Return of the Prodigal Son

Rembrandt The Return of the Prodigal Son Painting
Return of the Prodigal Son
Samson And Delilah
seated nude
Spring Breeze

Weakly he found himself stumbling clear, his eyes watering not entirely from thesmoke. Half blinded, he staggered over to the exterior entrance to the garage. Ittoo was burning. But perhaps they managed to escape in the other landspeeder. "Aunt Beru…Uncle Owen!" It was difficult to make out much of anythingthrough the eye-stinging haze. Two smoking shapes showed down the tunnel, barelyvisible through tears and haze. They almost looked like— He squinted harder,wiping angrily at his uncooperative eyes. No. Then he was spinning away, falling to his stomach and burying his face in thesand so he wouldn't have to look anymore. The tridimensional solid screen filled one wall of the vast chamber from floor toceiling. It showed a million star systems. A tiny portion of the galaxy, but animpressive display nonetheless when exhibited in such a fashion. Below, far below, the huge shape of Darth Vader stood flanked on one side byGovernor Tarkin and on the other by Admiral Motti and General Tagge, their privateantagonisms forgotten in the awesomeness of this moment. "The final checkout is complete." Motti informed them. "All systems areoperational." He turned to the others. "What shall be the first course we set?" Vader appeared not to have heard as he mumbled softly, half to himself, "She hasa surprising amount of control. Her resistance to the interrogator is considerable."He glanced down at Tarkin. "It will be some time before we can extract any usefulinformation from her."

Return of the Prodigal Son

Rembrandt The Return of the Prodigal Son Painting
Return of the Prodigal Son
Samson And Delilah
seated nude
Spring Breeze
Weakly he found himself stumbling clear, his eyes watering not entirely from thesmoke. Half blinded, he staggered over to the exterior entrance to the garage. Ittoo was burning. But perhaps they managed to escape in the other landspeeder. "Aunt Beru…Uncle Owen!" It was difficult to make out much of anythingthrough the eye-stinging haze. Two smoking shapes showed down the tunnel, barelyvisible through tears and haze. They almost looked like— He squinted harder,wiping angrily at his uncooperative eyes. No. Then he was spinning away, falling to his stomach and burying his face in thesand so he wouldn't have to look anymore. The tridimensional solid screen filled one wall of the vast chamber from floor toceiling. It showed a million star systems. A tiny portion of the galaxy, but animpressive display nonetheless when exhibited in such a fashion. Below, far below, the huge shape of Darth Vader stood flanked on one side byGovernor Tarkin and on the other by Admiral Motti and General Tagge, their privateantagonisms forgotten in the awesomeness of this moment. "The final checkout is complete." Motti informed them. "All systems areoperational." He turned to the others. "What shall be the first course we set?" Vader appeared not to have heard as he mumbled softly, half to himself, "She hasa surprising amount of control. Her resistance to the interrogator is considerable."He glanced down at Tarkin. "It will be some time before we can extract any usefulinformation from her."

Red Nude painting

Red Nude painting
Regatta At Argenteuil
Rembrandt Biblical Scene
Rembrandt The Jewish Bride
Luke had walked over to one of the small, crumpled bodies and kicked it overonto its back. His face screwed up in distaste as he saw what remained of the pitifulcreature. "These are the same jawas who sold Uncle Owen and me Artoo and Threepio.I recognize this one's cloak design. Why would Imperial troops be slaughteringjawas and sandpeople? They must have killed some Raider to get those Banthas."His mind worked furiously, and he found himself growing unnaturally tense as hestared back at the landspeeder, past the rapidly deteriorating corpses of the jawas. "But…if they tracked the 'droids to the jawas, then they had to learn first whothey sold them to. They would lead them back to…" Luke was sprinting insanelyfor the landspeeder. "Luke, wait…wait, Luke!" Kenobi called. "It's too dangerous! You'dnever…!" Luke heard nothing except the roaring in his ears, felt nothing save the burningin his heart. He jumped into the speeder and was throwing the accelerator full overalmost simultaneously. In an explosion of sand and gravel he left Kenobi and thetwo robots standing alone in the midst of smoldering bodies, framed by the stillsmoking wreck of the sandcrawler. The smoke that Luke saw as he drew near the homestead was of a differentconsistency from that which had boiled out of the jawa machine. He barelyremembered to shut down the landspeeder's engine as he popped the cockpit canopyand threw himself out. Dark smoke was drifting steadily from holes in the ground. Those holes had been his home, the only one he had ever known. They mightas well have been throats of small volcanoes now. Again and again he tried topenetrate the surface entrances to the belowground complex. Again and again thestill-intense heat drove him back, coughing and choking.

Nude on the Beach

Nude on the Beach
One Moment in Time
precious time
Red Hat Girl
Several slight depressions in the sand caught Luke's attention. Walking a littlefaster, he came up next to them and studied them for a moment before calling back toKenobi. "Looks like the sandpeople did it, all right. Here's Bantha tracks…" Lukenoticed a gleam of metal half-buried in the sand. "And there's a piece of one ofthose big double axes of theirs." He shook his head in confusion. "but I neverheard of the Raiders hitting something this big." He leaned back, staring up at thetowering, burned-out bulk of the sandcrawler. Kenobi had passed him. He was examining the broad, huge footprints in thesand. "They didn't," he declared casually, "but they intended that we—and anyoneelse who might happen onto this—should think so." Luke moved up alongside him. "I don't understand, sir." "Look at these tracks carefully," the older man directed him, pointing down atthe nearest and then up at the others. "Notice anything funny about them?" Lukeshook his head. "Whoever left here was riding Banthas side by side. Sandpeoplealways ride one Bantha behind another, single file, to hide their strength from anydistant observers." Leaving Luke to gape at the parallel sets of tracks, Kenobi turned his attention tothe sandcrawler. He pointed out where single weapons' bursts had blasted awayportals, treads, and support beams. "Look at the precision with which this firepowerwas applied. Sandpeople aren't this accurate. In fact, no one on Tatooine fires anddestroys with this kind of efficiency." Turing, he examined the horizon. One ofthose nearby bluffs concealed a secret—and a threat. "Only Imperial troops wouldmount an attack on a sandcrawler with this kind of cold accuracy."

Madonna Litta

Madonna Litta
My Sweet Rose painting
Naiade oil painting
Nighthawks Hopper
The machine moved slowly toward her, traveling on a rising hum. Itsindifferent spherical form blocked out Vader, the Governor, the rest of the cell…thelight… Muffled sounds penetrated the cell walls and thick door, drifting out into thehallway beyond. They barely intruded on the peace and quiet of the walkwayrunning past the sealed chamber. Even so, the guards stationed immediately outsidemanaged to find excuses to edge a sufficient distance away to where those oddlymodulated sounds could no longer be heard at all.
Look over there, Luke," Kenobi ordered, pointing to the southwest. Thelandspeeder continued to race over the gravelly desert floor beneath them. "Smoke,I should think." Luke spared a glance at the indicated direction. "I don't see anything, sir." "Let's angle over that way anyhow. Someone may be in trouble." Luke turned the speeder. Before long the rising wisps of smoke that Kenobihad somehow detected earlier became visible to him also. Topping a slight rise, the speeder dropped down a gentle slope into a broad,shallow canyon that was filled with twisted, burned shapes, some of them inorganic,some not. Dead in the center of this carnage and looking like a beached metal whalelay the shattered hulk of a jawa sandcrawler. Luke brought the speeder to a halt. Kenobi followed him onto the sand, andtogether they began to examine the detritus of destruction.

Hylas and the Nymphs

Hylas and the Nymphs
jesus christ on the cross
klimt painting the kiss
leonardo da vinci self portrait
Her determined expression collapsed as soon as a monstrous black form enteredthe room, gliding smoothly as if on treads. Vader's presence crushed her spirit asthoroughly as an elephant would crush an eggshell. That villain was followed by anantiqued whip of a man who was only slightly less terrifying, despite his minisculeappearance alongside the Dark Lord. Darth Vader made a gesture to someone outside. Something that hummed like ahuge bee moved close and slipped inside the doorway. Leia choked on her ownbreath at the sight of the dark metal globe. It hung suspended on independentrepulsors, a farrago of metal arms protruding from its sides. The arms were tippedwith a multitude of delicate instruments. Leia studied the contraption fearfully. She had heard rumors of such machines,but had never really believed that Imperial technicians would construct such amonstrosity. Incorporated into its soulless memory was every barbarity, everysubstantiated outrage known to mankind—and to several alien races as well. Vader and Tarkin stood there quietly, giving her plenty of time to study thehovering nightmare. The Governor in particular did not delude himself into thinkingthat the mere presence of the device would shock her into giving up the informationhe needed. Not, he reflected, that the ensuing session would be especiallyunpleasant. There was always enlightenment and knowledge to be gained from suchencounters, and the Senator promised to be a most interesting subject. After a suitable interval had passed, he motioned to the machine. "Now,Senator Organa, Princess Organa, we will discuss the location of the principal rebelbase."

