He would have preferred to begin his career of piracy by capturing some foreign vessel, leaving English prizes for the future, when he should have become better used to his new employment.

But sensitiveness does not do for pirates, and in a moment he had recovered himself and was as bold and bloody-minded as he had been when he first saw the now rapidly approaching vessel.

All nations were alike to him now, and he belonged to none.
"Fire some guns at her," he shouted to Big Sam, "and run up the Jolly Roger; let the rascals see what we are." The rascals saw.

Down came their flag, and presently their vessel was steered into the wind and lay to.
"Shall we board her ?" cried Big Sam.
"Ay, board her!" shouted back the infuriated Bonnet.

"Run the Revenge alongside, get out your grappling-irons, and let every man with sword and pistols bound upon her deck." The merchantman now lay without headway, gently rolling on the sea.