CHAPTER XXVI
Untold Wealth
By the glare of the smoking torches I saw that we were in a vast cavern, the walls of which were smooth and fairly regular on both sides, although the extent of the place was hidden by a darkness which the flaring lights failed to penetrate. In the distance I heard the splashing of a torrent of water, but as the floor of the cave was covered to a depth of about six inches with dry dust, the stream must have found an outlet at a lower level.
Led by Captain Jeremy, who strode along rapidly, with the confidence of a man who was well acquainted with the place, we traversed some fifty yards of gradually shelving floor, till the torchlight flickered on several ghastly objects that were lying about in various positions. There were rusty steel morions, breast-plates, and buff leather coats, each complete suit containing a grisly skeleton; while scattered around were arquebuses, muskets, pikes, swords, and pistols.
"Good heavens!" exclaimed one of our men in an awestruck tone. "Starved to death!"
"Nay," replied Captain Jeremy, "they fought among themselves. These were the survivors of the wreck of the Madre de Dios. Consumed with the lust for gold, they exterminated each other, or, at least, if any escaped the combat they never left the island."
A few steps farther, and we beheld a pile of casks standing breast high. Plunging his hand into the nearest, Captain Jeremy drew out a brick-shaped object, and, knocking it against the side of the cask to remove a thick deposit of dust, revealed a piece of dull-coloured metal. It was gold!
Regardless of their gruesome surroundings, the men burst into a continuous roar of cheering, and like delighted children flung themselves upon the casks.
Vessels, plate, bars of gold, and coins were disclosed to our view, till the floor was littered with dull red metal, mingled with tarnished silver.
'Twas the much-sought-for treasure of the Madre de Dios.