TheHarepausedforalittle，thenlookedupatmeinitscomicalfashionandasked——
\"Didyouevercoursehares，Mahatma？\"
\"NotI，thankgoodness，\"Ianswered。
\"Well，whatdoyouthinkofcoursing？\"
\"Iwouldrathernotsay，\"Ireplied。
\"ThenIwill，\"saidtheHare，withconviction。\"Ithinkithorrible。\"
\"Yes，but，Hare，youdonotrememberthepleasurethissportgivestothemenandthedogs；youlookatitfromanentirelyselfishpointofview。\"
\"Andsowouldyou，Mahatma，ifyouhadfeltJack’shotbreathonyourbackandJill’steethinyourtail。\"
THEHUNTING
TheHaresatsilentforatime，whileIemployedmyselfinwatchingcertainshadowsstreampastusontheGreatWhiteRoad。AmongthemwasthatofapoliticianwhomIhadmuchadmiredupontheearth。InthislandofTruthIwasgrievedtoobservecertaincharacteristicsabouthimwhichIhadneverbeforesuspected。Itseemedtome，alas！thatinhismundanecareerhehadnotbeensoentirelyinfluencedbyasingle-
hearteddesireforthewelfareofourcountryashehadproclaimedandIhadbelieved。Igatheredeventhathisowninterestshadsometimesinspiredhispolicy。
Hewentby，leaving，sofarasIwasconcerned，asomewhatpainfulimpressionfromwhichIsoughtreliefinthecompanyoftheopen-
souledHare。
\"Well，\"Isaid，\"Isupposethatyoudiedofexhaustionafteryourcoursingexperience，andcameonhere。\"
\"Diedofexhaustion，Mahatma，notabitofit！InthreedaysIwasaswellasever，onlymuchmorecunningthanIhadbeenbefore。InthenightIfedinthefieldsuponwhateverIcouldget，butinthedaytimeIalwayslayupinwoods。ThisIdidbecauseIfoundouttheshootingwasover，andIknewthatgreyhounds，whichrunbysight，wouldnevercomeintowoods。
Theweekswentbyandthedaysbegantolengthen。PrettyyellowflowersthatIhadnotseenbeforeappearedinthewoods，andIateplentyofthem；theyhaveaniceflavour。ThenImetanotherhareandlovedher，becausesheremindedmeofmysister。Weusedtoplayabouttogetherandwereveryhappy。IwonderwhatshewilldonowthatIamgone。\"
\"Consoleherselfwithsomebodyelse，\"Isuggestedsarcastically。
\"No，shewon’tdothat，Mahatma，becausethehounds’chopped’herjustoutsidetheRoundPlantation。Imeantheycaughtandateher。YouthinkthatIamcontradictingmyself，butIamnot。ImeanIwonderwhatshewilldowithoutmeinwhateverworldshehasreached，forI
don’tseeherhere。Well，IwenttothelittleRoundPlantationbecauseIfoundthatGilesseldomcamethereandIthoughtitwouldbesafer，butasitprovedImadeagreatmistake。OnedaythereappearedtheRed-facedManandTomandthegirl，Ella，andalotofotherpeoplemountedonhorses，someofthemdressedingreencoatswithridiculous-lookingcapsontheirheads。
AlsowiththemwereIdon’tknowhowmanyspotteddogswhosetailscurledovertheirbacks，notlikegreyhoundswhosetailscurlbetweentheirlegs。OutsideofthePlantationthosedogscaughtandatemyfuturewife，asIhavesaid。Itwasherownfault，forIhadwarnedhernottogothere，butshewasaveryself-willedcharacter。Asitwassheneverevengavethemarun，fortheywereallroundherinaminute。Thentheymadeakindofcartwheel；theirheadswereinthecentreofthiscartwheelandtheirtailspointedout。Initsexactmiddlewasmyfuturewife。
Whenthewheelbrokeuptherewasnothingofherleftexceptherscut，whichlayupontheground。
IhadseensomanyofsuchthingsthatIwasnotsomuchshockedasyoumightsuppose。Afterallafineharelikemyselfcouldalwaysgetanotherwife，andasIhavetoldyoushewasveryself-willed。
SoIlaystill，thinkingthatthosemenanddogswouldgoaway。
ButwhatdoyouthinkMahatma？JustastheyweregoingtheboyTomcalledout——
\"Isay，Dad，IthinkwemightaswellknockthroughtheRoundPlantation。Gilestellsmethattheoldspeckle-backedbuckliesuphere。\"
\"Doeshe？\"saidGrampus。\"Well，ifso，that’sthehareIwanttosee，forIknowhe’dgiveusagoodrun。Here，Jerry\"（Jerrywasthehuntsman），\"justputthehoundsintothatplace。\"
SoJerryputthehoundsin，makingdreadfulnoisestoencouragethem，andofcourseIcameout，asIdidnotwishtosharethefateofmyfuturewife。
\"That’shim！\"screechedTom。\"Lookatthegreymarksonhisback。\"
\"Yes，that’sherightenough，\"shoutedtheRed-facedMan。\"Laythemon，Jerry，laythemon；we’reinforarattlingrunnow，I’llwarrant。\"
SotheywerelaidonandIwentawayashardasmylegswouldcarryme。VerysoonIfoundthatIhadleftallthosecurly-taileddogsalongwaybehind。
\"Ah！\"Isaidtomyselfproudly，\"thesebeastsarenotgreyhounds；theyarelikeGiles’sretrieverandthesheepdog。They’llneverseemeagain。SoIloopedalongsavingmybreathandheadingforawoodwhichwasquitefivemilesoffthatIhadoncevisitedfromtheMarshonthesea-shorewhereIlaysick，forIwassuretheywouldneverfollowmethere。
