Reading Help Frankenstein Ch.10-24
had been taken from before my eyes and that I for the first time saw `
` clearly. The idea of renewing my labours did not for one instant occur `
` to me; the threat I had heard weighed on my thoughts, but I did not `
` reflect that a voluntary act of mine could avert it. I had resolved in `
` my own mind that to create another like the fiend I had first made `
` would be an act of the basest and most atrocious selfishness, and I `
` banished from my mind every thought that could lead to a different `
` conclusion. `
` `
` Between two and three in the morning the moon rose; and I then, putting `
` my basket aboard a little skiff, sailed out about four miles from the `
` shore. The scene was perfectly solitary; a few boats were returning `
` towards land, but I sailed away from them. I felt as if I was about `
` the commission of a dreadful crime and avoided with shuddering anxiety `
` any encounter with my fellow creatures. At one time the moon, which `
` had before been clear, was suddenly overspread by a thick cloud, and I `
` took advantage of the moment of darkness and cast my basket into the `
` sea; I listened to the gurgling sound as it sank and then sailed away `
` from the spot. The sky became clouded, but the air was pure, although `
` chilled by the northeast breeze that was then rising. But it refreshed `
` me and filled me with such agreeable sensations that I resolved to `
` prolong my stay on the water, and fixing the rudder in a direct `
` position, stretched myself at the bottom of the boat. Clouds hid the `
` moon, everything was obscure, and I heard only the sound of the boat as `
` its keel cut through the waves; the murmur lulled me, and in a short `
` time I slept soundly. I do not know how long I remained in this `
` situation, but when I awoke I found that the sun had already mounted `
` considerably. The wind was high, and the waves continually threatened `
` the safety of my little skiff. I found that the wind was northeast and `
` must have driven me far from the coast from which I had embarked. I `
` endeavoured to change my course but quickly found that if I again made `
` the attempt the boat would be instantly filled with water. Thus `
` situated, my only resource was to drive before the wind. I confess `
` that I felt a few sensations of terror. I had no compass with me and `
` was so slenderly acquainted with the geography of this part of the `
` world that the sun was of little benefit to me. I might be driven into `
` the wide Atlantic and feel all the tortures of starvation or be `
` swallowed up in the immeasurable waters that roared and buffeted around `
` me. I had already been out many hours and felt the torment of a `
` burning thirst, a prelude to my other sufferings. I looked on the `
` heavens, which were covered by clouds that flew before the wind, only `
` to be replaced by others; I looked upon the sea; it was to be my grave. `
` "Fiend," I exclaimed, "your task is already fulfilled!" I thought of `
` Elizabeth, of my father, and of Clerval--all left behind, on whom the `
` monster might satisfy his sanguinary and merciless passions. This idea `
` plunged me into a reverie so despairing and frightful that even now, `
` when the scene is on the point of closing before me forever, I shudder `
` to reflect on it. `
` `
` Some hours passed thus; but by degrees, as the sun declined towards the `
` horizon, the wind died away into a gentle breeze and the sea became `
` free from breakers. But these gave place to a heavy swell; I felt sick `
` and hardly able to hold the rudder, when suddenly I saw a line of high `
` land towards the south. `
` `
` Almost spent, as I was, by fatigue and the dreadful suspense I endured `
` for several hours, this sudden certainty of life rushed like a flood of `
` warm joy to my heart, and tears gushed from my eyes. `
` `
` How mutable are our feelings, and how strange is that clinging love we `
` have of life even in the excess of misery! I constructed another sail `
` with a part of my dress and eagerly steered my course towards the `
` land. It had a wild and rocky appearance, but as I approached nearer I `
` easily perceived the traces of cultivation. I saw vessels near the `
` shore and found myself suddenly transported back to the neighbourhood `
` of civilized man. I carefully traced the windings of the land and `
` hailed a steeple which I at length saw issuing from behind a small `
` promontory. As I was in a state of extreme debility, I resolved to `
` sail directly towards the town, as a place where I could most easily `
` procure nourishment. Fortunately I had money with me. `
` `
` As I turned the promontory I perceived a small neat town and a good `
` harbour, which I entered, my heart bounding with joy at my unexpected `
` escape. `
` `
` As I was occupied in fixing the boat and arranging the sails, several `
