The Grit-advocate., 1906-06-22

In all the world nothing stirs the
blood or excites the imagination SO
much as a search for hidden treasure.
In fiction or in fact nothing Is SO en-
trancing. Thrilling as are the treas
ure tales of Robert Louis Stevenson.
tales just as thrilling are being en-
acted in truth in different parts of
the globe to-day.
At present several interesting treas
ure hunts are under way. In the lit
tie bay of Tobermory, on the west
coast of Scotland, syndicate is en-
deavoring to reach the strong box Of
sunken ship of the Spanish armada
which plunged beneath those waters
with wealth estimated at $15,O00.0OO.
Efforts are being made to raise a
British warship which was sunk in
BGlaklava bay during the Crimean
war. Those at the head OF this en-
terprise expect to reap golden har-
vest Of 100000. In prosy England
the marshes of the Wash are being
explored for the royal jewels and
treasure of King John, which were
lost by him during his flight in 1915.
For some months an army of la
borers has been digging for treasure
on the island of Mauritius, once the
resort of daring and successful pi-
rates of the Inuian ocean. Within
the last 20 years no fewer than IS
gold-seeking expeditions have ex-
plored Cocos island, in the Pacific
and numerous deadly clashes have re-
suited in the search for the millions
thought to be buried there. A search
for treasure is going on there now.
Into almost every cline and to
thrilling adventures the golden ignis
fatuus of hidden treasure is Turing
men. Soldiers Of fortune never wove
more romantic or dramatic stories
than those of the present searches for
buried gold.
Seek Armada Treasure Ship.
At present a golden thread of ro-
mantle interest is being spun like a
shimmering spider web over Tober-
mory bay, one of the loveliest inlets
on the west coast of Scotland. This
bay offers shelter to mariners and
fishermen off the northwest corner of
the Isle of Null
At that point determined search
is OH for treasure. which, it is be-
lieved, has lain quietly under the wa.
ter for more than three centuries.
A halo of romance and tradition
surrounds the gold which is supposed
to have gone down with the Admiral
of Florence or Florentia, the treasure
ship of the Spanish armada, in 1888.
J Legend has it that in September
of that year large Spanish galleon
tie Florentia, in trying to avoid the
storms and save the treasure on board
until suitable weather made possible
her escape southwark, took refuge in
the safe, land-locked bay of Tober-
mory.
According to reports, the Florentia
had on board s15,OOO,OOO in English
money. The officers and men, who
were starving, demanded food from
the McLeans of Null.
In return for supplies, after due ne
gotiation, the admiral agreed to land
100 men to assist the Mclean clan of
Scotland, which at that time was at
swords points with the McDonalds
He was also to pay the McLeans a
large sum of money as we'll If they
would assist him to repair his ship.
This promise of money is taken to
show the presence of considerable
quantity Of specie on board and as
the vessel was flagship it is prob
able that she carried the treasure of
the entire Armada.
The 100 men were landed and as
sisted in defeating the McDonalds.
They we're afterward allowed to return
to the ship, but the McLeans held
three officers as hostages until the
debt be paid.