ItwasSemperIdem\'srecoverywhichhadsofullycompensatedDoctorBicknellforthelossofthesailorman。Livesweretohimasnothing，theunpleasantbutinevitableincidentsoftheprofession，butcases，ah，caseswereeverything。Peoplewhoknewhimwerepronetobrandhimabutcher，buthiscolleagueswereatoneinthebeliefthatabolderandyetamorecapablemanneverstoodoverthetable。Hewasnotanimaginativeman。Hedidnotpossess，andhencehadnotolerancefor，emotion。Hisnaturewasaccurate，precise，scientific。Menweretohimnomorethanpawns，withoutindividualityorpersonalvalue。Butascasesitwasdifferent。Themorebrokenamanwas，themoreprecarioushisgriponlife，thegreaterhissignificanceintheeyesofDoctorBicknell。Hewouldasreadilyforsakeapoetlaureatesufferingfromacommonaccidentforanameless，mangledvagrantwhodefiedeverylawoflifebyrefusingtodie，aswouldachildforsakeaPunchandJudyforacircus。
SoithadbeeninthecaseofSemperIdem。Themysteryofthemanhadnotappealedtohim，norhadhissilenceandtheveiledromancewhichtheyellowreportershadsosensationallyandsofruitlesslyexploitedindiversSundayeditions。ButSemperIdem\'sthroathadbeencut。Thatwasthepoint。Thatwaswherehisinteresthadcentred。Cutfromeartoear，andnotonesurgeoninathousandtogiveasnapofthefingersforhischanceofrecovery。But，thankstotheswiftmunicipalambulanceserviceandtoDoctorBicknell，hehadbeendraggedbackintotheworldhehadsoughttoleave。TheDoctor\'sco-workershadshakentheirheadswhenthecasewasbroughtin。Impossible，theysaid。Throat，windpipe，jugular，allbutactuallysevered，andthelossofbloodfrightful。Asitwassuchaforegoneconclusion，DoctorBicknellhademployedmethodsanddonethingswhichmadethem，evenintheirprofessionalcapacities，shudder。Andlo!
themanhadrecovered。
So，onthismorningthatSemperIdemwastoleavethehospital，haleandhearty，DoctorBicknell\'sgenialitywasinnowisedisturbedbythesteward\'sreport，andheproceededcheerfullytobringorderoutofthechaosofachild\'sbodywhichhadbeengroundandcrunchedbeneaththewheelsofanelectriccar。
Asmanywillremember，thecaseofSemperIdemarousedavastdealofunseemlyyethighlynaturalcuriosity。Hehadbeenfoundinaslumlodging，withthroatcutasaforementioned，andblooddrippingdownupontheinmatesoftheroombelowanddisturbingtheirfestivities。Hehadevidentlydonethedeedstanding，withheadbowedforwardthathemightgazehislastuponaphotographwhichstoodonthetableproppedagainstacandlestick。ItwasthisattitudewhichhadmadeitpossibleforDoctorBicknelltosavehim。Soterrifichadbeenthesweepoftherazorthathadhehadhisheadthrownback，asheshouldhavedonetohaveaccomplishedtheactproperly，withhisneckstretchedandtheelasticvascularwallsdistended，hewouldhaveofacertaintywell-nighdecapitatedhimself。
Atthehospital，duringallthetimehetravelledtherepugnantroadbacktolife，notawordhadlefthislips。Norcouldanythingbelearnedofhimbythesleuthsdetailedbythechiefofpolice。Nobodyknewhim，norhadeverseenorheardofhimbefore。Hewasstrictly，uniquely，ofthepresent。Hisclothesandsurroundingswerethoseofthelowestlabourer，hishandsthehandsofagentleman。Butnotashredofwritingwasdiscovered，nothing，saveinoneparticular，whichwouldservetoindicatehispastorhispositioninlife。
Andthatoneparticularwasthephotograph。Ifitwereatallalikeness，thewomanwhogazedfranklyoutupontheonlookerfromthecard-mountmusthavebeenastrikingcreatureindeed。Itwasanamateurproduction，forthedetectiveswerebaffledinthatnoprofessionalphotographer\'ssignatureorstudiowasappended。Acrossacornerofthemount，indelicatefemininetracery，waswritten:\"Semperidem；semperfidelis。\"
Andshelookedit。Asmanyrecollect，itwasafaceonecouldneverforget。Cleverhalf-tones，remarkablylike，werepublishedinalltheleadingpapersatthetime；butsuchproceduregaverisetonothingbuttheuncontrollablepubliccuriosityandinterminablecopytothespace-writers。
Forwantofabettername，therescuedsuicidewasknowntothehospitalattendants，andtotheworld，asSemperIdem。AndSemperIdemheremained。
Reporters，detectives，andnursesgavehimupindespair。Notonewordcouldhebepersuadedtoutter；yettheflittingconsciouslightofhiseyesshowedthathisearsheardandhisbraingraspedeveryquestionputtohim。
ButthismysteryandromanceplayednopartinDoctorBicknell\'sinterestwhenhepausedintheofficetohaveapartingwordwithhispatient。He，theDoctor，hadperformedaprodigyinthematterofthisman，donewhatwasvirtuallyunprecedentedintheannalsofsurgery。Hedidnotcarewhoorwhatthemanwas，anditwashighlyimprobablethatheshouldeverseehimagain；but，liketheartistgazinguponafinishedcreation，hewishedtolookforthelasttimeupontheworkofhishandandbrain。
SemperIdemstillremainedmute。Heseemedanxioustobegone。NotawordcouldtheDoctorextractfromhim，andlittletheDoctorcared。Heexaminedthethroatoftheconvalescentcarefully，idlingoverthehideousscarwiththelingering，half-caressingfondnessofaparent。Itwasnotaparticularlypleasingsight。Anangrylinecircledthethroat——foralltheworldasthoughthemanhadjustescapedthehangman\'snoose——and，disappearingbelowtheearoneitherside，hadtheappearanceofcompletingthefieryperipheryatthenapeoftheneck。
Maintaininghisdoggedsilence，yieldingtotheother\'sexaminationinmuchthemannerofaleashedlion，SemperIdembetrayedonlyhisdesiretodropfromoutofthepubliceye。