` people crowded towards the spot. They seemed much surprised at my `
` appearance, but instead of offering me any assistance, whispered `
` together with gestures that at any other time might have produced in me `
` a slight sensation of alarm. As it was, I merely remarked that they `
` spoke English, and I therefore addressed them in that language. "My `
` good friends," said I, "will you be so kind as to tell me the name of `
` this town and inform me where I am?" `
` `
` "You will know that soon enough," replied a man with a hoarse voice. `
` "Maybe you are come to a place that will not prove much to your taste, `
` but you will not be consulted as to your quarters, I promise you." `
` `
` I was exceedingly surprised on receiving so rude an answer from a `
` stranger, and I was also disconcerted on perceiving the frowning and `
` angry countenances of his companions. "Why do you answer me so `
` roughly?" I replied. "Surely it is not the custom of Englishmen to `
` receive strangers so inhospitably." `
` `
` "I do not know," said the man, "what the custom of the English may be, `
` but it is the custom of the Irish to hate villains." While this strange `
` dialogue continued, I perceived the crowd rapidly increase. Their `
` faces expressed a mixture of curiosity and anger, which annoyed and in `
` some degree alarmed me. `
` `
` I inquired the way to the inn, but no one replied. I then moved `
` forward, and a murmuring sound arose from the crowd as they followed `
` and surrounded me, when an ill-looking man approaching tapped me on the `
` shoulder and said, "Come, sir, you must follow me to Mr. Kirwin's to `
` give an account of yourself." `
` `
` "Who is Mr. Kirwin? Why am I to give an account of myself? Is not `
` this a free country?" `
` `
` "Ay, sir, free enough for honest folks. Mr. Kirwin is a magistrate, `
` and you are to give an account of the death of a gentleman who was `
` found murdered here last night." `
` `
` This answer startled me, but I presently recovered myself. I was `
` innocent; that could easily be proved; accordingly I followed my `
` conductor in silence and was led to one of the best houses in the `
` town. I was ready to sink from fatigue and hunger, but being `
` surrounded by a crowd, I thought it politic to rouse all my strength, `
` that no physical debility might be construed into apprehension or `
` conscious guilt. Little did I then expect the calamity that was in a `
` few moments to overwhelm me and extinguish in horror and despair all `
` fear of ignominy or death. I must pause here, for it requires all my `
` fortitude to recall the memory of the frightful events which I am about `
` to relate, in proper detail, to my recollection. `
` `
` `
` Chapter 21 `
` `
` I was soon introduced into the presence of the magistrate, an old `
` benevolent man with calm and mild manners. He looked upon me, however, `
` with some degree of severity, and then, turning towards my conductors, `
` he asked who appeared as witnesses on this occasion. `
` `
` About half a dozen men came forward; and, one being selected by the `
` magistrate, he deposed that he had been out fishing the night before `
` with his son and brother-in-law, Daniel Nugent, when, about ten `
` o'clock, they observed a strong northerly blast rising, and they `
` accordingly put in for port. It was a very dark night, as the moon had `
` not yet risen; they did not land at the harbour, but, as they had been `
` accustomed, at a creek about two miles below. He walked on first, `
` carrying a part of the fishing tackle, and his companions followed him `
` at some distance. `
` `
` As he was proceeding along the sands, he struck his foot against `
` something and fell at his length on the ground. His companions came up `
` to assist him, and by the light of their lantern they found that he had `
` fallen on the body of a man, who was to all appearance dead. Their `
` first supposition was that it was the corpse of some person who had `
` been drowned and was thrown on shore by the waves, but on examination `
` they found that the clothes were not wet and even that the body was not `
` then cold. They instantly carried it to the cottage of an old woman `
` near the spot and endeavoured, but in vain, to restore it to life. It `
` appeared to be a handsome young man, about five and twenty years of `
` age. He had apparently been strangled, for there was no sign of any `
` violence except the black mark of fingers on his neck. `
` `
` The first part of this deposition did not in the least interest me, but `
` when the mark of the fingers was mentioned I remembered the murder of `
` my brother and felt myself extremely agitated; my limbs trembled, and a `
` mist came over my eyes, which obliged me to lean on a chair for `
` support. The magistrate observed me with a keen eye and of course drew `
