JACKBALLISTER’SFORTUNES
WE，ofthesetimes，protectedaswearebythelawsandbythenumberofpeopleaboutus，canhardlycomprehendsuchalifeasthatoftheAmericancoloniesintheearlypartoftheeighteenthcentury，whenitwaspossibleforapiratelikeCapt。Teach，knownasBlackbeard，toexist，andforthegovernorandthesecretaryoftheprovinceinwhichhelivedperhapstosharehisplunder，andtoshelterandtoprotecthimagainstthelaw。
AtthattimetheAmericancolonistswereingeneralarough，ruggedpeople，knowingnothingofthefinerthingsoflife。Theylivedmostlyinlittlesettlements，separatedbylongdistancesfromoneanother，sothattheycouldneithermakenorenforcelawstoprotectthemselves。Eachmanorlittlegroupofmenhadtodependuponhisortheirownstrengthtokeepwhatbelongedtothem，andtopreventfiercemenorgroupsofmenfromseizingwhatdidnotbelongtothem。
Itisthenaturaldispositionofeveryonetogetallthathecan。
Littlechildren，forinstance，alwaystrytotakeawayfromothersthatwhichtheywant，andtokeepitfortheirown。Itisonlybyconstantteachingthattheylearnthattheymustnotdoso；thattheymustnottakebyforcewhatdoesnotbelongtothem。Soitisonlybyteachingandtrainingthatpeoplelearntobehonestandnottotakewhatisnottheirs。Whenthisteachingisnotsufficienttomakeamanlearntobehonest，orwhenthereissomethingintheman’snaturethatmakeshimnotabletolearn，thenheonlylackstheopportunitytoseizeuponthethingshewants，justashewoulddoifhewerealittlechild。
Inthecoloniesatthattime，aswasjustsaid，menweretoofewandscatteredtoprotectthemselvesagainstthosewhohadmadeuptheirmindstotakebyforcethatwhichtheywanted，andsoitwasthatmenlivedanunrestrainedandlawlesslife，suchasweofthesetimesofbettergovernmentcanhardlycomprehend。
Theusualmeansofcommercebetweenprovinceandprovincewasbywaterincoastingvessels。Thesecoastingvesselsweresodefenseless，andthedifferentcolonialgovernmentsweresoillabletoprotectthem，thatthosewhochosetorobthemcoulddoitalmostwithoutdangertothemselves。
Soitwasthatallthewesternworldwas，inthosedays，infestedwitharmedbandsofcruisingfreebootersorpirates，whousedtostopmerchantvesselsandtakefromthemwhattheychose。
Eachprovinceinthosedayswasruledoverbyaroyalgovernorappointedbytheking。Eachgovernor，atonetime，wasfreetodoalmostashepleasedinhisownprovince。Hewasaccountableonlytothekingandhisgovernment，andEnglandwassodistantthathewasreallyresponsiblealmosttonobodybuthimself。
Thegovernorswerenaturallyjustasdesiroustogetrichquickly，justasdesirousofgettingallthattheycouldforthemselves，aswasanybodyelseonlytheyhadbeentaughtandhadbeenabletolearnthatitwasnotrighttobeanactualpirateorrobber。Theywantedtobericheasilyandquickly，butthedesirewasnotstrongenoughtoleadthemtodishonorthemselvesintheirownopinionandintheopinionofothersbygratifyingtheirselfishness。Theywouldevenhavestoppedthepiratesfromdoingwhattheydidiftheycould，buttheirprovincialgovernmentsweretooweaktopreventthefreebootersfromrobbingmerchantvessels，ortopunishthemwhentheycameashore。Theprovinceshadnonavies，andtheyreallyhadnoarmies；neitherwerethereenoughpeoplelivingwithinthecommunitytoenforcethelawsagainstthosestrongerandfiercermenwhowerenothonest。
Afterthethingsthepiratesseizedfrommerchantvesselswereoncestolentheywerealtogetherlost。Almostneverdidanyownerapplyforthem，foritwouldbeuselesstodoso。Thestolengoodsandmerchandiselayinthestorehousesofthepirates，seeminglywithoutanyownerexceptingthepiratesthemselves。
Thegovernorsandthesecretariesofthecolonieswouldnotdishonorthemselvesbypiratinguponmerchantvessels，butitdidnotseemsowickedafterthegoodswerestolen——andsoaltogetherlost——totakeapartofthatwhichseemedtohavenoowner。
Achildistaughtthatitisaverywickedthingtotake，forinstance，byforce，alumpofsugarfromanotherchild；butwhenawickedchildhasseizedthesugarfromanotherandtakenitaroundthecorner，andthatotherchildfromwhomhehasseizedithasgonehomecrying，itdoesnotseemsowickedforthethirdchildtotakeabiteofthesugarwhenitisofferedtohim，evenifhethinksithasbeentakenfromsomeoneelse。
Itwasjustso，nodoubt，thatitdidnotseemsowickedtoGovernorEdenandSecretaryKnightofNorthCarolina，ortoGovernorFletcherofNewYork，ortoothercolonialgovernors，totakeapartofthebootythatthepirates，suchasBlackbeard，hadstolen。Itdidnotevenseemverywickedtocompelsuchpiratestogiveupapartofwhatwasnottheirs，andwhichseemedtohavenoowner。
InGovernorEden’stime，however，thecolonieshadbeguntobemorethicklypeopled，andthelawshadgraduallybecomestrongerandstrongertoprotectmeninthepossessionofwhatwastheirs。
GovernorEdenwasthelastofthecolonialgovernorswhohaddealingswiththepirates，andBlackbeardwasalmostthelastofthepirateswho，withhisbandedmen，wassavageandpowerfulenoughtocomeandgoashechoseamongthepeoplewhomheplundered。
Virginia，atthattime，wasthegreatestandtherichestofalltheAmericancolonies，anduponthefarthersideofNorthCarolinawastheprovinceofSouthCarolina，alsostrongandrich。ItwasthesetwocoloniesthatsufferedthemostfromBlackbeard，anditbegantobethatthehonestmenthatlivedinthemcouldendurenolongertobeplundered。
Themerchantsandtradersandotherswhosufferedcriedoutloudlyforprotection，soloudlythatthegovernorsoftheseprovincescouldnothelphearingthem。
GovernorEdenwaspetitionedtoactagainstthepirates，buthewoulddonothing，forhefeltveryfriendlytowardBlackbeard——justasachildwhohashadatasteofthestolensugarfeelsfriendlytowardthechildwhogivesittohim。
Atlast，whenBlackbeardsailedupintotheveryheartofVirginia，andseizeduponandcarriedawaythedaughterofthatcolony’sforemostpeople，thegovernorofVirginia，findingthatthegovernorofNorthCarolinawoulddonothingtopunishtheoutrage，tookthematterintohisownhandsandissuedaproclamationofferingarewardofonehundredpoundsforBlackbeard，aliveordead，anddifferentsumsfortheotherpirateswhowerehisfollowers。
GovernorSpottiswoodhadtherighttoissuetheproclamation，buthehadnorighttocommissionLieutenantMaynard，ashedid，totakedownanarmedforceintotheneighboringprovinceandtoattackthepiratesinthewatersoftheNorthCarolinasounds。Itwasallapartoftherudeandlawlessconditionofthecoloniesatthetimethatsuchathingcouldhavebeendone。
Thegovernor’sproclamationagainstthepirateswasissuedupontheeleventhdayofNovember。ItwasreadinthechurchestheSundayfollowingandwasposteduponthedoorsofallthegovernmentcustomofficesinlowerVirginia。LieutenantMaynard，intheboatsthatColonelParkerhadalreadyfittedouttogoagainstthepirates，setsailupontheseventeenthofthemonthforOcracoke。Fivedayslaterthebattlewasfought。
Blackbeard’ssloopwaslyinginsideofOcracokeInletamongtheshoalsandsandbarswhenhefirstheardofGovernorSpottiswood’sproclamation。
Therehadbeenastorm，andagoodmanyvesselshadrunintotheinletforshelter。Blackbeardknewnearlyallofthecaptainsofthesevessels，anditwasfromthemthathefirstheardoftheproclamation。