Youcanimagine，then，Mahatma，howsurprisedIwaswhenIdrewnearthatwoodtohearahideousnoiseofdogsallbarkingtogetherbehindme，andonlookingback，toseethosespottedbrutes，withtheirtongueshangingout，comingalongquiteclosetoeachotherandnotmorethanaquarterofamileaway。
Moreovertheywerecomingafterme。Iwassureofthat，forthefirstofthemkeptsettingitsnosetothegroundjustwhereIhadrun，andthenliftingupitsheadtobay。Yes，theywerecomingonmyscent。
TheycouldsmellmeasGiles’scurlydogsmellsthewoundedpartridges。Myheartsankatthethought，butpresentlyIrememberedthatthewoodwasquiteclose，andthatthereIshouldcertainlygivethemtheslip。
SoIwentonquitecheerfully，notevenrunningasfastasIcould。
Butfortunewasagainstme，aseverythinghasalwaysbeen，forIneverfoundafriend。Iranalongthesideofahedgerowwhichwentquiteuptothewood，notknowingthatattheendofitthreemenwereengagedincuttingdownanoaktree。Yousee，Mahatma，theyhadcaughtsightofthehuntandstoppedfromtheirwork，sothatIdidnothearthesoundoftheiraxesuponthetree。Nor，asmyheadwassoneartheground，didIseethemuntilIwasrightontothem，atwhichmomentalsotheysawme。
\"Heresheis！\"yelledoneofthem。\"Keepheroutofcovertorthey’llloseher，\"andhethrewouthisarmsandbegantojumpabout，asdidtheothertwo。
Ipulledupshortwithinthreeorfouryardsofthem。Behindwerethedogsandthepeoplegallopinguponhorsesandinfrontwerethethreemen。WhatwasItodo？NowIhadstoppedexactlyinagateway，foralaneranalongsidethewood。Afteramoment’spauseIboltedthroughthegateway，thinkingthatIwouldgetintothewoodbeyond。Butoneofthemen，whoofcoursewantedtoseemekilled，wastooquickformeandthereheadedmeagain。
ThenIlostmysenses。Insteadofrunningonpasthimandleapingintothewood，Iswungrightroundandrushedback，stillclingingtothehedgerow。IndeedasIwentdownonesideofitthehoundsandthehunterscameupontheother，sothattherewereonlyafewsticksbetweenus，thoughfortunatelythewindwasblowingfromthemtome。
FearinglesttheyshouldseemeIjumpedintotheditchandranforquitetwohundredyardsthroughthemudandwaterthatwasgatheredthere。ThenIhadtocomeoutofitagainasitendedbutherewasafallintheground，sostillIwasnotseen。
MeanwhilethehunthadreachedthethreemenandIheardthemalltalkingtogether。TheendofitwasthatthemenexplainedwhichwayI
hadgone，andoncemorethehoundswerelaidontome。InaminutetheygottowhereIhadenteredtheditch，andtheregrewconfusedbecausemyfootmarksdidnotsmellinthewater。Forquitealongtimetheylookedabouttillatlength，takingawidecast，thehoundsfoundmysmellagainattheendoftheditch。
DuringthischeckIwasmakingthebestofmywaybacktowardsmyownhome；indeedhaditnotbeenforitIshouldhavebeencaughtandtorntopiecesmuchsoonerthanIwas。ThusithappenedthatIhadcoveredquitethreemilesbeforeoncemoreIheardthosehoundsbayingbehindme。ThiswasjustasIgotontothemoorland，atthatedgeofitwhichisaboutanotherthreemilesfromthegreathousecalledtheHall，whichstandsonthetopofacliffthatslopesdowntothebeachandthesea。
Ihadthoughtofmakingfortheotherwood，thatinwhichIhadsavedmyselffromthegreyhoundswhenthebeastJackbrokeitsneckagainstthetree，butitwastoofaroff，andthegroundwassoopenthatI
didnotdaretotry。
SoIwentstraighton，headingtowardsthecliff。Anothermileandtheyviewedme，forIheardTomyellwithdelightashestoodupinhisstirrupsontheblackcobhewasridingandwavedhiscap。Jerrythehuntsmanalsostoodupinhisstirrupsandwavedhiscap，andthelastawfulhuntbegan。
Iran——oh！howIran。OncewhentheywerenearlyonmeImanagedtocheckthemforaminuteinahollowbygettingamongsomesheep。Buttheysoonfoundmeagain，andcameaftermeatfulltearnotmorethanahundredyardsbehind。InfrontofmeIsawsomethingthatlookedlikewallsandboundedtowardsthemwithmylaststrength。Myheartwasbursting，myeyesandmouthseemedtobefullofblood，buttheterrorofbeingtorntopiecesstillgavemepowertorushonalmostasquicklyasthoughIhadjustbeenputoffmyform。ForasIhavetoldyou，Mahatma，Iam，orratherwas，averystrongandswifthare。
Ireachedthewalls；therewasanopendoorwayinthemthroughwhichI
fled，tofindmyselfinabiggarden。Twogardenerssawmeandshoutedloudly。Iflewonthroughsomeotherdoors，throughayard，andintoapassagewhereImetawomancarryingapail，whoshriekedandfellontoherback。Ijumpedoverherandgotintoabigroom，wherewasalongtablecoveredwithwhiteonwhichwereallsortsofthingsthatI
supposemeneat。OutofthatroomIwentintoyetanother，whereafatwomanwithahookednosewasseatedholdingsomethingwhiteinfrontofher。Iboltedunderthethingonwhichshewasseatedandlaythere。Shesawmecomeandbegantoshriekalso，andpresentlyamostterriblenoisearoseoutside。
