\"Well，furabouttwohoursAndyswum，an\'dove，an\'comeupblubberin\'，an\'dodgedallsortsoffloatin\'an\'pitchin\'stuff，furtheswellwasstillon。Buthecouldn\'tevenbesomuchassartinthathe\'dfoundthecannedvittles。Todivedownthroughhatchways，an\'amongbrokenbulkheads，tohuntfuranypartiklarkindo\'boxesundersevenfootofsea-water，ain\'tnoeasyjob。
An\'thoughAndysaidhegotholdoftheendofaboxthatfelttohimlikethebigunshe\'dnoticedashavin\'themeat-piesin，hecouldn\'tmoveitnomore\'nifithadbeenthestumpoftheforemast。Ifwecouldhavepumpedthewateroutoftheholdwecouldhavegotatanypartofthecargowewanted，butasitwas，wecouldn\'tevenreachtheship\'sstores，which，ofcourse，musthavebeenmostlysp\'iledanyway，whereasthecannedvittleswasjustasgoodasnew。Thepumpswasallsmashedorstoppedup，forwetried\'em，butiftheyhadn\'t\'a\'beenwethreecouldn\'tneverhavepumpedoutthatshiponthreebiscuitaday，an\'onlyabouttwodays\'rationsatthat。
\"SoAndyhecomeup，sofaggedoutthatitwasasmuchashecoulddotogethisclotheson，thoughtheywasn\'tmuch，an\'thenhestretchedhimselfoutunderthecanvasan\'wenttosleep，an\'
itwasn\'tlongaforehewastalkin\'aboutroastturkeyan\'
cranberrysass，an\'punkin-pie，an\'sechstuff，mostofwhichweknowedwasunderourfeetthatpresentminnit。TomSimmonshejustb\'iledover，an\'sungout：`Rollhimoutinthesunan\'lethimcook！Ican\'tstandnomoreofthis！\'ButIwasn\'tgoin\'tohaveAndytreatednosechwayasthat，furifithadn\'tbeenfurTomSimmons\'wifean\'younguns，Andy\'dbeenworthtwoofhimtoanybodywhowasconsid\'rin\'savin\'life。ButIgivetheboyagoodpunchintheribstostophisdreamin\'，furIwasashungryasTomwas，an\'couldn\'tstandnononsenseaboutChristmasdinners。
\"ItwasalittlearternoonwhenAndywokeup，an\'hewentoutsidetostretchhimself。InaboutaminutehegiveayellthatmadeToman\'mejump。`Asail！\'hehollered。`Asail！\'An\'
youmaybetyourlife，youngman，that\'twasn\'tmore\'nhalfasecondaforeustwohadscuffledoutfromunderthatcanvas，an\'
wasstandin\'byAndy。`Theresheis！\'heshouted，`notamiletowin\'ard。\'Igiveonelook，an\'thenIsingsout：`\'Tain\'tasail！It\'saflagofdistress！Can\'tyousee，youland-lubber，thatthat\'stheStarsandStripesupsidedown？\'`Why，soitis，\'
saysAndy，withacoupleofreefsinthejoyfulnessofhisvoice。An\'Tomhebegantogrowlasifsomebodyhadcheatedhimoutofhalfayear\'swages。
\"Theflagthatwesawwasonthehullofasteamerthathadbeendriftin\'downonuswhilewewassittin\'underourcanvas。
Itwasplaintoseeshe\'dbeencaughtinthetyphoon，too，furtherewasn\'tamastorasmoke-stackonher。Butherhullwashighenoughoutofthewatertocatchwhatwindtherewas，whilewewassolowsunkthatwedidn\'tmakenowayatall。Therewaspeopleaboard，andtheysawus，an\'wavedtheirhatsan\'arms，an\'Andyan\'mewavedours；butallwecoulddowastowaittilltheydriftednearer，furwehadn\'tnoboatstogoto\'emifwe\'dwantedto。
\"`I\'dliketoknowwhatgoodthatoldhulkistous，\'saysTomSimmons。`Shecan\'ttakeusoff。\'Itdidlooktomesomethin\'liketheblindleadin\'theblind。ButAndyhesingsout：`We\'dbebetteroffaboardofher，fursheain\'twater-
logged，an\'，more\'nthat，Idon\'ts\'poseherstoresareallsoakedupinsaltwater。\'Therewassomesenseinthat，an\'whenthesteamerhadgottowithinhalfamileofus，wewasgladtoseeaboatputoutfromherwiththreemeninit。Itwasaqueerboat，verylowan\'flat，an\'notlikeanyship\'sboatIeversee。
Butthetwofellersattheoarspulledstiddy，an\'prettysoontheboatwas\'longsideofus，an\'thethreemenonourdeck。Oneof\'emwasthefirstmateoftheotherwreck，an\'whenhefoundoutwhatwasthematterwithus，hespunhisyarn，whichwasalongeronethanours。HisvesselwastheWaterCrescent，ninehundredtons，from\'FriscotoMelbourne，an\'theyhadsailedaboutsixweeksaforewedid。Theywasabouttwoweeksoutwhensomeoftheirmachinerybrokedown，an\'whentheygotitpatchedupitbrokeag\'in，worsethanafore，sothattheycouldn\'tdonothin\'withit。Theykep\'alongundersailforaboutamonth，makin\'mightypoorheadwaytillthetyphoonstruck\'em，an\'thatcleanedtheirdecksoffaboutasslickasitdidours，buttheirhatcheswasn\'tblowedoff，an\'theydidn\'tshipnowaterwuthmentionin\'，an\'thecrewhavin\'kep\'below，noneof\'emwaslost。Butnowtheywascleanoutofprovisionsan\'
water，havin\'beenshortwhenthebreakdownhappened，furtheyhadsoldallthestorestheycouldsparetoaFrenchbrigindistressthattheyoverhauledwhenaboutaweekout。Whentheysightedustheyfeltprettysurethey\'dgitsomeprovisionsoutofus。ButwhenItoldthematewhatafixwewasinhisjawdroppedtillhisfacewasaslongasoneofAndy\'shands。
Howsomdever，hesaidhe\'dsendtheboatbackfurasmanymenasitcouldbringover，an\'seeiftheycouldn\'tgitupsomeofourstores。Eveniftheywassoakedwithsaltwater，they\'dbebetterthannothin\'。PartofthecargooftheWaterCrescentwastoolsan，thingsfursomerailwaycontractorsoutinAustralier，an\'thematetoldthementobringoversomeofthemironsthatmightbeusedtofishoutthestores。Alltheirship\'sboatshadbeenblowedaway，an\'theonetheyhadwasakindofshoreboatforfreshwater，thathadbeenshippedaspartofthecargo，an\'stowedbelow。Itcouldn\'tstandnokindofasea，buttherewasn\'tnothin\'butaswellon，an\'whenitcomebackithadthecap\'ninit，an\'fivemen，besidesalotofchainsan\'tools。
\"Themfellersan\'usworkedprettynightherestoftheday，an\'wegotoutacoupleofbar\'lsofwater，whichwasallright，havin\'beentightbunged，an\'alotofsea-biscuit，allsoakedansloppy，butweonlygotahalf-bar\'lofmeat，thoughthreeorfourofthemenstrippedan\'dovefurmore\'nanhour。
Wecutupsomeofthemeatan\'eatitraw，an\'thecap\'nsentsomeovertotheotherwreck，whichhaddriftedpastustoleeward，an\'wouldhavegonecleanawayfromusifthecap\'nhadn\'thadalinegotoutan\'madeusfasttoitwhilewewasa-
workin\'atthestores。
\"Thatnightthecap\'ntookusthree，aswellastheprovisionswe\'dgotout，onboardhishull，wherethe\'commodationswasconsid\'ablebetterthantheywasonthehalf-
sunkMaryAuguster。An\'aforeweturnedinhetookmeaftan\'hadatalkwithmeascommandin\'off\'cerofmyvessel。`Thatwrecko\'yourn，\'sayshe，`hasgotavallyblecargoinit，whichisn\'tsp\'iledbybein\'underwater。Now，ifyoucouldgetthatcargointoportitwouldputalotofmoneyinyourpocket，furtheownerscouldn\'tgitoutofpayin\'youfurtakin\'chargeofitan\'havin\'itbrungin。NowI\'lltellyouwhatI\'lldo。I\'llliebyyou，an\'I\'vegotcarpentersaboardthat\'llputyourpumpsinorder，an\'I\'llsetmymentoworktopumpoutyourvessel。
An\'then，whenshe\'safloatallright，I\'llgotoworkag\'inatmyvessel——whichIdidn\'ts\'posetherewasanyuseo\'doin\'，butwhilstIwashuntin\'roundamongstourcargoto-dayIfoundthatsomeofthemachinerywecarriedmightbeworkedupso\'stotaketheplaceofwhatisbrokeinourengine。We\'vegotaforgeaboard，an\'Ibelievewecanmakethesepiecesofmachineryfit，an\'gitgoin\'ag\'in。ThenI\'lltowyouintoSydney，an\'we\'lldividethesalvagemoney。Iwon\'tgitnothin\'fursavin\'myvessel，cozthat\'smybusiness，butyouwasn\'tcap\'no\'yourn，an\'tookchargeofhera-purposetosaveher，whichisanotherthing。\'
