,BOOK #a1 ,*APT] #d 
,X ,M>KS ! ,SPOT 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,X ,M,>,K,S ,! ,S,P,O,T 

,ON HIS RETURN1 FROM ! :ITE CLIFFS HE'D WALK$ ! ,ROMAN ROAD OR BUMP$ ALONG ON C>TS :]E HE %\LD BE SO =TUNATE4 ,HE'D SE5 A R[ ( HANG+-TREES LIKE FI%+ POLES SET \T BESIDE A RIV]1 HEAVY ) !IR CAT*4 ,HE'D SE5 A GREAT R$ HORSE ( /RAW ON FIRE ACROSS A MURKY FIELD1 & AN AGREEABLE AM\NT ( NAK$ TEATS :5 H]LOTS MOCK$ HIM FROM AN 9N NE> ,LONDON4 ,AT ANO!R 9N A DRAGON WAS EXHIBIT$1 CAU<T 9 A MUD-HOLE :]E IT SULK$1 A K9D ( >MOR$ SNAKE ?AT HAD BE5 FLATT5$1 HAV+ DREADFUL TEE? & EYES BUT LEGS NO LONG] ?AN A FOOT/OOL'S4 ,HE HAD SE5 A N>R[ RIV] DAMM$ BY SKELETONS4 ,HE'D SE5 A P>LIAM5T ( ROOKS A HUNDR$ /RONG FALL ON & KILL ONE ( !IR NUMB] 9 AMONG ! NODD+ B>LEY R[S1 & HAD BE5 %[N A YEW ?AT HAD ! FACE ( ,JESUS 9 ITS B>K4 ,HIS NAME WAS ,PET] BUT BE=E ?AT HAD BE5 ,AEGBUR? & 9 ,FRANCE !Y'D CALL$ HIM ,LE ,CANAL1 :I* 9 !IR TONGUE MEANT *ANNEL1 = ! WAY HE SWEAT$4 ,?IS WAS 9 ! YE> ( \R ,LORD EI<T HUNDR$ & T51 AB\T ! ,V]NAL ,EQU9OX4 

,HE'D V5TUR$ HALF A WORLD & BACK1 /EPP$ ON ! SKIRT'S $GE ( ,BYZANTIUM & WALK$ 9 ! DAZ$ WAKE ( ,*>LEMAGNE1 HAD S\<T ! %ADE ( HEA!N DOMES 9 ,SPA9 ) !IR 9SIDES A MYRIAD BLUE />S & NOT A CROSS 9 SI<T4 ,N[ HE WAS COME AGA9 TO !SE CLOSE & 5CIRCL+ HORIZONS1 TO ?IS BLACK E>? & GRAY SKY1 ?IS R\<-MADE L&4 ,HE WAS RETURN$ TO ,M]CIA & TO ! ,SPELHOE HUNDR$S1 ?\< NOT YET TO ,M$E%AM/$E1 TO HIS MEAD[ HOME !RE 9 ! BOGS ( ,PET]BORO1 :]E !Y MU/ BY ?IS TIME ?9K HIM DEAD & W\LD ALREADY HAVE ALL[$ HIS CELL TO PASS ON TO ANO!R4 ,HE'D GET BACK !RE SOON 5\<1 BUT 9 HIS TRAVELS HE HAD TAK5 ON AN OBLIGATION ?AT MU/ FIR/ BE PROP]LY DIS*>G$4 ,! CONT5T ( ! JUTE-CLO? BAG SLUNG OV] HIS RI<T %\LD]1 :]E !RE WAS A CALLUS GR[N HE HAD BE5 BE>+ IT SO LONG1 MU/ BE DELIV]$ UNTO ITS PRECISE & RI<TFUL DE/9ATION4 ,!SE W]E HIS 9/RUCTIONS1 GIV5 TO HIM BY ! FRI5D HE'D MET :5 9 ANO!R PLACE1 & IT WAS HIS RESOLVE TO SEE !M N[ FULFILL$ ?AT L$ HIM UP ?IS DRY MUD PA?1 ) SPE>-%>P GRASS & WE$S ON EV]Y SIDE1 T[>DS A DI/ANT BRIDGE4 

,! MORN+'S DEW WAS COLD UPON HIS TOES1 LIFT+ ! SMELL ( WOOL FAT FROM HIS HABIT'S DAMP & DRAGG+ HEM4 ,HE W5T ON UNCOMPLA9+ UP ! TRACK1 AMONG ! BUSY HUM & FLUTT]1 ?R\< ! GRE5 /9K ( ! *E/-HI< VEGETATION ?AT SURR\ND$ HIM4 ,AHEAD1 ! WOOD5 CROSSWALK ?AT W\LD BR+ HIM TO ! SETTLEM5T AT ,HAMTUN BY ITS S\!RN 5D GREW SL[LY CLOS]1 SL[LY BIGG]1 & HE SPURR$ HIS BLI/]$ FEET1 CLAD 9 !IR CO>SE ROPE S&ALS1 ONW>D ) ! NOTION ?AT !IR J\RNEY WAS SO NE> ITS F9I%1 HIS T5 LITTLE SOLDI]S ) !IR FACES R$ & RAW ON ?IS =C$ M>*1 ADVANC+ BY ONE ORD]$ PHALANX AT A TIME1 /EP AFT] /EP1 MILE AFT] MILE4 ,B5EA? L[ CL\D ! DAY WAS CLOSE SO ?AT 9SIDE HIS ROBES HE /REAM$1 A SALTY GLAZE ?AT COV]$ ALL HIS BACK & BELLY1 LUKEW>M RIBBONS TRICKL+ 9 ! CREASES ( HIS GRO9 & SPOOL+ D[N ! 9SIDE ( EA* MEATY ?I<4 ,A ROA/$-LOOK+ MAN BA/+ 9 HIS [N JUICE HE SL[LY ROLL$ T[>DS ! RIV]'S $GE1 GRAY AS A /ONE AGA9/ ! GRE5S SURR\ND+ HIM4 

,NOT F> BE=E ! BRIDGE !RE WAS A RAIS$-UP SQU>E ( GR\ND ) ! REMA9S ( A SQU>E DIT* AB\T IT1 ALL ITS L9ES & $GES S(T5$ BY SOME C5TURIES ( TURF & OV]GR[?4 ,! BANK$ E>? SEEM$ A COMFY B$ :]E HE MI<T RE/ A :ILE1 BUT HE D5I$ HIMSELF ?IS IDL5ESS4 ,IT WAS1 ?\<T ,PET]1 !REAB\TS ( FIVE & TW5TY PACES ON EA* SIDE1 & LOOK$ TO HIM AS ?\< IT HAD ONCE BE5 ! FOOT+S ( A RIV] =T1 P]HAPS AS LONG AGO AS ,ROMAN TIMES :5 /RON<OLDS ( ?AT LIKE W]E /RUNG LIKE P5DANT *>MS ALONG ! NECKLACE ( ?IS ,RIV] ,N5N4 ,COLLECT$ 9 ! BOTTOM ( ! TR5* WAS A V>IETY ( RUBBI%ES ALL 9 A W9D+ SEAM1 SU* AS A RAM'S SKULL & A SMALL SPLIT LEA!R %OE1 SOME PIECES FROM A BROK5 B>REL & A *EAP BROO* ) ITS CLASP GONE1 H]E & !RE AMONG ! T>ES1 ! /AGNANT POOLS4 ,?US PASS$ AWAY ! GLORIES ( ?IS WORLD1 ,PET] OBS]V$1 BUT D\BT$ 9 HIS HE>T ?AT ! NEW ,HOLY ,ROMAN ,EMPIRE W\LD1 DESPITE ITS ASPIRATIONS1 LA/ SO LONG AS ITS MORE E>?LY C\NT]P>T HAD MANAG$4 ,ONE DAY1 IT WAS HIS OP9ION1 !RE'D BE GILT-WORK$ MANUSCRIPTS & PR9CELY VE/M5TS D[N !RE ) ! SPL9T]$ /AVES & BEAD$ RABBIT %ITS1 :5 TIME HAD WORK$ ! WORLD D[N TO ITS MUL* ( SAM5ESS4 

,PASS+ 9 BETWE5 ITS TALL OAK 5D-PO/S HE /EPP$ \T ONTO ! BRIDGE'S HANG+ LOGS1 ONE H& CLASP$ TI<T AB\T ! ?ICK ROPE RAIL TO MAKE HIM /EADY & ! O!R CLUT*$ AS EV] ON ! NECK ( HIS JUTE BAG4 ,\T ON ! SWAY & CREAK ( ! CON/RUCTION'S MIDDLE SPAN HE /OOD A MOM5T LOOK+ (F ALONG ! SL[ BR[N RIV] TO ! WE/1 :]E IT CURL$ R\ND A /& ( DROOP+ WILL[S AT A B5D & \T ( SI<T4 ,:AT SEEM$ LIKE SEV]AL BOYS W]E PLAY+ ON ! BANK !RE AT ! RIV]'S ELB[1 ! FIR/ PEOPLE ?AT HE'D SI<T$ 9 TWO DAYS ( WALK+1 BUT W]E TOO F> (F TO HAIL & SO HE RAIS$ A H& TO !M 9/EAD & !Y WAV$ BACK1 5C\RAG+LY AS IT SEEM$ TO ,PET]4 ,HE W5T ON ) MYGGE-FLIES GA!R$ 9 A SPITEFUL HALO AT HIS BR[ ?AT ONLY SCATT]$ :5 HE'D PASS$ ! F> 5D ( ! BRIDGE & WAS SOME WAY (F FROM ! WAT]'S $GE1 UPON A PA? ?AT L$ BETWE5 A SCATT]+ ( HOMES T[>DS ! SETTLEM5T'S S\? GATE4 

,DUG D[N 9TO ! E>?1 EA* ) ITS WATTLE RO( HEAP$ TO A PO9T ABOVE ! COZY TR5*1 !SE W]E SUBM]G$ 9 DIRTY CL\DS ?AT BILL[$ FROM !IR *IMNEY HOLES SO ?AT !Y SEEM$ MORE BUILT FROM SMOKE ?AN /ICKS & CLAY4 ,COME \T 9TO ! WORLD ABOVE FROM ONE SU* NE/ ( FUME WAS AN OLD WOMAN1 GR9N+ R\ND ! FEW TEE? ?AT W]E LEFT H] :5 %E SAW HIM1 CLIMB+ PA9FULLY ! ?REE OR F\R FLAT /ONES ON H>D DIRT /EPS ?AT L$ UP FROM ! COV]$ HOLE4 ,H] SK9 WAS CRACK$ AS POND-B$ MUD 9 DR\<T1 & A%5 PLAITS ?AT HUNG D[N TO H] WAI/ RECALL$ ! SAGG+ WILL[S1 SO ?AT %E APPE>$ TO HIM A V]Y RIV]-?+1 MORE LIKE TO LIVE B5EA? ! BRIDGE ITSELF ?AN 9 H] DWELL+ UP ?IS DU/Y PA?4 ,! VOICE TOO1 :5 %E SPOKE1 WAS ?ICK ) PHLEGM & HAD ! S\ND ( WAT] DRAGG+ OV] /ONES4 ,H] EYES W]E WICK$ LITTLE SNAIL-HUSKS1 WET & GL9T+4 

0,EYY] BRUNG ET80 

,H]E %E NODD$1 TWICE = EMPHASIS1 T[>DS ! SACK HE C>RI$ SLUNG ACROSS HIS %\LD]4 ,SOME?+ JUMP$ 9 ! PALE TANGLES ( H] HAIR4 ,HE WAS P]PLEX$ & ?\<T %E KNEW BY SOME MEANS ( HIS MISSION2 !N HE ?\<T AGA9 ?AT %E'D MI/AK5 HIM = ONE APPO9T$ TO BR+ SOME?+ TO H] L[LY HUT1 OR ELSE ?AT %E BE MAD4 ,NOT KN[+ :AT TO MAKE ( H] HE M]ELY />$ & %OOK HIS HEAD 9 PUZZLEM5T1 AT :I* %E %[$ H] AWFUL TOO?LESS SMILE AGA91 F9D+ AMUSEM5T H]E :]E HE F\ND NONE4 

0,:AT ?+ !RE IS BY ALL F\R CORN]S AS YET M>KS ! MIDDLE4 ,EYY] BRUNG ET80 

,HE C\LD MAKE NO S5SE ( :AT %E SAID1 C\LD ONLY SUMMON A VAGUE PICTURE ?AT MEANT NO?+ TO HIM1 ( A PAGE ( MANUSCRIPT :]E ALL ! CORN]S HAD BE5 FOLD$ 9 T[>DS ! C5T]4 ,PET] %RUGG$ UNEASILY1 & ?\<T HE MU/ SEEM DULL4 

0,GOOD WOMAN1 ,I KN[ NOT ! ?+ ( :I* Y\ SPEAK4 ,I AM COME H]E ACROSS ?Y BRIDGE FROM F> AWAY4 ,I HAVE NOT BE5 AB\T !SE P>TS BE=E40 

,IT WAS ! CRONE'S TURN N[ TO %AKE H] HEAD1 ! RANK PLAITS SW++ LIKE A BEAD$ ,MOORI% CURTA9 & H] RU9$ GR9 /ILL FIX$ 9 PLACE4 

0,Y\ >E NOT COME ACROSS MY BRIDGE1 NOT YET4 ,Y\ >E NOT EV5 PA/ MY =T4 ,& ,I KN[ !E ( OLD40 ,) ?IS %E REA*$ ONE H& \T LIKE A BRITTLE CLAW & SLAPP$ HIM H>D AB\T HIS ROSY1 GLI/5+ *EEK4 

,HE SAT UP4 

,HE WAS RE/+ ON ! BANK$ V]GE ( ! DIT* ?AT RAN >\ND ! RELIC RIV] =T1 ! BRIDGE'S S\!RN 5D SOME DI/ANCE (F UPON HIS LEFT4 ,A BEETLE OR A SPID] 9 ! GRASS HAD BITT5 HIM ON ONE SIDE ( HIS FACE :]E HE HAD DOZ$ ) IT PRESS$ TO ! TURF1 & HE C\LD FEEL A SWOLL5 LUMP B5EA? HIS F+] :5 HE RAIS$ IT TO 9SPECT ! S\RCE ( ! 9SI/5T ?ROBB+4 ,HE WAS FRI<T5$ = A MOM5T :5 HE REALIZ$ HE NO LONG] HELD ! JUTE CLO? BAG BUT F9D+ IT UPON ! SLOPE BESIDE HIM HE WAS REASSUR$1 ?\< /ILL BEWILD]$ BY :AT HAD OCCURR$4 ,HE /RUGGL$ TO HIS FEET1 HIS ROBES ALL SODD5 D[N ! BACK FROM ! DAMP GRASS1 FR[N+ AT FIR/ ! =T'S REMA9S & !N ! NE>BY BRIDGE1 UNTIL AT L5G? HE LAU<$4 

,SO ?IS WAS ,HAMTUN1 !N4 ,?IS WAS ITS *>ACT]1 ITS NOTION ( A JE/ ) TRAVEL]S :O ?\<T !Y HAD ! PLACE'S MEASURE4 ,9 ! C\NTRY'S ANCI5T HE>T ?IS CURI\S ESS5TIAL NATURE HID & MADE ITSELF A SECRET1 SLYLY M>VEL\S & DANG]\S 9 ITS CAPRICE AS IF IT DID NOT REALIZE ITS FRI<T5+ /R5G? OR ELSE PRET5D$ IT DID NOT4 ,BEH9D ! MADMAN GLITT] ( ITS EYE1 BEH9D ITS ROTT$ SMILE1 HE ?\<T1 !RE WAS A KN[L$GE IT HAD *OS5 TO CONCEAL ) MIS*IEFS1 FRI<TS & PHANTOMS4 ,AT ONCE MON/R\S & PLAYFUL1 ANTIC EV5 9 ITS HORRORS1 !RE WAS SOME?+ 9 ITS NATURE ,PET] F\ND HE MI<T ADMIRE OR FE>1 YET ALL ! :ILE /ILL *UCKL+ 9 WOND]M5T AT ITS DEFIANT QUE]NESS4 ,%AK+ N[ HIS CURLY1 GRAY+ HEAD 9 GOOD-NATUR$ ACKN[L$GM5T ( H[ AMUS+LY HE HAD BE5 TRICK$ HE %\LD]$ ONCE AGA9 HIS SACK & MADE T[>DS ! BRIDGE1 HIS SECOND TRY AT IT1 OR SO IT SEEM$ TO HIM4 

