The total number of men in the fleet was
378, of whom 280 were soldiers. The "Santa Isabel" became detached from
the rest of the fleet, and reached the Great South Land, where she
spent five years in a harbour said to be of great beauty and
extent--the finest harbour in the world.
All this we learnt, from the log of the "Santa Isabel", though what
became of the expedition, or of those who composed it, the record did
not disclose. But the reading which interested Hartog most, keen
treasure-hunter that he continued to be, was a paper describing some
curious drawings he had found in one of the lockers of the vessel, of
hands, some with six fingers, some with four, and others with only two.
Under these drawings was the following inscription, translated into
Spanish from some ancient language: "These hands are not carved upon
the rocks, but are painted with a pigment that withstands the elements,
and yieldeth not to time. They mark the measures of gold obtained."
Then followed a rude chart giving the latitude and longitude of the
place which Hartog professed his ability to find.
"Join me, Peter," he said, "and let us ship together. There's treasure
to be won, dangers to be passed, and forgetfulness to be had in the
South.
Pages:
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164