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vi CONTENTS
613 Appendixes
655 Index
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PREFACE
“I can’t think of any job in my sheet metal fabrication company where math is not
important. If you work in a manufacturing facility, you use math every day; you
need to compute angles and understand what happens to a piece of metal when it’s
bent to a certain angle.”1
Traci Tapani, Wyoming Machine
Mathematics for Machine Technology is written to overcome the often mechanical “plug in”
approach found in many trade-related mathematics textbooks. An understanding of mathe-
matical concepts is stressed in all topics ranging from general arithmetic processes to oblique
trigonometry, compound angles, and numerical control.
Both content and method are those that have been used by the authors in teaching ap-
plied machine technology mathematics classes for apprentices in machine, tool-and-die, and
tool design occupations. Each unit is developed as a learning experience based on preceding
units—making prerequisites unnecessary.
Presentation of basic concepts is accompanied by realistic industry-related examples and
actual industrial applications. The applications progress from the simple to those with solu-
tions that are relatively complex. Many problems require the student to work with illustra-
tions such as are found in machine technology handbooks and engineering drawings.
Great care has been taken in presenting explanations clearly and in providing easy-to-
follow procedural steps in solving exercise and problem examples. The book contains a suffi-
cient number of exercises and problems to permit the instructor to selectively plan assignments.
An analytical approach to problem solving is emphasized in the geometry, trigonometry,
compound angle, and numerical control sections. This approach is necessary in actual practice
in translating engineering drawing dimensions to machine working dimensions. Integration of
algebraic and geometric principles with trigonometry by careful sequence and treatment of ma-
terial also helps the student in solving industrial applications. The Instructor’s Guide provides
answers and solutions for all problems.
A majority of instructors state that their students are required to perform basic arithme-
tic operations on fractions and decimals prior to calculator usage. Thereafter, the students
use the calculator almost exclusively in problem-solving computations. The structuring of
calculator instructions and examples in this text reflects the instructors’ preferences. Calcu-
lator instructions and examples have been updated and greatly expanded in this edition. The
scientific calculator is introduced in the Preface. Extensive calculator instruction and exam-
ples are given directly following the units on fractions and mixed numbers and the units on
decimals. Further calculator instruction and examples are given throughout the text wher-
ever calculator applications are appropriate to the material presented. A Calculator Applica-
tions Index is provided at the end of the Preface. It provides a convenient reference for all the
material in the text for which calculator usage is presented. Often there are differences in the
1
Source: Thomas Friedman, “If You’ve Got the Skills, She’s Got the Job” New York Times, November 17, 2012, accessed
November 18, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/18/opinion/sunday/Friedman-You-Got-the-Skills.html
vii
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viii Preface
methods of computation among various makes and models of calculators. Where there are
two basic ways of performing calculations, both ways are shown.
Changes from the previous edition have been made to improve the presentation of topics
and to update material.
A survey of instructors using the sixth edition was conducted. Based on their comments
and suggestions, changes were made. The result is an updated and improved seventh edition
that includes the following revisions:
Three major changes were made in this edition.
The United States is the only major industrial country in the world that does not use
the metric system. We need to acquaint our students with the prevailing system in the
rest of the world. This is particularly true if we want to market our machined products
outside the United States. To meet this challenge, a unit was added on metric calipers
and height gages and a unit was added on metric micrometers.
Electronic digital instruments are replacing hand-read/analog instruments. Two units
were added to acquaint student with using electronic digital instruments. One unit was
added on digital calipers and height gages and a unit was added on digital micrometers.
Students have a tendency to forget a concept if it is not used frequently. To help students
retain an idea most sets of applications begin with six “Tooling Up” exercises that use
concepts from earlier units. These “Tooling Up” exercises are in each unit except for
Unit 1 and the nine Achievement Review units at the end of each section.
Acknowledgments
The publisher wishes to acknowledge the following instructors for their detailed reviews of
this text:
Dan Taylor
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, California
Edwin Thomas
Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, North Carolina
In addition, the publisher and author acknowledge Linda Willey for her tireless commitment
to the technical review of the text, examples, applications, answers, and solutions.
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Preface ix
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x Preface
Casio FX-115W, S-V.P.A.M. Texas Instruments Tl-30XIIB Sharp EL-506W, advanced D.A.L.
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Common Fractions
1
SECTION
and Decimal
Fractions
Most measurements and calculations made by a machinist are not limited to whole numbers.
Dimensions are sometimes given as fractions and certain measuring tools are graduated in fractional
units. The machinist must be able to make calculations using fractions and to measure fractional values.
Fractional Parts
A fraction is a value that shows the number of equal parts taken of a whole quantity or unit.
The symbols used to indicate a fraction are the bar (—) and the slash ( / ).
Line segment AB as shown in Figure 1-1 is divided into 4 equal parts.
1 part 1 part 1
1 part 5 5 5 of the length of the line segment.
total parts 4 parts 4
2 parts 2 parts 2
2 parts 5 5 5 of the length of the line segment.
total parts 4 parts 4
3 parts 3 parts 3
3 parts 5 5 5 of the length of the line segment.
total parts 4 parts 4
4 parts 4 parts 4
4 parts 5 5 5 5 1, or unity (four parts make up the whole).
total parts 4 parts 4
1
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2 Section 1 Common Fractions and Decimal Fractions
4
4
= 1 OR UNITY (4 OF 4 PARTS)
3
4
(3 OF 4 PARTS)
2
4
(2 OF 4 PARTS)
1
4
(1 OF 4 PARTS)
A B
Figure 1-1
Each of the 4 equal parts of the line segment AB in Figure 1-2 is divided into eight equal
parts. There is a total of 4 3 8, or 32, parts.
