewriteitdown：’XXI。i。3，i。e。ourDecember9，1891，IamtomeetGeorgeatthestatues，attwelveo’clock，andifhedoesnotcome，Iamtobethereagainonthefollowingday。’

Inlikemanner，Georgewrotedownwhathewastodo：“XXI。i。3，orfailingthisXXI。i。4。Statues。Noon。”

“This。”hesaid，“isasolemncovenant，isitnot？“

“Yes。”saidmyfather，“andmayallgoodomensattendit！“

Thewordswerenotoutofhismouthbeforeamountainbird，somethinglikeourjackdaw，butsmallerandofabluerblack，flewoutofthehollowmouthofoneofthestatues，andwithaheartychuckleperchedonthegroundathisfeet，attracteddoubtlessbythescrapsoffoodthatwerelyingabout。Withthefearlessnessofbirdsinthatcountry，itlookedupathimandGeorge，gaveanotherheartychuckle，andflewbacktoitsstatuewiththelargestfragmentitcouldfind。

Theysettledthatthiswasanomensopropitiousthattheycouldpartingoodhope。“Letusfinishthewine。”saidmyfather，“andthen，dowhatmustbedone！“

Theyfinishedthewinetoeachother’sgoodhealth；Georgedrankalsotomine，andsaidhehopedmyfatherwouldbringmewithhim，whilemyfatherdranktoYram，theMayor，theirchildren，Mrs。

Humdrum，andabovealltoMrs。Humdrum’sgrand-daughter。Theythenre-packedallthatcouldbetakenaway；myfatherrolledhisrugtohisliking，slungitoverhisshoulder，grippedGeorge’shand，andsaid，“Mydearestboy，whenwehaveeachturnedourbacksupononeanother，letuswalkourseveralwaysasfastaswecan，andtrynottolookbehindus。”

SosayingheloosedhisgripofGeorge’shand，baredhishead，loweredit，andturnedaway。

Georgeburstintotears，andfollowedhimafterhehadgonetwopaces；hethrewhisarmsroundhim，huggedhim，kissedhimonhislips，cheeks，andforehead，andthenturninground，strodefullspeedtowardsSunch’ston。Myfathernevertookhiseyesoffhimtillhewasoutofsight，buttheboydidnotlookround。Whenhecouldseehimnomore，myfatherwithfalteringgait，andfeelingasthoughaprophadsuddenlybeentakenfromunderhim，begantofollowthestreamdowntowardshisoldcamp。

CHAPTERXXVI：MYFATHERREACHESHOME，ANDDIESNOTLONGAFTERWARDS

Myfathercouldwalkbutslowly，forGeorge’sbootshadblisteredhisfeet，anditseemedtohimthattheriver-bed，ofwhichhecaughtglimpsesnowandagain，nevergotanynearer；butallthingscometoanend，andbyseveno’clockonthenightofTuesday，hewasonthespotwhichhehadleftontheprecedingFridaymorning。

Threeentiredayshadintervened，buthefeltthatsomething，heknewnotwhat，hadseizedhim，andthatwhereasbeforethesethreedayslifehadbeenonething，whatlittlemightfollowthem，wouldbeanother——andaverydifferentone。

Hesooncaughtsightofhishorsewhichhadstrayedamilelowerdowntheriver-bed，andinspiteofhishobbleshadcrossedoneuglystreamthatmyfatherdarednotfordonfoot。Tiredthoughhewas，hewentafterhim，bridleinhand，andwhenthefriendlycreaturesawhim，itrecrossedthestream，andcametohimofitsownaccord——eithertiredofhisowncompany，ortemptedbysomebreadmyfatherheldouttowardshim。Myfathertookoffthehobbles，androdehimbare-backedtothecampingground，whereherewardedhimwithmorebreadandbiscuit，andthenhobbledhimagainforthenight。

“Itwashere。”hesaidtomeononeofthefirstdaysafterhisreturn，“thatIfirstknewmyselftobeabrokenman。AsformeetingGeorgeagain，IfeltsurethatitwouldbeallIcoulddotomeethisbrother；andthoughGeorgewasalwaysinmythoughts，itwasforyouandnothimthatIwasnowyearning。WhenIgaveGeorgemywatch，howgladIwasthatIhadleftmygoldoneathome，forthatisyours，andIcouldnothavebroughtmyselftogiveithim。”

“Nevermindthat，mydearfather。”saidI，“buttellmehowyougotdowntheriver，andthencehomeagain。”

“Myverydearboy。”hesaid，“Icanhardlyremember，andIhadnoenergytomakeanymorenotes。Irememberputtingascrapofpaperintotheboxofsovereigns，merelysendingGeorgemylovealongwiththemoney；Irememberalsodroppingtheboxintoaholeinatree，whichIblazed，andtowardswhichIdrewalineofwood-

ashes。Iseemtoseeapoorunhingedcreaturegazingmoodilyforhoursintoafirewhichheheapsupnowandagainwithwood。Thereisnotabreathofair；Naturesleepssocalmlythatshedaresnotevenbreatheforfearofwaking；theveryriverhashushedhisflow。Without，thestarlitcalmofasummer’snightinagreatwilderness；within，ahurricaneofwildandincoherentthoughtsbattlingwithoneanotherintheirfurytofalluponhimandrendhim——andontheothersidethegreatwallofmountain，thousandsofchildrenprayingattheirmother’skneetothispoordazedthing。

Isupposethishalfdeliriouswretchmusthavebeenmyself。ButI

musthavebeenmoreillwhenIleftEnglandthanIthoughtIwas，orErewhonwouldnothavebrokenmedownasitdid。”

Nodoubthewasright。IndeeditwasbecauseMr。Cathieandhisdoctorsawthathewasoutofhealthandinurgentneedofchange，thattheyleftoffopposinghiswishtotravel。Thereisnouse，however，intalkingaboutthisnow。

Inevergotfromhimhowhemanagedtoreachtheshepherd’shut，butIlearnedsomelittlefromtheshepherd，whenIstayedwithhimbothongoingtowardsErewhon，andonreturning。

“Hedidnotseemtohavedrinkinhim。”saidtheshepherd，“whenhefirstcamehere；buthemusthavebeenprettyfullofit，orhemusthavehadsomebottlesinhissaddle-bags；forhewasawfulwhenhecameback。HehadgotthemworsethananymanIeversaw，onlythathewasnotawkward。Hesaidtherewasabirdflyingoutofagiant’smouthandlaughingathim，andhekeptmutteringaboutabluepool，andhanky-pankyofallsorts，andhesaidheknewitwasallhanky-panky，atleastIthoughthesaidso，butitwasnousetryingtofollowhim，foritwasallnothingbuthorrors。HesaidIwastostopthepeoplefromtryingtoworshiphim。Thenhesaidtheskyopenedandhecouldseetheangelsgoingaboutandsinging’Hallelujah。’“

“Howlongdidhestaywithyou？“Iasked。

“Abouttendays，butthelastthreehewashimselfagain，onlytooweaktomove。Hethoughthewascuredexceptforweakness。”

“Doyouknowhowhehadbeenspendingthelasttwodaysorsobeforehegotdowntoyourhut？“

Isaidtwodays，becausethiswasthetimeIsupposedhewouldtaketodescendtheriver。

“Ishouldsaydrinkingallthetime。Hesaidhehadfallenoffhishorsetwoorthreetimes，tillhetooktoleadinghim。IfhehadhadanyotherhorsethanoldDoctorhewouldhavebeenadeadman。

Blessyou，Ihaveknownthathorseeversincehewasfoaled，andI

neversawonelikehimforsense。Hewouldpickfordsbetterthanthatgentlemancould，Iknow，andifthegentlemanfelloffhimhewouldjuststaystockstill。Hewasbadlybruised，poorman，whenhegothere。Isawhimthroughthegorgewhenheleftme，andhegavemeasovereign；hesaidhehadonlyoneotherlefttotakehimdowntotheport，orhewouldhavemadeitmore。”

