Thebullcharged，andofcoursethehorseknewnothingtillthepicadorfailedandthehorsefoundhimselfimpaledonthebull’shornsfrombeneath。Thebullwasmagnificentlystrong。
Thesightofitsstrengthwassplendidtosee。Itliftedthehorseclearintotheair;andasthehorsefelltoitssideononthegroundthepicadorlandedonhisfeetandescaped，whilethecapadorsluredthebullaway。Thehorsewasemptiedofitsessentialorgans。Yetdiditrisetoitsfeetscreaming。Itwasthescreamofthehorsethatdidit，thatmadeJohnHarnedcompletelymad;forhe，too，startedtorisetohisfeet，I
heardhimcurselowanddeep。Henevertookhiseyesfromthehorse，which，screaming，strovetorun，butfelldowninsteadandrolledonitsbacksothatallitsfourlegswerekickingintheair。Thenthebullchargeditandgoreditagainandagainuntilitwasdead。
JohnHarnedwasnowonhisfeet。Hiseyeswerenolongercoldlikesteel。Theywereblueflames。HelookedatMariaValenzuela，andshelookedathim，andinhisfacewasagreatloathing。Themomentofhismadnesswasuponhim。Everybodywaslooking，nowthatthehorsewasdead;andJohnHarnedwasalargemanandeasytobeseen。
\"Sitdown，\"saidLuisCervallos，\"oryouwillmakeafoolofyourself。\"
JohnHarnedrepliednothing。Hestruckouthisfist。HesmoteLuisCervallosinthefacesothathefelllikeadeadmanacrossthechairsanddidnotriseagain。Hesawnothingofwhatfollowed。ButIsawmuch。UrcisinoCastillo，leaningforwardfromthenextbox，withhiscanestruckJohnHarnedfullacrosstheface。AndJohnHarnedsmotehimwithhisfistsothatinfallingheoverthrewGeneralSalazar。JohnHarnedwasnowinwhat—you—callBerserkerrage——no？Thebeastprimitiveinhimwaslooseandroaring——thebeastprimitiveoftheholesandcavesofthelongago。
\"Youcameforabull—fight，\"Iheardhimsay，\"AndbyGodI’llshowyouaman—fight！\"
Itwasafight。ThesoldiersguardingthePresidente’sboxleapedacross，butfromoneofthemhetookarifleandbeatthemontheirheadswithit。FromtheotherboxColonelJacintoFierrowasshootingathimwitharevolver。Thefirstshotkilledasoldier。ThisIknowforafact。Isawit。ButthesecondshotstruckJohnHarnedintheside。Whereuponheswore，andwithalungedrovethebayonetofhisrifleintoColonelJacintoFierro’sbody。Itwashorribletobehold。TheAmericansandtheEnglishareabrutalrace。Theysneeratourbull—fighting，yetdotheydelightinthesheddingofblood。
MoremenwerekilledthatdaybecauseofJohnHarnedthanwereeverkilledinallthehistoryofthebull—ringofQuito，yes，andofGuayaquilandallEcuador。
Itwasthescreamofthehorsethatdidit，yetwhydidnotJohnHarnedgomadwhenthebullwaskilled？Abeastisabeast，beitbullorhorse。JohnHarnedwasmad。Thereisnootherexplanation。Hewasblood—mad，abeasthimself。Ileaveittoyourjudgment。Whichisworse——thegoringofthehorsebythebull，orthegoringofColonelJacintoFierrobythebayonetinthehandsofJohnHarned！AndJohnHarnedgoredotherswiththatbayonet。Hewasfullofdevils。Hefoughtwithmanybulletsinhim，andhewashardtokill。AndMariaValenzuelawasabravewoman。Unliketheotherwomen，shedidnotcryoutnorfaint。Shesatstillinherbox，gazingoutacrossthebull—ring。Herfacewaswhiteandshefannedherself，butsheneverlookedaround。
FromallsidescamethesoldiersandofficersandthecommonpeoplebravelytosubduethemadGringo。Itistrue——thecrywentupfromthecrowdtokillalltheGringos。ItisanoldcryinLatin—Americancountries，whatofthedislikefortheGringosandtheiruncouthways。Itistrue，thecrywentup。
ButthebraveEcuadorianoskilledonlyJohnHarned，andfirsthekilledsevenofthem。Besides，thereweremanyhurt。Ihaveseenmanybull—fights，butneverhaveIseenanythingsoabominableasthesceneintheboxeswhenthefightwasover。
Itwaslikeafieldofbattle。Thedeadlayaroundeverywhere，whilethewoundedsobbedandgroanedandsomeofthemdied。Oneman，whomJohnHarnedhadthrustthroughthebellywiththebayonet，clutchedathimselfwithbothhishandsandscreamed。
Itellyouforafactitwasmoreterriblethanthescreamingofathousandhorses。
No，MariaValenzueladidnotmarryLuisCervallos。Iamsorryforthat。Hewasmyfriend，andmuchofmymoneywasinvestedinhisventures。Itwasfiveweeksbeforethesurgeonstookthebandagesfromhisface。Andthereisascartheretothisday，onthecheek，undertheeye。YetJohnHarnedstruckhimbutonceandstruckhimonlywithhisnakedfist。MariaValenzuelaisinAustrianow。ItissaidsheistomarryanArch—Dukeorsomehighnobleman。Idonotknow。IthinkshelikedJohnHarnedbeforehefollowedhertoQuitotoseethebull—fight。
Butwhythehorse？ThatiswhatIdesiretoknow。Whyshouldhewatchthebullandsaythatitdidnotcount，andthengoimmediatelyandmosthorriblymadbecauseahorsescreamed？
ThereisnounderstandingtheGringos。Theyarebarbarians。
WHENTHEWORLDWASYOUNG
HEwasaveryquiet，self—possessedsortofman，sittingamomentontopofthewalltosoundthedampdarknessforwarningsofthedangersitmightconceal。Buttheplummetofhishearingbroughtnothingtohimsavethemoaningofwindthroughinvisibletreesandtherustlingofleavesonswayingbranches。Aheavyfogdriftedanddrovebeforethewind，andthoughhecouldnotseethisfog，thewetofitblewuponhisface，andthewallonwhichhesatwaswet。
Withoutnoisehehadclimbedtothetopofthewallfromtheoutside，andwithoutnoisehedroppedtothegroundontheinside。Fromhispockethedrewanelectricnight—stick，buthedidnotuseit。Darkasthewaywas，hewasnotanxiousforlight。Carryingthenight—stickinhishand，hisfingeronthebutton，headvancedthroughthedarkness。Thegroundwasvelvetyandspringytohisfeet，beingcarpetedwithdeadpine—needlesandleavesandmoldwhichevidentlybadbeenundisturbedforyears。Leavesandbranchesbrushedagainsthisbody，butsodarkwasitthathecouldnotavoidthem。Soonhewalkedwithhishandstretchedoutgropinglybeforehim，andmorethanoncethehandfetchedupagainstthesolidtrunksofmassivetrees。Allabouthimheknewwerethesetrees;hesensedtheloomofthemeverywhere;andheexperiencedastrangefeelingofmicroscopicsmallnessinthemidstofgreatbulksleaningtowardhimtocrushhim。Beyond，heknew，wasthehouse，andheexpectedtofindsometrailorwindingpaththatwouldleadeasilytoit。
Once，hefoundhimselftrapped。Oneverysidehegropedagainsttreesandbranches，orblunderedintothicketsofunderbrush，untilthereseemednowayout。Thenheturnedonhislight，circumspectly，directingitsraystothegroundathisfeet。
Slowlyandcarefullyhemoveditabouthim，thewhitebrightnessshowinginsharpdetailalltheobstaclestohisprogress。Hesaw，anopeningbetweenhuge—trunkedtrees，andadvancedthroughit，puttingoutthelightandtreadingondryfootingasyetprotectedfromthedripofthefogbythedensefoliageoverhead。Hissenseofdirectionwasgood，andheknewhewasgoingtowardthehouse。
