bn Batuta reckons it as great as the palm of a man's hand.
Cosmos, as far back as 550, had heard tell of it from Sopater,
and its fame extended to the sixteenth century, wherein Corsali
wrote of 'two rubies so lustrous and shining that they seem a
flame of fire.' Also Hayton, in the thirteenth century,
mentions it, telling much the same story as Sir John Maundevile,
to the effect that it was the especial symbol of sovereignty,
and when held in the hand of the newly-chosen king, enforced the
recognition of his majesty. But, whereas Hayton simply calls
it the greatest and finest Ruby in existence, Maundevile puts it
at afoot in length and five fingers in girth. Also--for I have
made much inquiry concerning this stone--it was well known to
the Chinese from the days of Hwen T'sang downward.

"Mr. Trenoweth has wisely forborne for safety from showing it to
any of the jewellers here; but on the one occasion when I saw
the gem I measured it, and found it to be, roughly, some three
and a half inches square and two inches in depth; of its weight
I cannot speak. But that it truly is the Great Ruby of Ceylon,
the account of the Buddhist priest from, whom Mr. Trenoweth
got the stone puts out of all doubt."

"E. S."

"As I finished my reading, I looked up and saw Mr. Sanderson watching
me across the table. 'Well?' said he.

"I pushed the parchment across to him, and filled a pipe. He read
the whole through very slowly, and without the movement of a muscle;
then handed it back, but said never a word.

"'Well,' I asked, after a pause; 'what do you think of it?'

"'Why, in the first place, that my father was a marvellously honest
man, and yours, Mr. Trenoweth, a very indiscreet one. And secondly,
that ye're just as indiscreet as he, and it will be lucky for ye if
I'm as honest as my father.'

"I laughed.

"'Aye, ye may laugh; but mark my words, Mr. Trenoweth. Ye've a
trustful way with ye that takes my liking; but it would surprise me
very much, sir, did ye ever lay hands on that Ruby.'"

CHAPTER IX.

CONTAINS THE SECOND PART OF MY FATHER'S JOURNAL: SETTING FORTH HIS
ADVENTURES IN THE ISLAND OF CEYLON.

"Sept. 29th, 1848.--It is a strange thing that on the very next day
after reading my father's message I should have been struck down and
reduced to my present condition. But so it is, and now, four months
after