the night watch by rembrandt

the night watch by rembrandt
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
The Lady of Shalott
Faced with a no-win situation for wither side if he pressed too hard, Owenresumed the argument for show's sake before gruffly assenting. The head jawaconsented reluctantly to the trade, and both sides breathed a mental sigh of relief thathostilities had been avoided. While the jawa bowed and whined with impatientgreed, Owen paid him off. Meanwhile, Luke had led the two robots toward an opening in the dry ground.A few seconds later they were striding down a ramp kept clear of drifting sand byelectrostatic repellers. "Don't you ever forget this," Threepio muttered to Artoo, leaning over thesmaller machine. "Why I stick my neck out for you, when all you ever bring me istrouble, is beyond my capacity to comprehend." The passage widened into garage proper, which was cluttered with tools andsections of farming machinery. Many looked heavily used, some to the point ofcollapse. But the lights were comforting to both 'droid, and there was a hominess tothe chamber which hinted at a tranquillity not experienced by either machine for along time. Near the center of the garage was a large tub, and the aroma drifting fromit made Threepio's principal olfactory sensors twitch. Luke grinned, noting the robot's reaction. "Yes, it's a lubrication bath." Heeyed the tall bronze robot appraisingly. "And from the looks of it, you could useabout a week's submergence. But we can't afford that so you'll have to settle for anafternoon." Then Luke turned his attention to Artoo Detoo, walking up to him andflipping open a panel that shielded numerous gauges. "As for you," he continued, with a whistle of surprise, "I don't know how you'vekept running. Not surprising, knowing the jawas' reluctance to part with any erg-fraction they don't have to. It's recharge time for you." He gestured toward a largepower unit.

the polish rider

the polish rider
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
The jawa responded loudly, indignantly, while simultaneously taking a couple ofprecautionary steps away from the big human. He was distressed that the man wasbetween him and the soothing safely of the sandcrawler. Meanwhile, Artoo Detoo had scuttled out of the group of machines being ledback toward the mobile fortress. Doing so turned out to be simple enough, since allthe jawas had their attention focused on the argument between their leader and Luke'suncle. Lacking sufficient armature for wild gesticulation, the Artoo unit suddenly letout a high whistle, then broke it off when it was apparent he had gained Threepio'sattention. Tapping Luke gently on the shoulder, the tall 'droid whispered conspiratoriallyinto his ear. "If I might say so, young sir, that Artoo unit is a real bargain. In topcondition. I don't believe these creatures have any idea what good shape he's reallyin. Don't let all the sand and dust deceive you." Luke was in the habit of making instant decisions—for good or bad—anyway."Uncle Owen!" he called. Breaking off the argument without taking his attention from the jawa, his uncleglanced quickly at him. Luke gestured toward Artoo Detoo. "We don't want anytrouble. What about swapping this—" he indicated the burned-outagricultural 'droid—"for that one?" The older man studied the Artoo unit professionally, then considered the jawas.Though inherently cowards, the tiny desert scavengers could be pushed too far. Thesandcrawler could flatten the homestead—at the risk of inciting the humancommunity to lethal vengeance.

The Water lily Pond

The Water lily Pond
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
Downcast, Luke directed his words irritably to Threepio and the smallagricultural robot. He knew better than to argue with his uncle. "Follow me, you two." They started for the garage as Owen entered into pricenegotiations with the jawa. Other jawas were leading the three remaining machines back into thesandcrawler when something let out an almost pathetic beep. Luke turned to see aArtoo unit breaking formation and starting toward him. It was immediatelyrestrained by a jawa wielding a control device that activated the disk sealed on themachine's front plate. Luke studied the rebellious 'droid curiously. Threepio started to say something,considered the circumstances and thought better of it. Instead, he remained silent,staring straight ahead. A minute later, something pinged sharply nearby. Glancing down, Luke sawthat a head plate had popped off the top of the agricultural 'droid. A grinding noisewas coming from within. A second later the machine was throwing internalcomponents all over the sandy ground. Leaning close, Luke peered inside the expectorating mechanical. He called out,"Uncle Owen! The servomotor-central on this cultivator unit is shot. Look…"He reached in, tried to adjust the device, and pulled away hurriedly when it began awild sparking. The odor of crisped insulation and corroded circuitry filled the cleardesert air with a pungency redolent of mechanized death. Owen Lars glared down at the nervous jawa. "What kind of junk are you tryingto push on us?"

Woman with a Parasol

Woman with a Parasol
Venus and Cupid
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
virgin of the rocks
I need," the farmer broke in, demonstrating imperious disregard for Threepio'sas yet unenumerated secondary functions, "a 'droid that knows something aboutbinary language of independently programmable moisture vaporators." "Vaporators! We are both in luck," Threepio countered. "My first post-primary assignment was in programming binary load lifters. Very similar inconstruction and memory-function to your vaporators. You could almost say…" Luke tapped his uncle on the shoulder and whispered something in his ear.His uncle nodded, then looked back at the attentive Threepio again. "Do you speak Bocce?" "Of course, sir," Threepio replied, confident for a change with a wholly honestanswer. "It's like a second language to me. "I'm as fluent in Bocce as—" the farmer appeared determined never to allow him to conclude a sentence."Shut up." Owen Lars looked down at the jawa. "I'll take this one, too." "Shutting up, sir," responded Threepio quickly, hard put to conceal his glee atbeing selected. "Take them down to the garage, Luke," his uncle instructed him. "I want you tohave both of them cleaned up by suppertime." Luke looked askance at his uncle. "But I was going into Tosche station to pickup some new power converters and…" "Don't lie to me, Luke," his uncle warned him sternly. "I don't mind youwasting time with your idle friends, but only after you've finished your chores. Nowhop to it—and before supper, mind."

The Broken Pitcher

The Broken Pitcher
Sweet Nothings
The Abduction of Psyche
The British Are Coming
Artoo Detoo followed Luke's gesture, then beeped once and waddled over theboxy construction. Finding the proper cord, he automatically flipped open a paneland plugged the triple prongs into his face. Threepio had walked over to the large cistern, which was filled almost full witharomatic cleansing oil. With a remarkably humanlike sigh he lowered himselfslowly into the tank. "You two behave yourselves," Luke cautioned them as he moved to a small two-man sky hopper. A powerful little suborbital spacecraft, it rested in the hangarsection of the garage-workshop. "I've got work of my own to do." Unfortunately, Luke's energies were still focused on his farewell encounter withBiggs, so that hours later he had finished few of his chores. Thinking about hisfriend's departure, Luke was running a caressing hand over the damaged port fin ofthe 'hopper—the fin he had damaged while running down an imaginary Tie fighter inthe wrenching twists and turns of a narrow canyon. That was when the projectingledge had clipped him as effectively as an energy beam. Abruptly something came to a boil within him. With atypical violence he threwa power wrench across a worktable nearby. "It just isn't fair!" he declared to no onein particular. His voice dropped disconsolately. "Biggs is right. I'll never get outof here. He's planning rebellion against the Empire, and I'm trapped on a blight of afarm."

The Water lily Pond

The Water lily Pond
Venus and Cupid
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
virgin of the rocks
Chaos take your mission!" Vader growled. "Where are those tapes!" Hesqueezed harder, the threat in his grip implicit. When he finally replied, the officer's voice was a bare, choked whisper."Only … the Commander knows." "This ship carries the system crest of Alderaan," Vader growled, the gargoyle-like breath mask leaning close. "Is any of the royal family on board? Who are youcarrying?" Thick fingers tightened further, and the officer's struggles became moreand more frantic. His last words were muffled and choked past intelligibility. Vader was not pleased. Even though the figure went limp with an awful,unquestionable finality, that hand continued to tighten, producing a chilling snappingand popping of bone, like a dog padding on plastic. Then with a disgusted wheezeVader finally threw the doll-form of the dead man against a far wall. SeveralImperial troops ducked out of the way just in time to avoid the grisly missile. The massive form whirled unexpectedly, and Imperial officers shrank under thatbaleful sculptured component by component, until you find those tapes. As for thepassengers, if any, I want them alive." He paused a moment, then added, "Quickly!"Officers and men nearly fell over themselves in their haste to leave—not necessarilyto carry out Vader's orders, but simply to retreat from that malevolent presence.

the night watch by rembrandt

the night watch by rembrandt
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
"Where have you been?" Threepio finally asked. "Hiding, I suppose." Hedecided not to mention the maybe-human. If it had been a hallucination, he wasn'tgoing to give Artoo the satisfaction of knowing how badly recent events had unsettledhis logic circuits. "They'll be coming back this way," he went on, nodding down the corridor andnot giving the small automation a chance to reply, "looking for human survivors.What are we going to do now? They won't trust the word of rebel-owned machinesthat we don't know anything of value. We'll be sent to the spice mines of Kessel ortaken apart for spare components for other, less deserving robots. That's if theydon't consider us potential program traps and blow us apart on sight. If we don't…"But Artoo had already turned and was ambling quickly back down the passageway. "Wait, where are you going? Haven't you been listening to me?" Utteringcurses in several languages, some purely mechanical, Threepio raced fluidly after hisfriend. The Artoo unit, he thought to himself, could be downright close-circuitedwhen it wanted to. Outside the galactic cruiser's control center the corridor was crowded with sullenprisoners gathered by Imperial troops. Some lay wounded, some dying. Severalofficers had been separated from the enlisted ranks and stood in a small group bythemselves, bestowing belligerent looks and threats on the silent knot of troopsholding them at bay.