Allthespotteddogswereinthehouse，bayingandbarking，andeverybodywasyelling。Thenforaminutethedogsstoppedtheirclamour，andIheardagreatclatterofthingsbreakingandofteethcrunchingandoftheRed-facedManshouting——
\"Thosecursedbrutesareeatingthehuntlunch。Getthemout，Jerry，youidiot！Getthemout！Greatheavens！what’sthematterwithherLadyship？Isanyonemurderingher？\"
Isupposethattheycouldn’tgetthemout，oratleastwhentheydidtheyallcameintotheotherroomwhereIwasundertheseatonwhichthefatwomanwasnowstanding。
\"Whatisit，mother？\"IheardTomsay。
\"Ananimal！\"shescreamed。\"Ananimalunderthesofa！\"
\"Allright，\"hesaid，\"that’sonlythehare。Here，hounds，outwithher，hounds！\"
Thedogsrushedabout，someofthemwithgreatlumpsoffoodstillintheirmouths。Buttheywereconfused，andallwentintothewrongplaces。Everythingbegantofallwithdreadfulcrashes，thefatwomanshriekedpiercingly，andhershriekwas——
\"China！Oh！mychina-a。John，youwretch！Help！Help！Help！\"
TowhichtheRed-facedManroaredinanswer——
\"Don’tbeaninfernalfool，Eliza-a。Isay，don’tbesuchaninfernalfool。\"
AlsotherewerelotsofothernoisesthatIcannotremember，exceptonewhichadogmade。
Thissillydoghadthrustitsheaduptheholeoverafiresuchasthestopsmakeoutsidethecovertswhenmenaregoingtoshoot，eithertohidesomethingortolookformethere。WhenitcamedownagainbecausetheRed-facedMankickedit，thedogputitspawsintothefireandpulleditalloutoverthefloor。Alsoithowledverybeautifully。Justthenanotherhound，thatonewhichgenerallyledthepack，begantosniffaboutnearmeandfinallypokeditsnoseunderthestuffwhichhidme。
Itjumpedbackandbayed，whereonIjumpedouttheotherside。Tommadearushatmeandknockedthefatwomanoffthethingshewasstandingon，sothatshefellamongthedogs，whichcoveredherupandbegantosniffherallover。FlyingfromTomIfoundmyselfinfrontofsomethingfilmy，beyondwhichIsawgrass。Itlookedsuspicious，butasnothingintheworldcouldbesobadasTom，no，notevenhisdogs，Ijumpedatit。
Therewasacrashandasharppointcutmynose，butIwasoutuponthegrass。Thenthereweretwentyothercrashes，andallthehoundswereouttoo，forTomhadcheeredthemon。Irantotheedgeofthelawnandsawasteepslopeleadingtothesandsandthesea。NowI
knewwhattheseawas，forafterTomhadshotmeinthebackIlivedbyitforalongwhile，andonceswamacrossalittlecreektogettomyform，fromwhichitcutmeoff。
WhileIrandownthatslopefastasmyachinglegswouldcarryme，I
madeupmymindthatIwouldswimoutintotheseaanddrownthere，sinceitisbettertodrownthantobetorntopieces。Butwhyareyoulaughing，friendMahatma。\"
\"Iamnotlaughing，\"Isaid。\"Inthisstate，withoutabody，Ihavenothingtolaughwith。Stillyouareright，foryouseethatIshouldbelaughingifIcould。Yourstoryofthestoutladyandthedogsandthechinaisveryamusing。\"
\"Perhaps，friend，butitdidnotamuseme。Nothingisamusingwhenoneisgoingtobeeatenalive。\"
\"Ofcourseitisn’t，\"Ianswered。\"Pleaseforgivemeandgoon。\"
\"Well，Itumbleddownthatcliff，followedbysomeofthedogsandTomandthegirlEllaandthehuntsmanJerryonfoot，anddraggedmyselfacrossthesandstillIcametothelipofthesea。
JustheretherewasaboatandbyitstoodGilesthekeeper。Hehadcometheretogetoutofthewayofthehunting，whichhehatedasmuchashedidthecoursing。Thesightofhimsettledme——intotheseaIwent。Thedogswantedtofollowme，butJerrycalledandwhippedthemoff。
\"Iwon’thavethemcaughtinthecurrentanddrowned，\"hesaid。\"Lettheflea-bittenolddevilgo，she’sbroughttroubleenoughalready。\"
\"Helpmeshoveofftheboat，Giles，\"shoutedTom。\"Sheshan’tbeatus；
wemusthaveherforthehounds。Comeon，Ella。\"
\"Bestleaveheralone，MasterTom，\"saidGiles。\"Ithinkshe’sanunluckyone，thatIdo。\"
StilltheendofitwasthathehelpedtofloatthelittleboatandgotintoitwithTomandElla。
JustaftertheyhadpushedoffIsawamanrunningdownthestepsonthecliffwavinghisarmswhilehecalledoutsomething。Butofhimtheytooknoheed。Idonotthinktheynoticedhim。Asforme，Iswamon。
IcouldnotgoveryfastbecauseIwassodreadfullytired；alsoIdidnotlikeswimming，andthecoldwavesbrokeovermyhead，makingthecutinmynosesmartandfillingmyeyeswithsomethingthatstungthem。Icouldnotseefareither，nordidIknowwhereIwasgoing。I
knewnothingexceptIwasabouttodie，andthatsooneverythingwouldbeatanend；men，dogs——everything，yes，evenTom。Iwantedthingstocometoanend。Ihadsufferedsodreadfully，lifewassohorrible，I
wassoverytired。Ifeltthatitwasbettertodieandhavedone。
SoIswamonalongwayandbegantoforgetthings；indeedIthoughtthatIwasplayinginthebigturnipfieldwithmymotherandsister。
