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Great Pirate Stories
Edited by
JOSEPH LEWIS FRENCH
Editor of "Great Sea Stories," "Masterpieces of Mystery,
"Great Ghost Stories/' etc.
Two Volumes
IN One
TUDOR PUBLISHING CO.
New York
First Printing, November, 1922
Second Printing, January, 1923
Third Printing, November, 1923
Fourth Printing, November, 1929
Printed in the United Stales of America
Copyright, 1922, by Hrentano's
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Go tell your King, he is King of the Land;
But I am the King of the Sea !
Barbarossa to Charles V.
845203
CONTENTS
PAGE
The Plccaroon i
From Tom Cringle's Log. By Michael Scott.
The Capture of Panama, 1671 . . . . 23
From The Buccaneers of America. By John Es-
QUEMELING.
The Malay Proas 52
From Afloat and Ashore. By James Fenimore
Cooper.
The Wonderful Fight of the Exchange of
Bristol with the Pirates of Algiers ... 61 -—
From Purchas, His Pilgrims. By Samuel Pur-
CHAS.
The Daughter of the Great Mogul ... 89
From The King of the Pirates. By Daniel De-
foe.
Barbarossa — King of the Corsairs ... 97 -^
From Sea IVolves of the Mediterranean. By E,
Hamilton Currey. R.N.
Morgan at Puerto Bello 115
From The Buccaneers of America. By John Es-
quemeling.
The Ways of the Buccaneers 126
From Buccaneer Customs on the Spanish Main.
By John Masefield after John Esquemeling.
A True Account of Three Notorious Pirates 132
From The Buccaneers of America. Howard
Pyle, Ed.
zi
xii coN'n«:NTs
PAOB
Narrative of the Capture of the Ship Derby,
nss 196
By ("ai'TAIn Ansei.vi.
Francis Lolonois, the Shive Who Became a
Pirate King 209
From T/if Biirranrrrs of /Imrrira. By JoMS" Es-
QUEMELINf;.
The Fight hetween the Dorr'ill and the Moca i-t^i
From The Indian Aniifjuary, Vol. 49.
Jaddi the Malay Pirate 240
From The Indian /Inliquary, \'ol. 49.
The Terrible Ladrones 247
From The Ladrone Pirates. By Richard Glass-
POOLE.
The Female Captive 276
From an Old Pamphlet, piililished in 1825. By
LucRETiA Parker.
The Passing of Mogul Mackenzie, the Last of
the North Atlantic Pirates 298
From Blackixood's Magazine. By Arthur Hunt
Chute.
The Last of the Sea-Rovers: The Riff Coast
Pirates 312
From the Nautical Magazine. By \V. B. Lord.
GREAT PIRATE STORIES
THE PICCAROON*
Michael Scott
"Ours the wild life in tumult still to range." — The Corsair.
WE returned to Carthagena, to be at hand
should any opportunity occur for Jamaica,
and were lounging about one forenoon on
the fortifications, looking with sickening hearts out
to seaward, when a voice struck up the following
negro ditty close to us: —
" Fader was a Corramantee,
Moder was a Mingo,
Black picaniny buccra wantee,
So dem sell a me, Peter, by jingo.
Jiggery, jiggery, jiggery."
"Well sung, Massa Bungo !" exclaimed Mr.
Splinter; "where do you hail from, my hearty?"
"Hillo ! Bungo, indeed ! free and easy dat, any-
how. Who you yousef, eh?"
"Why, Peter," continued the lieutenant, "don't
you know me?"
* From Tom Cringle's Log.
I
2 CiRlLAT PIKAT]-: s'roRii-:s
"Cannot say dat I do," rejoined the negro, very
gravely, without lifting his head, as he sat mend-
ing his jacket in one of the embrasures near the
water-gate of the arsenal — "I lab not de honour of
your acquaintance, sir."
He then resumed his scream, for song it could
not be called : —
" Mammy Sally's daughter
Lose him shoe in an old canoe
Dat lay half full of water,
And den she knew not what to do.
Jiggery, jig "
"Confound your jiggery, jiggery, sir! But I
know you well enough, my man; and you can
scarcely have forgotten Lieutenant Splinter of the
Torch, one would think?"
However, it was clear that the poor fellow really
had not known us; for the name so startled him,
that, in his hurry to unlace his legs from under him,
as he sat tailor-fashion, he fairly capsized out of his
perch, and toppled down on his nose — a feature,
fortunately, so flattened by the hand of nature, that
I question if it could have been rendered more ob-
tuse had he fallen out of the maintop on a timber-
head, or a marine officer's.
"Eh! — no — yes, him sure enough; and who is de
picanlny hofficer — Oh! I see, Massa Tom Cringle?
Garamighty, gentlemen, where have you drop from?
Where is de old Torch? Many a time hab I, Peter
THE PICCAROON 3
Mangrove, pilot to Him Britannic Majesty squad-
ron, taken de old brig in and through amongst de
keys at Port Royal!"
"Ay, and how often did you scour her copper
against the coral reefs, Peter?"
His Majesty's pilot gave a knowing look, and laid
his hand on his breast — "No more of dat if you
love me, massa."
"Well, well, it don't signify now, my boy; she
will never give you that trouble again — foundered
— all hands lost, Peter, but the two you see before
you."
"Werry sorry, Massa Plinter, werry sorry —
What! de black cook's-mate and all? — But misfor-
tune can't be help. Stop till I put up my needle, and
I will take a turn wid you." Here he drew himself
up with a great deal of absurd gravity. "Proper
dat British hofficer in distress should assist one
anoder — we shall consult togeder. — How can I
serve you?"
"Why, Peter, if you could help us to a passage to
Port Royal, it would be serving us most essentially.
When we used to be lying there a week seldom
passed without one of the squadron arriving from
this; but here have we been for more than a month
without a single pennant belonging to the station
having looked in : our money is running short, and
if we are to hold on in Carthagena for another six
weeks, we shall not have a shot left in the locker —
not a copper to tinkle on a tombstone."
4 GRI'AT PIRATE STORIES
The negro looked steadfastly at us, then carefully
around. There was no one near.
"You see, Massa Plinter, I am desirable to serve
you, for one little reason of my own; but, beside
dat, it is good for me at present to make some
friend wid de hofficer of de squadron, being as how
dat I am absent widout leave."
"Oh, I perceive — a large R against your name in
the master-attendant's books, eh?"
"You have hit it, sir, werry close; besides, I long
mosh to return to my poor wife, Nancy Cator, dat
I leave, wagabone dat I is, just about to be confine."
I could not resist putting in my oar.
"I saw Nancy just before we sailed, Peter — fine
child that; not quite so black as you, though."
"Oh, massa," said Snowball, grinning, and show-
ing his white teeth, "you know I am soch a terrible
black fellow — But you are a leetle out at present,
massa — I meant, about to be confine in de work-
house for stealing de admiral's Muscovy ducks;"
and he laughed loud and long. — "However, if you
will promise dat you will stand my friends, I will
put you in de way of getting a shove across to de
east end of Jamaica; and I will go wid you too, for
company."
"Thank you," rejoined Mr. Splinter; "but how
do you mean to manage this? There is no Kings-
ton trader here at present, and you don't mean to
make a start of it in an open boat, do you?"
"No, sir, I don't; but in de first place — as you are
THE PICCAROON 5
a gentleman, will you try and get me off when we
get to Jamaica? Secondly, will you promise dat
you will not seek, to know more of de vessel you
may go in, nor of her crew, than dey are willing to
tell you, provided you are landed safe?"
"Why, Peter, I scarcely think you would deceive
us, for you know I saved your bacon in that awk-
ward affair, when through drunkenness you
plumped the Torch ashore, so "
"Forget dat, sir — forget dat! Never shall poor
black pilot forget how you saved him from being
seized up, when de gratings, boatswain's mates, and
all, were ready at de gangway — never shall poor
black rascal forget dat."
"Indeed, I do not think you would wittingly be-
tray us into trouble, Peter; and as I guess you mean
one of the forced traders, we will venture in her,
rather than kick about here any longer, and pay a
moderate sum for our passage."
"Den wait here five minute" — and so saying, he
slipped down through the embrasure into a canoe
that lay beneath, and in a trice we saw him jump on
board of a long low nondescript kind of craft that
lay moored within pistol-shot of the walls.
She was a large shallow vessel, coppered to the
bends, of great breadth of beam, with bright sides,
like an American, so painted as to give her a clumsy
mercantile sheen externally, but there were many
things that belied this to a nautical eye : her copper,
for instance, was bright as burnished gold on her
6 r.Ri:Ar pirate stories
very sharp hows and hcautiful run; and we could
sec, from the hastion where wc stood, that her decks
were flush and level. She had no cannon mounted
that were visihle; hut we distinguished grooves on
her well-scrubbed decks, as from the recent travers-
ing of carronade slides, while the bolts and rings in
her high and solid bulwarks shone clear and bright
in the ardent noontide. There was a tarpauling
stretched over a quantity of rubbish, old sails, old
junk, and hencoops, rather ostentatiously piled up
forward, which we conjectured might conceal a long
gun.
She was a very taught-rigged hermaphrodite, or
brig forward and schooner aft. Her foremast and
bowsprit were immensely strong and heavy, and her
mainmast was so long and tapering, that the won-
der was how the few shrouds and stays about it
could support it; it was the handsomest stick we had
ever seen. Her upper spars were on the same scale,
tapering away through topmast, topgallant-mast,
royal and skysail-masts, until they fined away into
slender wands. The sails, that were loose to dry,
were old, and patched, and evidently displayed to
cloak the character of the vessel by an ostentatious
show of their unserviceable condition; but her rig-
ging was beautifully fitted, every rope lying in the
chafe of another being carefully served with hide.
There were several large bushy-whiskered fellows
lounging about the deck, with their hair gathered
into dirty net-bags, like the fishermen of Barcelona;
THE PICCAROON 7
many had red silk sashes round their waists, through
which were stuck their long knives, in shark-skin
sheaths. Their numbers were not so great as to
excite suspicion : but a certain daring, reckless man-
ner, would at once have distinguished them, inde-
pendently of anything else, from the quiet, hard-
worked, red-shirted, merchant seaman.
"That chap is not much to be trusted," said the
lieutenant; "his bunting would make a few jackets
for Joseph, I take it." But we had httle time to
be critical, before our friend Peter came paddling
back with another blackamoor in the stern, of as
ungainly an exterior as could well be imagined. He
was a very large man, whose weight every now and
then, as they breasted the short sea, cocked up the
snout of the canoe with Peter Mangrove in it, as if
he had been a cork, leaving him to flourish his pad-
dle in the air, like the weather-wheel of a steam-
boat in a sea-way. The new-comer was strong and
broad-shouldered, with long muscular arms, and a
chest like Hercules; but his legs and thighs were,
for his bulk, remarkably puny and misshapen. A
thick fell of black wool, in close tufts, as if his face
had been stuck full of cloves, covered his chin and
upper-lip; and his hair, if hair it could be called, was
twisted into a hundred short plaits, that bristled out,
and gave his head, when he took his hat off, the ap-
pearance of a porcupine. There was a large saber-
cut across his nose and down his cheek, and he wore
two immense gold earrings. His dress consisted
8 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
of short cotton drawers, that did not reach within
two inches of his knee, leaving his thin cucumber
shanks (on which the small bullet-like calf appeared
to have been stuck before, through mistake, in place
of abaft) naked to the shoe; a check shirt, and an
enormously large Panama hat, made of a sort of
cane, split small, and worn shovel-fashion. Not-
withstanding, he made his bow by no means ungrace-
fully, and offered his services in choice Spanish, but
spoke English as soon as he heard who we were.
"Pray, sir, are you the master of that vessel?"
said the lieutenant.
"No, sir, I am the mate, and I learn you are de-
sirous of a passage to Jamaica." This was spoken
with a broad Scotch accent.
"Yes, we are," said I, in very great astonish-
ment, "but we will not sail with the devil; and who
ever saw a negro Scotchman before, the spirit of
Nicol Jarvie conjured into a blackamoor's skin!"
The fellow laughed. "I am black, as you see; so
were my father and mother before me." And he
looked at me, as much as to say, I have read the
book you quote from. "But I was born in the good
town of Port-Glasgow notwithstanding, and many
a voyage I have made as cabin-boy and cook in the
good ship the Peggy Bogle, with worthy old Jock
Hunter; but that matters not. I was told you
wanted to go to Jamaica; I dare-say our captain will
take you for a moderate passage-money. But here
he comes to speak for himself. — Captain Vander-
THE PICCAROON 9
bosh, here are two shipwrecked British officers, who
wish to be put on shore on the east end of Jamaica;
will you take them, and what will you charge for
their passage?"
The man he spoke to was nearly as tall as him-
self; he was a sunburnt, angular, raw-boned, iron-
visaged veteran, with a nose in shape and color
like the bowl of his own pipe, but not at all, accord-
ing to the received idea, like a Dutchman. His
dress was quizzical enough — white-trousers, a long-
flapped embroidered waistcoat that might have be-
longed to a Spanish grandee, with an old-fashioned
French-cut coat, showing the frayed marks where
the lace had been stripped off, voluminous in the
skirts, but very tight in the sleeves, which were
so short as to leave his large bony paws, and six
inches of his arm above the wrist, exposed; alto-
gether, it fitted him like a purser's shirt on a hand-
spike.
"Vy, for von hondred thaler I will land dem safe
in Mancheoneal Bay; but how shall ve manage,
Villiamson? De cabin vas point yesterday."
The Scotch negro nodded. "Never mind; I dare-
say the smell of the paint won't signify to the gen-
tlemen."
The bargain was ratified; we agreed to pay the
stipulated sum, and that same evening, having
dropped down with the last of the sea-breeze, we
set sail from Bocca Chica, and began working up
under the lee of the headland of Punto Canoa.
10 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
When off the San Domingo Gate, we burned a blue-
light, wliich was imnncdiatcly answered by another
in-shorc of us. In the glare we could perceive two
boats, full of men. Any one who has ever played
at snapdragon, can imagine the unearthly appearance
of objects when seen by this species of firework. In
the present instance it was held aloft on a boat-hook,
and cast a strong spectral light on the band of law-
less ruffians, who were so crowded together that they
entirely filled the boats, no part of which could be
seen. It seemed as if two clusters of fiends, sud-
denly vomited forth from hell, were floating on the
surface of the midnight sea, in the midst of brim-
stone flames. In a few moments our crew was
strengthened by about forty as ugly Christians as
I ever set eyes on. They were of all ages, coun-
tries, complexions, and tongues, and looked as if
they had been kidnapped by a pressgang as they had
knocked off from the Tower of Babel. From the
moment they came on board, Captain Vanderbosh
was shorn of all his glory, and sank into the petty
officer while, to our amazement, the Scottish negro
took the command, evincing great coolness, energy,
and skill. He ordered the schooner to be wore as
soon as we had shipped the men, and laid her head
off the land, then set all hands to shift the old suit
of sails, and to bend new ones.
"Why did you not shift your canvas before we
started?" said I to the Dutch captain, or mate, or
whatever he might be.
THE PICCAROON 11
"Vy vont you be content to take a quiet passage
and hax no question?" was the uncivil rejoinder,
which I felt inclined to resent, until I remembered
that we were in the hands of the Philistines, where
a quarrel would have been worse than useless. I
was gulping down the insult as well as I could, when
the black captain came aft, and, with the air of
an equal, invited us into the cabin to take a glass of
grog. We had scarcely sat down before we heard
a noise like the swaying up of guns, or some other
heavy articles, from the hold.
I caught Mr. Splinter's eye — he nodded, but said
nothing. In half an hour afterwards, when we went
on deck, we saw by the light of the moon twelve
eighteen-pound carronades mounted, six of a side,
with their accompaniments of rammers and sponges,
water-buckets, boxes of round, grape, and canister,
and tubs of wadding, while the coamings of the
hatchways were thickly studded with round-shot.
The tarpaulin and lumber forward had disap-
peared, and there lay long Tom, ready levelled, grin-
ning on his pivot.
The ropes were all coiled away, and laid down
in regular man-of-war fashion; while an ugly gruff
beast of a Spanish mulatto, apparently the officer
of the watch, walked the weatherside of the quar-
terdeck in the true pendulum style. Look-outs were
placed aft, and at the gangways and bows, who every
now and then passed the word to keep a bright
look-out, while the rest of the watch were stretched
12 gki<:at pirate stories
silent, but evidently broad awake, under the lee of
the boat. Wc noticed that each man had his cut-
lass buckled round his waist — that the boarding-
pikes had been cut loose from the main boom, round
which they had been stopped, and that about thirty
muskets were ranged along a fixed rack that ran
athwart ships near the main hatchway.
By the time we had reconnoitred thus far the
night became overcast, and a thick bank of clouds
began to rise to windward; some heavy drops of rain
fell, and the thunder grumbled at a distance. The
black veil crept gradually on, until it shrouded the
whole firmament, and left us in as dark a night as
ever poor devils were out in. By-and-by a narrow
streak of bright moonlight appeared under the
lower-edge of the bank, defining the dark outlines
of the tumbling multitudinous billows on the horizon
as distinctly as if they had been pasteboard waves
in a theater.
"Is that a sail to windward in the clear, think
you?" said Mr. Splinter to me in a whisper. At
this moment it lightened vividly. "I am sure it is,"
continued he — "I could see her white canvas glance
just now."
I looked steadily, and at last caught the small
dark speck against the bright background, rising and
falling on the swell of the sea like a feather.
As we stood on, she was seen more distinctly,
but, to all appearance, nobody was aware of her
proximity. We were mistaken in this, however, for
THE PICCAROON 13
the captain suddenly jumped on a gun, and gave his
orders with a fiery energy that startled us.
"Leroux!" A Small French boy was at his side
in a moment. "Forward, and call all hands to short-
en sail; but, doitcement, you land-crab! — Man the
fore clew-garnets. — Hands by the top-gallant clew-
lines — jib down-haul — rise tacks and sheets — peak
and throat haulyards — let go — clew up — settle
away the main-gaff there!"
In almost as short a space as I have taken to
write it, every inch of canvas was close furled —
every light, except the one in the binnacle, and that
was cautiously masked, carefully extinguished — a
hundred and twenty men at quarters, and the ship
under bare poles. The head-yards were then
squared, and we bore up before the wind. The
stratagem proved successful; the strange sail could
be seen through the night-glasses cracking on close
to the wind, evidently under the impression that we
had tacked.
"Dere she goes, chasing de Gobel," said the
Dutchman.
She now burned a blue-light, by which we saw
she was a heavy cutter — without doubt our old fel-
low-cruiser the Spark. The Dutchman had come to
the same conclusion.
"My eye, captain, no use to dodge from her; it is
only dat footy little King's cutter on de Jamaica
station."
"It is her, true enough," answered Williamson;
14 GRl'AT IMRA'Jl-: S'iORlI-S
"and she is from Santa Martlia with a freight of
specie, I know. I will try a brush with her, by "
Splinter struck in before he could finish his ir-
reverent exclamation. "If your conjecture be true,
I know the craft — a heavy vessel of her class, and
you may depend on hard knocks, and small profit
if you do take her; while if she takes you "
"I'll be hanged if she does" — and he grinned at
the conceit — then setting his teeth hard, "or rather,
I will blow the schooner up with my own hand before
I strike; better that than have one's bones bleached
in chains on a key at Port Royal. But you see you
cannot control us, gentlemen; so get down into the
cable-tier, and take Peter Mangrove with you. I
would not willingly see those come to harm who
have trusted me."
However, there was no shot flying as yet, we
therefore stayed on deck. All sail was once more
made; the carronades were cast loose on both sides,
and double-shotted, the long-gun slewed round, the
tack of the fore-and-aft foresail hauled up, and we
kept by the wind, and stood after the cutter, whose
white canvas we could still see through the gloom
like a snow-wreath.
As soon as she saw us, she tacked and stood to-
wards us, and came bowling along gallantly, with
the water roaring and flashing at her bows. As
the vessels neared each other they both shortened
sail, and finding that we could not weather her,
we steered close under her lee.
THE PICCAROON 15
As we crossed on opposite tacks, her commander
hailed, "Ho, the brigantine, ahoy!"
"Hillo!" sung out Blackie, as he backed his main-
top-sail.
"What schooner is that?"
"The Spanish schooner Caridad."
"Whence, and whither bound?"
"Carthagena to Porto Rico."
"Heave-to, and send your boat on board."
"We have none that will swim, sir."
"Very well, bring-to, and I will send mine."
"Call away the boarders," said our captain, in
a low stern tone; "let them crouch out of sight be-
hind the boat."
The cutter wore, and hove-to under our lee quar-
ter, within pistol-shot; we heard the rattle of the
ropes running through the davit-blocks, and the
splash of the jolly-boat touching the water, then
the measured stroke of the oars, as they glanced
like silver in the sparkling sea, and a voice calling
out, "Give way, my lads."
The character of the vessel we were on board of
was now evident; and the bitter reflection that we
were chained to the stake on board of a pirate, on
the eve of a fierce contest with one of our own
cruisers, was aggravated by the consideration, that
the cutter had fallen into a snare by which a whole
boat's crew would be sacrificed before a shot was
fired.
I watched my opportunity as she pulled up along-
16 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
side, and called out, leaning well over the nettings,
"Get back to your ship! — treachery! get back to
your ship !"
The little French serpent was at my side with the
speed of thought, his long clear knife glancing in
one hand, while the fingers of the other were laid
on his lips. He could not have said more plainly,
"Hold your tongue, or I'll cut your throat;" but
Sneezer now startled him by rushing between us,
and giving a short angry growl.
The officer in the boat had heard me imperfectly;
he rose up — "I won't go back, my good man, until
I see what you are made of;" and as he spoke he
sprang on board, but the instant he got over the
bulwarks, he was caught by two strong hands,
gagged, and thrown bodily down the main-hatch-
way.
"Heave," cried a voice, "and with a will!" and
four cold 32-pound shot were hove at once into the
boat alongside, which, crashing through her bottom,
swamped her in a moment, precipitating the miser-
able crew into the boiling sea. Their shrieks still
ring in my ears as they clung to the oars and some
loose planks of the boat.
"Bring up the officer, and take out the gag,"
said Williamson.
Poor Walcolm, who had been an old messmate of
mine, was now dragged to the gangway half-naked,
his face bleeding, and heavily ironed, when the
blackamoor, clapping a pistol to his head, bid him,
THE PICCAROON 17
as he feared instant death, hail "that the boat had
swamped under the counter, and to send another."
The poor fellow, who appeared stunned and con-
fused, did so, but without seeming to know what he
said.
"Good God," said Mr. Splinter, "don't you mean
to pick up the boat's crew?"
The blood curdled to my heart, as the black sav-
age answered in a voice of thunder, "Let them
drown and be d d ! Fill, and stand on !"
But the clouds by this time broke away, and
the mild moon shone clear and bright once more
upon this scene of most atrocious villainy. By her
light the cutter's people could see that there was
no one struggling in the water now, and that the
people must either have been saved, or were past
all earthly aid; but the infamous deception was not
entirely at an end.
The captain of the cutter, seeing we were making
sail, did the same, and after having shot ahead of
us, hailed once more.
"Mr. Walcolm, why don't you run to leeward,
and heave-to, sir?"
"Answer him instantly, and hail again for another
boat," said the sable fiend, and cocked his pistol.
The click went to my heart. The young midship-
man turned his pale mild countenance, laced with
his blood, upwards towards the moon and stars, as
one who had looked his last look on earth; the large
tears were flowing down his cheeks, and mingling
18 (iRl-:Ar PIRATi: STORIKS
with the crimson streaks, and a flood of silver light
fell on the fine features of the poor boy, as he said
firmly, "Never." The miscreant fired, and he fell
dead.
"Up with the helm, and wear across her stern."
The order was obeyed. "Fire!" The whole broad-
side was poured in, and we could hear the shot rattle
and tear along the cutter's deck, and the shrieks and
groans of the wounded, while the white splinters
glanced away in all directions.
We now ranged alongside, and close action com-
menced, and never do I expect to see such an infernal
scene again. Up to this moment there had been
neither confusion nor noise on board the pirate — all
had been coolness and order; but when the yards
locked the crew broke loose from all control — they
ceased to be men — they were demons, for they
threw their own dead and wounded, as they were
mown down like grass by the cutter's grape, indis-
criminately down the hatchways to get clear of them.
They had stripped themselves almost naked; and
although they fought with the most desperate cour-
age, yelling and cursing, each in his own tongue, most
hideously, yet their ver)' numbers, pent up in a small
vessel, were against them. At length, amidst the
fire and smoke and hellish uproar, we could see that
the deck had become a very shambles; and unless
they soon carried the cutter by boarding, it was clear
that the coolness and discipline of my own glorious
service must prevail, even against such fearful odds;
THE PICCAROON 19
the superior size of the vessel, greater number of
guns, and heavier metal. The pirates seemed aware
of this themselves, for they now made a desperate
attempt forward to carry their antagonist by board-
ing, led on by the black captain. Just at this mo-
ment the cutter's main-boom fell across the schoon-
er's deck, close to where we were sheltering our-
selves from the shot the best way we could; and
while the rush forward was being made, by a sudden
impulse Splinter and I, followed by Peter and the
dog (who with wonderful sagacity, seeing the use-
lessness of resistance, had cowered quietly by my
side during the whole row), scrambled along it as
the cutter's people were repelling the attack on her
bow, and all four of us, in our haste, jumped down
on the poor Irishman at the wheel.
"Murder, fire, rape, and robbery! — it is capsized,
stove in, sunk, burned, and destroyed I am! Cap-
tain, captain, we are carried aft here — Och, hub-
baboo for Patrick Donnally!"
There was no time to be lost; if any of the crew
came aft we were dead men, so we tumbled down
through the cabin skylight, men and beast, the hatch
having been knocked off by a shot, and stowed our-
selves away in the side berths. The noise on deck
soon ceased — the cannon were again plied — gradu-
ally the fire slackened, and we could hear that the
pirate had scraped clear and escaped. Some time
after this the lieutenant commanding the cutter came
down. Poor Mr. Douglas ! both Mr. Splinter and
20 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
I knew him well. He sat down and covered his
face with 'his hands, while the blood oo/.ed down
between his fingers. He had received a cutlass
wound on the head in the attack. His right arm
was bound up with his neckcloth, and he was very
pale.
"Steward, bring me a light. — Ask the doctor how
many are killed and wounded; and — do you hear?
— tell him to come to me when he is done forward,
but not a moment sooner. To have been so mauled
and duped by a buccanneer; and my poor boat's
crew "
Splinter groaned. He started — but at this mo-
ment the man returned again.
"Thirteen killed, your honor, and fifteen
wounded; scarcely one of us untouched." The poor
fellow's own skull was bound round with a bloody
cloth.
"God help me! Gold help me! but they have
died the death of men. Who knows what death the
poor fellows in the boat have died!" — Here he was
cut short by a tremendous scuffle on the ladder,
down which an old quartermaster was trundled neck
and crop into the cabin. "How now, Jones?"
"Please your honor," said the man, as soon as he
had gathered himself up, and had time to turn his
quid and smooth down his hair; but again the up-
roar was renewed, and Donnally was lugged in,
scrambling and struggling between two seamen —
"this here Irish chap, your honor, has lost his wits,
THE PICCAROON 21
if so be he ever had any, your honor. He has gone
mad through fright."
"Fright be d d!" roared Donnally; "no man
ever frightened me; but as his honor was skewer-
ing them bloody thieves forward, I was boarded and
carried aft by the devil, your honor — pooped by
Beelzebub, by ," and he rapped his fist on the
table until everything on it danced again. "There
were four of them, yeer honor — a black one and
two blue ones — and a pie-bald one, with four legs
and a bushy tail — each with two horns on his head,
for all the world like those on Father M'Cleary's
red cow — no, she was humbled — it Is Father Clan-
nachan's, I mane — no, not his neither, for his was
the parish bull; fait, I don't know what I mane, ex-
cept that they had all horns on their heads, and
vomited fire, and had each of them a tail at his
stern, twisting and twining like a conger eel, with a
blue light at the end on't."
"And dat's a lie, if ever dere was one," exclaimed
Peter Mangrove, jumping from the berth. "Look
at me, you Irish tief, and tell me if I have a blue
light or a conger eel at my stern!"
This was too much for poor Donnally. He
yelled out, "You'll believe your own eyes now, yeer
honor, when you see one o' dem bodily before you I
Let me go — let me go !" and, rushing up the ladder,
he would, in all probability, have ended his earthly
career in the salt sea, had his bullet-head not en-
countered the broadest part of the purser, who was
22 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
in the act of descending, with such violence, that he
shot him out of the companion several feet above
the deck, as if he had been discharged from a cul-
verin; but the recoil sent poor Donnally, stunned
and senseless, to the bottom of the ladder. There-
was no standing all this; we laughed outright, and
made ourselves known to Mr. Douglas, who received
us cordially, and in a week we were landed at Port
Royal.
THE CAPTURE OF PANAMA, 1671 *
John Esquemeling
CAPTAIN MORGAN set forth from the cas-
tie of Chagre, towards Panama, August 18,
1670. He had with him twelve hundred men,
five boats laden with artillery, and thirty-two canoes.
The first day they sailed only six leagues, and came
to a place called De los Bracos. Here a party of
his men went ashore, only to sleep and stretch their
limbs, being almost crippled with lying too much
crowded in the boats. Having rested awhile, they
went abroad to seek victuals in the neighboring
plantations; but they could find none, the Spaniards
being fled, and carrying with them all they had. This
day, being the first of their journey, they had such
scarcity of victuals, as the greatest part were forced
to pass with only a pipe of tobacco, without any
other refreshment.
Next day, about evening, they came to a place
called Cruz de Juan Gallego. Here they were com-
pelled to leave their boats and canoes, the river
being very dry for want of rain, and many trees
having fallen into it.
The guides told them, that, about two leagues
* From The Buccaneers of America,
23
24 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
farther, the country would be very good to continue
the journey by land. Hereupon they left one hun-
dred and sixty men on board the boats, to defend
them, that they might serve for a refuge in necessity.
Next morning, being the third dav, they all went
ashore, except those who were to keep the boats.
To these Captain Morgan gave order, under great
penalties, that no man, on any pretext whatever,
should dare to leave the boats, and go ashore; fear-
ing lest they should be surprised by an ambuscade
of Spaniards in the neighboring woods, which ap-
peared so thick as to seem almost impenetrable.
This morning beginning their march, the ways
proved so bad, that Captain Morgan thought it
more convenient to transport some of the men in
canoes (though with great labor) to a place farther
up the river, called Cedro Bueno. Thus they re-
embarked, and the canoes returned for the rest; so
that about night they got altogether at the said
place. The pirates much desired to meet some
Spaniards or Indians, hoping to fill their bellies with
their provisions, being reduced to extremity and
hunger.
The fourth day the greatest part of the pirates
marched by land, being led by one of the guides;
the rest went by water farther up, being conducted
by another guide, who always went before them,
to discover, on both sides of the river, the ambus-
cades. These had also spies, who were very dex-
trous to give notice of all accidents, or of the arrival
THE CAPTURE OF PANAMA, 1671 2^
of the pirates, six hours, at least, before they came.
This day, about noon, they came near a post called
Torna Cavallos: here the guide of the canoes cried
out, that he perceived an ambuscade. His voice
caused infinite joy to all the pirates, hoping to find
some provisions to satiate their extreme hunger.
Being come to the place, they found nobody in it,
the Spaniards being fled, and leaving nothing be-
hind but a few leathern bags, all empty, and a few
crumbs of bread scattered on the ground where they
had eaten. Being angry at this, they pulled down a
few little huts which the Spaniards had made, and
fell to eating the leathern bags, to allay the ferment
of their stomachs, which was now so sharp as to
gnaw their very bowels. Thus they made a huge
banquet upon these bags of leather, divers quarrels
arising concerning the greatest shares. By the big-
ness of the place, they conjectured about five hun-
dred Spaniards had been there, whom, finding no
victuals, they were now infinitely desirous to meet,
intending to devour some of them rather than
perish.
Having feasted themselves with those pieces of
leather, they marched on, till they came about night
to another post, called Torna Munni. Here they
found another ambuscade, but as barren as the for-
mer. They searched the neighboring woods, but
could not find anything to eat, the Spaniards having
been so provident, as not to leave anywhere the
least crumb of sustenance, whereby the pirates were
26 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
now broujrht to this extremity. Here again he was
happy that he had reserved since noon any bit of
leather to make Ills supper of, drinking after it a
good draught of water for his comfort. Some, who
never were out of their mothers' kitchens, may ask,
how these pirates could eat and digest those pieces
of leather, so hard and dry? Whom I answer, that,
could they once experiment what hunger, or rather
famine, is, they would find the way as the pirates
did. I'or these first sliced it in pieces, then they beat
it between two stones, and rubbed it, often dipping
it in water, to make it supple and tender. Lastly,
they scraped off the hair, and broiled it. Being thus
cooked, they cut it into small morsels, and ate it,
helping it down with frequent gulps of water, which,
by good fortune, they had at hand.
The fifth day, about noon, they came to a place
called Barbacoa. Here they found traces of an-
other ambuscade, but the place totally as unprovided
as the former. At a small distance were several
plantations, which they searched very narrowly,
but could not find any person, animal, or othe;* thing,
to relieve their extreme hunger. Finally, having
ranged about, and searched a long time, ^ey found
a grot, which seemed to be but lately hewn out of
a rock, where were two sacks of meal, wheat, and
like things, with two great jars of wine, and certain
fruits called platanoes. Captain Morgan, knowing
some of his men were now almost dead with hun-
ger, and fearing the same of the rest, caused what
THE CAPTURE OF PANAMA, 1671 27
was found to be distributed among them who were
In greatest necessity. Having refreshed themselves
with these victuals, they marched anew with greater
courage then ever. Such as were weak were put
into the canoes, and those commanded to land that
were in them before. Thus they prosecuted their
journey till late at night; when coming to a planta-
tion, they took up their rest, but without eating
anything; for the Spaniards, as before, had swept
away all manner of provisions.
The sixth day they continued their march, part
by land and part by water. Howbeit, they were
constrained to rest very frequently, both for the
ruggedness of the way, and their extreme weakness,
which they endeavored to relieve by eating leaves of
trees and green herbs, or grass; such was their mis-
erable condition. This day at noon they arrived at
a plantation, where was a barn full of maize. Im-
mediately they beat down the doors and ate it dry,
as much as they could devour; then they distributed
a great quantity, giving every man a good allow-
ance. Thus provided, and prosecuting their jour-
ney for about an hour, they came to another am-
buscade. This they no sooner discovered, but
they threw away their maize, with the sudden
hopes of finding all things in abundance.
But they were much deceived, meeting neither
Indians nor victuals, nor anything else: but
they saw, on the other side of the river, about a hun-
dred Indians, who, all fleeing, escaped. Some few
28 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
pirates leaped into the river to cross it, and try to
take any of tlic Indians, but in vain : for, being much
more nimble than the pirates, they not only baffled
them, but killed two or three with their arrows;
hooting at them, and crying, "Ha, perrosi a la
savana, a la savana." — "Ha, ye dogs! go to the
plain, go to the plain."
This day they could advance no farther, being
necessitated to pass the river, to continue their march
on the other side. Hereupon they reposed for that
night, though their sleep was not profound; for
great murmurings were made at Captain Morgan,
and his conduct; some being desirous to return home,
while others would rather die there than go back a
step from their undertaking: others, who had
greater courage, laughed and joked at their dis-
courses. Meanwhile, they had a guide who much
comforted them, saying, "It would not now be long
before they met with people from whom they should
reap some considerable advantage."
The seventh day, in the morning, they made clean
their arms, and every one discharged his pistol, or
musket, without bullet, to try their firelocks. This
done, they crossed the river, leaving the post where
they had rested, called Santa Cruz, and at noon
they arrived at a village called Cruz. Being yet
far from the place, they perceived much smoke from
the chimneys: the sight hereof gave them great
joy, and hopes of finding people and plenty of good
cheer. Thus they went on as fast as they could, en-
THE CAPTURE OF PANAMA, 1671 29
couraging one another, saying, "There is smoke
comes out of every house : they are making good
fires, to roast and boil what we are to eat;" and
the like.
At length they arrived there, all sweating and
panting, but found no person in the town, nor any-
thing eatable to refresh themselves, except good
fires, which they wanted not; for the Spaniards, be-
fore their departure, had every one set fire to his
own house, except the king's storehouses and stables.
They had not left behind them any beast, alive or
dead, which much troubled their pursuers, not find-
ing anything but a few cats and dogs, which they im-
mediately killed and devoured. At last, in the
king's stables, they found, by good fortune, fifteen
or sixteen jars of Peru wine, and a leathern sack full
of bread. No sooner had they drank of this wine,
when they fell sick, almost every man: this made
them think the wine was poisoned, which caused a
new consternation in the whole camp, judging them-
selves now to be irrecoverably lost. But the true
reason was, their want of sustenance, and the mani-
fold sorts of trash they had eaten. Their sickness
was so great, as caused them to remain there till
the next morning, without being able to prosecute
their journey in the afternoon. This village is
seated in 9 deg. 2 min. north latitude, distant from
the river Chagre twenty-six Spanish leagues, and
eight from Panama. This is the last place to which
boats or canoes can come; for which reason they
30 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
built here storehouses for all sorts of merchandise,
wliich to and from Panama are transported on the
backs of mules.
Here Captain Morgan was forced to leave his
canoes, and land all his men, though never so weak;
but lest the canoes should be surprised, or take up
too many men for their defense, he sent them all
back to the place where the boats were, except one,
which he hid, that it might serve to carry intelli-
gence. Many of the Spaniards and Indians of this
village having fled to the near plantations, Captain
Morgan ordered that none should go out of the vil-
lage, except companies of one hundred together,
fearing lest the enemy should take an advantage
upon his men. Notwithstanding, one party contra-
vened these orders, being tempted with the desire of
victuals: but they were soon glad to fly into the
town again, being assaulted with great fury by some
Spaniards and Indians, who carried one of them
away prisoner. Thus the vigilancy and care of
Captain Morgan was not sufficient to prevent every
accident.
The eighth day in the morning Captain Morgan
sent two hundred men before the body of his army,
to discover the way to Panama, and any ambus-
cades therein: the path being so narrow, that only
ten or twelve persons could march abreast, and
often not so many. After ten hours' march they
came to a place called Quebrada Obscura: here,
all on a sudden, three or four thousand arrows were
THE CAPl^URE OF PANAMA, 1671 31
shot at them, they not perceiving whence they came,
or who shot them : though they presumed it was
from a high rocky mountain, from one side to the
other, whereon was a grot, capable of but one horse
or other beast laded. This multitude of arrows
much alarmed the pirates, especially because they
could not discover whence they were discharged. At
last, seeing no more arrows, they marched a little
farther, and entered a wood: here they perceived
some Indians to fly as fast as they could, to take the
advantage of another post, thence to observe their
march; yet there remained one troop of Indians on
the place, resolved to fight and defend themselves,
which they did with great courage till their captain
fell down wounded; who, though he despaired of
life, yet his valor being greater than his strength,
would ask no quarter, but, endeavoring to raise him-
self, with undaunted mind laid hold of his azagayo,
or javelin, and struck at one of the pirates; but
before he could second the blow, he was shot to
death. This was also the fate of many of his com-
panions, who, like good soldiers, lost their lives with
their captain, for the defense of their country.
The pirates endeavored to take some of the In-
dians prisoners, but they being swifter than the pi-
rates, every one escaped, leaving eight pirates dead,
and ten wounded: yea, had the Indians been more
dextrous in military affairs, they might have de-
fended the passage, and not let one man pass. A
little while after they came to a large champaign,
32 GREAT I>IRATI': STORIES
open, and full of fine meadows; hence they could
perceive at a distance before them some Indians, on
the top of a mountain, near the way by which they
were to pass: they sent fifty men, the nimblest they
had, to try to catch any of them, and force them to
discover their companions: but all in vain; for they
escaped by their nimbleness, and presently showed
themselves in another place, hallooing to the Eng-
lish and crying, "A la savana, a la savana, perros
Inglescs!" that is, "To the plain, to the plain, ye
English dogs!" Meanwhile the ten pirates that
were wounded were dressed, and plastered up.
Here was a wood, and on each side a mountain.
The Indians possessed themselves of one, and the
pirates of the other. Captain Morgan was per-
suaded the Spaniards had placed an ambuscade
there, it lying so conveniently; hereupon, he sent
two hundred men to search it. The Spaniards and
Indians perceiving the pirates descended the moun-
tain, did so too, as if they designed to attack them;
but being got into the wood, out of sight of the
pirates, they were seen no more, leaving the passage
open.
About night fell a great rain, which caused the
pirates to march the faster, and seek for houses
to preserve their arms from being wet; but the In-
dians had set fire to every one, and driven away
all their cattle, that the pirates, finding neither
houses nor victuals, might be constrained to return:
but, after diligent search, they found a few shep-
i
THE CAPTURE OF PANAMA, 1671 33
herds' huts, but in them nothing to eat. These not
holding many men, they placed in them, out of every
company, a small number, who kept the arms of
the rest: those who remained in the open field en-
dured much hardship that night, the rain not ceas-
ing till morning.
Next morning, about the break of day, being the
ninth of that tedious journey, Captain Morgan
marched on while the fresh air of the morning
lasted; for the clouds hanging yet over their heads,
were much more favorable than the scorching rays
of the sun, the way being now more difficult than
before. After two hours' march, they discovered
about twenty Spaniards, who observed their mo-
tions : they endeavored to catch some of them, but
could not, they suddenly disappearing, and abscond-
ing themselves in caves among the rocks unknown
to the pirates. At last, ascending a high mountain,
they discovered the South Sea. This happy sight,
as if it were the end of their labors, caused infinite
joy among them : hence they could descry also one
ship, and six boats, which were set forth from
Panama, and sailed towards the islands of Tavoga
and Tavogilla : then they came to a vale where they
found much cattle, whereof they killed good store :
here, while some killed and flayed cows, horses,
bulls, and chiefly asses, of which there were most;
others kindled fires, and got wood to roast them:
then cutting the flesh into convenient pieces, or gob-
bets, they threw them into the fire, and, half car-
34 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
bonadocd or roasted, they devoured them, with in-
credible haste and appetite. Such was their hunger,
that they more resembled cannibals than Europeans;
the blood many times running down from their
beards to their waists.
