"Ultimatelyagoodharewasfoundwhichtookthefieldat……
　　Therethehoundspressedher，andonthehuntarrivingattheedgeoftheclifftheharecouldbeseencrossingthebeachandgoingrightouttosea。Aboatwasprocured，andthemasterandsomeothersrowedouttoherjustasshedrowned，and，bringingthebodyin，gaveittothehounds。Ahareswimmingouttoseaisasightnotoftenwitnessed。"——/Localpaper，January/1911。
　　"……Alongcheckoccurredinthelatterpartofthishunt，theharehavinglaidupinahedgerow，fromwhichshewasatlastevictedbyacrackofthewhip。Hernextplaceofrefugewasahorse-pond，whichshetriedtoswim，butgotstuckintheicemidway，andwassinking，whenthehuntsmanwentinafterher。Itwasanovelsighttoseehuntsmanandharebeingliftedoverawalloutofthepond，theeagerpackwaitingfortheirpreybehindthewall。"——/Localpaper，February/1911。
　　*****
　　Theauthorsupposesthatthefirstoftheaboveextractsmusthaveimpressedhim。Atanyrate，onthenightafterthereadingofit，justashewenttosleep，oronthefollowingmorningjustasheawoke，hecannottellwhich，therecametohimthetitleandtheoutlinesofthisfantasy，includingthecommandwithwhichitends。WithaparticularclearnessdidheseemtoseethepictureoftheGreatWhiteRoad，"straightasthewayoftheSpirit，andbroadasthebreastofDeath，"andofthelittleHaretravellingtowardstheawfulGates。
　　LiketheMahatmaofthisfable，heexpressesnoopinionastothemeritsofthecontroversybetweentheRed-facedManandtheHarethat，withoutsearchonhisownpart，presenteditselftohismindinsooddafashion。Itisoneonwhichanybodyinterestedinsuchmatterscanformanindividualjudgment。
　　THEMAHATMA[*]
　　[*]Mahatma，"great-souled。""Oneofaclassofpersonswithpreter-
　　naturalpowers，imaginedtoexistinIndiaandThibet。"——/NewEnglishDictionary/。
　　Everyonehasseenahare，eithercrouchedorrunninginthefields，orhangingdeadinapoulterer’sshop，orlastlypathetic，evendreadful-
　　lookingandinthisformalmostindistinguishablefromaskinnedcat，onthedomestictable。ButnotmanypeoplehavemetaMahatma，atleasttotheirknowledge。NotmanypeopleknowevenwhoorwhataMahatmais。Themajorityofthosewhochancetohaveheardthetitleareapttoconfuseitwithanother，thatofMadHatter。
　　Thisisevendoneofmaliceprepense（especially，forobviousreasons，ifahareisinanywayconcerned）inscorn，notinignorance，bypersonswhoarewellacquaintedwiththerealmeaningofthewordandevenwithitsSanscritorigin。ThetruthisthatanincredulousWesternworldputsnofaithinMahatmas。ToitaMahatmaisakindofspiritualMrs。Harris，givinganaddressinThibetatwhichnolettersaredelivered。Either，itsays，thereisnosuchperson，orheisafraudulentscampwithnogreateroccultpowers——well，thanahare。
　　IconfessthatthisviewofMahatmasisonethatdoesnotsurprisemeintheleast。Inevermet，andIscarcelyexpecttomeet，anindividualentitledtoset"Mahatma"afterhisname。Certainly/I/
　　havenorighttodoso，whoonlytookthattitleonthespurofthemomentwhentheHareaskedmehowIwascalled，andnowmakeuseofitasa/nom-de-plume/。ItistruethereisJorsen，bywhoseorder，foritamountstothat，Ipublishthishistory。ForaughtIknowJorsenmaybeaMahatma，buthedoesnotintheleastlookthepart。
　　Imagineabluffpersonwithastrong，hardface，piercinggreyeyes，andveryprominent，bushyeyebrows，ofaboutfiftyorsixtyyearsofage。AddaScotchaccentandameerschaumpipe，whichhesmokesevenwhenheiswearingafrockcoatandatallhat，andyouhaveJorsen。I
　　believethathelivessomewhereinthecountry，iswelloff，andpractisesgardening。Ifsohehasneveraskedmetohisplace，andI
　　onlymeethimwhenhecomestoTown，asIunderstand，tovisitflower-
　　shows。
　　ThenIalwaysmeethimbecauseheordersmetodoso，notbyletterorbywordofmouthbutinquiteadifferentway。SuddenlyIreceiveanimpressioninmymindthatIamtogotoacertainplaceatacertainhour，andthatthereIshallfindJorsen。Idogo，sometimestoanhotel，sometimestoalodging，sometimestoarailwaystationortothecornerofaparticularstreetandthereIdofindJorsensmokinghisbigmeerschaumpipe。Weshakehandsandheexplainswhyhehassentforme，afterwhichwetalkofvariousthings。Nevermindwhattheyare，forthatwouldbetellingJorsen’ssecretsaswellasmyown，whichImustnotdo。
　　ItmaybeaskedhowIcametoknowJorsen。Well，inastrangeway。
　　Nearlythirtyyearsagoadreadfulthinghappenedtome。Iwasmarriedand，althoughstillyoung，apersonofsomemarkinliterature。IndeedevennowoneortwoofthebookswhichIwrotearereadandremembered，althoughitissupposedthattheirauthorhaslonglefttheworld。