Hehadgoneaboardoneofthevessels——acoasterfromBoston。Thewindwasstillblowingprettyhardfromthesoutheast。Thereweremaybeadozenvesselslyingwithintheinletatthattime，andthecaptainofoneofthemwaspayingtheBostonskipperavisitwhenBlackbeardcameaboard。Thetwocaptainshadbeentalkingtogether。Theyinstantlyceasedwhenthepiratecamedownintothecabin，buthehadheardenoughoftheirconversationtocatchitsdrift。”Whyd’yestop？”hesaid。”Iheardwhatyousaid。
Well，whatthen？D’yethinkIminditatall？Spottiswoodisgoingtosendhisbulliesdownhereafterme。That’swhatyouweresaying。Well，whatthen？Youdon’tthinkI’mafraidofhisbullies，doyou？””Why，no，Captain，Ididn’tsayyouwasafraid，”saidthevisitingcaptain。”AndwhatrighthashegottosenddownhereagainstmeinNorthCarolina，Ishouldliketoaskyou？””He’sgotnoneatall，”saidtheBostoncaptain，soothingly。”Won’tyoutakeatasteofHollands，Captain？””He’snomorerighttocomeblusteringdownhereintoGovernorEden’sprovincethanIhavetocomeaboardofyourschoonerhere，TomBurley，andtocarryofftwoorthreekegsofthisprimeHollandsformyowndrinking。”
CaptainBurley——theBostonman——laughedaloud，forcedlaugh。”Why，Captain，”hesaid，”asfortwoorthreekegsofHollands，youwon’tfindthataboard。Butifyou’dliketohaveakegofitforyourowndrinking，I’llsendittoyouandbegladenoughtodosoforoldacquaintance’sake。””ButItellyouwhat’tis，Captain，”saidthevisitingskippertoBlackbeard，”they’redeterminedandsetagainstyouthistime。I
tellyou，Captain，GovernorSpottiswoodhathissuedahotproclamationagainstyou，and’thathbeenreadoutinallthechurches。ImyselfsawitpostedinYorktownuponthecustomhousedoorandreadittheremyself。Thegovernoroffersonehundredpoundsforyou，andfiftypoundsforyourofficers，andtwentypoundseachforyourmen。””Well，then，”saidBlackbeard，holdinguphisglass，”here，I
wish’emgoodluck，andwhentheygettheirhundredpoundsformethey’llbeinapoorwaytospendit。AsfortheHollands，”saidhe，turningtoCaptainBurley，”Iknowwhatyou’vegotaboardhereandwhatyouhaven’t。D’yesupposeyecanblindme？Verywell，yousendovertwokegs，andI’llletyougowithoutsearch。”Thetwocaptainswereverysilent。”AsforthatLieutenantMaynardyou’realltalkingabout，saidBlackbeard，”why，Iknowhimverywell。HewastheonewhowassobusywiththepiratesdownMadagascarway。Ibelieveyou’dallliketoseehimblowmeoutofthewater，buthecan’tdoit。There’snobodyinHisMajesty’sserviceI’drathermeetthanLieutenantMaynard。
I’dteachhimprettybrisklythatNorthCarolinaisn’tMadagascar。”
Ontheeveningofthetwenty-secondthetwovesselsundercommandofLieutenantMaynardcameintothemouthofOcracokeInletandtheredroppedanchor。Meantimetheweatherhadcleared，andallthevesselsbutonehadgonefromtheinlet。TheonevesselthatremainedwasaNewYorker。Ithadbeenthereoveranightandaday，andthecaptainandBlackbeardhadbecomeverygoodfriends。
ThesamenightthatMaynardcameintotheinletaweddingwasheldontheshore。Anumberofmenandwomencameupthebeachinoxcartsandsledges；othershadcomeinboatsfrommoredistantpointsandacrossthewater。
ThecaptainoftheNewYorkerandBlackbeardwentashoretogetheralittleafterdark。TheNewYorkerhadbeenaboardofthepirate’ssloopforallthelatterpartoftheafternoon，andheandBlackbeardhadbeendrinkingtogetherinthecabin。TheNewYorkmanwasnowalittletipsy，andhelaughedandtalkedfoolishlyasheandBlackbeardwererowedashore。Thepiratesatgrimandsilent。
Itwasnearlydarkwhentheysteppedashoreonthebeach。TheNewYorkcaptainstumbledandfellheadlong，rollingoverandover，andthecrewoftheboatburstoutlaughing。
Thepeoplehadalreadybeguntodanceinanopenshedfrontingupontheshore。Therewerefiresofpineknotsinfrontofthebuilding，lightinguptheinteriorwitharedglare。Anegrowasplayingafiddlesomewhereinside，andtheshedwasfilledwithacrowdofgrotesquedancingfigures——menandwomen。Nowandthentheycalledwithloudvoicesastheydanced，andthesqueakingofthefiddlesoundedincessantlythroughthenoiseofoutcriesandthestampandshufflingoffeet。
CaptainTeachandtheNewYorkcaptainstoodlookingon。TheNewYorkmanhadtiltedhimselfagainstapostandstoodthereholdingonearmaroundit，supportinghimself。Hewavedtheotherhandfoolishlyintimetothemusic，nowandthensnappinghisthumbandfinger。
Theyoungwomanwhohadjustbeenmarriedapproachedthetwo。Shehadbeendancing，andshewaswarmandred，herhairblowzedaboutherhead。”Hi，Captain，won’tyoudancewithme？”shesaidtoBlackbeard。
Blackbeardstaredather。”Whobeyou？”hesaid。
Sheburstoutlaughing。”Youlookasifyou’deatabody，”shecried。
Blackbeard’sfacegraduallyrelaxed。”Why，tobesure，you’reabrazenone，foralltheworld，”hesaid。”Well，I’lldancewithyou，thatIwill。I’lldancetheheartoutofyou。”
Hepushedforward，thrustingasidewithhiselbowthenewlymadehusband。Theman，whosawthatBlackbeardhadbeendrinking，burstoutlaughing，andtheothermenandwomenwhohadbeenstandingarounddrewaway，sothatinalittlewhilethefloorwasprettywellcleared。Onecouldseethenegronow；hesatonabarrelattheendoftheroom。Hegrinnedwithhiswhiteteethand，withoutstoppinginhisfiddling，scrapedhisbowharshlyacrossthestrings，andtheninstantlychangedthetunetoalivelyjig。Blackbeardjumpedupintotheairandclappedhisheelstogether，giving，ashedidso，asharp，shortyell。Thenhebeganinstantlydancinggrotesquelyandviolently。Thewomandancedoppositetohim，thiswayandthat，withherknucklesonherhips。EverybodyburstoutlaughingatBlackbeard’sgrotesqueantics。Theylaughedagainandagain，clappingtheirhands，andthenegroscrapedawayonhisfiddlelikefury。Thewoman’shaircametumblingdownherback。Shetuckeditback，laughingandpanting，andthesweatrandownherface。Shedancedanddanced。
Atlastsheburstoutlaughingandstopped，panting。Blackbeardagainjumpedupintheairandclappedhisheels。Againheyelled，andashedidso，hestruckhisheelsuponthefloorandspunaround。Oncemoreeverybodyburstoutlaughing，clappingtheirhands，andthenegrostoppedfiddling。
Nearbywasashantyorcabinwheretheyweresellingspirits，andbyandbyBlackbeardwenttherewiththeNewYorkcaptain，andpresentlytheybegandrinkingagain。”Hi，Captain！”calledoneofthemen，”Maynard’soutyonderintheinlet。JackBishop’sjustcomeacrossfromt’otherside。HesaysMr。Maynardhailedhimandaskedforapilottofetchhimin。””Well，here’slucktohim，andhecan’tcomeinquickenoughforme！”criedoutBlackbeardinhishoarse，huskyvoice。”Well，Captain，”calledavoice，”willyefighthimto-morrow？””Aye，”shoutedthepirate，”ifhecangetintome，I’lltrytogive’emwhattheyseek，andalltheywantofitintothebargain。Asforapilot，Itellyewhat’tis——ifanymanhereaboutsgoesouttheretopilotthatvillainin’twillbetheworstday’sworkheeverdidinallofhislife。’Twon’tbefitforhimtoliveinthesepartsofAmericaifIamlivinghereatthesametime。”Therewasaburstoflaughter。”Giveusatoast，Captain！Giveussomethingtodrinkto！Aye，Captain，atoast！Atoast！”ahalfdozenvoiceswerecallingoutatthesametime。”Well，”criedoutthepiratecaptain，”here’stoagood，hotfightto-morrow，andthebestdogontop！’Twillbe，Bang！
