Willmar tribune., 1904-08-17

ne Q1d not want anything moro to ca
or to drink, and he was, in fact, quit
ready to take his leave. The vesse
had not pleased him and had give,
him an idea of the true pirates lif
which he had never had before.
Blackboard seated. himself on tn
other side of the table, on which b
rested his massive arms. Behind hin
Ben Greenway stooo in the door way
For a few moments Blackboard sa
and gazed at Bonnet, and then he said
"Look ye, Stede Bonnet, do you know
you are now as much out of plac
as a red herring would be at the to]
of the mainmast?"
Bonnet flushed. II fear, Capt
Blackboard" he said, II very mucl
fear me tnat you are right; this is n
place for me. have paid my respect
to you, and now, If you please, will
take my leave. have not been graft
! fed by the conduct of your crew, bu
I did not expect that their captai,
would address me in such discourteou
words" And with this he reached on
his hand for his hat.
Blackboard brought down his han.
heavily upon the table.
"Sit where you are!" he exclaimed
II have that to say to you which yo,
shall hear whether you like my vessel
my crew or me. You are no sailor
Stede Bonnet, of Bridgetown, and 20,
don't belong to the free companions
who are all good men and true an,
can sail the ships they command. Yo,
are defrauder and a cheat; you ar
nothing but a landsman, a plow-tai
sugar planter!"
At this insult Bonnet rose to hi
feet and his hand went to mis- sword.
"Sft down." roared Blackboard: al
you do not listen to me I'll cut OF
this parley and your head together
Sit down, SIR"
Bonnet sat down, pale now an,
trembling with rage. He was not ,
coward, but on board this ship he mus
give heed to the words OF the des
perado who commanded it.
"You have no right" continued
Blackboard. Ito strut about on tn,
quarterback of that fine vessel, tn,
Revenge; you have no right to hois
above you the jolly Roger, and 70,
have no right to lie right and lef
and tell people you are a pirate.
pirate, forsooth! you are no pirate
A pirate is sailor, and you are NJ
sailor! You are no better than
blind man led by dog-if the dol
breaks away from him he is lost, ant
if the sailing-mastefs you pick up on,
after. another break away from you
you are lost. It is a cursed shame
Stede Bonnet, and it shall be NJ
longer. At this moment, by my owl
right and for the sake of every maj
who sails under the Jolly Roger, tax,
away from you the command Of tn,
Revenge"
Now Bonnet could not refrain from
springing to his feet "Take from
me the Revenge!" he cried, my owl
vessel, bought with my own money
And how say you I am not a pirate
From Massachusetts, down the coas
into these very waters I have preyet
upon commerce, I have taken prizes
l have burned ships, have made my
name terror"
Now his voice grew stronger ant
his tones more angry, -. :..F--.-.-...
mot pirate!" he cried. "Go asl
the galleons and the merchantmen
have stripped and burned; go ask theil
crews, now wandering in misery upo1
desert shores, If they be not alread,
dead. And by what right, I ask, d.
you come to such an one as an
and, declare that, having put me in >th'
position of prisoner on your ship
you will take away my own?"
Blackboard gazed at him with half
closed eyes, malicious smile upo1
his face.
Il have no right" he said; II neet
no right; am pirate!"
At these words Bonnet's legs weak
ened under him and he sank dow1
upon the bench. AS he did so HI
glanced at Ben Greenway as If he werl
the only person on earth to whom
he could look for help, but to hi:
amazement he saw before him a fac'
almost jubilant, and beheld the Scotch
man, his eyes uplifted and his hand.
clasped as if in thankful prayer.