Therewasalulljustthenintheice—creambusiness，itbeingdinner—time，andwefoundthesaloonunoccupied。Whenwehadseatedourselvesaroundthelargestmarble—toppedtable，CharleyMardeninamanlyvoiceorderedtwelvesixpennyicecreams，"strawberryandvernellermixed。"
Itwasamagnificentsight，thosetwelvechillyglassesenteringtheroomonawaiter，theredandwhitecustardrisingfromeachglasslikeachurch—steeple，andthespoon—handleshootingupfromtheapexlikeaspire。Idoubtifapersonofthenicestpalatecouldhavedistinguished，withhiseyesshut，whichwasthevanillaandwhichthestrawberry;butifIcouldatthismomentobtainacreamtastingasthatdid，Iwouldgivefivedollarsforaverysmallquantity。
Wefelltowithawill，andsoevenlybalancedwereourcapabilitiesthatwefinishedourcreamstogether，thespoonsclinkingintheglasseslikeonespoon。
"Let’shavesomemore！"criedCharleyMarden，withtheairofAladdinorderingupafreshhogsheadofpearlsandrubies。"TomBailey，tellPettingiltosendinanotherround。"
CouldIcreditmyears？Ilookedathimtoseeifhewereinearnest。Hemeantit。InamomentmoreIwasleaningoverthecountergivingdirectionsforasecondsupply。ThinkingitwouldmakenodifferencetosuchagorgeousyoungsybariteasMarden，Itookthelibertyoforderingninepennycreamsthistime。
Onreturningtothesaloon，whatwasmyhorroratfindingitempty！
Therewerethetwelvecloudyglasses，standinginacircleonthestickymarbleslab，andnotaboytobeseen。Apairofhandslettinggotheirholdonthewindow—silloutsideexplainedmatters。Ihadbeenmadeavictim。
Icouldn’tstayandfacePettingil，whosepepperytemperwaswellknownamongtheboys。Ihadn’tacentintheworldtoappeasehim。WhatshouldI
do？Iheardtheclinkofapproachingglasses—theninepennycreams。Irushedtothenearestwindow。Itwasonlyfivefeettotheground。IthrewmyselfoutasifIhadbeenanoldhat。
Landingonmyfeet，IfledbreathlesslydownHighStreet，throughWillow，andwasturningintoBrierwoodPlacewhenthesoundofseveralvoices，callingtomeindistress，stoppedmyprogress。
"Lookout，youfool！Themine！Themine！"yelledthewarningvoices。
Severalmenandboyswerestandingattheheadofthestreet，makinginsanegesturestometoavoidsomething。ButIsawnomine，onlyinthemiddleoftheroadinfrontofmewasacommonflour—barrel，which，asIgazedatit，suddenlyroseintotheairwithaterrificexplosion。Ifeltmyselfthrownviolentlyoffmyfeet。Iremembernothingelse，exceptingthat，asIwentup，IcaughtamomentaryglimpseofEzraWingateleeringthroughisshopwindowlikeanavengingspirit。
Theminethathadwroughtmewoewasnotproperlyamineatall，butmerelyafewouncesofpowderplacedunderanemptykegorbarrelandfiredwithaslow—match。Boyswhodidn’thappentohavepistolsorcannongenerallyburnttheirpowderinthisfashion。
ForanaccountofwhatfollowedIamindebtedtohearsay，forIwasinsensiblewhenthepeoplepickedmeupandcarriedmehomeonashutterborrowedfromtheproprietorofPettingil’ssaloon。Iwassupposedtobekilled，buthappily（happilyformeatleast）Iwasmerelystunned。Ilayinasemi—unconsciousstateuntileighto’clockthatnight，whenI
attemptedtospeak。MissAbigail，whowatchedbythebedside，puthereardowntomylipsandwassalutedwiththeseremarkablewords："Strawberryandvernellermixed！"
"Mercyonus！Whatistheboysaying？"criedMissAbigail。
"ROOTBEERSOLDHERE！"
1Thisinscriptioniscopiedfromatriangular—shapedpieceofslate，stillpreservedinthegarretoftheNutterHouse，togetherwiththepistolbuttitself，whichwassubsequentlydugupforapostmortemexamination。
ChapterNineIBecomeanR。M。C。
InthecourseoftendaysIrecoveredsufficientlyfrommyinjuriestoattendschool，where，foralittlewhile，Iwaslookeduponasahero，onaccountofhavingbeenblownup。Whatdon’twemakeaheroof？ThedistractionwhichprevailedintheclassestheweekprecedingtheFourthbadsubsided，andnothingremainedtoindicatetherecentfestivities，exceptinganoticeablewantofeyebrowsonthepartofPepperWhitcombandmyself。
InAugustwehadtwoweeks’vacation。ItwasaboutthistimethatIbecameamemberoftheRivermouthCentipedes，asecretsocietycomposedoftwelveoftheTempleGrammarSchoolboys。ThiswasanhonortowhichIhadlongaspired，but，beinganewboy，Iwasnotadmittedtothefraternityuntilmycharacterhadfullydevelopeditself。
Itwasaveryselectsociety，theobjectofwhichIneverfathomed，thoughI
wasanactivememberofthebodyduringtheremainderofmyresidenceatRivermouth，andatonetimeheldtheonerouspositionofF。C。，FirstCentipede。Eachoftheelectworeacoppercent（someoccultassociationbeingestablishedbetweenacentapieceandacentipedessuspendedbyastringroundhisneck。Themedalswerewornnexttheskin，anditwaswhilebathingonedayatGravePoint，withJackHarrisandFredLangdon，thatI
hadmycuriosityrousedtothehighestpitchbyasightofthesesingularemblems。AssoonasIascertainedtheexistenceofaboys’club，ofcourseIwasreadytodietojoinit。AndeventuallyIwasallowedtojoin。
TheinitiationceremonytookplaceinFredLangdon’sbarn，whereIwassubmittedtoaseriesoftrialsnotcalculatedtosoothethenervesofatimorousboy。BeforebeingledtotheGrottoofEnchantment—suchwasthemodesttitlegiventotheloftovermyfriend’swood—house—myhandsweresecurelypinioned，andmyeyescoveredwithathicksilkhandkerchief。AttheheadofthestairsIwastoldinanunrecognizable，huskyvoice，thatitwasnotyettoolatetoretreatifIfeltmyselfphysicallytooweaktoundergothenecessarytortures。IrepliedthatIwasnottooweak，inatonewhichIintendedtoberesolute，butwhich，inspiteofme，seemedtocomefromthepitofmystomach。
"Itiswell！"saidthehuskyvoice。
Ididnotfeelsosureaboutthat;but，havingmadeupmymindtobeaCentipede，aCentipedeIwasboundtobe。Otherboyshadpassedthroughtheordealandlived，whyshouldnotI？
AprolongedsilencefollowedthispreliminaryexaminationandIwaswonderingwhatwouldcomenext，whenapistolfiredoffclosebymycardeafenedmeforamoment。Theunknownvoicethendirectedmetotaketenstepsforwardandstopatthewordhalt。Itooktensteps，andhalted。