,?IS TIME ! /RUCTURE WAS ALL MADE ( WOOD1 A /URDY HUMP ?AT CURV$ ABOVE ! MUDDY FL[1 SUPPORT$ BY /\T BEAMS B5EA? RA!R ?AN HUNG FROM ROPES AS 9 HIS DREAM4 ,HE C\LD CONSOLE HIMSELF1 H[EV]1 ?AT !RE W]E /ILL MYGGE-FLIES ALL >\ND HIM 9 A DRON+ CL\D1 & :5 HE PAUS$ \T ON ! MIDDLE SECTION & LOOK$ WE/ !RE W]E YET WILL[S /OOP+ AT ! WAT]'S B5D1 AL?\< NO *ILDR5 PLAY$ B5EA? !M4 ,OV]HEAD ! GREAT DISC ( ! HEAV5S TURN$1 A GRUBBY FLEECE ?AT FRAY$ TO /REAM+ RAGS AT ! HORIZON1 & HE C>RI$ ON ACROSS ! RIV] ) HIS TRAIL+ BE>D ( GNATS PLUM$ \T BEH9D HIM4 

,AT ! $GES ( ! TRODD5 PA? ?AT /RET*$ BETWE5 ! BRIDGE & ! S\? GATE !RE W]E NO SUNK5 HOMES1 BUT ONLY TURNIP FIELDS TO EI!R SIDE1 ) ELMS & BIR*ES 9 A FR+E BEYOND !M4 ,!SE W]E 9T]RUPT$ H]E & !RE BY ROTT$ /UMPS SO ?AT ! TREE-L9E CALL$ TO M9D A <O/LY LIK5ESS ( HIS DREAM-HAG'S SMILE1 H] KN[+ RIDICULE 9S9UAT$ N[ )9 ! L&SCAPE ?AT 5CIRCL$ HIM1 OR AT ! LEA/ SU* WAS HIS FANCY4 ,PET] ?\<T IT BETT] HE DID NOT 9DULGE ?IS 9W>D %AD[ PLAY & SO TURN$ HIS ATT5TIONS FROM IT1 NOTIC+ 9/EAD ! TRUE SUB/ANTIAL MEAD[1 PLA9 & )\T MY/]Y1 ?R\< :I* HE PASS$4 ,ON TREMBL+ SPRIGS !RE NODD$ C[SLIPS1 GRE5-GOLD AS ! CATTLE-SLIMES FROM :I* !Y TOOK !IR NAME1 & HE HE>D SKYL>KS TRILL+ 9 ! GRASSES BORD]+ ! PLANT$ CROPS4 ,IT WAS A F9E DAY TO CONCLUDE HIS J\RNEY1 & !RE W]E NO APP>ITIONS H]E SAVE ?OSE ?AT HE HIMSELF HAD DRAGG$ ALONG = COMPANY4 

,?IS PAT* ( E>? WAS :]E ! WE/-EA/ RIV] MADE A SUDD5 B5D T[>DS ! S\?1 LEAV+ A HANG+ BULGE ( L& BE=E ITS PROP] C\RSE WAS ONCE AGA9 RESUM$1 A SWELL+ LIKE ?AT ON HIS BITT5 *EEK4 ,F\R N>R[ DIT*ES HAD BE5 CUT ?R\< ! PROMONTORY1 P]HAPS = IRRIGATION1 =D$ BY /\T LOGS ?AT HE WAS =C$ TO TEET] OV] AWKW>DLY1 ONE H& CLUT*+ HIS PRECI\S BURD5 TO HIS BOSOM ) ! O!R /RET*$ \T AT ! SIDE & WAV+ UP & D[N TO BALANCE HIM1 BE=E HE CAME TO ,HAMTUN'S S\!RN GATE4 ,?IS /OOD A LITTLE OP5 FROM ! F5CE ( TALL & /URDY PO/S ?AT MADE ! SETTLEM5T'S S\? WALL1 & HAD A S+LE ?9 & GLOOMY-LOOK+ MAN :O HELD A SPE> /OOD BY IT = A GU>D4 ,!RE WAS P]HAPS BUT ONE DAY'S GR[? ( BE>D 9 A GRAY BLOT AB\T HIS M\?1 SO ?AT HE HAD 9 SOME WAYS ! APPE>ANCE ( A ?READB>E & 9DIFF]5T DOG4 ,HE DID NOT CALL A GREET+1 BUT LEAN$ IDLY !RE AGA9/ ! GATE & WAT*$ ! MONK'S APPROA* ) LI/LESS GAZE1 OBLIG+ ,PET] TO ANN\NCE HIMSELF4 

0,HAIL1 FELL[1 & GOOD DAY TO !E4 ,I AM A BRO!R ( ! BLESS$ ,B5$ICT :OSE ORD] IS AT ,M$E%AM/$E NE> TO ,PET]BORO1 NOT F> (F FROM H]E4 ,I HAVE GONE MANY LEAGUES OV] ! SEA & AM N[ S5T TO ,HAMTUN1 :]E ,I BR+ A TOK5 4440 

,HE WAS FUMBL+ )9 ! SACK1 AB\T TO TAKE ! ?+ 9SIDE \T 9TO DAYLI<T AS AN ILLU/RATION1 :5 ! WAT*MAN TURN$ HIS HEAD TO ONE SIDE1 SPITT+ \T A GOB ( BRI<T GRE5 JELLY 9 ! PAL] /RAWS BESIDE ! GATE1 !N LOOK$ AGA9 AT ,PET]1 BLUNTLY 9T]RUPT+ HIM4 

0,ES ET UN AX80 

,! GU>D'S VOICE WAS AT ONCE FLAT & )\T REAL 9T]E/1 SPOK5 P>TLY D[N HIS LONG BEAK ( A NOSE4 ,PET] LOOK$ UP FROM ! JUTE BAG'S D>K M\? AT HIS 9T]ROGATOR1 PUZZL$ & SURPRIS$4 

0,AN AX80 

,! GATEMAN SI<$ ELABORATELY1 AS ?\< ONE WE>ILY EXPLA9+ TO AN 9FANT4 

0,AYE4 ,UN AX4 ,UN EF ,I LET Y] 51 %ELL Y] GO SMA%5 PEOPLE'S $S WU? ET1 UN FUCK5 BOYS UN WIMM5 =E Y] SETS US ALL ON FIRE80 

,H]E ,PET] M]ELY BL9K$ UNCOMPREH5D+LY1 !N NOTIC$ = ! FIR/ TIME H[ ! WALL & NE>] GATEPO/ BO? HAD WAV]+ TONGUES ( SOOT EXT5D+ RAGG$LY FROM NE> !IR BASE TO ALMO/ AT ! TOP4 ,HE LOOK$ BACK TO ! LANGUID GU>DIAN & %OOK HIS HEAD 9 VEHEM5T D5IAL1 REA*+ ONCE AGA9 9TO HIS SACK TO BR+ HIS TREASURE =?1 ?IS TIME AS REASSURANCE4 

0,OH1 NO4 ,NO1 IT'S NOT AN AX4 ,I AM A MAN ( ,GOD & ALL ,I SEEK TO FET* H]E IS - 0 

,! S5TRY1 ) A PA9$ EXPRESSION1 CLOS$ HIS DOLEFUL EYES & HELD ! PALM NOT WRAPP$ AB\T HIS SPE> T[>DS ! PILGRIM1 WAV+ IT DISMISSIVELY FROM SIDE TO SIDE AS HE DECL9$ TO VIEW :AT WAS CONTA9$ 9 ,PET]'S BUNDLE4 

0,I EM NOT M9D$ EF ET BE ! LEFT LEG O' ,JOHN ,BAPTI/ = SO LONG UZ ET'S NOT PUT AB\T ! SMA%5 O' M5'S $S1 NOR ?AT ETS RAGG$ 5D BE LIT UN MADE A TOR* F] BURN54 ,NOT LA/ MON? W]E ONE LIKE !E UZ AD ! SKULL-BONE ( ! ,LORD1 UN :5 ,I ASK$ EM [ ET W]E SO SMALL1 E S$ ET W]E ! SKULL O' ,*RI/ FROM :5 E W]E A BABE4 ,I ]D UZ ! GOOD FOLK AS DWELL BESIDE ,SA9T ,PET]'S ,*UR* AD DEPP$ EZ CODS 5 T> UN S5T EM CRY5 OME40 

,HIS EYES W]E OP5 N[ TO />E UNBL9K+ AT ! MONK AS ?\< HIS WORDS W]E NO MORE ?AN PLA9 FACT1 REQUIR+ NO RESPONSE ( ,PET] SAVE ?AT HE PASS ON & LEAVE ! S5T9EL TO HIS BOR$ WAT* OV] ! TURNIP PAT*4 

0,!N AM ,I ?ANKFULLY ADVIS$4 ,I %ALL BE SURE TO SELL NO RELICS H]E1 :IL/ 9 ! SAME WISE MAK+ C]TA9 ?AT ,I SMA% NO HEADS1 NOR YET PUT ANYONE TO RAPE OR FIRE UNTIL ,I AM PA/ ,HAMTUN1 E'5 9 G5U9E MI/AKE4 ,I BID !E WELL40 

,! GU>DSMAN PO9T$LY />$ (F T[>DS ! DI/ANT ELMS & MUTT]$ SOME?+ 9DI/9CT ?AT 5D$ ) ! WORDS 0AWAY UND MELK A BULL01 SO ,PET] HUNG HIS BAG ONCE MORE ACROSS HIS CALLUS$ %\LD] & W5T ON1 9 :]E ! GATE WAS OP51 TO ! HILL-PA? ?AT CLIMB$ FROM ! BRIDGE T[>DS ! SETTLEM5T'S HI< REA*ES4 ,H]E HE C\LD SEE ?AT*-TOPP$ HOMES DUG 9TO R[S BESIDE ! SLANT+ /REET NOT V]Y DIFF]5T FROM ! WIT*'S BURR[ 9 HIS DREAM1 ?\< NOT HE ?\<T SO PALL$ ) SMOKE4 ,NOR DID ?OSE SEV]AL PEOPLE ?AT HE SPI$ :O W]E ! HUTS' 9HABITANTS APPE> TO HAVE A /RANG5ESS TO !M 9 ! WAY ?AT %E HAD1 ) 9/EAD ! SEMBLANCE ( ORD9>Y M5 & MAIDS1 9 CAP OR %AWL1 ?AT PULL$ !IR *ILDR51 C>TS & H\NDS BEH9D !M ?R\< ! LANES1 ELSE TRAVEL$ ON %IT-SPRAY+ M>ES4 ,HE WAS YET M9DFUL ( ! SLEEP+ VISION GIFT$ HIM1 H[EV]1 & RESOLV$ HE W\LD NOT JUDGE ! G5TLES H]E AS COMMON UNTIL HE WAS SAFELY COME AMONG & ?R\< !M ALL4 ,HE PLODD$ ON & UP ALONG ! TRACK1 SKIRT+ A SUMP CLOSE TO ITS BOTTOM :]E BO? REC5T RA9 & PASS+ HORSES HAD CONSPIR$ TO MAKE A FIL?Y SLURRY !RE4 ,(F TO HIS RI<T NOT V]Y F>1 BEYOND SOME HUTS1 ! PO/S ?AT MADE ! SETTLEM5T'S EA/ WALL CLIMB$ UP ! HILL ABREA/ ) HIM T[>DS ! HI< GR\ND 9 ! NOR?4 

,BESIDE ! SUNK5 H\SES FUR!R UP ! UNM[N SLOPE W]E TALL] DWELL+S ALSO1 ?\< NOT MANY1 & NOT F> 9SIDE ! GAT$ WALL HE PASS$ SOME GR\ND ?AT HAD A POX-B>N SET ASIDE :]E !RE LAY ONES :O MOAN$ & WORSE ONES :O DID NOT1 BETWIXT SMALL FIRES ?AT HAD BE5 SET TO CLEAN ! POISON HUMORS FROM ! AIR4 ,SOME ( ! FIGURES W]E MADE 9COMPLETE BY P>TS DECAY$ OR SOME ( !M P]HAPS HEWN (F 9 ACCID5T1 & BACK & =? BETWE5 !IR MATS CREPT OLD WIVES T5D+ !M1 ) FACES M>K$ BY AILM5TS !Y HAD 9 !IR TIME SURVIV$ & N[ W]E PRO( TO4 ,HE WAS GRATEFUL ?AT ! W9D TODAY CAME FROM ! WE/1 BUT TURN$ HIS FACE (F 9 PRECAUTION FROM ! PE/ FIELD :5 HE PASS$ IT BY & C>RI$ ON UPHILL1 :]E !RE ?RONG$ FELL[ BE+S 9 !IR DOZ5S SU* AS HE'D NOT KN[N 9 A GREAT :ILE4 ,! SL[ CLIMB MADE HIM PUFF1 ON ?IS CLOSE DAY ) ALL ITS W>M? HELD 9 B5EA? ! SKY'S L[ QUILT+1 RAIS+ SWEAT UPON ! SWEAT ALREADY !RE1 YET WAS HE JOY\S TO BE ONCE MORE 9 ! COMPANY ( M5 & W5T AMONG !M GLADLY 9 GOOD SPIRIT1 M>VEL+ AS ?\< ONE UNACCU/OM$ AT !IR GREAT DIV]SITY4 

,OLD M5 :OSE P>SNIP NOSES ALMO/ MET !IR JUTT+ *9S PULL$ SL$S ) CORDS ( OAK-B>K PIL$ UPON !M ?AT W]E D>K R$ & ALIVE ) PISMIRES ON !IR UND]SIDES4 ,PET] WAS MADE TO WAIT IDLY UPON ! CORN] ) A CROSS-PA?1 BY AN ALE-Y>D ?AT HAD HI< /ONE WALLS1 UNTIL A HORSE-PULL$ C>T WEI<$ D[N ) TR\<S ( NEW-WORK$ *ALK HAD RUMBL$ PA/ & AG$ ?OSE 9 ! BILL[+ SUSP5SIONS ( ITS WAKE BY T5 YE>S 9 AS MANY 9/ANTS4 ,AS AT LA/ HE MADE HIS WAY ACROSS ! SIDE /REET TO CONT9UE UP ! HILL1 HE V5TUR$ TO LOOK D[N IT AFT] ! DEP>T+ HORSE & WAGON4 ,!RE W]E NOT A FEW MEAN DWELL+S AT ITS BORD]S & !N BLACK BRI] H$G][ FUR!R D[N1 :]E ,PET] SAW A MO!R & H] FLOCK ( *ILDR5 PICK+ DILIG5TLY AT ! BRAMBLES1 ) !IR F9D+S /UFF$ 9TO A BAG ! WOMAN C>RI$4 ,HE SUPPOS$ !Y W]E WOOLGA!R+1 & ?AT IT MI<T BE !Y W]E FAMILY TO A WOOLMONG] LIV+ H]EAB\TS1 SO BUSY & SO 5T]PRIS+ DID ! HILL T[N SEEM TO HIM4 

,9DE$1 HE WAS SURPRIS$ TO F9D IT SO1 AS HE /RODE UP ! 9CL9E TO A CROSSROADS AT ITS TOP4 ,:5 HE HAD BE5 A LAD NAM$ ,AEGBUR? GR[+ UP AT ,HELP/UN NE> TO ,PET]BORO & !N LAT] BE5 A MONK NAM$ ,PET] CLOI/]$ 9 ?AT PLACE ITSELF1 HE HAD HE>D TELL ( ,HAMTUN1 BUT NOT (T54 ,IT HAD ALWAYS BE5 !RE1 HE HAD ! IMPRESSION1 ?\< NOT V]Y MU* !RE1 & REM>KABLE ONLY 9 ?AT IT NEV] WAS REM>K$ UPON4 ,IT WAS APP>5T !RE HAD BE5 SOME ,ROMAN PRES5CE 9 !SE P>TS & HE ?\<T SAVAGE SETTLEM5TS P]HAPS BE=E ?OSE TIMES1 BUT !RE WAS NEV] MORE TO ,HAMTUN ?AN ! AIRY RUMOR ( A PLACE :]E NO ONE EV] W5T4 ,TO SEE IT N[ ) ALL ITS B>T] & ITS BU/LE ONE MI<T1 ) GOOD REASON1 ASK :5CE IT HAD COME4 ,IT WAS AS IF1 :5 F9ALLY ! NI<T & W9T] AFT] ,ROME'S DEMISE WAS LIFT$ FROM ! L&1 ,HAMTUN WAS SIMPLY F\ND H]E1 ?RIV+ 9 ITS PRES5T =M1 COME \T ( NO?+NESS TO OCCUPY ?IS PROSP]\S VANTAGE EV] S9CE4 ,& /ILL NO P]SON SPOKE ( IT4 

