As if to allay their too sanguine hopes , they recurred to the Indian traditions that a spirit kept watch about the gem and bewildered those who sought it either by removing it from peak to peak of the higher hills or by calling up a mist from the enchanted lake over which it hung . But these tales were deemed unworthy of credit , all professing to believe that the search had been baffled by want of sagacity or perseverance in the adventurers , or such other causes as might naturally obstruct the passage to any given point among the intricacies of forest , valley and mountain . In a pause of the conversation the wearer of the prodigious spectacles looked round upon the party , making each individual in turn the object of the sneer which invariably dwelt upon his countenance . `` So , fellow-pilgrims , '' said he , `` here we are , seven wise men and one fair damsel , who doubtless is as wise as any graybeard of the company . Here we are , I say , all bound on the same goodly enterprise . Methinks , now , it were not amiss that each of us declare what he proposes to do with the Great Carbuncle , provided he have the good hap to clutch it . -- What says our friend in the bearskin ? How mean you , good sir , to enjoy the prize which you have been seeking the Lord knows how long among the Crystal Hills ? '' `` How enjoy it ! '' exclaimed the aged Seeker , bitterly . `` I hope for no enjoyment from it : that folly has past long ago . I keep up the search for this accursed stone because the vain ambition of my youth has become a fate upon me in old age . The pursuit alone is my strength , the energy of my soul , the warmth of my blood and the pith and marrow of my bones . Were I to turn my back upon it , I should fall down dead on the hither side of the notch which is the gateway of this mountain-region . Yet not to have my wasted lifetime back again would I give up my hopes of is deemed little better than a traffic with the evil one . Now , think ye that I would have done this grievous wrong to my soul , body , reputation and estate without a reasonable chance of profit ? '' `` Not I , pious Master Pigsnort , '' said the man with the spectacles . `` I never laid such a great folly to thy charge . '' `` Truly , I hope not , '' said the merchant . `` Now , as touching this Great Carbuncle , I am free to own that I have never had a glimpse of it , but , be it only the hundredth part so bright as people tell , it will surely outvalue the Great Mogul 's best diamond , which he holds at an incalculable sum ; wherefore I am minded to put the Great Carbuncle on shipboard and voyage with it to England , France , Spain , Italy , or into heathendom if Providence should send me thither , and , in a word , dispose of the gem to the best bidder among the potentates of the earth , that he may place it among his crown-jewels .
If any XXXXX ye have a wiser plan , let him expound it . ''
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