"Strickenmortal，"saidasecondhuskyvoice，morehusky，ifpossible，thanthefirst，"ifyouhadadvancedanotherinch，youwouldhavedisappeareddownanabyssthreethousandfeetdeep！"
Inaturallyshrunkbackatthisfriendlypieceofinformation。Aprickfromsometwo—prongedinstrument，evidentlyapitchfork，gentlycheckedmyretreat。Iwasthenconductedtothebrinkofseveralotherprecipices，andorderedtostepovermanydangerouschasms，wheretheresultwouldhavebeeninstantdeathifIhadcommittedtheleastmistake。Ihaveneglectedtosaythatmymovementswereaccompaniedbydismalgroansfromdifferentpartsofthegrotto。
Finally，Iwasledupasteepplanktowhatappearedtomeanincalculableheight。HereIstoodbreathlesswhilethebylawswerereadaloud。Amoreextraordinarycodeoflawsnevercamefromthebrainofman。Thepenaltiesattachedtotheabjectbeingwhoshouldrevealanyofthesecretsofthesocietywereenoughtomakethebloodruncold。Asecondpistol—shotwasheard，thesomethingIstoodonsunkwithacrashbeneathmyfeetandI
felltwomiles，asnearlyasIcouldcomputeit。Atthesameinstantthehandkerchiefwaswhiskedfrommyeyes，andIfoundmyselfstandinginanemptyhogsheadsurroundedbytwelvemaskedfiguresfantasticallydressed。
Oneoftheconspiratorswasreallyappallingwithatinsauce—panonhishead，andatiger—skinsleigh—robethrownoverhisshoulders。IscarcelyneedsaythattherewerenovestigestobeseenofthefearfulgulfsoverwhichIhadpassedsocautiously。Myascenthadbeentothetopofthehogshead，andmydescenttothebottomthereof。Holdingoneanotherbythehand，andchantingalowdirge，theMysticTwelverevolvedaboutme。Thisconcludedtheceremony。Withamerryshouttheboysthrewofftheirmasks，andIwasdeclaredaregularlyinstalledmemberoftheR。M。C。
Iafterwardshadagooddealofsportoutoftheclub，fortheseinitiations，asyoumayimagine，weresometimesverycomicalspectacles，especiallywhentheaspirantforcentipedalhonorshappenedtobeofatimiddisposition。Ifheshowedtheslightestterror，hewascertaintobetrickedunmercifully。Oneofoursubsequentdevices—ahumbleinventionofmyown—wastorequesttheblindfoldedcandidatetoputouthistongue，whereupontheFirstCentipedewouldsay，inalowtone，asifnotintendedfortheearofthevictim，"Diabolus，fetchmethered—hotiron！"Theexpeditionwithwhichthattonguewoulddisappearwassimplyridiculous。
Ourmeetingswereheldinvariousbarns，atnostatedperiods，butascircumstancessuggested。Anymemberhadarighttocallameeting。Eachboywhofailedtoreporthimselfwasfinedonecent。Wheneveramemberhadreasonsforthinkingthatanothermemberwouldbeunabletoattend，hecalledameeting。Forinstance，immediatelyonlearningthedeathofHarryBlake’sgreat—grandfather，Iissuedacall。Bythesesimpleandingeniousmeasureswekeptourtreasuryinaflourishingcondition，sometimeshavingonhandasmuchasadollarandaquarter。
Ihavesaidthatthesocietyhadnospecialobject。Itistrue，therewasatacitunderstandingamongusthattheCentipedesweretostandbyoneanotheronalloccasions，thoughIdon’trememberthattheydid;butfurtherthanthiswehadnopurpose，unlessitwastoaccomplishasabodythesameamountofmischiefwhichweweresuretodoasindividuals。Tomystifythestaidandslow—goingRivermouthianswasourfrequentpleasure。
Severalofourprankswonussuchareputationamongthetownsfolk，thatwewerecreditedwithhavingalargefingerinwhateverwentamissintheplace。
Onemorning，aboutaweekaftermyadmissionintothesecretorder，thequietcitizensawoketofindthatthesignboardsofalltheprincipalstreetshadchangedplacesduringthenight。PeoplewhowenttrustfullytosleepinCurrantSquareopenedtheireyesinHoneysuckleTerrace。Jones’sAvenueatthenorthendhadsuddenlybecomeWalnutStreet，andPeanutStreetwasnowheretobefound。Confusionreigned。Thetownauthoritiestookthematterinhandwithoutdelay，andsixoftheTempleGrammarSchoolboysweresummonedtoappearbeforejusticeClapbam。
Havingtearfullydisclaimedtomygrandfatherallknowledgeofthetransaction，Idisappearedfromthefamilycircle，andwasnotapprehendeduntillateintheafternoon，whentheCaptaindraggedmeignominiouslyfromthehaymowandconductedme，moredeadthanalive，totheofficeofjusticeClapham。HereIencounteredfiveotherpallidculprits，whohadbeenfishedoutofdiverscoal—bins，garrets，andchicken—coops，toanswerthedemandsoftheoutragedlaws。（CharleyMardenhadhiddenhimselfinapileofgravelbehindhisfather’shouse，andlookedlikearecentlyexhumedmummy。）
Therewasnottheleastevidenceagainstus;and，indeed，wewerewhollyinnocentoftheoffence。Thetrick，aswasafterwardsproved，hadbeenplayedbyapartyofsoldiersstationedatthefortintheharbor。WewereindebtedforourarresttoMasterConway，whohadslylydroppedahint，withinthehearingofSelectmanMudge，totheeffectthat"youngBaileyandhisfivecroniescouldtellsomethingabout20themsigns。"Whenhewascalledupontomakegoodhisassertion，hewasconsiderablymoreterrifiedthantheCentipedes，thoughtheywerereadytosinkintotheirshoes。
AtournextmeetingitwasunanimouslyresolvedthatConway’sanimosityshouldnotbequietlysubmittedto。Hehadsoughttoinformagainstusinthestagecoachbusiness;hehadvolunteeredtocarryPettingil’s"littlebill"fortwenty—fouricecreamstoCharleyMarden’sfather;andnowhehadcausedustobearraignedbeforejusticeClaphamonachargeequallygroundlessandpainful。Aftermuchnoisydiscussion，aplanofretaliationwasagreedupon。
Therewasacertainslim，mildapothecaryinthetown，bythenameofMeeks。
ItwasgenerallygivenoutthatMr。Meekshadavaguedesiretogetmarried，but，beingashyandtimorousyouth，lackedthemoralcouragetodoso。ItwasalsowellknownthattheWidowConwayhadnotburiedherheartwiththelatelamented。Astohershyness，thatwasnotsoclear。
