CHAPTERXVII
WegottoBairdstownearlyenough，butwedidn\'tgotoworkthere。Wewastedallthatday。Theywassomethingwork-
inginthedoctor\'sheadhewasn\'ttalkingabout。
Isupposedhewasgettingcoldfeetonthehullproposition。Anyhow，hejestsetaroundthelittletaverninthatplaceanddonenothingallafternoon。
Theweatherwasfine，andwesetoutinfront。
Wehadn\'tsettheremore\'nanhourtillIcouldtellwewasbeingnoticedbytheblacks，notoutopenandaboveboard。Buteverynowandthenoneortwoorthreewouldpassalongdownthestreet，andlazyaboutandtakealookatus。
Theypertendedtheywasn\'tnoticing，buttheywas。
Thewordhadgotaround，andtheywasafeelingintheairIdidn\'tlikeatall。Toomuchcaged-upexcitementamongtheniggers。Thedoctorfeltittoo，Icouldseethat。Butneitheroneofussaidanythingaboutittotheother。
Alongtowardduskwetakesawalk。Theywasagood-sizedcrickattheedgeofthatlittleplace，andonitanold-fashionedwortermill。Abovethemillalittlepiecewasabridge。Wecrosseditandwalkedalongaroadthatfolleredthecrickbankclostefurquiteaspell。
Itwasn\'tmuchofatown——somethingbetwixtavillageandasettlement——althoughtheywasgoingtorunabranchoftherailroadovertoitbeforeverylong。Ithadhadachancettogetarailroadonce，yearsbeforethat。Butithadsaidthenitdidn\'twantnorailroad。Sountillatelyeverybranchbuiltthroughthatpartofthecountrygrinnedverysarcasticandgiveitthego-by。
Theywasconsiderablewoodsstandingalongthecrick，andaroundaturnintheroadwecomeontoSam，allofasudden，talkingwithanothernigger。
Samwasjesta-layingitofftothatnigger，buthekindofhushedaswecomenearer。Downtheroadquitealittlepiecewasagood-sizedwoodenbuildingthatneverhadbeenpaintedandlookedlikeitwasabigbarn。WithoutknowingitthedoctorandmehadbeenpintingourselvesrighttowardBigBethel。
TheniggerwithSamheyellsout，whenheseesus：
“Glorybe！HYAHdeycomes！HyahdeycomesNOW！”
Andhethroweduphisarms，andstartedonalopeuptheroadtowardthechurch，singingouteverytenorfifteenyards。Alittleknotofniggerscomeoutinfrontofthechurchwhentheyhearnhimcoming。
Sam，hestoodhisground，andwaitedfurustocomeuptohim，kindofapologeticandsneaking-
lookingaboutsomethingorother。
“Whatkindoflieshaveyoubeentellingtheseniggers，Sam？”saysthedoctor，verysharpandshortandmad-like。
Sam，hedigsastoneout\'ntheroadwiththetoeofhisshoe，andkindofgrinstohimself，stilllookingsheepish。Buthesaysheopinionateshebeentellingthemnothingatall。
“Idunnohow-comedeygetalldemniggernotionsindeyfoolhaid，“Samsays，“butdeyallwaitin\'
darinsidedechu\'chdo\'——someofdemos\'faifulan\'demos\'pra\'rfuloneso\'deBigBethelcong\'gationbeendarfo\'delas\'houaha-waitin\'an\'a-watchin\'，spiteo\'defac\'datreg\'lahmeetin\'ain\'tgwineterbecalledtwellartersupper。Debishop，hedartoo。Deygotsomedesehyahcoal-ilelampsdardesinsidedechu\'chdo\'an\'deybeenkeepin\'on\'emlighted，daytimesan\'nighttimes，fo\'twodaysnow，kazedeysaydeyain\'tgwinefo\'terbecotchednappingwhendebridegroomCOMeth。Yass，SAH！——
dey\'steno\'desehyahvergimsdar，fiveof\'emsleepin\'an\'fiveof\'emwatchin\'，an\'a-takin\'tuhnsathit，an\'mebbydathow-comefreeorfouahdeybes\'youngcolo\'hedmensbeenprojickin\'aroun\'
darallarternoon，a-helpin\'demdat\'sa-waitin\'
twelldebridegroomCOMeth！”
Weseenalittleknotofthem，downtheroadthereinfrontofthechurch，gatheringaroundtheniggerthathadbeenwithSam。Theyallstartstowardus。Butonemanstepsoutinfrontofthemall，andturnstowardthemandholdshishandsup，andwavesthemback。Theyallstopsintheirtracks。
Thenheturnshisfacetowardus，andcomesslowandsollumdowntheroadinourdirection，walkingwithacane，andmovingverydignified。Hewasacoupleofhundredyardsaway。
Butashecomecloseterwegraduallyseenhimplainerandplainer。Hewasabigman，andstout，anddressedveryneatinthesamekindofrigaswhitebishopswear，withoneofthesewhitecollarsthatbuttonsintheback。Isupposehewascomingontomeetusalone，becausenoonewasfittenfurtogiveusthefirstwelcomebuthimself。
Well，itwasalldernfoolishness，anditwashardtobelieveitcouldallhappen，andtheyain\'tsomanyplacesinthisherecountryitCOULDhappen。
Butfurallofitbeingfoolishness，whenhecomedowntheroadtowardussodignifiedandsollumandslowIketchedmyselffuraminutefeelinglikewereallyhadbeenelectedtosomethingandwasgoingtotakeofficesoon。AndSam，asthebishopcomecloseterandcloseter，gottojerkingandtwitchingwiththeexcitementthathehadbeenkeepingin——andyetallthetimeSamknoweditwasdopeandworksandnotfaiththathadmadehimspottedthat-a-way。
Hestops，thebishopdoes，abouttenyardsfromusandlooksusover。
“Ahyo\'degennlemanknownterdishyahsinfulgenehationbydestylean\'deentitleminto\'Docto\'
HahtleyKirby？”heaststhedoctorveryceremoni-
ousandgrand。
Thedoctorgivehimalookthatwasn\'tveryencouraging，buthenoddedtohim。
“Willyo\'dismissyo\'sehvantinordehdatwekinhol\'convehsean\'communionindemidsterprivacy？”
Thedoctor，henodstoSam，andSammoseysalongtowardthechurch。
“Now，then，“saysthedoctor，suddenandsharp，“takeoffyourhatandtellmewhatyouwant。“
Thebishop\'shandgoesuptohisheadwithajerkbeforehethought。Thenitstopsthere，whilehimandthedoctorlooksateachother。Thebishop\'smouthopenslikehewaswondering，butheslowlypullshishatoffandstandstherebare-headedintheroad。Buthewasn\'treallyhumble，thatbishop。
“Now，“saysthedoctor，“tellmeinasstraighttalkasyou\'vegotwhatallthisdamnedfoolishnessamongyouniggersmeans。“
Aqueerkindoflookpassedoverthebishop\'sface。Hehadn\'texpectedtobemetjestthatway，mebby。WhetherhehimselfhadreallybelievedinthecomingofthattherenewMessiahhehadbeenperdicting，Inevercouldsettleinmymind。MebbyhehadbeengettingreadytopassHIMSELFofffuronebeforewecomealongandtheniggersallgotthefoolideaDoctorKirbywasit。Beforethebishopspokeaginyoucouldseehiscrazinessandhiscunningnessbothworkinginhisface。Butwhenhedidspeakhedidn\'tquitbeingceremoniousnordignified。
“Dewohdhasgonefo\'thamongdefaifulan\'
depuahinheaht，“hesays，“datermanhascomeaccreditedwi\'signsan\'wi\'mahvelsan\'depoweho\'desperritfo\'tolayhishan\'ondesonso\'Haman\'termake\'emdesdesameincolluhasdeyuthersonsofea\'th。“
