YOU，therefore，didnotdesigntheskull，andnooneelsewaspresenttodoit。Thenitwasnotdonebyhumanagency。Andneverthelessitwasdone。
“AtthisstageofmyreflectionsIendeavoredtoremember，andDID
remember，withentiredistinctness，everyincidentwhichoccurredabouttheperiodinquestion。Theweatherwaschillyoh，rareandhappyaccident！，andafirewasblazinguponthehearth。Iwasheatedwithexerciseandsatnearthetable。You，however，haddrawnachairclosetothechimney。JustasIplacedtheparchmentinyourhand，andasyouwereintheactofinspectingit，Wolf，theNewfoundland，entered，andleapeduponyourshoulders。Withyourlefthandyoucaressedhimandkepthimoff，whileyourright，holdingtheparchment，waspermittedtofalllistlesslybetweenyourknees，andincloseproximitytothefire。AtonemomentI
thoughttheblazehadcaughtit，andwasabouttocautionyou，but，beforeIcouldspeak，youhadwithdrawnit，andwereengagedinitsexamination。WhenIconsideredalltheseparticulars，IdoubtednotforamomentthatHEAThadbeentheagentinbringingtolight，upontheparchment，theskullwhichIsawdesigneduponit。Youarewellawarethatchemicalpreparationsexist，andhaveexistedtimeoutofmind，bymeansofwhichitispossibletowriteuponeitherpaperorvellum，sothatthecharactersshallbecomevisibleonlywhensubjectedtotheactionoffire。Zaffre，digestedinaquaregia，anddilutedwithfourtimesitsweightofwater，issometimesemployed；agreentintresults。Theregulusofcobalt，dissolvedinspiritofniter，givesared。Thesecolorsdisappearatlongerorshorterintervalsafterthematerialwrittenuponcools，butagainbecomeapparentuponthereapplicationofheat。
“Inowscrutinizedthedeath”sheadwithcare。Itsouteredges——
theedgesofthedrawingnearesttheedgeofthevellum——werefarmoreDISTINCTthantheothers。Itwasclearthattheactionofthecalorichadbeenimperfectorunequal。Iimmediatelykindledafire，andsubjectedeveryportionoftheparchmenttoaglowingheat。Atfirst，theonlyeffectwasthestrengtheningofthefaintlinesintheskull；but，uponperseveringintheexperiment，therebecamevisible，atthecorneroftheslip，diagonallyoppositetothespotinwhichthedeath”sheadwasdelineated，thefigureofwhatIatfirstsupposedtobeagoat。Acloserscrutiny，however，satisfiedmethatitwasintendedforakid。”
“Ha！ha！“saidI，“tobesureIhavenorighttolaughatyou——amillionandahalfofmoneyistooseriousamatterformirth——butyouarenotabouttoestablishathirdlinkinyourchain——youwillnotfindanyespecialconnectionbetweenyourpiratesandagoat——
pirates，youknow，havenothingtodowithgoats；theyappertaintothefarminginterest。”
“ButIhavejustsaidthatthefigurewasNOTthatofagoat。”
“Well，akidthen——prettymuchthesamething。”
“Prettymuch，butnotaltogether，“saidLegrand。“YoumayhaveheardofoneCAPTAINKidd。Iatoncelookeduponthefigureoftheanimalasakindofpunningorhieroglyphicalsignature。Isaysignature；becauseitspositionuponthevellumsuggestedthisidea。Thedeath”sheadatthecornerdiagonallyopposite，had，inthesamemanner，theairofastamp，orseal。ButIwassorelyputoutbytheabsenceofallelse——ofthebodytomyimaginedinstrument——ofthetextformycontext。”
“Ipresumeyouexpectedtofindaletterbetweenthestampandthesignature。”
“Somethingofthatkind。Thefactis，Ifeltirresistiblyimpressedwithapresentimentofsomevastgoodfortuneimpending。
Icanscarcelysaywhy。Perhaps，afterall，itwasratheradesirethananactualbelief；——butdoyouknowthatJupiter”ssillywords，aboutthebugbeingofsolidgold，hadaremarkableeffectuponmyfancy？Andthentheseriesofaccidentsandcoincidents——theseweresoVERYextraordinary。DoyouobservehowmereanaccidentitwasthattheseeventsshouldhaveoccurredupontheSOLEdayofalltheyearinwhichithasbeen，ormaybesufficientlycoolforfire，andthatwithoutthefire，orwithouttheinterventionofthedogattheprecisemomentinwhichheappeared，Ishouldneverhavebecomeawareofthedeath”shead，andsoneverthepossessorofthetreasure？“
“Butproceed——Iamallimpatience。”
“Well；youhaveheard，ofcourse，themanystoriescurrent——thethousandvaguerumorsafloataboutmoneyburied，somewhereupontheAtlanticcoast，byKiddandhisassociates。Theserumorsmusthavehadsomefoundationinfact。Andthattherumorshaveexistedsolongandsocontinuous，couldhaveresulted，itappearedtome，onlyfromthecircumstanceoftheburiedtreasuresstillREMAINING
entombed。HadKiddconcealedhisplunderforatime，andafterwardsreclaimedit，therumorswouldscarcelyhavereachedusintheirpresentunvaryingform。Youwillobservethatthestoriestoldareallaboutmoney-seekers，notaboutmoney-finders。Hadthepiraterecoveredhismoney，theretheaffairwouldhavedropped。
Itseemedtomethatsomeaccident——saythelossofamemorandumindicatingitslocality——haddeprivedhimofthemeansofrecoveringit，andthatthisaccidenthadbecomeknowntohisfollowers，whootherwisemightneverhaveheardthatthetreasurehadbeenconcealedatall，andwho，busyingthemselvesinvain，becauseunguided，attemptstoregainit，hadgivenfirstbirth，andthenuniversalcurrency，tothereportswhicharenowsocommon。
Haveyoueverheardofanyimportanttreasurebeingunearthedalongthecoast？“
“Never。”
“ButthatKidd”saccumulationswereimmense，iswellknown。Itookitforgranted，therefore，thattheearthstillheldthem；andyouwillscarcelybesurprisedwhenItellyouthatIfeltahope，nearlyamountingtocertainty，thattheparchmentsostrangelyfoundinvolvedalostrecordoftheplaceofdeposit。”
“Buthowdidyouproceed？“
“Iheldthevellumagaintothefire，afterincreasingtheheat，butnothingappeared。Inowthoughtitpossiblethatthecoatingofdirtmighthavesomethingtodowiththefailure：soIcarefullyrinsedtheparchmentbypouringwarmwateroverit，and，havingdonethis，Iplaceditinatinpan，withtheskulldownward，andputthepanuponafurnaceoflightedcharcoal。Inafewminutes，thepanhavingbecomethoroughlyheated，Iremovedtheslip，and，tomyinexpressiblejoy，founditspotted，inseveralplaces，withwhatappearedtobefiguresarrangedinlines。AgainIplaceditinthepan，andsufferedittoremainanotherminute。Upontakingitoff，thewholewasjustasyouseeitnow。”
HereLegrand，havingreheatedtheparchment，submittedittomyinspection。Thefollowingcharacterswererudelytraced，inaredtint，betweenthedeath”sheadandthegoat：
“53！3056*；482644。；806*；48！8]6085；18*：；：*8！83885*！；
46；88*96*？；8*；485；5*！2：*；4956*25*-48]8*；4069285；6！84；
19；48081；8：81；48！85；4485！528806*819；48；88；4？34；484；161；：
188；？；“
“But，“saidI，returninghimtheslip，“Iamasmuchinthedarkasever。WereallthejewelsofGolcondaawaitingmeuponmysolutionofthisenigma，IamquitesurethatIshouldbeunabletoearnthem。”
“Andyet，“saidLegrand，“thesolutionisbynomeanssodifficultasyoumightbeledtoimaginefromthefirsthastyinspectionofthecharacters。Thesecharacters，asanyonemightreadilyguess，formacipher——thatistosay，theyconveyameaning；butthenfromwhatisknownofKidd，Icouldnotsupposehimcapableofconstructinganyofthemoreabstrusecryptographs。Imadeupmymind，atonce，thatthiswasofasimplespecies——such，however，aswouldappear，tothecrudeintellectofthesailor，absolutelyinsolublewithoutthekey。”
“Andyoureallysolvedit？“
“Readily；Ihavesolvedothersofanabstrusenesstenthousandtimesgreater。Circumstances，andacertainbiasofmind，haveledmetotakeinterestinsuchriddles，anditmaywellbedoubtedwhetherhumaningenuitycanconstructanenigmaofthekindwhichhumaningenuitymaynot，byproperapplication，resolve。Infact，havingonceestablishedconnectedandlegiblecharacters，I
scarcelygaveathoughttothemeredifficultyofdevelopingtheirimport。
“Inthepresentcase——indeedinallcasesofsecretwriting——thefirstquestionregardstheLANGUAGEofthecipher；fortheprinciplesofsolution，sofar，especially，asthemoresimpleciphersareconcerned，dependupon，andarevariedby，thegeniusoftheparticularidiom。Ingeneral，thereisnoalternativebutexperimentdirectedbyprobabilitiesofeverytongueknowntohimwhoattemptsthesolution，untilthetrueonebeattained。But，withtheciphernowbeforeus，alldifficultywasremovedbythesignature。Thepunupontheword”Kidd”isappreciableinnootherlanguagethantheEnglish。ButforthisconsiderationIshouldhavebegunmyattemptswiththeSpanishandFrench，asthetonguesinwhichasecretofthiskindwouldmostnaturallyhavebeenwrittenbyapirateoftheSpanishmain。Asitwas，IassumedthecryptographtobeEnglish。
