InthiswayPhilipbecameathemeofuniversalapprehension。The
　　mysteryinwhichhewasenvelopedexaggeratedhisrealterrors。Hewas
　　anevilthatwalkedindarkness；whosecomingnonecouldforesee，
　　andagainstwhichnoneknewwhentobeonthealert。Thewholecountry
　　aboundedwithrumorsandalarms。Philipseemedalmostpossessedof
　　ubiquity；for，inwhateverpartofthewidely—extendedfrontieran
　　irruptionfromtheforesttookplace，Philipwassaidtobeits
　　leader。Manysuperstitiousnotionsalsowerecirculatedconcerning
　　him。Hewassaidtodealinnecromancy，andtobeattendedbyanold
　　Indianwitchorprophetess，whomheconsulted，andwhoassistedhimby
　　hercharmsandincantations。Thisindeedwasfrequentlythecase
　　withIndianchiefs；eitherthroughtheirowncredulity，ortoactupon
　　thatoftheirfollowers：andtheinfluenceoftheprophetandthe
　　dreameroverIndiansuperstitionhasbeenfullyevidencedinrecent
　　instancesofsavagewarfare。
　　AtthetimethatPhilipeffectedhisescapefromPocasset，his
　　fortuneswereinadesperatecondition。Hisforceshadbeenthinnedby
　　repeatedfights，andhehadlostalmostthewholeofhisresources。In
　　thistimeofadversityhefoundafaithfulfriendinCanonchet，
　　chiefSachemofalltheNarragansetts。Hewasthesonandheirof
　　Miantonimo，thegreatSachem，who，asalreadymentioned，afteran
　　honorableacquittalofthechargeofconspiracy，hadbeenprivately
　　puttodeathattheperfidiousinstigationsofthesettlers。"Hewas
　　theheir，"saystheoldchronicler，"ofallhisfather’sprideand
　　insolence，aswellasofhismalicetowardstheEnglish；"—he
　　certainlywastheheirofhisinsultsandinjuries，andthelegitimate
　　avengerofhismurder。Thoughhehadforbornetotakeanactivepart
　　inthishopelesswar，yethereceivedPhilipandhisbrokenforces
　　withopenarms；andgavethemthemostgenerouscountenanceand
　　support。ThisatoncedrewuponhimthehostilityoftheEnglish；
　　anditwasdeterminedtostrikeasignalblowthatshouldinvolveboth
　　theSachemsinonecommonruin。Agreatforcewas，therefore
　　gatheredtogetherfromMassachusetts，Plymouth，andConnecticut，and
　　wassentintotheNarragansettcountryinthedepthofwinter，when
　　theswamps，beingfrozenandleafless，couldbetraversedwith
　　comparativefacility，andwouldnolongerafforddarkandimpenetrable
　　fastnessestotheIndians。
　　Apprehensiveofattack，Canonchethadconveyedthegreaterpartof
　　hisstores，togetherwiththeold，theinfirm，thewomenand
　　childrenofhistribe，toastrongfortress；whereheandPhiliphad
　　likewisedrawnupthefloweroftheirforces。Thisfortress，deemedby
　　theIndiansimpregnable，wassituateduponarisingmoundorkindof
　　island，offiveorsixacres，inthemidstofaswamp；itwas
　　constructedwithadegreeofjudgmentandskillvastlysuperiorto
　　whatisusuallydisplayedinIndianfortification，andindicativeof
　　themartialgeniusofthesetwochieftains。
　　GuidedbyarenegadeIndian，theEnglishpenetrated，through
　　Decembersnows，tothisstronghold，andcameuponthegarrisonby
　　surprise。Thefightwasfierceandtumultuous。Theassailantswere
　　repulsedintheirfirstattack，andseveraloftheirbravest
　　officerswereshotdownintheactofstormingthefortressswordin
　　hand。Theassaultwasrenewedwithgreatersuccess。Alodgmentwas