1 32
1 part = of the total length. 32 = 1 OR UNITY (32 OF 32 PARTS)
32
23
32
(23 OF 32 PARTS)
7 12
7 parts = 32 of the total length. (12 OF 32 PARTS)
32
7
32
12 parts =
12
of the total length. (7 OF 32 PARTS)
32
1
32
23
(1 OF 32
23 parts = 32 of the total length. PARTS)
A B
32
32 parts = 32 of the total length. 1 1 1
2 OF 32 = 64
8 1
1 1 1 1 32
OR 4
2 of 1 part = 2 3 32 = 64 of the total length.
Figure 1-2
8 1
Note: 8 parts 5
32
of the total length and also of the total length.
4
8 1
Therefore, 5 .
32 4
Definitions of Fractions
A fraction is a value that shows the number of equal parts taken of a whole quantity or unit.
3 5 99 17
Some examples of fractions are , , , and . These same fractions written with a
4 8 100 12
slash are 3@4, 5@8, 99@100, and 17@12.
The denominator of a fraction is the number that shows how many equal parts are in the
whole quantity. The denominator is written below the bar.
The numerator of a fraction is the number that shows how many equal parts of the whole
are taken. The numerator is written above the bar.
The numerator and denominator are called the terms of the fraction.
3 d numerator
4 d denominator
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UNIT 1 Introduction to Common Fractions and Mixed Numbers 3
5 3 13
A common fraction consists of two whole numbers. , , and are all examples of com-
5 7 4
mon fractions.
A proper fraction has a numerator that is smaller than its denominator. Examples of proper
3 5 91 247
fractions are , , , and .
4 11 92 961
An improper fraction is a fraction in which the numerator is larger than or equal to the
3 5 11 6 17
denominator, as in , , , , .
2 4 8 6 17 7 1
A mixed number is a number composed of a whole number and a fraction, as in 3 , 7 .
8 2
7 7 1 1
Note: 3 means 3 1 It is read as three and seven-eighths. 7 means 7 1 . It is
8 8 2 2
read as seven and one-half.
Writing fractions with a slash can cause people to misread a number. For example, some
11 1
people might think that 11@4 means 11@4 5 rather than 1 . For this reason, the slash nota-
4 4
tion for fractions will not be used in this book.
A complex fraction is a fraction in which one or both of the terms are fractions or mixed
3 3 7 1
4 32 8 4 16 4 4
numbers, as in , 15 , , 2 , 5 .
6 4 3 25 78
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4 Section 1 Common Fractions and Decimal Fractions
2 12
Note: The value
7
may be obtained in one step if each term of
42
is divided by
2 3 3, or 6. Six is the greatest common factor (GCF).
12 4 6 2
5 Ans
42 4 6 7
3
Example Express as an equivalent fraction with 12 as the denominator.
4
Divide 12 by 4. 12 4 4 5 3
333 9
Multiply both 3 and 4 by 3. 5 Ans
4 3 3 12
1
Example 1 Express 4 as an improper fraction.
2
Multiply the whole number by the denominator.
Add the numerator to obtain the numerator for the improper fraction.
The denominator is the same as that of the original fraction.
43211 9
5 Ans
2 2
3
Example 2 Express 12 as an improper fraction.
16
12 3 16 1 3 195
5 Ans
16 16
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UNIT 1 Introduction to Common Fractions and Mixed Numbers 5
Application
Fractional Parts
1. Write the fractional part that each length, A through F, represents of the total shown on
the scale in Figure 1-3.
A5
B5
A C5
B
C D5
D
E E5
F
F5
Figure 1-3
2. A welded support base is cut into four pieces as shown in Figure 1-4. What fractional part
of the total length does each of the four pieces represent? All dimensions are in inches.
Piece 1:
4
3 Piece 2:
2
1
Piece 3:
4
Piece 4:
12
16 64
Figure 1-4
3. The circle in Figure 1-5 is divided into equal parts. Write the fractional part represented
by each of the following:
a. 1 part 1
g. of 1 part
b. 3 parts 3
3
c. 7 parts h. of 1 part
4
d. 5 parts 1
i. of 1 part
e. 16 parts 10
1 1 Figure 1-5
f. of 1 part j. of 1 part
2 16
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6 Section 1 Common Fractions and Decimal Fractions
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UNIT 1 Introduction to Common Fractions and Mixed Numbers 7
10. Express the following mixed numbers as improper fractions. Then express the
improper fractions as the equivalent fractions indicated.
1 ? 2 ?
a. 2 5 d. 12 5
2 8 3 18
3 ? 7 ?
b. 3 5 e. 9 5
8 16 8 64
4 ? 1 ?
c. 7 5 f. 15 5
5 15 2 128
11. Sketch and redimension the plate shown in Figure 1-6. Reduce all proper fractions to
lowest terms. Reduce all improper fractions to lowest terms and express as mixed
numbers. All dimensions are in inches.
9
4
40
32
37
32 DIA
56 44
64 64
156
128
65
32
11
8
18
32
4 70
8 64 24
22 64
DIA 3 HOLES
16
104
32
Figure 1-6
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8 Section 1 Common Fractions and Decimal Fractions
A machinist must be able to add fractions and mixed numbers in order to determine the length of stock
required for a job, the distances between various parts of a machined piece, and the depth of holes and
cutouts in a workpiece.
Note: In this example, denominators such as 48, 72, and 96 are common denomi-
nators because 4, 3, 8, and 12 divide evenly into these numbers, but they are not the
lowest common denominators.
Although any common denominator can be used when adding fractions, it is generally
easier and faster to use the lowest common denominator.
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UNIT 2 Addition of Common Fractions and Mixed Numbers 9
2 7 1
Example 1 Express , , and as equivalent fractions having a lowest common
3 15 2
denominator.
2 3 10 20
The lowest common denominator is 30. 30 4 3 5 10; 5 Ans
3 3 10 30
732 14
Divide 30 by each denominator. 30 4 15 5 2; 5 Ans
15 3 2 30
Multiply each term of the fraction
1 3 15 15
by the value obtained. 30 4 2 5 15; 5 Ans
2 3 15 30
5 15 3 9
Example 2 Change , , , and to equivalent fractions having a lowest
8 32 4 16
common denominator.
