"Rather I would have supposed that you would keep away from them as far as you could.

For myself, I would have them a hundred miles distant if it were possible." Bonnet laughed loftily.

"It will be visits of ceremony that we shall pay, and with all due ceremony shall we be received.

Pull out to that vessel!" he said to the oarsmen.

Then, turning to the others, he remarked: "That sloop is the Dripping Blade, commanded by Captain Sorby, whose name strikes terror throughout the Spanish Main.