\"Iwasn\'tatallsurethatIdidn\'ttakechargeoftheMaryAugustertosavemyselfan\'notthevessel，butIdidn\'tmentionthat，an\'askedthecap\'nhowheexpectedtoliveallthistime。
\"`Oh，wekingitatyourstoreseasyenough，\'sayshe，whenthewater\'spumpedout。\'`They\'llbemostlysp\'iled，\'saysI。
`Thatdon\'tmatter\'sayshe。`Men\'lleatanythingwhentheycan\'tgitnothin\'else。\'An\'withthatheleftmetothinkitover。
\"Imustsay，youngman，an\'youkinb\'lievemeifyouknowanythingaboutsechthings，thattheideeofapileofmoneywasmightytemptin\'toafellerlikeme，whohadagirlathomereadytomarryhim，andwhowouldlikenothin\'better\'ntohavealittlehouseofhisown，an\'alittlevesselofhisown，an\'giveuptheothersideoftheworldaltogether。ButwhileIwasgoin\'
overallthisinmymind，an\'wonderin\'ifthecap\'nevercouldgitusintoport，alongcomesAndyBoyle，an\'sitsdownbesideme。`Itdrivesmeprettynighcrazy，\'sayshe，`tothinkthatto-morrer\'sChristmas，an\'we\'vegottofeedonthatsloppystuffwefishedoutofourstores，an\'notmuchofit，nuther，whilethere\'sallthatroastturkeyan\'plum-puddin\'an\'mince-piea-
floatin\'outtherejustaforeoureyes，an\'wecan\'thavenoneofit。\'`Youhadn\'toughterthinksomuchabouteatin\'，Andy，\'saysI，`butifIwastalkin\'aboutthemthingsIwouldn\'tleaveoutcannedpeaches。ByGeorge！OnahotChristmaslikethisisgoin\'tobe，I\'dbethejolliestJackontheoceanifIcouldgitatthatcannedfruit。\'`Well，there\'saway，\'saysAndy，`thatwemightgitsomeof\'em。Apartofthecargoofthisshipisstufffarblastin\'rocks——ca\'tridges，\'lectricbat\'ries，an\'
thatsortofthing；an\'there\'samanaboardwho\'sgoin\'outtotakechargeof\'em。I\'vebeentalkin\'tothisbat\'ryman，an\'
I\'vemadeupmymindit\'llbeeasyenoughtoloweralittleca\'tridgedownamongourcargoan\'blowoutapartofit。\'`What\'u\'dbethegoodofit，\'saysI，`blowedintochips？\'`Itmightsmashsome，\'sayshe，`butotherswouldbeonlyloosened，an\'
they\'dfloatuptothetop，wherewecouldgit\'em，speciallythemaswaspackedwithpies，whichmustbeprettylight。\'`Gitout，Andy，\'saysI，`withallthatstuff！\'An\'hegotout。
\"Buttheideeshe\'dputintomyheaddidn\'tgitout，an\'asI
laidonmybackonthedeck，lookin\'upatthestars，theysometimesseemedtoputthemselvesintotheshapeofalittlehouse，withalittlewomancookin\'atthekitchinfire，an\'alittleschoonerlayin\'atanchorjustoffshore。An\'thenag\'inthey\'dhumpthemselvesuptilltheylookedlikealotofnewtincanswiththeirtopsoff，an\'allkindsofgoodthingstoeatinside，speciallycannedpeaches——thebigwhitekind，softan\'
cool，eachonesplitinhalf，withahollerinthemiddlefilledwithjuice。ByGeorge，sir！theverythoughtofatincanlikethatmademebeatmyheelsag\'inthedeck。I\'dbeenmightyhungry，an\'hadeatalotofsaltpork，wetan\'raw，an\'nowtheveryideeofit，evencooked，turnedmystomach。Ilookeduptothestarsag\'in，an\'thelittlehousean\'thelittleschoonerwascleangone，an\'thewholeskywasfilledwithnothin\'butbrightnewtincans。
\"Inthemornin\'Andyhecometomeag\'in。`Haveyoumadeupyourmind，\'sayshe，`aboutgittin\'someofthemgoodthingsfurChristmasdinner？\'`Confoundyou！\'saysI，`youtalkasifallwehadtodowastogoan\'git\'em。\'`An\'that\'swhatI
b\'lievewekindo，\'sayshe，`withthehelpofthatbat\'ryman。\'
`Yes，\'saysI，`an\'blowalotofthecargointoflinders，an\'
damagetheMaryAugusterso\'sshecouldn\'tneverbetookintoport。\'An\'thenItoldhimwhatthecap\'nhadsaidtome，an\'
whatIwasgoin\'todowiththemoney。`Alittleca\'tridge，\'
saysAndy，`woulddoallwewant，an\'wouldn\'thurtthevessel，nuther。Besidesthat，Idon\'tb\'lievewhatthiscap\'nsaysabouttinkerin\'uphisengine。\'Tain\'tlikelyhe\'llevergitherrunnin\'ag\'in，norpumpouttheMaryAuguster，nuther。IfI
wasyouI\'dadurnedsightrutherhaveaChristmasdinnerinhandthanahousean\'wifeinthebush。\'`Iain\'tthinkin\'o\'
marryin\'agirlinAustralier，\'saysI。An\'Andyhegrinned，an\'
saidIwouldn\'tmarrynobodyifIhadtoliveonsp\'iledvittlestillIgother。
\"AlittlearterthatIwenttothecap\'nan\'ItoldhimaboutAndy\'sidee，buthewasdownonit。`It\'syourvessel，an\'notmine，\'sayshe，`an\'ifyouwanttotrytogitadinneroutofherI\'llnotstandinyourway。Butit\'smy\'pinionyou\'lljustdamagetheship，an\'donothin\'。\'Howsomdever，Italkedtothebat\'rymanaboutit，an\'hethoughtitcouldbedone，an\'nothurttheship，nuther。Themenwasallinfavorofit，furnoneof\'emhadforgotitwasChristmasday。ButTomSimmonshewasag\'in\'itstrong，furhewasthinkin\'he\'dgitsomeofthemoneyifwegottheMaryAugusterintoport。Hewasaselfish-
mindedman，wasTom，butitwashisnater，an\'Is\'posehecouldn\'thelpit。
\"Well，itwasn\'tlongaforeIbegantofeelprettyemptyan\'
mean，an\'ifI\'dwantedanyoftheprogwegotoutthedayafore，Icouldn\'thavefoundmuch，furthemenhadeatitupnearlyallinthenight。An\'soIjustmadeupmymindwithoutanymorefoolin\'，an\'mean\'AndyBoylean\'thebat\'ryman，withsomeca\'tridgesan\'acoilofwire，gotintothelittleshoreboat，an\'pulledovertotheMaryAuguster。Thereweloweredasmallca\'tridgedownthemainhatchway，an\'letitrestdownamongthecargo。Thenwerowedbacktothesteamer，uncoilin\'
thewireas。wewent。Thebat\'rymanclumbupondeck，an\'fixedhiswiretoa\'lectricmachine，whichhe\'dgotallreadyaforewestarted。Andyan\'medidn\'tgitoutoftheboat。Wehadtoomuchsensefurthat，withallthemhungryfellerswaitin\'tojumpinher。Butwejustpushedalittleoff，an\'sotwaitin\'，withourmouthsawaterin\'，furhimtotouchheroff。Heseemedtobealongtimeaboutit，butatlasthedidit，an\'thatinstanttherewasabangonboardtheMaryAugusterthatmademyheartjump。Andyan\'mepulledfurherlikemad，theothersa-
hollerin\'arterus，an\'wewasondeckinnotime。Thedeckwasallcoveredwiththewaterthathadbeenthrowedup。ButItellyou，sir，thatwepokedan\'fishedabout，an\'Andystrippedan\'
wentdownan\'swumallround，an\'wecouldn\'tfindonefloatin\'
boxofcannedgoods。Therewasalotofsplinters，butwheretheycomefromwedidn\'tknow。Bythistimemydanderwasup，an\'Ijustpitchedaroundsavage。Thatlittleca\'tridgewasn\'tnogood，an\'Ididn\'tintendtostandanymorefoolin\'。Wejustrowedbacktotheotherwreck，an\'Icalledtotheba\'trymantocomedown，an\'bringsomebiggerca\'tridgeswithhim，furifwewasgoin\'todoanythingwemightaswelldoitright。Sohegotdownwithapackageofbiggerones，an\'jumpedintotheboat。
Thecap\'nhecalledouttoustobekeerful，an\'TomSimmonsleanedovertherailan\'swored；butIdidn\'tpayno\'tentiontonutherof\'em，an\'wepulledaway。
\"WhenIgotaboardtheMaryAuguster，Isaystothebat\'ryman：`Wedon\'twantnononsensethistime，an\'Iwantyoutoputinenoughca\'tridgestoheaveupsomethin\'that\'lldofuraChristmasdinner。Idon\'tknowhowthecargoisstored，butyoukinputonebigca\'tridge\'midship，anotherfor\'ard，an\'
anotheraft，an\'oneornutherof\'emoughterfetchupsomethin\'。\'Well，wegotthethreeca\'tridgesintoplace。Theywasagooddealbiggerthantheonewefustused，an\'wej\'ined\'emalltoonewire，an\'thenwerowedback，carryin\'thelongwirewithus。Whenwereachedthesteamer，mean\'Andywasa-
