Asforthatpooryoungwifeofhis，thelifethatheandhisrum-crazyshipmatesledherwastooterribletobetold。
ForatimeBlackbeardworkedathistradedownontheSpanishMain，gathering，inthefewyearshewasthere，averyneatlittlefortuneinthebootycapturedfromsundryvessels；butbyandbyhetookitintohisheadtotryhisluckalongthecoastoftheCarolinas；sooffhesailedtothenorthward，withquitearespectablelittlefleet，consistingofhisownvesselandtwocapturedsloops。FromthattimehewasactivelyengagedinthemakingofAmericanhistoryinhissmallway。
HefirstappearedoffthebarofCharlestonHarbor，tothenosmallexcitementoftheworthytownofthatilk，andtherehelayforfiveorsixdays，blockadingtheport，andstoppingincomingandoutgoingvesselsathispleasure，sothat，forthetime，thecommerceoftheprovincewasentirelyparalyzed。Allthevesselssostoppedheheldasprizes，andallthecrewsandpassengersamongthelatterofwhomwasmorethanoneprovincialworthyofthedayheretainedasthoughtheywereprisonersofwar。
AnditwasamightilyawkwardthingforthegoodfolkofCharlestontobeholddayafterdayablackflagwithitswhiteskullandcrossbonesflutteringattheforeofthepiratecaptain’scraft，overacrossthelevelstretchofgreensaltmarshes；anditwasmightilyunpleasant，too，toknowthatthisorthatprominentcitizenwascrowdeddownwiththeotherprisonersunderthehatches。
OnemorningCaptainBlackbeardfindsthathisstockofmedicineislow。”Tut！”sayshe，”we’llturnnohairgrayforthat。”SouphecallstheboldCaptainRichards，thecommanderofhisconsorttheRevengesloop，andbidshimtakeMr。Marksoneofhisprisoners，andgouptoCharlestonandgetthemedicine。