TheHarepausedforalittle，thenlookedupatmeinitscomicalfashionandasked——
　　"Didyouevercoursehares，Mahatma？"
　　"NotI，thankgoodness，"Ianswered。
　　"Well，whatdoyouthinkofcoursing？"
　　"Iwouldrathernotsay，"Ireplied。
　　"ThenIwill，"saidtheHare，withconviction。"Ithinkithorrible。"
　　"Yes，but，Hare，youdonotrememberthepleasurethissportgivestothemenandthedogs；youlookatitfromanentirelyselfishpointofview。"
　　"Andsowouldyou，Mahatma，ifyouhadfeltJack’shotbreathonyourbackandJill’steethinyourtail。"
　　THEHUNTING
　　TheHaresatsilentforatime，whileIemployedmyselfinwatchingcertainshadowsstreampastusontheGreatWhiteRoad。AmongthemwasthatofapoliticianwhomIhadmuchadmiredupontheearth。InthislandofTruthIwasgrievedtoobservecertaincharacteristicsabouthimwhichIhadneverbeforesuspected。Itseemedtome，alas！thatinhismundanecareerhehadnotbeensoentirelyinfluencedbyasingle-
　　hearteddesireforthewelfareofourcountryashehadproclaimedandIhadbelieved。Igatheredeventhathisowninterestshadsometimesinspiredhispolicy。
　　Hewentby，leaving，sofarasIwasconcerned，asomewhatpainfulimpressionfromwhichIsoughtreliefinthecompanyoftheopen-
　　souledHare。
　　"Well，"Isaid，"Isupposethatyoudiedofexhaustionafteryourcoursingexperience，andcameonhere。"
　　"Diedofexhaustion，Mahatma，notabitofit！InthreedaysIwasaswellasever，onlymuchmorecunningthanIhadbeenbefore。InthenightIfedinthefieldsuponwhateverIcouldget，butinthedaytimeIalwayslayupinwoods。ThisIdidbecauseIfoundouttheshootingwasover，andIknewthatgreyhounds，whichrunbysight，wouldnevercomeintowoods。
　　Theweekswentbyandthedaysbegantolengthen。PrettyyellowflowersthatIhadnotseenbeforeappearedinthewoods，andIateplentyofthem；theyhaveaniceflavour。ThenImetanotherhareandlovedher，becausesheremindedmeofmysister。Weusedtoplayabouttogetherandwereveryhappy。IwonderwhatshewilldonowthatIamgone。"
　　"Consoleherselfwithsomebodyelse，"Isuggestedsarcastically。
　　"No，shewon’tdothat，Mahatma，becausethehounds’chopped’herjustoutsidetheRoundPlantation。Imeantheycaughtandateher。YouthinkthatIamcontradictingmyself，butIamnot。ImeanIwonderwhatshewilldowithoutmeinwhateverworldshehasreached，forI
　　don’tseeherhere。Well，IwenttothelittleRoundPlantationbecauseIfoundthatGilesseldomcamethereandIthoughtitwouldbesafer，butasitprovedImadeagreatmistake。OnedaythereappearedtheRed-facedManandTomandthegirl，Ella，andalotofotherpeoplemountedonhorses，someofthemdressedingreencoatswithridiculous-lookingcapsontheirheads。
　　AlsowiththemwereIdon’tknowhowmanyspotteddogswhosetailscurledovertheirbacks，notlikegreyhoundswhosetailscurlbetweentheirlegs。OutsideofthePlantationthosedogscaughtandatemyfuturewife，asIhavesaid。Itwasherownfault，forIhadwarnedhernottogothere，butshewasaveryself-willedcharacter。Asitwassheneverevengavethemarun，fortheywereallroundherinaminute。Thentheymadeakindofcartwheel；theirheadswereinthecentreofthiscartwheelandtheirtailspointedout。Initsexactmiddlewasmyfuturewife。
　　Whenthewheelbrokeuptherewasnothingofherleftexceptherscut，whichlayupontheground。
　　IhadseensomanyofsuchthingsthatIwasnotsomuchshockedasyoumightsuppose。Afterallafineharelikemyselfcouldalwaysgetanotherwife，andasIhavetoldyoushewasveryself-willed。
　　SoIlaystill，thinkingthatthosemenanddogswouldgoaway。
　　ButwhatdoyouthinkMahatma？JustastheyweregoingtheboyTomcalledout——
　　"Isay，Dad，IthinkwemightaswellknockthroughtheRoundPlantation。Gilestellsmethattheoldspeckle-backedbuckliesuphere。"
　　"Doeshe？"saidGrampus。"Well，ifso，that’sthehareIwanttosee，forIknowhe’dgiveusagoodrun。Here，Jerry"（Jerrywasthehuntsman），"justputthehoundsintothatplace。"
　　SoJerryputthehoundsin，makingdreadfulnoisestoencouragethem，andofcourseIcameout，asIdidnotwishtosharethefateofmyfuturewife。
　　"That’shim！"screechedTom。"Lookatthegreymarksonhisback。"
　　"Yes，that’sherightenough，"shoutedtheRed-facedMan。"Laythemon，Jerry，laythemon；we’reinforarattlingrunnow，I’llwarrant。"
　　SotheywerelaidonandIwentawayashardasmylegswouldcarryme。VerysoonIfoundthatIhadleftallthosecurly-taileddogsalongwaybehind。
　　"Ah！"Isaidtomyselfproudly，"thesebeastsarenotgreyhounds；theyarelikeGiles’sretrieverandthesheepdog。They’llneverseemeagain。SoIloopedalongsavingmybreathandheadingforawoodwhichwasquitefivemilesoffthatIhadoncevisitedfromtheMarshonthesea-shorewhereIlaysick，forIwassuretheywouldneverfollowmethere。
