’AndIamsuretheboyspeakstrue，’saidPeter。’HeonlysaysaboutyourhandwhatIhaveknowneversolongaboutyourself，Joan。Curdie，yourmother’sfootisasprettyafootasanylady’sintheland，andwhereherhandisnotsoprettyitcomesofkillingitsbeautyforyouandme，myboy。AndIcantellyoumore，Curdie。Idon’tknowmuchaboutladiesandgentlemen，butI
amsureyourinsidemothermustbealady，asherhandtellsyou，andIwilltrytosayhowIknowit。Thisishow：whenIforgetmyselflookingatherasshegoesaboutherwork—andthathappensoftenasIgrowolder—IfancyforamomentortwothatIamagentleman;andwhenIwakeupfrommylittledream，itisonlytofeelthemorestronglythatImustdoeverythingasagentlemanshould。IwilltrytotellyouwhatImean，Curdie。Ifagentleman—Imeanarealgentleman，notapretendedone，ofwhichsorttheysaythereareamanyaboveground—ifarealgentlemanweretoloseallhismoneyandcomedowntoworkintheminestogetbreadforhisfamily—doyouthink，Curdie，hewouldworklikethelazyones？Wouldhetrytodoaslittleashecouldforhiswages？Iknowthesortofthetruegentlemanprettynearaswellashedoeshimself。Andmywife，that’syourmother，Curdie，she’satruelady，youmaytakemywordforit，forit’sshethatmakesmewanttobeatruegentleman。Wife，theboyisintherightaboutyourhand。’
’Now，Father，letmefeelyours，’saidCurdie，daringalittlemore。
’No，no，myboy，’answeredPeter。’Idon’twanttohearanythingaboutmyhandormyheadormyheart。IamwhatIam，andIhopegrowingbetter，andthat’senough。No，youshan’tfeelmyhand。
Youmustgotobed，foryoumuststartwiththesun。’
ItwasnotasifCurdiehadbeenleavingthemtogotoprison，ortomakeafortune，andalthoughtheyweresorryenoughtolosehim，theywerenotintheleastheartbrokenoreventroubledathisgoing。
Astheprincesshadsaidhewastogolikethepoormanhewas，Curdiecamedowninthemorningfromhislittleloftdressedinhisworkingclothes。Hismother，whowasbusygettinghisbreakfastforhim，whilehisfathersatreadingtoheroutofanoldbook，wouldhavehadhimputonhisholidaygarments，which，shesaid，wouldlookpoorenoughamongthefineladiesandgentlemenhewasgoingto。ButCurdiesaidhedidnotknowthathewasgoingamongladiesandgentlemen，andthatasworkwasbetterthanplay，hisworkdayclothesmustonthewholebebetterthanhisplaydayClothes;andashisfatheracceptedtheargument，hismothergavein。Whenhehadeatenhisbreakfast，shetookapouchmadeofgoatskin，withthelonghaironit，filleditwithbreadandcheese，andhungitoverhisshoulder。Thenhisfathergavehimastickhehadcutforhiminthewood，andhebadethemgood—byeratherhurriedly，forhewasafraidofbreakingdown。Ashewentouthecaughtuphismattockandtookitwithhim。Ithadontheonesideapointedcurveofstrongsteelforlooseningtheearthandtheore，andontheotherasteelhammerforbreakingthestonesandrocks。justashecrossedthethresholdthesunshowedthefirstsegmentofhisdiscabovethehorizon。
CHAPTER10
TheHeathHehadtogotothebottomofthehilltogetintoacountryhecouldcross，forthemountainstothenorthwerefullofprecipices，anditwouldhavebeenlosingtimetogothatway。Notuntilhehadreachedtheking’shousewasitanyusetoturnnorthwards。Manyalookdidheraise，ashepassedit，tothedovetower，andaslongasitwasinsight，buthesawnothingoftheladyofthepigeons。
Onandonhefared，andcameinafewhourstoacountrywheretherewerenomountainsmore—onlyhills，withgreatstretchesofdesolateheath。Hereandtherewasavillage，butthatbroughthimlittlepleasure，forthepeoplewererougherandworsemanneredthanthoseinthemountains，andashepassedthrough，thechildrencamebehindandmockedhim。
’There’samonkeyrunningawayfromthemines！’theycried。
Sometimestheirparentscameoutandencouragedthem。
’Hedoesn’twanttofindgoldforthekinganylonger—thelazybones！’theywouldsay。’He’llbewelltaxeddownherethough，andhewon’tlikethateither。’
ButitwaslittletoCurdiethatmenwhodidnotknowwhathewasaboutshouldnotapproveofhisproceedings。Hegavethemamerryanswernowandthen，andhelddiligentlyonhisway。Whentheygotsorudeasnearlytomakehimangry，hewouldtreatthemasheusedtotreatthegoblins，andsinghisownsongstokeepouttheirfoolishnoises。Onceachildfellasheturnedtorunawayafterthrowingastoneathim。Hepickedhimup，kissedhim，andcarriedhimtohismother。Thewomanhadrunoutinterrorwhenshesawthestrangeminerabout，asshethought，totakevengeanceonherboy。Whenheputhiminherarms，sheblessedhim，andCurdiewentonhiswayrejoicing。
Andsothedaywenton，andtheeveningcame，andinthemiddleofagreatdesolateheathhebegantofeeltired，andsatdownunderanancienthawthorn，throughwhicheverynowandthenalonewindthatseemedtocomefromnowhereandtogonowhithersighedandhissed。Itwasveryoldanddistorted。Therewasnotanothertreeformilesallaround。itseemedtohavelivedsolong，andtohavebeensotornandtossedbythetempestsonthatmoor，thatithadatlastgatheredawindofitsown，whichgotupnowandthen，tumbleditselfabout，andlaydownagain。
Curdiehadbeensoeagertogetonthathehadeatennothingsincehisbreakfast。Buthehadhadplentyofwater，forManylittlestreamshadcrossedhispath。Henowopenedthewallethismotherhadgivenhim，andbegantoeathissupper。Thesunwassetting。
Afewcloudshadgatheredaboutthewest，buttherewasnotasinglecloudanywhereelsetobeseen。
