ThelateMrWatertonhaving，sometimeago，expressedhisopinionthatravensaregraduallybecomingextinctinEngland，Iofferedthefewfollowingwordsaboutmyexperienceofthesebirds。
Theraveninthisstoryisacompoundoftwogreatoriginals，ofwhomIwas，atdifferenttimes，theproudpossessor。Thefirstwasinthebloomofhisyouth，whenhewasdiscoveredinamodestretirementinLondon，byafriendofmine，andgiventome。Hehadfromthefirst，asSirHughEvanssaysofAnnePage，’goodgifts’，whichheimprovedbystudyandattentioninamostexemplarymanner。Hesleptinastable——generallyonhorseback——andsoterrifiedaNewfoundlanddogbyhispreternaturalsagacity，thathehasbeenknown，bythemeresuperiorityofhisgenius，towalkoffunmolestedwiththedog’sdinner，frombeforehisface。Hewasrapidlyrisinginacquirementsandvirtues，when，inanevilhour，hisstablewasnewlypainted。Heobservedtheworkmenclosely，sawthattheywerecarefulofthepaint，andimmediatelyburnedtopossessit。Ontheirgoingtodinner，heateupalltheyhadleftbehind，consistingofapoundortwoofwhitelead;andthisyouthfulindiscretionterminatedindeath。
WhileIwasyetinconsolableforhisloss，anotherfriendofmineinYorkshirediscoveredanolderandmoregiftedravenatavillagepublic-house，whichheprevaileduponthelandlordtopartwithforaconsideration，andsentuptome。ThefirstactofthisSage，was，toadministertotheeffectsofhispredecessor，bydisinterringallthecheeseandhalfpencehehadburiedinthegarden——aworkofimmenselabourandresearch，towhichhedevotedalltheenergiesofhismind。Whenhehadachievedthistask，heappliedhimselftotheacquisitionofstablelanguage，inwhichhesoonbecamesuchanadept，thathewouldperchoutsidemywindowanddriveimaginaryhorseswithgreatskill，allday。PerhapsevenIneversawhimathisbest，forhisformermastersenthisdutywithhim，’andifIwishedthebirdtocomeoutverystrong，wouldIbesogoodastoshowhimadrunkenman’——whichIneverdid，having(unfortunately)nonebutsoberpeopleathand。
ButIcouldhardlyhaverespectedhimmore，whateverthestimulatinginfluencesofthissightmighthavebeen。Hehadnottheleastrespect，Iamsorrytosay，formeinreturn，orforanybodybutthecook;towhomhewasattached——butonly，Ifear，asaPolicemanmighthavebeen。Once，Imethimunexpectedly，abouthalf-a-milefrommyhouse，walkingdownthemiddleofapublicstreet，attendedbyaprettylargecrowd，andspontaneouslyexhibitingthewholeofhisaccomplishments。Hisgravityunderthosetryingcircumstances，Icanneverforget，northeextraordinarygallantrywithwhich，refusingtobebroughthome，hedefendedhimselfbehindapump，untiloverpoweredbynumbers。Itmayhavebeenthathewastoobrightageniustolivelong，oritmayhavebeenthathetooksomepernicioussubstanceintohisbill，andthenceintohismaw——whichisnotimprobable，seeingthathenew-pointedthegreaterpartofthegarden-wallbydiggingoutthemortar，brokecountlesssquaresofglassbyscrapingawaytheputtyallroundtheframes，andtoreupandswallowed，insplinters，thegreaterpartofawoodenstaircaseofsixstepsandalanding——butaftersomethreeyearshetoowastakenill，anddiedbeforethekitchenfire。Hekepthiseyetothelastuponthemeatasitroasted，andsuddenly。turnedoveronhisbackwithasepulchralcryof’Cuckoo！’SincethenIhavebeenravenless。
NoaccountoftheGordonRiotshavingbeentomyknowledgeintroducedintoanyWorkofFiction，andthesubjectpresentingveryextraordinaryandremarkablefeatures，IwasledtoprojectthisTale。
Itisunnecessarytosay，thatthoseshamefultumults，whiletheyreflectindelibledisgraceuponthetimeinwhichtheyoccurred，andallwhohadactorpartinthem，teachagoodlesson。Thatwhatwefalselycallareligiouscryiseasilyraisedbymenwhohavenoreligion，andwhointheirdailypracticesetatnoughtthecommonestprinciplesofrightandwrong;thatitisbegottenofintoleranceandpersecution;thatitissenseless，besotted，inveterateandunmerciful;allHistoryteachesus。Butperhapswedonotknowitinourheartstoowell，toprofitbyevensohumbleanexampleasthe’NoPopery’riotsofSeventeenHundredandEighty。
Howeverimperfectlythosedisturbancesaresetforthinthefollowingpages，theyareimpartiallypaintedbyonewhohasnosympathywiththeRomishChurch，thoughheacknowledges，asmostmendo，someesteemedfriendsamongthefollowersofitscreed。
Inthedescriptionoftheprincipaloutrages，referencehasbeenhadtothebestauthoritiesofthattime，suchastheyare;theaccountgiveninthisTale，ofallthemainfeaturesoftheRiots，issubstantiallycorrect。
MrDennis’sallusionstotheflourishingconditionofhistradeinthosedays，havetheirfoundationinTruth，andnotintheAuthor’sfancy。AnyfileofoldNewspapers，oroddvolumeoftheAnnualRegister，willprovethiswithterribleease。
EventhecaseofMaryJones，dweltuponwithsomuchpleasurebythesamecharacter，isnoeffortofinvention。Thefactswerestated，exactlyastheyarestatedhere，intheHouseofCommons。
Whethertheyaffordedasmuchentertainmenttothemerrygentlemenassembledthere，assomeothermostaffectingcircumstancesofasimilarnaturementionedbySirSamuelRomilly，isnotrecorded。
ThatthecaseofMaryJonesmayspeakthemoreemphaticallyforitself，Isubjoinit，asrelatedbySIRWILLIAMMEREDITHinaspeechinParliament，’onFrequentExecutions’，madein1777。
’Underthisact，’theShop-liftingAct，’oneMaryJoneswasexecuted，whosecaseIshalljustmention;itwasatthetimewhenpresswarrantswereissued，onthealarmaboutFalklandIslands。
Thewoman’shusbandwaspressed，theirgoodsseizedforsomedebtsofhis，andshe，withtwosmallchildren，turnedintothestreetsa-begging。Itisacircumstancenottobeforgotten，thatshewasveryyoung(undernineteen)，andmostremarkablyhandsome。Shewenttoalinen-draper’sshop，tooksomecoarselinenoffthecounter，andslippeditunderhercloak;theshopmansawher，andshelaiditdown:forthisshewashanged。Herdefencewas(Ihavethetrialinmypocket)，“thatshehadlivedincredit，andwantedfornothing，tillapress-gangcameandstoleherhusbandfromher;
butsincethen，shehadnobedtolieon;nothingtogiveherchildrentoeat;andtheywerealmostnaked;andperhapsshemighthavedonesomethingwrong，forshehardlyknewwhatshedid。”Theparishofficerstestifiedthetruthofthisstory;butitseems，therehadbeenagooddealofshop-liftingaboutLudgate;anexamplewasthoughtnecessary;andthiswomanwashangedforthecomfortandsatisfactionofshopkeepersinLudgateStreet。Whenbroughttoreceivesentence，shebehavedinsuchafranticmanner，asprovedhermindtoheinadistractedanddespondingstate;andthechildwassuckingatherbreastwhenshesetoutforTyburn。’
Chapter1
