Captain Kidd

1

Madagascar...

For centuries the bloodiest

cock pit of all the seas.

Where the infamous

brotherhood of the damned

Waited to plunder the treasure laden

galleons from India and Catay.

Then returned drunk with slaughter

To their pirate stronghold,

the 'Last Hope'.

Most ruthless of all was

Captain William Kidd...

He encountered the great London galleon

the Twelve Apostles...

Commanded by Admiral Lord Blayne

And approaching unsuspected in the guise of

a peaceful merchant...

By a sudden treacherous salvo

he reduced her to a burning hulk.

When night fell...

the Twelve Apostles was only

a blazing funeral pyre...

on the placid surface

of a Madagascar lagoon.

Bless me!

There's a pretty sight.

It will be prettier still when the

fire reaches the magazine, Captain.

Pity though.

Lot of stout seamen among them.

And they was with us for a long time.

We can none of us live forever Mr Boyle..

And dead men don't talk.

Man your oars, we've got this job

to do before high tide.

There!

Dig faster, if the tide

catches us here..

It'll save the Kings hangman

some rope.

There ye are.

Deep enough to bury a man in.

Give us a hand, mate.

- All ready, Captain.

- Down she goes.

What are you waiting for?

Well Captain, that chest's been

in your cabin a longish time.

We all thought as it would do no harm

to open up that chest...

And make sure that

what was in it then...

Is in it now.

I suppose you

remember what was in it.

Aye.

I remember an emerald necklace that came

off that Portuguese ship, El Vengar.

And all those pearls that we took

from the big ship.

The Virgin Queen.

I remember a diamond medallion...

We got from that Moorish galleon

off Madagascar...

And could we ever forget that silver casket

With the arms of Lord Blayne

that you claimed for yourself...

After the taking of the

Twelve Apostles, sir?

Your neck will be stretched as long as

your memory one of this days.

Satisfied, gallows meat?

Put them back!

Lower away!

Now what?

Wait a minute Captain, there's

something else you forgot.

What do you want now, we got half an hour

before the tide traps us...

That's as may be, sir.

We are all equal in this I take it?

Equal shares, yes.

That key then, what you

put back in your belt.

That goes down with the chest!

Thus we start all clear and no favours.

If some some of us don't get back...

It'll will be that much easier to open

for them that does.

Question me honor again would you,

and I'll rip you...

From belly to chime.

Are we such callous rascals...

That we would leave

a dead comrade...

Without commending his soul

to his new master?

Here lies one who

through treachery...

And avarice...

Would have placed in jeopardy

the lives of honest men.

And here may he lie forever.

In the sands of Madagascar.

Rest in peace.

It's time to be out my lads,

time to be away.

If a gentleman is a gentleman,

he's gentleman.

That's all there's to it, sir

I'm one of nature's gentlemen,

but I need polish my good man..

If I'm to improve myself...

A gentleman employs the terminology

'my good man'...

Only when addressing lower servants...

Or his inferior, sir.

You see?

That's why I need you.

My upbringing...

A gentleman never sucks his teeth, sir.

Many a man's social career

has been ruined by less, sir.

You seem to know your business.

I want the best mind

and I can pay for it.

Hundred quid a year.

An infallible mark

of the person of quality...

Is his reluctance to pay his domestics

high wages.

You don't say so.

Merely an idiosyncrasy

of good breeding, sir.

Sixty... quid a year then?

You realize I have never been

on board a ship before, sir.

Oh don't let that frighten you.

To the contrary.

In fact, since I was a nipper...

I've had a rather

adventurous inclination...

towards life on the bounding main.

It should be quite educational, sir.

You'll learn a lot, no doubt.

- Is it a bargain then?

- Very well, sir.

My hand on it?

Court Calendar

Upon the solicitation

of My Lord Bellomont...

His Majesty is graciously

pleased to Order...

To Attend upon him

at Hampton Court...

Upon the morning of November 13,

at nine of the clock...

Captain William Kidd, shipmaster,

of New York...

With intent to discuss

a voyage of portent...

To the waters of India

and Madagascar.

Then...

It is your proposal, my Lord Bellomont...

That Captain Kidd...

Sail to meet our ambassador

Lord Fallsworth...

And give him safe convoy through

the perilous waters of Madagascar.

May it please Your Majesty, yes.

That need a bold and adventurous man.

Bring in this Captain Kidd

while we take the measure of him.

Captain William Kidd.

Your Royal Majesty.

And other Lords.

Bellomont, is this your roaring killer

of Spanish buccaneers?

Nay, me Ludd...

I'm only a peaceful shipmaster who

must do trade with other ships...

Without inquiring too closely

about their business.

And it was so I fell into the

hands of the Twelve Apostles.

A King's ship turned pirate.

In Madagascar waters?

I have never been in Madagascar waters,

your Grace.

It was off the southern

tip of Africa...

Where I had gone to trade

in elephant's teeth.

Who commanded her?

One of your admirals, Your Majesty.

Name of Lord Blayne.

He did turn pirating.

Sufficiently, me Ludd...

To put fear in honest traders, like myself.

And if you are succesful

in this voyage, Captain...

What reward do you expect?

May it please Your Majesty...

Having forfeited me honor in that I was

forced to strike me colors to a pirate...

I want no reward but to regain it...

In the service of Your Majesty.

Unless it be, is it true...

That Lord Blayne's lands are estreated

and his title forfeit.

Yes.

All, well, all I ask is...

If I lay this renegade

nobleman by the heels...

Is that you honor the humble self...

With his castle and his lands.

Is that all you want, Captain Kidd?

Not a farthing more, Your Majesty.

The fellow treats of a title so lightly...

He must be bursting with noble blood.

Though I confess he keeps it well hid.

Aye sir, you can no more judge

of a man by his appearance...

Than you can judge the extent

of a nobleman's brains...

By the expensiveness of his wig.

Am I to suppose...

That the Captain of the King's Guard

would deign to fence...

With me?

Come, Captain.

Is your courage less than your wit?

Nay sir, I know nothing

of the fence.

You must come at me...

Quickly as though you'd kill me.

Very well then.

I ask pardon, Sire,

I've a hot head when roused.

I only meant to demonstrate.

And to good purpose, Captain.

Your Majesty is satisfied

with the Captain of our choosing?

I can think of none better.

I thank you, sir.

And now, Captain.

The main mission of your crew

will be to meet a great ship.

The Queda merchant...

Which is sailing from India

with vast treasures.

And to give her safe conduct,

in my name...

Past the perilous waters of Madagascar.

But Your Majesty...

Will her commander accept me letter of mark

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