WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:08.240 Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, chapter fifty three. It was 2 00:00:08.279 --> 00:00:11.080 a dark night, though the full moon rose. As I 3 00:00:11.199 --> 00:00:14.519 left the enclosed lands and passed out upon the marshes. 4 00:00:15.160 --> 00:00:17.920 Beyond their dark line, there was a ribbon of clear sky, 5 00:00:18.559 --> 00:00:22.039 hardly brought enough to hold the red large moon. In 6 00:00:22.079 --> 00:00:24.960 a few minutes she had ascended out of that clear field. 7 00:00:25.199 --> 00:00:29.160 In among the piled mountains of cloud. There was a 8 00:00:29.199 --> 00:00:33.200 melancholy wind, and the marshes were very dismal. A stranger 9 00:00:33.240 --> 00:00:36.119 would have found them insupportable, and even to me they 10 00:00:36.119 --> 00:00:39.960 were so oppressive that I hesitated, half inclined to go back. 11 00:00:40.679 --> 00:00:43.240 But I knew them well, and could have found my 12 00:00:43.280 --> 00:00:46.359 way on a far darker night, and had no excuse 13 00:00:46.399 --> 00:00:51.000 for returning being there. So having come there against my inclination, 14 00:00:51.719 --> 00:00:55.399 I went on against it. The direction that I took 15 00:00:55.520 --> 00:00:58.119 was not that in which my old home lay, nor 16 00:00:58.200 --> 00:01:01.479 that in which we had pursued the convent. My back 17 00:01:01.600 --> 00:01:04.159 was turned towards the distant hulks as I walked on, 18 00:01:04.760 --> 00:01:06.879 and though I could see the old lights away on 19 00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:10.239 the spits of sand, I saw them over my shoulder. 20 00:01:11.439 --> 00:01:13.359 I knew the lime kiln as well as I knew 21 00:01:13.359 --> 00:01:16.920 the old battery, but they were miles apart, so that 22 00:01:17.239 --> 00:01:19.680 if a light had been burning at each point that night, 23 00:01:20.319 --> 00:01:22.239 there would have been a long strip of the blank 24 00:01:22.280 --> 00:01:26.760 horizon between the two bright specks. At first I had 25 00:01:26.760 --> 00:01:29.120 to shut some gates after me, and now and then 26 00:01:29.200 --> 00:01:31.640 to stand still while the cattle that were lying in 27 00:01:31.680 --> 00:01:35.079 the banked up pathway arose and blundered down among the 28 00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:38.640 grass and reeds. But after a little while I seemed 29 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:42.359 to have the whole flats to myself. It was another 30 00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:45.400 half hour before I drew near to the kiln. The 31 00:01:45.480 --> 00:01:49.000 lime was burning with a sluggish, stifling smell, but the 32 00:01:49.040 --> 00:01:52.239 fires were made up and left, and no workmen were visible. 33 00:01:53.120 --> 00:01:56.760 Hard By was a small stone quarry. It lay directly 34 00:01:56.760 --> 00:01:59.519 in my way and had been worked that day. As 35 00:01:59.519 --> 00:02:02.079 I saw by the tools and barrows that were lying 36 00:02:02.120 --> 00:02:05.799 about coming up again to the marsh level out of 37 00:02:05.840 --> 00:02:09.879 this excavation for the rude path lay through it, I 38 00:02:09.919 --> 00:02:13.080 saw a light in the old sluice house. I quickened 39 00:02:13.080 --> 00:02:15.240 my pace and knocked at the door with my hand, 40 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:19.759 waiting for some reply. I looked about me, noticing how 41 00:02:19.800 --> 00:02:23.360 the sluice was abandoned and broken, and how the house 42 00:02:23.919 --> 00:02:27.000 of wood with a tiled roof would not be proof 43 00:02:27.039 --> 00:02:30.199 against the weather much longer if it were so even now, 44 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:33.400 And how the mud and ooze were coated with lime, 45 00:02:33.919 --> 00:02:36.400 and how the choking vapor of the kiln crept in 46 00:02:36.400 --> 00:02:40.159 a ghostly way towards me. Still there was no answer, 47 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:44.319 and I knocked again. No answer still, and I tried 48 00:02:44.319 --> 00:02:48.120 to latch. It rose under my hand and the door yielded. 49 00:02:48.639 --> 00:02:51.159 Looking in I saw a lighted candle on a table, 50 00:02:51.680 --> 00:02:55.080 a bench, and a mattress on a truckle bedstead. As 51 00:02:55.120 --> 00:02:58.520 there was a loft above. I called is any one here? 52 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:02.800 But no voice answered. Then I looked at my watch, and, 53 00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:06.400 finding that it was past nine, called again is there 54 00:03:06.439 --> 00:03:10.240 any one here? There being still no answer, I went 55 00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:14.199 out at the door, irresolute what to do. It was 56 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:17.840 beginning to rain fast. Seeing nothing save what I had 57 00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:21.159 seen already, I turned back into the house and stood 58 00:03:21.240 --> 00:03:24.199 just within the shelter of the doorway, looking out into 59 00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:28.159 the night. While I was considering that someone must have 60 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:31.120 been there lately, I must soon be coming back, or 61 00:03:31.159 --> 00:03:33.560 the candle would not be burning, it came into my 62 00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:37.120 head to look if the wick were long. I turned 63 00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:39.479 round to do so, and had taken up the candle 64 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:43.120 in my hand when it was extinguished by some violent shock. 