The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-12-26
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 a mysterious sloop with
six guns riding at anchor off the island.
1t was Kidd's last vessel the Antonio.
This Lord John was a 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
left large estate at his death. He was
not q person to be scared by u my@tcri-
Gus armed sloOp; so, after she had lain
in sight two days without making ANY
sign, he put off in boat, to board her
and inquire what she was. As he came
up over the side, Captain Kidd-till
then unknown to him-receiyed him
with the traditional politeness Of
thriving desperate, and asked after the
health of himself and family. Then,
in answer to Lord Johns inquiries, he
said that he was on his way to Lord
Bcllomont 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 them?
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 fercing-the aN-
quaintance, Gardiner may have thought;
but he complied. Thereupon Kidd
promptly ripened acquaintance into
intimacy, and asked him if he could
spare q 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
a rare and valued fabric in its pristine
state-which he put into bag and re-
quested Gardiner to take as a present
to his wife. Ii is likely enough that the
Captain, seeing in hearty Lord John a
capacity for such things, produced
some Of his Efty-shilling rum, or three
hundred-pound Madeira to be tasted.
Something, at any rate, warmed him
up tolncreased generosity, for ''in about
a quarter Of an hour he presented the
Lord of the Isle with some muslin fo1
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 tc
sail, ne offered to pay for the cider; but
Gardiner protested that ne was suifi.
GENTLY rewarded by the present to his
wife. They parted at last, and Kidd,
CALAMITY firing a salute of four guns,
stood for Block Island.
His purpose in lingering in these
waters was to get rid of his suspicious
freight before going to Boston. During
! his stay near the Island two New York
sIoops took off part of his cargo and
three days later he returned from Block
| Island in company with another ne.
furious 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 buried
in some swampy land near Cherry
Harbor, beside Home Pond, within {
mile of the manor-house, to be kept fol
Kidd or his order.
If l call for it and it is gone" Kidc
declared to Lord John, 81 will take
your head or your sons. George Par
sons LatbrOp, in Century.