Andthenthethinghappened——thethingunthinkableandunexpected。Hisdescendingfootcamedownuponsomethingthatwassoftandalive，andthatarosewithasnortundertheweightofhisbody。Hesprangclear，andcrouchedforanotherspring，anywhere，tenseandexpectant，keyedfortheonslaughtoftheunknown。Hewaitedamoment，wonderingwhatmannerofanimalitwasthathadarisenfromunderhisfootandthatnowmadenosoundnormovementandthatmustbecrouchingandwaitingjustastenselyandexpectantlyashe。Thestrainbecameunbearable。Holdingthenight—stickbeforehim，hepressedthebutton，saw，andscreamedaloudinterror。Hewaspreparedforanything，fromafrightenedcalforfawntoabelligerentlion，buthewasnotpreparedforwhathesaw。Inthatinstanthistinysearchlight，sharpandwhite，hadshownhimwhatathousandyearswouldnoten。ablehimtoforget——aman，hugeandblond，yellow—hairedandyellow—bearded，nakedexceptforsoft—tannedmoccasinsandwhatseemedagoat—skinabouthismiddle。Armsandlegswerebare，aswerehisshouldersandmostofhischest。Theskinwassmoothandhairless，butbrownedbysunandwind，whileunderitheavymuscleswereknottedlikefatsnakes。Still，thisalone，unexpectedasitwellwas，wasnotwhathadmadethemanscreamout。Whathadcausedhisterrorwastheunspeakableferocityoftheface，thewild—animalglareoftheblueeyesscarcelydazzledbythelight，thepine—needlesmattedandclinginginthebeardandhair，andthewholeformidablebodycrouchedandintheactofspringingathim。Practicallyintheinstanthesawallthis，andwhilehisscreamstillrang，thethingleaped，heflunghisnight—stickfullatit，andthrewhimselftotheground。Hefeltitsfeetandshinsstrikeagainsthisribs，andheboundedupandawaywhilethethingitselfhurledonwardinaheavycrashingfallintotheunderbrush。
Asthenoiseofthefallceased，themanstoppedandonhandsandkneeswaited。Hecouldhearthethingmovingabout，searchingforhim，andhewasafraidtoadvertisehislocationbyattemptingfurtherflight。Heknewthatinevitablyhewouldcrackletheunderbrushandbepursued。Oncehedrewouthisrevolver，thenchangedhismind。Hehadrecoveredhiscomposureandhopedtogetawaywithoutnoise。Severaltimesheheardthethingbeatingupthethicketsforhim，andthereweremomentswhenit，too，remainedstillandlistened。Thisgaveanideatotheman。Oneofhishandswasrestingonachunkofdeadwood。
Carefully，firstfeelingabouthiminthedarknesstoknowthatthefullswingofhisarmwasclear，heraisedthechunkofwoodandthrewit。Itwasnotalargepiece，anditwentfar，landingnoisilyinabush。Heheardthethingboundintothebush，andatthesametimehimselfcrawledsteadilyaway。Andonhandsandknees，slowlyandcautiously，hecrawledon，tillhiskneeswerewetonthesoggymold，Whenhelistenedheheardnaughtbutthemoaningwindandthedrip—dripofthefogfromthebranches。Neverabatinghiscaution，hestooderectandwentontothestonewall，overwhichheclimbedanddroppeddowntotheroadoutside。
Feelinghiswayinaclumpofbushes，hedrewoutabicycleandpreparedtomount。Hewasintheactofdrivingthegeararoundwithhisfootforthepurposeofgettingtheoppositepedalinposition，whenheheardthethudofaheavybodythatlandedlightlyandevidentlyonitsfeet。Hedidnotwaitformore，butran，withhandsonthehandlesofhisbicycle，untilhewasabletovaultastridethesaddle，catchthepedals，andstartaspurt。Behindhecouldhearthequickthud—thudoffeetonthedustoftheroad，buthedrewawayfromitandlostit。
Unfortunately，hehadstartedawayfromthedirectionoftownandwasheadinghigherupintothehills。Heknewthatonthisparticularroadtherewerenocrossroads。Theonlywaybackwaspastthatterror，andhecouldnotsteelhimselftofaceit。Attheendofhalfanhour，findinghimselfonaneverincreasinggrade，hedismounted。Forstillgreatersafety，leavingthewheelbytheroadside，heclimbedthroughafenceintowhathedecidedwasahillsidepasture，spreadanewspaperontheground，andsatdown。
\"Gosh！\"hesaidaloud，moppingthesweatandfogfromhisface。
And\"Gosh！\"hesaidonceagain，whilerollingacigaretteandasheponderedtheproblemofgettingback。
Buthemadenoattempttogoback。Hewasresolvednottofacethatroadinthedark，andwithheadbowedonknees，hedozed，waitingfordaylight。
Howlongafterwardhedidnotknow，hewasawakenedbytheyappingbarkofayoungcoyote。Ashelookedaboutandlocateditonthebrowofthehillbehindhim，henotedthechangethathadcomeoverthefaceofthenight。Thefogwasgone;thestarsandmoonwereout;eventhewindhaddieddown。IthadtransformedintoabalmyCaliforniasummernight。Hetriedtodozeagain，buttheyapofthecoyotedisturbedhim。Halfasleep，heheardawildandeerychant。Lookingabouthim，henoticedthatthecoyotehadceaseditsnoiseandwasrunningawayalongthecrestofthehill，andbehindit，infullpursuit，nolongerchanting，ranthenakedcreaturehehadencounteredinthegarden。Itwasayoungcoyote，anditwasbeingovertakenwhenthechasepassedfromview。Themantrembledaswithachillashestartedtohisfeet，clamberedoverthefence，andmountedhiswheel。Butitwashischanceandheknewit。TheterrorwasnolongerbetweenhimandMillValley。
Hespedatabreakneckratedownthehill，butintheturnatthebottom，inthedeepshadows，heencounteredachuck—holeandpitchedheadlongoverthehandlebar。
\"It’ssurenotmynight，\"hemuttered，asheexaminedthebrokenforkofthemachineShoulderingtheuselesswheel，hetrudgedon。Intimehecametothestonewall，and，halfdisbelievinghisexperience，hesoughtintheroadfortracks，andfoundthem——moccasintracks，largeones，deep—bittenintothedustatthetoes。Itwaswhilebendingoverthem，examining，thatagainheheardtheeerychant。Hehadseenthethingpursuethecoyote，andheknewhehadnochanceonastraightrun。Hedidnotattemptit，contentinghimselfwithhidingintheshadowsontheoffsideoftheroad。
Andagainhesawthethingthatwaslikeanakedman，runningswiftlyandlightlyandsingingasitran。Oppositehimitpaused，andhisheartstoodstill。Butinsteadofcomingtowardhishiding—place，itleapedintotheair，caughtthebranchofaroadsidetree，andswungswiftlyupward，fromlimbtolimb，likeanape。Itswungacrossthewall，andadozenfeetabovethetop，intothebranchesofanothertree，anddroppedoutofsighttotheground。Themanwaitedafewwonderingminutes，thenstartedon。
II
DaveSlotterleanedbelligerentlyagainstthedeskthatbarredthewaytotheprivateofficeofJamesWard，seniorpartnerofthefirmofWard，Knowles&Co。Davewasangry。Everyoneintheouterofficehadlookedhimoversuspiciously，andthemanwhofacedhimwasexcessivelysuspicious。
\"YoujusttellMr。Wardit’simportant，\"heurged。
\"Itellyouheisdictatingandcannotbedisturbed，\"wastheanswer。\"Cometo—morrow。\"
\"To—morrowwillbetoolate。YoujusttrotalongandtellMr。
Wardit’samatteroflifeanddeath。\"
ThesecretaryhesitatedandDaveseizedtheadvantage。
\"YoujusttellhimIwasacrossthebayinMillValleylastnight，andthatIwanttoputhimwisetosomething。\"
\"Whatname？\"wasthequery。
\"Nevermindthename。Hedon’tknowme。\"
WhenDavewasshownintotheprivateoffice，hewasstillinthebelligerentframeofmind，butwhenhesawalargefairmanwhirlinarevolvingchairfromdictatingtoastenographertofacehim，Dave’sdemeanorabruptlychanged。Hedidnotknowwhyitchanged，andhewassecretlyangrywithhimself。
