And the man who had safely brought two good ships, richly laden, into the harbour of Belize, and who had given Blackbeard the information which made him understand the character of Captain Bonnet and how easy it would be to take possession of his person and his vessels, and who had done everything in his power to enable the black-hearted pirate to secure to himself Bonnet’s property and crews, and who had only asked in return an actual command where before he had commanded in fact though not in name, fled away from the false confederate to whom he had just given wealth and increased prestige.

The last words of the unfortunate Bittern sunk quickly and deeply into the heart of Dickory.  If he should really go overboard with a bullet in his brain, farewell to Kate Bonnet, farewell to his mother!  He was yet a very young man, and it had been but a little while since he had been wandering barefooted over the ships at Bridgetown, selling the fruit of his mother’s little farm.  Since that he had loved and lived so long that he could not calculate the period, and now he was a man and stood trembling at the point where he was to decide to begin life as a pirate or end everything.  Before Blackbeard had turned his lowering visage from his retreating benefactor, Dickory had decided that, whatever might happen, he would not of his own free-will leave life and fair Kate Bonnet.

“And so you are to be my first lieutenant,” said Blackbeard, his face relaxing.  “I am glad of that.  There was nothing needed on this ship but a decent man.  I have put one on my old vessel, and if there were another to be found in the Gulf of Honduras, I’d clap him on that goodly bark.  Now, sir, down to your berth, and don your naval finery.  You’re always to wear it; you’re not fit to wear the clothes of a real sailor, and I have no landsman’s toggery on this ship.”

Dickory bowed—­he could not speak—­and went below.  When next he appeared on deck he wore the ex-Captain Bonnet’s uniform and the tall plumed hat.

“It is for Kate’s sweet sake,” he said to himself as he mounted the companion-way; “for her sake I’d wear anything, I’d do anything, if only I may see her again.”

When the new first lieutenant showed himself upon the quarter-deck there was a general howl from the crew, and peal after peal of derisive laughter rent the air.

Then Blackbeard stepped quietly forward and ordered eight of the jeerers to be strung up and flogged.

“I would like you all to remember,” said the master pirate, “that when I appoint an officer on this ship, there is to be no sneering at him nor any want of respect, and it strikes me that I shall not have to say anything more on the subject—­to this precious crew, at any rate.”

The next day lively times began on board the two rich prizes which the pirate Blackbeard had lately taken.  There had been scarcely more hard work and excitement, cursing and swearing when the rich freight had been taken from the merchantmen which had originally carried it.  Poor Bonnet’s pen worked hard at lists and calculations, for Blackbeard was a practical man, and not disposed to loose and liberal dealings with either his men or the tradefolk ashore.