The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-12-16
l,, SihesIfs cIol1 hing: ing

son, Ralph, would, in the natural course
of events, succeed to the rank Of Lord
Paliton, Earl of Ayr.
But should the governor and his son
die, then Capt. George Graham would in
herit the titles and estates.
Many thought it was good thing
that Capt. George Graham's chances
were 80 small. for he was harsh, cruel,
domineerine man. who seemed in re-
ueiIlon against MIS- creator because ne
was not born first.
Capt. George Graham was. however,
an accomplished hypocrite, for he sue
ceeded in making the Governor believe
that he was the most devoted brother
that ever lived.
Bermuda docs not bubble over with
excitement even in these days Of cleo
tricity and steam. It is by-way of
the great ocean routes. At this time
the officers sent, there on duty looked on
it as mild sort Of exile, and did every
thing they could to get ordered home.
Yachting was sport In which Col.
Graham delighted at home, but here he
found in it one source Of amusement on
which he could depend to break up the
ennui.
His brother George was also fond oil
yachting, and the sloop in which they
rather sailed, by a daring, handsome
young Engiishman Of sixteen or seven
teen named William Kidd.
Young Kidd was great favorite with
Capt Graham. 'y'.,.'. g..
He was bold, ambitious youth, with
a natural aptitude for his calling, and a
mind far above the average. -.
Having acquired no principle of right,
and being wholly deficient therein by
nature, William Kidd had no scruples
that would lead him to resist the
schemes Of the Captain. .
They held their consultations at the
cabin of an old negro woman, the Cap
tain's slave, named Dinah.
There it was decided that the next
time the Governor went out with them
to sail that the boat should capsize. and
that the fsther and his little boy should
be drowned. a
This programme was carried out. The
Governor could have saved himself had
not his unnatural brother leaped upon
him and held him under water.
The little boy, Ralph, clung to the
sailor, Kidd, but when the Captain mo-
toned for him to drown the child, the
latent spark OF humanity in the fellows
breast fired up. =
With dangerous light in his fierce
blue eyes and a savage oath on his
beardless lips, he said: .-.
No, sir! We've done enough for one
day. The youngsters arms. are about
my neck, and may sink to the bottom
with his father if do not save his life.
You can hide him away"
But it was your bargain, urged the
Captain. -.-
Men that bargain to murder cannot
be held to account II they do not ill tae
contract. This boy must live, and I
must know that he lives, otherwise ]
will turn Queens evidence and tell the
truth, replied Kidd.
The result Of this peculiar bargaining,
under such circumstances, was that the
child was carried ashore and given into
the charge Of the old negro woman,
Dinah. -
Here little Ralph was secreted until
the story OF his death was firmly be-
lieved on the islands and In England.
Then The Captain-no~ the Right
Honorable George Graham-and Will
lam \ idd smuggled the child to Long
Island, in the Province OF New York,
where he was disposed of, as has already
been stated.
The loss of his son and grandson so
prOstrated old Lord Paliton that he did
not long survive them, and 80 the Cap
tain achieved the one great object Of
his ambition.
Soon after this, old Dinah disap-
peared, and it was generally believed
that she was drowned; but, as she was
old and not particularly liked, her loss
soon ceased to be matter OF specula-
tion.
But Lord Paliton was not destined to
enjoy his criminally procured future
,undisturbed.
The young sailor, Kidd, became
man, and with mis- increase OF years
there came an increase OF ambition and
a decrease Of principle, if that were
possible.
His old companion in crime was now
a great parsonage in the world. and.
having considerable power at court,
Kidd was just the man to rise by cling
ing to his skirts, or, if need be, by fplac-
ing his feet on his patrons shoulders.
Kidd clung to him, as the old man Of
the sea chung to Sinbad. .
Again and again, Colonel Graham-to
give him the name he had assumed for
use at Sag Harbor, had tried to put Kidd
out OF the way, but he was always
foiled. .
At length Kidd, as means of Sc
curity, concealed his friend-Guy Fre-
nauld, young sailor Of fortune-where
he could hear himself and Colonel Gra-
ham discussing the awful past. Then,
with an eye to dramadc effect Kidd
brought Frenauld out, and the Colonel
saw he had two opposed to him, and
giving up the contest, entered into a
compact with the young men.
1t was through Col. Graham that
Kidd got command OF the Adventure
Galley, and it was partly through his
confidence OF his friends powerful in
Iiuence in the event Of detection that he
became pirate ON the high seas, while
bearing the Queens commission. .
1t is useless further to disguise the
fact that Fox and Kidd were one an
the same person. .s..-
But there were some grounds for
change of name in ship and captain.
Kidd, BY an act Of unparalleled
treacnery, had murdered captain
uduoo Tux, anu Ill nlS OmcerS anu
crew, in the Indian Ocean. Then, ap-
propriating the papers and such plumber
| as was valuable. he caused the ship to
be scuttled, and sailed away to inau-
gurate career Of crime which, for sue
cessful audacity and heartless cruelty,
has not been equaled in the annals of
marine robbery.
All these facts were not brought out
during the talk between Col. Graham
and Dinah. but those with which she