　　Youcanimagine，then，Mahatma，howsurprisedIwaswhenIdrewnearthatwoodtohearahideousnoiseofdogsallbarkingtogetherbehindme，andonlookingback，toseethosespottedbrutes，withtheirtongueshangingout，comingalongquiteclosetoeachotherandnotmorethanaquarterofamileaway。
　　Moreovertheywerecomingafterme。Iwassureofthat，forthefirstofthemkeptsettingitsnosetothegroundjustwhereIhadrun，andthenliftingupitsheadtobay。Yes，theywerecomingonmyscent。
　　TheycouldsmellmeasGiles’scurlydogsmellsthewoundedpartridges。Myheartsankatthethought，butpresentlyIrememberedthatthewoodwasquiteclose，andthatthereIshouldcertainlygivethemtheslip。
　　SoIwentonquitecheerfully，notevenrunningasfastasIcould。
　　Butfortunewasagainstme，aseverythinghasalwaysbeen，forIneverfoundafriend。Iranalongthesideofahedgerowwhichwentquiteuptothewood，notknowingthatattheendofitthreemenwereengagedincuttingdownanoaktree。Yousee，Mahatma，theyhadcaughtsightofthehuntandstoppedfromtheirwork，sothatIdidnothearthesoundoftheiraxesuponthetree。Nor，asmyheadwassoneartheground，didIseethemuntilIwasrightontothem，atwhichmomentalsotheysawme。
　　"Heresheis！"yelledoneofthem。"Keepheroutofcovertorthey’llloseher，"andhethrewouthisarmsandbegantojumpabout，asdidtheothertwo。
　　Ipulledupshortwithinthreeorfouryardsofthem。Behindwerethedogsandthepeoplegallopinguponhorsesandinfrontwerethethreemen。WhatwasItodo？NowIhadstoppedexactlyinagateway，foralaneranalongsidethewood。Afteramoment’spauseIboltedthroughthegateway，thinkingthatIwouldgetintothewoodbeyond。Butoneofthemen，whoofcoursewantedtoseemekilled，wastooquickformeandthereheadedmeagain。
　　ThenIlostmysenses。Insteadofrunningonpasthimandleapingintothewood，Iswungrightroundandrushedback，stillclingingtothehedgerow。IndeedasIwentdownonesideofitthehoundsandthehunterscameupontheother，sothattherewereonlyafewsticksbetweenus，thoughfortunatelythewindwasblowingfromthemtome。
　　FearinglesttheyshouldseemeIjumpedintotheditchandranforquitetwohundredyardsthroughthemudandwaterthatwasgatheredthere。ThenIhadtocomeoutofitagainasitendedbutherewasafallintheground，sostillIwasnotseen。
　　MeanwhilethehunthadreachedthethreemenandIheardthemalltalkingtogether。TheendofitwasthatthemenexplainedwhichwayI
　　hadgone，andoncemorethehoundswerelaidontome。InaminutetheygottowhereIhadenteredtheditch，andtheregrewconfusedbecausemyfootmarksdidnotsmellinthewater。Forquitealongtimetheylookedabouttillatlength，takingawidecast，thehoundsfoundmysmellagainattheendoftheditch。
　　DuringthischeckIwasmakingthebestofmywaybacktowardsmyownhome；indeedhaditnotbeenforitIshouldhavebeencaughtandtorntopiecesmuchsoonerthanIwas。ThusithappenedthatIhadcoveredquitethreemilesbeforeoncemoreIheardthosehoundsbayingbehindme。ThiswasjustasIgotontothemoorland，atthatedgeofitwhichisaboutanotherthreemilesfromthegreathousecalledtheHall，whichstandsonthetopofacliffthatslopesdowntothebeachandthesea。
　　Ihadthoughtofmakingfortheotherwood，thatinwhichIhadsavedmyselffromthegreyhoundswhenthebeastJackbrokeitsneckagainstthetree，butitwastoofaroff，andthegroundwassoopenthatI
　　didnotdaretotry。
　　SoIwentstraighton，headingtowardsthecliff。Anothermileandtheyviewedme，forIheardTomyellwithdelightashestoodupinhisstirrupsontheblackcobhewasridingandwavedhiscap。Jerrythehuntsmanalsostoodupinhisstirrupsandwavedhiscap，andthelastawfulhuntbegan。
　　Iran——oh！howIran。OncewhentheywerenearlyonmeImanagedtocheckthemforaminuteinahollowbygettingamongsomesheep。Buttheysoonfoundmeagain，andcameaftermeatfulltearnotmorethanahundredyardsbehind。InfrontofmeIsawsomethingthatlookedlikewallsandboundedtowardsthemwithmylaststrength。Myheartwasbursting，myeyesandmouthseemedtobefullofblood，buttheterrorofbeingtorntopiecesstillgavemepowertorushonalmostasquicklyasthoughIhadjustbeenputoffmyform。ForasIhavetoldyou，Mahatma，Iam，orratherwas，averystrongandswifthare。
　　Ireachedthewalls；therewasanopendoorwayinthemthroughwhichI
　　fled，tofindmyselfinabiggarden。Twogardenerssawmeandshoutedloudly。Iflewonthroughsomeotherdoors，throughayard，andintoapassagewhereImetawomancarryingapail，whoshriekedandfellontoherback。Ijumpedoverherandgotintoabigroom，wherewasalongtablecoveredwithwhiteonwhichwereallsortsofthingsthatI
　　supposemeneat。OutofthatroomIwentintoyetanother，whereafatwomanwithahookednosewasseatedholdingsomethingwhiteinfrontofher。Iboltedunderthethingonwhichshewasseatedandlaythere。Shesawmecomeandbegantoshriekalso，andpresentlyamostterriblenoisearoseoutside。
