Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-04-07

you would keep away from them as far as you could. For myself, I would have them hundred miles distant If 1t were possible"
 Bonnet laughed loftily. Tt will be visits of ceremony that we shall pay, and with all due ceremony shall we be received. Pull out to that vessel" he said to the oarsmen. Then, turning to the others, he remarked: That sloop is the Dripping Blade, commanded by Capt Sorby, whose name strikes terror throughout the Spanish Main. Ay! and in other parts of the ocean, can as- sure you, for he has sailed noFthward nearly as far as have, but he has not yet rivaled me. I know him, having done business with him on shore. He is a most portentous person., as yoo will soon sec"
 tOh, father!' cried Kate, ''dol't t5ko us there; it will kill us just to look upon such dreadful pirates. I pray you turn the boat!"
 "Oh! If Dickory were here," gasped { Dame Charter, The would turn the boar | himself; he would never allow me to be taken among those awful wretches." MT. DeIaplaine said nothing. It was too late to expostulate, but he trem- 1 bled as he sat.
 q cannot turn back, my dear" said I Bonnet, "even if would for the great Sorby is now on deck, ard looking at us as we approach"
 As the boat drew up by the side of the Dripping Blade the renowned Sor- 1 by looked down over the side. He was a red-headed man; his long hair and beard dyed yellow in some places by 1 the sun. He was g1ievous to look up l on, and like to create in the mind of an imaginative person the image of a l sun-burned devil on holiday.
 rGood-day to you! Good-day, Sir Bonnet cried the pirate captain: :; .'come on board come on board. all of you, wife, daughter, father, if such they be! We'll let down ladder and l shall feast you finely
 l Nay, nay, good Capt Sorby." re- k piled Bonnet, with courteous dignity, my family and have just stopped to pay you our respects. They have all heard of your great prowess, for have told them. They may never have a chance again to look upon another of your fame"
 Heaven grant it!'' said Dame Char ter in her heart. .'If I get out of this f I stay upon dry land forever"
 Every pirate face on board that ill., l conditioned sloop now glared over her rail, their eyes fixed upon the goodly company in the little boat, their horrid hair and boards stained and matted it would have been hard to tell Dy what.
 sOh, father, father!" panted Kate. please row away. What if they should now jump down upon us?" "Good-day, good-day, my brave capt Sorby, said Bonnet, we must e'en row away; we have other craft to visit. but would first do honor to you and your bold crew"
 Capt Sorby lifted high lis great be- spattered hat, and every grinning de- mon of the crew waved hat or rag or l pail or cutlass and set up discordant l yell in honor of their departing visit l ors.
 "Oh! go not to another, father, . l pleaded Kate, her pale face in tears; "visit no more of them. I pray you!" | y, said MT. Delaplaine. I am no coward, but vow to you that I shall die of fright if come close to another of those floating hells."
 There are other ships whose cap- tains I know said Bonnet, '.and where you would have been we'll re- ceived; but if your nerves are not strong enough for the courtesies have to offer, we will return to the Be- linda"
 ,l When safe again on board their ves- sel, after the sudden termination oi l their projected tour of calls on pirates Kate took her father aside and entered into earnest conversation with him while MT. Delaplaine, much ruffied in his temper. although in general of s most mild disposition, said aside tc Dame Charter: "He is as mad as g March hare. What other parent or this earth would convey his fair youna daughter into the society of these vile beasts, which in his eyes are valiant heroes? We must get him back with us, Dame Charter, we must get him a back. And if he cannot be constrained by love and goodwill to decent and a Christian life, we must shut him up. And if his daughter weeps and raves. we must cen stiffen our determination and shut him up. It shall be my pur- pose now to hasten the return of the brig. There's rooEa enough for all, and he and the Scotchman must go back with us. The governor shall deal with him; and. whether it be on my estate or behind strong bars. he shall spend the rest of his days upon the island of Jamaica, and so know the sea ID more"
 The captain of the DeliA>lS wAS very willing to make profitable voyage back to Jamaica, but his vessel must be well laden before he could do this Goods enough there were at Belize for that purpose, for Blackbeard's supplies were all for sale, and his chief clerk, Bonnet, had the selling of them So, all parties being like-minded, the Be- Il linda soon began to take on goods for