Withintenshortminutesafterwehadopenedfire,armedresistancewastotallyannihilated,thecampaignwasended,wefifty-fourweremastersofEngland.Twenty-fivethousandmenlaydeadaroundus.
Buthowtreacherousisfortune!Inalittlewhile——sayanhour——
happenedathing,bymyownfault,which——butIhavenohearttowritethat.Lettherecordendhere.
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter44Chapter44-APostscriptbyClarenceI,CLARENCE,mustwriteitforhim.Heproposedthatwetwogooutandseeifanyhelpcouldbeaccordedthewounded.Iwasstrenuousagainsttheproject.Isaidthatifthereweremany,wecoulddobutlittleforthem;anditwouldnotbewiseforustotrustourselvesamongthem,anyway.
Buthecouldseldombeturnedfromapurposeonceformed;soweshutofftheelectriccurrentfromthefences,tookanescortalong,climbedovertheenclosingrampartsofdeadknights,andmovedoutuponthefield.Thefirstwoundedmallwhoappealedforhelpwassittingwithhisbackagainstadeadcomrade.WhenTheBossbentoverhimandspoketohim,themanrecognizedhimandstabbedhim.ThatknightwasSirMeliagraunce,asIfoundoutbytearingoffhishelmet.Hewillnotaskforhelpanymore.
WecarriedTheBosstothecaveandgavehiswound,whichwasnotveryserious,thebestcarewecould.InthisservicewehadthehelpofMerlin,thoughwedidnotknowit.Hewasdisguisedasawoman,andappearedtobeasimpleoldpeasantgoodwife.Inthisdisguise,withbrown-stainedfaceandsmoothshaven,hehadappearedafewdaysafterTheBosswashurtandofferedtocookforus,sayingherpeoplehadgoneofftojoincertainnewcampswhichtheenemywereforming,andthatshewasstarving.TheBosshadbeengettingalongverywell,andhadamusedhimselfwithfinishinguphisrecord.
Weweregladtohavethiswoman,forwewereshorthanded.Wewereinatrap,yousee——atrapofourownmaking.Ifwestayedwherewewere,ourdeadwouldkillus;ifwemovedoutofourdefenses,weshouldnolongerbeinvincible.Wehadconquered;inturnwewereconquered.TheBossrecognizedthis;weallrecognizedit.Ifwecouldgotooneofthosenewcampsandpatchupsomekindoftermswiththeenemy——yes,butTheBosscouldnotgo,andneithercouldI,forIwasamongthefirstthatweremadesickbythepoisonousairbredbythosedeadthousands.Othersweretakendown,andstillothers.To-morrow——
TO-MORROW.Itishere.Andwithittheend.AboutmidnightIawoke,andsawthathagmakingcuriouspassesintheairaboutTheBoss\'sheadandface,andwonderedwhatitmeant.Everybodybutthedynamo-watchlaysteepedinsleep;therewasnosound.Thewomanceasedfromhermysteriousfoolery,andstartedtip-toeingtowardthedoor.Icalledout:
\"Stop!Whathaveyoubeendoing?\"
Shehalted,andsaidwithanaccentofmalicioussatisfaction:
\"Yewereconquerors;yeareconquered!Theseothersareperishing——
youalso.Yeshallalldieinthisplace——everyone——exceptHIM.Hesleepethnow——andshallsleepthirteencenturies.IamMerlin!\"
Thensuchadeliriumofsillylaughterovertookhimthathereeledaboutlikeadrunkenman,andpresentlyfetchedupagainstoneofourwires.
Hismouthisspreadopenyet;apparentlyheisstilllaughing.Isupposethefacewillretainthatpetrifiedlaughuntilthecorpseturnstodust.
TheBosshasneverstirred——sleepslikeastone.Ifhedoesnotwaketo-dayweshallunderstandwhatkindofasleepitis,andhisbodywillthenbebornetoaplaceinoneoftheremoterecessesofthecavewherenonewilleverfindittodesecrateit.Asfortherestofus——well,itisagreedthatifanyoneofuseverescapesalivefromthisplace,hewillwritethefacthere,andloyallyhidethisManuscriptwithTheBoss,ourdeargoodchief,whosepropertyitis,behealiveordead.
