Ravages of the Pirates.--The King’s Interview with Earl Bellomont.--William Kidd, the New-York Merchant.--His Commission.--Sailing of the Adventure.--Recruiting in New York.--Circuitous Trip to Madagascar.--Perils and Sufferings.--Madagascar the Pirates’ Home.--Murmurings of the Crew.--Kidd reluctantly turns Pirate.--His Repulses, and his Captures. 29 CHAPTER III. _Piratic Adventures._ Audacity of Kidd.--Fate of the November.--Kidd kills William Moore.--The Renowned Ballad.--Kidd’s Compunctions.--Kidd at Madagascar.--Piratic Carousals.--The Artificial Hell.--Kidd’s Return to the West Indies.--Exaggerated Reports of Avery.--His wretched Career and wretched End. 51 CHAPTER IV. _Arrest, Trial, and Condemnation of Kidd._ Appalling Tidings.--Trip to Curacoa.--Disposal of the Quedagh Merchant.--Purchase of the Antonio.--Trembling Approach toward New York.--Measures for the Arrest of Kidd.--He enters Delaware Bay.--Touches at Oyster Bay and Block Island.--Communications with the Government.--Sails for Boston.--His Arrest.--Long Delays.--Public Rumors.--His Trial and Condemnation. 75 CHAPTER V. _Kidd, and Stede Bonnet._ The Guilt of Kidd.--Rumors of Buried Treasure.--Mesmeric Revelation.--Adventures of Bradish.--Strange Character of Major Bonnet.--His Piracies.--Encounters.--Indications of Insanity.--No Temptation to Turn Pirate.--Blackbeard.--Bonnet Deposed. 98 CHAPTER VI. _The Adventures of Edward Teach, or Blackbeard._ Seizure of the Protestant Cæsar.--The Piratic Squadron.--Villany of the Buccaneers.--The Atrocities of Blackbeard.--Illustrative Anecdotes.--Carousals on Shore.--Alleged Complicity with the Governor.--Hiding-place near Ocracoke Inlet.--Arrangements for his Capture.--Boats sent from two Men-of-War.--Bloody Battle.--The Death of the Pirate.--His Desperate and Demoniac Character. 110 CHAPTER VII. _The Close of Stede Bonnet’s Career._ Bonnet’s Abandonment by Blackbeard.--Avails Himself of the King’s Pardon.--Takes Commission as a Privateer.--Rescues Blackbeard’s Pirates.--Piratic Career.--Enters Cape Fear River for Repairs.--Captured by Colonel Rhet.--The Conflict.--Escapes from Prison.--The Pursuit, and Trial and Sentence. 125 CHAPTER VIII. _The Portuguese Barthelemy._ Commencement of his Career.--Bold Capture.--Brutality of the Pirates.--Reverses and Captivity.--Barthelemy doomed to Die.--His Escape.--Sufferings in the Forest.--Reaches Gulf Triste.--Hardening Effect of his Misfortunes.--His new Piratic Enterprise.--Wonderful Success.--The Tornado.--Impoverishment and Ruin. 139 CHAPTER IX. _Francis Lolonois._