SirLauncelotgotupsteam,heandIloadedupthekettlewithunslakedlimeandcarbolicacid,withatouchoflacticacidaddedthereto,thenfilledthethingupwithwaterandinsertedthesteam-spoutunderthecanopy.
Everythingwasship-shapenow,andwesatdownoneithersideofthecribtostandourwatch.Sandywassogratefulandsocomfortedthatshechargedacoupleofchurch-wardenswithwillow-barkandsumach-tobaccoforus,andtoldustosmokeasmuchaswepleased,itcouldn\'tgetunderthecanopy,andshewasusedtosmoke,beingthefirstladyinthelandwhohadeverseenacloudblown.Well,therecouldn\'tbeamorecontentedorcomfortablesightthanSirLauncelotinhisnoblearmorsittingingraciousserenityattheendofayardofsnowychurch-warden.Hewasabeautifulman,alovelyman,andwasjustintendedtomakeawifeandchildrenhappy.But,ofcourseGuenever——however,it\'snousetocryoverwhat\'sdoneandcan\'tbehelped.
Well,hestoodwatch-and-watchwithme,rightstraightthrough,forthreedaysandnights,tillthechildwasoutofdanger;thenhetookherupinhisgreatarmsandkissedher,withhisplumesfallingabouthergoldenhead,thenlaidhersoftlyinSandy\'slapagainandtookhisstatelywaydownthevasthall,betweentheranksofadmiringmen-at-armsandmenials,andsodisappeared.AndnoinstinctwarnedmethatIshouldneverlookuponhimagaininthisworld!Lord,whataworldofheart-breakitis.
Thedoctorssaidwemusttakethechildaway,ifwewouldcoaxherbacktohealthandstrengthagain.Andshemusthavesea-air.Sowetookaman-of-war,andasuiteoftwohundredandsixtypersons,andwentcruisingabout,andafterafortnightofthiswesteppedashoreontheFrenchcoast,andthedoctorsthoughtitwouldbeagoodideatomakesomethingofastaythere.Thelittlekingofthatregionofferedushishospitalities,andweweregladtoaccept.Ifhehadhadasmanyconveniencesashelacked,weshouldhavebeenplentycomfortableenough;evenasitwas,wemadeoutverywell,inhisqueeroldcastle,bythehelpofcomfortsandluxuriesfromtheship.
AttheendofamonthIsentthevesselhomeforfreshsupplies,andfornews.Weexpectedherbackinthreeorfourdays.Shewouldbringme,alongwithothernews,theresultofacertainexperimentwhichIhadbeenstarting.Itwasaprojectofminetoreplacethetournamentwithsomethingwhichmightfurnishanescapefortheextrasteamofthechivalry,keepthosebucksentertainedandoutofmischief,andatthesametimepreservethebestthinginthem,whichwastheirhardyspiritofemulation.Ihadhadachoicebandoftheminprivatetrainingforsometime,andthedatewasnowarrivingfortheirfirstpubliceffort.
Thisexperimentwasbaseball.Inordertogivethethingvoguefromthestart,andplaceitoutofthereachofcriticism,Ichosemyninesbyrank,notcapacity.Therewasn\'taknightineitherteamwhowasn\'tascepteredsovereign.Asformaterialofthissort,therewasaglutofitalwaysaroundArthur.Youcouldn\'tthrowabrickinanydirectionandnotcrippleaking.Ofcourse,Icouldn\'tgetthesepeopletoleaveofftheirarmor;theywouldn\'tdothatwhentheybathed.Theyconsentedtodifferentiatethearmorsothatabodycouldtelloneteamfromtheother,butthatwasthemosttheywoulddo.So,oneoftheteamsworechain-mailulsters,andtheotherworeplatearmormadeofmynewBessemersteel.TheirpracticeinthefieldwasthemostfantasticthingIeversaw.Beingball-proof,theyneverskippedoutoftheway,butstoodstillandtooktheresult;
whenaBessemerwasatthebatandaballhithim,itwouldboundahundredandfiftyyardssometimes.Andwhenamanwasrunning,andthrewhimselfonhisstomachtoslidetohisbase,itwaslikeaniron-cladcomingintoport.AtfirstIappointedmenofnoranktoactasumpires,butIhadtodiscontinuethat.Thesepeoplewerenoeasiertopleasethanothernines.
