The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-07-28
CHAPTER XXI
CAPTAIN THOMAS OF THE ROYAL
JAMES


ANsM Topsail Inlet, stede
Bonnet. wno had not been informed OF
the intentions Of the pirate, was a
good deal puzzled. Since joining Black
boards fleet in the vessel which came
UP from Belize. Bonnet had considered
himself very shabbily treated. and his
reasons for that opinion were not bad.
During tine engagements off Charles
Town his services had not been re-
CURED and his opinion had not seen
consulted, Blackboard having no use
for the one and no respect for the
other. The pirate captain had taken a
fancy to Ben Greenway. while his con-
tempt for the Scotchman's master in
creased day by day: and 1t was for this
reason that Greenway had been taken
on board the flagship, while Bonnet
remained on one of the smaller vessels.
Bonnet was in a disconnected and
somewhat sulky mood, but when Black
boards full plans were made known to
him and he found that he might again
resume command of his own vessel the
Revenge, If he chose to do so. his eyes
began 10 sparkle once more
Ben Greenway soon resumed his for
mer position with Bonnet, for 1t did
not take Blackboard very long to settle
up his affairs. and In very short time
he became tired of the work of CONVEX
sion; or. to speak more correctly, OF
The bore Of talking about it. Bonnet
was glad to have the Scotchman back
again, although he never ceased to de-
clare his desire to get rid of this faith
full friend and helper; for. when the
Revenge again came into his hands.
there were many things to be done. and
few people to help him do it,
1T will be merchandise an fair
trade this time" said Ben, IAN yen
ind II mo- SO easy as your piracies,
though safer. An when ye're off to
see the governor an haze got your par,
don, itll be alhappy day. Master Bon
net. for 20 an for your daughter, an
for your brother-in-law an everybody
in Bridgetown wha either knew we or
respected ye."
mo more OF that" cried Bonnet Il
did not say ! was going to Bridgetown,
or that wanted anybody there to re-
spect me. 1t is my purpose to fit out
the Revenge as a privateer and get
commission to sail in her in the war
between Spain and the Allies. This
win be Inuch more to my taste, Ben
Greonway. than trading in sugar and
hides"
Greenway was very grave.
"There is so little difference" said
he, between a privateer an q pirate |
that II is great strain on a common |
mind to keep them separate but a |
commission from the king Is better
than commission from the dell, an
we'll hope there won't be much o.
war after all is said an done"
There was not much intercourse be-
tween Blackboard and Bonnet at Top |
sail Inlet. The pirate was on very |
good terms with the authorities at
that place, who for their own sakB
cared not much to interfere with him.
and Bonnet had his own work in hand
md industriously engaged in IL. He
went to Bath and got his pardon; he
4
where he freely announced his inten-
ton TO take out a commission IS
privateer, and he fitted out his vess Il
as best he could. OF men he had not
many, but when he left tho inlet he
sailed down 10 an island ON the coast,
where Blackboard, having had too
many men on his return from Charles
Town, had marooned large number
Of the sailors belonging to his different
crews finding this he easiest way OF
getting rid CT them. Bonnet took these
men on board With the avowed inten-
ton OF taking them TO 81. Thomas, and
then he set sail upon the high seas rs
free and untrammelled as fish-hawk
sweeping over the surface of harbor
with clearance papers tied TO his leg.
It'll be glad day at Spanish Town
when Mistress Kate shall get my let
ter"
And what have YOU been writing
TO herr" cried Bonnet.
Il told her" said Ben Greenway
how at last-ye hae come TO your right
mind, an how we are true servant o
the king. wi your pardon Ia your
pocket an your commission waitin
Tor ye at St Thomas, an that, what
ever else ye may do at sea. therell be
no more black flag foatin over you
head, nor a see-saw plank wobblin' I'M
der the feet O onybody else. The days
D your piracies are over, an ye're an
honest uon once more"
you wrote her that" said Bonnet,
with a frown.
"Ay." said Greenway. ian ! left it in
he care o. a good mon. whose ship is
Teel on its way TO Kingston by this
lay"
That afternoon Capt. Bonnet called
III his men together and addressed
hem.
He made a very good speech, bet
er one than that delivered when ne
irst took real command of the Re-
Eenge after sailing out of the river at
and it was listened to
With respectful and earnest interest :