Coulditbepossiblethathewastakingleaveofhissenses？WhatelsecouldIthink？HE，sorefined，sointellectual，sofastidious，withsoexquisiteaperceptionofthefaulty，andsokeenanappreciationofthebeautiful！Tobesure，theladyseemedespeciallyfondofHIM——particularlysoinhisabsence——whenshemadeherselfridiculousbyfrequentquotationsofwhathadbeensaidbyher“belovedhusband，Mr。Wyatt。”Theword“husband“
seemedforever——touseoneofherowndelicateexpressions——forever“onthetipofhertongue。”Inthemeantime，itwasobservedbyallonboard，thatheavoidedHERinthemostpointedmanner，and，forthemostpart，shuthimselfupaloneinhisstate-room，where，infact，hemighthavebeensaidtolivealtogether，leavinghiswifeatfulllibertytoamuseherselfasshethoughtbest，inthepublicsocietyofthemaincabin。
Myconclusion，fromwhatIsawandheard，was，that，theartist，bysomeunaccountablefreakoffate，orperhapsinsomefitofenthusiasticandfancifulpassion，hadbeeninducedtounitehimselfwithapersonaltogetherbeneathhim，andthatthenaturalresult，entireandspeedydisgust，hadensued。Ipitiedhimfromthebottomofmyheart——butcouldnot，forthatreason，quiteforgivehisincommunicativenessinthematterofthe“LastSupper。”
ForthisIresolvedtohavemyrevenge。
Onedayhecameupondeck，and，takinghisarmashadbeenmywont，Isaunteredwithhimbackwardandforward。Hisgloom，howeverwhichIconsideredquitenaturalunderthecircumstances，seemedentirelyunabated。Hesaidlittle，andthatmoodily，andwithevidenteffort。Iventuredajestortwo，andhemadeasickeningattemptatasmile。Poorfellow！——asIthoughtofHISWIFE，I
wonderedthathecouldhavehearttoputoneventhesemblanceofmirth。AtlastIventuredahomethrust。Ideterminedtocommenceaseriesofcovertinsinuations，orinnuendoes，abouttheoblongbox——justtolethimperceive，gradually，thatIwasNOTaltogetherthebutt，orvictim，ofhislittlebitofpleasantmystification。
Myfirstobservationwasbywayofopeningamaskedbattery。I
saidsomethingaboutthe“peculiarshapeofTHATbox——，“and，asI
spokethewords，Ismiledknowingly，winked，andtouchedhimgentlywithmyforefingerintheribs。
ThemannerinwhichWyattreceivedthisharmlesspleasantryconvincedme，atonce，thathewasmad。Atfirsthestaredatmeasifhefounditimpossibletocomprehendthewitticismofmyremark；butasitspointseemedslowlytomakeitswayintohisbrain，hiseyes，inthesameproportion，seemedprotrudingfromtheirsockets。Thenhegrewveryred——thenhideouslypale——then，asifhighlyamusedwithwhatIhadinsinuated，hebeganaloudandboisterouslaugh，which，tomyastonishment，hekeptup，withgraduallyincreasingvigor，fortenminutesormore。Inconclusion，hefellflatandheavilyuponthedeck。WhenIrantouplifthim，toallappearancehewasDEAD。
Icalledassistance，and，withmuchdifficulty，webroughthimtohimself。Uponrevivinghespokeincoherentlyforsometime。Atlengthwebledhimandputhimtobed。Thenextmorninghewasquiterecovered，sofarasregardedhismerebodilyhealth。OfhismindIsaynothing，ofcourse。Iavoidedhimduringtherestofthepassage，byadviceofthecaptain，whoseemedtocoincidewithmealtogetherinmyviewsofhisinsanity，butcautionedmetosaynothingonthisheadtoanypersononboard。
SeveralcircumstancesoccurredimmediatelyafterthisfitofWyattwhichcontributedtoheightenthecuriositywithwhichIwasalreadypossessed。Amongotherthings，this：Ihadbeennervous——
dranktoomuchstronggreentea，andsleptillatnight——infact，fortwonightsIcouldnotbeproperlysaidtosleepatall。Now，mystate-roomopenedintothemaincabin，ordining-room，asdidthoseofallthesinglemenonboard。Wyatt”sthreeroomswereintheafter-cabin，whichwasseparatedfromthemainonebyaslightslidingdoor，neverlockedevenatnight。Aswewerealmostconstantlyonawind，andthebreezewasnotalittlestiff，theshipheeledtoleewardveryconsiderably；andwheneverherstarboardsidewastoleeward，theslidingdoorbetweenthecabinsslidopen，andsoremained，nobodytakingthetroubletogetupandshutit。Butmyberthwasinsuchaposition，thatwhenmyownstate-roomdoorwasopen，aswellastheslidingdoorinquestionandmyowndoorwasALWAYSopenonaccountoftheheat，Icouldseeintotheafter-cabinquitedistinctly，andjustatthatportionofit，too，whereweresituatedthestate-roomsofMr。Wyatt。
Well，duringtwonightsNOTconsecutivewhileIlayawake，I
clearlysawMrs。W。，abouteleveno”clockuponeachnight，stealcautiouslyfromthestate-roomofMr。W。，andentertheextraroom，wheresheremaineduntildaybreak，whenshewascalledbyherhusbandandwentback。Thattheywerevirtuallyseparatedwasclear。Theyhadseparateapartments——nodoubtincontemplationofamorepermanentdivorce；andhere，afterallIthoughtwasthemysteryoftheextrastateroom。
Therewasanothercircumstance，too，whichinterestedmemuch。
Duringthetwowakefulnightsinquestion，andimmediatelyafterthedisappearanceofMrs。Wyattintotheextrastateroom，Iwasattractedbycertainsingularcautious，subduednoisesinthatofherhusband。Afterlisteningtothemforsometime，withthoughtfulattention，Iatlengthsucceededperfectlyintranslatingtheirimport。Theyweresoundsoccasionedbytheartistinpryingopentheoblongbox，bymeansofachiselandmallet——thelatterbeingapparentlymuffled，ordeadened，bysomesoftwoollenorcottonsubstanceinwhichitsheadwasenveloped。
InthismannerIfanciedIcoulddistinguishtheprecisemomentwhenhefairlydisengagedthelid——also，thatIcoulddeterminewhenheremoveditaltogether，andwhenhedepositedituponthelowerberthinhisroom；thislatterpointIknew，forexample，bycertainslighttapswhichthelidmadeinstrikingagainstthewoodenedgesoftheberth，asheendeavoredtolayitdownVERY
gently——therebeingnoroomforitonthefloor。Afterthistherewasadeadstillness，andIheardnothingmore，uponeitheroccasion，untilnearlydaybreak；unless，perhaps，Imaymentionalowsobbing，ormurmuringsound，soverymuchsuppressedastobenearlyinaudible——if，indeed，thewholeofthislatternoisewerenotratherproducedbymyownimagination。IsayitseemedtoRESEMBLEsobbingorsighing——but，ofcourse，itcouldnothavebeeneither。Iratherthinkitwasaringinginmyownears。Mr。
Wyatt，nodoubt，accordingtocustom，wasmerelygivingthereintooneofhishobbies——indulginginoneofhisfitsofartisticenthusiasm。Hehadopenedhisoblongbox，inordertofeasthiseyesonthepictorialtreasurewithin。Therewasnothinginthis，however，tomakehimSOB。Irepeat，therefore，thatitmusthavebeensimplyafreakofmyownfancy，distemperedbygoodCaptainHardy”sgreentea。justbeforedawn，oneachofthetwonightsofwhichIspeak，IdistinctlyheardMr。Wyattreplacethelidupontheoblongbox，andforcethenailsintotheiroldplacesbymeansofthemuffledmallet。Havingdonethis，heissuedfromhisstate-
room，fullydressed，andproceededtocallMrs。W。fromhers。
Wehadbeenatseasevendays，andwerenowoffCapeHatteras，whentherecameatremendouslyheavyblowfromthesouthwest。Wewere，inameasure，preparedforit，however，astheweatherhadbeenholdingoutthreatsforsometime。Everythingwasmadesnug，alowandaloft；andasthewindsteadilyfreshened，welayto，atlength，underspankerandforetopsail，bothdouble-reefed。
Inthistrimwerodesafelyenoughforforty-eighthours——theshipprovingherselfanexcellentsea-boatinmanyrespects，andshippingnowaterofanyconsequence。Attheendofthisperiod，however，thegalehadfreshenedintoahurricane，andourafter——
sailsplitintoribbons，bringingussomuchinthetroughofthewaterthatweshippedseveralprodigiousseas，oneimmediatelyaftertheother。Bythisaccidentwelostthreemenoverboardwiththecaboose，andnearlythewholeofthelarboardbulwarks。
Scarcelyhadwerecoveredoursenses，beforetheforetopsailwentintoshreds，whenwegotupastormstaysailandwiththisdidprettywellforsomehours，theshipheadingtheseamuchmoresteadilythanbefore。
Thegalestillheldon，however，andwesawnosignsofitsabating。Theriggingwasfoundtobeill-fitted，andgreatlystrained；andonthethirddayoftheblow，aboutfiveintheafternoon，ourmizzen-mast，inaheavylurchtowindward，wentbytheboard。Foranhourormore，wetriedinvaintogetridofit，onaccountoftheprodigiousrollingoftheship；and，beforewehadsucceeded，thecarpentercameaftandannouncedfourfeetofwaterinthehold。Toaddtoourdilemma，wefoundthepumpschokedandnearlyuseless。
Allwasnowconfusionanddespair——butaneffortwasmadetolightentheshipbythrowingoverboardasmuchofhercargoascouldbereached，andbycuttingawaythetwomaststhatremained。
Thisweatlastaccomplished——butwewerestillunabletodoanythingatthepumps；and，inthemeantime，theleakgainedonusveryfast。
Atsundown，thegalehadsensiblydiminishedinviolence，andastheseawentdownwithit，westillentertainedfainthopesofsavingourselvesintheboats。AteightP。M。，thecloudsbrokeawaytowindward，andwehadtheadvantageofafullmoon——apieceofgoodfortunewhichservedwonderfullytocheerourdroopingspirits。
Afterincrediblelaborwesucceeded，atlength，ingettingthelongboatoverthesidewithoutmaterialaccident，andintothiswecrowdedthewholeofthecrewandmostofthepassengers。Thispartymadeoffimmediately，and，afterundergoingmuchsuffering，finallyarrived，insafety，atOcracokeInlet，onthethirddayafterthewreck。
Fourteenpassengers，withthecaptain，remainedonboard，resolvingtotrusttheirfortunestothejolly-boatatthestern。Welowereditwithoutdifficulty，althoughitwasonlybyamiraclethatwepreventeditfromswampingasittouchedthewater。Itcontained，whenafloat，thecaptainandhiswife，Mr。Wyattandparty，aMexicanofficer，wife，fourchildren，andmyself，withanegrovalet。
Wehadnoroom，ofcourse，foranythingexceptafewpositivelynecessaryinstruments，someprovisions，andtheclothesuponourbacks。Noonehadthoughtofevenattemptingtosaveanythingmore。Whatmusthavebeentheastonishmentofall，then，whenhavingproceededafewfathomsfromtheship，Mr。Wyattstoodupinthestern-sheets，andcoollydemandedofCaptainHardythattheboatshouldbeputbackforthepurposeoftakinginhisoblongbox！
“Sitdown，Mr。Wyatt，“repliedthecaptain，somewhatsternly，“youwillcapsizeusifyoudonotsitquitestill。Ourgunwhaleisalmostinthewaternow。”
“Thebox！“vociferatedMr。Wyatt，stillstanding”thebox，Isay！
CaptainHardy，youcannot，youwillnotrefuseme。Itsweightwillbebutatrifle——itisnothing——merenothing。Bythemotherwhoboreyou——fortheloveofHeaven——byyourhopeofsalvation，I
imploreyoutoputbackforthebox！“
Thecaptain，foramoment，seemedtouchedbytheearnestappealoftheartist，butheregainedhissterncomposure，andmerelysaid：
“Mr。Wyatt，youaremad。Icannotlistentoyou。Sitdown，Isay，oryouwillswamptheboat。Stay——holdhim——seizehim！——heisabouttospringoverboard！There——Iknewit——heisover！“
Asthecaptainsaidthis，Mr。Wyatt，infact，sprangfromtheboat，and，aswewereyetintheleeofthewreck，succeeded，byalmostsuperhumanexertion，ingettingholdofaropewhichhungfromthefore-chains。Inanothermomenthewasonboard，andrushingfranticallydownintothecabin。
Inthemeantime，wehadbeensweptasternoftheship，andbeingquiteoutofherlee，wereatthemercyofthetremendousseawhichwasstillrunning。Wemadeadeterminedefforttoputback，butourlittleboatwaslikeafeatherinthebreathofthetempest。
Wesawataglancethatthedoomoftheunfortunateartistwassealed。
Asourdistancefromthewreckrapidlyincreased，themadmanforassuchonlycouldweregardhimwasseentoemergefromthecompanion——way，upwhichbydintofstrengththatappearedgigantic，hedragged，bodily，theoblongbox。Whilewegazedintheextremityofastonishment，hepassed，rapidly，severalturnsofathree-inchrope，firstaroundtheboxandthenaroundhisbody。
Inanotherinstantbothbodyandboxwereinthesea——disappearingsuddenly，atonceandforever。
Welingeredawhilesadlyuponouroars，withoureyesriveteduponthespot。Atlengthwepulledaway。Thesilenceremainedunbrokenforanhour。Finally，Ihazardedaremark。
“Didyouobserve，captain，howsuddenlytheysank？Wasnotthatanexceedinglysingularthing？IconfessthatIentertainedsomefeeblehopeofhisfinaldeliverance，whenIsawhimlashhimselftothebox，andcommithimselftothesea。”
“Theysankasamatterofcourse，“repliedthecaptain，“andthatlikeashot。Theywillsoonriseagain，however——BUTNOTTILLTHE
SALTMELTS。”
“Thesalt！“Iejaculated。
“Hush！“saidthecaptain，pointingtothewifeandsistersofthedeceased。“Wemusttalkofthesethingsatsomemoreappropriatetime。”
Wesufferedmuch，andmadeanarrowescape，butfortunebefriendedus，aswellasourmatesinthelong-boat。Welanded，infine，moredeadthanalive，afterfourdaysofintensedistress，uponthebeachoppositeRoanokeIsland。Weremainedhereaweek，werenotill-treatedbythewreckers，andatlengthobtainedapassagetoNewYork。
Aboutamonthafterthelossofthe“Independence，“IhappenedtomeetCaptainHardyinBroadway。Ourconversationturned，naturally，uponthedisaster，andespeciallyuponthesadfateofpoorWyatt。Ithuslearnedthefollowingparticulars。
Theartisthadengagedpassageforhimself，wife，twosistersandaservant。Hiswifewas，indeed，asshehadbeenrepresented，amostlovely，andmostaccomplishedwoman。OnthemorningofthefourteenthofJunethedayinwhichIfirstvisitedtheship，theladysuddenlysickenedanddied。Theyounghusbandwasfranticwithgrief——butcircumstancesimperativelyforbadethedeferringhisvoyagetoNewYork。Itwasnecessarytotaketohermotherthecorpseofhisadoredwife，and，ontheotherhand，theuniversalprejudicewhichwouldpreventhisdoingsoopenlywaswellknown。
Nine-tenthsofthepassengerswouldhaveabandonedtheshipratherthantakepassagewithadeadbody。
Inthisdilemma，CaptainHardyarrangedthatthecorpse，beingfirstpartiallyembalmed，andpacked，withalargequantityofsalt，inaboxofsuitabledimensions，shouldbeconveyedonboardasmerchandise。Nothingwastobesaidofthelady”sdecease；and，asitwaswellunderstoodthatMr。Wyatthadengagedpassageforhiswife，itbecamenecessarythatsomepersonshouldpersonateherduringthevoyage。Thisthedeceasedlady”s-maidwaseasilyprevailedontodo。Theextrastate-room，originallyengagedforthisgirlduringhermistress”life，wasnowmerelyretained。Inthisstate-roomthepseudo-wife，slept，ofcourse，everynight。Inthedaytimesheperformed，tothebestofherability，thepartofhermistress——whoseperson，ithadbeencarefullyascertained，wasunknowntoanyofthepassengersonboard。
Myownmistakearose，naturallyenough，throughtoocareless，tooinquisitive，andtooimpulsiveatemperament。Butoflate，itisararethingthatIsleepsoundlyatnight。Thereisacountenancewhichhauntsme，turnasIwill。Thereisanhystericallaughwhichwillforeverringwithinmyears。
TheGold-BugWhatho！whatho！thisfellowisdancingmad！
HehathbeenbittenbytheTarantula——
AllintheWrong。
Manyyearsago，IcontractedanintimacywithaMr。WilliamLegrand。HewasofanancientHuguenotfamily，andhadoncebeenwealthy：butaseriesofmisfortuneshadreducedhimtowant。Toavoidthemortificationconsequentuponhisdisasters，heleftNewOrleans，thecityofhisforefathers，andtookuphisresidenceatSullivan”sIsland，nearCharleston，SouthCarolina。
Thisislandisaverysingularone。Itconsistsoflittleelsethantheseasand，andisaboutthreemileslong。Itsbreadthatnopointexceedsaquarterofamile。Itisseparatedfromthemainlandbyascarcelyperceptiblecreek，oozingitswaythroughawildernessofreedsandslime，afavoriteresortofthemarshhen。
Thevegetation，asmightbesupposed，isscant，oratleastdwarfish。Notreesofanymagnitudearetobeseen。Nearthewesternextremity，whereFortMoultriestands，andwherearesomemiserableframebuildings，tenanted，duringsummer，bythefugitivesfromCharlestondustandfever，maybefound，indeed，thebristlypalmetto；butthewholeisland，withtheexceptionofthiswesternpoint，andalineofhard，whitebeachontheseacoast，iscoveredwithadenseundergrowthofthesweetmyrtlesomuchprizedbythehorticulturistsofEngland。Theshrubhereoftenattainstheheightoffifteenortwentyfeet，andformsanalmostimpenetrablecoppice，burdeningtheairwithitsfragrance。
Intheinmostrecessesofthiscoppice，notfarfromtheeasternormoreremoteendoftheisland，Legrandhadbuilthimselfasmallhut，whichheoccupiedwhenIfirst，bymereaccident，madehisacquaintance。Thissoonripenedintofriendship——fortherewasmuchinthereclusetoexciteinterestandesteem。Ifoundhimwelleducated，withunusualpowersofmind，butinfectedwithmisanthropy，andsubjecttoperversemoodsofalternateenthusiasmandmelancholy。Hehadwithhimmanybooks，butrarelyemployedthem。Hischiefamusementsweregunningandfishing，orsaunteringalongthebeachandthroughthemyrtles，inquestofshellsorentomologicalspecimens——hiscollectionofthelattermighthavebeenenviedbyaSwammerdamm。Intheseexcursionshewasusuallyaccompaniedbyanoldnegro，calledJupiter，whohadbeenmanumittedbeforethereversesofthefamily，butwhocouldbeinduced，neitherbythreatsnorbypromises，toabandonwhatheconsideredhisrightofattendanceuponthefootstepsofhisyoung“MassaWill。”ItisnotimprobablethattherelativesofLegrand，conceivinghimtobesomewhatunsettledinintellect，hadcontrivedtoinstillthisobstinacyintoJupiter，withaviewtothesupervisionandguardianshipofthewanderer。
ThewintersinthelatitudeofSullivan”sIslandareseldomverysevere，andinthefalloftheyearitisarareeventindeedwhenafireisconsiderednecessary。AboutthemiddleofOctober，18——，thereoccurred，however，adayofremarkablechilliness。JustbeforesunsetIscrambledmywaythroughtheevergreenstothehutofmyfriend，whomIhadnotvisitedforseveralweeks——myresidencebeing，atthattime，inCharleston，adistanceofninemilesfromtheisland，whilethefacilitiesofpassageandrepassagewereveryfarbehindthoseofthepresentday。UponreachingthehutIrapped，aswasmycustom，andgettingnoreply，soughtforthekeywhereIknewitwassecreted，unlockedthedoor，andwentin。Afinefirewasblazinguponthehearth。Itwasanovelty，andbynomeansanungratefulone。Ithrewoffanovercoat，tookanarmchairbythecracklinglogs，andawaitedpatientlythearrivalofmyhosts。
Soonafterdarktheyarrived，andgavemeamostcordialwelcome。
Jupiter，grinningfromeartoear，bustledabouttopreparesomemarshhensforsupper。Legrandwasinoneofhisfits——howelseshallItermthem？——ofenthusiasm。Hehadfoundanunknownbivalve，forminganewgenus，and，morethanthis，hehadhunteddownandsecured，withJupiter”sassistance，ascarabaeuswhichhebelievedtobetotallynew，butinrespecttowhichhewishedtohavemyopiniononthemorrow。
“Andwhynotto-night？“Iasked，rubbingmyhandsovertheblaze，andwishingthewholetribeofscarabaeiatthedevil。
“Ah，ifIhadonlyknownyouwerehere！“saidLegrand，“butit”ssolongsinceIsawyou；andhowcouldIforeseethatyouwouldpaymeavisitthisverynightofallothers？AsIwascominghomeImetLieutenantG——，fromthefort，and，veryfoolishly，Ilenthimthebug；soitwillbeimpossibleforyoutoseeituntilthemorning。Stayhereto-night，andIwillsendJupdownforitatsunrise。Itistheloveliestthingincreation！“
“What？——sunrise？“
“Nonsense！no！——thebug。Itisofabrilliantgoldcolor——aboutthesizeofalargehickorynut——withtwojetblackspotsnearoneextremityoftheback，andanother，somewhatlonger，attheother。
Theantennaeare”
“Deyain”tNOtininhim，MassaWill，Ikeepatellin”onyou，“
hereinterruptedJupiter；“debugisagoole-bug，solid，eberybitofhim，insideandall，sephimwing——neberfeelhalfsohebbyabuginmylife。”
“Well，supposeitis，Jup，“repliedLegrand，somewhatmoreearnestly，itseemedtome，thanthecasedemanded；“isthatanyreasonforyourlettingthebirdsburn？Thecolor“——hereheturnedtome”isreallyalmostenoughtowarrantJupiter”sidea。Youneversawamorebrilliantmetalliclusterthanthescalesemit——
butofthisyoucannotjudgetillto-morrow。InthemeantimeIcangiveyousomeideaoftheshape。”Sayingthis，heseatedhimselfatasmalltable，onwhichwereapenandink，butnopaper。Helookedforsomeinadrawer，butfoundnone。
“Nevermind，“hesaidatlength，“thiswillanswer；“andhedrewfromhiswaistcoatpocketascrapofwhatItooktobeverydirtyfoolscap，andmadeuponitaroughdrawingwiththepen。Whilehedidthis，Iretainedmyseatbythefire，forIwasstillchilly。
Whenthedesignwascomplete，hehandedittomewithoutrising。
AsIreceivedit，aloudgrowlwasheard，succeededbyascratchingatthedoor。Jupiteropenedit，andalargeNewfoundland，belongingtoLegrand，rushedin，leapeduponmyshoulders，andloadedmewithcaresses；forIhadshownhimmuchattentionduringpreviousvisits。Whenhisgambolswereover，Ilookedatthepaper，and，tospeakthetruth，foundmyselfnotalittlepuzzledatwhatmyfriendhaddepicted。
“Well！“Isaid，aftercontemplatingitforsomeminutes，“thisISastrangescarabaeus，Imustconfess；newtome；neversawanythinglikeitbefore——unlessitwasaskull，oradeath”shead，whichitmorenearlyresemblesthananythingelsethathascomeunderMY
observation。”
“Adeath”shead！“echoedLegrand。“Oh——yes——well，ithassomethingofthatappearanceuponpaper，nodoubt。Thetwoupperblackspotslooklikeeyes，eh？andthelongeroneatthebottomlikeamouth——
andthentheshapeofthewholeisoval。”
“Perhapsso，“saidI；“but，Legrand，Ifearyouarenoartist。I
mustwaituntilIseethebeetleitself，ifIamtoformanyideaofitspersonalappearance。”
“Well，Idon”tknow，“saidhe，alittlenettled，“Idrawtolerably——
SHOULDdoitatleast——havehadgoodmasters，andflattermyselfthatIamnotquiteablockhead。”
“But，mydearfellow，youarejokingthen，“saidI，“thisisaverypassableSKULL——indeed，ImaysaythatitisaveryEXCELLENT
skull，accordingtothevulgarnotionsaboutsuchspecimensofphysiology——andyourscarabaeusmustbethequeerestscarabaeusintheworldifitresemblesit。Why，wemaygetupaverythrillingbitofsuperstitionuponthishint。IpresumeyouwillcallthebugScarabaeuscaputhominis，orsomethingofthatkind——therearemanysimilartitlesintheNaturalHistories。Butwherearetheantennaeyouspokeof？“
“Theantennae！“saidLegrand，whoseemedtobegettingunaccountablywarmuponthesubject；“Iamsureyoumustseetheantennae。Imadethemasdistinctastheyareintheoriginalinsect，andIpresumethatissufficient。”
“Well，well，“Isaid，“perhapsyouhave——stillIdon”tseethem；“
andIhandedhimthepaperwithoutadditionalremark，notwishingtorufflehistemper；butIwasmuchsurprisedattheturnaffairshadtaken；hisillhumorpuzzledme——and，asforthedrawingofthebeetle，therewerepositivelyNOantennaevisible，andthewholeDIDbearaverycloseresemblancetotheordinarycutsofadeath”shead。
Hereceivedthepaperverypeevishly，andwasabouttocrumpleit，apparentlytothrowitinthefire，whenacasualglanceatthedesignseemedsuddenlytorivethisattention。Inaninstanthisfacegrewviolentlyred——inanotherexcessivelypale。Forsomeminuteshecontinuedtoscrutinizethedrawingminutelywherehesat。Atlengthhearose，tookacandlefromthetable，andproceededtoseathimselfuponaseachestinthefarthestcorneroftheroom。Hereagainhemadeananxiousexaminationofthepaper，turningitinalldirections。Hesaidnothing，however，andhisconductgreatlyastonishedme；yetIthoughtitprudentnottoexacerbatethegrowingmoodinessofhistemperbyanycomment。