“Youobservetherearenodivisionsbetweenthewords。Hadtherebeendivisionsthetaskwouldhavebeencomparativelyeasy。InsuchcasesIshouldhavecommencedwithacollationandanalysisoftheshorterwords，and，hadawordofasingleletteroccurred，asismostlikely，aorI，forexample，Ishouldhaveconsideredthesolutionasassured。But，therebeingnodivision，myfirststepwastoascertainthepredominantletters，aswellastheleastfrequent。Countingall，Iconstructedatablethus：
Ofthecharacter8thereare33。
；“26。
4“19。
“16。
*“13。
5“12。
6“11。！1“8。
0“6。
92“5。
：3“4。？“3。
]“2。“1。
“Now，inEnglish，theletterwhichmostfrequentlyoccursise。
Afterwards，thesuccessionrunsthus：aoidhnrstuycfglmwbkpqxz。Epredominatessoremarkably，thatanindividualsentenceofanylengthisrarelyseen，inwhichitisnottheprevailingcharacter。
“Here，then，wehave，intheverybeginning，thegroundworkforsomethingmorethanamereguess。Thegeneralusewhichmaybemadeofthetableisobvious——but，inthisparticularcipher，weshallonlyverypartiallyrequireitsaid。Asourpredominantcharacteris8，wewillcommencebyassumingitastheeofthenaturalalphabet。Toverifythesupposition，letusobserveifthe8beseenoftenincouples——foreisdoubledwithgreatfrequencyinEnglish——insuchwords，forexample，as”meet””fleet””speed””seen””been””agree”etc。Inthepresentinstanceweseeitdoublednolessthanfivetimes，althoughthecryptographisbrief。
“Letusassume8，then，ase。Now，ofallWORDSinthelanguage，”the”ismostusual；letussee，therefore，whethertherearenotrepetitionsofanythreecharacters，inthesameorderofcollocation，thelastofthembeing8。Ifwediscoverrepetitionsofsuchletters，soarranged，theywillmostprobablyrepresenttheword”the。”Uponinspection，wefindnolessthansevensucharrangements，thecharactersbeing；48。Wemay，therefore，assumethat；representst，4representsh，and8representse——thelastbeingnowwellconfirmed。Thusagreatstephasbeentaken。
“But，havingestablishedasingleword，weareenabledtoestablishavastlyimportantpoint；thatistosay，severalcommencementsandterminationsofotherwords。Letusrefer，forexample，tothelastinstancebutone，inwhichthecombination；48occurs——notfarfromtheendofthecipher。Weknowthatthe；immediatelyensuingisthecommencementofaword，and，ofthesixcharacterssucceedingthis”the”wearecognizantofnolessthanfive。Letussetthesecharactersdown，thus，bythelettersweknowthemtorepresent，leavingaspacefortheunknown——
teeth。
“Hereweareenabled，atonce，todiscardthe”th”asformingnoportionofthewordcommencingwiththefirstt；since，byexperimentoftheentirealphabetforaletteradaptedtothevacancy，weperceivethatnowordcanbeformedofwhichthisthcanbeapart。Wearethusnarrowedintotee，and，goingthroughthealphabet，ifnecessary，asbefore，wearriveattheword”tree”asthesolepossiblereading。Wethusgainanotherletter，r，representedby，withthewords”thetree”injuxtaposition。
“Lookingbeyondthesewords，forashortdistance，weagainseethecombination；48，andemployitbywayofTERMINATIONtowhatimmediatelyprecedes。Wehavethusthisarrangement：
thetree；44？34the，or，substitutingthenaturalletters，whereknown，itreadsthus：
thetreethr？3hthe。
“Now，if，inplaceoftheunknowncharacters，weleaveblankspaces，orsubstitutedots，wereadthus：
thetreethr……hthe，whentheword”through”makesitselfevidentatonce。Butthisdiscoverygivesusthreenewletters，o，u，andg，representedby，？，and3。
“Lookingnow，narrowly，throughthecipherforcombinationsofknowncharacters，wefind，notveryfarfromthebeginning，thisarrangement，8388，oregree，whichplainly，istheconclusionoftheword”degree”andgivesusanotherletter，d，representedby！。
“Fourlettersbeyondtheword”degree”weperceivethecombination；46；88。
“Translatingtheknowncharacters，andrepresentingtheunknownbydots，asbefore，wereadthus：
th。rtee，anarrangementimmediatelysuggestiveofthewordthirteen”andagainfurnishinguswithtwonewcharacters，iandn，representedby6and*。
“Referring，now，tothebeginningofthecryptograph，wefindthecombination，53！。
“Translatingasbefore，weobtain。good，whichassuresusthatthefirstletterisA，andthatthefirsttwowordsare”Agood。”
“Itisnowtimethatwearrangeourkey，asfarasdiscovered，inatabularform，toavoidconfusion。Itwillstandthus：
5representsa！“d8“e3“g4“h6“i*“n“o“r；“t？“u“Wehave，therefore，nolessthanelevenofthemostimportantlettersrepresented，anditwillbeunnecessarytoproceedwiththedetailsofthesolution。Ihavesaidenoughtoconvinceyouthatciphersofthisnaturearereadilysoluble，andtogiveyousomeinsightintotherationaleoftheirdevelopment。Butbeassuredthatthespecimenbeforeusappertainstotheverysimplestspeciesofcryptograph。Itnowonlyremainstogiveyouthefulltranslationofthecharactersupontheparchment，asunriddled。
Hereitis：
“”Agoodglassinthebishop”shostelinthedevil”sseatforty-onedegreesandthirteenminutesnortheastandbynorthmainbranchseventhlimbeastsideshootfromthelefteyeofthedeath”sheadabee-linefromthetreethroughtheshotfiftyfeetout。”“
“But，“saidI，“theenigmaseemsstillinasbadaconditionasever。Howisitpossibletoextortameaningfromallthisjargonabout”devil”sseats””death”sheads”and”bishop”shostels”？“
“Iconfess，“repliedLegrand，“thatthematterstillwearsaseriousaspect，whenregardedwithacasualglance。Myfirstendeavorwastodividethesentenceintothenaturaldivisionintendedbythecryptographist。”
“Youmean，topunctuateit？“
“Somethingofthatkind。”
“Buthowwasitpossibletoeffectthis？“
“IreflectedthatithadbeenaPOINTwiththewritertorunhiswordstogetherwithoutdivision，soastoincreasethedifficultyofsolution。Now，anotoveracuteman，inpursuingsuchanobject，wouldbenearlycertaintooverdothematter。When，inthecourseofhiscomposition，hearrivedatabreakinhissubjectwhichwouldnaturallyrequireapause，orapoint，hewouldbeexceedinglyapttorunhischaracters，atthisplace，morethanusuallyclosetogether。IfyouwillobservetheMS。，inthepresentinstance，youwilleasilydetectfivesuchcasesofunusualcrowding。ActinguponthishintImadethedivisionthus：
“”Agoodglassinthebishop”shostelinthedevil”sseat——forty-
onedegreesandthirteenminutes——northeastandbynorth——mainbranchseventhlimbeastside——shootfromthelefteyeofthedeath”shead——abee-linefromthetreethroughtheshotfiftyfeetout。”“
“Eventhisdivision，“saidI，“leavesmestillinthedark。”
“Itleftmealsointhedark，“repliedLegrand，“forafewdays；
duringwhichImadediligentinquiryintheneighborhoodofSullivan”sIsland，foranybuildingwhichwentbynameofthe”Bishop”sHotel”；for，ofcourse，Idroppedtheobsoleteword”hostel。”Gainingnoinformationonthesubject，Iwasonthepointofextendingmysphereofsearch，andproceedinginamoresystematicmanner，when，onemorning，itenteredintomyhead，quitesuddenly，thatthis”Bishop”sHostel”mighthavesomereferencetoanoldfamily，ofthenameofBessop，which，timeoutofmind，hadheldpossessionofanancientmanorhouse，aboutfourmilestothenorthwardoftheisland。Iaccordinglywentovertotheplantation，andreinstitutedmyinquiriesamongtheoldernegroesoftheplace。AtlengthoneofthemostagedofthewomensaidthatshehadheardofsuchaplaceasBessop”sCastle，andthoughtthatshecouldguidemetoit，butthatitwasnotacastle，noratavern，butahighrock。
“Iofferedtopayherwellforhertrouble，and，aftersomedemur，sheconsentedtoaccompanymetothespot。Wefounditwithoutmuchdifficulty，when，dismissingher，Iproceededtoexaminetheplace。The”castle”consistedofanirregularassemblageofcliffsandrocks——oneofthelatterbeingquiteremarkableforitsheightaswellasforitsinsulatedandartificialappearance。I
clamberedtoitsapex，andthenfeltmuchatalossastowhatshouldbenextdone。
