Ho-ho——answermethat!\"
Theshockthatwentthroughmewasdistressing.Inowbegantoreasonthatmysituationwasinthelastdegreeserious,dreamornodream;forIknewbypastexperienceofthelifelikeintensityofdreams,thattobeburnedtodeath,eveninadream,wouldbeveryfarfrombeingajest,andwasathingtobeavoided,byanymeans,fairorfoul,thatIcouldcontrive.SoIsaidbeseechingly:
\"Ah,Clarence,goodboy,onlyfriendI\'vegot,——foryouAREmyfriend,aren\'tyou?——don\'tfailme;helpmetodevisesomewayofescapingfromthisplace!\"
\"Nowdobuthearthyself!Escape?Why,man,thecorridorsareinguardandkeepofmen-at-arms.\"
\"Nodoubt,nodoubt.Buthowmany,Clarence?Notmany,Ihope?\"
\"Fullascore.Onemaynothopetoescape.\"Afterapause——hesitatingly:
\"andtherebeotherreasons——andweightier.\"
\"Otherones?Whatarethey?\"
\"Well,theysay——oh,butIdaren\'t,indeeddaren\'t!\"
\"Why,poorlad,whatisthematter?Whydoyoublench?Whydoyoutrembleso?\"
\"Oh,insooth,thereisneed!Idowanttotellyou,but——\"
\"Come,come,bebrave,beaman——speakout,there\'sagoodlad!\"
Hehesitated,pulledonewaybydesire,theotherwaybyfear;thenhestoletothedoorandpeepedout,listening;andfinallycreptclosetomeandputhismouthtomyearandtoldmehisfearfulnewsinawhisper,andwithallthecoweringapprehensionofonewhowasventuringuponawfulgroundandspeakingofthingswhoseverymentionmightbefreightedwithdeath.
\"Merlin,inhismalice,haswovenaspellaboutthisdungeon,andtherebidesnotthemaninthesekingdomsthatwouldbedesperateenoughtoessaytocrossitslineswithyou!NowGodpityme,Ihavetoldit!Ah,bekindtome,bemercifultoapoorboywhomeanstheewell;foranthoubetraymeIamlost!\"
IlaughedtheonlyreallyrefreshinglaughIhadhadforsometime;
andshouted:
\"Merlinhaswroughtaspell!MERLIN,forsooth!Thatcheapoldhumbug,thatmaunderingoldass?Bosh,purebosh,thesilliestboshintheworld!
Why,itdoesseemtomethatofallthechildish,idiotic,chuckle-headed,chicken-liveredsuperstitionsthatev——oh,damnMerlin!\"
ButClarencehadslumpedtohiskneesbeforeIhadhalffinished,andhewasliketogooutofhismindwithfright.
\"Oh,beware!Theseareawfulwords!Anymomentthesewallsmaycrumbleuponusifyousaysuchthings.Ohcallthembackbeforeitistoolate!\"
Nowthisstrangeexhibitiongavemeagoodideaandsetmetothinking.
IfeverybodyaboutherewassohonestlyandsincerelyafraidofMerlin\'spretendedmagicasClarencewas,certainlyasuperiormanlikemeoughttobeshrewdenoughtocontrivesomewaytotakeadvantageofsuchastateofthings.Iwentonthinking,andworkedoutaplan.ThenIsaid:
\"Getup.Pullyourselftogether;lookmeintheeye.DoyouknowwhyIlaughed?\"
\"No——butforourblessedLady\'ssake,doitnomore.\"
\"Well,I\'lltellyouwhyIlaughed.BecauseI\'mamagicianmyself.\"
\"Thou!\"Theboyrecoiledastep,andcaughthisbreath,forthethinghithimrathersudden;buttheaspectwhichhetookonwasvery,veryrespectful.
Itookquicknoteofthat;itindicatedthatahumbugdidn\'tneedtohaveareputationinthisasylum;peoplestoodreadytotakehimathisword,withoutthat.Iresumed.
\"I\'veknowMerlinsevenhundredyears,andhe——\"
\"Sevenhun——\"
\"Don\'tinterruptme.Hehasdiedandcomealiveagainthirteentimes,andtraveledunderanewnameeverytime:Smith,Jones,Robinson,Jackson,Peters,Haskins,Merlin——anewaliaseverytimeheturnsup.IknewhiminEgyptthreehundredyearsago;IknewhiminIndiafivehundredyearsago——heisalwaysbletheringaroundinmyway,everywhereIgo;hemakesmetired.Hedon\'tamounttoshucks,asamagician;knowssomeoftheoldcommontricks,buthasnevergotbeyondtherudiments,andneverwill.