　　ThethingwhichhappenedwasthatmywifeandourdaughterwerecomingoverfromtheChannelIslands，wheretheyhadbeenonavisit（shewasaJerseywoman），and，and——well，theshipwaslost，that’sall。Theshockbrokemyheart，insuchawaythatithasneverbeenmendedagain，butunfortunatelydidnotkillme。
　　AfterwardsItooktodrinkandsank，asdrunkardsdo。Thentheriverbegantodrawme。IhadalodginginapoorstreetatChelsea，andI
　　couldheartherivercallingmeatnight，and——Iwishedtodieastheothershaddied。AtlastIyielded，forthedrinkhadrottedoutallmymoralsense。Aboutoneo’clockofawild，wintermorningIwenttoabridgeIknewwhereinthosedayspolicemenrarelycame，andlistenedtothatcallofthewater。
　　"Come！"itseemedtosay。"Thisworldistherealhell，endingintheeternalnaught。Thedreamsofalifebeyondandofre-uniontherearebutademon’smockingbreathedintothemortalheart，lestbyitsuniversalsuicidemankindshouldrobhimofhistorture-pit。Thereisnotruthinallyourfathertaughtyou"（hewasaclergymanandrathereminentinhisprofession），"thereisnohopeforman，thereisnothinghecanwinexceptthedeephappinessofsleep。Comeandsleep。"
　　SuchweretheargumentsofthatVoiceoftheriver，theold，familiarargumentsofdesolationanddespair。Ileantovertheparapet；inanothermomentIshouldhavebeengone，whenIbecameawarethatsomeonewasstandingneartome。Ididnotseethepersonbecauseitwastoodark。Ididnothearhimbecauseoftheravingofthewind。ButI
　　knewthathewasthere。SoIwaiteduntilthemoonshoneoutforawhilebetweentheedgesoftworaggedclouds，theshapesofwhichI
　　canseetothishour。ItshowedmeJorsen，lookingjustashedoesto-day，forheneverseemstochange——Jorsen，onwhom，tomyknowledge，Ihadnotseteyesbefore。
　　"Evenayearago，"hesaid，inhisstrong，roughvoice，"youwouldnothaveallowedyourmindtobeconvincedbysuchargumentsasthosewhichyouhavejustheardintheVoiceoftheriver。Thatisoneoftheworstsidesofdrink；itdecaysthereasonasitdoesthebody。
　　Youmusthavenoticedityourself。"
　　IrepliedthatIhad，forIwassurprisedintoacquiescence。ThenI
　　grewdefiantandaskedhimwhatheknewoftheargumentswhichwereorwerenotinfluencingme。Tomysurprise——no，thatisnottheword——tomybewilderment，herepeatedthemtomeonebyonejustastheyhadarisenafewminutesbeforeinmyheart。Moreover，hetoldmewhatI
　　hadbeenabouttodo，andwhyIwasabouttodoit。
　　"Youknowmeandmystory，"Imutteredatlast。
　　"No，"heanswered，"atleastnotmorethanIknowthatofmanymenwithwhomIchancetobeintouch。Thatis，Ihavenotmetyoufornearlyelevenhundredyears。Athousandandeighty-six，tobecorrect。
　　IwasablindpriestthenandyouwerethecaptainofIrene’sguard。"
　　AtthisnewsIburstoutlaughingandthelaughdidmegood。
　　"IdidnotknowIwassoold，"Isaid。
　　"Doyoucallthatold？"answeredJorsen。"Why，thefirsttimethatwehadanythingtodowitheachother，sofarasIcanlearn，thatis，wasovereightthousandyearsago，inEgyptbeforethebeginningofrecordedhistory。"
　　"IthoughtthatIwasmad，butyouaremadder，"Isaid。
　　"Doubtless。Well，IamsomadthatImanagedtobehereintimetosaveyoufromsuicide，asonceinthepastyousavedme，forthusthingscomeround。Butyourroomsarenear，aretheynot？Letusgothereandtalk。Thisplaceiscoldandtheriverisalwayscalling。"
　　ThatwashowIcametoknowJorsen，whomIbelievetobeoneofthegreatestmenalive。OnthisparticularnightthatIhavedescribedhetoldmemanythings，andsincethenhehastaughtmemuch，meandafewothers。ButwhetherheiswhatiscalledaMahatmaIamsureIdonotknow。Hehasneverclaimedsucharankinmyhearing，orindeedtobeanythingmorethanamanwhohassucceededinwinningaknowledgeofhisownpowersoutofthedepthsofthedarkthatliesbehindus。
　　OfcourseImeanoutofhispastinotherincarnationslongbeforehewasJorsen。Moreover，bydegrees，asIgrewfittobearthelight，heshowedmesomethingofmyown，andofhowthetwowereintertwined。
　　ButallthesethingsaresecretsofwhichIhaveperhapsnorighttospeakatpresent。ItisenoughtosaythatJorsenchangedthecurrentofmylifeonthatnightwhenhesavedmefromdeath。
　　Forinstance，fromthatdayonwardstothepresenttimeIhavenevertouchedthedrinkwhichsonearlyruinedme。Alsothedarknesshasrolledaway，andwithiteverydoubtandfear；Iknowthetruth，andforthattruthIlive。Consideredfromcertainaspectssuchknowledge，Iadmit，isnotaltogetherdesirable。Thusithasdeprivedmeofmyinterestinearthlythings。Ambitionhasleftmealtogether；foryearsIhavehadnowishtosucceedintheprofessionwhichIadoptedinmyyouth，orinanyother。IndeedIdoubtwhethertheelementsofworldlysuccessstillremaininme；whethertheyarenotentirelyburntawaybythatfireofwisdominwhichIhavebathed。Howcanwestrivetowinacrownwehavenolongeranydesiretowear？NowIdesireothercrownsandattimesIwearthem，ifonlyforalittlewhile。Myspiritgrowsandgrows。Itisdraggingatitsstrings。