Theumpire\'sfirstdecisionwasusuallyhislast;theybrokehimintwowithabat,andhisfriendstotedhimhomeonashutter.Whenitwasnoticedthatnoumpireeversurvivedagame,umpiringgottobeunpopular.SoI
wasobligedtoappointsomebodywhoserankandloftypositionunderthegovernmentwouldprotecthim.
Herearethenamesofthenines:BESSEMERSULSTERS
KINGARTHUR.EMPERORLUCIUS.
KINGLOTOFLOTHIAN.KINGLOGRIS.
KINGOFNORTHGALIS.KINGMARHALTOFIRELAND.
KINGMARSIL.KINGMORGANORE.
KINGOFLITTLEBRITAIN.KINGMARKOFCORNWALL.
KINGLABOR.KINGNENTRESOFGARLOT.
KINGPELLAMOFLISTENGESE.KINGMELIODASOFLIONES.
KINGBAGDEMAGUS.KINGOFTHELAKE.
KINGTOLLEMELAFEINTES.THESOWDANOFSYRIA.
Umpire——CLARENCE.Thefirstpublicgamewouldcertainlydrawfiftythousandpeople;andforsolidfunwouldbeworthgoingaroundtheworldtosee.Everythingwouldbefavorable;itwasbalmyandbeautifulspringweathernow,andNaturewasalltailoredoutinhernewclothes.
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter41Chapter41-TheInterdictHOWEVER,myattentionwassuddenlysnatchedfromsuchmatters;ourchildbegantolosegroundagain,andwehadtogotosittingupwithher,hercasebecamesoserious.Wecouldn\'tbeartoallowanybodytohelpinthisservice,sowetwostoodwatch-and-watch,dayinanddayout.Ah,Sandy,whatarightheartshehad,howsimple,andgenuine,andgoodshewas!
Shewasaflawlesswifeandmother;andyetIhadmarriedherfornootherparticularreasons,exceptthatbythecustomsofchivalryshewasmypropertyuntilsomeknightshouldwinherfrommeinthefield.ShehadhuntedBritainoverforme;hadfoundmeatthehanging-boutoutsideofLondon,andhadstraightwayresumedheroldplaceatmysideintheplacidestwayandasofright.IwasaNewEnglander,andinmyopinionthissortofpartnershipwouldcompromiseher,soonerorlater.Shecouldn\'tseehow,butIcutargumentshortandwehadawedding.
NowIdidn\'tknowIwasdrawingaprize,yetthatwaswhatIdiddraw.
WithinthetwelvemonthIbecameherworshiper;andourswasthedearestandperfectestcomradeshipthateverwas.Peopletalkaboutbeautifulfriendshipsbetweentwopersonsofthesamesex.Whatisthebestofthatsort,ascomparedwiththefriendshipofmanandwife,wherethebestimpulsesandhighestidealsofbotharethesame?Thereisnoplaceforcomparisonbetweenthetwofriendships;theoneisearthly,theotherdivine.