NowCurdiedidnotknowthatthiswasapartofthecountryveryhardtogetthrough。Nobodylivedthere，thoughmanyhadtriedtobuildinit。Somediedverysoon。Somerushedoutofit。Thosewhostayedlongestwentravingmad，anddiedaterribledeath。
Suchaswalkedstraighton，anddidnotspendanightthere，gotthroughwellandwerenothingtheworse。Butthosewhosleptevenasinglenightinitweresuretomeetwithsomethingtheycouldneverforget，andwhichoftenleftamarkeverybodycouldread。
AndthatoldhawthornMighthavebeenenoughforawarning—itlookedsolikeahumanbeingdriedupanddistortedwithageandsuffering，withcaresinsteadofloves，andthingsinsteadofthoughts。Bothitandtheheatharoundit，whichstretchedonallsidesasfarashecouldsee，weresowitheredthatitwasimpossibletosaywhethertheywerealiveornot。
AndwhileCurdieatetherecameachange。Cloudshadgatheredoverhishead，andseemeddriftingaboutineverydirection，asifnot’shepherdedbytheslow，unwillingwind，’buthuntedinalldirectionsbywolfishflawsacrosstheplainsofthesky。Thesunwasgoingdowninastormofluridcrimson，andoutofthewestcameawindthatfeltredandhottheonemoment，andcoldandpaletheother。Andverystrangelyitsanginthedrearyoldhawthorntree，andverycheerilyitblewaboutCurdie，nowmakinghimcreepcloseuptothetreeforshelterfromitsshiverycold，nowfanhimselfwithhiscap，itwassosultryandstifling。Itseemedtocomefromthedeathbedofthesun，dyinginfeverandague。
Andashegazedatthesun，nowonthevergeofthehorizon，verylargeandveryredandverydull—forthoughthecloudshadbrokenawayadustyfogwasspreadalloverthedisc—Curdiesawsomethingstrangeappearagainstit，movingaboutlikeaflyoveritsburningface。Thislookedasifitwerecomingoutofthesun’sfurnaceheart，andwasalivingcreatureofsomekindsurely;
butitsshapewasveryuncertain，becausethedazzleofthelightallaroundmeltedtheoutlines。
Itwasgrowinglarger，itmustbeapproaching！Itgrewsorapidlythatbythetimethesunwashalfdownitsheadreachedthetopofthearch，andpresentlynothingbutitslegsweretobeseen，crossingandrecrossingthefaceofthevanishingdisc。
Whenthesunwasdownhecouldseenothingofitmore，butinamomenthehearditsfeetgallopingoverthedrycracklingheather，andseemingtocomestraightforhim。Hestoodup，liftedhispickaxesandthrewthehammerendoverhisshoulder：hewasgoingtohaveafightforhislife！Andnowitappearedagain，vague，yetveryawful，inthedimtwilightthesunhadleftbehind。Butjustbeforeitreachedhim，downfromitsfourlonglegsitdroppedflatontheground，andcamecrawlingtowardshim，waggingahugetailasitcame。
CHAPTER11
LinaITwasLina。AllatonceCurdierecognizedher—thefrightfulcreaturehehadseenattheprincess’s。Hedroppedhispickaxesandheldouthishand。Shecreptnearerandnearer，andlaidherchininhispalm，andhepattedheruglyhead。Thenshecreptawaybehindthetree，andlaydown，pantinghard。
Curdiedidnotmuchliketheideaofherbeingbehindhim。
Horribleasshewastolookat，sheseemedtohismindmorehorriblewhenhewasnotlookingather。Butherememberedthechild’shand，andneverthoughtofdrivingheraway。Nowandthenhegaveaglancebehindhim，andthereshelayflat，withhereyesclosedandherterribleteethgleamingbetweenhertwohugeforepaws。
Afterhissupperandhislongday’sjourneyitwasnowonderCurdieshouldnowbesleepy。Sincethesunsettheairhadbeenwarmandpleasant。Helaydownunderthetree，closedhiseyes，andthoughttosleep。Hefoundhimselfmistaken，however。Butalthoughhecouldnotsleep，hewasyetawareofrestingdelightfully。
Presentlyheheardasweetsoundofsingingsomewhere，suchashehadneverheardbefore—asingingasofcuriousbirdsfaroff，whichdrewnearerandnearer。Atlengthheheardtheirwings，and，openinghiseyes，sawanumberofverylargebirds，asitseemed，alightingaroundhim，stillsinging。Itwasstrangetohearsongfromthethroatsofsuchbigbirds。
Andstillsinging，withlargeandroundbutnotthelessbirdlikevoices，theybegantoweaveastrangedanceabouthim，movingtheirwingsintimewiththeirlegs。Butthedanceseemedsomehowtobetroubledandbroken，andtoreturnuponitselfinaneddy，inplaceofsweepingsmoothlyon。
Andhesoonlearned，inthelowshortgrowlsbehindhim，thecauseoftheimperfection：theywantedtodanceallroundthetree，butLinawouldnotpermitthemtocomeonherside。
Nowcurdielikedthebirds，anddidnotaltogetherlikeLina。Butneither，norbothtogether，madeareasonfordrivingawaytheprincess’screature。Doubtlessshehadbeenthegoblins’creature，butthelasttimehesawherwasintheking’shouseandthedovetower，andattheoldprincess’sfeet。Sohelefthertodoasshewould，andthedanceofthebirdscontinuedonlyasemicircle，troubledattheedges，andreturninguponitself。
Buttheirsongandtheirmotions，nevertheless，andthewavingoftheirwings，beganatlengthtomakehimverysleepy。Allthetimehehadkeptdoubtingwhethertheycouldreallybebirds，andthesleepierhegot，themoreheimaginedthemsomethingelse，buthesuspectednoharm。
