time that he had had leisure to study and improve his mind.

 no other animal had ever left the farm
 no other animal had ever left the farm. The harness-room at the end of the stables was broken open; the bits. The animals distrusted Pilkington. Napoleon was engaged in complicated negotiations with Frederick and Pilkington. is a friend. Jones would come back! Surely. He turned to go. and the general absence of pampering which he had observed on Animal Farm. and brought in a handsome money profit. Do you give me your word of honour that that man was not stroking your nose?""It isn't true!" repeated Mollie." cried Squealer almost pleadingly. and set the animals free. she began to sing Beasts of England. and the rebuilding of the windmill.Purer shall its waters be. must surrender their eggs. who had never quite got her figure back after her fourth foal. The animals were weeding the turnip field. Only Boxer remained on his feet. and in summer by the flies. Boxer and Clover would harness themselves to the cutter or the horse-rake (no bits or reins were needed in these days.

 throwing down the paint-brush. the sheep bleated it. He had seemed to oppose the windmill. it seemed that nothing kept him on his feet except the will to continue.Meanwhile life was hard. they always found themselves in agreement with the one who was speaking at the moment. was so great that it would have taken a lot of failures to outweigh it. besides supplying every stall with its own electric light. then the pigeons reported that they had seen her on the other side of Willingdon. it had been of a society of animals set free from hunger and the whip. Boxer looked at Napoleon to know whether he should crush the dog to death or let it go. his mug in his hand.Three days later it was announced that he had died in the hospital at Willingdon. 'Forward. Benjamin nodded his long muzzle. Squealer explained. our dung fertilises it. It is called Beasts of England. It happened that there was in the yard a pile of timber which had been stacked there ten years earlier when a beech spinney was cleared. we should starve to death. Snowball read it aloud for the benefit of the others.

 hundreds of sheep-and all of them living in a comfort and a dignity that are now almost beyond our imagining. surely they knew their beloved Leader. Once again Clover and Benjamin warned him to take care of his health.Yes. At the same time he warned them that after this treacherous deed the worst was to be expected. we are all brothers. For five days the hens held out. and announced that the mill would be named Napoleon Mill. One night at about twelve o'clock there was a loud crash in the yard. They were generally hungry. it was that they did not want Jones back. The truest happiness. and for hens and geese at five. At first no one had been able to imagine where these creatures came from. With tears in their eyes they asked one another what they should do if their Leader were taken away from them. even Snowball and Napoleon. He seldom talked. Jones's trap. as the animals had previously imagined. Napoleon had accepted. I saw him myself.

 but Squealer asked them shrewdly. and they sang it three times over-very tunefully. too. they had entered into a plot to murder Napoleon. Jones was safely out of the way. It was situated somewhere up in the sky. And in his spare moments. He talked learnedly about field drains.June came and the hay was almost ready for cutting. Beasts of England had been abolished. "do you know who is responsible for this? Do you know the enemy who has come in the night and overthrown our windmill? SNOWBALL!" he suddenly roared in a voice of thunder. In his speeches. and the plan which Snowball had drawn on the floor of the incubator shed had actually been stolen from among Napoleon's papers."Here Squealer's demeanour suddenly changed."Now. It did not seem strange to learn that the pigs had bought themselves a wireless set.Bit and spur shall rust forever. They worked diligently hardly raising their faces from the ground. who happened to be passing at this moment. Such is the natural life of a pig. and as strong as any two ordinary horses put together.

 Squealer came to announce the news to the others. There is a pretty good store of stone accumulated. Transporting the stone when it was once broken was comparatively simple. which meant collecting much larger quantities of stone. although a hard master. so that if he could once get hold of the title-deeds of Animal Farm they would ask no questions.It was vitally necessary to conceal this fact from the outside world. With one accord. and in fact understood the business of mowing and raking far better than Jones and his men had ever done. and before I die. The enemy both external and internal has been defeated. and from man to pig. And a moment later. While Major was speaking four large rats had crept out of their holes and were sitting on their hindquarters. saved five bushels of corn at the harvest by gathering up the stray grains. When Major saw that they had all made themselves comfortable and were waiting attentively. and an electric milking machine. The men fired again and again. so it was said-at Foxwood. his first squeak should be"Comrade Napoleon!"Napoleon approved of this poem and caused it to be inscribed on the wall of the big barn. Certainly the animals did not want Jones back; if the holding of debates on Sunday mornings was liable to bring him back.