\"Well，I\'llnotkeepyou，\"DoctorBicknellfinallysaid，layingahandontheman\'sshoulderandstealingalastglanceathisownhandiwork。\"Butletmegiveyouabitofadvice。Nexttimeyoutryiton，holdyourchinup，so。Don\'tsnuggleitdownandbutcheryourselflikeacow。Neatnessanddespatch，youknow。Neatnessanddespatch。\"
SemperIdem\'seyesflashedintokenthatheheard，andamomentlaterthehospitaldoorswungtoonhisheel。
ItwasabusydayforDoctorBicknell，andtheafternoonwaswellalongwhenhelightedacigarpreparatorytoleavingthetableuponwhichitseemedthesufferersalmostclamouredtobelaid。Butthelastone，anoldrag-pickerwithabrokenshoulder-blade，hadbeendisposedof，andthefirstfragrantsmokewreathshadbeguntocurlabouthishead，whenthegongofahurryingambulancecamethroughtheopenwindowfromthestreet，followedbytheinevitableentryofthestretcherwithitsghastlyfreight。
\"Layitonthetable，\"theDoctordirected，turningforamomenttoplacehiscigarinsafety。\"Whatisit？\"
\"Suicide——throatcut，\"respondedoneofthestretcherbearers。\"DownonMorganAlley。Littlehope，Ithink，sir。He\'s\'mostgone。\"
\"Eh？Well，I\'llgivehimalook，anyway。\"Heleanedoverthemanatthemomentwhenthequickmadeitslastfaintflutterandsuccumbed。
\"It\'sSemperIdemcomebackagain，\"thestewardsaid。
\"Ay，\"repliedDoctorBicknell，\"andgoneagain。Nobunglingthistime。
Properlydone，uponmylife，sir，properlydone。Tookmyadvicetotheletter。I\'mnotrequiredhere。Takeitalongtothemorgue。\"
DoctorBicknellsecuredhiscigarandrelightedit。\"That，\"hesaidbetweenthepuffs，lookingatthesteward，\"thatevensupfortheoneyoulostlastnight。We\'requitsnow。\"
ANOSEFORTHEKING
InthemorningcalmofKorea，whenitspeaceandtranquillitytrulymeriteditsancientname，\"Cho-sen，\"therelivedapoliticianbynameYiChinHo。
Hewasamanofparts，and——whoshallsay？——perhapsinnowiseworsethanpoliticianstheworldover。But，unlikehisbrethreninotherlands，YiChinHowasinjail。Notthathehadinadvertentlydivertedtohimselfpublicmoneys，butthathehadinadvertentlydivertedtoomuch。Excessistobedeploredinallthings，eveningrafting，andYiChinHo\'sexcesshadbroughthimtomostdeplorablestraits。
TenthousandstringsofcashheowedtheGovernment，andhelayinprisonundersentenceofdeath。Therewasoneadvantagetothesituation——hehadplentyoftimeinwhichtothink。Andhethoughtwell。Thencalledhethejailertohim。
\"Mostworthyman，youseebeforeyouonemostwretched，\"hebegan。\"Yetallwillbewellwithmeifyouwillbutletmegofreeforoneshorthourthisnight。Andallwillbewellwithyou，forIshallseetoyouradvancementthroughtheyears，andyoushallcomeatlengthtothedirectorshipofalltheprisonsofCho-sen。\"
\"Hownow？\"demandedthejailer。\"Whatfoolishnessisthis？Oneshorthour，andyoubutwaitingforyourheadtobechoppedoff!AndI，withanagedandmuch-to-be-respectedmother，nottosayanythingofawifeandseveralchildrenoftenderyears!Outuponyouforthescoundrelthatyouare!\"
\"FromtheSacredCitytotheendsofalltheEightCoaststhereisnoplaceformetohide，\"YiChinHomadereply。\"Iamamanofwisdom，butofwhatworthmywisdomhereinprison？WereIfree，wellIknowIcouldseekoutandobtainthemoneywherewithtorepaytheGovernment。Iknowofanosethatwillsavemefromallmydifficulties。\"
\"Anose!\"criedthejailer。
\"Anose，\"saidYiChinHo。\"Aremarkablenose，ifImaysayso，amostremarkablenose。\"
Thejailerthrewuphishandsdespairingly。\"Ah，whatawagyouare，whatawag，\"helaughed。\"Tothinkthatthatveryadmirablewitofyoursmustgothewayofthechopping-block!\"
Andsosaying，heturnedandwentaway。Butintheend，beingamansoftofheadandheart，whenthenightwaswellalonghepermittedYiChinHotogo。
StraighthewenttotheGovernor，catchinghimaloneandarousinghimfromhissleep。
\"YiChinHo，orI\'mnoGovernor!\"criedtheGovernor。\"Whatdoyouherewhoshouldbeinprisonwaitingonthechopping-block？\"
\"IprayYourExcellencytolistentome，\"saidYiChinHo，squattingonhishamsbythebedsideandlightinghispipefromthefire-box。\"Adeadmaniswithoutvalue。Itistrue，Iamasadeadman，withoutvaluetotheGovernment，toYourExcellency，ortomyself。Butif，sotosay，YourExcellencyweretogivememyfreedom——\"
\"Impossible!\"criedtheGovernor。\"Beside，youarecondemnedtodeath。\"
\"YourExcellencywellknowsthatifIcanrepaythetenthousandstringsofcash，theGovernmentwillpardonme，\"YiChinHowenton。\"So，asIsay，ifYourExcellencyweretogivememyfreedomforafewdays，beingamanofunderstanding，IshouldthenrepaytheGovernmentandbeinpositiontobeofservicetoYourExcellency。IshouldbeinpositiontobeofverygreatservicetoYourExcellency。\"
\"Haveyouaplanwherebyyouhopetoobtainthismoney？\"askedtheGovernor。
\"Ihave，\"saidYiChinHo。
\"Thencomewithittometo-morrownight；Iwouldnowsleep，\"saidtheGovernor，takinguphissnorewhereithadbeeninterrupted。
Onthefollowingnight，havingagainobtainedleaveofabsencefromthejailer，YiChinHopresentedhimselfattheGovernor\'sbedside。
\"Isityou，YiChinHo？\"askedtheGovernor。\"Andhaveyoutheplan？\"
\"ItisI，YourExcellency，\"answeredYiChinHo，\"andtheplanishere。\"
\"Speak，\"commandedtheGovernor。
\"Theplanishere，\"repeatedYiChinHo，\"hereinmyhand。\"
TheGovernorsatupandopenedhiseyes。YiChinHoprofferedinhishandasheetofpaper。TheGovernorheldittothelight。
\"Nothingbutanose，\"saidhe。
\"Abitpinched，so，andso，YourExcellency，\"saidYiChinHo。
\"Yes，abitpinchedhereandthere，asyousay，\"saidtheGovernor。