Suddenly，justashewassinkingbeneaththewavesofslumber，heawokeinfiercepain。Thebirdswereuponhim—alloverhim—andhadbeguntotearhimwithbeaksandclaws。Hehadbuttime，however，tofeelthathecouldnotmoveundertheirweight，whentheysetupahideousscreaming，andscatteredlikeacloud。Linawasamongthem，snappingandstrikingwithherpaws，whilehertailknockedthemoverandover。Buttheyflewup，gathered，anddescendedonherinaswarm，perchinguponeverypartofherbody，sothathecouldseeonlyahugemisshapenmass，whichseemedtogorollingawayintothedarkness。Hegotupandtriedtofollow，butcouldseenothing，andafterwanderingabouthitherandthitherforsometime，foundhimselfagainbesidethehawthorn。HefearedgreatlythatthebirdshadbeentoomuchforLina，andhadtornhertopieces。Inalittlewhile，however，shecamelimpingback，andlaydowninheroldplace。Curdiealsolaydown，but，fromthepainofhiswounds，therewasnosleepforhim。Whenthelightcamehefoundhisclothesagooddealtornandhisskinaswell，butgladlywonderedwhythewickedbirdshadnotatonceattackedhiseyes。Thenheturned，lookingforLina。Sheroseandcrepttohim。Butshewasinfarworseplightthanhe—pluckedandgashedandtornwiththebeaksandclawsofthebirds，especiallyaboutthebarepartofherneck，sothatshewaspitifultosee。Andthoseworstwoundsshecouldnotreachtolick。
’PoorLina！’saidCurdie，’yougotallthosehelpingme。’
Shewaggedhertail，andmadeitclearsheunderstoodhim。ThenitflasheduponCurdie’smindthatperhapsthiswasthecompaniontheprincesshadpromisedhim。Fortheprincessdidsomanythingsdifferentlyfromwhatanybodylookedfor！Linawasnobeautycertainly，butalready，thefirstnight，shehadsavedhislife。
’Comealong，Lina，’hesaid，’wewantwater。’
Sheputhernosetotheearth，andaftersnuffingforamoment，dartedoffinastraightline。Curdiefollowed。Thegroundwassouneven，thatafterlosingsightofhermanytimes，atlastheseemedtohavelostheraltogether。Inafewminutes，however，hecameuponherwaitingforhim。Instantlyshedartedoffagain。
Afterhehadlostandfoundheragainmanytimes，hefoundherthelasttimelyingbesideagreatstone。Assoonashecameupshebeganscratchingatitwithherpaws。Whenhehadraiseditaninchortwo，sheshovedinfirsthernoseandthenherteeth，andliftedwithallthemightofherneck。
Whenatlengthbetweenthemtheygotitup，therewasabeautifullittlewell。Hefilledhiscapwiththeclearestandsweetestwater，anddrank。ThenhegavetoLina，andshedrankplentifully。
Nexthewashedherwoundsverycarefully。Andashedidso，henotedhowmuchthebarenessofherneckaddedtothestrangerepulsivenessofherappearance。Thenhebethoughthimofthegoatskinwallethismotherhadgivenhim，andtakingitfromhisshoulders，triedwhetheritwoulddotomakeacollarofforthepooranimal。Hefoundtherewasjustenough，andthehairsosimilarincolourtoLina’s，thatnoonecouldsuspectitofhavinggrownsomewhereelse。
Hetookhisknife，rippeduptheseamsofthewallet，andbegantryingtheskintoherneck。itwasplainsheunderstoodperfectlywhathewished，forsheendeavouredtoholdherneckconveniently，turningitthiswayandthatwhilehecontrived，withhisratherscantymaterial，tomakethecollarfit。Ashismotherhadtakencaretoprovidehimwithneedlesandthread，hesoonhadanicegorgetreadyforher。Helaceditonwithoneofhisbootlaces，whichitslonghaircovered。PoorLinalookedmuchbetterinit。
Norcouldanyonehavecalleditapieceoffinery。Ifevergreeneyeswithayellowlightinthemlookedgrateful，hersdid。
Astheyhadnolongeranybagtocarrythemin，CurdieandLinanowatewhatwasleftoftheprovisions。Thentheysetoutagainupontheirjourney。Forsevendaysitlasted。Theymetwithvariousadventures，andinallofthemLinaprovedsohelpful，andsoreadytoriskherlifeforthesakeofhercompanion，thatCurdiegrewnotmerelyveryfondbutverytrustfulofher;andherugliness，whichatfirstonlymovedhispity，nowactuallyincreasedhisaffectionforher。Oneday，lookingatherstretchedonthegrassbeforehim，hesaid：
’Oh，Lina！Iftheprincesswouldbutburnyouinherfireofroses！’
Shelookedupathim，gaveamournfulwhinelikeadog，andlaidherheadonhisfeet。Whatorhowmuchhecouldnottell，butclearlyshehadgatheredsomethingfromhiswords。
CHAPTER12
MoreCreaturesOnedayfrommorningtillnighttheyhadbeenpassingthroughaforest。AssoonasthesunwasdownCurdiebegantobeawarethatthereweremoreinitthanthemselves。Firsthesawonlytheswiftrushofafigureacrossthetreesatsomedistance。Thenhesawanotherandthenanotheratshorterintervals。Thenhesawothersbothfartheroffandnearer。Atlast，missingLinaandlookingaboutafterher，hesawanappearanceasmarvellousasherselfstealuptoher，andbeginconversingwithheraftersomebeastfashionwhichevidentlysheunderstood。
Presentlywhatseemedaquarrelarosebetweenthem，andstrangernoisesfollowed，mingledwithgrowling。Atlengthitcametoafight，whichhadnotlastedlong，however，beforethecreatureofthewoodthrewitselfuponitsback，andheldupitspawstoLina。
Sheinstantlywalkedon，andthecreaturegotupandfollowedher。
Theyhadnotgonefarbeforeanotherstrangeanimalappeared，approachingLina，whenpreciselythesamethingwasrepeated，thevanquishedanimalrisingandfollowingwiththeformer。Again，andyetagain，andagain，afreshanimalcameup，seemedtobereasonedandcertainlywasfoughtwithandovercomebyLina，untilatlast，beforetheywereoutofthewood，shewasfollowedbyforty—nineofthemostgrotesquelyugly，themostextravagantlyabnormalanimalsimaginationcanconceive。Todescribethemwereahopelesstask。
Iknewaboywhousedtomakeanimalsoutofheatherroots。
