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A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
SCENES AND INCIDENTS CHIEFLY OF
RUSSO-JEWISH LIFE
SAMUEL GORDON
METHUEN & CO.
36 ESSEX STREET, W.C.
LONDON
1897
PREFACE
THIS is an age of exploration for the
ethnographer no less than for the
geographer. We are intruding into the
penetralia of unknown territories, we are
making inroads into the mysteries, yet
unsolved, of the thoughts, customs, and
observances of alien races. The ethno-
grapher's function is rendered more urgent
by the duty he owes to the interests of
the spirit of future inquiry ; he must take
an impress of individual peoples before the
barriers of isolation, behind which they
have preserved their individuality unim-
paired, are broken down by the onward
sweep of progress, the ultimate, if far-off,
goal of which seems to be cosmopoli-
tanism.
It would be ludicrous were I to put
forward these few tales as even the
slightest contribution to the science. And
vi PREFACE
yet in no case, perhaps, is the necessity
of such racial stereotyping greater than in
that of the Russian Jew. In view of the
various schemes to repatriate him in the
land of his ancestors, where the absence
of ukase, " Pales of Settlement," and other
amenities of his present condition cannot
but metamorphose him out of all recog-
nition, schemes which, whether from a
political or economical standpoint, bid fair
at no distant date to become a question of
European importance, it may not be out
of place to make an attempt, however im-
perfect by comparison with more compe-
tent exponents, to delineate a few of the
characteristics which have made him, if
not a picturesque, at any rate an inte-
resting figure in the background of modern
history.
Despite, or perhaps because of, the
numerous occasions which of late have
brought the Russian Jew into an unenvi-
able prominence, he has remained to the
Western world only a shadowy reality, a
myth and a mystery ; he is still a hiero-
glyphic which has been but imperfectly
deciphered. Some consider he has been
wilfully and maliciously created for the
PREFACE vii
express purpose of tarnishing the glories
of our civilisation, by reminding us that
mediaeval intolerance is not yet a thing of
the past. However that may be, I have
in these slight sketches endeavoured to
depict the Russian Jew in his native
surroundings as a creature possessing
"organs, dimensions, senses, affections,
passions," and actuated in his dealings
both with his brother in faith as well as
with his Gentile neighbour by the same
motives, good, bad, and indifferent, which
actuate those of his fellow-beings to whom
the Providence of history has been less
of a stepmother. No attempt has been
made, apart from an occasional hint, to
draw fine shades of distinction as regards
the character, language, locality, even
creed, which differentiate the various
sections composing an aggregate of five
million human souls ; there has been
intended no tirade against an unfathom-
able policy of systematic and gratuitous
cruelty which blindly defeats its own ends.
I have merely attempted to show that the
Russian Jew lives in a world of his own,
a world having its lights and its shadows,
and, despite its intrinsic incongruities,
viii PREFACE
bearing in the humanity and divinity
which is its motor force a wonderful
resemblance to the world we inhabit our-
selves.
The two stories of non- Jewish interest
included in this little volume are perhaps
an anomaly. But they may be justified
as being faint side-lights illustrating the
environments in which the Russian Jew
moves, and as such, if on no other count,
let them stand and take their chance with
the rest.
LONDON, September, 1896.
CONTENTS
PAGE
THE FOURTH DIMENSION . .1
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT .... 26
THE REDEMPTION OF THE SERPENT . . 60
THE MIGRATION OF SAINT SEBASTIAN . . QI
THE ASCENT INTO HEAVEN .... 125
OUT OF THE LAND OF BONDAGE . . 143
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST . . . -173
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS . . . 2IO
" WHOSE JUDGMENT IS JUSTICE "... 242
COSSACK AND CHORISTER .... 267
THE FOURTH DIMENSION
" r I "'HIS day I am become a happy man
X in Israel blessed be the name of
the Lord ! " rose Tarphon's jubilant cry.
The proof of his gladness lay in his face ;
but the cause of it lay in his arms a
huddled-up, swaddle-clothed heap of two-
hour-old humanity. "It is a boy that was
bravely done of thee, Mirzah ; now we
shall have some one to say the Sanctifica-
tion over us when we are dead."
"What ails thee, Tarphon?" said
Mirzah, looking reproach with her big
wan eyes, for she had not strength enough
to lay it into her voice ; "in the hour that
new life is given us, to take the name of
death into thy mouth ? Thou knowest
not what thou sayest in thy transport.
Give me back the child before thou
swallowest it with thine eyes."
" There, selfish one that thou art ! " was
2 t
2 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
the good-humoured reply. " May I not
hold him and touch him for a little while ?
Thou grudgest me the joy of fatherhood,
perhaps, and yet it is the first time in the
ten years of our wedlock that I have tasted
it."
" Tarphon ! " and the gathering tears in
the big wan eyes said the rest.
" Foolish one, I was but jesting ; " and
Tarphon stroked the limp hand that was
stretched out to meet his. " I am very
well satisfied with thee ; he shall be a
great scholar, and his fame shall ring
through the world that pleases thee, see,
thou smilest and no less than two bullocks
and ten sheep shall be eaten at his marriage
feast. To be sure, I know not what I am
saying I will go forth and tell the news
in the town and in the houses of our friends
and kinsfolk. Nay, let me look at him
again I shall not do him mischief."
No wonder that Tarphon was a little
delirious. He was a man who had been
blessed with chattels of many sorts ; he
owned manservants and maidservants, and
his flocks cropped his own pastures for
many an acre round. And now God had
set this coping-stone upon his fortunes,
THE FOURTH DIMENSION 3
and Tarphon was but human and might be
excused for not eyeing the event with stoic
indifference. His excitement kept him on
his legs till late in the afternoon, and when
he came home he was very tired. "Not
with the walking," he explained to Mirzah,
"but with the load of good wishes I have
brought for all the three of us." And then
he sat down at the bedside and thought
for a long time.
" What sayest thou, Mirzah ? I hold it
is but right I should make some offering
to the congregation, so that the birth of
Tarphon's son may be remembered for
many ages to come."
" When I am recovered, I and my sisters
shall embroider a covering-cloth for the
Reader's pulpit," suggested Mirzah.
"It will get worn out in a few years,"
objected Tarphon, "and the gift is not one
of sufficient value."
" Then let it be a golden wine-beaker."
" That might get stolen. Nay, do not
prompt me ; I have the gift in my mind.
I have heard much talk to-day that Benish,
the great scribe of Gostoneen, has finished
the Scroll of the Law which he affirms to
be the best handiwork of his lifetime, and
4 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
he asks for it a large sum I know not
how much ; but the harvest has been
plentiful this year, and there has been no
foot-rot among the sheep. I shall give
what he asks I shall not miss it."
So then, as proposed, Tarphon went to
negotiate with Benish on the following
morning ; and when he entered, the ex-
pert was sitting in his scriptorium busily
examining old parchments that needed
repair.
" I have come about the scroll that I
have heard say is the wonder of the world,"
began Tarphon.
"It is disposed of, or nearly so," answered
Benish, " for the congregation of Wilna
has offered me eleven hundred and fifty
roubles for it."
" I will give you twelve hundred," said
Tarphon.
" There is only one man can do that,
and that is Tarphon of Stchelno."
" I am Tarphon, and yesterday a son
was born to me ; and I would present the
scroll to the congregation in memory of
it."
" The gift is worthy of the man and the
occasion," said Benish; "you shall buy
THE FOURTH DIMENSION 5
it. And now come and let me show it
n
you.
And then from the inmost receptacle of
his storing-place came forth the precious
manuscript. It was of medium size and
compact, nor yet so unwieldily bulky as
many of the scrolls that weary the arms of
the holders when they are carried about in
procession on the Day of Rejoicing in the
Law. And Benish's eyes glowed as he
commented on its excellences.
"Ten years I have worked at it, and
now every flourish is in its place, and the
spacings and margins between the portions
are measured to a hair. Look at the
handles solid ebony from the land of
Kush, and the silk coverings at the back
are such as the Indias cannot outvie."
And then he showed Tarphon the ac-
coutrement and the accessories that be-
longed to the scroll ; how the breastplate
of solid silver was worked into the effigy
of King Solomon's temple, with the peri-
styles and vestibules daintily fretted out
from the bulk. And the large head-bells
were the shapes of crowns, and the clappers
inside gave out a sound like cymbals. As
for the pointer, the upper part was in form
6 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
of a palm branch tapering off into a deli-
cately chiselled hand.
" And all these things were fashioned by
my son, the silversmith," added Benish,
proudly. " I tell you, no finer scroll exists
unless it be the one from which the
patriarchs read the Sabbath-portion in the
Garden of Eden ; and it is yours at the
twelve hundred and fifty roubles you
named."
Tarphon stood gazing with open mouth
at the splendours before him, and he had
not the heart to haggle about the extra
fifty wherewith Benish had saddled him ;
the man deserved his price.
And when Tarphon came home he told
his wife : "I have beheld what no human
eyes have seen; it was like drinking in the
veritable glory of God."
" Nay, talk not so big," broke in Mirzah.
"I, too, have been feasting mine eyes
upon the shadow of the shadow thereof.
But be still he sleeps."
" The child our child ! " breathed Tar-
phon ; and then he went on in a whisper,
"What sayest thou to this, Mirzah : was
it not at the hour of eight that he first
drew breath ? And Benish told me that
THE FOURTH DIMENSION 7
was the instant when he put the last stroke
to the writing of the scroll, having worked
at it through the night into the morning ;
and so it might be said that they were
born in the same winking of the eye. Is
it not strange ? "
"Strange?" said Mirzah. (( Oh, thou
niggard of faith ! Is not God rich enough
to dower the world with two blessings by
one outstretching of the hand ? Call it not
strange ; say rather it is a happy omen
and foreshadowing that good fortune shall
be his, having chanced upon such a co-
eval."
Then Tarphon stooped over the child,
and, kissing it, he whispered, " Dear as is
to the Almighty His Law, so be thou, His
creature."
But there were many things that de-
manded attention, and Tarphon had his
hands full for the next five days that
elapsed before the child might be initiated
into the Covenant of Abraham. And the
memory of that initiation-feast is still
current through the country, for from the
mere remains of it full two weddings might
have been furnished forth. And for the
occasion there had come all the men of
8 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
consideration and importance in the neigh-
bourhood ; notably Rabbi Eliezar, the
renowned Cabbalist, who it was said had
once caught an angel by the foot and would
not let him go until he had been promised
a foremost place in the World-to-come.
Now he was blind and palsy-stricken, and
it was only a man of Tarphon's standing
who might make bold to ask his company.
And in the evening of the feast they brought
the child, which had been named Ephraim,
and laid it on the table before Rabbi Eliezar
that he might give it his blessing ; and he,
alone of all the others, had been told of
the wondrous coincidence that marked the
finishing of the scroll and the birth of the
child. And he laid his shrunken hand on
little Ephraim's head, and, lifting his sight-
less eyes to heaven, he blessed him. Now
the old man was toothless, and his utter-
ance was vague and confused ; but those
who sat near him thought that these were
the words he spoke :
" As ye are both cast within one nativity,
so may its soul be also thy soul, and than
the soul of the Word of God there is no
thing purer and wholesomer on earth. But
the Eternal breathed into the limitless vast,
THE FOURTH DIMENSION 9
and they became, and were, the four things
that are His dimensions. And as thou
shalt abide by the blessings of the twin-
soul that is thine, so shalt thou abide by
whatever else may betide it ; and as one
shall be, so shall be the other. And if the
twin-soul pass all the trials thereof, then
shall it live appointed days."
And all who heard wondered what the
blessing meant ; but there was no one to
give an explanation not even Rabbi
Eliezar, for he died on the way home from
the feast of the Covenant.
The day following Ephraim's initiation
was fixed for the Dedication of the Scroll ;
and in honour of this a general holiday
prevailed through the town. Tarphon
himself carried the scroll from his house
to the synagogue in procession with the
wardens and goodmen of the congre-
gation. The House of Prayer was packed
every inch, and from the galleries the
women threw down cakes and sweetmeats,
and there was great merriment and amicable
strife in the catching of the dainties. But
Tarphon's munificence was not yet at an
end. In the opening paragraphs of Genesis,
where the letters were only outlined, he
io A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
chose the characters that made up the
name of his son, " Ephraim ben Tarphon,"
to be filled in with ink ; and the same he
did with the last sentences of Deuteronomy,
which had been left blank likewise. And
for every letter he paid five roubles, all
which went to the community to be given
in charity to those that needed. Nor yet
were the festivities done with, for on the
thirtieth day from the birth took place
Ephraim's redemption. And this means
that he was repurchased from the priests
of the town ; for being a " first-born " he
was, according to the Law, the due, and
tithe, of the Cohanim, the descendants of
Aaron. And Tarphon paid to every priest
who asked for it the sum of ninety copecks,
and again there was a plentiful feast pro-
vided. Occasionally Tarphon reflected on
the strange blessing Rabbi Eliezar had
uttered over Ephraim, but, though he
knew a little more of the case, he saw
therein no clearer significance than did the
others ; but it seemed to imply that an
extraordinary destiny hung over his son
that might turn to good or ill. Yet from
the first Ephraim proved a source of joy.
At the age of two he could say the alphabet
THE FOURTH DIMENSION 11
from Aleph to Tov, and from Tov back
to Aleph ; and at three he boldly tackled
the sesquipedalian monsters that are to be
found in the " Sayings of the Fathers."
About this time Ephraim's career, which
augured so well, almost came to an abrupt
ending, and the thing was due to the care-
lessness of some one. For Mirzah had
occasion to go upon some household errand,
and had left the boy sleeping upon the
couch, for the servants were about, and she
knew he was safe. Now as to demons,
burglars, and ravenous beasts he was cer-
tainly safe, for there were none in the
neighbourhood. But in the very room
where he slept there stood a monster made
of glazed bricks that reached to the ceiling,
and its inners were filled with burning
embers. Now this monster-oven found
that the flue through which it was wont to
respire had become choked up, and the
fumes which were to escape into the open
were forced back into the cavity ; and to
obtain relief from the overcharge, the oven
began to belch forth the noisome exhal-
ations into the chamber, so that all the
pure air became forced out through the
crevices. And with the pain of the oppres-
12 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
sion, Ephraim awoke and started scream-
ing with all the strength that yet remained
in his poor tormented chest ; and at that
moment Mirzah rushed in and snatched
him out of his peril just two heart-beats
before it was too late. All the week he
was sick and giddy, so that he was pre-
vented from going to synagogue on the
Sabbath with his father. And that was a
sore disappointment to the little fellow.
For he was now entrusted with the rolling-
up of the swathe that served as a girdle
for his scroll ; and he was never happier
than when at this task, although the stiff
silken border proved a difficult matter for
his little fingers. And that Sabbath there
happened a strange thing in the synagogue.
For while Naphtali, the master of the Canti-
lation, was reciting the weekly portion of
the Law, he was seen suddenly to stop, and
take off his spectacles ; and then he rubbed
his eyes and looked again. But though
he rubbed spots out of his eyes, he could
not rub the mistake from the page ; for to
be sure, the word for "breath," which
ought to have been in the passage he had
come up to, was missing from its place, and
the sentence ran on mutilated and incohe-
THE FOURTH DIMENSION 13
rent. And the wonder was how the defi-
ciency had escaped notice so long, though
at each reading the page had been closely
scanned by three pairs of eyes namely,
those of Naphtali, who read, of the person
who was called up to pronounce the bless-
ing over the section, and of Tarphon who
stood pointing. The next day Benish was
summoned, and great was his consternation
at the mishap.
" I don't know how this came about, "he
said in justification. " Every line I have
gone over diligently after I had written it,
and not even the tail of a Yod but was
marked with unerring accuracy but of
this I can make nothing."
And then with dubious shakings of head
he corrected the omission, and every one
admired the skill wherewith he super-
literated the erasure so that no trace of the
tinkering remained. Tarphon was greatly
grieved at the occurrence, for it jeopardised
the reputation of the scroll. Still his grief
was more than counterbalanced by the joy
of Ephraim's speedy recovery.
And as the time went on Ephraim con-
tinued to make progress, so that at the
age of seven he had already advanced to
14 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
the study of Rashi and Onkelos and the
commentators, and harassed his teachers
with perplexing questions.
"Tell me," he once asked them, "if it
happen that a man has searched every
nook and corner of his abode upon the
eve preceding the Passover, and has
gathered all the crumbs and particles of
leaven, so that nothing is left ; but if
during the festival a mouse should bring
in from the adjoining dwelling, which is
a Gentile's, a crust of bread and deposit it
secretly in the Jewish house, is the owner
thereof liable to the punishment of him
who neglects the ordinance : ' Seven days
there shall be no leaven found in your
houses ? ' ' And this, you must admit, is
not a question which can be answered
standing on one leg ; and it was whispered
that before every lesson his teachers held
a conclave to be prepared with satisfactory
answers to the precocious questioner. And
Tarphon held his head high among the
fathers of the congregation.
But little Ephraim was no mere book-
worm ; he romped about with the other
children and excelled in their games. And
thus it happened that a serious accident be-
THE FOURTH DIMENSION 15
fell him. For one day, while playing at hare
and hounds, he was chosen the hare ; and
seeing that one of his playmates had nearly
come up to him, he looked about for a
place of refuge or vantage. Now, in the
corner of the courtyard where he had
taken his flight there stood a large four-
walled tank, rising to the height of three
feet from the ground, that contained, as
Ephraim thought in his perilous haste, dry
fodder for the cattle ; and if he could but
attain that he was safe, for from there he
could clamber over into the next courtyard,
and his pursuer could not equal him in
leaping. And at last he reached the side,
and, vaulting over splash ! down he
went, for the tank was full of water and
only sprinkled at the top with a thin layer
of chaff; and once he sank, and twice,
and at the third time a stableman had
rushed to the spot, and barely reached him
at the end of a pitchfork that caught in
Ephraim's doublet. And so he was borne
home a pitiable sight ; his limbs stiff and
his eyes staring wide ; for the water he
had swallowed had almost forced the life
from his body. And when Mirzah saw
him thus she set up a loud wailing, but
16 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
Tarphon only turned pale and helped her
quickly strip him and put him into warm
coverlets. By the Sabbath Ephraim had
somewhat recovered, though he still re-
mained a little ailing ; and Tarphon went
to synagogue to offer up thanksgiving for
the sparing of his child. And the portion
of the week was the crossing of the Red
Sea ; and when Naphtali had come to the
passage where the waters parted, Tarphon
suddenly clutched hold of his hand and
bade him stop ; for Tarphon's eyes had
caught an error so glaring, that Naphtali
might be pardoned for passing it without
notice in the belief that his senses were
playing him false. For the word " mayim,"
signifying "waters," was written such that
the final "mem" bore the same shape as
the initial "mem"; and the whole congre-
gation came up one by one to examine
the monstrosity of the thing, and certain
remarks concerning Benish went from
mouth to mouth that would not have
pleased him. What ? take such a treasury
of money for work which a cobbler's boy
would have performed more creditably ?
Such a thing had not been heard of ever
since geese grew quills to make pens for
THE FOURTH DIMENSION 17
scribes. And when Benish was called to
see with his own eyes he stood tapping his
forehead for a long time.
" Nay, my masters," he said at last ;
" this is not my handiwork. I am not a
son of the soil, and I did not write this
scroll in my sleep ; but there is a mystery
in this, I will swear that upon the scroll.
There is an evil spirit lurking in the place ;
perhaps the man who blew the ram's horn
on the First Day of the Year was unworthy
of his office or incapable thereof, for he
did not frighten the Satan away by the
strength and excellence of his blowing,
and that is the cause of this mischief."
Many there were who believed the ex-
planation and many there were who did
not ; and of the latter the most incredulous
was Naphtali, for he himself was the man
who had blown the ram's horn. And then
Benish made the correction and went
away ; and when Tarphon came home he
found Ephraim eating chicken-broth, and
the flush of health had come back to his
cheeks.
Ephraim continued to make good head-
way in all things. At the age of ten he
began to keep all the fast-days, observ-
3
i8 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
ing even the " Fast of the First-born "
until the time of sunset ; and he missed
not a single service either in the early
morning or in the evening of each day,
and when his father was kept away by
business he went by himself. And in all
things relating to his religion he was most
circumspect, and if the white of an egg
showed but a tiny speck of blood he would
not eat it, even though another were not
immediately available. And yet for all
this he did not seem to be spared trial and
calamity. It was the time of counting the
Omer, the seven weeks that elapse between
Passover and Pentecost, when Ephraim
had reached the age of eleven, that he
went with the other children of the town
to the river's bank, there to gather the
youngling bulrushes which it is customary
at this season of the year to strew across
the floor, so that a pleasant savour might
rise up from the sap. And Ephraim, in his
eagerness to pluck only of the best, had
strayed from his comrades, and did not
notice how the soil was getting more and
more porous and squelched beneath his
footsteps. And suddenly it slipped away
from him altogether, and there he was up
THE FOURTH DIMENSION 19
to his waist in the slimy ooze ; and, more
by instinct than premeditation, he flung
his arms aloft and grasped at the branches
of the willow-tree that overhung his head,
and that saved him. But it seemed to him
that for the moment his arm must have
lengthened to three times its usual measure,
even, as the arm of Pharaoh's daughter
lengthened so that she might pull Moses
from the water ; for Ephraim could not
understand how else he had reached the
supports to which he clung. And there he
might have remained during the night
were it not for the poor washerwoman who
plied her task a little further up ; and when
she had helped him out Ephraim enjoined
her, giving her all his stock of savings,
not to speak of his misadventure. And
then he went home, very frightened, and
changed his clothes before his parents
might ask questions as to their condition.
But what washerwoman ever recognised
that she had a tongue to keep secrets with?
And the tale of his son's escape soon
reached Tarphon's ears, and at the news
a thought flashed across his mind, unde-
fined and vague, and he tried to connect
its trail by dim links of memory with
20 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
something else equally vague and unde-
fined ; but the more he followed it, the
more subtly it escaped him. And again
he renewed the attempt when it came
about during the next reading of the
Law, which took place on the second
Sabbath of the Omer, that there was yet
another alteration necessary in the scroll.
For in the passage where it speaks of the
houses of the lepers and of the mortar
connected therewith, the word for mortar,
which is " ongphar," and properly signifies
" loam " or earth, was slightly shifted from
its place, so that it stood slantingly below
the level of the line. Now this was the
eleventh time in eleven years that Tarphon
had scanned the place, and never before
had he remarked its peculiarity ; and he
knew it was no use sending for Benish
to account for the thing, so on the day
following he came and, without a word to
any one, made the correction himself.
But the event lay deeply in his mind, and
he did not forget it for many a day.
At last came the time when Ephraim
was to become a Son of the Command-
ments, and Tarphon determined that the
occasion should be celebrated with befitting
THE FOURTH DIMENSION 21
splendour. Of course Ephraim read before
the congregation the whole portion of the
week, and, in addition, the apocryphal
chapter pertaining thereto ; and that was
a feat of which not everybody's son could
boast. Not only that, but he delivered an
oration of his own making, showing that
he felt the responsibility of becoming a
full-fledged member of the congregation ;
and the whole town was full of his praises,
and Tarphon was vaunted indeed a man
whose works turned out well. A month
after Ephraim was to proceed to the great
Talmud School of Vilosen, for he was to
qualify for a Rabbi ; but on the eve of his
departure he complained of spots before
his eyes, and there was a slight discolora-
tion about his temples that became more and
more apparent. This was his first serious ill-
ness, and Tarphon went betimes to change
the boy's name, so that if it had been
ordained was not God's wisdom infinite ?
that the Angel of Death should be
deputed to lay his hand on him, Azrael
might come and find some one who
answered not to the name of him for
whom he had been sent the errand. But
despite of it Ephraim grew worse ; a fever
22 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
came over him, and the blood coursed
seething-hot through his veins. Tarphon
and Mirzah sat and looked at him, noting
every breath he drew and every tremor of
his body. And when Mirzah had fallen
asleep with the weariness of the watching,
Tarphon buried his head in his hands ;
but he did not weep there was no time
for that. He was busy tracing the flimsy
thread of memory that he knew lurked
somewhere in the recesses of his mind.
And all at once a quaint phrase leapt forth
therefrom, and he grew puzzled where he
had heard it. " The four things that are
His dimensions." That was something to
work upon, and then came another recol-
lection, which ran, " if the twin-soul pass
all the trials thereof, then shall it live
appointed days." Were not those the
words which Rabbi Eliezar had uttered at
Ephraim's initiation into the Covenant ?
And then Tarphon carefully pieced to-
gether his conjectures. In the week that
Ephraim had nearly suffered death from
the poisonous vapours, was there not
missing from its place in the Scriptures
the word " ruach," signifying the air, the
clean breath of the nostrils ? And then
THE FOURTH DIMENSION 23
again, at the time when Ephraim was
nearly drowned in the cattle tank, was not
the word for "waters" found to be ill-
conditioned the end letter the same as
the beginning, even as Ephraim had
thought that the bottom of the tank was
of like nature to the top ? And Tarphon
thought tremblingly of the last point: when
Ephraim had gone to gather bulrushes, was
there not an untoward dislocation of the
word which means "earth," even as the
ground had moved from its place under
his feet? And so Ephraim had run the
gauntlet of air, water, and earth, and in
each case the scroll had suffered mishand-
ling in the words of this meaning. And
now it was clear to Tarphon that the
" four dimensions of God " were, forsooth,
the four elements, and the "twin-soul"
was the spirit animating both his child and
the scroll that had been born into life at
one and the same moment. And what
further proof did he need ? Was not the
boy writhing with the inflammation of his
vitals ? Was he not burning as with a
fire ? That was it and Tarphon leapt up
like a madman there was some word
signifying fire, flame, or burning which
needed correction in the scroll, and if that
were done the danger would be passed
and the elements conquered, and his boy
Ephraim would live long days and be a
king among men. And so Tarphon stormed
out through the door he would search the
scroll from beginning to end, even if the
sight of his eyes perished over it. But
suddenly he stopped it was very strange:
surely the sun had long gone down, and
it was too early for the dawn ; but over
there to the west was a reddish glare that
increased as he went on, and round the
corner men came running, breathlessly
shouting :
" Tarphon, Tarphon, the synagogue is
in flames!"
And Tarphon dashed on with wolf-like
eyes and gnashing teeth, and when he
came up to the crowd that stood out-
side the burning edifice, he clove through
them as a thunderbolt cleaves through ears
of corn, shrieking : " The scroll, the scroll ;
or else he dies he dies ! " And before
they could hold him he had rushed into
the flaming chaos of destruction, tore down
the aisle to the Sacred Ark that spat sheaves
of fire at him and lo, there was the scroll
THE FOURTH DIMENSION 25
blazing like touchstone. But what of that?
There was the scroll in cinders or not,
what mattered it? And out again he
came, like a demon who has burst his
chains, from amid the holocaust of his
damnation. And on and on he ran, holding
the charred trophy above his head and
when he came in they had just finished
stretching the linen sheet over the starken-
ing limbs and were turning the looking-
glasses towards the wall.
Two days afterwards was the Fast of
Ab, the anniversary .of the destruction of
Jerusalem, the day whereon are carried to
the " Good Place " for burial all the torn
leaflets and spoilt synagogue gear whereon
appears the name of God ; but the Scroll
of Tarphon was buried in one and the
same coffin with his son Ephraim. Say,
are not these things wonderful ?
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT
If you prick us, do we not bleed ?
Merchant of Venice.
HE that is, Solomon was certainly
the oracle of the place. H is authority
on politics, art, science, and all other things
that more or less affect this world and
the next, was undisputed. Saturday, from
midday to the hour of the afternoon
service, he gave consultations, sat in his
seat and uttered revelations. The family-
heads who were habitues of the little place
of worship listened to him open-mouthed
and open-eared ; but occasionally a casual
visitor who knew not of Solomon's great-
ness would venture a suggestion, and then
the floodgates of Solomon's wisdom were
opened, and his knowledge came sweeping
down in a torrent on the bold questionist,
making sport of his opinion in a whirlpool
36
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 27
of sense-bewildering information. I was
perhaps the only one of his audience that
knew what a humbug old Solomon was ;
I at least was aware that what the others
thought the gleanings of a laboriously
accumulated world-wisdom, was the spon-
taneous manufacture of the moment.
Solomon had a vivid imagination : nothing
else could account for the perversions of
the natural order of things for which he
was responsible for the alliances between
hostile dynasties, for translocations of vast
territories, which gave the lie to all our
received notions of geography for regene-
ration schemes that would shortly make
the earth a paradise. Still he was enter-
taining, and gave a distinct relish to the
somnolent Sabbath afternoons that were
apt to hang heavy on my hands. He
was the beadle of the little congregation,
and in his unconsecrated moments sold
lottery tickets. In his after-business hours
he wrote door-post amulets. He was also,
for some mysterious reason, the best per-
former on the ram's-horn during the high
festivals, and the fame of his efficiency
brought him many pupils. Otherwise he
was a solitary man, without kith or kin
28 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
in London. Not that he seemed to want
any one, because he managed very well
for himself, bought his own provisions,
kept his own house, which amounted to
a single-roomed flat in Montague Build-
ings, and no one who looked at the squat,
sturdy figure and the tawny beard would
have credited them to a man of sixty.
I had seen Solomon pose as a demi-
god, and was very keen to know him as
a man. Strong individuality was stamped
like a hall-mark on every feature of his
face, and made one forget its common-
placeness ; and the expression upon it
was one not acquired in the elementary
school of tribulation. He seemed to have
been taught one of those lessons which
stock a man with sufficient education in
character to last him all his lifetime. And
if this was mere conjecture on my part, it
was perhaps his habitual reticence about
himself that made me drape his past with
shadows. I did not, however, despair of
solving this sexagenarian riddle.
One Sabbath afternoon I found him
sitting in solitary grandeur. He explained
to me that a domestic event had happened
in the house of Stocklinski, the congrega-
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 29
tion treasurer, and that there had been an
exodus en masse to 2, Penny Street, in
token of goodwill to the new arrival and
the two parties responsible for it. Solomon
and the treasurer were eternally at feud,
because the latter insisted on counter-
signing the receipts, which Solomon took
for a slur on his trustworthiness. I blessed
Stocklinski for his caligraphic officiousness,
because it gave me at last an opportunity
of a quiet tete-a-tte with Solomon.
" I am surprised to see how you bam-
boozle your seat-holders, Solomon," I said
offhand ; "if they found you out they
would give you the sack."
He smiled all along the expanse of his
strong, healthy teeth.
"The sheep's-heads," he said disdain-
fully in his peculiar idiom, half English,
half everything else ; " they know they
have hands and feet, and nothing more,
Isn't it the same all the world over? If
you tell a lie and keep a sober face on it,
not even Elijah the prophet would find
you out and this is not a congregation of
prophets."
" Well, Solomon," I answered, " I am
not much of a prophet myself, but I know
30 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
when I get hoodwinked, and that ought
to take the spice out of your fabrications."
"You misjudge me, my son, if you
think I lie for the mere pleasure of lying,"
he said. " May there not be in a man's
life one bitter truth, one sad reality, to
forget which he dwells in a world of
dreams and imaginings ? And if he de-
ceives others, he is perhaps but practising
how best to deceive himself."
There was a pause ; I felt the old man's
rebuke, but I also felt that it contained no
malice only sorrow, infinite sorrow, such
as my remark could not have caused were
his nature the most sensitive.
" They say you were taken prisoner at
Sebastopol " I resumed.
" Quite true," he interrupted. " I came
over as the Queen's guest she sent me
an invitation through thirty thousand men,
several generals amongst them and that
is more than most foreigners over here
can say." And he smiled at his own
quaint view of the case.
My nerves began to tingle. Here was
a man who had seen death and destruction
in the wholesale, who had played skittles
with his life and limb, and survived to tell
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 31
the tale. I was young, and so I felt the
strong fascination of the man who could
talk so dispassionately of a reality, the
mere conception of which set my flesh in
a tremor.
"You were taken prisoner and con-
veyed to Plymouth," I continued, in order
to keep the topic in evidence. Solomon
had a habit of dodging the point at issue.
"How does it feel to be taken prisoner in
war?"
A far-away look had come into his eyes.
" Yes, I was brave in those days," he
said slowly "very brave ; but then I did
not care what happened, and perhaps it is
an easy thing to be brave when you feel
like that." He suddenly recollected him-
self, and went on with a short laugh :
"Ah, you want to know how I was taken
prisoner ? Why, all the little children
know the story ; I have told it hundreds
of times. Well, I was stationed in the
south suburbs Karabelnaya, I believe
they call it ; I don't know why, but the
enemy seemed to be bearing us a special
grudge, for it was here that their guns
were closest to the city walls ugly looking
iron brutes with impudent prying nozzles.
32 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
Occasionally they suffered from a catarrh,
and then they sneezed cannon-balls and
coughed fire-clouds, till I thought it was
Sodom and Gomorrah all over again, only
that the righteous were no better off than
the sinners. Every day the cursed things
came nearer and nearer, till we scarcely
had any breathing room left. I was
serving in Poniatowski's regiment a crew
of dare-devils and scamps, who stole the
boots from each other's feet and ate them.
I tell you, leather was a delicacy in those
days after the tallow had given out. The
knife was grazing our throat, and Kerkoff,
our colonel, went about like a dog with a
scalded tail.
" ' Children,' he said one day, ' do you
see that powder-tower ? '
" We saw it clearly enough ; we were
well acquainted with it for months. It
was the enemy's chief ammunition depot,
and there were barrels and barrels of the
deadly stuff in it.
" 'Well,' Kerkoff went on, ' I want a
man to make it jump ; one man can do it,
but he won't be much good for anything
else afterwards. That will give us a
respite before they bring up fresh supplies,
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 33
and in the meantime perhaps we can break
our way through. Who will volunteer ? '
" Then we knew that one of us had to
die. If there were no volunteers the lot
would decide. So I stepped forward I
was afraid the lot would miss me."
" You, Solomon, volunteered ? " I in-
terrupted him with a start. "And for
certain death, too ? What made you do
it?"
" What made me do it ? " he repeated.
I was used to his repeating my questions ;
it was not the effect of a laborious com-
prehension, but of the mechanical habit to
which all that section of his race are
subject. " I had nothing to live for the
bullets avoided me, though they slew right
and left ; and when you get tired of waiting
for a thing, you go forth to meet it." He
broke off, and again the far-away look
came into his eyes.
I pitied him in silence ; I could not do
more it is presumption to comfort a man
if he chooses to make the shadows of his
sorrow inscrutable.
"And yet you escaped?" I said, to
arouse him from his reverie. "How did
it happen ? "
4
34 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
" How it happened? " he iterated, look-
ing up heavily. " I have forgotten how
exactly. I am an old man, and it is long
ago ; but I remember crawling through
the trenches, fuse and tinder-box in hand,
till suddenly I felt a grip on my shoulder
and saw a young English officer big as
Og, King of Bashan loom down upon
me.
" ' What are you doing here ? ' he said
in Russian. I could not answer because
his hold on me was so tight, so I showed
him my fuse and the fire apparatus, and
pointed to the powder-tower.
" ' Oh, I see,' he gasped, and his teeth
came together with a snap. ' Blow us up,
did you want to ? Well, you are an
ambitious man, but your life before ours,'
and he pulled out his revolver. ' How-
ever, I give you a chance will you die, or
surrender ? '
"And as he was standing there, the
long rod of his revolver bearing on me,
I was reminded of Rabbi Nathan at the
Talmud School how he once stood over
me with his cane because I did not know
my lesson, and the lesson was a sentence
from Mishnah : ' If a man consent to his
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 35
own death, unless it be for the honour of
God and our Sacred Writ, it shall be as
though he were the cause thereof, and his
blood shall be on his own head.' And the
punishment of the suicide, you know, is
Gehennah you jump from the roaring
furnace into the ice-cold water, and back
again, and so on for all eternity. But
that did not matter ; I had got used to
Gehennah and things worse in the last
three months of the siege what with
scorching my skin brown in putting out
the blazing buildings, and then shivering
with ague during nights of sentry duty.
And it all passed through my mind like a
flash.
" ' Then I will die, your honour,' I said.
The officer looked startled.
" ' Well, you are the first man who asked
me to have his brains blown out,' he said ;
' if I had liked the job I would not have
given you a chance of asking. Anyway,
I am not going to turn assassin to please
a Russian, even if he is as brave as you
are.
" ' But I am a Jew, your honour,' I
tempted him.
"He laughed. ' That makes no differ-
36 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
ence in our notions. I shall say that you
have deserted, and then you won't get
shot.' Then he called the guard. Well,
you know the rest."
I was hanging spellbound on Solomon's
lips. His narrative was like a rocket that
has burnt itself to ashes before one could
gather all its wonderful effects. The
vacuum it left on my understanding was
almost painful. And yet I comprehended
the pregnant terseness, the absence of
adorning, self-laudatory detail in the old
man's simple words. It was that his
adventure, apart from the distance of its
occurrence and the familiarity of its recol-
lection, meant nothing to him. It existed
in his mind not for itself, but because it
was the result of some cause, and the
cause overshadowed the result and effaced
it. It is not often that people give such
an earnest of their satiety of life as Solomon
had done.
"Yes, Solomon, everybody has his
troubles," I remarked, more in answer to
my own thoughts, and feeling half-ashamed
of my platitude. " The difference is in the
way we bear them : on some of us the
least trifles fall like a sledge-hammer blow
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 37
to others the heaviest tribulation is but
a soap-bubble of fate."
" Do not our sages say the human heart
is less brittle than iron ? " he replied, with
rather more interest than my truisms
warranted. " I could tell you a story of a
man ' he stopped, and looked at the
round-faced clock that gave the little bal-
cony connecting the two women's galleries
quite a cyclopean appearance : " the
masters will not be back for an hour if
you would care to listen to an old gabbler
like me, I will tell you about something
that happened years and years ago in my
native country."
I nodded, because I would not let my
eagerness betray me by my words ; true
I should have preferred hearing his own
story, but I had a vague hope he would
speak of something nearest his heart, and
I should catch a glimpse of his calamity
through the chinks of his parable.
"His father was the richest man in
Kadaan," Solomon began without ado;
" he kept a drink-shop, and as it stood a
few hundred yards away from the village
out upon the open road, it was the nearest
to the farmers and the dealers coming
38 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
from up-country to the market-town be-
yond, and the last on their return way till
they again reached Trenka, which is the
village before Kadaan ; and this circum-
stance had a great influence on the custom
of the tavern. Favish, the son the man
of whom I am telling you served at the
bar, but he did not like the occupation.
The strange, bold faces he saw across the
counter frightened him. He was much
more comfortable in his little garret, trying
to blow its roof off with his cornet. When
he was a boy of twelve, his uncle had
brought him a little tin trumpet, and that
determined his vocation in life a klesmer,
a musician, he would be, and nothing else.
By the time he left boyhood he was al-
ready an expert, and in great demand at
all the festivities in the neighbourhood.
By now he was quite a man, as reserved
as ever, seeking his own company, plain-
featured and clumsy, but ready to give
his heart's blood for those he loved.
" One day Chananya, the glazier-huck-
ster from Uldrodno, who, by the way,
was also district scavenger, because he
picked up everything nobody else would
lay hands on came to Favish 's father.
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 39
" ' Mendel,' he said, with his wheezy
chuckle, ' your son may he live to be a
hundred is nearly four and twenty. It is
time he had his own home and hearth,
like a good Yehudi.'
" ' Well, that has nothing to do with
you/ said Mendel, gruffly. He did not
like holding a long conversation with
Chananya it was almost a degradation
for a respectable householder to speak to
him.
"'Why not?' asked the other; 'he must
marry, for the glory of the congregation
and besides, I have found him a bride.'
"'And who is she?' asked Mendel,
smiling in spite of himself at the absurd
idea.
" ' My daughter,' answered Chananya,
hardily, " as fine and respectable a girl
" But here Mendel flew in a terrible rage.
" ' What ! you old carrion-flayer, you
with your half-bred hussy of a daughter,
you want to get hold of my Favish ?
Some evil spirit has driven you out of
your senses go home and pray God
that you may be restored my son for
your daughter ! '
40 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
" ' And why not ? ' persisted Chananya ;
'my daughter is good and respectable.'
" ' Good and respectable ! ' shouted
Mendel ; ' what do people say of her
how many times has she run away from
you ? '
" ' She was starving with hunger and
cold, and when I came home and brought
no money she went away, because we
could not bear to look upon each other's
misery,' said Chananya, whiningly yet
glibly.
" ' And where did she go to when she
went away ? ' jeered Mendel.
" ' I don't know,' said Chananya, ' but
the spirit of the Lord is on all her ways.'
" 'Then may the spirit of the Lord be
a thousand miles hence,' cried Mendel,
rendered profane by his exasperation.
" ' Well, we shall see, Mendel we shall
see,' said Chananya, quietly, as he lifted
his satchel and hobbled off.
"And the old schemer knew what he
was saying. About a week afterwards,
towards afternoon time, when the tavern
was most crowded and Favish had to help
at the bar, Chananya came in and not
alone. He brought his daughter with
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 41
him ; she was holding him up by the arm,
because he pretended to have fallen lame,
and that was his excuse for taking the girl
with him on his rounds. And what a
strange pair they made ! No one would
have guessed that they were trunk and
branch : she, lissome as a withe and fresh
as a myrtle ; he, gnarled and bent and
shrunken like a sapless bramble-stock.
And then their faces one was tempted to
gaze long at the distorted grimace of the
old man, to give oneself the luxury of the
contrast. For Yenta's face was like a
summer storm, terrible in its beauty. The
hair was massed and black as the thunder-
clouds, and her eyes could flash and strike
hard as the lightning, and between the
two arched the broad serene brow like the
calm of the rainbow. And as she tripped
in, modestly and demurely, trim in her
ankle-long frock and neat apron, step-
ping daintily on the high-heeled morocco
slippers, Mendel turned white to the tip of
his nose, and cast an anxious sidelong
glance at Favish.
" ' A glass of vodka of your best,'
said Chananya, throwing a silver rouble
on the counter. Mendel obeyed without
42 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
a word, and Chananya stood there, with
his daughter beside him, leisurely sipping
his beverage instead of tossing it down as
usual, for he could toss vodka with the
best of them. Mendel kept furtively
watching Favish ; the young man looked
terribly disconcerted, his hands seemed to
be refusing him service, for he dropped
two glasses, and spilt half a gallon of fire-
wine. And all the while Chananya stood
sipping, fully conscious that every eye in
the room was fixed on him and his
daughter.
" ' Make haste, Chananya,' Mendel burst
out at last, half-mad with anxiety ; ' don't
you see you take up the room of the other
customers ? '
" ' What of that ? ' answered Chananya,
looking him full in the face ; ' have I not
paid my money like the others, and have
I not the right to drink my purchase fast
or slow as pleases me ? '
" ' Well said, Melchizedek, or whatever
your name is,' broke in Christopher Talka.
He was the tallest man in the room, with
a big red beard, and by trade he was a
swine-dealer. ' Let the old man alone,
Mendel ; he can stay as long as he likes,'
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 43
he continued, turning to the host. But
everybody knew what Christopher meant
it was Yenta, not her father, whom he
defended. Many a time he had kicked
and hustled some way-worn pedlar out of
the room with the words : ' Go and make
hay for your cow and calves at home, and
leave drinking to your betters.'
" ' Let us go, father,' said Yenta, gently,
while shooting a quick glance at Christo-
pher ; ' do not let us be the cause of quarrel
if these men are inhospitable, God will
provide us other shelter.'
" Chananya turned grumblingly ; he
knew he was the hero of the hour, and he
wanted to enjoy his triumph over Mendel
a little longer. But still, Favish had seen
Yenta, and that was the principal thing.
So they went away, and all across the
courtyard Favish's eyes followed them ;
but at the corner Yenta turned and smiled
at him yes, unmistakably at him. Then
they disappeared, and Favish thought
that the dark had set in early that day, and
his legs tottered under him as if all the
sinews had snapped.
"That is how the mischief began. From
that day Favish was a changed man, and
44 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
his father looked upon him sorrowfully, for
he divined the reason of Favish's pale
cheeks, and he cursed Chananya from
top to toe for the evil he had brought on
his boy. For Favish neither ate nor slept,
but all day long he loitered about the
high-road looking towards Uldrodno, as
though he were expecting some one to
come from there. At first he still toyed a
little with his cornet, but that ceased too,
and the house lay desolate with the silent
misery of its two occupants ; for it was two
years now since Chavah, the faithful wife
and mother, had been carried out of it, feet
foremost. For several weeks things went
on thus, while Favish was wasting to a
skeleton ; but still Mendel said nothing,
because he thought the evil would die of
the disease of time.
" But Favish came to him one day, laid
his head on his father's shoulder, and burst
into tears.
" ' Send for her, father, if thou wouldst
have me live,' he sobbed. ' I have tried,
but I can no more send for her.'
"Mendel waited till he had gulped down
his own tears. ' Son, dear son,' he said
at last, ' conquer thyself. She is not for
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 45
such as thou art ; she will not make thee
a good wife. Let her go her own way,
and do thou go thine.'