goin\'tostayintheboataswedidafore，butthecap\'nsungoutthathewouldn\'tallowthebat\'rytobetouchedofftillwecomeaboard。`Ther\'sgottobefairplay，\'sayshe。`It\'syourvittles，butit\'smysidethat\'sdoin\'thework。Afterwe\'veblastedherthistimeyoutwocangointheboatan\'seewhatthereistogitholdof，buttwoofmymenmustgoalong。\'Somean\'Andyhadtogoondeck，an\'twobigfellerswasdetailedtogowithusinthelittleboatwhenthetimecome，an\'thenthebat\'rymanhetechedheroff。
\"Well，sir，thepopthatfollowedthattechwassomethin\'toremember。Itshuckthewater，itshucktheair，an\'itshuckthehullwewason。Areg\'larcloudofsmokean\'flyin\'bitsofthingsroseupoutoftheMaryAuguster；an\'whenthatsmokeclearedaway，an\'thewaterwasallb\'ilin\'withthesplashofvarious-sizedhunksthatcomerainin\'downfromthesky，whatwasleftoftheMaryAugusterwassprinkledoverthesealikeawoodencarpetfurwater-birdstowalkon。
\"Someofthemensungoutonething，an\'someanother，an\'I
couldhearTomSimmonsswear；butAndyan\'mesaidneveraword，butscuttleddownintotheboat，folleredclosebythetwomenwhowastogowithus。Thenwerowedlikedevilsfurthelotofstuffthatwasbobbin\'aboutonthewater，outwheretheMaryAugusterhadbeen。Inwewentamongthefloatin\'sparsandship\'stimbers，Ikeepin\'thethingsoffwithanoar，thetwomenrowin\'，an\'Andyinthebow。
\"SuddenlyAndygiveayell，an\'thenhereachedhimselffor\'ardwithsechabouncethatIthoughthe\'dgooverboard。Butuphecomeinaminnit，histwo\'leven-inchhandsgrippedroundabox。Hesotdowninthebottomoftheboatwiththeboxonhislapan\'hiseyesscrewedonsomelettersthatwasstampedononeend。`Pidjin-pies！\'hesingsout。\"Tain\'tturkeys，nor\'tain\'tcranberriesbut，bytheLordHarry，it\'sChristmaspiesallthesame！\'AfterthatAndydidn\'tdonomorework，butsotholdin\'
thatboxasifithadbeenhisfustbaby。Butwekep\'pushin\'ontoseewhatelsetherewas。It\'smy\'pinionthatthebiggestpartofthatbark\'scargowasblowedintomince-meat，an\'themostoftherestofitwassoheavythatitsunk。Butitwasn\'tallbustedup，an\'itdidn\'tallsink。Therewasabigpieceofwreckwithalotofboxesstoveintothetimbers，andsomeofthesehadin\'embeefreadyb\'iledan\'packedintocans，an\'
therewasotherkindsofmeat，an\'dif\'rentsortsofvegetables，an\'oneboxofturtlesoup。Ilookedateveryoneof\'emaswetook\'emin，an\'whenwegotthelittleboatprettywellloadedIwantedtostillkeeponsearchin\'；butthementheysaidthatshoreboat\'u\'dsinkifwetookinanymorecargo，an\'
soweputback，Ifeelin\'glummer\'nIoughterfelt，furIhadbeguntobeafearedthatcannedfruit，sechaspeaches，washeavy，an\'li\'bletosink。
\"Assoonaswehadgotourboxesaboard，fourfreshmenputoutintheboat，an\'afterawhiletheycomebackwithanotherload。An\'Iwasmightykeerfultoreadthenamesonalltheboxes。Somewasmeat-pies，an\'somewassalmon，an\'somewaspottedherrin\'s，an\'somewaslobsters。ButnaryathingcouldI
seethateverhadgrowedonatree。
\"Well，sir，therewasthreeloadsbroughtinaltogether，an\'
theChristmasdinnerwehadonthefor\'arddeckofthatsteamer\'shullwasaboutthejolliestonethatwaseverseenofahotdayaboardofawreckinthePacificOcean。Thecap\'nkeptgoodorder，an\'whenallwasreadythetopswasjerkedofftheboxes，andeachmangrabbedacanan\'openeditwithhisknife。Whenhehadcleaneditout，hetukanotherwithoutdoin\'muchquestionin\'
astothebilloffare。Whetheranybodygotpidjin-pie\'ceptAndy，Ican\'tsay，butthewaywepiledinDelmonikerprogwould\'a\'madepeopleopentheireyesaswaseatin\'theirChristmasdinnersonshorethatday。Someofthethingswould\'a\'beenbettercookedalittlemore，orhetup，butwewastoofearfulhungrytowaitfurthat，an\'theywastiptopastheywas。
\"Thecap\'nwentoutafterwards，an\'towedinacoupleofbar\'lsofflourthatwasonlypartsoakedthrough，an\'hegotsomeotherplainprogthatwoulddofurfutureuse。ButnoneofusgiveourmindstostufflikethisarterthegloriousChristmasdinnerthatwe\'dquarriedoutoftheMaryAuguster。Everymanthatwasn\'tondutywentbelowandturnedinfurasnooze——
all\'ceptme，an\'Ididn\'tfeeljustaltogethersatisfied。Tobesure，I\'dhadanA1dinner，an\'，thoughalittlemixed，I\'dnevereatajollieroneonanyChristmasthatIkinlookbackat。But，furallthat，therewasahankerinsideo\'me。Ihadn\'tgotallI\'dlaidouttogitwhenwetechedofftheMaryAuguster。
Thedaywasblazin\'hot，an\'alotofthethingsI\'deatwasprettypeppery。`Now，\'thinksI，`iftherehadbeenjustonecano\'peachessechasIseenshinin\'inthestarslastnight！\'An\'
justthen，asIwaswalkin\'aft，allbymyself，Iseedlodgedonthestumpofthemizzenmastaboxwithonecornerdruvdownamongthesplinters。Itwashalfsplitopen，an\'Icouldseethetincansshinin\'throughthecrack。Igiveonejumpatit，an\'
wrenchedthesideoff。OnthetopofthefirstcanIseedwasapictureofabigwhitepeachwithgreenleaves。Thatboxhadbeenblowedupsohighthatifithadcomedownanywhere\'ceptamongthemsplintersitwould\'a\'smasheditselftoflinders，orkilledsomebody。SofurasIknow，itwastheonlythingthatfellnighus，an\'byGeorge，sir，Igotit！WhenIhadfinishedacanof\'emIhuntedupAndy，an\'thenwewentaftan\'eatsomemore。`Well，\'saysAndy，aswewasa-eatin\'，`howd\'yefeelnowaboutblowin\'upyourwife，an\'yourhouse，an\'thatlittleschooneryouwasgoin\'toown？\'
\"`Andy，\'saysI，`thisisthejoyfulestChristmasI\'vehadyit，an\'ifIwastolivetilltwentyhundredIdon\'tb\'lieveI\'dhavenojoyfuler，withthingscomin\'insopat；sodon\'tyouthrownoshadders。\'
\"`Shadders！\'saysAndy。`Thatain\'tme。IleavethatsortofthingfurTomSimmons。\'
\"`Shaddersiscool，\'saysI，`an\'Ikingotosleepunderallhethrows。\'
\"Well，sir，\"continuedoldSilas，puttinghishandonthetillerandturninghisfaceseaward，\"ifTomSimmonshadkeptcommandofthatwreck，weallwould\'a\'laidtherean\'waitedan\'
waitedtillsomeofuswasstarved，an\'theothersgotnothin\'
furit，furthecap\'nnevermendedhisengine，an\'itwasn\'tmore\'naweekaforewewastookoff，an\'thenitwasbyasailin\'
vessel，whichleftthehulloftheWaterCrescentbehindher，justasshewould\'a\'hadtoleavetheMaryAugusterifthatjollyoldChristmaswreckhadbeenthere。
\"An\'now，sir，\"saidSilas，\"d\'yeseethatstretcho\'littleripplesoveryander，lookin\'asifitwasaloto\'herrin\'
turnin\'overtodrytheirsides？Doyouknowwhatthatis？
That\'sthesupperwind。Thatmeanscoffee，an\'hotcakes，an\'abitofbr\'iledfish，an\'pertaters，an\'p\'r\'aps，iftheoldwomanfeelsinapartiklargoodhumor，somecannedpeaches——bigwhiteuns，cutinhalf，withahollerplaceinthemiddlefilledwithcool，sweetjuice。\"
MYWELLANDWHATCAME
OUTOFIT
EarlyinmymarriedlifeIboughtasmallcountryestatewhichmywifeandIlookeduponasaparadise。AfterenjoyingitsdelightforalittlemorethanayearoursoulsweresaddenedbythediscoverythatourEdencontainedaserpent。Thiswasaninsufficientwater-supply。
Ithadbeenarainyseasonwhenwefirstwentthere，andforalongtimeourcisternsgaveusfullaqueoussatisfaction，butearlythisyearadroughthadsetin，andwewereobligedtobeexceedinglycarefulofourwater。
Itwasquitenaturalthatthescarcityofwaterfordomesticpurposesshouldaffectmywifemuchmorethanitdidme，andperceivingthediscontentwhichwasgrowinginhermind，I
