第2章

Asforthatpooryoungwifeofhis，thelifethatheandhisrum-crazyshipmatesledherwastooterribletobetold。

ForatimeBlackbeardworkedathistradedownontheSpanishMain，gathering，inthefewyearshewasthere，averyneatlittlefortuneinthebootycapturedfromsundryvessels；butbyandbyhetookitintohisheadtotryhisluckalongthecoastoftheCarolinas；sooffhesailedtothenorthward，withquitearespectablelittlefleet，consistingofhisownvesselandtwocapturedsloops。FromthattimehewasactivelyengagedinthemakingofAmericanhistoryinhissmallway。

HefirstappearedoffthebarofCharlestonHarbor，tothenosmallexcitementoftheworthytownofthatilk，andtherehelayforfiveorsixdays，blockadingtheport，andstoppingincomingandoutgoingvesselsathispleasure，sothat，forthetime，thecommerceoftheprovincewasentirelyparalyzed。Allthevesselssostoppedheheldasprizes，andallthecrewsandpassengers(amongthelatterofwhomwasmorethanoneprovincialworthyoftheday)heretainedasthoughtheywereprisonersofwar。

AnditwasamightilyawkwardthingforthegoodfolkofCharlestontobeholddayafterdayablackflagwithitswhiteskullandcrossbonesflutteringattheforeofthepiratecaptain’scraft，overacrossthelevelstretchofgreensaltmarshes；anditwasmightilyunpleasant，too，toknowthatthisorthatprominentcitizenwascrowdeddownwiththeotherprisonersunderthehatches。

OnemorningCaptainBlackbeardfindsthathisstockofmedicineislow。”Tut！”sayshe，”we’llturnnohairgrayforthat。”SouphecallstheboldCaptainRichards，thecommanderofhisconsorttheRevengesloop，andbidshimtakeMr。Marks(oneofhisprisoners)，andgouptoCharlestonandgetthemedicine。

TherewasnotaskthatsuitedourCaptainRichardsbetterthanthat。Uptothetownherowed，asboldasbrass。”Lookye，”sayshetothegovernor，rollinghisquidoftobaccofromonecheektoanother——”lookye，we’reafterthisandthat，andifwedon’tgetit，why，I’lltellyouplain，we’llburnthembloodycraftsofyoursthatwe’vetookoveryonder，andcuttheweasandofeveryclodpollaboardof’em。”

Therewasnoansweringanargumentofsuchforceasthis，andtheworshipfulgovernorandthegoodfolkofCharlestonknewverywellthatBlackbeardandhiscrewwerethementodoastheypromised。SoBlackbeardgothismedicine，andthoughitcostthecolonytwothousanddollars，itwasworththatmuchtothetowntobequitofhim。

TheysaythatwhileCaptainRichardswasconductinghisnegotiationswiththegovernorhisboat’screwwerestumpingaroundthestreetsofthetown，havingaglorioustimeofit，whilethegoodfolkgloweredwrathfullyatthem，butdaredventurenothinginspeechoract。

Havinggainedabootyofbetweensevenandeightthousanddollarsfromtheprizescaptured，thepiratessailedawayfromCharlestonHarbortothecoastofNorthCarolina。

AndnowBlackbeard，followingtheplanadoptedbysomanyothersofhiskind，begantocudgelhisbrainsformeanstocheathisfellowsoutoftheirshareofthebooty。

AtTopsailInletheranhisownvesselaground，asthoughbyaccident。Hands，thecaptainofoneoftheconsorts，pretendingtocometohisassistance，alsogroundedHISsloop。Nothingnowremainedbutforthosewhowereabletogetawayintheothercraft，whichwasallthatwasnowleftofthelittlefleet。ThisdidBlackbeardwithsomefortyofhisfavorites。Therestofthepirateswereleftonthesandspittoawaitthereturnoftheircompanions——whichneverhappened。

AsforBlackbeardandthosewhowerewithhim，theywerethatmuchricher，forthereweresomanythefewerpocketstofill。

Butevenyetthereweretoomanytosharethebooty，inBlackbeard’sopinion，andsohemaroonedaparcelmoreofthem——someeighteenortwenty——uponanakedsandbank，fromwhichtheywereafterwardmercifullyrescuedbyanotherfreebooterwhochancedthatway——acertainMajorStedeBonnet，ofwhommorewillpresentlybesaid。Aboutthattimearoyalproclamationhadbeenissuedofferingpardontoallpiratesinarmswhowouldsurrendertotheking’sauthoritybeforeagivendate。SoupgoesMasterBlackbeardtotheGovernorofNorthCarolinaandmakeshisnecksafebysurrenderingtotheproclamation——albeithekepttightclutchuponwhathehadalreadygained。

AndnowwefindourboldCaptainBlackbeardestablishedinthegoodprovinceofNorthCarolina，whereheandHisWorshiptheGovernorstruckupavastdealofintimacy，asprofitableasitwaspleasant。Thereissomethingveryprettyinthethoughtoftheboldsearovergivinguphisadventurouslife(exceptingnowandthenanexcursionagainstatraderortwointheneighboringsound，whentheneedofmoneywaspressing)；settlingquietlydownintotheroutineofoldcoloniallife，withayoungwifeofsixteenathisside，whomadethefourteenththathehadinvariousportshereandthereintheworld。

Becomingtiredofaninactivelife，Blackbeardafterwardresumedhispiraticalcareer。HecruisedaroundintheriversandinletsandsoundsofNorthCarolinaforawhile，rulingtheroostandwithneveraonetosayhimnay，untiltherewasnobearingwithsuchapestanylonger。SotheysentadeputationuptotheGovernorofVirginiaaskingifhewouldbepleasedtohelpthemintheirtrouble。

Thereweretwomen-of-warlyingatKicquetan，intheJamesRiver，atthetime。TothemtheGovernorofVirginiaapplies，andpluckyLieutenantMaynard，ofthePearl，wassenttoOcracokeInlettofightthispiratewhoruleditdowntheresolikethecockofawalk。TherehefoundBlackbeardwaitingforhim，andasreadyforafightaseverthelieutenanthimselfcouldbe。

Fighttheydid，andwhileitlasteditwasasprettyapieceofbusinessofitskindasonecouldwishtosee。Blackbearddrainedaglassofgrog，wishingthelieutenantluckingettingaboardofhim，firedabroadside，blewsometwentyofthelieutenant’smenoutofexistence，andtotallycrippledoneofhislittlesloopsforthebalanceofthefight。Afterthat，andundercoverofthesmoke，thepirateandhismenboardedtheothersloop，andthenfollowedafineold-fashionedhand-to-handconflictbetwixthimandthelieutenant。Firsttheyfiredtheirpistols，andthentheytooktoitwithcutlasses——right，left，upanddown，cutandslash——untilthelieutenant’scutlassbrokeshortoffatthehilt。ThenBlackbeardwouldhavefinishedhimoffhandsomely，onlyupstepsoneofthelieutenant’smenandfetcheshimagreatslashovertheneck，sothatthelieutenantcameoffwithnomorehurtthanacutacrosstheknuckles。

AttheveryfirstdischargeoftheirpistolsBlackbeardhadbeenshotthroughthebody，buthewasnotforgivingupforthat——nothe。Assaidbefore，hewasofthetrueroaring，ragingbreedofpirates，andstooduptoituntilhereceivedtwentymorecutlasscutsandfiveadditionalshots，andthenfelldeadwhiletryingtofireoffanemptypistol。Afterthatthelieutenantcutoffthepirate’shead，andsailedawayintriumph，withthebloodytrophynailedtothebowofhisbatteredsloop。

ThoseofBlackbeard’smenwhowerenotkilledwerecarriedofftoVirginia，andallofthemtriedandhangedbutoneortwo，theirnames，nodoubt，stillstandinginarowintheprovincialrecords。

ButdidBlackbeardreallyburytreasures，astraditionsays，alongthesandyshoreshehaunted？

