A/N: I know it's been awhile since I've updated but school has kept me very, very busy as I'm sure it has with everyone else. Please forgive me but I am trying my best to get these chapters written in anyway I can. Thanks and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
"The legend of 'Gasparilla'—" Betsy started.
"Wait I thought you were telling us about Jose Gaspar," Riley interrupted as a look of confusion pinched his face.
"I am Riley 'Gasparilla' was just a nickname he gave himself," Betsy explained as Riley nodded his head. Betsy took this a sign to continue with her story, "So as I was saying, the legend of Jose Gaspar was said to be just that a legend."
"Yes and so was El Dorado and the Templar treasure," Ben said defensively taking his sister statement as an argument.
"I know that Ben but this is literally a legend. History doesn't have any evidentiary proof that Jose Gaspar ever existed," Betsy clarified in a way so Ben wouldn't think she was trying to start a fight only giving the facts.
"Then why make up the legend?" Abigail asked which had been the next question Ben and Riley were going to ask at that moment as well. Betsy looked as if she was ready to strangle all of the occupants in the room including her self.
"Am I ever going to start this story?" Betsy inquired to the other three who fell silent at her question, "Thank you, anyway, Jose Gaspar's background isn't really clear there are many different versions of his story, but most versions are fairly consistent. All of the stories start out with him being born in Spain and being a part of the Spanish Navy aboard the Floridablanca. What turned him into a pirate is where some of the stories change. Some say he kidnapped a young girl for ransom, some say that this was a mission he was given when he joined the Spanish Navy. Others say he started a mutiny and he became a pirate shortly after, while a more romantic version says he reached a high rank and became a councilor to King Charles III. He was popular in the court, but when he traded one lover for another, the rebuffed lover levied false charges against him. Most say that the crime he was accused of involved the theft of the crown jewels.
To escape arrest he commandeered his ship and vowed to seek revenge on his country through piracy. Renaming himself "Gasparilla", he patrolled the coast of Spanish Florida between the years of 1783 to 1821, approximately the dates of the second Spanish rule of Florida. He and his crew would sack every passing ship and amassing a huge treasure, which was stored in his fabulous den on Gasparilla Island, but, how predictable is this—"
"It has never been found," Ben and Betsy finished exchanging knowing looks.
"Most male prisoners would be put to death or recruited as pirates, while women would be taken to a nearby isle, called Captiva Island where they would serve as concubines or await ransom payment from their families.
Some say that the fierce pirate actually fell in love with a Spanish or Mexican princess who he had captured. Allegedly named Useppa, she consistently rejected the pirate's advances until he threatened to behead her if she would not submit to his lust. Still she refused, and he killed her in a rage or alternately because his crew demanded her death. The captain instantly regretted the deed and took her body to a nearby island, which he named Useppa in her honor, and buried her himself.
Then in 1821, the year Spain sold the Florida Territory to the United States, Gasparilla decided to retire. But while the men were going about dividing up the treasure, they spotted a fat British merchant ship, an opportunity too good to pass up. But when they approached, the intended victims lowered the Union Jack and raised an American flag, revealing that it was no merchant vessel, but the pirate hunting schooner USS Enterprise. In the battle that followed, Gasparilla's ship was riddled by cannon balls. Rather than surrender, Gaspar chained the anchor around his waist and leapt from the bow, shouting 'Gasparilla dies by his own hand…not the enemy's!' Most of the remaining pirates were killed or captured and subsequently hanged, but a few escaped, one of them being Juan Gómez, who would tell the tale to subsequent generations," Betsy finished her story with a small nod of her head and leaning back into her chair to await the other's reactions to her story.
"That's so sad," Abigail commented quietly while the others nodded in agreement.
"So that's it he just killed himself," Riley asked hardly believing the unsatisfying ending. When Betsy nodded yes to his question something hit Riley, "Wait a minute it doesn't say anything about him having children."
"No you're right it doesn't but like I said this is just theory. There isn't any evidence to support that any of what I just said really happened. It's a good story though," Betsy said ending with a smile.
"Yeah it is but we still don't know anything new. We still have no idea if this Jose Gaspar guy really is related to Betsy and we still don't know if this treasure map is real," Abigail said frustrated that the group didn't seem to be getting anywhere.
"Well, let's look at the facts: my mom and dad's house burning down," Ben pointed out rising from his seat to begin pacing the room.
"We don't know if pirates were actually behind that Ben," Abigail said.
"Whoa, what?" Betsy asked bewildered. The conversation was abruptly interrupted by a knock sounding from the door. Riley excused himself to go get it while Ben, Abigail and Betsy continued. The group was silent as Riley opened the door but continued when they heard the door close.
"Ben thinks pirates were behind the burning down of your parent's house," Abigail continued.
"It would make sense wouldn't it? Somehow the pirates knew that Betsy's dad died and knew that whatever was given to Betsy would be mailed to her. Following the address they find an empty house but no mail and so they burned the house as a sign," Ben ended his theory looking at the two girls in front of him. Abigail sighed and looked down at her feet.
"I'm going to have to side with Abby on this one Ben, I mean, how can we be sure that pirates are after what my dad left me," Betsy told her brother who looked like he was going to reply but as Riley entered the room he beat him to it.
"Guys," Riley called looking over his shoulder.
"Not now Riley," Ben said ready to continue with his sister but Riley had other plans.
"No guys really there's –"
"Not now Riley," Ben said a little louder this time, "Think about it Betsy, what your father left you might lead somewhere that—"
"How do you know what my father left me?" Betsy asked suspiciously to her brother. Ben was silent for a short while but knew there was no escaping this confrontation anymore. Understanding seemed to dawn on Betsy's face, "You went through my mail?"
"You have to understand, we were all worried about you, Betsy. I saw that it was from the adoption agency and I thought 'hey—"
"'Hey', maybe I should go through my sister's mail," Betsy finished incredulously.
"No but I had been right. The letter did explain why you left and possibly why mom and dad's house was burned to the ground."
"Oh geez Ben," Abigail groaned.
"Please, Ben," Betsy pleaded.
"How do we know that my theory isn't right?" Ben asked.
"Hello," Riley yelled from the entrance way.
"What Riley, what is it?" Ben questioned rubbing the bridge of his nose. Riley moved to the side revealing a tall slim woman. The white strands of hair stood out from the dark hair that had originally been there showing her age. She had dark brown eyes and a tan complexion. The woman looked around the room and seemed to find what she was looking for; she stood staring at Betsy.
"Can I help you?" Betsy asked sensing the woman staring.
"My God," the woman whispered observing Betsy.
"Can I help you?" Betsy repeated this time more forcefully.
"It's just…you look just like your father," the woman said and the room fell into stunned silence. Betsy stepped toward the woman unable to find her voice.
"You…you knew my father," Betsy asked when she found her voice.
"Oh yes, you could say we were very close friends," she said, "my name is Tatiana Gomez and I came to warn you."
"Warn me?" Betsy asked astonished.
"Of what?" Ben interfered with his own question.
"That you are in danger," she answered, "That fire was no accident."
"Ha," Ben said to Abigail and Betsy but didn't say anything else.
"The people who are after you will not stop there, they will not stop until they have what your father left you."
"What did your father leave you?" Abigail asked Betsy.
"A map," Betsy sighed.
"A map, a map to what?"
"According to him the greatest treasure of all time," Betsy said in amazement as she recalled the letter. There was silence in the room as her words were absorbed. Then there was a sigh that was let out by Riley. The other three looked over at him eyebrows together in question.
"Here we go again," he said simply as the others slowly nodded in agreement.