The figure moved slowly on, ascended the bank, and stopped very door sepulchral vault Just before entering it he looked around the affright of Wolfert when he recognized the grisly visage drowned buccaneer ! He uttered an ejaculation of horror The figure slowly raised his iron fist and shook it with terrible menace Wolfert pause 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 perilous wood, and fairly reached the highroad city

elapsed before Wolfert could summon courage enough to prosecute the enterprise, had he been dismayed apparition, whether living or dead, grisly buccaneer meantime, what conflict of mind did he suffer ! He neglected all his concerns, was moody and restless all day, lost his appetite, wandered thoughts and words, and committed thousand blunders His rest was broken, and when he fell asleep the nightmare, in shape of huge money bag, sat squatted upon his breast He babbled about incalculable sums, fancied himself engaged in money digging, threw the bedclothes right and left, idea that shoveling away the dirt, groped under the bed in quest treasure, and lugged forth, as he supposed, an inestimable pot of gold

Dame Webber and her daughter were in despair at what they conceived returning touch of insanity two family oracles, one or other Dutch housewives consult in all cases of great doubt and perplexity,--the dominie doctor present instance they repaired doctor little dark, moldy man of medicine, famous old wives Manhattoes skill, healing art, but in all matters of strange and mysterious nature His name was Dr Knipperhausen, but more commonly known appellation "High German Doctor "[1] To him did the poor women repair for counsel and assistance touching the mental vagaries of Wolfert Webber

[1] The same, , of whom mention is made history of Dolph Heyliger

They found the doctor seated little study, clad dark camlet[1] robe of knowledge, black velvet cap, manner of Boerhaave,[2] Van Helmont,[3] and other medical sages, pair of green spectacles set in black horn upon his clubbed nose, and poring over German folio that reflected back the darkness physiognomy The doctor listened statement symptoms of Wolfert's malady with profound attention, but came to mention his raving about buried money the little man pricked up his ears Alas, poor women ! they little knew the aid they had called in

[1] fabric made of goat's hair and silk, or wool and cotton

[2] Hermann Boerhaave (1668-1738), celebrated Dutch physician and philosopher

[3] Jan Baptista Van Helmont (1577-1644), celebrated Flemish physician and chemist

Dr Knipperhausen half his life engaged in seeking the short cuts to fortune, in quest long lifetime is wasted He had passed youth Harz[1] mountains of Germany, and had derived much valuable instruction miners touching the mode of seeking treasure buried earth He had prosecuted his studies, also, under traveling sage who united the mysteries of medicine with magic and legerdemain His mind, therefore, had become stored with all kinds of mystic lore; he had dabbled little in astrology, alchemy, divination;[2] knew how to detect stolen money, and where springs of water lay hidden; in word, dark nature knowledge he had acquired the name "High German Doctor," pretty nearly equivalent of necromancer The doctor had often heard rumors of treasure being buried in various parts island, and had long been anxious traces of it No sooner were Wolfert's waking and sleeping vagaries confided to him than he beheld the confirmed symptoms of case of money digging, and lost no time in probing it bottom Wolfert had long been sorely oppressed in mind golden secret, and as family physician is kind of father confessor, glad of any opportunity of unburdening himself from curing, the doctor caught the malady patient The circumstances unfolded to him awakened all his cupidity; he doubt of money being buried somewhere neighborhood mysterious crosses, and offered to join Wolfert search He informed him that much secrecy and caution observed in enterprises kind; that money is only dug for at night, with certain forms and ceremonies and burning of drugs, the repeating of mystic words, and, above all, seekers must first be provided with divining rod,[3] which had the wonderful property of pointing very spot surface earth under which treasure lay hidden doctor had given much mind matters he charged himself with all the necessary preparations, and, quarter moon was propitious, he undertook the divining rod ready by certain night

[1] mountain chain in northwestern Germany, Elbe Weser

[2] Astrology, alchemy, and divination were three imaginary arts The first pretended to judge influence stars on human affairs, and to foretell events by their positions and aspects; the second aimed to transmute the baser metals into gold, and universal remedy for diseases; while the third dealt discovery of secret or future events by preternatural means

[3] divining rod is rod used who pretend to discover water or metals underground commonly made of witch hazel, with forked branches

Wolfert's heart leaped with joy at having met with so learned and able coadjutor Everything went on secretly but swimmingly The doctor had many consultations patient, good women household lauded the comforting effect visits meantime the wonderful divining rod, that great key to nature's secrets, was duly prepared The doctor had thumbed over all his books of knowledge occasion, black fisherman was engaged them skiff scene of enterprise, to work with spade and pickax in unearthing the treasure, and to freight his bark weighty spoils they were certain of finding

the appointed night arrived perilous undertaking Before Wolfert left his home he counseled his wife and daughter to bed, and feel no alarm if return during the night Like reasonable women, on being told not alarm they fell immediately into panic They saw at once by his manner that something unusual was in agitation; all their fears unsettled state mind were revived with tenfold force; they hung about him, entreating him not to expose himself night air, but all in vain When once Wolfert was mounted hobby,[1] no easy manner him saddle clear, starlight night when he issued portal Webber palace He wore large flapped hat, tied under the chin with handkerchief daughter's, to secure him night damp, while Dame Webber threw her long red cloak about his shoulders, and fastened it round his neck

[1] Hobby, or hobbyhorse, favorite theme of thought; hence, "to mount hobby" is favorite pursuit

The doctor no less carefully armed and accoutered by his housekeeper, the vigilant Frau Ilsy, and sallied forth camlet robe by way of surcoat,[1] his black velvet cap under his cocked hat, thick clasped book under his arm, basket of drugs and dried herbs in one hand, and other the miraculous rod of divination

[1] Overcoat

The great church clock struck ten as Wolfert doctor passed churchyard, watchman bawled in hoarse voice long and doleful "All's well ! " deep sleep had already fallen primitive little burgh; nothing disturbed this awful silence excepting the bark of some profligate, night-walking dog, or the serenade of some romantic cat true Wolfert fancied more than once that he heard the sound of stealthy footfall at distance behind them; but it merely the echo own steps along the quiet streets He thought also at that tall figure skulking after them, stopping stopped and moving on proceeded; but the dim and uncertain lamplight threw such vague gleams and shadows might all mere fancy

They found the old fisherman waiting , smoking his pipe stern skiff, moored just in front little cabin pickax and spade were lying bottom boat, with dark lantern, and stone bottle of good Dutch courage,[1] honest Sam put even more faith than Dr Knipperhausen drugs

[1] Dutch courage is courage that results from indulgence in Dutch gin or Hollands; here applied gin itself

Thus, then, did these three worthies embark in their cockleshell of skiff nocturnal expedition, with wisdom and valor equaled only three wise men of Gotham,[1] who adventured to sea in 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 town lay all in shadow Here and there light feebly glimmered from some sick chamber, or cabin window of some vessel at anchor stream Not cloud obscured the deep, starry firmament, the lights wavered surface placid river, and shooting meteor, streaking its pale course very direction they were taking, was interpreted doctor into most propitious omen

[1] "Three wise men of Gotham, They went to sea in bowl-- And bowl stronger, My tale longer " Mother Goose Melody

[1] Gotham was village proverbial blundering simplicity inhabitants At first the name referred to an English village Irving applied it to New York City