MasterClementDowning，midshipmanaboardtheSalisbury，wroteabookafterhisreturnfromthecruisetoMadagascar，whithertheSalisburyhadbeenordered，toputanendtothepiracywithwhichthosewaterswereinfested。Hesays:”AtGuzaratImetwithaPortuguesenamedAnthonydeSylvestre；

hecamewithtwootherPortugueseandtwoDutchmentotakeonintheMoor’sservice，asmanyEuropeansdo。ThisAnthonytoldmehehadbeenamongthepirates，andthathebelongedtooneofthesloopsinVirginiawhenBlackbeardwastaken。HeinformedmethatifitshouldbemylotevertogotoYorkRiverorMaryland，nearanislandcalledMulberryIsland，providedwewentonshoreatthewateringplace，wheretheshippingusedmostcommonlytoride，thattherethepirateshadburiedconsiderablesumsofmoneyingreatchestswellclampedwithironplates。Astomypart，Ineverwasthatway，normuchacquaintedwithanythateverusedthoseparts；butIhavemadeinquiry，andaminformedthatthereissuchaplaceasMulberryIsland。Ifanypersonwhousesthosepartsshouldthinkitworthwhiletodigalittlewayattheupperendofasmallcove，whereitisconvenienttoland，hewouldsoonfindwhethertheinformationIhadwaswellgrounded。Frontingthelandingplacearefivetrees，amongwhich，hesaid，themoneywashid。Icannotwarrantthetruthofthisaccount；butifIwasevertogothere，Ishouldfindsomemeansorothertosatisfymyself，asitcouldnotbeagreatdealoutofmyway。Ifanybodyshouldobtainthebenefitofthisaccount，ifitpleaseGodthattheyevercometoEngland，’tishopedtheywillrememberwhencetheyhadthisinformation。”

AnotherworthywasCapt。EdwardLow，wholearnedhistradeofsail-makingatgoodoldBostontown，andpiracyatHonduras。Noonestoodhigherinthetradethanhe，andnoonemountedtomoreloftyaltitudesofbloodthirstyandunscrupulouswickedness。’Tisstrangethatsolittlehasbeenwrittenandsungofthismanofmight，forhewasasworthyofstoryandofsongaswasBlackbeard。

ItwasunderaYankeecaptainthathemadehisfirstcruise——downtoHonduras，foracargooflogwood，whichinthosetimeswasnobetterthanstolenfromtheSpanishfolk。

Oneday，lyingofftheshore，intheGulfofHonduras，comesMasterLowandthecrewofthewhaleboatrowingacrossfromthebeach，wheretheyhadbeenallmorningchoppinglogwood。”Whatareyouafter？”saysthecaptain，fortheywerecomingbackwithnothingbutthemselvesintheboat。”We’reafterourdinner，”saysLow，asspokesmanoftheparty。”You’llhavenodinner，”saysthecaptain，”untilyoufetchoffanotherload。””Dinnerornodinner，we’llpayforit，”saysLow，wherewithheupwithamusket，squintedalongthebarrel，andpulledthetrigger。

Luckilythegunhungfire，andtheYankeecaptainwassparedtosteallogwoodawhilelonger。

Allthesame，thatwasnoplaceforNedLowtomakealongerstay，sooffheandhismessmatesrowedinawhaleboat，capturedabrigoutatsea，andturnedpirates。

HepresentlyfellinwiththenotoriousCaptainLowther，afellowafterhisownkidney，whoputthefinishingtouchestohiseducationandtaughthimwhatwickednesshedidnotalreadyknow。

Andsohebecameamasterpirate，andafamoushandathiscraft，andthereafterforeverboreaninveteratehatredofallYankeesbecauseofthedinnerhehadlost，andneverfailedtosmitewhateveroneofthemluckputwithinhisreach。OncehefellinwithashipoffSouthCarolina——theAmsterdamMerchant，CaptainWilliamson，commander——aYankeecraftandaYankeemaster。Heslitthenoseandcroppedtheearsofthecaptain，andthensailedmerrilyaway，feelingthebetterforhavingmarredaYankee。

NewYorkandNewEnglandhadmorethanonevisitfromthedoughtycaptain，eachofwhichvisitstheyhadgoodcausetoremember，forhemadethemsmartforit。

Alongintheyear1722thirteenvesselswereridingatanchorinfrontofthegoodtownofMarblehead。Intotheharborsailedastrangecraft。”Whoisshe？”saythetownsfolk，forthecomingofanewvesselwasnosmallmatterinthosedays。

Whothestrangerswerewasnotlongamatterofdoubt。Upgoestheblackflag，andtheskullandcrossbonestothefore。”’TisthebloodyLow，”sayoneandall；andstraightwayallwasflutterandcommotion，asinaduckpondwhenahawkpitchesandstrikesinthemidst。

Itwasagloriousthingforourcaptain，forherewerethirteenYankeecraftsatoneandthesametime。Sohetookwhathewanted，andthensailedaway，anditwasmanyadaybeforeMarbleheadforgotthatvisit。

SometimeafterthisheandhisconsortfellfoulofanEnglishsloopofwar，theGreyhound，wherebytheyweresoroughlyhandledthatLowwasgladenoughtoslipaway，leavinghisconsortandhercrewbehindhim，asasoptothepowersoflawandorder。Andluckyforthemifnoworsefateawaitedthemthantowalkthedreadfulplankwithabandagearoundtheblindedeyesandaropearoundtheelbows。Sotheconsortwastaken，andthecrewtriedandhangedinchains，andLowsailedoffinasprettyabitofrageaseverapiratefellinto。

Theendofthisworthyislostinthefogsofthepast:somesaythathediedofayellowfeverdowninNewOrleans；itwasnotattheendofahempencord，more’sthepity。

HerefittinglywithourstrictlyAmericanpiratesshouldstandMajorStedeBonnetalongwiththerest。Butintruthhewasonlyapoorhalf-and-halffellowofhiskind，andevenafterhishandwasfairlyturnedtothebusinesshehadundertaken，aqualmofconsciencewouldnowandthencomeacrosshim，andhewouldmakevastpromisestoforswearhisevilcourses。

However，hejoggedalonginhiscourseofpiracysnuglyenoughuntilhefellfoulofthegallantColonelRhett，offCharlestonHarbor，whereuponhisluckandhiscouragebothweresuddenlysnuffedoutwithapuffofpowdersmokeandagoodrattlingbroadside。Downcamethe”BlackRoger”withitsskullandcrossbonesfromthefore，andColonelRhetthadthegloryoffetchingbackasprettyacargoofscoundrelsandcutthroatsasthetowneversaw。

Afterthenextassizestheywerestrungup，allinarow——evilapplesreadyfortheroasting。”Ned”Englandwasafellowofdifferentblood——onlyhesnappedhiswhipacrossthebackofsocietyoverintheEastIndiesandalongthehotshoresofHindustan。

ThenameofCapt。HowelDavisstandshighamonghisfellows。HewastheUlyssesofpirates，thebelovednotonlyofMercury，butofMinerva。

HeitwaswhohoodwinkedthecaptainofaFrenchshipofdoublethesizeandstrengthofhisown，andfairlycheatedhimintothesurrenderofhiscraftwithoutthefiringofasinglepistolorthestrikingofasingleblow；heitwaswhosailedboldlyintotheportofGambia，onthecoastofGuinea，andunderthegunsofthecastle，proclaiminghimselfasamerchanttradingforslaves。

Thecheatwaskeptupuntilthefruitofmischiefwasripeforthepicking；then，whenthegovernorandtheguardsofthecastlewerelulledintoentiresecurity，andwhenDavis’sbandwasscatteredaboutwherevereachmancoulddothemostgood，itwasoutpistol，upcutlass，anddeathifafingermoved。Theytiedthesoldiersbacktoback，andthegovernortohisownarmchair，andthenrifledwhereveritpleasedthem。Afterthattheysailedaway，andthoughtheyhadnotmadethefortunetheyhadhopedtoglean，itwasagoodsnugroundsumthattheysharedamongthem。

Theircouragegrowinghighwithsuccess，theydeterminedtoattempttheislandofDelPrincipe——aprosperousPortuguesesettlementonthecoast。Theplanfortakingtheplacewascleverlylaid，andwouldhavesucceeded，onlythataPortuguesenegroamongthepiratecrewturnedtraitorandcarriedthenewsashoretothegovernorofthefort。Accordingly，thenextday，whenCaptainDaviscameashore，hefoundthereagoodstrongguarddrawnupasthoughtohonorhiscoming。Butafterheandthosewithhimwerefairlyoutoftheirboat，andwellawayfromthewaterside，therewasasuddenrattleofmusketry，acloudofsmoke，andadullgroanortwo。Onlyonemanranoutfromunderthatpungentcloud，jumpedintotheboat，androwedaway；andwhenitlifted，therelayCaptainDavisandhiscompanionsallofaheap，likeapileofoldclothes。