The Broken Pitcher

The Broken Pitcher
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
The Lady of Shalott
Threepio glanced down and saw only scarred deck. As he looked around, hisvoice was full of concern. "Artoo Detoo—where are you?" the smoke seemed topart just a bit more. Threepio found himself staring up the passageway. Artoo Detoo, it seemed, was there. But he wasn't looking in Threepio'sdirection. Instead, the little robot appeared frozen in an attitude of attention.Leaning over him was—it was difficult for even Threepio's electronic photoreceptorsto penetrate the clinging, acidic smoke—a human figure. It was young, slim, and byabstruse human standards of aesthetics, Threepio mused, of a calm beauty. Onesmall hand seemed to be moving over the front of Artoo's torso. Threepio started toward them as the haze thickened once more. But when hereached the end of the corridor, only Artoo stood there, waiting. Threepio peeredpast him, uncertain. Robots were occasionally subject to electronic hallucinations—but why should he hallucinate a human? He shrugged…Then again, why not, especially when one considered theconfusing circumstances of the past hour and the dose of raw current he had recentlyabsorbed. He shouldn't be surprised at anything his concatenated internal circuitconjured up.

Woman with a Parasol

Woman with a Parasol
A Greek Beauty
A Lily Pond
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
Artoo Detoo finally came to a halt in an empty corridor devoid of smoke and thesigns of battle. A worried, confused Threepio pulled up behind him. "You've led us through half the ship, and to what…?" He broke off, staring indisbelief as the squat robot reached up with one clawed limb and snapped the seal ona lifeboat hatch. Immediately a red warning light came on and a low hootingsounded in the corridor. Threepio looked wildly in all directions, but the passageway remained empty.When he looked back, Artoo was already working his way into the cramped boat pod.It was just large enough to hold several humans, and its design was not laid out toaccommodate mechanicals. Artoo had some trouble negotiating the awkward littlecompartment. "Hey," a startled Threepio called, admonishing, "you're not permitted in there!It's restricted to humans only. We just might be able to convince the Imperials thatwe're not rebel programmed and are too valuable to break up, but if someone sees youin there we haven't got a chance. Come on out." Somehow Artoo had succeeded in wedging his body into position in front of theminiature control board. He cocked his body slightly and threw a stream of loudbeeps and whistles at his reluctant companion.

the polish rider

the polish rider
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
As if on command, everyone—Imperial troops as well as rebels—became silentas massive capped from came into view from behind a turn in the passage. Two ofthe heretofore resolute, obstinate rebel officers began to shake. Stopping before oneof the men, the towering figure reached out wordlessly. A massive hand closedaround the man's neck and lifted him off the deck. The rebel officer's eyes bulged,but he kept his silence. And Imperial officer, his armored helmet shoved back to reveal a recent scarwhere and energy beam had penetrated his shielding, scrambled down out of thefighter's control room, shaking his head briskly. "Nothing, sir. Informationretrieval system's been wiped clean." Darth Vader acknowledged this news with a barely perceptible nod. Theimpenetrable mask turned to regard the officer he was torturing. Metal0clad fingerscontracted. Reaching up, the prisoner desperately tried to pry them loose, but to noavail. "Where is the data you intercepted?" Vader rumbled dangerously. "What haveyou done with the information tapes?" "We—intercepted—no information," the dangling officer gurgled, barely ableto breathe. From somewhere deep within, he dredged up a squeal of outrage. "Thisis a …councilor vessel… Did you not see our mission."

Johannes Vermeer Girl with a Pearl Earring Painting

Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
Johannes Vermeer Girl with a Pearl Earring Painting
When they had all declar'd their Willingness to stay, I then told them, I would let them into the Story of my living there, and put them into the Way of making it easy to them: Accordingly I gave them the whole History of the Place, and of my coming to it; shew'd them my Fortifications, the Way I made my Bread, planted my Corn, cured my Grapes; and in a Word, all that was necessary to make them easy: I told them the Story also of the sixteen Spaniards that were to be expected; for whom I left a Letter, and made them promise to treat them in common with themselves.
I left them my Fire Arms, viz. Five Muskets, three Fowling Pieces, and three Swords. I had above a Barrel and half of Powder left; for after the first Year or two, I used but little, and wasted none. I gave them a Description of the Way I manag'd the Goats, and Directions to milk and fatten them, and to make both Butter and Cheese.
In a Word, I gave them every Part of my own Story; and I told them, I would prevail with the Captain to leave them two Barrels of Gun-Powder more, and some Garden-Seeds, which I told them I would have been very glad of; also I gave them the Bag of Pease which the Captain had brought me to eat, and bad them be sure to sow and encrease them.
Having done all this, I left them the next Day, and went an Board the Ship: We prepared immediately to sail, but did not weigh that Night: The next Morning early, two of the five Men came swimming to the Ship's Side, and making a most lamentable Complaint of the other three, begged to be taken into the Ship, for God's Sake, for they should be murthered, and begg'd the Captain to take them on Board, tho' he hang'd them immediately.

The Three Ages of Woman

The Three Ages of Woman
The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
The Water lily Pond
Venus and Cupid
They seem'd very thankful for it, said they would much rather venture to stay there, than to be carry'd to England to be hang'd; so I left it on that Issue.
However, the Captain seem'd to make some Difficulty of it, as if he durst not leave them there: Upon this I seem'd a little angry with the Captain, and told him, That they were my Prisoners, not his; and that seeing I had offered them so much Favour, I would be as good as my Word; and that if he did not think fit to consent to it, I would set them at Liberty, as I found them; and if he did not like it, he might take them again if he could catch them.
Upon this they appear'd very thankful, and I accordingly set them at Liberty, and bad them retire into the Woods to the Place whence they came, and I would leave them some Fire Arms, some Ammunition, and some Directions how they should live very well, if they thought fit.
Upon this I prepar'd to go on Board the Ship, but told the Captain, that I would stay that Night to prepare my things, and desir'd him to go on Board in the mean time, and keep all right in the Ship, and send the Boat on Shore the next Day for me; ordering him in the mean time to cause the new Captain who was kill'd, to be hang'd at the Yard-Arm that these Men might see him.
When the Captain was gone, I sent for the Men up to me to my Apartment, and entred seriously into Discourse with them of their Circumstances, I told them, I thought they had made a right Choice; that if the Captain carry'd them away, they would certainly be hang'd. I shewed them the new Captain, hanging at the Yard-Arm of the Ship, and told them they had nothing less to expect.

The Nut Gatherers

The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
the polish rider
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
After some time, I came thither dress'd in my new Habit, and now I was call'd Governour again; being all met, and the Captain with me, I caused the Men to be brought before me, and I told them, I had had a full Account of their villanous Behaviour to the Captain, and how they had run away with the Ship, and were preparing to commit farther Robberies, but that Providence had ensnar'd them in their own Ways, and that they were fallen into the Pit which they had digged for others.
I let them know, that by my Direction the Ship had been seiz'd, that she lay now in the Road; and they might see by and by, that their new Captain had receiv'd the Reward of his Villany; for that they might see him hanging at the Yard-Arm.
That as to them, I wanted to know what they had to say, why I should not execute them as Pirates taken in the Fact, as by my Commission they could not doubt I had Authority to do.
One of them answer'd in the Name of the rest, That they had nothing to say but this, That when they were taken, the Captain promis'd them their Lives, and they humbly implor'd my Mercy; But I told them, I knew not what Mercy to shew them; for as for my self, I had resolv'd to quit the Island with all my Men, and had taken Passage with the Captain to go for England: And as for the Captain, he could not carry them to England, other than as Prisoners in Irons to be try'd for Mutiny, and running away with the Ship; the Consequence of which, they must needs know, would be the Gallows; so that I could not tell which was best for them, unless they had a Mind to take their Fate in the Island; if they desir'd, that I did not care, as I had Liberty to leave it, I had some Inclination to give them their Lives, if they thought they could shift on Shore.

The Kitchen Maid

The Kitchen Maid
The Lady of Shalott
the night watch by rembrandt
the Night Watch
He brought me also a Box of Sugar, a Box of Flower, a Bag full of Lemons, and two Bottles of Lime-Juice, and Abundance of other things: But besides these, and what was a thousand times more useful to me, he brought me six clean new Shirts, six very good Neckcloaths, two Pair of Gloves, one Pair of Shoes, a Hat, and one Pair of Stockings, and a very good Suit of Cloaths of his own, which had been worn but very little: In a Word, he cloathed me from Head to Foot.
It was a very kind and agreeable Present, as any one may imagine to one in my Circumstances: But never was any thing in the World of that Kind so unpleasant, awkard, and uneasy, as it was to me to wear such Cloaths at their first putting on.
After these Ceremonies past, and after all his good things were brought into my little Apartment, we began to consult what was to be done with the Prisoners we had; for it was worth considering, whether we might venture to take them away with us or no, especially two of them, who we knew to be incorrigible and refractory to the last Degree; and the Captain said, he knew they were such Rogues, that there was no obliging them, and if he did carry them away, it must be in Irons, as Malefactors to be delivered over to Justice at the first English Colony he could come at; and I found that the Captain himself was very anxious about it.
Upon this, I told him, that if he desir'd it, I durst undertake to bring the two Men he spoke of, to make it their own Request that he should leave them upon the Island: I should be very glad of that, says the Captain, with all my Heart.
Well, says I, I will send for them up, and talk with them for you; so I caused Friday and the two Hostages, for they were now discharg'd, their Comrades having perform'd their Promise; I say, I caused them to go to the Cave, and bring up the five Men pinion'd, as they were, to the Bower, and keep them there 'till I came.

