[2] Note by Mr. Mackellar.—Should not this be Alan Breck Stewart, afterwards notorious as the Appin murderer? The Chevalier is sometimes very weak on names.
[3] Note by Mr. Mackellar.—This Teach of the Sarah must not be confused with the celebrated Blackbeard. The dates and facts by no means tally. It is possible the second Teach may have at once borrowed the name and imitated the more excessive part of his manners from the first. Even the Master of Ballantrae could make admirers.
[4] Note by Mr. Mackellar.—And is not this the whole explanation? since this Dutton, exactly like the officers, enjoyed the stimulus of some responsibility.
[5] Note by Mr. Mackellar.—A complete blunder: there was at this date no word of the marriage: see above in my own narration.
CHAPTER IV
PERSECUTIONS ENDURED BY MR. HENRY
You can guess on what part of his adventures the Colonel principally dwelled. Indeed, if we had heard it all, it is to be thought the current of this business had been wholly altered; but the pirate ship was very gently touched upon. Nor did I hear the Colonel to an end even of that which he was willing to disclose; for Mr. Henry, having for some while been plunged in a brown study, rose at last from his seat and (reminding the Colonel there were matters that he must attend to) bade me follow him immediately to the office.
Once there, he sought no longer to dissemble his concern, walking to and fro in the room with a contorted face, and passing his hand repeatedly upon his brow.