determinedtodigawell。TheverynextdayIbegantolookforawell-digger。Suchanindividualwasnoteasytofind，forintheregioninwhichIlivedwellshadbecomeunfashionable；butI
determinedtopersevereinmysearch，andinaboutaweekIfoundawell-digger。
Hewasamanofsomewhatroughexterior，butofaningratiatingturnofmind。Itwaseasytoseethatitwashisearnestdesiretoserveme。
\"Andnow，then，\"saidhe，whenwehadhadalittleconversationaboutterms，\"thefirstthingtodoistofindoutwherethereiswater。Haveyouapeach-treeontheplace？\"Wewalkedtosuchatree，andhecuttherefromaforkedtwig。
\"Ithought，\"saidI，\"thatdivining-rodswerealwaysofhazelwood。\"
\"Apeachtwigwilldoquiteaswell，\"saidhe，andIhavesincefoundthathewasright。Divining-rodsofpeachwillturnandfindwaterquiteaswellasthoseofhazeloranyotherkindofwood。
Hetookanendofthetwigineachhand，and，withthepointprojectinginfrontofhim，heslowlywalkedalongoverthegrassinmylittleorchard。Presentlythepointofthetwigseemedtobenditselfdownwardtowardtheground。
\"There，\"saidhe，stopping，\"youwillfindwaterhere。\"
\"Idonotwantawellhere，\"saidI。\"Thisisatthebottomofahill，andmybarn-yardisatthetop。Besides，itistoofarfromthehouse。\"
\"Verygood，\"saidhe。\"Wewilltrysomewhereelse。\"
Hisrodturnedatseveralotherplaces，butIhadobjectionstoallofthem。Asanitaryengineerhadoncevisitedme，andhehadgivenmeagreatdealofadviceaboutdrainage，andIknewwhattoavoid。
Wecrossedtheridgeofthehillintothelowgroundontheotherside。Herewerenobuildings，nothingwhichwouldinterferewiththepurityofawell。Mywell-diggerwalkedslowlyoverthegroundwithhisdivining-rod。Verysoonheexclaimed：\"Hereiswater！\"Andpickingupastick，hesharpenedoneendofitanddroveitintotheground。Thenhetookastringfromhispocket，andmakingaloopinoneend，heputitoverthestick。
\"Whatareyougoingtodo？\"Iasked。
\"Iamgoingtomakeacirclefourfeetindiameter，\"hesaid。
\"Wehavetodigthewellaswideasthat，youknow。\"
\"ButIdonotwantawellhere，\"saidI。\"It\'stooclosetothewall。Icouldnotbuildahouseoverit。Itwouldnotdoatall。\"
Hestoodupandlookedatme。\"Well，sir，\"saidhe，\"willyoutellmewhereyouwouldliketohaveawell？\"
\"Yes，\"saidI。\"Iwouldliketohaveitoverthereinthecornerofthehedge。Itwouldbenearenoughtothehouse；itwouldhaveawarmexposure，whichwillbedesirableinwinter；
andthelittlehousewhichIintendtobuildoveritwouldlookbettertherethananywhereelse。\"
Hetookhisdivining-rodandwenttothespotIhadindicated。\"Isthistheplace？\"heaskedwishingtobesurehehadunderstoodme。
\"Yes，\"Ireplied。
Heputhistwiginposition，andinafewsecondsitturnedinthedirectionoftheground。Thenhedrovedownastick，markedoutacircle，andthenextdayhecamewithtwomenandaderrick，andbegantodigmywell。
Whentheyhadgonedowntwenty-fivefeettheyfoundwater，andwhentheyhadprogressedafewfeetdeepertheybegantobeafraidofdrowning。Ithoughttheyoughttogodeeper，butthewell-diggersaidthattheycouldnotdigwithoutfirsttakingoutthewater，andthatthewatercameinasfastastheybaileditout，andheaskedmetoputittomyselfandtellhimhowtheycoulddigitdeeper。Iputthequestiontomyself，butcouldfindnoanswer。Ialsolaidthematterbeforesomespecialists，anditwasgenerallyagreedthatifwatercameinasfastasitwastakenout，nothingmorecouldbedesired。Thewellwas，therefore，pronounceddeepenough。Itwaslinedwithgreattiles，nearlyayardindiameter，andmywell-digger，aftercongratulatingmeonfindingwatersoeasily，bademegood-byanddepartedwithhismenandhisderrick。
Ontheothersideofthewallwhichboundedmygrounds，andnearwhichmywellhadbeendug，thereranacountrylane，leadingnowhereinparticular，whichseemedtobethereforthepurposeofallowingpeopletopassmyhouse，whomightotherwisebeobligedtostop。
Alongthislanemyneighborswouldpass，andoftenstrangersdroveby，andasmywellcouldeasilybeseenoverthelowstonewall，itsconstructionhadexcitedagreatdealofinterest。
Someofthepeoplewhodrovebyweresummerfolksfromthecity，andIamsure，fromremarksIoverheard，thatitwasthoughtaveryqueerthingtodigforwater。Ofcoursetheymusthaveknownthatpeopleusedtodothisintheoldentimes，evenasfarbackasthetimeofJacobandRebecca，buttheexpressionsofsomeoftheirfacesindicatedthattheyrememberedthatthiswasthenineteenthcentury。
Myneighbors，however，wereallruralpeople，andmuchmoreintelligentinregardtowater-supplies。Oneofthem，PhineasColwellbyname，tookamorelivelyinterestinmyoperationsthandidanyoneelse。Hewasamanofaboutfiftyyearsofage，whohadbeenasoldier。Thisfactwaskeptaliveinthemindsofhisassociatesbyhisdress，apartofwhichwasalwaysmilitary。Ifhedidnotwearanoldfatigue-jacketwithbrassbuttons，heworehisbluetrousers，or，perhaps，awaistcoatthatbelongedtohisuniform，andifheworenoneofthese，hismilitaryhatwouldappearuponhishead。Ithinkhemustalsohavebeenasailor，judgingfromthelittlegoldringsinhisears。ButwhenIfirstknewhimhewasacarpenter，whodidmason-workwheneveranyoftheneighborshadanyjobsofthesort。Healsoworkedingardensbytheday，andhadtoldmethatheunderstoodthecareofhorsesandwasaverygooddriver。Hesometimesworkedonfarms，especiallyatharvest-time，andIknowhecouldpaint，forheonceshowedmeafencewhichhesaidhehadpainted。Ifrequentlysawhim，becausehealwaysseemedtobeeithergoingtohisworkorcomingfromit。Infact，heappearedtoconsideractuallaborinthelightofabadhabitwhichhewishedtoconceal，andwhichhewascontinuallyendeavoringtoreform。
Phineaswalkedalongourlaneatleastonceaday，andwheneverhesawmehetoldmesomethingaboutthewell。HedidnotapproveoftheplaceIhadselectedforit。Ifhehadbeendiggingawellhewouldhaveputitinaverydifferentplace。
WhenIhadtalkedwithhimforsometimeandexplainedwhyIhadchosenthisspot，hewouldsaythatperhapsIwasright，andbegintotalkofsomethingelse。ButthenexttimeIsawhimhewouldagainassertthatifhehadbeendiggingthatwellhewouldnothaveputitthere。
Aboutaquarterofamilefrommyhouse，ataturnofthelane，livedMrs。BettyPerch。Shewasawidowwithabouttwelvechildren。Afewofthesewereherown，andtheothersshehadinheritedfromtwosisterswhohadmarriedanddied，andwhosehusbands，havingprovedtheirdisloyaltybymarryingagain，werenotallowedbytheindignantMrs。Perchtoresumepossessionoftheiroffspring。Thecasualobservermighthavesupposedthenumberofthesechildrentobeverygreat，——fifteenorperhapseventwenty，——forifhehappenedtoseeagroupofthemonthedoor-step，hewouldseealotmoreifhelookedintothelittlegarden；andundersomecedar-treesatthebackofthehousetherewerealwayssomeofthemonfinedays。Butperhapstheysoughttoincreasetheirapparentnumber，andranfromoneplacetoanothertobereadytomeetobservation，likethefamousclownGrimaldi，whousedtogothroughhisperformancesatoneLondontheatre，andthendashoffinhispaintandmotleytoanother，sothatperambulatingtheatre-goingmenmightimaginethatthereweretwogreatestclownsintheworld。