“Hewasmyfather。”saidI，“andheisdead，butbeforehediedhetoldmetogiveyoufivepoundswhichIhavebroughtyou。Ithinkyouarewronginsayingthathehadbeendrinking。”

“Thatiswhattheyallsay；butItakeitverykindofhimtohavethoughtofme。”

Myfather’sillnessforthefirstthreeweeksafterhisreturnplayedwithhimasacatplayswithamouse；nowandagainitwouldlethimhaveadayortwo’srun，duringwhichhewassocheerfulanduncloudedthathisdoctorwasquitehopefulabouthim。AtvarioustimesontheseoccasionsIgotfromhimthatwhenhelefttheshepherd’shut，hethoughthisillnesshadrunitselfout，andthatheshouldnowreachtheportfromwhichhewastosailforS。

Franciscowithoutmisadventure。Thishedid，andhewasabletodoallhehadtodoattheport，thoughfrequentlyattackedwithpassingfitsofgiddiness。IneednotdwelluponhisvoyagetoS。

Francisco，andthencehome；itisenoughtosaythathewasabletotravelbyhimselfinspiteofgradually，butcontinually，increasingfailure。

“When。”hesaid，“Ireachedtheport，Itelegraphedasyouknow，formoremoney。Howpuzzledyoumusthavebeen。IsoldmyhorsetothemanfromwhomIboughtit，atalossofonlyabout10

pounds，andIleftwithhimmysaddle，saddlebags，smallhatchet，myhobbles，andinfacteverythingthatIhadtakenwithme，exceptwhattheyhadimpoundedinErewhon。Yram’srugIdroppedintotheriverwhenIknewthatIshouldnolongerneedit——asalsohersubstitutesformybillyandpannikin；andIburnedherbasket。

Theshepherdwouldhaveaskedmequestions。Youwillfindanordertodelivereverythinguptobearer。YouneedthereforetakenothingfromEngland。”

Atanothertimehesaid，“Whenyougo，foritisplainIcannot，andgooneorotherofusmust，tryandgetthehorseIhad：hewillbenineyearsold，andheknowsallabouttherivers：ifyouleaveeverythingtohim，youmayshutyoureyes，butdonotinterferewithhim。GivetheshepherdwhatIsaidandhewillattendtoyou，butgoadayortwotoosoon，forthemarginofonedaywasnotenoughtoallowincaseofafreshintheriver；ifthewaterisdiscolouredyoumustnotcrossit——notevenwithDoctor。

IcouldnotaskGeorgetocomeupthreedaysrunningfromSunch’stontothestatuesandback。”

Herehebecameexhausted。AlmostthelastcoherentstringofsentencesIgotfromhimwasasfollows：-

“AboutGeorge’smoneyifIsendhim2000poundsyouwillstillhavenearly150，000poundsleft，andMr。Cathiewillnotletyoutrytomakeitmore。Iknowyouwouldgivehimfourorfivethousand，buttheMayorandItalkeditover，andsettledthat2000poundsingoldwouldmakehimarichman。ConsultourgoodfriendAlfred“

(meaning，ofcourse，Mr。Cathie)“aboutthebestwayoftakingthemoney。Iamafraidthereisnothingforitbutgold，andthiswillbeagreatweightforyoutocarry——about，Ibelieve36lbs。Canyoudothis？Ireallythinkthatifyouleadyourhorseyou……

no——therewillbethegettinghimdownagain——“

“Don’tworryaboutit，mydearfather。”saidI，“IcandoiteasilyifIstowtheloadrightly，andIwillseetothis。Ishallhavenothingelsetocarry，forIshallcampdownbelowbothmorningandevening。ButwouldyounotliketosendsomepresenttotheMayor，Yram，theirotherchildren，andMrs。Humdrum’sgrand-daughter？“

“Dowhatyoucan。”saidmyfather。Andthesewerethelastinstructionshegavemeaboutthoseadventureswithwhichalonethisworkisconcerned。

Thedaybeforehedied，hehadalittleflickerofintelligence，butallofasuddenhisfacebecamecloudedaswithgreatanxiety；

heseemedtoseesomehorriblechasminfrontofhimwhichhehadtocross，orwhichhefearedthatImustcross，forhegaspedoutwords，which，asnearasIcouldcatchthem，were，“Lookout！

John！Leap！Leap！Le……“buthecouldnotsayallthathewastryingtosayandclosedhiseyes，having，asIthendeemed，seenthathewasonthebrinkofthatgulfwhichliesbetweenlifeanddeath；Itookitthatinrealityhediedatthatmoment；fortherewasneitherstruggle，norhardlymovementofanykindafterwards——nothingbutapulsewhichforthenextseveralhoursgrewfainterandfaintersogradually，thatitwasnottillsometimeafterithadceasedtobeatthatwewerecertainofitshavingdoneso。

CHAPTERXXVII：IMEETMYBROTHERGEORGEATTHESTATUES，ONTHETOP

OFTHEPASSINTOEREWHON

ThisbookhasalreadybecomelongerthanIintended，butIwillaskthereadertohavepatiencewhileItellhimbrieflyofmyownvisittothethresholdofthatstrangecountryofwhichIfearthathemaybealreadybeginningtotire。

Thewinding-upofmyfather’sestatewasaverysimplematter，andbythebeginningofSeptember1891Ishouldhavebeenfreetostart；butaboutthattimeIbecameengaged，andnaturallyenoughI

didnotwanttobelongerawaythanwasnecessary。IshouldnothavegoneatallifIcouldhavehelpedit。Ileft，however，afortnightlaterthanmyfatherhaddone。

BeforestartingIboughtahandsomegoldrepeaterfortheMayor，andabroochforYram，ofpearlsanddiamondssetingold，forwhichIpaid200pounds。ForYram’sthreedaughtersandforMrs。

Humdrum’sgrand-daughterItookfourbroocheseachofwhichcostabout15pounds，15s。，andfortheboysIgotthreeten-guineasilverwatches。ForGeorgeIonlytookastrongEnglishknifeofthebestmake，andthetwothousandpoundsworthofuncoinedgold，whichforconvenience’sakeIhadhadmadeintosmallbars。Ialsohadaknapsackmadethatwouldholdtheseandnothingelse——eachbarbeingstronglysewnintoitsplace，sothatnoneofthemcouldshift。WheneverIwentonboardship，orwentonshore，Iputthisonmyback，sothatnoonehandleditexceptmyself——andIcanassurethereaderthatIdidnotfinditalightweighttohandle。

IoughttohavetakensomethingforoldMrs。Humdrum，butIamashamedtosaythatIforgother。

IwentasdirectlyasIcouldtotheportofwhichmyfatherhadtoldme，andreacheditonNovember27，onedaylaterthanhehaddoneintheprecedingyear。

Onthefollowingday，whichwasaSaturday，Iwenttotheliverystablesfromwhichmyfatherhadboughthishorse，andfoundtomygreatdelightthatDoctorcouldbeatmydisposal，for，asitseemedtome，theveryreasonablepriceoffifteenshillingsaday。

Ishewedtheownerofthestablesmyfather’sorder，andallthearticleshehadleftwereimmediatelydeliveredtome。Iwasstillwearingcraperoundonearm，andthehorse-dealer，whosenamewasBaker，saidhewasafraidtheothergentlemanmightbedead。

“Indeed，heisso。”saidI，“andagreatgriefitistome；hewasmyfather。”

“Dear，dear。”answeredMr。Baker，“thatisaveryseriousthingforthepoorgentleman。Heseemedquiteunfittotravelalone，andI

fearedhewasnotlongforthisworld，buthewasbentongoing。”