　　effected。TheIndiansweredrivenfromoneposttoanother。They
　　disputedtheirgroundinchbyinch，fightingwiththefuryofdespair。
　　Mostoftheirveteranswerecuttopieces；andafteralongandbloody
　　battle，PhilipandCanonchet，withahandfulofsurvivingwarriors，
　　retreatedfromthefort，andtookrefugeinthethicketsofthe
　　surroundingforest。
　　Thevictorssetfiretothewigwamsandthefort；thewholewassoon
　　inablaze；manyoftheoldmen，thewomenandthechildrenperished
　　intheflames。Thislastoutrageovercameeventhestoicismofthe
　　savage。Theneighboringwoodsresoundedwiththeyellsofrageand
　　despair，utteredbythefugitivewarriors，astheybeheldthe
　　destructionoftheirdwellings，andheardtheagonizingcriesoftheir
　　wivesandoffspring。"Theburningofthewigwams，"saysacontemporary
　　writer，"theshrieksandcriesofthewomenandchildren，andthe
　　yellingofthewarriors，exhibitedamosthorribleandaffecting
　　scene，sothatitgreatlymovedsomeofthesoldiers。"Thesamewriter
　　cautiouslyadds，"theywereinmuchdoubtthen，andafterwards
　　seriouslyinquired，whetherburningtheirenemiesalivecouldbe
　　consistentwithhumanity，andthebenevolentprinciplesofthe
　　Gospel。"**MS。oftheRev。W。Ruggles。
　　ThefateofthebraveandgenerousCanonchetisworthyofparticular
　　mention：thelastsceneofhislifeisoneofthenoblestinstanceson
　　recordofIndianmagnanimity。
　　Brokendowninhispowerandresourcesbythissignaldefeat，yet
　　faithfultohisally，andtothehaplesscausewhichhehad
　　espoused，herejectedalloverturesofpeace，offeredoncondition
　　ofbetrayingPhilipandhisfollowers，anddeclaredthat"hewould
　　fightitouttothelastman，ratherthanbecomeaservanttothe
　　English。"Hishomebeingdestroyed；hiscountryharassedandlaid
　　wastebytheincursionsoftheconquerors；hewasobligedtowander
　　awaytothebanksoftheConnecticut；whereheformedarallyingpoint
　　tothewholebodyofwesternIndians，andlaidwasteseveralofthe
　　Englishsettlements。
　　Earlyinthespringhedepartedonahazardousexpedition，withonly
　　thirtychosenmen，topenetratetoSeaconck，inthevicinityof
　　MountHope，andtoprocureseedcorntoplantforthesustenanceof
　　histroops。Thislittlebandofadventurershadpassedsafely
　　throughthePequodcountry，andwereinthecentreofthe
　　Narragansett，restingatsomewigwamsnearPawtucketRiver，whenan
　　alarmwasgivenofanapproachingenemy。—Havingbutsevenmenby
　　himatthetime，Canonchetdespatchedtwoofthemtothetopofa
　　neighboringhill，tobringintelligenceofthefoe。
　　Panic—struckbytheappearanceofatroopofEnglishandIndians
　　rapidlyadvancing，theyfledinbreathlessterrorpasttheir
　　chieftain，withoutstoppingtoinformhimofthedanger。Canonchet
　　sentanotherscout，whodidthesame。Hethensenttwomore，oneof
　　whom，hurryingbackinconfusionandaffright，toldhimthatthewhole
　　Britisharmywasathand。Canonchetsawtherewasnochoicebut
　　immediateflight。Heattemptedtoescaperoundthehill，butwas
　　perceivedandhotlypursuedbythehostileIndiansandafewofthe
　　fleetestoftheEnglish。Findingtheswiftestpursuercloseuponhis
　　heels，hethrewoff，firsthisblanket，thenhissilver—lacedcoatand
　　beltofpeag，bywhichhisenemiesknewhimtobeCanonchet，and
　　redoubledtheeagernessofpursuit。
　　Atlength，indashingthroughtheriver，hisfootslippedupona
