The woodman being by this time perfectly sober, felt his desire of wealth grow stronger than fear; and he could not help thinking that the oaken chest contained the treasure he so much coveted.
“You’re perfectly right,” said the goat, answering to the thought of Jordan, without taking his eyes off the book he was perusing; “and you shall see the treasure.” Then touching a spring with his fore paw, the side of the chest flew open, and Jordan saw more gold than he ever thought the world contained, and every piece stamped with the king’s head. Jordan, with his natural impulse, rushed forward to grasp some of the shining coin! but, the goat presented his horns to him, saying, “If you touch any of this coin before it is properly prepared, instant death will be your fate,” and then, with a loud ba-a-a-a-a, he summoned a number of grave elders about him, to whom he gave suitable directions, and these presently kindled some dry wood upon a slab of rock, and put an iron pot with a spout to it over the flames, while Jordan wondered to see them use their cloven feet so cleverly in adjusting matters as occasion required. These preparations being completed, they took from the chest large bags full of gold, and emptied them into the iron pot, one after the other, until it was completely full; and then commenced dancing round it on their hinder legs, ba-a-a-a-ing most inharmoniously. This ceremony continued some time, when lo! the coin being fusible, melted, and became a burning liquid.
“Now,” said the monster goat to Jordan-ap-Jordan, “I will make thee a man of gold! Thou dost thirst for gold and shalt have more than thou desirest. Swallow thou this pot of boiling metal, and fear not. The heat will have no effect upon thee—so drink—drink and be wealthy!”
Jordan looked upon the molten gold as it sparkled and became agitated in the vessel, and, stooping to take a closer inspection, was surprised to find it destitute of heat, though still retaining its liquidity! Having ascertained this fact, he made no hesitation in obeying the goat’s commands, and took huge draughts of the precious fluid, which, like warm jelly, flowed smoothly and agreeably into his capacious maw. No sooner had he drained the measure, than the venerable goat leaped from the chest, and presenting his terrific horns, cried, “Now Jordan, fly for your life;” at the same time, making a charge upon his rear, which completely ejected him from the cavern at full speed. No sooner had he passed the cavern’s mouth, than he tumbled with violence to the ground; and at the same moment a huge mass of rock fell from the summit of the hill, and effectually blocked up the entrance of Ogo ap Shenkin.
It was mid-day when Jordan quitted the cave, and the sun shone in all its brilliant beauty. Filled with wealth and wonder, he hastened towards his cottage, calculating all the way the prodigious extent of his riches.
“I must take care of myself now,” said Jordan, “for, if by any chance, my secret should be discovered, I shall share the fate of the goose that laid the golden eggs.”
This reflection made him uneasy; and as he was frequently hailed, in sport or ridicule, by the shepherd lads from the mountains, he quickened his speed to avoid observation.
For ten years after this, Jordan was never seen except at night, and then it was only for a moment and upon the bridge. He was like a phantom there—and gone in an instant. No one saw him in his former occupation; his cottage was deserted, and he lived, no one knew where.
The gradual decay of his wardrobe was noticed, as at various times he was recognised by those to whom he was formerly known; until, at length, he was entirely destitute of every article of clothing; and a village curate was, one bleak and wintry night, roused from his bed, by the moaning of some human creature, apparently at the threshold of his door. He let him in, pale, emaciated, naked, and ghost like. He placed him, shivering, on his bed; and the dying creature glared wildly about the apartment, as he exclaimed in terror,