The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-04-26
BLOOMSBURG, PA. FRIDAY, APRIL &C. 1867.

solutely stupifed me for time. This
is the usual effect of such condolences.
the mind struggles to establish connex-
iona sequence of cause and effect
and, being unable to do so, suffers spe-
cies of temporary paralysis. But, when
I recovered from this stupor, there
dawned upon me gradually a conviction
which startled me even far more than
the coincidence. 1 began distinctly,
positively, to remember that there had
been no drawing upon the parchment
when I made my sketch of the scdrd-
bnus. I became perfectly certain of
this; for reco llected turning up first
one side and then the other, in search
of the cleanest spot. Had the skull
been there, of course l could not have
failed to notice it. Here was indeed a
mystery which 1 felt it impossible to ex-
plain A.; but, even ut that early moment,
there seemed to glimmer, family, with
in the most remote and secret chambers
of my intellect, a glow-w worm-like con-
ception of that truth which last nights
adventure brought to so magnificent a
demonstration. l arose at once, and
putting the parchment securely away,
dismissed all farther reflection until
should be alone.
"When you had gone and when Ju-
piter was fast asleep, I betook myself
to more methodical investigation of
the affair. In the first place 1 consid-
cred the manner in which the parch-
ment had come into my possession. The
spot where we discovered the scardbGus
was on the coast of the main land,
about mile eastward of the island,
and but short distance above high wa
ter mark. Upon my taking hold of it,
it gave me sharp bite, which caused
me to let it drop. Jupiter, with his ac-
customed caution, before seizing the in
sect, which had flown towards him,
looked about him for leaf, or some-
thing of that nature, by which to take
hold Of it. 1t was at this moment that
his eyes, and mine also, fell upon the
scrap of parchment, which l then sup
posed to be paper. 1t was lying half
buried in the sand, a corner sticking
up. Near the spot where we found it.,
| observed the remnants of the hull of
what appeared to have been snip's
long boat. The wreck seemed to have
been there for very great while; for
the resemblance to boat timbers could
scarcely be traced.
"Well, Jupiter picked up the parch-
ment, wrapped the beetle in it, and gave
1t to me. Soon afterwards we turned
to go home, and on the way met Lieu
tenant G.. l showed him the insect,
and he begged me to let him take it to
the fort. Upon my consenting, he thrust
it forthwith into his waistcoat pocket,
without the parchment in which it had
been wrapped, and which had contin.
ued to hold in my hand during his in
spection. Perhaps he dreaded my
changing my mind, and thought it best
to make sure of the prize at once-you
know how enthusiastic he Is on all sub
jects connected with Natural History
At the same time, without being con
scious of it, must have deposited the
parchment in my own pocket.
"You remember that when / went tC
the table, for the purpose of making s
sketch of the beetle, l found no paper
where it was usually kept. l looked il
the drawer, and found none there.
searched my pockets, hoping to find al
old letter, when my hand fell upon tn,
parchment. thus detail the precis,
mode in which it came into my posses
sion; for the circumstances impress et
me with peculiar force.
mo doubt you will think me fanci
ful-but l had already established
kind of connection. had put togethe
two links of great chain. There wa
a boat lying upon Il sea-coast, and no
far from the boat was a parchment
not a pdper-with skull depicted upoi
it. You will, of course, ask where /
the connection p reply that the skull
or deaths. head, is the well-known EN-
blem of the pirate. The flag of tn
death s-head is hoisted in all engage
mentS.
81 have said that the scrap was parch
ment, and not paper. Parchment is du
rable-almost imperishable. Matter
of little moment are rarely consigned
parchment; since, for the mere ordinf
ry purposes of drawing or writing, it
not nearly SO well adapted as pape
This reflection suggested some meanin
some relevancy-in the death's-heaC
, did not fail to observe, also, the forI
, of the parchment. Although one of il
, corners had been, by some accident, d.
, stroyed, it could be seen that the orig
: nal form was oblong. 1t was just such
+, slip, indeed, as might have been chose
/, for memorandum-for record
something to be long remembered al
). carefully preserved"
"But," interposed, "you say tn
a the skull was not upon the parchme
o when you made the drawing of the be
q tie. How then do you trace any co
:, nexion between the boat and the ski
n since this latter according to yo
own admission, must have been d
signed God only knows how or
! whom at some period subsequent
le your slietching the Scard6puS ~
% "Ah here upon turns the whole m,
Y. terry; although the secret. ut this poi
N | had comparatively little difficulty
solving. My steps were sure, and cou
"a afford but single result. l reasont
re for example, thus: When ] drew t