contract to one
Hans Albricht von Treibelen, who was probably that German referred to
by the Earl as taking his gold with him and leaving his debts behind.
This document contains a fascinating mention of "all that might be
found in the water and about the ship, as gold, silver, bullion,
jewels, etc." and sets forth a new scheme of division of the spoils.
Now there appears Captain Adolpho E. Smith as a partner of Hans
Albricht von Treibelen, and one finds another parchment executed by the
Earl who appears to have thought that these "doukers" would bear
watching, for they are enjoined "immediately on the recovery of the
wreck to deliver on the spot to the Earl's factors or servants who are
daily to attend the work and to be witnesses of what is recovered....
Should the work be impeded by the violence of the country people, it is
provided that the term of the contract might be lengthened."

The repeated references to molestation by the inhabitants round about
were aimed at the Clan MacLean. The great Lachlan M'or had long since
closed his stormy career, and, wrapped in his plaid, his bones were
smouldering in a grave by Duart Castle. His kinsmen had good memories,
however, and there was that debt for provisions which had been left
owing by Captain Pareira of the _Florencia_ some eighty years before.
It might seem that young Donald Glas had squared the account when he
blew the galleon and her crew to kingdom come, but the MacLeans were
men to nurse the embers of a feud and set the sparks to flying at the
next opportunity. They held it that theirs was the first right to the
wreck, and cared not a rap for any documentary rights that might have
been granted to the Campbells (the clan of the Earls of Argyll), by the
Great Admiral of Scotland.

Hector MacLean, brother of Lachlan MacLean of Castle Torloisk, near
Tobermory, rallied a force and drove the divers from the wreck. Then,
in order that there might be no doubt about the views of the MacLeans,
they built a small fort overlooking the bay and the scene of the wreck,
the ruins of which still survive. There a detachment was posted with
orders to make it hot for any interlopers who might try to find the
sunken treasure without first consulting the MacLeans.

This interference found its way into the Courts at Edinburgh in the
form of a petition of grievances suffered by Captain Adolpho E. Smith.
He swore before a notary that John MacLean, of Kinlochalan, and John
MacLea