Capt。BartholomewRobertswastheparticularandespecialpupilofDavis，andwhenthatworthymethisdeathsosuddenlyandsounexpectedlyintheunfortunatemannerabovenarrated，hewaschosenunanimouslyasthecaptainofthefleet，andhewasaworthypupilofaworthymaster。Manywerethepoorflutteringmerchantducksthatthisseahawkswoopeduponandstruck；andcleanlyandcleverlyweretheypluckedbeforehissavageclutchlooseneditsholduponthem。”Hemadeagallantfigure，”saystheoldnarrator，”beingdressedinarichcrimsonwaistcoatandbreechesandredfeatherinhishat，agoldchainaroundhisneck，withadiamondcrosshangingtoit，aswordinhishand，andtwopairofpistolshangingattheendofasilkslingflungoverhisshouldersaccordingtothefashionofthepyrates。”Thusheappearedinthelastengagementwhichhefought——thatwiththeSwallow——aroyalsloopofwar。A

gallantfighttheymadeofit，thosebulldogpirates，for，findingthemselvescaughtinatrapbetwixttheman-of-warandtheshore，theydeterminedtobeardownupontheking’svessel，fireaslappingbroadsideintoher，andthentrytogetaway，trustingtoluckinthedoing，andhopingthattheirenemymightbecrippledbytheirfire。

CaptainRobertshimselfwasthefirsttofallatthereturnfireoftheSwallow；agrapeshotstruckhimintheneck，andhefellforwardacrossthegunneartowhichhewasstandingatthetime。

AcertainfellownamedStevenson，whowasatthehelm，sawhimfall，andthoughthewaswounded。Attheliftingofthearmthebodyrolledoveruponthedeck，andthemansawthatthecaptainwasdead。”Whereupon，”saystheoldhistory，”he”[Stevenson]”gushedintotears，andwishedthatthenextshotmightbehisportion。”Aftertheircaptain’sdeaththepiratecrewhadnostomachformorefighting；the”BlackRoger”wasstruck，andoneandallsurrenderedtojusticeandthegallows。

Suchisabriefandbaldaccountofthemostfamousofthesepirates。Buttheyareonlyafewofalonglistofnotables，suchasCaptainMartel，Capt。CharlesVane(wholedthegallantColonelRhett，ofSouthCarolina，suchawild-goosechaseinandoutamongthesluggishcreeksandinletsalongthecoast)，Capt。

JohnRackam，andCaptainAnstis，CaptainWorley，andEvans，andPhilips，andothers——ascoreormoreofwildfellowswhoseverynamesmadeshipcaptainstrembleintheirshoesinthosegoodoldtimes。

Andsuchisthatblackchapterofhistoryofthepast——anevilchapter，luridwithcrueltyandsuffering，stainedwithbloodandsmoke。Yetitisawrittenchapter，anditmustberead。Hewhochoosesmayreadbetwixtthelinesofhistorythisgreattruth:

Evilitselfisaninstrumenttowardtheshapingofgood。

Thereforethehistoryofevilaswellasthehistoryofgoodshouldberead，considered，anddigested。

ChapterII

THEGHOSTOFCAPTAINBRAND

ITisnotsoeasytotellwhydiscreditshouldbecastuponamanbecauseofsomethingthathisgrandfathermayhavedoneamiss，buttheworld，whichisneveroverniceinitsdiscriminationastowheretolaytheblame，isoftenpleasedtomaketheinnocentsufferintheplaceoftheguilty。

BarnabyTruewasagood，honest，biddablelad，asboysgo，butyethewasnoteverallowedaltogethertoforgetthathisgrandfatherhadbeenthatveryfamouspirate，Capt。WilliamBrand，who，aftersomanymarvelousadventures(ifonemaybelievethecatchpennystoriesandballadsthatwerewrittenabouthim)，wasmurderedinJamaicabyCapt。JohnMalyoe，thecommanderofhisownconsort，theAdventuregalley。

Ithasneverbeendenied，thateverIheard，thatuptothetimeofCaptainBrand’sbeingcommissionedagainsttheSouthSeapirateshehadalwaysbeenesteemedashonest，reputableaseacaptainascouldbe。

Whenhestartedoutuponthatadventureitwaswithaship，theRoyalSovereign，fittedoutbysomeofthemostdecentmerchantsofNewYork。Thegovernorhimselfhadsubscribedtotheadventure，andhadhimselfsignedCaptainBrand’scommission。So，iftheunfortunatemanwentastray，hemusthavehadgreattemptationtodoso，manyothersbehavingnobetterwhentheopportunityofferedinthosefar-awayseaswheresomanyrichpurchasesmightveryeasilybetakenandnoonethewiser。

Tobesure，thosestoriesandballadsmadeourcaptaintobeamostwicked，profanewretch；andifhewere，why，Godknowshesufferedandpaidforit，forhelaidhisbonesinJamaica，andneversawhishomeorhiswifeanddaughteragainafterhehadsailedawayontheRoyalSovereignonthatlongmisfortunatevoyage，leavingtheminNewYorktothecareofstrangers。

AtthetimewhenhemethisfateinPortRoyalHarborhehadobtainedtwovesselsunderhiscommand——theRoyalSovereign，whichwastheboatfittedoutforhiminNewYork，andtheAdventuregalley，whichhewassaidtohavetakensomewhereintheSouthSeas。WiththesehelayinthosewatersofJamaicaforoveramonthafterhisreturnfromthecoastsofAfrica，waitingfornewsfromhome，which，whenitcame，wasoftheveryblackest；forthecolonialauthoritieswereatthattimestirredupveryhotagainsthimtotakehimandhanghimforapirate，soastocleartheirownskirtsforhavingtodowithsuchafellow。

Somaybeitseemedbettertoourcaptaintohidehisill-gottentreasurethereinthosefar-awayparts，andafterwardtotryandbargainwithitforhislifewhenheshouldreachNewYork，ratherthantosailstraightfortheAmericaswithwhathehadearnedbyhispiracies，andsorisklosinglifeandmoneyboth。

Howeverthatmightbe，thestorywasthatCaptainBrandandhisgunner，andCaptainMalyoeoftheAdventureandthesailingmasteroftheAdventureallwentashoretogetherwithachestofmoney(nooneofthemchoosingtotrusttheotherthreeinsoniceanaffair)，andburiedthetreasuresomewhereonthebeachofPortRoyalHarbor。Thestorythenhasitthattheyfella-quarrelingaboutafuturedivisionorthemoney，andthat，asawind-uptotheaffair，CaptainMalyoeshotCaptainBrandthroughthehead，whilethesailingmasteroftheAdventureservedthegunneroftheRoyalSovereignafterthesamefashionthroughthebody，andthatthemurderersthenwentaway，leavingthetwostretchedoutintheirownbloodonthesandinthestaringsun，withnoonetoknowwherethemoneywashidbuttheytwowhohadservedtheircomradesso。

Itisamightygreatpitythatanyoneshouldhaveagrandfatherwhoendedhisdaysinsuchasortasthis，butitwasnofaultofBarnabyTrue’s，norcouldhehavedoneanythingtopreventit，seeingthathewasnotevenbornintotheworldatthetimethathisgrandfatherturnedpirate，andwasonlyoneyearoldwhenhesomethistragicalend。Nevertheless，theboyswithwhomhewenttoschoolnevertiredofcallinghim”Pirate，”andwouldsometimessingforhisbenefitthatfamouscatchpennysongbeginningthus:

Oh，mynamewasCaptainBrand，A-sailing，Anda-sailing；Oh，mynamewasCaptainBrand，A-sailingfree。

Oh，mynamewasCaptainBrand，AndIsinnedbyseaandland，ForIbrokeGod’sjustcommand，A-sailingfree。

’Twasavilethingtosingatthegrandsonofsomisfortunateaman，andoftentimeslittleBarnabyTruewoulddoubleuphisfistsandwouldfighthistormentorsatgreatodds，andwouldsometimesgobackhomewithabloodynosetohavehispoormothercryoverhimandgrieveforhim。

