“From Amos Trenoweth, of Lantrig, in the Parish of Polkimbra and
     County of Cornwall; to such descendant of mine as may inherit my
     wealth.

“Be it known to you, my son, that though in this parchment mention is made of great and surpassing Wealth, seemingly but to be won for the asking, yet beyond doubt the dangers which beset him who would lay his hand upon this accursed store are in nature so deadly, that almost am I resolved to fling the Secret from me, and so go to my Grave a Beggar.  For that I not only believe, but am well assured, that not with out much Spilling of Blood and Loss of Human Life shall they be enjoyed, I myself having looked in the Face of Death thrice before ever I might set Hand upon them, escaping each time by a Miracle and by forfeit of my Soul’s Peace.  Yet, considering that the Anger of Heaven is quick and not revengeful unduly, I have determined not to do so wholly, but in part, abandoning myself the Treasure unrighteously won, if perchance the Curse may so be appeased, but committing it to the enterprise of another, who may escape, and so raise a falling House.

“You then, my Son who may read this Message, I entreat to consider well the Perils of your Course, though to you unknown.  But to me they are known well, who have lived a Sinful Life for the sake of this gain, and now find it but as the fruit of Gomorrah to my lips.  For the rest, my Secret is with God, from whom I humbly hope to obtain Pardon, but not yet.  And even as the Building of the Temple was withheld from David, as being a Shedder of Blood, but not from Solomon his son, so may you lay your Hand to much Treasure in Gold, Silver, and Precious Stones, but chiefly the GREAT RUBY OF CEYLON, whose beauty excels all the jewels of the Earth, I myself having looked upon it, and knowing it to be, as an Ancient Writer saith, ’a Spectacle Glorious and without Compare.’

“Of this Ruby the Traveller Marco Polo speaks, saying, ’The King of Seilan hath a Ruby the Greatest and most Beautiful that ever was or can be in the World.  In length it is a palm, and in thickness the thickness of a man’s arm.  In Splendour it exceedeth the things of Earth, and gloweth like unto Fire.  Money cannot purchase it.’  Likewise Maundevile tells of it, and how the Great Khan would have it, but was refused; and so Odoric, the two giving various Sizes, and both placing it falsely in the Island of Nacumera or Nicoveran.  But this I know, that in the Island of Ceylon it was found, being lost for many Centuries, and though less in size than these Writers would have it, yet far exceeding all imagination for Beauty and colour.

“Now this Ruby, together with much Treasure beside, you may gain with the Grace of Heaven and by following my plain words.  You will go from this place unto the Island of Ceylon, and there proceed to Samanala or Adam’s Peak, the same being the most notable mountain