Heiswellenoughfortheprovinces——one-nightstandsandthatsortofthing,youknow——butdearme,HEoughtn\'ttosetupforanexpert——
anywaynotwherethere\'sarealartist.Nowlookhere,Clarence,Iamgoingtostandyourfriend,rightalong,andinreturnyoumustbemine.Iwantyoutodomeafavor.IwantyoutogetwordtothekingthatIamamagicianmyself——andtheSupremeGrandHigh-yu-Muckamuckandheadofthetribe,atthat;andIwanthimtobemadetounderstandthatIamjustquietlyarrangingalittlecalamityherethatwillmakethefurflyintheserealmsifSirKay\'sprojectiscarriedoutandanyharmcomestome.Willyougetthattothekingforme?\"
Thepoorboywasinsuchastatethathecouldhardlyanswerme.Itwaspitifultoseeacreaturesoterrified,sounnerved,sodemoralized.
Buthepromisedeverything;andonmysidehemademepromiseoverandoveragainthatIwouldremainhisfriend,andneverturnagainsthimorcastanyenchantmentsuponhim.Thenheworkedhiswayout,stayinghimselfwithhishandalongthewall,likeasickperson.
Presentlythisthoughtoccurredtome:howheedlessIhavebeen!Whentheboygetscalm,hewillwonderwhyagreatmagicianlikemeshouldhavebeggedaboylikehimtohelpmegetoutofthisplace;hewillputthisandthattogether,andwillseethatIamahumbug.
Iworriedoverthatheedlessblunderforanhour,andcalledmyselfagreatmanyhardnames,meantime.Butfinallyitoccurredtomeallofasuddenthattheseanimalsdidn\'treason;thatTHEYneverputthisandthattogether;thatalltheirtalkshowedthattheydidn\'tknowadiscrepancywhentheysawit.Iwasatrest,then.
Butassoonasoneisatrest,inthisworld,offhegoesonsomethingelsetoworryabout.ItoccurredtomethatIhadmadeanotherblunder:
Ihadsenttheboyofftoalarmhisbetterswithathreat——Iintendingtoinventacalamityatmyleisure;nowthepeoplewhoarethereadiestandeagerestandwillingesttoswallowmiraclesaretheveryoneswhoarehungriesttoseeyouperformthem;supposeIshouldbecalledonforasample?SupposeIshouldbeaskedtonamemycalamity?Yes,Ihadmadeablunder;Ioughttohaveinventedmycalamityfirst.\"WhatshallIdo?
whatcanIsay,togainalittletime?\"Iwasintroubleagain;inthedeepestkindoftrouble:\"There\'safootstep!——they\'recoming.IfIhadonlyjustamomenttothinkGood,I\'vegotit.I\'mallright.\"
Yousee,itwastheeclipse.Itcameintomymindinthenickoftime,howColumbus,orCortez,oroneofthosepeople,playedaneclipseasasavingtrumponce,onsomesavages,andIsawmychance.Icouldplayitmyself,now,anditwouldn\'tbeanyplagiarism,either,becauseIshouldgetitinnearlyathousandyearsaheadofthoseparties.
Clarencecamein,subdued,distressed,andsaid:
\"Ihastedthemessagetoourliegetheking,andstraightwayhehadmetohispresence.Hewasfrightedeventothemarrow,andwasmindedtogiveorderforyourinstantenlargement,andthatyoubeclothedinfineraimentandlodgedasbefittedonesogreat;butthencameMerlinandspoiledall;forhepersuadedthekingthatyouaremad,andknownotwhereofyouspeak;andsaidyourthreatisbutfoolishnessandidlevaporing.