THEENDOFTHEMANUSCRIPT
FINALP.S.BYM.T.
THEdawnwascomewhenIlaidtheManuscriptaside.Therainhadalmostceased,theworldwasgrayandsad,theexhaustedstormwassighingandsobbingitselftorest.Iwenttothestranger\'sroom,andlistenedathisdoor,whichwasslightlyajar.Icouldhearhisvoice,andsoIknocked.
Therewasnoanswer,butIstillheardthevoice.Ipeepedin.Themanlayonhisbackinbed,talkingbrokenlybutwithspirit,andpunctuatingwithhisarms,whichhethrashedabout,restlessly,assickpeopledoindelirium.Islippedinsoftlyandbentoverhim.Hismutteringsandejaculationswenton.Ispoke——merelyaword,tocallhisattention.Hisglassyeyesandhisashyfacewerealightinaninstantwithpleasure,gratitude,gladness,welcome:
\"Oh,Sandy,youarecomeatlast——howIhavelongedforyou!Sitbyme——donotleaveme——neverleavemeagain,Sandy,neveragain.Whereisyourhand?——giveitme,dear,letmeholdit——there——nowalliswell,allispeace,andIamhappyagain——WEarehappyagain,isn\'titso,Sandy?Youaresodim,sovague,youarebutamist,acloud,butyouareHERE,andthatisblessednesssufficient;andIhaveyourhand;don\'ttakeitaway——itisforonlyalittlewhile,Ishallnotrequireitlong
Wasthatthechild?Hello-Central!shedoesn\'tanswer.Asleep,perhaps?Bringherwhenshewakes,andletmetouchherhands,herface,herhair,andtellhergood-byeSandy!Yes,youarethere.Ilostmyselfamoment,andIthoughtyouweregoneHaveIbeensicklong?
Itmustbeso;itseemsmonthstome.Andsuchdreams!suchstrangeandawfuldreams,Sandy!Dreamsthatwereasrealasreality——delirium,ofcourse,butSOreal!Why,Ithoughtthekingwasdead,IthoughtyouwereinGaulandcouldn\'tgethome,Ithoughttherewasarevolution;inthefantasticfrenzyofthesedreams,IthoughtthatClarenceandIandahandfulofmycadetsfoughtandexterminatedthewholechivalryofEngland!Buteventhatwasnotthestrangest.Iseemedtobeacreatureoutofaremoteunbornage,centurieshence,andevenTHATwasasrealastherest!Yes,Iseemedtohaveflownbackoutofthatageintothisofours,andthenforwardtoitagain,andwassetdown,astrangerandforlorninthatstrangeEngland,withanabyssofthirteencenturiesyawningbetweenmeandyou!
betweenmeandmyhomeandmyfriends!betweenmeandallthatisdeartome,allthatcouldmakelifeworththeliving!Itwasawful——awfulerthanyoucaneverimagine,Sandy.Ah,watchbyme,Sandy——staybymeeverymoment——DON\'Tletmegooutofmymindagain;deathisnothing,letitcome,butnotwiththosedreams,notwiththetortureofthosehideousdreams——IcannotendureTHATagainSandy?\"
Helaymutteringincoherentlysomelittletime;thenforatimehelaysilent,andapparentlysinkingawaytowarddeath.Presentlyhisfingersbegantopickbusilyatthecoverlet,andbythatsignIknewthathisendwasathandwiththefirstsuggestionofthedeath-rattleinhisthroathestartedupslightly,andseemedtolisten:thenhesaid:
\"Abugle?Itistheking!Thedrawbridge,there!Manthebattlements!——
turnoutthe——\"
Hewasgettinguphislast\"effect\";butheneverfinishedit.
TheEndAConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourtbyMarkTwainAConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourtbyMarkTwainPrefaceChapter1-CamelotChapter2-KingArthur\'sCourtChapter3-KnightsoftheTableRoundChapter4-SirDinadantheHumoristChapter5-AnInspirationChapter6-AnInspirationChapter7-Merlin\'sTowerChapter8-TheBossChapter9-TheTournamentChapter10-BeginningsofCivilizationChapter11-TheYankeeinSearchofAdventuresChapter12-SlowTortureChapter13-FreemenChapter14-\"DefendThee,Lord\"
Chapter15-Sandy\'sTaleChapter16-MorganLeFayChapter17-ARoyalBanquetChapter18-InTheQueen\'sDungeonsChapter19-Knight-ErrantryasaTradeChapter20-TheOgre\'sCastleChapter21-ThePilgrimsChapter22-TheHolyFountainChapter23-RestorationoftheFountainChapter24-ARivalMagicianChapter25-ACompetitiveExaminationChapter26-TheFirstNewspaperChapter27-TheYankeeandtheKingTravelIncognitoChapter28-DrillingtheKingChapter29-TheSmallpoxHutChapter30-TheTragedyoftheManor-HouseChapter31-MarcoChapter32-Dowley\'sHumiliationChapter33-SixthCenturyPoliticalEconomyChapter34-TheYankeeandtheKingSoldasSlavesChapter35-APitifulIncidentChapter36-AnEncounterintheDarkChapter37-AnAwfulPredicamentChapter38-SirLauncelotandKnightstotheRescueChapter39-TheYankee\'sFightWiththeKnightsChapter40-ThreeYearsLaterChapter41-TheInterdictChapter42-War!
Chapter43-TheBattleoftheSandBeltChapter44-APostscriptbyClarenceAConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-PrefacePrefaceTHEungentlelawsandcustomstoucheduponinthistalearehistorical,andtheepisodeswhichareusedtoillustratethemarealsohistorical.
ItisnotpretendedthattheselawsandcustomsexistedinEnglandinthesixthcentury;no,itisonlypretendedthatinasmuchastheyexistedintheEnglishandothercivilizationsoffarlatertimes,itissafetoconsiderthatitisnolibeluponthesixthcenturytosupposethemtohavebeeninpracticeinthatdayalso.Oneisquitejustifiedininferringthatwhateveroneoftheselawsorcustomswaslackinginthatremotetime,itsplacewascompetentlyfilledbyaworseone.
Thequestionastowhetherthereissuchathingasdivinerightofkingsisnotsettledinthisbook.Itwasfoundtoodifficult.Thattheexecutiveheadofanationshouldbeapersonofloftycharacterandextraordinaryability,wasmanifestandindisputable;thatnonebuttheDeitycouldselectthatheadunerringly,wasalsomanifestandindisputable;thattheDeityoughttomakethatselection,then,waslikewisemanifestandindisputable;
consequently,thatHedoesmakeit,asclaimed,wasanunavoidablededuction.
Imean,untiltheauthorofthisbookencounteredthePompadour,andLadyCastlemaine,andsomeotherexecutiveheadsofthatkind;thesewerefoundsodifficulttoworkintothescheme,thatitwasjudgedbettertotaketheothertackinthisbookwhichmustbeissuedthisfall,andthengointotrainingandsettlethequestioninanotherbook.Itis,ofcourse,athingwhichoughttobesettled,andIamnotgoingtohaveanythingparticulartodonextwinteranyway.
MARKTWAIN.
