,,the ,,love ,,that ,,prevailed ,by ,frank ,frankfort ,moore ,author of 8,the ,jessamy ,bride10 8,i ,forbid the ,bans10 8,the ,fatal ,gift10 8,the ,millionaire10 8,our ,fair ,daughter10 etc41 etc4 ,illustrated ,by ,h4 ,b4 ,matthews ,new ,york ,empire ,book ,company ,publishers #aijg ,illustration3 #jjja ,illustration3 #jjjh ,illustration3 #jjji ,,the ,,love ,,that ,,prevailed ,,chapter ,i ,the old church ways be good enough for me10 said ,miller ,pendelly as he placed on the table a capacious jug of cider1 laying a friendly left hand on the shoulder of ,jake ,pullsford1 the carrier1 as he bent across the side of the settee with the high back4 8,i ne'er could see aught that was helpful to the trade of a smith in such biases as the ,quakers1 to name only one of the new-fangled sects10 said ,hal ,holmes1 the blacksmith1 shaking his head seriously4 8,so ,i holds with ,miller40 8,ay1 that's the way too many of ye esteems a religion--' ,will it put another crown in my pocket8' says you4 ,if't puts a crown in your pocket1 'tis a good enough religion2 if 't puts half-a-crown in your pocket1 'tis less good2 if't puts naught in your pocket1 that religion is good for naught40 ,the speaker was a middle-aged man with a pair of large eyes which seemed to vary curiously in colour1 sometimes appearing to be as grey as steel1 and again of a curious green that did not suit everybody's taste in eyes4 ,but for that matter1 ,jake ,pullsford1 the carrier1 found it impossible to meet everybody's taste in several other ways4 ,he had a habit of craning forward his head close to the face of anyone to whom he was speaking1 and this movement had something of an accusing air1 about it--occasionally a menacing air--which was distinctly distasteful to most people1 particularly those who knew that they had good reason to be accused or to be menaced4 8,jake ,pullsford goes about the world calling his best friends liars without the intent to hurt their feelings10 was the criticism passed upon him by ,miller ,pendelly4 ,other critics were not so sure on the subject of his intent4 ,he had never shown himself to be very careful of the feelings of his friends4 8,the religion that puts naught in thy pocket is good for naught--that's what you be thinking of1 ,hal ,holmes10 he said1 thrusting his head close to the face of the smith4 ,but the smith did not mind4 ,the man that spends most of his days hammering out and bending iron to his will1 usually thinks good-naturedly of one who uses words and phrases as arguments4 8,i don't gainsay thee1 ,jake10 he replied4 8,if you know what's in my thought better than ,i do myself1 you be welcome to the knowledge40 8,i meant not thee in special1 friend10 said ,jake4 8,what ,i say is that there are too many in these days that think of religion only for what it may bring to them in daily life--folk that make a gain of godliness40 8,and a right good thing to make a gain of1 says ,i10 remarked the miller with a confidential wink into the empty mug which he held--it had been full a moment before4 8,ay1 you be honest1 miller3 you allow that ,i am right and you have courage enough to praise what the ,book condemns10 said ,jake4 8,look'ee here1 friend10 said the miller1 in his usual loud voice--the years that he had spent in his mill had caused him to acquire a voice whose tone could successfully compete with the creaking and clattering of the machinery4 8,look'ee here1 friend ,jake1 'twould be easy enough for you or me that has done moderate well for ourselves in life1 to turn up our eyes in holy horror at the bare thought of others being godly for what they may gain in daily life1 but for myself1 ,i would not think that ,i was broaching a false doctrine if ,i was to say to my son1 ',young man1 be godly and thou 'll find it to bring gain to thee4' ,what1 ,jake1 would 'ee have a man make gain out of ungodliness80 8,ay1 that's a poser for him1 miller3 ,i've been thinking for that powerful proposal ever since the converse began10 said a small man who had sat silently smoking in a high-backed chair4 ,he was one who had the aspect of unobtrusiveness1 and a figure that somehow suggested to strangers an apologetic intention without the courage ever to put it in force4 ,his name was ,richard ,pritchard1 and he was by profession a water-finder--a practitioner with the divining rod1 but one whose successes were never startling4 ,when he had spoken1 all the room1 to the number of three1 turned anxious eyes upon him1 as if they were surprised at his having gone so far and feared a painful sequel4 ,he seemed to feel that he had justified their worst forebodings1 and hastened to relieve their minds4 8,i'm all friendly1 friends1 and ,jake in especial10 he said4 8,don't forget that though a man on the spur of the moment1 and in the fierce stress of argyment1 may say a bitter hard word or two1 there may still be naught in his bosom's heart but neighbourly friendship1 meaning no offence to you1 ,jake1 that be a travelled man1 viewing strange cities quite carelessly1 where plain and simple men would gape and stare40 ,jake1 the carrier1 gave no sign of having heard the other speak4 8,there's a many o' us in these parts as strong as in other parts1 that be ready and willing to take things as they come10 said he2 8to take the parson's preaching as they take the doctor's pills40 8,ay1 wi' a wry face10 acquiesced the blacksmith with a readiness that one could see the carrier thought meant no good4 ,he leant across the table once more until his face was close to the smith's1 and said3 8,that's where you be wrong1 ,hal ,holmes4 ,you know as well as the most knowledgable----0 8,meaning yourself1 ,jake80 said the smith drily4 8,you know well that though you may make a wry face when gulching down the doctor's pill1 ye dursn't so much as show a wrinkle or a crinkle on your face when ,parson ,rodney is in his pulpit10 replied the carrier with emphasis4 8',cause why80 said the miller4 8,i'll tell ye truly--'tis because the parson gives us no bitter pills1 only----0 8,that's what ,i've been leading up to10 cried the carrier triumphantly4 8,the parson1 like thousands of the rest of his cloth throughout the length and breadth o' the land1 is content to preach pleasant things only1 even as the false prophets of ,israel prophesied fair things40 8,and why shouldn't he be content to preach pleasant things1 friend ,jake1 if so be that we be content to hear them8 and for myself ,i would muchly listen to an hour of pleasant things--ay1 rather than half an hour of unhappy ones40 8,ah1 miller1 what would you say if the doctor1 who1 when he saw your body suffering from a canker1 gave you a sugar-plum and withheld his knife from cutting out the plague spot because you were apt to be squeamish at the sight of bloodletting60 ,there was an uneasy pause when the carrier had asked this rehearsed question4 ,he asked it with a triumphant air1 and1 as if he felt it to be too large a question to be answered by the miller singlehanded1 he1 as it were1 swept the whole company by a glance into his interrogation4 ,the water-finder made a motion with his hands as if trying to smooth away an imaginary roughness in the air4 ,there was a general feeling that the carrier had triumphed in his argument4 ,he was one of those people who1 by speaking in an air of triumph1 succeed in making some people believe that they have triumphed4 ,the farmer shook his head with the disinterestedness of an arbitrator4 ,the smith continued looking into the empty mug from which he had just drunk4 ,the silence lasted several seconds1 and every second of course added to the triumph of the carrier4 ,the man was not1 however1 adroit enough to perceive this4 ,he was indiscreet enough to break the silence4 ,when his eyes had gone round the company they returned to the miller4 8,answer me that question1 man60 he cried1 and then everyone knew that he had not triumphed3 the last word had not been said4 8,i'll answer you when you tell me if you wouldn't bear friendly feelings for a doctor who gives you a sugar plum instead of blooding you when he finds you reasonable well10 said the miller4 8',tis when a man feels healthiest that he stands most in need of blooding10 said ,jake1 not very readily and not very eagerly4 8,and so it is in the health of the soul4 ',let him that thinketh he stand take heed lest he fall4' ,friends1 is there one among us that can lay his hand on his heart and say that he believes that our parsons do their duty honestly and scripturally40 8,it took you a deal o' time to lead us up to that point3 you'd best ha' blurted it out at once10 remarked ,hal ,holmes4 8,nay1 we all knew that it was a-coming10 said the farmer4 8,since ,jake found himself as far away from home as ,bristol city1 he has never lost a chance of a dig at the parsons40 8,i don't deny that my eyes were opened for the first time at ,bristol10 said ,jake4 8,bristol was my ,damascus1 farmer40 ,the farmer gave a jerk to his head1 for the carrier had laid undue emphasis upon the first syllable of the name4 8,so bad as that80 he whispered4 ,the blacksmith laughed4 8,not so bad1 farmer10 he said4 8',tis only our neighbour ,jake that compares himself with ,st4 ,paul1 the ,apostle40 8,i heard the profanity4 ,he would ha' done better to abide at home10 said the farmer severely4 ,the blacksmith laughed again4 8,there fell1 as it were1 scales from my eyes when ,i heard preaching for the first time--when ,i heard a parson for the first time10 resumed the carrier1 looking out of a window1 and apparently unconscious of any of the remarks of his friends4 8,ay1 'twas for the first time1 albeit ,i had scarce missed church for a whole ,sunday since ,i were a lad4 ,that was what struck me most1 neighbours--that ,i could go ,sunday after ,sunday1 in good black cloth1 too1 and hear the holy service read1 in a sort of way1 and the sacred psalms sung1 while the fiddle and the double bass and the viol made sweet music1 and yet have no real and true yearning after the truth1 seems little short of a miracle1 doesn't it80 8,not when one knows that your heart was hard1 ,jake--ay1 sir1 it must ha' been harder than steel10 said the blacksmith1 shaking his head in mock gravity4 8,you scoff1 smith1 you scoff1 ,i know2 but you speak the truth unwittingly10 said the carrier with some sadness4 8,my heart was like the nether millstone--your pardon1 miller1 ,i meant not to say a word that would cast a slight upon your calling3 'tis right for your nether millstone to be hard40 8,the harder the better1 and no offence1 neighbour10 said the miller generously4 8,none was meant1 sir10 said the carrier4 8,we were discoursing of my heart--hard--hard4 ,and ,i was a reader o' the ,book all my life4 ,that's the strange thing2 but ,i sought not to understand what ,i read and ,i got no help from parson---no1 nor yet from ,archdeacon ,eaton1 that ,i listened to twice--no1 nor the ,dean himself in his own ,cathedral at ,exeter4 ,with the new light that came to me1 ,i was able to perceive that their discourse was a vain thing--not helpful to a simple man who thought something of himself1 albeit jangling with the other tinkling cymbals every ,sunday1 kneeling 7on the knees of my body7 when we called ourselves miserable sinners4 ,miserable sinners6 ,i tell ye1 friends1 ,i gave no thought to the words4 ,i slurred through the ,general ,confession at a hand gallop--just the pace that parson gets into when he warms to his work40 8,there's few left of the cloth and none of the laity can pass parson when he gets warmed to it4 ,to hear him in the ,litany is like watching him go 'cross country when he be mounted on ,king ,george1 his big roan10 said the blacksmith reflectively4 8,there's none rides straightlier10 said the farmer4 8,and there's no better or steadier flyer than ,king ,george1 first foal to my mare ,majesty4 ,when ,i heard that parson had need of a flyer that was a flyer1 after poor ,gossip broke her neck at the ,lyn and her master's left arm1 ,i held back1 not being wishful to put myself for'ard1 though ,i knew what ,i knew1 and knew that parson knew all ,i knew and maybe more2 but he got wind o' the foal1 and then----0 8,one at a time1 farmer--one at a time is fair play between friends10 said the miller1 nodding in the direction of ,jake1 who had suffered the interruption very meekly4 8,your pardon1 friend10 said the farmer4 8,only 'twas yourself brought in the parson's pace4 ,for myself1 ,i think all the better of the cloth that rides straight to hounds40 8',miserable sinners1'0 said the carrier1 picking up the thread which he had perforce dropped4 8,i tell ye1 neighbours1 that there's no need for any parson1 be he a plain ,vicar or of high rank such as a ,dean--nay1 a consecrated ,bishop--no1 ,i'm not going too far1 miller--,i say in cool blood and in no ways excited1 a consecrated ,lord ,bishop--,i say that not one of them need travel in discourse all his pulpit life1 beyond that text ',miserable sinners4' ,that was his text--the one ,i heard at ,bristol4 ',miserable sinners4' ,for the first time in my life ,i knew what the words meant4 ,i felt them--,i felt them--words of fire--,i tell ye that ,i felt them burn into me4 ,that was at first--when he began to preach2 a red-hot iron brand stinging me all over1 and before he had done ,i felt as if all my poor body had been seared over and over again with red-hot letters that go to the spelling of 'miserable sinners' ,you mind ,joe ,warden's trial when we were lads1 and how he was branded in the forehead and right hand before he was sent to the pillory4 ,he uttered neither cry nor moan when the hot iron burst his skin----0 8,i smell the smell o' 't in my nose this moment10 said the water-finder gently4 ,the farmer nodded4 8,but the look that was on his face when he stood up there a marked man forever60 cried the original speaker4 8,it told everyone that had eyes what the man felt1 and that was how ,i felt1 multiplied an hundred fold1 when my preacher had done with me4 ,i felt from the first that he had singled out me--only me out of all that assembly1 and when he had done with me1 ,i say that ,i could feel myself feeling as ,joe ,warden felt1 the rebel who suffered for slandering the ,king's ,majesty40 8',tis no marvel that the man has had most of the church doors banged in's face1 if so be that he makes genteel churchgoers with ordinary failings to feel so unwholesome10 remarked the smith4 8,and so you comed away10 said the farmer4 8,well1 ,i wouldn't look back on it as if ,i was satisfied4 ,if ,i want that sort o' preaching ,i'll e'en throw myself prone on my nine-acre field when the seed's in1 and command my man ,job to pass the harrow o'er the pelt o' my poor carcase40 8,i've only told you of that part of his sermon that made one feel sore and raw with hot wounds all over10 said ,jake4 8,that was one part4 ,i told you not of the hand that poured soothing oil and precious ointment into the wounds--that came after4 ,and the oil was as holy soothing as what ran down over ,aaron's beard even unto the skirts of his garment1 and the ointment was as precious as ,mary ,magdalen's of spikenard--in the alabaster box1 whose odour filled the whole house4 ,the whole life of me became sweetened with the blessed words that fell from his lips4 ,i felt no longer the sting of the brand of the truth that had made me to tingle all over4 ,oh1 the dew of ,hermon's holy hill was not more soothing than the words of gracious comfort that came from him4 ,i had a sense of being healed and made whole4 ,the joy of it6 ,a cup of cold spring water when one has toiled through a long hot harvest day4 ,oh1 more than that4 ,the falling of a burden from off my shoulders like the great burden of ,christian1 the ,pilgrim2 and then the joy--the confidence--the surety--,i cannot tell you how ,i felt--'tis over much for me1 neighbours--over much for me to attempt40 8,say no more1 ,jake2 you have made a good enough trial for such as us10 said the miller1 laying his hand on the carrier's shoulder1 and speaking only after a long pause4 ,the others of the party began to breathe again1 some of them very audibly4 ,the carrier's eyes were shining with an expression his friends had never before seen them wear4 ,he had been swept away by the force and fervour of his words1 and like one who has been breathing of a rarer atmosphere than that of the plain1 he gasped for several moments1 and then there was a sob in his throat4 ,he went quickly to the door and1 letting into the room the sudden glow of a beautiful ,spring sunset1 he passed into the open air1 without speaking another word4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,no one in the room had watched the man except in a furtive way1 after he had spoken1 although while he was speaking every eye had been fixed upon him4 ,the sight of the effect of a great emotion makes some people feel strangely abashed1 and the miller and his friends were among such persons4 ,when the carrier had gone they remained silent for some time4 ,each of them seemed to be thinking his thoughts4 8,poor ,jake60 said the miller at last4 8,he was ever the sort of man that would be like to have a twist1 and he hath got one now4 ,he's made us forget the cider1 lads4 ,blest if the jug has been touched since ,jake began his story6 ,hal1 man1 pass the jug to your neighbour4',tis ,jake that should have swallowed a mouthful before he left3 talking is drouthier work than listening40 ,the smith passed on the jug of cider without replenishing his own mug2 and then knocked the ashes out of the bowl of his pipe4 8,i don't know that there's a deal in all this10 he remarked4 8,what do you say1 miller80 8,i don't say nought3 ,i only looks on10 replied the miller cautiously4 8,ay1 that may be10 said the smith4 8,we all know ,jake4 ,he never wronged his fellow--nay1 there's some of us knows that if the worst came to the worst with us1 ,jake 'ud be the first to hold out a helping hand1 with a guinea or two in it1 as the case may be4 ,still there may be something in what he said about being brought to feel himself a miserable sinner40 8,he allowed that the preacher on'y kept him in that suspensory way o' thought for a brief space10 said the miller4 8,ay1 there's men that be mortal sinners1 and for all that their luck is tremendous and saves 'em from the eye of their fellow-men10 said the smith4 8,i feel bound to say this to the credit o' parson10 remarked the water-finder with deprecatory suavity3 8he never makes a simple countryman feel himself to be a miserable sinner4 ,he is of such a good nature that he slurs over the ,general ,confession so genteelly that ,i defy the wickedest of his churchful to feel in any ways as if parson was dictating the words to him40 8,that shows that parson's heart be in the right place10 nodded the farmer4 8,he gives us all to understand at a glance that he reads the words 'cause they are set down for him in the solemn prayer book1 and hopes that there's none among his hearers who will hold him responsible as a man for their ungentility40 8,true1 sir1 true2 parson's an am'able gentleman1 always 'cepting when the cock he has hatched from the noblest game strain fails him in the first main10 said the blacksmith4 8,and who is he that would be different1 tell me that80 cried the miller1 who had fought a few cocks in the course of his life4 8,ay1 we be well content wi' parson1 we be so2 but ,i don't say that if ,jake's ,bristol preacher came within earshot ,i would refuse to listen to him--only out o' curiosity--only out o' curiosity4 ,but ,i do wonder much that a man o' the steadiness o' ,jake ,pullsford owning himself overcome by a parson that has no church of his own40 8',tis as humble as allowing a toothache to be cured by a quack at a fair1 when a wholesome ,doctor of ,physic1 like ,mr4 ,corballis1 has wrestled1 with it for a whole week10 said the water-finder4 8,i hope ,i haven't offended any friend by my homeliness when the talk was serious10 he added1 glancing around1 not without apprehension4 ,no one took the trouble to say a word that might place him at his ease4 ,the farmer took a hasty drink out of his mug1 and sighed after4 ,the blacksmith cut up some tobacco and rolled it between his palms4 ,there was a long silence in the room4 ,it seemed as if the weakness which ,jake1 the carrier1 had displayed had saddened the little company4 ,it was pretty clear that they were all thinking of it4 8,hey1 neighbours10 cried the miller at last1 with a loud attempt to pull his friends together4 8,hey lads1 what's amiss8 ,these be doleful dumps that have fallen on us4 ,a plague on ,jake and his quack preacher6 ,now1 if ,i'm not better satisfied than ever with parson may ,i fail to know firsts from seconds by a sniff of the dust4 ,come1 farmer1 tell ,hal what answer you gave to ,squire's young lady when she asked you if you made the cows drink wine wouldn't they milk syllabub8 ,he told me before you looked in1 ,hal6 ,droll1 it was surely4 ,you'd never think that the farmer had it in him40 8,nay1 nay10 said the farmer with a smile that broke up his face into the semblance of a coloured diagram of the canals in ,mars4 8,nay1 miller1 'twas on the spur o' the moment4 ,i had no time to think o' some ready reply that a young miss might think suitable to her station in life coming from a humble yeoman that has no learning but of tillage40 8,i'll swear you'll esteem it neat as a sheep's tongue10 said the miller4 8,come1 farmer1 out with it1 and don't force me to spoil it i' the telling40 8,oh1 well----0 began the farmer1 pursing out his lips and assuming the expression of one who is forced into a position of enviable prominence4 8,oh1 well1 'twas o' ,tuesday last--or was it ,monday1 miller80 8,you told me ,monday10 replied the miller4 8,did ,i8 ,well1 if ,i said ,monday ,i sticks to it whatever may hap2 for as ye know me1 friends1 ,i don't go back on my word1 even though ,i be wrong1 that being my way1 so to speak1 that came natural to me ever since poor father said to me----0 ,but the revelation as to the terms of his father's discourse which had produced so lasting an impression upon him1 was not to be made at that time2 for before the slow farmer had spoken1 the porch door was opened1 and there appeared against the background of the spring green side of the little valley slope1 the figure of a young girl1 rather tall1 wearing a cloak by the lined hood of which her pretty face was framed4 8,hey10 cried the miller1 8this be an improvement4 ,after all we won't need your story1 farmer40 8,your servant1 ,master ,miller--gentlemen1 ,i am your most obedient to command now as ever10 said the girl1 dropping a curtsey first to the miller1 then to his guests4 8,oh1 ,master ,hal1 black but comely as usual1 and rather more idle than usual4 ,and ,farmer ,pendelly1 too--fresh as a new-washed cherub on a tombstone4 ,master ,pritchard1 with his magic wand up his sleeve1 ,i doubt not4 ,i didn't know that you was entertaining a party1 miller1 or ,i--,i----0 8,don't tell us that you would ha' tarried1 ,nelly2 that would be to pay a bad compliment to my company as well as to me10 said the miller4 8,i was about to say that ,i would have hurried1 not tarried4 ,maybe ,i'll not tarry even now1 in spite of the attractions you hold out1 sir40 ,while she spoke the girl conveyed the impression of making another general curtsey to the company1 though she had merely glanced around at them with an inclusive smile4 ,she made a pretty pretence of drawing her cloak around her--she had thrown back the hood immediately after entering the room--and made a movement towards the door4 8,don't you dare to think of fleeing1 hussy10 said the miller4 8,if you was to flee just now1 there's not one of us here that wouldn't hale thee back by the hair o' the head--and a nobler tow line couldn't be found40 ,he had put his arms about her and patted her hair1 which was the lightest chestnut in colour1 and shining like very fine unspun silk4 8,hey1 ,nelly1 where did ye pick up that head of hair1 anyway8 ,all your household be black as night10 he continued4 8,where's the puzzle1 sir80 said she1 without a suggestion of sauciness4 8,i favour the night1 too1 only a moonlight night4 ,my hair is the flash o' moonlight40 8,the lass never was slack in speaking up for herself10 said the blacksmith4 8,true1 friend ,hal2 but haven't ,i ever been moderate8 ,have ,i ever gone even half-way to describe my own charms80 said the girl with a mock seriousness that set everyone laughing--they roared when she looked at them more seriously still1 as if reproving their levity4 8,i'll not stay here to be flouted10 she cried with a pout1 giving the miller a pat on the cheek4 8,ah1 here comes ,sue to protect me4 ,dear ,sue1 you come in good time4 ,tell these gentlemen that ,i haven't a red hair in my head1 and as for its being good only to make towing lines of----0 ,here she broke down and fell sobbing into the arms of ,susan ,pendelly1 a girl of about her own age1 who had entered the room by the door that led to the parlour4 ,for a few moments ,susan was puzzled1 for ,nelly went through her piece of acting extremely well1 but the laughter of the miller and the smith--the farmer and the water-finder were not quite sure1 so they remained solemn--quickly let her know that ,nelly was up to a prank1 so she put her arms about her and pretended to soothe her1 calling the men ill-mannered wretches1 and shaking her fist at them4 ,susan was a little heavy and homely in her comedy4 8,towing line indeed60 she said1 looking indignantly over ,nelly's bowed head at the men4 8,towing line indeed6 ,why 'tis the loveliest hair in ,cornwall40 8,a towing line10 said her father1 laughing4 8,a towing line that has drawn more craft in its wake than any twenty-oared galley of a man-o'-war4 ,oh1 the poor fools that try to get a grip o' that towing line6 ,let me count them4 ,first there was ,spanish ,roderick----0 ,the girl lifted up her head from her friend's shoulder4 8,spanish ,roderigo the first60 she cried4 8,oh1 miller1 ,i did think that my reputation was safe in your keeping6 ,why1 sir1 there were three after me long before ,roderigo showed his face at the ,cove40 8,i ask your pardon1 madam2 ,i did you an injustice2 you began the towing business when you were twelve----0 8,ten1 miller--ten1 if you love me4 ,you would not accuse a simple girl of wasting her time40 8,once again1 your pardon1 miss4 ,i'll make it nine1 if so be that you wish40 8,i have no wish in the matter1 sir4 ,i'm nought but a simple country wench with no wish but to be let live in peace40 8,tell us how many lads are dangling after you at the present moment1 ,nell--dangling like mackerel on the streamers80 8,how could ,i possibly tell1 sir8 ,do you suppose that my father knows to a fish how many mackerel are on his cast of streamers at any time8 ,you should have more sense1 miller4 ,the most that ,i can speak for is the five that ,i angled for40 8,the impudence of the girl6 ,she allows that she angled for five60 8,miller1 you would not have me treat them like trout and whip for them with a rod and a single hook4 ,oh1 no1 sir1 that would not be worth the while4 ,you see1 miller1 there are so many of them swimming about--and--and--well1 life is brief40 8',tis my belief1 ,nelly1 that there's a hook on every hair of your head and a foolish lad wriggling on it40 8,you compliment my fishing too highly1 sir4 ,if ,i thought that----0 8,well1 what would happen if you thought that1 madam80 8,oh1 well1 ,i believe that ,i would e'en weave my hair into a reasonable fishing-net to save time and a diffusion of wriggling4 ,there now1 miller1 we have had said the last word between us of this nonsense4 ,i know what ,i am1 and you know what ,i am--a healthy1 wholesome country wench1 that two or three lads think well of1 and as many more think ill of--they don't get distraught about me on the one hand1 and they don't have any particular enmity of me on the other hand4 ,that's the way with all girls1 even such as are black-browed1 and hard-voiced1 which no one has yet accused me of being1 and ,i've walked seven miles from ,porthawn within the two hours to give you my father's message about ,rowan's corner1 and when ,i've given it to you1 ,i have to trudge back with a six-pound bag of your best seconds to keep us from starvation for a day or two40 8,you'll not trudge back before the morning if ,i have any say in the matter10 cried the miller's daughter1 catching up the other's cloak and throwing it over one arm4 8,come hither1 ,nelly1 and we'll have a chat in the parlour1 like the well-to-do folk that we be2 these men can have this place to themselves till the time comes to lay out supper40 8,supper6 what good pixie made you say that word80 cried the other girl4 8,if you hadn't said it it would have clean gone from my mind that ,i brought with me a stale fish or two that was left over from our dinner on ,sunday week4 ,what a memory ,i lack1 to be sure60 ,she picked up a rush basket which she had placed on the floor when she was taking off her cloak1 and handed it to ,susan4 8,you young rapparee60 said the miller4 8,did it not cross your foolish pate that a basket of fish a week old and more is fully capable of betraying its presence without the need for a laboured memory80 8,i know that that basket betrayed its presence to me more than once as it hung on my arm after the first three mile hither10 said the girl4 8,as ,i live'tis a seven-pound pink salmon1 and 'twas swimming in the sea at noon this day10 said ,susan when she had opened the basket4 8,she must ha' heard that we were supping at the mill this eve'n1 and that ,i was of the company10 said the blacksmith4 8,mistress ,polwhele1 my respects to you60 8,nay1 ,master ,hal1 had ,i known that you were to be of the company1 the salmon would ha' been a fifteen-pounder at least--that is if ,i wanted any of the others to have a mouthful10 laughed the girl4 ,she was out of the room before the blacksmith had ceased rattling his chair in his pretence of rising to carry out the menace he made with his fist when she was speaking4 ,the miller and his guests watched in silence the door through which she had gone4 8,a bit of a change from ,jake ,pullsford1 eh1 friends60 remarked ,hal4 8,that's what we needed sorely10 said the miller4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,life did not seem to be strenuous in the valley of the ,lana1 seven miles from the fishing village of ,porthawn1 and thirty from ,falmouth1 when the eighteenth century still wanted more than ten years of completing its first half4 ,to be sure1 the high road to ,plymouth was not so very far away1 and coaches with passengers and luggage flew daily across the little bridge of the ,lana at the rate sometimes of as much as nine miles an hour2 and the consciousness of this made the people of the village of ,ruthallion think rather well of themselves--so at least the dwellers in the more remote parts of the region were accustomed to affirm4 ,the generous were ready to allow that the most humble-minded of people would think well of themselves if they were so favourably situated in regard to the great world as to be able to get news from ,london only a few days old1 simply by waiting at the turn of the ,plymouth road until a coach came up4 ,but of this privilege the people of that most scattered of all ,cornish villages1 ,ruthallion1 did not avail themselves to any marked extent1 except upon occasions of great national importance2 such as the achievement of a victory by ,king ,george's army in the ,low ,countries1 or by the ,king's ships in the ,west ,indies4 ,in the latter case the news usually came from the ,plymouth side of the high road4 ,for the sober discussion of such news in all its bearings1 it was understood that the ,lana ,mill1 situated as it was in the valley within a few hundred yards of the village1 and having a little causeway off the ,porthawn road all to itself1 occupied a most favourable position4 ,there was no inn with a well-lighted bar-parlour within four miles of the place1 and the miller was hospitable4 ,he was said to be the inheritor of an important secret in regard to the making of cider1 and it was no secret that his autumnal brew had a flavour that was unsurpassed by any cider produced in ,cornwall1 or 7as some people said7 in the very apple-core of ,devonshire itself4 ,miller ,pendelly was known to be a warm man in more senses than one4 ,he had not only a considerable amount of property apart from the mill1 which the unfailing waters of the ,lana fed2 he was a warm-hearted man1 though one of the most discreet that could be imagined4 ,when it was a charity to give1 he gave freely1 but he showed himself to be well aware of the fact that sometimes charity consists in withholding one's hand4 ,he was not a man that could be easily imposed upon2 though1 like all shrewd people1 he allowed three or four ne'er-do-wells to borrow from him--once4 ,he talked of every such case with great bitterness on his tongue1 but with a twinkle in his eye that assured his confidants that he knew what he was about4 ,to rid the neighbourhood of an idle youth who was robbing an easy-going father1 was surely worth the disbursement of five guineas2 and the expatriation of a hard-drinking husband was not dear at six4 ,he1 himself1 was a good husband to a good wife1 and the father of a girl1 who1 though well favoured1 was discreet--a girl who loved her home and all it contained better than she did any possible lover4 ,the miller's friends were just equal in number to the inhabitants of the valley and of the villages of ,porthawn and ,ruthallion4 ,even the mother of the worthless youth who had disappeared with the five guineas1 and the wife of the bibulous husband who had not returned after contracting his loan of six1 became1 in the course of time1 his friends1 and almost forgave him for his exercise of generosity4 ,but among his neighbours there were none whom he met on such friendly terms as those to whom he turned with a side-nod of his head when the girls had gone4 8,they may spare their breath who would tell me that the ill-favoured ones are the best daughters10 said he4 8,i'll not be the first to advance that doctrine to the father of ,susan ,pendelly10 said the blacksmith4 ,the miller laughed4 8,sue was not in my thought10 he cried--8at least not when ,i spoke1 though thinking of her now only makes me stronger in my opinion4',twas the sight of t'other lass4 ,merry she be and with a sharp enough tongue1 but was there ever a better daughter than ,nelly ,polwhele1 tell me that1 ,hal80 8,a fine salmon fish it be surely10 said the blacksmith4 8,seven pounds1 ,i'll wager1 if 'tis an ounce40 8,out upon thee for a curmudgeon10 shouted the miller1 giving the blacksmith a push of a vehemence so friendly that he with difficulty retained his place on the settee4 8',tis a mortal pity that so spirited a mare foal will be tamed sooner or later--that's the way with all female flesh whether well-favoured or black-a-vised10 remarked the farmer44 ,richard ,pritchard1 who was the only single man present1 shook his head with as great a show of gravity as if he had spent his life taming spirited things4 ,his arrogance aroused his host4 8,and what are you that gives yourself airs1 my man80 he cried4 8,what call has a worm of a bachelor to let his tongue wag on a matter that might well make owdacious fathers o' families keep dead silence8 ,richard ,pritchard1 my good man1 this talk is not for such as thee4 ,thou beest a middling silent man by nature1 ,dick1 and for that thou shouldst be thankful when wild words be flying abroad on household matters40 8,i allow that ,i went too far1 neighbour1 though ,i call all to witness that ,i did not open my mouth to speak10 said the water-finder1 with great humility4 8,you are aye over daring1 though never all through immoral1 ,dick10 said the blacksmith gravely4 8,i allow that ,i earned reproof1 friend10 said ,richard4' 8,we all be human1 and many have frail thought of high language1 and a proud heart at the hope of wisdom and ancient learning4 ,but ,i take reproof with no ill-feeling40 ,the miller roared at the success of his jest4 8,richard ,pritchard1 if ,i didn't know you for a brave ,welshman1 ,i would take you for a ,dorset dairyman that's so used to the touch o' butter they say it wouldn't melt in their mouths10 he cried when he found breath4 ,at this point ,mistress ,pendelly bustled into the room1 which was not the kitchen1 but only a sort of business-room of the mill1 with the message that supper would not be ready so soon as she could wish2 the salmon steaks took their own time to cook1 she affirmed1 and expressed the hope that her friends would be able to hold out for another half hour4 8,make no excuses1 mother10 said her husband4 8,why1 good wife1 the very sound of the frizzling will keep us alive in hope1 and the smell that creeps through the crevices of the kitchen door is nigh as satisfying as a full meal in itself40 8,speak for yourself if you are so minded1 miller10 cried ,hal ,holmes4 8,sup off the sound of a frizzle mixed with the sniff of a well-greased pan1 if you so please1 but give me a flake or two o' salmon flesh1 good mother1 the pink o' the body just showing through the silver o' the scales4 ,oh1 a lady born is your sea salmon with her pink complexion shining among the folds o' her silver lace60 8,ay1 sir1 better than that your praise should be1 for the fish's beauty is more than skin deep10 said the housewife1 as she stood with the kitchen door half open4 ,the miller winked at his friends when she had disappeared4 8,canst better that1 ,hal80 he enquired4 8,vanity to try10 replied the blacksmith4 8,a man's good enough maybe for the catching o' a salmon1 but it needs a woman's deft fingers to cook it4 ,you see through my proverb1 miller80 8,it needs no spying glass1 ,hal10 said the miller4 8,the interpretation thereof is in purpose that it needs a woman's nimble wit to put a finishing touch to a simple man's discourse1 howsoever well meant it may be4 ,eh1 farmer80 8',tis different wi' pilchards1 as is only natural1 seeing what sort of eating they be10 said the farmer shrewdly2 he found that he had been wittier than he had any notion of being1 and he added his loudest chuckles 7when he had recovered from his surprise7 to the roaring of the miller's laughter4 ,it was ,nelly ,polwhele who demanded to be let into the secret of the merriment so soon as she had returned to the room with ,susan1 and when the miller told her1 with an illuminating wink and a shrewd nod1 she laughed in so musical a note with her hands uplifted that the farmer pursed out his lips in pride at his own wit4 ,he was not without a hope that he might find out1 in the course of the evening1 wherein the point of it lay4 ,meantime ,nelly was looking anxiously around the room4 8,what's gone wrong wi' the girl80 said the miller4 8,oh1 ,i see how things be3 'tis so long since she was here the place seems strange to her4 ,is't not so1 ,nelly80 8,partly1 sir10 replied the girl4 8,but mainly ,i was looking to see where ,mr4 ,pullsford was hiding4 ,you can't be supping in good style and he absent40 8,give no heed to ,mr4 ,pullsford1 whether he be here or not2 spend your time in telling us where you yourself have been hiding for the past month10 cried the miller4 8,she has not been hiding1 she has been doing just the opposite--displaying herself to the fashionable world10 said ,susan4 8,hey1 what's all this80 said the miller4 8,you don't mean to tell us that you've been as far as ,plymouth80 8,plymouth1 indeed6 ,prithee1 where's the rank and fashion at ,plymouth1 sir80 cried ,nelly4 8,nay1 sir1 'tis to the ,bath ,i have been1 as befits one in my station in life40 8,the ,bath8--never10 exclaimed the miller1 while the girl1 lifting up her dress with a dainty finger and thumb to the extent of an inch or two1 went mincing past him down the room1 followed by the eyes of the blacksmith and the others of the party4 8',tis in jest you speak1 you young baggage--how would such as you ever get as far as the ,bath80 8,it sounds like a fancy freak1 doth it not truly2 and yet 'tis the sober truth10 said ,nelly4 8,at the ,bath ,i was1 and there ,i kept for a full month1 in the very centre core of all the grandest that the world has in store4 ,i didn't find myself a bit out of place1 ,i protest40 8,hear the girl60 exclaimed the miller4 8,she talks with the cold assurance of a lady of quality--not that ,i ever did meet with one to know2 but--and the fun of it is that she wouldn't be out of place in the most extravagant company4 ,come1 then1 tell us how it came about4 ,who was it kidnapped thee80 ,and then the girl told how it was that ,squire ,trelawny's young ladies at ,court ,royal1 having lost their maid1 owing to her marrying in haste1 asked her to take the young woman's place for a month or two until they should get suited4 ,as she had always been a favourite with them1 she had consented1 and they had forthwith set out for the ,bath with the ,squire's retinue of chariots and horsemen1 and there they had sojourned for a month4 8',tis1 indeed1 like a story o' pixies and their magic and the like10 said the miller4 8,i knew that the young ladies and you was ever on the best o' terms1 but who could tell that it would come to such as this8 ,and ,i'll wager my life that within a day and a night you could tire their hair and dust it wi' powder with the best of their ladyships' ladies4 ,and1 prithee1 what saw you at the ,bath besides the flunkies o' the quality80 8,oh1 sir1 ask me not to relate to you all that ,i saw and noted10 said the girl4 8,every day of my life ,i said1 ',what a place the world is to be sure6'0 8,and so it be10 said the farmer approvingly4 8,oh1 the rank and fashion1 farmer1 such as would astonish even you1 and you are a travelled man10 said she4 8,ay1 ,i have been as wide afield as ,falmouth on the west and ,weymouth on the east10 said the farmer4 8,ay1 ,i know the world40 8,your travels have ever been the talk of the six parishes1 sir10 said the girl4 8,but among all the strange people that have come-under your eyes1 ,i'll warrant you there was none stranger than you might find at the ,bath4 ,have you ever in your travels crossed ladies sitting upright in stumpy sentry boxes with a stout fellow bearing it along the streets1 winging 'twixt the pair o' poles80 8,naught so curious truly2 but ,i've seen honest and honourable men that had heard of such like10 said the farmer4 8,and to think that ,i saw them with these eyes1 and link boys1 when there was no moon1 and concerts of music in the ,cave of ,harmony1 night by night1 and two gentlemen fighting in a field--this was by chance1 and my lady passing in a chariot sent forth a shriek1 so that one pistol exploded before its time1 and the bullet graded a peaceful gentleman1 who they said was a doctor of physic coming quick across the meadow1 scenting a fee60 8,pity is 'twasn't a lawyer4 ,i hoard the thought that in case o' a fight 'twixt friends1 the lawyers hurry up as well as the doctors in hope of a job10 said the miller4 8,well1 you've seen the world a deal for one so young1 ,nelly10 he added4 8,and the concerts of singing and the assemblies and the beautiful polite dance which they call the minuet were as nought when placed alongside the plays in the playhouse10 cried ,nelly4 ,the miller became grave4 8,there be some who see a wicked evil in going to the playhouse10 he remarked1 with a more casual air than was easy to him4 8,that ,i have heard10 said the girl4 8,they say that a part o' the playhouse is called the pit10 suggested the farmer4 8,ay1 ,i saw the name over the door at ,plymouth1 as it maybe did you1 miller40 8,and some jumped at the notion that that pit led to another of a bottomless sort80 said the girl4 8,well1 ,i don't say that'twas the remembrance of that only that drew me to the playhouse4 ,i did get something of a shock1 ,i allow1 when my young ladies bade me attend them to the playhouse one night1 but while ,i sought a fair excuse for 'biding at our lodging on the ,mall1 ,i found myself inventing excuses for obeying my orders1 and ,i must say that ,i found it a good deal easier doing this than t'other40 8,ay1 ay1 ,i doubt not that--oh1 no1 we doubt it not10 cried the miller1 shaking his head4 ,richard ,pritchard shook his head also4 8,i found myself saying1 ',how can the playhouse be a place of evil when my good young ladies1 who are all that is virtuous1 find it a pleasure to go8'0 ,the miller shook his head more doubtfully than before4 8,i think that you left the service of your young ladies in good time10 muttered the miller4 8,do not dare to say a word against them--against even ,mistress ,alice1 who1 ,i allow1 hath a tantrum now and again1 when the seamstress fails her in time or mode10 said the girl4 8,of course when ,i reflected that ,i was but a servant1 so to speak1 and that my duty was to obey my mistresses1 ,i would hesitate no longer4 ,duty is a virtue1 sir1 so ,i submitted without a complaint40 8,ay1 you would do that10 murmured the blacksmith4 8,i said to myself----0 8,oh10 groaned the miller4 ,nelly ignored the groan4 ,she went on demurely from where she was interrupted4 8,i said to myself1 ',should there be evil in it none can hold me blameworthy1 since ,i was only obeying the order of them that were set over me4' ,i went and ,i was glad that ,i went1 for ,i saw no evil in word or act40 8,i'm grieved to hear it1 ,nelly10 said the miller4 8,what1 you are grieved to hear that ,i saw nothing of evil8 ,oh1 sir60 8,i mean that ,i don't like to think of a girl like thee in such a place1 ,nelly4 ,but let's make the best of a bad matter and recount to us what you saw4 ,it may be that by good fortune we may be able to find out the evil of it1 so that you may shun it in future40 8,alack1 ,i fear the chance will not come to me in the future10 said ,nelly mournfully4 8,i trust not4 ,who was the actor that night1 do you mind80 asked the miller4 8,her name was ,mistress ,woffington1 and now ,i mind that one of my ladies said that ,mr4 ,long had told her that ,mistress ,woffington had been to dinner with the learned provost of ,dublin ,college in ,ireland--a parson and a scholar40 8,oh1 an ,irishman60 was the comment of the miller4 8,let the girl be1 miller10 said ,hal ,holmes4 8,she's making a brave fight in the way of excusing herself4 ,go thy gait1 ,nell2 give us a taste of the quality of this ,mistress ,woffington40 8,oh1 ,hal1 she is a beauty--,i never thought that the world held such4 ,the finest ladies of quality at the ,bath1 though they all copy her in her mode1 are not fit to hold a candle to her4 ,and her clothing and her modesty withal4 ,they say she does the modest parts best of all40 8,ay1 ,i've heard that the likes of her are best in parts that have the least in common with themselves10 murmured the miller4 8,oh1 to see her when she vowed that she would be true to her lover albeit that her ancient father1 stamping about with a cudgel and a mighty wig1 had promised her to a foolish fellow in yellow silk and an eyeglass with a long handle1 and a foppish way of snuff-taking and a cambric handkerchief6 ,la6 how the lady made a fool of him under his very nose4 ,this is ,mistress ,woffington3 ',i protest1 ,sir1 that ,i am but a simple girl1 country bred1 that is ready to sink into the earth at the approach of so dangerous a gentleman as your lordship4' ,and she make a little face at her true lover1 who is getting very impatient1 in blue and silver1 at the other side of the room4 ',stap my vitals1 madam1' lisps the jessamy1 dangling his cane in this fashion--you should see them do it on the ,mall--0 ,she picked up a light broom that lay at the side of the hearth and made a very pretty swagger across the room with her body bent and her elbow raised in imitation of the exquisite of the period1 quite unknown to ,cornwall4 8',egad1 my dear1 for a country wench you are not without favour4 ,to be sure1 you lack the mode of the haut ton1 but that will come to you in time if you only watch me--that is1 to a certain extent4 ,my lady1 the ,duchess says1 8,charles is inimitable40 ,ah1 her ,grace is a sad flatterer1 'fore ,gad1 but she sometimes speaks the truth4' ',what1 ,sir1' says the lady1 'do you think that in time ,i should catch some of your grand air8 ,i beseech you1 ,sir1 have pity on a poor simple maiden2 do not raise false hopes in her breast4' ',nay1 pretty charmer1 ,i do not dare to affirm that you will ever quite catch the full style--the air of breeding1 so to speak2 but you may still catch----' 'the smallpox1 and faith1 ,i think ,i would prefer it to him1' says ,mrs4 ,woffington in a whisper1 that all in the playhouse can hear4 ',eh1 what's that8' lisps ,mr4 ,floppington4 ',oh1 sir1 ,i was just saying that ,i fear ,i am sickening for the smallpox1 which runs in our family as does the gout1 only a deal faster4' ',eh1 what1 what6 keep away from me1 girl1 keep away1 ,i tell you4' ,he retreats with uplifted hands2 she follows him1 with her own clasped1 imploring him not to reject her4 ,he waves his cane in front of her as if she was a bull ready to toss him4 ,they both speak together1 they run round the table1 he springs upon the table1 she tilts it over--down he goes crying1 ',murder--murder--stop her--hold her back6' ,he is on his feet again1 his fine coat torn in half at the back4 ,she catches at it and one whole side rips off in-her hand4 ,he makes for the window--finds it too high to jump from--rushes to the door and down goes the lady's father1 who is in the act of entering1 with a bump1 and down goes the fop with the half coat in the other direction4 ,the lady sits drumming with her heels on the floor between them in a shrieking faint--thus60 ,she flung herself into a chair and her shrieks sounded shrill above the laughter of the others4 ,suddenly the laughter came to an abrupt end1 as though it were cut in twain with a sharp knife4 ,the girl continued for a few seconds shrieking and rapping her heels on the floor1 her head thrown back2 then she clearly became aware of the fact that something unusual had occurred4 ,she looked up in surprise at the men on the settee1 followed the direction of their eyes1 and saw standing at the porch door a man of medium stature1 wearing a long riding cloak and carrying a book in one hand4 ,the doorway framed him4 ,the dimness of the shadowy eventide made a background for his head1 the candle which ,susan had lighted in the room shone upon his face1 revealing the thin1 refined features of a man who was no longer young4 ,his face was sweetness made visible--eyes that looked in brotherly trustfulness into the eyes of others1 and that1 consequently1 drew trust from others--illimitable trust4 ,the girl stared at the stranger who had appeared in the doorway with such suddenness2 and she saw what manner of man he was4 ,there was an expression of mild surprise on his face while he looked at her1 the central figure in the room2 but she saw that there was a gentle smile about his eyes4 8,i hope that ,i am not an intruder upon your gaiety10 said the stranger4 8,i knocked twice at the door1 and then1 hearing the shrieks of distress1 ,i ventured to enter4 ,i hoped to be of some assistance--shrieks mixed with laughter--well1 ,i have stopped both40 ,the miller was on his feet in a moment4 8,foolery1 sir1 girl's foolery all60 he said1 going towards the stranger4 8,pray1 enter1 if you can be persuaded that you are not entering a ,bedlam mad-house40 8,nay1 sir10 said the newcomer4 8',twould be foolish to condemn simply because ,i do not understand4 ,i am a stranger to this county of ,england2 ,i have had no chance of becoming familiar with your pastimes4 ,dear child1 forgive me if ,i broke in upon your merriment10 he added1 turning to ,nelly2 8,good sir10--he was now facing the miller--8,i have ridden close upon thirty miles to-day--the last four in the want of a shoe2 my horse must have cast it in the quagmire between the low hills4 ,yours was the first light that ,i saw--,i was in hopes that it came from a blacksmith's forge40 ,the miller laughed4 8',tis better than that1 good sir10 said he4 8,the truth is that the smith of these parts is a fellow not to be trusted by travellers3 his forge is black tonight1 unless his apprentices are better men than he4 ,he is a huge eater of salmon and divers dainties1 and he will drink as much as a mugful of cider before the night is past40 8,but he is a fellow that is ready to sacrifice a cut of salmon and a gallon of cider to earn a sixpence for a shoe1 sir10 said ,hal ,holmes1 rising from the settee and giving himself a shake4 8,in short1 sir1 ,i be ,holmes1 the smith1 whose lewd character has been notified to your honour1 and if you trust me with your nag1 ,i'll promise you to fit a shoe on him within the half-hour40 ,the stranger looked from the smith to the miller1 and back again to the smith1 and his smile broadened4 8,good neighbours both1 ,i can see10 he said4 8,i thank you1 smith4 ,how far is it to ,porthawn1 pray1 and what may this placed be called80 ,before he could be answered the door opened and ,jake ,pullsford entered the room4 ,the sound of his entrance caused the stranger to turn his head4 ,jake gave an exclamation of surprise4 8,mr4 ,wesley60 he said in a whisper that had something of awe in its tone4 8,mr4 ,wesley6 ,how is this possible8 ,i have spent the afternoon talking of you1 sir40 ,at the sound of the name the miller glanced meaningly at the smith4 ,they were plainly surprised4 8,well1 my brother10 said ,mr4 ,wesley1 8,i ask nothing better than to give you the chance of talking to me for the next hour4 ,i remember you well4 ,you are ,jake ,pullsford1 who came to see me a month ago at ,bristol4 ,you have been much in my thoughts--in my prayers40 ,,chapter ,,iv ,jake was so excited at finding himself by a curious accident once more face to face with the man who1 as he had happily confessed to his friends1 had produced so great an impression upon him as to change the whole course of his life1 that he began to talk to him in his usual rapid way1 as though ,mr4 ,wesley and himself were the only persons in the room4 ,the miller remained on his feet4 ,the blacksmith was also on his feet4 ,he had assumed a professional air4 ,after all1 he was likely to be the most important person present4 ,the girl in the chair remained with her hands folded on her lap4 ,she had the aspect of a schoolgirl who has broken out of bounds and awaits an interview with the schoolmistress4 ,she had heard during her visit to ,bath of this ,mr4 ,wesley and his views--at least such views as were attributed to him by the fashionable folk who assembled to have their gossip and intrigue flavoured by the sulphur of the waters4 ,he was not so easy-going as the clergymen at ,bath4 ,she could not doubt that he would esteem it his duty to lecture her on her levity4 ,it was known that he abhorred playgoing4 ,he was naturally abhorred by the players4 ,they had the best of reasons3 when he was preaching in any town that had a theatre1 the players remained with empty pockets4 ,the appearance of ,mrs4 ,pendelly announcing that supper was ready was a great relief to her4 ,she jumped up with alacrity4 ,jake ,pullsford came back to earth4 ,he was breathing hard4 ,the visitor had signified his intention of resuming his journey1 if his horse could be shod4 ,jake was entreating him to pass the night at his house1 only a mile up the valley4 ,the miller was beginning to feel awkward4 ,he was hospitably inclined1 but he was not presumptuous4 ,the blacksmith was fast losing his professional bearing2 a sniff of the salmon steaks had come through the open door4 ,it was the visitor whose tact made the situation easy for everyone4 8,sir10 he said to the miller1 8,i have arrived here so opportunely for myself that ,i will not even go through the pretence of offering to go to the wayside inn1 which our good friend ,jake ,pullsford tells me is some miles away4 ,i know that ,i can throw myself on your hospitality and that you would feel affronted if ,i hurried on4 ,i have no mind to do so--to be more exact1 ,i should say no stomach40 8,sir1 if your reverence will honour my house ,i can promise you a wholesome victual10 said the miller4 8,even if you was not a friend o' my friend ,jake here1 who might1 ,i think1 have named my name in your ear1 you would still be welcome404 8,i know it1 sir10 said ,wesley1 offering the miller his hand4 8,i thank you on behalf of myself and my good partner whose bridle ,i hung over your ring-post4 ,a feed of oats will put new spirit in him in spite of the loss of his shoe40 8,the horse shall be seen to1 ,mr4 ,wesley4 ,susan1 the stable bell10 said the miller1 and his daughter set a bell jangling on the gable wall4 8,again my thanks1 good friend10 said ,wesley4 8,may ,i beg your leave to be presented to my fellow-guests at your table1 sir80 ,he shook hands with the farmer1 the water-finder and the smith1 saying a word to each4 ,then he turned to where the two young women had been4 ,they had fled through the open door1 ,nelly having been the one to judge of the exact moment for flight4 ,they appeared at the supper table1 however1 but not taking their seats until they had waited upon all the others of the party4 ,that was the patriarchal custom of the time4 ,nelly ,polwhele only wished that the severe discipline of a side table for the serving girls had been in force at the ,mill4 ,remote from the long oak table on which generations of her family had dined1 she might have had a pleasant chat with her friend ,susan1 and then steal off1 evading the lecture which she felt was impending from the strict ,mr4 ,wesley4 ,as it was1 the most she could do for herself was to choose an unobtrusive place at the further end from the clergyman4 ,she hoped that the excellence of the salmon which she had carried through the valley of the ,lana would induce him to refrain from asking any questions in regard to the game that was being played at the moment of his entrance4 ,but ,mr4 ,wesley was vigilant4 ,he espied her before he had finished his salmon1 and had expressed his thanks to her for having burdened herself with it4 ,it was his thirst for information of all sorts that had caused him to enquire how it was possible to have for supper a fish that must have been swimming in the sea1 or at least in a salmon river1 which the ,lana was not1 a few hours before4 ,was not ,porthawn the nearest fishing village1 and it was six miles away8 ,then it was that ,mrs4 ,pendelly had told him of ,nelly's journey on foot bearing her father's gift to his friend the miller4 8,i should like to have a word or two with you1 my dear10 said ,mr4 ,wesley when he had thanked her4 8,i wish to learn something of the people of ,porthawn4 ,i am on my way thither to preach1 and ,i like to learn as much as is possible of the people who1 ,i hope1 will hear what ,i have to say to them40 ,nelly blushed and tried to say that she was afraid she could tell him nothing that he could not learn from any other source--that was what was on her mind--but somehow her voice failed her4 ,she murmured something2 became incoherent1 and then ate her salmon at a furious rate4 ,the miller1 although he had felt bound to offer hospitality to the stranger who had appeared at his door1 knew that his other guests--with the exception1 it might be1 of ,jake ,pullsford--would feel1 as he himself did1 that the presence of this austere clergyman would interfere with their good fellowship at supper and afterwards4 ,he and his associates knew one another with an intimacy that had been maturing for thirty years1 and the sudden coming of a stranger among them could not but cause a certain reserve in the natural freedom of their intercourse4 ,the miller had a constant fear that this ,mr4 ,wesley would in the course of the evening say something bitter about the parsons who hunted and bred game-cocks and fought them1 laying money on their heads--on parsons who lived away from their parishes1 allowing indifferent curates to conduct the services of the church--of parsons who boasted of being able to drink the ,squires under the table4 ,the miller had no confidence in his power of keeping silent when he felt that the parson with whom he was on the easiest of terms and for whose gamecocks he prepared a special mixture of stiffening grain food was being attacked by a stranger1 so he rather regretted that his duty compelled him to invite ,mr4 ,wesley1 of whom he1 in common with thousands of the people of the ,west country1 had heard a great deal1 to supper on this particular evening4 ,but in the course of the meal he began to think that he would have no reason to put any restraint upon himself4 ,he soon became aware of the fact that this ,reverend ,john ,wesley was not altogether the austere controversialist which rumour1 becoming more and more exaggerated as it travelled ,west1 made him out to be4 ,before supper was over he had come to the conclusion that ,parson ,rodney as a companion could not hold a candle to this ,mr4 ,wesley4 ,the compliment in respect of the salmon had pleased both the miller and his wife1 even though it had made ,nell blush2 and then a bantering word or two was said to ,hal ,holmes and his fine taste for salmon1 and forthwith ,mr4 ,wesley was giving an animated account of how he had seen the ,indians in ,georgia spearing for salmon on one of the rivers4 ,this power of bringing a wide scene before one's eyes in a moment by the use of an illuminating word or two was something quite new to the miller and his friends2 but it was the special gift of his latest guest4 ,with thin uplifted forefinger--it had the aspect as well as the power of a wizard's wand--he seemed to draw the whole picture in the air before the eyes of all at the table--the roar of the rapids whose name with its ,indian inflections was in itself a romance--the steathily moving red men with their tomahawks and arrows and long spears--the enormous backwoods--one of them alone half the size of ,england and ,wales--the strange notes of the bird--whip-poor-will1 the settlers called it--moonlight over all--moonlight that was like a thin white sheet let down from heaven to cover the earth2 and where