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so great, and the joy so exuberant, that no opinion but one was admitted, and no voice could be heard while the cry of " 'tis gold! 'tis gold!" resounded through the groves. Having determined on this important point, we formed a council respecting the distribution of the treasure, and each individual in the joy of his heart, declared publicly the use he proposed to make of the part allotted to his share. The Englishman concluded that he would return to England, being certain, from experience, that there was no country like it. A German of our party said he would never have quitted the Rhine, had he had money enough to rebuild his barn which was blown down by a high wind, but that he would return to the very spot from whence he came, and prove to his neighbours that he loved his country as well as another when he had the means of doing well. An

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Irishman swore damnation the day longer he'd stay in America, but gave no motive for his determination, and my Mestizo appeared to think that were be to purchase some beads, rum, and blankets, and return to his own nation, he might become Sachem and keep the finest Syaws of it. For For my part, I saw in the treasure the ample means of visiting other climes, and my imagination traversed South America, Africa, Asia, and the few parts of Europe I had not before explored. Such were our various views. The most remarkable trait they suggest, is, that though in America, and filled with all the dreams that have been related of its felicities and wealth, not one of the party had ever thought of remaining or of making it a perpetual residence!

Reserving but one globe of gold, or at least one ball of mixed gold, we. carefully secured the remainder of the

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treasure and returned to Zaneville, famished and weary, yet elated, and after a hasty repast, we, with much privacy and precaution subjected our gold to the ordeal of fire, and stood around its operation in silence, and fearful to regard each other or to breathe. The dreadful element which was to confirm or consume our hopes soon began to exercise its various powers. In a few moments the ball turned black; filled the room with sulphurous smoke, emitted sparks and intermittent flames, and burst into ten thousand pieces! So great was the terror and suffocation, that all rushed into the street and gazed on each other with a mixed expression of doubt and astonishment. The German took advantage of the interval to ask me to lend him a dollar, with which he walked away, without returning to examine the gold. The smoke subsided, we were enabled to discover the

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elements of our treasure: they consisted of some very fine ashes and a great quantity of cinders perforated through and through. The disappointment soon wore off; we laughed heartily at our visionary views, and resolved not to be deceived by a ball of spirite another time. A ball of spirite! It was nothing more. I understand the mountains abound with it; but how the Indians came to form it into spheres, and to preserve it in their camps, I remain entirely ignorant. They may have used them in religious rites, or in gymnastic exerciess, for ought I know; or, what is still more interesting, they might have made them instrumental to purposes of war. I shall, however, extend my enquiries on this subject, and with some small hopes of success, as I learn that Colonel Ludlow of Cincinnati, has found balls of a similar composition and structure,

and perhaps under circumstances that may assist to illumine their history and

use.

LETTER XVI.

Little Kenhaway River-Belleprie-Bacchus's Island-fine view of it-the house-its elegant and interesting inhabitants—a rural evening and supper-Big Hockhocking River-New Lancaster Town-its sudden rise and as sudden decline by a contagious sickness-Dutch cupidity and its consequen ces- -Belleville Town and Island-the Devil's Creek-Letart's Falls-danger of passing them, especially in the night-Campaign Creek-Point Pleasant, a handsome little

town.

Point Pleasant, Great Kenhaway River, July, 1806. THE morning after the golden vision. I purchased a small canoe for two dollars and descended the Muskingum to Marietta

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