Intheyear1775，therestooduponthebordersofEppingForest，atadistanceofabouttwelvemilesfromLondon——measuringfromtheStandardinCornhill，’orratherfromthespotonorneartowhichtheStandardusedtobeindaysofyore——ahouseofpublicentertainmentcalledtheMaypole;whichfactwasdemonstratedtoallsuchtravellersascouldneitherreadnorwrite(andatthattimeavastnumberbothoftravellersandstay-at-homeswereinthiscondition)bytheemblemrearedontheroadsideoveragainstthehouse，which，ifnotofthosegoodlyproportionsthatMaypoleswerewonttopresentinoldentimes，wasafairyoungash，thirtyfeetinheight，andstraightasanyarrowthateverEnglishyeomandrew。
TheMaypole——bywhichtermfromhenceforthismeantthehouse，andnotitssign——theMaypolewasanoldbuilding，withmoregableendsthanalazymanwouldcaretocountonasunnyday;hugezig-zagchimneys，outofwhichitseemedasthoughevensmokecouldnotchoosebutcomeinmorethannaturallyfantasticshapes，impartedtoitinitstortuousprogress;andvaststables，gloomy，ruinous，andempty。TheplacewassaidtohavebeenbuiltinthedaysofKingHenrytheEighth;andtherewasalegend，notonlythatQueenElizabethhadsleptthereonenightwhileuponahuntingexcursion，towit，inacertainoak-panelledroomwithadeepbaywindow，butthatnextmorning，whilestandingonamountingblockbeforethedoorwithonefootinthestirrup，thevirginmonarchhadthenandthereboxedandcuffedanunluckypageforsomeneglectofduty。
Thematter-of-factanddoubtfulfolks，ofwhomtherewereafewamongtheMaypolecustomers，asunluckilytherealwaysareineverylittlecommunity，wereinclinedtolookuponthistraditionasratherapocryphal;but，wheneverthelandlordofthatancienthostelryappealedtothemountingblockitselfasevidence，andtriumphantlypointedoutthatthereitstoodinthesameplacetothatveryday，thedoubtersneverfailedtobeputdownbyalargemajority，andalltruebelieversexultedasinavictory。
Whetherthese，andmanyotherstoriesofthelikenature，weretrueoruntrue，theMaypolewasreallyanoldhouse，averyoldhouse，perhapsasoldasitclaimedtobe，andperhapsolder，whichwillsometimeshappenwithhousesofanuncertain，aswithladiesofacertain，age。Itswindowswereolddiamond-panelattices，itsfloorsweresunkenanduneven，itsceilingsblackenedbythehandoftime，andheavywithmassivebeams。Overthedoorwaywasanancientporch，quaintlyandgrotesquelycarved;andhereonsummereveningsthemorefavouredcustomerssmokedanddrank——ay，andsangmanyagoodsongtoo，sometimes——reposingontwogrim-lookinghigh-backedsettles，which，likethetwindragonsofsomefairytale，guardedtheentrancetothemansion。
Inthechimneysofthedisusedrooms，swallowshadbuilttheirnestsformanyalongyear，andfromearliestspringtolatestautumnwholecoloniesofsparrowschirpedandtwitteredintheeaves。Thereweremorepigeonsaboutthedrearystable-yardandout-buildingsthananybodybutthelandlordcouldreckonup。Thewheelingandcirclingflightsofrunts，fantails，tumblers，andpouters，wereperhapsnotquiteconsistentwiththegraveandsobercharacterofthebuilding，butthemonotonouscooing，whichneverceasedtoberaisedbysomeamongthemalldaylong，suiteditexactly，andseemedtolullittorest。Withitsoverhangingstories，drowsylittlepanesofglass，andfrontbulgingoutandprojectingoverthepathway，theoldhouselookedasifitwerenoddinginitssleep。Indeed，itneedednoverygreatstretchoffancytodetectinitotherresemblancestohumanity。Thebricksofwhichitwasbuilthadoriginallybeenadeepdarkred，buthadgrownyellowanddiscolouredlikeanoldman’sskin;thesturdytimbershaddecayedliketeeth;andhereandtheretheivy，likeawarmgarmenttocomfortitinitsage，wraptitsgreenleavescloselyroundthetime-wornwalls。
Itwasahaleandheartyagethough，still:andinthesummerorautumnevenings，whentheglowofthesettingsunfellupontheoakandchestnuttreesoftheadjacentforest，theoldhouse，partakingofitslustre，seemedtheirfitcompanion，andtohavemanygoodyearsoflifeinhimyet。
Theeveningwithwhichwehavetodo，wasneitherasummernoranautumnone，butthetwilightofadayinMarch，whenthewindhowleddismallyamongthebarebranchesofthetrees，andrumblinginthewidechimneysanddrivingtherainagainstthewindowsoftheMaypoleInn，gavesuchofitsfrequentersaschancedtobethereatthemomentanundeniablereasonforprolongingtheirstay，andcausedthelandlordtoprophesythatthenightwouldcertainlyclearateleveno’clockprecisely，——whichbyaremarkablecoincidencewasthehouratwhichhealwaysclosedhishouse。
ThenameofhimuponwhomthespiritofprophecythusdescendedwasJohnWillet，aburly，large-headedmanwithafatface，whichbetokenedprofoundobstinacyandslownessofapprehension，combinedwithaverystrongrelianceuponhisownmerits。ItwasJohnWillet’sordinaryboastinhismoreplacidmoodsthatifhewereslowhewassure;whichassertioncould，inonesenseatleast，bebynomeansgainsaid，seeingthathewasineverythingunquestionablythereverseoffast，andwithaloneofthemostdoggedandpositivefellowsinexistence——alwayssurethatwhathethoughtorsaidordidwasright，andholdingitasathingquitesettledandordainedbythelawsofnatureandProvidence，thatanybodywhosaidordidorthoughtotherwisemustbeinevitablyandofnecessitywrong。
MrWilletwalkedslowlyuptothewindow，flattenedhisfatnoseagainstthecoldglass，andshadinghiseyesthathissightmightnotbeaffectedbytheruddyglowofthefire，lookedabroad。Thenhewalkedslowlybacktohisoldseatinthechimney-corner，and，composinghimselfinitwithaslightshiver，suchasamanmightgivewaytoandsoacquireanadditionalrelishforthewarmblaze，said，lookingrounduponhisguests:
’It’llclearateleveno’clock。Nosoonerandnolater。Notbeforeandnotarterwards。’
’Howdoyoumakeoutthat？’saidalittlemanintheoppositecorner。’Themoonispastthefull，andsherisesatnine。’
Johnlookedsedatelyandsolemnlyathisquestioneruntilhehadbroughthismindtobearuponthewholeofhisobservation，andthenmadeanswer，inatonewhichseemedtoimplythatthemoonwaspeculiarlyhisbusinessandnobodyelse’s:
’Neveryoumindaboutthemoon。Don’tyoutroubleyourselfabouther。Youletthemoonalone，andI’llletyoualone。’
’NooffenceIhope？’saidthelittleman。
AgainJohnwaitedleisurelyuntiltheobservationhadthoroughlypenetratedtohisbrain，andthenreplying，’NooffenceasYET，’
appliedalighttohispipeandsmokedinplacidsilence;nowandthencastingasidelonglookatamanwrappedinalooseriding-
coatwithhugecuffsornamentedwithtarnishedsilverlaceandlargemetalbuttons，whosatapartfromtheregularfrequentersofthehouse，andwearingahatflappedoverhisface，whichwasstillfurthershadedbythehandonwhichhisforeheadrested，lookedunsociableenough。
Therewasanotherguest，whosat，bootedandspurred，atsomedistancefromthefirealso，andwhosethoughts——tojudgefromhisfoldedarmsandknittedbrows，andfromtheuntastedliquorbeforehim——wereoccupiedwithothermattersthanthetopicsunderdiscussionorthepersonswhodiscussedthem。Thiswasayoungmanofabouteight-and-twenty，ratherabovethemiddleheight，andthoughofsomewhatslightfigure，gracefullyandstronglymade。Heworehisowndarkhair，andwasaccoutredinaridingdress，whichtogetherwithhislargeboots(resemblinginshapeandfashionthosewornbyourLifeGuardsmenatthepresentday)，showedindisputabletracesofthebadconditionoftheroads。Buttravel-
