
In this lively true‑life adventure, a New York writer is drawn into an unexpected partnership with a stern, self‑made businessman named Edgar Powell. Powell, owner of a textile empire and modest New England properties, receives a cryptic document from a dying Portuguese sailor—supposedly a map to a long‑forgotten pirate hoard hidden somewhere on the American coast. Intrigued and skeptical, the narrator agrees to keep the secret and help decipher the enigmatic clues, setting the stage for a daring expedition that promises both profit and peril.
The narrative captures the clash of personalities—Powell’s calculated, business‑like determination against the narrator’s more modest, literary sensibilities. As they prepare to trace the faded instructions, the story unfolds with vivid descriptions of coastal towns, old‑world folklore, and the practical challenges of turning a legend into a real dig. Listeners are invited to follow the early stages of a treasure hunt that feels as much about trust and ambition as it is about gold.
Language
en
Duration
~38 minutes (36K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Aaron Cannon and David Widger
Release date
1999-05-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1864–1916
A bestselling journalist-novelist of the Gilded Age, he brought speed, style, and firsthand drama to stories of war, politics, and high society. His adventures as a foreign correspondent helped shape the modern image of the reporter on the scene.
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