The Abduction of Psyche

The Abduction of Psyche
The British Are Coming
The Broken Pitcher
The Jewel Casket Then I took my Turn, and embrac'd him as my Deliverer; and we rejoyc'd together. I told him, I look upon him as a Man sent from Heaven to deliver me, and that the whole Transaction seemed to be a Chain of Wonders; that such things as these were the Testimonies we had of a secret Hand of Providence governing the World, and an Evidence, that the Eyes of an infinite Power could search into the remotest Corner of the World, and send Help to the Miserable whenever he pleased.
I forgot not to lift up my Heart in Thankfulness to Heaven, and what Heart could forbear to bless him, who had not only in a miraculous Manner provided for one in such a Wilderness, and in such a desolate Condition, but from whom every Deliverance must always be acknowledged to proceed.
When we had talk'd a while, the Captain told me, he had brought me some little Refreshment, such as the Ship afforded, and such as the Wretches that had been so long his Master had not plunder'd him of: Upon this he call'd aloud to the Boat, and bid his Men bring the things ashore that were for the Governour; and indeed it was a Present, as if I had been one not that was to be carry'd away along with them, but as if I had been to dwell upon the Island still, and they were to go without me.
First he had brought me a Case of Bottles full of excellent Cordial Waters, six large Bottles of Madera Wine; the Bottles held two Quarts a-piece; two Pound of excellent good Tobacco, twelve good Pieces of the Ship's Beef, and six Pieces of Pork, with a Bag of Pease, and about a hundred Weight of Bisket.

madonna with the yarnwinder painting

madonna with the yarnwinder painting
Mother and Child
My Sweet Rose painting
Naiade oil painting
After this Communication was at an End, I carry'd him and his two Men into my Apartment, leading them in, just where I came out, viz. At the Top of the House, where I refresh'd them with such Provisions as I had, and shew'd them all the Contrivances I had made, during my long, long, inhabiting that Place.
All I shew'd them, all I Said to them, was perfectly amazing; but above all, the Captain admir'd my Fortification, and how perfectly I had conceal'd my Retreat with a Grove of Trees, which having been now planted near twenty Years, and the Trees growing much faster than in England, was become a little Wood, and so thick, that it was unpassable in any Part of it, but at that one Side, where I had reserv'd my little winding Passage into it: I told him, this was my Castle, and my Residence; but that I had a Seat in the Country, as most Princes have, whither I could retreat upon Occasion, and I would shew him that too another Time; but at present, our Business was to consider how to recover the Ship: He agreed with me as to that; but told me, he was perfectly at a Loss what Measures to take; for that there were still six and twenty Hands on board, who having entred into a cursed Conspiracy, by which they had all forfeited their Lives to the Law, would be harden'd in it now by Desperation; and would carry it on, knowing that if they were reduc'd, they should be brought to the Gallows, as soon as they came to England, or to any of the English Colonies; and that therefore there would be no attacking them, with so small a Number as we were.
I mus'd for some Time upon what he had said; and found it was a very rational Conclusion; and that therefore something was to be resolv'd on very speedily, as well to draw the Men on board into some Snare for their Surprize, as to prevent their Landing upon us, and destroying us; upon this it presently occurr'd to me, that in a little while the Ship's Crew wondring what was become of their Comrades, and of the Boat, would certainly come on Shore in their other Boat, to see for them, and that then perhaps they might come arm'd, and be too strong for us; this he allow'd was rational.

jesus christ on the cross

jesus christ on the cross
klimt painting the kiss
leonardo da vinci self portrait
Madonna Litta
Shot at the Men they knew, that one of them was kill'd on the Spot, and the other very much wounded; but not being dead, he started up upon his Feet, and call'd eagerly for help to the other; but the Captain stepping to him, told him, 'twas too late to cry for help, he should call upon God to forgive his Villany, and with that Word knock'd him down with the Stock of his Musket, so that he never spoke more: There were three more in the Company, and one of them was also slightly wounded: By this Time I was come, and when they saw their Danger, and that it was in vain to resist, they begg'd for Mercy: The Captain told them, he would spare their Lives, if they would give him any Assurance of their Abhorrence of the Treachery they had been guilty of, and would swear to be faithful to him in recovering the Ship, and afterwards in carrying her back to Jamaica, from whence they came: They gave him all the Protestations of their Sincerity that could be desir'd, and he was willing to believe them, and spare their Lives, which I was not against, only that I oblig'd him to keep them bound Hand and Foot while they were upon the Island.
While this was doing, I sent Friday with the Captain's Mate to the Boat, with Orders to secure her, and bring away the Oars, and Sail, which they did; and by and by, three straggling Men that were (happily for them) parted from the rest, came back upon hearing the Guns fir'd, and seeing their Captain, who before was their Prisoner, now their Conqueror, they submitted to be bound also; and so our Victory was compleat.
It now remain'd, that the Captain and I should enquire into one another's Circumstances: I began first, and told him my whole History, which he heard with an Attention even to Amazement; and particularly, at the wonderful Manner of my being furnish'd with Provisions and Ammunition; and indeed, as my Story is a whole Collection of Wonders, it affected him deeply; but when he reflected from thence upon himself, and how I seem'd to have been preserv'd there, on purpose to save his Life, the Tears ran down his Face, and he could not speak a Word more.

Johannes Vermeer Girl with a Pearl Earring Painting

Johannes Vermeer Girl with a Pearl Earring Painting
Well then, said I, here are three Muskets for you, with Powder and Ball; tell me next what you think is proper to be done. He shew'd all the Testimony of his Gratitude that he was able; but offer'd to be wholly guided by me. I told him I thought it was hard venturing any thing; but the best Method I could think of was to fire upon them at once, as they lay; and if any was not kill'd at the first Volley, and offered to submit, we might save them, and so put it wholly upon God's Providence to direct the Shot.
He said very modestly, that he was loath to kill them, if he could help it, but that those two were incorrigible Villains, and had been the Authors of all the Mutiny in the Ship, and if they escaped, we should be undone still; for they would go on Board, and bring the whole Ship's Company, and destroy us all. Well then, says I, Necessity legitimates my Advice; for it is the only Way to save our Lives. However, seeing him still cautious of shedding Blood, I told him they should go themselves, and manage as they found convenient.
In the Middle of this Discourse, we heard some of them awake, and soon after, we saw two of them on their Feet, I ask'd him, if either of them were of the Men who he had said were the Heads of the Mutiny? He said, No: Well then, said I, you may let them escape, and Providence seems to have wakned them on Purpose to save themselves. Now, says I, if the rest escape you, it is your Fault.
Animated with this, he took the Musket, I had given him, in his Hand, and a Pistol in his Belt, and his two Comerades with him, with each Man a Piece in his Hand. The two Men who were with him, going first, made some Noise, at which one of the Seamen who was awake, turn'd about, and seeing them coming, cry'd out to the rest; but it was too late then; for the Moment he cry'd out, they fir'd; I mean the two Men, the Captain wisely reserving his own Piece: They had so well aim'd their

Evening Mood painting

Evening Mood painting
female nude reclining
flaming june painting
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may
Have they any Fire-Arms, said I, He answered they had only two Pieces, and one which they left in the Boat. Well then, Said I, leave the rest to me; I see they are all asleep, it is an easie thing to kill them all; but shall we rather take them Prisoners? He told me there were two desperate Villains among them, that it was scarce safe to shew any Mercy to; but if they were secur'd, he believ'd all the rest would return to their Duty. I ask'd him, which they were? He told me he could not at that distance describe them; but he would obey my Orders in any thing I would direct. Well, says I, let us retreat out of their View or Hearing, least they awake, and we will resolve further; so they willingly went back with me, till the Woods cover'd us from them.
Look you, Sir, said I, if I venture upon your Deliverance, are you willing to make two Conditions with me? he anticipated my Proposals, by telling me, that both he and the Ship, if recover'd, should be wholly Directed and Commanded by me in every thing; and if the Ship was not recover'd, he would live and dye with me in what Part of the World soever I would send him; and the two other Men said the same.
Well, says I, my Conditions are but two. 1. That while you stay on this Island with me, you will not pretend to any Authority here; and if I put Arms into your Hands, you will upon all Occasions give them up to me, and do no Prejudice to me or mine, upon this Island, and in the mean time be govern'd by my Orders.
2. That if the Ship is, or may be recover'd, you will carry me and my Man to England Passage free.
He gave me all the Assurances that the Invention and Faith of Man could devise, that he would comply with these most reasonable Demands, and besides would owe his Life to me, and acknowledge it upon all Occasions as long as he liv'd.