,HE KNEW ,K+ ,(FA1 :5 NOT BUILD+ HIS GREAT DIT* AT ,M]CIA'S $GE ) ,WALES1 HAD PLANT$ NEW T[NS 9 !SE T]RITORIES ?AT W]E DO+ WELL1 ?\< ,HAMTUN WAS NOT ONE ( !M1 & HAD ! M>K+S ( SOME E>LI] V9TAGE4 ,(FA KEPT A ,?ORPE AS WELL1 A C\NTRY DWELL+ (F ! T[N'S NOR? 5D1 ) ,HAMTUN AS ! NE>E/ PORT ( TRADE1 ?\< ,PET] WAS ( ! OP9ION ,HAMTUN'S PROM95CE HAD COME BE=E ! TIME ( ,(FA4 ,HE RECALL$ HIS GR&FA!R AT ,HELP/UN MAK+ M5TION ( ! PLACE AS ?\< ( SOME IMPORTANCE :5 IT HAD BE5 ,(FA'S PR$ECESSOR ,AE!BALD :O'D REIGN$1 & FUR!R /ILL1 BACK 9 ! MI/S ( LO/ ANTIQUITY !RE'D BE5 A PLACE H]E ?AT M5 KNEW (1 YET DID NOT KN[ :AT IT WAS !Y KNEW4 ,P]HAPS IT WAS AS ) A CIRCLE1 DRAFT$ BY A KNOB ( *ALK UPON A /R+1 :]E ONLY ! P]IMET] WAS NOTIC$ ) ! C5T] ?AT ! %APE DEP5D$ ON NOT SE5 AT ALL1 OR ?\<T TO BE A HOLE1 LIKE ?R\< A R+-LOAF4 ,H[1 ?\<1 9 AN EMPTY HOLE1 WAS !RE SU* FURI\S ACTIVITY8 

,:5 HE HAD LATELY PASS$ ?R\< ,WOOLWY* TO ! EA/ ( ,LONDON HE HAD MET A DROV] ( ?OSE P>TS :O SAID HE'D HE>D ( ,HAMTUN1 ONCE HE HAD BE5 TOLD ?AT IT WAS ,PET]'S DE/9ATION4 ,?IS MAN MO/LY KNEW IT = ! %EEP FLOCKS H]D$ D[N FROM !RE1 BUT SAID ?AT ONE ( ,(FA'S K9 WAS AT A MANOR 9 ! SETTLEM5T1 :I* HAD A F9E *UR* ( ITS [N BUILT NE> TO IT4 ,IF ?IS W]E TRUE1 ,PET] SUPPOS$ IT TO BE 9 SOME F> P>T ( ! T[N ?AT HE WAS YET TO SEE1 AL?\< IT MI<T BE ?AT ! DWELL+S ALL AB\T HIM W]E 9 LEASE TO SU* A PLACE1 ?AT !Y W\LD LIKELY PAY SOME SMALL P>T ( !IR KEEP UNTO ! MANOR ?R\< ! AG5CY ( :AT WAS CALL$ A ,FRI? ,BORH1 :O WAS LIKE A TI?+-MAN4 ,HIS 9TUITION HAD BE5 WELL1 HE ?\<T1 TO BR+ HIM TO ?IS SPOT1 :5 ALL HE HAD BE5 GIV5 = DIRECTION W]E 9/RUCTIONS 9 A =EIGN TONGUE HE WAS NOT C]TA9 ?AT HE'D UND]/OOD1 URG5T & VAGUE 5TREATIES ?AT ! OBJECT 9 HIS BAG %\LD BE DELIV]$ 0TO ! C5T] ( Y\R L&04 ,HE KNEW ?AT ,M]CIA SURELY WAS ! HE>T ( ,5GL& &1 TO SEE ! CR[DS AT WORK & LEISURE N[ AB\T HIM1 WAS CONV9C$ ?AT HE HAD COME TO ,M]CIA'S HE>T 9 TURN4 ,YET :]E1 HE WOND]$1 WAS ! HE>T ( ,HAMTUN8 

,HE'D BY N[ A*IEV$ ! CROSSROADS ( HIS PA? ?AT L$ UP FROM ! BRIDGE1 AN >EA :]E ! SLOPE WAS SOME:AT LEVEL$ \T BE=E CONT9U+ TO CLIMB /RAI<T ON & TO ! NOR?4 ,HE SET HIS BAGGAGE D[N & LOOK$ AB\T HIM H]E1 ?AT HE MI<T GET HIS BREA? & BE>+S BO?1 & WIP$ ! DR5* FROM (F HIS =EHEAD ) ONE WOOL5 SLEEVE4 ,AHEAD ( HIM1 AFT] A MO/LY FLAT EXPANSE1 ! TRACK ?AT HE WAS ON RESUM$ ITS /EEP ASC5T PA/ HUTS & Y>DS :]E !RE W]E MA9LY TANN]S FROM ! SMELL1 :ILE AT HIS LEFT & D[N ! HILL ?AT WAS ! CROSSROADS' O!R LEG W]E %$S ) SMOK+ =GES FROM :]E CAME ! CLAMOR ( HOT METALS BE+ WR\<T4 ,UPON HIS RI<T1 PA/ H\SES ?AT HAD FIELDS ( PIGS & H5S & GOATS ATTA*$ !RE /OOD ! OP5 EA/ GATE ( ! SETTLEM5T1 ) (F BEYOND ITS TIMB]$ YAWN A *UR* ( SORTS1 \TSIDE ( ,HAMTUN'S LIMIT1 BUILT FROM WOOD4 ,HE SMIL$ TO GREET A WOMAN :O WAS PASS+ &1 :5 %E SMIL$ BACK1 ASK$ IF %E KNEW AB\T ! *UR* & IF IT WAS ! ONE ?AT HAD ! MANOR NE>4 ,HE SAW AB\T H] ?ROAT A P5DANT /ONE1 ?IS ) A RUNE ON ?AT HE RECOGNIZ$ AS SACR$ TO ! DEMON ,?OR1 AL?\< HE ?\<T !RE TO BE NO MORE 9 ?IS ?AN A PEASANT *>M TO W>D (F ?UND]/ORMS4 ,%E %OOK H] HEAD4 

0,Y] WUD BE !NK5 O' ,SUNT ,PET]'S1 DAYN AWAY !RE40 

,H]E %E GE/UR$ BACK ! WAY ?AT %E HAD COME1 ALONG ! CROSS+'S O!R PA? UP BY ! SP>K+1 BEL*+ =GES1 !N LOOK$ BACK T[>DS ! BUILD+ JU/ BEYOND ! EA/]N GATES ?AT ,PET] HAD 9QUIR$ (4 

0,!T ONE !RE'S ,ALL ,HALL[S :AT WUR ONLY BELT :5 MY MAM WAS A *ILD4 ,EF ET'S A *UR* Y] >FT] WE'VE ,SUNT ,GREGORY'S NE> BY ,SUNT ,PET]'S1 OR ELSE ! OLD TEMPLE AYT UPON ! %EEP TRAIL1 NOT F> UP AHEAD UND 5 ! WAY AS Y] BE GOO540 

,PET] ?ANK$ ! WIFE & LET H] PASS ON BY1 :ILE HE /OOD AT ! CORN] !RE CONSID]+ IF ?IS MI<T BE ! C5T] HE WAS SEEK+1 ?9K+ ?AT A CROSSROADS OR ITS LIKE MI<T SUIT ! CRUCIAL ITEM C>RI$ 9 HIS SACK4 ,HE ASK$1 BEL[ HIS BREA? ?AT ?OSE AB\T HIM DID NOT ?9K HIM LUNATIC1 0,IS ?IS ! PLACE80 ,:5 !RE CAME NO RESPONSE HE TRI$ AGA9 YET L\D]1 SO ?AT IDLE BOYS ACROSS ! /REET FROM HIM ALL LAU<$4 

0,IS ?IS ! C5T]80 

,NO?+ HAPP5$4 ,PET] WAS NOT SURE BY :AT SIGNS HE EXPECT$ ! LOCATION ?AT HE S\<T W\LD BE MADE KN[N TO HIM1 IF SIGNS !RE W]E TO BE1 ONLY ?AT NO?+ 9 HIS 9/9CT F\ND SU* SIGNALS H]E4 ,) PEOPLE LOOK+ AT HIM 9 BEMUSEM5T N[ HE FELT HIS *EEK MADE R$D] YET1 & SO PICK$ UP HIS BUNDLE & W5T ON1 OV] ! CROSSROADS 9 A HURRY ?AT HE MI<T AVOID ITS RUMBL+ C>TS & NEXT /RAI<T UP ! HILL1 :]E DID ! TANN]S & DRAPE-MAK]S ( ! T[N CONDUCT A GOODLY TRADE4 

,H]E WAS A FANTASY ( ?+S TO BE REM>K$ ON FOLL[+ ?OSE LONG LEGS ( HIS PILGRIMAGE :]E NOVELTY WAS SC>CE OR NOT AT ALL4 ,BESIDE ! NOISOME TANN+-PITS HE'D CAU<T ! REEK ( FROM D[NHILL W]E BO>DS SET \T ?AT W]E ALL OV] %OES & GLOVES & BOOTS & LEA!R LEGG+S1 ( MORE /YLES & HUES & SIZES ?AN HE'D PREVI\SLY ?\<T W]E 9 ! WORLD 5TIRE4 ,! BRO?Y SC5T ( !M ALONE WAS AN 9TOXICATION AS HE /RUGGL$ UP ! GRADI5T BETWE5 ! TRAD+ PO/S & /ALLS1 BE>+ ! WEI<T$ BAG ?AT BUMP$ ON HIS /OOP$-OV] BACKBONE N[ & !N4 ,HIS EYES & E>S ALIKE W]E NE> TO OV]:ELM$ BY ALL ! SI<TS & NOISES ?AT !RE W]E1 ! *ATT] & ! CONV]SATION4 ,PEOPLE GA!R$ 9 A BREA?LESS HUDDLE AT A /& :]E G>M5TS W]E DISPLAY$1 HAV+ ! ITEMS ?AT W]E MEAN] & MORE EASILY AF=D$ SET AB\T A %[-PIECE1 BLACK-TANN$ LEA!R >MOR 9 A FULL DRESS \TFIT DECORAT$ BY A TRIM ( BIRD SKULLS WORK$ ) SILV]4 ,PET] D\BT$ ?AT ?IS SUIT %\LD EV] F9D A BUY] OR BE WORN1 YET E/IMAT$ FROM ! CR[D AB\T IT ?AT IT MU/ ALREADY HAVE REPAID ITS WORKMAN%IP 9 C\NTLESS SMALL] PUR*ASES4 ,HAV+ ?IS OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK UPON ! LOCALS :IL/ !Y W]E DI/RACT$ SO ?AT HE MI<T NOT (F5D1 HE SAW MORE PLA9 OR UGLY FACES 9 ! ?RONG ?AN HE SAW FAIR1 & WAS SURPRIS$ TO F9D H[ MANY ( ! M5 HAD WILD DESIGNS ( PIGM5T DUG 9TO ! SK9 UPON !IR >MS1 :]E HAD !Y /RIPP$ !IR CLO!S (F ON ?IS HUMID DAY & !SE W]E VISIBLE4 ,NOT ONLY PATT]NS W]E !RE1 DRAWN ?IS WAY ON FLE%1 BUT LIKEWISE IMAGES 9 CRUDE1 ( H]LOTS OR ! SAVIOR OR ELSE BO? AT ONCE1 TOGE!R !RE ON ! SAME %\LD]1 WE>+ BUT A S+LE LO9-CLO? 'TWIXT ! TWO ( !M4 ,HE *UCKL$ TO HIMSELF AT ?IS & W5T ON UP ! PA? :]E M5 ) DYE-/A9$ H&S W]E SELL+ CLO?1 A RI*] R$ ?AN ANY HE HAD GLIMPS$ 9 ,PALE/9E4 

,AFT] A TIME HE PASS$ BEYOND ! M>KET /REET TO HI<] GR\ND1 ?\< NOT ! HI<E/1 ) SUP]IOR RISES /ILL 9 ! S\!A/4 ,! SETTLEM5T'S EA/ WALL1 ?AT HAD BREAKS 9 IT N[ & !N1 CONT9U$ TO CLIMB UP ! SLOPE BESIDE HIM1 NOT F> (F & TO HIS RI<T1 :ILE ON HIS LEFT SIDE !RE W]E MANY LANES & PASSAGES RUN (F D[NHILL4 ,:ILE HE W\LD [N ?AT !RE WAS LITTLE AIM TO HIS ME&]1 ,PET] ?\<T P]HAPS ?AT IF HE WALK$ ! T[N'S WALL 9 ?IS WAY !N HE W\LD HAVE A S5SE ( ITS EXT5T & ITS DIM5SION1 SO ?AT HE MI<T MORE EXACTLY PLOT ITS MIDDLE BE+ ?US 9=M$4 ,HIS PLAN1 !N1 WAS SO VAGUE & SLI<T AS H>DLY TO BE !RE AT ALL1 & N[ HE FELT A PRESSURE 9 HIS BLADD] & A HUNG] 9 HIS BELLY BO?1 DI/RACT+ HIM /ILL FUR!R FROM IT4 ,HE WAS /ILL ON ! SAME NOR?W>D PA? ?AT HE'D BE5 WALK+ S9CE HE CROSS$ ! BRIDGE1 BUT HAD AGA9 REA*$ MEAD[S :]E ! GR\ND WAS FLATT5$ \T1 ATOP ! SLOPE ?AT HAD ! DRAP]Y4 ,H]E WAS A FLEECY MULTITUDE /E]$ 9TO P5S BY SIL5T & /EM-*EW+ M5 ) NOISY DOGS1 SO ?AT HE WAS REM9D$ ( ! DAME :O WORE ! ,?OR-/ONE :O HAD C\NSEL$ HIM1 & :AT %E'D SAID ( AN OLD TEMPLE ON A %EEP-TRAIL1 FUR!R UP ALONG HIS WAY4 ,?\< HE WAS /ILL TO SEE A *UR* UP H]E1 HE WAS YET C]TA9 ?IS MU/ BE ! TRAIL ( :I* %E'D TOLD HIM1 AS JUDG$ BY ITS TRAFFIC4 

,BLEAT+ BEA/S W]E EV]Y:]E AB\T HIM AS HE WALK$ N[ D[N 9TO A G5TLE HOLL[1 CREATURES DRIV5 H]E 9 GREAT HORDES BEGG>+ IMAG9ATION ) ! L& MADE :ITE1 HORIZON TO HORIZON1 ?IS 9 SUMM] & NOT W9T]-TIME1 COME FROM ! WE/ ( ,M]CIA & ,WALES BEYOND4 ,N[ ?AT HE RECKON$ IT1 ,PET] HAD KN[N S9CE BOYHOOD ?AT ! WE/]N CATTLE-TRAIL WAS 5D$ SOME:]E NOT F> (F FROM ,HELP/UN OR ELSE ,PET]BORO1 9 ! MIDDL+ HAMLETS ( ! C\NTRY1 ?\< HE HAD NOT ?\<T ITS 5D+ WAS 9 ,HAMTUN4 ,\T ( H]E ! DROV]S W\LD TAKE ON ! H]DS TO O!R P>TS1 ALONG ! ,ROMAN ROAD ?AT BR\<T HIM H5CE FROM ,LONDON & ! HI< :ITE COA/1 OR ELSE \T PA/ ! DI/RICT ( ,SA9T ,NEOT ON TO ,NORWY* & ! EA/1 DELIV]+ ! MUTTON 9 ?IS WAY ?R\<\T ! L&4 ,W]E ALL ( ,5GL&'S TANGL+ L9ES MET H]E1 HE WOND]$1 TI$ 9TO A KNOT AT ,HAMTUN BY SOME GIANT MIDWIFE AS IT W]E ! C\NTRY'S UMBILICUS8 ,PET] WAD$ 9 A WOOL-TIDE1 ON & D[N ! BROAD /REET PEBBL$ ) BLACK TURDS1 /ILL HEAD$ NOR?1 HIS BAG N[ HANG+ 9 ONE H& !RE AT HIS SIDE SO ?AT HIS A*+ %\LD] MI<T BE RE/$4 

,:5 HE HAD COME ALMO/ ?R\< ! GREAT /UPIDITY ( ANIMALS1 HE SAW UP ON A M\ND T[>DS ! RI<T ( HIM A K9D ( MEAN *UR*1 BUILT FROM /ONES1 ?AT ,PET] HOP$ TO BE ! TEMPLE ?AT ! WOMAN HAD 9=M$ HIM (1 AL?\< IT SEEM$ UNUS$ & NO ONE WAS AB\T IT4 ,?9K+ TO HAVE PAUSE !RE = A PISS+-:ILE & EAT ! *EESE & BREAD HID ) SOME CO9S 9 A TUCK-POCKET ( HIS SMOCK1 HE TURN$ EA/ FROM ! F\L MIRES ( ! %EEP-PA? & W5T UP A BRIEF WALK OV]HUNG BY B\<S ?AT BLOSSOMS FELL FROM 9 A PRETTY PEPP]1 TO ! *UR*-H\SE AS HE ?\<T IT1 AT ! SLANT'S TOP 5D4 