“Thenthatwordisalie，“saysthedoctor。“I
DIDcomeheretotryoutsomestufftochangethecolourofnegroskins。That\'sall。AndIfindyouridioticfollowersareallstirredupandwaitingforsomekindofamiraclemonger。Whatyouhavebeenpreachingtothem，youknowbest。Isthatallyouwanttoknow？”
Thebishophemsandhawsandfiddleswithhisstick，andthenhesays：
“Suh，willdishyeahprepa\'shunSHO\'LYdodewohk？”DoctorKirbytellshimitwilldotheworkallright。
Andthenthebishop，afterbeatingaroundthebushsomemore，comesoutwithhisidea。WhetherheexpectedtherewouldbeanyMessiahcomeornot，ofcourseheknowedthedoctorwasn\'thim。
Butheiswillingtoboostthedoctor\'sgameaslongasitboostsHISgame。Hewantstobeinonthedeal。Hewantspartofthegraft。Hewantstogettogetherwiththedoctoronaplanbeforethedoctorseestheniggers。Andifthedoctordon\'twanttokeeponwiththemiracleendofit，thebishopshowshimhowhecoulddohimgoodwithnomiracleattachment。Furhehasanawfulholtonthemniggers，andhissay-sowillsellthousandsandthousandsofbottles。Whatheislookingfurjestnowishislittletake-out。
Thatwashiscraftinessandhiscunningnessworkinginhim。Butallofasuddenoneofhiscrazystreakscomebulgingtothesurface。Itcomewithawild，eagerlookinhiseyes。
“Suh，“hecriesout，allofasudden，“efyo\'kinmakemewhite，fo\'Gawdsakes，dohit！Dohit！
Efyo\'does，Igwineterblessyo\'allyo\'days！
“Yo\'don\'know——noonekinguessorcomper-
hen\'——whatdesbein\'whitewouldmeanterme！
Lawd！Lawd！”hesays，hisvoicesoft-spoken，butmoreeagerthaneverashewenton，andplead-
ingsomethingpitifultohear，“desthinkofalldeCaucasianbloodinme！GawdknowsdenightsermyyouthI\'selaidawaketwelldedawncomeredindeEas\'a-cryin\'outterHimonlyfo\'terbewhite！DESTERBEWHITE！Don\'min\'demblack，blackniggersdar——don\'thinkerDEM——deyain\'twuthnothin\'norfittenfo\'nofatebutwhatdeygot——Butme！What\'sdonekep\'mefromgwineterdetopbutdatonething：_I_WASN\'TWHITE！Hitairtoolatenow——toolatefo\'demambitionsI
donetriflewithan\'shovebehin\'me——hit\'stoolatefo\'dat！ButefIwasdestergitoneli\'lyearo\'hit——ONELI\'LYEARO\'BEIN\'WHITE！——befo\'
Idied——“
Andhewentonlikethat，shakingandstutteringthereintheroad，likeafithadstruckhim，crazyasaloon。Buthegotholdofhimselfenoughtoquittalking，inaminute，andhiscunningcomebacktohimbeforehewasthroughtrembling。
Thenthedoctorsaysslowandeven，butnotsevere：
“Yougobacktoyourpeoplenow，bishop，andtellthemthey\'vemadeamistakeaboutme。Andifyoucan，undotheharmyou\'vedonewiththisMessiahbusiness。Asfarasthisstuffofmineisconcerned，there\'snoneofitforyounorforanyothernegro。Youtellthemthat。There\'snoneofitbeensoldyet——andthereneverwillbe。“
Thenweturnedawayandlefthimstandingthereintheroad，stillwithhishatoffandhisfaceworking。
Walkingbacktowardthelittletavernthedoctorsays：
“Danny，thisistheendofthisgame。Thesepeopledownhereandthathalf-cracked，half-
crookedoldbishophavemademeseeafewthingsabouttheAfro-Americanbrother。Itwasn\'tagoodschemeinthefirstplace。Andthiswasn\'ttheplacetostartitgoing，anyhow——Ishouldhavetriedtheniggersinthebigtowns。ButI\'moutofitnow，andI\'mgladofit。Whatwewanttodoistogetawayfromhereto-morrow——gobacktoAtlantaandfixupaschemetorobsomewidowsandorphans，orsomethinghalf-wayrespectablelikethat。“
Well，Idrewalongbreath。IwaswithDoctorKirbyineverythinghedone，furhewasmyfriend，andIdidn\'tintendtoquithim。ButIwasgladwewasoutofthis，andhadn\'tsoldnoneofthatdope。Webothfeltbetterbecausewehadn\'t。
Allthemmillionswewasgoingtomake——shucks！
Wedidn\'tneitheroneofusgiveadernaboutthemgettingawayfromus。Allwewantedwasjesttogetawayfromthereandnotgetmixedupwithnoniggerproblemsanymore。Weeatsupper，andwesetaroundawhile，andwewenttobedpurtymiddlingearly，soastogetagoodstartinthemorning。
Wegotupearly，butearlyasitwasthedevilhadbeenupearlierinthatneighbourhood。Aboutfouro\'clockthatmorningawhitewomanaboutahalfamilefromthevillagehadbeenattackedbyanigger。Theywasdoubtastowhethershewouldlive，butifshelivedtheywasn\'tnodoubtsshewouldalwaysbemoreorlesscrazy。Furbesideseverythingelse，hehadbeatherinsensible。
Andhehadchokedhernearlytodeath。Thecountry-sidewasup，withgunsandpistolslook-
ingfurthatnigger。Itwasn\'tnotroubleguessingwhatwouldhappentohimwhentheyketchedhim，neither。
“And，“saysDoctorKirby，whenwehearnofit，“IhopetohighheaventheyDOcatchhim！”
Theywasn\'tmuchdoubttheywould，either。
Theywasalreadybeatingupthewoodsandbushesandgangswasridingupanddowntheroads，andeverynigger\'shousefurmilesaroundwasbeingsearchedandwatched。
Wesoonseenwewouldhavetroublegettinghossesandariginthevillagetotakeustotherailroad。Manyofthehosseswasbeingriddenintheman-hunt。Andmostofthemenwhomighthavedonethedrivingwasbusyatthattoo。Thehotel-keeperhimselfhadlefthisplacestandingwideopenandwentout。Wedidn\'tgetanybreak-
fastneither。
“Danny，“saysthedoctor，“we\'lljustputenoughmoneytopaythebillinanenvelopeontheregisterhere，andstrikeoutonshank\'sponies。It\'sonlynineortenmilestotherailroad——we\'llwalk。“
“Buthowaboutourstuff？”Iastshim。Wehadtwobigcasesfullofsamplebottlesofthatdope，besidesoursuitcases。
“Hangthedope！”saysthedoctor，“Idon\'teverwanttoseeitorhearofitagain！We\'llleaveithere。Putthethingsoutofyoursuitcaseintomine，andleavethatheretoo。Samcancarrymine。Iwanttobeonthemove。“
Soweleft，withSamcarryingtheonesuitcase。
Itwasn\'tnineinthemorningyet，andwewasstartingoutpurtyemptyfuralongwalk。
“Sam，“saysthedoctor，aswewaspassingthatthereBigBethelchurch——anditshoweduptheresilentandshabbyinthemorning，likeaoldcolouredmanthatknowsaheapmore\'nhe\'sgoingtotell——
“Sam，wereyouatthemeetingherelastnight？”
“Yass，suh！”
“IsupposeitwasaprettytameaffairaftertheyfoundouttheirElishawasn\'tcomingafterall？”
Sam，hewalledhiseyes，andthenhekindofchuckled。
“Well，suh，“hesays，“I\'spicionsdemos\'on\'emdon\'knowdatYIT！”
Thedoctorastshimwhathemeans。
