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diff --git a/17415-h/17415-h.htm b/17415-h/17415-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..51408e7 --- /dev/null +++ b/17415-h/17415-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2046 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Money Island, by Andrew Jackson Howell, Jr.</title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + hr.full { width: 100%; } + pre {font-size: 75%;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Money Island, by Andrew Jackson Howell, Jr.</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Money Island</p> +<p>Author: Andrew Jackson Howell, Jr.</p> +<p>Release Date: December 30, 2005 [eBook #17415]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MONEY ISLAND***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Irma Spehar, Cori Samuel,<br /> + and the <a href="http://www.pgdp.net/">Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</a><br /> + from page images generously made available by<br /> + the <a href="http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/">Joyner Library of East Carolina University</a></h3> +<p> </p> +<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;" cellpadding="10"> + <tr> + <td valign="top"> + Note: + </td> + <td> + Images of the original pages are available through the North + Carolina History and Fiction Digital Library of the Joyner + Library, East Carolina University. See + <a href="http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/document/hom/"> + http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/document/hom/</a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<h1><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1"></a> +MONEY ISLAND.</h1> + +<h2>ANDREW J. HOWELL, Jr.</h2> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + + +<h4><i>Copyright, 1908, by</i><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2"></a><br /> +ANDREW J. HOWELL, JR.</h4> + + +<h5>Commercial Printing Co.,<a name="Page_3" id="Page_3"></a><br /> +Wilmington N.C.</h5> +<p> </p> + +<h4><br />CONTENTS: +<a name="Page_4" id="Page_4"></a></h4> + +<table summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr><td> </td><td>Page.</td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#MONEY_ISLAND">Money Island</a></td><td align="right">5</td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#THE_CONQUEST_OF_JAMESBY">The Conquest of Jamesby</a></td><td align="right">51</td></tr> +</table> + +<hr /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 387px;"> +<img src="images/im1.jpg" +alt="The Little Island Among the Marshes" title="The Little Island Among the Marshes" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="MONEY_ISLAND" id="MONEY_ISLAND"></a>MONEY ISLAND.<a name="Page_5" id="Page_5"></a></h2> + + +<p>This is the story of the buried treasure +on Money Island, which lies in Greenville +Sound, not far from Wilmington, North +Carolina. It was told by Mr. Jonathan +Landstone many years ago, and is a part +of another story which follows, and which +will explain something further about the +mysterious little island that blinks in the +sunlight and tries to hide its secret. The +words are Mr. Landstone's and were written +by him, to make sure that the story +would be told correctly when the time +came to publish it.</p> + + +<p><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6"></a><br /> +<span style="font-size: smaller">(Mr. Landstone's MS.)</span></p> + +<p>My grandfather lived in Charleston, +S.C. My home is in Philadelphia. In +my boyhood I visited him several times. +He was a fine old man, and was very fond +of me. He used to tell me many stories +of the good old colonial days. He said +his father was a pirate; but that pirates +in those days were gentlemen. Although +they made game of the King's revenue +on the high seas, it was regarded as nothing +very wrong; and, although they +played havoc with the Spanish shipping, +it was but the assertion of a time-honored +right of Englishmen, who never did +love Spaniards. They were, many of +them, ingloriously hanged, it is true, but +it was by the King's officers, and not by +the people.</p> + +<p>However, not to defend pirates, or indeed +to condemn them, I will tell you +what my grandfather narrated about his<a name="Page_7" id="Page_7"></a> +father, who was Capt. John Redfield. He +was a gallant seaman, who consorted with +Charles Vane and other doughty corsairs +of those days of romance upon the seas.</p> + +<p>When Captain Kidd forsook the King's +commission to run down the pirates on +the American coast, and organized his +formidable squadron, Captain Redfield +was chosen as his trusted counsellor, to +accompany the brilliant leader on his adventures. +He gave up his own ship, and +was with Captain Kidd on many voyages, +being entrusted with many a commission +of importance.</p> + +<p>One fine spring morning, while off the +Carolina coast, Captain Kidd was pacing +his deck, enjoying the warm splendor of +the early sunshine. He had just returned +from a successful voyage among +the Spanish colonies of the south, and +was gaily attired after the manner of a +Spanish cavalier. He wore a cocked hat,<a name="Page_8" id="Page_8"></a> +decked with a yellow band and a black +plume, and a coat of black velvet which +reached down to his knees. His trousers +were blue, and were adorned by large +golden knee-buckles. He wore massive +silver buckles on his shoes. With his +well-proportioned body, neatly trimmed +beard, and steady, alert eyes, he presented +as fine a picture of a man as could +have anywhere been found. His manner +had the dignity and repose of a beneficent +prince, as he gave his orders for the day +and received the salutations of his men.</p> + +<p>The ship had passed the Cape of Fear, +and was making in towards the shore-line, +which Captain Kidd was observing +with great interest. Some near-by point +was evidently the destination. At length, +at his orders, the sails were lowered and +the anchor dropped. "We will lie here +to-day," he remarked, "and have a little +rest."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9"></a>This information met the ready approbation +of the men, who soon disposed +themselves in careless groups about the +ship. They knew it would be a day of +idleness; because there were no forays to +be made upon the land, for the reason +that there wore no human habitations in +those parts. To the buccaneers the locality +was well known as furnishing a safe +retreat when retirement from active work +was desired.