　　Allthespotteddogswereinthehouse，bayingandbarking，andeverybodywasyelling。Thenforaminutethedogsstoppedtheirclamour，andIheardagreatclatterofthingsbreakingandofteethcrunchingandoftheRed-facedManshouting——
　　"Thosecursedbrutesareeatingthehuntlunch。Getthemout，Jerry，youidiot！Getthemout！Greatheavens！what’sthematterwithherLadyship？Isanyonemurderingher？"
　　Isupposethattheycouldn’tgetthemout，oratleastwhentheydidtheyallcameintotheotherroomwhereIwasundertheseatonwhichthefatwomanwasnowstanding。
　　"Whatisit，mother？"IheardTomsay。
　　"Ananimal！"shescreamed。"Ananimalunderthesofa！"
　　"Allright，"hesaid，"that’sonlythehare。Here，hounds，outwithher，hounds！"
　　Thedogsrushedabout，someofthemwithgreatlumpsoffoodstillintheirmouths。Buttheywereconfused，andallwentintothewrongplaces。Everythingbegantofallwithdreadfulcrashes，thefatwomanshriekedpiercingly，andhershriekwas——
　　"China！Oh！mychina-a。John，youwretch！Help！Help！Help！"
　　TowhichtheRed-facedManroaredinanswer——
　　"Don’tbeaninfernalfool，Eliza-a。Isay，don’tbesuchaninfernalfool。"
　　AlsotherewerelotsofothernoisesthatIcannotremember，exceptonewhichadogmade。
　　Thissillydoghadthrustitsheaduptheholeoverafiresuchasthestopsmakeoutsidethecovertswhenmenaregoingtoshoot，eithertohidesomethingortolookformethere。WhenitcamedownagainbecausetheRed-facedMankickedit，thedogputitspawsintothefireandpulleditalloutoverthefloor。Alsoithowledverybeautifully。Justthenanotherhound，thatonewhichgenerallyledthepack，begantosniffaboutnearmeandfinallypokeditsnoseunderthestuffwhichhidme。
　　Itjumpedbackandbayed，whereonIjumpedouttheotherside。Tommadearushatmeandknockedthefatwomanoffthethingshewasstandingon，sothatshefellamongthedogs，whichcoveredherupandbegantosniffherallover。FlyingfromTomIfoundmyselfinfrontofsomethingfilmy，beyondwhichIsawgrass。Itlookedsuspicious，butasnothingintheworldcouldbesobadasTom，no，notevenhisdogs，Ijumpedatit。
　　Therewasacrashandasharppointcutmynose，butIwasoutuponthegrass。Thenthereweretwentyothercrashes，andallthehoundswereouttoo，forTomhadcheeredthemon。Irantotheedgeofthelawnandsawasteepslopeleadingtothesandsandthesea。NowI
　　knewwhattheseawas，forafterTomhadshotmeinthebackIlivedbyitforalongwhile，andonceswamacrossalittlecreektogettomyform，fromwhichitcutmeoff。
　　WhileIrandownthatslopefastasmyachinglegswouldcarryme，I
　　madeupmymindthatIwouldswimoutintotheseaanddrownthere，sinceitisbettertodrownthantobetorntopieces。Butwhyareyoulaughing，friendMahatma。"
　　"Iamnotlaughing，"Isaid。"Inthisstate，withoutabody，Ihavenothingtolaughwith。Stillyouareright，foryouseethatIshouldbelaughingifIcould。Yourstoryofthestoutladyandthedogsandthechinaisveryamusing。"
　　"Perhaps，friend，butitdidnotamuseme。Nothingisamusingwhenoneisgoingtobeeatenalive。"
　　"Ofcourseitisn’t，"Ianswered。"Pleaseforgivemeandgoon。"
　　"Well，Itumbleddownthatcliff，followedbysomeofthedogsandTomandthegirlEllaandthehuntsmanJerryonfoot，anddraggedmyselfacrossthesandstillIcametothelipofthesea。
　　JustheretherewasaboatandbyitstoodGilesthekeeper。Hehadcometheretogetoutofthewayofthehunting，whichhehatedasmuchashedidthecoursing。Thesightofhimsettledme——intotheseaIwent。Thedogswantedtofollowme，butJerrycalledandwhippedthemoff。
　　"Iwon’thavethemcaughtinthecurrentanddrowned，"hesaid。"Lettheflea-bittenolddevilgo，she’sbroughttroubleenoughalready。"
　　"Helpmeshoveofftheboat，Giles，"shoutedTom。"Sheshan’tbeatus；
　　wemusthaveherforthehounds。Comeon，Ella。"
　　"Bestleaveheralone，MasterTom，"saidGiles。"Ithinkshe’sanunluckyone，thatIdo。"
　　StilltheendofitwasthathehelpedtofloatthelittleboatandgotintoitwithTomandElla。
　　JustaftertheyhadpushedoffIsawamanrunningdownthestepsonthecliffwavinghisarmswhilehecalledoutsomething。Butofhimtheytooknoheed。Idonotthinktheynoticedhim。Asforme，Iswamon。
　　IcouldnotgoveryfastbecauseIwassodreadfullytired；alsoIdidnotlikeswimming，andthecoldwavesbrokeovermyhead，makingthecutinmynosesmartandfillingmyeyeswithsomethingthatstungthem。Icouldnotseefareither，nordidIknowwhereIwasgoing。I
　　knewnothingexceptIwasabouttodie，andthatsooneverythingwouldbeatanend；men，dogs——everything，yes，evenTom。Iwantedthingstocometoanend。Ihadsufferedsodreadfully，lifewassohorrible，I
　　wassoverytired。Ifeltthatitwasbettertodieandhavedone。
　　SoIswamonalongwayandbegantoforgetthings；indeedIthoughtthatIwasplayinginthebigturnipfieldwithmymotherandsister。