stainedthoughhewas，hewaswellandevenrichlyattired，andwithoutbeingoverdressedlookedagallantgentleman。
Lyinguponthetablebesidehim，ashehadcarelesslythrownthemdown，wereaheavyriding-whipandaslouchedhat，thelatterwornnodoubtasbeingbestsuitedtotheinclemencyoftheweather。
There，too，wereapairofpistolsinaholster-case，andashortriding-cloak。Littleofhisfacewasvisible，exceptthelongdarklasheswhichconcealedhisdowncasteyes，butanairofcarelesseaseandnaturalgracefulnessofdemeanourpervadedthefigure，andseemedtocomprehendeventhoseslightaccessories，whichwereallhandsome，andingoodkeeping。
TowardsthisyounggentlemantheeyesofMrWilletwanderedbutonce，andthenasifinmuteinquirywhetherhehadobservedhissilentneighbour。ItwasplainthatJohnandtheyounggentlemanhadoftenmetbefore。Findingthathislookwasnotreturned，orindeedobservedbythepersontowhomitwasaddressed，Johngraduallyconcentratedthewholepowerofhiseyesintoonefocus，andbroughtittobearuponthemanintheflappedhat，atwhomhecametostareincourseoftimewithanintensitysoremarkable，thatitaffectedhisfiresidecronies，whoall，aswithoneaccord，tooktheirpipesfromtheirlips，andstaredwithopenmouthsatthestrangerlikewise。
Thesturdylandlordhadalargepairofdullfish-likeeyes，andthelittlemanwhohadhazardedtheremarkaboutthemoon(andwhowastheparish-clerkandbell-ringerofChigwell，avillagehardby)hadlittleroundblackshinyeyeslikebeads;moreoverthislittlemanworeatthekneesofhisrustyblackbreeches，andonhisrustyblackcoat，andalldownhislongflappedwaistcoat，littlequeerbuttonslikenothingexcepthiseyes;butsolikethem，thatastheytwinkledandglistenedinthelightofthefire，whichshonetooinhisbrightshoe-buckles，heseemedalleyesfromheadtofoot，andtobegazingwitheveryoneofthemattheunknowncustomer。Nowonderthatamanshouldgrowrestlessundersuchaninspectionasthis，tosaynothingoftheeyesbelongingtoshortTomCobbthegeneralchandlerandpost-officekeeper，andlongPhilParkestheranger，bothofwhom，infectedbytheexampleoftheircompanions，regardedhimoftheflappedhatnolessattentively。
Thestrangerbecamerestless;perhapsfrombeingexposedtothisrakingfireofeyes，perhapsfromthenatureofhispreviousmeditations——mostprobablyfromthelattercause，forashechangedhispositionandlookedhastilyround，hestartedtofindhimselftheobjectofsuchkeenregard，anddartedanangryandsuspiciousglanceatthefiresidegroup。Ithadtheeffectofimmediatelydivertingalleyestothechimney，exceptthoseofJohnWillet，whofindinghimselfasitwere，caughtinthefact，andnotbeing(ashasbeenalreadyobserved)ofaveryreadynature，remainedstaringathisguestinaparticularlyawkwardanddisconcertedmanner。
’Well？’saidthestranger。
Well。Therewasnotmuchinwell。Itwasnotalongspeech。’I
thoughtyougaveanorder，’saidthelandlord，afterapauseoftwoorthreeminutesforconsideration。
Thestrangertookoffhishat，anddisclosedthehardfeaturesofamanofsixtyorthereabouts，muchweatherbeatenandwornbytime，andthenaturallyharshexpressionofwhichwasnotimprovedbyadarkhandkerchiefwhichwasboundtightlyroundhishead，and，whileitservedthepurposeofawig，shadedhisforehead，andalmosthidhiseyebrows。Ifitwereintendedtoconcealordivertattentionfromadeepgash，nowhealedintoanuglyseam，whichwhenitwasfirstinflictedmusthavelaidbarehischeekbone，theobjectwasbutindifferentlyattained，foritcouldscarcelyfailtobenotedataglance。Hiscomplexionwasofacadaveroushue，andhehadagrizzlyjaggedbeardofsomethreeweeks’date。Suchwasthefigure(verymeanlyandpoorlyclad)thatnowrosefromtheseat，andstalkingacrosstheroomsatdowninacornerofthechimney，whichthepolitenessorfearsofthelittleclerkveryreadilyassignedtohim。
’Ahighwayman！’whisperedTomCobbtoParkestheranger。
’Doyousupposehighwaymendon’tdresshandsomerthanthat？’
repliedParkes。’It’sabetterbusinessthanyouthinkfor，Tom，andhighwaymendon’tneedorusetobeshabby，takemywordforit。’
Meanwhilethesubjectoftheirspeculationshaddoneduehonourtothehousebycallingforsomedrink，whichwaspromptlysuppliedbythelandlord’ssonJoe，abroad-shoulderedstrappingyoungfellowoftwenty，whomitpleasedhisfatherstilltoconsideralittleboy，andtotreataccordingly。Stretchingouthishandstowarmthembytheblazingfire，themanturnedhisheadtowardsthecompany，andafterrunninghiseyesharplyoverthem，saidinavoicewellsuitedtohisappearance:
’Whathouseisthatwhichstandsamileorsofromhere？’
’Public-house？’saidthelandlord，withhisusualdeliberation。
’Public-house，father！’exclaimedJoe，’where’sthepublic-housewithinamileorsooftheMaypole？Hemeansthegreathouse——theWarren——naturallyandofcourse。Theoldredbrickhouse，sir，thatstandsinitsowngrounds——？’
’Aye，’saidthestranger。
’Andthatfifteenortwentyyearsagostoodinaparkfivetimesasbroad，whichwithotherandricherpropertyhasbitbybitchangedhandsanddwindledaway——more’sthepity！’pursuedtheyoungman。
’Maybe，’wasthereply。’Butmyquestionrelatedtotheowner。
WhatithasbeenIdon’tcaretoknow，andwhatitisIcanseeformyself。’
Theheir-apparenttotheMaypolepressedhisfingeronhislips，andglancingattheyounggentlemanalreadynoticed，whohadchangedhisattitudewhenthehousewasfirstmentioned，repliedinalowertone:
’Theowner’snameisHaredale，MrGeoffreyHaredale，and’——againheglancedinthesamedirectionasbefore——’andaworthygentlemantoo——hem！’
Payingaslittleregardtothisadmonitorycough，astothesignificantgesturethathadprecededit，thestrangerpursuedhisquestioning。
’Iturnedoutofmywaycominghere，andtookthefootpaththatcrossesthegrounds。WhowastheyoungladythatIsawenteringacarriage？Hisdaughter？’
’Why，howshouldIknow，honestman？’repliedJoe，contrivinginthecourseofsomearrangementsaboutthehearth，toadvanceclosetohisquestionerandpluckhimbythesleeve，’Ididn’tseetheyounglady，youknow。Whew！There’sthewindagain——ANDrain——
wellitISanight！’
Roughweatherindeed！’observedthestrangeman。
’You’reusedtoit？’saidJoe，catchingatanythingwhichseemedtopromiseadiversionofthesubject。
’Prettywell，’returnedtheother。’Abouttheyounglady——hasMrHaredaleadaughter？’
’No，no，’saidtheyoungfellowfretfully，’he’sasinglegentleman——he’s——bequiet，can’tyou，man？Don’tyouseethistalkisnotrelishedyonder？’
Regardlessofthiswhisperedremonstrance，andaffectingnottohearit，histormentorprovokinglycontinued:
’Singlemenhavehaddaughtersbeforenow。Perhapsshemaybehisdaughter，thoughheisnotmarried。’
’Whatdoyoumean？’saidJoe，addinginanundertoneasheapproachedhimagain，’You’llcomeinforitpresently，Iknowyouwill！’
