Chapter 5

           Muchrainfellinthenight;andthenextmorningthereblewabitterwintrywindoutofthenorth-west,drivingscatteredclouds.Forallthat,andbeforethesunbegantopeeporthelastofthestarshadvanished,Imademywaytothesideoftheburn,andhadaplungeinadeepwhirlingpool.Allaglowfrommybath,Isatdownoncemorebesidethefire,whichIreplenished,andbegangravelytoconsidermyposition.

           Therewasnownodoubtaboutmyuncle’senmity;therewasnodoubtIcarriedmylifeinmyhand,andhewouldleavenostoneunturnedthathemightcompassmydestruction.ButIwasyoungandspirited,andlikemostladsthathavebeencountry-bred,Ihadagreatopinionofmyshrewdness.Ihadcometohisdoornobetterthanabeggarandlittlemorethanachild;hehadmetmewithtreacheryandviolence;itwouldbeafineconsummationtotaketheupperhand,anddrivehimlikeaherdofsheep.

           Isattherenursingmykneeandsmilingatthefire;andIsawmyselfinfancysmellouthissecretsoneafteranother,andgrowtobethatman’skingandruler.ThewarlockofEssendean,theysay,hadmadeamirrorinwhichmencouldreadthefuture;itmusthavebeenofotherstuffthanburningcoal;forinalltheshapesandpicturesthatIsatandgazedat,therewasneveraship,neveraseamanwithahairycap,neverabigbludgeonformysillyhead,ortheleastsignofallthosetribulationsthatwereripetofallonme.

           Presently,allswollenwithconceit,Iwentup-stairsandgavemyprisonerhisliberty.