Chapter 20
I sat one evening in my laboratory; the sun had set, and the moon was just rising from the sea; I had not sufficient light for my employment, and I remained idle, in a pause of consideration of whether I should leave my labour for the night or hasten its conclusion by an unremitting attention to it. As I sat, a train of reflection occurred to me which led me to consider the effects of what I was now doing. Three years before, I was engaged in the same manner and had created a fiend whose unparalleled barbarity had desolated my heart and filled it for ever with the bitterest remorse. I was now about to form another being of whose dispositions I was alike ignorant; she might become ten thousand times more malignant than her mate and delight, for its own sake, in murder and wretchedness. He had sworn to quit the neighbourhood of man and hide himself in deserts, but she had not; and she, who in all probability was to become a thinking and reasoning animal, might refuse to comply with a compact made before her creation. They might even hate each other; the creature who already lived loathed his own deformity, and might he not conceive a greater abhorrence for it when it came before his eyes in the female form? She also might turn with disgust from him to the superior beauty of man; she might quit him, and he be again alone, exasperated by the fresh provocation of being deserted by one of his own species.
One evening I sat in my laboratory. The sun had set, and the moon was just rising from the sea. I did not have enough light to work. So I sat idle, wondering whether to stop for the night or keep working steadily to finish sooner. As I sat, my thoughts turned to the consequences of what I was doing. Three years earlier, I had been working in the same way. I had created a fiend whose unmatched cruelty had devastated me and filled my heart with lasting, bitter remorse. Now I was about to create another being, whose nature I knew just as little about. She might become ten thousand times more wicked than her mate. She might take pleasure in murder and suffering for their own sake. He had sworn to leave human society and hide in deserts, but she had not. She would probably be capable of thought and reason. She might refuse to honor an agreement made before she was created. They might even hate each other. The creature who already lived loathed his own deformity. Might he not hate it even more when he saw it in female form? She, too, might turn from him in disgust, drawn to the greater beauty of humans. She might leave him, and he would be alone again, enraged at being abandoned by one of his own kind.
Even if they were to leave Europe and inhabit the deserts of the new world, yet one of the first results of those sympathies for which the dæmon thirsted would be children, and a race of devils would be propagated upon the earth who might make the very existence of the species of man a condition precarious and full of terror. Had I right, for my own benefit, to inflict this curse upon everlasting generations? I had before been moved by the sophisms of the being I had created; I had been struck senseless by his fiendish threats; but now, for the first time, the wickedness of my promise burst upon me; I shuddered to think that future ages might curse me as their pest, whose selfishness had not hesitated to buy its own peace at the price, perhaps, of the existence of the whole human race.
Even if they left Europe to live in the deserts of the new world, their union would likely produce children. The dæmon longed for such companionship, but a race of devils would spread across the earth. They might make the very existence of humanity uncertain and full of terror. Did I have the right to bring this curse upon all future generations for my own benefit? Before, I had been persuaded by the false arguments of the being I had created. His devilish threats had left me unable to think. But now, for the first time, I saw the wickedness of my promise. I shuddered to think that future generations might curse me as a plague upon them. My selfishness had not hesitated to buy its own peace, perhaps at the cost of the entire human race.
I trembled and my heart failed within me, when, on looking up, I saw by the light of the moon the dæmon at the casement. A ghastly grin wrinkled his lips as he gazed on me, where I sat fulfilling the task which he had allotted to me. Yes, he had followed me in my travels; he had loitered in forests, hid himself in caves, or taken refuge in wide and desert heaths; and he now came to mark my progress and claim the fulfilment of my promise.
I trembled and my heart sank when I looked up. In the moonlight, I saw the demon at the window. A ghastly grin spread across his lips as he watched me. I sat there working on the task he had given me. Yes, he had followed me on my travels. He had lingered in forests, hidden in caves, or taken refuge on vast, deserted heaths. Now he had come to check my progress and demand that I keep my promise.
As I looked on him, his countenance expressed the utmost extent of malice and treachery. I thought with a sensation of madness on my promise of creating another like to him, and trembling with passion, tore to pieces the thing on which I was engaged. The wretch saw me destroy the creature on whose future existence he depended for happiness, and with a howl of devilish despair and revenge, withdrew.
