The Sacred Beetle and Others 



should be wise to keep the thing just as it is 

 and await events; above all, I should be wise 

 to go and seek for information on the spot. 



The shepherd was at his post by daybreak 

 the next morning. I joined him on some 

 slopes that had been lately cleared of their 

 trees, where the hot summer sun, which 

 strikes with such force on the back of one's 

 neck, could not reach us for two or three 

 hours. In the cool morning air, with the 

 Sheep browsing under Sultan's care, the two 

 of us started on our search. 



A Sacred Beetle's burrow is soon found: 

 you can tell it by the fresh little mound of 

 earth above it. With a vigorous turn of 

 the wrist, my companion digs away with the 

 httle pocket-trowel which I have lent him. 

 Incorrigible earth-scraper that I am, I 

 seldom set forth without this light but 

 serviceable tool. While he digs, I he down, 

 the better to see the arrangement and 

 furniture of the cellar which we are unearth- 

 ing, and I am all eyes. The shepherd uses 

 the trowel as a lever and, with his other 

 hand, holds back and pushes aside the soil. 



Here we are! A cave opens out and, 



in the moist warmth of the yawning vault, 



I see a splendid pear lying full-length upon 



the ground. No, I shall not soon forget 



82 