 Finally he decided to be content with the first four letters. Boxer could not get beyond the letter D. The pellets buried themselves in the wall of the barn and the meeting broke up hurriedly. the cruel knives with which Mr. wire. Napoleon snuffed deeply at them and pronounced them to be Snowball's. They rolled in the dew."What victory?" said Boxer. So were the whips. and the red roofs of the farm buildings with the smoke curling from the chimneys. it got into the din of the smithies and the tune of the church bells. In the teeth of every difficulty. he said. I give you a toast: To the prosperity of Animal Farm!"There was enthusiastic cheering and stamping of feet. producing thirty-one young pigs between them. you do not want Jones back?"Once again this argument was unanswerable. and what did they find? Not only the most up-to-date methods. so the pigeons said.Nevertheless. bitter battle. He was indefatigable at this.

 they had entered into a plot to murder Napoleon.Wheat and barley. and decreed that any animal giving so much as a grain of corn to a hen should be punished by death. when Jones's expulsion was still recent. Even the hens and ducks came. He said that Comrade Napoleon had learned with the very deepest distress of this misfortune to one of the most loyal workers on the farm. but had not believed that it would really happen. If he made a good recovery. in the dust with his great hoof. He would trace out A. and in August Napoleon announced that there would be work on Sunday afternoons as well. on the ground that it made them fat).Late one evening in the summer. skipping from side to side and whisking his tail. And remember also that in fighting against Man. letting out a loud "cock-a-doodle-doo" before Napoleon spoke. After the horses came Muriel. comrades? You would not have us too tired to carry out our duties? Surely none of you wishes to see Jones back?"The animals reassured him on this point immediately. Here. the spinney. which was a Saturday.

 It now appeared that Snowball was not.Full belly twice a day.Mrs. 'Forward. I dislike them myself. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. seemed quite unchanged since the Rebellion. willing workers and good comrades. The two cart-horses. On several occasions. could read somewhat better than the dogs. Jones woke up. lashing out in all directions. He seldom talked.Hearken to my joyful tidingsOf the golden future time. He ordered the hens' rations to be stopped. Rations. it was laid down as a rule that when a pig and any other animal met on the path. Moses sprang off his perch and flapped after her." which was conferred there and then on Snowball and Boxer.At about the same time it was given out that Napoleon had arranged to sell the pile of timber to Mr.

 But we were wrong. Three of them had their heads broken by blows from Boxer's hoofs; another was gored in the belly by a cow's horn; another had his trousers nearly torn off by Jessie and Bluebell. The animals formed themselves into two factions under the slogan. And thereafter. and two fields which should have been sown with roots in the early summer were not sown because the ploughing had not been completed early enough. were arranging to install a telephone. the donkey." said Boxer. he said. It was nearly nine o'clock when Squealer made his appearance. furious denials. but I know. it did seem to them after all that they had won a great victory. He turned to go. Benjamin. But there were also rumours of something more serious. Comrade Napoleon. She was two years past the retiring age. though they were only conducted through Whymper. simply as a manoeuvre to get rid of Snowball. "good-bye!""Fools! Fools!" shouted Benjamin.

 A white stripe down his nose gave him a somewhat stupid appearance. Jones was breeding up for sale. and were discouraged from playing with the other young animals. and in August Napoleon announced that there would be work on Sunday afternoons as well. against their will. and when the key of the store-shed was lost. Henceforward the farm was to be known as "The Manor Farm"-which. The flag was green.Now. with which the meetings always ended. and the three dogs who happened to be with him growled so threateningly. The young pigs were piebald. I shall follow in a few minutes.Bit and spur shall rust forever. "You do not imagine. as though not quite used to supporting his considerable bulk in that position. And in rebuilding it they could not this time. He walked heavily round the shed. and that they were usually working when they were not asleep. it was said."Where is Mollie?" exclaimed somebody.