WhenMrs。Perchhadtimeshesewedfortheneighbors，and，whethershehadtimeornot，shewasalwaysreadytosupplythemwithnews。FromthemomentsheheardIwasgoingtodigawellshetookavitalinterestinit。Herownwater-supplywasunsatisfactory，asshedependeduponalittlespringwhichsometimesdriedupinsummer，andshouldmywellturnouttobeagoodone，sheknewIwouldnotobjecttohersendingthechildrenforpailsofwateronoccasions。
\"Itwillbefunforthem，\"shesaid，\"andifyourwaterreallyisgooditwilloftencomeinverywellforme。Mr。
Colwelltellsme，\"shecontinued，\"thatyouputyourwellinthewrongplace。Heisapracticalmanandknowsallaboutwells，andIdohopethatforyoursakehemaybewrong。\"
Myneighborsweregenerallypessimists。Countrypeopleareproverbiallyprudent，andpessimismisprudence。Wefeelsafewhenwedoubtthesuccessofanother，becauseifheshouldsucceedwecansayweweregladweweremistaken，andsostepfromapositionofgoodjudgmenttooneofgenerousdispositionwithoutfeelingthatwehavechangedourplaneofmerit。Buttheoptimistoftengetshimselfintoterriblescrapes，forifheiswronghecannotsayheisgladofit。
But，whateverelsehemaybe，apessimistisdepressing，anditwas，therefore，agreatpleasuretometohaveafriendwhowasanout-and-outoptimist。Infact，hemightbecalledaworkingoptimist。Helivedaboutsixmilesfrommyhouse，andhadahobby，whichwasnaturalphenomena。Hewasalwaysonthelookoutforthatsortofthing，andwhenhefoundithewouldstudyitsnatureandeffect。Hewasamaninthematurityofyouth，andiftheestateonwhichhelivedhadnotbelongedtohismother，hewouldhavespentmuchtimeandmoneyininvestigatingitsnaturalphenomena。Heoftendroveovertoseeme，andalwaystoldmehowgladhewouldbeifhehadanopportunityofdiggingawell。
\"Ihavethewildestdesire，\"hesaid，\"toknowwhatisintheearthunderourplace，andifitshouldsohappeninthecourseoftimethatthelimitsofearthlyexistenceshouldbereachedby——Imeaniftheestateshouldcomeintomyhands——Iwouldgodown，down，down，untilIhadfoundoutallthatcouldbediscovered。Toownaplugofearthfourthousandmileslongandonlytoknowwhatisonthesurfaceoftheupperendofitisunmanly。Wemightaswellbegrazingbeasts。\"
HewassorrythatIwasdiggingonlyforwater，becausewaterisaverycommonplacething，buthewasquitesureIwouldgetit，andwhenmywellwasfinishedhewasoneofthefirsttocongratulateme。
\"ButifIhadbeeninyourplace，\"saidhe，\"withfullrighttodoasIpleased，Iwouldnothaveletthosemengoaway。I
wouldhavesetthemtoworkinsomeplacewheretherewouldbenodangerofgettingwater，——atleast，foralongtime，——andthenyouwouldhavefoundoutwhatarethedeepertreasuresofyourland。\"
Havingfinishedmywell，Inowsetaboutgettingthewaterintomyresidencenearby。Ibuiltahouseoverthewellandputinitalittleengine，andbymeansofasystemofpipes，likethearteriesandveinsofthehumanbody，Iproposedtodistributethewatertothevariousdesirablepointsinmyhouse。
Theenginewastheheart，whichshouldstartthecirculation，whichshouldkeepitgoing，andwhichshouldsendthrobbingthrougheverypipethewaterwhich，ifitwerenotourlife，wasverynecessarytoit。
Whenallwasreadywestartedtheengine，andinaveryshorttimewediscoveredthatsomethingwaswrong。Forfifteenortwentyminuteswaterflowedintothetankatthetopofthehouse，withasoundthatwasgranderintheearsofmywifeandmyselfthantheroarofNiagara，andthenitstopped。
Investigationprovedthattheflowhadstoppedbecausetherewasnomorewaterinthewell。
Itisneedlesstodetailtheexaminations，investigations，andthemultitudeofcounselsandopinionswithwhichourmindswerefilledforthenextfewdays。Itwasplaintoseethatalthoughthiswellwasfullyabletomeetthedemandsofahand-
pumporofbailingbuckets，thewaterdidnotflowintoitasfastasitcouldbepumpedoutbyanengine。Therefore，forthepurposesofsupplyingthecirculationofmydomesticwatersystem，thewellwasdeclaredafailure。
Mynon-successwasmuchtalkedaboutintheneighborhood，andwereceivedagreatdealofsympathyandcondolence。PhineasColwellwasnotsurprisedattheoutcomeoftheaffair。Hehadsaidthatthewellhadbeenputinthewrongplace。Mrs。Bettywasnotonlysurprised，butdisgusted。
\"Itisallverywellforyou，\"shesaid，\"whocouldaffordtobuywaterifitwasnecessary，butitisverydifferentwiththewidowandtheorphan。IfIhadnotsupposedyouweregoingtohavearealwell，Iwouldhavehadmyspringcleanedoutanddeepened。Icouldhavehaditdoneintheearlysummer，butitisofnousenow。Thespringhasdriedup。\"
Shetoldaneighborthatshebelievedthediggingofmywellhaddriedupherspring，andthatthatwasthewayofthisworld，wherethewidowandtheorphanweresuretocomeoutatthelittleend。
OfcourseIdidnotsubmittodefeat——atleast，notwithoutastruggle。Ihadawell，andifanythingcouldbedonetomakethatwellsupplymewithwater，Iwasgoingtodoit。I
consultedspecialists，and，aftercarefulconsiderationofthematter，theyagreedthatitwouldbeunadvisableformetoattempttodeepenmypresentwell，astherewasreasontosupposetherewasverylittlewaterintheplacewhereIhaddugit，andthattheverybestthingIcoulddowouldbetotryadrivenwell。AsIhadalreadyexcavatedaboutthirtyfeet，thatwassomuchgaintome，andifIshouldhaveasix-inchpipeputintomypresentwellandthendrivendownanddownuntilitcametoaplacewheretherewasplentyofwater，IwouldhaveallIwanted。
Howfardownthepipewouldhavetobedriven，ofcoursetheydidnotknow，buttheyallagreedthatifIdrovedeepenoughIwouldgetallthewaterIwanted。Thiswastheonlykindofawell，theysaid，whichonecouldsinkasdeepashepleasedwithoutbeinginterferedwithbythewateratthebottom。MywifeandI
thenconsideredthematter，andultimatelydecidedthatitwouldbeawasteofthemoneywhichwehadalreadyspentupontheengine，thepipes，andthelittlehouse，and，astherewasnothingelsetobedonebuttodriveawell，wewouldhaveawelldriven。
Ofcoursewewerebothverysorrythattheworkmustbebegunagain，butIwasespeciallydissatisfied，fortheweatherwasgettingcold，therewasalreadysnowupontheground，andIwastoldthatworkcouldnotbecarriedoninwinterweather。Ilostnotime，however，inmakingacontractwithawell-driver，whoassuredmethatassoonastheworkingseasonshouldopen，whichprobablywouldbeveryearlyinthespring，hewouldcometomyplaceandbegintodrivemywell。
Theseasondidopen，andsodidthepea-blossoms，andthepodsactuallybegantofillbeforeIsawthatwell-driveragain。Ihadhadagooddealofcorrespondencewithhiminthemeantime，urginghimtopromptaction，buthealwayshadsomegoodreasonfordelay。Ifoundoutafterwardsthathewasbusyfulfillingacontractmadebeforemine，inwhichhepromisedtodriveawellassoonastheseasonshouldopen。
Atlast——itwasearlyinthesummer——hecamewithhisderricks，asteam-engine，atrip-hammer，andalotofmen。Theytookofftheroofofmyhouse，removedtheengine，andsettowork。
Formanyalongday，andIamsorrytosayformanyalongernight，thattrip-hammerhammeredandbanged。Onthenextdayafterthenight-workbegan，oneofmyneighborscametometoknowwhattheydidthatfor。Itoldhimtheywereanxioustogetthrough。
\"Getthroughwhat？\"saidhe。\"Theearth？Iftheydothat，andyoursix-inchpipecomesoutinaChinaman\'sbackyard，hewillsueyoufordamages。\"
Whenthepipehadbeendriventhroughthesoftstratumundertheoldwell，andbegantoreachfirmerground，thepoundingandshakingoftheearthbecameworseandworse。Mywifewasobligedtoleavehomewithourchild。
