To crown their heritage of woe, Edward Randolph, profiting by their already established fanaticism and ripeness for the folly, subtly introduced and finally fastened upon them that curse of superstitious ignorance, which was doomed to become such a blot upon their page of history—the “detection” of and persecutions for witchcraft.
CHAPTER XL.
GOLDEN OYSTERS.
Captain William Phipps, when Adam left him at Jamaica, had returned, as he had said he intended, to the waters wherein the old Spanish galleon, with her golden treasure, was supposed to have sunk. He had met with a small measure of luck, for an old sailor had pointed out what he alleged to be the exact reef of rocks on which the galleon had split, half a century before. This spot was a few leagues to the north of Port de la Plata.
Having examined the place without success, Phipps had then discovered that his crew was not reliable and the ship not much better, in point of soundness. He had therefore headed for England, coming in due season to anchor in the Thames.
Undaunted by the failure which his enterprise had been, he sought out the King, reported what he had done, and requested the use of another ship and a better lot of men.
James was amused and entertained. He commended the bold skipper on his courage and his tenacity of purpose; he believed his story. But he shook his head at the thought of furnishing funds and a new ship and crew for further adventures with pirates and mutineers in the Spanish Main.
However, at the Court, Captain Phipps had made influential friends. He was admired for his manly qualities; he was trusted as a man of exceptional integrity. The Duke of Albemarle, with several friends, agreed again to back the doughty Captain for the venture. They secured a new charter for the business from the King; they found a good staunch ship. Away went Phipps, with a hope so high that nothing could have served to suppress it.
It was when the captain arrived once more at Port de la Plata that Adam Rust and the beef-eaters joined him. The meeting was one in which the demonstration of a great and enduring affection between the two big men was the more affecting because of its utter simplicity and quietness. Adam was welcomed to his share in the new promise with that great spirit of generosity and justice which characterized everything that Phipps was ever known to do.
The preparations for a careful search were pushed ahead rapidly. A small, stout boat was built and launched, near the fatal reef, while the ship was anchored at some distance away, in less treacherous water.