\"YouareMr。Ward？\"Daveaskedwithafatuousnessthatstillfurtherirritatedhim。Hehadneverintendeditatall。
\"Yes，\"cametheanswer。
\"Andwhoareyou？\"
\"HarryBancroft，\"Davelied。\"Youdon’tknowme，andmynamedon’tmatter。\"
\"YousentinwordthatyouwereinMillValleylastnight？\"
\"Youlivethere，don’tyou？\"Davecountered，lookingsuspiciouslyatthestenographer。
\"Yes。Whatdoyoumeantoseemeabout？Iamverybusy。\"
\"I’dliketoseeyoualone，sir。\"
Mr。Wardgavehimaquick，penetratinglook，hesitated，thenmadeuphismind。
\"Thatwilldoforafewminutes，MissPotter。\"
Thegirlarose，gatheredhernotestogether，andpassedout。
DavelookedatMr。JamesWardwonderingly，untilthatgentlemanbrokehistrainofinchoatethought。
\"Well？\"
\"IwasoverinMillValleylastnight，\"Davebeganconfusedly。
\"I’veheardthatbefore。Whatdoyouwant？\"
AndDaveproceededinthefaceofagrowingconvictionthatwasunbelievable。\"Iwasatyourhouse，orinthegrounds，Imean。\"
\"Whatwereyoudoingthere？\"
\"Icametobreakin，\"Daveansweredinallfrankness。
\"IheardyoulivedallalonewithaChinamanforcook，anditlookedgoodtome。OnlyIdidn’tbreakin。Somethinghappenedthatprevented。That’swhyI’mhere。Icometowarnyou。I
foundawildmanlooseinyourgrounds——aregulardevil。Hecouldpullaguylikemetopieces。Hegavemetherunofmylife。Hedon’twearanyclothestospeakof，heclimbstreeslikeamonkey，andherunslikeadeer。Isawhimchasingacoyote，andthelastIsawofit，byGod，hewasgainingonit。\"
Davepausedandlookedfortheeffectthatwouldfollowhiswords。Butnoeffectcame。JamesWardwasquietlycurious，andthatwasall。
\"Veryremarkable，veryremarkable，\"hemurmured。\"Awildman，yousay。Whyhaveyoucometotellme？\"
\"Towarnyouofyourdanger。I’msomethingofahardpropositionmyself，butIdon’tbelieveinkillingpeople……
thatis，unnecessarily。Irealizedthatyouwasindanger。I
thoughtI’dwarnyou。Honest，that’sthegame。Ofcourse，ifyouwantedtogivemeanythingformytrouble，I’dtakeit。
Thatwasinmymind，too。ButIdon’tcarewhetheryougivemeanythingornot。I’vewarnedyouanyway，anddonemyduty。\"
Mr。Wardmeditatedanddrummedonthesurfaceofhisdesk。Davenoticedtheywerelarge，powerfulhands，withalwell—caredfordespitetheirdarksunburn。Also，henotedwhathadalreadycaughthiseyebefore——atinystripofflesh—coloredcourtplasterontheforeheadoveroneeve。Andstillthethoughtthatforceditselfintohismindwasunbelievable。
Mr。Wardtookawalletfromhisinsidecoatpocket，drewoutagreenback，andpassedittoDave，whonotedashepocketeditthatitwasfortwentydollars。
\"Thankyou，\"saidMr。Ward，indicatingthattheinterviewwasatanend。
\"Ishallhavethematterinvestigated。AwildmanrunninglooseISdangerous。\"
ButsoquietamanwasMr。Ward，thatDave’scouragereturned。
Besides，anewtheoryhadsuggesteditself。ThewildmanwasevidentlyMr。Ward’sbrother，alunaticprivatelyconfined。
Davehadheardofsuchthings。PerhapsMr。Wardwanteditkeptquiet。Thatwaswhyhehadgivenhimthetwentydollars。
\"Say，\"Davebegan，\"nowIcometothinkofitthatwildmanlookedalotlikeyou——\"
ThatwasasfarasDavegot，foratthatmomenthewitnessedatransformationandfoundhimselfgazingintothesameunspeakablyferociousblueeyesofthenightbefore，atthesameclutchingtalon—likehands，andatthesameformidablebulkintheactofspringinguponhim。ButthistimeDavehadnonight—sticktothrow，andhewascaughtbythebicepsofbotharmsinagripsoterrificthatitmadehimgroanwithpain。Hesawthelargewhiteteethexposed，foralltheworldasadog’sabouttobite。Mr。Ward’sbeardbrushedhisfaceastheteethwentinforthegriponhisthroat。Butthebitewasnotgiven。Instead，Davefelttheother’sbodystiffenaswithanironrestraint，andthenhewasflungaside，withouteffortbutwithsuchforcethatonlythewallstoppedhismomentumanddroppedhimgaspingtothefloor。
\"Whatdoyoumeanbycominghereandtryingtoblackmailme？\"
Mr。Wardwassnarlingathim。\"Here，givemebackthatmoney。\"
Davepassedthebillbackwithoutaword。
\"Ithoughtyoucameherewithgoodintentions。Iknowyounow。
Letmeseeandhearnomoreofyou，orI’llputyouinprisonwhereyoubelong。Doyouunderstand？\"
\"Yes，sir，\"Davegasped。
\"Thengo。\"
AndDavewent，withoutfurtherword，bothhisbicepsachingintolerablyfromthebruiseofthattremendousgrip。Ashishandrestedonthedoorknob，hewasstopped。
\"Youwerelucky，\"Mr。Wardwassaying，andDavenotedthathisfaceandeyeswerecruelandgloatingandproud。
\"Youwerelucky。HadIwanted，Icouldhavetornyourmusclesoutofyourarmsandthrowntheminthewastebasketthere。\"
\"Yes，sir，\"saidDave;andabsoluteconvictionvibratedinhisvoice。
Heopenedthedoorandpassedout。Thesecretarylookedathiminterrogatively。
\"Gosh！\"wasallDavevouchsafed，andwiththisutterancepassedoutoftheofficesandthestory。
III
JamesG。Wardwasfortyyearsofage，asuccessfulbusinessman，andveryunhappy。Forfortyyearshehadvainlytriedtosolveaproblemthatwasreallyhimselfandthatwithincreasingyearsbecamemoreandmoreawoefulaffliction。Inhimselfhewastwomen，and，chronologicallyspeaking，thesemenwereseveralthousandyearsorsoapart。Hehadstudiedthequestionofdualpersonalityprobablymoreprofoundlythananyhalfdozenoftheleadingspecialistsinthatintricateandmysteriouspsychologicalfield。Inhimselfhewasadifferentcasefromanythathadbeenrecorded。Eventhemostfancifulflightsofthefiction—writershadnotquitehituponhim。HewasnotaDr。JekyllandMr。Hyde，norwasheliketheunfortunateyoungmaninKipling’s\"GreatestStoryintheWorld。\"Histwopersonalitiesweresomixedthattheywerepracticallyawareofthemselvesandofeachotherallthetime。
Hisotherselfhehadlocatedasasavageandabarbarianlivingundertheprimitiveconditionsofseveralthousandyearsbefore。Butwhichselfwashe，andwhichwastheother，hecouldnevertell。Forhewasbothselves，andbothselvesallthetime。Veryrarelyindeeddidithappenthatoneselfdidnotknowwhattheotherwasdoing。Anotherthingwasthathehadnovisionsnormemoriesofthepastinwhichthatearlyselfhadlived。Thatearlyselflivedinthepresent;butwhileitlivedinthepresent，itwasunderthecompulsiontolivethewayoflifethatmusthavebeeninthatdistantpast。
Inhischildhoodhehadbeenaproblemtohisfatherandmother，andtothefamilydoctors，thoughneverhadtheycomewithinathousandmilesofhittinguponthecluetohiserratic，conduct。Thus，theycouldnotunderstandhisexcessivesomnolenceintheforenoon，norhisexcessiveactivityatnight。Whentheyfoundhimwanderingalongthehallwaysatnight，orclimbingovergiddyroofs，orrunninginthehills，theydecidedhewasasomnambulist。Inrealityhewaswide—eyedawakeandmerelyunderthenightroamingcompulsionofhisearlyself。Questionedbyanobtusemedico，heoncetoldthetruthandsufferedtheignominyofhavingtherevelationcontemptuouslylabeledanddismissedas\"dreams。\"
Thepointwas，thatastwilightandeveningcameonhebecamewakeful。Thefourwallsofaroomwereanirkandarestraint。
