\"Mytales！\"criedOberon。\"Thechimney！Theroof！TheFiendhasgoneforthbynight，andstartledthousandsinfearandwonderfromtheirbeds！HereIstand，——atriumphantauthor！Huzza！
Huzza！Mybrainhassetthetownonfire！Huzza！\"
MYKINSMAN，MAJORMOLINEUX
AfterthekingsofGreatBritainhadassumedtherightofappointingthecolonialgovernors，themeasuresofthelatterseldommetwiththereadyandgenerousapprobationwhichhadbeenpaidtothoseoftheirpredecessors，undertheoriginalcharters。
Thepeoplelookedwithmostjealousscrutinytotheexerciseofpowerwhichdidnotemanatefromthemselves，andtheyusuallyrewardedtheirrulerswithslendergratitudeforthecompliancesbywhich，insofteningtheirinstructionsfrombeyondthesea，theyhadincurredthereprehensionofthosewhogavethem。TheannalsofMassachusettsBaywillinformus，thatofsixgovernorsinthespaceofaboutfortyyearsfromthesurrenderoftheoldcharter，underJamesII，twowereimprisonedbyapopularinsurrection;athird，asHutchinsoninclinestobelieve，wasdrivenfromtheprovincebythewhizzingofamusket-ball;afourth，intheopinionofthesamehistorian，washastenedtohisgravebycontinualbickeringswiththeHouseofRepresentatives;
andtheremainingtwo，aswellastheirsuccessors，tilltheRevolution，werefavoredwithfewandbriefintervalsofpeacefulsway。Theinferiormembersofthecourtparty，intimesofhighpoliticalexcitement，ledscarcelyamoredesirablelife。Theseremarksmayserveasaprefacetothefollowingadventures，whichchanceduponasummernight，notfarfromahundredyearsago。
Thereader，inordertoavoidalonganddrydetailofcolonialaffairs，isrequestedtodispensewithanaccountofthetrainofcircumstancesthathadcausedmuchtemporaryinflammationofthepopularmind。
Itwasnearnineo’clockofamoonlightevening，whenaboatcrossedtheferrywithasinglepassenger，whohadobtainedhisconveyanceatthatunusualhourbythepromiseofanextrafare。
Whilehestoodonthelanding-place，searchingineitherpocketforthemeansoffulfillinghisagreement，theferrymanliftedalantern，bytheaidofwhich，andthenewlyrisenmoon，hetookaveryaccuratesurveyofthestranger’sfigure。Hewasayouthofbarelyeighteenyears，evidentlycountry-bred，andnow，asitshouldseem，uponhisfirstvisittotown。Hewascladinacoarsegraycoat，wellworn，butinexcellentrepair;hisundergarmentsweredurablyconstructedofleather，andfittedtighttoapairofserviceableandwell-shapedlimbs;hisstockingsofblueyarnweretheincontrovertibleworkofamotherorasister;
andonhisheadwasathree-corneredhat，whichinitsbetterdayshadperhapsshelteredthegraverbrowofthelad’sfather。
Underhisleftarmwasaheavycudgelformedofanoaksapling，andretainingapartofthehardenedroot;andhisequipmentwascompletedbyawallet，notsoabundantlystockedastoincommodethevigorousshouldersonwhichithung。Brown，curlyhair，well-shapedfeatures，andbright，cheerfuleyeswerenature’sgifts，andworthallthatartcouldhavedoneforhisadornment。
Theyouth，oneofwhosenameswasRobin，finallydrewfromhispocketthehalfofalittleprovincebilloffiveshillings，which，inthedepreciationinthatsortofcurrency，didbutsatisfytheferryman’sdemand，withthesurplusofasexangularpieceofparchment，valuedatthreepence。Hethenwalkedforwardintothetown，withaslightastepasifhisday’sjourneyhadnotalreadyexceededthirtymiles，andwithaseageraneyeasifhewereenteringLondoncity，insteadofthelittlemetropolisofaNewEnglandcolony。BeforeRobinhadproceededfar，however，itoccurredtohimthatheknewnotwhithertodirecthissteps;sohepaused，andlookedupanddownthenarrowstreet，scrutinizingthesmallandmeanwoodenbuildingsthatwerescatteredoneitherside。
\"Thislowhovelcannotbemykinsman’sdwelling，\"thoughthe，\"noryonderoldhouse，wherethemoonlightentersatthebrokencasement;andtrulyIseenonehereaboutsthatmightbeworthyofhim。Itwouldhavebeenwisetoinquiremywayoftheferryman，anddoubtlesshewouldhavegonewithme，andearnedashillingfromtheMajorforhispains。ButthenextmanImeetwilldoaswell。\"
Heresumedhiswalk，andwasgladtoperceivethatthestreetnowbecamewider，andthehousesmorerespectableintheirappearance。Hesoondiscernedafiguremovingonmoderatelyinadvance，andhastenedhisstepstoovertakeit。AsRobindrewnigh，hesawthatthepassengerwasamaninyears，withafullperiwigofgrayhair，awide-skirtedcoatofdarkcloth，andsilkstockingsrolledabovehisknees。Hecarriedalongandpolishedcane，whichhestruckdownperpendicularlybeforehimateverystep;andatregularintervalsheutteredtwosuccessivehems，ofapeculiarlysolemnandsepulchralintonation。Havingmadetheseobservations，Robinlaidholdoftheskirtoftheoldman’scoatjustwhenthelightfromtheopendoorandwindowsofabarber’sshopfelluponboththeirfigures。
\"Goodeveningtoyou，honoredsir，\"saidhe，makingalowbow，andstillretaininghisholdoftheskirt。\"Iprayyoutellmewhereaboutsisthedwellingofmykinsman，MajorMolineux。\"