` an unfavourable augury from my manner. `
` `
` The son confirmed his father's account, but when Daniel Nugent was `
` called he swore positively that just before the fall of his companion, `
` he saw a boat, with a single man in it, at a short distance from the `
` shore; and as far as he could judge by the light of a few stars, it was `
` the same boat in which I had just landed. A woman deposed that she `
` lived near the beach and was standing at the door of her cottage, `
` waiting for the return of the fishermen, about an hour before she heard `
` of the discovery of the body, when she saw a boat with only one man in `
` it push off from that part of the shore where the corpse was afterwards `
` found. `
` `
` Another woman confirmed the account of the fishermen having brought the `
` body into her house; it was not cold. They put it into a bed and `
` rubbed it, and Daniel went to the town for an apothecary, but life was `
` quite gone. `
` `
` Several other men were examined concerning my landing, and they agreed `
` that, with the strong north wind that had arisen during the night, it `
` was very probable that I had beaten about for many hours and had been `
` obliged to return nearly to the same spot from which I had departed. `
` Besides, they observed that it appeared that I had brought the body `
` from another place, and it was likely that as I did not appear to know `
` the shore, I might have put into the harbour ignorant of the distance `
` of the town of ---- from the place where I had deposited the corpse. `
` `
` Mr. Kirwin, on hearing this evidence, desired that I should be taken `
` into the room where the body lay for interment, that it might be `
` observed what effect the sight of it would produce upon me. This idea `
` was probably suggested by the extreme agitation I had exhibited when `
` the mode of the murder had been described. I was accordingly `
` conducted, by the magistrate and several other persons, to the inn. I `
` could not help being struck by the strange coincidences that had taken `
` place during this eventful night; but, knowing that I had been `
` conversing with several persons in the island I had inhabited about the `
` time that the body had been found, I was perfectly tranquil as to the `
` consequences of the affair. I entered the room where the corpse lay `
` and was led up to the coffin. How can I describe my sensations on `
` beholding it? I feel yet parched with horror, nor can I reflect on `
`
` clearly. The idea of renewing my labours did not for one instant occur `
` to me; the threat I had heard weighed on my thoughts, but I did not `
` reflect that a voluntary act of mine could avert it. I had resolved in `
` my own mind that to create another like the fiend I had first made `
` would be an act of the basest and most atrocious selfishness, and I `
` banished from my mind every thought that could lead to a different `
` conclusion. `
` `
` Between two and three in the morning the moon rose; and I then, putting `
` my basket aboard a little skiff, sailed out about four miles from the `
` shore. The scene was perfectly solitary; a few boats were returning `
` towards land, but I sailed away from them. I felt as if I was about `
` the commission of a dreadful crime and avoided with shuddering anxiety `
` any encounter with my fellow creatures. At one time the moon, which `
` had before been clear, was suddenly overspread by a thick cloud, and I `
` took advantage of the moment of darkness and cast my basket into the `
` sea; I listened to the gurgling sound as it sank and then sailed away `
` from the spot. The sky became clouded, but the air was pure, although `
` chilled by the northeast breeze that was then rising. But it refreshed `
` me and filled me with such agreeable sensations that I resolved to `
` prolong my stay on the water, and fixing the rudder in a direct `
` position, stretched myself at the bottom of the boat. Clouds hid the `
` moon, everything was obscure, and I heard only the sound of the boat as `
` its keel cut through the waves; the murmur lulled me, and in a short `
` time I slept soundly. I do not know how long I remained in this `
` situation, but when I awoke I found that the sun had already mounted `
` considerably. The wind was high, and the waves continually threatened `
` the safety of my little skiff. I found that the wind was northeast and `
` must have driven me far from the coast from which I had embarked. I `
` endeavoured to change my course but quickly found that if I again made `
` the attempt the boat would be instantly filled with water. Thus `
` situated, my only resource was to drive before the wind. I confess `
` that I felt a few sensations of terror. I had no compass with me and `
` was so slenderly acquainted with the geography of this part of the `
` world that the sun was of little benefit to me. I might be driven into `
