Justherewasthewaysideshopofasmith;andnowarrivedalandedproprietorwhohadboughtthisgirlafewmilesback,deliverableherewhereherironscouldbetakenoff.Theywereremoved;thentherewasasquabblebetweenthegentlemanandthedealerastowhichshouldpaytheblacksmith.Themomentthegirlwasdeliveredfromherirons,sheflungherself,alltearsandfranticsobbings,intothearmsoftheslavewhohadturnedawayhisfacewhenshewaswhipped.Hestrainedhertohisbreast,andsmotheredherfaceandthechild\'swithkisses,andwashedthemwiththerainofhistears.Isuspected.Iinquired.Yes,Iwasright;itwashusbandandwife.Theyhadtobetornapartbyforce;thegirlhadtobedraggedaway,andshestruggledandfoughtandshriekedlikeonegonemadtillaturnoftheroadhidherfromsight;andevenafterthat,wecouldstillmakeoutthefadingplaintofthoserecedingshrieks.Andthehusbandandfather,withhiswifeandchildgone,nevertobeseenbyhimagaininlife?——well,thelookofhimonemightnotbearatall,andsoIturnedaway;butIknewIshouldnevergethispictureoutofmymindagain,andthereitistothisday,towringmyheartstringswheneverIthinkofit.
Weputupattheinninavillagejustatnightfall,andwhenIrosenextmorningandlookedabroad,Iwaswarewhereaknightcameridinginthegoldengloryofthenewday,andrecognizedhimforknightofmine——SirOzanaleCureHardy.Hewasinthegentlemen\'sfurnishingline,andhismissionaryingspecialtywasplughats.Hewasclothedallinsteel,inthebeautifulestarmorofthetime——uptowherehishelmetoughttohavebeen;buthehadn\'tanyhelmet,heworeashinystove-pipehat,andwasridiculousaspectacleasonemightwanttosee.Itwasanotherofmysurreptitiousschemesforextinguishingknighthoodbymakingitgrotesqueandabsurd.SirOzana\'ssaddlewashungaboutwithleatherhatboxes,andeverytimeheovercameawanderingknighthesworehimintomyserviceandfittedhimwithaplugandmadehimwearit.IdressedandrandowntowelcomeSirOzanaandgethisnews.
\"Howistrade?\"Iasked.
\"YewillnotethatIhavebutthesefourleft;yetweretheysixteenwhenasIgotmefromCamelot.\"
\"Why,youhavecertainlydonenobly,SirOzana.Wherehaveyoubeenforagingoflate?\"
\"IambutnowcomefromtheValleyofHoliness,pleaseyousir.\"
\"Iampointedforthatplacemyself.Isthereanythingstirringinthemonkery,morethancommon?\"
\"Bythemassyemaynotquestionit!Givehimgoodfeed,boy,andstintitnot,anthouvaluestthycrown;sogetyelightlytothestableanddoevenasIbidSir,itisparlousnewsIbring,and——bethesepilgrims?Thenyemaynotdobetter,goodfolk,thangatherandhearthetaleIhavetotell,sithitconcernethyou,forasmuchasyegotofindthatyewillnotfind,andseekthatyewillseekinvain,mylifebeinghostageformyword,andmywordandmessagebeingthese,namely:Thatahaphashappenedwhereofthelikehasnotbeenseennomorebutoncethistwohundredyears,whichwasthefirstandlasttimethatthatsaidmisfortunestraketheholyvalleyinthatformbycommandmentoftheMostHighwheretobyreasonsjustandcausesthereuntocontributing,whereinthematter——\"
\"Themiraculousfounthathceasedtoflow!\"Thisshoutburstfromtwentypilgrimmouthsatonce.
\"Yesaywell,goodpeople.Iwasvergingtoit,evenwhenyespake.