" ' I cannot, father,' whispered Favish ;
' she haunts me ; her face mocks me for
my impotence when I endeavour to forget.
Oh ! I am so helpless, and the ache in my
heart is killing me. Thou canst help me,
father help me ! '
" ' I should be helping thee to thy own
destruction,' said Mendel, despairingly.
" ' I must have her, father, if it be for
my destruction in this world and the
next,' cried Favish. ' I have lost my
health, my skill, everything that made
life pleasant to me. Yesterday I tried to
play my sorrow away, to be David to my
own Saul, but an iron grip held me by
the throat and choked my breath. And
so it will be as long as I live help me,
father!'
'"If it must be, Favish,' said Mendel,
tremblingly, ' then let it be in God's
name. I will not see thee despair if thou
hast made me thy hope. Besides, shall I
play Providence to any man ? '
" At these words Favish started up with
a cry of joy, seized his father's hands, and
46 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
kissed them again and again. Then it
was settled that Mendel should go to
Chananya on the morrow and talk things
over. What passed between them and
what terms and conditions of marriage
they arrived at Favish never knew, nor
did he care in the fulness of his joy. The
face of Mendel, when he returned with
the news of Chananya's approval, was not
that of a messenger of glad tidings ; the
furrows in his forehead had deepened, and
his hair was perhaps a tinge whiter. But
Favish saw nothing, and the first time he
held'Yenta in his arms he felt a giant's
strength come over him, and was certain
that no human evils could make part of
his fate.
" The news of the marriage created a
great stir in the neighbourhood ; and when
the first wave of astonishment had settled
down, every now and then another gossip
came, shaking his head and talking under
his breath to Mendel. And the usual
conclusion to what they had to tell was,
' Do not take it ill, Mendel ; I speak to
you as a friend.'
" To one and all of them Mendel
listened quietly, and at the end he replied,
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 47
' I will not believe anything. My son
loves her, and soon she will be as flesh of
my flesh. For the honour of my son,
and for my own honour, I will not believe
anything to her shame ; and now go in
peace.'
"And whether Mendel's rebuke offended
them, or whether there was some other
reason, few of his friends attended the
wedding, and on Chananya's side not so
much as a dog turned up to do him honour
in his hour of joy. But guests or no
guests, Yenta was Favish's wife irrevocably,
and the weal and woe of one was the weal
and woe of the other.
" For some time it seemed as though
the raven-croak of the gossips and Mendel's
misgivings were doomed to disappoint-
ment. Yenta was a model housewife, and
her husband did not find her wanting
in the matter of wifely affection. Old
Chananya kept himself scarce, and on the
rare occasions when he came to the hostel
he was quite respectable. They had found
him a decent lodging, and as he had no
longer need to beg or to perform antics
in the huts of wood-choppers and glass-
blowers for he had been a clown in his
younger days in return for a night's
shelter, he had managed to acquire some
self-respect. True, it sat on him like an
ill-fitting secondhand coat, but it was
there. Favish was in high spirits. He
improved wonderfully in his art now that
he had somebody besides himself to work
for ; and in the meantime the business of
the tavern prospered and throve, for the
fame of the beautiful hostess spread over
the country around, and a good many did
not mind going a little out of their way to
get a glimpse of her. Old Mendel went
about in a dream and held his breath, for
fear of an evil eye.
"It was about a year after the marriage
that first a strange thing happened.
Mendel and Favish had gone over to
Trenka to see about a new supply of
drink-stuff for the shop. They made their
bargain, and returning, had found a lift on
a corn-waggon, which brought them home
an hour earlier. And as they entered the
courtyard they saw, sitting at one table,
Yenta and Christopher Talka, the swine-
dealer ; and as neither of them was deaf,
there was no need for them to have their
heads so close together. Two full glasses
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 49
were on the table, and Yenta was spread-
ing a pack of cards one by one.
" Favish gave a gasp and stood still at
the door, and Talka scrambled hastily to
his feet, almost upsetting the table in
extricating his long legs. Yenta kept a
smiling countenance.
" ' Talka asked me to tell him his
fortune,' she said, looking at Favish
without wincing. Favish answered not a
word, but passed on into the stables.
Mendel's, however, was the wisdom of
maturer years ; he saw it was a case
where silence would speak the loudest, so,
despite the quaking of his heart, he forced
a jest to his lips.
" ' What ! a big fellow like you, Chris-
topher, afraid of a hare that has run across
your path ? '
" Talka twisted and turned awkwardly
from side to side.
" ' Mere pastime,' he mumbled, ' mere
pastime ; ' and with a sheepish laugh he
edged out by the door.
"All during the rest of the day father
and son avoided each other. Perhaps
they were afraid of reading the confirma-
tion of some nameless dread in each
50 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
other's face. Yenta went about her duties
unconcernedly ; she seemed ignorant that
anything uncommon had happened, and
Favish did not tell her.
" But she soon made it apparent that
things were not with her as they had
been ; she became peevish and uneven in
her temper, and her' husband did not
always know what answer he might
expect. Sometimes she was moody and
thoughtful, and at others uproariously
merry. But her laugh was not pleasant
to hear ; it was loud and strident, almost
like a shriek, and occasioned by things
that ought to have made her blush in
her husband's presence. For she busied
herself more and more with the customers,
and took a great interest in their affairs.
So the reserve which her prim, quiet
demeanour had at first kept up began to
wear off, and the fault was none but hers.
Was it seemly that she should stand lean-
ing on both elbows across the counter,
drinking with the peasants, and mixing in
their talk ? And if now and then one
caught her by the hand, she did not draw
it away in anger, as a well-behaved matron
should have done Talka was invisible
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 51
for a month or so ; then he started coming
again, at first rarely, then more often, till
that flaring red beard of his was the
most familiar sight in the public room.
Chananya, too, became a more frequent
visitor, and each time he brought a new
rent in his coat and a more unquenchable
thirst. There he would sit, with a
besotted look in his eyes, till he was
drunk, and then he got on the table, the
empty bottle in hand, and danced the
Cossack dance ; and Yenta's laughter rang
louder than all the others', louder even
than Talka's. Mendel turned white as
death, and Favish said nothing, but went
out into the stables. More and more the
control of things passed out of their hands.
Yenta did all the business, kept the
accounts and the money, and doled it
out to them grudgingly, as one does to
strangers.
" ' Make an end of it, Favish,' said
Mendel one day, brokenly. ' Tell her
that Chananya and and the swine-dealer
must not come to the house any more, or
I shall not survive it.'
" 'Yes, father,' answered Favish, looking
away ; ' I shall tell her I shall tell her
52 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
of it to-morrow.' And to-morrow came,
and still he did not tell her ; and again it
was to-morrow, and always to-morrow.
For whenever he looked at his wife his
accursed love for her mastered him and
held him tongue-tied. And so Talka
flaunted his red beard more overbearingly
than ever, and Chananya drank and drank
till he fell under the table or wallowed in
the passage snoring off his drunkenness,
while the peasants kicked and trod and
spat upon him as they passed in and
out. And Yenta saw it and laughed.
Mendel saw it too, but with failing eyes,
and perhaps he would have cried were not
his heart beating too faintly to stir him to
tears. And one morning it had ceased to
beat altogether. Favish raved with grief;
yet through it all, strange to say, a vague
feeling of relief came over him. He was
alone now there was nobody standing by
to count every leap and quiver of his
heart ; and his pain was less, because it
was not doubled by agonising that other
loving breast. And at least he was now
secured against that terrible ' Make an
end of it, Favish,' for the loving tongue
that had uttered it was now silent for
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 53
ever. Favish was very patient ; he had
faith in the goodness and fitness of things,
and the day would arrive when Yenta
would come to him unasked, and bring
him the love a wife should bring her
husband.
" And so he waited, and for a whole
year nothing happened, except that Yenta's
face more and more often wore a red flush,
and that she became a great expert in all
games of cards. Talka went in and out
as usual, and brought her mysterious
packets, the contents of which Favish was
never told. The only important event
before things came to a finish was that
Chananya was found one day at the bottom
of a fox-pit with his neck broken. And
that was the end of Chananya. Yenta
did not trouble to observe the week of
mourning.
"It was the Sabbath after Chananya 's
funeral. For the first time since many
months Yenta had stood by to hold the
candle while Favish was saying the
Sabbath - eve blessings on the ensuing
week ; and afterwards she had gone up to
him and had stooped for she was much
taller than he to kiss him. Favish did
54 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
not know what was happening, and as he
went up to his room to fetch his cornet,
he had to grope his way, for the tears of
happiness were blinding him. At last it
had come, all that for which he had hoped
and waited and suffered. That night he
had to go to Trenka to play at a wedding
feast ; for, as is usual in that part of the
country, the marriage had taken place on
the Friday, and the feast was left for
the following Sabbath evening. Favish
cursed his fate at having to leave home,
but he had promised. And as he walked
along the road, all ablaze with the silver
of the full moon, he was almost glad to be
alone with his happy thoughts. Half-way
along he heard cries, and the trampling of
beasts, and when they came nearer he saw
it was Talka driving with voice and whip
a herd of swine in close tether. As he
saw Favish, he became quiet, and tried
to hasten the beasts by a shower of blows.
" ' Where are you going, Talka ? ' asked
Favish, with a sudden dread shooting
through him.
"' I must hasten on to Slonim,' answered
Talka. ' I want to get there by midnight,
so as to give my beasts a rest, and make
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 55
them look fit for to-morrow's market we
have already come a long way.'
" Favish looked at him; but Talka
seemed speaking the truth : his face was
red and heated, and the hoofs of the swine
were trodden to the blood, for a red trail
stretched in the direction from which they
came.
i( Favish reached Trenka in another
hour ; and when he came there, there
was to be no wedding feast after all ; either
the cook had let the dishes burn, or the
bridegroom had run away overnight
something had happened to stop the pro-
ceedings. Favish was very pleased ; he
saw in it a good sign, and he turned back
without a word of chiding for having been
made to come a fool's errand. The ground
flew under his feet, for his heart was light
and his step was light, and before he
knew it he saw the palisade fence that
hedged the tavern on one side gleam white
in the distance. And as he came nearer,
he heard voices floating through the still
summer night voices that he knew, for
at the sound a leaden weight hung itself
upon his feet, and, dropping on his hands,
he crawled to the edge of the enclosure.
56 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
At the gate stood Yenta, with her thick
hair falling like a mantle around her
shoulders, and one of her hands in
Talka's ; the herd of swine lay around
them in dead weariness.
" ' And so it will be to-morrow ? ' Talka
was saying, gazing in Yenta's eyes ; ' thou
hast kept me long enough.'
"'I could not come before this, Chris-
topher,' replied Yenta. ' There was
father after all he was my father, and if I
went away he would be cast out upon the
streets, and I could not let that be done.'
" 'Very well, sweetheart, so be it then,'
said Talka, ' I shall come to-morrow night
and take thee away ; and listen, dear, get
ready whatever there is, the roubles and
that gold beaker and the silver candle-
sticks the broad-nosed Jew, what does he
want them for ? and then we shall go
far away, to my home in Croatia, and thou
shalt eat swine flesh to thy heart's content.
Didst thou like the bacon I brought
thee ? '
" ' I liked it, but I like thy kisses better,
Christopher,' she said. ' I tried to kiss
him to-night, in order to allay his sus-
picions, and I have a taste on my lips as
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 57
if I had been eating crab apples kiss me
hard, Christopher,' and she stretched out
her mouth to meet his.
" Favish listened and looked ; then life
came back to his limbs if his ears had
been dishonoured, his eyes were not to be
dishonoured too ; and so, quick as lightning,
he snatched up his cornet, set it to his
mouth and blew. And he blew as no
man on earth had done before or will do
after him ; and perhaps the sound of the
trump of judgment will ring out like that.
At first it was like the whining of a wolfs
cub, then it swelled like the distant thunder
on the hills, and at last it rose like the
shriek of Satan when he tried to force his
way into Paradise and got his knee
jammed in the gateway. At the sound
Talka started up with a yell, and ran
and ran as fast as he could waddle on his
fat haunches. And, despite everything,
Favish had to throw down his cornet and
to lean against the fence, for the maniac
laughter that shook him threatened to
burst his sides. Then he strode towards
Yenta. She had been standing there,
white and moveless as a pillar of salt ;
and just near her Favish saw something
58 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
glittering on the ground it was Talka's
butcher-knife, which he had dropped as
he scampered off; it was long and turned
up to a point at the end like his own
impudent nose ; nor was it straight and
_square like those which our licensed
slaughterers use. Favish picked it up
and stood before his wife.
"'So thou eatest the flesh of swine?'
he asked.
" She looked at him, but even her eyes
had lost their power of speech.
" ' Then I shall give thee a feast, such
as thou never hadst in all thy days,' he
screamed, and threw himself on the herd
of swine and hacked and slashed and
sliced among them wherever his knife
plunged ; and he shrieked with laughter
to see the quivering carcases and the
helpless struggles of those that survived
to break away from the tether. And each
time he struck a more murderous bow, or
made a more deadly gash, he cried, ' So
much for thee, friend Talka.' Now and
then he looked round to see whether
Yenta was standing where he had left
her. And when he had finished, he went
up to her, twined his hand in her hair,
AN ALIEN IMMIGRANT 59
and dragged her along towards the
slaughtered swine.
" ' Eat, eat,' he shouted, ' there is enough
and to spare,' and with one push he sent
her staggering on to the heaving, tossing
flesh-mountain. Then without another
look or word, he went out into the night."
Solomon ceased, and his head fell heavily
on his breast. I dared not look at him.
"And what became of Favish ? " I
whispered.
"What became of Favish?" he re-
peated. "He exchanged with a con-
script, went to the war, and was taken
prisoner in the trenches of Sebastopol
trying to blow up the English powder
magazine."
THE REDEMPTION OF THE
SERPENT
Not the generous fool who his gift bestows
Since he cannot answer nay,
Who opens his hand and laughs and goes
His old unconscious way,
But the man who knows the full worth of his gift
And gives, tho' he gives with a frown
For he gives with his dole a share of his soul
'Tis he deserves the crown !
Saying from the Ramban spurious).
NAY, Bylah, let not that be your
last word. Can I say nought to
soften your heart?" And the man, as he
spoke, looked piteously at the girl.
" Importunate that you are," she an-
swered, impatiently ; " if my answer pains
you, what profits it you to make me
repeat it ? It cannot be, Gedaliah let
the thought go from your mind."
" And why can it not be ? " he per-
sisted.
REDEMPTION OF THE SERPENT 61
" Because because people say you are
not a good man, that you smoke on the
Sabbath, and game and drink."
He hung his head. " But you can
make me good," he said at last.
<( I ? " she asked. " God forbid that
I should take such a task upon me I
that am ignorant in all but what per-
tains to a woman's knowledge ; I can
repair a tattered frock to look like new,
but-
" But a tattered soul like mine is beyond
mending, you would say," he broke in
bitterly.
" Nay, I said not that," was the quick
reply. "To every man it is given to
conquer the evil mind that leads him to
transgression; go frequently to the House
of Prayer, give unto the poor with open
hand, and seek the company of godly
men. Many have found deliverance in
this wise."
" And when I have done so, what as to
the marriage ? "
" That can never be," she said, resolutely.
" I love you not."
He drew a deep breath it was scarcely
a sigh ; whoever heard Gedaliah sigh ?
62 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
"If not, then not," he said, with philo-
sophic shrugging of shoulders ; and then
he turned on his heel and went.
There were other reasons that prompted
Bylah in her reply. For instance, Gedaliah
was a Littvak ; and it is well known that
every self-respecting Pollak spends all his
hours of leisure and all the time he plays
truant from his business in thinking small
beer of his Lithuanian coreligionist, though
his ancestors may have been Gaonim and
Talmud-diplome's for four generations.
Furthermore Gedaliah walked a little stiff
in his right leg, the result of a gunshot
in the calf. That meant, of course, that
he had been a frontier smuggler, and had
helped to carry contraband bales of tobacco
and tallow, for which a patriotic Govern-
ment sentry had felt himself called upon
to remind him, by a badly-aimed bullet,
that the Holy Russian Empire was not to
be trifled with, and required an unusual
amount of caution and great swiftness of
limb before it might be circumvented.
The calling of contrabandist is not of an
edifying nature, nor are its professors, as
a rule, desirable acquaintances ; but it is
lucrative, and those who manage to escape
REDEMPTION OF THE SERPENT 63
the official remuneration in lead, have
usually made good provision for an un-
authorised payment in more precious
metal. Gedaliah must have been lucky
in his enterprises, apart from the above-
mentioned misadventure ; for he was well
off, although he drew his income from no
apparent sources. But Bylah did not tell
him that her chief motive for rejecting
him lay not in unorthodox habits, nor in
differences of dialect, nor in stray excise-
ammunition. What had it to do with him
or anybody else, that there was a certain
understanding between herself and one
called Aryah, by profession a leather-
hawker ? They had arrived at it without
outside interference, there had been no
ceremonious go-between, no contracting
middleman. They knew each other, and
loved each other, and that was all ; and
despite the anomaly of the case, they were
happy none the less. The cause for this
directness in the hymeneal negotiations
was to be found in the fact that they
were both in reduced circumstances as
regards the possession of parents. Aryah
had owned to the deficiency unblushingly
since the days of his boyhood ; and
64 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
Bylah had made shift with the person of
a maternal grandmother, who, however, by
reason of the infirmities of age, had long
thrown the responsibility of Bylah 's exist-
ence on to her own shoulders. And now
they were waiting till Aryah had talked
the neighbouring peasantry into the belief
that the quality of his leather was unex-
ampled since the creation of cows and
other dermatophorous quadrupeds ; for
naturally, upon this belief depended the
profits of his business, and consequently
the consummation of his promise to Bylah.
And at last they thought they could
venture upon it. The wedding was an
unpretentious affair, just serving its pur-
pose and nothing more. There was no
honeymoon ; people of their standing
believe in commencing the book of matri-
monial life without reading the poetic
dedication ; they get on to the prose of it
at once. And so it was with Bylah and
Aryah. On the morning following the
marriage, Aryah slung his bag across his
shoulder and started on his professional
tramp as usual, but, if anything, he was
a little keener in driving his bargains.
Bylah went about her household duties
REDEMPTION OF THE SERPENT 65
with a happy little smile, for she was
conscious that on her rested the senti-
ment of the transaction. And therefore
she did not forget the practical part of it.
She went to the butcher and felt that she
had a substantial interest in life ; and as
she sat peeling her potatoes she became
aware that she was doing and managing
for an eminently rational purpose. It was
a change from the eternal gruel and meal-
soup of grandmother's diet, ever since the
old lady lost all her teeth and most of her
senses. And as she watched the bubbling
saucepan, Bylah remembered with glad-
ness that somewhere upon earth there was
a set of strong, healthy mandibles and a
well-ordered digestion, the owner of which
belonged to her ; and the sense of owner-
ship was grateful to the lonely soul that
had gone its way in solitude where the
milestones were so far apart, and one so
very like the other. What it was she
knew not, but the world seemed to have
narrowed wonderfully in its compass.
And so she determined that, come what
may, she would try to deserve her good
fortune, that she would be a helpmeet to
her husband, and take upon herself their
6
66 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
sorrows and leave for his portion their
blessings. Such were her thoughts ; but
is it not a little sad when happiness may
not be its own excuse ?
Every evening she went beyond the
village in the direction from which he was
coming.
" Let me carry the wallet, crown of my
soul," she would say, wiping the sweat
from his face.
" Nay, life of my heart," would be the
answer, " I am not tired ; I sat and rested
awhile on my way. What wouldst thou
think to see me coming along on tottering
limbs and with straitened breath ? ' I
have married an old man,' thou wouldst
think. And is it not better I should leave
my weariness among the stones of the
wayside than bring it as far as thy arms ? "
" But the burden is heavy "
"Not so heavy as when I bore it forth
in the morning," smiled Aryah ; "if it
were, what would become of us ? " And
then out came the pieces of silver and
now and then a paper rouble ; and Bylah
felt it was good to live, and that love was
the true service of Heaven, for which they
were blessed as recompense with suffi-
REDEMPTION OF THE SERPENT 67
ciency of sustenance ; for poverty is the
mother of strife and discord.
Such was the routine of their life. But
for them it held no monotony ; there was
always something new. Day by day they
discovered in each other some undreamed-
of excellence, and rivalled each other in
the display of loving forethought. In the
evening Aryah chopped the firewood for
the coming day, and fetched the water
from the pump ; and Bylah was up with
the sun to prepare the hot foot-bath that
would alleviate for Aryah the hardships of
the day's travelling. But of all days they
preferred the Sabbath ; for then, of course,
Aryah did no business, and they were
together from morn to night. And as he
sat at the midday table and looked around
him, Aryah's face gleamed with pride.
Was he not now a "master of the house,"
of a rank with the other men of the
congregation, though they had beards
reaching to their girdles ? And at his
side sat she, who was at once his do-
main and his despot, his vassal and his
queen Bylah, gentle, patient, ready to
shed for him her heart's blood ; he felt
that was the truth, and a man who feels
68 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
that even once only in a lifetime has
justified his existence. And when the
meal had been despatched as a sordid
necessity, they went forth into the forest
and what work of God is there to equal
a Russian forest in summer? There they
idled away the afternoon, hiding them-
selves far up, almost near the source of
the little brook, where the other people
came not, neither the screech-voiced
matrons lamenting the scarcity of things
in proportion to the numerousness of their
offspring neither they nor the mischievous
boys with their lungs of iron, and all was
quiet as in heaven. Only once Bylah
felt her heart stop because she thought
that through the foliage she descried the
sullen, peering face of Gedaliah. But
what was there to dread ? Was he not
with her, her lord of the strong right arm ?
and did she not feel his head cradled on
her lap even while she glanced for a
moment at the twinkling brooklet that was
making such gigantic efforts to leap over
the mound of pebbles barring its course
at the bend ? And all the time her hands
were revelling among the tangle of his
hair ; could there be a greater delight
REDEMPTION OF THE SERPENT 69
than that ? Besides, it kept her fingers
employed, for they were itching to cull
the crocuses and " lion-mouths " that en-
compassed them, and that would be
breaking the Sabbath, for it came within
the degree of manual labour. It was all
so different to the bygone days, when
Bylah had to sit through an afternoon
like this, not romping with the other girls
on the meadows, but reading out to grand-
mother the apocryphal wonders set forth
in the musty pages of the " Go-and-See-
Book " ; and when she had drudged near
to the end, grandmother would wake up
and ask to have the reading repeated from
the point where she dozed off ; and as she
was not sure of the place, to prevent
mistakes Bylah had to begin at the be-
ginning. Poor old grandmother ! it was
now three months since she had ceased
pretending to be awake and had gone to
sleep in earnest. And at the memory of
it all, Bylah lifted up her voice and sang
the song from " Shulamith," the one that
is called the " Almond-and- Raisin Song";
and Aryah, looking up with swimming
eyes, repeated the refrain under his
breath :
70 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
" So think of it, waking or sleeping,
The vow, that is ours for our own :
Through days of rejoicing and weeping,
I love thee, thou lov'st me, alone."
And the song ran on, and the brook ran
on, and the time ran on till it was dark,
and they rose to return through the forest
amid the sacred sounds and silences of the
night.
That was in the summer ; but presently
the season grew tired of its glare and
glory, and became ill-tempered and whim-
sical. A haggard look lay upon the trees,
and the sun felt chilly and retired early to
bed. Towards the end of the autumn
Bylah and Aryah moved two villages
further up country, for that was more
central to the circuit wherein lay his best
custom. But even then the way was still
very long, and the north wind is an
awkward fellow when you have him for
your out-rider, much more when you meet
him face to face, and Aryah came home
not always pleased with the day's work
nor with the prospects of the morrow.
Not that he abated in his kindness to
Bylah, but his manner was a little fretful,
and now and then, what had never hap-
REDEMPTION OF THE SERPENT 71
pened before, he made wry mouths at
the dishes she set before him. And then
came the long evenings, which Aryah got
through somehow by dint of much yawn-
ing and stretching, and rolling of cigarettes,
while Bylah sat knitting warm winter
stockings for his use and talked. But
there was a furtive watchfulness about
her eyes as she looked at him that gave
a discordant undertone to her light-hearted
prattle. They knew no one in the place,
for Aryah had no time to make friends,
and Bylah no inclination. What were
friends to her when she had Aryah ?
And all through Aryah made no com-
plaint ; but when one night in the early
part of the winter there was a knock at
the door and Gedaliah stamped in, shaking
the snowflakes off his coat and hat, Aryah
jumped up with a little cry of joy.
" Blessed be your coming," he said,
reaching out an eager hand ; " why, I
should not be more surprised to see
Elijah the prophet actually step into my
room on Passover night when the best
and greatest in Israel are asking him to
be their guest."
"Thanks for the greeting," replied
72 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
Gedaliah ; "it feels good to be made
welcome in the dwellings of others ; what
is the saying ? ' Bind me by all fours and
cast me among my friends.' How goes it
with you, Bylah ? "
But Aryah cut short her answer, and
took entire possession of Gedaliah, asking
him about their acquaintances, the object
of his coming, and many other things.
And so he learned that Gedaliah had
various matters of import he did not
specify them to transact in the neigh-
bourhood, and that he would stay some
time in the village ; and Aryah clapped
his hands at the news. Bylah had settled
down again to her work, but her fingers
moved more quickly in proportion to the
quickening of her heart's pulse. And
thinking rapidly, many thoughts came in
her mind her distrust of the man and
the strangeness of his arrival ; the memory
of the Sabbath afternoon when he had
followed them, as she thought, to spy
upon their happiness ; and at that a tear
gathered in her eye, for she could not but
feel that things were not all they had been
in those golden days. It did not escape
her, that tremor of gladness in her hus-
REDEMPTION OF THE SERPENT 73
band's voice at the appearance of their
guest and at the tidings that he would
not depart immediately. She was then
no longer all in all to him, that his heart
must needs turn to others to be filled with
pleasure. She could not understand it.
And then again she reproached herself for
her fancifulness. What after all had she
against the man ? Had he not taken his
rebuff in good part, and troubled her no
more when he knew her mind ? As for
her husband, he might well be wearied
for a little time with the surfeit of her
presence. She had nothing to offer him
besides her infinite love and patience, and
he was a man, and his thoughts ranged
beyond the boundary of her world.
Assuredly it was better thus ; his heart
would come back to her with double
eagerness when it had become chilled in
the keeping and contact of others.
Meanwhile the two men talked, raking
up old memories they had in common,
and so far had they progressed in their
intimacy, that when Gedaliah left and his
host saw him to the door, it was "boon-
comrade " and " brother-heart " between
them at every second word, and Gedaliah
74 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
was straitly enjoined to come again the
following evening. Next morning Aryan's
face was a little brighter, and before
starting he kissed his wife three times, to
make up for one or two occasions whereon
lately he had neglected the act. Bylah
took it as it came, nor did she harp too
much on the thought that he was kind to
her for the sake of another. Rarely is
there much to be gained by reading be-
tween the lines, and in a woman's case it
means wrinkles which do not act as love-
charms. And, true to his word, Gedaliah
came at night, and not alone. In his
hand he bore a flask of corn-brandy, and
as he set it on the table he said, with a
laugh :
" Fear not, Aryah, it is of a good
sort, and clean ; nor is the seal upon it
Rabbi Yochanan's ban of excommunica-
tion."
And he knew why he said that, for
Aryah would be sure to ask him the story,
which was famous throughout the pro-
vince, though none knew the right and
wrong of it ; and Gedaliah was great in
telling stories of wit and wickedness,
especially those wherein he had had a
REDEMPTION OF THE SERPENT 75
hand. And this particular story was how
Rabbi Yochanan of Stolp had prohibited
Gedaliah from selling wines and spirits
because they were profaned for use, having
passed through the hands of Gentiles in
the manufacture. Now this was a great
loss to Gedaliah, who dealt chiefly among
those who adhered strictly to the faith.
So, being eager for revenge, and having
ascertained one day that Rabbi Yochanan
was going to a wedding feast in an outlying
hamlet, he went to the first place through
which the Rabbi would have to pass, and
told the people mujiks all of them that
he came as the forerunner of a great
juggler and acrobat ; but one who needed
great stress put upon him ere he would
display aught of his craft and cunning.
And thus when Rabbi Yochanan arrived
at the place he found many people
assembled, who stopped his horses and
bade him alight. And he did so, wonder-
ing what it all meant. Then they told
him to make exhibition of his skill ; but
the poor little pot-bellied ecclesiastic stood
gaping at them bewildered, till a whip
cracked and a lash across his shoulders told
him they were in earnest. And finding no
76 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
escape, he steadied himself with one hand
against the wall, and stood first on one
leg and then on the other ; but when he
made an attempt at hopping, he toppled
over and lay all his length on the floor.
Then the peasants grew angry, and told
him unless he did something worth looking
at evil would befall him. So in his distress
he called his driver, who knew more of the
affair than he would tell his master, and
said : " See here, Moyshaaron, I will place
my head on the ground, and do thou push
from the rear, so that I may turn head-
over-heels and make sport for these mur-
derers." Moyshaaron did his best, but
even then the attempt was a failure, and
with hooting and cudgelling the peasants
seized hold of the Rabbi and pitched him
back into his waggon, together with a
cargo of mud and much refuse vegetables.
And the whole thing Gedaliah wound up
with the declaration : " And this, forsooth,
is to show thee, brother mine, that it is
my custom not to rest till I have brought
hurt upon those who have acted contrari-
wise to my desire." Aryah heeded not
the moral, for he was too busy wriggling
with laughter ; but Bylah heard it, and it
REDEMPTION OF THE SERPENT 77
seemed to her that the words were not
spoken at random.
Now the telling of the tale had taken a
long time, and by the end of it the brandy
flask felt somewhat relieved of its con-
tents ; nor was Aryah remiss in helping
its depletion. All through the evening it
was but rarely that he cast his eyes in
the direction where Bylah sat, or he would
have seen that the louder he laughed the
lower drooped her head, so that the
glistening stains on her cheek might not
be seen. And at last Gedaliah went away
with his empty bottle and the promise,
which was not empty, to come earlier next
day, for Aryah said he would only go
three-quarters of his ordinary round.
So it came about that Gedaliah and
his brandy bottle became a nightly in-
stitution in Aryah's household ; and Aryah
was ever shortening his hours of labour so
that he might be home the sooner. Bylah
saw how Gedaliah was growing more and
more a necessity with him ; but she wept
her tears in silence, and made him no
reproaches. And about four w r eeks after
the intruder's first appearance she was
taken ill. She had gone one morning to
78 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
the pump for the water-carrying and
wood-chopping had been left to her for
some time and, hatchet in hand, she
began cutting away the ice that crusted
thickly round the place. For the frost-
fiend had been busy all night decorating
the village-monument in question with
designs that particularly struck his fancy,
and when he saw her making havoc of
his handiwork he grew angry, and in
passing laid his finger on her bosom
lightly, it is true, but sufficient to chill the
marrow in her bones, so that she kept her
bed with the ague. Aryah was very good
to her, and brought her warm potions and
appliances, and sat with her till Gedaliah
came, and no longer. Her apartment was
separated from the main room by a thin
partition, and so she could hear most of
what was going on there. And on the
fourth day of her sickness, when it was at
its height, soon after Gedaliah's entrance,
she heard a sound coming from the other
chamber that made her leap up in terror.
The men were talking low, but between
the words she caught the "swish-swish"
of cards being shuffled for Aryah had
not been bold enough to defile her eyes
REDEMPTION OF THE SERPENT 79
with the sight of what he knew she hated
most on earth ; but now that she was out
of the way, what harm was done ? And
again she listened eagerly to ascertain
what the game was ; it was not "frantsa-
foos," nor " clabberyas " to be sure it
was "okka," the deadly, ruinous "okka."
Now of all the thousand combinations in
which the paste-boards may be manipu-
lated, "okka" is pre-eminently the fabrica-
tion and pet child of the devil. It blends
cunning and accident in a way more
curious than any other game, and it is
the spade that has dug the grave for the
prosperity of many a household. You
only use the pack from the nines upward,
deal to each player two cards turned
down and two cards face up ; and then
you must scrape together every item of
mother wit, and every atom of Providence
that has been set aside to watch over your
undeserving head, if you would escape from
the clutches of an expert player with
unscathed skin ; and Gedaliah was an
expert player. Therefore it astonished
Bylah very much to hear Aryah say at
the finish of the play : " Gedaliah, you
must look to your reputation, for I have
8o A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
won from you the best part of two roubles."
But when Aryah came to her room on
tiptoe she feigned to be asleep, for she
would not shame him with her knowledge
of his doings. This went on till she had
strength enough to move about again, and
then happened what her woman's heart
had prophesied her ; for Aryah, to escape
the embarrassment of her presence, changed
the scene of the gambling to Gedaliah's
house, just coming home to deposit his
wares and to swallow a hasty meal. But
however late he returned for the night,
Bylah made no comment, for she was too
proud for bickerings and remonstrances,
nor would she beg for the love that was
not given her willingly. Often she won-
dered what kept Gedaliah in the neigh-
bourhood, for he had no apparent business,
and was ever loitering aimlessly about the
village ; but she was to know soon.
One morning, when Aryah was out
hawking, she saw Gedaliah make a non-
chalant entrance ; he had not been in her
house for some time now, and even when
they saw each other not a word had passed
between them.
" You seem lonely, Bylah," he began.
REDEMPTION OF THE SERPENT 81
" I have come to bear you company,
though you do not look thankful for the
good office." He spoke lightly, but he
stepped back quickly enough as he saw
her turn her blazing eyes upon him.
" You have done your best to make me
lonely and an outcast from mine own,"
she answered, controlling herself; "am I
to thank you for that ? "
" I have made you lonely? " he repeated,
in apparent wonderment ; " but it must be
true, since it is your own mouth that says
so. Strange it is that the man for whose
sake you denied my suit thinks so little of
his good fortune."
" Gedaliah," said Bylah, quietly, "it is
foolish of you to mock me, for I cannot
feel aught you say. My heart is dead and
I am dead, and it is lost labour to stab at
something that does not writhe at the
stroke. But go hence, before I curse you
the curses of the dead come true."
" I am cursed enough," said Gedaliah,
lightly ; "I game and I drink, and truly
there must be an evil doom upon me, for
those that consort with me cannot but do
the same."
" An evil doom and a perdition you
7
82 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
have been to him," was Bylah's answer to
the taunt; "you have made him what he
is and on the Day of Judgment I shall
demand him of you as he was ; and beware
if you cannot answer the demand."
But at her words a change came over
Gedaliah's face, and he took a step towards
her. " Why talk of him at all, Bylah ? "
he said, caressingly. "He loves you no
longer ; he treats you like a dog. All his
love has gone forth to me ; but I have
husbanded it carefully, and here I offer it
to you. Take it, and me therewith ; I can
give you two men's love, and now you
have neither's. Come with me, Bylah, and
I shall worship you ; you can get the
divorce easily, I shall take that upon me ;
come only come."
She looked at him for a moment, and
then burst into a laugh that went rasping
across his soul and lacerated it in a thou-
sand places. And still shrieking with
laughter, she ran into the adjoining room
and shot the bolt. That was all the answer
he got from her ; but from the threshold
he turned back once more and flung these
words at her :
" Did you mark what I said that day of
REDEMPTION OF THE SERPENT 83
my habits of revenge ? Is it an idle boast ?
You can tell, surely, if any one, for you have
not only learned the lesson, but lived it.
And if I have made him different from of
old, I shall make him so that his own
good angel shall not recognise him on the
day he stands in the gates of death."
When Aryah came home at night, Bylah
told him simply :
" Gedaliah was here, and cast insult
upon me ; he would have me come and
be a wife unto him."
But Aryah flared up:
" What nonsense thou talkest ; what is
thy head made of that thou canst not see
a jest ? Would he say such a thing in
earnest ? A man may turn his eye upon
a woman without having it in his heart
to deal evil with her so much for thy
wisdom. And now haste thee about the
meal, for I am hungry." And then he ate
his food in silence and went to Gedaliah
as usual.
As Bylah said, her heart was indeed
dead within her ; but the numbed sullen-
ness of her despair lived through all those
dreary and desolate days and nights. And
now and then the twin-demon of fury
84 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
and helplessness lashed her forth to lurk
like a wounded beast in the outskirts of
Gedaliah's dwelling. At last, almost by
instinct, she had found an opening in the
hedge whence she could peer in through
the window. At first glance she thought
she had mistaken the house, for certainly
there sat Gedaliah, but the other man's face
she knew not. The thing that crouched
there with glazen eyes and drooping jowl
was not her Aryah. And so she watched
them almost interestedly for the two men
seemed to her as strangers with whom she
had no concern. She noted how that all
the time Gedaliah held and dealt the cards,
which showed, according to the rules of
the game, that he was winning, and further
she noted how he shuffled them with the
tantalising deliberateness of a man who
holds the key of a situation and knows it.
And each time he saw the frantic eager-
ness wherewith his opponent clutched at
his cards, there flitted across Gedaliah's
face a smile all contempt and exultation
that was more terrible than the other man's
despair.
So deal succeeded deal to the unvarying
advantage of Gedaliah ; if Aryah had
REDEMPTION OF THE SERPENT 85
thirty-one, Gedaliah had three nines, or
three queens or three kings. But at last
there came a hitch in the game, and Bylah
held her breath, for the play was running
very close, and both players were confident
of victory ; and the staking and counter-
staking went higher and higher.
"Three aces," said Aryah, with a deep
breath, and laid his hand on the pool.
" Not so fast," remarked Gedaliah, calmly,
and showed up : he had four of a colour.
Aryah sprang up with an oath, and
putting his hand in his pocket he took
out a small casket and threw a gold coin
on the table. "The last!" he shouted.
Bylah started back with affright and eagerly
felt in the folds of her dress. The key
was gone, the key of the little stronghold
that held her savings. Not the money
not the money she cared for ; but Aryah
had become a thief. And next morning
the people of the village asked each other
with scared faces if they had heard the
wail of unhuman sorrow that had passed
their houses last night, and every man
looked to his doorpost amulet to see if it
was sound and would keep out the evil
spirits.
86 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
It was on the third night after her vision
of hell, as it had seemed to Bylah. For
once she sat up ; she did things mechani-
cally now, and that interfered with her
previous habits. She kept no count of
time ; why should she ? What was there
to expect or to hope for? Her life had
again become the immeasurable nothing-
ness it had been before ; so let it be, since
that was to be her fate. And suddenly
she heard steps outside, and a man breath-
ing heavily came along the passage and
pushed open the door. It was Gedaliah,
and on his shoulder he carried something ;
and Bylah thought calmly, from the mode
of his carrying, that his practice as contra-
band-porter came him in good stead.
" Quick," he gasped ; " help me put him
to bed ; he must be kept warm the cold
may have already done him harm."
Without a word she rose to his bidding
and helped him to cover up the heaving
mass and wiped the foam from the quiver-
ing lips. She supposed it was Aryah, or
else why should this thing have been
brought to her house ? And Gedaliah
caught her questioning look and told her :
"It came upon him suddenly ; it was the
REDEMPTION OF THE SERPENT 87
brandy, I think ; but he would not stop,
and flung me away as I strove to wrest
the bottle from his hand. There is no
danger if he be well tended, and when he
is recovering no doubt he will send me
news thereof, and I shall come again.
Say, am I not keeping my word ? " And
then he turned to go ; but as he clasped
the door handle there was a loud sobbing
from the middle of the room, and there
was Bylah crawling to him on her knees
with outstretched arms, and all the pent-
up anguish of many days flowed unre-
strainedly from her lips :
" Gedaliah, by the life of your mother
and your sisters and all the womankind
that is of your flesh and blood, let not the
hand of your vengeance choke all the
happiness out of my life. I have disdained
you, I have preferred to you another ; but
in your mercy remember I am of human
make, and it was God's will, not mine, that
swayed me in my desires. Though you
have sinned every day of your life, though
you have violated all the ordinances of
earth and heaven, let not go this chance of
winning your redemption. Spare me and
spare my husband, and take away from
88 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
him the curse of your temptation, as you
hope to clasp a loving wife to your bosom
and to lead your children beneath the
bridal canopy. I beseech you, Gedaliah,
upon your hope of the World-to-come, I
beseech you, look, here in the dust." And
with that she grasped the edge of his tunic
and buried her face therein.
Long did Gedaliah stand looking down
on her, and devil and angel wrestled in his
heart for the mastery. But at last he laid
his hand gently on her head and said :
" Bylah, you have conquered, and I am
prostrate in the very hour of my triumph ;
I give him back to you, and when I am
gone hence he will love you as of yore.
But I loved you too look how I loved
you." And he took out a piece of parch-
ment and held it before her ; but she waved
it away, signing to him to read its purport.
And this is what it contained :
"I, Aryah Klenker, herewith bind
myself to be a bondslave unto Gedaliah
Ickroner, and my wife Bylah likewise to
be a handmaiden unto the same ; and he
shall deal with us as is his pleasure for a
period of two years."
" See, Bylah," Gedaliah continued, " this
REDEMPTION OF THE SERPENT 89
is how I love you," and the paper fluttered
in fragments at her feet. " And now
good-bye," and he stooped and kissed her
once on the forehead; "and when Aryah
awakes, give him my brotherly love and
this." It was a heavy purse of money.
"It is his own, he but lent it to me for a
while." And then he went out pensively
and slowly, like a man who is afraid of
treading on the tail of his thoughts.
And Bylah had a weary time of it for a
week. Aryah raved and raved, and his
utterances were all confused. ' ' Gedaliah
that is the wrong card, I saw thee shifting
it ; but you may believe me, good sir,
that I speak truth : this leather is not catskin,
but good Ukraine bullock ; nay, take
not thy hand away, Bylah, the sun comes
stabbing through the trees not drink,
Gedaliah ? may I not drink for the last
time that I am a free man and not a
servant ? and now, one kiss more, Bylah,
before And so it went on till one
day he opened his eyes without a film on
them, and fancied himself in Paradise, for
over there stood Bylah, and she, or the
heavenly hosts, were singing the refrain
from the " Almond-and- Raisin Song :
90 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
" Through days of rejoicing and weeping
I love thee, thou lov'st me, alone."
" I have had a bad dream, Bylah," he
said feebly, " but I am better now ; it was
all about Gedaliah, the smuggler we knew
in our native village, and we were doing
all manner of strange things ; come close,
sweetheart nay, closer. But what is
this ? One must not mix wine and water,
for it is foolish of thee to laugh and cry at
the same time."
THE MIGRATION OF SAINT
SEBASTIAN
r T'S an ill wind that blows nobody
JL good," runs the time-honoured saying,
and will probably continue to run till the end
of all things. Proverbs are the pack-asses
that carry the worsted and the homespun
philosophy of the world across the conti-
nents of the commonplace. Poor patient
proverbs poor patient pack-asses ; and
the strangest thing of all is that they
occasionally convey a truth. Of their
miscarriages and aberrations no notice is
taken. So much the worse for them ; for
each time they come home to their event
it is counted new evidence that they are
fit for their purpose, and that saddles them
with a new lease of service. With regard
to the especial burden and bearing of the
above-mentioned pack-ass I mean pro-
verb if you wish to discover it, you will
91
92 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
have to follow it all the way to the con-
fines of Tartary and the Greek Catholic
Calendar ; and as the way is long, you
had better draw a good breath before
starting.
The journey's end will bring you to one
of the villages hidden deep in the steppes
of the Ukraine ; for that is where they
lived these boys, rascals, or devils you
can specify them according to the intensity
of your own love of goodness. Assuming
them to be devils, their own proper and
peculiar pandemonium was a military
government institution which combined
the characteristics of an orphanage with
that of a penitentiary. By being open
chiefly to orphan boys of officers it justified
its claim to the one title ; Draconian severity
of regulations made it the other. Not
that such was not necessary. Had the
reins of control been one degree slacker,
the very saints and angels would have
wished Paradise a few thousand fathoms
higher ; but old Colonel Schubyakowski,
the governor, took good care that the
existing proportions of the universe were
not interfered with.
The more immediate purpose of the
MIGRATION OF ST. SEBASTIAN 93
institution was to furnish the crack regi-
ments with recruits. The cadets, carefully
picked as to fitness, were taken in hand
from the age of seventeen, and taught the
soldiering craft as their fathers had been
taught before. Thus was the bone and
blood of the old school to be perpetuated,
and a race of dare-devils to be bred fit to
lift the universe from its hinges ; and the
present crop was as promising as any of
those that had preceded it, for it gave
every indication of being the true seed of
those centaurs of the plains, the Uhlans
and Cossacks, who in the good old days,
it was currently reported, were accustomed
to sew up live cats in the bellies of their
prisoners, and used babies for tent-pegging
sport.
