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。