Having satisfietl their hunger, Captain Morgan
ordered them to continue the march. Here, again,
he sent before the main body fifty men to take some
prisoners, if they could; for he was much concerned,
that in nine days he could not meet one person to in-
form him of the condition and forces of the Span-
iards. About evening they discovered about two
hundred Spaniards, who hallooed to the pirates, but
they understood not what they said. A little while
after they came in sight of the highest steeple of
Panama: this they no sooner discovered but they
showed signs of extreme joy, casting up their hats
into the air, leaping and shouting, just as if they
had already obtained the victory, and accomplished
their designs. All their trumpets sounded, and
drums beat, in token of this alacrity of their
minds. Thus they pitched their camp for that night,
with general content of the whole army, waiting
with impatience for the morning, when they intended
to attack the city. This evening appeared fifty
horses, who came out of the city, on the noise of
the drums and trumpets, to observe, as it was
thought, their motions: they came almost within
musket-shot of the army, with a trumpet that
sounded marvelously well. Those on horseback
THE CAPTURE OF PANAMA, 1671 35
hallooed aloud to the pirates, and threatened them,
saying, "Perros! nos veremos," that is, "Ye dogs!
we shall meet ye." Having made this menace, they
returned to the city, except only seven or eight
horsemen, who hovered thereabouts to watch their
motions. Immediately after the city fired, and
ceased not to play their biggest guns all night long
against the camp, but with little or no harm to the
pirates, whom they could not easily reach. Now
also the two hundred Spaniards, whom the pirates
had seen in the afternoon, appeared again, making
a show of blocking up the passages, that no pirates
might escape their hands : but the pirates, though in
a manner besieged, instead of fearing their block-
ades, as soon as they had placed sentinels about their
camp, opened their satchels, and, without any nap-
kins or plates, fell to eating, very heartily, the
pieces of bulls' and horses' flesh which they had re-
served since noon. This done, they laid themselves
down to sleep on the grass, with great repose and
satisfaction, expecting only, with impatience, the
dawning of the next day.
The tenth day., betimes in the morning, they put
all their men in order, and, with drums and trum-
pets sounding, marched directly towards the city;
but one of the guides desired Captain Morgan not
to take the common highway, .lest they should find
in it many ambuscades. He took his advice, and
chose another way through the wood, though very
irksome and difficult. The Spaniards perceiving th'^'
36 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
pirates had taken another way they scarce had
thought on, were compelled to leave their stops and
batteries, and come out to meet them. The gover-
nor of Panama put his forces In order, consisting
of two squadrons, four regiments of foot, and a
huge number of wild bulls, which were driven by a
great number of Indians, with some negroes, and
others, to help them.
The pirates, now upon their march, came to the
top of a little hill, whence they had a large pros-
pect of the city and champaign country underneath.
Here they discovered the forces of the people of
Panama, in battle array, to be so numerous, that
they were surprised with fear, much doubting the
fortune of the day: yea, few or none there were but
wished themselves at home, or at least free from
obligation of that engagement, it so nearly con-
cerning their lives. Having been some time waver-
ing in their minds, they at last reflected on the
straits they had brought themselves into, and that
now they must either fight resolutely, or die; for
no quarter could be expected from an enemy on
whom they had committed so many cruelties. Here-
upon they encouraged one another, resolving to con-
quer, or spend the last drop of blood. Then thev
divided themselves into three battalions, sending
before two hundred buccaneers, who were very dex-
trous at their guns. Then descending the hill, they
marched directly towards the Spaniards, who in a
spacious field waited for their coming. As soon as
THE CAPTURE OF PANAMA, 1671 37
they drew nigh, the Spaniards began to shout and
cry, "Viva el rey!" "God save the king!" and im-
mediately their horse moved against the pirates:
but the fields being full of quags, and soft under-
foot, they could not wheel about as they desired.
The two hundred buccaneers, who went before, each
putting one knee to the ground, began to battle
briskly, with a full volley of shot: the Spaniards
defended themselves courageously, doing all they
could to disorder the pirates. Their foot endeav-
ored to second the horse, but were forced by the fire
of the pirates to retreat. Finding themselves baf-
fled, they attempted to drive the bulls against them
behind, to put them into disorder; but the wild cat-
tle ran away, frighted with the noise of the battle.
Only some few broke through the English com-
panies, and only tore the colors in pieces, while the
buccaneers shot every one of them dead.
The battle having continued two hours, the great-
est part of the Spanish horse was ruined, and almost
all killed: the rest fled, which the foot seeing, and
that they could not possibly prevail, they discharged
the shot they had in their muskets, and throwing
them down, fled away, every one as he could. The
pirates could not follow them, being too much
harassed and wearied with their long journey.
Many, not being able to fly whither they desired,
hid themselves, for that present, among the shrubs
of the sea-side, but very unfortunately; for most of
them being found by the pirates, were instantly
38 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
klllccl, without any quarter. Some religious men
were brought prisoners before Captain Morgan; bu
he, being deaf to tlieir cries, commanded them all
to be pistoled, which was done. Soon after they
brought a captain to him, whom he examined very
strictly; particularly, wherein consisted the forces of
those of Panama? lie answered, their whole
strength consisted in four hundred horse, twenty-
four companies of foot, each one hundred men
complete; sixty Indians, and some negroes, who were
to drive two thousand wild bulls upon the English,
and thus, by breaking their files, put them into a to-
tal disorder: beside, that in the city they had made
trenches, and raised batteries in several places, in
all which they had placed many guns; and that at
the entry of the highway, leading to the city, they
had built a fort mounted with eight great brass
guns, defended by fifty men.
Captain Morgan having heard this, gave orders
instantly to march another way; but first he made a
review of his men, whereof he found both killed and
wounded a considerable number, and much greater
than had been believed. Of the Spaniards were
found six hundred dead on the place, besides the
wounded and prisoners. The pirates, nothing dis-
couraged, seeing their number so diminished, but
rather filled with greater pride, perceiving what
huge advantage they had obtained against their ene-
mies, having rested some time, prepared to march
courageously towards the city, plighting their oaths
THE CAPTURE OF PANAMA, 1671 39
to one another, that they would fight till not a man
was left alive. With this courage they recom-
menced their march, either to conquer or be con-
quered; carrying with them all the prisoners.
They found much difficulty in their approach to
the city, for within the town the Spaniards had
placed many great guns, at several quarters, some
charged with small pieces of iron, and others with
musket bullets. With all these they saluted the pi-
rates at their approaching, and gave them full and
frequent broadsides, firing at them incessantly; so
that unavoidably they lost at every step great num-
bers of men. But not these manifest dangers of
their lives, nor the sight of so many as dropped con-
tinually at their sides, could deter them from ad-
vancing, and gaining ground every moment on the
enemy; and though the Spaniards never ceased to
fire, and act the best they could for their defense,
yet they were forced to yield, after three hours'
combat. And the pirates having possessed them-
selves at last of the city, killed all that attempted in
the least to oppose them. The inhabitants had
transported the best of their goods to more remote
and secret places; howbeit, they found in the city
several warehouses well stocked with merchandise,
as well silks and cloths, as linen and other things
of value. As soon as the first fury of their en-
trance was over. Captain Morgan assembled his
men, and commanded them, under great penalties,
not to drink or taste any wine; and the reason he
40 (jI<i:ai' pi rati-: stories
gave for it was, because he had intelligence that it
was all poisoned by the Spaniards. Howbeit, it
was thought he gave these prudent orders to pre-
vent the debauchery of his people, which he foresaw
would be very great at the first, after so much hun-
'ger sustained by the way; fearing, withal, lest the
Spaniards, seeing them in wine, should rally, and,
falling on the city, use them as inhumanly as they
had used the inhabitants before.
Captain Morgan, as soon as he had placed neces-
sary guards at several quarters within and without
the city, commanded twenty-five men to seize a great
boat, which had stuck in the mud of the port, for
want of water, at a low tide. The same day about
noon, he caused fire privately to be set to several
great edifices of the city, nobody knowing who were
the authors thereof, much less on what motives
Captain Morgan did it, which are unknown to this
day: the fire increased so, that before night the
greatest part of the city was in a flame. Captain
Morgan pretended the Spaniards had done it, per-
ceiving that his own people reflected on him for that
action. Many of the Spaniards, and some of the
pirates, did what they could, either to quench the
flames or by blowing up houses with gunpowder,
and pulling down others to stop it, but in vain : for
in less than half an hour it consumed a whole street.
All the houses of the city were built with cedar,
very curious and magnificent, and richly adorned,
especially with hangings and paintings, whereof part
THE CAPTURE OF PANAMA, 1671 41
were before removed, but another great part were
consumed by fire.
There were in this city (which is the see of a
bishop) eight monasteries, seven for men, and one
for women; two stately churches, and one hospital.
The churches and monasteries were all richly
adorned with altar-pieces and paintings, much gold
and silver, and other precious things, all which the
ecclesiastics had hidden. Besides which, here were
two thousand houses of magnificent building, the
greatest part inhabited by merchants vastly rich.
For the rest of less quality, and tradesmen, this
city contained five thousand more. Here were also
many stables for the horses and mules that carry
the plate of the king of Spain, as well as private
men, towards the North Sea. The neighboring
fields were full of fertile plantations and pleasant
gardens, affording delicious prospects to the in-
habitants all the year.
The Genoese had in this city a stately house for
their trade of negroes. This likewise was by Cap-
tain Morgan burnt to the very ground. Besides
which building, there were consumed two hundred
warehouses, and many slaves, who had hid them-
selves therein, with innumerable sacks of meal; the
fire of which continued four weeks after it had be-
gun. The greatest part of the pirates still en-
camped without the city, fearing and expecting the
Spaniards would come and fight them anew, it being
known they much outnumbered the pirates. This
42 (iRF.AT IMRATK STORIES
made them keep the field, to preserve their forces
united, now much diminished by their losses. Their
wounded, which were many, they put Into one church,
which remained standinj^, the rest being consumed
by the fire. Besides these decreases of his men.
Captain Morgan had sent a convoy of one hundred
and fifty men to the castle of Chagre, to carry the
news of his victory at Panama.
They saw often whole troops of Spaniards run
to and fro in the fields, which made them suspect
their rallying, which they never had the courage to
do. In the afternoon Captain Morgan reentered
the city with his troops, that every one might take
up their lodgings, which now they could hardly find,
few houses having escaped the fire. Then they
sought very carefully among the ruins and ashes,
for utensils of plate or gold, that were not quite
wasted by the flames: and of such they found no
small number, especially in wells and cisterns, where
the Spaniards had hid them.
Next day Captain Morgan dispatched away two
troops, of one hundred and fifty men each, stout
and well armed, to seek for the inhabitants who
were escaped. These having made several excur-
sions up and down the fields, woods, and mountains
adjacent, returned after two days, bringing above
two hundred prisoners, men, women, and slaves.
The same day returned also the boat which Cap-
tain Morgan had sent to the South Sea, bringing
three other boats which they had taken. But all
THE CAPTURE OF PANAMA, 1671 43
these prizes they could willingly have given, and
greater labor Into the bargain, for one galleon,
which miraculously escaped, richly laden with all
the king's plate, jewels, and other precious goods
of the best and richest merchants of Panama : on
board which were also the religious women of the
nunnery, who had embarked with them all the orna-
ments of their church, consisting In much gold, plate,
and other things of great value.
The strength of this galleon was Inconsiderable,
having only seven guns, and ten or twelve muskets,
and very 111 provided with victuals, necessaries, and
fresh water, having no more sails than the upper-
most of the mainmast. This account the pirates
received from some one who had spoken with seven
mariners belonging to the galleon, who came ashore
in the cockboat for fresh water. Hence they con-
cluded they might easily have taken it, had they
given her chase, as they should have done; but they
were Impeded from following this vastly rich prize,
by their gluttony and drunkenness, having plentifully
debauched themselves with several rich wines they
found ready, choosing rather to satiate their appe-
tites than to lay hold on such huge advantage; since
this one prize would have been of far greater value
than all they got at Panama, and the places there-
about. Next day, repenting of their negligence, be-
ing weary of their vices and debaucheries, they set
forth another boat, well armed, to pursue with all
speed the said galleon; but in vain, the Spaniards
44 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
who were on hoard having had Intelligence of their
own danger one or two days hefore, while the pirates
were cruising so near them; whereupon they fled to
places more remote and unknown.
The pirates fount!, in the ports of the island of
Tavoga and Tavogilla, several hoats laden with
very good merchandise; all which they took, and
brought to Panama, where they made an exact re-
lation of all that had passed to Captain Morgan.
The prisoners confirmed what the pirates said, add-
ing, that they undoubtedly knew where the galleon
might then be, but that it was very probable they
had been relieved before now from other places.
This stirred up Captain Morgan anew, to send forth
all the boats in the port of Panama to seek the said
galleon till they could find her. These boats, being
in all four, after eight days' cruising to and fro, and
searching several ports and creeks, lost all hopes of
finding her, whereupon they returned to Tavoga and
Tavogilla. Here they found a reasonable good ship
newly come from Payta, laden with cloth, soap,
sugar, and biscuit, with 20,000 pieces of eight. This
they instantly seized, without the least resistance;
as also a boat which was not far off, on which they
laded great part of the merchandises from the ship,
with some slaves. With this spoil they returned
to Panama, somewhat better satisfied; yet, withal,
much discontented that they could not meet with the
galleon.
The convoy which Captain Morgan had sent to
THE CAPTURE OF PANAMA, 1671 45
the castle of Chagre returned much about the same
time, bringing with them very good news; for while
Captain Morgan was on his journey to Panama,
those he had left in the castle of Chagre had sent for
two boats to cruise. These met with a Spanish
ship, which they chased within sight of the castle.
This being perceived by the pirates in the castle,
they put forth Spanish colors, to deceive the ship
that fled before the boats; and the poor Spaniards,
thinking to take refuge under the castle, were caught
in a snare, and made prisoners. The cargo on board
the said vessel consisted in victuals and provisions,
than which nothing could be more opportune for the
castle, where they began already to want things of
this kind.
This good luck of those of Chagre caused Cap-
tain Morgan to stay longer at Panama, ordering
several new excursions into the country round about;
and while the pirates at Panama were upon these
expeditions, those at Chagre were busy in piracies
on the North Sea. Captain Morgan sent forth,
daily, parties of two hundred men, to make inroads
into all the country round about; and when one
party came back, another went forth, who soon
gathered much riches, and many prisoners. These
being brought into the city, were put to the most
exquisite tortures, to make them confess both other
people's goods and their own. Here it happened
that one poor wretch was found in the house of a
person of quality, who had put on, amidst the con-
46 GREAT 1>IRATE STORIES
fusion, a pair of taffcty breeches of his master's,
with a little silver key hanging out; perceiving which,
they asked him for the cabinet of the said key. Elis
answer was, he knew not what was become of it,
but that finding those breeches in his master's house,
he had made bold to wear them. Not being able
to get any other answer, they put him on the rack,
and inhumanly disjointed his arms; then they twisted
a cord about his forehead, which they wrung so hard
that his eyes appeared as big as eggs, and were ready
to fall out. But with these torments not obtaining
any positive answer, they hung him up by the wrists,
giving him many blows and stripes under that in-
tolerable pain and posture of body. Afterwards
they cut off his nose and ears, and singed his face
with burning straw, till he could not speak, nor
lament his misery any longer: then, losing all hopes
of any confession, they bade a negro to run him
through, which put an end to his life, and to their
inhuman tortures. Thus did many others of those
miserable prisoners finish their days, the common
sport and recreation of these pirates being such
tragedies.
Captain Morgan having now been at Panama full
three weeks, commanded all things to be prepared
for his departure. He ordered every company of
men to seek so many beasts of carriage as might
convey the spoil to the river where his canoes lay.
About this time there was a great rumor, that a
considerable number of pirates intended to leave
THE CAPTURE OF PANAMA, 1671 47
Captain Morgan; and that, taking a ship then in
port, they determined to go and rob on the South
Sea, till they had got as much as they thought fit,
and then return homewards, by way of the East
Indies. For which purpose they had gathered much
provisions, which they had hid in private places,
with sufficient powder, bullets, and all other ammuni-
tion : likewise some great guns belonging to the town,
muskets, and other things, wherewith they designed
not only to equip their vessel, but to fortify them-
selves in some island which might serve them for a
place of refuge.
This design had certainly taken effect, had not
Captain Morgan had timely advice of it from one
of their comrades; hereupon he commanded the
mainmast of the said ship to be cut down and burnt,
with all the other boats In the port: hereby the in-
tentions of all or most of his companions were
totally frustrated. Then Captain Morgan sent
many of the Spaniards into the adjoining fields and
country to seek for money, to ransom not only them-
selves, but the rest of the prisoners, as likewise the
ecclesiastics. Moreover, he commanded all the ar-
tillery of the town to be nailed and stopped up. At
the same time he sent out a strong company of men
to seek for the governor of Panama, of whom in-
telligence was brought, that he had laid several am-
buscades in the way by which he ought to return : but
they returned soon after, saying they had not found
any sign of any such ambuscades. For confirma-
48 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
tlon whereof, they hrought some prisoners, who de-
clared that the said governor had had an intention
of making some opposition by the way, but that the
men designed to effect it were unwilling to undertake
it: so that for want of means he could not put his
design in execution.
February 24, 1671, Captain Morgan departed
from Panama, or rather from the place where the
city of Panama stood; of the spoils whereof he car-
ried with him one hundred and seventy-five beasts
of carriage, laden with silver, gold, and other pre-
cious things, beside about six hundred prisoners, men,
women, children and slaves. That day they came
to a river that passes through a delicious plain, a
league from Panama: here Captain Morgan put all
his forces into good order, so as that the prisoners
were in the middle, surrounded on all sides with
pirates, where nothing else was to be heard but la-
mentations, cries, shrieks, and doleful sighs of so
many women and children, who feared Captain Mor-
gan designed to transport them all into his own
country for slaves. Besides, all those miserable prison-
ers endured extreme hunger and thirst at that time,
which misery Captain Morgan designedly caused
them to sustain, to excite them to seek for money to
ransom themselves, according to the tax he had set
upon every one. Many of the women begged Cap-
tain Morgan, on their knees, with infinite sighs and
tears, to let them return to Panama, there to live
with their dear husbands and children in little huts
i
THE CAPTURE OF PANAMA, 1671 49
of straw, which they would erect, seeing they had
no houses till the rebuilding of the city. But his
answer was, "He came not thither to hear lamenta-
tions and cries, but to seek money: therefore they
ought first to seek out that, wherever it was to be
had, and bring it to him; otherwise he would as-
suredly transport them all to such places whither
they cared not to go."
Next day, when the march began, those lament-
able cries and shrieks were renewed, so as it would
have caused compassion in the hardest heart: but
Captain Morgan, as a man little given to mercy,
Vv'as not moved in the least. They marched in the
same order as before, one party of the pirates in
the van, the prisoners in the middle, and the rest of
the pirates in the rear; by whom the miserable Span-
iards were at every step punched and thrust in their
backs and sides, with the blunt ends of their arms,
to make them march faster.
A beautiful lady, wife to one of the richest mer-
chants of Tavoga, was led prisoner by herself, be-
tween two pirates. Her lamentations pierced the
skies, seeing herself carried away into captivity often
cr}'ing to the pirates, and telling them, "That she
had given orders to two religious persons, in whom
she had relied, to go to a certain place, and fetch
so much money as her ransom did amount to; that
they had promised faithfully to do it, but having
obtained the money, instead of bringing it to her,
they had employed it another way, to ransom some
50 GREAT PIRATr: STORIES
of their own, and particular friends." This ill ac-
tion of theirs was discovered by a slave, who brought
a letter to the said lady. I ler complaints, and the
cause thereof, being brought to Captain Morgan,
he thought fit to inquire thereinto. I laving found it
to be true — especially hearing it confirmed by the
confession of the said religious men, though under
some frivolous excuses of having diverted the
money but for a day or two, in which time they ex-
pected more sums to repay it — he gave liberty to
the said lady, whom otherwise he designed to trans-
port to Jamaica. But he detained the said religious
men as prisoners in her place, using them according
to their desserts.
Captain Morgan arriving at the town called Cruz,
on the banks of the river Chagre, he published an
order among the prisoners, that within three days
every one should bring in their ransom, under the
penalty of being transported to Jamaica. Mean-
while he gave orders for so much rice and maize to
be collected thereabouts, as was necessary for vic-
tualing his ships. Here some of the prisoners were
ransomed, but many others could not bring in their
money. Hereupon he continued his voyage, leaving
the village on the 5th of March following, carr}'ing
with him all the spoil he could. Hence he likewise
led away some new prisoners, inhabitants there, with
those In Panama, who had not paid their ransoms.
But the two religious men, who had diverted the
lady's money, were ransomed three days after by
THE CAPTURE OF PANAMA, 1671 51
other persons, who had more compassion for them
than they had showed for her.
About the middle of the way to Chagre, Captain
Morgan commanded them to be mustered, and
caused every one to be sworn, that they had con-
cealed nothing, even not to the value of sixpence.
This done. Captain Morgan knowing those lewd fel-
lows would not stick to swear falsely for interest, he
commanded every one to be searched very strictly,
both in their clothes and satchels, and elsewhere.
Yea, that this order might not be ill taken by his
companions, he permitted himself to be searched,
even to his very shoes. To this effect, by common
consent, one was assigned out of every company to
be searchers of the rest. The French pirates that
assisted on this expedition disliked this new prac-
tice of searching; but, being outnumbered by the
English, they were forced to submit as well as the
rest. The search being over, they reembarked, and
arrived at the castle of Chagre on the 9th of March.
THE MALAY PROAS*
James Fenimoke Cooper
WE had cleared the Straits of Sunda early
in the morning, and had made a pretty
fair run in the course of the day, though
most of the time in thick weather. Just as the
sun set, however, the horizon became clear, and we
got a sight of two small sail, seemingly heading
in toward the coast of Sumatra, proas by their rig
and dimensions. They were so distant, and were
so evidently steering for the land, that no one gave
them much thought, or bestowed on them any par-
ticular attention. Proas in that quarter were
usually distrusted by ships, it is true; but the sea
is full of them, and far more are innocent than are
guilty of any acts of violence. Then it became dark
soon after these craft were seen, and night shut
them in. An hour after the sun had set, the wind
fell to a light air, that just kept steerage-way on
the ship. Fortunately, the John was not only fast,
but she minded her helm, as a light-footed girl turns
in a lively dance. I never was in a better-steering
ship, most especially In moderate weather.
Mr. Marble had the middle watch that night, and;
* From Afloat and Ashore.
52
]
i
THE MALAY PROAS 53
of course, I was on deck from midnight until four
in the morning. It proved misty most of the watch,
and for quite an hour we had a light drizzling rain.
The ship the whole time was close-hauled, carrying
royals. As everybody seemed to have made up
his mind to a quiet night, one without any reefing
or furling, most of the watch were sleeping about
the decks, or wherever they could get good quarters,
and be least in the way. I do not know what kept
me awake, for lads of my age are apt to get all
the sleep they can; but I believe I was thinking of
Clawbonny, and Grace, and Lucy; for the latter,
excellent girl as she was, often crossed my mind
in those days of youth and comparative innocence.
Awake I was, and walking in the weather-gangway,
in a sailor's trot. Mr. Marble, he I do believe
was fairly snoozing on the hen-coops, being, like
the sails, as one might say, barely "asleep." At
that moment I heard a noise, one familiar to sea-
men; that of an oar falling in a boat. So com-
pletely was my mind bent on other and distant
scenes, that at first I felt no surprise, as if we were
in a harbor surrounded by craft of various sizes,
coming and going at all hours. But a second
thought destroyed this illusion, and I looked eagerly
about me. Directly on our weather-bow, distant,
perhaps, a cable's length, I saw a small sail, and I
could distinguish it sufficiently well to perceive it
was a proa. I sang out "Sail hoi and close
aboard!"
54 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
Mr. Marble was on his feet In an instant. He
afterward told me that when he opened his eyes,
for he admitted this much to me in confidence, they
fell directly on the stranger. He was too much of
a seaman to require a second look in order to ascer-
tain what was to he done. "Keep the ship away —
keep her broad off!" he called out to the man at
the wheel. "Lay the yards square — call all hands,
one of you. Captain Robbins, Mr. Kite, bear a
hand up; the bloody proas arc aboard us!" The
last part of this call was uttered in a loud voice,
with the speaker's head down the companion-way.
It was heard plainly enough below, but scarcely at
all on deck.
In the meantime everybody was in motion. It
is amazing how soon sailors are wide awake when
there is really anything to do ! It appeared to me
that all our people mustered on deck In less than
a minute, most of them with nothing on but their
shirts and trousers. The ship was nearly before
the wind by the time I heard the captain's voice;
and then Mr. Kite came bustling in among us for-
ward, ordering most of the men to lay aft to the
braces, remaining himself on the forecastle, and
keeping me with him to let go the sheets. On the
forecastle, the strange sail was no longer visible,
being now abaft the beam; but I could hear Mr.
Marble swearing there were two of them, and that
they must be the very chaps we had seen to lee-
ward, and standing in for the land at sunset. I also
THE MALAY PROAS 55
heard the captain calling out to the steward to
bring him a powder-horn. Immediately after,
orders were given to let fly all our sheets forward,
and then I perceived that they were wearing ship.
Nothing saved us but the prompt order of Mr.
Marble to keep the ship away, by which means, in-
stead of moving toward the proas, we instantly
began to move from them. Although they went
three feet to our two, this gave us a moment of
breathing time.
As our sheets were all flying forward, and re-
mained so for a few minutes, it gave me leisure to
look about. I soon saw both proas, and glad
enough was I to perceive that they had not ap-
proached materially nearer. Mr. Kite observed
this also, and remarked that our movements had
been so prompt as to "take the rascals aback." He
meant they did not exactly know what we were at,
and had not kept away with us.
At this instant, the captain and five or six of the
oldest seamen began to cast loose all our starboard,
or weather guns, four in all, and sixes. We had
loaded these guns in the Straits of Banca, with
grape and canister, in readiness for just such pirates
as were now coming down upon us; and nothing was
wanting but the priming and a hot loggerhead. It
seems two of the last had been ordered in the fire,
when we saw the proas at sunset; and they were
now in excellent condition for service, live coals
being kept around them all night by command. I
56 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
saw a cluster of men busy with the second gun
from forward, and could distinguish the captain
pointing to it.
"Inhere cannot well be any mistake, Mr.
Marble?" the captain observed, hesitating whether
to fire or not.
"Mistake, sir? Lord, Captain Robbins, you
might cannonade any of the islands astern for a
week, and never hurt an honest man. Let 'em have
it, sir; I'll answer for it, you do good."
This settled the matter. The loggerhead was
applied, and one of our sixes spoke out in a smart
report. A breathless stillness succeeded. The
proas did not alter their course, but neared us fast.
The captain levelled his night-glass, and I heard
him tell Kite, in a low voice, that they were full
of men. The word was now passed to clear away
all the guns, and to open the arm-chest, to come at
the muskets and pistols. I heard the rattling of
the boarding-pikes, too, as they were cut adrift
from the spanker-boom, and fell upon the decks.
All this sounded very ominous, and I began to think
we should have a desperate engagement first, and
then have all our throats cut afterward.
I expected now to hear the guns discharged in
quick succession, but they were got ready only, not
fired. Kite went aft, and returned with three or
four muskets, and as many pikes. He gave the
latter to those of the people who had nothing to
do with the guns. By this time the ship was on
THE MALAY PROAS 57
a wind, steering a good full, while the two proas
were just abeam, and closing fast. The stillness
that reigned on both sides was like that of death.
The proas, however, fell a little more astern; the
result of their own manoeuvering, out of all doubt,
as they moved through the water much faster than
the ship, seeming desirous of dropping into our
wake, with a design of closing under our stern, and
avoiding our broadside. As this would never do,
and the wind freshened so as to give us four or five
knot way, a most fortunate circumstance for us,
the captain determined to tack while he had room.
The John behaved beautifully, and came round like
a top. The proas saw there was no time to lose,
and attempted to close before we could fill again;
and this they would have done with ninety-nine
ships in a hundred. The captain knew his vessel,
however, and did not let her lose her way, making
everything draw again as it might be by instinct.
The proas tacked, too, and, laying up much nearer
to the wind than we did, appeared as if about to
close on our lee-bow. The question was, now,
whether we could pass them or not before they got
near enough to grapple. If the pirates got on board
us, we were hopelessly gone; and everything de-
pended on coolness and judgment. The captain
behaved perfectly well in this critical instant, com-
manding a dead silence, and the closest attention to
his orders.
T was too much interested at this moment to feel
58 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
the concern that I mi^ht otherwise have experi-
enced. On the forecastle, it appeared to us all that
we should he boarded in a minute, for one of the
proas was actually within a hundred feet, though
losing her advantage a little by getting under the
lee of our sails. Kite had ordered us to muster
forward of the rigging, to meet the expected leap
with a discharge of muskets, and then to present
our pikes, when I felt an arm thrown around my
body, and was turned inboard, while another person
assumed my place. This was Neb, who had thus
coolly thrust himself before me, in order to meet
the danger first. I felt vexed, even while touched
with the fellow's attachment and self-devotion, but
had no time to betray either feeling before the
crews of the proas gave a yell, and discharged some
fifty or sixty matchlocks at us. The air was full
of bullets, but they all went over our heads. Not
a soul on board the John was hurt. On our side,
we gave the gentlemen the four sixes, two at the
nearest and two at the stern-most proa, which was
still near a cable's length distant. As often hap-
pens, the one seemingly farthest from danger, fared
the worst. Our grape and canister had room to
scatter, and I can at this distant day still hear the
shrieks that arose from that craft! They were like
the yells of fiends in anguish. The effect on that
proa was instantaneous; Instead of keeping on after
her consort, she wore short round on her heel, and
THE MALAY PROAS 59
stood away in our wake, on the other tack, appar-
ently to get out of the range of our fire.
I doubt if we touched a man in the nearest proa.
At any rate, no noise proceeded from her, and she
came up under our bows fast. As every gun was
discharged, and there was not time to load them,
all now depended on repelling the boarders. Part
of our people mustered in the waist, where it was
expected the proa would fall alongside, and part
on the forecastle. Just as this distribution was
made, the pirates cast their grapnel. It was admira-
bly thrown, but caught only by a ratlin. I saw this,
and was about to jump into the rigging to try what
I could do to clear it, when Neb again went ahead
of me, and cut the ratlin with his knife. This was
just as the pirates had abandoned sails and oars,
and had risen to haul up alongside. So sudden was
the release, that twenty of them fell over by their
own efforts. In this state the ship passed ahead,
all her canvas being full, leaving the proa motion-
less in her wake. In passing, however, the two
vessels were so near, that those aft in the John dis-
tinctly saw the swarthy faces of their enemies.
We were no sooner clear of the proas than the
order was given, "Ready about!" The helm was
put down, and the ship came into the wind in a
minute. As we came square with the two proas, all
our larboard guns were given to them, and this
ended the affair. I think the nearest of the rascals
got it this time, for away she went, after her con-
60 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
sort, both running off toward the islands. We
made a little show of chasing, but it was only a
feint; for we were too glad to get away from them,
to be in earnest. In ten minutes after we tacked
the last time, we ceased firing, having thrown some
eight or ten round-shot after the proas, and were
close-hauled again, heading to the southwest.
THE WONDERFUL FIGHT OF THE
EXCHANGE OF BRISTOL WITH
THE PIRATES OF ALGIERS *
Samuel Purchas
IN the yeere 1621, the first of November, there
was one lohn Rawlins, borne in Rochester, and
dwelling three and twenty yeere in Plimmoth,
imployed to the Strait of Gibraltar-, by Master Rich-
ard, and Steven Treviles, Merchants of Plimmoth,
and fraighted In a Barke, called the Nicholas of
Plimmoth, of the burden of forty Tun, which had
also in her company another ship of Plimmoth,
called the George Benaventure of seventy Tun bur-
then, or thereabouts; which by reason of her great-
nesse beyond the other, I will name the Admirall;
and lohn Rawlins Barke shall, if you please, be the
Vice-admirall. These two according to the time of
the yeere, had a f aire passage, and by the eighteenth
of the same moneth came to a place at the entring of
the straits, named Trafflegar: but the next morning,
being in the sight of Gibraltar, at the very mouth
of the straits, the watch descried five saile of ships,
who as it seemed, used all the means they could to
come neere us, and we as we had cause, used the
* From Purchas, His Pilgrims.
61
62 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
same means to go as farrc from them : yet did their
/Idmirall take in both his top sailes, that either we
might not suspect them, or tliat his (nvne company
might come up the closer together. At last perceiv-
ing us Christians, they fell from devices to apparent
discovery of hostility, and making out against us:
we againe suspecting them Pirats, tooke our course
to escape from them, and made all the sailes we
possibly could for Tirriff, or Gibraltar: but all we
could doe, could not prevent their approach. For
suddenly one of them came right over against us to
wind-ward, and so fell upon our quarter: another
came upon our luffe, and so threatened us there,
and at last all five chased us, making great speed
to surprise us.
Their Admirall was called Calif ater, having upon
hermaine top-saile, two top-gallant sailes, one above
another. But whereas we thought them all five to be
Turkish ships of war, we afterwards understood,
that two of them were their prizes, the one a smal
ship of London, the other of the West-countrey, that
came out of the Quactath laden with figges, and
other Merchandise, but now subiect to the fortune
of the Sea, and the captivity of Pirats. But to our
businesse. Three of these ships got much upon us,
and so much that ere halfe the day was spent, the
Admirall who was the best sailer, fetcht up the
George Bonaventitre, and made booty of it. The
Vice-Admirall againe being neerest unto the lesser
Barke, whereof lohn Raivlins was Master, shewed
THE WONDERFUL FIGHT 63
him the force of a stronger arme, and by his Turkish
name, called Villa-Rise, commanded him in like sort
to strike his sailes, and submit to his mercy, which
not to be gaine-saied nor prevented, was quickly
done : and so Rawlins with his Barke was quickly
taken, although the Reare-Admirall being the
worst sayler of the three, called Reggiprise, came
not in, till all was done.
The same day before night, the Admirall either
loth to pester himselfe with too much company, or
ignorant of the commodity that was to be made by
the sale of English prisoners, or daring not to trust
them in his company, for feare of mutinies, and
exciting others to rebellion; set twelve persons who
were in the George Bonaventure on the land, and
divers other English, whom he had taken before, to
trie their fortunes in an unknowne Countrey. But
Villa-Rise, the Vice-Admirall that had taken lohn
Rawlins, would not so dispence with his men, but
commanded him and five more of his company to be
brought aboord his ship, leaving in his Barke three
men and his boy, with thirteene Turkes and Moo?-es,
who were questionlesse sufficient to over-master the
other, and direct the Barke to Harbour. Thus they
sailed directly for Algier; but the night following,
followed them with great tempest and foule
weather, which ended not without some effect of a
storme: for they lost the sight of Rawlins Barke,
called the Nicholas, and in a manner lost them-
selves, though they seemed safe a shipboord, by
64 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
fcarefull coniecturing what should become of us: at
last, by the two and twentieth of the same moneth,
they, or we (chuse you whether) arrived at /Ilyier,
and came in safety within the Mould, but found not
our other Barke there; nay, though we earnestly in-
quired after the same, yet heard we nothing to our
satisfaction; but much matter was ministred to our
discomfort and amazement. For although the Cap-
taine and our over-seers, were loth we should have
any conference with our Country-men; yet did we
adventure to informe ourselves of the present af-
faires, both of the Towne, and the shipping: so
that finding many English at worke in other ships,
they spared not to tell us the danger we were in,
and the mischiefes we must needs incurre, as being
sure if we were not used like slaves, to be sold as
slaves; for there had beene five hundred brought
into the market for the same purpose, and above a
hundred hansome youths compelled to turne Turkes,
or made subiect to more viler prostitution, and all
English: yet like good Christians, they bade us be
of good cheere, and comfort ourselves in this, that
Gods trials were gentle purgations, and these crosses
were but to cleanse the drosse from the gold, and
bring us out of the fire againe more cleare and
lovely. Yet I must needs confesse, that they af-
forded us reason for this cruelty, as if they deter-
mined to be revenged of our last attempt to fire their
ships in the Mould, and therefore protested to
spare none whom they could surprise and take
THE WONDERFUL FIGHT 65
alive; but either to sell them for money, or torment
them to serve their owne turnes. Now their cus-
tomes and usages in both these was in this manner.
First, concerning the first. The Bashaw had the
over-seeing of all prisoners, who were presented
unto him at their first comming into the harbour,
and to choose one out of every eight for a present or
fee to himselfe : the rest were rated by the Captaines,
and so sent to the Market to be sold; whereat if
either there were repining, or any drawing backe,
then certaine Moores and Officers attended either
to beate you forward, or thrust you into the sides
with Goades; and this was the manner of the sell-
ing of Slaves.
Secondly, concerning their enforcing them, either
to turne Turke, or to attend their filthines and im-
pieties, although it would make a Christians heart
bleed to heare of the same, yet must the truth not
be hid, nor the terror left untold. They commonly
lay them on their naked backs or bellies, beating
them so long, till they bleed at the nose and mouth;
and if yet they continue constant, then they strike
the teeth out of their heads, pinch them by their
tongues, and use,many other sorts of tortures to con-
vert them; nay, many times they lay them their
whole length in the ground like a grave, and so
cover them with boords, threatening to starve them,
if they will not turne; and so many even for feare
of torment and death, make their tongues betray
their hearts to a most fearefuU wickednesse, and so
66 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
are circumcised with new names, and brought to con-
fesse a new Religion. Others againe, I must con-
fesse, who never knew any God, but their own sen-
suall lusts and pleasures, thought that any religion
would serve their turnes, and so for preferment or
wealth very voluntarily renounced their faith, and
became Rencgadoes in despight of any counsell which
se-emed to intercept them: and this was the first
newes wee cncountred with at our comming first to
Algier.
The 26. of the same moneth, lohn Rawlins his
Barke, with his other three men and a boy, came
safe Into the Mould, and so were put all together to
be carried before the Bashaw, but tha\: they tooke
the Owners servant, and Rawlins Boy, and by force
and torment compelled them to turne Turk-es: then
were they in all seven English, besides lohn Raw-
lins, of whom the Bashaw tooke one, and sent the
rest to their Captaines, who set a valuation upon
them, and so the Souldiers hurried us like dogs into
the Market, whereas men sell Hacknies in England.
We were tossed up and downe to see who would
give most for us ; and although we had heavy hearts,
and looked with sad countenances, yet many came to
behold us, sometimes taking us by the hand, some-
times turning us round about, sometimes feeling our
brawnes and naked armes, and so beholding our
prices written on our breasts, they bargained for us
accordingly, and at last we were all sold, and the
THE WONDERFUL FIGHT 67
Souldlers returned with the money to their Cap-
talnes.
lohn Rawlins was the last who was sold, by rea-
son of his lame hand, and bought by the Captaine
that tooke him, even that dog Villa Rise, who bet-
ter informing himselfe of his skill fit to be a Pilot,
and his experience to bee an over-seer, bought him
and his Carpenter at very easie rates. For as we
afterwards understood by divers English Rene-
gadoes, he paid for Rawlins but one hundred and
fiftie Dooblets, which make of English money seven
pound ten shilling. Thus was "he and his Carpenter
with divers other slaves sent into his ship to worke,
and imployed about such affaires, as belonged to the
well rigging and preparing the same. But the vil-
lanous Tiirkes perceiving his lame hand, and that
he could not performe so much as other Slaves,
quickly complained to their Patron, who as quickly
apprehended the inconvenience; whereupon hee sent
for him the next day, and told him he was unserv-
iceable for his present purpose, and therefore un-
lesse'he could procure fifteene pound of the English
there for his ransome, he would send him up into
the Countrey, where he should never see Christen-
dome againe, and endure the extremity of a miser-
able banishment.
But see how God worketh all for the best for his
servants, and confounded the presumption of Ty-
rants, frustrating their purposes, to make his won-
ders knowne to the sonnes of men, and releeves his
68 GRI-AT PIRATI- STORIES
people, when they least thinke of succour and re-
Icascmcnt. Whilest fohn Rawlins was thus terrified
with tlie dogged answere of Filla Rise, the Ex-
change of Bristow* a ship formerly surprised by the
Pirats, lay all unrigged in the Harbour, till at last
one lohn Goodalc, an English Tiirke, with his con-
federates, understanding shee was a good sailer,
and might be made a proper Man of Warre, bought
her from the Turkcs that tookc her, and prepared
her for their owne purpose. Now the Caplainc that
set them at workc, was also an English Renegado,
by the name of Rammelham Rise, but by his Chris-
tian name Henric Chandler, who resolved to make
Goodale Master over her; and because they were
both English Turkes, having the command notwith-
standing of many Turkes and Moores, they con-
cluded to have all English slaves to goe in her, and
for their Gunners, English and Dutch Renegadoes,
and so they agreed with the Patrons of nine English
and one French Slave for their ransoms, who were
presently imployed to rig and furnish the ship for a
Man of Warre, and while they were thus busied,
two of lohn Rawlins men, who were taken with him,
were also taken up to serve in this Man of Warre,
their names, lames Roe, and lohn Dazies, the one
dwelling in PUmmoth, and the other in Foy, where
the Commander of this ship was also borne, by which
occasion they came acquainted, so that both the Cap-
taine, and the Master promised them good usage,
* Bristol.
THE WONDERFUL FIGHT 69
upon the good service they should performe in the
voyage, and withall demanded of them, if they knew
of any Englishman to be bought, that could serve
as a Pilot, both to direct them out of Harbour,
and conduct them in their voyage. For in truth
neither was the Captaine a Mariner, nor any
Turke In her of sufficiency to dispose of her through
the Straites in securitle, nor oppose any enemie, that
should hold it out bravely against them. Davies
quickly replied, that as farre as he understood, Filla
Rise would sell lohn Rawlins his Master, and Com-
mander of the Barke which was taken, a man every
way sufficient for Sea affaires, being of great resolu-
tion and good experience; and for all he had a lame
hand, yet had he a sound heart and noble courage
for any attempt or adventure.
When the Captaine understood thus much, he Im-
ployed Davies to search for Rawlins, who at last
lighting upon him, asked him if the Turke would sell
him: RazvUns suddenly answered, that by reason of
his lame hand he was willing to part with him; but
because he had disbursed money for him, he would
gaine something by him, and so prized him at three
hundred Dooblets, which amounteth to fifteene
pound English; which he must procure, or incurre
sorer indurances. When Davies had certified this
much, the Turkes a ship-boord conferred about the
matter, and the Master whose Christen name was
lohn Goodale joyned with two Tiirkes, who were
consorted with him, and disbursed one hundred
70 GKi'A'r inRATi: srcjRii'S
Doohlcts a piece, and so bouj^ht him of Filla Rise,
sending him into the said ship, called the Exchange
of liristow, as well to supervise what had hccn done,
as to order what was left undone, but especially to
lit the sailcs, and to accommodate the ship, all which
Razvlins was very carefull and dilligcnt in, not yet
thinking of any peculiar plot of deliverance, more
than a generall desire to be freed from this Turkish
slaverie, and inhumane abuses.
By the seventh of Januarie, the ship was prepared
with twelve good cast Pieces, and all manner of
munition and provision, which belonged to such a
purpose, and the same day haled out of the Mould
of Algicr, with this company, and in this manner.
There were in her sixtie three Turkes and
Moores, nine English slaves, and one French, foure
Hollanders that were free men, to whom the Turkes
promised one prise or other, and so to returne to
Holland; or if they were disposed to goe backe
againe for Algier, they should have great reward
and no enforcement offered, but continue as they
would, both their religion and their customes : and
for their Gunners they had two of our Souldiers,
one English and one Dutch Renegado ; and thus
much for the companie. For the manner of setting
out, it was as usuall as in other ships, but that the
Turkes delighted in the ostentous braverie of their
Streamers, Banners, and Top-sayles; the ship being
a handsome ship, and well built for any purpose.
