lonies were
directed. Several cruisers were fitted out to rid the seas of these
pests, but we hear little of their success. But the name of one
officer sent against the pirates has become notorious as that of the
worst villain of them all.

It was in January, 1665, that William III., King of England, issued
"to our true and well-beloved Capt. William Kidd, commander of the
ship 'Adventure,'" a commission to proceed against "divers wicked
persons who commit many and great piracies, robberies, and
depredations on the seas." Kidd was a merchant of New York, and had
commanded a privateer during the last war with France. He was a man of
great courage, and, being provided with a stanch ship and brave crew,
set out with high hopes of winning great reputation and much prize
money. But fortune was against him. For months the "Adventure"
ploughed the blue waves of the ocean, yet not a sail appeared on the
horizon. Once, indeed, three ships were seen in the distance. The men
of the "Adventure" were overjoyed at the prospect of a rich prize. The
ship was prepared for action. The men, stripped to the waist, stood at
their quarters, talking of the coming battle. Kidd stood in the
rigging with a spy-glass, eagerly examining the distant vessels. But
only disappointment was in store; for, as the ships drew nearer, Kidd
shut his spy-glass with an oath, saying,--

"They are only three English men-o'-war."

Continued disappointment bred discontent and mutiny among the crew.
They had been enlisted with lavish promises of prize money, but saw
before them nothing but a profitless cruise. The spirit of discontent
spread rapidly. Three or four ships that were sighted proved to be
neither pirates nor French, and were therefore beyond the powers of
capture granted Kidd by the king. Kidd fought against the growing
piratical sentiment for a long time; but temptation at last overcame
him, and he yielded. Near the Straits of Babelmandeb, at the entrance
to the Red Sea, he landed a party, plundered the adjoining country for
provisions, and, turning his ship's prow toward the straits, mustered
his crew on deck, and thus addressed them:--

"We have been unsuccessful hitherto, my boys," he said, "but take
courage. Fortune is now about to smile upon us. The fleet of the
'Great Mogul,' freighted with the richest treasures, is soon to come
out of the Red Sea. From the capture of those heavily laden ships, we
will all grow rich."

The crew, ready enou