\"Withalitisanexceedingcorpulentnose，thus，andso，allinoneplace，attheend，\"proceededYiChinHo。\"YourExcellencywouldseekfarandwideandmanyadayforthatnoseandfinditnot!\"
\"Anunusualnose，\"admittedtheGovernor。
\"Thereisawartuponit，\"saidYiChinHo。
\"Amostunusualnose，\"saidtheGovernor。\"NeverhaveIseenthelike。
Butwhatdoyouwiththisnose，YiChinHo？\"
\"IseekitwherebytorepaythemoneytotheGovernment，\"saidYiChinHo。
\"IseekittobeofservicetoYourExcellency，andIseekittosavemyownworthlesshead。Further，IseekYourExcellency\'ssealuponthispictureofthenose。\"
AndtheGovernorlaughedandaffixedthesealofState，andYiChinHodeparted。ForamonthandadayhetravelledtheKing\'sRoadwhichleadstotheshoreoftheEasternSea；andthere，onenight，atthegateofthelargestmansionofawealthycityheknockedloudlyforadmittance。
\"NoneotherthanthemasterofthehousewillIsee，\"saidhefiercelytothefrightenedservants。\"ItravelupontheKing\'sbusiness。\"
Straightwaywasheledtoaninnerroom，wherethemasterofthehousewasrousedfromhissleepandbroughtblinkingbeforehim。
\"YouarePakChungChang，headmanofthiscity，\"saidYiChinHointonesthatwereall-accusing。\"IamupontheKing\'sbusiness。\"
PakChungChangtrembled。WellheknewtheKing\'sbusinesswaseveraterriblebusiness。Hiskneessmotetogether，andhenearfelltothefloor。
\"Thehourislate，\"hequavered。\"Wereitnotwellto——\"
\"TheKing\'sbusinessneverwaits!\"thunderedYiChinHo。\"Comeapartwithme，andswiftly。Ihaveanaffairofmomenttodiscusswithyou。
\"ItistheKing\'saffair，\"headdedwithevengreaterfierceness；sothatPakChungChang\'ssilverpipedroppedfromhisnervelessfingersandclatteredonthefloor。
\"Knowthen，\"saidYiChinHo，whentheyhadgoneapart，\"thattheKingistroubledwithanaffliction，averyterribleaffliction。Inthathefailedtocure，theCourtphysicianhashadnothingelsethanhisheadchoppedoff。FromalltheEightProvinceshavethephysicianscometowaitupontheKing。Wiseconsultationhavetheyheld，andtheyhavedecidedthatforaremedyfortheKing\'safflictionnothingelseisrequiredthananose，acertainkindofnose，averypeculiarcertainkindofnose。
\"ThenbynoneotherwasIsummonedthanHisExcellencythePrimeMinisterhimself。Heputapaperintomyhand。UponthispaperwastheverypeculiarkindofnosedrawnbythephysiciansoftheEightProvinces，withthesealofStateuponit。
\"\'Go，\'saidHisExcellencythePrimeMinister。\'Seekoutthisnose，fortheKing\'safflictionissore。Andwheresoeveryoufindthisnoseuponthefaceofaman，strikeitoffforthrightandbringitinallhastetotheCourt，fortheKingmustbecured。Go，andcomenotbackuntilyoursearchisrewarded。\'
\"AndsoIdeparteduponmyquest，\"saidYiChinHo。\"Ihavesoughtouttheremotestcornersofthekingdom；IhavetravelledtheEightHighways，searchedtheEightProvinces，andsailedtheseasoftheEightCoasts。AndhereIam。\"
Withagreatflourishhedrewapaperfromhisgirdle，unrolleditwithmanysnappingsandcracklings，andthrustitbeforethefaceofPakChungChang。Uponthepaperwasthepictureofthenose。
PakChungChangstareduponitwithbulgingeyes。
\"NeverhaveIbeheldsuchanose，\"hebegan。
\"Thereisawartuponit，\"saidYiChinHo。
\"NeverhaveIbeheld——\"PakChungChangbeganagain。
\"Bringyourfatherbeforeme，\"YiChinHointerruptedsternly。
\"Myancientandvery-much-to-be-respectedancestorsleeps，\"saidPakChungChang。
\"Whydissemble？\"demandedYiChinHo。\"Youknowitisyourfather\'snose。
BringhimbeforemethatImaystrikeitoffandbegone。Hurry，lestI
makebadreportofyou。\"
\"Mercy!\"criedPakChungChang，fallingonhisknees。\"Itisimpossible!
Itisimpossible!Youcannotstrikeoffmyfather\'snose。Hecannotgodownwithouthisnosetothegrave。Hewillbecomealaughterandabyword，andallmydaysandnightswillbefilledwithwoe。Oreflect!
Reportthatyouhaveseennosuchnoseinyourtravels。You，too，haveafather。\"
PakChungChangclaspedYiChinHo\'skneesandfelltoweepingonhissandals。
\"Myheartsoftensstrangelyatyourtears，\"saidYiChinHo。\"I，too，knowfilialpietyandregard。But——\"Hehesitated，thenadded，asthoughthinkingaloud，\"Itisasmuchasmyheadisworth。\"
\"Howmuchisyourheadworth？\"askedPakChungChanginathin，smallvoice。
\"Anotremarkablehead，\"saidYiChinHo。\"Anabsurdlyunremarkablehead；
but，suchismygreatfoolishness，Ivalueitatnothinglessthanonehundredthousandstringsofcash。\"
\"Sobeit，\"saidPakChungChang，risingtohisfeet。
\"Ishallneedhorsestocarrythetreasure，\"saidYiChinHo，\"andmentoguarditwellasIjourneythroughthemountains。Therearerobbersabroadintheland。\"
\"Therearerobbersabroadintheland，\"saidPakChungChang，sadly。\"Butitshallbeasyouwish，solongasmyancientandvery-much-to-be-
respectedancestor\'snoseabideinitsappointedplace。\"
\"Saynothingtoanymanofthisoccurrence，\"saidYiChinHo，\"elsewillotherandmoreloyalservantsthanIbesenttostrikeoffyourfather\'snose。\"
AndsoYiChinHodepartedonhiswaythroughthemountains，blitheofheartandgayofsongashelistenedtothejinglingbellsofhistreasure-
ladenponies。
Thereislittlemoretotell。YiChinHoprosperedthroughtheyears。ByhiseffortsthejailerattainedatlengthtothedirectorshipofalltheprisonsofCho-sen；theGovernorultimatelybetookhimselftotheSacredCitytobePrimeMinistertotheKing，whileYiChinHobecametheKing\'sbooncompanionandsatattablewithhimtotheendofaround，fatlife。
