’Toourgoodsubject，JohnRidd，etc。’——describingmeeversomuchbetterthanIknewmyself——’bythesepresents，greeting。Thesearetorequirethee，inthenameofourlordtheKing，toappearinpersonbeforetheRightWorshipful，theJusticesofHisMajesty’sBenchatWestminster，layingasideallthineownbusiness，andtheretodeliversuchevidenceasiswithinthycognisance，touchingcertainmatterswherebythepeaceofoursaidlordtheKing，andthewell-beingofthisrealm，is，are，orotherwisemaybeimpeached，impugned，imperilled，orotherwisedetrimented。Aswitnessthesepresents。’Andthentherewerefourseals，andthenasignatureIcouldnotmakeout，onlythatitbeganwithaJ，andendedwithsomeotherwriting，donealmostinacircle。Underneathwasaddedinadifferenthandwriting’Chargeswillbeborne。Thematterisfullurgent。’
Themessengerwatchedme，whileIreadsomuchasI
couldreadofit；andheseemedwellpleasedwithmysurprise，becausehehadexpectedit。Then，notknowingwhatelsetodo，Ilookedagainatthecover，andonthetopofitIsaw，’Ride，Ride，Ride!OnHisGraciousMajesty’sbusiness；spurandsparenot。’
Itmaybesupposedbyallwhoknowme，thatIwastakenhereuponwithsuchagiddinessinmyheadandnoisinessinmyears，thatIwasforcedtoholdbythecrookdriveninbelowthethatchforholdingofthehay-rakes。Therewasscarcelyanysenseleftinme，onlythatthethingwascomebypowerofMotherMelldrum，becauseIdespisedherwarning，andhadagainsoughtLorna。Buttheofficerwasgrievedforme，andthedangertohissupper。
’Myson，benotafraid，’hesaid；’wearenotgoingtoskinthee。Onlythoutellallthetruth，anditshallbe——butnevermind，Iwilltelltheeallaboutit，andhowtocomeoutharmless，ifIfindthyvictualsgood，andnodelayinservingthem。’
’Wedoourbest，sir，withoutbargain，’saidI，’topleaseourvisitors。’
Butwhenmymothersawthatparchmentforwecouldnotkeepitfromhershefellawayintoherfavouritebedofstockgilly-flowers，whichshehadbeentending；
andwhenwebroughtherroundagain，didnothingbutexclaimagainstthewickednessoftheageandpeople。
’Itwasuselesstotellher；sheknewwhatitwas，andsoshouldalltheparishknow。TheKinghadheardwhathersonwas，howsober，andquiet，anddiligent，andthestrongestyoungmaninEngland；andbeinghimselfsuchareprobate——Godforgiveherforsayingso——hecouldneverresttillhegotpoorJohnny，andmadehimasdissoluteashimself。Andifhedidthat’——heremotherwentoffintoafitofcrying；andAnniemindedherface，whileLizziesawthathergownwasincomelyorder。
ButthecharacteroftheKingimproved，whenMasterJeremySticklesbeingreallymovedbythelookofit，andnobadmanafteralllaiditclearlybeforemymotherthattheKingonhisthronewasunhappy，untilhehadseenJohnRidd。ThatthefameofJohnhadgonesofar，andhissize，andallhisvirtues——thatverilybytheGodwhomadehim，theKingwasovercomewithit。
Thenmotherlaybackinhergardenchair，andsmileduponthewholeofus，andmostofallonJeremy；
lookingonlyshylyonme，andspeakingthroughsomebreakoftears。’HisMajestyshallhavemyJohn；HisMajestyisverygood：butonlyforafortnight。Iwantnotitlesforhim。Johnnyisenoughforme；andMasterJohnfortheworkingmen。’
NowthoughmymotherwassowillingthatIshouldgotoLondon，expectinggreatpromotionandhighgloryforme，Imyselfwasdeeplygoneintothepitofsorrow。
ForwhatwouldLornathinkofme？Herewasthelongmonthjustexpired，afterworldsofwaiting；therewouldbeherlovelyself，peepingsoftlydowntheglen，andfearingtoencourageme；yettherewouldbenobodyelse，andwhataninsulttoher!Dwellinguponthis，andseeingnochanceofescapefromit，Icouldnotfindonewinkofsleep；thoughJeremyStickleswhosleptclosebysnoredloudenoughtosparemesome。