　　WhatamItolookat？Asmall，white-hairedmanwithathinandratherplaintivefaceinwhicharesettwolarge，darkeyesthatcontinuallyseemtosoftenanddevelop。Thatismypicture。AndwhatamIintheworld？Iwilltellyou。OncertaindaysoftheweekIemploymyselfineditingatradejournalthathastodowithhaberdashery。OnanotherdayIactasauctioneertoafirmwhichimportsandsellscheapItalianstatuary；modern，verymoderncopiesoftheantique，floridmarblevases，andsoforth。Someofyouwhoreadmayhavepassedsuchmartsindifferentpartsofthecity，orevenhavedroppedinandpurchasedabustoratazzaforasurprisinglysmallsum。PerhapsI
　　knockeditdowntoyou，onlytoopleasedtofinda/bonafide/bidderamongstmycompany。
　　Asfortherestofmytime——well，IemployitindoingwhatgoodIcanamongthepoorandthosewhoneedcomfortorwhoarebereaved，especiallyamongthosewhoarebereaved，fortosuchIamsometimesabletobringthebreathofhopethatblowsfromanothershore。
　　OccasionallyalsoIamusemyselfinmyownfashion。ThussureknowledgehascometomeaboutcertainepochsinthepastinwhichI
　　livedinothershapes，andIstudythoseepochs，hopingthatonedayI
　　mayfindtimetowriteofthemandofthepartsIplayedinthem。Someofthesepartsareextremelyinteresting，especiallyasIamofcourseabletocontrastthemwithourmodernmodesofthoughtandaction。
　　Theydonotallcomebacktomewithequalclearness，theearlierlivesbeing，asonemightexpect，themoredifficulttorecoverandthecomparativelyrecentonestheeasiest。Alsotheyseemtorangeoveravaststretchoftime，backindeedtothedaysofprimeval，prehistoricman。Inshort，Ithinkthesubconsciousinsomewaysresemblestheconsciousandnaturalmemory；thatwhichisveryfarofftoitgrowsdimandblurred，thatwhichiscomparativelycloseremainsclearandsharp，althoughofcoursethisruleisnotinvariable。
　　Moreoverthereisforesightaswellasmemory。AtleastfromtimetotimeIseemtocomeintouchwithfutureeventsandstatesofsocietyinwhichIshallhavemyshare。
　　Ibelievesomethinkersholdatheorythatsuchconditionsasthoseofpast，present，andfuturedonotinfactexist；thateverythingalreadyis，standinglikeacompletedcolumnbetweenearthandheaven；
　　thatthesumisaddedup，theequationworkedout。AttimesIamtemptedtobelieveinthetruthofthisproposition。Butifitbetrue，ofcourseitremainsdifficulttoobtainaclearviewofotherpartsofthecolumnthanthatinwhichwehappentofindourselvesobjectivelyconsciousatanygivenperiod，andneedlesstosayimpossibletoseeitfrombasetocapital。
　　Howeverthismaybe，noindividualentitypervadesallthecolumn。
　　Therearegreatsectionsofitwithwhichthatentityhasnothingtodo，althoughitalwaysseemstoappearagainabove。Isupposethatthosesectionswhichareemptyofanindividualandhisatmosphererepresenttheintervalsbetweenhisliveswhichhespendsinsleep，orinstatesofexistencewithwhichthisworldisnotconcerned，butofsuchgulfsofoblivionandstatesofbeingIknownothing。
　　TotakeasingleinstanceofwhatIdoknow：oncethisspiritofmine，thatnowbytheworkingsofdestinyforalittlewhileoccupiesthebodyofafourth-rateauctioneer，andoftheeditorofatradejournal，dweltinthatofaPharaohofEgypt——nevermindwhichPharoah。Yes，althoughyoumaylaughandthinkmemadtosayit，formethelegionsfoughtandthundered；tomethepeoplesbowedandthesecretsanctuarieswereopenedthatIandIalonemightcommunewiththegods；Iwhointhefleshandafteritmyselfwasworshippedasagod。
　　Well，ofthisforgottenRoyaltyofwhomlittleisknownsavewhatafewinscriptionshavetotell，thereremainsaportraitstatueintheBritishMuseum。SometimesIgotolookatthatstatueandtrytorecallexactlyunderwhatcircumstancesIcausedittobeshaped，puzzlingoutthestorybitbybit。
　　NotlongagoIstoodthusabsorbedanddidnotnoticethatthehouroftheclosingofthegreatgalleryhadcome。StillIstoodandgazedanddreamttillthepolicemanonduty，seeingandsuspectingme，cameupandroughlyorderedmetobegone。
　　Theman’stoneangeredme。Ilaidmyhandonthefootofthestatue，forithadjustcomebacktomethatitwasa"Ka"image，asacredthing，anyEgyptologistwillknowwhatImean，whichforageshadsatinachamberofmytomb。ThentheKathatclingstoiteternallyawokeatmytouchandknewme，orsoIsuppose。AtleastIfeltmyselfchange。Anewstrengthcameintome；myshape，batteredinthisworld’sstorms，putonsomethingofitsancientdignity；myeyesgrewroyal。IlookedatthatmanasPharaohmayhavelookedatonewhohaddonehiminsult。Hesawthechangeandtrembled——yes，trembled。I
　　believehethoughtIwassomeimperialghostthattheshadowsofeveninghadcausedhimtomistakeforman；atanyratehegaspedout——