Inmydreams,alongatfirst,Istillwanderedthirteencenturiesaway,andmyunsatisfiedspiritwentcallingandharkingallupanddowntheunreplyingvacanciesofavanishedworld.ManyatimeSandyheardthatimploringcrycomefrommylipsinmysleep.Withagrandmagnanimityshesaddledthatcryofmineuponourchild,conceivingittobethenameofsomelostdarlingofmine.Ittouchedmetotears,anditalsonearlyknockedmeoffmyfeet,too,whenshesmiledupinmyfaceforanearnedreward,andplayedherquaintandprettysurpriseuponme:
\"Thenameofonewhowasdeartotheeisherepreserved,heremadeholy,andthemusicofitwillabidealwayinourears.Nowthou\'ltkissme,asknowingthenameIhavegiventhechild.\"
ButIdidn\'tknowit,allthesame.Ihadn\'tanideaintheworld;butitwouldhavebeencrueltoconfessitandspoilherprettygame;soI
neverleton,butsaid:
\"Yes,Iknow,sweetheart——howdearandgooditisofyou,too!ButIwanttoheartheselipsofyours,whicharealsomine,utteritfirst——thenitsmusicwillbeperfect.\"
Pleasedtothemarrow,shemurmured:
\"HELLO-CENTRAL!\"
Ididn\'tlaugh——Iamalwaysthankfulforthat——butthestrainrupturedeverycartilageinme,andforweeksafterwardIcouldhearmybonesclackwhenIwalked.Sheneverfoundouthermistake.Thefirsttimesheheardthatformofsaluteusedatthetelephoneshewassurprised,andnotpleased;
butItoldherIhadgivenorderforit:thathenceforthandforeverthetelephonemustalwaysbeinvokedwiththatreverentformality,inperpetualhonorandremembranceofmylostfriendandhersmallnamesake.Thiswasnottrue.Butitanswered.
Well,duringtwoweeksandahalfwewatchedbythecrib,andinourdeepsolicitudewewereunconsciousofanyworldoutsideofthatsick-room.
Thenourrewardcame:thecenteroftheuniverseturnedthecornerandbegantomend.Grateful?Itisn\'ttheterm.ThereISN\'Tanytermforit.
Youknowthatyourself,ifyou\'vewatchedyourchildthroughtheValleyoftheShadowandseenitcomebacktolifeandsweepnightoutoftheearthwithoneall-illuminatingsmilethatyoucouldcoverwithyourhand.
Why,wewerebackinthisworldinoneinstant!Thenwelookedthesamestartledthoughtintoeachother\'seyesatthesamemoment;morethantwoweeksgone,andthatshipnotbackyet!
InanotherminuteIappearedinthepresenceofmytrain.Theyhadbeensteepedintroubledbodingsallthistime——theirfacesshowedit.Icalledanescortandwegallopedfivemilestoahilltopoverlookingthesea.
Wherewasmygreatcommercethatsolatelyhadmadetheseglisteningexpansespopulousandbeautifulwithitswhite-wingedflocks?Vanished,everyone!
Notasail,fromvergetoverge,notasmoke-bank——justadeadandemptysolitude,inplaceofallthatbriskandbreezylife.
Iwentswiftlyback,sayingnotawordtoanybody.ItoldSandythisghastlynews.Wecouldimaginenoexplanationthatwouldbegintoexplain.
Hadtherebeenaninvasion?anearthquake?apestilence?Hadthenationbeensweptoutofexistence?Butguessingwasprofitless.Imustgo——
atonce.Iborrowedtheking\'snavy——a\"ship\"nobiggerthanasteamlaunch——andwassoonready.
Theparting——ah,yes,thatwashard.AsIwasdevouringthechildwithlastkisses,itbriskedupandjabberedoutitsvocabulary!——thefirsttimeinmorethantwoweeks,anditmadefoolsofusforjoy.Thedarlingmispronunciationsofchildhood!——dearme,there\'snomusicthatcantouchit;andhowonegrieveswhenitwastesawayanddissolvesintocorrectness,knowingitwillnevervisithisbereavedearagain.Well,howgooditwastobeabletocarrythatgraciousmemoryawaywithme!
IapproachedEnglandthenextmorning,withthewidehighwayofsaltwateralltomyself.Therewereshipsintheharbor,atDover,buttheywerenakedastosails,andtherewasnosignoflifeaboutthem.ItwasSunday;yetatCanterburythestreetswereempty;strangestofall,therewasnotevenapriestinsight,andnostrokeofabellfelluponmyear.
Themournfulnessofdeathwaseverywhere.Icouldn\'tunderstandit.Atlast,inthefurtheredgeofthattownIsawasmallfuneralprocession——justafamilyandafewfriendsfollowingacoffin——nopriest;afuneralwithoutbell,book,orcandle;therewasachurchtherecloseathand,buttheypasseditbyweeping,anddidnotenterit;Iglancedupatthebelfry,andtherehungthebell,shroudedinblack,anditstonguetiedback.NowIknew!NowIunderstoodthestupendouscalamitythathadovertakenEngland.Invasion?Invasionisatrivialitytoit.ItwastheINTERDICT!
