172 DUTCH AND ENGLISH ON THE HUDSON

cruising along the American coast without achiev-
ing the capture of any pirate ships Kidd set sail for
the Red Sea and reached the coast of Madagascar
in the fall of 1697. Here again he found no trace
of the corsairs, who had probably been forewarned
of his coming.

Kidd then took on water and provisions and
proceeded to the coast of Madagascar. Still no
pirates. Water and provisions were running low,
and the crew threatened mutiny unless they were
allowed to take up the business of piracy on their
own account. Kidd thereupon decided to yield,
and the Adventure-Galley began by capturing sev-
eral vessels owned by the Great Mogul, as well
as some ships sailing under French colors. In
December, 1698, Kidd captured an East India
ship named the Quedagh Merchant. The Adven-
ture-Galley being in bad condition, Kidd set the
crew of the Quedagh Merchant on shore, took pos-
session of the ship, burned his old one, and set sail
in his new vessel for Madagascar.

In spite of their rich spoils, the mutineers re-
mained sullen, and many deserted. The men's
discontent led to an altercation with William
Moore, a gunner, in the course of which Kidd hit
him on the head with a bucket. The resulting