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Bonnet did not accept of this Surrender, though, but instead performed an Act of such Cruelty aswith great coolness that it was not his own Eyes that would be damned, he drew the Tip of his Weapon across Marsden’s Eyes, twisting it in such Fashion as not only to blind the Captain, but to inflict such Mutilation as would reatest Horror and Pity to all whoupon the bloody Sand of the Innyard, Bonnet cleansed his Blade by wiping it upon Marsden’s Shirtfront, sheathed it, and left--though not before re Marsden’s Purse, which he claier None present had any Stoent an Example of his Skill before them

I recount this History both to acquaint you with Bonnet’s last knohereabouts, and as warning to his Nature and Abilities I know you are already well acquainted with the Forard for your Well-being Not that I expect a word ofin your Breast, so filled must it be with ani that you take Notice at least of Liston’s Mention of Bonnet’s Connexions

Upon the occasion ofwith the man, he was a Condemned Felon, and I cannot think he has since perforain him official Pardon If he is content to flaunt hio he escaped the Hangreat Fears for his Safety--and this can only e of powerful Friends You must discover and beware of these, if you seek to destroy Bonnet

I will continue ard, and notify you at once of any further Particulars In the ain to your drenched and shivering Acquaintance in Virginia I rehter, and Family,

Your ob’t servant,

John Williainia

Postscriptum: I have been in search of an Astrolabe, per your Request, but so far have heard of nothing that would suit your Purpose I ah, and will be pleased to order one from Halliburton’s in Green Street, their Instruhest Quality

Very slowly, Brianna sat back down on the chair She placed her hands gently but firmly over her son’s ears, and said a very bad word

31

ORPHAN OF THE STORM

I FELL ASLEEP, leaning against the bank, with Jamie’s head on my lap I dreamed luridly, as one does when cold and uncomfortable I dreamed of trees; endless, monotonous forests of them, with each trunk and leaf and needle etched like scrimshaw on the inside of oat-eyes floated in the air between the tree trunks, and the wood ofof motherless children

I woke suddenly, with the echoes of their cries still ringing in le of cloaks and blankets, Jamie’s limbs heavily entwined with h the pines

Granules of ice crusted my brows and lashes, and my face was cold and ith melted snow Momentarily disoriented, I reached out by reflex to touch Ja under ht back the events of the day before--Josiah and his twin, the Beardsley farrene and the cleaner reek of gunpowder and wet earth The bleating of goats, still echoing froh the whisper of snow, and I sat up abruptly, flinging back the blankets in a spray of icy powder Not a goat Not at all

Startled awake, Jamie jerked and rolled instinctively away fro up in a crouch, hair in a wild tangle and eyes darting round in search of threat

"What?" he whispered hoarsely He reached for his knife, lying nearby in its sheath on the ground, but I lifted a hand to stop hi

"I don’t know A noise Listen!"

He lifted his head, listening, and I saw his throatbut the chisping of the snow, and saw nothing but dripping pines Jaed suddenly

"There," he said softly, nodding at so behind me I scrambled round onsome ten feet away, next to the ashes of the burned-out fire The cry caain, unmistakable this time

"Jesus H Roosevelt Christ" I was scarcely aware of having spoken, as I scraan to root through the layers of swaddling cloth It was plainly alive--I had heard it cry--and yet it lay inert, alhtless in the curve of my arm