At last he could bear the suspense no longer, and he 

 set sail for Turks island in the James and Mary, accom- 

 panied by the Henry. He left his divers and salvage equip- 

 ment behind on Atherley's shallop, w^ith instructions to 

 continue working the wreck for the next week, while await- 

 ing the return of the missing sloop. If it had not showed 

 up by the end of that time, the shallop was to bring what 

 had been salvaged in the meantime and join him at Turks 

 island. 



When Atherley later appeared at Turks island, he 

 had seen nothing of the sloop which was expected from 

 Jamaica. During the additional week he had remained on 

 the banks, however, he had salvaged more than a ton of 

 silver to add to that already stored aboard the James and 

 Mary. Phips paid Atherley and his men for their share in 

 the enterprise, and then the two British ships set sail for 

 England, where they arrived on June sixth and were re- 

 ceived with great acclaim. 



Phips deHvered over to the Duke of Albemarle, his 

 other backers, and to the Crown a fortune in gold and sil- 

 ver, in addition to jewels and the bronze cannon which had 

 been hauled from the bottom near the wreck. He related 

 the circumstances of his abrupt departure to them and 

 urged an immediate return to secure the balance of the 

 treasure before it could be salvaged by others, now that 

 the news of its discovery was out. 



This time he had no trouble in obtaining support for 

 another voyage. Five months later, three heavily armed 

 ships were equipped and ready to set out. One, the Fore- 

 sight, was furnished by King James himself, under the 

 command of Sir John Narborough. These were to be joined 

 on the banks by two guard ships, both fourth rates, the 

 Assistance and the Faulcon. 



Phips and his escorts arrived back at tlie Ambrosias 

 early in December. As they approached the vicinity of 



244 Sea Diver 