’Imeannoharm’——returnedthetravellerboldly，’andhavesaidnonethatIknowof。Iaskafewquestions——asanystrangermay，andnotunnaturally——abouttheinmatesofaremarkablehouseinaneighbourhoodwhichisnewtome，andyouareasaghastanddisturbedasifIweretalkingtreasonagainstKingGeorge。
Perhapsyoucantellmewhy，sir，for(asIsay)Iamastranger，andthisisGreektome？’
ThelatterobservationwasaddressedtotheobviouscauseofJoeWillet’sdiscomposure，whohadrisenandwasadjustinghisriding-
cloakpreparatorytosallyingabroad。Brieflyreplyingthathecouldgivehimnoinformation，theyoungmanbeckonedtoJoe，andhandinghimapieceofmoneyinpaymentofhisreckoning，hurriedoutattendedbyyoungWillethimself，whotakingupacandlefollowedtolighthimtothehouse-door。
WhileJoewasabsentonthiserrand，theelderWilletandhisthreecompanionscontinuedtosmokewithprofoundgravity，andinadeepsilence，eachhavinghiseyesfixedonahugecopperboilerthatwassuspendedoverthefire。AftersometimeJohnWilletslowlyshookhishead，andthereuponhisfriendsslowlyshooktheirs;butnomanwithdrewhiseyesfromtheboiler，oralteredthesolemnexpressionofhiscountenanceintheslightestdegree。
AtlengthJoereturned——verytalkativeandconciliatory，asthoughwithastrongpresentimentthathewasgoingtobefoundfaultwith。
’Suchathingasloveis！’hesaid，drawingachairnearthefire，andlookingroundforsympathy。’HehassetofftowalktoLondon，——allthewaytoLondon。Hisnaggonelameinridingoutherethisblessedafternoon，andcomfortablylittereddowninourstableatthisminute;andhegivingupagoodhotsupperandourbestbed，becauseMissHaredalehasgonetoamasqueradeupintown，andhehassethisheartuponseeingher！Idon’tthinkI
couldpersuademyselftodothat，beautifulassheis，——butthenI’mnotinlove(atleastIdon’tthinkIam)andthat’sthewholedifference。’
’Heisinlovethen？’saidthestranger。
’Rather，’repliedJoe。’He’llneverbemoreinlove，andmayveryeasilybeless。’
’Silence，sir！’criedhisfather。
’Whatachapyouare，Joe！’saidLongParkes。
’Suchainconsideratelad！’murmuredTomCobb。
’Puttinghimselfforwardandwringingtheverynoseoffhisownfather’sface！’exclaimedtheparish-clerk，metaphorically。
’WhatHAVEIdone？’reasonedpoorJoe。
’Silence，sir！’returnedhisfather，’whatdoyoumeanbytalking，whenyouseepeoplethataremorethantwoorthreetimesyourage，sittingstillandsilentandnotdreamingofsayingaword？’
’Whythat’sthepropertimeformetotalk，isn’tit？’saidJoerebelliously。
’Thepropertime，sir！’retortedhisfather，’thepropertime’snotime。’
’Ahtobesure！’mutteredParkes，noddinggravelytotheothertwowhonoddedlikewise，observingundertheirbreathsthatthatwasthepoint。
’Thepropertime’snotime，sir，’repeatedJohnWillet;’whenIwasyourageInevertalked，Ineverwantedtotalk。Ilistenedandimprovedmyselfthat’swhatIdid。’
’Andyou’dfindyourfatherratheratoughcustomerinargeyment，Joe，ifanybodywastotryandtacklehim，’saidParkes。
’Forthemattero’that，Phil！’observedMrWillet，blowingalong，thin，spiralcloudofsmokeoutofthecornerofhismouth，andstaringatitabstractedlyasitfloatedaway;’Forthemattero’
that，Phil，argeymentisagiftofNatur。IfNaturhasgiftedamanwithpowersofargeyment，amanhasarighttomakethebestof’em，andhasnotarighttostandonfalsedelicacy，anddenythatheissogifted;forthatisaturningofhisbackonNatur，afloutingofher，aslightingofherpreciouscaskets，andaprovingofone’sselftobeaswinethatisn’tworthherscatteringpearlsbefore。’
Thelandlordpausinghereforaverylongtime，MrParkesnaturallyconcludedthathehadbroughthisdiscoursetoanend;andtherefore，turningtotheyoungmanwithsomeausterity，exclaimed:
’Youhearwhatyourfathersays，Joe？Youwouldn’tmuchliketotacklehiminargeyment，I’mthinking，sir。’
’IF，’saidJohnWillet，turninghiseyesfromtheceilingtothefaceofhisinterrupter，andutteringthemonosyllableincapitals，toapprisehimthathehadputinhisoar，asthevulgarsay，withunbecomingandirreverenthaste;’IF，sir，Naturhasfixeduponmethegiftofargeyment，whyshouldInotowntoit，andrathergloryinthesame？Yes，sir，IAMatoughcustomerthatway。Youareright，sir。Mytoughnesshasbeenproved，sir，inthisroommanyandmanyatime，asIthinkyouknow;andifyoudon’tknow，’addedJohn，puttinghispipeinhismouthagain，’somuchthebetter，forIan’tproudandamnotgoingtotellyou。’
Ageneralmurmurfromhisthreecronies，andageneralshakingofheadsatthecopperboiler，assuredJohnWilletthattheyhadhadgoodexperienceofhispowersandneedednofurtherevidencetoassurethemofhissuperiority。Johnsmokedwithalittlemoredignityandsurveyedtheminsilence。
’It’sallveryfinetalking，’mutteredJoe，whohadbeenfidgetinginhischairwithdiversuneasygestures。’ButifyoumeantotellmethatI’mnevertoopenmylips——’
’Silence，sir！’roaredhisfather。’No，youneverare。Whenyouropinion’swanted，yougiveit。Whenyou’respoketo，youspeak。
Whenyouropinion’snotwantedandyou’renotspoketo，don’tyougiveanopinionanddon’tyouspeak。Theworld’sundergoneanicealterationsincemytime，certainly。Mybeliefisthattherean’tanyboysleft——thatthereisn’tsuchathingasaboy——thatthere’snothingnowbetweenamalebabyandaman——andthatalltheboyswentoutwithhisblessedMajestyKingGeorgetheSecond。’
’That’saverytrueobservation，alwaysexceptingtheyoungprinces，’saidtheparish-clerk，who，astherepresentativeofchurchandstateinthatcompany，heldhimselfboundtothenicestloyalty。’Ifit’sgodlyandrighteousforboys，beingoftheagesofboys，tobehavethemselveslikeboys，thentheyoungprincesmustbeboysandcannotbeotherwise。’
’Didyoueverheartellofmermaids，sir？’saidMrWillet。
’CertainlyIhave，’repliedtheclerk。
’Verygood，’saidMrWillet。’Accordingtotheconstitutionofmermaids，somuchofamermaidasisnotawomanmustbeafish。
Accordingtotheconstitutionofyoungprinces，somuchofayoungprince(ifanything)asisnotactuallyanangel，mustbegodlyandrighteous。Thereforeifit’sbecomingandgodlyandrighteousintheyoungprinces(asitisattheirages)thattheyshouldbeboys，theyareandmustbeboys，andcannotbypossibilitybeanythingelse。’
ThiselucidationofaknottypointbeingreceivedwithsuchmarksofapprovalastoputJohnWilletintoagoodhumour，hecontentedhimselfwithrepeatingtohissonhiscommandofsilence，andaddressingthestranger，said:
’Ifyouhadaskedyourquestionsofagrown-upperson——ofmeoranyofthesegentlemen——you’dhavehadsomesatisfaction，andwouldn’thavewastedbreath。MissHaredaleisMrGeoffreyHaredale’sniece。’
’Isherfatheralive？’saidtheman，carelessly。
’No，’rejoinedthelandlord，’heisnotalive，andheisnotdead——’
’Notdead！’criedtheother。
’Notdeadinacommonsortofway，’saidthelandlord。
