第1章

CONTENTS PrologueI。JonathanRuggII。TheMysteriousLadywiththeSilverVeilIII。TheTerrificEncounterwiththeOne—eyedLittleGentlemaninBlackIV。TheMomentousAdventurewiththeStrangerwiththeSilverEar—ringsV。TheUnexpectedEncounterwiththeSea—captainwiththeBrokenNoseVI。TheConclusionoftheAdventurewiththeLadywiththeSilverVeilEpiloguePrologueAveryfamouspirateofhisdaywasCaptainRobertsonKeitt。 Beforeembarkinguponhislatercareerofinfamy，hewas，inthebeginning，verywellknownasareputablemerchantintheislandofJamaica。Thenceentering，firstofall，uponthebusinessoftheAfricantrade，hepresently，byregulardegrees，becameapirate，andfinallyendedhiscareerasoneofthemostrenownedfreebootersofhistory。 Theremarkableadventurethroughwhichheatoncereachedthepinnacleofsuccess，andbecameinhisprofessionthemostfamousfigureofhisday，wasthecaptureoftheRajahofKishmoor’sgreatship，TheSunoftheEast。InthisvesselwastheRajah’sfavoriteQueen，who，togetherwithherattendants，weresetuponapilgrimagetoMecca。ThecourtofthisgreatOrientalpotentatewas，asmaybereadilysupposed，fairlya—glitterwithgoldandjewels，sothat，whatwithsuchpersonaladornmentsthattheQueenandherattendantshadfetchedwiththem，besidesanampletreasuryfortheexpensesoftheexpedition，anincredibleprizeofgoldandjewelsrewardedthefreebootersfortheirsuccessfuladventure。 AmongthepreciousstonestakeninthisgreatpurchasewasthesplendidrubyofKishmoor。This，asmaybeknowntothereader，wasoneoftheworld’sgreatestgems，andwasuniquealikebothforitsprodigioussizeandthesplendorofitscolor。ThispreciousjeweltheRajahofKishmoorhad，uponacertainoccasion，bestoweduponhisQueen，andatthetimeofhercapturesheworeitasthecentre—pieceofasortofacoronetwhichencircledherforeheadandbrow。 TheseizurebythepirateofsoconsiderableapersonasthatoftheQueenofKishmoor，andoftheenormoustreasurethathefoundaboardhership，wouldalonehavebeensufficienttohaveestablishedhisfame。Butthecaptureofsoextraordinaryaprizeasthatoftheruby——whichwas，initself，worththevalueofanentireOrientalkingdom——exaltedhimatoncetotheveryhighestpinnacleofrenown。 Havingachievedthecaptureofthisincredibleprize，ourcaptainscuttledthegreatshipandlefthertosinkwithallonboard。 ThreeLascarsofthecrewaloneescapedtobearthenewsofthistremendousdisastertoanastoundedworld。 Asmayreadilybesupposed，itwasnownolongerpossibleforCaptainKeitttohopetoliveinsuchcomparativeobscurityashehadbeforeenjoyed。Hiswasnowtooremarkableafigureintheeyesoftheworld。Severalexpeditionsfromvariouspartswereimmediatelyfittedoutagainsthim，anditpresentlybecamenolongercompatiblewithhissafetytoremainthusclearlyoutlinedbeforetheeyesoftheworld。Accordingly，heimmediatelysetaboutseekingsuchsecurityashemightnowhopetofind，whichhedidthemorereadilysincehehadnow，andatonecast，soentirelyfulfilledhismostsanguineexpectationsofgood—fortuneandoffame。 Thereafter，accordingly，theadventuresofourcaptainbecameofamoreapocryphalsort。ItwasknownthathereachedtheWestIndiesinsafety，forhewasonceseenatPortRoyalandtwiceatSpanishTown，intheislandofJamaica。Thereafter，however，hedisappeared；norwasituntilseveralyearslaterthattheworldheardanythingconcerninghim。 OnedayacertainNicholasDuckworthy，whohadoncebeengunneraboardthepiratecaptain’sownship，TheGoodFortune，wasarrestedinthetownofBristolintheveryactofattemptingtoselltoamerchantofthatplaceseveralvaluablegemsfromaquantitywhichhecarriedwithhimtiedupinaredbandannahandkerchief。 IntheconfessionofwhichDuckworthyafterwarddeliveredhimselfhedeclaredthatCaptainKeitt，afterhisgreatadventure，havingsailedfromAfricainsafety，andsoreachedtheshoresoftheNewWorld，hadwreckedTheGoodFortuneonacoralreefofftheWindwardIslands；thathethenimmediatelydesertedtheship，andtogetherwithDuckworthyhimself，thesailing—master（whowasaPortuguese），thecaptainofabrigTheBloodyHand（aconsortofKeitt’s），andavillainousrascalnamedHunt（who，occupyingnoprecisepositionamongthepirates，wasatoncetheinstigatorofandthepartakerinthegreatestpartofCaptainKeitt’swickednesses），madehiswaytothenearestportofsafety。