ForIfeltmyselftobe，asitwere，inaplaceofsomeimportance；inasituationoftrust，Imaysay；andboundnottodepartfromit。ForwhocouldtellwhattheKingmighthavetosaytomeabouttheDoones——andIfeltthattheywereatthebottomofthisstrangeappearance——orwhatHisMajestymightthink，ifafterreceivingamessagefromhimtrustyundersomanysealsIweretoviolatehisfaithinmeasachurchwarden’sson，andfalselyspreadhiswordsabroad？
PerhapsIwasnotwiseinbuildingsuchawallofscruples。Nevertheless，allthatwasthere，andweigheduponmeheavily。AndatlastImadeupmymindtothis，thatevenLornamustnotknowthereasonofmygoing，neitheranythingaboutit；butthatshemightknowIwasgonealongwayfromhome，andperhapsbesorryforit。NowhowwasItoletherknoweventhatmuchofthematter，withoutbreakingcompact？
Puzzlingonthis，Ifellasleep，afterthepropertimetogetup；norwasItobeseenatbreakfasttime；andmotherbeingquitestrangetothatwasveryuneasyaboutit。ButMasterSticklesassuredherthattheKing’swritoftenhadthateffect，andthesymptomwasagoodone。
’Now，MasterStickles，whenmustwestart？’Iaskedhim，asheloungedintheyardgazingatourturkeypoultspickingandrunninginthesuntothetuneoftheirfather’sgobble。’Yourhorsewasgreatlyfoundered，sir，andishardlyfitfortheroadto-day；
andSmilerwassleddingyesterdayallupthehigherCleve；andnoneoftherestcancarryme。’
’Inafewmoreyears，’repliedtheKing’sofficer，contemplatingmewithmuchsatisfaction；’’twillbeacrueltytoanyhorsetoputtheeonhisback，John。’
MasterStickles，bythistime，wasquitefamiliarwithus，callingme’Jack，’andEliza’Lizzie，’andwhatI
likedtheleastofall，ourprettyAnnie’Nancy。’
’ThatwillbeasGodpleases，sir，’Iansweredhim，rathersharply；’andthehorsethatsufferswillnotbethine。ButIwishtoknowwhenwemuststartuponourlongtraveltoLondontown。Iperceivethatthematterisofgreatdespatchandurgency。’
’Tobesure，soitis，myson。ButIseeayearlingturkeythere，himImeanwiththehopinhiswalk，whoifIknowaughtoffowlswouldroastwellto-morrow。
Thymothermusthavepreparation：itisnomorethanreasonable。Now，havethatturkeykilledto-nightforhisfatnessmakesmelongforhim，andwewillhavehimfordinnerto-morrow，with，perhaps，oneofhisbrethren；andafewmorecollopsofreddeer’sfleshforsupper，andthenontheFridaymorning，withthegraceofGod，wewillsetourfacestotheroad，uponHisMajesty’sbusiness。’
’Nay，butgoodsir，’Iaskedwithsometrembling，soeagerwasItoseeLorna；’ifHisMajesty’sbusinesswillkeeptillFriday，mayitnotkeepuntilMonday？
Wehavealitterofsucking-pigs，excellentlychoiceandwhite，sixweeksold，comeFriday。Therebetoomanyforthesow，andoneofthemneedethroasting。
Thinkyounotitwouldbeapitytoleavethewomentocarveit？’
’MysonJack，’repliedMasterStickles，’neverwasIinsuchquartersyet：andGodforbidthatIshouldbesounthankfultoHimastohurryaway。AndnowIthinkonit，Fridayisnotadayuponwhichpiouspeoplelovetocommenceanenterprise。Iwillchoosetheyoungpigto-morrowatnoon，atwhichtimetheyarewonttogambol；andwewillcelebratehisbirthdaybycarvinghimonFriday。Afterthatwewillgirdourloins，andsetforthearlyonSaturday。’
Nowthiswaslittlebettertomethanifwehadsetforthatonce。SundaybeingtheveryfirstdayuponwhichitwouldbehonourableformetoenterGlenDoone。ButthoughItriedeverypossiblemeanswithMasterJeremyStickles，offeringhimthechoicefordinnerofeverybeastthatwasonthefarm，hedurstnotputoffourdeparturelaterthantheSaturday。Andnothingelsebutloveofusandofourhospitalitywouldhavesopersuadedhimtoremainwithustillthen。ThereforenowmyonlychanceofseeingLorna，beforeIwent，layinwatchingfromthecliffandespyingher，orasignalfromher。