Heheardathousandvoiceswhisperingtohimthroughthedarkness。Thenightcalledtohim，forhewas，forthatperiodofthetwenty—fourhours，essentiallyanight—prowler。Butnobodyunderstood，andneveragaindidheattempttoexplain。
Theyclassifiedhimasasleep—walkerandtookprecautionsaccordingly——precautionsthatveryoftenwerefutile。Ashischildhoodadvanced，hegrewmorecunning，sothatthemajorportionofallhisnightswerespentintheopenatrealizinghisotherself。Asaresult，hesleptintheforenoons。Morningstudiesandschoolswereimpossible，anditwasdiscoveredthatonlyintheafternoons，underprivateteachers，couldhebetaughtanything。Thuswashismodernselfeducatedanddeveloped。
Butaproblem，asachild，heeverremained。Hewasknownasalittledemon，ofinsensatecrueltyandviciousness。Thefamilymedicosprivatelyadjudgedhimamentalmonstrosityanddegenerate。Suchfewboycompanionsashehad，hailedhimasawonder，thoughtheywereallafraidofhim。Hecouldoutclimb，outswim，outrun，outdevilanyofthem;whilenonedaredfightwithhim。Hewastooterriblystrong，madlyfurious。
Whennineyearsofageheranawaytothehills，whereheflourished，night—prowling，forsevenweeksbeforehewasdiscoveredandbroughthome。Themarvelwashowhehadmanagedtosubsistandkeepinconditionduringthattime。Theydidnotknow，andhenevertoldthem，oftherabbitshehadkilled，ofthequail，youngandold，hehadcapturedanddevoured，ofthefarmers’chicken—roostshehadraided，norofthecave—lairhehadmadeandcarpetedwithdryleavesandgrassesandinwhichhehadsleptinwarmthandcomfortthroughtheforenoonsofmanydays。
Atcollegehewasnotoriousforhissleepinessandstupidityduringthemorninglecturesandforhisbrillianceintheafternoon。Bycollateralreadingandbyborrowingthenotebookofhisfellowstudentshemanagedtoscrapethroughthedetestablemorningcourses，whilehisafternooncoursesweretriumphs。Infootballheprovedagiantandaterror，and，inalmosteveryformoftrackathletics，saveforstrangeBerserkerragesthatweresometimesdisplayed，hecouldbedependedupontowin。Buthisfellowswereafraidtoboxwithhim，andhesignalizedhislastwrestlingboutbysinkinghisteethintotheshoulderofhisopponent。
Aftercollege，hisfather，indespair，senthimamongthecow—punchersofaWyomingranch。Threemonthslaterthedoughtycowmenconfessedhewastoomuchforthemandtelegraphedhisfathertocomeandtakethewildmanaway。Also，whenthefatherarrivedtotakehimaway，thecowmenallowedthattheywouldvastlypreferchummingwithhowlingcannibals，gibberinglunatics，cavortinggorillas，grizzlybears，andman—eatingtigersthanwiththisparticularYoungcollegeproductwithhairpartedinthemiddle。
Therewasoneexceptiontothelackofmemoryofthelifeofhisearlyself，andthatwaslanguage。Bysomequirkofatavism，acertainportionofthatearlyself’slanguagehadcomedowntohimasaracialmemory。Inmomentsofhappiness，exaltation，orbattle，hewaspronetoburstoutinwildbarbaricsongsorchants。Itwasbythismeansthathelocatedintimeandspacethatstrayedhalfofhimwhoshouldhavebeendeadanddustforthousandsofyears。Hesang，once，anddeliberately，severaloftheancientchantsinthepresenceofProfessorWertz，whogavecoursesinoldSaxonandwhowasaphilogistofreputeandpassion。Atthefirstone，theprofessorprickeduphisearsanddemandedtoknowwhatmongreltongueorhog—Germanitwas。Whenthesecondchantwasrendered，theprofessorwashighlyexcited。JamesWardthenconcludedtheperformancebygivingasongthatalwaysirresistiblyrushedtohislipswhenhewasengagedinfiercestrugglingorfighting。ThenitwasthatProfessorWertzproclaimeditnohog—German，butearlyGerman，orearlyTeuton，ofadatethatmustfarprecedeanythingthathadeverbeendiscoveredandhandeddownbythescholars。Soearlywasitthatitwasbeyondhim;yetitwasfilledwithhauntingreminiscencesofword—formsheknewandwhichhistrainedintuitiontoldhimweretrueandreal。Hedemandedthesourceofthesongs，andaskedtoborrowthepreciousbookthatcontainedthem。Also，hedemandedtoknowwhyyoungWardhadalwaysposedasbeingprofoundlyignorantoftheGermanlanguage。AndWardcouldneitherexplainhisignorancenorlendthebook。Whereupon，afterpleadingsandentreatiesthatextendedthroughweeks，ProfessorWerttookadisliketotheyoungman，believedhimaliar，andclassifiedhimasamanofmonstrousselfishnessfornotgivinghimaglimpseofthiswonderfulscreedthatwasolderthantheoldestanyphilologisthadeverknownordreamed。
Butlittlegooddiditdothismuch—mixedyoungmantoknowthathalfofhimwaslateAmericanandtheotherhalfearlyTeuton。Nevertheless，thelateAmericaninhimwasnoweakling，andhe（ifhewereaheandhadashredofexistenceoutsideofthesetwo）compelledanadjustmentorcompromisebetweenhisoneselfthatwasanightprowlingsavagethatkepthisotherselfsleepyofmornings，andthatotherselfthatwasculturedandrefinedandthatwantedtobenormalandliveandloveandprosecutebusinesslikeotherpeople。Theafternoonsandearlyeveningshegavetotheone，thenightstotheother;theforenoonsandpartsofthenightsweredevotedtosleepforthetwain。Butinthemorningshesleptinbedlikeacivilizedman。Inthenighttimehesleptlikeawildanimal，ashehadsleptDaveSlottersteppedonhiminthewoods。
Persuadinghisfathertoadvancethecapital，hewentintobusinessandkeenandsuccessfulbusinesshemadeofit，devotinghisafternoonswhole—souledtoit，whilehispartnerdevotedthemornings。Theearlyeveningshespentsocially，but，asthehourgrewtonineorten，anirresistiblerestlessnessovercamehimandhedisappearedfromthehauntsofmenuntilthenextafternoon。Friendsandacquaintancesthoughtthathespentmuchofhistimeinsport。Andtheywereright，thoughtheyneverwouldhavedreamedofthenatureofthesport，eveniftheyhadseenhimrunningcoyotesinnight—chasesoverthehillsofMillValley。Neitherweretheschoonercaptainsbelievedwhentheyreportedseeing，oncoldwintermornings，amanswimminginthetide—ripsofRaccoonStraitsorintheswiftcurrentsbetweenGoatislandandAngelIslandmilesfromshore。
InthebungalowatMillValleyhelivedalone，saveforLeeSing，theChinesecookandfactotum，whoknewmuchaboutthestrangenessofhismaster，whowaspaidwellforsayingnothing，andwhoneverdidsayanything。Afterthesatisfactionofhisnights，amorning’ssleep，andabreakfastofLeeSing’s，JamesWardcrossedthebaytoSanFranciscoonamiddayferryboatandwenttotheclubandontohisoffice，asnormalandconventionalamanofbusinessascouldbefoundinthecity。Butastheeveninglengthened，thenightcalledtohim。
Therecameaquickeningofallhisperceptionsandarestlessness。Hishearingwassuddenlyacute;themyriadnight—noisestoldhimaluringandfamiliarstory;and，ifalone，hewouldbegintopaceupanddownthenarrowroomlikeanycagedanimalfromthewild。