65 00:03:43.719 --> 00:03:46.199 And the next thing I comprehended was that I had 66 00:03:46.199 --> 00:03:49.120 been caught in a strong running noose thrown over my 67 00:03:49.199 --> 00:03:54.400 head from behind. Now, said a suppressed voice, with an oath, 68 00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:59.800 I've got you. What is this? I cried, struggling, who 69 00:03:59.879 --> 00:04:05.520 is help? Help? Help? Not only were my arms pulled 70 00:04:05.560 --> 00:04:08.000 close to my sides, but the pressure on my bad 71 00:04:08.120 --> 00:04:12.719 arm caused me exquisite pain. Sometimes a strong man's hand, 72 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:16.439 sometimes a strong man's breast, was set against my mouth 73 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:19.720 to deaden my cries. And with a hot breath always 74 00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:23.199 close to me, I struggled ineffectually in the dark, while 75 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:27.079 I was fastened tight to the wall. And now said 76 00:04:27.079 --> 00:04:30.600 the suppressed voice, with another oath, Call out again, and 77 00:04:30.680 --> 00:04:34.759 I'll make short work of you. Faint and sick with 78 00:04:34.839 --> 00:04:38.240 the pain of my injured arm, bewildered by the surprise, 79 00:04:38.360 --> 00:04:40.959 and yet conscious how easily this threat could be put 80 00:04:41.000 --> 00:04:45.279 in execution, I desisted and tried to ease my arm 81 00:04:45.319 --> 00:04:48.639 ward ever so little, but it was bound too tight 82 00:04:48.680 --> 00:04:51.959 for that. I felt as if, having been burnt before, 83 00:04:52.439 --> 00:04:56.720 it was now being broiled The sudden exclusion of the 84 00:04:56.800 --> 00:04:59.879 night and the substitution of black darkness in its place, 85 00:05:00.439 --> 00:05:03.680 warned me that the man had closed a shutter. After 86 00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:06.439 groping about for a little, he found the flint and 87 00:05:06.560 --> 00:05:10.120 steel he wanted, and began to strike a light. I 88 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:13.399 strained my sight upon the sparks that fell among the tinder, 89 00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:17.240 and upon which he breathed and breathed, match in hand, 90 00:05:17.399 --> 00:05:19.920 but I could only see his lips and the blue 91 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:24.079 point of the match, even those, But fitfully the tender 92 00:05:24.279 --> 00:05:28.000 was damp. No wonder there, and one after another the 93 00:05:28.040 --> 00:05:31.879 sparks died out. The man was in no hurry and 94 00:05:31.920 --> 00:05:35.279 struck again with the flint and steel. As the sparks 95 00:05:35.319 --> 00:05:38.040 fell thick and bright about him, I could see his 96 00:05:38.160 --> 00:05:41.399 hands and touches of his face, and could make out 97 00:05:41.399 --> 00:05:44.480 that he was seated and bending over the table, but 98 00:05:44.600 --> 00:05:48.720 nothing more. Presently I saw his blue lips again, breathing 99 00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:51.399 on the tinder, and then a flare of light flashed 100 00:05:51.480 --> 00:05:56.680 up and showed me Porlick, whom I had looked for. 101 00:05:56.759 --> 00:06:00.720 I don't know, I had not looked for him. Seeing him, 102 00:06:00.800 --> 00:06:03.519 I felt that I was in a dangerous strait. Indeed, 103 00:06:03.920 --> 00:06:07.480 and I kept my eyes upon him. He lighted the 104 00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:11.279 candle from the flaring match with great deliberation, and dropped 105 00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:14.240 the match and trotted out. Then he put the candle 106 00:06:14.279 --> 00:06:16.399 away from him on the table so that he could 107 00:06:16.480 --> 00:06:19.319 see me, and sat with his arms folded on the 108 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:23.079 table and looked at me. I made out that I 109 00:06:23.160 --> 00:06:26.199 was fastened to a stout perpendicular ladder a few inches 110 00:06:26.199 --> 00:06:29.839 from the wall, a fixture there the means of ascent 111 00:06:29.920 --> 00:06:33.920 to the loft above. Now, said he, when we had 112 00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:39.160 surveyed one another for some time, I've got you unbind me. 113 00:06:39.759 --> 00:06:44.519 Let me go, ah, he returned, I'll let you go. 114 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:47.399 I'll let you go to the moon. I'll let you 115 00:06:47.480 --> 00:06:52.519 go to the stars, all in good time. Why have 116 00:06:52.680 --> 00:06:57.319 you lured me here? Don't you know? Said he, with 117 00:06:57.399 --> 00:07:00.680 a deadly look. Why have you set upon me in 118 00:07:00.720 --> 00:07:05.079 the dark? Because I mean to do it all myself? 119 00:07:05.600 --> 00:07:09.360 One keeps a secret better than two. Oh, you enemy, 120 00:07:09.959 --> 00:07:14.759 you enemy. His enjoyment of the spectacle I furnished as 121 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:17.839 he sat with his arms folded on the table, shaking 122 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:20.959 his head at me and hugging himself, had a malignity 123 00:07:21.040 --> 00:07:24.360 in it that made me tremble as I watched him 124 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:26.720 in silence. He put his hand into the corner at 125 00:07:26.720 --> 00:07:29.439 his side and took up a gun with a brass 126 00:07:29.480 --> 00:07:34.720 bound stock. Do you know this, said he, making as 127 00:07:34.720 --> 00:07:37.040 if he would take aim at me. Do you know 128 00:07:37.120 --> 00:07:43.680 where you saw it? Afore? Speak wolf? Yes, I answered, 129 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:50.160 you cost me that place? You did speak? What else 130 00:07:50.199 --> 00:07:53.759 could I do? You did that? And that would be 131 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:57.439 enough without more? How dared you to come betwixt me 132 00:07:57.480 --> 00:08:02.360 and a young woman I liked? When did I? When 133 00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:05.800 didn't you? It was you as always give old orlick 134 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:09.600 a bad name to her. You gave it to yourself. 