This，however，Ididinvain，untilmyeyeswerewearyandoftenwoulddeludethemselveswithhopeofwhattheyachedfor。ButthoughIlayhiddenbehindthetreesuponthecrestofthestonyfall，andwaitedsoquietthattherabbitsandsquirrelsplayedaroundme，andeventhekeen-eyedweaseltookmeforatrunkofwood——itwasallasone；nocastofcolourchangedthewhitestone，whosewhitenessnowwashatefultome；nordidwreathorskirtofmaidenbreakthelonelinessofthevale。
AjourneytoLondonseemedtousinthosebygonedaysashazardousanddarkanadventureascouldbeforcedonanyman。Imean，ofcourse，apoorman；fortoagreatnobleman，witheversomanyoutriders，attendants，andretainers，theriskwasnotsogreat，unlessthehighwaymenknewoftheircomingbeforehand，andsocombinedagainstthem。Toapoorman，however，theriskwasnotsomuchfromthosegentlemenoftheroadasfromthemoreignoblefootpads，andthelandlordsofthelesserhostels，andthelooseunguardedsoldiers，overandabovethepitfallsandthequagmiresoftheway；sothatitwashardtosettle，atthefirstoutgoingwhetheramanwerewisetopraymoreforhisneckorforhishead。
Butnowadaysitisverydifferent。Notthathighway-menarescarce，inthisthereignofourgoodQueenAnne；forintruththeythriveaswellasever，albeittheydeserveitnot，beinglessuprightandcourteous——butthattheroadsaremuchimproved，andthegrowinguseofstage-waggonssomeofwhichwilltravelasmuchasfortymilesinasummerdayhasturnedourancientideasofdistancealmostupsidedown；andIdoubtwhetherGodbepleasedwithourflyingsofastawayfromHim。However，thatisnotmybusiness；nordoesitlieinmymouthtospeakverystronglyuponthesubject，seeinghowmuchImyselfhavedonetowardsmakingofroadsuponExmoor。
Toreturntomystoryand，intruth，Ilosethatroadtoooften，itwouldhavetakentenKing’smessengerstogetmeawayfromPlover’sBarrowswithoutonegoodbyetoLorna，butformysenseofthetrustandreliancewhichHisMajestyhadreposedinme。AndnowIfeltmostbitterlyhowtheveryarrangementswhichseemedsowise，andindeedingenious，maybytheforceofeventsbecomeourmostfatalobstacles。Forlo!I
wasblockedentirelyfromgoingtoseeLorna；whereasweshouldhavefixeditsothatIaswellmighthavethepowerofsignallingmynecessity。
Itwastoolatenowtothinkofthat；andsoImadeupmymindatlasttokeepmyhonouronbothsides，bothtotheKingandtothemaiden，althoughImightloseeverythingexceptaheavyheartforit。Andindeed，moreheartsthanminewereheavy；forwhenitcametothetugofparting，mymotherwaslike，andsowasAnnie，tobreakdownaltogether。ButIbadethembeofgoodcheer，andsmiledinthebriskestmanneruponthem，andsaidthatIshouldbebacknextweekasoneofHisMajesty’sgreatestcaptains，andtoldthemnottofearmethen。Uponwhichtheysmiledattheideaofeverbeingafraidofme，whateverdressImighthaveon；andsoIkissedmyhandoncemore，androdeawayverybravely。Butblessyourheart，IcouldnomorehavedonesothanflownallthewaytoLondonifJeremyStickleshadnotbeenthere。
Andnottotaketoomuchcredittomyselfinthismatter，Imustconfessthatwhenwewerecometotheturnintheroadwherethemoorbegins，andwhenceyouseethelastoftheyard，andthericksandthepoultryroundthemandcanbyknowingtheplaceobtainaglanceofthekitchenwindowunderthewalnut-tree，itwentsohardwithmejustherethatIevenmadepretenceofastoneinancientSmiler’sshoe，todismount，andtobendmyheadawhile。Then，knowingthatthoseIhadleftbehindwouldbewatchingtoseethelastofme，andmighthavefalsehopesofmycomingback，Imountedagainwithallpossiblecourage，androdeafterJeremyStickles。