ACONNECTICUTYANKEEINKINGARTHUR\'SCOURT
AWORDOFEXPLANATION
ITwasinWarwickCastlethatIcameacrossthecuriousstrangerwhomIamgoingtotalkabout.Heattractedmebythreethings:hiscandidsimplicity,hismarvelousfamiliaritywithancientarmor,andtherestfulnessofhiscompany——forhedidallthetalking.Wefelltogether,asmodestpeoplewill,inthetailoftheherdthatwasbeingshownthrough,andheatoncebegantosaythingswhichinterestedme.Ashetalkedalong,softly,pleasantly,flowingly,heseemedtodriftawayimperceptiblyoutofthisworldandtime,andintosomeremoteeraandoldforgottencountry;andsohegraduallywovesuchaspellaboutmethatIseemedtomoveamongthespectersandshadowsanddustandmoldofagrayantiquity,holdingspeechwitharelicofit!ExactlyasIwouldspeakofmynearestpersonalfriendsorenemies,ormymostfamiliarneighbors,hespokeofSirBedivere,SirBorsdeGanis,SirLauncelotoftheLake,SirGalahad,andalltheothergreatnamesoftheTableRound——andhowold,old,unspeakablyoldandfadedanddryandmustyandancienthecametolookashewenton!Presentlyheturnedtomeandsaid,justasonemightspeakoftheweather,oranyothercommonmatter——
\"Youknowabouttransmigrationofsouls;doyouknowabouttranspositionofepochs——andbodies?\"
IsaidIhadnotheardofit.Hewassolittleinterested——justaswhenpeoplespeakoftheweather——thathedidnotnoticewhetherImadehimanyanswerornot.Therewashalfamomentofsilence,immediatelyinterruptedbythedroningvoiceofthesalariedcicerone:
\"Ancienthauberk,dateofthesixthcentury,timeofKingArthurandtheRoundTable;saidtohavebelongedtotheknightSirSagramorleDesirous;
observetheroundholethroughthechain-mailintheleftbreast;can\'tbeaccountedfor;supposedtohavebeendonewithabulletsinceinventionoffirearms——perhapsmaliciouslybyCromwell\'ssoldiers.\"
Myacquaintancesmiled——notamodernsmile,butonethatmusthavegoneoutofgeneralusemany,manycenturiesago——andmutteredapparentlytohimself:
\"Wityewell,ISAWITDONE.\"Then,afterapause,added:\"Ididitmyself.\"
BythetimeIhadrecoveredfromtheelectricsurpriseofthisremark,hewasgone.
AllthateveningIsatbymyfireattheWarwickArms,steepedinadreamoftheoldentime,whiletherainbeatuponthewindows,andthewindroaredabouttheeavesandcorners.FromtimetotimeIdippedintooldSirThomasMalory\'senchantingbook,andfedatitsrichfeastofprodigiesandadventures,breathedinthefragranceofitsobsoletenames,anddreamedagain.Midnightbeingcomeatlength,Ireadanothertale,foranightcap——thiswhichherefollows,towit:
HOWSIRLAUNCELOTSLEWTWOGIANTS,ANDMADEACASTLEFREE
Anonwithalcamethereuponhimtwogreatgiants,wellarmed,allsavetheheads,withtwohorribleclubsintheirhands.SirLauncelotputhisshieldaforehim,andputthestrokeawayoftheonegiant,andwithhisswordheclavehisheadasunder.Whenhisfellowsawthat,heranawayashewerewood[*demented],forfearofthehorriblestrokes,andSirLauncelotafterhimwithallhismight,andsmotehimontheshoulder,andclavehimtothemiddle.ThenSirLauncelotwentintothehall,andtherecameaforehimthreescoreladiesanddamsels,andallkneeleduntohim,andthankedGodandhimoftheirdeliverance.For,sir,saidthey,themostpartofushavebeenherethissevenyeartheirprisoners,andwehaveworkedallmannerofsilkworksforourmeat,andweareallgreatgentle-womenborn,andblessedbethetime,knight,thateverthouwertborn;forthouhastdonethemostworshipthateverdidknightintheworld,thatwillwebearrecord,andweallprayyoutotellusyourname,thatwemaytellourfriendswhodeliveredusoutofprison.Fairdamsels,hesaid,mynameisSirLauncelotduLake.AndsohedepartedfromthemandbetaughtthemuntoGod.Andthenhemounteduponhishorse,androdeintomanystrangeandwildcountries,andthroughmanywatersandvalleys,andevilwashelodged.Andatthelastbyfortunehimhappenedagainstanighttocometoafaircourtilage,andthereinhefoundanoldgentle-womanthatlodgedhimwithagood-will,andtherehehadgoodcheerforhimandhishorse.Andwhentimewas,hishostbroughthimintoafairgarretoverthegatetohisbed.ThereSirLauncelotunarmedhim,andsethisharnessbyhim,andwenttobed,andanonhefellonsleep.So,soonaftertherecameoneonhorseback,andknockedatthegateingreathaste.AndwhenSirLauncelotheardthisheroseup,andlookedoutatthewindow,andsawbythemoonlightthreeknightscomeridingafterthatoneman,andallthreelashedonhimatoncewithswords,andthatoneknightturnedonthemknightlyagainanddefendedhim.Truly,saidSirLauncelot,yonderoneknightshallIhelp,foritwereshameformetoseethreeknightsonone,andifhebeslainIampartnerofhisdeath.Andtherewithhetookhisharnessandwentoutatawindowbyasheetdowntothefourknights,andthenSirLauncelotsaidonhigh,Turnyouknightsuntome,andleaveyourfightingwiththatknight.AndthentheyallthreeleftSirKay,andturneduntoSirLauncelot,andtherebegangreatbattle,fortheyalightallthree,andstrakemanystrokesatSirLauncelot,andassailedhimoneveryside.ThenSirKaydressedhimfortohaveholpenSirLauncelot.