Once，heventuredtofallinlove。Heneverpermittedhimselfthatdiversionagain。Hewasafraid。Andformanyadaytheyounglady，scaredatleastoutofaportionofheryoungladyhood，boreonherarmsandshouldersandwristsdiversblack—and—bluebruises——tokensofcaresseswhichhehadbestowedinallfondgentlenessbuttoolateatnight。Therewasthemistake。Hadheventuredlove—makingintheafternoon，allwouldhavebeenwell，foritwouldhavebeenasthequietgentlemanthathewouldhavemadelove——butatnightitwastheuncouth，wife—stealingsavageofthedarkGermanforests。Outofhiswisdom，hedecidedthatafternoonlove—makingcouldbeprosecutedsuccessfully;butoutofthesamewisdomhewasconvincedthatmarriageaswouldproveaghastlyfailure。Hefounditappallingtoimaginebeingmarriedandencounteringhiswifeafterdark。
Sohehadeschewedalllove—making，regulatedhisduallife，cleanedupamillioninbusiness，foughtshyofmatch—makingmamasandbright—eyedandeageryoungladiesofvariousages，metLilianGersdaleandmadeitarigidobservancenevertoseeherlaterthaneighto’clockintheevening，runofnightsafterhiscoyotes，andsleptinforestlairs——andthroughitallhadkepthissecretsafesaveLeeSing……andnow，DaveSlotter。Itwasthelatter’sdiscoveryofbothhisselvesthatfrightenedhim。Inspiteofthecounterfrighthehadgiventheburglar，thelattermighttalk。Andevenifhedidnot，soonerorlaterhewouldbefoundoutbysomeoneelse。
ThusitwasthatJamesWardmadeafreshandheroicefforttocontroltheTeutonicbarbarianthatwashalfofhim。SowelldidhemakeitapointtoseeLilianintheafternoons，thatthetimecamewhensheacceptedhimforbetterorworse，andwhenheprayedprivilyandferventlythatitwasnotforworse。
Duringthisperiodnoprize—fighterevertrainedmoreharshlyandfaithfullyforacontestthanhetrainedtosubduethewildsavageinhim。Amongotherthings，hestrovetoexhausthimselfduringtheday，sothatsleepwouldrenderhimdeaftothecallofthenight。Hetookavacationfromtheofficeandwentonlonghuntingtrips，followingthedeerthroughthemostinaccessibleandruggedcountryhecouldfind——andalwaysinthedaytime。Nightfoundhimindoorsandtired。Athomeheinstalledascoreofexercisemachines，andwhereothermenmightgothroughaparticularmovementtentimes，hewenthundreds。Also，asacompromise，hebuiltasleepingporchonthesecondstory。Hereheatleastbreathedtheblessednightair。Doublescreenspreventedhimfromescapingintothewoods，andeachnightLeeSinglockedhiminandeachmorninglethimout。
Thetimecame，inthemonthofAugust，whenheengagedadditionalservantstoassistLeeSinganddaredahousepartyinhisMillValleybungalow。Lilian，hermotherandbrother，andhalfadozenmutualfriends，weretheguests。Fortwodaysandnightsallwentwell。Andonthethirdnight，playingbridgetilleleveno’clock，hehadreasontobeproudofhimself。Hisrestlessnessfullyhid，butasluckwouldhaveit，LilianGersdalewashisopponentonhisright。Shewasafraildelicateflowerofawoman，andinhisnight—moodherveryfrailtyincensedhim。Notthathelovedherless，butthathefeltalmostirresistiblyimpelledtoreachoutandpawandmaulher。Especiallywasthistruewhenshewasengagedinplayingawinninghandagainsthim。
Hehadoneofthedeer—houndsbroughtinand，whenitseemedhemustflytopieceswiththetension，acaressinghandlaidontheanimalbroughthimrelief。Thesecontactswiththehairycoatgavehiminstanteasementandenabledhimtoplayouttheevening。Nordidanyoneguessthewhileterriblestruggletheirhostwasmaking，thewhilehelaughedsocarelesslyandplayedsokeenlyanddeliberately。
Whentheyseparatedforthenight，hesawtoitthathepartedfromLilianinthepresenceortheothers。Onceonhissleepingporchandsafelylockedin，hedoubledandtripledandevenquadrupledhisexercisesuntil，exhausted，helaydownonthecouchtowoosleepandtopondertwoproblemsthatespeciallytroubledhim。Onewasthismatterofexercise。Itwasaparadox。Themoreheexercisedinthisexcessivefashion，thestrongerhebecame。Whileitwastruethathethusquitetiredouthisnight—runningTeutonicself，itseemedthathewasmerelysettingbackthefataldaywhenhisstrengthwouldbetoomuchforhimandoverpowerhim，andthenitwouldbeastrengthmoreterriblethanhehadyetknown。Theotherproblemwasthatofhismarriageandofthestratagemshemustemployinordertoavoidhiswifeafterdark。Andthus，fruitlesslypondering，hefellasleep。
Now，wherethehugegrizzlybearcamefromthatnightwaslongamystery，whilethepeopleoftheSpringsBrothers’Circus，showingatSausalito，searchedlongandvainlyfor\"BigBen，theBiggestGrizzlyinCaptivity。\"ButBigBenescaped，and，outofthemazesofhalfathousandbungalowsandcountryestates，selectedthegroundsofJamesJ。Wardforvisitation。
TheselffirstMr。Wardknewwaswhenhefoundhimonhisfeet，quiveringandtense，asurgeofbattleinhisbreastandonhislipstheoldwar—chant。Fromwithoutcameawildbayingandbellowingofthehounds。Andsharpasaknife—thrustthroughthepandemoniumcametheagonyofastrickendog——hisdog，heknew。
Notstoppingforslippers，pajama—clad，heburstthroughthedoorLeeSinghadsocarefullylocked，andspeddownthestairsandoutintothenight。Ashisnakedfeetstruckthegraveleddriveway，hestoppedabruptly，reachedunderthestepstoahiding—placeheknewwell，andpulledforthahugeknottyclub——hisoldcompaniononmanyamadnightadventureonthehills。Thefrantichullabalooofthedogswascomingnearer，and，swingingtheclub，hesprangstraightintothethicketstomeetit。
Thearousedhouseholdassembledonthewideveranda。Somebodyturnedontheelectriclights，buttheycouldseenothingbutoneanother’sfrightenedfaces。Beyondthebrightlyilluminateddrivewaythetreesformedawallofimpenetrableblackness。Yetsomewhereinthatblacknessaterriblestrugglewasgoingon。
Therewasaninfernaloutcryofanimals，agreatsnarlingandgrowling，thesoundofblowsbeingstruckandasmashingandcrashingofunderbrushbyheavybodies。
Thetideofbattlesweptoutfromamongthetreesanduponthedrivewayjustbeneaththeonlookers。Thentheysaw。Mrs。
Gersdalecriedoutandclungfaintingtoherson。Lilian，clutchingtherailingsospasmodicallythatabruisinghurtwasleftinherfinger—endsfordays，gazedhorror—strickenatayellow—haired，wild—eyedgiantwhomsherecognizedasthemanwhowastobeherhusband。Hewasswingingagreatclub，andfightingfuriouslyandcalmlywithashaggymonsterthatwasbiggerthananybearshehadeverseen。Oneripofthebeast’sclawshaddraggedawayWard’spajama—coatandstreakedhisfleshwithblood。
WhilemostofLilianGersdale’sfrightwasforthemanbeloved，therewasalargeportionofitduetothemanhimself。Neverhadshedreamedsoformidableandmagnificentasavagelurkedunderthestarchedshirtandconventionalgarbofherbetrothed。Andneverhadshehadanyconceptionofhowamanbattled。Suchabattlewascertainlynotmodern;norwasshetherebeholdingamodernman，thoughshedidnotknowit。ForthiswasnotMr。JamesJ。Ward，theSanFranciscobusinessman，butone，unnamedandunknown，acrude，rudesavagecreaturewho，bysomefreakofchance，livedagainafterthriceathousandyears。