Just at present the inmates were in very
bad humour, because things were so hope-
lessly dull. The whole life and soul seemed
to have gone out of the place in the person
of Ignatz Pablowitch Ignatz their old
and trusty leader, now conscribed to the
service. The first few days they passed
monotonously in respectable diversions, to
wit, in pilfering the pyxes of the neigh-
bouring churches, in stoning fishes writh-
94 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
ing on the bank, in crucifying frogs and
setting the bloodhounds on the track of
Hebrew pedlars, or else helping the local
knacker in his delectable work. But all
these things were mere makeshifts, for
they were used to occupations less ele-
mentary. True, there was a certain
amount of domestic excitement, for with
such inflammable substance things could
not be expected to progress on the " love-
in-a-dovecot " system ; all the energy
accumulated from want of external friction
had to find an outlet, if only an internal
one, and so they fell to mutual hair-pulling
not sportively, but after the manner of
young giants extracting oaks by the roots.
If a cranium got broken here or a shoulder
put out of joint somewhere else, it was
merely a lesson in the science of self-
preservation ; for having learnt the pain-
fulness of the experience, one would do
his best to forestall its re-occurrence, and
there were few who did not get their fair
share of learning. The governor shut an
indulgent eye, for did not all this tend to
make each one of them a human slaughter-
machine in time of war ?
The denizens of the institution were
MIGRATION OF ST. SEBASTIAN 95
cleft into two parties. The smouldering
fire of discontent was fanned by the breath
of faction, and now the question of leader-
ship had stirred it into an open blaze.
Without a leader they were nothing ; nay,
more, they were a mockery and derision
to their inveterate foes the ploughmen
and field-labourers of the adjacent hamlets.
Why, only the other day one of their
comrades had been waylaid by the sheep-
boys of Sompolka, who sent him home,
his arms tightly pinioned and a mangy cur
dangling fantastically from his neck ; and
all these indignities they suffered because
of the interminable wrangling between
Black Wolf and Dimitri. Neither of them
would give way ; both had equal claims to
the captaincy, or, at least, equal determi-
nation to uphold them.
There had been hatred between these
two ever since they could remember, with
this difference, that Black Wolf did the
hating and Dimitri allowed himself to be
hated. Black Wolfs ill-feeling afforded
Dimitri great satisfaction ; he considered
it a compliment, and returned it merely as
a matter of courtesy. For Dimitri had
good manners ; indeed, there was some-
96 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
thing altogether superior about him in his
well-formed features, white skin, and ivory
teeth ; whereas Black Wolf, with his bush
of coal-black, gipsy hair, his bloodshot
pig-eyes and saffron fangs, did not at first
sight look prepossessing, and it scarcely
needed a further acquaintance to develop
this impression into utter repulsion.
Perhaps it was for this that he hated
Dimitri ; he had only to appear in the
distance, and the serving-maids, who stood
gossiping round the village-pump, franti-
cally clutched their half-filled pails with
the cry, " Here comes Black Wolf," and
stampeded, cackling and shrieking like a
flock of geese that scent the fox. Nor
was it likely he should improve his temper
by prowling round the house of Father
Ivanovitch and by peering through the
cracks of the shutters, only to see Dimitri
and little Marinka sitting with hands
clasped before the cosy hearth. Of course
he could have the pleasure of rattling at
the window, just to make her shiver with
dread of the night- witches, or of Vyeej,
the iron-wrought fiend, who is not deterred
even by the sign of the cross, because his
eyelids reach right down to the ground, so
MIGRATION OF ST. SEBASTIAN 97
that he can see nothing ; but it only made
the girl cling closer to her lover, and Black
Wolf scurried away into the darkness with
curses on his lips. Often had he gone
down on his knees and prayed to his
patron : " Dear, good Saint Sebastian,
slay Dimitri quickly, and I shall ever after
observe thy name-day with fasting and
prayer." Some people want their deity to
be merely their worse alter ego. At any
rate St. Sebastian knew that he could not
jeopardise his position in the Calendar by
turning assassin, and at last Black Wolf
grew sulky with him and resolved to
have his revenge on the saint no less than
on Dimitri.
As regards the latter, a good deal of the
prestige that clung to him originated in
the mystery surrounding his derivation.
Nobody, not even he himself, knew who
he was or whence he had emanated ; he
had been smuggled into the Government
House without possessing the proper
qualifications, and in the transit he had
apparently lost his patronymic, for he
was never called anything else but just
" Dimitri." In default of a more tangible
clue, conjectures as to his history attached
8
98 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
themselves to the livid circle that ran
round his neck. By some it was considered
a mark for ultimate identification ; others
whispered that it testified to the efforts of
a high-born dame to dispose of an un-
welcome encumbrance that the noose,
however, had been tied by unskilful
fingers, and a woodchopper who was
passing through the forest had cut the
infant down in time to save its little life.
Others again maintained, pessimistically,
that the mark was evidence that Dimitri
was doomed to be hanged. Dimitri treated
this gossip with cordial indifference ; he
laughed, and said it was not likely that one
who had commenced life by nearly being
strangled, should end it in the same
manner that would be too much of a
coincidence. And so the matter of his
origin was left pending.
It was now the tenth day since the
departure of Ignatz, and the universe
was yet at a standstill. For want of
something better there had been a whole-
sale departure to the nearest valley-hollow
to yawn away the tediousness of a dog-
day afternoon. Life was a blank with
no immediate future and an interminable
MIGRATION OF ST. SEBASTIAN 99
present. Each side cursed the pig-
headedness of the other in not coming to
an understanding, and studiously resolved
not to be the first to make advances.
Black Wolf lay sullenly on his stomach,
every now and then angrily tossing his
head as it came into contact with the
prickly grass blades ; it was near haytime,
and the foils, curled and sapped by the
sun's fierceness, stung like spears. Fur-
tively he watched Dimitri where he lay,
seemingly at peace with the whole world,
ensconced in a recess of the valley that
overhung him with projecting ledge, and
cradled him like a solicitous mother on a
couch of spring-green moss. Dimitri
seemed to have the best in everything,
and this complacency wherewith he
accepted his good fortune frenzied Black
Wolf to desperation. Now or never
he must put an end to this, come what
may.
" Oh, ye blocks of idleness," he shouted,
jumping up, "are we to lie thus till old
age and doomsday overtake us ? Look,
our flesh is getting soft to melting, like
that of girls, and our bones are crumbling
away with the rot of sloth. I cannot forget
ioo A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
that I was born a man, if you have for-
gotten."
The disconsolate day-dreamers started
up at the sound of his voice ; it was as
though a thunderbolt had crashed into the
turf on which they lay, and had cleft it
into a blackened rent before their eyes ;
and in wonder they pricked up their ears
to listen to the storm of which this must
be the precursor. There were few amongst
them, besides Black Wolf, who could pre-
sume to break in so rudely upon their
siesta. But no better time could be chosen
to betray them into sudden action ; rack
the apathy of an undecided man to its
utmost power of tension, and you will get
him to roll among nettles for sheer dis-
traction.
"And all because one man has left
you?" Black Wolf continued, passionately;
clearly he was infuriating himself by his
own words. " I speak not of your pride
that is dead but what of your pru-
dence ? Here we go shifting at random,
like fluff in the wind, and our strength
grows faint for want of a hand to nourish
it. And still you do not seek it ; wait on
and perhaps Michael, the archangel, will
MIGRATION OF ST. SEBASTIAN 101
come down to you after he has put the
heavenly hosts through their exercises."
And while Black Wolf was still laughing
bitterly at his impious jest, into which he
perverted the teachings of good Father
Ivanovitch, a stir ran through the gather-
ing. The isolated little heaps of indolence
lifted and shifted themselves, gravitated
towards one another according to their
motive, coagulated into little knots, which
again confounded themselves into larger
clusters, until the straggling groups had
become compacted into two solid arrays
that faced each other, with a Rubicon
between them. So the crisis had come at
last, and each man had chosen his cause
and his leader. Black Wolf glanced from
his followers over to Dimitri's, as a thresher
looks from the grain to the chaff; but he
was vexed that the quantities should be so
equal.
" Now I can speak," he continued his
harangue ; " some one I will not say who
has divided us in strife against ourselves.
There has been underhand speech, and
much backbiting to set us by the ears, and
to seize the leadership during the tumult ;
but all this shall avail nought, for I, and
102 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
none other, shall be your leader, by right
of valour and descent. Who can count
more generations of his line that grew
into soldiers over there than I ? " and he
pointed to their alma mater; "or, if any
one thinks he has a better claim, let him
stand forth, and I will argue with him."
There was truth in what Black Wolf
had said. His great-grandfather had been
one of the aboriginal inmates, and that
made Black Wolf, so to speak, a founda-
tioner of the place ; and Dimitri was a
mere foundling, an intruder without name
or history.
Black Wolf looked round insolently,
waiting for an answer, and when none
came, he continued, with a smile of
disdain :
"Do you see how it is? When the
mischief is done, one stoops one's head
and lets the challenge hurtle over it."
No one mistook the point of the remark,
least of all Dimitri, and Dimitri was
playing his game as he thought best, and
so he answered :
" And if one may ask," he said, lazily
raising himself on his elbow and motioning
those in front to stand away for through
MIGRATION OF ST. SEBASTIAN 103
all the agitation he had not stirred from
his place "if one may ask, what would
be the manner of your arguing ? "
" Oh, by casting of sheep's eyes and
fondling of hands by the chimney, "sneered
Black Wolf; "that would suit you, would
it not ? I prefer letting bone speak to
bone and sinew to sinew."
Of course Dimitri had known all along
what Black Wolf meant ; he knew also
that Black Wolf was a formidable advocate
in arguments of that sort his chest looked
alarmingly broad and his arms were un-
compromisingly long. Moreover, when he
was in earnest he could bite out pieces
of flesh with the best of his four-footed
namesakes ; and Dimitri thought if that
happened in his case there would be less
of him to kiss, and Marinka would not
like it. Perhaps his motive was less dis-
interested, but no one could have told
whether the flicker at the corner of his
mouth was a tremor of fear or a stray
sunbeam gliding across it, and his voice
sounded hard and straight as a ramrod.
" Black Wolf," he said, slowly, " yours
is a fool's carcase, and your head is stuffed
with bran and oats. First, it was by no
104 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
insidious talk that I gained the favour of
those that wish me well ; and therein you
have spoken lyingly. Nor, again, is it by
the strength of our single arms that this
matter can be decided. Suppose you turn
out to be the stronger, or I what does
that show ? Nothing, except that one of
us is fitter for carrying burdens than the
other ; and at that a three months old ox
would excel us. Strength without wisdom
is like an axe without a handle ; and in a
leader a ready wit is more than a ready
blow."
This was a home-thrust for Dimitri, for
every one knew that his presence of mind
had helped them out of many a scrape
into which the hot-headed Wolf had
hurried them. The latter stood writhing
with annoyance ; he thought the trap was
fast, and here he saw his enemy wriggling
out of it and mocking him for his clumsi-
ness.
" God send me to deal with men, and
not with children that prate like women,"
he cried, impatiently ; and then he con-
tinued, maliciously : " Say, Dimitri, did
your father teach you all this wisdom while
dandling you on his knee ? "
MIGRATION OF ST. SEBASTIAN 105
Dimitri showed a calm face, despite his
inward quailing at the taunt ; he got up,
and nonchalantly stepping into the middle
he said :
"Comrades mine, 'where there is folly
there is selfishness,' is the saying, and
Black Wolf has proved it just now. He
has taken this matter into his own hands,
and has lost count of you altogether, as
though you were mere puppets to dance
at his bidding. But I say, this is for you
to consider, and if I speak at all, it is not
to burst your ears with loud words, but to
help you to your decision. Now this is
my plan : we are evenly matched as to
numbers, so that none can say this is a
case of an iron hammer against a glass
anvil ; let us, then, fight the matter out
in open battle, and let the rest go by the
issue that would be fairer, as I take it."
And the long and short of it was that
they decided to have a grand scrimmage
on the following day, and the leader of
the victorious side was to be accorded the
dignity of generalissimo. Dimitri's pro-
posal was popular ; it meant a chance of
settling private feuds, of clearing the
atmosphere generally, and, finally, it was
io6 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
one, and by no means the worst, way of
unscrewing the deadlock.
Black Wolf hung back moody and
thoughtful in the wake of the crowd that
surged homeward clamorously. He did
not at all like the way things had turned
out ; he knew he was no general, and that
was why he had been so anxious to settle
the affair by single combat, for Dimitri
was a wily trickster and excelled in
matters of strategy. And so Black Wolf
felt very diffident as to the result ; but
perhaps the arm of Providence could be
given a little push in the right direction.
He needed not dirty his own fingers for it
these things belonged to the province of
Nicolai and his likes. Nicolai would do
it ; Nicolai did everything that every one
else fought shy of : he ate apples from the
dust-heap, he spat on crucifixes, and com-
mitted all the iniquities that lay between
these two extremes. They called him
Toadmouth, and a man must be possessed
of one or two disagreeable habits at least
before he can deserve the sobriquet ; and
that is why he was now straggling on the
outskirts of the throng and no one cast a
look towards him. He had taken Wolf's
MIGRATION OF ST. SEBASTIAN 107
side, not from any preference, but because
if he did not take one side, he would be
battledored between the two. And now
when he felt a hand on his shoulder, and,
in turning, found himself looking into
Wolf's face, he gave a little scream, and
ducked as though he were hamstrung.
" This way, Toadmouth," Wolf said,
dragging him behind a hedge ; " keep
still, till the others have gone, and when
your teeth have stopped chattering per-
haps you will be able to hear what I tell
you."
It did not take Black Wolf long to make
his meaning clear to Toadmouth ; the
latter was quick-witted as a fox where
mischief was concerned, and any opposi-
tion to Wolf's proposal meant mischief to
himself. So they discussed the matter for
a long time, and then Wolf said to the
other, as a final injunction :
" You will find one at the shambles ;
get the strongest you can pick, but not too
large to go into the sleeve of your coat ;
you must not even let the tip be seen.
Do you remember how he made you turn
somersaults to show us Marinka's white
teeth as she was laughing ? "
io8 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
Toadmouth remembered the incident
quite well, and to drive it from his mind
he took a stroll into the town, casually
dropped in at the slaughter-house, and
still more casually stole from there a cow-
horn. Then he grew yet more mysterious
in his doings, for he laid himself in a mud-
puddle, and wallowed therein like a hog
with the St. Vitus's dance ; furthermore,
he ripped open his breeches as far as the
knee-joint, then he spent ten minutes in
rehearsing an elaborate limp, and thus
came whimpering like a mongrel to Dimi-
tri :
" Black Wolf has beaten me within an
inch of my life, because I would not steal
him a sausage from the Poppe's larder ;
and I would not do it because you love
Marinka, his daughter. Shield me, Dimi-
tri, and I will serve you to-morrow among
your most faithful."
And Dimitri, at the bidding of his
destiny, made him welcome.
It was not often that the inmates had
to resort to such extreme measures to
settle a point ; but provision had been
made for the emergency, and a code of
athletic warfare had been laid down which
MIGRATION OF ST. SEBASTIAN 109
included only the exercise of weapons
which nature had furnished. But a pecu-
liar and favourite item was the nape-stroke ;
it consists of a knuckle-rub down the
vertebrae which rasps on the nerves and
seems to tear their network to tatters ;
and because it concentrates all the weak-
ness of a man's body into his weakest
part, it will, if dexterously administered,
cripple him instantly. Two men are
necessary for it as a rule, one to do the
gripping from the front and the other
the rasping at the back. Otherwise they
mimicked the business of war very faith-
fully, even to the holding of court-martials
and the takings of prisoners, who became
serfs to their captors until by length of
fag-service they had redeemed their free-
dom. Of course, these proceedings were
entirely unofficial, and Governor Schubya-
kowski was not invited to honour them
with his presence.
Dimitri did not sleep much that night,
and his brain revolved busily. He had to
make up his plan of campaign ; these
things could not be left to the last moment.
Two courses were open to him open
battle and guerilla warfare. It depended
i io A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
on him what form the contest should take,
for he knew Black Wolf would wait to see
what he did and then do the same. So
he decided on open battle, for that left
him more master of initiative. Besides,
Black Wolf was rash ; something could
be counted on that. A little ambush or
so, just simple enough to escape suspicion,
would go a long way, at least a longer
way than Black Wolf could see before
him. And at last, through the leaden
heat-haze that half numbed his brain,
Dimitri could see the thread of an idea ;
and with a little more weaving of thought
the thread became a cord, and the cord
a rope, that, if all went well, would fetter
Black Wolf hand and foot. Dimitri was
satisfied ; he had simply not to oversleep
himself in the morning ; after that the
complications would begin.
And rise early he did ; and not long
afterwards the dormitories were astir and
buzzing with the excitement of events that
seemed too big for speech. Unmerciful
inroads were made on the morning meal,
for the day was likely to be a heavy and
hungry one. Then Dimitri passed the
word ; his followers were quick to the call
MIGRATION OF ST. SEBASTIAN in
and they sallied forth, jauntily treading the
buoyant morning air, and stringing tight
a muscle or two that might have become
slack with disuse. And then one of them
started the soldier-song which Kavischko,
the great bard, had imported with him
when they brought him prisoner from
Tcherkessia, and the strains of the " Blood
Harvest " song rose in weird, uncouth
cries like those of men who are being
turned into beasts. And this is how it
begins :
" Blood is the bounty of God,
Blood is the blessing of men,
Quickens the seed in the clod,
Ripens the wheat in the fen.
Feed ye your soil with the slain,
Each little trickle of red
Grows you a bushel of grain,
Brings you a garner of bread."
Dimitri walked on, but he did not join
in. The singing did them no harm if
they sang a little more courage into them-
selves, all the better ; that was their busi-
ness, not his. He had to think for them,
and singing comes easily only to the
thoughtless. Something had been gained
already ; he had succeeded in forestalling
ii2 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
Black Wolf in the matter of position.
Dimitri could make his choice, and thus
the necessity of the attack would be left
to the enemy. So on they went, till the
plain began to rise, and as it rose the
voices of the clamorous crowd behind him
sank lower, for their breath came more
quickly and shortly with the ascent.
Another quarter of an hour, and they had
reached the high level of the tableland
which Dimitri had chosen for action. For
hundreds and hundreds of yards it stretched,
till the edge of it became bounded off by
a skirting edge of hazel-rods, matted and
knotted together, and not growing upright,
but slanting over like the beard of a
man's chin when he is on his back. On
the other side they overlooked the famous
sand-hills of Sovarno that lead the slope
steeply down again to the plain, and where
the sand-diggers come from far and wide
to dig the soft, shining sand which they
cart about for sale in the villages. Here
and there the earth was burrowed into
huge deep cauldrons, so that a stranger
might have thought he was in a country
of troglodytes. But with these slopes
Dimitri was not at present concerned,
MIGRATION OF ST. SEBASTIAN 113
though he involuntarily felt if his neck was
where it ought to be after the head-over-
heel tumble they had given him two years
ago as he was searching for birds' nests
in the copse. But it was then that he
discovered that the drooping fringe of
hazel-willows over-canopied a terrace or
ledge, about two feet wide, three-quarters
the height of a man, from the top-level of
the plain. It would give a firm foothold,
and by tightly grasping the bushes one
could easily provide against a precipitous
descent to the hill-base, fathoms and
fathoms below. It would serve his pur-
pose admirably.
Dimitri ordered a halt, and his men
sank sprawling on the ground, eagerly
quaffing the freshening breeze that had
sought refuge on the grassy height from
the burning sands at the bottom, for the
sun, despite the early hour, was already
in violent mood. There was nothing to
be done but to wait, and that also came
not amiss, for it gave them time to rest ;
the enemy's scouts would have no difficulty
in discovering them. Dimitri spent the
time in speaking secretly to a dozen or so
of his men on whom he could rely more
9
ii4 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
surely than the rest, and instructed them
carefully in all the details of his plan.
After an hour's waiting the enemy hove
in sight, and at a word from Dimitri the
dozen crept on their bellies to the brink of
the plateau and warily glided through the
thicket till their feet touched the terrace ;
and the bushes hid them from view, even
on the sand hillside, though no one could
reach them from that quarter. The rods, as
they clutched them, felt wiry and deep-
rooted, and were well fitted for helping
a leaping vault to the top when the time
came. Toadmouth noted the manoeuvre,
but said nothing. By now Black Wolf
had reached the beginning of the incline,
and stopped, considering how to reach the
high land at the back of Dimitri's column ;
but it was dangerous they were too near
the border, and might topple him over the
height, which meant broken arms and legs.
So nothing could be done but to deploy
in front, leaving Dimitri the benefit of
higher ground ; and that was just what
Dimitri had expected. In a moment
his line was formed ; but he himself stood
with a little reserve body, stationed to
guard prisoners, twenty yards away from
MIGRATION OF ST. SEBASTIAN 115
the main column. Toadmouth had begged
a place near him, because, he said, Black
Wolf had threatened to throttle him if he
met him in the thick of the fight.
After that things went rapidly. Black
Wolf just massed his men into shape, put
himself in the centre, and flung headlong
forward like a battering-ram. What hap-
pened after that is a matter for conjecture ;
but what is likely to ensue when you have
three hundred pairs of arms clutching and
clawing at each other, and three hundred
bodies straining and struggling? and
that is without counting the action of the
feet : it certainly looked like business. At
first there was a little attempt at shouting,
but it soon settled down into the silence of
men who are determined that deeds should
tell their own tale. All the time Dimitri
stood stock still, surveying the scene. His
men did not begrudge his keeping himself
out of harm's way ; they knew they could
trust him the decisive moment had not
come, and Dimitri was always at his
greatest then. So they fought on dog-
gedly. Black Wolf was chafing with rage
to find Dimitri out of his reach. "The
coward, "he thought, "he hides his coward-
ii6 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
ice under the mask of strategy ; why, if I
were to keep treading on the body of the
worm all day, I should not kill it in the
head lies its life." And he looked up and
eagerly watched the little group at the top.
And just then he saw Toadmouth stretch-
ing out his arm, as though he were exercis-
ing it, and he knew that the time had come.
And then he started wedging his way
out into the open, and the men whom he
had chosen his bodyguard followed closely
in his track. Once free, he dashed past
the enemy's flank, and tore furiously up
the slope, making straight for Dimitri.
Dimitri's heart beat a little faster his
plan was working grandly Black Wolf
was delivering himself into his hands, the
improvident fool ! And now Black Wolf
was within a yard or two ; already he felt
his hot breath, already their arms had
closed around each other for the wrestle :
and Dimitri opened his mouth to give the
sign to the ambush on the ledge opened
his mouth, and shut it again with a snap,
while his voice turned a somersault in his
throat. And that was not all, for in addi-
tion the sun exploded, ripping open the
sky, and a thousand imps with smoke-
MIGRATION OF ST. SEBASTIAN 117
blackened wings and faces fell out of it,
snatched up the trunk of his body and
whirled away with it in a thousand direc-
tions through space ; only his head and
legs lay disjointed on the ground.
" Mercy on me ! " thought Dimitri, " the
end of the world has come, and I have
not had absolution." And ere the waves
of oblivion had closed over him, he heard
a voice it sounded thousands of miles
away, yet it seemed the voice of Toad-
mouth crying : " Dimitri has fallen fly
all who can."
But Dimitri could not have lain senseless
long, for as he revived Black Wolf had
not finished pinioning his arms.
" What are you doing to me where
are my comrades ? " he said, faintly, with-
out moving and looking neither left nor
right. " Did I ever have the strength to
move and look about me ? " he wondered
in his heart.
"If you stand up you can see them
scampering away downhill," said Black
Wolf, maliciously. " I do not blame them
for stretching their legs it was unkind of
you, Dimitri, to keep your friends cooped
up so long on a two-inch foothold. But
ii8 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
we have caught a few, and presently there
will be fine sport to see them do the devil's
skip."
Dimitri shuddered, for Black Wolf
meant that they were to run the gauntlet
of the Craven Field ; and this again
implied treading with naked feet among
the lumber and litter of many years that
lay there accumulated in piles of broken
pewter and earthenware. But such was
the law for prisoners taken in flight, for
tail-turning was not to be encouraged.
Wolf reflected a little, then an ugly smile
broke across his face.
" How far is it from here to St. Sebas-
tian's Cross ? " he asked, and some one
answered that it was half an hour's easy
marching.
"Then help him up," continued Wolf,
pointing to Dimitri, "and come with me."
A groan wrung itself from Dimitri's
lips : " Somebody has been driving iron
nails into my back -- long thin-pointed
nails, and the bone behind seems all in
splinters," he moaned, trying to twist his
arm round under the coils. And so he
reeled on, tottering to and fro like a
drunken man ; and when he lagged, they
MIGRATION OF ST. SEBASTIAN 119
hustled him to increase his pace. And
every minute had the weariness of a mile,
and the road lengthened endlessly, till he
thought he was going down, down, down
with a sinking feeling of unfathomable
depth. Black Wolf walked on deep in
thought, and if his thoughts were as black
as his looks, it boded ill for somebody.
And at last the wayside shrine of St.
Sebastian was reached. The old saint
looked down astonished at his unexpected
visitors, for he only held receptions on
fixed and stated occasions, when the pil-
grims came from far and near to invoke
his blessing and protection. Poor old
fellow, he seemed more in need of it than
his votaries, so woe-begone and chop-
fallen he looked ; his very crucifix seemed
to have lost all self-respect in its ragged
coat of paint.
Wolf looked wickedly at the saint :
" You will do it now, old fox, whether
you would or would not," he said under
his breath. And turning to Dimitri, who
had sunk down at the foot of the cross, he
jeered : " Up, up ! how unmannerly to
sprawl thus in front of a saint ; get up,
and make your reverence ! "
120 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
Dimitri looked up and said wearily,
" You mock me, Wolf and yet it puzzles
me ; I know there is strength in your arms
such as few men possess ; but to break me
in two with one hug as though I were a
rotten twig-
He stopped short and stared hard before
him ; for he had caught sight of Toad-
mouth, who found it difficult to keep out
of evidence among the half-dozen whom
Black Wolf had set aside for Dimitri's
escort. And in Toadmouth's girdle stuck
a cow-horn, that could not serve as a
bugle, for the tip was raw and unbored ;
and the thing had clearly no business
there. Dimitri tried painfully to think.
Toadmouth here, next to Black Wolf,
from whom he had hidden, because of his
murderous threat : there was more in this
than showed at first glance. Toadmouth
had deserted from Black Wolf, and a
traitor might easily prove treacherous ; and
then there was the cowhorn, and a cow-
horn might easily break a man's back.
And at last a light came over Dimitri.
" I see, I see," he shrieked, " this is
how men are struck down from behind :
for this did you come to fawn on me, you
MIGRATION OF ST. SEBASTIAN 121
faithless dog ! Oh, if I am but healed
again, I will tear out your entrails with
the same cursed cow-horn with which you
have ground my bones to powder. And
yet," he continued, turning a questioning
look on Black Wolf, "this is your work
too. I can see it by the scarlet on your
face ; it was you who hired this assassin,
in his treachery lay your strength
But his power of speech failed him, and
with a little gasp he fell back on his side.
Black Wolf hid his confusion as well as he
could under a garb of icy nonchalance.
" More wisdom, I suppose. Truly this
is a fine invention," he said; "why not
take defeat with a good grace, which is
the next best thing to victory ? I know
nothing of cow-horns and treachery and
such things, but I know that I have won
the leadership on the very terms of your
own suggestion ; and further, that you are
my prisoner. So make an end of it down
on your knees ! "
"A faithful servant you will win by
trapping him into captivity," sneered
Dimitri ; " if he has any manhood in him,
he will rise in the night and strangle his
master."
122 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
At this Wolf turned with a gesture of
accusing to his companions. " Do you
hear what this rebellious hound says ?
Strangle his master in his sleep? Why,
it is of such stuff that they are made who
raise their arms in enmity against our
Little Father long may he rule ; we must
not let the brood increase there are too
many of them as it is."
He snatched up a coil of rope, with
nimble hands tied a noose, and slung one
end over the arm of the crucifix. The
others watched him in silence : what a
shrewd fellow Black Wolf was after all.
Was it not a clever manoeuvre of him to
force Dimitri into terrified submission ?
But Black Wolf had other thoughts ; he
was merely intent on his revenge, and
however things turned out they might
readily be ascribed to accident. So
he went close up to his victim and
said :
" Dimitri, three times will I summon
you to give way and acknowledge me your
chief; and at the third time your life is in
your own hands."
Dimitri remained silent at the first two
appeals, but at the third he raised himself
MIGRATION OF ST. SEBASTIAN 123
on his elbow, looked steadfastly at his tor-
mentor and hissed :
" Sooner than I stoop before you, may
the cholera eat into your vitals, and jackals
make havoc of your parents' graves."
There was a howl like that of a wild
beast a rush and Black Wolf had flung
himself on Dimitri, had forced the noose
about his neck, and with frantic straining
was tugging him aloft ; and before any one
could make him loosen his hold, Dimitri's
feet were inches off the ground, his face
was black, and the last few shivers were
passing through his body. And that was
the last of Dimitri, unless the limp inert
mass that lay loosely on the heather
counted for anything.
Little to do was made over the matter ;
coroner's inquests are not in vogue in that
part of the world. People talked for a
little time about the strange end of Dimitri
who had been driven to accomplish the
fate which destiny had, so to speak,
marked out on his body. Of course, the
pessimists had a high old time of it, and
nearly gouged people's eyes out with their
" I told you so." A good many were
scandalised : the sacrilegious wretch, he
124 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
could find nothing worse on which to hang
himself than the crucifix of good old St.
Sebastian, who no doubt was greatly up-
set by the occurrence. But there they
were mistaken. The sly old saint was
chuckling with delight. The ill wind that
blew the life out of Dimitri had blown
good luck into his way. For now that his
shrine had been profaned his worshippers
had to locate him elsewhere, and the
change of scene was a godsend, especially
as the atmosphere in the vicinity of his
old domicile was not what it used to be,
since somebody had started a cemetery
close by. The only persons who had a
right to grumble were the pilgrims coming
eastward from Pulk, for they had to walk
two weary miles further, and the way to
Urtava, whither the saint had been re-
moved, was all uphill and led through
clumps and undergrowths of prickly fir-
bushes. Perhaps it should be stated,
moreover, that the gleam of little Marinka's
white teeth was not seen for many a day
after.
THE ASCENT INTO HEAVEN
God, oh make me strong of limb,
God, oh make me straight of mind ;
Save me from untoward whim,
Keep me conscious of my kind.
Teach me judge twixt sin and saint,
Not by faith of self-deceit,
Lest Thy taintless skies I taint
As I climb with bleeding feet.
Prayer of Reason.
I ^ H E parishioners all remarked upon it ;
X the cattle-dealers and hawkers that
came from the hamlets around on market
days, and took the opportunity of attending
mass or receiving absolutions, went away
shaking their heads ; and on their way
home the matter was discussed in all its
bearings.
" Aye, Father Stanislaus is very strange
in his ways, even stranger than when I
saw him last."
125
126 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
" His wife's death, is beginning to tell
on him."
" Stupid one ; what wife ever sent her
husband crazy by dying ? "
" But remember he is a priest, and may
only marry once by the canons of the
Church."
" Then let him thank the canons of the
Church instead of his own good fortune.
When my first wife died, I wept for her ;
when my second died, I wept for the pig
which I had to kill for the funeral meal ;
and when my third died, I wept because
she had not left me a pig to kill. Women
are a plague to a thrifty man."
" What, did you also notice his eyes ? "
" Notice them ? why he nearly stabbed
me with them when he glanced at me for
an instant."
"And I could have sworn that at one
time he was watching the angels tuning
their violins, and at another old Cloven-
hoof beating his grandmother ; but when
he did which I cannot tell."
" That is nothing to what happened to
me. I asked him, ' How goes it in limb
and body, your reverence ? ' And at that
he groaned and beat his breast, and cried
THE ASCENT INTO HEAVEN 127
' peccavi,' as though it were a sin to be
reminded of the infirmities of the flesh."
" Perhaps let me whisper in your ear
perhaps he is about to abjure the faith
and turn Malakhan."
" Have a care over your tongue ! The
Malakhans do not believe in images, and
I distinctly saw him kiss the feet of the
Holy Mother seven times."
" Has it anything to do with his little
boy Wladislav ? Is the lad not turning out
well ? Poor little fellow, he looks wan and
thin ; I do not think there is much mis-
chief in his heart."
" No, and he has no honey-licking of it
since his mother died ; but after all it is
none of our business. Surely we have
enough to sweep in our own stables."
On Sundays after service there would
be more whisperings.
" Tell me, magister you who know all
the languages under the sun in what
tongue did the father preach this morn-
ing?"
" No language at all, neither Latin nor
Hebrew, but good gibberish of his own ;
and then there was not much in what he
said. He called himself names, saying
that he was a cesspool of sin and iniquity,
128 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
and that for thirty miles round there was
not so much wickedness as lay in his one
little finger."
" And he said nothing about me, and
did not rate me soundly for my trans-
gressions ? Why do I pay him tithe if he
does not take me to task in his sermons ?
How can I, an honest man, go through
life with self-respect if I am not frequently
called scoundrel and orphan-spoiler ? "
" That may be as it is ; but certainly he
is most prodigal of self-reproach. I should
not be thankful for so keen a sense of my
failings, unless he lays claim to trespasses
of which he is guiltless, so as to get credit
for not having committed them."
" Ah, then he is a holy man and a
prudent one as well."
But Father Stanislaus was not actuated
by such mercenary motives. He had no
intention of coquetting with heaven. And
let the truth be known at once : there had
lately come upon him a strange desire to
qualify for a saint, not the imitation article
made of clay, but a full-fledged saint
whose attributes are pilgrimages and wax
tapers. The father was not afraid of
death it was a thing that happened only
THE ASCENT INTO HEAVEN 129
once in every man's life ; but after death
came eternity, and that, from all accounts,
was a long-winded affair and went on
happening for ever. It might become
monotonous in the end without a more
definite occupation than beatified idleness.
A saint usually had his hands full ; there
was always a drought or a murrain or a
heart-broken lover to be looked after. Be-
sides, what scope was there not in the
matter of miracles ! And on this point
Father Stanislaus had some notions of his
own ; he would make all the other saints
look mere amateurs he would perform
miracles to which those of the Exodus
would be as skittles to pyramids ; and
thus would his memory be hallowed and
revered by all men. Saint Stanislaus
how pretty it sounded.
So he set about his sanctification in the
time-honoured way. He waited for the
Annunciation : that came in the shape of
Anushka's death. Not that people must,
as a rule, wait for their wives to die before
they can devote themselves wholly to
godliness, but it was the first important
event in his dull parochial life. It was
also a parallel to many instances of
10
130 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
canonisation in which the sanctified were
God-forsaken heathens until domestic
bereavement chastened them and helped
them to quite a respectable place in the
Calendar. And this was what had
changed Father Stanislaus into the loose-
girded, straggling-limbed cassockman of
whom the parishioners spoke with mis-
givings ; and this was the cause of his
public self-humiliations, his antics of
asceticism, and all the other irregularities
of a man whose wits are overspun with
cobwebs. In the meantime the dirt
accumulated in the corners of his house,
the crevices in the walls grew wider, and
the straw hung in mildewy festoons across
the ceiling.
For all that little Wladislav loved his
father, and in the intervals of his idiosyn-
crasy his father loved him ; but there was
much bickering between the two when it
came to meal-times. Father Stanislaus
wished to ignore these, because they
reminded him that he was still subject to
human necessities ; and then little Wladi-
slav had to argue with him, and what
made him most eloquent was the fact that
his father kept the key of the pantry, and
THE ASCENT INTO HEAVEN 131
without the pantry there could be no
dinner.
And possibly this abstinence had some-
thing to do with the fact that Father
Stanislaus was haunted by apparitions.
One night he sat up in his bed with a
start, and awoke little Wladislav, who
slept in a cot close by.
" Little son," he whispered, awestruck,
" come here and chase away the ghost
that stands looking at me from the foot of
the bed."
"Which ghost, father?" said the little
fellow, rubbing his eyes.
" There it stands, all white in its grave-
clothes quick, cast it out of doors ! "
" But, father, that is the clothes-rack
with your surplice on it."
"It was a ghost, I tell you. I shall not
wear that surplice any more ; some lost
soul has stood next to it."
On the third or fourth night after, little
Wladislav was again awakened.
" Softly," his father was saying ; " go
on tiptoe, so that they do not hear
you, and catch me one of those little
dwarfs."
" Little dwarfs ! " echoed Wladislav, in
132 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
surprise. " I see no little dwarfs any-
where."
" Are you blind ? " said his father,
angrily. " Do you not see them clamber-
ing over the walls in thousands ? "
Wladislav looked hard, and saw little
shadows glancing up and down the
room.
" They are no dwarfs, father," he said
at length; "they are the leaves of the
apple-tree flickering outside in the moon-
light.-
But the third vision which Father
Stanislaus had he kept a secret ; and
indeed his little son would have found
some difficulty in explaining that away.
All at once the priest found himself
pursued by a scowling face with a pair
of wooden, staring eyes. He saw it upon
the pages of his psalter ; he saw it on the
church steeple, usurping the place of the
weathercock indeed it was everywhere.
The father had recourse to paroxysms of
devotion, but that, instead of banishing it,
made it only more obtrusive ; and there
it was, a veritable incubus that clung with
iron talons to his prayers, and prevented
them from flying up to heaven.
THE ASCENT INTO HEAVEN 133
And yet when Father Stanislaus looked
at the length and breadth of the thing,
he found it was only what he had to
expect. These visions, as a rule, emanated
from the Tempter, who had been an
important ingredient in most cases of
authenticated sainthood. Evidently the
father's attempts were becoming serious
enough to call for interference, and that
was in itself a partial acknowledgment of
success. The worst of it was that this
necessitated a division of devotional
energy : one-half the prayers had to go
for the removal of the unwelcome familiar,
which meant so much time lost from the
main object in view. But the strange
thing was that day by day the uncanny
presence became more evident ; and
though Father Stanislaus pressed his
hands to his forehead till he nearly
squeezed his eyes from their sockets, and
though he swayed his body till it became
lithe as an acrobat's, the hateful face, with
its wooden, staring eyes, could not be
shaken off. Nay, it waxed and expanded
and eclipsed the horizon of his soul and
senses. And if this went on, his prospect
of saintdom would dwindle away to a
134 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
peep-hole ; and when that too had closed
up there would be nothing but a dark
infinity of scowling face, with two staring
wooden eyes for constellations.
It was Pentecost morning, and Father
Stanislaus had woke up with a bad head-
ache ; it was not exactly a headache, but
his five senses seemed playing at leap-frog
inside his head, and a rough-and-tumble
crew they were. He had had another
vision, and now he sat pensively at the side
of his bed thinking it over. The scowling
face aforementioned had interviewed him
in his sleep and had suggested a compro-
mise ; not only that, but it had even
specified the terms in an offhand manner,
as though it did not wish to make a
bargain. But Father Stanislaus remem-
bered that there had been something in
these terms to make him bate and haggle,
that he had writhed in the grip of the
cold, staring eyes that had clutched and
grabbed till they had torn his heart out of
him at least, it could not be there any
more, for in the night he had felt it ache
very much when he had agreed to do
what was asked of him ; but now every-
thing was void and blank. And somehow
THE ASCENT INTO HEAVEN 135
he felt glad of it, for thus it seemed he
was escaping some great agony.
Little Wladislav, for his part, had passed
a very good night, and now sat anxiously
by the small kitchen oven watching the
morning meal in preparation, and trying
to persuade himself, with indifferent
success, that he was not really so hungry
as he felt. He always had to deal very
diplomatically with his appetite in the
mornings, because his father commenced
the day by telling his beads for an hour
or two. In the daytime it was not so
bad ; he could drop in on the neigh-
bouring housewives and get a crust here
and a saucer of milk there ; but in the
morning they were busy making the beds
and getting the children ready for school,
so that visitors were not encouraged.
To-day, as it was a festival, he anticipated
a longer wait, because his father com-
memorated such occasions by a double
dose of devotion. So he was not a little
surprised to hear him descend swiftly the
creaky staircase and come straight across
the sitting-room into the kitchen.
" Make haste and eat," were his first
words. " We shall go over to Pirna,
136 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
to bid your grandmother a merry holi-
day."
Wladislav looked up eagerly it was
too good to be believed. " To Pirna ? "
he repeated, to make sure his ears had
not deceived him.
"Yes, to Pirna why not to Pirna?"
said his father, fretfully.
Wladislav had no objection ; it was a
grand thing to go to granny's. He
had seen her only twice since they
carried his mother away in the black
box, for there had been no one to take
him, and grandmother herself could not
walk three steps without her crutches.
So he needed no further bidding. He
did not eat much, partly from excitement,
and partly because he wished to keep
himself hungry for the poppy-cake and
dried apples which he knew were in
store for him. In five minutes he was
ready.
" Shall I put on my beaver cap and
velvet doublet?" he asked, tugging eagerly
at his father's girdle, for otherwise it was
hard to attract his attention.
" There is no need," said the priest,
glancing hurriedly away from the little
THE ASCENT INTO HEAVEN 137
face ; " you will be as welcome in your
workaday clothes."
Little Wladislav wondered ; he knew
grandmother would like to see him in all
his finery, for she had said the last time,
" When you come, always come spruce
and smart, for then it will make me feel as
though Anushka's hand had tended you."
However, he said nothing, and nimbly
followed his father into the street ; but as
they stepped over the threshold he looked
up wistfully and said :
" The garden door is open ; some one
will come and steal my spade and pick-
axe."
" You are a little fool ! People do not
thieve on holy-days."
Wladislav shrank back at the rough
tone, and kept silent for fear of irritating
his father, else the latter might change his
mind and give up the excursion. So he
ran on briskly to keep alongside of the
priest's lanky strides.
" A merry holiday, your reverence a
merry holiday, little Wladislav," met them
on every side.
" God's greeting to you, ' shouted
Wladislav, joyously, in reply; "we are
138 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
going to Pirna to Granny's." He felt so
glad that he would have the whole world
know his happiness ; but he wondered
why his father did not answer these good
people. So he was twice as cordial to
make up for his sullenness, for he loved
his father, especially this morning, and he
wanted folks to think well of him.
They had come to the first milestone,
where the road branched. Wladislav was
skipping on in front he knew the way
when his father's voice stopped him.
" Follow to the left," he was saying
across his shoulder, without looking back.
Wladislav stopped in perplexity. Granny
lived on the road to the right ; by the left,
he knew, you came first to the pine forest,
where the shadows lay thick even in the
broadest daylight ; further on there were
ditches and a swamp, and beyond that
probably lay the end of the world. What
was the use of going there ? The other
road was quite straight and direct, and
already from the second milestone could
be seen Granny's cottage, looking like a
chalk cliff in the dazzling glory of its
whitewash, and blinking into the sunshine
with half-closed shutters. But Wladislav
THE ASCENT INTO HEAVEN 139
had faith in his father, who, he was sure,
could reach a place sooner by a round-
about path than most people could by a
straight one ; but then he was so much
cleverer than everybody else. So he
made his little legs as long as possible,
breaking into a run till he had caught his
father up. Soon the road on the right
was lost to view, and the air grew strong
and intoxicating with the heavy smell of
the pinewood. The sun stopped reluc-
tantly on the skirts of the forest, watching
them enviously penetrate into the cool,
dew-soaked glades. Little Wladislav took
his father's hand, and as he touched it he
felt it give a twitch as though it had been
seared with hot iron ; nor did it close over
his own hand with that reassuring grip he
liked to feel on occasions when his heart
beat as loud and as fast as it did now.
And the greater the stillness, the louder
grew the thumping noise in his chest ; he
could not even look up to his father's face,
for fear of tripping over the gnarled roots
and amputated stumps. It had now got
very still, till suddenly a clap of thunder
broke on his ear but no, it was only his
father speaking.
140 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
"Little son," he said, "do you remember
the time when I first taught you your
letters ? "
"Yes, father," gasped Wladislav, in
wonder at the strange question and the
strange tone.
" What was the story I first taught you
to read ? " went on the strange voice.
"It was about a wicked man Abraham,
who would have slain his poor little
Isaac only God sent a ram instead,"
Wladislav answered pat. "It is wicked
for people to kill their little sons, is it not,
father ? "
" Not when it is in the cause of
God," came the answer, sullenly and
tardily.
" More likely it would be the cause of
the " broke from Wladislav ; but he
stopped short in affright, and looked
around him shrinkingly. He dared not
utter the name amidst these desolate
places he did not know who might be
listening behind the trees, and he wished
they were at Granny's, where a crucifix
hung on every wall.
" Let us go faster, father ; we shall be
late," he ended up with instead.
THE ASCENT INTO HEAVEN 141
But for answer his father came suddenly
to a standstill. What was the good of
going farther? He could not get away
from the dread task that lay before him,
and why not get done with it here ?
Everything was so dark and gloomy,
and the matter in hand needed no super-
abundance of light. And just then
Wladislav looked up, saw the hard,
glittering thing in his father's hand, and
shrieked :
" What would you do with the knife,
father ? "
" I am going to play at Abraham, and
you at Isaac," came the answer, almost
sobbingly, from the priest's lips. " Nay,
do not seek to escape, little son you
must die ; I have promised it in the
vision, for unless I sacrificed my dearest
it would never leave me, and I could not
become a saint. Quick ! say a pater-
noster "
" I shall not run away, father," whispered
Wladislav, with trembling lips. " I was
just peering through the trees if perchance
the ram was there. Look, father you
are so tall look hard through the trees.
