The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-06-18
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 As. / sailed for home,
as you have heard, and was many
months too late to be of service. But
/ 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 !"
He paused, and slow, strange
smile Swallowed his face and he drew
a finger across the map on the table.
Il said would tell you story
a dream-a wicked old mans dream,
Robert. 'Tis 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 1t
In every enterprise. With sufficient
of it you may upset kingdoms, buy
pardons, obtain patents and honors
and place. 'Tis definite substance,
mark you, hard and shining and heavy
in the hand-not such thistle-down
as dreams are made e.
"When was the thought born?
cannot say. Flint and l 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 bride, which I 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 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
loss. Two years since the council
of the Indies decided to resume sail
ings from Porto Bello, which is the
most adyantageously situated of all
ports on the Main for the collection
of the treasure.
"See! 'Tis about midway betwixt
veragua are at its back door. The
treasures are fetched south from La
Vera Cruz by 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
is 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
him to Porto Bello.'
'Then how shall you have word of
her sailingY" broke in, swept off my
feet by the rush Of this amazing mar
rative.
''That Is O'Donnell's task. He will
reach Porto Bello during the summer
and be SO concerned for the state
of the Notifications that he'll refuse
to 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
in advance of her sailing date. When
he has obtained this fact he will con-
vey 1t secretly to one Diego Salvez,
an agent / maintain in that port
Diego, by O'Donnell's help, will get
out Of town and put to sea in a fast
sloop he hath in a little river near
where was the ancient town of Nom
bre de Dios, so that we shall have
sure tidings of the Santissima Trini-
dads coming and be prepared for
her."
'But what Of her course?" scruti-
niZed the map. "There are three sep
arate exits from the Caribbean into
the Atlantic"
you have clapped on to the nub of
our problem" said Murray. Twas
the piece of information was at most
pains to obtain. The Santissima
Trinidad will head for the Mona pas.