</p> + +<p>During the day there were singing, +dancing, feasting. It was a day such as +only a gallant corsair could have with +his merry crew. The hours sped swiftly; +and at dusk anchors were weighed, and +the ship moved a few miles to the northward.</p> + +<p>Captain Kidd, standing at the prow, +called Captain Redfield to him. "Captain," +said he, "I wish to entrust you +with a most important service. I am<a name="Page_10" id="Page_10"></a> +somewhat overstocked. I have not failed +to be generous to the men; but still I do +not feel at ease for a journey to New England. +You appreciate the situation. I +wish to make a deposit; and, as our interests +along the coast are now beginning +to be extensive, I desire to detail +you as a resident of Carolina to keep an +oversight for me. You will live on this +coast near the location of to-night's deposit. +You will find the climate agreeable, +and other things favorable. I will +hand you for your own use, in case of +need, gold to the value of one thousand +pounds. Is it agreeable, Captain?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, sir; your wishes are my orders."</p> + +<p>"Then, swear by the Holy Virgin that +you will faithfully watch over the stuff; +that you will not touch the chests or their +contents, nor give any information or +suggestion that might lead any one to +their discovery—in fact, that you will<a name="Page_11" id="Page_11"></a> +not disclose to any one the object of your +residence in this secluded place."</p> + +<p>Captain Redfield doffed his hat, and, raising +his right hand, said, "Captain, I so +swear."</p> + +<p>"Your hand with the oath, Redfield. +You are a trusty fellow, and I have the +fullest confidence in you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Captain."</p> + +<p>"But, hold," Captain Kidd continued in +his great benevolent voice, "I had forgotten +the conditions. They are: You are +to keep the engagement, if necessary, for +five years. Our calling; as you know, is +a little uncertain. At the end of that +period, if I have not returned, you will +be at liberty to take up the smaller chest +to be deposited to-night, and use the contents, +subject to such division—not to +exceed one-half to each of us—as I may +demand on my return. The same conditions +will apply to the other chest for an<a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a> +additional period of five years. In the +event, however, of any special need, I +may send an order for some of the stuff. +But look you for my signet. See!" And +he drew from his pocket a piece of resin +upon which he had stamped his signet. +"Keep that to prove the genuineness of +my written orders. Is everything satisfactory, +Redfield?"</p> + +<p>"Everything is satisfactory, Captain."</p> + +<p>Captain Redfield was a man of stalwart +build. His height was six feet or more, +and his movements were quick and firm. +His face was beardless and wore an expression +of stability and energy.</p> + +<p>The two stood for some time upon the +prow of the ship, and discussed the locality +of the proposed hiding of the precious +booty. Then Captain Kidd called +two men by name, who promptly responded. +He said, "I have trusted you in +times past, and I desire to do so again.<a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a> +I believe you will not betray my confidence. +We are going to make another +deposit to-night. I have long had the location +in mind. Now, swear by the Holy +Virgin that you will not disturb the stuff +yourselves, nor in any way aid or abet +any one else in doing so."</p> + +<p>They swore with deep earnestness.</p> + +<p>The group continued there awhile, until +the moon rose and shed its silver splendor +on the rolling water about them, +touching the white-capped breakers with +a soft and magic radiance as they dashed +upon the near-by beach.</p> + +<p>Then orders were given for the lowering +of the boat.</p> + +<p>Captain Kidd proceeded to the lockers +of the ship, which opened into his cabin; +and, with the aid of Captain Redfield, +drew forth two iron chests. These he +carried to the outer deck, and carefully +lowered them to the boats by means of<a name="Page_14" id="Page_14"></a> +ropes. From a respectful distance the +sailors who had no hand in this work +watched the proceedings with eager interest.</p> + +<p>Firearms, shovels, and axes were then +placed in the boat. Four rowers took +their positions; and Captains Kidd and +Redfield climbed down the rope ladder, +and sat in the stern. Everything was +ready, and word was given to ply the +oars.</p> + +<p>Soon the ship became a mystic shape +in the dim distance; and, as the inlet was +entered, it was lost entirely to view. By +tortuous passages among the marshes, +they drew up at the island—Money +Island.</p> + +<p>"Island the fourth!" said Captain Kidd +jocularly. "Magnificent indeed will be +the buccaneer's castle in Merry England +when they all give up their wealth! Ha, +a fine life this; but I suppose as fine a<a name="Page_15" id="Page_15"></a> +one when the retired merchant from the +South Seas brings his well-earned fortune +to a corner of old England. Not Captain +Kidd then, men, but John So-and-So, a +wise and revered merchant. Ha! Do +you see the game?"</p> + +<p>The sailors sprang upon the land and +pulled the boat well in from the water. +The officers stepped lightly ashore, and +railed against the low-lying branches, +which whipped their faces. The trees +were thick and low, making passage beneath +them arduous and slow. However, +the whole island was small and soon traversed; +and, finally, a spot was selected +as being accessible and suitable to the +purpose.</p> + +<p>Two deep holes about ten feet apart +were dug, and the chests brought and +deposited within them. Some of the +earth was replaced; and then they sought +two small trees to plant above the chests.<a name="Page_16" id="Page_16"></a> +This was accomplished slowly and carefully, +so that the growth of the trees +would not be stopped.</p> + +<p>At length the task was completed; and +the little island bore within its bosom +wealth sufficient to buy an earldom. The +silence of the dreary solitude sealed the +secret; and there was no man who might +discover it, other than those who laid the +chests in their earthly hiding place. The +moon gave testimony to the hidden treasure, +and bore its silent witness through +the many decades that followed.