Too late did the socialist movement of the early twentieth century divine the coming of the Oligarchy.  Even as it was divined, the Oligarchy was there—­a fact established in blood, a stupendous and awful reality.  Nor even then, as the Everhard Manuscript well shows, was any permanence attributed to the Iron Heel.  Its overthrow was a matter of a few short years, was the judgment of the revolutionists.  It is true, they realized that the Peasant Revolt was unplanned, and that the First Revolt was premature; but they little realized that the Second Revolt, planned and mature, was doomed to equal futility and more terrible punishment.

It is apparent that Avis Everhard completed the Manuscript during the last days of preparation for the Second Revolt; hence the fact that there is no mention of the disastrous outcome of the Second Revolt.  It is quite clear that she intended the Manuscript for immediate publication, as soon as the Iron Heel was overthrown, so that her husband, so recently dead, should receive full credit for all that he had ventured and accomplished.  Then came the frightful crushing of the Second Revolt, and it is probable that in the moment of danger, ere she fled or was captured by the Mercenaries, she hid the Manuscript in the hollow oak at Wake Robin Lodge.

Of Avis Everhard there is no further record.  Undoubtedly she was executed by the Mercenaries; and, as is well known, no record of such executions was kept by the Iron Heel.  But little did she realize, even then, as she hid the Manuscript and prepared to flee, how terrible had been the breakdown of the Second Revolt.  Little did she realize that the tortuous and distorted evolution of the next three centuries would compel a Third Revolt and a Fourth Revolt, and many Revolts, all drowned in seas of blood, ere the world-movement of labor should come into its own.  And little did she dream that for seven long centuries the tribute of her love to Ernest Everhard would repose undisturbed in the heart of the ancient oak of Wake Robin Lodge.

ANTHONY MEREDITH

Ardis,

November 27, 419 B.O.M.

THE IRON HEEL

CHAPTER I

MY EAGLE

The soft summer wind stirs the redwoods, and Wild-Water ripples sweet cadences over its mossy stones.  There are butterflies in the sunshine, and from everywhere arises the drowsy hum of bees.  It is so quiet and peaceful, and I sit here, and ponder, and am restless.  It is the quiet that makes me restless.  It seems unreal.  All the world is quiet, but it is the quiet before the storm.  I strain my ears, and all my senses, for some betrayal of that impending storm.  Oh, that it may not be premature!  That it may not be premature!*