se 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