Thehounds，evermaintainingtheirmaduproar，circledaboutthefight，ordashedinandout，distractingthebear。Whentheanimalturnedtomeetsuchflankingassaults，themanleapedinandtheclubcamedown。Angeredafreshbyeverysuchblow，thebearwouldrush，andtheman，leapingandskipping，avoidingthedogs，wentbackwardsorcircledtoonesideortheother。
Whereuponthedogs，takingadvantageoftheopening，wouldagainspringinanddrawtheanimal’swrathtothem。
Theendcamesuddenly。Whirling，thegrizzlycaughtahoundwithawidesweepingcuffthatsentthebrute，itsribscavedinanditsbackbroken，hurtlingtwentyfeet。Thenthehumanbrutewentmad。Afoamingragefleckedthelipsthatpartedwithawildinarticulatecry，asitsprangin，swungtheclubmightilyinbothhands，andbroughtitdownfullontheheadoftheuprearinggrizzly。Noteventheskullofagrizzlycouldwithstandthecrushingforceofsuchablow，andtheanimalwentdowntomeettheworryingofthehounds。Andthroughtheirscurryingleapedtheman，squarelyuponthebody，where，inthewhiteelectriclight，restingonhisclub，hechantedatriumphinanunknowntongue——asongsoancientthatProfessorWertzwouldhavegiventenyearsofhislifeforit。
Hisguestsrushedtopossesshimandacclaimhim，butJamesWard，suddenlylookingoutoftheeyesoftheearlyTeuton，sawthefairfrailTwentiethCenturygirlheloved，andfeltsomethingsnapinhisbrain。Hestaggeredweaklytowardher，droppedtheclub，andnearlyfell。Somethinghadgonewrongwithhim。Insidehisbrainwasanintolerableagony。Itseemedasifthesoulofhimwereflyingasunder。Followingtheexcitedgazeoftheothers，heglancedbackandsawthecarcassofthebear。Thesightfilledhimwithfear。Heutteredacryandwouldhavefled，hadtheynotrestrainedhimandledhimintothebungalow……
JamesJ。WardisstillattheheadofthefirmofWard，Knowles&Co。Buthenolongerlivesinthecountry;nordoesherunofnightsafterthecoyotesunderthemoon。TheearlyTeutoninhimdiedthenightoftheMillValleyfightwiththebear。
JamesJ。WardisnowwhollyJamesJ。Ward，andhesharesnopartofhisbeingwithanyvagabondanachronismfromtheyoungerworld。AndsowhollyisJamesJ。Wardmodern，thatheknowsinallitsbitterfullnessthecurseofcivilizedfear。
Heisnowafraidofthedark，andnightintheforestistohimathingofabysmalterror。Hiscityhouseisofthespickandspanorder，andheevincesagreatinterestinburglarproofdevices。Hishomeisatangleofelectricwires，andafterbed—timeaguestcanscarcelybreathewithoutsettingoffanalarm。Also，hehadinventedacombinationkeylessdoor—lockthattravelersmaycarryintheirvestpocketsandapplyimmediatelyandsuccessfullyunderallcircumstances。Buthiswifedoesnotdeemhimacoward。Sheknowsbetter。And，likeanyhero，heiscontenttorestonhislaurels。HisbraveryisneverquestionedbythosefriendswhoareawareoftheMillValleyepisode。
THEBENEFITOFTHEDOUBT
CARTERWATSON，acurrentmagazineunderhisarm，strolledslowlyalong，gazingabouthimcuriously。Twentyyearshadelapsedsincehehadbeenonthisparticularstreet，andthechangesweregreatandstupefying。ThisWesterncityofthreehundredthousandsoulshadcontainedbutthirtythousand，when，asaboy，hehadbeenwonttoramblealongitsstreets。Inthosedaysthestreethewasnowonhadbeenaquietresidencestreetintherespectableworkingclassquarter。Onthislateafternoonhefoundthatithadbeensubmergedbyavastandvicioustenderloin。ChineseandJapaneseshopsanddensabounded，allconfusedlyintermingledwithlowwhiteresortsandboozingdens。Thisquietstreetofhisyouthhadbecomethetoughestquarterofthecity。
Helookedathiswatch。Itwashalf—pastfive。Itwastheslacktimeofthedayinsucharegion，ashewellknew，yethewascurioustosee。Inallhisscoreofyearsofwanderingandstudyingsocialconditionsovertheworld，hehadcarriedwithhimthememoryofhisoldtownasasweetandwholesomeplace。
Themetamorphosishenowbeheldwasstartling。Hecertainlymustcontinuehisstrollandglimpsetheinfamytowhichhistownhaddescended。
Anotherthing：CarterWatsonhadakeensocialandcivicconsciousness。Independentlywealthy，hehadbeenloathtodissipatehisenergiesinthepinkteasandfreakdinnersofsociety，whileactresses，race—horses，andkindreddiversionshadlefthimcold。Hehadtheethicalbeeinhisbonnetandwasareformerofnomeanpretension，thoughhisworkhadbeenmainlyinthelineofcontributionstotheheavierreviewsandquarterliesandtothepublicationoverhisnameofbrightly，cleverlywrittenbooksontheworkingclassesandtheslum—dwellers。Amongthetwenty—seventohiscreditoccurredtitlessuchas，\"IfChristCametoNewOrleans，\"\"TheWorked—outWorker，\"\"TenementReforminBerlin，\"\"TheRuralSlumsofEngland，\"\"ThepeopleoftheEastSide，\"\"ReformVersusRevolution，\"\"TheUniversitySettlementasaHotBedofRadicalism’and\"TheCaveManofCivilization。\"
ButCarterWatsonwasneithermorbidnorfanatic。Hedidnotlosehisheadoverthehorrorsheencountered，studied，andexposed。Nohairbrainedenthusiasmbrandedhim。Hishumorsavedhim，asdidhiswideexperienceandhiscon。conservativephilosophictemperament。Nordidhehaveanypatiencewithlightningchangereformtheories。Ashesawit，societywouldgrowbetteronlythroughthepainfullyslowandarduouslypainfulprocessesofevolution。Therewerenoshortcuts，nosuddenregenerations。Thebettermentofmankindmustbeworkedoutinagonyandmiseryjustasallpastsocialbettermentshadbeenworkedout。
Butonthislatesummerafternoon，CarterWatsonwascurious。
Ashemovedalonghepausedbeforeagaudydrinkingplace。Thesignaboveread，\"TheVendome。\"Thereweretwoentrances。Oneevidentlyledtothebar。Thishedidnotexplore。Theotherwasanarrowhallway。Passingthroughthishefoundhimselfinahugeroom，filledwithchair—encircledtablesandquitedeserted。Inthedimlighthemadeoutapianointhedistance。
Makingamentalnotethathewouldcomebacksometimeandstudytheclassofpersonsthatmustsitanddrinkatthosemultitudinoustables，heproceededtocircumnavigatetheroom。
Now，attherear，ashorthallwayledofftoasmallkitchen，andhere，atatable，alone，satPatsyHoran，proprietoroftheVendome，consumingahastysuppereretheeveningrushofbusiness。Also，PatsyHoranwasangrywiththeworld。Hehadgotoutofthewrongsideofbedthatmorning，andnothinghadgonerightallday。Hadhisbarkeepersbeenasked，theywouldhavedescribedhismentalconditionasagrouch。ButCarterWatsondidnotknowthis。Ashepassedthelittlehallway，PatsyHoran’ssulleneyeslightedonthemagazinehecarriedunderhisarm。PatsydidnotknowCarterWatson，nordidheknowthatwhathecarriedunderhisarmwasamagazine。Patsy，outofthedepthsofhisgrouch，decidedthatthisstrangerwasoneofthosepestswhomarredandscarredthewallsofhisbackroomsbytackinguporpastingupadvertisements。Thecoloronthefrontcoverofthemagazineconvincedhimthatitwassuchanadvertisement。Thusthetroublebegan。Knifeandforkinhand，PatsyleapedforCarterWatson。
\"Outwidyeh！\"Patsybellowed。\"Iknowyergame！\"
CarterWatsonwasstartled。Themanhadcomeuponhimliketheeruptionofajack—in—the—box。
\"Adefacin’mewalls，\"criedPatsy，atthesametimeemittingastringofvividandvile，ratherthanvirile，epithetsofopprobrium。