Boulevard des Capucines

Boulevard des Capucines
Charity painting
Christ In The Storm On The Sea Of Galilee
Dance Me to the End of Love
They started up at the Noise, but were ten times more confounded when they saw me, and the uncouth Figure that I made. They made no Answer at all, but I thought I perceiv'd them just going to fly from me, when I spoke to them in English, Gentlemen, said I, do not be surpriz'd at me; perhaps you may have a Friend near you when you did not expect it. He must be sent directly from Heaven then, said one of them very gravely to me, and pulling off his Hat at the same time to me, for our Condition is past the Help of Man. All Help is from Heaven, Sir, said I. But can you put a Stranger in the way how to help you, for you seem to me to be in some great Distress? I saw you when you landed, and when you Seem'd to make Applications to the Brutes that came with you, I saw one of them lift up his Sword to kill you.
The poor Man with Tears running down his Face, and trembling, looking like one astonish'd, return'd, Am I talking to God, or Man! Is it a real Man, or an Angel! Be in no fear about that, Sir, said I, if God had sent an Angel to relieve you, he would have come better Cloath'd, and Arm'd after another manner than you see me in; pray lay aside your Fears, I am a Man, an English-man, and dispos'd to assist you, you see; I have one Servant only; we have Arms and Ammunition; tell us freely, Can we serve you ? - What is your Case?
Our Case, said he, Sir, is too long to tell you, while our Murtherers are so near; but in Short, Sir, I was Commander of that Ship, my Men have Mutinied against me; they have been hardly prevail'd on not to Murther me, and at last have set me on Shore in this desolate Place, with these two Men with me; one my Mate, the other a Passenger, where we expected to Perish, believing the Place to be uninhabited, and know not yet what to think of it.
Where are those Brutes, your Enemies, said I, do you know where they are gone? There they lye, Sir, Said he, pointing to a Thicket of Trees; my Heart trembles, for fear they have seen us, and heard you speak, if they have, they will certainly Murther us all.

Rembrandt Biblical Scene

Rembrandt Biblical Scene
Rembrandt The Jewish Bride
Return of the Prodigal Son
Samson And Delilah
When I came to my Castle, for so I think I call'd it ever after this, I fled into it like one pursued; whether I went over by the Ladder as first contriv'd, or went in at the Hole in the Rock, which I call'd a Door, I cannot remember; no, nor could I remember the next Morning, for never frighted Hare fled to Cover, or Fox to Earth, with more Terror of Mind than I to this Retreat.
I slept none that Night; the farther I was from the Occasion of my Fright, the greater my Apprehensions were, which is something contrary to the Nature of such Things, and especially to the usual Practice of all Creatures in Fear: But I was so embarrass'd with my own frightful Ideas of the Thing, that I form'd nothing but dismal Imaginations to my self, even tho' I was now a great way off of it. Sometimes I fancy'd it must be the Devil; and Reason joyn'd in with me upon this Supposition: For how should any other Thing in human Shape come into the Place? Where was the Vessel that brought them? What Marks was there of any other Footsteps? And how was it possible a Man should come there? But then to think that Satan should take human Shape upon him in such a Place where there could be no manner of Occasion for it, but to leave the Print of his Foot behind him, and that even for no Purpose too, for he could not be sure I should see it; this was an Amusement the other Way; I consider'd that the Devil might have found out abundance of other Ways to have terrify'd me than this of the single Print of a Foot. That as I liv'd quite on the other Side of the Island, he would never have been so simple to leave a Mark in a Place where 'twas Ten Thousand to one whether I should ever see it Or not, and in the Sand too, which the first Surge of the Sea upon a high Wind would have defac'd entirely: All this seem'd inconsistent with the Thing it self, and with all the Notions we usually entertain of the Subtilty of the Devil.
Abundance of such Things as these assisted to argue me out' of all Apprehensions of its being the Devil: And I presently concluded then, that it must be some more dangerous Creature, (viz.) That it must be some of the Savages of the main Land over-against me, who had wander'd out to Sea in their Canoes; and either driven by the Currents, or by contrary Winds had made the Island; and had been on Shore, but were gone away again to Sea, being as loth, perhaps, to have stay'd in this desolate Island, as I would have been to have had them.

precious time

precious time
Red Hat Girl
Red Nude painting
Regatta At Argenteuil
In this Place also I had my Grapes growing, which I principally depended on for my Winter Store of Raisins; and which I never fail'd to preserve very carefully, as the best and most agreeable Dainty of my whole Diet; and indeed they were not agreeable only, but physical, whole-some, nourishing, and refreshing to the last Degree.
As this was also about half Way between my other Habitation, and the Place where I had laid up my Boat, I generally stay'd, and lay here in my Way thither; for I used frequently to visit my Boat, and I kept all Things about or belonging to her in very good Order; sometimes I went out in her to divert my self, but no more hazardous Voyages would I go, nor scarce ever above a Stone's Cast or two from the Shore, I was so apprehensive of being hurry'd out my Knowledge again by the Currents, or Winds, or any ether Accident. But now I come to a new Scene of my Life. It happen'd one Day about Noon going towards my Boat, I was exceedingly surpriz'd with the Print of a Man's naked Foot on the Shore, which was very plain to be seen in the Sand: I stood like one Thunder-struck, or as if I had seen an Apparition; I listen'd, I look'd round me, I could hear nothing, nor see any Thing, I went up to a rising Ground to look farther, I went up the Shore and down the Shore, but it was all one, I could see no other Impression but that one, I went to it again to see if there were any more, and to observe if it might not be my Fancy; but there was no Room for that, for there was exactly the very Print of a Foot, Toes, Heel, and every Part of a Foot; how it came thither, I knew not, nor could in the least imagine. But after innumerable fluttering Thoughts, like a Man perfectly confus'd and out of my self, I came Home to my Fortification, not feeling, as we say, the Ground I went on, but terrify'd to the last Degree, looking behind me at every two or three Steps, mistaking every Bush and Tree, and fancying every Stump at a Distance to be a Man; nor is it possible to describe how many various Shapes affrighted Imagination represented Things to me in, how many wild Ideas were found every Moment in my Fancy, and what strange unaccountable Whimsies came into my Thoughts by the Way.

Naiade oil painting

Naiade oil painting
Nighthawks Hopper
Nude on the Beach
One Moment in Time
Near this Dwelling of mine, but a little farther within the Land, and upon lower Ground, lay my two Pieces of Corn-Ground, which I kept duly cultivated and sow'd, and which duly yielded me their Harvest in its Season; and whenever I had occasion for more Corn, I had more Land adjoyning as fit as that.
Besides this, I had my Country Seat, and I had now a tollerable Plantation there also; for first, I had my little Bower, as I call'd it, which I kept in Repair; that is to say, I kept the Hedge which circled it in, constantly fitted up to its usual Height, the Ladder standing always in the Inside; I kept the Trees which at first were no more than my Stakes, but were now grown very firm and tall; I kept them always so cut, that they might spread and grow thick and wild, and make the more agreeable Shade, which they did effectually to my Mind. In the Middle of this I had my Tent always standing, being a piece of a Sail spread over Poles set up for that Purpose, and which never wanted any Repair or Renewing; and under this I had made me a Squab or Couch, with the Skins of the Creatures I had kill'd, and with other soft Things, and a Blanket laid on them, such as belong'd to our Sea-Bedding, which I had saved, and a great Watch-Coat to cover me; and here, whenever I had Occasion to be absent from my chief Seat, I took up my Country Habitation.
Adjoyning to this I had my Enclosures for my Cattle, that is to say, my Goats: And as I had taken an inconceivable deal of Pains to fence and enclose this Ground, so I was so uneasy to see it kept entire, lest the Goats should break thro', that I never left off till with infinite Labour I had stuck the Out-side of the Hedge so full of small Stakes, and so near to one another, that it was rather a Pale than a Hedge, and there was scarce Room to put a Hand thro' between them, which afterwards when those Stakes grew, as they all did in the next rainy Season, made the Enclosure strong like a Wall, indeed stronger than any Wall.
This will testify for me that I was not idle, and that I spared no Pains to bring to pass whatever appear'd necessary for my comfortable Support; for I consider'd the keeping up a Breed of tame Creatures thus at my Hand, would be a living Magazine of Flesh, Milk, Butter and Cheese, for me as long as I liv'd in the Place, if it were to be forty Years; and that keeping them in my Reach, depended entirely upon my perfecting my Enclosures to such a Degree, that I might be of keeping them together; which by this Method indeed I so effectually secur'd, that when these little Stakes began to grow, I had planted them so very thick, I was forced to pw some of them up again.