“WhileIwasbusiedinreflection，myeyesfelluponanarrowledgeintheeasternfaceoftherock，perhapsayardbelowthesummituponwhichIstood。Thisledgeprojectedabouteighteeninches，andwasnotmorethanafootwide，whileanicheinthecliffjustaboveitgaveitaruderesemblancetooneofthehollow-backedchairsusedbyourancestors。Imadenodoubtthatherewasthe”devil”sseat”alludedtointheMS。，andnowIseemedtograspthefullsecretoftheriddle。
“The”goodglass”Iknew，couldhavereferencetonothingbutatelescope；fortheword”glass”israrelyemployedinanyothersensebyseamen。Nowhere，Iatoncesaw，wasatelescopetobeused，andadefinitepointofview，ADMITTINGNOVARIATION，fromwhichtouseit。NordidIhesitatetobelievethatthephrases，”forty-onedegreesandthirteenminutes”and”northeastandbynorth”wereintendedasdirectionsforthelevelingoftheglass。
Greatlyexcitedbythesediscoveries，Ihurriedhome，procuredatelescope，andreturnedtotherock。
“Iletmyselfdowntotheledge，andfoundthatitwasimpossibletoretainaseatuponitexceptinoneparticularposition。Thisfactconfirmedmypreconceivedidea。Iproceededtousetheglass。
Ofcourse，the”forty-onedegreesandthirteenminutes”couldalludetonothingbutelevationabovethevisiblehorizon，sincethehorizontaldirectionwasclearlyindicatedbythewords，”northeastandbynorth。”ThislatterdirectionIatonceestablishedbymeansofapocketcompass；then，pointingtheglassasnearlyatanangleofforty-onedegreesofelevationasIcoulddoitbyguess，Imoveditcautiouslyupordown，untilmyattentionwasarrestedbyacircularriftoropeninginthefoliageofalargetreethatovertoppeditsfellowsinthedistance。InthecenterofthisriftIperceivedawhitespot，butcouldnot，atfirst，distinguishwhatitwas。Adjustingthefocusofthetelescope，Iagainlooked，andnowmadeitouttobeahumanskull。
“UponthisdiscoveryIwassosanguineastoconsidertheenigmasolved；forthephrase”mainbranch，seventhlimb，eastside”
couldreferonlytothepositionoftheskulluponthetree，while”shootfromthelefteyeofthedeath”shead”admitted，also，ofbutoneinterpretation，inregardtoasearchforburiedtreasure。
Iperceivedthatthedesignwastodropabulletfromthelefteyeoftheskull，andthatabee-line，or，inotherwords，astraightline，drawnfromthenearestpointofthetrunk”throughtheshot”
orthespotwherethebulletfell，andthenceextendedtoadistanceoffiftyfeet，wouldindicateadefinitepoint——andbeneaththispointIthoughtitatleastPOSSIBLEthatadepositofvaluelayconcealed。”
“Allthis，“Isaid，“isexceedinglyclear，and，althoughingenious，stillsimpleandexplicit。WhenyoulefttheBishop”sHotel，whatthen？“
“Why，havingcarefullytakenthebearingsofthetree，Iturnedhomeward。TheinstantthatIleft”thedevil”sseat”however，thecircularriftvanished；norcouldIgetaglimpseofitafterwards，turnasIwould。Whatseemstomethechiefingenuityinthiswholebusiness，isthefactforrepeatedexperimenthasconvincedmeitISafactthatthecircularopeninginquestionisvisiblefromnootherattainablepointofviewthanthataffordedbythenarrowledgeuponthefaceoftherock。
“Inthisexpeditiontothe”Bishop”sHotel”IhadbeenattendedbyJupiter，whohad，nodoubt，observed，forsomeweekspast，theabstractionofmydemeanor，andtookespecialcarenottoleavemealone。But，onthenextday，gettingupveryearly，Icontrivedtogivehimtheslip，andwentintothehillsinsearchofthetree。
AftermuchtoilIfoundit。WhenIcamehomeatnightmyvaletproposedtogivemeaflogging。WiththerestoftheadventureI
believeyouareaswellacquaintedasmyself。”
“Isuppose，“saidI，“youmissedthespot，inthefirstattemptatdigging，throughJupiter”sstupidityinlettingthebugfallthroughtherightinsteadofthroughthelefteyeoftheskull。”
“Precisely。Thismistakemadeadifferenceofabouttwoinchesandahalfinthe”shot”——thatistosay，inthepositionofthepegnearestthetree；andhadthetreasurebeenBENEATHthe”shot”theerrorwouldhavebeenoflittlemoment；but”theshot”togetherwiththenearestpointofthetree，weremerelytwopointsfortheestablishmentofalineofdirection；ofcoursetheerror，howevertrivialinthebeginning，increasedasweproceededwiththeline，andbythetimewehadgonefiftyfeetthrewusquiteoffthescent。Butformydeep-seatedimpressionsthattreasurewasheresomewhereactuallyburied，wemighthavehadallourlaborinvain。”
“Butyourgrandiloquence，andyourconductinswingingthebeetle——
howexcessivelyodd！Iwassureyouweremad。Andwhydidyouinsistuponlettingfallthebug，insteadofabullet，fromtheskull？“
“Why，tobefrank，Ifeltsomewhatannoyedbyyourevidentsuspicionstouchingmysanity，andsoresolvedtopunishyouquietly，inmyownway，byalittlebitofsobermystification。
ForthisreasonIswungthebeetle，andforthisreasonIletitfallfromthetree。Anobservationofyoursaboutitsgreatweightsuggestedthelatteridea。”
“Yes，Iperceive；andnowthereisonlyonepointwhichpuzzlesme。
Whatarewetomakeoftheskeletonsfoundinthehole？“
“ThatisaquestionIamnomoreabletoanswerthanyourself。
Thereseems，however，onlyoneplausiblewayofaccountingforthem——andyetitisdreadfultobelieveinsuchatrocityasmysuggestionwouldimply。ItisclearthatKidd——ifKiddindeedsecretedthistreasure，whichIdoubtnot——itisclearthathemusthavehadassistanceinthelabor。Butthislaborconcluded，hemayhavethoughtitexpedienttoremoveallparticipantsinhissecret。
Perhapsacoupleofblowswithamattockweresufficient，whilehiscoadjutorswerebusyinthepit；perhapsitrequiredadozen——whoshalltell？“
WashingtonIrvingWolfertWebber，orGoldenDreamsIntheyearofgraceonethousandsevenhundredand——blank——forI
donotremembertheprecisedate；however，itwassomewhereintheearlypartofthelastcentury，——therelivedintheancientcityoftheManhattoesaworthyburgher，WolfertWebberbyname。HewasdescendedfromoldCobusWebberoftheBrill[1]inHolland，oneoftheoriginalsettlers，famousforintroducingthecultivationofcabbages，andwhocameovertotheprovinceduringtheprotectorshipofOloffeVanKortlandt，otherwisecalled“theDreamer。”
[1]TheBrillisafortifiedseaportofHolland，ontheMeuseRiver，nearRotterdam。
ThefieldinwhichCobusWebberfirstplantedhimselfandhiscabbageshadremainedeversinceinthefamily，whocontinuedinthesamelineofhusbandrywiththatpraiseworthyperseveranceforwhichourDutchburghersarenoted。Thewholefamilygenius，duringseveralgenerations，wasdevotedtothestudyanddevelopmentofthisonenoblevegetable，andtothisconcentrationofintellectmaydoubtlessbeascribedtheprodigiousrenowntowhichtheWebbercabbagesattained。
TheWebberdynastycontinuedinuninterruptedsuccession，andneverdidalinegivemoreunquestionableproofsoflegitimacy。Theeldestsonsucceededtothelooksaswellastheterritoryofhissire，andhadtheportraitsofthislineoftranquilpotentatesbeentaken，theywouldhavepresentedarowofheadsmarvelouslyresembling，inshapeandmagnitude，thevegetablesoverwhichtheyreigned。
Theseatofgovernmentcontinuedunchangedinthefamilymansion，——
aDutch-builthouse，withafront，orrathergableend，ofyellowbrick，taperingtoapoint，withthecustomaryironweathercockatthetop。Everythingaboutthebuildingboretheairoflong-
settledeaseandsecurity。Flightsofmartinspeopledthelittlecoopsnailedagainstitswalls，andswallowsbuilttheirnestsundertheeaves，andeveryoneknowsthatthesehouse-lovingbirdsbringgoodlucktothedwellingwheretheytakeuptheirabode。Inabrightsummermorninginearlysummer，itwasdelectabletoheartheircheerfulnotesastheysportedaboutinthepure，sweetair，chirpingforth，asitwere，thegreatnessandprosperityoftheWebbers。
Thusquietlyandcomfortablydidthisexcellentfamilyvegetateundertheshadeofamightybuttonwoodtree，whichbylittleandlittlegrewsogreatasentirelytoovershadowtheirpalace。Thecitygraduallyspreaditssuburbsroundtheirdomain。Housesspranguptointerrupttheirprospects。Therurallanesinthevicinitybegantogrowintothebustleandpopulousnessofstreets；
