Repayment and Realization
The trip north provided time for Flint to quickly regain his passion for the sea, the love he so had in his heart that maybe this peacefully live was only his dream that he had shared with Miranda. At any rate he was back in his element and finding Ben Gunn to be a very able sailor in many areas. At night with rum and music, they would reminisce of their days sailing under the black flag and telling stories of riches and the thrill of hunting prizes. Soon the other crew members were so enthralled with the stories of pirates on the high sea that they too wished to share in the adventure. Flint along with Haye Muldoon and Farlan McPhee were masters at spending stories and there were many.
Captain Flint and Colonel Rhett reached the Cape Fear River estuary on the night of September 26, 1718, and were sighted by Bonnet and his men. A fatal mistake being made by Bonnet as they assumed the sloops to be that of merchants, decided to raid them. The pirates boarded three longboats and headed for the unrecognized Carolinian expedition. It was at this time that Rhett's flagship, Henry, ran aground on a sandbar. This allowed the pirate's longboats to approach close enough to discover the identity of the grounded vessel, that being the Henry and armed. Once they did and knowing another sloop had accompanied the Henry, they turned about and paddled back to their ships unharmed to report the news to Stede Bonnet.
Instead of fleeing up the small river in darkness, an arrogant Captain Bonnet decided that he would fight his way back to the sea, so the next morning at daylight, the pirates prepared to pass the two sloops that flew the Union Jack, which was now free of the sandbar. Small group of Bonnet's men dispersed amongst Royal James, Fortune and Francis and armed themselves heavily for a large battle. At daylight that morning, Bonnet raised his black flag and attacked. They sailed for a few minutes until they came within range of Flint and Rhett two ships, and then opened fire with cannons and muskets.
Flint had guess and rightfully so that Bonnet would try and fight toward the sea and the Sea Nymph, captained by Flint had positioned itself to block any attempt to escape. The Henry on the other hand had moved away from the Sea Nymph but in doing so, Rhett had ran his ship aground.
"What the f..k is Rhett thinking?" Ben Gunn quickly readying the men to return fire against Bonnet.
"Watch your target." Flint leaning against the rail trying to see the three of Bonnet's ship through morning haze. "There. Over there the f..king jerk has run aground."
And indeed trying to avoid fire, Stede Bonnet had steered his vessels close to the western shore of the river and they too ran aground on sand. The Sea Nymph was the only ship remaining mobile and Flint quickly positioned the ship to within range of both the Fortune and Francis leaving Rhett and the Henry to battle the Royal James. For five to six hours, the two sides dueled, each unable to move. The Henry was grounded in a position which left her crew with minimal cover from incoming fire. The opposite was true for Royal James, whose hull provided a bulwark against enemy fire. During the fighting, Bonnet stayed on deck with his pistol in hand.
Bonnet shouting out his warnings, "Any f..king bastard that is a coward is dead. I will do the job myself."
The pirates' morale was good though; they cheered each other on and dared the Carolinians to board. After five hours of fighting the Carolinians had suffered fourteen casualties with four deaths. The pirates on the other hand came through better with only nine also killed or injured.
Now the Henry and Sea Nymph were downstream and when the water began to rise in the early afternoon, Rhett's sloop were freed, while Bonnet's remained stranded. The Rhett's men repaired their rigging and raised their sails ready to return to battle. Soon after, the Henry was in a position to fire its starboard guns directly onto the deck of Bonnet's Royal James.
An angry Bonnet barking an order to his gunner George Ross, "Light the powder magazine and we'll scuttle the Royal James. Hell if the f..king British will board my ship."
"But sir." Ross standing up his Captain, "We are defeated and in the best interest of our crew please..."
"I shall die in hell before surrendering." Bonnet turning to see the crew had already raised a white flag of surrender.
Rhett order one round of fire on the Royal James and after another few moments of conflict, the Royal James was boarded and its crew captured.
Meanwhile, Captain Flint's had also boarded the Fortune and the Francis seeing both of Bonnet's other ship captured too raised the white flag. In the aftermath of battle, the Carolinians suffered a total of twelve killed and eighteen wounded while the pirates sustained twelve deaths. To say this was a bloody battle and it was a costly one. Stede Bonnet and his men were taken to Charles Towne and in early October they arrived to await trial on charges of piracy. Bonnet was separated from the majority of his crew and held for almost a month at the home of a Charles Towne's provost marshal. With him was his boatswain, Ignatius Pell, and the sailing master, David Herriott.
