Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-06-09

and-a WILDCAT was Snarl1ng down to-
ward the ravine.
Come, let us get himl" said Todd to
the dogs, after he had tended the fires.
As they passed under the thick dark
branches Of a spruce tree the cat
bounced upon Carlo. There was trough
nnd-tumble fight, the two rolling out into
a patch of moonlight, where Carlo re-
leased his hold and came limping and
whining to his master, who promptly
dispatched the wildcat the instant the
dog was out Of the way.
But where was Major? Reloading his
musket, Todd peered cautiously about.
Soon he heard a growl which was not
that of a dog. On the very edge OF the
ravine was the Wellington bear, With
Major facing him at a respectful dis
lance. Todd took aim. At such short
range there was not the slightest ex-
cuse for poor shot With bullet from
the Springfield through his brain, bruin
leaped, or rather fell, down the ravine
Over and over he tumbled until his
clumsy bulk was wedged between gram
tie bowlder and a big Eastwood tree.
81 guess you'll be safe there until
morning, and it'll take the oxen to pull
your carcass out of there then" said
Todd.
Returning to the sugar-house he
passed through a corner of the 80-acre
clearing.
"The Tompkins Folly, indeed" he ex-
claimed. 1T will take two years more
to finish this monumental piece OF fool
ishness. But we promised father, and
there is an end Of it."
Once more he performed his regular
round of duties at the sugar-house, and
tried to snatch little rest. He was
very tired, and soon, without intending
to do so, he fell asleep.
Presently hand touched his shoulder
Before him stood the grenadier, who
beckoned him to follow. The moon was
now we'll to the westward, and but little
of its light struggled through the tree
tops. But Todd kept in sight OF the
scarlet uniform, and followed the figure
which cast no shadow and left no foot
prints. Soon they stood at the foot OF
Pulpit Rock, which the grenadier
climbed. and then bent down to reach
underneath a shelf which jutted out
from the main rock. He reached upward
and seemed to find a secret niche, from
which he drew a parcel, which he ex-
amined and then replaced.
Day was Just breaking when Todd
awoke. frightened at finding that he had
dropped asleep. The maple-sirup was
perilously near burning. From its nall
bv the sugar-house door he took down
the dinner horn which he used TO signal
his brother at the farm house. One long
blast was blown, then three short ones,
which meant to Judd, Bring the oxen.
"Do you want me to gather the sap!
asked a voice at the door afew moments
later
"No. Judd; thought you would all
like some bearsteak for breakfast, that's
why called so early" was the reply,
Half an hour later, with their game
loaded. they were passing Pulpit ROCK
when Todd called a halt.
what! Have you more game here?"
asked Judd.
Nothing only hint which l got
from dreaming of your scarlet ghost last
night" replied Todd, who was now ex-
aiming the rock.
At first he could find no opening; then,
crouching down under the rocky shelf,
and feeling every inch Of surface, ne
found a small opening upward, barely
large enough to admit his hand, but dark
as a pocket and suggestive Of snakes
and other vile things, and charging
above into cavity foot or more In d.
ameter From this, after few mo-
ments, he withdrew a moldy and I'M
clean object, which he brought to his
brother, and they examined it together.
The outer wrapping, of leather, fell
apart almost at their touch; second
wrapping. also of leather, was in better
condition; the kernel Of all, number OF
91OO Bank of England notes, was per-
fectly preserved.
mot a drop of water could reach that
little natural vault" said Todd, "else
these would have been destroyed half
century ago."
At breakfast Grandfather Tompkins,
whose faculties were wonderfully alert
in spite of his 80 odd years, surprised
the family by his comment on Todd's dis
covery.
"This seems to be the proper time"
he said. "for me to give the history OF
the scarlet ghost On the night when
a portion of Burgoyne's captured army,
on the march eastward, was quartered in
a barn not far from here, party was
hunting in the woods below. Daniel
Tompkins. then only boy, was sure
that he caught glimpse Of figure In
scarlet and bearing a spade beyond Pull
nit Rock. When he told his companions
later they only laughed at him, as the
british were we'll guarded, although II
IS notorious that many OF the patriot
guard had partaken so freely OF New
England rum that prisoner might
easily have eluded them. When Daniel
came into possession of the farm, few
wears latter, he staked out the SO-acre
tract within whose limits ne believed
treasure had been hidden. AS the object
of the clearing has been accomplished,
YOU boys are excused from further work
upon 1t"
make this extract from a letter
shedding from the farm to a nearby
city:
"Now, my dear i see no reason why