\"
\"Hassomebodybeenwashingagain?\"
\"Nay,itissuspected,butnonebelieveit.Itisthoughttobesomeothersin,butnonewitwhat.\"
\"Howaretheyfeelingaboutthecalamity?\"
\"Nonemaydescribeitinwords.Thefountistheseninedaysdry.Theprayersthatdidbeginthen,andthelamentationsinsackclothandashes,andtheholyprocessions,noneofthesehaveceasednornightnorday;
andsothemonksandthenunsandthefoundlingsbeallexhausted,anddohangupprayerswrituponparchment,siththatnostrengthisleftinmantoliftupvoice.Andatlasttheysentforthee,SirBoss,totrymagicandenchantment;andifyoucouldnotcome,thenwasthemessengertofetchMerlin,andheistherethesethreedaysnow,andsaithhewillfetchthatwaterthoughhebursttheglobeandwreckitskingdomstoaccomplishit;andrightbravelydothheworkhismagicandcalluponhishellionstohiethemhitherandhelp,butnotawhiffofmoisturehathhestartedyet,evensomuchasmightqualifyasmistuponacoppermirroranyecountnotthebarrelofsweathesweatethbetwixtsunandsunoverthedirelaborsofhistask;andifye——\"
Breakfastwasready.AssoonasitwasoverIshowedtoSirOzanathesewordswhichIhadwrittenontheinsideofhishat:ChemicalDepartment,Laboratoryextension,SectionG.Pxxp.Sendtwooffirstsize,twoofNo.
3,andsixofNo.4,togetherwiththepropercomplementarydetails——
andtwoofmytrainedassistants.\"AndIsaid:
\"NowgetyoutoCamelotasfastasyoucanfly,braveknight,andshowthewritingtoClarence,andtellhimtohavetheserequiredmattersintheValleyofHolinesswithallpossibledispatch.\"
\"Iwillwell,SirBoss,\"andhewasoff.
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter22Chapter22-TheHolyFountainTHEpilgrimswerehumanbeings.Otherwisetheywouldhaveacteddifferently.
Theyhadcomealonganddifficultjourney,andnowwhenthejourneywasnearlyfinished,andtheylearnedthatthemainthingtheyhadcomeforhadceasedtoexist,theydidn\'tdoashorsesorcatsorangle-wormswouldprobablyhavedone——turnbackandgetatsomethingprofitable——no,anxiousastheyhadbeforebeentoseethemiraculousfountain,theywereasmuchasfortytimesasanxiousnowtoseetheplacewhereithadusedtobe.Thereisnoaccountingforhumanbeings.
Wemadegoodtime;andacoupleofhoursbeforesunsetwestooduponthehighconfinesoftheValleyofHoliness,andoureyessweptitfromendtoendandnoteditsfeatures.Thatis,itslargefeatures.Thesewerethethreemassesofbuildings.Theyweredistantandisolatedtemporalitiesshrunkentotoyconstructionsinthelonelywasteofwhatseemedadesert——andwas.Suchasceneisalwaysmournful,itissoimpressivelystill,andlookssosteepedindeath.Buttherewasasoundherewhichinterruptedthestillnessonlytoaddtoitsmournfulness;thiswasthefaintfarsoundoftollingbellswhichfloatedfitfullytousonthepassingbreeze,andsofaintly,sosoftly,thatwehardlyknewwhetherwehearditwithourearsorwithourspirits.
Wereachedthemonasterybeforedark,andtherethemalesweregivenlodging,butthewomenweresentovertothenunnery.Thebellswerecloseathandnow,andtheirsolemnboomingsmoteupontheearlikeamessageofdoom.Asuperstitiousdespairpossessedtheheartofeverymonkandpublisheditselfinhisghastlyface.Everywhere,theseblack-robed,soft-sandaled,tallow-visagedspectersappeared,flittedaboutanddisappeared,noiselessasthecreaturesofatroubleddream,andasuncanny.