Itseemsthebishopmustofdonesomethinkingafterwelefthimintheroadoronhiswaybacktothatchurch。TheyhadallbeguntobelievethatthereElishyahwasonthewayto\'em，andthebishop\'screditwasmoreorlesswrappedupwithourbeingit。Itwastruehehadn\'tstartedthatbelief；butitwasbelieved，andhedidn\'tdaretostopitnow。Fur，ifhestoppedit，theywouldallthinkhehadfelldownonhisprophetics，evenalthoughhehadn\'tprophesiedjestexactlyus。
Hewasinatightplace，thatbishop，butIbetyoucouldalwaysdependonhimtogetoutofitwithhisflock。Sowhathetoldthemniggersatthemeetinglastnightwasthathebrung\'emamessagefromElishyah，Samsays，theElishyahthatwastocome。
AndthemessagewasthatthetimewasnotripefurhimtorevealhimselfasElishyahuntotheeyesofallmen，furtheyhadbeentoomuchsinfulnessandwickednessandwalkingintothewaysofevil，rightamongstthatverycongregation，anddisobedi-
enceofthebishop，whichwastheirguide。Andhehadsent\'emword，Elishyahhad，thatthebishopwashistrustedservant，andintothekeepingofthebishopwasgivethepowertodealwithhispeopleandpreparethemfurthegreatdaytocome。Andthebishopwouldgivethewordofhiscoming。Hewasabox，thatbishopwas，inspiteofhiscrazystreaks；andhehadfoundawaytomakehimselfstrongerthaneverwithhisbunchoutoftheverykindofthingthatwouldhavespoiledmostpeople\'sgraft。Theyhadhadabigmeetingtillnearlymorning，andthepowerhadhit\'emstrong。Samtoldusallaboutit。
Butthethingthatseemedtointerestthedoctor，andmadehimfrown，wastheideathatallthemniggersroundabouttherestillhadtheideahewasthefellerthathadbeenprophesiedtocome。AllexceptSam，mebby。Samhadspellswhenhewasrealsensible，andotherspellswhenhewasasbadasthebelievingestofthemall。
Itwasafineday，andreallyjoyoustobea-walking。
Itwouldofbeenagooddealjoyouserifwehadhadsomebreakfast，butwefiggeredwewouldstopsomewheresatnoonandlayinagood，square，countrymeal。
Thatwasn\'tsuchaverythicksettledcountry。
Buteverybodyseemedtoknowabouttheman-
huntthatwasgoingon，here，there，andeverywhere。
Peoplewouldcomedowntotheroadsideaswepassed，andgazeafterus。Ormebbyastusifweknowedwhetherhehadbeenketchedyet。
Womenandkidsmostly，oroldmen，butnowandthenayoungermantoo。Wenoticedtheywasn\'tnoniggerstospeakofthatwasn\'tbusier\'nallgetout，workingatsomethingorother，thatday。
Theyisconsiderablewoodsinthatcountryyet，thoughlotshasbeencutoff。Buttheywassome-
timesrightlongstretcheswheretheywouldbewoodsonbothsidesoftheroad，moreorlessthick，withunderbrushbetweenthetrees。Wetrampedalong，eachbusythinkinghisownthoughts，andhavingapurtygoodtimejestdoingthatwithouttherebeingnouseoftalking。IwasthinkingthatIlikedthedoctorbetterfurturninghisbackonallthisgame，jestwhenhemightofmadesomesortofadealwiththebishopandreallymadesomemoneyoutofitintheend。Heneverwassogoodabusinessmanashethoughthewas，DoctorKirbywasn\'t。Healwayscouldmakehimselfthinkhewas。Butwhenitcomerightdowntobrasstackshewasn\'t。YougivehimaschemethatwouldTALKwell，thekindofajoshtalkhelikedtogetofffurhisownenjoyment，andhewouldtakeupwithiteverytimeinsteadofonethathadmorepromiseofmoneytoitifitwasworkedharder。
HewasthinkingoftheTALKmore\'nhewasofthemoney，mostly；andhewasalwayssayingsome-
thingaboutartfurart\'ssake，whichwasplumbfoolishness，furheneverpaintednopictures。Well，henevergotoverbeingmoreorlessofapuzzletome。Butfursomereasonorotherthismorningheseemedtobeinabetterhumourwithhimself，afterwehadwalkedawhile，thanIhadseenhiminfuralongtime。
Wecometothetopofonelonghill，whichithadmadeussweattoclimb，andwithoutsayingnothingtoeachotherwebothstoppedandtookoffourhatsandwipedourforeheads，anddrawedlongbreaths，contenttostandtherefurjestaminuteortwoandlookaroundus。Theroadrunstraightahead，anddippeddown，andthenclumbupanotherhillaboutaneighthofamileinfrontofus。Itmadealittlevalley。Jestaboutthemiddle，betweenthetwohills，acrickmeanderedthroughthebottomland。Woodsgrowedalongthecrick，andalongbothsidesoftheroadwewastravelling。
Rightnighthecricktheywasanotherroadcomeoutofthewoodstotheleft-handside，andswitchedintotheroadwewastravelling，andusedthesamebridgetocrossthecrickby。Theywasthreeorfourhouseshereandthere，withchimbleysbuiltupontheoutsideofthem，andbluesmokecomingout。Westoodandlookedatthesightbeforeusandforgotallthetroubleswehadleftbehind，furacoupleofminutes——italllookedsopeacefulandquietandhomeyfiedandnice。
“Well，“saysthedoctor，afterwehadstoodthereapiece，“Iguesswebetterbemovingonagain，Danny。“
ButjestasSam，whowasfolleringalongbehindwiththatsuitcase，picksitupandputsitonhisheadagin，theycomeasound，fromawayoffinthedistancesomewheres，thatmadehimsetitdownquick。Andweallstopsinourtracksandlooksateachother。
Itwasthevoiceofahounddog——notsoawfulloud，butclearandmellowandtuneful，andcarriedtousonthewind。Andtheninaminuteitcomeagin，sharperandquicker。Theyyellslikethatwhentheyhavestruckascent。
Aswestoodandlookedateachothertheycomeacrackleintheunderbrush，jesttotheleftofus。
Weturnedourheadsthat-a-way，jestasaniggermangivealeaptothetopofarailfencethatseparatedtheroadfromthewoods。Hewasgoingsofastthatinsteadofclimbingthatfenceandbal-
ancingonthetopandjumpingoffhejestsimplyseemedtohitthetoprailandbounceonover，likehehadbeenthrowedoutoftheheartofthewoods，andhefellsprawlingoverandoverintheroad，rightbeforeourfeet。
Hewasontohisfeetinasecond，andfuraminutehestoodupstraightandlookedatus——anashes-
colourednigger，raggedandbleedingfromtheunder-
brush，red-eyed，andwithslaverstricklingfromhisredlips，andsobbingandgaspingandpantingfurbreath。Underhisbrownskin，wherehisshirtwastornopenacrosthischest，youcouldseethatnigger\'shearta-beating。
Butashelookedatustheycomeasuddenchangeacrosthisface——hemustofseenthedoctorbefore，andwithasobhethrowedhimselfonhiskneesintheroadandclaspedhishandsandheld\'emouttowardDoctorKirby。
“ELISHyah！ELISHyah！”hesingsout，rockingofhisbodyinakindoftune，“revealyo\'se\'f，revealyo\'se\'fan\'he\'pmeNOW！LawdGawdELISHyah，beckonfo\'aCHA\'iot，yo\'cha\'iotofFIAH！Lif\'me，lif\'me——lif\'meawayf\'umhyahinercha\'ioto\'FIAH！”