The Slaves and English were imployed under
THE WONDERFUL FIGHT 71
Hatches about the Ordnance, and other workes of
order, and accommodating themselves: all which
lohn Rawlins marked, as supposing it an intolerable
siaverie to take such paines, and be subiect to such
dangers, and still to enrich other men and maintaine
their voluptuous filthinesse and lives, returning them-
selves as Slaves, and living worse than their Dogs
amongst them. Whereupon hee burst out into these,
or the like abrupt speeches : "Oh Hellish siaverie to
be thus subiect to Dogs! Oh, God strengthen my
heart and hand, that something shall be done to ease
us of these mischiefs, and deliver us from these cruell
Mahumetan Dogs. The other Slaves pittying his
distraction (as they thought) bad him speake
softly, lest they should all fare the worse for his
distemperature. The worse (quoth Rawlins) what
can be worse? I will either attempt my deliver-
ance at one time, or another, or perish in the enter-
prise : but if you would be contented to hearken after
a release, and joyne with me in the action, I would
not doubt of facilitating the same, and shew you a
way to make your credits thrive by some worke of
amazement, and augment your glorie in purchasing
your libertie." "I prethee be quiet (said they
againe) and think not of impossibilities: yet if you
can but open such a doore of reason and probabilite,
that we be not condemned for desperate and dis-
tracted persons, in pulling the Sunne as it were out
of the Firmament, wee can but sacrifice our lives,
and you may be sure of secrecie and faithfulnesse."
72 c;Ri<:Ar i>irati-. stories
The fifteenth of Januaric, the morning water
brought us ncere Cape dc Gall, hard by the shoare,
we having in our companie a smal Turkish ship of
Warrc, that followed us out of Alyier the next day,
and now ioyning with us, gave us notice of seven
small vessels, sixe of them being Sallccs, and one
Pollack, who very quickly appeared in sight, and so
we made toward them : but having more advantage
of the Pollack, then the rest, and loth to lose all, we
both fctcht her up, and brought her past hope of
recoverie, which when she perceived, rather then
she would voluntarily come into the slaverie of these
Mahiimctans, she ran her selfe a shoare, and so all
the men forsooke her. We still followed as neere as
we durst, and for feare of splitting, let fall our
anchors, sending out both our boates, wherein were
many Musketeers, and some English and Dutch
Renegadoes, who came aboord home at their Conge,
and found three pieces of Ordnance, and foure
Murtherers: but they straightway threw them all
over-boord to lighten the ship, and so they got her
off, being laden with Hides, and Logwood for dying,
and presently sent her to Algier, taking nine Turkes,
and one English Slave, out of one ship, and six out
of the lesse, which we thought sufficient to man her.
In the rifling of this Catelayjiia, our Turkes fell at
variance one with another, and in such a manner,
that we divided our selves, the lesser ship returned
to Algier, and our Exchange tooke the opportunitie
of the wind, and plyed out of the Streights, which
THE WONDERFUL FIGHT 73
reioyced lohn Rawlins very much, as resolving on
some Stratageme, when opportunities should serve.
In the meane-while, the Tiirkes began to murmurre,
and would not willingly goe into the Marr Granada,
as the phrase is amongst them: notwithstanding the
Moores being very superstitious, were contented to
be directed by their Hoshea, who with us, signifieth
a Witch, and Is of great account and reputation
amongst them, as not going in any great Vessell to
Sea without one, and observing whatsoever he con-
cludeth out of his Divination. The Ceremonies they
use are many, and when they come Into the Ocean,
every second or third night they make their Conjura-
tion; It beginneth and endeth with" Prayer, using
many Characters, and calling upon God by divers
names : yet at this time, all that they did consisted In
these particulars.
Upon the sight of two great ships, and as wee
were afraid of their chasing us, they beeing supposed
to bee Spanish men of Warre, a great silence is com-
manded in the ship, and when all Is done, the com-
pany giveth as great a skreech; the Captaine com-
mlng to John Rawlins, and sometimes making him
take in all his sayles, and sometimes causing him to
hoyst them all out, as the Witch findeth by his Booke,
and presages; then have they two Arrowes, and a
Curtleaxe, lying upon a Pillow naked; the Arrowes
are one for the Turkes, and the other for the Chris-
tians; then the Witch readeth, and the Captaine or
some other taketh the Arrowes In their hand by
74 GR1':AT pi RATI': STORIES
the heads, and if the Arrow for the Christians com-
ineth over the head of the Arrow for the Turkes,
then doe they advance their sayles, and will not en-
dure the li^lit, whatsoever they see: but if the Ar-
row of the Turkes is found in the opening of the
hand upon the Arrow of the Christians, then will
they stay and encounter with any shippe whatso-
ever. The Curtlcaxe is taken up by some Childe,
that is innocent, or rather ignorant of the Cere-
monie, and so layd downe againc; then doe they
observe, whether the same side is uppermost, which
lay before, and so proceed accordingly.
They also observe Lunatickes and Changelings,
and the Coniurer writeth downe their Sayings in a
Booke, groveling on the ground, as if he whispered to
the Devil to tell him the truth, and so expoundeth
the Letter, as it were by inspiration. Many other
foolish Rites they have, whereupon they doe dote as
foolishly.
Whilest he was busied, and made demonstration
that all was finished, the people in the ship gave a
great shout, and cryed out, "a sayle, a sayle," which
at last was discovered to bee another man of Warre
of Turkes. For he made toward us, and sent his
Boat aboord us, to whom our Captain complained,
that being becalmed by the Southerne Cape, and
having made no Voyage, the Turkes denyed to goe
any further Northward: but the Captaine resolved
not to returne to Algier, except he could obtayne
some Prize worthy his endurances, but rather to goe
THE WONDERFUL FIGHT 75
to Salle, and tell his Christians to victuall his ship;
which the other Captaine apprehended for his
honour, and so perswaded the Ttirkes to be obe-
dient unto him; whereupon followed a pacification
amongst us, and so that Tiirke tooke his course for
the Streights, and wee put up Northward, expecting
the good houre of some beneficiall bootie.
All this while our slavery continued, and the
Turkes with insulting tyrannie set us still on 'worke
in all base and servile actions, adding stripes and
inhumane revilings, even in our greatest labour,
whereupon lohn Rawlins resolved to obtane his lib-
ertie, and surprize the ship; providing Ropes with
broad spikes of Iron, and all the Iron Crowes,
with which hee knew a way, upon i:onsent of the
rest, to ramme up or tye fast their Scuttels, Grat-
ings, and Cabbins, yea, to shut up the Captaine him-
selfe with all his Consorts, and so to handle the mat-
ter, that upon the watch-word given, 'the English
being Masters of the Gunner roome. Ordnance, and
Powder, they would eyther blow them into the
Ayre, or kill them as they adventured to come
downe one by one, if they should by any chance open
their Cabbins. But because hee would proceed the
better in his enterprise, as he had somewhat
abruptly discovered himselfe to the nine English
slaves, so he kept the same distance with the foure
Hollanders, that were free men, till finding them
comming somewhat toward them, he acquainted
them with the whole Conspiracie, and they affecting
76 C^KI'AT PlRA'ri-: STORIES
the Plot, offered the adventure of their lives in the
businesse. i hen very warily he undermined the
English Hencgado, which was the Gunner, and three
more his Associats, who at first seemed to retract.
Last of all were brought in the Dutch Kenegadoes,
who were also in the Gunner roome, for alwayes
there lay twelve there, five Christians, and seven
English, and Dutch Turkes: so that when another
motion had settled their resolutions, and lohyi Raw-
lins his constancie had put new life as it were in the
matter, the foure Hollanders very honestly, accord-
ing to their promise, sounded the Dutch Rene-
gadoes, who with easie perswasion gave their con-
sent to so brave an Enterprize; whereupon lohn
Rawlins, not caring whether the English Gunners
would yeeld or no, resolved in the Captaines morn-
ing watch, to make the attempt. But you must un-
derstand that where the English slaves lay, there
hungup alwayes foure or five Crowes of Iron, being
still under the carriages of the Peeces, and when the
time approached being very darke, because lohn
Rawlins would have his Crow of Iron ready as other
things were, and other men prepared in their sev-
erall places, in taking it out of the carriage, by
chance, it hit on the side of the Peece, making such
a noyse, that the Souldiers hearing it awaked the
Turkes, and bade them come downe : whereupon the
Botesane of the Turkes descended with a Candle,
and presently searched all the slaves places, making
much adoe of the matter, but finding neyther
THE WONDERFUL FIGHT 77
Hatchet nor Hammer, nor any thing else to move
suspicion of the Enterprize, more then the Crow of
Iron, which lay slipped downe under the carriages
of the Peeces, they went quietly up againe, and cer-
tified the Captaine what had chanced, who satisfied
himselfe, that it was a common thing to have a
Crow of Iron slip from its place. But by this occa-
sion wee made stay of our attempt, yet were re-
solved to take another or a better oportunitie.
For we sayled still more North-ward, and Raw-
lins had more time to tamper with his Gunners, and
the rest of the English Renegadoes, who very will-
ingly, when they considered the matter, and per-
pended the reasons, gave way unto the Proiect, and
with a kind of joy seemed to entertayne the motives :
only they made a stop at the first on-set, who should
begin the enterprize, which was no way fit for them
to doe, because they were no slaves, but Renegadoes,
and so had always beneficiall entertaynment
amongst them. But when it is once put in practice,
they would be sure not to faile them, but venture
their lives for God and their Countrey. But once
againe he is disappointed, and a suspitious accident
brought him to recollect his spirits anew, and studie
on the danger of the enterprize, and thus it was.
After the Renegado Gunner, had protested secrecie
by all that might induce a man to bestow some be-
liefe upon him, he presently went up the Scottle, but
stayed not aloft a quarter of an hourCvnay he came
sooner down, & in the Gunner roome sate by Raw-
78 GRI':A'r PIRATE STORIES
lifts, who tarrycd for him where he left him: he
was no sooner placed, and cntrcd into some confer-
ence, hut there cntred into the place a furious Turke,
with his Knife drawnc, and presented it to Rwuilins
liis body, who verily supposed, he intended to kill
him, as suspitious that the (junner had discovered
something, whereat Rawlins was much moved, and
hastily asked what the matter meant, and whether
he would kill him, observing his companion's coun-
tenance to change colour, whereby his suspitious
heart, condemned him for a Traytor: but at more
leisure he sware the contrary, and afterward proved
faithfuU and industrious in the enterprize. For the
present, he answered Rawlins in this manner, "no
Master, be not afraid, I thinke hee doth but iest."
With that John Rawlins gave backe a little and
drew out his Knife, stepping also to the Gunners
sheath and taking out his, whereby he had two
Knives to one, which when the Tiirke perceived,
he threw downe his Knife, saying, hee did but iest
with him. But when the Gunner perceived, Rawlins
tooke it so ill, hee whispered something in his eare,
that at last satisfied him, calling Heaven to witnesse,
that he never spake word of the Enterprize, nor
ever would, either to the preiudice of the businesse,
or danger of his person. Notwithstanding, Rawlins
kept the Knives in his sleeve all night, and was
somewhat troubled, for that hee had made so many
acquainted with an action of such importance; but
the next day, when hee perceived the Coast cleere,
THE WONDERFUL FIGHT 79
and that there was no cause of further feare, hee
somewhat comforted himselfe.
All this while, Rawlins drew the Captaine to lye
for the Northerne Cape, assuring him, that thereby
he should not misse a prize, which accordingly
fell out, as a wish would have it: but his drift was in
truth to draw him from any supply, or help
of Turkes, if God should give way to their Enter-
prize, or successe to the victorie: yet for the present
the sixth of February, being twelve leagues from the
Cape, wee descryed a sayle, and presently took the
advantage of the wind in chasing her, and at last
fetched her up, making her strike all her sayles,
whereby wee knew her to be a Barke belonging to
Tor Bay, neere Dartmouth, that came from Auerure
laden with Salt. Ere we had fully dispatched, it
chanced to be foule weather, so that we could not,
or at least would not make out our Boat, but caused
the Master of the Barke to let downe his, and come
aboord with his Company, being in the Barke but
nine men, and one Boy; and so the Master leaving
his Mate with two men in the ship, came himselfe
with five men, and the boy unto us, whereupon our
Turkish Captain sent ten Turkes to man her,
amongst whom were two Dutch, and one English
Renegado, who were of our confederacie, and ac-
quainted with the businesse.
But when Rawlins saw this partition of his
friends; before they could hoyst out their Boat for
the Barke, he made meanes to speake with them,
80 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
and told them plainly, that he would prosecute the
matter eytlicr that night, or the next and therefore
whatsoever came of it they should acquaint the Eng-
lish with his resolution, and make toward England,
hearing up the helme, whiles the Tiirkes slept, and
suspected no such matter: for by Gods grace in his
first watch about mid-night, he would shew them a
light, by which they might understand, that the En-
terpri/.e was begunnc, or at least in a good forward-
nesse for the execution: and so the Boat was let
downe, and they came to the Barke of Tor Bay,
where the Masters Mate beeing left (as before you
have heard) apprehended quickly the matter, and
heard the Discourse with amazement. But time
was precious, and not to be spent in disputing, or
casting of doubts, whether the Tiirkes that were
with them were able to master them, or no, beeing
seven to sixe, considering they had the helme of
the ship, and the Tiirkes being Souldiers, and igno-
rant of Sea Affaires, could not discover, whether
they went to Algier or no; or if they did, they re-
solved by Rawlins example to cut their throats, or
cast them over-boord : and so I leave them to make
use of the Renegadoes instructions, and returne to
Rawlins againe.
The Master of the Barke of Tor Bay, and his
Company were quickly searched, and as quickly pil-
laged, and dismissed to the libertie of the shippe,
whereby Rawlins had leisure to entertayne him with
the lamentable newes of their extremities, and in a
THE WONDERFUL FIGHT 81
word, of every particular which was befitting to the
purpose: yea, he told him, that that night he should
lose the sight of them, for they would make the
helme for England and hee would that night and
evermore pray for their good successe, and safe de-
liverance.
When the Master of the Barke of Tor Bay had
heard him out, and that his company were par-
takers of his Storie, they became all silent, not
eyther diffident of his Discourse, or afraid of the
attempt, but resolved to assist him. Yet to shew
himselfe an understanding man, hee demanded of
Rawlins, what weapons he had, and in what man-
ner he would execute the businesse : to which he an-
swered, that he had Ropes, and Iron Hookes to
make fast the Scottels, Gratings, and Cabbines, he
had also in the Gunner roome two Curtleaxes, and
the slaves had five Crowes of Iron before them:
Besides, in the scuffling they made no question of
some of the Souldiers weapons. Then for the man-
ner, hee told them, they were sure of the Ordnance,
the Gunner roome, and the Powder, and so blocking
them up, would eyther kill them as they came
downe, or turne the Ordnance against their Cab-
bins, or blow them into the Ayre by one Strategeme
or other; and thus were they contented on all sides,
and resolved to the Enterprize.
The next morning, being the seventh of Feb-
ruary, the Prize of Tor Bay was not to bee scene
or found, whereat the Captaine began to storme
82 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
and swcarc, commanding Rawlins to search the
Seas up and downc for her, who bestowed all that
day in the husincsse, hut to little purpose: where-
upon when the humour was spent, the Captaine
pacified himselfe, as conceiting he should sure find
her at /lly'wr: but by the permission of the Ruler of
all actions, that Alyier was I'^ngland, and all his
wickedncsse frustrated: for Raiilins beeing now
startled, lest hce should returnc in this humour for
the Streights, on the eight of February went downe
into the hold, and finding a great deale of water
below, told the Captaine of the same, adding, that
it did not come to the Pumpe, which he said very
politickly, that he might remove the Ordnance. F^or
when the Captaine askt him the reason, he told him
the ship was too farre after the head: then hee
commanded to use the best meanes he could to
bring her in order : "sure then," quoth Raivlins, "wee
must quit our Cables, and bring foure Peeces of
Ordnance after, and that would bring the water to
the Pumpe;" which was presently put in practice, so
the Peeces beeing usually made fast thwart the
ship, we brought two of them with their mouthes
right before the Binnacle, and because the Renegadoe
Flemmiyigs would not begin, it was thus concluded:
that the ship having three Deckes, wee that did be-
long to the Gunner roome should bee all there, and
breake up the lower Decke. The English slaves,
who always lay in the middle Decks, should doe the
like, and watch the Scuttels: Rawlins himselfe pre-
THE WONDERFUL FIGHT 83
vayled with the Gunner, for so much Powder, as
s'hould prime the Peeces, and so told them all there
was no better watch-word, nor meanes to begin, then
upon the report of the Peece to make a cry and
shout, for God, and King lames, and Saint George
for England!
When all things were prepared, and every man
resolved, as knowing what hee had to doe, and the
houre when it should happen, to be two in the after-
noone, Rawlins advised the Master Gunner to
speake to the Captaine, that the Souldiers might at-
tend on the Poope, which would bring the ship
after: to which the Captaine was very willing, and
upon the Gunners information, the Souldiers gat
themselves to the Poope, to the number of twentie,
and five or sixe went into the Captaines Cabbin,
where always lay divers Curtleaxes, and some Tar-
gets, and so wee fell to worke to pumpe the water,
and carryed the matter fairely till the next day,
which was spent as the former, being the ninth of
February, and as God must have the prayse, the
triumph of our victorie.
For by that time all things were prepared, and the
Souldiers got upon the Poope as the day before :
to avoid suspition, all that did belong to the Gun-
ner-roome went downe, and the slaves in the middle
decke attended their business, so that we could cast
up our account in this manner. First, nine English
slaves, besides lohn Rawlins: five of the Tor Bay
men, and one boy, foure English Renegadoes, and
84 GRFAT 1>IRATE STORIES
two French, fourc Hollanders: in all four and
twenty and a boy: so that lifting up our hearts and
hands to God for the succcsse of the businesse, we
were wonderfully incouraged; and setled our selves,
till the report of the pecce gave us warning of the
enterprise. Now, you must consider, that in this
company were two of Rawlins men, lames Roe, and
lohn Davics, whom he brought out of England, and
whom the fortune of the Sea brought into the same
predicament with their Master. These were im-
ployed about noone (being as I said, the ninth of
February) to prepare their matches, while all the
Turkes or at least most of them stood on the
Poope, to weigh down the ship as it were, to bring
the water forward to the Pumpe : the one brought
his match lighted betweene two spoons, the other
brought his in a little peece of a Can: and so in the
name of God, the Turkes and Moores being placed
as you have heard, and five and forty in number,
and Rawlins having proined the Tuch-holes, lames
Roe gave fire to one of the peeces, about two of the
clocke in the afternoone, and the confederates upon
the warning, shouted most cheerefully: the report
of the peece did teare and breake down all the
Binnacle, and compasses, and the noise of the slaves
made all the Souldiers amased at the matter, till
seeing the quarter of the ship rent, and feeling the
whole body to shake under them: understanding the
ship was surprised, and the attempt tended to their
utter destruction, never Beare robbed of her whelpes
THE WONDERFUL FIGHT 85
was so fell and mad : For they not onely cald us
dogs, and cried out, Usance de Lamair, which is
as much to say, the Fortune of the wars : but at-
tempted to teare up the planck.es, setting a worke
hammers, hatchets, knives, the oares of the Boate,
the Boat-hooke, their curtleaxes, and what else
came to hand, besides stones and brickes in the
Cooke-roome, all which they threw amongst us, at-
tempting still and still to breake and rip up the
hatches, and boords of the steering, not desisting
from their former execrations, and horrible blas-
phemies and revilings.
When lohn Rawlins perceived them so violent,
and understood how the slaves had cleared the
deckes of all the Ttirkes and Moores beneath, he
set a guard upon the Powder, and charged their
owne Muskets against them, killing them from
divers scout-holes, both before and behind, and so
lessened their number, to the ioy of all our hearts,
whereupon they cried out, and called for the Pilot,
and so Rawlins, with some to guard him, went to
them, and understood them by their kneeling, that
they cried for mercy, and to have their lives saved,
and they would come downe, which he bade them
doe, and so they were taken one by one, and bound,
yea killed with their owne Curtleaxes; which when
the rest perceived, they called us English dogs, and
reviled us with many opprobrious termes, some
leaping over-boord, crying, it was the chance of
war; some were manacled, and so throwne over-
86 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
boord, and some were slainc and mangled with the
Curtlcaxes, till the ship was well cleared, and our
selves assured of the victory.
At the first report of our Peece, and hurliburly
In the decks, the Captaine was a writing in his Cab-
bin, and hearing the noyse, thought it some strange
accident, and so came out with his Curtleaxe in his
hand, presuming by his authority to pacific the mis-
chiefe: But when hee cast his eyes upon us, and saw
that we were like to surprise the ship, he threw
downc his Curtleaxe, and begged us to save his life,
intimating unto Razvlins, how he had redeemed him
from Villa-Rise, and ever since admitted him to place
of command in the ship, besides honest usage in the
whole course of the Voyage. All which Rawlins
confessed, and at last condescended to mercy, and
brought the Captaine and five more into England.
The Captain was called Ra?ntham-Rise, but his
Christen name, Henry Chandler, and as they say,
was a Chandler's sonne in Southwarke. lohn Good-
ale, was also an English Turke. Richard Clarke, in
Turkish, lafar; George Cooke, Ramdam; lohn
Browne, Mamnie; William Winter, Mustapha; be-
sides all the slaves and Hollanders, with other
Renegadoes, who were willing to be reconciled to
their true Saviour, as being formerly seduced with
the hopes of riches, honour, preferment, and such
like devillish baits, to catch the soules of mortall
men, and entangle frailty in the fetters of horrible
abuses, and imposturing deceit.
THE WONDERFUL FIGHT 87
When all was done, and the ship cleared of the
dead bodies, lohn Rawlins assembled his men to-
gether, and with one consent gave the praise unto
God, using the accustomed service on ship-boord,
and for want of bookes lifted up their voyces to
God, as he put into their hearts, or renewed their
memories: then did they sing a Psalme, and last of
all, embraced one another for playing the men in
such a Deliverance, whereby our feare was turned
into joy, and trembling hearts exhillirated, that we
had escaped such inevitable dangers, and especially
the slavery and terror of bondage, worse than death
it selfe. The same night we washed our ship, put
every thing in as good order as we could, repaired
the broken quarter, set up the Binnacle, and bore up
the Helme for England, where by Gods grace and
good guiding, we arrived at PUmmoth, the thir-
teenth of February, and were welcommed like the
recovery of the lost sheepe, or as you read of a lov-
ing mother, that runneth with embraces to entertaine
her Sonne from a long Voyage and escape of many
dangers.
Not long after we understood of our confeder-
ats, that returned home in the Barke of Torbay,
that they arrived in Pensance in Corne-wall the
eleventh of February: and if any aske after their
deliverance, considering there were ten Turkes sent
to man her, I will tell you that too: the next day
after they lost us, as you have heard and that the
three Renegadoes had acquainted the Masters
88 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
Mate, and the two English in her with Raivlins de-
termination, and that they themselves would be true
to them, and assist them in any enterprise: then
if the worst came, there were hut seven to sixe: but
as it fell out, they had a more easie passage, then
turmoile, or man-slaughter. For they made the
Turkes beleeve, the wind was come faire, and that
they were sayling to Algicr, till they came within
sight of England, which one of them amongst the
rest discovered, saying plainely, that that land was
not like Cape Vincent; "yes faith," said he, that was
at the Helme, "and you will be contented, and goe
downe into the hold, and trim the salt over to wind-
ward, whereby the ship may beare full saile, you shall
know and see more to morrow": Whereupon five of
them went downe very orderly, the Renegadoes
faining themselves asleep, who presently start up,
and with the helpe of the two English, nailed downe
the hatches, whereat the principall amongst them
much repined, and began to grow into choUer and
rage, had it not quickly beene suppressed. For one
of them stepped to him, and dasht out his braines,
and threw him over-boord : the rest were brought
to Excester, and either to be arraigned, according
to the punishment of delinquents in such a kind, or
disposed of, as the King and Counsell shall thinke
meet and this is the story of this deliverance, and
end of lohn Razvlins Voyage. The Actors In this
Comick Tragedle are most of them alive; The
Turkes are in prison; the ship is to be seene, and
Rawlins himselfe dare justifie the matter.
THE DAUGHTER OF THE GREAT
MOGUL *
Daniel Defoe
IN this time I pursued my voyage, coasted the
whole Malabar shore, and met with no purchase
but a great Portugal East India ship, which I
chased into Goa, where she got out of my reach.
I took several small vessels and barks, but little of
value in them, till I entered the great Bay of Ben-
gal, when I began to look about me with more ex-
pectation of success, though without prospect of
what happened.
I cruised here about two months, finding nothing
worth while; so I stood away to a port on the
north point of the isle of Sumatra, where I made
no stay; for here I got news that two large ships
belonging to the Great Mogul were expected to
cross the bay from Hoogly, in the Ganges, to the
country of the King of Pegu, being to carry the
granddaughter of the Great Mogul to Pegu, who
was to be married to the king of that country, with
all her retinue, jewels, and wealth.
This was a booty worth watching for, though it
had been some months longer; so I resolved that
* From The King of the Pirates.
8q
90 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
we would p;o and cruise off Point Nci^aris, on the
cast side of the bay, near Diamond Isle; and here
\vc plied off and on for three weeks, and began to
despair of success; but the knowledge of the booty
we expected spurred us on, and we waited with
great patience, for we knew the prize would be im-
mensely rich.
At length we spied three ships coming right up
to us with the wind. We could easily see they were
not Europeans by their sails, and began to prepare
ourselves for a prize, not for a fight; but were a
little disappointed when we found the first ship full
of guns and full of soldiers, and in condition, had
she been managed by English sailors, to have fought
two such ships as ours were. However, we re-
solved to attack her if she had been full of devils as
she was full of men.
Accordingly, when we came near them, we fired a
gun with shot as a challenge. They fired again im-
mediately three or four guns, but fired them so con-
fusedly that we could easily see they did not under-
stand their business; when we considered how to lay
them on board, and so to come thwart them, if we
could; but falling, for want of wind, open to them,
we gave them a fair broadside. We could easily
see, by the confusion that was on board, that they
were frightened out of their wits; they fired here a
gun and there a gun, and some on that side that was
from us, as well as those that were next to us. The
next thing we did was to lay them on board, which
DAUGHTER OF THE GREAT MOGUL 91
we did presently, and then gave them a volley of
our small shot, which, as they stood so thick, killed
a great many of them, and made all the rest run
down under their hatches, crying out like creatures
bewitched. In a word, we presently took the ship,
and having secured her men, we chased the other
two. One was chiefly filled with women, and the
other with lumber. Upon the whole, as the grand-
daughter of the Great Mogul was our prize in the
first ship, so in the second was her women, or, in a
word, her household, her eunuchs, all the necessaries
of her wardrobe, of her stables, and of her kitchen;
and in the last, great quantities of household stuff,
and things less costly, though not less useful.
But the first was the main prize. When my men
had entered and mastered the ship, one of our lieu-
tenants called for me, and accordingly I jumped on
board. He told me he thought nobody but I ought
to go into the great cabin, or, at least, nobody should
go there before me; for that the lady herself and
all her attendance was there, and he feared the men
were so heated they would murder them all, or do
worse.
I immediately went to the great cabin door, tak-
ing the lieutenant that called me along with me, and
caused the cabin door to be opened. But such a
sight of glory and misery was never seen by buc-
caneer before. The queen (for such she was to
have been) was all in gold and silver, but frightened
and crying, and, at the sight of me, she appeared
92 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
trembling, and just as if she was going to die. She
sat on the side of a kind of a bed like a couch, with
no canopy over it, or any covering; only made to lie
down upon. She was, in a manner, covered with
diamonds, and I, like a true pirate, soon let her see
that I had more mind to the jewels than to the lady.
However, before I touched her, I ordered the
lieutenant to place a guard at the cabin door, and
fastening the door, shut us both in, which he did.
The lady was young, and, I suppose, in their country
esteem, very handsome, but she was not very much
so in my thoughts. At first, her fright, and the
danger she thought she was in of being killed,
taught her to do everything that she thought might
interpose between her and danger, and that was to
take off her jewels as fast as she could, and give
them to me; and I, without any great compliment,
took them as fast as she gave them me, and put
them into my pocket, taking no great notice of
them or of her, which frighted her worse than all
the rest, and she said something which I could not
understand. However, two of the other ladies
came, all crying, and kneeled down to me with their
hands lifted up. What they meant, I knew not at
first; but by their gestures and pointings I
found at last it was to beg the young queen's life,
and that I would not kill her.
When the three ladies kneeled down to me, and
as soon as I understood what it was for, I let
them know I would not hurt the queen, nor let any
DAUGHTER OF THE GREAT MOGUL 93
one else hurt her, but that she must give me all her
jewels and money. Upon this they acquainted her
that I would save her life; and no sooner had they
assured her of that but she got up smiling, and went
to a fine Indian cabinet, and opened a private
drawer, from whence she took another little thing
full of little square drawers and holes. This she
brings to me in her hand, and offered to kneel down
to give it me. This innocent usage began to rouse
some good-nature in me (though I never had
much), and I would not let her kneel; but sitting
down myself on the side of her couch or bed, made
a motion to her to sit down too. But here she was
frightened again, it seems, at what I had no thought
of. But as I did not offer anything of that kind,
only made her sit down by me, they began all to be
easier after some time, and she gave me the little
box or casket, I know not what to call it, but it was
full of invaluable jewels. I have them still in my
keeping, and wish they were safe in England; for I
doubt not but some of them are fit to be placed on
the king's crown.
Being master of this treasure, I was very willing
to be good-humored to the persons; so I went out of
the cabin, and caused the women to be left alone,
causing the guard to be kept still, that they might
receive no more injury than I would do them myself.
After I had been out of the cabin some time, a
slave of the women's came to me, and made sign to
me that the queen would speak with me again. I
94 (iRl':AT PIRATI-: S'iORlES
mudc si^ns back that I would come and dine with
her majesty; and accordingly 1 ordered that her
servants should prepare her dinner, and carry it in,
and then call me. They provided her repast after
the usual manner, and when she saw it brought in
she appeared pleased, and more when she saw me
come in after it; for she was exceedingly pleased
that I had caused a guard to keep the rest of my
men from her; and she had, it seems, been told
how rude they had been to some of the women that
belonged to her.
When I came in, she rose up, and paid me such
respect as I did not well know how to receive, and
not in the least how to return. If she had under-
stood English, I could have said plainly, and in good
rough words, "Madam, be easy; we are rude, rough-
hewn fellows, but none of our men should hurt
you, or touch you; I will be your guard and protec-
tion; we are for money indeed, and we shall take
what you have, but we will do you no other harm."
But as I could not talk thus to her, I scarce knew
what to say; but I sat down, and made signs to have
her sit down and eat, which she did, but with so
much ceremony that I did not know well what to
do with it.
After we had eaten, she rose up again, and drink-
ing some water out of a china cup, sat her down on
the side of the couch as before. When she saw I
had done eating, she went then to another cabinet,
and pulling out a drawer, she brought it to me; it
I
DAUGHTER OF THE GREAT MOGUL 95
was full of small pieces of gold coin of Pegu, about
as big as an English half-guinea, and I think there
were three thousand of them. She opened several
other drawers, and showed me the wealth that was
in them, and then gave me the key of the whole.
We had revelled thus all day, and part of the
next day, in a bottomless sea of riches, when my
lieutenant began to tell me, we must consider what
to do with our prisoners and the ships, for that
there was no subsisting in that manner. Upon this
we called a short council, and concluded to carry
the great ship away with us, but to put all the pris-
oners — queen, ladies, and all the rest — into the les-
ser vessels, and let them go; and so far was I from
ravishing this lady, as I hear is reported of me, that
though I might rifle her of everything else, yet, I as-
sure you, I let her go untouched for me, or, as I am
satisfied, for any one of my men; nay, when we
dismissed them, we gave her leave to take a great
many things of value with her, which she would
have been plundered of if I had not been so careful
of her.
We had now wealth enough not only to make
us rich, but almost to have made a nation rich; and
to tell you the truth, considering the costly things
we took here, which we did not know the value of,
and besides gold and silver and jewels, — I say, we
never knew how rich we were; besides which we had
a great quantity of bales of goods, as well calicoes
as wrought silks, which, being for sale, were perhaps
96 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
as a cargo of goods to answer the bills which might
be drawn upon them for the account of the bride's
portion; all which fell into our hands, with a great
sum in silver coin, too big to talk of among Eng-
lishmen, especially while I am living, for reasons
which 1 may give you hereafter.
!
BARBAROSSA— KING OF THE CORSAIRS *
E. Hamilton Currey, R. N.
AT the coming of spring Barbarossa was at sea
again with thirty-two ships ready for any
eventuality, his crews aflame with ardor for
revenge against those by whom they had been so
roughly handled. He chose for the scene of opera-
tions a place on the coast of Majorca some fifteen
miles from Palma; from here he commanded the
route of the Spaniards from their country to the
African coast, and It was against this nation that
he felt a great bitterness owing to recent events.
Eagerly did the corsair and his men watch for the
Spanish ships, the heavier vessels lying at anchor,
but the light, swift galleys ranging and questing afar
so that none might be missed. Very soon the vigi-
lance of the Moslems was rewarded by the capture
of a number of vessels, sent by Bernard de Mendoza
laden with Turkish and Moorish slaves, destined to
be utilized as rowers in the Spanish galleys. These
men were hailed as a welcome reinforcement, and
joyfully joined the forces of Kheyr-ed-DIn when he
moved on Minorca, captured the castle by a surprise
assault, raided the surrounding country, and cap-
* From Sea Wolves of the Mediterranean.
• 97
98 GRFAT PIRATE STORIES
tured five thousand seven hundred Christians,
amongst whom were eij^ht hundred men who had
been wounded in the attack on Tunis — all these un-
fortunates were sent to refill the bagnio of Algiers.
This private war of revenge was, however, de-
stined soon to come to an end, as Soliman the Mag-
nificent in this year became involved in disputes with
the Venetian Republic, and recalled "that veritable
man of the sea," as Barharossa had been described
by Ibrahim, to Constantinople.
In this city by the sea there had taken place a
tragedy which, although it only involved the death
of a single man, was nevertheless far-reaching in
its consequences; for the man was none other than
that great statesman Ibrahim, Grand Vizier, and
the only trusted counsellor of the Padishah. He
who had been originally a slave had risen step by
step in the favor of his master until he arrived
at the giddy eminence which he occupied at the time
of his death. It is a somewhat curious commentary
on the essentially democratic status of an autocracy
that a man could thus rise to a position second only
to that of the autocrat himself; and, in all proba-
bility, wielding quite as much power.
Ibrahim had for years been treated by Soliman
more as a brother than as a dependent, which, in
spite of his Grand Viziership, he was in fact. They
lived in the very closest communion, taking their
meals together, and even sleeping in the same room,
Soliman, a man of high intelligence himself, and a
BARBAROSSA— KING OF CORSAIRS 99
ruler who kept in touch with all the happenings
which arose in his Immense dominions, desiring al-
ways to have at hand the man whom he loved; from
whom, with his amazing grip of political problems
and endless fertility of resource, he was certain of
sympathy and sound advice. But in an oriental des-
potism there are other forces at work besides those
of la haute politique, and Ibrahim had one deadly
enemy who was sworn to compass his destruction.
The Sultana Roxalana was the light of the harem
of the Grand Turk. This supremely beautiful
woman, originally a Russian slave, was the object of
the most passionate devotion on the part of Soli-
man; but she was as ambitious as she was lovely,
and brooked no rival in the affections of Soliman,
be that person man, woman, or child. In her hands
the master of millions, the despot whose nod was
death, became a submissive slave; the undisciplined
passions of this headstrong woman swept aside from
her path all those whom she suspected of sharing
her influence. In no matter how remote a fashion.
At her dictation had Soliman caused to be murdered
his son Mustafa, a youth of the brightest promise,
because, in his Intelligence and his winning ways he
threatened to eclipse Sellm, the son of Roxalana
herself.
This woman possessed a strong natural intelli-
gence, albeit she was totally uneducated; she saw
and knew that Ibrahim was all-powerful with her
lover, and this roused her jealousy to fever-heat.
100 GREAT JMRATE ST(JK1ES
She was not possessed of a cool jud^^mcnt, which
would have told her that Ibrahim was a statesman
dealing with the external affairs of the Sublime
Porte, and that with her and with her affairs he
neither desired, nor had he the power, to interfere.
What, however, the Sultana did know was that in
these same affairs of State her opinion was dust in
the balance when weighed against that of the Grand
Vizier.
Soliman had that true attribute of supreme great-
ness, the unerring aptitude for the choice of the
right man. He had picked out Ibrahim from among
his immense entourage, and never once had he re-
gretted his choice. As time went on and the intel-
lect and power of the man became more and more
revealed to his master, that sovereign left in his
hands even such matters as despots are apt to guard
most jealously. We have seen how, in spite of the
murmurings of the whole of his capital, and the al-
most insubordinate attitude of his navy, he had per-
severed in the appointment of Kheyr-ed-Din Bar-
barossa, because the judgment of Ibrahim was in fa-
vor of its being carried out. This, to Roxalana,
was gall and wormwood; well she knew that, as long
as the Grand Vizier lived, her sovereignty was at
best but a divided one. There was a point at which
her blandishments stopped short; this was when she
found that her opinion did not coincide with that of
the minister. She was, as we have seen in the in-
BARBAROSSA— KING OF CORSAIRS 101
stance of her son, not a woman to stick at trifles, and
she decided that Ibrahim must die.
There could be no hole-and-corner business about
this; he must die, and when his murder had been ac-
complished she would boldly avow to her lover
what she had done and take the consequences, be-
lieving in her power over him to come scatheless
out of the adventure. In those days, when human
life was so cheap, she might have asked for the
death of almost any one, and her whim would have
been gratified by a lover who had not hesitated to
put to death his own son at her dictation. But with
Ibrahim it was another matter; he was the familiar
of the Sultan, his alter ego in fact. It says much for
the nerve of the Sultana that she dared so greatly
on this memorable and lamentable occasion.
On March 5th, 1536, Ibrahim went to the royal
seraglio, and, following his ancient custom, was ad-
mitted to the table of his master, sleeping after the
meal at his side. At least so it was supposed, but
none knew save those engaged in the murder what
passed on that fatal night; the next day his dead
body lay in the house of the Sultan.
Across the floor of jasper, in that palace which
was a fitting residence for one rightly known as
"The Magnificent," the blood of Ibrahim flowed to
the feet of Roxalana. The disordered clothing, the
terrible expression of the face of the dead man, the
gaping wounds which he had received, bore witness
that there had taken place a grim struggle before
102 gri:at piKA'ii-: stories
that iron frame and splendid intellect had been
leveled with the dust. This much leaked out after-
wards, as such things will leak out, and then the
Sultana took Soliman into her chamber and gazed
up into his eyes. The man was stunned by the im-
mensity of the calamity which had befallen him and
his kingdom, but his manhood availed him not
against the wiles of this Circe. Ibrahim had been
foully done to death in his own palace, and this
woman clinging so lovingly round his neck now was
the murderess. The heart's blood of his best friend
was coagulating on the threshold of his own apart-
ment when he forgave her by whom his murder had
been accomplished. This was the vengeance of
Roxalana, and who shall say that it was not com-
plete?
The Ottoman Empire was the poorer by the loss
of its greatest man, the jealousy of the Sultana was
assuaged, the despot who had permitted this un-
avenged murder was still on the throne, thrall to the
woman who had first murdered his son and then his
friend and minister. But the deed carried with it
the evil consequences which were only too likely to
occur when so capable a head of the State was re-
moved at so critical a time. Renewed strife was in
the air, and endless squabbles between Venice and
the Porte were taking place. With these we have
no concern, but, in addition to other complaints,
there were loud and continuous ones concerning the
corsairs. Venice, "The Bride of the Sea," had
BARBAROSSA— KING OF CORSAIRS 103
neither rest nor peace; the pirates swarmed in
Corfu, in Zante, in Candia, in Cephalonia, and the
plunder and murder of the subjects of the Republic
was the theme of the perpetual representations to
the Sultan. The balance of advantage in this guer-
illa warfare was with the corsairs until Girolame
Canale, a Venetian captain, seized one of the Mos-
lem leaders known as "The Young Moor of Alex-
andria." The victory of Canale was somewhat an
important one as he captured the galley of "The
Young Moor" and four others; t^vo more were sunk,
and three hundred Janissaries and one thousand
slaves fell into the hands of the Venetian comman-
der. There being an absence of nice feeling on the
part of tne Venetians, the Janissaries were at once
beheaded to a man.
The whole story is an illustration of the extraor-
dinary relations existing among the Mediterranean
States at this time. Soliman the Magnificent, Sul-
tan of Turkey, had lent three hundred of his Janis-
saries, his own picked troops, to assist the corsairs
in their depredations on Venetian commerce. Hav-
ing done this, and the Janissaries having been caught
and summarily and rightly" put to death as pirates,
the Sultan, as soon as he heard of what had oc-
curred, sent an ambassador, one Yonis Bey, to Ven-
ice to demand satisfaction for the insult passed upon
him by the beheading of his own soldiers turned pi-
rates. The conclusion of the affair was that the
Venetians released "The Young Moor of Alex-
104 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
anclria" as soon as he was cured of the eight wounds
which he had received in the conflict, and sent him
back to Africa with such of his galleys as were left.
There was one rather comical incident in connection
with this affair, which was that when Yonis Bey
was on his way from Constantinople to Venice he
was chased by a Venetian fleet under the command
of the Count Grandenico, and driven ashore. The
Count was profuse in his apologies when he dis-
covered that he had been chasing a live ambassa-
dor; but the occurrence so exasperated Soliman that
he increased his demands in consequence.
Barbarossa, who had spent his time harrying the
Spaniards at sea ever since the fall of Tunis, was
shortly to appear on the scene again. He received
orders from the Sultan, and came as fast as a fa-
voring wind would bring him. Kheyr-ed-Din had
been doing well in the matter of slaves and plunder,
but he knew that, with the backing of the Grand
Turk, he would once again be in command of a
fleet in which he might repeat his triumph of past
years, and prove himself once more the indispen-
sable "man of the sea."
Soon after his arrival his ambitions were grati-
fied, and he found himself with a fleet of one hun-
dred ships. Since the death of Ibrahim, and the in.
cident which terminated with the dispatch of Yonis
Bey to Venice, the relations between the Grand
Turk and the Venetian Republic had become stead-
ily worse, and at last the Sultan declared war. On
BARBAROSSA— KING OF CORSAIRS 105
May 17th, 1537, Soliman, accompanied by his two
sons, Selim and Mohammed, left Constantinople.
With the campaign conducted by the Sultan we are
not concerned here; it was directed against the
Ionian Islands, which had been in the possession of
Venice since 1401. On August i8th Soliman laid
siege to Corfu, and was disastrously beaten, re-em-
barking his men on September 7th, after losing
thousands in a fruitless attack on the fortress. He
returned to Constantinople utterly discomfited. It
was the seventh campaign which the Sultan had con-
ducted in person, but the first in which the ever-
faithful Ibrahim had not been by his side.
