Rep. (after a few minutes).  “I am glad to assure you, Captain Kidd, that it will probably be returned to her to-morrow.”

Capt.  K. (brightening up).  “To-morrow?  Well, that’s good.  It wellnigh broke Sarah’s heart.  By the way, you are lately from New York, I suppose.  How is my old friend, Colonel Livingstone?  Well, I hope?”

Rep.  “I haven’t the honor of his acquaintance, but I have no doubt he is well.  New York men usually are.  He is a staunch friend of yours, captain?”

Capt.  K. “Ay, that he is.  He has always stood by me, ever since he got me that appointment to command the ‘Adventure galley.’”

Rep.  “You have no doubt, captain, of your ability to substantiate your entire innocence of these charges brought against you?”

Capt.  K. “Not the slightest, not the slightest, sir.  There was Captain Wright of the Quedah—­you remember him, I dare say:  had command of that nigger crew—­what did he say when I went aboard his ship?  Said he, ‘Kidd, you remind me of the new-born babe.’  I suppose I can’t prove that, for Wright, poor fellow! has been dropped into the sea, with a twenty-four-pound shot at his heels.

“But what if the jury does convict me?  Can’t I have a bill of exceptions?  Can’t I sue out an injunction to stay proceedings?  What did they let me walk the streets of Boston a whole week for, if I was such a criminal as some of ’em pretend?  I tell you what it is—­this thing is a put-up job.  That ring of East India speculators is at the bottom of it.  They just run Bellamont.  They know I stand in their way; but I’ll be even with them yet.  Mark my word, Mr. Reporter:  William Kidd is going to march down these streets head up, colors flying and the band playing ‘Carry the news to Hiram.’”

Rep.  “I hope so, captain.  One word more.  If not too bold, may I inquire about these stories of your burying treasure on Gardner’s Island?”

Capt.  K. “True as gospel preaching!  I buried doubloons all over that island—­used to work moonlight nights at it.  You can’t show me a square yard of soil there that isn’t stuck full of shiners.  You see, it grew to be a perfect passion with me.  I stopped on my way up Boston harbor here, and planted about three millions of pounds sterling.  I forget now which island it was.  However, I shall publish a complete guide to all these points, with diagrams and directions for getting up stock companies, in the book I’m preparing.” (Just then a card was brought in.  Captain K. nodded affirmatively to the attendant, and your correspondent rose to withdraw.) “I am sorry not to talk with you longer, but a delegation of the ministry are just outside the door.  They propose to sit down and discuss with me the exceeding sinfulness of a greed of worldly gain, especially when it runs into piracy.—­My best compliments to you, sir.  Good-morning.”

Rep.  “Good-morning, captain.”