Notthathisdayswereallofteasingandtorment，neither；forifhiscomradesdidtreathimso，why，then，therewereothertimeswhenheandtheywereasgreatfriendsascouldbe，andwouldgoinswimmingtogetherwheretherewasabitofsandystrandalongtheEastRiveraboveFortGeorge，andthatinthemostamicablefashion。Or，maybetheverynextdayafterhehadfoughtsowithhisfellows，hewouldgoa-ramblingwiththemuptheBowerieRoad，perhapstohelpthemstealcherriesfromsomeoldDutchfarmer，forgettinginsuchadventurewhatathiefhisowngrandfatherhadbeen。

Well，whenBarnabyTruewasbetweensixteenandseventeenyearsoldhewastakenintoemploymentinthecountinghouseofMr。

RogerHartright，thewell-knownWestIndiamerchant，andBarnaby’sownstepfather。

ItwasthekindnessofthisgoodmanthatnotonlyfoundaplaceforBarnabyinthecountinghouse，butadvancedhimsofastthatagainstourherowastwenty-oneyearsoldhehadmadefourvoyagesassupercargototheWestIndiesinMr。Hartright’sship，theBelleHelen，andsoonafterhewastwenty-oneundertookafifth。Norwasitinanysuchsubordinatepositionasmeresupercargothatheacted，butratherastheconfidentialagentofMr。Hartright，who，havingnochildrenofhisown，wasveryjealoustoadvanceourherointoapositionoftrustandresponsibilityinthecountinghouse，asthoughhewereindeedason，sothateventhecaptainoftheshiphadscarcelymoreconsiderationaboardthanhe，youngashewasinyears。

AsfortheagentsandcorrespondentsofMr。Hartrightthroughouttheseparts，theyalso，knowinghowthegoodmanhadadoptedhisinterests，wereverypoliteandobligingtoMasterBarnaby——especially，beitmentioned，Mr。AmbroseGreenfield，ofKingston，Jamaica，who，upontheoccasionsofhisvisitstothoseparts，didallthathecouldtomakeBarnaby’sstayinthattownagreeableandpleasanttohim。

Somuchforthehistoryofourherotothetimeofthebeginningofthisstory，withoutwhichyoushallhardlybeabletounderstandthepurportofthosemostextraordinaryadventuresthatbefellhimshortlyafterhecameofage，northelogicoftheirconsequenceaftertheyhadoccurred。

ForitwasduringhisfifthvoyagetotheWestIndiesthatthefirstofthoseextraordinaryadventureshappenedofwhichIshallhavepresentlytotell。

AtthattimehehadbeeninKingstonforthebestpartoffourweeks，lodgingatthehouseofaverydecent，respectablewidow，bynameMrs。AnneBolles，who，withthreepleasantandagreeabledaughters，keptaverycleanandwell-servedlodginghouseintheoutskirtsofthetown。

Onemorning，asourherosatsippinghiscoffee，cladonlyinloosecottondrawers，ashirt，andajacket，andwithslippersuponhisfeet，asisthecustominthatcountry，whereeveryoneendeavorstokeepascoolasmaybewhilehesatthussippinghiscoffeeMissEliza，theyoungestofthethreedaughters，cameandgavehimanote，which，shesaid，astrangerhadjusthandedinatthedoor，goingawayagainwithoutwaitingforareply。YoumayjudgeofBarnaby’ssurprisewhenheopenedthenoteandreadasfollows:

MR。BARNABYTRUE。

SIR，——Thoughyoudon’tknowme，Iknowyou，andItellyouthis:

ifyouwillbeatPratt’sOrdinaryonHarborStreetonFridaynextateighto’clockoftheevening，andwillaccompanythemanwhoshallsaytoyou，”TheRoyalSovereigniscomein，”youshalllearnsomethingthemosttoyouradvantagethateverbefellyou。

Sir，keepthisnote，andshowittohimwhoshalladdressthesewordstoyou，sotocertifythatyouarethemanheseeks。

Suchwasthewordingofthenote，whichwaswithoutaddress，andwithoutanysuperscriptionwhatever。

ThefirstemotionthatstirredBarnabywasoneofextremeandprofoundamazement。Thenthethoughtcameintohismindthatsomewittyfellow，ofwhomheknewagoodmanyinthattown——andwild，waggishprankstheywerewasattemptingtoplayoffsomesmartjestuponhim。ButallthatMissElizacouldtellhimwhenhequestionedherconcerningthemessengerwasthatthebearerofthenotewasatall，stoutman，witharedneckerchiefaroundhisneckandcopperbucklestohisshoes，andthathehadtheappearanceofasailorman，havingagreatbigqueuehangingdownhisback。But，Lord！whatwassuchadescriptionasthatinabusyseaporttown，fullofscoresofmentofitsuchalikeness？

Accordingly，ourheroputawaythenoteintohiswallet，determiningtoshowittohisgoodfriendMr。Greenfieldthatevening，andtoaskhisadviceuponit。Sohedidshowit，andthatgentleman’sopinionwasthesameashis——thatsomewagwasmindedtoplayoffahoaxuponhim，andthatthematteroftheletterwasallnothingbutsmoke。

Nevertheless，thoughBarnabywasthusconfirmedinhisopinionastothenatureofthecommunicationhehadreceived，heyetdeterminedinhisownmindthathewouldseethebusinessthroughtotheend，andwouldbeatPratt’sOrdinary，asthenotedemanded，uponthedayandatthetimespecifiedtherein。

Pratt’sOrdinarywasatthattimeaveryfineandwell-knownplaceofitssort，withgoodtobaccoandthebestrumthateverI

tasted，andhadagardenbehinditthat，slopingdowntotheharborfront，wasplantedprettythickwithpalmsandfernsgroupedintoclusterswithflowersandplants。Herewereanumberoflittletables，someinlittlegrottoes，likeourVauxhallinNewYork，andwithredandblueandwhitepaperlanternshungamongthefoliage，whithergentlemenandladiesusedsometimestogoofaneveningtositanddrinklimejuiceandsugarandwater(andsometimesatasteofsomethingstronger)，andtolookoutacrossthewaterattheshippinginthecoolofthenight。

Thither，accordingly，ourherowent，alittlebeforethetimeappointedinthenote，andpassingdirectlythroughtheOrdinaryandthegardenbeyond，choseatableatthelowerendofthegardenandclosetothewater’sedge，wherehewouldnotbeeasilyseenbyanyonecomingintotheplace。Then，orderingsomerumandwaterandapipeoftobacco，hecomposedhimselftowatchfortheappearanceofthosewittyfellowswhomhesuspectedwouldpresentlycomethithertoseetheendoftheirprankandtoenjoyhisconfusion。

Thespotwaspleasantenough；forthelandbreeze，blowingstrongandfull，settheleavesofthepalmtreeabovehisheadtorattlingandclatteringcontinuallyagainstthesky，where，themoonthenbeingaboutfull，theyshoneeverynowandthenlikebladesofsteel。Thewavesalsoweresplashingupagainstthelittlelandingplaceatthefootofthegarden，soundingverycoolinthenight，andsparklingallovertheharborwherethemooncaughttheedgesofthewater。Agreatmanyvesselswerelyingatanchorintheirridings，withthedark，prodigiousformofaman-of-warloomingupabovetheminthemoonlight。

Thereourherosatforthebestpartofanhour，smokinghispipeoftobaccoandsippinghisgrog，andseeingnotsomuchasasinglethingthatmightconcernthenotehehadreceived。

Itwasnotfarfromhalfanhourafterthetimeappointedinthenote，whenarowboatcamesuddenlyoutofthenightandpulleduptothelandingplaceatthefootofthegardenabovementioned，andthreeorfourmencameashoreinthedarkness。Withoutsayingawordamongthemselvestheychoseanear-bytableand，sittingdown，orderedrumandwater，andbegandrinkingtheirgroginsilence。Theymighthavesatthereaboutfiveminutes，when，byandby，BarnabyTruebecameawarethattheywereobservinghimverycuriously；andthenalmostimmediatelyone，whowasplainlytheleaderoftheparty，calledouttohim:”Hownow，messmate！Won’tyoucomeanddrinkadramofrumwithus？””Why，no，”saysBarnaby，answeringverycivilly；”Ihavedrunkenoughalready，andmorewouldonlyheatmyblood。””Allthesame，”quoththestranger，”Ithinkyouwillcomeanddrinkwithus；for，unlessIammistook，youareMr。BarnabyTrue，andIamcomeheretotellyouthattheRoyalSovereigniscomein。”