Theoldabbot\'sjoytoseemewaspathetic.Eventotears;buthedidthesheddinghimself.Hesaid:
\"Delaynot,son,butgettothysavingwork.Anwebringnotthewaterbackagain,andsoon,weareruined,andthegoodworkoftwohundredyearsmustend.Andseethoudoitwithenchantmentsthatbeholy,fortheChurchwillnotendurethatworkinhercausebedonebydevil\'smagic.\"
\"WhenIwork,Father,besuretherewillbenodevil\'sworkconnectedwithit.Ishallusenoartsthatcomeofthedevil,andnoelementsnotcreatedbythehandofGod.ButisMerlinworkingstrictlyonpiouslines?\"
\"Ah,hesaidhewould,myson,hesaidhewould,andtookoathtomakehispromisegood.\"
\"Well,inthatcase,lethimproceed.\"
\"Butsurelyyouwillnotsitidleby,buthelp?\"
\"Itwillnotanswertomixmethods,Father;neitherwoulditbeprofessionalcourtesy.Twoofatrademustnotunderbideachother.Wemightaswellcutratesandbedonewithit;itwouldarriveatthatintheend.Merlinhasthecontract;noothermagiciancantouchittillhethrowsitup.\"
\"ButIwilltakeitfromhim;itisaterribleemergencyandtheactistherebyjustified.Andifitwerenotso,whowillgivelawtotheChurch?
TheChurchgivethlawtoall;andwhatshewillstodo,thatshemaydo,hurtwhomitmay.Iwilltakeitfromhim;youshallbeginuponthemoment.\"
\"Itmaynotbe,Father.Nodoubt,asyousay,wherepowerissupreme,onecandoasonelikesandsuffernoinjury;butwepoormagiciansarenotsosituated.Merlinisaverygoodmagicianinasmallway,andhasquiteaneatprovincialreputation.Heisstrugglingalong,doingthebesthecan,anditwouldnotbeetiquetteformetotakehisjobuntilhehimselfabandonsit.\"
Theabbot\'sfacelighted.
\"Ah,thatissimple.Therearewaystopersuadehimtoabandonit.\"
\"No-no,Father,itskillsnot,asthesepeoplesay.Ifhewerepersuadedagainsthiswill,hewouldloadthatwellwithamaliciousenchantmentwhichwouldbalkmeuntilIfoundoutitssecret.Itmighttakeamonth.
IcouldsetupalittleenchantmentofminewhichIcallthetelephone,andhecouldnotfindoutitssecretinahundredyears.Yes,youperceive,hemightblockmeforamonth.Wouldyouliketoriskamonthinadrytimelikethis?\"
\"Amonth!Themerethoughtofitmakethmetoshudder.Haveitthyway,myson.Butmyheartisheavywiththisdisappointment.Leaveme,andletmewearmyspiritwithwearinessandwaiting,evenasIhavedonethesetenlongdays,counterfeitingthusthethingthatiscalledrest,thepronebodymakingoutwardsignofreposewhereinwardlyisnone.\"
Ofcourse,itwouldhavebeenbest,allround,forMerlintowaiveetiquetteandquitandcallithalfaday,sincehewouldneverbeabletostartthatwater,forhewasatruemagicianofthetime;whichistosay,thebigmiracles,theonesthatgavehimhisreputation,alwayshadthelucktobeperformedwhennobodybutMerlinwaspresent;hecouldn\'tstartthiswellwithallthiscrowdaroundtosee;acrowdwasasbadforamagician\'smiracleinthatdayasitwasforaspiritualist\'smiracleinmine;therewassuretobesomeskepticonhandtoturnupthegasatthecrucialmomentandspoileverything.ButIdidnotwantMerlintoretirefromthejobuntilIwasreadytotakeholdofiteffectivelymyself;andIcouldnotdothatuntilIgotmythingsfromCamelot,andthatwouldtaketwoorthreedays.
Mypresencegavethemonkshope,andcheeredthemupagooddeal;insomuchthattheyateasquaremealthatnightforthefirsttimeintendays.