Ihadnothingnowtodobuttobuyablanket，pannikin，andbilly，withsometea，tobacco，twobottlesofbrandy，someship’sbiscuits，andwhateverotherfewitemsweredownonthelistofrequisiteswhichmyfatherhaddictatedtome。Mr。Baker，seeingthatIwaswhathecalledanewchum，shewedmehowtopackmyhorse，butIkeptmyknapsackfullofgoldonmyback，andthoughI

couldseethatitpuzzledhim，heaskednoquestions。TherewasnoreasonwhyIshouldnotsetoutatoncefortheprincipaltownofthecolony，whichwassometenmilesinland；I，therefore，arrangedatmyhotelthatthegreaterpartofmyluggageshouldawaitmyreturn，andsetouttoclimbthehighhillsthatbacktheport。

FromthetopoftheseIhadamagnificentviewoftheplainsthatI

shouldhavetocross，andofthelongrangeofdistantmountainswhichboundedthemnorthandsouthasfarastheeyecouldreach。

OnsomeofthemountainsIcouldstillseestreaksofsnow，butmyfatherhadexplainedtomethattherangesIshouldheresee，werenotthosedividingtheEnglishcolonyfromErewhon。Ialsosaw，someninemilesorsooutupontheplains，themoreprominentbuildingsofalargetownwhichseemedtobeembosomedintrees，andthisIreachedinaboutanhourandahalf；forIhadtodescendatafoot’space，andDoctor’smanyvirtuesdidnotcompriseawillingnesstogobeyondanamble。

AtthetownabovereferredtoIspentthenight，andbegantostrikeacrosstheplainsonthefollowingmorning。Imighthavecrossedtheseinthreedaysattwenty-fivemilesaday，butIhadtoomuchtimeonmyhands，andmyloadofgoldwassouncomfortablethatIwasgladtostayatoneaccommodationhouseafteranother，averagingabouteighteenmilesaday。IhavenodoubtthatifI

hadtakenadvice，Icouldhavestowedmyloadmoreconveniently，butIcouldnotunpackit，andmadethebestofitasitwas。

OntheeveningofWednesday，December2，IreachedtheriverwhichIshouldhavetofollowup；itwasherenearingthegorgethroughwhichithadtopassbeforethecountryopenedoutagainatthebackofthefrontrange。Icameuponitquitesuddenlyonreachingthebrinkofagreatterrace，thebankofwhichslopedalmostprecipitouslydowntowardsit，butwascoveredwithgrass。Theterracewassomethreehundredfeetabovetheriver，andfacedanothersimilarone，whichwasfromamileandahalftotwomilesdistant。Atthebottomofthishugeyawningchasm，rolledthemightyriver，andIshudderedatthethoughtofhavingtocrossandrecrossit。Foritwasangry，muddy，evidentlyinheavyfresh，andfilledbankandbankfornearlyamilewithafloodofseethingwaters。

Ifollowedalongthenorthernedgeoftheterrace，tillIreachedthelastaccommodationhousethatcouldbesaidtobeontheplains——which，bytheway，wereheresomeeightorninehundredfeetabovesealevel。WhenIreachedthishouse，Iwasgladtolearnthattheriverwasnotlikelytoremainhighformorethanadayortwo，andthatifwhatwascalledaSoutherlyBurstercameup，asitmightbeexpectedtodoatanymoment，itwouldbequitelowagainbeforethreedayswereover。

AtthishouseIstayedthenight，andinthecourseoftheeveningastraydog——aretriever，hardlyfullgrown，andevidentlyverymuchdownonhisluck——tookupwithme；whenIinquiredabouthim，andaskedifImighttakehimwithme，thelandlordsaidhewishedIwould，forheknewnothingabouthimandwastryingtodrivehimfromthehouse。KnowingwhataboonthecompanionshipofthispoorbeastwouldbetomewhenIwascampingoutalone，Iencouragedhim，andnextmorninghefollowedmeasamatterofcourse。

InthenighttheSoutherlyBursterwhichmyhostanticipatedhadcomeup，coldandblustering，butinvigoratingafterthehot，dry，windthathadbeenblowinghardduringthedaytimeasIhadcrossedtheplains。AmileortwohigherupIpassedalargesheep-

station，butdidnotstaythere。Oneortwomenlookedatmewithsurprise，andaskedmewhereIwasgoing，whereonIsaidIwasinsearchofrareplantsandbirdsfortheMuseumofthetownatwhichIhadsleptthenightaftermyarrival。Thissatisfiedtheircuriosity，andIambledonaccompaniedbythedog。InpassingI

maysaythatIfoundDoctornottoexcelatanypaceexceptanamble，butforalongjourney，especiallyforonewhoiscarryingaheavy，awkwardload，thereisnopacesocomfortable；andheambledfairlyfast。

Ifollowedthehorsetrackwhichhadbeencutthroughthegorge，andinmanyplacesIdislikeditextremely，fortheriver，stillinfresh，wasragingfuriously；twice，forsomefewyards，wherethegorgewaswiderandthestreamlessrapid，itcoveredthetrack，andIhadnoconfidencethatitmightnothavewasheditaway；ontheseoccasionsDoctorprickedhisearstowardsthewater，andwasevidentlythinkingexactlywhathisriderwas。Hedecided，however，thatallwouldbesound，andtooktothewaterwithoutanyurgingonmypart。Seeinghisopinion，Irememberedmyfather’sadvice，andlethimdowhatheliked，butinoneplaceforthreeorfouryardsthewatercamenearlyuptohisbelly，andIwasingreatfearforthewatchesthatwereinmysaddlebags。Asforthedog，IfearedIhadlosthim，butafteratimeherejoinedme，thoughhowhecontrivedtodosoIcannotsay。

Nothingcouldbegranderthanthesightofthisgreatriverpentintoanarrowcompass，andoccasionallybecomingmorelikeanimmensewaterfallthanariver，butIwasincontinualfearofcomingtomoreplaceswherethewaterwouldbeoverthetrack，andperhapsoffindingmyselfunabletogetanyfarther。IthereforefailedtoenjoywhatwasreallyfarthemostimpressivesightinitswaythatIhadeverseen。“Giveme。”Isaidtomyself，“theThamesatRichmond。”andrightthankfulwasI，whenatabouttwoo’clockIfoundthatIwasthroughthegorgeandinawidevalley，thegreaterpartofwhich，however，wasstillcoveredbytheriver。

ItwasherethatIheardforthefirsttimethecurioussoundofbouldersknockingagainsteachotherunderneaththegreatbodyofwaterthatkeptrollingthemroundandround。

Inowhalted，andlitafire，fortherewasmuchdeadscrubstandingthathadremainedafterthegroundhadbeenburnedforthefirsttimesomeyearspreviously。Imademyselfsometea，andturnedDoctoroutforacoupleofhourstofeed。Ididnothobblehim，formyfatherhadtoldmethathewouldalwayscomeforbread。

WhenIhaddined，andsmoked，andsleptforacoupleofhoursorso，IreloadedDoctorandresumedmyjourneytowardstheshepherd’shut，whichIcaughtsightofaboutamilebeforeIreachedit。

Whennearlyhalfamileoffit，Idismounted，andmadeawrittennoteoftheexactspotatwhichIdidso。Ithenturnedforacoupleofhundredyardstomyright，atrightanglestothetrack，wheresomehugerockswerelying——fallenagessincefromthemountainthatflankedthissideofthevalley。HereIdepositedmyknapsackinahollowunderneathsomeoftherocks，andputagoodsizedstoneinfrontofit，forImeantspendingacoupleofdayswiththeshepherdtolettherivergodown。Moreover，asitwasnowonlyDecember3，Ihadtoomuchtimeonmyhands，butIhadnotdaredtocutthingsfiner。

Ireachedthehutataboutsixo’clock，andintroducedmyselftotheshepherd，whowasanice，kindoldman，commonlycalledHarris，buthisrealnamehetoldmewasHorace——HoraceTaylor。IhadtheconversationwithhimofwhichIhavealreadytoldthereader，addingthatmyfatherhadbeenunabletogiveacoherentaccountofwhathehadseen，andthatIhadbeensenttogettheinformationhehadfailedtofurnish。

