"This hand is free from the stain of human blood.

Do you believe me, Mary ?" The widow did not answer.

She sat like one bereft of all power of speech or motion.
"I will explain," resumed the pirate captain, drawing a long breath, and directing his looks to Henry now.
"For reasons which it is not necessary that you should know, I resolved some years ago to become a pirate.

I had been deceived--shamefully deceived and wronged--by wealthy and powerful men.

I had appealed to the law of my country, and the law refused to right me.