ThesefiveworthiesatlastfetchedtheislandofJamaica，bringingwiththemallofthejewelsandsomeofthegoldthathadbeencapturedfromTheSunoftheEast。 But，uponcomingtoadivisionoftheirbooty，itwaspresentlydiscoveredthattheRajah’srubyhadmysteriouslydisappearedfromthecollectionofjewelstobedivided。Theotherpiratesimmediatelysuspectedtheircaptainofhavingsecretlypurloinedit，and，indeed，socertainweretheyofhisturpitudethattheyimmediatelysetabouttakingmeanstoforceaconfessionfromhim。 Inthis，however，theyweresofarunsuccessfulthatthecaptain，refusingtoyieldtotheirimportunities，hadsufferedhimselftodieundertheirhands，andhadsocarriedthesecretofthehiding—placeofthegreatruby——ifhepossessedsuchasecret——alongwithhim。 Duckworthyconcludedhisconfessionbydeclaringthatinhisopinionhehimself，thePortuguesesailing—master，thecaptainofTheBloodyHand，andHuntweretheonlyonesofCaptainKeitt’screwwhowerenowalive；forthatTheGoodFortunemusthavebrokenupinastorm，whichimmediatelyfollowedtheirdesertionofher；inwhicheventtheentirecrewmustinevitablyhaveperished。 ItmaybeaddedthatDuckworthyhimselfwasshortlyhanged，sothat，ifhissurmisewastrue，therewasnowonlythreeleftaliveofallthatwickedcrewthathadsuccessfullycarriedtoitscompletionthegreatestadventurewhichanypirateintheworldhadever，perhaps，embarkedupon。 I。JonathanRuggYoumayneverknowwhatromanticaspirationsmayliehiddenbeneaththemostsedateandsoberdemeanor。 TohaveobservedJonathanRugg，whowasatall，lean，loose—jointedyoungQuakerofasomewhatforbiddingaspect，withstraight，darkhairandabony，overhangingforeheadsetintoafrown，apairofsmall，deep—seteyes，andasquarejaw，noonewouldforamomenthavesuspectedthatheconcealedbeneathsoseriousanexterioranyappetiteforromanticadventure。 Nevertheless，findinghimselfsuddenlytransported，asitwere，fromthequietofsosoberatownasthatofPhiladelphiatothetropicalenchantmentofKingston，intheislandofJamaica，thenightbrilliantwithafullmoonthatswunginanopalsky，thewarmandluminousdarknessrepletewiththemysteriesofatropicalnight，andburdenedwiththeodorsofalandbreeze，hesuddenlydiscoveredhimselftobeovertakenwithsovehementadesireforsomeunwontedexcitementthat，hadtheopportunitypresenteditself，hefelthimselfreadytoembraceanyadventurewiththeutmosteagerness，nomatterwhitheritwouldhaveconductedhim。 Athome（wherehewasaclerkinthecounting—houseofaleadingmerchant，bynameJeremiahDoolittle），shouldsuchidlefancieshavecometohim，hewouldhavelookeduponhimselfaslittlebetterthanafool，butnowthathefoundhimselfforthefirsttimeinaforeigncountry，surroundedbysuchstrangeandunusualsightsandsounds，allconducivetoextravagantimaginations，thewishforsomeextraordinaryandaltogetherunusualexperiencetookpossessionofhimwithasingularvehemencetowhichhehadheretoforebeenaltogetherastranger。 Inthestreetwherehestood，whichwasofashiningwhitenessandwhichreflectedtheeffulgenceofthemoonlightwithanincredibledistinction，heobserved，stretchingbeforehim，longlinesofwhitegardenwalls，overtoppedbyaprodigiousluxurianceoftropicalfoliage。 Inthesegardens，andsetclosetothestreet，stoodseveralpretentiousvillasandmansions，theslattedblindsandcurtainsofthewindowsofwhichwereraisedtoadmitofthefreerentranceofthecoolandbalmyairofthenight。Fromwithinthereissuedforthbrightlights，togetherwiththeexhilaratingsoundofmerryvoiceslaughingandtalking，orperhapsasongaccompaniedbythetinklingmusicofaspinetorofaguitar。