Thedoctor，heturnedhisheadaway，andI
knowedthethoughtworkinginhimwasthethoughtofthatwhitewomanthatwouldalwaysbeanidiotforlife，ifshelived。Buthislipswasdumb，andhisonehandstretcheditselfouttowardthatniggerintheroadandmadeawipingmotion，likehewastryingfurtowipethepictureofhim，andthethoughtofhim，off\'naslateforevermore。
Jestthen，nearerandlouderandsharper，andwithaneagersound，liketheyknowedtheyalmosthadhimnow，themhounds\'voicescomeringingthroughthewoods，andwiththemcomethemixed-
upshoutsofmen。
“RUN！”yellsSam，wavingofthatsuitcaseroundhishead，furoneniggerwillalwaystrytohelpanothernomatterwhathe\'sdone。“Runfo\'debranch——gityo\'footsindeworteran\'fling\'emoffdescent！”
Heboundeddownthehill，thatred-eyednigger，andleftusstandingthere。Butbeforehereachedthecrickthewholeman-huntcomebustingthroughthewoods，thedogsa-strainingattheirstraps。
Themenwasallonfoot，withgunsandpistolsintheirhands。Theyseenthenigger，andtheyallletoutayell，andwasafterhim。Theyketchedhimatthecrick，andtookhimoffalongthatroadthatturnedofftotheleft。IhearnlaterhewasamemberofBishopWarren\'scongregation，sotheyhunghimrightinfrontofBigBethelchurch。
Westoodthereontopofthehillandsawthechaseandcapture。DoctorKirby\'sfacewassweatingworsethanwhenwefirstclumbthehill。
Hewasthinkingaboutthatniggerthathadpleadedwithhim。Hewasthinkingalsoofthewoman。
Hewasgladithadn\'tbeenuptohimpersonalrightthenandtheretobuttinandstopalynching。
Hewasglad，furwiththemtwopicturesinfrontofhimhedidn\'tknowwhathewouldofdone。
“Thankheaven！”Ihearnhimsaytohimself。
“Thankheaventhatitwasn\'tREALLYinmypowertochoose！”
CHAPTERXVIII
Well，wehadporkandgreensfurdinnerthatday，withthebestcorn-breadIevereatanywheres，andbuttermilk，andsweetpotatopie。Wegot\'ematthehouseofafellernamedWithers——OldDaddyWithers。Whichiftheywaseveraniceroldmanthanhim，oraniceroldwomanthanhiswife，Ineverrunacrost\'emyet。
Theylivedallalone，themWitherses，withonlyacoupleofniggerstohelpthemruntheirfarm。
AfterweeatsourdinnerandSamgetshis\'nouttothekitchen，wesetsoutinfrontofthehouseandgetstotalkingwiththem，andgetsrealwellacquainted。
WhichwesoonfoundoutthesecretofoldDaddyWithers\'slife——thatthereinnocent-lookingoldjiggerwasapoet。Hewaskindofproudofitandkindofshamedofitbothtooncet。Thewayitcomeoutwaswhenthedoctorsaysoneofthemquotationsheisalwaysgettingoff，andtheoldmanhelookspleasedandsaystherestofthepieceitdroppedoutofstraightthrough。
Thentheyhadagreattimequotingitateachother，themtwo，andIseenthedoctorisgoodtoloafaroundtheretherestoftheday，likeasnot。
Purtysoontheoldladybeginstogetmightyproud-
lookingoversomethingorother，andsheleansoverandwhisperstotheoldman：
“ShallIbringitout，Lemuel？”
Theoldman，heshakeshishead，no。Butsheslipsintothehouseanyhow，andfetchesoutalittlebookwithapalegreencovertoit，andhandsittothedoctor。
“Blessmysoul，“saysDoctorKirby，lookingattheoldman，“youdon\'tmeantosayyouwriteverseyourself？”
Theoldman，hegetsredalloverhisface，andupintotherootsofhiswhitehair，anddownintohiswhitebeard，andmakesbelieveheisalittlemadattheoldladyfurshowinghimoffthat-a-way。
“Mother，“hesays，“yo\'shouldn\'thavedonethat！”Theyhadhadaboyyearsbefore，andhehaddied，buthealwayscalledhermotherthesameasiftheboywasliving。Hegoesintothehouseandgetshispipe，andbringsitoutandlightsit，actinglikethatbookofpoetrywasamightysmallmattertohim。ButhelooksatDoctorKirbyoutofthecornerofhiseyes，andcan\'tkeepfromgettingsortofeagerandtremblywithhispipe；andIcouldseehewasreallyanxiousoverwhatthedoctorwasthinkingofthempoemshewrote。Thedoctorreadssomeof\'emoutloud。
Well，itwaskindofhome-madepoetry，OldDaddyWithers\'swas。Itwasn\'tlikenootherpoetryIeverstruck。AndIcouldtellthedoctorwasthinkingthesameaboutit。Itsoundedsomehowlikeithadn\'tbeenjointedtogetherright。Youwouldkeeplisteningfurittorhyme，andgetallworkedupwatchingandwaitingfuritto，andmakebetswithyourselfwhetheritwouldrhymeoritwouldn\'t。
Andthenitginerallywouldn\'t。Ineverhearnsuchpoetrytogetaperson\'sexpectancesallworkedup，andthengobackon\'em。Butifyoucouldoftoldwhatitwasallabout，youwouldn\'tofmindedthatsomuch。Notthatyoucantellwhatmostpoetryisabout，butyoudon\'tcaresolongasitkeepshoppingalonglively。Whatyouwantinpoetrytomakehersoundgood，accordingtomywayofthinking，istomakeherjumplively，andthenstopwithabangontherhymes。ButDaddyWitherswassoindependent-likehewouldjestnatcherallytrytoforcetwowordstorhymewhethertheLordmade\'emfurmatesornot——likeasifyouwouldtrytomakeacoupleofkidskissandmakeupbybumpingtheirheadstogether。Theyjestsimplywon\'tdoit。ButDoctorKirby，heletonlikehethoughtitwasfinepoetry，andhereadthempiecesoverandoveragin，outloud，andtheoldmanandtheoldwomanwasbothmightytickledwiththewayhedoneit。Hewouldn\'tofhad\'emknowfuranythinghedidn\'tbelieveitwasthefinestpoetryeverwrote，DoctorKirbywouldn\'t。
Theywasfourlittlebooksofitaltogether。Slimbooksthatlookedasiftheyhadn\'thadenoughtoeat，likeastraycatwhoseribsisrubbingtogether。
IthadcostDaddyWithersfivehundreddollarsapiecetoget\'empublished。AfellerinBostonchargedhimthatmuch，hesaid。Itseemshewouldgoalongfuryears，rakingandscrapingofhismoneytogether，soastogetenoughaheadtogetoutanotherbook。Eachtimehehadhishopesthebignews-
paperswouldmebbypaysomeattentiontoit，andhewouldgetrecognized。
“Buttheyneverdid，“saidtheoldman，kindofsad，“italwaysfellflat。“
“Why，FATHER！”——theoldladybegins，andfinishesbyrunningbackintothehouseagin。SheisoutinaminutewithaclippingfromanewspaperandhandsitovertoDoctorKirby，asproudasakidwithcopper-toedboots。Thedoctorreadsitallthewaythrough，andthenhehandsitbackwithoutsayingaword。Theoldladygoesawaytofiddlearoundaboutthehouseworkpurtysoonandtheoldmanlooksatthedoctorandsays：
“Well，yousee，don\'tyou？”
“Yes，“saysthedoctor，verygentle。
“Iwouldn\'thaveHERknowfortheworld，“saysDaddyWithers。“_I_knowandYOUknowthatnews-