Theydisputedlong,butintheend,Merlin,scoffing,said,\'WhereforehathhenotNAMEDhisbravecalamity?Verilyitisbecausehecannot.\'
Thisthrustdidinamostsuddensortclosetheking\'smouth,andhecouldoffernaughttoturntheargument;andso,reluctant,andfulllothtodoyouthediscourtesy,heyetprayethyoutoconsiderhisperplexedcase,asnotinghowthematterstands,andnamethecalamity——ifsobeyouhavedeterminedthenatureofitandthetimeofitscoming.Oh,pritheedelaynot;todelayatsuchatimeweretodoubleandtrebletheperilsthatalreadycompasstheeabout.Oh,bethouwise——namethecalamity!\"
IallowedsilencetoaccumulatewhileIgotmyimpressivenesstogether,andthensaid:
\"HowlonghaveIbeenshutupinthishole?\"
\"YewereshutupwhenyesterdaywaswellspentItis9ofthemorningnow.\"
\"No!ThenIhavesleptwell,sureenough.Nineinthemorningnow!Andyetitistheverycomplexionofmidnight,toashade.Thisisthe20th,then?\"
\"The20th——yes.\"
\"AndIamtobeburnedaliveto-morrow.\"Theboyshuddered.
\"Atwhathour?\"
\"Athighnoon.\"
\"Nowthen,Iwilltellyouwhattosay.\"Ipaused,andstoodoverthatcoweringladawholeminuteinawfulsilence;then,inavoicedeep,measured,chargedwithdoom,Ibegan,androsebydramaticallygradedstagestomycolossalclimax,whichIdeliveredinassublimeandnobleawayaseverIdidsuchathinginmylife:\"GobackandtellthekingthatatthathourIwillsmotherthewholeworldinthedeadblacknessofmidnight;
Iwillblotoutthesun,andheshallnevershineagain;thefruitsoftheearthshallrotforlackoflightandwarmth,andthepeoplesoftheearthshallfamishanddie,tothelastman!\"
Ihadtocarrytheboyoutmyself,hesunkintosuchacollapse.Ihandedhimovertothesoldiers,andwentback.
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter6Chapter6-TheEclipseINthestillnessandthedarkness,realizationsoonbegantosupplementknowledge.Themereknowledgeofafactispale;butwhenyoucometoREALIZE
yourfact,ittakesoncolor.Itisallthedifferencebetweenhearingofamanbeingstabbedtotheheart,andseeingitdone.Inthestillnessandthedarkness,theknowledgethatIwasindeadlydangertooktoitselfdeeperanddeepermeaningallthetime;asomethingwhichwasrealizationcreptinchbyinchthroughmyveinsandturnedmecold.
Butitisablessedprovisionofnaturethatattimeslikethese,assoonasaman\'smercuryhasgotdowntoacertainpointtherecomesarevulsion,andherallies.Hopespringsup,andcheerfulnessalongwithit,andthenheisingoodshapetodosomethingforhimself,ifanythingcanbedone.
Whenmyrallycame,itcamewithabound.Isaidtomyselfthatmyeclipsewouldbesuretosaveme,andmakemethegreatestmaninthekingdombesides;
andstraightwaymymercurywentuptothetopofthetube,andmysolicitudesallvanished.Iwasashappyamanastherewasintheworld.Iwasevenimpatientfortomorrowtocome,Isowantedtogatherinthatgreattriumphandbethecenterofallthenation\'swonderandreverence.Besides,inabusinesswayitwouldbethemakingofme;Iknewthat.
Meantimetherewasonethingwhichhadgotpushedintothebackgroundofmymind.Thatwasthehalfconvictionthatwhenthenatureofmyproposedcalamityshouldbereportedtothosesuperstitiouspeople,itwouldhavesuchaneffectthattheywouldwanttocompromise.So,byandbywhenI
heardfootstepscoming,thatthoughtwasrecalledtome,andIsaidtomyself,\"Assureasanything,it\'sthecompromise.Well,ifitisgood,allright,Iwillaccept;butifitisn\'t,Imeantostandmygroundandplaymyhandforallitisworth.\"
Thedooropened,andsomemen-at-armsappeared.Theleadersaid:
\"Thestakeisready.Come!\"
Thestake!Thestrengthwentoutofme,andIalmostfelldown.Itishardtogetone\'sbreathatsuchatime,suchlumpscomeintoone\'sthroat,andsuchgaspings;butassoonasIcouldspeak,Isaid:
\"Butthisisamistake——theexecutionistomorrow.\"
\"Orderchanged;beensetforwardaday.Hastethee!\"
Iwaslost.Therewasnohelpforme.Iwasdazed,stupefied;Ihadnocommandovermyself,Ionlywanderedpurposelyabout,likeoneoutofhismind;sothesoldierstookholdofme,andpulledmealongwiththem,outofthecellandalongthemazeofundergroundcorridors,andfinallyintothefierceglareofdaylightandtheupperworld.AswesteppedintothevastenclosedcourtofthecastleIgotashock;forthefirstthingIsawwasthestake,standinginthecenter,andnearitthepiledfagotsandamonk.Onallfoursidesofthecourttheseatedmultitudesroserankaboverank,formingslopingterracesthatwererichwithcolor.Thekingandthequeensatintheirthrones,themostconspicuousfiguresthere,ofcourse.