ButPakChungChangfellintoamelancholy，andeverafterheshookhisheadsadly，withtearsinhiseyes，wheneverheregardedtheexpensivenoseofhisancientandvery-much-to-be-respectedancestor。
THE\"FRANCISSPAIGHT\"
(ATRUETALERETOLD)
TheFrancisSpaightwasrunningbeforeitsolelyunderamizzentopsail，whenthethinghappened。Itwasnotduetocarelessnesssomuchastothelackofdisciplineofthecrewandtothefactthattheywereindifferentseamenatbest。Themanatthewheelinparticular，aLimerickman，hadhadnoexperiencewithsaltwaterbeyondthatofraftingtimberontheShannonbetweentheQuebecvesselsandtheshore。Hewasafraidofthehugeseasthatroseoutofthemurkasternandboredownuponhim，andhewasmoregiventocoweringawayfromtheirthreatenedimpactthanhewastomeetingtheirblowswiththewheelandcheckingtheship\'srushtobroachto。
Itwasthreeinthemorningwhenhisunseamanlikeconductprecipitatedthecatastrophe。Atsightofaseafarlargerthanitsfellows，hecroucheddown，releasinghishandsfromthespokes。TheFrancisSpaightsheeredashersternliftedonthesea，receivingthefullflingofthecaponherquarter。Thenextinstantshewasinthetrough，herlee-railburiedtilltheoceanwaslevelwithherhatch-coamings，seaafterseabreakingoverherweatherrailandsweepingwhatremainedexposedofthedeckwithicydeluges。
Themenwereoutofhand，helplessandhopeless，stupidintheirbewildermentandfear，andresoluteonlyinthattheywouldnotobeyorders。Somewailed，othersclungsilentlyintheweathershrouds，andstillothersmutteredprayersorshriekedvileimprecations；andneithercaptainnormatecouldgetthemtobearahandatthepumpsoratsettingpatchesofsailstobringthevesseluptothewindandsea。Insidethehourtheshipwasoveronherbeamends，thelubberlycowardsclimbinguphersideandhangingonintherigging。Whenshewentover，thematewascaughtanddrownedintheafter-cabin，asweretwosailorswhohadsoughtrefugeintheforecastle。
Thematehadbeentheablestmanonboard，andthecaptainwasnowscarcelylesshelplessthanhismen。Beyondcursingthemfortheirworthlessness，hedidnothing；anditremainedforamannamedMahoney，aBelfastman，andaboy，O\'Brien，ofLimerick，tocutawaytheforeandmainmasts。Thistheydidatgreatriskontheperpendicularwallofthewreck，sendingthemizzentopmastoversidealonginthegeneralcrash。TheFrancisSpaightrighted，anditwaswellthatshewaslumberladen，elseshewouldhavesunk，forshewasalreadywater-logged。Themainmast，stillfastbytheshrouds，beatlikeathunderoussledge-hammeragainsttheship\'sside，everystrokebringinggroansfromthemen。
Daydawnedonthesavageocean，andinthecoldgraylightallthatcouldbeseenoftheFrancisSpaightemergingfromtheseawerethepoop，theshatteredmizzenmast，andaraggedlineofbulwarks。ItwasmidwinterintheNorthAtlantic，andthewretchedmenwerehalf-deadfromcold。Buttherewasnoplacewheretheycouldfindrest。Everyseabreachedcleanoverthewreck，washingawaythesaltincrustationsfromtheirbodiesanddepositingfreshincrustations。Thecabinunderthepoopwasawashtotheknees，buthereatleastwasshelterfromthechillwind，andherethesurvivorscongregated，standingupright，holdingonbythecabinfurnishings，andleaningagainstoneanotherforsupport。
InvainMahoneystrovetogetthementotaketurnsinwatchingaloftfromthemizzenmastforanychancevessel。Theicygalewastoomuchforthem，andtheypreferredtheshelterofthecabin。O\'Brien，theboy，whowasonlyfifteen，tookturnswithMahoneyonthefreezingperch。Itwastheboy，atthreeintheafternoon，whocalleddownthathehadsightedasail。
Thisdidbringthemfromthecabin，andtheycrowdedthepooprailandweathermizzenshroudsastheywatchedthestrangeship。Butitscoursedidnotlienear，andwhenitdisappearedbelowtheskyline，theyreturnedshiveringtothecabin，notoneofferingtorelievethewatchatthemasthead。
Bytheendofthesecondday，MahoneyandO\'Briengaveuptheirattempt，andthereafterthevesseldriftedinthegaleuncaredforandwithoutalookout。Therewerethirteenalive，andforseventy-twohourstheystoodknee-deepinthesloshingwateronthecabinfloor，half-frozen，withoutfood，andwithbutthreebottlesofwinesharedamongthem。Allfoodandfreshwaterwerebelow，andtherewasnogettingatsuchsuppliesinthewater-loggedconditionofthewreck。Asthedayswentby，nofoodwhateverpassedtheirlips。Freshwater，insmallquantities，theywereabletoobtainbyholdingacoverofatureenunderthesaddleofthemizzenmast。
Buttherainfellinfrequently，andtheywerehardput。Whenitrained，theyalsosoakedtheirhandkerchiefs，squeezingthemoutintotheirmouthsorintotheirshoes。Asthewindandseawentdown，theywereevenabletomoptheexposedportionsofthedeckthatwerefreefrombrineandsoaddtotheirwatersupply。Butfoodtheyhadnone，andnowayofgettingit，thoughsea-birdsflewrepeatedlyoverhead。
Inthecalmweatherthatfollowedthegale，afterhavingremainedontheirfeetforninety-sixhours，theywereabletofinddryplanksinthecabinonwhichtolie。Butthelonghoursofstandinginthesaltwaterhadcausedsorestoformontheirlegs。Thesesoreswereextremelypainful。
Theslightestcontactorscrapecausedsevereanguish，andintheirweakconditionandcrowdedsituationtheywerecontinuallyhurtingoneanotherinthismanner。Notamancouldmoveaboutwithoutbeingfollowedbyvolleysofabuse，curses，andgroans。Sogreatwastheirmiserythatthestrongoppressedtheweak，shovingthemasidefromthedryplankstoshiftforthemselvesinthecoldandwet。Theboy，O\'Brien，wasspeciallymaltreated。Thoughtherewerethreeotherboys，itwasO\'Brienwhocameinformostoftheabuse。Therewasnoexplainingit，exceptonthegroundthathiswasastrongerandmoredominantspiritthanthoseoftheotherboys，andthathestoodupmoreforhisrights，resentingthepettyinjusticesthatweremetedouttoalltheboysbythemen。WheneverO\'Briencamenearthemeninsearchofadryplacetosleep，ormerelymovedabout，hewaskickedandcuffedaway。Inreturn，hecursedthemfortheirselfishbrutishness，andblowsandkicksandcurseswereraineduponhim。Miserableaswereallofthem，hewasthusmadefarmoremiserable；
