The Black Book

The setee was colonial, easily late 18th century and was a delightful addition to my office. I arranged with the antique dealer to have it delivered to my building that week. I’m not normally in Maine but every now and again it’s pleasant to look out over the surf and think of all of the old ships, giant sailing vessels that graced those waters. Anyway I was in a mood so stopped by one of those antique dealers in the area and fell in love with it. Simply beautiful I tell you.

So it was in great anticipation I watched the movers manhandle it up to my small office. Of course you can imagine my dismay when they jammed it right into the doorway breaking off a support under the cushions. With a very insincere “sorry” they left it and the broken support in the reception room. Sighing deeply I crawled under the couch to look at the damage, and there lodged in the frame was a small black book. Curious, of course, I dislodged it and brought it under the Tiffany lamp on the desk. It was old, obviously and weathered. And to my great delight I found a single page of writing from one Winton Stoddarde in that fine pen of the 18th century. Spelling was one to be desired, of course, but I sat down to try and make it out.

Final Confession

Eye, I was a scondral and pyrate, but I have mee last words her writ. I confesse to God of muder, theivry and pyracy. Yea I signed abord the Adventor Galley with Captan Kid in June 1797, We raided we plundered yet let no man judge me, les he be judged as the Good booke Says. I raped, I pilaged, I burned, I killed, took many a maiden heed, I was a drunkered and ne’er do well. But I am still Christane and my Good Lord forgives. So I beg for His forgevines leess me sol end in Hell. My trasure for what it is wort is buried a fathom down off’’n a small lak on North side of Tabacoo Island 13.25○ by -59.55○ it be a small catch ey I be one for the ladys and whoring toke the kings part, but it be mine and as I have the Graveyard Coff so I’ll not be needing it. So look ye'n the first north creak on the lak go North by NorthWest 27 paces following the creak. Turn North and pace 18 paces that be the spot It be yers if ya wish a go there and still be set.

I leave this world with heavy conconse but may Christ receive me sol as no priest o' the church be here so none to here me confession. As God be witnes to all tings I writ it here for He to see and bere witness to me

Winton Stoddarde

Second May, Year of our Lord 1796

That was it, that single page in an otherwise blank note book. A rather remarkable find if you ask me. But come on now, pirate treasure. This is the modern times... but still. it makes one wonder. A quick internet search of Tabaco Island brings up a song by some punk band, and the history of Ireland. Apparently Oliver Cromwell sent around 100,000 Irish to Barbados to serve as indentured servants and plantation workers. The Irish called it by that title. So the reference seems legitimate and the internet puts the coordinates a little off of the coast of Barbados. Just shy of a location called “Long Pond,” could this be real?

I called Sara, my best friend:

“You will never believe what I just found.”

“What,” she replied laughing.

“You’ll never guess, but try.”

“Oh I don’t know, a million dollars?”

“Close….”

”Come on really.”

“Well, close but even more unbelievable”

“Um, I don’t know. Just tell me.”

“A treasure map,”

“No really, what did you find”

“I’m serious, a pirate map.”

“Okay, if you don’t want to tell me why’d you call?’

“No, really, I just found a treasure map to a pirate treasure. You know I went to main last week, right?”

“Yes…”

“And I told you I bought that little setee for the office?”

“Yah, and….”

“Well hidden inside was a little black book with instructions to a pirate treasure.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“No really,”

“Hold on I’m on my way!”

Well Sara arrived about 15 minutes later, she must have broken every traffic law to get here that quickly. And the two of us went over that thing five times with lot’s of “could it be real?” “Think it’s still there?”

Well our conclusion was there really is only one way to find out. So we took a long weekend and flew to Gently Adams airport. Our US passports got us in without a hitch. No one even looked twice at the camping shovels we packed along side swimwear and sun block. We were really doing this. We spent a sleepless night in a local Hotel and rented a pair of bicycles in the morning. We set off for long pond, using online maps and a great sense of adventure, and perhaps, a sense of humor.

When we arrived we stopped for a quick sandwich from our packs and started following the instructions. 27 yards along the top creek, then north 18 yards. I used my GPS to be sure, and we started digging a fathom is about 5’ 6” so we dug… and we dug, how accurate was his measurements’ anyway? Took us four hours to find a small bag with 6 gold coins. Pieces of eight, not exactly the treasure I was hoping for. But all in all after taxes, and travel and other fees we netted a cool $20,000.00 not bad for a weekend pirate treasure hunt. I’d do it again in a heart beat. Of course I split it with Sara, what are friends for anyway? Besides it paid for a trip to Barbados, old Tabaco Island.