Has not God sent the ram ? "
H2 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
Father Stanislaus looked right and left,
and on each side he was fenced in by a
scowling face with staring, wooden eyes ;
and at the sight he felt the hard, glittering
thing in his hand become alive, and it
writhed and darted till it had forced its
way into the soft flesh again and again.
And this was the Ascension of Father
Stanislaus.
Granny sat all day at the window, look-
ing out anxiously.
"If only Anushka were alive," she
muttered, shaking her head sorrowfully.
OUT OF THE LAND OF
BONDAGE
Though the mouth of the well in the passing of time
Be clogged by the clambering weeds as they climb,
Who knows but beneath, all undreamt-of, unseen,
Its waters as erstwhile leap limpid and clean ?
"AN inn, you inquire for, good sir?
JL~\. and that upon the eve of the Pass-
over ? How come you to be on your
travelling during the festival ? "
" I miscalculated the distance, for I
thought to be at Vikulno ere dark."
"It's two hours further, and the roads
are difficult ; therefore come with me.
The other masters of houses doubtless
passed you by when they chose their
strangers because you do not carry the
air of a would-be guest, either in your
aspect or in your garb ; and thus you
must be content with me."
" I thank you, but I need no charity,
144 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
and require no service without payment.
I have set my heart on the inn."
"Then you must come with me perforce
there is no hostel in the town, so that
travellers quarter with whoever receives
them ; and no one shall say that
Nachemyah Turok showed unmindful of
the precept concerning the stranger in
the gate. Nor let us talk of money
and payment upon a holy-day. Is this
not the season when we say, < This is
the bread he who is without, let him sit
down and eat ' ? '
There could be no mistaking the cor-
diality with which the old man urged the
younger to give him his company. The
two were standing by the doorway of
the synagogue, that was already wrapped
in gloom, for the evening service was over
and each man had hurried home to inaugu-
rate the festival in the midst of his own.
" Let us not delay any longer," went on
Nachemyah ; " Hagar, my wife, will be
anxious."
" Do not think me surly," said the
stranger ; "I would come gladly, but I
do not care to witness the light of joyous
faces and listen to their laughter. I prefer
OUT OF THE LAND OF BONDAGE 145
sitting in the abode of wayfarers like my-
self, where one knows not the other, and
where sadness of mien and silence of
speech concerns not your neighbour and
affords no comment."
" Then you may rest assured," answered
Nachemyah ; " think not you are going to
a house where there are many faces and
much laughter. It is a house of solitude
wherein dwell I and my wife Hagar ; and
if your heart is not in joyous mood it shall
be not so much out of keeping with the
rest. Let us go faster, pray ; my house
stands the last in the town, for that thou
mayest know it I am the guardian of the
graveyard."
And so the two walked on in silence.
"It is in no auspicious time that you
have come to sojourn in these parts,"
said Nachemyah after a while. " There
have arrived tidings that the hearts of the
rulers are ill-affected towards our brethren,
and there has been maltreatment and mis-
handling of them in places not so far hence.
At Olnitzk they have burned the house of
prayer, at Ramant they have pillaged the
dwellings, and in other towns they have
cast children and bedridden women into
ii
146 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
the streets at night-time. Nor is that the
worst they have done I will not defile
my mouth with the utterance. Grant God
the evil may not come nearer our own
doors."
" I have seen the sights you speak of,"
said his companion, "and I did not care
to look twice. But I have not come to
sojourn here. Rarely it is that I make
my stay long in any one place, for my
heart is ever dragging me hither and
thither so that I can find no resting-place.
And it is chiefly at this time of the year
that the feeling is strongest upon me, and
I would wander to the ends of the earth,
seeking a home and kith and kin. - But one
does not find them for the mere seeking
these things are in the hand of God."
" You are young to have lost all your
kindred," said Nachemyah.
" I did not lose them I do not remem-
ber when I had them to lose. I have
abided amidst strangers but what am I
telling you ? Your wife will scold you
hard to have brought for her table-fellow
a mouther of lamentations, and that on a
festival when we should serve God by
merriment."
OUT OF THE LAND OF BONDAGE 147
They had come to the outskirts of the
town, and Nachemyah pointed to the
bright glittering windows of his house.
" I have brought thee a guest, Hagar,"
he said, entering ; " one only, not two as
thou didst ask me, so that for once we
might have the full number for saying
grace. But there were no others left ;
the rich have ever the preference of means
to find favour in God's eyes but let us be
thankful for one."
" Blessed be your coming, my son," said
the woman, and her glance was as kindly
as her words. It did not happen too often
that their lonely meal was shared by a
third, and another face would give a more
homely look to the dreary, straggling
chamber. It would also make her feel
bolder, for despite her long association
with the burial-ground she still was a little
afraid of it after dark. Each time she
passed the window she could see it
grinning at her with its long white teeth,
for such, by a trick of her fancy, appeared
to her the tombstones of gleaming chalk.
And, again, she did not like the clattering
sound that came from there on gusty nights
like this one ; of course she knew that
H8 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
it was only the rackety old wood-tablet
with the mourner's blessing daubed on it,
but it might how could she tell ? be
also the rattling of the skeletons in their
coffins. But with the stranger's presence
a wonderful assurance had come over her ;
for to-night at least she was certain that
tombstones would be tombstones, and the
crazy wooden board would bring no sug-
gestion of the dead playing at skittles with
their bones.
" Who are you, and whence come you ? "
she said. " Be not angry at my question ;
it is but courteous to inquire of the guest,
lest he think he is asked to sit at table as
though he were a stray dog of whose
comings and goings no count is taken."
And there was a softness in her words
that made the stranger feel they were half
a benediction.
" I have come lately from Biastotzk ;
but I am known in the parts beyond for
an expounder of the Holy Writ, and my
name is not unfamiliar to the ears of those
that dwell there. Do not think me a
braggart, but these things are such, and I
cannot say otherwise."
" Nachemyah, in a good hour didst thou
OUT OF THE LAND OF BONDAGE 149
go to the synagogue," said Hagar. " I
doubt if any of the well-to-do of the town
are honoured as we are this night, for the
learned in the Law are the crown of Israel.
Nachemyah, thou shalt be a king in good
earnest this evening, for thou hast a crown
in thy house. And at last my heart's
desire is granted ; long have I wished for
such an one as you," and she turned to the
stranger, " to make clear to me the difficult
places of the Hagada that have harassed
my mind these many years ; and be not
vexed if I pester you with many questions,
but answer them. What name shall I
give to you, my son ? "
" Avromelya I am called," said the
stranger, and a blush of modesty came
over his face at Hagar's garrulous praise.
And at the mention of his name he saw
his host and hostess dart a quick glance at
each other, and immediately the woman's
face became drawn with pain.
And Nachemyah, as though to give a
different turn to their thoughts, said,
speaking very fast, " Long of tongue thou
art, like all women there thou standest
prating of many things while our guest's
heart may be aching with hunger and
150 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
weariness ; what manner of entertainment
dost thou call this ? "
At the rebuke Hagar cast down her
eyes, and went quickly to the bedchamber
to fetch the pillows whereon her husband
was to recline like a king on his divan ;
for on this night every Hebrew is a sove-
reign in his house, and he may couch at
table, leaning on his elbow in token of
his freedom. Thus would he spite the
Egyptian, who presumed to trammel him
with the yoke of slavery, and Pharaoh no
doubt would turn in his grave at the insult.
And then the ceremony went apace.
Nachemyah consulted his patriarchal
prayer-book for the regulations and ordi-
nances that affect the arrangement of the
various accessories of the paschal table.
He had done so each Passover for thirty
years past, and still he did not remember
whether the roasted egg was to stand to
the right or left of the heap of unleavened
bread ; and whether the bitter herbs had
their place over or under the spice mixture
that was the colour and stood for the
emblem of the loam in which the children
of Israel had worked. And the scorched
mutton-bone, which, according to tradi-
OUT OF THE LAND OF BONDAGE 151
tion, was there to make mockery of the
Mizraim's worship of the beasts of the field,
gave its usual deal of trouble in locating it.
And at last everything stood in its place,
and Nachemyah said, keeping his eyes on
the page :
" Avromelya if I may call you thus
you are the youngest of the party, do
you ask the Question."
At that Avromelya seemed to remind
himself of something. " Have ye no
children ? " he asked. And it puzzled him
a little to hear both husband and wife
answer in the same breath and in the
same tone :
" No, we are childless God has given
us no offspring."
And then the young man did as he was
bidden, and began the recital of the cate-
chism wherein, by question and answer,
Israel repeats to itself the assurance of its
deliverance, heedless of the bitter irony ;
for where is the truth, where is the con-
summation of what it so triumphantly im-
plies ? But form is form, be there reality
or not. And so Avromelya read : "Why
is this night different to all other nights ? "
And as he dwelt on each word lovingly
152 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
and reverently, Hagar watched his lips
move, and a feeling came over her that
she must reach out her arms and draw his
head to her bosom. Nachemyah listened
solemnly, and when it was finished he did
not immediately follow on the cue with,
" Slaves we were unto Pharaoh, until the
Lord led us forth with a strong hand and
an outstretched arm," but sat on dreaming,
so that Avromelya looked up wonderingly
at the silence, and Nachemyah fell to it
shamefacedly, as though he had been
detected in some misdoing. And then the
two men read on quickly, because they
remembered it all by heart, and Hagar
dragged after them painfully, for the words
were hard to spell, and her heart was
full of other memories. Suddenly she
stopped and lifted her head.
" Heard ye nothing ?" she said.
"No, I heard nothing do not interrupt
the reading," said Nachemyah, severely,
and the droning of the voices went on.
But after a minute or two Hagar leapt up
with her hand to her heart.
" Heard ye not the strange hollow
sound that comes floating from the
streets ? " she asked, anxiously.
OUT OF THE LAND OF BONDAGE 153
" I heard a low rumbling, but it is only
a clod of earth rolling into an open grave,"
said Nachemyah, and looked reproof at
her.
" I thought it came from the town side,
not from the graveyard," ventured Avro-
melya ; "and now indeed I can hear it
more plainly, for my ears are younger than
yours a deep, confused hum, as of many
voices in turmoil."
" Perhaps a fire has broken out," said
Nachemyah.
"It cannot be, or we should have heard
the tocsin boom," said Hagar.
But Avromelya rose up quietly, and
going to the door he opened it. " There
is no redness in the sky," he said across
his shoulder. And then there surged in
the subdued murmur of a multitude when
it is swayed by a great emotion. And at
last there could be no mistaking the sounds
of lamentation and the cries of terror ; for
the tumult waxed and rose higher and
higher. Avromelya came back still more
quietly, and his face was very white.
" It is the rioters the town is doomed,"
he said, under his breath.
But Hagar caught the words, and clasp-
154 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
ing her hands she gasped, " Oh, thou dear
God, save us from destruction, and turn
not Thy face from us in the hour of our
peril ! Nachemyah, quick, let me blow
out the candles ; it is lawful to do so even
on a Sabbath when there is danger of life.
In the darkness we may creep away and
escape."
But Nachemyah sat there immovably,
and at his wife's words he lifted his eyes
to hers slowly.
" Art thou not ashamed," he said " thou
that makest pretence of so much piety in
thy ways ; art thou not ashamed to think
thou couldst turn aside God's purpose by
the quenching of a rushlight ? And if our
destiny is upon us, shall it reach us less
surely because we shirk it in the shadow
of the darkness ? Sit down, and rather
thank God that our abode is at a distance
from the others, for thus we shall have
time to finish the service of the night.
Where did we leave off, Avromelya ?
Unless " and the thought came to him
suddenly " you wish to escape betimes ;
for what is our peril to you ? Therefore
go your way."
" Like a sheep that runs from the flock
OUT OF THE LAND OF BONDAGE 155
because the shearer is coming ? " said
Avromelya. " But how can you tell ?
I am a stranger to you, and you
have no knowledge of- my nature. I
shall stay to the end. Let us read
on."
And then the two men continued with
flying breath, while Hagar sat shaking
and listening as though every pore of her
body were an ear. And the uproar came
nearer and nearer, till they could distin-
guish single voices.
"That was Lesser Sundra's shout; they
must be doing him some hurt, or he would
not bellow thus like a bull," moaned
Hagar, tremblingly. " Oh ! what will
become of us ? "
The two men made no answer ; they
had come to the pouring out of the fourth
glass of wine according to the prescribed
number, and, after one or two attempts,
Nachemyah handed the bottle to Avro-
melya, saying :
" Do you the pouring your sinews are
stronger than mine." And now they had
come to the tale of the lamb that was
bought for six groats, which traces the
history of Israel through the list of his
156 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
persecutors right up to the hands of God,
the avenger ; and as the last words were
uttered there came the stamping of heavy
footsteps, and with a thud the door fell
splintered from its hinges. Hagar buried
her face in her hands, and the two men
stood gazing wild-eyed at the comers.
And as they sprang into the room, beetle-
browed, straggling-haired, sheepskin cap
and all, they could hardly be called a
pretty sight. They were mujiks peasants
all the three of them, and they had
been asked to lend a hand in the work of
the night ; and to the mujik no work is so
much a labour of love as a Jews' hunt.
But, whatever else it had been in their
mind to do, no sooner had they entered,
when they stopped short, and, stepping
back a pace or two, gave a long, lingering
stare at Avromelya. And for a moment
there was a silence of death in the
chamber ; but then the intruders turned
to one another and burst into a laugh,
like the laugh of men who have been
frightened by a shadow and laugh them-
selves to shame for their folly.
" Didst thou not think my thought,
Karol ? " said the first. "Thy thought
OUT OF THE LAND OF BONDAGE 157
was : ' We left him but an instant ago,
and here he stands facing us.' '
" Be careful, Stephan," said the other.
" Go not too near ; it may be the Fiend.
Nothing is impossible with these cursed
Jew-folk ; there is no reason why the
devil should not come to visit them, and
why the devil should not look like a
commissioner of police. But we shall
soon see."
And he stretched out his arms in the
manner of a cross, while the others did
likewise, and advanced straight on Avro-
melya, who did not know what to make
of it.
" He has stood the test," said Stephan,
"and therefore he cannot be the Evil
One, and we have wasted a reverence.
Ought it not to be that a Jew should fall
dead each time one makes the sign of the
cross ? " And then, turning to those at
the table, he went on, " Why do you stand
there gaping, you god-slaying heretics ?
Why do you not thank Providence that
has sent you three true believers to make
vain your wicked rites and incantations,
so that you lay up for yourselves less
torment in hell ? "
158 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
And striding up to the table, he sur-
veyed the eatables on it.
" Look at the provision they have made
for their honoured visitors," he jeered ;
"and that in return for the glad tidings
we bring may no one bring them better
to the day of their death. Well, I am
going to have my supper while we wait
for the commissioner." And with one
blow he sent Hagar staggering to the
other end of the room, and seated himself
in her place. The other two peasants
stood looking on, laughing at Stephan's
antics.
" No, I will not eat of your dishes ;
there may be poison in them, or human
blood at the least. Here is honest Chris-
tian food." And from his knapsack he
took a loaf of barley bread and a hunch
of swine flesh, and laid them on the
platter ; and Hagar, as she saw it, wrung
her hands at the defilement and Nache-
myah ground his teeth in impotence.
And while Stephan was eating, Karol
and the other one came up, and Karol
took one of the unleavened cakes ; and
as he bit into it he made a wry mouth,
and spat the morsel upon the floor.
OUT OF THE LAND OF BONDAGE 159
"And this is what you feed on, you
mongrels ? " he cried. " Baked sawdust,
into which you have been too niggardly
to put salt. Poor creatures ! Say, Stephan,
would it not be true charity to give them
some of that excellent Ruzzavana bread
of thine, lest their souls should go out of
them with their self-castigation ? "
"Thou hast reminded me well," said
Stephan, jumping up ; and, cutting a slice
from his loaf, he went up to Nachemyah,
who cowered back and lifted his tunic
over his head at the ruffian's coming. But
Stephan rudely gripped it, so that it was
torn down to the middle ; and, forcing
down the old man's arm, he held the
forbidden leaven before his face. And
Hagar shrieked aloud, as she saw Nache-
myah 's struggles and heard his agonised
wail, "Have mercy on me! kill me!
but do not make me transgress the
commandment. "
But Avromelya, who had stood there
chafing all the time, could bear it no
longer, and seizing Stephan with tight
grip, he hurled him upon his haunches
into the middle of the room. At that
the other two rushed upon him and bore
160 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
him down ; and when Stephan had
gathered himself up again he came and
knelt on Avromelya's chest, clutching his
neck with both his hands. But that did
not suffice him ; so, looking about the
room, he saw an iron tripod in the corner,
and when Karol had handed it to him he
set it down with the bottom uppermost,
so that its feet stood out like prongs,
and crashed Avromelya's head against it
heavily ; and the tripod made a good
battering-block, for it was harder than
the flooring, which was of caked turf.
And no one could tell what would
eventually have become of Avromelya's
head, had not the ring of spurs been
heard outside and Karol had dragged
his comrade forcibly from off his victim.
" Have done the commissioner comes,"
he whispered.
And no sooner had Stephan got to his
feet than there stepped into the room a
man, young in years, but upon whose
forehead were written large command and
authority ; and as he cast his eyes about
and saw the signs of the commotion, he
said sternly :
"There has been violence here; did I
OUT OF THE LAND OF BONDAGE 161
not tell you no one should be touched
unless resistance was offered ? "
"They did resist," said Stephan, sullenly.
" I would give the old man of my bread,
to make him strong for his pilgrimage,
and then the young one here came and laid
violent hands on me, your honour's ser-
vant ; and for that I have chastised him."
And only then the new-comer became
aware of the prostrate form of Avromelya
where he lay half stunned. So, going over
to him, he shook him by the shoulder.
" Get up, my good fellow ; this is no
time for lying at thy ease. Thou hast a
long journey before thee, for thou and all
thy folks must leave this town within the
hour, and there is no escape. The rescript
has arrived." Here he suddenly stopped
short, and, bending low, he scanned Avro-
melya's features closely
" By the clank of my scabbard," he
cried, straightening himself, " this is won-
derful ! " And he took one of the candles
from the table and held it close to the
still face.
"It is indeed wonderful," said Karol,
coming to his side; "the Jew-dog has
stolen your honour's face, and will sneak
12
162 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
into heaven pretending he is you. These
Jews would cheat God Himself if they
could."
But the commissioner was still standing
in wonder ; and indeed it was a thing to
marvel at to see how the two men were
like to one another, feature by feature
and line by line.
" The Jew has fainted," he said ; " give
me some wine for him." And at the same
time he began to unfasten Avromelya's
doublet. And when he saw Stephan's
finger-marks on the throat, he said, angrily :
"You have throttled him between you
curses on your murderous hands." For
he felt as if he saw his own corpse lying
before him. But just then Avromelya
gave a little gasp and opened his eyes ;
and just then, too, the commissioner
caught sight of the string of catgut that
was tied round his neck, and to the
catgut there hung an onyx stone, pure of
colour and oblong ot shape. And at
view of it he lifted his hands to his
forehead, for he felt the sweat starting
upon it.
" I cannot understand this," he said,
half aloud. " This is yet more wonderful.
OUT OF THE LAND OF BONDAGE 163
The very thing I have been looking for,
and here I find it about the neck of a
Jew. My good fellow, I am no robber ;
thou must give me this, and I will give
thee its value in money. For it matches
mine, and Fanushka, my little mistress,
has been harassing me into grey hairs to
find her another for a pair of pendants.
Give it to me ; the money will come thee
in good stead on thy journey."
Stephan and Karol looked on in angry
surprise. Bandy words with a Jew ? That
was setting a bad example. The Jew was
the common quarry of everybody, to de-
spoil at pleasure ; the idea of compensation
was absurd. But they looked at the
commissioner and kept their thoughts to
themselves.
Avromelya held tight to the trinket
with all the strength of his feeble hand,
and murmured, " Do not take it from me,
good sir. Have compassion ; it is what
I hold dearest of all the world. It is to
me the memory of a home I never knew,
of parents whose face I have never kissed,
and upon it I set all my hope of happiness
that is to befall me. Take whatever else
I possess, though I am a poor man, but
1 64 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
leave me this that is at once my poverty
and my wealth.
All during this Hagar had crouched in
her corner listening eagerly to the talk of
the men ; but she understood little of it,
for they spoke in Russian. Then by the
flash of the candlelight she saw the agate
round Avromelya's neck, and at the sight
a flash of mingled joy and terror glanced
through her heart. And, stealthily creep-
ing up to where he lay, she flung herself
upon him, and, taking the stone in her
hands, she cried, wildly :
"Oh, to think that my prayers and
midnight weepings have been of avail !
Thou hast then come back to me after
many years of waiting, O my But let
me talk and tell thee everything, so that,
hearing, thou mayest believe." And then
her speech flowed forth in a cataract of
words. " Many years ago I had two
children that were born within the same
hour, and the face of one was the face
of the other, like and similaj as are the
stars of heaven. And lest the two should
be confounded and we should forget who
is the eldest, so that he might observe the
fast of the firstborn and be the first to be
OUT OF THE LAND OF BONDAGE 165
called up to the reading of the Law, I
took two agate stones that my mother
gave me from her necklet ; and on one
I had engraved the letter Aleph and on
the second the letter Beth, and hung the
first round the neck of the elder and
the second round the younger. And
look if it is not as I speak here is the
Aleph upon the stone. And when they
were six years old God was angry with
us, and took away our children. For it
was upon the day preceding the Passover,
when Nachemyah had gone across country,
and I had run to the burning-place to burn
the leaven-offering the ladle and the
bread-crumbs and the candle and the
feather ; and I had left the little ones
playing outside the door. And when I
returned and looked for them they had
vanished. Then I ran weeping to the
neighbours, and they told me that a pair
of Cossacks had passed through the town
in the direction of my house. And then
I knew my fate ; and presently the town
shepherd came to me and said he had
seen my two children, each on the saddle
of one rider, and that when they had
come to the crossway the two had sepa-
1 66 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
rated, and the one rider went one way
and his fellow the other. And the name
of the elder child was Avromelya, like
thine. And all this is true as the Word
of God. Oh, Nachemyah ! why dost thou
stand mute, like a block of stone ? Why
dost thou not speak and bear me out,
and protest and swear by thy life in the
World-to-come that this is as I have
said ? "
But Nachemyah had been standing all
the while staring blankly from Avromelya
to the commissioner, and when he beheld
the agate his senses turned like a whirl-
pool.
"Why should I swear, Hagar?" he
said at last. " If all thy tokens bring no
belief to his heart, and if the voice of his
mother as she soothed him to sleep with
her lullaby ring not in his ears, what can
I, even I, say to convince him ? "
" But I would be convinced I would
believe gladly," said Avromelya, eagerly ;
"and yet why did you tell me before,
when I asked, that you had been ever
childless ? "
"It was the vow we had taken to one
another," said Hagar, " never to speak
OUT OF THE LAND OF BONDAGE 167
of our children that were, and to make
belief that God had given us none ; for
our two hearts were breaking with the
woe, and if the heart of one broke before
the other, what would be the life of the
one remaining ? "
Then Avromelya sat himself up, and
said thoughtfully : " This is what I re-
member, how I came to the house of a
teacher of the Law a solitary man. And
I abided with him, and he called me son
and I called him father. But on his
deathbed he told me that he had found
me by the roadside, and had brought me
up for his own ; and he urged me to go
and seek my parents, and to hold by the
amulet because it might serve for a recog-
nition. And that is why I wander, not
finding rest anywhere, and why ever at
this season of the year my feet have wings
and cannot abide in one place. Am I not
to believe you ? Am I not to believe my
own heart, that has cast forth its demon of
unrest ever since I entered this dwelling ?
Come father, mother come ! " And he
stretched out an arm about each, and
their heads and lips were close together.
The commissioner stood looking on and
i68 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
wondered. He could not make out how
it was that he, a true Slav of purest race,
who spoke the language of the country
and none other, should understand the
strange talk of these strange people. And
yet of all that had been said not a word
had escaped his comprehension. A son
had strayed back to the house of his
parents, and the mother had set aside
all doubt by her story. What was that
recollection from the buried past that
had made him understand ? What was
the instinct that had haunted him all his
life, and the dim uncertainty that had
made him so often clench his hands in
his hopeless search for light and clear-
ness ? Perhaps here was the revelation
Long, long ago he remembered certain
people had asked him a certain question,
and he had answered " Naphtali." And
then they had beaten him, and told him
that he was to answer " Kyriloff," not
" Naphtali " ; and how he had lain awake
at night repeating the name, lest he should
answer " Naphtali " when he was ques-
tioned and be beaten again. Here he
was Ivan Kyriloff; but what had be-
come of the Naphtali ? The memory of
OUT OF THE LAND OF BONDAGE 169
the name clung to him and came as a
voice from another life. These people
here had bred great prophets in their
race, and perhaps they would tell him.
"Wait for me outside, and do not enter
before I call you," he said to the three
myrmidons, who had eyed the scene in
blank amazement. And when the door
had closed behind them, he said (and his
lips shaped themselves unconsciously to
the strange tongue he had just heard) :
" What means Naphtali ? "
At the question Hagar turned round,
and only then and for the first time she
saw the likeness ; and when she heard the
name she turned white, and would have
fallen but for Avromelya's arm.
" Naphtali means my second son," she
gasped ; and then an inspiration came
over her the inspiration of every mother,
brute or human, and pointing to him
solemnly, she said: "Thou art he God
has told me." And at the answer the
questioner took a step forward, and bowed
his head as though he would ask for her
blessing. And suddenly he put his hand
in his pocket and took out the agate,
which he had possessed he could not
i;o A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
remember how long ; and he thought of
the unaccountable jealousy he had felt
each time Fanushka's dainty fingers had
toyed with it, and the puzzled perplexity
each time she had asked him the meaning
of the mystic symbol scratched upon it.
But now he could read it quite easily
it was Beth, the letter shaped like a
house ; and here they stood before him,
his flesh and blood, his father, mother,
and twin-brother, the living voices that
had called to him from the dead past.
And without stood the ruthless horde
that was to uproot them from the soil
of their birth and drive them homeless
out into the unknown wilderness ; and he
could do nothing. But no, he could do
a great deal.
"Will you take me for your son and
brother ? " he asked, with glistening eyes.
" Will you take me, the apostate, the
baptised, who has grown up among your
adversaries and has hated you with their
hatred ? You shall teach me again your
ways that I have forgotten, and I shall
share with you through good and evil
only do not make me an outcast for
ever."
OUT OF THE LAND OF BONDAGE 171
There was a long silence, and then
Nachemyah went and took his outstretched
hand ; and looking hungrily into his eyes,
he said :
" My son thou art, wert, and shalt be
evermore, although all the sins of Satan
be fastened upon thy head. But bethink
thee what couldst thou not do if thou
wert to remain here among thy suffering
brothers and in a little way avert their
evils ? Is it not more fitting thou shouldst
stay here and be their shield ? "
But Naphtali shook his head, and said,
mournfully : " No, I could not stay here
knowing what I know, and seeing what
I see ; for my heart might bleed itself
to death at the sight, and when it is dead
I should be pitiless like the rest save
them from me, and me from myself."
"Then come, in God's name," said
Nachemyah.
Naphtali went to the door, and open-
ing it, he told the men outside : " You
need wait no longer ; go and help the
others, but tell them upon their lives to
deal gently. As for me, I shall convey
these people to Vikulno to the ecclesiastic
court, for the woman has accused the
1/2 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
men of unholy rites -they shall be my
charge. '
And when he had watched them out of
sight he came back.
"Quickly," he said, "get together what-
ever you may carry in your hands ; and
here I have a blank passport that will give
us unconditional passage wherever we go.
At Vikulno I shall claim from the bankers
the three thousand roubles of my savings
to furnish us for our journey ; and for
the rest, I and Avromelya have two
pair of strong arms to keep us all from
want and God will help. And now come
let us go to the countries across the sea
where there is liberty and where men do
not rend their fellows from narrowness of
heart. Come, father, mother, brother
let us go hence, out of the land of
bondage ! "
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST
" I "HE words of Rabbi Elchanan, the
X son of Aaron the Levite, unto
Riffka, daughter of Baruch the Scribe :
Peace and greeting unto thee, oh bride
of my youth, mainstay of my manhood,
comforter of my old age. Whereas Leyb
Tchariner thy kinsman has handed to me
a letter written at thy dictate and over thy
name for thou art thyself no expert in
penmanship, despite the cunning of thy
father what says the proverb? "The
children of shoemakers go barefoot "
the letter, wherein thou inquires! con-
cerning me and makest great lamentation
that since the day I set foot from our
threshold no tidings have reached thee
of my wellbeing. And at sight and
perusal thereof my soul lifted her hands
in repentance. For as thou sayest, it is
truly spoken : seven portions of the Law
173
174 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
have been read, and on the coming
Sabbath shall be uttered the third Bene-
diction of the New Moon since what
time I started forth to sojourn amongst
strangers ; the cause thereof being, as
thou well knowest, the gathering of a
marriage-portion for our daughter, the
sole and single issue of our love may
God make her like unto Sarah, Rachel
and Leah, her forbears. And verily, were
it not for that, I should have returned long
ere this, for one endures hardship and
tribulation in dwelling among men of alien
speech and customs. But the matter pro-
ceeds somewhat tardily, and it is because
my mind is ever intent upon the achieving
thereof that my hand has been turned
aside from the admonishings of my heart,
Now, however, open thine ears unto the
tale of my wanderings ; for it shall be set
forth in all detail, both my pilgrimage and
all that appertains unto my quest.
It was upon the third day after Pente-
cost, if my memory serves me truly, that
I girded up my aged loins to make ad-
venture into the land of Britannia, whereof,
as report says with truth, a woman is the
ruler, a land lying towards the sinking of
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 175
the sun. And further I remember how
my going forth laid a gloom upon thy
soul, and how thou didst endeavour vainly
to clutch me by the caftan and hold me
back with much shrieking and wringing
of hands, until the women surrounded thee
and conveyed thee to thy couch, whereon
thou didst lie, a swoon holding thy senses
captive. And as I turned me and gazed
back, behold, methought that my house
to compare small things to great seemed
likest to Yerusholayim upon the day of its
destruction. But wherefore didst thou
afflict thy soul ? K no west thou not that
God is ever at the right hand of the
righteous and maketh clear his path from
the ambushes of wicked men ? And
further, was there not a dire stress upon
me to collect the amount of the dowry ?
For I am a man, poor after God's own
heart, as the saying goes, and the poor
must make trial of many things before they
enter the palace of happiness, and then it
is mostly through a postern-gate. With
these thoughts did I set out ; and many
men of the congregation remitted their
toil in their several handicrafts to give me
escort as far as Kavass-Novrod, where
1 76 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
there was to await me, according to
concert, a driver with his conveyance to
carry me across the frontier for a con-
sideration. But when we came up, he
made show of being very wroth, and
looked very angry as to his eyes, saying
that for my account he had delayed long
over the given time, and that he would
incur much blame and abuse from
his master on his return. And upon that
plea he made claim that the stipulated
hire must be increased by fifty copecks.
And what could I do, being in the hands
of the Philistine and oppressed by him ?
And thereupon we drove off, and the
company followed three ells shouting
after me the usual " May the Lord bless
thee and preserve thee," repeating it
seven times. Then indeed my heart
became desolate and I wept many tears ;
and for a distraction I took from my
wallet "The Guide of the Ignorant," and
read therein until it came on dark and
my eyes refused their service. Then I
laid me down and slept throughout the
night without a fear, for I had prayed
my night prayer and had dealt with the
Tetragrammaton by Gematrya, so as to
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 177
conjure Michael and Gabriel to stand by
and encompass me with their wings.
And towards dawn, when all the stars had
returned to heaven for the morning
prayers, the bal-ha-golah, the driver to
wit, awakened me by a thrust of his
foot.
"Rouse thee," he cried, "and get thee
into thy hiding-place ; for we have passed
the last milestone before the toll-house."
Now I must make known to thee, oh
wife of my bosom, that the waggon where-
on I rode was freighted with skins of
bullocks ; and my plan was to conceal
myself amongst these, and under cover
thereof to cross the frontier. For not
being possessed of a passport, since I was
lacking the money wherewith to procure
such an one, necessity was upon me to pass
over the border by stealth ; and thus is a
poor man rendered dishonest in the land
of oppression. Now as to the bullock-
skins, they were but freshly hided, so that
they lay limp and huddled, and the smell
was not the savour of spice and cinnamon.
Into these, then, I coiled myself, and the
driver heaped them about my feet and
body that I might not be discovered.
13
i;8 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
So we rode on, I direly struggling with
my breath, until I heard a voice cry
" Halt ! " And then indeed my gizzard
quaked mightily within me.
" What kind of manure dost thou cart
there, Gregorov ? " asked one of the
sentries ; for I could hear the clanking
of their sabres.
"No manure," answered the driver ;
"untanned leather, that is all."
"And how much carcase inside?" spoke
the sentry.
" By the head of my patron saint," said
the driver, " no living thing could draw
breath in there, unless it be a snoutless
skunk."
" Or a Jew," added the sentry, and they
all laughed inordinately.
So we were allowed to pass, and I crept
from underneath my cover and eagerly
quaffed the air of heaven. And then the
driver importuned me strongly to give him
yet two more roubles for the danger he
had run ; or else he would turn back to the
custom-house and deliver me up. But I
prevailed upon him to wait till we reached
an inn, for I was at that moment at my
devotions and might not engage in busi-
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 179
ness of any sort. And no sooner had we
come to the inn, when I plied him with
vodka the cheap kind at two copecks
the measure ; and he being weary with
night-vigil and drinking upon an empty
stomach, became drowsy and incontinently
he slept. And thereupon I debated with
myself as to the two roubles I had pro-
mised him. Not that I had intention to
withhold them from him in requital for his
greed, nor did I think of the kick which he
had bestowed upon me ; but there came
into my mind the saying of our sages :
" Whoso awakeneth a sleeper, draggeth a
human soul out of heaven by the feet."
So, not wishing to commit iniquity, and
not knowing how long his drunken sleep
might endure, being myself in haste, I
waited not to hand him the money, but got
me forth. And that is how I slipped under
the hands of the frontier-watchmen ; for
God had stricken them with blindness.
And now I had come into the land of
Ashkanaz, which is Edom on the hither
side of Jordan, forasmuch as its people are
evilly-minded towards our race. And I
made observation that their language is
not unlike our own, being, in fact, an
i8o A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
abortion thereof, and comparable to it in
the degree of similitude between an ape
and a man ; and they speak it with much
mincing of the mouth, even like girls when
they are about to be kissed on the lips.
But of that I have no knowledge, and
speak only upon report and hearsay. So
being now, as it were, in the wilderness, I
followed closely upon the instructions which
Moshke Kitsler, the glazier, had imparted
unto me. For thou knowest the story
how he went to this country of Britannia
two years ago, having received a letter to
come and claim his brother's inheritance ;
and when he arrived, behold there had
been no brother, and there was no inheri-
tance, and the whole thing was the chica-
nery of some one who bore Moshke a
grudge suspicion pointing to Elya Sch-
mendriak, who had gone to this town of
London because Moshke had married the
woman whom Elya had loved. And I have
sought out Schmendriak, and questioned
him straightly upon the matter ; but he
looked at me with brazen eyes and denied
all knowledge of it. So then I went by
the instruction which Moshke has bought at
great cost and by much tribulation of soul.
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 181
And first he had enjoined me to make
my way to Ostrovno ; and since there was
a market gathering at the place on the
morrow, I had no trouble in finding ac-
commodation with one of the waggoners,
of whom there were many proceeding
thither. And by reason of one of the
horses falling lame, we arrived not there
till nightfall. Thenceforward I was to
journey by a certain wondrous contrivance
whereof I have heard men speak, but such
as is unknown to thee that hast no concern
in the business of the world. And though
I have become familiar with the thing,
and have used it for my service on several
occasions by this time, the first sight and
aspect of it brought upon me a deep amaze-
ment. For standing there in the gloom,
having first converted much shining silver
into a worthless four-cornered scrap of
paste-paper, I thought I beheld a monster
with fiery eyes issuing from the bowels of
the earth, and flying towards me on wings
of smoke and flame, uttering hoarse
screeches from outspread jaws. And in
these jaws, wherefrom upleapt long tongues
of fire, I saw three men writhing like
Chananya, Meshual and Azariah, in Nebu-
182 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
chadnezzar's furnace ; yet, like them, they
were not consumed. And then the pro-
digy stood still, panting and snorting, and
I repeated the blessing which is incum-
bent upon us at beholding an untoward
spectacle ; but though I looked narrowly,
I saw nothing of the two-score demons
which Moshke swore were harnessed to
the contrivance to set it in motion. And
I could make no conjecture as to the
mode of its propelling, but I stood and
marvelled much at the cunning of the
Gentile and his handiwork. And to me,
thus distracted, there came a man, a
dignitary of the town it seemed, for there
were strings of golden braid across his
bosom and a silver cockade in his cap.
" Where are you bound for ? " he ac-
costed me.
" I am going to Hamburg, to sail by the
ship, your honour," I said.
"Then make haste and enter, else you
will be left behind," he said, surlily. And
with that he tore open a panel in the flank
of the monster and flung me into the bulk
and belly thereof; and its entrails were
made of wood, fashioned into seats for
men to sit upon. And for a little time I
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 183
cowered there bewildered, for I felt the
ground moving under me, and the dark-
ness without whirled past me in great
flakes of blackness, and there was no
resting-place for my eyes. But when I
turned them upon the company that sat
by my side or fronting me, I saw much
laughter upon their faces, whereat I was
greatly comforted, for men do not smile
when the danger of death is upon them.
And among them there was a young man
with glasses as to his eyes, a great scar as
to his forehead, and a large pipe with long
wooden stem and porcelain bowl as to his
mouth. And he, having toised me for
some time, addressed me as follows:
" What takes thee from out thy door-
posts, Judas Yeshariat? Art thou going
in search of the Lost Tribes ? "
Thereon I made reply, swallowing
my anger for that he had misnamed me
strangely :
"My son, truly say our sages : ' he that
openeth his mouth in ignorance, shall close
it in confusion.' For it stands written that
the Sons of Moses abide on the further
side of the sand-river Sambatyon, and no
man may cross it, for all the week it heaves
184 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
with whirlwinds of stones and dust, and
on the Sabbath, when it is at rest, it is not
lawful to travel more than a thousand
cubits ; but the river measures a thousand
and one.'
And the company listened with open
ears ; but the young man aforesaid, not
heeding my presence, as though I were
a haystack or a piece of rock, turned to
them and said again :
" Is it not strange that these people
cleave so perversely to their superstitions ?
And then there is much talk of progress
and enlightenment in these days."
But then I could contain myself no
longer, and burst into speech. "Young
sir," I said, "it may be true that we are
dark as to our beliefs, and that we do not
see clearly the drift and purport of things ;
and that perchance may be because our
eyes are blinded by tears for our nation's
sorrows. But this much we know well
amongst us, that it is enjoined to treat the
stranger in our gates with kindness and
courtesy, and that it is becoming for mere
striplings to pay reverence unto grey hairs.
For what blessing is there in knowledge if
it be poisoned by malice of the heart ? "
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 185
And then I ceased ; but no one an-
swered, and the young man busied himself
strenuously in the rubbing of his spec-
tacles. But I stood up and silently re-
peated the evening prayer, not forgetting
the three backward paces at conclusion of
the Eighteen Benedictions. And I slept
soundly through the night ; but in the
morning, when I awoke, lo, a woe and a
calamity had come upon me. For the
ringlets at the side of my head, the glory
of my temples and the badge of my piety,
had been shorn away to the roots ; and in
my girdle was stuck a fragment of paper
whereon were written these words for I
have had them expounded to me since :
" Ahasuerus, thou hast convinced me of
the error of my ways ; therefore, mindful
of what thou didst say, I have taken away
with me thy grey hairs to reverence them
at my leisure " ; and the message was
signed " Bierbauch, Student of the Theo-
logies." And then I stood up, for I was
left alone of all the company, and invoked
upon him all the tribulations of Hiob, and
all the imprecations which Balaam was not
permitted to utter against the children of
Israel, all these I flung forth against him ;
i86 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
and I doubt not that by this time his hands
have been stricken with palsy and the
sight has gone forth from his eyes. But
as to my ringlets, even now they have not
grown to their wonted length, and I fear
me they will never again sprout with their
ancient vigour, for I am an old man, and
the marrow in my bones is dried up, and
my sinews are brittle like stalks of straw.
But I will refrain from overmuch lamenta-
tion ; for it may betide that this missive
reaches thee on a Sabbath, and it would
be a sin on my head to move thy heart to
sorrow on such a day. Rather will I go
on to narrate what things further befell me
ere that I reached my appointed goal ; and
in all my doings I followed the admonish-
ings of Moshke, the glazier.
So when I came to Hamburg, which
was the place of my embarkation, I wended
my steps straightway to the ship ; and as I
was setting foot on the gangway, some one
tapped me on the shoulder and said a
quaint thing.
" Friend," he said, " thy Ten Command-
ments are dangling out behind thy back."
And when I looked round it appeared that
the fringes of my Four-corner Garment
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 187
were overlapping the nape of my neck.
And I bestowed them in their proper place,
laughing much at the folly and ignorance
of the Gentile. Then I passed on into
the hollow of the ship, and they showed
me a place where I was to abide during
the voyage ; it was dark and squalid, fitted
with narrow wooden chests along the wall
that looked like coffins : and I spat out in
deprecation of the thought. But I was
sorely afraid, for, as thou knowest, this was
my first adventure by sea. Presently I
heard a loud booming sound, that might
have been the bellowing of sea-monsters ;
and soon after the ship gathered itself up
and moved with a swinging motion from
side to side. And first it swung not more
violently than thou didst rock the cradle of
our daughter Leah when she was yet a
suckling ; but soon it staggered, seemingly
going two different ways at one time, until
it overleapt its balance, and turned round
and round upon itself, like a sleeper who
is tossed by evil dreams at night, so that
its flooring stood uppermost And then I
sat down upon my wallet, for my bowels
heaved and my gall-bladder crept up into
my throat. And I will give thee a token
i88 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
of the feeling that came over me. For
dost thou remember how thou clidst go
with the other folks of the town to witness
the hanging of the prisoners that were
taken in the time of the rebellion ; and
how there was a spell upon thine eyes, so
that thou couldst not turn them away from
the sight till the hanging was finished, and
the six of them swung dead and stark ?
And then thou didst fall to the ground in
a swoon, and for three days no food passed
thy lips, and for three days thou didst
vomit and retch, till I thought thou
wouldst cast forth thy very soul. Of
such a sort were my own sufferings during
those days ; and when I was reviving and
began to feel I was still a living man, on
the fourth night a storm arose that took
the ship in its strong arms and flung it
against the vault of heaven or thrust it
into the caverns of the deep. And in my
great fear I took my Pentateuch, and
opened it, and upon its pages I sprinkled
for a charm of the clean salt whereof I
had taken with me a supply, so that I
might not purchase of the Gentile, and I
repeated psalms in multitude, and espe-
cially that which says : " They that go
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 189
down in ships to the great waters, see the
wonders of the Lord." For what death is
there so horrible as to be devoured by the
leviathans of the sea? And bitterly I
regretted my improvidence in that I had
not stocked myself with a sack of Sacred
Earth that is dug from the soil of Pales-
tine. For how else was I to find my way
into the land of Canaan so it pleased God
to put an end to my days ? But it seemed
that on the Day of Atonement my name
had not been blotted out from the Book of
Life, so that I survived ; for after a while
the sea made its peace with God, and the
lightnings were quenched and the chariots
of the thunder were again fastened to their
staples. However, nothing further betided
till we ran into harbour ; but I vow upon
my life and health, not less glad was I to
leave the hollow of that ship than was
Jonah when the whalefish spat him forth
and he went to make prophecy unto the
people of Nineveh.
Yet it concerned me somewhat to note
that the day of my arrival was the second
of the week, even the day whereon our
sages say God created the Gehennom and
Lilith and all the children of evil ; and
190 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
perchance it may be for that cause that
my errand has not sped according to my
desire. And having gone on land, I was
even like unto the idols of the heathen, for
I had eyes and saw not, and ears and heard
not ; and I was stricken as to the under-
standing of all things around me. But
I chanced against a man of our own
race and tongue, who proffered me his
guidance unto the place of my destination.
But he premised that it was necessary I
should give him a piece of gold the equiva-
lent of ten roubles, not for his own especial
use and benefit, but because he affirmed
it was the custom of strangers that arrived
to bestow that sum upon the institutions
for the tending of the sick and the study
of the Sacred Writ. And I gave it, though
with much secret doublings of heart, and
he conducted me faithfully. But upon
inquiry I learned that there was no such
custom, and that the man had deceived
me. Now if he be in good earnest a
Student of the Law, I grudge him not the
money ; but if he be not, may it go towards
the healing of deadly sickness in his
household.
