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