my reverie, but the
diamond went down my throat. I'm sure if I had tried to swallow it I
could not have done so, but the shock forced it down. Well, this has
occasioned my death, for it has remained in my stomach and occasioned
the stoppage, which has ended in inflammation and mortification. I feel
it here even now; give me your finger, don't you feel it? Well, now you
understand why I talked of the little white cat. Don't cut off my head,
but when I am dead, just put your knife down there and take out the
diamond and bury it, for I tell you--and they say dying men see clearer
than others--but that I am certain you will be released from these
mines, and then the diamond will be a fortune to you, and you will find
that being my executor was of some value to you. Now, pray--no
scruple--I entreat it as a last favour, promise me that you will do as I
wish--pray promise me, or I shall die unhappy."

I could not help promising him to execute his wishes, he appeared so
earnest and asked it as a last favour, but I felt very repugnant at the
idea. In another hour poor Ingram breathed his last, and I was most
melancholy at the loss of so worthy a friend, who had by serving me been
subjected to the same slavery as myself. I left the 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