TheoldmansaidthatImustcertainlywaitacoupleofdaysbeforeIwenthigheruptheriver。Hehadmadehimselfanicegarden，inwhichhetookthegreatestpride，andwhichsuppliedhimwithplentyofvegetables。Hewasverygladtohavecompany，andtoreceivethenewspaperswhichIhadtakencaretobringhim。Hehadarealgeniusforsimplecookery，andfedmeexcellently。Myfather’s5pounds，andtherationofbrandywhichInightlygavehim，mademeawelcomeguest，andthoughIwaslongingtobeatanyrateasfarasthefootofthepassintoErewhon，IamusedmyselfverywellinanabundanceofwayswithwhichIneednottroublethereader。

OneofthefirstthingsthatHarrissaidtomewas，“IwishIknewwhatyourfatherdidwiththeniceredblankethehadwithhimwhenhewentuptheriver。Hehadnonewhenhecamedownagain；Ihavenohorsehere，butIborrowedonefromamanwhocameuponedayfromdownbelow，androdetoaplacewhereIfoundwhatIamsureweretheashesofthelastfirehemade，butIcouldfindneithertheblanketnorthebillyandpannikinhetookawaywithhim。Hesaidhesupposedhemusthaveleftthethingsthere，buthecouldremembernothingaboutit。”

“Iamafraid。”saidI，“thatIcannothelpyou。”

“Atanyrate。”continuedtheshepherd，“Ididnothavemyridefornothing，forasIwascomingbackIfoundthisrughalfcoveredwithsandontheriver-bed。”

Ashespokehepointedtoanexcellentwarmrug，onthesparebunkinhishut。“Itisnoneofourmake。”saidhe；“Isupposesomeforeigndiggerhascomeoverfromthenextriverdownsouthandgotdrowned，forithadnotbeenverylongwhereIfoundit，atleastI

thinknot，foritwasnotmuchfly-blown，andnoonehadpassedheretogouptheriversinceyourfather。”

Iknewwhatitwas，butIheldmytonguebeyondsayingthattherugwasaverygoodone。

Thenextday，December4，waslovely，afteranightthathadbeenclearandcold，withfrosttowardsearlymorning。Whentheshepherdhadgoneforsomethreehoursintheforenoontoseehissheep(thatwerenowlambing)，IwalkeddowntotheplacewhereI

hadleftmyknapsack，andcarrieditagoodmileabovethehut，whereIagainhidit。Icouldseethegreatrangefromoneplace，andthethicknewfallensnowassuredmethattheriverwouldbequitenormalshortly。Indeed，byeveningitwashardlyatalldiscoloured，butIwaitedanotherday，andsetoutonthemorningofSunday，December6。Theriverwasnowalmostaslowasinwinter，andHarrisassuredmethatifIusedmyeyesIcouldnotmissfindingafordoveronestreamoranothereveryhalfmileorso。Ihadthegreatestdifficultyinpreventinghimfromaccompanyingmeonfootforsomelittledistance，butIgotridofhimintheend；hecamewithmebeyondtheplacewhereIhadhiddenmyknapsack，butwhenhehadleftmelongenough，Irodebackandgotit。

IseeIamdwellingtoolonguponmyownsmalladventures。Sufficeitthat，accompaniedbymydog，IfollowedthenorthbankoftherivertillIfoundImustcrossonestreambeforeIcouldgetanyfarther。Thisplacewouldnotdo，andIhadtoridehalfamilebackbeforeIfoundonethatseemedasifitmightbesafe。I

fancymyfathermusthavedonejustthesamething，forDoctorseemedtoknowtheground，andtooktothewaterthemomentI

broughthimtoit。Itneverreachedhisbelly，butIconfessIdidnotlikeit。ByandbyIhadtorecross，andsoon，offandon，tillatnoonIcampedfordinner。Herethedogfoundmeanestofyoungducks，nearlyfledged，fromwhichtheparentbirdstriedwithgreatsuccesstodecoyme。IfullythoughtIwasgoingtocatchthem，butthedogknewbetterandmadestraightforthenest，fromwhichhereturnedimmediatelywithafineyoungduckinhismouth，whichhelaidatmyfeet，wagginghistailandbarking。Itookanotherfromthenestandlefttwofortheoldbirds。

TheafternoonwasmuchasthemorningandtowardssevenIreachedaplacewhichsuggesteditselfasagoodcampingground。Ihadhardlyfixedonitandhalted，beforeIsawafewpiecesofcharredwood，andfeltsurethatmyfathermusthavecampedatthisveryplacebeforeme。IhobbledDoctor，unloaded，pluckedandsingedaduck，andgavethedogsomeofthemeatwithwhichHarrishadfurnishedme；Imadetea，laidmyduckontheemberstillitwascooked，smoked，gavemyselfanightcapofbrandyandwater，andbyandbyrolledmyselfroundinmyblanket，withthedogcurledupbesideme。Iwillnotdwelluponthestrangenessofmyfeelings——

northeextremebeautyofthenight。Butforthedog，andDoctor，Ishouldhavebeenfrightened，butIknewthattherewerenosavagecreaturesorvenomoussnakesinthecountry，andboththedogandDoctorweresuchgoodcompanionablecreatures，thatIdidnotfeelsomuchoppressedbythesolitudeasIhadfearedIshouldbe。Butthenightwascold，andmyblanketwasnotenoughtokeepmecomfortablywarm。

Thefollowingdaywasdelightfullywarmassoonasthesungottothebottomofthevalley，andthefreshfallensnowdisappearedsofastfromthesnowyrangethatIwasafraiditwouldraisetheriver——which，indeed，roseintheafternoonandbecameslightlydiscoloured，butitcannothavebeenmorethanthreeorfourinchesdeeper，foritneverreachedthebottomofmysaddle-bags。I

believeDoctorknewexactlywhereIwasgoing，forhewantednoguidance。Ihaltedagainatmidday，gottwomoreducks，crossedandrecrossedtheriver，orsomeofitsstreams，severaltimes，andataboutsix，caughtsight，afterabendinthevalley，oftheglacierdescendingontotheriver-bed。ThisIknewtobeclosetothepointatwhichIwastocampforthenight，andfromwhichI

wastoascendthemountain。Afteranotherhour’sslowprogressovertheincreasingroughnessoftheriver-bed，Isawthetriangulardeltaofwhichmyfatherhadtoldme，andthestreamthathadformedit，boundingdownthemountainside。Doctorwentrightuptotheplacewheremyfather’sfirehadbeen，andIagainfoundmanypiecesofcharredwoodandashes。

AssoonasIhadunloadedDoctorandhobbledhim，Iwenttoatreehardby，onwhichIcouldseethemarkofablaze，andtowardswhichIthoughtIcouldseealineofwoodashesrunning。ThereI

foundaholeinwhichsomebirdhadevidentlybeenwonttobuild，andsurmisedcorrectlythatitmustbetheoneinwhichmyfatherhadhiddenhisboxofsovereigns。Therewasnoboxintheholenow，andIbegantofeelthatIwasatlastwithinmeasureabledistanceofErewhonandtheErewhonians。

Icampedforthenighthere，andagainfoundmysingleblanketinsufficient。Thenextday，i。e。Tuesday，December8，IhadtopassasIbestcould，anditoccurredtomethatasIshouldfindthegoldagreatweight，Ihadbettertakeitsomethreehoursupthemountainsideandleaveitthere，soastomakethefollowingdaylessfatiguing，andthisIdid，returningtomycampfordinner；butIwaspanic-strickenalltherestofthedaylestI

shouldnothavehiddenitsafely，orlestIshouldbeunabletofinditnextday——conjuringupahundredabsurdfanciesastowhatmightbefallit。Andafterall，heavythoughitwas，Icouldhavecarrieditalltheway。IntheafternoonIsaddledDoctorandrodehimuptotheglaciers，whichwereindeedmagnificent，andthenI

madethefewnotesofmyjourneyfromwhichthischapterhasbeentaken。Imadeexcusesforturninginearly，andatdaybreakrekindledmyfireandgotmybreakfast。Allthetimethecompanionshipofthedogwasanunspeakablecomforttome。