　　stone，andhefellsodeepastowethisgun。Thisaccidentso
　　struckhimwithdespair，that，asheafterwardsconfessed，"his
　　heartandhisbowelsturnedwithinhim，andhebecamelikearotten
　　stick，voidofstrength。"
　　Tosuchadegreewasheunnerved，that，beingseizedbyaPequod
　　Indianwithinashortdistanceoftheriver，hemadenoresistance，
　　thoughamanofgreatvigorofbodyandboldnessofheart。Buton
　　beingmadeprisonerthewholeprideofhisspiritarosewithinhim；
　　andfromthatmoment，wefind，intheanecdotesgivenbyhis
　　enemies，nothingbutrepeatedflashesofelevatedandprince—like
　　heroism。BeingquestionedbyoneoftheEnglishwhofirstcameupwith
　　him，andwhohadnotattainedhistwenty—secondyear，the
　　proud—heartedwarrior，lookingwithloftycontemptuponhisyouthful
　　countenance，replied，"Youareachild—youcannotunderstand
　　mattersofwar—letyourbrotheroryourchiefcome—himwillI
　　answer。"
　　Thoughrepeatedoffersweremadetohimofhislife，onconditionof
　　submittingwithhisnationtotheEnglish，yetherejectedthemwith
　　disdain，andrefusedtosendanyproposalsofthekindtothegreat
　　bodyofhissubjects；saying，thatheknewnoneofthemwould
　　comply。Beingreproachedwithhisbreachoffaithtowardsthe
　　whites；hisboastthathewouldnotdeliverupaWampanoagnorthe
　　paringofaWampanoag’snail；andhisthreatthathewouldburnthe
　　Englishaliveintheirhouses；hedisdainedtojustifyhimself，
　　haughtilyansweringthatotherswereasforwardforthewaras
　　himself，and"hedesiredtohearnomorethereof。"
　　Sonobleandunshakenaspirit，sotrueafidelitytohiscause
　　andhisfriend，mighthavetouchedthefeelingsofthegenerousand
　　thebrave；butCanonchetwasanIndian；abeingtowardswhomwarhad
　　nocourtesy，humanitynolaw，religionnocompassion—hewascondemned
　　todie。Thelastwordsofhimthatarerecorded，areworthythe
　　greatnessofhissoul。Whensentenceofdeathwaspasseduponhim，
　　heobserved"thathelikeditwell，forheshoulddiebeforehisheart
　　wassoft，orhehadspokenanythingunworthyofhimself。"Hisenemies
　　gavehimthedeathofasoldier，forhewasshotatStoningham，by
　　threeyoungSachemsofhisownrank。
　　ThedefeatattheNarragansettfortress，andthedeathofCanonchet，
　　werefatalblowstothefortunesofKingPhilip。Hemadean
　　ineffectualattempttoraiseaheadofwar，bystirringuptheMohawks
　　totakearms；butthoughpossessedofthenativetalentsofa
　　statesman，hisartswerecounteractedbythesuperiorartsofhis
　　enlightenedenemies，andtheterroroftheirwarlikeskillbeganto
　　subduetheresolutionoftheneighboringtribes。Theunfortunate
　　chieftainsawhimselfdailystrippedofpower，andhisranksrapidly
　　thinningaroundhim。Someweresubornedbythewhites；othersfell
　　victimstohungerandfatigue，andtothefrequentattacksbywhich
　　theywereharassed。Hisstoreswereallcaptured；hischosenfriends
　　weresweptawayfrombeforehiseyes；hisunclewasshotdownbyhis
　　side；hissisterwascarriedintocaptivity；andinoneofhis
　　narrowescapeshewascompelledtoleavehisbelovedwifeandonlyson
　　tothemercyoftheenemy。"Hisruin，"saysthehistorian，"beingthus
　　graduallycarriedon，hismiserywasnotprevented，butaugmented
　　thereby；beinghimselfmadeacquaintedwiththesenseandexperimental