Theyouth’squestionwasutteredveryloudly;andoneofthebarbers，whoserazorwasdescendingonawell-soapedchin，andanotherwhowasdressingaRamillieswig，lefttheiroccupations，andcametothedoor。Thecitizen，inthemeantime，turnedalong-favoredcountenanceuponRobin，andansweredhiminatoneofexcessiveangerandannoyance。Histwosepulchralhems，however，brokeintotheverycentreofhisrebuke，withmostsingulareffect，likeathoughtofthecoldgraveobtrudingamongwrathfulpassions。
\"Letgomygarment，fellow！Itellyou，Iknownotthemanyouspeakof。What！Ihaveauthority，Ihave——hem，hem——authority;
andifthisbetherespectyoushowforyourbetters，yourfeetshallbebroughtacquaintedwiththestocksbydaylight，tomorrowmorning！\"
Robinreleasedtheoldman’sskirt，andhastenedaway，pursuedbyanill-manneredroaroflaughterfromthebarber’sshop。Hewasatfirstconsiderablysurprisedbytheresultofhisquestion，but，beingashrewdyouth，soonthoughthimselfabletoaccountforthemystery。
\"Thisissomecountryrepresentative，\"washisconclusion，\"whohasneverseentheinsideofmykinsman’sdoor，andlacksthebreedingtoanswerastrangercivilly。Themanisold，orverily——Imightbetemptedtoturnbackandsmitehimonthenose。Ah，Robin，Robin！eventhebarber’sboyslaughatyouforchoosingsuchaguide！Youwillbewiserintime，friendRobin。\"
Henowbecameentangledinasuccessionofcrookedandnarrowstreets，whichcrossedeachother，andmeanderedatnogreatdistancefromthewater-side。Thesmelloftarwasobvioustohisnostrils，themastsofvesselspiercedthemoonlightabovethetopsofthebuildings，andthenumeroussigns，whichRobinpausedtoread，informedhimthathewasnearthecentreofbusiness。
Butthestreetswereempty，theshopswereclosed，andlightswerevisibleonlyinthesecondstoriesofafewdwelling-houses。
Atlength，onthecornerofanarrowlane，throughwhichhewaspassing，hebeheldthebroadcountenanceofaBritishheroswingingbeforethedoorofaninn，whenceproceededthevoicesofmanyguests。Thecasementofoneofthelowerwindowswasthrownback，andaverythincurtainpermittedRobintodistinguishapartyatsupper，roundawell-furnishedtable。Thefragranceofthegoodcheersteamedforthintotheouterair，andtheyouthcouldnotfailtorecollectthatthelastremnantofhistravellingstockofprovisionhadyieldedtohismorningappetite，andthatnoonhadfoundandlefthimdinnerless。
\"Oh，thataparchmentthree-pennymightgivemearighttositdownatyondertable！\"saidRobin，withasigh。\"ButtheMajorwillmakemewelcometothebestofhisvictuals;soIwillevenstepboldlyin，andinquiremywaytohisdwelling。\"
Heenteredthetavern，andwasguidedbythemurmurofvoicesandthefumesoftobaccotothepublic-room。Itwasalongandlowapartment，withoakenwalls，growndarkinthecontinualsmoke，andafloorwhichwasthicklysanded，butofnoimmaculatepurity。Anumberofpersons——thelargerpartofwhomappearedtobemariners，orinsomewayconnectedwiththesea——occupiedthewoodenbenches，orleatherbottomedchairs，conversingonvariousmatters，andoccasionallylendingtheirattentiontosometopicofgeneralinterest。Threeorfourlittlegroupsweredrainingasmanybowlsofpunch，whichtheWestIndiatradehadlongsincemadeafamiliardrinkinthecolony。Others，whohadtheappearanceofmenwholivedbyregularandlaborioushandicraft，preferredtheinsulatedblissofanunsharedpotation，andbecamemoretaciturnunderitsinfluence。Nearlyall，inshort，evincedapredilectionfortheGoodCreatureinsomeofitsvariousshapes，forthisisavicetowhich，asFastDaysermonsofahundredyearsagowilltestify，wehavealonghereditaryclaim。
TheonlygueststowhomRobin’ssympathiesinclinedhimweretwoorthreesheepishcountrymen，whowereusingtheinnsomewhatafterthefashionofaTurkishcaravansary;theyhadgottenthemselvesintothedarkestcorneroftheroom，andheedlessoftheNicotianatmosphere，weresuppingonthebreadoftheirownovens，andthebaconcuredintheirownchimney-smoke。ButthoughRobinfeltasortofbrotherhoodwiththesestrangers，hiseyeswereattractedfromthemtoapersonwhostoodnearthedoor，holdingwhisperedconversationwithagroupofill-dressedassociates。Hisfeatureswereseparatelystrikingalmosttogrotesqueness，andthewholefaceleftadeepimpressiononthememory。Theforeheadbulgedoutintoadoubleprominence，withavalebetween;thenosecameboldlyforthinanirregularcurve，anditsbridgewasofmorethanafinger’sbreadth;theeyebrowsweredeepandshaggy，andtheeyesglowedbeneaththemlikefireinacave。
WhileRobindeliberatedofwhomtoinquirerespectinghiskinsman’sdwelling，hewasaccostedbytheinnkeeper，alittlemaninastainedwhiteapron，whohadcometopayhisprofessionalwelcometothestranger。BeinginthesecondgenerationfromaFrenchProtestant，heseemedtohaveinheritedthecourtesyofhisparentnation;butnovarietyofcircumstanceswaseverknowntochangehisvoicefromtheoneshrillnoteinwhichhenowaddressedRobin。
\"Fromthecountry，Ipresume，sir？\"saidhe，withaprofoundbow。