Tonoteallthis,occupiedbutasecond.ThenextsecondClarencehadslippedfromsomeplaceofconcealmentandwaspouringnewsintomyear,hiseyesbeamingwithtriumphandgladness.Hesaid:
\"\'TisthroughMEthechangewaswrought!AndmainhardhaveIworkedtodoit,too.ButwhenIrevealedtothemthecalamityinstore,andsawhowmightywastheterroritdidengender,thensawIalsothatthiswasthetimetostrike!WhereforeIdiligentlypretended,untothisandthatandtheotherone,thatyourpoweragainstthesuncouldnotreachitsfulluntilthemorrow;andsoifanywouldsavethesunandtheworld,youmustbeslainto-day,whileyourenchantmentsarebutintheweavingandlackpotency.Odsbodikins,itwasbutadulllie,amostindifferentinvention,butyoushouldhaveseenthemseizeitandswallowit,inthefrenzyoftheirfright,asitweresalvationsentfromheaven;andallthewhilewasIlaughinginmysleevetheonemoment,toseethemsocheaplydeceived,andglorifyingGodthenext,thatHewascontenttoletthemeanestofHiscreaturesbeHisinstrumenttothesavingofthylife.Ahhowhappyhasthemattersped!YouwillnotneedtodothesunaREALhurt——ah,forgetnotthat,onyoursoulforgetitnot!Onlymakealittledarkness——onlythelittlestlittledarkness,mind,andceasewiththat.Itwillbesufficient.TheywillseethatIspokefalsely,——beingignorant,astheywillfancy——andwiththefallingofthefirstshadowofthatdarknessyoushallseethemgomadwithfear;andtheywillsetyoufreeandmakeyougreat!Gotothytriumph,now!Butremember——ah,goodfriend,Iimploretheeremembermysupplication,anddotheblessedsunnohurt.ForMYsake,thytruefriend.\"
Ichokedoutsomewordsthroughmygriefandmisery;asmuchastosayIwouldsparethesun;forwhichthelad\'seyespaidmebackwithsuchdeepandlovinggratitudethatIhadnotthehearttotellhimhisgood-heartedfoolishnesshadruinedmeandsentmetomydeath.
AsthesoldiersassistedmeacrossthecourtthestillnesswassoprofoundthatifIhadbeenblindfoldIshouldhavesupposedIwasinasolitudeinsteadofwalledinbyfourthousandpeople.Therewasnotamovementperceptibleinthosemassesofhumanity;theywereasrigidasstoneimages,andaspale;anddreadsatuponeverycountenance.ThishushcontinuedwhileIwasbeingchainedtothestake;itstillcontinuedwhilethefagotswerecarefullyandtediouslypiledaboutmyankles,myknees,mythighs,mybody.Thentherewasapause,andadeeperhush,ifpossible,andamankneltdownatmyfeetwithablazingtorch;themultitudestrainedforward,gazing,andpartingslightlyfromtheirseatswithoutknowingit;themonkraisedhishandsabovemyhead,andhiseyestowardthebluesky,andbegansomewordsinLatin;inthisattitudehedronedonandon,alittlewhile,andthenstopped.Iwaitedtwoorthreemoments;thenlookedup;hewasstandingtherepetrified.Withacommonimpulsethemultituderoseslowlyupandstaredintothesky.Ifollowedtheireyes,assureasguns,therewasmyeclipsebeginning!Thelifewentboilingthroughmyveins;Iwasanewman!Therimofblackspreadslowlyintothesun\'sdisk,myheartbeathigherandhigher,andstilltheassemblageandtheprieststaredintothesky,motionless.Iknewthatthisgazewouldbeturneduponme,next.Whenitwas,lwasready.IwasinoneofthemostgrandattitudesIeverstruck,withmyarmstretcheduppointingtothesun.Itwasanobleeffect.YoucouldSEEtheshuddersweepthemasslikeawave.Twoshoutsrangout,onecloseupontheheelsoftheother:
\"Applythetorch!\"
\"Iforbidit!\"
TheonewasfromMerlin,theotherfromtheking.Merlinstartedfromhisplace——toapplythetorchhimself,Ijudged.Isaid:
\"Staywhereyouare.Ifanymanmoves——eventheking——beforeIgivehimleave,Iwillblasthimwiththunder,Iwillconsumehimwithlightnings!\"
Themultitudesankmeeklyintotheirseats,andIwasjustexpectingtheywould.Merlinhesitatedamomentortwo,andIwasonpinsandneedlesduringthatlittlewhile.Thenhesatdown,andItookagoodbreath;forIknewIwasmasterofthesituationnow.Thekingsaid:
