Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-11-02
Copyright, AaO2, by D. Appleton Co.. New Yosa,
CHAPTER V.-CoNTINUED.


attention, and he might have remained
with the crew of the Royal James as
long as they were shut up in the
~atch-house had not some of the hairy
cut-throats themselves taken pity upon
him and assured the guards that this
man was not one of them, and that
tney knew from what they had heard
him say and seen him do that there
was no more determined enemy OF
piracy In all the Western continent. So
1t happened, that after some weeks Of
confinement Greenway was let out of
the watch-house and allowed to find
quarters for himself.
The first day the Scotchman was free
he went to the provost-marshals house
and petitioned an interview with his
old master. Bonnet.
"Heigho!" cried the latter, who was
comfortably seated in a chair reading a
letter. And where do you come from,
Ben Greenway? l had thought you
were dead and buried in the Cape Fear
River"
Eye did not think was Dead" re-
Piled Ben, when l seized We an held
We an kept We from buryin' yourself in
that same river.
Bonnet waved his hand. mo more
of that said he; Il was unfortunate,
out that is over now and things have
turned out better than any man could
have expected"
Better" exclaimed Ben. Il VOW
know not what that means"
Bonnet laughed He was looking
very we'll; he was shaved, and wore a
neat alit of clothes.
Ben Greenway," said ne, you are
now looking upon man of high dis
uncti0n. At this moment I am the
greatest pirate on the face of the earth.
Yes, 0reenway, the greatest pirate on
the face of the earth. I have a letter
here, which was received by the pro-
vost-marshal and which he gave me to
read, which tells that Blackboard, the
nrst pirate of his age, is dead. There
fore, Ben Greenway, take his place,
and there is no living pirate greater
than I am
An We pride yourself on that, an at
this moment?" asked Ben, truly
amazed.
THAT do l." said Bonnet. and
think of it, Ben Greenway, that pre-
sumptuous, overbearing Blackboard was
killed. and his head brought away
sticking up on the bow of a vessel.
What rare sight that must have been,
Ben! Think Of his long beard, all tied
up with ribbons, stuck up on the bow
Of ship!'
AN We are now the head dell on
earth?" said Ben.
"You can put it that way, if you
like" said Bonnet, "but l am not
so looked upon in this town. l am an
honored person. l doubt very much il
any prisoner in this country was ever
treated with the distinction that is
shown me, but l don't wonder at it;
l have the reputation of two great
pirates Joined in one-the pirate Bon
net, of the dreaded ship Revenge, and
the terrible Thomas of the Royal
James. My man, there are people in
this town who have been to me and
who have said that man so famous
should not even be imprisoned. I have
good reason to believe that it will not
be long before pardon papers are made
out for me, and that I may go my
way"
"An' your men," asked Greenway.
"Will they go free or will they be hung
like common pirates?"
Bonnet frowned impatiently. 81
don't want to hear anything about the
men," he said; "of course they will be
hung. What could be done with them
II they were not hung? But it is en-
-u1ely different with me- am a most
respectable person, and, now that am
willing to resign my piratical career,
having won in it all the glory that can
come to one man, that responsibility
must be considered"
'Weel, weel," said the Scotchman:
IAN when it comes that respectabeelity
Is better for mans soul an body than
righteousness, then I am no fit coun-
sellor for We, Master Bonnet" and he
took his leave.
The next morning, when Ben Green
way left his lodging he found the town
in an uproar. The pirate Bonnet had
bribed his sentinels and, with some
others, had escaped. Ben stood still
and stamped his foot. Such infamy,
such perfidy to the authorities who had
treated him so well, the Scotchman
could not at first imagine, but when
the truth became plain to him, his face
glowed, his eye burned; this vile con-
duct of his old master was triumph
to Ben's principles. Wickedness was
wickedness, and could not be washed
away by respectability.
The days passed on; Bonnet was re-
captured, more securely imprisoned,
put upon trial, found guilty, and, in
spite of the efforts of the advocates of
responsibility, was condemned to be
hung on the same spot where nearly
all the members of his pirate crew had
been executed.
During all this time Ben Greenway
kept away from his old master; he had
borne ill-treatment of every kind, but
the deception practised upon him
when, at his latest interview, Bonnet
talked to him of his responsibility, hav-
ing already planned his escape and re-
turn to his evil ways, was too much for
the honest Scotchman. He had done
with this man, faithless to friend and
foe, to his own blood, and even to his
own bad reputation. T. :. -"
But not quite done. It was but half
IN hour before the time fixed for the
pirates execution that Ben Greenway
gained access to him. =. .:. - >E&=
What" cried Bonnet, raising his
head from his hands. you here? I