Thecroniesnoddedtoeachother，andMrParkesremarkedinanundertone，shakinghisheadmeanwhileaswhoshouldsay，’letnomancontradictme，forIwon’tbelievehim，’thatJohnWilletwasinamazingforceto-night，andfittotackleaChiefJustice。
Thestrangersufferedashortpausetoelapse，andthenaskedabruptly，’Whatdoyoumean？’
’Morethanyouthinkfor，friend，’returnedJohnWillet。’Perhapsthere’smoremeaninginthemwordsthanyoususpect。’
’Perhapsthereis，’saidthestrangeman，gruffly;’butwhatthedevildoyouspeakinsuchmysteriesfor？Youtellme，first，thatamanisnotalive，noryetdead——then，thathe’snotdeadinacommonsortofway——then，thatyoumeanagreatdealmorethanI
thinkfor。Totellyouthetruth，youmaydothateasily;forsofarasIcanmakeout，youmeannothing。WhatDOyoumean，Iaskagain？’
’That，’returnedthelandlord，alittlebroughtdownfromhisdignitybythestranger’ssurliness，’isaMaypolestory，andhasbeenanytimethesefour-and-twentyyears。ThatstoryisSolomonDaisy’sstory。Itbelongstothehouse;andnobodybutSolomonDaisyhasevertolditunderthisroof，orevershall——that’smore。’
Themanglancedattheparish-clerk，whoseairofconsciousnessandimportanceplainlybetokenedhimtobethepersonreferredto，and，observingthathehadtakenhispipefromhislips，afteraverylongwhifftokeepitalight，andwasevidentlyabouttotellhisstorywithoutfurthersolicitation，gatheredhislargecoatabouthim，andshrinkingfurtherbackwasalmostlostinthegloomofthespaciouschimney-corner，exceptwhentheflame，strugglingfromunderagreatfaggot，whoseweightalmostcrusheditforthetime，shotupwardwithastrongandsuddenglare，andillumininghisfigureforamoment，seemedafterwardstocastitintodeeperobscuritythanbefore。
Bythisflickeringlight，whichmadetheoldroom，withitsheavytimbersandpanelledwalls，lookasifitwerebuiltofpolishedebony——thewindroaringandhowlingwithout，nowrattlingthelatchandcreakingthehingesofthestoutoakendoor，andnowdrivingatthecasementasthoughitwouldbeatitin——bythislight，andundercircumstancessoauspicious，SolomonDaisybeganhistale:
’ItwasMrReubenHaredale，MrGeoffrey’selderbrother——’
Herehecametoadeadstop，andmadesolongapausethatevenJohnWilletgrewimpatientandaskedwhyhedidnotproceed。
’Cobb，’saidSolomonDaisy，droppinghisvoiceandappealingtothepost-officekeeper;’whatdayofthemonthisthis？’
’Thenineteenth。’
’OfMarch，’saidtheclerk，bendingforward，’thenineteenthofMarch;that’sverystrange。’
Inalowvoicetheyallacquiesced，andSolomonwenton:
’ItwasMrReubenHaredale，MrGeoffrey’selderbrother，thattwenty-twoyearsagowastheowneroftheWarren，which，asJoehassaid——notthatyourememberit，Joe，foraboylikeyoucan’tdothat，butbecauseyouhaveoftenheardmesayso——wasthenamuchlargerandbetterplace，andamuchmorevaluablepropertythanitisnow。Hisladywaslatelydead，andhewasleftwithonechild——theMissHaredaleyouhavebeeninquiringabout——whowasthenscarcelyayearold。’
Althoughthespeakeraddressedhimselftothemanwhohadshownsomuchcuriosityaboutthissamefamily，andmadeapausehereasifexpectingsomeexclamationofsurpriseorencouragement，thelattermadenoremark，norgaveanyindicationthatheheardorwasinterestedinwhatwassaid。Solomonthereforeturnedtohisoldcompanions，whosenoseswerebrightlyilluminatedbythedeepredglowfromthebowlsoftheirpipes;assured，bylongexperience，oftheirattention，andresolvedtoshowhissenseofsuchindecentbehaviour。
’MrHaredale，’saidSolomon，turninghisbackuponthestrangeman，’leftthisplacewhenhisladydied，feelingitlonelylike，andwentuptoLondon，wherehestoppedsomemonths;butfindingthatplaceaslonelyasthis——asIsupposeandhavealwaysheardsay——hesuddenlycamebackagainwithhislittlegirltotheWarren，bringingwithhimbesides，thatday，onlytwowomenservants，andhissteward，andagardener。’
MrDaisystoppedtotakeawhiffathispipe，whichwasgoingout，andthenproceeded——atfirstinasnufflingtone，occasionedbykeenenjoymentofthetobaccoandstrongpullingatthepipe，andafterwardswithincreasingdistinctness:
’——Bringingwithhimtwowomenservants，andhissteward，andagardener。ThereststoppedbehindupinLondon，andweretofollownextday。Ithappenedthatthatnight，anoldgentlemanwholivedatChigwellRow，andhadlongbeenpoorly，deceased，andanordercametomeathalfaftertwelveo’clockatnighttogoandtollthepassing-bell。’
Therewasamovementinthelittlegroupoflisteners，sufficientlyindicativeofthestrongrepugnanceanyoneofthemwouldhavefelttohaveturnedoutatsuchatimeuponsuchanerrand。Theclerkfeltandunderstoodit，andpursuedhisthemeaccordingly。
’ItWASadrearything，especiallyasthegrave-diggerwaslaidupinhisbed，fromlongworkinginadampsoilandsittingdowntotakehisdinneroncoldtombstones，andIwasconsequentlyunderobligationtogoalone，foritwastoolatetohopetogetanyothercompanion。However，Iwasn’tunpreparedforit;astheoldgentlemanhadoftenmadeitarequestthatthebellshouldbetolledassoonaspossibleafterthebreathwasoutofhisbody，andhehadbeenexpectedtogoforsomedays。IputasgoodafaceuponitasIcould，andmufflingmyselfup(foritwasmortalcold)，startedoutwithalightedlanterninonehandandthekeyofthechurchintheother。’
Atthispointofthenarrative，thedressofthestrangemanrustledasifhehadturnedhimselftohearmoredistinctly。
Slightlypointingoverhisshoulder，SolomonelevatedhiseyebrowsandnoddedasilentinquirytoJoewhetherthiswasthecase。Joeshadedhiseyeswithhishandandpeeredintothecorner，butcouldmakeoutnothing，andsoshookhishead。
’Itwasjustsuchanightasthis;blowingahurricane，rainingheavily，andverydark——Ioftenthinknow，darkerthanIeversawitbeforeorsince;thatmaybemyfancy，butthehouseswereallcloseshutandthefolksindoors，andperhapsthereisonlyoneothermanwhoknowshowdarkitreallywas。Igotintothechurch，chainedthedoorbacksothatitshouldkeepajar——for，totellthetruth，Ididn’tliketobeshutintherealone——andputtingmylanternonthestoneseatinthelittlecornerwherethebell-ropeis，satdownbesideittotrimthecandle。
’Isatdowntotrimthecandle，andwhenIhaddonesoIcouldnotpersuademyselftogetupagain，andgoaboutmywork。Idon’tknowhowitwas，butIthoughtofalltheghoststoriesIhadeverheard，eventhosethatIhadheardwhenIwasaboyatschool，andhadforgottenlongago;andtheydidn’tcomeintomymindoneafteranother，butallcrowdingatonce，like。Irecollectedonestorytherewasinthevillage，howthatonacertainnightintheyear(itmightbethatverynightforanythingIknew)，allthedeadpeoplecameoutofthegroundandsatattheheadsoftheirowngravestillmorning。ThismademethinkhowmanypeopleIhadknown，wereburiedbetweenthechurch-doorandthechurchyardgate，andwhatadreadfulthingitwouldbetohavetopassamongthemandknowthemagain，soearthyandunlikethemselves。Ihadknownallthenichesandarchesinthechurchfromachild;still，I