Indeed，herattentionstoMr。Meeks，whosemothershemighthavebeen，wereofanaturenottobemisunderstood，andwerenotmisunderstoodbyanyonebutMr。Meekshimself。
Thewidowcarriedonadress—makingestablishmentatherresidenceonthecomeroppositeMeeks’sdrug—store，andkeptawaryeyeonalltheyoungladiesfromMissDorothyGibbs’sFemaleInstitutewhopatronizedtheshopforsoda—water，aciddrops，andslate—pencils。Intheafternoonthewidowwasusuallyseenseated，smartlydressed，atherwindowupstairs，castingdestructiveglancesacrossthestreet—theartificialrosesinhercapandherwholelanguishingmannersayingasplainlyasalabelonaprescription，"TobeTakenImmediately！"ButMr。Meeksdidn’ttake。
Thelady’sfondness，andthegentleman’sblindness，weretopicsablyhandledateverysewing—circleinthetown。Itwasthroughthesetwolucklessindividualsthatweproposedtostrikeablowatthecommonenemy。Tokilllessthanthreebirdswithonestonedidnotsuitoursanguinarypurpose。
WedislikedthewidownotsomuchforhersentimentalityasforbeingthemotherofBillConway;wedislikedMr。Meeks，notbecausehewasinsipid，likehisownsyrups，butbecausethewidowlovedhim。BillConwaywehatedforhimself。
LateonedarkSaturdaynightinSeptemberwecarriedourplanintoeffect。
Onthefollowingmorning，astheorderlycitizenswendedtheirwaytochurchpastthewidow’sabode，theirsoberfacesrelaxedatbeholdingoverherfrontdoorthewellknowngiltMortarandPestlewhichusuallystoodonthetopofapoleontheoppositecorner;whilethepassersonthatsideofthestreetwereequallyamusedandscandalizedatseeingaplacardbearingthefollowingannouncementtackedtothedruggist’swindow—shutters：
Wanted，aSempstress！
Thenaughtyclevernessofthejoke（whichIshouldbesorrytodefend）wasrecognizedatonce。Itspreadlikewildfireoverthetown，and，thoughthemortarandtheplacardwerespeedilyremoved，ourtriumphwascomplete。Thewholecommunitywasonthebroadgrin，andourparticipationintheaffairseeminglyunsuspected。
Itwasthosewickedsoldiersatthefort！
ChapterTenIFightConwayTherewasoneperson，however，whocherishedastrongsuspicionthattheCentipedeshadhadahandinthebusiness;andthatpersonwasConway。Hisredhairseemedtochangetoalivelierred，andhissallowcheekstoadeepersallow，asweglancedathimstealthilyoverthetopsofourslatesthenextdayinschool。Heknewwewerewatchinghim，andmadesundrymouthsandscowledinthemostthreateningwayoverhissums。
Conwayhadanaccomplishmentpeculiarlyhisown—thatofthrowinghisthumbsoutofjointatwill。Sometimeswhileabsorbedinstudy，oronbecomingnervousatrecitation，heperformedthefeatunconsciously。Throughoutthisentiremorninghisthumbswereobservedtobeinachronicstateofdislocation，indicatinggreatmentalagitationonthepartoftheowner。Wefullyexpectedanoutbreakfromhimatrecess;buttheintermissionpassedofftranquilly，somewhattoourdisappointment。
AtthecloseoftheafternoonsessionithappenedthatBinnyWallaceandmyself，havinggotswampedinourLatinexercise，weredetainedinschoolforthepurposeofrefreshingourmemorieswithapageofMr。Andrews’sperplexingirregularverbs。BinnyWallacefinishinghistaskfirst，wasdismissed。Ifollowedshortlyafter，and，onsteppingintotheplayground，sawmylittlefriendplastered，asitwere，upagainstthefence，andConwaystandinginfrontofhimreadytodeliverablowontheupturned，unprotectedface，whosegentlenesswouldhavestayedanyarmbutacoward’s。
SethRodgers，withbothhandsinhispockets，wasleaningagainstthepumplazilyenjoyingthesport;butonseeingmesweepacrosstheyard，whirlingmystrapofbooksintheairlikeasling，hecalledoutlustily，"Laylow，ConwaylHere’syoungBaileyl"
Conwayturnedjustintimetocatchonhisshouldertheblowintendedforhishead。Hereachedforwardoneofhislongarms—hehadarmslikeawindmill，thatboy—and，graspingmebythehair，toreoutquitearespectablehandful。Thetearsflewtomyeyes，buttheywerenotthetearsofdefeat;theyweremerelytheinvoluntarytributewhichnaturepaidtothedepartedtresses。
Inasecondmylittlejacketlayontheground，andIstoodonguard，restinglightlyonmyrightlegandkeepingmyeyefixedsteadilyonConway’s—inallofwhichIwasfaithfullyfollowingtheinstructionsofPhilAdams，whosefathersubscribedtoasportingjournal。
Conwayalsothrewhimselfintoadefensiveattitude，andtherewewere，glaringateachothermotionless，neitherofusdisposedtoriskanattack，butbothonthealerttoresistone。Thereisnotellinghowlongwemighthaveremainedinthatabsurdposition，hadwenotbeeninterrupted。
Itwasacustomwiththelargerpupilstoreturntotheplay—groundafterschool，andplaybaseballuntilsundown。Thetownauthoritieshadprohibitedball—playingontheSquare，and，therebeingnootheravailableplace，theboysfellbackperforceontheschool—yard。justatthiscrisisadozenorsooftheTemplarsenteredthegate，and，seeingataglancethebelligerentstatusofConwayandmyself，droppedbatandball，andrushedtothespotwherewestood。
"Isitafight？"askedPhilAdams，whosawbyourfreshnessthatwehadnotyetgottowork。
"Yes，it’safight，"Ianswered，"unlessConwaywillaskWallace’spardon，promisenevertohectormeinfuture—andputbackmyhair！"
Thislastconditionwasratherastaggerer。
"Isha’n’tdonothingofthesort，"saidConway，sulkily。
"Thenthethingmustgoon，"saidAdams，withdignity。"Rodgers，asI
understandit，isyoursecond，Conway？Bailey，comehere。What’stherowabout？"
"HewasthrashingBinnyWallace。"
"No，Iwasn’t，"interruptedConway;"butIwasgoingtobecauseheknowswhoputMeeks’smortaroverourdoor。AndIknowwellenoughwhodidit;itwasthatsneakinglittlemulatter！"pointingatme。
"O，byGeorge！"Icried，reddeningattheinsult。
"Coolistheword，"saidAdams，asheboundahandkerchiefroundmyhead，andcarefullytuckedawaythelongstragglinglocksthatofferedatemptingadvantagetotheenemy。"Whoeverheardofafellowwithsuchaheadofhairgoingintoaction！"mutteredPhil，twitchingthehandkerchieftoascertainifitweresecurelytied。Hethenloosenedmygallowses（braces），andbuckledthemtightlyabovemyhips。"Now，then，bantam，neversaydie！"