bang！——thisway！”
Hebeganpullingapistoloutofhispocket，butitstuckinthelining，andhestruggledandtuggedatit。Themenduckedandscrambledawayfrombeforehim，andthenthenextmomenthehadthepistoloutofhispocket。Heswungitaroundandaround。
Therewasperfectsilence。Suddenlytherewasaflashandastunningreport，andinstantlyacrashandtinkleofbrokenglass。Oneofthemencriedout，andbeganpickingandjerkingatthebackofhisneck。”He’sbrokenthatbottlealldownmyneck，”hecalledout。”That’stheway’twillbe，”saidBlackbeard。”Lookee，”saidtheowneroftheplace，”Iwon’tserveoutanotherdropif’tisgoingtobelikethat。Ifthere’sanymoretroubleI’llblowoutthelantern。”
Thesoundofthesqueakingandscrapingofthefiddleandtheshoutsandthescufflingfeetstillcamefromtheshedwherethedancingwasgoingon。”Supposeyougetyourdoseto-morrow，Captain，”someonecalledout，”whatthen？””Why，ifIdo，”saidBlackbeard，”Igetit，andthat’sallthereisofit。””Yourwife’llbearichwiddythen，won’tshe？”criedoneofthemen；andtherewasaburstoflaughter。”Why，”saidtheNewYorkcaptain，——”why，hasa——abloodyp-piratelikeyouawifethen——a——likeanyhonestman？””She’llbenoricherthansheisnow，”saidBlackbeard。”Sheknowswhereyou’vehidyourmoney，anyways。Don’tshe，Captain？”calledoutavoice。”ThecivilknowswhereI’vehidmymoney，”saidBlackbeard，”andIknowwhereI’vehidit；andthelongestliverofthetwainwillgititall。Andthat’sallthereisofit。”
ThegrayofearlydaywasbeginningtoshowintheeastwhenBlackbeardandtheNewYorkcaptaincamedowntothelandingtogether。TheNewYorkcaptainswayedandtoppledthiswayandthatashewalked，nowfallingagainstBlackbeard，andnowstaggeringawayfromhim。
II
Earlyinthemorning——perhapseighto’clock——LieutenantMaynardsentaboatfromtheschoonerovertothesettlement，whichlaysomefourorfivemilesdistant。Anumberofmenstoodloungingonthelanding，watchingtheapproachoftheboat。Themenrowedcloseuptothewharf，andtherelayupontheiroars，whiletheboatswainoftheschooner，whowasincommandoftheboat，stoodupandaskediftherewasanymantherewhocouldpilotthemovertheshoals。
Nobodyanswered，butallstaredstupidlyathim。Afterawhileoneofthemenatlasttookhispipeoutofhismouth。”Thereben’tanypilothere，master，”saidhe；”weben’tpilots。””Why，whatastoryyoudotell！”roaredtheboatswain。”D’yesupposeI’veneverbeendownherebefore，nottoknowthateverymanabouthereknowsthepassesoftheshoals？”
Thefellowstillheldhispipeinhishand。Helookedatanotheroneofthemen。”Doyouknowthepassesinovertheshoals，Jem？”saidhe。
Themantowhomhespokewasayoungfellowwithlong，shaggy，sunburnthairhangingoverhiseyesinanunkemptmass。Heshookhishead，grunting，”Na——Idon’tknownaughtaboutt’shoals。””’TisLieutenantMaynardofHisMajesty’snavyincommandofthemvesselsoutthere，”saidtheboatswain。”He’llgiveanymanfivepoundtopilothimin。”Themenonthewharflookedatoneanother，butstillnoonespoke，andtheboatswainstoodlookingatthem。Hesawthattheydidnotchoosetoanswerhim。”Why，”
hesaid，”Ibelieveyou’venotgotrightwits——that’swhatI
believeisthematterwithyou。Pullmeuptothelanding，men，andI’llgoashoreandseeifIcanfindanybodythat’swillingtomakefivepoundforsuchalittlebitofpilotingasthat。”
Aftertheboatswainhadgoneashoretheloungersstillstoodonthewharf，lookingdownintotheboat，andbegantalkingtooneanotherforthemenbelowtohearthem。”They’recomingin，”
saidone，”toblowpoorBlackbeardoutofthewater。””Aye，”saidanother，”he’ssopeaceable，too，heis；he’lljustlaystillandlet’emblowandblow，hewill。””There’sayoungfellowthere，”
saidanotherofthemen；”hedon’tlookfittodieyet，hedon’t。
Why，Iwouldn’tbeinhisplaceforathousandpound。””IdosupposeBlackbeard’ssoafraidhedon’tknowhowtosee，”saidthefirstspeaker。
Atlastoneofthemenintheboatspokeup。”Maybehedon’tknowhowtosee，”saidhe，”butmaybewe’llblowsomedaylightintohimaforewegetthroughwithhim。”
Somemoreofthesettlershadcomeoutfromtheshoretotheendofthewharf，andtherewasnowquiteacrowdgatheringthere，alllookingatthemenintheboat。”WhatdothemVirginny’baccy-eatersdodownhereinCaroliny，anyway？”saidoneofthenewcomers。”They’vegotnocalltobedownhereinNorthCarolinywaters。””Maybeyoucankeepusawayfromcoming，andmaybeyoucan’t，”
saidavoicefromtheboat。”Why，”answeredthemanonthewharf，”wecouldkeepyouawayeasyenough，butyouben’tworththetrouble，andthat’sthetruth。”
Therewasaheavyironboltlyingneartheedgeofthelanding。
Oneofthemenuponthewharfslylythrustitoutwiththeendofhisfoot。Ithungforamomentandthenfellintotheboatbelowwithacrash。”Whatd’yemeanbythat？”roaredthemaninchargeoftheboat。”Whatd’yemean，yevillains？D’yemeantostaveaholeinus？””Why，”saidthemanwhohadpushedit，”yousaw’twasn’tdoneapurpose，didn’tyou？””Well，youtryitagain，andsomebody’llgethurt，”saidthemanintheboat，showingthebuttendofhispistol。
Themenonthewharfbeganlaughing。Justthentheboatswaincamedownfromthesettlementagain，andoutalongthelanding。
Thethreatenedturbulencequietedasheapproached，andthecrowdmovedsullenlyasidetolethimpass。Hedidnotbringanypilotwithhim，andhejumpeddownintothesternoftheboat，saying，briefly，”Pushoff。”Thecrowdofloungersstoodlookingafterthemastheyrowedaway，andwhentheboatwassomedistancefromthelandingtheyburstoutintoavolleyofderisiveyells。”Thevillains！”saidtheboatswain，”theyareallinleaguetogether。
Theywouldn’tevenletmegoupintothesettlementtolookforapilot。”
Thelieutenantandhissailingmasterstoodwatchingtheboatasitapproached。”Couldn’tyou，then，getapilot，Baldwin？”saidMr。Maynard，astheboatswainscrambledaboard。”No，Icouldn’t，sir，”saidtheman。”Eitherthey’reallbandedtogether，orelsethey’reallafraidofthevillains。Theywouldn’tevenletmegoupintothesettlementtofindone。””Well，then，”saidMr。Maynard，”we’llmakeshifttoworkinasbestwemaybyourselves。’Twillbehightideagainstoneo’clock。We’llruninthenwithsailasfaraswecan，andthenwe’llsendyouaheadwiththeboattosoundforapass，andwe’llfollowwiththesweeps。Youknowthewatersprettywell，yousay。””Theyweresayingashorethatthevillainhathfortymenaboard，”
saidtheboatswain。[2]
[2]Thepiratecaptainhadreallyonlytwenty-fivemenaboardofhisshipatthetimeofthebattle。
LieutenantMaynard’sforceconsistedofthirty-fivemenintheschoonerandtwenty-fivemeninthesloop。Hecarriedneithercannonsnorcarronades，andneitherofhisvesselswasverywellfittedforthepurposeforwhichtheyweredesigned。Theschooner，whichhehimselfcommanded，offeredalmostnoprotectiontothecrew。Therailwasnotmorethanafoothighinthewaist，andthemenonthedeckwerealmostentirelyexposed。Therailofthesloopwasperhapsalittlehigher，butit，too，washardlybetteradaptedforfighting。Indeed，thelieutenantdependedmoreuponthemoralforceofofficialauthoritytooverawethepiratesthanuponanyrealforceofarmsormen。Heneverbelieved，untiltheverylastmoment，thatthepirateswouldshowanyrealfight。ItisverypossiblethattheymightnothavedonesohadtheynotthoughtthatthelieutenanthadactuallynolegalrightsupportinghiminhisattackupontheminNorthCarolinawaters。