couldn’tpersuademyselfthatthoseweretheirnaturalshadowswhichIsawonthepavement，butfeltsurethereweresomeuglyfigureshidingamong’emandpeepingout。Thinkingoninthisway，Ibegantothinkoftheoldgentlemanwhowasjustdead，andI
couldhavesworn，asIlookedupthedarkchancel，thatIsawhiminhisusualplace，wrappinghisshroudabouthimandshiveringasifhefeltitcold。AllthistimeIsatlisteningandlistening，andhardlydaredtobreathe。AtlengthIstartedupandtookthebell-ropeinmyhands。Atthatminutethererang——notthatbell，forIhadhardlytouchedtherope——butanother！
’Iheardtheringingofanotherbell，andadeepbelltoo，plainly。
Itwasonlyforaninstant，andeventhenthewindcarriedthesoundaway，butIheardit。Ilistenedforalongtime，butitrangnomore。Ihadheardofcorpsecandles，andatlastI
persuadedmyselfthatthismustbeacorpsebelltollingofitselfatmidnightforthedead。Itolledmybell——how，orhowlong，I
don’tknow——andranhometobedasfastasIcouldtouchtheground。
’Iwasupearlynextmorningafterarestlessnight，andtoldthestorytomyneighbours。Somewereseriousandsomemadelightofit;Idon’tthinkanybodybelieveditreal。But，thatmorning，MrReubenHaredalewasfoundmurderedinhisbedchamber;andinhishandwasapieceofthecordattachedtoanalarm-belloutsidetheroof，whichhunginhisroomandhadbeencutasunder，nodoubtbythemurderer，whenheseizedit。
’ThatwasthebellIheard。
’Abureauwasfoundopened，andacash-box，whichMrHaredalehadbroughtdownthatday，andwassupposedtocontainalargesumofmoney，wasgone。Thestewardandgardenerwerebothmissingandbothsuspectedforalongtime，buttheywereneverfound，thoughhuntedfarandwide。AndfarenoughtheymighthavelookedforpoorMrRudgethesteward，whosebody——scarcelytoberecognisedbyhisclothesandthewatchandringhewore——wasfound，monthsafterwards，atthebottomofapieceofwaterinthegrounds，withadeepgashinthebreastwherehehadbeenstabbedwithaknife。
Hewasonlypartlydressed;andpeopleallagreedthathehadbeensittingupreadinginhisownroom，wherethereweremanytracesofblood，andwassuddenlyfallenuponandkilledbeforehismaster。
Everybodynowknewthatthegardenermustbethemurderer，andthoughhehasneverbeenheardoffromthatdaytothis，hewillbe，markmywords。Thecrimewascommittedthisdaytwo-and-twentyyears——onthenineteenthofMarch，onethousandsevenhundredandfifty-three。OnthenineteenthofMarchinsomeyear——nomatterwhen——Iknowit，Iamsureofit，forwehavealways，insomestrangewayorother，beenbroughtbacktothesubjectonthatdayeversince——onthenineteenthofMarchinsomeyear，soonerorlater，thatmanwillbediscovered。’
Chapter2
’Astrangestory！’saidthemanwhohadbeenthecauseofthenarration——’Strangerstillifitcomesaboutasyoupredict。Isthatall？’
Aquestionsounexpected，nettledSolomonDaisynotalittle。Bydintofrelatingthestoryveryoften，andornamentingit(accordingtovillagereport)withafewflourishessuggestedbythevarioushearersfromtimetotime，hehadcomebydegreestotellitwithgreateffect;and’Isthatall？’aftertheclimax，wasnotwhathewasaccustomedto。
’Isthatall？’herepeated，’yes，that’sall，sir。Andenoughtoo，Ithink。’
’Ithinksotoo。Myhorse，youngman！Heisbutahackhiredfromaroadsidepostinghouse，buthemustcarrymetoLondonto-
night。’
’To-night！’saidJoe。
’To-night，’returnedtheother。’Whatdoyoustareat？Thistavernwouldseemtobeahouseofcallforallthegapingidlersoftheneighbourhood！’
Atthisremark，whichevidentlyhadreferencetothescrutinyhehadundergone，asmentionedintheforegoingchapter，theeyesofJohnWilletandhisfriendsweredivertedwithmarvellousrapiditytothecopperboileragain。NotsowithJoe，who，beingamettlesomefellow，returnedthestranger’sangryglancewithasteadylook，andrejoined:
’Itisnotaveryboldthingtowonderatyourgoingonto-night。
Surelyyouhavebeenaskedsuchaharmlessquestioninaninnbefore，andinbetterweatherthanthis。Ithoughtyoumightn’tknowtheway，asyouseemstrangetothispart。’
’Theway——’repeatedtheother，irritably。
’Yes。DOyouknowit？’
’I’ll——humph！——I’llfindit，’repliedthenian，wavinghishandandturningonhisheel。’Landlord，takethereckoninghere。’
JohnWilletdidashewasdesired;foronthatpointhewasseldomslow，exceptintheparticularsofgivingchange，andtestingthegoodnessofanypieceofcointhatwasprofferedtohim，bytheapplicationofhisteethorhistongue，orsomeothertest，orindoubtfulcases，byalongseriesofteststerminatinginitsrejection。Theguestthenwrappedhisgarmentsabouthimsoastoshelterhimselfaseffectuallyashecouldfromtheroughweather，andwithoutanywordorsignoffarewellbetookhimselftothestableyard。HereJoe(whohadlefttheroomontheconclusionoftheirshortdialogue)wasprotectinghimselfandthehorsefromtherainundertheshelterofanoldpenthouseroof。
’He’sprettymuchofmyopinion，’saidJoe，pattingthehorseupontheneck。’I’llwagerthatyourstoppinghereto-nightwouldpleasehimbetterthanitwouldpleaseme。’
’HeandIareofdifferentopinions，aswehavebeenmorethanonceonourwayhere，’wastheshortreply。
’SoIwasthinkingbeforeyoucameout，forhehasfeltyourspurs，poorbeast。’
Thestrangeradjustedhiscoat-collarabouthisface，andmadenoanswer。
’You’llknowmeagain，Isee，’hesaid，markingtheyoungfellow’searnestgaze，whenhehadsprungintothesaddle。
’Theman’sworthknowing，master，whotravelsaroadhedon’tknow，mountedonajadedhorse，andleavesgoodquarterstodoitonsuchanightasthis。’
’Youhavesharpeyesandasharptongue，Ifind。’
’BothIhopebynature，butthelastgrowsrustysometimesforwantofusing。’
’Usethefirstlesstoo，andkeeptheirsharpnessforyoursweethearts，boy，’saidtheman。
Sosayingheshookhishandfromthebridle，struckhimroughlyontheheadwiththebuttendofhiswhip，andgallopedaway;dashingthroughthemudanddarknesswithaheadlongspeed，whichfewbadlymountedhorsemenwouldhavecaredtoventure，evenhadtheybeenthoroughlyacquaintedwiththecountry;andwhich，toonewhoknewnothingofthewayherode，wasattendedateverystepwithgreathazardanddanger。
Theroads，evenwithintwelvemilesofLondon，wereatthattimeillpaved，seldomrepaired，andverybadlymade。Thewaythisridertraversedhadbeenploughedupbythewheelsofheavywaggons，andrenderedrottenbythefrostsandthawsoftheprecedingwinter，orpossiblyofmanywinters。Greatholesandgapshadbeenwornintothesoil，which，beingnowfilledwithwaterfromthelaterains，werenoteasilydistinguishableevenbyday;andaplungeintoanyoneofthemmighthavebroughtdownasurer-footedhorsethanthepoorbeastnowurgedforwardtotheutmostextentofhispowers。Sharpflintsandstonesrolledfromunderhishoofscontinually;theridercouldscarcelyseebeyondtheanimal’shead，orfartheroneithersidethanhisownarmwouldhaveextended。Atthattime，too，alltheroadsintheneighbourhoodofthemetropoliswereinfestedbyfootpadsorhighwaymen，anditwasanight，ofallothers，inwhichanyevil-
disposedpersonofthisclassmighthavepursuedhisunlawfulcallingwithlittlefearofdetection。
