- description
- # CHAPTER XXI.
## Overview
This entity is Chapter XXI of Herman Melville's novel, [THE CONFIDENCE-MAN: HIS MASQUERADE.](arke:01KG8AJ86G6HP7TCHND218MWGA). It spans from line 4800 to line 5171 of the source text.
## Context
This chapter is part of the larger work, [THE CONFIDENCE-MAN: HIS MASQUERADE.](arke:01KG8AJ86G6HP7TCHND218MWGA), which is included in the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. The text for this chapter was extracted from the digital file [the_confidence_man.txt](arke:01KG89J1JMR8XVKPA0G8ADAPC4). It follows [CHAPTER XX.](arke:01KG8AJM4RCC82FSF35AP3W7V5) and precedes [CHAPTER XXII. IN THE POLITE SPIRIT OF THE TUSCULAN DISPUTATIONS.](arke:01KG8AJM4RS4GSX8JEXTB47AGF).
## Contents
Titled "A HARD CASE," Chapter XXI features a dialogue between the herb-doctor and a new character, a "Missouri bachelor" or "Hoosier gentleman" with an ursine appearance and a rifle. The discussion revolves around the efficacy of "yarbs" (herbs) and the nature of "Dame Natur" (Nature), with the Missourian expressing profound distrust in both nature and man, contrasting sharply with the herb-doctor's more optimistic, albeit sometimes evasive, views. The old miser, previously encountered, also makes an appearance, continuing to rely on the herb-doctor's remedies. The chapter explores themes of confidence, skepticism, and human nature, concluding with the herb-doctor's departure at Cape Girardeau.
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- 2026-01-30T20:48:39.959Z
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- description_title
- CHAPTER XXI.
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- 5171
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- 2026-01-30T20:47:36.061Z
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- 4800
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- title
- CHAPTER XXI.