Conwayregardedthesebusiness—likepreparationswithevidentmisgiving，forhecalledRodgerstohisside，andhadhimselfarrayedinasimilarmanner，thoughhishairwascroppedsoclosethatyoucouldn’thavetakenholdofitwithapairoftweezers。
"Isyourmanready？"askedPhilAdams，addressingRodgers。
"Ready！"
"Keepyourbacktothegate，Tom，"whisperedPhilinmycar，"andyou’llhavethesuninhiseyes。"
Beholdusoncemorefacetoface，likeDavidandthePhilistine。Lookatusaslongasyoumay;forthisisallyoushallseeofthecombat。Accordingtomythinking，thehospitalteachesabetterlessonthanthebattle—field。
Iwilltellyouaboutmyblackeye，andmyswollenlip，ifyouwill;butnotawordofthefight。
You’llgetnodescriptionofitfromme，simplybecauseIthinkitwouldproveverypoorreading，andnotbecauseIconsidermyrevoltagainstConway’styrannyunjustifiable。
IhadborneConway’spersecutionsformanymonthswithlamb—likepatience。I
mighthaveshieldedmyselfbyappealingtoMr。Grimshaw;butnoboyintheTempleGrammarSchoolcoulddothatwithoutlosingcaste。Whetherthiswasjustornotdoesn’tmatterapin，sinceitwasso—atraditionarylawoftheplace。ThepersonalinconvenienceIsufferedfrommytormentorwasnothingtothepainheinflictedonmeindirectlybyhispersistentcrueltytolittleBinnyWallace。IshouldhavelackedthespiritofahenifIhadnotresenteditfinally。IamgladthatIfacedConway，andaskednofavors，andgotridofhimforever。IamgladthatPhilAdamstaughtmetobox，andIsaytoallyoungsters：Learntobox，toride，topullanoar，andtoswim。Theoccasionmaycomeround，whenadecentproficiencyinoneortherestoftheseaccomplishmentswillbeofservicetoyou。
Inoneofthebestbooks1everwrittenforboysarethesewords：
"Learntobox，then，asyoulearntoplaycricketandfootball。Notoneofyouwillbetheworse，butverymuchthebetter，forlearningtoboxwell。
Shouldyouneverhavetouseitinearnestthere’snoexerciseintheworldsogoodforthetemper，andforthemusclesofthebackandlegs。
"Asforfighting，keepoutofit，ifyoucan，byallmeans。Whenthetimecomes，ifeveritshould，thatyouhavetosay’Yes’or’No’toachallengetofight，say’No’ifyoucan—onlytakecareyoumakeitplaintoyourselfwhyyousay’No。’It’saproofofthehighestcourage，ifdonefromtrueChristianmotives。It’squiterightandjustifiable，ifdonefromasimpleaversiontophysicalpainanddanger。Butdon’tsay’No’becauseyoufearalickingandsayorthinkit’sbecauseyoufearGod，forthat’sneitherChristiannorhonest。Andifyoudofight，fightitout;anddon’tgiveinwhileyoucanstandandsee。"
Anddon’tgiveinwhenyoucan’t！say1。ForIcouldstandverylittle，andseenotatall（havingpommelledtheschoolpumpforthelasttwentyseconds），whenConwayretiredfromthefield。AsPhilAdamssteppeduptoshakehandswithme，hereceivedatellingblowinthestomach;forallthefightwasnotoutofmeyet，andImistookhimforanewadversary。
Convincedofmyerror，Iacceptedhiscongratulations，withthoseoftheotherboys，blandlyandblindly。IrememberthatBinnyWallacewantedtogivemehissilverpencil—case。Thegentlesoulhadstoodthroughoutthecontestwithhisfaceturnedtothefence，sufferinguntoldagony。
Agoodwashatthepump，andacoldkeyappliedtomyeye，refreshedmeamazingly。Escortedbytwoorthreeoftheschoolfellows，Iwalkedhomethroughthepleasantautumntwilight，batteredbuttriumphant。AsIwentalong，mycapcockedononesidetokeepthechillyairfrommyeye，IfeltthatIwasnotonlyfollowingmynose，butfollowingitsoclosely，thatI
wasinsomedangeroftreadingonit。Iseemedtohavenoseenoughforthewholeparty。Myleftcheek，also，waspuffedoutlikeadumpling。I
couldn’thelpsayingtomyself，"Ifthisisvictory，howaboutthatotherfellow？"
"Tom，"saidHarryBlake，hesitating。
"Well？"
"DidyouseeMr。Grimshawlookingoutoftherecitation—roomwindowjustaswelefttheyard？"
"Nowashe，though？"
"Iamsureofit。"
"Thenhemusthaveseenalltherow。"
"Shouldn’twonder。"
"No，hedidn’t，"brokeinAdams，"orhewouldhavestoppeditshortmetre;
butIguessbesawyoupitchingintothepumpwhichyoudiduncommonlystrong—andofcoursebesmeltmischiefdirectly。"
"Well，itcan’tbehelpednow，"Ireflected。
"—Asthemonkeysaidwhenhefelloutofthecocoanuttree，"addedCharleyMarden，tryingtomakemelaugh。
Itwasearlycandle—lightwhenwereachedthehouse。MissAbigail，openingthefrontdoor，startedbackatmyhilariousappearance。Itriedtosmileuponhersweetly，butthesmile，ripplingovermyswollencheek，anddyingawaylikeaspentwaveonmynose，producedanexpressionofwhichMissAbigaildeclaredshehadneverseenthelikeexceptingonthefaceofaChineseidol。
Shehustledmeunceremoniouslyintothepresenceofmygrandfatherinthesitting—room。CaptainNutter，astherecognizedprofessionalwarriorofourfamily，couldnotconsistentlytakemetotaskforfightingConway;norwashedisposedtodoso;fortheCaptainwaswellawareofthelong—continuedprovocationIhadendured。
"Ah，yourascal！"criedtheoldgentleman，afterhearingmystory。"JustlikemewhenIwasyoung—alwaysinonekindoftroubleoranother。I
believeitrunsinthefamily。"
"Ithink，"saidMissAbigail，withoutthefaintestexpression）onhercountenance，"thatatable—spoonfulofhot—dro—"TheCaptaininterruptedMissAbigailperemptorily，directinghertomakeashadeoutofcardboardandblacksilktotieovermyeye。MissAbigailmusthavebeenpossessedwiththeideathatIhadtakenuppugilismasaprofession，forsheturnedoutnofewerthansixoftheseblinders。
"They’llbehandytohaveinthehouse，"saysMissAbigail，grimly。
Ofcourse，sogreatabreachofdisciplinewasnottobepassedoverbyMr。
Grimshaw。Hehad，aswesuspected，witnessedtheclosingsceneofthefightfromtheschool—roomwindow，andthenextmorning，afterprayers，IwasnotwhollyunpreparedwhenMasterConwayandmyselfwerecalleduptothedeskforexamination。Conway，withapieceofcourt—plasterintheshapeofaMaltesecrossonhisrightcheek，andIwiththesilkpatchovermylefteye，causedageneraltitterthroughtheroom。