Whereverhecouldfindfourlegs，hewasprettysuretofindaheadandatail。Hisbeastswereamostcomicmenagerie，andrightfruitfuloflaughter。ButtheywerenotsogrotesqueandextravagantasLinaandherfollowers。Oneofthem，forinstance，waslikeaboaconstrictorwalkingonfourlittlestumpylegsnearitstail。Aboutthesamedistancefromitsheadweretwolittlewings，whichitwasforeverflutteringasiftryingtoflywiththem。Curdiethoughtitfancieditdidflywiththem，whenitwasmerelyploddingonbusilywithitsfourlittlestumps。Howitmanagedtokeepuphecouldnotthink，tilloncewhenhemisseditfromthegroup：thesamemomenthecaughtsightofsomethingatadistanceplungingatanawfulserpentineratethroughthetrees，andpresently，frombehindahugeash，thissamecreaturefellagainintothegroup，quietlywaddlingalongonitsfourstumps。
Watchingitafterthis，hesawthat，whenitwasnotabletokeepupanylonger，andtheyhadallgotalittlespaceahead，itshotintothewoodawayfromtheroute，andmadeagreatround，serpentinealoneinhugebillowsofmotion，devouringtheground，undulatingawfully，gallopingasifitwerealllegstogether，anditsfourstumpsnowhere。Inthismadfashionitshotahead，and，afewminutesafter，toddledinagainamongtherest，walkingpeacefullyandsomewhatpainfullyonitsfewfours。
Fromthetimeittakestodescribeoneofthemitwillbereadilyseenthatitwouldhardlydotoattemptadescriptionofeachoftheforty—nine。Theywerenotagoodlycompany，butwellworthcontemplating，nevertheless;andCurdiehadbeentoolongusedtothegoblins’creaturesintheminesandonthemountain，tofeeltheleastuncomfortableatbeingfollowedbysuchaherd。Onthecontrary，themarvellousvagariesofshapetheymanifestedamusedhimgreatly，andshortenedthejourneymuch。
Beforetheywereallgathered，however，ithadgotsodarkthathecouldseesomeofthemonlyapartatatime，andeverynowandthen，asthecompanywanderedon，hewouldbestartledbysomeextraordinarylimborfeature，undreamedofbyhimbefore，thrustingitselfoutofthedarknessintotherangeofhisken。
Probablythereweresomeofhisoldacquaintancesamongthem，althoughsuchhadbeentheconditionsofsemi—darkness，inwhichalonehehadeverseenanyofthem，thatitwasnotlikehewouldbeabletoidentifyanyofthem。
Ontheymarchedsolemnly，almostinsilence，foreitherwithfeetorvoicethecreaturesseldommadeanynoise。Bythetimetheyreachedtheoutsideofthewooditwasmorningtwilight。Intotheopentroopedthestrangetorrentofdeformity，eachonefollowingLina。Suddenlyshestopped，turnedtowardsthem，andsaidsomethingwhichtheyunderstood，althoughtoCurdie’searthesoundsshemadeseemedtohavenoarticulation。Instantlytheyallturned，andvanishedintheforest，andLinaalonecametrottinglithelyandclumsilyafterhermaster。
CHAPTER13
TheBaker’sWifeTheywerenowpassingthroughalovelycountryofhillanddaleandrushingstream。Thehillswereabrupt，withbrokenchasmsforwatercourses，anddeeplittlevalleysfulloftrees。Butnowandthentheycametoalargervalley，withafineriver，whoselevelbanksandtheadjacentmeadowsweredottedalloverwithredandwhitekine，whileonthefieldsabove，thatslopedalittletothefootofthehills，grewoatsandbarleyandwheat，andonthesidesofthehillsthemselvesvineshungandchestnutsrose。
Theycameatlasttoabroad，beautifulriver，upwhichtheymustgotoarriveatthecityofGwyntystorm，wherethekinghadhiscourt。Astheywentthevalleynarrowed，andthentheriver，butstillitwaswideenoughforlargeboats。Afterthis，whiletheriverkeptitssize，thebanksnarrowed，untiltherewasonlyroomforaroadbetweentheriverandthegreatCliffsthatoverhungit。
Atlastriverandroadtookasuddenturn，andlo！agreatrockintheriver，whichdividingflowedaroundit，andonthetopoftherockthecity，withloftywallsandtowersandbattlements，andabovethecitythepalaceoftheking，builtlikeastrongcastle。
Butthefortificationshadlongbeenneglected，forthewholecountrywasnowunderoneking，andallmensaidtherewasnomoreneedforweaponsorwalls。Nomanpretendedtolovehisneighbour，buteveryonesaidheknewthatpeaceandquietbehaviourwasthebestthingforhimself，andthat，hesaid，wasquiteasuseful，andagreatdealmorereasonable。Thecitywasprosperousandrich，andifeverybodywasnotcomfortable，everybodyelsesaidheoughttobe。
WhenCurdiegotupoppositethemightyrock，whichsparkledalloverwithcrystals，hefoundanarrowbridge，defendedbygatesandportcullisandtowerswithloopholes。Butthegatesstoodwideopen，andweredroppingfromtheirgreathinges;theportculliswaseatenawaywithrust，andclungtothegroovesevidentlyimmovable;
whiletheloopholedtowershadneitherfloornorroof，andtheirtopswerefastfillinguptheirinteriors。Curdiethoughtitapity，ifonlyfortheiroldstory，thattheyshouldbethusneglected。Buteverybodyinthecityregardedthesesignsofdecayasthebestproofoftheprosperityoftheplace。Commerceandself—interest，theysaid，hadgotthebetterofviolence，andthetroublesofthepastwerewhelmedintherichesthatflowedinattheiropengates。