Nay,sir,saidhe,Iwillnoneofyourhelp,thereforeasyewillhavemyhelpletmealonewiththem.SirKayforthepleasureoftheknightsufferedhimfortodohiswill,andsostoodaside.AndthenanonwithinsixstrokesSirLauncelothadstrickenthemtotheearth.
Andthentheyallthreecried,SirKnight,weyieldusuntoyouasmanofmightmatchless.Astothat,saidSirLauncelot,Iwillnottakeyouryieldinguntome,butsothatyeyieldyouuntoSirKaytheseneschal,onthatcovenantIwillsaveyourlivesandelsenot.Fairknight,saidthey,thatwereweloathtodo;forasforSirKaywechasedhimhither,andhadovercomehimhadyenotbeen;therefore,toyieldusuntohimitwerenoreason.Well,astothat,saidSirLauncelot,adviseyouwell,foryemaychoosewhetheryewilldieorlive,foranyebeyielden,itshallbeuntoSirKay.Fairknight,thentheysaid,insavingourliveswewilldoasthoucommandestus.Thenshallye,saidSirLauncelot,onWhitsundaynextcominggountothecourtofKingArthur,andthereshallyeyieldyouuntoQueenGuenever,andputyouallthreeinhergraceandmercy,andsaythatSirKaysentyouthithertobeherprisoners.OnthemornSirLauncelotaroseearly,andleftSirKaysleeping;andSirLauncelottookSirKay\'sarmorandhisshieldandarmedhim,andsohewenttothestableandtookhishorse,andtookhisleaveofhishost,andsohedeparted.
ThensoonafteraroseSirKayandmissedSirLauncelot;andthenheespiedthathehadhisarmorandhishorse.NowbymyfaithIknowwellthathewillgrievesomeofthecourtofKingArthur;foronhimknightswillbebold,anddeemthatitisI,andthatwillbeguilethem;andbecauseofhisarmorandshieldIamsureIshallrideinpeace.AndthensoonafterdepartedSirKay,andthankedhishost.
AsIlaidthebookdowntherewasaknockatthedoor,andmystrangercamein.Igavehimapipeandachair,andmadehimwelcome.IalsocomfortedhimwithahotScotchwhisky;gavehimanotherone;thenstillanother——hopingalwaysforhisstory.Afterafourthpersuader,hedriftedintoithimself,inaquitesimpleandnaturalway:
THESTRANGER\'SHISTORY
IamanAmerican.IwasbornandrearedinHartford,intheStateofConnecticut——anyway,justovertheriver,inthecountry.SoIamaYankeeoftheYankees——andpractical;yes,andnearlybarrenofsentiment,I
suppose——orpoetry,inotherwords.Myfatherwasablacksmith,myunclewasahorsedoctor,andIwasboth,alongatfirst.ThenIwentovertothegreatarmsfactoryandlearnedmyrealtrade;learnedalltherewastoit;learnedtomakeeverything:guns,revolvers,cannon,boilers,engines,allsortsoflabor-savingmachinery.Why,Icouldmakeanythingabodywanted——anythingintheworld,itdidn\'tmakeanydifferencewhat;andiftherewasn\'tanyquicknew-fangledwaytomakeathing,Icouldinventone——anddoitaseasyasrollingoffalog.Ibecameheadsuperintendent;
hadacoupleofthousandmenunderme.
