the sargasso sea will soon be robbed of half its terrors. the seashark wrecking company, with howard at its head, and all his party as share-holders, has been formed to recover the great wealth still existing on the derelicts in the sea. it has opened communication with the wreck-pack by a paddle-wheel steamer that is expected to maintain a reasonably clear channel through the weed. the company is projecting a series of relief stations, and will keep up a constant patrol all round the wreck-pack. the expense, of course, will be enormous, but there is no doubt that the enterprise will meet it and will pay an enormous profit besides, even if not a single other treasure-ship is found.

a message just received by wireless from the sea says that the first steamer[265] of the company is about to start back to new york with a tremendously valuable cargo of salvage. it adds that forbes and all his men have begged for passage, and that it will be granted them. the money left on the galleon, which forbes was forced to divide, has made them all comparatively rich, and they are anxious to get back to civilization to spend their money. their departure leaves howard and his friends with an undisputed title to the salvage of the isle of dead ships.

the end.