Rembrandt Biblical Scene

Rembrandt Biblical Scene
Rembrandt The Jewish Bride
Return of the Prodigal Son
Samson And Delilah
In the next Place, I was at a great Loss for Candle; so that as soon as ever it was dark, which was generally by Seven-a-Clock, was oblig'd to go to Bed: I remembered the Lump of Bees-wax with which I made Candles in my African Adventure, but I had none of that now; the only Remedy had was, that when I had kill'd a Goat, sav'd the Tallow, and with a little Dish made of Clay, which I bak'd in the Sun, to which I added a Wick of some Oakum, I made me a Lamp; and this gave me Light, tho' not a clear steady Light like a Candle; in the Middle of all my Labours it happen'd, that rumaging my Things, I found a little Bag, which, as I hinted before, had been fill'd with Corn for the feeding of Poultry, not for this Voyage, but before, as I suppose, when the Ship came from Lisbon; what little Remainder of Corn had been in the Bag, was all devour'd with the Rats, and I saw nothing in the Bag but Husks and Dust; and being willing to have the Bag for some other Use, I think it was to put Powder in, when I divided it for Fear of the Lightning, or some such Use, I shook the Husks of Corn out of it on one Side of my Fortification under the Rock.
It was a little before the great Rains, just now mention'd, that I threw this Stuff away, taking no Notice of any Thing, and not so much as remembering that I had thrown any Thing there; when about a Month after, or thereabout, I saw some few Stalks of something green, shooting out of the Ground, which I fancy'd might be some Plant I had not seen, but I was surpriz'd and perfectly astonish'd, when, after a little longer Time, I saw about ten or twelve Ears come out, which were perfect green Barley of the same Kind as our European, nay, as our English Barley.

precious time

precious time
Red Hat Girl
Red Nude painting
Regatta At Argenteuil
All this Time I work'd very hard, the Rains hindering me many Days, nay sometimes Weeks together; but I thought I should never be perfectly secure `till this Wall was finish'd; and it is scarce credible what inexpressible Labour every Thing was done with, especially the bringing Piles out of the Woods, and driving them into the Ground, for I made them much bigger than I need to have done.
When this Wall was finished, and the Out-side double fenc'd with a Turff-Wall rais'd up close to it, I persuaded my self, that if any People were to come on Shore there, they would not perceive any Thing like a Habitation; and it was very well I did so, as may be oberv'd hereafter upon a very remarkable Occasion.
During this Time, I made my Rounds in the Woods for Game every Day when the Rain admitted me, and made frequent Discoveries in these Walks of something or other to my Advantage; particularly I found a Kind of wild Pidgeons, who built not as Wood Pidgeons in a Tree, but rather as House Pidgeons, in the Holes of the Rocks; and taking some young ones, I endeavoured to bread them up tame, and did so; but when they grew older they flew all away, which perhaps was at first for Want of feeding them, for I had nothing to give them; however I frequently found their Nests, and got their young ones, which were very good Meat.
And now, in the managing my houshold Affairs, I found my self wanting in many Things, which I thought at first it was impossible for me to make, as indeed as to some of them it was; for Instance, I could never make a Cask to be hooped, had a small Runlet or two, as I observed before, but I cou'd never arrive to the Capacity of making one by them, tho? I spent many Weeks about it; I could neither put in the Heads, or joint the Staves so true to one another, as to make them hold Water, so I gave that also over.

Naiade oil painting

Naiade oil painting
Nighthawks Hopper
Nude on the Beach
One Moment in Time
Dec. 27. Kill'd a young Goat, and lam'd another so as that I catch'd it, and led it Home in a String; when I had it Home, I bound and splinter'd up its Leg which was broke, N.B. I took such Care of it, that it liv'd, and the Leg grew well, and as strong as ever; but by my nursing it so long it grew tame, and fed upon the little Green at my Door, and would not go away: This was the first Time that I entertain'd a Thought of breeding up some tame Creatures, that I might have Food when my Powder and Shot was all spent.
Dec. 28, 29, 30. Great Heats and no Breeze; so that there was no Stirring abroad, except in the Evening for Food; this Time I spent in putting all my Things in Order within Doors.
January 1. Very hot still, but I went abroad early and late with my Gun, and lay still in the Middle of the Day; this Evening going farther into the Valleys which lay towards the Center of the Island, I found there was plenty of Goats, tho' exceeding shy and hard to come at, however I resolv'd to try if I could not bring my Dog to hunt them down.
Jan. 2. Accordingly, the next Day, I went out with my Dog, and set him upon the Goats; but I was mistaken, for they all fac'd about upon the Dog, and he knew his Danger too well, for he would not come near them.
Jan. 3. I began my Fence or Wall; which being still jealous of my being attack'd by some Body, I resolv'd to make very thick and strong.
N.B. This Wall being describ'd before, I purposely omit what was said in the Journal; it is sufficient to observe, that I was no less Time than from the 3rd of January to the 14th of April, working, finishing, and perfecting this Wall, tho' it was no more than about 24 Yards in Length, being a half Circle from one Place in the Rock to another Place about eight Yards from it, the Door of the Cave being in the Center behind it.

Rembrandt Biblical Scene

Rembrandt Biblical Scene
Rembrandt The Jewish Bride
Return of the Prodigal Son
Samson And Delilah
`No, I don't wish to go upstairs,' he said. `Come in, and kindle me a fire, and do anything there is to do about the room.'
`I must blow the coals red first, before I can carry any,' I replied, getting a chair and the bellows.
He roamed to and fro, meantime, in a state approaching distraction; his heavy sighs succeeding each other so thick as to leave no space for common breathing between.
"When day breaks I'll send for Green,' he said; `I wish to make some legal inquiries of him while I can bestow a thought on those matters, and while I can act calmly. I have not written my will yet; and how to leave my property I cannot determine. I wish I could annihilate it from the face of the earth.'
`I would not talk so, Mr Heathcliff,' I interposed. `Let your will be a while: you'll be spared to repent of your many injustices yet. I never expected that your nerves would be disordered: they are, at present, marvellously so, however; and almost entirely through your own fault. The way you've passed these three last days might knock up a Titan. Do take some food, and some repose. You need only look at yourself in a glass to see how you require both. Your cheeks are hollow, and your eyes bloodshot, like a person starving with hunger and going blind with loss of sleep.'
`It is not my fault that I cannot eat or rest,' he replied. `I assure you it is through no settled designs. I'll do both as soon as I possibly can. But you might as well bid a man struggling in the water rest within arm's length of the shore! I must reach it first, and then I'll rest. Well, never mind Mr Green: as to repenting of my injustices, I've done no injustice, and I repent of nothing. I'm too happy; and yet I'm not happy enough. My soul's bliss kills my body, but does not satisfy itself.'

precious time

precious time
Red Hat Girl
Red Nude painting
Regatta At Argenteuil
I sat, a model of patience, trying to attract his absorbed attention from its engrossing speculation; till he grew irritable, and got--up, asking why I would not allow him to have his own time in taking his meals? and saying that on the next occasion, I needn't wait: I might set the things down and go. Having uttered these words he left the house, slowly sauntered down the garden path, and disappeared through the gate.
The hours crept anxiously by: another evening came. I did not retire to rest till late, and when I did, I could not sleep. He returned after midnight, and, instead of going to bed, shut himself into the room beneath. I listened, and tossed about, and, finally, dressed and descended. It was too irksome to lie up there, harassing my brain with a hundred idle misgivings.
I distinguished Mr Heathcliff's step, restlessly measuring the floor, and he frequently broke the silence by a deep inspiration, resembling a groan. He muttered detached words also; the only one I could catch was the name of Catherine, coupled with some wild term of endearment or suffering; and spoken as one would speak to a person present: low and earnest, and wrung from the depth of his soul. I had not courage to walk straight into the apartment; but I desired to divert him from his reverie, and therefore fell foul of the kitchen fire, stirred it, and began to scrape the cinders. It drew him forth sooner than I expected. He opened the door immediately, and said:
`Nelly, come here--is it morning? Come in with your light.'
`It is striking four,' I answered. `You want a candle to take upstairs: you might have lit one at this fire.'

Naiade oil painting

Naiade oil painting
Nighthawks Hopper
Nude on the Beach
One Moment in Time
Come now, I exclaimed, pushing some bread against his hand, `eat and drink that, while it is hot: it has been waiting near an hour.'
He didn't notice me, and yet he smiled. I'd rather have seen him gnash his teeth than smile so.
`Mr Heathcliff! master!' I cried, `don't, for God's sake, stare as if you saw an unearthly vision.'
`Don't, for God's sake, shout so loud,' he replied. `Turn round, and tell me, are we by ourselves?'
`Of course,' was my answer; `of course we are.'
Still I involuntarily obeyed him, as if I were not quite sure. `With a sweep of his hand he cleared a vacant space in front among the breakfast things, and leant forward to gaze more at his ease.
Now, I perceived he was not looking at the wall; for when I regarded him alone, it seemed exactly that he gazed at something within two yards' distance. And whatever it was, it communicated, apparently, both pleasure and pain in exquisite extremes: at least the anguished, yet raptured, expression of his countenance suggested that idea. The fancied object was not fixed: either his eyes pursued it with unwearied diligence, and, even in speaking to me, were never weaned away. I vainly reminded him of his protracted abstinence from food: if he stirred to touch anything in compliance with my entreaties, if he stretched his hand out to get a piece of bread, his fingers clenched before they reached it, and remained on the table, forgetful of their aim.