` the wide Atlantic and feel all the tortures of starvation or be `
` swallowed up in the immeasurable waters that roared and buffeted around `
` me. I had already been out many hours and felt the torment of a `
` burning thirst, a prelude to my other sufferings. I looked on the `
` heavens, which were covered by clouds that flew before the wind, only `
` to be replaced by others; I looked upon the sea; it was to be my grave. `
` "Fiend," I exclaimed, "your task is already fulfilled!" I thought of `
` Elizabeth, of my father, and of Clerval--all left behind, on whom the `
` monster might satisfy his sanguinary and merciless passions. This idea `
` plunged me into a reverie so despairing and frightful that even now, `
` when the scene is on the point of closing before me forever, I shudder `
` to reflect on it. `
` `
` Some hours passed thus; but by degrees, as the sun declined towards the `
` horizon, the wind died away into a gentle breeze and the sea became `
` free from breakers. But these gave place to a heavy swell; I felt sick `
` and hardly able to hold the rudder, when suddenly I saw a line of high `
` land towards the south. `
` `
` Almost spent, as I was, by fatigue and the dreadful suspense I endured `
` for several hours, this sudden certainty of life rushed like a flood of `
` warm joy to my heart, and tears gushed from my eyes. `
` `
` How mutable are our feelings, and how strange is that clinging love we `
` have of life even in the excess of misery! I constructed another sail `
` with a part of my dress and eagerly steered my course towards the `
` land. It had a wild and rocky appearance, but as I approached nearer I `
` easily perceived the traces of cultivation. I saw vessels near the `
` shore and found myself suddenly transported back to the neighbourhood `
` of civilized man. I carefully traced the windings of the land and `
` hailed a steeple which I at length saw issuing from behind a small `
` promontory. As I was in a state of extreme debility, I resolved to `
` sail directly towards the town, as a place where I could most easily `
` procure nourishment. Fortunately I had money with me. `
` `
` As I turned the promontory I perceived a small neat town and a good `
` harbour, which I entered, my heart bounding with joy at my unexpected `
` escape. `
` `
` As I was occupied in fixing the boat and arranging the sails, several `
` people crowded towards the spot. They seemed much surprised at my `
` appearance, but instead of offering me any assistance, whispered `
` together with gestures that at any other time might have produced in me `
` a slight sensation of alarm. As it was, I merely remarked that they `
` spoke English, and I therefore addressed them in that language. "My `
` good friends," said I, "will you be so kind as to tell me the name of `
` this town and inform me where I am?" `
` `
` "You will know that soon enough," replied a man with a hoarse voice. `
` "Maybe you are come to a place that will not prove much to your taste, `
` but you will not be consulted as to your quarters, I promise you." `
` `
` I was exceedingly surprised on receiving so rude an answer from a `
` stranger, and I was also disconcerted on perceiving the frowning and `
` angry countenances of his companions. "Why do you answer me so `
` roughly?" I replied. "Surely it is not the custom of Englishmen to `
` receive strangers so inhospitably." `
` `
` "I do not know," said the man, "what the custom of the English may be, `
` but it is the custom of the Irish to hate villains." While this strange `
` dialogue continued, I perceived the crowd rapidly increase. Their `
` faces expressed a mixture of curiosity and anger, which annoyed and in `
` some degree alarmed me. `
` `
` I inquired the way to the inn, but no one replied. I then moved `
` forward, and a murmuring sound arose from the crowd as they followed `
` and surrounded me, when an ill-looking man approaching tapped me on the `
` shoulder and said, "Come, sir, you must follow me to Mr. Kirwin's to `
` give an account of yourself." `
` `
` "Who is Mr. Kirwin? Why am I to give an account of myself? Is not `
` this a free country?" `
` `
` "Ay, sir, free enough for honest folks. Mr. Kirwin is a magistrate, `
` and you are to give an account of the death of a gentleman who was `
` found murdered here last night." `
` `
` This answer startled me, but I presently recovered myself. I was `
` innocent; that could easily be proved; accordingly I followed my `
` conductor in silence and was led to one of the best houses in the `
` town. I was ready to sink from fatigue and hunger, but being `
` surrounded by a crowd, I thought it politic to rouse all my strength, `
` that no physical debility might be construed into apprehension or `
` conscious guilt. Little did I then expect the calamity that was in a `