Assoonastheirstomachshadbeenproperlyreinforcedwithfood,theirspiritsbegantorisefast;whenthemeadbegantogoroundtheyrosefaster.
Bythetimeeverybodywashalf-seasover,theholycommunitywasingoodshapetomakeanightofit;sowestayedbytheboardandputitthroughonthatline.Mattersgottobeveryjolly.Goodoldquestionablestoriesweretoldthatmadethetearsrundownandcavernousmouthsstandwideandtheroundbelliesshakewithlaughter;andquestionablesongswerebellowedoutinamightychorusthatdrownedtheboomofthetollingbells.
AtlastIventuredastorymyself;andvastwasthesuccessofit.Notrightoff,ofcourse,forthenativeofthoseislandsdoesnot,asarule,dissolveupontheearlyapplicationsofahumorousthing;butthefifthtimeItoldit,theybegantocrackinplaces;theeighttimeItoldit,theybegantocrumble;atthetwelfthrepetitiontheyfellapartinchunks;
andatthefifteenththeydisintegrated,andIgotabroomandsweptthemup.Thislanguageisfigurative.Thoseislanders——well,theyareslowpayatfirst,inthematterofreturnforyourinvestmentofeffort,butintheendtheymakethepayofallothernationspoorandsmallbycontrast.
Iwasatthewellnextdaybetimes.Merlinwasthere,enchantingawaylikeabeaver,butnotraisingthemoisture.Hewasnotinapleasanthumor;
andeverytimeIhintedthatperhapsthiscontractwasashadetooheftyforanoviceheunlimberedhistongueandcursedlikeabishop——FrenchbishopoftheRegencydays,Imean.
MatterswereaboutasIexpectedtofindthem.The\"fountain\"wasanordinarywell,ithadbeendugintheordinaryway,andstonedupintheordinaryway.Therewasnomiracleaboutit.Eventheliethathadcreateditsreputationwasnotmiraculous;Icouldhavetolditmyself,withonehandtiedbehindme.Thewellwasinadarkchamberwhichstoodinthecenterofacut-stonechapel,whosewallswerehungwithpiouspicturesofaworkmanshipthatwouldhavemadeachromofeelgood;pictureshistoricallycommemorativeofcurativemiracleswhichhadbeenachievedbythewaterswhennobodywaslooking.Thatis,nobodybutangels;theyarealwaysondeckwhenthereisamiracletothefore——soastogetputinthepicture,perhaps.Angelsareasfondofthatasafirecompany;lookattheoldmasters.
Thewell-chamberwasdimlylightedbylamps;thewaterwasdrawnwithawindlassandchainbymonks,andpouredintotroughswhichdelivereditintostonereservoirsoutsideinthechapel——whentherewaswatertodraw,Imean——andnonebutmonkscouldenterthewell-chamber.Ienteredit,forIhadtemporaryauthoritytodoso,bycourtesyofmyprofessionalbrotherandsubordinate.Buthehadn\'tenteredithimself.Hedideverythingbyincantations;heneverworkedhisintellect.Ifhehadsteppedinthereandusedhiseyes,insteadofhisdisorderedmind,hecouldhavecuredthewellbynaturalmeans,andthenturneditintoamiracleinthecustomaryway;butno,hewasanoldnumskull,amagicianwhobelievedinhisownmagic;andnomagiciancanthrivewhoishandicappedwithasuperstitionlikethat.
Ihadanideathatthewellhadsprungaleak;thatsomeofthewallstonesnearthebottomhadfallenandexposedfissuresthatallowedthewatertoescape.Imeasuredthechain——98feet.ThenIcalledincoupleofmonks,lockedthedoor,tookacandle,andmadethemlowermeinthebucket.Whenthechainwasallpaidout,thecandleconfirmedmysuspicion;
aconsiderablesectionofthewallwasgone,exposingagoodbigfissure.