This defeat at the hands of the Venetians was
not, however, the only humiliation which he was
destined to experience in this disastrous year; for
once again Doria, that scourge of the Moslem, was
loose upon the seas, and was making his presence felt
in the immediate neighborhood of Corfu, where
the Turks had been defeated. On July 17th Andrea
had left the port of Messina with twenty-five gal-
leys, had captured ten richly laden Turkish ships,
gutted and burned them. Kheyr-ed-Din was at sea
at the time, but the great rivals were not destined
to meet on this occasion. Instead of Barbarossa,
Andrea fell in with Ali-Chabelli, the lieutenant of
Sandjak Bey of Gallipoli. On July 22nd the Gen-
oese admiral and the Turkish commander from the
Dardanelles met to the southward of Corfu, off the
small island of Paxo, and a smart action ensued. It
106 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
ended in the defeat of Ali-Chahelli, whose galleys
were captured and towed by Doria into Paxo. That
veteran fighter was himself in the thickest of the
fray, and, conspicuous in his crimson doublet, had
been an ol)ject of attention to the marksmen of Cha-
belli during the entire action. In spite of the re-
ceipt of a severe wound in the knee, the admiral re-
fused to go below until victory was assured. He
was surrounded at this time by a devoted band of
nobles sworn to defend the person of their admiral
or to die in his defense. His portrait has been
sketched for us at this time by the Dominican FViar,
Padre Alberto Guglielmotto, author of "La guerra
dei Pirati e la marina Pontifica dal 1500 al 1560."
The description runs thus: "Andrea Doria was of
lofty stature, his face oval in shape, forehead broad
and commanding, his neck was powerful, his hair
short, his beard long and fan-shaped, his lips were
thin, his eyes bright and piercing."
Once again had he defeated an officer of the
Grand Turk; and it may be remarked that Ibrahim
was probably quite right in the estimation, or rather
in the lack of estimation, in which he held the sea-
officers of his master, as they seem to have been
deficient in every quality save that of personal
valor, and in their encounters with Doria and the
knights were almost invariably worsted. For the
sake of Islam, for the prestige of the Moslem arms
at sea, it was time that Barbarossa should take mat-
ters in hand once more.
BARBAROSSA— KING OF CORSAIRS 107
The autumn of this year 1537 proved that the
old Sea-wolf had lost none of his cunning, that his
followers were as terrible as ever. What did it
seem to matter that Venetian and Catalan, Genoese
and Frenchman, Andalusian and the dwellers in the
Archipelago, were all banded together in league
against this common foe? Did not the redoubtable
Andrea range the seas in vain, and were not all the
efforts of the Knights of Saint John futile, when the
son of the renegado from Mitylene and his Chris-
tian wife put forth from the Golden Horn? What
was the magic of this man, it was asked despairingly,
that none seemed able to prevail against him? Had
it not been currently reported that Carlos Quinto,
the great Emperor, had driven him forth from Tu-
nis a hunted fugitive, broken and penniless, with
never a galley left, without one ducat in his pocket?
Was he so different, then, from all the rest of man-
kind that his followers would stick to him in evil
report as well as in the height of his prosperity?
Men swore and women crossed themselves at the
mention of his name.
"Terrible as an army with banners," indeed, was
Kheyr-ed-Din in this eventful summer: things had
gone badly with the crescent flag, the Padishah was
unapproachable in his palace, brooding perchance
on that "might have been" had he not sold his
honor and the life of his only friend to gratify the
malice of a she-devil; those in attendance on the
108 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
Sultan trembled, for the humor of the despot
was black indeed.
But "the veritable man of the sea" was in some
sort to console him for that which he had lost; as
never in his own history — and there was none else
with which it could be compared — had the Corsair
King made so fruitful a raid. He ravaged the coasts
of the Adriatic and the islands of the Archipelago,
sweeping in slaves by the thousand, and by the end
of the year he had collected eighteen thousand in the
arsenal at Stamboul. Great was the jubilation in
Constantinople when the Admiralissimo himself re-
turned from his last expedition against the infidel;
stilled were the voices which hinted disaffection —
who among them all could bring back, four hundred
thousand pieces of gold? What mariner could of-
fer to the Grand Turk such varied and magnificent
presents?
Upon his arrival Barbarossa asked permission to
kiss the threshold of the palace of the Sultan, which
boon being graciously accorded to him, he made his
triumphal entry. Two hundred captives clad in
scarlet robes carried cups of gold and flasks of sil-
ver; behind them came thirty others, each staggering
under an enormous purse of sequins; yet another
two hundred brought collars of precious stones or
bales of the choicest goods; and a further two hun-
dred were laden with sacks of small coin. Cer-
tainly if Soliman the Magnificent had lost a Grand
Vizier he had succeeded in finding an admirall
BARBAROSSA— KING OF CORSAIRS 109
All through the earlier months of 1538 the dock-
yards of Constantinople hummed with a furious
activity, for Soliman had decreed that the maritime
campaign of this year was to begin with no less
than one hundred and fifty ships. His admiral,
however, did not agree with this decision; to the
Viziers he raged and stormed. "Listen," he said,
"O men of the land who understand naught of the
happenings of the sea. By this time Saleh-Reis must
have quitted Alexandria convoying to the Bosphorus
twenty sail filled with the richest merchandise;
should he fall in with the accursed Genoese, Doria,
where then will be Saleh-Reis and his galleys and
his convoy? I will tell you: the ships in Genoa,
the galleys burned, Saleh-Reis and all his mariners
chained to the rowers' bench."
The Viziers trembled as men did when Barba-
rossa stormed and turned upon them those terrible
eyes which knew neither fear not pity. "We be
but men," they answered, "and our lord the Sultan
has so ordained it."
"I have forty galleys," replied the corsair; "you
have forty more. With these I will take the sea;
but, mark you," he continued, softening somewhat,
"you do right to fear the displeasure of the Sultan,
and I also have no wish to encounter it; but vessels
raised and equipped in a hurry will be of small use
to me. In the name of Allah the compassionate
and his holy Prophet give me my eighty galleys and
let me go."
no GREAT PIRATE STORIES
In Kheyr-cd-Dln Barbarossa sound strategical
instinct went hand in hand with the desperate valor
of the corsair. To dally in the )Golden Horn
while so rich a prey was at sea to be picked up by
his Christian foes was altogether opposed to his in-
stincts: never to throw away a chance in the game
of life had ever been his guiding principle.
Soliman, great man as he undoubtedly was, had
not the adamantine hardness of character which
enabled his admiral to risk all on the hazards of the
moment; or possibly the Grand Turk was deficient
in that clearness of strategical instinct which never
in any circumstances foregoes a present advantage
for something which may turn out well in a prob-
lematical future. Soliman, sore, -sullen, and unap-
proachable, dwelt in his palace brooding over the
misfortunes which had been his lot since the death
of Ibrahim. Barbarossa, who so recently had lost
practically all that he possessed, and who had
reached an age at which most men have no hopes
for the future, was as clear in intellect, as un-
daunted In spirit, as if he had been half a century
younger: to be even once more with those by whom
he had been defeated and dispossessed was the only
thing now in his mind. The capture of Saleh-Reis
and his convoy would be a triumph of which he could
not bear to think. Further, it would add to the de-
moralization of the sea forces of the Sultan, which
were sadly in need of some striking success after
the defeats which had so recently been their por-
BARBAROSSA— KING OF CORSAIRS 111
tion. The Sultan had decided that one hundred and
fifty ships were necessary; his admiral thought other-
wise. There was too much at stake for him to dally
at Constantinople; his fiery energy swept all before
it, and in the end he had his way. On June 7th,
1538, he finally triumphed over the hesitations of
the Viziers and put to sea with eighty sail.
The Sultan, from his kiosk, the windows of which
opened on the Bosphorus, counted the ships.
"Only eighty sail; is that all?" he asked.
The trembling Viziers prostrated themselves be-
fore him.
"O our Lord, the Padishah," they cried, "Saleh-
Reis comes from Alexandria with a rich convoy;
somewhere lurking is Andrea Doria, the accursed;
it was necessary, O Magnificent, to send succor."
There was a pause, in which the hearts of men
beat as do those who know not but that the next
moment may be their last on earth.
The Sultan stared from his window at the re-
treating ships in a silence like the silence of the
grave. At last he turned:
"So be it," he answered briefly; "but see to it
that reinforcements do not lag upon the road."
If there had been activity in the dockyards before
it was as nothing to the strenuous work that was
to be done henceforward.
Before starting on this expedition Kheyr-ed-Din
had made an innovation in the manning of some
of the most powerful of his galleys, which was of
112 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
the utmost importance, and which was to add enor-
mously to the success of his future maritime enter-
prises. The custom had always been that the Otto-
man galleys had been rowed by Christians, cap-
tured and enslaved; of course the converse was true
in the galleys of their foes. There were, for the
size of the vessels, an enormous number of men car-
ried in the galleys of the sixteenth century, and an
average craft of this description would have on
board some four hundred men; of these, however,
the proportion would be two hundred and fifty slaves
to one hundred and fifty fighting men. That which
Kheyr-ed-Din now insisted upon was that a certain
proportion of his most powerful units should be
rowed by Moslem fighting men, so that on the day
of battle the oarsmen could join in the fray instead
of remaining chained to their benches, as was the
custom with the slaves. It is, however, an extraor-
dinary testimony to the influnece which the corsair
had attained in Constantinople that he had been
able to effect this change in the composition of some
of his crews; it must have been done with the active
cooperation of the Sultan, as no authority less po-
tent than that of the sovereign himself could have
induced free men to undertake the terrible toil of
rower in a galley. This was reserved for the un-
fortunate slave on either side owing to the intoler-
able hardship of the life, and results, in the pace
at which a galley proceeded through the water, were
BARBAROSSA— KING OF CORSAIRS 113
usually obtained by an unsparing use of the lash
on the naked bodies of the rowers.
This human material was used up in the most
prodigal manner possible, as those in command had
not the inducement of treating the rowers well,
from that economic standpoint which causes a man
to so use his beast of burden as to get the best
work from him. In the galley, when a slave would
row no more he was flung overboard and another
was put in his place.
The admiral, however, even when backed by the
Padishah, could not man a large fleet of galleys
with Moslem rowers, and, as there was a shortage
in the matter of propelling power, his first business
was to collect slaves, and for this purpose he visited
the islands of the Archipelago. The lot of the un-
happy inhabitants of these was indeed a hard one.
They were nearer to the seat of the Moslem power
than any other Christians; they were in those days
totally unable to resist an attack in force, and in
consequence were swept off in their thousands.
Seven islands cover the entrance to the Gulf of
Volo. The nearest to the coast is Skiathos, which is
also the most important; it was defended by a
castle built upon a rock. This castle was attacked
by Barbarossa, who bombarded it for six days, car-
ried it by assault, and massacred the garrison. He
spared the lives of the inhabitants of the island, and
by this means secured three thousand four hundred
rowers for his galleys. He had to provide motor-
114
(iKI'A'i" PIRA'n-: S'lCJRlES
power for the reinforcements which he expected. In
July he was reinforced from Constantinople by
ninety galleys, while from Egypt came Saleh-Reis,
who had succeeded in avoiding the terrible Doria,
with twenty more; the fleet was thus complete.
f
MORGAN AT PUERTO BELLO *
John Esquemeling
SOME may think that the French having de-
serted Captain Morgan, the English alone
could not have sufficient courage to attempt
such great actions as before. But Captain Mor-
gan, who always communicated vigor with his
words, infused such spirit into his men, as put them
instantly upon new designs. He inspired them
with the belief that the sole execution of his orders
would be a certain means of obtaining great riches,
which so influenced their minds, that with inimitable
courage they all resolved to follow him, as did also a
certain pirate of Campechy, on this occasion joined
with Captain Morgan, to seek new fortunes under
his conduct. Thus Captain Morgan in a few days
gathered a fleet of nine sail, either ships or great
boats, wherein he had four hundred and sixty mili-
tary men.
All things being ready, they put forth to sea, Cap-
tain Morgan imparting his design to nobody at
present; he only told them on several occasions, that
he doubted not to make a good fortune by that voy-
age, if strange occurrences happened not. They
* From The Buccaneers of America.
... 115
116 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
steered towards the continent, where they arrived
in a few days near Costa Rica, all their fleet safe.
No sooner had they discovered land hut Captain
Morgan declared his intentions to the captains, and
presently after to the company. I le told them he in-
tended to plunder Puerto Bello by night, being re-
solved to put the whole city to the sack: and to en-
courage them he added, this enterprise could not
fail, seeing he had kept it secret, without revealing
it to anybody, whereby they could not have notice
of his coming. To this proposition some answered,
"they had not a sufficient number of men to assault
so strong and great a city. But Captain Morgan
replied, "If our number is small, our hearts are
great; and the fewer persons we are, the more
union and better shares we shall have in the spoil."
Hereupon, being stimulated with the hope of those
vast riches they promised themselves from their
success, they unanimously agreed to that design.
Now, that my reader may better comprehend the
boldness of this exploit, it may be necessary to say
something beforehand of the city of Puerto Bello.
This city is in the province of Costa Rica, lo deg.
north latitude, fourteen leagues from the gulf of
Darien, and eight westwards from the port called
Nombre de Dios. It is judged the strongest place
the king of Spain possesses in all the West Indies,
except Havanna and Carthagena. Here are two
castles almost impregnable, that defend the city, sit-
uate at the entry of the port, so that no ship or boat
MORGAN AT PUERTO BELLO 117
can pass without permission. The garrison con-
sists of three hundred soldiers, and the town is in-
habited by four hundred families. The merchants
dwell not here, but only reside a while, when the
galleons come from or go for Spain, by reason of
the unhealthiness of the air, occasioned by vapors
from the mountains; so that though their chief
warehouses are at Puerto Bello, their habitations
are at Panama, whence they bring the plate upon
mules when the fair begins, and when the ships be-
longing to the company of negroes arrive to sell
slaves.
Captain Morgan, who knew very well all the
avenues of this city and the neighboring coasts, ar-
rived in the evening with his men at Puerto de Naos,
ten leagues to the west of Puerto Bello. Being
come hither, they sailed up the river to another har-
bor called Puerto Pontin, where they anchored:
here they put themselves into boats and canoes, leav-
ing in the ships only a few men to bring them next
day to the port. About midnight they came to a
place called Estera longa Lemos, where they all
went on shore and marched by land to the first posts
of the city. They had in their company an English-
man, formerly a prisoner in those parts, who now
served them for a guide. To him and three or four
more they gave commission to take the sentinel, if
possible, or kill him on the place: but they seized
him so cunningly, as he had no time to give warning
with his musket, or make any noise, and brought
118 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
him, witli his hands h(jund, to Captain Morgan, who
asked him how things went in the city, and what
forces they had; with other circumstances he de-
sired to know. After every (juestion they made him
a tliousand menaces to kill him, if he declared not
the truth. Then they advanced to the city, carrying
the said sentinel bound before them : having marched
about a quarter of a league, they came to the castle
near the city, which presently they closely sur-
rounded, so that no person couKI get either in or
out.
Being posted under the walls of the castle, Cap-
tain Morgan commanded the sentinel, whom they
had taken prisoner, to speak to those within, charg-
ing them to surrender to his discretion; otherwise
they should all be cut in pieces, without quarter.
But disregarding these threats, they began instantly
to fire, which alarmed the city; yet notwithstand-
ing, though the governor and soldiers of the said
castle made as great resistance as could be, they
were forced to surrender. Having taken the castle,
Morgan resolved to be as good as his word, putting
the Spaniards to the sword, thereby to strike a ter-
ror into the rest of the city. Whereupon, having
shut up all the soldiers and officers as prisoners into
one room, they set fire to the powder (whereof they
found great quantity) and blew up the castle into
the air, with all the Spaniards that were within.
This done, they pursued the course of their vic-
tory, falling upon the city, which as yet was not
MORGAN AT PUERTO BELLO 119
ready to receive them. Many of the inhabitants
cast their precious jewels and money into wells and
cisterns, or hid them in places underground, to
avoid as much as possible, being totally robbed.
One of the party of pirates, assigned to this pur-
pose, ran immediately to the cloisters, and took as
many religious men and women as they could find.
The governor of the city, not being able to rally
the citizens, through their great confusion, retired
to one of the castles remaining, and thence fired in-
cessantly at the pirates: but these were not in the
least negligent either to assault him, or defend
themselves, so that amidst the horror of the assault,
they made very few shots in vain; for aiming with
great dexterity at the mouths of the guns, the Span-
iards were certain to lose one or two men every
time they charged each gun anew.
The fight continued very furious from break of
day till noon; indeed, about this time of the day the
case was very dubious which party should conquer,
or be conquered. At last, the pirates perceiving they
had lost many men, and yet advanced but little
towards gaining either this, or the other castles,
made use of fire-balls, which they threw with their
hands, designing to burn the doors of the castles.
But the Spaniards from the walls let fall great quan-
tities of stones, and earthen pots full of powder, and
other combustible matter, which forced them to
desist. Captain Morgan seeing this desperate de-
fence made by the Spaniards, began to despair of
120 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
success. Hereupon, many faint and calm medita-
tions came into his mind; neither could he determine
which way to turn himself in that strait. Being thus
puzzled, he was suddenly animated to continue the
assault, by seeing the English colors put forth at one
of the lesser castles, then entered by his men; of
whom he presently after spied a troop coming to
meet him, proclaiming victory with loud shouts of
joy. This instantly put him on new resolutions of
taking the rest of the castles, especially seeing the
chiefest citizens were fled to them, and had conveyed
thither great part of their riches, with all the plate
belonging to the churches and divine service.
To this effect, he ordered ten or twelve ladders
to be made in all haste, so broad, that three or
four men at once might ascend them: these being
finished, he commanded all the religious men and
women, whom he had taken prisoners, to fix them
against the walls of the castle. This he had before
threatened the governor to do, if he delivered not
the castle: but his answer was, "he would never sur-
render himself alive." Captain Morgan was per-
suaded the governor would not employ his utmost
force, on seeing the religious women and ecclesiasti-
cal persons exposed in the front of the soldiers to
the greatest danger. Thus the ladders, as I have
said, were at once put into the hands of religious
persons of both sexes, and these were forced, at the
head of the companies, to raise and apply them to
the walls. But Captain Morgan was fully deceived
MORGAN AT PUERTO BELLO 121
in his judgment of this design; for the governor,
who acted like a brave soldier in performance of his
duty, used his utmost endeavor to destroy whomso-
ever came near the walls. The religious men and
women ceased not to cry to him, and beg of him, by
all the saints of heaven, to deliver the castle, and
spare both his and their own lives; but nothing could
prevail with his obstinacy and fierceness. Thus many
of the religious men and nuns were killed before they
could fix the ladders; which at last being done,
though with great loss of their number, the pirates
mounted them in great numbers, and with reckless
valor, having fire-balls in their hands, and earthen
pots full of powder; which, being now at the top of
the walls, they kindled and cast down among the
Spaniards.
This effort of the pirates was very great, inso-
much that the Spaniards could not longer resist nor
defend the castle, which was now entered. Here-
upon they all threw down their arms, and craved
quarter for their lives; only the governor of the
city would crave no mercy, but killed many of the
pirates with his own hands, and not a few of his
own soldiers; because they did not stand to their
arms. And though the pirates asked him If he
would have quarter; yet he constantly answered,
"By no means, I had rather die as a valiant soldier,
than be hanged as a coward." They endeavored as
much as they could to take him prisoner, but he de-
fended himself so obstinately, that they were forced
122 GREAT PlRA'Ji<: STORIES
to kill him, notwithstanding all the cries and tears
of his own wife and daughter, who begged him, on
their knees, to demand quarter, and save his life.
When the pirates had possessed themselves of the
castle, which was about nightfall, they enclosed
therein all the prisoners, placing the women and men
by themselves, with some guards. i he wounded
were put in an apartment by themselves, that their
own complaints might be the cure of their diseases;
for no other was afforded them.
This done, they fell to eating and drinking, and as
usual, to committing all manner of debauchery and
excess, so that fifty courageous men might easily
have retaken the city, and killed all the pirates.
Next day, having plundered all they could find,
they examined some of the prisoners (who had been
persuaded by their companions to say they were
the richest of the town), charging them severely
to discover where they had hid their riches and
goods. Not being able to extort anything from
them, they not being the right persons, it was re-
solved to torture them : this they did so cruelly, that
many of them died on the rack, or presently after.
Now the president of Panama being advertised of
the pillage and ruin of Puerto Bello, he employed
all his care and industry to raise forces to pursue
and cast out the pirates thence; but these cared
little for his preparations, having their ships at hand,
and determining to fire the city, and retreat. They
had now been at Puerto Bello fifteen days, in which
MORGAN AT PUERTO BELLO 123
time they had lost many of their men, both by the
unhealthiness of the countr}', and their extravagant
debaucheries.
Hereupon, they prepared to depart, carrying on
board all the pillage they had got, having first pro-
vided the fleet with sufficient victuals for the voy-
age. \Yhile these things were doing Captain Mor-
gan demanded of the prisoners a ransom for the
city, or else he would burn it down, and blow up all
the castles; withal, he commanded them to send
speedily two persons, to procure the sum, which was
100,000 pieces-of-eight. To this effect two men
were sent to the president of Panama, who gave
him an account of all. The president, having novr a
body of men ready, set forth towards Puerto Bello,
to encounter the pirates before their retreat; but,
they, hearing of his coming, instead of flying away,
vrent out to meet him at a narrow passage, which
he must pass : here they placed a hundred men, ver}*
well armed, which at the first encounter put to flight
a good party of those of Panama. This obliged
the president to retire for that time, not being yet in
a posture of strength to proceed farther. Presently
after, he sent a message to Captain Morgan, to tell
him, "that if he departed not suddenly with all his
forces from Puerto Bello, he ought to expect no
quarter for himself, nor his companions, when he
should take them, as he hoped soon to do." Cap-
tain Morgan, who feared not his threats, knowing
he had a secure retreat in his ships, which were at
124 GREAT inRATE STORIES
hand, answered, "he would not deliver the castles,
before he had received the contribution-money he
had demanded; which if it were not paid down, he
would certainly burn the whole city, and then leave
it, demolishing beforehand the castles, and killing
the prisoners."
The governor of Panama perceived by this an-
swer that no means would serve to mollify the
hearts of the pirates, nor reduce them to reason:
whereupon, he determined to leave the inhabitants
of the city to make the best agreement they could.
In a few days more the miserable citizens gathered
the contributions required, and brought 100,000
pieces-of-eight to the pirates for their ransom. The
president of Panama was much amazed that four
huncTred men could take such a great city, with so
many strong castles, especially having no ordnance,
wherewith to raise batteries, and, knowing the citi-
zens of Puerto Bello had always great repute of
being good soldiers themselves, who never wanted
courage in their own defence. His astonishment
was so great, that he sent to Captain Morgan,
desiring some small pattern of those arms where-
with he had taken with such vigor so great a city.
Captain Morgan received this messenger very
kindly, and with great civility; and gave him a pistol,
and a few small bullets, to carry back to the presi-
dent his master; telling him, withal, "he desired
him to accept that slender pattern of the arms
wherewith he had taken Puerto Bello, and keep
i
MORGAN AT PUERTO BELLO 125
them for a twelvemonth; after which time he
promised to come to Panama, and fetch them
away." * The governor returned the present very
soon to Captain Morgan, giving him thanks for the
favor of lending him such weapons as he needed not;
and, withal, sent him a ring of gold, with this mes-
sage, "that he desired him not to give himself the
labor of coming to Panama, as he had done to
Puerto Bello: for he did assure him, he should not
speed so well here, as he had done there."
After this. Captain Morgan (having provided his
fleet with all necessaries, and taken with him the best
guns of the castles, nailing up the rest) set sail
from Puerto Bello with all his ships, and arriving in
a few days at Cuba, he sought out a place wherein
he might quickly make the dividend of their spoil.
They found in ready money 250,000 pieces-of-
eight, besides other merchandise; as cloth, linen,
silks, etc. With this rich purchase they sailed thence
to their common place of rendezvous, Jamaica.
Being arrived, they passed here some time in all
sorts of vices and debaucheries, according to their
custom; spending very prodigally what others had
gained with no small labor and toil.
*This promise was kept. See The Capture of Panama (foot-
note).
THE WAYS OF THE BUCCANEERS *
John Masefield after John Esquemelino
THROUGHOUT the years of buccaneering,
the buccaneers often put to sea in canoas and
periaguas, just as Drake put to sea in his
three pinnaces. Life in an open boat is far from
pleasant, but men who passed their leisure cutting
logwood at Campeachy, or hoeing tobacco in Ja-
maica, or toiling over gramma grass under a hot
sun after cattle, were not disposed to make the worst
of things. They would sit contentedly upon the
oar bench, rowing with a long, slow stroke for hours
together without showing signs of fatigue. Nearly
all of them were men of more than ordinary
strength, and all of them were well accustomed to
the climate. When they had rowed their canoa to
the Main they were able to take it easy till a ship
came by from one of the Spanish ports. If she
seemed a reasonable prey, without too many guns,
and not too high charged, or high built, the priva-
teers would load their muskets, and row down to
engage her. The best shots were sent into the bows,
and excused from rowing, lest the exercise should
cause their hands to tremble. A clever man was
* From Buccaneer Customs on the Spanish Main.
126
THE WAYS OF THE BUCCANEERS 127
put to the steering oar, and the musketeers were
bidden to sing out whenever the enemy yawed, so
as to fire her guns. It was in action, and in action
only, that the captain had command over his men.
The steersman endeavored to keep the masts of the
quarry in a line, and to approach her from astern.
The marksmen from the bows kept up a continual
fire at the vessel's helmsmen, if they could be seen,
and at any gun-ports which happened to be open.
If the helmsmen could not be seen from the sea, the
canoas aimed to row in upon the vessel's quarters,
where they could wedge up the rudder with wooden
chocks or wedges. They then laid her aboard over
the quarter, or by the after chains, and carried her
with their knives and pistols. The first man to get
aboard received some gift of money at the division
of the spoil.
When the prize was taken, the prisoners were
questioned, and despoiled. Often, indeed, they
were stripped stark naked, and granted the privi-
lege of seeing their finery on a pirate's back. Each
buccaneer had the right to take a shift of clothes
out of each prize captured. The cargo was then
rummaged, and the state of the ship looked to,
with an eye to using her as a cruiser. As a rule,
the prisoners were put ashore on the first oppor-
tunity, but some buccaneers had a way of selling
their captives into slavery. If the ship were old,
leaky, valueless, in ballast, or with a cargo useless
to the rovers, she was either robbed of her guns,
128 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
and turned adrift with her crew, or run ashore in
some snug cove, where she could be burnt for the
sake of the iron-work. If the cargo were of value,
and, as a rule, the ships they took had some rich
thing aboard them, they sailed her to one of the
Dutch, French or I'-nglish settlements, where they
sold her freight for what they could get — some
tenth or twentieth of its value. If the ship were a
good one, in good condition, well found, swift, and
not of too great draught (for they preferred to
sail in small ships), they took her for their cruiser
as soon as they had emptied out her freight. They
sponged and loaded her guns, brought their stores
aboard her, laid their mats upon her deck, secured
the boats astern, and sailed away in search of other
plunder. They kept little discipline aboard their
ships. What work had to be done they did, but
works of supererogation they despised and rejected
as a shade unholy. The night watches were partly
orgies. While some slept, the others fired guns and
drank to the health of their fellows. By the light of
the binnacle, or by the light of the slush lamps in the
cabin, the rovers played a hand at cards, or diced
each other at "seven and eleven," using a pannikin
as dice-box. While the gamblers cut and shuffled,
and the dice rattled in the tin, the musical sang songs,
the fiddlers set their music chuckling, and the sea-
boots stamped approval. The cunning dancers
showed their science in the moonlight, avoiding the
sleepers if they could. In this jolly fashion were the
THE WAYS OF THE BUCCANEERS 129
nights made short. In the daytime, the gambling
continued with httle intermission; nor had the cap-
tain any authority to stop it. One captain, in the
histories, was so bold as to throw the dice and cards
overboard, but, as a rule, the captain of a buc-
caneer cruiser was chosen as an artist, or navigator,
or as a lucky fighter. He was not expected to spoil
sport. The continual gambling nearly always led
to fights and quarrels. The lucky dicers often won
so much that the unlucky had to part with all their
booty. Sometimes a few men would win all the
plunder of the cruise, much to the disgust of the
majority, who clamored for a redivision of the spoil.
If two buccaneers got into a quarrel they fought it
out on shore at the first opportunity, using knives,
swords, or pistols, according to taste. The usual
way of fighting was with pistols, the combatants
standing back to back, at a distance of ten or twelve
paces, and turning round to fire at the word of com-
mand. If both shots missed, the question was de-
cided with cutlasses, the man who drew first blood
being declared the winner. If a man were proved
to be a coward he was either tied to the mast, and
shot, or mutilated, and sent ashore. No cruise came
to an end until the company declared themselves
satisfied with the amount of plunder taken. The
question, like all other important questions, was
debated round the mast, and decided by vote.
At the conclusion of a successful cruise, they sailed
for Port Royal, with the ship full of treasure, such
130 GRI'AT IMRATK STORIES
as vicuna wool, packets of pearls from the Hatch,
jars of civet or of amhcrf^ris, boxes of "marma-
Ictt" and spices, casks of strong drink, bales of silk,
sacks of cliocolate and vanilla, and rolls of green
cloth and pale blue cotton which the Indians had
woven In Peru, in some sandy village near the sea,
in sight of the pelicans and the penguins. In ad-
dition to all tlicsc things, they usually had a number
of the personal possessions of those they had taken
on the seas. Lying in the chests for subsequent di-
vision were swords, silver-mounted pistols, daggers
chased and inlaid, watches from Spain, necklaces of
uncut jewels, rings and bangles, heavy carved fur-
niture, "cases of bottles" of delicately cut green
glass, containing cordials distilled of precious mints,
with packets of emeralds from Brazil, bezoar stones
from Patagonia, paintings from Spain, and medicinal
gums from Nicaragua. All these things were di-
vided by lot at the main-mast as soon as the anchor
held. As the ship, or ships, neared port, her men
hung colors out — any colors they could find — to
make their vessel gay. A cup of drink was taken as
they sailed slowly home to moorings, and as they
drank they fired off the cannon, "bullets and all,"
again and yet again, rejoicing as the bullets struck
the water. Up in the bay, the ships in the harbor an-
swered with salutes of cannon; flags were dipped
and hoisted in salute; and so the anchor dropped in
some safe reach, and the division of the spoil began.
After the division of the spoil in the beautiful
THE WAYS OF THE BUCCANEERS 131
Port Royal harbor, in sight of the palm-trees and
the fort with the colors flying, the buccaneers packed
their gear, and dropped over the side into a boat.
They were pulled ashore by some grinning black
man with a scarlet scarf about his head and the brand
of a hot iron on his shoulders. At the jetty end,
where the Indians lounged at their tobacco and the
fishermen's canoas rocked, the sunburnt pirates put
ashore. Among the noisy company which always
gathers on a pier they rnet with their companions.
A sort of Roman triumph followed, as the "hap-
pily returned' lounged swaggeringly towards the
taverns. Eager hands helped them to carry in their
plunder. In a few minutes the gang was entering
the tavern, the long, cool room with barrels round
the walls, where there were benches and a table and
an old blind fiddler jerking his elbow at a jig.
Noisily the party ranged about the table, and sat
themselves upon the benches, while the drawers, or
potboys, in their shirts, drew near to take the or-
ders. I wonder if the reader has ever heard a sailor
in the like circumstance, five minutes after he has
touched his pay, address a company of parasites in
an inn with the question: "What's it going to be?"
A TRUE ACCOUNT OF THREE
NOTORIOUS PIRATES*
Howard Pyle, Ed.
I
Captain Teach alias Black-beard
EDWARD TEACH was a Bristol man bom,
but had sailed some time out of Jamaica, in
privateers, in the late French war; yet
though he had often distinguished himself for his
uncommon boldness and personal courage, he was
never raised to any command, till he went a-pirat-
ing, which, I think, was at the latter end of the year
17 1 6, when Captain Benjamin Hornygold put him
into a sloop that he had made prize of, and with
whom he continued in consortship till a little while
before Hornygold surrendered.
In the spring of the year 17 17 Teach and Horny-
gold sailed from Providence, for the main of Amer-
ica, and took in their way a billop from the Havana,
with 120 barrels of flour, as also a sloop from Ber-
muda, Thurbar master, from whom they took only
some gallons of wine, and then let him go; and a
ship from Madeira to South Carolina, out of which
they got plunder to a considerable value.
*A contemporary narrative. From The Buccaneers of America.
132
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 133
After cleaning on the coast of Virginia, they re-
turned to the West Indies, and in the latitude of 24,
made prize of a large French Guineaman, bound
to Martinico, which, by Hornygold's consent. Teach
went aboard of as captain, and took a cruise in her.
Hornygold returned with his sloop to Providence,
where, at the arrival of Captain Rogers, the gover-
nor, he surrendered to mercy, pursuant to the king's
proclamation.
Aboard of this Guineaman Teach mounted forty
guns, and named her the Queen Ann's Revenge; and
cruising near the Island of St. Vincent, took a large
ship, called the Great Allen, Christopher Taylor,
commander; the pirates plundered her of what they
thought fit, put all the men ashore upon the island
above mentioned, and set fire to the ship.
A few days after Teach fell In with the Scarbor-
ough, man-of-war, of thirty guns, who engaged him
for some hours; but she, finding the pirate well-
manned, and having tried her strength, gave over
the engagement and returned to Barbadoes, the
place of her station, and Teach sailed towards the
Spanish America.
In this way he met with a pirate sloop of ten guns,
commanded by one Major Bonnet, lately a gentle-
man of good reputation and estate In the Island of
Barbadoes, whom he joined; but In a few days after,
Teach, finding that Bonnet knew nothing of a mari-
time life, with the consent of his own men, put in
another captain, one Richards, to command Bon-
134 GRI-:AT pirate STORIl'S
net's sloop, and took the Major on board his own
ship, telling him, that as he had not been used to the
fatigues and care of such a post, it would be better
for him to decline it and live easy, at his pleasure,
in such a ship as his, wiiere he would not be obliged
to perform the necessary duties of a sea-voyage.
At Turniff, ten leagues short of the Bay of Hon-
duras, the pirates took in fresh water, and while
they were at anchor there, they saw a sloop coming
in, whereupon Richards, in the sloop called the Re-
venge, slipped his cable and run out to meet her;
who, upon seeing the black flag hoisted, struck his
sail and came to under the stern of Teach, the com-
modore. She was called the Adventure, from Ja-
maica, David Harriot, master. They took him and
his men aboard the great ship, and sent a number
of other hands with Israel Hands, master of Teach's
ship, to man the sloop for the piratical account.
The 9th of April they weighed from Turniff,
having lain there about a week, and sailed to the bay,
where they found a ship and four sloops; three of
the latter belonged to Jonathan Bernard, of Ja-
maica, and the other to Captain James. The ship
was of Boston, called the Protestant Caesar, Captain
Wyar, commander. Teach hoisted his black colors
and fired a gun, upon which Captain Wyar and all
his men left their ship and got ashore in their boat.
Teach's quartermaster and eight of his crew took
possession of Wyar's ship, and Richards secured all
the sloops, one of which they burnt out of spite to
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 135
the owner. The Protestant Casar they also burnt,
after they had plundered her, because she belonged
to Boston, where some men had been hanged for
piracy, and the three sloops belonging to Bernard
they let go.
From hence the rovers sailed to Turkill, and
then to the Grand Caimanes, a small island about
thirty leagues to the westward of Jamaica, where
they took a small turtler, and so to the Havana, and
from thence to the Bahama Wrecks; and from the
Bahama Wrecks they sailed to Carolina, taking a
brigantine and two sloops in their way, where they
lay off the bar of Charles Town for five or six days.
They took here a ship as she was coming out, bound
for London, commanded by Robert Clark, with
some passengers on board for England. The next
day they took another vessel coming out of Charles
Town, and also two pinks coming into Charles
Town; likewise a brigantine with fourteen negroes
aboard; all of which, being done in the face of the
town, struck so great a terror to the whole province
of Carolina, having just before been visited by Vane,
another notorious pirate, that they abandoned them-
selves to despair, being in no condition to resist their
force. There were eight sail in the harbor, ready
for the sea, but none dared to venture out, it being
almost impossible to escape their hands. The in-
ward bound vessels were under the same unhappy
dilemma, so that the trade of this place was totally
interrupted. What made these misfortunes heavier
136 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
to them was a long, expensive war the colony had
had with the natives, which was but just ended when
these robbers infested them.
Teach detained all the ships and prisoners, and,
being in want of medicines, resolved to demand a
chest from the government of the province. Ac-
cordingly, Richards, the captain of the Rczenge
sloop, with two or three more pirates, were sent
up along with Mr. Marks, one of the prisoners
whom they had taken in Clark's ship, and very in-
solently made their demands, threatening that if
they did not send immediately the chest of medicines
and let the pirate ambassadors return, without of-
fering any violence to their persons, they would
murder all their prisoners, send up their heads to
the governor, and set the ships they had taken on
fire.
Whilst Mr. Marks was making application to the
council, Richards and the rest of the pirates walked
the streets publicly in the sight of all people, who
were fired with the utmost indignation, looking upon
them as robbers and murderers, and particularly the
authors of their wrongs and oppressions, but durst
not so much as think of executing their revenge for
fear of bringing more calamities upon themselves,
and so they were forced to let the villains pass with
impunity. The government was not long in deliber-
ating upon the message, though it was the greatest
affront that could have been put upon them, yet,
for the saving so many men's lives (among them
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 137
Mr. Samuel Wragg, one of the council), they com-
plied with the necessity and sent aboard a chest,
valued at between three and four hundred pounds,
and the pirates went back safe to their ships.
Black-beard (for so Teach was generally called,
as we shall hereafter show), as soon as he had re-
<:eived the medicines and his brother rogues, let go
the ships and the prisoners, having first taken out
of them in gold and silver about £1,500 sterling,
besides provisions and other matters.
From the bar of Charles Town they sailed to
North Carolina, Captain Teach in the ship, which
they called the man-of-war. Captain Richards and
Captain Hands in the sloops, which they termed pri-
vateers, and another sloop serving them as a tender.
Teach began now to think of breaking up the com-
pany and securing the money and the best of the
effects for himself and some others of his com-
panions he had most friendship for, and to cheat
the rest. Accordingly, on pretense of running into
Topsail inlet to clean, he grounded his ship, and
then, as if it had been done undesignedly and by
accident, he orders Hands' sloop to come to his as-
sistance and get him off again, which he, endeavor-
ing to do, ran the sloop on shore near the other, and
so were both lost. This done. Teach goes into the
tender sloop, with forty hands, and leaves the Re-
venge there, then takes seventeen others and ma-
roons them upon a small sandy island, about a league
from the main, where there was neither bird, beast,
138 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
or herb for their subsistence, and where they must
have perished if Major Bonnet had not, two days
after, taken them off.
Teach goes up to the governor of North Caro-
lina, with about twenty of his men, and they sur-
render to his Majesty's proclamation, and receive
certificates thereof from his Excellency; but it did
not appear that their submitting to this pardon was
from any reformation of manners, but only to await
a more favorable opportunity to play the same game
over again; which he soon after effected, with
greater security to himself, and with much better
prospect of success, having in this time cultivated
a very good understanding with Charles Eden,
Esq., the governor above mentioned.
The first piece of service this kind governor did
to Black-beard was to give him a right to the vessel
which he had taken when he was a-pirating in the
great ship called the Queen Ann's Revenge, for
which purpose a court of vice-admiralty was held at
Bath Town, and, though Teach had never any com-
mission in his life, and the sloop belonging to the
English merchants, and taken in time of peace, yet
was she condemned as a prize taken from the Span-
iards by the said Teach. These proceedings show
that governors are but men.
Before he sailed upon his adventures, he married
a young creature of about sixteen years of age, the
governor performing the ceremony. As it is a cus-
tom to marry here by a priest, so it is there by a
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 139
magistrate; and this, I have been informed, made
Teach's fourteenth wife whereof about a dozen
might be still living.
In June, 17 18, he went to sea upon another ex-
pedition, and steered his course towards Bermudas.
He met with two or three English vessels in his
way, but robbed them only of provisions, stores, and
other necessaries, for his present expense; but near
the island before mentioned, he fell in with two
French ships, one of them was laden with sugar and
cocoa, and the other light, both bound to Martinico.
The ship that had no lading he let go, and putting
all the men of the loaded ship aboard her, he
brought home the other with her cargo to North
Carolina, where the governor and the pirates shared
the plunder.
When Teach and his prize arrived he and four of
his crew went to his Excellency and made affidavit
that they found the French ship at sea without a
soul on board her; and then a court was called, and
the ship condemned. The governor had sixty hogs-
heads of sugar for his dividend, and one Mr.
Knight, who was his secretary and collector for the
province, twenty, and the rest was shared among
the other pirates.
The business was not yet done; the ship remained,
and it was possible one or other might come into
the river that might be acquainted with her, and so
discover the roguery. But Teach thought of a con-
trivance to prevent this, for, upon a pretence that she
140 GRI<:AT PlRATi: STORIES
was leaky, and that she might sink, and so stop up
the mouth of the inlet or cove where she lay, he
obtained an order from the governor to bring her
out into the river and set her on fire, which was
accordingly executed, and she was burnt down to the
water's edge, her i)ottom sunk, and with it their
fears of her ever rising in judgment against them.
Captain feach, alias Black-beard, passed three or
four months in the river, sometimes lying at anchor
in the coves, at other times sailing from one inlet
to another, trading with such sloops as he met for
the plunder he had taken, and would often give them
presents for stores and provisions he took from
them; that is, when he happened to be in a giving
humor; at other times he made bold with them, and
took what he liked, without saying "By your leave,"
knowing well they dared not send him a bill for the
payment. He often diverted himself with going
ashore among the planters, where he revelled
night and day. By these he was well received, but
whether out of love or fear I cannot say. Some-
times he used them courteously enough, and made
them presents of rum and sugar in recompense of
what he took from them; but, as for liberties, which
it is said he and his companions often took with the
wives and daughters of the planters, I cannot take
upon me to say whether he paid them ad valorem
or no. At other times he carried it In a lordly man-
ner towards them, and would lay some of them un-
der contribution; nay, he often proceeded to bully
k
TEfREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 141
the governor, not that I can discover the least cause
of quarrel between them, but it seemed only to be
done to show he dared do it.
The sloops trading up and down this river being
so frequently pillaged by Black-beard, consulted with
the traders and some of the best planters what
course to take. They saw plainly it would be in
vain to make an application to the governor of
North Carolina, to whom it properly belonged to
find some redress; so that if they could not be re-
lieved from some other quarter. Black-beard would
be like to reign with impunity; therefore, with as
much secrecy as possible, they sent a deputation to
Virginia, to lay the affair before the governor of
that colony, and to solicit an armed force from the
men-of-war lying there to take or destroy this pirate.