As I looked at him, his face showed the deepest malice and treachery. I felt almost mad as I thought of my promise to create another like him. Trembling with passion, I tore apart the creature I was making. The wretch saw me destroy the creature whose future existence he depended on for happiness. With a howl of devilish despair and revenge, he withdrew.
I left the room, and locking the door, made a solemn vow in my own heart never to resume my labours; and then, with trembling steps, I sought my own apartment. I was alone; none were near me to dissipate the gloom and relieve me from the sickening oppression of the most terrible reveries.
I left the room and locked the door. In my heart, I solemnly vowed never to resume my work. Then, with trembling steps, I went to my room. I was alone. No one was near to dispel the gloom or relieve the sickening weight of my terrifying thoughts.
Several hours passed, and I remained near my window gazing on the sea; it was almost motionless, for the winds were hushed, and all nature reposed under the eye of the quiet moon. A few fishing vessels alone specked the water, and now and then the gentle breeze wafted the sound of voices as the fishermen called to one another. I felt the silence, although I was hardly conscious of its extreme profundity, until my ear was suddenly arrested by the paddling of oars near the shore, and a person landed close to my house.
Several hours passed as I stayed by my window, gazing at the sea. It was almost still because the winds had died down, and all nature rested under the quiet moon. Only a few fishing boats dotted the water. Now and then, a gentle breeze carried the sound of fishermen calling to one another. I felt the silence, though I was hardly aware of how deep it was. Then the sound of oars paddling near the shore suddenly caught my attention, and someone landed close to my house.
In a few minutes after, I heard the creaking of my door, as if some one endeavoured to open it softly. I trembled from head to foot; I felt a presentiment of who it was and wished to rouse one of the peasants who dwelt in a cottage not far from mine; but I was overcome by the sensation of helplessness, so often felt in frightful dreams, when you in vain endeavour to fly from an impending danger, and was rooted to the spot.
A few minutes later, I heard my door creak, as if someone were trying to open it quietly. I trembled from head to foot. I had a feeling I knew who it was. I wanted to wake one of the peasants who lived in a cottage not far from mine. But I was overcome by the helplessness so often felt in frightening dreams, when you try in vain to flee from approaching danger. I was rooted to the spot.
Presently I heard the sound of footsteps along the passage; the door opened, and the wretch whom I dreaded appeared. Shutting the door, he approached me and said in a smothered voice,
Soon I heard footsteps in the hallway. The door opened, and the wretch I feared appeared. He shut the door, approached me, and said in a muffled voice,
“You have destroyed the work which you began; what is it that you intend? Do you dare to break your promise? I have endured toil and misery; I left Switzerland with you; I crept along the shores of the Rhine, among its willow islands and over the summits of its hills. I have dwelt many months in the heaths of England and among the deserts of Scotland. I have endured incalculable fatigue, and cold, and hunger; do you dare destroy my hopes?”
“You have destroyed the work you began. What do you intend to do? Do you dare break your promise? I have endured hard work and misery. I left Switzerland with you. I crept along the shores of the Rhine, among its willow islands and over its hills. I have spent many months on the heaths of England and in the barren wilderness of Scotland. I have endured unimaginable exhaustion, cold, and hunger. Do you dare destroy my hopes?”
“Begone! I do break my promise; never will I create another like yourself, equal in deformity and wickedness.”
“Go away! I am breaking my promise. I will never create another like you, as deformed and wicked as you are.”
“Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved yourself unworthy of my condescension. Remember that I have power; you believe yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master; obey!”
“Slave, I tried to reason with you before, but you have shown that you do not deserve such consideration. Remember, I have power. You think you are miserable, but I can make you so wretched that you will hate the light of day. You are my creator, but I am your master. Obey!”
“The hour of my irresolution is past, and the period of your power is arrived. Your threats cannot move me to do an act of wickedness; but they confirm me in a determination of not creating you a companion in vice. Shall I, in cool blood, set loose upon the earth a dæmon whose delight is in death and wretchedness? Begone! I am firm, and your words will only exasperate my rage.”
