Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-04-02

rid of it, but the thought of the iron chest
haunted me. If could only get the gold
which felt sure il contained, my fortune
would be made. | could be as smart as
those great gentry who in the summer time
come down here to fish and see what man
ner of people we were.
Late i'm the afternoon. whenthe tide WAS
out, took a pick, and, unseen by anybody
made my way to the cliff The sky was
overcast, and the wind sighed dismally, in
dieatiOns that storm was fast coming up.
The boats which were outside were fast
hurrying in, as were the sea-birCs, who
with many shrill cries circled above my head.
.'On the edge of the cliff found the very
fOotholds had seen in my dream, and
clinging to the face of the rock as well as |
could, commenced my descent. 1t was
no boys task to do it, but | worked man
fully, and at last | stood on the little belt of
sand at the foot of the cliff.
Eagerly glanced about me, and sure
enough there was the hole in the rock
which had seen in my dream.
~ gust of wind at that moment sent the
spray from the water over me, well nigh
drenching me to the skin; but | paid no
heed to this, or to how fast the waves were
rising, | felt that the iron chest was in
there, and that | must see what its contents
We're, no matter what came.
.'With one look at the blackening sky
and rapidly swelling waves, | entered the
cavern At first il seemed as black rs night
therein, but as my eyes became accustomed
to the darkness was enabled to see about me.
''Guided by the memory of my dream, |
groped onward, and at last, to my great
joy, saw the iron chest before me.
Il did not lose a moment time in setting
about my work, for | know that had none
to spare. In little time the tide would be
running swiftly in, and | would be drowned
unless hurried away.
'.Stout were the blows dealt upon the
chest one by one the iron bands fell off,
and at last they all lay at my feet Then |
strove to lift the lid, but the rusty iron lock
still held it in its place.
"A few more blows stove this to pieces,
and then | threw back the lid.
The sight which then met my eyes filed
my soul with delight. The chest was full
of yellow bars of gold.
''For minute stood feasting upon the
sight, when received blow which nearly
threw me from my feet. \ great wave
rolled in without a sign Of its coming.
Il picked myself up in horror, and turn
ing my back upon the gold, fled toward the
opening. The narrow belt of sand outside
was covered with water, and afar off, hur-
/ rying like a race horse, | could see another
monster wave. My only hope of life was
| 10 get out Of its reach, and | sprang up over
J the rock with the swiftness of the wind
Il was not moment too soon. The
great wave struck the cliff, and leaped after
me Had been a foot lower down must
have been swept away by it.
"The storm had now come in all its force.
/ II almost took my foOthold: but | held on
/ and reached the summit in safety. Then ]
| hurried home, convinced that the gold must
remain where it was until the storm abated
/ Ii proved to be one Of the most fearful ones
ever known on this coast. 1t ragged fOrtwO
whole days, and its fury | never saw
equalled before.
when it was over hurried to the cliff,
and clambered down as far as | could 90,
and then | found that the gold was lest to
me forever. The storm had changed all
about its base Where the sand had been
a great mass of rock had fallen, sealing up
the mouth of the cavern for all time from
the gaze of man. The gold is in the heart
| of the cliff, and there il will remain until
/ the Last Day