Iaskednoquestions;Ididn\'tneedtoaskany.TheChurchhadstruck;
thethingformetodowastogetintoadisguise,andgowarily.Oneofmyservantsgavemeasuitofclothes,andwhenweweresafebeyondthetownIputthemon,andfromthattimeItraveledalone;Icouldnotrisktheembarrassmentofcompany.
Amiserablejourney.Adesolatesilenceeverywhere.EveninLondonitself.
Traffichadceased;mendidnottalkorlaugh,orgoingroups,orevenincouples;theymovedaimlesslyabout,eachmanbyhimself,withhisheaddown,andwoeandterrorathisheart.TheTowershowedrecentwar-scars.
Verily,muchhadbeenhappening.
Ofcourse,ImeanttotakethetrainforCamelot.Train!Why,thestationwasasvacantasacavern.Imovedon.ThejourneytoCamelotwasarepetitionofwhatIhadalreadyseen.TheMondayandtheTuesdaydifferedinnowayfromtheSunday.Iarrivedfarinthenight.Frombeingthebestelectric-lightedtowninthekingdomandthemostlikearecumbentsunofanythingyoueversaw,itwasbecomesimplyablot——ablotupondarkness——thatistosay,itwasdarkerandsoliderthantherestofthedarkness,andsoyoucouldseeitalittlebetter;itmademefeelasifmaybeitwassymbolical——asortofsignthattheChurchwasgoingtoKEEPtheupperhandnow,andsnuffoutallmybeautifulcivilizationjustlikethat.Ifoundnolifestirringinthesomberstreets.Igropedmywaywithaheavyheart.
Thevastcastleloomedblackuponthehilltop,notasparkvisibleaboutit.Thedrawbridgewasdown,thegreatgatestoodwide,Ienteredwithoutchallenge,myownheelsmakingtheonlysoundIheard——anditwassepulchralenough,inthosehugevacantcourts.
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter42Chapter42-War!IFOUNDClarencealoneinhisquarters,drownedinmelancholy;andinplaceoftheelectriclight,hehadreinstitutedtheancientrag-lamp,andsatthereinagrislytwilightwithallcurtainsdrawntight.Hesprangupandrushedformeeagerly,saying:
\"Oh,it\'sworthabillionmilraystolookuponalivepersonagain!\"
HeknewmeaseasilyasifIhadn\'tbeendisguisedatall.Whichfrightenedme;onemayeasilybelievethat.
\"Quick,now,tellmethemeaningofthisfearfuldisaster,\"Isaid.
\"Howdiditcomeabout?\"
\"Well,iftherehadn\'tbeenanyQueenGuenever,itwouldn\'thavecomesoearly;butitwouldhavecome,anyway.Itwouldhavecomeonyourownaccountbyandby;byluck,ithappenedtocomeonthequeen\'s.\"
\"ANDSirLauncelot\'s?\"
\"Justso.\"
\"Givemethedetails.\"
\"IreckonyouwillgrantthatduringsomeyearstherehasbeenonlyonepairofeyesinthesekingdomsthathasnotbeenlookingsteadilyaskanceatthequeenandSirLauncelot——\"
\"Yes,KingArthur\'s.\"
\"——andonlyoneheartthatwaswithoutsuspicion——\"
\"Yes——theking\'s;aheartthatisn\'tcapableofthinkingevilofafriend.\"
\"Well,thekingmighthavegoneon,stillhappyandunsuspecting,totheendofhisdays,butforoneofyourmodernimprovements——thestock-board.
Whenyouleft,threemilesoftheLondon,CanterburyandDoverwerereadyfortherails,andalsoreadyandripeformanipulationinthestock-market.
Itwaswildcat,andeverybodyknewit.Thestockwasforsaleatagive-away.
