absent by the space of three days, returned to
Gardner's Island again in Company of another Sloop belonging to New
York, Cornelius Quick, Master, on board of which were one Thomas Clarke
of Setauket, commonly called Whisking Clarke, and one Harrison of
Jamaica, father to a boy that was with Capt. Kidd, and Capt. Kidd's
Wife was then on board his own Sloop.

And Quick remained with his Sloop there from noon to the evening of the
same day, and took on board two Chests that came out of Kidd's Sloop,
under the observance of this Narrator, and he believes several Goods
more and then Sailed up the Sound. Kidd remained there with his Sloop
until next morning, and then set sail intending, as he said, for
Boston. Further the Narrator saith that the next day after Quick
sailed with his Sloop from Gardner's Island he saw him turning out of a
Bay called Oyster Pan Bay, altho' the wind was all the time fair to
carry him up the Sound. The Narrator supposes he went in thither to
land some Goods.

JOHN GARDINER.

Boston, July 17th, 1699.

The Narrator, John Gardiner, under Oath before his Excellency and
Council unto the truth of his Narrative in this sheet of paper.

ADDINGTON, Sec'ry."

This artless recital has every earmark of truth, and it was confirmed
in detail by other witnesses and later events. Before we fall to
digging up the treasure of Gardiner's Island, carried ashore in the
"Chest and box of Gold," it is well to follow those other goods which
were carried away in the sloops about which so much has been said by
John Gardiner. No more is heard of that alluring figure, "the little
black man, unknown by name, who as it was said had been formerly Capt.
Kidd's Quarter-Master," but "Whisking" Clarke was duly overhauled. All
of the plunder transferred from Kidd's sloop to those other craft was
consigned to him, and some of it was put ashore at Stamford, Conn., in
charge of a Major Sellick who had a warehouse hard by the Sound.
Clarke was arrested by order of Bellomont and gave a bond of L12,000
that he would deliver up all to the government. This he did, without
doubt, but legend has been busy with this enterprising "Whisking"
Clarke.

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[Illustration: John Gardiner's sworn statement of the goods and
treasure left with him by Kidd.]

Governor Bellomont's endorsement of the official inventory of Kidd's
treasure found on Gardiner's Island.