　　ButjustasIwassinkingexhaustedahandshotdownintothewaterandcaughtmebytheears，althoughfrombelowthefingerslookedasthoughtheywerebendingawayfromme。Isawitcomingandtriedtosinkmorequickly，butcouldnot。
　　"I’vegother，"saidthevoiceofTomgleefully。"My！isn’tsheabeauty？Overninepoundsifsheisanounce。Onlyjustintime，though，"hewenton，"for，look！she’sdrowning；herheadwobblesasthoughsheweresea-sick。Buckup，pussie，buckup！Youmustn’tcheatthehoundsatlast，youknow。Itwouldn’tbesportsmanlike，andtheyhatedeadhares。"
　　Thenheheldmebymyhindlegstodrainthewateroutofme，andafterwardsbegantoblowdownmynose，Ididnotknowwhy。
　　"Don’tdothat，Tom，"saidEllasharply。"It’snasty。"
　　"Mustkeepthelifeinhersomehow，"answeredTom，andwentonblowing。
　　"MasterTom，"interruptedGiles，whowasrowingtheboat。"Iain’tparticular，butIwishyou’dleavethatthereharealone。SomehowI
　　thinksthere’sbadnewsinitseye。Whoknows？P’rapsthelittledevilfeels。Anyway，it’sarumone，itsswimmingouttosea。Ineversee’dahuntedharedothatafore。"
　　"Bosh！"saidTom，andcontinuedhisblowing。
　　WereachedtheshoreandTomjumpedoutoftheboat，holdingmebytheears。Thehoundswereallonthebeach，mostofthemlyingdown，fortheywereverytired，butthemenwerestandinginaknotatadistancetalkingearnestly，Tomrantothehounds，cryingout——
　　"Heresheis，mybeauties，heresheis！"whereontheygotupandbegantobay。Thenheheldmeabovethem。
　　"MasterTom，"IheardJerry’svoicesay，"forGod’ssakeletthatharegoandlisten，MasterTom，"andthegirlElla，whoofasuddenhadbeguntosob，triedtopullhimback。
　　Buthewasmadtoseemebittentodeathandeaten，anduntilhehaddonesowouldattendtonoone。Heonlyshouted，"One——two——three！
　　Now，hounds！/Worry，worry，worry！/"
　　Thenhethrewmeintotheairabovetheredthroatsandgnashingteethwhichleaptuptowardsme。
　　*****
　　TheHarepaused，butadded，"Didyoutellme，friendMahatma，thatyouhadneverbeentorntopiecesbyhounds，’brokenup，’Ibelievetheycallit？"
　　"Yes，Idid，"Ianswered，"andwhatismoreIshallbeobligedifyouwillnotdwelluponthesubject。"
　　THECOMINGOFTHERED-FACEDMAN
　　"Asyoulike，"saidtheHare。"Certainlyitwasverydreadful。Itseemedtolastalongtime。ButIdon’tminditsomuchnow，forI
　　feelthatitcanneverhappentomeagain。AtleastIhopeitcan’t，forIdon’tknowwhatIhavedonetodeservesuchafate，anymorethanIknowwhyitshouldhavehappenedtomeonce。"
　　"Somethingyoudidinapreviousexistence，perhaps，"Ianswered。"Youseethenyoumayhavehuntedothercreaturessocruellythatatlastyourturncametosufferwhatyouhadmadethemsuffer。Ioftenthinkthatbecauseofwhatwehavedonebeforewemenarealsoreallybeinghuntedbysomethingwecannotsee。"
　　"Ah！"exclaimedtheHare，"Ineverthoughtofthat。Ihopeitistrue，foritmakesthingsseemjusterandlesswicked。ButIsay，friendMahatma，whatamIdoingherenow，whereyoutellmepoorcreatureswithfourfeetnever，orhardlyevercome？"
　　"Idon’tknow，Hare。Iamnotwise，towhomitisonlygrantedtovisittheRoadoccasionallytosearchforsomeone。"
　　"Iunderstand，Mahatma，butstillyoumustknowagreatdealoryouwouldnotbeallowedinsuchaplacebeforeyourtime，oratanyrateyoumustbeabletoguessagreatdeal。Sotellme，whydoyouthinkthatIamhere？"
　　"Ican’tsay，Hare，Ican’tindeed。PerhapsaftertheGatesareopenandyourGuardianhasgivenyoutodrinkoftheCup，youwillgotosleepandwakeupagainassomethingelse。"
　　"Todrinkofthecup，Mahatma？Idon’tdrink；atleastIdidn’t，thoughIcan’ttellwhatmayhappenhere。Butwhatdoyoumeanaboutwakingupassomethingelse？Pleasebemoreplain。Aswhatelse？"
　　"Oh！whocanknow？PossiblyasyouareonthehumanRoadyoumightevenbecomeamansomeday，thoughIshouldnotadviseyoutobuildonsuchahopeasthat。"
　　"Whatdoyousay，Mahatma？Aman！Oneofthosetwo-leggedbeaststhathunthares；athinglikeGilesandTom——yes，Tom？Oh！notthat——notthat！I’dalmostrathergothrougheverythingagainthanbecomeacruel，torturingman。"
　　AsitspokethustheHaregrewsodisturbedthatitnearlyvanished；
　　literallyitseemedtomeltawaytillIcouldonlyperceiveitsoutline。WithakindofshockIcomprehendedallthehorrorthatitmustfeelatsuchaprospectasIhadsuggestedtoit，andreallythisgraspingofthetruthhurtmyhumanpride。Ithadnevercomehometomebeforethatthecircumstancesoftheirlives——anddeaths——mustcausesomecreaturestoseeusinstrangelights。
　　"Oh！IhavenodoubtIwasmistaken，"Isaidhurriedly，"andthatyourwishesonthepointwillberespected。ItoldyouthatIknownothing。"
　　AtthesewordstheHarebecamequitevisibleagain。
　　Itsatupandveryreflectivelybegantorubitsstillshadowynosewithashadowypaw。Ithinkthatitrememberedthestingofthesaltwaterinthecutmadebytheglassofthewindowthroughwhichithadsprung。