\"Ifheistodowithoutbothwaterandsleep，\"saidshe，\"hecannotlongsurvive。\"AndIagreedwithher。
Shedepartedforapleasantsummerresortwherehermarriedsisterwithherchildwasstaying，andfromweektoweekI
receivedverypleasantlettersfromher，tellingmeofthecharmsoftheplace，anddwellingparticularlyupontheabundanceofcoolspringwaterwithwhichthehousewassupplied。
WhilethisterriblepoundingwasgoingonIheardvariousreportsofitseffectuponmyneighbors。Oneofthem，anagriculturist，withwhomIhadalwaysbeenonthebestofterms，camewithacloudedbrow。
\"WhenIfirstfeltthoseshakes，\"hesaid，\"Ithoughttheyweretheeffectsofseismicdisturbances，andIdidnotmind，butwhenIfounditwasyourwellIthoughtIoughttocomeovertospeakaboutit。Idonotobjecttotheshakingofmybarn，becausemymantellsmethecontinualjoltingisthrashingouttheoatsandwheat，butIdonotliketohaveallmyapplesandpearsshakenoffmytrees。Andthen，\"saidhe，\"Ihavealatebroodofchickens，andtheycannotwalk，becauseeverytimetheytrytomakeasteptheyarejoltedintotheairaboutafoot。
Andagain，wehavehadtogiveuphavingsoup。Welikesoup，butwedonotcaretohaveitspoutuplikeafountainwheneverthathammercomesdown。\"
Iwasgrievedtotroublethisfriend，andIaskedhimwhatI
shoulddo。\"Doyouwantmetostoptheworkonthewell？\"saidI。
\"Oh，no，\"saidhe，heartily。\"Goonwiththework。Youmusthavewater，andwewilltrytostandthebumping。Idaresayitisgoodfordyspepsia，andthecowsaregettingusedtohavingthegrassjammedupagainsttheirnoses。Goahead；wecanstanditinthedaytime，butifyoucouldstopthenight-workwewouldbeveryglad。Somepeoplemaythinkitawell-springofpleasuretobebouncedoutofbed，butIdon\'t。\"
Mrs。Perchcametomewithafacelikeasqueezedlemon，andaskedmeifIcouldlendherfivenails。
\"Whatsort？\"saidI。
\"Thekindyounailclapboardsonwith，\"saidshe。\"Thereisoneofthembeenshookentirelyoffmyhousebyyourwell。IaminhopesthatbeforetherestareallshookoffIshallgetinsomemoneythatisowingmeandcanaffordtobuynailsformyself。\"
Istoppedthenight-work，butthiswasallIcoulddofortheseneighbors。
Myoptimistfriendwasdelightedwhenheheardofmydrivenwell。Helivedsofarawaythatheandhismotherwerenotdisturbedbythejarringoftheground。Nowhewassurethatsomeoftheinternalsecretsoftheearthwouldbelaidbare，andherodeordroveovereverydaytoseewhatweweregettingoutofthewell。Iknowthathewasafraidwewouldsoongetwater，butwastookind-heartedtosayso。
Onedaythepiperefusedtogodeeper。Nomatterhowharditwasstruck，itbouncedupagain。WhensomeofthesubstanceithadstruckwasbroughtupitlookedlikeFrenchchalk，andmyoptimisteagerlyexaminedit。
\"AFrench-chalkmine，\"saidhe，\"wouldnotbeabadthing，butIhopedthatyouhadstruckabedofmineralgutta-percha。
Thatwouldbeagrandfind。\"
Butthechalk-bedwasatlastpassed，andwebeganagaintobringupnothingbutcommonearth。
\"Isuppose，\"saidmyoptimisttome，onemorning，\"thatyoumustsooncometowater，andifyoudoIhopeitwillbehotwater。\"
\"Hotwater！\"Iexclaimed。\"Idonotwantthat。\"
\"Oh，yes，youwould，ifyouhadthoughtaboutitasmuchasI
have，\"hereplied。\"Ilayawakeforhourslastnight，thinkingwhatwouldhappenifyoustruckhotwater。Inthefirstplace，itwouldbeabsolutelypure，because，evenifitwerepossibleforgermsandbacillitogetdownsodeep，theywouldbeboiledbeforeyougotthem，andthenyoucouldcoolthatwaterfordrinking。Whenfreshitwouldbealreadyheatedforcookingandhotbaths。Andthen——justthinkofit！——youcouldintroducethehot-watersystemofheatingintoyourhouse，andtherewouldbethehotwateralwaysready。Butthegreatthingwouldbeyourgarden。Thinkoftherefusehotwatercirculatinginpipesupanddownandunderallyourbeds！Thatgardenwouldbloominthewinterasothersdointhesummer；atleast，youcouldbegintohaveLima-beansandtomatoesassoonasthefrostwasoutoftheair。\"
Ilaughed。\"Itwouldtakealotofpumping，\"Isaid，\"todoallthatwiththehotwater。\"
\"Oh，Iforgottosay，\"hecried，withsparklingeyes，\"thatI
donotbelieveyouwouldeverhaveanymorepumpingtodo。YouhavenowgonedownsofarthatIamsurewhateveryoufindwillforceitselfup。Itwillspouthighintotheairorthroughallyourpipes，andrunalways。\"
PhineasColwellwasbywhenthiswassaid，andhemusthavegonedowntoMrs。BettyPerch\'shousetotalkitoverwithher，forintheafternoonshecametoseeme。
\"Iunderstand，\"saidshe，\"thatyouaretryingtogethotwateroutofyourwell，andthatthereislikelytobealotmorethanyouneed，sothatitwillrundownbythesideoftheroad。
Ijustwanttosaythatifastreamofhotwatercomesdownpastmyhousesomeofthechildrenwillbeboundtogetintoitandbescaldedtodeath，andIcametosaythatifthatwellisgoingtosquirtb\'ilingwaterI\'dliketohavenoticesothatI
canmove，thoughwhereawidowwithsomanyorphansisgoingtomovetonobodyknows。Mr。Colwellsaysthatifyouhadgothimtotellyouwheretoputthatwelltherewouldhavebeennodangerofthissortofthing。\"
Thenextdaytheoptimistcametome，hisfacefairlyblazingwithanewidea。\"Irodeoveronpurposetourgeyou，\"hecried，\"ifyoushouldstrikehotwater，nottostopthere。Goon，and，byGeorge！youmaystrikefire。\"
\"Heavens！\"Icried。
\"Oh，quitetheopposite，\"saidhe。\"Butdonotletusjoke。
Ithinkthatwouldbethegrandestthingofthisage。Thinkofafirewell，withtheflamesshootingupperhapsahundredfeetintotheair！\"
IwishPhineasColwellhadnotbeenthere。Asitwas，heturnedpaleandsatdownonthewall。
\"Youlookastonished！\"exclaimedtheoptimist，\"butlistentome。YouhavenotthoughtofthisthingasIhave。Ifyoushouldstrikefireyourfortunewouldbemade。Byasystemofreflectorsyoucouldlightupthewholecountry。Bymeansoftilesandpipesthisregioncouldbemadetropical。Youcouldwarmallthehousesintheneighborhoodwithhotair。Andthenthepoweryoucouldgenerate——justthinkofit！Heatispower；
thecostofpoweristhefuel。Youcouldfurnishpowertoallwhowantedit。Youcouldfillthisregionwithindustries。Mydearsir，youmustexcusemyagitation，butifyoushouldstrikefirethereisnolimittothepossibilitiesofachievement。\"
\"ButIwantwater，\"saidI。\"Firewouldnottaketheplaceofthat。\"
\"Oh，waterisatrifle，\"saidhe。\"Youcouldhavepipeslaidfromtown；itisonlyabouttwomiles。Butfire！Nobodyhasyetgonedowndeepenoughforthat。Youhaveyourfutureinyourhands。\"
AsIdidnotcaretoconnectmyfuturewithfire，thisideadidnotstrikemeveryforcibly，butitstruckPhineasColwell。
Hedidnotsayanythingtome，butafterIhadgonehewenttothewell-drivers。
\"Ifyoufeelthempipesgettinghot，\"hesaidtothem，\"I
warnyoutostop。Ihavebeenincountrieswheretherearevolcanoes，andIknowwhattheyare。There\'senoughoftheminthisworld，andthere\'snoneedofmakingnewones。\"
Intheafternoonawagoner，whohappenedtobepassing，broughtmeanotefromMrs。Perch，verybadlyspelled，askingifIwouldletoneofmymenbringherapailofwater，forshecouldnotthinkofcomingherselforlettinganyofthechildrencomenearmyplaceifspoutingfireswereexpected。
Thewell-drivinghadgoneonandon，withintermissionsonaccountofsicknessinthefamiliesofthevariousworkmen，untilithadreachedthelimitwhichIhadfixed，andwehadnotfoundwaterinsufficientquantity，hotorcold，norhadwestruckfire，oranythingelseworthhaving。
