The Press., 1893-04-13

ly, and l shall arrive at the gold of which it is the index. Jupiter, bring me that scarabRus:''
 .sWhat!, de bug, massa? I'd rudder not go fer trubble dat bug-you mus git him for your own self" Hereupon Le- grand arose with a grave and stately air and brought me the beetle from glass case, in which it was inclosed. It was beautiful scarabBus, and at that time unknown to naturalists- course a great prize in scientific point of view. There were two round black spots near one extremity of the back and long one near the other. The scales were exceed ingly hard and glossy, with ali the ap- pearance of furnished gold. The weight of the insect was very remarkable, and taking all things into consideration l could hardly blame Jupiter for his opin- ion respecting it. But what to make of Legrand's concordance with that opin- ion could rot for the life of me tell.
 q sent for you," said he in grandilo- 0uent tone when had completed my examination of the beetle, II sent for you that might have your counsel and assistance in furthering the views of fate and of the bug
 My dear Legrand," cried, interrupt ing him, '.you are certainly unwen and had better use some little precautions. You shall go to bed, and I will remain with you few days until you get over this. You are feverish and"|
 .'Feel my pulse,' said he.
 I felt it sand, to say the truth, found not the slightest indication of fever.
 But you may be i'll and yet have nc fever. Allow me this once to prescribe for you. In the first place, go to bed. In the next
 "You are mistaken" he interposed. ''l am as we'll as can expect to be under the excitement which I suffer. If yor really wish me well, you will relieve this excitement"
 "And how is this to be done?''
 "Very easily. Jupiter and myself art going upon an expedition into the hills upon the mainland, and in this expedi ton we shall need the aid of some per son in whom we can confide. You art the only one we can trust. Whether wt succeed or fail the excitement whicl you now perceive in me will be equally .allayed."
 s:I am anxious to oblige you in any way,'' I replied, "but do you mean tt say that this internal beetle has any con nection with your expedition into thu hills?"
 'sIt has,"
 "Then, Legrand, can become party to no such absurd proceedings"
 r. 'I am sorry-very sorry-for we shal have to try it by ourselves"
 "Try it by yourselves! The man i surely mad! But stay! How long d' you propose to be absent?'
 Probably all night. We shall star immediately, and be back at all event by sunrise
 "And will you promise me upon you honor that when this freak of yours i over, and the bug business (good God! settled to your satisfaction, you vii then return home and follow my advic implicitly as that of your physician?"
 "Yes, I promise. And now let us b off. for we have no time to lose.''
 With heavy heart accompanied m. friend. We started about oclock-Le grand, Jupiter, the dog and myself. Ju piter had with him the scythe and spades the whole of which. he insisted upol carrying, more through fear, it seeme' to me, of trusting either of the imple ments within reach of his master thai from any excess of industry or com plaisance. His demeanor was dogged il l the extreme, and ''dat deuced bug" wer the sole words which escaped his lip during the journey. For my own part I had charge of couple of dark laii 1 terms, while Legrand contented himsel | with the scarabeus, which he carrie attached to the end of a bit of whipcord 1 twirling it to and fro with the aia--ssfc1 conjuror as he went
 l When observed this last plain evi dence of my friends alteration of mind I could scarcely refrain from tears. thought it best, however, to humor hi fancy, at least for the present, or until could adopt some more energetic meas ures with chance of success. In tn meantime endeavored, but all in vain to sound him in regard to the object 0 the expedition. Having succeeded in in ducing me to accompany him, he seeme unwilling to hold conversation upon an topic of minor importance, and to all m l questions vouchsafed no other reply thal I've shall see."
 We crossed the creek at the head o l the island by means of skiff, and as cending the high grounds on the shor l of the mainland proceeded in a north westerly direction through a tract 0 country excessively wild and desolate where no trace of human footstep wa to be seen. Legrand led the way wit | decision, pausing only for an instan here and there to consult what appeare to be certain landmarks of his own con | trivance upon former occasion.
 In this manner we journeyed for abou two hours. and the sun was just settin when we entered region infinitely nor dreary than any yet seen. It was a spe | cies of tableland near the summit of a almost inaccessible hill, densely woode from base to pinnacle and intersperse with huge crags that appeared to Ii loosely upon the soil and in many case were prevented from precipitating then selves into the valleys below merely b | they reclined. Deep ravines in variou directions gave an air of still sterne solemnity to the scene. .-
 The natural platform to which we ha clambered was thickly overgrown wit brambles, through which we soon. dis covered that it would have been impos sible to force our way but for the scythe and Jupiter, by direction of his master proceeded to clear for us path to tn foot of an enormously tall tulip tret which stood, with some eight or ten oaks upon the level, and far surpassed the1 all, ard all other trees which had the ever seen in the beauty of its fci1age an forn,, in tho wide spread of it's hranche and in the general majesty of its appear ance. Whe. we reached this tree, Le lrand tu1ne to Jupiter and asked hi1
 , he though, he could climb it. The ol man seemed little staggered by tn