So then I came to Leyb Tchariner, the
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 191
aforesaid, the kinsman ; and beneath his
roof I tarried two days and two nights,
until the stiffness had departed from out
my limbs and I was rested. Then he
went out, and on my behalf he hired a
place of abode ; for he himself was greatly
straitened as to room, dwelling as he did
in three chambers with his wife and four
sons and three daughters. And here I
may note what thou wilt apprehend with
wonder, even as I marvelled at the thing.
For he has turned himself, for the earning
of his bread, unto the making of shoes
and other footgear, he that in his native
country followed the calling of corn and
wheat broker. But lest thou shouldst feel
grieved thereat, be it known to thee here-
with that in this country the constructing
of shoes and garments is not deemed an
indignity as it is with us, but that the
makers thereof are not considered inferior
to the scribes of books or to the keepers
of taverns ; and many of them, and justly
so, are advanced to posts of high honour
in the community. And further I have
here encountered sundry of my country-
men whom I never thought to set eyes
upon before the resurrection of the dead ;
192 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
chiefly there was Chayim, the bellows-
maker and tinker, who, as thou well
knowest, disappeared from our township
during the days that followed the con-
clusion of the Postanye, the revolution to
wit. And we all thought that he had been
conveyed to Siberia and had there died by
reason of his sufferings. And the manner
of his escape was as a miracle of God ; for
he was just about to issue from his house,
having it in his heart to flee the country
because of the suspicion attaching to him ;
and on the last step of his threshold there
suddenly came into his path two emissaries
of police. And one of them asked : " Art
thou Chayim Drontovar ? " for they knew
him not by person. And then God
breathed cunning and wisdom in his head
so that he made reply : "No, I am not
he ; but I left him this instant at his mid-
day meal with his family, and he dwells on
the third flooring." And then they de-
tained him no longer, and he lay hidden
all during the day in a heap of refuse, and
at night he escaped and came to this land.
And his wife Mariam, even she who was
flogged naked in the market-place to make
her divulge her husband's secret resort,
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 193
came at his bidding to this country after
she had recovered from the effect of the
scourging ; but she has now departed this
life, and the day whereon I met Chayim
was the second anniversary of her death.
And of one other I shall give thee tidings,
though he is not worthy that his name be
mentioned by mouths that utter words of
righteousness ; I speak of Lutke, the
glutton as he was called. I doubt not
thou rememberest him, a wild, dissolute
fellow that had no shame in the sight of
God or man ; and a marvel it is that
because of his deeds of evil and darkness
the sun became not blotted out in the
heavens. And finally, having filled full
the measure of iniquity, and being in great
straits for money, he went to the leader
of the Attrat, the reconnoiterers, that made
search in the forests for the insurgents
hidden there for this too happened in the
time of the rebellion and offered upon
payment to show a place where was con-
cealed great store of powder and shot and
much accoutrement. And having received
faithful promises of reward, he betrayed
the spot, and according to his word was
found much ammunition, which was carted
194 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
away to Wratislavik, so that the insurgents
were crippled of supplies and could not
carry on the war in that part of the
country. And he, to escape their wrath
for they would have flayed him alive went
back with the Attrat and sojourned among
the soldiers ; and thy sister's daughter has
told me how she saw him go past her
door unto the soldiers' mess and filled his
bucket at the common cauldron with the
rest. And one day he vanished ; but the
manner of my encountering him I shall
relate anon.
In this place I shall make utterance of
certain things that have come within my
observation and have filled my heart with
sorrow. For the people of our race
dwelling in this country are for the most
part of them by no means God-fearing.
Rather do they offend greatly against the
ordinances of our wise men. Thus it is
that few of the women, though they be
mothers of many children, wear the peri-
wig which is the sign of matronhood ; so
that they walk abroad with outstretched
necks and great luxuriance of hair-growth.
And again the young men, and many of
the elder too, shave the hair of the face
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 195
and go about smooth like hounds that
suffer with mange. Furthermore do they
shamelessly carry rain-screens upon Sab-
baths and festivals, though this is a city
that has no fortifications but lies open to
the country upon all four sides. But more
than this : they wear garments wherein
wool and cotton are intermingled a
heinous sin, and one for which there is no
forgiveness. Yet this is not all ; for I
have heard of an abomination that is
greater than the sum and aggregate of all
the others. There is here a House of
Prayer, rather should I call it a House
of Blasphemy, where youths and maidens
are gathered indiscriminately for the
chanting of hymns on the Sabbath, and
where a man makes music by breathing
into long tubes of iron, and the destruction
of our Sacred City is in no wise remem-
bered amongst these people. And having
been made aware of these things, straight-
way I eschewed also the drinking of milk,
for in the eating of flesh I have not
indulged since I left home. For in a land
where such desecration is tolerated, no
man is to be trusted for the purity and
fitness of food. And ever since I have
196 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
subsisted on the produce of the soil and
of trees and upon the meat of fish roasted
in oil, according to the manner and custom
of the country.
And now touching the matter of the
dowry. And upon this point I bear no
grudge against him whom we have
destined for our daughter's husband-
though he has rated himself highly, even
at the worth and value of five hundred
roubles to be given for a marriage-portion.
For he is a goodly youth, and master of
a handicraft ; nor shall it be with us as it
is with many, to whom their son-in-law is
as a yoke about the neck, since they must
give him food and raiment and sustenance
until he has learned to deal out his soup
with his own ladle. And further for
must it not be said ? our daughter is not
like other maidens, being stricken with a
limp in her tongue, so that her words
come haltingly and stumble one against
the other. And these things need the
sheen of money to cast a glamour over
the eyes of suitors. For that she can
repeat by heart three portions of Mishnah
what is it? It goes for nought in these
ungodly days. And as for the tribulations
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 197
that I have undergone or that are in store
for me on this matter, I make light of
them ; may they be taken for expiation
of my transgressions and turn aside unto-
ward punishment. Besides, is it not right
and fitting that in all joyous occasion
there should be some tinge of bitterness
to make us mindful that we are exiles and
abide in the midst of our adversaries ?
First, then, I had recourse unto our
townsmen that dwell in this city. And
of them there is no inconsiderable number,
nor indeed is there a region under the sun
whereof one or two inhabitants are not con-
gregated here nay, not excepting Sheol
and Tophet, for I have here seen stalking
about devils blacker than ebony as to their
skins and with many little horns of wool
upon their heads ; but their tails were not
visible, for the law of the land permits
them not to go unclothed. But the towns-
men, though they wished me well and
received me hospitably, are poor men with
scarcely a sufficiency of bread, nor do they
live like God in Frenchland, as the saying
is. So of them I could expect nothing.
Then acting upon their advice, deeming
it good, I went a different road. In this
198 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
city there are men of our race whom God
has blessed with riches passing the com-
putation of man ; they are said to eat from
golden platters and to cast aside a garment
after they have worn it but once. Now I
thought it impossible that they would with-
hold from dispensing of their bounty unto
me, a scholar and a poet from the crown
of my head unto the toes of my feet. So
then I sat me down, and with much labour
and application I indited epistles unto
them, setting forth their greatness and
telling them of my urgent necessity. And
the manner of my writing was such as no
man on earth has attempted before. For
in honour of the first man I composed an
acrostic showing the initial letters of his
name backward and forward, and with the
end letters I dealt likewise. And the
second epistle I wrote in the Aramaic
tongue, with interspersions of Chaldee ;
and yet in a third I contrived that every
seventh word should contain the sum total
of the man's name reckoned by Gematrya.
And various other and quaint devices of
word-play I designed. And my reason for
this was such that these men, coming
together at their banquets or in the House
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 199
of Learning, and falling upon me for a
topic, might say unto each other: "Clearly
he springs not from the people of the
soil, and his mind lingers not among
the commonplaces of thought, but ranges
boldly through the wildernesses and un-
trodden paths of conception ; he is a man
whom we must reward and honour for the
honouring of ourselves and the congrega-
tion." And in this expectation I waited ;
and having waited for the space of a week
I grew anxious and bewildered, for to all
my missives there was no response. And
I pondered many things, not knowing
what to conjecture. Could it be that the
messengers, whom they had entrusted
with the bearing of their gift, had seques-
tered the money for their own use, de-
frauding me of my due and portion ? But
Leyb Tchariner inclined to this opinion :
that my very wisdom had been my un-
doing, for that I had acted like a man who
has dug a well of more than common
depth for the obtaining of more copious
water ; but that the travellers from whom
I expected reward for my toil, being men
of despatch and haste, nor having sufficient
length of chain to their own pitchers and
200 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
disdaining to use another's, had hurried on
without a second glance. And perhaps it
was as he said ; and as time went on and
I heard nothing, I lost heart and set my
thoughts in another direction, for I per-
ceived that my affairs were going the
crab's walk, that is, rearward and not
forward.
And thereupon I bethought myself to
set up a school for the teaching of our
sacred tongue and for the instruction of
youths in their portion of Holy Writ. But
it proved a sore burden unto me, for the
boys were unruly and troublesome, and
neither were they attentive in their tasks
nor in the payment of the lesson-money.
And it chanced, unfortunately, that most
of them were the children of Littvaks, and
spoke a dialect unlike my own, which is
Polish ; and thus they said " Sibboleth,"
and what should be " hee " was " hoo " in
their mouths. For this reason I was a
mockery unto them, and one day they all
by concert brought certain engines which
they made to explode about my feet with
sparks of fire and a loud reverberation.
And upon that I fled from the chamber,
nor have I returned amongst them to this
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 201
day, for fear they might do me some
bodily hurt. And in this extremity a plan
entered into my head, hazardous in the
accomplishing, but yet to be attempted.
I have spoken before of Lutke, the same
who turned informer ; and it was in my
heart to seek him, and reminding him of
sundry benefits wherewith I had benefited
him, and telling him that more blessed is
he who gives than he who receives, to
make appeal to him on my claim of clan-
ship. But when I told my project unto
the townsmen they laughed in derision :
" What ails thee ? Ask charity of Lutke ?
He will give the calves which his oxen
have borne him. Why, when we were
building our synagogue and sent to him to
make contribution towards the outlay, he
said he would not deny us his help, but
that he would give according to the deserts
of the case. And on the following day
there arrived a large casket, and our hearts
were glad, for we thought : surely herein
is some scroll of the Law, or some
embroidered curtain to hang before the
Ark ; but when we opened it, lo and
behold, it contained three mouldy bricks
and a block of worm-eaten wood curses
202 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
on the blasphemer ! Rather husband thy
dignity, and go not near him, lest he
should make thee to wallow in the gutter
of his abuse."
All this they said to me, but I did not
heed them, being of advice that he would
give ear to me though he had flouted the
others ; and besides, it benefits not a poor
man to be dainty in his enterprises.
So then I took a little boy for my guide,
having ascertained the man's abode. For
who knew it not? Had they not all gone
to look at the mansion wherein he dwelt,
and to marvel why in this world the sin-
ner is ever preferred to the righteous ?
And as for his wealth, they say it was
acquired by the sale of cast-off clothing,
and in other mysterious ways. Then
having entrusted our bodies to the afore-
mentioned contrivance that flies on the
wings of fire and smoke, we were con-
veyed a long distance, and that where
shall the marvels cease ? below the level
of the ground ; and the texture of sul-
phurous gloom and horror through which
it rushed was ripped into a thousand
fluttering shreds. And only at given
intervals did it rise to the surface, so
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 203
that our vitals might not swell to burst-
ing with the noisome vapours. But at last
we alighted and came to Lutke's house, and
I passed up the broad stairs of stone ; and
at my summons, straightway the doors
were opened by two sons of Anak, white-
haired and abruptly-clad as to their nether
garments. And they stopped and accosted
me. But their words were to me as the
babblings of popinjays, and I heeded
them not, crying with the full girth of
my voice : " Lutke ! Lutke !" And at the
sound he came forth, the man himself
for I knew him at once by the indenting
of the underlip where he had cleft it
against the kerbstone in a drunken mood,
and thou didst bandage it up with thine
own hand. Then he looked at me, with
an eye void of understanding, and said
certain words to his hirelings. And then
as I live, I tell thee no falsehood they
gripped me by the shoulder, and jostled
me, and thrusting me forth into the street,
they shut the door with great violence.
And so may the gate of Garden-Eden be
closed in his face I will not curse him
overmuch, for are not all Israel brothers?
Then it bitterly repented me of my fool-
204 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
hardiness, in that I had defied sager
counsel. I had eaten to the full of vexa-
tion of soul, and my eyes were downcast
with shame ; for the little boy had wit-
nessed all, standing by the outer gate,
and he would spread the tale are not
children's mouths like sieves, through
which their tongues trickle uncontainedly ?
But more than all, upon that journey I had
expended one silver coin and two large
pieces of copper, and my gain therefrom
was not worth the tail of a rabid dog.
And on my return I kept steadfastly to
my chamber, lest any one should feast his
eyes on my humiliation. But on the third
day a man, whose face I knew not, came
to me and spoke many words and privily.
And the import thereof was that for
several years there had not appeared in
this city a "Good Hebrew," and that the
inhabitants, at least those that belonged to
our faith, were swayed by many doubts
and misgivings, and that there was much
confusion in their households and private
affairs, and there was no one to give them
counsel or explain away their anxieties ;
that I, being versed in Kabbalistic lore
and having penetrated deeply into the
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 205
mysteries of heaven and earth, might fitly
take such office upon me ; and that there
was much profit in the venture both for
me and for him. Now the plan seemed
good in my eyes, and we agreed. And he
took upon himself the function of bedell
and herald unto me, and caused it to go
abroad that there had arrived a man of
God, and all who were harassed by some
trouble might come and he would salve
them. And straightway our door became
besieged by questioners. And Tyveles,
the bedell, stood in the outer chamber and
wrote the tablets and took the fee ; and
such as brought none or not sufficient he
drove away, and would not let them enter
the inner chamber where I sat and de-
livered responses. And those that came
were chiefly women maidens, past their
first youth, who would know if they were
ever fated to stand beneath the mar-
riage canopy ; mothers of ill-conditioned
children, seeking a remedy for the curse ;
and lastly, matrons of long standing unto
whom God had denied issue. To all these
I replied according to the judgment which
was in me. And this continued for several
days ; and in the night-time of each day
206 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
Tyveles would give me my share of the
payments. But though I had suspicion
that he gave not my due measure, I durst
not say aught, for he was a man of fierce
countenance and uncouth habits. At last,
however, sinister rumours arose, and one
day three men of accredited worth came
and testified against Tyveles, how that he
was an apostate, and had forsworn the
faith, and had for long years consorted with
the Gentiles ; nor could Tyveles gainsay the
accusers, for his falsehood lay manifest.
So then the three men took hold of him
and jostled him from the chamber with
blows and other ill-natured treatment. As
for me, I took upon myself a fast of three
days to expiate the pollution of contact
with the man. But mark how the evil
ever beget evil. For certain calumniators
rose up against me, saying that I had had
foreknowledge of the man's misdoings and
yet had taken him to my bosom and had
broken bread with him. And the report
gained credence, and thenceforth not a
shadow darkened my threshold ; even the
townsmen looked askance and mistrusted
me. Thus was I left to go my own way ;
and now the future lies dark before me, for
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 207
I know not unto which thing to betake
myself. And my only hope is, by abiding
here until the Great and Holy Days, which
is yet two gatherings of the moon, to be
chosen by one of the congregations to
recite the Law and hold solemn discourse
for the cleansing of their sins, for which
they will make me remuneration and offer
votive offerings on my behalf. And with
this money I shall return to my country,
and if it be not of the covenanted amount,
verily our son-in-law that is to be must
needs make an abatement thereon if he
have set his heart upon our daughter in
good sooth.
So then let this suffice thee for an ac-
count of me, and fear not, for the Lord
forsakes not those who keep His ordi-
nances. And these few precepts would
I have thee lay to heart in the ordering
of our household. As for the flesh which
is my perquisite from the congregation, let
it go towards the sustaining of thy life, so
that neither thou nor our daughter may
suffer hunger in the interval. But as for
the suet that goes with the portion, let it
be smelted and hawked about the town for
sale, and all that accrues therefrom let it
208 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
be laid by for the marriage. And if there
be difficulty in the congealing of the fat,
which might betide in this hot season,
I would counsel thee to dig holes in the
ground and therein to bestow it in covered
pans ; for it will meet with readier sale if
it be hard and brittle. And the spot fittest
for the bestowing methinks will be to the
north side of our courtyard, where stands
the great bay-tree that wards off the fierce-
ness of the sun by its branches. And
furthermore, in the feeding of our milch-
goat, see that thou segregate the night-
shade from the wholesome herbs, lest it
die as happened with the other ; and goat-
skin is a thing of small value, scarcely
fetching the price of a fur collar against
the winter. . . .
Glory be unto the Lord of Hosts !
Knew I not that He would not withdraw
His right hand from His beloved? This
very instant there has been given to me
thy second epistle which tells me glad
tidings. A thousand roubles, sayest thou ?
Ay, ay ! my heart leaps with joy, and my
voice is raised in psalmody and thanks-
giving. Surely it was God's own finger
that turned the wheel of the lottery so that
RABBI ELCHANAN'S QUEST 209
it stopped at the number of our billet. So
then I shall despatch my affairs in this city,
which are not considerable, and do thou
prepare for my home-coming. For I shall
follow close upon the heels and haunches
of this missive.
THE MORDECAI OF THE
SERFS
BY profession the two were " me-
shorrerim," which, of course, idio-
matically rendered, means " journeymen
synagogue minstrels " ; but for everyday
purposes of life we may call them
choristers. Of the two, Klotz sang bass,
and Avshalom tenor. Apart from this
difference, they were great friends ; their
hearts beat in concord, and they swerved
not from each other in truth or in false-
hood.
For the benefit of those who might wish
to adopt the calling, I shall here set forth
in more detail the scope and function of
such a "chorister." First of all you must
possess a voice to sing with a good one
of necessity, an excellent one by pre-
ference. Then you must gain admission
into the troupe of one of the "chazanim,"
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS 211
specifically "precentors," whose talents as
such are too great to be supported by one
single community, and who in consequence
give devotional performances on tour. For
instance, the proprietor of the choir to
which Klotz and Avshalom belonged was
Shaya Piper, whose headquarters were in
Tamalov, which is in Lithuania, and
whence he made choral incursions into
the country around. If you are a little
boy, you must take especial care lest you
should be kidnapped by a rival itinerant
company ; such things are not unknown
therefore lay my words to your soul. You
must furthermore be endowed with a versa-
tile digestion ; for each day you will be
quartered on a different household for your
dinner, and the fare ranges from roast
goose to herring and potatoes according
to the means or the meanness of your
hosts. If you have survived all this, you
either become an operatic star in an
American Reform Temple, or you marry
the precentor's daughter and inherit the
prestige and practice of your father-in-law.
At present, however, no such dreams
of glory filled the bosoms of Klotz and
Avshalom. Their hearts were heavy
212 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
within them, despite the fact that this
was the season of the " Feast of Lots,"
the joyous commemoration of Israel's
escape from the spite of Amalek, when
Haman and his sons were hanged on a
tree ten cubits high eleven according to
some authorities ; one might as well be
impartial in these matters of history.
" Who among them did this deed of
malice unto us ? " asked Klotz, with
reference to the cause of their affliction.
The two had been walking cross-country
for the last two hours, and by their rate of
walking it seemed they had a whole pur-
gatory of devils to walk out of themselves.
" I don't know," gasped Avshalom, on
whom the exertion was beginning to tell,
for he was not half as sturdy as his com-
rade " no one in particular, unless it be
Klumpka, the plate-licker ; but they all
hate us thee, because thou art good to
look upon and the maidens of the town
make much of thee ; and me, I know not,
unless it be because thou hast taken me
to thy bosom, after the manner of a brother,
and so I share their hatred as I share thy
love."
"The dogs!" growled Klotz. "All the
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS 213
plagues of Pharaoh into their vitals. I
never did one of them evil wittingly, for
I am not a man who burns down his
neighbour's house and steals his property
in the confusion ; but on me they had no
mercy, and would grow rich in my des-
poiling. Let us go back, Avshalom we
cannot run away from our calamity, unless
we walked all the way to Gehennom."
And upon their homeward journey their
minds harked back for the twentieth time
to the terrible scene of the morning, that
had turned the Sabbath for them into
a day of sorrowing. And this is what
had happened. It was towards the end
of the service ; the synagogue was filled
with the sound of praying-shawls being
folded up and with the opening and
shutting of seat-boxes, when a hush went
through the assembly, for the preceptor of
preceptors, the shining light of religion,
even Rabbi Gamaliel himself, had risen
from his seat and had stood before the
Sacred Ark and had lifted up his voice :
"A woe and a sorrow which mine eyes
have beholden will I relate unto you, my
masters. It befell on the fifth day of the
week, which was the Fast of Esther, that,
214 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
upon a certain report which had reached
me, I entered the dwelling-place of Shaya
Piper, the precentor, at the hour when all
his choristers were assembled, there to
make inquiries into the state of their
phylacteries and Four-corner garments.
As to the Four-corner garments, I found
that the rest were in fit condition, except-
ing that of Avshalom the tenor, whereof
the fringes appending thereto were too
short by half their ordained length, and
that of Yashko Klotz the bass, which was
none at all. And again what pertains to
the phylacteries, all the rest were in fit
condition excepting those of Avshalom
the aforesaid, whereof one of the head-
bands had been riven in twain, and those
of Yashko Klotz, whereof the scroll of
parchment had been removed from out of
the leathern arm-capsule. And I bowed
my head in affliction that this should be.
But as to these two who have defiled the
Name, I herewith decree, that during this
Feast of Lots it shall not be lawful to ask
them to join in the merrymaking, and that
they shall go sequestered from all the
congregation ; and furthermore, it shall
be forbidden to them to make the quest
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS 215
with their pyxes for the messenger-gifts
which it is customary to bestow upon this
season. Thus have I pronounced in my
wisdom and judgment, and unto this let
us say Amen."
The Amen was scarcely appropriate,
but as Rabbi Gamaliel had a habit of
never saying two words without clinch-
ing them with an " Unto this let us say,"
the congregation duly responded "Amen";
and Klotz and Avshalom, from sheer
stupefaction or from force of habit, joined
in the response. But the others knew
not from what cause they responded, and
said that not only were they heretics, but
also impudent faces.
Now, however, the full force of his
disgrace came home to Klotz, and his
bile seethed like a cauldron with the fire
of his anger. That there had been a
conspiracy he was sure. He knew that
most of his fellow-choristers were but
" righteousness clad in fur-skins," which
translated means " wolves in sheep's
clothing " ; for none of them kept the
appointed ordinances very strictly, and
the fact that they had come without blot
or blame from the ordeal of inspection
216 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
was something more than accident. It
was clear that some one had laid infor-
mation against him and Avshalom and
had warned all the others, so that they
were prepared. And so this misfortune
had come upon the two ; and a misfor-
tune it was, at least to Klotz for the
prohibition to quest meant a more serious
loss to him than appeared on the sur-
face. And now as he thought of the
gibes and mocking looks from which he
had fled and to which he was returning,
he tore at his hair, beat his bosom, and
said, "Woe, woe is unto me!"
"Let be," said Avshalom; "it is not
good to afflict thy soul more than need
be over this matter. The rascals
a black year upon them ! But the
time will come for our triumph. Be
patient."
"It will come but it must be soon,"
said Klotz, vehemently. " I had counted
on the money," he went on more gently,
"to send to my poor mother. She is a
widow, and old, and she will be sorely
in want, for I have sent her nothing
ever since the Good Days ; and then it
was no great matter."
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS 217
" I have two roubles and a half,"
suggested Avshalom.
"Which thou hast saved up in copecks
to buy a pair of boots therewith," broke
in Klotz. " No, little brother " and he
laid his hand caressingly on Avshalom's
neck " I will not take from my heart
to give unto my soul. But let me con-
sider my head is choking with thought.
I care not for other things only I can-
not think of her as starving," and his
strong voice shook a little.
So they trudged on without another
word till the chimneys of Tamalov hove
in sight. Klotz came to a sudden stand-
still.
"Answer me, Avshalom," he replied;
"whom of the villagers around dost thou
take to be the most stupid and ignorant ?
thou knowest the country."
"That is an easy question," replied
Avshalom, readily " those of Tarnagov,
without a doubt. Why, they are more
stupid than those of Chelm in Bohemia.
Dost thou not know the tale how at a
certain feast, whereat they all appeared
in white trousers, they got so heavy with
wine that they feared to rise from table
2i8 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
lest each should walk away on his neigh-
bour's legs ? "
" I have heard the tale," said Klotz,
" but I do not believe it it is merely in
a manner of speaking. Do they know
Russian dost thou think ? "
" Russian ! " echoed Avshalom, disdain-
fully ; "dost thou take them for scholars?
They understand no language but their
own ; and we can talk that no worse
than they unless thou countest the
grunting of their pigs and the bellowing of
their bullocks at the plough for a language."
" King Solomon understood the lan-
guage of many beasts and he was a
wise man," remarked Klotz.
" King Solomon understood because of
his wisdom, and they understand because
of their ignorance that is the differ-
ence," answered Avshalom.
"Once more," said Klotz "how far
is it thither?"
"Two swift horses it will take less than
three hours."
Avshalom wondered exceedingly at the
drift of these questions ; but Klotz did not
choose to be explicit, and in that case it
was no use pumping him.
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS 219
" Let us walk more quickly," he said,
resolutely; "and hold thy head high let
us not give the thieves cause to mock us
by slinking along like whipped curs. And
besides, I am hungry."
Avshalom said nothing, but wondered
still more at the change of voice in Klotz
and the look of determination almost of
exultation that flashed from his eyes.
What was in his mind?
The Sabbath was nearly over. On all
sides the people were streaming to the
House of Prayer, to hear the Book of
Esther being read and to execrate
Hainan's memory and make sport of
him in effigy. At the second corner they
saw Shaya Piper and his choristers
coming on in a body. Klotz did not
swerve an inch, but linked his arm in
Avshalom's and passed straight through
their midst, nor did he turn his head at
the gibes and laughter that broke from
them in his rear.
" Let them laugh," he said, quietly ;
" I think I shall prick a big hole
in their laughter and make it ring
hollow."
Avshalom looked puzzled.
220 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
"Are we not going to the synagogue?"
he asked.
" No," said Klotz, curtly "they might
ask us to sit on the mourners' seats ; and
besides, I have work to do that will be
best done while we are alone."
Avshalom was a little afraid. He did
not like missing the service, although the
choristers did not assist thereat ; but in
the hands of Klotz he was as clay beneath
the potter's thumb.
By now they had reached their place of
abode. It consisted of three rooms, one
of which was consecrated to Shaya and
his wife they had no children ; the
second served as a kitchen ; and the
third was a spacious hayloft, where the
choristers slept on trusses of straw or
anything that could be misconstrued into
a bed.
" Let us get something to eat first my
stomach is whining piteously," said Klotz.
But the " getting something " was more
easily said than done. Shaya's wife was
economical gossips called her miserly
and kept everything well under lock and
key. But at last they found half a Sabbath
loaf and five onions. Klotz devoured his
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS 221
share in silence, thinking busily all the
time.
"Ah," he sighed, regretfully, after he
had finished the last morsel, " glutton
that I am, if I had not eaten so quickly,
I should still be eating ; but blessed be
God that there is no more, for a full
stomach makes an idle brain. Let me
get to my task, for clearly Providence is
with me."
It was quite dark now, and three stars
had come out to convoy the departing
Sabbath ; but Klotz knew where the
tallow stumps from the synagogue can-
delabra one of Shaya's perquisites
were deposited. The way he set to
work was peculiar. He went into the
kitchen and there took a saucer of shoe-
blacking, which, by the infusion of water,
he converted into a make-belief for ink ;
then he found a splinter of wood, which
he sharpened into a stylus, and lastly
helped himself to a huge sheet that served
as fly-leaf to Shaya's Pentateuch. After
that he sat down at the table and wrote.
Avshalom looked over his shoulder in
silent wonder ; Klotz was covering the
paper with the letters of the Russian
222 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
alphabet in every possible combination
for what purpose Heaven only knew, for
Klotz was ignorant of the Russian tongue,
and had never got further in the study of
it than the shape of the letters. At last
the two pages were filled, and weary work
it had been, since it had worn away the
stylus to half its original length and the
patience of Klotz to its entire extent.
" There is just one thing more wanted,"
he said, looking with satisfied smile at his
handiwork.
He took one of the lighted stumps,
went up to the hay-loft, and in two
minutes came down again, carrying in
his hand a waxen seal large as a small
plate.
" Where didst thou procure that ? "
queried Avshalom, in awe at his friend's
resourcefulness.
" I tore it from Klumpka's slaughter-
certificate ; thou knowest he holds an
authorisation to kill cattle may he cut
his own throat by mistake ! " answered
Klotz, unconcernedly ; and with that he
heated the wax and glued it firmly on to
the paper in the empty space he had left
in the right-hand corner at the top. Then
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS 223
he held the document at arm's length ; it
was indeed a stately and imposing affair.
" So far so good," he said, folding it
up carefully and putting it in his pocket.
" And now if thou art still willing to trust
me with thy two roubles and a half till
to-morrow only till to-morrow," and he
looked inquiringly at Avshalom.
The latter needed no further bidding,
and Klotz took without a word of thanks
the tanned goat-bladder that served alter-
nately for purse and tobacco-pouch. These
mutual accommodations were a matter of
course.
" And now we must go to Chatzkel, the
huckster, and see if we can find there
what we want," said Klotz.
This particular Chatzkel for his name
is legion kept a sort of co-operative
store, and boasted that in his shop one
could purchase everything from tin-tacks
to atoned transgressions, as he quaintly
put it. Otherwise he was not a bad sort
of fellow, and did many a little act of
kindness in odd times and in odd places.
Klotz and Avshalom sallied out into
the streets, and from every side there
came upon their ears the sound of high
224 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
revelry. Here and there they met with
strange apparitions, boys and men in
grotesque disguises the masqueraders of
the Jewish carnival. Avshalom's eyes
followed them enviously into the houses,
and he clenched his fist at the redoubled
laughter that followed the maskers' entry.
From all these joys he was an outcast. But
Klotz made no sign at what he heard and
saw. Chatzkel was behind his counter as
they entered.
" I cannot give you anything ; it is for-
bidden by the Rabbi's edict," he greeted
them.
" I have not come for a gift, but for a
loan," said Klotz, quietly.
" I only lend on deposit," returned
Chatzkel.
" That, too, I have foreseen here is
money " ; and Klotz displayed the vast
amount of wealth which was his on trust.
" H'm, it depends ; what do you re-
quire ? " asked Chatzkel.
"If you have them," said Klotz, as if
he were asking for an ounce of pepper,
" I want a general's uniform, with cloak
and medals ; further, two false beards and
a postilion's hat."
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS 225
Chatzkel opened his eyes wide, and
Avshalom nearly jumped out of his skin.
He had thought they were going there
to get a bottle of brandy and some honey-
cake to make a little feast of their own.
But all these absurdities what were they
for ? Was Klotz mad ?
" I know not what is the purpose of
your disguise, nor how it will avail you,"
said Chatzkel, thoughtfully, after a while ;
"but if I have the things, you can take
them and leave your money for a pledge."
So they followed him to his magazine,
and he rummaged among the litter and
the neatly-stacked bales, and behold !
did fortune favour them, or was Chatzkel
really a great and wonderful man ? the
articles were there. " What was there
not ? " as Chatzkel said, wiping his fore-
head, that shone with pride and perspira-
tion. But he did not tell them why he
was so good to them that it was because
he himself led a joyless, kinless life, and
therefore could feel for them in their lone-
some wretchedness.
" Stay with me this evening," he said,
as he helped them making up their
packages.
16
226 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
" I thank you, but I cannot ; I am tired,
my limbs feel all broken," replied Klotz
"and besides, it is not lawful."
" Ah, I forgot," said Chatzkel, with a
sigh, as he watched them out into the
darkness. But he kept the money.
"They will be glad of it afterwards," he
thought to himself. "Who knows? they
might have gamed it away or spent it
unworthily."
It was about ten o'clock when they
reached home again. "We must get to
bed straight away," said Klotz, "for we
must be up early in the morning."
Avshalom was nothing loth ; he was very
tired so tired, in fact, that he could not
take the trouble to ask why Klotz fetched
the stable-key that lay under Shaya's pillow
and put it into his pocket ; nor why Klotz
placed the two straw-sacks on which they
slept nearest to the door. Their bundles
they had bestowed in the penthouse out in
the courtyard, wherein Shaya's wife kept
her geese for fattening from Tabernacles
until the Festival of Lights.
The scent of the dawn was in the air
when the others returned. They were
none of them too steady about the legs,
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS 227
and as they stumbled up the staircase to
the hayloft, guffawing and chattering, Klotz
and Avshalom started up from their sleep.
" Look at them," jeered Klumpka, hold-
ing the candle over them, " where they
lie in their beauty, David and Jonathan
they are dreaming of the riches they will
gather to-morrow," and the others laughed.
But the two gave no sign that they heard,
and Klotz smacked his lips and threw back
his head as was his habit to do during
sleep.
And presently Klumpka got tired of
his jeering and lay down. Klotz nudged
Avshalom and whispered, " Keep awake,
for as soon as they are asleep we shall go
forth." And in another half an hour they
got up quietly and stole down. They had
to pass through Shaya's room ; he heard
them and sat up in bed.
" Who goes there ? " he cried.
"It is I, Klotz and Avshalom," was
the answer in humble tones; "we are
going to the Midrash- House, there to read
in the Sacred Writ."
"There ye do well," yawned Shaya, " it
will turn your minds to good, ye sinners in
Israel, and may God pour grace and con-
228 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
trition into your hearts. No wonder evil
dreams visit me at night ; to think I have
been sleeping all this time with two pair of
desecrated phylacteries hanging over my
bed" for that was the regular place for
the articles in question, so that they might
serve as security against their owner's
decampment.
Klotz quickly led the way to the pent-
house, took up the bundles, and then
passed on into the silent street down
towards the shed that served for Shaya's
stable ; it stood half a mile beyond the
town, but it was well protected, for the
lock-chain was huge and massive, and the
gates well fastened with clamps and rivets
of iron. Avshalom followed drowsily,
grumbling at his comrade's strange pro-
ceedings. Klotz quickly opened the gate
and passed in.
" Don't stand there shivering, sleepy-
head," he cried; "help me pull out the
waggon and harness the horses it will
warm thee up."
In about ten minutes the conveyance
stood ready. The waggon was large and
roomy, the bottom littered with clean straw,
with hurdles ribbing the length of both
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS 229
sides, and the two horses were strong and
serviceable. Shaya used them to convey
his company from place to place during
his professional peregrinations.
Avshalom looked from the horses to
Klotz and at last asked the question that
had been trembling on his lips.
" Thou art not going to sell them ? "
" No, simpleton, I am not a thief," came
the indignant reply ; "we shall bring them
back before it is time to groom and fodder
them ; and now for our disguise."
It did not take him long to don his
uniform ; it was big enough to go over his
own clothes, and made him look stalwart
and broad-shouldered ; and the cloak hid
the folds that hung loosely in the back.
Avshalom put on his postilion's hat and
tucked his trousers into the shafts of his
top-boots. And when they were ready
Klotz jumped up and seized the reins, and
away they went over the hard frozen ground ;
it was towards the end of February and the
cold held the world with an iron grasp.
" Now wilt thou tell me what hare-
brained idea thou art harbouring ? " asked
Avshalom, getting seriously alarmed as to
the outcome of their venture.
230 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
They had gone a good way already, and
Klotz had talked about this and that and
nothing at all.
"Willingly," he answered, "for we must
concert our plans so that there may not be
a hitch."
And then he told what it was in his
heart to do ; and as Avshalom listened his
limbs began to shake, and he would have
turned white if the cold had not already
turned him blue.
"Thou madman," he said, through his
chattering teeth ; " we shall be discovered
and they will tear us to pieces."
"Thou art very stupid," remarked Klotz,
indifferently; "have we not been through
worse things before ? hast thou forgotten
how we escaped the recruiters at Ulsk ? "
And then he gradually managed to talk
a little courage into his faint-hearted ally ;
and what his persuasion failed to do was
effected by a certain bottle of good size
and better contents : Klotz had found it in
the tail pocket of his uniform for Chatzkel
had thought that smuggling a gift did not
come within the rabbinical edict. And so
they went on, past the turf-stacks of
Bavarak, past the flour-mills of Diabritz,
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS 231
past the cattle-pens of Vorshk. And be-
tween the admonitions of Klotz and the
ministrations of the bottle, Avshalom be-
guiled the time in mumbling benedictory
psalms on their enterprise. At last they
caught sight of the birch-forest, the out-
posts of which skirted the houses of
Tarnagov, their destination. Klotz now
put the reins into Avshalom 's hands and
told him to drive at break-neck speed. So
they rattled with tremendous clatter through
the high-street, while every window flew
open, and craning necks and gaping mouths
protruded in multitudes. They pulled up
at the tavern, and at the sound two ostlers
rushed out. Avshalom jumped down and
stood holding the horses' heads.
" Help his Excellency to alight," he
whispered to the two men ; " our state-
carriage broke a wheel, and we had to
come on in a ladder-cart. My master bears
important despatches from St. Petersburg."
But Klotz grandiosely waved aside their
assistance, as though he did not like them
to lay hands on him, and got out with
much ceremony and circumstance.
" What, is there no one here to receive
a messenger of the Government ? " he
232 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
roared, pulling himself up to his full height,
which exceeded that of an ordinary man.
And without further ado he strode towards
the house, closely followed by Avshalom.
On the threshold they were met by the
host, hot and breathless. " Pardon your
honour," he said, " I was kennelling my
bloodhounds they are very fierce to-day,
and the horses
Klotz stopped him with a wave of the
hand. " I cannot have long speeches, for
I am in haste," he said ; "let the town-crier
go out and bid all the heads of families
assemble here within the hour, and let
those that cannot come send their proxies.
I bear an imperial rescript."
"Your will shall be done," said the host,
bowing low, for he was struck with awe at
the stranger's voice and demeanour.
Klotz sat down by the chimney fire in
solitary grandeur, while Avshalom stood
whispering with the host, and told him
what Klotz had enjoined him to say. And
sure enough, in a little time the tavern
began to fill with peasants for this was
Sunday, and Klotz had taken that into
account ; and they all stood in the furthest
corner casting anxious, sidelong glances
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS 233
at him, while Avshalom went amongst
them and spread the tale of his master's
greatness. More and more peasants came,
and a hum of eager excitement surged
through the crowd. What was going to
happen ? What were they going to hear ?
Was there some new oppression, some new
disability to be laid on them in addition to
those beneath which the poor serfs already
groaned? And each man looked anxiously
at his neighbour.
At last the host came forward on tiptoe
and whispered, " My lord, we are as-
sembled."
Then Klotz got up leisurely, threw back
his cloak, so that all could see the glitter
of his sham stars and crosses, and stood
eyeing them disdainfully ; slowly and de-
liberately he unfolded his document, lifted
his cap, and reverently kissed the great
seal.
"In the name of the Czar," he began,
and that glorious deep voice of his seemed
to travel into the caverns of the earth,
and thence to reverberate with redoubled
volumes of sound ; and a tremor quivered
through the assembly. " Whereas we have
decreed, in our great mercy and in our all-
234 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
pitiful goodness of heart to seek the welfare
of the peoples under our dominion : it shall
be established henceforth as a law and a
statue unto all ages that servitude shall
cease amongst our subjects, and that every
man shall be master of his body and his
chattels and all that appertaineth unto
him ; and that it shall not be lawful for any
Lord of Manor to claim tithe and tribute
of him, and the strength of his sinews shall
no more be expended in tilling the feudal
lands, but he shall be permitted to husband
his own, and to reap the labour of his
hands in his own garner and his own
threshingfloor. And this shall obtain
throughout the length and breadth of our
rule. And herewith we send messengers
to proclaim the good tidings unto all such
whom it shall benefit even in the tongue
that is severally understanded of them ;
and we have set upon it the warranty of
our Great Seal. Furthermore we make
known that whosoever shall suffer violence
or encroachment upon these rights, unto
him it shall be given to vindicate them
with might and main, even to the wielding
of arms. And in token of this we authorise
our messengers to enact a liberation-tax of
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS 235
one-half silver rouble per head of family
to augment the exchequer of the empire.
Long live the Czar."
Such was the term of the proclamation ;
and for some time after the reading the
heavy hand of surprise lay on the mouths
of the listeners and kept them mute ; then
there came little ebullitions of sound that
were like the wind that rasps through the
trees and tells that the thunder is coming.
But it did not suit Klotz that their feelings
should find vent ; it was best that their
thoughts should remain cumbered down by
their unuttered amazement. So in business-
like tone he continued :
" Silence all : quick, host, get me pen
and paper for my portfolio was left in my
carriage so that I may write down the
names of all who seek enfranchisement ;
for these are to be registered in the archives
of the land to be a charter to them and
their children and their progeny afterwards ;
and forget not the tax."
Then there began a crush and commo-
tion to get to the table where Klotz was
seated, each one striving to be the first
enrolled on the list of the emancipated ;
and those who had no money on the spot
236 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
either borrowed it from their friends or
loaned it from the tavern-keeper on security
of rings and snuff-boxes and suchlike. For
it had come at last, the blessed hour of
freedom for which they had pined and
whined ; now they would know what life
meant ; now they could drink one half the
time and idle half the other, whilst their
wives saw to the potato crop and tended
the pigs it was glorious. And the tax-
it was that which proved the genuineness
of the rescript. Was there ever a rescript
issued for good or ill whereto there did not
hang an impost ? So Klotz wrote down
the name and trade of each man in his
turn, and Avshalom raked in the money ;
his fingers trembled a little no doubt on
account of the cold. At last it was all
over, and Klotz got up, stretched himself
mightily, and said, " Brothers for we are
that now, brothers and peers I must
hasten on to carry the good news further ;
and when my carriage comes here tell my
servants to seek me on the road to Minsk.
Let us go," turning to Avshalom ; "health
and great riches upon you all."
With that they passed out, and every-
body stood out of their way with deep
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS 237
obeisances, and one or two made even bold
enough to print a kiss on the corner of the
mock-messenger's cloak.
" Drive hard, for the love of Heaven,"
whispered Klotz ; for now that his object
was accomplished he felt his heart falling
between his feet, and his blood was con-
gealed into clots with fear. But as he put
his foot on the axle a loud shout was heard
and a man came running towards them
frantically. Klotz and Avshalom turned
pale and looked at each other.
" For mercy's sake," panted the man,
when he came near, " do not go before
you have added my name. I was belated,
and my brother came to seek me lest I
and my household should remain in servi-
tude when all the others went free."
Klotz waited a moment, till his own
breath went steady again. " What is thy
name ? " he asked, severely.
" Ivanov Shleutra, and I am the carrion-
carter of this place, your honour."
" Ivanov," continued Klotz, "thou shalt
go free like the rest, but for thy remiss-
ness the penalty shall be one whole rouble
over and above the half."
And that was a rouble on which they
238 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
had not reckoned ; but they thought that
it was more hardly earned than all the
rest put together. And the whole amount,
as they counted it, came to seventy-three
roubles and a half, not to mention the four
coins that were spurious. But they did
not laugh till they were again well on the
road to Tamalov ; they had doffed their
disguises long ago, and when finally they
had restored the horses and vehicle to
their proper abode, then only was it that
they felt the rock of anxiety lifted from off
their bosoms.
They had met nobody, for it was the
hour of the midday meal, and no one
stirred abroad lest he should be cheated
out of his portion of the three-cornered
meat-dumplings that were the speciality
of the day. So they walked on to Shaya's
house, while Avshalom now and then
peeped sideways at his companion, like a
mortal who had long sojourned with a
god and knew it not.
When they came in, dinner was finished,
and all the choristers were there for
Shaya had behaved handsomely and had
feasted them at home that day ; and now
they sat, each for himself, taking stock of
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS 239
the money which that morning's questing
had brought him. The harvest had been
but scanty. Some had taken no more
than two roubles ; but Klumpka had
managed to obtain three roubles twenty
copecks and a big bruise on the right side
of his forehead. How he came by that
was not known ; later on it was current
that he had climbed to the garret of a
poor bedridden cripple, whence he would
not depart till the indignant neighbours
pitched him downstairs. Klumpka denied
the report but then, why was he called
the " plate-licker " ?
" Here come the Korahs, the wealthy
men," he jeered, as he caught sight of
Klotz and Avshalom ; " where have ye
quested ? In the House of Everlasting
Life among the tombstones ? "
"Yes," said Klotz, "the dead are
generous they have given me richly ;
listen," and he jingled the silver in his
pocket. "Why, I can even afford to give
thee five copecks to buy a plaster for thy
bruise," and he threw the coin at his feet.
"Thou hast stolen it," screamed
Klumpka.
