The Prince and the Pauper · Chapter
Hendon to the Rescue explained
The hermit prepares to kill the captive king, but his plan is interrupted by Miles Hendon's arrival.
What happens
The hermit prepares to kill the captive king, but his plan is interrupted by Miles Hendon's arrival. Hendon confronts the hermit, who claims to be an archangel and deceives him into leaving. After Hendon departs, John Canty and Hugo enter, free the king, and drag him away.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Corruption
The hermit abuses his isolated authority, attempting to murder the helpless king, while John Canty and Hugo exert physical power over Edward.
Compassion and Empathy
Miles Hendon's determined search for the boy shows loyalty and care, contrasting with the hermit's cruelty and Canty's exploitation.
Characters to notice
- Edward VI
Bound and helpless, the king faces death at the hermit's hands, experiences hope when Hendon arrives, and is ultimately recaptured by John Canty and Hugo.
- Miles Hendon
Arrives at the hermit's cabin seeking the king, is deceived by the hermit's claim of being an archangel, and leaves without finding Edward.
- John Canty
Appears at the end of the chapter with Hugo, freeing the king from the hermit's bonds and dragging him away.
- Hugo
Accompanies John Canty in recapturing the king.
Key passages
“The old man glided away, stooping, stealthy, catlike, and brought the low bench. He seated himself upon it, half his body in the dim and flickering light, and the other half in shadow; and so, with his craving eyes bent upon the slumbering boy, he kept his patient vigil there, heedless of the drift of time, and softly whetted his knife, and mumbled and chuckled; and in aspect and attitude he resembled nothing so much as a grizzly, monstrous spider, gloating over some hapless insect that lay bound and helpless in his web.”
The old man moved silently and crouched like a cat, bringing a low bench to sit on, half in the dim light and half in shadow. He watched the sleeping boy with eager eyes, patiently sharpening his knife and chuckling to himself, looking like a monstrous spider gloating over a trapped insect.
Describes the hermit's menacing vigil over the bound king.
“Oh, this was the blessedest sound that had ever made music in the king's ears; for it was Miles Hendon's voice!”
The king felt immense relief hearing Miles Hendon's voice, which was the most wonderful sound he had ever heard.
Edward's joy at recognizing Hendon's voice.
“With unutterable misery the fettered little king heard the voices and footsteps fade away and die out. All hope forsook him, now, for the moment, and a dull despair settled down upon his heart.”
The bound king listened in deep misery as the voices and footsteps faded away, losing all hope and sinking into despair.
Edward's despair after Hendon leaves.