　　Believingthatitsremarkablestorywasdone，andthatpresentlyitwouldaltogethermeltawayandvanishoutofmyknowledge，Ilookedaboutme。FirstIlookedabovethetoweringGatestoseewhethertheLightshadyetbeguntochange。ThenastheyhadnotIlookeddowntheGreatWhiteRoad，followingitformilesandmiles，untileventomyspiritsightitlostitselfintheNowhere。
　　PresentlycomingupthisRoadtowardsusIsawamandressedinagreencoat，riding-breechesandbootsandapeakedcap，whoheldinhishandahunting-whip。Hewasafine-lookingpersonofmiddleage，withapleasant，opencountenance，brightblueeyes，andveryredcheeks，onwhichheworelight-colouredwhiskers。Inshortajovial-
　　lookingindividual，withwhomthingshadevidentlyalwaysgonewell，onetowhomsorrowanddisappointmentandmentalstrugglewereutterstrangers。He，atleast，hadneverknownwhatitisto"endurehardness"inallhislife。
　　StudyinghisnatureasonecandoontheRoad，Iperceivedalsothatinhimtherewasnoguile。Hewasagood-minded，God-fearingmanaccordingtohissimplelights，whohaddonemanykindnessesandcontributedliberallytowardsthewantsofthepoor，thoughashehadbeenveryrich，ithadcosthimlittlethustogratifythenaturalpromptingsofhisheart。
　　MoreoverhewaswhatJorsencallsa"youngsoul，"quiteyoungindeed，bywhichImeanthathehadnotoftenwalkedtheRoadinpreviousstatesoflife，asforinstancethatEasternwomanhaddonewhoaccostedmebeforethearrivaloftheHare。Sotospeakhiscrudenaturehadscarcelyoutgrowntheprimitivehumanconditioninwhichnecessityaswellastastemakeitcustomaryandpleasanttomentokill；thatconditionthroughwhichalmosteveryboypassesonhiswaytomanhood，Isupposebytheworkingofsomesecretlawofreminiscence。
　　Itwasthisthoughtthatfirstledmetoconnectthenew-comerwiththeRed-facedManoftheHare’sstory。ItmayseemstrangethatI
　　shouldhavebeensodense，butthetruthisthatitneveroccurredtome，anymorethanithaddonetotheHare，thatsuchapersonwouldbeatalllikelytotreadtheRoadformanyyearstocome。Ihadgatheredthathewascomparativelyyoung，andalthoughIhadarguedotherwisewiththeHare，hadconcludedthereforethathewouldcontinuetolivehishappyearthlifeuntiloldagebroughthimtoanaturalend。Hencemyobtuseness。
　　Themanwasdriftingtowardsmethoughtfully，evidentlymuchbewilderedbyhisnewsurroundingsbutnotintheleastafraid。Indeedtherenoneareafraid；whentheyglidefromtheirdeath-bedstotheRoadtheyleavefearbehindthemwiththeotherterrorsofourmortallot。
　　PresentlyhebecameconsciousofthepresenceoftheHare，andthoughtspassedthroughhismindwhichofcourseIcouldread。
　　"Myword！"hesaidtohimself，"thingsarebetterthanIhoped。
　　There’sahare，andwherethereareharestheremustbehuntingandshooting。Oh！ifonlyIhadagun，ortheghostofagun！"
　　Thenanideastruckhim。Heliftedhishunting-cropandhurleditattheHare。
　　Asitwasonlytheshadowofacropofcourseitcouldhurtnothing。
　　StillitwentthroughtheshadowoftheHareandcausedittotwistroundlikelightning。
　　"Thatwasagoodshotanyway，"hereflected，withasatisfiedsmile。
　　BynowtheHarehadseenhim。
　　"/TheRed-facedMan！/"itexclaimed，"Grampushimself！"anditturnedtofleeaway。
　　"Don’tbefrightened，"Icried，"hecan’thurtyou；nothingcanhurtyouhere。"
　　TheHarehaltedandsatup。"No，"itsaid，"Iforgot。Butyousaw，hetriedto。Now，Mahatma，youwillunderstandwhatabloodthirstybruteheis。EvenafterIamdeadhehastriedtokillmeagain。"
　　"Well，andwhynot？"interruptedtheMan。"Whatareharesforexcepttobekilled？"
　　"There，Mahatma，youhearhim。Lookatme，Man，whoamI？"
　　SohelookedattheHareandtheHarelookedathim。Presentlyhisfacegrewpuzzled。
　　"ByJingo！"hesaidslowly，"youareuncommonlylike——you/are/thataccursedwitchofaharewhichcostmemylife。Therearethewhitemarksonyourback，andthereisthegreysplotchonyourear。Oh！ifonlyIhadagun——arealgun！"
　　"Youwouldshootme，wouldn’tyou，ortryto？"saidtheHare。"Well，youhaven’tandyoucan’t。YousayIcostyouyourlife。Whatdoyoumean？Itwasmylifethatwassacrificed，notyours。"
　　"Indeed，"answeredtheMan，"Ithoughtyougotaway。NeversawanymoreofyouafteryoujumpedthroughtheFrenchwindow。Neverhadtime。ThelastthingIrememberisherLadyshipscreaminglikeamadcockatoo，yes，andabusingmeasthoughIwereapickpocket，withthedrawing-roomallonfire。Thensomethinghappened，anddownIwentamongthebrokenchinaandhitmyheadagainstthelegofatable。
　　NextcameakindofwhirlingblacknessandIwokeuphere。"
　　"Afitorastroke，"Isuggested。
　　"Both，Ithink，sir。Thefitfirst——Ihavehad’embefore，andthestrokeafterwards——againstthelegofthetable。Anywaytheyfinishedmebetweenthem，thankstothatlittlebeast。"