Anoccasionalgroupoffigures，cladinlightandsummer—likegarments，andadornedwithgayandstartlingcolors，passedhimthroughthemoonlight；sothatwhatwiththebrightnessandwarmthofthenight，togetherwithalltheseunusualsightsandsounds，itappearedtoJonathanRuggthathewasrathertheinhabitantofsomeextraordinarylandofenchantmentandunrealitythanadwelleruponthatsoberandsolidworldinwhichhehadheretoforepassedhisentireexistence。 BeforecontinuingthisnarrativethereadermayherebeinformedthatourherohadcomeintothisenchantedworldasthesupercargooftheshipSUSANNAHAYES，ofPhiladelphia；thathehadforseveralyearsprovedhimselfsohonestandindustriousaservanttothemerchanthouseoftheworthyJeremiahDoolittlethatthatbenevolentmanhadgiventohiswell—deservingclerkthisopportunityatonceofgratifyinganinclinationforforeigntravelandoffillingapositionoftrustthatshouldredoundtohisindividualprofit。TheSUSANNAHAYEShadenteredKingstonHarborthatafternoon，andthiswasJonathan’sfirstnightspentinthosetropicallatitudes，whitherhisfancyandhisimaginationhadsooftencarriedhimwhilehestoodoverthedeskfilingtheaccountsofinvoicesfromforeignparts。 Itmightbefinallyaddedthat，hadheatallconceivedhowsoonandtowhatadegreehissuddeninclinationforadventurewastobegratified，hisromanticaspirationsmighthavebeensomewhatdashedattheprospectthatlaybeforehim。 II。TheMysteriousLadywiththeSilverVeilAtthatmomentourherosuddenlybecameconsciousofthefactthatasmallwicketinawoodengatenearwhichhestoodhadbeenopened，andthattheeyesofanotherwiseconcealedcountenancewereobservinghimwiththeutmostclosenessofscrutiny。 Hehadhardlytimetobecomeawareofthisobservationofhispersonwhenthegateitselfwasopened，andthereappearedbeforehim，inthemoonlight，thebentandcrookedfigureofanagednegress。Shewascladinacalamancoraiment，andwasfurtheradornedwithavarietyofgaudilycoloredtrimmings，vastlysuggestiveofthetropicalworldofwhichshewasaninhabitant。 Herwoollyheadwasenveloped，afterthefashionofherpeople，inthefoldsofagiganticandflamingredturbanconstructedofanentirepocket—handkerchief。Herfacewaspock—pittedtoanincredibledegree，sothatwhatwiththisdeformity，emphasizedbythepoutingofherprodigiousandshapelesslips，andtherollingofapairofeyesasyellowassaffron，JonathanRuggthoughtthathehadneverbeheldafigureatoncesoextraordinaryandsorepulsive。 Itoccurredtoourherothathere，maybe，wastoovertakehimsuchanadventureasthatwhichhehadjustamomentbeforebeendesiringsoardently。Norwashemistaken；forthenegress，firstlookingthiswayandthenthat，withanextremelywaryandcunningexpression，andapparentlyhavingsatisfiedherselfthatthestreet，forthemoment，wasprettyemptyofpassers，beckonedtohimtodrawnearer。Whenhehadapproachedcloseenoughtohershecaughthimbythesleeve，and，instantlydrawinghimintothegardenbeyond，shutandboltedthegatewithaquicknessandasilencesuggestiveofthemostextravagantsecrecy。 Atthesamemomentahugenegrosuddenlyappearedfromtheshadowofthegatepost，andsoplacedhimselfbetweenJonathanandthegatethatanyattempttoescapewouldinevitablyhaveentailedaconflict，uponourhero’spart，withthesableandgiantguardian。 Saysthenegress，lookingveryintentlyatourhero：\"Beyouafeard，Buckra？\" \"Why，no，\"quothedJonathan；\"fortotelltheethetruth，friend，thoughIamamanofpeace，beingofthatreligiousorderknownastheSocietyofFriends，Iamnotsoweakinpersonnorsotimidindispositionastowarrantmeinbeingafraidofanyone。 Indeed，wereIofamindtoescape，Imight，withoutboasting，declaremybeliefthatIshouldbeabletopushmywaypastevenabettermanthanthylargefriendwhostandssothreateninglyinfrontofyondergate。\" Atthesewordsthenegressbrokeintosoprodigiousagrinthat，inthemoonlight，itappearedasthoughthewholelowerpartofherfacehadbeentransformedintoshiningteeth。\"YoubeabraveBuckra，\"saysshe，inhergibberingEnglish。\"YoucomewidMelina，andMelinatakeyoutoprettylady，whowantyoutoeatsupperwidher。\" Thereupon，andallowingourheronoopportunitytodeclinethisextraordinaryinvitation，evenhadhebeenofamindtodoso，shetookhimbythehand，andledhimtowardthelargeandimposinghousewhichcommandedthegarden。