\"Begleavetocongratulateyouonyourarrival，andtrustyouintendalongstaywithus。Finetownhere，sir，beautifulbuildings，andmuchthatmayinterestastranger。MayIhopeforthehonorofyourcommandsinrespecttosupper？\"
\"Themanseesafamilylikeness！theroguehasguessedthatIamrelatedtotheMajor！\"thoughtRobin，whohadhithertoexperiencedlittlesuperfluouscivility。
Alleyeswerenowturnedonthecountrylad，standingatthedoor，inhiswornthree-corneredhat，graycoat，leatherbreeches，andblueyarnstockings，leaningonanoakencudgel，andbearingawalletonhisback。
Robinrepliedtothecourteousinnkeeper，withsuchanassumptionofconfidenceasbefittedtheMajor’srelative。\"Myhonestfriend，\"hesaid，\"Ishallmakeitapointtopatronizeyourhouseonsomeoccasion，when\"——herehecouldnothelploweringhisvoice——\"whenImayhavemorethanaparchmentthree-penceinmypocket。Mypresentbusiness，\"continuedhe，speakingwithloftyconfidence，\"ismerelytoinquiremywaytothedwellingofmykinsman，MajorMolineux。\"
Therewasasuddenandgeneralmovementintheroom，whichRobininterpretedasexpressingtheeagernessofeachindividualtobecomehisguide。Buttheinnkeeperturnedhiseyestoawrittenpaperonthewall，whichheread，orseemedtoread，withoccasionalrecurrencestotheyoungman’sfigure。
\"Whathavewehere？\"saidhe，breakinghisspeechintolittledryfragments。\"’Leftthehouseofthesubscriber，boundenservant，HezekiahMudge，——hadon，whenhewentaway，graycoat，leatherbreeches，master’sthird-besthat。Onepoundcurrencyrewardtowhosoevershalllodgehiminanyjailoftheprovidence。’Bettertrudge，boy;bettertrudge！\"
Robinhadbeguntodrawhishandtowardsthelighterendoftheoakcudgel，butastrangehostilityineverycountenanceinducedhimtorelinquishhispurposeofbreakingthecourteousinnkeeper’shead。Asheturnedtoleavetheroom，heencounteredasneeringglancefromthebold-featuredpersonagewhomhehadbeforenoticed;andnosoonerwashebeyondthedoor，thanheheardagenerallaugh，inwhichtheinnkeeper’svoicemightbedistinguished，likethedroppingofsmallstonesintoakettle。
\"Now，isitnotstrange，\"thoughtRobin，withhisusualshrewdness，\"isitnotstrangethattheconfessionofanemptypocketshouldoutweighthenameofmykinsman，MajorMolineux？
Oh，ifIhadoneofthosegrinningrascalsinthewoods，whereI
andmyoaksaplinggrewuptogether，Iwouldteachhimthatmyarmisheavythoughmypursebelight！\"
Onturningthecornerofthenarrowlane，Robinfoundhimselfinaspaciousstreet，withanunbrokenlineofloftyhousesoneachside，andasteepledbuildingattheupperend，whencetheringingofabellannouncedthehourofnine。Thelightofthemoon，andthelampsfromthenumerousshop-windows，discoveredpeoplepromenadingonthepavement，andamongstthemRobinhadhopedtorecognizehishithertoinscrutablerelative。Theresultofhisformerinquiriesmadehimunwillingtohazardanother，inasceneofsuchpublicity，andhedeterminedtowalkslowlyandsilentlyupthestreet，thrustinghisfaceclosetothatofeveryelderlygentleman，insearchoftheMajor’slineaments。Inhisprogress，Robinencounteredmanygayandgallantfigures。
Embroideredgarmentsofshowycolors，enormousperiwigs，gold-lacedhats，andsilver-hiltedswordsglidedpasthimanddazzledhisoptics。Travelledyouths，imitatorsoftheEuropeanfinegentlemenoftheperiod，trodjauntilyalong，halfdancingtothefashionabletuneswhichtheyhummed，andmakingpoorRobinashamedofhisquietandnaturalgait。Atlength，aftermanypausestoexaminethegorgeousdisplayofgoodsintheshop-windows，andaftersufferingsomerebukesfortheimpertinenceofhisscrutinyintopeople’sfaces，theMajor’skinsmanfoundhimselfnearthesteepledbuilding，stillunsuccessfulinhissearch。Asyet，however，hehadseenonlyonesideofthethrongedstreet;soRobincrossed，andcontinuedthesamesortofinquisitiondowntheoppositepavement，withstrongerhopesthanthephilosopherseekinganhonestman，butwithnobetterfortune。Hehadarrivedaboutmidwaytowardsthelowerend，fromwhichhiscoursebegan，whenheoverheardtheapproachofsomeonewhostruckdownacaneontheflag-stonesateverystep，utteringatregularintervals，twosepulchralhems。
\"Mercyonus！\"quothRobin，recognizingthesound。
Turningacorner，whichchancedtobecloseathisrighthand，hehastenedtopursuehisresearchesinsomeotherpartofthetown。
Hispatiencenowwaswearinglow，andheseemedtofeelmorefatiguefromhisramblessincehecrossedtheferry，thanfromhisjourneyofseveraldaysontheotherside。Hungeralsopleadedloudlywithinhim，andRobinbegantobalancetheproprietyofdemanding，violently，andwithliftedcudgel，thenecessaryguidancefromthefirstsolitarypassengerwhomheshouldmeet。Whilearesolutiontothiseffectwasgainingstrength，heenteredastreetofmeanappearance，oneithersideofwhicharowofill-builthouseswasstragglingtowardstheharbor。Themoonlightfelluponnopassengeralongthewholeextent，butinthethirddomicilewhichRobinpassedtherewasahalf-openeddoor，andhiskeenglancedetectedawoman’sgarmentwithin。
\"Myluckmaybebetterhere，\"saidhetohimself。
