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from the night damp； while Dame Webber threw her long red cloak
about his shoulders； and fastened it round his neck。
＇1＇ Hobby； or hobbyhorse； a favorite theme of thought； hence； 〃to
mount a hobby〃 is to follow a favorite pursuit。
The doctor had been no less carefully armed and accoutered by his
housekeeper； the vigilant Frau Ilsy； and sallied forth in his
camlet robe by way of surcoat；＇1＇ his black velvet cap under his
cocked hat； a thick clasped book under his arm； a basket of drugs
and dried herbs in one hand； and in the other the miraculous rod of
divination。
＇1＇ Overcoat。
The great church clock struck ten as Wolfert and the doctor passed
by the churchyard； and the watchman bawled in hoarse voice a long
and doleful 〃All's well！〃 A deep sleep had already fallen upon
this primitive little burgh； nothing disturbed this awful silence
excepting now and then the bark of some profligate； night…walking
dog； or the serenade of some romantic cat。 It is true Wolfert
fancied more than once that he heard the sound of a stealthy
footfall at a distance behind them； but it might have been merely
the echo of their own steps along the quiet streets。 He thought
also at one time that he saw a tall figure skulking after them；
stopping when they stopped and moving on as they proceeded； but the
dim and uncertain lamplight threw such vague gleams and shadows
that this might all have been mere fancy。
They found the old fisherman waiting for them； smoking his pipe in
the stern of the skiff； which was moored just in front of his
little cabin。 A pickax and spade were lying in the bottom of the
boat； with a dark lantern； and a stone bottle of good Dutch
courage；＇1＇ in which honest Sam no doubt put even more faith than
Dr。 Knipperhausen in his drugs。
＇1＇ Dutch courage is courage that results from indulgence in Dutch
gin or Hollands； here applied to the gin itself。
Thus； then； did these three worthies embark in their cockleshell of
a skiff upon this nocturnal expedition； with a wisdom and valor
equaled only by the three wise men of Gotham；＇1＇ who adventured to
sea in a bowl。 The tide was rising and running rapidly up the
Sound。 The current bore them along； almost without the aid of an
oar。 The profile of the town lay all in shadow。 Here and there a
light feebly glimmered from some sick chamber； or from the cabin
window of some vessel at anchor in the stream。 Not a cloud
obscured the deep； starry firmament； the lights of which wavered on
the surface of the placid river； and a shooting meteor； streaking
its pale course in the very direction they were taking； was
interpreted by the doctor into a most propitious omen。
＇1＇ 〃Three wise men of Gotham；
They went to sea in a bowl
And if the bowl had been stronger；
My tale had been longer。〃
Mother Goose Melody。
＇1＇ Gotham was a village proverbial for the blundering simplicity of
its inhabitants。 At first the name referred to an English village。
Irving applied it to New York City。
In a little while they glided by the point of Corlear's Hook； with
the rural inn which had been the scene of such night adventures。
The family had retired to rest； and the house was dark and still。
Wolfert felt a chill pass over him as they passed the point where
the buccaneer had disappeared。 He pointed it out to Dr。
Knipperhausen。 While regarding it they thought they saw a boat
actually lurking at the very place； but the shore cast such a
shadow over the border of the water that they could discern nothing
distinctly。 They had not proceeded far when they heard the low
sounds of distant oars； as if cautiously pulled。 Sam plied his
oars with redoubled vigor； and knowing all the eddies and currents
of the stream； soon left their followers； if such they were； far
astern。 In a little while they stretched across Turtle Bay and
Kip's Bay；＇1＇ then shrouded themselves in the deep shadows of the
Manhattan shore； and glided swiftly along； secure from observation。
At length the negro shot his skiff into a little cove； darkly
embowered by trees； and made it fast to the well…known iron ring。
They now landed； and lighting the lantern gathered their various
implements and proceeded slowly through the bushes。 Every sound
startled them； even that of their own footsteps among the dry
leaves； and the hooting of a screech owl； from the shattered
chimney of the neighboring ruin； made their blood run cold。
＇1＇ A small bay in the East River below Corlear's Hook。
In spite of all Wolfert's caution in taking note of the landmarks；
it was some time before they could find the open place among the
trees； where the treasure was supposed to be buried。 At length
they came to the ledge of rock； and on examining its surface by the
aid of the lantern； Wolfert recognized the three mystic crosses。
Their hearts beat quick； for the momentous trial was at hand that
was to determine their hopes。
The lantern was now held by Wolfert Webber； while the doctor
produced the divining rod。 It was a forked twig； one end of which
was grasped firmly in each hand； while the center； forming the
stem； pointed perpendicularly upward。 The doctor moved his wand
about； within a certain distance of the earth； from place to place；
but for some time without any effect； while Wolfert kept the light
of the lantern turned full upon it； and watched it with the most
breathless interest。 At length the rod began slowly to turn。 The
doctor grasped it with greater earnestness； his hands trembling
with the agitation of his mind。 The wand continued to turn
gradually； until at length the stem had reversed its position； and
pointed perpendicularly downward； and remained pointing to one spot
as fixedly as the needle to the pole。
〃This is the spot！〃 said the doctor； in an almost inaudible tone。
Wolfert's heart was in his throat。
〃Shall I dig？〃 said the negro； grasping the spade。
〃Pots tausend；＇1＇ no！〃 replied the little doctor hastily。 He now
ordered his companions to keep close by him； and to maintain the
most inflexible silence； that certain precautions must be taken and
ceremonies used to prevent the evil spirits which kept about buried
treasure from doing them any harm。 He then drew a circle about the
place； enough to include the whole party。 He next gathered dry
twigs and leaves and made a fire； upon which he threw certain drugs
and dried herbs which he had brought in his basket。 A thick smoke
rose； diffusing a potent odor savoring marvelously of brimstone and
asafetida； which； however grateful it might be to the olfactory
nerves of spirits； nearly strangled poor Wolfert； and produced a
fit of coughing and wheezing that made the whole grove resound。
Dr。 Knipperhausen then unclasped the volume which he had brought
under his arm； which was printed in red and black characters in
Ge