　　feelingofthecaptivityofhischildren，lossoffriends，slaughter
　　ofhissubjects，bereavementofallfamilyrelations，andbeing
　　strippedofalloutwardcomforts，beforehisownlifeshouldbe
　　takenaway。"
　　Tofillupthemeasureofhismisfortunes，hisownfollowersbegan
　　toplotagainsthislife，thatbysacrificinghimtheymight
　　purchasedishonorablesafety。Throughtreacheryanumberofhis
　　faithfuladherents，thesubjectsofWetamoe，anIndianprincessof
　　Pocasset，anearkinswomanandconfederateofPhilip，werebetrayed
　　intothehandsoftheenemy。Wetamoewasamongthematthetime，and
　　attemptedtomakeherescapebycrossinganeighboringriver：either
　　exhaustedbyswimming，orstarvedbycoldandhunger，shewasfound
　　deadandnakednearthewaterside。Butpersecutionceasednotat
　　thegrave。Evendeath，therefugeofthewretched，wherethewicked
　　commonlyceasefromtroubling，wasnoprotectiontothisoutcast
　　female，whosegreatcrimewasaffectionatefidelitytoherkinsmanand
　　herfriend。Hercorpsewastheobjectofunmanlyanddastardly
　　vengeance；theheadwasseveredfromthebodyandsetuponapole，and
　　wasthusexposedatTaunton，totheviewofhercaptivesubjects。They
　　immediatelyrecognizedthefeaturesoftheirunfortunatequeen，and
　　weresoaffectedatthisbarbarousspectacle，thatwearetoldthey
　　brokeforthintothe"mosthorridanddiabolicallamentations。"
　　HoweverPhiliphadborneupagainstthecomplicatedmiseriesand
　　misfortunesthatsurroundedhim，thetreacheryofhisfollowersseemed
　　towringhisheartandreducehimtodespondency。Itissaidthat
　　"heneverrejoicedafterwards，norhadsuccessinanyofhisdesigns。"
　　Thespringofhopewasbroken—theardorofenterprisewas
　　extinguished—helookedaround，andallwasdangeranddarkness；there
　　wasnoeyetopity，noranyarmthatcouldbringdeliverance。Witha
　　scantybandoffollowers，whostillremainedtruetohisdesperate
　　fortunes，theunhappyPhilipwanderedbacktothevicinityofMount
　　Hope，theancientdwellingofhisfathers。Herehelurkedabout，
　　likeaspectre，amongthescenesofformerpowerandprosperity，now
　　bereftofhome，offamilyandfriend。Thereneedsnobetterpictureof
　　hisdestituteandpiteoussituation，thanthatfurnishedbythehomely
　　penofthechronicler，whoisunwarilyenlistingthefeelingsofthe
　　readerinfavorofthehaplesswarriorwhomhereviles。"Philip，"he
　　says，"likeasavagewildbeast，havingbeenhuntedbytheEnglish
　　forcesthroughthewoods，aboveahundredmilesbackwardand
　　forward，atlastwasdriventohisowndenuponMountHope，wherehe
　　retired，withafewofhisbestfriends，intoaswamp，whichproved
　　butaprisontokeephimfasttillthemessengersofdeathcameby
　　divinepermissiontoexecutevengeanceuponhim。"
　　Eveninthislastrefugeofdesperationanddespair，asullen
　　grandeurgathersroundhismemory。Wepicturehimtoourselves
　　seatedamonghiscare—wornfollowers，broodinginsilenceoverhis
　　blastedfortunes，andacquiringasavagesublimityfromthewildness
　　anddrearinessofhislurking—place。Defeated，butnotdismayed—
　　crushedtotheearth，butnothumiliated—heseemedtogrowmore
　　haughtybeneathdisaster，andtoexperienceafiercesatisfactionin
　　drainingthelastdregsofbitterness。Littlemindsaretamedand
　　subduedbymisfortune；butgreatmindsriseaboveit。Theveryideaof