Well,amanlikethatisamanthatisfulloffight——thatgoeswithoutsaying.Withacoupleofthousandroughmenunderone,onehasplentyofthatsortofamusement.Ihad,anyway.AtlastImetmymatch,andIgotmydose.ItwasduringamisunderstandingconductedwithcrowbarswithafellowweusedtocallHercules.Helaidmeoutwithacrusheralongsidetheheadthatmadeeverythingcrack,andseemedtospringeveryjointinmyskullandmadeitoverlapitsneighbor.Thentheworldwentoutindarkness,andIdidn\'tfeelanythingmore,anddidn\'tknowanythingatall——atleastforawhile.
WhenIcametoagain,Iwassittingunderanoaktree,onthegrass,withawholebeautifulandbroadcountrylandscapealltomyself——nearly.
Notentirely;fortherewasafellowonahorse,lookingdownatme——
afellowfreshoutofapicture-book.Hewasinold-timeironarmorfromheadtoheel,withahelmetonhisheadtheshapeofanail-kegwithslitsinit;andhehadashield,andasword,andaprodigiousspear;andhishorsehadarmoron,too,andasteelhornprojectingfromhisforehead,andgorgeousredandgreensilktrappingsthathungdownallaroundhimlikeabedquilt,nearlytotheground.
\"Fairsir,willyejust?\"saidthisfellow.
\"WillIwhich?\"
\"Willyetryapassageofarmsforlandorladyorfor——\"
\"Whatareyougivingme?\"Isaid.\"Getalongbacktoyourcircus,orI\'llreportyou.\"
Nowwhatdoesthismandobutfallbackacoupleofhundredyardsandthencomerushingatmeashardashecouldtear,withhisnail-kegbentdownnearlytohishorse\'sneckandhislongspearpointedstraightahead.
Isawhemeantbusiness,soIwasupthetreewhenhearrived.
HeallowedthatIwashisproperty,thecaptiveofhisspear.Therewasargumentonhisside——andthebulkoftheadvantage——soIjudgeditbesttohumorhim.WefixedupanagreementwherebyIwastogowithhimandhewasnottohurtme.Icamedown,andwestartedaway,Iwalkingbythesideofhishorse.Wemarchedcomfortablyalong,throughgladesandoverbrookswhichIcouldnotremembertohaveseenbefore——whichpuzzledmeandmademewonder——andyetwedidnotcometoanycircusorsignofacircus.SoIgaveuptheideaofacircus,andconcludedhewasfromanasylum.Butwenevercametoanasylum——soIwasupastump,asyoumaysay.IaskedhimhowfarwewerefromHartford.Hesaidhehadneverheardoftheplace;whichItooktobealie,butallowedittogoatthat.Attheendofanhourwesawafar-awaytownsleepinginavalleybyawindingriver;andbeyonditonahill,avastgrayfortress,withtowersandturrets,thefirstIhadeverseenoutofapicture.
\"Bridgeport?\"saidI,pointing.
\"Camelot,\"saidhe.
Mystrangerhadbeenshowingsignsofsleepiness.Hecaughthimselfnodding,now,andsmiledoneofthosepathetic,obsoletesmilesofhis,andsaid:
\"IfindIcan\'tgoon;butcomewithme,I\'vegotitallwrittenout,andyoucanreaditifyoulike.\"
Inhischamber,hesaid:\"First,Ikeptajournal;thenbyandby,afteryears,Itookthejournalandturneditintoabook.Howlongagothatwas!\"
Hehandedmehismanuscript,andpointedouttheplacewhereIshouldbegin:
\"Beginhere——I\'vealreadytoldyouwhatgoesbefore.\"Hewassteepedindrowsinessbythistime.AsIwentoutathisdoorIheardhimmurmursleepily:\"Giveyougoodden,fairsir.\"
Isatdownbymyfireandexaminedmytreasure.Thefirstpartofit——thegreatbulkofit——wasparchment,andyellowwithage.Iscannedaleafparticularlyandsawthatitwasapalimpsest.UndertheolddimwritingoftheYankeehistorianappearedtracesofapenmanshipwhichwasolderanddimmerstill——Latinwordsandsentences:fragmentsfromoldmonkishlegends,evidently.Iturnedtotheplaceindicatedbymystrangerandbegantoread——asfollows: