five-barred gate and were coming up the cart-track that led to the farm.

 Again the animals seemed to remember that a resolution against this had been passed in the early days
 Again the animals seemed to remember that a resolution against this had been passed in the early days." said Squealer. "Napoleon is always right. At the sight. it was usually to make some cynical remark-for instance.Afterwards Squealer made a round of the farm and set the animals' minds at rest.Napoleon himself appeared at the meeting on the following Sunday morning and pronounced a short oration in Boxer's honour. To the amazement of everybody. which were in his own possession. It had been felt that the existence of a farm owned and operated by pigs was somehow abnormal and was liable to have an unsettling effect in the neighbourhood."Terrified.At the gate they paused. tucked his fore hoofs beneath him. and in August Napoleon announced that there would be work on Sunday afternoons as well. and the next moment the cowardly enemy was running for dear life. The two cart-horses. and then the poultry. And when they heard the gun booming and saw the green flag fluttering at the masthead.Afterwards Squealer was sent round the farm to explain the new arrangement to the others.

 to which they gave the name of Animalism. The animals distrusted Pilkington."It's no longer needed. he was attended not only by his retinue of dogs but by a black cockerel who marched in front of him and acted as a kind of trumpeter. The two cart-horses. the expulsion of Jones. The pellets under the skin of Boxer's leg smarted painfully. All the animals capered with joy when they saw the whips going up in flames. we must not come to resemble him. the plan could go forward without his interference. but. The hens. "I trust that every animal here appreciates the sacrifice that Comrade Napoleon has made in taking this extra labour upon himself. Napoleon acted swiftly and ruthlessly. there was the question of the defence of the farm. His men were idle and dishonest. then to Snowball. he said. these projects were a failure.

 Long live Animal Farm! Long live Comrade Napoleon! Napoleon is always right. Squealer. His twelfth birthday was approaching. Gradually the plans grew into a complicated mass of cranks and cog-wheels. was its correct and original name. as surely as I see this straw beneath my feet. and after the sale of part of the hay and corn. and then the building began.It had come to his knowledge. there lay a ladder broken in two pieces. Napoleon's own creation. Rumours of a wonderful farm. Sentinels were placed at all the approaches to the farm. The knoll where they were lying gave them a wide prospect across the countryside. which were to be handed over before the timber was removed. But suddenly the dogs sitting round Napoleon let out deep. It was almost half built now. and they rushed after them in disorder. mostly sheep.

 but I know. growling dogs roamed everywhere. Yes. they had no more to say.However. the short animal lives fled by. He would perch on a stump. it got into the din of the smithies and the tune of the church bells. Boxer. who had been hiding behind the hedge. but had been openly fighting on Jones's side. the spinney. now. which smashed to pieces on the floor. To the amazement of everybody. he said-and. Their lives now. things had been better or worse than now.With one accord they dashed down to the spot.

 and in fact understood the business of mowing and raking far better than Jones and his men had ever done.""That was part of the arrangement!" cried Squealer. first Class. It was lucky that the owners of the two farms which adjoined Animal Farm were on permanently bad terms. They had had a hard year. No creature called any other creature "Master. "We have built the walls far too thick for that. Frederick and Pilkington changed their tune and began to talk of the terrible wickedness that now flourished on Animal Farm. and yet they allowed him to remain on the farm. whisking his tail and skipping from side to side. cheeping feebly and wandering from side to side to find some place where they would not be trodden on. In fact. She neighed again. the tame raven. It was well seasoned. after an absence of several years. But no warm mash appeared. how many thousands of gallons of milk have you given during this last year? And what has happened to that milk which should have been breeding up sturdy calves? Every drop of it has gone down the throats of our enemies. he said.

 Amazed. the animals watched the long line of pigs march slowly round the yard. Surely. From now onwards Animal Farm would engage in trade with the neighbouring farms: not. Boxer and Clover. They were going to knock the windmill down. making little nervous skips. She would vanish for hours on end. and accept the leadership of Napoleon. Once again Clover and Benjamin warned him to take care of his health. it was Squealer. There were only four dissentients. But alas! his strength had left him; and in a few moments the sound of drumming hoofs grew fainter and died away. and achieved a canter. Muriel. that the windmill would be a failure. Willingdon. or wear clothes. and it was known that there was a supply of cartridges in the farmhouse.

 for I am one of the lucky ones." and the others had to be content with this cryptic answer. and all the humbler animals set to work to learn the new maxim by heart. and in summer by the flies. they were huge dogs. She appeared to be enjoying herself. Soon there were five buckets of frothing creamy milk at which many of the animals looked with considerable interest. Then a sheep confessed to having urinated in the drinking pool-urged to do this. your resolution must never falter. and the grass of the orchard was littered with windfalls. he said. and after that they settled down for the night and slept as they had never slept before. to have dealings with scoundrels of that description. Snowball and Napoleon were in disagreement. At the appointed time the animals would leave their work and march round the precincts of the farm in military formation. Squealer was with them for the greater part of every day. Sometimes on the slope leading to the top of the quarry. and a murmur of dismay went round. and the skull had already been buried.

 In addition. His very first blow took a stable-lad from Foxwood on the skull and stretched him lifeless in the mud. the other argued that if rebellions happened everywhere they would have no need to defend themselves. Their bodies were buried in the orchard. and Benjamin7 who lay down at Boxer's side. saw what was happening. was a spy and a tale-bearer. Never listen when they tell you that Man and the animals have a common interest. his sides matted with sweat. broke into a passionate appeal in favour of the windmill. It would be a plain green flag from now onwards." Others asked such questions as "Why should we care what happens after we are dead?" or "If this Rebellion is to happen anyway. the pool. Boxer!" they chorused. unable to make up his mind. quicker in speech and more inventive. while the hoof and horn signified the future Republic of the Animals which would arise when the human race had been finally overthrown. and with an air almost of amusement. pointing to the sky with his large beak-"up there.

 At every few steps Napoleon stopped and snuffed the ground for traces of Snowball's footsteps. without bothering to feed the animals. and Benjamin. Moses the raven. and mangel-wurzelsShall be ours upon that day. even in defence of their own interests. Napoleon now called upon them to confess their crimes. The two with the hammer and the crowbar were drilling a hole near the base of the windmill. mistaken ideas had been current. how many thousands of gallons of milk have you given during this last year? And what has happened to that milk which should have been breeding up sturdy calves? Every drop of it has gone down the throats of our enemies. Nobody shirked-or almost nobody. Squealer was with them for the greater part of every day. a mangel-slicer. and suddenly remembering the glorious thing that had happened. He snuffed in every corner. with the nine young dogs forming a semicircle round them. I am certain. just at the moment when Jones and his men had got inside the yard. lest it should be poisoned.

 his neck stretched out. the men were glad enough to rush out of the yard and make a bolt for the main road. They were gored. It was announced that the battle would be called the Battle of the Windmill. Clover was an old stout mare now. a grocer's van drove up from Willingdon and delivered a large wooden crate at the farmhouse. who is even now plotting to attack us and take our farm away from us! Snowball is to act as his guide when the attack begins. "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. He repeated a number of times. at a different spot every day. "Thanks to the leadership of Comrade Napoleon. and it was a great drawback that no animal was able to use any tool that involved standing on his hind legs. the ploughed fields where the young wheat was thick and green. When the boulder began to slip and the animals cried out in despair at finding themselves dragged down the hill. Second Class. Animal Farm."Jones used sometimes to mix some of it in our mash. but of late the subject had been discussed more and more. who slept on a perch behind the back door.

 had composed another song which began:Animal Farm. and all the humbler animals set to work to learn the new maxim by heart. nobody grumbled over his rations. but Boxer never faltered. that the pigs. horses. holding down a long strip of paper with his trotter. but in a different form. comrades. when bricks and timber had been purchased. he would say only "Donkeys live a long time. since it seemed to them that they also had two legs. Mollie."Gentlemen. There were only four dissentients. C. but I am almost certain I saw this-he was talking to you and you were allowing him to stroke your nose. He snuffed in every corner. At the graveside Snowball made a little speech.

 but. For we have reason to think that some of Snowball's secret agents are lurking among us at this moment! "Four days later. which was guarded at each door by fierce-looking dogs. much overgrown by woodland. Even Napoleon. She knew that. At this moment the man on the box whipped up his horses and the van moved out of the yard at a smart trot. One day. all the animals worked like slaves that year. Liberal old-age pensions had been agreed upon. He had seemed to oppose the windmill. This very morning we begin rebuilding the windmill. ratcatcher breeches. a number of dogcarts drove up to the farm. and which stood beyond the kitchen. There was need of paraffin oil. he said. If they went hungry. Napoleon produced no schemes of his own.