Still，thetravellerdashedforwardatthesamerecklesspace，regardlessalikeofthedirtandwetwhichflewabouthishead，theprofounddarknessofthenight，andtheprobabilityofencounteringsomedesperatecharactersabroad。Ateveryturnandangle，evenwhereadeviationfromthedirectcoursemighthavebeenleastexpected，andcouldnotpossiblybeseenuntilhewascloseuponit，heguidedthebridlewithanunerringhand，andkeptthemiddleoftheroad。Thushespedonward，raisinghimselfinthestirrups，leaninghisbodyforwarduntilitalmosttouchedthehorse’sneck，andflourishinghisheavywhipabovehisheadwiththefervourofamadman。
Therearetimeswhen，theelementsbeinginunusualcommotion，thosewhoarebentondaringenterprises，oragitatedbygreatthoughts，whetherofgoodorevil，feelamysterioussympathywiththetumultofnature，andarerousedintocorrespondingviolence。
Inthemidstofthunder，lightning，andstorm，manytremendousdeedshavebeencommitted;men，self-possessedbefore，havegivenasuddenloosetopassionstheycouldnolongercontrol。Thedemonsofwrathanddespairhavestriventoemulatethosewhoridethewhirlwindanddirectthestorm;andman，lashedintomadnesswiththeroaringwindsandboilingwaters，hasbecomeforthetimeaswildandmercilessastheelementsthemselves。
Whetherthetravellerwaspossessedbythoughtswhichthefuryofthenighthadheatedandstimulatedintoaquickercurrent，orwasmerelyimpelledbysomestrongmotivetoreachhisjourney’send，onhesweptmorelikeahuntedphantomthanaman，norcheckedhispaceuntil，arrivingatsomecrossroads，oneofwhichledbyalongerroutetotheplacewhencehehadlatelystarted，heboredownsosuddenlyuponavehiclewhichwascomingtowardshim，thatintheefforttoavoidithewell-nighpulledhishorseuponhishaunches，andnarrowlyescapedbeingthrown。
’Yoho！’criedthevoiceofaman。’What’sthat？Whogoesthere？’
’Afriend！’repliedthetraveller。
’Afriend！’repeatedthevoice。’Whocallshimselfafriendandrideslikethat，abusingHeaven’sgiftsintheshapeofhorseflesh，andendangering，notonlyhisownneck(whichmightbenogreatmatter)butthenecksofotherpeople？’
’Youhavealanternthere，Isee，’saidthetravellerdismounting，’lenditmeforamoment。Youhavewoundedmyhorse，Ithink，withyourshaftorwheel。’
’Woundedhim！’criedtheother，’ifIhaven’tkilledhim，it’snofaultofyours。Whatdoyoumeanbygallopingalongtheking’shighwaylikethat，eh？’
’Givemethelight，’returnedthetraveller，snatchingitfromhishand，’anddon’taskidlequestionsofamanwhoisinnomoodfortalking。’
’Ifyouhadsaidyouwereinnomoodfortalkingbefore，Ishouldperhapshavebeeninnomoodforlighting，’saidthevoice。
’Hows’everasit’sthepoorhorsethat’sdamagedandnotyou，oneofyouiswelcometothelightatallevents——butit’snotthecrustyone。’
Thetravellerreturnednoanswertothisspeech，butholdingthelightneartohispantingandreekingbeast，examinedhiminlimbandcarcass。Meanwhile，theothermansatverycomposedlyinhisvehicle，whichwasakindofchaisewithadepositoryforalargebagoftools，andwatchedhisproceedingswithacarefuleye。
Thelooker-onwasaround，red-faced，sturdyyeoman，withadoublechin，andavoicehuskywithgoodliving，goodsleeping，goodhumour，andgoodhealth。Hewaspasttheprimeoflife，butFatherTimeisnotalwaysahardparent，and，thoughhetarriesfornoneofhischildren，oftenlayshishandlightlyuponthosewhohaveusedhimwell;makingthemoldmenandwomeninexorablyenough，butleavingtheirheartsandspiritsyoungandinfullvigour。Withsuchpeoplethegreyheadisbuttheimpressionoftheoldfellow’shandingivingthemhisblessing，andeverywrinklebutanotchinthequietcalendarofawell-spentlife。
Thepersonwhomthetravellerhadsoabruptlyencounteredwasofthiskind:bluff，hale，hearty，andinagreenoldage:atpeacewithhimself，andevidentlydisposedtobesowithalltheworld。
Althoughmuffledupindiverscoatsandhandkerchiefs——oneofwhich，passedoverhiscrown，andtiedinaconvenientcreaseofhisdoublechin，securedhisthree-corneredhatandbob-wigfromblowingoffhishead——therewasnodisguisinghisplumpandcomfortablefigure;neitherdidcertaindirtyfinger-marksuponhisfacegiveitanyotherthananoddandcomicalexpression，throughwhichitsnaturalgoodhumourshonewithundiminishedlustre。
’Heisnothurt，’saidthetravelleratlength，raisinghisheadandthelanterntogether。
’Youhavefoundthatoutatlast，haveyou？’rejoinedtheoldman。
’Myeyeshaveseenmorelightthanyours，butIwouldn’tchangewithyou。’
’Whatdoyoumean？’
’Mean！Icouldhavetoldyouhewasn’thurt，fiveminutesago。
Givemethelight，friend;rideforwardatagentlerpace;andgoodnight。’
Inhandingupthelantern，themannecessarilycastitsraysfullonthespeaker’sface。Theireyesmetattheinstant。Hesuddenlydroppeditandcrusheditwithhisfoot。
’Didyouneverseealocksmithbefore，thatyoustartasifyouhadcomeuponaghost？’criedtheoldmaninthechaise，’oristhis，’
headdedhastily，thrustinghishandintothetoolbasketanddrawingoutahammer，’aschemeforrobbingme？Iknowtheseroads，friend。WhenItravelthem，Icarrynothingbutafewshillings，andnotacrown’sworthofthem。Itellyouplainly，tosaveusbothtrouble，thatthere’snothingtobegotfrommebutaprettystoutarmconsideringmyyears，andthistool，which，mayhapfromlongacquaintancewith，Icanuseprettybriskly。Youshallnothaveitallyourownway，Ipromiseyou，ifyouplayatthatgame。Withthesewordshestooduponthedefensive。
’Iamnotwhatyoutakemefor，GabrielVarden，’repliedtheother。
’Thenwhatandwhoareyou？’returnedthelocksmith。’Youknowmyname，itseems。Letmeknowyours。’
’Ihavenotgainedtheinformationfromanyconfidenceofyours，butfromtheinscriptiononyourcartwhichtellsittoallthetown，’repliedthetraveller。
’Youhavebettereyesforthatthanyouhadforyourhorse，then，’
saidVarden，descendingnimblyfromhischaise;’whoareyou？Letmeseeyourface。’
Whilethelocksmithalighted，thetravellerhadregainedhissaddle，fromwhichhenowconfrontedtheoldman，who，movingasthehorsemovedinchafingunderthetightenedrein，keptclosebesidehim。
’Letmeseeyourface，Isay。’
’Standoff！’
’Nomasqueradingtricks，’saidthelocksmith，’andtalesattheclubto-morrow，howGabrielVardenwasfrightenedbyasurlyvoiceandadarknight。Stand——letmeseeyourface。’
Findingthatfurtherresistancewouldonlyinvolvehiminapersonalstrugglewithanantagonistbynomeanstobedespised，thetravellerthrewbackhiscoat，andstoopingdownlookedsteadilyatthelocksmith。
Perhapstwomenmorepowerfullycontrasted，neveropposedeachotherfacetoface。Theruddyfeaturesofthelocksmithsosetoffandheightenedtheexcessivepalenessofthemanonhorseback，thathelookedlikeabloodlessghost，whilethemoisture，whichhardridinghadbroughtoutuponhisskin，hungthereindarkandheavydrops，likedewsofagonyanddeath。Thecountenanceoftheoldlocksmithlightedupwiththesmileofoneexpectingtodetectinthisunpromisingstrangersomelatentrogueryofeyeorlip，whichshouldrevealafamiliarpersoninthatarchdisguise，andspoilhisjest。Thefaceoftheother，sullenandfierce，butshrinkingtoo，wasthatofamanwhostoodatbay;whilehisfirmlyclosedjaws，hispuckeredmouth，andmorethanallacertainstealthymotionofthehandwithinhisbreast，seemedtoannounceadesperatepurposeveryforeigntoacting，orchild’splay。
