The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-09-03

supply MUtSG 10 SIodUly uICducu L lie
shock might disturb an equili brium no
doubt very delicate, and SO put an end to
the goose that laid the golden egg.
The other subject by which he was
haunted But let it be stated in his
own words:
Cannot the source be enlarged upon
and improved? Perhaps there is o much
larger quantity of the metal than appears.
1t may be pushing for exit in large sup
ply just behind the face of the rock there,
and only checked by too narrow orr
fce."
He had observed that the flow was
freer on days of low barometer, and the
fact gave credibility to his surmise.
These ideas were present to him when
ever he went near the source. In his fe-
verish haste to secure more rapid returns
the temptation was most seductive one.
Little by little he yielded to it.
Very cautiously, very delicately, he re-
moved small portion of the rock, and
slightly enlarged the opening. JOY! the
flow distinctly rounded itself out to the
larger bore. Again, and yet again, he
broke off with his hammer and short
drill some further portions Of the rock.
1t was apparent it would stand even more.
He probed the opening, always with the
same delicacy, using a long crowbar, and
this had a most excellent effect; the
stream still expanded to it's increased op-
portunities. Visions of a speedy end to
the rest of his arduous task swan before
the warm fancy Of the experimenter.
It seemed as if very small, inofen-
sive blast with powder might be tried.
A hopeful ardor put down the voice of
prudence. The blast was placed and
fired.
All, heaven! who could have foretold,
who could have believed credible, so
hideously painful q result? The flow
ceased instantly, absolutely, and no sub
sequent efforts could recover it. The
goose that laid the golden egg was slain
indeed, and by Walters own hand.
At first he felt that only some insig-
nifcant fragment had blocked the way,
which could easily be removed, but he
cleared away the debris without result.
Then with breathless, increasing haste
he began to work-with short drill and
long drill, with mattock and pick. He
fell upon the recalcitrant rock with the
energy, the fury of coming despair.
Mere tools would not answer, but he
would still reach back to where the elu-
sive golden stream had hidden it's head.
So he fired blast after blast in increasing
quantities till most Of the rock was shat
tered away and the whole appearance Of
the place was changed.
''Oh, unreasonable dolt! Oh, ineffa-
BILE madman"'
So he called himself, and in the first
excess of his dismay and disappointment
he drew his revolver. purposing to end
his days; but even then some vestige of
fine old Stole philosophy and courage re-
manned and stayed his hand.
"If the stream be checked here it must
come out somewhere else in the vicinity,
or at least in the Barn an>a," he cried.
II will not be baff1ed so! will have it!''
He knew in his heart, however, that it
might be at no more accessible a spot
than the bottom of the boiling torrent.
He nowhere found any Indication of it.
Then he began to go over again, with re-
doubled painstalzing, all his forlpar rn-
searches for treasure in some other form.
He said to himself that they had been
only superficial, when, in fact, they had
already been most thorough. Once more
he broke the pudding stone for diamonds.
once more washed the sands of the brook
I Il L.