按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Wolfert had not a doubt that this was the haunted house of Father
Red…cap； and called to mind the story of Peechy Prauw。 The evening
was approaching； and the light； falling dubiously among the woody
places； gave a melancholy tone to the scene well calculated to
foster any lurking feeling of awe or superstition。 The night hawk；
wheeling about in the highest regions of the air； emitted his
peevish； boding cry。 The woodpecker gave a lonely tap now and then
on some hollow tree； and the firebird＇1＇ streamed by them with his
deep red plumage。
＇1＇ Orchard oriole。
They now came to an inclosure that had once been a garden。 It
extended along the foot of a rocky ridge； but was little better
than a wilderness of weeds； with here and there a matted rosebush；
or a peach or plum tree； grown wild and ragged； and covered with
moss。 At the lower end of the garden they passed a kind of vault
in the side of a bank； facing the water。 It had the look of a root
house。＇1＇ The door； though decayed； was still strong； and appeared
to have been recently patched up。 Wolfert pushed it open。 It gave
a harsh grating upon its hinges； and striking against something
like a box； a rattling sound ensued； and a skull rolled on the
floor。 Wolfert drew back shuddering； but was reassured on being
informed by the negro that this was a family vault； belonging to
one of the old Dutch families that owned this estate； an assertion
corroborated by the sight of coffins of various sizes piled within。
Sam had been familiar with all these scenes when a boy； and now
knew that he could not be far from the place of which they were in
quest。
＇1＇ 〃Root house；〃 i。e。； a house for storing up potatoes； turnips；
or other roots for the winter feed of cattle。
They now made their way to the water's edge； scrambling along
ledges of rocks that overhung the waves； and obliged often to hold
by shrubs and grapevines to avoid slipping into the deep and
hurried stream。 At length they came to a small cove； or rather
indent of the shore。 It was protected by steep rocks； and
overshadowed by a thick copse of oaks and chestnuts； so as to be
sheltered and almost concealed。 The beach shelved gradually within
the cove； but； the current swept deep and black and rapid along its
jutting points。 The negro paused； raised his remnant of a hat； and
scratched his grizzled poll for a moment； as he regarded this nook；
then suddenly clapping his hands； he stepped exultingly forward；
and pointed to a large iron ring； stapled firmly in the rock； just
where a broad shelf of stone furnished a commodious landing place。
It was the very spot where the red…caps had landed。 Years had
changed the more perishable features of the scene； but rock and
iron yield slowly to the influence of time。 On looking more
closely Wolfert remarked three crosses cut in the rock just above
the ring； which had no doubt some mysterious signification。 Old
Sam now readily recognized the overhanging rock under which his
skiff had been sheltered during the thunder gust。 To follow up the
course which the midnight gang had taken； however； was a harder
task。 His mind had been so much taken up on that eventful occasion
by the persons of the drama as to pay but little attention to the
scenes； and these places looked so different by night and day。
After wandering about for some time； however； they came to an
opening among the trees which Sam thought resembled the place。
There was a ledge of rock of moderate height； like a wall； on one
side； which he thought might be the very ridge whence he had
overlooked the diggers。 Wolfert examined it narrowly； and at
length discovered three crosses similar to those on the above ring；
cut deeply into the face of the rock； but nearly obliterated by
moss that had grown over them。 His heart leaped with joy； for he
doubted not they were the private marks of the buccaneers。 All now
that remained was to ascertain the precise spot where the treasure
lay buried； for otherwise he might dig at random in the
neighborhood of the crosses； without coming upon the spoils； and he
had already had enough of such profitless labor。 Here； however；
the old negro was perfectly at a loss； and indeed perplexed him by
a variety of opinions； for his recollections were all confused。
Sometimes he declared it must have been at the foot of a mulberry
tree hard by； then beside a great white stone； then under a small
green knoll； a short distance from the ledge of rocks； until at
length Wolfert became as bewildered as himself。
The shadows of evening were now spreading themselves over the
woods； and rock and tree began to mingle together。 It was
evidently too late to attempt anything further at present； and；
indeed； Wolfert had come unprovided with implements to prosecute
his researches。 Satisfied； therefore； with having ascertained the
place； he took note of all its landmarks； that he might recognize
it again； and set out on his return homeward； resolved to prosecute
this golden enterprise without delay。
The leading anxiety which had hitherto absorbed every feeling being
now in some measure appeased； fancy began to wander； and to conjure
up a thousand shapes and chimeras as he returned through this
haunted region。 Pirates hanging in chains seemed to swing from
every tree； and he almost expected to see some Spanish don； with
his throat cut from ear to ear； rising slowly out of the ground；
and shaking the ghost of a money bag。
Their way back lay through the desolate garden； and Wolfert's
nerves had arrived at so sensitive a state that the flitting of a
bird； the rustling of a leaf； or the falling of a nut was enough to
startle him。 As they entered the confines of the garden； they
caught sight of a figure at a distance advancing slowly up one of
the walks； and bending under the weight of a burden。 They paused
and regarded him attentively。 He wore what appeared to be a woolen
cap； and； still more alarming； of a most sanguinary red。
The figure moved slowly on； ascended the bank； and stopped at the
very door of the sepulchral vault。 Just before entering it he
looked around。 What was the affright of Wolfert when he recognized
the grisly visage of the drowned buccaneer！ He uttered an
ejaculation of horror。 The figure slowly raised his iron fist and
shook it with a terrible menace。 Wolfert did not pause to see any
more； but hurried off as fast as his legs could carry him； nor was
Sam slow in following at his heels； having all his ancient terrors
revived。 Away； then； did they scramble through bush and brake；
horribly frightened at every bramble that tugged at their skirts；
nor did they pause to breathe until they had blundered their way
through this perilous wood； and fairly reached the highroad to the
city。
Several days elapsed before Wolfert could summon courage enough to
prosecute the enterprise； so much had he been dismayed by the
apparition； whe