The lowest common denominator is 32.
5 3 4 20 3 3 8 24
32 4 8 5 4; 5 Ans 32 4 4 5 8; 5 Ans
8 3 4 32 4 3 8 32
15 3 1 15 932 18
32 4 32 5 1; 5 Ans 32 4 16 5 2; 5 Ans
32 3 1 32 16 3 2 32
Adding Fractions
1 3 7 5
Example 1 Add 1 1 1 .
2 5 10 6
Express the fractions as equivalent fractions
1 15
with 30 as the denominator. 5
2 30
3 18
5
5 30
7 21
5
10 30
5 25
1 5
6 30
15 1 18 1 21 1 25
Add the numerators and write their sum over 5
the lowest common denominator, 30. 30
79 19
Express the fraction as a mixed number. 5 5 2 Ans
30 30
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10 Section 1 Common Fractions and Decimal Fractions
Example 2 Determine the total length of the shaft shown in Figure 2-1. All
dimensions are in inches.
3 15 29 7 1
32 16 32 8 4
Figure 2-1
8 1 12 1 10 1 19 49
Add the fractions. 5 5
24 24
49
Combine the whole number and the fractions. 5 12
24
49 1
Express the answer in lowest terms. 5 12 5 14 Ans
24 24
1
Example 2 Find the distance between the two -inch diameter holes in the plate shown in Figure 2-2.
2
All dimensions are in inches.
151
13 26
5
32 64
1 1
47 47 2
DIA 2
DIA
1 51
64 64
3 12
1 5
16 64
85
2
64 1 13
1 47 3
32 64 16
Figure 2-2
210
Distance 5 3 Ans
64
Application
Tooling Up
15
1. Reduce the fraction to halves.
30
12
2. Reduce to lowest terms.
30
11 ?
3. Express and as equivalent fractions.
8 32
3
4. Express the mixed number 7 as an improper fraction.
5
97
5. Express as a mixed number.
12
3 ?
6. Express the mixed number 9 as an improper fraction and then express that improper fraction in the form .
5 15
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12 Section 1 Common Fractions and Decimal Fractions
Adding Fractions
15. Determine the dimensions A, B, C, D, E, and F of the profile gage in Figure 2-3. All
dimensions are in inches.
11
64
A5
1
2 5 B5
16
F
A C5
9
16 D5
21
64 E5
3 35 31 1 15 1 7
8 64 32 8 32 4 16 F5
B C D
E
Figure 2-3
16. Determine the overall length, width, and height of the casting in Figure 2-4. All
dimensions are in inches.
29
64
9
16
5
32
length 5
1
width 5
2
height 5
3
8 21
63 32
17 64 7
32 16
1
4
Figure 2-4
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UNIT 2 Addition of Common Fractions and Mixed Numbers 13
19 C5
32
A D5
7
1
1 16
E5
1
1 4
D F5
4
G5
1 18
3 1
8
2 32 1 27
32
7
32
B
C
Figure 2-5
18. Determine dimensions A, B, C, and D of the pin in Figure 2-6. All dimensions are
in inches.
D
C
A B
A5
B5
C5
D5
3
32
3 5 1
32
1 64 1 16 1
4
1 9
8 32
Figure 2-6
19. The operation sheet for machining an aluminum housing specifies 1 hour for facing,
3 5 3 2
2 hours for milling, hour for drilling, hour for tapping, and hour for setting up.
4 6 10 5
What is the total time allotted for this job?
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'As full are ve
As ever vas a Rhine-fine perry:'
Very goodt that, Affidafy!—Fell, ve're all mortal sinners; and, mine
Gott, there is but little left in mine parrel, and Nierensteiner costs
money. Fell! goodt pye, Affidafy, my poy, goodt night. Take goodt
care of the horse, for he's my pest horse, Affidafy, for I'm a goodt-
natured fellow as ever it vas. Goodt night, Affidafy!"——And "Goodt
night, Affidafy!" muttered all, as the attorney, fetching a desperate
reel in the saddle, waved a graceful adieu, and turned to depart.
Instead of replying, however, to the farewell, he burst out again with
and the others obeying the invitation, again opened their lips, and
chanted Bekränzt mit Laub, till he was out of sight. Then they
staggered back into the house, to continue their orgies; where we
will leave them, to follow the course of the attorney.
CHAPTER XIII.
If thou beest a man, show thyself in thy likeness: if thou beest a devil, take 't as thou
list.
TEMPEST.
The violence of the storm was over, but the ferment in the elements
was not yet allayed. The clouds had broken, and ever and anon,
through their ragged gaps, the eye might trace fields of blue sky,
studded with stars, which were as suddenly swept out of sight, as
gusts came roaring from the tops of distant hills, discharging brief
but furious showers.
On such occasions, it was not easy to pick a way along the road,
which was washed into gullies and scattered over with the riven
branches of trees, besides being, in the hollow places, converted
into pools; so that it might have been considered difficult to proceed,
even by the light of day.
When Affidavy arrived at the brink of this flood, his steed came to a
sudden halt, of which the rider took no notice for a considerable
time, his mind being wrapped up in the remembrance of the joyous
potations from which nothing on earth, save the prospect of a good
case, could have drawn him, and his ears still tingling with the
uproar of the Rheinweinlied. This he trolled over with great fervour,
and in the midst of it, plying his heels as usual, the horse, after one
or two snorts by way of remonstrance, took heart of grace, and
crept into the water.
