Money Island Part 1

Money Island.

by Andrew Jackson Howell, Jr.

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 a.s.sertion 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 c.o.c.ked 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 ma.s.sive 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 pa.s.sed the Cape of Fear, and was making in towards the sh.o.r.e-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 pa.s.sages 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 ash.o.r.e, and railed against the low-lying branches, which whipped their faces. The trees were thick and low, making pa.s.sage 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 st.u.r.dy 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 pa.s.sed, and another reached its seventh month; and the party had experienced nothing to arouse more than a pa.s.sing 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 sh.o.r.e, 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 a.s.sistants, 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 a.s.surances 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 a.s.sured 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 a.s.serted the injury to his feelings which the foolish reluctance of his friend caused him.