inshort，withallthehabitsofrusticlifetheybegantofindthemselvestheinhabitantsofacity。Still，however，theymaintainedtheirhereditarycharacterandhereditarypossessions，withallthetenacityofpettyGermanprincesinthemidstoftheempire。Wolfertwasthelastoftheline，andsucceededtothepatriarchalbenchatthedoor，underthefamilytree，andswayedthescepterofhisfathers，——akindofruralpotentateinthemidstofthemetropolis。
Tosharethecaresandsweetsofsovereigntyhehadtakenuntohimselfahelpmate，oneofthatexcellentkindcalled“stirringwomen“；thatistosay，shewasoneofthosenotablelittlehousewiveswhoarealwaysbusywherethereisnothingtodo。Heractivity，however，tookoneparticulardirection，——herwholelifeseemeddevotedtointenseknitting；whetherathomeorabroad，walkingorsitting，herneedleswerecontinuallyinmotion，anditisevenaffirmedthatbyherunweariedindustrysheverynearlysuppliedherhouseholdwithstockingsthroughouttheyear。Thisworthycouplewereblessedwithonedaughterwhowasbroughtupwithgreattendernessandcare；uncommonpainshadbeentakenwithhereducation，sothatshecouldstitchineveryvarietyofway，makeallkindsofpicklesandpreserves，andmarkherownnameonasampler。Theinfluenceofhertastewasseenalsointhefamilygarden，wheretheornamentalbegantominglewiththeuseful；wholerowsoffierymarigoldsandsplendidhollyhocksborderedthecabbagebeds，andgiganticsunflowerslolledtheirbroad，jollyfacesoverthefences，seemingtooglemostaffectionatelythepassers-by。
ThusreignedandvegetatedWolfertWebberoverhispaternalacres，peacefullyandcontentedly。Notbutthat，likeallothersovereigns，hehadhisoccasionalcaresandvexations。Thegrowthofhisnativecitysometimescausedhimannoyance。Hislittleterritorygraduallybecamehemmedinbystreetsandhouses，whichinterceptedairandsunshine。Hewasnowandthensubjectedtotheeruptionsoftheborderpopulationthatinfestthestreetsofametropolis，whowouldmakemidnightforaysintohisdominions，andcarryoffcaptivewholeplatoonsofhisnoblestsubjects。Vagrantswinewouldmakeadescent，too，nowandthen，whenthegatewasleftopen，andlayallwastebeforethem；andmischievousurchinswoulddecapitatetheillustrioussunflowers，thegloryofthegarden，astheylolledtheirheadssofondlyoverthewalls。Stillallthesewerepettygrievances，whichmightnowandthenrufflethesurfaceofhismind，asasummerbreezewillrufflethesurfaceofamillpond，buttheycouldnotdisturbthedeep-seatedquietofhissoul。Hewouldbutseizeatrustystaffthatstoodbehindthedoor，issuesuddenlyout，andanointthebackoftheaggressor，whetherpigorurchin，andthenreturnwithindoors，marvelouslyrefreshedandtranquilized。
ThechiefcauseofanxietytohonestWolfert，however，wasthegrowingprosperityofthecity。Theexpensesoflivingdoubledandtrebled，buthecouldnotdoubleandtreblethemagnitudeofhiscabbages，andthenumberofcompetitorspreventedtheincreaseofprice；thus，therefore，whileeveryonearoundhimgrewricher，Wolfertgrewpoorer，andhecouldnot，forthelifeofhim，perceivehowtheevilwastoberemedied。
Thisgrowingcare，whichincreasedfromdaytoday，haditsgradualeffectuponourworthyburgher，insomuchthatitatlengthimplantedtwoorthreewrinklesinhisbrow，thingsunknownbeforeinthefamilyoftheWebbers，anditseemedtopinchupthecornersofhiscockedhatintoanexpressionofanxietytotallyoppositetothetranquil，broad-brimmed，low-crownedbeaversofhisillustriousprogenitors。
Perhapseventhiswouldnothavemateriallydisturbedtheserenityofhismindhadhehadonlyhimselfandhiswifetocarefor；buttherewashisdaughtergraduallygrowingtomaturity，andalltheworldknowsthatwhendaughtersbegintoripen，nofruitnorflowerrequiressomuchlookingafter。Ihavenotalentatdescribingfemalecharms，elsefainwouldIdepicttheprogressofthislittleDutchbeauty：howherblueeyesgrewdeeperanddeeper，andhercherrylipsredderandredder，andhowsheripenedandripened，androundedandrounded，intheopeningbreathofsixteensummers，until，inherseventeenthspring，sheseemedreadytoburstoutofherbodice，likeahalf-blownrosebud。
Ah，well-a-day！CouldIbutshowherasshewasthen，trickedoutonaSundaymorninginthehereditaryfineryoftheoldDutchclothespress，ofwhichhermotherhadconfidedtoherthekey！Theweddingdressofhergrandmother，modernizedforuse，withsundryornaments，handeddownasheirloomsinthefamily。Herpalebrownhairsmoothedwithbuttermilkinflat，wavinglinesoneachsideofherfairforehead。Thechainofyellow，virgingoldthatencircledherneck；thelittlecrossthatjustrestedattheentranceofasoftvalleyofhappiness，asifitwouldsanctifytheplace。The——
butpooh！itisnotforanoldmanlikemetobeprosingaboutfemalebeauty；sufficeittosay，Amyhadattainedherseventeenthyear。Longsincehadhersamplerexhibitedheartsincouplesdesperatelytransfixedwitharrows，andtruelovers”knotsworkedindeepbluesilk，anditwasevidentshebegantolanguishforsomemoreinterestingoccupationthantherearingofsunflowersorpicklingofcucumbers。
Atthiscriticalperiodoffemaleexistence，whentheheartwithinadamsel”sbosom，likeitsemblem，theminiaturewhichhangswithout，isapttobeengrossedbyasingleimage，anewvisitorbegantomakehisappearanceundertheroofofWolfertWebber。
ThiswasDirkWaldron，theonlysonofapoorwidow，butwhocouldboastofmorefathersthananyladintheprovince，forhismotherhadhadfourhusbands，andthisonlychild，sothat，thoughborninherlastwedlock，hemightfairlyclaimtobethetardyfruitofalongcourseofcultivation。Thissonoffourfathersunitedthemeritsandthevigorofallhissires。Ifhehadnothadagreatfamilybeforehimheseemedlikelytohaveagreatoneafterhim，foryouhadonlytolookatthefresh，buxomyouthtoseethathewasformedtobethefounderofamightyrace。
Thisyoungstergraduallybecameanintimatevisitorofthefamily。
Hetalkedlittle，buthesatlong。Hefilledthefather”spipewhenitwasempty，gatheredupthemother”sknittingneedle，orballofworsted，whenitfelltotheground，strokedthesleekcoatofthetortoise-shellcat，andreplenishedtheteapotforthedaughterfromthebrightcopperkettlethatsangbeforethefire。
Allthesequietlittleofficesmayseemoftriflingimport，butwhentrueloveistranslatedintoLowDutchitisinthiswaythatiteloquentlyexpressesitself。TheywerenotlostupontheWebberfamily。Thewinningyoungsterfoundmarvelousfavorintheeyesofthemother；thetortoise-shellcat，albeitthemoststaidanddemureofherkind，gaveindubitablesignsofapprobationofhisvisits；theteakettleseemedtosingoutacheeringnoteofwelcomeathisapproach；andiftheslyglancesofthedaughtermightberightlyread，asshesatbridlinganddimpling，andsewingbyhermother”sside，shewasnotawhitbehindDameWebber，orgrimalkin，ortheteakettle，ingoodwill。
Wolfertalonesawnothingofwhatwasgoingon。Profoundlywraptupinmeditationonthegrowthofthecityandhiscabbages，hesatlookinginthefire，andpuffinghispipeinsilence。Onenight，however，asthegentleAmy，accordingtocustom，lightedherlovertotheouterdoor，andhe，accordingtocustom，tookhispartingsalute，thesmackresoundedsovigorouslythroughthelong，silententryastostartleeventhedullearofWolfert。Hewasslowlyrousedtoanewsourceofanxiety。Ithadneverenteredintohisheadthatthismerechild，who，asitseemed，buttheotherdayhadbeenclimbingabouthiskneesandplayingwithdollsandbabyhouses，couldallatoncebethinkingofloversandmatrimony。Herubbedhiseyes，examinedintothefact，andreallyfoundthatwhilehehadbeendreamingofothermatters，shehadactuallygrowntobeawoman，and，whatwasworse，hadfalleninlove。HerearosenewcaresforWolfert。Hewasakindfather，buthewasaprudentman。Theyoungmanwasalively，stirringlad，butthenhehadneithermoneynorland。Wolfert”sideasallraninonechannel，andhesawnoalternativeincaseofamarriagebuttoportionofftheyoungcouplewithacornerofhiscabbagegarden，thewholeofwhichwasbarelysufficientforthesupportofhisfamily。
