the truth, I had no especial relish for such amusement at , and, particular moment, would most willingly have declined it; night was coming on, and much fatigued exercise already taken; but no mode of escape, and was fearful of disturbing my poor friend's equanimity by refusal Could depended, indeed, upon Jupiter's aid, had no hesitation in attempting the lunatic home by force; but too well assured old negro's disposition, to assist me, under any circumstances, in personal contest master latter infected with innumerable Southern superstitions about money buried, his phantasy had received confirmation finding scarabus, or, perhaps, by Jupiter's obstinacy in maintaining it "a bug of real gold " mind disposed to lunacy would readily be led away by such suggestions - especially if chiming in with favorite preconceived ideas - and then I called to mind the poor fellow's speech beetle's being "the index fortune " whole, sadly vexed and puzzled, but, , I concluded virtue of necessity - to dig with good will, and thus the sooner the visionary, by ocular demonstration, fallacy opinions he entertained

The lanterns having been lit, we all fell to work with zeal worthy more rational cause; and, glare fell upon our persons and implements, help thinking how picturesque group we composed, and how strange and suspicious our labors appeared to any interloper who, by chance, stumbled upon our whereabouts

We dug very steadily for two hours Little was said; chief embarrassment lay yelpings dog, who took exceeding interest proceedings He, , became so obstreperous that we grew fearful giving the alarm to some stragglers vicinity; - or, rather, the apprehension of Legrand; - , rejoiced at any interruption which enabled me the wanderer home The noise was, , very effectually silenced by Jupiter, who, getting hole with dogged air of deliberation, tied the brute's mouth up with one suspenders, and then returned, with grave chuckle, task

time mentioned had expired, we had reached depth of five feet, and yet no signs of any treasure became manifest general pause ensued, and I began to the farce was at an end Legrand, however, although evidently much disconcerted, wiped his brow thoughtfully and recommenced We had excavated the entire circle of four feet diameter, and now we slightly enlarged the limit, and went farther depth of two feet Still nothing appeared The gold-seeker, whom I sincerely pitied, clambered pit, bitterest disappointment imprinted upon every feature, and proceeded, slowly and reluctantly, coat, which he had thrown off beginning labor mean time no remark Jupiter, at signal master, began to gather up his tools This done, dog having been unmuzzled, we turned in profound silence towards home

We had taken, perhaps, dozen steps direction, when, with loud oath, Legrand strode Jupiter, and seized him collar The astonished negro opened his eyes and mouth fullest extent, let fall the spades, and fell upon his knees

"You scoundrel," said Legrand, hissing out the syllables from between his clenched teeth - "you infernal black villain ! - speak, I tell you ! - answer me this instant, without prevarication ! - which - your left eye ? "

"Oh, my golly, Massa Will ! aint dis here my lef eye for sartain ? " roared the terrified Jupiter, placing his hand upon his right organ of vision, and holding it there with desperate pertinacity, in immediate dread master's attempt at gouge

" so ! - it ! hurrah ! " vociferated Legrand, letting the negro go, and executing series of curvets and caracols, much astonishment valet, who, arising knees, looked, mutely, master to myself, and then from myself master

"Come ! go back," said the latter, "the game's not up yet;" and he again led the way tulip-tree

"Jupiter," said he, when we reached its foot, "come here ! skull nailed limb face outwards, or face limb ? "

"De face was out, massa, so dat de crows could get at de eyes good, widout any trouble "

"Well, then, this eye or that through which you dropped the beetle ? " - here Legrand touched each of Jupiter's eyes

"Twas dis eye, massa - de lef eye - jis tell me," and here his right eye negro indicated

" do - must try it again "

Here my friend, about whose madness I now saw, or fancied that , certain indications of method, removed the peg which marked the spot where the beetle fell, to spot about three inches westward former position Taking, now, the tape measure nearest point trunk peg, as before, and continuing the extension in straight line distance of fifty feet, spot was indicated, removed, by several yards, point at which we digging

Around the new position circle, somewhat larger than former instance, was now described, and we again set to work spades dreadfully weary, but, scarcely understanding what had occasioned the change in my thoughts, no longer any great aversion labor imposed I had become most unaccountably interested - nay, even excited Perhaps something, amid all the extravagant demeanor of Legrand - some air of forethought, or of deliberation, which impressed me I dug eagerly, and caught myself actually looking, with something that resembled expectation, fancied treasure, the vision had demented my unfortunate companion At period when such vagaries of thought most fully possessed me, and when we at work perhaps an hour and half, we were again interrupted violent howlings dog His uneasiness, first instance, , evidently, but the result of playfulness or caprice, but he now assumed bitter and serious tone Upon Jupiter's again attempting to muzzle him, furious resistance, and, leaping hole, tore up the mould frantically claws In few seconds he had uncovered mass of human bones, forming two complete skeletons, intermingled with several buttons of metal, and what appeared the dust of decayed woollen strokes of spade upturned the blade of large Spanish knife, and, dug farther, three or four loose pieces of gold and silver coin came to light

At sight the joy of Jupiter could scarcely be restrained, but the countenance master wore an air of extreme disappointment He urged us, however, our exertions, words were hardly uttered when I stumbled and fell forward, having caught the toe boot in large ring of iron that lay half buried loose earth

We now worked in earnest, and never did I pass ten minutes of more intense excitement During this interval we had fairly unearthed an oblong chest of wood, which, from its perfect preservation and wonderful hardness, had plainly been subjected to some mineralizing process - perhaps that Bi-chloride of Mercury This box was three feet and half long, three feet broad, and two and half feet deep firmly secured by bands of wrought iron, riveted, and forming kind of open trelliswork over the whole On each side chest, near the top, were three rings of iron - six in all - firm hold obtained by six persons Our utmost united endeavors served only to disturb the coffer very slightly in its bed We at once saw the impossibility of removing so great weight Luckily, the sole fastenings lid consisted of two sliding bolts These we drew back - trembling and panting with anxiety In an instant, treasure of incalculable value lay gleaming rays lanterns fell pit, there flashed upwards glow and glare, from confused heap of gold and of jewels, that absolutely dazzled our eyes

pretend to describe the feelings I gazed Amazement was, , predominant Legrand appeared exhausted with excitement, and spoke very few words Jupiter's countenance wore, for some minutes, as deadly pallor possible, in nature of things, for any negro's visage to assume stupified - thunderstricken Presently he fell upon his knees pit, and, burying his naked arms elbows in gold, let them there remain, enjoying the luxury of bath , with deep sigh, he exclaimed, in soliloquy,

"And dis all cum ob de goole-bug ! de putty goole bug ! de poor little goole-bug, what I boosed in dat sabage kind ob style ! Aint you shamed ob yourself, nigger ? - answer me dat ! "

It became necessary, at last, that arouse both master and valet expediency of removing the treasure growing late, and it behooved us exertion, that get every thing housed before daylight difficult what , and much time was spent in deliberation - so confused were the ideas of all We, finally, lightened the box by removing two thirds contents, when we were enabled, with some trouble, to raise it hole The articles taken out were deposited brambles, dog left to guard them, with strict orders from Jupiter neither, upon any pretence, to stir spot, nor to open his mouth until our return We then hurriedly made for home chest; reaching the hut in safety, but after excessive toil, at one o'clock morning Worn out were, not in human nature more immediately We rested until two, and had supper; starting hills immediately afterwards, armed with three stout sacks, which, by good luck, were premises little before four we arrived pit, divided the remainder booty, as equally as , among us, and, leaving the holes unfilled, again set out hut, at which, second time, we deposited our golden burthens, just first faint streaks dawn gleamed from over the tree-tops East