Blackbeard swore at him a great approbative oath.

"A brave boy!" he cried, "and fit to carry messages if for nothing else.

And what is this nonsense about a daughter ?" said he to Bonnet.

"We abide no such creatures in the ranks of the free companions; we drown them like kittens before we hoist the Jolly Roger." When Blackbeard's boat left the ship's side the departing chieftain fired his pistols in the air as long as their charges lasted, while the motley desperadoes of the Revenge gave him many a parting yell.

Then all the boats of the Revenge were lowered, and every man who could crowd into them left their ship for the shore.