Ialmostregrettedthatmytheoryaboutthewell\'stroublewascorrect,becauseIhadanotheronethathadashowypointortwoaboutitforamiracle.IrememberedthatinAmerica,manycenturieslater,whenanoilwellceasedtoflow,theyusedtoblastitoutwithadynamitetorpedo.
IfIshouldfindthiswelldryandnoexplanationofit,Icouldastonishthesepeoplemostnoblybyhavingapersonofnoespecialvaluedropadynamitebombintoit.ItwasmyideatoappointMerlin.However,itwasplainthattherewasnooccasionforthebomb.Onecannothaveeverythingthewayhewouldlikeit.Amanhasnobusinesstobedepressedbyadisappointment,anyway;heoughttomakeuphismindtogeteven.ThatiswhatIdid.I
saidtomyself,Iaminnohurry,Icanwait;thatbombwillcomegoodyet.Anditdid,too.
WhenIwasabovegroundagain,Iturnedoutthemonks,andletdownafish-line;thewellwasahundredandfiftyfeetdeep,andtherewasforty-onefeetofwaterinitIIcalledinamonkandasked:
\"Howdeepisthewell?\"
\"That,sir,Iwitnot,havingneverbeentold.\"
\"Howdoesthewaterusuallystandinit?\"
\"Neartothetop,thesetwocenturies,asthetestimonygoeth,broughtdowntousthroughourpredecessors.\"
Itwastrue——astorecenttimesatleast——fortherewaswitnesstoit,andbetterwitnessthanamonk;onlyabouttwentyorthirtyfeetofthechainshowedwearanduse,therestofitwasunwornandrusty.
Whathadhappenedwhenthewellgaveoutthatothertime?Withoutdoubtsomepracticalpersonhadcomealongandmendedtheleak,andthenhadcomeupandtoldtheabbothehaddiscoveredbydivinationthatifthesinfulbathweredestroyedthewellwouldflowagain.Theleakhadbefallenagainnow,andthesechildrenwouldhaveprayed,andprocessioned,andtolledtheirbellsforheavenlysuccortilltheyalldriedupandblewaway,andnoinnocentofthemallwouldeverhavethoughttodropafish-lineintothewellorgodowninitandfindoutwhatwasreallythematter.
Oldhabitofmindisoneofthetoughestthingstogetawayfromintheworld.Ittransmitsitselflikephysicalformandfeature;andforaman,inthosedays,tohavehadanideathathisancestorshadn\'thad,wouldhavebroughthimundersuspicionofbeingillegitimate.Isaidtothemonk:
\"Itisadifficultmiracletorestorewaterinadrywell,butwewilltry,ifmybrotherMerlinfails.BrotherMerlinisaverypassableartist,butonlyintheparlor-magicline,andhemaynotsucceed;infact,isnotlikelytosucceed.Butthatshouldbenothingtohisdiscredit;themanthatcandoTHISkindofmiracleknowsenoughtokeephotel.\"
\"Hotel?Imindnottohaveheard——\"
\"Ofhotel?It\'swhatyoucallhostel.Themanthatcandothismiraclecankeephostel.Icandothismiracle;Ishalldothismiracle;yetI
donottrytoconcealfromyouthatitisamiracletotaxtheoccultpowerstothelaststrain.\"
\"Noneknoweththattruthbetterthanthebrotherhood,indeed;foritisofrecordthataforetimeitwasparlousdifficultandtookayear.Natheless,Godsendyougoodsuccess,andtothatendwillwepray.\"
Asamatterofbusinessitwasagoodideatogetthenotionaroundthatthethingwasdifficult.Manyasmallthinghasbeenmadelargebytherightkindofadvertising.Thatmonkwasfilledupwiththedifficultyofthisenterprise;hewouldfilluptheothers.Intwodaysthesolicitudewouldbebooming.
Onmywayhomeatnoon,ImetSandy.Shehadbeensamplingthehermits.
