hut and
went to my own house, thinking over the strange communication that had
been made to me. And why, thought I, should I obtain this diamond? I
have no chance of leaving this; yet, who knows, Ingram prophesied in
his dying moments that I should--well, at all events, I will keep my
promise to the poor fellow. I reported his death to the director, and,
about an hour afterwards, went to the hut where he lay. His
countenance was placid, and I looked at him for a long while, and
queried whether he was not happier than I was or ever could be. But,
to comply with his request--I could not bear the idea. I did not want
the diamond, and I, who in my early career had thought nothing of
cutting and maiming the living man, now shuddered at the idea of
making an incision in a dead body. But there was no time to be lost,
the burials always took place at sunset, and it was near the hour. I
bent a piece of bamboo cane double, like a pair of sugar-tongs, and
then putting my finger to the part of his stomach which he had pointed
out, I felt that there was a hard substance, and I made an incision
with my knife--probing with the blade. I touched the diamond, and then
using the piece of cane as a pair of pincers, I contrived, after one
or two attempts, to extract it. I threw the diamond without
examination into a pan of water which stood by the bed, and covering
up the body, I made a hole in the floor of the hut and buried the
knife, which I felt I never could use again.

I looked out of the hut and perceived two of the slaves, who performed
that office, coming towards me to take away the body. I desired them
to carry it leaving the clothes on, followed them, and saw it
deposited in the earth; after which I read prayers over the grave and
could not refrain from shedding many tears to the memory of my
faithful associate. I then returned to the hut, and taking the pan of
water in my hand went to my own abode. I could not bear to touch the
diamond, but I dared not leave it where it was; so I poured all the
water out of the pan, and then rolled the diamond out on the floor,
which was of hardened clay. I saw at once that it was one of great
value, weighing, I should think, thirteen or fourteen _grammes_, and
of a very pure water. It was in the form of an obtuse octohaedron, and
on one side was quite smooth and transparent. Having made this
examination, I picked up some of the clay with a piece of iron, and
rolling the diamond into the hole,