Icanassureyou，andtellnolieasJohnFryalwaysusedtosay，whentellinghisverylargest，thatI
　　scrambledbacktothemouthofthatpitasiftheevilonehadbeenafterme。AndsorelyIrepentednowofallmyboyishfolly，ormadnessitmightwellbetermed，inventuring，withnonetohelp，andnothingtocompelme，intothataccursedvalley。Onceletmegetout，thinksI，andifeverIgetinagain，withoutbeingcastinbyneckandbycrop，Iwillgiveournew-borndonkeyleavetosetupformyschoolmaster。
　　HowIkeptthatresolutionweshallseehereafter。ItisenoughformenowtotellhowIescapedfromthedenthatnight。FirstIsatdowninthelittleopeningwhichLornahadpointedouttome，andwonderedwhethershehadmeant，asbitterlyoccurredtome，thatI
　　shouldrundownintothepit，andbedrowned，andgivenomoretrouble。ButinlessthanhalfaminuteIwasashamedofthatidea，andrememberedhowshewasvexedtothinkthatevenaloachshouldlosehislife。AndthenIsaidtomyself，’Nowsurelyshewouldvaluememorethanathousandloaches；andwhatshesaidmustbequitetrueaboutthewayoutofthishorribleplace。’
　　ThereforeIbegantosearchwiththeutmostcareanddiligence，althoughmyteethwerechattering，andallmybonesbeginningtoachewiththechillinessandthewetness。Beforeverylongthemoonappeared，overtheedgeofthemountain，andamongthetreesatthetopofit；andthenIespiedroughsteps，androcky，madeasifwithasledge-hammer，narrow，steep，andfarasunder，scoopedhereandthereinthesideoftheentrance，andthenroundabulgeofthecliff，likethemarksuponagreatbrownloaf，whereahungrychildhaspickedatit。Andhigherup，wherethelightofthemoonshonebroaderupontheprecipice，thereseemedtobearudebrokentrack，liketheshadowofacrookedstickthrownuponahouse-wall。
　　Hereinwassmallencouragement；andatfirstIwasmindedtoliedownanddie；butitseemedtocomeamisstome。GodhasHistimeforallofus；butHeseemstoadvertiseuswhenHedoesnotmeantodoit。Moreover，Isawamovementoflightsattheheadofthevalley，asiflanthornswerecomingafterme，andthenimblenessgiventhereontomyheelswasinfrontofallmeditation。
　　StraightwayIsetfootintheloweststirrupasI
　　mightalmostcallit，andclungtotherockwithmynails，andworkedtomakeajumpintothesecondstirrup。AndIcompassedthattoo，withtheaidofmystick；although，totellyouthetruth，Iwasnotatthattimeoflifesoagileasboysofsmallerframeare，formysizewasgrowingbeyondmyyears，andthemusclesnotkeepingtimewithit，andthejointsofmybonesnotcloselyhinged，withstaringatoneanother。
　　Butthethirdstep-holewasthehardestofall，andtherockswelledoutonmeovermybreast，andthereseemedtobenoattemptingit，untilIespiedagoodstoutropehanginginagrooveofshadow，andjustmanagedtoreachtheendofit。
　　HowIclombup，andacrosstheclearing，andfoundmywayhomethroughtheBagworthyforest，ismorethanI
　　canremembernow，forItookalltherestofitthenasadream，byreasonofperfectweariness。AndindeeditwasquitebeyondmyhopestotellsomuchasIhavetold，foratfirstbeginningtosetitdown，itwasalllikeamistbeforeme。Nevertheless，somepartsgrewclearer，asonebyoneIrememberedthem，havingtakenalittlesoftcordial，becausethememoryfrightensme。
　　Forthetoilofthewater，anddangeroflabouringupthelongcascadeorrapids，andthenthesurpriseofthefairyoungmaid，andterrorofthemurderers，anddesperationofgettingaway——allthesearemuchtomeevennow，whenIamastoutchurchwarden，andsitbythesideofmyfire，aftergoingthroughmanyfarworseadventures，whichIwilltell，Godwilling。Onlythelabourofwritingissuchespeciallysoastoconstrue，andchallengeareaderonpartsofspeech，andhopetobeevenwithhim；thatbythispipewhichIholdinmyhandIeverexpecttobebeaten，asinthedayswhenoldDoctorTwiggs，ifImadeabadstrokeinmyexercise，shoutedaloudwithasourjoy，’JohnRidd，sirrah，downwithyoursmall-clothes!’