WhatdoesSirLauncelotdo,but——\"
\"Yes,Iknow;hequietlypickedupnearlyallofitforasong;thenheboughtabouttwiceasmuchmore,deliverableuponcall;andhewasabouttocallwhenIleft.\"
\"Verywell,hedidcall.Theboyscouldn\'tdeliver.Oh,hehadthem——andhejustsettledhisgripandsqueezedthem.Theywerelaughingintheirsleevesovertheirsmartnessinsellingstocktohimat15and16
andalongtherethatwasn\'tworth10.Well,whentheyhadlaughedlongenoughonthatsideoftheirmouths,theyrested-upthatsidebyshiftingthelaughtotheotherside.ThatwaswhentheycompromisedwiththeInvincibleat283!\"
\"Goodland!\"
\"Heskinnedthemalive,andtheydeservedit——anyway,thewholekingdomrejoiced.Well,amongtheflayedwereSirAgravaineandSirMordred,nephewstotheking.Endofthefirstact.Actsecond,scenefirst,anapartmentinCarlislecastle,wherethecourthadgoneforafewdays\'hunting.Personspresent,thewholetribeoftheking\'snephews.MordredandAgravaineproposetocalltheguilelessArthur\'sattentiontoGueneverandSirLauncelot.
SirGawaine,SirGareth,andSirGaheriswillhavenothingtodowithit.
Adisputeensues,withloudtalk;inthemidstofitentertheking.MordredandAgravainespringtheirdevastatingtaleuponhim.TABLEAU.AtrapislaidforLauncelot,bytheking\'scommand,andSirLauncelotwalksintoit.Hemadeitsufficientlyuncomfortablefortheambushedwitnesses——
towit,Mordred,Agravaine,andtwelveknightsoflesserrank,forhekilledeveryoneofthembutMordred;butofcoursethatcouldn\'tstraightenmattersbetweenLauncelotandtheking,anddidn\'t.\"
\"Oh,dear,onlyonethingcouldresult——Iseethat.War,andtheknightsoftherealmdividedintoaking\'spartyandaSirLauncelot\'sparty.\"
\"Yes——thatwasthewayofit.Thekingsentthequeentothestake,proposingtopurifyherwithfire.Launcelotandhisknightsrescuedher,andindoingitslewcertaingoodoldfriendsofyoursandmine——infact,someofthebestweeverhad;towit,SirBeliasleOrgulous,SirSegwarides,SirGrifletleFilsdeDieu,SirBrandiles,SirAglovale——\"
\"Oh,youtearoutmyheartstrings.\"
\"——wait,I\'mnotdoneyet——SirTor,SirGauter,SirGillimer——\"
\"Theverybestmaninmysubordinatenine.Whatahandyright-fielderhewas!\"
\"——SirReynold\'sthreebrothers,SirDamus,SirPriamus,SirKaytheStranger——\"
\"Mypeerlessshort-stop!I\'veseenhimcatchadaisy-cutterinhisteeth.
Come,Ican\'tstandthis!\"
\"——SirDriant,SirLambegus,SirHerminde,SirPertilope,SirPerimones,and——whomdoyouthink?\"
\"Rush!Goon.\"
\"SirGaheris,andSirGareth——both!\"
\"Oh,incredible!TheirloveforLauncelotwasindestructible.\"
\"Well,itwasanaccident.Theyweresimplyonlookers;theywereunarmed,andweremerelytheretowitnessthequeen\'spunishment.SirLauncelotsmotedownwhoevercameinthewayofhisblindfury,andhekilledthesewithoutnoticingwhotheywere.Hereisaninstantaneousphotographoneofourboysgotofthebattle;it\'sforsaleoneverynews-stand.There——thefiguresnearestthequeenareSirLauncelotwithhisswordup,andSirGarethgaspinghislatestbreath.Youcancatchtheagonyinthequeen\'sfacethroughthecurlingsmoke.It\'sarattlingbattle-picture.\"
\"Indeed,itis.Wemusttakegoodcareofit;itshistoricalvalueisincalculable.Goon.\"
\"Well,therestofthetaleisjustwar,pureandsimple.LauncelotretreatedtohistownandcastleofJoyousGard,andgatheredthereagreatfollowingofknights.Theking,withagreathost,wentthere,andtherewasdesperatefightingduringseveraldays,and,asaresult,alltheplainaroundwaspavedwithcorpsesandcast-iron.ThentheChurchpatchedupapeacebetweenArthurandLauncelotandthequeenandeverybody——everybodybutSirGawaine.Hewasbitterabouttheslayingofhisbrothers,GarethandGaheris,andwouldnotbeappeased.HenotifiedLauncelottogethimthence,andmakeswiftpreparation,andlooktobesoonattacked.SoLauncelotsailedtohisDuchyofGuiennewithhisfollowing,andGawainesoonfollowedwithanarmy,andhebeguiledArthurtogowithhim.ArthurleftthekingdominSirMordred\'shandsuntilyoushouldreturn——\"
\"Ah——aking\'scustomarywisdom!\"
\"Yes.SirMordredsethimselfatoncetoworktomakehiskingshippermanent.