　　ThenitwasthatIsawaverystrangething，ahareinarage。Itseemedtogomad，ofcourseImeanspirituallymad。Itseyesflashedfire；itopeneditsmouthandshutitafterthefashionofasuffocatingfish。Atlastitspokeinitsownway——IcannotstoptoexplaininfurtherdetailtheexactmannerofspeechorratherofitsequivalentupontheRoad。
　　"Man，Man，"itexclaimed，"yousaythatIfinishedyou。Butwhatdidyoudotome？Youshotme。Lookatthemarksuponmyback。Youcoursedmewithyourrunningdogs。Youhuntedmewithyourhounds。YoudraggedmeoutoftheseaintowhichIswamtoescapeyoubydeath，andthrewmelivingtothepack，"andtheHarestoppedexhaustedbyitsownfury。
　　"Well，"repliedtheMancoolly，"andsupposeI，ormypeople，did，whatofit？Whyshouldn’tI？Youwereabeast，Iwasamanwithdominionoveryou。YoucanreadallaboutthatintheBookofGenesis。"
　　"IneverheardoftheBookofGenesis，"saidtheHare，"butwhatdoesdominionmean？DoesthisBookofGenesissaythatitmeanstherighttotormentthatwhichisweakerthanthetormentor？"
　　"Allyouanimalsweremadeforustoeat，"commentedtheMan，avoidingananswertothedirectquestion。
　　"Verygood，"answeredtheHare，"letussupposethatwe/were/givenyoutoeat。Wasitinordertoeatmethatyoucameoutagainstmewithguns，thenwithdogsthatrunbysight，andthenwithdogsthatrunbysmell？"
　　"Ifyouweretobekilledandeaten，whyshouldyounotbekilledinoneoftheseways，Hare？"
　　"WhyshouldIbekilledinthoseways，Man，whenothersmoremercifulweretoyourhand？Indeed，whyshouldIbekilledatall？Moreover，ifyouwishedtosatisfyyourhungerwithmybody，whyatthelastwasI
　　throwntothedogstodevour？"
　　"Idon’tquiteknow，Hare。Neverlookedatthematterinthatlightbefore。But——ah！I’vegotyounow，"headdedtriumphantly。"Ifithadn’tbeenformeyouneverwouldhavelived。Yousee/I/gaveyouthegiftoflife。Therefore，insteadofgrumbling，youshouldbeverymuchobligedtome。Don’tyouunderstand？Ipreservedhares，sothatwithoutmeyouwouldneverhavebeenahare。Isn’tthatright，Mr。——
　　Mr。——IamsorryIhaveforgottenyourname，"headded，turningtowardsme。
　　"Mahatma，"Isaid。
　　"Oh！yes，Irememberitnow——Mr。——ah——Mr。Hatter。"
　　"Thereissomethingintheargument，"Irepliedcautiously，"butletushearourfriend’sanswer。"
　　"Answer——myanswer！Well，hereitis。Whatareyou，Man，whodaretosaythatyougivelifeorwithholdit？YouaLordoflife，/you！/I
　　tellyouthatIknowlittle，yetIamsurethatyouorthoselikeyouhavenomorepowertocreatelifethantheworldwehavelefthastobidthestarstoshine。Ifthelifemustcome，itwillcome，andifitcannotfulfilitselfasahare，thenitwillappearassomethingelse。
　　Ifyousaythatyoucreatelife，I，thepoorbeastwhichyoutortured，tellyouthatyouareapresumptuousliar。"
　　"Youdaretolectureme，"saidtheMan，"me，theheirofalltheages，asthepoetcalledme。Why，younastylittleanimal，doyouknowthatIhavekilledhundredslikeyou，and，"headded，withasuddenafflatusofpride，"thousandsofothercreatures，suchaspheasants，tosaynothingofdeerandlargergame？ThathasbeenmyprincipaloccupationsinceIwasaboy。ImaysaythatIhavelivedforsport；
　　gotverylittleelsetoshowformylife，sotospeak。"
　　"Oh！"saidtheHare，"haveyou？Well，ifIwereyou，Ishouldn’tboastaboutitjustnow。Yousee，wearestilloutsideofthoseGates。Whoknowsbutthatyouwillfindeveryoneofthelivingthingsyouhaveamusedyourselfbyslaughteringwaitingforyouwithinthem，eachprayingforjusticetoitsMakerandyourown？"
　　"Myword！"saidtheMan，"whatahorriblenotion；it’slikeabaddream。"
　　Hereflectedalittle，thenadded，"Well，iftheydo，I’vegotmyanswer。Ikilledthemforfood；manmustlive。Millionsofpheasantsaresoldtobeeateneveryyearatamuchsmallerpricethantheycosttobreed。Whatdoyousaytothat，Mr。Hatter？Finisheshim，Ithink。"
　　"I’mnotarguing，"Ireplied。"AsktheHare。"
　　"Yes，askme，Man，andalthoughyouarerepeatingyourself，I’llanswerwithanotherquestion，knowingthathereyoumusttellthetruth。Didyoureallyrearusallforfood？Wasitforthisthatyoukeptyourkeepers，yourrunningdogsandyourhuntingdogs，thatyoumightkillpoordefencelessbeastsandbirdstofillmen’sstomachs？
　　Ifthiswasso，Ihavenothingmoretosay。Indeed，ifourdeathsorsufferingsattheirhandsreallyhelpmeninanyway，Ihavenothingmoretosay。Iadmitthatyouarehigherandstrongerthanweare，andhavearighttouseusforyourownadvantage，oreventodestroyusaltogetherifweharmyou。"
　　TheManpondered，thenrepliedsullenly——
　　"Youknowverywellthatitwasnotso。Ididnotrearuppheasantsandharesmerelytoeatthemorthatothersmighteatthem。SomethingforcesmetotellyouthatitwasinorderthatImightenjoymyselfbyshowingmyskillinshootingthem，ortohavethepleasureandexerciseofhuntingthemtodeath。Still，"headdeddefiantly，"IwhoamaChristianmanmaintainthatmyreligionperfectlyjustifiedmeindoingallthesethings，andthatnoblameattachestomeonthisaccount。"