NowImayhonestlysaythatBarnabyTruewasnevermorestruckabackinallhislifethanhewasathearingthesewordsutteredinsounexpectedamanner。Hehadbeenlookingtohearthemundersuchdifferentcircumstancesthat，nowthathisearsheardthemaddressedtohim，andthatsoseriously，byaperfectstranger，who，withothers，hadthusmysteriouslycomeashoreoutofthedarkness，hecouldscarcebelievethathisearsheardaright。Hisheartsuddenlybeganbeatingatatremendousrate，andhadhebeenanolderandwiserman，Idobelievehewouldhavedeclinedtheadventure，insteadofleapingblindly，ashedid，intothatofwhichhecouldseeneitherthebeginningnortheending。Butbeingbarelyone-and-twentyyearsofage，andhavinganadventurousdispositionthatwouldhavecarriedhimintoalmostanythingthatpossessedasmackofuncertaintyordangeraboutit，hecontrivedtosay，inaprettyeasytone(thoughGodknowshowitwasputonfortheoccasion):”Well，then，ifthatbeso，andiftheRoyalSovereignisindeedcomein，why，I’lljoinyou，sinceyouaresokindastoaskme。”

Andtherewithhewentacrosstotheothertable，carryinghispipewithhim，andsatdownandbegansmoking，withalltheappearanceofeasehecouldassumeupontheoccasion。”Well，Mr。BarnabyTrue，”saidthemanwhohadbeforeaddressedhim，sosoonasBarnabyhadsettledhimself，speakinginalowtoneofvoice，sotherewouldbenodangerofanyothershearingthewords——”Well，Mr。BarnabyTrue——forIshallcallyoubyyourname，toshowyouthatthoughIknowyou，youdon’tknowmeIamgladtoseethatyouaremanenoughtoenterthusintoanaffair，thoughyoucan’tseetothebottomofit。Foritshowsmethatyouareamanofmettle，andaredeservingofthefortunethatistobefallyouto-night。Nevertheless，firstofall，Iambidtosaythatyoumustshowmeapieceofpaperthatyouhaveaboutyoubeforewegoastepfarther。””Verywell，”saidBarnaby；”Ihaveitheresafeandsound，andseeityoushall。”Andthereuponandwithoutmoreadohefetchedouthiswallet，openedit，andhandedhisinterlocutorthemysteriousnotehehadreceivedthedayortwobefore。Whereupontheother，drawingtohimthecandle，burningtherefortheconvenienceofthosewhowouldsmoketobacco，beganimmediatelyreadingit。

ThisgaveBarnabyTrueamomentortwotolookathim。Hewasatall，stoutman，witharedhandkerchieftiedaroundhisneck，andwithcopperbucklesonhisshoes，sothatBarnabyTruecouldnotbutwonderwhetherhewasnottheverysamemanwhohadgiventhenotetoMissElizaBollesatthedoorofhislodginghouse。”’Tisallrightandstraightasitshouldbe，”theothersaid，afterhehadsoglancedhiseyesoverthenote。”Andnowthatthepaperisread”(suitinghisactiontohiswords)，”I’lljustburnit，forsafety’ssake。”

Andsohedid，twistingitupandsettingittotheflameofthecandle。”Andnow，”hesaid，continuinghisaddress，”I’lltellyouwhatI

amherefor。Iwassenttoaskyouifyou’remanenoughtotakeyourlifeinyourownhandsandtogowithmeinthatboatdownthere？Say’Yes，’andwe’llstartawaywithoutwastingmoretime，forthedevilisashorehereatJamaica——thoughyoudon’tknowwhatthatmeans——andifhegetsaheadofus，why，thenwemaywhistleforwhatweareafter。Say’No，’andIgoawayagain，andIpromiseyouyoushallneverbetroubledagaininthissort。Sonowspeakupplain，younggentleman，andtelluswhatisyourmindinthisbusiness，andwhetheryouwilladventureanyfartherornot。”

Ifourherohesitateditwasnotforlong。Icannotsaythathiscouragedidnotwaverforamoment；butifitdid，itwas，Isay，notforlong，andwhenhespokeupitwaswithavoiceassteadyascouldbe。”TobesureI’mmanenoughtogowithyou，”hesaid；”andifyoumeanmeanyharmIcanlookoutformyself；andifIcan’t，why，hereissomethingcanlookoutforme，”andtherewithhelifteduptheflapofhiscoatpocketandshowedthebuttofapistolhehadfetchedwithhimwhenhehadsetoutfromhislodginghousethatevening。

Atthistheotherburstouta-laughing。”Come，”sayshe，”youareindeedofrightmettle，andIlikeyourspirit。Allthesame，nooneinalltheworldmeansyoulessillthanI，andso，ifyouhavetousethatbarker，’twillnotbeuponuswhoareyourfriends，butonlyupononewhoismorewickedthanthedevilhimself。Socome，andletusgetaway。”

Thereuponheandtheothers，whohadnotspokenasinglewordforallthistime，rosefromthetable，andhehavingpaidthescoresofall，theyallwentdowntogethertotheboatthatstilllayatthelandingplaceatthebottomofthegarden。

Thuscomingtoit，ourherocouldseethatitwasalargeyawlboatmannedwithhalfascoreofblackmenforrowers，andthereweretwolanternsinthesternsheets，andthreeorfourironshovels。

ThemanwhohadconductedtheconversationwithBarnabyTrueforallthistime，andwhowas，ashasbeensaid，plainlythecaptainoftheparty，steppedimmediatelydownintotheboat；ourherofollowed，andtheothersfollowedafterhim；andinstantlytheywereseatedtheboatwasshovedoffandtheblackmenbeganpullingstraightoutintotheharbor，andso，atsomedistanceaway，aroundunderthesternoftheman-of-war。

Notawordwasspokenaftertheyhadthuslefttheshore，andpresentlytheymightallhavebeenghosts，forthesilenceoftheparty。BarnabyTruewastoofullofhisownthoughtstotalk——andseriousenoughthoughtstheywerebythistime，withcrimpstotrepanamanateveryturn，andpressgangstocarryamanoffsothathemightneverbeheardofagain。Asfortheothers，theydidnotseemtochoosetosayanythingnowthattheyhadhimfairlyembarkedupontheirenterprise。

Andsothecrewpulledoninperfectsilenceforthebestpartofanhour，theleaderoftheexpeditiondirectingthecourseoftheboatstraightacrosstheharbor，asthoughtowardthemouthoftheRioCobraRiver。Indeed，thiswastheirdestination，asBarnabycouldafterawhilesee，bythelowpointoflandwithagreatlongrowofcoconutpalmsuponit(theappearanceofwhichheknewverywell)，whichbyandbybegantoloomupoutofthemilkydimnessofthemoonlight。Astheyapproachedtherivertheyfoundthetidewasrunningstrongoutofit，sothatsomedistanceawayfromthestreamitgurgledandrippledalongsidetheboatasthecrewofblackmenpulledstronglyagainstit。

Thustheycameupunderwhatwaseitherapointoflandoranisletcoveredwithathickgrowthofmangrovetrees。Butstillnoonespokeasinglewordastotheirdestination，orwhatwasthebusinesstheyhadinhand。

Thenight，nowthattheywereclosetotheshore，wasloudwiththenoiseofrunningtide-water，andtheairwasheavywiththesmellofmudandmarsh，andoverallthewhitenessofthemoonlight，withafewstarsprickingouthereandthereinthesky；andallsostrangeandsilentandmysteriousthatBarnabycouldnotdivesthimselfofthefeelingthatitwasalladream。

So，therowersbendingtotheoars，theboatcameslowlyaroundfromundertheclumpofmangrovebushesandoutintotheopenwateragain。

Instantlyitdidsotheleaderoftheexpeditioncalledoutinasharpvoice，andtheblackmeninstantlylayontheiroars。

