ItwasSemperIdem'srecoverywhichhadsofullycompensatedDoctorBicknellforthelossofthesailorman。Livesweretohimasnothing，theunpleasantbutinevitableincidentsoftheprofession，butcases，ah，caseswereeverything。Peoplewhoknewhimwerepronetobrandhimabutcher，buthiscolleagueswereatoneinthebeliefthatabolderandyetamorecapablemanneverstoodoverthetable。Hewasnotanimaginativeman。Hedidnotpossess，andhencehadnotolerancefor，emotion。Hisnaturewasaccurate，precise，scientific。Menweretohimnomorethanpawns，withoutindividualityorpersonalvalue。Butascasesitwasdifferent。Themorebrokenamanwas，themoreprecarioushisgriponlife，thegreaterhissignificanceintheeyesofDoctorBicknell。Hewouldasreadilyforsakeapoetlaureatesufferingfromacommonaccidentforanameless，mangledvagrantwhodefiedeverylawoflifebyrefusingtodie，aswouldachildforsakeaPunchandJudyforacircus。
SoithadbeeninthecaseofSemperIdem。Themysteryofthemanhadnotappealedtohim，norhadhissilenceandtheveiledromancewhichtheyellowreportershadsosensationallyandsofruitlesslyexploitedindiversSundayeditions。ButSemperIdem'sthroathadbeencut。Thatwasthepoint。Thatwaswherehisinteresthadcentred。Cutfromeartoear，andnotonesurgeoninathousandtogiveasnapofthefingersforhischanceofrecovery。But，thankstotheswiftmunicipalambulanceserviceandtoDoctorBicknell，hehadbeendraggedbackintotheworldhehadsoughttoleave。TheDoctor'sco-workershadshakentheirheadswhenthecasewasbroughtin。Impossible，theysaid。Throat，windpipe，jugular，allbutactuallysevered，andthelossofbloodfrightful。Asitwassuchaforegoneconclusion，DoctorBicknellhademployedmethodsanddonethingswhichmadethem，evenintheirprofessionalcapacities，shudder。Andlo!
themanhadrecovered。
So，onthismorningthatSemperIdemwastoleavethehospital，haleandhearty，DoctorBicknell'sgenialitywasinnowisedisturbedbythesteward'sreport，andheproceededcheerfullytobringorderoutofthechaosofachild'sbodywhichhadbeengroundandcrunchedbeneaththewheelsofanelectriccar。
Asmanywillremember，thecaseofSemperIdemarousedavastdealofunseemlyyethighlynaturalcuriosity。Hehadbeenfoundinaslumlodging，withthroatcutasaforementioned，andblooddrippingdownupontheinmatesoftheroombelowanddisturbingtheirfestivities。Hehadevidentlydonethedeedstanding，withheadbowedforwardthathemightgazehislastuponaphotographwhichstoodonthetableproppedagainstacandlestick。ItwasthisattitudewhichhadmadeitpossibleforDoctorBicknelltosavehim。Soterrifichadbeenthesweepoftherazorthathadhehadhisheadthrownback，asheshouldhavedonetohaveaccomplishedtheactproperly，withhisneckstretchedandtheelasticvascularwallsdistended，hewouldhaveofacertaintywell-nighdecapitatedhimself。
Atthehospital，duringallthetimehetravelledtherepugnantroadbacktolife，notawordhadlefthislips。Norcouldanythingbelearnedofhimbythesleuthsdetailedbythechiefofpolice。Nobodyknewhim，norhadeverseenorheardofhimbefore。Hewasstrictly，uniquely，ofthepresent。Hisclothesandsurroundingswerethoseofthelowestlabourer，hishandsthehandsofagentleman。Butnotashredofwritingwasdiscovered，nothing，saveinoneparticular，whichwouldservetoindicatehispastorhispositioninlife。
Andthatoneparticularwasthephotograph。Ifitwereatallalikeness，thewomanwhogazedfranklyoutupontheonlookerfromthecard-mountmusthavebeenastrikingcreatureindeed。Itwasanamateurproduction，forthedetectiveswerebaffledinthatnoprofessionalphotographer'ssignatureorstudiowasappended。Acrossacornerofthemount，indelicatefemininetracery，waswritten:"Semperidem；semperfidelis。"
Andshelookedit。Asmanyrecollect，itwasafaceonecouldneverforget。Cleverhalf-tones，remarkablylike，werepublishedinalltheleadingpapersatthetime；butsuchproceduregaverisetonothingbuttheuncontrollablepubliccuriosityandinterminablecopytothespace-writers。
Forwantofabettername，therescuedsuicidewasknowntothehospitalattendants，andtotheworld，asSemperIdem。AndSemperIdemheremained。
Reporters，detectives，andnursesgavehimupindespair。Notonewordcouldhebepersuadedtoutter；yettheflittingconsciouslightofhiseyesshowedthathisearsheardandhisbraingraspedeveryquestionputtohim。
ButthismysteryandromanceplayednopartinDoctorBicknell'sinterestwhenhepausedintheofficetohaveapartingwordwithhispatient。He，theDoctor，hadperformedaprodigyinthematterofthisman，donewhatwasvirtuallyunprecedentedintheannalsofsurgery。Hedidnotcarewhoorwhatthemanwas，anditwashighlyimprobablethatheshouldeverseehimagain；but，liketheartistgazinguponafinishedcreation，hewishedtolookforthelasttimeupontheworkofhishandandbrain。
SemperIdemstillremainedmute。Heseemedanxioustobegone。NotawordcouldtheDoctorextractfromhim，andlittletheDoctorcared。Heexaminedthethroatoftheconvalescentcarefully，idlingoverthehideousscarwiththelingering，half-caressingfondnessofaparent。Itwasnotaparticularlypleasingsight。Anangrylinecircledthethroat——foralltheworldasthoughthemanhadjustescapedthehangman'snoose——and，disappearingbelowtheearoneitherside，hadtheappearanceofcompletingthefieryperipheryatthenapeoftheneck。
Maintaininghisdoggedsilence，yieldingtotheother'sexaminationinmuchthemannerofaleashedlion，SemperIdembetrayedonlyhisdesiretodropfromoutofthepubliceye。