Isaid:
\"Iwouldliketodothatmyself.ThisisWednesday.Isthereamatinee?\"
\"Awhich,pleaseyou,sir?\"
\"Matinee.Dotheykeepopenafternoons?\"
\"Who?\"
\"Thehermits,ofcourse.\"
\"Keepopen?\"
\"Yes,keepopen.Isn\'tthatplainenough?Dotheyknockoffatnoon?\"
\"Knockoff?\"
\"Knockoff?——yes,knockoff.Whatisthematterwithknockoff?I
neversawsuchadunderhead;can\'tyouunderstandanythingatall?Inplainterms,dotheyshutupshop,drawthegame,bankthefires——\"
\"Shutupshop,draw——\"
\"There,nevermind,letitgo;youmakemetired.Youcan\'tseemtounderstandthesimplestthing.\"
IwouldImightpleasethee,sir,anditistomedoleandsorrowthatIfail,albeitsithIambutasimpledamselandtaughtofnone,beingfromthecradleunbaptizedinthosedeepwatersoflearningthatdoanointwithasovereigntyhimthatpartakethofthatmostnoblesacrament,investinghimwithreverendstatetothementaleyeofthehumblemortalwho,bybarandlackofthatgreatconsecrationseethinhisownunlearnedestatebutasymbolofthatothersortoflackandlosswhichmendopublishtothepityingeyewithsackclothtrappingswhereontheashesofgriefdoliebepowderedandbestrewn,andso,whensuchshallinthedarknessofhismindencounterthesegoldenphrasesofhighmystery,theseshut-up-shops,anddraw-the-game,andbank-the-fires,itisbutbythegraceofGodthatheburstnotforenvyofthemindthatcanbeget,andtonguethatcandeliversogreatandmellow-soundingmiraclesofspeech,andiftheredoensueconfusioninthathumblermind,andfailuretodivinethemeaningsofthesewonders,thenifsobethismiscomprehensionisnotvainbutsoothandtrue,wityewellitistheverysubstanceofworshipfuldearhomageandmaynotlightlybemisprized,norhadbeen,anyehadnotedthiscomplexionofmoodandmindandunderstoodthatthatIwouldIcouldnot,andthatIcouldnotImightnot,noryetnormightNORcould,normight-notnorcould-not,mightbebyadvantageturnedtothedesiredWOULD,andsoI
prayyoumercyofmyfault,andthatyewillofyourkindnessandyourcharityforgiveit,goodmymasterandmostdearlord.\"
Icouldn\'tmakeitallout——thatis,thedetails——butIgotthegeneralidea;andenoughofit,too,tobeashamed.Itwasnotfairtospringthosenineteenthcenturytechnicalitiesupontheuntutoredinfantofthesixthandthenrailatherbecauseshecouldn\'tgettheirdrift;
andwhenshewasmakingthehonestbestdriveatitshecould,too,andnofaultofhersthatshecouldn\'tfetchthehomeplate;andsoIapologized.
Thenwemeanderedpleasantlyawaytowardthehermitholesinsociableconversetogether,andbetterfriendsthanever.
Iwasgraduallycomingtohaveamysteriousandshudderyreverenceforthisgirl;nowadayswhenevershepulledoutfromthestationandgothertrainfairlystartedononeofthosehorizonlesstranscontinentalsentencesofhers,itwasborneinuponmethatIwasstandingintheawfulpresenceoftheMotheroftheGermanLanguage.Iwassoimpressedwiththis,thatsometimeswhenshebegantoemptyoneofthesesentencesonmeIunconsciouslytooktheveryattitudeofreverence,andstooduncovered;andifwordshadbeenwater,Ihadbeendrowned,sure.ShehadexactlytheGermanway;
whateverwasinhermindtobedelivered,whetheramereremark,orasermon,oracyclopedia,orthehistoryofawar,shewouldgetitintoasinglesentenceordie.WhenevertheliteraryGermandivesintoasentence,thatisthelastyouaregoingtoseeofhimtillheemergesontheothersideofhisAtlanticwithhisverbinhismouth.