this silver wonder showed the white billows of foam churned up by the swirl of the mad river1 there was the gleam of torches--from a distance they looked like the fierce red eyes of the wild beasts of the backwood2 but coming close one could see deep down at the foot of the rapids the flash of a blood-red scimitar--the quick reflection in the passionate surface of the water of the red flare that waved among the rocks4 ,then there was a sudden splash and a flash--another scimitar--this time of silver scattering diamonds through the moonlight--another flash like a thin beam of light--the fish was transfixed in mid-air by the ,indian spear6 ,they saw it all4 ,the scene was brought before their eyes4 ,they sat breathless around the supper table4 ,and yet the man who had this magic of voice and eye had never once raised that voice of his--had never once made a gesture except by the uplifting of his finger4 8,fishing--that is fishing60 said ,hal ,holmes4 8,i should like----0 ,the finger was upraised in front of him4 8,you must not so much as think of it1 my friend6 ,it would be called poaching on our rivers here10 said ,mr4 ,wesley with a smile4 8,then ,i should like to live in the land where the fish of the rivers1 the deer of the forests1 the birds of the air are free1 as it was intended they should be--free to all men who had skill and craft--,i have heard of the trappers10 said ,hal4 8,it seems no sort of life for a wholesome man to live--pulling the string of a bellows1 hammering iron into shoes1 for plough-horses6--no life whatsoever40 ,wesley smiled4 8,ah1 if you but knew aught of the terror of the backwoods10 said he4 8,if you but knew of it--one vast terror--monstrous--incredible4 ,a terror by day and by night4 ,i was used to stand on one of the hills hard by our little settlement1 and look out upon the woods whose skirts ,i could see in the far distance1 and think of their immensity and their mystery4 ,hundreds of miles you might travel through those trackless forests until the hundreds grew into thousands--at last you would come upon-the prairie--hundred and hundreds of miles of savage country--a mighty ocean rolling on to the foot of the ,rocky ,mountains6 ,between the backwoods-and the mountains roll the ,mississippi ,river--the ,ohio1 the ,potomac4 ,would you know what the ,mississippi is like8 ,take the ,thames and the ,severn and the ,wye and the ,tyne and the ,humber--let them roll their combined volume down the one river bed2 the result would be no more than an insignificant tributary of the ,mother of ,waters--the meaning of the name ,mississippi40 ,there was more breathlessness4 ,when ,hal ,holmes broke the silence everyone was startled--everyone stared at him4 8,grand6 grand60 he said in a whisper4 8,and your eyes beheld that wonder of waters1 sir80 ,mr4 ,wesley held up both his hands4 8,i--,i--behold it80 he cried4 8,why1 there is no one in ,england whose eyes have looked upon that great river4 ,had ,i set out to find it ,i should have had to travel for a whole year before reaching it--a year1 even if the forests had opened their arms to receive me1 and the prairie had offered me a path ,i spoke with an ,indian who had seen it1 and ,i spoke with the widows of two men who had gone in search for it4 ,four years had passed without tidings of those men1 and then one of the ,iroquois tribe found a tattered hat that had belonged to one of them1 on the borders of the backwoods1 not a hundred miles from his starting place4 ,of the other nothing has yet been forthcoming4 ,i tell you1 friends1 that ,i was used to let my eyes wander across the plain until they saw that forest1 and they never saw it without forcing me to look upon it as a vast1 monstrous thing--but a living creature--one of those fabled dragons that were said to lie in wait to devour poor wretches that drew nigh to it4 ,nay1 when ,i looked upon it ,i recalled the very striking lines in ,john ,milton's fine epic of ',paradise ,lost'3 ',with head uplift above the wave1 and eyes ,that sparkling blazed2 his other parts besides ,prone on the flood1 extended long and large1 ,lay floating many a rood1--0 8,one must needs be a dweller among the adventurers in ,america in order to understand in its fulness how terrible a monster those backwoods are thought to be4 ,there it stretched1 that awful mass--that monstrous mother of that venomous brood--the huge snakes that lurk in the undergrowth1 the fierce lynx1 the terrible panther1 the wolf and the wildcat4 ,i have heard1 too1 of a certain dragon and the vampire--a huge bat that fans a poor wretch asleep by the gentle winnowing of its leather wings only to drain his life's blood4 ,these are but a few of the brood of the backwoods4 ,who can name them all8 ,the poisonous plants that shoot out seeds with the noise of the discharge of a musket1 the swamps made up of the decay of a thousand years--breathing fevers and agues--the spectre of starvation lurks there unless you have weapons and the skill to use them--fire--they told me of the prairie fires--a blast of flame five miles broad--sometimes twenty miles broad--rushing along driving before it beasts and birds until they drop in sheer exhaustion and become cinders in a minute--these are some of the terrors that dwell in the backwoods1 but worst of all--most fierce--inexorable1 is the ,red ,indian4 ,tongue of man cannot tell the story of their treachery--their torturings4 ,our settlers do not fear to face the beasts of the backwoods--the rattlesnakes--the pestilence of the swamps--the most cruel of these is more merciful than the ,indian40 ,they listened as children listen to a fairy tale1 and they knew that they were hearing the truth4 ,there was not one of them that had not heard something of the story of the founding of the settlement along the coast of the new ,continent1 from the ,bay ,colonies and ,plymouth ,rock in the ,north to ,carolina in the ,south4 ,the spirit of adventure which had given ,drake and ,raleigh their crews from the men of the ,west country gave no signs of dying out among their descendants4 ,they listened and were held in thrall while this man1 who had come among them with something of the reputation of a pioneer--a man boldly striking out a new track for himself1 told them of the perils faced by their countrymen on the other side of that sea which almost rolled to their very doors4 ,he carried them away with him4 ,they breathed with him the perfume of the backwoods and became imbued with the spirit of mystery pervading them4 ,he carried them away simply because he himself was carried away4 ,he felt all that he spoke about2 this was the secret of his power4 ,he could not have made them feel strongly unless by feeling strongly himself4 ,but his aim was not limited to his desire to arouse their interest in the romance of the backwoods4 ,he spoke of the troubles of the young settlement to which he had gone out1 of the bravery of the settlers1 men and women--of the steadfast hope which animated them in facing their anxieties--their dangers4 ,what was the power that sustained them8 ,in one word1 it was faith4 ,without the least suggestion of preaching1 he talked to them of ,faith4 ,he talked as if it was not merely a sentiment--a cold doctrine to be discussed by the aid of logic--nay1 but as a real ,power--a ,power that could move mountains4 ,such as had it had the greatest gift that ,heaven offered to mankind4 ,it was a gift that was offered freely--all could have it1 if they so willed2 and this being so1 how great would be the condemnation of those who refused to accept it6 ,and the people who had eagerly drunk in all that he had to say of the mystery of the backwoods were even more interested when he talked of this other mystery4 ,there had been no dividing line in his subject2 the ,faith of which he was now speaking with all the eloquence of simple language that fell like soft music on their ears1 was a natural part--the most actual part of his story of the great half-known ,west4 ,they listened to him while he discoursed for that marvellous half-hour1 and the prayer that followed seemed also a part--the suitable closing part of that story of trial and trouble and danger rendered impotent by ,faith4 ,surely1 when such a gift could be had for the asking1 they should ask for it4 ,he prayed that the hearts of all who were kneeling might be opened to receive that saving grace of ,faith4 8,hal1 my friend10 said the miller1 when they stood together at the entrance to the lane1 having seen ,mr4 ,wesley drive off with ,jake4 8,hal1 for the first time these sixteen years ,i have seen thee rise from thy supper without searching about for thy pipe60 8,my pipe8 ,list1 old friend1 while ,i tell thee that to pass another such evening ,i would break my pipe into a hundred pieces and never draw a whiff of 'bacca between my teeth10 said ,hal4 8,moreover1 a word in thy ear3 ,i would not have it made public2 ,i'll smoke no more 'bacca that comes to me by a back way4 ,i believe that why ,i didn't smoke this evening was by reason of the feeling that was in me that 'twould be a solemn sin for me to let him have even a sniff of 'bacca that had been run40 ,the miller laughed4 8,why1 ,hal1 he did not preach to us to give the ,preventive men their due10 he said4 8,no1 no4 ,if he had ,i might ha' been the less disposed to do the right thing4 ,but now--well1 no more smuggled 'bacca for me40 8,good3--good--but wherefore this honest resolve1 ,hal ,holmes80 8,i know not4 ,only ,i seem somehow to look at some things in a new light40 8,and that light will not let your tinder be fired over a pipe o' 'bacca that has paid no duty8 ,that's right enough1 but what ,i need to learn from you is the reason of all this40 8,ah1 there you have me1 friend4 ,i can give you no reason for it2 only the notion came over me quite sudden like1 that for ten year ,i had been doing what ,i should ha' turned from1 and ,i made the resolve now to turn now before it was too late4 ,that's all1 and so1 good-night to you1 ,mat1 and ,god bless you4 ,i be to get that shoe on before he starts from ,jake's house i' the morn1 and he said he would start betimes40 ,the miller laughed again1 but very gently1 and held out his hand to the other without a word4 ,it was not until the blacksmith had disappeared down the lane that his friend said in a low voice3 8,it beats me clean4 ,there must be a sort of magic in the man's tongue that it works those wonders4 ,all the time that he was telling us his story o' the woods ,i was making up my mind to be a better man--to have more charity at heart for my fellows--to be easier on such as cannot pay all that they have promised to pay4 ,and now here's ,hal that confesses to the same1 albeit he has never gone further out of the straight track than to puff a pipe that has paid nothing to ,king ,george's purse4 ,and the man gave no preacher's admonition to us1 but only talked o' the forest and such-like wild things4444 ,now1 how did he manage to bring ,faith into such a simple discourse8444 ,oh1 'tis his tongue that has the magic in it6 ,magic1 ,i say2 for how did it come that when he spoke ,i found myself gazing like a child at a picture--a solid1 bright picture o' woods and things8444 ,oh1 'tis true magic1 this--true60 ,,chapter ,v ,oh1 that a man could speak to men in the language of the ,spring60 cried ,mr4 ,wesley1 when his horse stopped unbidden and unchidden and looked over the curved green roof of the hedge across the broad green pasturage beyond4 8,oh1 that my lips could speak that language which every ear can understand and every heart feel6 ,what shall it profit a man to understand if he does not feel--feel--feel8 ,the man who understands is the one who holds in his hand the doctor's prescription4 ,the man who feels is the one who grasps the healing herbs2 and 'tis the ,spring that yields these for all to gather who will40 ,and then1 automatically he took his feet out of the stirrups for greater ease1 and his eyes gazed across the meadow-land which sloped gently upward to the woods where the sunbeams were snared among the endless network of the boughs1 for the season was not advanced far enough to make the foliage dense2 the leaves were still thin and transparent--shavings of translucent emerald--a shade without being shadowy4 ,everything that he saw was a symbol to him4 ,he looked straight into the face of ,nature herself and saw in each of its features something of the ,great ,message to man with which his own heart was filled to overflowing4 ,he was a poet whose imagination saw beneath the surface of everything4 ,he was a physician who could put his finger upon the pulse of ,nature and feel from its faintest flutter the mighty heart which throbbed through the whole creation4 ,what man was there that failed to understand the message of ,nature as he understood it8 ,he could not believe that any should be so dense as to misinterpret it4 ,it was not a book written in a strange tongue2 it was a book made up of an infinite number of pictures1 full of colour that any child could appreciate1 even though it had never learned to read4 ,there was the meadow beyond the hedgerow4 ,it was full of herbs1 bitter as well as sweet4 ,could anyone doubt that these were the symbols of the ,truth2 herbs for the healing of the nations1 and if some of them were bitter to the taste1 were their curative properties the less on this account8 ,nay1 everyone knew that the bitterest herbs were oftentimes the most healing4 ,what a symbol of the ,truth6 ,it was not the dulcet truths that were purifying to the soul of man1 but the harsh and unpalatable4 8,god do so to me and more also if ever ,i should become an unfaithful physician and offer to the poor souls of men only those ,truths that taste sweet in their mouths and that smell grateful to their nostrils60 he cried4 ,and he did not forget himself in the tumult of his thought upon his message4 ,he was not the physician who looked on himself as standing in no need of healing4 8,i have tasted of the bitter medicine myself and know what is its power4 ,oh1 may ,i be given grace to welcome it again should my soul stand in need of it60 ,a lark rose from the grass of the sloping meadow and began its ecstatic song as it climbed its rie ladder upward to the pure blue4 ,he listened to the quivering notes--a bubbling spring of melody babbling and wimpling and gurgling and flitting and fluttering as it fell through the sweet morning air4 8,oh1 marvel of liquid melody60 cried the man1 letting his eyes soar with the soaring bird4 8,what is the message that is thine6 ,what is that message which fills thy heart with joy and sends thee soaring out of the sight of man1 enraptured to the sky8 ,is it a message from the sons of men that thou bear-est to the heavens8 ,is it a message from ,heaven that thou sendest down to earth80 ,a butterfly fluttered up from beyond the hedge1 carrying with it the delicate scent of unseen primroses4 ,it hovered over the moss of the bank for a moment and then allowed itself to be blown like a brown leaf in the breeze in a fantastic course toward the group of harebells that made a faint blue mist over a yard of meadow4 ,he watched its flight4 ,the butterfly had once been taken as an emblem of the immortality of the soul1 he remembered4 ,was it right that it should be thought such a symbol1 he wondered4 ,in latter years it was looked on as an example of all that is fickle and frivolous4 ,was it possible that the ancients saw more deeply into the heart of things--more deeply into the spirit of these forms of ,nature8 8,who can say what wise purpose of the ,creator that gaudy insect may fulfil in the course of its brief existence80 said he4 8,we know that nothing had been made in vain4 ,it may be that it flutters from flower to flower under no impulse of its own1 but guided by the ,master of ,nature1 whose great design would not be complete without its existence4 ,that which we in our ignorance regard as an emblem of all that is vain and light may1 in truth1 be working out one of the gravest purposes of the ,all ,wise40 ,he remained under the influence of this train of thought for some time4 ,then his horse gave a little start that brought back his rider from the realm into which he had been borne by his imagination4 ,he caught up the rein1 slipped his feet into his stirrups1 and perceived that it was the fluttering dress of a girl1 who had apparently sprung from the primrose hollow beyond the hedge1 that had startled the animal4 ,it seemed that the girl herself was also startled2 she stood a dozen yards away1 with her lips parted1 and gave signs of flight a moment before he recognised her as one of the girls who had been at the ,mill the night before--the girl who had been the central figure in the game which his entrance had interrupted4 8,another butterfly--another butterfly60 he said aloud1 raising his hand to salute ,nelly ,polwhele1 who dropped him a curtsey with a faint reply to his 8,good-morning40 ,he pushed his horse closer to her1 saying3 8,a fair morning to you1 my child6 ,you are not a slug-a-bed4 ,have you come for the gathering of mushrooms or primroses8 ,not the latter2 the borders of the ,mill stream must be strewn with them to-day40 8,i am on my way to my home1 sir10 she replied4 8,i set out on my return to the village an hour ago4 ,i should be back in less than another--'tis scarce four mile onward40 8,i remember that you told me you had come from ,porthawn--my destination also4 ,i wished for a chat with you1 but somehow we drifted a long way from ,porthawn--we drifted across the ,atlantic and got lost in the backwoods of ,america40 8,ah1 no1 sir1 not lost10 said the girl4 8,i was a poor guide10 said he4 8,i have only had a glimpse of the backwoods1 and so could only lead you all a rood or two beyond their fringes of maple4 ,the true guide is one that hath been on every forest track and can tell by the tinges on the tree trunk in what direction his feet tend4 ,what a pity 'tis1 my dear1 that we cannot be so guided through this great tangled forest of life that we are travers-4 ing now on to the place of light that is far beyond--a place where there is no darkness--a shelter but no shadow6 ,there1 you see1 ,i begin to preach to the first person whom ,i overtake4 ,that is the way of the man who feels laid upon him the command to preach40 8,it does not sound like preaching1 sir10 said the girl4 8,i would not tire listening to words like that40 8,that is how you know preaching from--well1 from what is not preaching3 you tire of the one1 not of the other80 said he1 smiling down at her4 ,she hung her head4 ,somehow in the presence of this man all her readiness of speech--sharpness of reply--seemed to vanish4 8,i do not say that you have not made a very honest and a very excellent attempt to convey to me what is the impression of many people10 he resumed4 8,but there is a form of preaching of which you can never grow weary4 ,i have been listening to it since our good friend ,hal ,holmes helped me to mount the horse that he had just shod40 8,preaching1 sir80 she said4 8,there are not many preachers hereabouts4 ,parson ,rodney gives us a good ten minutes on ,sunday1 but he does not trouble us on week-days40 8,doth his preaching trouble you on ,sunday1 child8 ,if so1 ,i think more highly of your parson than ,i should be disposed to think1 seeing that ,i have heard nothing about him save that he is the best judge of a game-cock in ,cornwall4 ,but the sermon that makes a listener feel troubled in spirit is wholesome4 ,ah1 never mind that4 ,i tell you that ,i have been listening to sermons all this lovely morning--the sermon of that eminent preacher1 the sun1 to the exhortation of the fields1 the homily of the bursting flowers1 the psalm of the soaring lark1 the parable of the butterfly4 ,i was thinking upon the butterfly when you appeared40 8,you are different from ,parson ,rodney1 if it please you1 sir40 8,it does please me1 my child2 but1 indeed1 ,i am sure that there are worse parsons than those who take part in the homely sports of their parish1 rude though some of these sports may be4 ,i wonder if your ears are open to the speech--the divine music of such a morn as this40 8,i love the morning1 sir--the smell of the flowers and the meadows--the lilt of the birds40 8,you have felt that they bring gladness into our life8 ,i knew that your child's heart would respond to their language--they speak to the heart of such as you4 ,and for myself1 my thought when ,i found myself drinking in of all the sweet things in earth and air and sky--drinking of that overflowing chalice which the morning offered to me--my thought--my yearning was for such a voice as that which ,i heard come from everything about me on this ,spring morning4 ',oh1 that a man might speak to men in the language of this morn6' ,i cried40 ,there was a long pause4 ,his eyes were looking far away from her4 ,he seemed to forget that he was addressing anyone4 ,she1 however1 had not taken her eyes off his face4 ,she saw the light that came into it while he was speaking1 and she was silent4 ,it seemed to her to speak just then would have been as unseemly as to interrupt at one's prayers4 ,but in another moment he was looking at her4 8,you surely are one of the sweet and innocent things of this dewy morn10 said he4 8,and surely you live as do they to the glory of ,god4 ,surely you were meant to join in creation's hymn of glory to the ,creator60 ,she bent her head and then shook it4 8,nay10 said he1 8you will not be the sole creature to remain dumb while the ,creator is revealing ,himself in the reanimation of ,his world after the dark days of ,winter1 when the icy finger which touched everything seemed to be the finger of ,death60 ,his voice had not the inflection of a preacher's4 ,she did not feel as if he were reading her a homily that needed no answer4 ,but what answer could she make8 ,she was1 indeed1 so much a part of the things of ,nature that1 like them1 she could only utter what was in her heart4 ,and what was in her heart except a consciousness of her own unworthiness8 8,ah1 sir10 she murmured1 8only last night had ,i for the first time a sense of what ,i should be40 ,his face lit up again when she spoke4 ,his hands clasped1 mechanically as it seemed4 8,i knew it10 he said in a low voice1 turning away his head4 8,i was assured of it4 ,when my horse cast his shoe ,i felt that it was no mischance4 ,i heard the voice of a little child calling to me through the night4 ,no doubt crossed my mind4 ,i thank ,thee--,i thank ,thee abundantly1 ,o my ,master60 ,then he turned to ,nelly1 saying3 8,child1 my child1 we are going the same way4 ,will you give me permission to walk by your side for the sake of company80 8,nay1 sir1 will not you be weary a-walking80 she said4 8',tis a good three mile to the ,port1 and the road is rough when we leave the valley40 8,three miles are not much10 said he1 dismounting4 8,the distance will seem as nothing when we begin to talk40 8,indeed that is so1 sir10 said she4 8,last night fled on wings while you were telling us the story of the backwoods40 8,it fled so fast that ,i had no time to fulfil my promise to ask you about your friends at ,port-hawn10 said he4 8,that is why ,i am glad of the opportunity offered to me this morning4 ,i am anxious to become acquainted with all sorts and conditions of people4 ,now1 if ,i were to meet one of your neighbours to-day ,i should start conversation by asking him about you4 ,but is there any reason why you should not tell me about yourself80 ,she laughed1 as they set out together1 ,mr4 ,wesley looping his horse's bridle over his arm4 8,there is naught to be told about myself1 sir2 ,i am only the daughter of a fisherman at ,porthawn4 ,i am the least important person in the world40 8',tis not safe1 my child1 to assign relative degrees of importance to people whom we meet10 said he4 8,the most seemingly insignificant is very precious in the sight of the ,master4 ,who can say that the humblest of men or women may not be called upon some day to fulfil a great purpose8 ,have you read history8 ,a very little knowledge of history will be enough to bear out what ,i say4 ,when the ,master calls ,he does not restrict ,himself to the important folk2 ,he says to the humblest1 ',follow ,me and do ,my work--the work for which ,i have chosen thee4' ,god forbid that ,i should look on any of ,god's creatures as of no account4 ,what is in my thought just now is this3 ,how does it come that you1 who are1 as you have told me1 the daughter of a fisherman in a small village far removed from any large city--how does it come that you speak as a person of education and some refinement8 ,should ,i be right to assume that all the folk at your village are as you in speech and bearing80 ,the little flush of vanity that came to her face when he had put his question to her lasted but a few seconds4 ,she shook her head4 8,i have had such advantages--,i do not know if you would look on them as advantages1 sir2 but the truth is that the ,squire's lady and her daughters1 have been kind to me4 ,my father did the ,squire a service a long time ago4 ,his son1 ,master ,anthony1 was carried out to sea in his pleasure boat and there was a great gale4 ,my father was the only man who ventured forth at the risk of his life to save the young gentleman1 and he saved him4 ,they were two days in the channel in an open boat1 and my father was well-nigh dead himself through exhaustion4 ,but the young squire was brought back without hurt4 ,the ,squire and his lady never forgot that service4 ,my father was given money to carry out the plans that he had long cherished of making the port the foremost one for fishing on our coast1 and the ladies had me taught by their own governess1 so that ,i was at the ,court well nigh every day4 ,i know not whether or not it was a real kindness40 8,it was no real kindness if you were thereby made discontented with your home and your friends40 8,yes1 ,mr4 ,wesley2 that is just what came about4 ,i thought myself a deal better than anyone in the village--nay1 than my own father and mother4 ,i had a scorn of those of my neighbours who were ignorant of books and music and the working of embroidery1 and other things that ,i learned with the young ladies4 ,i was unhappy myself1 and ,i knew that ,i made others unhappy40 8,ah1 such things have happened before4 ,but you seemed on good terms with the miller's family and the others who supped last evening at the ,mill4 ,and did not you walk all the way from your village carrying that heavy fish for their entertainment8--our entertainment1 ,i may say1 for ,i was benefited with the others40 ,the girl turned her head away2 she seemed somewhat disturbed in her mind4 ,she did not reply at once1 and it was in a low voice that she said3 8,a year ago ,i--,i--was brought to see that--that--,i cannot tell you exactly how it came about1 sir2 'tis enough for me to say that something happened that made me feel ,i was at heart no different from my own folk1 though ,i had played the organ at church many times when ,mr4 ,havlings was sick and though the young ladies made much of me40 ,mr4 ,wesley did not smile4 ,he was greatly interested in the story which the girl had told to him4 ,had she told him only the first part he would have been able to supply the sequel out of his own experience and knowledge of life4 ,here was this girl1 possessing the charms of youth and vivacity1 indiscreetly educated1 as people would say1 8above her station10 and without an opportunity of mingling on equal terms with any except her own people--how should she be otherwise than dissatisfied with her life8 ,how could she fail to make herself disagreeable to the homely1 unambitious folk with whom she was forced to associate8 ,he had too much delicacy to ask her how it was that she had been brought to see the mistake that she had made in thinking slightingly of her own kin who remained in ignorance of the accomplishments which she had acquired8 ,he had no difficulty in supplying the details which she omitted4 ,he could see this poor1 unhappy girl being so carried away by a sense of her own superiority to her natural surroundings as to presume upon the good nature of her patrons1 the result being humiliation to herself4 8,i sympathise with you with all my heart1 dear child10 he said4 8,but the lesson which you have had is the most important in your education--the most important in the strengthening of your character1 making you see1 ,i doubt not1 that the simple virtues are worthy of being held in far higher esteem than the mere graces of life4 ,your father would shake his head over a boat that was beautifully painted and gilded from stem to stern4 ,would he be satisfied1 do you think1 to go to sea in such a craft on the strength of its gold leaf8 ,would he not first satisfy himself that the painted timbers were made of stout wood8 ',tis not the paint or the gilding that makes a trustworthy boat1 but the timber that is beneath4 ,so it is not education nor graceful accomplishments that are most valuable to a man or woman1 but integrity1 steadfastness of purpose1 content ,these are the virtues that tend to happiness4 ,above all1 the most highly cultivated man or woman is he or she that has cultivated simplicity4 ,i thank you for telling me your story in answer to my enquiry4 ,and now that you have satisfied my curiosity on this point1 it may be that you will go so far as to let me know why it was that you were filling the room in the ,mill with shrieks last evening when ,i entered40 ,,chapter ,,vi ,nelly ,polwhele gave a little jump when ,mr4 ,wesley had spoken4 ,it had come at last4 ,she had done her best to steal away from the explanation which she feared she would have to make to him4 ,but somehow she did not now dread facing it so greatly as she had done in the ,mill4 ,she had heard that the ,reverend ,mr4 ,wesley was severe1 as well as austere4 ,she had heard his ,methodism mocked by the fashionable folk at ,bath1 story after story being told of his daring in rebuking the frivolities of the day4 ,she had believed him to be an unsympathetic curmudgeon of a man1 whose mission it was to banish every joy from life4 ,but now that she had heard his voice1 so full of gentleness--now that his eyes had rested upon her in kindliness and sympathy--now that she had heard him not disdain to spend an hour telling her and her friends that romance of the backwoods1 thrilling them by his telling of it1 her dread of being rebuked by him for her levity was certainly a good deal less than it had been4 ,still she looked uneasily away from him1 and they had taken a good many steps in silence together before she made an attempt to answer him4 ,and even then she did not look at him4 8',twas a piece of folly1 ,i am afraid1 sir10 she said in a low tone4 8,at least you may esteem it folly1 though it did not fail to amuse the good people at the ,mill10 she added in an impulse of vanity not to be resisted4 8,i had no doubt that it was a domestic game10 said he4 8,they were all roaring with laughter4 ,had you heard1 as ,i did1 from without1 the loud laughter of the men and above it the wild1 shrill shrieks1 you would1 ,i am sure1 have been as amazed as ,i was40 ,she laughed now quite without restraint4 8,bedlam--,bedlam--nothing less than ,bedlam it must have seemed to you1 ,mr4 ,wesley10 she said4 8,i will not contend with you as to the appropriateness of your description10 said he1 smiling1 still kindly4 8,the truth is1 sir1 that ,i have just returned from paying my first visit to the ,bath10 said she4 8',twas the greatest event in my simple life4 ,i went to act as dresser to the ,squire's young ladies1 and they were so good as to allow me to see mostly all that there was to be seen1 and to hear all that there was to be heard40 8,what--all8 ,that were a perilous permission that your young ladies gave to you40 8,i know not what is meant by all1 but ,i heard much1 sir2 singers and preachers and players4 ,i was taken to the ,cave of ,harmony for lovely music1 and to the playhouse1 where ,i saw ,mistress ,woffington in one of her merry parts4 ,i was busy telling of this when you entered the ,mill4 ,i was doing my best to shriek like ,mistress ,woffington40 ,she spoke lightly and with a certain assurance1 as though she were determined to uphold her claim to go whithersoever she pleased4 ,she was in a manner disappointed that he did not at once show himself to be shocked4 ,but he heard her and remained silent himself4 ,some moments passed2 but still he did not speak2 he waited4 ,of course she began to excuse herself2 he knew that she would do so4 ,the uneasily confident way in which she had talked of the playhouse had told him that she would soon be accusing herself by her excuses without the need for him to open his lips4 8,you will understand1 sir1 ,i doubt not1 that ,i was but in the position of a servant1 though my ladies treated me graciously2 ,i could not but obey them in all matters10 she said4 8,does your saying that mean that you had some reluctance in going to the playhouse80 he asked her4 8,i was not quite--quite--sure10 she replied slowly4 8,i had heard that the playhouse was a wicked place40 8,and therefore you were interested in it--is that so80 8,but ,i asked myself1 ',would my young ladies go to the playhouse--would the ,squire1 who surely knows a good deal about wickedness1 having lived for so many years in ,london--would the ,squire and his lady allow them to go to the playhouse if there was anything evil in it8'0 8,and so you went and you were delighted with the painted faces on both sides of the stage1 and you have remained unsettled ever since1 so that you must needs do your best to imitate an actress whose shamelessness of living is in everybody's mouth8 ,i know that you imitated this ,woffington woman to your young ladies when you returned warm and excited from the playhouse1 and they laughed hugely at your skill40 ,nelly stood still1 so startled was she at the divination of her companion4 8,how came you to hear that80 she cried4 8,were we not alone in the bedroom8 ,who could have told you so much80 8,and when you returned to your home you were not many hours under its roof before you were strutting about feeling yourself to be decked out in the fine clothes which you had seen that woman wear in the playhouse80 8,you have been talking to someone--was it ,jake ,pullsford8 ,but how could he have known8 ,oh1 sir2 you seem to have in yourself a power equal to that of the water-finder's wand1 only surer by a good measure40 8,and you saw no evil in the playhouse80 he said gently4 8,i do not want to go again1 ,mr4 ,wesley10 she said4 8,but indeed ,i dare not say that ,i saw any of the wickedness that ,i have heard of1 in the theatre40 8,what1 are you not in yourself an example of the evil80 said he4 8,what--,i1 sir8 ,surely not1 ,mr4 ,wesley4 ,whatever you may have heard you could hear nothing against me10 she cried1 somewhat indignantly4 ,her indignation lent her boldness and she turned to him1 saying3 8,i affirm1 sir1 and ,i am not ashamed to do so1 that ,i saw nothing of evil in the playhouse1 and ,i made up my mind that instead of spending my days hidden away in a lonely village far from all the pleasures of life1 ,i would try my fortune as an actress4 ,i believe that ,i have some gift of mimicry--my ladies told me so4 ,why1 sir1 you allowed that my shrieks frightened you outside the ,mill40 8,child1 your feet are on a path perilous10 said he4 8,you were indignant when ,i said that you were in yourself an example of the evil of going to the playhouse4 ,every word that you have spoken since has gone to prove the truth of my assertion4 ,do you say that the unsettling of your mind is no evil due to your visits to the playhouse--the unsettling of your mind1 the discontent at your homely and virtuous surroundings1 the arousing of a foolish vanity in your heart and the determination to take a step that would mean inevitable ruin to such as you--ruin and the breaking of your father's heart80 ,he spoke calmly1 and in his voice there was more than a suggestion of sorrow4 ,she had become pale2 she made an attempt to face him and repel his accusations1 but there was something in his face that took all the strength out of her4 ,she covered her face with her hands and sobbed bitterly4 ,he watched her for some moments1 and then he put a soothing hand upon her arm4 8,nay1 dear child1 be not overcome10 said he4 8,have you not said to me that you have no wish ever to enter the playhouse again8 ,let that be enough4 ,be assured that ,i will not upbraid you for your possession of that innocence which saved you from seeing aught that was wrong in the play or the players4 ,unto the pure all things are pure4 ,unto the innocent all things are harmless4 ,you were born for the glory of ,god4 ,if you let that be your thought day and night your feet will be kept in the narrow way40 ,she caught his hand and held it in both her own hands4 8,i give you my promise10 she cried1 her eyes upon his face2 they were shining all the more brightly through her tears4 8,nay1 there is no need for you to give me any promise10 he said4 8,i will have confidence in your fidelity without any promise40 8,you will have to reckon with me first1 you robber60 ,illustration3 #jjjh ,they both started at the sound of the voice4 ,it came from a scowling man who1 unperceived by them1 had come through a small plantation of poplars on the slope at one side of the road1 and now leaped from the bank1 high though it was1 and stood confronting them4 ,the girl faced him4 8,what do you here1 ,john ,bennet80 she cried4 8,have you been playing the spy as usual80 8,you are one of them that needs to be watched1 my girl10 said he4 8,you know that ,i speak the truth and that is why you feel it the more bitterly4 ,but rest sure that ,i shall watch you and watch you and watch you while ,i have eyes in my head40 ,he was a lank man1 who wore his own red hair tied in a queue4 ,he had eyes that certainly would make anyone feel that the threat which he had uttered to the girl was one that he was well qualified to carry out2 they were small and fierce--the eyes of a fox when its vigilance is overstrained4 ,he kept these eyes fixed upon her for some moments1 and then turned them with the quickness of a flash of light upon ,wesley4 8,i heard what she said and ,i heard what you said1 my gentleman10 said he4 8,you will have faith in her fidelity--the fidelity of ,nelly ,polwhele4 ,i know not who you are that wears a parson's bands2 but parson or no parson ,i make bold to tell you that you are a fool--the biggest fool on earth if you have faith in any promise made by that young woman40 8,sir10 said ,wesley1 8you called me a thief just now4 ,my knowledge of the falsehood of that accusation enables me to disregard any slander that you may utter against this innocent girl40 8,i called you a thief once and ,i shall call you so a second time10 cried the man4 8,you have stolen the love of this girl from me--nay1 'tis no use for you to raise your hand like that4 ,i know you are ready to swear that you said nothing except what a good pastor would say to one of his flock--swear it1 swear it and perjure yourself1 as usual--all of your cloth do it when the ,bishop lays his hands upon their wigs1 and they swear to devote their lives to the souls of their parishes and then hasten to their rectories to get on their hunting boots--their hunting boots that are never off their legs save when they are playing bowls or kneeling--kneeling--ay1 in the cock-pit40 8,silence1 sir60 cried ,wesley4 8,pass on your way and allow us to proceed on ours40 8,i have told your reverence some home truths2 and as for yonder girl1 who has doubtless tricked you as she did me----0 8,silence1 sir1 this instant6 ,you were coward enough to insult a man who you knew could not chastise you1 and now you would slander a girl6 ,there is your way1 sir2 ours is in the other direction40 ,he had his eyes fixed on the man's eyes1 and as he faced him he pointed with his riding whip down the road4 ,the man stared at him1 and then ,nelly saw all the fierceness go out of his eyes4 ,he retreated slowly from ,mr4 ,wesley1 as though he were under the influence of a force upon which he had not previously reckoned4 ,once he put his hands quickly up to his face1 as if to brush aside something that was oppressing him4 ,his jaw fell1 and although he was plainly trying to speak1 no words came from his parted lips4 ,with a slow indrawing of his breath he followed with his eyes the direction indicated by the other's riding whip4 ,a horseman was trotting toward them1 but in the distance4 ,then it was that the man recovered his power of speech4 8,you saw him coming--that emboldened you60 he said4 8,don't fancy that because ,i was a bit dazed that 'twas you who got the better of me4 ,i'll have speech with you anon1 and if you still have faith in that girl----0 ,the sound of the clattering hoofs down the road became more distinct4 ,the man took another quick glance in the direction of the sound1 and then with an oath turned and leapt up to the green bank beside him4 ,he scrambled up to the top and at once disappeared among the trees4 ,wesley and the girl stood watching him1 and when he had disappeared their eyes took the direction that the man's had taken4 ,a gentleman1 splendidly mounted on a roan1 with half a dozen dogs--a couple of sleek spaniels1 a rough sheep dog and three terriers--at his heels1 trotted up4 ,seeing the girl1 he pulled up4 8,hillo1 ,nelly girl60 he cried cheerily1 when she had dropped him a curtsey4 8,hillo6 ,who was he that slunk away among the trees80 8',twas only ,john ,bennet1 if you please1 parson10 said she4 8,it doth not please me10 said he4 8,the fellow is only fit for a madhouse or the county gaol4 ,he looked1 so far as ,i could see1 as if he was threatening you or--,i ask your pardon1 sir2 your horse hid you40 ,when he had pulled up ,mr4 ,wesley had been on the off side of his horse and half a dozen yards apart from the girl2 so that the stranger had no chance of seeing the bands that showed him to be a clergyman4 8,you arrived opportunely1 sir10 he said4 8,i fear if the man had not perceived you coming in the distance1 we might have found ourselves in trouble40 8,what1 did the fellow threaten you8 ,shall ,i set the dogs upon his track8 ,say the word and ,i'll wager you ,king ,george against your sorry skewbald that he'll find himself in trouble before many minutes are over10 cried the stranger4 8,nay1 sir2 the man hath gone and we are unharmed10 said ,wesley4 8,the scoundrel6 ,let me but get him within reach of my whip60 said the other4 8,but the truth is1 ,nelly1 that the fellow is more than half demented through his love for you4 ,and i' faith1 ,i don't blame him4 ,ah1 a sad puss you are1 ,nelly4 ,there will not be a whole heart in the ,port if you do not marry some of your admirers40 ,then he turned to ,wesley1 saying3 8,you are a brother parson1 sir1 ,i perceive1 though ,i do not call your face to mind4 ,are you on your way to take some duty--maybe 'tis for ,josh ,hilliard2 ,i heard that he had a touch of his old enemy4 ,but now that ,i think on't 'twould not be like ,josh to provide a substitute40 8,i have come hither without having a church to preach in1 sir2 my name is ,wesley1 ,john ,wesley40 8,what1 the head of the men we christened ,methodists at ,oxford80 8,the same1 sir4 ,i believe that the name hath acquired a very honourable significance since those days4 ,i hope that we are all good churchmen1 at any rate40 8,i don't doubt it1 ,mr4 ,wesley2 but you will not preach in my church1 sir1 of that you may rest assured40 8,you are frank1 sir2 but pray remember that ,i have not yet asked your permission to do so40 ,the other laughed1 and spoke a word or two to his horse1 who was becoming impatient and was only controlled with difficulty4 8,a fair retort1 ,mr4 ,wesley--a fair retort1 sir10 he said4 8,i like your spirit2 and by my word1 ,i have a sort of covert admiration for you4 ,i hear that none can resist your preaching--not even a ,bishop4 ,you have my hearty sympathy and good will1 sir1 but ,i will not go to hear you preach4 ,the truth is that you are too persuasive1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 and ,i cannot afford to be persuaded to follow your example4 ,i find the ,church a very snug nest for a younger son with simple country tastes and a rare knowledge of whist2 ,i am a practical man1 sir1 and my advice upon occasion has healed many a feud between neighbours4 ,i know a good horse and ,i ride straight to hounds4 ,in the cockpit my umpiring is as good law as the ,attorney ,general could construe for a fee of a thousand guineas4 ,ask anyone in this county what is his opinion of ,parson ,rodney and you will hear the truth as ,i have told it to you4 ,i wish you luck1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 but ,i will not countenance your preaching in my church2 nor will ,i hear you1 lest ,i should be led by you to reform my ways1 as ,i suppose you would say2 ,i am a younger son1 and a younger son cannot afford to have doubts on the existing state of things1 when the living that he inherits is of the net value of eight hundred pounds per annum4 ,so fare you well1 sir1 and ,i beg of you not to make my flock too discontented with my ten-minute sermons4 ,they should not be so1 seeing that my sermons are not mine2 but for the most part ,doctor ,tillotson's--an excellent divine1 sir--sound--sound and not above the heads of our gaffers4 ,fare thee well1 ,nelly2 break as few hearts as thy vanity can do with40 ,and ,parson ,rodney1 smiling gallantly1 and waving his whip gracefully1 whistled to his dogs1 and put his roan to the trot for which he was eager4 8,an excellent type10 murmured ,wesley4 8,alas6 but too good a type4 ,plain1 honest1 a gentleman2 but no zeal1 no sense of his responsibility for the welfare of the souls entrusted to his keeping40 ,he stood for some time watching the man on the thoroughbred4 ,then he turned to ,nelly ,polwhele1 saying3 8,we were interrupted in our pleasant chat2 but we have still three miles to go4 ,tell me what the people think of ,parson ,rodney40 8,they do not think aught about him1 ,mr4 ,wesley2 they all like him3 he never preaches longer than ten minutes40 8,a right good reason for their liking of him--as good a reason as he had for liking the ,church2 it doth not exact overmuch from him1 and it saves him from sponging on his friends4 ,the ,church of ,england has ever been an indulgent mother40 ,,chapter ,,vii ,such a sight had never been seen in ,cornwall before3 on this ,sunday morning an hour after sunrise every road leading to the village of ,porthawn had its procession of men1 women1 and children1 going to hear the preacher4 ,the roads became dusty1 as dry roads do when an army of soldiers passes over them2 and here was an army of soldiers along1 with its horse and foot and baggage-waggons--such an army as had never been in the ,west since the days of ,monmouth's ,rebellion2 and this great march was the beginning of another rebellion1 not destined to fail as the other had failed4 ,without banners1 without arms1 with no noise1 with no shoutings of the captains1 this great force marched to fight--to take part in an encounter that proved more lasting in its effects than any recorded in the history of ,england since the days of the ,norman ,invasion4 ,the ,cornish crowds did not know that they were making history4 ,the people had heard rumours of the preacher who had awakened the people of ,somersetshire from their sleep of years1 and who1 on being excluded from the churches which had become ,sabbath dormitories1 had gone to the fields where all was wakefulness1 and had here spoken to the hearts of tens of thousands4 ,the reports that spread abroad by the employment of no apparent agency must have contained some element that appealed with overwhelming power to the people of the ,west4 ,the impulse that drove quiet folk from their homes and induced them to march many miles along dusty roads upon the morning of the only day of the week that gave them respite from toil was surely stronger than mere curiosity4 ,they did not go into the wilderness to see a reed shaken by the wind4 ,there was a seriousness of purpose and a sincerity about these people which must have been the result of a strong feeling among them that the existing order of things was lacking in some essentials--that the ,church should become a stimulating force to them who were ready to perish1 and not remain the apathetic force that it was when at its best1 the atrophying influence that it was when at its worst4 ,that the ground was ready for the sowing was the opinion of ,wesley1 though few signs had been given to him to induce this conclusion1 but that he had not misinterpreted the story of the ,valley of ,dry ,bones was proved by the sight of the multitudes upon the roads--upon the moorland sheep-tracks--upon the narrow lanes where the traffic was carried on by pack-horses4 ,there they streamed in their thousands4 ,farmers with their wives and children seated on chairs in their heavy waggons1 men astride of everything that was equine--horses and mules and asses--some with their wives or sisters on the pillion behind them1 but still more riding double with a friend4 ,on the wayside were some who were resting1 having walked seven or eight or ten miles1 and had seen the sun rise over the hills on that scented ,spring morning4 ,some were having their breakfast among the primroses under the hedges1 some were smoking their pipes before setting forth to complete their journey4 ,mothers1 were nursing their infants beneath the pink and white coral of the hawthorns4 8',tis a fair10 said ,hal ,holmes to his friend1 ,dick ,pritchard1 who was seated by his side in a small pony cart made by himself during the winter4 8,salvation ,fair10 hazarded the water-finder4 8,salvation ,fair ,i would call it if only ,i was bold enough40 ,the smith shook his head4 8,that is how it will be styled by many1 ,i doubt not10 he said4 8,and being as it must be1 a strange mixture of the two--a church-going and a fairgoing--,i have my fears that 'twill fall 'twixt the two4 ,if the thing was more of a failure 'twould be a huge success4 ,you take me1 ,dick80 8,only vague1 ,hal--only vague1 man10 replied the water-finder1 after a long cogitating pause4 8,when you spake the words there came a flash upon me like the glim from the lanthorn when 'tis opened sudden4 ,i saw the meaning clear enough like as 'twere a stretch of valley on an uneven night of moonlight and cloud4 ,seemed as if there was a rift in your discourse and the moon poured through4 ,but then the clouds fled across and ,i walk in the dark4 ,say 't again1 ,hal1 and it may be that 'twill be plain4 ,i have oft thought that your speech lit up marvellous well40 ,the blacksmith grinned4 8,maybe that is by reason of my work with the forge10 he said4 8,the furnace is black enough until ,i give it a blast with the bellows and then 'tis a very ruby stone struck wi' lightning40 8,maybe--ay1 very likely10 said the little man doubtfully4 ,the smith grinned again4 8,you don't altogether see it with my eyes1 friend10 he said4 8,how could you1 ,dick1 our trades being natural enemies the one to t'other8 ,my best friend is fire1 yours is water4 ,but what was on my mind this moment was the likelihood that the light-hearted may be fain to treat this great serious field gathering as though it were no more than a fair4 ,now1 ,i say still that if 'twas no more than a gathering together of two or three parishes none would think of it in light of a fair1 but being as 'tis--a marvel of moving men and women--why1 then1 there may be levity and who knows what worse40 8,ay1 it looks as if the carcase of the hills was alive and moving with crawling maggots10 remarked ,dick4 ,the summit of the hill on the road had been reached1 and thus a view was given him and his companion of the hollow in the valley beyond1 which was black with the slow-moving procession4 ,and there were many who1 while anxious for the success of the meeting1 shared ,hal ,holmes's fears and doubts as to its result4 ,what impression could one man make upon so vast an assembly in the open air1 they asked of each other4 ,they shook their heads4 ,these were the sober-minded people who sympathised with the aims of the preacher--,god-fearing men and women to whom his hopes had been communicated4 ,they knew that hundreds in that procession on the march to the meeting-place were no more serious than they would be had they been going to a fair4 ,they were going to meet their friends1 and they were impelled by no higher motives than those which were the result of the instinct of the gregarious animals4 ,many of them lived far away from a town or even a village1 in the wilder parts of the ,duchy1 and they laid hold on an opportunity that promised to bring them in contact with a greater crowd than they had ever joined before4 ,the joy of being one of the crowd was enough for them2 the preaching was only an insignificant incident in the day's proceedings4 ,the sober-minded1 knowing this1 were afraid that in these people the spirit of levity might be aroused1 especially if they could not hear the words of the preacher1 and the consequences would be disastrous4 ,and doubtless there were hundreds of the dwellers along the coast who would have been pleased if grief came to an enterprise that threatened their employment as smugglers or the agents of smugglers4 ,smuggling and wrecking were along the coast1 and pretty far inland as well1 regarded as a legitimate calling4 ,almost everyone participated in the profits of the contraband1 and the majority of the clergy would have been very much less convivial if they had had to pay the full price for their potations4 ,preaching against such traffic would have been impolitic as well as hypocritical1 and the clergy were neither4 ,the parson who denounced his congregation for forsaking the service on the news of a wreck reaching the church was1 probably1 a fair type of his order4 ,his plea was for fair play4 8,let us all start fair for the shore1 my brethren40 ,such men had a feeling that the man who had come to preach to the multitude would be pretty sure to denounce their fraud2 or if he did not actually denounce it he might have such an influence upon their customers as would certainly be prejudicial to the trade4 ,this being so1 how could it be expected that they should not look forward to the failure of the mission8 ,and there was but a solitary man to contend against this mixed multitude6 ,there was but one voice to cry in that wilderness--one voice to awaken those who slept4 ,the voice spoke1 and its sound echoed round the wide world4 ,he stood with bared head1 with a rock for his pulpit1 on a small plateau overlooking a long stretch of valley4 ,on each side there was an uneven1 sloping ground--rocks overgrown with lichen1 and high tufts of coarse herbage between1 with countless blue wild flowers and hardy climbing plants4 ,the huge basin formed by the converging of the slopes made a natural amphitheatre1 where ten thousand people might be seated4 ,behind were the cliffs1 and all through the day the sound of the sea beating around their bases mingled with the sound of many voices4 ,a hundred feet to the west there hung poised in its groove the enormous rocking stone of ,red ,tor4 ,perhaps amongst the most distant of his hearers there was one who might never again have an opportunity of having the word that awakens spoken in his hearing4 ,there might be one whose heart was as the ground in ,summer--waiting for the seed to be sown that should bring forth fruit1 sixtyfold or an hundredfold4 ,that was what the man thought as he looked over the vast multitude4 ,he felt for a moment overwhelmed by a sense of his responsibility4 ,he felt that by no will of his own he had been thrust forward to perform a miracle1 and he understood clearly that the responsibility of its performance rested with him4 ,for a moment the cry of the overwhelmed was in his heart4 8,it is too much that is laid upon me40 ,for a moment he experienced that sense of rebellion which in a supreme moment of their lives--the moment preceding a great achievement for the benefit of the world--takes possession of so many of the world's greatest1 and which has its origin in a feeling of humility4 ,it lasted but for a moment4 ,then he found that every thought of his mind--every sense of his soul--was absorbed by another and greater force4 ,he had a consciousness of being possessed by a ,power that dominated every sensation of his existence4 ,that ,power had thrust him out from himself as it were1 and he felt that he was standing by wondering while a voice that he did not know to be his own went forth1 and he knew that it reached the most remote of the people before him4 ,it was like his own voice heard in a dream4 ,for days there had been before his eyes the vision that had come to the prophet--the vision of the ,valley of ,dry ,bones4 ,he had seemed to stand by the side of the man to whom it had been revealed4 ,he had always felt that the scene was one of the most striking that had ever been depicted2 but during the week it was not merely its mysticism that had possessed him4 ,he felt that it was a real occurrence taking place before his very eyes4 ,and now he was standing on his rock looking all through that long valley1 and he saw--not the thousands of people who looked up to him1 but ranks upon ranks and range upon range of dead men's bones1 bleaching in the sunshine--filling up all the hollows of the valley forsaken of life1 overhung by that dread legend of a battle fought so long ago that its details had vanished4 ,there they stretched1 hillocks of white bones--ridges of white bones--heaps upon heaps4 ,the winds of a thousand years had wailed and shrieked and whistled1 sweeping through the valley1 the rains of a thousand years had been down upon them--hail and snow had flung their pall of white over the whiteness of the things that lay there1 the lightnings had made lurid the hollow places in the rocks1 and had rent in sunder the overhanging cliffs--there was the sign of such a storm--the tumbled tons of black basalt that lay athwart one of the white hillocks--and on nights of fierce tempest the white foam from the distant sea had been borne through the air and flung in quivering flakes over cliffs and into chasm--upon coarse herbage and the blue rock flowers4 ,but some nights were still4 ,the valley was canopied with stars4 ,and there were nights of vast moonlight1 and the white moonlight spread itself like a great translucent lake over the white deadness of that dreary place4444 ,the man saw scene after scene in that valley as in a dream4 ,and then there came a long silence1 and out of that silence he heard the voice that said3 8,can these dead bones live80 ,there was another silence before the awful voice spoke the command3 8,let these bones live60 ,through the moments of silence that followed1 the sound of the sea was borne by a fitful breeze over the cliff face and swept purring through the valley4 ,then came the moment of marvel4 ,there was a quivering here and there--something like the long indrawing of breath of a sleeper who has slept for long but now awakens--a slow heaving as of a giant refreshed1 and then in mysterious1 dread silence1 with no rattling of hollow skeleton limbs1 there came the great moving among the dry bones1 and they rose up1 an exceeding great army4 ,life had come triumphant out of the midst of ,death4 ,that was what the voice said4 ,the whole valley1 which had been silent an hour before1 was now vibrating1 pulsating with life--the tumult of life which flows through a great army--every man alert1 at his post in his rank--waiting for whatever might come--the advance of the enemy1 the carrying out of the strategy of the commander4 ,life had come triumphant out of the midst of death1 and who would dare now to say that the deepest spiritual life might not lie hidden from sight among the bleaching heaps of dead bones that strewed the valley from cliffy to cliffs--hidden but only waiting for the voice to cry aloud3 8,let these bones live60 8,oh1 that that ,dread ,voice would speak through me60 cried the preacher4 ,that was the first time he became conscious of the sound of his own voice1 and he was startled4 ,he had heard that other voice speaking1 carrying him away upon the wings of its words down through the depths of that mystic valley1 but now all was silent and he was standing with trembling hands and quivering lips1 gazing out over no valley of mystery alive with a moving host1 but over a ,cornish vale of crags2 and yet there beneath his eyes were thousands of faces1 and they looked like the faces of such as had been newly awakened after a long sleep--dazed--wondering--waiting4444 ,he saw it4 ,the great awakening had come to these people1 and now they were waiting--for what8 ,he knew what he had to offer them4 ,he knew what was the message with which he had been entrusted--the good news which they had never heard before4 ,and he told it with all simplicity1 in all humility1 in all sincerity--the evangel of boundless love--of illimitable salvation1 not from the wrath to come--he had no need to speak of the ,day of ,wrath--his theme wras the ,day of ,grace--salvation from the distrust of ,god's mercy--salvation from the doubts1 from the cares of the world1 from the lethargy that fetters the souls of men1 from the gross darkness and from the complacency of walking in that darkness4 ,he let light in upon their darkness and he forced them to see the dangers of the dark1 and1 seeing1 they were overwhelmed4 ,for the first time these people had brought before their eyes the reality of sin--the reality of salvation4 ,they had had doctrines brought before them in the past1 but the tale of doctrines had left them unmoved4 ,they had never felt that doctrines were otherwise than cold1 impassioned utterances4 ,doctrines might have been the graceful fabrics that clothed living truths1 but the truth had been so wrapped up in them that it had remained hidden so far as they were concerned4 ,they