"Well，I'llnotkeepyou，"DoctorBicknellfinallysaid，layingahandontheman'sshoulderandstealingalastglanceathisownhandiwork。"Butletmegiveyouabitofadvice。Nexttimeyoutryiton，holdyourchinup，so。Don'tsnuggleitdownandbutcheryourselflikeacow。Neatnessanddespatch，youknow。Neatnessanddespatch。"
SemperIdem'seyesflashedintokenthatheheard，andamomentlaterthehospitaldoorswungtoonhisheel。
ItwasabusydayforDoctorBicknell，andtheafternoonwaswellalongwhenhelightedacigarpreparatorytoleavingthetableuponwhichitseemedthesufferersalmostclamouredtobelaid。Butthelastone，anoldrag-pickerwithabrokenshoulder-blade，hadbeendisposedof，andthefirstfragrantsmokewreathshadbeguntocurlabouthishead，whenthegongofahurryingambulancecamethroughtheopenwindowfromthestreet，followedbytheinevitableentryofthestretcherwithitsghastlyfreight。
"Layitonthetable，"theDoctordirected，turningforamomenttoplacehiscigarinsafety。"Whatisit？"
"Suicide——throatcut，"respondedoneofthestretcherbearers。"DownonMorganAlley。Littlehope，Ithink，sir。He's'mostgone。"
"Eh？Well，I'llgivehimalook，anyway。"Heleanedoverthemanatthemomentwhenthequickmadeitslastfaintflutterandsuccumbed。
"It'sSemperIdemcomebackagain，"thestewardsaid。
"Ay，"repliedDoctorBicknell，"andgoneagain。Nobunglingthistime。
Properlydone，uponmylife，sir，properlydone。Tookmyadvicetotheletter。I'mnotrequiredhere。Takeitalongtothemorgue。"
DoctorBicknellsecuredhiscigarandrelightedit。"That，"hesaidbetweenthepuffs，lookingatthesteward，"thatevensupfortheoneyoulostlastnight。We'requitsnow。"
ANOSEFORTHEKING
InthemorningcalmofKorea，whenitspeaceandtranquillitytrulymeriteditsancientname，"Cho-sen，"therelivedapoliticianbynameYiChinHo。
Hewasamanofparts，and——whoshallsay？——perhapsinnowiseworsethanpoliticianstheworldover。But，unlikehisbrethreninotherlands，YiChinHowasinjail。Notthathehadinadvertentlydivertedtohimselfpublicmoneys，butthathehadinadvertentlydivertedtoomuch。Excessistobedeploredinallthings，eveningrafting，andYiChinHo'sexcesshadbroughthimtomostdeplorablestraits。
TenthousandstringsofcashheowedtheGovernment，andhelayinprisonundersentenceofdeath。Therewasoneadvantagetothesituation——hehadplentyoftimeinwhichtothink。Andhethoughtwell。Thencalledhethejailertohim。
"Mostworthyman，youseebeforeyouonemostwretched，"hebegan。"Yetallwillbewellwithmeifyouwillbutletmegofreeforoneshorthourthisnight。Andallwillbewellwithyou，forIshallseetoyouradvancementthroughtheyears，andyoushallcomeatlengthtothedirectorshipofalltheprisonsofCho-sen。"
"Hownow？"demandedthejailer。"Whatfoolishnessisthis？Oneshorthour，andyoubutwaitingforyourheadtobechoppedoff!AndI，withanagedandmuch-to-be-respectedmother，nottosayanythingofawifeandseveralchildrenoftenderyears!Outuponyouforthescoundrelthatyouare!"
"FromtheSacredCitytotheendsofalltheEightCoaststhereisnoplaceformetohide，"YiChinHomadereply。"Iamamanofwisdom，butofwhatworthmywisdomhereinprison？WereIfree，wellIknowIcouldseekoutandobtainthemoneywherewithtorepaytheGovernment。Iknowofanosethatwillsavemefromallmydifficulties。"
"Anose!"criedthejailer。
"Anose，"saidYiChinHo。"Aremarkablenose，ifImaysayso，amostremarkablenose。"
Thejailerthrewuphishandsdespairingly。"Ah，whatawagyouare，whatawag，"helaughed。"Tothinkthatthatveryadmirablewitofyoursmustgothewayofthechopping-block!"
Andsosaying，heturnedandwentaway。Butintheend，beingamansoftofheadandheart，whenthenightwaswellalonghepermittedYiChinHotogo。
StraighthewenttotheGovernor，catchinghimaloneandarousinghimfromhissleep。
"YiChinHo，orI'mnoGovernor!"criedtheGovernor。"Whatdoyouherewhoshouldbeinprisonwaitingonthechopping-block？"
"IprayYourExcellencytolistentome，"saidYiChinHo，squattingonhishamsbythebedsideandlightinghispipefromthefire-box。"Adeadmaniswithoutvalue。Itistrue，Iamasadeadman，withoutvaluetotheGovernment，toYourExcellency，ortomyself。Butif，sotosay，YourExcellencyweretogivememyfreedom——"
"Impossible!"criedtheGovernor。"Beside，youarecondemnedtodeath。"
"YourExcellencywellknowsthatifIcanrepaythetenthousandstringsofcash，theGovernmentwillpardonme，"YiChinHowenton。"So，asIsay，ifYourExcellencyweretogivememyfreedomforafewdays，beingamanofunderstanding，IshouldthenrepaytheGovernmentandbeinpositiontobeofservicetoYourExcellency。IshouldbeinpositiontobeofverygreatservicetoYourExcellency。"
"Haveyouaplanwherebyyouhopetoobtainthismoney？"askedtheGovernor。
"Ihave，"saidYiChinHo。
"Thencomewithittometo-morrownight；Iwouldnowsleep，"saidtheGovernor，takinguphissnorewhereithadbeeninterrupted。
Onthefollowingnight，havingagainobtainedleaveofabsencefromthejailer，YiChinHopresentedhimselfattheGovernor'sbedside。
"Isityou，YiChinHo？"askedtheGovernor。"Andhaveyoutheplan？"
"ItisI，YourExcellency，"answeredYiChinHo，"andtheplanishere。"
"Speak，"commandedtheGovernor。
"Theplanishere，"repeatedYiChinHo，"hereinmyhand。"
TheGovernorsatupandopenedhiseyes。YiChinHoprofferedinhishandasheetofpaper。TheGovernorheldittothelight。
"Nothingbutanose，"saidhe。
"Abitpinched，so，andso，YourExcellency，"saidYiChinHo。
"Yes，abitpinchedhereandthere，asyousay，"saidtheGovernor。
"Withalitisanexceedingcorpulentnose，thus，andso，allinoneplace，attheend，"proceededYiChinHo。"YourExcellencywouldseekfarandwideandmanyadayforthatnoseandfinditnot!"
