"And where do you come from, Ben Greenway?
I had thought you were dead and buried in the Cape Fear River." "Ye did not think I was dead," replied Ben, "when I seized ye an' held ye an' kept ye from buryin' yoursel' in that same river." Bonnet waved his hand.

"No more of that," said he; "I was unfortunate, but that is over now and things have turned out better than any man could have expected." "Better!" exclaimed Ben.

"I vow I know not what that means." Bonnet laughed.

He was looking very well; he was shaved, and wore a neat suit of clothes.
"Ben Greenway," said he, "you are now looking upon a man of high distinction.

At this moment I am the greatest pirate on the face of the earth.