Blackbeard gazed at him with half-closed eyes, a malicious smile upon his face.
"I have no right," he said; "I need no right; _I_ am a pirate!"
At these words Bonnet's legs weakened under him, and he sank down upon the bench. As he did so he glanced at Ben Greenway as if he were the only person on earth to whom he could look for help, but to his amazement he saw before him a face almost jubilant, and beheld the Scotchman, his eyes uplifted and his hands clasped as if in thankful prayer.