“‘Pick that villain off; let it be a signal for the broadside.’
“The order went along. Every man was ready. The gunner I had spoken to was a dead shot.
“He fired, and Longboots dropped to the deck. Then open flew our ports and we sent solid shot into her hull.
“She went down instantly. We had just time to get away from the vortex. Only one of her men was saved.
“He made a clean breast of all, and declared that there was fully a million and a half in treasure aboard the Vestal Virgin. We had some thoughts then of recovering it.
“But the soundings were too deep. No diver could live at that depth. We turned our course homeward.
“And this is how it comes that the Vestal Virgin and her mighty treasure lies at the bottom of the sea.”
Frank had been deeply interested at this recital. As Captain Bell finished he said:
“I will make every endeavor, be sure, to recover that treasure. If I do, a fair share of it is yours.”
Captain Bell gripped Frank’s hand.