Indeed，therewasonesectofphilosophersinitwhichtaughtthatitwouldbebettertoforgetallthepasthistoryofthecity，wereitnotthatitsformerimperfectionstaughtitspresentinhabitantshowsuperiortheyandtheirtimeswere，andenabledthemtogloryovertheirancestors。Therewereevencertainquacksinthecitywhoadvertisedpillsforenablingpeopletothinkwellofthemselves，andsomefewboughtofthem，butmostlaughed，andsaid，withevidenttruth，thattheydidnotrequirethem。Indeed，thegeneralthemeofdiscoursewhentheymetwas，howmuchwisertheywerethantheirfathers。
Curdiecrossedtheriver，andbegantoascendthewindingroadthatleduptothecity。Theymetagoodmanyidlers，andallstaredatthem。Itwasnowondertheyshouldstare，buttherewasanunfriendlinessintheirlookswhichCurdiedidnotlike。Noone，however，offeredthemanymolestation：Linadidnotinviteliberties。Afteralongascent，theyreachedtheprincipalgateofthecityandentered。
Thestreetwasverysteep，ascendingtowardthepalace，whichroseingreatstrengthaboveallthehouses。justastheyentered，abaker，whoseshopwasafewdoorsinsidethegate，cameoutinhiswhiteapron，andrantotheshopofhisfriend，thebarber，ontheoppositesideoftheway。Butasheranhestumbledandfellheavily。Curdiehastenedtohelphimup，andfoundhehadbruisedhisforeheadbadly。Hesworegrievouslyatthestonefortrippinghimup，declaringitwasthethirdtimehehadfallenoveritwithinthelastmonth;andsayingwhatwasthekingaboutthatheallowedsuchastonetostickupforeveronthemainstreetofhisroyalresidenceofGwyntystorm！Whatwasakingforifhewouldnottakecareofhispeople’sheads！Andhestrokedhisforeheadtenderly。
’Wasityourheadoryourfeetthatoughttobeartheblameofyourfall？’askedCurdie。
’Why，youboobyofaminer！Myfeet，ofcourse，’answeredthebaker。
’Nay，then，’saidCurdie，’thekingcan’tbetoblame。’
’Oh，Isee！’saidthebaker。’You’relayingatrapforme。Ofcourse，ifyoucometothat，itwasmyheadthatoughttohavelookedaftermyfeet。Butitistheking’sparttolookafterusall，andhavehisstreetssmooth。’
’Well，Idon’tsee，saidCurdie，’whythekingshouldtakecareofthebaker，whenthebaker’sheadwon’ttakecareofthebaker’sfeet。’
’Whoareyoutomakegameoftheking’sbaker？’criedthemaninarage。
But，insteadofanswering，Curdiewentuptothebumponthestreetwhichhadrepeateditselfonthebaker’shead，andturningthehammerendofhismattock，struckitsuchablowthatitflewwideinpieces。Blowafterblowhestruckuntilhehadlevelleditwiththestreet。
Butoutflewthebarberuponhiminarage。
’Whatdoyoubreakmywindowfor，yourascal，withyourpickaxe？’
’Iamverysorry，’saidCurdie。’Itmusthavebeenabitofstonethatflewfrommymattock。Icouldn’thelpit，youknow。’
’Couldn’thelpit！Afinestory！Whatdoyougobreakingtherockfor—theveryrockuponwhichthecitystands？’
’Lookatyourfriend’sforehead，’saidCurdie。’Seewhatalumphehasgotonitwithfallingoverthatsamestone。’
’What’sthattomywindow？’criedthebarber。’Hisforeheadcanmenditself;mypoorwindowcan’t。’
’Buthe’stheking’sbaker，’saidCurdie，moreandmoresurprisedattheman’sanger。
’What’sthattome？Thisisafreecity。Everymanheretakescareofhimself，andthekingtakescareofusall。I’llhavethepriceofmywindowoutofyou，ortheexchequershallpayforit。’
SomethingcaughtCurdie’seye。Hestooped，pickedupapieceofthestonehehadjustbroken，andputitinhispocket。
’Isupposeyouaregoingtobreakanotherofmywindowswiththatstone！’saidthebarber。
’Ohno，’saidCurdie。’Ididn’tmeantobreakyourwindow，andI
certainlywon’tbreakanother。’
’Givemethatstone，’saidthebarber。
Curdiegaveithim，andthebarberthrewitoverthecitywall。
’Ithoughtyouwantedthestone，’saidCurdie。
’No，youfool！’answeredthebarber。’WhatshouldIwantwithastone？’
Curdiestoopedandpickedupanother。
’Givemethatstone，’saidthebarber。
’No，’answeredCurdie。’YouhavejusttoldmeYOUdon’twantastone，andIdo。’
ThebarbertookCurdiebythecollar。
’Come，now！Youpaymeforthatwindow。’
’Howmuch？’askedCurdie。
Thebarbersaid，’Acrown。’Butthebaker，annoyedattheheartlessnessofthebarber，inthinkingmoreofhisbrokenwindowthanthebumponhisfriend’sforehead，interfered。
’No，no，’hesaidtoCurdie;’don’tyoupayanysuchsum。Alittlepanelikethatcostonlyaquarter。’
’Well，tobecertain，’saidCurdie，’I’llgiveahalf。’Forhedoubtedthebakeraswellasthebarber。’Perhapsoneday，ifhefindshehasaskedtoomuch，hewillbringmethedifference。’
’Ha！ha！’laughedthebarber。’Afoolandhismoneyaresoonparted。’
ButashetookthecoinfromCurdie’shandhegraspeditinaffectedreconciliationandrealsatisfaction。InCurdie’s，hiswasthecoldsmoothleatherypalmofamonkey。Helookedup，almostexpectingtoseehimpopthemoneyinhischeek;buthehadnotyetgotsofarasthat，thoughhewaswellontheroadtoit：
thenhewouldhavenootherpocket。
’I’mgladthatstoneisgone，anyhow，’saidthebaker。’Itwasthebaneofmylife。Ihadnoideahoweasyitwastoremoveit。Givemeyourpickaxesyoungminer，andIwillshowyouhowabakercanmakethestonesfly。’
HecaughtthetooloutofCurdie’shand，andflewatoneofthefoundationstonesofthegateway。Buthejarredhisarmterribly，scarcelychippedthestone，droppedthemattockwithacryofpain，andranintohisownshop。Curdiepickeduphisimplement，and，lookingafterthebaker，sawbreadinthewindow，andfollowedhimin。Butthebaker，ashamedofhimself，andthinkinghewascomingtolaughathim，poppedoutofthebackdoor，andwhenCurdieentered，thebaker’swifecamefromthebakehousetoservehim。
Curdierequestedtoknowthepriceofacertaingood—sizedloaf。
