Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-12-30
NO.. IL.
a VISIT FROM KIDD.
The Great Pirates Expedition to Gardi-
ner's Island.

The Great Pirates Expedition to Gardi-
ner's Island.
Lord John Gardiner one June even
ing observed mysterious sloop with
six guns riding at anchor off the island.
1t was Kidd's last vessel, the Antonia.
This Lord John was large, hearty
man, who lived generously, was
''clever'' to the Indians and squaws,
and had so much ability in affairs that,
although he married four times and
spent great deal of money, he por-
toned off his daughter handsomely and
not person to be scared by mysteri-
Gus armed sloop; so, after she had lain
in sight two days without making any
sign, he put off in a boat, to board her
and inquire what she was. AS he came
up over the side, Captain Kidd-till
then unknown to him-received him
with the traditional politeness of a
thriving desperate, and asked after the
health of himself and family. Then,
ID answer to Lord Johns inquiries, he
said that he was on his way to Lord
Bellomont at Boston: would Gardiner
do him the favor to carry two negro
boys and one negro girl ashore,
to be kept there until he re-
returned or sent an order for themP
Gardiner consented, and went back to
the island. The next morning Kidd
resumed intercourse by sending ashore
a request that Gardiner should come on
board at once, and bring six sheep with
him. This was rather forcing the ac-.
quaintance, Gardiner may have thouq' 'dt.
but he complied. ~ Thereupon Kidd
promptly ripened acquaintance into
intimacy, and asked him if he could
spare barrel of cider, Lord John
once more proved neighborly, and
found that he/could spare the cider,
sending two Of his men ashore to fetch
it. While waiting for their return
Kidd got out from his cargo two
''pieces" of damaged Bengal muslin
rare and valued fabric in it's pristine
state-which he put into bag and re-
quested Gardiner to take as a present
to his wife. It is likely enough that the
Captain, seeing in hearty Lord John a
capacity for such things, produced
some of his fifty-shilling rum, or three.
hundred pound Madeira to be tasted.
Something, at any rate, warmed him
up to increased generosity, for sin about
quarter of an hour" he presented the
Lord OF. the Isle with some muslin fog
his own use. When the men came back
with the barrel of cider he gave them
four pieces of gold for their trouble.
Furthermore, after getting ready to
sail, he offered to pay for the cider; but
Gardiner protested that he was suffi-
ciently rewarded by the present to his
wife. They parted at last, and Kidd,
! gallantly firing salute of four guns,
stood for Block Island. -
His purpose in lingering in these
waters was to get rid of his suspicieas
| .freighe~before going to Boston. During
his stay near the Island two New York
sloops took off part of his cargo; and
three days later he returned from Block
Island in company with another ne
farious sloop, which relieved him OF
chests containing plate and gold and
other goods. This time Kidd again sent
for Gardiner and committed to his
charge chest, box of gold, bundle
of quilts and four bales of goods. The
box of gold, as Gardiner afterwards
solemnly deposed, was destined by
Kidd for Lord Bellomont All the
treasure and merchandise was buriea
in some swampy land near Cherry
Harbor, beside Home Pond, within
mile of the manor-house, to be kept for
Kidd or his order.
''If call for it and it is gone,'' Kidd
declared to Lord John, Il will take
your head or your sons &c George Par
sons LGthr0p, in CeratuTu.