The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-12
"You reckon. docs you? Wei, you kin jist main be
hint. We Amt gw.ne t'sist on your company"
..But why don't You wait TIL sun up?"

| y
"But why don't you wait till sun upS"
"You 'ernal nigga don't you 'standG Why, dc
fishermen told me long time gone dat done better
aus look for dc In de full oh de moon, and at
de hour OF midnight. Dun you know dat Why,
| nuln could be spected to come OF diggn' minute
later or a minute sooner as dat"
"But how you gwine wot time to ocgin?'
"oh Use got de time said another, pulling out on
old. battered chronomccr which announced to his eyes
ten minutes OF twelve O'Clock.
ARRAY or THE DELIVERS.
They paused and sat listening Tor the tread OF the
panihers but those sounds seemed for time to have
ceased, II they had rcnquishcd the siege The ne
grocs congratulated themselves on this suspicious
event; but still as they lighted their torches they
peercd timdly up along the lofty trunks OF the pines
oaks expecant seeing some oil them IN the act
spring upon them. The torches of pitch pine lighted
they marched in single Gle, looking ike possible
priests OF the grim old idol toward which Their steps
were leading them. And as they moved-as II to
throw spell upon any spirits creatures lurking
about-they chanted a monoonous rhythm 10 a
minor melody. The first man bore the implements Tor
digging the last the gun.
4 SECRET
The proceeding was so richly humorous that the
81 Judge" could resist burning impulse to behold
the whole of the fantastic es and IN the end to per-
pctrate huge practical joke. He famous Tor
good to be lost. The negroes very watchiul for
wild beasts COLLINS demons that might pursue their
impous steps Therefore II not until they had
finished a discussion as 10 the exact spot on which
the shadow OF lone limb OF live oak would have
fallen had the been that he dared glide from
the fire to tho rear of the upright image where he
could watch them unsupported. Ho looked about
him frequently for the glare OF panthers
eyes and fanccd he heard its cat like approach; but
oI,a hv
interest in the enacted near him. All tho
traditions tor searching for treasure trove were
strictly Observed to that provided for ascertain
ing whether the spirits OF those who made the DO.
post mad aversion to any OF tho company OF
delivers. | shalt describe these as they arc IN the
province of chdhood's lore, but Will merely observe
the present candidates Tor fortunes smile dark as
the faces which ached 10 reflect H. seemed cs-
pecay the good graces of the deceased buccaneers
as none OF them was indicated impairng the charm
OF the ceremonial
THEATRICAL DENouEMENr
They dug and they dug, and as they dug the
"Judgc' prepared his denoucmcnt. He now felt as
sured on studying the glare OF the torches, that It
fell around his position sufficiently to protect him
from the ''varmints that might have returned to the
vicinity. He had taken fragment OF "lghtwood"
from the fire, extngushng II, and had also plenty of
matches in his pocket. Besides this he had In ono
hand immense hunting horn, whose doorous notes
he well knew would, in such spot, sound like the
terrible accents OF hell itself The negroes were
intent their work. So the "Judgc" carefully drew
a match the surface OF the IDIOTS reverend back
hair and lit his torch, yelling the light with his coat
In tho strange flicker OF many faggots the presence
oil another behind the image could not have been
readily detected If had would have inspired
the diggers with sufficient terror TO have taken away
their breath.
FRIGHTFUL APpARIrIoM
The 'iJudge" contemplated yet moro bood-curd-
ling apparition than walked the theatrical boards
He suddenly munled his head in his coat, uttered
hidcous groan which into piercing shrek,
waved the torch alo and precpitated himself IN the
midst OF the translxed negroes They scattered In an
instant and as they fed dropped their torches The
spirit had suddenly vanished as 1t had appeared. It
had flung its torch into the fire, and now swept back
and them toward the IDOL muttering fearful i'm
precautions. When they 1t the spirit dashed
into thicket second afterward the Judge" had
rcgaincd his place behind the image, and. winding
terrific blast the horn, held certain blazing faggots
SO that their flames seemed to spring from tho dumb
stone ITSELF
ESPRIT HEALTH OR GOBLIN DAMNED"
This was enough. The negroes crouched and trem-
bled behind the bushes, and while they there
grouped the edge OF the deep morass which grt
the island, the "Judge" had time TO back to the
There aside his disguise and stood in tho
full light shaking clenched fist at tho idol which
now dmly loomed out of the black night The negroes
caught glimpse Of him, and as If instinctlvely &C
knowledgng the superior bravery of the white race,
flung themselves out OF the darkness toward him,
while he rolled out in awing tones
BE tlou n spirit OF health or goblin damnd,
Brng VIII thee airs from heaven or blasts rom NELL
Thou comst in such questionable shape.
That will speak to thee III call thee Baa-
tors, ana then the Judge" burst into most pro-
dgious fit OF laughter, which they didn't at all under
stand.
"Boys,n said he ego TO Sleep II won't bother you
any moro now. 1t only walks till halt hour after
midnight, SO you are now SAFE"
"Bui, boss" said the bcwiIdercd possessor of tho
battered time piece, cot mus ha' been later dat,
shua."
''No; its now only quarter of one O'clock" said
the Judge.
METAPHYSICS
swell, fellers," said one, they
stretched themselves by the fire, quite Gained by the
.Judrc's" logical consideration, but still too much
awed to say much; '~cckon we gun to dig dab too
soon. OATS dc reason why we finds nuifn Reckon
dat dc ghost ob de pirate"
s'No, dat am ole Baa hisscli, toll you. He amt
gwnc to admit no one to dig bout his icet sartin"
..Most bcliko it de debbl, shua 'noush. wot
you tink gwinc como Oh us niggas?"
The "Judge'' snored till morning. and then tho
bright air seemed to have banishcd some
of their halluciaation, or they had found some
traces OF the imposition put upon them, else
had compared observations SO thoroughly to have
entirely undcccvcd themselves, for they carefully
avoided the subject and would not the 'Juogc's'
merry eye when he asked them about their later
slumbcrs. To me, however, they conided suspicion
that they had been dended, but made the reservation
that they would not risk another such fright for
their freedom
SEEKING An EGREss IDOL.
Tho transportation of the idol through the morass
to moro accessible ground clearly impossible, and
so the thought occurred to seek for channel or