\"Bemerciful,fairsir,andessaynofurtherinthisperilousmatter,lestdisasterfollow.Itwasreportedtousthatyourpowerscouldnotattainuntotheirfullstrengthuntilthemorrow;but——\"
\"YourMajestythinksthereportmayhavebeenalie?ItWASalie.\"
Thatmadeanimmenseeffect;upwentappealinghandseverywhere,andthekingwasassailedwithastormofsupplicationsthatImightbeboughtoffatanyprice,andthecalamitystayed.Thekingwaseagertocomply.
Hesaid:
\"Nameanyterms,reverendsir,eventothehalvingofmykingdom;butbanishthiscalamity,sparethesun!\"
Myfortunewasmade.Iwouldhavetakenhimupinaminute,butIcouldn\'tstopaneclipse;thethingwasoutofthequestion.SoIaskedtimetoconsider.Thekingsaid:
\"Howlong——ah,howlong,goodsir?Bemerciful;look,itgrowethdarker,momentbymoment.Pritheehowlong?\"
\"Notlong.Halfanhour——maybeanhour.\"
Therewereathousandpatheticprotests,butIcouldn\'tshortenupany,forIcouldn\'trememberhowlongatotaleclipselasts.Iwasinapuzzledcondition,anyway,andwantedtothink.Somethingwaswrongaboutthateclipse,andthefactwasveryunsettling.Ifthiswasn\'ttheoneIwasafter,howwasItotellwhetherthiswasthesixthcentury,ornothingbutadream?Dearme,ifIcouldonlyproveitwasthelatter!Herewasagladnewhope.Iftheboywasrightaboutthedate,andthiswassurelythe20th,itWASN\'Tthesixthcentury.Ireachedforthemonk\'ssleeve,inconsiderableexcitement,andaskedhimwhatdayofthemonthitwas.
Hanghim,hesaiditwastheTWENTY-FIRST!Itmademeturncoldtohearhim.Ibeggedhimnottomakeanymistakeaboutit;buthewassure;heknewitwasthe21st.So,thatfeather-headedboyhadbotchedthingsagain!
Thetimeofthedaywasrightfortheeclipse;Ihadseenthatformyself,inthebeginning,bythedialthatwasnearby.Yes,IwasinKingArthur\'scourt,andImightaswellmakethemostoutofitIcould.
Thedarknesswassteadilygrowing,thepeoplebecomingmoreandmoredistressed.Inowsaid:
\"Ihavereflected,SirKing.Foralesson,Iwillletthisdarknessproceed,andspreadnightintheworld;butwhetherIblotoutthesunforgood,orrestoreit,shallrestwithyou.Thesearetheterms,towit:
Youshallremainkingoverallyourdominions,andreceiveallthegloriesandhonorsthatbelongtothekingship;butyoushallappointmeyourperpetualministerandexecutive,andgivemeformyservicesonepercent.ofsuchactualincreaseofrevenueoverandaboveitspresentamountasImaysucceedincreatingforthestate.IfIcan\'tliveonthat,Isha\'n\'taskanybodytogivemealift.Isitsatisfactory?\"
Therewasaprodigiousroarofapplause,andoutofthemidstofittheking\'svoicerose,saying:
\"Awaywithhisbonds,andsethimfree!anddohimhomage,highandlow,richandpoor,forheisbecometheking\'srighthand,isclothedwithpowerandauthority,andhisseatisuponthehigheststepofthethrone!Nowsweepawaythiscreepingnight,andbringthelightandcheeragain,thatalltheworldmayblessthee.\"
ButIsaid:
\"Thatacommonmanshouldbeshamedbeforetheworld,isnothing;butitweredishonortotheKINGifanythatsawhisministernakedshouldnotalsoseehimdeliveredfromhisshame.IfImightaskthatmyclothesbebroughtagain——\"
\"Theyarenotmeet,\"thekingbrokein.\"Fetchraimentofanothersort;
clothehimlikeaprince!\"
Myideaworked.Iwantedtokeepthingsastheyweretilltheeclipsewastotal,otherwisetheywouldbetryingagaintogetmetodismissthedarkness,andofcourseIcouldn\'tdoit.Sendingfortheclothesgainedsomedelay,butnotenough.SoIhadtomakeanotherexcuse.Isaiditwouldbebutnaturalifthekingshouldchangehismindandrepenttosomeextentofwhathehaddoneunderexcitement;thereforeIwouldletthedarknessgrowawhile,andifattheendofareasonabletimethekinghadkepthismindthesame,thedarknessshouldbedismissed.Neitherthekingnoranybodyelsewassatisfiedwiththatarrangement,butIhadtosticktomypoint.
