按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
his head。 Scattered likewise over the breasts of the surrounding
mountains； there were heaps of hoary mist； in fantastic shapes；
some of them far down into the valley； others high up towards the
summits； and still others； of the same family of mist or cloud；
hovering in the gold radiance of the upper atmosphere。 Stepping
from one to another of the clouds that rested on the hills； and
thence to the loftier brotherhood that sailed in air； it seemed
almost as if a mortal man might thus ascend into the heavenly
regions。 Earth was so mingled with sky that it was a day…dream to
look at it。
To supply that charm of the familiar and homely； which Nature so
readily adopts into a scene like this； the stage…coach was
rattling down the mountain…road； and the driver sounded his horn；
while Echo caught up the notes； and intertwined them into a rich
and varied and elaborate harmony； of which the original performer
could lay claim to little share。 The great hills played a concert
among themselves； each contributing a strain of airy sweetness。
Little Joe's face brightened at once。
〃Dear father；〃 cried he； skipping cheerily to and fro； 〃that
strange man is gone； and the sky and the mountains all seem glad
of it！〃
〃Yes；〃 growled the lime…burner； with an oath； 〃but he has let the
fire go down； and no thanks to him if five hundred bushels of
lime are not spoiled。 If I catch the fellow hereabouts again； I
shall feel like tossing him into the furnace！〃
With his long pole in his hand； he ascended to the top of the
kiln。 After a moment's pause； he called to his son。
〃Come up here； Joe！〃 said he。
So little Joe ran up the hillock； and stood by his father's side。
The marble was all burnt into perfect； snow…white lime。 But on
its surface； in the midst of the circle；snow…white too； and
thoroughly converted into lime；lay a human skeleton； in the
attitude of a person who； after long toil； lies down to long
repose。 Within the ribsstrange to saywas the shape of a human
heart。
〃Was the fellow's heart made of marble？〃 cried Bartram； in some
perplexity at this phenomenon。 〃At any rate； it is burnt into
what looks like special good lime； and； taking all the bones
together； my kiln is half a bushel the richer for him。〃
So saying； the rude lime…burner lifted his pole； and； letting it
fall upon the skeleton； the relics of Ethan Brand were crumbled
into fragments。