135 00:08:10.040 --> 00:08:12.759 You gained it for yourself. I could have done you 136 00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:16.800 no harm if you had done yourself none. You're a liar, 137 00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:20.000 and you'll take any pains and spend any money to 138 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:23.160 drive me out of this country, will you? Said he, 139 00:08:23.399 --> 00:08:26.000 repeating my words to Biddy in the last interview I 140 00:08:26.079 --> 00:08:29.519 had with her. Now I'll tell you a piece of information. 141 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:32.759 It was never so well worth your while to get 142 00:08:32.799 --> 00:08:36.159 me out of this country as it is tonight. Ah, 143 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:39.480 if it was all your money twenty times told to 144 00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:42.919 the last brass farthing as he shook his heavy hand 145 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:45.960 at me with his mouth snarling like a tiger's. I 146 00:08:46.039 --> 00:08:49.279 felt that it was true. What are you going to 147 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:54.039 do to me? I'm a goin, said he, bringing his 148 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:57.000 fist down upon the table with a heavy blow, and 149 00:08:57.200 --> 00:08:59.840 rising as the blow fell to give it greater force. 150 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:05.000 I'm a going to have your life. He leaned forward, 151 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:08.399 staring at me, slowly, unclenched his hand and drew it 152 00:09:08.440 --> 00:09:11.120 across his mouth, as if his mouth watered for me, 153 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:16.559 and sat down again. You was always in old Orleck's ways, 154 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:19.639 ever since you was a child. You goes out of 155 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:24.279 his way. This present night, he'll have no more on you. 156 00:09:24.279 --> 00:09:28.120 You're dead. I felt that I'd come to the brink 157 00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:31.279 of my grave. For a moment, I looked wildly round 158 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:35.200 my trap for any chance of escape, but there was none. 159 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:38.879 More than that, said he, folding his arms on the 160 00:09:38.919 --> 00:09:42.159 table again. I won't have a rag of you. I 161 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:45.159 won't have a bone of you left on earth. I'll 162 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:48.759 put your body in the kiln. I'd carry two such 163 00:09:48.840 --> 00:09:52.200 to it on my shoulders, and let people suppose what 164 00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:56.879 they may of you. They shall never know nothing. My mind, 165 00:09:57.440 --> 00:10:01.159 with inconceivable rapidity, followed out all all the consequences of 166 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:05.159 such a death. Estella's father would believe I had deserted him, 167 00:10:05.360 --> 00:10:09.480 would be taken, would die accusing me. Even Herbert would 168 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:11.720 doubt me when he compared the letter I had left 169 00:10:11.720 --> 00:10:13.600 for him with the fact that I'd called at Miss 170 00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:17.399 Havisham's gate for only a moment. Joe and Biddie would 171 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:20.320 never know how sorry I had been that night. None 172 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:23.399 would ever know what I had suffered, how true I 173 00:10:23.440 --> 00:10:26.879 had meant to be, what an agony I had passed through. 174 00:10:27.720 --> 00:10:31.080 The death close before me was terrible. But far more 175 00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:34.960 terrible than death was the dread of being misremembered after death. 176 00:10:35.639 --> 00:10:38.120 And so quick were my thoughts that I saw myself 177 00:10:38.159 --> 00:10:44.000 despised by unborn generations, Estella's children and their children. While 178 00:10:44.039 --> 00:10:48.519 the wretch's words were yet on his lips, now Wolf 179 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:52.799 said he afore I kill you like any other beast, 180 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:55.399 which is what I mean to do, and what I 181 00:10:55.440 --> 00:10:58.440 have tied you up for. I'll have a good look 182 00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:01.679 at you, and have a good goat food at you, Oh, 183 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:05.120 you enemy. It had passed through my thoughts to cry 184 00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:07.919 out for help again, though few could know better than 185 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:11.559 I the solitary nature of the spot and the hopelessness 186 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:14.639 of aid. But as he sat gloating over me. I 187 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:18.240 