had never caught a glimpse of the living reality beneath4 ,but here was the light that showed them the living thing for which they had waited1 and the wonder of the sight overwhelmed them4 ,the voice of the preacher spoke to them individually4 ,that was the sole mystery of the preaching--the sole magnetism 7as it has been called7 of the preacher4 ,and that was the sole mystery of the manifestation that followed4 ,faces were streaming with tears1 knees were bowed in prayer2 but there were other temperaments that were forced to give expression to their varied feelings--of wonder1 of humiliation1 of exultation4 ,these were not to be controlled4 ,there were wild sobbings1 passionate cries1 a shout or two of thanksgiving1 an outburst of penitence--all the result of the feelings too strong to be controlled1 and all tokens of the new life that had begun to pulsate in that multitude--all tokens that the ,valley which had been strewn with dry bones had heard the voice that said3 8,let these dry bones live40 ,there was a great moving among the dry bones1 and they stood up1 an exceeding great army4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,his preaching had ceased1 but the note that he had struck continued to vibrate through the valley4 ,he had spoken with none of the formality of the priest who aims at keeping up a certain aloofness from the people4 ,this ,mr4 ,wesley had spoken as brother to brother1 and every phrase that he uttered meant the breaking down of another of the barriers which centuries had built up between the pulpit and the people4 ,they proved that they felt this to be so when he came among them4 ,warm hands were stretched out to meet his own--words of blessing were ejaculated by such as were able to speak2 but infinitely more eloquent were the mute expressions of the feeling of the multitude4 ,some there were who could not be restrained from throwing themselves upon his shoulders1 clasping him as if he had indeed been their brother from whom they had been separated for long2 others caught his hands and kissed them4 ,tears were still on many faces1 and many were lighted up with an expression of rapture that transfigured their features4 ,he made no attempt to restrain any of the extravagances to which that hour had given birth4 ,he knew better than to do so4 ,he had read of the extravagant welcome given by the people of a town long besieged to the envoys who brought the first news of the approach of the relieving force1 and he knew that he was there as an envoy to tell the people about him of their release4 ,he had himself witnessed the reception given to the ,king's ,posts that brought the tidings of the last peace1 and he knew that he himself was a ,king's ,messenger1 bearing to these people the tidings of ,peace and ,goodwill4 ,he had a word of kindness and comfort and advice to all4 ,he was an elder brother1 talking to the members of his own family on equal terms4 ,but soon he left the side of these new-found brethren1 for his eyes had not failed to see some who were sitting apart among the low crags--some in silent dejection1 bearing the expression of prisoners for whom no order of release has come1 though they had seen it come for others4 ,but all were not silent3 many were moaning aloud with ejaculations of despair4 ,in the joy that had been brought to their friends they had no share4 ,nay1 the message that had brought peace to others had brought despair to them4 ,they had been happy enough before1 knowing nothing of or caring nothing for1 the dangers that surrounded them in the darkness1 and the letting in of the light upon them had appalled them4 ,he was beside them in a moment1 questioning them1 soothing their fears1 removing their doubts1 whispering a word or two of prayer in their ears4 ,jake1 the carrier1 had been right3 the preacher had balm for the wounds of those who suffered4 ,he went about among them for hours1 not leaving the side of any who doubted until their doubts had been removed and they shared the happiness that the ,great ,message brought with it4 ,but the evangel had arisen upon that valley as the ,daystar1 with healing in its wings4 ,when the multitude dispersed1 the church bells were making melody over the hills and through the dales4 ,the ,reverend ,mr4 ,wesley was a good churchman1 and he took care that his preaching did not interfere with the usual services4 ,his object was to fill the churches with devout men1 and not merely the body of the churches1 but the pulpits as well4 ,for himself1 he withdrew from his friends and walked slowly up one of the tracks leading to the summit of the cliffs a few miles beyond the village of ,porthawn4 ,he wished to be alone1 for amid all his feelings of thankfulness for the good which he knew had been done through his preaching1 there came to him a doubt4 ,had he been faithful in his delivery of the ,message8 ,had he yielded up everything of self to the service of the ,master8 ,had he said a word that might possibly become a stone of stumbling to the feet that had just set out upon the narrow way8 ,that was the fear which was ever present with him--the possibility that the ,message had failed in its power by reason of his frailty in delivering it--the possibility that he might attribute to himself some of the merit of the ,message4 ,the hours which he passed in loneliness almost every day of his life1 the solitary rides covering thousands of miles1 his long walks without a companion1 were devoted to self renunciation4 ,he was more afraid of himself than of any enemy from without4 ,he sometimes found himself in such a frame of mind as caused him to admire the spirit that led the priests of the heathen beliefs in the ,east to torture and mutilate themselves in the attainment of what appeared to them to be holiness4 ,he knew that their way was not the right way1 and the object which they strove to achieve was not a worthy one2 but he could not deny the self-sacrifice and its value4 ,yes1 but was it not possible that self-sacrifice might1 if performed ostentatiously1 become only another form of self-glorification8 ,it was only now that this thought flashed upon him4 ,he had walked along the cliff path for a mile or two1 and soon became aware of the pangs of hunger4 ,it was nothing for him to set out to preach without having more than a bite or two of bread1 and to go fasting until the afternoon4 ,he had never regarded this as an act of self-sacrifice4 ,but how had he felt when some of his friends had made much of these facts1 entreating him to be more mindful of his health8 ,had he not felt a certain pride in thinking that his health was regarded as important8 ,and now1 when he should return to the house where he was a guest--it was the house of a ,mr4 ,hartwell1 the owner of a mine in the tin district some distance from ,porthawn--would not his hours of fasting preceding and following the exertion of preaching to so great a multitude in the open air make him appear akin to a martyr in the eyes of the people with whom he might come in contact8 ,nay1 could he deny that he felt some vanity in the reflection that here again he would be seriously remonstrated with for his disregard of himself8 ,even his orderly mind was unable to differentiate between the degrees of self-sacrifice and self-satisfaction involved in this simple question of fasting and eating1 and he was troubled that his attempts to do so were not wholly successful4 ,it was like the man that1 in his hours of exhaustion1 he should be dissatisfied with what was really the result of his exhaustion4 ,this trivial self-examination was1 though he did not know it1 only the result of his neglect of the wants of his body4 ,yes1 but this fact did not make it the less worrying to him4 ,he had been led by the charm of the day to walk farther than he had intended1 and he was so exhausted that he found it necessary to rest in a dip of the cliffs above the little bay4 ,on each side of him stretched the broken shore1 a short crescent patch of sand at every dip in that long1 uneven wall1 and marking the outline of its curve was the white floss of the lazy ripples4 ,behind him was the coarse sand-herbage of the broken shore1 and in front of him stretched the sea4 ,a white bird or two hovered between the waters and the cliff summit1 and far away a revenue cutter showed its white sails4 ,sunlight was over all4 ,the warm air seemed imbued with the presence of ,god1 which all might breathe and become at peace with all the world4 ,it came over the face of the waters1 upon the face of the man who reclined upon a cushion of springy herbage that quite hid the shape of the rock at whose base it found root4 ,the feathery touch upon his brow soothed him as a mother's hand soothes her child and banishes its distrust4 ,he lay there and every doubt that had oppressed him vanished4 ,he was weary and hungry1 but he felt that the grace of heaven was giving him food in the strength of which he might wander in the wilderness for forty days4 ,he closed his eyes and with the faint hum of the little bees that droned among the blue cliff-flowers1--with the faint wash of the ripples upon the unnumbered pebbles of the beach--a sweet sleep crept over him4 ,when he awoke it was not with a start1 but as gently as he had fallen asleep4 ,for a moment he had a fear that he had overslept himself4 ,he turned to look at the sun and saw standing only half a dozen yards away the girl by whose side he had walked a few mornings before to the village4 ,the picture that she made to his eyes was in keeping with the soothing sights and sounds of this placid day4 ,she wore a white kirtle and cap1 but the latter had failed to restrain the abundant hair which showed itself in little curls upon her forehead1 and in long strands of sunshine over her ears and behind them4 ,she was pleasant to look at--as pleasant as was everything else of nature on this day2 and he looked at her with pleased eyes for some time before speaking4 ,as for ,nelly1 she was not watching him2 but he could see that she had seen him2 she had only turned away lest he should have a man's distaste to be caught sleeping in the daytime4 ,he perceived this the moment that he spoke and she turned to him4 ,the little start that she gave was artificial4 ,it made him smile4 8,i am at your mercy2 but you will not betray my weakness to anyone10 he said1 smiling at her4 8,oh1 sir60 she cried1 raising her hands4 8,you saw me sleeping4 ,i hope that 'twas not for long10 he said4 8,i did not come hither more than five minutes agone1 sir10 she replied4 8,you cannot have slept more than half an hour4 ,i came to seek you after the preaching40 8,you have not been at your church1 girl80 he said4 8,i was at your church1 ,mr4 ,wesley4 ,i like ,parson ,rodney4 ,i did not go to his church40 ,he shook his head4 8,i like not such an answer1 child4',twould grieve me to learn that there were many of my hearers who would frame the same excuse40 ,she hung her head4 8,i am sorry1 sir10 she said4 8,it was my intent to go to ,parson ,rodney's church1 if only to see how vast a difference there was 'twixt--that is--,i mean1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 that--that my intention was to be in church1 only when ,i saw that you had wended your way alone through the valley1 not going in the direction of ,mr4 ,hartwell's house1 but far away from it--what could one do1 sir1 who knew that you could not have had a bite to eat since early morning--and after such a preaching and an after-meeting that filled up another fasting hour8 ',he has no one to look after him1' said my mother in my ear4 ',he is a forlorn man who thinks that he is doing ,god's service by forgetting that his body must be nourished if his soul is to remain sound4'0 8,that is what your mother said--'tis shrewd enough4 ,and what did you reply8 ,mind that the answer hath a bearing upon your staying away from church1 ,nelly40 8,i said naught1 ,mr4 ,wesley2 but what ,i did was to hurry to our home and pack you a basket of humble victuals and--here it is40 ,she picked up a reed basket from the grass and brought it beside him4 ,kneeling then on a stone she raised the lid and showed him a dish of cooked pilchards1 some cakes of wheat bread and a piece of cream cheese laid on a pale green lettuce4 ,she had spread the coarsest and whitest napkin he had ever seen on the face of the crag at his elbow1 and with the air of a bustling housewife laid a plate and knife and fork for him1 talking all the time--reproving him quite gravely and even severely for his inattention to his stomach--there was no picking and choosing of words in ,cornwall or elsewhere during that robust century4 ,she gave him no chance of defending himself1 but rattled on upbraiding him as if he had been a negligent schoolboy1 until she had laid out his picnic for him1 and had spread the butter on one of the home-made cakes1 saying3 8,there1 now1 you must not get upon your feet until you have put down all that is before you4 ,if you was to make the attempt to do so your long fast would make you so faint that you would run a chance of tottering over the cliff40 ,he saw that there was no need for him to say a word4 ,what could he say in the face of such attention to his needs as the girl was showing8 8,i submit with a good grace1 my dear10 he said when her work was done and she paused for breath4 8,why should not ,i submit8 ,i am1 as you said1 weak by reason of hunger1 and lo1 a table is spread for me with such delicacies as would tickle the appetite of a man who has just partaken of a heavy meal1 and ,i am not that man4 ,happier than the prophet1 ,i am fed not by ravens1 but by a white dove40 8,oh1 sir10 she said1 her face shining with pleasure4 8,oh1 sir1 ,i protest that even in the genteelest society at the ,bath1 ,i never had so pretty a compliment paid to me40 ,he had paid his compliment to her in a delicate spirit of bantering1 so as to make no appeal to her vanity1 and he saw that her pleasure was not the result of gratified vanity4 8,but concerning yourself1 my dear10 he cried when he had his fork in his hand1 but had as yet touched nothing4 8,if ,i was fasting you must be also40 8,what1 sir1 did ,i omit to say that ,i returned to my home after your preaching80 she said4 8,oh1 yes2 ,i got the basket there and the pilchards4 ,my father despises pilchards1 but ,i hope that you----0 8,i ama practical man1 ,nelly1 and ,i know1 without the need to make a calculation on paper1 that you could not be more than a few minutes in your cottage1 and that all that time was spent by you over my basket4 ,i know such as you--a hasty mouthful of cake and a spoonful of milk and you say1 ',i have dined4' ,now ,i doubt much if you had so much as a spoonful of milk1 and therefore ,i say that unless you face me at this table of stone1 ,i will eat nothing of your store2 and ,i know that that would be the greatest punishment ,i could inflict upon you4 ,take your place1 madam1 at the head of the table40 ,she protested4 8,nay1 sir1 ,i brought not enough for two--barely enough to sustain one that is a small feeder until he has the opportunity of sitting down to a regular meal40 8,i have spoken10 he said4 8,i need but a bite6 ,oh1 the long fasting journeys that ,i have had within the year60 ,she still hesitated1 but when1 at last1 she seated herself1 she did not cause him to think that he had made her feel ill at ease2 she adapted herself to the position into which he had forced her1 from the moment she sat opposite to him4 ,she forgot for the time that he was the preacher on whom thousands of men and women had hung a couple of hours before1 and that she1 if she had not been with him1 would have been eating in a fisherman's cottage4 ,she had acquired1 through her association with the ,squire's young ladies1 something of their manners4 ,her gift of quick observation was allied to a capacity to copy what she observed1 and being1 womanlike1 well aware of this fact1 she had no reason to feel otherwise than at ease while she ate her share of the pilchards1 and made him feel all the time that she was partaking of his hospitality4 ,as for the preacher1 he felt the girl's thoughtfulness very deeply4 ,it seemed that she was the only one of the thousands who had stood before him that had thought for his needs4 ,her tact and the graceful way in which she displayed it1 even down to her readiness to sit with him lest he should feel that she was remaining hungry1 pleased him2 and her chat1 abounding with shrewdness1 was gracefully frank4 ,he felt refreshed beyond measure by her freshness1 and he rose to walk to the house where he was a guest1 feeling that it was1 indeed1 good for him to have changed the loneliness of his stroll for the companionship which she offered him4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,the question had often been discussed by him to the furthest point possible 7as he thought7 for its consideration to be extended2 and how was it that he found himself debating it at this time in its crudest form8 ,he had long ago settled it to his own satisfaction1 that his life was to be a lonely one through the world4 ,not for him were to be the pleasant cares of home or wife or child4 ,not for him was the tenderness of woman--not for him the babble of the little lips1 every quiver of which is a caress4 ,his work was sufficient for him1 he had often said1 and the contemplation of the possibility of anything on earth coming between him and his labours1 filled him with alarm4 ,he felt that if he were to cease to be absorbed in his work1 he should be unfaithful to his trust4 ,the only one that was truly faithful was the one who was ready to give up all to follow in the footsteps of the ,master4 ,but being human and full of human sympathy1 he had often felt a moment's envy entering the house of one of his friends who was married and become the father of children4 ,the hundred little occurrences incidental to a household1 where there was a nursery and a schoolroom1 were marked by him--the clambering of little chubby legs up to the father's knee--the interpretation of the latest phrase that fell from baby lips--the charm of golden silk curls around an innocent child's face--all these and a score of other delights associated with the household had appealed to him1 giving him an hour's longing at the time1 and a tender recollection at intervals in after years4 8,not for me--not for me10 he had said4 ,so jealous was he of his work that1 as has been noted1 the possibility of his becoming absorbed--even partially--by anything that was not directly pertaining to his work1 was a dread to him4 ,he set himself the task of crushing down within him every aspiration that might tend to interfere with the carrying out of the labour of his life1 and he believed that1 by stern and strict endeavour1 he had succeeded in doing so4 ,then why should he now find himself considering the question which he believed he had settled forever8 ,why should he now begin to see that the assurance that it was not good for a man to be alone was based upon a knowledge of men and was wise8 ,he found an apt illustration of the wisdom of the precept in the conduct of the girl who had shown such thoughtfulness in regard to him4 8,mentem mortalia tangunt10 was the sors ,virgiliana which came to his mind at the moment4 ,he recognised the truth of it4 ,a man was affected by the material conditions of his life4 ,if the girl had not shown such thought for his comfort1 he would well-nigh have been broken down by his exhausting labours of the day1 followed up by an exhausting walk along the cliffs4 ,he might not have returned to the house at which he was staying in time to dine1 before setting out for a long drive to another place for an afternoon's meeting4 ,so absorbed was he apt to be in his preaching that he became oblivious to every consideration of daily life4 ,what were to him such trivial matters as eating and drinking at regular intervals8 ,he neglected the needs of his body1 and only when he had suffered for so doing did he feel that his carelessness was culpable4 ,on recovering from its' immediate effects1 however1 he fell back into his old habits4 ,but now the thought that came to him was that he had need for someone to be by his side as 7for example7 ,nelly ,polwhele had been4 ,he knew quite well1 without having had the experience of married life1 that if he had had a wife1 he would not have been allowed to do anything so unwise as to walk straight away from the preaching to the cliffs1 having eaten nothing since the early morning1 and then only a single cake of bread4 ,a good wife would have drawn him away from the people to whom he was talking1 to the house where he was a guest1 and when there have set about providing for him the food which he lacked and the rest which he needed to restore him after his arduous morning's work1 so that he might set out for the afternoon's preaching feeling as fresh as he had felt in the morning4 ,he was grateful to the girl1 not only for her attention to him1 but also for affording him an illustration favourable to his altered way of looking at a question which he fancied had long ago been settled forever in his mind4 7,he had long ago forgiven the woman1 who1 in ,america1 had taught him to believe that a life of loneliness is more conducive to one's peace of mind than a life linked to an unsympathetic companion47 ,and having been led to such a conclusion1 it was only reasonable that he should make a resolution that1 if he should ever be so fortunate as to meet with a virtuous lady whom he should find to possess those qualities which promised most readily to advance the work which he had at heart1 he would not be slow to ask her to be his companion to such an end4 ,this point settled to his satisfaction 7as he thought71 he mounted his horse1 after a week's stay in the valley of the ,lana1 and made his way to the tinners of ,camlin1 twenty miles further along the coast ,here he was received with open arms1 and preached from his rock pulpit to thousands of eager men and women an hour after sunrise on a summer morning4 ,on still for another fortnight1 in wilder districts1 among people who rarely entered a church1 and whom the church made no attempt to reach4 ,these were the people for him4 ,he was told that he was going forth to sow the seed in stony ground1 but when he came and began to sow1 he found that it fell upon fruitful soil4 ,here it was impossible for him to find a huge congregation1 so scattered were the inhabitants4 ,but this was no obstacle to him3 he asked for no more than a group of hearers in every place1 and by the time that night came he found that he had preached to thousands since sunrise4 ,beginning sometimes at five o'clock in the morning1 he would preach on the outskirts of a village and hold a second service before breakfasting six miles away4 ,it was nothing for him to preach half a dozen times and ride thirty miles in one of these days4 ,but as he went further and further on this wonderful itinerary of his1 that sense of loneliness of which he had become aware at ,porthawn seemed to grow upon him4 ,during those intervals of silence which he spent on horseback1 his feeling of loneliness appeared to increase1 until at last there came upon him a dread lest he should affect his labours4 ,he had a fear that a despondent note might find its way into his preaching1 and when under such an influence he made a strong effort in the opposite direction1 he was conscious of an artificial note2 and1 moreover1 by the true instinct of the man who talks to men1 he was conscious that it was detected by his hearers4 ,he was disappointed in himself--humiliated4 ,how was it that for years he had been able to throw off this feeling of walking alone1 through the world1 or making no effort to throw it off1 to glory in it1 as it were--to feel all the stronger because of it1 inasmuch as it could not come without bringing with it the reflection that he--he alone--had been chosen to deliver the message to the multitudes--the message of ,light to the people that walked in darkness8 ,he could not understand how the change had come about in him1 and not being able to understand it1 he felt the more humiliated4 ,and then1 one day1 riding slowly along the coach road1 he saw a young woman standing waiting for a change of horses for her post chaise at the door of a small inn4 ,he started1 for she had fair hair and a fresh face whose features bore some resemblance to those of ,nelly ,polwhele--he started1 for there came upon him1 with the force of a revelation1 the knowledge that this was the companionship for which he was longing--that unconsciously1 she had been in his thoughts--some way at the back of his thoughts1 to be sure1 but still there--that1 only since he had been her companion had his need for some sweet and helpful companionship become impressed upon him44 ,he rode on to his destination overwhelmed by the surprise at the result of this glimpse which had been given to him into the depths of his own heart4 ,the effect seemed to him as if with the sight of that stranger--that young woman on the roadside--a flash of lightning had come1 showing him in an instant what was in the depths of his heart4 ,he tried to bring himself to believe that he was mistaken4 8,impossible--impossible60 he cried4 8,it is impossible that ,i should be so affected--a village girl6444 ,and ,i did not talk with her half a dozen times in all6444 ,kind1 thoughtful1 with tact--a gracious presence1 a receptive mind4444 ,ah1 it was she undoubtedly who set me thinking--who made me feel dissatisfied with my isolation1 but still44 4 oh1 impossible--impossible60 ,and1 although a just man1 the thoughts that he now believed himself to have in regard to ,nelly ,polwhele were bitter rather than sweet4 ,he began to think that it was too bold of her--almost immodest--to make the attempt to change the whole course of the life of such a man as he was4 ,he had once courted the lonely life1 believing it to be the only life for such as he--the only life that enabled him to give all his thoughts--all his strength--oh1 all his life--all his life--to the work which had been appointed for him to do in the world of sinners2 but lo6 that child had come to him1 and had made him feel that he was not so different from other men4 ,under the influence of his bitterness1 he resented her intrusion1 as it were4 ,pshaw6 the girl wras nothing4 ,it was only companionship as a sentiment that he had been longing for2 he had a clear idea of the companionship that he needed2 but he had never thought of the companion4 ,it was a mere trick of the fancy to suggest that1 because the young woman had sent his thoughts into a certain groove1 they must of necessity be turned in the direction of the young woman herself4 ,he soon found1 however1 that it is one thing for a man to prove to the satisfaction of his own intelligence that it would be impossible that he should set his heart on a particular young woman1 but quite another to shut her out from his heart4 ,he had his heart to reckon with1 though he did not know it4 ,before the day had passed he had shut the doors of his heart1 and he believed that he had done right4 ,he did not know that he had shut those doors1 not against her1 but upon her4 ,like all men who have accomplished great things in the world1 he was intensely human4 ,his sympathy flowed forth for his fellow-men in all circumstances of life4 ,but he did not know himself sufficiently well to understand that what he thought of with regret as his weaknesses1 were actually those elements wherein lay the secret of his influence with men4 ,he had just succeeded1 he fancied1 in convincing himself that it was impossible he could ever have entertained a thought of ,nelly ,polwhele as the one who could afford him the companionship which he craved1 when a letter came to him from ,mr4 ,hartwell1 whom he had appointed the leader of the class which he had established at ,porthawn1 entreating him to return to them1 as they were in great distress and in peril of falling to pieces1 owing to the conduct of one of their members1 ,richard ,pritchard by name4 ,could he affirm that the sorrow which he felt on receiving this news was the sum of all the emotions that filled his heart at that moment8 ,he laid down the letter1 saying1 8,it is the ,lord's doing40 ,and when he said that1 he was thinking1 not of the distress in which his children at ,porthawn found themselves by reason of ,richard ,pritchard1 but of the meaning of the summons to himself4 8,it is the trial to which my steadfastness is to be put10 he said4 8,i am not to be allowed to escape without scathe4 ,why should ,i expect to do so when others are tried daily8 ,there can be no victory without a battle4 ,the strength of a man is developed by his trial4 ,i am ready4 ,grant me grace1 ,o ,lord1 to sustain me1 and to keep my feet from straying60 ,he prepared himself for this journey back to ,porthawn1 and he was presently amazed 7having been made aware of his own weakness7 to find himself thinking very much less about himself and scarcely at all about ,nelly ,polwhele1 nor that the chance of seeing her again had1 without the least expectation on his part1 came to him4 ,he found himself giving all his thoughts to the question of his duty4 ,had he been over-hasty in accepting the assurances of all these people at ,porthawn to whose souls peace had come through his preaching8 ,was he actuated solely by a hope to spread abroad the ,truth as he had found it1 or had a grain of the tares of ,self been sown among the good seed8 ,had there been something of vanity in his desire to increase the visible results of his preaching8 ,these were his daily questionings and soulsearching1 and they had been ever present with him since he had put his hand to the plough4 ,he was ever apt to accuse himself of vainglory--of a lack of that spirit of humility which he felt should enter into every act--every thought of his life4 ,he thought of himself as the instrument through which his ,master spake to ,his children4 ,should the harp vaunt itself when a hand sweeps over its strings1 making such music as forces those who hear to be joyful or sad8 ,should the trumpet take credit to itself because through its tubes is blown the blast that sends an army headlong to the charge8 ,after his first preaching in the valley of the ,lana1 hundreds of those who heard him had come to him making a profession of the ,faith that he preached4 ,he asked himself now if it was not possible that he had been too eager to accept their assurance4 ,he had had his experiences of the resultat the emotions of his listeners being so stirred by his preaching that they had come to him with the same glad story2 but only to become lukewarm after a space1 and after another space to lapse into their former carelessness4 ,the parable of the ,sower was ever in his mind4 ,the quick upspring-ing of the seed was a sign that it had fallen where there was no depth of earth4 ,and this sowing was more hopeless than that on stony ground--than that among thorns4 ,he feared that he had been too hasty4 ,he was a careless husbandman who had been too ready to assume that a plentiful harvest was at hand1 because he had sown where there was no depth of earth4 ,he should have waited and watched and noted every sign of spiritual growth before leaving the field of his labours4 ,these were some of his self-reproaches which occupied all his thoughts while making his return journey to ,porthawn1 thus causing all thought of ,nelly ,polwhele to be excluded from his mind4 ,he had caught a glimpse of the ,lana winding its way through the valley before he had a thought of her1 and then it was with some bitterness that he reflected that1 all unknown to himself1 he had shortened his stay in this region because he had had an instinct that a danger would threaten him if he were to remain4 ,instinct8 ,now he was dealing with a force that was wholly animal--wholly of the flesh1 and the flesh1 he knew1 was waging perpetual war with the things that appertained to the spirit4 ,he urged his horse onward4 ,whatever danger might threaten himself by his returning to this region1 he would not shrink from it2 what was such a danger compared with that threatening the edifice of ,faith which he had hoped had been built up in the midst of the simple people of the land8 ,he urged his horse forward1 and on the afternoon of the second day of his journey he was within a few hours' journey of ,ruthallion ,mill4 ,he meant to call at the ,mill1 feeling sure that he would get from the miller a faithful and intelligent account of all that had happened during the three weeks of his absence from this neighbourhood4 ,miller ,pendelly1 once the champion of the old system of lifeless churchgoing1 had become the zealous exponent of the new4 ,he was the leader of the little band that formed the nucleus of the great organisation of churchmen who1 under the teaching of ,wesley1 sought to make the ,church the power for good among the people that it was meant to be4 ,jake ,pullsford1 who had spread the story of ,wesley's aims among his friends before the preacher had appeared in ,cornwall1 had given evidence of the new ,light that had dawned upon him when he had heard ,wesley at ,bristol4 ,both these were steadfast men1 not likely to cause offence1 and if ,wesley had heard any report of their falling short of what was expected of them he would have been more than disappointed4 ,it was through ,richard ,pritchard1 the professional water-finder1 that offence had come or was likely to come1 ,mr4 ,hartwell's letter had told him4 ,he remembered the man very clearly4 ,he had had some conversation with him1 and ,jake had satisfied him as to the sincerity of his belief4 ,he had never been otherwise than a clean-living man1 and he had studied many theological works4 ,but he had not impressed ,mr4 ,wesley as being a person of unusual intelligence4 ,his remarkable calling and the success with which he practised it all through the ,west had caused ,him to appear in the eyes of the people of the country as one possessing certain powers which1 though quite legitimate1 being exercised for good1 were bordering on the supernatural4 ,wesley now remembered that he had had some doubt as to the legitimacy of the man's calling4 ,believing1 as he did1 so fully in the powers of witchcraft1 he had a certain amount of uneasiness in accepting as a member of the little community which he was founding1 a man who used the divining rod2 but the simplicity of ,pritchard and his exemplary character1 were in his favour1 so much as to outweigh the force of4 ,wesley's objection to his mode of life4 ,now1 as he guided his horse down the valley road1 he regretted bitterly that he had allowed his misgivings to be overcome so easily4 ,like all men who have accomplished great things in the world1 the difficulties which occasionally beset him were due to his accepting the judgment of others1 putting aside his own feelings or tendencies1 in certain matters4 ,the practice of the virtue of humility1 in regard to his estimation of the value of his own judgment1 had cost him dearly upon occasions4 ,it was all the more vexatious to reflect that the man through whom the trouble 7whatever it might be7 was impending1 was the last one in the world from whom any trouble might reasonably be looked for4 ,this was probably the first time in his life that he had reached any prominence in the little circle in which he lived4 ,to be allowed to remain in the background1 seemed to be his sole aspiration4 ,his fear of giving offence to anyone seemed to be ever present with him1 and his chief anxiety was to anticipate an imaginary offence by an apology4 ,how a man who was so ludicrously invertebrate should become a menace to the stability of a community that included such robust men as the miller1 the carrier1 and the smith1 to say nothing of ,farmer ,tregenna and ,mr4 ,hartwell1 the mine owner1 was more than ,wesley could understand4 ,it was this element of mystery that caused him to fear that ,pritchard had all along been an agent of the ,enemy--that his noted successes with the divining rod were due to his connection with the ,powers of ,darkness1 and that his getting within the fold of the faithful was1 after all1 only what might have been expected from one whose tactics were devised for him by the ,old ,serpent--the origin of every evil since the expulsion from ,paradise4 ,,chapter ,x ,he spent an hour at the ,old ,waggoner ,inn at the corner of the ,river ,road1 and while his horse was getting a feed in the stable he had some bread and cheese in the inn parlour--a large room built to accommodate the hungry coach passengers1 who1 accustomed to break their journey to or from ,plymouth1 were at this house4 ,the room was not crowded when he arrived1 but in the course of the next half-hour two additional parties entered1 and while tankards were filled and emptied1 and pewter platters of underdone beef laden with pickles were passed round1 there was a good deal of loud talk1 with laughter and an interchange of friendly1 if rude1 humour4 ,wesley had had a sufficient experience of inn parlours to prevent his being greatly interested by the people here or their loud chat4 ,this was only at first1 however1 for it soon became clear to him that the conversation and the jests were flowing in one channel4 ,then he became interested4 8,come hither1 friend ,thomas1 and pay all scores10 cried one jovial young fellow to an elderly stout farmer who had been standing in the bar4 8,not me1 lad10 cried the farmer4 8,by the ,lord ,harry1 you've the 'impidence'604 8,what1 man1 pay and look joyous4 ,what will all your hoard of guineas be to you after ,monday80 cried the younger man4 8',twill be worth twenty-one shillings for every guinea1 if you must know10 replied the farmer4 8,nay1 sir1 you know well that there will be no use for your guineas at the ,day of ,judgment1 which1 as surely as ,dick ,pritchard is a prophet1 will happen on ,monday10 said the other4 8,i'm ready to run the chance1 i' the face o' the ,prophet ,pritchard10 said the farmer4 8,ay1 and to show what's in me1 ,i am ready 'twixt now and ,sunday to buy any property at a reasonable discount rate that any believer in ,dick ,pritchard may wish to sell40 8,good for you1 farmer--good for you60 shouted a dozen voices1 with the applause of rattling pewters on the table4 8,let ,dick stick to his trade--water and not fire is his quality2 he'd best leave the ,day of ,judgment in subtler hands10 growled a small1 red-faced man1 who was cooling himself this ,summer day with ,jamaica rum4 ,there was some more laughter1 but it was not of a hearty sort2 there was a forced gaiety in it that ,wesley easily detected4 8,by my troth1 the fellow's prophecy hath done a good turn to the maltster2 there hath been more swilling1 hot and cold1 since he spoke a week ago yesterday1 than in any month of ordinary calm weather1 without a sniff of brimstone in it10 said ,mr4 ,hone1 the surgeon of the revenue men1 who was in the act of facing a huge beef-steak with onions and a potato baked with a sauce of tansy4 8,small blame to the drouthy ones2 they know full well that by this day week they will be ready to pay ,plymouth prices for a mugful o' something cooling10 remarked a traveller4 8,gentlemen and friends1 all1 ,i make bold enough to affirm that this matter is too grave an one to be jested on or to be scoffed at10 said a tall1 pale-faced young man4 8,i tell you1 sirs1 that there may be more in this thing than some of us suspect40 8,what1 ,mr4 ,tilley1 are you feeble enough to believe that an event of such considerable importance to the ,government as the ,day of ,judgment would be announced through such an agent8 ,this ,dick ,pritchard is a common man1 as full of ignorance as a young widow is of tricks10 said the surgeon1 looking up from his plate4 8,ignorant8 ay1 doubtless1 ,mr4 ,hone2 but how many ignorant men have yet won an honourable place in the book of the prophets1 sir80 asked the young man4 8,seems to any natural man1 sir1 that ignorance1 as we call ignorance1 was the main quality needful for an ancient old prophet that spake as he was moved40 8,that was in the ,antique ,dispensation1 ,mr4 ,tilley2 you must not forget that1 sir10 cried the surgeon4 8,ay1 that's sure2 'tis a different age this that we live in10 said an acquiescent voice behind the shelter of a settle4 8,i'd as lief credit a ,christian as a ,jew in such a matter3 the ,jews seem to have had this business of prophecy as exclusive in their hands as they have the trade of money now10 said the traveller4 8,the ,jewish seers busied themselves a good deal about the ,day of ,judgment1 why should not a humble ,christian be permitted a trifle of traffic on the same question1 since it is one that should be of vital interest to all--especially innkeepers in hot weather80 ,there was only a shred of laughter when he had spoken4 ,it was clear that in spite of some of the jeers against the water-finder that had taken place in the room1 there was a feeling that whatever he had taken it upon him to say--it seemed to ,wesley that it had reference to the ,day of ,judgment on the next ,monday--should not be treated with levity4 ,the jocular tone of a few men who were present was distinctly forced4 ,upon several faces ,wesley perceived an expression that reminded him of that upon the faces of some of the prisoners under sentence of death whom he had visited in his young days at ,oxford4 8,say what you will1 gentlemen10 resumed the young man called ,tilley1 8this ,dick ,pritchard is no ordinary man4 ,i have seen him at work with his wizard's wand'1 and inside five minutes o' the clock he had shown us where to bore for water in a meadow slope that was as deeply pitted before with borings as if it had an attack of smallpox4 ,ay1 sirs1 a hole had been dug here and another there--and there--and there--0 he indicated with his finger on the floor the locality of the diggings to which he referred--8but not a spoonful of water appeared4 ,then in comes our gentleman with a sliver of willow between his palms1 and walks over the ground4 ,i was nigh to him1 and ,i affirm that ,i saw the twig twist itself like a snake between his fingers1 jerking its tip1 for all the world like the stumpy head of an adder1 first in one direction1 anon in another--,i'll swear that it turned1 wicked as any snake1 upon ,dick himself at one time1 so that he jerked his hands back and the thing fell on the grass1 and if it did not give a kind of writhe there1 my eyes played me false4 ,but he picked it up again and walked slowly across the ground1 not shunning in the least as an ordinary man would have done1 if he had his wits about him1 the parts that showed the former borings that had come to naught4 ',twas in full boldness1 just between two of the old holes1 that he stopped short1 and says he1 ',there's your spring1 and 'tis not six foot from the surface4 ,i'll wait to have a mugful1 if ,i don't make too bold1' says he1 'for'tis strangely drying work1 this waterfinding4' ,and by my faith1 sirs1 the fellow had a pitcher of the softest spring water from that spot before an hour had gone and the rude scum of the field had been rinsed away40 ,the silence that followed the man's story was impressive4 ,it seemed as if the cloud which had been overhanging the company had become visible4 ,no man so much as glanced at his neighbour1 but every one of them stopped eating or drinking at that moment1 and stared gloomily straight in front of him4 ,only one man1 however1 uttered a groan4 8,lord have mercy on us6--the rocks and the mountains--the great and terrible day of the ,lord60 he murmured4 ,then it was that a couple of men passed their hands over their foreheads4 8,i would sooner see my cattle die of drouth than call in a water-finder10 said the farmer4 8,i've oft-times said that he has a partner in his trade4 ,in my young days1 a water-finder was burnt at the stake1 for 'twas clearly proven that he was in league with the ,fiend3 after drinking o' the water that he drew from the bowels o' th' earth the husbandman's son was seized wi' a fit and down he fell like a log and was only saved by the chance of the curate passing near the farm4 ,though but a young man1 he saw at once that the boy had been tampered with4',twas by good luck that he had with him a snuffbox made of the cedar wood of ,lebanon at ,jerusalem1 where ,king ,solomon built his temple1 and 'tis well known that neither witch nor warlock can stand against such4 ,before you could say ',worm1' the young parson had made a circle o' snuff around the poor victim1 and with a deadly screech the fiend forsook the boy and 'twas said that it entered into a young heifer of promise1 for she went tearing out of her byre that same night and was found all over a lather wandering on ,dip-stone ,sands in the morning4 ,ay1 they burnt the water-finder at the next ',sizes1 the testimony being so clear as ,i say40 8',tis time they burnt ,dick ,pritchard10 said someone else in a low voice4 8,though ,i'm not sure that 'tis in the ,book that mere water-finding is heinous40 8,maybe not1 but sure a proof o' the gift o' prophecy is burnable in the ,new ,dispensation10 suggested another4 ,a big man sprang to his feet4 ,his face was pale and his hands were nervous4 ,he clapped his palms together4 8,every man in the room has a tankard with me10 he cried4 8,i'll pay the score for all4 ,what use is the blunt to me after ,monday8 ,but now is our time1 lads4 ,let us eat and drink1 for to-morrow we die60 ,the sentiment was greeted with a loud and harsh laugh by some men1 but by a serious shake of the head by others4 ,a young man started a ribald song4 8,shame1 sir1 shame1 a parson's present in the room10 cried an elderly man1 who was seated near ,wesley4 ,the lilt was interrupted1 and two or three fingers were pointed toward ,wesley1 who was half hidden from most of the people in the room4 ,now he stood up and faced them all4 8,hey1 'tis ,wesley the preacher himself60 cried the surgeon1 and expressions of surprise were uttered in various directions4 8,you have come in good time to superintend the winding up of the world1 ,mr4 ,wesley4 ,nay1 don't be over modest2 'tis one of your own children hath said it10 said another4 8,what1 sir2 would you disown your own offspring80 ,wesley had held up his hand twice while the man was speaking4 8,friends1 ,i am ,john ,wesley10 he said4 8,i have come sixty miles and better1 having heard from ,mr4 ,hartwell that ,i was needed in regard to this same ,pritchard1 but having been made acquainted with no points of detail4 ,sirs1 since ,i entered this room ,i have1 ,i believe1 learned all that ,mr4 ,hartwell forbore to tell me1 and now ,i hasten to give you my assurance that ,i cannot countenance aught that this man ,pritchard said4 ,i deplore most heartily that he should be so far misled as to take upon him to utter a statement of prophecy touching the most awful event that our faith as believers takes a count of4 ,brethren1 we are told that we know not the day nor the hour when that dread shall fall upon the world4 ,that is the written ,word of the ,most ,high1 and any man who1 whether under the impulse of vanity or in the sincere belief that he possesses the gift of prophecy1 is presumptuous1 is likely to become a stumbling block and a rock of offence4 ,that is all that ,i have to say at this time4 ,i have said so much in the hope that all who hear me will refrain from attributing to the influence of my preaching or teaching1 an act or a statement which ,i and my associates repudiate and condemn40 ,he inclined his head slowly1 and then1 picking up his hat1 left the room4 ,but before he reached the door every man in the room had risen respectfully1 though no word was spoken by anyone present4 ,even after his departure there was a silence that lasted for several minutes4 ,everyone seemed to have drawn a long breath as of relief4 8,gentlemen1 ,i think you may breathe freely once more3 the world will last over ,monday after all10 said the surgeon4 8,ay1 the master has spoken and disowned his pupil10 said another4 8,maybe that's because he feels chagrined that he lost the chance that ,dick ,pritchard grappled with10 suggested the pale youth4 8,boy10 said the traveller1 with a contemptuous wave of the hand4 8,boy1 ,mr4 ,wesley is a man of learning and a man of parts1 not a charlatan in a booth at a fair40 8,or one with the duck's instinct of seeking for water with a quack--ay1 a quack with a quack10 said the surgeon4 8,well1 if the world is not to expire on ,monday1 we would do well to drink her health1 so hey for a gallon of old ale so far as it goes10 cried the man with the shaking head4 ,the opinion seemed to be all but general1 that some sign of hilarity would not now be so much out of place as it seemed to be a quarter of an hour earlier1 and the landlord was zealous in support of this view4 ,he promised them a tipple worthy of the name1 even if the world were to break up in a day or two6 ,but long before the company were satisfied ,wesley was on his horse riding slowly down to ,ruthallion ,mill4 ,he felt deeply pained by his experience in the inn parlour4 ,so this was what ,mr4 ,hartwell had hinted at in his letter--this assumption of the divine gift of the prophet by ,pritchard4 ,and the subject of his prophecy was one that every charlatan who had existed had made his own6 ,he himself could remember more than one such prediction being made by men who were both ignorant and vain4 ,one of them had afterwards stood in the pillory and another--the more sincere--had gone to a mad-house4 ,it seemed to him strange that they should have had a following1 but beyond a doubt their prediction had been widely credited1 and the men themselves had achieved a notoriety which was to them the equivalent to fame4 ,they had had their followers even after the date which they named in their prophecies had gone by without any disaster to the world4 ,it seemed that the people were so glad at escaping that they had no room in their thoughts for any reproach for the false prophet4 ,he knew1 however1 that in the case of ,richard ,pritchard1 the same leniency would not be shown4 ,he knew that his own detractors--and they were many who regarded his innovations as a direct menace to the ,church--would only be too glad of the chance which was now offered to them of ridiculing him and his out-of-doors preaching1 pointing out1 as they most certainly would1 that ,richard ,pritchard represented the first fruit of his preaching1 and that his assumption of the authority of a prophet was the first fruit of his ,methodism4 ,but it was not only by reason of the possible injury that would be done to the movement which he had inaugurated in ,cornwall that he was vexed4 ,he had been greatly pained to observe the spirit in which the most awful incident on which the mind of man could dwell was referred to by the men in the inn parlour--men fairly representative of the people of the neighbourhood4 ,the ,day of ,wrath had been alluded to with levity by some1 in a spirit of ridicule by others2 while one man had made it the subject of a wager1 and another had made it an excuse for drunkenness6 ,he was grieved and shocked to reflect that it was ,pritchard's connection with his mission that had produced this state of things4 ,he felt certain that if the man had remained outside the newly founded organisation1 he would not have taken it upon himself to speak as a prophet4 ,but he felt that he could not lay the blame for what had occurred at the door of anyone whom he had appointed to help him in his work1 and who had advanced the claims of ,pritchard1 for who could have foreseen that a man who seemed abnormally modest and retiring by nature should develop such a spirit8 ,beyond a doubt the man's weak head had been turned4 ,he had become possessed of a craving after notoriety1 and now that he had achieved it1 he would be a very difficult person to deal with4 ,this ,wesley perceived when he began to consider how to deal with the source of the affair4 ,the most difficult point in this connection was his feeling that the man was quite sincere in his belief1 that upon him the spirit of prophecy had descended4 ,he felt sure that the man was unaware of the existence of any motive in his own heart apart from the desire to utter a warning and a call to repentance to the people of the world1 as ,jonah the prophet1 had done to the people of ,nineveh4 ,that fact1 ,wesley perceived1 made it a matter of great difficulty both to silence ,pritchard1 and to hold him up as a charlatan4 ,he was indeed greatly perplexed in mind as he rode down the valley path leading to the ,mill4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,wesley could not1 of course1 know that ,pritchard was at that time in the ,mill awaiting his arrival4 ,but it was the case that the water-finder1 learning that the coming of ,mr4 ,wesley was looked for during the afternoon1 had gone to the ,mill early and had rejected the suggestion made by the blacksmith and ,jake ,pullsford1 that he should not appear in the presence of ,mr4 ,wesley until he was sent for4 ,he was almost indignant at the hint conveyed to him in an ambiguous way by ,hal ,holmes1 that it would show better taste if he were to remain away for the time being4 8,take my word for 't1 ,dick1 you'll be brought face to face with him soon enow10 said ,hal4 8,you'll be wishful that you had ne'er been born or thought of4 ,mr4 ,wesley is meek1 but he isn't weak1 and 'tis the meek ones that's the hardest to answer when the time comes1 and it always comes too soon4 ,before your ,monday comes you'll be wishful to hide away and calling on the mountains to cover ye40 8,list to me1 ,hal2 there's naught that will say nay to me when my mind is made up1 and go to face ,mr4 ,wesley ,i shall10 ,dick had replied4 ,the blacksmith folded his big bare arms and looked at him with curiosity from head to foot4 8,a change has come o'er a good many of us since ,mr4 ,wesley began to preach1 but what's all our changes alongside yours1 ,dick ,pritchard80 he said1 shaking his head as though he relinquished this task of solving the problem which had been suggested to him4 8,why1 you was used to fear and tremble at the thin noise of your own voice1 ,dick ,pritchard4 ,with these ears ,i have heard you make an apology for saying ',thank ye1' on the score that you were too bold4 ,but now you are for rushing headlong to meet the man that you scarce dare lift your hat to a month or two agone40 8,i hadn't learned then all that there's in me now1 ,hal10 replied the water-finder4 8,i always did despise myself1 being unmindful that to despise myself was to do despite to ,heaven4 ,doesn't it stand to reason1 ,hal1 that the greater a man thinks himself1 the greater is the honour he does to his ,maker8 ,i think twice as much of ,god since ,i came to see what a man ,he made in me40 8,that's a square apology for conceit1 ,dick1 and ,i don't think aught the better of you for putting it forward at this time and in such a case as this4 ,what1 good fellow1 would you be at the pains to magnify a man's righteousness pace for pace with his conceit8 ,at that rate1 the greater the coxcomb the more righteous the man40 ,dick was apparently lost in thought for some time4 ,at last he shook his head gravely1 saying3 8,not for all cases1 ,hal1 not for all cases4 ,you be a narrow-souled caviller1 ,i doubt2 you cannot comprehend an argyment that's like a crystal diamond1 with as many sides to it as a middling ignorant man would fail to compute40 8,that may be1 but ,i've handled many a lump of sea-coal that has shown as many sides as any diamond that was ever dug out of the earth1 and it seems to me that your talk is more like the sea-coal than the crystal1 ,dick1 my friend10 said the blacksmith4 8,ay1 your many-sided argyments are only fit to be thrust into the furnace1 for all1 their sides40 8,mr4 ,wesley will comprehend10 said ,pritchard doggedly2 8though even ,mr4 ,wesley might learn something from me4 ,ay1 and in after years you will all be glad to remember that you once dwelt nigh a simple man by name ,richard ,pritchard40 8,in after years80 cried ,hal ,holmes4 8,why1 where are your after years to come from1 if the end of all things is to be on us on ,monday80 8,don't you doubt but that 'twill come to an end on ,monday10 said the water-finder1 8however you may twist and turn4 ,be sure that you be prepared1 ,hal ,holmes4 ,you have been a vain-living blacksmith1 ,i am feared1 and now you side with them that would persecute the prophets4 ,prepare yourself1 ,hal1 prepare yourself40 ,this was the style in which the man had been talking for some time1 astonishing everyone who had known his extreme modesty in the past2 and this was the strain in which he talked when he had entered the ,mill1 and found the miller1 ,jake ,pulls-ford and ,mr4 ,hartwell seated together awaiting the arrival of ,wesley4 ,the man's entrance at this time surprised them4 ,they knew he was aware that ,mr4 ,wesley was returning in haste1 owing solely to his1 ,pritchard's1 having put himself forward in a way that his brethren could not sanction1 and it never occurred to them that he would wish to meet ,mr4 ,wesley at this time4 ,they were1 as was ,hal ,holmes1 under the impression that when ,wesley arrived ,pritchard's former character might show itself once more1 causing him to avoid even the possibility of meeting the preacher face to face4 ,they were soon undeceived4 ,the water-finder was in no way nervous when he came among them4 ,when he had in some measure recovered from his surprise1 the miller said3 8,we looked not for thy coming so soon1 ,dick1 but maybe 'tis as well that thou 'rt here40 8,how could ,i be away from here unless ,i had hastened to meet ,mr4 ,wesley on his way hither80 said ,pritchard4 8,i have been trembling with desire to have his ear for the past week4 ,it is laid on me to exhort him on some matters that he neglected4 ,these matters can be neglected no longer40 ,the miller looked at ,jake ,pullsford1 and the latter sat aghast4 ,he was so astounded that he could only stare at ,pritchard1 with his hands on his knees and his head in its usual poise1 craning forward4 ,some moments had passed before he succeeded in gasping out1 after one or two false starts3 8,you--you--you--,dick ,pritchard--you talk of exhorting ,mr4 ,wesley8 ,oh1 poor fellow6 poor fellow6 ,now1 indeed1 we know that you are mad60 8,mr4 ,wesley should ha' found out the gift that is mine10 said ,pritchard1 quite ignoring the somewhat frank utterance of the carrier4 8,i suspected myself during several months of having that great gift of prophecy4',twas no more than a suspicion for some time1 and ,i dare not speak before ,i was sure40 8,and what made thee sure1 ,dick80 asked the miller4 8',twas reading how the great prophet1 ,moses1 made water flow from the rock10 replied ,pritchard4 8',what1' said ,i to my own self4 ',what1 ,richard ,pritchard1 hath not all thy life been spent in performing that great miracle of ,moses1 and hast not known the greatness of thy gift8' ,and then ,i made search and found that water-finding has been the employment of most of the great prophets1 ,elijah being the foremost4 ,like to a flash from a far-off cannon gun1 that reaches the eyes before ever the sound of the boom comes upon the ear1 the truth was revealed to me4 ,i knew then that the gift of the ,tishbite was mine40 ,it was ,jake ,pullsford who now looked at the miller4 ,the miller shook his head4 8',twould not matter much what you thought of yourself1 ,dick10 said the miller1 8if only you had not been admitted to our fellowship2 but things being as they be---0 ,he shook his head again4 8,what overcomes me is the thought of thy former habit of life1 ,dick10 said the carrier4 8,why1 up to a month agone1 a man more modest1 shy and tame speaking1 wasn't to be found in all the ,west ,country4 ,why1 man1 ,i've seen thee sweat at the sound of thine own voice1 like as if thou hadst been a thief a-hearing o' the step of an officer6 ,meek6 ,meek is no name for it6 ,i give thee my word that it oft made me think shame of all manhood in the world to hear thee make apology for a plain truth that1 after all1 thou wast too bashful to utter60 8,you could not see my heart1 ,miller10 said ,pritchard4 8',twas only that ,i was humble in voice2 ,i know now that in spirit ,i was puffed up with pride1 so that ,i could hardly contain myself4 ,but even after the truth came upon me in that flash1 ,i was ready to treat the likes of you1 ,miller--ay1 even the likes of thee1 ,jake ,pullsford1 as mine equal1 so affable a heart had ,i by birth40 8,you promoted yourself a bit1 ,dick10 remarked the miller4 8,but ,i've always observed that when a man tells another in that affable way that he regards the other as his equal1 he fancies in the inwardness of his heart1 that he is far above the one he gives such an assurance to40 8,i feel a sort of light of knowledge within me ready to break forth and tell me a wonderful reply to that remark of yours1 ,miller10 said ,pritchard4 8,tarry a while1 and give me time for the light to-break forth with fulness1 and you'll be rewarded2 friends1 you will hear a reply that will make you all stand back in amaze1 and marvel1 as ,i have done1 how noble a thing is the gift of speech--saying a phrase or two that makes the flesh of man tingle4 ,all ,i ask is time4 ,it may not come to me within the hour1 but----0 8,here's one that hath come to thee1 my man1 and he will listen to all you have to say3 ,i hear the sound of his horse on the lane10 cried the miller4 ,jake ,pullsford sprang from the settle1 and strained himself to look out of the window4 8,right2 'tis ,mr4 ,wesley1 in very deed10 he said4 8,that's as should be10 cried ,pritchard1 with an air of satisfaction that made the others feel the more astonished4 ,and when ,wesley had entered and greeted his-friends1 including the water-finder1 they were a good deal more astonished at the attitude taken by ,pritchard4 ,without wasting time over preliminaries1 he assumed that ,wesley had come to the ,mill in order not to admonish him1 but to be admonished by him4 ,before ,mr4 ,wesley had time to say more than a word1 ,pritchard had become fluent on the subject of the preacher's responsibilities4 ,it was not for ,mr4 ,wesley to go wandering in the uttermost parts of ,cornwall1 he said2 he should have remained at ,porthawn to consolidate the work that he had begun2 had he done so until he had gathered in every soul1 the ,lord might have been as merciful to the world as ,he had been to ,nineveh in the days of ,jonah4 ,but ,mr4 ,wesley had1 like ,jonah1 fled from his duty1 and the next ,monday was to be the ,day of ,judgment4 ,wesley listened gravely until the man got upon his feet and with an outstretched finger toward him1 cried3 8,i have been mocked by some1 and held in silent despite by others--all of them professing to be of the ,household of ,faith1 because the ,spirit of prophecy came upon me1 and ,i announced the truth4 ,nor1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 will you dare to join with the disbelievers and say straight out that the first ,monday will not be the ,last ,day that will dawn on this world80 8,no10 said ,wesley1 8,i would not be so presumptuous as to lay claim to any knowledge that would entitle me to speak on a subject of such awful import4 ',ye know not the day nor the hour'--those were the words of our ,lord1 and anyone who makes profession of knowing either1 commits a grievous sin40 8,ay1 anyone but me10 said ,pritchard4 8,but the revelation was made to me--,i take no glory to myself4 ,the great and terrible ,day of the ,lord cometh next ,monday1 and they shall cry unto the rocks to fall on them and the mountains to cover them4 ,what other place could that refer to if not ,ruthallion and ,porthawn2 is't not that ,buthallion is in the heart of the hills and ,porthawn the place of rocks80 ,with all gentleness ,wesley spoke to the man of the great need there was for caution on the part of anyone venturing to assign times and seasons to such prophecies as had been uttered respecting the mystery of the ,last ,judgment4 ,he tried to show him that however strong his own conviction was on the subject of the ,revelation1 he should hold his peace1 for fear of a mistake being made and enemies being afforded a reason for railing against the cause which they all had at heart4 ,the interpretation of prophecy1 he said1 was at all times difficult and should certainly not be lightly attempted even by those men who had spent all their lives dealing with the subject1 with the light of history to guide them4 ,nothing could exceed the tact1 patience and gentleness with which the pastor pleaded with this erring one of his flock--the miller and ,jake ,pullsford were amazed at his forbearance2 they learned a lesson from him which they never forgot4 ,he was patient and said no word of offence all the time that they were waxing irritable at the foolishness of the man who sat shaking his head now and again1 and pursing out his lips after the manner of pig-headed ignorance when objecting to the wisdom of experience4 ,it was all to no purpose that ,wesley spoke4 ,the man listened1 but criticised with the smile of incredulous superiority on his face almost all the time that ,wesley was speaking--it varied only when he was shaking his head1 and then throwing it back defiantly4 ,it was all to no purpose4 8,you are right1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 in some ways10 he cried4 8,but you talk of the interpretation of prophecy4 ,well1 that is within your sphere1 and ,i durstn't stop you so far4 ,ay1 but ,i am not an interpreter of prophecy--,i am the very prophet himself4 ,friends1 said not ,i the truth to you this hour past--how ,i felt as it were a burst of flame within me1 whereby ,i knew that ,i had been possessed of the spirit of prophecy8 ,the gift of water-finding1 which has been mine since my youth1 was only bestowed upon the major prophets1 ,moses being the chief2 and when ,i read of ,elijah1 who in the days of the grievous water famine was enabled by the exercise of his gift1 and guided by the hand of the ,lord1 to find water--even the running brook ,chereth--in the midst of a land that was dusty dry1 all unworthy doubt was set at rest4 ,is it not written that ,elijah1 the prophet1 was to come back to earth to warn the people of the ,great ,day being at hand80 8,dear friend1 stay thy tongue for a moment--say not words that might not be forgiven thee even by the ,most ,merciful10 cried ,wesley4 8,you are a great preacher and a faithful servant--up to a certain point1 ,mr4 ,wesley2 but you are not as ,i am10 replied ,pritchard firmly1 but not without a tone of tenderness4 8,you are a preacher2 ,i am the prophet4 ,i have spoken as ,jonah spoke to the men of ,nineveh3 ',yet forty days and ,nineveh shall be overthrown4' ',in eleven days the world shall be overthrown1' said ,i1 feeling the flame within me40 8,the people of ,nineveh repented and the destruction was averted10 said ,wesley4 8,have there been signs of a great repentance among the people who got tidings of your prediction80 8,my prophecy has everywhere been received with ridicule10 replied the man proudly4 8,i can testify to that10 said ,jake ,pullsford4 8,i travel about1 as you know1 and ,i hear much of what is talked over from here to ,devon1 and only for a few light-headed women--ready to believe that the moon was the sun if they were told so from the pulpit--only for these1 it might be said that ,dick's foolishness would ha' fallen on ears as deaf as an adders40 8,i1 myself1 can bear witness to the evil effect that has been produced among a people who were1 ,i hoped1 ready for the sowing of the good seed10 said ,wesley4 8,it was a great sorrow to me to hear the lightness of talk--the offer of wagers--the excuse of drunkenness--all the result of ,richard ,pritchard's indiscretion40 8,and everywhither it has been received as coming from us--from us whom you have instructed in the ,truth1 sir10 said ,jake4 8',tis not ,dick ,pritchard that has been ridiculed1 but we whom they call ,methodists4 ,that is the worst of it40 8,and now that ,i have paved the way for you1 the preacher1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 you will be able for three days to exhort the people to repentance10 said ,pritchard1 with the air of a man accustomed to give advice on grave matters1 with confidence that his advice would be followed4 8,my duty is clear10 said ,wesley4 8,i shall have to disclaim all sympathy with the statements made by ,richard ,pritchard4 ,souls are not to be terrorised to seek salvation4 ,i am not one of those ministers who think that the painting of lurid pictures of the destruction of the earth and all that is therein the best way of helping poor sinners4 ,nay1 there have come under mine own eyes many instances of the very temporary nature of conversions brought about by that paradox of the gospel of terror4 ,but need we look for guidance any further away than the history of ,jonah and the ,ninevites8 ,the prophet preached destruction1 and the people repented4 ,but how long did the change last8 ,the fire and brimstone had to be rained down upon them before the sackcloth that they assumed was worn out40 8,on ,monday the fire and brimstone will overwhelm the whole world1 and woe be to him that preacheth not from that text till then60 cried ,pritchard4 ,he was standing at one end of the table facing the window that had a western aspect1 and as he spoke1 the flaming beams of the sinking sun streamed through the glass and along the table until they seemed to envelop him4 ,in spite of the smallness of his stature he seemed1 with the sunbeams striking him1 to possess some heroic elements4 ,the hand that he uplifted was thin and white1 and it trembled in the light4 ,his face was illuminated1 not from without only2 his eyes were large and deep1 and they seemed staring at some object just outside the window4 ,watching him thus1 everyone in the room turned toward the window--,wesley was the only exception2 he kept his eyes fixed upon the man at the foot of the table4 ,he saw his eyes move as if they were following the movements of someone outside1 and their expression varied strangely4 ,but they were the eyes of a man who is the slave of his nerves--of a visionary who is carried away by his own ill-balanced imagination--of the mystic who can see what he wishes to see4 ,wesley was perplexed watching this man whose nature seemed to have completely changed within the month4 ,he had had a good deal of strange experience of nervous phases1 both in men and women who had been overcome by his preaching1 but he had never before met with a case that was so strange as this4 ,the man was no impostor2 an impostor would have been easy to deal with4 ,he was a firm believer in his own mission and in his own powers1 and therein lay the difficulty of suppressing him4 ,and while ,wesley watched him1 and everyone else seemed striving to catch a glimpse of the object on which the man's eyes were fixed1 the light suddenly passed out of his eyes and they became like those of a newly dead man1 staring blankly at that vision which comes before the sight of a soul that is in the act of passing from the earth into the great unknown ,space4 ,there he stood with his hand still upraised1 and that look of nothingness in his staring eyes44 ,wesley sprang up from the table to support him when he fell1 and he appeared to be tottering after the manner of a man who has been shot through the heart while on his feet2 and ,wesley's movement caused the others to turn toward the man4 ,in a second the miller was behind him with outstretched arms ready to support him4 ,pritchard did not fall just then1 however4 ,breathlessly and in a strained silence1 the others watched him while he swayed to the extent of a hand's breadth from side to side1 still with his hand upraised and rigid4 ,for some minutes--it might have been five--he stood thus1 and in the end he did not collapse4 ,he went slowly and rigidly backward into ,wesley's arms1 and then down into his own chair1 his eyes still open--still blankly staring1 devoid of all expression4 8,dead--can he be dead80 whispered ,jake1 slipping a hand under his waistcoat4 ,wesley shook his head4 8,he is not dead1 but in a trance10 he replied4 ,,chapter ,,xii ,for half an hour the four men in that room sat watching with painful interest the one who sat motionless in the chair at the end of the table4 ,there was not one of them that had not a feeling of being a watcher by the side of a bed on which a dead body was lying4 ,not a word was exchanged between them4 ,in the room there was a complete silence--the silence of a death chamber4 ,the sound of the machinery of the mill--the creaking of the wooden wheels1 and the rumbling of the grindstones--went on in dull monotony in the mill1 and from the kitchen1 beyond the oaken door1 there came the occasional clink of a pan or kettle2 and outside the building there was the clank of the horses of a waggon1 and the loud voices of the waggoners talking to the men in one of the lofts1 and now and again directing the teams4 ,a cock was crowing drowsily at intervals in the poultry run1 and once there was a quacking squabble amongst the ducks on the ,mill race4 ,and then1 with the lowing of the cows that were being driven to the milking shed1 came the laughter of a girl1 passing the waggoners4 ,but in the room there was silence1 and soon the dimness of twilight4 ,and then ,john ,wesley prayed in a low voice4 9999999999 ,enough light remained in the room to allow those watchers to see when consciousness returned to the man's eyes3 he was facing the window4 ,but before the expression of death changed to that of life1 his arm1 that was still stiffly outstretched1 and seeming all the more awkward since he had ceased to be on his feet1 fell with a startling thud upon the edge of the table4 ,it was as if a dead man had made a movement4 ,then his eyes turned upon each in the room in turn4 ,he drew a long breath4 8,you are among friends1 ,dick2 how feel you1 my man80 said ,jake ,pullsford1 laying his hand upon ,pritchard's that had fallen upon the table4 8,i saw it again--clear--quite clear1 ,jake10 said ,pritchard4 8,what saw ye1 friend ,dick80 asked ,jake4 8,the vision--the ,vision of ,patmos4 ,the heavens rolled together like a scroll--blackness at first--no mind o' man ever conceived of such blackness--the plague of ,egypt was snow-white to compare4 ,and then 'twas all flame--flame--flame4 ,the smith's furnace hath but a single red eye of fire1 but its sharp brightness stings like a wasp4 ,but this--oh1 millions upon millions of furnace eyes1 and every eye accusing the world beneath4 ,who can live with everlasting burning8--that was what the ,voice cried--,i know not if it was the strong angel1 or him that rode upon the ,white ,horse1 but ,i heard it1 and all the world heard it1 and the most dreadful and most unusuallest thing of all was the sight of that ,white ,horse1 plunging and pawing with all the fiery flames around it and above and below6 ,and the ,voice said1 ',there shall be no more sea1' and forthwith all the tide that had been flowing in hillocks into ,porthawn and teasing the pebbles where the shallows be1 and lapping the ,dog's ,teeth reef1 wimpling around the spikes--all that tide of water1 ,i say1 began to move out so that every eye could see it move1 and the spikes o' the reef began to grow as the water fell1 till the bases of the rocks appeared with monstrous weeds1 thick as coiled snakes1 and crawling shells1 monstrous mighty that a man might live in2 and then ,i saw the slime of the deep1 thick as pitch and boiling and bubbling with the heat below1 even as pitch boils over the brazier when the boats lie bottom up on the beach4 ,and then ,i saw a mighty ship lying in the ooze--a ship that had become a wreck1 maybe a hundred years agone1 half the timbers rotted from the bends so that she was like some monster o' the deep with its long ridges of ribs showing fleshless as a skeleton4 ,and then the ,voice cried1 ',the ,sea gave up its ,dead4'444 ,you shall see it for yourselves on ,monday--ay1 all that came before mine eyes4',twas ,mr4 ,wesley preached on the great moving among the dry bones--they were dry in that valley1 but in the dread secret depths where the sea had been these were damp with the slime of ages1 and they crawled together1 bone unto bone1 throwing off the bright green seaweeds that overlaid them like shrouds of thin silk4 ,they stood up together all in the flesh1 and ,i noted that their skin was the yellow pale skin of the drowned1 like the cheeks of a female who holds a candle in her hands and shades the flame with one of her palms4 ,flame--,i saw them all by the light of the flaming sky1 and some of them put up their saffron hands between their faces and the flame1 but the light shone through their flesh as you have seen the sun shine through a sere leaf of chestnut in the autumn40 ,he stopped suddenly and drew a long breath4 ,for some moments he breathed heavily4 ,no one in the room spoke4 ,a boy went past the door outside whistling4 ,when the man spoke again it was in a whisper4 ,he turned to ,wesley4 8,mr4 ,wesley1 ,i knew not that ,i had the gift until ,i heard you preach10 he said4 8,i only suspected now and again when ,i felt the twitchings of the twig between my hands when ,i was finding the water1 that ,i was not as other men2 but when ,i heard you preach and saw how you carried all who listened away upon your words as though they were not words1 but a wave of the sea1 and the natural people the flotsam of the waste1 ,i felt my heart swell within me by reason of the knowledge that ,i had been chosen to proclaim something great beyond even all that you could teach4 ,and now 'tis left for you to stand by my side and tell all that have ears to hear to prepare for the ,great ,day4 ,it is coming--,monday4 ,i would that we had a longer space1 ,sir1 for1 were it so1 my name would go forth through all the world as yours has done--nay1 with more honour1 for a prophet is ahead of the mere preacher4 ,but you will do your best for the world in the time allowed to us1 will you not1 ,mr4 ,wesley80 ,he laid his hand on one of ,wesley's1 firmly and kindly4 8,my poor brother60 said ,wesley gently4 8,god forgive me if ,i have been the means of causing hurt to even the weakest of my brethren4 ,let us live1 dear brother1 as if our days in the world were not to be longer than this week1 giving our thoughts not to ourselves1 but to ,god2 seeking for no glory to attach to our poor names1 but only to the ,name at which every knee must bow4 ,humility--let us strive after humility4 ,what are we but dust80 ,the man looked at him--there was still some light in the room--and after the lapse of a few moments he said3 8,you have spoke a great truth1 ,mr4 ,wesley4 ,humility is for all of us4 ,pray that ,i may attain it1 brother4 ,it should come easy enough to some that we know1 but for such as you and me1 especially me1 dear brother1 'tis not so easy4 ,the gift of prophecy surely raises a humble man into circumstances so lofty that he is above the need for any abject demeanour4 ,ay1 now that ,i reflect on't1 ,i am not sure that ,i have any right to be humble4 ',twould be like flouting a gift in the face of the giver4 ',twould be like a servant wearing a ragged coat when his master hath provided him with a fine suit of livery40 ,he had risen from his place1 and now he remarked that the evening had come and he had far to travel4 ,he gave ,wesley his hand1 nodded to the others and went through the door without another word4 ,the men whom he left in the room drew long breaths4 ,one of them--the farmer--made a sound with his tongue against his teeth as one might do when a child too young to know better breaks a saucer4 ,the miller gave an exclamation that went still further1 showing more of contempt and less of pity4 ,mr4 ,hartwell1 the mine-owner1 who was a quiet1 well-read man1 said3 8,i have heard of cases like to his2 ,i have been reading of revivals1 as some call such an awakening as has taken place through ,mr4 ,wesley's preaching1 and every one of them has been followed by the appearance of men not unlike ,dick ,pritchard in temper--men who lose themselves in their zeal--get out of their depth--become seized by an ambition to teach others before they themselves have got through the primer40 8,for me1 ,i call to mind naught but the magic men of ,egypt10 said ,jake ,pullsford4 8,they were able to do by their traffic with the ,evil ,one all that ,moses did by miracle4 ,i always had my doubts about the power that ,dick ,pritchard professed--finding water by the help of his wand of hazel--as 'twere a wizard's wand--maybe the staves of the ,egyptian sorcerers were of hazel--,i shouldn't wonder4 ,and now he falls into a trance and says he sees a vision1 equalling himself to ,st4 ,john at ,patmos6 ,for myself ,i say that ,i never knew of a truly godly man falling into a trance4 ,my grandfather--you are old enough to remember him1 farmer80 8,i mind him well--pretty stiff at a bargain up to the end10 said the farmer with a side nod of acquiescence4 8,we be talking of the same man10 resumed the miller4 8,well1 ,i say that he told me of one such mystical vision seer that came from ,dorset in his young days1 and he saw so many things that he was at last tried for sorcery and burnt in the marketplace4 ,ah1 those were the days when men wasn't allowed by law to go so far as they do now-a-days4 ,why1 'tis only rarely that we hear of a witch burning in these times40 ,wesley held up his hand4 8,i had my misgivings in regard to ,pritchard from the first10 he said4 8,and when ,i got news that he had been causing you trouble ,i felt that he had indeed been an agent of the ,evil ,one4 ,but now--,god forbid that ,i should judge him in haste4 ,i scarce know what to think about him4 ,i have heard of holy men falling into trances and afterwards saying things that were profitable to hear4 ,i am in doubt4 ,i must pray for guidance40 8,the man is to be pitied10 said ,mr4 ,hartwell4 8,you heard the uplifted way he talked at the last--like a fool full of his own conceit8 ,have you heard yet1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 what an effect his prediction has had upon the country80 8,i heard naught of it until ,i had entered the parlour at the inn where ,i dined to-day1 but ,i think ,i heard enough to allow of my forming some notion of the way his prediction was received4 ,some were jocular over it1 a few grave1 and a large number ribald40 8,you have described what ,i myself have noticed1 sir10 said ,mr4 ,hartwell4 8,only so far as ,i can see there are a large number who are well-nigh mad through fear4 ,now what we may be sure of is that these people1 when ,monday passes1 will turn out open scoffers at the truth4 ,and you may be certain that your opponents will only be too glad of the opportunity thereby afforded them of discrediting your labours2 they will do their best to make ,methodism responsible for the foolishness and vanity of that man80 8,i perceived that that would be so the moment ,i got your letter10 said ,wesley4 8,and yet--,i tell you1 brethren1 that ,i should be slow to attribute any imposture to this man1 especially since ,i have heard him speak in this room4 ,he believes that he has been endowed by ,heaven with the gift of prophecy40 8,and he only acknowledges it to boast10 said ,mr4 ,hartwell4 8,it is his foolish boasting that ,i abhor most1 knowing1 as ,i do full well1 that every word that comes from him will be used against us1 and tend to cast discredit upon the cause which we have at heart40 ,wesley perceived how true was this view of the matter1 but still he remained uncertain what course to adopt in the circumstances4 ,he knew that it was the fervour of his preaching that had affected ,pritchard1 as it had others2 he had heard reports of the spread of a religious mania at ,bristol after he had preached there for some time2 but he had always succeeded in tracing such reports to those persons who had ridiculed his services4 ,this wras the first time that he was brought face to face with one who had been carried away by his zeal to a point of what most people would be disposed to term madness4 ,he had known that there would be considerable difficulty dealing with the case of ,pritchard1 but he had also believed that the man would become submissive if remonstrated with4 ,it had happened1 however1 that1 so far from becoming submissive1 ,pritchard had reasserted himself1 and with so much effect that ,wesley found himself sympathising with him--pitying him1 and taking his part in the face of the others who were apparently but little affected by the impassioned account the man had given of his vision when in the trance4 ,it was not until the night had fallen that they agreed with ,wesley that it might be well to wait for a day or two in order that he should become acquainted with some of the effects of the prediction1 and thus be in a position to judge whether or not he should take steps to dissociate himself and his mission from the preaching of the man ,pritchard4 ,he had not1 however1 gone further than ,port-hawn the next day before he found out that the impression produced by the definite announcement that the ,day of ,judgment was but forty-eight hours off was very much deeper than he had fancied4 ,he found the whole neighbourhood seething with excitement over the prophecy4 ,it had been made by ,pritchard1 he learned1 in the course of a service which had been held in a field on the first ,sunday after ,wesley's departure1 and it had been heard by more than a thousand of the people whom ,wesley's preaching had aroused from lethargy to a living sense of responsibility4 ,religious fervour had taken hold upon the inhabitants of valley and coast1 and under its influence extravagance and exuberance were rife4 ,only at such a time would ,pritchard's new-found fervour have produced any lasting impression1 but in the circumstances his assumption of the mantle of the prophet and his delivery of the solemn warning had had among the people the effect of a firebrand flung among straw4 ,he had shouted his words of fire to an inflammable audience1 and his picture of the imminent terror had overwhelmed them4 ,the shrieks of a few hysterical women completed what his prediction had begun1 and before the evening the valley of the ,lana was seething with the news that the world was coming to an end within the month4 ,all this ,wesley heard before he left the ,mill1 and before he had ridden as far as the coast village he had ample confirmation of the accuracy of the judgment of his friends1 who had assured him that the cause which they had at heart was likely to suffer through the vanity of ,pritchard4 ,he also perceived that the man had good reason for being puffed up on observing the effect of his deliverance4 ,in a moment he had leaped into notoriety from being a nonentity4 ,it seemed as if he had been ashamed of hearing his own voice a short time before1 and this fact only made him appear a greater marvel to himself as well as to the people who had heard him assume the character of a prophet of fire and brimstone4 ,it was no wonder1 ,wesley acknowledged1 that the man's head had been turned4 ,the worst of the matter was that he was referred1 to by nearly all the countryside as ,wesley's deputy4 ,even the most devoted of ,wesley's hearers seemed to have accepted ,pritchard as the exponent of the methods adopted by ,wesley to get the ears of the multitude4 ,in their condition of blind fervour they were unable to differentiate between the zeal of the one to convey to them the living ,truth and the excess of the other4 ,they were in the condition of the ,french mob1 who1 fifty years later1 after being stirred by an orator1 might have gone to think over their wrongs for another century had not a madman lighted a torch and pointed to the ,bastille4 ,it was only to be expected that the opponents of the great awakening begun by ,wesley should point to the extravagance of ,pritchard and call it the natural development of ,methodism4 ,wesley's crusade had been against the supineness of the ,church of ,england1 they said2 but how much more preferable was this supineness to the blasphemy of ,methodism as interpreted by the charlatan who arrogated to himself the power of a prophet6 ,he was pained as he had rarely been since his ,american accusers had forced him to leave ,georgia1 when he found what a hold the prediction had got on the people4 ,he had evidence of the extent of ,pritchard's following even during his ride to ,port-hawn4 ,at the cross roads1 not two miles from the ,mill1 he came upon a large crowd being preached to by a man whom he had never seen before1 and the text was the ,judgment ,day4 ,the preacher was fervid and illiterate4 ,he became frantic1 touching upon the terror that was to come on ,monday2 and his hearers were shrieking--men as1 well as women4 ,some lay along the ground sobbing wildly1 others sang a verse of a hymn in frenzy4 ,further along the road a woman was preaching repentance--in another two days it would be too late2 and in the next ditch a young woman was making a mock of her1 putting a ribald construction upon what she was saying4 ,further on still he came to a tavern1 outside which there was a large placard announcing that the world would only last till ,monday1 and having unfortunately a large stock of beer and rum in fine condition1 the innkeeper was selling off the stock at a huge reduction in the price of every glass of liquor4 ,wesley had no difficulty in perceiving the man's generosity was being appreciated4 ,the bar was crowded with uproarious men and women1 and some were lying helpless on the stones of the yard4 ,on the wall of a disused smithy a mile or two nearer the coast there was chalked up the inscription3 8,the ,methodys have bro' about the ,ende of the ,world4 ,who will bring about the ,ende of the ,methodys8 ,downe with them all1 ,i saye40 ,he rode sadly onward1 with bowed head4 ,he felt humiliated1 feeling that the object for which he lived was humiliated4 ,and the worst of the matter was1 he saw1 that these people who were making a mock of the ,truth1 some consciously1 others unconsciously1 were not in a condition to lend an ear to any remonstrance that might come from him4 ,the attitude assumed by ,pritchard was1 ,wesley knew1 typical of that which would be taken up by his followers1 and the mockers would only be afforded a new subject for ridicule4 8,is it ,i--is it ,i who am an unprofitable servant80 he cried out of the depth of his despondency4 8,is it ,i that have been the cause of the enemy's blasphemy8 ,what have ,i done that ,i should be made a witness of this wreckage of all that ,i hoped to see accomplished through my work80 ,for some time he felt as did the man who cried 8,it is enough6 ,i am not better than my fellows40 ,he let his rein drop on his horse's neck when approaching the house where he was to be a guest4 ,the day was one of grey mists rolling from the sea through the valley1 spreading wisps of gauze over the higher slopes1 which soon whirled into muslin scarfs with an occasional ostrich plume shot through with sunshine4 ,at times a cataract of this grey sea vapour would plunge over the slopes of a gorge and spread abroad into a billowy lake that swirled round the basin of the valley and then suddenly lifted1 allowing a cataract of sunshine to pour down into the hollows which were dewy damp from the mist4 ,it was a strange atmosphere with innumerable changes from minute to minute4 8,for me the shadows of the mist--the shadows touched by no ray of sunshine10 he cried when he felt the cold salt breath of the vapour upon his face4 ,and then he bowed his head and prayed that the shadows might flee away and the ,daystar arise once more to lighten the souls of the people as he had hoped that they would be enlightened4 ,when he unclosed his eyes1 after that solemn space in which a man stretches out weak hands1 8groping blindly in the darkness10 hoping that they will touch ,god's right hand in that darkness and be guided into a right path1 he saw the tall figure of a man standing on a crag watching him4 ,the man had the aspect of a statue of stone looking out of a whirl of sea-mist4 ,wesley saw that it was ,bennet1 the man by whom he had been met when he was walking through this ,talley for the first time with ,nelly ,polwhele4 ,he had heard a great deal about the man during the few weeks that he had sojourned in the neighbourhood4 ,he found that he was a man of some education--certainly with a far more intimate knowledge of the classics than was possessed by most of the parsons west of ,exeter4 ,he had been a schoolmaster in ,somerset1 but his erratic habits had prevented him from making any position for himself4 ,he had become acquainted with ,nelly ,polwhele at ,bristol1 and his devotion to her amounted almost to a madness4 ,it was all to no purpose that she refused to listen to him2 he renewed his suit in season and out of season until his persistence amounted to persecution4 ,of course ,nelly found many self-constituted champions1 and ,bennet was attacked and beaten more than once when off his guard4 ,when1 however1 he was prepared for their assault he had shown himself to be more than a match for the best of them4 ,the fact that he had disabled for some weeks two of his assailants did not make him any more popular than he had been in the neighbourhood4 ,there he stood looking at ,wesley1 and there he remained for several minutes1 looking more than ever like a grey stone figure on a rough granite pedestal4 ,it was not until ,wesley had put his horse in motion that the man held up one hand1 saying3 8,give me one minute1 ,mr4 ,wesley4 ,i know that you are not afraid of me4 ,why should you be80 8,why1 indeed80 said ,wesley4 8,i know not why ,i should fear you1 seeing that ,i fear no man who lives on this earth80 8,you came hither with a great blowing of trumpets1 ,mr4 ,wesley10 said the man4 8,you were the one that was to overthrow all the old ways of the ,church--you were to make such a noise as would cause the good old dame to awake from her slumber of a century4 ,well1 you did cause her to awake2 but the noise that you made awoke more than that good mother1 the ,church of ,england--it aroused a demon or two that had been slumbering in these valleys1 and they began to show what they could do4 ,they did not forget their ancient trick--an angel of light--isn't that the wiliest sorcery of our ancient friend1 the ,devil1 ,mr4 ,wesley80 8,you should know1 if you are his servant sent to mock me10 said ,wesley4 8,you have taught the people a religion of emotion1 and can you wonder that the ,enemy has taken up your challenge and gone far beyond you in the same direction8 ,he found a ready tool and a ready fool in your ardent disciple with the comical ,welsh name--,richard ,pritchard1 to wit4 ,he has shown the people that you were too tame1 and the water-finder hath found fire to be more attractive as a subject than insipid water4 ,you are beaten out of the field1 ,mr4 ,wesley4 ,as usual1 the pupil hath surpassed the master1 and you find yourself in the second place40 ,wesley sat with his head bent down to his horse's neck4 ,he made no reply to the man's scoff2 what to him was the scoffing of this man8 ,when one is sitting in the midst of the ruins of his house what matters it if the wind blows over one a handful of dust off the roadside8 8,john ,wesley1 the preacher1 hath been deposed1 and ,pritchard1 the prophet1 reigns in his stead10 the man went on4 8,ay1 and all the day you have been saying to yourself1 ',what have ,i done to deserve this8 ,what have ,i done to deserve this8' ,dare you deny it1 ,o preacher of the ,gospel of ,truth80 ,wesley bowed his head once more4 8,mayhap you found no answer ready10 ,bennet cried4 8,then ,i'll let you into the secret1 ,john ,wesley4 ,you are being rightly punished because you have been thinking more of the love of woman than of the ,love of ,god40 ,wesley's head remained bent no longer4 8,what mean you by that gibe1 man80 he cried4 8,ask your own heart what ,i mean10 said the man fiercely4 8,your own heart knows full well that you sought to win the love of the woman who walked with you on this road little more than a month ago1 and who ministered to you on the day of your great preaching--you took her love from those to whom she owed it1 and you have cherished1 albeit you know that she can never be a wife to you40 8,the ,lord rebuke thee10 said ,wesley1 when the man made a pause4 8,nay1 'tis on you that the rebuke has fallen1 and you know it1 ,john ,wesley10 cried ,bennet1 more fiercely than ever4 8,nelly ,polwhele would have come to love me in time had not you come between us--that ,i know--,i know it1 ,i tell you1 ,i know it--my love for her is so overwhelming that she would not have been able to hold out against it4 ,but you came1 and--answer me1 man3 when it was written to you that you were to return hither in hot haste to combat the folly of ,pritchard1 did not your heart exult with the thought singing through it1 ',i shall see her again--,i shall be beside her once more'80 ,wesley started so that his horse sprang forward and the man before him barely escaped being knocked down4 ,but ,bennet did not even pretend that he fancied ,wesley intended riding him down4 ,he only laughed savagely1 saying3 8,that start of yours tells me that ,i know what is in your heart better than you do yourself4 ,well1 it hath made a revelation to you now1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 and if you are wise you will profit by it4 ,i tell you that if you think of her again you are lost--you are lost4 ,the first rebuke has fallen upon you from above4',tis a light one4 ,but what will the second be8 ,ponder upon that question1 sir4 ,know that even now she is softening toward me4 ,come not between us again4 ,man1 the love of woman is not for such as you1 least of all the love of a child whose heart is as the heart of the ,spring season quivering with the joy of life4 ,now ride on1 sir1 and ask your reason if ,i have not counselled you aright40 ,he had spoken almost frantically at first2 but his voice had fallen3 he had become almost calm while uttering his last sentences4 ,he took off his hat1 stepped to one side1 and pointed down the road4 ,he kept his arm stretched out and his fingers as an index1 while ,wesley looked at him1 as if about to make a reply4 ,but if ,wesley meant to speak he relinquished his intention4 ,he looked at the man without a word1 and without breaking the silence1 urged his horse forward and rode slowly away4 ,,chapter ,,xiii ,john ,wesley had ample food for thought for the remainder of his journey4 ,he knew that the man who had appeared to him so suddenly out of the mist had for some time been on the brink of madness through his wild passion for ,nelly ,pol-whele1 which brought about a frenzy of jealousy in respect of any man whom he saw near the girl4 ,the fierceness of his gibes was due to this madness of his4 ,but had the wretch stumbled in his blindness over a true thing8 ,was it the truth that he1 ,wesley1 had all4 unknown to himself drawn that girl close to him by a tenderer cord than that which had caused her to minister to his needs after he had preached his first great sermon8 ,the very idea of such a thing happening was startling to him4 ,it would have seemed shocking to him if it had not seemed incredible4 ,how was it possible1 he asked himself1 that that girl could have been drawn to love him8 ,what was he to attract the love of such a young woman8 ,he was in all matters save only one1 cold and austere4 ,he knew that his austereness had been made the subject of ridicule--of caricature--at ,oxford and ,bath and elsewhere4 ,he had been called lugubrious by reason of his dwelling so intently on the severer side of life1 and he had never thought it necessary to defend himself from such charges4 ,he was sure that they were not true4 ,that was the manner of man that he was1 and this being so1 how was it possible that he should ever draw to himself the love of such a bright creature as ,nelly ,polwhele8 ,what was she8 ,why1 the very opposite to him in every respect4 ,she was vivacious--almost frivolous2 she had taken a delight in all the gaieties of life--why1 the first time he saw her she had been in the act of imitating a notorious play-actress1 and1 what made it worse1 she was playing the part extremely well4 ,to be sure she had taken his reproof with an acknowledgment that it was deserved1 and she had of her own free will and under no pressure from him promised that she would never again enter a playhouse2 but still he knew that the desire for such gaieties was not eradicated from her nature4 ,it would be unnatural to suppose' that it was4 ,in short1 she had nothing in common with him1 and to fancy that she had seen anything in him to attract her love would be to fancy the butterfly in rapture around a thistle4 ,oh1 it was incredible that such a thing should happen4 ,the notion was the outcome of the jealousy of that wretch4 ,why1 the first time that the man had seen them together had he not burst out on them1 accusing him of stealing away the child's affection1 although he had not been ten minutes by her side8 ,of course the notion was preposterous4 ,he felt that it was so1 and at the same moment that this conviction came to him1 he was conscious of a little feeling of sadness to think that it was so4 ,the more certain he became on the matter the greater was the regret that he felt4 ,was it curious that he should dwell upon what the man had said last rather than upon what he had said first8 ,but some time had passed before he recalled the charge that ,bennet had brought against him almost immediately after they had met--the charge of having ,nelly ,polwhele in his thoughts rather than the work with which he had been entrusted by his ,maker4 ,the man had accused him of loving the girl1 and declared that his present trouble was the rebuke that he had earned4 ,he had been startled by this accusation4 ,was that because he did not know all that was in his own heart8 ,could it be possible that he loved ,nelly ,polwhele8 ,once before he had asked himself this question1 and he had not been able to assure himself as to how it should be answered1 before he received that letter calling him back to this neighbourhood2 and all thoughts that did not bear upon the subject of that' letter were swept from his mind4 ,he knew that he heard in his ear a quick whisper that said3 8,you will be beside her again within four days20 but only for a single second had that thought taken possession of him4 ,it had come to him with the leap up of a candle flame before it is extinguished4 ,that thought had been quenched at the moment of its exuberance1 and now he knew that this accusation brought against him was false2 not once--not for a single moment1 even when riding far into the evening through the lonely places of the valley where he might have looked to feel cheered by such a thought1 had his heart whispered to him3 8,you will be beside her again within four days40 ,she had not come between him and the work which he had to do4 ,but now the man had said to him all that brought back his thoughts to ,nelly ,polwhele2 and having1 as he fancied1 answered the question which he put to him respecting her loving him1 he found himself face to face with the ,question of the possibility of his loving her4 ,it came upon him with the force of a blow2 the logical outcome of his first reflections3 8,if ,i found it incredible that she could have any affection for me because we have nothing in common1 is not the same reason sufficient to convince me that it is impossible ,i could love her80 ,he was exceedingly anxious to assure himself that the feeling which he had for her was not the love which a man has for a woman2 but he did not feel any great exultation on coming to this logical conclusion of his consideration of the question which had been suggested to him by the accusations of ,bennet2 on the contrary1 he was conscious of a certain plaintive note in the midst of all his logic--a plaintive human note--the desire of a good man for the love of a good woman4 ,he felt very lonely riding down that valley of sea-mist permeated not with the cold of the sea1 but with the warmth of the sunlight that struck some of the highest green ridges of the slopes above him4 ,his logic had led him only into his barren loneliness1 until his sound mental training1 which compelled him to examine an argument from every standpoint1 asserted itself and he found that his logic was carrying him on still further1 for now it was saying to him3 8,if you1 who have nothing in common with that young woman1 have been led to love her1 what is there incredible in the suggestion that she has been led to love you80 ,then it was that he was conscious of a feeling of exultation4 ,his own heart seemed to be revealed to him in a moment4 ,only for a moment1 however2 for he gave a cry1 passing his hand athwart his face as if to sweep away a film of mist from before his eyes4 8,madness--madness and disaster6 ,the love of woman is not for such as ,i--the man spoke the truth4 ,the love of woman is not for me4 ,not for me the sweet companionship1 the fireside of home1 the little cradle from which comes the little cry--not for me--not for me60 ,he rode on1 and so docile had his mind become through the stern discipline of years1 not once did his thoughts stray to ,nelly from the grave matter which he had been considering when he encountered bennet--not once did he think even of ,bennet4 ,what he had before him was the question of what steps he should take to counteract the mischief which had been done and was still being done by the man who had taken it upon him to predict the end of the world4 ,a change seemed to have come over his way of looking at the matter4 ,previously he had not seen his way clearly2 the mist that was sweeping through the valley seemed to have obscured his mental vision4 ,he had been aware of a certain ill-defined sympathy in regard to the man since he had shown himself to be something of a mystic2 his trance and1 his account of the vision that he had seen had urged ,wesley's interest into another channel1 as it were2 so that he found himself considering somewhat dreamily the whole question of the trustworthiness of visions1 and then he had been able to agree with his friends at the ,mill who had certainly not taken very long to make up their minds as to how ,pritchard should be dealt with4 ,now1 however1 ,wesley seemed to see his way clearly4 ,he became practical in a moment4 ,he perceived that it was necessary for him to dissociate himself and his system from such as ,pritchard--men who sought to play solely upon the emotions of their hearers1 and who had nothing of the ,truth to offer them however receptive their hearers' hearts had become4 ,he did not doubt that ,pritchard would take credit to himself for the non-fulfilment of his prophecy4 ,he would bring forward the case of ,jonah and ,nineveh4 ,jonah had said definitely that ,nineveh would be destroyed on a certain day2 but the inhabitants had been aroused to repent1 and the city's last day had been deferred4 ,he would take credit to himself for arresting the ,day of ,judgment1 his prophecy having brought about the repentance of his neighbours at ,porthawn and ,ruthallion1 and thus the fact of his prophecy not being realised would actually add to the fame which he had already achieved1 and his harmfulness would be proportionately increased4 ,wesley knew that not much time was left to him and his friends to take action as it seemed right to him4 ,the day was ,friday1 and he would preach on ,sunday and state his views in respect of ,pritchard and his following1 so that it should be known that he discountenanced their acts4 ,he had seen and heard enough during his ride through the valley to let him know how imminent was disaster to the whole system of which he was the exponent4 ,he had succeeded in banishing from his mind every thought which he had had in regard to ,nelly ,polwhele2 so that it was somewhat disturbing for him to come upon her close to the entrance gates to the ,court4 ,she was carrying a wicker bird cage containing two young doves2 he heard her voice talking to the birds before he recognised her4 ,for a moment lie felt that he should stop his horse and allow her to proceed so far in front of him that she should reach the village without his overtaking her2 but a moment's reflection was enough to assure him that to act in this way would be cowardice4 ,he had succeeded in banishing her from his mind1 and that gave him confidence in his own power to abide by the decision to which he had come respecting her4 ,to avoid her at this time would have been to confess to himself that he was not strong enough to control his own heart2 and he believed that he was strong enough to do so4 ,therefore he found himself once more beside her and felt that he was without a trouble in the world4 ,of course she became very red when he spoke her name and stooped from his saddle to give her his hand4 ,she had blushed in the same way an hour before when old ,squire ,trevelyan had found her with his daughters and said a kindly word to her4 8,i have been to my young ladies10 she said1 8and see what they have given to me1 sir40 ,she held up the cage and the birds turned their heads daintily in order to eye him4 8,they were found in a nest by one of the keepers1 and as my ladies are going to ,london they gave the little birds to me4 ,i hope they will thrive under my care40 8,why should they not80 he said4 8,you will be a mother to them and they will teach you40 ,she laughed with a puzzled wrinkle between her eyes4 8,teach me1 sir80 8,ay1 they will teach you1 ,i would fain hope1 how becoming is a sober shade of dress even to the young40 8,do ,i need to be taught such a lesson1 ,mr4 ,wesley80 she cried1 and now her face was in need of such a lesson4 ,she spoke as if hurt by his suggestion4 8,i have never seen you dressed except modestly and as is becoming to a young woman10 he replied4 8,indeed ,i meant not what ,i said to be a reproach4 ,i only said what came first to mind when ,i saw those dainty well-dressed creatures4 ,my thought was3 ',her association with such companions will surely prevent her from yielding to the weakness of most young women4 ,she will see that the dove conveys gentleness to the mind1 whereas the peacock is the type of all that is to be despised4' ,then1 my dear child1 the pair of turtle doves is an emblem of sacrifice40 8,is that why they were chosen as the symbols of love80 said the girl1 after a pause4 ,he looked at her curiously for some time4 ,he wondered what was in her mind4 ,had she gone as far as her words suggested in her knowledge of what it meant to love8 8,i think that there can be no true love without self-sacrifice10 said he4 8',tis the very essence--the spiritual part of love40 8,is ,it so in verity1 sir80 she cried4 8,now ,i have ever thought that what is called love is of all things the most selfish4 ,were it not so why should it provoke men to quarrel--nay1 the quarrelling is not only on the side of the men4 ,i have seen sisters up in arms simply because the lover of one had given a kindly glance to the other40 8,to be ready to sacrifice one's self to save the loved one from disaster--from trouble in any shape or form--that is the love that is true1 he assured of that1 ,nelly10 said he4 8,love1 if it be true1 will help one to do one's duty--to our ,maker as well as to our fellow-men1 and to do that duty without a thought of whatever sacrifices it may demand4 ,love1 if it be true1 will not shrink from the greatest sacrifice that can be demanded of it--separation from the one who is beloved--a dividing asunder forever4 ,that is why it is the noblest part of a man's nature1 and that is why it should not be lightly spoken of as is done daily40 8,ah1 sir10 she said1 8that may be the love that poets dream of2 ,i have read out of poetry books to my ladies at the ,court1 when they were having their hair brushed4 ,there was the poet ,waller1 whom they liked to have read to them1 and ,mr4 ,pope1 in places4 ,mr4 ,marlowe they had a great regard for4 ,they all put their dreams of love into beautiful words that would make the coldest of us in love with love4 ,but for the real thing for daily life ,i think that simple folk must needs be content with the homelier variety40 8,there is only one sort of love1 and that is love10 said he4 8',tis a flower that blooms as well in a cottage garden as in the parterres of a palace--nay1 there are plants that thrive best in a poor soil1 becoming stunted and losing their fragrance in rich ground1 and it hath oft seemed to me that love is such a growth40 8,and yet ,i have heard it said that love flies out at the window when poverty comes in by the door10 she said4 8,that never was love2 'twas something that came in the disguise of love40 8,i do believe that there are many such sham things prowling about1 and knocking at such doors as they find well painted4 ,some of them have heard of silver being stored away in old jugs1 and some have gone round to the byres to see exactly how many cows were there before knocking at the door40 ,he smiled in response to her smiling4 ,and then suddenly they both became grave4 8,have you had recent converse with that man ,bennet80 he asked suddenly4 ,she swung the bird cage so quickly round that the doves were well-nigh jerked off their perch4 ,she had flushed at the same moment1 and a little frown was upon the face that she turned up to him4 8,why asked you that question8 ,is it because you were speaking of the sham loves1 sir80 she asked4 8,i ask your pardon if ,i seem somewhat of a busybody1 ,nelly ,polwhele10 he said4 8,but the truth is that ,i--,i find myself thinking of you at times--as a father--as an elder brother might think of--a sweet sister of tender years40 ,now she was blushing rosier than before1 and there was no frown upon her forehead4 ,but she did not lower her eyes or turn them away from his face4 ,there was about her no sign of the bashful country girl who has been paid a compliment by one above her in rank4 ,she did not lower her eyes2 it was he who lowered his before her4 8',tis the truth1 dear child1 that ,i tell you3 ,i have been strangely interested in you since the first day ,i saw you1 and ,i have oft wondered what your future would be4 ,i have thought of you in my prayers40 8,i do not deserve so much from you1 sir10 she said softly1 and now her eyes were on the ground1 and he knew by the sound of her voice that they were full of tears4 ,she spoke softly--jerkily4 8,i do not deserve so much that is good1 though if ,i were asked what thing on earth ,i valued most ,i should say that it was that you should think well of me40 8,how could ,i think otherwise1 ,nelly80 he asked4 8,you gave me your promise of your own free will1 not to allow any further longing after the playhouse to take possession of you1 and ,i know that you have kept that promise4 ,you never missed a preaching and you were ever attentive4 ,i do not doubt that the seed sown in your heart will bear good fruit4 ,then you were thoughtful for my comfort upon more than one occasion and--,why should you not dwell in my thoughts8 ,why should you not be associated with my hopes8 ,do you think that there is any tenderer feeling than that which a shepherd has for one of his lambs that he has turned into the path that leads to the fold80 8,i am unworthy1 sir1 ,i have forgotten your teaching even before your words had ceased to sound in mine ears4 ,i have not scrupled to deceive4 ,i led on ,john ,bennet to believe that ,i might relent toward him1 when all the time ,i detested him40 8,why did you do that80 he asked gravely4 8,it was to induce him to come to hear you preach1 ,mr4 ,wesley10 she replied4 8,i thought that it was possible if he heard you preach that he might change his ways as so many others have changed theirs1 and so ,i was led to promise to allow him to walk home with me if he came to the preaching4 ,i felt that ,i was doing wrong at the time1 though it did not seem so bad as it does now40 8,but you did not give him any further promise80 8,none--none whatsoever4 ,and when ,i found that he was unaffected by your preaching ,i refused him even the small favour--he thought it a favour--which ,i had granted him before4 ,but ,i knew that ,i was double-dealing1 and indeed ,i have cried over the thought of it1 and when ,i heard that you were coming back ,i resolved to confess it all to you40 8,i encountered the man not more than half an hour ago10 said he4 ,she seemed to be surprised4 8,then he has broken the promise which he made to me10 she cried4 8,he gave me his word to forsake this neighbourhood for two months1 at least1 and ,i believed that he went away40 8,by what means were you able to obtain such a promise from him80 asked ,wesley4 ,she was silent for some time--silent and ill at ease4 ,at last she said slowly3 8,i fear that ,i was guilty of double dealing again4 ,i believe he went away with the impression that ,i would think with favour of him40 8,i fear that you meant to convey such an impression to him1 ,nelly40 8,i cannot deny it sir4 ,i admit it4 ,but ,i got rid of him4 ,oh1 if you knew how he persecuted me you would not be hard on me40 8,my poor child1 who am ,i that ,i should condemn you8 ,i do not say that you were not wrong to deceive him as you did2 the fact that your own conscience tells you that you were wrong proves that you were40 8,i do not desire to defend myself1 sir2 and perhaps it was also wrong for me to think as ,i have been thinking during the past week or two that just as it is counted an honourable thing for a general in battle to hoodwink his enemy1 so it may not be quite fair to a woman to call her double dealing for using the wits that she has for her own protection4 ,were we endowed with wits for no purpose1 do you think1 ,mr4 ,wesley80 ,mr4 ,wesley1 the preacher of austerity1 settled his countenance--not without difficulty--while he kept his eyes fixed upon the pretty face that looked up innocently to his own4 ,he shook his head and raised a finger of reproof4 ,he began to speak with gravity1 his intention being to assure her of the danger there was trying to argue against the dictates of one's conscience4 ,if cunning was the gift of ,nature1 ,conscience was the gift of ,god--that was in his mind when he began to speak4 8,child10 he began1 8you are in peril2 you 8,a woman10 she cried4 8,i am a woman1 and ,i know that there are some--they are all men--who assert that to be a woman is to be incapable of understanding an argument--so that----0 8,to be a woman is to be a creature that has no need of argument because feeling is ever more potent than argument10 said he4 8,to be a woman is to be a creature of feeling2 of grace1 of tenderness--of womanliness4 ,if your conscience tells you that you were wrong to deceive ,john ,bennet1 be sure that you were wrong2 but ,heaven forbid that ,i should condemn you for acting as your womanly wit prompted4 ,and may ,heaven forgive me if ,i speak for once as a man rather than a preacher4 ',tis because ,i have spoken so that ,i--,i--oh1 if ,i do not run away at once there is no knowing where ,i may end4 ,fare thee well1 child2 and be sure--oh1 be sure that your conscience is your true director1 not your woman's wits--and least of all1 ,john ,wesley1 the preacher40 ,he laid his hand tenderly upon her head2 then suddenly drew it back with a jerk as if he had been stung upon the palm4 ,his horse started1 and he made no attempt to restrain it1 even when it began to canter4 ,in a few seconds he had gone round the bend on the road beneath the trees that overhung the wall of the ,trevelyan demesne4 ,he had reached the house where he was to lodge before he recollected that although he had been conversing with ,nelly ,polwhele for close upon twenty minutes--although they had touched upon some topics of common interest1 neither of them had referred even in the most distant way to the matter which had brought about his return to the neighbourhood2 neither of them had so much as mentioned the name of ,pritchard1 or referred to his prophecy of the ,end of all things4 ,as a matter of fact a whole hour had passed before ,john ,wesley remembered that it was necessary for him to determine as speedily as possible what form his protest against the man and his act should take4 ,his sudden coming upon ,nelly ,polwhele had left a rather disturbing impression upon him--at first a delightfully disturbing impression1 and then one that added to the gravity of his thoughts--in fact just such a complex impression as is produced upon an ordinary man when coming out of the presence of the woman whom he loves1 he knows not why4 ,the sum of his reflections regarding their meeting was that while he had an uneasy feeling that he had spoken too impulsively to her at the moment of parting from her1 yet altogether he was the better of having been with her4 ,a cup of cool water in the desert--those were the words that came to him when he was alone in his room4 ,after the horrible scenes that he had witnessed while riding through the valley--after the horrible torture to which he had been subjected by the gibes of ,john ,bennet--she had appeared before his weary eyes1 so fresh1 so sweet1 so gracious6 ,truly he was the better for being near her1 and once more he repeated the word3 8,a cup of cool water in the desert land40 ,,chapter ,,xiv ,wesley lost no time in announcing to his friends the decision to which he had come4 ,he was to preach on ,sunday at the place where his first meeting had been held1 and he felt sure that his congregation would be sufficiently large for his purpose1 which was to let it be known throughout the country that he and all those who were associated with him in his work in ,cornwall discountenanced ,pritchard in every way4 ,to be sure there was very little time left to them to spread abroad the news that ,mr4 ,wesley had returned and would preach on ,sunday4 ,only a single day remained to them1 and that was not enough to allow of the announcement being made outside an area of twenty-five or thirty miles from ,porthawn2 but when ,mr4 ,hartwell and ,jake ,pullsford shook their heads and doubted if this preaching would bring together more than a few hundred people1 these being the inhabitants of the villages and hamlets within a mile or two of ,porthawn1 ,wesley explained that all that was necessary to be done would be accomplished even by a small congregation4 ,all that should be aimed at was to place it on record that ,pritchard had done what he had done on his own responsibility and without any previous consultation with the leader of the movement with which he had been associated4 ,but1 of course1 the more people who would be present the more fully his object would be accomplished1 and ,wesley's friends sent their message with all speed and in every direction4 8,i would fain believe that the news of this distressing folly of ,pritchard's has not spread very far abroad10 said ,wesley4 8,i travelled1 as you know1 through a large portion of the country on my return1 and yet it was not until ,i had reached the head of the valley that the least whisper of the matter reached me2 ,i would fain hope that the trouble will be only local40 8,those who are opposed to us will take the best of care to prevent it from being circumscribed10 said ,mr4 ,hartwell4 8,the captain of my mine tells me that there is excitement as far away as ,falmouth and ,truro over the prediction4 ,in some districts no work has been done for several days4 ,that news ,i had this morning40 8',tis more serious than ,i thought possible it could be10 said ,wesley4 8,our task is not an easy one1 but with ,god's help it shall be fulfilled40 ,going forth through the village in the early afternoon1 he was surprised to find so much evidence of the credence which the people had given to the prediction and so pronounced a tendency to connect it with the movement begun by ,wesley in the early ,summer4 ,it seemed to be taken