　　"Verygood，"saidtheHare，"nowwehaveaclearissue。FriendMahatma，whenthoseGatesopenpresentlywhathappensbeyondthem？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"Ianswered，"Ihaveneverbeenthere；atleastnotthatIcanremember。"
　　"Still，friendMahatma，isitnotsaidthatyonderlivessomePowerwhichjudgesrighteouslyanddeclareswhatistrueandwhatisfalse？"
　　"Ihaveheardso，Hare。"
　　"Verywell，Man，IlaymycausebeforethatPower——doyouthesame。IfIamwrongIwillgobacktoearthtobetorturedbyyouandyoursagain。If，however，Iamright，youshallabidethejudgmentofthePower，andIaskthatItwillmakeofyou——ahuntedhare！"
　　Nowwhenheheardtheseawfulwords——fortheywereawful——noless，theRed-facedMangrewmuchdisturbed。Hehummedandhehawed，andshiftedhisfeetabout。Atlasthesaid——
　　"Youmustadmitthatwhileyoulivedyouhadafirst-classtimeundermyprotection。Lotsofturnipstoeatandsoforth。"
　　"Afirst-classtime！"theHareansweredwithwitheringscorn。"Whatsortofatimewouldyouhavehadifsomeonehadshotyoualloverthebackandyoumustcreepawaytodieofpainandstarvation？Howwouldyouhaveenjoyeditif，fromdaytoday，youhadbeenforcedtoliveinterrorofcunningmonsters，whoatanyhourmightappeartohurtyouinsomenewfashion？Doyousupposethatanimalscannotfeelfear，andiscontinualfearthekindoffriendthatgivesthema’first-classtime’？"
　　TothislastargumenttheManseemedabletofindnoanswer。
　　"Mr。Hare，"hesaidhumbly，"weareallfallible。AlthoughIneverthoughttofindmyselfinthepositionofhavingtodoso，IwilladmitthatImaypossiblyhavebeenmistakeninmyviewsandtreatmentofyouandyourkind，andindeedofothercreatures。Ifso，I
　　apologiseforany，ah——temporaryinconvenienceImayhavecausedyou。
　　Icandonomore。"
　　"Come，Hare，"Iinterposed，"that’shandsome；perhapsyoumightletbygonesbebygones。"
　　"Apologise！"exclaimedtheHare。"AfterallIhavesufferedIdonotthinkitisenough。Attheveryleast，Mahatma，heshouldsaythatheisheartilyashamedandsorry。"
　　"Well，well，"saidtheMan，"it’snousemakingtwobitesofacherry。
　　Iamsorry，trulysorryforallthepainandterrorIhavebroughtonyou。Ifthatwon’tdolet’sgoupandsettlethematter，andifI’vebeenwrongI’lltrytobeartheconsequenceslikeagentleman。Only，Mr。Hare，Ihopethatyouwillnotwishtoputyourcasemorestronglyagainstmethanyouneed。"
　　"NotI，Man。Iknownowthatyouonlyerredbecausethetruthhadnotbeenrevealedtoyou——becauseyoudidnotunderstand。AllthatIwillask，ifIcan，isthatyoumaybeallowedtotellthistruthtoothermen。"
　　"Well，IamgladtosayIcan’tdothat，Hare。"
　　"Don’tbesosure，"Ibrokein；"it’sjustthekindofthingwhichmightbedecreed——agenerationortwohencewhentheworldisfittolistentoyou。"
　　Buthetooknoheed，ordidnotcomprehendme，andwenton——
　　"Itisanimpossibility，andifIdidtheywouldthinkmealunaticorasnivelling，sentimentalhumbug。Ibelievethatlotsofmyoldfriendswouldscarcelyspeaktomeagain。Why，puttingasidethepleasuresofsport，iftheviewsyoupreachweretobeaccepted，whatwouldbecomeofkeepersandbeatersandhuntsmenanddog-breeders，andofthousandsofotherswhodirectlyorindirectlygettheirlivingoutofhuntingandshooting？Wherewouldgamerentsbealso？"
　　"Idon’tknow，Iamsure，"repliedtheHarewearily。"Isupposethattheywouldearntheirlivinginsomeotherway，astheymustincountrieswherethereisnosport，andthatyouwouldhavetomakeupforshootingrentsbygrowingmoreupontheland。Youknowthatafterallweharesandtheothergameeatagreatdealwhichmightbesavediftherewerenotsomanyofus。ButIamnotwise，andIhaveneverlookedatthequestionfromthatpointofview。Itmayseemselfish，butIhavetoconsidermyselfandthecreatureswhosecauseIplead，forsomethinginsidemeistellingmenow——yes，now——thatallofthemarespeakingthroughmymouth。ItsaysthatiswhyIamallowedtobehereandtotalkwithyouboth；fortheirsakesratherthanformyown。"
　　"Ifyouhavemoretosayyouhadbettersayitquickly，"I
　　interrupted，addressingtheRed-facedMan。"IseethattheLightsarebeginningtochange，whichmeansthatsoontheRoadwillbeclosedandtheGatesopened。"
　　"Ican’trememberanything，"heanswered。"Yes，thereisonematter，"
　　headdednervously。"Isee，Mr。Hare，thatyouarethinkingofmyboyTom，notverykindlyIamafraid。AsyouhavebeensogoodastoforgivemeIhopethatyouwon’tbehardonTom。Heisnotatallabadsortofaladifalittlethoughtless，likemanyotheryoungpeople。"