ButjustasIwassinkingexhaustedahandshotdownintothewaterandcaughtmebytheears，althoughfrombelowthefingerslookedasthoughtheywerebendingawayfromme。Isawitcomingandtriedtosinkmorequickly，butcouldnot。
\"I’vegother，\"saidthevoiceofTomgleefully。\"My！isn’tsheabeauty？Overninepoundsifsheisanounce。Onlyjustintime，though，\"hewenton，\"for，look！she’sdrowning；herheadwobblesasthoughsheweresea-sick。Buckup，pussie，buckup！Youmustn’tcheatthehoundsatlast，youknow。Itwouldn’tbesportsmanlike，andtheyhatedeadhares。\"
Thenheheldmebymyhindlegstodrainthewateroutofme，andafterwardsbegantoblowdownmynose，Ididnotknowwhy。
\"Don’tdothat，Tom，\"saidEllasharply。\"It’snasty。\"
\"Mustkeepthelifeinhersomehow，\"answeredTom，andwentonblowing。
\"MasterTom，\"interruptedGiles，whowasrowingtheboat。\"Iain’tparticular，butIwishyou’dleavethatthereharealone。SomehowI
thinksthere’sbadnewsinitseye。Whoknows？P’rapsthelittledevilfeels。Anyway，it’sarumone，itsswimmingouttosea。Ineversee’dahuntedharedothatafore。\"
\"Bosh！\"saidTom，andcontinuedhisblowing。
WereachedtheshoreandTomjumpedoutoftheboat，holdingmebytheears。Thehoundswereallonthebeach，mostofthemlyingdown，fortheywereverytired，butthemenwerestandinginaknotatadistancetalkingearnestly，Tomrantothehounds，cryingout——
\"Heresheis，mybeauties，heresheis！\"whereontheygotupandbegantobay。Thenheheldmeabovethem。
\"MasterTom，\"IheardJerry’svoicesay，\"forGod’ssakeletthatharegoandlisten，MasterTom，\"andthegirlElla，whoofasuddenhadbeguntosob，triedtopullhimback。
Buthewasmadtoseemebittentodeathandeaten，anduntilhehaddonesowouldattendtonoone。Heonlyshouted，\"One——two——three！
Now，hounds！/Worry，worry，worry！/\"
Thenhethrewmeintotheairabovetheredthroatsandgnashingteethwhichleaptuptowardsme。
*****
TheHarepaused，butadded，\"Didyoutellme，friendMahatma，thatyouhadneverbeentorntopiecesbyhounds，’brokenup，’Ibelievetheycallit？\"
\"Yes，Idid，\"Ianswered，\"andwhatismoreIshallbeobligedifyouwillnotdwelluponthesubject。\"
THECOMINGOFTHERED-FACEDMAN
\"Asyoulike，\"saidtheHare。\"Certainlyitwasverydreadful。Itseemedtolastalongtime。ButIdon’tminditsomuchnow，forI
feelthatitcanneverhappentomeagain。AtleastIhopeitcan’t，forIdon’tknowwhatIhavedonetodeservesuchafate，anymorethanIknowwhyitshouldhavehappenedtomeonce。\"
\"Somethingyoudidinapreviousexistence，perhaps，\"Ianswered。\"Youseethenyoumayhavehuntedothercreaturessocruellythatatlastyourturncametosufferwhatyouhadmadethemsuffer。Ioftenthinkthatbecauseofwhatwehavedonebeforewemenarealsoreallybeinghuntedbysomethingwecannotsee。\"
\"Ah！\"exclaimedtheHare，\"Ineverthoughtofthat。Ihopeitistrue，foritmakesthingsseemjusterandlesswicked。ButIsay，friendMahatma，whatamIdoingherenow，whereyoutellmepoorcreatureswithfourfeetnever，orhardlyevercome？\"
\"Idon’tknow，Hare。Iamnotwise，towhomitisonlygrantedtovisittheRoadoccasionallytosearchforsomeone。\"
\"Iunderstand，Mahatma，butstillyoumustknowagreatdealoryouwouldnotbeallowedinsuchaplacebeforeyourtime，oratanyrateyoumustbeabletoguessagreatdeal。Sotellme，whydoyouthinkthatIamhere？\"
\"Ican’tsay，Hare，Ican’tindeed。PerhapsaftertheGatesareopenandyourGuardianhasgivenyoutodrinkoftheCup，youwillgotosleepandwakeupagainassomethingelse。\"
\"Todrinkofthecup，Mahatma？Idon’tdrink；atleastIdidn’t，thoughIcan’ttellwhatmayhappenhere。Butwhatdoyoumeanaboutwakingupassomethingelse？Pleasebemoreplain。Aswhatelse？\"
\"Oh！whocanknow？PossiblyasyouareonthehumanRoadyoumightevenbecomeamansomeday，thoughIshouldnotadviseyoutobuildonsuchahopeasthat。\"
\"Whatdoyousay，Mahatma？Aman！Oneofthosetwo-leggedbeaststhathunthares；athinglikeGilesandTom——yes，Tom？Oh！notthat——notthat！I’dalmostrathergothrougheverythingagainthanbecomeacruel，torturingman。\"
AsitspokethustheHaregrewsodisturbedthatitnearlyvanished；
literallyitseemedtomeltawaytillIcouldonlyperceiveitsoutline。WithakindofshockIcomprehendedallthehorrorthatitmustfeelatsuchaprospectasIhadsuggestedtoit，andreallythisgraspingofthetruthhurtmyhumanpride。Ithadnevercomehometomebeforethatthecircumstancesoftheirlives——anddeaths——mustcausesomecreaturestoseeusinstrangelights。
\"Oh！IhavenodoubtIwasmistaken，\"Isaidhurriedly，\"andthatyourwishesonthepointwillberespected。ItoldyouthatIknownothing。\"
AtthesewordstheHarebecamequitevisibleagain。
Itsatupandveryreflectivelybegantorubitsstillshadowynosewithashadowypaw。Ithinkthatitrememberedthestingofthesaltwaterinthecutmadebytheglassofthewindowthroughwhichithadsprung。
