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Once
any ships had hit the rocks, the islanders rushed to steal treasure from
the wreck.
On
the third day of the storm, a band of men gathered on top of the cliffs
at St. Ouen, and watched for ships. Eventually, they saw five great ships
sailing towards the coast, in great distress.
But
the men did not signal, as they could see that the ships were Spanish,
and were probably full of treasure.
But
there was a momentary lull in the storm, and the Spanish sailors saw the
coast. Judging that it was too dangerous to land, they managed to steer
the ships away from the coast.
The
wreckers were furious - they rushed to the most hazardous part of the
coast, and lit several fires, as if to guide the ships to safety. The
Spanish saw the fires and headed towards them, believing it to be safe.
Too
late they realised that they had been betrayed, and as they saw the wreckers
dancing round the fires, the ships struck the rocks and broke up.
The
fifth ship was the greatest of the fleet, and stayed afloat. On the deck
of the ship were an old man and a young girl. The man called out to the
wreckers to save his daughter, but the wreckers only laughed in reply.
At
that moment a huge wave broke over the ship's deck, and washed the girl
to her death. As the ship broke up, the old man called to the wreckers
'I offered you my blessing and my gold, but you answered with laughter.
Now I give you my curse - within a year, you will meet me under the waters
of this bay.'
One
year later, the wreckers gathered for a celebration - they had survived
the curse. But as they drank wine and feasted, the sky began to darken.
Thunder cracked, and lightning lit up the sky.
The
storm ripped up trees and the lightning struck deep caverns in the ground.
The sea rushed against the land, washing over where the wreckers had been
feasting.
The
wreckers fled, but everywhere they turned their path was blocked. Finally,
they scrambled up the highest point of land, but the sea rushed upon that
too, and carried the wreckers to their deaths.
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