For everyone’s edification she took each piece as it came and rinsed it in fresh water. The metal was gold and the stones were of various types. There was a gold ring with what appeared to be a twenty carrot emerald. There was a thick gold bracelet with a setting of five emeralds of about ten carrots each. There were three very heavy gold chains that looked to be either choker necklaces or large bracelets. Two other gold bracelets contained ruby and diamond settings. But the most extravagant piece was a golden tiara that looked to be princess sized, too small for a queen, but definitely crafted for royalty. Each side of the piece had a cluster of fifteen diamonds, each at least three carrots. The center of the piece was a design in the sign of the cross with double rows of emeralds across and double rows of rubies going down. In addition to these exquisite pieces there was a variety of lose stones, thirty in all, diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies and opals. The priceless treasure these divers had extracted today from the wreck of the San Pedro was enough to fill its own room in a museum.
It was the most beautiful evening of the year. The temperature had dropped below eighty, the humidity had disappeared and the stars lit up the moonless sky. The feast had been consumed and all anybody wanted to do was to sit down by the water, breath in the fresh air and spend their last evening together reminiscing about the months together that had been so eventful. Matthew, Sissy and Gaffer were on board Miss Fit. Max, P.J., Cameron and Virgil were on Bimini Twist and Skeeter, Susan, Jenny and Godfrey were on Abaco Diver. It had been a great day, the greatest day. But now it was a sad one. The group was splitting up to go in different directions. It would be months before Max’s and Skeeter’s families would see each other again. The Carsons had to get back to their normal lives. Who knew when Virgil might make his way back to Abaco, although now that he had an outpost there and a professional fisherman stationed in it, he could see how this new arrangement might require his personal attention quite often. Cameron and Godfrey were going to stick around for a while, Cameron to continue managing the security detail until Skeeter got his training, and Godfrey until they were finished excavating.
“So what’s next as far as the museum goes?” Max asked Virgil. “How are the plans going in Nassau?”
“It’s a slow process,” responded Virgil. “The government is committed to building a first class tribute to this expedition and to the wreck and its history. They have selected a site in downtown Nassau, just a block off Bay Street. It will be convenient for the tourists visiting our straw market to drop in. The ground breaking will be in October. I hope you’ll plan on being there.”
“Does that go for me?” asked P.J.
Virgil looked over at P.J. “Of course it goes for you. It especially goes for you, Mr. Discovery, himself. It goes for every person here. Anyone who does not come better have a good reason.”
“I’ll be there,” said Gaffer.
“Me, too,” said Matthew.
“Everybody, I said,” Virgil bellowed.
There were laughs all around as each person agreed, me too, me too, me too.
Epilogue
Bahamas Air flight number 223 from Miami touched down at Nassau International Airport at 10:35 AM. Among the passengers debarking were Max, Lisa, P.J. and Gaffer Carson. As they joined the queue awaiting customs clearance, they were approached by two officers of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force. The Carsons, who had been busying themselves fumbling for passports and trying to keep their carry-on packages together, were at first startled and then elated. It was Cameron Ford and Skeeter Pincus in their brightest, sharpest uniforms. Cameron was now sporting the insignia of a Royal Defense Force Captain and Skeeter’s insignia indicated that he was a Defense Force Sergeant. Gaffer’s face flashed a wide grin. The men also showed their pleasure at seeing the family. After a warm greeting and a few minutes of catching up, Cameron guided the family around the customs counter and past immigration. The Carsons were given special clearance, no waiting in line for the bureaucrats to stamp their passports. They were special guests of the Bahamas Islands, dignitaries for the day.
The limo delivered the four Carsons and the two Defense Force officers to the back door of Government House. There they were greeted by Virgil Price the moment the limo arrived. He welcomed them warmly and guided everyone into his comfortable office. Virgil was wearing the dress uniform of the Superintendent of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force. He looked like the head of state of a wealthy Caribbean nation. He almost was. For this occasion Max was wearing a sports coat, tie and his best tailored slacks. Lisa, as always, looked beautiful in a light tropical dress that showed off her blond hair, island tan and youthful figure. The boys, P.J. and Gaffer wore their best formal slacks and polo shirts. Try as she did, it was impossible for Lisa to get the boys to put on a tie. In this gathering of friends and associates, the mood was cheery and bright, and they looked like a million bucks.
This was a big day for the Bahamas Islands. Today was to be the ground breaking for the National Maritime Museum. Under the guidance, and with the urging of the Minister of Antiquities, the Government of the Bahamas approved the expenditure of $6,500,000 to establish the museum which would feature as its main exhibit, artifacts, treasure and a reconstruction, using actual parts from the wreck of the San Pedro.