Believingthatitsremarkablestorywasdone，andthatpresentlyitwouldaltogethermeltawayandvanishoutofmyknowledge，Ilookedaboutme。FirstIlookedabovethetoweringGatestoseewhethertheLightshadyetbeguntochange。ThenastheyhadnotIlookeddowntheGreatWhiteRoad，followingitformilesandmiles，untileventomyspiritsightitlostitselfintheNowhere。
PresentlycomingupthisRoadtowardsusIsawamandressedinagreencoat，riding-breechesandbootsandapeakedcap，whoheldinhishandahunting-whip。Hewasafine-lookingpersonofmiddleage，withapleasant，opencountenance，brightblueeyes，andveryredcheeks，onwhichheworelight-colouredwhiskers。Inshortajovial-
lookingindividual，withwhomthingshadevidentlyalwaysgonewell，onetowhomsorrowanddisappointmentandmentalstrugglewereutterstrangers。He，atleast，hadneverknownwhatitisto\"endurehardness\"inallhislife。
StudyinghisnatureasonecandoontheRoad，Iperceivedalsothatinhimtherewasnoguile。Hewasagood-minded，God-fearingmanaccordingtohissimplelights，whohaddonemanykindnessesandcontributedliberallytowardsthewantsofthepoor，thoughashehadbeenveryrich，ithadcosthimlittlethustogratifythenaturalpromptingsofhisheart。
MoreoverhewaswhatJorsencallsa\"youngsoul，\"quiteyoungindeed，bywhichImeanthathehadnotoftenwalkedtheRoadinpreviousstatesoflife，asforinstancethatEasternwomanhaddonewhoaccostedmebeforethearrivaloftheHare。Sotospeakhiscrudenaturehadscarcelyoutgrowntheprimitivehumanconditioninwhichnecessityaswellastastemakeitcustomaryandpleasanttomentokill；thatconditionthroughwhichalmosteveryboypassesonhiswaytomanhood，Isupposebytheworkingofsomesecretlawofreminiscence。
Itwasthisthoughtthatfirstledmetoconnectthenew-comerwiththeRed-facedManoftheHare’sstory。ItmayseemstrangethatI
shouldhavebeensodense，butthetruthisthatitneveroccurredtome，anymorethanithaddonetotheHare，thatsuchapersonwouldbeatalllikelytotreadtheRoadformanyyearstocome。Ihadgatheredthathewascomparativelyyoung，andalthoughIhadarguedotherwisewiththeHare，hadconcludedthereforethathewouldcontinuetolivehishappyearthlifeuntiloldagebroughthimtoanaturalend。Hencemyobtuseness。
Themanwasdriftingtowardsmethoughtfully，evidentlymuchbewilderedbyhisnewsurroundingsbutnotintheleastafraid。Indeedtherenoneareafraid；whentheyglidefromtheirdeath-bedstotheRoadtheyleavefearbehindthemwiththeotherterrorsofourmortallot。
PresentlyhebecameconsciousofthepresenceoftheHare，andthoughtspassedthroughhismindwhichofcourseIcouldread。
\"Myword！\"hesaidtohimself，\"thingsarebetterthanIhoped。
There’sahare，andwherethereareharestheremustbehuntingandshooting。Oh！ifonlyIhadagun，ortheghostofagun！\"
Thenanideastruckhim。Heliftedhishunting-cropandhurleditattheHare。
Asitwasonlytheshadowofacropofcourseitcouldhurtnothing。
StillitwentthroughtheshadowoftheHareandcausedittotwistroundlikelightning。
\"Thatwasagoodshotanyway，\"hereflected，withasatisfiedsmile。
BynowtheHarehadseenhim。
\"/TheRed-facedMan！/\"itexclaimed，\"Grampushimself！\"anditturnedtofleeaway。
\"Don’tbefrightened，\"Icried，\"hecan’thurtyou；nothingcanhurtyouhere。\"
TheHarehaltedandsatup。\"No，\"itsaid，\"Iforgot。Butyousaw，hetriedto。Now，Mahatma，youwillunderstandwhatabloodthirstybruteheis。EvenafterIamdeadhehastriedtokillmeagain。\"
\"Well，andwhynot？\"interruptedtheMan。\"Whatareharesforexcepttobekilled？\"
\"There，Mahatma，youhearhim。Lookatme，Man，whoamI？\"
SohelookedattheHareandtheHarelookedathim。Presentlyhisfacegrewpuzzled。
\"ByJingo！\"hesaidslowly，\"youareuncommonlylike——you/are/thataccursedwitchofaharewhichcostmemylife。Therearethewhitemarksonyourback，andthereisthegreysplotchonyourear。Oh！ifonlyIhadagun——arealgun！\"
\"Youwouldshootme，wouldn’tyou，ortryto？\"saidtheHare。\"Well，youhaven’tandyoucan’t。YousayIcostyouyourlife。Whatdoyoumean？Itwasmylifethatwassacrificed，notyours。\"
\"Indeed，\"answeredtheMan，\"Ithoughtyougotaway。NeversawanymoreofyouafteryoujumpedthroughtheFrenchwindow。Neverhadtime。ThelastthingIrememberisherLadyshipscreaminglikeamadcockatoo，yes，andabusingmeasthoughIwereapickpocket，withthedrawing-roomallonfire。Thensomethinghappened，anddownIwentamongthebrokenchinaandhitmyheadagainstthelegofatable。
NextcameakindofwhirlingblacknessandIwokeuphere。\"
\"Afitorastroke，\"Isuggested。
\"Both，Ithink，sir。Thefitfirst——Ihavehad’embefore，andthestrokeafterwards——againstthelegofthetable。Anywaytheyfinishedmebetweenthem，thankstothatlittlebeast。\"