"Then wait till the robbed comes and
240 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
makes complaint," answered Klotz, and
busied himself among the scraps and bones
that remained from the meal ; he was
content, for he knew that his mother
would have better fare for many a day
to come.
Now in this adventure of Klotz there
were several things that gave cause for
wonder. First of all the choristers won-
dered what danger it was that Avshalom
had escaped so that he offered public
thanksgiving for his deliverance and
paid a rouble in token of his sincerity ;
and further, where he had obtained the
rouble. Then Abihu, Shaya's groom,
wondered why, when he came to tend
the horses, he found them so broken-
winded. Furthermore, Klumpka won-
dered who it was that had torn the seal
from his slaughter-certificate. Again, the
whole province wondered what spirit of
madness had come over the peaceful
peasantry of Tarnagov, that they should
refuse their serf-labour when called upon
to do so by the overseers and taskmasters,
so that the police had to come with staves
and blunt bayonets to force them to their
toil and stop them babbling about rescripts
THE MORDECAI OF THE SERFS 241
and emissaries and liberty charters. And
finally Klotz and Avshalom wondered
what manner of Providence it could be
that turned the evil which man designed
against man into a source of blessing and
augmentation.
"WHOSE JUDGMENT IS
JUSTICE"
While the heavens stand firm, to the world's last term
Shall be the three things that were from the start :
The word of God His chastening rod,
And the suffering-strength of a woman's heart.
Saying of the Fathers (interpolated).
" A ND thou weepest because thou hast
\. lost a child that was not even yet
a weanling ? And therefore thou walkest
here in solitude by the edge of the lake,
wringing thy hands and crying aloud in
the bitterness of thy heart ? Ah, blessed
are the young in their strength ! Seest
thou not how thou art blessed in being
strong to wash the sorrow from thy soul
through the floodgates of the eyes ? But
in us that are old the sluices are weary
with flowing, and therefore the grief
remains unmoved, and lies heavy as a
stone ; and by reason of its endurance
242
"WHOSE JUDGMENT IS JUSTICE" 243
it becomes as part and parcel of our lives,
so that we would not grow rid of it, even
if we could. Therefore I begrudge thee
not thy tears ; but lest thou shouldst arraign
Heaven and thereby bring sin upon thy
head, I would have thee remember that
whomsoever God loves He chastises. And
me He has loved very much. Have I not
lived to the age of sixty and I know not
how much over and have I not been
stricken very hard ? One child thou didst
lose, and one that had not learned to bite
with its teeth ? But I have lost four
that were long past the pitfalls of infancy,
and were like to grow up as cedars of
Lebanon. But the great woodcutter,
which is the Angel of Death, cut them
down two of them singly and two of
them at one stroke ; for at that time he
was in great haste, and worked busily
with his hands. So while we sit here in
the cool of the evening, let me tell thee
the tale of my four children ; but do thou,
my daughter, on no account remit thy
weeping.
"One son I had, and his name was
Isaac what am I saying? nay, it was
Benjamin, of whom I must tell thee first.
244 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
He had grown to be thirteen, and already
I was casting about my eyes among the
maidens of the place to choose him a wife.
Verily, he was a lad who might be a joy
to his mother, and right willingly did he
take upon himself the burdens of the
household ; for his father had gone betimes
to prepare places for us all in Paradise.
And this was the period of the Cantonists.
What, thou knowest not of the Cantonists?
Ah, I forgot that thou comest from afar,
even from across the frontier, and the tale
of them has not reached thy ears. Nor
indeed is it fit for the ears of women, for
it is a tale of darkness and misery and the
rending of hearts. But for the purpose in
hand it must needs be told thee at length
and with a full mouth.
"It was in the time when Nicolai ruled
over the land, and his councillors put an
evil thought into his mind, like the thought
of Pharaoh when he set his heart on the
harassing of the children of Israel. And
was there not sufficient of tribulation
before ? God knows all things, and
whom He loves He chastises. And
this, then, was the evil in the matter
of the Cantonists. For the heads of the
"WHOSE JUDGMENT IS JUSTICE" 245
provinces and the governors of the towns
and the mayors of the villages looked
with jealous eyes on our people, how
their offspring waxed great by the blessing
of God unto Abraham. And therefore
they said craftily to one another :
" ' Let us lay hands on the little children
which are the roots of a nation growing
into and strengthening the bulk of the
trunk.'
" And then there was issued an edict
which provided that youngsters ranging
from the age of eight to fifteen, which is
implied in the meaning of the word since
thou knowest not the language should be
taken from the homesteads of their birth
and scattered about the country.
" Now this was the method of the taking.
Over each village there was set a warden,
and chiefly he was a man of our own faith,
for he had most cognizance of the families
of his brethren. And from this warden it
was required that when called upon he
should furnish boys from the children of
the congregation to the number that was
named. At first the people understood
not this plague that had come upon them ;
but when presently one child was kid-
246 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
napped and then another, and the calamity
spread abroad, then indeed there rose a
wail of sorrow that might have shook the
gates of heaven. But the heavens are
planted upon firm foundation, and there-
fore they did not fall and crush the
heads of the evildoers. And mostly there
suffered the poverty-stricken, for they
could give no gifts to make propitious
to them the hearts of those that held this
matter in hand ; and so when a rich man's
son was named for a victim, his father
would go and prevail by bribery, so that
there was a substitute. And surely there
must be some great dispensing of God's
favour upon this generation, that their eyes
behold not what ours saw in those days.
For our village lay full in the route of the
children's journey ; and they came in
bodies of hundred, with the riders at
their side and in their back and the
riders bore kantchouks in their hands
that lay not idle. And through each
rank there ran a leathern thong for a
tether, fastened to the sleeve of each,
lest at dark of night any should escape.
For they marched day and night, huddled
in their long mantles of raw hide that
"WHOSE JUDGMENT IS JUSTICE" 247
trailed over their feet and made them to
stumble ; and whenever they slept it was
by the roadside or in the ditches, so that
their garments were caked with muddy
slime, unless the season was frosty and
the ground stiff and unyielding. But from
every hundred that went forth barely two
or three returned ; and that was because
their hands and feet were bitten useless
with the cold and their hearing was
numbed so that they heard not. As
for the rest, this was the fate that befell
them. They were penned up like cattle
in stables until creeping sores and diseases
fastened upon them from want of food
and storing room. Now those for whom
there was hope of recovery, they were
given to the peasants for the tending of
their swine, and the yoke was laid upon
them to draw furrows like oxen ; and
twelve of them went to one ox. But as
for those that were rotten to the core
and in whom the cancers had eaten
the flesh to the bone, for these were
built large wooden sheds, and an opiate
was mixed in their food. And at night,
when they slept, there were lighted great
trusses of wet straw, whereof the fumes
248 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
penetrated the chinks, and during their
sleep was their innocent life choked out
of them. What, thou dost not believe ?
See, I am near to the end of my days, and
what would I gain by accusing my fellow-
creatures idly ? But these things happened
as I have said, nor did I see a windmill
where there was but a cow ; rather have
I been niggardly in my setting forth, for
there are many to whom the memory of
this still comes as a nightmare in the
broad of the day. And each time when
a troop had passed through, the parents
would look at each other with leaden eyes,
and turn their faces from their children ;
but in those days many a beard of brown
whitened into snow overnight. Such,
then, is the story of the Cantonists, and
I had a son Benjamin.
"Now thus far I had escaped the visita-
tion. And I knew not to what to ascribe
my good fortune, unless it was because of
my sister, who had now been a faithful
servant for twelve years at the house of
the Davoustchik, which is the Warden.
And seemingly at her entreaty, my son
Benjamin had remained exempt. But the
time came when for the great part the
"WHOSE JUDGMENT IS JUSTICE" 249
available youngsters had been despatched,
and there were left behind only the chil-
dren of the wealthy, and the children of the
Warden and of his kinsfolk, and the child
that was mine, even my son Benjamin.
" And one night my sister came bringing
me word that there was at last no thrusting
off the impending doom, for that the kid-
nappers were ordered to seize my son
Benjamin on the morrow. Yet though
the dismay was great in my heart, I did not
fold my arms idly, making no attempt to
wrestle with fate. For of furtively slipping
away there was no question, since the issues
of the place were watched ; but in my head
there had been ripening a plan against the
emergency. Therefore at dead of night
I awoke my son for he slept soundly in
ignorance of the danger and told him
what there was to be done. And the boy
looked up at me wildly and said :
" ' Mother dear, I am afraid.'
" And then I urged him again, saying
that there was no other outlet from the
disaster, and that all must be staked on
this throw. Thus we sat during the night,
and his arms clung about my neck and
there was a trembling through all his body.
250 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
But towards the morning he grew calmer
and at last he said :
" ' Mother dear, if this must be done,
then I shall not resist, for I cannot bear
to see thy grief; but I am afraid afraid
unto death.'
"And then in all haste I took a linen
sheet from my couch, and placed two chairs
for a trestle, and laying my son Benjamin
thereon, I covered him with the sheet ;
and further, I lit two candles and set them
on the floor near his head. So then we
waited ; and after some time of waiting I
heard the kidnappers outside, and rushing
to the door I flung it open with a loud cry.
" ' You have come too late my son
Benjamin died at the rising of the sun ;
look where I have laid him out for burial.'
" And one of the men there were two
said according to the formula, ' Blessed is
He whose judgment is justice.' And then
he shouldered past me, for I dared not
prevent him, and strode up to the chairs
and lifted a corner of the sheet ; and turning
to the other he said, ' She speaks truth ; we
have come too late he is dead.'
" Then he passed out, and on the thresh-
old I caught his hand and quickly pressed
"WHOSE JUDGMENT IS JUSTICE" 251
therein a silver coin, for that he had borne
me out and had saved my son Benjamin.
And the man looked at me with big eyes
and said nothing. And then I watched
them passing down the street, giving praise
to God for my deliverance, and thinking
quickly that I should have an empty coffin
taken from my house, and conceal my son
Benjamin in his chamber till I might
smuggle him away into safety. And at
last, when the men were out of sight, I
flew to the boy, and snatched off the
covering and called him ; but he slept
on, worn out with the watching of the
night. And then I shook him, and kissed
him on the mouth and at that his jaw
fell, and I saw what I saw. And the
coffin that went from my house was not
empty. Aye, blessed be He whose judg-
ment is justice. But what is this ? I
charged thee to weep, and yet thy tears
come less plentiful for thy child that was
not even a weanling.
" And now let me tell thee of my
daughter Esther, that went by the name
of Hadassah, the myrtle, because her
breath was as a fragrance and the bloom
lay on her face summer and winter ; and
252 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
her full tale of these was fifteen. And to
all her lovers who asked her in marriage
she gave one answer : ' I shall not
go from under my mother's roof; for
since my brother Benjamin died there is
no one to bring grist to the mill, so that
she and the two little ones ' meaning the
two youngest, that were twin ' may not
go hungering.'
" Now the manner of our occupation
was the growing of herbs and vegetables,
which she went to sell in the houses of
the town. But there was none that paid
with more liberal hand than the Galach,
I say the village priest, an old man and
pious and walking in the fear of God.
And about this time he died, and there
was put in his place a young man, a
wolf in sheep's clothing, who wrought evil
things in secrecy. And the third time my
daughter went to his house she returned
with flaming cheeks :
" ' Mother, the Galach has reminded
me that I am a woman grown.' And
thereafter it was I who carried him the
produce of our field. And often he made
inquiry after my daughter with feigned
kindliness, though 1 knew it was with no
"WHOSE JUDGMENT IS JUSTICE" 253
good purpose ; nor was there once that he
passed my house without spying into the
doorway. And one day he entered, asking
me, ' Have you perchance seen a spaniel
of mine that has gone astray ? ' And just
then my daughter came in, and he said
further :
" ' Behold, I went out to seek a hound,
and instead I have found a Rose of
Sharon.'
And thereon she answered rashly and
without wisdom :
" ' The thing that you find had liefer be
a hound than a Rose of Sharon.'
"And he bit his lip, and, looking her
full in the face, he said, ' So even the
Roses of Sharon have thorns that sting ?
Yet none the less are they desirable for
culling.' And so he continued harping on
the word in terms of insult.
"And that was not the only time, for
after that he came often to the house, and
I had not the courage to gainsay him
entrance ; and further, I besought Esther,
if she could not hie from the chamber in
time, to show him courtesy and meet
cunning with cunning. But what could
two women avail against him who wrought
254 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
by the aid of Satan ? And when my
daughter disappeared, just as a stone is
dropped into a well, even then he came
and asked for her presence ; and when I
told him she was not, he laughed at me
in my distraction, and said :
" ' You have hidden her for fear of me,
and that is unkind of you, for I am a
man of God and would do wrong unto
no living thing.'
"And he said it so speciously that for
long time I was swayed by doubt whether
his ignorance was feigned or true, in the
meantime making diligent inquiry in the
neighbourhood, and enjoining the fishers
to give heed when they dragged the river
for fish. And the time passed on without
tidings.
" But after some weeks the priest came
to me saying, ' You did right to bewail
your daughter. I have this day come
from Warsaw, and there I have seen the
Rose of Sharon trailing in the mud of the
gutters, beneath the light of the lanterns ;
and her name is a byword in every tavern
for ten miles around.'
" And from that I knew that he lied, for
at Warsaw, in the old cemetery, her father
"WHOSE JUDGMENT IS JUSTICE" 255
lies buried, and she would not dare to do
evil in a place where his soul could lay its
finger on her as she passed. And, more-
over, I knew now that the priest had a
hand in her vanishing.
"So I bided my time, and one day,
having watched him depart on his con-
veyance, I went to his house, there to
converse with the old woman who tended
his kitchen, and I took with me a slice of
honey-cake and a bottle of raisin wine in
strong fermentation.
"'There, Katrinka,' I said, 'I have
brought thee a gift that will please thee
the cake is soft and needs no teeth-grinding,
and the wine will run like fire through thy
body.' So then we sat talking, and I plied
her cautiously with questions ; and at last
the wine loosed her tongue, and she spoke.
'Aye, aye,' she said, 'it is a dreary life
and solitary I lead here since the old priest
died, for my new master has much business
abroad and is no stay-at-home; but latterly
he goes often to the convent of Tchen-
stochov, doing good service to a novice,
and curing her of the devil that is strong
within her.'
" And then I knew where I had to seek
256 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
for my daughter ; and having awaited the
priest's return, and also having bestowed
my two other children with an affinity of
mine, I set out for the convent, two days'
journey on foot, for perchance God would
show me a way to wrest her from her
adversaries. And on the way I stained
my teeth with saffron and my hands and
face with walnut, so that I might go
unknown ; and further, that I might have
a pretext for not knowing their language,
feigning to be a gipsy.
" Now when I had arrived, which was
in the morning of the third day, I straight-
way hid among the bushes that hedged
the courtyard of the convent. And not
long after there came out two she-priests,
leading between them a third that wore a
thick veil of black about her head so as to
shut off all her sight. And as they led her
up and down, I knew her for my daughter
Esther by the upward jerk of her arms
which had been her habit as a child, and
much I marvelled that the habit should
have come back to her after such long
time. But I took the encounter for an
omen and a sign that she would soon be
released from her captors. So each day I
"WHOSE JUDGMENT IS JUSTICE" 257
watched, but except for a sight of my
child I gained nothing.
" At last came a time when she no
longer appeared, and I waited in vain for
her coming. But a week later, as I stood
clawing at the fence in my distress so
that the blood sprang from the nails, a
man came out on the terrace and stood
looking about. And at last his eyes
chanced on me, and he cried :
" ' What dost thou there, thou vaga-
bond ? Come in and earn a meal honestly
if thou wouldst, so that thou hast no need
of pilfering.'
"And at the bidding I tremblingly
passed in through the gate, not knowing
what this might betide. And then it
appeared that one of the charwomen had
fallen in a faint, and that I was to do her
portion of the work. And from the talk
of the others I learned that on the morrow
there was to be a great solemnity, because
of the dedication of a novice. And then
I knew that the knife was at my throat
and that there was great need of a miracle.
" Now it chanced that I was stationed
upon the second floor, and on my right
hand there was a door whence I heard
18
258 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
voices one voice that spoke with a loud
eagerness, and a second whose words
came faint and languid. And as I lay
there on my hands and knees listening
with all the might of my ears, the door
was opened and out came the selfsame
priest I knew, red and angry, and in
passing he darted at me with his foot,
bidding me move out of his way. And
when he was gone I gently lifted up the
latch and peered into the chamber ; and
there, stretched out all her length on the
couch, lay my daughter Esther, or, at
least, the shadow of her. And at sight
of me she gasped, ' Mother, mother, come
quickly they have killed me ! ' for she
knew me despite my disguise, and from
that I augured that she was dying, for the
dead know all things. And I flew to the
couch, and cradling her head on my
bosom, I bade her repeat the attestation
of Israel : ' Hear, the Lord is thy God ! '
And her lips moved faintly in struggling
after the sound, but her hands kept ever
jerking to her neck as I had seen her do
in the courtyard, but she had not strength
to lift them high enough. And at last I
understood, and, unfolding her dress, I saw
"WHOSE JUDGMENT IS JUSTICE" 259
upon her heart a crucifix of jasper ; and
snatching it up, I flung it upon the ground,
so that it shivered into a thousand pieces.
And at that she raised her head and said,
' Thanks, mother dear ; I could not die
with that on my ' And she breathed
once more, and only once more. Then
I kissed her and said, ' Blessed is He
whose judgment is justice,' for that they
had only killed her body, but not her
soul.
" And at that moment there came in
three of the she-priests, and they stood
looking at me and my daughter and the
fragments on the floor. But I had my
tale ready : ' I heard a loud cry, and
entering here, I found the maiden dying ;
and just before she died the Mother of
God there ' and I pointed to the large
image in clay that was placed on a shelf
over the couch 'stretched out her hand,
took the crucifix from the maiden's bosom,
and hurled it upon the floor. And all this
I saw with my own eyes, and can testify
to the miracle.'
" And they dared not deny my word,
for that would be casting a doubt on the
Mother of their God. And after I had
260 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
got me forth from the convent I rent my
garment, and waited till the following day
to see them bury my daughter ; and in the
night I came and tore down the cross that
had been fixed over her grave, and planted
around the place a circle of pebbles, so
that she might lie apart from the Gentiles.
After that I hurried away to my native
place, there to sit through the ordained
period of mourning.
" Thus did I lose my daughter aye,
blessed be He whose judgment is justice !
But wherefore hast thou ceased weeping,
thou that didst just now make such lamen-
tation for thy child that had not outgrown
its swathing-clothes ?
" And now there remained to me but
two Isaac and David, that were born at
one birth. And when I looked at them I
knew that my old age would not go totter-
ing along without two strong staves to
lean upon. But alas ! it was my doom to
be a childless mother of children, and had
I borne a hundred I should only have been
childless a hundredfold but blessed be
He whose judgment is justice! And the
two were taken off in a manner that has
no like within the memory of men even
WHOSE JUDGMENT IS JUSTICE" 261
by the hand of one another were they
taken off and died.
" Truly thou art a stranger in this land,
yet hast thou heard of the great uprising
wherewith the people of this country were
uplifted against their oppressors, for the
fame thereof has flooded the world even
as their blood flooded the soil of their
fathers. But nowhere was the earth
redder than there where flowed the blood
of my twin sons, Isaac and David. For
they heeded not the voice of their mother,
but said, ' Counsel us not to our shame so
that it be said, " Oh, this valiant progeny
of the Maccabees ! look how these cocks
crow each on his own dunghill ! " For we
are mindful of our brother Benjamin, that
died by the tyrant, and we have not for-
gotten our sister Esther, that died through
the curse of his superstition ; and for every
hair of their head we shall slay one of his
servants.' Thus they spoke, talking big
words as is the wont of boys. And Isaac
had lately married, and he said to his wife,
' Fear not ; I shall return by the time I
can look at the face of my child.'
" So they went forth with the rest, and
fought the battles of their countrymen.
262 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
And we women sat at home and fought
against their evil destiny with prayers and
supplications ; and our fighting, too, was
not without its bloodshed. And suddenly
we heard of the great battle that had
been fought at Bialablotta, the place of
the chalk mud, and that the Emperor's
men had prevailed and had driven their
enemies the brothers-in-arms of my sons
before them, and had slain them in
multitudes. And a great band of the
fugitives h id fled within two miles of our
village and were encamped in the forest,
where they would lie in wait for their
pursuers.
"And the whole tenor of the calamity
was related to us by one of the fugitives
that escaped the slaughter ; and I remember
his words distinctly, for I drank them in,
not with my ears, but with all the soul
that is within me. And this is what he
said : 'It was in the gathering of the
darkness that we heard the trampling of
hoofs from afar, and from the sound we
knew that the Cossacks were coming. So
we got ready, standing behind the trees
on either side of the road, intending to
close in upon them as they passed through
"WHOSE JUDGMENT IS JUSTICE" 263
and make havoc of them in our midst.
But the Cossack is a child of the devil
by a she-fox ; and thus it was that they
escaped destruction by the pricking of a
horse-ear. For the stallions on which
they rode became restive, tossing their
heads and sniffing the air ; and from that
their riders knew that there were mares
ahead likely the mares of some transport.
But as none of their comrades had passed
in front, they guessed that some body of
the enemy lay across their road. So,
laughing at their own shrewdness, they
dismounted, and waited till the dark had
come on full. And then they picked out a
hundred of their horses that were of least
store, tied upon their backs a corpse,
wherever they could find one and the
search was easy and sent them galloping
upon our trail. And we, hearing them
advance, stood waiting with our weapons
in our hands till the squadron had come
up ; and then we rushed forth and started
hacking at them with our knives, for we
dared not shoot for fear of assistance
coming to them. And how it was we
knew not. There was no moon, and the
trees towered high like great fingers point-
264 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
ing to heaven in accusing of the horror ;
but, meeting no resistance, we fought and
hacked and slaughtered, until suddenly we
found other weapons darting at our
bosoms, and we thought that the enemy
had worked up his mettle. Then we
returned the stabs with twofold vigour,
and not a cry was uttered even by those
in their death agony, for that was against
the command. And we thought that now
we were avenged ; but just then came the
first streak of dawn, and we saw what we
had done, and how our madness had
betrayed us into self-destruction. And
there lay four hundred of us whom our
own arms had sent into the last great sleep.'
" Thus much he told us, and the rest
I learned for myself. For early in the
morning, when we heard of the carnage,
we went forth with fomentations and
bandages to help the wounded, for we
thought, ' Thus may other mothers go
forth to ease our sons when they suffer.'
And I was the foremost, and went amongst
the bodies, turning them over and feeling
their hearts ; but most of them were still,
for whose hand strikes more surely than
that of a friend or familiar ?
"WHOSE JUDGMENT IS JUSTICE" 265
" And at last I came to where lay two
bodies close to each other, with their left
hands clasped tightly and their lips almost
touching ; and the dagger of the one
stuck in the throat of the other, and the
knife of the second gashed the bosom of
the first. And at the sight a faintness
came over me, and I crept up to them on
my knees, averting my head with dire
forebodings ; and when I turned it it
was like twisting it from the foundations
of my neck and looked, why, behold
blessed be He whose judgment is justice !
there were my two sons Isaac and
David, or they that had been my sons,
for now they belonged to the earth
whereof their bodies were made. And
with the strength of three I dragged them
among the trees and covered them with
my headcloth ; and then I ran to fetch
Naomi, Isaac's wife, who was a mother
of eleven days, and said to her, ' Quick !
bring thy babe, so that it may look once
upon the face of its father, for he will
never look upon the face of his child-
blessed be He whose judgment is justice ! '
" And I took with me a hand-waggon,
and laid thereon my two sons, and con-
266 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
veyed them to the ' Good Place/ lest they
should be deposited with the others in the
great hole that served for the common
sepulchre.
" These things have I seen and done,
and I have eaten to the full of child-
sorrow, and they were none of them
sucklings like thine. What is this ?
Dry-eyed ? Truly it is said that a small
grief melts away in the telling of a
greater. And now let us go, since the
night air is chill, and here comes my
grandson searching for me ; for the love
he bears me is as great as half the love I
have buried in the graves of my four
children."
COSSACK AND CHORISTER.
A NYBODY with half an eye to pro-
JL\. portion could see what an ill-assorted
couple they were. Among their most ob-
trusive dissimilarities were these : the one
was called Casimir, the other Jacob the
names betokening Slav and Semitic de-
scent respectively. Again, Casimir had to
stoop under most of the doorways through
which he passed, whereas Jacob, when
standing his tallest, just reached Casimir's
elbow, a circumstance to be explained by
the fact that the one had been a full-grown
man for years, while the other had still
most of his growing to get through. But
the most radical difference surely was
this : Casimir was a spear-bearing, fierce-
whiskered member of his Majesty's im-
perial army Cossack department ; and
Jacob a soprano chorister in the local
267
268 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
synagogue. How, in spite of these des-
perate inequalities, there came to be any
connection between the two was a miracle.
It is the fashion to explain miracles by
natural causes ; this was a case in point.
To bring about primarily a reachable dis-
tance between Casimir and Jacob, it was
fated that certain turbulent minds among
the gentry of the district wherein Jacob
lived should become suddenly troubled by
the ghosts of Sobietski and Kosciusko and
the spectre of Poland's departed greatness
that came to them clamouring for a speedy
re-incarnation. These turbulent minds had
long failed to see what connection ex-
cepting that of the railway there should
be between St. Petersburg and Warsaw,
and why people should not be allowed to
do as they liked in and with their own
country. They thereupon took to dis-
seminating this opinion, at first privately
and with circumspection, then more broad-
cast and openly, until rumours of it reached
the keenset ears of the governmental
authorities, who with great gusto straight-
way made a blood-curdling report of it to
headquarters. There is a fixed and con-
stitutional remedy for these cases of politi-
COSSACK AND CHORISTER 269
cal hay-fever, administered in the shape of
two or three Pulks of Cossacks, whose
presence generally serves as a cooling-
draught for the hot-headed restorationists.
That is how Casimir came to Lotz.
There was a great deal of excitement
when the regiment rattled into the little
town and halted on the market-place.
Everybody was there to receive them
from the mayor to the knacker, just to
show there was no ill-feeling towards the
arrivals, and the patriots felt very small at
sight of the swarthy bearded faces and
gleaming lance-points. Of course Jacob
was there, bearing himself very calmly in
the possession of a clean conscience ; but
all the same, he felt rather frightened when
presently one of the men rode straight up
to him and said, gruffly :
" Do you know one Pototski, a miller?"
There was nothing formidable about
the question, and Jacob felt particularly
adapted for answering it.
" Yes, I know him," he piped ; " my
mother lives in his courtyard."
" Come along, then, and show the way
I am billeted there," said the man ; and
before Jacob knew what was happening
270 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
he found himself whipped up by the nape
of his jacket and seated astride in the
saddle. In a second or two he grew alive
to the situation, and determined to make
the best of it. Horse-riding was a new
sensation to him ; when his father, who had
been a butcher, was living, he had occa-
sionally been allowed to ride cattle to the
shambles. But this was different ; to ride
on one horse with a Cossack was an
experience to relate and remember, and
would no doubt raise his prestige among
the knickerbocker population of the town
by several inches.
This was the first contact between
Casimir and Jacob, but it needed more
than that to bring about an acquaintance.
And this time, despite the shoulder-shrug
of the rationalist, the hand of Providence
was stretched forth visibly. Two days
after, Jacob was sitting near the window
to catch the last streaks of the dying day-
light ; for he was particularly anxious to
finish carving his bulrush whistle that
evening. It was turning out beautifully
the rind was tough and fresh, and would
not require much hammering to remove
the stalk from within, and Jacob expressed
271
his satisfaction thereat in tones of loud and
clear- voiced melody. He did not notice
what he was singing singing had become
a mechanical action with him ; he sang
with as little self-consciousness as a bird,
and therefore, because his music came
from the heart, it went to the heart. In
the distance there was a sound of rioting,
where the soldiers had gathered in the
canteen ; but sometimes, when Jacob's
voice rose especially clear, there was a
lull as if they were listening. Jacob
noticed neither the noise nor the silence,
but worked on busily. His mother sat at
the table with a pile of goose-feathers
before her ; she was stripping the down
from the quills to make feather coverlets
of them it was what she earned her
living by.
The twilight waned, and the room was
filled with the argent glimmer of the full
moon. " We shall save a rushlight to-
night God is good," thought Jacob, and
sang on. Just then there was a sound of
heavy steps walking as though trying to
tread down their heaviness ; they came
nearer, and paused before the door.
Jacob heard them, and stopped singing ;
272 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
and instantly the latch lifted, and a tower-
ing form strode across the threshold.
" Who was singing here ? " said a voice
from somewhere among the rafters.
Jacob's mother screamed she under-
stood Russian because she had served as
cook in Odessa many years before her
marriage ; and the question suggested to
her answers in the shape of knouts and
prisons and Siberia, and fear tied her
tongue.
" Who was singing here ? " came the
question more urgently.
The woman sprang up and threw her-
self on her knees before the intruder.
"Spare us, spare us, your honour," she
stammered ; " the boy did not know he
was doing wrong. Did he disturb your
honour in your sleep? or is it not lawful
to sing the song ? " And then she turned
to her son and became fluent in chiding
him. " Did I not tell thee, rascal, to let
alone these songs of the Gentiles ? Have
I not begged of thee to sing the Syna-
gogue tunes like ' He is the Tree of Life,'
and ' There is none like him among the
gods,' and such things, whereat none can
take umbrage ? To be sure, your honour,
COSSACK AND CHORISTER 273
I have warned him, but he is obstinate
and foolhardy : do not let your hand fall
too heavy on us, for he is but a child with-
out sense, and my husband served the
Emperor loyally for twelve years."
The Cossack heard her patiently, then
he smiled at least Jacob saw his teeth
gleam in the moonlight.
"My good woman," he said at last ; "I
have not come to harm you there is
nothing punishable in the boy's song,
although it is the cause of my coming ;
but that is no business of yours. Come
here, little throstle ; who taught you that
song ? "
" What song, your honour?" whimpered
Jacob, still very much frightened.
" The ' Minka, Minka ' song."
And Jacob told him how there had
come to the choir two years ago one
Aaron, a tenor, and he it was who taught
him the song. Aaron had learned it on
his wanderings, somewhere in Livonia,
and this same Aaron had afterwards gone
to Warsaw and had there become a famous
opera singer. Casimir nodded his head.
Quite true, the song came from Livonia,
for that he could vouch. That was where
19
274 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
he had first heard it, and that was where
he had met the Minka who had sung it to
him in the drowsy summer afternoons, and
had given the sunset a golden glory such
as he had never seen before. And then,
when his regiment had been ordered
further, the memory of song and singer
and sunset had followed him hauntingly,
till he stretched out his arms in vain im-
potent longing for the dreamlike gladness
of the past. Ever since he had seen no
beauty in melody, nor in the smile of
maidens, nor in the gorgeous phantasms
of the summer sky. But at the sound of
the selfsame song it was as though by a
magic touch the old world were rising from
its ruins ; he was again lying on the
heather with Minka beside him chasing
the importunate gnats from his forehead,
and singing with that soul -bewildering
sweetness which only her happiness of
heart could have taught her. And again
he went through the short-lived period of
Paradise from the first mute compre-
hending look to the agonised bliss of the
last embrace.
Jacob looked at him in wonder. What
made the stern-faced man draw his lips
COSSACK AND CHORISTER 275
together as if he were in pain ? What put
the far-away look into his eyes ? Jacob
would have -pitied him, if there had been a
man on the face of the earth bold enough
to pity a Cossack.
Casimir took a chair and made himself
at home.
" Will you sing that song again, little
man ? " he said.
Jacob was quite willing ; he had lost all
fear. The great big soldier spoke very
kindly, almost pleadingly, so he began :
" Minka, the plain is asleep,
Minka, the moon "
Casimir stopped him. " Wait a minute,"
he said, and got up to shut the open
window. Jacob thought he looked jealous
that anything of the tune should float away
and be lost on the air.
Jacob began again, putting all his soul
into his voice :
" Minka, the plain is asleep,
Minka, the moon is blind ;
Minka, the stars breathe deep
Their breath is the whispering wind."
And so it went on.
Casimir looked up with a sigh when it
was finished. "It does not seem so long
ago, nor so far away after all," he
muttered ; and then, stroking Jacob's head,
he said, " Good-night, little man ; may
the saints watch over you."
He went out very slowly, stopping to
smile back from the door. The next evening
he came again, and Jacob had to sing the
" Minka " song once and twice and three
times. Casimir tapped time with his foot,
and tried to hum a bar or two under his
breath in his bassoon gurgle ; but it was
not a success, for he sang dreadfully out of
tune, and at last he gave it up and let
Jacob sing on alone.
The third evening he came again. " I
have brought you a present," he said ; and
out he fetched three big buttons of shining
bronze, such as are worn on military uni-
forms, and a rusty spur. Jacob was
delighted, especially with the bronze but-
tons, which were quite a treasure ; for
among his playmates they each counted
equal in value to a whole dozen of the
ordinary brass or bone article, and Jacob
had been slightly out of luck in the button-
game lately. As for the spur, it would sell
for two copecks any hour in the day.
COSSACK AND CHORISTER 277
Henceforth Cossack and chorister were
inseparable ; wherever one was seen, the
other was sure to be not many miles off.
Jacob certainly neglected no opportunity
of being about with his stalwart friend,
and by force of example was gradually
assuming a martial swagger that would
have made him ludicrous in the eyes of
his comrades if they had room for anything
but jealousy at his glory.
It must be said, however, that there was
nothing virulent in their envy. For the
most part it resolved itself into a regretful
self-pity ; everybody cannot be so lucky as
to have a real live Cossack for his body-
guard. The chief exception was Schmey-
rel, the red-haired, pimple-faced fellow-
chorister of Jacob. He also sang treble,
but though he had an exceptionally good
voice, it did not come up to Jacob's by a
size and a half ; and consequently it never
fell to Schmeyrel's lot to sing the treble-
solos wherever such occurred a fact
which he looked upon as a flagrant mistake
in the dispensation of God's justice. He
therefore did not love Jacob, and was not
always complimentary in his criticisms of
his favoured rival,
2/8 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
" Do you think he can sing? " he used
to say ; "if you throw your boots against
the wall you will have more music than
you could ever squeeze out of his voice."
And now when he saw the intimate
relations between Jacob and Casimir, his
bile was full to bursting. It only needed
a sight of Jacob flying by on the Cossack's
horse, with Casimir gripping him solici-
tously behind, to spoil Schmeyrel's appetite
for the day ; and as this sort of thing
occurred at least once every twenty-four
hours, he was in a fair way of dwindling
down to a bag of bones. Thus desperate
measures became necessary. Supplanting
Jacob was impossible. Schmeyrel knew
he sat too firm in the saddle of the Cos-
sack's horse and the Cossack's affections.
He therefore set about equalising matters
by getting for himself a Cossack of his
own.
How it was he smuggled himself into
Sturak's good graces remained a mystery.
His mother did not connect the event with
the mysterious disappearance of the liver
sausages and onion-strings from the hay-
loft, nor did his father associate it with the
abnormally rapid decline of his brandy
COSSACK AND CHORISTER 279
and tobacco. It was only when the roast
goose, that was to have served for the
Sabbath dinner, took wings unto itself and
flew away that Schmeyrel's tactics of in-
gratiation fell under momentary suspicion.
But he had attained his object ; he was
allowed to walk by Sturak's side, clutching
him by the skirt of his coat ; he could
touch his lance, sit on his horse and avail
himself of all the amenities of having a
Cossack for an acquaintance. The one
shadow of dissatisfaction consisted in the
thought that herein also Jacob had out-
distanced him : Jacob's Cossack was the
Colonel's special orderly, whereas Sturak
was only a mere rank-and-file man.
Strange to say, Sturak had himself re-
marked on this inequality of things, though
not from Schmeyrel's point of view. He
saw no reason why Casimir should be
orderly and not he. There were privileges,
perquisites, exemptions, connected with the
post which made it desirable for having.
Sturak had never failed to observe on the
drill-ground how much more cool and
comfortable Casimir must feel, sitting still
on his horse, at a respectful distance behind
the Colonel, than if he were engaged with
280 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
the others in performing neck-breaking
bewildering movements and evolutions,
and choking all the time with dust and
heat and vexation. He thought of Casimir's
luck at the time when the elm forest out-
side the town had been struck by lightning
and was blazing away merrily, so that
Sturak and all his comrades had to turn
out with axes to cut a clearing and prevent
the fire causing further mischief. And
what did Casimir do ? Nothing ; he just
stood aside out of harm's way, superin-
tending and giving directions, like a full-
fledged non-commissioned officer, compla-
cently watching the others getting scorched
and blistered, not to mention the immediate
possibility of their getting their heads
broken by the down-crashing trunks. Oh,
it was a grand thing to be the Colonel's
orderly.
The summer had been quite young when
the Cossacks came to Lotz ; by the time it
was middle-aged Casimir and Jacob seemed
to have known each other all their lives.
But much earlier in the day the confede-
racy had been raised to a trio. Satanas
was a fine fellow, despite his congenital
habit of going on four legs. His skin was
COSSACK AND CHORISTER 281
smooth as velvet and black as jet, so that
the whites of his eyes, shot with thin
streaks of red, gleamed out in startling
contrast. He was completed by an arching
tail, which meant eternity to any presump-
tuous insect that came within the sweep
and purchase of it. Casimir had cropped
it by four inches, because otherwise Satanas
flicked himself in the afore-mentioned eyes,
which did not conduce to his good be-
haviour. For the maintenance of this
Casimir was responsible. The horse be-
longed to the Colonel, and Casimir had his
hands full in reminding this same Satanas
that even the most high-spirited stallion
has to conform to certain rules and re-
strictions not observed in his primitive
state.
If any man could do that it was Casimir ;
he was noted as the best and boldest rough-
rider within the range of the Uralo-Car-
pathians, and although Satanas came to
him with the reputation of having kicked
his mother and brother-foal to death, the
mere sound of Casimir's voice soon began
to have a most salutary effect on his
morals. Occasionally the old, or rather
the young Satanas peeped out of him, as
282 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
in the case of the man who wagered he
would ride him with spurs ; that man
never put on spurs again. Satanas soon
saw that Jacob was a friend of his chamber-
lain, and under the circumstances found
it expedient to treat him with a certain
amount of consideration ; and then he
thought that this roundabout way was a
waste of time, and determined to like the
boy for his own sake.
So the three lived together in very good
accord. Every afternoon Casimir took the
horse to the river to give him his after-
siesta bath ; Jacob helped to rub him down,
and in reward was allowed to ride him back
to stable, with Casimir leading by the
bridle. In the meantime the "Minka"
song was not forgotten. Sometimes Casi-
mir went about like a man in a trance, or
stood looking northwards, his soul and
body seemingly nothing but eyes. Jacob
knew him in these moods ; gently, as
though it were merely the wind blowing
in snatches of music, he started the song
and gradually let it swell out in full sono-
rousness, till earth and sky seemed to be
singing the glories of Minka. And in the
end Casimir always came to himself with
COSSACK AND CHORISTER 283
a little shiver, as though he had passed
through a tense, soul-racking agony and
felt he had still hope of life.
But once something very unpleasant
occurred in connection with the song. It
was a sultry night and the stars flashed as
they flash only once in a thousand years,
and Jacob had gone with Casimir to pass
the night in the great barn that served as
sleeping accommodation for the detach-
ment. The others had all dozed off, but
Casimir kept tossing and tossing from side
to side on his truss ; at last he sat up, and
with his chin propped up on both hands
gazed wearily at the heavens. Jacob
watched him furtively for a while, and
then crawling up to him put his arm
round his friend's neck and whispered :
" Shall I sing it ? "
Casimir nodded silently, and Jacob began
in a low crooning tone which a nurse might
use in soothing a fretful child. But it was
not so soft but that the other sleepers should
sleep through it, and one by one they lifted
their heads and listened ; perhaps it re-
minded them of their mothers and wives
and sisters praying for them in their homes
thousands and thousands of miles away.
284 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
But when Jacob had come as far as the
middle, Sturak's voice came gruffly :
" What ails the Jew-brat ? He whines
like a wolf-cub that has fed on moonlight
instead of mother's milk for a month.
Silence, you whimpering cur."
Jacob looked up and saw Casimir signing
to him to go on. That sufficed him ; at
Casimir's bidding he would have sung in
defiance of all other Cossacks in the world.
" Silence, there," shouted Sturak again.
"What, you will not? Then listen to
this."
His foot shot out and Jacob flew forward
as from a catapult, and the rest of the song
tumbled out of him all at once in a heap of
gasps and gurgles. Luckily Sturak's foot
was unshod, else Jacob would not have
been left with any backbone to speak of.
Casimir got up very quietly, strode over
to where Jacob lay, examined him and saw
there was not much damage done. Relieved
on that point, he went back into the barn
and busied himself with Sturak ; that is to
say, with one hand he clutched him by his
shoulder-strap and with the other by the
belt, and banged him up and down on the
straw pallet as if he were determined to
COSSACK AND CHORISTER 285
get a bushel of grain out of the empty ears.
Sturak protested, and If he had only once
succeeded in getting his teeth firmly set in
his assailant's wrist, the latter would have
remembered it for many a day to come.
But Casimir was lithe as an eel, and when
he had done with Sturak as a threshing
machine he threw him down with a decisive
thud and went back to his couch. How-
ever, there was not much sleeping done in
the barn that night ; Casimir kept awake
to prevent Sturak knifing him unawares,
and the others had a disquieting notion
that Sturak might fasten the barn door
from outside and burn them as a sacrifice
to his humiliated pride.
The report of the scrimmage got abroad,
and Schmeyrel went about with mischiev-
ous insinuations concerning Jacob.
"Take care," he told everybody "that
vagabond will plunge us all into ruin ; was
it not through him that Sturak was nearly
killed ? And if it had not been for me and
for my begging the Cossack with tears not
to visit the sins of the guilty on the innocent,
it would have gone hard with us ; for he
had sworn wherever he met a Jew to run
him through the belly with his lance. But
286 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
of course no one thanks me for what I do
to the benefit of the congregation."
However, nothing more was heard of
the affair, for Sturak thought there was
always more to be lost than gained in
trying tricks on Casimir. But he carefully
made a note of the whole business and
waited an opportunity when he could have
his own say with safety. Jacob felt a little
stiff for a few days, and then something of
such moment happened as to put the recol-
lection of his misadventure clean out of
his mind.
The " magnum opus " of Myer Bachyah,
the famous precentor of Lotz, was at last
finished. Twelve months had he been
about his setting of the passage "The
Lord is King," that is said during the
Friday Evening Service, and in all he had
made five different and distinct draughts
of the composition before he was satisfied
with his work. And a wonderful thing it
was so much could be seen even from
the imperfect renderings of the initial
rehearsals. It started by being chanted
right through as a solo by each of- the four
part-voices, and the accompaniment of the
other three was varied in every case. This
COSSACK AND CHORISTER 287
served as an introduction, and then it was
gone through twice in a grand ensemble
the first time in "dur" the second in
" moll." Then the precentor himself de-
claimed it as a recitative, and after that
came the item de resistance a treble mono-
logue sung by one voice, for which, of
course, Jacob had been cast from the start.
The subsequent and diversified movements
of "The Lord is King" are too numerous
to specify how numerous may be gauged
by intimation being sent to the Wardens
of the Synagogue that on the eve of its
production they had better provide candles
three times the length of those used on
less conspicuous occasions. Yes, " The
Lord is King " was undoubtedly a great
work, with fugues and coloratures of the
most neck-twisting descriptions, with start-
ling paradoxes of counterpoint and contra
C's for the basses and top C's for the tenors
in wasteful profusion. There was not a
chorister in Bachya's choir who did not pat
himself on the back for having cast in his
lot with so distinguished a precentor. Their
fame was now assured, for the work would
take its triumphant course through all the
synagogues of Poland, Slavonia, Kurland,
288 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
into Hungary and Austria, and they, the
original interpreters, would live long in the
memories and traditions of their imitators.
The solo-singers all except little Jacob,
the greatest of them gave themselves high
airs and swelled visibly with conceit and a
sense of indispensability.
Bachya was very pleased with the pro-
gress of the rehearsals, and announced that
the ddbut of "The Lord is King" was
fixed for the eve of the Sabbath of Repent-
ance, which would invest it with greater
dclat, this being the most momentous of all
Sabbaths because it is the immediate fore-
runner of the Day of Atonement ; and,
despite the stress of their own duties, the
precentors of Linschitz, Klom, Volesen,
and all the neighbouring towns had pro-
mised to grace the occasion with their
presence. And as the decisive day drew
near and things were getting shipshape,
Bachya and his choristers went about with
the exhilarating consciousness of having a
sensation in store for the world.
Jacob had not seen so much of Casimir
lately, but for all that there was no slacken-
ing of their friendship. The only diffe-
rence was that as time went on a change
COSSACK AND CHORISTER 289
came over the Cossack's disposition which
Jacob could not fathom. There was a
restlessness, an anxious expectancy about
him, as though the future were big with
tremendous consequences. But when
Jacob met him on the morning of the
great "The Lord is King" Friday, the
look he saw on Casimir's face almost made
him cry out in wonder ; the man seemed
transfigured.
