“Thus ended that most memorable voyage, that venture which had taken the buccaneers across Darien, up and down the length of South America twice, and around Cape Horn and back to the Antilles in a captured Spanish galleon. Two years had passed since they had plunged into the jungles of Darien; two years without sight of fellow countrymen or news of home; two years in enemies’ seas and enemies’ country, and welcome indeed was the sight of the verdant British islands and of Englishmen once more.”
“What became of Captain Sharp and Ringrose?” asked Jack. “Gosh, that was a wonderful voyage. It ought to be more famous than Morgan’s.”
“Sharp and a number of his men were tried for piracy when they arrived in England,” replied Mr. Bickford. “But they were acquitted. The specific charge brought against them was the taking of the San Rosario and the killing of her captain, but it was proved that the Spaniards fired [[172]]the first shot and the men were freed on a plea of self-defense. Their fellows, who after Sharp’s departure made their way to Jamaica, were less fortunate. Two of the three were acquitted, but the third pleaded guilty and was hanged. Ringrose himself settled down for a well-earned, quiet life, but the love of the sea and the call of adventure was too great. In 1683 he joined with his old comrades Wafer, Dampier and Swan and went back to the Pacific, piloting the ship Cygnet around Cape Horn. He was killed a few years later in a battle with the Dons on the west coast of Central America, but that is another story.”
“But, Dad, you didn’t tell us how much loot they got in all that time,” complained Jack.
“It’s not recorded,” replied his father. “Owing to the long voyage the treasure was divided up after every raid or prize. But the greatest treasure they took they threw away.”
“How on earth was that?” asked Fred.
His uncle chuckled. “I often think what a bitter pill it must have been for Sharp and the others to swallow,” replied Mr. Bickford. “The San Rosario—the ship for the taking of which the men were tried—had very little treasure aboard her, apparently. She was laden with huge ingots of [[173]]what the buccaneers supposed was tin and this was thrown overboard, one of the buccaneers retaining a single ingot as a keepsake. Imagine the chagrin of the men when, during their trial, they learned that the supposed tin was solid silver! They had cast into the sea, as worthless, more riches than they had won on their entire venture!” [[174]]