</p> + +<p>Upon leaving the island, they rowed +to the mainland, which was but a short +distance away; and there Captain Redfield +hid in three places in the ground +the money which Captain Kidd had supplied +him for his own needs, and as compensation +for his services until his return. +The axes and shovels, also, were secreted +in the woods.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a>It was past midnight when they returned +to the ship, which set sail at +break of day towards the north. By +sunset they reached Albemarle Sound, +the rendezvous of some companion buccaneers; +and there waited for several +days feasting and engaging in jovial pastimes.</p> + +<p>Meantime, a small sloop was procured +for Captain Redfield; and, having been +supplied with necessary provisions and +household comforts, and manned by four +sturdy men who knew naught of the buried +treasure, but engaged for the service +on goodly pay, it sailed for the captain's +new home near Money Island.</p> + +<p>Upon reaching their destination, the +pioneer residents set to work at once to +construct temporary quarters, and were +soon provided with a comfortable house. +According to the plans of the Commander-in-Chief, +the men who accompanied<a name="Page_18" id="Page_18"></a> +Captain Redfield were to understand that +they were to engage in any service that +might come to hand. They were to clear +the land and till it, build houses and +fences, and do such other work as might +tend to prepare the locality for a more +permanent settlement in case it should +be desired to inaugurate such an enterprise.</p> + +<p>The sloop gave them communication +with the outside world, enabling them to +visit Charleston, where a colony had been +lately planted, and the several settlements +to the north. It also afforded Captain +Redfield opportunity to find a wife, +whom he brought to Rindout, as he +styled his new home. There the party +lived in the quiet enjoyment of a life with +nature, which abundantly supplied, during +the frequent periods of recreation, +every facility for hunting, fishing, and +other sports.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19"></a>One year passed, and another reached +its seventh month; and the party had experienced +nothing to arouse more than a +passing interest. There had been no visitors +to their settlement, not even an Indian.</p> + +<p>On one October morning, however, a +ship was seen lying off the inlet. This +was a sight which caused a considerable +stir among them. Captain Redfield debated +the question within himself whether +or not it was the ship of the Commander-in-Chief, +and if it would be wise to +go out and pay her a visit. But he hesitated, +not wishing to jeopardize the commission +imposed upon him.</p> + +<p>Finally, a boat was seen approaching +the shore, bearing a flag at its prow. In +due course this was recognized as the ensign +of Captain Kidd; and everything +wag hastily arranged to receive the leader +with due honor and welcome.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20"></a>As the boat drew near, though, it was +discovered that he was not among the +occupants; but on a seat at the stern, and +with dignified mien, sat Max Brisbau, an +old shipmate of Captain Redfield's, and +a former companion in the service of +Captain Kidd.</p> + +<p>Brisbau alighted, and, extending his +hand to Captain Redfield with suave complacency, +stated that he had came upon +a little service for Captain Kidd, and +would later communicate his object. He +showered courtly attentions upon his +host, who exhibited unfeigned pleasure +in welcoming him.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21"></a>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.</p> + +<p>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<a name="Page_22" id="Page_22"></a> +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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23"></a>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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!"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24"></a>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.</p> + +<p>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<a name="Page_25" id="Page_25"></a> +Brisbau or binding him more securely as +a captive.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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<a name="Page_26" id="Page_26"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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 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<a name="Page_27" id="Page_27"></a> +delivery of part of the treasure; for, after +all, she thought, his claim might be just.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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<a name="Page_28" id="Page_28"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>At length he gave up the struggle, and +sought to learn the purpose of the men<a name="Page_29" id="Page_29"></a> +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<a name="Page_30" id="Page_30"></a> +would consent to aid them in their project.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Brisbau was released, and given to understand +that the men were in control of +affairs; and that his animosity towards +Captain Redfield must cease.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>One day on a sudden determination, +Brisbau set sail with his men and<a name="Page_31" id="Page_31"></a> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>As to Captain Redfield and his wife, +the unexpected release was a most welcome +boon. For her he had felt the tenderest +and most agonized solicitude. The +temptation to acquiesce in the demand of<a name="Page_32" id="Page_32"></a> +his captors and thus free her from the +trying situation came often to him with a +weight under which he almost broke +down. When it was over, the joy of freedom +was as great as the suffering had been +while they were prisoners. He lived +thereafter at Charleston, and soon outgrew +the suspicion with which he was +at first regarded, of having being connected +with the buccaneers. He determined +to settle down to an honest, industrious +life. My grandfather was born soon after.</p> + +<p>Captain Redfield was never afterwards +known to refer to anything connected +with a pirate in conversation with any +one; and I have never learned whether +or not he ever afterwards visited Rindout. +I know he was wealthy; but then he +worked hard and saved his earnings, and +I do not believe he increased his store from +the hidden chests on Money Island. The +story I have now written he told to my<a name="Page_33" id="Page_33"></a> +grandfather in his old age, and, upon relating +it, he urged the greatest caution in +his use of it.