Botheration!"——
In the midst of the attorney's song, and just when he had reached
the middle of the pool, there happened a catastrophe, which might
have frightened any other man out of his propriety. This was nothing
less than the sudden giving way of the dam of logs, the disruption of
which was followed by the escape of the whole accumulated body of
waters, and that with a fury that nothing could resist. In an instant
the attorney was swept from his horse, soused head over ears in the
flood, and would have been drowned had he not been luckily dashed
into the crotch of a low and twisted buttonwood, and there left
astride a horizontal bough, by the retreating waters. The whole thing
was effected in a trice, indeed with such magical celerity, that he
failed to notice the main point of the casualty, which was the loss of
his horse; and supposing himself still at ease in the saddle, he plied
his heels with their accustomed vigour against the regardless trunk,
wondering somewhat at the immobility of his charger, and the rush
of the current at his feet.
Hip, horsey, hip!" And thus he went on, now spurring the timber
flanks of his charger, and now trolling forth the drunken chorus, in
the midst of the stream, where he would perhaps have remained
until morning, or until sleep had caused him to relax his hold, had
not his extraordinary outcries reached the ears of a traveller, who
rode to his assistance, the water being already reduced to its
ordinary level, and finding him incapable of helping himself, pulled
him from his seat, and dragged him to the other side of the stream.
"Now were you not drunk," said the traveller, "and more of a beast
than the animal that bore you, I could tell you of a case much more
to your interest to be engaged in."
"Hah! a case? what sort of a case? Odds bodikins, I'm your man!"
"Ay, it is all one. Theophilus Affidavy, sober, might be the man for my
money, with twenty guineas to begin upon; but Theophilus Affidavy,
drunk"—
"Twenty guineas!" cried the lawyer: "God bless all our souls! twenty
guineas for a retaining fee! Why then I'll be Theophilus Affidavy,
sober, or Tef Affidavy, drunk, or any thing else that can be wished of
man or angel. Out with your money, and state the case."
"Quite; and if your beast belongs to the Squire, you may make your
mind easy that he is now safe in his master's stables. I saw a
saddled horse on the road, galloping as if a wild-cat was on the back
of him."
"Good!" cried the attorney at law; "if I had drowned him, there
would have been the devil to pay with old Schlachtenschlager. Hold
fast, till I duck the devil out of me." And without waiting to say
another word, he ran into the brook, where he began to splash
about him with great spirit, the stranger, all the time, sitting by and
observing him in silence.
"If you doubt, stranger, whoever you are," he said, "I'll sing you a
song, or—No, hang it, we've had enough of that,—I'll make you a
speech to court and jury extempore, and right to the point. But
come now, jingle your money, and let's begin: or, if it's all one to
you, we'll jog back to Schlachtenschlager's and borrow a dry shirt,
and so give counsel like a gentleman."
"Look over your head," said the stranger: "there is not a cloud left in
the heaven. No, not one," he muttered as if to himself; "and come
weal or wo, come death or come life, the sun will shine to-morrow
as bright as ever."
"Tush, you're right; the storm has given us the go-by," said the
lawyer. "But concerning the case, and that twenty-guinea fee——
What's your name?"
"Guineas," said the other, rattling a purse apparently well filled with
his namesakes, upon the stone.
"Excellent!" said the lawyer; "but that won't do for a jury. Come, sir,
your cognomination, compellation, and so forth? your proprium
vocamen, style and title,—Tom, Dick, or Harry, as the case may be?
and then for the case! Quisnam homo est? unde et quo? No man is
drunk who can quote Latin, for it is cursed hard stuff to remember.
In the king's lingo, who are you? and what's the case in question?"
"Who I am, we will pass," said the traveller, "that having nothing to
do with the case. As for the case itself, I am told, it is one of
murder."
"The devil it is!" cried Affidavy. "Why here's hanging work thickening
in the county! But what are the circumstances? Who's killed? and
who is the killer?"
"Hah! why, that's my case, that I've been labouring after all night!
and I assure you——But God bless our two souls!" he added
suddenly, springing to his feet as if in alarm, "who are you sir? An
honest man, sir? I hope, an honest man, sir, and no bloody-minded
Hawk, sir! for if you are, sir, I give you warning, sir, if you make an
attack upon me, sir, that I carry pistols, sir, and, sir"——
"Peace, fool," said the other, with a stern voice. "Sit down, and fear
nothing. If you had twenty pistols, what care I for them?—I," he
added, with a laugh both jocose and bitter, "that am armed with
twenty—guineas?"
"Right, sir; but if you are a tory, sir—I don't mean to insult you, sir,—
but as to aiding and abetting a gentleman of the tory party, sir: why,
sir, I am a man of principle, sir, and I must have time to reflect."
"Go to the brook and wallow again: you shall have five minutes to
reflect, or rather to sober, for you are not yet in your senses. Why,
fool, do you think I will hurt you? or hark! is there a tory bullet in the
clink of an English guinea? Come, sit down, and listen. You have
nothing to do with tories, save to take their money.—There is one
lying in prison in yonder village below, who needs the help of a
lawyer. Yourself then, Affidavy, or another."
"Ay," said the refugee; "and for that reason, I have offered you
twenty guineas, and employment on a business that may bring you
as many—perhaps five times as many more, which any one else will
be as happy to accept."
"We will drop all titles,—brother, captain, and every one else," said
the tory. "The young man, Hyland Gilbert, is a prisoner."
"Ay; and"——
"Was he hurt?"
"Unless what?"
"Or snatch him out of his den, some such bright midnight as this?"
"Fear not for your reward," said Oran Gilbert. "Do what's expected of
you, and you shall have gold enough to content you."
"Here then is the state of the case," said Affidavy: "if the young man
be tried in this county, were it but for killing a farmer's dog, he will
die. The name—saving your presence—the name of Gilbert will be
hanging matter with any jury. But I'll be short—he bears the king's
commission, does he not? the commission of a lieutenant among the
royal refugees?"
