sequestration in the roadstead of Vigo until the hostile fleet had disappeared from the neighbourhood.
“But while this decision was being arrived at, the English fleet appeared in Vigo Bay. Admiral Chateau-Renaud, not withstanding his inferior force, gave them battle. But when he saw that the convoy was likely to fall into the enemies’ hands, he burnt and sunk the galleons, which went to the bottom with the immense treasure on board.”
Captain Nemo paused; I could not yet perceive how this history could interest me.
“Well?” I said. “Well, sir,” replied Captain Nemo, “we are now inVigo Bay, and, if you please, you can penetrate its mysteries.”
He rose and begged me to accompany him, I had had time to recover myself.I obeyed. The saloon was dark, but the sea scintillated before the windows; I looked out.
All round the Meutilus, to a distance of perhaps half a mile, the sea appeared to be illuminated by electric light. The sandy bottom was clear and distinct. Some of our crew in their diving-dresses were engaged in clearing rotten barrels and empty chests from the wrecks.From these barrels and cases ingots of gold and silver were escaping, cascades of money and jewels. They were piled up on the sand. Then, laden with their booty, the men returned to the Nautilus, and, depositing their loads, went back for another haul in this inexhaustible fishery of silver and gold.
I understood it all. This was the scene of the battle of the 22nd October, 1702. It was here that the galleons, laden for the Spanish Government, had been sunk. Here Captain Nemo was enabled to secure, as he chose, millions to ballast the (Vaudiivs.’Twas for him, and him alone, that America had yielded that precious metal. He was the sole
