Money Island | Page 4

The visiting boat's crew consisted of six men, who enjoyed the
companionship of Captain Redfield's assistants, mingling with them in
their various pursuits. All the graces of hospitality were generously
displayed, and mirth and good cheer possessed the men.
In the afternoon Captain Redfield was entertaining his guest in his
private room. Brisbau said he would now advise him regarding the
commission upon which he was sent; which was, in fact, none other
than the execution of an order from Captain Kidd for the two cheats
that he had secreted in that neighborhood. Captain Redfield was to be
awarded a generous portion, and his arduous service as guardian of the
treasure would terminate. In the name of Captain Kidd, he graciously
extended thanks for the faithfulness which Captain Redfield had shown
in the discharge of his duties, and gave him assurances of the high
esteem and confidence of the gallant leader.
The words were very pleasing; but Captain Redfield hesitated to make
answer. "It may or may not be true," said he after a pause, "that Captain
Kidd has buried possessions in this immediate locality. It is not to be
denied that he has secreted treasure along the coast, but where? That is
the question. I have some knowledge of the hiding place of some of it,
but must have some written order over the signature and seal of the
Captain to warrant me in disclosing it."
Brisbau promptly responded that he had such a communication from
Captain Kidd, and proceeded to draw it from an inner pocket of his coat.
He failed to find it, and with a great show of annoyance and a sudden
recollection, he exclaimed with an oath that he had left it on the
dressing table on his ship.
What was to be done? He would send immediately out to the ship, and
have the paper brought to him. No, that was hardly worth while. He
assured Captain Redfield that he would hand him the paper on their

return to the ship, with Captain Redfield accompanying him.
That, Captain Redfield replied, would hardly be satisfactory. His
obligation was to give information as to the hidden treasure only upon a
well attested written order from Captain Kidd. Brisbau cajoled,
implored, and vehemently asserted the injury to his feelings which the
foolish reluctance of his friend caused him.
By intuition, Captain Redfield became convinced, on account of a
certain weakness in the attitude of Brisbau in defending his request,
that there were deceit and treachery in his conduct. Therefore, he coolly
stated his determination to make no movement in the matter without
the authority about which he had spoken.
At this Brisbau rose in great anger and exclaimed, "I shall have the
money, or your life will be no more than Jack Kettle's, who flaunted his
opposition before Captain Kidd himself!"
Hardly had he spoken when Captain Redfield in the flash of a thought
for self-preservation, sprang upon him. Brisbau, equally as quick, met
the onset and moved as best he could to avoid the grasp that threatened
him.
They were quite alone. Redfield was entirely unarmed, but his
opponent wore a sword at his side, with pistol and knife hanging from
his belt. Having made the assault, the only safety for Redfield lay in his
gaining the ascendency over his opponent by sheer physical effort, to
enable him to keep Brisbau from using the weapons at his side. He
missed the hold around both arms which he had planned, but firmly
secured Brisbau's right arm, while his own right hand grasped the
other's wrist. These advantages he succeeded in holding, although he
could do nothing towards disarming Brisbau or binding him more
securely as a captive.
They struggled long and furiously. Redfield, whose position required
his utmost exertion, gradually became exhausted; but he had a
desperate determination to win the mastery over Brisbau, who was
likewise weary from the struggle and doggedly angry. He feared a

result disastrous to himself if he gave his opponent an opportunity to
use his weapons.
Finally, just at a critical moment, Mrs. Redfield appeared. She started
at the sight which met her eyes; but, seeing the situation at a glance, she
ran back into the room out of which she had come, and quickly
reappeared with a rope. With a woman's ready wit, she had found the
means of bringing victory to her husband. She threw the rope around
Brisbau's shoulders and wound it over his arms until he was powerless
to resist further. He was then easily bound and tied, body and legs, to a
chair, grumbling his angry displeasure at the turn of affairs.
Captain Redfield paused a little while to recover his balance, and sat
down to cogitate the matter of the disposition of his prisoner; and, also,
to