"Why then," replied Affidavy, "I have to say, gentlemen of the jury
——Pshaw! that is,—hemp seed and a white shirt—you understand
me? But with the commission—we will produce that, and then"——
"You shall have it," said the refugee; but added,—"It will do no
good. A court civil or a court martial,—how should a Gilbert look for
mercy from either? What turn would the king's commission serve
me, if a prisoner? Look you, Affidavy, there are better ways of
ending the matter. An hundred guineas are clinking in the bag these
came from: it is but the opening of a jail-door to earn it."
"For a wiser man than you would have your neighbours believe,—for
a man too wise to boggle long at a choice betwixt a hundred
guineas held in comfort at home, and empty pockets, with hands
and heels tied together, in a cave of the mountains."
"God bless our two souls," said Affidavy, "what do you mean?"
"To have your help, or take good care no one else has it," said Oran,
laughing. Then, laying his hand upon the lawyer's arm, he added,
with the same untimely accompaniment to accents full of sternness,
"Look ye, Affidavy, you have heard too much for your own comfort,
unless you are ready to hear all. You are a friend, or—a prisoner."
At these words, the lawyer was filled with dismay, and indeed struck
dumb. The terror that beset him, when he first conceived with whom
he was confronted on the dark and lonely hill, recurred with double
violence; he thought of nothing less than being tomahawked and
scalped on the spot, and would have taken to his heels without
further ceremony, had his strength availed him to shake off the
grasp of his companion.
"Fear naught," said Oran, detaining him on his seat, and speaking
decisively: "We were old friends once, as you say, Affidavy: I
remember, you robbed Elsie Bell's strawberry-patch, when you were
a boy, and I thumped you for it. So, fear nothing.—Why, man, am I a
snake, or a beast, that I should hurt such a creature as you? Know
me better."
"Well, I will," said the attorney, still trembling. "But, botheration, sir,
this is a strange way of stating a case to a lawyer! As to opening jail-
doors, Mr. Oran Gilbert, why I won't oppose: if you were to bribe
Bob Lingo, the jailer, why, I say, I'm mum. But what more can you
expect? Botheration, sir, I'm no turnkey! I'll be mum, sir; but as to
joining you in any such prank, God bless our two souls, why that
would ruin me! And why should you think of such a thing? 'Tis
needless, sir,—as needless as dangerous. The king's commission is
our pillar of safety: with that in his hand, the prisoner can demand,
ay, and force his claim to be admitted, to be treated as a prisoner of
war; and then, sir, if the matter comes to a court-martial"——
"When it comes to that," said Oran, "what is to save him from being
tried and condemned as a spy?"
"What?" said the lawyer; "why a very simple thing. We will hire some
one to swear he did not receive the commission until after his flight
from Hawk-Hollow: and as for the change of name, intentions, and
all that, why we shall have time to coin any lies that may serve our
purpose. As to treason, we escape all arraignment there, his
domicile being clearly within a foreign jurisdiction."
"In a word," said Oran Gilbert, "and to end your scheme at once, he
is not a commissioned officer. Fool that he was," continued the
brother, bitterly, "he refused, and to the last, the warrant that would
have been his best friend."
"Oho, is it? Why then, all's one. We'll clap it into his hands,—fill up
the blanks, if it needs, produce it in court, and who is the wiser?
"You can, at least, try him with it," said the refugee; "but I know
what it will end in. You will see him refuse it, even in prison."
"It is enough," said the refugee; "you talk now like a man of sense;
and here are the twenty for earnest. Let us proceed; I have more to
tell you."
Then rising, and whistling to his horse, which obeyed the summons,
and followed him with great docility, he led the way with Affidavy
along the road, exchanging counsels with this precious limb of the
law, on the subject that had drawn him so near to the head quarters
of his foes.
CHAPTER XIV.
"Client!" said the jailer, with a stare. "Why now, Affidavy, man,
(begging your pardon for being familiar,) there's none of your birds
roosting in my hen-house."
"A smaller on that, Lingo,—come, what will you lay?" said the man
of law, seizing upon the official's hand, and shaking it with great
apparent friendship. "Come, stir about, Lingo; clink, clink, stir bolt,
clash key, and open. It's long since we've had a crack together; but
we'll have a jolly rouse yet. Ah! that knotty old Schlachtenschlager!
my head is in a reel yet; must have something to steady my nerves."
"Curse your whiskey!" said the man of law, pulling a guinea from his
pocket. "Do you see this yellow boy, my lad of knuckles? Botheration
upon you, I came here to spend the day with you, and I intend to
treat you royally. So, call your boy, Hanschen, and let him fetch me a
quart of cognac from old Brauntweinpunsch's, for he keeps the best
in all Hillborough. And do you take care of the change for me, and
help yourself, if you like, while I am holding counsel with the
prisoner."
"Icod," said Lingo, balancing the coin in his hand, "I never stick at a
good offer; but I should like to know where this little feller came
from. Howsomever, 'tis none of my business; and so Hans shall go.
But, who's your client, squire? I'm glad you've got a job, for you're a
devil of a feller at a speech,—I always said that for you. Which
prisoner do you wish to see?"
"Odds bobs, squire," said Lingo, scratching his head, "you're too late
for that cock-robin, I'm thinking."
"Too late! He ha'n't broke jail already!" tried the alarmed attorney.
"Broke jail already!" echoed Lingo, with a grin. "I dunna what you
mean by that; but if he breaks jail at any time, while I'm king of the
ring, you may call me Jack Robinson. No, the matter's not so bad as
that: but he sent yesterday for young Pepperel"——
The next moment, Affidavy found himself alone with the prisoner. He
sat, apparently half stupified, on a low bed, beneath a grated
window, from which a silvery light fell upon the crown of his head,
his shoulders, his knees, and his hands that were clasped upon
them, while his visage, and nearly all his person, were lost in dusky
shadow. A little table with food and water was at his side, but both
were left apparently untouched. His limbs were unfettered; and this
circumstance Affidavy might have referred to the humanity of the
jailer, had he not perceived at a glance how unnecessary was such a
precaution with one whose bodily powers were as much enfeebled
as those of his spirit. Indeed, there was a look of such utter
wretchedness about the unfortunate youth as might have softened a
harder heart than the jailer's; and even Affidavy began to survey him
with a touch of pity. He raised his eyes, when the door was opened,
but cast them again on the floor; for indeed there was so little in
Affidavy's appearance to excite attention, that he supposed him to
be some assistant of the jailer, or perhaps a common officer, come
on some errand of duty, with which he would be soon made
acquainted. This suspicion was dispelled by the attorney; who no
sooner heard the bolt shoot back into the stone door-post, than he
advanced, declaring his name and character.