</p> + +<p>Twice my grandfather made unsuccessful +efforts to find the chests. He +urged that I, his grandchild, should keep +the knowledge of the treasure as a family +heritage; but that I might do as I +liked about it. After giving the subject +very careful thought, I have now given +up the secret of Money Island, and have +not withheld a single detail which was +told me. Of course, nearly a century and +a half has elapsed since the precious +booty was hidden. The story, therefore, +is old, but I do not believe it has suffered +from age. Captain Kidd was executed +in London not long after the hiding +of the treasure, and his associates +gave up their old calling; and probably +no one has since disturbed the precious +chests.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34"></a> +Now, as to when I first heard Mr. Landstone's +story. It was when I was a boy +in the early forties, and the events connected +with its telling have modified its +conclusion, as will presently be seen. I +have heretofore spoken very little of the +subject to any one; and when I have +done so at all, it has been to one or two +intimate friends as a matter of particular +confidence. In my old age, however, I +am going to let my tale forsake its hiding-place +and become public property.</p> + +<p>My parents owned a summer home on +Greenville Sound not far from Money Island. +To us children it was the very +heart of life. The best pleasure of the +year was confined to the four months spent +there from the first of June to the last<a name="Page_35" id="Page_35"></a> +day of September. We rowed, sailed, +fished, swam, hunted, frolicked, and ran +the whole gamut of youthful delights. +Those good days are yet vivid in memory; +and it is a matter of regret with me that +my grandchildren—as fine boys and girls +as ever lived—cannot have the same wild, +wholesome fun at the Sound as fell to my +lot when I was a boy.</p> + +<p>The time that I now speak of, however, +was about the middle of May, the +balmy month of soft breezes and bright +flowers. I had been particularly studious +in school, and my father agreed to +let me spend three days at the Sound in +company with a young friend. We arranged +our food supply, took the old family +rockaway, and set out early in the +morning, as happy a pair of boys as ever +started on a project of pleasure.</p> + +<p>After spending an hour or two at the +Sound house, arranging our fishing tackle<a name="Page_36" id="Page_36"></a> +and looking after the boats, which had +been hauled up for the winter, we started +out on a sail towards the beach. It was +a fine day for sailing, and the breeze bore +us away as smoothly and quickly as if +we had been in a balloon. As we passed +Money Island, we observed a boat moored +on the south side, and tried to locate +the occupants; but we could see nobody, +and concluded that it belonged to a fishing +party who had, for some reason, left +the boat tied there.</p> + +<p>We sailed on; and when we had gone +perhaps half a mile away. I happened to +turn around, and was surprised to see +two men stealthily embarking in the boat +with what appeared to be shovels and +rods of some kind. This sight was too +much for our youthful imagination. So +we decided at once to change our course, +and essayed to follow at a distance the +movements of the other boat. This we<a name="Page_37" id="Page_37"></a> +had no difficulty in doing; and we afterwards +learned that we were successful +in our efforts to avoid the suspicion of +purposely following it.</p> + +<p>The men sailed down the Sound a short +distance to the south, and made for the +shore in a little cove at a somewhat secluded +place.</p> + +<p>We were familiar with the locality, and +decided to wait until later for a closer +observation. Accordingly, we bore once +again toward the beach, and enjoyed an +hour watching the breakers roll upon the +shore, and in picking up curios, such as +are always to be found upon the sea +beach.</p> + +<p>Upon our return, we passed close to +the little cove into which the boat had +gone, and could readily discern through +the trees a tent not far inland; in front of +which were seated the two strangers, +watching a pot hung over a fire made<a name="Page_38" id="Page_38"></a> +upon the ground. This excited an additional +flutter of wonderment with us. Indeed, +what we had seen, coupled with +the current tradition regarding Money +Island, soon wrought us up into a fever +of excitement; for it was very suggestive +of a search for the treasure on the +island.</p> + +<p>I had heard from my early childhood +that Captain Kidd, the historic and lordly +pirate, who reigned supreme upon the +high seas during the seventeenth century, +was supposed to have buried some of +his booty on Money Island. Everybody +was familiar with the tradition; and I +doubt if there is, even now, a single person +reared in the town of Wilmington, of +in the vicinity of the Sound, who has not +likewise been told the same indefinite +story about the little island. But the +presence of these two strangers, and their +somewhat mysterious conduct, gave the<a name="Page_39" id="Page_39"></a> +tradition a touch of reality such as it +could never have otherwise had.</p> + +<p>We concluded that these men had evidently +some positive information on the +subject, and were showing their confidence +in that information by prosecuting +a search for the hidden treasure, at much +trouble and expense. This was clear to +us, and we talked the matter over that +night with eager interest. We surmised +every possible case that might have furnished +the strange visitors with a working +clue to the discovery of the treasure. +Speculation ran high. But there was one +thing that we became agreed upon, and +that was, to become, if possible, parties +to the secret enterprise. We pondered +with boys' shrewdness how this should +be done. This we could not decide upon; +but we determined to play a venture toward +the desired end. The attitude of +innocent curiosity seemed best suited to<a name="Page_40" id="Page_40"></a> +our purpose. So we planned to draw up +at Money Island in the morning if we observed +that the men were there; and to +approach them in an unsuspicious manner, +as if we had just happened to stop at +the Island without any definite motive. +This should work as a capital ruse, and, +we felt confident, it would initiate a connection +on our part with the mysterious +search.