ThenitwasthatIsawaverystrangething，ahareinarage。Itseemedtogomad，ofcourseImeanspirituallymad。Itseyesflashedfire；itopeneditsmouthandshutitafterthefashionofasuffocatingfish。Atlastitspokeinitsownway——IcannotstoptoexplaininfurtherdetailtheexactmannerofspeechorratherofitsequivalentupontheRoad。
\"Man，Man，\"itexclaimed，\"yousaythatIfinishedyou。Butwhatdidyoudotome？Youshotme。Lookatthemarksuponmyback。Youcoursedmewithyourrunningdogs。Youhuntedmewithyourhounds。YoudraggedmeoutoftheseaintowhichIswamtoescapeyoubydeath，andthrewmelivingtothepack，\"andtheHarestoppedexhaustedbyitsownfury。
\"Well，\"repliedtheMancoolly，\"andsupposeI，ormypeople，did，whatofit？Whyshouldn’tI？Youwereabeast，Iwasamanwithdominionoveryou。YoucanreadallaboutthatintheBookofGenesis。\"
\"IneverheardoftheBookofGenesis，\"saidtheHare，\"butwhatdoesdominionmean？DoesthisBookofGenesissaythatitmeanstherighttotormentthatwhichisweakerthanthetormentor？\"
\"Allyouanimalsweremadeforustoeat，\"commentedtheMan，avoidingananswertothedirectquestion。
\"Verygood，\"answeredtheHare，\"letussupposethatwe/were/givenyoutoeat。Wasitinordertoeatmethatyoucameoutagainstmewithguns，thenwithdogsthatrunbysight，andthenwithdogsthatrunbysmell？\"
\"Ifyouweretobekilledandeaten，whyshouldyounotbekilledinoneoftheseways，Hare？\"
\"WhyshouldIbekilledinthoseways，Man，whenothersmoremercifulweretoyourhand？Indeed，whyshouldIbekilledatall？Moreover，ifyouwishedtosatisfyyourhungerwithmybody，whyatthelastwasI
throwntothedogstodevour？\"
\"Idon’tquiteknow，Hare。Neverlookedatthematterinthatlightbefore。But——ah！I’vegotyounow，\"headdedtriumphantly。\"Ifithadn’tbeenformeyouneverwouldhavelived。Yousee/I/gaveyouthegiftoflife。Therefore，insteadofgrumbling，youshouldbeverymuchobligedtome。Don’tyouunderstand？Ipreservedhares，sothatwithoutmeyouwouldneverhavebeenahare。Isn’tthatright，Mr。——
Mr。——IamsorryIhaveforgottenyourname，\"headded，turningtowardsme。
\"Mahatma，\"Isaid。
\"Oh！yes，Irememberitnow——Mr。——ah——Mr。Hatter。\"
\"Thereissomethingintheargument，\"Irepliedcautiously，\"butletushearourfriend’sanswer。\"
\"Answer——myanswer！Well，hereitis。Whatareyou，Man，whodaretosaythatyougivelifeorwithholdit？YouaLordoflife，/you！/I
tellyouthatIknowlittle，yetIamsurethatyouorthoselikeyouhavenomorepowertocreatelifethantheworldwehavelefthastobidthestarstoshine。Ifthelifemustcome，itwillcome，andifitcannotfulfilitselfasahare，thenitwillappearassomethingelse。
Ifyousaythatyoucreatelife，I，thepoorbeastwhichyoutortured，tellyouthatyouareapresumptuousliar。\"
\"Youdaretolectureme，\"saidtheMan，\"me，theheirofalltheages，asthepoetcalledme。Why，younastylittleanimal，doyouknowthatIhavekilledhundredslikeyou，and，\"headded，withasuddenafflatusofpride，\"thousandsofothercreatures，suchaspheasants，tosaynothingofdeerandlargergame？ThathasbeenmyprincipaloccupationsinceIwasaboy。ImaysaythatIhavelivedforsport；
gotverylittleelsetoshowformylife，sotospeak。\"
\"Oh！\"saidtheHare，\"haveyou？Well，ifIwereyou，Ishouldn’tboastaboutitjustnow。Yousee，wearestilloutsideofthoseGates。Whoknowsbutthatyouwillfindeveryoneofthelivingthingsyouhaveamusedyourselfbyslaughteringwaitingforyouwithinthem，eachprayingforjusticetoitsMakerandyourown？\"
\"Myword！\"saidtheMan，\"whatahorriblenotion；it’slikeabaddream。\"
Hereflectedalittle，thenadded，\"Well，iftheydo，I’vegotmyanswer。Ikilledthemforfood；manmustlive。Millionsofpheasantsaresoldtobeeateneveryyearatamuchsmallerpricethantheycosttobreed。Whatdoyousaytothat，Mr。Hatter？Finisheshim，Ithink。\"
\"I’mnotarguing，\"Ireplied。\"AsktheHare。\"
\"Yes，askme，Man，andalthoughyouarerepeatingyourself，I’llanswerwithanotherquestion，knowingthathereyoumusttellthetruth。Didyoureallyrearusallforfood？Wasitforthisthatyoukeptyourkeepers，yourrunningdogsandyourhuntingdogs，thatyoumightkillpoordefencelessbeastsandbirdstofillmen’sstomachs？
Ifthiswasso，Ihavenothingmoretosay。Indeed，ifourdeathsorsufferingsattheirhandsreallyhelpmeninanyway，Ihavenothingmoretosay。Iadmitthatyouarehigherandstrongerthanweare，andhavearighttouseusforyourownadvantage，oreventodestroyusaltogetherifweharmyou。\"
TheManpondered，thenrepliedsullenly——
\"Youknowverywellthatitwasnotso。Ididnotrearuppheasantsandharesmerelytoeatthemorthatothersmighteatthem。SomethingforcesmetotellyouthatitwasinorderthatImightenjoymyselfbyshowingmyskillinshootingthem，ortohavethepleasureandexerciseofhuntingthemtodeath。Still，\"headdeddefiantly，\"IwhoamaChristianmanmaintainthatmyreligionperfectlyjustifiedmeindoingallthesethings，andthatnoblameattachestomeonthisaccount。\"