Wedriftedfromhermittohermitalltheafternoon.Itwasamoststrangemenagerie.Thechiefemulationamongthemseemedtobe,toseewhichcouldmanagetobetheuncleanestandmostprosperouswithvermin.Theirmannerandattitudeswerethelastexpressionofcomplacentself-righteousness.
Itwasoneanchorite\'spridetolienakedinthemudandlettheinsectsbitehimandblisterhimunmolested;itwasanother\'stoleanagainstarock,alldaylong,conspicuoustotheadmirationofthethrongofpilgrimsandpray;itwasanother\'stogonakedandcrawlaroundonallfours;itwasanother\'stodragaboutwithhim,yearinandyearout,eightypoundsofiron;itwasanother\'stoneverliedownwhenheslept,buttostandamongthethorn-bushesandsnorewhentherewerepilgrimsaroundtolook;
awoman,whohadthewhitehairofage,andnootherapparel,wasblackfromcrowntoheelwithforty-sevenyearsofholyabstinencefromwater.
Groupsofgazingpilgrimsstoodaroundallandeveryofthesestrangeobjects,lostinreverentwonder,andenviousoftheflecklesssanctitywhichthesepiousausteritieshadwonforthemfromanexactingheaven.
Byandbywewenttoseeoneofthesupremelygreatones.Hewasamightycelebrity;hisfamehadpenetratedallChristendom;thenobleandtherenownedjourneyedfromtheremotestlandsontheglobetopayhimreverence.Hisstandwasinthecenterofthewidestpartofthevalley;andittookallthatspacetoholdhiscrowds.
Hisstandwasapillarsixtyfeethigh,withabroadplatformonthetopofit.Hewasnowdoingwhathehadbeendoingeverydayfortwentyyearsupthere——bowinghisbodyceaselesslyandrapidlyalmosttohisfeet.Itwashiswayofpraying.Itimedhimwithastopwatch,andhemade1,244revolutionsin24minutesand46seconds.Itseemedapitytohaveallthispowergoingtowaste.Itwasoneofthemostusefulmotionsinmechanics,thepedalmovement;soImadeanoteinmymemorandumbook,purposingsomedaytoapplyasystemofelasticcordstohimandrunasewingmachinewithit.Iafterwardcarriedoutthatscheme,andgotfiveyears\'goodserviceoutofhim;inwhichtimeheturnedoutupwardofeighteenthousandfirst-ratetow-linenshirts,whichwastenaday.IworkedhimSundaysandall;hewasgoing,Sundays,thesameasweekdays,anditwasnousetowastethepower.Theseshirtscostmenothingbutjustthemeretrifleforthematerials——Ifurnishedthosemyself,itwouldnothavebeenrighttomakehimdothat——andtheysoldlikesmoketopilgrimsatadollarandahalfapiece,whichwasthepriceoffiftycowsorabloodedracehorseinArthurdom.Theywereregardedasaperfectprotectionagainstsin,andadvertisedassuchbymyknightseverywhere,withthepaint-potandstencil-plate;insomuchthattherewasnotaclifforabowlderoradeadwallinEnglandbutyoucouldreadonitatamiledistance:
\"BuytheonlygenuineSt.Stylite;patronizedbytheNobility.Patentappliedfor.\"
Therewasmoremoneyinthebusinessthanoneknewwhattodowith.
Asitextended,Ibroughtoutalineofgoodssuitableforkings,andanobbythingforduchessesandthatsort,withrufflesdowntheforehatchandtherunning-gearclewedupwithafeatherstitchtoleewardandthenhauledaftwithaback-stayandtricedupwithahalf-turninthestandingriggingforwardoftheweather-gaskets.Yes,itwasadaisy.