Itwasaboutnoonwhenanchorwashoisted，and，withtheschoonerleading，bothvesselsranslowlyinbeforealightwindthathadbeguntoblowtowardmidday。Ineachvesselamanstoodinthebows，soundingcontinuallywithleadandline。Astheyslowlyopeneduptheharborwithintheinlet，theycouldseethepirateslooplyingaboutthreemilesaway。Therewasaboatjustputtingofffromittotheshore。
Thelieutenantandhissailingmasterstoodtogetherontheroofofthecabindeckhouse。Thesailingmasterheldaglasstohiseye。”Shecarriesalonggun，sir，”hesaid，”andfourcarronades。She’llbehardtobeat，sir，Idosuppose，armedaswearewithonlylightarmsforclosefighting。”
Thelieutenantlaughed。”Why，Brookes，”hesaid，”youseemtothinkforeverofthesemenshowingfight。Youdon’tknowthemasIknowthem。Theyhaveadealofblusterandmakeadealofnoise，butwhenyouseizethemandholdthemwithastronghand，there’snaughtoffightleftinthem。’Tislikeenoughthere’llnotbesomuchasamusketfiredto-day。I’vehadtodowith’emoftenenoughbeforetoknowmygentlemenwellbythistime。”Nor，aswassaid，wasituntiltheverylastthatthelieutenantcouldbebroughttobelievethatthepirateshadanystomachforafight。
Thetwovesselshadreachedperhapswithinamileofthepiratesloopbeforetheyfoundthewatertooshoaltoventureanyfartherwiththesail。Itwasthenthattheboatwasloweredasthelieutenanthadplanned，andtheboatswainwentaheadtosound，thetwovessels，withtheirsailsstillhoistedbutemptyofwind，pullinginafterwithsweeps。
Thepiratehadalsohoistedsail，butlayasthoughwaitingfortheapproachoftheschoonerandthesloop。
Theboatinwhichtheboatswainwassoundinghadruninaconsiderabledistanceaheadofthetwovessels，whichweregraduallycreepingupwiththesweepsuntiltheyhadreachedtowithinlessthanhalfamileofthepirates——theboatwiththeboatswainmaybeaquarterofamilecloser。Suddenlytherewasapuffofsmokefromthepiratesloop，andthenanotherandanother，andthenextmomenttherecamethethreereportsofmusketsupthewind。”Byzounds！”saidthelieutenant。”Idobelievethey’refiringontheboat！”Andthenhesawtheboatturnandbeginpullingtowardthem。
Theboatwiththeboatswainaboardcamerowingrapidly。Againtherewerethreeorfourpuffsofsmokeandthreeorfoursubsequentreportsfromthedistantvessel。Then，inalittlewhile，theboatwasalongside，andtheboatswaincamescramblingaboard。”Nevermindhoistingtheboat，”saidthelieutenant；”we’lljusttakeherintow。Comeaboardasquickasyoucan。”
Then，turningtothesailingmaster，”Well，Brookes，you’llhavetodothebestyoucantogetinovertheshoalsunderhalfsail。””But，sir，”saidthemaster，”we’llbesuretorunaground。””Verywell，sir，”saidthelieutenant，”youheardmyorders。Ifwerunagroundwerunaground，andthat’sallthereisofit。””Isoundedasfarasmaybealittleoverafathom，”saidthemate，”butthevillainswouldletmegononearer。IthinkIwasinthechannel，though。’Tismoreopeninside，asImindmeofit。There’sakindofaholethere，andifwegetinovertheshoalsjustbeyondwhereIwaswe’llbeallright。””Verywell，then，youtakethewheel，Baldwin，”saidthelieutenant，”anddothebestyoucanforus。”
LieutenantMaynardstoodlookingoutforwardatthepiratevessel，whichtheywerenowsteadilynearingunderhalfsail。Hecouldseethatthereweresignsofbustleaboardandofmenrunningarounduponthedeck。Thenhewalkedaftandaroundthecabin。Thesloopwassomedistanceastern。Itappearedtohaverunaground，andtheyweretryingtopushitoffwiththesweeps。
Thelieutenantlookeddownintothewateroverthestern，andsawthattheschoonerwasalreadyraisingthemudinherwane。Thenhewentforwardalongthedeck。Hismenwerecrouchingdownalongbythelowrail，andtherewasatensequietnessofexpectationaboutthem。Thelieutenantlookedthemoverashepassedthem。”Johnson，”hesaid，”doyoutaketheleadandlineandgoforwardandsoundabit。”Thentotheothers:”Now，mymen，themomentwerunheraboard，yougetaboardofherasquickasyoucan，doyouunderstand？Don’twaitfortheslooporthinkabouther，butjustseethatthegrapplingironsarefast，andthengetaboard。Ifanymanofferstoresistyou，shoothimdown。Areyouready，Mr。Cringle？””Aye，aye，sir，”saidthegunner。”Verywell，then，beready，men；we’llbeaboard’eminaminuteortwo。””There’slessthanafathomofwaterhere，sir，”sangoutJohnsonfromthebows。Ashespoketherewasasuddensoftjarandjerk，thentheschoonerwasstill。Theywereaground。”Pushherofftotheleethere！Letgoyoursheets！”roaredtheboatswainfromthewheel。”Pushherofftothelee。”Hespunthewheelaroundashespoke。Ahalfadozenmensprangup，seizedthesweeps，andplungedthemintothewater。Othersrantohelpthem，butthesweepsonlysankintothemudwithoutmovingtheschooner。Thesailshadfallenoffandtheywereflappingandthumpingandclappinginthewind。Othersofthecrewhadscrambledtotheirfeetandrantohelpthoseatthesweeps。Thelieutenanthadwalkedquicklyaftagain。Theywereveryclosenowtothepiratesloop，andsuddenlysomeonehailedhimfromaboardofher。Whenheturnedhesawthattherewasamanstandingupontherailofthepiratesloop，holdingbythebackstays。”Whoareyou？”hecalled，fromthedistance，”andwhencecomeyou？Whatdoyouseekhere？Whatd’yemean，comingdownonusthisway？”
Thelieutenantheardsomebodysay，”That’sBlackbeardhisself。”
Andhelookedwithgreatinterestatthedistantfigure。
Thepiratestoodoutboldlyagainstthecloudysky。Somebodyseemedtospeaktohimfrombehind。Heturnedhisheadandthenheturnedroundagain。”We’reonlypeacefulmerchantmen！”hecalledout。”Whatauthorityhaveyougottocomedownuponusthisway？Ifyou’llcomeaboardI’llshowyoumypapersandthatwe’reonlypeacefulmerchantmen。””Thevillains！”saidthelieutenanttothemaster，whostoodbesidehim。”They’repeacefulmerchantmen，arethey！Theylooklikepeacefulmerchantmen，withfourcarronadesandalonggunaboard！”Thenhecalledoutacrossthewater，”I’llcomeaboardwithmyschoonerassoonasIcanpushheroffhere。””Ifyouundertaketocomeaboardofme，”calledthepirate，”I’llshootintoyou。You’vegotnoauthoritytoboardme，andIwon’thaveyoudoit。Ifyouundertakeit’twillbeatyourownrisk，forI’llneitheraskquarterofyounorgivenone。””Verywell，”saidthelieutenant，”ifyouchoosetotrythat，youmaydoasyouplease；forI’mcomingaboardofyouassureasheaven。””Pushoffthebowthere！”calledtheboatswainatthewheel。”Lookalive！Whydon’tyoupushoffthebow？””She’shardaground！”answeredthegunner。”Wecan’tbudgeheraninch。””Iftheywastofireintousnow，”saidthesailingmaster，”they’dsmashustopieces。””Theywon’tfireintous，”saidthelieutenant。”Theywon’tdareto。”Hejumpeddownfromthecabindeckhouseashespoke，andwentforwardtourgethemeninpushingofftheboat。Itwasalreadybeginningtomove。
Atthatmomentthesailingmastersuddenlycalledout，”Mr。
Maynard！Mr。Maynard！they’regoingtogiveusabroadside！”
Almostbeforethewordswereoutofhismouth，beforeLieutenantMaynardcouldturn，therecamealoudanddeafeningcrash，andtheninstantlyanother，andathird，andalmostasinstantlyacracklingandrendingofbrokenwood。Therewerecleanyellowsplintersflyingeverywhere。Amanfellviolentlyagainstthelieutenant，nearlyoverturninghim，buthecaughtatthestaysandsosavedhimself。Foronetensemomenthestoodholdinghisbreath。Thenallabouthimaroseasuddenoutcryofgroansandshoutsandoaths。Themanwhohadfallenagainsthimwaslyingfacedownuponthedeck。Histhighswerequivering，andapoolofbloodwasspreadingandrunningoutfromunderhim。Therewereothermendown，allaboutthedeck。Somewererising；someweretryingtorise；someonlymoved。
Therewasadistantsoundofyellingandcheeringandshouting。
Itwasfromthepiratesloop。Thepirateswererushingaboutuponherdecks。Theyhadpulledthecannonback，and，throughthegruntingsoundofthegroansabouthim，thelieutenantcoulddistinctlyhearthethudandpunchoftherammers，andheknewtheyweregoingtoshootagain。
Thelowrailaffordedalmostnoshelteragainstsuchabroadside，andtherewasnothingforitbuttoorderallhandsbelowforthetimebeing。”Getbelow！”roaredoutthelieutenant。”Allhandsgetbelowandliesnugforfurtherorders！”Inobediencethemenranscramblingbelowintothehold，andinalittlewhilethedeckswerenearlyclearexceptforthethreedeadmenandsomethreeorfourwounded。Theboatswain，crouchingdownclosetothewheel，andthelieutenanthimselfweretheonlyothersupondeck。
Everywherethereweresmearsandsprinklesofblood。”Where’sBrookes？”thelieutenantcalledout。”He’shurtinthearm，sir，andhe’sgonebelow，”saidtheboatswain。
Thereuponthelieutenanthimselfwalkedovertotheforecastlehatch，and，hailingthegunner，orderedhimtogetupanotherladder，sothatthemencouldberunupondeckifthepiratesshouldundertaketocomeaboard。Atthatmomenttheboatswainatthewheelcalledoutthatthevillainsweregoingtoshootagain，andthelieutenant，turning，sawthegunneraboardofthepiratesloopintheactoftouchingtheirontothetouchhole。Hestoopeddown。Therewasanotherloudanddeafeningcrashofcannon，one，two，three——four——thelasttwoalmosttogether——andalmostinstantlytheboatswaincalledout，”’Tisthesloop，sir！
lookatthesloop！”
Thesloophadgotafloatagain，andhadbeencominguptotheaidoftheschooner，whenthepiratesfiredtheirsecondbroadsidenowather。Whenthelieutenantlookedathershewasquiveringwiththeimpactoftheshot，andthenextmomentshebeganfallingofftothewind，andhecouldseethewoundedmenrisingandfallingandstrugglinguponherdecks。
Atthesamemomenttheboatswaincalledoutthattheenemywascomingaboard，andevenashespokethepiratesloopcamedriftingoutfromthecloudofsmokethatenvelopedher，loominguplargerandlargerasshecamedownuponthem。Thelieutenantstillcroucheddownundertherail，lookingoutatthem。
Suddenly，alittledistanceaway，shecameabout，broadsideon，andthendrifted。Shewascloseaboardnow。Somethingcameflyingthroughtheair——anotherandanother。Theywerebottles。
Oneofthembrokewithacrashuponthedeck。Theothersrolledovertothefartherrail。Ineachofthemaquick-matchwassmoking。Almostinstantlytherewasaflashandaterrificreport，andtheairwasfullofthewhizandsingingofbrokenparticlesofglassandiron。Therewasanotherreport，andthenthewholeairseemedfullofgunpowdersmoke。”They’reaboardofus！”shoutedtheboatswain，andevenashespokethelieutenantroaredout，”Allhandstorepelboarders！”Asecondlatertherecametheheavy，thumpingbumpofthevesselscomingtogether。
LieutenantMaynard，ashecalledouttheorder，ranforwardthroughthesmoke，snatchingoneofhispistolsoutofhispocketandthecutlassoutofitssheathashedidso。Behindhimthemenwerecoming，swarmingupfrombelow。Therewasasuddenstunningreportofapistol，andthenanotherandanother，almosttogether。Therewasagroanandthefallofaheavybody，andthenafigurecamejumpingovertherail，withtwoorthreemoredirectlyfollowing。Thelieutenantwasinthemidstofthegunpowdersmoke，whensuddenlyBlackbeardwasbeforehim。Thepiratecaptainhadstrippedhimselfnakedtothewaist。Hisshaggyblackhairwasfallingoverhiseyes，andhelookedlikeademonfreshfromthepit，withhisfranticface。Almostwiththeblindnessofinstinctthelieutenantthrustouthispistol，firingitashedidso。Thepiratestaggeredback:hewasdown——no；hewasupagain。Hehadapistolineachhand；buttherewasastreamofbloodrunningdownhisnakedribs。Suddenly，themouthofapistolwaspointingstraightatthelieutenant’shead。Heduckedinstinctively，strikingupwardwithhiscutlassashedidso。
Therewasastunning，deafeningreportalmostinhisear。Hestruckagainblindlywithhiscutlass。Hesawtheflashofaswordandflunguphisguardalmostinstinctively，meetingthecrashofthedescendingblade。Somebodyshotfrombehindhim，andatthesamemomenthesawsomeoneelsestrikethepirate。
Blackbeardstaggeredagain，andthistimetherewasagreatgashuponhisneck。ThenoneofMaynard’sownmentumbledheadlonguponhim。Hefellwiththeman，butalmostinstantlyhehadscrambledtohisfeetagain，andashedidsohesawthatthepiratesloophaddriftedalittleawayfromthem，andthattheirgrapplingironshadevidentlyparted。Hishandwassmartingasthoughstruckwiththelashofawhip。Helookedaroundhim；thepiratecaptainwasnowheretobeseen——yes，therehewas，lyingbytherail。Heraisedhimselfuponhiselbow，andthelieutenantsawthathewastryingtopointapistolathim，withanarmthatwaveredandswayedblindly，thepistolnearlyfallingfromhisfingers。Suddenlyhisotherelbowgavewayandhefelldownuponhisface。Hetriedtoraisehimself——hefelldownagain。Therewasareportandacloudofsmoke，andwhenitclearedawayBlackbeardhadstaggeredupagain。Hewasaterriblefigurehisheadnoddingdownuponhisbreast。Somebodyshotagain，andthentheswayingfiguretoppledandfell。Itlaystillforamoment——thenrolledover——thenlaystillagain。
Therewasaloudsplashofmenjumpingoverboard，andthen，almostinstantly，thecryof”Quarter！quarter！”Thelieutenantrantotheedgeofthevessel。Itwasashehadthought:thegrapplingironsofthepiratesloophadparted，andithaddriftedaway。Thefewpirateswhohadbeenleftaboardoftheschoonerhadjumpedoverboardandwerenowholdinguptheirhands。”Quarter！”theycried。”Don’tshoot！——quarter！”Andthefightwasover。
Thelieutenantlookeddownathishand，andthenhesaw，forthefirsttime，thattherewasagreatcutlassgashacrossthebackofit，andthathisarmandshirtsleevewerewetwithblood。Hewentaft，holdingthewristofhiswoundedhand。Theboatswainwasstillatthewheel。”Byzounds！”saidthelieutenant，withanervous，quaveringlaugh，”Ididn’tknowtherewassuchfightinthevillains。”
Hiswoundedandshatteredsloopwasagaincominguptowardhimundersail，butthepirateshadsurrendered，andthefightwasover。
VI
BLUESKIN，THEPIRATE
I
CAPEMAYandCapeHenlopenform，asitwere，theupperandlowerjawsofagiganticmouth，whichdisgorgesfromitsmonstrousgulletthecloudywatersoftheDelawareBayintotheheaving，sparklingblue-greenoftheAtlanticOcean。FromCapeHenlopenasthelowerjawtherejutsoutalong，curvingfangofhigh，smooth-rollingsanddunes，cuttingsharpandcleanagainstthestill，blueskyabovesilent，naked，utterlydeserted，exceptingforthesquat，white-walledlighthousestandinguponthecrestofthehighesthill。Withinthiscurving，shelteringhookofsandhillsliethesmoothwatersofLewesHarbor，and，setalittlebackfromtheshore，thequaintoldtown，withitsdingywoodenhousesofclapboardandshingle，lookssleepilyoutthroughthemastsoftheshippinglyingatanchorintheharbor，tothepurple，clean-cut，levelthreadoftheoceanhorizonbeyond。
Lewesisaqueer，odd，old-fashionedlittletown，smellingfragrantofsaltmarshandseabreeze。Itisrarelyvisitedbystrangers。Thepeoplewholivetherearetheprogenyofpeoplewhohavelivedthereformanygenerations，anditistheveryplacetonurse，andpreserve，andcareforoldlegendsandtraditionsofbygonetimes，untiltheygrowfrombitsofgossipandnewsintolocalhistoryofconsiderablesize。Asinthebusierworldmentalkoflastyear’selections，heretheseoldbits，andscraps，andoddsandendsofhistoryareretailedtothelistenerwhocarestolisten——traditionsoftheWarof1812，whenBeresford’sfleetlayofftheharborthreateningtobombardthetown；talesoftheRevolutionandofEarlHowe’swarships，tarryingforawhileinthequietharborbeforetheysaileduptherivertoshakeoldPhiladelphiatownwiththethundersoftheirgunsatRedBankandFortMifflin。
Withthesesubstantialandsoberthreadsofrealhistory，otherandmoreluridcolorsareinterwovenintotheweboflocallore——legendsofthedarkdoingsoffamouspirates，oftheirmysterious，sinistercomingsandgoings，oftreasuresburiedinthesanddunesandpinebarrensbackofthecapeandalongtheAtlanticbeachtothesouthward。
OfsuchisthestoryofBlueskin，thepirate。
II
Itwasinthefallandtheearlywinteroftheyear1750，andagaininthesummeroftheyearfollowing，thatthefamouspirate，Blueskin，becameespeciallyidentifiedwithLewesasapartofitstraditionalhistory。
Forsometime——forthreeorfouryears——rumorsandreportsofBlueskin’sdoingsintheWestIndiesandofftheCarolinashadbeenbroughtinnowandthenbyseacaptains。Therewasnomorecruel，bloody，desperate，devilishpiratethanheinallthosepirate-infestedwaters。Allkindsofwildandbloodystorieswerecurrentconcerninghim，butitneveroccurredtothegoodfolkofLewesthatsuchstoriesweresometimetobeapartoftheirownhistory。
ButonedayaschoonercamedriftingintoLewesharbor——shattered，wounded，herforecastlesplintered，herforemastshothalfaway，andthreegreattatteredholesinhermainsail。Thematewithoneofthecrewcameashoreintheboatforhelpandadoctor。Hereportedthatthecaptainandthecookweredeadandtherewerethreewoundedmenaboard。Thestoryhetoldtothegatheringcrowdbroughtaverypeculiarthrilltothosewhoheardit。TheyhadfalleninwithBlueskin，hesaid，offFenwick’sIslandsometwentyorthirtymilesbelowthecapes，andthepirateshadcomeaboardofthem；but，findingthatthecargooftheschoonerconsistedonlyofcypressshinglesandlumber，hadsoonquittedtheirprize。PerhapsBlueskinwasdisappointedatnotfindingamorevaluablecapture；perhapsthespiritofdeviltrywashotterinhimthatmorningthanusual；
anyhow，asthepiratecraftboreawayshefiredthreebroadsidesatshortrangeintothehelplesscoaster。Thecaptainhadbeenkilledatthefirstfire，thecookhaddiedonthewayup，threeofthecrewwerewounded，andthevesselwasleakingfast，betwixtwindandwater。
Suchwasthemate’sstory。Itspreadlikewildfire，andinhalfanhourallthetownwasinaferment。Fenwick’sIslandwasverynearhome；Blueskinmightcomesailingintotheharboratanyminuteandthen——！InanhourSheriffJoneshadcalledtogethermostoftheable-bodiedmenofthetown，musketsandriflesweretakendownfromthechimneyplaces，andeverypreparationwasmadetodefendtheplaceagainstthepirates，shouldtheycomeintotheharborandattempttoland。
ButBlueskindidnotcomethatday，nordidhecomethenextorthenext。Butontheafternoonofthethirdthenewswentsuddenlyflyingoverthetownthatthepirateswereinsidethecapes。Asthereportspreadthepeoplecamerunning——men，women，andchildren——tothegreenbeforethetavern，wherealittleknotofoldseamenweregatheredtogether，lookingfixedlyouttowardtheoffing，talkinginlowvoices。Twovessels，onebark-rigged，theotherandsmallerasloop，wereslowlycreepingupthebay，acoupleofmilesorsoawayandjustinsidethecape。Thereappearednothingremarkableaboutthetwocrafts，butthelittlecrowdthatcontinuedgatheringuponthegreenstoodlookingoutacrossthebayatthemnonethelessanxiouslyforthat。Theyweresailingclose-hauledtothewind，thesloopfollowinginthewakeofherconsortasthepilotfishfollowsinthewakeoftheshark。
Butthecoursetheyhelddidnotlietowardtheharbor，butratherboreawaytowardtheJerseyshore，andbyandbyitbegantobeapparentthatBlueskindidnotintendvisitingthetown。
Nevertheless，thosewhostoodlookingdidnotdrawafreebreathuntil，afterwatchingthetwopiratesformorethananhourandahalf，theysawthem——thenaboutsixmilesaway——suddenlyputaboutandsailwithafreewindouttoseaagain。”Thebloodyvillainshavegone！”saidoldCaptainWolfe，shuttinghistelescopewithaclick。
ButLeweswasnotyetquitofBlueskin。Twodayslaterahalf-breedfromIndianRiverbaycameup，bringingthenewsthatthepirateshadsailedintotheinlet——somefifteenmilesbelowLewes——andhadcareenedthebarktocleanher。
PerhapsBlueskindidnotcaretostirupthecountrypeopleagainsthim，forthehalf-breedreportedthatthepiratesweredoingnoharm，andthatwhattheytookfromthefarmersofIndianRiverandRehoboththeypaidforwithgoodhardmoney。
ItwaswhiletheexcitementoverthepirateswasatitshighestfeverheatthatLeviWestcamehomeagain。
III
Eveninthemiddleofthelastcenturythegristmill，acoupleofmilesfromLewes，althoughitwasatmostbutfiftyorsixtyyearsold，hadallalookofweather-beatenage，forthecypressshingles，ofwhichitwasbuilt，ripeninafewyearsofwindandweathertoasilvery，hoarygray，andthewhitepowderingofflourlentitalookasthoughthedustofageshadsettleduponit，makingtheshadowswithindim，soft，mysterious。Adozenwillowtreesshadedwithdappling，shiveringripplesofshadowtheroadbeforethemilldoor，andthemillitself，andthelong，narrow，shingle-built，one-storied，hip-roofeddwellinghouse。AtthetimeofthestorythemillhaddescendedinadirectlineofsuccessiontoHiramWhite，thegrandsonofoldEphraimWhite，whohadbuiltit，itwassaid，in1701。
HiramWhitewasonlytwenty-sevenyearsold，buthewasalreadyinlocalreputeasa”character。”Asaboyhewasthoughttobehalf-wittedor”natural，”and，asisthecasewithsuchunfortunatesinsmallcountrytownswhereeverybodyknowseverybody，hewasmadeacommonsportandjestforthekeener，cruelerwitsoftheneighborhood。Nowthathewasgrowntotheripenessofmanhoodhewasstilllookeduponasbeing——touseaquaintexpression——”slack，”or”notjestright。”Hewasheavy，awkward，ungainlyandloose-jointed，andenormously，prodigiouslystrong。Hehadalumpish，thick-featuredface，withlipsheavyandlooselyhanging，thatgavehimanairofstupidity，halfdroll，halfpathetic。Hislittleeyesweresetfarapartandflatwithhisface，hiseyebrowswerenearlywhiteandhishairwasofasandy，colorlesskind。Hewassingularlytaciturn，lispingthicklywhenhedidtalk，andstutteringandhesitatinginhisspeech，asthoughhiswordsmovedfasterthanhismindcouldfollow。Itwasthecustomforlocalwagstourge，orbadger，ortempthimtotalk，forthesakeofthereadylaughthatalwaysfollowedthefewthick，stammeringwordsandthestupiddroopingofthejawattheendofeachshortspeech。PerhapsSquireHallwastheonlyoneinLewesHundredwhomisdoubtedthatHiramwashalf-witted。HehadhaddealingswithhimandwaswonttosaythatwhoeverboughtHiramWhiteforafoolmadeafool’sbargain。