for granted that ,wesley had come back to urge upon them the need for immediate repentance4 ,this ,pritchard had done with great vehemence ever since he had prophesied the ,great ,day4 ,wesley found his old friends agitated beyond measure--even those who had professed to have received the ,word that he had preached4 ,no boats except those owned by ,nelly ,polwhele's father had put off to the fishing ground for some days1 and1 strange to say1 although ,isaac ,polwhele held that ,pritchard had gone too far in all that he had said1 he returned on ,friday morning from his night's fishing with a strange story of lights seen in the depths of the ,channel--something like fires seething beneath the surface--of wonderful disturbances of the waters1 although only the lightest of breezes was hovering round the coast2 and of a sudden sound1 thunderous1 with the noise as of a cataract tumbling in the distance1 followed by the rolling of large waves in spite of the fact that for the time there was not a breath stirring the air4 ,the old fisherman told his story of these things without any reserve2 but while he was still disposed to give a contemptuous nod when anyone mentioned ,pritchard's name1 his experience through that night had done much to widen ,pritchard's influence until at last there seemed to be neither fisherman nor boat-builder that did not dread the dawning of ,monday4 ,and yet ,nelly had not spoken one word about the prophecy when he had talked with her a few hours before6 ,this circumstance caused ,wesley no little surprise4 ,he asked himself if ,polwhele's girl was the only sensible person in the neighbourhood4 ,while the other people were overwhelmed at the prospect of a catastrophe on ,monday1 she had gone to visit her young ladies and brought back with her a pair of young doves4 ,he began to feel that he had never given the girl credit for some of those qualities which she possessed--qualities which certainly are not shared by the majority of womankind4 ,her father told him before he had reached the village something of the marvels which had come under his notice only two nights before4 ,but he tried to make it plain that he did not attach any great importance to them3 he did not regard them as portents1 however other people might be disposed to do so4 ,the old fisherman was shrewd enough to guess that ,mr4 ,wesley's sympathies were not with ,pritchard4 ,still he could not deny that what he had seen and heard surpassed all his experience of the ,channel1 although he allowed that he had heard of the like from the lips of mariners who had voyaged far and wide1 and had probably been disbelieved in both hemispheres1 by the best judges of what was credible4 ,he had heard1 for instance1 of parallels where through long sultry nights the ocean had seemed one mass of flame4 ,but he himself was no deep-sea sailor4 8,a sea of flame is common enough in some quarters10 said ,wesley4 8,i myself have seen the ,atlantic palpitating like a furnace1 and our ship dashed flakes of fire from the waters that were cloven by her cut-water4 ,but the sounds which you say you heard--think you not that they came from a distant thunderstorm80 8,likely enough1 sir1 likely enough10 replied the man after a pause2 but he spoke in a way that assured ,mr4 ,wesley that he knew very well that the sounds had not come from a thunderstorm1 however distant4 ,he had had plenty of experience of thunderstorms1 near at hand as well as far off4 8,or ,admiral ,hawke's ships--might not some of the ,admiral's fleet have come within a mile or two of the coast and discharged their carronades80 ,wesley suggested4 8,ay1 sir1 the boom of a ship's gun carries a long way on the water10 said the fisherman1 but in a tone that suggested graver doubt than before4 8',tis clear you are convinced that what you heard was stranger than either thunder or gunpowder10 said he4 8,nay1 sir1 what ,i am thinking of is the sudden uprise of the sea10 said ,polwhele4 8,without warning our smack began to sway so that the mast well-nigh went by the board1 albeit there was ne'er a draught o' wind4 ,and there was summat besides that ,i kept back from all the world40 8,a greater mystery still80 said ,wesley4 8,the biggest of all1 sir2 after the last rumblings my mates thought that we had been long enough anchored on the fishing bank2 so we got in the grapple and laid out sweeps to pull the smack to the shore40 ,he made another pause1 and looked into the face of his auditor and then out seawards4 ,he took a step or two away and stood thoughtfully with pursed out lips4 8,and then80 said ,wesley4 8,and then1 sir1 then--sir1 the oar blades refused to sink4 ,they struck on something hard1 though not with the hardness of a rock or even a sand bank4 ',twas like as if they had fallen on a floating dead body--,i know what the feel is1 sir4 ,when the ,gloriana1 ,east ,indiaman1 went ashore forty years agone1 and broke up on the ,teeth--you know the reef1 sir--we were coming on the bodies o' the crew for weeks after1 as they came to the surface1 as bodies will after eight days--some say ten1 but ,i stick to eight40 8,but if you came upon the body of a drowned man the night before last you would surely have reported it1 ,polwhele10 said ,wesley4 8,it were dead bodies that we touched wi' our blades1 but they was the dead bodies of fishes4 ,there they floated1 sir1 thick as jelly bags after a ,spring tide--hundreds of them--thousands of them--all round the boats--big and little--mackerel and cod and congers and skates and some monsters that ,i had never seen before1 with mighty heads4 ,they held the boat by their numbers1 blocking its course till we got up a flare o' pitch and held it out on an oar and saw what was the matter4 ,that was how it came about that we landed with fish up to the gunwale1 though we had hauled in empty seines--or well-nigh empty half an hour before4 ,and if all the other boats had been out that night they would have been filled likewise4 ,i tell you1 sir1 all we picked up made no difference to the shoals that was about us4 ,but ,i said no word to mortal man about this event nor e'en to my own wife4 ,what would be the good8 ,i asks you1 sir4 ,the poor folk be troubled enow over ,dick ,pritchard1 as no doubt you heard4 ,i would that ,tuesday was safe o'er us4 ,list1 you can hear the voice o' ,simon ,barwell baying the boys into the fold like a sheep dog4 ,simon was a sad evil liver before he heard you preach1 sir1 and now he's telling the lads that they have only another day and half to repent1 so they'd best not put it off too long40 ,wesley looked in the direction he indicated and saw a young fellow mounted on a fish barrel1 haranguing a group of men and women4 ,he was far off1 but his voice every now and again reached the place where ,wesley and the old man stood4 8,there be some that holds that ,simon himself would ha' done well to begin his repentance a while back10 resumed ,polwhele4 8,and there's some others that must needs scamp their penitence1 if ,i have a memory at all2 howsomever1 ,dick ,pritchard----0 8,ah1 friend10 said ,wesley1 8if ,i could think that the repentance which is being brought about through fear of ,monday will last1 ,i would take joy to stand by the side of ,pritchard and learn from him1 but alas1 ,i fear that when ,monday comes and goes----0 8,but will it come and go80 cried the old man eagerly4 8,i cannot tell--no man living can tell if to-morrow will come and go1 or if he will live to see the day dawn4 ,we know so much1 but no more1 and ,i hold that any man who says that he knows more is tempting the ,lord40 8,and ,i hold with you1 ,mr4 ,wesley2 only not altogether so fast since those happenings ,i have rehearsed to you4 ,what was it slew them fish1 sir80 8,i cannot tell you that4 ,i have heard that some of your mines are pierced far below the sea1 and that for miles out4 ,perhaps we shall hear that a store of gunpowder exploded in one of them1 throwing off the roof and killing the fish in the water over it--,i do not say that this is the only explanation of the matter4 ,i make no pretence to account for all that you saw and heard4 ,i have heard of earthquakes beneath the water40 8,earthquakes in divers places1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 'twas from that text ,dick ,pritchard preached last ,sunday40 ,the man's voice was lowered1 and there was something of awe in his whisper4 8,he prophesied that there would be an earthquake in divers places--meaning the sea--before the coming of the terrible day1 ,monday next4 ,now you know1 sir1 why ,i said naught that was particular--only hazy like--that none could seize hold upon about ,thursday's fishing4 ,but ,i've told you1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 whatever may happen40 ,he took off his hat and walked away1 when he had looked for some moments into ,wesley's face1 and noted the expression that it wore4 ,and1 indeed1 ,wesley was perturbed as he turned and went up the little track that led to the summit of the cliffs1 and the breezy space that swept up to the wood4 ,he was greatly perturbed by the plain statement of the fisherman4 ,he had been anxious to take the most favourable view of ,pritchard and his predictions4 ,he had believed that the man1 however foolish and vain he might be1 had been sincere in his conviction that he was chosen by ,heaven to prophesy the approaching end of all things2 but now the impression was forced upon him that the man was on a level with the soothsayers of heathendom4 ,even though he had taken a ludicrously illiterate view of the text1 8,there shall be earthquakes in divers places10 he had made it the subject of another prediction1 and it seemed as if this prediction had actually been realised1 although only a single fisherman1 and he a friend of ,pritchard's1 was in a position to testify to it4 ,wesley had heard it said more than once that the finding of water by the aid of a divining rod was a devil's trick2 but he had never taken such a view of the matter2 he affirmed that he would be slow to believe that a skill which had for its object so excellent an object as the finding of a spring of the most blessed gift of water1 should be attributed to the ,enemy4 ,he preferred to assume that the finding of water was the result of a certain delicacy of perception on the part of the man with the hazel wand1 just as the detection of a false harmony in music is due to a refinement of the sense of hearing on the part of other men4 ,but was he to believe that any man possessed such a sense as enabled him to predict an earthquake8 ,it was impossible for him to believe it4 ,and what then was he to think of the man who had foretold such an event--an event which had actually taken place within a week of his prediction8 ,the man could only be a soothsayer4 ,the very fact of his corrupting the text out of the ,sacred ,word was a proof of this4 ,if he were in the service of ,god1 he would never have mistaken the word in the text to mean the sea4 ,the man was a servant of the ,evil ,one1 and ,wesley felt once more that he himself had been to blame in admitting him to his fellowship1 without subjecting him to such tests as would have proved his faith4 ,and then he found himself face to face with the further question3 ,if the man had1 by reason of his possession of a certain power1 achieved success in his forecast of one extraordinary event1 was it to be assumed that the other event--the one of supreme importance to the world1 and all that dwell therein--would also take place8 ,what1 was it possible that the ,arch ,enemy had been able to get possession of the secret which not even the angels in heaven had fathomed1 and had chosen this man to communicate it to some people in the world8 ,what1 was it possible that ,satan1 if he acquired that secret1 would allow it to be revealed1 thereby losing his hold upon as many of the people of the world as became truly repentant1 and there was no doubt that ,pritchard had urged repentance upon the people8 ,it was a tangled web that ,wesley found in his hand this day4 ,no matter which end of it he began to work upon1 his difficulties in untangling seemed the same4 ,he was fearful of doing the man an injustice2 but how could he1 as a faithful servant1 stand by and see the work with which he had been entrusted1 wrecked and brought to naught8 ,and then another point suggested itself to him3 what if this prediction became the means of calling many to repentance--true repentance--how dreadful would be his own condemnation if he were to oppose that which had been followed by blessing6 ,it was the flexibility and the ceaseless activity of his mind that increased the difficulties of his position4 ,he1 and he only1 could look at the matter from every standpoint and appreciate it in all its bearings4 ,if he had not had the refuge of prayer1 having faith that he would receive the ,divine guidance1 he would have allowed the vanity--if it was vanity--of ,pritchard to be counteracted in the ordinary--in what seemed to be the natural way--namely1 by the ridicule which would follow the nonfulfilment of his prophecy4 ,he prayed4 ,,chapter ,,xv ,he had seated himself on the trunk of a fallen tree on the edge of the wood1 and he had a feeling that he was not alone4 ,the ,summer ever seemed to him to be a spiritual essence--a beautiful creature of airy flashing draperies1 diffusing perfumes a she went by4 ,he had known the joy of her companionship for several years1 for no man had ampler opportunities of becoming acquainted with the seasons in all their phases4 ,there was the sound of abundance of life in the woods behind him1 and around the boles of the scattered trees in front of him the graceful little stoats were playing4 ,at his feet were scattered all the wild flowers of the meadow4 ,where the earth was brown under the trees1 myriads of fairy bells were hanging in clusters1 and in the meadow the yellow buttercups shone like spangles upon a garment of green velvet4 ,he was not close enough to the brink of the cliffs to be able to see the purple and blue and pink of the flowers scattered among the coarse herbage of the rocks4 ,but the bank of gorse that flowed like a yellow river through the meadow could not be ignored4 ,in the sunlight it was a glory to see4 ,the sky was faintly grey1 but the sea was of the brightest azure--the pure translucent blue of the sapphire1 and it was alive with the light that seemed to burn subtly within the heart of a great jewel4 ,but in the utter distance it became grey until it mingled imperceptibly with the sky4 ,the poet-preacher saw everything that there was to be seen1 and his faith was upheld as it ever was1 by the gracious companionship of nature1 and he cried now3 8,oh1 that a man could speak to men in the language of the ,summer60 ,why could not all eyes of men look forth over that sea to where the heaven bowed down and mingled with it8 ,why could not men learn what was meant by this symbol of the mystic marriage of heaven and earth8 ,why should they continue to refuse the love which was offered them from above8 ,everything that he saw was a symbol to him of the love of which he was the herald--the love which is followed by a peace that passeth all understanding4 ,he was conscious of this peace leaning over him with outstretched wings1 and he felt that the answer to his prayer had come4 ,he would make no further attempt to solve the difficulties which had perplexed him4 ,the voice that breathed the message that soothed him was the same that ,elijah heard1 and it said3 8,rest in the ,lord1 and ,he shall direct thy ways40 ,he remained there for another hour1 and then rose and made his way slowly toward the village4 ,the meadow track led to a broad gap in the hedge of gorse1 and just as he had passed through1 he was aware of the quick pattering of a galloping horse on the short grass behind him1 and before he had time to turn1 the horseman had put his mount to the hedge1 making a clear jump of it4 8,what1 ho60 cried the man1 apparently recognising ,wesley before the horse's feet had reached the ground4 8,what1 ho60 and he pulled the animal to its haunches4 ,wesley saw that he was ,parson ,rodney1 the good-humoured ,rector who had spoken to him when he had been on the road with ,nelly six weeks before4 8,ho1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 ,i had heard that you were returning to us10 he cried4 8,is it your thought that at ,monday's ,assize you will run a better chance if you are found in good company8 ,what1 sir1 never shake your head in so gloomy a fashion4 ,the ,prophet ,pritchard may be wrong4 ,i was thinking of him when ,i came upon a clump of guzzlers reeling along the road an hour ago--reeling along with the buttercups as yellow as gold under their feet1 and the sunlight bringing out all the scents of the earth that we love so well--,i thought what a pity 'twould be if the world should come to an end when all her creatures are so happy60 8,pardon me1 ,reverend sir10 said ,wesley4 8,but ,i have at heart too much sorrow to enjoy any jest1 least of all one made upon a matter that seems to me far too solemn for jesting40 8,pshaw6 ,mr4 ,wesley1 what is there serious or solemn in the vapourings of a jackanapes80 cried the other4 8,what doth a parson of our church--and a learned parson into the bargain--a ,fellow of his ,college--not a dunce like me--what1 ,i say1 doth such an one with the maunderings of a vain and unlettered bumpkin whom his very godfathers and godmothers made a mark for ridicule when they had him christened ,richard--,richard ,pritchard80 8,ah1 sir10 said ,wesley1 8you witnessed what you did an hour ago on the roadside--you saw what ,i saw1 and yet you can ask me why ,i should be troubled4 ,were not you troubled1 ,mr4 ,rodney80 8,troubled8 ,oh1 ay2 my horse became uneasy when one of the drunken rascals yelled out a ribald word or two across the hedge--,i am very careful of my horse's morals1 sir2 ,i never let him hear any bad language4 ,when we are out with the hounds ,i throw my kerchief over his ears when we chance to be nigh the ,master or his huntsmen4 ,that is why ,i laid over the rascal's shoulders with my crop1 though the hedge saved them from much that ,i intended4 ,trust me1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 that is the way such fellows should be treated1 and as for this ,pritchard--faugh6 a horsewhip on his back would bring him to his senses1 though as a ,justice of the ,peace1 ,i would be disposed to let this precious water-finder find what the nature of a horse-pond is like4 ,why1 in ,heaven's name1 do you trouble yourself about him80 8,it was ,i who gave him countenance at first1 sir4 ,he made profession to me and ,i trusted him4 ,i fear that the work on behalf of which ,i am very jealous may suffer through his indiscretion40 8,his indiscretion8 your indiscretion1 you surely mean1 ,mr4 ,wesley40 8,i accept your correction1 sir40 8,look ye here1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 ,i have more respect for you1 sir1 than ,i have for any man of our cloth--ay1 even though he may wear an apron and lawn sleeves4 ,i know that as a clergyman ,i am not fit to black your shoes1 but ,i am equally sure that as a man of the world1 with a good working knowledge of human nature1 ,i am beyond you2 and that is why ,i tell you that this movement of yours has--well1 it has too much movement in it to prove a lasting thing4 ,you have never ridden to hounds or you would know that 'tis slow and steady that does it4 ,if you keep up the pace from the start1 you will be blown before the first half-hour is over1 and where will you be when you have a double ditch to hop over8 ,why1 you'll be up to your neck in the mire of the first4 ,mr4 ,wesley1 there are a good many ditches to be got over in the life of a beneficed clergyman of your ,church and mine2 and1 my word for it1 you would do well to take them slowly1 and reserve your strength4 ,you want to go too fast ahead--to rush your hedges--that's how the thorns in the flesh thrive1 and this ,pritchard is only one of the many thorns that will make your life wearisome to you1 and bring your movement to an end4 ,you have never said a hard word about me1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 though you had good reason to do so2 and ,i have never said aught but what is good about you40 8,i know it1 sir4 ,others have called me a busybody--some a charlatan40 8,they were fools4 ,you are the most admirable thing in the world1 sir--a zealous parson2 but a thoroughbred horse is not the best for daily use2 a little blood is excellent1 but not too much4 ,your zeal will wear you out--ay1 and it will wear your listeners out sooner4 ,you cannot expect to lead a perpetual revival1 as people call it1 and that's why ,i am convinced that the humdrum system1 with a stout woollen petticoat here and a bottle of sound port there1 is the best for the parsons and the best for the people40 8,your views are shrewd1 and ,i dare not at this moment say that they are not justifiable4 ,but for myself--sir1 if ,god gives me strength1 ,i shall not slacken the work with which ,i believe ,he hath entrusted me--until our churches are filled with men and women eager in their search after the ,truth40 8,if all your friends were like you1 the thing might be accomplished1 ,mr4 ,wesley2 but the breakdown of your methods--your ,methodism--will come through your introduction of the laity as your chief workers4 ,you will find yourself face to face with ,pritchards1 and the last state of the people will be1 as it is now1 worse than the first4 ,you may have done some good since you came here to preach a month ago1 but you have--unwittingly1 ,i say--done great mischief4 ,my parishioners were heretofore living quite comfortably1 they were satisfied with my ministrations1 such as they were4 ,i have heard it said that a healthy man does not know that he has any liver or spleen or vitals within his body3 'tis only the sick that have that knowledge4 ,well1 the same is true in respect to their souls4 ,sir1 there was not a man of my flock that knew he had a soul4 ,there was a healthy condition of things for you60 8,sir1 ,i entreat of you not to mock60 8,i am not mocking1 friend ,wesley4 ,what have people in the state of life to which the majority of my parishioners have been called1 to do with the state of their souls8 ,there should be a law that no man below the ,game ,law qualification shall assume that he has a soul40 8,i cannot listen further to you1 ,mr4 ,rodney40 8,nay1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 whatever you be1 ,i'll swear that you are no coward3 you will not run away by reason of not agreeing with an honest opponent--and ,i am not an opponent--,i am only an honest friend4 ,i say that my people were simple1 homely people who respected me because ,i never wittingly awoke a man or woman who went asleep in my church1 and because ,i never bothered them with long sermons1 when they could hear their ,sunday dinners frizzling in their cottages--they respected me for that1 but more because they knew ,i had a sound knowledge of a horse1 a boat1 a dog and a game-cock40 8,mr4 ,rodney----0 8,pshaw1 ,wesley1 have you not eyes to see that the ,church of ,england exists more for the bodies than the souls of the people8 ,i would rather see a good1 sturdy lot of ,englishmen in ,england--good drinkers of honest ale1 breeders of good fat cattle1 and growers of golden wheat--honest1 hard swearers of honest ,english oaths1 and with selfrespect enough to respect their betters--,i would rather have them such1 ,i say1 than snivelling1 ranting ,nonconformists1 prating about their souls and showing the whites of their eyes when they hear that an educated man1 who is a gentleman first and a parson afterwards1 follows the hounds1 relishes a main in the cockpit1 and a rubber of whist in the rectory parlour and preaches the gospel of fair play for ten minutes in his pulpit1 and the rest of the twenty-four hours out of it40 8,and ,i1 ,mr4 ,rodney1 would rather hear of the saving of a sinner's soul by a ,nonconformist ranter1 ,churchman though ,i be1 than see the whole nation living in comfortable forgetfulness of ,god40 ,parson ,rodney laughed4 8,i will give you another year of riding to and fro and telling the peasantry that they have souls10 he said4 8,you will not make us a nation of spiritual hypochondriacs1 ,mr4 ,wesley4 ,for a while people will fancy that there is something the matter with them1 and you'll hear a deal of groaning and moaning at your services2 but when the novelty of the thing is gone1 they will cease to talk of their complaints4 ,englishmen are stronger in their bodies than in their souls1 and the weaker element will go to the wall1 and your legs will be crushed against that same wall by the asses you are riding4 ,why1 already ,i know that you have suffered a bruise or two1 through the shambling of that ass whose name is ,pritchard4 ,the unprofitable prophet ,pritchard4 ,a prophet8 ,well1 'tis not the first time that an ass thought himself a prophet1 and began to talk insolently to his master4 ,but ,balaam's animal was a hand or two higher than his brother ,pritchard2 when he began to talk he proved himself no ass1 but the moment the other opens his mouth1 he stands condemned4 ,lay on him with your staff1 ,mr4 ,wesley2 he has sought to make a fool of you without the excuse that there is an angel in your way4 ,i have half a mind to give his hide a trouncing myself to-morrow1 only ,i could not do so without giving a cut at you1 who are1 just now1 holding on by his tail1 hoping to hold him back in his fallow1 and1 believe me1 sir1 ,i respect you with all my heart1 and envy your zeal4 ,good-day to you1 ,mr4 ,wesley2 ,i hope ,i may live to see you in good living yet2 if you worry to a sufficient degree the powers that be1 they will assuredly make you a ,dean1 hoping that in a ,cathedral ,close1 where everything slumbers1 you will fold your hands and sleep comfortably like the rest4 ,i doubt if you would1 sir4 ,but meantime if you will come to my humble rectory this evening1 ,i can promise you a ,tubber with a good partner1 and a bottle of ,bordeaux that the ,king of ,france might envy1 but that has paid no duty to the ,king of ,england40 8,i thank you for your invitation1 sir2 but you know that ,i cannot accept it40 8,i feared as much1 sir4 ,but never mind1 ,i hope that ,i shall live until you are compelled to accept my offer of hospitality to you as my ,bishop40 ,he waved his hand1 and gave his horse1 who had never heard his master talk for so long a time at a stretch and whose impatience had for some time given way to astonishment1 a touch with the spur4 ,wesley watched him make a beautiful jump over the gate that led into the park1 beyond which the rectory nestled on the side of a hill among its orchards4 ,he turned with a sigh to the cliff path leading beyond the village to where ,mr4 ,hartwell's house stood1 separated from the beach only by a wall of crags1 and a few rows of weather-beaten trees1 all stretching rather emaciated arms inland4 ,,chapter ,,xvi ,wesley had preached under varying conditions in different parts of ,england1 but never under such as prevailed on this ,sunday1 when he set out in the early morning with his friend1 ,mr4 ,hartwell1 for the pulpit among the crags which he had occupied several times during his previous stay at ,porthawn4 ,when he set out from the ,hartwells' house the grey sea-mist1 which had been rolling round the coast and through the valley of the ,lana for several days past1 was as thick as a fog4 ,it was dense and confusing to one who faced it for the first time4 ,it was so finely grey that one seemed to see through it at first1 and boldly plunged into its depths2 but the instant that one did so1 its folds closed over one as the dense waters of the sea do over a diver1 and one was lost4 ,before one had recovered1 one had the feeling of being smothered in a billow of grey gauze1 smooth as silk that has been dipped in milk1 and gasped within the windings of its folds4 ,it was chilly1 with the taste of the salt sea in its moisture4 ,it took the heart out of one4 8,this is nothing1 sir10 said ,mr4 ,hartwell4 8,lay your hand upon my arm and you will have no trouble3 ,i could find my way along our cliffs through the thickest weather4 ,i have been put to the test before now40 8,i am not thinking so much of ourselves as of our friends whom we expect to meet us in the valley10 said ,wesley4 8,how1 think you1 will they be able to find their way under such conditions80 8,i do not assume that this mist is more than a temporary thing--it comes from the sea well-nigh every ,summer morn1 but perishes as it rolls over the cliffs10 said ,mr4 ,hartwell4 8,it was clinging to the ridges of the valley slopes when ,i rode through1 almost at noon yesterday10 said ,wesley4 8,stragglers from the general army that we have to encounter here10 said the other4 8,when the phalanx of sea-mist rolls inland1 it leaves its tattered remnants of camp followers straggling in its wake4 ,i believe that when we reach the place we shall find ourselves bathed in sunshine40 8,may your surmise prove correct60 said ,wesley4 ,and so they started breaking into the mist1 feeling its salt touch upon their faces and hearing the sound of the waves breaking on the beach below them4 ,it was curiously hollow1 and every now and then amid the noise of the nearer waves1 there came the deep boom from the distant caves1 and the sob of the waters that were choked in the narrow passage between the cliffs and the shoreward limits of the ,dog's ,teeth4 ,they had not gone more than half a mile along the track that led to the pack horse road1 when they heard the sound of voices1 near at hand1 with a faint and still fainter far-off hail4 ,the next moment they almost ran into a mixed party of travellers on the same track4 ,mr4 ,hartwell was acquainted with some of them4 ,they came from a hamlet high up in the valley a mile from ,ruthallion4 8,we are bound for the preaching10 said one of them4 8,what a wandering we have had for the past two hours6 ,we lost our way twice and only recovered ourselves when we gained the horse road40 8,we are going to the preaching also10 said ,mr4 ,hartwell4 8,how then does it come that we meet you instead of overtaking you80 asked the other4 ,there was a silence4 ,the halloa in the distance became fainter4 8,one of us must be wrong10 said ,wesley4 8,we don't match our knowledge against ,mr4 ,hartwell's10 said the spokesman of the strangers4 8,i am confident that ,i know the way10 said ,mr4 ,hartwell4 8,i only left the main track once1 and that was to cut off the round at ,stepney's ,gap40 8,on we go then1 with blessings on your head1 sir10 said the other man4 8,friends1 where should we ha' landed ourselves if we had fallen short of our luck in coming right on ,mr4 ,hartwell8 ,would we not do kindly to give a halloa or twain to help those poor hearts that may be wandering wild80 he added1 pointing in the direction whence the hail seemed to come4 8,ay1 'twould be but kind10 said an old man of the party4 8,oh1 'tis a dread and grisly mishap to be wandering wild in an unknown country40 ,forthwith the younger ones sent out answering hails to the halloas that came to them4 ,but when the next sounds reached their ears like echoes of their own shouts1 it seemed that they came from quite another quarter4 8,i could ha' taken my davy that the lost ones was off another point o' the compass10 said the old man4 8,no1 ,comyn10 said another4 8,no1 my man1 they came from thither40 ,he pointed straight in front of him4 8,from where we stand that should be the ,gap10 said ,mr4 ,hartwell4 8,a special comfortable place to be wandering wild in is the ,gap1 for if you walk straight on it carries you to the mighty ocean1 and if you walk back you will reach your own home safe1 if it be in that direction10 said the old man with emphasis4 8,was this mist far up the valley80 ,wesley enquired4 8,not more than a league1 sir10 replied the old man4 8',twas a sunlit morn when we made our start1 and then it came down on us like a ship in full sail4 ,there goes another hail1 and1 as ,i said1 it comes from behind us4 ,is there one of us that has a clear throat4 ',kish ,trevanna1 you was a gallery choir singer in your youth1 have you any sound metallic notes left that you could cheer up the lost ones withal8 ,come1 goodman1 be not over shy4 ,is this a time to be genteel when a parson's of the company1 waiting to help and succour the vague wanderers80 8,the call is for thee1 ,loveday1 for didst not follow the hounds oft when there was brisk work in ,squire's coverts80 said the man to whom the appeal was made4 8,we must hasten onward10 said ,mr4 ,hartwell1 making a start4 8',tis most like that we are overtaking whomsoever it be that was shouting a hail4 ,forward1 friends1 and feel your way to the pack-horse road40 ,the whole party began to move1 ,mr4 ,hartwell and ,wesley leading1 and before they had proceeded for more than two hundred yards they heard the sound of talking just ahead of them1 and the next moment a group of men loomed through the mist4 ,friends were also in the new party4 8,were you them that sang out80 asked one of them4 8,only in answer to your hail2 we be no cravens1 but always ready to help poor wanderers10 replied the talkative old man4 8,we did not sound a note before we heard a hail10 said the questioner in the new party4 8,we have not strayed yet1 being bound for the preaching40 8,have you been on the horse road80 asked ,hartwell4 8,the horse road8 ,why1 sir1 the horse road lies down the way that you came10 said the other4 8,surely not1 my friend4 ,how could we have missed it80 said ,hartwell4 8,if 'twasn't for the fog ,i could walk as steady for it as a mule10 said the old man4 8,ay1 friends1 us any mule under a pack saddle1 for ,i have traversed valley and cleft an hundred times in the old days1 being well known as a wild youth1 asking your pardon for talking so secular when a parson is by4 ,i am loath to boast1 but there was never a wilder youth in three parishes1 ,captain ,hartwell40 7,mr4 ,hartwell had once been the captain of a mine47 8,surely we should be guided by the sound of the sea10 said ,wesley4 8,a brief while ago ,i heard the boom of waters into one of the caves4 ,if we listen closely we should learn if the sound is more distinct and thereby gather if we are approaching that part of the cliff or receding from it40 8,book-learning is a great help at times1 but 'tis a snare in a streaming fog1 or in such times of snow as we were wont to have in the hard years before the ,queen died in her gorgeous palace10 remarked the patriarch4 8,one at a time1 grandfather10 said a man who had arrived with the last party4 8,there's not space enough for you and the ocean on a morn like this4 ,hark to the sea40 ,they stood together listening1 but now1 through one of the mysteries of a fog1 not a sound from the sea reached them4 ,they might have been miles inland4 8,i have been baffled by a fog before now10 said a shepherd4 8,have followed the bleat of an ewe for a mile over the hills1 and lo1 the silly beast had never left her lamb1 and when ,i was just over her she sounded the faintest40 8,time is passing2 should we not make a move in some direction80 said ,wesley4 8,surely1 my friends1 we must shortly come upon some landmark that will tell us our position in a moment40 8,i cannot believe that in trying to cut off the mile for the ,gap ,i went grossly astray10 said ,mr4 ,hartwell4 8,i am for marching straight on40 8,straight on we march and leave the guidance to ,heaven10 said ,wesley4 ,on they went1 ,wesley marvelling how it was that men who should have known every inch of the way blindfold1 having been on it almost daily all their lives1 could be so baffled by a mist4 ,to be sure ,mr4 ,hartwell had forsaken the track at one place1 but was it likely that he had got upon a different one when he had made his detour to cut off a mile of their journey4 ,on they walked1 however1 their party numbering fourteen men1 and then all of a sudden the voice of the sea came upon them1 and at the same moment they almost stepped over the steep brink of a little chasm4 8,what is this80 cried ,hartwell4 8,as ,i live'tis ,gosney hollow1 and we are scarcely half a mile from my house6 ,we have walked a good mile back on our steps40 8,did not ,i tell you how ,i followed the ewe80 said the shepherd4 8',tis for all the world the same tale4 ,sore baffling thing is a sea-mist40 8,the valley will be full o' lost men and women this day10 remarked the old man4 ,there is no condition of life so favourable to the growth of despondency as that which prevails in a fog4 ,the most sanguine are filled with despair when they find that their own senses1 to which they have trusted for guidance and protection1 are defeated4 ,the wanderers on this ,sunday morning stood draped by the fog1 feeling a sense of defeat4 ,no one made a suggestion4 ,everyone seemed to feel that it would be useless to make the attempt to proceed to the crags where the preaching was to be held4 8,think you1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 that this state of weather is the work of the ,fiend himself80 asked the talkative old man4 8,i know 'tis a busy question with professing ,christians1 as well as honest ,churchmen--this one that pertains to the weather4 ,stands to reason1 for say ,i have a turnip crop coming on and so holds out for a wet month or two1 while a neighbour may look for sunshine to ripen his grain4 ,now if so be that the days are shiny my turnips get the rot1 and who is to blame a weak man for saying that the ,foul ,fiend had a hand in prolonging the shine2 but what saith my neighbour80 8,hither comes another covey of wandering partridges10 said one of the first party1 as the sound of voices near at hand was heard4 8,now1 for myself1 ,i hold that 'tis scriptural natural to say that aught in the matter that pertains to the smoke of the ,pit is the ,devil's own work1 and if such a fog as this comes not straight out the main flue of----0 ,the old man's fluency was interrupted by the arrival of the new party1 ,nelly ,polwhele and her father4 8,you are just setting out for the preaching1 ,i suppose2 so we are not so late as we feared10 cried the girl4 8,still1 though we shall certainly not be late for the preaching1 however far behind we may be1 we would do well to haste40 ,wesley surely felt less despondent at the cheery greeting of the girl4 ,he laughed1 saying3 8',tis all very well to cry ',haste1' child2 know that it ,has taken us a whole hour to get so far40 8,is't possible that you have been out for an hour1 sir80 she cried4 8,surely some man of you was provident to carry with him a compass on such a morn as this80 8,you speak too fast1 maid2 book-learning has made thee talkative2 a mariner's compass is for the mariners--it will not work on dry land10 said the old man4 8,mine is one of the sort that was discovered since your sensible days1 friend--ay1 as long agone as that2 it works on land as well as on sea4 ,if a bumpkin stands i' the north its finger will point dead to him4 ,wouldst like to test it thyself80 said ,nelly's father4 ,before the old man had quite grasped his sarcasm1 though it was scarcely wanting in breadth1 he had turned to ,mr4 ,hartwell1 displaying a boat's compass in its wooden box4 8',twas ,nelly bade me carry it with us10 he ,said4 8,i worked out all the bearings o' the locality before we started1 and ,i can make the ,red ,tor as easy as ,i could steer to any unseen place on the lonely ocean4 ,here we be1 sir2 west sou'west to the ,gap1 track or no track2 then west and by nor'-west a little northerly to the lift o' the cliff1 thence south-half-east to the ,red ,tor4 ,up wi' your grapples1 friends1 we'll be there before the sermon has begun or even sooner if we step out40 ,wesley1 and indeed all of the party except perhaps the pessimistic old man1 whose garrulity had suffered a check1 felt more cheerful4 ,hartwell clapped ,polwhele on the back1 saying3 8,you are the man we were waiting for4 ,onward1 pilot2 we shall reach the ,tor in good time1 despite our false start and the delay it made to us40 ,they started along the track1 ,polwhele at their head1 and ,wesley with ,mr4 ,hartwell and ,nelly immediately behind him4 8,there's a whole sermon in this1 child10 said the preacher4 8,a whole sermon1 sir80 said she4 8,there should be only one sermon preached by man to men1 and this is it10 said ,wesley4 8,the poor wandering ones standing on a narrow causeway1 with danger on every side1 and the grey mist of doubt in the air4 ,the sense of being lost--mark that1 dear child1--and then the coming of the good ,pilot1 and a complete faith in following ,him into the place of safety which we all seek4 ,there is no sermon worth the preaching save only this40 ,on they went1 ,polwhele calling out the bearings every now and again1 and as they proceeded they came upon several other travellers1 more or less forlorn--all were hoping to reach the ,red ,tor in time2 so that before the abrupt turn was made from the pack-horse track1 there was quite a little procession on the way4 ,never had ,wesley had such an experience as this4 ,out from the folds of the impenetrable mist that rolled through the hollows of the low mounds that formed that natural amphitheatre1 came the sound of many voices1 and the effect was strange1 for one could not even see that a mass of people was assembled there4 ,the hum that the newcomers heard when still some distance away became louder as they approached1 and soon they were able to distinguish words and phrases--men calling aloud to men--some who had strayed from the friends were moving about calling their names1 and occasionally singing out a hail in the forlorn hope of their voices being recognised2 then there came the distressed wail of a woman who had got separated from her party1 and with the laughter of a group who had got reunited after many wanderings4 ,there was no lack of sounds1 but no shape of men or women could be distinguished in the mist1 until ,wesley and his party were among them4 ,and even then the dimly seen shapes had suggestions of the unreal about them4 ,some would loom larger than human for a few moments1 and then vanish suddenly4 ,others seemed grotesquely transfigured in the mist as if they had enwrapped themselves in a disguise of sackcloth4 ,they seemed not to be flesh and blood1 but only shadows4 ,coming suddenly upon them1 one felt that one had wandered to another world--a region of restless shadows4 ,how was any man to preach to such a congregation8 ,how was a preacher to put force into his words1 when failing to see the people before him8 ,when ,wesley found himself on the eminence where he had spoken to the multitude on his first coming to ,cornwall1 and several times later1 he looked down in front of him and saw nothing except the fine gauze of the grey clouds that rolled around the rocks4 ,he stood there feeling that he was the only living being in a world that was strange to him4 ,he thought of the poet who had gone to the place of departed spirits1 and realised his awful isolation4 ,how was he to speak words of life to this spectral host8 ,he had never known what fear was even when he had faced a maddened crowd bent upon the most strenuous opposition to his preaching3 he had simply paid no attention to them1 and the sound of his voice had held them back from him and their opposition had become parched4 ,but now he felt something akin to terror4 ,who was he that he should make this attempt to do what no man had ever done before8 ,he fell upon his knees and prayed aloud4 ,light--,light--,light--that was the subject of his prayer4 ,he was there with the people who had walked in darkness--he had walked with them1 and now they were in the presence of the ,one who had said 8,let there be ,light40 ,he prayed that the ,light of the ,world might appear to them at that time--the ,light that shineth through the darkness that comprehended ,him not4 ,he prayed for light to understand the ,light1 as the poet had done out of the darkness of his blindness4 8,so much the rather1 ,thou ,celestial ,light1 ,shine inward and the mind through her way ,irradiate2 there plant eyes2 all mists from thence ,purge and disperse that ,i may see and tell ,of things invisible to mortal sight40 ,and after his prayer with closed eyes1 he began to preach into that void1 and his text was of the ,light also4 ,his voice sounded strange to his own ears4 ,it seemed to him that he was standing in front of a wall1 trying to make his words pass through it4 ,this was at first2 a moment later he felt that he was speaking to a denser multitude than he had ever addressed before4 ,the mist was before his eyes as a sea of sad grey faces waiting1 earnest and anxious for the message of gladness which he was bringing them4 ,his voice rose to heights of impressiveness that it had never reached before4 ,it clove a passage through the mist and fell upon the ears of the multitude whom he could not see1 stirring them as they had never been stirred before1 while he gave them his message of the ,light4 ,for close upon half an hour he spoke of the ,light4 ,he repeated the word--again and again he repeated it1 and every time that it came from his lips it had the effect of a lightning flash4 ,this was at first4 ,he spoke in flashes of lightning1 uttered from the midst of the cloud of a night of dense blackness2 and then he made a change4 ,the storm that made fitful1 fiercer illumination passed away1 and after an interval the reiteration of the ,light appeared again4 ,but now it was the true ,light--the light of dawn breaking over a sleeping world4 ,it did not come in a flash to dazzle the eyes and then to make the darkness more dread2 it moved gradually upward2 there was a flutter as of a dove's wing over the distant hills1 the tender feathers of the dawn floated through the air1 and fell upon the ,eastern ,sea1 quivering there2 and even while one watched them wondering1 out of the tremulous spaces of the sky a silver1 silken thread was spread where the heaven and the waters met--it broadened and became a cincture of pearls1 and then the thread that bound it broke1 and the pearls were scattered1 flying up to the sky and falling over all the waters in beautiful confusion2 and before the world had quite awakened1 the ,day itself gave signs of hastening to gather up the pearls of ,dawn4 ,the ,day's gold-sandalled feet were nigh--they were shining on the sea's brim1 and lo6 the ,east was bright with gold4 ,men cried1 8,why do those feet tarry80 ,but even while they spoke1 the wonder of the ,morn had come upon them4 ,flinging down his mantle upon the mountains over which he had stepped--a drapery of translucent lawn1 the splendour of the new light sprung upward1 lifting hands of blessing over the world1 and men looked and saw each other's faces1 and knew that they were blest4 ,and the wonder that he spoke of had come to pass4 ,while the preacher had been describing the breaking light1 the light had come4 ,all unnoticed1 the mist had been dissolving1 and when he had spoken his last words the sunlight was bathing the preacher and the multitude who hung upon his words4 ,the wonder that he told them of had taken place1 and there did not seem to them anything of wonder about it4 ,only when he made his pause did they look into each other's faces as men do when they have slept and the day has awakened them4 ,then with the sunlight about them1 for them to drink great draughts that refreshed their souls1 he spoke of the ,light of the ,world--of the ,dayspring from on ,high that had visited the world1 and their souls were refreshed4 ,and not one word had he said of all that he had meant to say--not one word of the man whom he had come so far to reprove4 ,no one was conscious of the omission4 ,,chapter ,,xvii ,the day became sultry when the mist had cleared away1 and by noon the heat was more oppressive than had been known all the ,summer4 ,wesley was exhausted by the time he set out with ,mr4 ,hartwell to return to the village4 ,they needed no mariner's compass now to tell them the way4 ,they scarcely exchanged a word4 ,they seemed to have forgotten the conditions under which they had gone forth in the early morning4 ,a new world seemed to have been created since then--a world upon which the shadow of darkness could not fall for evermore4 ,they had gone straight to the cliffs1 hoping for a breath of air from the sea to refresh them2 but they were disappointed2 the air was motionless and the reflection of the sunlight from the waves was dazzling in its brilliancy4 8,i should have thought that the very weight of this heavy atmosphere would make the sea like glass10 said ,wesley1 while they rested on the summit of the cliff4 8,and yet there are waves such as ,i have never seen on this part of the coast unless when something akin to a gale was blowing40 8,i daresay there was a strong breeze blowing1 though we did not feel it in the shelter of the hollow of the ,tor10 said his companion4 8,true2 it would require a strong wind to sweep away the mist so suddenly10 said ,wesley4 8,ah1 sir10 said the other1 8,i did not think of a wind in that connection4 ,was it the fingers of the wind1 think you1 that swept that thick veil aside1 or was it the ,hand that rent in twain the veil of the ,temple80 8,i am reproached1 brother10 said ,wesley4 8,let us give thanks unto ,god4 ,may ,he give us grace to think of all things as coming from ,him--whether they take the form of a mist which obscures ,his purpose1 or the darkness of a tempest on which ,he rides4 ,i know myself wanting in faith at all times--in that faith without reserve which a child has in his father4 ,i confess that for a moment in the morning ,i had the same thought as that which was expressed by the old man who joined us3 ,i thought it possible that that fog which threatened to frustrate our walk had been sent by the ,enemy4 ,should ,i have thought so if our work had been hindered in very truth8 ,i dare not say no to that question4 ,but now ,i know that it helped rather than obstructed1 us40 8,there can be no doubt about that10 said ,hartwell4 8,for myself1 ,i say that ,i was never so deeply impressed in my life as at that moment when ,i found myself looking at you2 you were speaking of the world awakening1 and it seemed to me that ,i had been asleep--listening to the sound of your voice--the voice of a dream1 and then ,i was full awake1 ,i knew not how4 ,i tell you1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 ,i was not conscious of the change that was taking place--from darkness to light40 8,nor was ,i10 said ,wesley4 8,my eyes were closed fast while ,i was preaching4 ,i had closed them to shut out that incongruous picture of obscurity1 while ,i thought of the picture of the breaking of light2 when ,i opened my eyes the picture that ,i had been striving to paint was before me4 ,it was the ,lord's doing40 ,while they remained resting on the cliff the officer of the ,preventive men came upon them4 ,he knew ,hartwell1 and had1 when ,wesley had been in the neighbourhood before1 thanked him for the good influence his preaching had in checking the smuggling4 ,he now greeted them cordially and enquired if they had come from the village1 adding that he hoped the fishing boats had not suffered from the effects of the tide4 8,we left the port early in the morning1 and in the face of the mist4 ,what is the matter with the tide80 said ,hartwell4 8,you have not been on the beach8 ,why1 'tis a marvel1 gentlemen10 cried the officer4 8,the like has not been seen since ,i took up my appointment in this neighbourhood--a tide so high that the caves are flooded to the roof4 ,list1 sirs2 you can hear naught of the usual boom of the waters when the pressed air forces them back40 ,they listened1 but although there was the usual noise of the waves breaking along the coast1 the boom from the caves which had been heard at intervals through the mist was now silent4 8,as a rule 'tis at high tide that the sound is loudest10 said ,hartwell4 8,that is so10 said the officer4 8,the higher the water is1 the more the air in the caves becomes pressed1 and so the louder is the explosion4 ,but this day the water has filled the caves to the roof1 leaving no air in their depths to bellow4 ,one of my men1 on his patrol an hour ago1 was overtaken by the tide at the foot of the cliffs at a place high above spring tide mark4 ,he had to climb to safety4 ,he did so only with difficulty4 ,had he been at ,nitlisaye1 nothing would have saved him40 8,what1 are ,nithsaye sands flooded8 ,impossible10 cried ,hartwell4 8,flooded up to ,tor1 sir4 ,i tell you the thing is a marvel60 8,all the more so1 since there is no wind to add to the force of the tide10 said ,wesley4 8,true1 sir2 there was a strong breeze in the early morning that swept the sea-mist over the shore2 but there has not been a capful since10 said the officer4 8,but see the waves6 ,are they the effects of the early wind1 think you1 sir80 asked ,wesley4 8,maybe2 but if so1 this also is past my experience of this coast1 sir10 replied the man4 8,but ,i allow that when ,i was sailing with ,captain ,hawke in the ,west ,indies ,i knew of the waters of the ,caribbean ,sea being stirred up like this in the dead calm before a hurricane that sent us on our beam ends1 and one of our squadron on to the ,palisades ,reef at ,port ,royal40 8,do you fear for a hurricane at this time80 asked ,wesley4 8,a gale1 maybe2 but no such hurricane as wrecks the island it swoops down on in the ,leewards1 sir4 ,oh1 a hurricane in very deed6 ,our ship's cutter--a thirty-foot boat swung in on the iron davits--and lashed down to iron stanchions on the deck--was whisked adrift as if it had been an autumn leaf4 ,i say it went five hundred fathom through the air and no man saw it fall4 ,i saw a road twenty foot wide shorn through the dense forest for five miles as clean as with a scythe1 as you go to ,spanish ,town--a round dozen of planters' houses and a stone church had once stood on that cutting4 ,they were swept off1 and not a stone of any one of them was ever found by mortal after4 ,oh1 a hurricane1 indeed6 ,we need expect naught like that1 by the mercy of ,heaven1 gentlemen2 though ,i care not for the look of yon sun40 ,they glanced upwards4 ,the sun had the aspect of being seen through a slight haze1 which made it seem of a brazen red1 large and with its orb all undefined4 ,it looked more like the red fire of a huge lighted brazier than the round sun1 and all around it there was the gleam as of moving flames4 8,looks unhealthy--is't not so80 said the officer4 8,there is a haze in the air2 but the heat is none the less10 said ,hartwell4 8,i like it not1 sirs4 ,this aspect of the sun is part and parcel of some disturbance of nature that we would do well to be prepared for10 said the officer1 shaking his head ominously4 8,a disturbance of nature8 ,what mean you8 ,have you been hearing of the fishing-boats that have been hauled up on the stones at the port for the past two days8 ,have you taken serious account of the foolishness of a man who calls himself a prophet80 asked ,hartwell4 ,the officer laughed4 8,oh1 ,i have heard much talk of the ,prophet ,pritchard10 he said4 8,but you surely do not reckon me as one of those poor wretches whom he has scared out of their lives by threatening them with the ,day of ,judgment to-morrow8 ,nay1 sir2 ,i placed my trust in a statement that begins with soundings1 the direction of the wind and its force1 the sail that is set1 the last cast of the log1 the bearings of certain landmarks1 and the course that is being steered4 ,my word for it1 without such a preface1 any statement is open to doubt40 8,and have you received such a statement in regard to your 'disturbance of nature1' sir80 8,that ,i have1 sirs4 ,our cutter was cruising about a league off shore two nights ago1 light breeze from west-nor'-west1 sail set2 mainsail1 foresail1 jib1 speed three knots4 ,hour1 two bells in the morning1 ,master in charge on deck1 watch1 larboard--names if necessary4 ,reports1 night sultry1 cloudless since second dog watch1 attention called to sounds as of discharge of great guns in nor'-nor'west4 ,lasted some minutes1 not continuous2 followed by noise as of a huge wave breaking1 or the fall of a cataract in same quarter4 ,took in jib1 mainsail haul1 stand by to lower gaff4 ,no further sounds reported1 but sea suddenly got up1 though no change of wind1 force or direction1 and till four bells cutter sailed through waves choppy as if half a gale had been blowing4 ,after four bells gradual calm4 ,nothing further to report till eight bells1 when cutter1 tacking east-nor'east1 all sail set1 gunner's mate found in it a dead fish4 ,master reports quantity of dead fish floating around4 ,took five aboard--namely1 hake two1 rock codling one1 turbot two1 rock codling with tail damaged4 ,that's a statement we can trust1 ,mr4 ,hartwell4 ,yesterday it was supplemented by accounts brought by my men of the coast patrol1 of quantities of dead fish washed ashore in various directions4 ,and now comes this marvellous tide4 ,sirs1 have not ,i some grounds for touching upon such a subject as 'a great disturbance of nature'80 8,ample1 sir1 ample10 said ,wesley4 8,pray1 does your ,west ,indian experience justify you in coming to any conclusion in regard to these things80 8,i have heard of fish being killed by the action of a volcano beneath the sea10 said the officer4 8,i have heard it said that all the ,leeward ,islands are volcanos1 though only one was firing broadsides the year that ,i was with my ,lord ,hawke4 ',twas at ,martinique which we took from the ,french4 ,even before the island came in sight1 our sails were black with dust and our decks were strewn with cinders4 ,but when we drew nigh to the island and saw the outburst of molten rocks flying up to the very sky itself--sir1 ,i say to you that when a man has seen such a sight as that1 he is not disposed to shudder at all that a foolish fellow who has never sailed further than the ,bristol ,channel may prate about the ,day of ,judgment40 8,and to your thinking1 sir1 an earthquake or some such convulsion of nature hath taken place at the bottom of our peaceful ,channel80 said ,wesley4 8,in my thinking1 sir1 yes4 ,but ,i would not say that the convulsion was at the bottom of the ,channel2 it may have been an hundred leagues in the ,atlantic4 ,and more is to come1 sirs2 take my word for it1 more is to come4 ,look at yonder sun2 'tis more ominous than ever4 ,i shall look out for volcano dust in the next rain1 and advise the near-1 est station east'ard to warn all the fishing craft to make snug1 and be ready for the worst4 ,i should not be surprised to find that the tide is still rising1 and so ,i wish you good-morning1 sirs40 ,he took off his hat and resumed his patrol of the coast4 8,this is a day of surprises10 said ,wesley4 8,the story of the fish is difficult to believe1 in spite of the cocoon of particulars in which it is enclosed10 said ,hartwell4 8,the greatest marvel in a mariner's life seems to me to be his imagination and his readiness of resource when it comes to a question of memory4 ,a volcano mountain in our ,channel60 8,do not condemn the master of the revenue cutter too hastily10 said ,wesley4 8,his story corresponds very nearly to that narrated to me yesterday by ,polwhele40 8,is't possible8 ,true1 ,polwhele was the only fisherman who went out to the reef three nights ago10 said ,hartwell4 8,and the strange sounds----0 8,he heard them also--he thought that they came from a frigate discharging a broadside of carronades40 ,hartwell was silent for some time4 ,at last he said3 8,i could wish that these mysterious happenings had come at some other time4 ,are you rested sufficiently in this place1 sir8 ,i am longing for a cool room1 where ,i can think reasonably of all that ,i have seen and heard this day40 ,wesley rose from the hollow where he had made his seat and walked slowly down the sloping path toward the village4 ,but long before they had reached the place of his sojourning1 he became aware of a scene of excitement in the distance4 ,the double row of straggling cottages that constituted the village of ,porthawn they had left in the morning standing far beyond the long and steep ridge of shingle1 at the base of which the wrack of high water lay1 was now close to the water's edge4 ,the little wharf alongside of which the fishing boats were accustomed to lie had been hauled up practically to the very doors of the houses4 ,scores of men and women were engaged in the work of hauling them still higher1 not by the machinery of the capstans--the capstans were apparently submerged--but by hawsers4 ,the sound of the sailors' 8,heave ho60 came to the ear of ,wesley and his companion a few seconds after they had seen the bending to the haul of all the people who were clinging to the hawsers as flies upon a thread4 ,the shore was dark with men running with gear-tackles with blocks1 while others were labouring along under the weight of spars and masts that had been hastily outstepped4 ,mr4 ,hartwell was speechless with astonishment4 8,it is indeed a day of wonder60 exclaimed ,wes--ley4 8,a high tide8 ,ay2 but who could have believed such an one possible8 ,should we not be doing well to lend them a hand in their emergency80 ,he had to repeat his question before the other had recovered from his astonishment sufficiently to be able to reply4 8,such a tide6 ,such a tide60 he muttered4 8,what can it mean8 ,lend a hand8 ,surely--surely6 ,every hand is needed there40 ,they were compelled to make a detour landward in order to reach the people1 for the ordinary path was submerged1 but they were soon in the midst of them1 and bending to the work of hauling1 until the drops fell from their faces1 when the heavy boat at which they laboured had her bowsprit well-nigh touching the window of the nearest house4 ,wesley dropped upon a stone and wiped his forehead1 and some of the fishermen did the same1 while others were loosing the tackles1 in readiness to bind them on the next boat4 ,nelly ,polwhele was kneeling beside him in an