The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Bondman, by Hall Caine

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Title: The Bondman
A New Saga

Author: Hall Caine

Release Date: October 7, 2010 [eBook #33999]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)

***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BONDMAN***

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THE BONDMAN.

A New Saga.

by

HALL CAINE,

Author of "The Deemster," etc., etc.

"Vengeance is mine, I will repay."

New York:
A. L. Burt, Publisher.

TO MY SON
"LITTLE SUNLOCKS."

NOTE.

The central date of this story (a Saga in the only sense accepted
among Icelanders) is 1800, when Iceland, in the same year as Ireland,
lost the last visible sign of her ancient independence as a nation.
But, lest the historical incidents that stand as a background to
simple human passions should seem to clash at some points, I hasten
to say that I have not thought it wise to bind myself to the strict
chronology of history, Manx or Icelandic, for some years before and
after. I am partly conscious that the Iceland I have described is the
Iceland of an earlier era; but Icelanders will not object to my
having tried to bring within my too narrow limits much of what is
beautiful and noble and firing to enthusiasm in their old habits,
customs and laws. To the foolish revolt which occurred at Reykjavik
early in this century I have tried to give the dignity of a serious
revolution such as, I truly think, Icelanders may yet make in order
to become masters in their own house. For a great deal of my data
towards this sort of secondary interest I am indebted to many books,
Icelandic and English; and for some personal help I owe my thanks to
Herra Jon A. Hjaltalin of Modruvellir, who is not, however, to be
charged with my mistakes--too numerous I have no doubt. For my
descriptions of Icelandic scenes and character I can claim no
authority but that of my own observation.

H. C.

HAWTHORNS,
KESWICK.

THE BONDMAN.

"VENGEANCE IS MINE--I WILL REPAY."

PROEM.