Prologue



A very famous pirate of his day was Captain Robertson Keitt.

Before embarking upon his later career of infamy, he was, in the
beginning, very well known as a reputable merchant in the island
of Jamaica. Thence entering, first of all, upon the business of
the African trade, he presently, by regular degrees, became a
pirate, and finally ended his career as one of the most renowned
freebooters of history.

The remarkable adventure through which he at once reached the
pinnacle of success, and became in his profession the most famous
figure of his day, was the capture of the Rajah of Kishmoor's
great ship, The Sun of the East. In this vessel was the Rajah's
favorite Queen, who, together with her attendants, were set upon
a pilgrimage to Mecca. The court of this great Oriental potentate
was, as may be readily supposed, fairly a-glitter with gold and
jewels, so that, what with such personal adornments that the
Queen and her attendants had fetched with them, besides an ample
treasury for the expenses of the expedition, an incredible prize
of gold and jewels rewarded the freebooters for their successful
adventure.

Among the precious stones taken in this great purchase was the
splendid ruby of Kishmoor. This, as may be known to the reader,