Likeaprudentfather，therefore，hedeterminedtonipthispassioninthebud，andforbadetheyoungsterthehouse，thoughsorelydiditgoagainsthisfatherlyheart，andmanyasilentteardiditcauseinthebrighteyeofhisdaughter。Sheshowedherself，however，apatternoffilialpietyandobedience。Sheneverpoutedandsulked；sheneverflewinthefaceofparentalauthority；sheneverflewintoapassion，norfellintohysterics，asmanyromantic，novel-readyoungladieswoulddo。Notshe，indeed。Shewasnonesuchheroical，rebellioustrumpery，I”llwarrantye。Onthecontrary，sheacquiescedlikeanobedientdaughter，shutthestreetdoorinherlover”sface，andifevershedidgranthimaninterview，itwaseitheroutofthekitchenwindoworoverthegardenfence。
Wolfertwasdeeplycogitatingthesemattersinhismind，andhisbrowwrinkledwithunusualcare，ashewendedhiswayoneSaturdayafternoontoaruralinn，abouttwomilesfromthecity。ItwasafavoriteresortoftheDutchpartofthecommunity，frombeingalwaysheldbyaDutchlineoflandlords，andretaininganairandrelishofthegoodoldtimes。ItwasaDutch-builthouse，thathadprobablybeenacountryseatofsomeopulentburgherintheearlytimeofthesettlement。ItstoodnearapointoflandcalledCorlear”sHook，[1]whichstretchesoutintotheSound，andagainstwhichthetide，atitsfluxandreflux，setswithextraordinaryrapidity。Thevenerableandsomewhatcrazymansionwasdistinguishedfromafarbyagroveofelmsandsycamoresthatseemedtowaveahospitableinvitation，whileafewweepingwillows，withtheirdank，droopingfoliage，resemblingfallingwaters，gaveanideaofcoolnessthatrendereditanattractivespotduringtheheatsofsummer。
[1]ApointoflandatthebendoftheEastRiverbelowGrandStreet，NewYorkCity。
Here，therefore，asIsaid，resortedmanyoftheoldinhabitantsoftheManhattoes，where，whilesomeplayedatshuffleboard[1]andquoits，[2]andninepins，otherssmokedadeliberatepipe，andtalkedoverpublicaffairs。
[1]Agameplayedbypushingorshakingpiecesofmoneyormetalsoastomakethemreachcertainmarksonaboard。
[2]Agameplayedbypitchingaflattened，ring-shapedpieceofiron，calledaquoit，atafixedobject。
ItwasonablusteringautumnalafternoonthatWolfertmadehisvisittotheinn。Thegroveofelmsandwillowswasstrippedofitsleaves，whichwhirledinrustlingeddiesaboutthefields。Theninepinalleywasdeserted，fortheprematurechillinessofthedayhaddriventhecompanywithindoors。AsitwasSaturdayafternoonthehabitualclubwasinsession，composedprincipallyofregularDutchburghers，thoughmingledoccasionallywithpersonsofvariouscharacterandcountry，asisnaturalinaplaceofsuchmotleypopulation。
Besidethefireplace，inahuge，leather-bottomedarmchair，satthedictatorofthislittleworld，thevenerableRem，or，asitwaspronounced，“Ramm“Rapelye。HewasamanofWalloon[1]race，andillustriousfortheantiquityofhisline，hisgreat-grandmotherhavingbeenthefirstwhitechildbornintheprovince。Buthewasstillmoreillustriousforhiswealthanddignity。Hehadlongfilledthenobleofficeofalderman，andwasamantowhomthegovernorhimselftookoffhishat。Hehadmaintainedpossessionoftheleather-bottomedchairfromtimeimmemorial，andhadgraduallywaxedinbulkashesatinhisseatofgovernment，untilinthecourseofyearshefilleditswholemagnitude。Hiswordwasdecisivewithhissubjects，forhewassorichamanthathewasneverexpectedtosupportanyopinionbyargument。Thelandlordwaitedonhimwithpeculiarofficiousness，——notthathepaidbetterthanhisneighbors，butthenthecoinofarichmanseemsalwaystobesomuchmoreacceptable。ThelandlordhadeverapleasantwordandajoketoinsinuateintheearoftheaugustRamm。ItistrueRammneverlaughed，and，indeed，evermaintainedamastiff-likegravityandevensurlinessofaspect；yethenowandthenrewardedminehostwithatokenofapprobation，which，thoughnothingmorenorlessthanakindofgrunt，stilldelightedthelandlordmorethanabroadlaughfromapoorerman。
[1]ApeopleofFrenchorigin，inhabitingthefrontiersbetweenFranceandFlanders。AcolonyofonehundredandtenWalloonscametoNewYorkin1624。
“Thiswillbearoughnightforthemoneydiggers，“saidminehost，asagustofwindbowledroundthehouseandrattledatthewindows。
“What！aretheyattheirworksagain？“saidanEnglishhalf-paycaptain，withoneeye，whowasaveryfrequentattendantattheinn。
“Ayearethey，“saidthelandlord，“andwellmaytheybe。They”vehadluckoflate。TheysayagreatpotofmoneyhasbeendugupinthefieldsjustbehindStuyvesant”sorchard。FolksthinkitmusthavebeenburiedthereinoldtimesbyPeterStuyvesant，theDutchgovernor。”
“Fudge！“saidtheone-eyedmanofwar，asheaddedasmallportionofwatertoabottomofbrandy。
“Well，youmaybelieveitornot，asyouplease，“saidminehost，somewhatnettled，“buteverybodyknowsthattheoldgovernorburiedagreatdealofhismoneyatthetimeoftheDutchtroubles，whentheEnglishredcoatsseizedontheprovince。Theysay，too，theoldgentlemanwalks，aye，andintheverysamedressthathewearsinthepicturethathangsupinthefamilyhouse。”
“Fudge！“saidthehalf-payofficer。
“Fudge，ifyouplease！Butdidn”tCorneyVanZandtseehimatmidnight，stalkingaboutinthemeadowwithhiswoodenleg，andadrawnswordinhishand，thatflashedlikefire？Andwhatcanhebewalkingforbutbecausepeoplehavebeentroublingtheplacewhereheburiedhismoneyinoldtimes？“
HerethelandlordwasinterruptedbyseveralgutturalsoundsfromRammRapelye，betokeningthathewaslaboringwiththeunusualproductionofanidea。Ashewastoogreatamantobeslightedbyaprudentpublican，minehostrespectfullypauseduntilheshoulddeliverhimself。Thecorpulentframeofthismightyburghernowgaveallthesymptomsofavolcanicmountainonthepointofaneruption。Firsttherewasacertainheavingoftheabdomen，notunlikeanearthquake；thenwasemittedacloudoftobaccosmokefromthatcrater，hismouth；thentherewasakindofrattleinthethroat，asiftheideawereworkingitswayupthrougharegionofphlegm；thentherewereseveraldisjointedmembersofasentencethrownout，endinginacough；atlengthhisvoiceforceditswayintoaslow，butabsolutetoneofamanwhofeelstheweightofhispurse，ifnotofhisideas，everyportionofhisspeechbeingmarkedbyatestypuffoftobaccosmoke。
“WhotalksofoldPeterStuyvesant”swalking？puff。Havepeoplenorespectforpersons？puff——puff。PeterStuyvesantknewbetterwhattodowithhismoneythantoburyitpuff。IknowtheStuyvesantfamilypuff，everyoneofthempuff；notamorerespectablefamilyintheprovincepuff——oldstandardspuff——
warmhouseholderspuff——noneofyourupstartspuff——puff——puff。
Don”ttalktomeofPeterStuyvesant”swalkingpuff——puff——puff——
puff。”
HeretheredoubtableRammcontractedhisbrow，claspeduphismouthtillitwrinkledateachcorner，andredoubledhissmokingwithsuchvehemencethatthecloudyvolumessoonwreathedroundhishead，asthesmokeenvelopstheawfulsummitofMountAetna。
Ageneralsilencefollowedthesuddenrebukeofthisveryrichman。
Thesubject，however，wastoointerestingtobereadilyabandoned。
TheconversationsoonbrokeforthagainfromthelipsofPeechyPrauwVanHook，thechronicleroftheclub，oneofthoseprosing，narrativeoldmenwhoseemtobetroubledwithanincontinenceofwordsastheygrowold。
Peechycould，atanytime，tellasmanystoriesinaneveningashishearerscoulddigestinamonth。Henowresumedtheconversationbyaffirmingthat，tohisknowledge，moneyhad，atdifferenttimes，beendiggedupinvariouspartsoftheisland。
Theluckypersonswhohaddiscoveredthemhadalwaysdreamedofthemthreetimesbeforehand，and，whatwasworthyofremark，thosetreasureshadneverbeenfoundbutbysomedescendantofthegoodoldDutchfamilies，whichclearlyprovedthattheyhadbeenburiedbyDutchmenintheoldentime。
“FiddlestickwithyourDutchmen！“criedthehalf-payofficer。“TheDutchhadnothingtodowiththem。TheywereallburiedbyKiddthepirate，andhiscrew。”
Hereakeynotewastouchedthatrousedthewholecompany。ThenameofCaptainKiddwaslikeatalismaninthosetimes，andwasassociatedwithathousandmarvelousstories。
Thehalf-payofficertookthelead，andinhisnarrationsfathereduponKiddalltheplunderingsandexploitsofMorgan，[1]
Blackbeard，[2]andthewholelistofbloodybuccaneers。
[1]SirHenryMorgan1637-90，anotedWelshbuccaneer。HewascapturedandsenttoEnglandfortrial，butCharlesII。，insteadofpunishinghim，knightedhim，andsubsequentlyappointedhimgovernorofJamaica。