</p> + +<p>That point settled, we concluded to investigate +the tent and its occupants as +well as we might under the cover of darkness, +and we promptly set out upon that +project. We approached within a hundred +feet of the tent, and saw the men +still sitting in the light of the fire at the +tent door; but there was no discovery of +importance. They were merely talking +quietly and carelessly about some ship +that one of them seemed to be interested +in. We could hear their conversation<a name="Page_41" id="Page_41"></a> +distinctly, and we were also able to take +a good observation of their appearance.</p> + +<p>One of them was a man upwards of sixty, +of robust build and gray hair and +beard. He had a kind face, which bore +the aspect of one accustomed only to the +quieter walks of life, unfamiliar with adventure +and ill-suited to an enterprise +such as they were now apparently engaged +upon. The other man had a +weather-beaten face with a long nose, +and a swagger of manner which betokened +the sailor. This, we afterwards learned, +had been his occupation. We watched +them for about an hour; but finally +withdrew in the hope of making a better +acquaintance in the morning.</p> + +<p>Soon after daylight we began eagerly +to watch for the boat, which appeared +around a bend in the Sound after the lapse +of an hour or so and headed straight for +the Island. We loitered about the yard<a name="Page_42" id="Page_42"></a> +a little while longer, and then made ready +our yacht without any appearance of +haste.</p> + +<p>On setting sail, we made for the beach; +but, upon reaching there, turned back at +once and sailed for Money Island in an +indirect course. We soon reached there +and stepped upon the shore. The men +immediately dropped their implements. +They returned our salutation pleasantly. +We observed with much surprise the disturbed +state of the ground and the holes +which had been dug; and then began to +make inquiries as innocently as we could +as to their object. Our plans of the night +before began to work successfully.</p> + +<p>By sheer force of persistence, we won +our way into their confidence, and worked +with them until late in the afternoon. +For they were indeed on a determined +search for Captain Kidd's buried treasure.</p> + +<p>We were in constant expectation of<a name="Page_43" id="Page_43"></a> +discovering the chests of gold—two iron +chests, which Mr. Landstone, the elder +gentleman, assured us he felt positive +were there. But the discovery was not +made, and they said this had been the +fourth day of labor on the Island.</p> + +<p>The conclusion was reached that, either +the surrounding water had encroached +upon that portion of the Island where the +treasure had been buried, and had thus +imposed an almost impossible barrier to +its being unearthed; or that the chests +had become imbedded beneath the massive +roots of two dwarfed old oaks which +stood gnarled and storm-worn in the centre +of the island. To the task of removing +these trees the men felt entirely unequal +after their days of work; and, +therefore, it was decided to wait a day +or two, and approach the task of doing so, +if at all, with renewed spirit.</p> + +<p>Upon invitation, we boys accompanied<a name="Page_44" id="Page_44"></a> +the men to their camp and had supper +with them. We were entertained by stories +of adventure and travel, of sea voyage, +of Indian warfare; and, finally, after +several requests of Mr. Landstone, with +the story of Money Island. He said he +would tell it upon condition that its secrecy +would be kept inviolate, at least +for many years. So, in the weird light of +a large pine-wood fire among the trees, +we had the story of Money Island, told +in the living voice of a capital story-teller, +in almost the same words as are used in +the MS he gave me that night, and which +has now been publicly printed.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Landstone finished, we boys +sat in breathless amazement, overcome +by the glamour of romance which the +story had thrown around the mysterious +little island.</p> + +<p>The old sailor forgot his pipe, which +turned over and dropped its contents to<a name="Page_45" id="Page_45"></a> +the ground. "Aye, sir," he exclaimed, +"we will surely uproot those trees in the +morning!" And that became the decision +of us all.</p> + +<p>I remember that, after a long pause, I +asked, to reassure myself, "Mr. Landstone, +do you really believe that story?" +He laughed and said, "Well, you see I +am on an undertaking I have had in mind +for nearly fifty years. Yes, I believe +those chests are there."</p> + +<p>That was enough. I did not sleep an +hour that night; and the next morning +we were early at the task of searching +for the treasure. And a stupendous undertaking +it proved to be. All day we +labored at one tree. The roots were massive +and wide-spread, and the work of +cutting and removing them required the +utmost exertion. Finally, just before +sunset, we completed the task, and began +to dig for the treasure in the earth below.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46"></a>Already water had begun to percolate +into the hole, and ere we had gone much +deeper, it flooded it so that we found it +impossible to continue the excavation. +Then we resorted to our sounding rod +again for a last ray of hope, and almost +immediately it struck something hard! +Our spirits rose within us.</p> + +<p>I tore off my clothes, and jumped into +the water. After working for some time, +with the aid of a shovel, I brought to the +surface a piece of rusty sheet iron. Nothing +more could be found. We gathered +round the worn sheet of metal, and held +a solemn consultation.</p> + +<p>The conclusion was reached that the +piece of iron which we found was in reality +a part of one of Captain Kidd's chests, +which had become rust-eaten and crumbled, +and which had been torn asunder +by the growing roots of the tree, and +parts of it carried in various directions by<a name="Page_47" id="Page_47"></a> +them as they had spread, scattering the +contents through the ground.</p> + +<p>We became animated with a new purpose; +and the old sailor seized a shovel +and began vigorously to throw more +earth from the excavation; but darkness +was falling, and we urged him to wait +until the next morning.</p> + +<p>"What about the sand already thrown +out?" some one exclaimed at this juncture. +The suggestion had hardly been +offered before we all bent forward, and +thrust our hands into the pile of wet, +black sand lying about us.