Money Island | Page 4

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 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