AlmostatthesameinstantBarnabyTruebecameawarethattherewasanotherboatcomingdowntherivertowardwheretheylay，nowdriftingwiththestrongtideoutintotheharboragain，andheknewthatitwasbecauseoftheapproachofthatboatthattheotherhadcalleduponhismentoceaserowing。

Theotherboat，aswellashecouldseeinthedistance，wasfullofmen，someofwhomappearedtobearmed，forevenintheduskofthedarknesstheshineofthemoonlightglimmeredsharplynowandthenonthebarrelsofmusketsorpistols，andinthesilencethatfollowedaftertheirownrowinghadceasedBarnabyTruecouldhearthechug！chug！oftheoarssoundinglouderandlouderthroughthewaterystillnessofthenightastheboatdrewnearerandnearer。Butheknewnothingofwhatitallmeant，norwhethertheseotherswerefriendsorenemies，orwhatwastohappennext。

Theoarsmenoftheapproachingboatdidnotforamomentceasetheirrowing，nottilltheyhadcomeprettyclosetoBarnabyandhiscompanions。Thenamanwhosatinthesternorderedthemtoceaserowing，andastheylayontheiroarshestoodup。Astheypassedby，BarnabyTruecouldseehimveryplain，themoonlightshiningfulluponhim——alarge，stoutgentlemanwitharoundredface，andcladinafinelacedcoatofredcloth。Amidshipoftheboatwasaboxorchestaboutthebignessofamiddle-sizedtravelingtrunk，butcoveredalloverwithcakesofsandanddirt。Intheactofpassing，thegentleman，stillstanding，pointedatitwithanelegantgold-headedcanewhichheheldinhishand。”Areyoucomeafterthis，AbrahamDawling？”sayshe，andthereathiscountenancebrokeintoasevil，malignantagrinaseverBarnabyTruesawinallofhislife。

Theotherdidnotimmediatelyreplysomuchasasingleword，butsatasstillasanystone。Then，atlast，theotherboathavinggoneby，hesuddenlyappearedtoregainhiswits，forhebawledoutafterit，”Verywell，JackMalyoe！verywell，JackMalyoe！

you’vegotaheadofusthistimeagain，butnexttimeisthethird，andthenitshallbeourturn，evenifWilliamBrandmustcomebackfromhelltosettlewithyou。”

Thisheshoutedoutastheotherboatpassedfartherandfartheraway，buttoitmyfinegentlemanmadenoreplyexcepttoburstoutintoagreatroaringfitoflaughter。

Therewasanothermanamongthearmedmeninthesternofthepassingboat——avillainous，leanmanwithlanternjaws，andthetopofhisheadasbaldasthepalmofmyhand。Astheboatwentawayintothenightwiththetideandtheheadwaytheoarshadgivenit，hegrinnedsothatthemoonlightshonewhiteonhisbigteeth。Then，flourishingagreatbigpistol，hesaid，andBarnabycouldheareverywordhespoke，”Dobutgivemetheword，YourHonor，andI’llputanotherbulletthroughthesonofaseacook。”

Butthegentlemansaidsomewordstoforbidhim，andtherewiththeboatwasgoneawayintothenight，andpresentlyBarnabycouldhearthatthemenattheoarshadbegunrowingagain，leavingthemlyingthere，withoutasinglewordbeingsaidforalongtime。

ByandbyoneofthoseinBarnaby’sboatspokeup。”Whereshallyougonow？”hesaid。

Atthistheleaderoftheexpeditionappearedsuddenlytocomebacktohimself，andtofindhisvoiceagain。”Go？”heroaredout。”Gotothedevil！Go？Gowhereyouchoose！Go？Gobackagain——that’swherewe’llgo！”andtherewithhefella-cursingandswearinguntilhefoamedatthelips，asthoughhehadgonecleancrazy，whiletheblackmenbeganrowingbackagainacrosstheharborasfastasevertheycouldlayoarsintothewater。

TheyputBarnabyTrueashorebelowtheoldcustomhouse；butsobewilderedandshakenwashebyallthathadhappened，andbywhathehadseen，andbythenamesthatheheardspoken，thathewasscarcelyconsciousofanyofthefamiliarthingsamongwhichhefoundhimselfthusstanding。Andsohewalkedupthemoonlitstreettowardhislodginglikeonedrunkorbewildered；for”JohnMalyoe”wasthenameofthecaptainoftheAdventuregalley——hewhohadshotBarnaby’sowngrandfather——and”AbrahamDawling”wasthenameofthegunneroftheRoyalSovereignwhohadbeenshotatthesametimewiththepiratecaptain，andwho，withhim，hadbeenleftstretchedoutinthestaringsunbythemurderers。

Thewholebusinesshadoccupiedhardlytwohours，butitwasasthoughthattimewasnopartofBarnaby’slife，butallapartofsomeotherlife，sodarkandstrangeandmysteriousthatitinnowisebelongedtohim。

Asforthatboxcoveredalloverwithmud，hecouldonlyguessatthattimewhatitcontainedandwhatthefindingofitsignified。

Butofthisourherosaidnothingtoanyone，nordidhetellasinglelivingsoulwhathehadseenthatnight，butnurseditinhisownmind，whereitlaysobigforawhilethathecouldthinkoflittleornothingelsefordaysafter。

Mr。Greenfield，Mr。Hartright’scorrespondentandagentintheseparts，livedinafinebrickhousejustoutofthetown，ontheMonaRoad，hisfamilyconsistingofawifeandtwodaughters——brisk，livelyyoungladieswithblackhairandeyes，andveryfinebrightteeththatshonewhenevertheylaughed，andwithaplentytosayforthemselves。ThitherBarnabyTruewasoftenaskedtoafamilydinner；and，indeed，itwasapleasanthometovisit，andtositupontheverandaandsmokeacigarrowiththegoodoldgentlemanandlookouttowardthemountains，whiletheyoungladieslaughedandtalked，orplayedupontheguitarandsang。AndoftentimessoitwasstronglyuponBarnaby’smindtospeaktothegoodgentlemanandtellhimwhathehadbeheldthatnightoutintheharbor；butalwayshewouldthinkbetterofitandholdhispeace，fallingtothinking，andsmokingawayuponhiscigarroatagreatrate。

AdayortwobeforetheBelleHelensailedfromKingstonMr。

GreenfieldstoppedBarnabyTrueashewasgoingthroughtheofficetobidhimtocometodinnerthatnight(fortherewithinthetropicstheybreakfastateleveno’clockandtakedinnerinthecooloftheevening，becauseoftheheat，andnotatmidday，aswedoinmoretemperatelatitudes)。”Iwouldhaveyoumeet，”

saysMr。Greenfield，”yourchiefpassengerforNewYork，andhisgranddaughter，forwhomthestatecabinandthetwostateroomsaretobefittedashereordered[showingaletter]——SirJohnMalyoeandMissMarjorieMalyoe。DidyoueverheartellofCapt。

JackMalyoe，MasterBarnaby？”

NowIdobelievethatMr。GreenfieldhadnonotionatallthatoldCaptainBrandwasBarnabyTrue’sowngrandfatherandCapt。

JohnMalyoehismurderer，butwhenhesothrustathimthenameofthatman，whatwiththatinitselfandthelateadventurethroughwhichhehimselfhadjustpassed，andwithhisbroodinguponituntilitwassoprodigiouslybiginhismind，itwaslikehittinghimablowtosoflingthequestionsathim。

Nevertheless，hewasabletoreply，withaprettystraightface，thathehadheardofCaptainMalyoeandwhohewas。”Well，”saysMr。Greenfield，”ifJackMalyoewasadesperatepirateandawild，recklessbladetwentyyearsago，why，heisSirJohnMalyoenowandtheownerofafineestateinDevonshire。

Well，MasterBarnaby，whenoneisabaronetandcomeintotheinheritanceofafineestate(thoughIdohearitisvastlycumberedwithdebts)，theworldwillwinkitseyetomuchthathemayhavedonetwentyyearsago。Idohearsay，though，thathisownkinstillturnthecoldshouldertohim。”

TothisaddressBarnabyanswerednothing，butsatsmokingawayathiscigarroatagreatrate。

AndsothatnightBarnabyTruecamefacetofaceforthefirsttimewiththemanwhomurderedhisowngrandfather——thegreatestbeastofamanthateverhemetinallofhislife。

