It was the morning of St. John's Day, and every Härzer knows that St. John's Eve and St. John's Day are rich in miracles in these mountains, and unfold many a mysterious flower.
Not only at this time is the St. John's wort gathered, which is said to bear a red dewdrop at midnight—hence called St. John's blood—and to be a sure remedy against every disease; but also the Spring-wursel, or caper-spurge, which bursts open gates, and even opens the earth and the rocks; the magic wand—Wünschelruthe—Aaron's rod—which points out the spot where buried treasures or the precious metals lie hidden; and the Wunderblume—marvel of Peru—which opens the eyes of him who is so fortunate as to find this wonder-flower, so that he sees sunken or enchanted castles, and discovers untold riches in gold, diamonds, and rubies.
Tidian found a tiny blue flower, attracted to it by its perfume and its beauty, which must have been one of these miracle-working plants, for no sooner had he stuck it in his hatband than a never-before-seen cave in the side of the mountain opened its splendours to his dazzled eyes.
He entered it, his mind full of tales of buried treasures, filled his pockets with the glittering sand and stones, with the intention of offering them for sale to a jeweller in Aschersleben.
They proved to be more valuable than he had hoped, and the jeweller begged him to sell to no one but himself.
The fame of this gold speedily spread, and it happened the Graf von Falkenstein himself visited the goldsmith, when by chance this gold was spoken of.
"Yes," said the jeweller, "it is indisputable that Tidian's gold is as good again as any other."
"Tidian's gold!" cried the Earl, surprised. "Why do you give it that name?"
"The man from whom I buy it is Tidian."
Instantly it occurred to the Earl that his shepherd Tidian had lately grown rich, and he might be the seller. His avarice awoke; he hastened home, and demanded to know the cause of Tidian's wealth.