Accordingly，heapproachedthedoorsandbehelditshutcloserashedidso;yetanopenspaceremained，sufficingforthefairoccupanttoobservethestranger，withoutacorrespondingdisplayonherpart。AllthatRobincoulddiscernwasastripofscarletpetticoat，andtheoccasionalsparkleofaneye，asifthemoonbeamsweretremblingonsomebrightthing。
\"Prettymistress，\"forImaycallhersowithagoodconsciencethoughttheshrewdyouth，sinceIknownothingtothecontrary，——\"mysweetprettymistress，willyoubekindenoughtotellmewhereaboutsImustseekthedwellingofmykinsman，MajorMolineux？\"
Robin’svoicewasplaintiveandwinning，andthefemale，seeingnothingtobeshunnedinthehandsomecountryyouth，thrustopenthedoor，andcameforthintothemoonlight。Shewasadaintylittlefigurewithawhiteneck，roundarms，andaslenderwaist，attheextremityofwhichherscarletpetticoatjuttedoutoverahoop，asifshewerestandinginaballoon。Moreover，herfacewasovalandpretty，herhairdarkbeneaththelittlecap，andherbrighteyespossessedaslyfreedom，whichtriumphedoverthoseofRobin。
\"MajorMolineuxdwellshere，\"saidthisfairwoman。
Now，hervoicewasthesweetestRobinhadheardthatnight，yethecouldnothelpdoubtingwhetherthatsweetvoicespokeGospeltruth。Helookedupanddownthemeanstreet，andthensurveyedthehousebeforewhichtheystood。Itwasasmall，darkedificeoftwostories，thesecondofwhichprojectedoverthelowerfloor，andthefrontapartmenthadtheaspectofashopforpettycommodities。
\"Now，truly，Iaminluck，\"repliedRobin，cunningly，\"andsoindeedismykinsman，theMajor，inhavingsoprettyahousekeeper。ButIpritheetroublehimtosteptothedoor;I
willdeliverhimamessagefromhisfriendsinthecountry，andthengobacktomylodgingsattheinn。\"
\"Nay，theMajorhasbeenabedthishourormore，\"saidtheladyofthescarletpetticoat;\"anditwouldbetolittlepurposetodisturbhimto-night，seeinghiseveningdraughtwasofthestrongest。Butheisakind-heartedman，anditwouldbeasmuchasmylife’sworthtoletakinsmanofhisturnawayfromthedoor。Youarethegoodoldgentleman’sverypicture，andIcouldswearthatwashisrainy-weatherhat。Alsohehasgarmentsverymuchresemblingthoseleathersmall-clothes。Butcomein，Ipray，forIbidyouheartywelcomeinhisname。\"
Sosaying，thefairandhospitabledametookourherobythehand;andthetouchwaslight，andtheforcewasgentleness，andthoughRobinreadinhereyeswhathedidnothearinherwords，yettheslender-waistedwomaninthescarletpetticoatprovedstrongerthantheathleticcountryyouth。Shehaddrawnhishalf-willingfootstepsnearlytothethreshold，whentheopeningofadoorintheneighborhoodstartledtheMajor’shousekeeper，and，leavingtheMajor’skinsman，shevanishedspeedilyintoherowndomicile。Aheavyyawnprecededtheappearanceofaman，who，liketheMoonshineofPyramusandThisbe，carriedalantern，needlesslyaidinghissisterluminaryintheheavens。Ashewalkedsleepilyupthestreet，heturnedhisbroad，dullfaceonRobin，anddisplayedalongstaff，spikedattheend。
\"Home，vagabond，home！\"saidthewatchman，inaccentsthatseemedtofallasleepassoonastheywereuttered。\"Home，orwe’llsetyouinthestocksbypeepofday！\"
\"Thisisthesecondhintofthekind，\"thoughtRobin。\"Iwishtheywouldendmydifficulties，bysettingmethereto-night。\"
Nevertheless，theyouthfeltaninstinctiveantipathytowardstheguardianofmidnightorder，whichatfirstpreventedhimfromaskinghisusualquestion。Butjustwhenthemanwasabouttovanishbehindthecorner，Robinresolvednottolosetheopportunity，andshoutedlustilyafterhim，\"Isay，friend！willyouguidemetothehouseofmykinsman，MajorMolineux？\"
Thewatchmanmadenoreply，butturnedthecornerandwasgone;
yetRobinseemedtohearthesoundofdrowsylaughterstealingalongthesolitarystreet。Atthatmoment，also，apleasanttittersalutedhimfromtheopenwindowabovehishead;helookedup，andcaughtthesparkleofasaucyeye;aroundarmbeckonedtohim，andnextheheardlightfootstepsdescendingthestaircasewithin。ButRobin，beingofthehouseholdofaNewEnglandclergyman，wasagoodyouth，aswellasashrewdone;soheresistedtemptation，andfledaway。
Henowroameddesperately，andatrandom，throughthetown，almostreadytobelievethataspellwasonhim，likethatbywhichawizardofhiscountryhadoncekeptthreepursuerswandering，awholewinternight，withintwentypacesofthecottagewhichtheysought。Thestreetslaybeforehim，strangeanddesolate，andthelightswereextinguishedinalmosteveryhouse。Twice，however，littlepartiesofmen，amongwhomRobindistinguishedindividualsinoutlandishattire，camehurryingalong;but，thoughonbothoccasions，theypausedtoaddresshimsuchintercoursedidnotatallenlightenhisperplexity。TheydidbututterafewwordsinsomelanguageofwhichRobinknewnothing，andperceivinghisinabilitytoanswer，bestowedacurseuponhiminplainEnglishandhastenedaway。Finally，theladdeterminedtoknockatthedoorofeverymansionthatmightappearworthytobeoccupiedbyhiskinsman，trustingthatperseverancewouldovercomethefatalitythathadhithertothwartedhim。Firminthisresolve，hewaspassingbeneaththewallsofachurch，whichformedthecorneroftwostreets，when，asheturnedintotheshadeofitssteeple，heencounteredabulkystrangermuffledinacloak。Themanwasproceedingwiththespeedofearnestbusiness，butRobinplantedhimselffullbeforehim，holdingtheoakcudgelwithbothhandsacrosshisbodyasabartofurtherpassage\"Halt，honestman，andanswermeaquestion，\"saidhe，veryresolutely。\"Tellme，thisinstant，whereaboutsisthedwellingofmykinsman，MajorMolineux！\"