[2]EdwardTeach，oneofthemostcruelofthepirates，tookcommandofapirateshipin1717，andthereaftercommittedallsortsofatrocitiesuntilhewasslainbyLieutenantMaynardin1718。Hisnicknameof“Blackbeard“wasgivenhimbecauseofhisblackbeard。
Theofficerwasamanofgreatweightamongthepeaceablemembersoftheclub，byreasonofhiswarlikecharacterandgunpowdertales。AllhisgoldenstoriesofKidd，however，andofthebootyhehadburied，wereobstinatelyrivaledbythetalesofPeechyPrauw，who，ratherthansufferhisDutchprogenitorstobeeclipsedbyaforeignfreebooter，enrichedeveryfieldandshoreintheneighborhoodwiththehiddenwealthofPeterStuyvesantandhiscontemporaries。
NotawordofthisconversationwaslostuponWolfertWebber。Hereturnedpensivelyhome，fullofmagnificentideas。Thesoilofhisnativeislandseemedtobeturnedintogolddust，andeveryfieldtoteemwithtreasure。Hisheadalmostreeledatthethoughthowoftenhemusthaveheedlesslyrambledoverplaceswherecountlesssumslay，scarcelycoveredbytheturfbeneathhisfeet。
Hismindwasinanuproarwiththiswhirlofnewideas。Ashecameinsightofthevenerablemansionofhisforefathers，andthelittlerealmwheretheWebbershadsolongandsocontentedlyflourished，hisgorgeroseatthenarrownessofhisdestiny。
“UnluckyWolfert！“exclaimedhe；“otherscangotobedanddreamthemselvesintowholeminesofwealth；theyhavebuttoseizeaspadeinthemorning，andturnupdoubloons[1]likepotatoes；butthoumustdreamofhardships，andrisetopoverty，mustdigthyfieldfromyear”sendtoyear”send，andyetraisenothingbutcabbages！“
[1]Spanishgoldcoins，equivalentto$15。60。
WolfertWebberwenttobedwithaheavyheart，anditwaslongbeforethegoldenvisionsthatdisturbedhisbrainpermittedhimtosinkintorepose。Thesamevisions，however，extendedintohissleepingthoughts，andassumedamoredefiniteform。Hedreamedthathehaddiscoveredanimmensetreasureinthecenterofhisgarden。Ateverystrokeofthespadehelaidbareagoldeningot；
diamondcrossessparkledoutofthedust；bagsofmoneyturneduptheirbellies，corpulentwithpieces-of-eight[1]orvenerabledoubloons；andchestswedgedclosewithmoidores，[2]ducats，[3]andpistareens，[4]yawnedbeforehisravishedeyes，andvomitedforththeirglitteringcontents。
[1]Spanishcoins，worthabout$1each。
[2]Portuguesegoldcoins，valuedat$6。50。
[3]Coinsofgoldandsilver，valuedat$2and$1respectively。
[4]Spanishsilvercoins，worthabout$。20。
Wolfertawokeapoorermanthanever。Hehadnohearttogoabouthisdailyconcerns，whichappearedsopaltryandprofitless，butsatalldaylonginthechimneycorner，picturingtohimselfingotsandheapsofgoldinthefire。Thenextnighthisdreamwasrepeated。Hewasagaininhisgardendigging，andlayingopenstoresofhiddenwealth。Therewassomethingverysingularinthisrepetition。Hepassedanotherdayofreverie，andthoughitwascleaningday，andthehouse，asusualinDutchhouseholds，completelytopsy-turvy，yethesatunmovedamidstthegeneraluproar。
Thethirdnighthewenttobedwithapalpitatingheart。Heputonhisrednightcapwrongsideoutward，forgoodluck。Itwasdeepmidnightbeforehisanxiousmindcouldsettleitselfintosleep。
Againthegoldendreamwasrepeated，andagainhesawhisgardenteemingwithingotsandmoneybags。
Wolfertrosethenextmorningincompletebewilderment。Adream，threetimesrepeated，wasneverknowntolie，andifso，hisfortunewasmade。
Inhisagitationheputonhiswaistcoatwiththehindpartbefore，andthiswasacorroborationofgoodluck。[1]Henolongerdoubtedthatahugestoreofmoneylayburiedsomewhereinhiscabbagefield，coylywaitingtobesoughtfor，andherepinedathavingsolongbeenscratchingaboutthesurfaceofthesoilinsteadofdiggingtothecenter。
[1]Itisanoldsuperstitionthattoputonone”sclotheswrongsideoutforebodesgoodluck。
Hetookhisseatatthebreakfasttable，fullofthesespeculations，askedhisdaughtertoputalumpofgoldintohistea，andonhandinghiswifeaplateofslapjacks，beggedhertohelpherselftoadoubloon。
Hisgrandcarenowwashowtosecurethisimmensetreasurewithoutitsbeingknown。Insteadofhisworkingregularlyinhisgroundsinthedaytime，henowstolefromhisbedatnight，andwithspadeandpickaxwenttoworktoripupanddigabouthispaternalacres，fromoneendtotheother。Inalittletimethewholegarden，whichhadpresentedsuchagoodlyandregularappearance，withitsphalanxofcabbages，likeavegetablearmyinbattlearray，wasreducedtoasceneofdevastation，whiletherelentlessWolfert，withnightcaponheadandlanternandspadeinhand，stalkedthroughtheslaughteredranks，thedestroyingangelofhisownvegetableworld。
Everymorningboretestimonytotheravagesoftheprecedingnightincabbagesofallagesandconditions，fromthetendersprouttothefull-grownhead，piteouslyrootedfromtheirquietbedslikeworthlessweeds，andlefttowitherinthesunshine。InvainWolfert”swiferemonstrated；invainhisdarlingdaughterweptoverthedestructionofsomefavoritemarigold。“Thoushalthavegoldofanother-guess[1]sort，“hewouldcry，chuckingherunderthechin；“thoushalthaveastringofcrookedducatsforthyweddingnecklace，mychild。”Hisfamilybeganreallytofearthatthepoorman”switswerediseased。Hemutteredinhissleepatnightaboutminesofwealth，aboutpearlsanddiamonds，andbarsofgold。Inthedaytimehewasmoodyandabstracted，andwalkedaboutasifinatrance。DameWebberheldfrequentcouncilswithalltheoldwomenoftheneighborhood；scarceanhourinthedaybutaknotofthemmightbeseenwaggingtheirwhitecapstogetherroundherdoor，whilethepoorwomanmadesomepiteousrecital。Thedaughter，too，wasfaintoseekformorefrequentconsolationfromthestoleninterviewsofherfavoredswain，DirkWaldron。ThedelectablelittleDutchsongswithwhichsheusedtodulcifythehousegrewlessandlessfrequent，andshewouldforgethersewing，andlookwistfullyinherfather”sfaceashesatponderingbythefireside。Wolfertcaughthereyeonedayfixedonhimthusanxiously，andforamomentwasrousedfromhisgoldenreveries。
“Cheerup，mygirl，“saidheexultingly；“whydostthoudroop？
ThoushaltholdupthyheadonedaywiththeBrinckerhoffs，andtheSchermerhorns，theVanHornes，andtheVanDams。[2]BySt。
Nicholas，butthepatroon[3]himselfshallbegladtogettheeforhisson！“
[1]Acorruptionoftheoldexpression“another-gates，“or“ofanothergate，“meaning“ofanotherwayormanner“；hence，“ofanotherkind。”
[2]NamesofrichandinfluentialDutchfamiliesintheoldDutchcolonyofNewAmsterdam。
[3]ThepatroonsweremembersoftheDutchWestIndiaCompany，whopurchasedlandinNewNetherlandsoftheIndians，andafterfulfillingcertainconditionsimposedwithaviewtocolonizingtheirterritory，enjoyedfeudalrightssimilartothoseofthebaronsoftheMiddleAges。
Amyshookherheadathisvaingloriousboast，andwasmorethaneverindoubtofthesoundnessofthegoodman”sintellect。
InthemeantimeWolfertwentondigginganddigging；butthefieldwasextensive，andashisdreamhadindicatednoprecisespot，hehadtodigatrandom。Thewintersetinbeforeonetenthofthesceneofpromisehadbeenexplored。
Thegroundbecamefrozenhard，andthenightstoocoldforthelaborsofthespade。
Nosooner，however，didthereturningwarmthofspringloosenthesoil，andthesmallfrogsbegintopipeinthemeadows，butWolfertresumedhislaborswithrenovatedzeal。Still，however，thehoursofindustrywerereversed。
Insteadofworkingcheerilyallday，plantingandsettingouthisvegetables，heremainedthoughtfullyidle，untiltheshadesofnightsummonedhimtohissecretlabors。Inthiswayhecontinuedtodigfromnighttonight，andweektoweek，andmonthtomonth，butnotastiver[1]didhefind。Onthecontrary，themorehediggedthepoorerhegrew。Therichsoilofhisgardenwasdiggedaway，andthesandandgravelfrombeneathwasthrowntothesurface，untilthewholefieldpresentedanaspectofsandybarrenness。
[1]ADutchcoin，worthabouttwocents；hence，anythingoflittleworth。
