If you frequently come to read my Outlander posts, you may have noticed that one of the topics that I often discuss is the main characters as half-ghosts. Before reading this post, I suggest reading the recommended list.
When Jamie relates to Bonnet that he escaped from being hanged in the past, Stephen describes him as an “Asgina ageli.” Bonnet provides the following details.
“Asgina ageli is a term that the red savages employ – the Cherokee of the mountains; I heard it from one I had as guide one time. It means ‘half-ghost,’ one who should have died by right, but yet remains on the earth; a woman who survives a mortal illness, a man fallen into his enemies’ hands who escapes. They say an asgina ageli has one foot on the earth and the other in the spirit world. He can talk to the spirits, and see the Nunnahee- the Little People.” (Drums of Autumn, ch. 2)
It seems that Bonnet has escaped death in the past, before the events detailed in book 4, based on the fact that a Cherokee told him about the term. At the beginning of Drums, Bonnet flees from justice while Gavin Hayes is being hanged. He has somebody who helps him to escape, Jamie. Later on, when he is imprisoned at Cross Creek for smuggling goods, he escapes thanks in a way to his colleague, Murchinson (and he even survives an explosion). Of course, there are other cases detailed in book 5 and 6 about Bonnet always fleeing justice. However, it is not clear whether he communicates with the spirit world. Eventually, it is revealed that Bonnet has dreams that foretell the manner in which he will die. Of course, there is no actual communication with the dead, but some may see his dreams as a presage sent by the spirit realm.
What interaction does Bonnet have with the Cherokee? It seems that he usually has business with a variety of people (and that includes Gerald Forbes). He mentions to Ian that his business is seen as piracy by the government but not by merchants (ch. 2). He might be involved with trafficking of people (he was trying to sell Brianna to one of his Caribbean clients in book 6).
Finally, I would like to mention that chapter 2 is called, “In Which We Meet a Ghost.” Initially, Bonnet was perceived as a ghost by everybody when they were trying to find a suitable location to bury Gavin. The title also emphasizes the possibility of Bonnet being a half-ghost.
Thanks for reading!
Sources
Gabaldon, Diana. Drums of Autumn. New York: Dell Publishing. 1997. Print.