　　submissionawakenedthefuryofPhilip，andhesmotetodeathoneof
　　hisfollowers，whoproposedanexpedientofpeace。Thebrotherof
　　thevictimmadehisescape，andinrevengebetrayedtheretreatofhis
　　chieftain。AbodyofwhitemenandIndianswereimmediatelydespatched
　　totheswampwherePhiliplaycrouched，glaringwithfuryanddespair。
　　Beforehewasawareoftheirapproach，theyhadbeguntosurroundhim。
　　Inalittlewhilehesawfiveofhistrustiestfollowerslaiddead
　　athisfeet；allresistancewasvain；herushedforthfromhiscovert，
　　andmadeaheadlongattempttoescape，butwasshotthroughthe
　　heartbyarenegadeIndianofhisownnation。
　　Suchisthescantystoryofthebrave，butunfortunateKing
　　Philip；persecutedwhileliving，slanderedanddishonoredwhendead。
　　If，however，weconsidereventheprejudicedanecdotesfurnishedusby
　　hisenemies，wemayperceiveinthemtracesofamiableandlofty
　　charactersufficienttoawakensympathyforhisfate，andrespect
　　forhismemory。Wefindthat，amidstalltheharassingcaresand
　　ferociouspassionsofconstantwarfare，hewasalivetothesofter
　　feelingsofconnubialloveandpaternaltenderness，andtothe
　　generoussentimentoffriendship。Thecaptivityofhis"belovedwife
　　andonlyson"arementionedwithexultationascausinghimpoignant
　　misery：thedeathofanynearfriendistriumphantlyrecordedasanew
　　blowonhissensibilities；butthetreacheryanddesertionofmany
　　ofhisfollowers，inwhoseaffectionshehadconfided，issaidtohave
　　desolatedhisheart，andtohavebereavedhimofallfurther
　　comfort。Hewasapatriotattachedtohisnativesoil—aprincetrue
　　tohissubjects，andindignantoftheirwrongs—asoldier，daringin
　　battle，firminadversity，patientoffatigue，ofhunger，ofevery
　　varietyofbodilysuffering，andreadytoperishinthecausehehad
　　espoused。Proudofheart，andwithanuntamableloveofnatural
　　liberty，hepreferredtoenjoyitamongthebeastsoftheforestsor
　　inthedismalandfamishedrecessesofswampsandmorasses，rather
　　thanbowhishaughtyspirittosubmission，andlivedependentand
　　despisedintheeaseandluxuryofthesettlements。Withheroic
　　qualitiesandboldachievementsthatwouldhavegracedacivilized
　　warrior，andhaverenderedhimthethemeofthepoetandthe
　　historian；helivedawandererandafugitiveinhisnativeland，
　　andwentdown，likealonelybarkfounderingamiddarknessand
　　tempest—withoutapityingeyetoweephisfall，orafriendlyhandto
　　recordhisstruggle。
　　THEEND。
　　1819—20
　　THESKETCHBOOK
　　RIPVANWINKLE
　　APOSTHUMOUSWRITINGOFDIEDRICHKNICKERBOCKER
　　byWashingtonIrving
　　ByWoden，GodofSaxons，
　　FromwhencecomesWensday，thatisWodensday。
　　TruthisathingthateverIwillkeep
　　UntothylkedayinwhichIcreepinto
　　Mysepulchre—
　　CARTWRIGHT。
　　[ThefollowingTalewasfoundamongthepapersofthelate
　　DiedrichKnickerbocker，anoldgentlemanofNewYork，whowasvery
　　curiousintheDutchhistoryoftheprovince，andthemannersofthe
　　descendantsfromitsprimitivesettlers。Hishistoricalresearches，
　　however，didnotliesomuchamongbooksasamongmen；forthe
　　formerarelamentablyscantyonhisfavoritetopics；whereashe
　　foundtheoldburghers，andstillmoretheirwives，richinthat
　　legendarylore，soinvaluabletotruehistory。Whenever，therefore，he
　　happeneduponagenuineDutchfamily，snuglyshutupinitslow—roofed
