e found the gold was about fifty
feet high, and nearly half way up to the top we discovered a huge
boulder of pure gold, as large as a bushel basket, hanging by a slim
thread of gold no larger than your finger. This thread was fully four
inches long, and seemed to have been cut that way by some one who had
been supported while doing so from above, for the boulder was in that
position that if worked at from below it would crush the artisan in its
fall. We were equally resolved to get hold of this mammoth prize, but
the question how we could get it was not so easily solved, as it rested
against the opposite side and would evidently turn and fall if this
narrow thread was broken.

"'I have it!' said Jones, exulting at the happy thought. 'I'll shoot it
off,' for we both had rifles.

"'And be crushed with its weight,' said I; but the words had not died
on my lips when the sharp crack of the rifle was heard, and down came
the prize. Both turned to fly from the danger, but Jones's foot caught
in some loose stones and he was prostrated, and the boulder rolling as
it fell deposited itself exactly across him. I removed the
uncomfortable load as soon as possible, but Jones's stomach has been
out of order ever since, especially when he sees solid bodies
overhead."

"What became of the lump of gold?" asked the trapper.

"We hid it in the earth; but should have been to it again before this
time had we not been overhauled by the Indians."

"A fortunate escape," said Howe, "equal to one I made many years ago,
ere I learned to distrust the ground I walked over before testing its
security. Being on one of our trapping expeditions, father and myself
found ourselves on the territory of the St. Croix Indians, who evinced
great friendship for us, insisting we should take up our abode in their
village as long as we thought fit to remain in their territory. We soon
became domesticated among them, and spent our nights there although our
days were spent in the most secret recesses of the forest in setting
our traps, curing skins, and in observing the habits of the wild
denizens of the forest. One day father and myself separated, he to look
after our traps set in one direction, I in another; and as I neared the
place of destination, while walking over ground smooth and level as you
ever saw the ground in the forest, suddenly it gave way, precipitating
me into a hole full ten feet deep with smooth, perpendicular sides that
defied all attempt