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three cups； of the first I should rather say I found the remains；
it being broken in three parts； no doubt since it came into my
possession； which would have precluded the possibility of my asking
anybody to tea for the present； should anybody visit me； even
supposing I had tea and sugar； which was not the case。 I then
overhauled what might more strictly be called the stock in trade；
this consisted of various tools； an iron ladle； a chafing…pan and
small bellows； sundry pans and kettles； the latter being of tin；
with the exception of one which was of copper； all in a state of
considerable dilapidation … if I may use the term； of these first
Slingsby had spoken in particular； advising me to mend them as soon
as possible； and to endeavour to sell them； in order that I might
have the satisfaction of receiving some return upon the outlay
which I had made。 There was likewise a small quantity of block
tin； sheet tin； and solder。 'This Slingsby；' said I； 'is certainly
a very honest man； he has sold me more than my money's worth； I
believe； however； there is something more in the cart。' Thereupon
I rummaged the farther end of the cart； and； amidst a quantity of
straw； I found a small anvil and bellows of that kind which are
used in forges； and two hammers such as smiths use； one great； and
the other small。
The sight of these last articles caused me no little surprise； as
no word which had escaped from the mouth of Slingsby had given me
reason to suppose that he had ever followed the occupation of a
smith； yet； if he had not； how did he come by them？ I sat down
upon the shaft； and pondered the question deliberately in my mind；
at length I concluded that he had come by them by one of those
numerous casualties which occur upon the roads； of which I； being a
young hand upon the roads； must have a very imperfect conception；
honestly； of course … for I scouted the idea that Slingsby would
have stolen this blacksmith's gear … for I had the highest opinion
of his honesty； which opinion I still retain at the present day；
which is upwards of twenty years from the time of which I am
speaking； during the whole of which period I have neither seen the
poor fellow nor received any intelligence of him。
CHAPTER LXX
New profession … Beautiful night … Jupiter … Sharp and shrill … The
Rommany chi … All alone … Three…and…sixpence … What is Rommany？ Be
civil … Parraco tute … Slight start … She will be grateful … The
rustling。
I PASSED the greater part of the day in endeavouring to teach
myself the mysteries of my new profession。 I cannot say that I was
very successful； but the time passed agreeably； and was therefore
not ill spent。 Towards evening I flung my work aside； took some
refreshment； and afterwards a walk。
This time I turned up the small footpath of which I have already
spoken。 It led in a zigzag manner through thickets of hazel；
elder； and sweet…brier； after following its windings for somewhat
better than a furlong； I heard a gentle sound of water； and
presently came to a small rill； which ran directly across the path。
I was rejoiced at the sight； for I had already experienced the want
of water； which I yet knew must be nigh at hand； as I was in a
place to all appearance occasionally frequented by wandering
people； who I was aware never take up their quarters in places
where water is difficult to be obtained。 Forthwith I stretched
myself on the ground； and took a long and delicious draught of the
crystal stream； and then； seating myself in a bush； I continued for
some time gazing on the water as it purled tinkling away in its
channel through an opening in the hazels； and should have probably
continued much longer had not the thought that I had left my
property unprotected compelled me to rise and return to my
encampment。
Night came on； and a beautiful night it was； up rose the moon； and
innumerable stars decked the firmament of heaven。 I sat on the
shaft； my eyes turned upwards。 I had found it： there it was
twinkling millions of miles above me； mightiest star of the system
to which we belong： of all stars the one which has most interest
for me … the star Jupiter。
Why have I always taken an interest in thee； O Jupiter？ I know
nothing about thee； save what every child knows； that thou art a
big star； whose only light is derived from moons。 And is not that
knowledge enough to make me feel an interest in thee？ Ay； truly； I
never look at thee without wondering what is going on in thee； what
is life in Jupiter？ That there is life in Jupiter who can doubt？
There is life in our own little star； therefore there must be life
in Jupiter； which is not a little star。 But how different must
life be in Jupiter from what it is in our own little star！ Life
here is life beneath the dear sun … life in Jupiter is life beneath
moons … four moons … no single moon is able to illumine that vast
bulk。 All know what life is in our own little star； it is anything
but a routine of happiness here； where the dear sun rises to us
every day： then how sad and moping must life be in mighty Jupiter；
on which no sun ever shines； and which is never lighted save by
pale moonbeams！ The thought that there is more sadness and
melancholy in Jupiter than in this world of ours； where； alas！
there is but too much； has always made me take a melancholy
interest in that huge distant star。
Two or three days passed by in much the same manner as the first。
During the morning I worked upon my kettles； and employed the
remaining part of the day as I best could。 The whole of this time
I only saw two individuals； rustics； who passed by my encampment
without vouchsafing me a glance； they probably considered
themselves my superiors； as perhaps they were。
One very brilliant morning； as I sat at work in very good spirits；
for by this time I had actually mended in a very creditable way； as
I imagined； two kettles and a frying…pan； I heard a voice which
seemed to proceed from the path leading to the rivulet； at first it
sounded from a considerable distance； but drew nearer by degrees。
I soon remarked that the tones were exceedingly sharp and shrill；
with yet something of childhood in them。 Once or twice I
distinguished certain words in the song which the voice was
singing； the words were … but no； I thought again I was probably
mistaken … and then the voice ceased for a time； presently I heard
it again； close to the entrance of the footpath； in another moment
I heard it in the lane or glade in which stood my tent； where it
abruptly stopped； but not before I had heard the very words which I
at first thought I had distinguished。
I turned my head； at the entrance of the footpath； which might be
about thirty yards from the place where I was sitting； I perceived
the figure of a young girl； her face was turned to