</p> + +<p>I at once felt something round and suggestive. +"Look at this!" I cried. It was +a blackened gold coin! In the darkness +we hurriedly sifted the sand with our +fingers; and each one soon found several +pieces of money.</p> + +<p>With feverish energy, we thus labored +until late in the night, meeting with<a name="Page_48" id="Page_48"></a> +constant success; and, when we stopped, every +one had a precious pile to carry back +to the shore. The coins were all corroded +and misshapen through the action of the +salty mud in which they had lain, and +the disturbance caused by the roots of +the trees. A few silver coins were found, +but all were in a very worn condition; +some being little more than ragged discs +of the thickness of paper. Others, or +the remains of them, crumbled into a +black powder at the touch of our fingers. +The gold was in better preservation; and +we secured a goodly store of it.</p> + +<p>We secreted our treasure in the woods +on shore, and early the next morning returned +to our work. I can well remember +our exultant feeling as we set out in +our boats. "Boys," Mr. Landstone called +out, as we were sailing over the narrow +stretches of water toward the island, +"how do you feel?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_49" id="Page_49"></a>I feel like—like—" I answered, rising +in my seat and lifting my hat to cheer.</p> + +<p>"None of that!" he said quickly—but +I knew I was about to express the excited +feeling of us all.</p> + +<p>As to our further success, I would say +that it was unabated during nearly the +whole day. I think we secured every +piece of precious metal that had been +buried beneath the tree. The following +day we uprooted the other tree, but failed +to find any trace of more booty. We +concluded that the remaining chest had +probably been removed; but that is still +an unsettled question.</p> + +<p>Besides the coin, we had discovered the +remains of much silver plate; but it was +of little value, being almost entirely destroyed. +But the gold—there was an +abundance of it, and we were all made +rich!</p> + +<p>In the meantime our parents appeared<a name="Page_50" id="Page_50"></a> +on the scene to learn the cause of our +protracted absence from home. It is +needless to say that there was no rod of +correction held over us that day.</p> + +<p>If I had taken care of my share of the +treasure as I should have done after my +father's death, I would be living in luxury +and comfort to-day; but, even regretting +my poor judgment, I can now thank +a good Providence that I have been sustained +through a long life, which has had +an undue share of misfortune, by the +splendid fortune which came to me in +that happy May of long ago.</p> + +<hr /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 369px;"> +<img src="images/im2.jpg" +alt=""The decaying hulks of blockade runners that rise a little here and there above the waves"" +title=""The decaying hulks of blockade runners that rise a little here and there above the waves"" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="THE_CONQUEST_OF_JAMESBY" id="THE_CONQUEST_OF_JAMESBY"></a><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51"></a> +THE CONQUEST OF JAMESBY.</h2> + + +<p>I reached home for tea a little late, and +saw my young friend Jamesby in the back +yard where he had gone to admire my +fowls, in which I take a just pride. Old +Henry, my colored servant, was playing +the part of host; for there was no one +else at home. When I made my appearance, +the chickens had evidently become +a matter of secondary interest.</p> + +<p>Jamesby, a rising young banker of the +city, was sitting on an empty box near +the fence, and Henry was standing before +him, leaning upon his cane, chuckling +and talking in his customary deferential +manner, which has always made him a +very acceptable servant about my premises.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52"></a>I approached without being observed, +and did not hail them, for I did not wish +to intrude too suddenly upon what appeared +to be a very amusing subject of +conversation. I heard Jamesby say +laughingly, "Why, it was in the paper +this morning—five or six columns of it! +It was a great big yarn. I can't imagine +why he never told you anything about +it."</p> + +<p>I knew what they were talking about. +I was well aware that I had told my tale +of Money Island for publication; for had +I not been sought after by men, women, +and children for every imaginable explanation +and sidelight relating to the story +which might have been omitted from the +MS furnished the printer? And had I +not been asked to repeat by living voice +facts in the narrative which I had written, +as I thought, with entire clearness +in the published story? The boys had<a name="Page_53" id="Page_53"></a> +all read the story, and I had been put to +my wits' end to answer the questions +asked by them; but I had assured several +of them that if they would take a copy of +the paper, go to the Island and there read +it on the very spot where the treasure +had been buried, and then and there take +a careful survey of the situation, there +would be no difficulty in their comprehending +even the slightest detail. This +seemed to me to be a very sensible suggestion; +and I suppose some of them will +carry it out.</p> + +<p>While I really enjoyed the experience +of having entertained so many people +that day, I was fairly well fatigued when +I reached home, where I thought I could +at least be quiet and free from the constant +inquiries of interested friends.</p> + +<p>But here was Jamesby with designs +against me! He had dashed my fond +hopes of rest; although he was somehow<a name="Page_54" id="Page_54"></a> +always considerate and endurable. I +could never become impatient with him, +even if I knew he was going to make demands +upon me for more information +concerning Money Island.</p> + +<p>"What is Uncle Henry telling you, +Jamesby?" I asked on drawing closer to +them.</p> + +<p>"Oh," he answered in a somewhat self-conscious +manner, "he was about to tell +me of an experience of his in money digging."</p> + +<p>Now, I had heard old Henry tell that +story before. It was one which seemed +to justify his very sober ideas as to money +getting by any other means than by one's +daily work.</p> + +<p>"Well, Henry," I said, taking my seat +also on the box, "did you really ever dig +for money?"