　　Letthatbeasitmay，Ideservedagoodbeatingthatnight，aftermakingsuchafoolofmyself，andgrindinggoodfustiantopieces。ButwhenIgothome，allthesupperwasin，andthemensittingatthewhitetable，andmotherandAnnieandLizzienearby，alleager，andofferingtobeginexcept，indeed，mymother，whowaslookingoutatthedoorway，andbythefirewasBettyMuxworthy，scolding，andcooking，andtastingherwork，allinabreath，asamanwouldsay。Ilookedthroughthedoorfromthedarkbythewood-stack，andwashalfofamindtostayoutlikeadog，forfearoftheratingandreckoning；butthewaymydearmotherwaslookingaboutandthebrowningofthesausagesgotthebetterofme。
　　ButnobodycouldgetoutofmewhereIhadbeenallthedayandevening；althoughtheyworriedmeneversomuch，andlongedtoshakemetopieces，especiallyBettyMuxworthy，whonevercouldlearntoletwellalone。Notthattheymademetellanylies，althoughitwouldhaveservedthemrightalmostforintrudingonotherpeople’sbusiness；butthatIjustheldmytongue，andatemysupperrarely，andletthemtrytheirtauntsandjibes，anddrovethemalmostwildaftersupper，bysmilingexceedingknowingly。AndindeedIcouldhavetoldthemthings，asIhintedonceortwice；andthenpoorBettyandourlittleLizzieweresomadwitheagerness，thatbetweenthemIwentintothefire，beingthoroughlyovercomewithlaughterandmyownimportance。
　　Nowwhattheworkingofmymindwasif，indeeditworkedatall，anddidnotratherfollowsuitofbody
　　itisnotinmypowertosay；onlythattheresultofmyadventureintheDooneGlenwastomakemedreamagooddealofnights，whichIhadneverdonemuchbefore，andtodriveme，withtenfoldzealandpurpose，tothepracticeofbullet-shooting。NotthatIeverexpectedtoshoottheDoonefamily，onebyone，orevendesiredtodoso，formynatureisnotrevengeful；butthatitseemedtobesomehowmybusinesstounderstandthegun，asathingImustbeathomewith。
　　Icouldhitthebarn-doornowcapitallywellwiththeSpanishmatch-lock，andevenwithJohnFry’sblunderbuss，attengoodland-yardsdistance，withoutanyrestformyfusil。Andwhatwasverywrongofme，thoughIdidnotseeitthen，IkeptJohnFrythere，topraisemyshots，fromdinner-timeoftenuntilthegreydusk，whileheallthetimeshouldhavebeenatworkspring-ploughinguponthefarm。AndforthatmattersoshouldIhavebeen，oratanyratedrivingthehorses；butJohnwasbynomeansloathtobethere，insteadofholdingtheplough-tail。Andindeed，oneofouroldsayingsis，——
　　Forpleasure’ssakeIwouldlieferwet，Thanha’tenlumpsofgoldforeachoneofmysweat。
　　Andagain，whichisnotabadproverb，thoughunthriftyandunlikeaScotsman’s，——
　　Godmakesthewheatgrowgreener，Whilefarmerbeathisdinner。
　　AndnoDevonshireman，orSomerseteitherandIbelongtobothofthem，everthinksofworkingharderthanGodlikestoseehim。
　　Nevertheless，Iworkedhardatthegun，andbythetimethatIhadsentallthechurch-roofgutters，sofarasIhonestlycouldcutthem，throughtheredpine-door，I
　　begantolongforabettertoolthatwouldmakelessnoiseandthrowstraighter。Butthesheep-shearingcameandthehay-seasonnext，andthentheharvestofsmallcorn，andthediggingoftherootcalled’batata’
　　anewbutgoodthinginourneighbourhood，whichourfolkhavemadeinto’taties’，andthenthesweatingoftheapples，andtheturningofthecider-press，andthestackingofthefirewood，andnettingofthewoodcocks，andthespringlestobemindedinthegardenandbythehedgerows，whereblackbirdshoptothemolehillsinthewhiteOctobermornings，andgreybirdscometolookforsnailsatthetimewhenthesunisrising。
　　Itiswonderfulhowtimerunsaway，whenallthesethingsandagreatmanyotherscomeintoloadhimdownthehillandpreventhimfromstoppingtolookabout。
　　AndIformypartcanneverconceivehowpeoplewholiveintownsandcities，whereneitherlambsnorbirdsareexceptinsomeshopwindows，norgrowingcorn，normeadow-grass，norevensomuchasasticktocutorastiletoclimbandsitdownupon——howthesepoorfolkgetthroughtheirliveswithoutbeingutterlywearyofthem，anddyingfrompureindolence，isathingGodonlyknows，ifHismercyallowsHimtothinkofit。