"Silence！"saidMr。Grimshaw，sharply。
AsthereaderisalreadyfamiliarwiththeleadingpointsinthecaseofBaileyversusConway，IshallnotreportthetrialfurtherthantosaythatAdams，Marden，andseveralotherpupilstestifiedtothefactthatConwayhadimposedonmeeversincemyfirstdayattheTempleSchool。TheirevidencealsowenttoshowthatConwaywasaquarrelsomecharactergenerally。BadforConway。SethRodgers，onthepartofhisfriend，provedthatIhadstruckthefirstblow。Thatwasbadforme。
"Ifyouplease，sir，"saidBinnyWallace，holdinguphishandforpermissiontospeak，"Baileydidn’tfightonhisownaccount;hefoughtonmyaccount，and，ifyouplease，sir，Iamtheboytobeblamed，forIwasthecauseofthetrouble。"
ThisdrewoutthestoryofConway’sharshtreatmentofthesmallerboys。AsBinnyrelatedthewrongsofhisplayfellows，sayingverylittleofhisowngrievances，InoticedthatMr。Grimshaw’shand，unknowntohimselfperhaps，restedlightlyfromtimetotimeonWallace’ssunnyhair。Theexaminationfinished，Mr。Grimshawleanedonthedeskthoughtfullyforamomentandthensaid：
"Everyboyinthisschoolknowsthatitisagainsttherulestofight。Ifoneboymaltreatsanother，withinschool—bounds，orwithinschool—hours，thatisamatterformetosettle。Thecaseshouldbelaidbeforeme。I
disapproveoftale—bearing，Ineverencourageitintheslightestdegree;
butwhenonepupilsystematicallypersecutesaschoolmate，itisthedutyofsomehead—boytoinformme。Nopupilhasarighttotakethelawintohisownhands。Ifthereisanyfightingtobedone，Iamthepersontobeconsulted。Idisapproveofboys’fighting;itisunnecessaryandunchristian。Inthepresentinstance，Iconsidereverylargeboyinthisschoolatfault，butastheoffenceisoneofomissionratherthancommission，mypunishmentmustrestonlyonthetwoboysconvictedofmisdemeanor。Conwayloseshisrecessforamonth，andBaileyhasapageaddedtohisLatinlessonsforthenextfourrecitations。InowrequestBaileyandConwaytoshakehandsinthepresenceoftheschool，andacknowledgetheirregretatwhathasoccurred。"
ConwayandIapproachedeachotherslowlyandcautiously，asifwewerebentuponanotherhostilecollision。Weclaspedhandsinthetamestmannerimaginable，andConwaymumbled，"I’msorryIfoughtwithyou。’
"Ithinkyouare，’Ireplied，drily，"andI’msorryIhadtothrashyou。"
"Youcangotoyourseats，"saidMr。Grimshaw，turninghisfaceasidetohideasmile。Iamsuremyapologywasaverygoodone。
IneverhadanymoretroublewithConway。Heandhisshadow，SethRodgers，gavemeawideberthformanymonths。NorwasBinnyWallacesubjectedtofurthermolestation。MissAbigail’ssanitarystores，includingabottleofopodeldoc，werenevercalledintorequisition。Thesixblacksilkpatches，withtheirelasticstrings，arestilldanglingfromabeaminthegarretoftheNutterHouse，waitingformetogetintofreshdifficulties。
1"TomBrown’sSchoolDaysatRugby"
ChapterElevenAllAboutGypsyThisrecordofmylifeatRivermouthwouldbestrangelyincompletedidInotdevoteanentirechaptertoGypsy。Ihadotherpets，ofcourse;forwhathealthyboycouldlongexistwithoutnumerousfriendsintheanimalkingdom？Ihadtwowhitemicethatwereforevergnawingtheirwayoutofapasteboardchateau，andcrawlingovermyfacewhenIlayasleep。Iusedtokeepthepink—eyedlittlebeggarsinmybedroom，greatlytotheannoyanceofMissAbigail，whowasconstantlyfancyingthatoneofthemicehadsecreteditselfsomewhereaboutherperson。
Ialsoownedadog，aterrier，whomanagedinsomeinscrutablewaytopickaquarrelwiththemoon，andonbrightnightskeptupsuchaki—yi—inginourbackgarden，thatwewerefinallyforcedtodisposeofhimatprivatesale。
HewaspurchasedbyMr。Oxford，thebutcher。Iprotestedagainstthearrangementandeverafterwards，whenwehadsausagesfromMr。Oxford—sshop，ImadebelieveIdetectedinthemcertainevidencesthatCatohadbeenfoullydealtwith。
OfbirdsIhadnoend—robins，purple—martins，wrens，bulfinches，bobolinks，ringdoves，andpigeons。AtonetimeItooksolidcomfortintheiniquitoussocietyofadissipatedoldparrot，whotalkedsoterribly，thattheRev。
WibirdHawkins，happeningtogetasampleofPoll’svituperativepowers，pronouncedhim"abenightedheathen，"andadvisedtheCaptaintogetridofhim。Abraceofturtlessupplantedtheparrotinmyaffections;theturtlesgavewaytorabbits;andtherabbitsinturnyieldedtothesuperiorcharmsofasmallmonkey，whichtheCaptainboughtofasailorlatelyfromthecoastofAfrica。
ButGypsywastheprimefavorite，inspiteofmanyrivals。Inevergrewwearyofher。Shewasthemostknowinglittlethingintheworld。Herpropersphereinlife—andtheonetowhichsheultimatelyattained—wasthesaw—dustarenaofatravellingcircus。TherewasnothingshortofthethreeR’s，reading，’riting，and’rithmetic，thatGypsycouldn’tbetaught。Thegiftofspeechwasnothers，butthefacultyofthoughtwas。
Mylittlefriend，tobesure，wasnotexemptfromcertaingracefulweaknesses，inseparable，perhaps，fromthefemalecharacter。Shewasverypretty，andsheknewit。Shewasalsopassionatelyfondofdress—bywhichI
meanherbestharness。Whenshehadthison，hercurvetingsandprancingswerelaughable，thoughinordinarytackleshewentalongdemurelyenough。
Therewassomethingintheenamelledleatherandthesilver—washedmountingsthatchimedwithherartisticsense。Tohavehermanebraided，andaroseorapansystuckintoherforelock，wastomakehertooconceitedforanything。
Shehadanothertraitnotrareamonghersex。Shelikedtheattentionsofyounggentlemen，whilethesocietyofgirlsboredher。Shewoulddragthem，sulkily，inthecart;butasforpermittingoneoftheminthesaddle，theideawaspreposterous。OncewhenPepperWhitcomb’ssister，inspiteofourremonstrances，venturedtomounther，Gypsygavealittleindignantneigh，andtossedthegentleEmmaheelsoverheadinnotime。Butwithanyoftheboysthemarewasasdocileasalamb。
