Fortified by this opinion--the only opinion I ever clung to--my instinct turned from the way of least resistance on easy and level lands and strove to climb, to sacrifice without regret the highest, best, most hopeful, as life itself actually does. Thus only is the vitality of the creator proved in his creation and tragedy achieved, which, according to the measure of an artist's endowment, is clean, cathartic, inspiring and obedient to the laws and realities of things as they are. Irrationalism chokes under this atmosphere: only the humanist can breathe it. But the world grows braver, for we have seen great artists open its eyes and blow the breath of honesty and truth into its lungs; we have seen the sentimental vapours of the past dispelled in the freedom that art now attains; we have seen the artist pitiless, that his audience may learn the meaning of pity; ugly, that others may find wherein true beauty lies. By the kindness of Messrs. Heinemann and The Macmillan Company full titles of my Dartmoor cycle are recorded on another page; and it is a source of deepest gratification to know that in the future, when conditions of production admit it, they design for me a definitive edition. His publishers can pay no author a greater compliment than that, and I take this opportunity to thank them for the highest distinction my work has ever brought. As a man's footsteps in the dew of the morning are the labours of the minor artist; but if he challenge surer feet and greater strength to pursue his quest before the dews are dried and his passing forgotten, then he also has played a part. The masters flash lightning through our clouds of human passion, ignorance and error, or hang rainbows of promise upon their gloom; but for us of the rank and file, it is enough that we make happy such as have only heard of happiness and waken the dayspring of courage in fearful hearts; it is enough if we kindle one valley mist with a gleam of beauty, or pour some few, pure drops of hope into the thirsty and percipient soul. E. P. CONTENTS PROLOGUE CHAPTER I. Betrothal II. On Ugborough Beacon III. The Rescue BOOK I I. Jeremy II. At Red House III. Barton Gill Under Notice IV. On Shipley Bridge V. The Children VI. Huntingdon Warren VII. Sunday VIII. The Revel IX. The Gift X. After the Holiday XI. The Offer of Owley XII. On the Hill XIII. The Oranges XIV. End of a Home BOOK II. I. Chorus II. Verdict III. Utility IV. Auna Tries V. Revenge VI. The Witch Doctor VII. At Jacob's Bedside VIII. Jeremy Evasive IX. Jacob Comes Home X. Flight XI. After the Wedding XII. A Problem for Auna XIII. At the Barbican BOOK III. I. 'Mother's Stone' II. Driving in the Ponies III. The Pilgrim Fathers IV. Evening Star V. The Autumn Wind VI. The Children VII. William's Birthday VIII. Jeremy IX. Exodus X. Fever XI. Jacob Lives XII. The Christening XIII. The Promise CHILDREN OF MEN