“The time for my hesitation has passed, and the time for your power has come. Your threats cannot make me do something wicked. Instead, they strengthen my resolve not to create a companion to share in your evil. Should I deliberately release a demon on earth who delights in death and misery? Get out! My decision is firm, and your words will only make me angrier.”
The monster saw my determination in my face and gnashed his teeth in the impotence of anger. “Shall each man,” cried he, “find a wife for his bosom, and each beast have his mate, and I be alone? I had feelings of affection, and they were requited by detestation and scorn. Man! You may hate, but beware! Your hours will pass in dread and misery, and soon the bolt will fall which must ravish from you your happiness for ever. Are you to be happy while I grovel in the intensity of my wretchedness? You can blast my other passions, but revenge remains—revenge, henceforth dearer than light or food! I may die, but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery. Beware, for I am fearless and therefore powerful. I will watch with the wiliness of a snake, that I may sting with its venom. Man, you shall repent of the injuries you inflict.”
The monster saw my determination in my face and ground his teeth in helpless anger. “Will every man find a wife to hold close, and every beast have a mate, while I remain alone?” he cried. “I felt affection, and in return I received hatred and scorn. Man! You may hate me, but beware! Your hours will pass in fear and misery. Soon a blow will fall that will rob you of your happiness forever. Will you be happy while I grovel in utter misery? You can destroy my other passions, but revenge remains. From now on, revenge is dearer to me than light or food! I may die, but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, will curse the sun that looks down on your misery. Beware, for I am fearless and therefore powerful. I will watch with the cunning of a snake so that I can strike with its venom. Man, you will regret the injuries you inflict.”
“Devil, cease; and do not poison the air with these sounds of malice. I have declared my resolution to you, and I am no coward to bend beneath words. Leave me; I am inexorable.”
“Devil, stop. Do not poison the air with these hateful words. I have told you my decision, and I am no coward who gives in to words. Leave me. I will not change my mind.”
“It is well. I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding-night.”
“All right. I’m leaving, but remember, I’ll be with you on your wedding night.”
I started forward and exclaimed, “Villain! Before you sign my death-warrant, be sure that you are yourself safe.”
I rushed forward and shouted, “Villain! Before you sign my death warrant, make sure you are safe yourself.”
I would have seized him, but he eluded me and quitted the house with precipitation. In a few moments I saw him in his boat, which shot across the waters with an arrowy swiftness and was soon lost amidst the waves.
I would have grabbed him, but he slipped away and rushed out of the house. Moments later, I saw him in his boat. It shot across the water as swiftly as an arrow and soon disappeared among the waves.
All was again silent, but his words rang in my ears. I burned with rage to pursue the murderer of my peace and precipitate him into the ocean. I walked up and down my room hastily and perturbed, while my imagination conjured up a thousand images to torment and sting me. Why had I not followed him and closed with him in mortal strife? But I had suffered him to depart, and he had directed his course towards the mainland. I shuddered to think who might be the next victim sacrificed to his insatiate revenge. And then I thought again of his words—“I will be with you on your wedding-night.” That, then, was the period fixed for the fulfilment of my destiny. In that hour I should die and at once satisfy and extinguish his malice. The prospect did not move me to fear; yet when I thought of my beloved Elizabeth, of her tears and endless sorrow, when she should find her lover so barbarously snatched from her, tears, the first I had shed for many months, streamed from my eyes, and I resolved not to fall before my enemy without a bitter struggle.
All was silent again, but his words rang in my ears. I burned with rage to pursue the murderer of my peace and throw him into the ocean. I paced my room, hurried and agitated, while my imagination filled my mind with a thousand images that tormented and stung me. Why had I not followed him and fought him to the death? But I had let him leave, and he had headed toward the mainland. I shuddered to think who might be the next victim sacrificed to his endless revenge. Then I thought again of his words: “I will be with you on your wedding-night.” That, then, was when my destiny would be fulfilled. In that hour I would die, satisfying and ending his hatred at once. The prospect did not frighten me. Yet I thought of my beloved Elizabeth and the tears and endless sorrow she would suffer. She would find that her lover had been so brutally snatched from her. Tears streamed from my eyes, the first I had shed in many months. I resolved not to fall before my enemy without a bitter struggle.