　　farmhouse，underaspreadingsycamore，helookeduponitasalittle
　　claspedvolumeofblack—letter，andstudieditwiththezealofa
　　book—worm。
　　Theresultofalltheseresearcheswasahistoryoftheprovince
　　duringthereignoftheDutchgovernors，whichhepublishedsomeyears
　　since。Therehavebeenvariousopinionsastotheliterarycharacter
　　ofhiswork，and，totellthetruth，itisnotawhitbetterthanit
　　shouldbe。Itschiefmeritisitsscrupulousaccuracy，whichindeed
　　wasalittlequestionedonitsfirstappearance，buthassincebeen
　　completelyestablished；anditisnowadmittedintoallhistorical
　　collections，asabookofunquestionableauthority。
　　Theoldgentlemandiedshortlyafterthepublicationofhiswork，
　　andnowthatheisdeadandgone，itcannotdomuchharmtohismemory
　　tosaythathistimemighthavebeenmuchbetteremployedinweightier
　　labors。He，however，wasapttoridehishobbyhisownway；andthough
　　itdidnowandthenkickupthedustalittleintheeyesofhis
　　neighbors，andgrievethespiritofsomefriends，forwhomhefeltthe
　　truestdeferenceandaffection；yethiserrorsandfolliesare
　　remembered"moreinsorrowthaninanger，"anditbeginstobe
　　suspected，thatheneverintendedtoinjureoroffend。Buthoweverhis
　　memorymaybeappreciatedbycritics，itisstillhelddearbymany
　　folk，whosegoodopinioniswellworthhaving；particularlybycertain
　　biscuit—bakers，whohavegonesofarastoimprinthislikenesson
　　theirnew—yearcakes；andhavethusgivenhimachancefor
　　immortality，almostequaltothebeingstampedonaWaterlooMedal，or
　　aQueenAnne’sFarthing。]
　　WHOEVERhasmadeavoyageuptheHudsonmustrememberthe
　　Kaatskillmountains。Theyareadismemberedbranchofthegreat
　　Appalachianfamily，andareseenawaytothewestoftheriver，
　　swellinguptoanobleheight，andlordingitoverthesurrounding
　　country。Everychangeofseason，everychangeofweather，indeed，
　　everyhouroftheday，producessomechangeinthemagicalhuesand
　　shapesofthesemountains，andtheyareregardedbyallthegood
　　wives，farandnear，asperfectbarometers。Whentheweatherisfair
　　andsettled，theyareclothedinblueandpurple，andprinttheirbold
　　outlinesonthecleareveningsky；but，sometimes，whentherestof
　　thelandscapeiscloudless，theywillgatherahoodofgrayvapors
　　abouttheirsummits，which，inthelastraysofthesettingsun，
　　willglowandlightuplikeacrownofglory。
　　Atthefootofthesefairmountains，thevoyagermayhavedescried
　　thelightsmokecurlingupfromavillage，whoseshingle—roofsgleam
　　amongthetrees，justwherethebluetintsoftheuplandmeltaway
　　intothefreshgreenofthenearerlandscape。Itisalittle
　　village，ofgreatantiquity，havingbeenfoundedbysomeofthe
　　Dutchcolonists，intheearlytimesoftheprovince，justaboutthe
　　beginningofthegovernmentofthegoodPeterStuyvesant，（mayherest
　　inpeace！）andthereweresomeofthehousesoftheoriginal
　　settlersstandingwithinafewyears，builtofsmallyellowbricks
　　broughtfromHolland，havinglatticedwindowsandgablefronts，
　　surmountedwithweather—cocks。
　　Inthatsamevillage，andinoneoftheseveryhouses（which，to
　　telltheprecisetruth，wassadlytime—wornandweather—beaten），there
　　livedmanyyearssince，whilethecountrywasyetaprovinceof