Jeremy，seeinghowmuchIwasdown，didhisbesttokeepmeupwithjokes，andtales，andlightdiscourse，until，beforewehadriddenaleague，Ibegantolongtoseethethingshewasdescribing。Theair，theweather，andthethoughtsofgoingtoawondrousplace，addedtothefinecompany——atleastsoJeremysaiditwas——ofamanwhoknewallLondon，mademefeelthatI
shouldbeungraciousnottolaughalittle。AndbeingverysimplethenIlaughednomorealittle，butsomethingquiteconsiderablethoughfreefromconsiderationatthestrangethingsMasterSticklestoldme，andhisstrangewayoftellingthem。Andsowebecameveryexcellentfriends，forhewasmuchpleasedwithmylaughing。
Notwishingtothrustmyselfmoreforwardthanneedbeinthisnarrative，Ihavescarcelythoughtitbecomingorrighttospeakofmyownadornments。Butnow，whatwiththebraveclothesIhadon，andthebetteronesstillthatwerepackedupinthebagbehindthesaddle，itisalmostbeyondmetoforbearsayingthatImusthavelookedverypleasing。AndmanyatimeIwished，goingalong，thatLornacouldonlybehereandthere，watchingbehindafurze-bush，lookingatme，andwonderinghowmuchmyclotheshadcost。Formotherwouldhavenostintinthematter，buthadassembledatourhouse，immediatelyuponknowledgeofwhatwastobeaboutLondon，everymanknowntobeagoodstitcheruponoursideofExmoor。Andforthreedaystheyhadworkedtheirbest，withoutstintofbeerorcider，accordingtotheconstitutionofeach。Theresult，sotheyalldeclared，wassuchastocreateadmiration，anddefycompetitioninLondon。Andtomeitseemedthattheywerequiteright；thoughJeremySticklesturneduphisnose，andfeignedtobedeafinthebusiness。
Nowbethatmatterasyouplease——forthepointisnotwortharguing——certainitisthatmyappearancewasbetterthanithadbeenbefore。Forbeinginthebestclothes，onetriestolookandtoactsofarasmaybeuptothequalityofthem。Notonlyforthefearofsoilingthem，butthattheyenlargeaman’sperceptionofhisvalue。Anditstrikesmethatoursinsarise，partlyfromdisdainofothers，butmainlyfromcontemptofself，bothworkingthedespiteofGod。
Butmenofmindmaynotbemeasuredbysuchpaltryruleasthis。
Bydinner-timewearrivedatPorlock，anddinedwithmyoldfriend，MasterPooke，nowgrowingrichandportly。
Forthoughwehadplentyofvictualswithuswewerenottobeginuponthem，untilallchanceofvictuallingamongourfriendswasleftbehind。Andduringthatfirstdaywehadnoneedtomeddlewithourstoreatall；forashadbeensettledbeforewelefthome，welaythatnightatDunsterinthehouseofaworthytanner，firstcousintomymother，whoreceivedusverycordially，andundertooktoreturnoldSmilertohisstableatPlover’sBarrows，afteroneday’srest。
ThencewehiredtoBridgwater；andfromBridgwaterontoBristowe，breakingthejourneybetweenthetwo。Butalthoughthewholewaywassonewtome，andsuchaperpetualsourceofconflict，thattheremembrancestillabideswithme，asifitwerebutyesterday，I
mustnotbesolongintellingasitwasintravelling，oryouwillwishmefarther；bothbecauseLornawasnothingthere，andalsobecauseamaninourneighbourhoodhaddonethewholeofitsincemytime，andfeignstothinknothingofit。However，onething，incommonjusticetoapersonwhohasbeentraduced，I
amboundtomention。Andthisis，thatbeingtwoofus，andmyselfofsuchmagnitude，wenevercouldhavemadeourjourneywithouteitherfightorrunning，butforthefreepasswhichdearAnnie，bysomemeansI