CANNON BALL RELIC

Evening Star, Issue 19848, 23 April 1928, Page 4

CANNON BALL RELIC

WHERE IS IT HOW ? CARRIED DURING THE ARMADA. On an island oh the coast of Scotland there is a tradition that in the year 156 S one of tho ships ol the great Spanish Armada hove threateningly into sight, driven northward by tiie tierce winds then prevalent. Ihe invaders, no doubt to induce quick submission to whatever demands they meant to make, lired a broadside over the land. But that same night, before they could land in force, a sudden wild gale arose and the proud galleon was wrecked on the rocks that lay hidden in the bay. Tho physical charactoristics ol some ol tho islanders seem to confirm that story, lor both hair and complexions speak plainly of Latin ancestry. It is said that they are descended from sailors who had survived the waves aud sought refuge among their erstwhile foes. The presence of those southern-looking people might have had a different explanation, but other evidence of that long ago event was provided in rather a peculiar manner. Just beyond the village, close to the shore, and under the lee of a rugged, colorful cliff, stood an old ivied house, the home ol a certain large family. One day two ol the young sons, dislodging a boulder on the grassv slope that led to the precipice, found that they had started a small landslide. Well out of the way, they watched it rattle down with boyish enthusiasm, and when the dust had cleared from the air a strange object was lying on the ground. It was about tbc size aud shape ol a large orange, dark like iron, and heavy. Being familiar with the tale of tho Spanish ship, they concluded at once that this was one of the solid shot from her guns. Taking it home, they searched through the encyclopaedia and other boohs for information regarding the ammunition used by that famous fleet. They learned that at that period tone missiles had given way to iron ones, such as this specimen, it having been discovered that a projectile of metal weighing only a few pounds was as effective, as the more primitive sort which weighed much more. Persuaded that they had found something really worth while, the ball was placed among their treasures and shown to friends. But interest in it soon faded, for in that land ot ancient memories old things were more _or loss common. In the course of time both hoys went to'distant countries, and the cannon ball was left behind. One day a use was found for it on the drawing room hearth—to break the lumps of coal in the scuttle. And there it lay during all the years while that big family dispersed to the tour corners of tbc world. When the youngest child, grown to womanhood, married an American and went to live in tho United States, the contents of the old house were sold at auction. But the cannon ball, having proved itself a genuine help, was earned to town to continue its services there. Some years passed, and this house, too, was disposed of, the furniture being sold with it. For a while after that the very existence of the camion ball was forgotten. One day there was a reunion of several members of that family in New York, and in talking over the old experiences the unique coal breaker was called to mind. What had become of it? No one knew! The Inst anyone remembered was seeing it in its accustomed place. Now for the first time they realised what an interesting curio they had used so nonchalantly. A letter written tn the present owners of the house brought back the reply that nothing was known of an iron ball, although they did not seem to recall that when they took possession there had been such an article lying on the hearth. After the decorators had cleared away their rubbish it had been seen no more. So where is that cannon ball now (asks M.G.G. in the ‘Christian Science Monitor’)? Perhaps thrown into a, junk heap, there to remain in obscurity until unearthed by some odd chance. In thinking over the possible adventures of that relic of other days it becomes. clear just how it is that, real treasures arc sometimes picked up in the most unlooked-for places. Some day when that bit of historic metal is disclosed will the finders know that they have in their possession a souvenir of the so-called Invincible Armada, which in the reign of Elizabeth sailed so confidently to conquer England, and came instead to such disastrous end? If they do not recognise it for what it is, will they imagine anything so romantic and unlikely as what is actually the case—that they are holding in their hands in tins 'twentieth century a missile shot in the sixteenth from the sides of a haughty Spanish galleon?