Rembrandt Biblical Scene

Rembrandt Biblical Scene
Rembrandt The Jewish Bride
Return of the Prodigal Son
Samson And Delilah
where, to my inexpressible joy, I beheld Linton laid on a little sofa, reading one of my books. But he would neither speak to me nor look at me, through a whole hour, Ellen: he has such an unhappy temper. And what quite confounded me, when he did open his mouth, it was to utter the falsehood that I had occasioned the uproar, and Hareton was not to blame! Unable to reply, except passionately, I got up and walked from the room. He sent after me a faint ``Catherine!'' He did not reckon on being answered so: but I wouldn't turn back; and the morrow was the second day on which I stayed at home, nearly determined to visit him no more. But it was so miserable going to bed and getting up, and never hearing anything about him, that my resolution melted into air before it was properly formed. It had appeared wrong to take the journey once; now it seemed wrong to refrain. Michael came to ask if he must saddle Minny; I said ``Yes'', and considered myself doing a duty as she bore me over the hills. I was forced to pass the front windows to get to the court: it was no use trying to conceal my presence.
``Young master is in the house,'' said Zillah, as she saw me making for the parlour. I went in; Earnshaw was there also, but he quitted the room directly. Linton sat in the great armchair half asleep; walking up to the fire, I began in a serious tone, partly meaning it to be true:
``As you don't like me, Linton, and as you think I come on purpose to hurt you, and pretend that I do so every time, this is our last meeting: let us say goodbye; and tell Mr Heathcliff that you have no wish to see me, and that he mustn't invent any more falsehoods on the subject.''
` ``Sit down and take your hat off, Catherine,'' he answered. ``You are so much happier than I am, you ought to be better. Papa talks enough of my defects, and shows enough scorn of me, to make it natural I should doubt myself. I doubt whether I am not altogether as worthless as he calls me, frequently; and then I feel so cross and

precious time

precious time
Red Hat Girl
Red Nude painting
Regatta At Argenteuil
`Ellen, I was ready to tear my hair off my head! I sobbed and wept so that my eyes were almost blind; and the ruffian you have such sympathy with stood opposite: presuming every now and then to bid me ``wisht'', and denying that it was his fault; and, finally, frightened by my assertions that I would tell papa, and that he should be put in prison and hanged, he commenced blubbering himself, and hurried out to hide his cowardly agitation. Still, I was not rid of him: when at length they compelled me to depart, and I had got some hundred yards off the premises, he suddenly issued from the shadow of the roadside, and checked Minny and took hold of me.
``Miss Catherine, I'm ill grieved,'' he began, ``but it's rayther too bad--''
`I gave him a cut with my whip, thinking perhaps he would murder me. He let go, thundering one of his horrid curses, and I galloped home more than half out of my senses.
`I didn't bid you good night that evening, and I didn't go to Wuthering Heights the next: I wished to, exceedingly; but I was strangely excited, and dreaded to hear that Linton was dead, sometimes; and sometimes shuddered at the thought of encountering Hareton. On the third day I took courage: at least, I couldn't bear longer suspense, and stole off once more. I went at five o'clock, and walked; fancying I might manage to creep into the house, and up to Linton's room, unobserved. However, the dogs gave notice of my approach. Zillah received me, and saying, ``the lad was mending nicely'', showed me into a small, tidy, carpeted apartment

Naiade oil painting

Naiade oil painting
Nighthawks Hopper
Nude on the Beach
One Moment in Time
Ech, ech, ech! He mad ye skift properly! Ech, ech, ech!''
``Where must we go?'' I said to my cousin, disregarding the old wretch's mockery.
`Linton was white and trembling. He was not pretty then, Ellen: oh no! he looked frightful; for his thin face and large eyes were wrought into an expression of frantic, powerless fury. He grasped the handle of the door, and shook it: it was fastened inside.
``If you don't let me in I'll kill you!--If you don't let me in, I'll kill you!'' he rather shrieked than said. ``Devil! devil!--I'll kill you--I'll kill you!''
`Joseph uttered his croaking laugh again.
``Thear, that's t' father!'' he cried. ``That's father! We've alIas summut uh orther side in us. Niver heed Hareton, lad--dunnut be `feard--he cannot get at thee!''
`I took hold of Linton's hands, and tried to pull him away; but he shrieked so shockingly that I dared not proceed. At last his cries were choked by a dreadful fit of coughing; blood gushed from his mouth, and he fell on the ground. I ran into the yard, sick with terror; and called for Zillah, as loud as I could. She soon heard me: she was milking the cows in a shed behind the barn, `and hurrying from her work, she inquired what there was to do? I hadn't breath to explain; dragging her in, I looked about for Linton. Earnshaw had come out to examine the mischief he had caused, and he was then conveying the poor thing upstairs. Zillah and I ascended after him; but he stopped me at the top of the steps, and said I shouldn't go in: I must go home. I exclaimed that he had killed Linton, and I would enter. Joseph locked the door, and declared I should do ``no sich stuff'', and asked me whether I were ``bahn to be as mad as him''. I stood crying, till the housekeeper reappeared. She affirmed he would be better in a bit, but he couldn't do with that shrieking and din; and she took me, and nearly carried me into the house.

Rembrandt Biblical Scene

Rembrandt Biblical Scene
I wish you would say Catherine, or Cathy,' interrupted my young lady. `Despise you? No! Next to papa and Ellen, I love you better than anybody living. I don't love Mr Heathcliff, though; and I dare not come when he returns; will he stay away many days?'
`Not many,' answered Linton; `but he goes on to the moors frequently, since the shooting season commenced; and you might spend an hour or two with me in his absence. Do say you will. I think I should not be peevish with you: you'd not provoke me, and you'd always be ready to help me, wouldn't you?'
`Yes,' said Catherine, stroking his long soft hair; `if I could only get papa's consent, I'd spend half my time with you. Pretty Linton! I wish you were my brother.'
`And then you would like me as well as your father?' observed he, more cheerfully. `But papa says you would love me better than him and all the world, if you were my wife; so I'd rather you were that.'
Rembrandt The Jewish Bride
Return of the Prodigal Son
`No, I should never love anybody better than papa,' she returned gravely. `And people hate their wives, sometimes; but not their sisters and brothers: and if you were the latter you would live with us, and papa would be as fond of you as he is of me.'
Linton denied that people ever hated their wives; but Cathy affirmed they did, and, in her wisdom, instanced his own father's aversion to her aunt. I endeavoured to stop her thoughtless tongue. I couldn't succeed till everything she knew was out. Master Heathcliff, much irritated, asserted her relation was false.
`Papa told me; and papa does not tell falsehoods,' she answered pertly.
`Ny papa scorns yours!' cried Linton. `He calls him a sneaking fool!'
`Yours is a wicked man,' retorted Catherine, `and you are very naughty to dare to repeat what he says. He must be wicked to have made Aunt Isabella leave him as she did!'
`She didn't leave him,' said the boy; `you shan't contradict me!'
`She did!' cried my young lady.
Samson And Delilah

precious time

precious time
`Well, Linton,' murmured Catherine, when his corrugated brow relaxed. `Are you glad to see me? Can I do you any good?'
`Why didn't you come before?' he asked. `You should have come, instead of writing. It tired me dreadfully, writing those long letters. I'd far rather have talked to you. Now, I can neither bear to talk, nor anything else. I wonder where Zillah is! Will you (looking at me) step into the kitchen and see?'
I had received no thanks for my other service; and being unwilling to run out to and fro at his behest, I replied:
`Nobody is out there but Joseph.'
`I want to drink,' he exclaimed fretfully, turning away. `Zillah is constantly gadding off to Gimmerton since papa went: it's miserable! And I'm obliged to come down here--they resolved never to hear me upstairs.'
`Is your father attentive to you, Master Heathcliff?' I asked, perceiving Catherine to be checked in her friendly advances.
Red Hat Girl
Red Nude painting
`Attentive? He makes them a little more attentive at least,' he cried. `The wretches! Do you know, Miss Linton, that brute Hareton laughs at me! I hate him! indeed, I hate them all: they are odious beings.'
Cathy began searching for some water; she lighted on a pitcher in the dresser, filled a tumbler, and brought it. He bid her add a spoonful of wine from a bottle on the table; and having swallowed a small portion, appeared more tranquil, and said she was very kind.
`And are you glad to see me?' asked she, reiterating her former question, and pleased to detect the faint dawn of a smile.
`Yes, I am. It's something new to hear a voice like yours!' he replied. `But I have been vexed, because you wouldn't come. And papa swore it was owing to me: he called me a pitiful, shuffling, worthless thing; and said you despised me; and if he had been in my place, he would be more the master of the Grange than your father, by this time. But you don't despise me, do you, Miss--
Regatta At Argenteuil