\"IfIhavegivenanyoffenseIdidnotmeanto——\"
Butthatwasasfarasthevisitorgot。Patsyinterrupted。
\"Getoutwidyeh;yehtalktoomuchwidyermouth，\"quotedPatsy，emphasizinghisremarkswithflourishesoftheknifeandfork。
CarterWatsoncaughtaquickvisionofthateating—forkinserteduncomfortablybetweenhisribs，knewthatitwouldberashtotalkfurtherwithhismouth，andpromptlyturnedtogo。
ThesightofhismeeklyretreatingbackmusthavefurtherenragedPatsyHoran，forthatworthy，droppingthetableimplements，spranguponhim。
Patsyweighedonehundredandeightypounds。SodidWatson。Inthistheywereequal。ButPatsywasarushing，rough—and—tumblesaloon—fighter，whileWatsonwasaboxer。Inthisthelatterhadtheadvantage，forPatsycameinwideopen，swinginghisrightinaperiloussweep。AllWatsonhadtodowastostraight—lefthimandescape。ButWatsonhadanotheradvantage。
Hisboxing，andhisexperienceintheslumsandghettosoftheworld，hadtaughthimrestraint。
Hepivotedonhisfeet，and，insteadofstriking，duckedtheother’sswingingblowandwentintoaclinch。ButPatsy，charginglikeabull，hadthemomentumofhisrush，whileWatson，whirlingtomeethim，hadnomomentum。Asaresult，thepairofthemwentdown，withalltheirthreehundredandsixtypoundsofweight，inalongcrashingfall，Watsonunderneath。
Helaywithhisheadtouchingtherearwallofthelargeroom。
Thestreetwasahundredandfiftyfeetaway，andhedidsomequickthinking。Hisfirstthoughtwastoavoidtrouble。Hehadnowishtogetintothepapersofthis，hischildhoodtown，wheremanyofhisrelativesandfamilyfriendsstilllived。
Soitwasthathelockedhisarmsaroundthemanontopofhim，heldhimclose，andwaitedforthehelptocomethatmustcomeinresponsetothecrashofthefall。Thehelpcame——thatis，sixmenraninfromthebarandformedaboutinasemi—circle。
’Takehimoff，fellows，\"Watsonsaid。\"Ihaven’tstruckhim，andIdon’twantanyfight。\"
Butthesemi—circleremainedsilent。Watsonheldonandwaited。
Patsy，aftervariousvaineffortstoinflictdamage，madeanoverture。
\"Leggoo’mean’I’llgetoffo’yeh，\"saidhe。
Watsonletgo，butwhenPatsyscrambledtohisfeethestoodoverhisrecumbentfoe，readytostrike。
\"Getup，\"Patsycommanded。
Hisvoicewassternandimplacable，likethevoiceofGodcallingtojudgment，andWatsonknewtherewasnomercythere。
\"StandbackandI’llgetup，\"hecountered。
\"Ifyeragentleman，getup，\"quothPatsy，hispaleblueeyesaflamewithwrath，hisfistreadyforacrushingblow。
Atthesamemomenthedrewhisfootbacktokicktheotherintheface。Watsonblockedthekickwithhiscrossedarmsandsprangtohisfeetsoquicklythathewasinaclinchwithhisantagonistbeforethelattercouldstrike。Holdinghim，Watsonspoketotheonlookers：
\"Takehimawayfromme，fellows。YouseeIamnotstrikinghim。
Idon’twanttofight。Iwanttogetoutofhere。\"
Thecircledidnotmovenorspeak。ItssilencewasominousandsentachilltoWatson’sheart。
Patsymadeanefforttothrowhim，whichculminatedinhisputtingPatsyonhisback。Tearingloosefromhim，Watsonsprangtohisfeetandmadeforthedoor。Butthecircleofmenwasinterposedawall。Henoticedthewhite，pastyfaces，thekindthatneverseethesun，andknewthatthemenwhobarredhiswaywerethenightprowlersandpreyingbeastsofthecityjungle。Bythemhewasthrustbackuponthepursuing，bull—rushingPatsy。
Againitwasaclinch，inwhich，inmomentarysafety，Watsonappealedtothegang。Andagainhiswordsfellondeafears。
Thenitwasthatheknewofmanysimilarknewfear。Forhehadknownofmanysimilarsituations，inlowdenslikethis，whensolitarymenwereman—handled，theirribsandfeaturescavedin，themselvesbeatenandkickedtodeath。Andheknew，further，thatifheweretoescapehemustneitherstrikehisassailantnoranyofthemenwhoopposedhim。
Yetinhimwasrighteousindignation。Undernocircumstancescouldseventoonebefair。Also，hewasangry，andtherestirredinhimthefightingbeastthatisinallmen。Butherememberedhiswifeandchildren，hisunfinishedbook，thetenthousandrollingacresoftheup—countryranchhelovedsowell。Heevensawinflashingvisionstheblueofthesky，thegoldensunpouringdownonhisflower—spangledmeadows，thelazycattleknee—deepinthebrooks，andtheflashoftroutintheriffles。Lifewasgood—toogoodforhimtoriskitforamoment’sswayofthebeast。Inshort，CarterWatsonwascoolandscared。
Hisopponent，lockedbyhismasterlyclinch，wasstrivingtothrowhim。AgainWatsonputhimonthefloor，brokeaway，andwasthrustbackbythepasty—facedcircletoduckPatsy’sswingingrightandeffectanotherclinch。Thishappenedmanytimes。AndWatsongrewevencooler，whilethebaffledPatsy，unabletoinflictpunishment，ragedwildlyandmorewildly。Hetooktobattingwithhisheadintheclinches。Thefirsttime，helandedhisforeheadflushonWatson’snose。Afterthat，thelatter，intheclinches，buriedhisfaceinPatsy’sbreast。ButtheenragedPatsybattedon，strikinghisowneyeandnoseandcheekonthetopoftheother’shead。Themorehewasthusinjured，themoreandtheharderdidPatsybat。
Thisone—sidedcontestcontinuedfortwelveorfifteenminutes。
Watsonneverstruckablow，andstroveonlytoescape。
Sometimes，inthefreemoments，circlingaboutamongthetablesashetriedtowinthedoor，thepasty—facedmengrippedhiscoat—tailsandflunghimbackattheswingingrightoftheon—rushingPatsy。Timeupontime，andtimeswithoutend，heclinchedandputPatsyonhisback，eachtimefirstwhirlinghimaroundandputtinghimdowninthedirectionofthedoorandgainingtowardthatgoalbythelengthofthefall。
Intheend，hatless，disheveled，withstreamingnoseandoneeyeclosed，Watsonwontothesidewalkandintothearmsofapoliceman。
\"Arrestthatman，\"Watsonpanted。
\"Hello，Patsy，\"saidthepoliceman。\"What’sthemix—up？\"
\"Hello，Charley，\"wastheanswer。\"Thisguycomesin——\"
\"Arrestthatman，officer，\"Watsonrepeated。
\"G’wan！Beatit！\"saidPatsy。
\"Beatit！\"addedthepoliceman。\"Ifyoudon’t，I’llpullyouin。\"
\"Notunlessyouarrestthatman。Hehascommittedaviolentandunprovokedassaultonme。\"
\"Isitso，Patsy？\"wastheofficer’squery。
\"Nah。Lemmetellyou，Charley，an’Igotthewitnessestoproveit，sohelpmeGod。Iwassettin’inmekitcheneatin’abowlofsoup，whenthisguycomesinan’getsgaywidme。Ineverseenhiminmeborndaysbefore。Hewasdrunk——\"
\"Lookatme，officer，\"protestedtheindignantsociologist。\"AmIdrunk？\"
Theofficerlookedathimwithsullen，menacingeyesandnoddedtoPatsytocontinue。
\"Thisguygetsgaywidme。’I’mTimMcGrath，’sayshe，’an’I
candotheliketoyou，’sayshe。’Putupyerhands。’Ismiles，an’widthat，biffbiff，helandsmetwicean’spillsmesoup。
Lookatmeeye。I’mfairmurdered。\"
\"Whatareyougoingtodo，officer？\"Watsondemanded。
\"Goon，beatit，\"wastheanswer，\"orI’llpullyousure。\"
ThecivicrighteousnessofCarterWatsonflamedup。
\"Mr。Officer，Iprotest——\"
Butatthatmomentthepolicemangrabbedhisarmwithasavagejerkthatnearlyoverthrewhim。
\"Comeon，you’repulled。\"
\"Arresthim，too，\"Watsondemanded。