A hero's welcome given to Colonel Rhett and Captain Flint with a grand dinner of celebration hosted by Governor Peter Ashe.
"I'm don't like this at all. Have a good mind to bow out of going." Flint reluctant getting dress for the dinner.
"You are a hero my dear." Sarah patting him on the chest.
"I'm a person that went on a retribution voyage with the only motive in mind to right a wrong by Bonnet. There was no feeling of patriotism on my part. None. Damn it Sarah, this wasn't done for Charles Towne or it's people but a personal matter."
"You are a pardon man James. Even if I had wished you not to go I'm proud you did for the very sake of duty to Charles Towne." Sarah trying to uplift his mood for the sake of the VIP guest that would be at dinner. She knew that part of his old life was still with him, that of a pirate's life was hard to abandon and oh how she wanted it to be different.
"F..k duty Sarah. I know better and don't try to sugar coat it in any way. I'll go this evening and smile and be the polite gentleman you wish of me. I'll play my role perfectly but in my heart I still loathe this whole affair of celebrating any pirate's demise."
A festive atmosphere engulfed the home of Lord Peter Ashe as music played for the arrival of guest. Important men of the community with their wives including George Brodstock, Provost Marshall Hardy, Lord Kensington and other notable merchants.
Three days have passed since the gala dinner and the trail of Stede Bonnet was nearing. Leaving his home after the evening meal, Flint telling Sarah that he was going to the Golden Swan Tavern and would be late returning home. This wasn't like James Flint to go out at night to have drinks at the local tavern but she withheld any objections. She being convince he was still glum about all the recognition of being praised as a hero for his part in the capture of Bonnet.
The tavern was crowed as expected when Flint arrived and waiting for him was George Brodstock. "Right on time my good man." George greeting his co-hort.
"We should have a drink while we wait for Ben Gunn and the others." Flint motioning for a round of rum as he and George found an empty table need the back. "I have four trusted men with us."
"Good, that should do it. Mahavir, a Cherokee that I do a great of trading with is bringing one or two braves and we also have inside help." George taking a drink, "My house servant's brother is going to be a part of this little plan."
"It is a good plan and should work without a hitch." Flint looking up at the door to see Provost Marshall Hardy with two other men arrive. "Just as you had said. There is Hardy now."
"Every Saturday night regular as clock work and such a saint on Sunday morning at church. A double life by one of our finest citizens. He should be making his way in about two hours to his favorite whore's house for the rest of the night."
Soon Ben Gunn with Farlan McPhee, Joji and Haye Muldoon arrived and all were ready to move. At the home of Provost Marshall Hardy the plan was already in motion. Little Pete being one of the slaves that worked for Hardy had laid the ground work with Bonnet for an escape. Of course all of this prearranged by George and his house servant. It was easy to manipulate Stede Bonnet into thinking it was his idea to bribe Little Pete to aid in helping him escape. At the home of the Provost Marshall all was quiet Ofra, another slave and Little Pete were ready. Mrs. Hardy was up to her favorite past time when the good husband was on his Saturday night romp - brandy was the drink and screwing Annabelle, her maid.
"I only agreed to taking you not him." Little Pete looking at David Herriott, Bonnet's sailing master.
"An extra six pounds sterling. He is coming with us." Stede Bonnet putting on his vest and coat, to dress for his escape. After all he is known as the 'gentleman pirate' because of his wealth before turning to piracy.
"Another four for Ofra. We can be hung for helping you and our life has to be worth something."
"Fine. Come on now let us move." Bonnet pulling his coat over his chest.
"What about the boatswain?"
"What, Ignatius Pell... Hell no, he stays as he will only bitch every step of the away. I don't need his f..king mouth on this. Let's get a move on before we are found out." Stede Bonnet pushing Ofra toward the door.
Undetected by the guards stationed by the door as they were sleeping heavily all thanks to something a little extra in their evening meal. It was a perfect night to escape as the darkness covered the four men as they left the Hardy home and made their way to a waiting wagon.
"We'll be taking you to a boat to cross the river and on to Sullivan's Island and in the next three or four days a ship to Port Royal."
"How in the hell did you manage that? A man as smart as you should sail on my crew." Bonnet being impressed with Little Pete.