　　"Ibegyourpardon，Iwasobeyingorders。IhopeyourMajestywon’thurtme。NowIthinkofitIhavebeentoldthatthingscomeoutoftheseoldstatuesinthenight。"
　　Thenturningheran，literallyran，wheretoIamsureIdonotknow，probablytoseekthefellowshipofsomeotherpoliceman。InduecourseIfollowed，and，liftingthebarattheendofthehall，departedwithoutfurtherquestionasked。AfterwardsIwasverygladtothinkthatIhaddonethemannoinjury。AtthemomentIknewthatIcouldhurthimifIwould，andwhatismoreIhadthedesiretodoso。Itcametome，Isuppose，withthatbreathofthepastwhenIwassogreatandabsolute。PerhapsI，orthatpartofmethenincarnate，wasatyrantinthosedays，andthisiswhynowImustbesohumble。Fateisturningmypridetoitshammerandbeatingitoutofme。
　　Forthusinthelonghistoryofthesoulitservesallourvices。
　　THEGREATWHITEROAD
　　Now，asIhavehinted，undertheteachingofJorsen，whosavedmefromdegradationandself-murder，yes，andhelpedmewithmoneyuntilonceagainIcouldearnalivelihood，Ihaveacquiredcertainknowledgeandwisdomofasortthatarenotcommon。Thatis，Jorsentaughtmetheelementsofthesethings；hesetmyfeetuponthepathwhichthenceforward，havingthesight，Ihavebeenabletofollowformyself。HowIfolloweditdoesnotmatter，norcouldIteachothersifIwould。
　　Iamnomemberofanymysticbrotherhood，and，asIhaveexplained，noMahatma，althoughIhavecalledmyselfthusforpresentpurposesbecausethenameisaconvenientcloak。IrepeatthatIamignorantiftherearesuchpeopleasMahatmas，thoughifsoIthinkJorsenmustbeoneofthem。Stillhenevertoldmethis。Whathehastoldisthateveryindividualspiritmustworkoutitsowndestinyquiteindependentlyofothers。Indeed，beingratherfondoffinephrases，hehassometimesspokentomeof，orrather，insisteduponwhathecalled"thelonesomesplendourofthehumansoul，"whichitisourbusinesstoperfectthroughvariouslivestillIcanscarcelyappreciateandamcertainlyunabletodescribe。
　　Totellthetruth，thethoughtofthis"lonesomesplendour"towhichitseemssomeofusmayattain，alarmsme。Ihavehadenoughofbeinglonesome，andIdonotaskforanyparticularsplendour。MyonlyambitionsaretofindthosewhomIhavelost，andinwhateverlifeI
　　livetobeofusetoothers。However，asIgatherthattheexaltedconditiontowhichJorsenalludesisthousandsofagesoffforanyofus，andmayafterallmeansomethingquitedifferenttowhatitseemstomean，thethoughtofitdoesnottroublemeovermuch。MeanwhilewhatIseekisthevisionofthoseIlove。
　　NowIhavethispower。OccasionallywhenIamindeepsleepsomepartofmeseemstoleavemybodyandtobetransportedquiteoutsidetheworld。Ittravels，asthoughIwerealreadydead，totheGatesthatallwholivemustpass，andtheretakesitsstand，ontheGreatWhiteRoad，watchingthosewhohavebeencalledspeedbycontinually。ThoseupontheearthknownothingofthatRoad。Blindedbytheirpompsandvanities，theycannotsee，theywillnotseeitalwaysgrowingtowardsthefeetofeveryoneofthem。ButIseeandknow。Ofcourseyouwhoreadwillsaythatthisisbutadreamofmine，anditmaybe。Still，ifso，itisaverywonderfuldream，andexceptforthechangeofthepassingpeople，orratherofthosewhohavebeenpeople，alwaysverymuchthesame。
　　There，straightasthewayoftheSpiritandbroadasthebreastofDeath，istheGreatWhiteRoadrunningIknownotwhence，uptothoseGatesthatgleamlikemoonlightandarehigherthantheAlps。TherebeyondtheGatestheradiantPresencesmovemysteriously。ThenceattheappointedtimetheVoicecriesandtheyareopenedwithasoundliketothatofdeepestthunder，orsometimesareburnedaway，whilefromtheGlorythatliesbeyondflowthesweet-facedwelcomerstogreetthoseforwhomtheywait，bearingthecupsfromwhichtheygivetodrink。Idonotknowwhatisinthecups，whetheritbeadraughtofLetheorsomebaptismalwaterofnewbirth，orboth；butalwaysthethirsting，world-wornsoulappearstochange，andthenasitweretobelostinthePresencethatgavethecup。Atleasttheyarelosttomysight。Iseethemnomore。
　　WhydoIwatchthoseGates，intruthorindream，beforemytime？Oh！
　　Youcanguess。ThatperchanceImaybeholdthoseforwhommyheartburnswithaquenchless，eatingfire。AndonceIbeheld——notthemotherbutthechild，mychild，changedindeed，mysterious，wonderful，gleaminglikeastar，witheyessodeepthatintheirdepthsmyhumanityseemedtoswoon。
　　Shecameforward；sheknewme；shesmiledandlaidherfingeronherlips。Sheshookherhairaboutherandinitvanishedasinacloud。
　　Yetasshevanishedavoicespokeinmyheart，hervoice，andthewordsitsaidwere——
　　"Wait，ourBeloved！Wait！"
　　Markwell。"OurBeloved，"not"MyBeloved。"SothereareothersbywhomIambeloved，oratleastoneother，andIknowwellwhothatonemustbe。
　　*****