\"Verygood，\"saidtheHare，\"nowwehaveaclearissue。FriendMahatma，whenthoseGatesopenpresentlywhathappensbeyondthem？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"Ianswered，\"Ihaveneverbeenthere；atleastnotthatIcanremember。\"
\"Still，friendMahatma，isitnotsaidthatyonderlivessomePowerwhichjudgesrighteouslyanddeclareswhatistrueandwhatisfalse？\"
\"Ihaveheardso，Hare。\"
\"Verywell，Man，IlaymycausebeforethatPower——doyouthesame。IfIamwrongIwillgobacktoearthtobetorturedbyyouandyoursagain。If，however，Iamright，youshallabidethejudgmentofthePower，andIaskthatItwillmakeofyou——ahuntedhare！\"
Nowwhenheheardtheseawfulwords——fortheywereawful——noless，theRed-facedMangrewmuchdisturbed。Hehummedandhehawed，andshiftedhisfeetabout。Atlasthesaid——
\"Youmustadmitthatwhileyoulivedyouhadafirst-classtimeundermyprotection。Lotsofturnipstoeatandsoforth。\"
\"Afirst-classtime！\"theHareansweredwithwitheringscorn。\"Whatsortofatimewouldyouhavehadifsomeonehadshotyoualloverthebackandyoumustcreepawaytodieofpainandstarvation？Howwouldyouhaveenjoyeditif，fromdaytoday，youhadbeenforcedtoliveinterrorofcunningmonsters，whoatanyhourmightappeartohurtyouinsomenewfashion？Doyousupposethatanimalscannotfeelfear，andiscontinualfearthekindoffriendthatgivesthema’first-classtime’？\"
TothislastargumenttheManseemedabletofindnoanswer。
\"Mr。Hare，\"hesaidhumbly，\"weareallfallible。AlthoughIneverthoughttofindmyselfinthepositionofhavingtodoso，IwilladmitthatImaypossiblyhavebeenmistakeninmyviewsandtreatmentofyouandyourkind，andindeedofothercreatures。Ifso，I
apologiseforany，ah——temporaryinconvenienceImayhavecausedyou。
Icandonomore。\"
\"Come，Hare，\"Iinterposed，\"that’shandsome；perhapsyoumightletbygonesbebygones。\"
\"Apologise！\"exclaimedtheHare。\"AfterallIhavesufferedIdonotthinkitisenough。Attheveryleast，Mahatma，heshouldsaythatheisheartilyashamedandsorry。\"
\"Well，well，\"saidtheMan，\"it’snousemakingtwobitesofacherry。
Iamsorry，trulysorryforallthepainandterrorIhavebroughtonyou。Ifthatwon’tdolet’sgoupandsettlethematter，andifI’vebeenwrongI’lltrytobeartheconsequenceslikeagentleman。Only，Mr。Hare，Ihopethatyouwillnotwishtoputyourcasemorestronglyagainstmethanyouneed。\"
\"NotI，Man。Iknownowthatyouonlyerredbecausethetruthhadnotbeenrevealedtoyou——becauseyoudidnotunderstand。AllthatIwillask，ifIcan，isthatyoumaybeallowedtotellthistruthtoothermen。\"
\"Well，IamgladtosayIcan’tdothat，Hare。\"
\"Don’tbesosure，\"Ibrokein；\"it’sjustthekindofthingwhichmightbedecreed——agenerationortwohencewhentheworldisfittolistentoyou。\"
Buthetooknoheed，ordidnotcomprehendme，andwenton——
\"Itisanimpossibility，andifIdidtheywouldthinkmealunaticorasnivelling，sentimentalhumbug。Ibelievethatlotsofmyoldfriendswouldscarcelyspeaktomeagain。Why，puttingasidethepleasuresofsport，iftheviewsyoupreachweretobeaccepted，whatwouldbecomeofkeepersandbeatersandhuntsmenanddog-breeders，andofthousandsofotherswhodirectlyorindirectlygettheirlivingoutofhuntingandshooting？Wherewouldgamerentsbealso？\"
\"Idon’tknow，Iamsure，\"repliedtheHarewearily。\"Isupposethattheywouldearntheirlivinginsomeotherway，astheymustincountrieswherethereisnosport，andthatyouwouldhavetomakeupforshootingrentsbygrowingmoreupontheland。Youknowthatafterallweharesandtheothergameeatagreatdealwhichmightbesavediftherewerenotsomanyofus。ButIamnotwise，andIhaveneverlookedatthequestionfromthatpointofview。Itmayseemselfish，butIhavetoconsidermyselfandthecreatureswhosecauseIplead，forsomethinginsidemeistellingmenow——yes，now——thatallofthemarespeakingthroughmymouth。ItsaysthatiswhyIamallowedtobehereandtotalkwithyouboth；fortheirsakesratherthanformyown。\"
\"Ifyouhavemoretosayyouhadbettersayitquickly，\"I
interrupted，addressingtheRed-facedMan。\"IseethattheLightsarebeginningtochange，whichmeansthatsoontheRoadwillbeclosedandtheGatesopened。\"
\"Ican’trememberanything，\"heanswered。\"Yes，thereisonematter，\"
headdednervously。\"Isee，Mr。Hare，thatyouarethinkingofmyboyTom，notverykindlyIamafraid。AsyouhavebeensogoodastoforgivemeIhopethatyouwon’tbehardonTom。Heisnotatallabadsortofaladifalittlethoughtless，likemanyotheryoungpeople。\"
\"Idon’tlikeTom，\"saidtheHare，withdecision。\"Tomshotmewhenyoutoldhimnottoshoot。Tomshutmeupinafilthyplacewithayellowrabbitwhichheforgottofeed，sothatitwantedtoeatme。
