Tales and Items of Interest BURIED TREASURE IN MARSHFIELD Numerous adventures were connected with a Marshfield gold rush based on a story that early visitors to Vickerson's shore had buried valuable coins there, and also a story that residents had stashed coins near Ross's shore. Now for a tale taken from the book Legends of Prince Edward Island by F.H. MacArthur . The dedication in his book states, "To our forebearers the pioneers of this Island, who, during the long winter nights of yesteryear, helped entertain each other by narrating such sagas as appear in this unpretentious little volume." Gold at When the news spread that a handful of gold coins had been found on the beach at Marshfield , great excitement ensued. Tall tales went speeding around the settlement - tales of enormous wealth lying buried, which could be gleaned for the price of adventure and a little digging. Mr. W. , a young fellow with a taste for adventure, and a group of local people hurried to Marshfield to try their luck at uncovering the treasure. Locating the exact spot where the coins had been picked up, a tent was pitched and a fire kindled. Some of the group spent the entire night cutting firewood while the cook, John Lathers , prepared the evening meal of bacon, bread and beans. The mosquitoes tortured them till their faces and hands swelled out of shape. They tore at their itching flesh, which almost drove them into a frenzy. Next morning shovels and pick-axes were brought into play and the task of unearthing the supposed treasure got underway in real earnest. By evening quite a large excavation had been made, but as yet no treasure had come to light. That night an Indian was seen slinking about their camp; and fearing he was trying to steal their meager rations, one of the party shot him. In the morning the body was buried where it lay; and all took a solemn oath never to say a word about the shooting incident to anyone. After the burial the men went back to the pit and resumed work, as though nothing of importance had occurred. Toward late afternoon of the second day, Mr. W. 's pick struck an object that was not rock or earth or metal. Great excitement spread through the little group of miners and they worked feverishly to clear away the loose earth. Finally they uncovered the opening to a shaft, with a flight of wooden steps leading downward. John Lathers , with pistol in hand, was the first to go down, He was immediately followed by Mr. W. and another gold seeker whose name the writer has not been able to learn. When the three reached the foot of the stairs all was as black as night, and they shouted to their companions above to throw down some candles. When a light was struck they saw themselves standing before the entrance of a narrow passage that appeared to lead out under the river bed. The three advanced cautiously and in silence; something about the underground passage filled their hearts with an unknown fear. There might be enemies lying in wait for them, or there might be spirits guarding the gold. Indeed, anything could happen in such a weird subterranean tunnel. The three drew close together as they continued to explore the passage. They had covered about a hundred yards when the passage took a sharp turn toward the left and away from the river. They were just making the turn when a great blast of air swept them full in the face, extinguishing the three candles simultaneously. To add to their fears, a shot rang out, causing bits of loose earth to fall from the ceiling and walls. But the shot had come from Lathers ' gun. He was holding the weapon at full cock when the gust of wind entered the cave and its force had thrown his hand against the wall, thus discharging the weapon. Now that the other two knew the source of the shot, they were somewhat reassured; but what had caused the gust of violent wind? Where had it come from? While this discussion was taking place, a low moaning noise reached their ears. It was like somebody suffering great pain. For the space of seconds the men stood and listened. The sound came a second time, much louder. The moaning was followed by some -268-