206 Fhe Divining Rod. 
tion of the divining rod lies above or below the surface of the 
earth 
We first prepared divining rods from every species of shrub 
and tree in the forest, the orchard and the garden, to deter- 
mine the kinds of wood which are most apt for divining. 
We then repaired to the grass plat, in which the new well was 
situated; for there the rod, when held by experience, had al- 
ready designated the situation and general course of three 
veins of water, which the lad might retrace with more cer- 
tainty, than he could designate a new fountain. A swift 
brook runs on one side of the enclosure. 
The first experiment was to know, whether the rod would 
exhibit its singular movement in my hands. It would not. 
The next was to find what notice it would take of water run- 
ning above ground. The lad held the rod naturally by its 
limbs parallel to the surface of the swift brook. But the 
point made not the slightest dip to discover its affinity for 
water. ‘Then the lad held the rod in the diviner’s manner, 
‘sometimes standing in the water, and continued standing on 
stones raising him above the water. After many trials with 
contradictory results, the boy thought that the brook attract- 
ed the rod in some degree, but not so much as a vein of 
water under ground. 
We nest turned to the hidden veins of water, on one of 
ticing its proximity to hidden fountains, because its master 
fails to watch its motions. 
explained my purpose to the lad, who readily consented 
to further it. He traced the three hidd i 
affirm 
any mi now would render it im ssible for him to re~ 
trace his path blindfolded. bf. 
This done, I blindfolded him so that he could not see,— 
took him lightly by the elbow, and led him away from the 
