The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-02-04

climbing the hills on the other side,
wading through sand which gave way
beneath their feet like rifted snow, anon
pushing their way through struggling
brush, they continued their eager and
rapid course. They spoke but little, SEEM
ing to be occupied. each with his own
thoughts, intent only upon one object
that of reaching some point, toward
which they were now hurrying.
Suddenly, upon reaching the level
plain on the South side of one of those
deep ravines for which the Cape is noted,
the seer. for such let us call the elder of
the two, stopped, looked cautiously
about, and motioned his companion to
his side. The young man bounded for
ward, grasped the other by the arm, and
in an excited manner exclaimed:
SIS it here?"
"Here," answered the seer.
"Do you know the exact spot?"
''No, but the magic charm, which has
never failed, will direct u.s."
''Apply it at once, for the sun is now
in the West. and we have far to CO."
The gun, which had been taken along
with them, probably only as blind,
and which the youth had carried up to
this moment, was now laid aside; nnd
taking the shovel from the hands Of the
seer, he stood awaiting the latter's move
ments. Meanwhile, the seer had pro-
duced from an inner pocket of the light
traveling-coat which he wore, small
vial, containing dark-colored liquid,
which he proceeded to pour upon the
palm of his left hand; then from an
other pocket he drew small package
containing fine powder; this he sprin-
kled upon the palm which he had al-
ready moistened. For several moments,
he stood gazing fixedly at his powdered
hand; then, turning to the youth, who
all this while had been gazing earnestly,
eagerly at the face of the seer, spoke as
follows:
South from hero thousand feet,
Beneath q bush with briars sweet,
An iron ost, with broken lid
Contains the gold Of Captain Kidd.
The youth needed no second bidding.
Starting impatiently forward he soon
reached the bush indicated by the words
of the seer, and began digging for what
might be beneath. The soil being light
and sandy. he vas not long in scooping
out large opening. Occasionally he
would pause to wipe the perspiration
from his face, and then again return to
his task with renewed ardor. Suddenly
the shovel, in its descent, strikes some
thing which gives forth ringing sound,
as when two metals meet. See how his
eye brightens atthe sound! how the sand
flies away from around the object; and
with what wild shout of exultation he
the iron chest with the broken
lid. Now comes the strangest part of this
strange scene. Stepping quickly out of
the excavation which he had Just made.
and without even touching the chest, he
began hastily to throw back the earth
which he had just worked so diligently
to dig out.
The hole was soon filled; the ground
brushed over, and the surface
spread with dry leaves and grass. Even
their footsteps were carefully obliter-
ated. Then the youth, taking up the
gun and joining tho seer, they returned
the wny they camo.
just as the warm sun was passing
away behind the Western hills, the two
strangers called ut our door for the
team. They seemed impatient to be
gone. Refusing our offers of hospita.
lity, they took their team and drove
away.
Let us follow them. They do not re-
turn by the way they came. but drive off
in another direction, following IN old
road leading through the low woods,
and off toward the South. They seem,
although apparently entire strangers to
the country, perfectly familiar with it's
every road and by.path. Perhaps the
magic knowledge of the seer directs
them. For nearly an hour, they rode on
in silence. at which time they had reach
ed the outskirts of small village.
"Here," said the youth, breaking the
long silence, II think we may secure
what we desire, as this appears to be
shop just here on our right" pointing at
the same time to small country store
short distance from them.
Eyes" replied his com panion. $50
yon and see what can be accomplished )"
The shopman, who had just lighted
his lamps, for twas already dark, looked
up in some astonishmont to meet the !
eyes of n stranger. who pleasantly in
luired if he could purchase trunk.
The man replied that his trado did not
generally include such articles, but that |
at present he fortunately had two or
threo on hand, which, if they enitcd his
customer, wcro at his disposal.
II will look at them" said the youth.
"Hero they are." replied the shop
man. and Uoiuo ~ f1,a roor - l,;, Eel