midway in this lintel, a strange shrivelled black
thing very like to a great spider with writhen legs updrawn; and now,
peering closer, I saw this was a human hand hacked off midway 'twixt
wrist and elbow and skewered to the lintel by a great nail. And as I
stood staring up at this evil thing, from somewhere in the black void
beyond the door rose a long, agonised wailing that rose to a bubbling
shriek; and though I knew this for no more than some trick of the wind,
I felt my flesh tingle to sudden chill. Howbeit I lifted my candle
higher yet, and thus saw beneath this shrivelled, claw-like hand a
parchment nailed very precisely at its four corners, though black with
dust. Wiping this dust away I read these words, very fair writ in
bold, clear characters:

JAMES BALLANTYNE

HIS HAND
WHEREWITH HE FOULLY MURDERED A GOOD
MAN.
THIS HAND CUT OFF BY ME THIS JUNE 23 1642.
THE SAME BALLANTYNE HAVING PERISHED SUDDENLY BY A
PISTOL SHOT
ACCORDING TO MY OATH.
LIKE ROGUES--TAKE WARNING.

ADAM PENFEATHER.

In a while I turned from this hateful thing, and coming to the bed
began to examine the huddle of goatskins, and though full of dust and
something stiff, found them little the worse for their long disuse; the
same applied equally to the sailcloth, the which, though yellow, was
still strong and serviceable. Reaching the firelock from the corner I
found it to be furnished with a snaphaunce or flintlock, and though
very rusty, methought cleaned and oiled it might make me a very good
weapon had I but powder and shot for it. But the bandoliers held in
all but two poor charges, which powder I determined to keep for the
pistol. Therefore I set the musket back in the corner, and doing so
espied a book that lay open and face down beneath the bedstead. Taking
it up I wiped off the dust, and opening this book at the first page I
came on this:

ADAM PENFEATHER

HYS JOURNAL

1642.

Hereupon, perceiving in it many charts and maps together with a plan of
the island very well drawn, I thrust it into my bosom, and hearing my
lady calling me, took pistol and bandolier and so to supper.

Thus amidst howling storm and tempest we sat down side by side to sup,
very silent for the most part by reason of this elemental strife that
raged about our habitation, filling the world with awful stir and
clamour.

But in a while seeing her so downcast and with head a-droop I must
needs fall gloomy also, and full o