THE SAME. RAINBARROW'S BEACON, EGDON HEATH [Night in mid-August of the same summer. A lofty ridge of heathland reveals itself dimly, terminating in an abrupt slope, at the summit of which are three tumuli. On the sheltered side of the most prominent of these stands a hut of turves with a brick chimney. In front are two ricks of fuel, one of heather and furze for quick ignition, the other of wood, for slow burning. Something in the feel of the darkness and in the personality of the spot imparts a sense of uninterrupted space around, the view by day extending from the cliffs of the Isle of Wight eastward to Blackdon Hill by Deadman's Bay westward, and south across the Valley of the Froom to the ridge that screens the Channel. Two men with pikes loom up, on duty as beacon-keepers beside the ricks.] OLD MAN Now, Jems Purchess, once more mark my words. Black'on is the point we've to watch, and not Kingsbere; and I'll tell 'ee for why. If he do land anywhere hereabout 'twill be inside Deadman's Bay, and the signal will straightaway come from Black'on. But there thou'st stand, glowering and staring with all thy eyes at Kingsbere! I tell 'ee what 'tis, Jem Purchess, your brain is softening; and you be getting too old for business of state like ours! YOUNG MAN You've let your tongue wrack your few rames of good breeding, John. OLD MAN The words of my Lord-Lieutenant was, whenever you see Kingsbere-Hill Beacon fired to the eastward, or Black'on to the westward, light up; and keep your second fire burning for two hours. Was that our documents or was it not? YOUNG MAN I don't gainsay it. And so I keep my eye on Kingsbere because that's most likely o' the two, says I. OLD MAN That shows the curious depths of your ignorance. However, I'll have patience, and say on. Didst ever larn geography? YOUNG MAN No. Nor no other corrupt practices. OLD MAN Tcht-tcht!--Well, I'll have patience, and put it to him in another form. Dost know the world is round--eh? I warrant dostn't! YOUNG MAN I warrant I do! OLD MAN How d'ye make that out, when th'st never been to school? YOUNG MAN I larned it at church, thank God. OLD MAN Church? What have God A'mighty got to do with profane knowledge? Beware that you baint blaspheming, Jems Purchess! YOUNG MAN I say I did, whether or no! 'Twas the zingers up in gallery that I had it from. They busted out that strong with “the round world and they that dwell therein,” that we common fokes down under could do no less than believe 'em. OLD MAN