Virgil looked around the room and grinned broadly. “Mrs. Carson, how did you ever get this crew to dress up so pretty. I’ve never seen any of them, Max included, wear anything but swim suits, t-shirts and sun glasses. They clean up real nice.”
The group laughed. Lisa replied, “It wasn’t easy. I had to threaten them with drastic measures.”
Max chimed in, “Your men look real pretty, too,” referring to Cameron and Skeeter whose usual attire was also swim suits, t-shirts and sun glasses. “I guess this is just a real pretty gathering.” The group laughed again as the door to Virgil’s office opened.
In walked the Minister of Antiquities, Ted Brown, accompanied by Jenny James, Godfrey Frey and the rest of the Pincus family. Jenny has not seen any of the Carsons for several months and was immediately engrossed in conversation with Lisa and Max. P.J. sought out Godfrey as they had become close friends while working together on the wreck. Skeeter, Matthew and Gaffer got right down to the business of fishing updates. It seems that Matthew had caught his first blue marlin, a 180 pounder off Elbow Cay. Gaffer was happy for Matthew, if perhaps a little jealous, too.
At 12:30 it was time for the assemblage to leave Government House and make their way to the museum site. Five limousines awaited the guests of honor to escort them downtown. For this special occasion, Bay Street was decorated in its junkanoo finest. Brightly colored flags and silk streamers flapped in the mild breeze. Citizens gathered in the streets dancing to the beat of the steel drums, celebrating their love of life, hawking tourist trinkets and generally just having a good time. As the motorcade passed by, the crowd parted. People lining the streets waved and cheered the passing parade.
Large pots of tropical plants and flowers adorned the grandstand stage. Five dozen flags of the Bahamas Islands flapped in the breeze as the citizens of Nassau crowded around to witness the ceremony. The podium was raised so that the speakers could be heard and seen. The crowd gathered for this event numbered 35,000, all jammed together to see and hear the program. As the dignitaries mounted the stairs to take their places on the grandstand, the spectators clapped and cheered. The scene was so overwhelming that it was nearly frightening.
When the guests of honor finally settled in their places on the stage, Ted Brown mounted the podium. He introduced himself and welcomed the citizens of Nassau to this special event. Every time he spoke a few sentences or phrases, he had to stop for a minute while the people expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation. His speech focused on the rich heritage of the Bahamas Islands, its role in the history of the hemisphere, and the significance of having a world class maritime museum. When he introduced Jenny James as the leader of the archaeological expedition and dedicated preserver of antiquity, the cr
owd roared its appreciation.
The applause took three full minutes during which time Jenny stood at the podium blushing and allowing her nervousness to overwhelm her. But she was accustomed to speaking to classrooms and this was more or less the same thing, only times a thousand. By the time she was able to get the crowd settled, she had calmed herself as well. She thanked the Minister for the kind introduction and for his support of the San Pedro Project and Maritime Museum. She then spent several minutes mentioning the highlights of the archaeological expedition and describing some of the priceless treasures the project had recovered. Again the crowd roared its appreciation. To close her speech she introduced the more prominent members of the expedition. Godfrey Frey was praised for his tireless work on behalf of National Geographic. The crowd showed its appreciation. Cameron Ford was introduced as head of security for the site on behalf of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force. Again the crowd showed its enthusiastic appreciation. “Before I introduce the single individual whom in my observation has been the day-to-day strength of the project, I would like to introduce some volunteers without whose assistance, and their boat I might add, the project would be far behind its current schedule. Please allow me to present the Carson Family, Max, Lisa, P. J. and Gaffer.” The crowd showed its appreciation with a sixty second ovation. Jenny made them come up to the podium and wave to the crowd. Gaffer and Max blushed and tried to move away as quickly as possibly. P.J. pranced around the stage like the ham he was, and Lisa stood like a lady and gave a polite wave to the appreciative citizens. As Lisa moved back to return to her seat behind the podium, P.J. gave another broad wave to the crowd, who in turn applauded louder. P.J. bowed and sat back down. “Thank you, P.J.,” Jenny said into the microphone. Laughing could be heard not only from the crowd, but from the audience on stage as well, including polite chuckles from the Governor and the Prime Minister.
“There is another family without whose unselfish kindness and dedication this effort could never gotten off the ground and made the progress it has. This family opened its home to our researchers and provided leadership to a rag-tag group of divers and fishermen.” Jenny turned to Skeeter and, away from the microphone, told him to bring his family forward. The crowd showed their appreciation while Skeeter, Susan, Matthew and Sissy made their way to the podium. Matthew held his mother’s hand while Sissy clung to her father’s neck. The beautiful Pincus family stood before the citizenry of New Providence Island and received their heartfelt appreciation. It was two minutes before Jenny was able to continue talking. When she finally spoke again she took only a minute to sum things up and thank the Minister of Antiquities again for his support.