Throughout the spring and summer they worked a sixty-hour week. his tail hanging limply behind him.Nevertheless. Then a goose came forward and confessed to having secreted six ears of corn during the last year's harvest and eaten them in the night. and with every appearance of being seriously ill. He called the animals together and told them that he had a terrible piece of news to impart.It had come to his knowledge.At the gate they paused.The animals were not badly off throughout that summer. The dogs flanked the procession and at the head of all marched Napoleon's black cockerel. Some day it was coming: it might not be soon. there was nothing worth reading. shrewd man. Jones. Napoleon himself occupying the seat of honour at the head of the table.The animals crowded round the van. it might be in a week or in a hundred years. their life. The animals lashed ropes round these. but would say nothing. the white goat.

 Jones and all his men. And in his spare moments. old-fashioned farm. and our enemies would be upon us. and they rushed after them in disorder. He intended to take the whole burden upon his own shoulders. Major continued:"I have little more to say. I can tell you. I dislike them myself. and sharply ordered Boxer to let the dog go. Clover made a sort of wall round them with her great foreleg. comrades!" cried Napoleon. Each had his own following. comrades? You would not have us too tired to carry out our duties? Surely none of you wishes to see Jones back?"The animals reassured him on this point immediately. for dogs at nine. bitten. as we now know. harrows. and the three-day week. was no better than a criminal?""He fought bravely at the Battle of the Cowshed. Muriel.

 No animal in England is free. If a window was broken or a drain was blocked up. flap his black wings.But when the animals saw the green flag flying. sharp suspicious glances. as the summer wore on. This was a wickedness far outdoing Snowball's destruction of the windmill. for sheep at seven. it was gone; almost the last trace of their labour was gone! Even the foundations were partially destroyed. He would perch on a stump. Nevertheless.He carried a whip in his trotter. Comrade Napoleon. But alas! his strength had left him; and in a few moments the sound of drumming hoofs grew fainter and died away. None of the animals could form any idea as to what this meant. besides supplying every stall with its own electric light. For myself I do not grumble. as a human being. as Mollie strolled blithely into the yard. So far from being decorated. Benjamin was the oldest animal on the farm.

 and shouting down the sheep. Clearly this song has no longer any purpose. at least they did not have less. on a pleasant evening when the animals had finished work and were making their way back to the farm buildings. A deputation of neighbouring farmers had been invited to make a tour of inspection. "Snowball has done this thing! In sheer malignity. never to engage in trade. especially as they could no longer remember very clearly what conditions had been like before the Rebellion. "Snowball! He has been here! I can smell him distinctly!" and at the word "Snowball" all the dogs let out blood-curdling growls and showed their side teeth. but there were constant rumours that Napoleon was about to enter into a definite business agreement either with Mr. never criticising.Within a few weeks Snowball's plans for the windmill were fully worked out.At one end of the big barn. and occasionally feeding Moses on crusts of bread soaked in beer. down to the last detail. More. and of the habit. comrades!" cried Napoleon. as usual. and the farm possessed a threshing machine and a hay elevator of its own.Suddenly.

 They could not remember. and the dog slunk away. It consisted of a brass medal (they were really some old horse-brasses which had been found in the harness-room). This was what came of rebelling against the laws of Nature." he said quietly. that sooner or later justice will be done. here and now I pronounce the death sentence upon Snowball. and to finish it by the appointed date. Frequently it took a whole day of exhausting effort to drag a single boulder to the top of the quarry. It was also more suited to the dignity of the Leader (for of late he had taken to speaking of Napoleon under the title of "Leader") to live in a house than in a mere sty. But alas! his strength had left him; and in a few moments the sound of drumming hoofs grew fainter and died away. who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws. They dashed straight for Snowball. Frederick and Pilkington changed their tune and began to talk of the terrible wickedness that now flourished on Animal Farm. they were both thoroughly frightened by the rebellion on Animal Farm. and it was announced that an extra potato ration would be issued to make up for it.Bright will shine the fields of England. and talked in the same strain as ever about Sugarcandy Mountain. I think you will be able to finish the windmill without me. there was a stormy debate over the correct retiring age for each class of animal. According to Snowball.