　　Afterthisdream，perhapsIhadbettercallitadream，Iwasillforalongwhile，forthejoyandthegloryofitoverpoweredmeandbroughtmeneartothedeathIhadalwayssought。ButIrecovered，formyhourisnotyet。Moreover，foralongwhileaswereckontime，someyearsindeed，IobeyedtheinjunctionandsoughttheGreatWhiteRoadnomore。AtlengththelonginggrewtoostrongformeandIreturnedthither，butneveragaindidthevisioncome。Itswordwasspoken，itsmissionwasfulfilled。YetfromtimetotimeI，amortal，seemtostanduponthebordersofthatimmortalRoadandwatchthenewlydeadwhotravelittowardsthegloriousGates。
　　OnceortwicetherehavebeenamongthempeoplewhomIhaveknown。AsthesepassmeIappeartohavethepoweroflookingintotheirhearts，andthereIreadstrangethings。Sometimestheyarebeautifulthingsandsometimesuglythings。ThusIhavelearnedthatthoseIthoughtbadwerereallygoodinthemain，forwhocanclaimtobequitegood？
　　AndontheotherhandthatthoseIbelievedtobeashonestastheday——well，hadtheirfaults。
　　TotakeanexamplewhichIquotebecauseitissoabsurd。TheroomsI
　　liveinwereownedbyaprimoldwomanwhoformorethantwentyyearswasmylandlady。SheandIweregreatfriends，indeedshetendedmelikeamother，andwhenIwassoillnursedmeasperhapsfewmotherswouldhavedone。YetwhileIwaswatchingontheRoadsuddenlyshecameby，andwithhorrorIsawthatduringallthoseyearsshehadbeenrobbingme，taking，Iamsorrytosay，manythings，inmoney，trinkets，andfood。OftenIhaddiscussedwithherwherethesearticlescouldpossiblyhavegone，tillfinallysuspicionsettleduponthemanwhocleanedthewindows。Yes，andworstofall，hewasprosecuted，andIgaveevidenceagainsthim，orratherstrengthenedherevidence，onfaithofwhichthemagistratesenthimtoprisonforamonth。
　　"Oh！MrsSmithers，"Isaidtoher，"how/could/youdoit，Mrs。
　　Smithers？"
　　Shestoppedandlookedaboutherterrified，sothatmyheartsmotemeandIaddedinhaste，"Don’tbefrightened，Mrs。Smithers；Iforgiveyou。"
　　"Ican’tseeyou，sir，"sheexclaimed，orsoIdreamed，"butthere！I
　　alwaysknewyouwould。"
　　"Yes，Mrs。Smithers，"Ireplied；"buthowaboutthewindow-cleanerwhowenttojailandlosthissituation？"
　　Thenshepassedonorwasdrawnawaywithoutmakinganyanswer。
　　Nowcomestheoddpartofthestory。WhenIwokeuponthefollowingmorninginmyrooms，itwastobeinformedbythefrightenedmaid-of-
　　all-workthatMrs。Smithershadbeenfounddeadinherbed。Moreover，afewdayslaterIlearnedfromalawyerthatshehadmadeawillleavingmeeverythingshepossessed，includingtheleaseofherhouseandnearly￡1000，forshehadbeenasavingoldpersonduringallherlonglife。
　　Well，Isoughtoutthatwindow-cleanerandcompensatedhimhandsomely，sayingthatIhadfoundIwasmistakenintheevidenceIgaveagainsthim。TherestofthepropertyIkept，andIhopethatitwasnotwrongofmetodoso。Itwillberememberedthatsomeofitwasalreadymyown，temporarilydivertedintoanotherchannel，andfortherestI
　　havesomanytohelp。TobefrankIdonotspendmuchuponmyself。
　　THEHARE
　　NowIhavedonewithmyself，orratherwithmyowninsignificantpresenthistory，andcometothatoftheHare。Itimpressedmeagooddealatthetime，whichisnotlongago，somuchindeedthatI
　　communicatedthefactstoJorsen。Heorderedmetopublishthem，andwhatJorsenordersmustbedone。Idon’tknowwhythisshouldbe，butitisso。HehasauthorityofasortthatIamunabletodefine。
　　Onenightaftertheusualaspirationsandconcentrationofmind，whichbythewayarenotalwayssuccessful，Ipassedintowhatoccultistscallspirit，andothersastateofdream。AtanyrateIfoundmyselfuponthebordersoftheGreatWhiteRoad，asneartothemightyGatesasIameverallowedtocome。HowfarthatmaybeawayIcannottell。
　　Perhapsitisbutafewyardsandperhapsitisthewidthofthisgreatworld，forinthatplacewhichmyspiritvisitstimeanddistancedonotexist。Thereallthingsarenewandstrange，nottobereckonedbyourmeasures。Therethesightisnotoursightnorthehearingourhearing。Irepeatthatallthingsaredifferent，butthatdifferenceIcannotdescribe，andifIcoulditwouldprovepastcomprehension。
　　ThereIsatbythebordersoftheGreatWhiteRoad，myeyesfixedupontheGatesabovewhichthetowersmountformilesonmiles，outlinedagainstanencirclinggloomwiththeradianceoftheworldbeyondtheworlds。Four-squaretheystand，thosetowers，andfourfoldthegatesthatopentothedenizensofotherearths。ButoftheseIhavenoknowledgebeyondthefactthatitissoinmyvisions。
　　IsatuponthebordersoftheRoad，myeyesfixedinhopeupontheGates，thoughwellIknewthatthehopewouldneverbefulfilled，andwatchedthedeadgoby。