HewasgoingtomarryGuenever,asafirstmove;butshefledandshutherselfupintheTowerofLondon.Mordredattacked;theBishopofCanterburydroppeddownonhimwiththeInterdict.Thekingreturned;MordredfoughthimatDover,atCanterbury,andagainatBarhamDown.Thentherewastalkofpeaceandacomposition.Terms,MordredtohaveCornwallandKentduringArthur\'slife,andthewholekingdomafterward.\"
\"Well,uponmyword!MydreamofarepublictoBEadream,andsoremain.\"
\"Yes.ThetwoarmieslaynearSalisbury.Gawaine——Gawaine\'sheadisatDoverCastle,hefellinthefightthere——GawaineappearedtoArthurinadream,atleasthisghostdid,andwarnedhimtorefrainfromconflictforamonth,letthedelaycostwhatitmight.Butbattlewasprecipitatedbyanaccident.ArthurhadgivenorderthatifaswordwasraisedduringtheconsultationovertheproposedtreatywithMordred,soundthetrumpetandfallon!forhehadnoconfidenceinMordred.MordredhadgivenasimilarordertoHISpeople.Well,byandbyanadderbitaknight\'sheel;theknightforgotallabouttheorder,andmadeaslashattheadderwithhissword.Insideofhalfaminutethosetwoprodigioushostscametogetherwithacrash!Theybutcheredawayallday.Thentheking——however,wehavestartedsomethingfreshsinceyouleft——ourpaperhas.\"
\"No?Whatisthat?\"
\"Warcorrespondence!\"
\"Why,that\'sgood.\"
\"Yes,thepaperwasboomingrightalong,fortheInterdictmadenoimpression,gotnogrip,whilethewarlasted.Ihadwarcorrespondentswithbotharmies.
Iwillfinishthatbattlebyreadingyouwhatoneoftheboyssays:
Thenthekinglookedabouthim,andthenwashewareofallhishostandofallhisgoodknightswereleftnomoreonlivebuttwoknights,thatwasSirLucandeButlere,andhisbrotherSirBedivere:andtheywerefullsorewounded.Jesumercy,saidtheking,whereareallmynobleknightsbecomen?AlasthateverIshouldseethisdolefulday.Fornow,saidArthur,Iamcometomineend.ButwouldtoGodthatIwistwherewerethattraitorSirMordred,thathathcausedallthismischief.ThenwasKingArthurwarewhereSirMordredleaneduponhisswordamongagreatheapofdeadmen.