—as if I had never before +heard him say anything about it. The<a name="Page_55" id="Page_55"></a> +implied doubt would, I knew, make him +all the more ready to talk.</p> + +<p>He replied promptly, with a grin of interest, +"Yes, sah, cose I tried money +diggin'."</p> + +<p>Then he paused as if to await an invitation +to proceed. "Go on, Uncle Henry," +urged Jamesby.</p> + +<p>Henry shifted his position, and, leaning +upon his cane from another angle, +went on: "'Twas dis away. Once uponer +time me an' John Gomus an' John +Flowers, we was round at Mr. Holmes' +stables, right back of Mr. Kidder's whey +I uster keep my horse and kyart; dere +was woods right dare den, sah, an' a +graveyard; an' I had a horse and kyart of +my own. So one evenin' an ole white +'oman come fum de Sound, an' she tole +us that a sperit had done tole her whey +some money was buried; an' she wanted +us to come down dere and dig it up; she<a name="Page_56" id="Page_56"></a> +couldn't dig for it, but she knowed whey +'twas—de sperit had tole her. So we got +togedder and made a club to go down—three +of us. De place was on Wrightsville +Sound, not fur from Mr. Wright's +place.</p> + +<p>"De sign was, dat one read de Bible +back'ards, and no one speak—all hadter +go by signs, an' dat'd keep de sperits fum +pesterin' us. John Gomus, he had de rod +goin' roun', an' fonn' a place to stick it. +I dunno why he stick it whey he did. +De rod pinted right down dere; and right +whey de rod pinted we digged. When +we commence diggin', it was about half-past +eight o'clock, and we worked hard, +sah. We digged a hole big enough to set +a small house in. John, he kep' bearin' +on de rod, an' de rod it kep' goin' down. +Den de rod at las' struck sumpn; and we +was so glad, thinkin' we'd struck de pot! +Every one was rejoiced! We didn' talk,<a name="Page_57" id="Page_57"></a> +but jes fling up de dirt! An' when we dig +down dere, sah, what you spose 'twas. +Nothin' but a big ole cow's horn. An' +after all dat diggin'! We done an' digged +a hole 'bout fifteen or twenty feet across, +and goodness knows how deep; an' 'twas +'bout four in de mornin' before we quit. +We pack up an' come back home, feelin' +jes as cheap as a wet chicken.</p> + +<p>"De ole 'oman come 'roun agin, an' tole +us dat de money was dere; fer de sperit +had tole her agin 'twas dere. But we +warn't anxious to try for it agin. We +thought we done enough."</p> + +<p>Old Henry chuckled, and limped away; +and we both laughed heartily at his droll +yarn. Jamesby enjoyed the tale particularly; +and, although I felt that it might +somehow be at my expense, I was duly +amused.</p> + +<p>When Jamesby descended from his hilarious +heights, he turned to me rather<a name="Page_58" id="Page_58"></a> +gravely, and said, "Now, I want it from +your own lips; did you really dig for +money on Money Island?"</p> + +<p>I answered, "I did."</p> + +<p>"And," he continued, "was that a true +story you told about it?"</p> + +<p>"Now, Jamesby," I replied, "I really +cannot endure this doubt cast upon the +truthfulness of my story. I decline to +discuss the matter. You have read the +paper, and you know me as the author of +the story."</p> + +<p>"But," he added in rather a comical +tone, "there are some things which (with +all due respect for your trustworthiness) +call for a more positive confirmation."</p> + +<p>I knew I would not have written anything +on so important a subject without +proper consideration; and he knew it too. +However, I realized the fact that an effort +to believe such a story as I had offered to +the public may have made a somewhat<a name="Page_59" id="Page_59"></a> +weighty demand upon credulity, at least +with some people. To answer his last +suggestion, I merely drew out of my +pocket a copy of the "Savannah Morning +News", containing an account of a stranger's +mysterious movements about Warsaw +Island near Savannah, and his sudden +disappearance, leaving good evidence +that he had carried with him a hidden +treasure found there, and which tradition +had stated lay upon the Island. I also +reminded him of the fact that Dutch Island +near Savannah is full of what are +known as "treasure holes", which have +been made by persons seeking the buried +booty of the pirates of the olden times. +He knew all about these; and he had also +heard that some of the enterprising explorers +into the mysteries of that island +had been successful.</p> + +<p>But Jamesby was still incredulous. So +I turned the conversation to my fowls;<a name="Page_60" id="Page_60"></a> +and he was very ready to admit that I +had told the genuine thing in describing +to him some of the excellent points of my +prize birds. There was no doubt that I +could exhibit several specimens which +any fancier would be proud of.</p> + +<p>Jamesby remained to tea, so that we +could go to the lodge together, and I enjoyed +the quiet stroll down town with +him. We had hardly entered the hall, +though, before the historian of the town, +who is also a leading Mason, approached +me regarding my Money Island revelations. +"Sir," he said, "I regard it +throughout as a most interesting and +plausible narrative; and I am glad we +have been favored by being allowed to +read it. I have made a study of the pirates +who infested our coast in the early +colonial days, and I know that this section, +particularly the lower region of the +Cape Fear, was a favorite rendezvous for<a name="Page_61" id="Page_61"></a> +them. It is known upon most reliable +information that there are immense quantities +of captured treasure secreted along +the coast, and the wonder is that there +have not been some really serious efforts +to find it."</p> + +<p>Another gentleman added, "Yes, and +they also buried treasure further down +South; for at my old home (and I speak +the honest trath) I have stood in the hole +from which my friend, Mr. Coachman, +unearthed accidentally a small fortune, +which gave him a very comfortable start +in life."</p> + +<p>The conversation lingered in this absorbing +vein until the meeting was opened, +much to my relief; for I had been +surfeited with the subject of money finding +for that day, at least. But that was +not all; for, during the solemnity of the +opening exercises, I heard some one telling, +in an undertone, of a negro who had<a name="Page_62" id="Page_62"></a> +found a roll of old bank notes in a log +which had been hauled to a saw mill to +be cut.