Inthemeantime，theseasonsgraduallyrolledon。Thelittlefrogswhichhadpipedinthemeadowsinearlyspringcroakedasbullfrogsduringthesummerheats，andthensankintosilence。Thepeachtreebudded，blossomed，andboreitsfruit。Theswallowsandmartinscame，twitteredabouttheroof，builttheirnests，rearedtheiryoung，heldtheircongressalongtheeaves，andthenwingedtheirflightinsearchofanotherspring。Thecaterpillarspunitswindingsheet，dangledinitfromthegreatbuttonwoodtreebeforethehouse，turnedintoamoth，flutteredwiththelastsunshineofsummer，anddisappeared；andfinallytheleavesofthebuttonwoodtreeturnedyellow，thenbrown，thenrustledonebyonetotheground，andwhirlingaboutinlittleeddiesofwindanddust，whisperedthatwinterwasathand。
Wolfertgraduallywokefromhisdreamofwealthastheyeardeclined。Hehadrearednocropforthesupplyofhishouseholdduringthesterilityofwinter。Theseasonwaslongandsevere，andforthefirsttimethefamilywasreallystraitenedinitscomforts。BydegreesarevulsionofthoughttookplaceinWolfert”smind，commontothosewhosegoldendreamshavebeendisturbedbypinchingrealities。Theideagraduallystoleuponhimthatheshouldcometowant。Healreadyconsideredhimselfoneofthemostunfortunatemenintheprovince，havinglostsuchanincalculableamountofundiscoveredtreasure，andnow，whenthousandsofpoundshadeludedhissearch，tobeperplexedforshillingsandpencewascruelintheextreme。
Haggardcaregatheredabouthisbrow；hewentaboutwithamoney-
seekingair，hiseyesbentdownwardintothedust，andcarryinghishandsinhispockets，asmenareapttodowhentheyhavenothingelsetoputintothem。Hecouldnotevenpassthecityalmshousewithoutgivingitaruefulglance，asifdestinedtobehisfutureabode。
Thestrangenessofhisconductandofhislooksoccasionedmuchspeculationandremark。Foralongtimehewassuspectedofbeingcrazy，andtheneverybodypitiedhim；andatlengthitbegantobesuspectedthathewaspoor，andtheneverybodyavoidedhim。
Thericholdburghersofhisacquaintancemethimoutsidethedoorwhenhecalled，entertainedhimhospitablyonthethreshold，pressedhimwarmlybythehandatparting，shooktheirheadsashewalkedaway，withthekindheartedexpressionof“poorWolfert，“andturnedacornernimblyifbychancetheysawhimapproachingastheywalkedthestreets。Eventhebarberandthecobbleroftheneighborhood，andatatteredtailorinanalleyhardby，threeofthepoorestandmerriestroguesintheworld，eyedhimwiththatabundantsympathywhichusuallyattendsalackofmeans，andthereisnotadoubtbuttheirpocketswouldhavebeenathiscommand，onlythattheyhappenedtobeempty。
ThuseverybodydesertedtheWebbermansion，asifpovertywerecontagious，liketheplague——everybodybuthonestDirkWaldron，whostillkeptuphisstolenvisitstothedaughter，andindeedseemedtowaxmoreaffectionateasthefortunesofhismistresswereonthewane。
ManymonthshadelapsedsinceWolferthadfrequentedhisoldresort，theruralinn。Hewastakingalong，lonelywalkoneSaturdayafternoon，musingoverhiswantsanddisappointments，whenhisfeettookinstinctivelytheirwonteddirection，andonawakingoutofareverie，hefoundhimselfbeforethedooroftheinn。Forsomemomentshehesitatedwhethertoenter，buthisheartyearnedforcompanionship，andwherecanaruinedmanfindbettercompanionshipthanatatavern，wherethereisneithersoberexamplenorsoberadvicetoputhimoutofcountenance？
Wolfertfoundseveraloftheoldfrequentersoftheinnattheirusualpostsandseatedintheirusualplaces；butonewasmissing，thegreatRammRapelye，whoformanyyearshadfilledtheleather-
bottomedchairofstate。Hisplacewassuppliedbyastranger，whoseemed，however，completelyathomeinthechairandthetavern。
Hewasratherundersize，butdeep-chested，square，andmuscular。
Hisbroadshoulders，doublejoints，andbowkneesgavetokensofprodigiousstrength。Hisfacewasdarkandweather-beaten；adeepscar，asiffromtheslashofacutlass，hadalmostdividedhisnose，andmadeagashinhisupperlip，throughwhichhisteethshonelikeabulldog”s。Amopofiron-grayhairgaveagrislyfinishtothishard-favoredvisage。Hisdresswasofanamphibiouscharacter。Heworeanoldhatedgedwithtarnishedlace，andcockedinmartialstyleononesideofhishead；arusty[1]bluemilitarycoatwithbrassbuttons；andawidepairofshortpetticoattrousers，——orratherbreeches，fortheyweregatheredupattheknees。Heorderedeverybodyabouthimwithanauthoritativeair，talkinginabrattling[2]voicethatsoundedlikethecracklingofthornsunderapot，d——dthelandlordandservantswithperfectimpunity，andwaswaiteduponwithgreaterobsequiousnessthanhadeverbeenshowntothemightyRammhimself。
[1]Shabby。
[2]Noisy。
Wolfert”scuriositywasawakenedtoknowwhoandwhatwasthisstrangerwhohadthususurpedabsoluteswayinthisancientdomain。
PeechyPrauwtookhimasideintoaremotecornerofthehall，andthere，inanundervoiceandwithgreatcaution，impartedtohimallthatheknewonthesubject。Theinnhadbeenarousedseveralmonthsbefore，onadark，stormynight，byrepeatedlongshoutsthatseemedlikethehowlingsofawolf。Theycamefromthewaterside，andatlengthweredistinguishedtobehailingthehouseintheseafaringmanner，“Houseahoy！“Thelandlordturnedoutwithhisheadwaiter，tapster，hostler，anderrandboy——thatistosay，withhisoldnegroCuff。Onapproachingtheplacewhencethevoiceproceeded，theyfoundthisamphibious-lookingpersonageatthewater”sedge，quitealone，andseatedonagreatoakenseachest。
Howhecamethere，——whetherhehadbeensetonshorefromsomeboat，orhadfloatedtolandonhischest，——nobodycouldtell，forhedidnotseemdisposedtoanswerquestions，andtherewassomethinginhislooksandmannersthatputastoptoallquestioning。Sufficeittosay，hetookpossessionofacornerroomoftheinn，towhichhischestwasremovedwithgreatdifficulty。Herehehadremainedeversince，keepingabouttheinnanditsvicinity。Sometimes，itistrue，hedisappearedforone，two，orthreedaysatatime，goingandreturningwithoutgivinganynoticeoraccountofhismovements。Healwaysappearedtohaveplentyofmoney，thoughoftenofverystrange，outlandishcoinage，andheregularlypaidhisbilleveryeveningbeforeturningin。
Hehadfitteduphisroomtohisownfancy，havingslungahammockfromtheceilinginsteadofabed，anddecoratedthewallswithrustypistolsandcutlassesofforeignworkmanship。Agreaterpartofhistimewaspassedinthisroom，seatedbythewindow，whichcommandedawideviewoftheSound，ashort，old-fashionedpipeinhismouth，aglassofrumtoddy[1]athiselbow，andapockettelescopeinhishand，withwhichhereconnoiteredeveryboatthatmoveduponthewater。Largesquare-riggedvesselsseemedtoexcitebutlittleattention；butthemomenthedescriedanythingwithashoulder-of-mutton[2]sail，orthatabargeoryawlorjolly-boathoveinsight，upwentthetelescope，andheexamineditwiththemostscrupulousattention。
[1]Amixtureofrumandhotwatersweetened。
[2]Triangular。
Allthismighthavepassedwithoutmuchnotice，forinthosetimestheprovincewassomuchtheresortofadventurersofallcharactersandclimesthatanyoddityindressorbehaviorattractedbutsmallattention。Inalittlewhile，however，thisstrangeseamonster，thusstrangelycastupondryland，begantoencroachuponthelongestablishedcustomsandcustomersoftheplace，andtointerfereinadictatorialmannerintheaffairsoftheninepinalleyandthebarroom，untilintheendheusurpedanabsolutecommandoverthewholeinn。Itwasallinvaintoattempttowithstandhisauthority。Hewasnotexactlyquarrelsome，butboisterousandperemptory，likeoneaccustomedtotyrannizeonaquarter-deck；andtherewasadare-devil[1]airabouteverythinghesaidanddidthatinspiredwarinessinallbystanders。Eventhehalf-payofficer，solongtheherooftheclub，wassoonsilencedbyhim，andthequietburghersstaredwithwonderatseeingtheirinflammablemanofwarsoreadilyandquietlyextinguished。
[1]Reckless。