Itgrewdarkeranddarkerandblackerandblacker,whileIstruggledwiththoseawkwardsixth-centuryclothes.Itgottobepitchdark,atlast,andthemultitudegroanedwithhorrortofeelthecolduncannynightbreezesfanthroughtheplaceandseethestarscomeoutandtwinkleinthesky.
Atlasttheeclipsewastotal,andIwasverygladofit,buteverybodyelsewasinmisery;whichwasquitenatural.Isaid:
\"Theking,byhissilence,stillstandstotheterms.\"ThenIliftedupmyhands——stoodjustsoamoment——thenIsaid,withthemostawfulsolemnity:\"Lettheenchantmentdissolveandpassharmlessaway!\"
Therewasnoresponse,foramoment,inthatdeepdarknessandthatgraveyardhush.Butwhenthesilverrimofthesunpusheditselfout,amomentortwolater,theassemblagebrokeloosewithavastshoutandcamepouringdownlikeadelugetosmothermewithblessingsandgratitude;
andClarencewasnotthelastofthewash,tobesure.
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter7Chapter7-Merlin\'sTowerINASMUCHasIwasnowthesecondpersonageintheKingdom,asfaraspoliticalpowerandauthortywereconcerned,muchwasmadeofme.Myraimentwasofsilksandvelvetsandclothofgold,andbyconsequencewasveryshowy,alsouncomfortable.Buthabitwouldsoonreconcilemetomyclothes;I
wasawareofthat.Iwasgiventhechoicestsuiteofapartmentsinthecastle,aftertheking\'s.Theywereaglowwithloud-coloredsilkenhangings,butthestonefloorshadnothingbutrushesonthemforacarpet,andtheyweremisfitrushesatthat,beingnotallofonebreed.Asforconveniences,properlyspeaking,thereweren\'tany.ImeanLITTLEconveniences;itisthelittleconveniencesthatmaketherealcomfortoflife.Thebigoakenchairs,gracedwithrudecarvings,werewellenough,butthatwasthestoppingplace.Therewasnosoap,nomatches,nolooking-glass——exceptametalone,aboutaspowerfulasapailofwater.Andnotachromo.Ihadbeenusedtochromosforyears,andIsawnowthatwithoutmysuspectingitapassionforarthadgotworkedintothefabricofmybeing,andwasbecomeapartofme.ItmademehomesicktolookaroundoverthisproudandgaudybutheartlessbarrennessandrememberthatinourhouseinEastHartford,allunpretendingasitwas,youcouldn\'tgointoaroombutyouwouldfindaninsurance-chromo,oratleastathree-colorGod-Bless-Our-Homeoverthedoor;andintheparlorwehadnine.Buthere,eveninmygrandroomofstate,therewasn\'tanythinginthenatureofapictureexceptathingthesizeofabedquilt,whichwaseitherwovenorknittedithaddarnedplacesinit,andnothinginitwastherightcolorortherightshape;
andasforproportions,evenRaphaelhimselfcouldn\'thavebotchedthemmoreformidably,afterallhispracticeonthosenightmarestheycallhis\"celebratedHamptonCourtcartoons.\"Raphaelwasabird.Wehadseveralofhischromos;onewashis\"MiraculousDraughtofFishes,\"whereheputsinamiracleofhisown——putsthreemenintoacanoewhichwouldn\'thaveheldadogwithoutupsetting.IalwaysadmiredtostudyR.\'sart,itwassofreshandunconventional.