Thustheyregardedeachotherforsometime，insilence。
’Humph！’hesaidwhenhehadscannedhisfeatures;’Idon’tknowyou。’
’Don’tdesireto？’——returnedtheother，mufflinghimselfasbefore。
’Idon’t，’saidGabriel;’tobeplainwithyou，friend，youdon’tcarryinyourcountenancealetterofrecommendation。’
’It’snotmywish，’saidthetraveller。’Myhumouristobeavoided。’
’Well，’saidthelocksmithbluntly，’Ithinkyou’llhaveyourhumour。’
’Iwill，atanycost，’rejoinedthetraveller。’Inproofofit，laythistoheart——thatyouwereneverinsuchperilofyourlifeasyouhavebeenwithinthesefewmoments;whenyouarewithinfiveminutesofbreathingyourlast，youwillnotbenearerdeaththanyouhavebeento-night！’
’Aye！’saidthesturdylocksmith。
’Aye！andaviolentdeath。’
’Fromwhosehand？’
’Frommine，’repliedthetraveller。
Withthatheputspurstohishorse，androdeaway;atfirstplashingheavilythroughthemireatasmarttrot，butgraduallyincreasinginspeeduntilthelastsoundofhishorse’shoofsdiedawayuponthewind;whenhewasagainhurryingonatthesamefuriousgallop，whichhadbeenhispacewhenthelocksmithfirstencounteredhim。
GabrielVardenremainedstandingintheroadwiththebrokenlanterninhishand，listeninginstupefiedsilenceuntilnosoundreachedhisearbutthemoaningofthewind，andthefast-fallingrain;whenhestruckhimselfoneortwosmartblowsinthebreastbywayofrousinghimself，andbrokeintoanexclamationofsurprise。
’Whatinthenameofwondercanthisfellowbe！amadman？ahighwayman？acut-throat？Ifhehadnotscouredoffsofast，we’dhaveseenwhowasinmostdanger，heorI。InevernearerdeaththanIhavebeento-night！IhopeImaybenonearertoitforascoreofyearstocome——ifso，I’llbecontenttobenofartherfromit。Mystars！——aprettybragthistoastoutman——pooh，pooh！’
Gabrielresumedhisseat，andlookedwistfullyuptheroadbywhichthetravellerhadcome;murmuringinahalfwhisper:
’TheMaypole——twomilestotheMaypole。IcametheotherroadfromtheWarrenafteralongday’sworkatlocksandbells，onpurposethatIshouldnotcomebytheMaypoleandbreakmypromisetoMarthabylookingin——there’sresolution！ItwouldbedangeroustogoontoLondonwithoutalight;andit’sfourmiles，andagoodhalfmilebesides，totheHalfway-House;andbetweenthisandthatistheveryplacewhereoneneedsalightmost。TwomilestotheMaypole！ItoldMarthaIwouldn’t;IsaidIwouldn’t，andI
didn’t——there’sresolution！’
Repeatingthesetwolastwordsveryoften，asiftocompensateforthelittleresolutionhewasgoingtoshowbypiquinghimselfonthegreatresolutionhehadshown，GabrielVardenquietlyturnedback，determiningtogetalightattheMaypole，andtotakenothingbutalight。
WhenhegottotheMaypole，however，andJoe，respondingtohiswell-knownhail，camerunningouttothehorse’shead，leavingthedooropenbehindhim，anddisclosingadeliciousperspectiveofwarmthandbrightness——whentheruddygleamofthefire，streamingthroughtheoldredcurtainsofthecommonroom，seemedtobringwithit，aspartofitself，apleasanthumofvoices，andafragrantodourofsteaminggrogandraretobacco，allsteepedasitwereinthecheerfulglow——whentheshadows，flittingacrossthecurtain，showedthatthoseinsidehadrisenfromtheirsnugseats，andweremakingroominthesnuggestcorner(howwellheknewthatcorner！)forthehonestlocksmith，andabroadglare，suddenlystreamingup，bespokethegoodnessofthecracklinglogfromwhichabrillianttrainofsparkswasdoubtlessatthatmomentwhirlingupthechimneyinhonourofhiscoming——when，superaddedtotheseenticements，therestoleuponhimfromthedistantkitchenagentlesoundoffrying，withamusicalclatterofplatesanddishes，andasavourysmellthatmadeeventheboisterouswindaperfume——Gabrielfelthisfirmnessoozingrapidlyaway。Hetriedtolookstoicallyatthetavern，buthisfeatureswouldrelaxintoalookoffondness。Heturnedhisheadtheotherway，andthecoldblackcountryseemedtofrownhimoff，anddrivehimforarefugeintoitshospitablearms。
’Themercifulman，Joe，’saidthelocksmith，’ismercifultohisbeast。I’llgetoutforalittlewhile。’
Andhownaturalitwastogetout！Andhowunnaturalitseemedforasobermantobeploddingwearilyalongthroughmiryroads，encounteringtherudebuffetsofthewindandpeltingoftherain，whentherewasacleanfloorcoveredwithcrispwhitesand，awellswepthearth，ablazingfire，atabledecoratedwithwhitecloth，brightpewterflagons，andothertemptingpreparationsforawell-
cookedmeal——whentherewerethesethings，andcompanydisposedtomakethemostofthem，allreadytohishand，andentreatinghimtoenjoyment！
Chapter3
Suchwerethelocksmith’sthoughtswhenfirstseatedinthesnugcorner，andslowlyrecoveringfromapleasantdefectofvision——
pleasant，becauseoccasionedbythewindblowinginhiseyes——whichmadeitamatterofsoundpolicyanddutytohimself，thatheshouldtakerefugefromtheweather，andtemptedhim，forthesamereason，toaggravateaslightcough，anddeclarehefeltbutpoorly。Suchwerestillhisthoughtsmorethanafullhourafterwards，when，supperover，hestillsatwithshiningjovialfaceinthesamewarmnook，listeningtothecricket-likechirrupoflittleSolomonDaisy，andbearingnounimportantorslightlyrespectedpartinthesocialgossiproundtheMaypolefire。
’Iwishhemaybeanhonestman，that’sall，’saidSolomon，windingupavarietyofspeculationsrelativetothestranger，concerningwhomGabrielhadcomparednoteswiththecompany，andsoraisedagravediscussion;’Iwishhemaybeanhonestman。’
’Sowealldo，Isuppose，don’twe？’observedthelocksmith。
’Idon’t，’saidJoe。
’No！’criedGabriel。
’No。Hestruckmewithhiswhip，thecoward，whenhewasmountedandIafoot，andIshouldbebetterpleasedthatheturnedoutwhatIthinkhim。’
’Andwhatmaythatbe，Joe？’
’Nogood，MrVarden。Youmayshakeyourhead，father，butIsaynogood，andwillsaynogood，andIwouldsaynogoodahundredtimesover，ifthatwouldbringhimbacktohavethedrubbinghedeserves。’
’Holdyourtongue，sir，’saidJohnWillet。
’Iwon’t，father。It’sallalongofyouthatheventuredtodowhathedid。Seeingmetreatedlikeachild，andputdownlikeafool，HEplucksupaheartandhasaflingatafellowthathethinks——andmaywellthinktoo——hasn’tagrainofspirit。Buthe’smistaken，asI’llshowhim，andasI’llshowallofyoubeforelong。’
’Doestheboyknowwhathe’sasayingof！’criedtheastonishedJohnWillet。
’Father，’returnedJoe，’IknowwhatIsayandmean，well——betterthanyoudowhenyouhearme。Icanbearwithyou，butIcannotbearthecontemptthatyourtreatingmeinthewayyoudo，bringsuponmefromotherseveryday。Lookatotheryoungmenofmyage。
