Such a gentleman as this would be welcome in his counting-house, even if he did but little; his very appearance would reflect credit upon the establishment.

Dame Charter kept in the background; she had never been accustomed to associate with the aristocracy, but she did not forget that a cat may look at a king, and her eyes were very good.
"There were always little cracks in his skull," she said to herself.

"My husband used to tell me that.

Major Bonnet is quick at changing from one thing to another, and it needs sharp wits to follow him." After a time Major Bonnet proposed a row upon the harbour--he had brought a large boat, with four oarsmen, for this purpose.

Mr.
Delaplaine objected a little to this, fearing the presence of so many pirate vessels, but Bonnet loftily set aside such puerile objections.
"I am the business representative of the great Blackbeard," he said, "the most powerful pirate in the world.