"Affidavy?" muttered the youth, with a dejected voice: "I thought it
was Mr. Timberkin, that Mr. Pepperel was to bring me."
"Pshaw, botheration," said the lawyer, "you were a goose to send for
such ninnies; we can do better without them. And what can these
fellows do for you? Where will you find them riding about of a
stormy night, picking up evidence, laying plans, and so on? However,
we can find them something to do: I'll sort them; I know what they
are fitted for. You stare at me—Very well; I understand what you
mean. I come from your friends, sir, and"—
"Oh, you mean old Elsie," said the attorney: "hang her, (that is, poor
old soul!) she's not dead yet."
"Quite a small matter, I assure you, and will blow by, when we get
you safely off."
"Get me off!" cried Hyland, again starting to his feet, in the greatest
agitation. "Is there any hope of that? No, there is none!" he
exclaimed, vehemently: "I am a blood-stained man, I have taken
life, I am a murderer"—
"Tush and botheration, hush!" said Affidavy, clapping his hand over
the prisoner's mouth; "why need you be blabbing? That was
confession enough to end the matter, without plea or witness: 'tis
just a charge to the jury, a verdict in the box, and then a long face
and the hangman."
"Saving me! Can I be saved? that is, not from death, but from
ignominious death? Hark you, sir,—they have taken away my money,
but I have enough more. Get me a knife, a pistol, a rope, a dose of
poison"——
"Tush; if you do not cease this mad raving, and let me speak, I will
be gone; you are making the case desperate. Be silent, and listen.
Your case is bad, sir, very bad, I must confess, sir. But you have
friends, sir; and you may hope; yes, you may hope—if you are wise,
sir, you may hope.—You have——Now don't start, or cry out, or I'll
leave you—Ehem, sir, I must whisper—you have relations,—a
brother, sir"—
"Oran!" cried the prisoner, who would have again started up, had he
not been held in his seat by Affidavy: "oh, heaven be thanked! he
has not deserted me! Have you seen him? where is he? what can he
do for me? will he rescue me?"
"Tush, you must be quiet. If you will speak, let it be in a whisper. As
for the trial, why we will stop that if we can. A British officer, with a
king's commission in his hand, taken in arms, cannot be shuffled into
a cart by a civil tribunal, for following his vocation, and slitting a
throat or two. Now, Mr. Lieutenant Gilbert, you understand me? You
have a commission."
"No, by heaven! I refused it: I am no officer, and this will not avail
me. I am no officer, I was none; nor was I so much even as a
volunteer. I refused the commission up to the last moment, and this
is the end of it: I would not be the enemy of what was my native
country,—of my countrymen; and now they are all enemies of mine!
I was not a member of the band; I never acted with it,—never save
that fatal once, and then I went not to make war,—no, not even
upon the poor wretch I killed—Would to God the pistol had been
turned against my own breast!"
"Oho! and young ninny has been before me there, too?" muttered
the lawyer. "Well, botheration," he continued, falling into a deep
study, in which he held counsel only with himself,—"there is but the
one shift in which the rascals won't join me,—but one path in which
I can walk this goose-head off alone. Well now, all depends upon
Lingo: the rogue has a head as thick as a mountain, and a
considerable deal harder. 'Twere a shame to waste gold upon such a
clod-headed pig. Give him fifty guineas! God bless our two souls! it
were a mere casting of pearls before swine, and, in some sort, a
robbing of my own pockets. A shilling's worth of laudanum were a
better fee, besides being cheaper. But we'll see."
The young man writhed as if struck with a lash; but before he could
speak, Affidavy continued, though with an emphatic gesture for
silence,—"For that saves us all the vexation and danger of sawing.
You see this little instrument?" he said, displaying a file. "Now, be
quiet on your life, sir. You will understand from this, that there is
something in the wind boding you good. You are sick and wasted—
you were hurt in the scuffle, too; but put you beyond these stone
walls, with a saddled horse under you, could you ride him?—Why,
botheration, what makes you tremble so?"
"Oh heaven!" cried Hyland, "do not mock me! Nay, I will whisper.
Give me the file: I will cut the grating through."
"It does not need," said Affidavy, "and I have no notion of running
any risk by leaving it in your hands. But you must understand, sir,
(hold your ear close,) that this is a very ugly piece of business,
especially for me: if discovered, sir, I am a ruined man; the penalty,
sir, is the very next thing to hanging; ay, sir, and in my estimation,
somewhat worse; but that's according as we think of it. Now,
sir"——
"I understand you," muttered Hyland. "You shall name your own
reward—half of my estate, if you will; nay, all—all, so you get me
but to the woods, where I can die in peace, and undishonoured!"
"Tush, we'll not think of death: you'll live and be happy. Then as for
reward, why, sir, I would not have you think me extortionate, or
capable of taking advantage of your distress. No, sir, by no means; I
am a lawyer, sir, but an honest man."
"For God's sake, take what you will. Say nothing more; you shall
have your wish."
"Oh, sir," said Affidavy, "there is no hurry. As for taking all your
estate, or even half of it, sir,—sir, do not believe I will think of that!
