of an Orchid Hunter. 211 



found to be of no value as plunder, were 

 thrown overboard, but, by the interposition of the 

 Virgin, none of the pieces sank. The English 

 pirates, becoming alarmed at the miracle of the 

 heavy marble floating on the water, fled from the 

 ship, leaving their booty. The Spanish sailors got 

 the precious cargo aboard their vessel again with 

 great difficulty, and continued on their way; but before 

 they reached Carthagena they encountered a second 

 lot of pirates, who plundered them of all their valu- 

 ables and burned the ship. However, the saints still 

 preserved the pulpit ; for as the vessel and the 

 remainder of the cargo were destroyed, the carved 

 marble floated away upon the surface of the water, 

 and, being guided by an invisible hand, went ashore 

 on the beach outside the city to which it was destined. 

 There it lay for many years unknown and unnoticed. 

 Finally, it was discovered by a party of explorers, 

 who, recoenisine the value of the carvings, took 

 it aboard their ship en route for Spain, intending to 

 sell it when they reached home. But the saints still 

 kept their eyes upon the Pope's offering, and sent 

 the vessel such bad weather that the captain was 

 compelled to put into the port of Carthagena for 

 repairs. There he told the story of the marble found 

 upon the beach, and it reached the ears of the arch- 

 bishop. His Grace sent for the captain and informed 