" What has happened ? " he asked.
" Why, Casimir, you look as if you had
been born all over again."
Casimir smiled. " Don't ask questions,
little man," he said, "you don't understand
these things." And then he sank his voice
to a conspirator's whisper. " Do you
know what I am going to do ? I am
going away the whole day ; the Colonel
is out wolf-hunting, and he won't know.
Come with me I must find some one to
give Satanas his afternoon splash ; it is
getting cold, and there won't be many
more for him this season."
Jacob trotted along merrily. " Shall I
go down to the river with him ? " he asked.
"If you like why not?" was the
answer.
20
290 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
" And may I ride him back ? "
Casimir looked serious. " I don't
know," he said at last ; " it is rather
risky without me."
" But he knows me by now," protested
Jacob; "he pricks up his ears when he
hears me coming and neighs. I think he
likes me as well as you."
" Hm," observed Casimir, cautiously.
He knew that Satanas' affection for him
was tempered to a certain extent with fear.
But there was nothing to be afraid of in
little Jacob, and therefore the animal's
liking for him was perhaps of a more
genuine sort, which made things more
hopeful as far as Jacob's request was con-
cerned.
" Well, if you will be very careful," was
the decision ; "sit very still and don't let
the reins flap, else he might think some
one was flogging him."
Jacob promised faithfully to keep a
zealous guard over his neck and legs, for
the normal condition of which he had a
strong partiality. Then they went and
found a beetle-browed, heavy-jawed
Wallachian who undertook to act as
Casimir's substitute.
COSSACK AND CHORISTER 291
The whole forenoon Jacob lounged
aimlessly about the streets, the more at a
loss for diversion because the afternoon
and evening were to be a programme of
incidents ; besides he was rather im-
patient to try how much influence he
individually possessed over Satanas. He
was therefore in good time at the stables,
and superintended the removal of Satanas
with the air of a proprietor. The river
passed by the outskirts of the town, and
soon the whole cavalcade of men and
horses was sleepily wending its way
thither through the sultry afternoon.
Jacob passed Schmeyrel walking at
Sturak's side.
"Have you been sucking raw eggs?"
shouted Schmeyrel.
" What for ? " asked Jacob, off his guard.
" To make your voice a bit smoother ; it
rasps like a grater."
Schmeyrel knew he was telling a lie,
and Jacob knew of Schmeyrel's know-
ledge, and therefore did not trouble to
continue the topic, reserving his demon-
stration for the evening.
In a little while the whole troop were
plunging and spuming in the freshening
292 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
waters, that sucked the seething heat-fever
out of their veins. Satanas was behaving
in best style ; of course he was aware that
Casimir was away, but the presence of
Jacob was a guarantee that things were as
they should be. So when after the ablu-
tions Jacob mounted him, it was only what
he expected.
The others were cantering on in front ;
Satanas was right behind, for Jacob was
mindful of Casimir's precept to use him
gently ; the Wallachian walked stolidly by
his side, one hand on the bridle. Gradu-
ally one of the other mounts fell back, and
Jacob saw it was Sturak with Schmeyrel
on the saddle in front of him. Schmeyrel
had cut himself a withe from the bank,
and was swishing it in the air. The two
horses trotted side by side with a fair
distance between them. Then Sturak
edged up closer, keeping somewhat in the
rear, so that Jacob hardly noticed that
they were only an arm's length or so
apart.
Sturak was eyeing Satanas with side-
long glances, and somehow the beast gave
to him a suggestion of which he had long
been in search. If Schmeyrel should
COSSACK AND CHORISTER 293
chance to whip him ever so lightly with
his withe there would probably be conse-
quences not redounding to Casimir's credit
in his capacity of Colonel's orderly ; it
would also incidentally wipe off the little
score still due to him from the barn
episode.
" Strike him," he whispered in Schmey-
rel's ear.
Schmeyrel did not at once catch the
drift of the bidding. Then it came home
to him that if he sent Satanas tearing
away with his rider there would, in all
likelihood, not be sufficient of the rider
left to sing the treble solo in " The Lord
is King " that evening. And of course
there would be requisition of himself as
understudy. With a deft insidious move-
ment he lashed Satanas across the
haunches. Satanas walked on uncon-
cernedly ; he felt the sting, but then he
thought there must be a mistake some-
where ; no one would take such a liberty
with him.
Sturak could not make it out " Strike
harder," he whispered again, and Schmey-
rel struck harder.
This time Satanas was certain, and did
294 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
not stay to see if the arm of the Wallachian
was still in its socket or if he had pulled it
out by the roots. With a shrill whistle of
anger he levelled his neck and leapt for-
ward as if there were myriads of hornets
and gadflies behind him. Jacob had just
time to throw himself flat and clutch as
much of the coal-black mane as his con-
vulsive little hands could hold. And then
he lay quite still, sucking himself on to the
maddened brute with all the pores of his
body. So he flew on, passing the strag-
gling groups ahead one by one. In
wonder and terror they stared after the
hapless rider, but no one stirred a finger ;
it would be madness to get in the way of
that stampeding avalanche of hoof and tail
and foam. Jacob felt nothing, only the
hissing, whizzing noise in his ears, and the
black dancing spots that kept circling
before his eyes. His limbs were numbed
with a narcotic torpor, and he breathed
only when the vice across his chest grew
so tight that it seemed gripping his life by
the very core. Where were they taking
him too ? Perhaps to his father in heaven ;
well, then, he hoped he would get there
soon, for he was quite tired of the deserts
COSSACK AND CHORISTER 295
and deserts of nothingness he had already
traversed. At one place he heard a loud
shriek which he knew was his mother's,
and from that he gathered he must be
somewhere near the synagogue, for she
had gone betimes to get a good seat from
which to feast her eyes and ears on the
one lamb that made all her flock.
For all we know this might have been
the last of Satanas and Jacob. But that
would be forgetting the existence of
Casimir and the special providence that
watched over "The Lord is King " can-
tata. Casimir had done his day's business,
and was walking home very pleased with
himself and everybody else. Just as he
was turning the cross-road he caught the
sound of trampling. " A runaway horse,"
he said to himself; he ought to have
known, for runaway horses were a
speciality of his. On a nearer view he
found the horse was black, was running as
if it had split its four legs into eight, and
consequently was Satanas ; there was a
moveless little figure clinging to his neck,
with its yellow curls fluttering in the wind
like a flag, and which presumably was
Jacob : the situation was quite clear.
296 A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS
Casimir knew better than to fling his
arms about like a windmill and halloo ;
Satanas was going quite fast enough with-
out giving him reasonable motive for an
extra spurt. So he waited till they were
abreast, and then proceeded to test how
far he could stretch his legs without
actually dislocating them. Man and beast
ran on side by side till they had come to a
spread of green turf, and then Casimir
saw his chance. Bending forward he just
whispered one word, " Satanas ! " and
Satanas stood still as if his feet had sud-
denly grown into the earth. But Casimir
ran full two yards forward, opened his
arms and dexterously caught the limp,
huddled form which he knew would come
whirling through the air with a semi-
circular sweep.
Five minutes afterwards Jacob was say-
ing, " Is that you, Casimir? "
"Yes, little man" there was half a
sob in the answer.
" Casimir."
" What, Jacob ? "
" Tell me the truth am I alive ? "
Casimir would have laughed, but he
lacked the requisite breath.
COSSACK AND CHORISTER. 297
"Yes, Jacob, you are alive," he said,
soberly.
" Then come and let me tell my mother
so."
He suddenly grasped what had been
the nagging thought at the back of his
brain that had kept him from dying.
"The Lord is King" was a portentous
success there were no two opinions about
it. Casimir, who had been standing open-
mouthed all through, thought that Jacob
had sung more gloriously than he had
ever sung the " Minka " song ; but perhaps
Jacob's rendering had lost some of its
merit in consequence of certain events.
The following Sunday Jacob met Casi-
mir coming out of church, but he was not
alone ; there was a young woman with
him, by her dress evidently a Livonian.
Jacob turned tail to run, but Casimir
caught him gently by the arm and said
smilingly :
" Jacob, this is Minka ; was she not
worth while singing of? "
THE END.
21
ftbe resbam press,
ITXWIN BROTHERS.
WOK1XG AND LOXDOX.
A CATALOGUE OF BOOKS
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PAGE
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MARCH 1897
MARCH 1897.
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Travel and Adventure
SIR H. H. JOHNSTON, K.C.B.
BRITISH CENTRAL AFRICA. By Sir H. H. JOHNSTON,
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Crown 4/0. 30^.
CONTENTS.
(i) The history of Nyasaland and \ (5) The Missionaries.
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se'ven years". " " information concerning its big game.
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races considered anthropologically and
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:a.
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CAPTAIN HINDE
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developed into a war between the State forces and the Arab slave raiders in
Central Africa. Two white men only returned alive from the three years' war
Commandant Dhanis and the writer of this book, Captain Hinde. During the
greater part of the time spent by Captain Hinde in the Congo he was amongst
cannibal races in little-known regions, and, owing to the peculiar circumstances
of his position, was enabled to see a side of native history shown to few Europeans.
The war terminated in the complete defeat of the Arabs, seventy thousand of
whom perished during the struggle.
MESSRS. METHUEN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS 3
BADEN-POWELL
SCOUTING SKETCHES IN RHODESIA. By LIEUT.
COLONEL BADEN-POWELL. With numerous Illustrations, Maps,
etc. Demy 8zv. Cloth. 155.
PRINCE HENRI OF ORLEANS
FROM TONKIN TO INDIA. By PRINCE HENRI OF
ORLEANS. Translated by HAMLEY BENT, M.A. With over 100
Illustrations and 4 Maps. Demy Sv0. 2is.
The travels of Prince Henri in 1895 from China to the valley of the Bramaputra
covered a distance of 2100 miles, of which 1600 was through absolutely unexplored
country. No fewer than seventeen ranges of mountains were crossed at altitudes
of from 11,000 to 13,000 feet. The journey was made memorable by the discovery
of the sources of the Irrawaddy. To the physical difficulties of the journey were
added dangers from the attacks of savage tribes. The book deals with many of
the burning political problems of the East, and it will be found a most important
contribution to the literature of adventure and discovery.
L. DECLE
THREE YEARS IN SAVAGE AFRICA. By LIONEL DECLE.
With an Introduction by H. M. STANLEY, M.P. With 100 Illus-
trations and 5 Maps. Demy&vo. 2ls.
Few Europeans have had the same opportunity of studying the barbarous parts of
Africa as Mr. Decle. Starting from the Cape, he visited in succession Bechuana-
land, the Zambesi, Matabeleland and Mashonaland, the Portuguese settlement on
the Zambesi, Nyasaland, Ujiji, the headquarters of the Arabs, German East
Africa, Uganda (where he saw fighting in company with the late Major ' Roddy'
Owen), and British East Africa. In his book he relates his experiences, his
minute observations of native habits and customs, and his views as to the work
done in Africa by the various European Governments, whose operations he was
sble to study. The whole journey extended over 7000 miles, and occupied
exactly three years.
H. S. COWPER
THE HILL OF THE GRACES: OR, THE GREAT STONE
TEMPLES OF TRIPOLI. By H. S. COWPER, F.S.A. With Maps,
Plans, and 75 Illustrations. Demy 8zv. icw. 6d,
The Turkish prohibition against all European travel in their African Pashalics has,
during the last seventeen years, rendered impossible both geographical and
archaeological research. The author, however, was enabled to make two journeys
through the hill range of Tripoli in 1895 and 1896, and this volume deals chiefly
with a remarkable series of megalithic Temples and Trilithons, which he found
to exist there in extraordinary numbers. These ruins have hitherto been quite
uninvestigated, and to Englishmen should have an exceptional interest, from the
light it is believed they will throw on our own national monument of Stonehenge.
In all about one hundred sites were visited and photographed, and the volume will
l>e fully illustrated by maps, plans, and photographs. Chapters will also be devoted
to modern Tripoli, the little visited ruins of I eptes Magna, the ancient and
modem geography of the district generally, and the author's personal experiences.
W. CROOKE
THE NORTH-WEST PROVINCES OF INDIA: THEIR
ETHNOLOGY AND ADMINISTRATION. By W. CROOKE. With Maps
and Illustrations. Demy'&z-o. los. 6cf.
4 MESSRS. METHUEN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
History and Biography
MORRIS FULLER
THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF JOHN DAVENANT,
D.D. (1571-1641), President of Queen's College, Lady Margaret Pro-
fessor of Divinity, Cambridge, Lord Bishop of Salisbury. By the
Rev. MORRIS FULLER, B.D., Vicar of St. Mark's, Marylebone.
Crown 8vo. Js. 6d.
Dr. Davenant, Bishop of Salisbury, the maternal uncle of Dr. Fuller, lived at a very
critical time in our history (1571-1641), He was one of the British representatives
of the first great Synod of the reformed churches held at Dort, was one of Arch-
bishop Laud's Suffragans, and assisted him in carrying out his reforms.
Precis is given of some of the Bishop's writings, and a very celebrated sermon, never
before published and supposed to have been lost, is printed in extenso.
EDWARD GIBBON
THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.
By EDWARD GIBBON. A New Edition, edited with Notes,
Appendices, and Maps by J. B. BURY, M.A., Fellow of Trinity
College, Dublin. In Seven Volumes. Demy 8vo, gilt top. 8s. ()d.
each. Crown 8vo. 6s. each. Vol. III.
J. WELLS
THE CITY AND UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD. By J.
WELLS, M.A., Fellow and Tutor of Wadham College. Illustrated
by E. II. NEW. Fcp. 8vo. 2s. 6(t.
This is a Guide chiefly historical to the Colleges of Oxford. It contains numerous
full-page illustrations.
C. H. GEINLING
A HISTORY OF THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY,
1845-95. B y C. H. GRINLING. With Maps and Illustrations.
Crown %vo. 6s.
A record of Railway enterprise and development in Northern England, containing
much matter hitherto unpublished. It appeals both to the general reader and to
those specially interested in railway construction and management.
Naval and Military
DAVID HANNAY
A SHORT HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, FROM
EARLY TIMES TO THE PRESENT DAY. By DAVID HANNAY,
Illustrated. 2 Vols. Demy 8v0. 1 51.
This book aims at giving an account not only of tne fighting we nave done at sea,
but of the growth of the service, of the part the Navy has played in the develop-
ment of the Empire, and of its inner life. The author has endeavoured to avoid
the mistake of sacrificing the earlier periods of naval history the very interesting
wars with Holland in the seventeenth century, for instance, or the American
War of 1779-178310 the later struggle with Revolutionary and Imperial France.
MESSRS. METHUEN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS 5
COL. COOPER KING
THE STORY OF THE BRITISH ARMY. By Lieut-Colonel
COOPER KING, of the Staff College, Camberley. Illustrated. Demy
8vo. js. 6d.
This volume aims at describing the nature of the different armies that have been
formed in Great Britain, and how from the early and feudal levies the present
standing army came to be. The changes in tactics, uniform, and armament are
briefly touched upon, and the campaigns in which the army has shared have
been so far followed as to explain the part played by British regiments in them.
Theology
E. C. 8. GIBSON
THE XXXIX ARTICLES OF THE CHURCH OF ENG-
LAND. Edited with an Introduction by E. C. S. GIBSON, D.D.,
Vicar of Leeds, late Principal of Wells Theological College. In Two
Volumes. Demy 8vo. Js. 6d. each. Vol. II. Articles IX. -XXXIX.
W. H. BENNETT
A PRIMER OF THE BIBLE. By Prof. W. H. BENNETT.
Crown 8z'o. 2s. 6d.
C. BIGG
THE CONFESSIONS OF ST. AUGUSTINE. Newly Trans-
lated, with an Introduction, by C. BIGG, D.D., late Student of
Christ Church. With a Frontispiece. i%mo. is. 6d.
This little book is the first volume of a new Devotional Series, the volumes of which
will be edited by competent scholars, printed in clear type, and published at a
very low price.
This volume contains the nine books of the 'Confessions,' which are suitable for
devotional purposes. The name of the Editor is a sufficient guarantee of the
excellence of the edition.
F. E. BRIGHTMAN
THE DEVOTIONS OF BISHOP ANDREWES. Newly Trans-
lated, together with his ' Manual of the Sick,' with an Introduction
by F. E. BRIGHTMAN, M.A., of the Pusey House, Oxford. i8mo.
is. 6d.
The inclusion of Andrewes' ' Manual of the Sick ' will greatly increase the value of
this edition of the ' Preces Privatae.'
Sport
H. MORGAN BROWNE
SPORTING AND ATHLETIC RECORDS. By H. MORGAN
BROWNE. Crown 8vo. $s. 6d.
This book gives, in a clear and complete form, accurate records of the best perform-
ances in all important branches of Sport. It is an attempt, never yet made, to
6 MESSRS. METHUEN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
present all-important sporting records in a systematic way. In many branches of
athletics world's records will be properly tabulated for the first time. Records at
many of the great public schools will be given. While complete lists of the
winners of important events in the world of sport (e.g. principal horse races,
English Amateur Championships, Oxford and Cambridge Boat-race, etc. etc.)
will be found in an Appendix.
General Literature
ARTHUR SHERWELL
LIFE IN WEST LONDON: A STUDY AND A CONTRAST.
By ARTHUR SHERWELL, M.A. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d.
H. A. SALMONE
THE FALL AND RESURRECTION OF TURKEY. By
H. ANTHONY SALMONE. With Portraits. Crown 8vo. 3.?. 6J.
LAURIE MAGNUS
A PRIMER OF WORDSWORTH. By LAURIE MAGNUS.
Crown %vo. zs. 6d.
R. US8HER
NEO-MALTHUSIANISM. By R. USSHER, M.A. Cr. Bvo. $*
An Enquiry into that System, with regard to its Economy and
Morality.
This book deals with a very delicate but most important matter, namely, the volun-
tary limitation of the family, and how such action affects morality, the individual,
and the nation.
Educational
C. STEPHENSON AND F. SUDDARDS
ORNAMENTAL DESIGN FOR WOVEN FABRICS. By
C. STEPHENSON, of The Technical College, Bradford, and
F. SUDDARDS, of The Yorkshire College, Leeds. With 65 full-page
plates, and numerous designs and diagrams in the text. Demy 8vo.
Js. 6d.
The aim of this book is to supply, in a systematic and practical form, information on
the subject of Decorative Design as applied to Woven Fabrics, and is primarily
intended to meet the requirements of students in Textile and Art Schools, or of
designers actively engaged in the weaving industry. Its wealth of illustration is
a marked feature of the book.
MESSRS. METHUEN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS 7
R. E. STEEL
MAGNETISM AND ELECTRICITY. By R. ELLIOTT
STEEL, M.A., F.C.S. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 4s. 6d.
E. E. WHITFIELD
PRECIS WRITING AND OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE.
By E. E. WHITFIELD, M.A. Crown %vo. 2s.
{Commercial Series.
ESSENTIALS OF COMMERCIAL EDUCATION. By
E, E. WHITFIELD, M.A. Crown Szv. is. 6d.
A guide to Commercial Education and Examinations, which ought to prove most
useful as showing what is now being done in this country to promote commercial
education, and also as giving valuable information to those who may wish to enter
for some of the commercial examinations now held by the London Chamber of
Commerce and other bodies.
Methuen's Classical Texts
GENERAL EDITOR
E. C. MARCH ANT, M.A.
OF TRINITY COLLEGE, OXFORD ', FELLOW OF PETERHOUSE, CAMBRIDGE;
ST. PAUL'S SCHOOL, LONDON.
MESSRS. METHUEX propose to issue a new series of Classical Texts, edited
by eminent scholars, for the use of English-speaking students. The books
will be well printed and bound, and will be published at a very low price.
The first volume of every author will contain a brief Introduction in English,
not exceeding eight pages, in which the necessary information about the MSS.
will be given, and the salient features of the author's style indicated.
The critical notes, which will be at the foot of the page, will exhibit only
the important MS. variants and conjectures of special value. They will
contain very little argument ; and there will be no explanatory notes. Every
volume of the series will contain a short Index Rerum et Nominum
Special attention will be paid to the typography of the series.
The following, among many others, are arranged :
AUTHOR. EDITOR.
AESCHYLUS, . . . R. Y. TYRRELL, D.Litt, LL.D., Regius Professor of
Greek in the University of Dublin.
ARISTOPHANES, 2 vols., . PROFESSOR TYRRELL.
SOPHOCLES, W. J. M. STARKIE, M.A., Fellow of Trinity College,
Dublin.
EURIPIDES, 3 vols., . . W. S. HADLEY, M.A., Fellow and Bursar of Pembroke
College, Cambridge.
THUCYDIDES, 2 vols... . E. C. MARCHANT, M.A., Fellow of Peterhouse, Cam-
bridge ; St. Paul's School.
DEMOSTHENES, 3 vols., . J. E. SANDYS, Litt.D., Public Orator in the University
of Cambridge.
8 MESSRS. METHUEN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
ClCEKO
Speeches, 3 vols., . . J. S. REID, Litt.D., Fellow and Tutor of Cams College,
Cambridge.
Philosophical Works, . J. S. REID
Letters, 2 vols., . . L. C. PURSER, M.A., Fellow and Tutor of Trinity
College, Dublin.
TACITUS, 2 vols., . . G. G. RAMSAY, LL.D., Litt.D., Professor of Humanity
in the University of Glasgow.
TERENCE W. M. LINDSAY, M.A., Fellow of Jesus College,
Oxford.
LUCRETIUS, J. S. DUFF, M.A., Fellow of Trinity College, Cam-
bridge.
VERGIL A. S. WILKINS, M.A., Professor of Latin, Owen's
College, Manchester.
HORACE, .... J AMES Gow, Litt.D. , Master of Nottingham High School.
OVID, 3 vols.. . . . S. G. OWEN, M. A., Senior Student and Censor of Christ
Church, Oxford.
JUVENAL S. G. OWEN, M.A.
PHAEDRUS, . . . ROBINSON ELLIS, M.A. , LL.D., Corpus Professor of
Latin in the University of Oxford.
MARTIAL, . . . . W. M. LINDSAY, M.A.
Methuen's Byzantine Texts
GENERAL EDITOR
J. B. BURY, M.A.
FELLOW AND TUTOR OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, PROFESSOR OF MODERN
HISTORY IN DUBLIN UNIVERSITY.
MESSRS. METHUEN propose to issue a series of texts of Byzantine Historians,
edited by English and foreign scholars. It will consist mainly of Greek texts,
but will also include English translations of some Oriental works which are
important sources for Byzantine history. The Greek texts, which will be in
all cases based on original study of MSS. , will be accompanied by brief critical
notes, and preceded by short introductions, containing the necessary explana-
tions as to the material which has been used for the determination of the text.
A special feature of these volumes will be very full indices Graecitatis, framed
with a view to the collection of material for the Lexicon totius Graecitatis of
the future. Each volume will of course also be provided \\ ith an Index Rerum
et Nominum.
The collaboration of a considerable number of eminent foreign scholars has
been secured ; so that this series can justly claim to be regarded as inter-
national
CHRONICLE OF MOREA, . . . JOHN SCHMITT, Ph.D.
CONSTANTINE PoRl'HYROGENNETOS, PROFESSOR J. B. BURY.
ECTHESIS CHRONICA, . . . PROFESSOR LAMBKOS of Athens.
EVAGRIUS, PROFESSOR LEON PARMENTIER of Liege and
M. BIDEZ of Gand.
GENESIUS, . . -.-'. . PROFESSOR J. B. BURY.
GEORGE PISIDES PROFESSOR LEO STERNBACH of Cracow.
JOHN OF NIKIN (translated from the
Ethiopic) REV. R. H. CHARLES.
PSELLUS (Historia), .... MONSIEUR C. SATHAS.
THEODORE OF CYZICUS, . . . PROFESSOR LAMBROS.
MESSRS. METHUEN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS 9
Fiction
MARIE CORELLI'S ROMANCES
A'cw and Uniform Edition, Large Crown 8zv. 6s.
WORMWOOD. Eighth Edition.
THE SOUL OF LILITH. Ninth Edition.
BARABBAS : A DREAM OF THE WORLD'S TRAGEDY.
Twenty-Hint h Edition.
THE SORROWS OF SATAN. Thirty-fourth Edition.
The above will be issued in the uniform edition of Marie Corelli's books.
ANTHONY HOPE
PHROSO. By ANTHONY HOPE, Author of 'The Prisoner of
Zenda,' etc. Illustrated by H. R. MILLAR. Crown 8vo. 6s.
ROBERT BARR
THE MUTABLE MANY. By ROBERT BARR, Author of ' In
the Midst of Alarms,' ' A Woman Intervenes,' etc. CrouttSzv. 6s.
EMILY LAWLESS
A NEW BOOK. By The Hon. EMILY LAWLESS, Author of
' Hurrish,' ' Maelcho,' etc. Crown Szv. 6s.
S. BARING GOULD
GUAVAS THE TINNER. By S. BARING GOULD, Author of
' The Broom Squire,' etc. Illustrated by Frank Dadd. Craiftt Svo.
6s.
A Historical Romance of the time of Elizabeth.
W. E. NORRIS
CLARISSA FURIOSA. By W. E. NORRIS, Author of 'The
Rogue,' etc. Crown 8z>o. 6s.
GILBERT PARKER
THE POMP OF THE LAVILLETTES. By GILBERT PARKER,
Author of ' The Seats of the Mighty,' etc. Cn.wn 8zv. 3.1-. 6ct.
J. MACLAREN COBBAN
WILT THOU HAVE THIS WOMAN? By J. M. COBBAN,
Author of ' The King of Andaman.' Ova n 8tv. 6s.
A 2
io MESSRS. METHUEN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
H. MORRAII
THE FAITHFUL CITY. By HERBERT MORRAH, Author of
' A Serious Comedy. ' Crown 8vo. 6s.
J. F. BREWER
THE SPECULATORS. By J. F. BREWER. Crown 8vo. 6s.
A. BALFOUR
BY STROKE OF SWORD. By ANDREW BALFOUR. Illus-
trated by W. CUBITT COOKE. Crown 8vo. 6s.
JAMES GORDON
THE VILLAGE AND THE DOCTOR. By JAMES GORDON.
Crown 8v0. 6s,
IDA HOOPER
THE SINGER OF MARLY. By IDA HOOPER. Illustrated
by W. CUBITT COOKE. Crown &vo. 6s.
A romance of adventure.
H. G. WELLS.
THE PLATTNER STORY ; AND OTHERS. By H. G. WELLS,
Author of 'The Stolen Bacillus,' 'The Time Machine,' etc. Crown
8vo. 6s.
MARY GAUNT
KIRKHAM'S FIND. By MARY GAUNT, Author of 'The
Moving Finger. ' Crown 8vo. 6s.
L. S. MCCHESNEY
UNDER SHADOW OF THE MISSION. By L. S. McCHES-
NEY. Crown 8vo. 6s.
M. C. BALFOUR
THE FALL OF THE SPARROW. By M. C. BALFOUR.
Crown 8vo. 6s.
S. GORDON
A HANDFUL OF EXOTICS. By S. GORDON. Crown %vo.
3s. 6d.
A volume of stories of Jewish life in Russia.
P. NEUMANN
THE SUPPLANTER. By P. NEUMANN. Crown 8vo. 3^. 6<f.
H. A. KENNEDY
A MAN WITH BLACK EYELASHES. By H. A. KENNEDY.
Crown 8v0. $s. 6d.
HANNAH LYNCH
AN ODD EXPERIMENT. By HANNAH LYNCH. Cr. Bvo.
3s. 6d.
A LIST OF
MESSRS. METHUEN'S
PUBLICATIONS
Poetry
RUDYAKD KIPLING'S NEW POEMS
Rudyard Kipling. THE SEVEN SEAS. By RUDYARD
KIPLING. Third Edition. Crown 8vo. Buckram, gilt top. 6s.
1 The new poems of Mr. Rudyard Kipling have all the spirit and swing of their pre-
decessors. Patriotism is the solid concrete foundation on which Mr. Kipling has
built the whole of his work." Times.
' Full of passionate patriotism and the Imperial spirit.' Yorkshire Post.
' The Empire has found a singer ; it is no depreciation of the songs to say that states-
men may have, one way or other, to take account of them.' Manchester
Guardian.
'Animated through and through with indubitable genius.' Daily Telegraph.
' Packed with inspiration, with humour^ with pathos.' Daily Chronicle.
' All the pride of empire, all the intoxication of power, all the ardour, the energy,
the masterful strength and the wonderful endurance and death-scorning pluck
which are the very bone and fibre and marrow of the British character are here. 1
Daily Mail.
Rudyard Kipling. BARRACK-ROOM BALLADS; And
Other Verses. By RUDYARD KIPLING. Tenth Edition. Crown
Svo. 6s.
' Mr. Kipling's verse is strong, vivid, full of character. . . . Unmistakable genius
rings in every line.' Times.
'The ballads teem with imagination, they palpitate with emotion. We read them
with laughter and tears ; the metres throb in our pulses, the cunningly ordered
words tingle with life ; and if this be not poetry, what is?' Pall Mall Gazette.
"Q." POEMS AND BALLADS. By "Q.," Author of ' Green
Bays,' etc. Crown 8vo. Buckram. %s. 6d.
' His book will be read with interest by the most fastidious lovers of poetry, and it
will please many who think they have no taste for poetry at all' Scotsman.
"Q." THE GOLDEN POMP : A Procession of English Lyrics
from Surrey to Shirley, arranged by A. T. QuiLLER COUCH. Crown
8vo. Buckram. 6s.
1 A delightful volume : a really golden " Pomp." ' Spectator.
" Q." GREEN BAYS : Verses and Parodies. By " Q.," Author
of ' Dead Man's Rock,' etc. Second Edition. Crown 8vo. 3*. 6d.
' The verses display a rare and versatile gift of parody, great command of metre, and
a very pretty turn of humour.' Times.
12 MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST
H. C. Beecning. LYRA SACRA : An Anthology of Sacred Verse.
Edited by H. C. BEECHING, M.A. Crown 8vo. Buckram. 6s.
'An anthology of high excellence.' Athenaunt.
1 A charming selection, which maintains a lofty standard of excellence.' Times.
W. B. Yeats. AN ANTHOLOGY OF IRISH VERSE.
Edited by W. B. YEATS. Crown 8vo. 3*. &/.
1 An attractive and catholic selection.' Times.
' It is edited by the most original and most accomplished of modern Irish poets, and
against his editing but a single objection can be brought, namely, that it excludes
from the collection his own delicate lyrics.' Saturday Review.
E. Mackay. A SONG OF THE SEA : MY LADY OF DREAMS,
AND OTHER POEMS. By ERIC MACKAY, Author of ' The Love
Letters of a Violinist.' Second Edition. Fcap. 8vo, gilt top. $s.
' Everywhere Mr. Mackay displays himself the master of a style marked by all the
characteristics of the best rhetoric. He has a keen sense of rhythm and of general
balance ; his verse is excellently sonorous. ' Globe.
Ibsen. BRAND. A Drama by HENRIK IBSEN. Translated by
WILLIAM WILSON. Second Edition. Crown 8vo. 35. 6d.
'The greatest world-poem of the nineteenth century next to "Faust." It is in
the same set with "Agamemnon," with " Lear," with the literature that we now
instinctively regard as high and holy.' Daily Chronicle.
"A.G." VERSES TO ORDER. By "A. G." Cr. 8vo. 2s.M.
net.
A small volume of verse by a writer whose initials are well known to Oxford men.
' A capital specimen of light academic poetry. These verses are very bright and
engaging, easy and sufficiently witty. Si. James's Gazette.
F. Langbridge. BALLADS OF THE BRAVE : Poems of
Chivalry, Enterprise, Courage, and Constancy, from the Earliest
Times to the Present Day. Edited, with Notes, by Rev. F. LANG-
BRIDGE. Crown 8vo. Buckram. 3^. 6d. School Edition. 2s. 6d.
' A very happy conception happily carried out. These "Ballads of the Brave" are
intended to suit the real tastes of boys, and will suit the taste of the great majority.'
Spectator. ' The book is full of splendid things.' World.
Lang and Craigie. THE POEMS OF ROBERT BURNS.
Edited by ANDREW LANG and W. A. CRAIGIE. With Portrait.
Demy 8vo, gilt top. 6s.
This edition contains a carefully collated Text, numerous Notes, critical and textual,
a critical and biographical Introduction, and a Glossary.
'Among the editions in one volume, Mr. Andrew Lang's will take the place of
authority. 1 Times.
1 To the general public the beauty of its type, and the fair proportions of its pages, as
well as the excellent chronological arrangement of the poems, should make it
acceptable enough. t Mr. Lang and his publishers have certainly succeeded in
producing an attractive po_pular edition of the poet, in which the brightly written
biographical introduction is not the least notable feature.' Glasgo^a Herald.
MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST 13
English Classics
Edited by W. E. HENLEY.
'Very dainty volumes are these ; the paper, type, and light-green binding are all
very agreeable to the eye. Simplex munditiis is the phrase that might be applied
to them.' Globe.
'The volumes are strongly bound in green buckram, are of a convenient size, and
pleasant to look upon, so that whether on the shelf, or on the table, or in the hand
the possessor is thoroughly content with them.' Guardian.
THE LIFE AND OPINIONS OF TRISTRAM SHANDY.
By LAWRENCE STERNE. With an Introduction by CHARLES
WHIBLEY, and a Portrait. 2 vols. 7*.
THE COMEDIES OF WILLIAM CONGREVE. With
an Introduction bv G. S. STREET, and a Portrait. 2 vols. Is.
THE ADVENTURES OF HAJJI BABA OF ISPAHAN.
By JAMES MORIER. With an Introduction by E. G. BROWNE, M. A.,
and a Portrait. 2 vols. fs.
THE LIVES OF DONNE, WOTTON, HOOKER, HER-
BERT, AND SANDERSON. By IZAAK WALTON. With an
Introduction by VERNON BLACKBURN, and a Portrait. 35-. 6d.
THE LIVES OF THE ENGLISH POETS. By SAMUEL
JOHNSON, LL.D. With an Introduction byj. H. MILLAR, and a
Portrait. 3 vols. lew. 6d.
Illustrated Books
Jane Barlow. THE BATTLE OF THE FROGS AND MICE,
translated by JANE BARLOW, Author of ' Irish Idylls,' and pictured
by F. D. BEDFORD. Small 4*0. 6s. net.
S. Baring Gould. A BOOK OF FAIRY TALES retold by S.
BARING GOULD. With- numerous illustrations and initial letters by
ARTHUR J. GASKIN. Second Edition. Crown 8vo. Buckram, 6s.
' Mr. Baring Gould is deserving of gratitude, in re-writing in honest, simple style the
old stories that delighted the childhood of " our fathers and grandfathers." As to
the form of the book, and the printing, which is by Messrs. Constable, it were
difficult to commend overmuch. Saturday Review.
S. Baring Gould. OLD ENGLISH FAIRY TALES. Col-
lected and edited by S. BARING GOULD. With Numerous Illustra-
tions by F. D. BEDFORD. Second Edition. CrcwnSvo. Buckram. 6s-.
A charming volume, which children will be sure to appreciate. The stories have
been selected with great ingenuity from various old ballads and folk-tales, and,
having been somewhat altered and readjusted, now stand forth, clothed in Mr.
Baring Gould's delightful English, to enchant youthful readers.' Guardian.
14 MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST
S. Baring Gould. A BOOK OF NURSERY SONGS AND
RHYMES. Edited by S. BARING GOULD, and Illustrated by the
Birmingham Art School. Buckram, gilt top. Crown 8vo. 6s.
1 The volume is very complete in its way, as it contains nursery songs to the number
of 77, game-rhymes, and jingles. To the student we commend the sensible intro-
duction, and the explanatory notes. The volume is superbly printed on soft,
thick paper, which it is a pleasure to touch ; and the borders and pictures are
among the very best specimens we have seen of the Gaskin school.' Birming-
ham Gazette,
H. 0. Beeching. A BOOK OF CHRISTMAS VERSE. Edited
by H. C. BEECHING, M.A., and Illustrated by WALTER CRANE.
Crown 8vo, gilt top. $s.
A collection of the best verse inspired by the birth of Christ from the Middle Ages
to the present day. A distinction of the book is the large number of poems it
contains by modern authors, a few of which are here printed for the first time.
'An anthology which, from its unity of aim and high poetic excellence, has a better
right to exist than most of its fellows.' Guardian.
History-
Gibbon. THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN
EMPIRE. By EDWARD GIBBON. A New Edition, Edited with
Notes, Appendices, and Maps, by J. B. BURY, M.A., Fellow of
Trinity College, Dublin. In Seven Volumes. Demy 8vo. Gilt top.
85. 6d. each. Also crown 8vo. 6s. each. Voh. I. and II.
'The time has certainty arrived for a new edition of Gibbon's great work. . . . Pro-
fessor Bury is the right man to undertake this task. His learning is amazing,
both in extent and accuracy. The book is issued in a handy form, and at a
moderate price, and it is admirably printed.' Times.
' The edition is edited as a classic should be edited, removing nothing, yet indicating
the value of the text, and bringing it up to dr.te. It promises to be of the utmost
value, and will be a welcome addition to many libraries.' Scotsman.
'This edition, so far as one may judge from the first instalment, is a marvel of
erudition and critical skill, and it is the very minimum of praise to predict that the
seven volumes of it will supersede Dean Milman's as the standard edition of our
great historical classic." Glasgow Herald.
1 The beau-ideal Gibbon has arrived at last.' Sketch.
'At last there is an adequate modern edition of Gibbon. . . . The best edition the
nineteenth century could produce.' Manchester Guardian.
Flinders Petrio. A HISTORY OF EGYPT,FROMTHE EARLIEST
TIMES TO THE PRESENT DAY. Edited by W. M. FLINDERS
PETRIE, D.C.L., LL.D., Professor of Egyptology at University
College. Fully Illustrated. In Six Volumes. Crown &ro. 6s. each.
Vol. I. PREHISTORIC TIMES TO XVI. DYNASTY. W. M. F.
Petrie. Second Edition.
Vol. II. THE XVIlTH AND XVIIlTH DYNASTIES. W. M. F.
Petrie.
' A history written in the spirit of scientific precision so worthily represented by Dr.
Petrie and his school cannot but promote sound and accurate study, and
supply a vacant place in the English literature of Egyptology.' Times.
MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST 15
Flinders Petrie. EGYPTIAN TALES. Edited by W. M.
FLINDERS PETRIE. Illustrated by TRISTRAM ELLIS. In Two
Volumes, Crown Szv. $s. 6d. each,
1 A valuable addition to the literature of comparative folk-lore. The drawings are
really illustrations in the literal sense of the word.' Globe.
' It has a scientific value to the student of history and archjeology.' Scotsman.
' Invaluable as a picture of life in Palestine and Egypt.' Daily News.
Flinders Petrie. EGYPTIAN DECORATIVE ART. By
W. M. FLINDERS PETRIE, D.C.L. Withi2olllustrations. Crown
8zv. 35. ftd.
Baring Gould. THE TRAGEDY OF THE C^SARS.
The Emperors of the Julian and Claudian Lines. With numerous
Illustrations from Busts, Gems, Cameos, etc. By S. BARING GOULD,
Author of ' Mehalah,' etc. Fourth Edition. Koyal%vo. l$s.
' A most splendid and fascinating book on a subject of undying interest. The great
feature of the book is the use the author has made of the existing portraits of the
Caesars, and the admirable critical subtlety he has exhibited in dealing with this
line of research. It is brilliantly written, and the illustrations are supplied on a
scale of profuse magnificence." Daily Chronicle.
' The volumes will in no sense disappoint the general reader. Indeed,_ in their way,
there is nothing in any sense so good in English. . . . Mr. Baring Gould has
presented his narrative in such a way aj not to make ome dull page. 1 Athentrutn.
H. de B. Gibbins. INDUSTRY IN ENGLAND : HISTORI-
CAL OUTLINES. By H. PE B. GIBBINS, M.A., D.Litt. With
5 Maps. DemyZvo. los. 6d. Pp. 450.
This book is written with the view of affording a clear view of the main facts of
English Social and Industrial History placed in due perspective. Beginning
with prehistoric times, it passes in revie_w the growth and advance of industry
up to the nineteenth century, showing its gradual development and progress.
The author has endeavoured to place before his readers the history of industry
as a connected whole in which all these developments have their proper place.
The book is illustrated by Maps, Diagrams, and Tables, and aided by copious
Footnotes.
A. Clark. THE COLLEGES OF OXFORD : Their History,
their Traditions. By Members of the University. Edited by A.
CLARK, M.A., Fellow and Tutor of Lincoln College. Svo. 12s. 6d.
' A work which will certainly be appealed to for many years as the standard book on
the Colleges of Oxford.' AtAenamm.
Perrens. THE HISTORY OF FLORENCE FROM 1434
TO 1492. By F. T. PERRENS. Translated by HANNAH LYNCH.
Svo. i2s. 6d.
A history of Florence under th domination of Cosimo, Piero, and Lorenzo de
Medicis.
' This is a standard book by an honest and intelligent historian, who has deserved
well of all who are interested in Italian history.' Manchester Guardian.
1 6 MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST
J. Wells. A SHORT HISTORY OF ROME. By J. WELLS,
M.A., Fellow and Tutor of Wadham Coll., Oxford. With 4 Maps.
Crown 8vo. 35. 6d. 3$ofp.
This book is intended for the Middle and Up_per Forms of Public Schools and for
Pass Students at the Universities. It contains copious Tables, etc.
'An original work written on an original plan, and with uncommon freshness and
vigour. ' Speaker.
E. L. S. Horsburgh. THE CAMPAIGN OF WATERLOO.
By E. L. S. HORSBURGH, B. A. With Plans. Crown 8vo. 5*.
'A brilliant essay simple, sound, and thorough.' Daily Chronicle,
' A study, the most concise, the most lucid, the most critical that has been produced.'
Birmingham Mercury,
H.B. George. BATTLES OF ENGLISH HISTORY. ByH.B.
GEORGE, M.A., Fellow of New College, Oxford. With numerous
Plans. Third Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s.
' Mr. George has undertaken a very useful task that of making military affairs in-
telligible and instructive to non-military readers and has executed it with laud-
able intelligence and industry, and with a large measure of success.' Times.
'This book is almost a revelation ; and we heartily congratulate the author on his
work.' Daily Chronicle.
0. Browning. A SHORT HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL ITALY,
A.D. 1250-1530. By OSCAR BROWNING, Fellow and Tutor of King's
College, Cambridge. Second Edition. In Two Volumes. Crown
8vo. $s. each.
VOL. I. 1250-1409. Guelphs and Ghibellines.
VOL. II. 1409-1530. The Age of the Condottieri.
'A vivid picture of mediaeval Italy.' Standard.
' Mr. Browning is to be congratulated on the production of a work of immense
labour and learning.' Westminster Gazette.
O'Grady. THE STORY OF IRELAND. By STANDISH
O'GRADY, Author of ' Finn and his Companions.' Cr. Svo. zs. 6d.
'Most delightful, most stimulating. Its racy humour, its original imaginings,
make it one of the freshest, breeziest volumes.' Methodist Times.
Biography
S. Baring Gould. THE LIFE OF NAPOLEON BONA-
PARTE. By S. BARING GOULD. With over 450 Illustrations in
the Text and 13 Photogravure Plates. Large quarto. Gilt top. 36^.
'A brilliant and attractive volume. It impresses first by reason of its bulk,
and next by reason of its substantial and striking binding. Within, it is
remarkable, to begin with, for the considerable number and unusual excellence
of its illustrations. Never before, it is safe to say, have so many pictures
relating to Napoleon been brought together within the limits of an English
book. The portraits alone are multitudinous ; Bonaparte is presented to us
at all ages, in all sorts of costume, and amid very varied circumstances. Then
there are reproductions of statuettes, busts, and medals, caricatures, portraits of
his connections by birth and marriage, representations of events in which he took
MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST 17
part, and what not. The list of illustrations in the text covers nine pages, and in
addition there are a dozen full-page photogravures, in which famous paintings are
reproduced. Altogether, this is a table-book of the first class. But it is more. It
embodies "a study of the character and opinions of Napoleon " on which Mr.
Baring Gould can be freely congratulated. The writer's plan has been to " lay
on one side what concerned Napoleon's military achievements and the political
importance of his life, so far as did not bear on the development of his mind and
the movements of his heart." By this means a novel point of view has been
secured, and the result is a narrative of which the chief characteristic is an agree-
able freshness.' Globe.
E. L. Stevenson. VAILIMA LETTERS. By ROBERT Louis
STEVENSON. With an Etched Portrait by WILLIAM STRANG, and
other Illustrations. Second Edition. Crown &vo. Buckram. Js.6d.
' The Vailima Letters are rich in all the varieties of that charm which have secured
for Stevenson the affection of many others besides "journalists, fellow-novelists,
and boys." 'The Times.
' Few publications have in our time been more eagerly awaited than these "Vailima
Letters," giving the first fruits of the correspondence of Robert Louis Stevenson.