The night passed away, and the sun rose from the ocean; my feelings became calmer, if it may be called calmness when the violence of rage sinks into the depths of despair. I left the house, the horrid scene of the last night’s contention, and walked on the beach of the sea, which I almost regarded as an insuperable barrier between me and my fellow creatures; nay, a wish that such should prove the fact stole across me. I desired that I might pass my life on that barren rock, wearily, it is true, but uninterrupted by any sudden shock of misery. If I returned, it was to be sacrificed or to see those whom I most loved die under the grasp of a dæmon whom I had myself created.
The night passed, and the sun rose from the ocean. My feelings grew calmer, if you can call it calm when violent rage sinks into deep despair. I left the house where the terrible struggle had taken place the night before. I walked along the beach, looking at the sea. I saw it as an almost impassable barrier between me and other people. I even found myself wishing it really were. I wanted to spend my life on that barren rock. It would be a weary life, it is true, but it would be free from sudden blows of misery. If I returned, I would either be sacrificed or see those I loved most die in the grasp of a demon I had created myself.
I walked about the isle like a restless spectre, separated from all it loved and miserable in the separation. When it became noon, and the sun rose higher, I lay down on the grass and was overpowered by a deep sleep. I had been awake the whole of the preceding night, my nerves were agitated, and my eyes inflamed by watching and misery. The sleep into which I now sank refreshed me; and when I awoke, I again felt as if I belonged to a race of human beings like myself, and I began to reflect upon what had passed with greater composure; yet still the words of the fiend rang in my ears like a death-knell; they appeared like a dream, yet distinct and oppressive as a reality.
I wandered around the island like a restless ghost, separated from everything it loved and miserable because of that separation. At noon, as the sun rose higher, I lay down on the grass and fell into a deep sleep. I had been awake all the previous night. My nerves were on edge, and my eyes were inflamed from sleeplessness and misery. The sleep refreshed me. When I woke, I again felt as though I belonged to a race of human beings like myself. I began to think about what had happened more calmly. Yet the fiend's words still rang in my ears like a death bell. They seemed like a dream, yet they were as clear and oppressive as reality.
The sun had far descended, and I still sat on the shore, satisfying my appetite, which had become ravenous, with an oaten cake, when I saw a fishing-boat land close to me, and one of the men brought me a packet; it contained letters from Geneva, and one from Clerval entreating me to join him. He said that he was wearing away his time fruitlessly where he was, that letters from the friends he had formed in London desired his return to complete the negotiation they had entered into for his Indian enterprise. He could not any longer delay his departure; but as his journey to London might be followed, even sooner than he now conjectured, by his longer voyage, he entreated me to bestow as much of my society on him as I could spare. He besought me, therefore, to leave my solitary isle and to meet him at Perth, that we might proceed southwards together. This letter in a degree recalled me to life, and I determined to quit my island at the expiration of two days.
The sun had sunk low, and I still sat on the shore, eating an oatcake to satisfy my ravenous appetite. A fishing boat landed close by, and one of the men brought me a packet. It contained letters from Geneva and one from Clerval, begging me to join him. He said he was wasting his time where he was. Friends he had made in London had written, asking him to return and complete the negotiations for his Indian enterprise. He could no longer delay his departure. His journey to London might be followed by his longer voyage, perhaps even sooner than he expected. So he begged me to spend as much time with him as I could spare. He asked me to leave my solitary island and meet him at Perth, so we could travel south together. The letter brought me partly back to life, and I decided to leave my island in two days.
Yet, before I departed, there was a task to perform, on which I shuddered to reflect; I must pack up my chemical instruments, and for that purpose I must enter the room which had been the scene of my odious work, and I must handle those utensils the sight of which was sickening to me. The next morning, at daybreak, I summoned sufficient courage and unlocked the door of my laboratory. The remains of the half-finished creature, whom I had destroyed, lay scattered on the floor, and I almost felt as if I had mangled the living flesh of a human being. I paused to collect myself and then entered the chamber. With trembling hand I conveyed the instruments out of the room, but I reflected that I ought not to leave the relics of my work to excite the horror and suspicion of the peasants; and I accordingly put them into a basket, with a great quantity of stones, and laying them up, determined to throw them into the sea that very night; and in the meantime I sat upon the beach, employed in cleaning and arranging my chemical apparatus.