Presentlyhetookfromhiscoatpocketawallet，placedthepapercarefullyinit，anddepositedbothinawritingdesk，whichhelocked。Henowgrewmorecomposedinhisdemeanor；buthisoriginalairofenthusiasmhadquitedisappeared。Yetheseemednotsomuchsulkyasabstracted。Astheeveningworeawayhebecamemoreandmoreabsorbedinreverie，fromwhichnosalliesofminecouldarousehim。Ithadbeenmyintentiontopassthenightatthehut，asIhadfrequentlydonebefore，but，seeingmyhostinthismood，Ideemeditpropertotakeleave。Hedidnotpressmetoremain，but，asIdeparted，heshookmyhandwithevenmorethanhisusualcordiality。
ItwasaboutamonthafterthisandduringtheintervalIhadseennothingofLegrandwhenIreceivedavisit，atCharleston，fromhisman，Jupiter。Ihadneverseenthegoodoldnegrolooksodispirited，andIfearedthatsomeseriousdisasterhadbefallenmyfriend。
“Well，Jup，“saidI，“whatisthematternow？——howisyourmaster？“
“Why，tospeakthetroof，massa，himnotsoberrywellasmoughtbe。”
“Notwell！Iamtrulysorrytohearit。Whatdoeshecomplainof？“
“Dar！dot”sit！——himneber”plainofnotin”——buthimberrysickforalldat。”
“VERYsick，Jupiter！——whydidn”tyousaysoatonce？Isheconfinedtobed？“
“No，datheaint！——heaint”fin”dnowhar——dat”sjustwhardeshoepinch——mymindisgottobeberryhebby”boutpoorMassaWill。”
“Jupiter，Ishouldliketounderstandwhatitisyouaretalkingabout。Yousayyourmasterissick。Hasn”thetoldyouwhatailshim？“
“Why，massa，”taintworfwhilefortogitmadaboutdematter——
MassaWillsaynoffinatallaintdematterwidhim——butdenwhatmakehimgoaboutlookingdishereway，widheheaddownandhesoldiersup，andaswhiteasagoose？Anddenhekeepasyphonalldetime”
“Keepsawhat，Jupiter？“
“Keepsasyphonwiddefiggursondeslate——dequeerestfiggursI
ebberdidsee。Isegittin”tobeskeered，Itellyou。Habfortokeepmightytighteye”ponhim”noovers。Todderdayhegibmeslip”foredesunupandwasgonedewholeobdeblessedday。Ihadabigstickreadycutfortogibhimdeucedgoodbeatingwhenhedidcome——butIsesichafooldatIhadn”tdeheartarterall——helookedsoberrypoorly。”
“Eh？——what？——ahyes！——uponthewholeIthinkyouhadbetternotbetooseverewiththepoorfellow——don”tfloghim，Jupiter——hecan”tverywellstandit——butcanyouformnoideaofwhathasoccasionedthisillness，orratherthischangeofconduct？HasanythingunpleasanthappenedsinceIsawyou？“
“No，massa，deyaintbinnoffinonpleasantSINCEden——”twas”FORE
denI”mfeared——”twasdeberrydayyouwasdare。”
“How？whatdoyoumean。”
“Why，massa，Imeandebug——darenow。”
“Thewhat？“
“Debug——I”mberrysartindatMassaWillbinbitsomewhere”boutdeheadbydatgoole-bug。”
“Andwhatcausehaveyou，Jupiter，forsuchasupposition？“
“Clawsenuff，massa，andmouff，too。Inebberdidseesichadeucedbug——hekickandhebiteeberytingwhatcumnearhim。MassaWillcotchhimfuss，buthadfortolethimgo”ginmightyquick，I
tellyou——denwasdetimehemustha”gotdebite。Ididn”tlikedelookobdebugmouff，myself，nohow，soIwouldn”ttakeholdohhimwidmyfinger，butIcotchhimwidapieceohpaperdatI
found。Iraphimupindepaperandstuffapieceofitinhemouff——datwasdeway。”
“Andyouthink，then，thatyourmasterwasreallybittenbythebeetle，andthatthebitemadehimsick？“
“Idon”tthinknoffinaboutit——Inoseit。Whatmakehimdream”boutdegoolesomuch，if”taintcausehebitbythegoole-bug？
Iseheered”boutdemgoole-bugs”foredis。”
“Buthowdoyouknowhedreamsaboutgold？“
“HowIknow？why，”causehetalkaboutitinhesleep——dat”showI
nose。”
“Well，Jup，perhapsyouareright；buttowhatfortunatecircumstanceamItoattributethehonorofavisitfromyouto-
day？“
“Whatdematter，massa？“
“DidyoubringanymessagefromMr。Legrand？“
“No，massa，Ibringdisherepissel；“andhereJupiterhandedmeanotewhichranthus：
“MYDEAR——
“WhyhaveInotseenyouforsolongatime？Ihopeyouhavenotbeensofoolishastotakeoffenseatanylittlebrusquerieofmine；butno，thatisimprobable。
“SinceIsawyouIhavehadgreatcauseforanxiety。Ihavesomethingtotellyou，yetscarcelyknowhowtotellit，orwhetherIshouldtellitatall。
“Ihavenotbeenquitewellforsomedayspast，andpooroldJupannoysme，almostbeyondendurance，byhiswell-meantattentions。
Wouldyoubelieveit？——hehadpreparedahugestick，theotherday，withwhichtochastisemeforgivinghimtheslip，andspendingtheday，solus，amongthehillsonthemainland。Iverilybelievethatmyilllooksalonesavedmeaflogging。
“Ihavemadenoadditiontomycabinetsincewemet。“Ifyoucan，inanyway，makeitconvenient，comeoverwithJupiter。DOcome。
IwishtoseeyouTO-NIGHT，uponbusinessofimportance。IassureyouthatitisoftheHIGHESTimportance。
“Everyours，“WILLIAMLEGRAND。”
Therewassomethinginthetoneofthisnotewhichgavemegreatuneasiness。ItswholestyledifferedmateriallyfromthatofLegrand。Whatcouldhebedreamingof？Whatnewcrotchetpossessedhisexcitablebrain？What“businessofthehighestimportance“couldHEpossiblyhavetotransact？Jupiter”saccountofhimbodednogood。Idreadedlestthecontinuedpressureofmisfortunehad，atlength，fairlyunsettledthereasonofmyfriend。Withoutamoment”shesitation，therefore，Ipreparedtoaccompanythenegro。
Uponreachingthewharf，Inoticedascytheandthreespades，allapparentlynew，lyinginthebottomoftheboatinwhichweweretoembark。
“Whatisthemeaningofallthis，Jup？“Iinquired。
“Himsyfe，massa，andspade。”
“Verytrue；butwhataretheydoinghere？“
“HimdesyfeanddespadewhatMassaWillsis”ponmybuyingforhimindetown，anddedebbil”sownlotofmoneyIhadtogibforem。”
“Butwhat，inthenameofallthatismysterious，isyour”MassaWill”goingtodowithscythesandspades？“
“Dat”smoredanIknow，anddebbiltakemeifIdon”tb”lieve”tismoredanheknowtoo。Butit”sallcumobdebug。”
FindingthatnosatisfactionwastobeobtainedofJupiter，whosewholeintellectseemedtobeabsorbedby“debug，“Inowsteppedintotheboat，andmadesail。WithafairandstrongbreezewesoonranintothelittlecovetothenorthwardofFortMoultrie，andawalkofsometwomilesbroughtustothehut。Itwasaboutthreeintheafternoonwhenwearrived。Legrandhadbeenawaitingusineagerexpectation。Hegraspedmyhandwithanervousempressementwhichalarmedmeandstrengthenedthesuspicionsalreadyentertained。Hiscountenancewaspaleeventoghastliness，andhisdeep-seteyesglaredwithunnaturalluster。Aftersomeinquiriesrespectinghishealth，Iaskedhim，notknowingwhatbettertosay，ifhehadyetobtainedthescarabaeusfromLieutenantG。
“Oh，yes，“hereplied，coloringviolently，“Igotitfromhimthenextmorning。Nothingshouldtemptmetopartwiththatscarabaeus。DoyouknowthatJupiterisquiterightaboutit？“
“Inwhatway？“Iasked，withasadforebodingatheart。
“InsupposingittobeabugofREALGOLD。”Hesaidthiswithanairofprofoundseriousness，andIfeltinexpressiblyshocked。
“Thisbugistomakemyfortune，“hecontinued，withatriumphantsmile；“toreinstatemeinmyfamilypossessions。Isitanywonder，then，thatIprizeit？SinceFortunehasthoughtfittobestowituponme，Ihaveonlytouseitproperly，andIshallarriveatthegoldofwhichitistheindex。Jupiter，bringmethatscarabaeus！“
“What！debug，massa？I”druddernotgofertrubbledatbug；youmus”githimforyourownself。”HereuponLegrandarose，withagraveandstatelyair，andbroughtmethebeetlefromaglasscaseinwhichitwasenclosed。Itwasabeautifulscarabaeus，and，atthattime，unknowntonaturalists——ofcourseagreatprizeinascientificpointofview。Thereweretworoundblackspotsnearoneextremityoftheback，andalongoneneartheother。Thescaleswereexceedinglyhardandglossy，withalltheappearanceofburnishedgold。Theweightoftheinsectwasveryremarkable，and，takingallthingsintoconsideration，IcouldhardlyblameJupiterforhisopinionrespectingit；butwhattomakeofLegrand”sconcordancewiththatopinion，Icouldnot，forthelifeofme，tell。
“Isentforyou，“saidhe，inagrandiloquenttone，whenIhadcompletedmyexaminationofthebeetle，“IsentforyouthatI
mighthaveyourcounselandassistanceinfurtheringtheviewsofFateandofthebug”