This governor consulted with the captains of the
two men-of-war, viz., the Pearl and Lime, who had
lain in St. James's river about ten months. It was
agreed that the governor should hire a couple of
small sloops, and the men-of-war should man them.
This was accordingly done, and the command of
them given to Mr. Robert Maynard, first lieutenant
of the Pearl, an experienced officer, and a gentleman
of great bravery and resolution, as will appear by
his gallant behavior in this expedition. The sloops
were well manned, and furnished with ammuition
and small arms, but had no guns mounted.
About the time of their going out the governor
called an assembly, in which it was resolved to put-
142 GRr:AT PIRATE STORIES
lish a proclamation, offering certain rewards to any
person or persons who, within a year after that time,
should take or destroy any pirate. The original
proclamation, being in our hands, is as follows: —
By his Majesty's Lieutcnant-novcrnor and Commander-in-
Chief of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia.
A PROCLAMATION,
Publishing the Rewards given for apprehending or killing
Pirates.
Whereas, by an Act of Assembly, made at a Session of
Assembly, begun at the capital in Williamsburg, tiie eleventh
day of November, in the fifth year of his Majesty's reign,
entitled. An Act to Encourage the Apprehending and De-
stroying of Pirates: It is, amongst other things, enacted,
that all and every person, or persons, who, from and after
the fourteenth day of November, in the Year of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and eighteen, and before the
fourteenth day of November, which shall be in tlie Year of
our Lord one thousand seven hundred and nineteen, shall
take any pirate, or pirates, on the sea or land, or, in case of
resistance, shall kill any such pirate, or pirates, between the
degrees of thirty-four and thirty-nine of northern latitude,
and within one hundred leagues of the continent of Virginia,
or within the provinces of Virginia, or North Carolina, upon
the conviction, or making due proof of the killing of all and
every such pirate, and pirates, before the Governor and Coun-
cil, shall be entitled to have, and receive out of the public
money, in the hands of the Treasurer of this Colony, the
s'veral rewards following: that is to say, for Edward Teach,
commonly called Captain Teach, or Black-beard, one hun-
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 143
dred pounds; for every other commander of a pirate ship,
sloop, or vessel, forty pounds; for every lieutenant, master,
or quartermaster, boatswain, or carpenter, twenty pounds;
for every other inferior officer, fifteen pounds; and for every
private man taken on board such ship, sloop, or vessel, ten
pounds; and that for every pirate which shall be taken by
any ship, sloop, or vessel, belonging to this colony, or North
Carolina, within the time aforesaid, in any place whatsoever,
the like rewards shall be paid according to the quality and
condition of such pirates. Wherefore, for the encourage-
ment of all such persons as shall be willing to serve his
Majesty, and their country, in so just and honourable an
undertaking as the suppressing a sort of people who may
be truly called enemies to mankind : I have thought fit,
with the advice and consent of his Majesty's Council, to
issue this Proclamation, hereby declaring the said rewards
shall be punctually and justly paid, in current money of
Virginia, according to the directions of the said Act. And
I do order and appoint this proclamation to be published
by the sheriffs at their respective country houses, and by
all ministers and readers in the several churches and chapels
throughout this colony.
Given at our Council-Chamber at Williamsburgh, this
24th day of November, 171 8, in the fifth year of
his Majesty's reign.
GOD SAVE THE KING.
A. Spotswood.
The 17th of November, 171 8, the lieutenant
sailed from Kicquetan, in James river in Virginia,
and the 31st, in the evening, came to the mouth of
Okerecock inlet, where he got sight of the pirate.
144 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
This expedition was made with all imaginable se-
crecy, and tlie officer managed with all the prudence
that was necessary, stopping all boats and vessels he
met with in the river from going up, and thereby
preventing any intelligence from reaching Black-
beard, and receiving at the same time an account
from them all of the place where the pirate was
lurking. But notwithstanding this caution, Black-
beard had information of the design from his Ex-
cellency of the province; and his secretary, Mr.
Knight, wrote him a letter particularly concerning
it, intimating "that he had sent him four of his men,
which were all he could meet with in or about town,
and so bid him be upon his guard." These men be-
longed to Black-beard, and were sent from Bath
Town to Okerecock inlet, where the sloop lay, which
is about twenty leagues.
Black-beard had heard several reports, which
happened not to be true, and so gave the less credit
to this advice; nor was he convinced till he saw the
sloops. Then it was time to put his vessel in a
posture of defense. He had no more than twenty-
five men on board, though he gave out to all the
vessels he spoke with that he had forty. When he
had prepared for battle he sat down and spent the
night in drinking with the master of a trading sloop,
who, it was thought, had more business with Teach
than he should have had.
Lieutenant Maynard came to an anchor, for the
place being shoal, and the channel intricate, there
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 145
was no getting In where Teach lay that night; but
in the morning he weighed, and sent his boat ahead
of the sloops to sound, and coming within gun-shot
of the pirate, received his fire; whereupon Maynard
hoisted the king's colors, and stood directly towards
him with the best way that his sails and oars could
make. Black-beard cut his cable, and endeavored to
make a running fight, keeping a continual fire at his
enemies with his guns. Mr. Maynard, not having
any, kept a constant fire with small arms, while
some of his men labored at their oars. In a little
time Teach's sloop ran aground, and Mr. May-
nard's, drawing more water than that of the pirate,
he could not come near him; so he anchored within
half gun-shot of the enemy, and, in order to lighten
his vessel, that he might run him aboard, the lieu-
tenant ordered all his ballast to be thrown overboard,
and all the water to be staved, and then weighed
and stood for him; upon which Black-beard hailed
him in this rude maner: "Damn you for villains,
who are you; and from whence came you?" The
lieutenant made him answer, "You may see by our
colors we are no pirates." Black-beard bid him
send his boat on board that he might see who he
was; but Mr. Maynard replied thus: "I cannot
spare my boat, but I will come aboard of you as soon
as I can with my sloop." Upon this Black-beard
took a glass of liquor, and drank to him with these
words: "Damnation seize my soul if I give you
quarter, or take any from you." In answer to which
146 GRI'.AT PIRATI- STORIES
Mr. Maynard told him "that he expected no quar-
ter from him, nor should he give him any."
By this time Black-beard's sloop fleeted as Mr.
Maynard's sloops were rowing towards him, which
being not above a foot high in the waist, and conse-
quently the men all exposed, as they came near to-
gether (there being hitherto little or no execution
done on either side), the pirate fired a broadside
charged with all manner of small shot. A fatal
stroke to them! — the sloop the lieutenant was in
having twenty men killed and wounded, and the
other sloop nine. This could not be helped, for
there being no wind, they were obliged to keep to
their oars, otherwise the pirate would have got away
from him, which it seems, the lieutenant was reso-
lute to prevent.
After this unlucky blow Black-beard's sloop fell
broadside to the shore; Mr. Maynard's other sloop,
which was called the Ranger, fell astern, being for
the present disabled. So the lieutenant, finding his
own sloop had way and would soon be on board
of Teach, he ordered all his men down, for fear of
another broadside, which must have been their de-
struction and the loss of their expedition. Mr.
Maynard was the only person that kept the deck,
except the man at the helm, whom he directed to
lie down snug, and the men in the hold were ordered
to get their pistols and their swords ready for close
fighting, and to come up at his command; in order
to which two ladders were placed in the hatchway
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 147
for the more expedition. When the Heutenant's
sloop boarded the other Captain Teach's men threw
in several new-fashioned sort of grenades, viz., case-
bottles filled with powder and small shot, slugs, and
pieces of lead or iron, with a quick-match in the
mouth of it, which, being lighted without side, pres-
ently runs into the bottle to the powder, and, as it
is instantly thrown on board, generally does great
execution besides putting all the crew into a con-
fusion. But, by good Providence, they had not that
effect here, the men being in the hold. Black-beard,
seeing few or no hands aboard, told his men "that
they were all knocked to head, except three or four;
and therefore," says he, "let's jump on board and
cut them to pieces."
Whereupon, under the smoke of one of the bottles
just mentioned. Black-beard enters with fourteen
men over the bows of Maynard's sloop, and were
not seen by him until the air cleared. However, he
just then gave a signal to his men, who all rose in
an instant, and attacked the pirates with as much
bravery as ever was done upon such an occasion.
Black-beard and the lieutenant fired the first shots
at each other, by which the pirate received a wound,
and then engaged with swords, till the lieutenant's
unluckily broke, and stepping back to cock a pistol.
Black-beard, with his cutlass, was striking at that in-
stant that one of Maynard's men gave him a terrible
wound in the neck and throat, by which the lieuten-
ant came off with only a small cut over his fingers.
148 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
They were now closely and warmly engaged, the
lieutenant and twelve men against Black-heard and
fourteen, till the sea was tinctured with blood round
the vessel. Black-heard received a shot into his
body from the pistol that Lieutenant Maynard dis-
charged, yet he stood his ground, and fought with
great fury till he received five-and-twenty wounds,
and five of them by shot. At length, as he was cock-
ing another pistol, having fired several before, he
fell down dead; by which time eight more out of
the fourteen dropped, and all the rest, much
wounded, jumped overboard and called out for
quarter, which was granted, though it was only pro-
longing their lives a few days. The sloop Ranger
came up and attacked the men that remained in
Black-beard's sloop with equal bravery, till they
likewise cried for quarter.
Here was an end of that courageous brute, who
might have passed in the world for a hero had he
been employed in a good cause.
The lieutenant caused Black-beard's head to be
severed from his body, and hung up at the boltsprit
end; then he sailed to Bath Town, to get relief for
his wounded men.
In rummaging the pirate's sloop, they found sev-
eral letters and written papers, which discovered the
correspondence between Governor Eden, the secre-
tary and collector, and also some traders at New
York, and Black-beard. It is likely he had regard
enough for his friends to have destroyed these pa-
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 149
pers before action, in order to hinder them from
falling into such 'hands, where the discovery would
be of no use either to the interest or reputation of
these fine gentlemen, if it had not been his fixed reso-
lution to have blown up together, when he found
no possibility of escaping.
When the lieutenant came to Bath Town, he made
bold to seize from the governor's storehouse the
sixty hogsheads of sugar, and from honest Mr.
Knight, twenty; which it seems was their dividend of
the plunder taken in the French ship. The latter
did not survive this shameful discovery, for, being
apprehensive that he might be called to an account
for these trifles, fell sick, it is thought, with the
fright, and died in a few days.
After the wounded men were pretty well recov-
ered, the lieutenant sailed back to the men-of-war
in James River, in Virginia, with Black-beard's head
still hanging at the boltsprit end, and fifteen pris-
oners, thirteen of whom were hanged, it appearing,
upon trial, that one of them, viz., Samuel Odell,
was taken out of the trading sloop but the night
before the engagement. This poor fellow was a lit-
tle unlucky at his first entering upon his new trade,
there appearing no less than seventy wounds upon
him after the action; notwithstanding which he
lived and was cured of them all. The other person
that escaped the gallows was one Israel Hands, the
master of Blackbeard's sloop, and formerly captain
150 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
of the same, before the Queen Ann's Revenge was
lost in Topsail inlet.
The aforesaid Hands happened not to be in the
fight, but was taken afterwards ashore at Bath
Town, having been sometime before disabled by
Black-beard, in one of his savage humors, after the
following manner: One night, drinking in his
cabin with Hands, the pilot, and another man. Black-
beard, without any provocation, privately draws out
a small pair of pistols, and cocks them under the
table, which being perceived by the man, he with-
drew and went upon deck, leaving Hands, the pilot,
and the captain together. When the pistols were
ready he blew out the candle, and, crossing his
hands, discharged them at his company; Elands, the
master, was shot throgh the knee and lamed for life,
the other pistol did no execution. Being asked the
meaning of this, he only answered by damning them,
that "if he did not now and then kill one of them,
they would forget who he was."
Hands being taken, was tried and condemned,
but Just as he was about to be executed a ship ar-
rived at Virginia with a proclamation for prolong-
ing the time of his Majesty's pardon to such of the
pirates as should surrender by a limited time therein
expressed. Notwithstanding the sentence. Hands
pleaded the pardon, and was allowed the benefit of
it, and was alive some time ago in London, begging
his bread.
Now that we have given some account of Teach's
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 151
life and actions, it will not be amiss that we speak
of his beard, since it did not a little contribute
towards making his name so terrible in those
parts.
Plutarch and other grave historians have taken
notice that several great men amongst the Romans
took their surnames from certain odd marks in their
countenances — as Cicero, from a mark, or vetch, on
his nose — so our hero, Captain Teach, assumed the
cognomen of Blackbeard, from that large quantity
of hair which, like a frightful meteor, covered his
whole face, and frightened America more than any
comet that has appeared there a long time.
This beard was black, which he suffered to grow
of an extravagant length; as to breadth, it came up
to his eyes. He was accustomed to twist it with rib-
bons, in small tails, after the manner of our Ramilie
wigs, and turn them about his ears. In time of ac-
tion he wore a sling over his shoulders, with three
brace of pistols hanging in holsters like bandaliers,
and stuck lighted matches under his hat, which, ap-
pearing on each side of his face, his eyes naturally
looking fierce and wild, made him altogether such a
figure that imagination cannot form an idea of a
fury from hell to look more frightful.
If he had the look of a fury, his humors and pas-
sions were suitable to it.
In the commonwealth of pirates, he who goes the
greatest length of wickedness is looked upon with
a kind of envy amongst them as a person of a more
152 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
extraordinary gallantry, and is thereby entitled to be
distinguished by some post, and if such a one has
but courage, lie must certainly be a great man. The
hero of whom we are writing was thoroughly accom-
plished this way, and some of his frolics of wicked-
ness were so extravagant, as if he aimed at making
his men believe he was a devil incarnate; for being
one day at sea, and a little flushed with drink,
"Come," says he, "let us make a hell of our own,
and try how long we can bear it." Accordingly he,
with two or three others, went down into the hold,
and closing up all the hatches, filled several pots
full of brimstone and other combustible matter, and
set it on fire, and so continued till they were almost
suffocated, when some of the men cried out for air.
At length he opened the hatches, not a little pleased
that he held out the longest.
The night before he was killed he sat up and
drank till the morning with some of his own men
and the master of a merchantman; and having had
intelligence of the two sloops coming to attack him,
as has been before observed, one of his men asked
him, in case anything should happen to him in the
engagement with the sloops, whether his wife knew
where he had buried his money? He answered,
"That nobody but himself and the devil knew where
it was, and the longest liver should take all.
Those of his crew who were taken alive told a
story which may appear a little incredible; however,
we think it will not be fair to omit it since we had it
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 153
from their own mouths. That once upon a cruise
they found out that they had a man on board more
than their crew; such a one was seen several days
amongst them, sometimes below and sometimes upon
deck, yet no man in the ship could give an account
who he was, or from whence he came, but that he
disappeared a little before they were cast away in
their great ship; but it seems they verily believed it
was the devil.
One would think these things should induce them
to reform their lives, but so many reprobates to-
gether, encouraged and spirited one another up in
their wickedness, to which a continual course of
drinking did not a little contribute, for in Black-
beard's journal, which was taken, there were several
memorandums of the following nature found writ
with his own hand: Such a day rum all out; our
company somewhat sober; a damned confusion
amongst us; rouges a-plotting; great talk of separa-
tion; so I looked sharp for a prize; such a day took
one with a great deal of liquor on board, so kept
the company hot, damned hot, then all things went
well again.
Thus it was these wretches passed their lives,
with very little pleasure or satisfaction in the pos-
session of what they violently take away from
others, and sure to pay for it at last by an igno-
minious death.
The names of the pirates killed in the engage-
ment, are as follows: —
154 CRI-AT PIRATE STORIES
Edward lY'ach, commander; IMiilip Morton, gun-
ner; Garret Gibhens, lioatsvvain; Owen Roberts, car-
penter; Tliomas Miller, (|uartermaster ; John
Husk, Joseph Curtice, Joseph Brooks (i), Nath.
Jackson. All the rest, except the two last, were
woundetl, and afterwards hanged in Virginia: —
Joiin Carnes, Joseph Brooks (2), James Blake,
John Gills, Thomas Gates, James White, Richard
Stiles, Ca-sar, Joseph Philips, James Robbins, John
Martin, Edward Salter, Stephen Daniel, Richard
Greensail, Israel Hands, pardoned, Samuel Odel,
acquitted.
There were in the pirate sloops, and ashore In a
tent near where the sloops lay, twenty-five hogs-
heads of sugar, eleven telrces, and one hundred and
forty-five bags of cocoa, a barrel of indigo, and a
bale of cotton; which, with what was taken from
the governor and secretary, and the sale of the
sloop, came to £2,500, besides the rewards paid by
the governor of Virginia, pursuant to his procla-
mation; all which was divided among the compa-
nies of the two ships, Lime and Pearl, that lay in
James River: the brave fellows that took them com-
ing in for no more than their dividend amongst the
rest, and were paid it not till four years afterwards.
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 155
II
Captain William Kid
We are now going to give an account of one
whose name is better known in England than most
of those whose histories we have already related;
the person we mean is Captain Kid, whose public
trial and execution here rendered him the subject
of all conversation, so that his actions have been
chanted about in ballads; however, it is now a con-
siderable time since these things passed, and though
the people knew in general that Captain Kid was
hanged, and that his crime was piracy, yet there
were scarce any, even at that time, who were ac-
quainted with his life or actions, or could account
for his turning pirate.
In the beginning of King William's war. Captain
Kid commanded a privateer in the West Indies, and
by several adventurous actions acquired the reputa-
tion of a brave man, as well as an experienced sea-
man. About this time the pirates were very trouble-
some in those parts, wherefore Captain Kid was
recommended by the Lord Bellamont, then governor
of Barbadoes, as well as by several other persons, to
the Government here, as a person very fit to be en-
trusted with the command of a Government ship,
and to be employed in cruising upon the pirates, as
knowing those seas perfectly well, and being ac-
quainted with all their lurking places; but what rea-
sons governed the politics of those times I cannot
156 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
tell, but this proposal met with no encouragement
here, though it is certain it would have been of great
consequence to the subject, our merchants suffering
incredible damages by those robbers.
Upon this neglect the Lord Bellamont and some
others, who knew what great captures had been
made by the pirates, and what a prodigious wealth
must be in their possession, were tempted to fit out
a ship at their own private charge, and to give the
command of it to Captain Kid; and to give the thing
a great reputation, as well as to keep their seamen
under the better command, they procured the King's
Commission for the said Captain Kid, of which the
following is an exact copy : —
"William Rex, — William the Third, by the grace of
God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, De-
fender of the Faith, &c. To our trusty and well-beloved
Captain William Kid, Commander of the ship the Adventure
galley, or to any other the commander of the same for the
time being, greeting; Whereas we are informed, that Captain
Thomas Too, John Ireland, Captain Thomas Wake, and
Captain William Maze, or Mace, and other subjects, natives
or inhabitants of New York, and elsewhere, in our planta-
tions in America, have associated themselves, with divers
others, wicked and ill-disposed persons, and do, against the
law of nations, commit many and great piracies, robberies,
and depredations on the seas upon the parts of America, and
in other parts, to the great hindrance and discouragement of
trade and navigation, and to the great danger and hurt of our
loving subjects, our allies, and all others, navigating the seas
upon their lawful occasions. Now know ye, that we being
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 157
desirous to prevent the aforesaid mischiefs, and, as much as
in us lies, to bring the said pirates, freebooters and sea-rovers
to justice, have thought fit, and do hereby give and grant to
the said William Kid (to w^hom our Commissioners for
exercising the office of Lord High Admiral of England, have
granted a commission as a private man-of-war, bearing date
December ii, 1695), ^n^ "n^^ the commander of the said
ship for the time being, and unto the officers, mariners, and
others, which shall be under your command, full power and
authority to apprehend, seize, and take into your custody as
well the said Captain Thomas Too, John Ireland, Captain
Thomas Wake, and Captain William Maze, or Mace, as all
such pirates, freebooters and sea-rovers, being either our sub-
jects, or of other nations associated with them, which you
shall meet with upon the seas or coasts of America, or upon
any other seas or coasts, with all their ships and vessels ; and
all such merchandises, money, goods, and wares as shall be
found on board, or with them, in case they shall willingly
yield themselves; but if they will not yield without fighting,
then you are by force to compel them to yield. And we do
also require you to bring, or cause to be brought, such pirates,
freebooters, or sea-rovers, as you shall seize, to a legal trial,
to the end they may be proceeded against according to the
law in such cases. And we do hereby command all our
officers, ministers, and other our loving subjects whatsoever,
to be aiding and assisting to you in the premisses. And we
do hereby enjoin you to keep an exact journal of your pro-
ceedings in the execution of the premisses, and set down the
names of such pirates, and of their officers and company, and
the names of such ships and vessels as you shall by virtue of
these presents take and seize, and the quantities of arms,
ammunition, provision, and lading of such ships, and the true
158 C.KEAT PIRATE STORIES
value of the same, as near as you judge. And we do hereby
strictly charge and command you as you will answer the
contrary at your peril, that you do not, in any manner, offend
or molest our friends or allies, their ships, or subjects, by
colour or pretence of these presents, or the authority thereby
granted. In witness whereof we have caused our Great Seal
of England to be affixed to these presents. Given at our
Court of Kensington, the 26th day of January, 1695, in the
seventh year of our reign."
Captain Kid had also another commission, which
was called a Commission of Reprisals; for it being
then war time, this commission was to justify him in
the taking of French merchant ships, in case he
should meet with any.
With these two commissions he sailed out of
Plymouth in May, 1696, in the Adventure galley of
thirty guns and eighty men. The place he first de-
signed for was New York; in his voyage thither he
took a French banker, but this was no act of piracy,
he having a commission for that purpose, as we have
just observed.
When he arrived at New York he put up articles
for engaging more hands, it being necessary to his
ship's crew, since he proposed to deal with a des-
perate enemy. The terms he ofifered were that every
man should have a share of what was taken, re-
serving for himself and owners forty shares. Upon
which encouragement he soon increased his com-
pany to a hundred and fifty-five men.
With this company he sailed first for Madeira.
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 159
where he took in wine and some other necessaries;
from thence he proceeded to Bonavist, one of the
Cape de Verde islands, to furnish the ship with salt,
and from thence went immediately to St. Jago, an-
other of the Cape de Verde islands, in order to
stock himself with provisions. When all this was
done he bent his course to Madagascar, the known
rendezvous of pirates. In his way he fell in with
Captain Warren, commodore of three men-of-war;
he acquainted them with his design, kept them com-
pany two or three days, and then leaving them made
the best way for Madagascar, where he arrived in
February, 1696, just nine months from his depar-
ture from Plymouth.
It happened that at this time the pirate ships were
most of them out in search of prey, so that, ac-
cording to the best intelligence Captain Kid could
get, there was not one of them at this time about
the island, wherefore, having spent some time in
watering his ship and taking in more provisions, he
thought of trying his fortune on the coast of Mala-
bar, where he arrived in the month of June follow-
ing, four months from his reaching Madagascar.
Hereabouts he made an unsuccessful cruise, touch-
ing sometimes at the island of Mahala, sometimes
at that of Joanna, between Malabar and Madagas-
car. His provisions were every day wasting, and
his ship began to want repair; wherefore, when he
was at Joanna, he found means of borrowing a sum
of money from some Frenchmen who had lost their
160 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
ship, hut saved their effects, and with this he pur-
chased materials for putting his ship in good repair.
It does not appear all this while that he had the
least design of turning pirate, for near Mahala and
Joanna both he met with several Indian ships richly
laden, to which he did not offer the least violence,
though he was strong enough to have done what he
pleased with them; and the first outrage or depreda-
tion I find he committed upon mankind was after
his repairing his ship and leaving Joanna. He
touched at a place called Mabbee, upon the Red
Sea, where he took some Guinea corn from the
natives, by force.
After this he sailed to Bab's Key, a place upon
a little island at the entrance of the Red Sea. Here
it was that he first began to open himself to his
ship's company, and let them understand that he in-
tended to change his measures; for, happening to
talk of the Moca fleet which was to sail that way, he
said, "We have been unsuccessful hitherto; but
courage, my boys, we'll make our fortunes out of
this fleet." And finding that none of them ap-
peared averse to it he ordered a boat out, well
manned, to go upon the coast to make discoveries,
commanding them to take a prisoner and bring to
him, or get intelligence any way they could. The
boat returned in a few days, bringing him word
that they saw fourteen or fifteen ships ready to sail,
some with English, some with Dutch, and some with
Moorish colors.
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 161
We cannot account for this sudden change in his
conduct, otherwise than by supposing that he first
meant well, while he had hopes of making his for-
tune by taking of pirates; but now, weary of ill-
success, and fearing lest his owners, out of humor at
their great expenses, should dismiss him, and he
should want employment, and be marked out for
an unlucky man — rather, I say, than run the hazard
of poverty, he resolved to do his business one way,
since he could not do it another.
He therefore ordered a man continually to watch
at the mast-head, lest this fleet should go by them;
and about four days after, towards evening it ap-
peared in sight, being convoyed by one English and
one Dutch man-of-war. Kid soon fell in with them,
and, getting into the midst of them, fired at a
Moorish ship which was next him; but the men-of-
war, taking the alarm, bore down upon Kid, and,
firing upon him, obliged him to sheer off, he not be-
ing strong enough to contend with them. Now he
had begun hostilities he resolved to go on, and there-
fore he went and cruised along the coast of Mala-
bar. The first prize he met was a small vessel be-
longing to Aden; the vessel was Moorish, and the
owners were Moorish merchants, but the master was
an Englishman; his name was Parker. Kid forced
him and a Portuguese that was called Don Antonio,
which were all the Europeans on board, to take on
with them; the first he designed as a pilot, and the
last as an interpreter. He also used the men very
162 grI':at pirati- srr)Rii:s
cruelly, causing them to be hoisted up by the arms,
and tl rubbed with a naked cutlass, to force them to
discover whether they had money on board, and
where it lay; but as they had neither gold nor silver
on board he got nothing by his cruelty; however, he
took from them a bale of pepper, and a bale of cof-
fee, and so let them go.
A little time after he touched at Carawar, a place
upon the same coast, where, before he arrived, the
news of what he had done to the Moorish ship had
reached them; for some of the English merchants
there had received an account of it from the owners,
who corresponded with them; wherefore, as soon as
Kid came in, he was suspected to be the person who
committed this piracy, and one Mr. Harvey and
Mr. Mason, two of the English factory, came on
board and asked for Parker and Antonio, the Portu-
guese, but Kid denied that he knew any such per-
sons, having secured them both in a private place in
the hold, where they were kept for seven or eight
days, that is till Kid sailed from thence.
However, the coast was alarmed, and a Portu-
guese man-of-war was sent out to cruise. Kid met
with her, and fought her about six hours, gallantly
enough; but finding her too strong to be taken, he
quitted her, for he was able to run away from
her when he would. Then he went to a place
called Porco, where he watered the ship, and bought
a number of hogs of the natives to victual his com-
pany.
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 163
Soon after this he came up with a Moorish ship,
the master whereof was a Dutchman, called Schip-
per Mitchel, and chased her under French colors,
which, they observing, hoisted French colors too.
When he came up with her he hailed her in French,
and they, having a Frenchman on board, answered
him in the same language; upon which he ordered
them to send their boat on board. They were
obliged to do so, and having examined who they
were, and from whence they came, he asked the
Frenchman, who was a passenger. If he had a French
pass for himself? The Frenchman gave him to
understand that he had. Then he told the French-
man he must pass for captain, and "by G — d," says
he, "you are the captain." The Frenchman durst
not refuse doing as he would have him. The mean-
ing of this was, that he would seize the ship as fair
prize, and as if she had belonged to French sub-
jects, according to a commission he had for that
purpose; though, one would think, after what he had
already done, that he need not have recourse to a
quibble to give his actions a color.
In short, he took the cargo and sold it some time
after; yet still he seemed to have some fears upon
him lest these proceedings should have a bad end,
for, coming up with a Dutch ship some time, when
his men thought of nothing but attacking her. Kid
opposed It; upon which a mutiny arose, and the ma-
jority being for taking the said ship, and arming
themselves to man the boat to go and seize her, he
164 gr]<:at iMRA^ri-: sroRii-is
told them, such as did, never should come on board
him again, which put an end to the design, so that
he kept company with the said ship some time, with-
out offering her any violence. However, this dis-
pute was the occasion of an accident, upon which
an indictment was afterwards grounded against
Kid; for Moor, the gunner, being one day upon
deck, and talking with Kid about the said Dutch
ship, some words arose between them, and Moor
told Kid that he had ruined them all; upon which
Kid, calling him dog, took up a bucket and struck
him with it, which, breaking his skull, he died the
next day.
But Kid's penitential fit did not last long, for,
coasting along Malabar, he met with a great num-
ber of boats, all which he plundered. Upon the
same coast he also lighted upon a Portuguese ship,
which he kept possession of a week, and then, hav-
ing taken out of her some chests of Indian goods,
thirty jars of butter, with some wax, iron, and a
hundred bags of rice, he let her go.
Much about the same time he went to one of the
Malabar islands for wood and water, and his cooper,
being ashore, was murdered by the natives; upon
which Kid himself landed, and burnt and pillaged
several of their houses, the people running away;
but having taken one, he caused him to be tied to a
tree, and commanded one of his men to shoot him;
then putting to sea again he took the greatest prize
which fell into his hands while he followed his trade.
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 165
This was a Moorish ship of four hundred tons,
richly laden, named the Queda, merchant, the mas-
ter whereof was an Englishman — he was called
Wright, for the Indians often make use of English
or Dutch men to command their ships, their own
mariners not being so good artists in navigation.
Kid chased her under French colors, and, having
come up with her, he ordered her to hoist out her
boat and to send on board of him, which, being
done, he told Wright he was his prisoner; and in-
forming himself concerning the said ship, he under-
stood there were no Europeans on board except two
Dutch, and one Frenchman, all the rest being In-
dians or Armenians, and that the Armenians were
part owners of the cargo. Kid gave the Armenians
to understand that if they would offer anything that
was worth his taking for their ransom, he would
hearken to it; upon which they proposed to pay him
twenty thousand rupees, not quite three thousand
pounds sterling; but Kid judged this would be mak-
ing a bad bargain, wherefore he rejected it, and set-
ting the crew on shore at different places on the
coast, he soon sold as much of the cargo as came to
near ten thousand pounds. With part of it he also
trafficked, receiving in exchange provisions or such
other goods as he wanted. By degrees he disposed
of the whole cargo, and when the division was made
it came to about two hundred pounds a man, and,
having reserved forty shares to himself, his dividend
amounted to about eight thousand pounds sterling.
166 GRF.AT PIRA'rr: STORIFS
The Indians along the coast came on board and
trafficked with all freedom, and he punctually per-
formetl his bargains, till about the time he was ready
to sail; and then, thinking he should have no fur-
ther occasion for them, he made no scruple of taking
their goods and setting them on shore without any
payment in money or goods, which they little ex-
pected; for as they had been used to deal with
pirates, they always found them men of honor in
the way of trade — a people, enemies to deceit, and
that scorned to rob but in their own way.
Kid put some of his men on board the Queda,
merchant, and with this ship and his own sailed
for Madagascar. As soon as he was arrived and
had cast anchor there came on board of him a canoe,
in which were several Englishmen who had for-
merly been well acquainted wMth Kid. As soon as
they saw him they saluted him and told him they
were informed he was come to take them, and hang
them, which would be a little unkind in such an old
acquaintance. Kid soon dissipated their doubts by
swearing he had no such design, and that he was now
in every respect their brother, and just as bad as
they, and, calling for a cup of bomboo, drank their
captain's health.
These men belonged to a pirate ship, called the
Resolution, formerly the Mocco, merchant, whereof
one Captain Culliford was commander, and which
lay at an anchor not far from them. Kid went on
board with them, promising them his friendship and
7
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 167
assistance, and CuUiford In his turn came on board
of Kid; and Kid, to testify his sincerity In Iniquity,
finding Culliford in want of some necessaries, made
him a present of an anchor and some guns, to fit
him out for the sea again.
The Adventure galley was now so old and leaky
that they were forced to keep two pumps continually
going, wherefore Kid shifted all the guns and tackle
out of her into the Qiieda, merchant, intending her
for his man-of-war; and as he had divided the money
before, he now made a division of the remainder of
the cargo. Soon after which the greatest part of
the company left him, some going on board Cap-
tain Culliford, and others absconding In the country,
so that he had not above forty men left.
He put to sea and happened to touch at Amboyna,
one of the Dutch spice islands, where he was told
that the news of his actions had reached England,
and that he was there declared a pirate.
The truth of it Is, his piracies so alarmed our
merchants that some motions were made In Parlia-
ment, to Inquire into the commission that was given
him, and the persons who fitted him out. These pro-
ceedings seemed to lean a little hard upon the Lord
Bellamont, who thought himself so much touched
thereby that he published a justification of himself
in a pamphlet after Kid's execution. In the mean-
time it was thought advisable, in order to stop the
course of these piracies, to publish a proclamation,
offering the king's free pardon to all such pirates as
168 GRKAT PIRATE STORIES
should voluntarily surrender themselves, whatever
piracies they had been guilty of at any time, before
the last day of April, 1699. That is to say, for all
piracies committed eastward of the Cape of Good
Hope, to the longitude antl meridian of Socatora
and Cape Camorin. In which proclamation Avery *
and Kid were excepted by name.
When Kiel left Amboyna he knew nothing of
this proclamation, for certainly had he had notice
of his being excepted in it he would not have been
so infatuated to run himself into the very jaws of
danger; but relying upon his interest with the Lord
Bellamont, and fancying that a French pass or two
he found on board some of the ships he took would
serve to countenance the matter, and that part of
the booty he got would gain him new friends — I say,
all these things made him flatter himself that all
would be hushed, and that justice would "but wink
at him. Wherefore he sailed directly for New
York, where he was no sooner arrived but by the
Lord Bellamont's orders he was secured with all his
papers and effects. Many of his fellow-adventurers
who had forsook him at Madagascar, came over
from thence passengers, some to New England, and
some to Jersey, where, hearing of the king's procla-
mation for pardoning of pirates, they surrendered
themselves to the governor of those places. At first
they were admitted to ball, but soon after were laid
* Avery was called "The King of the Pirates." See "The
Daughter of the Great Mogul."
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 169
in strict confinement, where they were kept for some
time, till an opportunity happened of sending them
with their captain over to England to be tried.
Accordingly, a Sessions of Admiralty being held
at the Old Bailey, in May, 1701, Captain Kid,
Nicholas Churchill, James How, Robert Lumley,
William Jenkins, Gabriel Loff, Hugh Parrot, Rich-
ard Barlicorn, Abel Owens, and Darby Mullins,
were arraigned for piracy and robbery on the high
seas, and all found guilty except three: these were
Robert Lumley, William Jenkins, and Richard
Barlicorn, who, proving themselves to be appren-
tices to some of the officers of the ship, and pro-
ducing their indentures in court, were acquitted.
The three above mentioned, though they were
proved to be concerned in taking and sharing the
ship and goods mentioned in the indictment, yet, as
the gentlemen of the long robe rightly distinguished,
there was a great difference between their circum-
stances and the rest; for there must go an intention
of the mind and a freedom of the will to the com-
mitting an act of felony or piracy. A pirate is not
to be understood to be under constraint, but a free
agent; for, in this case, the bare act will not make
a man guilty, unless the will make it so.
Kid was tried upon an indictment of murder also
— viz., for killing Moor, the gunner — and found
guilty of the same.
As to Captain Kid's defense, he insisted much
upon his own innocence, and the villainy of his men.
170 GREAT PI RATI- STORIES
He said he went out in a laudable employment, and
had no occasion, bcin^ then in ^ood circumstances,
to go a-pirating; that the men often mutinied against
him, and did as they pleased; that he was threatened
to he shot in his cabin, and that ninety-five left him
at one time, and set fire to his boat, so that he was
disabled from bringing his ship home, or the prizes
he took, to have them regularly condemned, which
he said were taken by virtue of a commission under
the broad seal, they having French passes. 1 he
captain called one Colonel Hewson to his reputation,
who gave him an extraordinary character, and de-
clared to the court that he had served under his
command, and been in two engagements with him
against the French, in which he fought as well as
any man he ever saw; that there were only Kid's
ship and his own against Monsieur du Cass, who
commanded a squadron of six sail, and they got the
better of him. But this being several years before
the facts mentioned in the indictment were com-
mitted, proved of no manner of service to the pris-
oner on his trial.
As CO the friendship shown to Culliford, a notori-
ous pirate. Kid denied, and said he intended to have
taken him, but his men, being a parcel of rogues and
villains, refused to stand by him, and several of them
ran away from his ship to the said pirate. But the
evidence being full and particular against him, he
was found guilty as before mentioned.
When Kid was asked what he had to say why
I
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 171
sentence should not pass against him, he answered
that "he had nothing to say, but that he had been
sworn against by perjured, wicked people." And
when sentence was pronounced, he said, "My lord,
it is a very hard sentence. For my part I am the
innocentest person of them all, only I have been
sworn against by perjured persons."
Wherefore, about a week after. Captain Kid,
Nicholas Churchill, James How, Gabriel Loff,
Hugh Parrot, Abel Owen, and Darby Mullins, were
executed at Execution Dock, and afterwards hung
up in chains, at some distance from each other down
the river, where their bodies hung exposed for many
years.
Ill
Captain Bartholomew Roberts and His Crew
Bartholomew Roberts sailed in an honest employ
from London, aboard of the Princess, Captain
Plumb, commander, of which ship he was second
mate. He left England November, 17 19, and
arrived at Guinea a;bout February following and
being at Anamaboe, taking in slaves for the West
Indies, was taken in the said ship by Captain Howel
Davis. In the beginning he was very averse to this
sort of life, and would certainly have escaped from
them had a fair opportunity presented itself; yet
afterwards he changed his principles, as many be-
sides him have done upon another element, and per-
haps for the same reason too, viz., preferment; and
172 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
what he did not like as a private man he could recon-
cile to his conscience as a commander.
Davis having been killed in the Island of Prin-
ces whilst planning to capture it with all its inhabit-
ants, the company found themselves under the neces-
sity of filling up liis post, for which there appeared
two or three candidates among the select part of
them that were distinguished by the title of Lords
— such were Sympson, Ashplant, Anstis, &c. — and
on canvassing this matter, how shattered and weak a
condition their government must be without a head,
since Davis had been removed in the manner before
mentioned, my Lord Dennis proposed, it is said,
over a bowl, to this purpose:
"That it was not of any great signification who
was dignified with title, for really and in good truth
all good governments had, like theirs, the supreme
power lodged with the community, who might doubt-
less depute and revoke as suited interest or humor.
We are the original of 'this claim," says he, "and
should a captain be so saucy as to exceed prescription
at any time, why, down with him! It will be a cau-
tion after he is dead to his successors of what fatal
consequence any sort of assuming may be. How-
ever, it is my advice that while we are sober we
pitch upon a marh of courage and skilled in naviga-
tion, one who by his council and bravery seems best
stble to defend this commonwealth, and ward us
from the dangers and tempests of an unstable ele-
ment, and the fatal consequences of anarchy; and
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 173
such a one I take Roberts to be — a fellow, I think,
in all respects worthy your esteem and favor."
This speech was loudly applauded by all but Lord
Sympson, who had secret expectations himself, but
on this disappointment grew sullen and left them,
swearing "he did not care who they chose captain
so it was not a papist, for against them he had con-
ceived an irreconcilable hatred, for that his father
had been a sufferer in Monmouth's rebellion."
Roberts was accordingly elected, though he had
not been above six weeks among them. The choice
was confirmed both by the Lords and Commoners,
and he accepted of the honor, saying that, since he
had dipped his hands in muddy water and must be
a pirate, it was better being a commander than a
common man.
As soon as the government was settled, by pro-
moting other officers in the room of those that were
killed by the Portuguese, the company resolved to
avenge Captain Davis's death, he being more than
ordinarily respected by the crew for his affability and
good nature, as well as his conduct and bravery upon
all occasions; and, pursuant to this resolution, about
thirty men were landed, in order to make an attack
upon the fort, which must be ascended to by a steep
hill against the mouth of the cannon. These men
were headed by one Kennedy, a bold, daring fellow,
but very wicked and profligate; they marched di-
rectly up under the fire of their ship guns, and as
soon as they were discovered, the Portuguese
174 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
quitted their post and fled to the town, and the
pirates marched in without opposition, set fire to
the fort, and threw all the guns off the hill into the
sea, which after they had done they retreated quietly
to their ship.
But this was not looked upon as a sufficient sat-
isfaction for the injury they received, therefore most
of the company were for burning the town, which
Roberts said he would yield to if any means could be
proposed of doing it without their own destruction,
for the town had a securer situation than the fort,
a thick wood coming almost close to it, affording
cover to the defendants, who, under such an ad-
vantage, he told them, it was to be feared, would
fire and stand better to their arms; beside, that bare
houses would be but a slender reward for their trou-
ble and loss. This prudent advice prevailed; how-
ever, they mounted the French ship they seized at
this place with twelve guns, and lightened her, in
order to come up to the town, the water being shoal,
and battered down several houses; after which they
all returned on board, gave back the French ship to
those that had most right to her, and sailed out of
the harbor by the light of two Portuguese ships,
which they were pleased to set on fire there.
Roberts stood away to the southward, and met
with a Dutch Guineaman, which he made prize of,
but, after having plundered her, the skipper had his
ship again. Two days after he took an English
ship, called the Experiment, Captain Cornet, at
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 175
Cape Lopez; the men went all into the pirate service,
and having no occasion for the ship they burnt her
and then steered for St. Thome, but meeting with
nothing in their way, they sailed for Annabona, and
there watered, took in provisions, and put it to a
vote of the company whether their next voyage
should be to the East Indies or to Brazil. The lat-
ter being resolved on, they sailed accordingly, and in
twenty-eight days arrived at Ferdinando, an unin-
habited island on that coast. Here they watered,
boot-topped t'heir ship, and made ready for the de-
signed cruise.
Upon this coast our rovers cruised for abaut mne
weeks, keeping generally out of sight of land, but
without seeing a sail, which discouraged them so
that they determined to leave the station and steer
for the West Indies; and, in order thereto, stood
in to make the land for the taking of their depar-
ture; and thereby they fell in unexpectedly with a
fleet of forty-two sail of Portuguese ships off the bay
of Los Todos Santos, with all their lading in, for
Lisbon, several of them of good force, who lay-to
waiting for two men-of-war of seventy guns each,
their convoy. However, Roberts thought it should
go hard with him, but he would make up his market
among them, and thereupon mixed with the fleet, and
kept his men hid till proper resolutions could be
formed. That done, they came close up to one of
the deepest, and ordered her to send the master on
board quietly, threatening to give them no quarter if
176 GREAT PIRATF STORIES
any resistance or signal of distress was made. The
Portuguese, being surprised at these threats, and the
sudden flourish of cutlasses from the pirates, sub-
mitted without a word, and the captain came on
board. Roberts saluted him after a friendly man-
ner telling him that they were gentlemen of for-
tune, but that their business with him was only to be
informed which was the richest ship in that fleet;
and if he directed them right he should be restored
to his ship without molestation, otherwise he must
expect immediate death.