Yet before I left, I had a task to perform that made me shudder to think about. I had to pack my chemical instruments. To do so, I had to enter the room where I had done my hateful work. I also had to handle the tools that made me sick to look at. At daybreak the next morning, I gathered enough courage to unlock my laboratory door. The remains of the half-finished creature I had destroyed lay scattered on the floor. I almost felt as if I had mutilated the living flesh of a human being. I paused to collect myself, then entered the room. With trembling hands, I carried the instruments out. But I realized I should not leave the remains of my work to horrify the peasants and arouse their suspicions. So I put the remains in a basket with a large quantity of stones and set it aside. I decided to throw the basket into the sea that very night. In the meantime, I sat on the beach, cleaning and arranging my chemical equipment.
Nothing could be more complete than the alteration that had taken place in my feelings since the night of the appearance of the dæmon. I had before regarded my promise with a gloomy despair as a thing that, with whatever consequences, must be fulfilled; but I now felt as if a film had been taken from before my eyes and that I for the first time saw clearly. The idea of renewing my labours did not for one instant occur to me; the threat I had heard weighed on my thoughts, but I did not reflect that a voluntary act of mine could avert it. I had resolved in my own mind that to create another like the fiend I had first made would be an act of the basest and most atrocious selfishness, and I banished from my mind every thought that could lead to a different conclusion.
My feelings had changed completely since the night the demon appeared. Before, I had regarded my promise with gloomy despair. Whatever the consequences, I believed I had to fulfill it. But now I felt as if a film had been lifted from my eyes. For the first time, I saw clearly. The idea of resuming my work did not occur to me for a moment. The threat I had heard weighed on my mind, but I did not consider that I could choose to prevent it. I had decided that creating another like the fiend I had first made would be an act of the lowest and most atrocious selfishness. I drove away every thought that could lead me to a different conclusion.
Between two and three in the morning the moon rose; and I then, putting my basket aboard a little skiff, sailed out about four miles from the shore. The scene was perfectly solitary; a few boats were returning towards land, but I sailed away from them. I felt as if I was about the commission of a dreadful crime and avoided with shuddering anxiety any encounter with my fellow creatures. At one time the moon, which had before been clear, was suddenly overspread by a thick cloud, and I took advantage of the moment of darkness and cast my basket into the sea; I listened to the gurgling sound as it sank and then sailed away from the spot. The sky became clouded, but the air was pure, although chilled by the northeast breeze that was then rising. But it refreshed me and filled me with such agreeable sensations that I resolved to prolong my stay on the water, and fixing the rudder in a direct position, stretched myself at the bottom of the boat. Clouds hid the moon, everything was obscure, and I heard only the sound of the boat as its keel cut through the waves; the murmur lulled me, and in a short time I slept soundly.
Between two and three in the morning, the moon rose. I put my basket in a small boat and sailed about four miles from shore. The scene was completely deserted. A few boats were returning to land, but I sailed away from them. I felt as if I were about to commit a terrible crime. I shuddered with anxiety and avoided meeting anyone. The moon had been clear, but suddenly a thick cloud covered it. I took advantage of the darkness and threw my basket into the sea. I listened to the gurgling sound as it sank, then sailed away from the spot. Clouds filled the sky, but the air was fresh, though chilled by the rising northeast breeze. The breeze refreshed me and made me feel so pleasant that I decided to stay on the water longer. I fixed the rudder straight ahead and stretched out in the bottom of the boat. Clouds hid the moon, and everything was dark. I heard only the sound of the boat’s keel cutting through the waves. The murmur lulled me, and soon I was sleeping soundly.
