The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-05-31

which could have been a mark for the pi-
rates to designate the spot, butwithoat sue
cess.
This incessant labor at last began to tel
upon him, and the regular period of Wis
iting the mainland found him stretched up
on his bed, with fever, severe and dan
gcrous; but at length the crisis was past
and he began to mend, though still too
weak and exhausted TO move. One morn
ing while in this situation, he suddenly
called his wife and eldest son, a stout, har-
dy lad Of fifteen to his bedside.
i have found it, said he. i know
where the gold is-if l was able to move
| would have it before night now if l
get sicker and am going to die, will tell
you where to find it. Promise me if
should die that you will search in the spot
| will describe
They tried to reason him out Of his fool
ish idea without effect, he was sure he
knew the very spot, he had dreamed it all
out and had the exact locality, even the
very look of the coin and the vessel con-
tanning it, in his minds eye.
His earnestness and confidence more
than half convinced them there must be
something in dream that was repeated
night after night, and which described the
place 50 infinitely. They all awaited bis
returning strength with impatience, but a
month elapsed before he was sufficiently
strong to go out, At length all was pre-
pared, tools for digging and provisions
were placed in the boat, and taking his two
boys with him, he set sail for the outer
part Of the reef. The wind had been
blowing from tie sou.h'ard and BASTARD
some days, 50 that but a small portion Of
the reef was visible above water; all the
rest and along the whole lineof the island
beach, the breakers We're rushing in with
tremendous violence, and with aroar which
could be heard for miles.
: Between this reef and the island was a
passage of about three hundred yards il
width and from six to eight fathoms il
depth, forming an excellent channel fol
ships to pass through between the breakers
to the smooth waters of the bay, but to {
person unacquaintcd with the locality, tht
appearance was that of an uninterrupted
line of breakers. Through this passage
Smith and his sons had to pass to reacl
E the lee side of the reef; their thorough
knowledge Of the locale enabled them to dc
this, and the point was soon reached where
they were to commence opertions. i
was bank of sand presenting about I
quarter of an acre above water and pro
tected on the seaward side by high rock
!, The boat was drawn up to the beach, anc
trembling with expectation and anxiety they
] sprang to the bank. Smith at once com
menced pacing the sand from end to end
;, then from side to side, until the exact cen
ter was found.
, This is the place, boys said he
Wen have to dig down five feet, then W
:, shall find flat stone: when we get tina
up we must dig another foot and we sha
!, come to a big copper kettle full of the shi
! ners.'
- They set to work digging with a vii
but the sand being wet, itran in again frol
the bottom almost as fast as they coul
throw it OUT half the day was spent b,
# fore the depth of five feet was reached
:, and there sure enough was the flat ston,
y :. Smith was wild with delight, growing an
l. dancing about like crazy person. Wit
GREAT exertion the stone was raised, but n
> signs Of the kettle; a crowbar was run il
to the sand for several feet, but nothin
solid could be found The reaction Wa
too much for Smith; having been so sui
of success, the disappointment was prC
y, portionately bitter, and he sat down upo
- the wet sand and wcpt like child.
The day was fast drawing to a clos
u and the large, increasing in violence sinc
\ morning, now blew pcrfecthurricane; I'll
breakers were pitching over the reef an
!, upon the beach with unexampltd fury.
- In coming from the island to the rec
- it was an easy matter to come through I'll
:. passage before described, having both Il
,t wind and current in favor; but in return
70 ing, it was very different affair, and as
" would have been madness to attempt
IA beat through with such wind and Sc
N the only way to return was to sail alon
Dt the leeward side of the reef to its wester
Ie extremity, and then to make at least mi
=. and a half to windward to clear the da;
y and rccoil of the breakers. They hi
as succeeded in getting to windward of Il
reef, and had accomplished nearly half t
distanne when. as they rose from I