　　HowtheyearwentbyIknownot，onlythatIwasabroadallday，shooting，orfishing，ormindingthefarm，orridingaftersomestraybeast，orawaybytheseasidebelowGlenthorne，wonderingatthegreatwaters，andresolvingtogoforasailor。ForinthosedaysIhadafirmbelief，asmanyotherstrongboyshave，ofbeingbornforaseaman。AndindeedIhadbeeninaboatnearlytwice；butthesecondtimemotherfounditout，andcameanddrewmebackagain；andafterthatshecriedsobadly，thatIwasforcedtogivemywordtohertogonomorewithouttellingher。
　　ButBettyMuxworthyspokehermindquiteinadifferentwayaboutit，thewhileshewaswringingmyhosen，andclatteringtothedrying-horse。
　　’Zailor，eesfai!ayandzarveunraight。Hercan’tkapeouto’thewatterhere，whura’mustgoovortovaindun，zameasagurtto-adsqualloping，andmuxuptillIbeworeout，Ibe，wi’theverysaightof’sbraiches。Howwiluneverbaideaboardzhip，wi’thewatterzingingoutunderun，andcomin’upsplashwhenthewindblow。Lattungoo，missus，lattungoo，zayI
　　forwan，andoldDavywashhiscloutsforun。’
　　AndthisdiscourseofBetty’stendedmorethanmymother’sprayers，Ifear，tokeepmefromgoing。ForI
　　hatedBettyinthosedays，aschildrenalwayshateacrossservant，andoftengetfondofafalseone。ButBetty，likemanyactivewomen，wasfalsebyhercrossnessonly；thinkingitjustforthemomentperhaps，andrushingawaywithabucket；readytosticktoit，likeaclenchednail，ifbeatenthewrongwaywithargument；butmeltingoverit，ifyoulefther，asstingingsoap，leftalonginabasin，spreadsallabroadwithoutbubbling。
　　Butallthisisbeyondthechildren，andbeyondmetooforthatmatter，evennowinripeexperience；forI
　　neverdidknowwhatwomenmean，andnevershallexceptwhentheytellme，ifthatbeintheirpower。Nowletthatquestionpass。ForalthoughIamnowinaplaceofsomeauthority，Ihaveobservedthatnooneeverlistenstome，whenIattempttolaydownthelaw；butallarewaitingwithopenearsuntilIdoenforceit。
　　Andsomethinkshewhoreadsahistorycaresnotmuchforthewisdomorfollyofthewriterknowingwellthattheformerisfarlessthanhisown，andthelattervastlygreater，buthurriestoknowwhatthepeopledid，andhowtheygotonaboutit。AndthisI
　　cantell，ifanyonecan，havingbeenmyselfinthethickofit。
　　ThefrightIhadtakenthatnightinGlenDoonesatisfiedmeforalongtimethereafter；andItookgoodcarenottoventureeveninthefieldsandwoodsoftheouterfarm，withoutJohnFryforcompany。JohnwasgreatlysurprisedandpleasedatthevalueInowsetuponhim；until，whatbetwixtthedesiretovauntandthelongingtotalkthingsover，Igraduallylaidbaretohimnearlyallthathadbefallenme；except，indeed，aboutLorna，whomasortofshamekeptmefrommentioning。NotthatIdidnotthinkofher，andwishveryoftentoseeheragain；butofcourseIwasonlyaboyasyet，andthereforeinclinedtodespiseyounggirls，asbeingunabletodoanything，andonlymeanttolistentoorders。AndwhenIgotalongwiththeotherboys，thatwashowwealwaysspokeofthem，ifwedeignedtospeakatall，asbeingsofalowerorder，onlygoodenoughtorunerrandsforus，andtonurseboy-babies。
　　AndyetmysisterAnniewasintruthagreatdealmoretomethanalltheboysoftheparish，andofBrendon，andCountisbury，puttogether；althoughatthetimeI
　　neverdreamedit，andwouldhavelaughediftoldso。
　　Anniewasofapleasingface，andverygentlemanner，almostlikealadysomepeoplesaid；butwithoutanyairswhatever，onlytryingtogivesatisfaction。Andifshefailed，shewouldgoandweep，withoutlettinganyoneknowit，believingthefaulttobeallherown，whenmostlyitwasofothers。Butifshesucceededinpleasingyou，itwasbeautifultoseehersmile，andstrokehersoftchininawayofherown，whichshealwaysusedwhentakingnotehowtodotherightthingagainforyou。Andthenhercheekshadabrightclearpink，andhereyeswereasblueastheskyinspring，andshestoodasuprightasayoungapple-tree，andnoonecouldhelpbutsmileather，andpatherbrowncurlsapprovingly；whereuponshealwayscurtseyed。Forshenevertriedtolookawaywhenhonestpeoplegazedather；andeveninthecourt-yardshewouldcomeandhelptotakeyoursaddle，andtellwithoutyouraskingherwhattherewasfordinner。
　　Andafterwardsshegrewuptobeaverycomelymaiden，tall，andwithawell-builtneck，andveryfairwhiteshoulders，underabrightcloudofcurlinghair。Alas!
　　poorAnnie，likemostofthegentlemaidens——buttush，Iamnotcometothatyet；andforthepresentsheseemedtomelittletolookat，afterthebeautyofLornaDoone。