　　Theyweremanythatnight。SomeplaguewasworkingintheEastandunchainingthousands。ThefolkthatitloosedwerestrangetomewhointhisparticularlifehaveseldomleftEngland，andIstudiedthemwithcuriosity；high-featured，dark-huedpeoplewithapatientair。
　　TheknowledgewhichIhavetoldmethatoneandalltheywereveryancientsoulswhooftenandoftenhadwalkedthisRoadbefore，andtherefore，althoughasyettheydidnotknowit，werewellaccustomedtothejourney。No，Iamwrong，forhereandthereanindividualdidknow。Indeedonedeep-eyed，wistfullittlewoman，whocarriedababyinherarms，stoppedforamomentandspoketome。
　　"TheotherscannotseeyouasIdo，"shesaid。"PriestoftheQueenofqueens，Iknowyouwell；handinhandweclimbedbythesevenstairwaystothealtarsofthemoon。"
　　"WhoistheQueenofqueens？"Iasked。
　　"Haveyouforgottenherofthehundrednameswhoseveilsweliftedonebyone；herwhosebreastwasbeautyandwhoseeyesweretruth？Inadaytocomeyouwillremember。FarewelltillwewalkthisRoadnomore。"
　　"Stay——whendidwemeet？"
　　"Whenoursoulswereyoung，"sheanswered，andfadedfrommykenlikeashadowfromthesea。
　　AftertheEasternscamemanyothersfromallpartsoftheearth。ThensuddenlyappearedacompanyofaboutsixhundredfolkofeveryageandEnglishintheirlooks。Theywerenotsocalmasarethemajorityofthosewhomakethisjourney。WhenIreadthepapersafewdayslaterI
　　understoodwhy。Agreatpassengershiphadsunksuddenlyinmidoceanandtheywereallcutoffunprepared。
　　When，followedbyafewstragglers，thesehadpassedandgatheredthemselvesintheredshadowbeneaththegatewaytowerswaitingforthesummons，anunusualthingoccurred。ForafewmomentstheRoadwasleftquiteempty。AfterthatlastgreatstrokeDeathseemedtoberestingonhislaurels。Whenthusunpeopleditlookedaveryvastplaceliketoahugearchedcauseway，borderedoneithersidebyblackness，butitselfgleamingwithacuriousphosphorescencesuchasonceortwiceIhaveseeninthewatersofasummerseaatnight。
　　Presentlyintheverycentreofthisilluminateddesolation，whilstitwasasyetfaraway，somethingcaughtmyeye，somethingsostrangetotheplace，soutterlyunfamiliarthatIwatcheditearnestly，wonderingwhatitmightbe。Nearerandneareritcame，withcurious，uncertainhops；yes，alittlebrownobjectthathopped。
　　"Well，"Isaidtomyself，"ifIwerenotwhereIamIshouldsaythatyonderthingwasahare。OnlywhatwouldaharebedoingontheGreatWhiteRoad？Howcouldaharetreadthepathwayofeternalsouls？I
　　mustbemistaken。"
　　SoIreflectedwhilststillthethinghoppedon，untilIbecamecertainthateitherIsufferedfromdelusions，orthatitwasahare；
　　indeedaparticularlyfinehare，muchsuchaoneasafriendofmyoldlandlady，Mrs。Smithers，hadoncesentherasaChristmaspresentfromNorfolk，whichhareIate。
　　Afewmorehopsbroughtitoppositetomypostofobservation。Hereithaltedasthoughitseemedtoseeme。Atanyrateitsatupinthealertfashionthathareshave，itsforepawshangingabsurdlyinfrontofit，withoneear，onwhichtherewasagreyblotch，cockedandonedragging，andsniffedwithitsfunnylittlenostrils。Thenitbegantotalktome。Idonotmeanthatitreallytalked，butthethoughtswhichwereinitsmindwereflashedontomymindsothatIunderstoodperfectly，yes，andcouldanswertheminthesamefashion。Itsaid，orthought，thus：——
　　"Youarereal。Youareamanwhoyetlivesbeneaththesun，thoughhowyoucamehereIdonotknow。Ihatemen，allharesdo，formenarecrueltothem。Stillitisacomfortinthisstrangeplacetoseesomethingonehasseenbeforeandtobeabletotalkeventoaman，whichIcouldneverdountilthechangecame，thedreadfulchange——I
　　meanbecauseofthewayofit，"anditseemedtoshiver。"MayIaskyousomequestions？"
　　"Certainly，"Isaidorratherthoughtback。
　　"Youaresurethattheywon’tmakeyouangrysothatyouhurtme？"
　　"Ican’thurtyou，evenifIwishedtodoso。Youarenotahareanylonger，ifyoueverwereone，butonlytheshadowofahare。"
　　"Ah！Ithoughtasmuch，andthat’sagoodthinganyhow。Tellme，Man，haveyoueverbeentorntopiecesbydogs？"
　　"Goodgracious！no。"
　　"Orcoursed，orhunted，orcaughtinatrap，orshotalloveryourback，ortwistedupinnetsandchokedinsnares？Orhaveyouswumouttoseatodiemoreeasily，orseenyourmateandmotherandfatherkilled？"
　　"No，no。Pleasestop，Hare；yourquestionsareveryunpleasant。"
　　"Nothalfsounpleasantasthethingsarethemselves，Icanassureyou，Man。Iwilltellyoumystoryifyoulike；thenyoucanjudgeforyourself。Butfirst，ifyouwill，doyoutellmewhyIamhere。Haveyouseenmoreharesaboutthisplace？"
　　"Never，noranyotheranimals。No，Iamwrong，onceIsawadog。"
　　TheHarelookedaboutitanxiously。
　　"Adog。Howhorrible！Whatwasitdoing？Hunting？Iftherearenoharesherewhatcoulditbehunting？Arabbit，orapheasantwithabrokenwing，orperhapsafox？Ishouldnotmindsomuchifitwereafox。Ihatefoxes；theycatchyounghareswhentheyareasleepandeatthem。"