Therewasn\'tevenabelloraspeaking-tubeinthecastle.Ihadagreatmanyservants,andthosethatwereondutylolledintheanteroom;andwhenIwantedoneofthemIhadtogoandcallforhim.Therewasnogas,therewerenocandles;abronzedishhalffullofboarding-housebutterwithablazingragfloatinginitwasthethingthatproducedwhatwasregardedaslight.Alotofthesehungalongthewallsandmodifiedthedark,justtoneditdownenoughtomakeitdismal.Ifyouwentoutatnight,yourservantscarriedtorches.Therewerenobooks,pens,paperorink,andnoglassintheopeningstheybelievedtobewindows.Itisalittlething——glassis——untilitisabsent,thenitbecomesabigthing.Butperhapstheworstofallwas,thattherewasn\'tanysugar,coffee,tea,ortobacco.IsawthatIwasjustanotherRobinsonCrusoecastawayonanuninhabitedisland,withnosocietybutsomemoreorlesstameanimals,andifIwantedtomakelifebearableImustdoashedid——invent,contrive,create,reorganizethings;setbrainandhandtowork,andkeepthembusy.
Well,thatwasinmyline.
Onethingtroubledmealongatfirst——theimmenseinterestwhichpeopletookinme.Apparentlythewholenationwantedalookatme.ItsoontranspiredthattheeclipsehadscaredtheBritishworldalmosttodeath;thatwhileitlastedthewholecountry,fromoneendtotheother,wasinapitiablestateofpanic,andthechurches,hermitages,andmonkeriesoverflowedwithprayingandweepingpoorcreatureswhothoughttheendoftheworldwascome.Thenhadfollowedthenewsthattheproducerofthisawfuleventwasastranger,amightymagicianatArthur\'scourt;thathecouldhaveblownoutthesunlikeacandle,andwasjustgoingtodoitwhenhismercywaspurchased,andhethendissolvedhisenchantments,andwasnowrecognizedandhonoredasthemanwhohadbyhisunaidedmightsavedtheglobefromdestructionanditspeoplesfromextinction.Nowifyouconsiderthateverybodybelievedthat,andnotonlybelievedit,butneverevendreamedofdoubtingit,youwilleasilyunderstandthattherewasnotapersoninallBritainthatwouldnothavewalkedfiftymilestogetasightofme.OfcourseIwasallthetalk——allothersubjectsweredropped;eventhekingbecamesuddenlyapersonofminorinterestandnotoriety.Withintwentyfourhoursthedelegationsbegantoarrive,andfromthattimeonwardforafortnighttheykeptcoming.Thevillagewascrowded,andallthecountryside.Ihadtogooutadozentimesadayandshowmyselftothesereverentandawe-strickenmultitudes.Itcametobeagreatburden,astotimeandtrouble,butofcourseitwasatthesametimecompensatinglyagreeabletobesocelebratedandsuchacenterofhomage.ItturnedBrerMerlingreenwithenvyandspite,whichwasagreatsatisfactiontome.ButtherewasonethingI
couldn\'tunderstand——nobodyhadaskedforanautograph.IspoketoClarenceaboutit.ByGeorge!Ihadtoexplaintohimwhatitwas.Thenhesaidnobodyinthecountrycouldreadorwritebutafewdozenpriests.Land!
thinkofthat.
Therewasanotherthingthattroubledmealittle.Thosemultitudespresentlybegantoagitateforanothermiracle.Thatwasnatural.Tobeabletocarrybacktotheirfarhomestheboastthattheyhadseenthemanwhocouldcommandthesun,ridingintheheavens,andbeobeyed,wouldmakethemgreatintheeyesoftheirneighbors,andenviedbythemall;
buttobeabletoalsosaytheyhadseenhimworkamiraclethemselves——why,peoplewouldcomeadistancetoseeTHEM.Thepressuregottobeprettystrong.Therewasgoingtobeaneclipseofthemoon,andIknewthedateandhour,butitwastoofaraway.Twoyears.Iwouldhavegivenagooddealforlicensetohurryitupanduseitnowwhentherewasabigmarketforit.Itseemedagreatpitytohaveitwastedso,andcomelaggingalongatatimewhenabodywouldn\'thaveanyuseforit,aslikeasnot.Ifithadbeenbookedforonlyamonthaway,Icouldhavesolditshort;but,asmattersstood,Icouldn\'tseemtocipheroutanywaytomakeitdomeanygood,soIgaveuptrying.Next,ClarencefoundthatoldMerlinwasmakinghimselfbusyontheslyamongthosepeople.HewasspreadingareportthatIwasahumbug,andthatthereasonIdidn\'taccommodatethepeoplewithamiraclewasbecauseIcouldn\'t.IsawthatImustdosomething.Ipresentlythoughtoutaplan.
