Rather than give up the fight he declared he would set fire to the powder magazine of the _Royal James_ and blow himself, his ship, and his men high up into the air.

Although he had not a sailor's skill, he possessed a soldier's soul, and in spite of his being a dastardly and cruel pirate he was a brave man.

But Bonnet was only one, and his crew numbered dozens, and notwithstanding his furiously dissenting voice it was determined to surrender, and when Mr.Rhett sailed up to the _Royal James_, intending to board her if the pirates still showed resistance, he found them ready to submit to terms and to yield themselves his prisoners.
Thus ended the great sea-fight between the private gentlemen, and thus ended Stede Bonnet's career.

He and his men were taken to Charles Town, where most of the pirate crew were tried and executed.

The green-hand pirate, who had wrought more devastation along the American coast than many a skilled sea-robber, was held in custody to await his trial, and it seems very strange that there should have been a public sentiment in Charles Town which induced the officials to treat this pirate with a certain degree of respect simply from the fact that his station in life had been that of a gentleman.