Nowthebaker’swifehadbeenwatchingwhathadpassedsincefirstherhusbandranoutoftheshop，andshelikedthelookofCurdie。
Alsoshewasmorehonestthanherhusband。Castingaglancetothebackdoor，shereplied：
’Thatisnotthebestbread。Iwillsellyoualoafofwhatwebakeforourselves。’Andwhenshehadspokenshelaidafingeronherlips。’Takecareofyourselfinthisplace，MYson，’sheadded。’Theydonotlovestrangers。Iwasonceastrangerhere，andIknowwhatIsay。’Thenfancyingsheheardherhusband，’Thatisastrangeanimalyouhave，’shesaid，inaloudervoice。
’Yes，’answeredCurdie。’Sheisnobeauty，butsheisverygood，andweloveeachother。Don’twe，Lina？’
Linalookedupandwhined。Curdiethrewherthehalfofhisloaf，whichsheate，whilehermasterandthebaker’swifetalkedalittle。Thenthebaker’swifegavethemsomewater，andCurdiehavingpaidforhisloaf，heandLinawentupthestreettogether。
CHAPTER14
TheDogsofGwyntystormThesteepstreetledthemstraightuptoalargemarketplacewithbutchers’shops，aboutwhichweremanydogs。ThemomenttheycaughtsightofLina，oneandalltheycamerushingdownuponher，givinghernochanceofexplainingherself。WhenCurdiesawthedogscomingheheaveduphismattockoverhisshoulder，andwasready，iftheywouldhaveitso。Seeinghimthuspreparedtodefendhisfollower，agreatuglybulldogflewathim。WiththefirstblowCurdiestruckhimthroughthebrainandthebrutefelldeadathisfeet。Buthecouldnotatoncerecoverhisweapon，whichstuckintheskullofhisfoe，andahugemastiff，seeinghimthushampered，flewathimnext。
NowLina，whohadshownherselfsobraveupontheroadthither，hadgrownshyuponenteringthecity，andkeptalwaysatCurdie’sheel。
Butitwasherturnnow。Themomentshesawhermasterindangersheseemedtogomadwithrage。AsthemastiffjumpedatCurdie’sthroat，Linaflewathim，seizedhimwithhertremendousjaws，gaveoneroaringgrind，andhelaybesidethebulldogwithhisneckbroken。Theywerethebestdogsinthemarket，afterthejudgementofthebutchersofGwyntystorm。Downcametheirmasters，knivesinhand。
Curdiedrewhimselfupfearlessly，mattockonshoulder，andawaitedtheircoming，whileathisheelhisawfulattendantshowednotonlyheroutsidefringeoficicleteeth，butadoublerowofrightserviceablefangssheworeinsidehermouth，andhergreeneyesflashedyellowasgold。Thebutchers，notlikingthelookofeitherofthemorofthedogsattheirfeet，drewback，andbegantoremonstrateinthemannerofoutragedmen。
’Stranger，’saidthefirst，’thatbulldogismine。’
’Takehim，then，’saidCurdie，indignant。
’You’vekilledhim！’
’Yes—elsehewouldhavekilledme。’
’That’snobusinessofmine。’
’No？’
’No。’
’Thatmakesitthemoremine，then。’
’Thissortofthingwon’tdo，youknow，’saidtheotherbutcher。
’That’strue，’saidCurdie。
’That’smymastiff，’saidthebutcher。
’Andasheoughttobe，’saidCurdie。
’Yourbruteshallbeburnedaliveforit，’saidthebutcher。
’Notyet，’answeredCurdie。’Wehavedonenowrong。Wewerewalkingquietlyupyourstreetwhenyourdogsflewatus。Ifyoudon’tteachyourdogshowtotreatstrangers，youmusttaketheconsequences。’
’Theytreatthemquiteproperly，’saidthebutcher。’Whatrighthasanyonetobringanabominationlikethatintoourcity？Thehorrorisenoughtomakeanidiotofeverychildintheplace。’
’Wearebothsubjectsoftheking，andmypooranimalcan’thelpherlooks。Howwouldyouliketobeservedlikethatbecauseyouwereugly？She’snotabitfonderofherlooksthanyouare—onlywhatcanshedotochangethem？’
’I’lldotochangethem，’saidthefellow。
Thereuponthebutchersbrandishedtheirlongknivesandadvanced，keepingtheireyesuponLina。
’Don’tbeafraid，Lina，’criedCurdie。’I’llkillone—youkilltheother。’
Linagaveahowlthatmighthaveterrifiedanarmy，andcrouchedreadytospring。Thebutchersturnedandran。
Bythistimeagreatcrowdhadgatheredbehindthebutchers，andinitanumberofboysreturningfromschoolwhobegantostonethestrangers。Itwasawaytheyhadwithmanorbeasttheydidnotexpecttomakeanythingby。OneofthestonesstruckLina;shecaughtitinherteethandcruncheditsothatitfellingravelfromhermouth。Someoftheforemostofthecrowdsawthis，anditterrifiedthem。Theydrewback;theresttookfrightfromtheirretreat;thepanicspread;andatlastthecrowdscatteredinalldirections。Theyran，andcriedout，andsaidthedevilandhisdamwerecometoGwyntystorm。SoCurdieandLinawereleftstandingunmolestedinthemarketplace。Buttheterrorofthemspreadthroughoutthecity，andeverybodybegantoshutandlockhisdoorsothatbythetimethesettingsunshonedownthestreet，therewasnotashopleftopen，forfearofthedevilandhishorribledam。Butalltheupperwindowswithinsightofthemwerecrowdedwithheadswatchingthemwheretheystoodlonelyinthedesertedmarketplace。
Curdielookedcarefullyallround，butcouldnotseeoneopendoor。
Hecaughtsightofthesignofaninn，however，andlayingdownhismattock，andtellingLinatotakecareofit，walkeduptothedoorofitandknocked。Butthepeopleinthehouse，insteadofopeningthedoor，threwthingsathimfromthewindows。Theywouldnotlistentoawordhesaid，butsenthimbacktoLinawiththebloodrunningdownhisface。WhenLinasawthatsheleapedupinafuryandwasrushingatthehouse，intowhichshewouldcertainlyhavebroken;butCurdiecalledher，andmadeherliedownbesidehimwhilehebethoughthimwhatnextheshoulddo。
