of a pirate ship ought to be the most severe and rigid man on board, and so, at the slightest sign of insubordination, his grumbling men were put in chains or flogged, and it was Bonnet’s habit at such times to strut about the deck with loaded pistols, threatening to blow out the brains of any man who dared to disobey him.  Recognizing that although their captain was no sailor he was a first-class tyrant, the rebellious crew kept their grumbling to themselves and worked his ship.

Bonnet now pointed the bow of the Revenge southward—­that is, he requested somebody else to see that it was done—­and sailed to the Bay of Honduras, which was a favorite resort of the pirates about that time.  And here it was that he first met with the famous Captain Blackbeard.  There can be no doubt that our amateur pirate was very glad indeed to become acquainted with this well-known professional, and they soon became good friends.  Blackbeard was on the point of organizing an expedition, and he proposed that Bonnet and his vessel should join it.  This invitation was gladly accepted, and the two pirate captains started out on a cruise together.  Now the old reprobate, Blackbeard, knew everything about ships and was a good navigator, and it was not long before he discovered that his new partner was as green as grass in regard to all nautical affairs.  Consequently, after having thought the matter over for a time, he made up his mind that Bonnet was not at all fit to command such a fine vessel as the one he owned and had fitted out, and as pirates make their own laws, and perhaps do not obey them if they happen not to feel like it, Blackbeard sent for Bonnet to come on board his ship, and then, in a manner as cold-blooded as if he had been about to cut down a helpless prisoner, Blackbeard told Bonnet that he was not fit to be a pirate captain, that he intended to keep him on board his own vessel, and that he would send somebody to take charge of the Revenge.

This was a fall indeed, and Bonnet was almost stunned by it.  An hour before he had been proudly strutting about on the deck of a vessel which belonged to him, and in which he had captured many valuable prizes, and now he was told he was to stay on Blackbeard’s ship and make himself useful in keeping the log book, or in doing any other easy thing which he might happen to understand.  The green pirate ground his teeth and swore bitterly inside of himself, but he said nothing openly; on Blackbeard’s ship Blackbeard’s decisions were not to be questioned.

Chapter XXV

Bonnet again to the Front

It must not be supposed that the late commander of the Revenge continued to be satisfied, as he sat in the cabin of Blackbeard’s vessel and made the entries of the day’s sailing and various performances.  He obeyed the orders of his usurping partner because he was obliged to do so, but he did not hate Blackbeard any the less because he had to keep quiet about it.  He accompanied his pirate chief on various cruises, among which was the famous expedition to the harbor of Charles Town where Blackbeard traded Mr. Wragg and his companions for medicines.