"Anunusualnose，"admittedtheGovernor。
"Thereisawartuponit，"saidYiChinHo。
"Amostunusualnose，"saidtheGovernor。"NeverhaveIseenthelike。
Butwhatdoyouwiththisnose，YiChinHo？"
"IseekitwherebytorepaythemoneytotheGovernment，"saidYiChinHo。
"IseekittobeofservicetoYourExcellency，andIseekittosavemyownworthlesshead。Further，IseekYourExcellency'ssealuponthispictureofthenose。"
AndtheGovernorlaughedandaffixedthesealofState，andYiChinHodeparted。ForamonthandadayhetravelledtheKing'sRoadwhichleadstotheshoreoftheEasternSea；andthere，onenight，atthegateofthelargestmansionofawealthycityheknockedloudlyforadmittance。
"NoneotherthanthemasterofthehousewillIsee，"saidhefiercelytothefrightenedservants。"ItravelupontheKing'sbusiness。"
Straightwaywasheledtoaninnerroom，wherethemasterofthehousewasrousedfromhissleepandbroughtblinkingbeforehim。
"YouarePakChungChang，headmanofthiscity，"saidYiChinHointonesthatwereall-accusing。"IamupontheKing'sbusiness。"
PakChungChangtrembled。WellheknewtheKing'sbusinesswaseveraterriblebusiness。Hiskneessmotetogether，andhenearfelltothefloor。
"Thehourislate，"hequavered。"Wereitnotwellto——"
"TheKing'sbusinessneverwaits!"thunderedYiChinHo。"Comeapartwithme，andswiftly。Ihaveanaffairofmomenttodiscusswithyou。
"ItistheKing'saffair，"headdedwithevengreaterfierceness；sothatPakChungChang'ssilverpipedroppedfromhisnervelessfingersandclatteredonthefloor。
"Knowthen，"saidYiChinHo，whentheyhadgoneapart，"thattheKingistroubledwithanaffliction，averyterribleaffliction。Inthathefailedtocure，theCourtphysicianhashadnothingelsethanhisheadchoppedoff。FromalltheEightProvinceshavethephysicianscometowaitupontheKing。Wiseconsultationhavetheyheld，andtheyhavedecidedthatforaremedyfortheKing'safflictionnothingelseisrequiredthananose，acertainkindofnose，averypeculiarcertainkindofnose。
"ThenbynoneotherwasIsummonedthanHisExcellencythePrimeMinisterhimself。Heputapaperintomyhand。UponthispaperwastheverypeculiarkindofnosedrawnbythephysiciansoftheEightProvinces，withthesealofStateuponit。
"'Go，'saidHisExcellencythePrimeMinister。'Seekoutthisnose，fortheKing'safflictionissore。Andwheresoeveryoufindthisnoseuponthefaceofaman，strikeitoffforthrightandbringitinallhastetotheCourt，fortheKingmustbecured。Go，andcomenotbackuntilyoursearchisrewarded。'
"AndsoIdeparteduponmyquest，"saidYiChinHo。"Ihavesoughtouttheremotestcornersofthekingdom；IhavetravelledtheEightHighways，searchedtheEightProvinces，andsailedtheseasoftheEightCoasts。AndhereIam。"
Withagreatflourishhedrewapaperfromhisgirdle，unrolleditwithmanysnappingsandcracklings，andthrustitbeforethefaceofPakChungChang。Uponthepaperwasthepictureofthenose。
PakChungChangstareduponitwithbulgingeyes。
"NeverhaveIbeheldsuchanose，"hebegan。
"Thereisawartuponit，"saidYiChinHo。
"NeverhaveIbeheld——"PakChungChangbeganagain。
"Bringyourfatherbeforeme，"YiChinHointerruptedsternly。
"Myancientandvery-much-to-be-respectedancestorsleeps，"saidPakChungChang。
"Whydissemble？"demandedYiChinHo。"Youknowitisyourfather'snose。
BringhimbeforemethatImaystrikeitoffandbegone。Hurry，lestI
makebadreportofyou。"
"Mercy!"criedPakChungChang，fallingonhisknees。"Itisimpossible!
Itisimpossible!Youcannotstrikeoffmyfather'snose。Hecannotgodownwithouthisnosetothegrave。Hewillbecomealaughterandabyword，andallmydaysandnightswillbefilledwithwoe。Oreflect!
Reportthatyouhaveseennosuchnoseinyourtravels。You，too，haveafather。"
PakChungChangclaspedYiChinHo'skneesandfelltoweepingonhissandals。
"Myheartsoftensstrangelyatyourtears，"saidYiChinHo。"I，too，knowfilialpietyandregard。But——"Hehesitated，thenadded，asthoughthinkingaloud，"Itisasmuchasmyheadisworth。"
"Howmuchisyourheadworth？"askedPakChungChanginathin，smallvoice。
"Anotremarkablehead，"saidYiChinHo。"Anabsurdlyunremarkablehead；
but，suchismygreatfoolishness，Ivalueitatnothinglessthanonehundredthousandstringsofcash。"
"Sobeit，"saidPakChungChang，risingtohisfeet。
"Ishallneedhorsestocarrythetreasure，"saidYiChinHo，"andmentoguarditwellasIjourneythroughthemountains。Therearerobbersabroadintheland。"
"Therearerobbersabroadintheland，"saidPakChungChang，sadly。"Butitshallbeasyouwish，solongasmyancientandvery-much-to-be-
respectedancestor'snoseabideinitsappointedplace。"
"Saynothingtoanymanofthisoccurrence，"saidYiChinHo，"elsewillotherandmoreloyalservantsthanIbesenttostrikeoffyourfather'snose。"
AndsoYiChinHodepartedonhiswaythroughthemountains，blitheofheartandgayofsongashelistenedtothejinglingbellsofhistreasure-
ladenponies。
Thereislittlemoretotell。YiChinHoprosperedthroughtheyears。ByhiseffortsthejailerattainedatlengthtothedirectorshipofalltheprisonsofCho-sen；theGovernorultimatelybetookhimselftotheSacredCitytobePrimeMinistertotheKing，whileYiChinHobecametheKing'sbooncompanionandsatattablewithhimtotheendofaround，fatlife。
ButPakChungChangfellintoamelancholy，andeverafterheshookhisheadsadly，withtearsinhiseyes，wheneverheregardedtheexpensivenoseofhisancientandvery-much-to-be-respectedancestor。