Nowgivememyspear,saidArthuruntoSirLucan,foryonderIhaveespiedthetraitorthatallthiswoehathwrought.Sir,lethimbe,saidSirLucan,forheisunhappy;andifyepassthisunhappyday,yeshallberightwellrevengeduponhim.Goodlord,rememberyeofyournight\'sdream,andwhatthespiritofSirGawainetoldyouthisnight,yetGodofhisgreatgoodnesshathpreservedyouhitherto.Therefore,forGod\'ssake,mylord,leaveoffbythis.ForblessedbeGodyehavewonthefield:forherewebethreeonlive,andwithSirMordredisnoneonlive.Andifyeleaveoffnow,thiswickeddayofdestinyispast.Tidemedeath,betidemelife,saiththeking,nowIseehimyonderalone,heshallneverescapeminehands,foratabetteravailshallIneverhavehim.Godspeedyouwell,saidSirBedivere.Thenthekinggathisspearinbothhishands,andrantowardSirMordredcrying,Traitor,nowisthydeathdaycome.AndwhenSirMordredheardSirArthur,heranuntilhimwithhissworddrawninhishand.AndthenKingArthursmoteSirMordredundertheshield,withafoinofhisspearthroughoutthebodymorethanafathom.AndwhenSirMordredfeltthathehadhisdeath\'swound,hethrusthimself,withthemightthathehad,uptothebuttofKingArthur\'sspear.AndrightsohesmotehisfatherArthurwithhisswordholdeninbothhishands,onthesideofthehead,thattheswordpiercedthehelmetandthebrain-pan,andtherewithalSirMordredfellstarkdeadtotheearth.AndthenobleArthurfellinaswoontotheearth,andthereheswoonedoft-times\"Thatisagoodpieceofwarcorrespondence,Clarence;youareafirst-ratenewspaperman.Well——isthekingallright?\"Didhegetwell?\"
\"Poorsoul,no.Heisdead.\"
Iwasutterlystunned;ithadnotseemedtomethatanywoundcouldbemortaltohim.
\"Andthequeen,Clarence?\"
\"Sheisanun,inAlmesbury.\"
\"Whatchanges!andinsuchashortwhile.Itisinconceivable.Whatnext,Iwonder?\"
\"Icantellyouwhatnext.\"
\"Well?\"
\"Stakeourlivesandstandbythem!\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbythat?\"
\"TheChurchismasternow.TheInterdictincludedyouwithMordred;
itisnottoberemovedwhileyouremainalive.Theclansaregathering.
TheChurchhasgatheredalltheknightsthatareleftalive,andassoonasyouarediscoveredweshallhavebusinessonourhands.\"
\"Stuff!Withourdeadlyscientificwar-material;withourhostsoftrained——\"
\"Saveyourbreath——wehaven\'tsixtyfaithfulleft!\"
\"Whatareyousaying?Ourschools,ourcolleges,ourvastworkshops,our——\"
\"Whenthoseknightscome,thoseestablishmentswillemptythemselvesandgoovertotheenemy.Didyouthinkyouhadeducatedthesuperstitionoutofthosepeople?\"
\"Icertainlydidthinkit.\"
\"Well,then,youmayunthinkit.Theystoodeverystraineasily——untiltheInterdict.Sincethen,theymerelyputonaboldoutside——athearttheyarequaking.Makeupyourmindtoit——whenthearmiescome,themaskwillfall.\"
\"It\'shardnews.Wearelost.Theywillturnourownscienceagainstus.\"
\"Notheywon\'t.\"
\"Why?\"
\"BecauseIandahandfulofthefaithfulhaveblockedthatgame.I\'lltellyouwhatI\'vedone,andwhatmovedmetoit.Smartasyouare,theChurchwassmarter.ItwastheChurchthatsentyoucruising——throughherservants,thedoctors.\"
\"Clarence!\"
\"Itisthetruth.Iknowit.EveryofficerofyourshipwastheChurch\'spickedservant,andsowaseverymanofthecrew.\"
\"Oh,come!\"
\"ItisjustasItellyou.Ididnotfindoutthesethingsatonce,butIfoundthemoutfinally.Didyousendmeverbalinformation,bythecommanderoftheship,totheeffectthatuponhisreturntoyou,withsupplies,youweregoingtoleaveCadiz——\"
\"Cadiz!Ihaven\'tbeenatCadizatall!\"
\"——goingtoleaveCadizandcruiseindistantseasindefinitely,forthehealthofyourfamily?Didyousendmethatword?\"
\"Ofcoursenot.Iwouldhavewritten,wouldn\'tI?\"
\"Naturally.Iwastroubledandsuspicious.WhenthecommandersailedagainImanagedtoshipaspywithhim.Ihaveneverheardofvesselorspysince.Igavemyselftwoweekstohearfromyouin.ThenIresolvedtosendashiptoCadiz.TherewasareasonwhyIdidn\'t.\"
\"Whatwasthat?\"
\"Ournavyhadsuddenlyandmysteriouslydisappeared!Also,assuddenlyandasmysteriously,therailwayandtelegraphandtelephoneserviceceased,themenalldeserted,poleswerecutdown,theChurchlaidabanupontheelectriclight!Ihadtobeupanddoing——andstraightoff.Yourlifewassafe——nobodyinthesekingdomsbutMerlinwouldventuretotouchsuchamagicianasyouwithouttenthousandmenathisback——Ihadnothingtothinkofbuthowtoputpreparationsinthebesttrimagainstyourcoming.
