The Cairo bulletin., 1904-07-30
CHAPTER XXXIlI.
II THE TIDE DECIDES.
T7TNgEyJ " ,-,s, 800 CT
saa.lN, - -
lT T was now September
e and the weather wal
CHAPTER ,XxxIII.

beautiful on the North
Carolina coast Capt Thomas Gate
Bonnet) of the Royal james date Re-
yenge) had always enjoyed cool nights
and invigorating morning air, and
therefore it was that he said to his
faithful servitor, Ben Greenway, when
first he stepped out upon the deck us
his vessel lay comfortably anchored in
a little cove in the Cape Fear river
that he did not remember ever having
been in a more pleasant harbor. This
well-tried pirate captain-Stede Bon
net, as we shall call him, notwith-
standing his assumption of another
name-was in genial mood as he
drank In the morning air.
From his point of view he had right
To be genial; he had right TO be
pleased with the scenery and the air;
he had right to swear at the Scotch
man. and to ask ham why he did not
put on merrier visage on such q
Sparkling morning, for since he had
first started out as Capt Thomas of
the Royal James, he had been a most
successful pirate. He had sailed UP
the Virginia coast. he had burned, he
had sunk, he had robbed, he had slain;
he had gone up the Delaware bay, and
the people in ships and the people on
the coasts trembled even when they
heard that his black flag had been
sighted
No man could now say that the for
t,tx 81 IL ID n
accomplished and seasoned desperate.
Even the great Blackboard would not
have cared TO give him nicknames, nor
dared to play his blthesome tricks
upon him; he was now no more Capt.
Nightcap to any man. His crew OF
hairy ruftians had learned to under
stand that he knew what he wanted,
and, mere than that, he knew how TO
order it done They hstened to his
great oaths and they respected him
This powerful pirate now commanded
a small fleet, for in the cove where lay
his flagship also lay two good-sized
sloops, manned by their own crews,
which he had captured in Delaware
bay and had brought down with him
to this quiet spot, few miles up the
Cape Fear river. where now he was
repairing his own ship, which had had
hard time of ii since she had agaln
come into his hands.
For many long day the sound OF
the hammer and the saw had mingled
with the song of the birds, and Capt.
Bonnet felt that in day or two he
might again sail out upon the sea, con-
veying his two prizes 10 some icon
venient mart. while he, with his good
ship, freshened and restored. would go
in search of more victories, more booty,
and more blood.
There we're great prospects before
our pirate captain. Perhaps he might
have the grand good fortune to fall In
with that low-bo devil, Blackboard,
who, when last he had been heard
from, commanded but a small vessel,
fearing no attack upon this coast.
What A proud and glorious moment it
would be when a broadside and an
other and another should be poured
I'm upon his little craft from the long
guns of the Royal James.
Bonnet was still standing, rejecting.
with bright eyes. upon this dazzling
future. and wondering what would %
the best way of letting the dastardly
Blackboard know whose guns they
wore Which had sunk his ship, when
boat was seen coming around the head
land. This was one Of his own boats.
which had been posted as a sentinel,
and which now brought the news that
two vessels were coning in at the
mouth of the river, but that as the
distance was great and the night was
coming on they could not decide what
manner of craft they were.
This information made everybody
jump. on board the Royal James, and
the noise OF the saving and the ham
mering ceased as completely as had
the songs of the birds. In few min
utes that quick and able mariner, Bon
net. had sent three armed boats down
the river 10 reconnoiter. II the vessels |
entering the river we're merchantmen,
they should not be allowed to get
away: but If they we're enemies. al
though II was difficult to Understand
how enemies could make their appear
ance in these quiet waters. they must |
be attended TO. either by fight or flight |
When the three boats came back.
and IL was late before they appeared. |
every man upon the Royal James was
crowded along her side TO hear the
news, and even the people on the prizes |
knew that something had happened |
and stood upon every point Of vantage. |
hoping that in some way they could |
find out what Il was
The news brought by the boats was /
10 the effect that two vessels. not sail
ing as merchantm N and well armed I
and manned were row ashore on sand- !
bars. not very far above the mouth 4
81 the river Nov Bonnet swOre brave /
ID. II the work upon his vessel had /
been finished he would up anchor ald /
away and sail past these two grounded I
ships. whatever they we're and what
ever they came for. lie would sail t
past them and take with him his two (
prizes: he would glide OHt TO sea with +
the tide. and he would laugh et them 4
as he left them behind. But the boyal /
James was not ready to sail.
The tide vas INV low fre hours 4