ThattimeintheharborhehadseenSirJohnMalyoeatadistanceandinthedarkness；nowthathebeheldhimnearbyitseemedtohimthathehadneverlookedatamoreevilfaceinallhislife。

Notthatthemanwasaltogetherugly，forhehadagoodnoseandafinedoublechin；buthiseyesstoodoutlikeballsandwereredandwatery，andhewinkedthemcontinually，asthoughtheywerealwayssmarting；andhislipswerethickandpurple-red，andhisfat，redcheeksweremottledhereandtherewithlittleclotsofpurpleveins；andwhenhespokehisvoicerattledsoinhisthroatthatitmadeonewishtoclearone’sownthroattolistentohim。So，whatwithapairoffat，whitehands，andthathoarsevoice，andhisswollenface，andhisthicklipsstickingout，itseemedtoBarnabyTruehehadneverseenacountenancesodistastefultohimasthatoneintowhichhethenlooked。

ButifSirJohnMalyoewassodispleasingtoourhero’staste，why，thegranddaughter，eventhisfirsttimehebeheldher，seemedtohimtobethemostbeautiful，lovelyyoungladythateverhesaw。Shehadathin，fairskin，redlips，andyellowhair——thoughitwasthenpowderedprettywhitefortheoccasion——andthebluesteyesthatBarnabybeheldinallofhislife。Asweet，timidcreature，whoseemednottodaresomuchastospeakawordforherselfwithoutlookingtoSirJohnforleavetodoso，andwouldshrinkandshudderwheneverhewouldspeakofasuddentoherordirectasuddenglanceuponher。Whenshedidspeak，itwasinsolowavoicethatonehadtobendhisheadtohearher，andevenifshesmiledwouldcatchherselfandlookupasthoughtoseeifshehadleavetobecheerful。

AsforSirJohn，hesatatdinnerlikeapig，andgobbledandateanddrank，smackinghislipsallthewhile，butwithhardlyawordtoeitherherorMrs。GreenfieldortoBarnabyTrue；butwithasour，sullenair，asthoughhewouldsay，”Yourdamnedvictualsanddrinkarenobetterthantheyshouldbe，butImusteat’emornothing。”Agreatbloatedbeastofaman！

OnlyafterdinnerwasoverandtheyoungladyandthetwomissessatoffinacornertogetherdidBarnabyhearhertalkwithanyease。Then，tobesure，hertonguebecameloose，andsheprattledawayatagreatrate，thoughhardlyaboveherbreath，untilofasuddenhergrandfathercalledout，inhishoarse，rattlingvoice，thatitwastimetogo。Whereuponshestoppedshortinwhatshewassayingandjumpedupfromherchair，lookingasfrightenedasthoughshehadbeencaughtinsomethingamiss，andwastobepunishedforit。

BarnabyTrueandMr。Greenfieldbothwentouttoseethetwointotheircoach，whereSirJohn’smanstoodholdingthelantern。Andwhoshouldhebe，tobesure，butthatsameleanvillainwithbaldheadwhohadofferedtoshoottheleaderofourhero’sexpeditionoutontheharborthatnight！For，oneofthecirclesoflightfromthelanternshiningupintohisface，BarnabyTrueknewhimthemomentheclappedeyesuponhim。Thoughhecouldnothaverecognizedourhero，hegrinnedathiminthemostimpudent，familiarfashion，andneversomuchastouchedhishateithertohimortoMr。Greenfield；butassoonashismasterandhisyoungmistresshadenteredthecoach，bangedtothedoorandscrambledupontheseatalongsidethedriver，andsoawaywithoutaword，butwithanotherimpudentgrin，thistimefavoringbothBarnabyandtheoldgentleman。

Suchwerethesetwo，masterandman，andwhatBarnabysawofthemthenwasonlyconfirmedbyfurtherobservation——themosthatefulcoupleheeverknew；though，Godknows，whattheyafterwardsufferedshouldwipeoutallcomplaintagainstthem。

ThenextdaySirJohnMalyoe’sbelongingsbegantocomeaboardtheBelleHelen，andintheafternoonthatsamelean，villainousmanservantcomesskippingacrossthegangplankasnimbleasagoat，withtwoblackmenbehindhimluggingagreatseachest。”What！”hecriedout，”andsoyouisthesupercargo，isyou？Why，IthoughtyouwasmoreaccountwhenIsawyoulastnighta-sittingtalkingwithHisHonorlikehisequal。Well，nomatter；’tissomethingtohaveabrisk，genteelyoungfellowforasupercargo。Socome，myhearty，lendahand，willyou，andhelpmesetHisHonor’scabintorights。”

Whataspeechwasthistoendurefromsuchafellow，tobesure！

andBarnabysohighinhisownesteem，andholdinghimselfagentleman！Well，whatwithhisdistasteforthevillain，andwhatwithsuchodiousfamiliarity，youcanguessintowhattempersoimpudentanaddressmusthavecasthim。”You’llfindthestewardinyonder，”hesaid，”andhe’llshowyouthecabin，”andtherewithturnedandwalkedawaywithprodigiousdignity，leavingtheotherstandingwherehewas。

Asheenteredhisowncabinhecouldnotbutsee，outofthetailofhiseye，thatthefellowwasstillstandingwherehehadlefthim，regardinghimwithamostevil，malevolentcountenance，sothathehadthesatisfactionofknowingthathehadmadeoneenemyduringthatvoyagewhowasnotverylikelytoforgiveorforgetwhathemustregardasaslightputuponhim。

ThenextdaySirJohnMalyoehimselfcameaboard，accompaniedbyhisgranddaughter，andfollowedbythisman，andhefollowedagainbyfourblackmen，whocarriedamongthemtwotrunks，notlargeinsize，butprodigiousheavyinweight，andtowardwhichSirJohnandhisfollowerdevotedtheutmostsolicitudeandcaretoseethattheywereproperlycarriedintothestatecabinhewastooccupy。BarnabyTruewasstandinginthegreatcabinastheypassedclosebyhim；butthoughSirJohnMalyoelookedhardathimandstraightintheface，heneversomuchasspokeasingleword，orshowedbyalookorasignthatheknewwhoourherowas。Atthistheservingman，whosawitallwitheyesasquickasacat’s，felltogrinningandchucklingtoseeBarnabyinhisturnsoslighted。

Theyounglady，whoalsosawitall，flushedupred，thenintheinstantofpassinglookedstraightatourhero，andbowedandsmiledathimwithamostsweetandgraciousaffability，thenthenextmomentrecoveringherself，asthoughmightilyfrightenedatwhatshehaddone。

ThesamedaytheBelleHelensailed，withasbeautiful，sweetweatheraseverabodycouldwishfor。

Therewereonlytwootherpassengersaboard，theRev。SimonStyles，themasterofaflourishingacademyinSpanishTown，andhiswife，agood，worthyoldcouple，butveryquiet，andwouldsitinthegreatcabinbythehourtogetherreading，sothat，whatwithSirJohnMalyoestayingallthetimeinhisowncabinwiththosetwotrunksheheldsoprecious，itfelluponBarnabyTrueingreatparttoshowattentiontotheyounglady；andgladenoughhewasoftheopportunity，asanyonemayguess。Forwhenyouconsiderabrisk，livelyyoungmanofone-and-twentyandasweet，beautifulmissofseventeensothrowntogetherdayafterdayfortwoweeks，theweatherbeingveryfair，asIhavesaid，andtheshiptossingandbowlingalongbeforeafinehummingbreezethatsentwhitecapsalloverthesea，andwithnothingtodobutsitandlookatthatblueseaandthebrightskyoverhead，itisnothardtosupposewhatwastobefall，andwhatpleasureitwastoBarnabyTruetoshowattentiontoher。

But，oh！thosedayswhenamanisyoung，and，whetherwiselyorno，falleninlove！Howoftenduringthatvoyagedidourherolieawakeinhisberthatnight，tossingthiswayandthatwithoutsleep——notthathewantedtosleepifhecould，butwouldratherliesoawakethinkingaboutherandstaringintothedarkness！

Poorfool！Hemighthaveknownthattheendmustcometosuchafool’sparadisebeforeverylong。ForwhowashetolookuptoSirJohnMalyoe’sgranddaughter，he，thesupercargoofamerchantship，andshethegranddaughterofabaronet。