Hertreatmentoftheseveralmembersofthefamilywascomical。FortheCaptainsheentertainedawholesomerespect，andwasalwaysonhergoodbehaviorwhenhewasaround。AstoMissAbigail，Gypsysimplylaughedather—literallylaughed，contractingherupperlipanddisplayingallhersnow—whiteteeth，asifsomethingaboutMissAbigailstruckher，Gypsy，asbeingextremelyridiculous。
KittyCollins，forsomereasonoranother，wasafraidofthepony，orpretendedtobe。Thesagaciouslittleanimalknewit，ofcourse，andfrequently，whenKittywasbangingoutclothesnearthestable，themarebeinglooseintheyard，wouldmakeshortplungesather。OnceGypsyseizedthebasketofclothespinswithherteeth，andrisingonherhindlegs，pawingtheairwithherforefeetfollowedKittyclearuptothescullerysteps。
Thatpartoftheyardwasshutofffromtherestbyagate;butnogatewasproofagainstGypsy’singenuity。Shecouldletdownbars，liftuplatches，drawbolts，andturnallsortsofbuttons。ThisaccomplishmentrenderedithazardousforMissAbigailorKittytoleaveanyeatablesonthekitchentablenearthewindow。OnoneoccasionGypsyputinherheadandlappedupsixcustardpiesthathadbeenplacedbythecasementtocool。
Anaccountofmyyounglady’svariousprankswouldfillathickvolume。A
favoritetrickofhers，onbeingrequestedto"walklikeMissAbigail，"wastoassumealittleskittishgaitsotruetonaturethatMissAbigailherselfwasobligedtoadmittheclevernessoftheimitation。
TheideaofputtingGypsythroughasystematiccourseofinstructionwassuggestedtomebyavisittothecircuswhichgaveanannualperformanceinRivermouth。ThisshowembracedamongitsattractionsanumberoftrainedShetlandponies，andIdeterminedthatGypsyshouldlikewisehavethebenefitofaliberaleducation。Isucceededinteachinghertowaltz，tofireapistolbytuggingatastringtiedtothetrigger，toliedowndead，towinkoneeye，andtoexecutemanyotherfeatsofadifficultnature。Shetooktoherstudiesadmirably，andenjoyedthewholethingasmuchasanyone。
ThemonkeywasaperpetualmarveltoGypsy。Theybecamebosom—friendsinanincrediblybriefperiod，andwerenevereasyoutofeachother’ssight。
PrinceZany—that’swhatPepperWhitcombandIchristenedhimoneday，muchtothedisgustofthemonkey，whobitapieceoutofPepper’snose—residedinthestable，andwenttoroosteverynightonthepony’sback，whereI
usuallyfoundhiminthemorning。WheneverIrodeout，IwasobligedtosecurehisHighnessthePrincewithastoutcordtothefence，hechatteringallthetimelikeamadman。
OneafternoonasIwascanteringthroughthecrowdedpartofthetown，I
noticedthatthepeopleinthestreetstopped，staredatme，andfelltolaughing。Iturnedroundinthesaddle，andtherewasZany，withagreatburdockleafinhispaw，perchedupbehindmeonthecrupper，assolemnasajudge。
Afterafewmonths，poorZanysickenedmysteriously，anddied。Thedarkthoughtoccurredtomethen，andcomesbacktomenowwithredoubledforce，thatMissAbigailmusthavegivenhimsomehot—drops。Zanyleftalargecircleofsorrowingfriends，ifnotrelatives。Gypsy，Ithink，neverentirelyrecoveredfromtheshockoccasionedbyhisearlydemise。Shebecamefonderofme，though;andoneofhercunningestdemonstrationswastoescapefromthestable—yard，andtrotuptothedooroftheTempleGrammarSchool，whereIwoulddiscoverheratrecesspatientlywaitingforme，withherforefeetonthesecondstep，andwispsofstrawstandingoutalloverher，likequillsuponthefretfulporcupine。
IshouldfailifItriedtotellyouhowdeartheponywastome。Evenhard，unlovingmenbecomeattachedtothehorsestheytakecareof;soI，whowasneitherunlovingnorhard，grewtoloveeveryglossyhairoftheprettylittlecreaturethatdependedonmeforhersoftstrawbedandherdailymodicumofoats。InmyprayeratnightIneverforgottomentionGypsywiththerestofthefamily—generallysettingforthherclaimsfirst。
WhateverrelatestoGypsybelongsproperlytothisnarrative;thereforeI
offernoapologyforrescuingfromoblivion，andboldlyprintinghereashortcompositionwhichIwroteintheearlypartofmyfirstquarterattheTempleGrammarSchool。Itismymaideneffortinadifficultart，andis，perhaps，lackinginthosegracesofthoughtandstylewhicharereachedonlyaftertheseverestpractice。
EveryWednesdaymorning，onenteringschool，eachpupilwasexpectedtolayhisexerciseonMr。Grimshaw’sdesk;thesubjectwasusuallyselectedbyMr。Grimshawhimself，theMondayprevious。Withahumorcharacteristicofhim，ourteacherhadinstitutedtwoprizes，oneforthebestandtheotherfortheworstcompositionofthemonth。Thefirstprizeconsistedofapenknife，orapencil—case，orsomesucharticledeartotheheartofyouth;thesecondprizeentitledthewinnertowearforanhourortwoasortofconicalpapercap，onthefrontofwhichwaswritten，intallletters，thismodestadmission：IAMADUNCE！ThecompetitorwhotookprizeNo。2。wasn’tgenerallyanobjectofenvy。
MypulsebeathighwithprideandexpectationthatWednesdaymorning，asI
laidmyessay，neatlyfolded，onthemaster’stable。IfirmlydeclinetosaywhichprizeIwon;buthere’sthecompositiontospeakforitself。
Itisnosmall—authorvanitythatinducesmetopublishthisstrayleafofnaturalhistory。Ilayitbeforeouryoungfolks，notfortheiradmiration，butfortheircriticism。Leteachreadertakehislead—pencilandremorselesslycorrecttheorthography，thecapitalization，andthepunctuationoftheessay。Ishallnotfeelhurtatseeingmytreatisecutalltopieces;thoughIthinkhighlyoftheproduction，notonaccountofitsliteraryexcellence，whichIcandidlyadmitisnotoverpowering，butbecauseitwaswrittenyearsandyearsagoaboutGypsy，byalittlefellowwho，whenIstrivetorecallhim，appearstomelikeareducedghostofmypresentself。
Iamconfidentthatanyreaderwhohaseverhadpets，birdsoranimals，willforgivemeforthisbriefdigression。
ChapterTwelveWinteratRivermouth"Iguesswe’regoingtohavearegularold—fashionedsnowstorm，"saidCaptainNutter，onebleakDecembermorning，castingapeculiarlynauticalglanceskyward。