was supported by a scornful detestation of him that sealed 188 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:21.720 my lips. Above all things. I resolved that I would 189 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:24.519 not entreat him, and that I would die making some 190 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:30.000 last poor resistance to him. Softened as my thoughts of 191 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:33.480 all the rest of men were in that dire extremity, 192 00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:38.279 humbly beseeching pardon as I did of Heaven, melted at 193 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:40.519 heart as I was, by the thought that I had 194 00:11:40.559 --> 00:11:44.159 taken no farewell, and never now could take farewell of 195 00:11:44.200 --> 00:11:47.360 those who were dear to me, or could explain myself 196 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:52.759 to them, or ask for their compassion on my miserable errors. Still, 197 00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:56.080 if I could have killed him, even in dying, I 198 00:11:56.120 --> 00:12:00.200 would have done it. He had been drinking, and his 199 00:12:00.200 --> 00:12:04.120 eyes were red and bloodshot. Around his neck was slung 200 00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:06.879 a tinged bottle, as I had often seen his meat 201 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:10.279 and drink slung about him in other days. He brought 202 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:12.759 the bottle to his lips and took a fiery drink 203 00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:15.759 from it, and I smelt the strong spirits that I 204 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:20.960 saw flash into his face. Wolf said, he folding his 205 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:24.480 arms again. Old or alex A going to tell you something. 206 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:29.399 It was you as did for your shrewd sister again. 207 00:12:29.559 --> 00:12:33.919 My mind, with its former inconceivable rapidity, had exhausted the 208 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:37.559 whole subject of the attack upon my sister, her illness 209 00:12:37.600 --> 00:12:40.919 and her death. Before his slow and hesitating speech had 210 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:47.039 formed these words. It was you, villain, said I I 211 00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:50.200 tell you it was your doing. I tell you it 212 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:54.159 was done through you. He retorted, catching up the gun 213 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:56.559 and making a blow with the stalk at the vacant 214 00:12:56.600 --> 00:13:00.639 air between us. I come upon her from behind, as 215 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:03.399 they come upon you to night. I give it her. 216 00:13:04.120 --> 00:13:06.559 I had left her for dead. And if there had 217 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:08.919 been a lime kiln as nigh her as there is 218 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:12.279 now nigh you, she shouldn't have come to life again. 219 00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:17.200 But it warn't old orlick as did it. It was you. 220 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:21.000 You was favored, and he was bullied and beat old 221 00:13:21.080 --> 00:13:24.799 or like bullied and beat eh. Now you pays for it. 222 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:29.840 You done it. Now you pays for it. He drank 223 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:34.039 again and became more ferocious. I saw by his tilting 224 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:36.519 of the bottle that there was no great quantity left 225 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:40.120 in it. I distinctly understood that he was working himself 226 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:42.279 up with its contents to make an end of me. 227 00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:45.279 I knew that every drop it held was a drop 228 00:13:45.320 --> 00:13:48.519 of my life. I knew that when I was changed 229 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:51.000 into a part of the vapor that crept towards me 230 00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:54.799 but a little while before, like my own warning ghost, 231 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:57.840 he would do as he had done in my sister's case, 232 00:13:58.440 --> 00:14:01.519 make all haste to the town and be seen slouching 233 00:14:01.559 --> 00:14:05.440 about there, drinking at the ale houses. My rapid mind 234 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:08.080 pursued him to the town, made a picture of the 235 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:11.320 street with him in it, and contrasted its lights and 236 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:14.600 life with the lonely marsh and the white vapor creeping 237 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:19.240 over it into which I should have dissolved. It was 238 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:21.440 not only that I could have summed up years and 239 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:25.200 years and years while he said a dozen words, but 240 00:14:25.320 --> 00:14:28.279 that what he did say presented pictures to me, and 241 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:32.320 not mere words. In the excited and exalted state of 242 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:35.000 my brain, I could not think of a place without 243 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:39.679 seeing it, or of persons without seeing them. It is 244 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:43.519 impossible to overstate the vividness of these images. And yet 245 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:47.240 I was so intent all the time upon him himself, 246 00:14:47.799 --> 00:14:50.759 who would not be intent on the tiger crouching to spring? 