of Albemarle, and some other noblemen had not lent their assistance. They
fitted out a ship and gave the command to Captain Phips. He sailed from
England, and arrived safely at Porto de la Plata, where he took an adze
and assisted his men to build a large boat.

The boat was intended for the purpose of going closer to the reef of rocks
than a large vessel could safely venture. When it was finished, the
Captain sent several men in it, to examine the spot where the Spanish ship
was said to have been wrecked. They were accompanied by some Indians, who
were skilful divers, and could go down a great way into the depths of the
sea.

The boat’s crew proceeded to the reef of rocks, and rowed round and round
it, a great many times. They gazed down into the water, which was so
transparent that it seemed as if they could have seen the gold and silver
at the bottom, had there been any of those precious metals there. Nothing,
however, could they see; nothing more valuable than a curious sea shrub,
which was growing beneath the water, in a crevice of the reef of rocks. It
flaunted to and fro with the swell and reflux of the waves, and looked as
bright and beautiful as if its leaves were gold.

"We won’t go back empty-handed," cried an English sailor; and then he
spoke to one of the Indian divers. "Dive down and bring me that pretty sea
shrub there. That’s the only treasure we shall find!"

Down plunged the diver, and soon rose dripping from the water, holding the
sea shrub in his hand. But he had learnt some news at the bottom of the
sea.

"There are some ship’s guns," said he, the moment he had drawn breath,