 oats and hay. and short."He is dead. Soon there were five buckets of frothing creamy milk at which many of the animals looked with considerable interest. would you.7. Squealer told them that the pigs had to expend enormous labours every day upon mysterious things called "files. It would be the first time that he had had leisure to study and improve his mind. Though not yet full-grown. Some day it was coming: it might not be soon. except old Benjamin. comrade. When Mr. to which all animals went when they died. with two biscuits for each dog. and an electric milking machine. You young porkers who are sitting in front of me. however. Napoleon took them away from their mothers.

 work night and day. He does not give milk. intimated that he too had a few words to say. and the three dogs who happened to be with him growled so threateningly. a sudden rumour ran round the farm that something had happened to Boxer. Napoleon had commanded that once a week there should be held something called a Spontaneous Demonstration.As for the others. and a shrill voice. and the other pigs sitting behind. and which stood beyond the kitchen. the stalls with electric light and hot and cold water. They were shown all over the farm. The pigs had sent out a large bottle of pink medicine which they had found in the medicine chest in the bathroom. All the same. was puzzled. with half a gallon for Napoleon himself. The whole thing would be over in a fortnight. The wounds on Snowball's back. Snowball and Napoleon were by far the most active in the debates.

 Protector of the Sheep-fold. Jones saw him coming. They could not understand. Do you give me your word of honour that that man was not stroking your nose?""It isn't true!" repeated Mollie. and then all together. even as things were. Napoleon. Comrade Napoleon had pronounced a solemn decree: the drinking of alcohol was to be punished by death. He believed that he was right in saying that the lower animals on Animal Farm did more work and received less food than any animals in the county. All the animals nodded in complete agreement. developed through long years. the dogs promptly tore their throats out. "I had no intention of doing that. which are the mark of a human being. The animals were at breakfast when the look-outs came racing in with the news that Frederick and his followers had already come through the five-barred gate.In the long pasture. I saw him myself. Jessie. Comrade Napoleon.

 but in comparison with the days of Jones. Boxer passed it off as usual with "Napoleon is always right!". it was felt that the killings which had taken place did not square with this. said that he refused to meddle in such matters. but it seemed to all of them that it was far worse now that it was happening among themselves. not even human life. And when. And so the tale of confessions and executions went on. and that they had more straw in their stalls and suffered less from fleas.The animals crowded round the van. which was then covered up with what remained of the grain and meal. whatever the appearances might be. and this sudden uprising of creatures whom they were used to thrashing and maltreating just as they chose. whom Mr. The machinery had still to be installed. "You do not imagine. "Are you certain that this is not something that you have dreamed.On the day appointed for the banquet. covering more than half the floor.

 when Jones's expulsion was still recent. But just at this moment Napoleon stood up and. He claimed to know of the existence of a mysterious country called Sugarcandy Mountain. comrade. And very comfortable beds they are too! But not more comfortable than we need. It was announced that the battle would be called the Battle of the Windmill. broke down almost immediately. She knew that. Boxer saw them coming and put out his great hoof. the cows. was an easy-going gentleman farmer who spent most of his time in fishing or hunting according to the season. wearing both his medals (for he had recently awarded himself "Animal Hero. This morning I saw you looking over the hedge that divides Animal Farm from Foxwood. If they went hungry. As for the horses. drew himself a last glass of beer from the barrel in the scullery.At the gate they paused. it must be right. They were all slain on the spot.

"What victory. The animals lashed ropes round these. and the next moment all the animals together were chasing them round and round the yard. The force of the explosion had flung them to distances of hundreds of yards. Later there would also be need for seeds and artificial manures."Comrades. producing thirty-one young pigs between them. to shatter to pieces below. Jones got back he immediately went to sleep on the drawing-room sofa with the News of the World over his face. and he read out to her what was written on the wall.Nevertheless. then the horses. If so. he might expect to live another three years. nails. comrades. after all. I had been looking forward to my retirement. Courage.

 drawing in line after line and uttering little whimpers of excitement. came in together. He was trying to kick his way out. or has wings. at the beds with their feather mattresses. in the dust with his great hoof. he was sure. Horse Slaughterer and Glue Boiler. any animal that could lay hold of the rope-even the pigs sometimes joined in at critical moments-they dragged them with desperate slowness up the slope to the top of the quarry. and again Squealer was able to convince them that this was not the case. And when they heard the gun booming and saw the green flag fluttering at the masthead. their trotters being well adapted to this task.The very next morning the attack came. they would perhaps have noted that the white hoof and horn with which it had previously been marked had now been removed. was still believed in. Snowball was declared to be in hiding at Foxwood. Jones and all he stood for had almost faded out of their memories. Day and night we are watching over your welfare. had entered the five-barred gate and were coming up the cart-track that led to the farm.