Whereupon this Portuguese master pointed to
one of forty guns and a hundred and fifty men, a
ship of greater force than the Rozer;'hut this no
ways dismayed them; they were Portuguese, they
said, and so immediately steered away for him.
When they came within hail, the master whom they
had prisoner was ordered to ask "how Seignior Cap-
tain did?" and to invite him on board, "for that he
had a matter of consequence to impart to him;"
which being done, he returned for answer that "he
would wait upon him presently," but by the bustle
that immediately followed, the pirates perceived
that they were discovered, and that this was only a
deceitful answer to gain time to put their ship in a
posture of defense; so without further delay they
poured in a broadside, boarded, and grappled her.
The dispute was short and warm, wherein many of
the Portuguese fell, and two only of the pirates. By
this time the fleet was alarmed : signals of top-gallant
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 177
sheets flying and guns fired to give notice to the
men-of-war, who rid still at an anchor, and made but
scurvy haste out to their assistance; and if what the
pirates themselves related to be true, the comman-
ders of those ships were blameable to the highest
degree, and unworthy the title, or so much as the
name, of men. For Roberts, finding the prize to
sail heavy, and yet resolving not to lose her, lay
by for the headmost of them, which much outsailed
the other, and prepared for battle, which was Igno-
miniously declined, though of such superior force;
for, not daring to venture on the pirate alone, he
tarried so long for his consort as gave them both
time leisurely to make off.
They found this ship exceedingly rich, being
laden chiefly with sugar, skins, and tobacco, and in
gold forty thousand moidores, besides chains and
trinkets of considerable value; particularly a cross
set with diamonds designed for the king of Portu-
gal, which they afterwards presented to the gov-
ernor of Caiana, by whom they were obliged.
Elated with this booty, they had nothing now to
think of but some safe retreat where they might
give themselves up to all the pleasures that luxury
and wantonness could bestow; and for the present
pitched upon a place called the Devil's Islands in
the river of Surinam, on the coast of Caiana, where
they arrived, and found the civilest reception imagi-
nable, not only from the governor and factory, but
178 GREAT PIRATi: STORIES
their wives, who cxchanpjed wares, and (Irf)ve a con-
sitierable trade with them.
They seized in this river a sloop, and by her
gained inteUigence that a brigantine had alscj sailed
in company with her from Rhode Island, laden with
provisions for the coast — a welcome cargo! They
growing short in the sea store, and, as Sancho says,
"No adventures to be made without belly-timber."
One evening, as they were rummaging their mine of
treasure, the Portuguese prize, this expected vessel
was descried at the masthead, and Roberts, imagin-
ing nobody could do the business so well as him-
self, takes forty men in the sloop, and goes in pur-
suit of her; but a fatal accident followed this rash,
though inconsiderable adventure, for Roberts, think-
ing of nothing less than bringing in the brigantine
that afternoon, never troubled his head about the
sloop's provision, nor inquired what there was on
board to subsist such a number of men; but out he
sails after his expected prize, which he not only lost
further sight of, but after eight days' contending
with contrary winds and currents, found themselves
thirty leagues to leeward. The current still oppos-
ing their endeavors, and perceiving no hopes of beat-
ing up to their ship, they came to an anchor, and in-
considerately sent away the boat to give the rest of
the company notice of their condition, and to order
the ship to them; but too soon — even the next day
— their wants made them sensible of their infatua-
tion, for their water was all expended, and they
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 179
had taken no thought how they should be supplied
till either the ship came or the boat returned, which
was not likely to be under five or six days. Here,
like Tantalus, they almost famished in sight of the
fresh streams and lakes, being drove to such ex-
tremity at last that they were forced to tear up the
floor of the cabin and patch up a sort of tub or tray
with ropeyarns to paddle ashore and fetch off imme-
diate supplies of water to preserve life.
After some days the long-wished-for boat came
back, but with the most unwelcome news in the
world; for Kennedy, who was lieutenant, and left,
in absence of Roberts, to command the privateer
and prize, was gone off with both. This was morti-
fication with a vengeance, and you may imagine they
did not depart without some hard speeches from
those that were left and had suffered by their treach-
ery. And that there need be no further mention of
this Kennedy, I shall leave Captain Roberts to vent
his wrath in a few oaths and execrations, and fol-
low the other, whom we may reckon from that time
as steering his course towards Execution Dock.
Kennedy was now chosen captain of the revolted
crew, but could not bring his company to any deter-
mined resolution. Some of them were for pursuing
the old game, but the greater part of them seemed
to have inclinations to turn from those evil courses,
and get home privately, for there was no act of
pardon in force; therefore they agreed to break up,
and every man to shift for himself, as he should
180 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
sec occasion. The first thing they did was to part
with tiic great Portuguese prize, and having the
master of the sloop (whose name, I think, was
Cane) aboard, who, they said, was a very honest
fellow — for he had humored them upon every occa-
sion — told them of the brigantine that Roberts
went after; and when the pirates first took him he
complimented them at any odd rate, telling them
they were welcome to his sloop and cargo, and
wished that the vessel had been larger and the load-
ing richer for their sakes. To this good-natured man
they gave the Portuguese ship, which was then above
half loaded, three or four negroes, and all his own
men, who returned thanks to his kind benefactors,
and departed.
Captain Kennedy, in the Rover, sailed to Bar-
badoes, near which island they took a very peace-
able ship belonging to Virginia. The commander
was a Quaker, whose name was Knot; he had
neither pistol, sword, nor cutlass on board; and Mr.
Knot appearing so very passive to all they said to
him, some of them thought this a good opportunity
to go off; and accordingly eight of the pirates went
aboard, and he carried them safe to Virginia. They
made the Quaker a present of ten chests of sugar,
ten rolls of Brazil tobacco, thirty moidores, and
some gold dust, in all to the value of about £250.
They also made presents to the sailors, some more,
some less, and lived a jovial life all the while they
were upon their voyage, Captain Knot giving them
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 181
their way; nor, indeed, could he help himself, unless
he had taken an opportunity to surprise them when
they were either drunk or asleep, for awake they
wore arms aboard the ship and put him in a con-
tinual terror, it not being his principle (or the
sect's) to fight, unless with art and collusion. He
managed these weapons well till he arrived at the
Capes; and afterwards four of the pirates went off
in a boat, which they had taken with them for the
more easily making their escapes, and made up the
bay towards Maryland, but were forced back by a
storm into an obscure place of the country, where,
meeting with good entertainment among the
planters, they continued several days without being
discovered to be pirates. In the meantime Captain
Knot, leaving four others on board his ship who in-
tended to go to North Carolina, made what haste
he could to discover to Mr, Spotswood, the gov-
ernor, what sort of passengers he had been forced
to bring with him, who, by good fortune, got them
seized; and search being made after the others, who
were revelling about the country, they were also
taken, and all tried, convicted, and hanged; two
Portuguese Jews, who were taken on the coast of
Brazil and whom they brought with them to Vir-
ginia, being the principal evidences. The latter had
found means to lodge part of their wealth with the
planters, who never brought it to account. But Cap-
tain Knot surrendered up everything that belonged
to them that were taken aboard, even what they
182 r.RI'AT I>IRATF- STORIES
presented to him, In lieu of such things as they
iiad phinilcrcd him of in their passage, and obliged
liis men to do the hkc.
Some days after the taking of the Virginiaman
last mentioned, in cruising in the latitude of
Jamaica, Kennedy took a sloop bound thither from
Boston, loaded with bread and flour; aboard of this
sloop went all the hands who were for breaking
the gang, and left those behind that had a mind to
pursue further adventures. Among the former was
Kennedy, their captain, of whose honor they had
such a despicable notion that they were about to
throw him overboard when they found him in the
sloop, as fearing he might betray them all at their
return to England; he having in his childhood been
bred a pick-pocket, and before he became a pirate a
house-breaker; both professions that these gentle-
men have a very mean opinion of. However, Cap-
tain Kennedy, by taking solemn oaths of fidelity to
his companions, was suffered to proceed with them.
In this company there was but one that pretended
to any skill in navigation (for Kennedy could
neither write nor read, he being preferred to the
command merely for his courage, which indeed he
had often signalized, particularly in taking the Por-
tuguese ship), and he proved to be a pretender
only; for, shaping their course to Ireland, where
they agreed to land, they ran away to the north-
west coast of Scotland, and there were tossed about
by hard storms of wind for several days without
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 183
knowing where they were, and in great danger of
perishing. At length they pushed the vessel into a
little creek and went all ashore, leaving the sloop
at an anchor for the next comers.
The whole company refreshed themselves at a
little village about five miles from the place where
they left the sloop, and passed there for ship-
wrecked sailors, and no doubt might have travelled
on without suspicion, but the mad and riotous man-
ner of their living on the road occasioned their
journey to be cut short, as we shall observe pres-
ently.
Kennedy and another left them here, and, trav-
elling to one of the seaports, shipped themselves for
Ireland, and arrived there in safety. Six or seven
wisely withdrew from the rest, travelled at their
leisure, and got to their much-desired port of Lon-
don without being disturbed or suspected, but the
main gang alarmed the country wherever they
came, drinking and roaring at such a rate that the
people shut themselves up in their houses, in some
places not daring to venture out among so many
mad fellows. In other villages they treated the
whole town, squandering their money away as if,
like ^sop, they wanted to lighten their burthens.
This expensive manner of living procured two of
their drunken stragglers to be knocked on the head,
they being found murdered in the road and their
money taken from them. All the rest, to the num-
ber of seventeen, as they drew nigh to Edinburgh,
184 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
were arrested and thrown into gaol upon suspicion
of they knew not what; however, the magistrates
were not long at a loss for proper accusations, for
two of the gang offering themselves for evidences
were accepted of, and the others were brought to a
speedy trial, whereof nine were convicted and exe-
cuted.
Kennedy having spent all his money, came over
from Ireland and kept a public-house on Deptford
Road, and now and then it was thought, made an
excursion abroad in the way of his former profes-
sion, till one of his household gave information
against him for a robber>\ for which he was com-
mitted to Bridewell; but because she would not do
the business by halves she found out a mate of a
ship that Kennedy had committed piraq.* upon, as
he foolishly confessed to her. This mate, whose
name was Grant, ^2id Kennedy a \-isit in Bridewell,
and knowing him to be the man, procured a warrant,
and had him committed to the Marshalsea prison.
The game that Kennedy had now to play was to
turn evidence himself; accordingly he gave a list of
eight or ten of his comrades, but, not being ac-
quainted with their habitations, one only was taken,
who, though condemned, appeared to be a man of a
fair character, was forced into their service, and
took the first opportunity," to get from them, and
therefore received a pardon; but Walter Kennedy,
being a notorious offender, was executed July 19,
1 72 1, at Execution Dock.
THREE NOTORIOUS PIR.\TES 185
The rest of the pirates who were left in the ship
Rozer stayed not long behind, for they went ashore
to one of the West India islands. What became of
them afterwards I cannot tell, but the ship was
found at sea by a sloop belonging to 5"/. Chris-
tophers, and carried into that island with only nine
negroes aboard.
Thus we see what a disastrous fate ever attends
the wicked, and how rarely they escape the punish-
ment due to their crimes, who, abandoned to such
a profligate life, rob, spoil, and prey upon mankind,
contrary to the light and law of nature, as well as
the law of God. It might have been hoped that
the exam.ples of these deaths would have been as
marks to the remainder of this gang, how to shun
the rocks their companions had split on; that they
would have surrendered to mercy, or divided them-
selves for ever from such pursuits, as in the end
they might be sure would subject them to the same
law and punishment, which they must be conscious
they now equally deserved; impending law, which
never let them sleep well unless when drunk. But all
the use that was made of it here, was to commend
the justice of the court that condemned Kennedy, for
he was a sad dog, they said, and deserved the fate
he met with.
But to go back to Roberts, whom we left on the
coast of Caiana, in a grievous passion at what
Kennedy and the crew had done, and who was now
projecting new adventures with his small company
186 gri-:at pi rati- stortfs
in the sloop; but findinj^ hitherto they had been but
as a rope of sand, they formed a set of articles to
be signed ami sworn to for the better conservation
of their society, and doing justice to one anotfier, ex-
cluding all Irishmen from the benefit of it, to whom
they had an implacable aversion upon the account of
Kennedy. How, indeed, Roberts could think that
an oath would be obligatory where defiance had
been given to the laws of God and man, I cannot
tell, but he thought their greatest security lay in
this — "that it was every one's interest to observe
them, if they minded to keep up so abominable a
combination."
The following is the substance of articles as taken
from the pirates own informations: —
I
Every man has a vote in affairs of moment, has
equal title to the fresh provisions or strong liquors
at any time seized, and may use them at pleasure,
unless a scarcity (no uncommon thing among them)
make it necessary for the good of all to vote a re-
trenchment.
II
Every man to be called fairly in turn by list, on
board of prizes, because, over and above their
proper share, they were on these occasions allowed a
shift of clothes. But if they defrauded the com-
pany to the value of a dollar, in plate, jewels, or
money, marooning was their punishment. (This
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 187
was a barbarous custom of putting the offender on
shore, on some desolate or uninhabited cape or
island, with a gun, a few shot, a bottle of water, a
bottle of powder, to subsist with or starve.) If the
robbery was only between one another, they con-
tented themselves with slitting the ears and nose of
him that was guilty, and set him on shore, not in an
uninhabited place, but somewhere where he was
sure to encounter hardships.
Ill
No person to game at cards or dice for money.
IV
The lights and candles to be put out at eight
o'clock at night. If any of the crew after that hour
still remained inclined for drinking, they were to do
it on the open deck. (Which Roberts believed
would give a check to their debauches, for he was
a sober man himself, but found at length that all
his endeavors to put an end to this debauch proved
ineffectual.)
V
To keep their piece, pistols, and cutlass clean, and
fit for service. (In this they were extravagantly
nice, endeavoring to outdo one another in the beauty
and richness of their arms, giving sometimes at an
auction — at the mast — £30 or £40 a pair for pistols.
These were slung in time of service, with different
colored ribbons, over their shoulders, in a way pecu-
Har to these fellows, in which they took great de-
light.)
188 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
VI
No l)()y or woman to be allowed amongst them.
If any man were found seducing any of the latter
sex, and carried her to sea disguised, he was to suf-
fer death. (So that when any fell into their hands,
as it chanced in the Onslow, they put a sentinel
immediately over her to prevent ill consequences
from so dangerous an instrument of division and
quarrel; but then here lies the roguery — they con-
tend who shall be sentinel, which happens generally
to one of the greatest bullies.
VII
To desert the ship or their quarters in battle, was
punished with death or marooning.
VIII
No striking one another on board, but every
man's quarrel to be ended on shore, at sword and
pistol. Thus the quartermaster of the ship, when
the parties will not come to any reconciliation, ac-
companies them on shore with what assistance he
thinks proper, and turns the disputants back to back
at so many paces distance. At the word of com-
mand they turn and fire immediately, or else the
piece is knocked out of their hands. If both miss,
they come to their cutlasses, and then he is declared
victor who draws the first blood.
IX
No man to talk of breaking up their way of liv-
ing till each had shared £i,ooo. If, in order to this,
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 189
any man should lose a limb, or become a cripple in
their service, he was to have 800 dollars out of the
public stock, and for lesser hurts proportionably.
X
The captain and quartermaster to receive two
shares of a prize; the master, boatswain, and gun-
ner, one share and a half, the other officers one and
a quarter.
XI
The musicians to have rest on the Sabbath-day,
but the other six days and nights none without spe-
cial favor.
These, we are assured, were some of Roberts's
articles, but as they had taken care to throw over-
board the original they had signed and sworn to,
there is a great deal of room to suspect the re-
mainder contained something too horrid to be dis-
closed to any, except such as were willing to be
sharers In the Iniqult}^ of them. Let them be what
they will, they were together the test of all new-
comers, who were initiated by an oath taken on a
Bible, reserved for that purpose only, and were sub-
scribed to in presence of the worshipful Mr. Rob-
erts. And In case any doubt should arise concern-
ing the construction of these laws, and It should re-
main a dispute whether the party had infringed
them or no, a jury was appointed to explain them,
and bring in a verdict upon the case in doubt.
Since we are now speaking of the laws of this
190 c;ri:at pirate stories
company, f shall j^o on, and, in as brief a manner
as I can, relate the principal customs and govern-
ment of this roguish commonwealtn, which are
pretty near the same with all pirates.
I'V)r the punishment of small offences which are
not pro\icIc(l for hy the articles, and which are not
of consequence enough to be left to a jury, there
is a principal officer among the pirates, called the
quartermaster, of the men's own choosing, who
claims all authority this way, excepting in time of
battle. If they disobey his command, are quarrel-
some and mutinous with one another, misuse pris-
oners, plunder beyond his order, and in particular,
if they be negligent of their arms, which he musters
at discretion, he punishes at his own arbitrament,
with drubbing or whipping, which no one else dare
do without incurring the lash from all the ship's
company. In short, this officer is trustee for the
whole, is the first on board any prize, separating
for the company's use what he pleases, and return-
ing what he thinks fit to the owners, exceping gold
and silver, which they have voted not returnable.
After a description of the quartermaster and his
duty, who acts as a sort of civil magistrate on board
a pirate ship, I shall consider their military officer,
the captain; what privileges he exerts in such
anarchy and unruliness of the members. Why,
truly very little — they only permit him to be cap-
tain, on condition that they may be captain over
him; they separate to his use the great cabin, and
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 191
sometimes vote him small parcels of plate and
china (for it may be noted that Roberts drank his
tea constantly), but then every man, as the humor
takes him, will use the plate and china, intrude into
his apartment, swear at him, seize a part of his
victuals and drink, if they like it, without his offer-
ing to find fault or contest it. Yet Roberts, by a
better management than usual, became the chief di-
rector in everything of moment; and it happened
thus : — The rank of captain being obtained by the
suffrage of the majority, it falls on one superior for
knowledge and boldness — pistol proof, as they call
it — who can make those fear who do not love him.
Roberts is said to have exceeded his fellows in these
respects, and when advanced, enlarged the respect
that followed it by making a sort of privy council
of half a dozen of the greatest bullies, such as were
his competitors, and had interest enough to make his
government easy; yet even those, in the latter part
of his reign, he had run counter to in every project
that opposed his own opinion; for which, and be-
cause he grew reserved and would not drink and
roar at their rate, a cabal was formed to take away
his captainship, which death did more effectually.
The captain's power is uncontrollable in chase or
in battle, drubbing, cutting, or even shooting any
one who dares deny his command. The same privi-
lege he takes over prisoners, who receive good or ill
usage mostly as he approves of their behavior, for
though the meanest would take upon them to mis-
192 GREAT PIRAri: STORIES
use a master of a ship, yet he would control herein
when he sees it, and merrily over a bottle give his
prisoners this cloul)le reason for it: first, that it pre-
served ills precedence; antl secondly, that it took the
punishment out of the hands of a much more rash
and mad set of fellows than himself. When he
found that rigor was not expected from his people
(for he often practiced it to appease them), then
he would give strangers to understand that it was
pure inclination that induced him to a good treat-
ment of them, and not any love or partiality to their
persons; for, says he, "there is none of you but will
hang me, I know, whenever you can clinch me within
your power."
And now, seeing the disadvantages they were un-
der for pursuing their plans, viz., a small vessel ill
repaired, and without provisions or stores, they re-
solved, one and all, with the little supplies they
could get, to proceed for the West Indies, not
doubting to find a remedy for all these evils and to
retrieve their loss.
In the latitude of Deseada, one of the islands,
they took two sloops, which supplied them with pro-
visions and other necessaries, and a few days after-
wards took a brigantine belonging to Rhode Island,
and then proceeded to Barbadoes, off of which
island they fell in with a Bristol ship of ten guns,
in her voyage out, from whom they took abundance
of clothes, some money, twenty-five bales of goods,
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 193
five barrels of powder, a cable, hawser, ten casks of
oatmeal, six casks of beef, and several other goods,
besides five of their men; and after they had de-
tained her three days let her go, who, being bound
for the aforesaid island, she acquainted the gov-
ernor with what had happened as soon as she ar-
rived.
Whereupon a Bristol galley that lay In the har-
bor was ordered to be fitted out with all imagi-
nable expedition, of 20 guns and 80 men, there being
then no man-of-war upon that station, and also a
sloop with 10 guns and 40 men. The galley was
commanded by one Captain Rogers, of Bristol, and
the sloop by Captain Graves, of that island, and
Captain Rogers, by a commission from the gover-
nor, was appointed commodore.
The second day after Rogers sailed out of the
harbor he was discovered by Roberts, who, know-
ing nothing of their design, gave them chase. The
Barbadoes ships kept an easy sail till the pirates
came up with them, and then Roberts gave them a
gun, expecting they would have immediately struck
to his piratical flag; but instead thereof, he was
forced to receive the fire of a broadside, with three
huzzas at the same time, so that an engagement en-
sued; but Roberts, being hardly put to it, was
obliged to crowd all the sail the sloop would bear
to get oft. The galley, sailing pretty well, kept com-
pany for a long while, keeping a constant fire, which
galled the pirate; however, at length, by throwing
194 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
over their j^ns and other heavy goods, and thereby
lightening the vessel, they, with much ado, got clear;
hut Roberts could never endure a Barbadoes man
afterwards, and when any ships belonging to that
island fell in his way, he was more particularly
severe to them than others.
Captam Roberts sailed In the sloop to the island
of Dominico, where he watered and got provisions
of the inhabitants, to whom he gave goods in ex-
change. At this place he met with thirteen English-
men, who had been set ashore by a French Guard
de la Coste, belonging to Martinico, taken out of
two New England ships that had been seized as
prizes by the said French sloop. The men willingly
entered with the pirates, and it proved a seasonable
recruiting.
They stayed not long here, though they had im-
mediate occasion for cleaning their sloop, but did
not think this a proper place; and herein they judged
right, for the touching at this island had like to
have been their destruction, because they, having
resolved to go away to the Granada Islands for the
aforesaid purpose, by some accident it came to be
known to the French colony, who, sending word to
the governor of Martinico, he equipped and manned
two sloops to go in quest of them. The pirates
sailed directly for the GranadlUoes, and hall'd into
a lagoon at Corvocoo, where they cleaned with un-
usual dispatch, staying but a little above a week, by
which expedition they missed of the Martinico
THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES 195
sloops only a few hours, Roberts sailing overnight
and the French arriving the next morning. This
was a fortunate escape, especially considering that
it was not from any fears of their being discovered
that they made so much haste from the island, but,
as they had the impudence themselves to own, for
the want of wine and women.
Thus narrowly escaped, they sailed for New-
foundland, and arrived upon the banks the latter
end of June, 1720. They entered the harbor of
Trepassi with their black colors flying, drums beat-
ing, and trumpets sounding. There were two-and-
twenty vessels in the harbor, which the men all
quitted upon the sight of the pirate, and fled ashore.
It is impossible particularly to recount the destruc-
tion and havoc they made here, burning and sink-
ing all the shipping except a Bristol galley, and de-
stroying the fisheries and stages of the poor planters
without remorse or compunction; for nothing is so
deplorable as power in mean and ignorant hands —
it makes men wanton and giddy, unconcerned at the
misfortunes they are Imposing on their fellow-crea-
tures, and keeps them smiling at the mischiefs that
bring themselves no advantage. They are like mad-
men that cast fire-brands, arrows, and death, and
say, Are not we in sport?
NARRATIVE OF TUK CAPTURE OF THE
SHIP DERBY, 1735
Captain Anselm
I FELL in with the Land of Madagascar, the
Latitude of about 24 Degrees, 13 Minutes
North: And some time before I had made it,
I met with nothing but light Airs of Winds, and
Calms, and continued so long. My People drop-
ping down with the Scurvy, I took a small Still that
I had, and distill'd Salt Water into Fresh. I al-
low'd them as much Pease and Flower as they could
eat, that they might not eat any Salt Provision, tho'
I boil'd it in fresh Water. I had been very liberal
with my fresh Provision in my Passage, to my
People, and the Passage so long, that I had hardly
any left, and that only a few Fowls; and myself and
Officers too had been much out of Order. At last,
being got to the Northward of Augustin Bay, seeing
my poor People fall down so very fast, it gave me
very great Concern for them, but still was willing,
in Hopes of Change of Wind, for Johanna. But the
small Airs trifled with me, and what there were
Northerly, a Current setting to the Southward, that
what to do I could not well tell. To go into Angus-
tin Bay I was very unwilling: I had two Boats came
196
NARRATIVE OF THE SHIP DERBY 197
off to me, the People talking tolerable good English.
At last, my Doctor, Sharp, told me there were
above Thirty People down with the Scurvy, and all
the rest, even some of the Petty Officers, were
touch'd with the same. If I did not soon put into
Port, I plainly found I should have been in a bad
Condition, for Men; I consulted with my Officers,
to go into Atigustin Bay, and we agreed, and bore
away for it. Soon after, the Wind came Southerly,
and I bore away for Johanna. A fine Passage I
had, and anchor'd the next Day about Four
in the Afternoon, being Sept. 13. I thank God
I brought all my People in alive, and that is as much
I can say of a good many of them. I had a
Tent made ashore for them, and supplied them all
that ever I could, and the Doctors assisting with
every thing in their Way for their speedy Recov-
ery. After I had been here a Fortnight, the Winds
in the Day-time set in very fresh from the N. N. W.
to the N. N. E. Finding the People recover so very
slowly, what to do I could not tell. To go out with
my People as bad as when they came in, I was not
willing, but resolv'd to have Patience one Week
more. I consulted with Mr. Rogers, my Chief-
Mate, and told him that we must consider the Con-
dition of the People, and how we met the Winds and
Currents before we came in. The People of the
Island told me, that this was about the time of Year
for the Northerly Winds and Southerly Currents,
and I told him I thought it better to trim all our
198 gri:at pirate stories
Casks, and fill what Water wc could, fearing of a
long Passage, if our Stay was a little longer. Mr.
Rogers was of my Opinion. This I must say, I
found the Cask not so well used in the I lold, as they
ought to have been, which caus'd the Coopers more
Work; neither did I make a little Noise about it, be-
cause I had more Words with my Chief and Sec-
ond Mate, about my Third and Fourth Mate, than
any thing else.
Having all my Water aboard, about 80 Tun, 25
Head of Oxen, i^c, I sail'd the 13th of October,
with several of my Men not recover'd; some I
buried at Johanna, and some after, to the Number
of Ten, or thereabouts. Having a fine Gale, I made
all the Sail I could, except Studding-sails, which I
thought needless. The Wind veer'd to the North-
ward, and I was resolved to make the Mallabar
Course as soon as possible, for the Advantage
of the Land and Sea Winds. I had one Pas-
senger aboard, a sad troublesome wicked Fellow,
whose Behaviour was so bad, that I could hardly
forbear using him ill. I forbid my Officers keeping
Company with him; but Mr. B s would do it at
all Events. I turn'd him once off the Quarter-Deck
for being with him there, yet that did not avail. I
came out one Night about half an Hour past Ten,
my second Mate's Watch, and this B s' s Turn
to sleep; and seeing a Light in his Cabin, I sent Mr.
Cuddon, the second Mate, to him, to know how he
would be able to sit up one Watch, and keep his
NARRATIVE OF THE SHIP DERBY 199
own. Upon this B 5 came up half way the
Steerage-Ladder, with his Pipe in his Hand, and
talk'd to me very pertly; and that was not the first
time. This put me into a Passion, to be so talk'd
to by a Boy, that I did dismiss him for two or three
Days, and then re-stated him, which was more than
he deserv'd, for keeping Company with him for
whom the the worst of Names is good enough, and
those who recommended him to his Commission.
B s was told of this by Mr. Rogers, by my Or-
ders, and I told him of it on the Quarter-Deck, and
told him at the same time I was resolv'd to tell the
Gentlemen at Home of ; and ask'd him what he
imagin'd they would think of him for keeping such
swearing drunken Company. This was before I dis-
miss'd him.
Before I came in with the Land, hearing much
talk of Anuria,* by Capt. Scarlet, and Mr. Rogers,
and of his great Force (for I had very little No-
tion of him before) I took care to put the Ship in a
proper Posture of Defence: Powder-Chests on the
Quarter-Deck, Poop, and Forecastle, a Puncheon
fill'd with Water in the Main-top, a Hogshead in
the Fore-top, and a Barrel in the Mizen-top, all
fiU'd with Water: Chests with good Coverings in
the Tops for Grenado-Shells; all the small Arms,
with 50 new ones in Readiness. My Ship being too
deep to get the Gun-room Ports open, as the Gun-
ner inform'd me, the Ship sending, and the Sea
* A noted pirate.
200 grilAT pirate stories
washing above the Tops of the Ports; I got those
Guns into the Great Cabin; Quartcr-Bills over the
Guns; the Rewards and Close-quarters, &c. at
the Mi/.en-mast, Shot-lockers and Shot in their
proper Station; Plug^s for Shot-holes; and every
thing that I could think of: and gave particular Or-
ders to my Gunner, Carpenter, and Boatswain, to
have every thing in their way, in Readiness, the two
lower Yards flung with the Top-chains. Not being
easy in my Mind about these Gun-room Stern-Ports,
I sent Mr. Rogers, it being smooth Water, to open
one of the Gun-room Stern-Ports, to see, if we could,
on Occasion, get Guns out there, but he brought me
Word it could not be done with Safety, the Ship
being so deep. A few Days before I made the
Land, the Winds used to vere and haul, that Offing
in an Hour I could hardly up from E. N. E. to S. E.
but the Winds chiefly kept to the Northward. I
was very desirous to make the Land, not knowing
how far the Southwest Currents might set me to the
Westward. At noon, being Dec. 12. I made the
Land of Goa, in the Latitude of 15 Degrees North.
My Chief Mate wanted me to go into Goa, but I
was resolved not, but to make the best of my Way
for Bombay. The next Morning, having a fine Six-
Knot-Gale, about Nine o' Clock Mr. Rogers told
me, he saw Gereah, and desired me to haul further
off Shore, and said, if Angria and his Grabbs should
see us in his River, he would send them out after
us. I asked him, if his Grabbs came out of Sight
NARRATIVE OF THE SHIP DERBY 201
of Land. He told me they were afraid to do that,
fearing the Bombay Vessels should get between
them and the Shore, and keep them out of their
Ports. To prevent running into Danger, I kept out
of Sight of Land: I thought it better to do so, since
it would make but a few Days Difference in getting
at Bombay; making no Doubt I should get there
the last of the Month, as doubtless we should, if we
had not met with our sad Misfortune.
When it was too late, I was acquainted by those
taken in the Severn, that Mr. Rogers inform'd me
wrong; for Angria sometimes keeps the Shore
aboard, and sometimes goes directly out to Sea 60
Leagues off. It was too late to reflect; neither
could I blame myself, knowing I had done every
thing to the best of my Judgment: But had I been
better inform'd, it is my Opinion we might have
escaped those cursed Dogs, by keeping in Shore,
and taken the Advantage of the Land and Sea
Winds.
I have since repented that we did not go into
Goa; but God knows whether a a Man goes too fast
or too slow; for I had certainly a very suitable
Cargo for that Place; But my earnest Desire was to
get to Bombay, the Season of the Year being far
advanc'd.
Decetnber 26. being my second Mate's Morning
Watch, about Five o'Clock he came to me, and told
me he saw Nine Sail of Gallivats. I got up, and
found them to be Five Top-mast Vessels, and Four
202 GREAT PIRAIE STORIES
Gallivats, not above two Miles from us. I order'd
all 1 lantls to be call'd, and down with the Cabins in
the Steerage, which was done in an Instant, and
every body to their respective Quarters. They came
up with us apace, having but light Airs of Winds,
and found them to be Anyria's Fleet. I had the
Transome in the great Cabin, and the Balcony in
the Round-house cut away, for traversing the Stern-
Chase Guns. rhey came up with me very boldly
within Pistol-shot. Before Six, they began firing
upon us, throwing their Shot in at our Stern, raking
us afore and aft. I order'd everything to be got
ready for going about, to give them my Broad-side,
when my Chief-Mate Mr. Rogers, and my Third
Mate Mr. Burroughs came to me, and begg'd that
I would not put about, for if I did, they would cer-
tainly board us. As to my Part, being a Stranger to
this Coast and Angria, knowing my Chief Mate had
been often this Way, and my Third Mate had sail'd
in the Gallies, I was over prevail'd upon not to tack
about. As the Enemy kept under my Stern, play-
ing their Shot in very hot upon us, and destroying
my Rigging so fast, I soon after endeavour'd to
wear the Ship upon the Enemy; but the Wind dying
away to a Calm, she would not regard her Helm,
but lay like a Log in the Water. By Eight o'Clock
most of my Rigging was destroy'd, and the Long-
boat taking Fire a-stern, was forc'd to cut her away.
The Yaul being stove by their shot, we launch'd her
overboard. By Nine, the Top-chain that flung the
NARRATIVE OF THE SHIP DERBY 203
Main-yard, was shot away, with Geer and Geer-
Blocks. The Main-yard came next down, with the
Sails almost torn to Pieces with the Shot. As fast
as our People knotted and spliced the Rigging, it
was shot away in their Hands. The Water-Tubs in
the Tops were shot to pieces, and the Boat-
swain's Mate's Leg shot off in the Main-top. One
of the Foremast-Mens Leg was shot off in the Fore-
top, and one wounded. By Ten, the Mizen-mast
was shot by the Board. Wanting People to cut the
Mast-Rigging, ^c. from her Side, found them ap-
pear very thin upon Deck, and desired my younger
Mates to drive them out of their Holes, Word
was then brought me, that my Chief Mate's Leg
was shot off, but that he was in good Heart. All
this time it was a Calm, and our Guns of the Broad-
side of no Service, not being able, during the En-
gagement, to bring one Gun to bear upon them.
They kept throwing their shot so thick in at our
Stern, with a continual Fire, and we return'd it as
fast as we could load and fire. About One, my
Main-mast was shot by the Board, and the Fall of
that stove the Pinnace on the Booms. The Loss of
my Main-mast gave me a very great Concern, and
seeing the Condition of the Fore-mast, the Fore-yard
half way down, and the Top-sail Yard-arm sprung
in several Places, the Head of the Top-gallant-Mast
shot away, render'd that Mast quite useless, I
could not see which way it was in the Power of
Men to save us from these Dogs, However, I made
204 GRJiAT riRATE STORIES
myself as easy as could be expected, and kept my
'1 houghts to myself. 1 ho' the Shot were like Hail
about my Ears, I thank (jod I escaped them, neither
did they give me much Uneasiness as to my Person.
The Grabhs perceiving their great Advantage by the
Fall of our Main-mast, (5'c. tho' all the time before
within Musket-Shot, come up boldly within Call,
throwing in at our Stern Double-round and Patridge
as fast as they could load and fire; we doing the
same with Bolts, &c. We saw a great many Holes in
their Sails. Soon after this, they lodg'd two Double-
head-Shot, and a large Stone in the Fore-mast, the
Shrowds of which were mostly gone. I often sent
Capt. Scarlet to Mr. Cudden, to encourage the
People, and to take care to cool his Guns, and not
fire in Haste, but take good Aim. We received two
Double-headed-Shot in the Bread-room, which were
soon plugg'd up, and one Shot under the Larboard
Chesstree, but so low in the Water, that could not
get at it, and the Ship prov'd leaky. I had a Pack
of sad cowardly, ignorant Dogs as ever came into a
Ship. As to my common Sailors, who were not
above Twelve Seamen, with the Officers, they stood
by me. It was all owing to my Misfortune on the
Mouse, that I was so poorly Mann'd. As to my
Third Mate, B s, he did not seem to stomach
what he was about; he was sometimes on the Quar-
ter-Deck (not being able to use any Guns but the
Stern-Chase) and every Shot the Enemy fir d, he
cowardly trembled, with his Head almost down to
NARRATIVE OF THE SHIP DERBY 205
the Deck. This Captain Scarlet has often declared
to the Gentlemen at Bombay, and before those that
are now coming Home. I had six Men kill'd, and
six their Legs shot off, with several others wounded
by their Partridge-Shot, ^c. Had our People kept
the Deck like Men, there must have been several
more kill'd and wounded. About Three, I heard a
great Call for Shot, and desired Capt. Scarlet to go
to Mr. Cuddon, and tell him not to fire in Waste.
We lay now just like a Wreck in the Sea, and at
our Wits Ends. Our Shot being almost spent, we
had a Hole cut in the Well to try to come at the
Company's. We continued on with Double-round
and Partridge, and Bolts, ^c. with a Double Allow-
ance of Powder to each Gun, doing the utmost we
could to save the Ship. The Tiller-rope was now
shot away, tho' of no Service before. The Carpen-
ter told me the Ship made a great deal of Water,
and had above two Foot in her Hold. The Caulker
afterwards told me she had three Foot. I saw
nothing we could do more than firing our Stern-
Chase. There was a sad Complaint for Shot; how-
ever we fir'd Bolts. I call'd out to the People to
have good Hearts, and went into the Round-house
to encourage them there. It was very hard we could
stand no Chance for a Mast of theirs, nor no lucky
Shot to disable some of them, in all the Number that
we fir'd. As to our small Arms, they were of little
Service, they keeping their Men so close. The Rig-
ging of the Foremast being gone, and that fetching
206 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
so much way, I expected it to go every Minute; and
about Seven in the Evening, the Ship falling off into
the Trough of the Sea, the Foremast came by the
Board. It was now about Four o' Clock, when Mr.
Thomas Roycrs, my Chief Mate, sent my Steward
to desire to speak with me. When I went to him,
he spoke to me to this Purpose. "Sir, says he, I
"am inform'd what Condition the Ship is in; as
"her Masts are gone, you had better not be obsti-
"nate, in standing out longer; it will only be the
"Means of making more Objects, of murdering
"more Men, and all to no Purpose, but to be used
"worse by the Enemy, for it is impossible to get
"away. Therefore you had better surrender." To
the best of my Knowledge, I hardly made him any
Answer; nor had I, before he sent to me, the least
Thoughts of surrendering, which I declare before
God and Man; tho' I was well convinc'd within my-
self, that it was impossible to save the Ship. I went
up to my old Station the Quarter-Deck, and took
several Turns, as usual, and proceeded in the En-
gagement. I begun to consider what Mr. Rogers
told me, and the Condition of the Ship, and argue
within myself the Impossibility of doing any more
(for if a Gale had sprung up, it could be of no
Service) and all the time from the Fall of our
Main-mast, the Enemy were got so near, that I could
hear them talk, and my Second Mate did the same.
As to our Masts, they had gain'd their Ends, and
their only Business now was to fire at the Hull.
NARRATIVE OF THE SHIP DERBY 207
There was no Hopes of their leaving us, considering
the condition they had brought us to, and it could
not be long before we sunk: for as they lay so near
us, and so low in Water, our Shot must doubtless fly
over them. At last I was of Mr. Rogers's Opinion,
that it was only sacrificing the Men to no Purpose;
for they had so large a Mark of us, they could not
miss us; and during all the Engagement, as they
play'd their Shot so hot at our Stern, it is surprizing
there were not many more Men Kill'd. I then sent
for my Second and Third Mate, and told them Mr.
Rogers's Opinion and my own. They both agreed
to it, and consented to the surrendering of the Ship.
So we submitted to the Enemy, finding it in vain to
proceed. By my Watch it was Five o' Clock. My
Second and Third Mate went in to the Steerage to
forbid firing, and myself in the Round-House, did
the same. Every Body seem'd to be very well sat-
isfied as to the surrendering Part, and no Objection
was made. Colours we had none to strike; those
and the Ensign-Staff were shot to Pieces; and what
was left of the Ensign being made fast to the Main-
Shrowds, went with the Mast. Capt. Scarlet went
into the Round-House, and call'd the Enemy on
board, and told them we had no Boats. They sent
their Dingey aboard with Four Men for me and my
chief Officers. They left Two of the Four aboard
the Derby. Myself and my Second Mate went in
the Dingey aboard the Grabb. We were gone an
Hour and a half good, if not more ; then we return'd
208 GRIiAT PIRATE STORIES
in a Gallivat with 50 or 60 Men, but not a Soul
went aboard the Derby, till we return'd. Then came
aboard more Gallivats and more Men, and secured
the Arms, &c. and drove our People up, some to the
Pumps, and some to clear the Rigging off the Ship's
Side. They transkipt to their Grabbs what Treas-
ure could be got at, and the next Day turn'd out the
Remainder, with myself. Scarlet, Cuddun, the two
Ladies, and my Servants, into one of the Grabbs.
FRANCIS LOLONOIS
The Slave Who Became a Pirate King *
John Esquemeling
FRANCIS LOLONOIS was a native of that
territory in France which is called Les Sables
d'Olone, or The Sands of Olone. In his
youth he was transported to the Caribbee islands,
in quality of servant, or slave, according to custom.
Having served his time, he came to Hispaniola;
here he joined for some time with the hunters, be-
fore he began his robberies upon the Spaniards.
At first he made two or three voyages as a com-
mon mariner, wherein he behaved himself so cour-
ageously as to gain the favor of the governor of
Tortuga, Monsieur de la Place; insomuch that he
gave him a ship, in which he might seek his fortune,
which was very favorable to him at first; for in a
short time he got great riches. But his cruelties
against the Spaniards were such, that the fame of
them made him so well known through the Indies,
that the Spaniards, in his time, would choose rather
to die, or sink fighting, than surrender, knowing they
should have no mercy at his hands. But Fortune,
* The Buccaneers of America.
209
210 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
being seldom constant, after some time turned her
back; for in a huge storm he lost his ship on the
coast of Campechy. 1 he men were all saved, hut
coming upon dry land, the Spaniards pursued them,
and killed the greatest part, wounding also Lolonois.
Not knowing how to escape, he saved his life by a
stratagem; mingling sand with the blood of his
wounds, with which besmearing his face, and other
parts of his body, and hiding himself dextrously
among the dead, he continued there till the Spaniards
quitted the field.
They being gone, he retired to the woods and
bound up his wounds as well as he could. These
being pretty well healed, he took his way to Cam-
pechy, having disguised himself in a Spanish habit;
here he enticed certain slaves, to whom he promised
liberty if they would obey him and trust to his con-
duct. They accepted his promises, and stealing a
canoe, they went to sea with him. Now the Span-
iards, having made several of his companions pris-
oners, kept them close in a dungeon, while Lolonois
went about the town and saw what passed. These
were often asked, "What Is become of your cap-
tain?" To whom they constantly answered, "He is
dead:" which rejoiced the Spaniards, who made
thanks to God for their deliverance from such a
cruel pirate. Lolonois, having seen these rejoicings
for his death, made haste to escape, with the slaves
above-mentioned, and came safe to Tortuga, the
common refuge of all sorts of wickedness, and the
FRANCIS LOLONOIS 211
seminary, as it were, of pirates and thieves. Though
now his fortune was low, yet he got another ship
with craft and subtlety, and in it twenty-one men.
Being well provided with arms and necessaries, he
set forth for Cuba, on the south whereof is a small
village, called De los Cayos. The inhabitants drive
a great trade in tobacco, sugar, and hides, and all
in boats, not being able to use ships, by reason of
the little depth of that sea.