But, high as the tide of expectation has run, no reader can possibly be disappointed
in the result.' Si. James's Gazette.
' For the student of English literature these letters indeed are a treasure. They
are more like " Scott's Journal" in kind than any other literary autobiography.'
National Observer.
Victor Hugo. THE LETTERS OF VICTOR HUGO.
Translated from the French by F. CLARKE, M. A. In Two Volumes.
Dtmy^vo. icxr. 6d. each. Vol.1. 1815-35.
This is the first volume of one of the most interesting and important collection of
letters ever published in France. The correspondence dates from Victor Hugo's
boyhood to his death, and none of the letters have been published before. The
arrangement is chiefly chronological, but where there is an interesting set of
letters to one person these are arranged together. The first volume contains,
among others, (i) Letters to his father ; (2) to his young wife ; (3) to his confessor,
Lamennais ; (4) a very important set of about fifty letters to Sainte-Beuve ; (5)
letters about his early books and plays.
' A charming and vivid picture of a man whose egotism never marred his natural
kindness, and whose vanity did not impair his greatness.' Standard.
J. M. Eigg. ST. ANSELM OF CANTERBURY : A CHAPTER
IN THE HISTORY OF RELIGION. By J. M. RIGG, of Lincoln's
Inn, Barrister-at-Law. Demy Svo. Js. 6d.
This work gives for the first time in moderate compass a complete portrait of St.
Anselm, exhibiting him in his intimate and interior as well as in his public life.
Thus, while the great ecclesiastico-political struggle in which he played so prominent
a part is fully dealt with, unusual prominence is given to the profound and subtle
speculations by which he permanently influenced theological and metaphysical
thought ; while it will be a surprise to most readers to find him also appearing as
the author of some of the most exquisite religious poetry in the Latin language.
'Mr. Rigg has told the story of the great Primate's life with scholarly ability,_and
has thereby contributed an interesting chapter to the history of the Norman period.'
Daily Chronicle.
A3
i8 MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST
F. W. Joyce. THE LIFE OF SIR FREDERICK GORE
OUSELEY. By F. W. JOYCE, M.A. With Portraits and Illustra-
tions. Crown 8vo. ^s. 6d.
' The book gives us a complete picture of the life of one who will ever be held in
loving remembrance, and who in the history of music in this country will always
occupy a prominent position on account of the many services he rendered to
the art.' Musical News.
1 This book has been undertaken in quite the right spirit, and written with sympathy,
insight, and considerable literary skill.' Times.
W. G. Collingwood. THE LIFE OF JOHN RUSKIN. By
W. G. COLLINGWOOD, M.A., Editor of Mr. Ruskin's Poems. With
numerous Portraits, and 13 Drawings by Mr. Ruskin. Second
Edition. 2 vols. 8vo. 32$.
' No more magnificent volumes have been published for a long time.' Times.
' It is long since we had a biography with such delights of substance and of form.
Such a oook is a pleasure for the day, and a joy for ever.' Daily Chronicle.
C. Waldstein. JOHN RUSKIN : a Study. By CHARLES
WALDSTEIN, M.A., Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. With a
Photogravure Portrait after Professor HERKOMER. Post 8vo. $s.
'A thoughtful, impartial, well-written criticism of Ruskin's teaching, intended to
separate what the author regards as valuable and permanent from what is transient
and erroneous in the great master's writing." Daily Chronicle.
W. H. Hutton. THE LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE. By
W. H. HUTTON, M.A., Author of ' William Laud.' With Portraits.
Crown 8v0. $s.
' The book lays good claim to high rank among our biographies. It is excellently,
even lovingly, written. ' Scotsman. ' An excellent monograph. ' Times.
M. Kaufmann. CHARLES KINGSLEY. By M. KAUFMANN,
M.A. Crown 8v0. Buckram. $s.
A biography of Kingsley, especially dealing with his achievements in social reform.
' The author has certainly gone about his work with conscientiousness and industry'.
Sheffield Daily Telegraph.
A. F. Robbing. THE EARLY PUBLIC LIFE OF WILLIAM
EWART GLADSTONE. By A. F. ROBBINS. With Portraits.
Crown 8z>0. 6s.
'Considerable labour and much skill of presentation have not been unworthily
expended on this interesting work.' Times.
Clark Russell. THE LIFE OF ADMIRAL LORD COL-
LINGWOOD. By W. CLARK RUSSELL, Author of ' The Wreck
of the Grosvenor.' With Illustrations by F. BRANGWYN. Third
Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s.
' A book which we should like to see in the hands of every boy in the country.'
St. James's Gazette. ' A really good book.' Saturday Review.
Southey. ENGLISH SEAMEN (Howard, Clifford, Hawkins,
Drake, Cavendish). By ROBERT SOUTHEY. Edited, with an
Introduction, by DAVID HANNAY. Second Edition. Crown8vo. 6s.
'Admirable and well-told stories of our naval history." Army and Nary Gazette.
' A brave, inspiriting book.' Black and White.
MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST 19
General Literature
S. Baring Gould. OLD COUNTRY LIFE. By S. BARING
GOULD, Author of 'Mehalah,' etc. With Sixty-seven Illustrations
by W. PARKINSON, F. D. BEDFORD, and F. MASEY. Large
Crown 8vo. los. 6d. Fifth and Cheaper Edition. 6s.
' " Old Country Life," as healthy wholesome reading, full of breezy life and move-
ment, full of quaint stories vigorously told, will not be excelled by any book to be
published throughout the year. Sound, hearty, and English to the core." World.
S. Baring Gould. HISTORIC ODDITIES AND STRANGE
EVENTS. By S. BARING GOULD. Third Edition. CrownKvo. 6s.
' A collection of exciting and entertaining chapters. The whole volume is delightful
reading.' Times.
S. Baring Gould. FREAKS OF FANATICISM. By S. BARING
GOULD. Third Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s.
1 Mr. Baring Gould has a keen eye for colour and effect, and the subjects he has
chosen give ample scope to his descriptive and analytic faculties. A perfectly
fascinating book.' Scottish Leader.
S. Baring Gould. A GARLAND OF COUNTRY SONG :
English Folk Songs with their Traditional Melodies. Collected and
arranged by S. BARING GOULD and H. FLEETWOOD SHEPPARD.
Demy 4/0. 6s.
S. Baring Gould. SONGS OF THE WEST: Traditional
Ballads and Songs of the West of England, with their Traditional
Melodies. Collected by S. BARING GOULD, M. A., and H. FLEET-
WOOD SHEPPARD, M. A. Arranged for Voice and Piano. In 4 Parts
(containing 25 Songs each), Parts /., //., ///., 3.?. each. Part
IV., 5.T. In one Vol., French, morocco, l$s.
' A rich collection of humour, pathos, grace, and poetic fancy.' Saturday Review.
S. Baring Gould. YORKSHIRE ODDITIES AND STRANGE
EVENTS. Fourth Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s.
S. Baring Gould. STRANGE SURVIVALS AND SUPER-
STITIONS. With Illustrations. By S. BARING GOULD. Crown
8w. Second Edition. 6s.
' We have read Mr. Baring Gould's book from beginning to end. It is full of quaint
and various information, and there is not a dull page in it.' Notes and Queries,
S. Baring Gould. THE DESERTS OF SOUTHERN
FRANCE. By S. BARING. GOULD, With numerous Illustrations
by F. D. BEDFORD, S. HUTTON, etc. 2 voh. Demy 8vo. 32.?.
This book describes the great barren tableland that extends to the south of Limousin,
a country of dolomite cliffs, and canons, and subterranean rivers. The region
is full of prehistoric and historic interest, relics of cave-dwellers, of mediaeval
robbers, and of the English domination and the Hundred Years' War.
1 His two richly-illustrated volumes are full of matter of interest to the geologist,
the archaeologist, and the student of history and manners." Scotsman.
20 MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST
R. S. Baden-Powell. THE DOWNFALL OF PREMPEH. A
Diary of Life with the Native Levy in Ashanti, 1895. By Lieut. -Col.
BADEN-POWELL. With 21 Illustrations, a Map, and a Special
Chapter on the Political and Commercial Position of Ashanti by Sir
GEORGE BADEN-POWELL, K.C.M.G., M.P. DemyZvo. IQS. 6d.
' A compact, faithful, most readable record of the campaign.' Daily News.
' A bluff and vigorous narrative.' Glasgow Herald.
G. W. Steevens. NAVAL POLICY : WITH A DESCRIP-
TION OF ENGLISH AND FOREIGN NAVIES. By G. W. STEEVENS.
Demy 8v0. 6s.
This book is a description of the British and other more important navies of the world,
with a sketch of the lines on which our naval policy might possibly be developed.
It describes our recent naval policy, and shows what our naval force really is. A
detailed but non-technical account is given of the instruments of modern warfare
guns, armour, engines, and the like with a view to determine how far we are
abreast of modern invention and modern requirements. An ideal policy is then
sketched for the building and manning of our fleet ; and the last chapter is
devoted to docks, coaling-stations, and especially colonial defence.
'An extremely able and interesting work." Daily Chronicle.
W. E. Gladstone. THE SPEECHES AND PUBLIC AD-
DRESSES OF THE RT. HON. W. E. GLADSTONE, M.P.
Edited by A. W. HUTTON, M.A., and H. J. COHEN, M.A. With
Portraits. Svo. Vols. IX. and X. 12s. 6d. each.
Henley and Whibley. A BOOK OF ENGLISH PROSE.
Collected by W. E. HENLEY and CHARLES WHIBLEY. Cr. %vo. 6s.
'A unique volume of extracts an art gallery of early prose.' Birmingham Post.
1 An admirable companion to Mr. Henley's " Lyra Heroica.'" Saturday Review.
1 Quite delightful. The choice made has been excellent, and the volume has been
most admirably printed by Messrs. Constable. A greater treat for those not well
acquainted with pre-Restoration prose could not be imagined.' Athcnieum.
G. W. Steevens. MONOLOGUES OF THE DEAD. By
G. W. STEEVENS. Foolscap Svo. 35. 6d.
A series of Soliloquies in which famous men of antiquity Julius Caesar, Nero,
Alcibiades, etc., attempt to express themselves in the modes of thought and
language of to-day.
' The effect is sometimes splendid, sometimes bizarre, but always amazingly clever.
Pall Mall Gazette.
J. Wells. OXFORD AND OXFORD LIFE. By Members of
the University. Edited byj. WELLS, M.A., Fellow and Tutor of
Wadham College. Crown 8v0. %s. 6d.
This work contains an account of life at Oxford intellectual, social, and religious
a careful estimate of necessary expenses, a review of recent changes, a statement
of the present position of the University, and chapters on Women's Education,
aids to study, and University Extension.
' We congratulate Mr. Wells on the production of a readable and intelligent account
of Oxford as it is at the present time, written by persons who are possessed of a
close acquaintance with the system and life of the University.' Athen&um.
MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST 21
W. M. Dixon. A PRIMER OF TENNYSON. By W. M.
DIXON, M.A., Professor of English Literature at Mason College.
Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d.
' Much sound and well-expressed criticism and acute literary judgments. The biblio-
graphy is a boon.' Speaker.
' No better estimate of the late Laureate's work has yet been published. His sketch
of Tennyson's life contains everything essential ; his bibliography is full and con-
cise : his literary criticism is most interesting.' Glasgow Herald.
W. A. Craigie. A PRIMER OF BURNS. By W. A. CRAIGIE.
Crown Svo. 2s. 6d.
This book is planned on a method similar to the ' Primer of Tennyson." It has also
a glossary.
'A valuable addition to the literature of the poet.' Times.
' An excellent short account. ' Pall Mall Gazette.
' An admirable introduction.' Globe.
L. WMbley. GREEK OLIGARCHIES : THEIR ORGANISA-
TION AND CHARACTER. By L. WHIBLEY, M.A., Fellow
of Pembroke College, Cambridge. Crown 8vo. 6s.
' An exceedingly useful handbook : a careful and well-arranged study of an obscure
subject. ' Times.
' Mr. Whibley is never tedious or pedantic.' Pall Mall Gazette.
W. B. Worsfold. SOUTH AFRICA : Its History and its Future.
By W. BASIL WORSFOLD, M.A. With a Map. Second Edition.
Crown 8v0. 6s.
'An intensely interesting book.' Daily Chronicle.
' A monumental work compressed into a very moderate compass.' World.
0. H. Pearson. ESSAYS AND CRITICAL REVIEWS. By
C. H. PEARSON, M.A., Author of 'National Life and Character.'
Edited, with a Biographical Sketch, by H. A. STRONG, M.A,,
LL.D. With a Portrait. Demy 8v0. los. 6d.
'These fine essays illustrate the great breadth of his historical and literary sym-
pathies and the remarkable variety of his intellectual interests.' Glasgow Herald.
' Remarkable for careful handling, breadth of view, and thorough knowledge.' Scats-
man. ' Charming essays.' Spectator.
L. F. Price. ECONOMIC SCIENCE AND PRACTICE.
By L. F. PRICE, M.A., Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford. Crown
8vo. 6s.
This book consists of a number of Studies in Economics and Industrial and Social
Problems.
' The book is well written, giving evidence of considerable literary ability, and clear
mental grasp of the subject under consideration.' Western Morning News.
0. P. Andrews. CHRISTIANITY AND THE LABOUR
QUESTION. By C. F. ANDREWS, B.A. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d.
'A bold and scholarly survey of the principle and motive which have shaped and
determined the conflicts of Labour. Speaker.
Ouida. VIEWS AND OPINIONS. By OUIDA. Crown 8vo.
Second Edition. 6s.
Ouida is outspoken, and the reader of this book will not have a dull moment. The
book is full of variety, and sparkles with entertaining matter.' Speaker.
22 MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST
J. S. Shedlock. THE PIANOFORTE SONATA : Its Origin
and Development. By J. S. SHEDLOCK. Crown 8vo. 55.
' This work should be in the possession of every musician and amateur, for it not
only embodies a concise and lucid history ol the origin of one of the most im-
portant forms of musical composition, but, by reason of the painstaking research
and accuracy of the author's statements, it is a very valuable work for reference. 1
A theneeum.
E.M. Bowden. THE EXAMPLE OF BUDDHA: Being Quota-
tions from Buddhist Literature for each Day in the Year. Compiled
by E. M. BOWDEN. With Preface by Sir EDWIN ARNOLD. Third
Edition. i6mo. 2s. 6d.
J. Beever. PRACTICAL FLY-FISHING, Founded on
Nature, by JOHN BEEVER, late of the Thwaite House, Coniston. A
New Edition, with a Memoir of the Author by W. G. COLLINGWOOD,
M.A. Crown 8v0. 3^. 6d.
A little book on Fly-Fishing by an old friend of Mr. Ruskin.
Science
Freudenreich. DAIRY BACTERIOLOGY. A Short Manual
for the Use of Students. By Dr. ED. VON FREUDENREICH.
Translated from the German by J. R. AINSWORTH DAVIS, B.A.,
F.C.P. Crown 8vo. 2s. (>d.
Chalmers Mitchell. OUTLINES OF BIOLOGY. By P.
CHALMERS MITCHELL, M.A., F.Z.S. Fully Illustrated. Crown
8vo. 6s.
A'text-bo_ok designed to cover the new Schedule issued by the Royal College of
^hvsicians and Surgeons.
G.Massee. A MONOGRAPH OF THE MYXOGASTRES. By
GEORGE MASSEE. With 12 Coloured Plates. Royal "&vo. i8.r. net.
1 A "work much in advance of any book in the language treating of this group of
organisms. It is indispensable to every student of the Myxogastres. The
coloured plates deserve high praise for their accuracy and execution.' Nature.
Philosophy
L. T. Hobhouse. THE THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE. By
L. T. HOBHOUSE, Fellow and Tutor of Corpus College, Oxford.
Demy 8vo. 21 s.
1 The most important contribution to English philosophy since the publication of Mr.
Bradley 's "Appearance and Reality." Full of brilliant criticism and of positive
theories which are models of lucid statement.' Glasgow Herald.
' An elaborate and often brilliantly written volume. The treatment is one of great
freshness, and the illustrations are particularly numerous and apt.' Times.
MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST 23
W. H. Fairbrother. THE PHILOSOPHY OF T. H. GREEN.
By W. H. FAIRBROTHER, M.A., Lecturer at Lincoln College,
Oxford. Crown 8vo. %s. 6J.
This volume is expository, not critical, and is intended for senior students at the
Universities and others, as a statement of Green's teaching, and an introduction to
the study of Idealist Philosophy.
In every way an admirable book. As an introduction to the writings of perhaps the
most remarkable speculative thinker whom England has produced in the present
century, nothing could be better.' Glasgow Herald.
T. W. Bussell. THE SCHOOL OF PLATO : its Origin and
its Revival under the Roman Empire. By F. W. BUSSELL, M.A.,
Fellow and Tutor of Brasenose College, Oxford. Demy 8v0. los. 6d.
' A highly valuable contribution to the history of ancient thought.' Glasgow Herald.
' A clever and stimulating book, provocative of thought and deserving careful reading.'
Manchester Guardian.
F. S. Granger. THE WORSHIP OF THE ROMANS. By
F. S. GRANGER, M.A., Litt.D., Professor of Philosophy at Univer-
sity College, Nottingham. Crown 8vo. 6s.
The author delineates that group of beliefs which stood in close connection with the
Roman religion, and among the subjects treated are Dreams, Nature Worship,
Roman Magic, Divination, Holy Places, Victims, etc.
1 A scholarly analysis of the religious ceremonies.beliefs, and superstitions of ancient
Rome, conducted in the new instructive light of comparative anthropology.'
Times,
Theology
E. C. S. Gibson. THE XXXIX. ARTICLES OF THE
CHURCH OF ENGLAND. Edited with an Introduction by E.
C. S. GIBSON, D.D., Vicar of Leeds, late Principal of Wells
Theological College. In Two Volumes. Demy 8vo. 'js. 6d. each.
Vol. /. Articles /. - VIII.
' The tone maintained throughout is not that of the partial advocate, but the faithful
exponent. ' Scotsman.
' There are ample proofs of clearness of expression, sobriety of judgment, and breadth
of view. . . . The book will be welcome to all students of the subject, and its sound,
definite, and loyal theology ought to be of great service.' National Observer.
' So far from repelling the general reader, its orderly arrangement, lucid treatment,
and felicity of diction invite and encourage his attention.' Yorkshire Post.
E. L. Ottley. THE DOCTRINE OF THE INCARNATION.
By R. L. OTTLEY, M.A., late fellow of Magdalen College, Oxon.,
Principal of Pusey House. In Two Volumes. Demy&vo, l$s.
' Learned and reverent : lucid and well arranged.' Record.
'Accurate, well ordered, and judicious.' National Observer.
'A clear and remarkably full account of the main currents of speculation. Scholarly
precision . . . genuine tolerance . . . intense interest in his subject are Mr.
Ottley 's merits.' Guardian.
24 MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST
F. B. Jevons. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY
OF RELIGION. By F. B. JEVONS, M.A., Litt.D., Tutor at the
University of Durham. DcmyZvo. los. 6d.
Mr. F. B. Jevons 1 ' Introduction to the History of Religion' treats of early religion,
from the point of view of Anthropology and Folk-lore ; and is the first attempt
that has been made in any language to weave together the results of recent
investigations into such topics as Sympathetic Magic, Taboo, Totemism,
Fetishism, etc., so as to present a systematic account of the growth of primitive
religion and the development of early religious institutions.
1 Displays mental power of no ordinary kind, and is the result of much and well-
directed study.' Scotsman.
S. E. Driver. SERMONS ON SUBJECTS CONNECTED
WITH THE OLD TESTAMENT. By S. R. DRIVER, D.D.,
Canon of Christ Church, Regius Professor of Hebrew in the Uni-
versity of Oxford. Crown 8z>0. 6s.
' A welcome companion to the author's famous ' Introduction.' No man can read these
discourses without feeling that Dr. Driver is fully alive to the deeper teaching of
the Old Testament." Guardian.
T. K. Cheyne. FOUNDERS OF OLD TESTAMENT CRITI-
CISM : Biographical, Descriptive, and Critical Studies. By T. K.
CHEYNE, D.D., Oriel Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scrip-
ture at Oxford. Large crown &vo. Js. 6d.
This important book is a historical sketch of O. T. Criticism in the form of biographi-
cal studies from the days of Eichhorn to those of Driver and Robertson Smith.
It is the only book of its kind in English.
'A very learned and instructive work.' Times.
C.H.Prior. CAMBRIDGE SERMONS. Edited by C.H. PRIOR,
M.A., Fellow and Tutor of Pembroke College. Crown %vo. 6s.
A volume of sermons preached before the University of Cambridge by various
preachers, including the Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop Westcott.
'A representative collection. Bishop Westcott's is a noble sermon.' Guardian.
H. C. Beeching. SERMONS TO SCHOOLBOYS. By H. C.
BEECHING, M.A., Rector of Yattendon, Berks. With a Preface by
Canon SCOTT HOLLAND. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d.
Seven sermons preached before the boys of Bradfield College.
E. B. Layard. RELIGION IN BOYHOOD. Notes on the
Religious Training of Boys. With a Preface by J. R. ILLING-
WORTH. By E. B. LAYARD, M.A. i&mo. is.
W. Yorke Faussett. THE DE CATECHIZANDIS
RUDIBUS OF ST. AUGUSTINE. Edited, with Introduction,
Notes, etc., by W. YORKE FAUSSETT, M.A., late Scholar of Balliol
Coll. Crown 8v0. 3*. 6d.
An edition of a Treatise on the Essentials of Christian Doctrine, and the best
methods of impressing them on candidates for baptism. The editor bestows upon
this patristic work the same care which a treatise of Cicero might claim. There
is a general Introduction, a careful Analysis, a full Commentary, and other useful
matter. No better introduction to the study of the Latin Fathers, their style and
diction, could be found than this treatise, which also has no lack of modern interest.
'Ably and judiciously edited on the same principle as the ordinary Greek and
Latin texts.' Glasgow herald.
MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST 25
2Detottonal Boofeg.
With Full-page Illustrations. Fcap. 8v0. Buckram. 3*. 6d.
Padded morocco, $s.
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST. By THOMAS A KEMPIS.
With an Introduction by DEAN FARRAR. Illustrated by C. M.
GERE, and printed in black and red. Second Edition.
'Amongst all the innumerable English editions of the " Imitation," there can have
been few which were prettier than this one, printed in strong and handsome type
by Messrs. Constable, with all the glory of red initials, and the comfort of buckram
binding.' G/asftnu Herald,
THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. By JOHN KEBLE. With an Intro-
duction and Notes by W. LOCK, M. A. , Sub- Warden of Keble College,
Ireland Professor at Oxford, Author of the ' Life of John Keble.'
Illustrated by R. ANNING BELL.
'The present edition is annotated with all the care and insight to be expected from
Mr. Lock. The progress and circumstances of its composition are detailed in the
Introduction. There is an interesting Appendix on the MSS. of the "Christian
Year," and another giving the order in which the poems were written. A " Short
Analysis of the Thought" is prefixed to each, and any difficulty in the text is ex-
plained in a note. Guardian.
' The most acceptable edition of this ever-popular work. ' Globe.
Leaders of Religion
Edited by H. C. BEECHING, M.A. With Portraits, crown 8vo.
A series of short biographies of the most prominent leaders //"
of religious life and thought of all ages and countries. O / (^)
The following are ready W/
CARDINAL NEWMAN. By R. H. HUTTON
JOHN WESLEY. By J. H. OVERTON, M.A.
BISHOP WILBERFORCE. By G. W. DANIEL, M.A.
CARDINAL MANNING. By A. W. HUTTON, M.A.
CHARLES SIMEON. By H. C. G. MOULE, M.A.
JOHN KEBLE. By WALTER LOCK, M.A.
THOMAS CHALMERS. By Mrs. OLIPHANT.
LANCELOT ANDREWES. By R. L. OTTLEY, M.A.
AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY. By E. L. CUTTS, D.D.
WILLIAM LAUD. By W. H. HUTTON, M.A.
JOHN KNOX. By F. M'CUNN.
JOHN HOWE. By R. F. HORTON, D.D.
BISHOP KEN. By F. A. CLARKE, M.A.
GEORGE FOX, THE QUAKER. By T. HODGKIN, D.C.L.
Other volumes will be announced in due course.
26 MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST
Fiction
8IX SHILLING NOVELS
Marie Oorelli's Novels
Crown %vo. 6s. each.
A ROMANCE OF TWO WORLDS. Fourteenth Edition.
VENDETTA. Twelfth Edition.
THELMA. Sixteenth Edition.
ARDATH. Tenth Edition.
THE SOUL OF LILITH. Ninth Edition.
WORMWOOD. Eighth Edition.
BARABBAS : A DREAM OF THE WORLD'S TRAGEDY.
Twenty-ninth Edition.
' The tender reverence of the treatment and the imaginative beauty of the writing
have reconciled us to the daring of the conception, and the conviction is forced on
us that even so exalted a subject cannot be made too familiar to us, provided it be
presented in the true spirit of Christian faith. The amplifications of the Scripture
narrative are often conceived with high poetic insight, and this "Dream of the
World's Tragedy " is, despite some trifling incongruities, a lofty and not inade-
quate paraphrase of the supreme climax of the inspired narrative.' Dublin
Review.
THE SORROWS OF SATAN. Thirty-fourth Edition.
' A very powerful piece of work. . . . The conception is magnificent, and is likely
to win an abiding place within the memory of man. . . . The author has immense
command of language, and a limitless audacity. . . . This interesting and re-
markable romance will live long after much of the ephemeral literature of the clay
is forgotten. ... A literary phenomenon . . . novel, and even sublime.' W. T.
STEAD in the Review of Reviews.
Anthony Hope's Novels
Crown 8vo. 6s. each.
THE GOD IN THE CAR. Seventh Edition.
' A very remarkable book, deserving of critical analysis impossible within our limit ;
brilliant, but not superficial ; well considered, but not elaborated ; constructed
with the proverbial art that conceals, but yet allows itself to be enjoyed by readers
to whom fine literary method is a keen pleasure.' The World.
A CHANGE OF AIR. Fourth Edition.
'A graceful, vivacious comedy, true to human nature. The characters are traced
with a masterly hand.' Times.
A MAN OF MARK. Fourth Edition.
' Of all Mr. Hope's books, " A Man of Mark " is the one which best compares with
" The Prisoner of Zenda." ' National Observer.
MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST 27
THE CHRONICLES OF COUNT ANTONIO. Third
Edition.
'It is a perfectly enchanting story of love and chivalry, and pure romance. The
outlawed Count is the most constant, desperate, and withal modest and tender of
lovers, a peerless gentleman, an intrepid fighter, a very faithful friend, and a most
magnanimous foe.' Guardian.
S. Baring Gould's Novels
Crown Svo. 6s. each.
'To say that a book is by the author of "Mehalah" is to imply that it contains a
story cast on strong lines, containing dramatic possibilities, vivid and sympathetic
descriptions of Nature, and a wealth of ingenious imagery.' Speaker.
'That whatever Mr. Baring Gould writes is well worth reading, is a conclusion that
may be very generally accepted. His views of life are fresh and vigorous, his
language pointed and characteristic, the incidents of which he makes use are
striking and original, his characters are life-like, and though somewhat excep-
tional people, are drawn and coloured with artistic force. Add to this that his
descriptions of scenes and scenery are painted with the loving eyes and skilled
hands of a master of his art, that he is always fresh and never dull, and under
such conditions it is no wonder that readers have gained confidence both in his
power of amusing and satisfying them, and that year by year his popularity
widens.' Court Circular.
ARM I NELL : A Social Romance. Fourth Edition.
URITH : A Story of Dartmoor. Fifth Edition.
1 The author is at his best.' Times.
IN THE ROAR OF THE SEA Fifth Edition.
' One of the best imagined and most enthralling stories the author has produced.
Saturday Revinv.
MRS. CURGENVEN OF CURGENVEN. Fourth Edition.
' The swing of the narrative is splendid." Sussex Daily News.
CHEAP JACK ZITA. Fourth Edition.
1 A powerful drama of human passion.' Westminster Gazette.
'A story worthy the author.' National Observer.
THE QUEEN OF LOVE. Fourth Edition.
1 You cannot put it down until you have finished it.' Punch.
' Ca:i be heartily recommended to all who care for cleanly, energetic, and interesting
fiction.' Sussex Daily News.
K I TT Y ALONE. Fourth Edition.
' A strong and original story, teeming with graphic description, stirring incident,
and, above all, with vivid and enthralling human interest.' Daily Telegraph.
XOEMI; A Romance of the Cave-Dwellers. Illustrated by
K. CATON WOODVILLE. Third Edition.
1 " Noemi " is as excellent a tale of fighting and adventure as one may wish to meet.
The narrative also runs clear and sharp as the Loire itself.' Pall Mall Gazette.
'Mr. Baring Gould's powerful story is full of the strong lights and shadows and
vivid colouring to which he has accustomed us.' Standard.
THE BROOM -SQUIRE. Illustrated by FRANK DADD.
Fourth Edition.
' A strain of tenderness is woven through the web of his tragic tale, and its atmosphere
is sweetened by the nobility and sweetness of the heroine's character.' Daily Nevus.
' A story of exceptional interest that seems to us to be better than anything he has
written of late.' Speaker.
28 MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST
THE PENNYCOMEQUICKS. New Edition.
DARTMOOR IDYLLS.
'A book to read, and keep and read again ; for the genuine fun and pathos of it will
not early lose their effect.' Vanity Fair,
Gilbert Parker's Novels
Croiun 8vo. 6s. each.
PIERRE AND HIS PEOPLE. Third Edition.
' Stories happily conceived and finely executed. There is strength and genius in Mr.
Parker's style.' Daily Telegraph.
MRS. FALCHION. Fourth Edition.
' A splendid study of character.' Athetueutn.
' But little behind anything that has been done by any writer of our time." Pall
Mall Gazette. ' A very striking and admirable novel.' St. James's Gazette.
THE TRANSLATION OF A SAVAGE.
'The plot is original and one difficult to work out; but Mr. Parker has done it with
great skill and delicacy. The reader who is not interested in this original, fresh,
and well-told tale must be a dull person indeed.' Daily Chronicle.
THE TRAIL OF THE SWORD. Fourth Edition.
'Everybody with a soul for romance will thoroughly enjoy "The Trail of the
Sword." ' St. James's Gazette.
' A rousing and dramatic tale. A book like this, in which swords flash, great sur-
prises are undertaken, and daring deeds done, in which men and women live and
love in the old straightforward passionate way, is a joy inexpressible to the re-
viewer." Daily Chronicle.
WHEN VALMOND CAME TO PONTIAC : The Story of
a Lost Napoleon. Fourth Edition.
1 Here we find romance real, breathing, living romance, but it runs flush with our
own times, level with our own feelings. The character of Valmond is drawn un-
erringly ; his career, brief as it is, is placed before us as convincingly as history
itself. The book must be read, we may say re-read, for any one thoroughly to
appreciate Mr. Parker's delicate touch and innate sympathy with humanity.'
Pall Mall Gazette.
' The one work of genius which 1895 has as yet produced.' Neiv Age.
AN ADVENTURER OF THE NORTH: The Last Adven-
tures of ' Pretty Pierre.' Second Edition.
'The present book is full of fine and moving stories of the great North, and it will
add to Mr. Parker's already high reputation." Glasgow Herald.
THE SEATS OF THE MIGHTY. Illustrated. Sixth Edition.
The best thing he has done ; one of the best things that any one has done lately.'
St. James's Gazette.
' Mr. Parker seems to become stronger and easier with every serious novel that he
attempts. . . . In " The Seats of the Mighty " he shows the matured power which
his former novels have led us to expect, and has produced a really fine historical
novel. . . . Most sincerely is Mr. Parker to be congratulated on the finest
novel he has yet written.' Atken&um.
'Mr. Parker's latest book places him in the front rank of living novelists. "The
Seats of the Mighty" is a great book.' Black and White.
'One of the strongest stories of historical interest and adventure that we have read
for many a day. . . . A notable and successful book.' Speaker.
' An admirable romance. The glory of a romance is its plot, and this plot is crowded
with fine sensations, which have no rest until the fall of the famous old city and
the final restitution of love." Pall Mall Gazette.
MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST 29
Conan Doyle. ROUND THE RED LAMP. By A. CONAN
DOYLE, Author of 'The White Company,' 'The Adventures of
Sherlock Holmes,' etc. Fourth Edition. Crown Svo. 6s.
' The book is, indeed, composed of leaves from life, and is far and away the best view
that has been vouchsafed us behind the scenes of the consulting-room. It is very
superiorCo "The Diary cf a late Physician."' Illustrated London New s.
Stanley Weyman. UNDER THE RED ROBE. By STANLEY
WEYMAN, Author of ' A Gentleman of France.' With Twelve Illus-
trations by R. Caton Woodville. Eleventh Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s.
'A book of which we have read every word for the sheer pleasure of reading, and
which we put down with a oang that we cannot forget it all and start again.'
Westminster Gazette.
' Every one who reads books at all must read this thrilling romance, from the first
page of which to the last the breathless reader is haled along. An inspiration of
"manliness and courage."' Daily Chronicle.
' A delightful tale of chivalry and adventure, vivid and dramatic.' Globe.
Lucas Malet. THE CARISSIMA. By LUCAS MALET,
Author of ' The Wages of Sin,' etc. Third Edition. CrownSvo. 6s.
This is the first novel which Lucas Malet has written since her very powerful ' The
Wages of Sin.'
' A very able story. Only a very few of our novelists can write so well.' Sketch.
Lucas Malet. THE WAGES OF SIN. By LUCAS
MALET. Thirteenth Edition. Crown 8z-o. 6s.
Mrs. Clifford. A FLASH OF SUMMER. By Mrs. W. K.
CLIFFORD, Author of ' Aunt Anne,' etc. Second Edition. Crown
8vo. 6s.
' The story is a very sad and a very beautiful one, exquisitely told, and enriched with
many subtle touches of wise and tender insight. It will, undoubtedly, add to its
author's reputation already high in the ranks of novelists.' Speaker.
Emily Lawless. HURRISH. By the Honble. EMILY LAW-
LESS, Author of ' Maelcho,' etc. Fifth Edition. Crown %vo. 6s.
A reissue of Miss Lawless' most popular novel, uniform with ' Maelcho.'
Emily Lawless. MAELCHO : a Sixteenth Century Romance.
By the Honble. EMILY LAWLESS, Author of ' Crania,' ' Hurrish.'etc.
Second Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s.
' A really great book.' Spectator.
'There is no keener pleasure in life than the recognition of genius. Good work is
commoner than it used to be, but the best is as rare as ever. All the more
gladly, therefore, do we welcome in " Maelcho " a piece of work of the first order,
which we do not hesitate to describe as one of the most remarkable literary
achievements of this generation. Miss Lawless is possessed of the very essence
of historical genius." Afanchester Guardian.
J. H. Findlater. THE GREEN GRAVES OF BALGOWRIE.
By JANE H. FINDLATER. Third Edition. Crcnvn 8vo. 6s.
A powerful and vivid story.' Standard.
\ beautiful story, sad and strange as truth itself.' I'anity Fair.
\ work of remarkable interest and originality.' National Observer.
\ very charming and pathetic tale." Pall Mall Gazette.
A singularly original, clever, and beautiful story.' Guardian,
' The Green Graves of Balgowrie " reveals to us a new Scotch writer of undoubted
faculty and reserve force.' Spectator.
' An exquisite idyll, delicate, affecting, and beautiful.' Black and White.
30 MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST
E. F. Benson, DODO : A DETAIL OF THE DAY. By E. F.
BENSON. Sixteenth Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s.
' A delightfully witty sketch of society.' Spectator.
' A perpetual feast of epigram and paradox.' Speaker.
E. F. Benson. THE RUBICON. By E. F. BENSON, Author of
' Dodo. ' Fifth Edition. Crown 8v0, 6s.
1 An exceptional achievement ; a notable advance on his previous work. 1 National
Observer.
M. M. Dowie. GALLIA. By MENIE MURIEL DOWIE, Author
of 'A Girl in the Carpathians.' Third Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s.
1 The style is generally admirable, the dialogue not seldom brilliant, the situations
surprising in their freshness and originality, while the subsidiary as well as the
principal characters live and move, and the story itself is readable from title-page
to colophon.' Saturday Review.
Mrs. Oliphant. SIR ROBERT'S FORTUNE. By MRS.
OLIPHANT. Crown Svo. 6s.
' Full of her own peculiar charm of Etyle and simple, subtle character- painting comes
her new gift, the delightful story before us. The scene mostly lies in the moors,
and at the touch of the authoress a Scotch moor becomes a living thing, strong,
tender, beautiful, and changeful.' Pall Mall Gazette.
Mrs. Oliphant. THE TWO MARYS. By MRS. OLIPHANT.
Second Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s.
W. E. Norris. MATTHEW AUSTIN. By W. E. NORRIS, Author
of ' Mademoiselle de Mersac,' etc. Fourth Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s.
' "Matthew Austin " may safely be pronounced one of the most intellectually satis-
factory and morally bracing novels of the current year.' Daily Telegraph.
W. E. Norris. HIS GRACE. By W. E. NORRIS. Third
Edition. Crown %vo. 6s.
'Mr. Norris has drawn a really fine character in the Duke of Hurstbourne, at once
unconventional and very true to the conventionalities of life.' Atheneevm.
W. E. Norris. THE DESPOTIC LADY AND OTHERS.
By W. E. NORRIS. Crown 8vo. 6s.
' A budget of good fiction of which no one will tire.' Scotsman.
'An extremely entertaining volume the sprightliest of holiday companions.'
Daily Telesraph
H. G. Wells. THE STOLEN BACILLUS, and other Stories.
By H. G. WELLS, Author of 'The Time Machine.' Crown 8vo. 6s.
' The ordinary reader of fiction may be glad to know that these stories are eminently
readable from one cover to the other, but they are more than that ; they are the
impressions of a very striking imagination, which, it would seem, has a great deal
within its reach.' Saturday Review.
Arthur Morrison. TALES OF MEAN STREETS. By ARTHUR
MORRISON. Fourth Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s.
' Told with consummate art and extraordinary detail. He tells a plain, unvarnished
tale, and the very truth of it makes for beauty. In the true humanity of the book
lies its justification, the permanence of its interest, and its indubitable triumph.'
A thenaum.
' A great book. The author's method is amazingly effective, and produces a thrilling
sense of reality. The writer lays upon us a master hand. The book is simply
appalling and irresistible in its interest It is humorous also ; without humour
it wouldnot make the mark it is certain to make.' World.
MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST 31
Arthur Morrison. A CHILD OF THE JAGO. By ARTHUR
MORRISON, Author of 'Tales of Mean Streets.' Second Edition.
Crown Svo. 6s.
This, the first long story which Mr. Morrison has written, is like his remarkable
'Tales of Mean Streets,' a realistic study of East End life.
' The book is a masterpiece.' Pall Mall Gazette.
' Told with great vigour and powerful simplicity.' Atkenteunt.
J. Maclaren Cobban. THE KING OF ANDAMAN : A
Saviour of Society. By J. MACLAREN COBBAN. Crown 8vo. 6s.
' An unquestionably interesting book. It would not surprise us if it turns out to be
the most interesting novel of the season, for it contains one character, at least,
who has in him the root of immortality, and_ the book itself is ever exhaling the
sweet savour of the unexpected. . . . Plot is forgotten and incident fades, and
only the really human endures, and throughout this book there stands out in bold
and beautiful relief_its high-souled and chivalric protagonist, James the Master
of Hutcheon, the King of Andaman himself.' Pail Mall Gazette.
H. Morrah. A SERIOUS COMEDY. By HERBERT MORRAH.
Crown Svo. 6s.
' There are many delightful places in this volume, which is well worthy of its title.
The theme has seldom been presented with more freshness or more force.'
L. B. Walford. SUCCESSORS TO THE TITLE. By MRS.
WALFORD, Author of ' Mr. Smith, 'etc. Second Edition. CrownSva. 6s.
' The story is fresh and healthy from beginning to finish ; and our liking for the two
simple people who are the successors to the title mounts steadily, and ends almost
in respect.' Scotsman.
T. L. Paton. A HOME IN INVERESK. By T. L. PATON.
Crown Svo. 6s.
'A book which bears marks of considerable promise.' Scotsman.
'A pleasant and well-written story.' Daily Chronicle.
John Davidson. MISS ARMSTRONG'S AND OTHER CIR-
CUMSTANCES. By JOHN DAVIDSON. Crown Svo. 6s.
' Throughout the volume there is a strong vein of originality, a strength in the
handling, and a knowledge of human nature that are worthy of the highest praise.'
Scotsman.
J. A. Barry. IN THE GREAT DEEP : TALES OF THE SEA.
By J. A. BARRY. Author of ' Steve Brown's Bunyip.' Crown Svo. 6s.
' A collection of really admirable short stories of the sea, very simply told, and placed
before the reader in pithy and telling English.' Westminster Gazette.
J. B. Burton. IN THE DAY OF ADVERSITY. By J. BLOUN-
DELLE BURTON, Author of ' The Hispaniola Plate.' Second Edition.
Crown Svo. 6s.
' Unusually interesting and full of highly dramatic situations. 'Guardian.
' \ well-written story, drawn from that inexhaustible mine, the time of Louis XIV.
Pall Mall Gazette.
J. Bloundelle Burton. DENOUNCED. By J. BLOUNDELLE
BURTON, Author of ' In the Day of Adversity,' etc. Second Edition.
Crown Svo. 6s.
' The plot is an extremely original one, and the local colouring is laid on with a
delicacy of touch and an accuracy of detail which denote the true artist.' Broad
Arrow.
32 MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST
H. Johnston. DR. CONGALTON'S LEGACY. By HENRY
JOHNSTON. Crown 8vo. 6s.
' The story is redolent of humour, pathos, and tenderness, while it is not without a
touch of tragedy.' Scotsman.
'A worthy and permanent contribution to Scottish creative literature.' Glasgow
Herald.
Julian Corbett. A BUSINESS IN GREAT WATERS. By
JULIAN CORBETT, Author of 'Forgotten Gold,' ' Kophetua xin,'
etc. Crown 8f0. 6s.
' Mr. Corbett writes with immense spirit, and the book is a thoroughly enjoyable
one in all respects. The salt of the ocean is in it, and the right heroic ring re-
sounds through its gallant adventures.' Speaker.
L. Cope Cornford. CAPTAIN JACOBUS : A ROMANCE OF
THE ROAD. By L. COPE CORNFORD. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. 6*.
'An exceptionally good story of adventure and character.' World.
C. Phillips Wolley. THE QUEENSBERRY CUP. A Tale
of Adventure. By CLIVE PHILLIPS WOLLEY, Author of ' Snap, 1
Editor of ' Big Game Shooting. ' Illustrated. Crown 82/0. 6s.
' A book which will delight boys : a book which upholds the healthy schoolboy code
of morality. ' Scotsman.
Robert Ban. IN THE MIDST OF ALARMS. By ROBERT
BARR, Author of 'From Whose Bourne,' etc. Third Edition.
Crown 8vo. 6s.
' A book which has abundantly satisfied us by its capital humour.' Daily Chronicle.
'Mr. Barr has achieved a triumph whereof he has every reason to be proud.' Pall
Mall Gazette.
L. Daintrey. THE KING OF ALBERIA. A Romance of
the Balkans. By LAURA DAINTREY. Crown 8vo. 6s.
1 Miss Daintrey seems to have an intimate acquaintance with the people and politics
of the Balkan countries in which the scene ot her lively and picturesque romance
is laid. On almost every page we find clever touches of local colour which dif-
ferentiate her book unmistakably from the ordinary novel.' Glasgow Herald.
M. A. Owen. THE DAUGHTER OF ALOUETTE. By
MARY A. OWEN. Crown 8vo. 6s.
A story of life among the American Indians.
'A fascinating story.' Literary World.
Mrs. Pinsent. CHILDREN OF THIS WORLD. By ELLEN
F. PINSENT, Author of ' Jenny's Case. ' Crown 8vo. 6s.
' Mrs. Pinsent's new novel has plenty of vigour, variety, and good writing. There
are certainty of purpose, strength of touch, and clearness of vision.' Atkemeum.
Clark Russell. MY DANISH SWEETHEART. By W.
CLARK RUSSELL, Author of 'The Wreck of the Grosvenor,' etc.
Illustrated. Fourth Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s.
G. Manville Fenn. AN ELECTRIC SPARK. By G. MANVILLE
FENN, Author of ' The Vicar's Wife,' 'A Double Knot,' etc. Second
Edition. Crown 8vo, 6s.
Ronald Ross. THE SPIRIT OF STORM. By RONALD
Ross, Author of ' The Child of Ocean. ' Crown 8vo. 6s.
A romance of the Sea. ' Weird, powerful, and impressive.' Black and White.
MESSRS. METHUEN'S LIST 33
R. Pryce. TIME AND THE WOMAN. By RICHARD PRYCE,
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