paperpieceisjustsimplypokingfunatmypoetry，andmakingafoolofme，thewholewaythrough。
AssoonasIreaditovercarefulIsawitwasn\'treallypraise，thoughtherewasaminuteortwoI
thoughtmyrecognitionhadcome。ButSHEdon\'tknowitain\'tseriousfromstarttofinish。SHEwasall-mightypleasedwhenthatpiececomeoutinprint。AndIdon\'tintendsheevershallknowitain\'trealpraise。“
HiswifewassoproudwhenthatpiececomeoutinthatNewYorkpaper，hesaid，shecriedoverit。
Shesaidnowshewasgladtheyhadbeendoingwithoutthingsfuryearsandyearssotheycouldgetthemlittlebooksprinted，oneaftertheother，furnowfamewascoming。Butsometimes，DaddyWitherssays，hesuspicionsshereallyknowshehasbeenmadeafoolof，andispertendingnottoseeit，furhissake，thesameasheispertendingfurHER
sake。Well，theywasamightyniceoldcouple，andthedoctordoneaheapofpertendingfurboththeirsakes——theywasn\'tnothingelsetodo。
“How\'dyoucometogetstartedatit？”heasts。
DaddyWitherssayshedon\'trightlyknow。
Mebby，hesays，itwaslivingthereallhislifeandwatchingthingsgrowing——watchingthecottongrow，andthecornandgettingacquaintedwithbirdsandanimalsandtreesandthings。Helpingofthingstogrow，hesays，isagoodwaytounder-
standhowGodmustfeelabouthumans。Forwhatyouplantandhelptogrow，hesays，youaresuretogettocaringaheapabout。Youcan\'thelpit。Andthatisthereason，hesays，Godcanbedependedontopullthehumanracethroughintheend，evenifappearancesdolooktobeaginHisdoingitsometimes，furHestartedittogrowinginthefirstplaceandthat-a-wayHegotinterestedpersonalinit。Andthatisthemainidea，hesays，hehasallthetimebeentryingtogetintothattherepoetryofhis\'n。Buthereckonsheain\'tgotherin。
Leastways，hesays，noonehasneverseenhertherebutthedoctorandtheoldladyandhimself。Well，formypart，Ineverwouldofseenittheremyself，butwhenhesaiditoutplainlikethatanyonecouldoftoldwhathemeant。
Youhadn\'torterlaythingsupaginfolksifthefolkscan\'thelp\'em。AndIwillsayDaddyWitherswasafineoldboyinspiteofhispoetry。Whichitneverreallydoneanyharm，exceptbeingexpensivetohim，andlotswilldrinkthatmuchupandneverfiggeritanexpense，butoneofthenecessitiesoflife。Wewentalloverhisplacewithhim，andwenoticedaroundhishousealotoftincanstackeduptopostsandtrees。Theywasfurthebirdstodrinkoutof，andallthebirdsaroundtherehadfoundoutaboutit，andaboutDaddyWithers，andwasn\'tscaredofhimatall。Hecouldgetacquaintedwithanimals，too，sothatafteralongspellsometimestheywouldevenlethimhandlethem。Butnotifanyonewasaround。Theywasacrowhehadmadeapetof，usedtohoparoundinfrontofhim，andtryfurtotalktohim。Ifhewenttosleepinthefrontyardwhilsthewasreading，thatcrowhadafavour-
itetrickofstealinghisspectaclesoff\'nhisnoseandflyinguptotheridgepoleofthehouse，andcawingathim。Oncehehadbeensettingoutarowoftomatoplantsverycareful，andhegottotheendoftherowandturnedaround，andthattherecrowhadbeenhoppingalongbehindverysollum，pullingupeachplantashesetitout。Itactedlikeithaddonesomethingmightysmart，andknowedit，thatcrow。SoafterthattheoldmannamedhimSatan，furhesaiditwasSatan\'stricktokeepthingsfromgrowing。Theywassomeblueandwhitepigeonswasn\'tscaredtocomeandsetonhisshoul-
ders；butyoucouldseetheoldmanreallylikedthatcrowSatanbetter\'nanyofthem。
Well，wehungaroundallafternoonlisteningtotheoldmantalk，andlikinghimbetterandbetter。
Firstthingweknoweditwasgettingalongtowardsuppertime。Andnothingwoulddobutwemuststaytosupper，too。WewaspintedtowardaplaceontherailroadcalledSmithtown，butwhenwefoundwecouldn\'tgetatrainfromtheretillteno\'clockthatnightanyhow，anditwasonlythreemilesaway，wesaidwe\'dstay。
Aftersupperwecalculatedwe\'dbettermove。
Buttheoldmanwouldn\'thearofuswalkingthatthreemiles。Soabouteighto\'clockhehitchedupamuletoaone-hosswagon，andwejoggedalong。
Theywasayallermoonsneakingupovertheedgeoftheworldwhenwestarted。Itwassolowdownintheskyyetthatitthrewlongshaddersontheroad，andtheywasthickandblackones，too。
Becausetheywasalotoftreesalongsidetheroad，andtheroadwasnarrow，wewentaheadmostlythroughthedarkness，withhereandtherepatchesofmoonlightsplashedontotheground。DoctorKirbyandOldManWitherswassettingontheseat，stillgassingawayaboutbooksandthings，andIwassettingonthesuitcaseinthewagonboxrightbehind\'em。Sam，hewassometimesinthebackofthewagon。Hehadbeenmore\'nhalfasleepallafternoon，butnowitwasnighthewaswakedup，thewayniggersandcatswilldo，andeveryonceinawhilehewouldgetoutbehindandcutafewcapersinamoonlightpatch，jestfurtheenjoymentofit，andthenrunandketchupwiththewagonandcrawlinagin，furitwasgoingpurtyslow。
Thegroundwassandyinspots，andIguesswemadeapurtygoodloadfurBeck，theoldmule。
Shestopped，goingupalittleslope，afterwehadwentaboutamilefromtheWitherses\'。Samsayshe\'llgetoutandwalk，furthewheelswasinpurtydeep，anditwashardgoing。
“Giddap，Beck！”saystheoldman。
ButBeck，shewon\'t。Shedon\'tstandlikesheisstuck，neither，butlikeshesensesdangersome-
wheresabout。Ahossmightgoaheadintodanger，butamuleismorecarefulofitselfandnevergoesbuttinginunlessitfeelssuretheyisawayout。
“Giddap，“saystheoldmanagin。
Butjestthentheshaddersonbothsidesoftheroadcomestolife。Theywakesup，andmovesallaboutus。ItwasdonesosuddenandquietitwashalfaminutebeforeIseenitwasn\'tshaddersbutaboutthirtymenhadgatheredallaboutusoneveryside。Theyhadguns。
“Whoareyou？Whatd\'yewant？”aststheoldman，startled，asthreeorfourtookcareofthemule\'sheadveryquickandquiet。
“Don\'tbeskeered，DaddyWithers，“saysadrawlyvoiceoutofthedark；“weain\'tgoin\'tohurtYOU。
Wegotalittlemattero\'businesstotendtowiththemtwofellersyo\'totin\'totown。“
CHAPTERXIX
Thirtymenwithgunswouldbeconsider-
ableofapropositiontobuckagainst，sowedidn\'ttryit。Theytookusoutofthewagon，andtheypintedusdowntheroad，steeringusfuracountryschoolhousewhichwas，Ijudgedfromtheirtalk，aboutaquarterofamileaway。
Theytookussilent，furafterwefoundtheydidn\'tanswernoquestionswequitaskingany。Wejestwalkedalong，andguessedwhatwewasupagainst，andwhy。DaddyWithers，hetrailedalongbehind。Theyhadtriedtosendhimalonghome，buthewouldn\'tgo。Sotheylethimfollerandpaidnomoreheedtohim。
