ndeed to
become acquainted with this well-known professional, and they soon
became good friends. Blackbeard was on the point of organizing an
expedition, and he proposed that Bonnet and his vessel should join it.
This invitation was gladly accepted, and the two pirate captains started
out on a cruise together. Now the old reprobate, Blackbeard, knew
everything about ships and was a good navigator, and it was not long
before he discovered that his new partner was as green as grass in
regard to all nautical affairs. Consequently, after having thought the
matter over for a time, he made up his mind that Bonnet was not at all
fit to command such a fine vessel as the one he owned and had fitted
out, and as pirates make their own laws, and perhaps do not obey them
if they happen not to feel like it, Blackbeard sent for Bonnet to come
on board his ship, and then, in a manner as cold-blooded as if he had
been about to cut down a helpless prisoner, Blackbeard told Bonnet that
he was not fit to be a pirate captain, that he intended to keep him on
board his own vessel, and that he would send somebody to take charge of
the _Revenge_.

This was a fall indeed, and Bonnet was almost stunned by it. An hour
before he had been proudly strutting about on the deck of a vessel which
belonged to him, and in which he had captured many valuable prizes, and
now he was told he was to stay on Blackbeard's ship and make himself
useful in keeping the log book, or in doing any other easy thing which
he might happen to understand. The green pirate ground his teeth and
swore bitterly inside of himself, but he said nothing openly; on
Blackbeard's ship Blackbeard's decisions were not to be questioned.

Chapter XXV

Bonnet again to the Front

It must not be supposed that the late commander of the _Revenge_
continued to be satisfied, as he sat in the cabin of Blackbeard's vessel
and made the entries of the day's sailing and various performances. He
obeyed the orders of his usurping partner because he was obliged to do
so, but he did not hate Blackbeard any the less because he had to keep
quiet about it. He accompanied his pirate chief on various cruises,
among which was the famous expedition to the harbor of Charles Town
where Blackbeard traded Mr. Wragg and his companions for medicines.

Having a very fine fleet under him, Blackbeard did a very successful
business for some time, but feeling that he had earned enough for the
present, and tha