Certainly，whetherhehadcommonwitsorno，HiramhadmanagedhismilltoprettygoodpurposeandwasfairlywelloffintheworldasprosperitywentinsouthernDelawareandinthosedays。
Nodoubt，haditcometothepinch，hemighthaveboughtsomeofhistormentorsoutthreetimesover。
HiramWhitehadsufferedquiteafinanciallosssomesixmonthsbefore，throughthatveryBlueskinwhowasnowlurkinginIndianRiverinlet。Hehadenteredintoa”venture”withJosiahShippin，aPhiladelphiamerchant，tothetuneofsevenhundredpoundssterling。ThemoneyhadbeeninvestedinacargoofflourandcornmealwhichhadbeenshippedtoJamaicabythebarkNancyLee。TheNancyLeehadbeencapturedbythepiratesoffCurrituckSound，thecrewsetadriftinthelongboat，andthebarkherselfandallhercargoburnedtothewater’sedge。
Fivehundredofthesevenhundredpoundsinvestedintheunfortunate”venture”wasmoneybequeathedbyHiram’sfather，sevenyearsbefore，toLeviWest。
EleazerWhitehadbeentwicemarried，thesecondtimetothewidowWest。Shehadbroughtwithhertohernewhomeagood-looking，long-legged，black-eyed，black-hairedne’er-do-wellofason，ayearorsoyoungerthanHiram。Hewasashrewd，quick-wittedlad，idle，shiftless，willful，ill-trainedperhaps，butasbrightandkeenasapin。Hewastheveryoppositetopoor，dullHiram。EleazerWhitehadneverlovedhisson；hewasashamedofthepoor，slack-wittedoaf。Upontheotherhand，hewasveryfondofLeviWest，whomhealwayscalled”ourLevi，”andwhomhetreatedineverywayasthoughhewerehisownson。Hetriedtotraintheladtoworkinthemill，andwaspatientbeyondwhatthepatienceofmostfatherswouldhavebeenwithhisstepson’sidlenessandshiftlessness。”Nevermind，”hewasusedtosay。”Levi’llcomeallright。Levi’sasbrightasabutton。”
Itwasoneofthegreatestblowsoftheoldmiller’slifewhenLeviranawaytosea。Inhislastsicknesstheoldman’smindconstantlyturnedtohisloststepson。”Mebbyhe’llcomebackagain，”saidhe，”andifhedoesIwantyoutobegoodtohim，Hiram。I’vedonemydutybyyouandhaveleftyouthehouseandmill，butIwantyoutopromisethatifLevicomesbackagainyou’llgivehimahomeandashelterunderthisroofifhewantsone。”AndHiramhadpromisedtodoashisfatherasked。
AfterEleazerdieditwasfoundthathehadbequeathedfivehundredpoundstohis”belovedstepson，LeviWest，”andhadleftSquireHallastrustee。
LeviWesthadbeengonenearlynineyearsandnotawordhadbeenheardfromhim；therecouldbelittleornodoubtthathewasdead。
OnedayHiramcameintoSquireHall’sofficewithaletterinhishand。ItwasthetimeoftheoldFrenchwar，andflourandcornmealwerefetchingfabulouspricesintheBritishWestIndies。
TheletterHirambroughtwithhimwasfromaPhiladelphiamerchant，JosiahShippin，withwhomhehadhadsomedealings。
Mr。ShippinproposedthatHiramshouldjoinhiminsendinga”venture”offlourandcornmealtoKingston，Jamaica。HiramhadsleptupontheletterovernightandnowhebroughtittotheoldSquire。SquireHallreadtheletter，shakinghisheadthewhile。”Toomuchrisk，Hiram！”saidhe。”MrShippinwouldn’thaveaskedyoutogointothisventureifhecouldhavegotanybodyelsetodoso。Myadviceisthatyouletitalone。Ireckonyou’vecometomeforadvice？”Hiramshookhishead。”Yehaven’t？Whathaveyecomefor，then？””Sevenhundredpounds，”saidHiram。”Sevenhundredpounds！”saidSquireHall。”Ihaven’tgotsevenhundredpoundstolendyou，Hiram。””FivehundredbeenlefttoLevi——Igothundred——raisehundredmoreonmortgage，”saidHiram。”Tut，tut，Hiram，”saidSquireHall，”that’llneverdointheworld。SupposeLeviWestshouldcomebackagain，whatthen？I’mresponsibleforthatmoney。Ifyouwantedtoborrowitnowforanyreasonableventure，youshouldhaveitandwelcome，butforsuchawildcatscheme——””Levinevercomeback，”saidHiram——”nineyearsgoneLevi’sdead。””Mebbyheis，”saidSquireHall，”butwedon’tknowthat。””I’llgivebondforsecurity，”saidHiram。
SquireHallthoughtforawhileinsilence。”Verywell，Hiram，”
saidhebyandby，”ifyou’lldothat。Yourfatherleftthemoney，andIdon’tseethatit’srightformetostayhissonfromusingit。Butifitislost，Hiram，andifLevishouldcomeback，itwillgowelltoruinye。”
SoHiramWhiteinvestedsevenhundredpoundsintheJamaicaventureandeveryfarthingofitwasburnedbyBlueskin，offCurrituckSound。
IV
SallyMartinwassaidtobetheprettiestgirlinLewesHundred，andwhentherumorbegantoleakoutthatHiramWhitewascourtingherthewholecommunitytookitasamonstrousjoke。ItwasthecommonthingtogreetHiramhimselfwith，”Hey，Hiram；
how’sSally？”Hiramnevermadeanswertosuchsalutation，butwenthiswayasheavily，asimpassively，asdullyasever。
Thejokewastrue。Twiceaweek，rainorshine，HiramWhiteneverfailedtoscrapehisfeetuponBillyMartin’sdoorstep。
Twiceaweek，onSundaysandThursdays，heneverfailedtotakehiscustomaryseatbythekitchenfire。Herarelysaidanythingbywayoftalk；henoddedtothefarmer，tohiswife，toSallyand，whenhechancedtobeathome，toherbrother，butheventurednothingfurther。Therehewouldsitfromhalfpastsevenuntilnineo’clock，stolid，heavy，impassive，hisdulleyesfollowingnowoneofthefamilyandnowanother，butalwayscomingbackagaintoSally。Itsometimeshappenedthatshehadothercompany——someoftheyoungmenoftheneighborhood。ThepresenceofsuchseemedtomakenodifferencetoHiram；heborewhateverbroadjokesmightbecrackeduponhim，whatevergrins，whatevergigglingmightfollowthosejokes，withthesamepatientimpassiveness。Therehewouldsit，silent，unresponsive；then，atthefirststrokeofnineo’clock，hewouldrise，shoulderhisungainlypersonintohisovercoat，twisthisheadintohisthree-corneredhat，andwitha”Goodnight，Sally，Ibegoingnow，”wouldtakehisdeparture，shuttingthedoorcarefullytobehindhim。
Never，perhaps，wasthereagirlintheworldhadsuchaloverandsuchacourtshipasSallyMartin。
V
ItwasoneThursdayeveninginthelatterpartofNovember，aboutaweekafterBlueskin’sappearanceoffthecapes，andwhiletheonesubjectoftalkwasofthepiratesbeinginIndianRiverinlet。Theairwasstillandwintry；asuddencoldsnaphadsetinandskimsoficehadformedoverpuddlesintheroad；thesmokefromthechimneysrosestraightinthequietairandvoicessoundedloud，astheydoinfrostyweather。
HiramWhitesatbythedimlightofatallowdip，poringlaboriouslyoversomeaccountbooks。Itwasnotquiteseveno’clock，andheneverstartedforBillyMartin’sbeforethathour。Asheranhisfingerslowlyandhesitatinglydownthecolumnoffigures，heheardthekitchendoorbeyondopenandshut，thenoiseoffootstepscrossingthefloorandthescrapingofachairdraggedforwardtothehearth。Thencamethesoundofabasketofcorncobsbeingemptiedonthesmolderingblazeandthenthesnappingandcracklingofthereanimatedfire。Hiramthoughtnothingofallthis，excepting，inadimsortofway，thatitwasBob，thenegromillhand，oroldblackDinah，thehousekeeper，andsowentonwithhiscalculations。