\"Keepyourtonguebetweenyourteeth，fool，andletmepass！\"
saidadeep，gruffvoice，whichRobinpartlyremembered。\"Letmepass，orI’llstrikeyoutotheearth！\"
\"No，no，neighbor！\"criedRobin，flourishinghiscudgel，andthenthrustingitslargerendclosetotheman’smuffledface。\"No，no，I’mnotthefoolyoutakemefor，nordoyoupasstillIhaveananswertomyquestion。Whereaboutsisthedwellingofmykinsman，MajorMolineux？\"Thestranger，insteadofattemptingtoforcehispassage，steppedbackintothemoonlight，unmuffledhisface，andstaredfullintothatofRobin。
\"Watchhereanhour，andMajorMolineuxwillpassby，\"saidhe。
Robingazedwithdismayandastonishmentontheunprecedentedphysiognomyofthespeaker。Theforeheadwithitsdoubleprominencethebroadhookednose，theshaggyeyebrows，andfieryeyeswerethosewhichhehadnoticedattheinn，buttheman’scomplexionhadundergoneasingular，or，moreproperly，atwofoldchange。Onesideofthefaceblazedanintensered，whiletheotherwasblackasmidnight，thedivisionlinebeinginthebroadbridgeofthenose;andamouthwhichseemedtoextendfromeartoearwasblackorred，incontrasttothecolorofthecheek。
Theeffectwasasiftwoindividualdevils，afiendoffireandafiendofdarkness，hadunitedthemselvestoformthisinfernalvisage。ThestrangergrinnedinRobin’sface，muffledhisparty-coloredfeatures，andwasoutofsightinamoment。
\"Strangethingswetravellerssee！\"ejaculatedRobin。
Heseatedhimself，however，uponthestepsofthechurch-door，resolvingtowaittheappointedtimeforhiskinsman。Afewmomentswereconsumedinphilosophicalspeculationsuponthespeciesofmanwhohadjustlefthim;buthavingsettledthispointshrewdly，rationally，andsatisfactorily，hewascompelledtolookelsewhereforhisamusement。Andfirsthethrewhiseyesalongthestreet。Itwasofmorerespectableappearancethanmostofthoseintowhichhehadwandered，andthemoon，creating，liketheimaginativepower，abeautifulstrangenessinfamiliarobjects，gavesomethingofromancetoascenethatmightnothavepossesseditinthelightofday。Theirregularandoftenquaintarchitectureofthehouses，someofwhoseroofswerebrokenintonumerouslittlepeaks，whileothersascended，steepandnarrow，intoasinglepoint，andothersagainweresquare;thepuresnow-whiteofsomeoftheircomplexions，theageddarknessofothers，andthethousandsparklings，reflectedfrombrightsubstancesinthewallsofmany;thesemattersengagedRobin’sattentionforawhile，andthenbegantogrowwearisome。Nextheendeavoredtodefinetheformsofdistantobjects，startingaway，withalmostghostlyindistinctness，justashiseyeappearedtograspthem，andfinallyhetookaminutesurveyofanedificewhichstoodontheoppositesideofthestreet，directlyinfrontofthechurch-door，wherehewasstationed。Itwasalarge，squaremansion，distinguishedfromitsneighborsbyabalcony，whichrestedontallpillars，andbyanelaborateGothicwindow，communicatingtherewith。
\"PerhapsthisistheveryhouseIhavebeenseeking，\"thoughtRobin。
Thenhestrovetospeedawaythetime，bylisteningtoamurmurwhichsweptcontinuallyalongthestreet，yetwasscarcelyaudible，excepttoanunaccustomedearlikehis;itwasalow，dull，dreamysound，compoundedofmanynoises，eachofwhichwasattoogreatadistancetobeseparatelyheard。Robinmarvelledatthissnoreofasleepingtown，andmarvelledmorewheneveritscontinuitywasbrokenbynowandthenadistantshout，apparentlyloudwhereitoriginated。Butaltogetheritwasasleep-inspiringsound，and，toshakeoffitsdrowsyinfluence，Robinarose，andclimbedawindow-frame，thathemightviewtheinteriorofthechurch。Therethemoonbeamscametremblingin，andfelldownuponthedesertedpews，andextendedalongthequietaisles。Afainteryetmoreawfulradiancewashoveringaroundthepulpit，andonesolitaryrayhaddaredtorestupontheopenpageofthegreatBible。Hadnature，inthatdeephour，becomeaworshipperinthehousewhichmanhadbuilded？Orwasthatheavenlylightthevisiblesanctityoftheplace，——visiblebecausenoearthlyandimpurefeetwerewithinthewalls？ThescenemadeRobin’sheartshiverwithasensationoflonelinessstrongerthanhehadeverfeltintheremotestdepthsofhisnativewoods;soheturnedawayandsatdownagainbeforethedoor。Thereweregravesaroundthechurch，andnowanuneasythoughtobtrudedintoRobin’sbreast。Whatiftheobjectofhissearch，whichhadbeensooftenandsostrangelythwarted，wereallthetimemoulderinginhisshroud？Whatifhiskinsmanshouldglidethroughyondergate，andnodandsmiletohimindimlypassingby？