instant--her hair had become unfastened1 for she had been working hard with the other women1 and fell in strands down her back and over her shoulders4 ,her face was wet4 8,oh1 sir2 this is overmuch for you60 she cried4 8,far overmuch1 after all that you have gone through since morning4 ,pray rest you in the shade4 ,there is a jug of cider cooling in a pail of water fresh drawn from the well4 ,you need refreshment40 ,he took her hand1 smiling4 8,i am refreshed1 dear child10 he said4 8,i am refreshed40 8,why should that man he treated different from the rest of us2 tell me that10 came the voice of a man who had been watching them1 and now stepped hastily forward4 ,wesley saw that he was ,bennet4 8,is there a man in the village who doesn't know that 'tis ,john ,wesley and his friends that has brought this visitation upon us8 ,was there anything like to this before he came with his new-fangled preaching1 drawing down the wrath of ,heaven upon such as have been fool enough to join themselves to him8 ,was there any of you1 men1 that thought with trembling limbs and sweating foreheads of the ,day of ,judgment until ,john ,wesley turned the head of that poor man ,pritchard1 and made him blaspheme1 wrapping himself in ,wesley's old cloak1 and telling you that'twas the mantle of a prophet80 ,nelly had risen to her feet before his last sentence was spoken1 but a moment afterward she sprang to one side with a cry4 ,she was just in time to avoid the charge of a man on horseback4 ,but ,bennet was not so fortunate4 ,before he was aware of a danger threatening him1 he felt himself carried off his feet1 a strong man's hands grasping the collars of his coat1 so that he was swung off the ground1 dangling and scrawling like a puppet4 ,down the horse sprang into the water1 until it was surging over the pommel of the saddle4 ,then1 and only then1 the rider loosed his hold1 reining in his horse with one hand1 while with the other he flung the man headforemost a couple of yards farther into the waves4 8,the hound6 the hound6 that will cool his ardour60 cried ,parson ,rodney1 backing his horse out of the water1 while the people above him roared1 and the man1 coming to the surface like a grampus1 struck out for a part of the beach most remote from the place where he had stood4 ,wesley was on his feet and had already taken a step or two down the shingle1 for ,parson ,rodney's attitude suggested his intention of preventing the man from landing1 when he saw that ,bennet was a strong swimmer1 and that he1 too1 had put the same interpretation upon the rider's raising of his hunting crop4 8,sir10 said ,parson ,rodney1 bringing his dripping horse beside him1 8,i grieve that any man in my parish should put such an affront upon you4 ,only so gross a wretch would have done so4 ,thank ,heaven the fellow is not of ,porthawn1 nor a ,cornishman at all4 ,if you do not think that my simple rebuke has been enough1 ,i am a ,justice1 and ,i promise you to send him to gaol for a month at next session40 8,sir1 you mean well by me10 said ,wesley2 8but ,i would not that any human being were placed in jeopardy of his life on my account40 8,that is because you are overgentle1 sir10 said ,rodney4 8,thank ,heaven1 my fault does not lie in that direction40 8,repent1 repent1 repent1 while there is yet time ,in a few more hours ,time shall be no more60 came a loud voice from the high ground above the bank4 ,everyone turned and saw there the figure of ,richard ,pritchard1 standing barehead in the scorching sun1 his hands upraised and his hair unkept2 and a curious nondescript garment made apparently of several sacks hastily stitched together1 with no sleeves4 ,on his feet he wore what looked like sandals--he had cut down the upper portion of his shoes1 so that only the sole remained1 and these were fastened to his feet by crossed pieces of tape4 ,he was the prophet of the ,bible illustration4 ,it was plain that he had studied some such print and that he had determined that nothing should be lacking in his garb to make complete the part which he meant to play4 ,up again went the long1 lean1 bare arms1 and again came the voice3 8,o men of ,porthawn1 now is the accepted time1 now is the ,day of ,salvation4 ,yet a few more hours and ,time shall be no more4 ,repent1 repent1 repent1 while ye have time40 ,,chapter ,,xviii ,there could be no doubt about the depth of the impression which the strange figure and his unusual garb produced upon the people4 ,there he stood on the high ground above the houses1 the man who had prophesied the end of the world1 while beneath them tumbled the waves of a sea where they had never seen sea water before6 ,the occurrence1 being so far outside their experience1 had about it the elements of the supernatural--the aspect of a miracle4 ,was this the beginning of the end of all8 they asked themselves4 ,to these people the daily ebb and flow of the tide1 ever going on before their eyes1 was the type of a regularity that nothing could change2 and never once had the water been forced1 even under the influence of the strongest gale from the southwest1 beyond the summit of the shingle-heap--never until this day4 ,it was an awful thing that had come to pass before their eyes1 and while their brains were reeling beneath its contemplation there rang out that voice of warning4 ,the man who had predicted an event that was not more supernatural in their eyes than the one which had come to their very feet1 was there bidding them repent4 ,but strange to say1 there was not one among the-people assembled there who made a motion--who cried out in conviction of the need for repentance1 as hundreds had done upon every occasion of ,john4 ,wesley's preaching1 although it had contained no element that1 in the judgment of an ordinary person1 would appeal with such force to the emotions of the villagers as did the scene in which ,pritchard now played a part4 ,they remained unmoved--outwardly1 however shrinking with terror some of them may have been4 ,perhaps it was they felt that the man had1 in a way1 threatened them physically1 and they had a feeling that it would show cowardice on their part to betray their fear1 or it may have been that1 as was nearly always the case when a prophet came to a people1 they attributed to the bearer of the messages of the ill the responsibility for the ills which he foretold--however it may have been1 the people only glanced up at the weird figure1 and made no move4 ,but the appearance of the man at that moment had the effect of making them forget the scene which had immediately preceded the sound of his voice4 ,no one looked to see whether or not ,john ,bennet had scrambled back to the beach or had gone under the waters4 8,it is coming--it is coming3 ,i hear the sound of the hoofs of the pale ,horse--yonder is the red ,horse spoken of by the prophet at ,patmos1 but the ,white ,horse is champing his bit4 ,i hear the clink of the steel1 and ,death is his rider4 ,he cometh with fire and brimstone4 ,repent--repent--repent60 8,i have a mind to make the fellow repent of his impudence10 said ,parson ,rodney4 8,the effrontery of the man trying to make me play a part in his quackery4 ,i wonder how this water-finder would find the water if ,i were to give him the ducking ,i gave to the other80 8,you would do wrong1 sir10 said ,wesley4 8,but ,i feel that ,i have no need to tell you so3 your own good judgment tells you that yonder man is to be pitied rather than punished40 8,oh1 if that is the view you take of the matter1 you may be sure that ,i'll not interfere10 cried the other4 8,the fellow may quack or croak or crow for aught ,i care4',twas for you ,i was having thought4 ,but ,i've no intention of constituting my humble self your champion4 ,i wish you well2 and ,i know that if the world gets over the strain of ,monday1 we shall never see you in our neighbourhood again40 8,the elements shall melt with fervent heat4 ,you feel it--you feel it on your faces to-day3 ,i foretold it1 and ,i was sent to cry unto all that have ears to hear1 ',repent--repent--repent'60 8,the fellow has got no better manner than a real prophet10 laughed ,parson ,rodney2 but there was not much merriment in his laughter4 8,i have a mind to have him brought before me as an incorrigible rogue and vagabond10 he continued4 8,an hour or twain in the stocks would make him think more civilly of the world4 ,if he becomes bold enough to be offensive to you1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 give me a hint of it1 and ,i'll promise you that ,i'll make him see more fire and brimstone than he ever did in one of his ecstatic moods2 and so good-day to you1 sir40 ,he put his horse to a trot1 and returned the salutes of the men who were standing idly watching ,pritchard in his very real sackcloth4 ,but he had scarcely ridden past them when he turned his horse and called out3 8,wherefore are you idle1 good men8 ,do you mean to forsake the remainder of your smacks80 ,a few of the fishermen looked at one another2 they shook their heads2 one of them wiped his forehead4 8',twill be all the same after ,monday1 ,parson10 said that man4 8,you parboiled lobster-grabber60 cried the ,parson4 8,do you mean to say that you have the effrontery to believe that addle-pate up there rather than a clergyman of the ,church of ,england8 ,look at him4 ,he's not a man4',tis a poor cut torn from1 a child's picture ,bible that he is6 ,do you believe that the world would come to an end without your properly ordained clergyman giving you a hint of it8 ,go on with your work1 if you are men4 ,repent8 ,ay1 you'll all repent when 'tis too late1 if you fail to haul up your boats so that their backs get not broken on that ridge4 ,if you feel that you must repent1 do it hauling4 ,and when you've done your work1 come up to the ,rectory and cool your throats with a jug of cider1 cool from the cellar1 mind40 8,there shall be no more sea10 came the voice of the man on the mound2 it was growing appreciably hoarser4 8,no more sea80 shouted the parson4 8,that's an unlucky shot of yours1 my addle-pated prophet2 'tis too much sea that we be suffering from just here40 ,wesley had not reseated himself4 ,he put his hand upon ,mr4 ,hartwell's arm4 ,the latter understood what he meant4 ,they walked away together4 8,i have seen nothing sadder for years10 said ,wesley4 8,i have been asking myself if ,i am to blame4 ,should not ,i have been more careful in regard to that unhappy man80 8,if blame is to be attached to any it is to be attached to those who recommended the man to you1 and ,i was among them10 said ,hartwell4 8,i recall how you were not disposed to accept him into our fellowship by reason of his work with the divining rod2 but we persuaded you against your judgment4 ,i1 for one1 shall never forgive myself40 8,was ever aught so saddening as that travesty of the most solemn event80 said ,wesley4 8,and then the spectacle of that well-meaning but ill-balanced man6 ,a clergyman of our ,church--you saw him turn to mock the wretch8 ,he made a jest upon the line that has never failed to send a thrill through me3 ',no more sea4' ,shocking--shocking6444 ,friend1 ,i came hither with the full intention of administering a rebuke to ,pritchard--of openly letting it be understood that we discountenanced him4 ,but ,i did not do so to-day1 and ,i am glad of it4 ,however vain the man may be--however injuriously he may affect our aims among the people--,i am still glad that ,i was turned away from saying a word against him40 ,mr4 ,hartwell was too practical a man to look at the matter in the same light4 ,but he said nothing further about ,pritchard4 ,when he spoke1 which he did after a time1 it was about ,bennet4 ,he asked ,wesley if he could guess why the man had spoken to him so bitterly4 ,why should the man bear him a grudge8 ,wesley mentioned that ,bennet had come upon him when he was walking with ,polwhele's daughter from the ,mill4 8,ah1 that is the form of his madness--he becomes insanely jealous of anyone whom he sees near that girl4 ,but one might have thought that you at least--oh1 absurdity could go no further6 ,but a jealous man is a madman2 he is incapable of looking at even the most ordinary incident except through green glasses4 ,you are opposed to clergymen marrying1 are you not1 ,mr4 ,wesley8 ,i have heard of your book-----0 8,i wrote as ,i was persuaded at that time10 replied ,wesley4 8,but more recently--,i am not confident that ,i did not make a mistake in my conclusions4 ,i am not sure that it is good for a man to be alone2 and a clergyman1 of all men1 needs the sympathy--the sweet and humane companionship of a woman40 8,true1 sir2 but if a clergymen makes a mistake in his choice of a wife1 there can be no question that his influence declines2 and so many men of your cloth wreck themselves on the quicksand of matrimony4 ,i daresay that 'tis your own experience of this that keeps you single1 though you may have modified your original views on the subject4 ,strange1 is't not1 that we should find ourselves discussing such a point at this time8 ,but this seems to be the season of strange things1 and 'twould be the greatest marvel of all if we ourselves were not affected4 ,is it the terrible heat1 think you1 that has touched the heads of those two men80 8,i scarce know what ,i should think10 said ,wesley4 8,the case of ,pritchard is the more remarkable4 ,only now it occurred to me that there may be a strange affinity between the abnormal in nature and the mind of such a man as he4',twould be idle to contend that he has not been able as a rule to say where water is to be found on sinking a shaft2 ,i have heard several persons testify to his skill in this particular--if it may be called skill4 ,does not his possession of this power then suggest that he may be so constituted that his senses may be susceptible of certain vague suggestions which emanate from the earth1 just as some people catch ague--,i have known of such in ,georgia--when in the neighbourhood of a swamp1 while others remain quite unaffected in health80 8,that is going too far for me1 sir10 said ,hartwell4 8,i do not need to resort to anything more difficult to understand than vanity to enable me to understand how ,pritchard has changed4 ,the fellow's head has been turned--that's all40 8,that explanation doth not wholly satisfy me10 said ,wesley4 8,i think that we have at least some proof that he was sensible of something abnormal in ,nature1 and this sensibility acting upon his brain disposed him to take a distorted view of the thing4 ,his instinct in this matter may have been accurate2 but his head was weak4 ,he receives an impression of something strange1 and forthwith he begins to talk of the ,day of ,judgment1 and his foolish vanity induces him to think of himself as a prophet4 ,the ,preventive officer thinks that there hath been an earthquake4 ,now there can1 ,i think1 be no doubt that ,pritchard was sensible of its coming2 ,pol-whele told you yesterday that he had predicted an earthquake in the sea1 although it seemed that his illiteracy was accountable for this3 and now there comes this remarkable tide--the highest tide that the memory of man has known40 8,you have plainly been giving the case of ,pritchard much of your attention10 said ,hartwell2 8but ,i pray you to recall his account of the vision which he said came to him when he fell into that trance4 ',twas just the opposite to a high tide--'twas such an ebbing of the water as left bare the carcase of the ,east ,indiaman that went ashore on the ,dog's ,teeth reef forty years ago40 8,true2 but to my way of thinking it matters not whether 'twas a prodigious ebb or a prodigious flow that he talked of so long as he was feeling the impression of the unusual--of the extraordinary4 ,mind you1 ,i am only throwing out a hint of a matter that may become1 if approached in a proper spirit1 a worthy subject for sober philosophical thought4 ,god forbid that ,i should take it upon me to say at this moment that the power shown by that man is from the ,enemy of mankind1 albeit ,i have at times found myself thinking that it could come from no other source40 8,you are too lenient1 ,i fear1 ,mr4 ,wesley4 ,for myself1 ,i believe simply that the man's head has been turned4 ,is't not certain that a devil enters into such men as are mad1 and have we not proof that witches and warlocks have sometimes the perverted gift of prophecy1 through the power of their master1 the ,old ,devil80 8,i cannot gainsay it1 my brother1 and it is because of this you say1 that ,i am greatly perplexed40 ,they had been walking very slowly1 for the heat of the day seemed to have increased1 and they were both greatly exhausted4 ,before entering ,mr4 ,hartwell's house they stood for a short time looking seaward4 ,there1 as before1 the waves danced under the rays of the sun1 although not a breath of air stirred between the sea and the sky4 ,the canopy of the heaven was blue1 but it suggested the blue of hard steel rather than that of the transparent sapphire or that of the soft mass of a bed of forget-me-nots1 or of the canopy of clematis which clambered over the porch4 ,the sun that glared down from the supreme height was like to no other sun they had ever seen4 ,the haze on its disc1 to which the ,preventive officer had drawn their attention an hour earlier1 had been slowly growing in the meantime1 until now it was equal to four diameters of the orb itself1 and it was so permeated with the rays that it seemed part of the sun itself4 ,there that mighty furnace seethed with intolerable fire1 and so singular was the haze that one1 glancing for a moment upward with hand on forehead1 seemed to see the huge tongues of flame that burst forth now and again as they do beneath a copper cauldron on the furnace of the artificer4 ,but this was not all1 for at a considerable distance from the molten mass1 which had the sun for its core1 there was a wide ring apparently of fire4 ,though dull as copper for the most part1 yet at times there was a glow as of living and not merely reflected flame1 at parts of the brazen circle1 and flashes seemed to go from the sun to this cincture1 conveying the impression of an enormous shield1 having the sun as the central boss of shining brass1 on which fiery darts were striking1 flying off again to the brass binding of the targe4 8,another marvel60 said ,wesley2 8but ,i have seen the dike more than once before4 ,once 'twas on the ,atlantic1 and the master of our ship1 who was a mariner of experience1 told me that that outer circle was due to the sun shining through particles of moisture4 ,hold up a candle in the mist and you have the same thing40 8,i myself have seen it more than once2 'tis not a marvel1 though it has appeared on a day of marvels10 said ,hartwell2 and forthwith they entered the house4 ,they were both greatly exhausted1 the fact being that before setting out for the preaching in the early morning they had taken no more than a glass of milk and a piece of bread1 and during the seven hours that had elapsed they had tasted nothing1 though the day had been a most exhausting one4 ,in a very few minutes the cold dinner1 with the salad1 which had been in readiness for their return1 found them grateful2 and after partaking of it ,wesley retired to his room4 ,he threw himself upon a couch that stood under the window2 a group of trees1 though birch and not very bosky1 grew so close to the window that they had made something of a shade to the room since morning1 so that it was the coolest in the house4 ,it was probably this sense of coolness that refreshed him so far as to place him within the power of sleep4 ,he had thought it impossible when he entered the house that he should be able to find such a relief1 exhausted as he had been4 ,but now he had scarcely put his head on the pillow before he was asleep4 ,several hours had passed before he opened his eyes again4 ,he was conscious that a great change of some sort1 that he could not at once define1 had taken place4 ,the room was in shadow where before it had been lighted by flecks of sunshine1 but this was not the change which appealed to him with striking force2 nor was it the sense of being refreshed1 of which he was now aware4 ,there was a curious silence in the world--the change had something to do with the silence4 ,he felt as he had done in the parlour of ,ruthallion ,mill when he had been talking to the miller and the machinery had suddenly stopped for the breakfast hour4 ,that was his half-awakened thought4 ,the next moment he was fully awake1 and he knew what had happened3 when he had fallen asleep the sound of the waves had been in his ears without cessation1 and now the sea was silent4 ,he thought that he had never before been in such a silence4 ,it seemed strange1 mysterious1 full of awful suggestions4 ,it seemed to his vivid imagination that the world1 which a short time before had been full of life1 had suddenly swooned away4 ,the hush was the hush of death4 ,the silence was the silence of the tomb4 8',tis thus10 he thought1 8that a man awakens after death--in a place of awful silences40 ,and then he felt as if all the men in the world had been cut off in a moment1 leaving him the only man alive4 ,it continued unbroken while he lay there4 ,it became a nightmare silence--an awful palpable thing like a ,sphinx--a blank dumbness--a benumbing of all ,nature--a sealing up of all the world as in the hard bondage of an everlasting ,winter4 ,he sprang from his couch unable to endure the silence any longer4 ,he went to the window and looked out1 expecting to see the flat unruffled surface of the channel1 where the numberless waves had lately been1 sparkling with intolerable1 brilliance1 and every wave sending its voice into the air to join the myriad-voiced chorus that the sea made4 ,he looked out and started back2 then he drew up the blind and stared out in amazement1 for where the sea had been there was now no sea4 ,he threw open the window and looked out4 ,far away in the utter distance he saw what seemed like a band of glittering crimson on the horizon4 ,looking further round and to the west he saw that the sun was more than halfway down the slope of the heavens in that quarter and it was of the darkest crimson in colour--large1 but no longer fiery4 ,then there came a murmur to his ears--the murmur of a multitude of people2 and above this sound came a hoarse1 monotonous voice1 crying3 8,i heard one say to me3 ',there shall be no sea--there shall be no more sea'2 and the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood1 before the great and terrible ,day of the ,lord4 ,repent--repent--repent60 ,far away he could see the figure of the man4 ,he stood on the summit of the cliff beyond the path1 and1 facing the sinking sun1 he was crimson from head to foot4 ,seen at such a distance and in that light he looked an imposing figure--a figure that appealed to the imagination1 and not lacking in those elements which for ages have been associated with the appearance of a fearless prophet uplifting a lean right arm and crying 8,thus saith the ,lord40 ,wesley listened and heard his cry3 8,there shall be no more sea6 ,repent--repent--repent60 ,illustration3 #jbbc ,,chapter ,,xix ,what think you now1 sir80 ,hartwell asked of ,wesley when the latter had descended the stairs and entered the little parlour of the house4 8,i am too greatly amazed to think10 replied ,wesley4 8,but since you put thinking into my head1 ,i would ask you if you think it unnatural that a great ebb should follow an unusually high tide80 ,it was plain that ,hartwell was greatly perturbed4 8,unnatural8 ,why1 has not everything that has happened for the past three days been unnatural80 he cried4 8,sir1 ,i am1 ,i thank ,god1 a level-headed man4 ,i have seen some strange things in my life1 both in the mines and when seafaring2 ,i thought that naught could happen to startle me1 but ,i confess that this last--,i tell you1 sir1 that ,i feel now as if ,i were in the midst of a dream4 ,my voice sounds strange to myself2 it seems to come from someone apart from me--nay1 rather from myself1 but outside myself40 8',tis the effect of the heat1 dear friend10 said ,wesley4 8,you should have slept as ,i did40 8,i did sleep1 sir2 what ,i have been asking myself is ',am ,i yet awake8' ,i have had dreams before like to this one--dreams of watching the sea and other established things that convey to us all ideas of permanence and regularity1 melting away before my very eyes--one dread vision showed me ,greta ,cliff crumbling away like a child's mound built on the sand--crumbling away into the sea1 and then the sea began to ebb and soon was on the horizon4 ,now1 ,i have been asking myself if ,i am in the midst of that same dream again4 ,can it be possible8 ,can it be possible80 ,he clapped his hand to his forehead and hastened to the window1 whence he looked out4 ,almost immediately he returned to ,wesley1 saying3 8,i pray you to inform me1 sir1 if this is the truth or a dream--is it really the case that the sea has ebbed so that there is naught left of it80 8,you are awake1 my brother10 said ,wesley1 8and 'tis true that the sea hath ebbed strangely2 but from the upper windows 'tis possible to see a broad band of it in the distance4 ,i beseech of you to lie down on your bed and compose yourself4 ,this day has tried you greatly40 ,the other stared at him for a few moments and then walked slowly away1 muttering3 8,a mystery--a mystery6 ,oh1 the notion of ,dick ,pritchard being a true prophet6 ,was it of such stuff as this the old prophets were made8 ,god forgive me if ,i erred in thinking him one of the vain fellows4 ,mr4 ,wesley's judgment was not at fault2 he came hither to preach against him2 but not a word did he utter of upbraiding or reproof40 ,wesley saw that the man was quite overcome4 ,up to this moment he had shown himself to be possessed of a rational mind1 and one that was not easily put off its balance4 ,he had only a few hours before been discussing ,pritchard in a sober and unemotional spirit2 but this last mystery had been too much for him3 the disappearance of the sea1 which had lately climbed up to the doors of ,porthawn1 had unhinged him and thrown him off his balance4 ,if the phenomenon had occurred at any other time--under any less trying conditions of weather--he might have been able to observe it with equanimity2 but the day had been1 as ,wesley said1 a trying one4 ,the intense heat was of itself prostrating1 and demoralising even to ,wesley himself1 and he had schooled himself to be unaffected by any conditions of weather4 ,suddenly ,hartwell turned toward his visitor1 saying3 8,and if the man was entrusted to predict the falling away of the sea1 is there anyone that will say that the remainder of his prophecy will not be fulfilled80 8,i entreat of you1 brother1 to forbear asking yourself any further questions until you have had a few hours' sleep10 said ,wesley4 8,what signifies a sleep now if before this time to-morrow the end of all things shall have come80 ,hartwell cried almost fiercely4 8,nay1 sir1 ,i shall wait with the confidence of a ,christian2 ,i shall not be found as were the foolish virgins--asleep and with unlighted lamps4 ,there will be no slumber for me4 ,i shall watch and pray40 8,let us pray together1 my brother10 said ,wesley1 laying his hand on the man's shoulder affectionately4 ,he perceived that he was not in a mood to be reasoned with4 ,it was at this moment that the door was opened and there entered the room the miller and ,jake ',pullsford4 ,wesley welcomed their coming2 he had hopes that they would succeed in persuading his host to retire2 but before they had been in the room for more than a few minutes ,hartwell had well-nigh become himself again4 ,the newcomers were not greatly affected by anything that had happened4 ,they were only regretful that the mist of the morning had prevented them from reaching the ,red ,tor in time for the preaching4 ,they had started together1 but had stopped upon the way to help a party of their friends who were in search of still another party1 and when the strayed ones had been found they all had thought it prudent to remain at a farm where they had dined4 8,on our way hither we met with one who had been to the preaching10 said ,jake4 8,he told us something of what we had missed40 8,were you disappointed to learn that no reference had been made to the very matter that brought me back to you80 asked ,wesley4 ,jake did not answer immediately4 ,it was apparent that he had his own views on this matter1 and that he had been expounding them to his companion on their walk from the farm to the coast4 8,mr4 ,wesley1 'tis plain to me that the skill at divination shown by that man comes from below1 not from above10 he said4 8,and do you suppose that our enemies will take back any of the foul things they have said about our allying ourselves with sorcery when they hear of the wonderful things that are now happening80 8,brother10 said ,wesley1 8if the principles of the ,truth which we have been teaching are indeed true1 they will survive such calumnies--nay1 they will take the firmer hold upon all who have heard us by reason of such calumnies4 ,the gold of the ,truth has oft been tried by the fire of calumny and proved itself to be precious40 8,you saw the man play-acting in his sackcloth80 said the carrier4 ,wesley shook his head sadly4 8',twas deplorable60 he said4 8,and yet ,i dare not even now speak against him--no1 not a word40 8,what1 sir1 you do not believe that he is a sorcerer and a soothsayer80 cried ,jake4 8,i have not satisfied myself that he is either10 replied ,wesley4 8,more than once since ,i saw how much evil was following on his predictions ,i have felt sure that he was an agent of our ,arch-enemy1 but later ,i have not felt quite so confident in my judgment4 ,no1 friend1 ,i shall not judge him4 ,he is in the hands of ,god40 8,and ,i agree with ,mr4 ,wesley10 said the miller4 ,jake ,pullsford1 with his hands clasped behind him and his head craned forward1 was about to speak1 when ,hal ,holmes entered the room4 ,he was excited4 8,have you seen it80 he cried before he had greeted anyone4 8,have you seen it--the vision of his trance at the ,mill--the tide sliding away as it hath never done before within the memory of man8--the discovery of the bare hollow basin of the sea8 ,have you been within sight of the ,dog's ,teeth80 8,we--,mr4 ,hartwell and ,i--have not been out of doors for six hours2 but we are going now10 said ,wesley4 8,we have seen some of the wonders that have happened2 we would fain witness all40 8,oh1 sir10 said the blacksmith1 8this one is the first that ,i have seen1 and seeing it has made me think that we were too hasty in condemning poor ,dick ,pritchard4 ,we need your guidance1 sir4 ,do you hold that a man may have the gift of prophecy in this ,dispensation1 without being a sorcerer1 and the agent of the ,fiend80 8,alas6 'tis not ,i that can be your guide in such a matter10 said ,wesley4 8,you must join with me in seeking for guidance from above4 ,let us go forth and see what is this new wonder40 8',tis the vision of his trance--,i saw it with these eyes as ,i passed along the high ground above the ,dog's ,teeth ,reef--the reef was well-nigh bare and naked10 said ,hal4 8,who is there of us that could tell what the bottom of the sea looked like8 ,we knew what the simple slopes of the beach were--the spaces where the tide was wont to ebb and flow over are known to all2 but who before since the world began saw those secret hidden deeps where the lobsters lurk and crabs half the size of a man's body--,i saw them with these eyes a while agone--and the little runnels--a thousand of them1 ,i believe1 racing through channels in the slime as if they were afraid to be left behind when the sea was ebbing out of sight--and the sun turned all into the colour of blood6 ,what does it all mean1 ,mr4 ,wesley--,i do not mean the man's trance-dream1 but the thing itself that hath come to pass80 8,we shall go forth and be witnesses of all10 said ,wesley4 ,he was not excited2 but this could not be said of his companions2 they betrayed their emotions in various ways4 ,mr4 ,hartwell and the miller were silent and apparently stolid2 but the carrier and the smith talked4 ,very few minutes sufficed to bring them to the summit of the cliff that commanded a full view seaward4 ,at high tide the waves just reached the base of these cliffs1 and the furthest ebb only left bare about a hundred feet of sand and shingle1 with large smooth pebbles in ridges beyond the groins of the out-jutting rocks4 ,but now it was a very different picture from that of the ordinary ebb that stretched away to the horizon under the eyes of our watchers4 ,the sandy breadth1 with its many little ribs made by the waves1 sloped into a line of sparse sea weed1 tangled tufts of green and brown1 and some long and wiry1 and others flat with large and leathery bosses1 like the studs of a shield4 ,but beyond this space the rocks of the sea-bed began to show1 ,there they were in serrated rows--rocks that had never before been seen by human eyes4 ,some lay in long sharp ridges1 with here and there a peak of a miniature mountain1 and beyond these lines of ridges there was a broad tableland1 elevated in places and containing huge hollow basins brimming over with water1 out of which every now and again a huge fish leaped1 only to find itself struggling among the thick weeds4 ,further away still there was a great breadth of ooze1 and then peak beyond peak of rocks1 to which huge1 grotesque weeds were clinging1 having the semblance of snakes coiled round one another and dying in that close embrace4 ,looking over these strange spaces was like having a bird's-eye view of an unexplored country of mountains and tablelands and valleys intersected by innumerable streams4 ,the whole breadth of sea-bed was veined with little streams hurrying away after the lost sea1 and all the air was filled with the prattling and chattering that went on through these channels4 ,and soon one became aware of a strange motion of struggling life among the forests of sea weed4 ,at first it seemed no more than a quivering among the giant growths2 but soon one saw the snake's head and the narrow shoulders of a big conger eel1 from five to seven feet long1 pushed through the jungle of ooze1 to be followed by the wriggling body2 there were congers by the hundred1 and the hard-dying dog-fishes by the score1 flapping and forcing their way from stream to stream4 ,stranded dying fish of all sorts made constant movements where they lay1 and whole breadths of the sea-bed were alive with hurrying1 scurrying crabs and lobsters and cray-fish4 ,some of these were of enormous size1 patriarchs of the deep that had lurked for ages far out of reach of the fisherman's hook1 and had mangled many a creel4 ,the weirdness of this unparalleled picture was immeasurably increased by its colouring1 for over all there was spread what had the effect of a delicate crimson gauze4 ,the whole of the sea-bed was crimson1 for it was still dripping wet1 and glistening with reflections of the red western sky4 ,at the same time the great heat of the evening was sucking the moisture out of the spongy sea weeds1 and there it remained in the form of a faint steam permeated with the crimson light4 ,and through all that broad space under the eyes of the watchers on the cliff there was no sign of a human being4 ,they might have been the explorers of stout ,cortez who stared at the ,pacific from that peak in ,darien4 ,it was not until they had gone in silence for a quarter of a mile along the cliff path that they saw where the people of the village had assembled4 ,the shore to the westward came into view and they saw that a crowd was there4 ,the sound of the voices of the crowd came to their ears1 and above it the hard1 high monotone like that of a town crier uttering the words that ,wesley had heard while yet in his room3 8,there shall be no more sea4 ,repent--repent--repent40 ,once more they stood and looked down over the part of the coast that had just been disclosed--the eastern horn of ,greta ,bay1 but no familiar landmark was to be seen2 on the contrary1 it seemed to them that they were looking down upon a new and curious region4 ,the line of cliffs was familiar to their eyes1 but what was that curious raised spine--that long sharp ridge stretching outwards for more than a mile on the glistening shore8 ,and what was that strange object--that huge bulk lying with one end tilted into the air on one shoulder of that sharp ridge8 ,all at once ,wesley had a curious feeling that he had seen all that before4 ,the sight of that mighty bulk and the knowledge that it was the heavy ribbed framework of a large ship seemed familiar4 ,but when or how had he seen it8 ,it was not until ,hartwell spoke that he understood how this impression had come to him4 8,you see it--there--there--just as he described it to us when he awoke from his trance80 said ,hartwell4 ,and there indeed it was--the fabric of the ,east ,indiaman that had been wrecked years before on the ,dog's ,teeth ,reef1 and there was the ,dog's ,teeth ,reef laid bare for the first time within the memory of man6 ,it was the skeleton of a great ship4 ,the outer timbers had almost wholly disappeared--after every gale for years before some portion of the wreckage had come ashore and had been picked up by the villagers2 but the enormous framework to which the timbers of the hull had been bolted had withstood the action of the waves1 for the ship had sunk into a cradle of rock that held her firmly year after year4 ,there it lay like the skeleton of some tremendous monster of the awful depths of the sea--the ,kraken--a survival of the creatures that lived before the ,flood4 ,the three stumps of masts which stood up eight or ten feet above the line of bulwarks gave a curious suggestion to a creature's deformed legs1 up in the air while it lay stranded on its curved back4 ,and the crimson sunset shot through the huge ribs of this thing and spread their distorted shadows sprawling over the sands at the base of the reef and upon the faces of the people who stood looking up at this wonder4 8,there it is--just as he saw it in his trance60 said ,hal ,holmes4 8,he saw it and related it to us afterward4 ,what are we to say to all this1 ,mr4 ,wesley8 ,all that he predicted so far has come to pass4 ,are we safe in saying that yonder sun will be setting over a blazing world to-morrow80 8,i do not dare to say anything10 replied ,wesley4 8,i have already offered my opinion to ,mr4 ,hartwell1 which is that there may be a kind of sympathy between the man and the earth1 by whose aid he has been able to discover the whereabouts of a spring in the past and to predict these marvels of tides40 8,that is a diviner's skill derived from the demons that we know inhabit the inside of the earth10 cried ,jake ,pullsford4 8,he has ever had communication with these unclean things40 8,that works so far as the tides are concerned10 said the smith4 8,it stands to reason that the demons of the nether world must know all about the ebb and flow2 but how did he foresee the laying bare of yonder secret80 ,he pointed to the body2 of the wreck4 8,was it not the same demons that dragged the ship to destruction on the reef1 and is't not within their province to know all that happens below the surface of the sea80 said the carrier4 8,doubtless10 said the smith4 8,but ,i find it hard to think of so moderately foolish a fellow as ,dick ,pritchard being hand in glove with a fiend of any sort1 and not profiting more by the traffic--as to his secular circumstances1 ,i should say40 8,and ,i find it hard to think of him as urging men to repent1 if he be an ally of the ,evil ,one10 said ,hartwell4 8,this is not a case in which the wisdom of man can show itself to be other than foolishness10 said ,wesley4 8,but ,i am now moved to speak to the people who have come hither to see the wonder4 ,let us hasten onward to the highest ground4 ,my heart is full40 ,he went on with his friends to a short spur of the cliff about twenty feet above the shingle where groups of men and women were straying2 most of them had been down to the wreck and nearly all were engaged in discussing its marvellous appearance4 ,some of the elder men were recalling for the benefit of the younger the circumstances of the loss of the great ,east ,indiaman1 and the affluence that had come to a good many houses in the ,port1 when the cargo began to be washed ashore before the arrival of the ,preventive men and the soldiery from ,falmouth4 ,but while the larger proportion of the people were engaged in discussing1 without any sense of awe1 the two abnormal tides and the story of the wreck1 there were numbers who were clearly terror-stricken at the marvels and at the prospect of the morrow4 ,a few women were clinging together and moaning without cessation1 a girl or two wept aloud1 a few shrieked hysterically1 and one began to laugh and gibber1 pointing monkey hands in the direction of the wreck4 ,but further on half a dozen young men and maidens were engaged in a boisterous and an almost shocking game preserved in ,cornwall and some parts of ,wales through the ages that had elapsed since it was practised by a by-gone race of semi-savages4 ,they went through it now in the most abandoned and barbaric way1 dancing like ,bacchanalians in a ring1 with shouts and wild laughter4 ,john ,wesley1 who knew what it was to be human1 had no difficulty in perceiving that these wretched people were endeavouring in such excesses to conceal the terror they felt1 and he was not surprised to find a number of intoxicated men clinging together and singing wildly in the broad moorland space that lay on the landward side of the cliffs4 8,this is the work of ,pritchard the water-finder1 and will you say that 'tis not of the ,devil80 cried ,jake ,pullsford4 8,poor wretches6 ,oh1 my poor brothers and sisters60 cried ,wesley4 8,our aim should be to soothe them1 not to denounce them4 ,never have they been subjected to such a strain as that which has been put upon them4 ,i can understand their excesses4 ',let us eat and drink1 for to-morrow we die'--that is the cry which comes from all hearts that have not been regenerated4',tis the cry of the old ,paganism which once ruled the world1 before the sweet calm of ,christianity brought men from earth to heaven4 ,i will speak to them40 ,he had reached the high ground with his friends4 ,there was a sudden spur on the range of low cliffs just where the people were most numerous4 ,they had come from all quarters to witness the wonders of this lurid eve1 and1 as was the case at ,wesley's preaching1 everyone was asking of everyone else how so large an assembly could be brought together in a neighbourhood that was certainly not densely populated4 ,on each side of him and on the beach below there were crowds1 and on every face the crimson of the sinking sun flamed4 ,he went out to the furthest point of the cliff-spur and stood there silent1 with uplifted arms4 ,in a moment the whisper spread3 8,mr4 ,wesley has come--,mr4 ,wesley is preaching60 ,there was the sound of many feet trampling down the pebbles of the beach4 ,the people flowed toward him like a great wave slowly moving over that place now forsaken by the waves4 ,the young men and maidens who had been engaged in that fierce wild dance among the wiry herbage flocked toward him1 their faces shining from their exertions1 and stood catching their breath4 ,the old men who had been staring stolidly through the great ribs of the hulk1 slouched through the ooze and stood sideways beneath him1 their hands1 like the gnarled joints of a thorn1 scooped behind their ears lest they should lose a word4 ,the women1 with disordered hair1 tears on their faces1 the terror of anticipation in their eyes1 waited on the ground1 some kneeling1 others seated in various postures4 ,then there came a deep hush4 ,he stood there1 a solitary figure1 black against the crimson background of the western sky1 his arms still upraised4 ,it might have been a statue carved out of dark marble that stood on the spur of the cliff4 ,and then he began to speak4 ,his hands were still uplifted in the attitude of benediction2 and the words that came from him were the words of the ,benediction4 8,the ,peace of ,god which passeth all understanding40 ,the ,peace of ,god--that was the message which he delivered to that agitated multitude1 and it fell upon their ears1 soothing all who heard and banishing their fears4 ,he gave them the message of the ,father to ,his children--a message of love1 of tenderness--a promise of protection1 of infinite pity1 of a compassion that knew no limits--outliving the life of the world1 knowing no change through all ages1 the only thing that suffered no change--a compassion which1 being eternal1 would outlive ,time itself--a compassion which brought with it every blessing that man could know--nay1 more--more than man could think of2 a compassion that brought with it the supreme blessing that could come to man--the ,peace of ,god which passeth all understanding6 ,he never travelled outside this message of ,divine ,peace1 although he spoke for a full hour4 ,and while he spoke the meaning of that message fell upon the multitude who listened4 ,they felt that ,peace of which he spoke falling gently upon them as cold dew at the close of a day of intolerable heat4 ,they realised what it meant to them4 ,the ,peace descended upon them1 and they were sensible of its presence4 ,the dread that had been hanging over them all the day was swept away as the morning mist had been dispersed4 ,the apprehension of the ,judgment was lost in the consciousness of a ,divine ,love surrounding them4 ,they seemed to have passed from an atmosphere of foetid vapours into that of a meadow in the ,spring time4 ,they drank deep draughts of its sweetness and were refreshed4 ,when he had begun to speak the sun was not far from setting in the depths of a crimson sky1 and before he had spoken for half an hour the immense red disc1 magnified by the vapours in the air1 was touching the horizon4 ,with its disappearance the colour spread higher up the sky and drifted round to the north1 gradually changing to the darkest purple4 ,even then it was quite possible for the people to see one another's features distinctly in the twilight1 but half an hour later the figure of the preacher was but faintly seen through the dimness that had fallen over the coast4 ,the twilight had been almost tropical in its brevity1 and the effect of the clear voice of many modulations coming out of the darkness was strange1 and to the ears that heard it1 mysterious4 ,just before it ceased there swept upon the faces of his listeners a cool breath of air4 ,it came with a suddenness that was startling4 ,during all the day there had not been a breath4 ,the heat had seemed to be so solid1 and now the movement of the air gave the impression of the passing of a mysterious ,presence4 ,it was as if the wings of a company of angels were winnowing the air1 as they fled by1 bringing with them the perfume of their ,paradise for the refreshing of the people of the earth4 ,only for a few minutes that cool air was felt1 but for that time it was as if the ,peace of ,god had been made tangible4 ,when the preacher ended with the words with which he had begun1 the silence was like a sigh4 ,the people were on their knees4 ,there was no one that did not feel that ,god was very nigh to him4 ,and the preacher felt it most deeply of all4 ,there was a silence of intense solemnity1 before the voice was heard once more speaking to ,heaven in prayer--in thanksgiving for the ,peace that had come upon this world from above4 ,he knew how fully his prayer had been answered when he talked to the young men and maidens who had been among his hearers4 ,the excitement of the evening had passed away from all of them4 ,at the beginning of his preaching there had been the sound of weeping among them4 ,at first it had been loud and passionate2 but gradually it had subsided until at the setting of the sun the terror which had possessed them gave place to the peace of the twilight1 and now there was not one of them that did not feel the soothing influence that comes only when the angel of the evening hovers with shadowy outspread wings over the world4 ,they all walked slowly to their homes2 some belonged to ,porthawn and others to the inland villages of the valley of the ,lana1 as far away as ,ruthallion1 and the light breeze that had been felt during the preaching became stronger and less intermittent now4 ,it was cool and gracious beyond expression1 and it brought with it to the ears of all who walked along the cliffs the soothing whisper of the distant sea4 ,the joyous tidings came that the sea was returning1 and it seemed that with that news came also the assurance that the cause for dread was over and past4 ,and all this time the preacher had made no allusion to the voice that had sounded along the shore in the early part of the evening predicting the overthrow of the world4 ,all that he had done was to preach the coming of ,peace4 8,you may resume your journeying1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 as soon as you please4 ,may he not1 friend ,pullsford80 said ,hartwell when he had returned to his house4 8,there is no need for us to keep ,mr4 ,wesley among us when we know that he is anxious to resume his preaching further west4 ,you never mentioned the man's name1 sir1 and yet you have done all--nay1 far more than we thought it possible for you to accomplish40 8,there is no need for me to tarry longer10 replied ,wesley4 8,but ,i pray of you1 my dear friends1 not to think that ,i do not recognise the need there was for me to return to you with all speed4 ,i perceived the great danger that threatened us through ,pritchard1 and ,i was glad that you sent for me4 ,i hope you agree with me in believing that that danger is no longer imminent40 8,i scarce know how it happened10 said ,hartwell2 8but yesterday ,i had a feeling that unless you preached a direct and distinct rebuke to ,pritchard1 the work which you began here last month would suffer disaster1 and yet albeit you did no more than preach the ,word as you might at any time1 making no reference to the things that have happened around us1 ,i feel at the present moment that your position is1 by the ,grace of ,god1 more promising of good than it has ever been40 8,ay10 said ,jake ,pullsford4 8,but ,i am not so sure that the vanity of that man should not have been crushed4 ,there is no telling to what length he may not go after all that has happened4 ,the people should ha' been warned against him1 and his sorceries exposed404 8,think you1 ,jake1 that the best way to destroy the vanity of such as he would be by taking notice of what he said and magnifying it into a menace80 said ,hartwell4 8,believe me1 my friend1 that ,mr4 ,wesley's way is the true one4 ,dick ,pritchard's vanity got its hugest filip when he heard that ,mr4 ,wesley had come back to preach against him4 ,it will receive its greatest humiliation when he learns that ,mr4 ,wesley made no remark that showed he knew aught of him and his prophecies40 8,he will take full credit to himself for what has happened--of that you may be sure10 said ,jake1 shaking his head4 8,ay1 and for what did not happen10 he continued as an afterthought4 8,be certain that he will claim to have saved the world as ,jonah saved the ,ninevites4 ,he will cling to ,jonah to the end40 8,i am glad that ,i came hither when you called for me1 my brethren10 said ,wesley4 8,let us look at the matter with eyes that look only at the final issue4 ,i would fain banish from my mind every thought save one1 and that is spiritual blessing of the people4 ,if they have been soothed by my coming--if even the humblest of them has been led to feel something of what is meant by the words 'the ,peace of ,god1' ,i give thanks to ,god for having called me back4 ,i have no more to say40 ,and that was indeed the last word that was said at that time respecting ,pritchard and his utterances4 ,wesley and his friends felt that1 however deeply the people had been impressed by the natural phenomena which had followed hard on his predictions of disaster to the world1 he would not now be a source of danger to the work which had been begun in ,cornwall4 ,wesley had1 by his preaching1 showed that he would give no countenance to the man4 ,those who thought that it would be consistent with his methods and his ,methodism to take advantage of the terror with which the minds of the people had become imbued1 in order to bring them into the classes1 that had already been formed1 were surprised to find him doing his utmost to banish their fears4 ,he had preached the ,gospel of ,peace1 not of ,vengeance1 the ,gospel of ,love1 not of ,anger4 ,awakening shortly after midnight1 ,wesley heard the sound of the washing of the waters on the pebbles at the base of the cliffs4 ,there was no noise of breaking waves1 only the soft1 even lisp and lap of the last ripples that were crushed upon the pebbles--grateful and soothing to his ears4 ,suddenly there came to him another sound--the monotone of the watchman calling out of the distance3 8,repent--repent--repent6 ,the ,day of the ,lord is at hand4 ,who shall abide the ,day of ,his ,wrath8 ,repent--repent--repent60 ,,chapter ,,xx ,the sunlight was in his room when he awoke4 ,he had a sense of refreshment4 ,a weight seemed lifted off his heart4 ,he remembered how he had awakened the previous morning in the same bed with a feeling of perplexity4 ,he had found it impossible to make up his mind as to the course he should pursue in regard to ,pritchard4 ,he had been fearful of being led to rebuke a man who might have been made the means of leading even one sinner to repentance4 ,he asked himself if he differed as much from that man as the average churchman did from himself in his methods4 ,he knew how grievous he regarded the rebukes which he had received from excellent clergymen who looked on his field preaching with the sternest disapproval2 and who then was he that he should presume to rebuke a man who had been led by his zeal beyond what he1 ,wesley1 thought to be the bounds of propriety8 ,he had felt great perplexity on awakening on that ,sunday morning2 but he had been given help to see his way clearly on that morning of mist1 and now he felt greatly at ease4 ,he had nothing to reproach himself with4 ,he recalled all the events of the day before--all that his eyes had seen--all that his ears had heard2 and now that he had no further need to think about ,pritchard1 it was surprising how much he had to recall that had little to do with that man4 ,he himself felt somewhat surprised that above all that had been said to him during the day the words that he should dwell longest upon were a few words that had fallen from ,mr4 ,hartwell4 ,he had hinted to ,mr4 ,hartwell that ,john ,bennet had acted so grossly in regard to him1 through a mad jealousy2 and ,mr4 ,hartwell1 hearing this1 had lifted up his hands in amazement1 and said3 8,absurdity could go no further60 ,when ,hartwell said those words ,wesley had not quite grasped their full import2 his attention had been too fully occupied with the further extravagance which he had witnessed on the part of ,pritchard4 ,but now that his mind was at ease he recalled the words1 and he had sufficient selfpossession to ask himself if his host considered that the absurdity was to be found in ,bennet's fancying that he1 ,wesley1 was his rival4 ,if so1 was the absurdity to be found in the fancy that such a young woman could think of him1 ,wesley1 in the light of a lover2 or that he should think of the young woman as a possible wife8 ,he could not deny that the thought of ,nelly ,polwhele as his constant companion had more than once come to him when he was oppressed with a sense of his loneliness2 and he knew that when he had got ,mr4 ,hartwell's letter calling him back to ,porthawn he had felt that it might be that there was what some men called ,fate1 but what he preferred to call the ,hand of ,god1 in this matter4 ,was he being led back to have an opportunity of seeing her again1 and of learning truly if the regard which he thought he felt for her was to become the love that sanctified the marriage of a man with a woman8 ,well1 he had returned to her1 and he had seen 7as he fancied7 her face alight with the happiness of his return4 ,for an hour he had thought of the gracious possibility of being able to witness such an expression upon her face any time that he came from a distant preaching4 ,the thought was a delight to him4 ,home--coming home6 ,he had no home2 and surely1 he felt1 the longing for a home and a face to welcome him at the door was the most natural--the most commendable--that a man could have4 ,and surely such a longing was not inconsistent with his devotion to the work which he believed it was laid upon him to do while his life lasted4 ,he had seen her and talked with her for a short time1 and felt refreshed by being under the influence of her freshness4 ,but then he had been forced to banish her from his mind in order to give all his attention to the grave matter which had brought him back to this place4 ,he had walked by her side through the mist the next day1 and never once had he allowed the thought of her to turn his eyes away from the purpose which had called him forth into the mist of the morning4 ,he thought of her thoughtfulness in the matter of the mariner's compass with gratitude4 ,that was all4 ,his heart was full of his work2 there was no room in it for anything else4 ,but now while he sat up in the early sunshine that streamed through his window he felt himself free to think of her2 and the more he thought of her the more he wondered how he could ever have been led to believe what he had already embodied in a book respecting the advantages of celibacy for the clergy4 ,a clergyman should not only have a knowledge of ,god2 a knowledge of man was essential to success in his calling2 and a knowledge of man meant a wide sympathy with men1 and this he now felt could only be acquired by one who had a home of his own4 ,the influence of the home and its associations could not but be the greatest to which a man was subject4 ,the ties that bind a man to his home were those which bind him to his fellow-men4 ,the res angusta domi1 which some foolish persons regarded as detrimental to a man's best work1 were1 he was now convinced1 the very incidents which enabled him to do good work1 for they enabled him to sympathise with his fellows4 ,theologians do not1 any more than other people1 feel grateful to those who have shown them to be in the wrong2 but ,wesley had nothing but the kindliest feelings for ,nelly ,polwhele for having unwittingly led him to see that the train of reasoning which he had pursued in his book was founded upon an assumption which was in itself the result of an immature and impersonal experience of any form of life except the ,academic1 and surely such a question as he had discussed should be looked at from every other standpoint than the ,academic4 ,most certainly he was now led to think of the question from very different standpoints4 ,he allowed his thoughts to wander to the girl herself4 ,he thought of her quite apart from all womankind4 ,he had never met any young woman who seemed to possess all the charms which endear a woman to a man4 ,she was bright as a young woman should be1 she was thoughtful for the needs of all who were about her1 she had shown herself ready to submit to the guidance of one who was older and more experienced than herself4 ,he could not forget how she had promised him never again to enter the playhouse which had so fascinated her4 ,oh1 she was the most gracious creature that lived--the sweetest1 the tenderest1 and surely she must prove the most devoted6 ,so his imagination carried him away2 and then suddenly he found himself face to face with that phrase of ,mr4 ,hartwell's 8,absurdity could go no further40 ,and then1 of course1 he began to repeat all the questions which he had put to himself when he had started on his investigations into the matter4 ,once more he said3 8,where lies the source of all absurdities80 ,and equally as a matter of course he was once again led in the direction that his thoughts had taken before until he found himself enquiring if the world held another so sweet and gracious and sympathetic4 ,it was not until he was led once more to his starting-point that he began to feel as he had never done before for those of his fellow-men who allowed themselves to be carried away by dwelling on the simplest of the questions which engrossed him4 8',tis a repetition of yesterday morning10 said he4 8,we set out pleasantly enough in the mist1 and after an hour's profitless wandering we found ourselves at the point whence we had started--ay1 and the young woman was waiting for us there in person40 ,was that morning's wandering to be typical of his life8 he wondered4 ,was he to be ever straying along a misty coast1 and evermore to be finding himself at the point whence he had started1 with ,nelly ,polwhele waiting for him there8 ,an absurdity1 was it8 ,well1 perhaps--but1 after all1 should he not be doing well in asking ,mr4 ,hartwell what had been in his mind when he had made use of that phrase8 ,mr4 ,hartwell had undoubtedly something in his mind1 and he was a level-headed man who had accustomed himself to look at matters without prejudice and to pronounce an opinion based on his common sense4 ,it might be that he could see some grave reason why he1 ,wesley1 should dismiss that young woman forever from his thoughts--forever from his heart4 ,but1 of course1 he reserved to himself the right to consider all that ,mr4 ,hartwell might say on this matter1 and--if he thought it right--to exercise his privilege of veto in regard to his conclusions4 ,he was not prepared to accept the judgment of ,mr4 ,hartwell without reserve4 ,following this line of thought1 he quickly saw that whatever ,mr4 ,hartwell might have to say1 and however his conclusions might be put aside1 it would be necessary for him1 ,wesley1 to acquaint