　　"Idon’tlikeTom，"saidtheHare，withdecision。"Tomshotmewhenyoutoldhimnottoshoot。Tomshutmeupinafilthyplacewithayellowrabbitwhichheforgottofeed，sothatitwantedtoeatme。
　　Tomtriedtocutmeofffromthewoodsothattherunningdogsmightcatchme，althoughyoushoutedtohimthatitwasnotsportsmanlike。
　　Tomdraggedmeoutoftheseaandblewdownmynostrilstokeepmealive。Tomthrewmetothehounds，althoughGilesremonstratedwithhimandeventhehuntsmanbeggedhimtoletmego。ItellyouthatI
　　don’tlikeTom。"
　　"Still，Mr。Hare，"pleadedtheRed-facedMan，"IhopethatifitshouldbeinyourpowerwhenwegetthroughthoseGates，thatyouwillbemercifultoTom。Ican’tthinkofmuchtosayforhiminthishurry，butthere，heismyonlysonandthetruthisthatIlovehim。
　　Youknowhemaylive——tobedifferent——ifyoudon’tbringsomemisfortuneonhim。"
　　"WhoamItobringmisfortuneortowithholdit？"askedtheHare，softeningvisibly。"Well，Iknowwhatlovemeans，formymotherlovedmeandIlovedherinmyway。ItellyouthatwhenIsawherdead，turnedfromabeautifullivingthingintoastainedlumpoffleshandfur，Ifeltdreadful。IunderstandnowthatyouloveTomasmymotherlovedme，and，Man，forthesakeofyourlove——notforhissake，mind——IpromiseyouthatIwon’tsayanythingagainstTomifIcanhelpit，ordoanythingeither。"
　　"You’rearealgoodfellow！"exclaimedtheRed-facedMan，withevidentrelief。"Givemeyourhand。Oh！Iforgot，youcan’t。Hullo！what’supnow？Everythingseemstobealtering。"
　　*****
　　Ashespoke，tomyeyestheLightsbegantochangeinearnest。Allthesky（Icallitskyforclearness）abovethemightyGatesbecameasitwerealivewithburningtonguesofeverycolourthatanartistcanconceive。Bydegreesthesefierytonguesorswordsshapedthemselvesintoavastcirclewhichdrovebackthewallsofdarkness，andthroughthiscircle，guided，guardedbythespiritsofdeadsuns，withodoursandwithchantings，descendedthatcrownedCityoftheMansionsbeforewhosegloryimaginationbreaksandevenVisionveilshereyes。
　　Itdescended，itsbannerswaveringinthewindsofprayer；ithungabovetheGates，theflowersofallsplendours，Heaven’sveryrose，hunglikeanopalontheboundlessbreastofnight，andthereitstayed。
　　TheVoiceintheNorthcalledtotheVoiceintheSouth；theVoiceintheEastcalledtotheVoiceintheWest，anduptheGreatWhiteRoadspedtheAngeloftheRoad，makingreportashecamethatallhismultitudeweregatheredinandforthatwhiletheRoadwasbarred。
　　HepassedandinaflashtheGateswereburnedaway。TheashesofthemfellupontheheadsofthosewaitingattheGates，whiteningtheirfacesanddryingtheirtearsbeforetheChange。TheyfellupontheManandtheHarebesideme，veilingthemasitwereandmakingthemsilent，butonmetheydidnotfall。Then，frombetweentheWardensoftheGates，flowedforththeHelpersandtheGuardians（savethosewhoalreadywerewithoutcomfortingthechildren）seekingtheirbelovedandbearingtheCupsofslumberandnewbirth；thenpealedthequestion——
　　"Whohathsufferedmost？Letthatonefirsttasteofpeace。"
　　Nowallthedimhostssurgedforwardsinceeachoutwornsoulbelievedthatithadsufferedmostandwasinthebitterestneedofpeace。ButtheHelpersandtheGuardiansgentlypressedthemback，andagaintherepealed，noquestionbutacommand。
　　Thiswasthecommand：——
　　"Drawnear，thouHare。"
　　*****
　　JorsenaskedmewhathappenedafterthisjustificationoftheHare，which，ifIheardaright，appearedtosuggestthatbythedecreeofsomejudgeunknown，thewoesofsuchcreaturesarenotunnotedanddespised，orleftunsolaced。OfcourseIhadtoanswerhimthatI
　　couldnottell。
　　Perhapsnothinghappenedatall。PerhapsallthewondersIseemedtosee，eventheRoadbywhichsoulstravelfromTheretoHereandfromHeretoThere，andtheGatesthatwereburnedaway，andtheCityoftheMansionsthatdescended，werebutsignsandsymbolsofmysterieswhichasyetwecannotgrasporunderstand。
　　Whatevermaybethetruthastothismatterofmyvisions，Ineedhardlyadd，however，thatnoonecanbemoreanxiousthanIammyselftolearninwhatwaytheRed-facedMan，speakingonbehalfofourdominantrace，andtheHare，speakingasanappointedadvocateofthesubjectanimalcreation，finishedtheirargumentinthelightoffullerknowledge。MuchalsodoIwonderwhichofthemwasprovedtoberight，adifficultmatterwhereonIfeelquiteincompetenttoexpressanyviews。
　　ButyouseeatthatmomentIwokeup。TheedgeoftheRoadonwhichI
　　wasstandingseemedtogivewaybeneathme，andIfellintospaceasonedoesinanightmare。Itisaveryunpleasantsensation。
　　*****
　　IremembernoticingafterwardsthatIcouldnothavebeenlongasleep。
　　WhenIbegantodreamIhadonlyjustblownoutthecandle，andwhenI
　　awokeagaintherewasstillasmoulderingsparkuponitswick。
　　But，asIhavesaid，inthatspirit-landwitherIhadjourneyedistobefoundneithertimenorspacenoranyotherfamiliarthing。