\"Ohthatanybreathingthingwereherewithme！\"saidRobin。
Recallinghisthoughtsfromthisuncomfortabletrack，hesentthemoverforest，hill，andstream，andattemptedtoimaginehowthateveningofambiguityandwearinesshadbeenspentbyhisfather’shousehold。Hepicturedthemassembledatthedoor，beneaththetree，thegreatoldtree，whichhadbeensparedforitshugetwistedtrunkandvenerableshade，whenathousandleafybrethrenfell。There，atthegoingdownofthesummersun，itwashisfather’scustomtoperformdomesticworshipthattheneighborsmightcomeandjoinwithhimlikebrothersofthefamily，andthatthewayfaringmanmightpausetodrinkatthatfountain，andkeephisheartpurebyfresheningthememoryofhome。Robindistinguishedtheseatofeveryindividualofthelittleaudience;hesawthegoodmaninthemidst，holdingtheScripturesinthegoldenlightthatfellfromthewesternclouds;
hebeheldhimclosethebookandallriseuptopray。Heheardtheoldthanksgivingsfordailymercies，theoldsupplicationsfortheircontinuancetowhichhehadsooftenlistenedinweariness，butwhichwerenowamonghisdearremembrances。Heperceivedtheslightinequalityofhisfather’svoicewhenhecametospeakoftheabsentone;henotedhowhismotherturnedherfacetothebroadandknottedtrunk;howhiselderbrotherscorned，becausethebeardwasroughuponhisupperlip，topermithisfeaturestobemoved;howtheyoungersisterdrewdownalowhangingbranchbeforehereyes;andhowthelittleoneofall，whosesportshadhithertobrokenthedecorumofthescene，understoodtheprayerforherplaymate，andburstintoclamorousgrief。Thenhesawthemgoinatthedoor;andwhenRobinwouldhaveenteredalso，thelatchtinkledintoitsplace，andhewasexcludedfromhishome。
\"AmIhere，orthere？\"criedRobin，starting;forallatonce，whenhisthoughtshadbecomevisibleandaudibleinadream，thelong，wide，solitarystreetshoneoutbeforehim。
Hearousedhimself，andendeavoredtofixhisattentionsteadilyuponthelargeedificewhichhehadsurveyedbefore。Butstillhismindkeptvibratingbetweenfancyandreality;byturns，thepillarsofthebalconylengthenedintothetall，barestemsofpines，dwindleddowntohumanfigures，settledagainintotheirtrueshapeandsize，andthencommencedanewsuccessionofchanges。Forasinglemoment，whenhedeemedhimselfawake，hecouldhaveswornthatavisage——onewhichheseemedtoremember，yetcouldnotabsolutelynameashiskinsman’s——waslookingtowardshimfromtheGothicwindow。Adeepersleepwrestledwithandnearlyovercamehim，butfledatthesoundoffootstepsalongtheoppositepavement。Robinrubbedhiseyes，discernedamanpassingatthefootofthebalcony，andaddressedhiminaloud，peevish，andlamentablecry。
\"Hallo，friend！mustIwaithereallnightformykinsman，MajorMolineux？\"
Thesleepingechoesawoke，andansweredthevoice;andthepassenger，barelyabletodiscernafiguresittingintheobliqueshadeofthesteeple，traversedthestreettoobtainanearerview。Hewashimselfagentlemaninhisprime，ofopen，intelligent，cheerful，andaltogetherprepossessingcountenance。
Perceivingacountryyouth，apparentlyhomelessandwithoutfriends，heaccostedhiminatoneofrealkindness，whichhadbecomestrangetoRobin’sears。
\"Well，mygoodlad，whyareyousittinghere？\"inquiredhe。\"CanIbeofservicetoyouinanyway？\"
\"Iamafraidnot，sir，\"repliedRobin，despondingly;\"yetIshalltakeitkindly，ifyou’llanswermeasinglequestion。I’vebeensearching，halfthenight，foroneMajorMolineux，now，sir，istherereallysuchapersonintheseparts，oramIdreaming？\"
\"MajorMolineux！Thenameisnotaltogetherstrangetome，\"saidthegentleman，smiling。\"Haveyouanyobjectiontotellingmethenatureofyourbusinesswithhim？\"
ThenRobinbrieflyrelatedthathisfatherwasaclergyman，settledonasmallsalary，atalongdistancebackinthecountry，andthatheandMajorMolineuxwerebrothers’children。
TheMajor，havinginheritedriches，andacquiredcivilandmilitaryrank，hadvisitedhiscousin，ingreatpomp，ayearortwobefore;hadmanifestedmuchinterestinRobinandanelderbrother，and，beingchildlesshimself，hadthrownouthintsrespectingthefutureestablishmentofoneoftheminlife。Theelderbrotherwasdestinedtosucceedtothefarmwhichhisfathercultivatedintheintervalofsacredduties;itwasthereforedeterminedthatRobinshouldprofitbyhiskinsman’sgenerousintentions，especiallyasheseemedtoberatherthefavorite，andwasthoughttopossessothernecessaryendowments。
\"ForIhavethenameofbeingashrewdyouth，\"observedRobin，inthispartofhisstory。
\"Idoubtnotyoudeserveit，\"repliedhisnewfriend，good-naturedly;\"butprayproceed。\"
\"Well，sir，beingnearlyeighteenyearsold，andwellgrown，asyousee，\"continuedRobin，drawinghimselfuptohisfullheight，\"Ithoughtithightimetobeginintheworld。Somymotherandsisterputmeinhandsometrim，andmyfathergavemehalftheremnantofhislastyear’ssalary，andfivedaysagoIstartedforthisplace，topaytheMajoravisit。But，wouldyoubelieveit，sir！Icrossedtheferryalittleafterdark，andhaveyetfoundnobodythatwouldshowmethewaytohisdwelling;only，anhourortwosince，Iwastoldtowaithere，andMajorMolineuxwouldpassby。\"
