“Sharp and a number of his men were tried for piracy when they arrived in England,” replied Mr. Bickford. “But they were acquitted. The specific charge brought against them was the taking of the San Rosario and the killing of her captain, but it was proved that the Spaniards fired the first shot and the men were freed on a plea of self-defense. Their fellows, who after Sharp’s departure made their way to Jamaica, were less fortunate. Two of the three were acquitted, but the third pleaded guilty and was hanged. Ringrose himself settled down for a well-earned, quiet life, but the love of the sea and the call of adventure was too great. In 1683 he joined with his old comrades Wafer, Dampier and Swan and went back to the Pacific, piloting the ship Cygnet around Cape Horn. He was killed a few years later in a battle with the Dons on the west coast of Central America, but that is another story.” “But, Dad, you didn’t tell us how much loot they got in all that time,” complained Jack. “It’s not recorded,” replied his father. “Owing to the long voyage the treasure was divided up after every raid or prize. But the greatest treasure they took they threw away.” “How on earth was that?” asked Fred. His uncle chuckled. “I often think what a bitter pill it must have been for Sharp and the others to swallow,” replied Mr. Bickford. “The San Rosario—the ship for the taking of which the men were tried—had very little treasure aboard her, apparently. She was laden with huge ingots of what the buccaneers supposed was tin and this was thrown overboard, one of the buccaneers retaining a single ingot as a keepsake. Imagine the chagrin of the men when, during their trial, they learned that the supposed tin was solid silver! They had cast into the sea, as worthless, more riches than they had won on their entire venture!” CHAPTER X THE LAST OF THE BUCCANEERS “Gosh, that was a good joke on the buccaneers,” laughed Jack. “Now do tell us more about Ringrose, Dad. He must have been a fine fellow. Just as soon as you get through I’m going to borrow that log of his and read it from beginning to end.” “Me, too,” cried Fred with enthusiasm. “And I’m going to read Esquemeling.” “You’ll find both Esquemeling’s and Ringrose’s log most interesting,” said Mr. Bickford, “and you’ll be amused at the map. See here—this is the chart by which Ringrose steered the Trinity. See how the Amazon and the Rio de la Plata are pictured as one huge estuary of the sea, making part of Brazil and all of Uruguay and Paraguay into a great island. Very little was known of South America in those days, although, as you will notice, the West Indies and Central America were accurately shown.” “Golly, I don’t see how they ever did get around,” declared Fred, as the two boys studied the ancient chart. “Hadn’t any one else ever sailed around the Horn before?”