all those men who were associated with him in his work with his intention of marrying a certain young woman4 ,there were his associates in ,london1 in ,bristol1 in ,bath1 and above all there was his brother ,charles4 ,would they be disposed to think that such a union would be to the advantage or to the detriment of the work to which they were all devoted8 ,the moment he thought of his brother he knew what he might expect4 ,up to that moment it had really never occurred to him that any objection that might not reasonably be overruled1 could be offered to his marrying ,nelly ,polwhele4 ,but so soon as he asked himself what his brother would say when made aware of his intention1 he perceived how it was conceivable that his other friends might agree with ,mr4 ,hartwell4 ,for himself1 he had become impressed from the first with some of those qualities on the part of ,nelly ,polwhele which1 he was convinced1 made her worthy of being loved by the most fastidious of men4 ,he had long ago forgotten that she was only the daughter of a fisherman1 and that she owed her refinement of speech to the patronage of the ,squire's daughters whose maid she had been4 ,but what would his brother say when informed that it was his desire to marry a young woman who had been a lady's maid8 ,would not his brother be right to assume that such a union would be detrimental to the progress of the work in which they were engaged8 ,had they not often talked together deploring how so many of their brethren in the ,church had brought contempt upon their order through their loss of self-respect in marrying whomsoever their dissolute patrons had ordered them to marry8 ,what respect could anyone have for his lordship's chaplain who was content to sit at the side table at meals and in an emergency discharge the duties of a butler1 and comply without hesitation to his lordship's command to marry her ladyship's maid1 or1 indeed1 any one of the servants whom it was found desirable to have married8 ,the thing was done every day2 that was what made it so deplorable1 he and his brother had agreed2 and in consequence day by day the influence of the clergy was declining4 ,was he then prepared to jeopardise the work to which he had set his hand by such a union as he was contemplating8 ,he sprang to his feet from where he had been sitting by the window4 8,heaven forgive me for having so base a thought60 he cried4 8,heaven forgive me for being so base as to class the one whom ,i love with such creatures as his patron orders his chaplain to marry6 ,she is a good and innocent child1 and if she will come to me ,i shall feel honoured4 ,i shall prove to all the world that a woman1 though lowly-born1 may yet be a true helpmeet for such as ,i4 ,she will aid me in my labours1 not impede them4 ,i know now that ,i love her4 ,i know now that she will be a blessing to me4 ,i love her1 and ,i pray that ,i may ever love her truly and honestly40 ,it was characteristic of the man that the very thought of opposition should strengthen him4 ,an hour earlier he had been unable to assure himself that his feeling for her was love1 but now he felt assured on this point3 he loved her1 and he had never before loved a woman4 ,she was the first fruit of his mission to ,cornwall4 ,she had professed the faith to which even he himself had failed to attain until he had been preaching for years4 ,bound to her by a tie that was the most sacred that could exist between a man and a woman1 his most earnest hope was to hold her to him by another bond whose strands were interwoven with a sympathy that was human as well as divine4 ,his mind was made up at last4 ,he was early at breakfast with his host1 but he did not now think it necessary to ask ,mr4 ,hartwell what he had meant by his reference to the absurdity of ,john ,bennet's jealousy4 ,the morning gave promise of a day of brilliant sunshine and warmth4 ,there was nothing sinister in the aspect of the sun1 such as had been noted on the previous day4 8,ah1 sir10 said ,hartwell1 8you came hither with a blessing to us all1 and you will leave with a sense of having accomplished by the exercise of your own judgment far more than we looked for at such a time4 ,the boats have put out to the fishing ground once more1 and the dread that seemed overhanging our poor friends sank with the setting sun last evening40 8,not to me be the praise--not to me10 said ,wesley1 bowing his head in all humility4 ,after a few moments he raised his head quite suddenly1 saying3 8,you have referred to my judgment1 dear friend2 ,i wonder if you think that in many matters my judgment is worthy to be depended on80 8,indeed1 sir1 ,i know of no man in the world whose judgment in all reasonable matters ,i would accept sooner than yours10 replied ,hartwell4 8,why1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 who save you would have foreseen a way of avoiding the trouble which threatened us by such means as you adopted8 ,were not we all looking for you to administer a rebuke to the man whose vanity carried him so far away from what we held to be discreet8 ,was there one of us who foresaw that the right way of treating him was to let him alone80 8,i dare not say that 'twas my own judgment that guided me10 said ,wesley4 8,but--,i hope1 friend ,hartwell1 that ,i shall never be led to take any step that will jeopardise your good opinion of my capacity to judge what course is the right one to pursue in certain circumstances40 8,believe me1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 after the events of yesterday ,i shall not hesitate to say that you were in the right and ,i in the wrong1 should ,i ever be disposed to differ from you on a matter of moment4 ,but ,i cannot think such a difference possible to arrive10 said ,hartwell4 8,differences in judgment are always possible among good friends10 said ,wesley4 8,i should like to have a long talk with you some day1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 on the subject of the influence of such powers as are at the command of ,pritchard10 said ,hartwell4 8,are they the result of sorcery or are they a gift from above8 ,i have been thinking a great deal about that trance of his which we witnessed4 ,how was it possible for him to foresee the place and the form of that wreck1 think you80 8,howsoever his powers be derived10 replied ,wesley1 8the lesson that we must learn from his case is that we cannot be too careful in choosing our associates4 ,for myself1 ,i have already said that ,i mistrusted him from the first1 as ,i should any man practising with a divining rod40 8,we should have done so1 too1 sir1 only that we had become so accustomed to his water-finding1 it seemed as natural to send for him when sinking a well as it was to send for the mason to build the wall round it when the water was found40 ,this was all that they said at that time touching the remarkable incidents of the week4 ,both of them seemed to regard the case of ,pritchard as closed1 although they were only in the morning of the day which the man had named in his prediction4 ,mr4 ,hartwell even assumed that his guest would be anxious to set out on his return to the west before noon1 and he was gratified when ,wesley asked for leave to stay on for a day or two yet4 ,wesley spent an hour or two over his correspondence1 and all the time the matter which he had at heart caused him to lay down his pen and lie back in his chair1 thinking1 not upon the subject of his letters1 but upon the question of approaching ,nelly ,polwhele1 and upon the question of the letter which he would have to write to his brother when he had seen the girl2 for whether she accepted him or refused him1 he felt that it was his duty to inform his brother as to what had occurred4 ,the result of his meditations was as might have been expected4 ,when a man who is no longer young gives himself up to consider the advisability of offering marriage to a young woman with whom he has not been in communication for much more than a month1 he usually procrastinates in regard to the deciding scene4 ,wesley felt that perhaps he had been too hasty in coming to the conclusion that a marriage with ,nelly would bring happiness to them both4 ,only a few hours had elapsed since he had1 as he thought1 made up his mind that he loved her4 ,should he not refrain from acting on such an impulse8 ,what would be the consequence if he were to ask the young woman to be his wife and find out after a time that he should not have been so sure of himself8 ,surely so serious a step as he was contemplating should be taken with the utmost deliberation4 ,he should put himself to the test4 ,although he had been looking forward to seeing the girl this day1 he would not see her until the next day--nay1 he was not confident that he might not perceive that his duty lay in waiting for several days before approaching her with his offer4 ,that was why1 when he left the house to take the air1 he walked1 not in the direction of the village1 where he should run the best chance of meeting her1 but toward the cliffs1 which were usually deserted on week days1 except by the ,squire's grooms1 who exercised the horses in their charge upon the fine dry sand that formed a large plateau between the pathway and the struggling trees on the outskirts of ,court ,park4 ,he went musing along the cliff way1 thinking of the contrast between this day and the previous one--of the contrast between those sparkling waves that tossed over each other in lazy play1 and the slime and ooze which had lain bare and horrid with their suggestions of destruction and disaster4 ,it was a day such as one could scarcely have dreamt of following so sinister a sunset as he had watched from this place4 ,it was a day that made him glad that he had not uttered a harsh word in rebuke of the man who had troubled him--indeed he felt most kindly disposed toward ,pritchard2 he was certainly ready to forgive him for having been the means of bringing him1 ,wesley1 back to this neighbourhood4 ,he wondered if it had not been for ,pritchard1 would he have returned to ,ruthallion and ,porthawn4 ,was the affection for ,nelly1 of which he had become conscious during his journeying in the west1 strong enough at that time to carry him back to ,porthawn1 or had it matured only since he had come back to her8 ,he wondered and mused1 strolling along the path above the blue ,cornish waters4 ,once as he stood for a while1 his eyes looked longingly in the direction of the little port4 ,he felt impatient for more than a few moments--impatient that he should be so strict a disciplinarian in regard to himself4 ,it was with a sigh he turned away from where the roofs of the nearest houses could just be seen1 and resumed his stroll with unfaltering feet4 ,he had made his resolution and he would keep to it4 ,but he did not get further than that little dip in the cliffs where he had once slept and awakened to find ,nelly ,polwhele standing beside him4 ,the spot had a pleasant memory for him4 ,he remembered how he had been weary when he had lain down there1 and how he had risen up refreshed4 ,surely he must have loved her even then1 he thought4 ,what1 was it possible that he had known her but a few days at that time8 ,his recollection of her coming to him was as that of someone to whom he had been attached for years4 ,he smiled as he recalled the tale which he had once read of the magician ,merlin1 who had woven a bed of rushes for the wife of ,king ,mark1 on which she had but to lie and forthwith she saw whomsoever she wished to see4 ,well1 here he was in the land of ,king ,mark of ,cornwall1 and there was the place where he had made his bed4444 ,he had been contemplating the comfortable hollow between the rocks1 thinking his thoughts1 and he did not raise his eyes for some time4 ,when he did he saw ,nelly ,polwhele coming toward him1 not along the cliffs1 but across the breadth of moorland beyond which was the ,court ,park4 ,,chapter ,,xxi ,tis by a happy chance we are brought together10 ,wesley said while he held her hand4 ,but ,nelly ,polwhele made haste to assure him that it was not by chance2 she had been with her young ladies at the ,court1 she said1 and from the high ground she had spied upon him on his walk1 and had come to him through the sparse hedges of the park4 ,he smiled at the eagerness with which she disclaimed such an ally as chance4 ,he had not had a wide experience of young women1 but he had a shrewd conviction that the greater number of them would have hastened to acknowledge his suggestion rather than to repudiate it4 ,she was innocent as a child4 8,by whatsoever means we have been brought together1 ,i for one must think it happy10 said he4 8,do you go to your friends yonder every day80 8,oh1 no1 sir2 but they have charged me to keep them apprised of your preaching since you came hither1 and thus ,i went to them yesterday--that was after your morning preaching--and to-day to tell them of the evening4 ,oh1 sir1 surely there was never aught seen that would compare with the happenings of yester eve6 ,even while ,i was rehearsing all to my young ladies1 ,i had a feeling that ,i was telling them what ,i had seen in a dream4 ,i do think that ,i have had a dream more than once that was strangely like all that was before my eyes--a dream of drowning and seeing in a blood-red light the mysteries of the sea-bed40 8,a strange thing1 my child6 ,i have never seen a stranger thing10 said he4 8,it did not seem a wonder to me that the people were so agitated40 8,they thought for sure that the end of the world had come10 said she4 8,and indeed ,i began to feel that poor ,dick ,pritchard had truly been sent to warn us40 8,and how was his warning taken by many80 he cried4 8,worse than the ,ninevites were some that ,i saw here4 ,of sackcloth there was none on their limbs--of repentance their hearts were empty4 ,i hope1 my child1 that you did not see some of those whom ,i saw here--dancing--wild--pagan creatures of the woods6 ,and their dance6 ,pagan of the worst--an orgy of the festival of the god ,saturn--an abomination of ,baal and ,ashtoreth4 ,and ,i asked myself1 ',is it possible that this is how a solemn warning of the coming of the ,dreadful ,day is taken by a ,christian people8 ,but you1 ,i trust1 did not see all that came before me80 8,i saw enough to tell me that ,dick ,pritchard's warning was not a true one10 said she4 8,i was by the side of father below the wreck4 ,he had seen the ,gloriana founder1 and if ,dick ,pritchard had prophesied that he should live to look upon her hull again after all the years that have passed1 he would have laughed4 ,and some of the men about us on the beach that had never been bare of water since the world began1 talked like wild men4 ,if the world was to come to an end before another set o' sun they meant to enjoy themselves--the ,court--they whispered of breaking through the doors of the ,court and feasting for once and for the last time4 ,one of them--,david ,cairns is his name--cried that at the ,day of ,judgment all men were equal1 and he would head any band of fellows that had the spirit to face the ,squire and call for the key of the cellar4 ,father called him a rascal1 and he replied4 ,some were taking his part and some the part of father1 when the cry went up that ,mr4 ,wesley was nigh4 ,that was the end of the strife1 sir40 8,to tell me this last is to gladden my heart1 my dear10 he said1 and again he clasped one of her hands in both his own4 ,but he did not do so with the fervour of a lover4 ,his heart was not dwelling upon the purpose which he had been considering since he rose2 the girl's story had absorbed him4 8,and now ,i hope that the good folk will settle down once more into their quiet and useful lives10 he added4 8,they will not be able to do so for some time10 she replied1 shaking her head4 8,all who were present at the preaching have already returned to their work2 the boats that were idle for nearly a week put out to the fishing early in the morning2 but there are other places where ,dick ,pritchard's talk was heard1 and the miners made it a good excuse for quitting their labour40 8,poor fellows1 ,i shall go among them at once2 ,i may be able to help them10 said he4 8,do you think of going at once1 sir80 she asked quickly4 8,at once10 he replied4 8,is there any time to lose80 8,and you will not return to us80 ,her question came from her like a sigh--a sigh that is quickly followed by a sob4 ,he looked at her for some moments in silence4 ,he had a thought that if he meant to tell her that he loved her1 no better opportunity would be likely to present itself4 ,this was for the first few moments1 but his thought was succeeded by a feeling that it would be a cruelty to shock this innocent prattling child with his confession4 ,she could not be otherwise than shocked were he to tell her that his desire was to get her promise to marry him4 ,he would adhere to his resolution to wait4 ,he would make another opportunity if one did not present itself4 8,if it be ,god's will ,i shall return to you10 he said4 8,yes1 in good time--in good time40 8,i am glad10 she said4 8,it was because ,i feared that you would go away at once and not return for a long time1 that ,i made haste to reach you when ,i saw you from the park40 8,why should my going affect you1 ,nelly80 he asked4 ,he wondered if the opportunity which he looked for1 and yet was anxious to avoid1 would persist in remaining within easy reach4 8,i--,i--the truth is1 sir1 that ,i wanted--,i wished greatly--to ask your advice10 she said4 8,i hope you will not find that you have placed overmuch dependence on me10 he said4 8,let us walk along the cliffs and talk as we pursue our way4 ,not that ,i am anxious to leave this spot2 it bears many happy memories to me4 ,was it not here that you came to me on the day of my first preaching1 ministering to my needs80 ,she flushed with pleasure4 8,ah1 sir1 all ,i did was as nothing compared with the good that has come to me through your words4 ,i want your counsel now4 ,i am sometimes very unhappy by reason of my doubts in a matter on which ,i should have none40 8,tell me your grief1 dear child4 ,have you not lived long enough to know that when the cause of your unhappiness is told to another1 it weighs less heavily upon you8 ,what1 did you not confide in me on ,saturday8 ',tis surely not from that man ,bennet that----0 8,oh1 no2 he has naught to do with my trouble4 ,it comes not from anyone but my own self--from my own foolishness4 ,you have a mind to hear the story of a young girl's foolishness who knew not her own mind--her own heart80 8,if you are quite sure that you wish to tell it to me4 ,you may be assured that you will find in me a sympathetic listener4 ,is there any one of us that can say in truth that his heart or hers has not some time been guilty of foolishness80 8,the worst of it is that what seems foolishness to-day had the semblance of wisdom yesterday4 ,and who can say that to-morrow we may not go back to our former judgment80 8,that is the knowledge that has come to you from experience40 8,it has come to me as the conclusion of my story--such as it is40 8',tis sad to think that our best teacher must ever be experience1 my child4 ,but if you have learned your lesson you should be accounted fortunate4 ,there are many to whom experience comes only to be neglected as a teacher40 8,i have had experience--a little--and all that it has taught to me is to doubt4 ,a year ago ,i thought that ,i loved a man4 ,to-day ,i do not know whether ,i love him or not--that is all my poor story1 sir40 ,she had not spoken fluently1 but faltering--with many pauses--a little wistfully1 and with her eyes on the ground4 ,he stopped suddenly in his walk4 ,he1 too1 had his eyes upon the ground4 ,he had not at once appreciated the meaning of her words1 but after a pause it came upon him3 he understood what her words meant to him4 ,she loved another man4 ,how could he ever have been so foolish as to take it for granted that such a girl as this was free8 ,that was the first thought which came to him4 ,had he not heard how every youth for miles round was in love with ,nelly ,polwhele8 ,had he not seen how one man had almost lost his senses through love of her8 ,and yet he had been considering the question of asking her to marry him1 assuming from the very first that she must be free6 ,he had been considering the matter from his own standpoint1 asking himself if it would not be well to be assured of his own love for her before telling her that he loved her2 and he came to the conclusion that he should not use any undue haste in saying the words which1 he hoped1 would link their lives together4 ,he had never entertained a suspicion that he might be too late in making his appeal to her4 ,it was now a shock to him to learn1 as he had just done1 that he was too late4 ,it took him some time to recover himself4 8,i ask your pardon10 he said4 8,i pray you to tell to me again what you have just said40 8,i am well-nigh ashamed to say it1 sir10 she murmured4 8,i am afraid that you may not think well of me4 ,you may think that there is some truth in the reports that have gone abroad concerning me40 8,reports8 ,i have heard no reports4 ,i thought of you as ,i found you1 and all that ,i thought was good4 ,i think nothing of you now that is not good4 ,ah1 child1 you do not know what direction my thoughts of you have taken6 ,alas6 alas60 ,it was her turn to be startled4 ,he saw the effect that his words had produced upon her1 and he hastened to modify it4 ,he felt that he had no right to say a word that might even in a distant way suggest to her the direction in which his thoughts--his hopes--had so recently led him4 8,have ,i spoken too vaguely80 he said4 8,surely not4 ,but ,i will be explicit1 and assure you that from the day we walked through the valley side by side ,i have thought of you as a good daughter--an honest and innocent young woman1 thoughtful for the well-being of others40 8,oh1 sir1 your good opinion is everything to me60 she cried4 8,but ,i feel that ,i have not earned it truly4 ,vanity has ever been my besetting sin--vanity and fickleness4 ,that is what ,i have to confess to you now before asking you for your counsel40 8,god forbid that ,i should give you any counsel except that which ,i am assured must be for your own well-being4 ,tell me all that is weighing on your heart1 and1 ,god helping me1 ,i will try to help you40 8,i will tell you all--all that ,i may tell1 sir4',tis not much to tell1 but it means a great deal to me4 ,in brief1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 a year ago ,i was at ,bristol and there ,i met a worthy man1 who asked me to marry him4 ,i felt then that ,i loved him so truly that 'twould be impossible for me ever to change1 and so ,i gave him my promise4 ,i had been ofttimes wooed before1 but because my heart had never been touched the neighbours all affirmed that ,i had the hardest heart of any maiden in the ,port4 ,they may have been right2 but1 hard-hearted or not1 ,i believed that ,i loved this man1 and he sailed away satisfied that ,i would be true to him40 8,he was a mariner80 8,he is a master-mariner1 and his ship is a fine one4 ,he sailed for the ,china ,seas1 and 'twas agreed that after his long voyage we were to be married4 ,that was1 ,i say1 a year ago1 and ,i was true to him until----0 ,she faltered1 she gave him a look that he could not understand1 and then all at once she flung herself down on the short coarse herbage of the cliff1 and began to weep with her hands over her face4 ,he strove to soothe her and comfort her1 saying she had done naught that was wrong--giving her assurance that a way out of her trouble would surely he found if she told him all4 8,what am ,i to do80 she cried1 looking piteously up to him1 with shining eyes4 8,what am ,i to do8 ,i got a letter from him only on ,friday last1 telling me that he had had a prosperous voyage and had just brought his ship safe to ,bristol1 and that he meant to come to me without delay4 ,oh1 sir1 'twas only when ,i had that letter ,i found that ,i no longer loved him as ,i did a year ago40 8,is there another man who has come between you1 my child80 he asked gravely4 8,heaven help me6 there is another10 she faltered4 8,and does he know that you are bound by a promise to someone else8 ,if so1 believe me he is a dishonourable man1 and you must dismiss him from your thought10 said he4 ,she shook her head4 8,he is an honourable man2 he has never said a word of love to me4 ,he knows nothing of my love for him4 ,he at least is innocent40 8,if he be indeed a true man he would1 ,i know1 give you counsel which ,i now offer to you2 even if he suspected--and ,i cannot but think that if he sees you and converses with you1 no matter how seldom1 he will suspect--the sad truth--he will leave your side and so give you an opportunity of forgetting him1 and all may be well40 8,ah1 sir1 think you that 'tis so easy to forget80 8,have you not just given me an instance of it1 ,nelly8 ,but no2 ,i will not think that you have forgotten the one to whom you gave your promise4 ,i like rather to believe that that affection remains unchanged in your heart1 although it be for a while obscured4 ,you remember how we lost our way on the morning of yesterday8 ,we saw not the shore2 'twas wreathed in mist2 but the solid shore was here all the same1 and in another hour a break dispersed the mist which up till then had been much more real to us than the shore2 the mist once gone1 we saw the substance where we had seen the shadow4 ,ah1 dear child1 how often is not the shadow of a love taken for the true--the abiding love itself4 ,now dry your tears and tell me when you expect your true lover to come to you40 8,he may arrive at any time4 ,he will come by the first vessel that leaves ,bristol river4 ,he must have left already4 ,oh1 that sail out there may be carrying him hither--that sail----0 ,she stopped suddenly1 and made a shade of one hand over her eyes while she gazed seaward4 ,after a few moments of gazing she sprang to her feet crying3 8,the boats--you see them out there8 ,what has happened that they are flying for the shore8 ,they should not be returning until the night40 ,he looked out across the waters and saw the whole fleet of fishing smacks making for the shore with every sail spread4 8,perhaps the boats have been unusually successful and thus have no need to tarry on the fishing ground10 he suggested4 ,she remained with her eyes upon them for a long time4 ,a look of bewilderment was upon her face while she cried3 8,oh1 everything is topsy-turvy in these days6 ,never have ,i known all the boats to make for the shore in such fashion1 unless a great storm was to windward1 and yet now----0 ,she caught him by the arm suddenly after she had remained peering out to the southern horizon with an arched hand over her eyes4 8,look there--there60 she said in a whisper1 pointing seaward4 8,tell me what you see there4 ,i misdoubt my own eyes4 ,is there a line of white just under the sky80 ,he followed the direction of her finger4 ,for some moments he failed to see anything out of the common2 the sea horizon was somewhat blurred--that was all4 ,but suddenly there came a gleam as of the sun quivering upon a thin sword blade of white steel out there--it quivered as might a feather in the wind4 8',tis a white wave10 he said4 8,see1 it has already widened4 ,a great wave rolling shoreward40 8,list1 list10 she whispered4 ,he put his hand behind his ear4 ,there came through the air the hollow boom of distant thunder1 or was it the breaking of a heavy sea upon a rocky coast8 ,the sound of many waters came fitfully landward1 and at the same moment a fierce gust of wind rushed over the water--they marked its footsteps--it was stamping with the hoofs of a war-horse on the surface of the deep as it charged down upon the coast4 ,before the two persons on the cliff felt it on their faces1 bending their bodies against its force1 a wisp of mist had come over the sun4 ,far away there was a black cloud--small1 but it looked to be dense as a cannon ball4 ,she pointed it out1 and these were her words3 8,a cannon ball6--a cannon ball60 ,the gust of wind had passed2 they could hear the trees of the park complaining at first and then roaring1 with the creaking of branches as it clove its way through them4 ,flocks of sea birds filled the air--all were flying inland4 ,their fitful cries came in all notes1 from the plaintive whistle of the curlew and the hoarse shriek of the gull to the bass boom of a bittern4 ,then the cannon ball cloud seemed to break into pieces in a flame of blue fire1 more dazzling than any lightning that ever flashed from heaven to earth1 and at the same instant the sun was blotted out1 though no cloud had been seen approaching it2 the pall seemed to have dropped over the disc1 not to have crept up to it4 8,a storm is on us10 he said4 8,whither can we fly for shelter80 8,the stones of ,red ,tor10 she replied2 8that is the nearest place4 ,there is plenty of shelter among the stones40 8,come10 he cried1 8there is no moment to be lost4 ,never have ,i known a storm fall so quickly40 ,she was tarrying on the cliff brow watching the progress of the fishing boats4 8,they will be in safety before disaster can overtake them10 she said4 ,then she turned to hasten inland with him2 but a sound that seemed to wedge its way1 so to speak1 through the long low boom1 with scarcely a quiver in it1 of the distant thunder1 made her look round4 ,she cried out1 her finger pointing to a white splash under the very blackness of the cloud that now covered half the hollow of the sky dome with lead4 8,never have ,i seen the like save only once1 while the great gale was upon us returning from ,georgia10 said he4 8',tis a waterspout40 ,it was a small spiral that came whirling along the surface of the water whence it had sprung1 and it made a loud hissing sound1 with the swish of broken water in it4 ,it varied in height from three feet to twenty1 until it had become a thick pillar of molten glass1 with branching capitals that broke into flakes of sea-foam spinning into the drift4 ,its path through the sea was like the scythe-sweep of a hurricane on the shore4 ,its wake was churned up like white curd1 and great waves fled from beneath its feet4 ,wesley and his companion stood in astonishment1 watching that wonder4 ,its course was not directly for the cliff where they were standing2 but they saw that if it reached the shore it would do so a hundred yards or thereabouts to the westward4 ,they were not wrong4 ,it reached the shore not farther away from them4 ,it struck the sand where the sun had dried it1 and in a moment it had scooped out a hollow eight or ten feet deep2 then it whirled on to the shingle4 ,they heard the noise as of the relapse of a great wave among the pebbles1 sweeping them down beneath the scoop of its talons2 only now it seemed as if the prow of a frigate had dashed into the ridge of pebbles and was pounding its way through them4 ,it was a moving pillar of stones that struck furiously against the stones of the cliff--an avalanche in the air that thundered against the brow1 breaking away a ton of rock1 and turning it into an avalanche that slid down to the enormous gap made in the shingle4 ,at the same instant there was the roar of a cataract as the whirling flood of the waterspout broke high in the air and dropped upon the land4 ,it was as if a lake had fallen from the skies in a solid mass1 carrying everything before it4 ,it was the girl who had grasped ,wesley by the arm1 forcing him to rush with her to the higher ground4 ,together they ran2 but before they reached it they were wading and slipping and surging through a torrent that overflowed the cliff1 and poured in the wave of a waterfall over the brink and thundered upon the rocks beneath4 ,they only paused to take breath when they reached the highest ledge of the irregular ground beyond the cliff pathway4 ,there was a tangle of lightning in the air--it fell from a cloud that had black flowing fringes1 like a horse's tail trailing behind it1 and it was approaching the shore4 ,they fled for the rocks of the ,bed ,tor4 ,if he had been alone he never would have reached the place4 ,the air was black with rain1 and he and his companion seemed to be rushing through a cloud that had the density of velvet4 ,it was a blind flight2 but this girl of the coast needed not the lightning torch that flared on every side of them to guide her4 ,she held his arm1 and he suffered himself to be led by her4 ,she even knew where the sheltering rocks were to be found2 they had not to search for them4 ,at the back of the slight eminence that had formed his pulpit1 half a dozen basalt boulders of unequal size lay tumbled together4 ,two of them were on end and three others lay over them1 the remaining one lying diagonally across the arched entrance to what had the appearance of the ruin of a doorway four feet high4 ,the high coarse herbage of the place1 with here and there a bramble branch1 was thick at this place1 and if the girl and the companions of her childhood had not been accustomed to play their games here1 calling the hollow between the stones their cave sometimes1 their palace when it suited them1 it would have escaped notice4 ,she bent her head and crept under the stones of the roof1 and he followed her4 ,they had a depth of scarcely three feet behind them1 for the bank of the mound against which the stones lay sloped naturally outward1 and the height was not more than four feet2 but it was a shelter1 although they had to kneel upon its hard floor4 ,it was a shelter1 and they had need of one just then4 ,the cloud had burst over them just as they reached their hospitable cleft in the rocks1 and the seventh plague of ,egypt had fallen upon the rude amphitheatre of the ,red ,tor--it was hail mingled with fire2 and when a pause came1 as it did with a suddenness that was more appalling than the violence of the storm1 the ninth plague was upon them4 ,the darkness might have been felt4 ,they could see nothing outside4 ,they knew that only ten yards away there was another pile of rocks with a few stunted trees springing from their crevices2 but they could not even see this landmark4 ,farther away1 on a small plateau1 was the celebrated rocking-stone of ,red ,tor2 but it seemed to have been blotted out4 ,they could hear the sound of the wind shrieking over the land1 making many strange whistlings and moanings through the hollows among the stones--they could hear the sound of thousands of runnels down the banks1 but they could see nothing4 ,in that awful black pause ,wesley began to repeat the words of the eighteenth ,psalm3 8,the ,lord is my rock1 and my fortress1 and my deliverer2 my ,god1 my strength1 in whom ,i will trust2 my buckler1 and my high tower4444 8,in my distress ,i called upon the ,lord1 and cried unto my ,god3 he heard my voice out of his temple1 and my cry before him1 even into his ears4 8,then the earth shook and trembled2 the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken1 because he was wroth4 8,there went up a smoke out of his nostrils1 and fire out of his mouth devoured3 coals were kindled by it4 8,he bowed the heavens also1 and came down3 and darkness was under his feet4 8,and he rode upon a cherub1 and did fly3 yea1 he did fly upon the wings of the wind4 8,he made darkness his secret place2 his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies4 8,at the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed1 hail stones and coals of fire4 8,the ,lord also thundered in the heavens1 and the ,highest gave his voice2 hail stones and coals of fire4 8,yea1 he sent out his arrows1 and scattered them2 and he shot out lightnings1 and discomfited them4 8,then the channels of waters were seen1 and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke1 ,o ,lord1 at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils4444 8,for thou wilt light my candle3 the ,lord my ,god will enlighten my darkness40 ,before he had come to the last stanza the battle of the elements had followed the brief truce4 ,the first flash was blinding1 but before they had instinctively put their hands up to their eyes they had seen every twig of the skeleton trees outlined against the background of fire--they had seen the black bulk of the rocking-stone1 and for the first time they noticed that it had the semblance of a huge hungry beast crouching for a leap4 ,the thunder that followed seemed to set the world shaking with the sway of the rocking-stone when someone had put it in motion4 8,is it true8--is it1 indeed1 true80 cried the girl between the peals of thunder4 ,he felt her hands tighten upon his arm4 8,the ,rock of ,ages is true10 he said2 but the second peal swallowed up his words4 ,he heard her voice when the next flash made a cleft in the cloud3 8,is it true--the prophecy--has it come80 ,then he knew what was in her mind4 8,do you fear it80 he cried1 and he turned his face toward her4 ,another flaring sword made its stroke from the heavens1 and by its blaze he saw that she was smiling while she shook her head4 ,he knew that she had no fear4 ,across his own mind there had flashed the same thought that had come to her1 taking the form of the question which she had put to him3 8,is the prophecy about to be realised80 ,he felt perfectly tranquil in the midst of the storm2 and the reflection that the tranquillity of the girl was due to his influence was sweet to him4 ,the roar of the thunder had become almost continuous4 ,they seemed to be the centre of a circle of livid flame4 ,the intervals of darkness were less numerous than those during which the whole sky became illuminated4 ,the floods came rather more fitfully4 ,for a few minutes at a time it seemed as if an ocean had been displaced1 as if an ocean had been suspended above them1 and then suddenly dropped with the crash of a waterfall4 ,immediately afterward there would be a complete cessation of rain and the crash of waters4 ,the thunder sounded very lonely4 ,more than once there were intervals of sudden clearness in the air4 ,for minutes at a time they could see1 even after the blinding flash of a javelin of lightning1 every object outside their sheltering place2 then suddenly all would be blotted out4 ,at such moments it seemed as if the blackness above them was solid--a vast mountain of unhewn marble falling down upon them4 ,they had the impression of feeling the awful weight of its mass beginning to crush them4 ,they became breathless--gasping4 ,once a flash fell close to them1 and there was a noise of splintering wood and the hiss of water into which a red-hot bar has been dipped4 ,a second afterward a blazing brand was flung in front of them1 and the smoke hung dense in the heavy air4 ,by the light that was cast around they saw that one of the trees growing on the little mound close to them had been struck and hurled where it lay4 ,it blazed high for a few minutes1 and then the girl cried out4 ,she had got upon her feet1 though forced to keep her head bent4 ,he thought that she was pointing out to him the thing that had happened2 but in a moment he perceived that her eyes were fixed upon some object beyond the mound that had been struck4 ,it was1 however1 only when the next flash came that he saw out there the figure of a man--he recognised him3 it was ,pritchard4 ,he stood bareheaded with his sackcloth garment clinging to him--the lightning was reflected from it as if it had been made of steel1 for the water was streaming down its folds--on the summit of the rocks that were piled together on the slope of the bank not twenty yards away4 ,he was gesticulating1 but his bare arms were above his head4 ,so much ,wesley saw in the single glimpse that was allowed to him4 ,after the flash the darkness swallowed him up once more2 but even before the next flash came he was visible1 though faintly1 by the light of the blazing tree1 for the trunk had not fallen directly between where he was standing and the shelter4 ,the red light flickered over his body1 and showed his attitude--his hands were now clasped over his head1 and he was facing the quarter whence the storm was coming4 ,then there fell another torrent of rain and hail1 and he was hidden by that watery sheet for some minutes4 ,suddenly1 as before1 the rain ceased1 and there was another interval of clearness1 that showed him standing with his arms extended4 ,and when the thunder peal rolled away his voice was heard calling out passionately1 though his words were indistinct2 they were smothered in the noise of the thousand torrents of the ,tor4 ,in a moment ,wesley had pushed himself through the opening of his shelter and hurried to his side4 ,he caught him by the arm4 8,come60 he cried4 8,have you not read1 ',thou shalt not tempt the ,lord thy ,god'8 ,man6 is this a time to seek destruction80 ,the man turned upon him4 8,it has come--it has come--the great and terrible ,day1 and ,i am its prophet60 he shouted4 8,you did not believe me4 ,i was mocked more than any prophet2 but it has come4 ,all has been fulfilled1 except calling to the rocks and the mountains4 ,no voice has called to them but mine4 ,i have called to the rocks to cover me and the hills to hide1 but none else4 ,but you will join me--you will add your voice to mine that the ,scriptures may be fulfilled1 ,john ,wesley4 ,call upon them as ,i do4 ,fall upon us1 ,o rocks--cover us1 ,o hills60 ,he stretched out his arms once more and bowed his head on every side1 shouting out his words1 amid the blaze of the lightning and the rattle of the thunder4 8,wretch60 cried ,wesley1 but then he checked himself4 ,he had now no doubt that the man had become a maniac4 8,my poor friend--brother--let me be your guide at this time4 ,let us talk over the matter together4 ,there is a place of safety at hand40 8,what1 you1 ,john ,wesley1 talk of safety2 know you not in this dread hour that the ,scripture must be fulfilled80 shouted the man4 8,what will your judgment be who would make the ,holy ,writ to be a vain thing8 ,i tell you1 sir1 that it will be a lie if you do not join with me in calling upon the rocks to fall upon us8 ,this is the place that was prophesied of--these are the very rocks--yonder are the very hills4 ,they will not move--they must be stubborn until another voice be joined with mine4 ,o rocks1 fall--fall--fall60 ,wesley grasped one of the frantic arms that were outstretched4 ,he could not temporise with the wretch again4 8,you shall not dare60 he cried4 8,i may not stand by and hear such a mockery40 ,the man wrenched his arm free4 8,the mockery is yours1 sir10 he shouted4 8,you will not save the truth of the ,scriptures when it is left for you to do so4 ,think of your own condemnation1 man--think that there are only two of us here1 and if we remain silent we are guilty of blasphemy1 for we are preventing the fulfilment of this prophecy40 ,a discharge of lightning that had the semblance of a pair of fiery fetters went from hill to hill1 and when ,wesley recovered the use of his eyes he saw that the man was pointing to the slight eminence on which the rocking-stone was poised4 8,it has been shown to me--thank ,god that it has been shown to me before 'tis too late10 he cried4 8,if you1 ,john ,wesley1 refuse to aid me1 power shall be given me alone to fulfil the ,scriptures4 ,the rocks shall obey me4 ,i am the chosen vessel40 ,a torrent of rain swept between them1 with the sound of a huge wave striking upon the flat face of a cliff4 ,wesley spread out his arms4 ,one of them was grasped by the girl1 who had crept to his side1 and he felt himself guided back to the shelter4 ,he lay back upon the sloping rock thoroughly exhausted1 and closed his eyes4 ,a minute had passed before he opened them again1 hearing the girl cry out4 ,another of the comparatively clear intervals had come1 and it was sufficient to show the great rocking-stone in motion and the figure that was swaying it4 ,to and fro it went on its heels' keel1 the man making frantic efforts to increase the depth to which it rose and fell4 ,to and fro1 to and fro it swayed1 and every fall was deeper than the last1 until at last it was swinging so that the side almost touched the rock beyond4 ,the man thrust his shoulder beneath the shoulder of the moving mass of stone1 pushing it back every time it bowed toward him4 ,never before had it swung like this4 ,at last it staggered on to the edge of the cup on which it was poised--staggered1 but recovered itself and slipped into its place again4 ,it swung back and jerked out of the cup as before4 ,one more swing1 with the man flinging his whole weight upon it2 for a second it trembled on the edge of the hollow fulcrum1 and then--it failed to return4 ,it toppled slowly over upon the granite rock4 ,for a moment its descent was retarded by the man1 who was crushed like a walnut beneath it1 then with a crash of broken crags it fell over the brink of the height to the ground1 fifteen feet beneath4 ,wesley left the girl with her hands pressed against her eyes and hurried to the fallen mass4 ,a man's hand projected from beneath it--nothing more4 ,but for this it would have been impossible to say that a body was beneath it4 ,the mighty stone did not even lie flat on the ground2 it had made a hollow for itself in the soft earth4 ,it had buried itself to the depth of a foot1 and beneath its base ,pritchard lay buried4 ,,chapter ,,xxii ,not until the afternoon had the storm moderated sufficiently to allow of ,wesley and his companion returning to ,porthawn4 ,for a full hour after the fall of the rocking-stone they remained together in the shelter4 ,they were both overcome by the horror of what they had witnessed4 ,happily the charred crown of branches which remained on the tree that had been struck down1 after the rain had extinguished the blaze1 was enough to hide the fallen stone1 and that ghastly white thing that lay thrust out from beneath it like a splash of lichen frayed from the crag4 ,but for another hour the tempest continued1 only with brief intervals1 when a dense and smoky greyness took the place of the blackness4 ,it seemed as if the storm could not escape from the boundary of the natural amphitheatre in the centre of which was the mound which ,wesley had used as his pulpit2 and to that man whose imagination was never a moment inactive1 the whole scene suggested a picture which he had once seen of the struggle of a thousand demons of the ,pit1 around a sanctified place1 for the souls of those who were safe within the enclosure4 ,there were the swirling black clouds every one of which let loose a fiery flying bolt1 while the winds yelled horribly as any fiends that might be struggling with obscene tooth and claw1 to crush the souls that were within the sacred circle4 ,the picture had1 he knew1 been an allegory2 he wondered if it were not possible that certain scenes in ,nature might be equally allegorical4 ,he hoped that he was not offending when he thought of this citadel of his faith--this pulpit from which he had first preached in ,cornwall--being assailed by the emissaries of the ,arch-enemy1 and jet remaining unmoved as a tower built to withstand every assault of the foe4 ,the whole scene assumed in his imagination a series of fierce assaults1 in all of which the enemy was worsted and sent flying over the plain2 he could hear the shrieks of the disappointed fiends--the long wail of the wounded that followed every impulse2 and then1 after a brief interval1 there came the renewed assault--the circling tumult seeking for a vulnerable point of entrance4 ,but there it stood1 that pulpit from whose height he had preached the ,gospel to the thousands who had come to hear him1 and had gone forth to join the forces that are evermore at conflict with the powers of evil in the world1 ,there stood his pulpit unmoved in the midst of the tumult4 ,he accepted the symbolism1 and he was lifted up by the hope that his work sent forth from this place would live untouched by the many conflicts of time4 ,he was able to speak encouraging words to his companion every time the thunder passed away2 and he was more than ever conscious of the happiness of having her near to him at this time4 ,he knew that he had loved her truly2 for his love had been true enough and strong enough to compel him to give her the advice that precluded his ever being able to tell her of his own feeling for her4 ,the joy of her gracious companionship was not for him2 but he would do all that in him lay to assure her happiness4 ,he knew that he was able to soothe her now that she had received a shock that would have been too much for most women4 ,the horror of the mode of the man's death1 quite apart from the terror of the tempest1 was enough to prostrate any ordinary man or woman4 ,it was very sweet to him to feel her cling to his arm when they crawled back to their shelter4 ,he laid his hand tenderly upon the hand that clasped him1 and he refrained from saying a word to her at that moment4 ,when the storm had moderated in some measure he spoke to her2 and he was too wise to make any attempt to turn her thoughts from the tragedy which1 he knew1 could not possibly fade from her mind even with the lapse of years4 8,he predicted truly so far as he himself was concerned10 he said gravely4 8,the end came for him as he said4 ,poor wretch6 ,he may have possessed all his life a curious sense beyond that allowed to others--an instinct--it may not have been finer than the instinct of a bird4 ,i have read that one of the desert birds will fly an hundred miles to where a camel has fallen by the way4 ,the camel itself has1 we are told1 an instinct that guides it to water4 ,but ,i do not say that he was not an agent of evil4 ,there is evidence to prove that sorcery can give the power to predict what seems to be the truth1 but it is only a juggling of the actual truth4 ,the manner of that poor wretch's death makes one feel suspicious4 ,he predicted the end of the world2 well1 the world came to an end1 so far as he was concerned4 ,you perceive the jugglery8 ,but his was a weak mind4 ,he may have been lured on to his own destruction4 ,however this may be1 his end was a terrible one4 ,i grieve that it was left for us to witness it40 ,she shook her head4 8,i shall never forget to-day10 she said4 8,i had a feeling more than once when the lightning was brighter than common1 and the world seemed to shake under the rattle of the thunderclap1 that the next moment would be the last40 8,there was no terror on your face--,i saw it once under the fiercest flash10 said he4 8,at first--ah1 ,i scarce know how ,i felt10 said she4 8,but when ,i heard your words saying1 ',rock of ,ages1' my fear seemed to vanish40 8,the lines ring with the true confidence that only the true ,rock of ,ages can inspire10 said he4 ,and thus he gradually led her thoughts away from the ghastly thing that she had seen1 though he had begun talking to her about it4 ,at this time the storm1 which had been hurtling around the brim of the huge basin of the valley1 had succeeded in its ,titanic efforts to free itself from whatever influence it was held it fettered within the circle2 and though the rain continued1 there was only an occasional roll of thunder4 ,the roar that now filled the valley was that of the sea4 ,it came to them after the storm like the voice of an old friend shouting to them to be of good cheer4 ,and all that the preacher said to her was founded upon the text that the sea shouted for them to hear4 ,for a time at least the horror that she had looked upon passed out of her mind2 and when he pointed out to her that the rain had almost ceased1 she suffered herself to be led away from their place of shelter by the further side of the central mound1 without straining her eyes to see where the rocking-stone lay2 she had not even a chance of noting the strangeness brought about by the disappearance of a landmark that she had seen since she was a child4 ,but as they walked rapidly toward the little port1 a cold fear took hold of her4 8,can a single cottage remain after such a storm--can anyone be left alive80 she cried1 and he saw that the tears were on her face4 8,do not doubt it10 he said4 8,to doubt it were to doubt the goodness of ,god4 ,some men are coming toward us4 ,i have faith that they bring us good news40 ,within a few minutes they saw that it was ,mr4 ,hartwell and two of his men who had come in search of ,wesley4 ,before they met1 ,nelly had asked how the port had fared--the boats1 what of the boats8 8,all's well10 was the response1 and her hands clasped themselves in joy and gratitude4 ,never had such a tempest been thrown on the coast1 ,hartwell said1 but absolutely no damage had been done to building1 boat1 or human being4 ,some trees had been struck by the lighting in the outskirts of the park1 and doubtless others had suffered further inland2 but the fishing boats having had signs of the approach of the storm1 had at once made for the shore1 and happily were brought to the leeward of the little wharf before the first burst had come4 ,when he had told his tale he enquired if either of them had seen anything of ,pritchard4 8,he appeared suddenly where we saw him yesterday10 he continued1 8and his cry was that we should join him in calling upon the rocks to fall on us4 ,he would not be persuaded to take shelter1 and he was seen to wander into what seemed to be the very heart of the storm40 ,wesley shook his head1 and told his story4 ,the man whose prophecy of the end of the world had spread within certain limits a terror that was recalled by many firesides1 and formed a landmark in the annals of two generations1 was the only one who perished in the great thunderstorm1 which undoubtedly took place within a day or two of the date assigned by him to see the destruction of the world4 ,john ,wesley had no choice left him in the matter4 ,his host insisted on his going into a bed that had been made as warm as his copper pan of charcoal could make it1 after partaking of a spiced posset compounded in accordance with a recipe that was guaranteed to prevent the catching of a cold1 no matter how definitely circumstances conspired in favour of a cold4 ,his garments had become sodden with rain from the waterspout at the outset of the storm1 and he had been forced to sit for several hours in the same clothes4 ,he could not hope to escape a cold unless by the help of this famous posset1 the housekeeper affirmed2 and she was amazed to find him absolutely docile in this matter4 ,she had been voluble in her entreaties2 but she came to the conclusion that she might have spared herself half her trouble2 she had taken it for granted that she was talking to an ordinary man1 who would scoff at the virtues of her posset1 and then make all his friends miserable by his complaints when he awoke with a cold on him4 ,mr4 ,wesley was the only sensible man she had ever met1 she declared to her master1 with the sinister expression of a hope that his example of docility would not be neglected by others4 ,he went to bed1 and after listening for some hours to the roaring of the sea1 he fell asleep4 ,the evening had scarcely come1 but he had never felt wearier in all his life4 ,he slept for eight hours1 and when he awoke he knew that he had done well to yield1 without the need for persuasion1 to the advice of the housekeeper4 ,he felt refreshed in every way2 and after lying awake for an hour1 he arose1 dressed himself1 and left the house4 ,this impulse to take a midnight walk was by no means unusual with him4 ,he had frequently found himself the better for an hour or two spent in the darkness1 especially beside the sea4 ,midnight was just past4 ,if he were to remain in the air for some time1 he might1 he thought1 be able to sleep until breakfast-time4 ,the night was cool1 without being cold1 and there was a sweet freshness in the air which had certainly been wanting when he had walked along the cliffs in the afternoon4 ,the thunderstorm did not seem at that time to have cleared the atmosphere4 ,he was rather surprised to find that there was such a high sea rolling at this time1 and he came to the conclusion that there had been a gale while he was asleep4 ,clouds were still hiding the sky1 but they held no rain4 ,he shunned the cliff track1 going in the opposite direction1 which led him past the village1 and on to the steep sandy bay with its occasional little peninsulas of high rocks1 the surfaces of which were not covered even by ,spring tides4 ,very quiet the little port seemed at this hour4 ,not a light was in any window--not a sound came from any of the cottages4 ,he stood for a long time on the little wharf looking at the silent row of cottages4 ,that one which had the rose-bush trained over the porch was the home of the ,polwheles1 he knew1 and he remained with his eyes fixed upon it4 ,it seemed as if this had been the object of his walk--to stand thus in front of that house1 as any youthful lover might stand beneath the lattice that he loved4 ,he had his thoughts to think1 and he found that this was the time to think them4 ,they were all about the girl who slept beyond that window4 ,he wondered if he had ever loved her before this moment4 ,if he had really loved her1 how was it that he had never before been led to this place to watch the house where she lay asleep8 ,was it possible that he had fancied he knew her before he had passed those hours with her when the storm was raging around them8 ,he felt that without this experience he could not possibly have known what manner of girl she was4 ,and now that he had come to know her the knowledge came to him with the thought that she was not for him4 ,he had set out in the morning feeling that perhaps he had been too hasty in coming to the conclusion that because1 when far away from her he had been thinking a great deal of his own loneliness and the joy that her companionship would bring to him1 he loved her4 ,that was why he had wished to put himself to the test1 and he had fancied that he was doing so when he had walked in the opposite direction to that in which the village lay so that he might avoid the chance of meeting her4 ,but in spite of his elaborate precautions--he actually thought that it had shown ingenuity on his part--he had met her1 and he had learned without putting the question to her that she was not for him4 ,he recalled what his feeling had been at that moment4 ,he had fancied that he knew all that her words meant to him2 but he had deceived himself2 it was only now that he knew exactly the measure of what they meant to him4 ,it seemed to him that he had known nothing of the girl before he had passed those dark hours by her side4 ,at that time it was as if all the world had been blotted out1 only he and she being left alone4 ,this feeling he now knew was what was meant by loving--this feeling that there was nothing left in the world--that nothing mattered so long as he and she were together--that death itself would be welcome if only it did not sunder them4 ,and he had gained that knowledge only to know that they were to be sundered4 ,it was a bitter thought1 and for a time1 as he stood there with his eyes fixed upon the cottage1 he felt as if so far as he was concerned the world had come to an end4 ,the happiness which he had seen before him as plainly as if it had been a painted picture--a picture of the fireside in the home that he hoped for--had been blotted out from before his eyes1 and in its stead there was a blank4 ,it did not matter how that blank might be filled in1 it would never contain the picture that had been torn away from before him when she had of her own free will told him the story of her love4 ,he felt the worst that any man can feel1 for the worst comes only when a man cries out to himself3 8,too late--too late60 ,he was tortured by that perpetual question of 8,why8 ,why8 ,why80 ,why had he not come to ,cornwall the previous year8 ,why had he not seen her before she had gone to ,bristol and given her promise to the other man8 ,but this was only in the floodtide of his bitterness2 after a space it subsided4 ,more reasonable thoughts came to him4 ,who was he that he should rail against what had been ordered by that ,heaven in whose ordering of things he had often expressed his perfect faith8 ,what would he say of any man who should have such rebellious thoughts8 ,could this be the true love--this that made him rebel against the decree of an all-wise ,providence8 ,if it was true it would cause him to think not of his own happiness1 but of hers4 ,had he been thinking all the time of his own happiness8 he asked himself4 ,had she been denied to him on this account8 ,he feared that it was so4 ,he recalled how he had been thinking of her1 and he had many pangs of self-reproach when he remembered how in all the pictures of the future that his imagination had drawn he was the central figure4 ,he felt that his aim had been an ignoble one4 ,selfishness had been the foundation of his love1 and therefore he deserved the punishment that had fallen upon him4 ',he continued his walk and went past the cottage on which his eyes had lingered4 ,for a mile he strolled1 lost in thought along the sandy bay1 disturbing the sea birds that were wading about the shallow pools in search of shell fish4 ,the tide was on the ebb and he walked down the little ridges of wet beach until he found himself at the edge of that broad grey sea that sent its whispering ripples to his feet4 ,he had always liked to stand thus in winter as well as summer4 ,within an hour of dawn the sea seemed very patient4 ,it was waiting for what was to come--for the uprising of the sun to turn its grey into gold4 ,he never failed to learn the lesson of the sea in all its moods2 and now he felt strengthened by looking out to the eastern sky1 though it was still devoid of light4 ,he would have patience4 ,he would wait and have faith4 ,light was coming to the world1 and happy was the one to whom was given the mission of proclaiming that dawn--the coming of the ,light of the ,world4 ,even when he resumed his stroll after he had looked across the dun waters he became conscious of a change in the eastern sky4 ,the clouds that still clung to that quarter were