Tomtriedtocutmeofffromthewoodsothattherunningdogsmightcatchme，althoughyoushoutedtohimthatitwasnotsportsmanlike。
Tomdraggedmeoutoftheseaandblewdownmynostrilstokeepmealive。Tomthrewmetothehounds，althoughGilesremonstratedwithhimandeventhehuntsmanbeggedhimtoletmego。ItellyouthatI
don’tlikeTom。\"
\"Still，Mr。Hare，\"pleadedtheRed-facedMan，\"IhopethatifitshouldbeinyourpowerwhenwegetthroughthoseGates，thatyouwillbemercifultoTom。Ican’tthinkofmuchtosayforhiminthishurry，butthere，heismyonlysonandthetruthisthatIlovehim。
Youknowhemaylive——tobedifferent——ifyoudon’tbringsomemisfortuneonhim。\"
\"WhoamItobringmisfortuneortowithholdit？\"askedtheHare，softeningvisibly。\"Well，Iknowwhatlovemeans，formymotherlovedmeandIlovedherinmyway。ItellyouthatwhenIsawherdead，turnedfromabeautifullivingthingintoastainedlumpoffleshandfur，Ifeltdreadful。IunderstandnowthatyouloveTomasmymotherlovedme，and，Man，forthesakeofyourlove——notforhissake，mind——IpromiseyouthatIwon’tsayanythingagainstTomifIcanhelpit，ordoanythingeither。\"
\"You’rearealgoodfellow！\"exclaimedtheRed-facedMan，withevidentrelief。\"Givemeyourhand。Oh！Iforgot，youcan’t。Hullo！what’supnow？Everythingseemstobealtering。\"
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Ashespoke，tomyeyestheLightsbegantochangeinearnest。Allthesky（Icallitskyforclearness）abovethemightyGatesbecameasitwerealivewithburningtonguesofeverycolourthatanartistcanconceive。Bydegreesthesefierytonguesorswordsshapedthemselvesintoavastcirclewhichdrovebackthewallsofdarkness，andthroughthiscircle，guided，guardedbythespiritsofdeadsuns，withodoursandwithchantings，descendedthatcrownedCityoftheMansionsbeforewhosegloryimaginationbreaksandevenVisionveilshereyes。
Itdescended，itsbannerswaveringinthewindsofprayer；ithungabovetheGates，theflowersofallsplendours，Heaven’sveryrose，hunglikeanopalontheboundlessbreastofnight，andthereitstayed。
TheVoiceintheNorthcalledtotheVoiceintheSouth；theVoiceintheEastcalledtotheVoiceintheWest，anduptheGreatWhiteRoadspedtheAngeloftheRoad，makingreportashecamethatallhismultitudeweregatheredinandforthatwhiletheRoadwasbarred。
HepassedandinaflashtheGateswereburnedaway。TheashesofthemfellupontheheadsofthosewaitingattheGates，whiteningtheirfacesanddryingtheirtearsbeforetheChange。TheyfellupontheManandtheHarebesideme，veilingthemasitwereandmakingthemsilent，butonmetheydidnotfall。Then，frombetweentheWardensoftheGates，flowedforththeHelpersandtheGuardians（savethosewhoalreadywerewithoutcomfortingthechildren）seekingtheirbelovedandbearingtheCupsofslumberandnewbirth；thenpealedthequestion——
\"Whohathsufferedmost？Letthatonefirsttasteofpeace。\"
Nowallthedimhostssurgedforwardsinceeachoutwornsoulbelievedthatithadsufferedmostandwasinthebitterestneedofpeace。ButtheHelpersandtheGuardiansgentlypressedthemback，andagaintherepealed，noquestionbutacommand。
Thiswasthecommand：——
\"Drawnear，thouHare。\"
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JorsenaskedmewhathappenedafterthisjustificationoftheHare，which，ifIheardaright，appearedtosuggestthatbythedecreeofsomejudgeunknown，thewoesofsuchcreaturesarenotunnotedanddespised，orleftunsolaced。OfcourseIhadtoanswerhimthatI
couldnottell。
Perhapsnothinghappenedatall。PerhapsallthewondersIseemedtosee，eventheRoadbywhichsoulstravelfromTheretoHereandfromHeretoThere，andtheGatesthatwereburnedaway，andtheCityoftheMansionsthatdescended，werebutsignsandsymbolsofmysterieswhichasyetwecannotgrasporunderstand。
Whatevermaybethetruthastothismatterofmyvisions，Ineedhardlyadd，however，thatnoonecanbemoreanxiousthanIammyselftolearninwhatwaytheRed-facedMan，speakingonbehalfofourdominantrace，andtheHare，speakingasanappointedadvocateofthesubjectanimalcreation，finishedtheirargumentinthelightoffullerknowledge。MuchalsodoIwonderwhichofthemwasprovedtoberight，adifficultmatterwhereonIfeelquiteincompetenttoexpressanyviews。
ButyouseeatthatmomentIwokeup。TheedgeoftheRoadonwhichI
wasstandingseemedtogivewaybeneathme，andIfellintospaceasonedoesinanightmare。Itisaveryunpleasantsensation。
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IremembernoticingafterwardsthatIcouldnothavebeenlongasleep。
WhenIbegantodreamIhadonlyjustblownoutthecandle，andwhenI
awokeagaintherewasstillasmoulderingsparkuponitswick。
But，asIhavesaid，inthatspirit-landwitherIhadjourneyedistobefoundneithertimenorspacenoranyotherfamiliarthing。