"I have friends. Now best you and Herriott climb under the tarp. That is Joji and he is your next hand off to freedom." Little Pete saying his goodbye and returning to the Hardy's home before anyone notices the two slaves were missing.
Joji, McPhee, Muldoon and Gunn were the men to take Bonnet and Herriott across the river and to another waiting group, Mahavir, the Cherokee and three braves. The band of men with their captive even if Bonnet didn't know he was a captive made their trip to a hidden hut build my Flint on Sullivan's Island when the fort was being constructed.
Entering the hut, Bonnet and Herriott were quickly tied. "Welcome Captain." Flint's voice was clear, "Remember me. I'm Captain Flint and this is the brother of a man who's life you ruined."
"What the shit is going on?" Bonnet trying to resist the restraints.
"Time to collect for damages you have caused. You broke the most unforgivable code of attacking my ship and seeking to thieve my crew's gold. We have completed some calculations and you are in debt to the sum of thirty thousand pounds, payable on demand."
"F..k you."
"Now that wasn't the answer I was hoping for. Now mind you, I not one to torture people but in this case I can make an acceptation. My good friend here Mahavir happens to be an expert in that field."
"You not get a f..k penny from me." Bonnet being firm in his position only to cause long hours of pain to both him and David Herriott.
Bonnet did everything in his power to negotiate Flint out of having Mahavir practice some of his Cherokee ways but it only made matters worse. By mid-afternoon the following day Bonnet came to the realization he was in a no win fight for his life. Giving in to Flint demands and revealing the location of his buried treasure, Flint and his men left him with two muskets and hand drawn map to the sea.
"There is no need to try and come after me as I shall kill you on sight." Flint closing the door leaving Herriot and Bonnet tied but able with some effort to free themselves.
A day later and Lord Ashe immediately ordered a seven hundred pounds bounty to be awarded to any man who could kill or capture the escaped pirates. Wasn't long before an anonymous tip lead a armed military group to Sullivan's Island and in the manhunt that followed Herriot was killed and Bonnet, the gentleman pirate quickly recaptured.
The trial date was set and a surprise witness came to testify. The events of Bonnet betrayal evidently left an impression on Ignatius Pell and he turned King's evidence agreeing to testify against the crew of the Royal James, Fortune and Francis and against Stede Bonnet personally.
Vice Admiral Lord Kensington presided over the trail and made it a public spectacle for all to see that piracy in Charles Towne would be dealt with swiftly and harshly. As expected the town folks all gathered to see the trial and jeer at Stede Bonnet.
Taking the stand for his testimony, Ignatius Pell confirmed the acts of piracy made by the crew, though he made a point of exonerating a man named Thomas Nichols, claiming he had been pressed into service against his will and did not engage in the fighting. Now the reason for this was obscure but one can only guess that they might have been lovers.
"Tell us about your captain's actions." Shouted Lord Kensington, waving his arm toward the defendant.
"Bonnet was captain in name only. His wealth purchased the loyal of the crew. The true authority on the Royal James was our Quartermaster Robert Tucker. Being a pirate was like a game to Bonnet and a deadly one at that." Pell giving damaging testimony in exchange for his pardon, a deal worked out before the trial was to take place.
Due in part to Pell's testimony most of the crew were convicted and sentenced to death. As for Stede Bonnet his death sentence was public hanging. A cold day on December 10, 1718 and once again the town folks, men, women and children all turned out to see Bonnet put to death. However there was one man missing from the crowd, Ignatius Pell as his body had washed up on shore three days before. To this very day no one knows the events behind Pell's sudden demise.
Standing in the crowd was Flint with Ben Gunn, Haye Muldoon and Mr. De Groot.
"This is not a good day." Flint half whispered more to himself than anyone else.
"How is that Captain?" De Groot asked.
"You know very well that could be us swing up there. The hanging of any pirate is a cloudily day in my way of thinking." Flint's eyes set on Stede Bonnet as the man faced his death with dignity and unshaken, a gentleman at heart.
"You not taking too kindly to this civilization?" De Groot looking at the hateful crowd gather chatting death to Bonnet.
"Just look at the so call good citizens of Charles Towne. They are worse than any pirate crew in their brutally. Hear the pure viciousness in their chatting. No Mr. De Groot, this is not the civilization I had hoped for... Not by any means."
Ben listening to Flint had also the same feelings, "Think we might be able to do something about it?"
"Perhaps."