TheCaptainwasalwayshazardingpropheciesabouttheweather，whichsomehowneverturnedoutaccordingtohisprediction。Thevanesonthechurch—steeplesseemedtotakefiendishpleasureinhumiliatingthedearoldgentleman。Ifhesaiditwasgoingtobeaclearday，adensesea—fogwasprettycertaintosetinbeforenoon。Oncehecausedaprotracteddroughtbyassuringuseverymorning，forsixconsecutiveweeks，thatitwouldraininafewhours。But，sureenough，thatafternoonitbegansnowing。
NowIhadnotseenasnow—stormsinceIwaseighteenmonthsold，andofcourserememberednothingaboutit。AboyfamiliarfromhisinfancywiththerigorsofourNewEnglandwinterscanformnoideaoftheimpressionmadeonmebythisnaturalphenomenon。Mydelightandsurprisewereasboundlessasiftheheavygrayskyhadletdownashowerofpondliliesandwhiteroses，insteadofsnow—flakes。Ithappenedtobeahalf—holiday，soI
hadnothingtodobutwatchthefeatherycrystalswhirlinghitherandthitherthroughtheair。Istoodbythesitting—roomwindowgazingatthewonderuntiltwilightshutoutthenovelscene。
Wehadhadseveralslightflurriesofhailandsnowbefore，butthiswasaregularnor’easter。
Severalinchesofsnowhadalreadyfallen。Therose—bushesatthedoordroopedwiththeweightoftheirmagicalblossoms，andthetwopoststhatheldthegardengateweretransformedintostatelyTurks，withwhiteturbans，guardingtheentrancetotheNutterHouse。
Thestormincreasedatsundown，andcontinuedwithunabatedviolencethroughthenight。Thenextmorning，whenIjumpedoutofbed，thesunwasshiningbrightly，thecloudlessheavensworethetenderazureofJune，andthewholeearthlaymuffleduptotheeyes，asitwere，inathickmantleofmilk—whitedown。
Itwasaverydeepsnow。TheOldestInhabitant（whatwouldbecomeofaNewEnglandtownorvillagewithoutitsoldestInhabitant？）overhauledhisalmanacs，andpronounceditthedeepestsnowwehadbadfortwentyyears。
Itcouldn’thavebeenmuchdeeperwithoutsmotheringusall。Ourstreetwasasighttobeseen，or，rather，itwasasightnottobeseen;forverylittlestreetwasvisible。Onehugedriftcompletelybankedupourfrontdoorandhalfcoveredmybedroomwindow。
Therewasnoschoolthatday，forallthethoroughfareswereimpassable。Bytwelveo’clock，however，thegreatsnowploughs，eachdrawnbyfouryokesofoxen，brokeawagon—paththroughtheprincipalstreets;butthefoot—passengershadahardtimeofitflounderinginthearcticdrifts。
TheCaptainandIcutatunnel，threefeetwideandsixfeethigh，fromourfrontdoortothesidewalkopposite。Itwasabeautifulcavern，withitswallsandroofinlaidwithmother—of—pearlanddiamonds。IamsuretheicepalaceoftheRussianEmpress，inCowper’spoem，wasnotamoresuperbpieceofarchitecture。
ThethermometerbeganfallingshortlybeforesunsetandwehadthebitterestcoldnightIeverexperienced。ThisbroughtouttheOldestInhabitantagainthenextday—andwhatagayoldboyhewasfordecidingeverything！Ourtunnelwasturnedintosolidice。Acrustthickenoughtobearmenandhorseshadformedoverthesnoweverywhere，andtheairwasalivewithmerrysleigh—bells。Icystalactites，ayardlong，bungfromtheeavesofthehouse，andtheTurkishsentinelsatthegatelookedasiftheyhadgivenupallhopesofeverbeingrelievedfromduty。
Sothewintersetincoldandglittering。Everythingout—of—doorswassheathedinsilvermail。ToquotefromCharleyMarden，itwas"coldenoughtofreezethetailoffabrassmonkey，"—anobservationwhichseemedtomeextremelyhappy，thoughIknewlittleornothingconcerningtheenduranceofbrassmonkeys，havingneverseenone。
Ihadlookedforwardtotheadventoftheseasonwithgraveapprehensions，nervingmyselftomeetdrearynightsandmonotonousdays;butsummeritselfwasnotmorejollythanwinteratRivermouth。Snow—ballingatschool，skatingontheMillPond，coastingbymoonlight，longridesbehindGypsyinabrand—newlittlesleighbuiltexpresslyforher，weresportsnolessexhilaratingthanthosewhichbelongedtothesunnymonths。AndthenThanksgiving！ThenoseofMemory—whyshouldn’tMemoryhaveanose？—dilateswithpleasureovertherichperfumeofMissAbigail’sfortymince—pies，eachonemoredelightfulthantheother，liketheSultan’sfortywives。
Christmaswasanotherred—letterday，thoughitwasnotsogenerallyobservedinNewEnglandasitisnow。
Thegreatwood—fireinthetiledchimney—placemadeoursitting—roomverycheerfulofwinternights。Whenthenorth—windhowledabouttheeaves，andthesharpfingersofthesleettappedagainstthewindow—panes，itwasnicetobesowarmlyshelteredfromthestorm。Adishofapplesandapitcherofchillyciderwerealwaysservedduringtheevening。TheCaptainhadafunnywayofleaningbackinthechair，andeatinghisapplewithhiseyesclosed。SometimesIplayeddominoswithhim，andsometimesMissAbigailreadaloudtous，pronouncing"to"toe，andsoundingalltheeds。
InaformerchapterIalludedtoMissAbigail’smanagingpropensities。ShehadaffectedmanychangesintheNutterHousebeforeIcametheretolive;
buttherewasonethingagainstwhichshebadlongcontendedwithoutbeingabletoovercome。ThiswastheCaptain’spipe。Onfirsttakingcommandofthehousehold，sheprohibitedsmokinginthesitting—room，whereithadbeentheoldgentleman’scustomtotakeawhiffortwoofthefragrantweedaftermeals。Theedictwentforth—andsodidthepipe。Anexcellentmove，nodoubt;butthenthehousewashis，andifhesawfittokeepatuboftobaccoburninginthemiddleoftheparlorfloor，hehadaperfectrighttodoso。However，behumoredherinthisasinothermatters，andsmokedbystealth，likeaguiltycreature，inthebarn，oraboutthegardens。Thatwaspracticableinsummer，butinwintertheCaptainwashardputtoit。
Whenhecouldn’tstanditlonger，heretreatedtohisbedroomandbarricadedthedoor。SuchwasthepositionofaffairsatthetimeofwhichIwrite。
Onemorning，afewdaysafterthegreatsnow，asMissAbigailwasdustingthechronometerintheball，shebeheldCaptainNutterslowlydescendingthestaircase，withalongclaypipeinhismouth。MissAbigailcouldhardlycreditherowneyes。
"Dan’el！"shegasped，retiringheavilyonthehat—rack。