,SOME ( ! FLAT-FAC$ & 9CURI\S WOOL5-BACKS W]E GRAZ+ H]E 9 %ELT] ( ! SPREAD+ TREES1 :]E ,PET] SET HIS BAGGAGE D[N & DREW ASIDE HIS HABIT TO UNLEA% LESS ( A /REAM ?AN HE'D EXPECT$ 9 ! PUDDL$ RA9 ?AT WAS BETWE5 A BEE*'S KNUCKL$ ROOTS4 ,HIS WAT] HAD A /RONG & ORANGE LOOK AB\T ! LITTLE ?AT !RE WAS ( IT1 & HE SUPPOS$ ! GREAT] MEASURE ( ITS FLUIDS HAD BE5 LO/ ALREADY ?R\< HIS GU%+ PORES4 ,HE %OOK ! MEAG] TRICKLE'S LA/ FEW DROPLETS FROM HIS PRICK-5D & >RANG$ HIS DRESS1 LOOK+ AB\T = SOME:]E HE C\LD EAT HIS FOOD4 ,AT LA/ HE WAS DECID$ ON ! GRE51 LUXURIANT SOD AB\T AN AG$ OAK ?AT HE W\LD SIT & LEAN HIS BACK AGA9/1 BUT A FEW PACES FROM ! TEMPLE'S WEA!R$ PILE4 

,N[ ?AT HE LOOK$ AT ?IS1 SAT RE/$ ON ! SW>D ) SACK AT RE/ ALIKE BESIDE HIM1 *EW+ ON ! CRU/ HE HAD RETRIEV$ FROM ITS COMP>TM5T 9 HIS ROBE1 HE WAS LESS C]TA9 ( ! L[ CON/RUCTION'S ,*RI/IAN PROV5ANCE & WAS MADE MORE AL]T TO ITS PECULI>ITY4 ,HE SETTL$ BACK AGA9/ HIS OAK5 ?RONE & SL[LY WORK$ ! BREAD & GOAT-*EESE TO A SODD51 UNDI/+UI%$ LUMP BETWE5 HIS TEE? AS HE CONSID]$ :AT ! LONELY BUILD+ WAS OR ONCE BE=E HAD BE54 ,! OLD /ONE PO/S TO EA* SIDE ( ITS DOOR HAD W9D+ R\ND !M GRAV5 DRAGON-WYRMS1 MU* LONG] ?AN ! POOR ?+ HE HAD SE5 CAU<T 9 ITS MUCK-HOLE \T NE> ,LONDON4 ,IF IT W]E 9DE$ A HOME ( ,*RI/IAN WOR%IP1 ,PET] KNEW IT = A ,*RI/IANITY MORE OLD ?AN HIS & COME FROM ! TRADITIONS ( ?REE HUNDR$ YE>S BE=E1 :5 ! =EBE>S ( ,PET]'S ORD] HAD BE5 =C$ TO SEEK APPEASEM5T ) ! FOLL[]S ( PEASANT GODS BY MIX+ 9 ,*RI/'S TEA*+S ) !IR RUDE & SUP]/ITI\S LORE1 PREA*$ FROM ! M\NDS :]E %R9ES TO DEVILS W]E ONCE RAIS$4 ,! C>V+S SNAK+ D[N ! PILL>S W]E A LIK5ESS ( ! S]P5T W\ND AB\T ! WORLD'S GIR? 9 ! OLD RELIGIONS :]E \R MORTAL REALM WAS HELD TO BE ! MIDDLE ONE ( ?REE1 ) ,HEL BEL[ IT & ! ,NORDIC HEAV5 BUILT ACROSS A BRIDGE FROM IT ABOVE4 

,LEAV+ ! DETAIL ( ! BRIDGE ASIDE1 ?IS WAS NOT SO UNLIKE HIS [N FAI? 9 A LIFE ?AT WAS BEYOND ?IS BRIEF SPAN & 9 SOME MEANS OV] IT1 AT A SUP]IOR HEI<T FROM :I* ! TRAPS & SN>ES ( ?IS WORLD W]E MORE CLE>LY SE5 & UND]/OOD4 ,?\< HE HAD NEV] SAID ?IS :ILE AB\T ! MONA/]Y ( ,SA9T ,B5$ICT1 HE DID NOT ?9K IT MU* A MATT] IF IT W]E A BRIDGE OR FLI<T ( /EPS ?AT L$ TO P>ADISE1 OR BY :AT NAMES ! P]SONAGES DWELL+ !RE W]E KN[N1 OR EV5 IF ! GODS W]E MADE ) DIFF]5T HI/ORIES4 ,IT WAS1 HE ?\<T1 A FAIL+ ( ! ,*RI/IANITY ?AT WAS 9 ,5GL& N[ ?AT PEOPLE W]E SO TAK5 ) ! TRU? OR O!RWISE ( WRIT+S ?AT 9 O!R L&S %\LD BE ADMIR$ AS ONLY P>ABLES1 & NO?+ HELD AMISS4 ,FROM :AT HE KNEW ( ! ,MOHAMM$ANS1 !IR BIBLE WAS A BOOK ( TALES MEANT ONLY TO ILLUM9ATE & TEA* BY AN EXAMPLE1 & WAS NOT TO BE CONFUS$ ) AN HI/ORICAL ACC\NT ( ?+S4 ,?IS TOO WAS ,PET]'S UND]/&+ ( ! ,*RI/IAN ,BIBLE1 :I* HE HAD READ ALL !RE WAS (1 JU/ AS HE HAD LIKEWISE READ ,B$E'S HI/ORY & SO TOO1 SECRETLY1 HAD HE>D A TELL+ ( ! ,DANEL& MON/] Y>N !N BE+ TALK$ AB\T BY ALL1 YET :5 HE TRI$ TO TEA* ! ,*RI/IAN DOCTR9E HE W\LD F9D HIMSELF CONFRONT$ BY A N>R[-M9D$NESS1 BY DULL DEM&S TO KN[ IF TRULY ALL ,CREATION WAS ACCOMPLI%$ 9 SIX DAYS4 

,! FAI? ?AT ,PET] HAD WAS 9 ! VALUE ( A RADIANT IDEAL1 ) ?IS IDEAL EMBODI$ 9 ! ,*RI/1 :O WAS A FIGURE ( 9/RUCTION4 ,FAI?1 TO HIS M9D1 WAS A WILL$ ASS]T+ ( ! SACR$4 ,IF IT W]E MADE MORE OR LESS ?AN ?IS !N IT WAS M]E BELIEF1 AS *ILDR5 WILL BELIEVE ! GOBL9 TALE !Y HE> = JU/ SO LONG AS IT IS BE+ TOLD4 ,TO HOLD BELIEF 9 A MAT]IAL FACT WAS ONLY VANITY1 EASILY %ATT]$1 :]E ! IDEAL WAS A TRU? ET]NAL 9 :ATEV] =M EXPRESS$4 ,BELIEF1 9 ,PET]'S PRIVATE VIEW ( ?+S1 C\NT$ = LITTLE4 ,! ET]NAL1 9SUB/ANTIAL IDEAL WAS ! ?+1 ! LI<T ?AT ORD]S LIKE HIS [N HAD %IELD$ 9 ! NI<T & S\<T N[ TO EXT5D ACROSS ! FALL51 OV]%AD[$ WORLD4 ,HE DID NOT HAVE BELIEF 9 ANGELS AS SUB/ANTIAL =MS1 & AS IDEALS HAD NO NE$ TO BELIEVE 9 !M3 HE KNEW !M4 ,HE HAD MET ) !M UPON HIS TRAVELS & HAD SE5 !M1 ?\< IF ?IS W]E ) HIS MORTAL EYES OR ) ! IDEAL GAZE ( VISION HE C>$ NOT AT ALL4 ,HE'D MET ) ANGELS4 ,HE DID NOT BELIEVE4 ,HE KNEW1 & HOP$ HIS CRE$ W\LD 9 A HUNDR$ YE>S FROM ?AT TIME NOT BE F\ND]$ 9 A QUAGMIRE ( BELIEV]S4 ,WAS ?IS :AT BEFELL ! OLD GODS1 NE> :OSE TEMPLE HE WAS SQUATT$ N[ TO EAT HIS BREAD & *EESE8 

,HIS RUM9ATIONS DONE1 HE BRU%$ ! CRUMBS FROM \T HIS BE>D1 :]E !Y W\LD DO = ALL ! PIGEONS ?AT !RE W]E AB\T ! RU94 ,/&+ UP & %\LD]+ HIS BAG ONCE MORE1 HE MADE (F D[N ! LITTLE HILL ?AT L$ BACK TO ! %EEP-TRACK1 ) HIS DRAB ROPE S&ALS KICK+ ?R\< A FALL5 FRO/ ( BLOSSOMS FROM ! TREES ?AT REA*$ ABOVE4 ,! CATTLE PA? BY N[ WAS EMPTI$ SAV+ = ITS C>PET MADE ) DUNG1 & = ! PATT]N+ ( HO(-PR9T EV]Y:]E UPON IT LIKE A PRICK$ POT4 ,HE W5T ON ALONG IT BUT A TRIFL+ DI/ANCE UNTIL HE WAS COME UPON ! T[N'S NOR? WALL & ! PIT*-PA9T$ TIMB]S ( ITS NOR!RN GATE1 :I* /OOD A LITTLE OP5 AS ITS C\NT]-P>T D[N BY ! RIV] 9 ! S\? HAD DONE4 

,!RE WAS A DIFF]5T AIR AB\T ?IS QU>T] ( ! SETTLEM5T ?AT HAD A QUALITY ( H>M & MALICE1 & TO :I* HE ?\<T ?OSE SEV]AL SEV]$ HEADS SET ONTO SPIKES ABOVE ! GATE MAY HAVE CONTRIBUT$4 ,) SU* FAIR HAIR AS YET REMA9$ UPON ! MELT+ SKULLS WORN 9 ! LONG /YLE1 HE SUPPOS$ !M TO BE BUT*]S COME FROM ,D5M>K OR NE>BY1 ?AT LOOK$ SURPRIS$ TO HAVE DISCOV]$ !RE W]E BUT*]S H]E 9 ,HAMTUN JU/ ! SAME4 ,ONE ( ! HEADS WAS BLURR$1 ?AT MADE HIM ?9K HIS EYES W]E WRONG1 ?\< IT W]E ONLY MEAT FLIES 9 A SW>M AB\T ! REMNANT1 HAT*$ FROM \T ITS HANG+ M\?4 

,HE'D WALK$1 !N1 FROM ! SETTLEM5T'S S\? 5D UP TO ITS NOR?4 ,IT WAS NOT V]Y F>4 ,CONFRONT$ BY ! B>RI] ( PO/S HE TURN$ T[>DS ! WE/ !RE AT HIS LEFT & />T$ (F D[NHILL1 TO F9D AN $GE ( ,HAMTUN HE HAD NOT YET SE54 ,DESC5D+ ON ! VALLEY'S SIDE1 ONCE MORE T[>DS ! RIV] AS HE F\ND1 HE SAW ! GLORI\S SPREAD ( L& ?AT /RET*$ AWAY T[>DS :]E TWIRLS ( SMOKE ROSE UP TO M>K A DI/RICT REA*+ \T ON ,HAMTUN'S WE/ & TO ! F> SIDE ( ! ,N5N4 ,?IS WAS A GRAY & SILV] BRAID ?AT W\ND ?R\< LIME OR YELL[ FIELDS B5EA? ! DI/ANT TREES1 & HAD A BRIDGE ACROSS IT 9 A WOOD5 >* ?AT BY HIS RECKON+ W\LD BE :]E ALL ! %EEP CAME 9 FROM ,WALES4 ,HE SAW A HI< WALL TOO1 NOT F> (F FROM ! RIV] ON ITS NE>] BANK1 BUILT \T ( PO/S LIKE ! T[N'S WALL4 ,IT MAYHAP WAS A CLOI/] OR A LORD'S L&1 :]E ITS EA/ WALL S]V$ TO M>K ! WE/]N LIMIT ( ! T[N4 

,! ?\<T1 H[EV] SL5D]1 ?AT !RE MAY BE MONKS NE> BR\<T TO M9D HIS MONA/]Y 9 ! QUIET FIELDS BY ,PET]BORO1 :I* HE HAD NOT VISIT$ N[ 9 ?REE YE>S OR MORE4 ,REMEMB]+ HIS CELL & COT AT ,M$E%AM/$E BR\<T A PANG1 AS TOO DID HIS RECALL ( ?OSE AMONG ! BRO!RHOOD ?AT W]E HIS FRI5DS1 SO ?AT HE WAS RESOLV$ TO TRAVEL BACK !RE :5 HIS WORK 9 ,HAMTUN H]E WAS OV] & HIS OBLIGATION WAS DIS*>G$4 ,?AT W\LD NOT BE1 HE TOLD HIMSELF1 UNTIL ! C5T] ( ! SETTLEM5T WAS F\ND & ,PET]'S JUTE-WRAPP$ TALISMAN HAD BE5 DELIV]$ !RE4 ,?IS LONG+ TO BE ONCE MORE 9 HIS MEAD[ HOME %\LD BR+ ?AT ?+ NO NE>]1 & S]V$ ONLY TO DELAY ITS QUICK ACCOMPLI%M5T4 

,UPON ! LEFT ( HIM !RE W]E N[ N>R[ 5TRIES RUNN+ (F 9 /R+S ( CLOSE-TOGE!R H\SES1 TWI/+ R\ND !IR TURNS & \T ( SI<T TO TANGLE 9 A KNOT ?AT ,PET] N[ SUSPECT$ WAS ! GUTS ( ,HAMTUN1 RANK & ( SURPRIS+ COLOR1 :]E UPON HIS WALK >\ND ITS WALLS HE HAD SE5 NO?+ MORE ?AN ,HAMTUN'S PATT]N$ & PIGM5T$ \T] HIDE4 ,HE WAS SORE TEMPT$ BY AN URGE TO V5TURE DEEP AMONG ! LABYR9? ( LANES1 TRU/+ ?AT HE C\LD F9D ! SPOT HE SE>*$ = BY NO MORE ?AN 9/9CT1 YET HIS WIS] SELF PREVAIL$4 ,HE H]E RECALL$ ! DROV] HE HAD MET AT ,WOOLWY* :O HAD KN[N ( ,HAMTUN1 & ANO!R ?+ ?AT MAN HAD SAID TO HIM3 0,IT IS ALL PA?S & CROSS-TRACKS LIKE A NE/ ( RABBITS4 ,IT MAY BE ?AT Y\ WILL F9D IT NOT SO EASY GETT+ 91 ?\< ,I CAN TELL !E ?AT IT IS MORE H>D ?AN MURD] GETT+ \T AGA940 ,PET] MI<T LOSE HIS WAY AMONG ! N>R[ LANES1 & W\LD BE BETT] FIR/ TO TREAD ! LIMITS ( ! SETTLEM5T AS HE HAD PLANN$1 ?AT HE %\LD HAVE ITS MEASURE4 ,HE CONT9U$ !RE=E D[N ! HILL UNTIL HE HAD COME ALMO/ TO ! WALL ?AT HE HAD SE5 :ILE AT ITS SUMMIT1 NOT+ TO HIMSELF ?AT ,HAMTUN DID NOT SEEM A HALF SO F> FROM EA/ TO WE/ AS IT W]E S\? TO NOR?1 SO ?AT HE ?\<T ITS %APE WAS LIKE A N>R[ PIECE ( B>K OR P>*M5T4 ,IF !RE W]E A MESSAGE WRIT ON ?IS1 OR IF HE YET W\LD HAVE ! WITS TO MAKE IT \T1 !SE ?+S HE C\LD NOT SAY4 

,! WALL ( PO/S1 :I* RAN ALONG ! NE> SIDE ( ! RIV]1 5D$ BY ! BRIDGE ?AT L$ \T FROM ! SETTLEM5T TO ,WALES4 ,ONCE UND]NEA? ! WOOD5 SPAN ! ,N5N B5T 9TO ?IS DIRECTION ALSO1 & ! WALL BETWE5 HIM & ! RIV]'S $GE ?AT W\ND (F LIKEWISE WE/W>D WAS REPLAC$ BY GREAT BLACK H$GES S]V+ AS =TIFICATIONS4 ,HAV+ ?US COME TO ANO!R ONE ( ,HAMTUN'S CORN]S1 ,PET] TURN$ AGA9 & SET (F D[N :AT HE N[ KNEW TO BE ! LONG] WALK BE=E HE'D REA* ITS S\!RN B\ND>Y :]E HE'D >RIV$ SOME H\RS AGO4 ,UP TO ! RI<T ( HIM !RE WAS ! SILV]Y QU>T] ( ! L[ GRAY SKY :]E HID ! SUN1 ?AT WAS AB\T TO />T ITS LONG FALL 9TO NI<T4 ,IT WAS A :ILE BY NOON AS HE CONCEIV$ IT4 

,TRUDG+ S\? HE SAW !RE W]E NOT MANY H\SES H]E D[N ON ! SETTLEM5T'S L[ FLANK1 BUT ONLY CR(TS1 EA* ) ITS HUMBLE COTTAGE4 ,(F & UP ! EASY SLOPES AHEAD1 ?9 Y>NS ( SMOKE W]E RAIS$ & KNIT 9TO A PALL1 SO ?AT HE ?\<T !SE HI<] PA/URES W]E MORE D5SELY SETTL$4 ,D[N T[>DS ! RIV]SIDE :]E ,PET] WALK$1 ?\<1 HE C\LD ONLY SEE A S+LE DWELL+ 9 HIS WAY ?AT SEEM$ BUILT NE> ! CORN] ( A TRACK1 ! FUR!R ONE ( TWO ?AT L$ UP FROM HIS R\TE & EA/W>D1 SIDE BY SIDE ) EMPTY CATTLE FIELDS BETWE5 !M4 