Sam，hekepta-talkinganda-begging，andseveralmena-tellingofhimtoshutup。Andhimnota-doingit。Tillfinallyonefellersaysverydisgusted-like：
“Boys，I\'mgoingtoturnthisniggerloose。“
“We\'llwanthisevidence，“saysanotherone。
“Evidence！”saysthefirstone。“What\'stheevidenceofascaredniggerworth？”
“Ireckonthatonethisafternoonwasconsider-
ablescared，whenhegiveusthatevidenceagainsthimself——thatis，ifyoucallitevidence。“
“Aniggercangiveevidenceagainstanigger，andit\'sallright，“saysanothervoice——whichitcomefromafellerthathada-holtofmywristontheleft-handsideofme——“butthesearewhitemenwearegoingtotryto-night。Thecaseistooserioustotakeniggerevidence。Besides，Ireckonwegotalltheevidenceanyonecouldneed。Thisniggerain\'tchargedwithanycrimehimself，andmyideaisthatheain\'ttobeallowedtofigureonewayortheotherinthisthing。“
SotheyturnedSamloose。IneverseennorhearntellofSamsincethen。Theyfiredacoupleofgunsintotheairashestarteddowntheroad，jestfurfun，andmebbyheisrunningyet。
Thefellerhadbeentalkinglikehewasalawyer，soIastshimwhatcrimewewaschargedwith。Buthedidn\'tanswerme。Andjestthenwegetsinsightofthatschoolhouse。
Itsetontopofalittlehill，partiallyinthemoon-
light，withafewsad-lookingpinetreesscatteredaroundit，andthefenceinfrontbrokedown。
Evenafternightyoucouldseeitwasashabby-
lookinglittleplace。
OldDaddyWitherstiedhismuletothebrokendownfence。Somebodybustedthefrontdoordown。Somebodyelselightedmatches。ThefirstthingIknowed，wewasallinside，andfourorfivedirtylittlecoaloillamps，withtinreflectorsto\'em，whichIs\'posewasusedordinaryfurschoolexhibi-
tions，wasbeinglighted。
Wewaswaltzedupontotheteacher\'splatform，DoctorKirbyandme，andsetdowninchairsthere，withtwomentoeachofus，andthenatall，raw-
bonedfellerstalksuptotheteacher\'sdesk，andrapsonitwiththebuttendofapistol，andsays：
“Gentlemen，thismeetingwillcometoorder。“
Whichtheywasorderlyenoughbeforethat，buttheyalltookofftheirhatswhenherapped，likeinacourtroomorachurch，andmostof\'emsetdown。
Theysetdownintheschoolkids\'seats，orontopofthedesks，andtheirlegsstuckoutintotheaisles，andtheylookeduncomfortableandawkward。Buttheylookedearnestandtheylookedsollum，too，andtheywasn\'tnojokingnorskylarkinggoingon，nornokindofrowdyness，neither。Theseheremenwasn\'ttoughs，byanymannerofmeans，butthemostpartof\'emrespectablefarmers。Theyhadalookofmeaningbusiness。
“Gentlemen，“saysthefellerwhohadrapped，“whowillyouhaveforyourchairman？”
“Ireckonyou\'lldo，Will，“saysanotherfellertotheraw-bonedman，whichseemedtosatisfyhim。Buthemade\'emvoteonitbeforehetookoffice。
“Nowthen，“saysWill，“theaccusedmusthavecounsel。“
“Will，“saysanotherfeller，veryhasty，“what\'stheuseofallthisfussan\'feathers？YouknowaswellasIdothere\'snothinglegalaboutthis。It\'sonlynecessary。Formypart——“
“BuckHightower，“saysWill，poundingonthedesk，“youwillpleasecometoorder。“WhichBuckdoneit。
“Now，“saysthechairman，turningtowardDoctorKirby，whohadbeensettingtherelookingthoughtfulfromonemantoanother，likehewassizingeachoneup，“nowImustexplaintothechiefdefendantthatwedon\'tintendtolynchhim。“
HestoppedasecondonthatwordLYNCHasiftoletitsoakin。Thedoctor，hebowedtowardhimverycoolandceremonious，andsays，mockingofhim：
“Youreassureme，Mister——Mister——Whatisyourname？”Hesaiditinawaythatwouldofmadeasaintmad。
“Mynameain\'tanydifference，“saysWill，tryingnottoshowhewasnettled。
“Youarequiteright，“saysthedoctor，lookingWillupanddownfromheadtofoot，veryslowandinsulting，“it\'sofnoconsequenceintheworld。“
Will，heflushedup，buthemakeshimselfsteadyandcool，andhegoesonwithhislittlespeech：
“Thereistobenolynchinghereto-night。Thereistobeatrial，and，ifnecessary，anexecution。“
“Woulditbeaskingtoomuch，“saysthedoctorverypolite，“ifIweretoinquirewhoistobetried，andbeforewhatcourt，anduponwhatcharge？”
Therewasaclearingofthroatsandashufflingoffeetfuraminute。Oneolddeaffeller，witharednose，whohadhishandbehindhisearandwasleaningforwardsoasnottomissabreathofwhatanyonesaid，asthisneighbourinaloudwhisper，“How？”Thenanundersizedlittlefeller，whowasn\'tafarmerbyhisclothes，gotupandmovedtowardtheplatform。Hehadabulging-outfore-
head，andthinlips，andaquick，nervouswayabouthim：
“Youaretobetried，“hesaystothedoctor，speakinginakindofshrillsing-songthatcutyournervesinthatroomfullofbottled-upexcitementlikealocustonahotday。“Youaretobetriedbeforethisself-constitutedcourtofCaucasiancitizens——
Anglo-Saxons，sir，everymanofthem，whosefor-
bearswereatRunnymede！Thechargeagainstyouisstirringupthenegroesofthiscommunitytothepointofrevolt。Youareaccused，sir，ofrepresentingyourselftothemassomekindofaMoses。YouarearraignedhereforendangeringthepeaceofthecountyandthesupremacyoftheCaucasianracebyinspiringinthenegroesthehopeofequality。“
OldDaddyWithershadbeensettingbackbythedoor。Iseenhimgetupandslipout。Itdidn\'tlooktometobeanyplacefuragentleoldpoet。
Whilethatlittlefellerwasmakingthatchargeyoucouldfeeltheairgettingtingly，likeitdoesbeforearainstorm。
Somefellersstartedtoclaptheirhandslikeatapoliticalrallyandtosay，“Goit，Billy！”“That\'sright，Harden！”WhichIfoundoutlaterBillyHardenwasinthestatelegislature，andquiteaspeaker，andknowedit。Will，thechairman，hepoundeddowntheapplause，andthenhesaystothedoctor，pointingtoBillyHarden：
“Nomanshallsayofusthatwedidnotgiveyouafairtrialandasquaredeal。I\'mgoin\'toappointthisgentlemanasyourcounsel，andI\'mgoin\'togiveyouareasonabletimetotalkwithhiminpri-
vateandprepareyourcase。HeistheablestlawyerinsouthwestGeorgiaandthebrightestsonofWatsonCounty。“
ThedoctorlookskindoflazyandBillHarden，andbackaginatWill，thechairman，andsmilesoutofthecornerofhismouth。Thenhesays，sortoftakingintherestofthecrowdwithhisremark，likethemtwostandingtherepay-
ingeachothercomplimentswasn\'tnothingbutajoke：
“IhopeneitherofyouwilltakeittoomuchtoheartifI\'mnotimpressedbyyoursenseofjus-
