The Topeka state journal., 1897-09-08
APlRATE uNpoNE.
Captain Kidd and the Strange Man Tha
He Overhauled.

Captmin Kidd and the Strange Man That
He Overhauled.
"Sail hop' shouted a lusty voice from
the crosstrees.
"Where away?" yelled Captain Kidd
from the quarter deck.
1.-TWO points of the weather bow, siri''
The Terror of the Seas expanded his
telescope and looked in the direction indi-
Gated. Then he gave vent to SYengali
laugh.
"Hurrah, my bulliesI'' he cried. ST
can't make out whether she belongs to the
Prince of Wales or to the Sugar trust, but
can tell she's prize by the cut of her
jib., Run up the black fagl Clear the
decks for actioni Keel haul the marlin
spikeI Shiver the mainstayl Take two
reefs il the spanker and cast the rudder
adrift Luff, you Iubber, luffl There you
are nowl SteadyP'
The long. black, rakish looking craft
rounded gracefully on the port tack and
rapidly overhauled the ship which the pi-
rate lookout had sighted. As they drew
near Captain Kidd saw that the white
sails were of silk, the bulwarks of mahog-
any and all the brasswork gold plated.
Under an awning on the after deck sat fat
man richly appareled and smoking dol
lar perfecto.
AS soon as the black flag, with it's skull
and crossbones, futtered from the pirates
X,
that looked like a coiled snake was run up
by the other boat.
''IJ's the yacht of some merchant
prince" unused Kidd, rubbing his hands,
land methinks he has doubloons galore in
some strong box snugly tucked away be-
tween decks. But why''-and the visage OF
the corsair grew roabled-"why does he
not pay some attention co usP''
The fat man continued to smoke lazily,
and even a solid shot which Kidd sent
across hts bows did not alarm him. He
gave orders, however, to have his boat
slowed down and the pirate drew along
side and made ship fast to ship by means
of graphing irons.
With a bound Captain Kidd sprang on
the deck of the yacht. Another bound and
he had reached the side of the fat man.
''YieldI'' shouted the pirate, fourishing
his cutlass.
The fat man arose calmly and folded his
arms. --~
''I am Kidd, the pirate i'' yelled the free
booter, gnashing his teeth.
"And I am Lamb, the plumberi" re-
piled the other.
Kidd was amazed. The outlass fell from
his hand and he staggered back with ashen
face and treni bling limbs.
Z" 'Tis well, - went on Lamb, with a cut
ting smile. "This is the year 1897 and
you are committing slight anaohronisn
ny appearing dO tDIS 4n1S ii ny
private yacht and l am taking my summer
outing. Did you not notice the device of
coiled gas pipe on my Standard"
II failed to recognize it, returned the
pirate huskily, dropping on his knees.
"Quhrteri Quarterl"
''I have nothing less than q dollar, -
replied the plumber haughtily, land I
wouldn't give it to you if had. Get upi
I trust that it is hardly necessary to re-
mind you that lamb is an improvement
on kidd
'And plumber an Improvements On
a.
Exactly. Now go your way and don't
bother me-" -.sf.
Captain Kidd was completely cowed.
Sneaking aboard his own ship he cast of
from the plum ber's craft and was soon
hull down on the horizon. And from this
rencontre came the following verse Of 9
pleasing and well known ditty:
My name was Captain Kidd. as I sailed, as ]
sailed.
My name was Captain Kidd, as I sailed.
Oh, my name was Captain Kidd, and not q
thing did
To the plumber when met him, but sailed
away instid-
New York Truth