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