,HE APPROA*$ ! NE>] ( LANES1 TO PAUSE & PE] ALONG IT4 ,AS IT ROSE AWAY FROM HIM IT WAS WELL-WALK$ & HAD AN ANCI5T LOOK1 AS DID ! DIT* BESIDE IT :]E A SMALL /REAM GURGL$1 COME AS HE SUPPOS$ \T ( A F\NT OR SPR+ UP NE> ! TOP4 ,HE CROSS$ ! BOTTOM ( ! PA?1 BAG DANGL+ AT HIS BACK1 & C>RI$ ON 9 WAY ( ! /ONE CR(T-HUT BY ! CORN] :]E ! SECOND SIDE-TRACK MET HIS ROAD4 ,! L[LY BUILD+ SEEM$ AS ?\< DES]T$1 ALL ALONE H]E ON ! WE/ HEM ( ! SETTLEM5T1 )\T ! SIGN ( ANY FIRES BURN$ 9 ITS HE>?4 ,ACROSS ! MUDDY ?OR\<F>E FROM ?IS1 TO ,PET]'S RI<T1 !RE WAS A GOODLY M\ND ( /ONE MADE UP1 ) BUILT ABOVE IT \T ( WOOD A W9D+-%AFT ?AT HAD A ROPE & BUCKET HANG+ D[N4 ,HE'D HAD NO DR9K S9CE A FRE%WAT] POND HE'D PASS$ R\ND DAYBREAK1 SOME LEAGUES S\? ( ,HAMTUN1 & SO VE]$ FROM HIS /RAI<T L9E T[>DS ! WELLHEAD1 :I/L+ AN AIR HE P>T-RECALL$ FROM SOME:]E AS HE W5T4 

,:5 HE WAS COME UPON ?IS IT WAS BIGG] ?AN HE'D ?\<T1 HI< TO ! MIDDLE ( HIM :]E ! /ONES W]E BUILT UP 9 !IR R+1 :I* WAS P]HAPS TWO PACES OV] IT FROM SIDE TO SIDE4 ,HE TURN$ ! H&-HOLD ON ! W9D] SO ?AT MORE ROPE WAS UNROLL$1 AT :I* ! BRI<TLY PA9T$ WOOD5 BUCKET DROPP$ AWAY FROM HIM D[N ITS UNFA?OMABLE HOLE4 ,AFT] SOME MOM5TS DO+ ?IS !RE CAME A FA9T SPLA% FROM BEL[1 & SOON !REAFT] HE WAS HAUL+ UP A CUP F> HEAVI] ?AN WAS ! ONE ?AT HE'D LET D[N4 ,! WETT$ CABLE SQUEAK$1 & HE C\LD HE> & FEEL ! SLO% AGA9/ ! SWAY+ VESSEL'S SIDES AS IT WAS PULL$ UP FROM ! D>K BORE1 9TO DAYLI<T4 ,TY+ (F ! ROPE HE DREW ! BUCKET TO HIM & LOOK$ 91 ?IR/Y & EAG]4 

,IT WAS BLOOD4 

,! %OCK ( IT WAS LIKE A BL[ & SET ! WORLD TO SP91 SO ?AT HE KNEW NOT HIS [N ?\<TS4 ,IT FELT AS IF A V]Y CAVALRY ( DIFF]5T UND]/&+S W]E /AMP$+ ?R\< HIM1 TRAMPL+ REASON ) !IR DIZZY1 FRI<TFUL RU%4 ,IT WAS HIS [N BLOOD1 :]E HIS ?ROAT WAS CUT ?AT HE'D NOT KN[N4 ,IT WAS ! BLOOD ( ,HAMTUN COME FROM G5]ATIONS ( ITS PEOPLE1 P\R$ D[NHILL TO DRA9 9TO ?IS BURI$ RES]VOIR4 ,IT WAS ! BLOOD ( SA9TS ?AT ,SA9T ,JOHN ! ,DIV9E SAID %\LD BE QUAFF$ AT ! WORLD'S 5D1 :5 9 TWO HUNDR$ YE>S FROM N[ IT DID OCCUR4 ,IT WAS ! ,SAVIOR'S BLOOD1 & BY ?IS SIGN IT WAS ANN\NC$ TO ,PET] ?AT ! L& & SOIL ITSELF W]E ,JESU'S FLE%1 = LIKE ! B>LEY & ! ?+S ( E>? WAS HE NOT CUT D[N TO GR[ UP AGA98 ,IT WAS ! HE>T-SAP ( A FE>SOME ,MY/]Y & RI*] R$ ?AN HOLLY-FRUIT1 A M>VEL ( SU* MAGNITUDE ?AT ,*RI/IANS ( AN ]A NOT YET COME %\LD KN[ ( IT1 & KN[ ( HIM1 & SAY ?AT TRULY 9 ,GOD'S SI<T HE HAD BE5 FAVOR$1 ?AT HE HAD BE5 %[N ?IS MIRACLE1 ?IS VISION 444 

,IT WAS DYE4 

,H[ WAS HE SO COMPLETE A FOOL8 ,HE'D SE5 ! VIVID CLO?S ?AT W]E = SALE UPON ! /REET ( DRAP]S1 YET HAD M9D$ NOT FROM :]E !Y MU/ HAVE COME4 ,HE'D LET ! BRI<T R$ BUCKET D[N ! WELL1 YET ?\<T ?AT IT WAS PA9T$ = A SEAL & NOT ?AT IT WAS /A9$ ) ITS UNCEAS+ USE4 ,!SE SIGNS HAD BE5 AS PLA9 AS DAYLI<T1 SAV+ TO AN IDIOT1 YET 9 HIS F]VOR HE WAS BL9D$ TO !M & HAD ALMO/ ?\<T HIMSELF TO BE ALREADY SA9T$4 ,HE RESOLV$ HE %\LD NOT TELL HIS BRE?R5 BACK 9 ,M$E%AM/$E ( ?IS %AMEFUL ]ROR1 EV5 AS A JE/ AGA9/ HIMSELF1 HIS PUFF$-UP FOLLY & HIS VANITY1 LE/ !Y %\LD KN[ HIM = A PRICK-HEAD4 

,LAU<+ N[ AT H[ HE HAD BE5 TRICK$ BY ,HAMTUN = ?IS SECOND TIME1 HE P\R$ ! CONT5TS ( ! PAIL BACK D[N ! BLACK & G>GL+ ?ROAT :5CE !Y HAD BE5 RETRIEV$4 ,REM9D$ ( HIS BRO!R ,MAT!W BACK NE> ,PET]BORO1 :O HAD MADE ILLUM9ATIONS ONTO MANUSCRIPTS & SPOK5 ( HIS CRAFT ) ,PET]1 ,PET] ?\<T IT LIKELY ?AT ! WAT]'S COLOR WAS A*IEV$ ) IRON RU/ FROM \T ! SOIL4 ,:ILE ?IS W\LD NOT HAVE H>M$ HIM GREATLY1 HE WAS /ILL UNCOMMON GLAD ?AT HE HAD NOT QUAFF$ DEEP )\T HE LOOK$4 ,R$ O*]1 AFT] ALL1 WAS NOT ! ONLY ?+ ?AT MI<T PRODUCE R$ COLOR+4 ,!RE WAS1 = 9/ANCE1 RU/ ( ,M]CURY1 & AT ! ,B5$ICT9E BRO!RS' MEAD[ HOME/EAD HE HAD HE>D ( MONKS :O'D SUCK$ ! BRI/LES ( A BRU% :]E WAS R$ PIGM5T /ILL1 TO MAKE !M WET & =M !M TO A PO9T4 ,DAY AFT] DAY1 UNWITT+LY1 ! MONKS HAD DONE ?IS UNTIL !Y W]E POISON$ BY IT4 ,IT WAS SAID ( ONE HIS BONES W]E MADE SO BRITTLE ?AT :5 HE LAY DY+ & ! M]E/ BLANKET WAS PUT ONTO HIM = COM=T1 EV]Y P>T ( HIM WAS BROK5 BY ITS WEI<T1 ?AT HE WAS CRU%$ & KILL$4 ,IF ?IS W]E A TRUE /ORY1 ,PET] DID NOT KN[1 NOR DID HE ?9K IT LIKELY ?AT ! WAT] 9 ?IS PRES5T WELL W\LD BE ?US TA9T$1 BUT HE WAS YET HAPPY ?AT HE HAD NOT PUT IT TO ! TE/1 LE/ HIS HALF-WIT MI/AKE HAD PROV$ 9/EAD A DEADLY ONE4 

,N[ ?AT ! />TLEM5T ( ! EV5T WAS PASS$ & HE REFLECT$1 ,PET] DID NOT JUDGE HIMSELF SO FOOLI% AS HE HAD DONE4 ,?\< ! HOLY BLOOD AS HE'D SUPPOS$ HAD TURN$ \T NAU<T BUT DYE 9 ITS MAT]IAL TRU?1 WAS !RE NOT AN IDEAL TRU? TO BE CONSID]$ ALSO1 :]E ! E>?LY /A9 WAS BUT A FIGURE MADE TO /& = ?AT :I* WAS UNE>?LY1 & SO )\T WORLDLY =M8 ,C\LD NOT A ?+ HAVE ASPECTS MORE ?AN ONE1 9 ?AT IT MI<T BE RU/ ( IRON :5 RECKON$ ) ! /ICK ( REASON1 & YET BE ! V]Y W9E ( ,*RI/ ACCORD+ TO ! MEASURES ( ! HE>T8 ,A WELL ( DYE ?IS %ADE HE'D NEV] HE>D AB\T BE=E1 SO ?AT IT WAS NOT MU* LESS ( A WOND] ?AN IT W]E ! LIQUID HE HAD ?\<T AT FIR/4 ,:ATEV] MAY HAVE BE5 ITS S\RCE IT WAS A SIGN1 TO BE MADE \T4 

,AS ONCE AGA9 HE HEFT$ UP HIS SACK1 IT CAME TO HIM ?AT HE HAD BE5 TOO PLODD+ & TOO C>EFUL 9 HIS ?\<TS & 9 HIS SE>* ALIKE4 ,9 WALK+ CAUTI\SLY AB\T ITS $GE1 ,PET] HAD BUT CONSID]$ ,HAMTUN AS A %APE OR LIKE A FLAT SKET* MAPP$ ON P>*M5T1 :]E HE N[ SAW IT WAS MORE LIKE TO A LIV+ ?+ ?AT HAD ITS HUMORS & ITS MORTAL JUICES1 LESS A T]RITORY TO BE PAC$ ?AN LIKE A /RANG] HE HAD JO9$ 9 CONV]SATION4 ,MI<T IT W>M TO HIM IF HE W]E NOT SO RIGID & CON/RA9$ 9 HIS APPROA*ES TO IT8 ,HEAD$ BACK T[>DS HIS S\?B\ND RUT HE ?\<T ( ?IS & SO 9/EAD DECID$ TO GO EA/1 UP PA/ ! SOLIT>Y DWELL+ BY ITS HILL-PA? & 9TO ! PROP] SETTLEM5T1 ?AT MAZE ( CR\*+ HOMES ABOVE & ON ! RI<T ( HIM :OSE OP5 HE>?S HAD MADE ! GRUBBY HANG+ CL\DS MORE GRUBBY YET4 

,HE PASS$ ! /ONE %$ ON ONE SIDE AS HE BEGAN ! CLIMB1 & :5 HE DID !RE CAME UPON HIM ! S5SATION ?AT HE'D HE>D ONCE CALL$ 0NEWLY FAMILI>01 AS :5 SOME NOVEL CIRCUM/ANCE %\LD BR+ ! \TL&I% CONVICTION ?AT IT HAD BE5 LIV$ BE=E4 ,IT WAS NOT1 HE OBS]V$1 M]ELY ?AT HE HAD SOME:]E KN[N A MOM5T ?AT WAS ( A K9D ) ?IS1 PASS+ A S+LE HUT ALONE :ILE MAK+ UP ! GRADE & 9 AN UNACCU/OM$ SITE4 ,IT WAS 9/EAD ?IS 9/ANT 9 ITS F9E/ DETAIL ?AT HE FELT HE PASS$ ?R\< NOT = ! FIR/ TIME3 ! PALE & LITTLE %AD[S ?AT W]E ON ! GRASS ?R[N BY A %R\D$ SUN NOT F> BEYOND ITS Z5I?1 & ! MOSS GR[N TO ! %APE ( A MAN'S H& BESIDE ! DOOR FRAME ( ! SIL5T CR(T-H\SE2 BIRDSONG R++ \T FROM ! D>K H$G][S 9 ! WE/ JU/ N[ ?AT WAS ?REE %>P S\NDS & A PLA9TIVE FALL2 ! S\R+ PORK SMELL ?AT HIS SWEAT HAD :]E ITS VAPOR WAS ESCAP$ FROM 9 HIS ROBES2 HIS A*+ FEET1 ! UNSE5 DI/ANT RIV]'S P]FUMES & ! H>D KNOBS ( ! SACK ?AT JOLT$ ON HIS B5D$ SP9E4 

,HE %RUGG$ ! FEEL+ FROM HIM & W5T BY ! PIL$ UP LIME/ONE ( ! PLACE & UP ! HILL4 ,HE C\LD SEE NO?+ 9 ! D>K5$ CAVITIES ?AT W]E ITS W9D[-HOLES1 BUT SO UNCANNY WAS ! S5SE IT GAVE HIM ?AT HE YET HALF-?\<T ?AT HE WAS OV]LOOK$4 ,A WICK$ P>T )9 HIS M9D ?AT MEANT TO SC>E HIM SAID IT WAS ! SNAIL-EY$ HAG FROM \T HIS DREAM1 RESID$ BY H]SELF !RE 9 ! %AD[ ( ! SIL5T HUT & WAT*+ :AT HE DID4 ,= ALL HE KNEW ?IS TO BE NO MORE ?AN A PHANTOM HE HAD CONJUR$ :]EBY TO TORM5T HIMSELF1 HE %UDD]$ /ILL & MADE GOOD HA/E TO PUT ! /EAD F> AT HIS BACK4 ,BREAK+ N[ FROM ! EA/W>D LANE ?AT HE WAS CLIMB+1 ,PET] /RUCK \T AT AN ANGLE UP A LESS] PA? TO ! S\!A/ ?AT WAS A M]E DISCOLORATION 9 ! ?I<-DEEP WE$S4 

,:AT HAD UNN]V$ HIM MO/LY AT ! CR(T-H\SE WAS ! NOTION ?AT HIS PASS+ ( IT WAS NO SOLE EV5T1 BUT ONLY ONE )9 A L9E ( REPETITIONS1 SO ?AT !RE WAS CALL$ UNTO HIS M9D AN IMAGE ?AT WAS LIKE AN 5DLESS R[ ( HIM1 HIS SEP>ATE SELVES ALL PASS+ BY ! SAME =SAK5 NOOK BUT MANY TIMES REPEAT$1 ALL ( !M )9 ?AT 9/ANT MADE AW>E ( ONE ANO!R & ! QUE] AFFAIR ( !IR RECURR5CE1 ?AT ! WORLD & TIMES AB\T !M W]E RECURR+ ALSO4 ,IT WAS LIKE A <O/LY S5TIM5T HE HAD AB\T HIM1 AS ?\< HE W]E ONE ALREADY DEAD :O WAS REVIEW+ ! ADV5TURES ( HIS LIFE1 YET HAD =GOT ?AT ?IS W]E NAU<T SAVE = A SECOND OR 9DE$ A HUNDR$? READ+1 UNTIL HE %\LD /UMBLE ON A PASSAGE ?AT HE RECOGNIZ$ BY ITS DESCRIPTION ( A HOVEL /OOD ALONE1 A BLACKBIRD'S SONG1 OR ELSE A CLOT ( LI*5 LIKE A H&4 ,!SE ?\<TS W]E NEW TO HIM1 SO ?AT HE WAS NOT YET CONV9C$ HE HAD !IR FULL 5TIRETY4 ,AS ?\< A BL9D MAN HE GROP$ AT !IR $GES & !IR /RANGE PROTRUSIONS1 ?\< HE KNEW ! :OLE %APE WAS BEYOND HIS GRASP4 