Andthenthetalesthathewouldtellwereenoughtomakeapeaceableman”shairstandonend。Therewasnotaseafight，normaraudingnorfreebootingadventurethathadhappenedwithinthelasttwentyyears，butheseemedperfectlyversedinit。HedelightedtotalkoftheexploitsofthebuccaneersintheWestIndiesandontheSpanishMain。[1]Howhiseyeswouldglistenashedescribedthewaylayingoftreasureships；thedesperatefights，yardarmandyardarm，[2]broadsideandbroadside；[3]theboardingandcapturinghugeSpanishgalleons！WithwhatchucklingrelishwouldhedescribethedescentuponsomerichSpanishcolony，theriflingofachurch，thesackingofaconvent！YouwouldhavethoughtyouheardsomegormandizerdilatingupontheroastingofasavorygooseatMichaelmas，[4]ashedescribedtheroastingofsomeSpanishdontomakehimdiscoverhistreasure，——adetailgivenwithaminutenessthatmadeeveryricholdburgherpresentturnuncomfortablyinhischair。Allthiswouldbetoldwithinfiniteglee，asifheconsidereditanexcellentjoke，andthenhewouldgivesuchatyrannicalleerinthefaceofhisnextneighborthatthepoormanwouldbefaintolaughoutofsheerfaint-heartedness。
Ifanyone，however，pretendedtocontradicthiminanyofhisstories，hewasonfireinaninstant。Hisverycockedhatassumedamomentaryfierceness，andseemedtoresentthecontradiction。
“HowthedevilshouldyouknowaswellasI？ItellyouitwasasIsay；“andhewouldatthesametimeletslipabroadsideofthunderingoaths[5]andtremendousseaphrases，suchashadneverbeenheardbeforewithinthesepeacefulwalls。
[1]ThecoastofthenorthernpartofSouthAmericaalongtheCaribbeanSea，therouteformerlytraversedbytheSpanishtreasureshipsbetweentheOldandNewWorlds。
[2]Shipsaresaidtobeyardarmandyardarmwhensonearastotouchorinterlocktheiryards，whicharethelongpiecesoftimberdesignedtosupportandextendthesquaresails。
[3]“Broadsideandbroadside，“i。e。，withthesideofoneshiptouchingthatofanother。
[4]TheFeastoftheArchangelMichael，achurchfestivalcelebratedonSeptember29th。
[5]“Broadsideofthunderingoaths，“i。e。，avolleyofabuse。
Indeed，theworthyburghersbegantosurmisethatheknewmoreofthosestoriesthanmerehearsay。Dayafterdaytheirconjecturesconcerninghimgrewmoreandmorewildandfearful。Thestrangenessofhisarrival，thestrangenessofhismanners，themysterythatsurroundedhim，——allmadehimsomethingincomprehensibleintheireyes。Hewasakindofmonsterofthedeeptothem；hewasamerman，hewasabehemoth，hewasaleviathan，——inshort，theyknewnotwhathewas。
Thedomineeringspiritofthisboisterousseaurchinatlengthgrewquiteintolerable。Hewasnorespecterofpersons；hecontradictedtherichestburgherswithouthesitation；hetookpossessionofthesacredelbowchair，whichtimeoutofmindhadbeentheseatofsovereigntyoftheillustriousRammRapelye。Nay，heevenwentsofar，inoneofhisrough，jocularmoods，astoslapthatmightyburgherontheback，drinkhistoddy，andwinkinhisface，——athingscarcelytobebelieved。FromthistimeRammRapelyeappearednomoreattheinn。Hisexamplewasfollowedbyseveralofthemosteminentcustomers，whoweretoorichtotoleratebeingbulliedoutoftheiropinionsorbeingobligedtolaughatanotherman”sjokes。Thelandlordwasalmostindespair；butheknewnothowtogetridofthisseamonsterandhisseachest，whoseemedbothtohavegrownlikefixtures，orexcrescencesonhisestablishment。
SuchwastheaccountwhisperedcautiouslyinWolfert”searbythenarrator，PeechyPrauw，asheheldhimbythebuttoninacornerofthehall，castingawaryglancenowandthentowardthedoorofthebarroom，lestheshouldbeoverheardbytheterribleheroofhistale。
Wolferttookhisseatinaremotepartoftheroominsilence，impressedwithprofoundaweofthisunknown，soversedinfreebootinghistory。Itwastohimawonderfulinstanceoftherevolutionsofmightyempires，tofindthevenerableRammRapelyethusoustedfromthethrone，andaruggedtarpaulin[1]dictatingfromhiselbowchair，hectoringthepatriarchs，andfillingthistranquillittlerealmwithbrawlandbravado。
[1]Akindofcanvasusedaboutaship；hence，asailor。
Thestrangerwas，onthisevening，inamorethanusuallycommunicativemood，andwasnarratinganumberofastoundingstoriesofplunderingsandburningsonthehighseas。Hedweltuponthemwithpeculiarrelish，heighteningthefrightfulparticularsinproportiontotheireffectonhispeacefulauditors。
HegaveaswaggeringdetailofthecaptureofaSpanishmerchantman。Shewaslyingbecalmedduringalongsummer”sday，justofffromtheislandwhichwasoneofthelurkingplacesofthepirates。Theyhadreconnoiteredherwiththeirspyglassesfromtheshore，andascertainedhercharacterandforce。Atnightapickedcrewofdaringfellowssetoffforherinawhaleboat。Theyapproachedwithmuffledoars，asshelayrockingidlywiththeundulationsofthesea，andhersailsflappingagainstthemasts。
Theywerecloseunderthesternbeforetheguardondeckwasawareoftheirapproach。Thealarmwasgiven；thepiratesthrewhandgrenades[1]ondeck，andsprangupthemainchains，[2]swordinhand。
[1]“Handgrenades，“i。e。，smallshellsofironorglassfilledwithgunpowderandthrownbyhand。
[2]“Mainchains，“i。e。，strongbarsofironboltedatthelowerendtothesideofavessel，andsecuredattheupperendtotheironstrapsoftheblocksbywhichtheshroudssupportingthemastsareextended。
Thecrewflewtoarms，butingreatconfusion；somewereshotdown，otherstookrefugeinthetops，othersweredrivenoverboardanddrowned，whileothersfoughthandtohandfromthemaindecktothequarter-deck，disputinggallantlyeveryinchofground。TherewerethreeSpanishgentlemenonboard，withtheirladies，whomadethemostdesperateresistance。Theydefendedthecompanionway，[1]cutdownseveraloftheirassailants，andfoughtlikeverydevils，fortheyweremaddenedbytheshrieksoftheladiesfromthecabin。
Oneofthedonswasold，andsoondispatched。Theothertwokepttheirgroundvigorously，eventhoughthecaptainofthepirateswasamongtheirassailants。Justthentherewasashoutofvictoryfromthemaindeck。“Theshipisours！“criedthepirates。
[1]Thecompanionwayisastaircaseleadingtothecabinofaship。
Oneofthedonsimmediatelydroppedhisswordandsurrendered；theother，whowasahot-headedyoungster，andjustmarried，gavethecaptainaslashinthefacethatlaidallopen。Thecaptainjustmadeouttoarticulatethewords，“Noquarter。”
“Andwhatdidtheydowiththeirprisoners？“saidPeechyPrauweagerly。
“Threwthemalloverboard，“wastheanswer。Adeadpausefollowedthereply。PeechyPrauwsankquietlyback，likeamanwhohadunwarilystolenuponthelairofasleepinglion。Thehonestburgherscastfearfulglancesatthedeepscarslashedacrossthevisageofthestranger，andmovedtheirchairsalittlefartheroff。Theseaman，however，smokedonwithoutmovingamuscle，asthoughheeitherdidnotperceive，ordidnotregard，theunfavorableeffecthehadproduceduponhishearers。
Thehalf-payofficerwasthefirsttobreakthesilence，forhewascontinuallytemptedtomakeineffectualheadagainstthistyrantoftheseas，andtoregainhislostconsequenceintheeyesofhisancientcompanions。Henowtriedtomatchthegunpowdertalesofthestrangerbyothersequallytremendous。Kidd，asusual，washishero，concerningwhomheseemedtohavepickedupmanyofthefloatingtraditionsoftheprovince。Theseamanhadalwaysevincedasettledpiqueagainsttheone-eyedwarrior。Onthisoccasionhelistenedwithpeculiarimpatience。Hesatwithonearmakimbo，theotherelbowonthetable，thehandholdingontothesmallpipehewaspettishlypuffing，hislegscrossed，drummingwithonefootontheground，andcastingeverynowandthenthesideglanceofabasiliskattheprosingcaptain。AtlengththelatterspokeofKidd”shavingascendedtheHudsonwithsomeofhiscrew，tolandhisplunderinsecrecy。
KidduptheHudson！“burstforththeseaman，withatremendousoath；“KiddneverwasuptheHudson！“
“Itellyouhewas，“saidtheother。“Aye，andtheysayheburiedaquantityoftreasureonthelittleflatthatrunsoutintotheriver，calledtheDevil”sDansKammer。”[1]
[1]Ahuge，flatrock，projectingintotheHudsonRiverabovetheHighlands。
“TheDevil”sDansKammerinyourteeth！“[1]criedtheseaman。“I
tellyouKiddneverwasuptheHudson。WhataplaguedoyouknowofKiddandhishaunts？“
[1]“Inyourteeth，“aphrasetodenotedirectoppositionordefiance。
“WhatdoIknow？“echoedthehalf-payofficer。“Why，IwasinLondonatthetimeofhistrial；aye，andIhadthepleasureofseeinghimhangedatExecutionDock。”
“Then，sir，letmetellyouthatyousawasprettyafellowhangedasevertrodshoeleather。Aye！“puttinghisfacenearertothatoftheofficer，“andtherewasmanyalandlubber[1]lookedonthatmightmuchbetterhaveswunginhisstead。”
[1]Atermofcontemptusedbyseamenforthosewhopasstheirlivesonland。