Atlastheclosedthebookswithasnapand，smoothingdownhishair，arose，tookupthecandle，andpassedoutoftheroomintothekitchenbeyond。
Amanwassittinginfrontofthecorncobfirethatflamedandblazedinthegreat，gaping，sootyfireplace。Aroughovercoatwasflungoverthechairbehindhimandhishandswerespreadouttotheroaringwarmth。AtthesoundoftheliftedlatchandofHiram’sentranceheturnedhishead，andwhenHiramsawhisfacehestoodsuddenlystillasthoughturnedtostone。Theface，marvelouslyalteredandchangedasitwas，wasthefaceofhisstepbrother，LeviWest。Hewasnotdead；hehadcomehomeagain。
Foratimenotasoundbrokethedead，unbrokensilenceexceptingthecracklingoftheblazeinthefireplaceandthesharptickingofthetallclockinthecorner。Theoneface，dullandstolid，withthelightofthecandleshiningupwardoveritslumpyfeatures，lookedfixedly，immovably，stonilyattheother，sharp，shrewd，cunning——theredwaveringlightoftheblazeshininguponthehighcheekbones，cuttingsharponthenoseandtwinklingintheglassyturnoftheblack，ratlikeeyes。Thensuddenlythatfacecracked，broadened，spreadtoagrin。”Ihavecomebackagain，Hi，”saidLevi，andatthesoundofthewordsthespeechlessspellwasbroken。
Hiramansweredneveraword，buthewalkedtothefireplace，setthecandledownuponthedustymantelshelfamongtheboxesandbottles，and，drawingforwardachairupontheothersideofthehearth，satdown。
Hisdulllittleeyesnevermovedfromhisstepbrother’sface。
Therewasnocuriosityinhisexpression，nosurprise，nowonder。
Theheavyunderlipdroppedalittlefartheropenandtherewassnorethanusualofdull，expressionlessstupidityuponthelumpishface；butthatwasall。
Aswassaid，thefaceuponwhichhelookedwasstrangely，marvelouslychangedfromwhatithadbeenwhenhehadlastseenitnineyearsbefore，and，thoughitwasstillthefaceofLeviWest，itwasaverydifferentLeviWestthantheshiftlessne’er-do-wellwhohadrunawaytoseaintheBrazilianbrigthatlongtimeago。ThatLeviWesthadbeenarough，careless，happy-go-luckyfellow；thoughtlessandselfish，butwithnothingessentiallyevilorsinisterinhisnature。TheLeviWestthatnowsatinarush-bottomchairattheothersideofthefireplacehadthatstampeduponhisfrontthatmightbebothevilandsinister。HisswartcomplexionwastannedtoanIndiancopper。Ononesideofhisfacewasacuriousdiscolorationintheskinandalong，crooked，cruelscarthatrandiagonallyacrossforeheadandtempleandcheekinawhite，jaggedseam。Thisdiscolorationwasofalividblue，aboutthetintofatattoomark。Itmadeapatchthesizeofaman’shand，lyingacrossthecheekandthesideoftheneck。Hiramcouldnotkeephiseyesfromthismarkandthewhitescarcuttingacrossit。
TherewasanoddsortofincongruityinLevi’sdress；apairofheavygoldearringsandadirtyredhandkerchiefknottedlooselyaroundhisneck，beneathanopencollar，displayingtoitsfulllengththelean，sinewythroatwithitsbony”Adam’sapple，”gavetohiscostumesomewhatthesmackofasailor。Heworeacoatthathadoncebeenoffineplumcolor——nowstainedandfaded——toosmallforhisleanlength，andfurbishedwithtarnishedlace。
Dirtycambriccuffshungathiswristsandonhisfingerswerehalfadozenandmorerings，setwithstonesthatshone，andglistened，andtwinkledinthelightofthefire。ThehairateithertemplewastwistedintoaSpanishcurl，plasteredflattothecheek，andaplaitedqueuehunghalfwaydownhisback。
Hiram，speakingneveraword，satmotionless，hisdulllittleeyestravelingslowlyupanddownandaroundandaroundhisstepbrother’sperson。
Levididnotseemtonoticehisscrutiny，leaningforward，nowwithhispalmsspreadouttothegratefulwarmth，nowrubbingthemslowlytogether。Butatlasthesuddenlywhirledhischairaround，raspingonthefloor，andfacedhisstepbrother。Hethrusthishandintohiscapaciouscoatpocketandbroughtoutapipewhichheproceededtofillfromaskinoftobacco。”Well，Hi，”saidhe，”d’yeseeI’vecomebackhomeagain？””Thoughtyouwasdead，”saidHiram，dully。
Levilaughed，thenhedrewared-hotcoaloutofthefire，putituponthebowlofthepipeandbeganpuffingoutcloudsofpungentsmoke。”Nay，nay，”saidhe；”notdead——notdeadbyodds。But[puff]bytheEternalHoly，Hi，Iplayedmanyaclosegame[puff]
witholdDavyJones，forallthat。”
Hiram’slookturnedinquiringlytowardthejaggedscarandLevicaughttheslowglance。”You’relookin’atthis，”saidhe，runninghisfingerdownthecrookedseam。”Thatlooksbad，butitwasn’tsocloseasthis”——layinghishandforamomentuponthelividstain。”AcoolydeviloffSingaporegavemethatcutwhenwefellfoulofanopiumjunkintheChinaSeafouryearsagolastSeptember。This，”touchingthedisfiguringbluepatchagain，”wasaclosermiss，Hi。ASpanishcaptainfiredapistolatmedownoffSantaCatharina。Hewassonighthatthepowderwentundertheskinandit’llnevercomeoutagain——hiseyes——hehadbetterhavefiredthepistolintohisownheadthatmorning。Butnevermindthat。IreckonI’mchanged，ain’tI，Hi？”
HetookhispipeoutofhismouthandlookedinquiringlyatHiram，whonodded。
Levilaughed。”Devildoubtit，”saidhe，”butwhetherI’mchangedorno，I’lltakemyaffidavythatyouarethesameoldhalf-wittedHithatyouusedtobe。Irememberdadusedtosaythatyouhadn’tnomorethanenoughwitstokeepyououtoftherain。And，talkingofdad，Hi，Ihearntellhe’sbeendeadnowthesenineyearsgone。D’yeknowwhatI’vecomehomefor？”
Hiramshookhishead。”I’vecomeforthatfivehundredpoundsthatdadleftmewhenhedied，forIhearntellofthat，too。”
Hiramsatquitestillforasecondortwoandthenhesaid，”I
putthatmoneyouttoventureandlostitall。”
Levi’sfacefellandhetookhispipeoutofhismouth，regardingHiramsharplyandkeenly。”Whatd’yemean？”saidhepresently。”Ithoughtyouwasdead——andIput——sevenhundredpounds——intoNancyLee——andBlueskinburnedher——offCurrituck””BurnedheroffCurrituck！”repeatedLevi。Thensuddenlyalightseemedtobreakuponhiscomprehension。”BurnedbyBlueskin！”herepeated，andthereuponflunghimselfbackinhischairandburstintoashort，boisterousfitoflaughter。”Well，bytheHolyEternal，Hi，ifthatisn’tapieceofyourtarnalluck。
BurnedbyBlueskin，wasit？”Hepausedforamoment，asthoughturningitoverinhismind。Thenhelaughedagain。”Allthesame，”saidhepresently，”d’yesee，Ican’tsufferforBlueskin’sdoings。Themoneywaswilledtome，fairandtrue，andyouhavegottopayit，HiramWhite，burnorsink，BlueskinornoBlueskin。”Againhepuffedforamomentortwoinreflectivesilence。”Allthesame，Hi，”saidhe，oncemoreresumingthethreadoftalk，”Idon’treckontobetoohardonyou。Youbeonlyhalf-witted，anyway，andIsha’n’tbetoohardonyou。Igiveyouamonthtoraisethatmoney，andwhileyou’redoingitI’lljesthangaroundhere。I’vebeenintrouble，Hi，d’yesee。I’munderacloudandsoIwanttokeephere，asquietasmaybe。I’lltellyehowitcameabout:Ihadaset-towithalandpirateinPhiladelphia，andsomebodygothurt。That’sthereasonI’mherenow，anddon’tyousayanythingaboutit。Doyouunderstand？”
Hiramopenedhislipsasthoughitwashisintenttoanswer，thenseemedtothinkbetterofitandcontentedhimselfbynoddinghishead。
ThatThursdaynightwasthefirstforasix-monththatHiramWhitedidnotscrapehisfeetcleanatBillyMartin’sdoorstep。