Nevertheless，thingswentalongverysmoothandpleasant，untiloneevening，whenallcameofasuddentoanend。Atthattimeheandtheyoungladyhadbeenstandingforalongwhiletogether，leaningovertherailandlookingoutacrossthewaterthroughthedusktowardthewestward，wheretheskywasstillofalingeringbrightness。Shehadbeenmightilyquietanddullallthatevening，butnowofasuddenshebegan，withoutanyprefacewhatever，totellBarnabyaboutherselfandheraffairs。ShesaidthatsheandhergrandfatherweregoingtoNewYorkthattheymighttakepassagethencetoBostontown，theretomeethercousinCaptainMalyoe，whowasstationedingarrisonatthatplace。ThenshewentontosaythatCaptainMalyoewasthenextheirtotheDevonshireestate，andthatsheandheweretobemarriedinthefall。

But，poorBarnaby！whatafoolwashe，tobesure！MethinkswhenshefirstbegantospeakaboutCaptainMalyoeheknewwhatwascoming。Butnowthatshehadtoldhim，hecouldsaynothing，butstoodtherestaringacrosstheocean，hisbreathcominghotanddryasashesinhisthroat。She，poorthing，wentontosay，inaverylowvoice，thatshehadlikedhimfromtheveryfirstmomentshehadseenhim，andhadbeenveryhappyforthesedays，andwouldalwaysthinkofhimasadearfriendwhohadbeenverykindtoher，whohadsolittlepleasureinlife，andsowouldalwaysrememberhim。

Thentheywerebothsilent，untilatlastBarnabymadeshifttosay，thoughinahoarseandcroakingvoice，thatCaptainMalyoemustbeaveryhappyman，andthatifhewereinCaptainMalyoe’splacehewouldbethehappiestmanintheworld。Thus，havingspoken，andsofoundhistongue，hewentontotellher，withhisheadallinawhirl，thathe，too，lovedher，andthatwhatshehadtoldhimstruckhimtotheheart，andmadehimthemostmiserable，unhappywretchinthewholeworld。

Shewasnotangryatwhathesaid，nordidsheturntolookathim，butonlysaid，inalowvoice，heshouldnottalkso，forthatitcouldonlybeapaintothembothtospeakofsuchthings，andthatwhethershewouldorno，shemustdoeverythingashergrandfatherbadeher，forthathewasindeedaterribleman。

TothispoorBarnabycouldonlyrepeatthathelovedherwithallhisheart，thathehadhopedfornothinginhislove，butthathewasnowthemostmiserablemanintheworld。

Itwasatthismoment，sotragicforhim，thatsomeonewhohadbeenhidingnighthemallthewhilesuddenlymovedaway，andBarnabyTruecouldseeinthegatheringdarknessthatitwasthatvillainmanservantofSirJohnMalyoe’sandknewthathemusthaveoverheardallthathadbeensaid。

Themanwentstraighttothegreatcabin，andpoorBarnaby，hisbrainallatingle，stoodlookingafterhim，feelingthatnowindeedthelastdropofbitternesshadbeenaddedtohistroubletohavesuchawretchoverhearwhathehadsaid。

Theyoungladycouldnothaveseenthefellow，forshecontinuedleaningovertherail，andBarnabyTrue，standingatherside，notmoving，butinsuchatumultofmanypassionsthathewaslikeonebewildered，andhisheartbeatingasthoughtosmotherhim。

SotheystoodforIknownothowlongwhen，ofasudden，SirJohnMalyoecomesrunningoutofthecabin，withouthishat，butcarryinghisgold-headedcane，andsostraightacrossthedecktowhereBarnabyandtheyoungladystood，thatspyingwretchcloseathisheels，grinninglikeanimp。”Youhussy！”bawledoutSirJohn，sosoonashehadcomeprettynearthem，andinsoloudavoicethatallondeckmighthaveheardthewords；andashespokehewavedhiscanebackandforthasthoughhewouldhavestrucktheyounglady，who，shrinkingbackalmostuponthedeck，crouchedasthoughtoescapesuchablow。”Youhussy！”hebawledoutwithvileoaths，toohorribleheretobesetdown。”WhatdoyoudoherewiththisYankeesupercargo，notfitforagentlewomantowipeherfeetupon？Gettoyourcabin，youhussy”(onlyitwassomethingworsehecalledherthistime)，”beforeIlaythiscaneacrossyourshoulders！”

WhatwiththewhirlingofBarnaby’sbrainsandthepassionintowhichhewasalreadymelted，whatwithhisdespairandhislove，andhisangeratthisaddress，amangonemadcouldscarcelybelessaccountableforhisactionsthanwasheatthatmoment。

Hardlyknowingwhathedid，heputhishandagainstSirJohnMalyoe’sbreastandthrusthimviolentlyback，cryingoutuponhiminagreat，loud，hoarsevoiceforthreateningayounglady，andsayingthatforafarthinghewouldwrenchthestickoutofhishandandthrowitoverboard。

SirJohnwentstaggeringbackwiththepushBarnabygavehim，andthencaughthimselfupagain。Then，withagreatbellow，ranroaringatourhero，whirlinghiscaneabout，andIdobelievewouldhavestruckhim(andGodknowsthenwhatmighthavehappened)hadnothismanservantcaughthimandheldhimback。”Keepback！”criedoutourhero，stillmightyhoarse。”Keepback！IfyoustrikemewiththatstickI’llflingyouoverboard！”

Bythistime，whatwiththesoundofloudvoicesandthestampingoffeet，someofthecrewandothersaboardwerehurryingup，andthenextmomentCaptainManlyandthefirstmate，Mr。Freesden，camerunningoutofthecabin。ButBarnaby，whowasbythisfairlysetagoing，couldnotnowstophimself。”Andwhoareyou，anyhow，”hecriedout，”tothreatentostrikemeandtoinsultme，whoamasgoodasyou？Youdarenotstrikeme！Youmayshootamanfrombehind，asyoushotpoorCaptainBrandontheRioCobraRiver，butyouwon’tdarestrikemefacetoface。Iknowwhoyouareandwhatyouare！”

BythistimeSirJohnMalyoehadceasedtoendeavortostrikehim，butstoodstock-still，hisgreatbulgingeyesstaringasthoughtheywouldpopoutofhishead。”What’sallthis？”criesCaptainManly，bustlinguptothemwithMr。Freesden。”Whatdoesallthismean？”

But，asIhavesaid，ourherowastoofargonenowtocontainhimselfuntilallthathehadtosaywasout。”Thedamnedvillaininsultedmeandinsultedtheyounglady，”hecriedout，pantingintheextremityofhispassion，”andthenhethreatenedtostrikemewithhiscane。ButIknowwhoheisandwhatheis。Iknowwhathe’sgotinhiscabininthosetwotrunks，andwherehefoundit，andwhomitbelongsto。HefounditontheshoresoftheRioCobraRiver，andIhaveonlytoopenmymouthandtellwhatIknowaboutit。”

AtthisCaptainManlyclappedhishanduponourhero’sshoulderandfelltoshakinghimsothathecouldscarcelystand，callingouttohimthewhiletobesilent。”Whatdoyoumean？”hecried。”Anofficerofthisshiptoquarrelwithapassengerofmine！Gostraighttoyourcabin，andstaytheretillIgiveyouleavetocomeoutagain。”

AtthisMasterBarnabycamesomewhatbacktohimselfandintohiswitsagainwithajump。”Buthethreatenedtostrikemewithhiscane，Captain，”hecriedout，”andthatIwon’tstandfromanyman！””Nomatterwhathedid，”saidCaptainManly，verysternly。”Gotoyourcabin，asIbidyou，andstaytheretillItellyoutocomeoutagain，andwhenwegettoNewYorkI’lltakepainstotellyourstepfatherofhowyouhavebehaved。I’llhavenosuchriotingasthisaboardmyship。”

BarnabyTruelookedaroundhim，buttheyoungladywasgone。Nor，intheblindnessofhisfrenzy，hadheseenwhenshehadgonenorwhithershewent。AsforSirJohnMalyoe，hestoodinthelightofalantern，hisfacegoneaswhiteasashes，andIdobelieveifalookcouldkill，thedreadfulmalevolentstarehefixeduponBarnabyTruewouldhaveslainhimwherehestood。