Money Island | Page 5

watch for the return of his men from an excursion they had gone
upon for the entertainment of their guests. They were slow in coming,
and an annoying suspicion grew upon him. He could not tell what the
attitude of Brisbau's men might be; or if a conflict between them and
his own men were to occur, what consequences might ensue. At any
rate, he wished to avoid such a conflict if it were by any means possible;
but he feared it could not be done. His good wife was greatly concerned,
and urged upon him some amicable settlement with Brisbau, even to
the delivery of part of the treasure; for, after all, she thought, his claim
might be just.
An hour later, one of Captain Redfield's men returned; and, to his great
dismay, informed him that an agreement had been made with the
visiting seamen which would affect their standing with him, but would
work him no harm. He said that, upon the arrival of the other men, the
matter would be discussed with the Captain, and meantime he would
take no steps toward providing a defense for him in a conflict which
was not likely to occur.
This disclosure was startling, and a shock to the spirit which had
upheld Captain Redfield. His first impulse was to attack the man for
what he considered the basest treachery, but he desisted. Parley with
him he could not. He could only await the consequences of the compact
which had been hinted at. But upon one thing he was determined--not

to disclose any knowledge of the secreted treasure without first having
in hand the credentials from Captain Kidd which he had demanded. His
honor had been pledged to such a course, and he would not forsake his
trust.
The men came. But they looked with indifference upon the bound
prisoner. There was no display of the strong feelings which had been
anticipated. The situation was obvious. So far as Captain Redfield was
concerned, he felt that he had been forsaken, betrayed. There was no
man who stood with him. In vain he pleaded with his men to stand by
him in his defense against a most dastardly plan to wrong him. He then
inquired their attitude towards Brisbau, and received an evasive answer.
At length he gave up the struggle, and sought to learn the purpose of
the men who had all now gathered before him; those of his own
company, and those who had come with Brisbau. One of them as
spokesman, a new-comer, informed him that he and his friends had
accompanied Captain Brisbau for the purpose of securing some of the
buried treasure, which was known to be in that neighborhood; and they
intended to find the booty before leaving. He also stated that Captain
Redfield's men, upon learning about the hidden treasure, had agreed to
become confederates; and that their master would be treated in every
way as a friend, and be given a full share of the treasure, provided he
would properly inform them and Captain Brisbau, whom they intended
to release immediately, as to its location. If he for any reason should
refuse so to favor them, he and his wife would be treated as prisoners,
and dealt with as might seem best--until, of course, he would consent to
aid them in their project.
The response that came was firm and unmistakable. The brave
custodian averred that he would not betray his trust, even in the very
face of death. Nor did days of urging and threatening turn him from his
purpose.
Brisbau was released, and given to understand that the men were in
control of affairs; and that his animosity towards Captain Redfield must
cease.

The woods were scoured for the treasure. Days passed, and weeks, and
the search was incessant; but there was no discovery made. Captain
Redfield and his wife, now prisoners in chains, were urged and
implored; but he could not be persuaded to give the information,
although the mental tension he suffered was almost unbearable.
One day on a sudden determination, Brisbau set sail with his men and
companions, together with the prisoners. His purpose was to take a
short cruise and then return; meantime allowing Captain Redfield a
further opportunity to disclose his secret; otherwise--and he repeated
his threat made upon his first day at Rindout.
The ship stopped at Charleston, and, almost immediately upon its
arrival, it was seized under a suspicion of piracy, and a search made for
evidences of the unlawful traffic. The prisoners were released through
some favor of the authorities, but Brisbau and his men were imprisoned.
In the hands of the king's officers their lives were in great jeopardy, but
they finally escaped the scaffold.
As to Captain Redfield and his wife, the unexpected release