Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-08-04


ro. For the old Buccaneer was some
times known to steal cautiously away in|
that direction, and had moreover declar-
ed that no stranger should be the posses
sor OF his wealth.
There were two companions, INSOFAR
able in good aud evil:-Rejoice Ham
mond, and Luminary Gray. The for
mer had met some obstacles in love, and
after sorrowful parting with its object
on Mount Nero, had sailed for the In
dies, and for five years no tidings ofhim
had arrived. The two friends at parting
had promised, that upon the death Of
one of them, his spirit, if permitted,
should appear to the survivor, and as
Luminary Gray was somewhat visionary,
and had received no visit from the spirit,
he alsne refused to believe the gener-
ally credited death of his friend.
Gray had so long listened to the tale
Of the pirates buried gold, that it be-
came a part of his creed, and he resolv-
ed to attempt the discovery, though
aware that it was said to be guarded by
spirits, or as some believed, by the prince
of darkness himself. There was an old
hunter who possessed, or who stedlastly
believed he possessed, the power Of find
ing minerals by the power Of the divin-
ing rod; Nor was this belief coufined to
old Abraham alone. He it was to whom
Luninary Gray opened his projects and
disclosed his hopes ard found ready
coadjutor in the adventure.
The time appointed for their attempt
was the first night after the full moon, at
the hour Of twelve. The divinng rod
Of witch-hazel was prepared, and each
advcnturcr had Bible suspended from
the neck, as a defence from evil be-
ings.
The night was of alternate light and
darkness, as the clouds rapidly passed
over the moon.-The associates arrived
with some uneasy sensations-on their
way they talked much but it was an ef-
fort, made to dispell unpleasant thoughts.
As they approached tho scene of their
labours, their voices sunk to whisper.
The moon was Shrouded, nevertheless
old Abraham held his rod, which OH
three trials pointed to the same spot.
"There," said he Giles the treasure,
let us wait for the light of the moon, to
dig"
1t was in small open place amid the
pines. On a sudden the moon burst
forth in all her splendour, and they be-
held with no slight trepidation the well
defined shadow Of man, on the very
spot that attracted the rod. Foar did
not permit them to perceive at once that
it was the blasted tree with singular
conformation Of branches, which had
Cast this ominous shadow. Somewhat
treasured, when they discovered this,
they began to dig, and even attempted
to jest upon their late alarm, though the
laugh, like Macbeth's amen" stuck in
| the throat.
They laboured long, and with vigour,
for their hopes were high, and already
had they in anticipation obtained ana
shared the prize. Having removed a
large stone, fatigue compelled them to
rest, and they extended themselves up
on the high grass. They were there in
total darkness, but the moon soon shone
forth, and her light fell strongly upon
the figure Of man, sitting quietly on
the stone they had just removed.
The hairs on the head Of old Abraham,
had life and motion, but wilder were the
feelings of Luminary Gay, when he dis
covered the features of Hammond, his
early friend, expressing mingled sorrow
and reproach-"' tits he HIMSELF" cried
the youth, "cursed be the time when l
listened to the tale Of this unholy treas
ure; for l have broken the sleep of the
grave, and called up from his rest the
spirit Of my friend" A cloud passed
rapidly over the moon, and when the
light returned the figure was gone
With the adventurers, fear was stronger
than avarice, and they returned slowly
sorrowfully home.
Gentlest Of rcadcrsl Do you credit
the we'll attcsted tales of oden times
or are you wiser than johnson, Wesley
and Mathcr? 1 know that you discar.
ded Furies when you left the nursery,
and Jupiter, Janus and the " immortal
gods" with your valedictory to the ped
agogue. Perhaps like me, yon may
have reluctantly given up auitches; but
can you not believe that "wailing
ghost' may visit the "glimpscs of the
moon," and do you utterly doubt that
some persons born under " bright par
ticular star" have a mysterious world !?
Alas! you believe none of these, and the
age Of romance is gone forever. Rea-
son, (as it is called) has clipped the soar
ing wing of Imagination, and we are fall