It was to be sailin' this ship on his own account that he's had in his villainous soul ever since he came on board; an' I can tell ye, Master Bonnet, that it won't be long now before he's doin' it.

I had me eye on him when he was on board the Amanda, an' I saw that the scoundrel was goin' to separate the ships." "That was my will," said Bonnet, "although I did not order it." Ben gave a little grunt.

"Ay," said he, "hopin' to leave me behind just as he was hopin' to leave ye behind.

But neither o' ye got your wills, an' it'll be the de'il that'll have a hand in the next leavin' behind that's likely to be done." Bonnet made no reply to these remarks, having suddenly spied Black Paul.
"Look here," said he, stepping up to that sombre-hued personage, "can you sail a ship ?" The other looked at Bonnet in astonishment.

"I should say so," said he.
"I have commanded vessels before now." "Here then," said Bonnet, "I want a sailing-master.