tice——oryourfriend\'sability。“
“Then，“saidWill，“Itakeitthatyouintendtoactasyourowncounsel？”
“Youmaytakeit，“saysthedoctor，rousingofhimselfup，“youmaytakeit——fromme——thatIrefusetorecognizeyouandyourcrowdasacourtofanykind；thatIknownothingofthesillyaccusa-
tionsagainstme；thatIfindnoreasonatallwhyI
shouldtakethetroubleofmakingadefencebeforeanarmedmobthatcanonlymeanoneoftwothings。“
“Oneoftwothings？”saysWill。
“Yes，“saysthedoctor，veryquiet，butraisinghisvoicealittleandlookinghimhardintheeyes。
“Youandyourgangcanmeanonlyoneoftwothings。Eitherabadjoke，orelse——“
Andhestoppedasecond，leaningforwardinhischair，withthelookofhalfraisingoutofit，soastobringoutthewordverydecided——
“MURDER！”
Thewayhedoneitleftthattherewordhangingintheroom，soyoucouldalmostseeitandalmostfeelitthere，likeitwasathingthathadtobefacedandlookedatandtookintoaccount。Theyallfeltitthat-a-way，too；furtheywasn\'tasoundfuraminute。ThenWillsays：
“Wedon\'tplanmurder，andyou\'llfindthisain\'tajoke。Andsinceyourefusetoacceptcounsel——“
JestthenBuckHightowerinterruptshimbyyell-
ingout，“ImakeamotionBillyHardenbeprosecut-
ingattorney，then。Let\'shurrythisthingalong！”
Andseveralstartedtoapplaud，andcallfurBillyHardentoprosecute。ButWill，hepoundeddowntheapplauseagin，andsays：
“IwasabouttosuggestthatMr。Hardenmightbeprevailedupontoacceptthattask。“
“Yes，“saysthedoctor，verygentleandeasy。
“Quiteso！IfanciedmyselfthatMr。Hardencamealongwiththeideaofmakingaspeecheitherfororagainst。“AndhegrinnedatBillyHardeninawaythatseemedtomakehimwild，thoughhetriednottoshowit。Somehowthedoctorseemedtobeallkeyedup，insteadofscared，likeafellerthat\'shadjestenoughtodrinktogivehimafightingedge。
“Mr。Chairman，“saysBillyHarden，flushingupandstutteringjestalittle，“Ib-begleavetod-d-decline。“
“What，“saysthedoctor，sortofplayingwithBillywithhiseyesandgrin，andturningliketoletthewholecrowdinonthejoke，“DECLINE？Theeminentgentlemandeclines！Andheisgoingtositdown，too，withallthatspeechbottledupinhim！ODemosthenes！”hesays，“youhavelostyourpebbleinfrontofallGreece。“
SeveralgrinnedatBillyHardenashesetdown，andthreeorfourlaughedoutright。Iguessabouthalfofthemthereknowedhimfurawindbag，andsomewasn\'tsorrytoseehimjoshed。ButIseenwhatthedoctorwastryingtodo。Heknowedhewasinanawfultightplace，andhewasfeelingthatcrowd\'spulse，sotospeak。Hehadbeentalkingtocrowdsfurtwentyyears，andheknowedthekindofsuddenturnstheywilltake，andhowtotakeadvantageof\'em。Hewasplanningandfiggeringinhismindallthetimejestwhatsidetoketch\'emon，andhowtosplituptheone，solidcrowd-mindintodifferentminds。ButthelittlebitofalaughheturnedagainstBillyHardenwasonlyonthesurface，likeastrawfloatingonawhirl-
pool。Thesemenwasherefurbusiness。
BuckHightowerjumpsupandsays：
“Will，I\'mgettingtiredofthiscourtfoolishness。
Thequestionis，Doesthismancomeintothiscountyanddowhathehasdoneandgetoutagain？
Weknowallabouthim。Hesneakedinhereandgaveouthewasheretoturntheniggerswhite——
thathewassomekindofanew-fangledJesussentespeciallytoniggers，whichisblasphemyinitself——
andhe\'sgot\'emstirredup。They\'reboilin\'andfesterin\'withnotionsofequalitytillwe\'reluckyifwedon\'thavetolynchadozenof\'em，liketheydidinAtlantalastsummer，toget\'embackintotheirplacesagain。Dowesaveourselvesmoretroublebystringinghimupasawarningtothenegroes？Ordoweinvitetroublebyturninghimloose？Which？Allitneedsisavote。“
Andhesetdownagin。Youcouldseehehadmadeahitwiththeboys。Theywasakindofagrowlrolledaroundtheroom。Thefeelingsinthatplacewasgettingstrongerandstronger。I
wasscared，buttryingnottoshowit。Myfingerskeptfeelingaroundinmypocketfursomethingthatwasn\'tthere。Butmybraincouldn\'trememberwhatmyfingerswasfeelingfur。ThenitcomeonmesuddenitwasabuckeyeIpickedupinthewoodsinIndianyoneday，andIhadlostit。Iain\'tsuper-
stitiousaboutbuckeyesorhorse-shoes，butremem-
beringIhadlostitsomehowmademefeelworse。
ButDoctorKirbyhadagoodholtonhimself；hisfacewasabitredder\'nusual，andhiseyeswasspark-
ling，andhewasbotheagerandwatchful。WhenBuckHightowersetsdownthechairmanclearshisthroatlikeheisgoingtospeak。But——
“Justamoment，“saysDoctorKirby，gettingonhisfeet，andtakingasteptowardthechairman。
Andthewayhestoppedandstoodmadeeverybodylookathim。Thenhewenton：
“Oncemore，“hesays，“Icalltheattentionofeverymanpresenttothefactthatwhatthelastspeakerproposesis——“
Andthenhelet\'emhavethatwordagin，fullintheirfaces，tothinkabout——
“MURDER！Merelymurder。“
Hewasboundtheyshouldn\'tgetawayfromthatwordandwhatitstoodfur。AndeverymanthereDIDthink，too，furtheywasanotherlittlepause。
Andnotoneof\'emlookedatanotheronefuraminute。DoctorKirbyleanedforwardfromtheplatform，runninghiseyesoverthecrowd，andjestnatcherallyshovedthatwordintotheroomsohardwithhismindthateverymindtherehadtotakeitin。
Butasheheld\'emtoittheycomeabangfromoneofthewindows。Itbrokethecharm。Fureverybodyjumped。Ijumpedmyself。Whentheendoftheworldcomesandtheearthbustsinthemiddle，itwon\'tsoundnolouderthanthatbangdid。Itwasawoodenshutter。Thewindwasris-
ingoutside，anditflewopenandwhackedagin\'
thebuilding。
Thenabig，heavy-setmanthathadn\'tspokebeforerizupfromoneofthehindseats，likehehadheardadaretofight，andwalkedslowlydowntowardthefront。Hehadaredface，whichwasconsiderablepock-marked，andverydeep-seteyes，andadeepvoice。
“Sincewhen，“hesays，takinguphisstandadozenfeetorsoinfrontofthedoctor，“sincewhenhasanycivilizationrefusedtocommitmurderwhenmurderwasnecessaryforitsprotection？”
Oneofthetopglassesofthatwindowwasout，andwiththeshutteropentheycomeabreezethroughthatflutteredsomestripsofdirty-colouredpapers，fly-speckedanddustyandspider-webbed，thathungonstringsacrosttheroom，jestbelowtheceiling。IguesstheyhadbeenleftoverfromsomeChristmasdoings。
“Myfriend，“saidthepock-markedmantothedoctor——andthefunnythingaboutitwashedidn\'ttalkunfriendlywhenhesaidit——“thewordyouinsistonisjustaWORD，likeanyotherword。“
