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.