“MydearLegrand，“Icried，interruptinghim，“youarecertainlyunwell，andhadbetterusesomelittleprecautions。Youshallgotobed，andIwillremainwithyouafewdays，untilyougetoverthis。Youarefeverishand”
“Feelmypulse，“saidhe。
Ifeltit，and，tosaythetruth，foundnottheslightestindicationoffever。
“Butyoumaybeillandyethavenofever。Allowmethisoncetoprescribeforyou。Inthefirstplacegotobed。Inthenext”
“Youaremistaken，“heinterposed，“IamaswellasIcanexpecttobeundertheexcitementwhichIsuffer。Ifyoureallywishmewell，youwillrelievethisexcitement。”
“Andhowisthistobedone？“
“Veryeasily。Jupiterandmyselfaregoinguponanexpeditionintothehills，uponthemainland，and，inthisexpedition，weshallneedtheaidofsomepersoninwhomwecanconfide。Youaretheonlyonewecantrust。Whetherwesucceedorfail，theexcitementwhichyounowperceiveinmewillbeequallyallayed。”
“Iamanxioustoobligeyouinanyway，“Ireplied；“butdoyoumeantosaythatthisinfernalbeetlehasanyconnectionwithyourexpeditionintothehills？“
“Ithas。”
“Then，Legrand，Icanbecomeapartytonosuchabsurdproceeding。”
“Iamsorry——verysorry——forweshallhavetotryitbyourselves。”
“Tryitbyyourselves！Themanissurelymad！——butstay！——howlongdoyouproposetobeabsent？“
“Probablyallnight。Weshallstartimmediately，andbeback，atallevents，bysunrise。”
“Andwillyoupromiseme，uponyourhonor，thatwhenthisfreakofyoursisover，andthebugbusinessgoodGod！settledtoyoursatisfaction，youwillthenreturnhomeandfollowmyadviceimplicitly，asthatofyourphysician？“
“Yes；Ipromise；andnowletusbeoff，forwehavenotimetolose。”
WithaheavyheartIaccompaniedmyfriend。Westartedaboutfouro”clock——Legrand，Jupiter，thedog，andmyself。Jupiterhadwithhimthescytheandspades——thewholeofwhichheinsisteduponcarrying——morethroughfear，itseemedtome，oftrustingeitheroftheimplementswithinreachofhismaster，thanfromanyexcessofindustryorcomplaisance。Hisdemeanorwasdoggedintheextreme，and“datdeucedbug“werethesolewordswhichescapedhislipsduringthejourney。Formyownpart，Ihadchargeofacoupleofdarklanterns，whileLegrandcontentedhimselfwiththescarabaeus，whichhecarriedattachedtotheendofabitofwhipcord；twirlingittoandfro，withtheairofaconjurer，ashewent。WhenI
observedthislast，plainevidenceofmyfriend”saberrationofmind，Icouldscarcelyrefrainfromtears。Ithoughtitbest，however，tohumorhisfancy，atleastforthepresent，oruntilI
couldadoptsomemoreenergeticmeasureswithachanceofsuccess。
InthemeantimeIendeavored，butallinvain，tosoundhiminregardtotheobjectoftheexpedition。Havingsucceededininducingmetoaccompanyhim，heseemedunwillingtoholdconversationuponanytopicofminorimportance，andtoallmyquestionsvouchsafednootherreplythan“weshallsee！“
Wecrossedthecreekattheheadoftheislandbymeansofaskiff，and，ascendingthehighgroundsontheshoreofthemainland，proceededinanorthwesterlydirection，throughatractofcountryexcessivelywildanddesolate，wherenotraceofahumanfootstepwastobeseen。Legrandledthewaywithdecision；pausingonlyforaninstant，hereandthere，toconsultwhatappearedtobecertainlandmarksofhisowncontrivanceuponaformeroccasion。
Inthismannerwejourneyedforabouttwohours，andthesunwasjustsettingwhenweenteredaregioninfinitelymoredrearythananyyetseen。Itwasaspeciesoftable-land，nearthesummitofanalmostinaccessiblehill，denselywoodedfrombasetopinnacle，andinterspersedwithhugecragsthatappearedtolielooselyuponthesoil，andinmanycaseswerepreventedfromprecipitatingthemselvesintothevalleysbelow，merelybythesupportofthetreesagainstwhichtheyreclined。Deepravines，invariousdirections，gaveanairofstillsternersolemnitytothescene。
Thenaturalplatformtowhichwehadclamberedwasthicklyovergrownwithbrambles，throughwhichwesoondiscoveredthatitwouldhavebeenimpossibletoforceourwaybutforthescythe；andJupiter，bydirectionofhismaster，proceededtoclearforusapathtothefootofanenormouslytalltuliptree，whichstood，withsomeeightortenoaks，uponthelevel，andfarsurpassedthemall，andallothertreeswhichIhadtheneverseen，inthebeautyofitsfoliageandform，inthewidespreadofitsbranches，andinthegeneralmajestyofitsappearance。Whenwereachedthistree，LegrandturnedtoJupiter，andaskedhimifhethoughthecouldclimbit。Theoldmanseemedalittlestaggeredbythequestion，andforsomemomentsmadenoreply。Atlengthheapproachedthehugetrunk，walkedslowlyaroundit，andexamineditwithminuteattention。Whenhehadcompletedhisscrutiny，hemerelysaid：
“Yes，massa，Jupclimbanytreeheebberseeinhelife。”
“Thenupwithyouassoonaspossible，foritwillsoonbetoodarktoseewhatweareabout。”
“Howfarmus”goup，massa？“inquiredJupiter。
“Getupthemaintrunkfirst，andthenIwilltellyouwhichwaytogo——andhere——stop！takethisbeetlewithyou。”
“Debug，MassaWill！——degoole-bug！“criedthenegro，drawingbackindismay”whatformus”totedebugwayupdetree？——d——nifI
do！“
“Ifyouareafraid，Jup，agreatbignegrolikeyou，totakeholdofaharmlesslittledeadbeetle，whyyoucancarryitupbythisstring——but，ifyoudonottakeitupwithyouinsomeway，Ishallbeunderthenecessityofbreakingyourheadwiththisshovel。”
“Whatdematternow，massa？“saidJup，evidentlyshamedintocompliance；“alwayswantfortoraisefusswidoldnigger。Wasonlyfunninanyhow。MEfeereddebug！whatIkeerfordebug？“
Herehetookcautiouslyholdoftheextremeendofthestring，and，maintainingtheinsectasfarfromhispersonascircumstanceswouldpermit，preparedtoascendthetree。
Inyouth，thetuliptree，orLiriodendrontulipiferum，themostmagnificentofAmericanforesters，hasatrunkpeculiarlysmooth，andoftenrisestoagreatheightwithoutlateralbranches；but，initsriperage，thebarkbecomesgnarledanduneven，whilemanyshortlimbsmaketheirappearanceonthestem。Thusthedifficultyofascension，inthepresentcase，laymoreinsemblancethaninreality。Embracingthehugecylinder，ascloselyaspossible，withhisarmsandknees，seizingwithhishandssomeprojections，andrestinghisnakedtoesuponothers，Jupiter，afteroneortwonarrowescapesfromfalling，atlengthwriggledhimselfintothefirstgreatfork，andseemedtoconsiderthewholebusinessasvirtuallyaccomplished。TheRISKoftheachievementwas，infact，nowover，althoughtheclimberwassomesixtyorseventyfeetfromtheground。
“Whichwaymus”gonow，MassaWill？“heasked。
“Keepupthelargestbranch——theoneonthisside，“saidLegrand。
Thenegroobeyedhimpromptly，andapparentlywithbutlittletrouble；ascendinghigherandhigher，untilnoglimpseofhissquatfigurecouldbeobtainedthroughthedensefoliagewhichenvelopedit。Presentlyhisvoicewasheardinasortofhalloo。
“Howmuchfudderisgottogo？“
“Howhighupareyou？“askedLegrand。
“Ebbersofur，“repliedthenegro；“canseedeskyfrudetopohdetree。”
“Nevermindthesky，butattendtowhatIsay。Lookdownthetrunkandcountthelimbsbelowyouonthisside。Howmanylimbshaveyoupassed？“
“One，two，tree，four，fibe——Idonepassfibebiglimb，massa，”pondisside。”
“Thengoonelimbhigher。”
Inafewminutesthevoicewasheardagain，announcingthattheseventhlimbwasattained。
“Now，Jup，“criedLegrand，evidentlymuchexcited，“Iwantyoutoworkyourwayoutuponthatlimbasfarasyoucan。Ifyouseeanythingstrangeletmeknow。”
BythistimewhatlittledoubtImighthaveentertainedofmypoorfriend”sinsanitywasputfinallyatrest。Ihadnoalternativebuttoconcludehimstrickenwithlunacy，andIbecameseriouslyanxiousaboutgettinghimhome。WhileIwasponderinguponwhatwasbesttobedone，Jupiter”svoicewasagainheard。
“Mosfeeredfortoventurpondislimbberryfar——”tisdeadlimbputtymuchalldeway。”
“DidyousayitwasaDEADlimb，Jupiter？“criedLegrandinaquaveringvoice。
