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.
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