BymyauthorityasexecutiveIthrewMerlinintoprison——thesamecellIhadoccupiedmyself.ThenIgavepublicnoticebyheraldandtrumpetthatIshouldbebusywithaffairsofstateforafortnight,butabouttheendofthattimeIwouldtakeamoment\'sleisureandblowupMerlin\'sstonetowerbyfiresfromheaven;inthemeantime,whosolistenedtoevilreportsaboutme,lethimbeware.Furthermore,Iwouldperformbutthisonemiracleatthistime,andnomore;ifitfailedtosatisfyandanymurmured,Iwouldturnthemurmurersintohorses,andmakethemuseful.
Quietensued.
ItookClarenceintomyconfidence,toacertaindegree,andwewenttoworkprivately.Itoldhimthatthiswasasortofmiraclethatrequiredatrifleofpreparation,andthatitwouldbesuddendeathtoevertalkaboutthesepreparationstoanybody.Thatmadehismouthsafeenough.Clandestinelywemadeafewbushelsoffirst-rateblastingpowder,andIsuperintendedmyarmorerswhiletheyconstructedalightningrodandsomewires.Thisoldstonetowerwasverymassive——andratherruinous,too,foritwasRoman,andfourhundredyearsold.Yes,andhandsome,afterarudefashion,andclothedwithivyfrombasetosummit,aswithashirtofscalemail.
Itstoodonalonelyeminence,ingoodviewfromthecastle,andabouthalfamileaway.
Workingbynight,westowedthepowderinthetower——dugstonesout,ontheinside,andburiedthepowderinthewallsthemselves,whichwerefifteenfeetthickatthebase.Weputinapeckatatime,inadozenplaces.WecouldhaveblownuptheTowerofLondonwiththesecharges.
Whenthethirteenthnightwascomeweputupourlightning-rod,beddeditinoneofthebatchesofpowder,andranwiresfromittotheotherbatches.Everybodyhadshunnedthatlocalityfromthedayofmyproclamation,butonthemorningofthefourteenthIthoughtbesttowarnthepeople,throughtheheralds,tokeepclearaway——aquarterofamileaway.Thenadded,bycommand,thatatsometimeduringthetwenty-fourhoursIwouldconsummatethemiracle,butwouldfirstgiveabriefnotice;byflagsonthecastletowersifinthedaytime,bytorch-basketsinthesameplacesifatnight.
Thunder-showershadbeentolerablyfrequentoflate,andIwasnotmuchafraidofafailure;still,Ishouldn\'thavecaredforadelayofadayortwo;IshouldhaveexplainedthatIwasbusywithaffairsofstateyet,andthepeoplemustwait.
Ofcourse,wehadablazingsunnyday——almostthefirstonewithoutacloudforthreeweeks;thingsalwayshappenso.Ikeptsecluded,andwatchedtheweather.Clarencedroppedinfromtimetotimeandsaidthepublicexcitementwasgrowingandgrowingallthetime,andthewholecountryfillingupwithhumanmassesasfarasonecouldseefromthebattlements.
Atlastthewindsprangupandacloudappeared——intherightquarter,too,andjustatnightfall.ForalittlewhileIwatchedthatdistantcloudspreadandblacken,thenIjudgeditwastimeformetoappear.Iorderedthetorch-basketstobelit,andMerlinliberatedandsenttome.AquarterofanhourlaterIascendedtheparapetandtherefoundthekingandthecourtassembledandgazingoffinthedarknesstowardMerlin\'sTower.Alreadythedarknesswassoheavythatonecouldnotseefar;thesepeopleandtheoldturrets,beingpartlyindeepshadowandpartlyintheredglowfromthegreattorch-basketsoverhead,madeagooddealofapicture.