247 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:54.080 That I knew of the slightest action of his fingers 248 00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:58.240 when he had drunk this second time, he rose from 249 00:14:58.240 --> 00:15:01.320 the bench on which he sat. I pushed the table aside. 250 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:05.159 Then he took up the candle, and shading it with 251 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:07.840 his murderous hands so as to throw its light on me, 252 00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:13.960 stood before me, looking at me and enjoying the sight. Wulf, 253 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:17.879 I'll tell you something more. It was old or like 254 00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:22.159 as you tumbled over on your stairs that night. I 255 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:26.039 saw the staircase with its extinguished lamps. I saw the 256 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:29.240 shadows of the heavy stair rails thrown by the watchman's 257 00:15:29.320 --> 00:15:32.200 lantern on the wall. I saw the rooms that I 258 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:35.960 was never to see again. Here a door half opened, 259 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:40.960 there a door closed, all the articles of furniture around, 260 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:45.440 And why was old or lick there? I'll tell you 261 00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:49.679 something more, Wolf, You and her have pretty well hunted 262 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:52.519 me out of this country, so far as getting an 263 00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:55.600 easy living in it goes. And I've took up with 264 00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:59.799 new companions and new masters. Some of them writes my 265 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:03.720 letters when I once some wrote, do you mind? Writes 266 00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:08.799 my letters? Wolf? They writes fifty hands. They're not like 267 00:16:08.919 --> 00:16:13.559 sneaking you, as writes but one. I've a firm mind 268 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:16.440 and a firm will to have your life. Since she 269 00:16:16.679 --> 00:16:20.240 was down here at your sister's burying. I hadn't seen 270 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:22.639 a way to get you safe, and I've looked out 271 00:16:22.679 --> 00:16:26.399 of you to know your ins and outs. For says 272 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:31.159 Old Lorlick to himself, somehow or another, I'll have him 273 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:34.639 what when it looks for you, I find your uncle 274 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:40.240 Provis eh mill pond bank, and Chink's basin, and the 275 00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:44.720 old green copper rope walk, also clear and plain Provis 276 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:49.120 in his rooms, the signal whose use was over, Pretty Clara, 277 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:52.600 the good motherly woman, Old Bill Barley on his back, 278 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:56.559 all drifting by as on the swift stream of my life, 279 00:16:56.720 --> 00:17:01.320 fast running out to see you with a uncle too. 280 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:03.879 Why I knowed you at Gargree's, when you was so 281 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:06.839 small a wolf, that I could have took your weason 282 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:10.000 betwixt this finger and thumb and chucked you away dead, 283 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:13.799 as i'd thoughts of doin odd times. When I see 284 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:17.799 you loitering amongst the pollards on a Sunday and you 285 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:22.119 hadn't found no uncles, then no, not you. But when 286 00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:25.039 Old Orleck come for to hear that your uncle Provis 287 00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:28.079 had most like wore the leg iron what Old Orleck 288 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:32.480 had picked up filed asunder on these marshes ever so 289 00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:35.720 many year ago, and what he kept by him till 290 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:38.680 he dropped your sister with it like a bullock as 291 00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:42.119 he means to drop you. Hey, when he come for 292 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:46.720 to hear that Hey, in his savage taunting, he flared 293 00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:48.880 the candle so close at me that I turned my 294 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:54.119 face aside to save it from the flame. Ah, he cried, 295 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:57.920 laughing after doing it again, the burnt child dreads the 296 00:17:58.000 --> 00:18:02.240 fire Old Orle like no, you