No, sir; I am neither a buzzard nor a niggur's dog. But I must be
indemnified for losses: I ruin myself, sir,—I must sacrifice an
excellent practice, sir,—my reputation, sir, and my prospects. In a
word, sir, I must e'en take to my heels along with you; for after such
a prank as a jail-breaking, the county will be too hot to hold me. Sir,
I remember your father: he was a wronged man, sir; and my
feelings will not suffer me to see his youngest son too severely
handled. I once knew your brothers, sir, and I always thought they
were badly treated. Sir, I feel much grieved to see poor old Mr.
Gilbert's son brought to such a pass. Sir, my regard for your
deceased parent makes me do what I do; and, (not to whip the devil
round the stump any longer, sir,) I must confess, sir, that what I do
is a very scoundrelly piece of business, sir; which if any body had
proposed to me in behalf of any other person in the world, I should
certainly, sir, have knocked the proposer over the mazzard,—I would,
sir, botheration."
"What needs more words?" said Hyland, too much agitated to think
of weighing the motives of his new ally in the balance of conscience
or interest. "Make your demand, and have it."
"Ah! sir," said Affidavy, with a snuffle through the nose, "it is a
sorrowful thing to be driven from home and friends, to wander an
exile over the earth! There's my poor Mrs. Affidavy,—the thing will
break her heart. However," he added, for the prisoner began to wax
frantic with impatience, "I don't believe in breaking hearts, after all,
—especially Mrs. Affidavy's. Sir, you are a rich man, and a young
man, and a man without family or cares. I will not sell my humanity,
sir; no, botheration, I'm above that; but I will accept of your
superfluity what will indemnify me for the losses I endure in your
service. Your case is very bad, sir; and indeed, if you were even a
commissioned officer, it could not be much better. The indictment is
already framed, and will this day, or at furthest to-morrow, be
returned a true bill by the grand jury. You are a rich man, sir—had I
pleaded your cause and saved your life, I should have expected a
fee of five hundred guineas, (a small sum for a rich man's life;) and
there's old Long-tongue and Pepperel would have demanded as
much more, each. But, sir, I'll save you five hundred guineas; and
leave these fellows to whistle. We'll say a thousand guineas, then,
and"——
"All, I tell you, all, all!" cried the unhappy prisoner. "Take any thing,
take every thing"——
"God forbid!" cried Affidavy, devoutly; "I will not prey upon you. If
you, from your own generosity, should think of adding five hundred
more to the fifteen hundred, why sir, I should thankfully receive
them. But I leave that to yourself, sir. At present, sir, I shall be
content with what I have named; and will take your note of hand for
the amount. You see, sir," he added, drawing from a huge and well
thumbed pocket-wallet, a slip of paper, which with an ink-horn, he
immediately deposited on the table, "I have drawn this entirely in
your favour, payment not to be demanded unless upon the
successful completion of a certain service not mentioned, and then
in such way as will suit your convenience. If I fail, sir, I am ruined,
sir, and yet receive nothing. Allow me to fill the blanks, sir, and then,
sir, you can sign. I will fill them first, sir, in order that you may see I
take no advantage of you, sir. Two thousand guineas, sir, is a small
sum, a very small sum, when one thinks of a gallows.—Sir, be not
alarmed—your hand trembles, sir; but I trust to your honour to
recognise the signature—yes, sir, I prefer your honour to twenty
witnesses, sir. You shall escape, sir; or damn it, sir," added the harpy,
in the enthusiasm of gratitude, "I will hang along with you!"
"Ods bobs!" said Lingo, "have you forgot the brandy, squire?"
"Ods bobs!" re-echoed Lingo, "is the man mad? Why, Affidavy, what
ails you? You look as white and wild as the prisoner!"
"Oh! ah! ay! the prisoner? yes, the prisoner," said the attorney,
rubbing his nose and chin with great zeal, and recovering his wits.
"Oh, ay, I remember: the prisoner, poor fellow! Ah, Lingo, Lingo! 'tis
a hard case, a sorrowful case, a heart-aching case. I declare, Lingo,
I could sit down and blubber; I could, botheration, I could!" and
here the sympathetic counsel, to Lingo's amazement, burst into a
loud uproarious laugh, such as he had never been known to give
vent to before.
"The devil's in the man, sure enough," said Lingo. "But I see, I see,"
he muttered, surveying Affidavy sagaciously, "he has been blowing it
a little too hard, and now he's getting a touch of the Horrors. Well,
well, brandy's the best cure for that; and he shall have a snap at his
own medicine."
So saying, the jailer poured out a glass of cognac, the rich odour of
which had no sooner reached Affidavy's nostrils than his spirits
became composed, he stretched forth his hand, and the smacking of
his lips proclaimed the fervour of his satisfaction.
"Old Brauntweinpunsch for ever!" he cried. "Ah, Lingo, you dog! you
know what's what! Ehem, sir, botheration and tush! God bless our
two souls, but I'm monstrous sleepy! Out all last night, Lingo, in the
rain; was upset in the brook up at old Schlachtenschlager's, and half
drowned, and hadn't a wink of sleep. I believe, I was dreaming all
the time the poor fellow up there was telling his story. Must go home
and nap a little—But no, I can't! Will finish the jug there, Lingo,
before the day's out, ehem. Can give us a bed, here, Lingo, man, in
case of necessity? What d'ye say? Rather full at Mrs. Affidavy's, and
a wash-day, too. Oh, you dog, botheration, we'll have a rouse under
lock and key to-night, won't we? Have something to tell you, and
must be near the prisoner. But mum, boy, mum's the word! We'll
have a rouse to the health of my client."
With that, the attorney made another long face, fell into a second
roar of merriment, and went flying from the prison.
CHAPTER XV.
"Well, squire, I'm for you," said Lingo, swallowing a draught that
showed him to be serious; "but I reckon I know all about the case;
and it's a clear hanging matter, as you must own."
"If I do, botheration on me!" said the lawyer. "There's two sides to
every case; and all killing a'n't murder, nor manslaughter neither, for
the matter of that."