ItwasnowthedaymyfatherhadfixedformymeetingwithGeorge，andmyexcitement(withwhichIhavenotyettroubledthereader，thoughithadbeenconsumingmeeversinceIhadleftHarris’shut)

wasbeyondallbounds，somuchsothatIalmostfearedIwasinafeverwhichwouldpreventmycompletingthelittlethatremainedofmytask；infact，IwasinasgreatapanicasIhadbeenaboutthegoldthatIhadleft。MyhandstrembledasItookthewatches，andthebroochesforYramandherdaughtersfrommysaddle-bags，whichIthenhung，probablyontheveryboughonwhichmyfatherhadhungthem。Needlesstosay，Ialsohungmysaddleandbridlealongwiththesaddle-bags。

ItwasnearlysevenbeforeIstarted，andabouttenbeforeI

reachedthehiding-placeofmyknapsack。Ifoundit，ofcourse，quiteeasily，shoulderedit，andtoiledontowardsthestatues。AtaquarterbeforetwelveIreachedthem，andalmostbesidemyselfasIwas，couldnotrefrainfromsomedisappointmentatfindingthemagooddealsmallerthanIexpected。Myfather，correctingthemeasurementhehadgiveninhisbook，saidhethoughtthattheywereaboutfourorfivetimesthesizeoflife；butreallyIdonotthinktheyweremorethantwentyfeethigh，anyoneofthem。Inotherrespectsmyfather’sdescriptionofthemisquiteaccurate。

Therewasnowind，andasamatterofcourse，therefore，theywerenotchanting。IwiledawaythequarterofanhourbeforethetimewhenGeorgebecamedue，withwonderingatthem，andinawayadmiringthem，hideousthoughtheywere；butallthetimeIkeptlookingtowardsthepartfromwhichGeorgeshouldcome。

Atlastmywatchpointedtonoon，buttherewasnoGeorge。A

quarterpasttwelve，butnoGeorge。Half-past，stillnoGeorge。

Oneo’clock，andallthequarterstillthreeo’clock，butstillnoGeorge。Itriedtoeatsomeoftheship’sbiscuitsIhadbroughtwithme，butIcouldnot。Mydisappointmentwasnowasgreatasmyexcitementhadbeenalltheforenoon；atthreeo’clockIfairlycried，andforhalfanhourcouldonlyflingmyselfonthegroundandgivewaytoalltheunreasonablespleenthatextremevexationcouldsuggest。True，IkepttellingmyselfthatforaughtIknewGeorgemightbedead，ordownwithafever；butthiswouldnotdo；

forinthislastcaseheshouldhavesentoneofhisbrotherstomeetme，anditwasnotlikelythathewasdead。IamafraidI

thoughtitmostprobablethathehadbeencasual——ofwhichunworthysuspicionIhavelongsincebeenheartilyashamed。

Iputthebroochesinsidemyknapsack，andhiditinaplacewhereIwassurenoonewouldfindit；then，withaheavyheart，I

trudgeddownagaintomycamp——brokeninspirit，andhopelessforthemorrow。

Icampedagain，butitwassomehoursbeforeIgotawinkofsleep；

andwhensleepcameitwasaccompaniedbyastrangedream。I

dreamedthatIwasbymyfather’sbedside，watchinghislastflickerofintelligence，andvainlytryingtocatchthewordsthathewasnotlessvainlytryingtoutter。Allofasuddenthebedseemedtobeatmycampingground，andthelargestofthestatuesappeared，quitesmall，highupthemountainside，butstridingdownlikeagiantinsevenleaguebootstillitstoodovermeandmyfather，andshoutedout“Leap，John，leap。”InthehorrorofthisvisionIwokewithaloudcrythatwokemydogalso，andmadehimshewsuchevidentsignsoffear，thatitseemedtomeasthoughhetoomusthavesharedmydream。

ShiveringwithcoldIstartedupinafrenzy，buttherewasnothing，saveanightofsuchsingularbeautythatIdidnoteventrytogotosleepagain。Naturallyenough，ontryingtokeepawakeIdroppedasleepbeforemanyminuteswereover。

InthemorningIagainclimbeduptothestatues，without，tomysurprise，beingdepressedwiththeideathatGeorgewouldagainfailtomeetme。Onthecontrary，withoutrhymeorreason，Ihadastrongpresentimentthathewouldcome。Andsureenough，assoonasIcaughtsightofthestatues，whichIdidaboutaquartertotwelve，Isawayouthcomingtowardsme，withaquickstep，andabeamingfacethathadonlytobeseentobefalleninlovewith。

“Youaremybrother。”saidhetome。“Ismyfatherwithyou？“

Ipointedtothecrapeonmyarm，andtotheground，butsaidnothing。

Heunderstoodme，andbaredhishead。ThenheflunghisarmsaboutmeandkissedmyforeheadaccordingtoErewhoniancustom。Iwasalittlesurprisedathissayingnothingtomeaboutthewayinwhichhehaddisappointedmeontheprecedingday；Iresolved，however，towaitfortheexplanationthatIfeltsurehewouldgivemepresently。

CHAPTERXXVIII：GEORGEANDISPENDAFEWHOURSTOGETHERATTHE

STATUES，ANDTHENPART——IREACHHOME——POSTSCRIPT

IhavesaidonanearlierpagethatGeorgegainedanimmediateascendancyoverme，butascendancyisnottheword——hetookmebystorm；how，orwhy，Ineitherknownorwanttoknow，butbeforeI

hadbeenwithhimmorethanafewminutesIfeltasthoughIhadknownandlovedhimallmylife。AndthedogfawneduponhimasthoughhefeltjustasIdid。

“Cometothestatues。”saidhe，assoonashehadsomewhatrecoveredfromtheshockofthenewsIhadgivenhim。“WecansitdownthereontheverystoneonwhichourfatherandIsatayearago。Ihavebroughtabasket，whichmymotherpackedfor——for——himandme。Didhetalktoyouaboutme？“

“Hetalkedofnothingsomuch，andhethoughtofnothingsomuch。

Hehadyourbootsputwherehecouldseethemfromhisbeduntilhedied。”

Thenfollowedtheexplanationabouttheseboots，ofwhichthereaderhasalreadybeentold。Thismadeusbothlaugh，andfromthatmomentwewerecheerful。

IsaynothingaboutourenjoymentoftheluncheonwithwhichYramhadprovidedus，andifIweretodetailallthatItoldGeorgeaboutmyfather，andalltheadditionalinformationthatIgotfromhim——(manyapointdidheclearupformethatIhadnotfullyunderstood)——Ishouldfillseveralchapters，whereasIhaveleftmyselfonlyone。LuncheonbeingoverIsaid-

“Andareyoumarried？“

“Yes“(withablush)，“andareyou？“

Icouldnotblush。WhyshouldI？Andyetyoungpeople——especiallythemostingenuousamongthem——areapttoflushuponbeingaskediftheyare，oraregoing，tobemarried。IfIcouldhaveblushed，Iwould。AsitwasIcouldonlysaythatIwasengagedandshouldmarryassoonasIgotback。

“Thenyouhavecomeallthiswayforme，whenyouwerewantingtogetmarried？“

“OfcourseIhave。Myfatheronhisdeath-bedtoldmetodoso，andtobringyousomethingthatIhavebroughtyou。”

“WhattroubleIhavegiven！HowcanIthankyou？“

“Shakehandswithme。”

WhereonhegavemyhandastrongergripthanIhadquitebargainedfor。

“Andnow。”saidI，“beforeItellyouwhatIhavebrought，youmustpromisemetoacceptit。YourfathersaidIwasnottoleaveyoutillyouhaddoneso，andIwastosaythathesentitwithhisdyingblessing。”

AfterduedemurGeorgegavehispromise，andItookhimtotheplacewhereIhadhiddenmyknapsack。