THE"FRANCISSPAIGHT"
ATRUETALERETOLD
TheFrancisSpaightwasrunningbeforeitsolelyunderamizzentopsail，whenthethinghappened。Itwasnotduetocarelessnesssomuchastothelackofdisciplineofthecrewandtothefactthattheywereindifferentseamenatbest。Themanatthewheelinparticular，aLimerickman，hadhadnoexperiencewithsaltwaterbeyondthatofraftingtimberontheShannonbetweentheQuebecvesselsandtheshore。Hewasafraidofthehugeseasthatroseoutofthemurkasternandboredownuponhim，andhewasmoregiventocoweringawayfromtheirthreatenedimpactthanhewastomeetingtheirblowswiththewheelandcheckingtheship'srushtobroachto。
Itwasthreeinthemorningwhenhisunseamanlikeconductprecipitatedthecatastrophe。Atsightofaseafarlargerthanitsfellows，hecroucheddown，releasinghishandsfromthespokes。TheFrancisSpaightsheeredashersternliftedonthesea，receivingthefullflingofthecaponherquarter。Thenextinstantshewasinthetrough，herlee-railburiedtilltheoceanwaslevelwithherhatch-coamings，seaafterseabreakingoverherweatherrailandsweepingwhatremainedexposedofthedeckwithicydeluges。
Themenwereoutofhand，helplessandhopeless，stupidintheirbewildermentandfear，andresoluteonlyinthattheywouldnotobeyorders。Somewailed，othersclungsilentlyintheweathershrouds，andstillothersmutteredprayersorshriekedvileimprecations；andneithercaptainnormatecouldgetthemtobearahandatthepumpsoratsettingpatchesofsailstobringthevesseluptothewindandsea。Insidethehourtheshipwasoveronherbeamends，thelubberlycowardsclimbinguphersideandhangingonintherigging。Whenshewentover，thematewascaughtanddrownedintheafter-cabin，asweretwosailorswhohadsoughtrefugeintheforecastle。
Thematehadbeentheablestmanonboard，andthecaptainwasnowscarcelylesshelplessthanhismen。Beyondcursingthemfortheirworthlessness，hedidnothing；anditremainedforamannamedMahoney，aBelfastman，andaboy，O'Brien，ofLimerick，tocutawaytheforeandmainmasts。Thistheydidatgreatriskontheperpendicularwallofthewreck，sendingthemizzentopmastoversidealonginthegeneralcrash。TheFrancisSpaightrighted，anditwaswellthatshewaslumberladen，elseshewouldhavesunk，forshewasalreadywater-logged。Themainmast，stillfastbytheshrouds，beatlikeathunderoussledge-hammeragainsttheship'sside，everystrokebringinggroansfromthemen。
Daydawnedonthesavageocean，andinthecoldgraylightallthatcouldbeseenoftheFrancisSpaightemergingfromtheseawerethepoop，theshatteredmizzenmast，andaraggedlineofbulwarks。ItwasmidwinterintheNorthAtlantic，andthewretchedmenwerehalf-deadfromcold。Buttherewasnoplacewheretheycouldfindrest。Everyseabreachedcleanoverthewreck，washingawaythesaltincrustationsfromtheirbodiesanddepositingfreshincrustations。Thecabinunderthepoopwasawashtotheknees，buthereatleastwasshelterfromthechillwind，andherethesurvivorscongregated，standingupright，holdingonbythecabinfurnishings，andleaningagainstoneanotherforsupport。
InvainMahoneystrovetogetthementotaketurnsinwatchingaloftfromthemizzenmastforanychancevessel。Theicygalewastoomuchforthem，andtheypreferredtheshelterofthecabin。O'Brien，theboy，whowasonlyfifteen，tookturnswithMahoneyonthefreezingperch。Itwastheboy，atthreeintheafternoon，whocalleddownthathehadsightedasail。
Thisdidbringthemfromthecabin，andtheycrowdedthepooprailandweathermizzenshroudsastheywatchedthestrangeship。Butitscoursedidnotlienear，andwhenitdisappearedbelowtheskyline，theyreturnedshiveringtothecabin，notoneofferingtorelievethewatchatthemasthead。
Bytheendofthesecondday，MahoneyandO'Briengaveuptheirattempt，andthereafterthevesseldriftedinthegaleuncaredforandwithoutalookout。Therewerethirteenalive，andforseventy-twohourstheystoodknee-deepinthesloshingwateronthecabinfloor，half-frozen，withoutfood，andwithbutthreebottlesofwinesharedamongthem。Allfoodandfreshwaterwerebelow，andtherewasnogettingatsuchsuppliesinthewater-loggedconditionofthewreck。Asthedayswentby，nofoodwhateverpassedtheirlips。Freshwater，insmallquantities，theywereabletoobtainbyholdingacoverofatureenunderthesaddleofthemizzenmast。
Buttherainfellinfrequently，andtheywerehardput。Whenitrained，theyalsosoakedtheirhandkerchiefs，squeezingthemoutintotheirmouthsorintotheirshoes。Asthewindandseawentdown，theywereevenabletomoptheexposedportionsofthedeckthatwerefreefrombrineandsoaddtotheirwatersupply。Butfoodtheyhadnone，andnowayofgettingit，thoughsea-birdsflewrepeatedlyoverhead。
Inthecalmweatherthatfollowedthegale，afterhavingremainedontheirfeetforninety-sixhours，theywereabletofinddryplanksinthecabinonwhichtolie。Butthelonghoursofstandinginthesaltwaterhadcausedsorestoformontheirlegs。Thesesoreswereextremelypainful。