Thewell-driversandsomespecialistswereoftheopinionthatifIweretogoten，twenty，orperhapsahundredfeetdeeper，IwouldbeverylikelytogetallthewaterIwanted。
But，ofcourse，theycouldnottellhowdeeptheymustgo，forsomewellswereoverathousandfeetdeep。Ishookmyheadatthis。Thereseemedtobeonlyonethingcertainaboutthisdrillingbusiness，andthatwastheexpense。Ideclinedtogoanydeeper。
\"Ithink，\"afacetiousneighborsaidtome，\"itwouldbecheaperforyoutobuyalotofApollinariswater，——atwholesalerates，ofcourse，——andletyourmenopensomanybottlesadayandemptythemintoyourtank。Youwouldfindthatwouldpaybetterinthelongrun。\"
PhineasColwelltoldmethatwhenhehadinformedMrs。PerchthatIwasgoingtostopoperations，shewasinadreadfulstateofmind。Afterallshehadundergone，shesaid，itwassimplycrueltothinkofmystoppingbeforeIgotwater，andthatafterhavingdriedupherspring！
ThisiswhatPhineassaidshesaid，butwhennextImethershetoldmethathehaddeclaredthatifIhadputthewellwherehethoughtitoughttobe，IshouldhavebeenhavingallthewaterIwantedbeforenow。
MyoptimistwasdreadfullycastdownwhenheheardthatI
woulddrivenodeeper。
\"Ihavebeenafraidofthis，\"hesaid。\"Ihave，beenafraidofit。AndifcircumstanceshadsoarrangedthemselvesthatI
shouldhavecommandofmoney，Ishouldhavebeengladtoassumetheexpenseofdeeperexplorations。Ihavebeenthinkingagreatdealaboutthematter，andIfeelquitesurethatevenifyoudidnotgetwateroranythingelsethatmightproveofvaluetoyou，itwouldbeagreatadvantagetohaveapipesunkintotheearthtothedepthof，say，onethousandfeet。\"
\"Whatpossibleadvantagecouldthatbe？\"Iasked。
\"Iwilltellyou，\"hesaid。\"Youwouldthenhaveoneofthegrandestopportunitieseverofferedtomanofconstructingagravity-engine。Thiswouldbeanenginewhichwouldbeofnoexpenseatalltorun。Itwouldneednofuel。Gravitywouldbethepower。Itwouldworkapumpsplendidly。Youcouldstartitwhenyoulikedandstopitwhenyouliked。\"
\"Pump！\"saidI。\"Whatisthegoodofapumpwithoutwater？\"
\"Oh，ofcourseyouwouldhavetohavewater，\"heanswered。
\"But，nomatterhowyougetit，youwillhavetopumpituptoyourtanksoastomakeitcirculateoveryourhouse。Now，mygravity-pumpwoulddothisbeautifully。Yousee，thepumpwouldbearrangedwithcog-wheelsandallthatsortofthing，andthepowerwouldbesuppliedbyaweight，whichwouldbeacylinderofleadoriron，fastenedtoaropeandrundowninsideyourpipe。
Justthinkofit！Itwouldrundownathousandfeet，andwhereisthereanythingworkedbyweightthathassuchafallasthat？\"
Ilaughed。\"Thatisallverywell，\"saidI。\"Buthowaboutthepowerrequiredtowindthatweightupagainwhenitgottothebottom？Ishouldhavetohaveanenginetodothat。\"
\"Oh，no，\"saidhe。\"Ihaveplannedthethingbetterthanthat。Yousee，thegreatertheweightthegreaterthepowerandthevelocity。Now，ifyoutakeasolidcylinderofleadaboutfourinchesindiameter，sothatitwouldslipeasilydownyourpipe，——youmightgreaseit，forthatmatter，——andtwentyfeetinlength，itwouldbeanenormousweight，andinslowlydescendingforaboutanhouraday——forthatwouldbelongenoughforyourpumping——andgoingdownathousandfeet，itwouldrunyourengineforayear。Now，then，attheendoftheyearyoucouldnotexpecttohaulthatweightupagain。Youwouldhaveatriggerarrangementwhichwoulddetachitfromtheropewhenitgottothebottom。Thenyouwouldwindupyourrope，——amancoulddothatinashorttime，——andyouwouldattachanothercylinderoflead，andthatwouldrunyourengineforanotheryear，minusafewdays，becauseitwouldonlygodownninehundredandeightyfeet。Thenextyearyouwouldputonanothercylinder，andsoon。Ihavenotworkedoutthefiguresexactly，butIthinkthatinthiswayyourenginewouldrunforthirtyyearsbeforethepipebecameentirelyfilledwithcylinders。
Thatwouldbeprobablyaslongasyouwouldcaretohavewaterforcedintothehouse。\"
\"Yes\"\'saidI，\"Ithinkthatislikely。\"
Hesawthathisschemedidnotstrikemefavorably。Suddenlyalightflashedacrosshisface。
\"Itellyouwhatyoucandowithyourpipe，\"hesaid，\"justasitis。Youcansetupaclockoveritwhichwouldrunforfortyyearswithoutwinding。\"
Ismiled，andheturnedsadlyawaytohishorse；buthehadnotriddentenyardsbeforehecamebackandcalledtomeoverthewall。
\"Iftheearthatthebottomofyourpipeshouldeveryieldtopressureandgiveway，andifwaterorgas，or——anything，shouldbesquirtedoutofit，Ibegyouwillletmeknowassoonaspossible。\"
Ipromisedtodoso。
Whenthepoundingwasatanendmywifeandchildcamehome。
Buttheseasoncontinueddry，andeventheirpresencecouldnotcounteractthefeelingofariditywhichseemedtopermeateeverythingwhichbelongedtous，materialorimmaterial。Wehadagreatdealofcommiserationfromourneighbors。IthinkevenMrs。BettyPerchbegantopityusalittle，forherspringhadbeguntotrickleagaininasmallway，andshesentwordtomethatifwewerereallyinneedofwatershewouldbewillingtodividewithus。PhineasColwellwassorryforus，ofcourse，buthecouldnothelpfeelingandsayingthatifIhadconsultedhimthemisfortunewouldhavebeenprevented。
Itwaslateinthesummerwhenmywifereturned，andwhenshemadeherfirstvisitofinspectiontothegroundsandgardens，hereyes，ofcourse，fellupontheunfinishedwell。Shewasshocked。
\"Ineversawsuchasceneofwreckage，\"shesaid。\"ItlookslikeaWesterntownafteracyclone。Ithinkthebestthingyoucandoistohavethisdreadfullitterclearedup，thegroundsmoothedandraked，thewallmended，andtheroofputbackonthatlittlehouse，andthenifwecanmakeanybodybelieveitisanice-house，somuchthebetter。\"
Thiswasgoodadvice，andIsentforamantoputthevicinityofthewellinorderandgiveittheairofneatnesswhichcharacterizestherestofourhome。
ThemanwhocamewasnamedMr。Barnet。Hewasacontemplativefellowwithapipeinhismouth。Afterhavingworkedattheplaceforhalfadayhesentformeandsaid：
\"I\'lltellyouwhatIwoulddoifIwasinyourplace。I\'dputthatpump-houseinorder，andI\'dsetuptheengine，andputthepumpdownintothatthirty-footwellyoufirstdug，andI\'dpumpwaterintomyhouse。\"
Ilookedathiminamazement。
\"There\'slotsofwaterinthatwell，\"hecontinued，\"andifthere\'sthatmuchnowinthisdrought，youwillsurelyhaveeversomuchmorewhentheweatherisn\'tsodry。Ihavemeasuredthewater，andIknow。\"
Icouldnotunderstandhim。Itseemedtomethathewastalkingwildly。Hefilledhispipeandlighteditandsatuponthewall。
\"Now，\"saidhe，afterhehadtakenafewpuffs，\"I\'lltellyouwherethetrouble\'sbeenwithyourwell。Peoplearealwaysintoobigahurryinthisworldaboutallsortsofthingsaswellaswells。Iamawell-diggerandIknowallaboutthem。Weknowifthereisanywaterinthegrounditwillalwaysfinditswaytothedeepestholethereis，andwedigawellsoastogiveitadeepholetogotointheplacewherewewantit。Butyoucan\'texpectthewatertocometothatholejusttheverydayit\'sfinished。Ofcourseyouwillgetsome，becauseit\'srightthereintheneighborhood，butthereisalwaysalotmorethatwillcomeifyougiveittime。It\'sgottomakelittlechannelsandpassagesforitself，andofcourseittakestimetodothat。