,LABOR+ UP ! SLOPE1 HIS PA? B5D+ AGA9 T[>DS ! EA/1 IT SEEM$ TO ,PET] AS IF ! PECULI> NOTIONS COME UPON HIM W]E AN AIR OR A MIASMA ?AT WAS RIS5 UP 9 ?IS LOCALITY1 ) ITS EFFECTS BECOME MORE /RONG AS HE W5T DEEP] 94 ,IT BR\<T A COLOR TO HIS MOOD HE C\LD NOT NAME1 AS IT W]E LIKE A %ADE ?AT HAD BE5 MIX$ FROM SEV]AL SU*1 FROM FE> & ALSO WOND]M5T1 FROM HOPEFUL JOY1 BUT SADNESS TOO & A =EBOD+ ?AT WAS DIFFICULT TO PLACE OR TO DESCRIBE4 ,! DUTY REPRES5T$ 9 HIS JUTE-CLO? BAG SEEM$ BO? AT ONCE TO MAKE HIS S\L ALL JUBILANT TAKE FLI<T1 & BE A MATT] ( SU* HEAV9ESS HE %\LD BE BROKE & FLATT5$ QUITE B5EA? IT4 ,9 !SE CONTRADICTIONS DID ! FEEL+ 9 HIM SEEM ALL HUMAN FEEL+S ROLL$ TO ONE1 & HE WAS FILL$ ) IT SO ?AT HE ?\<T TO BUR/4 ,?IS ?RILL+ YET UNCOM=TABLE S5SATION1 HE CONCLUD$1 MU/ BE ?AT 5C\NT]$ BY ALL CREATURES :5 !Y ACT ! WORKS ( ,GOD4 

,HE'D WAD$ ?R\< ! LONG GRASS & WAS ON ANO!R DIRT PA? N[ ?AT ROSE /RAI<T UP ! HILLSIDE 9 ! SAME WAY ?AT ! LANE UP FROM ! DY]'S WELL HAD DONE1 BUT FUR!R (F FROM IT4 ,?IS NEW TRACK HAD AHEAD ( HIM A SPRAWL ( DWELL+S ?AT W]E COV]$ HOLES TO EI!R SIDE1 :]E DOGS ) MATT$ COATS W]E SNIFF+ 9 ! MID/ ( LAU<+ M5 OR SCOLD+ WOM5 ?AT TRAIL$ BABIES4 ,AT ITS TOP 5D HE C\LD SEE RAIS$ UP ! RO(S ( HI<] BUILD+S & BEL[ A TRAFFIC MADE ( MANY C>TS1 & SO PRESUM$ ?IS PLACE TO BE A K9D ( MA9 SQU>E TO ! SETTLEM5T4 ,NOT SO F> (F UPHILL & ON HIS LANE'S RI<T SIDE :]E W]E ! L[] H\SES & !IR POPULATIONS1 ,PET] SAW ?AT A GREAT FIRE WAS BUILD$ UP1 !RE ON A PLOT ( B>E & BLACK5$ L&4 ,H]E PEOPLE CAME ) ?+S ?AT W]E TOO MANY OR TOO VILE TO BURN AB\T !IR HOMES1 ON SL$GES & 9 BAGS4 ,HE SAW DULL PILES ( CLO?1 PLAGUE-RAGS AS HE SUPPOS$1 UNLOAD$ FROM !IR B>R[ ) A H>VE/-=K4 ,!RE WAS A MIDD5-WAGON ?AT ITS DRIV] BACK$ ) MANY CRIES & HALTS T[>D ! FLAMES1 SO ?AT ! DUNG WAS %OVEL$ FROM IT TO ! FURNACE ) A GREAT] EASE BY ! OLD M5 :O MADE !IR WORK AB\T ?IS BURN+-GR\ND4 ,! /5* & HAZE BOIL$ 9 A FIL?Y T[] UP FROM ! BLAZE1 = !RE WAS LITTLE W9D1 ?\< ,PET] KNEW ?AT DIFF]5T WEA!R W\LD SEE ALL ! DWELL+S CLU/]$ H]E LO/ TO A /9K+ FOG4 

,?9K+ TO SKIRT ! WOR/ P>T ( ?IS F\LNESS HE TURN$ (F HIS EA/B\ND WAY1 ALONG A LITTLE CROSS-/REET :5 HE CAME TO IT4 ,!RE W]E SOME HUTS BUILT ON EA* SIDE ( ?IS1 YET NOT SO MANY PEOPLE & NOT FIRES4 ,SOME DI/ANCE D[N ! SLOP+ PA? AHEAD ( HIM HE SAW A BROAD ?AT*$ RO( ?AT HE SUPPOS$ WAS ?AT ( A GREAT HALL1 :I* HAD ! WALL$ GR\NDS ON ITS RE> SIDE TURN$ TO HIM4 ,! LI<T$ REGION ( ! SKY WAS ONCE MORE TO HIS RI<T1 ?AT MEANT HE WAS GONE S\? AGA91 AL?\< NOT F> BE=E HE HAD ANO!R H9DRANCE BLOCK+ HIM4 ,A DI/ANCE ON ALONG 9 HIS DIRECTION WAS A Y>D ?AT HAD A GREAT CL\D RIS5 UP AB\T1 AS HAD ! Y>D :]E WA/ES W]E BURN$1 YET AS ?OSE BILL[S HAD BE5 BLACK1 !SE W]E ALL :ITE4 ,HE SAW A C>RIAGE FROM BEH9D :I* LOADS ( *ALK W]E PUT D[N ON A LITTLE HILL )9 ! F5C$-\T PAT*1 & ?\<T H[ SU* A C>T HAD CROSS$ HIS PA? UP FROM ! S\!RN BRIDGE ?AT MORN1 ITS DU/S & ITS DEPOSITS ON HIS HAIR & 9 ! CREASES ( HIS G>M5T /ILL4 ,IT WAS HIS PREF]5CE ?AT HE REMA9 ! COLOR HE HAD BE5 :5 FIR/ HE CAME TO ,HAMTUN & BE NOT TURN$ R$ BY DYES ELSE SMOK$ TO BLACK OR :ITE1 SO ?AT HE N[ /OOD /ILL & TOOK A /OCK ( ?+S TO BETT] KN[ :]E HE MI<T TURN4 

,HE WAS ONCE MORE AB\T A SORT ( CORN]1 ) A PA? RUN UP FROM IT & TO ! EA/ AGA9 (F FROM ! LANE :]E HE AT PRES5T TROD4 ,TO M>K ! JO9+ ( ! TRACKS !RE WAS A M\ND LIKE TO A SQU>E ?AT HAD ONE ( ITS SIDES SQUEEZ$ %ORT] ?AN ! RE/4 ,>\ND ?IS WAS A TR5*1 DUG \T SO LONG BE=E IT WAS GRASS$ ALL ACROSS IT N[1 AS ) ! ,ROMAN RIV]-=T ?AT HE HAD SE54 ,! TUFT$ HILLOCK KEPT A S5SE AB\T IT ?AT IT WAS ( IMPORT OR HAD ONCE BE5 SO1 AL?\< IT HAD NO BUILD+S ON & ONLY GOLD5 CLUMPS ( PISS-!-B$ ?AT W]E NOT YET GONE 9TO MI/Y BALLS ( SE$4 

,:ILE HE /OOD GAZ+ AT ! HUMP1 ,PET] BECAME AW>E ( AN AL>M 5ACT$ AT ITS L[] B\ND>Y1 UPON ! SIDE :]E ,PET] WAS & SO BETWE5 HIM & ! *ALK-Y>D4 ,PULL$ UP BY ! TRACKSIDE W]E A HORSE & DRAG ?AT HAD AN UGLY MAN SAT AT ITS RE9S4 ,HIS FACE WAS WIDE ) EYES SET F> AP>T1 & HE LOOK$ /RONG YET SQUAT1 AS ?\< HE W]E COMPRESS$4 ,P]*$ ON ! L[ SEAT ( HIS C>T HE WAS 9 CONV]SE ) A *ILD1 A GIRL ( NO MORE ?AN A DOZ5 YE>S :O HESITAT$ ON ! TURF BESIDE ! CIRCL+ DIT* & LOOK$ UP AT ! FELL[ ALL UNC]TA94 ,%E SEEM$ FE>FUL ( ! MAN AS IF %E DID NOT KN[ HIM1 %AK+ N[ H] HEAD & MAK+ AS ?\< %E W\LD MOVE AWAY1 :]EAT ! /OCKY C>T] MADE A LUNGE & CAU<T H] FA/ AB\T A PLUMP WRI/ ?AT %E MI<T NOT FLEE4 

,PET] HAD BUT A MOM5T :]E9 TO DECIDE :AT HE %\LD DO4 ,IF ?IS W]E A DISPUTE 'TWIXT A VEX$ FA!R & HIS WILLFUL *ILD !N HE WAS LOA! TO 9T]F]E 9 IT1 AL?\< HE DID NOT ?9K ?AT IT W]E SO1 & ON HIS TRAVELS HE HAD SE5 5\< ( RAPES ?AT HE C\LD NOT 9 CONSCI5CE TURN ASIDE & M]ELY HOPE ?AT ALL W]E WELL4 

,:5 HE W]E WONT TO USE IT ,PET] HAD A VOICE ?AT BOOM$1 SO ?AT HIS BRO!RS (F 9 ,M$E%AM/$E1 ?\< !Y LIK$ HIM1 DID NOT LIKE HIM MAK+ *ANT ) !M4 ,?IS WAS ! BELL[ ?AT HE N[ EMPLOY$ AS HE CALL$ TO ! MAN :O HELD ! MAID51 ) IT ROLL+ LIKE A ?UND] (F ACROSS ! FALL[ GRASS BETWE5 !M4 

0,Y\ !RE6 ,/OP A MOM5T6 ,FELL[1 ,I W\LD TALK ) !E60 

,HE /RUCK T[>DS ! C>T AT A LONG PACE & HAD HIS SACK N[ SW++ HEAVY 9 HIS H& D[N BY ONE SIDE ( HIM1 SO ?AT ONE C\LD NOT LOOK UPON IT )\T ?9K+ :AT A FE>SOME CLUB C\LD BE MADE \T ( IT W]E IT :IRL$ R\ND AT ANY SPE$4 ,HE WAS A PEACEFUL MAN1 YET KNEW H[ HE C\LD SEEM ) HIS ?ICK LIMBS & HIS R$ FACE :5 HE'D A M9D TO3 HE HAD NOT COME SAFELY HALF ACROSS ! WORLD & BACK )\T US+ ?AT BALEFUL SEMBLANCE KN[+LY & TO HIS [N ADVANTAGE4 ,ON ! WAGON N[ ! MAN :OSE BODY SEEM$ SQUA%$-D[N TURN$ HIS HEAD %>PLY R\ND TO />E AT ,PET]1 B>REL+ /RAI<T = HIM ?R\< ! S$GE ) A SKULL-SMA%] HANG+ 9 ONE RUDDY FI/4 ,RELEAS+ ! Y\NG GIRL1 ! ROGUE WAS />TL$ & LOOK$ EAG] TO ESCAPE4 ,GIV+ A CRY TO R\SE HIS M>E HE RAC$ H] (F1 HIS TRANSPORT RATTL+ D[N ! RAIS$ GR\ND'S %ORT SIDE & AWAY >\ND ITS B5D1 :]E AT ! CORN] HE GLANC$ BACK 9 FE> T[>DS ! MONK1 !N C>RI$ ON & \T FROM SI<T4 

,! MAID HE HAD RELEAS$ /OOD AT ! $GE ( ! R+$ TR\< & WAT*$ AS H] TORM5TOR MADE AWAY1 !N TURN$ 9/EAD TO ,PET] :O WAS /OPP$ HALFWAY T[>DS H]1 B5T 9 TWO & PUFF+ L\D ) HIS EX]TION1 HOLD+ UP ONE H& 9 H] DIRECTION AS HE ?\<T TO REASSURE ! FRI<T5$ *ILD4 ,%E WAS AN 9/ANT :ILE %E TOOK ! MEASURE ( H] RESCU]1 HIS DRIPP+ FACE LIKE BEETROOT & ! MON/R\S NOISE HIS :EEZ+ MADE1 BE=E %E MADE H] M9D UP TO RUN (F ANO!R WAY FROM ! DIRECTION H] ATTACK] HAD JU/ TAK51 SCAMP]+ AWAY D[NHILL AS ?\< TO ! S\? ROAD ?AT HAD ! LONELY HUT & BLOODY WELL4 ,HE SAW H] GO :ILE HE WAS !RE RECOV]+ AMONG ! DR[S+ /EMS1 & ?\<T IT NOT A SLI<T ?AT %E %\LD BE AFRAID AT H] DELIV]]4 ,NOT ALL MONKS W]E AS HE1 & ?\< HE KNEW ! BAWDY SONGS ( RUTT+ FRI>S TO BE A FALSEHOOD 9 ! MA91 HE LIKEWISE HAD MET BRO!RS ( UNPLEASANT APPETITE :O W\LD CONTRIVE TO MAKE SU* SL&]S TRUE4 ,! *ILD WAS WISE TO BE AWAY ) H] & TRU/ TO NO ONE 9 !SE WORRISOME NEW TIMES1 SO ?AT HE F\ND 9 H] DEP>TURE NO (F5SE & WAS BUT GLAD ?AT BY ,GOD'S GRACE HE'D HAPP5$ H]E 9 GOOD TIME TO PREV5T A WRONG4 

,HE WAS 9 SOME F9E HUMOR1 !N1 :5 HE DET]M9$ TO TAKE ONCE AGA9 ! EA/W>D PA? HE'D LEFT TO SKIRT >\ND ! WA/E-FIRE & ITS VAPORS4 ,) HIS BREA? RETURN$ TO HIM HE />T$ ON ! LANE ?AT W5T UP BY ! NOR? SIDE ( ! LIFT$ M\ND1 & :ILE HE WALK$ HE DWELL$ UPON :AT HAD JU/ !N OCCURR$4 ,HAD HE NOT COME BY HIS DECISION AT ! WELL ?AT HE W\LD TAKE A DIFF]5T WAY 9TO ! SETTLEM5T1 !N IT MI<T BE ?AT BE=E LONG ! GIRL W\LD HAVE BE5 VICTIM ( A MURD] & F\ND <A/LY 9 A H$GE4 ,:O KNEW1 N[1 ( ! *ILDR5 & GR&*ILDR5 %E MI<T SIRE1 OR ALL ! *ANGES 9 ! CIRCUM/ANCES ( ! WORLD ?AT MI<T BE WR\<T FROM ?IS RESULT8 ,IF ALL ELSE HE HAD COME H]E = %\LD PROVE BUT HIS DELUSION1 BR\<T BY TOO MU* =EIGN SUN1 !N !RE WAS ?IS TO SAY ?AT HE HAD YET WORK$ TO ! PURPOSE ( ! ,LORD4 ,?\< IT W]E BEAT+ LIKE TO A L\D DRUM1 HIS HE>T HAD JOY 9 IT AS HE /ROVE ONW>D UP ! /ONY CLIMB1 HIS SACK ACROSS HIS %\LD] & ! SWEAT 9 A CASCADE UPON HIS BR[4 

,HE WAS REM>K+ 9W>DLY UPON H[ EV5 CLOS] ! DAY HAD BECOME :5 HE LOOK$ UP & SAW ANO!R R\<-%OD PILGRIM COM+ D[N ! WAY T[>DS HIM1 ONE NOT QUITE SO OLD AS ,PET] WAS1 :O MADE A COMIC SI<T :]E HE WAS DRESS$ SO QUE]4 ,HE HAD A CAP ATOP HIS HEAD SAT LIKE AN UPTURN$ PUDD+ BAG ?AT HAD A SPREAD+ RIM1 & ALL HIS G>M5TS W]E AN ODDM5T AS ?\< CA/ AWAY BY O!RS1 YET :AT O!RS ,PET] C\LD NOT TELL1 ! BITS & PIECES W]E SO /RANGE4 ,!RE WAS A LITTLE COAT & SOME LOOSE BRIT*ES FA%ION$ FROM LI<T CLO?1 :ILE ON ! /RANG]'S FEET !RE W]E SMALL LEA!R BOOTS MADE 9 A WAY ?AT ,PET] HAD NOT SE51 NOT EV5 AT ! TANN]S' /ALLS SET \T NE> ,HAMTUN'S EA/]N GATE4 ,SO ANTIC WAS ! ASPECT ( ?IS SORRY WAYF>]1 ! MONK C\LD NOT BUT SMILE :5 !Y CAME CLOS] TO EA* O!R4 ,?\< ! MAN POSSESS$ AN AIR AB\T HIM ?AT WAS PALE & GRAY1 HE DID NOT HAVE ! LOOK ( ONE ) H>M 9 HIM1 AS DID ! RID] ( ! DRAG ?AT MADE TO C>RY (F ! *ILD SOME MOM5TS S9CE4 ,?IS WAS A POOR MAN :O MAYHAP HAD HIS SMALL MIS*IEFS BUT SEEM$ GOOD AT HE>T1 & :5 !IR PA?S MET & !Y /OPP$ BO? W]E ALREADY GR9N+ AT EA* O!R1 AL?\< IF ?IS W]E ?R\< AMITY OR ELSE BECAUSE EA* F\ND ! O!R ONE'S APPE>ANCE HUMOR\S1 NEI!R C\LD SAY4 ,PET] WAS FIR/ TO MAKE HIS HELLOS & TO SPEAK4 

