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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Money Island, by Andrew Jackson Howell, Jr.
+
+
+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 www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Money Island
+
+
+Author: Andrew Jackson Howell, Jr.
+
+
+
+Release Date: December 30, 2005  [eBook #17415]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MONEY ISLAND***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Irma Spehar, Cori Samuel, and the Project Gutenberg
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net/) from page
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+University (http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/)
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+
+      Images of the original pages are available through the North
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+      http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/document/hom/
+
+
+
+
+
+MONEY ISLAND.
+
+by
+
+ANDREW J. HOWELL, Jr.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Copyright, 1908, by
+Andrew J. Howell, Jr.
+Commercial Printing Co.,
+Wilmington N.C.
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS:
+                                Page.
+
+  Money Island                    5
+
+  The Conquest of Jamesby        51
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: The Little Island Among the Marshes]
+
+
+
+
+MONEY ISLAND.
+
+
+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.
+
+
+(Mr. Landstone's MS.)
+
+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.
+
+However, not to defend pirates, or indeed to condemn them, I will tell
+you what my grandfather narrated about his 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.
+
+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.
+
+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, 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.
+
+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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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?"
+
+"Aye, sir; your wishes are my orders."
+
+"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 not disclose to any one the object of
+your residence in this secluded place."
+
+Captain Redfield doffed his hat, and, raising his right hand, said,
+"Captain, I so swear."
+
+"Your hand with the oath, Redfield. You are a trusty fellow, and I have
+the fullest confidence in you."
+
+"Thank you, Captain."
+
+"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 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?"
+
+"Everything is satisfactory, Captain."
+
+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.
+
+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. 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."
+
+They swore with deep earnestness.
+
+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.
+
+Then orders were given for the lowering of the boat.
+
+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 ropes. From a respectful distance the sailors
+who had no hand in this work watched the proceedings with eager
+interest.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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 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?"
+
+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.
+
+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. This was accomplished
+slowly and carefully, so that the growth of the trees would not be
+stopped.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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 was a most
+welcome boon. For her he had felt the tenderest and most agonized
+solicitude. The temptation to acquiesce in the demand of 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.
+
+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 grandfather in his old age,
+and, upon relating it, he urged the greatest caution in his use of it.
+
+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.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+After spending an hour or two at the Sound house, arranging our fishing
+tackle 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.
+
+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 had no difficulty in doing; and we
+afterwards learned that we were successful in our efforts to avoid the
+suspicion of purposely following it.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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 tradition a
+touch of reality such as it could never have otherwise had.
+
+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 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.
+
+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
+distinctly, and we were also able to take a good observation of their
+appearance.
+
+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.
+
+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 little
+while longer, and then made ready our yacht without any appearance of
+haste.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+We were in constant expectation of 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.
+
+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.
+
+Upon invitation, we boys accompanied 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.
+
+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.
+
+The old sailor forgot his pipe, which turned over and dropped its
+contents to the ground. "Aye, sir," he exclaimed, "we will surely
+uproot those trees in the morning!" And that became the decision of us
+all.
+
+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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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
+them as they had spread, scattering the contents through the ground.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+With feverish energy, we thus labored until late in the night, meeting
+with 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.
+
+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?"
+
+"I feel like--like--" I answered, rising in my seat and lifting my hat
+to cheer.
+
+"None of that!" he said quickly--but I knew I was about to express the
+excited feeling of us all.
+
+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.
+
+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!
+
+In the meantime our parents appeared 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.
+
+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.
+
+
+[Illustration: "The decaying hulks of blockade runners that rise a
+little here and there above the waves"]
+
+
+
+
+THE CONQUEST OF JAMESBY.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+But here was Jamesby with designs against me! He had dashed my fond
+hopes of rest; although he was somehow 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.
+
+"What is Uncle Henry telling you, Jamesby?" I asked on drawing closer to
+them.
+
+"Oh," he answered in a somewhat self-conscious manner, "he was about to
+tell me of an experience of his in money digging."
+
+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.
+
+"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 implied doubt would, I knew, make him all the more ready
+to talk.
+
+He replied promptly, with a grin of interest, "Yes, sah, cose I tried
+money diggin'."
+
+Then he paused as if to await an invitation to proceed. "Go on, Uncle
+Henry," urged Jamesby.
+
+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 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.
+
+"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, 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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+When Jamesby descended from his hilarious heights, he turned to me
+rather gravely, and said, "Now, I want it from your own lips; did you
+really dig for money on Money Island?"
+
+I answered, "I did."
+
+"And," he continued, "was that a true story you told about it?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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 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.
+
+But Jamesby was still incredulous. So I turned the conversation to my
+fowls; 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.
+
+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 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."
+
+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."
+
+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 found a roll of old bank notes in a log
+which had been hauled to a saw mill to be cut.
+
+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.
+
+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 enterprise of the town. Why have you kept so reticent on
+that subject all these years?"
+
+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.
+
+"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,
+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."
+
+"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 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."
+
+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 their efforts to slip into the
+harbor.
+
+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--"
+
+"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--"
+
+"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 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."
+
+That was a tale rather to the point, and Jamesby received it soberly;
+but I laughed out of sheer appreciation of another good yarn.
+
+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.
+
+I found him sitting at his desk in intense abstraction; but he soon
+observed me standing before him, and quickly arose with a hearty
+welcome, such as he alone knew how to extend.
+
+"I tell you, sir," he said enthusiastically, "it is a magnificent
+project!"
+
+"What is?" I answered. "I don't know--"
+
+"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."
+
+His voice had an eager ring, and his eyes sparkled with interest.
+
+"Jamesby, my boy," I answered calmly, "you are decidedly on the right
+track. I wish you all good fortune."
+
+
+
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