Kidd the Pirate
| Company type | Literary collection |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1824 |
| Founder | Washington Irving |
| Products | Short stories |
Kidd the Pirate is a brief narrative authored by the American writer Washington Irving, inspired by the legends surrounding Captain William Kidd. First appearing in Tales of a Traveller (1824), it serves as a precursor to the collection’s most renowned tale, "The Devil and Tom Walker", which also references Kidd’s hidden fortune.
Synopsis
Set soon after King Charles II's takeover of New Netherlands from Dutch control, the story unfolds during a period characterized by heightened activity among explorers, buccaneers, pirates, and privateers.
Captain Kidd’s Career
Tasked with eradicating piracy through the strategy of "using a rogue to catch a rogue," Captain Kidd embarks on voyages to New York and then eastward. However, he ultimately turns to piracy himself, raiding areas such as the Madeiras, Bonavista, Madagascar, and regions near the Red Sea.
After returning to Boston laden with spoils, Kidd becomes aware of his forthcoming arrest and hides much of his treasure. He is apprehended and transported to England, where he faces execution by hanging. His demise instills fear among other pirates who likewise conceal their riches in secluded locations.
Emergence of Treasure Hunters
News about Kidd’s buried wealth sparks extensive searches for hidden treasure along coastal areas. Stories spread about recovered artifacts like coins bearing Moorish engravings, which local inhabitants regard with superstition and dread.
Many accounts involve supernatural elements, frequently invoking the devil during treasure hunts. These tales often describe deceptive phenomena—such as collapsing pits or eerie apparitions—that prevent seekers from accessing concealed caches.
Discovery of an Aged Pistol
The narrative concludes with a group of fishermen uncovering an unusual elongated pistol thought to date back to Kidd’s time. This find leads one participant to share a story about someone who once retrieved Kidd’s buried riches—a narrative that continues in the subsequent chapter, "The Devil and Tom Walker."
Impact
Together with other works by Irving, this story played a pivotal role in shaping American pirate folklore and legends concerning buried treasure.