As each man thinks he will be the one chosen, they all agree, but, to their anger, Green deposits his ballot for himself. He at once asserts his authority, and declares his intention of taking the name of their dead leader.
They reluctantly agree, when a stranger appears in the person of an asthetic poet, Algernon Lovelace, who sings "A poet am I."
The chorus rush in upon him and terrify him by singing "Oh, mamma won't you buy me that?"
The poet, it seems, has left home because he has been rejected by his sweetheart, Lithia Waters, and is wandering in search of an aesthetic pool in which to drown himself.
He is persuaded, however, on promise of being made poet laureate of the pirates, to give up his scheme and join the band.
The pirates sing a slumber song and retire to rest, the new Kidd discreetly picking up the picture of Lithia, which Lovelace has thrown away.
Now enter Tabitha Green, in search of her missing husband, and Lithia, in search of her lover, as he has fallen heir to an estate and baronetcy. They are disguised as Quakers and do a neat song and dance as their introduction.
She is soon surprised by Kidd, who on learning who she is and what is the good fortune of Algernon, declares himself as her long-lost lover, changed beyond recognition by his lost life.
She is incredulous, but the display of her picture clears all doubts and she flies to his arms, giving an opportunity for a love duet, "Within this heart of mine."
Meanwhile the pirates have been having a little fun with Algernon and his suicidal pools. He rushes off to commit suicide in real earnest, and Kidd's path is clear.
The pirates are won over by promises of pardons through the new baron's influence, and the curtain falls on the chorus singing "Hail to Algernon, the royal baron."
In the second act the pirates are busy making preparations for the approaching marriage. They are singing a bridal chorus. But the villain Bloodso is plotting against Kidd, and he soon finds a helper in the real Algernon, who reappears, disconsolate, because he can not find a pool deep enough for his purpose.
Kidd enters, slightly under the influence of numerous potations, and has a very ludicrous scene with his wife, who does not recognize him in his piratical disguise. The whole second act is full of clever songs and dances, which have little to do with the plot.
At last the wedding procession of pirates appears, all gayly dressed for the ceremony. They sing a stately wedding march.
At the last minute the missing Lovelace rushes in, and Lithia at once flies to him. But when Kidd shows that the poet has discarded her picture she becomes cold once more, and Kidd is at the point of triumph when Tabitha appears upon the scene, and, at the instigation of Bloodso, discovers at last her husband.
Every one is thus brought together, and the opera ends with the chorus singing:
Trust in thy star of love
Safely to guide thee.