The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-03-23
FINDING THE TREASURE.

1t must be nearly fifty-Gve years ago
now since the events happened. Twas
about twenty or twenty-one years of
age and had made one voyage in the
Golden Gem out and home to the West
Indies and Honduras. The Golden
| Gem was schooner-rigged and was a
little thing of about 25) tons burden
She was owned by the captain, Welsh
! man named Thomas Thomas, and had
made many voyages in the West In
dian trade.
On our second voyage we took out a
general cargo from London to Santos.
on the South American coast; we had
fair average passage out, and it was
the captains intention after he had dis
charged our cargo there, to run up to
Honduras and load up a cargo of ma
hogany for home, rs usual.
However, when we were discharg-
Ing at Santos he changed his mind,
and, instead of going for mahogany,
we sailed TO Rio Janeiro and there
loaded lot of war material-guns,
cannon, gunpowder and other stuff
for Valparaiso, for the government OF
Chill.
This was a lOngish voyage for the
little Gem. but the Chill government
were anxious to get their ammunition
round quickly, and offered such a
tempting freight that our captain could
not resist the chance of making q BIZ
haul.
All went well, and in due course we
arrived at our destination and dis
at. -,,o,,.-F,,lt,- Wa
learnt at Valparaiso that trouble was
brewing between Chilli and Peru and
that hostililics might break out at any
time. This. Of course, accounted for
the anxiety displayed for the war ma
terial we had brought round.
Captain Thomas had intended going
10 Caliao. in Peru. for a cargo of guauo
for some port on our way home. but
with such close prospect of war be-
tween the two countries he concluded
to give the idea up.
We had been discharged some few
days and our captain was on the point
Of sailing in ballast when a messenger
from his agents came down to the
schooner and asked him to 90 up to the
Office.
Night passed and we saw nothing OF
our skipper till next day. when he
came on board with Il stranger
OF course we were all agOg TO know
what was going OH. Every imam of us
felt keen personal interest in the lit
tie craft. and when the mate was sent
for TO join the captain and the stranger
we guessed something specia, WAS on.
After awhile the mate came forward,
aud we all clustered round him TO hear
the news.
Have any OF YOU any experience in
diving" said I've. Il mean he con-
tnued. going down below in divers
dress
Yes. sir answered two of the men
Bob Green and Tom Swift. They
had been employed in some harbor
works in England and knew all about
iue business.
That's first rate" replied the mate.
"The captain is thinking Of going on a
little expedition where you will be Of
service. and if the Job turns out sue
cess there will be nice little bonus
all round for us"
1t appeared that the stranger had
chartered the schooner to sail for AM
bTOse Island, which was little bit of
an island about COO miles northwest of
Valparaiso.
The stranger was Spanish grandee
named Don Carlo de Astigara, and
from what had TRANSFERRED in the cabin
il seemed that Spanish merchantmen
had. many years before, been wrecked
on the island and become a total loss
and none of her crew had ever been
heard of.
Two suits of diving dress were sent
on board, with the accompanying
pumps and other arrangements, and
another experienced diver was en-
gagged to superintend matters.
After we had cot our supplies of
fresh provisions on board the anchor
was weighed and we stood out to sea.
The run was soon accomplished and
by noon of the third day we were
at anchor off the western side of the
island. After making all snug aloft
we cot a boat out and Don Astigara.
the captain, Harris. the diver whom
we had shipped at Valparaiso and four
men. of whom | was one, started off
for the shore.
The island was surrounded by belt
of coral reefs, which in ordinary fine
weather did not make their where
aboutS visible, as they lay quiet and
treacherous uudt- about q fathom or
SO of water.
But when the sea ran at all high
and the long rolling swell of the Pa,
cific Ocean broke from its gentle mood,
then the vicious. wicked-looking snags
showed their ugly teeth.
When we got ashore we pulled the
boat up, and then. under the captains
instructions, we separated and spread
ourselves over the shore to hunt for
any remains or signs of the lost Span
lard
After q short time we heard a hail
from the northern end of the island,
and hurrying up we found the captain
/ and others grouped around mass of
/ black and rotting timbers. which we
| Immediately recognized as the debris
/ OF wrecked vessel. This was evident
/ proof that at some time or another
vessel of considerable size had been
cast up at this spot.
Don Astlgara was satisfied that his
! quest was here. so after we had cast
about for awhile. hunting for further
evidence, we returned to our boat and
went aboard.
1t was then arranged that a camp
should be set up on the island, and the
don. with the three divers aud three