ears; they repaired in troops to the mountain, inſolently invoking and importuning the Gnome. They were joined by gold-finders and gypſies, who croſſed the mountain, dug holes in every likely ſpot, in hopes of finding the copper of dollars. Number-Nip let them carry on their operations without moleſtation, as thinking it hardly worth his while to be ſeriouſly angry with ſuch vagabonds: ſometimes he would amuſe himſelf by cauſing a blue flame to dance about in the night, and when the lurkers would run eagerly and throw their hats and wigs upon it, he would let them dig up from the place large pots, ſeemingly full of gold, which they carried home in great triumph, and kept nine days without ſaying a word, or touching it; but when they came, at the end of this term, to examine the prize, they found only filth and ſtench, or potſherds and pebbles. Nevertheleſs they went on with their idle ſearch, and cauſed freſh diſturbance. At laſt the ſpirit grew angry, and
buffeted