\"Canyoudescribethemanwhotoldyouthis？\"inquiredthegentleman。
\"Oh，hewasaveryill-favoredfellow，sir，\"repliedRobin，\"withtwogreatbumpsonhisforehead，ahooknose，fieryeyes;and，whatstruckmeasthestrangest，hisfacewasoftwodifferentcolors。Doyouhappentoknowsuchaman，sir？\"
\"Notintimately，\"answeredthestranger，\"butIchancedtomeethimalittletimeprevioustoyourstoppingme。Ibelieveyoumaytrusthisword，andthattheMajorwillveryshortlypassthroughthisstreet。Inthemeantime，asIhaveasingularcuriositytowitnessyourmeeting，Iwillsitdownhereuponthestepsandbearyoucompany。\"
Heseatedhimselfaccordingly，andsoonengagedhiscompanioninanimateddiscourse。Itwasbutofbriefcontinuance，however，foranoiseofshouting，whichhadlongbeenremotelyaudible，drewsomuchnearerthatRobininquireditscause。
\"Whatmaybethemeaningofthisuproar？\"askedhe。\"Truly，ifyourtownbealwaysasnoisy，IshallfindlittlesleepwhileI
amaninhabitant。\"
\"Why，indeed，friendRobin，theredoappeartobethreeorfourriotousfellowsabroadto-night，\"repliedthegentleman。\"Youmustnotexpectallthestillnessofyournativewoodshereinourstreets。Butthewatchwillshortlybeattheheelsoftheseladsand——\"
\"Ay，andsettheminthestocksbypeepofday，\"interruptedRobinrecollectinghisownencounterwiththedrowsylantern-bearer。\"But，dearsir，ifImaytrustmyears，anarmyofwatchmenwouldnevermakeheadagainstsuchamultitudeofrioters。Therewereatleastathousandvoiceswentuptomakethatoneshout。\"
\"Maynotamanhaveseveralvoices，Robin，aswellastwocomplexions？\"saidhisfriend。
\"Perhapsamanmay;butHeavenforbidthatawomanshould！\"
respondedtheshrewdyouth，thinkingoftheseductivetonesoftheMajor’shousekeeper。
Thesoundsofatrumpetinsomeneighboringstreetnowbecamesoevidentandcontinual，thatRobin’scuriositywasstronglyexcited。Inadditiontotheshouts，heheardfrequentburstsfrommanyinstrumentsofdiscord，andawildandconfusedlaughterfilleduptheintervals。Robinrosefromthesteps，andlookedwistfullytowardsapointwhitherpeopleseemedtobehastening。
\"Surelysomeprodigiousmerry-makingisgoingon，\"exclaimedhe\"IhavelaughedverylittlesinceIlefthome，sir，andshouldbesorrytoloseanopportunity。Shallwesteproundthecornerbythatdarkishhouseandtakeourshareofthefun？\"
\"Sitdownagain，sitdown，goodRobin，\"repliedthegentleman，layinghishandontheskirtofthegraycoat。\"Youforgetthatwemustwaithereforyourkinsman;andthereisreasontobelievethathewillpassby，inthecourseofaveryfewmoments。\"
Thenearapproachoftheuproarhadnowdisturbedtheneighborhood;windowsflewopenonallsides;andmanyheads，intheattireofthepillow，andconfusedbysleepsuddenlybroken，wereprotrudedtothegazeofwhoeverhadleisuretoobservethem。Eagervoiceshailedeachotherfromhousetohouse，alldemandingtheexplanation，whichnotasoulcouldgive。
Half-dressedmenhurriedtowardstheunknowncommotionstumblingastheywentoverthestonestepsthatthrustthemselvesintothenarrowfoot-walk。Theshouts，thelaughter，andthetunelessbraytheantipodesofmusic，cameonwardswithincreasingdin，tillscatteredindividuals，andthendenserbodies，begantoappearroundacorneratthedistanceofahundredyards\"Willyourecognizeyourkinsman，ifhepassesinthiscrowd？\"
inquiredthegentleman\"Indeed，Ican’twarrantit，sir;butI’lltakemystandhere，andkeepabrightlookout，\"answeredRobin，descendingtotheouteredgeofthepavement。
Amightystreamofpeoplenowemptiedintothestreet，andcamerollingslowlytowardsthechurch。Asinglehorsemanwheeledthecornerinthemidstofthem，andclosebehindhimcameabandoffearfulwindinstruments，sendingforthafresherdiscordnowthatnointerveningbuildingskeptitfromtheear。Thenaredderlightdisturbedthemoonbeams，andadensemultitudeoftorchesshonealongthestreet，concealing，bytheirglare，whateverobjecttheyilluminated。Thesinglehorseman，cladinamilitarydress，andbearingadrawnsword，rodeonwardastheleader，and，byhisfierceandvariegatedcountenance，appearedlikewarpersonified;theredofonecheekwasanemblemoffireandsword;theblacknessoftheotherbetokenedthemourningthatattendsthem。InhistrainwerewildfiguresintheIndiandress，andmanyfantasticshapeswithoutamodel，givingthewholemarchavisionaryair，asifadreamhadbrokenforthfromsomefeverishbrain，andweresweepingvisiblythroughthemidnightstreets。Amassofpeople，inactive，exceptasapplaudingspectators，hemmedtheprocessionin;andseveralwomenranalongthesidewalk，piercingtheconfusionofheaviersoundswiththeirshrillvoicesofmirthorterror。
\"Thedouble-facedfellowhashiseyeuponme，\"mutteredRobin，withanindefinitebutanuncomfortableideathathewashimselftobearapartinthepageantry。
