The chest full brim, and we spent the whole day, greater part next night, in scrutiny contents There nothing like order or arrangement Every thing heaped in promiscuously Having assorted all with care, ourselves possessed of even vaster wealth than we had at first supposed In coin rather more than four hundred and fifty thousand dollars - estimating the value pieces, as accurately as , tables period not particle of silver All was gold of antique date and of great variety - French, Spanish, and German money, with few English guineas, and some counters, we had never seen specimens before There were several very large and heavy coins, so worn that make nothing inscriptions no American money The value jewels more difficulty in estimating There were diamonds - exceedingly large and fine - hundred and ten in all, and not small; eighteen rubies of remarkable brilliancy; - three hundred and ten emeralds, all very beautiful; and twenty-one sapphires, with an opal These stones had all been broken from their settings and thrown loose chest The settings themselves, which we picked out from other gold, appeared beaten up with hammers, identification Besides all this, vast quantity of solid gold ornaments; - nearly two hundred massive finger and earrings; - rich chains - thirty , if I remember; - eighty-three very large and heavy crucifixes; - five gold censers of great value; - prodigious golden punch bowl, ornamented with richly chased vine-leaves and Bacchanalian figures; with two sword-handles exquisitely embossed, and smaller articles which recollect The weight valuables exceeded three hundred and fifty pounds avoirdupois; and estimate included one hundred and ninety-seven superb gold watches; three number being worth each five hundred dollars, if one were very old, and as time keepers valueless; the works having suffered, more or less, from corrosion - but all were richly jewelled and in cases of great worth We estimated the entire contents chest, that night, at million and half of dollars; and subsequent disposal trinkets and jewels (a few being retained own use), found that we had greatly undervalued the treasure When, , we had concluded our examination, intense excitement time had, in some measure, subsided, Legrand, who saw that dying with impatience for solution most extraordinary riddle, entered into full detail of all the circumstances connected with it

"You remember;" said he, "the night when I handed you the rough sketch I had made scarabus You recollect also, that I became quite vexed at you for insisting that my drawing resembled death's-head first made this assertion you were jesting; but afterwards I called to mind the peculiar spots back insect, and admitted to myself that your remark had some little foundation Still, the sneer at my graphic powers irritated me - for considered good artist - and, therefore, handed me the scrap of parchment, about to crumple it up and throw it angrily fire "

"The scrap of paper, you mean," said I

"No; it had much appearance of paper, and at first I supposed it such, but when to draw upon it, I discovered it, at once, piece of very thin parchment quite dirty, you remember Well, as very act of crumpling it up, my glance fell sketch at which you looking, and imagine my astonishment when I perceived, , the figure of death's-head just where, it seemed , I had made the drawing beetle For moment amazed with accuracy that my design was very different in detail - although certain similarity in general outline Presently candle, and seating myself other end room, proceeded to scrutinize the parchment more closely Upon turning it over, my own sketch reverse, just as I had made it My first idea, now, was mere surprise really remarkable similarity of outline - singular coincidence involved fact, that unknown , there skull other side parchment, immediately beneath my figure scarabus, and skull, in outline, but in size, should so closely resemble my drawing the singularity coincidence absolutely stupified me for time usual effect coincidences The mind struggles to establish connexion - sequence of cause and effect - and, being unable , suffers species of temporary paralysis But, when I recovered stupor, there dawned upon me gradually conviction which startled me even far more coincidence I began distinctly, positively, to remember that there no drawing parchment when my sketch scarabus I became perfectly certain ; for I recollected turning up first one side and then the other, in search cleanest spot Had the skull been then there, have failed to notice it Here was indeed mystery which it impossible to explain; but, even early moment, there seemed to glimmer, faintly, most remote and secret chambers intellect, glow-worm-like conception truth which last night's adventure brought to so magnificent demonstration I arose at once, and putting the parchment securely away, dismissed all farther reflection until alone

" had gone, and when Jupiter was fast asleep, I betook myself to more methodical investigation affair first place I considered the manner parchment had come into my possession The spot where we discovered the scarabaeus was coast main land, about mile eastward island, and but short distance above high water mark Upon my taking hold of it, it sharp bite, which caused me to let it drop Jupiter, accustomed caution, before seizing the insect, which had flown towards him, looked about him for leaf, or something nature, hold of it moment that his eyes, and mine also, fell scrap of parchment, which I then supposed paper lying half buried sand, corner sticking up Near the spot where it, I observed the remnants hull of what appeared ship's long boat The wreck seemed there for very great while; resemblance to boat timbers could scarcely be traced

"Well, Jupiter picked up the parchment, wrapped the beetle , and gave it Soon afterwards we turned home, and way met Lieutenant G- I showed him the insect, and he begged me to let him take it fort Upon my consenting, he thrust it forthwith into his waistcoat pocket, without the parchment it wrapped, and which I had continued to hold in my hand during his inspection Perhaps he dreaded my changing my mind, and thought it best sure prize at once - how enthusiastic on all subjects connected with Natural History same time, without being conscious of it, deposited the parchment in my own pocket

"You remember that when I went table, of making sketch beetle, no paper where usually kept I looked drawer, and found none there I searched my pockets, hoping an old letter, when my hand fell parchment I thus detail the precise mode it came into my possession; circumstances impressed me with peculiar force

" think me fanciful - but I had already established kind of connexion I had put together two links of great chain boat lying upon sea-coast, and not far boat was parchment - not paper - with skull depicted upon it , , ask 'where connexion ? ' I reply skull, or death's-head, well-known emblem pirate The flag death's head is hoisted in all engagements