Theslightestcontactorscrapecausedsevereanguish，andintheirweakconditionandcrowdedsituationtheywerecontinuallyhurtingoneanotherinthismanner。Notamancouldmoveaboutwithoutbeingfollowedbyvolleysofabuse，curses，andgroans。Sogreatwastheirmiserythatthestrongoppressedtheweak，shovingthemasidefromthedryplankstoshiftforthemselvesinthecoldandwet。Theboy，O'Brien，wasspeciallymaltreated。Thoughtherewerethreeotherboys，itwasO'Brienwhocameinformostoftheabuse。Therewasnoexplainingit，exceptonthegroundthathiswasastrongerandmoredominantspiritthanthoseoftheotherboys，andthathestoodupmoreforhisrights，resentingthepettyinjusticesthatweremetedouttoalltheboysbythemen。WheneverO'Briencamenearthemeninsearchofadryplacetosleep，ormerelymovedabout，hewaskickedandcuffedaway。Inreturn，hecursedthemfortheirselfishbrutishness，andblowsandkicksandcurseswereraineduponhim。Miserableaswereallofthem，hewasthusmadefarmoremiserable；
anditwasonlytheflameoflife，unusuallystronginhim，thatenabledhimtoendure。
Asthedayswentbyandtheygrewweaker，theirpeevishnessandill-temperincreased，which，inturn，increasedtheill-treatmentandsufferingsofO'Brien。Bythesixteenthdayallhandswerefargonewithhunger，andtheystoodtogetherinsmallgroups，talkinginundertonesandoccasionallyglancingatO'Brien。Itwasathighnoonthattheconferencecametoahead。Thecaptainwasthespokesman。Allwerecollectedonthepoop。
"Men，"thecaptainbegan，"wehavebeenalongtimewithoutfood——twoweeksandtwodaysitis，thoughitseemsmoreliketwoyearsandtwomonths。Wecan'thangoutmuchlonger。Itisbeyondhumannaturetogoonhangingoutwithnothinginourstomachs。Thereisaseriousquestiontoconsider:
whetheritisbetterforalltodie，orforonetodie。Wearestandingwithourfeetinourgraves。Ifoneofusdies，therestmayliveuntilashipissighted。Whatsayyou？"
MichaelBehane，themanwhohadbeenatthewheelwhentheFrancisSpaightbroachedto，calledoutthatitwaswell。Theothersjoinedinthecry。
"Letitbeoneoftheb'ys!"criedSullivan，aTarbertman，glancingatthesametimesignificantlyatO'Brien。
"Itismyopinion，"thecaptainwenton，"thatitwillbeagooddeedforoneofustodiefortherest。"
"Agooddeed!Agooddeed!"themeninterjected。
"Anditismyopinionthat'tisbestforoneoftheboystodie。Theyhavenofamiliestosupport，norwouldtheybeconsideredsogreatalosstotheirfriendsasthosewhohavewivesandchildren。"
"'Tisright。""Veryright。""Veryfititshouldbedone，"themenmutteredonetoanother。
Butthefourboyscriedoutagainsttheinjusticeofit。
"Ourlivesisjustasdeartousastherestivyez，"O'Brienprotested。
"An'ourfamblies，too。Asforwivesan'childer，whoistheresavin'
meselftocareformeoldmotherthat'sawidow，asyouknowwell，MichaelBehane，thatcomesfromLimerick？'Tisnotfair。Letthelotsbedrawnbetweenallofus，menandb'ys。"
Mahoneywastheonlymanwhospokeinfavouroftheboys，declaringthatitwasthefairthingforalltosharealike。Sullivanandthecaptaininsistedonthedrawingoflotsbeingconfinedtotheboys。Therewerehighwords，inthemidstofwhichSullivanturneduponO'Brien，snarling——
"'Twouldbeagooddeedtoputyououtoftheway。Youdeserveit。
'Twouldbetherightwaytoserveyou，an'serveyouwewill。"
HestartedtowardO'Brien，withintenttolayhandsonhimandproceedatoncewiththekilling，whileseveralotherslikewiseshuffledtowardhimandreachedforhim。Hestumbledbackwardstoescapethem，atthesametimecryingthathewouldsubmittothedrawingofthelotsamongtheboys。
ThecaptainpreparedfoursticksofdifferentlengthsandhandedthemtoSullivan。
"You'rethinkin'thedrawin'llnotbefair，"thelattersneeredtoO'Brien。
"Soit'syerself'lldothedrawin'。"
TothisO'Brienagreed。Ahandkerchiefwastiedoverhiseyes，blindfoldinghim，andhekneltdownonthedeckwithhisbacktoSullivan。
"Whoeveryounamefortheshorteststick'lldie，"thecaptainsaid。
Sullivanhelduponeofthesticks。Therestwereconcealedinhishandsothatnoonecouldseewhetheritwastheshortstickornot。
"An'whosestickwillitbe？"Sullivandemanded。
"ForlittleJohnnySheehan，"O'Brienanswered。
Sullivanlaidthestickaside。Thosewholookedcouldnottellifitwerethefatalone。Sullivanheldupanotherstick。
"Whosewillitbe？"
"ForGeorgeBurns，"wasthereply。
Thestickwaslaidwiththefirstone，andathirdheldup。
"An'whoseisthiswan？"
"Formyself，"saidO'Brien。
Withaquickmovement，Sullivanthrewthefourstickstogether。Noonehadseen。
"'Tisforyourselfye'vedrawnit，"Sullivanannounced。
"Agooddeed，"severalofthemenmuttered。
O'Brienwasveryquiet。Hearosetohisfeet，tookthebandageoff，andlookedaround。
"Whereisut？"hedemanded。"Theshortstick？Thewanforme？"
Thecaptainpointedtothefourstickslyingonthedeck。
"Howdoyouknowthestickwasmine？"O'Brienquestioned。"Didyouseeut，JohnnySheehan？"
JohnnySheehan，whowastheyoungestoftheboys，didnotanswer。
"Didyouseeut？"O'BriennextaskedMahoney。
"No，Ididn'tseeut。"
Themenweremutteringandgrowling。
"'Twasafairdrawin'，"Sullivansaid。"Yehadyerchanctan'yelost，that'sallivut。"
"Afairdrawin'，"thecaptainadded。"Didn'tIbeholditmyself？Thestickwasyours，O'Brien，an'yemayaswellgetready。Where'sthecook？
Gorman，comehere。Fetchthetureencover，someofye。Gorman，doyourdutylikeaman。"
"Buthow'llIdoit，"thecookdemanded。Hewasaweak-eyed，weak-chinned，indecisiveman。
"'Tisadamnedmurder!"O'Briencriedout。
"I'llhavenoneofut，"Mahoneyannounced。"Notabiteshallpassmelips。"