Naiade oil painting

Naiade oil painting
The rainy night had ushered in a misty morning--half frost, half drizzle and temporary brooks crossed our path--gurgling from the uplands. My feet were thoroughly wetted; I was cross and low; exactly the humour suited for making the most of these disagreeable things. We entered the farmhouse by the kitchen way, to ascertain whether Mr Heathcliff were really absent; because I put slight faith in his own affirmation.
Joseph seemed sitting in a sort of elysium alone, beside a roaring fire; a quart of ale on the table near him, bristling with large pieces of toasted oatcake; and his black, short pipe in his mouth. Catherine ran to the hearth to warm herself. I asked if the master was in? My question remained so long unanswered, that I thought the old man had grown deaf, and repeated it louder.
Nighthawks Hopper
Na-ay!' he snarled, or rather screamed through his nose. `Na-ay! yah muh goa back whear yah coom frough.'
`Joseph!' cried a peevish voice, simultaneously with me, from the inner room. `How often am I to call you? There are only a few red ashes now. Joseph! come this moment.
Vigorous puffs, and a resolute stare into the grate declared he had no ear for this appeal. The housekeeper and Hareton were invisible; one gone on an errand, and the other at his work, probably. We knew Linton's tones, and entered.
`Oh, I hope you'll die in a garret! starved to death,' said the boy, mistaking our approach for that of his negligent attendant.
He stopped, on observing his error; his cousin flew to him.
`Is that you, Miss Linton?' he said, raising his head from the arm of the great chair, in which he reclined. `No--don't kiss me: it takes my breath. Dear me! Papa said you would call,' continued he, after recovering a little from Catherine's embrace; while she stood by liking very contrite. `Will you shut the door, if you please? you left it open; and those--those detestable creatures won't bring coals to the fire. It's so cold!'
I stirred up the cinders, and fetched a scuttleful myself. The invalid complained of being covered with ashes; but he had a tiresome cough, and looked feverish and ill, so I did not rebuke his temper.
Nude on the Beach
One Moment in Time

Rembrandt Biblical Scene

Rembrandt Biblical Scene
Rembrandt The Jewish Bride
Return of the Prodigal Son
Samson And Delilah
How strange that he should never come to see mamma and me!' he murmured. `Has he ever seen me? If he have, I must have been a baby. I remember not a single thing about him!'
`Why, Master Linton,' said I, `three hundred miles is a great distance; and ten years seem very different in length to a grown-up person compared with what they do to you. It is probable Mr Heathcliff proposed going from summer to summer, but never found a convenient opportunity; and now it is too late. Don't trouble him with questions on the subject: it will disturb him, for no good.'
The boy was fully occupied with his own cogitations for the remainder of the ride, till we halted before the farmhouse garden gate. I watched to catch his impressions in his countenance. He surveyed the carved front and low-browed lattices, the straggling gooseberry bushes and crooked firs, with solemn intentness, and then shook his head: his private feelings entirely disapproved of the exterior of his new abode. But he had sense to postpone complaining: there might be compensation within. Before he dismounted, I went and opened the door. It was half past six; the family had just finished breakfast; the servant was clearing and wiping down the table. Joseph stood by his master's chair telling some tale concerning a lame horse; and Hareton was preparing for the hay field.
`Hallo, Nelly!' cried Mr Heathcliff, when he saw me. `I feared I should have to come down and fetch my property myself. You've brought it, have you? Let us see what we can make of it.'

precious time

precious time
Red Hat Girl
Red Nude painting
Regatta At Argenteuil
Is Wuthering Heights as pleasant a place as Thrushcross Grange?' he inquired, turning to take a last glance into the valley, whence a light mist mounted and formed a fleecy cloud on the skirts of the blue.
`It is not so buried in trees,' I replied, `and it is not quite so large, but you can see the country beautifully all round; and the air is healthier for you--fresher and dryer. You will, perhaps, think the building old and dark at first; though it is a respectable house: the next best in the neighbourhood. And you will have such nice rambles on the moors. Hareton Earnshaw--that is Miss Cathy's other cousin, and so yours in a manner--will show you all the sweetest spots; and you can bring a book in fine weather, and make a green hollow your study; and, now and then, your uncle may join you in a walk: he does, frequently, walk out on the hills.'
`And what is my father like?' he asked. `Is he as young and handsome as uncle?'
`He's as young,' said I; `but he has black hair and eyes, and looks sterner; and he is taller and bigger altogether. He'll not seem to you so gentle and kind at first, perhaps, because it is not his way: still, mind you, be frank and cordial with him; and naturally he'll be fonder of you than any uncle, for you are his own.'
`Black hair and eyes!' mused Linton. `I can't fancy him. Then I am not like him, am I?'
`Not much,' I answered: not a morsel, I thought, surveying with regret the white complexion and slim frame of my companion, and his large languid eyes--his mother's eyes, save that, unless a morbid touchiness kindled them a moment, they had not a vestige of her sparkling spirit.

Naiade oil painting

Naiade oil painting
Nighthawks Hopper
Nude on the Beach
One Moment in Time
`He had business to keep him in the north,' I answered, `and your mother's health required her to reside in the south.'
`And why didn't mamma speak to me about him?' persevered the child. `She often talked of uncle, and I learnt to love him long ago. How am I to love papa? I don't know him.'
`Oh, all children love their parents,' I said. `Your mother, perhaps, thought you would want to be with him if she mentioned him often to you. Let us make haste. An early ride on such a beautiful morning is much preferable to an hour's more sleep.
`Is she to go with us,' he demanded: `the little girl I saw yesterday?' replied I.
`Is uncle?' he continued.
`No, I shall be your companion there,' I said.
Linton sank back on his pillow and fell into a brown study.
`I won't go without uncle,' he cried at length: `I can't tell where you mean to take me.'
I attempted to persuade him of the naughtiness of showing reluctance to meet his father; still he obstinately resisted any progress towards dressing, and I had to call for my master's assistance in coaxing him out of bed. The poor thing was finally got off, with several delusive assurances that his absence should be short; that Mr Edgar and Cathy would visit him, and other promises, equally ill-founded, which I invented and reiterated at intervals throughout the way. The pure heather-scented air, and the bright sunshine, and the gentle canter of Minny, relieved his despondency after a while. He began to put questions concerning his new home, and its inhabitants, with greater interest and liveliness.

van vincent gogh night starry

van vincent gogh night starry
Sometimes, while meditating on these things in solitude, I've got up in a sudden terror, and put on my bonnet to go see how all was at the farm. I've persuaded my conscience that it was a duty to warn him how people talked regarding his ways; and then I've recollected his confirmed bad habits, and, hopeless of benefiting him, have flinched from re-entering the dismal house, doubting if I could bear to be taken at my word.
One time I passed the old gate, going out of my way, on a journey to Gimmerton. It was about the period that my narrative has reached: a bright frosty afternoon; the ground bare, and the road hard and dry. I came to a stone where the highway branches off on to the moor at your left hand; a rough sand pillar, with the letters W.H. cut on its north side, on the east, G., and on the south-west, T.G. It serves as guide-post to the Grange, the Heights, and village. The sun shone yellow on its grey head, reminding me of summer; and I cannot say why, but all at once, a gush of child's sensations flowed into my heart. Hindley and I held it a favourite spot twenty years
van vincent gogh night starry
before. I gazed long at the weather-worn block, and, stooping down, perceived a hole near the bottom still full of snail-shells and pebbles, which we were fond of storing there with more perishable things; and, as fresh as reality, it appeared that I beheld my early playmate seated on the withered turf: his dark, square head bent forward, and his little hand scooping out the earth with a piece of slate. `Poor Hindley!' I exclaimed involuntarily. I started: my bodily eye was cheated into a momentary belief that the child lifted its face and stared straight into mine! It vanished in a twinkling; but immediately I felt an irresistible yearning to be at the Heights. Superstition urged me to comply with this impulse: supposing he should be dead! I thought--or should die soon!--supposing it were a sign of death! The nearer I got to the house the more agitated I grew; and on catching sight of it I trembled in every limb. The apparition had outstripped me: it stood looking through the gate. That was my first idea on observing an elf-locked, brown-eyed boy setting his ruddy countenance against the bars. Further reflection suggested this must be Hareton, my Hareton, not altered greatly since I left him, ten months since.
van vincent gogh night starry

van gogh painting

van gogh painting `If they were mine, they would be none the less that,' said Heathcliff; `but though Isabella Linton may be silly, she is scarcely mad; and, in short, we'll dismiss the matter, as you advise.'
From their tongues they did dismiss it; and Catherine, probably, from her thoughts. The other, I felt certain, recalled it often in the course of the evening. I saw him smile to himself--grin rather--and lapse into ominous musing whenever Mrs Linton had occasion to be absent from the apartment.
van gogh painting
I determined to watch his movements. My heart invariably cleaved to the master's, in preference to Catherine's side: with reason I imagined, for he was kind, and trustful, and honourable; and she--she could not be called the opposite, yet she seemed to allow herself such wide latitude, that I had little faith in her principles, and still less sympathy for her feelings. I wanted something to happen which might have the effect of freeing both Wuthering Heights and the Grange of Mr Heathcliff, quietly; leaving us as we had been prior to his advent. His visits were a continual nightmare to me; and, I suspected, to my master also. His abode at the Heights was an oppression past explaining. I felt that God had forsaken the stray sheep there to its own wicked wanderings, and an evil beast prowled between it and the fold, waiting his time to spring and destroy.
van gogh painting