　　GreatBritain，asimplegood—naturedfellow，ofthenameofRipVan
　　Winkle。HewasadescendantoftheVanWinkleswhofiguredso
　　gallantlyinthechivalrousdaysofPeterStuyvesant，and
　　accompaniedhimtothesiegeofFortChristina。Heinherited，however，
　　butlittleofthemartialcharacterofhisancestors。Ihave
　　observedthathewasasimplegood—naturedman；hewas，moreover，a
　　kindneighbor，andanobedienthen—peckedhusband。Indeed，tothe
　　lattercircumstancemightbeowingthatmeeknessofspiritwhich
　　gainedhimsuchuniversalpopularity；forthosemenaremostapttobe
　　obsequiousandconciliatingabroad，whoareunderthedisciplineof
　　shrewsathome。Theirtempers，doubtless，arerenderedpliantand
　　malleableinthefieryfurnaceofdomestictribulation；anda
　　curtainlectureisworthallthesermonsintheworldforteachingthe
　　virtuesofpatienceandlong—suffering。Atermagantwifemay，
　　therefore，insomerespects，beconsideredatolerableblessing；and
　　ifso，RipVanWinklewasthriceblessed。
　　Certainitis，thathewasagreatfavoriteamongallthegoodwives
　　ofthevillage，who，asusual，withtheamiablesex，tookhispart
　　inallfamilysquabbles；andneverfailed，whenevertheytalked
　　thosemattersoverintheireveninggossipings，tolayalltheblame
　　onDameVanWinkle。Thechildrenofthevillage，too，wouldshoutwith
　　joywheneverheapproached。Heassistedattheirsports，madetheir
　　playthings，taughtthemtoflykitesandshootmarbles，andtold
　　themlongstoriesofghosts，witches，andIndians。Wheneverhewent
　　dodgingaboutthevillage，hewassurroundedbyatroopofthem，
　　hangingonhisskirts，clamberingonhisback，andplayinga
　　thousandtricksonhimwithimpunity；andnotadogwouldbarkat
　　himthroughouttheneighborhood。
　　ThegreaterrorinRip’scompositionwasaninsuperableaversion
　　toallkindsofprofitablelabor。Itcouldnotbefromthewantof
　　assiduityorperseverance；forhewouldsitonawetrock，witha
　　rodaslongandheavyasaTartar’slance，andfishalldaywithout
　　amurmur，eventhoughheshouldnotbeencouragedbyasingle
　　nibble。Hewouldcarryafowling—pieceonhisshoulderforhours
　　together，trudgingthroughwoodsandswamps，anduphillanddown
　　dale，toshootafewsquirrelsorwildpigeons。Hewouldnever
　　refusetoassistaneighborevenintheroughesttoil，andwasa
　　foremostmanatallcountryfrolicsforhuskingIndiancorn，or
　　buildingstone—fences；thewomenofthevillage，too，usedtoemploy
　　himtoruntheirerrands，andtodosuchlittleoddjobsastheirless
　　obliginghusbandswouldnotdoforthem。InawordRipwasreadyto
　　attendtoanybody’sbusinessbuthisown；butastodoingfamilyduty，
　　andkeepinghisfarminorder，hefounditimpossible。
　　Infact，hedeclareditwasofnousetoworkonhisfarm；itwas
　　themostpestilentlittlepieceofgroundinthewholecountry；
　　everythingaboutitwentwrong，andwouldgowrong，inspiteof
　　him。Hisfenceswerecontinuallyfallingtopieces；hiscowwould
　　eithergoastray，orgetamongthecabbages；weedsweresuretogrow
　　quickerinhisfieldsthananywhereelse；therainalwaysmadeapoint
　　ofsettinginjustashehadsomeout—doorworktodo；sothat
　　thoughhispatrimonialestatehaddwindledawayunderhis
　　management，acrebyacre，untiltherewaslittlemoreleftthanamere
　　patchofIndiancornandpotatoes，yetitwastheworstconditioned
　　farmintheneighborhood。