</p> + +<p>The next day I was still aware that I +possessed an unusual attraction; and I +resigned myself patiently to the service +of all my inquiring friends. Jamesby actually +stopped by my office to walk up +with me at lunch time. He was willing +to move along slowly with me, for now +in my old age I find I have to walk slowly. +I knew it would have been more natural +for him to have gone on briskly; but +he was polite and assured me that the +pleasure of my company was better than +too much time spent at his meal.</p> + +<p>We stopped on the way at a newspaper +office. The editor and proprietor had observed +our approach and they were +awaiting us with looks of amused interest. +"Hello!" the proprietor said cheerily, +"you have really stimulated the<a name="Page_63" id="Page_63"></a> +enterprise of the town. Why have you +kept so reticent on that subject all these +years?"</p> + +<p>Of course, I knew what subject was +referred to; for I had been living for those +two days in an atmosphere filled with +the phantoms of hidden gold, buried +treasure, marvelous discoveries, pirates +and other engaging topics of thought; +and I now looked for nothing else.</p> + +<p>"In my opinion," he continued, "it was +a very good story. Of course, it goes +without saying that it is true. I tell you, +sir, that it is my judgment that this whole +section of coast line is rich in gold. Not +only did those pirates bury gold here, +but, during the Civil War, the Confederate +blockade runners, when fearing capture, +were known repeatedly to throw +gold into the sea along the beach, sometimes +by the keg full; and not one dollar's +worth of it has ever yet been recovered,<a name="Page_64" id="Page_64"></a> +so far as I can learn. It is all right +there where they dropped it. And besides +that, at least on one occasion, it is +a well proven fact that a chest of gold +was buried by the commander of one of +the blockade runners in the marsh grass +on the shore not far below Wilmington; +and there is no evidence that it has ever +yet been unearthed. In fact, all knowledge +of the exact spot has been lost, I +understand."</p> + +<p>"Yes," interposed the editor, "it is all +quite reasonable; and, as something germain +to the subject, I can cite an interesting +instance. When, soon after the +War our old Confederate naval captain +bought his home on Greenville Sound and +was preparing to build his residence, he +had the old house which stood upon the +site torn down, and, upon the carpenters +coming one morning to begin the erection +of the new building, they found an<a name="Page_65" id="Page_65"></a> +immense excavation right where the old +house stood. Now, that old building was +in former years used by a Portuguese as +an inn for the entertainment of sailors +from the vessels in the port of Wilmington; +and, there being certain traditions +in regard to some money having been +buried beneath it, it was natural to conclude +that the excavation resulted from +an energetic effort to find the money. +The hole was made at night, but by whom +it has never been found out. The incident +was shrouded in a mystery which +has never been cleared."</p> + +<p>We talked still further along that vein, +the editor emphatically asserting his assured +belief in the possibility of recovering +quantities of gold from the seashore +below Wilmington, and from the decaying +hulks of blockade runners that rise a +little here and there above the waves, +where they met a disastrous check to<a name="Page_66" id="Page_66"></a> +their efforts to slip into the harbor.</p> + +<p>As we started out again upon the street, +Jamesby said, "Well, sir,—pardon my +frankness—but I must say that I have +never found your company so interesting +before; and I shall be equally frank in +saying that—I have never been able yet +to believe half the tales I have heard +about the mysterious discovery of buried +treasure. There is something so unsubstantial +about most of them. Of course, +there may be some exceptions, and—"</p> + +<p>"Jamesby," I interrupted in good humor, +"don't let your frankness expire for +the lack of the proper courage. Let your +speech continue during the whole run of +an honest statement. But it's all right. +I have some indisputable proofs—"</p> + +<p>"Good morning!" It was young Riggins +who joined us. "I read that story +of yours, sir. It was good, I must say. +It is just like something that happened<a name="Page_67" id="Page_67"></a> +in my own personal experience. A few +months ago, I was down at Homosassa, +Florida; and, while I was there, some +clam diggers discovered a large chest of +old Spanish coin. They sold them to the +Government for thirty thousand dollars, +and have now retired from the clam business."</p> + +<p>That was a tale rather to the point, and +Jamesby received it soberly; but I laughed +out of sheer appreciation of another +good yarn.</p> + +<p>I did not see Jamesby for several days. +I knew it was his busy season; but I really +wished to know how he fared. So, +I decided to look him up. He was a happy, +enthusiastic, ingenuous young fellow, +and I had become quite accustomed to +having his cheerful company occasionally.</p> + +<p>I found him sitting at his desk in intense +abstraction; but he soon observed +me standing before him, and quickly<a name="Page_68" id="Page_68"></a> +arose with a hearty welcome, such as he +alone knew how to extend.</p> + +<p>"I tell you, sir," he said enthusiastically, +"it is a magnificent project!"</p> + +<p>"What is?" I answered. "I don't +know—"</p> + +<p>"Oh," he continued, absently, "I forgot; +it was my brother I was talking +with. But I have investigated thoroughly +the whole subject of those blockade +runners, and I believe the prospect of +success is worth a giant effort for the recovery +of some of that money from the +sea. There must be untold quantities of +it lying there, inviting even a meagre attempt +to get it. The boats can be chartered +cheaply; and I have learned that +the necessary divers can be secured on +an equitable division of the spoils. There +are many details of the organization of +the enterprise which I have thought out."</p> + +<p>His voice had an eager ring, and his +eyes sparkled with interest.</p> + +<p>"Jamesby, my boy," I answered calmly, +"you are decidedly on the right track. +I wish you all good fortune."</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MONEY ISLAND***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 17415-h.txt or 17415-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/7/4/1/17415">http://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/4/1/17415</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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