"Then'tisyershareforbettermenthanyerself，"Sullivansneered。"Goonwithyerduty，cook。"
"'Tisnotmeduty，thekillin'ofb'ys，"Gormanprotestedirresolutely。
"Ifyezdon'tmakemateforus，we'llbemakin'mateofyerself，"Behanethreatened。"Somebodymustdie，an'aswellyouasanother。"
JohnnySheehanbegantocry。O'Brienlistenedanxiously。Hisfacewaspale。Hislipstrembled，andattimeshiswholebodyshook。
"Isignedonascook，"Gormanenounced。"An'cookIwudifgalleytherewas。ButI'llnotlaymehandtomurder。'Tisnotinthearticles。I'mthecook——"
"An'cookye'llbeforwanminutemoreonly，"Sullivansaidgrimly，atthesamemomentgrippingthecook'sheadfrombehindandbendingitbacktillthewindpipeandjugularwerestretchedtaut。"Where'syerknife，Mike？
Passitalong。"
Atthetouchofthesteel，Gormanwhimpered。
"I'lldout，ifyez'llholdtheb'y。"
ThepitiableconditionofthecookseemedinsomefashiontonerveupO'Brien。
"It'sallright，Gorman，"hesaid。"Goonwithut。'Tismeselfknowsyernotwantin'todout。It'sallright，sir"——thistothecaptain，whohadlaidahandheavilyonhisarm。"Yewon'thavetoholdme，sir。I'llstandstill。"
"Stopyerblitherin'，an'goan'getthetureencover，"BehanecommandedJohnnySheehan，atthesametimedealinghimaheavycuffalongsidethehead。
Theboy，whowasscarcelymorethanachild，fetchedthecover。Hecrawledandtotteredalongthedeck，soweakwashefromhunger。Thetearsstillrandownhischeeks。Behanetookthecoverfromhim，atthesametimeadministeringanothercuff。
O'Brientookoffhiscoatandbaredhisrightarm。Hisunderlipstilltrembled，butheheldatightgriponhimself。Thecaptain'spenknifewasopenedandpassedtoGorman。
"Mahoney，tellmemotherwhathappenedtome，ifeveryegetback，"O'Brienrequested。
Mahoneynodded。
"'Tisblackmurder，blackan'damned，"hesaid。"Theb'y'sflesh'lldononeivyezannygood。Markmewords。Ye'llnotprofitbyit，noneivyez。"
"Getready，"thecaptainordered。"You，Sullivan，holdthecover——that'sit——closeup。Spillnothing。It'spreciousstuff。"
Gormanmadeaneffort。Theknifewasdull。Hewasweak。Besides，hishandwasshakingsoviolentlythathenearlydroppedtheknife。Thethreeboyswerecrouchedapart，inahuddle，cryingandsobbing。WiththeexceptionofMahoney，themenweregatheredaboutthevictim，craningtheirneckstosee。
"Beaman，Gorman，"thecaptaincautioned。
Thewretchedcookwasseizedwithaspasmofresolution，sawingbackandforthwiththebladeonO'Brien'swrist。Theveinsweresevered。Sullivanheldthetureencovercloseunderneath。Thecutveinsgapedwide，butnoruddyfloodgushedforth。Therewasnobloodatall。Theveinsweredryandempty。Noonespoke。Thegrimandsilentfiguresswayedinunisonwitheachheaveoftheship。Everyeyewasturnedfixedlyuponthatinconceivableandmonstrousthing，thedryveinsofacreaturethatwasalive。
"'Tisawarnin'，"Mahoneycried。"Lavetheb'yalone。Markmewords。Hisdeath'lldononeivyezannygood。"
"Tryattheelbow——theleftelbow，'tisnearertheheart，"thecaptainsaidfinally，inadimandhuskyvoicethatwasunlikehisown。
"Givemetheknife，"O'Briensaidroughly，takingitoutofthecook'shand。"Ican'tbelookin'atyeputtin'metohurt。"
Quitecoollyhecuttheveinattheleftelbow，but，likethecook，hefailedtobringblood。
"Thisisallivnouse，"Sullivansaid。"'Tisbettertoputhimoutivhismiserybybleedin'himatthethroat。"
Thestrainhadbeentoomuchforthelad。
"Don'tbedoin'ut，"hecried。"There'llbenobloodinmethroat。Givemealittletime。'Tiscoldan'weakIam。Belettin'melaydownan'
slapeabit。ThenI'llbewarman'theblood'llflow。"
"'Tisnouse，"Sullivanobjected。"Asifyecudbeslapin'atatimelikethis。Ye'llnotslape，andye'llnotwarmup。Lookatyenow。You'veanague。"
"IwassickatLimerickwannight，"O'Brienhurriedon，"an'thedochtorcudn'tbleedme。Butafterslapin'afewhoursan'gettin'warminbedthebloodcamefreely。It'sGod'struthI'mtellin'yez。Don'tbemurderin'
me!"
"Hisveinsareopennow，"thecaptainsaid。"'Tisnouseleavin'himinhispain。Doitnowan'bedonewithit。"
TheystartedtoreachforO'Brien，buthebackedaway。
"I'llbethedeathivyez!"hescreamed。"Takeyerhandsoffivme，Sullivan!I'llcomeback!I'llhauntyez!Wakin'orslapin'，I'llhauntyeztillyoudie!"
"'Tisdisgraceful!"yelledBehane。"Iftheshortstick'dbenmine，I'da-
letmematescuttheheadoffivmean'diedhappy。"
Sullivanleapedinandcaughttheunhappyladbythehair。Therestofthemenfollowed，O'Brienkickedandstruggled，snarlingandsnappingatthehandsthatclutchedhimfromeveryside。LittleJohnnySheehanbrokeoutintowildscreaming，butthementooknonoticeofhim。O'Brienwasbentbackwardtothedeck，thetureencoverunderhisneck。Gormanwasshovedforward。Someonehadthrustalargesheath-knifeintohishand。
"Doyerduty!Doyerduty!"themencried。
Thecookbentover，buthecaughttheboy'seyesandfaltered。
"Ifyedon't，I'llkillyewithmeownhands，"Behaneshouted。
Fromeverysideatorrentofabuseandthreatspouredinuponthecook。
Stillhehungback。
"Maybethere'llbemorebloodinhisveinsthanO'Brien's，"Sullivansuggestedsignificantly。
BehanecaughtGormanbythehairandtwistedhisheadback，whileSullivanattemptedtotakepossessionofthesheath-knife。ButGormanclungtoitdesperately。
"Lavego，an'I'lldout!"hescreamedfrantically。"Don'tbecuttin'methroat!I'lldothedeed!I'lldothedeed!"