was burnt. Old Orleck 297 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:06.400 knowed you was smuggling your uncle provis Away. Old Orleck's 298 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:09.920 a match for you, and knowed you'd come tonight. Now 299 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:13.119 I'll tell you something more, wolf, and this ends it. 300 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:16.359 There's them that's as good a match for your uncle 301 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:20.119 Provis as Old Orleck has been for you. Let him 302 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:24.119 wear them when he's lost his nevy. Let him wear 303 00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:26.400 them when no man can't find a rag of his 304 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:30.119 dear relations clothes, nor yet a bone of his body. 305 00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:35.000 There's them that can't and that won't have magwitch. Yes, 306 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:38.839 I know the name alive in the same land with them, 307 00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:42.119 and that's had such sure information of him when he 308 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:45.279 was alive in another land as that he couldn't and 309 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:49.400 shouldn't leave it unbeknown and put them in danger. Perhaps 310 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:52.839 it's them that writes fifty hands, and that's not like 311 00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:58.119 sneaking you, as writes, but one where compysin magwitch and 312 00:18:58.200 --> 00:19:03.240 the gallows. He flared the candle at me again, smoking 313 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:06.440 my face and hair, and for an instant blinding me, 314 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:09.359 and turned his powerful back as he replaced the light 315 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:12.720 on the table. I had thought a prayer, and had 316 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:15.640 been with Joe and Biddy and Herbert before he turned 317 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:19.559 towards me again. There was a clear space of a 318 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:23.160 few feet between the table and the opposite wall. Within 319 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:27.480 this space he now slouched backwards and forwards. His great 320 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:30.680 strength seemed to sit stronger upon him than ever before. 321 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:33.640 As he did this, with his hands hanging loose and 322 00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:37.279 heavy at his sides, and with his eyes scowling at me, 323 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:41.960 I had no grain of hope left wild as my 324 00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:45.680 inward hurry was, and wonderful the force of the pictures 325 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:49.079 that rushed by me instead of thoughts. I could yet 326 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:52.799 clearly understand that unless he had resolved that I was 327 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:55.559 within a few moments of surely perishing out of all 328 00:19:55.640 --> 00:19:58.839 human knowledge, he would never have told me what he 329 00:19:58.920 --> 00:20:03.839 had told of a sudden he stopped, took the cork 330 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:07.400 out of his bottle, and tossed it away. Light as 331 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:11.400 it was, I heard it fall like a plummet. He swallowed, slowly, 332 00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:15.000 tilting up the bottle by little and little, and now 333 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:18.319 he looked at me no more. The last few drops 334 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:20.640 of liquor he poured into the palm of his hand 335 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:25.039 and licked up. Then, with a sudden hurry of violence, 336 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:29.680 and swearing horribly, he threw the bottle from him and stooped, 337 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:32.599 and I saw in his hand a stone hammer with 338 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:37.200 a long, heavy handle. The resolution I had made did 339 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:40.400 not desert me, for without uttering one vain word of 340 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:43.519 appeal to him, I shouted out with all my might 341 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:46.759 and struggled with all my might. It was only my 342 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:49.000 head and my legs that I could move, But to 343 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:52.559 that extent I struggled with all the force until then 344 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:56.480 unknown that was within me. In the same instant, I 345 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:59.960 heard responsive shouts, saw figures, and a gleam of light 346 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:03.720 might dashing at the door, heard voices and tumult, and 347 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:07.000 saw orlick emerge from a struggle of men, as if 348 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:10.039 it were tumbling water, clear the table at