"Well, it's well to keep a good heart—I always said you had good
pluck, Affidavy, especially in desperate cases: but there was old
Timberkin here this afternoon, who went off with a long face; and
there was Pepperel, who as much as confessed there was no hope
for the young one. And why should there be? For my part, I don't
reckon it any great matter to have plumped a bullet into one of the
Falconer kidney; but when it comes to a bloody refugee playing such
outdacious tricks, why there, Affidavy, I stick; it's clear ag'in all
principle; and there's ne'er a man of any jury you can pack in the
county, but will say—Hang!"
"What witnesses do you want?" said Lingo: "it's a clear case, and the
younker owns to it. I'm to swear myself, that he admitted the
murder: he made no denial"——
"He's an ass," said Affidavy; "a fool and a madman, who would
knock his head against a post, sooner than go round it, were his
skull no thicker even than a pumpkin-shell."
"Oh, ay!" said Lingo, nodding over his glass, "I see what you're at:
you'll make it out a non cumpuss case? But that won't do, squire; I
swear ag'in' you there: there's no mad in him; there's more in some
of the witnesses. But I suppose you have been raking up for
witnesses about old Elsie Bell's? The lad begged I would send for
her; but, they say, she is in a dying way?"
"Bad enough, bad enough," said the lawyer: "and a good witness,
too; but we can do without her."
"Well, I reckon you'll want all you have," said the jailer; "for they're
strong for the commonwealth. There's Dancy Parkins, they've taken
him for state's evidence, along with this here gallivanting fellow,
Sterling, that came in for quarter, and a power of others beside. I
dunna why they're so easy on Dancy; but they say, he's not deep in
for't; and the prosecution's ag'in' hanging him. They say, Colonel
Falconer has sworn he will have the youngster's blood, if it costs him
the price of Hawk-Hollow twice over."
"Tush, what care we? The devil take Falconer, and the witnesses too,
—as undoubtedly the devil will. As for your Sterling, I can smash his
testimony as I would a rotten apple. Botheration, the man has a
neck of his own."
"Oh, ay, in the matter of the spying?" said Lingo: "but they say, they
will wink and let him off, if Colonel Falconer be so minded; and they
say, too, he was promised protection by the soldiers, and a clear
pardon, on condition he fetched 'em into all Oran Gilbert's hiding-
places. I don't see, for my part, how a soldier can promise any such
thing, seeing that a soldier is neither a judge nor a governor. And
moresomover, there's the matter of the attempt to do murder on
Colonel Falconer; for, I reckon, that can be proved on him; and how
he is to get clear of that, if the Colonel pushes him, I don't know.
Howsomever, his case is bad—the man has a bad conscience;
though, perhaps, 'tis only a small touch of the horrors,—for he has
been drinking hard ever since he has been in prison."
"Oh, the devil take him, base turncoat and betrayer," said Affidavy:
"I hold honour among thieves to be as good a rule as honesty
between friends. And between you and me, Lingo, he has served the
Hawks a turn they will not forget. You know how they hanged that
soldier, Parker? Well now, two pigs to a pound of butter, as the
saying is, you'll hear of this fellow swinging in a swamp, some time
before doomsday."
"Ay; when they get him," said Lingo, "and with all my heart. But,
you see, there's no talk of proceeding against him; and when the
trial's over, I reckon he'll show the county a clean pair of heels—that
is, if he ever gets over his hurts; for, you must know, there's
something of the staggers about him,—a sort of horrors, as I said,—
but I don't know; and if you stay here long enough, you'll hear him
squeal out in his sleep, like a choking dog. Ods bobs! he made a
squeak last night, and I thought the devil had him: so I runs into his
room, and there I sees him sitting on his bed-side, all of a shiver,
and as white as a sheet, singing out, as if he was talking to old
Nicodemus,
"Tush," said Affidavy, "let him swear, and swear his best. There is
testimony enough to do the business, if we trust to that. The devil
take the case; I won't bother my brains with it any further. However,
Lingo, my boy, it was a queer thing of yours, that letting the prisoner
go clear of gloves and garters. He might break jail,—eh, my boy!"
"As how?" said Lingo. "No, squire, you don't come over me there. I
clapped the irons on him at first; but, you see, poor fellow, I saw he
was sick, and just as weak and heavy-hearted as a pipped poult, and
no more fear of dodging in him than an old horse: so I knocked the
clinkers off, and let him have the swing of the room, poor fellow;
and there he's safe enough. Moresomover, I never heard tell of his
being much of a Hawk, only in blood and name; and I have a sort of
pity on him."
"Ah, yes," said Affidavy, with a melancholy stare; "if you were to
hear his story, Lingo, it would melt your heart; for you have a soft
heart, Lingo, a merciful heart, Lingo; and it will go well with you,
Lingo; for there's something said in the Bible about the merciful."
"Well," said Lingo, "I don't set up for much of that, nor for much
religion neither; but I never beats a prisoner, except when he's
contrary; and this here youngster seems much of a gentleman; and
I have a notion, if he's well treated, he may leave me something; for
he has a gold watch, (howsomever, the Sheriff's got it;) and, they
say, he's well-to-do in the world.—But, squire, drink on; it's getting
late."
"Let it," said Affidavy; "here am I fixed for the night; for how do I
know but that you may be in trouble before morning, and may want
a friend to help you?"
"Trouble! and help!" said Lingo, looking up with surprise. "If you
mean that Sterling and his squeaking, why, ods bobs, it only needs a
cuff or two to bring him about. Ods bobs, Affidavy," he added, with
a grin, "if you stay, I reckon, it's you may want a friend to help you.
I don't say nothing; but he that's got a speech to make before court
and jury to-morrow, should not be too free of the creatur' to-night."
Affidavy, who had not yet betrayed any strong symptoms of being
affected by his good cheer, shook his head mysteriously, and then
replied,