“Ibroughtitupyesterday。”saidI。

“Yesterday？butwhy？“

“Becauseyesterday——wasitnot？——wasthefirstofthetwodaysagreeduponbetweenyouandourfather？“

“No——surelyto-dayisthefirstday——IwastocomeXXI。i。3，whichwouldbeyourDecember9。”

“ButyesterdaywasDecember9withus——to-dayisDecember10。”

“Strange！Whatdayoftheweekdoyoumakeit？“

“To-dayisThursday，December10。”

“Thisisstillstranger——wemakeitWednesday；yesterdaywasTuesday。”

ThenIsawit。TheyearXX。hadbeenaleapyearwiththeErewhonians，and1891inEnglandhadnot。This，then，waswhathadcrossedmyfather’sbraininhisdyinghours，andwhathehadvainlytriedtotellme。Itwasalsowhatmyunconsciousselfhadbeenstrugglingtotellmyconsciousone，duringthepastnight，butwhichmyconsciousselfhadbeentoostupidtounderstand。Andyetmyconsciousselfhadcaughtitinanimperfectsortofawayafterall，forfromthemomentthatmydreamhadleftmeIhadbeencomposed，andeasyinmymindthatallwouldbewell。Iwishsomeonewouldwriteabookaboutdreamsandparthenogenesis——forthatthetwoarepartandparcelofthesamestory——abroodoffollywithoutfatherbred——Icannotdoubt。

IdidnottroubleGeorgewithanyofthisrubbish，butonlyshewedhimhowthemistakehadarisen。Whenwehadlaughedsufficientlyovermymistake——foritwasIwhohadcomeuponthewrongday，nothe——Ifishedmyknapsackoutofitshiding-place。

“Donotunpackit。”saidI，“beyondtakingoutthebrooches，oryouwillnotbeabletopackitsowell；butyoucanseetheendsofthebarsofgold，andyoucanfeeltheweight；myfathersentthemforyou。Thepearlbroochisforyourmother，thesmallerbroochesareforyoursisters，andyourwife。”

Ithentoldhimhowmuchgoldtherewas，andfrommypocketsbroughtoutthewatchesandtheEnglishknife。

“Thislast。”Isaid，“istheonlythingthatIamgivingyou；therestisallfromourfather。Ihavemanymanytimesasmuchgoldmyself，andthisislegallyyourpropertyasmuchasmineismine。”

Georgewasaghast，buthewaspowerlessaliketoexpresshisfeelings，ortorefusethegold。

“Doyoumeantosaythatmyfatherleftmethisbyhiswill？“

“Certainlyhedid。”saidI，inventingapiousfraud。

“Itisallagainstmyoath。”saidhe，lookinggrave。

“Youroathbehanged。”saidI。“YoumustgivethegoldtotheMayor，whoknowsthatitwascoming，anditwillappeartotheworld，asthoughheweregivingityounowinsteadofleavingyouanything。”

“Butitiseversomuchtoomuch！“

“Itisnothalfenough。YouandtheMayormustsettleallthatbetweenyou。Heandourfathertalkeditallover，andthiswaswhattheysettled。”

“Andourfatherplannedallthis，withoutsayingawordtomeaboutitwhilewewereonourwayuphere？“

“Yes。Theremighthavebeensomehitchinthegold’scoming。

BesidestheMayortoldhimnottotellyou。”

“Andheneversaidanythingabouttheothermoneyheleftforme——

whichenabledmetomarryatonce？Whywasthis？“

“Yourmothersaidhewasnottodoso。”

“Blessmyheart，howtheyhavedupedmeallround。Butwhywouldnotmymotherletyourfathertellme？Ohyes——shewasafraidI

shouldtelltheKingaboutit，asIcertainlyshould，whenItoldhimalltherest。”

“TelltheKing？“saidI，“whathaveyoubeentellingtheKing？“

“Everything；exceptaboutthenuggetsandthesovereigns，ofwhichIknewnothing；andIhavefeltmyselfablackguardeversincefornottellinghimaboutthesewhenhecameupherelastautumn——butI

lettheMayorandmymothertalkmeover，asIamafraidtheywilldoagain。”

“WhendidyoutelltheKing？“

ThenfollowedallthedetailsthatIhavetoldinthelatterpartofChapterXXI。WhenIaskedhowtheKingtooktheconfession，Georgesaid-

“Hewassomuchflatteredatbeingtreatedlikeareasonablebeing，andDr。Downie，whowaschiefspokesman，playedhispartsodiscreetly，withoutattemptingtoobscureeventhemostcompromisingissues，thatthoughhisMajestymadesomeshowofdispleasureatfirst，itwasplainthathewasheartilyenjoyingthewholestory。

“Dr。Downieshewedverywell。Hetookonhimselftheonusofhavingadvisedouraction，andhegavemeallthecreditofhavingproposedthatweshouldmakeacleanbreastofeverything。

“TheKing，too，behavedwithtrulyroyalpoliteness；hewasonthepointofaskingwhyIhadnottakenourfathertotheBluePoolatonce，andflunghimintoitontheSundayafternoon，whensomethingseemedtostrikehim：hegavemeasearchinglook，onwhichhesaidinanundertone，’Ohyes，’anddidnotgoonwithhisquestion。Heneverblamedmeforanything，andwhenIbeggedhimtoacceptmyresignationoftheRangership，hesaid-

“’No。StaywhereyouaretillIloseconfidenceinyou，whichwillnot，Ithink，beverysoon。Iwillcomeandhaveafewdays’

shootingaboutthemiddleofMarch，andifIhavegoodsportI

shallorderyoursalarytobeincreased。Ifanymoreforeigndevilscomeover，donotBlue-Poolthem；sendthemdowntome，andIwillseewhatIthinkofthem；Iammuchdisposedtoencourageafewofthemtosettlehere。”

“Iamsure。”continuedGeorge，“thathesaidthisbecauseheknewI

washalfaforeigndevilmyself。Indeedhewonmyheartnotonlybythedelicacyofhisconsideration，butbytheobviousgoodwillheboreme。Idonotknowwhathedidwiththenuggets，buthegaveordersthattheblanketandtherestofmyfather’skitshouldbeputinthegreatErewhonianMuseum。Asregardsmyfather’sreceipt，andtheProfessors’twodepositions，hesaidhewouldhavethemcarefullypreservedinhissecretarchives。’Adocument，’hesaidsomewhatenigmatically，’isadocument——but，ProfessorHanky，youcanhavethis’——andashespokehehandedhimbackhispocket-

handkerchief。

“Hankyduringthewholeinterviewwasfurious，athavingtoplaysoundignifiedapart，butevenmoreso，becausetheKingwhilehepaidmarkedattentiontoDr。Downie，andeventomyself，treatedhimwithamuseddisdain。Nevertheless，angrythoughhewas，hewasimpenitent，unabashed，andbrazeneditoutatBridgeford，thattheKinghadreceivedhimwithopenarms，andhadsnubbedDr。Downieandmyself。Butforhis(Hanky’s)intercession，IshouldhavebeendismissedthenandtherefromtheRangership。Andsoforth。Pankyneveropenedhismouth。

“ReturningtotheKing，hisMajestysaidtoDr。Downie，’IamafraidIshallnotbeabletocanonizeanyofyougentlemenjustyet。Wemustletthisaffairblowover。IndeedIaminhalfamindtohavethisSunchildbubblepricked；Ineverlikedit，andamgettingtiredofit；youMusicalBankgentlemenareoverdoingit。

IwilltalkitoverwithherMajesty。AsforProfessorHanky，IdonotseehowIcankeeponewhohasbeensosuccessfullyhoodwinked，asmyProfessorofWorldlyWisdom；butIwillconsultherMajestyaboutthispointalso。PerhapsIcanfindanotherpostforhim。

IfIdecideonhavingSunchildismpricked，heshallapplythepin。

Youmaygo。’

“Andgladenough。”saidGeorge，“weallofusweretodoso。”