Ifeltsafemyself——nobodywouldbeanxioustotouchapetofyours.
SothisiswhatIdid.FromourvariousworksIselectedallthemen——
boysImean——whosefaithfulnessunderwhatsoeverpressureIcouldswearto,andIcalledthemtogethersecretlyandgavethemtheirinstructions.
Therearefifty-twoofthem;noneyoungerthanfourteen,andnoneaboveseventeenyearsold.\"
\"Whydidyouselectboys?\"
\"Becausealltheotherswereborninanatmosphereofsuperstitionandrearedinit.Itisintheirbloodandbones.Weimaginedwehadeducateditoutofthem;theythoughtso,too;theInterdictwokethemuplikeathunderclap!Itrevealedthemtothemselves,anditrevealedthemtome,too.Withboysitwasdifferent.SuchashavebeenunderourtrainingfromseventotenyearshavehadnoacquaintancewiththeChurch\'sterrors,anditwasamongthesethatIfoundmyfifty-two.Asanextmove,IpaidaprivatevisittothatoldcaveofMerlin\'s——notthesmallone——thebigone——\"
\"Yes,theonewherewesecretlyestablishedourfirstgreatelectricplantwhenIwasprojectingamiracle.\"
\"Justso.Andasthatmiraclehadn\'tbecomenecessarythen,Ithoughtitmightbeagoodideatoutilizetheplantnow.I\'veprovisionedthecaveforasiege——\"
\"Agoodidea,afirst-rateidea.\"
\"Ithinkso.Iplacedfourofmyboysthereasaguard——inside,andoutofsight.Nobodywastobehurt——whileoutside;butanyattempttoenter——well,wesaidjustletanybodytryit!ThenIwentoutintothehillsanduncoveredandcutthesecretwireswhichconnectedyourbedroomwiththewiresthatgotothedynamitedepositsunderallourvastfactories,mills,workshops,magazines,etc.,andaboutmidnightIandmyboysturnedoutandconnectedthatwirewiththecave,andnobodybutyouandIsuspectswheretheotherendofitgoesto.Welaiditunderground,ofcourse,anditwasallfinishedinacoupleofhoursorso.Wesha\'n\'thavetoleaveourfortressnowwhenwewanttoblowupourcivilization.\"
\"Itwastherightmove——andthenaturalone;militarynecessity,inthechangedconditionofthings.Well,whatchangesHAVEcome!Weexpectedtobebesiegedinthepalacesometimeorother,but——however,goon.\"
\"Next,webuiltawirefence.\"
\"Wirefence?\"
\"Yes.Youdroppedthehintofityourself,twoorthreeyearsago.\"
\"Oh,Iremember——thetimetheChurchtriedherstrengthagainstusthefirsttime,andpresentlythoughtitwisetowaitforahopefulerseason.
Well,howhaveyouarrangedthefence?\"
\"Istarttwelveimmenselystrongwires——naked,notinsulated——fromabigdynamointhecave——dynamowithnobrushesexceptapositiveandanegativeone——\"
\"Yes,that\'sright.\"
\"Thewiresgooutfromthecaveandfenceinacircleoflevelgroundahundredyardsindiameter;theymaketwelveindependentfences,tenfeetapart——thatistosay,twelvecircleswithincircles——andtheirendscomeintothecaveagain.\"
\"Right;goon.\"
\"Thefencesarefastenedtoheavyoakenpostsonlythreefeetapart,andthesepostsaresunkfivefeetintheground.\"
\"Thatisgoodandstrong.\"