It\'slikesettlingupanewcountry。Onlyafewpioneerscomeatfirst，andyouhavetowaitforthepopulationtoflowin。Thisbeingadryseason，andthewaterinthegroundalittlesluggishonthataccount，itwasagoodwhilefindingoutwhereyourwellwas。IfIhadhappenedalongwhenyouwastalkingaboutawell，IthinkIshouldhavesaidtoyouthatIknewaproverbwhichwouldaboutfityourcase，andthatis：`Letwellenoughalone。\'\"
Ifeltliketakingthisgoodmanbythehand，butIdidnot。I
onlytoldhimtogoaheadanddoeverythingthatwasproper。
Thenextmorning，asIwasgoingtothewell，IsawPhineasColwellcomingdownthelaneandMrs。BettyPerchcomingupit。
Ididnotwishthemtoquestionme，soIsteppedbehindsomebushes。Whentheymettheystopped。
\"Uponmyword！\"exclaimedMrs。Betty，\"ifheisn\'tgoingtoworkagainonthateverlastingwell！Ifhe\'sgotsomuchmoneyhedon\'tknowwhattodowithit，Icouldtellhimthatthere\'speopleinthisworld，andnotfarawayeither，whowouldbethebetterforsomeofit。It\'sasinandashameandanabomination。Doyoubelieve，Mr。Colwell，thatthereistheleastchanceintheworldofhisevergettingwaterenoughoutofthatwelltoshavehimselfwith？\"
\"Mrs。Perch，\"saidPhineas，\"itain\'tnousetalkingaboutthatwell。Itain\'tnouse，anditnevercanbenouse，becauseit\'sinthewrongplace。IfheeverpumpswateroutofthatwellintohishouseI\'lldo——\"
\"Whatwillyoudo？\"askedMr。Barnet，whojustthenappearedfromtherecessesoftheengine-house。
\"I\'lldoanythingonthisearththatyouchoosetoname，\"
saidPhineas。\"Iamsafe，whateveritis。\"
\"Well，then，\"saidMr。Barnet，knockingtheashesfromhispipepreparatorytofillingitagain，\"willyoumarryMrs。
Perch？\"
Phineaslaughed。\"Yes，\"hesaid。\"IpromisedIwoulddoanything，andI\'llpromisethat。\"
\"Aslimchanceforme，\"saidMrs。Betty，\"evenifI\'dhaveyou。\"Andshemarchedonwithhernoseintheair。
WhenMr。Barnetgotfairlytoworkwithhisderrick，hismen，andhisbuckets，hefoundthattherewasagooddealmoretodothanhehadexpected。Thewell-drivershadinjuredtheoriginalwellbybreakingsomeofthetileswhichlinedit，andthesehadtobetakenoutandothersputin，andinthecourseofthisworkotherimprovementssuggestedthemselvesandweremade。
SeveraltimesoperationsweredelayedbysicknessinthefamilyofMr。Barnet，andalsointhefamiliesofhisworkmen，butstilltheworkwentoninaveryfairmanner，althoughmuchmoreslowlythanhadbeensupposedbyanyone。Butinthecourseoftime——I
willnotsayhowmuchtime——theworkwasfinished，theenginewasinitsplace，anditpumpedwaterintomyhouse，andeverydaysincethenithaspumpedallthewaterweneed，pure，cold，anddelicious。
KnowingthepromisePhineasColwellhadmade，andfeelingdesirousofhavingeverythingwhichconcernedmywellsettledandfinished，IwenttolookforhimtoremindhimofhisdutytowardMrs。Perch，butIcouldnotfindthatnavalandmilitarymechanicalagriculturist。Hehadgoneawaytotakeajoboracontract，——Icouldnotdiscoverwhich，——andhehasnotsinceappearedinourneighborhood。Mrs。Perchisverysevereonmeaboutthis。
\"There\'splentyofbadthingscomeoutofthatwell，\"shesaid，\"butIneverthoughtanythingbadenoughwouldcomeoutofittomakeMr。Colwellgoawayandleavemetokeeponbeingawidowwithallthemorphans。\"
MR。TOLMAN
Mr。Tolmanwasagentlemanwhoseapparentagewasofavaryingcharacter。Attimes，whendeepinthoughtonbusinessmattersorotheraffairs，onemighthavethoughthimfifty-fiveorfifty-
seven，orevensixty。Ordinarily，however，whenthingswererunningalonginasatisfactoryandcommonplaceway，heappearedtobeaboutfiftyyearsold，whileuponsomeextraordinaryoccasions，whentheworldassumedanunusuallyattractiveaspect，hisageseemedtorundowntoforty-fiveorless。
Hewastheheadofabusinessfirm。Infact，hewastheonlymemberofit。ThefirmwasknownasPuseyandCo。ButPuseyhadlongbeendeadandthe\"Co。，\"ofwhichMr。Tolmanhadbeenamember，wasdissolved。Ourelderlyhero，havingboughtoutthebusiness，firm-nameandall，formanyyearshadcarrieditonwithsuccessandprofit。Hiscounting-housewasasmallandquietplace，butagreatdealofmoneyhadbeenmadeinit。Mr。
Tolmanwasrich——veryrichindeed。
Andyet，ashesatinhiscounting-roomonewinterevening，helookedhisoldest。Hehadonhishatandhisovercoat，hisglovesandhisfurcollar。Everyoneelseintheestablishmenthadgonehome，andhe，withthekeysinhishand，wasreadytolockupandleavealso。Heoftenstayedlaterthananyoneelse，andleftthekeyswithMr。Canterfield，theheadclerk，ashepassedhishouseonhiswayhome。
Mr。Tolmanseemedinnohurrytogo。Hesimplysatandthought，andincreasedhisapparentage。Thetruthwas，hedidnotwanttogohome。Hewastiredofgoinghome。Thiswasnotbecausehishomewasnotapleasantone。Nosinglegentlemaninthecityhadahandsomerormorecomfortablesuiteofrooms。Itwasnotbecausehefeltlonely，orregrettedthatawifeandchildrendidnotbrightenandenlivenhishome。Hewasperfectlysatisfiedtobeabachelor。Theconditionssuitedhimexactly。
But，inspiteofallthis，hewastiredofgoinghome。
\"Iwish，\"saidMr。Tolmantohimself，\"thatIcouldfeelsomeinterestingoinghome。\"Thenheroseandtookaturnortwoupanddowntheroom。Butasthatdidnotseemtogivehimanymoreinterestinthematter，hesatdownagain。\"Iwishitwerenecessaryformetogohome，\"saidhe，\"butitisn\'t。\"Sothenhefellagaintothinking。\"WhatIneed，\"hesaid，afterawhile，\"istodependmoreuponmyself——tofeelthatIamnecessarytomyself。JustnowI\'mnot。I\'llstopgoinghome——atleast，inthisway。Where\'sthesenseinenvyingothermen，whenIcanhaveallthattheyhavejustaswellasnot？AndI\'llhaveit，too，\"saidMr。Tolman，ashewentoutandlockedthedoors。
Onceinthestreets，andwalkingrapidly，hisideasshapedthemselveseasilyandreadilyintoaplanwhich，bythetimehereachedthehouseofhisheadclerk，wasquitematured。Mr。
Canterfieldwasjustgoingdowntodinnerashisemployerrangthebell，soheopenedthedoorhimself。\"Iwilldetainyoubutaminuteortwo，\"saidMr。Tolman，handingthekeystoMr。Canterfield。\"Shallwestepintotheparlor？\"
Whenhisemployerhadgone，andMr。Canterfieldhadjoinedhisfamilyatthedinner-table，hiswifeimmediatelyaskedhimwhatMr。Tolmanwanted。
\"Onlytosaythatheisgoingawayto-morrow，andthatIamtoattendtothebusiness，andsendhispersonallettersto——，\"
namingacitynotahundredmilesaway。
\"Howlongishegoingtostay？\"
\"Hedidn\'tsay，\"answeredMr。Canterfield。
\"I\'lltellyouwhatheoughttodo，\"saidthelady。\"Heoughttomakeyouapartnerinthefirm，andthenhecouldgoawayandstayaslongashepleased。\"
\"Hecandothatnow，\"returnedherhusband。\"HehasmadeagoodmanytripssinceIhavebeenwithhim，andthingshavegoneonverymuchinthesamewayaswhenheishere。Heknowsthat。\"
\"Butstillyou\'dliketobeapartner？\"
\"Oh，yes，\"saidMr。Canterfield。
\"Andcommongratitudeoughttoprompthimtomakeyouone，\"
saidhiswife。
Mr。Tolmanwenthomeandwroteawill。Heleftallhisproperty，withtheexceptionofafewlegacies，totherichestandmostpowerfulcharitableorganizationinthecountry。
\"PeoplewillthinkIamcrazy，\"saidhetohimself，\"andifI
shoulddiewhileIamcarryingoutmyplan，Iwillleavethetaskofdefendingmysanitytopeoplewhoareabletomakeagoodfightforme。\"Andbeforehewenttobedhiswillwassignedandwitnessed。