“Butdidhe。”Iasked，“trytoprickthebubbleofSunchildism？“

“Ohno。AssoonashesaidhewouldtalkitoverwithherMajesty，Iknewthewholethingwouldendinsmoke，asindeedtoalloutwardappearanceitshortlydid；forDr。Downieadvisedhimnottobeintoogreatahurry，andwhateverhedidtodoitgradually。Hethereforetooknofurtheractionthantoshowmarkedfavourtopracticalengineersandmechanicians。Moreoverhestartedanaeronauticalsociety，whichmadeBridgefordfurious；butsofar，I

amafraidithasdoneusnogood，forthefirstascentwasdisastrous，involvingthedeathofthepoorfellowwhomadeit，andsincethennoonehasventuredtoascend。Iamafraidwedonotgetonveryfast。”

“DidtheKing。”Iasked，“increaseyoursalary？“

“Yes。Hedoubledit。”

“AndwhatdotheysayinSunch’stonaboutourfather’ssecondvisit？“

Georgelaughed，andshewedmethenewspaperextractwhichIhavealreadygiven。Iaskedwhowroteit。

“Idid。”saidhe，withademuresmile；“IwroteitatnightafterI

returnedhome，andbeforestartingforthecapitalnextmorning。I

calledmyself’thedeservedlypopularRanger，’toavertsuspicion。

Noonefoundmeout；youcankeeptheextract，Ibroughtithereonpurpose。”

“Itdoesyougreatcredit。Wasthereeveranylunatic，andwashefound？“

“Ohyes。Thatpartwastrue，exceptthathehadneverbeenupourway。”

“Thenthepoacherisstillatlarge？“

“Itistobefearedso。”

“AndwereDr。DownieandtheProfessorscanonizedafterall。”

“Notyet；buttheProfessorswillbenextmonth——forHankyisstillProfessor。Dr。Downiebackedoutofit。HesaiditwasenoughtobeaSunchildistwithoutbeingaSunchildSaint。Heworshipsthejumpingcatasmuchastheothers，buthekeepshiseyebetteronthecat，andseessoonerbothwhenitwilljump，andwhereitwilljumpto。Then，withoutdisturbinganyone，heinsinuateshimselfintotheplacewhichwillbebestwhenthejumpisover。Somesaythatthecatknowshimandfollowshim；atalleventswhenhemakesamovethecatgenerallyjumpstowardshimsoonafterwards。”

“Yougivehimaveryhighcharacter。”

“Yes，butIhavemydoubtsabouthisdoingmuchinthismatter；heisgettingold，andHankyburrowslikeamolenightandday。Thereisnoknowinghowitwillallend。”

“AndthepeopleatSunch’ston？Hasitgotwellaboutamongthem，inspiteofyouradmirablearticle，thatitwastheSunchildhimselfwhointerruptedHanky？“

“Ithas，andithasnot。Manyofusknowthetruth，butastorycamedownfromBridgefordthatitwasanevilspiritwhohadassumedtheSunchild’sform，intendingtomakepeoplescepticalaboutSunchildism；HankyandPankycowedthisspirit，otherwiseitwouldneverhaverecanted。Manypeopleswallowthis。”

“ButHankyandPankysworethattheyknewtheman。”

“Thatdoesnotmatter。”

“Andnowplease，howlonghaveyoubeenmarried？“

“Abouttenmonths。”

“Anyfamily？“

“Oneboyaboutafortnightold。DocomedowntoSunch’stonandseehim——heisyourownnephew。YouspeakErewhoniansoperfectlythatnohumanbeingwouldsuspectyouwereaforeigner，andyoulookoneofusfromheadtofoot。Icansmuggleyouthroughquiteeasily，andmymotherwouldsoliketoseeyou。”

Ishoulddearlyhavelikedtohavegone，butitwasoutofthequestion。IhadnothingwithmebuttheclothesIstoodin；

moreoverIwaslongingtobebackinEngland，andwhenonceIwasinErewhontherewasnoknowingwhenIshouldbeabletogetawayagain；butGeorgefoughthardbeforehegavein。

Itwasnownearingthetimewhenthisstrangemeetingbetweentwobrothers——asstrangeaoneasthestatuescaneverhavelookeddownupon——mustcometoanend。IshewedGeorgewhattherepeaterwoulddo，andwhatitwouldexpectofitspossessor。Igavehimsixgoodphotographs，ofmyfatherandmyself——threeofeach。Hehadneverseenaphotograph，andcouldhardlybelievehiseyesashelookedatthoseIshewedhim。Ialsogavehimthreeenvelopesaddressedtomyself，careofAlfredEmeryCathie，Esq。，15Clifford’sInn，London，andimploredhimtowritetomeifhecouldeverfindmeansofgettingaletterovertherangeasfarastheshepherd’shut。

Atthisheshookhishead，buthepromisedtowriteifhecould。I

alsotoldhimthatIhadwrittenafullaccountofmyfather’ssecondvisittoErewhon，butthatitshouldneverbepublishedtillIheardfromhim——atwhichheagainshookhishead，butadded，“Andyetwhocantell？FortheKingmayhavethecountryopeneduptoforeignerssomedayafterall。”

Thenhethankedmeathousandtimesover，shoulderedtheknapsack，embracedmeashehadmyfather，andcaressedthedog，embracedmeagain，andmadenoattempttohidethetearsthatrandownhischeeks。

“There。”hesaid；“Ishallwaitheretillyouareoutofsight。”

Iturnedaway，anddidnotlookbacktillIreachedtheplaceatwhichIknewthatIshouldlosethestatues。Ithenturnedround，wavedmyhand——asalsodidGeorge，andwentdownthemountainside，fullofsadthoughts，butthankfulthatmytaskhadbeensohappilyaccomplished，andawarethatmylifehenceforwardhadbeenenrichedbysomethingthatIcouldneverlose。

ForIhadneverseen，andfeltasthoughInevercouldsee，George’sequal。Hisabsoluteunconsciousnessofself，theunhesitatingwayinwhichhetookmetohisheart，hisfearlessfrankness，thehappygenialexpressionthatplayedonhisface，andtheextremesweetnessofhissmile——thesewerethethingsthatmademesaytomyselfthatthe“blazonofbeauty’sbest“couldtellmenothingbetterthanwhatIhadfoundandlostwithinthelastthreehours。Howsmall，too，Ifeltbycomparison！Iffornoothercause，yetforthis，thatI，whohadweptsobitterlyovermyowndisappointmentthedaybefore，couldmeetthisdearfellow’stearswithnotearofmyown。

Butletthispass。IgotbacktoHarris’shutwithoutadventure。

Whenthere，inthecourseoftheevening，ItoldHarristhatIhadafancyfortherughehadfoundontheriver-bed，andthatifhewouldletmehaveit，Iwouldgivehimmyredoneandtenshillingstoboot。Theexchangewassoobviouslytohisadvantagethathemadenodemur，andnextmorningIstrappedYram’srugontomyhorse，andtookitgladlyhometoEngland，whereIkeepitonmyownbednexttothecounterpane，sothatwithcareitmaylastmeoutmylife。Iwantedhimtotakethedogandmakeahomeforhim，buthehadtwocolliesalready，andsaidthataretrieverwouldbeofnousetohim。SoItookthepoorbeastonwithmetotheport，whereIwasgladtofindthatMr。Bakerlikedhimandacceptedhimfromme，thoughhewasnotminetogive。HehadbeensuchanunspeakablecomforttomewhenIwasalone，thathewouldhavehauntedmeunlessIhadbeenabletoprovideforhimwhereIknewhewouldbewellcaredfor。AsforDoctor，Iwassorrytoleavehim，butIknewhewasingoodhands。

“Iseeyouhavenotbroughtyourknapsackback，sir。”saidMr。

Baker。

“No。”saidI，“andverythankfulwasIwhenIhadhandeditovertothoseforwhomitwasintended。”

“Ihavenodoubtyouwere，sir，forIcouldseeitwasadesperateheavyloadforyou。”