0 ',TIS A HOT DAY TO BE \T1 ,I WAS JU/ ?IS MOM5T SAY+ TO MYSELF4 ,H[ GOES ! WORLD ) !E N[1 MY F9E1 HONE/ FELL[80 

,H]E ! O!R MAN COCK$ BACK HIS HEAD & SQU9T$ UP HIS EYES TO PE] AT ,PET]1 AS IT W]E HE ?\<T ?AT ,PET] MOCK$ HIM1 BUT AT LA/ DECID$ HE DID NOT & ANSW]$ 9 A *E]Y MANN]4 

0,OH1 IT LOOKS LIKE A HOT DAY1 ALL RI<T1 & ,I SUPPOSE ! WORLD GOES WELL 5\<4 ,:AT ( Y\RSELF8 ,?AT BAG ( Y\RS LOOKS LIKE A BURD540 

,?IS WAS SPOK5 ) A ROGUI% W9K & NOD AT ! JUTE SACK ?AT ,PET] HAD UPON HIS %\LD]1 JU/ AS ?\< IT MI<T BE /OL5 VALUABLES CONCEAL$ )94 ,SMIL+ AT ?IS1 ! MONK PUT D[N HIS BAGGAGE ON ! R\< TRACK AT !IR FEET4 ,HE GAVE A GREAT SI< ( RELIEF & %OOK HIS HEAD4 

0,GOD BLESS !E1 NO 444 OR IF IT IS IT'S NOT A BURD5 ,I BEGRUDGE40 

,! FELL[ LIFT$ UP ONE BR[ AS ?\< ) 9T]E/1 OR AS IF HE 9VIT$ /ILL MORE COMM5T1 AT :I* ,PET] ?\<T ?AT H]E !RE MI<T BE OPPORTUNITY = GUIDANCE TO ! PLACE HE S\<T4 ,IT SEEM$ ?AT HIS *ANCE MEET+S ?US F> ON ?IS AFT]NOON W]E AS DIRECT$ BY A HI<] P[]1 & SO P]HAPS WAS ?IS ONE ALSO4 ,MU* EMBOLD5$ AFT] !SE CONSID]ATIONS1 HE CAME \T & ASK$ ! QUE/ION ?AT HE'D ?\<T NONE BUT HIMSELF MI<T ANSW]1 GE/UR+ T[>DS HIS SET-D[N BUNDLE AS HE DID4 

0,I HAVE BE5 TOLD ,I AM TO BR+ IT TO ! C5T]4 ,DO/ ?\ KN[ :]E ?AT MI<T BE80 

,!RE WAS MU* ?\<TFUL HUMM+ & LIP-TUGG+ BR\<T AB\T BY ,PET]'S QU]Y1 :]E HIS NEW-MET COMRADE TIPP$ BACK ! \TL&I% CAP TO %[ A BALD$ PATE & LOOK$ UP TO ! SKIES ?IS WAY & ?AT AS ?\< ! PLACE HE HAD BE5 ASK$ = W]E SOME:]E AL(T4 ,AT L5G?1 JU/ :5 ! MONK ?\<T ?AT HE %\LD BE DISAPPO9T$1 HE WAS GIV5 HIS REPLY4 ,! O!R MAN TURN$ (F FROM ,PET] & MADE 9DICATION D[N ! LANE ?AT WAS BEH9D HIM1 9 ! WAY ?AT ,PET] WAS ALREADY HEAD$4 ,H]E ! HILL HE'D CLIMB$ WAS FLATT5$ (F1 SO ?AT HIS TRACK N[ L$ BETWE5 SOME DUG-9 HOMES & PA/URES TO A BROAD] /REET AHEAD1 ?AT CUT ACROSS TO RUN D[NHILL FROM NOR? TO S\? & WAS ALIVE ) DI/ANT C>TS & ANIMALS4 ,A ?ICK ELM /OOD !RE AT ! JO9 :]E MET ! PA?WAYS1 & IT WAS TO ?IS ! MONK'S ATT5TIONS W]E N[ CALL$4 

0,IF IT'S :]E ,I'M ?9K+ (1 !N Y\ MU/ TURN RI<T BY ?AT TREE ALONG ! 5D !RE40 ,SNIFF+ BACK SOME SNOT ! MAN H]E SPAT1 9 PLACE ( PUNCTUATION1 AS IT SEEM$4 0,GO D[N ?AT WAY UNTIL Y\ REA* ! CROSSROADS AT ! BOTTOM4 ,IF Y\ GO /RAI<T OV] & Y\ C>RY ON D[NHILL1 IT'S ON Y\R LEFT ACROSS ! ROAD1 JU/ HALFWAY D[N40 

,PET] WAS OV]COME ) JOY & WAS LIKEWISE AMAZ$ AT ! GREAT PROVID5CE ( ,GOD1 ?AT HIS RIDDLE HAD F\ND SO SWIFTLY & SO SIMPLY ITS SOLUTION4 ,ALL ?AT HAD BE5 9 ! 5D REQUIR$ ( HIM1 SO ?+S TURN$ \T1 WAS ?AT HE ASK4 ,HE GAZ$ ) GRATITUDE UPON ! RAGG$ PAUP] :O HAD GIV5 HIM DELIV]ANCE1 & IT WAS !N ?AT HE FIR/ TRULY SAW :AT WAS NOT USUAL 9 ! MAN4 ,HE WAS NOT M]ELY GRAY OR PALE AS ,PET] HAD UPON ! \TSET ?\<T HIM1 BUT WAS RA!R )\T COLOR+ ( ANY K9D1 MORE LIKE AN IMAGE MADE ) *>COAL ?AN A LIV+ & W>MBLOOD$ ?+4 ,HE WAS ALSO NOT ONLY PALE1 BUT LIKE TO CL\DY WAT] SO ?AT :5 ! MONK MADE CLOS] /UDY HE DISCOV]$ HE C\LD SEE D>K BLURS MOV+ ACROSS ! FIGURE ?AT W]E TRAFFICS ON ! D[NHILL PA? ?AT CUT ACROSS BEH9D IT1 AS IF ! POOR MAN WAS MADE SO ?AT HE C\LD BE SE5 ?R\<1 ?\< NOT CLE>LY4 ,) A T+L+ ?AT WAS LIKE AN ICY BROOK ?AT TRICKL$ D[N HIS A*+ BACKBONE1 ,PET] KNEW HE *ATT]$ TO A SPECT]4 

,HE WAS C>EFUL ?AT ! SUDD5 FRI<T HE FELT NOT %[ UPON HIS FACE1 LE/ HE AFFRONT ONE :O UNTIL !N HAD BE5 K9DLY & MO/ HELPFULLY DISPOS$4 ,BESIDES1 ! MONK WAS YET UNC]TA9 :AT ! BE+ WAS HE HAD ! CONV]SATION (1 AL?\< HE ?\<T IT NOT AN EVIL ?+4 ,P]HAPS IT WAS A LO/ S\L1 NEI!R BLESS$ NOR ELSE CONDEMN$ & SO RESID+ 9 ANO!R /ATE1 H]E 9 ITS HAUNTS ( OLD4 ,HE WOND]$ IF IT W]E ET]NALLY REQUIR$ TO W&] ?US1 OR IF ! SPIRIT KNEW SOME FUR!R DE/9ATION1 BE IT HEAV5 OR A DIFF]5T PLACE1 & TO ?IS 5D HE ASK$ :]E IT WAS B\ND4 

0,I TRU/ ?AT Y\R [N J\RNEY IS T[>D SOME PURE & GODLY 5D+80 

,N[ ! <O/ LOOK$ GUILTY FIR/1 !N SLY1 & 9 ! 5D COMPOS$4 ,PET] MADE PRIVATE OBS]VATION ?AT ! WRAI?'S EXPRESSIONS W]E AS EASY SE5 ?R\< AS ITS =M4 ,! CREATURE HESITAT$ SOME:AT AS IT MADE REPLY4 

0,I'M 444 WELL1 ,I'M (F TO SEE A FRI5D N[1 IF Y\ WANT ! HONE/ TRU?4 ,A POOR OLD S\L IT IS1 LIVES ALL ALONE ON ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET CORN] & )\T A FAMILY TO VISIT 'EM4 ,I'LL BID Y\ A GOOD DAY N[1 ,FA!R1 OR :ATEV] Y\'D PREF] ,I CALL Y\4 ,GOOD LUCK C>RY+ Y\R SWAG-BAG TO ! C5T]1 N[40 

,) ?AT ! APP>ITION W5T BY ,PET] & ON D[N ! HILL1 T[>DS :]E ,PET] HAD JU/ 9T]V5$ BETWE5 ! KNAVE UPON HIS C>T & ! Y\NG GIRL4 ,! MONK /OOD ON ! SPOT & WAT*$ HIM LEAVE1 & :ILE HE DID SO WOND]$ :AT /RANGE *ANCE HAD MADE IT SO ! TATT]$ SPIRIT %\LD BE GONE AB\T ! LONELY CR(T-MAN'S %$ NE> TO ! DYE WELL1 = FROM H[ HE'D SPOK5 IT C\LD BE NO O!R PLACE4 ,S9CE ,PET] HAD COME H]E TO ,HAMTUN1 NO?+ HAD OCCURR$ ?AT WAS TO HIS EYE ONLY AIMLESS =TUNE4 ,RA!R1 IT SEEM$ ?AT EV5TS HAD BE5 ALREADY SET 9TO !IR PLACE & TIME1 ) ALL !IR JO9TS & DECORATIONS LONG ORDA9$4 ,:ILE HE HAD FELT1 UPON ! CORN] NE> ! WELL1 ?AT HE BUT VIEW$ AGA9 A N>RATIVE READ MANY TIMES BE=E1 HE N[ ?\<T IT MORE LIKE A PLAN ON P>*M5T ?AT A C>P5T] HAD MADE4 ,HIS EV]Y FOOT/EP TRAC$ ! L9ES BY :I* HE WAS MADE P>T TO A DESIGN HE C\LD NOT GUESS4 ,! W&]+ PHANTOM ?AT HAD HELP$ HIM WAS N[ SOME WAY (F & MADE MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE1 SO ,PET] LIFT$ ONCE AGA9 HIS LOAD & HUNG IT ON HIS BACK1 !N W5T ALONG ! LANE TO :]E ! ELM TREE WAS4 ,!RE HE TURN$ S\? & HEAD$ D[N BESIDE ! WIDE /REET :]E W]E MANY HORSES L$1 T[>DS ! CROSSROADS ?AT LAY NE> ITS L[ 5D1 AS HE HAD BE5 TOLD4 

,AB\T HIM 9 !IR P5S ?AT BORD]$ ON ! PA? OR ELSE COME TROTT+ \T TO JO9 ITS FIL?Y D[NHILL SKID W]E COLTS & M>ES & FOALS ( EV]Y K9D1 SO ?AT HE ?\<T ?IS MU/ BE :]E ! HORSEFLE% DEAL]S MADE !IR TRUCK4 ,! SMELL ( ALL ! DUNG WAS SWEET OR LIKE A FRUIT$ MA%1 AL?\< IT WAS NOT PLEASANT 9 ITS SWEETNESS & BLACK FLIES W]E EV]Y:]E AB\T 9 :ISP]+ ?UND]HEADS4 ,! RANK AIR H]E & ! 9CREAS+ CLOS5ESS ( ! DAY BR\<T \T SALT FLOODS UPON HIS LEGS & >MS & MADE HIS HE>T FA/ & HIS BREA?+ H>D1 OR SU* WAS HIS CONCLUSION4 ,LOOK+ UP1 HE SAW ! BLANKET+ ( CL\D ABOVE SEEM$ NE>] &1 MORE ?AN ?IS1 ?AT IT WAS N[ D>K]4 ,PET] HOP$ HIS QUE/ MI<T SOON BE DONE1 SO ?AT HE C\LD ! SOON] F9D SOME LODG+S & BE 9DOORS IF IT RA9$4 

,! CROSSROADS1 :5 HE CAME TO IT1 HAD ONCE AGA9 ! S5SE ?AT IT WAS SE5 BE=E1 & ,PET]'S HEAD FELT LI<T N[ ) A K9D ( R++ E*O 9 HIS E>S4 ,= ALL HE'D PISS$ OR SWEAT$1 !RE'D NOT BE5 A DROP ( WAT] PA/ HIS LIPS S9CE DAWN4 ,HE /OOD !RE ON ! CROSS+'S NOR?WE/ CORN]1 & LOOK$ UP ALONG ! NEW /REET HE /OOD ON ! BR9K (1 TO ITS EA/4 ,H]E HE BEHELD A SC5E HE RECOGNIZ$ ?AT WAS ALL SMOKES & LI<TS1 & ON ! 9/ANT UND]/OOD :]E HE MU/ BE4 ,?IS WAS ! F> 5D ( ! /REET :]E W]E ! =GES1 ?AT HE'D SE5 ! TOP ( ON ?AT MORN+ :5 HE'D JU/ >RIV$ & COME UP FROM ! BRIDGE4 ,IF NE> ! PLACE :]E HE /OOD N[ W]E TRULY ,5GL&'S C5T]1 !N H[ MANY H\RS AGO HAD HE BE5 JU/ A LITTLE WALK FROM IT8 ,BUT !N1 HAD HE COME /RAI<T H]E HE %\LD NOT HAVE SE5 ! RELIC TEMPLE ON ! %EEP TRACK1 NOR ! BLOODY WELL1 NOR %\LD HE HAVE BE5 !RE TO SAVE ! *ILD FROM H>M4 ,HE />$ AS ?\< MADE DUMB ALONG ! SP>K+1 SMOLD]+ LANE & M>VEL$ AT :]E FATE HAD BR\<T HIM4 

,PET] SAW !RE SOOTY M5 :O WORK$ 9 MELT$ GOLD & OLD M51 ALMO/ BL9D$ BY !IR YE>S1 /OOP$ OV] SILV] FILIGREES4 ,A MAN ?AT SEEM$ A DW>F /OOD ) HIS /RA9+ *EEKS PUFF$ \T & LIPS PURS$ TI<T UPON ! /EM ( A LONG PIPE OR TRUMPET1 FROM ! 5D ( :I* !RE CAME A SWELL+ BUBBLE ?AT WAS LIKE ONE MADE ( SOAP BUT ALL ON FIRE1 SO ,PET] KNEW IT = A BALL BL[N 9 HOT GLASS4 ,HE SAW ! SMIL+ TRAD]S :O HAD EYES MORE BRI<T ?AN ALL ! GEMS KEPT 9 !IR PURSES1 :I* !Y'D SPILL AS GL9T+ DROPLET-/REAMS 9TO AN UPTURN$1 SPID]Y PALM4 ,HE SAW ! RI*ES ( ! WORLD FRE% FROM !IR F\NDRY & KNEW ?AT1 AMONG !SE SPL5DORS1 :AT HE C>RI$ 9 HIS JUTE BAG WAS A PE>L )\T COMP>E4 

,HE TURN$ ! O!R WAY & LOOK$ 9/EAD (F TO ! WE/1 ALONG A /REET :]E MANY ( ! HORSES FROM UPHILL BEH9D HIM W]E N[ BE+ L$4 ,SOME FAIR WAY FUR!R D[N IT ON ! SIDE :]E ,PET] /OOD1 HE SAW !RE WAS A MI<TY ?AT*$ RO( RIS5 UP1 & ?\<T ?AT ?IS WAS ! GREAT HALL HE'D SE5 ! BACK ( :5 HE WAS UP NE> ! SMO!R+ *ALK-M]*ANT'S Y>D4 ,ACROSS FROM ?IS & ON ! WAY'S F> SIDE !RE WAS A *UR* T[] HE C\LD SEE ABOVE ! BUILD+-TOPS4 ,IT MI<T BE ?AT ! ?AT*$ HALL WAS ! MANOR HE HAD HE>D (1 :]E A PR9CE ?AT WAS ! K9 TO ,(FA LIV$ & HAD A *UR* BUILT = HIM !RE UPON HIS L&4 ,! GOOD WIFE HE HAD TALK$ TO UP ! F> 5D ( ! METAL-WORK]S' /REET HAD SAID !RE WAS A *UR* H]E CALL$ ,SA9T ,PET]'S1 ?AT HE ?\<T MI<T BE ! BUILD+ HE SAW N[4 

