As Dickory would have no orders to give, there would be no need of obedience, and Black Paul would have no chance to interfere with anything.
* * * * * When Bonnet had been left by Blackbeard--who, having said all he had to say, hurried up the companion-way to attend to the rest of his plans--the stately naval officer who had so recently occupied the bench by the table shrunk into a frightened farmer, gazing blankly at Ben Greenway.
"Think you, Ben," he said in half a voice, "that this is one of that man's jokes! I have heard that he has a fearful taste for horrid jokes." The Scotchman shook his head.

"Joke! Master Bonnet," he exclaimed, "it is no joke.

He has ta'en your ship from ye; he has ta'en from ye your sword, your pistols, an' your wicked black flag, an' he has made evil impossible to ye.

He has ta'en from ye the shame an' the wretched wickedness o' bein' a pirate.

Think o' that, Master Bonnet, ye are no longer a pirate.