On the side of the folded sheet he could see the superscription, boldly but irregularly written: "Miss Kate Bonnet, Kingston, Ja." Dickory sat upright, his eyes hard-fixed and burning.

How long he sat he knew not.

How long his brain burned inwardly, as his eyes burned outwardly, he knew not.

The noise of the watch going on deck roused him, and in a moment he had the letter in his hands.
All that day Dickory Charter was worth nothing to anybody.

Blackbeard swore at him and pushed him aside.