"Seethatyoudoit，then，"thecaptainthreatenedhim。
Gormanallowedhimselftobeshovedforward。Helookedattheboy，closedhiseyes，andmutteredaprayer。Then，withoutopeninghiseyes，hedidthedeedthathadbeenappointedhim。O'Brienemittedashriekthatsankswiftlytoagurglingsob。Themenheldhimtillhisstrugglesceased，whenhewaslaiduponthedeck。Theywereeagerandimpatient，andwithoathsandthreatstheyurgedGormantohurrywiththepreparationofthemeal。
"Laveut，youbloodybutchers，"Mahoneysaidquietly。"Laveut，Itellyez。Ye'llnotbeneedin'annyivutnow。'TisasIsaid:ye'llnotbeprofitin'bythelad'sblood。Emptyutoverside，Behane。Emptyutoverside。"
Behane，stillholdingthetureencoverinbothhishands，glancedtowindward。Hewalkedtotherailandthrewthecoverandcontentsintothesea。Afull-riggedshipwasbearingdownuponthemashortmileaway。Sooccupiedhadtheybeenwiththedeedjustcommitted，thatnonehadhadeyesforalookout。Allhandswatchedhercomingon——thebrightlycopperedforefootpartingthewaterlikeagoldenknife，theheadsailsflappinglazilyandemptilyateachdownwardsurge，andthetoweringcanvastiersdippingandcurtsyingwitheachstatelyswingofthesea。Nomanspoke。
Asshehoveto，acablelengthaway，thecaptainoftheFrancisSpaightbestirredhimselfandorderedatarpaulintobethrownoverO'Brien'scorpse。Aboatwasloweredfromthestranger'ssideandbegantopulltowardthem。JohnGormanlaughed。Helaughedsoftlyatfirst，butheaccompaniedeachstrokeoftheoarswithspasmodicallyincreasingglee。Itwasthismaniacallaughterthatgreetedtherescueboatasithauledalongsideandthefirstofficerclamberedonboard。
ACURIOUSFRAGMENT
[Thecapitalist，orindustrialoligarch，RogerVanderwater，mentionedinthenarrative，hasbeenidentifiedastheninthinthelineoftheVanderwatersthatcontrolledforhundredsofyearsthecottonfactoriesoftheSouth。ThisRogerVanderwaterflourishedinthelastdecadesofthetwenty-sixthcenturyafterChrist，whichwasthefifthcenturyoftheterribleindustrialoligarchythatwasrearedupontheruinsoftheearlyRepublic。
Frominternalevidencesweareconvincedthatthenarrativewhichfollowswasnotreducedtowritingtillthetwenty-ninthcentury。Notonlywasitunlawfultowriteorprintsuchmatterduringthatperiod，buttheworking-
classwassoilliteratethatonlyinrareinstanceswereitsmembersabletoreadandwrite。Thiswasthedarkreignoftheoverman，inwhosespeechthegreatmassofthepeoplewerecharacterizedasthe"herdanimals。"Allliteracywasfrowneduponandstampedout。Fromthestatute-booksofthetimesmaybeinstancedthatblacklawthatmadeitacapitaloffenceforanyman，nomatterofwhatclass，toteacheventhealphabettoamemberoftheworking-class。Suchstringentlimitationofeducationtotherulingclasswasnecessaryifthatclasswastocontinuetorule。
Oneresultoftheforegoingwasthedevelopmentoftheprofessionalstory-
tellers。Thesestory-tellerswerepaidbytheoligarchy，andthetalestheytoldwerelegendary，mythical，romantic，andharmless。Butthespiritoffreedomneverquitediedout，andagitators，undertheguiseofstory-
tellers，preachedrevolttotheslaveclass。ThatthefollowingtalewasbannedbytheoligarchswehaveprooffromtherecordsofthecriminalpolicecourtofAshbury，wherein，onJanuary27，2734，oneJohnTourney，foundguiltyoftellingthetaleinaboozing-kenoflabourers，wassentencedtofiveyears'penalservitudeintheboraxminesoftheArizonaDesert——EDITOR'SNOTE。]
Listen，mybrothers，andIwilltellyouataleofanarm。ItwasthearmofTomDixon，andTomDixonwasaweaverofthefirstclassinafactoryofthathell-houndandmaster，RogerVanderwater。Thisfactorywascalled"Hell'sBottom"……bytheslaveswhotoiledinit，andIguesstheyoughttoknow；anditwassituatedinKingsbury，attheotherendofthetownfromVanderwater'ssummerpalace。YoudonotknowwhereKingsburyis？
Therearemanythings，mybrothers，thatyoudonotknow，anditissad。
Itisbecauseyoudonotknowthatyouareslaves。WhenIhavetoldyouthistale，Ishouldliketoformaclassamongyouforthelearningofwrittenandprintedspeech。Ourmastersreadandwriteandpossessmanybooks，anditisbecauseofthatthattheyareourmasters，andliveinpalaces，anddonotwork。Whenthetoilerslearntoreadandwrite——allofthem——theywillgrowstrong；thentheywillusetheirstrengthtobreaktheirbonds，andtherewillbenomoremastersandnomoreslaves。
Kingsbury，mybrothers，isintheoldStateofAlabama。ForthreehundredyearstheVanderwatershaveownedKingsburyanditsslavepensandfactories，andslavepensandfactoriesinmanyotherplacesandStates。
YouhaveheardoftheVanderwaters——whohasnot？——butletmetellyouthingsyoudonotknowaboutthem。ThefirstVanderwaterwasaslave，evenasyouandI。Haveyougotthat？Hewasaslave，andthatwasoverthreehundredyearsago。HisfatherwasamachinistintheslavepenofAlexanderBurrell，andhismotherwasawasherwomaninthesameslavepen。
Thereisnodoubtaboutthis。Iamtellingyoutruth。Itishistory。Itisprinted，everywordofit，inthehistorybooksofourmasters，whichyoucannotreadbecauseyourmasterswillnotpermityoutolearntoread。
Youcanunderstandwhytheywillnotpermityoutolearntoread，whentherearesuchthingsinthebooks。Theyknow，andtheyareverywise。Ifyoudidreadsuchthings，youmightbewantinginrespecttoyourmasters，whichwouldbeadangerousthing……toyourmasters。ButIknow，forI
canread，andIamtellingyouwhatIhavereadwithmyowneyesinthehistorybooksofourmasters。
ThefirstVanderwater'snamewasnotVanderwater；itwasVange——BillVange，thesonofYergisVange，themachinist，andLauraCarnly，thewasherwoman。