“Indeeditwas。”ButatthispointIbroughtthediscussiontoaclose。

TwodayslaterIsailed，andreachedhomeearlyinFebruary1892。

Iwasmarriedthreeweekslater，andwhenthehoneymoonwasover，setaboutmakingthenecessary，andsome，Ifear，unnecessaryadditionstothisbook——byfarthegreaterpartofwhichhadbeenwritten，asIhavealreadysaid，manymonthsearlier。Inowleaveit，atanyrateforthepresent，April22，1892。

***

Postscript——OnthelastdayofNovember1900，IreceivedaletteraddressedinMr。AlfredCathie’sfamiliarhandwriting，andonopeningitfoundthatitcontainedanother，addressedtomeinmyown，andunstamped。ForthemomentIwaspuzzled，butimmediatelyknewthatitmustbefromGeorge。Itoreitopen，andfoundeightcloselywrittenpages，whichIdevouredasIhaveseldomindeeddevouredsolongaletter。ItwasdatedXXIX。vii。1，and，asnearlyasIcantranslateitwasasfollows；-

“Twice，mydearestbrother，haveIwrittentoyou，andtwiceinsuccessivedaysinsuccessiveyears，haveIbeenuptothestatuesonthechancethatyoucouldmeetme，asIproposedinmyletters。

DonotthinkIwentallthewaybacktoSunch’ston——thereisaranger’sshelternowonlyanhourandahalfbelowthestatues，andhereIpassedthenight。Iknewyouhadgotneitherofmyletters，forifyouhadgotthemandcouldnotcomeyourself，youwouldhavesentsomeonewhomyoucouldtrustwithaletter。Iknowyouwould，thoughIdonotknowhowyouwouldhavecontrivedtodoit。

“IsentbothlettersthroughBishopKahabuka(or，ashisinferiorclergycallhim，’Chowbok’)，headoftheChristianMissiontoErewhemos，which，asyourfatherhasdoubtlesstoldyou，isthecountryadjoiningErewhon，butinhabitedbyacolouredracehavingnoaffinitywithourown。BishopKahabukahaspenetratedattimesintoErewhon，andtheKing，wishingtobeongoodtermswithhisneighbours，haspermittedhimtoestablishtwoorthreemissionstationsinthewesternpartsofErewhon。Amongthemissionariesaresomefewofyourowncountrymen。Noneofuslikethem，butoneofthemisteachingmeEnglish，whichIfindquiteeasy。

“AsIwroteinthelettersthathaveneverreachedyou，IamnolongerRanger。TheKing，aftersomefewyears(inthecourseofwhichItoldhimofyourvisit，andwhatyouhadbroughtme)，declaredthatIwastheonlyoneofhisservantswhomhecouldtrust，andfoundhighofficeforme，whichkeptmeincloseconfidentialcommunicationwithhimself。

“Aboutthreeyearsago，onthedeathofhisPrimeMinister，heappointedmetofillhisplace；anditwasonthis，thatsomanypossibilitiesoccurredtomeconcerningwhichIdearlylongedforyouropinion，thatIwroteandaskedyou，ifyoucould，tomeetmepersonallyorbyproxyatthestatues，whichIcouldreachontheoccasionofmyannualvisittomymother——yes——andfather——atSunch’ston。

“IsentbothlettersbywayofErewhemos，confidingthemtoBishopKahabuka，whoisjustsuchanotherasSt。Hanky。Hetellsmethatourfatherwasaveryoldanddearfriendofhis——butofcourseI

didnotsayanythingabouthisbeingmyownfather。IonlyinquiredaboutaMr。Higgs，whowasnowworshippedinErewhonasasupernaturalbeing。TheBishopsaiditwas，“Oh，soverydreadful。”andhefeltitallthemorekeenly，forthereasonthathehadhimselfbeenthemeansofmyfather’sgoingtoErewhon，bygivinghimtheinformationthatenabledhimtofindthepassovertherangethatboundedthecountry。

“Ididnotliketheman，butIthoughtIcouldtrusthimwithaletter，whichitnowseemsIcouldnotdo。ThisthirdletterI

havegivenhimwithapromiseofahundredpoundsinsilverforhisnewCathedral，tobepaidassoonasIgetananswerfromyou。

“WeareallwellatSunch’ston；soaremywifeandeightchildren——

fivesonsandthreedaughters——butthecountryisatsixesandsevens。St。Pankyisdead，buthissonPocusisworse。Dr。Downiehasbecomeverylethargic。IcandolessagainstSt。HankyismthanwhenIwasaprivateman。Alittleindiscretiononmypartwouldplungethecountryincivilwar。Ourengineersandso-calledmenofsciencearesturdilybeggingforendowments，andsteadilyclaimingtohaveahandineverypiethatisbakedfromoneendofthecountrytotheother。Themissionariesarebuyingupalloursilver，andachangeintherelativevaluesofgoldandsilverisinprogressofwhichnoneofusforeseetheend。

“TheKingandIboththinkthatannexationbyEngland，oraBritishProtectorate，wouldbethesavingofus，forwehavenoarmyworththename，andifyoudonottakeusoversomeoneelsesoonwill。

TheKinghasurgedmetosendforyou。Ifyoucome(do！do！do！)

youhadbettercomebywayofErewhemos，whichisnowinmonthlycommunicationwithSouthampton。IfyouwillwritemethatyouarecomingIwillmeetyouattheport，andbringyouwithmetoourowncapital，wheretheKingwillbeoverjoyedtoseeyou。”

***

Therestoftheletterwasfilledwithallsortsofnewswhichinterestedme，butwouldrequirechaptersofexplanationbeforetheycouldbecomeinterestingtothereader。

Theletterwoundup：-

“Youmaypublishnowwhateveryoulike，wheneveryoulike。

“WritetomebywayofErewhemos，careoftheRightReverendtheLordBishop，andsaywhichwayyouwillcome。Ifyouprefertheoldroad，weareboundtobeintheneighbourhoodofthestatuesbythebeginningofMarch。MynextbrotherisnowRanger，andcouldmeetyouatthestatueswithpermitandluncheon，andmoreofthatwhitewinethaneveryouwillbeabletodrink。Onlyletmeknowwhatyouwilldo。

“IshouldtellyouthattheoldrailwaywhichusedtorunfromClearwatertothecapital，andwhich，asyouknow，wasallowedtogotoruin，hasbeenreconstructedatanoutlayfarlessthanmighthavebeenexpected——forthebridgeshadbeenmaintainedforordinarycarriagetraffic。Thejourney，therefore，fromSunch’stontothecapitalcannowbedoneinlessthanfortyhours。Onthewhole，however，IrecommendyoutocomebywayofErewhemos。Ifyoustart，asIthinkpossible，withoutwritingfromEngland，BishopKahabuka’spalaceisonlyeightmilesfromtheport，andhewillgiveyoueveryinformationaboutyourfurtherjourney——adistanceoflessthanacoupleofhundredmiles。ButIshouldprefertomeetyoumyself。

“Mydearestbrother，Ichargeyoubythememoryofourcommonfather，andevenmorebythatofthosethreehoursthatlinkedyoutomeforever，andwhichIwouldfainhopelinkedmealsotoyourself——comeover，ifbyanymeansyoucandoso——comeoverandhelpus。

“GEORGESTRONG。”

“Mydear。”saidItomywifewhowasattheotherendofthebreakfasttable，“Ishallhavetotranslatethislettertoyou，andthenyouwillhavetohelpmetobeginpacking；forIhavenonetoomuchtime。ImustseeAlfred，andgivehimapowerofattorney。

Hewillarrangewithsomepublisheraboutmybook，andyoucancorrectthepress。Breakthenewsgentlytothechildren；andgetalongwithoutme，mydear，forsixmonthsaswellasyoucan。”

***

IwritethisatSouthampton，fromwhichportIsailto-morrow——i。e。

November15，1900——forErewhemos。

Footnotes：

{1}SeeChapterX。

End