Lolonois was persuaded he should get here some
considerable prey; but by the good fortune of some
fishermen who saw him, and the mercy of God, they
escaped him ; for the inhabitants of the town dis-
patched immediately a vessel overland to the Ha-
vannah, complaining that Lolonois was come to de-
stroy them with two canoes. The governor could
hardly believe this, having received letters from
Campechy that he was dead : but, at their impor-
tunity, he sent a ship for their relief, with ten guns
and ninety men, well armed; giving them this ex-
press command, "that they should not return into
his presence without having totally destroyed those
pirates." To this effect he gave them a negro to
serve for a hangman, and orders, "that they should
immediately hang every one of the pirates, excepting
Lolonois, their captain, whom they should bring
alive to the Havannah." This ship arrived at
Cayos, of whose coming the pirates were advertised
beforehand, and instead of flying, went to seek it in
the river Estera, where she rode at anchor. The
212 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
pirates seized some fishermen, and forced them by
night to show them the entry of the port, hoping
soon to obtain a greater vessel than their two canoes,
and thereby to mend their fortune. They arrived,
after two in the morning, very nigh the ship; and
the watch on hoard the ship asking them, whence
they came, and if they had seen any pirates abroad.
They caused one of the prisoners to answer, they
had seen no pirates, nor anything else. Which an-
swer made them believe that they were fled upon
hearing of their coming.
But they soon found the contrary, for about break
of day the pirates assaulted the vessel on both sides,
with their two canoes, with such vigor, that though
the Spaniards behaved themselves as they ought,
and made as good defense as they could, making
some use of their great guns, yet they were forced
to surrender, being beaten by the pirates, with sword
in hand, down under the hatches. From hence Lo-
lonois commanded them to be brought up, one by
one, and in this order caused their heads to be struck
off. Among the rest came up the negro, designed to
be the pirates' executioner; this fellow implored
mercy at his hands very dolefully, telling Lolonois
he was constituted hangman of that ship, and if he
would spare him, he would tell him faithfully all that
he should desire. Lolonois, making him confess
what he thought fit, commanded him to be mur-
dered with the rest. Thus he cruelly and barbarously
put them all to death, reserving only one alive,
FRANCIS LOLONOIS 213
whom he sent back to the governor of the Havan-
nah, with this message in writing: "I shall never
henceforward give quarter to any Spaniard what-
soever; and I have great hopes I shall execute on
your own person the very same punishment I have
done upon them you sent against me. Thus I have
retaliated the kindness you designed to me and my
companions." The governor, much troubled at this
bad news, swore, in the presence of many, that he
would never grant quarter to any pirate that should
fall into his hands. But the citizens of the Havan-
nah desired him not to persist in the execution of
that rash and rigorous oath, seeing the pirates would
certainly take occasion from thence to do the same,
and they had an hundred times more opportunity of
revenge than he; that being necessitated to get their
livelihood by fishery, they should hereafter always
be in danger of their lives. By these reasons he was
persuaded to bridle his anger, and remit the severity
of his oath.
Now Lolonois had got a good ship, but very few
provisions and people in it; to purchase both which
he resolved to cruise from one port to another. Do-
ing thus, for some time, without success, he deter-
mined to go to the port of Maracaibo. Here he
surprised a ship laden with plate, and other mer-
chandises, outward bound, to buy cocoa-nuts. With
this prize he returned to Tortuga, where he was
received with joy by the inhabitants; they congratu-
lating his happy success, and their own private in-
214 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
tercst. He stayed not long there, but designed to
equip a licet sufficient to transport five hundred men,
and necessaries, i hus provided, he resolved to pil-
lage both cities, towns, and villages, and finally, to
take Maracaibo itself. I' or this purpose he knew
the island of Tortuga would afford him many reso-
lute and courageous men, fit for such enterprises:
besides, he had in his service several prisoners well
accjuainted with the ways and places designed upon.
Of this design Lolonois giving notice to all the
pirates, whether at home or abroad, he got together,
in a little while, above four hundred men; beside
which, there was then in Tortuga another pirate,
named Michael de Basco, who, by his piracy, had
got riches sufficient to live at ease, and go no more
abroad; having, "withal, the office of major of the
island. But seeing the great preparations that Lolo-
nois made for this expedition, he joined him, and
offered him, that if he would make him his chief
captain by land (seeing he knew the country very
well, and all its avenues) he would share in his for-
tunes, and go with him. They agreed upon articles
to the great joy of Lolonois, knowing that Basco
had done great actions in Europe, and had the repute
of a good soldier. Thus they all embarked in eight
vessels, that of Lolonois being the greatest, having
ten guns of indifferent carnage.
All things being ready, and the whole company
on board, they set sail together about the end of
April, being, in all, six hundred and sixty persons.
FRANCIS LOLONOIS 215
They steered for that part called Bayala, north of
Hispanlola : here they took into their company some
French hunters, who voluntarily offered themselves,
and here they provided themselves with victuals and
necessaries for their voyage.
From hence they sailed again the last of July, and
steered directly to the eastern cape of the Isle called
Punta .d'Espada. Hereabouts espying a ship from
Puerto Rico, bound for New Spain, laden with cocoa-
nuts, Lolonois commanded the rest of the fleet to
wait for him near Savona, on the east of Cape
Punta d'Espada, he alone intending to take the said
vessel. The Spaniards, though they had been in
sight full two hours, and knew them to be pirates,
yet would not flee, but prepared to fight, being well
armed, and provided. The combat lasted three
hours, and then they surrendered. This ship had
sixteen guns, and fifty fighting men aboard: they
found in her 120,000 weight of cocoa, 40,000 pieces-
of-eight, and the value of 10,000 more, in jewels.
Lolonois sent the vessel presently to Tortuga to be
unladed, with orders to return as soon as possible
to Savona, where he would wait for them : mean-
while, the rest of the fleet being arrived at Savona,
met another Spanish vessel coming from Coman,
with military provisions to Hispaniola, and money
to pay the garrisons there. This vessel they also
took, without any resistance, though mounted with
eight guns. In it were 7,000 weight of powder, a
216 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
great number of muskets, and like things, with 12,-
000 pieces of eight.
These successes encouraged the pirates, they seem-
ing very lucky beginnings, especially finding their
fleet pretty well recruited in a little time: for the
first ship arriving at 1 ortuga, the governor ordered
it to be instantly unladen, and soon after sent back,
with fresh provisions, and other necessaries, to
Lolonois. This ship he chose for himself, and gave
that which he commanded to his comrade, Anthony
du Puis. Being thus recruited with men in lieu of
them he had lost in taking the prizes, and by sick-
ness, he found himself in a good condition to set sail
for Maracaibo, in the province of Neuva Venezuela,
in the latitude of 12 deg. 10 min. north. This island
is twenty leagues long, and twelve broad. To this
port also belong the islands of Onega and Monges.
The east side thereof is called Cape St. Roman, and
the western side Cape of Caquibacoa: the gulf is
called, by some, the Gulf of Venezuela, but the pi-
rates usually call it the Bay of Maracaibo.
At the entrance of this gulf are two islands ex-
tending from east to west; that towards the east
is called Isla de las Vigilias, or the Watch Isle; be-
cause in the middle is a high hill, on which stands
a watch-house. The other is caled Isla de la Palo-
mas, or the Isle of Pigeons. Between these two
islands runs a little sea, or rather lake of fresh wa-
ter, sixty leagues long, and thirty broad; which dis-
gorging itself Into the ocean, dilates itself about the
FRANCIS LOLONOIS 217
said two Islands. Between them is the best pas-
sage for ships, the channel being no broader than
the flight of a great gun, of about eight pounds.
On the Isle of Pigeons standeth a castle, to impede
the entry of vessels, all being necessitated to come
very nigh the castle, by reason of two banks of sand
on the other side, with only fourteen feet water.
Many other banks of sand there are in this lake;
as that called El Tablazo, or the Great Table, no
deeper than ten feet, forty leagues within the lake;
others there are, that have no more than six, seven,
or eight feet in depth : all are very dangerous, espe-
cially to mariners unacquainted with them. West
hereof is the city of Maracaibo, very pleasant to the
view, its houses being built along the shore, having
delightful prospects all round: the city may contain
three or four thousand persons, slaves Included, all
which make a town of reasonable bigness. There
are judged to be about eight hundred persons able
to bear arms, all Spaniards. Here are one parish
church, well built and adorned, four monasteries,
and one hospital. The city is governed by a deputy
governor, substituted by the governor of the Carac-
cas. The trade here exercised is mostly in hides and
tobacco. The inhabitants possess great numbers of
cattle, and many plantations, which extend thirty
leagues in the country, especially towards the great
town of Gibraltar, where are gathered great quan-
tities of cocoa-nuts, and all other garden fruits,
which serve for the regale and sustenance of the in-
218 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
habitants of Maracaibo, whose territories are much
drier than those of Cjibraltar. I lither those of
Maracaibo send great quantities of flesh, they mak-
ing returns in oranges, lemons, and other fruits;
for the inhabitants of Gibraltar want Hesh, their
fields not being capable of feeding cows or sheep.
Before Maracaibo is a very spacious and secure
port, wherein may be built all sorts of vessels, hav-
ing great convenience of timber, which may be trans-
ported thither at little charge. Nigh the town lies
also a small island called Borrica, where they feed
great numbers of goats, which cattle the inhabitants
use more for. their skins than their flesh or milk;
they slighting these two, unless while they are tender
and young kids. In the fields are fed some sheep,
but of a very small size. In some islands of the
lake, and in other places hereabouts, are many sav-
age Indians, called by the Spaniards bravoes, or
wild: these could never be reduced by the Spaniards,
being brutish, and untameable. They dwell mostly
towards the west side of the lake, in little huts built
on trees growing in the water; so to keep themselves
from innumerable mosquitoes, or gnats, which infest
and torment them night and day. To the east of
the said lake are whole towns of fishermen, who
likewise live in huts built on trees, as the former.
Another reason of this dwelling, is the frequent in-
undations; for after great rains, the land is often
overflown for two or three leagues, there being no
less than twenty-five great rivers that feed this lake.
FRANCIS LOLONOIS 219
The town of Gibraltar is also frequently drowned
by these, so that the inhabitants are constrained to
retire to their plantations.
Gibraltar, situate at the side of the lake about
forty leagues within it, receives its provisions of
flesh, as has been said, from Maracaibo. The town
is inhabited by about 1,500 persons, whereof four
hundred may bear arms; the greatest part of them
keep shops, wherein they exercise one trade or an-
other. In the adjacent fields are numerous planta-
tions of sugar and cocoa, in which are many tall
and beautiful trees, of whose timber houses may
be built, and ships. Among these are many hand-
some and proportionable cedars, seven or eight feet
about, of which they can build boats and ships, so
as to bear only one great sail; such vessels being
called piraguas. The whole country is well fur-
nished with rivers and brooks, very useful in
droughts, being then cut into many little channels
to water their fields and plantations. They plant
also much tobacco, well esteemed in Europe, and
for its goodness is called there tobacco de sacerdotes,
or priest's tobacco. They enjoy nigh twenty leagues
of jurisdiction, which is bounded by very high moun-
tains perpetually covered with snow. On the other
side of these mountains is situate a great city called
Merida, to which the town of Gibraltar is subject.
All merchandise is carried hence to the aforesaid
city on mules, and that but at one season of the year,
by reason of the excessive cold in those high moun-
220 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
tains. On the said mules returns are made in flour
of meal, which comes from towards Peru, by the
way of Estaffe.
Lolonois arrivinp; at the gulf of Vene7,uela, cast
anchor with his whole fleet out of sight of the Vigilia
or Watch Isle; next day very early he set sail thence
with all his ships for the lake of Maracaibo, where
they cast anchor again; then they landed their men,
with design to attack first the fortress that com-
manded the bar, therefore called dc la harra. This
fort consisted only of several great baskets of earth
placed on a rising ground, planted with sixteen great
guns, with several other heaps of earth round about
for covering their men: the pirates having landed a
league off this fort, advanced by degrees towards
it; but the governor having espied their landing,
had placed an ambuscade to cut them off behind,
while he should attack them in front. This the
pirates discovered, and getting before, they defeated
it so entirely, that not a man could retreat to the
castle: this done, Lolonois, with his companions, ad-
vanced immediately to the fort, and after a fight
of almost three hours, with the usual desperation
of this sort of people, they became masters thereof,
without any other arms than swords and pistols:
while they were fighting, those who were the routed
ambuscade, not being able to get into the castle, re-
tired Into Maracaibo in great confusion and disor-
der, crying "The pirates will presently be here with
two thousand men and more." The city having for-
FRANCIS LOLONOIS 221
merly been taken by this kind of people, and sacked
to the uttermost, had still an idea of that misery;
so that upon these dismal news they endeavored to
escape towards Gibraltar in their boats and canoes,
carrying with them all the goods and money they
could. Being come to Gibraltar, they told how the
fortress was taken, and nothing had been saved, nor
any persons escaped.
The castle thus taken by the pirates, they pres-
ently signified to the ships their victory, that they
should come farther in without fear of danger: the
rest of that day was spent in ruining and demolish-
ing the said castle. They nailed the guns, and burnt
as much as they could not carry away, burying the
dead, and sending on board the fleet the wounded.
Next day, very early, they weighed anchor, and
steered directly towards Maracaibo, about six
leagues distant from the fort; but the wind failing
that day, they could advance little, being forced to
await the tide. Next morning they came in sight
of the town, and prepared for landing under the
protection of their own guns, fearing the Spaniards
might have laid an ambuscade in the woods. They
put their men into canoes, brought for that purpose,
and landed, shooting meanwhile furiously with
their great guns. Of those In the canoes, half only
went ashore, the other half remained aboard. They
fired from the ships as fast as possible, towards the
woody part of the shore, but could discover nobody;
222 GREAT PIRATI-: STORIES
then they entered the town, whose inhabitants were
retired to the woods, and (iil)raltar, with their wives
children and families. 1 heir houses they left well
provided with victuals, as Hour, bread, pork, brandy,
wines, and poultry, and with these the pirates fell to
making good cheer, for in four weeks before they
had no opportunity of filling their stomachs with
such plenty.
They instantly possessed themselves of the best
houses in the town, and placed sentinels wherever
they thought necessary; — the great church served
them for their main guard. Next day they sent out
an hundred and sixty men to find out some of the in-
habitants in the woods thereabouts. These returned
the same night, bringing with them 20,000 pieces-of-
eight, several mules laden with household goods and
merchandise, and twenty prisoners, men, women,
and children. Some of these were put to the rack,
to make them confess where they had hid the rest
of the goods; but they could extort very little from
them. Lolonois, who valued not murdering, though
in cold blood, ten or twelve Spaniards, drew his cut-
lass, and hacked one to pieces before the rest, say-
ing, "If you do not confess and declare where you
have hid the rest of your goods, I will do the like
to all your companions." At last, amongst these
horrible cruelties and inhuman threats, one promised
to show the place where the rest of the Spaniards
were hid. But those that were fled, having intelli-
gence of it, changed place, and buried the remnant
FRANCIS LOLONOIS 223
of their riches underground, so that the pirates
could not find them out, unless some of their own
party should reveal them. Besides, the Spaniards
flying from one place to another every day, and often
changing woods, were jealous even of each other, so
that the father durst scarce trust his own son.
After the pirates had been fifteen days in Mara-
caibo, they resolved for Gibraltar; but the inhabit-
ants having received intelligence thereof, and that
they intended afterwards to go to Merida, gave no-
tice of it to the governor there, who was a valiant
soldier, and had been an officer in Flanders. His
answer was, "he would have them take no care, for
he hoped in a little while to exterminate the said
pirates." Whereupon he came to Gibraltar with
four hundred men well armed, ordering at the same
time the inhabitants to put themselves in arms, so
that in all he made eight hundred fighting men.
With the same speed he raised a battery toward the
sea, mounted with twenty guns, covered with great
baskets of earth: another battery he placed in an-
other place, mounted with eight guns. This done,
he barricaded a narrow passage to the town through
which the pirates must pass, opening at the same
time another one through much dirt and mud into a
wood which was totally unknown to the pirates.
The pirates, ignorant of these preparations, hav-
ing embarked all their prisoners and booty, took
their way towards Gibraltar. Being come in sight
of the place, they saw the royal standard hanging
224 (.ki:AT PIRATE STORIES
forth, and that those of the town designed to defend
their homes. Loh)nois seeing this, called a council
of war what they ought to do, telling his officers
and nnariners, "That the difficulty of the enterprise
was very great, seeing the Spaniards had had so
much time to put themselves in a posture of defense,
and had got a good body of men together, with
much ammunition; but notwithstanding," said he,
"have a good courage; we must either defend our-
selves like good soldiers, or lose our lives with all
the riches we have got. Do as I shall do who am
your captain: at other times we have fought with
fewer men than we have in our company at present,
and yet we have overcome greater numbers than
there possibly can be in this town: the more they
are, the more glory and the greater riches we shall
gain." The pirates supposed that all the riches of
the inhabitants of Maracaibo were transported to
Gibraltar, or at least the greatest part. After this
speech, they all promised to follow, and obey him.
Lolonois made answer, " 'Tis well; but know ye,
withal, that the first man who shall show any fear,
or the least apprehension thereof, I will pistol him
with my own hands."
With this resolution they cast anchor nigh the
shore, near three-quarters of a league from the
town: next day before sun-rising, they landed three
hundred and eighty men well provided, and armed
every one with a cutlass, and one or two pistols, and
sufficient powder and bullet for thirty charges.
FRANCIS LOLONOIS 225
Here they all shook hands in testimony of good
courage, and began their march, Lolonois speaking
thus, "Come, my brethren, follow me, and have
good courage." They followed their guide, who,
believing he led them well, brought them to the way
which the governor had barricaded. Not being able
to pass that way, they went to the other newly made
in the wood among the mire, which the Spaniards
could shoot into at pleasure; but the pirates, full of
courage, cut down the branches of trees and threw
them on the way, that they might not stick in the
dirt. Meanwhile, those of Gibraltar fired with their
great guns so furiously, they could scarce hear nor
see for the noise and smoke. Being passed the
wood, they came on firm ground, where they met
with a battery of six guns, which immediately the
Spaniards discharged upon them, all loaded with
small bullets and pieces of iron; and the Spaniards
sallying forth, set upon them with such fury, as
caused the pirates to give way, few of them caring
to advance towards the fort, many of them being
already killed and wounded. This made them go
back to seek another way; but the Spaniards having
cut down many trees to hinder the passage, they
could find none, but were forced to return to that
they had left. Here the Spaniards continued to
fire as before, nor would they sally out of their bat-
teries to attack them any more. Lolonois and his
companions not being able to climb up the bastion
of earth, were compelled to use an old stratagem,
226 r;Ri-:A'r pikatI' storii-s
wherewith at last they deceived and overcame the
Spanairds.
Lolonois retired suddenly with all his men, mak-
ing show as if he fled; hereupon the Spaniards cry-
ing out "They flee, they flee, let us follow them,"
sallied forth with great disorder to the pursuit. Be-
ing drawn to some distance from the batteries, which
was the pirates only design, they turned upon them
unexpectedly with sword in hand, and killed above
two hundred men; and thus fighting their way
through those who remained, they possessed them-
selves of the batteries. The Spaniards that re-
mained abroad, giving themselves over for lost, fled
to the woods: those in the battery of eight guns
surrendered themselves, obtaining quarter for their
lives. The pirates being now become masters of
the town, pulled down the Spanish colors and set
up their own, taking prisoners as many as they could
find. These they carried to the great church, where
they raised a battery of several great guns, fearing
lest the Spaniards that were fled should rally, and
come upon them again; but next day, being all forti-
fied, their fears were over. They gathered the dead
to bury them, being above five hundred Spaniards,
besides the wounded in the town, and those that
died of their wounds in the woods. The pirates had
also above one hundred and fifty prisoners, and nigh
five hundred slaves, many women and children.
Of their own companions only forty were killed,
and almost eighty wounded, whereof the greatest
FRANCIS LOLONOIS 227
part died through the bad air, which brought fevers
and other illness. They put the slain Spaniards
into two great boats, and carrying them a quarter of
a league to sea, they sunk the boats; this done,
they gathered all the plate, household stuff, and
merchandise they could, or thought convenient to
carry away. The Spaniards who had anything left
had hid it carefully; but the unsatisfied pirates, not
contented with the riches they had got, sought for
more goods and merchandise, not sparing those who
lived in the fields, such as hunters and planters.
They had scarce been eighteen days on the place,
when the greatest part of the prisoners died for
hunger. For in the town were few provisions, espe-
cially of flesh, though they had some, but no suffi-
cient quantity of flour of meal, and this the pirates
had taken for themselves, as they also took the
swine, cows, sheep, and poultry, without allowing
any share to the poor prisoners. For these they only
provided some small quantity of mules' and asses'
flesh; and many who could not eat of that loath-
some provision died for hunger, their stomachs not
being accustomed to such sustenance. Of the pris-
oners many also died under the torment they sus-
tained to make them discover their money or jewels;
and of these, some had none, nor knew of none, and
others denying what they knew, endured such hor-
rible deaths.
Finally, after having been in possession of the
town four entire weeks, they sent four of the pris-
228 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
oners to the Spaniards that were fled to the woods,
demanding of them a ransom for not burning
the town. The sum ilcmanded was 10,000 pieces of
eight, which if not sent, they threatened to reduce
it to ashes. For bringing in this money, they al-
lowed them only two days; but the Spaniards not
having been able to gather so punctually such a
sum, the pirates fired many parts of the town;
whereupcm the inhabitants begged them to help
quench the fire, and the ransom should be readily
paid. The pirates condescended, helping as much
as they could to stop the fire; but, notwithstanding
all their best endeavors, one part of the town was
ruined, especially the church belonging to the mon-
astery was burned down. After they had received
the said sum, they carried aboard all the riches they
had got, with a great number of slaves which had
not paid the ransom; for all the prisoners had sums
of money set upon them, and the slaves were also
commanded to be redeemed. Thence they returned
to Maracaibo, where being arrived, they found a
general consternation in the whole city, to which
they sent three or four prisoners to tell the governor
and inhabitants, "they should bring them 30,000
pieces-of-eight aboard their ships, for a ransom of
their houses, otherwise they should be sacked anew
and burned."
Among these debates a party of pirates came on
shore, and carried away the images, pictures, and
bells of the great church, aboard the fleet. The
FRANCIS LOLONOIS 229
Spaniards who were sent to demand the sum afore-
said returned, with orders to make some agreement;
who concluded with the pirates to give for their
ransom and liberty 20,000 pieces of eight, and five
hundred cows, provided that they should commit no
further hostilities, but depart thence presently after
payment of money and cattle. The one and the
other being delivered, the whole fleet set sail, caus-
ing great joy to the inhabitants of Maracaibo, to
see themselves quit of them: but three days after
they renewed their fears with admiration, seeing the
pirates appear again, and re-enter the port with all
their ships: but these apprehensions vanished, upon
hearing one of the pirate's errand, who came ashore
from Lolonois, "to demand a skilful pilot to con-
duct one of the greatest ships over the dangerous
bank that lieth at the very entry of the lake."
Which petition, or rather command, was instantly
granted.
They had now been full two months in these
towns, wherein they committed those cruel and inso-
lent actions we have related. Departing thence, they
took their course to Hispaniola, and arrived there
in eight days, casting anchor in a port called Isla
de la Vacca, or Cow Island. This island is inhab-
ited by French buccaneers, who mostly sell the flesh
they hunt to pirates and others, who now and then
put in there to victual, or trade. Here they un-
laded their whole cargazon of riches, the usual
storehouse of the pirates being commonly under the
230 c;r]«:at i'IKaje storii^s
shelter of the liuccaneers. Here they made a divi-
dend of all their prizes and ^ains, according to the
orders and degree of every one, as has been men-
tioned before. I laving made an exact calculation
of all their plunder, they found in ready money
260,000 pieces-of-eight : this being divided, every
one received for his share in money, as also in silk,
linen, and other commodities, to the value of 100
pieces-of-eight. Those who had been wounded re-
ceived their first part, after the rate mentioned be-
fore, for the loss of their limbs: then they weighed
all the plate uncoined, reckoning ten pieces-of-eight
to a pound; the jewels were prized indifferently,
either too high or too low, by reason of their ignor-
ance : this done, every one was put to his oath again,
that he had not smuggled anything from the com-
mon stock. Hence they proceeded to the dividend
of the shares of such as were dead in battle, or
otherwise: these shares were given to their friends,
to be kept entire for them, and to be delivered in due
time to their nearest relations, or their apparent
lawful heirs.
The whole dividend being finished, they set sail
for Tortuga. Here they arrived a month after, to
the great joy of most of the island; for as to the
common pirates, in three weeks they had scarce
any money left, having spent it all in things of little
value, or lost it at play. Here had arrived, not long
before them, two French ships, with wine and
brandy, and suchlike commodities; whereby these
FRANCIS LOLONOIS 231
liquors, at the arrival of the pirates, were indif-
ferent cheap. But this lasted not long, for soon
after they were enhanced extremely, a gallon of
brandy being sold for four pieces-of-eight. The
governor of the island bought of the pirates the
whole cargo of the ship laden with cocoa, giving
for that rich commodity scarce the twentieth part
of its worth. Thus they made shift to lose and
spend the riches they had got, in much less time
than they were obtained. The taverns and stews,
according to the custom of pirates, got the greatest
part; so that, soon after, they were forced to seek
more by the same unlawful means they had got the
former.
THE FIGHT BETWEEN THE DORRILL
AND THE MOC^ *
THESE truly representeth a schcem of what
misfortune has befell us as we were going
through the streights of Malacca, in the per-
suance to our pretended voyage, vizt., Wednesday
the 7th July, 5 o'clock morning we espied a ship to
windward; as soon as was well light perceived her
to bare down upon us. Wee thought at first she had
been a Dutchman bound for Atcheen or Bengali,
when perceived she had no Gallerys, did then sup-
pose her to be what after, to our dreadful sorrow,
found her. Wee gott our ship in the best posture
of defence that suddain emergent necessity would
permitt. Wee kept good looking out, expecting to
see an Island called Pullo Verello [Pulo Barahla],
but as then saw it not.
About 8 of the clock the ship came up fairely
within shott. Saw in room of our Gallerys there
was large sally ports, in each of which was a large
gunn, seemed to be brass. Her tafferill was like-
wise taken downe. Wee having done what possibly
could to prepare ourselves, fearing might be sud-
denly sett on, ordered our people to their respective
stations for action. Wee now hoisted our colours.
* From The Indian Antiquary, Vol. 49.
232
DORRILL AND THE MOCA 233
The Captain commanded to naile our Ensigne to
the staff in sight of the enimie, which was imme-
diately done. As they perceived wee hoisted our
colours they hoisted theirs, with the Union Jack, and
let fly a broad red Pendant at their maintopmast
head.
The Pirate being now in little more than half
PistoU shott from us, wee could discerne abundance
of men who went aft to the Quarter Deck, which
as wee suppose was to consult. They stood as we
stood, but wee spoke neither to other. Att noone it
fell calme, so that [wee] were affraid should by the
sea have been hove on one another. Att i a clock
sprang up a gale. The Pirate kept as wee kept.
Att 3 a clock the villain backt her sailes and they
went from us. Wee kept close hailed, having a con-
trary wind for Mallacca. When the Pirate was
about 7 miles distant tackt and stood after us. Att
6 that evening saw the lookt for island, and the
Pirate came up with us on our starboard side within
shott. Wee see he kept a man at each topmast
head, looking out till it was darke, then he hailed
a little from us, but kept us company all night.
At 8 in the morning he drew near us, but wee had
time to mount our other four guns that were in
hold, and now wee were in the best posture of de-
fence could desire. He drawing near us and seeing
that if [wee] would, [wee] could not gett from
him, he far outsailing us by or large [in one direc-
tion or another], the Captain resolved to see what
234 GRI":AT l^IRATI': S'KM<li:S
the rogue would doc, soc ordered to hand [furl] all
our small sailes antl furled our mainesade. He,
seeing this, did the like, and as [he] drew near us
beat a drum and sounded trumpets, and then hailed
us four times before we answered him.
At last it was thought fitt to know what he would
say, soc the Boatswainc spoke to him as was or-
dered, which was that wee came from London.
Then he enquired whether peace or war with France.
Our answer, there was an universall peace through
Europe, att which they paused and then said,
"That's well." He further enquired if had touched
at Attcheen. Wee said a boat came off to us, but
[wee] came not near itt by several leagues. Fur-
ther he enquired our Captain's name and whither
wee were bound. Wee answered to Mallacca.
They too and [would have] had the Captain gone
aboard to drink a glass of wine. Wee said that
would see one another at Mallacca. Then he called
to lye by and he would come aboard us. Our
answer was as before, saying it was late. He said,
true, it was for China, and enquired whether should
touch at the Water Islands [Pulo Ondan, off Ma-
lacca]. Wee said should. Then said he, So shall
wee. After he had asked us all these questions wee
desired to know from whence he was. He said from
London, their Captain name Collyford, the ship
named the Resolution, bound for China. This Col-
lyford had been Gunners Mate at Bombay, and
after run away with the Ketch.
DORRILL AND THE MOCA 235
Thus past the 8th July. Friday the 9th do., he
being some distance from us, About 5^ an hour
after 10 came up with us. Then It grew calme.
Wee could discerne a fellow on the Quarter Deck
wearing a sword. As he drew near, this Hellish
Imp cried, Strike you doggs, which [wee] perceived
was not by a general consent for he was called away.
Our Boatswalne in a fury run upon the poop, un-
known to the Captain, and answered that wee would
strike to noe such doggs as he, telling him the rogue
Every and his accomplices were all hanged. The
Captain was angry that he spake without order,
then ordered to halle him and askt what was his rea-
son to dogg us. One stept forward on the fore-
castle, beckoned with his hand and said. Gentle-
men, wee want not your ship nor men, but money.
Wee told them had none for them but bid them
come up alongside and take it as could gett it. Then
a parcell of bloodhound rogues clasht their cutlashes
and said they would have itt or our hearts blood,
saying, "What doe you not know us to be the
Mocaf" Our answer was Yes, Yes. Thereon they
gave a great shout and so they all went out of sight
and wee to our quarters. They were going to hoist
colours but the -enslgne halliards broke, which our
people perceiving gave a great shout, so they lett
them alone.
As soon as they could bring their chase gunns to
bear, fired upon us and soe kept on our quarter.
Our gunns would not bear In a small space, but as
236 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
soon as did hap, gave them better than [the pirates]
did like. His second shott carried away our spritt
saile yard. About half on hour after or more he
came up alongside and soe wee p(jwered in upon
him and continued, some time broadsides and some-
times three or four gunns as opportunity presented
and could bring them to doe best service. He was
going to lay us athwart the hawse, but by God's
providence Captain Hide frustrated his intent by
pouring a broadside into him, which made him give
back and goe asterne, where he lay and paused
without fireing, then in a small space fired one
gunn. The shott come in at our round house win-
dow without damage to any person, after which he
filled and bore away, and when was about 34
mile off fired a gunn to leeward, which wee answered
by another to windward. About an hour after he
tackt and came up with us againe. Wee made noe
saile, but lay by to receive him, but he kept aloof
off. The distance att most in all our fireing was
never more than two ships length; the time of our
engagement was from ^ an hour after 1 1 till about
3 afternoon.
When [wee] came to see what damage [wee]
had sustained, found our Cheife Mate, Mr. Smith,
wounded in the legg, close by the knee, with a splin-
ter or piece of chaine, which cannot well be told,
our Barber had two of his fingers shott off as was
spunging one of our gunns, the Gunner's boy had his
legg shott off in the waste, John Amos, Quarter-
DORRILL AND THE MOCA 237
master, had his leg shott off [while] at the helme,
the Boatswaine's boy (a lad of 13 years old) was
shott in the thigh, which went through and splin-
tered his bone, the Armorer Jos. Osborne in the
round house wounded by a splinter just in the tem-
ple, the Captain's boy on the Quarter Deck a small
shott raised his scull through his cap and was the
first person wounded and att the first onsett. Wm.
Reynolds's boy had the brim of his hatt y^ shott
off and his forefinger splintered very sorely. John
Blake, turner, the flesh of his legg and calfe a great
part shott away.
Our ships damage is the Mizentopmast shott
close by the cap and it was a miracle stood soe long
and did not fall in the rogues sight. Our rigging
shott that had but one running rope left clear, our
mainshrouds three on one side, two on the other cutt
in two. Our mainyard ten feet from the mast by a
shott cutt 8 inches deep, our foretopmast backstays
shott away, a great shott in the roundhouse, one on
the Quarter Deck and two of the roundhouse shott
came on the said deck, severall in the stearidge be-
twixt decks and in the forecastle, two in the bread
room which caused us to make much water and dam-
aged the greatest part of our bread. They dis-
mounted one of our gunns in the roundhouse, two
in the stearidge, two in the waste, one in the fore-
castle, with abundance more damage which may
seem tedious to rehearse.
Their small shott were most Tinn and Tuthenage
238 grI':at pirate stories
[lut('na(/a, spelter]. They fired pieces of glass-
bottles, do. teapots, chains, stones and what not,
which were found on our decks. We could observe
abundance of great shott to have passed through
the rogues forcsailc, and our hope is have done
that to him which [will] make him shunn having
to do with any l"",urope ship againe. Att night wee
perceived kept close their lights. Wee did the like
and lay by. In the morning they were as far off as
[wee] could discerne upon deck. Wee sent up to
see how they stood, which was right with us. In
the night wee knotted our rigging and in the morn-
ing made all haist to repare our carriages.
Our men, seeing they stood after us, [wee] could
perceive their countinances to be dejected. Wee
cheared them what wee could, and, for their encour-
agement, the Captain and wee of our proper money
did give them, to every man and boy, three dollars
each, which animated them, and promised to give
them as much more if engaged againe, and that if
[wee] took the ship, for every prisoner five pounds
and besides a gratuity from the Gentlemen Employ-
ers. Wee read the King's Proclamation about
Every, &c., and the Right Honble. Company's.
About 9 o'clock the loth July wee perceived the
rogue made from us, soe wee gave the Almighty
our most condigne thanks for his mercy that de-
livered us not to the worst of our enimies, for truly
he [the pirate] was very strong, having at least an
hundred Europeans on board, 34 gunns mounted,
DORRILL AND THE MOCA 239
besides lO pattererers and 2 small mortars In the
head; his lower tier, some of them, as wee judged,
sixteen and eighteen pounders. We lay as near our
course as could, and next day saw land on our star-
board side which was the Maine [Land]. Kept on
our way.
The 1 2th July dyed the Boatswalne's'boy, George
Mopp, in the morning. Friday the i6th do. in the
evening dyed the Gunner's boy, Thomas Matthews.
Sunday the i8th at anchor two leagues from the
PIUo Sumbelong [Pulo Sembilan] Islands dyed the
Barber, Andrew Miller. Do. the 31st dyed the
Cheife Mate, Mr. John Smith. The other two are
yet In a very deplorable condition and wee are
ashore here to refresh them. . . . The Chinese
further report . . . the Mocco was at the Maldives
and creaned [careened] ; there they gave an end to
the life of their commanding rogue Stout, who they
murdered for attempting to run away.
JADDI THE MALAY PIRATE*
LONG before that action with the English man-
of-war which drove me to Singapore, I
sailed in a fine fleet of prahus belonging to
the Rajah of Johore [Sultan Mahmad Shah]. We
were all then very rich — ah! such numbers of
beautiful wives and such feasting! — but, above all,
we had a great many most holy men in our force I
When the proper monsoon came, we proceeded to
sea to fight the Bugismen [of Celebes] and China-
men bound from Borneo and the Celebes to Java;
for you must remember our Rajah was at war with
them. (Jadee always maintained that the proceed-
ings in which he had been engaged partook of a
purely warlike, and not of a piratical character.)
Our thirteen prahus had all been fitted out in
and about Singapore. I wish you could have seen
them, Touhan \_Tiian, Sir]. These prahus we see
here are nothing to them, such brass guns, such
long pendants, such creeses [Malay kris, dagger] !
AUah-il-AUah ! Our Datoos [datuk, a chief] were
indeed great men !
Sailing along the coast as high as Patani, we then
crossed over to Borneo, two Illanoon prahus acting
* From The Indian Antiquary, Vol. 49.
240
JADDI THE MALAY PIRATE 241
as pilots, and reached a place called Sambas [West
Borneo] : there we fought the Chinese and Dutch-
men, who ill-treat our countrymen, and are trying
to drive the Malays out of that country. Gold-dust
and slaves in large quantities were here taken, most
of the latter being our countrymen of Sumatra and
Java, who are captured and sold to the planters
and miners of the Dutch settlements.
"Do you mean to say," I asked, "that the Dutch
countenance such traffic?"
"The Hollanders," replied Jadee, "have been the
bane of the Malay race; no one knows the amount
of villainy, the bloody cruelty of their system
towards us. They drive us into our prahus to
escape their taxes and laws, and then declare us
pirates and put us to death. There are natives in
our crew, Touhan, of Sumatra and Java, of Bianca
[Banka] and Borneo; ask them why they hate the
Dutchmen; why they would kill a Dutchman. It is
because the Dutchman is a false man, not like the
white man [English]. The Hollander stabs in the
dark; he is a liar!"
However, from Borneo we sailed to Biliton
[island between Banka and Borneo] and Bianca,
and there waited for some large junks that were
expected. Our cruise had been so far successful,
and we feasted away — fighting cocks, smoking
opium and eating white rice. At last our scouts
told us that a junk was in sight. She came, a lofty-
sided one of Fokien [Fuhkien], We knew these
242 gri<:at pi rati-: stories
Amoy men would fij^ht like tiger-cats for their sugar
and silks; and as the hrccze was fresh, wc only
kept her in sight by keeping close inshore and fol-
lowing her. Not to frighten the Chinamen, we did
not hoist sail hut made our slaves pull. "Oh!" said
Jadee, warming up with the recollection of the
event — "oh! it was fine to feel what brave fellows
we then were !"
Towards night we made sail and closed upon the
junk, and at daylight it fell a stark calm, and we
went at our prize like sharks. All our fighting men
put on their war-dresses; the Illanoons danced their
war-dance, and all our gongs sounded as we opened
out to attack her on different sides.
But those Amoy men are pigs! They burnt joss-
paper; sounded their gongs, and received us with
such showers of stones, hot-water, long pikes, and
one or two well-directed shots that we hauled off to
try the effect of our guns, sorry though we were to
do it, for it was sure to bring the Dutchmen upon us.
Bang! bang! we fired at them, and they at us; three
hours did we persevere, and whenever we tried to
board, the Chinese beat us back every time, for her
side was as smooth and as high as a wall, with gal-
leries overhanging.
We had several men killed and hurt; a council
was called; a certain charm was performed by one
of our holy men, a famous chief, and twenty of our
best men devoted themselves to effecting a landing
on the junk's deck, when our look-out prahus made
JADDI THE MALAY PIRATE 243
the signal that the Dutchmen were coming; and
sure enough some Dutch gun-boats came sweeping
round a headland. In a moment we were round and
pulling like demons for the shores of Biliton, the
gun-boats in chase of us, and the Chinese howling
with delight. The sea-breeze freshened and brought
up a schooner-rigged boat very fast. We had been
at work twenty- four hours and were heartily tired;
our slaves could work no longer, so we prepared for
the Hollanders; they were afraid to close upon us
and commenced firing at a distance. This was just
what we wanted; we had guns as well as they, and
by keeping up the fight until dark, we felt sure of
escape. The Dutchmen, however, knew this too,
and kept closing gradually upon us; and when they
saw our prahus bailing out water and blood, they
knew we were suffering and cheered like devils. We
were desperate; surrender to Dutchmen we never
would; we closed together for mutual support, and
determined at last, if all hope of escape ceased, to
run our prahus ashore, burn them, and lie hid in
the jungle until a future day. But a brave Datoo
with his shattered prahus saved us; he proposed to
let the Dutchmen board her, creese [stab with a
kris'] all that did so, and then trust to Allah for his
escape.
It was done immediately; we all pulled a short
distance away and left the brave Datoo's prahu like
a wreck abandoned. How the Dutchmen yelled and
fired into her ! The slaves and cowards jumped out
244 GREAT PIRATI' STORIES
of the prahu, but our braves kept quiet; at last, as
we expected, one gun-boat clashed alongside of their
prize and boarded her in a crowd. 7 hen was the
time to see how the Malay man could fight; the
creese was worth twenty swords, and the Dutchmen
went down like sheep. We fired to cover our coun-
trymen, who, as soon as their work was done,
jumped overboard and swam to us; but the brave
Datoo, with many more died as brave Malays
should do, running a-muck against a host of enemies.
The gun-boats were quite scared by this punish-
ment, and we lost no time in getting away as rapidly
as possible; but the accursed schooner, by keeping
more in the offing, held the wind and preserved her
position, signaling all the while for the gun-boats to
follow her. We did not want to fight any more;
it was evidently an unlucky day. On the opposite
side of the channel to that we were on, the coral
reefs and shoals would prevent the Hollanders fol-
lowing us: it was determined at all risks to get there
in spite of the schooner. With the first of the land-
wind in the evening we set sail before it and steered
across for Bianca. The schooner placed herself in
our way like a clever sailor, so as to turn us back;
but we were determined to push on, take her fire,
and run all risks.
It was a sight to see us meeting one another; but
we were desperate : we had killed plenty of Dutch-
men; it was their turn now. I was in the second
prahu, and well it was so, for when the headmost
JADDI THE MALAY PIRATE 245
one got close to the schooner, the Dutchman fired
all his guns into her, and knocked her at once into a
wrecked condition. We gave one cheer, fired our
guns and then pushed on for our lives. "Ah ! sir, it
was a dark night indeed for us. Three prahus in
all were sunk and the whole force dispersed."
To add to our misfortunes a strong gale sprang
up. We were obliged to carry canvas; our prahu
leaked from shot-holes; the sea continually broke
into her; we dared not run into the coral reefs on
such a night, and bore up for the Straits of Malacca.
The wounded writhed and shrieked in their agony,
and we had to pump, we fighting men, and bale like
black fellows [Caff re or negro slaves] ! By two in
the morning we were all worn out. I felt indifferent
whether I was drowned or not, and many threw
down their buckets and sat down to die. The wind
increased and, at last, as if to put us out of our
misery, just such a squall as this came down upon
us. I saw it was folly contending against our fate,
and followed the general example. "God Is great!"
we exclaimed, but the Rajah of Johore came and
reproved us. "Work until daylight," he said, "and
I will ensure your safety." We pointed at the black
storm which was approaching. "Is that what you
fear?" he replied, and going below he produced just
such a wooden spoon and did what you have seen
me do, and I tell you, my captain, as I would If the
"Company Sahib" stood before me, that the storm
246 (nuAV piRAri-: siories
was nothing, and that wc had a dead calm cmc hour
afterwards and were saved. God is great and
Mahomet is his prophet!— but there is no cliarm
like the Johore one for killing the wind I
THE TERRIBLE LADRONES *
Richard Glasspoole
ON the 17th of September, 1809, the Honor-
able Company's ship Marquis of Ely an-
chored under the Island of Sam Chow, in
China, about twelve English miles from Macao,
where I was ordered to proceed in one of our cut-
ters to procure a pilot, and also to land the purser
with the packet. I left the ship at 5 P.M. with seven
men under my command, well armed. It blew a
fresh gale from the N. E. We arrived at Macao
at 9 P.M., where I delivered the packet to Mr. Rob-
erts, and sent the men with the boat's sails to sleep
under the Company's Factory, and left the boat in
charge of one of the Compradore's men; during the
night the gale increased. At half-past three in the
morning I went to the beach, and found the boat
on shore half-filled with water, in consequence of the
man having left her. I called the people, and baled
her out; found she was considerably damaged, and
very leaky. At half-past 5 A.M., the ebb-tide mak-
ing, we left Macao with vegetables for the ship.