’Lina，’hesaid，’thepeoplekeeptheirgatesopen，buttheirhousesandtheirheartsshut。’
Asifsheknewitwasherpresencethathadbroughtthistroubleuponhim，sheroseandwentroundandroundhim，purringlikeatigress，andrubbingherselfagainsthislegs。
Nowtherewasonelittlethatchedhousethatstoodsqueezedinbetweentwotallgables，andthesidesofthetwogreathousesshotoutprojectingwindowsthatnearlymetacrosstheroofofthelittleone，sothatitlayinthestreetlikeadoll’shouse。Inthishouselivedapooroldwoman，withagrandchild。Andbecauseshenevergossipedorquarrelled，orchafferedinthemarket，butwentwithoutwhatshecouldnotafford，thepeoplecalledherawitch，andwouldhavedonehermanyanillturniftheyhadnotbeenafraidofher。
NowwhileCurdiewaslookinginanotherdirectionthedooropened，andoutcamealittledark—haired，black—eyed，gypsy—lookingchild，andtoddledacrossthemarketplacetowardtheoutcasts。Themomenttheysawhercoming，Linalaydownflatontheroad，andwithhertwohugeforepawscoveredhermouth，whileCurdiewenttomeether，holdingouthisarms。Thelittleonecamestraighttohim，andhelduphermouthtobekissed。Thenshetookhimbythehand，anddrewhimtowardthehouse，andCurdieyieldedtothesilentinvitation。
ButwhenLinarosetofollow，thechildshrankfromher，frightenedalittle。Curdietookherup，andholdingherononearm，pattedLinawiththeotherhand。Thenthechildwantedalsotopatdoggy，asshecalledherbyarightbountifulstretchofcourtesy，andhavingoncepattedher，nothingwouldservebutCurdiemustletherhavearideondoggy。SohesetheronLina’sback，holdingherhand，andsherodehomeinmerrytriumph，allunconsciousofthehundredsofeyesstaringatherfoolhardinessfromthewindowsaboutthemarketplace，orthemurmurofdeepdisapprovalthatrosefromasmanylips。
Atthedoorstoodthegrandmothertoreceivethem。Shecaughtthechildtoherbosomwithdelightathercourage，welcomedCurdie，andshowednodreadofLina。Manywerethesignificantnodsexchanged，andmanyaonesaidtoanotherthatthedevilandthewitchwereoldfriends。Butthewomanwasonlyawisewoman，who，havingseenhowCurdieandLinabehavedtoeachother，judgedfromthatwhatsorttheywere，andsomadethemwelcometoherhouse。
Shewasnotlikeherfellowtownspeople，forthattheywerestrangersrecommendedthemtoher。
Themomentherdoorwasshuttheotherdoorsbegantoopen，andsoonthereappearedlittlegroupshereandthereaboutathreshold，whileafewofthemorecourageousventuredoutuponthesquare—
allreadytomakefortheirhousesagain，however，upontheleastsignofmovementinthelittlethatchedone。
Thebakerandthebarberhadjoinedoneofthesegroups，andwerebusilywaggingtheirtonguesagainstCurdieandhishorriblebeast。
’Hecan’tbehonest，’saidthebarber;’forhepaidmedoubletheworthofthepanehebrokeinmywindow。’
AndthenhetoldthemhowCurdiebrokehiswindowbybreakingastoneinthestreetwithhishammer。Therethebakerstruckin。
’Nowthatwasthestone，’saidhe，’overwhichIhadfallenthreetimeswithinthelastmonth：coulditbebyfairmeanshebrokethattopiecesatthefirstblow？JusttomakeupmymindonthatpointItriedhisownhammeragainstastoneinthegate;itnearlybrokebothmyarms，andloosenedhalftheteethinmyhead！’
CHAPTER15
DerbaandBarbaraMeantimethewandererswerehospitablyentertainedbytheoldwomanandhergrandchildandtheywereallverycomfortableandhappytogether。LittleBarbarasatuponCurdie’sknee，andhetoldherstoriesabouttheminesandhisadventuresinthem。Buthenevermentionedthekingortheprincess，forallthatstorywashardtobelieve。Andhetoldherabouthismotherandfather，andhowgoodtheywere。AndDerbasatandlistened。AtlastlittleBarbarafellasleepinCurdie’sarms，andhergrandmothercarriedhertobed。
Itwasapoorlittlehouse，andDerbagaveupherownroomtoCurdiebecausehewashonestandtalkedwisely。Curdiesawhowitwas，andbeggedhertoallowhimtolieonthefloor，butshewouldnothearofit。
InthenighthewaswakedbyLinapullingathim。Assoonashespoketohersheceased，andCurdie，listening，thoughtheheardsomeonetryingtogetin。Herose，tookhismattock，andwentaboutthehouse，listeningandwatching;butalthoughheheardnoisesnowatoneplacenowatanother，hecouldnotthinkwhattheymeantfornooneappeared。Certainly，consideringhowshehadfrightenedthemallintheday，itwasnotlikelyanyonewouldattackLinaatnight。Byandbythenoisesceased，andCurdiewentbacktohisbed，andsleptundisturbed。
Inthemorning，however，Derbacametohimingreatagitation，andsaidtheyhadfastenedupthedoor，sothatshecouldnotgetout。
Curdieroseimmediatelyandwentwithher：theyfoundthatnotonlythedoor，buteverywindowinthehousewassosecuredontheoutsidethatitwasimpossibletoopenoneofthemwithoutusinggreatforce。PoorDerbalookedanxiouslyinCurdie’sface。Hebrokeoutlaughing。
’Theyaremuchmistaken，’hesaid，’iftheyfancytheycouldkeepLinaandaminerinanyhouseinGwyntystorm—eveniftheybuiltupdoorsandwindows。’
Withthatheshoulderedhismattock。ButDerbabeggedhimnottomakeaholeinherhousejustyet。Shehadplentyforbreakfast，shesaid，andbeforeitwastimefordinnertheywouldknowwhatthepeoplemeantbyit。