\"Indeed，\"saysJonathantohimself，ashefollowedhissableguide——himselffollowedinturnbythegiganticnegro——\"indeed，Iamliketohavemyfillofadventure，ifanythingistobejudgedfromsuchabeginningasthis。\" Nordidtheinteriorsumptuousnessofthemansionatallbelietheimposingcharacterofitsexterior，for，enteringbywayofanilluminatedveranda，andsocomingintoabrilliantlylightedhallwaybeyond，Jonathanbeheldhimselftobesurroundedbysuchawealthofexquisiteandwell—appointedtastefulnessasithadneverbeforebeenhisgood—fortunetobehold。 Candlesofclarifiedwaxsparkledlikestarsinchandeliersofcrystal。Theseinturn，catchingtheillumination，glitteredinprismaticfragmentswithallthevariedcolorsoftherainbow，sothatamellowyetbrilliantradiancefilledtheentireapartment。 Polishedmirrorsofaspotlessclearness，framedingoldenframesandbuiltintothewalls，reflectedthewaxedfloors，therichOrientalcarpets，andthesumptuouspaintingsthathungagainsttheivory—tintedpaneling，sothatinappearancethebeautiesoftheapartmentwerecontinuedinbewilderingvistasuponeverysidetowardwhichthebeholderdirectedhisgaze。 Biddingourherotobeseated，whichhedidwithnosmalldegreeofembarrassmentandconstraint，andupontheextremeedgeofthegiltandsatin—coveredchair，thenegresswhohadbeenhisconductorlefthimforthetimebeingtohisowncontemplation。 Almostbeforehehadanopportunitytocomposehimselfintoanythingmorethanapartofhisordinarysedatenessofdemeanor，thesilkencurtainsatthedoorwayattheotherendoftheapartmentweresuddenlydivided，andJonathanbeheldbeforehimafemalefiguredisplayingthemostexquisitecontourofmouldandofproportion。Shewascladentirelyinwhite，andwasenvelopedfromheadtofootinthefoldsofaveilofdelicatesilvergauze，which，thoughhidinghercountenancefromrecognition，neverthelesspermittedsufficientofherbeautiestobediscernedtosuggesttheextremeeleganceandlovelinessofherlineaments。 Advancingtowardourhero，andextendingtohimataperinghandaswhiteasalabaster，thefingersencircledwithamultitudeofjewelledrings，sheaddressedhimthus： \"Sir，\"shesaid，speakinginaccentsofthemostsilveryandmusicalcadence，\"youarenodoubtvastlysurprisedtofindyourselfthusunexpectedly，andalmostasbyviolence，introducedintothehouseofonewhoissuchanentirestrangertoyouasmyself。ButthoughIamunknowntoyou，ImustinformyouthatI ambetteracquaintedwithmyvisitor，formyagentshavebeenobservingyoueversinceyoulandedthisafternoonatthedock，andtheyhavefollowedyoueversince，untilalittlewhileago，whenyoustoppedimmediatelyoppositemygardengate。Theseagentshaveobservedyouwithaclosenessofscrutinyofwhichyouaredoubtlessentirelyunaware。Theyhaveeveninformedmethat，owingdoubtlesstoyourextremeinterestinyournewsurroundings，youhavenotasyetsupped。Knowingthis，andthatyoumustnowbeenjoyingaveryheartyappetite，Ihavetoaskyouifyouwilldometheextremefavorofsittingattablewithmeatarepastwhichyouwilldoubtlessbesurprisedtolearnhasbeenhastilypreparedentirelyinyourhonor。\" Sosaying，andgivingJonathannotimeforreply，sheofferedhimherhand，andwiththemostpoliteinsistenceconductedhimintoanexquisitelyappointeddiningroomadjoining。 Herestoodatablecoveredwithasnow—whitecloth，andembellishedwithsilverandcrystalornamentsofeverydescription。HavingseatedherselfandhavingindicatedtoJonathantotakethechairoppositetoher，thetwowerepresentlyservedwitharepastsuchasourherohadnotthoughtcouldhaveexistedoutofthepagesofcertainextraordinaryOrientaltaleswhichonetimehadfallentohislottoread。 Thissupper（whichinitselfmightsuccessfullyhavetemptedthetasteofaSybarite）wasfurtherenhancedbyseveralwinesandcordialswhich，fillingtheroomwiththearomaofthesunlitgrapesfromwhichtheyhadbeenexpressed，stimulatedtheappetite，whichwithoutthemneedednosuchspur。Thelady，whoatebutsparinglyherself，possessedherselfwithpatienceuntilJonathan’shungerhadbeenappeased。When，however，shebeheldthatheweakenedinhisattacksuponthedessertofsweetswithwhichthebanquetwasconcluded，sheaddressedhimuponthebusinesswhichwasevidentlyentirelyoccupyinghermind。 \"Sir，\"saidshe，\"youaredoubtlessawarethateveryone，whethermanorwoman，ispossessedofanenemy。InmyowncaseImustinformyouthatIhavenolessthanthreewho，tocompasstheirends，wouldgladlysacrificemylifeitselftotheirpurposes。AtnotimeamIsafefromtheirmachinations，norhaveIanyone，\" criedshe，exhibitingagreatemotion，\"towhomImayturninmyneed。Itwasthisthatledmetohopetofindinyouafriendinmyperils，for，havingobservedthroughmyagentsthatyouarenotonlyhonestindispositionandstronginperson，butthatyouarepossessedofaconsiderabledegreeofenergyanddetermination，Iammostdesirousofimposinguponyourgood—natureatrustofwhichyoucannotforamomentsuspectthemagnitude。Tellme，areyouwillingtoassistapoor，defencelessfemaleinherhouroftrial？\" \"Indeed，friend，\"quothJonathan，withmorevivacitythanheusuallyexhibited，withalenitytowhichhehadheretoforeinhislifetimebeenastranger——beingwarmedintosuchaspirit，doubtless，bythegenerouswinesofwhichhehadpartaken——\"indeed，friend，ifIcouldbutseethyfaceitwoulddoubtlessmakemydecisioninsuchamatterthemorefavorable，sinceIaminclinedtothinkfromthelittleIcanbeholdofit，thatthyappearancemustbeextremelycomelytotheeye。\" \"Sir，\"saidthelady，exhibitingsomeamusementatthisunexpectedsally，\"Iam，youmustknow，asGodmademe。Sometime，perhaps，Imaybeverygladtosatisfyyourcuriosity，andexhibittoyoumypoorcountenancesuchasitis。Butnow\"——andheresherevertedtohermoreseriousmood——\"Imustagainputittoyou：areyouwillingtohelpanunprotectedwomaninaperiodofverygreatdangertoherself？ShouldyoudeclinetheassistancewhichIsolicit，myslavesshallconductyoutothegatethroughwhichyouentered，andsufferyoutodepartinpeace。Shouldyou，upontheotherhand，acceptthetrust，youaretoreceivenorewardtherefor，exceptthegratitudeofonewhothusappealstoyouinherhelplessness。\" ForafewmomentsJonathanfellsilent，forhere，indeed，washeenteringintoanadventurewhichinfinitelysurpassedanyanticipationthathecouldhaveformed。Hewas，besides，ofacautiousnature，andwasentirelydisinclinedtoembarkintoanyaffairsoobscureandtangledasthatinwhichhenowfoundhimselfbecominginvolved。 \"Friend，\"saidhe，atlast，\"Imaytelltheethatthystoryhassofarmovedmeastogivemeeveryinclinationtohelptheeinthydifficulties，butImustalsoinformtheethatIamamanofcaution，havingneverbeforeenteredintoanybusinessofthissort。Therefore，beforegivinganypromisethatmaybindmyfutureactions，Imust，incommonwisdom，demandtoknowwhataretheconditionsthatthouhastinmindtoimposeuponme。\" \"Indeed，sir，\"criedthelady，withgreatvivacityandwithmorecheerfulaccents——asthoughhermindhadbeenrelievedofaburdenoffearthathercompanionmightatoncehavedeclinedevenaconsiderationofherrequest——\"indeed，sir，youwillfindthatthetrustwhichIwouldimposeuponyouisinappearancenosuchgreatmatterasmywordsmayhaveledyoutosuppose。 \"YoumustknowthatIampossessedofalittletrinketwhich，inthehandsofanyonewho，likeyourself，isastrangerintheseparts，wouldpossessnosignificance，butwhichwhileinmykeepingisfraughtwithinfinitemenacetome。\" Hereupon，andhavingsospoken，sheclappedherhands，andanattendantimmediatelyentered，disclosingthepersonofthesamenegresswhohadfirstintroducedJonathanintothestrangeadventureinwhichhenowfoundhimselfinvolved。Thiscreature，whoappearedstillmoredeformedandrepulsiveinthebrilliantlylightedroomthanshehadinthemoonlight，carriedinherhandsawhitenapkin，whichshehandedtohermistress。Thisbeingopened，disclosedasmallivoryballofaboutthebignessofalime。Noddingtothenegresstowithdraw，theladyhandedhimtheivoryball，andJonathantookitwithnosmalldegreeofcuriosityandexamineditcarefully。Itappearedtobeofanexceedingantiquity，andofsodeepayellowastobealmostbrownincolor。ItwascoveredoverwithstrangefiguresandcharactersofanOrientalsort，whichappearedtoourherotobeofChineseworkmanship。 \"Imusttellyou，sir，\"saidthelady，aftershehadpermittedherguesttoexaminethisforawhileinsilence，\"thatthoughthisappearstoyoutobeoflittleworth，itisyetofextremevalue。Afterall，however，itisnothingbutacuriositythatanyonewhoisinterestedinsuchmattersmightpossess。WhatIhavetoaskyouisthis：Willyoubewillingtotakethisintoyourcharge，toguarditwiththeutmostcareandfidelity——yes，evenastheappleofyoureye——duringyourcontinuanceintheseparts，andtoreturnittomeinsafetythedaybeforeyourdeparture。 Bysodoingyouwillrendermeaservicewhichyoumayneitherunderstandnorcomprehend，butwhichshallmakemeyourdebtorformyentirelife。\" BythistimeJonathanhadprettywellcomposedhismindforareply。 \"Friend，\"saidhe，\"suchamatterasthisisentirelyoutofmyknowledgeofbusiness，whichis，indeed，thatofaclerkinthemercantileprofession。Nevertheless，Ihaveeveryinclinationtohelpthee，thoughItrustthoumayesthavemagnifiedthedangersthatbesetthee。Thisappearstometobealittletrifleforsuchanado；nevertheless，Iwilldoasthoudostrequest。Iwillkeepitinsafetyandwillreturnittotheeuponthisdayaweekhence，bywhichtimeIhopetohavedischargedmycargoandbereadytocontinuemyvoyagetoDemerara。\" Atthesewordsthelady，whohadbeenwatchinghimallthetimewithamostunaccountableeagerness，burstforthintowordsofsuchheart—feltgratitudeastoentirelyoverwhelmourhero。Whenhertransportshadbeensomewhatassuagedshepermittedhimtodepart，andthenegressconductedhimbackthroughthegarden，whenceshepresentlyshowedhimthroughthegatewhitherhehadenteredandoutintothestreet。 III。TheTerrificEncounterwiththeOne—eyedLittleGentlemaninBlackFindinghimselfoncemoreintheopenstreet，JonathanRuggstoodforawhileinthemoonlight，endeavoringtocomposehismindintosomewhatofthatsobrietythatwashabitualwithhim；for，indeed，hewasnotalittleexcitedbytheunexpectedincidentsthathadjustbefallenhim。Fromthiseffortatcomposurehewasarousedbyobservingthatalittlegentlemancladallinblackhadstoppedatalittledistanceawayandwaslookingveryintentlyathim。Inthebrightnessofthemoonlightourherocouldseethatthelittlegentlemanpossessedbutasingleeye，andthathecarriedagold—headedcaneinhishand。Hehadhardlytimetoobservetheseparticulars，whentheotherapproachedhimwitheveryappearanceofpolitenessandcordiality。 \"Sir，\"saidhe，\"surelyIamnotmistakeninrecognizinginyouthesupercargooftheshipSUSANNAHAYES，whicharrivedthisafternoonatthisport？\" \"Indeed，\"saidJonathan，\"thouartright，friend。Thatismyoccupation，andthatiswhenceIcame。\" \"Tobesure！\"saidthelittlegentleman。\"Tobesure！Tobesure！ TheSUSANNAHAYES，withacargoofIndian—cornmeal，andfromdeargoodfriendJeremiahDoolittle，ofPhiladelphia。Iknowyourgoodmasterverywell——verywellindeed。AndhaveyouneverheardhimspeakofhisfriendMr。AbnerGreenway，ofKingston，Jamaica？\" \"Why，no，\"repliedJonathan，\"IhavenosuchrecollectionofthenamenordoIknowthatanysuchnamehatheverappeareduponourbooks。\" \"Tobesure！Tobesure！\"repeatedthelittlegentleman，briskly，andwithexceedinggood—nature。\"Indeed，mynameisnotlikelytohaveeverappeareduponhisbooks，forIamnotabusinesscorrespondent，butonewho，intimespast，washisextremelyintimatefriend。ThereismuchIwouldliketoaskabouthim，and，indeed，Iwasinhopesthatyouwouldhavebeenthebearerofaletterfromhim。ButIhavelodgingsatalittledistancefromhere，sothatifitisnotrequestingtoomuchofyoumaybeyouwillaccompanymethither，sothatwemaytalkatourleisure。Iwouldgladlyaccompanyyoutoyourshipinsteadofurgingyoutocometomyapartments，butImusttellyouIampossessedofadevilofafever，sothatmyphysicianhathforbiddenmetobeoutofnights。\" \"Indeed，\"saidJonathan，whom，youmayhaveobserved，wasofaveryeasydisposition——\"indeed，Ishallbeverygladtoaccompanytheetothylodgings。ThereisnothingIwouldlikebetterthantoserveanyfriendofgoodJeremiahDoolittle’s。\" Andthereupon，andwithgreatamity，thetwowalkedofftogether，thelittleone—eyedgentlemaninblacklinkinghisarmconfidinglyintothatofJonathan’s，andtappingthepavementcontinuallywithhiscaneashetrottedonatagreatpace。Hewasverywellacquaintedwiththetown（ofwhichhewasacitizen），andsointerestingwashisdiscoursethattheyhadgoneaconsiderabledistancebeforeJonathanobservedtheywereenteringintoaquarterdarkerandlessfrequentedthanthatwhichtheyhadquitted。Tallbrickhousesstooduponeitherside，betweenwhichstretchedanarrow，crookedroadway，withakennelrunningdownthecentre。 Infrontofoneofthesehouses——atallandgloomystructure——ourhero’sconductorstoppedand，openingthedoorwithakey，beckonedforhimtoenter。Jonathanhavingcomplied，hisnew—foundfriendledthewayupaflightofsteps，againstwhichJonathan’sfeetbeatnoisilyinthedarkness，andatlength，havingascendedtwostairwaysandhavingreachedalanding，heopenedadoorattheendofthepassageandusheredJonathanintoanapartment，unlighted，exceptfortheMoonshine，which，cominginthroughapartlyopenshutter，layinabrilliantpatchoflightuponthefloor。 Hisconductorhavingstruckalightwithaflintandsteel，ourherobytheilluminationofasinglecandlepresentlydiscoveredhimselftobeinabedchamberfurnishedwithnosmalldegreeofcomfort，andevenelegance，andhavingeveryappearanceofabachelor’schamber。 \"Youwillpardonme，\"saidhisnewacquaintance，\"ifIshuttheseshuttersandthewindow，forthatdevilishfeverofwhichIspokeisofsuchasortthatImustkeepthenightairevenoutfrommyroom，orelseIshallbeshakingthebonesoutofmyjointsandchatteringtheteethoutofmyheadbyto—morrowmorning。\" Sosayinghewasasgoodashisword，andnotonlydrewtheshuttersto，butshottheheavyironboltintoitsplace。Havingaccomplishedthishebadeourherotobeseated，andplacingbeforehimsomeexceedinglysuperiorrum，togetherwithsomeequallyexcellenttobacco，theypresentlyfellintothefriendliestdiscourseimaginable。Inthecourseoftheirtalk，whichafterawhilebecameexceedinglyconfidential，Jonathanconfidedtohisnewfriendthecircumstancesoftheadventureintowhichhehadbeenledbythebeautifulstranger，andtoallthathesaidconcerninghisadventurehisinterlocutorlistenedwiththeclosestandmostscrupulouslyrivetedattention。 \"Uponmyword，\"saidhe，whenJonathanhadconcluded，\"Ihopethatyoumaynothavebeenmadethevictimofsomefoolishhoax。 Letmeseewhatitisshehasconfidedtoyou。\" \"ThatIwill，\"repliedJonathan。Andthereuponhethrusthishandintohisbreeches—pocketandbroughtforththeivoryball。 Nosoonerdidtheoneeyeofthelittlegentlemaninblacklightupontheobjectthanamostsingularandextraordinaryconvulsionappearedtoseizeuponhim。Hadabulletpenetratedhishearthecouldnothavestartedmoreviolently，norhavesatmorerigidlyandbreathlesslystaring。 MasteringhisemotionwiththeutmostdifficultyasJonathanreplacedtheballinhispocket，hedrewadeepandprofoundbreathandwipedthepalmofhishandacrosshisforeheadasthougharousinghimselffromadream。 \"Andyou，\"hesaid，ofasudden，\"are，Iunderstandit，aQuaker。 Doyou，then，nevercarryaweapon，eveninsuchaplaceasthis，whereatanymomentinthedarkaSpanishknifemaybestuckbetwixtyourribs？\" \"Why，no，\"saidJonathan，somewhatsurprisedthatsoforeignatopicshouldhavebeensosuddenlyintroducedintothediscourse。 \"Iamamanofpeaceandnotofblood。ThepeopleoftheSocietyofFriendsnevercarryweapons，eitherofoffenceordefence。\" AsJonathanconcludedhisreplythelittlegentlemansuddenlyarosefromhischairandmovedbrisklyaroundtotheothersideoftheroom。Ourhero，watchinghimwithsomesurprise，beheldhimclaptothedoorandwithasinglemovementshoottheboltandturnthekeytherein。ThenextinstantheturnedtoJonathanavisagetransformedassuddenlyasthoughhehaddroppedamaskfromhisface。Thegossipingandpolitelittleoldbachelorwastherenolonger，butinhissteadamanwithacountenanceconvulsedwithsomefuriousandnamelesspassion。 \"Thatball！\"hecried，inahoarseandraucousvoice。\"Thativoryball！Giveittomeupontheinstant！\" Ashespokehewhippedoutfromhisbosomalong，keenSpanishknifethatinitseveryappearancespokewithoutequivocationofthemostmurderouspossibilities。 Themalignantpassionsthatdistortedeverylineamentofthecountenanceofthelittleoldgentlemaninblackfilledourherowithsuchastonishmentthatheknewnotwhetherhewereasleeporawake；butwhenhebeheldtheotheradvancingwiththenakedandshiningknifeinhishandhisreasonreturnedtohimlikeaflash。Leapingtohisfeet，helostnotimeinputtingthetablebetweenhimselfandhissuddenenemy。 \"Indeed，friend，\"hecried，inavoicepenetratedwithterror——\"indeed，friend，thouhadstbestkeepthydistancefromme，forthoughIamamanofpeaceandashunnerofbloodshed，I promisetheethatIwillnotstandstilltobemurderedwithoutoutcryorwithoutendeavoringtodefendmylife！\" \"Cryasloudasyouplease！\"exclaimedtheother。\"Nooneisnearthisplacetohearyou！Cryuntilyouarehoarse；nooneinthisneighborhoodwillstoptoaskwhatisthematterwithyou。ItellyouIamdeterminedtopossessmyselfofthativoryball，andhaveitIshall，eventhoughIamobligedtocutoutyourhearttogetit！\"Ashespokehegrinnedwithsoextraordinaryanddevilishadistortionofhiscountenance，andwithsuchanappearanceofeveryintentionofcarryingouthisthreatastosendthegoose—fleshcreepinglikeicyfingersupanddownourhero’sspinewiththemostincrediblerapidityandacuteness。 Nevertheless，masteringhisfears，Jonathancontrivedtospeakupwithaprettygoodappearanceofspirit。\"Indeed，friend，\"hesaid，\"thouappearesttoforgetthatIamamanoftwicethybulkandhalfthyyears，andthatthoughthouhastaknifeIamdeterminedtodefendmyselftothelastextremity。Iamnotgoingtogivetheethatwhichthoudemandestofme，andforthysakeI advisetheetoopenthedoorandletmegofreeasIentered，orelseharmmaybefallthee。\" \"Fool！\"criedtheother，hardlygivinghimtimetoend。\"Doyou，then，thinkthatIhavetimetochatterwithyouwhiletwovillainsarelyinginwaitforme，perhapsattheverydoor？ Blameyourownselfforyourdeath！\"And，gnashinghisteethwithanindescribablemenace，andrestinghishanduponthetable，hevaultedwithincredibleagilitycleanacrossitanduponourhero，who，entirelyunpreparedforsuchanextraordinaryattack，wasflungbackagainstthewall，withanarmasstrongassteelclutchinghisthroatandaknifeflashinginhisveryeyeswithdreadfulportentofinstantdeath。 Withaninstincttopreservehislife，hecaughthisassailantbythewrist，and，bendingitawayfromhimself，seteveryfibreofhisbodyinasuperhumanefforttoguardandprotecthimself。Theother，thoughsomucholderandsmaller，seemedtobecomposedentirelyoffibresofsteel，and，inhismurderousendeavors，putforthastrengthsoextraordinarythatforamomentourherofelthisheartmeltwithinhimwithterrorforhislife。Thespittalappearedtodryupwithinhismouth，andhishairtocreepandriseuponhishead。Withavehementcryofdespairandanguish，heputforthonestupendouseffortfordefence，and，clappinghisheelbehindtheother’sleg，andthrowinghiswholeweightforward，hefairlytrippedhisantagonistbackwardashestood。 Togethertheyfelluponthefloor，lockedinthemostdesperateembrace，andoverturningachairwithaprodigiousclatterintheirdescent——ourherouponthetopandthelittlegentlemaninblackbeneathhim。 Astheystruckthefloorthelittlemaninblackemittedamostpiercingandterriblescream，andinstantlyrelaxinghiseffortsofattack，felltobeatingthefloorwiththebackofhishandsanddrubbingwithhisheelsupontheruginwhichhehadbecomeentangled。 Ourheroleapedtohisfeet，andwithdilatingeyesandexpandingbrainandswimmingsightstareddownupontheotherlikeoneturnedtoastone。 Hebeheldinstantlywhathadoccurred，andthathehad，withoutsointending，killedafellow—man。Theknife，turnedawayfromhisownperson，hadintheirfallbeenplungedintothebosomoftheother，andhenowlayquiveringinthelastthroesofdeath。