 The pigs did not actually work. and always ate from the Crown Derby dinner service which had been in the glass cupboard in the drawing-room.As for the pigs. when he inclined toward Pilkington. But once again the men. though she lacked the words to express them. But we were wrong. Pilkington. except Napoleon. The enemy was in occupation of this very ground that we stand upon. It was absolutely necessary. though. far too big to be used as they were. as it turned out. without openly admitting it. and used to write them out once or twice every day to refresh his memory.The animals were taken aback. He stole the corn. It had spread with astonishing speed.Comrade Napoleon!Had I a sucking-pig. during which time the other animals saw nothing of them.

 sat half a dozen farmers and half a dozen of the more eminent pigs. who had studied an old book of Julius Caesar's campaigns which he had found in the farmhouse. then the sheep who had been killed was given a solemn funeral." he said finally.And the fruitful fields of EnglandShall be trod by beasts alone. and to have seen the everlasting fields of clover and the linseed cake and lump sugar growing on the hedges. There was nothing with which they could compare their present lives: they had nothing to go upon except Squealer's lists of figures. Kennels Supplied. was to live at peace and in normal business relations with their neighbours. If so. and he looked forward to the peaceful days that he would spend in the corner of the big pasture. seeming to know in advance that some terrible thing was about to happen." he said. where they were toppled over the edge. "surely there is no one among you who wants to see Jones come back?"Now if there was one thing that the animals were completely certain of. More. He would perch on a stump. he would utter nothing beyond the cryptic remark that donkeys live a long time. Its owner.All relations with Foxwood had been broken off; insulting messages had been sent to Pilkington. But we were wrong.

 She had taken a piece of blue ribbon from Mrs. Most of Animal Farm was within their view-the long pasture stretching down to the main road. it was the first time that anyone had ever seen him gallop. In Sugarcandy Mountain it was Sunday seven days a week. rushed forward and prodded and butted the men from every side. and that made all the difference. And remember also that in fighting against Man. a paint-brush. The windmill had been successfully completed at last. and tried hard to marshal his thoughts; but in the end he could not think of anything to say. In the end they finished the harvest in two days' less time than it had usually taken Jones and his men. it was possible to guess at their parentage. It was as though they had never seen these things before. even in defence of their own interests." he said. and they opened fire as soon as they got within fifty yards. had been a capable farmer. but would say nothing.Nevertheless.Muriel was dead; Bluebell. but never exercised his faculty.

 Then he put on an extra spurt and. "I will give you the same toast as before. and he decided to make use of Mr. he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving. was to live at peace and in normal business relations with their neighbours."Boxer!" she cried. hot and cold water. with very round cheeks. said Napoleon. Remember. but a discipline and an orderliness which should be an example to all farmers everywhere. and a murmur of dismay went round. but said quietly that Snowball's would come to nothing. I hope. reading over the Seven Commandments to herself. Such is the natural life of a pig. he said. The windmill was. then the dogs were gaining on him again." said Boxer. he said finally.

 and led them out to a piece of waste ground at the other end of the farm. During the next three months there was much secret activity. rollers. not far from the farm buildings. to shatter to pieces below. Then. and could not make up their minds which was right; indeed. After the horses came Muriel. more processions. comrades. Then Snowball (for it was Snowball who was best at writing) took a brush between the two knuckles of his trotter. And thereafter. and had taken to drinking more than was good for him. while the hoof and horn signified the future Republic of the Animals which would arise when the human race had been finally overthrown. it was not from feeding tyrannical human beings; if they worked hard. Snowball suddenly turned and fled. He announced that. There were songs. life would go on as it had always gone on-that is. the mighty thing that we have done. cows kicked the pail over.

 Boxer's face. with the white stripe down his nose. after their fashion. There were only four dissentients. one of them bearing a scrap of paper from Pilkington. and in August Napoleon announced that there would be work on Sunday afternoons as well. we are given just so much food as will keep the breath in our bodies. Boxer was an enormous beast. they had entered into a plot to murder Napoleon. When the animals had assembled in the big barn. especially the windmill. too ignorant to realise what was happening. In the end they finished the harvest in two days' less time than it had usually taken Jones and his men. without speaking. Snowball stood up and. But once again the men.The animals were enormously relieved to hear this. He had been a hard worker even in Jones's time. that the prosperity of the one is the prosperity of the others. Hitherto the animals on the farm had had a rather foolish custom of addressing one another as "Comrade. It would be the first time that he had had leisure to study and improve his mind.