Theywasaspiderroustedoutofhiswebbythatdisturbanceamongthestringsandpapers。Hestarteddownfromaboveonjestonestringofweb，seeminglyspinningpartofitoutofhimselfashecome，thewaytheydo。Icouldn\'tkeepmyeyesoff\'nhim。
“Murder，“saysthedoctor，“isathing。“
“ItisaWORD，“saystheotherman，“FORathing。
Forathingwhichsometimesseemsnecessary。
Lynching，war，execution，murder——theyareallwordsfordifferentwaysofwipingouthumanlife。
Killingsometimesseemswrong，andsometimesright。Butrightorwrong，andwithonewordoranothertackedtoit，itisDONEwhenacommunitywantstogetridofsomethingdangeroustoit。“
Thattherespiderwasasquat，ugly-lookingdevil，huncheduponhisstringamongstallhiscrookedlegs。Thewindwouldcomeinlittlepuffs，andswinghimalittlewaytowardthedoctor\'shead，andthentowardthepock-markedman\'shead，backandforthandbackandforth，betweenthemtwoastheyspoke。Itlookedtomelikehewaslisteningtowhattheysaidandwaitingfursomething。
“Murder，“saysthedoctor，“ismurder——illegalkilling——andyoucan\'tmakeanythingelseoutofit，ortalkanythingelseintoit。“
Itcometomealltooncetthatthatuglyspiderwasswingingbackandforthlikethependulumonaclock，andmarkingtime。Iwonderedhowmuchtimetheywasleftintheworld。
“Itwouldbenonethelessamurder，“saidthepock-markedman，“ifyouweretobehangedafteratrialinsomecountycourt。Societyhadbeenobligedtodenytheprivilegeofcommittingmurdertotheindividualandreserveitforthecommunity。
Ifourcommunalsensesaysyoushoulddie，thethingisneitherbetternorworsethanifasheriffhangedyou。“
“Iamnottobehangedbyasheriff，“saysthedoctor，verycoolandsteady，“becauseIhavecom-
mittednocrime。Iamnottobekilledbyyoubecauseyoudarenot，inspiteofallyousay，outragethelawtothatextent。“
Andtheylookedeachotherintheeyessolongandhardthateveryoneelseintheschoolhouseheldtheirbreath。
“DAREnot？”saysthepock-markedman。Andhereachedforwardslowandtookthatspiderinhishand，andcrusheditthere，andwipedhishandalonghispantsleg。“Darenot？YES，BUTWEDARE。
Theonlyquestionforusmenhereiswhetherwedaretoletyougofree。“
“Yourdefenceoflynching，“saysDoctorKirby，“showsthatyou，atleast，areamanwhocanthink。
TellmewhatIamaccusedof？”
Andthenthetrialbeguninearnest。
CHAPTERXX
Thedoctoractedashisownlawyer，andthepock-markedman，whosenamewasGrimes，asthelawyeraginus。Youcouldseethatcrowdhadmadeupitsmindbefore-hand，andwasonlygivinguswhattheycalledatrialtosatisfytheirownconscience。Butthefightwasbe-
twixtGrimesandDoctorKirbythehullwaythrough。
OnewitnesswasafellerthathadbeeninthehotelatCottonvillethenightwestruckthatplace。Wehaddrunksomeofhislicker。
“Thismanadmittedhimselfthathewasheretoturntheniggerswhite，“saidthewitness。
DoctorKirbyhadtold\'emwhatkindofmedicinehewasselling。Webothrememberedit。Webothhadtoadmitit。
ThenextwitnesswasthefellerthatrunthetavernatBairdstown。Hehadwithhim，furproof，abottleofthestuffwehadbroughtwithus。Hetoldhowwehadwentawayandleftittherethatverymorning。
Anotherwitnesstoldofseeingthedoctortalkingintheroadtothatthereniggerbishop。Whichanyonecouldofseeniteasyenough，furtheywasn\'tnothingsecretaboutit。Wehadmethimbyac-
cident。Butyoucouldseeitmadeaginus。
AnotherwitnesssayshelivesnotfurfromthatBigBethelchurch。Hesayshehasnoticedtheniggerswasworkedupaboutsomethingfurseveraldays。Theyarekeepingthecauseofitsecret。HewentovertoBigBethelchurchthenightbefore，hesaid，andhelistenedoutsideoneofthewindowstofindoutwhatkindofdoctrinethatcrazybishopwaspreachingtothem。Theywasallsoworkedup，andthepowerwaswith\'emsostrong，andtheywassoexcitedtheywouldn\'tofhearnanarmymarch-
ingby。HehadhearnthebishopdeliveramessagetohisflockfromtheMessiah。Hehadseenhimgowild，afterward，andpreachanequalitysermon。
Thatwasthelyingmessagetheoldbishophadtookto\'em，andthatSamhadtoldusabout。Buthowwasthisfellertoknowitwasalie？Hebelievedinit，andhetolditinastraight-aheadwaythatwouldmakeanyoneseehewastellingthetruthashethoughtittobe。
Thentheywassixotherwitnesses。Allhadbeeninthegangthatlynchedtheniggerthatday。Thatniggerhadconfessedhiscrimebeforehewaslynched。
HehadtoldhowtheniggershadbeenexpectingofaMessiahfurseveraldays，andhowthedoctorwashim。Hehaddieda-preachinganda-prophesyingandthinkingtothelastminutemaybehewasgoingtogettookupinachariotoffire。
Thingskeptlookingworseandworsefurus。
Theyhadthestoryastheniggersthoughtittobe。
Theythoughtthedoctorhaddeliberatelyrepre-
sentedhimselfassuch，insteadofwhichthedoc-
torhadrefusedtoberepresentedasthatthereMessiah。Morethanthat，hehadneversoldabottleofthatmedicine。Hehadflungtheideaofsellingitwaybehindhimjestassoonasheseenwhatthesituationreallywasintheblackcoun-
ties。Hehadevendespisedhimselffurgoingintoit。Butthelooksofthingswasalltheotherway。
Thenthedoctorgivehisowntestimony。
“Gentlemen，“hesays，“itistruethatIcamedownheretotryoutthatstuffinthebottlethere，andseeifamarketcouldbeworkedupforit。Itisalsotruethat，afterIcamehereanddiscoveredwhatconditionswere，Idecidednottosellthestuff。
Ididn\'tsellany。AboutthisMessiahbusinessI
knowverylittlemorethanyoudo。Thesituationwascreated，andIblunderedintoit。IsentthenegroeswordthatIwasnotthepersontheyex-
pected。Thebishopliedtothem。Thatismywholestory。“
Buttheydidn\'tbelievehim。Furitwasjestwhathewouldofsaidifhehadbeenguilty，astheythoughthim。AndthenGrimesgetsupandsays：
“Gentlemen，Idemandforthisprisonerthepenaltyofdeath。
“Hehaslenthimselftoasituationcalculatedtodisturbinthiscountythepeacefuldominationoftheblackracebythewhite。
“HeisaNorthernman。Butthatisnotagainsthim。Ifthiswereacasewhereleniencywerepossi-
ble，itshouldcountforhim，asindicatinganig-
noranceofthegravityofconditionswhichconfrontushere，everydayandallthetime。Ifheweremyownbrother，Iwouldstilldemandhisdeath。
“Lestheshouldthinkmyattitudedictatedbyanylingeringsectionalprejudice，Imaytellhimwhatyouallknow——youpeopleamongwhomIhavelivedforthirtyyears——thatIamaNorthernmanmyself。