\"Nixonthatplay，\"wasthereply。
\"Whatdidyouassaulthimfor，himapeacefullyeatin’hissoup？\"
II
CarterWatsonwasgenuinelyangry。Notonlyhadhebeenwantonlyassaulted，badlybattered，andarrested，butthemorningpaperswithoutexceptioncameoutwithluridaccountsofhisdrunkenbrawlwiththeproprietorofthenotoriousVendome。Notoneaccurateortruthfullinewaspublished。PatsyHoranandhissatellitesdescribedthebattleindetail。TheoneincontestablethingwasthatCarterWatsonhadbeendrunk。
Thricehehadbeenthrownoutoftheplaceandintothegutter，andthricehehadcomeback，breathingbloodandfireandannouncingthathewasgoingtocleanouttheplace。\"EMINENT
SOCIOLOGISTJAGGEDANDJUGGED，\"wasthefirsthead—lineheread，onthefrontpage，accompaniedbyalargeportraitofhimself。Otherheadlineswere：\"CARTERWATSONASPIREDTO
CHAMPIONSHIPHONORS\";\"CARTERWATSONGETSHIS\";\"NOTED
SOCIOLOGISTATTEMPTSTOCLEANOUTATENDERLOINCAFE\";and\"CARTERWATSONKNOCKEDOUTBYPATSYHORANINTHREEROUNDS。\"
Atthepolicecourt，nextmorning，underbail，appearedCarterWatsontoanswerthecomplaintofthePeopleVersusCarterWatson，forthelatter’sassaultandbatteryononePatsyHoran。Butfirst，theProsecutingAttorney，whowaspaidtoprosecutealloffendersagainstthePeople，drewhimasideandtalkedwithhimprivately。
\"Whynotletitdrop！\"saidtheProsecutingAttorney。\"Itellyouwhatyoudo，Mr。Watson：ShakehandswithMr。Horanandmakeitup，andwe’lldropthecaserighthere。AwordtotheJudge，andthecaseagainstyouwillbedismissed。\"
\"ButIdon’twantitdismissed，\"wastheanswer。\"Yourofficebeingwhatitis，youshouldbeprosecutingmeinsteadofaskingmetomakeupwiththis——thisfellow。\"
\"Oh，I’llprosecuteyouallright，\"retortedtheProsecutingAttorney。
\"AlsoyouwillhavetoprosecutethisPatsyHoran，\"Watsonadvised;\"forIshallnowhavehimarrestedforassaultandbattery。\"
\"You’dbettershakeandmakeup，\"theProsecutingAttorneyrepeated，andthistimetherewasalmostathreatinhisvoice。
Thetrialsofbothmenweresetforaweeklater，onthesamemorning，inPoliceJudgeWitberg’scourt。
\"Youhavenochance，\"Watsonwastoldbyanoldfriendofhisboyhood，theretiredmanagerofthebiggestpaperinthecity。
\"Everybodyknowsyouwerebeatenupbythisman。Hisreputationismostunsavory。Butitwon’thelpyouintheleast。Bothcaseswillbedismissed。Thiswillbebecauseyouareyou。Anyordinarymanwouldbeconvicted。\"
\"ButIdonotunderstand，\"objectedtheperplexedsociologist。
\"WithoutwarningIwasattackedbythisman;andbadlybeaten。
Ididnotstrikeablow。I——\"
\"Thathasnothingtodowithit，\"theothercuthimoff。
\"Thenwhatistherethathasanythingtodowithit？\"
\"I’lltellyou。Youarenowupagainstthelocalpoliceandpoliticalmachine。Whoareyou？Youarenotevenalegalresidentinthistown。Youliveupinthecountry。Youhaven’tavoteofyourownhere。Muchlessdoyouswinganyvotes。Thisdiveproprietorswingsastringofvotesinhisprecincts——amightylongstring。\"
\"DoyoumeantotellmethatthisJudgeWitbergwillviolatethesacrednessofhisofficeandoathbylettingthisbruteoff？\"Watsondemanded。
\"Watchhim，\"wasthegrimreply。\"Oh，he’lldoitnicelyenough。Hewillgiveanextra—legal，extra—judicialdecision，aboundingineverywordinthedictionarythatstandsforfairnessandright。\"
\"Buttherearethenewspapers，\"Watsoncried。
\"Theyarenotfightingtheadministrationatpresent。They’llgiveittoyouhard。Youseewhattheyhavealreadydonetoyou。\"
\"Thenthesesnipsofboysonthepolicedetailwon’twritethetruth？\"
\"Theywillwritesomethingsonearlikethetruththatthepublicwillbelieveit。Theywritetheirstoriesunderinstruction，youknow。Theyhavetheirorderstotwistandcolor，andtherewon’tbemuchleftofyouwhentheygetdone。
Betterdropthewholethingrightnow。Youareinbad。\"
\"Butthetrialsareset。\"
\"Givethewordandthey’lldropthemnow。Amancan’tfightamachineunlesshehasamachinebehindhim。\"
III
ButCarterWatsonwasstubborn。Hewasconvincedthatthemachinewouldbeathim，butallhisdayshehadsoughtsocialexperience，andthiswascertainlysomethingnew。
ThemorningofthetrialtheProsecutingAttorneymadeanotherattempttopatchuptheaffair。
\"Ifyoufeelthatway，Ishouldliketogetalawyertoprosecutethecase，\"saidWatson。
\"No，youdon’t，\"saidtheProsecutingAttorney。\"IampaidbythePeopletoprosecute，andprosecuteIwill。Butletmetellyou。Youhavenochance。Weshalllumpbothcasesintoone，andyouwatchout。\"
JudgeWitberglookedgoodtoWatson。Afairlyyoungman，short，comfortablystout，smooth—shavenandwithanintelligentface，heseemedaverynicemanindeed。Thisgoodimpressionwasaddedtobythesmilinglipsandthewrinklesoflaughterinthecornersofhisblackeyes。Lookingathimandstudyinghim，Watsonfeltalmostsurethathisoldfriend’sprognosticationwaswrong。
ButWatsonwassoontolearn。PatsyHoranandtwoofhissatellitestestifiedtoamostcolossalaggregationofperjuries。Watsoncouldnothavebelieveditpossiblewithouthavingexperiencedit。Theydeniedtheexistenceoftheotherfourmen。Andofthetwothattestified，oneclaimedtohavebeeninthekitchen，awitnesstoWatson’sunprovokedassaultonPatsy，whiletheother，remaininginthebar，hadwitnessedWatson’ssecondandthirdrushesintotheplaceasheattemptedtoannihilatetheunoffendingPatsy。ThevilelanguageascribedtoWatsonwassovoluminouslyandunspeakablyvile，thathefelttheywereinjuringtheirowncase。Itwassoimpossiblethatheshoulduttersuchthings。ButwhentheydescribedthebrutalblowshehadrainedonpoorPatsy’sface，andthechairhedemolishedwhenhevainlyattemptedtokickPatsy，Watsonwaxedsecretlyhilariousandatthesametimesad。Thetrialwasafarce，butsuchlownessoflifewasdepressingtocontemplatewhenheconsideredthelongupwardclimbhumanitymustmake。
Watsoncouldnotrecognizehimself，norcouldhisworstenemyhaverecognizedhim，intheswashbuckling，rough—housingpicturethatwaspaintedofhim。But，asinallcasesofcomplicatedperjury，riftsandcontradictionsinthevariousstoriesappeared。TheJudgesomehowfailedtonoticethem，whiletheProsecutingAttorneyandPatsy’sattorneyshiedofffromthemgracefully。Watsonhadnotbotheredtogetalawyerforhimself，andhewasnowgladthathehadnot。
Still，heretainedasemblanceoffaithinJudgeWitbergwhenhewenthimselfonthestandandstartedtotellhisstory。
\"Iwasstrollingcasuallyalongthestreet，yourHonor，\"Watsonbegan，butwasinterruptedbytheJudge。
\"Wearenotheretoconsideryourpreviousactions，\"bellowedJudgeWitberg。\"Whostruckthefirstblow？\"
\"YourHonor，\"Watsonpleaded，\"Ihavenowitnessesoftheactualfray，andthetruthofmystorycanonlybebroughtoutbytellingthestoryfully——\"
Againhewasinterrupted。
\"Wedonotcaretopublishanymagazineshere，\"JudgeWitbergroared，lookingathimsofiercelyandmalevolentlythatWatsoncouldscarcelybringhimselftobelievethatthiswassamemanhehadstudiedafewminutespreviously。
\"Whostruckthefirstblow？\"Patsy’sattorneyasked。