FURZE THE CRUEL BY JOHN TREVENA AUTHOR OF "A PIXY IN PETTICOATS" AND "ARMINEL OF THE WEST" LONDON ALSTON RIVERS, LTD. BROOKE ST., HOLBORN BARS, E.C. 1907 Almost everywhere on Dartmoor are Furze, Heather, and Granite. The Furze seems to suggest Cruelty, the Heather Endurance, and the Granite Strength. The Furze is destroyed by fire, but grows again; the Heather is torn by winds, but blossoms again; the Granite is worn away imperceptibly by the rain. This work is the first of a proposed trilogy, which the author hopes to continue and complete with "Heather" and "Granite." CONTENTS INTRODUCTORY I. ABOUT THE TAVY FAMILY II. ABOUT BRIGHTLY III. ABOUT PASTOR AND MASTER IV. ABOUT BEETLES V. ABOUT THOMASINE VI. ABOUT VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC VII. ABOUT FAIRYLAND VIII. ABOUT ATMOSPHERE IX. ABOUT A KNAVE AND A FOOL X. ABOUT THE VIGIL OF ST. GOOSE XI. ABOUT THE FEAST OF ST. GOOSE XII. ABOUT THE OCTAVE OF ST. GOOSE XIII. ABOUT VARIOUS EMOTIONS XIV. ABOUT A STRUGGLE AT THE GATE OF FAIRYLAND XV. ABOUT JUSTICE XVI. ABOUT WITCHCRAFT XVII. ABOUT PASTIMES XVIII. ABOUT AUTUMN IN FAIRYLAND XIX. ABOUT THE GOOD RIGHT HAND OF FELLOWSHIP XX. ABOUT THE PASSOVER OF THE BRUTE XXI. ABOUT WINTER IN REAL LIFE XXII. ABOUT THE PINCH XXIII. ABOUT A HOUSE ON THE HIDDEN LANES XXIV. ABOUT BANKRUPTS XXV. ABOUT SWALING-FIRES XXVI. ABOUT "DUPPENCE" XXVII. ABOUT REGENERATION AND RENUNCIATION FURZE THE CRUEL INTRODUCTORY ABOUT RAINDROPS The river of Tavy is a great mountain-carver. From its mud-holes of Cranmere to the walls of Tavistock it is a hewer of rocks. Thenceforth it becomes a gardener, raising flowers and herbs; it becomes idyllic. It goes into Arcadia. And at last it floats ships of war.