ButaboutthattimeInoticedthatthemotivepowerhadtakentostandingononeleg,andIfoundthattherewassomethingthematterwiththeotherone;soIstockedthebusinessandunloaded,takingSirBorsdeGanisintocampfinanciallyalongwithcertainofhisfriends;fortheworksstoppedwithinayear,andthegoodsaintgothimtohisrest.Buthehadearnedit.Icansaythatforhim.
WhenIsawhimthatfirsttime——however,hispersonalconditionwillnotquitebeardescriptionhere.YoucanreaditintheLivesoftheSaints.
*
[*Allthedetailsconcerningthehermits,inthischapter,arefromLecky——butgreatlymodified.Thisbooknotbeingahistorybutonlyatale,themajorityofthehistorian\'sfrankdetailsweretoostrongforreproductioninit-EDITOR]
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter23Chapter23-RestorationoftheFountainSATURDAYnoonIwenttothewellandlookedonawhile.Merlinwasstillburningsmoke-powders,andpawingtheair,andmutteringgibberishashardasever,butlookingprettydown-hearted,forofcoursehehadnotstartedevenaperspirationinthatwellyet.FinallyIsaid:
\"Howdoesthethingpromisebythistime,partner?\"
\"Behold,IamevennowbusiedwithtrialofthepowerfulestenchantmentknowntotheprincesoftheoccultartsinthelandsoftheEast;anitfailme,naughtcanavail.Peace,untilIfinish.\"
Heraisedasmokethistimethatdarkenedalltheregion,andmusthavemademattersuncomfortableforthehermits,forthewindwastheirway,anditrolleddownovertheirdensinadenseandbillowyfog.Hepouredoutvolumesofspeechtomatch,andcontortedhisbodyandsawedtheairwithhishandsinamostextraordinaryway.Attheendoftwentyminuteshedroppeddownpanting,andaboutexhausted.Nowarrivedtheabbotandseveralhundredmonksandnuns,andbehindthemamultitudeofpilgrimsandacoupleofacresoffoundlings,alldrawnbytheprodigioussmoke,andallinagrandstateofexcitement.Theabbotinquiredanxiouslyforresults.Merlinsaid:
\"Ifanylaborofmortalmightbreakthespellthatbindsthesewaters,thiswhichIhavebutjustessayedhaddoneit.Ithasfailed;wherebyIdonowknowthatthatwhichIhadfearedisatruthestablished;thesignofthisfailureis,thatthemostpotentspiritknowntothemagiciansoftheEast,andwhosenamenonemayutterandlive,haslaidhisspelluponthiswell.Themortaldoesnotbreathe,noreverwill,whocanpenetratethesecretofthatspell,andwithoutthatsecretnonecanbreakit.Thewaterwillflownomoreforever,goodFather.Ihavedonewhatmancould.
Suffermetogo.\"
Ofcoursethisthrewtheabbotintoagooddealofaconsternation.
Heturnedtomewiththesignsofitinhisface,andsaid:
\"Yehaveheardhim.Isittrue?\"
\"Partofitis.\"
\"Notall,then,notall!Whatpartistrue?\"
\"ThatthatspiritwiththeRussiannamehasputhisspelluponthewell.\"
\"God\'swownds,thenareweruined!\"
\"Possibly.\"
\"Butnotcertainly?Yemean,notcertainly?\"
\"Thatisit.\"
\"Wherefore,yealsomeanthatwhenhesaithnonecanbreakthespell——\"
\"Yes,whenhesaysthat,hesayswhatisn\'tnecessarilytrue.Thereareconditionsunderwhichanefforttobreakitmayhavesomechance——
thatis,somesmall,sometriflingchance——ofsuccess.\"
\"Theconditions——\"
\"Oh,theyarenothingdifficult.Onlythese:Iwantthewellandthesurroundingsforthespaceofhalfamile,entirelytomyselffromsunsetto-dayuntilIremovetheban——andnobodyallowedtocrossthegroundbutbymyauthority.\"
\"Aretheseall?\"
\"Yes.\"
\"Andyouhavenofeartotry?\"