We found the report given by the Spanish
sailors, who had been the first to land, to be somewhat exaggerated.
Still, there was an abundance of gold between the crevices of the rock,
and, what was more remarkable, we came upon what had evidently been
vessels of beaten gold, thus proving beyond doubt that the island had
formerly been inhabited.
During the course of the morning we obtained as much gold mixed with
quartz as the boats could conveniently carry, when we returned to the
ship, intending, after our midday meal, to come back for a fresh supply
of the precious metal, but on getting aboard we found Hartog much
perturbed by the extraordinary behaviour of the compass, and the
strange appearance of the sky.
"I don't like the look of it, Peter," said Hartog, when we descended
together to the cabin to discuss the situation. "I never knew this to
happen before but once, and I am not anxious to repeat the experience.
Unless I am greatly mistaken, there's something big coming."
When we returned to the deck, a low moaning sound came to us across the
sea, but, otherwise, there seemed to be nothing to cause anxiety. Donna
Isabel wished to return to the island for more gold, but Hartog would
not permit of any further expedition being made that day.
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