Arizona state miner., 1926-04-17
CHAPTER VII-Continued

B.
sT was on the other side of Africa
when I first had word Prince Charles
had raised the White Cockade in
Scotland in the 40. 1 sailed for home,
as you have heard, and was many
months too late to be of service. But
I established touch with friends in
France who work for the cause, and
so learned that the good work was
going merrily on. All that is wanted
for another rising is money-gold J"
He paused, and a slow, strange
smile shadowed his face and he drew
a finger across the map on the table
81 said 1 would tell you story"
he went on. "But after all It's only
a dream-a wicked old mans dream,
Robert. 'Tis so you think Of me,
Enow-and your father-and Peter
there-and-I wonder what the little
maid you spoke with would think
Or the poor, throneless old king who
huddIes over his brazier for warmth
In the dreary palace in Rome that
Is all he has left of his majesty! Or
Prince Charlie. who fits back and
forth from France to the Low coun-
tries, scheming and plotting and al
ways curbed for lack of-gold!
"Gold! We stumble for lack of it
In every enterprise. With sufficient
uf it you may upset Kingdoms, buy
ilardons, obtain patents and honors
and place. 'Tis a definite substance,
Gnark you, hard and shining and heavy
In the hand-nOt such thistle-down
GS dreams are made o..
when was the thought born? l
cannot say. Flint and I had often
sought the yearly treasure ship, but
never had sight Of her. Then one day
the idea came to me to utilize my
JacObite friends in France and Spain
A bribe, which I supplied, procured
for O'Donnell, already an officer on
the regular establishment of the Span
tsh forces, appointment as an in
Epector of Notifications on the ports
Gu the Main.
His fOreinger explored the chart
before us and came to rest upon
Ou Tie Udllk vi the udTTOW neck
of land which joins the two Americas
'"There is Porto Bello. which was
Tire port of the old treasure galleons
aRd discarded as such by the Span
fHrxis after Morgan sacked it, But
later they restored and strengthened
the Notifications, although in the late
WAR our Admiral Vernon carried it by
surprise. At that time Cartagena was
the treasure center, and when Vernon
attempted it he was repulsed with
SCSS. Two years since the council
qr the Indies decided to resume sail
t1gs from Porto Bello, which is the
most advantageously situated of all
ports on the Main for the collection
OF the treasure.
''See! 'Tis about midway betwixt
Mexico and Peru, and the mines of
Veragua are at its back door. The
Vera Cruz by a ship under escort of
the Garda Costas and transferred at
Porto Bello to the ship for Spain,
which puts forth about the beginning
or middle of September.
"'This is a strong ship and well
manned, but the Spaniards have been
taught by centuries of experience to
accept no risk for her. Her identity
Us never known in advance, even to
her captain. He sails from Cadiz for
THE Main under sealed orders which
he doth not open until mid-Atlantic is
passed, and these orders do but carry
&im to Porto Bello."
@'Then how shall you have word Of
her saflingY' 1 broke in, swept off my
feet by the rush Of this amazing mar
raGive.
<SThat is O'DOnnell's task He will
reach Porto BellO during the summer
and be so concerned for the state
or the Notifications that he'll refuse
es leave until he has put them in de
feasible condition. Whilst he is there
he will receive dispatches from Spain
summoning him home on urgent af
fairs. He will elect to embark upon
the treasure ship because she is large
and cOmmOdiOus and likewise safe
And thanks to his position, he will
have accurate knowledge some days
I'm advance of her sailing date. When
he has obtained this fact he will con-
vey it secretly to one Diego SalveZ,
an agent I maintain in that port.