The Silver Madonna and Other Tales of America's Greatest Lost Treasures Read Free Page B

Baja California. During previous expeditions to the area, the Spanish learned that a rare large mollusk made its home in the shallow water along the coast and produced an exceptional pearl with a dark, nearly black, shiny, metallic surface. The Spanish explorers discovered that the local Indians harvested these fine pearls from the waters and used them to fashion necklaces and other jewelry. During this time, pearls were considered more valuable than gold. In addition to adding to the wealth of the Spanish treasury, King Philip knew well that the country’s upper class, as well as that of other European royalty, coveted the rare gems, and he wished to control the market for them.
    At the time, Captain Cordone was headquartered in Mexico City. He was known to be intensely loyal to the government of Spain and to King Philip in particular. As was Spanish custom, the commander of an expedition sent to recover gold, silver, or any other kind of wealth received a generous share. Cordone entertained visions of becoming a wealthy man as well as a member of an elite Spanish society. He further imagined he would be rewarded with higher rank and perhaps an important political appointment. Cordone was anxious to carry out King Philip’s orders.
    According to his instructions, Cordone was to oversee the design and construction of three ships. He was provided free rein relative to the organization and outfitting of the vessels in order to ensure the success of the expedition. Wasting little time, Cordone ordered the reassignment of two respected and trusted officers to assist him—Captains Juan de Iturbe and Pedro de Rosales. The three men, accompanied by an armed escort, traveled 250 miles south to the coastal city of Acapulco, where they supervised the construction of the ships and pursued preparations for the voyage. While work progressed on the vessels, Cordone requested sixty experienced pearl divers be recruited from the east coast of Africa and shipped to Acapulco.
    The ships were finally completed during July 1612. Following two weeks of trials to test their seaworthiness, Cordone announced he was ready to lead the expedition. A few days later, he ordered the three ships into the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and along a northwesterly course that paralleled Mexico’s shore.
    As the three Spanish ships sailed through the calm coastal waters, occasional anchorings were ordered so that the divers could explore the rocky bottoms for promising oyster beds. Now and then some pearls were harvested, but Cordone knew from previous reports that the richest beds lay farther to the north and deeper into the Gulf of California. It was to this region he guided the expedition.
    After several weeks of sailing, one of Cordone’s lookouts spotted an Indian village on a nearby shore. After observing the natives for a time, Cordone noted that the males appeared to be diving for pearls in the shallow waters. Considering that he might find a store of pearls among these indigenes, Cordone ordered the anchors dropped. The captain, accompanied by a contingent of crewmen as well as some soldiers in case of a hostile reception, landed ashore and requested to speak with the village headman.
    According to the chief, Cordone and his men were the first Europeans to visit the village. To Cordone’s delight, the Indians proved to be friendly and the reception was warm. Communicating in signs, the chief invited the Spaniards to share the evening meal with the small tribe. Long into the night Cordone and the chief conversed about a variety of topics. By the time the sun rose, Cordone determined it was time to inquire about the pearls being harvested from the sea floor.
    The chief told the Spaniard that the shellfish were harvested primarily for food and from time to time a pearl would be found. When this occurred, it was removed and stored with others that had accumulated. When one of the tribe wished to make a necklace or some other item of jewelry, they