, 1926-03-17
CHAPTER VII-Continued


81 was on the other side of Africa
when l FIRST had word Prince Charles
had raised the White Cockade in
Scotland in the 40. | sailed for home.
as you have heard, and was many
months too late to he of service. But
/ established touch with friends in
France who work for the cause. and
Sc learned that the good work was
going merrily on. All that is wanted
for another rising is money-gold -
He paused, and a slow, strange
smile Swallowed his face and he drew
q finger across the map on the table,
81 said / would tell you a story"
ne went on. but after all it's only
a dream-a wicked old mans dream,
Robert. IT'S so you think of me. ]
knOw-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
huddles 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
IF it you may upset kingdoms, buy
pardons. obtain patents and honors
and place. 'Tis a definite substance,
mark you. hard and shining and heavy
In the hand-not such ~thistle-down
as dreams are made o..
when was the thought born? !
cannot say. Flint and | had often
sought the yearly treasure ship. but
never had sight of her. Then one day
the idea came to me TO utilize my
il Obite friends In France and Spain.
a bride, which l supplied, procured
for O'Donnell, already an officer on
the regular establishment of the Span
ish forces, appointment as an in
spector Of Notifications on the ports
on the Main.
His forefinger explored the chart
before us and came to rest upon a
dot on the flank of the narrow neck
of land which Joins the two Americas.
There is Porto Bello. which was
the port of the old treasure galleons
and discarded as such by the Span
Iards after Morgan sacked H.. But
later they restored and strengthened
the Notifications, although In the late
war our Admiral Vernon carried IL by
surprise. At that time Curtagenn was
the treasure center, and when Vernon
attempted II he was repulsed with
loss. Two years since the council
of the Indies decided 10 resume sail
ings from Porto Bello. which IL the
most advantngeously sltunted of all
ports on the Main for the collection
of the treasure.
ASeei Ills about midway betwlxt.
Mexico and Peru, and the mines OF
Verngua are at It's back door. The
treasures are fetched south from La
Vera Cruz by a ship under escort Of
the Garda Costas and transferred at
Porto Bello TO the ship for Spain.
which puts forth nbout the beginning
or middle OF September.
This is n strong ship and well
manned, but the Spanlnrds have been
taught by centuries Of experience 10
accept no risk for her. Her Identity
is never known In advance, even to.
her captain. lie sails from Cadiz for
the Main under scaled orders which
he doth not open until mld.AtlHntlc Is
passed, and these orders do but carry
him TO Porto Bello."
Then how shan you have word Of
her sallingT' I broke IN. swept on my
fee by the rush Of this amazing mar
rative.
THAT Is O'Donnell's task. lie will
reach Porto Bello during the summer
and be 80 concerned for the state
of h Notifications that he'll refuse
40 leave until he has put them In de
feasible condition. Whilst he Is there
lac will receive dispatches from Spain
s%aawmoning him home on urgent ar
FAIRS. lie VIII elect TO embark upon
vire treasure ship because she {. lnrge
and commodlous and likewise safe.
And thanks to his position. he viii
have accurate knowledge some days
on advance NJ her sailing date. When
has obtained this fact he will con
u secretly TO one Diego Salyez,
nxent maintain In that port