famous captor, our two maidens were at first awed into silence, but it
was of short duration, for Mary Hamilton quickly gathered sufficient
courage to enable her to answer the pirate's words as follows:

'If it is not an easy thing for us to escape, surely you possess the
power to make it so.'

'True, I possess the power,' replied the pirate, somewhat ironically,
'yet for the present at least, I lack the inclination. So you must make
yourselves as contented as you can here in my poor house, until I can
make arrangements for your future government.'

'Allow me to ask, sir, by what right it is that you, a person totally
unknown to us, have forcibly abducted from their natural protectors, two
poor females who never harmed you nor yours?'

'Believe me, Miss Hamilton,' answered the pirate earnestly, 'when I tell
you that I have not acted in the manner of which you speak, without
reason. But my motives and reasons, I shall take the liberty of
explaining when and where I please.'

'Were your motives such as would do honor to an angel,' replied Mary,
'it would not alter my opinion either of yourself or your actions. I
believe you to be both a pirate, and murderer, and--'

'Stop, you have said enough,' exclaimed Blackbeard, sternly. 'If you do
not fear the consequences of such rash speaking for yourself, know that
I hold in my hand the power of life and death over thy betrothed lover.'

'My worst forebodings are then realized,' exclaimed Mary in a faltering