The Washington times., 1910-03-25
CHAPTER |.
An Amazing Abduction.

TIE eAudnIQlndfN outbreak 'l
piracy which followed with such
astonishing promptness the gen.
eral adoption Of aerial naviEa-
ton in the fourth decade Of the twen-
ueth century. will. no doubt. be re
ganded by future historians as one Of
The greatest curiosities Of human an
nails. Ii has already been the subject
Of much labOriOus research and OF
many learned disquisitions, while the
public has eagerly devoured the lives
or a dozen of those astounding marau-
oers OF the atmosphere. who sometimes
attacked their victims over the open
sea. whose depths became their grave
and its waves their only monument, and
sometimes swooped down upon them In
remote localities on land where no aid
was at hand and no defense available
against enemies who descended from
the sky with the speed and ferOcity Of
famished eagles. Whole towns were
sometimes laid under contribution, the
terror inspired by dropping bombs ban
fshing all thought Of effective resist
ance.
Of all the desperate adventures Of
that period, none was so fascinating in
personality. or had the romantic charm
that characterized Captain Alfonso
Payton-" a Spanish-Amerfcan. whose
real christian name was probably that
which he gave, but who had dropped
the name Of his family. which was said
10 be one Of the oldest ana proudest
IN Spain, dating back to the days Of
the conquistadores. Paytons exploits
In his famous aero Chameleon. com
mended great deal of attention at
times in the newspapers: but his story
has never been fully told. and the clos
ing details, the most amazing or all.
were withheld from public knowledge
Tor reasons which will be apparent in
what am about to relate
As L was myself an actor In this
strange drama, I reed not explain how
came into possession or the facts so
long jealousy guarded, and in order
that there may arise no question I'm
the readers mind Of my right 70 now
reveal them l will add that the causes
which induced secrecy have ceased to
be operative. They were based upon the
constituencies Of a very influential per-
sonase who is now dead: and the sur
viving Numbers Of his family as I am
in position positively 10 know. do not
object TO the facts being made public.
although they would never have sought
their publication.
Payton or Captain Alfonso" as his
reckless crew always called him. was
one Of the handsomest men that I have
ever seen He had a Spaniard's eyes
and complexion with the stature and
vigor Of "a modern American. while his
manners were those Of an Ideal prince.
The charm Of his personality was felt
by everybody who came in contact with
him. He was exceedingly we'll educated.
especially in everything which usually
makes a man attractive tC women. and
If he had chosen TO lead an honest life
he could unquestionabiy have married
almost any heiress, or any beautiful
girl that he might have fancied. and
he would have been an ornament TO So
ciety.
But he was born pirate. Brave and
fearless. ne was absolutely reckless OF
the opinions Of mankind, rcioiced in his
wiCkndness, sought only the gratifcl-
tion Of his Thims and pleasures, and
Vet he could commit an outrage on the
liberty and personal rights of Others
with such winning scnuenCss. such
delicate consideration for their feelings,
that often the sting was not at the
moment perceived But when IL suited
his purpose to enraEe and unnerve his
victims and throw them off their
guard. he possessed an insOlenCe end a
command Of irony and sarcasm tina;
were wonderful. 1t is needless 10 say
that ne was worshiped by his con-
panions and tools. who would joyfUlly
have followed him TO death. In fac-,
some OF them finally did.
PaytOu's methods were peculiar. lie
had chosen his line. and he stuck 20
II until the end He never attacked
treasure-ladeu Hiers. such as the early
transatlantic liners of the international
Aero Express, which constituted the
favorite prey of Morton-the other great
pirate OF the peViOd-bUt ne made an
exclusive specially Of kidnapping. And
almost invariably he kidnapped women.
do moi misunderstood me on account
Cf what 1 have just said about Payton S
character. I believe that there never
was an instance-whatever may have
been said or thought at the time-0i
anw personal injury or gross indigniU
inflicted upon. OF offered to. any OF
Payton's captives He treated them
with the utmost delicacy and considera-
ton consistent with sure capture and
safe keeping There were many in
stances. familiar TO newspaper readers
Of his magic personality so working
upon his victims that he won theh
respect, anG even friendship.
Nevertheless. he was without mercy
in his, exactions. The object Of all his
abductions was ransom. No tears, nc
entreaties, no consideration whatever
had the slightest effect upon him. Pay
or stay was his word. I do not believe
that he would have put a woman to
death for lack Of ransom, although he
would never release one without. But
he was known to have put men TO death
who lad tried TO betray him. or whose
friends failed to raise the required
money. He never lowered or changed
his price.
How he managed TO get away with
his victims. and TO conceal the location
OF his lairs. became a great mystery
but his cunning never failed. in spite
Of the innumerable traps laid for him
until the instance that I am going tC
relate.
Fbe exploit which finally brought Pay.
toms career to an end was the most eX-
traordinary and romantic in all tht