　　"Noneofthesethings。Iwastoldthatitbelongedtoalittlegirlwhodied。Thatbrokeitsheart，sothatitdiedalsowhentheyshutherupinabox。Thereforeitwasallowedtoaccompanyherherebecauseithadlovedsomuch。IndeedIsawthemtogether，bothveryhappy，andtogethertheywentthroughthosegates。"
　　"Ifdogslovelittlegirlswhydon’ttheylovehares，atleastasanythinglikestobeloved，forthedogdidn’twanttoeatthelittlegirl，didit？Iseeyoucan’tanswerme。Nowwouldyoulikemetotellyoumystory？SomethinginsideofmeissayingthatIamtodosoifyouwilllisten；alsothatthereisplentyoftime，forIamnotwantedatpresent，andwhenIamIcanruntothosegatesmuchquickerthanyoucould。"
　　"Ishouldlikeitverymuch，Hare。Onceaprophetheardanassspeakinordertowarnhim。Butsincethen，exceptvery，veryrarelyindreams，nocreaturehastalkedtoaman，sofarasIknow。Perhapsyouwishtowarnmeaboutsomething，orothersthroughme，astheasswarnedBalaam。"
　　"WhoisBalaam？IneverheardofBalaam。Hewasn’tthemanwhofetchesdeadpheasantsinthedonkey-cart，washe？Ifso，I’veseenhimmaketheasstalk——withathickstick。No？Well，nevermind，IdaresayI
　　shouldnotunderstandabouthimifyoutoldme。Nowformystory。"
　　ThentheHaresatitselfdown，plantingitsforepawsfirmlyinfrontofit，astheseanimalsdowhentheyareonthewatch，lookedupatmeandbegantopourthecontentsofitsmindintomine。
　　*****
　　Iwasborn，itsaid，orrathertoldmebythoughttransference，inafieldofgrowingcornneartoabigwood。AtleastIsupposeIwasbornthere，thoughthefirstthingIrememberisplayingaboutinthewheatwithtwootherlittleonesofmyownsize，abrotherandasisterthatwerebornwithme。Itwasatnight，foragreat，round，shiningthingwhichInowknowwasthemoon，hungintheskyaboveus。
　　Wegambolledtogetherandwereveryhappy，tillpresentlymymothercame——Irememberhowbigshelooked——andcuffedmewithherpawbecauseIhadledtheothersawayfromtheplacewhereshehadtoldustostop，andgivenheragreathunttofindus。ThatisthefirstthingIrememberaboutmymother。Afterwardssheseemedsorrybecauseshehadhurtme，andnursedusallthree，lettingmehavethemostmilk。Mymotheralwayslovedmethebestofus，becauseIwassuchafineleveret，withaprettygreypatchonmyleftear。JustasIhadfinisheddrinkinganotherharecamewhowasmyfather。Hewasverylarge，withaglossycoatandbigshiningeyesthatalwaysseemedtoseeeverything，evenwhenitwasbehindhim。
　　Hewasfrightenedaboutsomething，andhustledmymotheranduslittleonesoutofthewheat-fieldintothebigwoodbywhichitisbordered。
　　AsweleftthefieldIsawtwotallcreaturesthatafterwardsIcametoknowweremen。Theywereplacingwire-nettingroundthefield——youseeIunderstandnowwhatallthesethingswere，althoughofcourseI
　　didnotatthetime。Thetwoendsofthewirenettinghadnearlycometogether。Therewasonlyalittlegapleftthroughwhichwecouldrun。
　　Anotheryounghare，oritmayhavebeenarabbit，hadgotentangledinit，andoneofthemenwasbeatingittodeathwithastick。I
　　rememberthatthesoundofitsscreamsmademefeelcolddowntheback，forIhadneverheardanythinglikethatbefore，andthiswasthefirstthatIhadseenofpainanddeath。
　　Theothermansawusslippingthroughandranatuswithhisstick。Mymotherwentfirstandescapedhim。Thencamemysister，thenI，thenmybrother。Myfatherwaslastofall。Themanhitwithhisstickanditcamedownthudalongsideofme，justtouchingmyfur。Hehitagainandbroketheforelegofmybrother。Stillweallmanagedtogetthroughintothewood，exceptmyfatherwhowasbehind。
　　"There’stheoldbuck！"criedoneofthemen（Iunderstandwhathesaidnow，thoughatthetimeitmeantnothingtome）。"Knockhimonthehead！"
　　Soleavingusalonetheyranathim。Butmyfatherwasmuchtooquickforthem。Herushedbackintothecornandafterwardsjoinedusinthewood，forhehadseenwirebeforeandknewhowtoescapeit。Stillhewasterriblyfrightenedandmadeuskeepinthewoodtillthefollowingevening，notevenallowingmymothertogotoherformintheroughpastureonitsothersideandlieupthere。
　　Alsowewereintroublebecausemybrother’sforepawwasbroken。Itgavehimagreatdealofpain，sothathecouldnotrestorsleep。
　　Afterawhile，however，itmendedupinafashion，buthewasneverabletorunasfastaswecould，nordidhegrowsobig。Intheendthemotherfoxkilledhim，asIshalltell。
　　Mymotheraskedmyfatherwhatthemenwiththesticksweredoing——
　　for，youknow，manyanimalscantalktoeachotherintheirownway，eveniftheyareofdifferentkinds。Hetoldherthattheywereprotectingthewheattopreventusfromeatingit，towhichsheansweredangrilythatharesmustlivesomehow，especiallywhentheyhadyoungonestonurse。Myfatherrepliedthatmendidnotseemtothinkso，andperhapstheyhadyoungonesalso。Iseenowthatmyfatherwasaphilosophichare。Butareyoutiredofmystory？