taking on to themselves the pallor of a pearl1 and the sky edge of the sea was lined with the tender glaze that appears on the inner surface of a white shell1 and its influence was felt upon the objects of the coast4 ,the ridges of the peninsular rocks glimmered1 and the outline of the whole coast became faintly seen4 ,it was coming--the dawn for which the world was waiting was nigh4 ,the doubts born of the night were ready to fly away as that great heron which rose in front of him fled with winnowing wings across the surface of the sea4 ,,chapter ,,xxiii ,the first faint breath of the dawn--that sigh of light of which the air was scarcely conscious--made him aware as he walked along the sands of the fact that the beach was strewn with wreckage4 ,he found himself examining a broken spar upon which he had struck his foot4 ,further on he stumbled over a hen-coop1 and then again a fragment that looked like the cover of a hatchway4 ,he had heard nothing about a vessel's having come ashore during the tempest of the morning2 but there was nothing remarkable in the sudden appearing of wreckage on this wild ,cornish coast4 ,almost every tide washed up something that had once been part of a gallant ship4 ,wreckage came without anyone hearing of the wreck from which it had come4 ,he examined the broken spar1 and his fancy showed him the scene at the foundering of such a ship as the ,gloriana1 whose carcase had been so marvellously uncovered on the ,sunday evening4 ,he had had enough experience of seafaring to be able to picture the details of the wreckage of such a ship4 ,he left the beach and went on to the ascent of the higher part of the shore1 thinking that it might be that when the dawn strengthened it might reveal the shape of some craft that had run ashore on the outer reef at this dangerous part of the coast2 and even before he reached the elevated ground the dawn light had spread its faint gauze over the sea1 and the shapes of the rocks were plain4 ,he looked out carefully1 scanning the whole coast1 but he failed to see any wreck between the horns of the bay4 ,but when he had continued his slow walk for a few hundred yards he fancied that he saw some objects that looked dark against the pale sands4 ,at first he thought that he was looking at a rock that had some resemblance to the form of a man2 but a movement of a portion of the object showed that it was indeed a man who was standing there4 ,wesley had no mind for a companion on this stroll of his1 so he went a short way inland in order to save himself from being seen1 and he did not return to the sandy edge of the high ground until he judged that he had gone beyond the spot where he had seen the man4 ,turning about1 he found that he had done what he intended3 he saw the dark figure walking from where he had been1 in the direction of the sea4 ,but by this time the light had so increased that he was able to see that the man was walking away from the body of another that was lying on the beach4 ,he had scarcely noticed this before the man stopped1 looked back1 and slowly returned to the body4 ,but the moment he reached it ,wesley was amazed to see him throw up his arms as if in surprise and then fling himself down on the body with his hands upon its throat4 ,wesley knew nothing except that the man's attitude was that of one who was trying to strangle another4 ,but this was surely enough4 ,he shouted out and rushed toward the place with a menace4 ,the man was startled2 his head went back with a jerk1 but his hands did not leave the other's throat4 ,wesley had to drag him back by the collar1 and even then he did not relax his hold until the body had been lifted up into a sitting position4 ,the moment the man's fingers were loosed the head fell back upon the sand4 ,wesley threw himself between the two1 and the instant that he turned upon the assailant he recognised ,john ,bennet4 8,wretch60 he cried1 8what is it that you would do8 ,what is it that you have done--murderer80 ,bennet stared at him as if stupefied4 ,then he burst into a laugh1 but stopped himself suddenly4 8,mr4 ,wesley1 is it80 he cried4 8,oh1 sir1 is't you indeed that pulls my hands off his throat8 ,there is something for the ,devil to laugh at in that40 8,man1 if you be a man and not a fiend1 would you strangle one whom the sea has already drowned80 cried ,wesley4 8,i have the right10 shouted ,bennet1 8for he would be dead by now if ,i had not succoured him40 8,if it be true that you saved him from an imminent death1 at that time1 wherefore should you strive to murder him now80 said ,wesley4 8,i did not see his face then--it was dark when ,i stumbled on him4 ,only when ,i turned about when the dawn broke ,i saw who he was4 ,go your ways1 ,mr4 ,wesley4 ,the man is mine by every law of fair play4 ,stand not between us1 sir1 or you shall suffer for it40 8,monster1 think you that ,i shall obey you while a breath remains in my body8 ,i shall withstand you to the death1 ,john ,bennet2 you shall have two murders laid at your door instead of one40 ,the man laughed as before4 ,then he said3 8,that is the point where the devils begin to laugh--ho6 ho6 ,john ,wesley60 8,i have heard one of them10 said ,wesley4 8,oh1 you fool1 to stay my hand6 ,know you not that the man lying there is none other than he whom ,nelly ,polwhele has promised to marry80 8,and is not that a sufficient reason why you should do your best to save him--not take his life away80 ,for more than a minute the man was too astonished to speak4 ,at last he said3 8,is it that you are mad1 ,john ,wesley8 ,heard you not what ,i said80 8,every word10 replied ,wesley4 8,you cannot have taken in my words10 the other whispered4 8,think1 sir1 that is the foolish thing that stands between you and her--you love her--,i have seen that40 ,illustration3 #jbic 8,and ,i stand between you and him--that is enough for the present moment10 said ,wesley quickly1 facing the man1 whom he noticed sidling round ready to leap upon the body lying on the beach4 ,bennet saw that his cunning was overmatched4 8,fool6 ,i cry again10 he said in a low tone4 8,would not ,i slay a score such as you and he for her sake8 ,a man's soul can only be lost once1 and ,i am ready to go to perdition for her--,i have counted the cost4 ,the best of the bargain is with me6 ,out of my way1 sir--out of my way60 ,he took a few steps back1 preparing to rush at the other4 ,wesley kept his eyes upon him and stood with his feet firmly planted to stand against his violence4 ,but before the man could make his rush there was sudden flash of light in his face1 dazzling him and ,wesley as well4 ,the light shifted4 ,wesley turned to see whence it came4 ,there was the sound of a hard boot on the pebbles and a man's voice said3 8,avast there6 ,don't move a hand4 ,i have a pistol covering ye1 and a cutlash is in my belt40 8,you have come in good time1 whoever you be10 said ,wesley4 8,but you will have no need to use your weapons1 sir40 8,ay1 ay1 but if there's a move between ye1 my gentlemen1 ,i'll make spindrift o' your brains4 ,ye hear80 was the response4 ,the man1 who had flashed his lantern upon them--the dawn was still very faint--came beside them and showed that he had not made an empty boast4 ,wesley perceived that he was one of the ,preventive men1 fully armed4 ,he kept the blaze of his lantern on ,bennet's face and then turned it on ,wesley1 whom he appeared to recognise4 8,in ,heaven's name1 sir1 what's this80 he cried4 8,take no thought for us10 said ,wesley4 8,here lies a poor wretch washed ashore4 ,give me your help to bring back life to him4 ,no moment must be lost--the loss of a minute may mean the loss of his life40 ,he was already kneeling beside the prostrate figure4 ,the ,preventive man followed his example4 ,they both exclaimed in one voice3 8,he is alive60 8,god be thanked10 said ,wesley solemnly4 8,i feared----0 8,you have treated him with skill1 sir10 said the man4 8,you did not give him a dram80 8,i have only been here a few minutes2 the saving2 of him from drowning is not due to me10 said ,wesley4 ,the man had his ration of rum in his knapsack1 and was administering it1 ,bennet standing by without a word4 8,we must get help to carry him to the nearest house10 said the ,preventive man4 8,i shall hasten to the village10 said ,wesley4 ,but he suddenly checked himself4 ,he knew that ,ben-net's cunning would be equal to such a device as to get rid of the revenue officer for the few minutes necessary to crush the life out of the man on the sand4 8,no1 on second thought yonder man--his name is ,bennet--will do this duty4 ,john ,bennet1 you will hasten to the nearest house--any house save ,polwhele's--and return with at least two of the fishermen4 ,they will come hither with two oars and a small sail--enough sailcloth to make into a hammock for the bearing of the man with ease4 ,you will do my bidding40 8,i will do your bidding10 said ,bennet after a pause1 and forthwith he hurried away4 8,what is all this1 sir80 asked the man in a low tone when he had gone4 8,i heard your voice and his--he is half a madman--they had the sound of a quarrel40 8,you arrived in good time1 friend10 said ,wesley4 8,you say this man was treated with skill in his emergency2 if so1 it must be placed to the credit of ,john ,bennet4 ,i can say so much1 but no more40 8,i'll ask no more from you1 sir10 said the other1 slowly and suspiciously4 8,but if ,i heard of ,ben-net's murdering a man ,i would believe it sooner than any tale of his succouring one4 ,he is a bit loose in the hatches1 as the saying is2 ,i doubt if he will bear your message1 sir40 8,i shall make this sure by going myself10 said ,wesley4 8,i am of no help here2 you have dealt with the half drowned before now40 8,a score of times--and another score to the back of the first10 said the man4 8,i tell you this one is well on the mend4 ,but a warm blanket will be more to him than an anker of ,jamaica rum4 ,you do well to follow ,bennet4 ,would the loan of a pistol be of any confidence to you in the job80 8,there will be no heed for such now1 even if ,i knew how to use one10 said ,wesley4 ,he perceived that the man had his suspicions4 ,he hurried away when he had reached the track above the shingle4 ,it was quite light before he reached the nearest cottage1 which stood about a hundred yards east of the ,port ,street1 and belonged to a fisherman and boatwright named ,garvice4 ,the men and his sons had their tar-pot on the brazier and had already begun work on a dinghy which lay keel uppermost before them4 ,they looked with surprise at him when he asked if they had been long at work4 8,on'y a matter o' quartern hour10 replied the old man4 8,then you must have seen ,john ,bennet and got his message80 said ,wesley4 8,seen ,john ,bennet8 ,ay1 ay--still mad4 ,message8 ,no message i' the world4 ,what message 'ud a hare-brainer like to 'un bear to folk wi' the five senses o' ,golmighty complete80 the old man enquired4 8,do you tell me that ,bennet said naught to you about a half-drowned man needing your help80 asked ,wesley4 8,no word4 ,even if so rigid a madman ha' carried that tale think ye we'd be here the now80 8',tis as well that ,i came1 though ,i thought it cruel to distrust him10 said ,wesley4 ,he then told the man what was needed1 and before he had spoken a dozen words the old man had thrown down his tar-brush and was signalling his sons to run down one of the boats to the water4 8,paddle round in half the time takes t' walk10 he said4 8,no back breakin'1 no bone shakin 's my morter4 ,down she goes40 ,wesley was glad to accept a seat in the stern sheets of the small boat which was run down to the water1 not twenty yards from the building shed2 and when he returned with the three boatmen to that part of the coast from which he had walked1 he found the man to whose aid he had come sitting up and able to say a word or two to the revenue man1 who was kneeling beside him1 having just taken his empty rum bottle from his mouth4 ,old ,garvice looked as if he felt that he had been brought from his work under false pretences4 ,he plodded slowly across the intervening piece of beach a long way behind ,mr4 ,wesley1 and the ,preventive man had reported the progress to recovery made by the other before the ,garvice family had come up4 ,the ,garvices had had more than a nodding acquaintance with the revenue authorities before this morning4 8,john ,bennet is a bigger rascal than ,i thought1 and that's going far10 said the ,preventive man when ,wesley told him that no message had been given at the ,port4 8,if ,i come face to face with him1 them that's nigh will see some blood-letting4 ,why1 e'en ,ned ,garvice1 that ,i've been trying to lay a trap for this twelve year1 lets bygones be bygones when there's a foundered man to succour40 8,where is 'un80 enquired the old man with pointed satire1 looking round with a blank face4 ,the bedraggled man sitting on the beach was able to smile4 8,wish ,i'd had the head to bid you ask ,neddy ,garvice to carry hither a bottle of his ,french brandy--ay1 the lot that you run ashore when the cutter fouled on the bank10 said the ,preventive man4 8,oh1 that lot8 ,had ,i got a billet from you1 ,freddy ,wise1 ,i'd ha' put a stoup from the kegs o' the ,gorgon into my pocket10 said the old man wickedly4 ,mr4 ,wesley did not know that the ,gorgon was a large ship that had come ashore the previous year1 and had been stripped bare by the wreckers4 8,oh1 ay2 the ,gorgon for brandy and the ,burglarmaster for schnapps1 says ,i1 and ,i sticks to that object o' creed1 ,freddy1 whatsoe'er you says40 ,the ,bourghermeister was the name of another wreck whose stores the revenue men had been too slow to save some years before4 ,but while these pleasantries were being exchanged between the men ,wesley was looking at the one in whose interests he was most concerned4 ,he was lying with his head supported by a crag on which ,fred ,wise had spread his boat cloak4 ,his face was frightfully pallid1 and his forehead was like wax1 only across his temple there was a long ugly gash1 around which the blood had coagulated4 ,his eyes were closed except at intervals when he started1 and they opened suddenly and began to stare rather wildly4 ,his arms hung down and his hands were lying limp on the beach palms up1 suggesting the helplessness of a dead man4 ,he was clearly a large and strongly built fellow1 who could sail a ship and manage a crew1 using his head as well as his hands4 ,the others were looking at him critically2 he was so far recovered that they did not seem to think there was any imperative need for haste in the matter of carrying him to a bed2 although they criticised him as if he were dead4 8,worser lads ha' gone down and heard of for nevermore10 said the old fisherman4 8,did he know that ,squire ,trevelyan buries free of all duty all such as the sea washes up 'tween tides8 ,that's the ,vantage to be drowned on these shores2 but the ,squire keeps that knowledge like a solemn secret2 fears there'd be a rush--they'd be jammin' one t'other amongst crags as for who'd come foremost to his own funeral40 8,tis no secret o' gravity1 ,ned ,garvice1 that you give orders to your boys to carry you down in the cool o' the evening when you feel your hour's at hand1 and lay ye out trim and tidy for the flood-tide1 so that ye get a free funeral1 and ,parson ,rodney's ',earth t' earth' thrown into the bargain10 said ,wise4 8,i've learned my sons to honour their father1 and it puts 'un back a long way in their 'struction to be face to face wi' 'un as has a hardened scoff for his grey hairs10 said the fisherman4 8,go your ways1 lads1 and gather limpits so ye hear not evil words that shake your faith in your ancient father4 ,but what ,i can't see is how he got them finger-marks on his neck40 ,he pointed to the man on the beach4 8,they ha' the aspect o' finger marks1 now ha' they not1 sir80 said ,wise meaningly1 turning to ,wesley4 8,my thought1 friends1 amounts to this3 ,i have heard that in cases of rescue from drowning quickness is most needful for the complete restoration of the sufferer10 said ,wesley4 8,now1 sirs1 ,i ask you is this the moment for light gossip1 when yonder poor fellow lies as if he had not an hour's life in his body80 8,there's summat i' that1 too10 said old ,garvice1 as if a matter which he had been discussing had suddenly been presented to him in an entirely new light4 8,oh1 sir10 said the ,preventive man1 8when a corpse has revived so far 'tis thought best that he should have a short rest2 it kind o' way knits the body and soul together all the closer4 ,the man is in no danger now1 ,i firmly believe2 but1 as you say1 there's no need for wasting any more time4 ,give us a heave under his other armpit1 my lad4 ,heave handsomely2 there's naught but a thin halfhour 'twixt him and eternity--mind that1 and you won't jerk4 ,who's for his heels80 ,the elder of ,garvice's sons--a big lad of twenty--obeyed the instructions of the revenue man1 and ,wesley and the old fisherman went to the feet4 8',vast hauling6 ,set me up on end10 said the man over whom they were bending4 ,he spoke in a low voice and weak2 he did not seem to have sufficient breath to make himself heard4 8,hear that80 said the fisherman with a sagacious wink4 8,there's the lightsome and blithe quarter-deck voice o' your master-mariner when warping into dock and his missus a-waitin' for 'un rosy as silk on the pier-head4',tis then that if so be that a man's genteel1 it will out40 8',vast jaw1 my hearty60 murmured the man wearily4 8,that's the tone that fills the air wi' th' smell o' salt beef for me whene'er ,i hears 'un--ay1 sirs1 salt beef more lifelike and lively than this high ship-master who ,i trow hath ofttimes watched a ration toddle round the cuddy table like to a guileless infant40 8,heave all1 with a will60 cried ,wise1 and the four men raised the other as tenderly as a bulk so considerable could be taken off the ground1 and bore him with some staggering and heavy breathing1 down to where the youngest of the ,garvice family was keeping the dinghy afloat over the rapidly shallowing sand4 ,an hour later1 when the day was still young1 ,wesley was kneeling by his bedside giving thanks to ,heaven for having allowed him to participate in the privilege of saving a fellow-creature from death4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv ,he slept for an hour or two1 but awoke feeling strangely unrefreshed4 ,but he joined ,hartwell at breakfast and heard the news that the latter had acquired during his usual half-hour's stroll through the village4 ,after shaking his guest warmly by the hand1 ,hartwell cried3 8,what1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 was it that you did not believe you had adventure enough for one ,summer's day1 that you must needs fare forth in search of others before sunrise80 ,wesley laughed4 8,i ventured nothing1 my good friend10 he said4 8,i came upon the shipwrecked man by the blessing of ,god1 in good time4 ,i have been wondering since ,i rose if he had suffered shipwreck4 ,did you learn so much at the village--and pray hath he fully recovered himself80 8,i dare not say fully1 but he has recovered himself enough to be able to tell his story10 replied ,hartwell4 8,and he was wrecked80 8,only swamped at sea4 ,he is a ship-master1 ,snowdon1 by name1 but 'twas not his own craft that went down1 but only a miserable coasting ketch that ventured from ,bristol port to ,poole with a cargo of pottery--something eminently sinkable4 ,strange to say1 ,captain ,snowdon set out from ,bristol1 wanting to go no further than our own port2 for why8 you ask4 ,why1 sir1 for a true lover's reason1 which may be reckoned by some folk as no reason at all--namely a hope to get speedily by the side of his mistress1 this lady being none other than our friend1 the pretty and virtuous young woman known as ,nelly ,polwhele40 8,ah6 ,nelly ,polwhele80 8,none other1 sir4 ,it seems that ,nelly met this good master-mariner a year ago at ,bristol1 and following the usage of all our swains1 he falls in love with her4 ,and she1 contrary to her usage of the stay-at-home swains who piped to her1 replies with love for love4 ,but a long voyage loomed before him1 so after getting her promise1 he sails for the ,china ,seas and the coast of the ,great ,mogul4 ,returning with a full heart and1 ,i doubt not1 a full pocket as well1 he is too impatient to wait for the sailing of a middle-sized packet for ,falmouth or ,plymouth1 he must needs take a passage in the first thing shaped like a boat that meant to come round the ,lizard1 and this was a ketch of some ten ton1 that opened every seam before the seas that the hurricane of yesterday raised up in the ,channel1 and so got swamped when trying to run ashore on some soft ground4 ,nelly's shipmaster1 ,mr4 ,snowdon1 must have been struggling in the water for something like four hours1 and was washed up1 well-nigh at the very door of the young woman's cottage1 and so--well1 you know more of the remainder of the story than doth any living man--not even excepting the ,captain himself40 8,and the young woman--have you heard how she received her lover80 asked ,wesley4 8,ah1 that is the point at which ,rumour becomes1 for a marvel1 discreetly silent10 replied ,hartwell4 8,i suppose it is taken for granted that the theme has been dealt with too frequently by the poets to have need to be further illustrated by a fisherman's daughter4 ,take my word for it1 sir1 the young woman1 despite her abundance of womanly traits1 is a good and kind and true girl at heart4 ,she hath not been spoiled by the education which she received as companion to the ,squire's young ladies40 8,that was my judgment1 too10 said ,wesley4 8,i pray that the man will be a good husband to her4 ,his worldly position as the master of an ,east ,indiaman is an excellent one40 8,he will make her a very suitable husband10 said ,hartwell4 8,i must confess that ,i have had my fears for her4 ,she is possessed of such good looks--a dangerous possession for such a young woman1 sir4 ,these1 coupled with her intimate association with the ,squire's daughters1 might have led her into danger4 ,a less sensible girl would certainly be likely to set her cap at someone a good deal above her in station--a dangerous thing--very dangerous60 8,no doubt1 sir4 ,and now you are disposed to think that her happiness is1 humanly speaking1 assured80 8,i think that she is a very fortunate young woman1 and that the man is even more fortunate still4 ,old ,polwhele1 in his whimsical way1 however1 protests that he wishes the man whose intent it is to rob him of his daughter1 had got drowned4 ,he grumbled about the part you played in the matter--he was very whimsical4 ',what1 sir1' he grumbled to me just now1 'is ,mr4 ,wesley not content with looking after our souls--is he turning his attention to our bodies as well8 ,old ,polwhele has a nimble wit40 8,it was not ,i1 but ,john bennet1 who was fortunate enough to restore the man3 he treated him altogether skilfully1 the revenue patrol-man told me40 ,hartwell threw up his hands in surprise4 ,then he frowned4 ,he was plainly puzzled for some time4 ,at last he said3 8,mr4 ,wesley1 if ,bennet saved that man's life he must have stumbled on him while it was yet dark--too dark to let him see the man's face40 8,but how should he know who the man was1 even if he had seen his face80 8,he was acquainted with ,mr4 ,snowdon at ,bristol1 and his grievance was that if ,snowdon had not appeared1 the girl would have accepted his own suit4 ,oh1 yes2 it must have been too dark for him to see the man's face1 or it would have gone hardly with the poor fellow40 ,there was a considerable pause before ,wesley said3 8,you are right1 it was too dark to allow him to recognise the man's features4 ,has he been seen at the village during the morning80 8,if he has ,i heard nothing of it10 replied ,hartwell1 8it might be as well to say a word of warning to ,mr4 ,snowdon respecting him2 he is a madman1 and dangerous4 ,you do not forget the mad thing he said about you on ,sunday1 sir80 8,i have not forgotten it10 said ,wesley in a low voice4 8,i have not forgotten it4 ,i think that ,i shall set out upon my journey this afternoon40 ,the pause that he made between his sentences was so slight as to suggest that they were actually connected--that there was some connection between the thing that ,bennet had said and his own speedy departure4 ,his host1 who was in good spirits after his walk in the early sunshine1 gave a laugh and asked him in no spirit of gravity if he felt that it was necessary for him to fly lest ,captain ,snowdon should develop the same spirit of jealousy that had made ,bennet fit for ,bedlam4 ,wesley shook his head and smiled4 8,need ,i ask your pardon for a pointless jest1 sir80 cried ,hartwell4 8,nay1 dear sir and brother1 ,i hope you will find good reason for remaining with us for a few days still4 ,you have had a trying time since you came1 ,mr4 ,wesley2 and ,i do not think that you are fit to set out on so rude a journey40 8,i confess that ,i feel somewhat exhausted10 said ,wesley1 8but ,i have hope that an hour or two in the saddle will restore me40 ,hartwell did his best to persuade him to reconcile himself to the idea of staying in the neighbourhood for at least another day1 but without success4 8,i must go4 ,i feel that ,i must go1 grateful though ,i be to you for your offer of hospitality10 said ,wesley4 8,then ,i will not say a further word4 ,if it be a matter of feeling with you1 ,i do not feel justified in asking you to change your intention10 said ,hartwell4 8,i shall give orders as to your horse without delay40 ,but the horse was not needed that day1 nor was it likely to be needed for some time to come1 for within the hour after breakfast ,mr4 ,wesley was overcome by a shivering fit and compelled to take to his bed4 ,it became plain that he had caught a chill--the wonder was that it had not manifested itself sooner1 considering that he had sat for so long the day before in his saturated garments1 and the very trying morning that he had had4 ,mr4 ,hartwell1 who had some knowledge of medicine1 and a considerable experience of the simpler maladies to which his miners were subject1 found that he was more than a little feverish1 and expressed the opinion that he would not be able to travel for a full week4 ,wesley1 who1 himself1 knew enough about the treatment of disease to allow of his writing a book on the subject1 agreed with him1 that it was not necessary to send for a physician1 who might possibly differ from both of them in his diagnosis4 ,for three days he remained in bed1 and in spite of the fact that he would have nothing to say to the ,peruvian bark which his host so strongly recommended1 his feverish tendency gradually abated1 and by careful nursing he was able to sit up in his room by the end of a week4 ,in the meantime he had many visitors1 though he refrained from seeing any of them4 ,his host told him that ,miller ,pendelley1 ,jake ,pullsford1 and ,hal ,holmes had driven more than once from ,ruthallion when they heard of his illness2 but of course the earliest and most constant of the enquirers after his health were ,nelly ,polwhele and her lover4 ,mr4 ,hartwell told him how greatly distressed they were1 and perhaps it was natural1 he added1 that the girl should be the one who laid the greatest emphasis upon the fact that they were the cause of ,mr4 ,wesley's suffering4 ,she was undoubtedly a sweet and unselfish girl1 ,hartwell said2 and he feared that ,captain ,snowdon thought that she was making too great a fuss in referring to the risks which he1 ,wesley1 had run to bring her happiness4 ,snowdon1 being a man1 had not her imagination2 and besides his life had been made up of running risks for the benefit of other people1 and he was scarcely to be blamed if he took a less emotional view of1 at least1 the incident of ,wesley's finding him exhausted on the shore in the early dawn4 8,i spoke with him to-day10 said ,hartwell when his guest was able to hear these things1 8and while he certainly showed himself greatly concerned at your sickness1 he grumbled1 half humorously1 when he touched upon the way he was being neglected by the young woman4 ',i am being hardly treated1 sir1' he said4 ',what is a simple master-mariner at best alongsides a parson with a persuasive voice8 ,but when the parson adds on to his other qualities the dash and derring-do of a hero it seems to me that a plain man had best get into his boat1 if so be that he have one1 and sail away--it boots not whither1 so long as he goes4 ,oh1 ay1 sir1 ,i allow that your ,mr4 ,wesley hath made short work of me4' ,those were his words2 and though they were followed by an earnest enquiry after your health1 ,i could see that he would as lief that he owed his life to a more ordinary man40 8,if ,i had not been overtaken by this sickness he would have had no cause for complaint10 said ,wesley4 ,after a pause he touched with caution upon a matter over which he had been thinking for some time4 8,mr4 ,snowdon heard nothing about a rival other than myself in the young woman's regard80 he said4 8,oh1 not he10 replied ,hartwell quickly4 8,snowdon is not the fellow to listen to all that the gossips may say about ,madam ,nelly's liking for admiration--he knows well that so pretty a thing will be slandered1 even when she shows herself to be wisely provident by seeking to have two strings to her bow4 ,but1 indeed1 whatever her weakness may have been in the past1 she hath been a changed girl since you first came hither4 ,captain ,snowdon has no rival but yourself1 sir1 and ,i am certain that the honest fellow would not for the world that the young woman abated aught of her gratitude to you4 ,he has too large a heart to harbour any thought so unworthy of a true man40 8,god forbid that anything should come between them and happiness10 said ,wesley4 8',tis all unlikely10 said his host4 8,he must see that her love for him must be in proportion to her gratitude to you for having done all that you have done for him4 ,if she did not love him dearly she would have no need to be half so grateful to you40 ,wesley said nothing more on this point4 ,he had not forgotten what ,nelly had confided to him and the counsel which he had given her just before the hurricane had cut short their conversation on the cliffs4 ,she had told him her story1 confessing that the man to whom she had given her promise was less dear to her now that she was in daily expectation of meeting him after the lapse of a year than he had been when they had parted2 and he had defined1 in no doubtful language1 the direction in which her duty lay4 ,for the rest of the time that they were together neither he nor she had made any reference to this matter2 but he had not ceased to think upon it4 ,after what ,mr4 ,hartwell had said he felt reassured4 ,he had brought himself to feel that he could only be happy if the girl's happiness were assured2 and he believed that this could only be accomplished by her keeping the promise which she had given to a man who was worthy of her4 ,however she might have fancied that her love had waned or turned in another direction during the year they had been parted1 he was convinced that it would return1 as true and as fresh as before1 with the return of ,captain ,snowdon4 ,all that ,hartwell had said bore him out in this view which he was disposed to take of the way of this maid with the man4 ,hartwell was a man of judgment and observation1 and if there had been any division between the two people in whom they were interested1 he would undoubtedly have noticed it4 ,he had described the grievance of which ,snowdon had complained in a humorous way2 and ,wesley knew that if the man felt that he had a grievance of the most grievous sort that can fall upon a man1 he would not have referred to it in such a spirit4 ,and then the day came when ,wesley was able to talk1 without being hushed by his hospitable friend1 of mounting his horse and resuming his-journey in the west4 ,he had many engagements1 and was getting daily more anxious to fulfil them before the summer should be over4 8,if it rested with me1 sir10 said ,hartwell1 8,i would keep you here for another month and feel that ,i was the most favoured of men2 but in this-matter ,i dare not be selfish4 ,i know what1 with ,god's blessing1 you seek to accomplish1 and ,i feel that to stay you from your journey would be an offence40 8,you have been more than good to me1 my brother10 said ,wesley4 8,and now in parting from1 you1 ,i do not feel as did the ,apostle ,paul when leaving those friends of his who sorrowed knowing that they should see his face no more4 ,i know that your sorrow is sincere1 because ,i know how sincere is my own1 but if ,god is good to us we shall all meet again after a season40 8,that is what we look forward to2 you have sown the good seed among us and you must return to see what your harvest will be10 said ,hartwell4 ,they agreed that his horse was to be in readiness the next morning4 ,this was at their noon dinner1 and they had scarcely risen from the table when the maidservant entered with the enquiry if ,mr4 ,wesley would allow ,captain ,snowdon to have a word with him in private4 8,i was expecting this visitor10 said ,hartwell4 8,it would be cruel for you to go away without receiving the man1 albeit ,i think that you would rather not hear him at this time4 ,let me reassure you3 he will not be extravagant in his acknowledgment of the debt which he owes to you2 he is a sailor1 and scant of speech40 8,why should ,i not see him80 said ,wesley4 8,i am not afraid to face him6 even a demonstration of his gratitude4 ,pray let him be admitted40 ,very different indeed was the stalwart man who was shown into the room from the poor half-drowned wretch whom ,wesley had helped to carry from the shore to the boat4 ,captain ,snowdon stood over six feet--a light-haired1 blue-eyed man who suggested a resuscitated ,viking of the milder order1 brown faced and with a certain indefinable expression of shrewd kindliness which might occasionally take the form of humour and make itself felt by a jovial slap on the back that would make most men stagger4 ,he was shy1 and he had plainly been walking fast4 ,these were the two things that ,wesley noticed when ,hartwell was shaking hands with the man1 and the latter had wiped his forehead with a handkerchief as splendid as the western cloud of a sunset in the ,tropics--a handkerchief that seemed a floating section of the ,empire of the ,great ,mogul--dazzling in red and yellow and green--a wonder of the silk loom4 8,you and ,mr4 ,wesley have already met1 ,mr4 ,snowdon10 said ,hartwell with a smile1 and forthwith quitted the room4 ,captain ,snowdon looked after him rather wistfully4 ,he seemed to be under the impression that ,mr4 ,hartwell had deserted him4 ,then he glanced with something of surprise in the direction of ,wesley1 and was apparently surprised to see his hand stretched out in greeting4 ,he took the hand very gingerly and with nothing of a seaman's bluffness or vigour4 8,seeing you at this time1 ,captain ,snowdon1 makes me have a pretty conceit of myself10 said ,wesley4 8,yes1 sir1 ,i feel inclined to boast that ,i was one of the four who bore you from the high beach to the boat--,i would boast of the fact only that ,i know ,i should never be believed4 ,you do not seem to have suffered by your mishap40 8,thank you1 sir1 ,i am a man that turns the corner very soon in matters of that sort1 and then ,i race ahead10 replied the master-mariner4 8,you have become accustomed to such accidents1 sir10 said ,wesley4 8,ay1 sir1 the salt sea and me have ever been friends1 and more than once we have had a friendly tussle together1 but we bear no malice therefor1 neither of us--bless your heart1 none whatever10 said ,snowdon4 8,why1 the sea is my partner in trade--the sea and the wind1 we work together1 but you1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 ,i grieve to see you thus1 sir1 knowing that 'twas on my account4 ,what if you'd been finished off this time--wouldn't the blame fall on me8 ,shouldn't ,i be looked on as your murderer80 8,i cannot see on what principle you should1 sir10 said ,wesley4 8,in the first place the chill from which ,i have now1 by the blessing of ,heaven1 fully recovered1 was not due to my having been one of the four men who carried you down the beach1 though ,i should have no trouble in getting anyone to believe that ,i suffered from exhaustion4 ,no1 ,mr4 ,snowdon1 ,i had contracted the complaint before ,i was fortunate enough to come upon you in my early morning's walk40 8,anyway1 sir1 you earned my gratitude2 though indeed1 ,i feel as shy as a school miss to mention such a word in your presence4 ,if ,i know aught of you1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 and ,i think that ,i can take the measure of a man whether he be a man or a parson1 if ,i know aught of you1 sir1 ,i repeat1 you would be as uneasy to hear me talk of gratitude as ,i should be to make an offer to talk of the same40 8,you are right in that respect1 ,mr4 ,snowdon4 ,between us--men that understand each other--there need be no protestation of feeling40 8,give me your hand1 sir2 you have just said what ,i should like to say4 ,i feel that you know what ,i feel--you know that if there was any way for me to prove my gratitude---- 0 8,ah1 you have said the word again1 and ,i understood that it was to be kept out of our conversation4 ,but ,i am glad that you said so much1 for it enables me to say that you have the means of showing your gratitude to ,heaven for your preservation1 and ,i know that you will not neglect such means4 ,you will be a good husband to ,nelly ,polwhele--that is the way by which you will show how you appreciate the blessing of life60 ,captain ,snowdon's face became serious--almost gloomy--as gloomy as the face of such a man can become4 ,he made no reply for a few moments4 ,he crossed the room and looked out of the window4 ,once more he pulled out his handkerchief and mopped his brow with that bit of the gorgeous4 ,orient4 ,then he turned to ,wesley1 saying3 8,mr4 ,wesley1 sir1 ,i have come to you at this2 time to talk about ,nelly ,polwhele1 if ,i may make so bold40 8,i can hear a great deal said about ,nelly ,polwhele so long as it is all that is good10 said ,wesley4 8,i am not the man to say aught else10 said ,snowdon4 8,only--well1 sir1 the truth is ,i don't quite know what to make of ,nelly40 8,make her your happy wife1 ,captain ,snowdon10 said ,wesley4 8,that's what ,i look forward to1 sir2 but she is not of the same way of thinking1 worse luck60 8,you cannot mean that she--she--what1 sir1 did not she give you her promise a year ago80 8,that she did1 sir2 but that's a year ago4 ,oh1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 ,i believe that all of her sex are more or less of a puzzle to a simple man1 and in matters of love all men are more or less simple1 but ,nelly is more of a puzzle than them all put together40 8,how so8 ,i have ever found her straightforward and natural--all that a young woman should be404 8,ay1 sir2 but you have not been in love with her40 ,wesley looked at him for a moment or two without a word4 ,then he said3 8,pray proceed1 sir40 8,the truth is1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 the girl no longer loves me as she did1 and all this time my love for her has been growing10 said ,snowdon4 8,why1 sir1 she as good as confessed it to me no later than yesterday1 when ,i taxed her with being changed4 ',i must have another year1' she said4 ',i cannot marry you now4',twould be cruel to forsake my father and mother1' says she4 ',you no longer love me1 or you would not talk like that1' says ,i1 and she hung her head4 ,it was a clear minute before she said1 ',that is not the truth1 dear4 ,how could ,i help loving you when ,i have given you my promise4 ,all ,i ask is that you should not want me to marry you until ,i am sure of myself--another year1' says she4 ,now1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 you are a parson1 but you know enough of the affairs of mankind to know what all of this means--,i know what it means1 sir2 it means that another man has come between us4 ,you can easily understand1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 that a well-favoured young woman1 that has been educated above her station1 should have her fancies1 and maybe set her affections on someone that has spoken a word or two of flattery in her ear40 8,i can scarce believe that of her1 ,mr4 ,snowdon4 ,but she was at the ,bath a few months ago1 and perhaps--,mr4 ,snowdon1 do you think that any words of mine--any advice to her--would have effect80 ,the sailor's eyes gleamed2 he struck his left palm with his right fist4 8,why1 sir1 that's the very thing that ,i came hither to beg of you10 he cried4 8,i know in what esteem she holds you1 ,mr4 ,wesley2 and ,i said to myself yesterday when ,i sat on the crags trying to worry out the day's work so that ,i might arrive at the true position of the craft that ,i'm a-trying to bring into haven--says ,i1 '',tis trying to caulk without oakum to hope to prevail against a young woman that has a fancy that she doesn't know her own mind4 ,but in this case if there's anyone living that she will listen to 'tis ,mr4 ,wesley4' ,those was my words40 8,i cannot promise that ,i shall prevail with her2 but ,i have confidence that she will at least hearken to me10 said ,wesley4 8,no fear about that1 sir10 cried the other1 almost joyfully4 ,he took a step or two toward the door1 having picked up his hat1 which he stood twirling for a few moments4 ,then he slowly turned and faced ,wesley once again4 8,mr4 ,wesley10 he said in a low voice4 8,mind this1 sir3 ,i would not have you do anything in this matter unless you feel that 'twould be for the good of the girl4 ',tis of the girl we have to think in the first place--the girl and her happiness4 ,we must keep that before us1 mustn't we1 sir8 ,so ,i ask of you as a man of judgment and wisdom and piety to abstain from saying a word to her in my favour unless you are convinced that ,i am the man to make her happy4 ,look at me1 sir4 ,i tell you that ,i will not have the girl cajoled into marrying a man simply because she has given him her promise4 ,what6 should she have a life of wretchedness simply because a year ago she did not know her own mind80 8,captain ,snowdon1 give me leave to tell you that you are a very noble fellow10 said ,wesley4 8,the way you have acted makes me more certain than ever that ,nelly ,polwhele is the most fortunate young woman in ,cornwall1 no matter what she may think of the matter4 ,since ,i have heard you1 sir1 what before was a strong intention has become a duty4 ,hasten to ,nelly and send her hither40 ,the man went to the door quickly1 but when there he hesitated4 8,to be sure 'twould be better if you was to speak to her without her knowing that ,i had been with you2 but we cannot help that2 we are not trying to trick the girl into keeping her promise10 said he4 8,the knowledge that you have been with me would make no difference to her10 said ,wesley4 8,she knows that ,i would not advise her against my judgment1 to please even the man who1 ,i know1 loves her truly as man could love woman40 ,captain ,snowdon's broad back filled up the doorway in an instant4 ,,chapter ,,xxv ,john ,wesley sat alone in the room1 thinking his thoughts4 ,they were not unhappy1 though tinged with a certain mournfulness at times4 ,the mournful tinge was due to the reflection that once more he must reconcile himself to live alone in the world4 ,for a brief space he had had a hope that it might be given to him to share the homely joys of his fellow-men4 ,he now saw that it was not to be2 and he bowed his head to the decree of the ,will which he knew could not err4 ,alone8 ,how could such a reflection have come to him8 ,how could he who sought to walk through the world with the ,divine companionship of the ,one to whom he trusted to guide his steps aright feel lonely or alone8 ,this was the thought that upheld him now4 ,he could feel the hand that he knew was ever stretched out to him4 ,he touched it now as he had touched it before1 and he heard the voice that said3 8,i have called ye friends40 ,he was happy--as happy as the true man should be who knows that the woman whom he loves is going to be made happy4 ,he now perceived that everything had been ordered for the best1 this best being the ultimate happiness of the woman whom he loved4 ,he now saw that although he might strive to bring happiness to her1 he might never succeed in doing so4 ,even if she had loved him her quick intelligence could not fail to whisper to her what the people around them would be saying out loud--that ,john ,wesley had married the daughter of a humble fisherman of ,cornwall1 and that that was no match for him to make4 ,she would hear it said that ,john ,wesley1 who was ever anxious for the dignity of the ,church to be maintained1 had shown himself to be on the level with my lord's greasy1 sottish chaplain1 who had showed himself ready to marry my lady's maid when commanded to do so by his master1 when circumstances had made such an act desirable4 ,would such a young woman as ,nelly ,polwhele be happy when now and again she should hear these whispers and the consciousness was forced upon her that ,john ,wesley was believed to have made a fool of himself8 ,but even to assume what her thoughts would be was to assume that she had loved him1 and this she had never done4 ,he was convinced that she had never ceased to love the man to whom she had given her promise4 ,to be sure1 she had told him when they had been together on the cliffs that someone else had come into her life4 ,but that he believed to be only a passing fancy of hers4 ,it was impossible that such a young woman1 having given her promise to so fine a fellow as ,captain ,snowdon1 should allow his place in her heart to be taken by anyone else4 ,he wondered if the ,squire had a son as well as daughters4 ,nelly had talked to him often enough about the young ladies1 but not a word had she breathed about a young gentleman4 ,if there was a son1 would it be beyond the limits of experience that this village girl should be captivated by his manners--was it beyond the limits of experience that the young man might have been fascinated by the beauty of the girl and so have talked to her as such young men so often did1 in a strain of flattery that flattered the poor things so that they were led to hope that an offer of marriage was approaching8 ,he resolved to make enquiry on this point from ,nelly herself should she still maintain that her affection had changed4 ,but meantime---- ,his lucubrations were interrupted by the sudden return of ,captain ,snowdon4 ,he was plainly in a condition of great excitement4 ,his coat was loose and his neckerchief was flying4 8,we are too late1 ,mr4 ,wesley10 he cried4 8,we are too late4 ,the girl has given both of us the slip4 ,i called at the cottage to fetch her hither4 ,i did not find her at home4 ,this is what was put into my hand40 ,he thrust out a piece of paper with writing upon it4 8,i cannot stay--,i dare not stay any longer where ,i am forced to see you every day1 and am thus reminded of my promise which ,i know ,i cannot now keep4 ,please try not to follow me2 'twould be of no use4 ,i must be apart from you before ,i make up my mind4 ,i am very unhappy1 and ,i know that ,i am most unhappy because ,i have to give pain to one who is the best of men4 8,nelly40 8,you have read it80 cried ,snowdon4 8,i had no notion that her whimsies would carry her so far4 ,oh1 she is but a girl after all--,i tell you that she is no more than a girl40 8,she is a girl1 and ,i think that she is the best that lives1 to be a blessing to a good man's life10 said ,wesley1 returning the letter to his trembling hand4 8,the best8 ,the best8 ,she has made a fool of the man who would have died to save her from the least hurt1 and you call her the best60 he cried1 walking to and fro excitedly1 crumpling up the letter with every stride4 8,she is the best10 said ,wesley4 8,sir1 cannot you see that those lines were written by a woman who is anxious to be true to herself8 ,cannot you see that her sole fear is that she may do an injustice to the man who loves her80 8,you see things1 sir1 that none other can see2 ,i am but a plain man1 ,mr4 ,wesley1 and ,i can see naught in this letter save the desire of a fickle young woman to rid herself of a lover of whom she has grown weary4 ,well1 she has succeeded--she has succeeded6 ,she exhorts me not to follow her4 ,she need not have been at the trouble to do so3 ,i have no intention of following her1 even if ,i knew whither she has gone4 ,have you any guess as to the direction she has taken8 ,not that ,i care--,i tell you1 sir1 ,i have no desire to follow her4 ,who do you suspect is her lover80 8,mr4 ,snowdon10 said ,wesley1 8her lover stands before me in this room4 ,the poor child has had her doubts1 as any true girl must have when she thinks how serious a step is marriage1 and the best way that you can dissipate such doubts is to show to her that you have none4',tis left for you to prove yourself a true man in this matter1 ,captain ,snowdon1 and ,i know that1 being a true man1 you will act as a true man should act40 8,i know not what you would suggest1 sir1 but ,i can promise you that if you hint that ,i should seek to follow her1 you make a mistake10 said ,snowdon4 8,she may go whithersoever she pleases4 ,i have no mind to be made a fool of a second time by her4 ,i have some self-respect still remaining1 let me tell you1 ,mr4 ,wesley40 8,you may be sure that no advice to sacrifice it will come from me1 sir10 said ,wesley4 8,oh1 ,mr4 ,snowdon1 did not you come to me an hour ago to ask me to be your friend in this matter8 ,did you not ask me to give my advice to the young woman of whom we have been speaking8 ,was not that because you believed that my advice would be right80 8,i know that it would have been right1 ,mr4 ,wesley2 but now----0 8,if you could trust to me to give her good advice1 why cannot you prove that this was your hope1 by hearkening to the advice which ,i am ready to give to you80 ,the big man1 who was standing in the middle of the room1 had made several passionate attempts to speak1 but none of them could be called successful4 ,when ,wesley had put his last question1 he tried to frame a reply4 ,he put out an arm with an uplifted forefinger and his lips began to move4 ,not a word would come4 ,he looked at ,wesley straight in the face for a long time1 and then he suddenly turned away1 dropped into the nearest chair1 and bent his head forward until his chin was on his hand1 and he was gazing at the floor4 ,wesley let him be4 ,he knew something of men and their feelings1 as well as their failings4 ,there was a long silence before the man arose and came to him1 saying in a low voice3 8,mr4 ,wesley1 ,i will trust to your judgment4 ,i will do whatsoever you bid me40 ,wesley grasped him by the hand4 8,i had no doubt of you1 my friend10 he said4 8,i felt that any man whom ,nelly ,polwhele loved----0 8,ay1 loved--loved60 interjected ,snowdon4 8,loves--loves--in love there is no past tense10 said ,wesley4 8,she loved you1 and she loves you still--she will love you forever4 ,you will come with me1 and ,i know that mine will be the great happiness of bringing you together4 ,what greater happiness could come to such as ,i than this which1 by the grace of ,heaven1 shall be mine80 8,she gave you her confidence8 ,you know whither she has fled80 ,wesley shook his head4 8,she told me nothing2 remember that ,i have not seen her since you returned to her10 he said4 8,but ,i think that ,i can say whither she has gone4',tis but six or seven miles from here4 ,have you heard of ,ruthallion ,mill80 ,the mariner struck the palm of his left hand with his right fist4 ,the blow had weight enough in it to make the casements quiver4 8,wherefore could ,i not have thought of the ,mill80 he cried4' 8,i was fool enough to let a thought of ,squire ,trevelyan's ,court come into my mind40 8,i have no doubt that we shall find her at the ,mill10 said ,wesley4 8,the miller has been a second father to her1 and1 besides1 he has a daughter4 ',tis to friends such as these that she would go for succour and sympathy in her hour of trouble40 ,captain ,snowdon mused for a moment4 8,how do ,i know that they will be on my side1 ,mr4 ,wesley80 he asked4 8,they may reckon that she has been ill-used--that she has a right to change her mind and to choose whomsoever she will40 8,mr4 ,snowdon10 said ,wesley1 8it doth not need that one should be possessed of a judgment beyond that of ordinary people to decide the right and the wrong of this affair in which we all take a huge interest4 ,come1 sir1 let us prepare for the best and not for the worst4 ,what1 are you a master-mariner and yet have not learned that the best way to stamp out a mutiny is by a display of promptitude4 ,let us lose no time over the discussion of what the result of our action may be--let us act at once40 ,he went to the door44 8,nay1 sir2 but you are a sick man--how will you make this journey80 said ,snowdon4 8,i am no longer a sick man10 said ,wesley4 8,i would not give a second thought to the setting out upon a journey to the ,mill on foot4 ,but there will be no need for this4 ,mr4 ,hartwell will lend us his light cart2 it will hold three40 8,three8 ,but we are but two1 sir40 8,ay1 ,mr4 ,snowdon--only two for the journey to the ,mill2 but we shall need an extra seat for our return40 ,a few words to ,mr4 ,hartwell and his easy running waggon was at the door4 ,the drive through the valley of the ,lana on this lovely afternoon had an exhilarating effect upon ,captain ,snowdon1 for ,wesley took care that their conversation should be-on topics far removed from their mission at this time4 ,he wished to be made acquainted with his companion's views respecting many matters of the ,orient4 ,was it possible that the ,jesuits had sent missionaries to the ,indies and even to ,china8 ,had ,captain ,snowdon had any opportunity of noting-the result of their labours8 ,had ,captain ,snowdon learned if the ,jesuits discountenanced any of the odious native customs such as the burning of widows--the throwing of infants into the sacred river of ,ganges8 ,or did the missioners content themselves with simple preaching8 ,the journey to the ,mill was all too short to allow of ,captain ,snowdon's answering more than a few of the questions put to him by the discreet ,mr4 ,wesley1 and it was not until they were turning down the little lane that the ship-master came to an abrupt end of his replies1 and put the nervous question to his companion3 8,shall we find her here1 or have we come on a wild-goose chase80 ,in a few minutes they were in her presence--almost in her presence2 they caught sight of her flying through the inner door when they entered the ,mill room4 ,the miller1 in his shirtsleeves and wearing his working apron1 gave a loud laugh and shouted 8,stop thief60 but his daughter and her mother were looking grave and tearful4 ,they moved to the door by which ,nelly had made her escape1 but checked themselves and returned to greet ,wesley and ,snowdon4 ,they hoped that the sun had not been overwarm during the drive through the valley1 and that ,mr4 ,wesley had fully recovered from his sickness4 ,the miller came to the point with his usual directness4 8,you have come to carry the girl home with you1 ,i doubt not80 he said2 and forthwith his wife and daughter made for the door4 ,captain ,snowdon looked ill at ease4 ,he glanced toward the outer door4 8,how oft have ,i not told her that a judgment would fall upon her for the heartburnings that she brought about--all through her kindness o' heart80 continued the miller4 8,poor daughter6 ,but they all go through the same course1 ,captain1 of that you may be assured1 albeit ,i doubt not that you think that so dread a case as yours has never been known i' the world before4 ,when the marriage day draws nigh1 the sweetest and the surest of them all has a misgiving4 ,don't be too ready to blame them1 sir4 ,the wonder is that when she sees so many errors hurried into under the name of marriage1 any maid can bring herself to take upon her the bondage40 ,captain ,snowdon nodded sideways and looked shyly down4 8,nature is stronger than experience1 miller10 said ,wesley4 8,i am bold enough to think that you could give ,mr4 ,snowdon a pinch of your experience in your garden1 after you have told ,nelly that ,i seek a word with her here4 ,i am pretty certain that ,i shall have completed my task before your experiences as a married man are exhausted40 8,right1 sir10 said the miller4 8,captain1 ,i show you the door in no inhospitable spirit4 ,i'll join you in the turning of a pinion40 ,captain ,snowdon seemed pleased to have a chance of retiring1 returning to the open air2 he hurried out by one door1 while the miller went through the other and shouted for ,nelly4 ,his wife's remonstrance with him for his unfeeling boisterousness reached ,wesley1 who was now alone in the room4 ,he was not kept long waiting4 ,nelly entered1 the miller leading her by the hand1 and then walking slowly to the outer door44 8,my dear1 you know why ,i have come hither10 said ,wesley1 taking her hand in both of his own4 8,you asked for my counsel once1 and ,i gave it to you4 ,i could only give it to you at that time in a general way4 ,i had not seen the man to whom you had given your promise2 but having seen him1 and knowing what manner of man he is--and ,i am something of a judge of a man's character--,i feel that ,i would be lacking in my duty to you1 dear child1 if ,i were to refrain from coming to you to plead for--for your own happiness40 8,have ,i forfeited all your esteem by my behaviour1 sir80 she cried1 still holding his hand and looking at him with piteous eyes4 8,do you think of me as a light-minded girl1 because ,i confessed to you--all that ,i did confess80 8,i have never ceased to think of you with affection10 he said4 8,ah6 the affection of a man who is esteemed by all the world1 for a poor girl who touched the hem of his life1 and then passed away never to be seen by him again40 ,she spoke in a curious tone of reproach4 ,he looked at her1 asking himself what she meant4 8,child1 child1 you little know how ,i have thought of you10 he said slowly4 8,do you believe that the path of my life has been so gilded with sunshine that ,i take no count of such hours as we passed together when we walked through the valley1 side by side--when we sat together on the cliffs80 ,she gave a little cry of joy and caught up his hand and kissed it4 ,he was startled4 ,he turned his eyes upon her4 ,she was rosy red4 ,her head was bowed4 ,in that instant he read her secret4 ,there was a long silence4 ,only occasionally a little sob came from her4 8,child10 he said in a low voice4 8,child1 you have been very dear to me40 ,she looked up with streaming eyes4 8,say those words again--again10 she cried in faltering tones4 8,they are true words1 my dear10 he said4 8,the life which it has been decreed that ,i shall lead must be one of loneliness--what most men and all women call loneliness4 ,such joys of life as love and marriage and a home can never be for me4 ,i have given myself over body and soul to the work of my ,master1 and ,i look on myself as separate forever from all the tenderness of life4 ,they are not for me40 8,why should they not be for you8 ,you have need of them1 ,mr4 ,wesley80 8,why should they not be for me1 do you ask80 he cried4 8,they are not for me1 because ,i have been set to do a work that cannot be done without a complete sacrifice of self4 ,because ,i have found by the bitterest experience1 that so far as ,i myself am concerned--,i dare not speak for another--these things war against the ,spirit4 ,if ,i thought it possible that a woman should be led to love me ,i would never see her again40 8,oh1 do not say that--do not say that60 she said piteously4 8,i do say it10 he cried4 8,never--never--never would ,i do so great an injustice to a woman as to marry her4 ,i tell you that ,i would think of it as a curse and not a blessing4 ,i know that ,i have been appointed to do a great work1 and ,i am ready1 with ,god's help1 to trample beneath my feet everything of life that would turn my thoughts from that work4 ,the words are sounding in my ear day and night--day and night1 ',if any man come to ,me and hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters--yea1 and his own life also1 he cannot be my ,disciple4'0 ,he stood away from her1 speaking fervently4 ,his face1 pale by reason of his illness1 had become paler still3 but his resolution had not faltered1 his voice had not broken4 ,she had kept her eyes fixed upon him4 ,the expression upon her face was one of awe4 ,she shuddered when he took a step toward her and held out a thin white hand to her4 ,she touched it slowly with her own4 8,nelly10 he said1 8there is a joy in self-sacrifice beyond any that the world can give4 ,i look on you as one of my children--one of that ,household of ,faith who have told me that they had learned the ,truth from my lips4 ,my child1 if you were called on to make any great sacrifice for the ,truth1 would you not make it8 ,although ,i may seem an austere man to you1 ,i do not live so far apart from those who are dear to me as to be incapable of sympathising with them in all matters of their daily life4 ,i think you knew that or you would not have confessed to me that you fancied your love had suffered a change40 ,she rose from her chair1 and passed a hand wearily across her face4 8,a fancy--it was a fancy--a dream--oh1 the most foolish dream that ever a maiden had10 she said4 8,has it ever been known that a maiden fancied she loved the shadow of a dream when all the time her heart was given to a true man80 8,dear child1 have you awakened80 he asked4 8,my dreaming time is past10 she replied4 8,i may bid ,captain ,snowdon to enter80 he said4 8,not yet--not yet--,i must be alone2 ,i will see him in another hour40 ,he kissed her on the forehead1 and went with unfaltering feet into the sunshine4