,GO D[N UNTIL Y\ REA* ! CROSSROADS1 SO ! <O/ HAD SAID1 !N PASS /RAI<T OV]1 :]E IF HE CONT9U$ D[N ! PLACE HE S\<T %\LD BE ACROSS ! /REET & ON HIS LEFT4 ,HE>T HAMM]+ /ILL & 9 A FAIL+ LI<T ?R[N FROM ! RA9-CL\DS GA!R+ ABOVE1 HE W5T ACROSS ! HECTIC BYWAY HALT+LY1 SO ?AT HE MI<T AVOID ITS TRUNDL+ WAGONS UNTIL HE WAS SAFELY ON ITS FUR!R SIDE4 ,FROM ?IS NEW VANTAGE HE GAZ$ ANXI\SLY ACROSS ! D[NHILL ROAD T[>DS ! EA/1 TO SEE IF HE MI<T MAKE \T BY SOME SIGN :]E WAS ! C5T] ?AT ! PAUP] S\L HAD TOLD HIM (4 ,NO?+ WAS !RE SAV+ MORE PA/URE & A F5C$-\T Y>D ?AT FROM ITS D9 HE ?\<T TO BE A SMI?'S1 AL?\< NOT EV5 ?IS WAS HALFWAY D[N ! TILT1 AS HE'D BE5 MADE TO ?9K ! C5T] %\LD BE4 ,) A S9K+ WORRY 9 HIS GUT HE W5T ON D[N ! HILL1 HIS TIR$ EYES D>T+ BACK & =? EXPECTANTLY AB\T ! GR\NDS ?AT W]E ACROSS ! WAY4 

,! SMI?'S Y>D1 AS HE ?\<T1 WAS NE> ! BOTTOM1 :ILE UP BY ! CROSSROADS AT ITS O!R 5D1 !RE ON ! CORN] ) ! /REET ( METAL WORK]S WAS A SMI?'S Y>D ALSO4 ,NO?+ WAS BETWE5 !M & !IR BLACK5$ =GES SAV+ ONLY EMPTY & UNT5D$ M$E1 & ON HIS *EEK N[ ,PET] FELT AN E>LY RA9-SPOT1 FAT & COLD4 

,HE CAME UPON :AT SEEM$ TO HIM ! MIDDLE ( ! SLOP+ WAY1 & /OPP$ TO /& UPON ITS $GE & GAZE ACROSS IT1 TO :]E !RE WAS ONLY WILD]NESS4 ,! ?UDD+ 9 HIS *E/ WAS L\D]1 & HE KNEW ?AT HE HAD ONCE OR MANY TIMES BE=E >RIV$ H]E TO F9D NO?+4 ,HE WAS EV] 9 ! ACTION ( >RIV+ H]E & F9D+ NO?+4 ,NAU<T BUT ALL ! DRIV]S & !IR M\NTS GONE UP & D[N ! BROAD PA? ?R\< A RA9 ?AT N[ WAS SPITT+ HEAVI]4 ,NAU<T SAVE ! IDLE MAN :O /OOD \TSIDE ! SMI?'S Y>D1 UP AB\T ! CORN] ?IS LANE HAD ) ! GOLD-WORK]S' /REET4 ,NO?+ BUT ?I/LES & A TREE & SOME B>E GR\ND1 :]E HE HAD ?\<T TO F9D ! S\L ( ALL HIS L& 5?RON$4 ,HE DID NOT KN[ IF IT W]E TE>S OR SWEAT OR RA9 ?AT P\R$ N[ D[N HIS FACE AS HE 9CL9$ IT HOPELESSLY T[>D ! GRAVID SKY & ASK$ AGA9 :AT HE HAD ASK$ :5 AT ! O!R CROSS-PA?1 ONLY N[ HIS VOICE WAS ANGRY & WAS TIR$1 AS IF HE DID NOT C>E :O HE>D4 

0,IS ?IS ! C5T]80 

,ALL WAS 9 ?AT MOM5T /OPP$ TO HIM4 ,9SIDE HIS E>S ! E*O HAD BECOME :AT WAS A HUMM+ ( A K9D1 AS IF ! HALT$ 9/ANT W]E ITSELF REV]B]ANT & RANG ) ALL ! JEWELS ( CIRCUM/ANCE ?AT MADE = ITS COMPON5TS4 ,RA9 HUNG MOTIONLESS OR ELSE FELL ONLY SL[LY1 ) ITS LIQUIDS LIKE TO C\NTLESS /UDS ( OPAL ?AT W]E EV]Y:]E FIX$ ON ! AIR1 & 9 ! COATS ( HORSES EA* HAIR WAS A BLAZ+ FILAM5T ( BRASS4 ,A %9E WAS ON ! V]Y DUNG ?AT MADE IT SEEM ! PRIZE ( ALL ! E>?1 & ( ! FIELDS !IR B\NTY1 ?AT ! FLIES SET !RE AB\T IT W]E RAIS$ UP ON W+S LIKE TO ! W9D[S ( F9E *UR*ES4 ,ON ! WA/E-FIELD !RE ACROSS ! HALT$ TREASURE-SLIDE ?AT WAS ! /REET1 MID/ WE$S BECOME LIKE EM]ALD FLAME1 A MAN WAS /&+ ALL 9 :ITE & 9 ONE H& HE HELD A POLI%$ ROD MADE FROM FAIR WOOD4 ,HIS HAIR WAS LIKE TO MILK1 AS WAS HIS ROBE1 SO ?AT HE /OOD AS IF A BEACON 9 ! SC5E & WAS ! S\RCE ( ALL ITS LI<T1 :I* PA9T$ AN EXQUISITE GL9T ON EV]Y CREATURE'S EYE4 ,HIS K9DLY GAZE MET ) ! MONK'S1 & ,PET] KNEW IT WAS ! FRI5D :O HAD APPE>$ TO HIM 9 ,PALE/9E1 :O'D *>G$ HIM ) HIS TASK & SET HIM ON HIS WAY4 ,HIS J\RNEY'S ALPHA WAS BECOME ITS OMEGA & 9 HIS HE>+ N[ !RE WAS A RO>1 AS ?\< ! P\ND+ ( GREAT W+S1 ?AT ,PET] ?\<T BUT HIS [N PULSE MADE AMPLIFI$4 ,! ANSW] ( HIS QUE/ION WAS ANN\NC$4 

,ACROSS ! /ILL$ 5*ANTM5T ?AT WAS ON ! /REET1 ! BURN+ FIGURE ?REW AL(T ITS >MS = JOY1 :]EUPON !RE W]E BRI<T & BL9D+ P9IONS OP5$ \T TO EI!R SIDE4 ,EXULTANT IT CALL$ \T AS 9 A MI<TY VOICE AMID TALL M\NTA9S1 ?AT ! S\NDS ( IT :IRL$ (F A ?\S& WAYS ALL AT ONE TIME4 ,IT WAS ! =EIGN SPEE* ?AT ,PET] HAD ONCE HE>D BE=E1 ) WORDS ?AT BUR/ AS ?\< !Y W]E PUFF-TOAD/OOLS ON HIS ?\<TS1 TO SCATT] NEW IDEAS LIKE DRIFT+ SPORES4 

0,IYEEXIEES/40 

,YES6 ,YES6 ,YES1 IT IS ,I6 ,YES1 ,I EXI/6 ,YES1 IT IS H]E 9 ?IS PLACE ( EXCESS ?AT ) A CROSS ! C5T] %ALL BE M>K$4 ,YES1 IT IS H]E :]E IS ! EXIT ( Y\R J\RNEY1 :]E BO? YE & ,I >E COME TOGE!R4 ,YES1 YES1 YES1 UNTO ! V]Y LIMITS ( EXI/5CE1 YES6 

,! BE+ N[ HELD \T HIS R\ND$ ROD AS IF HE PO9T$ IT AT ,PET]4 ,LONG & PALE AS ?\< MADE \T ( P9E1 HE SAW ITS CLOS] 5D HAD BE5 WORK$ TO A PO9T1 :]E AT ! TIP = DECORATION WAS A BLUE LIKE CORNFL[]S4 ,H]E ! MONK WAS PUZZL$ & KNEW NOT :Y HE WAS 9DICAT$ ?US1 !N SAW ?AT IT WAS NOT AT HIM ! /AFF WAS AIM$1 BUT AT A PLACE ?AT WAS BEH9D HIM4 ,N[ HE TURN$1 & AS HE DID IT WAS AS ?\< HIS MOTION MADE ! SPELL UNDONE4 ,! RU%+ S\ND HE HE>D WAS NOT ABAT$1 YET ! WORLD WAS MOV$ AGA91 & RA9 DROPP$ SWIFTLY ALL AB\T :]E IT HAD ONLY CRAWL$ BE=E4 

,BEH9D HIM1 SET BETWE5 :AT WAS A HORSE-%$ & ! PREMISE ( YET ONE MORE SMI?1 HE SAW A WALL ( /ONE ?AT HAD SOME VIOLETS GR[N \T FROM ITS CRACKS1 & LET 9 TO IT WAS A WOOD5 GATE ) IRON TRIMS ?AT WAS A LITTLE OP54 ,?R\< ?IS ,PET] SAW A GLADE ) SWOLL5 GRAVES & TOMB-/ONES RAIS$ UP FROM ITS SODS1 & PA/ IT WAS A HUMBLE BUILD+ MADE FROM DUN & CRAGGY /ONES BY :I* TWO MONKS /OOD TALK+ TO EA* O!R4 ,HE WAS COME UPON A *UR*4 ,! DAME :O WORE ! ,?OR-/ONE & ADVIS$ HIM E>LI] HAD SAID !RE WAS ANO!R *UR* CLOSE BY ?AT ( ,SA9T ,PET]1 :I* WAS CALL$ ,SA9T ,GREGORY'S4 ,HIS >M UPON ! LEFT ?AT HELD ! SACK WAS A*+ N[ & SO HE *ANG$ ! WEI<T$ BAGGAGE TO HIS RI<T1 AL?\< ?IS DID NOT MAKE ! A*+ CEASE4 ,AS ?\< /RUCK DUMB HE /UMBL$ ?R\< :AT HAD BECOME A D[NP\R & W5T 9 ! *UR*-Y>D'S GATE1 A LITTLE WAY ALONG ITS PA?4 ,! CL]ICS BROKE (F ) !IR DISC\RSE & HAD SE5 HIM N[1 :]EON !Y CAME T[>DS HIM1 SL[LY FIR/ !N QUICKLY1 WE>+ FACES ( CONC]N4 ,PET] WAS FALL5 ON HIS KNEES1 ?\< IT W]E NOT 9 GRATEFUL PRAY] AT HIS DELIV]ANCE BUT MORE HE F\ND HE C\LD NOT LONG] /&4 

,! TWO FRI>S1 :O SOON CAME UPON HIM1 DID !IR BE/ TO HELP HIM UP & \T ( ! DELUGE1 BUT !Y W]E Y\NG & SL5D] M5 :O F\ND HE WAS TOO HEAVY4 ,ALL !Y C\LD ACCOMPLI% WAS TO SET HIM ON HIS BACK = COM=T1 ) HIS HEAD PROPP$ UP AGA9/ ! BULG$-\T SID+ ( A GRAVE4 ,!Y CR\*$ ABOVE HIM ) !IR HABITS SPREAD \T AS !Y ?\<T TO KEEP ! RA9 FROM (F HIM1 ?\< IT MADE !M SEEM LIKE CR[S & DID NOT %IELD HIM MU*4 ,ABOVE !M ,PET] SAW ! UND]BELLY ( ! BREW+ /ORM1 LIKE D>K5$ PE>LS ?AT SEE!D & BOIL$ & W]E BECOME A *ANG+ & FANTA/IC SWIM ( WR9KLES4 

,EV]Y?+ WAS 9 ?AT MOM5T MADE ALI<T1 & !N A FRI<TFUL ?UND] BOOM$ SO ?AT ! MONKS :O NURS$ HIM CRI$ \T & BECAME MORE URG5T 9 !IR QUE/IONS1 ASK+ HIM :]E HE WAS FROM & :AT IT WAS ?AT BR\<T HIM H]E4 ,! LI<TN+S CAME AGA9 TO DR5* ! :OLE SKY ) !IR FLA% & ,PET] LIFT$ UP HIS >M1 ?\< NOT ! LEFT ONE ?AT WAS NUMB1 & MADE A GE/URE TO HIS BAG UPON ! SOAK+ GRASS BESIDE HIM4 

,:5 !Y UND]/OOD HIM !Y PULL$ WIDE ! JUTE-CLO? NECK & TOOK :AT WAS 9SIDE \T 9 ! W9D & WET4 ,IT WAS ! H&-SPAN ( A MAN & HALF AGA9 ACROSS 9 BO? DIRECTIONS1 R\<LY HEWN FROM BR[NI% /ONE SO ?AT IT WAS TOO HEAVY TO BE LIFT$ EASY 9 ONE H&4 ,! SILV]+ RA9 DRIPP$ FROM ITS ANGLES & ITS CORN]S & ! PRIE/S W]E N[ MADE MY/IFI$1 AS TOO W]E !Y AMAZ$4 

0,:AT IS IT1 BRO!R8 ,CAN Y\ TELL US :]E Y\ F\ND IT80 

,PET] SPOKE1 ?\< IT WAS H>D1 & FROM !IR FACES HAD ! S\ND ( A DELIRIUM4 ,FROM H[ !Y HE>D IT1 ?IS WAS ONE :O'D TRAVEL$ F> ACROSS ! SEA & HAD BE5 NE> A PLACE ( SKULLS :5 HE HAD F\ND HIS TREASURE BURI$ !RE4 ,UNE>!D1 IT WAS AS ?\< AN ANGEL HAD APPE>$ TO TELL HIM HE MU/ TAKE ! RELIC & DELIV] IT UNTO ! C5T] ( HIS L&4 ,IT SEEM$ TO !M AS ?\< HE SAID HE HAD A MOM5T S9CE MET ) ?IS ANGEL YET AGA91 :O HAD CONFIRM$ !IR SMALL *UR* AS ! PILGRIM'S DE/9ATION4 ,MU* ( :AT ! POOR MAN SAID WAS LO/ AMONG ! RUMBLE ( ! HEAV5S1 & AT LA/ !Y BEGG$ ?AT HE %\LD TELL !M :]E ! L& WAS HE HAD BE51 ?AT HAD ?IS PLACE ( SKULLS1 & :]E W]E HOLY TOK5S JUTT$ UP FROM \T ! SOIL4 

,!IR VOICES HAD BECOME A P>T ( ! ALMI<TY FLUTT]+ ?AT FILL$ HIM1 AS ?\< COME FROM F> AWAY SO ?AT HE B>ELY HE>D !M4 ,HE WAS DY+4 ,HE W\LD NOT AGA9 SEE ,M$E%AM/$E1 & HE KNEW IT N[4 ,ABOVE1 ! ROLL+ BANKS ( SODD5 SKY W]E A BLACK SILK ( ,ORI5T ?AT HAD BE5 CRU%$ 9TO SOME FISSUR$ COMPLICATION FULL ( CREASE & %IFT+ CRACK4 ,HE SAW N[ :AT HE HAD NOT SE5 BE=E1 ?AT CL\DS W]E ( A GROTESQUE %APE BY REASON ?AT !Y W]E TUCK$ 9 & HAD BE5 CUNN+LY COMPRESS$4 ,HE SAW ?AT W]E !Y BUT UNFOLD$ !Y %\LD HAVE A =M AT ONCE MORE REGUL> & YET MORE DIFFICULT TO BE 5COMPASS$ BY ! GAZE4 ,HE DID NOT HAVE ! SLI<TE/ UND]/&+ :AT ?IS ODD IDEA MI<T MEAN1 NOR :Y ! FEEL+ WAS UPON HIM ?AT HIS YE>S ( J\RNEY HAD BE5 NAU<T EXCEPT A S+LE1 BRIEFLY-TAK5 /EP ?AT WAS N[ DONE4 

,HE ?\<T ?AT HE HAD 9 ! LA/ FEW MOM5TS CLOS$ HIS EYES & YET IT SEEM$ /ILL ?AT HE SAW1 P]HAPS M]E DREAMS OR MEMORIES ( SI<T ?AT W]E 9SIDE ! FLICK]+ LIDS4 ,HE LOOK$ UPON ! WORRI$ BRE?R5 SQUATT+ OV] HIM & AT ! LITTLE *UR* BEH9D !M4 ,JU/ AS ) HIS NEW-F\ND COMPREH5SION ( ! *URN+1 PELT+ FIRMAM5T ABOVE1 SO TOO HE NOTIC$ = A FIR/ TIME H[ ! CORN]S ( A BUILD+ W]E MADE CLEV]LY1 ?AT !Y C\LD BE UNFOLD$ 9 A MANN] :]EBY ! 9SIDE ( !M WAS \T4 ,:AT HE HAD E>LI] MI/OOK = C>V+S OV] L$GES ON ! *UR* HE SAW N[ TO BE PEOPLE SMALL LIKE UNTO MYGGE-FLIES1 YET !N KNEW ?AT !Y W]E L>GE AS HE BUT SOMEH[ F> AWAY4 ,!Y WAV$ & REA*$ AT HIM1 ! LITTLE M54 ,IT SEEM$ TO HIM ?AT HE HAD ALWAYS KN[N ( !M4 ,! TWO MONKS BY HIS SIDE HE C\LD NO LONG] SEE1 AL?\< HE HE>D !M SPEAK+ ) HIM YET1 & ASK+ HIM AGA9 :5CE HE HAD COME1 HIS P]FECT SIGN TO BR+4 

,! LA/ WORD ?AT HE SAID1 IT WAS ,J]USALEM4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,BOOK #a1 ,*APT] #d -- ,ADD$4 

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