anditwasonlytheflameoflife，unusuallystronginhim，thatenabledhimtoendure。
Asthedayswentbyandtheygrewweaker，theirpeevishnessandill-temperincreased，which，inturn，increasedtheill-treatmentandsufferingsofO\'Brien。Bythesixteenthdayallhandswerefargonewithhunger，andtheystoodtogetherinsmallgroups，talkinginundertonesandoccasionallyglancingatO\'Brien。Itwasathighnoonthattheconferencecametoahead。Thecaptainwasthespokesman。Allwerecollectedonthepoop。
\"Men，\"thecaptainbegan，\"wehavebeenalongtimewithoutfood——twoweeksandtwodaysitis，thoughitseemsmoreliketwoyearsandtwomonths。Wecan\'thangoutmuchlonger。Itisbeyondhumannaturetogoonhangingoutwithnothinginourstomachs。Thereisaseriousquestiontoconsider:
whetheritisbetterforalltodie，orforonetodie。Wearestandingwithourfeetinourgraves。Ifoneofusdies，therestmayliveuntilashipissighted。Whatsayyou？\"
MichaelBehane，themanwhohadbeenatthewheelwhentheFrancisSpaightbroachedto，calledoutthatitwaswell。Theothersjoinedinthecry。
\"Letitbeoneoftheb\'ys!\"criedSullivan，aTarbertman，glancingatthesametimesignificantlyatO\'Brien。
\"Itismyopinion，\"thecaptainwenton，\"thatitwillbeagooddeedforoneofustodiefortherest。\"
\"Agooddeed!Agooddeed!\"themeninterjected。
\"Anditismyopinionthat\'tisbestforoneoftheboystodie。Theyhavenofamiliestosupport，norwouldtheybeconsideredsogreatalosstotheirfriendsasthosewhohavewivesandchildren。\"
\"\'Tisright。\"\"Veryright。\"\"Veryfititshouldbedone，\"themenmutteredonetoanother。
Butthefourboyscriedoutagainsttheinjusticeofit。
\"Ourlivesisjustasdeartousastherestivyez，\"O\'Brienprotested。
\"An\'ourfamblies，too。Asforwivesan\'childer，whoistheresavin\'
meselftocareformeoldmotherthat\'sawidow，asyouknowwell，MichaelBehane，thatcomesfromLimerick？\'Tisnotfair。Letthelotsbedrawnbetweenallofus，menandb\'ys。\"
Mahoneywastheonlymanwhospokeinfavouroftheboys，declaringthatitwasthefairthingforalltosharealike。Sullivanandthecaptaininsistedonthedrawingoflotsbeingconfinedtotheboys。Therewerehighwords，inthemidstofwhichSullivanturneduponO\'Brien，snarling——
\"\'Twouldbeagooddeedtoputyououtoftheway。Youdeserveit。
\'Twouldbetherightwaytoserveyou，an\'serveyouwewill。\"
HestartedtowardO\'Brien，withintenttolayhandsonhimandproceedatoncewiththekilling，whileseveralotherslikewiseshuffledtowardhimandreachedforhim。Hestumbledbackwardstoescapethem，atthesametimecryingthathewouldsubmittothedrawingofthelotsamongtheboys。
ThecaptainpreparedfoursticksofdifferentlengthsandhandedthemtoSullivan。
\"You\'rethinkin\'thedrawin\'llnotbefair，\"thelattersneeredtoO\'Brien。
\"Soit\'syerself\'lldothedrawin\'。\"
TothisO\'Brienagreed。Ahandkerchiefwastiedoverhiseyes，blindfoldinghim，andhekneltdownonthedeckwithhisbacktoSullivan。
\"Whoeveryounamefortheshorteststick\'lldie，\"thecaptainsaid。
Sullivanhelduponeofthesticks。Therestwereconcealedinhishandsothatnoonecouldseewhetheritwastheshortstickornot。
\"An\'whosestickwillitbe？\"Sullivandemanded。
\"ForlittleJohnnySheehan，\"O\'Brienanswered。
Sullivanlaidthestickaside。Thosewholookedcouldnottellifitwerethefatalone。Sullivanheldupanotherstick。
\"Whosewillitbe？\"
\"ForGeorgeBurns，\"wasthereply。
Thestickwaslaidwiththefirstone，andathirdheldup。
\"An\'whoseisthiswan？\"
\"Formyself，\"saidO\'Brien。
Withaquickmovement，Sullivanthrewthefourstickstogether。Noonehadseen。
\"\'Tisforyourselfye\'vedrawnit，\"Sullivanannounced。
\"Agooddeed，\"severalofthemenmuttered。
O\'Brienwasveryquiet。Hearosetohisfeet，tookthebandageoff，andlookedaround。
\"Whereisut？\"hedemanded。\"Theshortstick？Thewanforme？\"
Thecaptainpointedtothefourstickslyingonthedeck。
\"Howdoyouknowthestickwasmine？\"O\'Brienquestioned。\"Didyouseeut，JohnnySheehan？\"
JohnnySheehan，whowastheyoungestoftheboys，didnotanswer。
\"Didyouseeut？\"O\'BriennextaskedMahoney。
\"No，Ididn\'tseeut。\"
Themenweremutteringandgrowling。
\"\'Twasafairdrawin\'，\"Sullivansaid。\"Yehadyerchanctan\'yelost，that\'sallivut。\"
\"Afairdrawin\'，\"thecaptainadded。\"Didn\'tIbeholditmyself？Thestickwasyours，O\'Brien，an\'yemayaswellgetready。Where\'sthecook？
Gorman，comehere。Fetchthetureencover，someofye。Gorman，doyourdutylikeaman。\"
\"Buthow\'llIdoit，\"thecookdemanded。Hewasaweak-eyed，weak-chinned，indecisiveman。
\"\'Tisadamnedmurder!\"O\'Briencriedout。
\"I\'llhavenoneofut，\"Mahoneyannounced。\"Notabiteshallpassmelips。\"
\"Then\'tisyershareforbettermenthanyerself，\"Sullivansneered。\"Goonwithyerduty，cook。\"
\"\'Tisnotmeduty，thekillin\'ofb\'ys，\"Gormanprotestedirresolutely。
\"Ifyezdon\'tmakemateforus，we\'llbemakin\'mateofyerself，\"Behanethreatened。\"Somebodymustdie，an\'aswellyouasanother。\"
JohnnySheehanbegantocry。O\'Brienlistenedanxiously。Hisfacewaspale。Hislipstrembled，andattimeshiswholebodyshook。