“Yes，massa，himdeadasdedoor-nail——doneupforsartin——donedeparteddisherelife。”
“WhatinthenameofheavenshallIdo？“askedLegrand，seeminglyinthegreatestdistress。
“Do！“saidI，gladofanopportunitytointerposeaword，“whycomehomeandgotobed。Comenow！——that”safinefellow。It”sgettinglate，and，besides，yourememberyourpromise。”
“Jupiter，“criedhe，withoutheedingmeintheleast，“doyouhearme？“
“Yes，MassaWill，hearyouebbersoplain。”
“Trythewoodwell，then，withyourknife，andseeifyouthinkitVERYrotten。”
“Himrotten，massa，surenuff，“repliedthenegroinafewmoments，“butnotsoberryrottenasmoughtbe。Moughtventureoutleetlewaypondelimbbymyself，dat”strue。”
“Byyourself！——whatdoyoumean？“
“Why，Imeandebug。”TisBERRYhebbybug。SposeIdrophimdownfuss，andendelimbwon”tbreakwidjustdeweightofonenigger。”
“Youinfernalscoundrel！“criedLegrand，apparentlymuchrelieved，“whatdoyoumeanbytellingmesuchnonsenseasthat？AssureasyoudropthatbeetleI”llbreakyourneck。Lookhere，Jupiter，doyouhearme？“
“Yes，massa，needn”tholloatpoorniggerdatstyle。”
“Well！nowlisten！——ifyouwillventureoutonthelimbasfarasyouthinksafe，andnotletgothebeetle，I”llmakeyouapresentofasilverdollarassoonasyougetdown。”
“I”mgwine，MassaWill——deedIis，“repliedthenegroverypromptly”mosouttotheeendnow。”
“OUTTOTHEEND！“herefairlyscreamedLegrand；“doyousayyouareouttotheendofthatlimb？“
“Soonbetodeeend，massa——o-o-o-o-oh！Lor-gol-a-marcy！whatIS
disherepondetree？“
“Well！“criedLegrand，highlydelighted，“whatisit？“
“Why”taintnoffinbutaskull——somebodybinlefhimheadupdetree，anddecrowsdonegobbleeberybitobdemeatoff。”
“Askull，yousay！——verywell，——howisitfastenedtothelimb？——
whatholdsiton？“
“Surenuff，massa；muslook。Whydisberrycurioussarcumstance，ponmyword——dare”sagreatbignailindeskull，whatfastensobitontodetree。”
“Wellnow，Jupiter，doexactlyasItellyou——doyouhear？“
“Yes，massa。”
“Payattention，then——findthelefteyeoftheskull。”
“Hum！hoo！dat”sgood！whydeyain”tnoeyelefatall。”
“Curseyourstupidity！doyouknowyourrighthandfromyourleft？“
“Yes，Iknowsdat——knowsallaboutdat——”tismylefhandwhatI
chopsdewoodwid。”
“Tobesure！youareleft-handed；andyourlefteyeisonthesamesideasyourlefthand。Now，Isuppose，youcanfindthelefteyeoftheskull，ortheplacewherethelefteyehasbeen。Haveyoufoundit？“
Herewasalongpause。Atlengththenegroasked：
“Isdelefeyeofdeskullpondesamesideasdelefhandofdeskulltoo？——causedeskullaintgotnotabitohahandatall——
nebbermind！Igotdelefeyenow——heredelefeye！whatmusdowidit？“
Letthebeetledropthroughit，asfarasthestringwillreach——
butbecarefulandnotletgoyourholdofthestring。”
“Alldatdone，MassaWill；mightyeasytingfortoputdebugfrudehole——lookoutforhimdarebelow！“
DuringthiscolloquynoportionofJupiter”spersoncouldbeseen；
butthebeetle，whichhehadsufferedtodescend，wasnowvisibleattheendofthestring，andglistened，likeaglobeofburnishedgold，inthelastraysofthesettingsun，someofwhichstillfaintlyilluminedtheeminenceuponwhichwestood。Thescarabaeushungquiteclearofanybranches，and，ifallowedtofall，wouldhavefallenatourfeet。Legrandimmediatelytookthescythe，andclearedwithitacircularspace，threeorfouryardsindiameter，justbeneaththeinsect，and，havingaccomplishedthis，orderedJupitertoletgothestringandcomedownfromthetree。
Drivingapeg，withgreatnicety，intotheground，attheprecisespotwherethebeetlefell，myfriendnowproducedfromhispocketatapemeasure。Fasteningoneendofthisatthatpointofthetrunkofthetreewhichwasnearestthepeg，heunrolledittillitreachedthepegandthencefurtherunrolledit，inthedirectionalreadyestablishedbythetwopointsofthetreeandthepeg，forthedistanceoffiftyfeet——Jupiterclearingawaythebrambleswiththescythe。Atthespotthusattainedasecondpegwasdriven，andaboutthis，asacenter，arudecircle，aboutfourfeetindiameter，described。Takingnowaspadehimself，andgivingonetoJupiterandonetome，Legrandbeggedustosetaboutdiggingasquicklyaspossible。
Tospeakthetruth，Ihadnoespecialrelishforsuchamusementatanytime，and，atthatparticularmoment，wouldwillinglyhavedeclinedit；forthenightwascomingon，andIfeltmuchfatiguedwiththeexercisealreadytaken；butIsawnomodeofescape，andwasfearfulofdisturbingmypoorfriend”sequanimitybyarefusal。
CouldIhavedepended，indeed，uponJupiter”said，Iwouldhavehadnohesitationinattemptingtogetthelunatichomebyforce；butI
wastoowellassuredoftheoldnegro”sdisposition，tohopethathewouldassistme，underanycircumstances，inapersonalcontestwithhismaster。ImadenodoubtthatthelatterhadbeeninfectedwithsomeoftheinnumerableSouthernsuperstitionsaboutmoneyburied，andthathisfantasyhadreceivedconfirmationbythefindingofthescarabaeus，or，perhaps，byJupiter”sobstinacyinmaintainingittobe“abugofrealgold。”Aminddisposedtolunacywouldreadilybeledawaybysuchsuggestions——especiallyifchiminginwithfavoritepreconceivedideas——andthenIcalledtomindthepoorfellow”sspeechaboutthebeetle”sbeing“theindexofhisfortune。”Uponthewhole，Iwassadlyvexedandpuzzled，but，atlength，Iconcludedtomakeavirtueofnecessity——todigwithagoodwill，andthusthesoonertoconvincethevisionary，byoculardemonstration，ofthefallacyoftheopinionheentertained。
Thelanternshavingbeenlit，weallfelltoworkwithazealworthyamorerationalcause；and，astheglarefelluponourpersonsandimplements，Icouldnothelpthinkinghowpicturesqueagroupwecomposed，andhowstrangeandsuspiciousourlaborsmusthaveappearedtoanyinterloperwho，bychance，mighthavestumbleduponourwhereabouts。
Wedugverysteadilyfortwohours。Littlewassaid；andourchiefembarrassmentlayintheyelpingsofthedog，whotookexceedinginterestinourproceedings。He，atlength，becamesoobstreperousthatwegrewfearfulofhisgivingthealarmtosomestragglersinthevicinity，——or，rather，thiswastheapprehensionofLegrand；——
formyself，Ishouldhaverejoicedatanyinterruptionwhichmighthaveenabledmetogetthewandererhome。Thenoisewas，atlength，veryeffectuallysilencedbyJupiter，who，gettingoutoftheholewithadoggedairofdeliberation，tiedthebrute”smouthupwithoneofhissuspenders，andthenreturned，withagravechuckle，tohistask。
Whenthetimementionedhadexpired，wehadreachedadepthoffivefeet，andyetnosignsofanytreasurebecamemanifest。Ageneralpauseensued，andIbegantohopethatthefarcewasatanend。
Legrand，however，althoughevidentlymuchdisconcerted，wipedhisbrowthoughtfullyandrecommenced。Wehadexcavatedtheentirecircleoffourfeetdiameter，andnowweslightlyenlargedthelimit，andwenttothefartherdepthoftwofeet。Stillnothingappeared。Thegold-seeker，whomIsincerelypitied，atlengthclamberedfromthepit，withthebitterestdisappointmentimprinteduponeveryfeature，andproceeded，slowlyandreluctantly，toputonhiscoat，whichhehadthrownoffatthebeginningofhislabor。
InthemeantimeImadenoremark。Jupiter，atasignalfromhismaster，begantogatheruphistools。Thisdone，andthedoghavingbeenunmuzzled，weturnedinprofoundsilencetowardhome。
Wehadtaken，perhaps，adozenstepsinthisdirection，when，withaloudoath，LegrandstrodeuptoJupiter，andseizedhimbythecollar。Theastonishednegroopenedhiseyesandmouthtothefullestextent，letfallthespades，andfelluponhisknees。
“Youscoundrel！“saidLegrand，hissingoutthesyllablesfrombetweenhisclenchedteeth”youinfernalblackvillain！——speak，I
tellyou！——answermethisinstant，withoutprevarication！——which——
whichisyourlefteye？“
“Oh，mygolly，MassaWill！aintdisheremylefeyeforsartain？“
roaredtheterrifiedJupiter，placinghishanduponhisRIGHTorganofvision，andholdingittherewithadesperatepertinacity，asifinimmediate，dreadofhismaster”sattemptatagouge。