I do not know how long I remained in this situation, but when I awoke I found that the sun had already mounted considerably. The wind was high, and the waves continually threatened the safety of my little skiff. I found that the wind was northeast and must have driven me far from the coast from which I had embarked. I endeavoured to change my course but quickly found that if I again made the attempt the boat would be instantly filled with water. Thus situated, my only resource was to drive before the wind. I confess that I felt a few sensations of terror. I had no compass with me and was so slenderly acquainted with the geography of this part of the world that the sun was of little benefit to me. I might be driven into the wide Atlantic and feel all the tortures of starvation or be swallowed up in the immeasurable waters that roared and buffeted around me. I had already been out many hours and felt the torment of a burning thirst, a prelude to my other sufferings. I looked on the heavens, which were covered by clouds that flew before the wind, only to be replaced by others; I looked upon the sea; it was to be my grave. “Fiend,” I exclaimed, “your task is already fulfilled!” I thought of Elizabeth, of my father, and of Clerval—all left behind, on whom the monster might satisfy his sanguinary and merciless passions. This idea plunged me into a reverie so despairing and frightful that even now, when the scene is on the point of closing before me for ever, I shudder to reflect on it.
I do not know how long I remained like that, but when I woke, the sun was already high. The wind was strong, and the waves constantly threatened to overturn my little boat. I realized that the wind was blowing from the northeast and must have driven me far from the coast where I had set out. I tried to change course, but I quickly saw that another attempt would fill the boat with water at once. In that situation, my only choice was to let the wind carry me. I confess that I felt moments of terror. I had no compass, and I knew so little about the geography of this region that the sun was of little use to me. I might be driven into the vast Atlantic and suffer all the tortures of starvation. Or I might be swallowed by the immense waters that roared and battered my boat. I had already been out for many hours and felt the torment of a burning thirst, a foretaste of my other sufferings. I looked at the sky, where clouds swept past in the wind, only to be replaced by others. I looked at the sea. It was to be my grave. “Fiend,” I cried, “your task is already complete!” I thought of Elizabeth, my father, and Clerval, all left behind, where the monster could satisfy his bloody and merciless passions on them. The thought plunged me into a state of despair so deep and frightening that I shudder to remember it even now, when the scene is about to close before me forever.
Some hours passed thus; but by degrees, as the sun declined towards the horizon, the wind died away into a gentle breeze and the sea became free from breakers. But these gave place to a heavy swell; I felt sick and hardly able to hold the rudder, when suddenly I saw a line of high land towards the south.
Some hours passed this way. As the sun sank toward the horizon, the wind gradually died down to a gentle breeze. The waves stopped breaking, but a heavy swell took their place. I felt sick and could hardly hold the rudder. Then I suddenly saw a stretch of high land to the south.
Almost spent, as I was, by fatigue and the dreadful suspense I endured for several hours, this sudden certainty of life rushed like a flood of warm joy to my heart, and tears gushed from my eyes.
I was almost exhausted from fatigue and the terrible suspense I had endured for hours. Then the sudden certainty of life flooded my heart with warm joy, and tears streamed from my eyes.
How mutable are our feelings, and how strange is that clinging love we have of life even in the excess of misery! I constructed another sail with a part of my dress and eagerly steered my course towards the land. It had a wild and rocky appearance, but as I approached nearer I easily perceived the traces of cultivation. I saw vessels near the shore and found myself suddenly transported back to the neighbourhood of civilised man. I carefully traced the windings of the land and hailed a steeple which I at length saw issuing from behind a small promontory. As I was in a state of extreme debility, I resolved to sail directly towards the town, as a place where I could most easily procure nourishment. Fortunately I had money with me. As I turned the promontory I perceived a small neat town and a good harbour, which I entered, my heart bounding with joy at my unexpected escape.
How quickly our feelings change, and how strange it is that we cling to life even in the depths of misery! I made another sail from part of my clothing and eagerly steered toward land. The coast looked wild and rocky, but as I drew closer, I could easily see signs of cultivation. I saw ships near the shore and suddenly found myself among civilized people again. I carefully followed the curves of the coast and welcomed the sight of a steeple rising from behind a small headland. I was extremely weak, so I decided to sail straight to the town, where I could most easily find food. Fortunately, I had money with me. As I rounded the headland, I saw a small, neat town and a good harbor. I sailed into the harbor, my heart leaping with joy at my unexpected escape.