\"Isignedonascook，\"Gormanenounced。\"An\'cookIwudifgalleytherewas。ButI\'llnotlaymehandtomurder。\'Tisnotinthearticles。I\'mthecook——\"
\"An\'cookye\'llbeforwanminutemoreonly，\"Sullivansaidgrimly，atthesamemomentgrippingthecook\'sheadfrombehindandbendingitbacktillthewindpipeandjugularwerestretchedtaut。\"Where\'syerknife，Mike？
Passitalong。\"
Atthetouchofthesteel，Gormanwhimpered。
\"I\'lldout，ifyez\'llholdtheb\'y。\"
ThepitiableconditionofthecookseemedinsomefashiontonerveupO\'Brien。
\"It\'sallright，Gorman，\"hesaid。\"Goonwithut。\'Tismeselfknowsyernotwantin\'todout。It\'sallright，sir\"——thistothecaptain，whohadlaidahandheavilyonhisarm。\"Yewon\'thavetoholdme，sir。I\'llstandstill。\"
\"Stopyerblitherin\'，an\'goan\'getthetureencover，\"BehanecommandedJohnnySheehan，atthesametimedealinghimaheavycuffalongsidethehead。
Theboy，whowasscarcelymorethanachild，fetchedthecover。Hecrawledandtotteredalongthedeck，soweakwashefromhunger。Thetearsstillrandownhischeeks。Behanetookthecoverfromhim，atthesametimeadministeringanothercuff。
O\'Brientookoffhiscoatandbaredhisrightarm。Hisunderlipstilltrembled，butheheldatightgriponhimself。Thecaptain\'spenknifewasopenedandpassedtoGorman。
\"Mahoney，tellmemotherwhathappenedtome，ifeveryegetback，\"O\'Brienrequested。
Mahoneynodded。
\"\'Tisblackmurder，blackan\'damned，\"hesaid。\"Theb\'y\'sflesh\'lldononeivyezannygood。Markmewords。Ye\'llnotprofitbyit，noneivyez。\"
\"Getready，\"thecaptainordered。\"You，Sullivan，holdthecover——that\'sit——closeup。Spillnothing。It\'spreciousstuff。\"
Gormanmadeaneffort。Theknifewasdull。Hewasweak。Besides，hishandwasshakingsoviolentlythathenearlydroppedtheknife。Thethreeboyswerecrouchedapart，inahuddle，cryingandsobbing。WiththeexceptionofMahoney，themenweregatheredaboutthevictim，craningtheirneckstosee。
\"Beaman，Gorman，\"thecaptaincautioned。
Thewretchedcookwasseizedwithaspasmofresolution，sawingbackandforthwiththebladeonO\'Brien\'swrist。Theveinsweresevered。Sullivanheldthetureencovercloseunderneath。Thecutveinsgapedwide，butnoruddyfloodgushedforth。Therewasnobloodatall。Theveinsweredryandempty。Noonespoke。Thegrimandsilentfiguresswayedinunisonwitheachheaveoftheship。Everyeyewasturnedfixedlyuponthatinconceivableandmonstrousthing，thedryveinsofacreaturethatwasalive。
\"\'Tisawarnin\'，\"Mahoneycried。\"Lavetheb\'yalone。Markmewords。Hisdeath\'lldononeivyezannygood。\"
\"Tryattheelbow——theleftelbow，\'tisnearertheheart，\"thecaptainsaidfinally，inadimandhuskyvoicethatwasunlikehisown。
\"Givemetheknife，\"O\'Briensaidroughly，takingitoutofthecook\'shand。\"Ican\'tbelookin\'atyeputtin\'metohurt。\"
Quitecoollyhecuttheveinattheleftelbow，but，likethecook，hefailedtobringblood。
\"Thisisallivnouse，\"Sullivansaid。\"\'Tisbettertoputhimoutivhismiserybybleedin\'himatthethroat。\"
Thestrainhadbeentoomuchforthelad。
\"Don\'tbedoin\'ut，\"hecried。\"There\'llbenobloodinmethroat。Givemealittletime。\'Tiscoldan\'weakIam。Belettin\'melaydownan\'
slapeabit。ThenI\'llbewarman\'theblood\'llflow。\"
\"\'Tisnouse，\"Sullivanobjected。\"Asifyecudbeslapin\'atatimelikethis。Ye\'llnotslape，andye\'llnotwarmup。Lookatyenow。You\'veanague。\"
\"IwassickatLimerickwannight，\"O\'Brienhurriedon，\"an\'thedochtorcudn\'tbleedme。Butafterslapin\'afewhoursan\'gettin\'warminbedthebloodcamefreely。It\'sGod\'struthI\'mtellin\'yez。Don\'tbemurderin\'
me!\"
\"Hisveinsareopennow，\"thecaptainsaid。\"\'Tisnouseleavin\'himinhispain。Doitnowan\'bedonewithit。\"
TheystartedtoreachforO\'Brien，buthebackedaway。
\"I\'llbethedeathivyez!\"hescreamed。\"Takeyerhandsoffivme，Sullivan!I\'llcomeback!I\'llhauntyez!Wakin\'orslapin\'，I\'llhauntyeztillyoudie!\"
\"\'Tisdisgraceful!\"yelledBehane。\"Iftheshortstick\'dbenmine，I\'da-
letmematescuttheheadoffivmean\'diedhappy。\"
Sullivanleapedinandcaughttheunhappyladbythehair。Therestofthemenfollowed，O\'Brienkickedandstruggled，snarlingandsnappingatthehandsthatclutchedhimfromeveryside。LittleJohnnySheehanbrokeoutintowildscreaming，butthementooknonoticeofhim。O\'Brienwasbentbackwardtothedeck，thetureencoverunderhisneck。Gormanwasshovedforward。Someonehadthrustalargesheath-knifeintohishand。
\"Doyerduty!Doyerduty!\"themencried。
Thecookbentover，buthecaughttheboy\'seyesandfaltered。
\"Ifyedon\'t，I\'llkillyewithmeownhands，\"Behaneshouted。
Fromeverysideatorrentofabuseandthreatspouredinuponthecook。
Stillhehungback。
\"Maybethere\'llbemorebloodinhisveinsthanO\'Brien\'s，\"Sullivansuggestedsignificantly。
BehanecaughtGormanbythehairandtwistedhisheadback，whileSullivanattemptedtotakepossessionofthesheath-knife。ButGormanclungtoitdesperately。
\"Lavego，an\'I\'lldout!\"hescreamedfrantically。\"Don\'tbecuttin\'methroat!I\'lldothedeed!I\'lldothedeed!\"
\"Seethatyoudoit，then，\"thecaptainthreatenedhim。
Gormanallowedhimselftobeshovedforward。Helookedattheboy，closedhiseyes，andmutteredaprayer。Then，withoutopeninghiseyes，hedidthedeedthathadbeenappointedhim。O\'Brienemittedashriekthatsankswiftlytoagurglingsob。Themenheldhimtillhisstrugglesceased，whenhewaslaiduponthedeck。Theywereeagerandimpatient，andwithoathsandthreatstheyurgedGormantohurrywiththepreparationofthemeal。
