But they were not a foot apart when, with a great rush and scramble, Ben Greenway left the merchantman and tumbled himself on board the Revenge.
Bonnet rushed up to him.

"You scoundrel! You rascal, Ben Greenway, what do you mean?
I intended you to go back to Bridgetown on that brig.

Can I never get rid of you ?" "No' till ye give up piratin'," said Ben with a grin.

"Ye may split open my head, an' throw overboard my corpse, but my live body stays here as long as ye do." With a savage growl Bonnet turned away from his faithful adherent.
Things were getting very serious now and he could waste no time on personal quarrels.

Great holes and splits had been discovered in the heads of the barrels of spirits, and the precious liquor was running over the decks.