ThetoneofreproachwithwhichthiswordwasutteredfailedtoproducetheslightesteffectontheCaptain，whomerelyremovedthepipefromhislipsforaninstant，andblewacloudintothechillyair。Thethermometerstoodattwodegreesbelowzeroinourhall。
"Dan’el！"criedMissAbigail，hysterically—"Dan’el，don’tcomenearme！"
Whereuponshefaintedaway;forthesmelloftobacco—smokealwaysmadeherdeadlysick。
KittyCollinsrushedfromthekitchenwithabasinofwater，andsettoworkbathingMissAbigail’stemplesandchafingherhands。Ithoughtmygrandfatherrathercruel，asbestoodtherewithahalf—smileonhiscountenance，complacentlywatchingMissAbigail’ssufferings。Whenshewas"broughtto，"theCaptainsatdownbesideher，and，withalovelytwinkleinhiseye，saidsoftly：
"Abigail，mydear，therewasn’tanytobaccointhatPipe！Itwasanewpipe。
IfetcheditdownforTomtoblowsoap—bubbleswith。"
AtthesewordsKittyCollinshurriedaway，herfeatures—workingstrangely。
SeveralminuteslaterIcameuponherinthescullerywiththegreaterportionofacrashtowelstuffedintohermouth。"MissAbygilsmelttheterbaccawithheroi！"criedKitty，partiallyremovingthecloth，andthenimmediatelystoppingherselfupagain。
TheCaptain’sjokefurnishedus—thatis，Kittyandme—withmirthformanyaday;astoMissAbigail，Ithinksheneverwhollypardonedhim。Afterthis，CaptainNuttergraduallygaveupsmoking，whichisanuntidy，injurious，disgraceful，andhighlypleasanthabit。
Aboy’slifeinasecludedNewEnglandtowninwinterdoesnotaffordmanypointsforillustration。Ofcoursehegetshisearsortoesfrost—bitten;
ofcoursehesmasheshissledagainstanotherboy’s;ofcoursebebangshisbeadontheice;andhe’saladofnoenterprisewhatever，ifbedoesn’tmanagetoskateintoaneel—hole，andbebroughthomehalfdrowned。Allthesethingshappenedtome;but，astheylacknovelty，Ipassthemover，totellyouaboutthefamoussnow—fortwhichwebuiltonSlatter’sHill。
ChapterThirteenTheSnowFortonSlatter’sHillThememoryofman，eventhatoftheOldestInhabitant，runnethnotbacktothetimewhentheredidnotexistafeudbetweentheNorthEndandtheSouthEndboysofRivermouth。
Theoriginofthefeudisinvolvedinmystery;itisimpossibletosaywhichpartywasthefirstaggressorinthefar—offanterevolutionaryages;butthefactremainsthattheyoungstersofthoseantipodalsectionsentertainedamortalhatredforeachother，andthatthishatredhadbeenhandeddownfromgenerationtogeneration，likeMilesStandish’spunch—bowl。
Iknownotwhatlaws，naturalorunnatural，regulatedthewarmthofthequarrel;butatsomeseasonsitragedmoreviolentlythanatothers。Thiswinterbothpartieswereunusuallylivelyandantagonistic。GreatwasthewrathoftheSouth—Enders，whentheydiscoveredthattheNorth—EndersbadthrownupafortonthecrownofSlatter’sHill。
Slatter’sHill，orNo—man’s—land，asitwasgenerallycalled，wasariseofgroundcovering，perhaps，anacreandaquarter，situatedonanimaginaryline，markingtheboundarybetweenthetwodistricts。Animmensestratumofgranite，whichhereandtherethrustoutawrinkledboulder，preventedthesitefrombeingusedforbuildingpurposes。Thestreetranoneithersideofthehill，fromonepartofwhichaquantityofrockhadbeenremovedtoformtheunderpinningofthenewjail。Thisexcavationmadetheapproachfromthatpointallbutimpossible，especiallywhentheraggedledgeswerea—glitterwithice。Youseewhataspotitwasforasnow—fort。
OneeveningtwentyorthirtyoftheNorth—EndersquietlytookpossessionofSlatter’sHill，andthrewupastronglineofbreastworks，somethingafterthisshape：
FtSlattergraphicTherearoftheentrenchment，beingprotectedbythequarry，wasleftopen。
Thewallswerefourfeethigh，andtwenty—twoinchesthick，strengthenedattheanglesbystakesdrivenfirmlyintotheground。
FancytherageoftheSouth—Endersthenextday，whentheyspiedoursnowycitadel，withJackHarris’sredsilkpockethandkerchieffloatingdefiantlyfromtheflag—staff。
Inlessthananhouritwasknownallovertown，inmilitarycirclesatleast，thatthe"Puddle—dockers"andthe"River—rats’（thesewerethederisivesub—titlesbestowedonourSouth—Endfoes）intendedtoattackthefortthatSaturdayafternoon。
Attwoo’clockallthefightingboysoftheTempleGrammarSchool，andasmanyrecruitsaswecouldmuster，laybehindthewallsofFortSlatter，withthreehundredcompactsnowballspiledupinpyramids，awaitingtheapproachoftheenemy。Theenemywasnotslowinmakinghisapproach—fiftystrong，headedbyoneMatAmes。OurforceswereunderthecommandofGeneralJ。Harris。
Beforetheactioncommenced，ameetingwasarrangedbetweentherivalcommanders，whodrewupandsignedcertainrulesandregulationsrespectingtheconductofthebattle。AsitwasimpossiblefortheNorth—Enderstooccupythefortpermanently，itwasstipulatedthattheSouth—EndersshouldassaultitonlyonWednesdayandSaturdayafternoonsbetweenthehoursoftwoandsix。Forthemtotakepossessionoftheplaceatanyothertimewasnottoconstituteacapture，butonthecontrarywastobeconsideredadishonorableandcowardlyact。
TheNorth—Enders，ontheotherhand，agreedtogiveupthefortwhenevertenofthestormingpartysucceededinobtainingatonetimeafootingontheparapet，andwereabletoholdthesameforthespaceoftwominutes。Bothsidesweretoabstainfromputtingpebblesintotheirsnow—balls，norwasitpermissibletousefrozenammunition。Asnow—ballsoakedinwaterandleftouttocoolwasaprojectilewhichinpreviousyearshadbeenresortedtowithdisastrousresults。
Thesepreliminariessettled，thecommandersretiredtotheirrespectivecorps。Theinterviewhadtakenplaceonthehillsidebetweentheopposinglines。
GeneralHarrisdividedhismenintotwobodies;thefirstcomprisedthemostskilfulmarksmen，orgunners;thesecond，thereserveforce，wascomposedofthestrongestboys，whosedutyitwastorepelthescalingparties，andtomakeoccasionalsalliesforthepurposeofcapturingprisoners，whowereboundbythearticlesoftreatytofaithfullyserveunderourflaguntiltheywereexchangedatthecloseoftheday。