Whatever vile deeds that Major Bonnet may henceforth be guilty o' ye'll be responsible for them a', Dickory, for every ane o' them." "He's bad enough, Ben," said the other, "and it's many a wicked deed he may do yet, but I am going to carry news of him to his daughter if I can; and what's more, I am not going to stay behind and be hanged, even if it is in such good company as Major Bonnet and you, Ben Greenway." Whatever should happen on the rest of that voyage; whether the well-intentioned treachery of Ben Greenway, or the secret villainies of the crew, should prevail; whether disaster or success should come to the planter pirate, Dickory Charter resolved in his soul that a message from her father should go to Kate Bonnet, and that he should carry it.
* * * * * The spirits of Dickory rose very much as the bow of the Revenge was pointed southward.

Every mile that the pirate vessel sailed brought him nearer to the delivery of his message--a message which, while it told of her father's wicked career, still told her of his safety and of his steadfast affection for her.

Indirectly, the bringing of such a message, and the story of how the bearer brought it, might have another effect, which, although he had no right to expect, was never absent from Dickory's soul.

This ardent young lover did not believe in Master Martin Newcombe.

He had no good reason for not believing in him, but his want of faith did not depend upon reason.