As I was occupied in fixing the boat and arranging the sails, several people crowded towards the spot. They seemed much surprised at my appearance, but instead of offering me any assistance, whispered together with gestures that at any other time might have produced in me a slight sensation of alarm. As it was, I merely remarked that they spoke English, and I therefore addressed them in that language. “My good friends,” said I, “will you be so kind as to tell me the name of this town and inform me where I am?”
While I was fixing the boat and arranging the sails, several people gathered nearby. They seemed very surprised by my appearance. But instead of helping me, they whispered among themselves and made gestures. At any other time, their behavior might have alarmed me slightly. As it was, I only noticed that they spoke English, so I addressed them in that language. “My good friends,” I said, “would you be kind enough to tell me the name of this town and where I am?”
“You will know that soon enough,” replied a man with a hoarse voice. “Maybe you are come to a place that will not prove much to your taste, but you will not be consulted as to your quarters, I promise you.”
“You’ll find out soon enough,” replied a man with a hoarse voice. “Maybe you’ve come to a place you won’t like. But I promise you, you won’t get a say in where you stay.”
I was exceedingly surprised on receiving so rude an answer from a stranger, and I was also disconcerted on perceiving the frowning and angry countenances of his companions. “Why do you answer me so roughly?” I replied. “Surely it is not the custom of Englishmen to receive strangers so inhospitably.”
I was very surprised by the stranger’s rude answer. I was also unsettled by the frowning, angry faces of his companions. “Why do you answer me so rudely?” I replied. “Surely it is not the custom of Englishmen to treat strangers so inhospitably.”
“I do not know,” said the man, “what the custom of the English may be, but it is the custom of the Irish to hate villains.”
“I don't know what the English custom is,” said the man, “but the Irish custom is to hate villains.”
While this strange dialogue continued, I perceived the crowd rapidly increase. Their faces expressed a mixture of curiosity and anger, which annoyed and in some degree alarmed me. I inquired the way to the inn, but no one replied. I then moved forward, and a murmuring sound arose from the crowd as they followed and surrounded me, when an ill-looking man approaching tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Come, sir, you must follow me to Mr. Kirwin’s to give an account of yourself.”
As this strange conversation continued, I noticed the crowd growing quickly. Their faces showed both curiosity and anger. This annoyed me and made me somewhat alarmed. I asked the way to the inn, but no one answered. Then I moved forward, and the crowd began to murmur as they followed and surrounded me. An unpleasant-looking man approached, tapped me on the shoulder, and said, “Come, sir, you must follow me to Mr. Kirwin’s to explain yourself.”
“Who is Mr. Kirwin? Why am I to give an account of myself? Is not this a free country?”
“Who is Mr. Kirwin? Why do I have to explain myself? Isn’t this a free country?”
“Ay, sir, free enough for honest folks. Mr. Kirwin is a magistrate, and you are to give an account of the death of a gentleman who was found murdered here last night.”
“Yes, sir, free enough for honest people. Mr. Kirwin is a magistrate. You must give an account of the death of a gentleman found murdered here last night.”
This answer startled me, but I presently recovered myself. I was innocent; that could easily be proved; accordingly I followed my conductor in silence and was led to one of the best houses in the town. I was ready to sink from fatigue and hunger, but being surrounded by a crowd, I thought it politic to rouse all my strength, that no physical debility might be construed into apprehension or conscious guilt. Little did I then expect the calamity that was in a few moments to overwhelm me and extinguish in horror and despair all fear of ignominy or death.
The answer startled me, but I soon recovered. I was innocent, and that could easily be proved. So I followed the man leading me in silence, and he took me to one of the best houses in town. I was ready to collapse from exhaustion and hunger. But a crowd surrounded me, so I thought it wise to summon all my strength. I did not want anyone to mistake my physical weakness for fear or a sense of guilt. I had no idea that, in a few moments, disaster would overwhelm me. Its horror and despair would wipe out all my fear of disgrace or death.
I must pause here, for it requires all my fortitude to recall the memory of the frightful events which I am about to relate, in proper detail, to my recollection.
I must pause here. It takes all my strength to recall in detail the frightening events I am about to describe.