a leap, 349 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:15.319 and fly out into the night. After a blank I 350 00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:18.759 found that I was lying unbound on the floor in 351 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:22.400 the same place, with my hat on someone's knee. My 352 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:25.240 eyes were fixed on the ladder against the wall. When 353 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:28.400 I came to myself had opened on it before my 354 00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:32.440 mind saw it, And thus, as I recovered consciousness, I 355 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:34.319 knew that I was in the place where I had 356 00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:38.839 lost it. Too indifferent at first even to look round 357 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:42.440 and ascertain who supported me. I was lying looking at 358 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:45.799 the ladder when there came between me and it a face, 359 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:51.559 the face of Trab's boy. I think he's all right, 360 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:55.759 said Trab's Boy in a sober voice. But ain't he 361 00:21:56.039 --> 00:22:00.240 just pale? Though at these words, the face of him 362 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:03.839 who supported me looked over into mine, and I saw 363 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:11.599 my supporter to be Herbert Great Heaven, softly, said Herbert gently, 364 00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:16.680 Handle don't be too eager, and our old comrade star Top, 365 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:20.799 I cried, as he too bent over me. Remember what 366 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:24.200 he is going to assist us in, said Herbert, and 367 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:28.480 be calm. The illusion made me spring up, though I 368 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:31.839 dropped again from the pain in my arm. The time 369 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:34.720 has not gone by, Herbert, has it? What night is 370 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:38.240 to night? How long have I been here? For? I 371 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:41.039 had a strange and strong misgiving that I have been 372 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:44.039 lying there a long time, a day and a night, 373 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:49.839 two days and nights more. The time has not gone by. 374 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:55.240 It is still Monday night, thank God, and you have 375 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:59.400 all tomorrow Tuesday to rest in, said Herbert. But you 376 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:02.759 can't help groaning, my dear handel. What hurt have you got? 377 00:23:03.079 --> 00:23:09.039 Can you stand? Yes? Yes, said I I can walk. 378 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:13.240 I have no hurt. But in this throbbing arm. They 379 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:15.920 laid it bare and did what they could. It was 380 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:19.880 violently swollen and inflamed, and I could scarcely endure to 381 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:23.200 have it touched. But they tore up their handkerchiefs to 382 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:26.720 make fresh bandages, and carefully replaced it in the sling 383 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:29.880 until we could get to the town and obtain some 384 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:33.200 cooling lotion to put upon it. In a little while, 385 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:35.200 we had shut the door of the dark and empty 386 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:38.200 sluice house and were passing through the quarry on our 387 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:43.839 way back. TRAbs, boy Trab's overgrown young man, now went 388 00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:46.599 before us with a lantern, which was the light I 389 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:49.559 had seen come in at the door. But the moon 390 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:51.759 was a good two hours higher than when I had 391 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:55.119 last seen the sky, and the night though rainy was 392 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:58.920 much lighter. The white vapor of the kiln was passing 393 00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:01.799 from us as we went by, and as I had 394 00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:07.839 thought a prayer before, I thought a thanksgiving. Now entreating 395 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:10.400 Herbert to tell me how he had come to my rescue, 396 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:14.079 which at first he had flatly refused to do, but 397 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:18.079 had insisted on my remaining quiet, I learned that I had, 398 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:21.200 in my hurry dropped the letter open in our chambers, 399 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:24.400 where he coming home to bring with him. Star Top, 400 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:26.480 whom he had met in the street on his way 401 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:30.160