\"Laveut，youbloodybutchers，\"Mahoneysaidquietly。\"Laveut，Itellyez。Ye\'llnotbeneedin\'annyivutnow。\'TisasIsaid:ye\'llnotbeprofitin\'bythelad\'sblood。Emptyutoverside，Behane。Emptyutoverside。\"
Behane，stillholdingthetureencoverinbothhishands，glancedtowindward。Hewalkedtotherailandthrewthecoverandcontentsintothesea。Afull-riggedshipwasbearingdownuponthemashortmileaway。Sooccupiedhadtheybeenwiththedeedjustcommitted，thatnonehadhadeyesforalookout。Allhandswatchedhercomingon——thebrightlycopperedforefootpartingthewaterlikeagoldenknife，theheadsailsflappinglazilyandemptilyateachdownwardsurge，andthetoweringcanvastiersdippingandcurtsyingwitheachstatelyswingofthesea。Nomanspoke。
Asshehoveto，acablelengthaway，thecaptainoftheFrancisSpaightbestirredhimselfandorderedatarpaulintobethrownoverO\'Brien\'scorpse。Aboatwasloweredfromthestranger\'ssideandbegantopulltowardthem。JohnGormanlaughed。Helaughedsoftlyatfirst，butheaccompaniedeachstrokeoftheoarswithspasmodicallyincreasingglee。Itwasthismaniacallaughterthatgreetedtherescueboatasithauledalongsideandthefirstofficerclamberedonboard。
ACURIOUSFRAGMENT
[Thecapitalist，orindustrialoligarch，RogerVanderwater，mentionedinthenarrative，hasbeenidentifiedastheninthinthelineoftheVanderwatersthatcontrolledforhundredsofyearsthecottonfactoriesoftheSouth。ThisRogerVanderwaterflourishedinthelastdecadesofthetwenty-sixthcenturyafterChrist，whichwasthefifthcenturyoftheterribleindustrialoligarchythatwasrearedupontheruinsoftheearlyRepublic。
Frominternalevidencesweareconvincedthatthenarrativewhichfollowswasnotreducedtowritingtillthetwenty-ninthcentury。Notonlywasitunlawfultowriteorprintsuchmatterduringthatperiod，buttheworking-
classwassoilliteratethatonlyinrareinstanceswereitsmembersabletoreadandwrite。Thiswasthedarkreignoftheoverman，inwhosespeechthegreatmassofthepeoplewerecharacterizedasthe\"herdanimals。\"Allliteracywasfrowneduponandstampedout。Fromthestatute-booksofthetimesmaybeinstancedthatblacklawthatmadeitacapitaloffenceforanyman，nomatterofwhatclass，toteacheventhealphabettoamemberoftheworking-class。Suchstringentlimitationofeducationtotherulingclasswasnecessaryifthatclasswastocontinuetorule。
Oneresultoftheforegoingwasthedevelopmentoftheprofessionalstory-
tellers。Thesestory-tellerswerepaidbytheoligarchy，andthetalestheytoldwerelegendary，mythical，romantic，andharmless。Butthespiritoffreedomneverquitediedout，andagitators，undertheguiseofstory-
tellers，preachedrevolttotheslaveclass。ThatthefollowingtalewasbannedbytheoligarchswehaveprooffromtherecordsofthecriminalpolicecourtofAshbury，wherein，onJanuary27，2734，oneJohnTourney，foundguiltyoftellingthetaleinaboozing-kenoflabourers，wassentencedtofiveyears\'penalservitudeintheboraxminesoftheArizonaDesert——EDITOR\'SNOTE。]
Listen，mybrothers，andIwilltellyouataleofanarm。ItwasthearmofTomDixon，andTomDixonwasaweaverofthefirstclassinafactoryofthathell-houndandmaster，RogerVanderwater。Thisfactorywascalled\"Hell\'sBottom\"……bytheslaveswhotoiledinit，andIguesstheyoughttoknow；anditwassituatedinKingsbury，attheotherendofthetownfromVanderwater\'ssummerpalace。YoudonotknowwhereKingsburyis？
Therearemanythings，mybrothers，thatyoudonotknow，anditissad。
Itisbecauseyoudonotknowthatyouareslaves。WhenIhavetoldyouthistale，Ishouldliketoformaclassamongyouforthelearningofwrittenandprintedspeech。Ourmastersreadandwriteandpossessmanybooks，anditisbecauseofthatthattheyareourmasters，andliveinpalaces，anddonotwork。Whenthetoilerslearntoreadandwrite——allofthem——theywillgrowstrong；thentheywillusetheirstrengthtobreaktheirbonds，andtherewillbenomoremastersandnomoreslaves。
Kingsbury，mybrothers，isintheoldStateofAlabama。ForthreehundredyearstheVanderwatershaveownedKingsburyanditsslavepensandfactories，andslavepensandfactoriesinmanyotherplacesandStates。
YouhaveheardoftheVanderwaters——whohasnot？——butletmetellyouthingsyoudonotknowaboutthem。ThefirstVanderwaterwasaslave，evenasyouandI。Haveyougotthat？Hewasaslave，andthatwasoverthreehundredyearsago。HisfatherwasamachinistintheslavepenofAlexanderBurrell，andhismotherwasawasherwomaninthesameslavepen。
Thereisnodoubtaboutthis。Iamtellingyoutruth。Itishistory。Itisprinted，everywordofit，inthehistorybooksofourmasters，whichyoucannotreadbecauseyourmasterswillnotpermityoutolearntoread。
Youcanunderstandwhytheywillnotpermityoutolearntoread，whentherearesuchthingsinthebooks。Theyknow，andtheyareverywise。Ifyoudidreadsuchthings，youmightbewantinginrespecttoyourmasters，whichwouldbeadangerousthing……toyourmasters。ButIknow，forI
canread，andIamtellingyouwhatIhavereadwithmyowneyesinthehistorybooksofourmasters。
ThefirstVanderwater\'snamewasnotVanderwater；itwasVange——BillVange，thesonofYergisVange，themachinist，andLauraCarnly，thewasherwoman。