　　"Notatall，"Ianswered；"goon，please。Itisveryinterestingtohearthingsdescribedfromtheanimal’spointofview，especiallywhenthatanimalhasgrownwiseandlearnedtounderstand。"
　　"Ah，"answeredtheHare。"Iseewhatyoumean。Anditisodd，butIdounderstand。Allhasbecomecleartome。Idon’tknowwhathappenedwhenIdied，buttherecameachange，andIknewthatIwhowasbutabeastalwayshavebeenandstillamanecessarypartofeverythingasmuchasyouare，thoughmorehelplessandhumble。Yes，Iamasancientandasfar-reachingasyourself，buthowIbeganandhowIshallendisdarktome。Well，Iwillgoonwithmystory。
　　Itmusthavebeenamoonorsolater，aftermymotherhadgivenupnursingme，thatIwenttolieoutbymyself。Therewasabighouseonthehillsideoverlookingthesea，andneartoitweregardenssurroundedbyawall。Alsooutsideofthiswallwasanotherpatchofgardenwherecabbagesgrew。Ifoundawaytothosecabbagesandkeptitsecret，forIwasgreedyandwantedthemallformyself。Iusedtocreepinatnightandeatthem，alsosomeflowerswithspikyleavesthatgrewroundthemwhichhadaveryfineflavour。ThenafterthedawncameIwenttoaformwhichIhadmadeunderafurzebushontheslopethatrandowntothesea，andsleptthere。
　　OnedayIwasawakenedbysomethingwhite，hard，androundwhichrolledgentlyandstoppedstillquiteclosetome。Itwasnotalive，althoughithadaqueersmell，andIwonderedwhyitmovedatall。
　　PresentlyIheardvoicesandthereappearedalittleman，andwithhimsomebodywhowasnotamanbecauseitwasdifferentlydressedandspokeinahighervoice。Isawthattheyhadsticksintheirhandsandthoughtofrunningaway，thenthatitwouldbesafertoliequiteclose。Theycameuptomeandthelittlemansaid——
　　"There’stheball；pickitup，Ella，thelieistoobad。"
　　She，fornowIknowitwaswhatiscalledagirl，stoopedtoobeyandsawmyback。
　　"Tom，"shesaidinawhisper，"here’sayounghareonitsform。"
　　"Getoutofthelight，"heanswered，"andI’llkillit，"andheliftedthestickheheld，whichhadatwistedironend。
　　"No，"shesaid，"catchitalive；Iwantaharetobeafriendtomyrabbit，whichhaslostallitslittleones。"
　　"Lostthem？Eatenthem，youmean，becauseyouwouldalwaysgoandstareatit，"saidTom。"Where’stheleveret？Oh！Isee。Now，lookout！"
　　AmomentlaterandIwasindarkness。Tomhadthrownhimselfuponthetopofmeandwasgrabbingatmewithhishands。Inearlygotaway，butasmyheadpokedupunderhisarmthegirlcaughtholdofit。
　　"Oh！it’sscratching，"shecried，asindeedIwaswithallmymight。
　　"Holdit，Tom，holdit！"
　　"Holdityourself，"saidTom，"myfaceisfulloffurzeprickles。"Sosheheldandpresentlyhehelpedher，tillintheendIwastiedupinapocket-handkerchiefandcarriedIknewnotwhither。IndeedIwasalmostmadwithfear。
　　WhenIcametomyselfIfoundthatIwaswithinakindofwirerunwhichsmeltfoully，asthoughhundredsofthingshadlivedinitforyears。Therewasahutchattheendoftheruninwhichsatanenormousshe-rabbit，quiteasbigasmymother，afierce-lookingbrutewithlongyellowteeth。IwasafraidofthatrabbitandgotasfarfromitasIcould。Presentlyithoppedoutandlookedatme。
　　"Whatareyoudoinghere？"itasked。"Can’tyoutalk？Well，itdoesn’tmatter。IfIgethungryI’lleatyou！Doyouhearthat？I’lleatyou，asIdidalltheothers，"anditshoweditsbigyellowteethandhoppedbackintothehutch。
　　AfterthatTomandthegirlcameandgaveusplentyoffoodwhichthebigrabbitate，forIcouldtouchnothing。Fortwodaystheycame，andthenIthinktheyforgotallaboutus。Igrewveryhungry，andatnightfilledmyselfwithsomeoftheremainingfood，suchasstalecabbageleaves。Bynextmorningallwasgone，andthebigrabbitgrewhungryalso。Allthatdayithoppedaboutsniffingatmeandshowingitsyellowteeth。
　　"Ishalleatyouto-night，"itsaid。
　　Iranroundandroundthepeninterror，tillatlastIfoundaplacewhereratshadbeenworkingunderthewire，almostbigenoughformetosqueezethrough，butnotquite。
　　Thesunwentdownandthebigshe-rabbitcameout。
　　"NowIamgoingtoeatyou，"itsaid，"asIatealltheothers。Iamhungry，veryhungry，"anditproddedmeaboutwithitsnoseandrolledmeover。
　　Atlastwithalittlesquealitdroveitsbigyellowteethintomebehind。Oh！howtheyhurt！Iwasneartherat-hole。Irushedatit，scrabblingandwriggling。Thebigrabbitpouncedonmewithitsfore-
　　feet，tryingtoholdme，buttoolate，forIwasthrough，leavingsomeofmyfurbehindme。Iran，howIran！withoutstopping，tillatlengthIfoundmymotherintheroughpasturebythewoodandtoldhereverything。
　　"Ah！"shesaid，"that’swhatcomesofgreedinessandoftryingtobetooclever。Now，perhaps，youwilllearntostopathome。"
　　SoIdidforalongwhile。