More applause for Jenny and then Michael Remington, the Governor of the Bahamas Islands, took the podium. His speech was short and flowery. He praised the work of the Minister of Antiquities, Jenny James, the Defense Force, the Pincus and Carson Families and everyone else associated with the project. He then joined the Prime Minister and Ted Brown in the ritual of digging the first shovel full of dirt for the official ground breaking. Smiles, photographs, shaking hands, more kind words, more smiles and the group piled back into the limousines for a private reception back at Government House, while the crowd of citizens partied like there was no tomorrow.
In addition to the group associated with the excavation of the San Pedro, 200 specially invited guests joined the top politicians of the Bahamas in the Grand Ballroom at Government House. It was a friendly crowd, and by the time the second round of champagne was served, tongues were loose and the volume of talk was noticeably higher. Virgil Price was surrounded by admirers who had him cornered in inane conversation. The Pincus family mingled with the Carsons and were enjoying each other’s company, although Skeeter appeared somewhat nervous as practically everyone in the room associated with the Government outranked him. Virgil was finally able to break loose and join Max. He wanted to thank him personally for all his help and he did not know if he would get an opportunity to see him again on this visit.
Gaffer wandered off with Matthew to join the buffet line. They were discussing Matthew’s blue marlin when Michael Remington and Harley Smythe approached. The Governor excused himself and addressed Gaffer.
“Are you the one they call Gaffer?” he inquired.
Gaffer looked at him and the other man. “I’m Gaffer,” he said.
“How do you do, Gaffer? My name is Michael Remington, I’m the Governor of the Bahamas.” They shook hands.
“I’m pleased to meet you. This is my friend Matthew Pincus, he’s Skeet Pincus’ son.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, too,” said the Governor as he shook Matthew’s hand.
Virgil Price was watching this, near enough to hear what they were saying. Skeeter was getting more and more nervous. Virgil spoke to Max and Skeeter, “Your sons are meeting the Governor and the Prime Minister. This should be a good one to watch.” Now beads of sweat appeared on Skeeter’s brow.
The Governor continued, “So, Gaffer, are you the young fisherman Superintendent Price told me about?”
“I’m Gaffer, and Mr. price is a friend of mine,” replied Gaffer.
“Would it be presumptuous of me to ask a favor of you?”
“I don’t know what that means, but I’d be glad to do a favor for the Governor of the Bahamas. Do you want to cut in line?”
The Governor and the Prime Minister laughed heartily. “Allow me to introduce you to the Prime Minister. Gaffer this is Harley Smythe, he is the Prime Minister.”
Gaffer shook the Prime Minister’s hand and introduced Matthew. “You men go right ahead. You can cut in front of me,” said Gaffer.
Now Virgil Price was laughing his head off while Skeeter fretted that his son might say the wrong thing in front of the two most powerful men in the Bahamas. Max’s interest was piqued.
Harley Smythe spoke, “No, Son. We don’t want to cut in the line. We really don’t mind waiting.”
The governor chuckled.
The Prime Minister started again. “What I’d like, Gaffer, is to spend a half day fishing with you. Superintendent Price said it’s an experience that should not be missed.”
“Mr. Price told you that?”
Virgil turned away to pretend he was not listening.
“That’s what he said,” replied the Prime Minister. “He said you really know how to catch them up.”
“I’d be happy to go fishing with you. Your boat or mine?”
“Isn’t your boat the Bimini Twist?” asked the Prime Minister.
“Yes, Sir,” replied Gaffer. “That’s my boat.”
“Well. That’s the one I want to go on. How shall we arrange it?”
“The nearest to here I usually get is Bimini. Do you know where that is?”
“I can find it,” kidded the Prime Minister.
“You just tell me when you want to go and I’ll meet you there. I’ll be glad to take you fishing. We’ll take Matthew and his dad. They’re great fishermen, too.”
“Thank you Gaffer, That’s a very kind offer.”
Gaffer then asked, “Can I make a suggestion, Mr. Smythe?”
“Certainly, Gaffer. What is it?”
“Well, Sir, you’re the head of the whole Bahamas, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I suppose you could say that,” replied the Prime Minister.
“Well,” Gaffer hesitated and then continued, “Well, if I had your job I’d move to Bimini and fish everyday.”
The Prime Minister kept a perfectly straight face as he answered, “Son, I suppose that’s because you’re smarter than me.”
The Governor chuckled, Matthew’s mouth dropped open, Virgil Price stifled a laugh and Skeeter Pincus had to be helped to a chair as anxiety overcame him.
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Abaco Gold Page 24