Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/356

Rh heir to these treasures, torn BAY. away from Incas, and conquered people of Ferdinand Cortez.

“Were you ever aware that the sea riches, professor ?”

“T have heard that the silver in suspension in these waters has been estimated at two millions.”

“No doubt; but -to extract this silver, the expenses would carry away all profit. Here, on the contrary, I have only to collect what has been lost ; and not only here, but at the scenes of a thousand other shipwrecks, which I have noted on the chart. Now do you perceive why I am so rich ?”

“Yes, captain ; but allow me to inform you that, in exploring the Bay of Vigo, you are only a little ahead of arival.”

“What is that ?”

“A society has received from the Spanish Government the privilege to search for these sunken galleons.The shareholders are attracted by the promise of a large booty, for they value the contents of these ships at five hundred millions.”

“They were five hundred imuillions,” replied Captain Nemo, “but they are not so now.”

“In fact, then,” said I, “a warning to these sidveliotders would only be a charitable action. But how would it be received? That which gamblers regret above all, usually, is less the loss of their money than that of their foolish expectations. I pity them less, after all, than the numbers of unhappy people to whom so much treasure, well bestowed, would have been a boon ; while they will be for ever useless to them.”

No sooner had I made this remark wounded Captain Nemo.

“Useless!” he said, with animation."Do you imagine, VOL. II.