“Ithoughtso！——Iknewit！hurrah！“vociferatedLegrand，lettingthenegrogoandexecutingaseriesofcurvetsandcaracols，muchtotheastonishmentofhisvalet，who，arisingfromhisknees，looked，mutely，fromhismastertomyself，andthenfrommyselftohismaster。
“Come！wemustgoback，“saidthelatter，“thegame”snotupyet；“
andheagainledthewaytothetuliptree。
“Jupiter，“saidhe，whenwereacheditsfoot，“comehere！wastheskullnailedtothelimbwiththefaceoutward，orwiththefacetothelimb？“
“Defacewasout，massa，sodatdecrowscouldgetatdeeyesgood，widoutanytrouble。”
“Well，then，wasitthiseyeorthatthroughwhichyoudroppedthebeetle？“hereLegrandtouchedeachofJupiter”seyes。
“”Twasdiseye，massa——delefeye——jisasyoutellme，“andhereitwashisrighteyethatthenegroindicated。
“Thatwilldo——wemusttryitagain。”
Heremyfriend，aboutwhosemadnessInowsaw，orfanciedthatI
saw，certainindicationsofmethod，removedthepegwhichmarkedthespotwherethebeetlefell，toaspotaboutthreeinchestothewestwardofitsformerposition。Taking，now，thetapemeasurefromthenearestpointofthetrunktothepeg，asbefore，andcontinuingtheextensioninastraightlinetothedistanceoffiftyfeet，aspotwasindicated，removed，byseveralyards，fromthepointatwhichwehadbeendigging。
Aroundthenewpositionacircle，somewhatlargerthanintheformerinstance，wasnowdescribed，andweagainsettoworkwiththespade。Iwasdreadfullyweary，but，scarcelyunderstandingwhathadoccasionedthechangeinmythoughts，Ifeltnolongeranygreataversionfromthelaborimposed。Ihadbecomemostunaccountablyinterested——nay，evenexcited。Perhapstherewassomething，amidalltheextravagantdemeanorofLegrand——someairofforethought，orofdeliberation，whichimpressedme。Idugeagerly，andnowandthencaughtmyselfactuallylooking，withsomethingthatverymuchresembledexpectation，forthefanciedtreasure，thevisionofwhichhaddementedmyunfortunatecompanion。Ataperiodwhensuchvagariesofthoughtmostfullypossessedme，andwhenwehadbeenatworkperhapsanhourandahalf，wewereagaininterruptedbytheviolenthowlingsofthedog。
Hisuneasiness，inthefirstinstance，hadbeen，evidently，buttheresultofplayfulnessorcaprice，buthenowassumedabitterandserioustone。UponJupiter”sagainattemptingtomuzzlehim，hemadefuriousresistance，and，leapingintothehole，toreupthemoldfranticallywithhisclaws。Inafewsecondshehaduncoveredamassofhumanbones，formingtwocompleteskeletons，intermingledwithseveralbuttonsofmetal，andwhatappearedtobethedustofdecayedwoolen。OneortwostrokesofaspadeupturnedthebladeofalargeSpanishknife，and，aswedugfarther，threeorfourloosepiecesofgoldandsilvercoincametolight。
AtsightofthesethejoyofJupitercouldscarcelyberestrained，butthecountenanceofhismasterworeanairofextremedisappointment。Heurgedus，however，tocontinueourexertions，andthewordswerehardlyutteredwhenIstumbledandfellforward，havingcaughtthetoeofmybootinalargeringofironthatlayhalfburiedinthelooseearth。
Wenowworkedinearnest，andneverdidIpasstenminutesofmoreintenseexcitement。Duringthisintervalwehadfairlyunearthedanoblongchestofwood，which，fromitsperfectpreservationandwonderfulhardness，hadplainlybeensubjectedtosomemineralizingprocess——perhapsthatofthebichlorideofmercury。Thisboxwasthreefeetandahalflong，threefeetbroad，andtwoandahalffeetdeep。Itwasfirmlysecuredbybandsofwroughtiron，riveted，andformingakindofopentrellisworkoverthewhole。Oneachsideofthechest，nearthetop，werethreeringsofiron——sixinall——bymeansofwhichafirmholdcouldbeobtainedbysixpersons。Ourutmostunitedendeavorsservedonlytodisturbthecofferveryslightlyinitsbed。Weatoncesawtheimpossibilityofremovingsogreataweight。Luckily，thesolefasteningsofthelidconsistedoftwoslidingbolts。Thesewedrewback——tremblingandpantingwithanxiety。Inaninstant，atreasureofincalculablevaluelaygleamingbeforeus。Astheraysofthelanternsfellwithinthepit，thereflashedupwardaglowandaglare，fromaconfusedheapofgoldandofjewels，thatabsolutelydazzledoureyes。
IshallnotpretendtodescribethefeelingswithwhichIgazed。
Amazementwas，ofcourse，predominant。Legrandappearedexhaustedwithexcitement，andspokeveryfewwords。Jupiter”scountenancewore，forsomeminutes，asdeadlyapallorasitispossible，inthenatureofthings，foranynegro”svisagetoassume。Heseemedstupefied——thunderstricken。Presentlyhefelluponhiskneesinthepit，andburyinghisnakedarmsuptotheelbowsingold，letthemthereremain，asifenjoyingtheluxuryofabath。Atlength，withadeepsigh，heexclaimed，asifinasoliloquy：
“Anddisallcumofdegoole-bug！deputtygoole-bug！depoorlittlegoole-bug，whatIboosedinthatsabagekindohstyle！
Ain”tyoushamedohyourself，nigger？——answermedat！“
Itbecamenecessary，atlast，thatIshouldarousebothmasterandvalettotheexpediencyofremovingthetreasure。Itwasgrowinglate，anditbehoovedustomakeexertion，thatwemightgeteverythinghousedbeforedaylight。Itwasdifficulttosaywhatshouldhedone，andmuchtimewasspentindeliberation——soconfusedweretheideasofall。We，finally，lightenedtheboxbyremovingtwothirdsofitscontents，whenwewereenabled，withsometrouble，toraiseitfromthehole。Thearticlestakenoutweredepositedamongthebrambles，andthedoglefttoguardthem，withstrictordersfromJupiterneither，uponanypretense，tostirfromthespot，nortoopenhismouthuntilourreturn。Wethenhurriedlymadeforhomewiththechest；reachingthehutinsafety，butafterexcessivetoil，atoneo”clockinthemorning。Wornoutaswewere，itwasnotinhumannaturetodomoreimmediately。Weresteduntiltwo，andhadsupper；startingforthehillsimmediatelyafterwards，armedwiththreestoutsacks，which，bygoodluck，wereuponthepremises。Alittlebeforefourwearrivedatthepit，dividedtheremainderofthebooty，asequallyasmightbe，amongus，and，leavingtheholesunfilled，againsetoutforthehut，atwhich，forthesecondtime，wedepositedourgoldenburdens，justasthefirstfaintstreaksofthedawngleamedfromoverthetreetopsintheeast。
Wewerenowthoroughlybrokendown；buttheintenseexcitementofthetimedeniedusrepose。Afteranunquietslumberofsomethreeorfourhours”duration，wearose，asifbypreconcert，tomakeexaminationofourtreasure。
Thechesthadbeenfulltothebrim，andwespentthewholeday，andthegreaterpartofthenextnight，inascrutinyofitscontents。Therehadbeennothinglikeorderorarrangement。
Everythinghadbeenheapedinpromiscuously。Havingassortedallwithcare，wefoundourselvespossessedofevenvasterwealththanwehadatfirstsupposed。Incointherewasrathermorethanfourhundredandfiftythousanddollars——estimatingthevalueofthepieces，asaccuratelyaswecould，bythetablesoftheperiod。
Therewasnotaparticleofsilver。Allwasgoldofantiquedateandofgreatvariety——French，Spanish，andGermanmoney，withafewEnglishguineas，andsomecounters，ofwhichwehadneverseenspecimensbefore。Therewereseveralverylargeandheavycoins，sowornthatwecouldmakenothingoftheirinscriptions。TherewasnoAmericanmoney。Thevalueofthejewelswefoundmoredifficultyinestimating。Therewerediamonds——someofthemexceedinglylargeandfine——ahundredandteninall，andnotoneofthemsmall；eighteenrubiesofremarkablebrilliancy；——threehundredandtenemeralds，allverybeautiful；andtwenty-onesapphires，withanopal。Thesestoneshadallbeenbrokenfromtheirsettingsandthrownlooseinthechest。Thesettingsthemselves，whichwepickedoutfromamongtheothergold，appearedtohavebeenbeatenupwithhammers，asiftopreventidentification。Besidesallthis，therewasavastquantityofsolidgoldornaments；nearlytwohundredmassivefingerandearsrings；richchains——thirtyofthese，ifIremember；eighty-threeverylargeandheavycrucifixes；fivegoldcensersofgreatvalue；