Andindeedtheydid。Forwithinanhourappearedoneofthechiefmagistratesofthecity，accompaniedbyascoreofsoldierswithdrawnswords，andfollowedbyagreatmultitudeofpeople，requiringtheminerandhisbrutetoyieldthemselves，theonethathemightbetriedforthedisturbancehehadoccasionedandtheinjuryhehadcommitted，theotherthatshemightberoastedaliveforherpartinkillingtwovaluableandharmlessanimalsbelongingtoworthycitizens。Thesummonswasprecededandfollowedbyflourishoftrumpet，andwasreadwitheveryformalitybythecitymarshalhimself。
Themomentheended，Linaranintothelittlepassage，andstoodoppositethedoor。
’Isurrender，’criedCurdie。
’Thentieupyourbrute，andgiveherhere。’
’No，no，’criedCurdiethroughthedoor。’Isurrender;butI’mnotgoingtodoyourhangman’swork。IfyouwantMYdog，youmusttakeher。’
’Thenweshallsetthehouseonfire，andburnwitchandall。’
’Itwillgohardwithusbutweshallkillafewdozenofyoufirst，’criedCurdie。’We’renottheleastafraidofyou。’WiththatCurdieturnedtoDerba，andsaid：
’Don’tbefrightened。Ihaveastrongfeelingthatallwillbewell。Surelynotroublewillcometoyouforbeinggoodtostrangers。’
’Butthepoordog！’saidDerba。
NowCurdieandLinaunderstoodeachothermorethanalittlebythistime，andnotonlyhadheseenthatsheunderstoodtheproclamation，butwhenshelookedupathimafteritwasread，itwaswithsuchagrin，andsuchayellowflash，thathesawalsoshewasdeterminedtotakecareofherself。
’Thedogwillprobablygiveyoureasontothinkalittlemoreofhererelong，’heanswered。’Butnow，’hewenton，’IfearImusthurtyourhousealittle。Ihavegreatconfidence，however，thatIshallbeabletomakeuptoyouforitoneday。’
’Nevermindthehouse，ifonlyyoucangetsafeoff，’sheanswered。
’Idon’tthinktheywillhurtthispreciouslamb，’sheadded，claspinglittleBarbaratoherbosom。’Formyself，itisallone;
Iamreadyforanything。’
’itisbutalittleholeforLinaIwanttomake，’saidCurdie。
’Shecancreepthroughamuchsmalleronethanyouwouldthink。’
Againhetookhismattock，andwenttothebackwall。
’Theywon’tburnthehouse，’hesaidtohimself。’Thereistoogoodaoneoneachsideofit。’
Thetumulthadkeptincreasingeverymoment，andthecitymarshalhadbeenshouting，butCurdiehadnotlistenedtohim。Whennowtheyheardtheblowsofhismattock，therewentupagreatcry，andthepeopletauntedthesoldiersthattheywereafraidofadogandhisminer。Thesoldiersthereforemadearushatthedoor，andcutitsfastenings。
Themomenttheyopenedit，outleapedLina，witharoarsounnaturallyhorriblethattheswordarmsofthesoldiersdroppedbytheirsides，paralysedwiththeterrorofthatcry;thecrowdfledineverydirection，shriekingandyellingwithmortaldismay;andwithoutevenknockingdownwithhertail，nottosaybitingamanofthemwithherpulverizingjaws，Linavanished—nooneknewwhither，fornotoneofthecrowdhadhadcouragetolookuponher。
Themomentshewasgone，Curdieadvancedandgavehimselfup。Thesoldiersweresofilledwithfear，shame，andchagrin，thattheywerereadytokillhimonthespot。Buthestoodquietlyfacingthem，withhismattockonhisshoulder;andthemagistratewishingtoexaminehim，andthepeopletoseehimmadeanexampleof，thesoldiershadtocontentthemselveswithtakinghim。Partlyforderision，partlytohurthim，theylaidhismattockagainsthisback，andtiedhisarmstoit。
Theyledhimupaverysteepstreet，andupanotherstill，allthecrowdfollowing。Theking’spalace—castlerosetoweringabovethem;buttheystoppedbeforetheyreachedit，atalow—broweddoorinagreat，dull，heavy—lookingbuilding。
Thecitymarshalopeneditwithakeywhichhungathisgirdle，andorderedCurdietoenter。Theplacewithinwasdarkasnight，andwhilehewasfeelinghiswaywithhisfeet，themarshalgavehimaroughpush。Hefell，androlledonceortwiceover，unabletohelphimselfbecausehishandsweretiedbehindhim。
Itwasthehourofthemagistrate’ssecondandmoreimportantbreakfast，anduntilthatwasoverheneverfoundhimselfcapableofattendingtoacasewithconcentrationsufficienttothedistinguishingofthesideuponwhichhisownadvantagelay;andhencewasthisrespiteforCurdie，withtimetocollecthisthoughts。Butindeedhehadveryfewtocollect，forallhehadtodo，sofarashecouldsee，wastowaitforwhatwouldcomenext。
Neitherhadhemuchpowertocollectthem，forhewasagooddealshaken。
inafewminuteshediscovered，tohisgreatrelief，that，fromtheprojectionofthepickendofhismattockbeyondhisbody，thefallhadloosenedtheropestiedroundit。Hegotonehanddisengaged，andthentheother;andpresentlystoodfree，withhisgoodmattockoncemoreinrightserviceablerelationtohisarmsandlegs。
CHAPTER16
TheMattockWhileThemagistratereinvigoratedhisselfishnesswithagreedybreakfast，Curdiefounddoingnothinginthedarkrathertiresomework。itwasuselessattemptingtothinkwhatheshoulddonext，seeingthecircumstancesinwhichhewaspresentlytofindhimselfwerealtogetherunknowntohim。Sohebegantothinkabouthisfatherandmotherintheirlittlecottagehome，highintheclearairoftheopenMountainside，andthethought，insteadofmakinghisdungeongloomierbythecontrast，madealightinhissoulthatdestroyedthepowerofdarknessandcaptivity。
Buthewasatlengthstartledfromhiswakingdreambyaswellinthenoiseoutside。Allthetimetherehadbeenafewofthemoreidleoftheinhabitantsaboutthedoor，buttheyhadbeenratherquiet。Now，however，thesoundsoffeetandvoicesbegantogrow，andgrewsorapidlythatitwasplainamultitudewasgathering。