YoungBillVangewasstrong。Hemighthaveremainedwiththeslavesandledthemtofreedom；instead，however，heservedthemastersandwaswellrewarded。Hebeganhisservice，whenyetasmallchild，asaspyinhishomeslavepen。Heisknowntohaveinformedonhisownfatherforseditiousutterance。Thisisfact。Ihavereaditwithmyowneyesintherecords。Hewastoogoodaslavefortheslavepen。AlexanderBurrelltookhimout，whileyetachild，andhewastaughttoreadandwrite。Hewastaughtmanythings，andhewasenteredinthesecretserviceoftheGovernment。Ofcourse，henolongerworetheslavedress，exceptfordisguiseatsuchtimeswhenhesoughttopenetratethesecretsandplotsoftheslaves。Itwashe，whenbuteighteenyearsofage，whobroughtthatgreatheroandcomrade，RalphJacobus，totrialandexecutionintheelectricchair。Ofcourse，youhaveallheardthesacrednameofRalphJacobus，butitisnewstoyouthathewasbroughttohisdeathbythefirstVanderwater，whosenamewasVange。Iknow。Ihavereaditinthebooks。Therearemanyinterestingthingslikethatinthebooks。
AndafterRalphJacobusdiedhisshamefuldeath，BillVange\'snamebeganthemanychangesitwastoundergo。Hewasknownas\"SlyVange\"farandwide。Herosehighinthesecretservice，andhewasrewardedingrandways，butstillhewasnotamemberofthemasterclass。Themenwerewillingthatheshouldbecomeso；itwasthewomenofthemasterclasswhorefusedtohaveSlyVangeoneofthem。SlyVangegavegoodservicetothemasters。Hehadbeenaslavehimself，andheknewthewaysoftheslaves。
Therewasnofoolinghim。Inthosedaystheslaveswerebraverthannow，andtheywerealwaystryingfortheirfreedom。AndSlyVangewaseverywhere，inalltheirschemesandplans，bringingtheirschemesandplanstonaughtandtheirleaderstotheelectricchair。Itwasin2255
thathisnamewasnextchangedforhim。ItwasinthatyearthattheGreatMutinytookplace。InthatregionwestoftheRockyMountains，seventeenmillionsofslavesstrovebravelytooverthrowtheirmasters。Whoknows，ifSlyVangehadnotlived，butthattheywouldhavesucceeded？ButSlyVangewasverymuchalive。Themastersgavehimsupremecommandofthesituation。Ineightmonthsoffighting，onemillionandthreehundredandfiftythousandslaveswerekilled。Vange，BillVange，SlyVange，killedthem，andhebroketheGreatMutiny。Andhewasgreatlyrewarded，andsoredwerehishandswiththebloodoftheslavesthatthereafterhewascalled\"BloodyVange。\"Yousee，mybrothers，whatinterestingthingsaretobefoundinthebookswhenonecanreadthem。And，takemywordforit，therearemanyotherthings，evenmoreinteresting，inthebooks。Andifyouwillbutstudywithme，inayear\'stimeyoucanreadthosebooksforyourselves——ay，insixmonthssomeofyouwillbeabletoreadthosebooksforyourselves。
BloodyVangelivedtoaripeoldage，andalways，tothelast，washereceivedinthecouncilsofthemasters；butneverwashemadeamasterhimself。Hehadfirstopenedhiseyes，yousee，inaslavepen。Butoh，hewaswellrewarded!Hehadadozenpalacesinwhichtolive。He，whowasnomaster，ownedthousandsofslaves。Hehadagreatpleasureyachtupontheseathatwasafloatingpalace，andheownedawholeislandintheseawheretoiledtenthousandslavesonhiscoffeeplantations。Butinhisoldagehewaslonely，forhelivedapart，hatedbyhisbrothers，theslaves，andlookeddownuponbythosehehadservedandwhorefusedtobehisbrothers。Themasterslookeddownuponhimbecausehehadbeenbornaslave。Enormouslywealthyhedied；buthediedhorribly，tormentedbyhisconscience，regrettingallhehaddoneandtheredstainonhisname。
Butwithhischildrenitwasdifferent。Theyhadnotbeenbornintheslavepen，andbythespecialrulingoftheChiefOligarchofthattime，JohnMorrison，theywereelevatedtothemasterclass。AnditwasthenthatthenameofVangedisappearsfromthepageofhistory。ItbecomesVanderwater，andJasonVange，thesonofBloodyVange，becomesJasonVanderwater，thefounderoftheVanderwaterline。Butthatwasthreehundredyearsago，andtheVanderwatersofto-dayforgettheirbeginningsandimaginethatsomehowtheclayoftheirbodiesisdifferentstufffromtheclayinyourbodyandmineandinthebodiesofallslaves。AndIaskyou，Whyshouldaslavebecomethemasterofanotherslave？Andwhyshouldthesonofaslavebecomethemasterofmanyslaves？Ileavethesequestionsforyoutoanswerforyourselves，butdonotforgetthatinthebeginningtheVanderwaterswereslaves。
Andnow，mybrothers，IcomebacktothebeginningofmytaletotellyouofTomDixon\'sarm。RogerVanderwater\'sfactoryinKingsburywasrightlynamed\"Hell\'sBottom，\"butthemenwhotoiledinitweremen，asyoushallsee。Womentoiledthere，too，andchildren，littlechildren。Allthattoiledtherehadtheregularslaverightsunderthelaw，butonlyunderthelaw，fortheyweredeprivedofmanyoftheirrightsbythetwooverseersofHell\'sBottom，JosephClancyandAdolphMunster。
Itisalongstory，butIshallnottellallofittoyou。Ishalltellonlyaboutthearm。Ithappenedthat，accordingtothelaw，aportionofthestarvationwageoftheslaveswasheldbackeachmonthandputintoafund。Thisfundwasforthepurposeofhelpingsuchunfortunatefellow-
workmenashappenedtobeinjuredbyaccidentsortobeovertakenbysickness。Asyouknowwithyourselves，thesefundsarecontrolledbytheoverseers。Itisthelaw，andsoitwasthatthefundatHell\'sBottomwascontrolledbythetwooverseersofaccursedmemory。
Now，ClancyandMunstertookthisfundfortheirownuse。Whenaccidentshappenedtotheworkmen，theirfellows，aswasthecustom，madegrantsfromthefund；buttheoverseersrefusedtopayoverthegrants。Whatcouldtheslavesdo？Theyhadtheirrightsunderthelaw，buttheyhadnoaccesstothelaw。Thosethatcomplainedtotheoverseerswerepunished。Youknowyourselveswhatformsuchpunishmenttakes——thefinesforfaultyworkthatisnotfaulty；theoverchargingofaccountsintheCompany\'sstore；theviletreatmentofone\'swomenandchildren；andtheallotmenttobadmachineswhereon，workasonewill，hestarves。