aprodigiousgoldenpunchbowl，ornamentedwithrichlychasedvineleavesandBacchanalianfigures；withtwoswordhandlesexquisitelyembossed，andmanyothersmallerarticleswhichIcannotrecollect。
Theweightofthesevaluablesexceededthreehundredandfiftypoundsavoirdupois；andinthisestimateIhavenotincludedonehundredandninety-sevensuperbgoldwatches；threeofthenumberbeingwortheachfivehundreddollars，ifone。Manyofthemwereveryold，andastimekeepersvalueless；theworkshavingsuffered，moreorless，fromcorrosion——butallwererichlyjeweledandincasesofgreatworth。Weestimatedtheentirecontentsofthechest，thatnight，atamillionandahalfofdollars；anduponthesubsequentdisposalofthetrinketsandjewelsafewbeingretainedforourownuse，itwasfoundthatwehadgreatlyundervaluedthetreasure。
When，atlength，wehadconcludedourexamination，andtheintenseexcitementofthetimehad，insomemeasure，subsided，Legrand，whosawthatIwasdyingwithimpatienceforasolutionofthismostextraordinaryriddle，enteredintoafulldetailofallthecircumstancesconnectedwithit。
“Youremember，“saidhe，“thenightwhenIhandedyoutheroughsketchIhadmadeofthescarabaeus。Yourecollect，also，thatI
becamequitevexedatyouforinsistingthatmydrawingresembledadeath”shead。WhenyoufirstmadethisassertionIthoughtyouwerejesting；butafterwardsIcalledtomindthepeculiarspotsonthebackoftheinsect，andadmittedtomyselfthatyourremarkhadsomelittlefoundationinfact。Still，thesneeratmygraphicpowersirritatedme——forIamconsideredagoodartist——and，therefore，whenyouhandedmethescrapofparchment，Iwasabouttocrumpleitupandthrowitangrilyintothefire。”
“Thescrapofpaper，youmean，“saidI。
“No；ithadmuchoftheappearanceofpaper，andatfirstI
supposedittobesuch，butwhenIcametodrawuponit，I
discovereditatoncetobeapieceofverythinparchment。Itwasquitedirty，youremember。Well，asIwasintheveryactofcrumplingitup，myglancefelluponthesketchatwhichyouhadbeenlooking，andyoumayimaginemyastonishmentwhenIperceived，infact，thefigureofadeath”sheadjustwhere，itseemedtome，Ihadmadethedrawingofthebeetle。ForamomentIwastoomuchamazedtothinkwithaccuracy。Iknewthatmydesignwasverydifferentindetailfromthis——althoughtherewasacertainsimilarityingeneraloutline。PresentlyItookacandle，andseatingmyselfattheotherendoftheroom，proceededtoscrutinizetheparchmentmoreclosely。Uponturningitover，Isawmyownsketchuponthereverse，justasIhadmadeit。Myfirstidea，now，wasmeresurpriseatthereallyremarkablesimilarityofoutline——atthesingularcoincidenceinvolvedinthefactthat，unknowntome，thereshouldhavebeenaskullupontheothersideoftheparchment，immediatelybeneathmyfigureofthescarabaeus，andthatthisskull，notonlyinoutline，butinsize，shouldsocloselyresemblemydrawing。Isaythesingularityofthiscoincidenceabsolutelystupefiedmeforatime。Thisistheusualeffectofsuchcoincidences。Themindstrugglestoestablishaconnection——asequenceofcauseandeffect——and，beingunabletodoso，suffersaspeciesoftemporaryparalysis。But，whenI
recoveredfromthisstupor，theredawneduponmegraduallyaconvictionwhichstartledmeevenfarmorethanthecoincidence。I
begandistinctly，positively，torememberthattherehadbeenNO
drawingupontheparchment，whenImademysketchofthescarabaeus。Ibecameperfectlycertainofthis；forIrecollectedturningupfirstonesideandthentheother，insearchofthecleanestspot。Hadtheskullbeenthenthere，ofcourseIcouldnothavefailedtonoticeit。HerewasindeedamysterywhichI
feltitimpossibletoexplain；but，evenatthatearlymoment，thereseemedtoglimmer，faintly，withinthemostremoteandsecretchambersofmyintellect，aglow-wormlikeconceptionofthattruthwhichlastnight”sadventurebroughttosomagnificentademonstration。Iaroseatonce，andputtingtheparchmentsecurelyaway，dismissedallfurtherreflectionuntilIshouldbealone。
“Whenyouhadgone，andwhenJupiterwasfastasleep，Ibetookmyselftoamoremethodicalinvestigationoftheaffair。InthefirstplaceIconsideredthemannerinwhichtheparchmenthadcomeintomypossession。Thespotwherewediscoveredthescarabaeuswasonthecoastofthemainland，aboutamileeastwardoftheisland，andbutashortdistanceabovehigh-watermark。Uponmytakingholdofit，itgavemeasharpbite，whichcausedmetoletitdrop。Jupiter，withhisaccustomedcaution，beforeseizingtheinsect，whichhadflowntowardhim，lookedabouthimforaleaf，orsomethingofthatnature，bywhichtotakeholdofit。Itwasatthismomentthathiseyes，andminealso，felluponthescrapofparchment，whichIthensupposedtobepaper。Itwaslyinghalfburiedinthesand，acornerstickingup。Nearthespotwherewefoundit，Iobservedtheremnantsofthehullofwhatappearedtohavebeenaship”slongboat。Thewreckseemedtohavebeenthereforaverygreatwhile，fortheresemblancetoboattimberscouldscarcelybetraced。
“Well，Jupiterpickeduptheparchment，wrappedthebeetleinit，andgaveittome。Soonafterwardsweturnedtogohome，andonthewaymetLieutenantG。Ishowedhimtheinsect，andhebeggedmetolethimtakeittothefort。Uponmyconsenting，hethrustitforthwithintohiswaistcoatpocket，withouttheparchmentinwhichithadbeenwrapped，andwhichIhadcontinuedtoholdinmyhandduringhisinspection。Perhapshedreadedmychangingmymind，andthoughtitbesttomakesureoftheprizeatonce——youknowhowenthusiasticheisonallsubjectsconnectedwithNaturalHistory。Atthesametime，withoutbeingconsciousofit，Imusthavedepositedtheparchmentinmyownpocket。
“YourememberthatwhenIwenttothetable，forthepurposeofmakingasketchofthebeetle，Ifoundnopaperwhereitwasusuallykept。Ilookedinthedrawer，andfoundnonethere。I
searchedmypockets，hopingtofindanoldletter，whenmyhandfellupontheparchment。Ithusdetailtheprecisemodeinwhichitcameintomypossession，forthecircumstancesimpressedmewithpeculiarforce。
“Nodoubtyouwillthinkmefanciful——butIhadalreadyestablishedakindofCONNECTION。Ihadputtogethertwolinksofagreatchain。Therewasaboatlyinguponaseacoast，andnotfarfromtheboatwasaparchment——NOTAPAPER——withaskulldepicteduponit。Youwill，ofcourse，ask”whereistheconnection？”Ireplythattheskull，ordeath”shead，isthewell-knownemblemofthepirate。Theflagofthedeath”sheadishoistedinallengagements。
“Ihavesaidthatthescrapwasparchment，andnotpaper。
Parchmentisdurable——almostimperishable。Mattersoflittlemomentarerarelyconsignedtoparchment；since，forthemereordinarypurposesofdrawingorwriting，itisnotnearlysowelladaptedaspaper。Thisreflectionsuggestedsomemeaning——somerelevancy——inthedeath”shead。Ididnotfailtoobserve，also，theFORMoftheparchment。Althoughoneofitscornershadbeen，bysomeaccident，destroyed，itcouldbeseenthattheoriginalformwasoblong。Itwasjustsuchaslip，indeed，asmighthavebeenchosenforamemorandum——forarecordofsomethingtobelongremembered，andcarefullypreserved。”
“But，“Iinterposed，“yousaythattheskullwasNOTupontheparchmentwhenyoumadethedrawingofthebeetle。Howthendoyoutraceanyconnectionbetweentheboatandtheskull——sincethislatter，accordingtoyourownadmission，musthavebeendesignedGodonlyknowshoworbywhomatsomeperiodsubsequenttoyoursketchingthescarabaeus？“
“Ah，hereuponturnsthewholemystery；althoughthesecret，atthispoint，Ihadcomparativelylittledifficultyinsolving。Mystepsweresure，andcouldaffordbutasingleresult。Ireasoned，forexample，thus：WhenIdrewthescarabaeus，therewasnoskullapparentupontheparchment。WhenIhadcompletedthedrawingI
gaveittoyou，andobservedyounarrowlyuntilyoureturnedit。