If the officers of the law, having disposed of Captain Bonnet, had now come to the ship, he had no sufficient tale to tell them about the disappearance of Mistress Kate Bonnet; nor could he resist.

For why should the crew obey his orders?
They had not yet agreed to receive him as their captain, and, so far, they had done nothing to set themselves against the authorities.

It was a bad case for Big Sam.
But now the ship was hailed, and the voice which hailed it was that of Captain Bonnet.

And the soul of Big Sam upheaved itself.
In a few minutes Bonnet was on board, with a big box and the crew of the long-boat.

Speaking rapidly, he explained to Big Sam the situation of affairs.