YoungBillVangewasstrong。Hemighthaveremainedwiththeslavesandledthemtofreedom；instead，however，heservedthemastersandwaswellrewarded。Hebeganhisservice，whenyetasmallchild，asaspyinhishomeslavepen。Heisknowntohaveinformedonhisownfatherforseditiousutterance。Thisisfact。Ihavereaditwithmyowneyesintherecords。Hewastoogoodaslavefortheslavepen。AlexanderBurrelltookhimout，whileyetachild，andhewastaughttoreadandwrite。Hewastaughtmanythings，andhewasenteredinthesecretserviceoftheGovernment。Ofcourse，henolongerworetheslavedress，exceptfordisguiseatsuchtimeswhenhesoughttopenetratethesecretsandplotsoftheslaves。Itwashe，whenbuteighteenyearsofage，whobroughtthatgreatheroandcomrade，RalphJacobus，totrialandexecutionintheelectricchair。Ofcourse，youhaveallheardthesacrednameofRalphJacobus，butitisnewstoyouthathewasbroughttohisdeathbythefirstVanderwater，whosenamewasVange。Iknow。Ihavereaditinthebooks。Therearemanyinterestingthingslikethatinthebooks。
AndafterRalphJacobusdiedhisshamefuldeath，BillVange'snamebeganthemanychangesitwastoundergo。Hewasknownas"SlyVange"farandwide。Herosehighinthesecretservice，andhewasrewardedingrandways，butstillhewasnotamemberofthemasterclass。Themenwerewillingthatheshouldbecomeso；itwasthewomenofthemasterclasswhorefusedtohaveSlyVangeoneofthem。SlyVangegavegoodservicetothemasters。Hehadbeenaslavehimself，andheknewthewaysoftheslaves。
Therewasnofoolinghim。Inthosedaystheslaveswerebraverthannow，andtheywerealwaystryingfortheirfreedom。AndSlyVangewaseverywhere，inalltheirschemesandplans，bringingtheirschemesandplanstonaughtandtheirleaderstotheelectricchair。Itwasin2255
thathisnamewasnextchangedforhim。ItwasinthatyearthattheGreatMutinytookplace。InthatregionwestoftheRockyMountains，seventeenmillionsofslavesstrovebravelytooverthrowtheirmasters。Whoknows，ifSlyVangehadnotlived，butthattheywouldhavesucceeded？ButSlyVangewasverymuchalive。Themastersgavehimsupremecommandofthesituation。Ineightmonthsoffighting，onemillionandthreehundredandfiftythousandslaveswerekilled。Vange，BillVange，SlyVange，killedthem，andhebroketheGreatMutiny。Andhewasgreatlyrewarded，andsoredwerehishandswiththebloodoftheslavesthatthereafterhewascalled"BloodyVange。"Yousee，mybrothers，whatinterestingthingsaretobefoundinthebookswhenonecanreadthem。And，takemywordforit，therearemanyotherthings，evenmoreinteresting，inthebooks。Andifyouwillbutstudywithme，inayear'stimeyoucanreadthosebooksforyourselves——ay，insixmonthssomeofyouwillbeabletoreadthosebooksforyourselves。
BloodyVangelivedtoaripeoldage，andalways，tothelast，washereceivedinthecouncilsofthemasters；butneverwashemadeamasterhimself。Hehadfirstopenedhiseyes，yousee，inaslavepen。Butoh，hewaswellrewarded!Hehadadozenpalacesinwhichtolive。He，whowasnomaster，ownedthousandsofslaves。Hehadagreatpleasureyachtupontheseathatwasafloatingpalace，andheownedawholeislandintheseawheretoiledtenthousandslavesonhiscoffeeplantations。Butinhisoldagehewaslonely，forhelivedapart，hatedbyhisbrothers，theslaves，andlookeddownuponbythosehehadservedandwhorefusedtobehisbrothers。Themasterslookeddownuponhimbecausehehadbeenbornaslave。Enormouslywealthyhedied；buthediedhorribly，tormentedbyhisconscience，regrettingallhehaddoneandtheredstainonhisname。
Butwithhischildrenitwasdifferent。Theyhadnotbeenbornintheslavepen，andbythespecialrulingoftheChiefOligarchofthattime，JohnMorrison，theywereelevatedtothemasterclass。AnditwasthenthatthenameofVangedisappearsfromthepageofhistory。ItbecomesVanderwater，andJasonVange，thesonofBloodyVange，becomesJasonVanderwater，thefounderoftheVanderwaterline。Butthatwasthreehundredyearsago，andtheVanderwatersofto-dayforgettheirbeginningsandimaginethatsomehowtheclayoftheirbodiesisdifferentstufffromtheclayinyourbodyandmineandinthebodiesofallslaves。AndIaskyou，Whyshouldaslavebecomethemasterofanotherslave？Andwhyshouldthesonofaslavebecomethemasterofmanyslaves？Ileavethesequestionsforyoutoanswerforyourselves，butdonotforgetthatinthebeginningtheVanderwaterswereslaves。
Andnow，mybrothers，IcomebacktothebeginningofmytaletotellyouofTomDixon'sarm。RogerVanderwater'sfactoryinKingsburywasrightlynamed"Hell'sBottom，"butthemenwhotoiledinitweremen，asyoushallsee。Womentoiledthere，too，andchildren，littlechildren。Allthattoiledtherehadtheregularslaverightsunderthelaw，butonlyunderthelaw，fortheyweredeprivedofmanyoftheirrightsbythetwooverseersofHell'sBottom，JosephClancyandAdolphMunster。
Itisalongstory，butIshallnottellallofittoyou。Ishalltellonlyaboutthearm。Ithappenedthat，accordingtothelaw，aportionofthestarvationwageoftheslaveswasheldbackeachmonthandputintoafund。Thisfundwasforthepurposeofhelpingsuchunfortunatefellow-
workmenashappenedtobeinjuredbyaccidentsortobeovertakenbysickness。Asyouknowwithyourselves，thesefundsarecontrolledbytheoverseers。Itisthelaw，andsoitwasthatthefundatHell'sBottomwascontrolledbythetwooverseersofaccursedmemory。
Now，ClancyandMunstertookthisfundfortheirownuse。Whenaccidentshappenedtotheworkmen，theirfellows，aswasthecustom，madegrantsfromthefund；buttheoverseersrefusedtopayoverthegrants。Whatcouldtheslavesdo？Theyhadtheirrightsunderthelaw，buttheyhadnoaccesstothelaw。Thosethatcomplainedtotheoverseerswerepunished。Youknowyourselveswhatformsuchpunishmenttakes——thefinesforfaultyworkthatisnotfaulty；theoverchargingofaccountsintheCompany'sstore；theviletreatmentofone'swomenandchildren；andtheallotmenttobadmachineswhereon，workasonewill，hestarves。