Theleaderturnedhimselfinthesaddle，andfixedhisglancefulluponthecountryyouth，asthesteedwentslowlyby。WhenRobinhadfreedhiseyesfromthosefieryones，themusicianswerepassingbeforehim，andthetorcheswerecloseathand;buttheunsteadybrightnessofthelatterformedaveilwhichhecouldnotpenetrate。Therattlingofwheelsoverthestonessometimesfounditswaytohisear，andconfusedtracesofahumanformappearedatintervals，andthenmeltedintothevividlight。Amomentmore，andtheleaderthunderedacommandtohalt：
thetrumpetsvomitedahorridbreath，andthenheldtheirpeace;
theshoutsandlaughterofthepeoplediedaway，andthereremainedonlyauniversalhum，alliedtosilence。RightbeforeRobin’seyeswasanuncoveredcart。Therethetorchesblazedthebrightest，therethemoonshoneoutlikeday，andthere，intar-and-featherydignity，sathiskinsman，MajorMolineux！
Hewasanelderlyman，oflargeandmajesticperson，andstrong，squarefeatures，betokeningasteadysoul;butsteadyasitwas，hisenemieshadfoundmeanstoshakeit。Hisfacewaspaleasdeath，andfarmoreghastly;thebroadforeheadwascontractedinhisagony，sothathiseyebrowsformedonegrizzledline;hiseyeswereredandwild，andthefoamhungwhiteuponhisquiveringlip。Hiswholeframewasagitatedbyaquickandcontinualtremor，whichhispridestrovetoquell，eveninthosecircumstancesofoverwhelminghumiliation。ButperhapsthebitterestpangofallwaswhenhiseyesmetthoseofRobin;forheevidentlyknewhimontheinstant，astheyouthstoodwitnessingthefouldisgraceofaheadgrowngrayinhonor。Theystaredateachotherinsilence，andRobin’skneesshook，andhishairbristled，withamixtureofpityandterror。Soon，however，abewilderingexcitementbegantoseizeuponhismind;theprecedingadventuresofthenight，theunexpectedappearanceofthecrowd，thetorches，theconfuseddinandthehushthatfollowed，thespectreofhiskinsmanreviledbythatgreatmultitude，——allthis，and，morethanall，aperceptionoftremendousridiculeinthewholescene，affectedhimwithasortofmentalinebriety。AtthatmomentavoiceofsluggishmerrimentsalutedRobin’sears;heturnedinstinctively，andjustbehindthecornerofthechurchstoodthelantern-bearer，rubbinghiseyes，anddrowsilyenjoyingthelad’samazement。Thenheheardapealoflaughterliketheringingofsilverybells;awomantwitchedhisarm，asaucyeyemethis，andhesawtheladyofthescarletpetticoat。Asharp，drycachinnationappealedtohismemory，and，standingontiptoeinthecrowd，withhiswhiteapronoverhishead，hebeheldthecourteouslittleinnkeeper。
Andlastly，theresailedovertheheadsofthemultitudeagreat，broadlaugh，brokeninthemidstbytwosepulchralhems;thus，\"Haw，haw，haw，——hem，hem，——haw，haw，haw，haw！\"
Thesoundproceededfromthebalconyoftheoppositeedifice，andthitherRobinturnedhiseyes。InfrontoftheGothicwindowstoodtheoldcitizen，wrappedinawidegown，hisgrayperiwigexchangedforanightcap，whichwasthrustbackfromhisforehead，andhissilkstockingshangingabouthislegs。Hesupportedhimselfonhispolishedcaneinafitofconvulsivemerriment，whichmanifesteditselfonhissolemnoldfeatureslikeafunnyinscriptiononatombstone。ThenRobinseemedtohearthevoicesofthebarbers，oftheguestsoftheinn，andofallwhohadmadesportofhimthatnight。Thecontagionwasspreadingamongthemultitude，whenallatonce，itseizeduponRobin，andhesentforthashoutoflaughterthatechoedthroughthestreet，——everymanshookhissides，everymanemptiedhislungs，butRobin’sshoutwastheloudestthere。Thecloud-spiritspeepedfromtheirsilveryislands，asthecongregatedmirthwentroaringupthesky！TheManintheMoonheardthefarbellow。
\"Oho，\"quothhe，\"theoldearthisfrolicsometo-night！\"
Whentherewasamomentarycalminthattempestuousseaofsound，theleadergavethesign，theprocessionresumeditsmarch。Ontheywent，likefiendsthatthronginmockeryaroundsomedeadpotentate，mightynomore，butmajesticstillinhisagony。Ontheywent，incounterfeitedpomp，insenselessuproar，infrenziedmerriment，tramplingallonanoldman’sheart。Onsweptthetumult，andleftasilentstreetbehind……
\"Well，Robin，areyoudreaming？\"inquiredthegentleman，layinghishandontheyouth’sshoulder。
Robinstarted，andwithdrewhisarmfromthestoneposttowhichhehadinstinctivelyclung，asthelivingstreamrolledbyhim。
Hischeekwassomewhatpale，andhiseyenotquiteaslivelyasintheearlierpartoftheevening。
\"Willyoubekindenoughtoshowmethewaytotheferry？\"saidhe，afteramoment’spause。
\"Youhave，then，adoptedanewsubjectofinquiry？\"observedhiscompanion，withasmile。
\"Why，yes，sir，\"repliedRobin，ratherdryly。\"Thankstoyou，andtomyotherfriends，Ihaveatlastmetmykinsman，andhewillscarcedesiretoseemyfaceagain。Ibegintogrowwearyofatownlife，sir。Willyoushowmethewaytotheferry？\"
\"No，mygoodfriendRobin，——notto-night，atleast，\"saidthegentleman。\"Somefewdayshence，ifyouwishit，Iwillspeedyouonyourjourney。Or，ifyouprefertoremainwithus，perhaps，asyouareashrewdyouth，youmayriseintheworldwithoutthehelpofyourkinsman，MajorMolineux。\"