` few moments to overwhelm me and extinguish in horror and despair all `
` fear of ignominy or death. I must pause here, for it requires all my `
` fortitude to recall the memory of the frightful events which I am about `
` to relate, in proper detail, to my recollection. `
` `
` `
` Chapter 21 `
` `
` I was soon introduced into the presence of the magistrate, an old `
` benevolent man with calm and mild manners. He looked upon me, however, `
` with some degree of severity, and then, turning towards my conductors, `
` he asked who appeared as witnesses on this occasion. `
` `
` About half a dozen men came forward; and, one being selected by the `
` magistrate, he deposed that he had been out fishing the night before `
` with his son and brother-in-law, Daniel Nugent, when, about ten `
` o'clock, they observed a strong northerly blast rising, and they `
` accordingly put in for port. It was a very dark night, as the moon had `
` not yet risen; they did not land at the harbour, but, as they had been `
` accustomed, at a creek about two miles below. He walked on first, `
` carrying a part of the fishing tackle, and his companions followed him `
` at some distance. `
` `
` As he was proceeding along the sands, he struck his foot against `
` something and fell at his length on the ground. His companions came up `
` to assist him, and by the light of their lantern they found that he had `
` fallen on the body of a man, who was to all appearance dead. Their `
` first supposition was that it was the corpse of some person who had `
` been drowned and was thrown on shore by the waves, but on examination `
` they found that the clothes were not wet and even that the body was not `
` then cold. They instantly carried it to the cottage of an old woman `
` near the spot and endeavoured, but in vain, to restore it to life. It `
` appeared to be a handsome young man, about five and twenty years of `
` age. He had apparently been strangled, for there was no sign of any `
` violence except the black mark of fingers on his neck. `
` `
` The first part of this deposition did not in the least interest me, but `
` when the mark of the fingers was mentioned I remembered the murder of `
` my brother and felt myself extremely agitated; my limbs trembled, and a `
` mist came over my eyes, which obliged me to lean on a chair for `
` support. The magistrate observed me with a keen eye and of course drew `
` an unfavourable augury from my manner. `
` `
` The son confirmed his father's account, but when Daniel Nugent was `
` called he swore positively that just before the fall of his companion, `
` he saw a boat, with a single man in it, at a short distance from the `
` shore; and as far as he could judge by the light of a few stars, it was `
` the same boat in which I had just landed. A woman deposed that she `
` lived near the beach and was standing at the door of her cottage, `
` waiting for the return of the fishermen, about an hour before she heard `
` of the discovery of the body, when she saw a boat with only one man in `
` it push off from that part of the shore where the corpse was afterwards `
` found. `
` `
` Another woman confirmed the account of the fishermen having brought the `
` body into her house; it was not cold. They put it into a bed and `
` rubbed it, and Daniel went to the town for an apothecary, but life was `
` quite gone. `
` `
` Several other men were examined concerning my landing, and they agreed `
` that, with the strong north wind that had arisen during the night, it `
` was very probable that I had beaten about for many hours and had been `
` obliged to return nearly to the same spot from which I had departed. `
` Besides, they observed that it appeared that I had brought the body `
` from another place, and it was likely that as I did not appear to know `
` the shore, I might have put into the harbour ignorant of the distance `
` of the town of ---- from the place where I had deposited the corpse. `
` `
` Mr. Kirwin, on hearing this evidence, desired that I should be taken `
` into the room where the body lay for interment, that it might be `
` observed what effect the sight of it would produce upon me. This idea `
` was probably suggested by the extreme agitation I had exhibited when `
` the mode of the murder had been described. I was accordingly `
` conducted, by the magistrate and several other persons, to the inn. I `
` could not help being struck by the strange coincidences that had taken `
` place during this eventful night; but, knowing that I had been `
` conversing with several persons in the island I had inhabited about the `
` time that the body had been found, I was perfectly tranquil as to the `
` consequences of the affair. I entered the room where the corpse lay `
` and was led up to the coffin. How can I describe my sensations on `
` beholding it? I feel yet parched with horror, nor can I reflect on `
`