It is an established rule that he who seeks buried treasures must
carefully maintain the utmost silence, lest his search be in vain and
harm befall him, body and soul.
They were not ignorant of this—the four men that one time made up a
party for the purpose of unearthing treasures said to be buried in
Josäterdal.
Making their way, one midsummer night, across Lake Sälen, they saw
approaching them a man of strange aspect, behind whose boat dragged a
large fir tree, and a little later another, who inquired if they had
seen any float-wood on their way.
The treasure seekers, who understood that these rowers were no other
than fairies, pretended not to hear the question, and reached
Josäterdal finally, without further temptation.
Just as they began to dig in the hill a grand officer approached and
addressed them, but no one answered. Soon after a number of soldiers
marched up and began to shoot at the diggers, but they did not allow
even this to disturb them. Suddenly a red calf hopped up and the
soldiers pressed nearer, so that the men soon stood enveloped in
powder-smoke so thick that they could not see each other. When this did
not frighten them, a tall gallows was raised on the side of the hill.
It so happened that one of the diggers wore a red shirt that attracted
the attention of the spirits, one of which cried out:
“Shall we begin with him wearing the red shirt?” Whereupon he lost his
courage and took to his heels, followed neck over head by the others.