One of the Compradore's men who spoke Eng-
lish went with us for the purpose of piloting the ship
* From The Ladrone Pirates.
247
248 (iRI'.AT PIRA'rr: STOKIl'S
to Lintin, as the MaruJarincs, in consequence of a
late disturbance at Macao, would not grant permis-
sion for regular pilots. I had every reason to expect
the ship in the roads, as she was preparing to get
under weigh when we left her; but on our rounding
Cabaretta-Point, we saw her five or six miles to lee-
ward, under weigh, standing on the starboard tack:
it was then blowing fresh at N. E. Bore up, and
stood towards her; when about a cable's length to
windward of her, she tacked; we hauled our wind
and stood after her. A hard squall then coming
on, with a strong tide and heavy swell against us,
we drifted fast to leeward, and the weather being
hazy, we soon lost sight of the ship. Struck our
masts, and endeavored to pull; finding our efforts
useless, set a reefed foresail and mizzen, and stood
towards a country-ship at anchor under the land to
leeward of Cabarctta-Point. When within a quar-
ter of a mile of her she weighed and made sail, leav-
ing us in a very critical situation, having no anchor,
and drifting bodily on the rocks to leeward. Struck
the masts: after four or five hours hard pulling,
succeeded in clearing them.
At this time not a ship in sight; the weather clear-
ing up, we saw a ship to leeward, hull down, shipped
our masts, and made sail towards her; she proved to
be the Honourable Company's ship Glatton. We
made signals to her with our handkerchiefs at the
mast-head, she unfortunately took no notice of them,
but tacked and stood from us. Our situation was
THE TERRIBLE LADRONES 249
now truly distressing, night closing fast, with a
threatening appearance, blowing fresh, with hard
rain and a heav'y sea; our boat very leaky, without
a compass, anchor or provisions, and drifting fast
on a lee-shore, surrounded with dangerous rocks,
and inhabited by the most barbarous pirates. I
close-reefed my sails, and kept tack and tack 'till
daylight, when we were happy to find we had
drifted very little to leeward of our situation in the
evening. The night v/as very dark, with constant
hard squalls and heavy rain.
Tuesday, the 19th, no ships in sight. About ten
o'clock in the morning it fell calm, with very hard
rain and a heavy swell; — struck our masts and
pulled, not being able to see the land, steered by the
swell. When the weather broke up, found we had
drifted several miles to leeward. During the calm
a fresh breeze springing up, made sail, and endeav-
ored to reach the weather-shore, and anchor with
six muskets we had lashed together for that pur-
pose. Finding the boat made no way against
the swell and tide, bore up for a bay to leeward,
and anchored about one A.M. close under the land
in five or six fathoms water, blowing fresh, with
hard rain.
Wednesday, the 20th, at daylight, supposing the
flood-tide making, weighed and stood over to the
weather-land, but found we were drifting fast to
leeward. About ten o'clock perceived two Chinese
boats steering for us. Bore up, and stood towards
250 GREAT PIRATK STORIES
them, and made signals to induce them to come
within }iail; on ncaring them, they bore up, and
passed to leeward of the islands. 7 he Chinese
we had in the boat advised me to follow them, and
he would take us to Macao by the leeward passage.
I expressed my fears of being taken by the Ladrones.
Our ammunition being wet, and the muskets ren-
dered useless, we had nothing to defend ourselves
with but cutlasses, and in too distressed a situation
to make much resistance with them, having been
constantly wet, and eaten nothing but a few green
oranges for three days.
As our present situation was a hopeless one, and
the man assured me there was no fear of encounter-
ing any Ladrones, I complied with his request, and
stood in to leeward of the islands, where we found
the water much smoother, and apparently a direct
passage to Macao. We continued pulling and sail-
ing all day. At six o'clock in the evening I discov-
ered three large boats at anchor in a bay to leeward.
On seeing us they weighed and made sail towards
us. The Chinese said they were Ladrones, and that
if they captured us they would most certainly put
us all to death! Finding they gained fast on us,
struck the masts, and pulled head to wind for five or
six hours. The tide turning against us, anchored
close under the land to avoid being seen. Soon after
we saw the boats pass us to leeward.
Thursday, the 21st, at daylight, the flood mak-
ing, weighed and pulled along shore in great spirits,
THE TERRIBLE LADRONES 251
expecting to be at Macao in two or three hours, as
by the Chinese account it was not above six or seven
miles distant. After pulling a mile or two perceived
several people on shore, standing close to the beach;
they were armed with pikes and lances. I ordered
the interpreter to hail them, and ask the most di-
rect passage to Macao. They said if we came on
shore they would inform us; not liking their hostile
appearance, I did not think proper to comply with
the request. Saw a large fleet of boats at anchor
close under the opposite shore. Our interpreter
said they were fishing-boats, and that by going there
we should not only get provisions, but a pilot also
to take us to Macao.
I bore up, and on nearing them perceived there
were some large vessels, very full of men, and
mounted with several guns. I hesitated to approach
nearer; but the Chinese assuring me they were Man-
darine junks * and salt-boats, we stood close to one
of them, and asked the way to Macao. They gave
no answer, but made some signs to us to go in
shore. We passed on, and a large rowboat pulled
after us; she soon came alongside, when about
twenty savage-looking villains, who were stowed at
the bottom of the boat, leaped on board us. They
were armed with a short sword in each hand, one of
which they laid on our necks, and the other pointed
to our breasts, keeping their eyes fixed on their
officer, waiting his signal to cut or desist. Seeing
* Junk is the Canton pronunciation of chuen, ship.
252 GREAT i^IRATE STORIES
wc were incapable of making any resistance, he
sheathed his sword, and the others immediately fol-
lowed his example. They then dragged us into their
boat, and carried us on board one of their junks,
with the most savage demonstrations of joy, and as
we supposed, to torture and put us to a cruel death.
When on board the junk, they searched all our
pockets, took the handkerchiefs from our necks, and
brought heavy chains to chain us to the guns.
At this time a boat came, and took me, with one
of my men and the interpreter, on board the chief's
vessel. I was then taken before the chief. He was
seated on deck, in a large chair, dressed in purple
silk, with a black turban on. He appeared to be
about thirty years of age, a stout commanding-look-
ing man. He took me by the coat, and drew me
close to him; then questioned the interpreter very
strictly, asking who we were, and what was our
business in that part of the country. I told him to
say we were Englishmen in distress, having been
four days at sea without provisions. This he would
not credit, but said we were bad men, and that he
would put us all to death; and then ordered some
men to put the interpreter to the torture until he
confessed the truth.
Upon this occasion, a Ladrone, who had been
once to England and spoke a few words of English,
came to the chief, and told him we were really Eng-
lishmen, and that we had plenty of money, adding,
that the buttons on my coat were gold. The chief
THE TERRIBLE LADRONES 253
then ordered us some coarse brown rice, of which
we made a tolerable meal, having eat nothing for
nearly four days, except a few green oranges. Dur-
ing our repast, a number of Ladrones crowded
round us, examining our clothes and hair, and giv-
ing us every possible annoyance. Several of them
brought swords, and laid them on our necks, mak-
ing signs that they would soon take us on shore, and
cut us in pieces, which I am sorry to say was the fate
of some hundreds during my captivity.
I was now summoned before the chief, who had
been conversing with the interpreter; he said I must
write to my captain, and tell him, if he did not send
a hundred thousand dollars for our ransom, in ten
days he would put us all to death. In vain did I as-
sure him it was useless writing unless he would agree
to take a much smaller sum; saying we were all poor
men, and the most we could possibly raise would not
exceed two thousand dollars. Finding that he was
much exasperated at my expostulations, I embraced
the offer of writing to inform my commander of our
unfortunate situation, though there appeared not
the least probability of relieving us. They said the
letter should be conveyed to Macao in a fishing-boat,
which would bring an answer in the morning. A
small boat accordingly came alongside, and took the
letter.
About six o'clock in the evening they gave us
some rice and a little salt fish, which we ate, and
they made signs for us to lay down on the deck to
254 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
sleep; but such numbers of Ladrones were constantly
coming from tlilfercnt vessels to sec us, and examine
our clothes and hair, they would not allow us a
moment's (juiet. They were particularly anxious for
the buttons of my coat, which were new, and as they
supposed gold. I took it off, and laid it on the deck
to avoid being disturbed by them; it was taken away
in the night, and I saw it on the next day stripped
of its buttons.
About nine o'clock a boat came and hailed the
chief's vessel; he immediately hoisted his mainsail,
and the fleet weighed apparently in great confusion.
They worked to windward all night and part of the
next day, and anchored about one o'clock in a bay
under the island of Lantow, where the head admiral
of Ladrones was lying at anchor, with about two
hundred vessels and a Portuguese brig they had cap-
tured a few days before, and murdered the captain
and part of the crew.
Saturday, the 23d, early in the morning, a fish-
ing-boat came to the fleet to inquire if they had
captured an European boat; being answered in the
affirmative, they came to the vessel 1 was in. One
of them spoke a few words of English, and told me
he had a Ladrone-pass, and was sent by Captain Kay
in search of us; I was rather surprised to find he had
no letter. He appeared to be well acquainted with
the chief, and remained in his cabin smoking opium,
and playing cards all the day.*
* The pirates had many other intimate acquaintances on shore,
like Doctor Chovj of Macao.
THE TERRIBLE LADRONES 255
In the evening I was summoned with the inter-
preter before the chief. He questioned us in a
much milder tone, saying, he now believed we were
Englishmen, a people he wished to be friendly with;
and that if our captain would lend him seventy thou-
sand dollars 'till he returned from his cruise up the
river, he would repay him, and send us all to Macao.
I assured him it was useless writing on those terms,
and unless our ransom was speedily settled, the Eng-
lish fleet would sail, and render our enlargement
altogether ineffectual. He remained determined,
and said if it were not sent, he would keep us, and
make us fight, or put us to death. I accordingly
wrote, and gave my letter to the man belonging to
the boat before mentioned. He said he could not
return with an answer in less than five days.
The chief now gave me the leter I wrote when
first taken. I have never been able to ascertain his
reasons for detaining it, but suppose he dare not
negotiate for our ransom without orders from the
head admiral, who I understood was sorry at our
being captured. He said the English ships would
join the mandarines and attack them.* He told the
chief that captured us, to dispose of us as he pleased.
* The pirates were always afraid of this. We find the following
statement concerning the Chinese pirates, taken from the records
in the East-India House, and printed in Appendix C. to the Report
relative to the trade ivith the East-Indies and China, in the ses-
sions 1820 and 1821 (reprinted 1829), p. 387.
"In the year 1808, 1809, and 18 10, the Canton river was so in-
fested with pirates, who were also in such force, that the Chinese
government made an attempt to subdue them, but failed. The
pirates totally destroyed the Chinese force; ravaged the river in
256 GREAT PIRATK STORIES
Monday, the 24th, it blew a stronjr gale, with
constant hard rain; we suffered much frr)m the cold
and wet, being obliged to remain on deck with no
covering but an old mat, which was frequently taken
from us in the night by the Ladrones who were on
watch. During the night the Portuguese who were
left in the brig murdered the Ladrones that were
on board of her, cut the cables, and fortunately es-
caped through the darkness of the night. I have
since been informed they ran her on shore near
Macao.
Tuesday, the 25th, at daylight in the morning,
the fleet, amounting to about five hundred sail of dif-
ferent sizes, weighed, to proceed on their intended
cruise up the rivers, to levy contributions on the
towns and villages. It is impossible to describe
what were my feelings at this critical time, having
received no answers to my letters, and the fleet un-
der-way to sail, — hundreds of miles up a country
never visited by Europeans, there to remain prob-
ably for many months, which would render all op-
portunities of negotiating for our enlargement to-
tally ineffectual; as the only method of communica-
tion is by boats, that have a pass from the Ladrones,
every direction; threatened to attack the city of Canton, and de-
stroyed many towns and villages on the banks of the river; and
killed or carried off, to serve as Ladrones, several thousands of
inhabitants.
"These events created an alarm extremely prejudicial to the
commerce of Canton, and compelled the Company's supercargoes
to fit out a small country ship to cruize for a short time against
the pirates."
THE TERRIBLE LADRONES 257
and they dare not venture above twenty miles from
Macao, being obliged to come and go in the night,
to avoid the Mandarines; and if these boats should
be detected in having any intercourse with the La-
drones, they are immediately put to death, and all
their relations, though they had not joined in the
crime,* share in the punishment, in order that not a
single person of their families should be left to imi-
tate their crimes or revenge their death. This se-
verity renders communication both dangerous and
expensive; no boat would venture out for less than a
hundred Spanish dollars.
Wednesday, the 26th, at daylight, we passed in
sight of our ships at anchor under the island of
Chun Po. The chief then called me, pointed to the
ships, and told the interpreter to tell us to look at
them, for we should never see them again. About
noon we entered a river to the westward of the
Bogue, three or four miles from the entrance. We
passed a large town situated on the side of a beau-
tiful hill, which is tributary to the Ladrones; the
inhabitants saluted them with songs as they passed.
The fleet now divided into two squadrons (the red
and the black) t and sailed up different branches of
the river. At midnight the division we were in an-
chored close to an immense hill, on the top of
* That the whole family must suffer for the crime of one indi-
vidual, seems to be the most cruel and foolish law of the whole
Chinese criminal code.
t We know by the "History of the Chinese Pirates," that these
"wasps of the ocean," to speak with Yuen tsze yung lun, were
originally divided into six squadrons.
258 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
which a numher of fires were burning, which at day-
light I perceived proceeded from a Chinese camp.
At the back of the hill was a most beautiful town,
surrounded by water; and embellished with groves
of orange trees. The chop-house (custom-house) *
and a few cottages were immediately plundered, and
burned down; most of the inhabitants, however, es-
caped to the camp.
The Ladrones now prepared to attack the town
with a formidable force, collected in rowboats from
the different vessels. They sent a messenger to the
town, demanding a tribute of ten thousand dollars
annually, saying, if these terms were not complied
with, they would land, destroy the town, and mur-
der all the inhabitants; which they would certainly
have done, had the town laid in a more advanta-
geous situation for their purpose; but being placed
out of the reach of their shot, they allowed them
to come to terms. The inhabitants agreed to pay
six thousand dollars, which they were to collect by
the time of our return down the river. This finesse
had the desired effect, for during our absence they
mounted a few guns on a hill, which commanded
the passage, and gave us in lieu of the dollars a
warm salute on our return.
October the ist, the fleet weighed in the night,
* In the barbarous Chinese-English spoken at Canton, all things
are indiscriminately called chop. You hear of a chop-house, chop-
boat, tea-chop, Chaou-chaou-chop, etc. To give a bill or agree-
ment on making a bargain is in Chinese called chd tan; cha in the
pronunciation of Canton is chop, which is then applied to any
writing whatever.
THE TERRIBLE LADRONES 259
dropped by the tide up the river, and anchored very
quietly before a town surrounded by a thick wood.
Early in the morning the Ladrones assembled in
rowboats and landed; then gave a shout, and rushed
into the town, sword in hand. The inhabitants fled
to the adjacent hills, in numbers apparently supe-
rior to the Ladrones. We may easily imagine to
ourselves the horror with which these miserable
people must be seized, on being obliged to leave
their homes, and everything dear to them. It was
a most melancholy sight to see women in tears, clasp-
ing their infants in their arms, and imploring mercy
for them from those brutal robbers ! The old and
the sick, who were unable to fly, or to make resis-
tance, were either made prisoners or most inhu-
manly butchered! The boats continued passing and
repassing from the junks to the shore, in quick suc-
cession, laden with booty, and the men besmeared
with blood! Two hundred and fifty women, and
several children, were made prisoners, and sent on
board different vessels. They were unable to
escape with the men, owing to that abominable prac-
tice of cramping their feet: several of them were
not able to move without assistance, in fact, they
might all be said to totter, rather than walk.
Twenty of these poor women were sent on board
the vessel I was in; they were hauled on board by
the hair, and treated in a most savage manner.
When the chief came on board, he questioned
them respecting the circumstances of their friends,
260 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
and demanded ransoms accordingly, from six thou-
sand to six hundred dollars each. He ordered them
a berth on deck, at the after part of the vessel,
where they had nothing to shelter them from the
weather, which at this time was very variable, — the
days excessively hot, and the nights cold, with heavy
rains. The town being plundered of every thing
valuable, it was set on fire, and reduced to ashes by
the morning. The fleet remained here three days,
negotiating for the ransom of the prisoners, and
plundering the fish-tanks and gardens. During all
this time, the Chinese never ventured from the hills,
though there were frequently not more than a hun-
dred Ladrones on shore at a time, and I am sure
the people on the hills exceeded ten times that num-
ber.*
October 5th, the fleet proceeded up another
branch of the river, stopping at several small vil-
lages to receive tribute, which was generally paid
in dollars, sugar and rice, with a few large pigs
roasted whole, as presents for their joss (the idol
they worship). t Every person on being ransomed,
is obliged to present him with a pig, or some fowls,
which the priest offers him with prayers; it remains
before him a few hours, and is then divided amongst
* The following is the Character of the Chinese of Canton, as
given in ancient Chinese books: "People of Canton are silly, light,
weak in body, and weak in mind, without any ability to fight on
land."
^ Joss is a Chinese corruption of the Portuguese Dios, God. The
Joss, or idol, of which Mr. Glasspoole speaks is the San po skin,
which is SDoken of in the work of Yuen tsze.
THE TERRIBLE LADRONES 261
the crew. Nothing particular occurred 'till the
loth, except frequent skirmishes on shore between
small parties of Ladrones and Chinese soldiers.
They frequently obliged my men to go on shore, and
fight with the muskets we had when taken, which did
great execution, the Chinese principally using bows
and arrows. They have match-locks, but use them
very unskillfully.
On the loth, we formed a junction with the
black squadron, and proceeded many miles up a
wide and beautiful river, passing several ruins of
villages that had been destroyed by the black squad-
ron. On the 17th, the fleet anchored abreast four
mud batteries, which defended a town, so entirely
surrounded with wood that it was impossible to
form any idea of its size. The weather was very
hazy, with hard squalls of rain. The Ladrones re-
mained perfectly quiet for two days. On the third
day the forts commenced a brisk fire for several
hours: the Ladrones did not return a single shot,
but weighed in the night and dropped down the
river.
The reasons they gave for not attacking the town,
or returning the fire, were that Joss had not prom-
ised them success. They are very superstitious, and
consult their idol on all occasions. If his omens
are good, they will undertake the most daring en-
terprizes.
The fleet now anchored opposite the ruins of the
town where the women had been made prisoners.
262 gri:at pirate stories
I Icrc wc remained five or six clays, during which
time ahout a hundred of the women were ransomed;
the remainder were offered for sale amongst the La-
drones, for forty dollars each. Ihe woman is con-
sidered the lawful wife of the purchaser, who would
be put to death if he discarded her. Several of them
leaped overboard and drowned themselves, rather
than submit to such infamous degradation.
The fleet then weighed and made sail down the
river, to receive the ransom from the town before
mentioned. As we passed the hill, they fired several
shots at us, but without effect. The Ladrones were
much exasperated, and determined to revenge them-
selves; they dropped out of reach of their shot, and
anchored. Every junk sent about a hundred men
each on shore, to cut paddy, and destroy their
orange-groves, which was most effectually per-
formed for several miles down the river. During
our stay here, they received information of nine
boats lying up a creek, laden with paddy; boats were
immediately dispatched after them.
Next morning these boats were brought to the
fleet; ten or twelve men were taken in them. As
these had made no resistance, the chief said he
would allow them to become Ladrones, if they
agreed to take the usual oaths before Joss. Three
or four of them refused to comply, for which they
were punished in the following cruel manner: their
hands were tied behind their back, a rope from the
mast-head rove through their arms, and hoisted
THE TERRIBLE LADRONES 263
three or four feet from the deck, and five or six
men flogged them with three rattans twisted to-
gether 'till they were apparently dead; then hoisted
them up to the mast-head, and left them hanging
nearly an hour, then lowered them down, and re-
peated the punishment, 'till they died or complied
with the oath.
October the 20th, in the night, an express-boat
came with the information that a large mandarine
fleet was proceeding up the river to attack us. The
chief immediately weighed, with fifty of the largest
vessels, and sailed down the river to meet them.
About one in the morning they commenced a heavy
fire till daylight, when an express was sent for the
remainder of the fleet to join them : about an hour
after a counter-order to anchor came, the manda-
rine fleet having run. Two or three hours after-
wards the chief returned with three captured vessels
in tow, having sunk two, and eighty-three sail made
their escape. The admiral of the mandarines blew
his vessel up, by throwing a lighted match into the
magazine as the Ladrones were boarding her; she
ran on shore, and they succeeded in getting twenty
of her guns.
In this action very few prisoners were taken: the
men belonging to the captured vessels drowned
themselves, as they were sure of suffering a linger-
ing and cruel death if taken after making resistance.
The admiral left the fleet in charge of his brother,
the second in command, and proceeded with his own
264 (;ri<:at hkaii-: stories
vessel towards Lantow. The fleet remained in this
river, cutting paddy, and getting the necessary sup-
plies.
On the 28th of October, I received a letter from
Captain Kay, brought by a fisherman, who had told
him he would get us all back for three thousand dol-
lars. I le advised me to offer three thousand, and if
not accepted, extend it to four; but not farther, as
it was bad policy to offer much at first: at the same
time assuring me we should be liberated, let the ran-
som be what it would. I offered the chief the three
thousand, which he disdainfully refused, saying he
was not to be played with; and unless they sent ten
thousand dollars, and two large guns, with several
casks of gunpowder, he would soon put us all to
death. I wrote to Captain Kay, and informed him
of the chief's determination, requesting if an oppor-
tunity offered, to send us a shift of clothes, for which
it may be easily imagined we were much distressed,
having been seven weeks without a shift; although
constantly exposed to the weather, and of course
frequently wet.
On the first of November, the fleet sailed up a
narrow river, and anchored at night within two miles
of a town called Little Whampoa. In front of it
was a small fort, and several mandarine vessels ly-
ing in the harbor. The chief sent the interpreter
to me, saying I must order my men to make cart-
ridges and clean their muskets, ready to go on shore
in the morning. I assured the interpreter I should
THE TERRIBLE LADRONES 265
give the men no such orders, that they must please
themselves. Soon after the chief came on board,
threatening to put us all to a cruel death if we re-
fused to obey his orders. For my own part I re-
mained determined, and advised the men not to
comply, as I thought by making ourselves useful we
should be accounted too valuable.
A few hours afterwards he sent to me again,
saying, that if myself and the quartermaster would
assist them at the great guns, that if also the rest
of the men went on shore and succeeded in taking
the place, he would then take the money offered for
our ransom, and give them twenty dollars for every
Chinaman's head they cut off. To these proposals
we cheerfully acceded, in hopes of facilitating our
deliverance.
Early in the morning the forces intended for
landing were assembled in rowboats, amounting in
the whole to three or four thousand men. The larg-
est vessels weighed, and hauled in shore, to cover
the landing of the forces, and attack the fort and
mandarine vessels. About nine o'clock the action
commenced, and continued with great spirit for
nearly an hour, when the walls of the fort gave
way, and the men retreated in the greatest confu-
sion.
The mandarine vessels still continued firing, hav-
ing blocked up the entrance of the harbor to pre-
vent the Ladrone boats entering. At this the La-
drones were much exasperated, and about three hun-
266 (.KEAT PIRATE STORIES
(Ircd of them swam on shore, with a short sword
lashed close under each arm; they then ran along
the banks of the river 'till they came abreast of the
vessels, and then swam off a^ain and boarded them.
The Chinese thus attacked, leaped overboard, and
endeavored to reach the opposite shore; the La-
drones followed, and cut the greater number of
them to pieces in the water. They next towed the
vessels out of the harbor, and attacked the town
with increased fury. The inhabitants fought about
a quarter of an hour, and then retreated to an adja-
cent hill, from which they were soon driven with
great slaughter.
After this the Ladrones returned, and plundered
the town, every boat leaving it when laden. The
Chinese on the hills perceiving most of the boats
were off, rallied, and retook the town, after killing
near two hundred Ladrones, One of my men was
unfortunately lost in this dreadful massacre ! The
Ladrones landed a second time, drove the Chinese
out of the town, then reduced it to ashes, and put
all their prisoners to death, without regarding either
age or sex!
I must not omit to mention a most horrid (though
ludicrous) circumstance which happened at this
place. The Ladrones were paid by their chief ten
dollars for every Chinaman's head they produced.
One of my men turning the corner of a street was
met by a Ladrone running furiously after a Chi-
nese; he had a drawn sword in his hand, and two
THE TERRIBLE LADRONES 267
Chinaman's heads which he had cut off, tied by
their tails, and slung round his neck. I was wit-
ness myself to some of them producing five or six to
obtain payment !
On the 4th of November an order arrived from
the admiral for the fleet to proceed immediately to
Lantow, where he was lying with only two vessels,
and three Portuguese ships and a brig constantly an-
noying him; several sail of mandarine vessels were
daily expected. The fleet weighed and proceeded
towards Lantow. On passing the island of Lintin,
three ships and a brig gave chase to us. The La-
drones prepared to board; but night closing we lost
sight of them : I am convinced they altered their
course and stood from us. These vessels were in
the pay of the Chinese government, and style them-
selves the Invincible Squadron, cruising in the river
Tigris to annihilate the Ladrones !
On the fifth, in the morning, the red squadron an-
chored in a bay under Lantow; the black squadron
stood to the eastward. In this bay they hauled sev-
eral of their vessels on shore to bream their bottoms
and repair them.
In the afternoon of the 8th of November, four
ships, a brig and a schooner came off the mouth of
the bay. At first the pirates were much alarmed,
supposing them to be English vessels come to rescue
us. Some of them threatened to hang us to the
mast-head for them to fire at; and with much diffi-
culty we persuaded them that they were Portuguese.
268 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
The Ladroncs had only seven junks in a fit state for
action; these they hauled outside, and moored them
head and stern across the hay; and manned all the
boats belonging to the repairing vessels ready for
boarding.
The Portuguese observing these maneuvers hove
to, and communicated by boats. Soon afterwards
they made sail, each ship firing her broadside as she
passed, but without effect, the shot falling far short.
The Ladrones did not return a single shot, but
waved their colors, and threw up rockets, to induce
them to come further in, which they might easily
have done, the outside junks lying in four fathoms
water which I sounded myself: though the Portu-
guese in their letters to Macao lamented there
was not sufficient water for them to engage closer,
but that they would certainly prevent their escaping
before the mandarine fleet arrived!
On the 20th of November, early in the morning,
I perceived an immense fleet of mandarine vessels
standing for the bay. On nearing us, they formed
a line, and stood close in; each vessel as she dis-
charged her guns tacked to join the rear and reload.
They kept up a constant fire for about two hours,
when one of their largest vessels was blown up by a
firebrand thrown from a Ladrone junk; after which
they kept at a more respectful distance, but contin-
ued firing without Intermission 'till the 21st at night,
when it fell calm.
The Ladrones towed out seven large vessels,
THE TERRIBLE LADRONES 269
with about two hundred rowboats to board them;
but a breeze springing up, they made sail and es-
caped. The Ladrones returned into the bay, and an-
chored. The Portuguese and mandarines followed,
and continued a heavy cannonading during that
night and the next day. The vessel I was in had
her foremast shot away, which they supplied very
expeditiously by taking a mainmast from a smaller
vessel.
On the 23d, in the evening, it again fell calm;
the Ladrones towed out fifteen junks in two divi-
sions, with the intention of surrounding them, which
was nearly effected, having come up with and
boarded one, when a breeze suddenly sprung up.
The captured vessel mounted twenty-two guns.
Most of her crew leaped overboard; sixty or sev-
enty were taken immediately, cut to pieces and
thrown into the river. Early in the morning the
Ladrones returned into the bay, and anchored in
the same situation as before. The Portuguese and
mandarines followed, keeping up a constant fire.
The Ladrones never returned a single shot, but al-
ways kept in readiness to board, and the Portuguese
were careful never to allow them an opportunity.
On the 28th, at night, they sent in eight fire-ves-
sels, which if properly constructed must have done
great execution, having every advantage they could
wish for to effect their purpose; a strong breeze and
tide directly into the bay, and the vessels lying so
close together that it was impossible to miss them
270 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
On their first appearance the Ladrones gave a gen-
eral shout, supposing them to be mandarine vessels
on fire, hut were very soon convinced of their mis-
take. They came very regularly into the center of
the fleet, two and two, burning furiously; one of
them came alongside of the vessel I was in, but they
succeeded in booming her off. She appeared to be
a vessel of about thirty tons; her hold was filled
with straw and wood, and there were a few small
boxes of combustibles on her deck, which exploded
alongside of us without doing any damage. The La-
drones, however, towed them all on shore, extin-
guished the fire, and broke them up for fire-wood.
The Portuguese claim the credit of constructing
these destructive machines, and actually sent a dis-
patch to the Governor of Macao, saying they had
destroyed at least one-third of the Ladrones' fleet,
and hoped soon to effect their purpose by totally an-
nihilating them !
On the 29th of November, the Ladrones being all
ready for sea, they weighed and stood boldly out,
bidding defiance to the invincible squadron and Im-
perial fleet, consisting of ninety-three war-junks, six
Portuguese ships, a brig, and a schooner. Imme-
diately the Ladrones weighed, they made all sail.
The Ladrones chased them two or three hours,
keeping up a constant fire; finding they did not come
up with them, they hauled their wind and stood to
the eastward.
Thus terminated the boasted blockade, which
THE TERRIBLE LADRONES 271
lasted nine days, during which time the Ladrones
completed all their repairs. In this action not a
single Ladrone vessel was destroyed, and their loss
about thirty or forty men. An American was also
killed, one of three that remained out of eight taken
in a schooner. I had two very narrow escapes : the
first, a twelve-pounder shot fell within three or four
feet of me; another took a piece out of a small
brass-swivel on which I was standing. The chief's
wife frequently sprinkled me with garlic-water,
which they consider an effectual charm against shot.
The fleet continued under sail all night, steering to-
wards the eastward. In the morning they anchored
in a large bay surrounded by lofty and barren moun-
tains.
On the 2nd of December I received a letter from
Lieutenant Maughn, commander of the Honorable
Company's cruiser Antelope, saying that he had the
ransom on board, and had been three days cruising
after us, and wished me to settle with the chief on
the securest metliod of delivering it. The chief
agreed to send us in a small gunboat, 'till we came
within sight of the Antelope; then the Compra-
dore's boat was to bring the ransom and receive us.
I was so agitated at receiving this joyful news,
that it was with considerable difficulty I could scrawl
about two or three lines to inform Lieutenant
Maughn of the arrangements I had made. We were
all so deeply affected by the gratifying tidings, that
we seldom closed our eyes, but continued watching
272 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
day and ni^ht for the boat. On the 6th she returned
with Lieutenant Mau^hn's answer, saying he would
respect any single boat; but would not allow the
fleet to approach him. The chief then, according to
his first proposal, ordered a gunboat to take us,
and with no small degree of pleasure we left the
Ladrone fleet about four o'clock in the morning.
At one P.M. saw the Antelope under all sail",
standing toward us. 7 he Ladrone boat immediately
anchored, and dispatched the Compradore's boat
for the ransom, saying, that if she approached
nearer, they would return to the fleet; and they were
just weighing when she shortened sail, and anchored
about two miles from us. The boat did not reach
her 'till late in the afternoon, owing to the tide's
being strong against her. She received the ransom
and left the Antelope just before dark. A manda-
rine boat that had been lying concealed under the
land, and watching their maneuvers, gave chase to
her, and was within a few fathoms of taking her,
when she saw a light, which the Ladrones answered,
and the Mandarine hauled off.
Our situation was now a most critical one; the
ransom was in the hands of the Ladrones, and the
Compradore dare not return with us for fear of a
second attack from the mandarine boat. The La-
drones would not remain "till morning, so we were
obliged to return with them to the fleet.
In the morning the chief inspected the ransom,
which consisted of the following articles: two bales
THE TERRIBLE LADRONES 273
of superfine scarlet cloth; two chests of opium; two
casks of gunpowder; and a telescope; the rest in
dollars. He objected to the telescope not being
new; and said he should detain one of us 'till an-
other was sent, or a hundred dollars in lieu of it.
The Compradore however agreed with him for the
hundred dollars.
Every thing being at length settled, the chief or-
dered two gunboats to convey us near the Antelope;
we saw her just before dusk, when the Ladrone
boats left us. We had the inexpressible pleasure of
arriving on board the Antelope at 7 P.M., where we
were most cordially received, and heartily congratu-
lated on our safe and happy deliverance from a mis-
erable captivity, which we had endured for eleven
weeks and three days.
A few Remarks on the Origin, Progress, Manners,
and Customs of the Ladrones
The Ladrones are a disaffected race of Chinese,
that revolted against the oppressions of the manda-
rins. They first commenced their depredations on
the Western coast (Cochin-China), by attacking
small trading vessels in rowboats, carrying from
thirty to forty men each. They continued this sys-
tem of piracy several years; at length their suc-
cesses, and the oppressive state of the Chinese, had
the effect of rapidly increasing their numbers. Hun-
dreds of fishermen and others flocked to their stand-
ard; and as their number increased they conse-
274 GRI-Ar IMRATK STORIES
qucntly became more desperate. They blockaded
all the principal rivers, and captured several large
junks, mountinj^ from ten to fifteen guns each.
With these junks they formed a very formidable
fleet, and no small vessels could trade on the coast
with safety. Ihey plundered several small villages,
and exercised such wanton barbarity as struck horror
into the breasts of the Chinese. To check these
enormities the government equipped a fleet of forty
imperial war-junks, mounting from eighteen to
twenty guns each. On the very first rencontre,
twenty-eight of the imperial junks struck to the pi-
rates; the rest saved themselves by a precipitate re-
treat.
These junks, fully equipped for war, were a great
acquisition to them. Their numbers augmented so
rapidly, that at the period of my captivity they were
supposed to amount to near seventy thousand men,
eight hundred large vessels, and nearly a thousand
small ones, including rowboats. They were divided
into five squadrons, distinguished by different col-
ored flags: each squadron commanded by an ad-
miral, or chief; but all under the orders of A-juo-
Chay (Ching yih saou), their premier chef, a most
daring and enterprising man, who went so far as to
declare his intention of displacing the present Tar-
tar family from the throne of China, and to restore
the ancient Chinese dynasty.
This extraordinary character would have cer-
tainly shaken the foundation of the government, had
THE TERRIBLE LADRONES 275
he not been thwarted by the jealousy of the second
in command, who declared his independence, and
soon after surrendered to the mandarines with five
hundred vessels, on promise of a pardon. Most of
the inferior chiefs followed his example. A-juo-
Chay (Ching yih saou) held out a few months
longer, and at length surrendered with sixteen thou-
sand men, on condition of a general pardon, and
himself to be made a mandarine of distinction.
The Ladrones have no settled residence on shore,
but live constantly in their vessels. The after-part
is appropriated to the captain and his wives; he gen-
erally has five or six. With respect to conjugal
rights they are religiously strict; no person is al-
lowed to have a woman an board, unless married to
her according to their laws. Every man is allowed
a small berth, about four feet square, where he
stows with his wife and family.
From the number of souls crowded in so small a
space, it must naturally be supposed they are hor-
ridly dirty, whic.h is evidently the case, and their
vessels swarm with all kinds of vermin. Rats in
particular, which they encourage to breed, and eat
them as great delicacies; in fact, there are very few
creatures they will not eat. During our captivity we
lived three weeks on caterpillars boiled with rice.
They are much addicted to gambling, and spend
all their leisure hours at cards and smoking opium.
THE FEMALE CAPTIVE*
Luc RET I A PaRKKR
THE event which Is here related is the cap-
ture by the Pirates of the English sloop
Eliza Ann, bound from St, Johns to An-
tigua, and the massacre of the whole crew (ten
in number) with the exception of one female pas-
senger, whose life, by the interposition of Divine
Providence, was miraculously preserved. The par-
ticulars are copied from a letter written by the
unfortunate Miss Parker (the female passenger
above alluded to) to her brother in New York.
"St. Johns, April 3, 1825.
"Dear Brother,
"You have undoubtedly heard of my adverse for-
tune, and the shocking Incident that has attended
me since I had the pleasure of seeing you in No-
vember last. Anticipating your impatience to be
made acquainted with a more circumstantial detail
of my extraordinary adventures, I shall not on
account of the interest which I know you must feel
in my welfare, hesitate to oblige you; yet, I must
declare to you that it is that consideration alone
• From an Old Pamphlet, published in 1825.
276
THE FEMALE CAPTIVE 277
that prompts me to do It, as even the recollection
of the scenes which I have witnessed you must be
sensible must ever be attended with pain: and that
I cannot reflect on what I have endured, and the
scenes of horror that I have been witness to, with-
out the severest shock. I shall now, brother, pro-
ceed to furnish you with a detail of my misfortunes
as they occurred, without exaggeration, and if it
should be your wish to communicate them to the
public, through the medium of a public print, or
in any other way, you are at liberty to do it, and
I shall consider myself amply rewarded if in a
single instance it proves beneficial in removing a
doubt in the minds of such, who, although they dare
not deny the existence of a Supreme Being, yet
disbelieve that he ever in any way revealed Him-
self to his creatures. Let Philosophy (as it is
termed) smile with pity or contempt on my weak-
ness or credulity, yet the superintendence of a
particular Providence, interfering by second
causes, is so apparent to me, and was so conspicu-
ously displayed in the course of my afflictions, that
I shall not banish it from my mind from the begin-
ning to the end of my narration.
On the 28th February I took passage on board
the sloop Eliza Ann, captain Charles Smith, for
Antigua, in compliance with the earnest request of
brother Thomas and family, who had advised me
that they had concluded to make that island the
place of their permanent residence, having a few
278 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
months previous purchased there a valuable Planta-
tion. We set sail with a favorable wind, and with
every appearance of a sliort and pleasant voyage,
and met with no incident to destrf)y or diminish
those flattering prospects, until about noon of the
14th day from that of our departure, when a small
schooner was discovered standing toward us, with
her deck full of men, and as she approached us
from her suspicious appearance there was not a
doubt in the minds of any on board, but that she
was a Pirate. When within a few yards of us, they
gave a shout and our decks were instantly crowded
with the motley crew of desperadoes, armed with
weapons of almost every description that can be
mentioned, and with which they commenced their
barbarous work by unmercifully beating and maim-
ing all on board except myself. As a retreat was
impossible, and finding myself surrounded by
wretches, whose yells, oaths, and imprecations, made
them more resemble demons than human-beings,
I fell on my knees, and from one who appeared
to have the command, I begged for mercy, and for
permission to retire to the cabin, that I might not be
either the subject or a witness of the murderous
scene that I had but little doubt was about to
ensue. The privilege was not refused me. The
monster In human shape (for such was then his
appearance) conducted me by the hand himself to
the companlonway, and pointing to the cabin said
to me, "Descend and remain there and you will be
THE FEMALE CAPTIVE 279
perfectly safe, for although Pirates, we are not
barbarians to destroy the lives of innocent females !"
Saying this he closed the companion doors and left
me alone, to reflect on my helpless and deplorable
situation. It is indeed impossible for me, brother,
to paint to your imagination what were my feelings
at this moment; being the only female on board,
my terror It cannot be expected was much less than
that of the poor devoted mariners! I resigned my
life to the Being who had lent it, and did not fail
to improve the opportunity (which I thought It not
improbable might be my last, to call on Him for
that protection, which my situation so much at this
moment required — and never shall I be persuaded
but that my prayers were heard.
While I remained In this situation, by the sound
of the clashing of swords, attended by shrieks and
dismal groans, I could easily Imagine what was go-
ing on on deck, and anticipated nothing better than
the total destruction by the Pirates of the lives of
all on board. After I had remained about one hour
and a half alone in the cabin, and all had become
silent on deck, the cabin doors were suddenly thrown
open, and eight or ten of the Piratical crew en-
tered, preceded by him whom I had suspected to be
their leader, and from whom I had received assur-
ances that I should not be injured. By him I was
again addressed and requested to banish all fears
of personal Injury — that they sought only for the
money which they suspected to be secreted some-
280 GREAT PIRATE STORIi:S
where on board the vessel, and which they were
determined to have, although unable to extort a
disclosure of the place of its concealment by threats
and violence from the crew. The Pirates now com-
menced a thorough search throughout the cabin,
the trunks and chests belonging to the captain and
mate were broken open, and rifled of their most
valuable contents — nor did my baggage and stores
meet with any better fate, indeed this was a loss
which at this moment caused me but little uneasi-
ness. I felt that my life was in too much jeopardy
to lament in any degree the loss of my worldly
goods, surrounded as I was by a gang of the most
ferocious looking villains that my eyes ever before
beheld, of different complexions, and each with a
drawn weapon in his hand, some of them fresh
crimsoned with the blood (as I then supposed) of
my murdered countrymen and whose horrid impre-
cations and oaths were enough to appal the bravest
heart !
Their search for money proving unsuccessful
(with the exception of a few dollars which they
found in the captain's chest) they returned to the
deck, and setting sail on the sloop, steered her for
the place of their rendezvous, a small island or key
not far distant I imagine from the island of Cuba,
where we arrived the day after our capture. The
island was nearly barren, producing nothing but a
few scattered mangroves and shrubs, interspersed
with the miserable huts of these outlaws of civiliza-
THE FEMALE CAPTIVE 281
tion, among whom power formed the only law, and
every species of iniquity was here carried to an
extent of which no person who had not witnessed a
similar degree of pollution, could form the most
distant idea.
As soon as the sloop was brought to an
anchor, the hatches were thrown off and the unfor-
tunate crew ordered on deck — a command which to
my surprise was instantly obeyed, as I had harboured
strong suspicions that they had been all murdered
by the Pirates the day previous. The poor devoted
victims, although alive, exhibited shocking proofs
of the barbarity with which they had been treated
by the unmerciful Pirates; their bodies exhibiting
deep wounds and bruises too horrible for me to
attempt to describe ! Yet, however great had been
their sufferings, their lives had been spared only to
endure still greater torments. Being strongly
pinioned they were forced into a small leaky boat
and rowed on shore, which we having reached and
a division of the plunder having been made by the
Pirates, a scene of the most bloody and wanton
barbarity ensued, the bare recollection of which still
chills my blood. Having first divested them of
every article of clothing but their shirts and
trousers, with swords, knives, axes, etc., they fell
on the unfortunate crew of the Eliza Ann with the
ferocity of cannibals. In vain did they beg for
mercy and intreat of their murderers to spare their
lives. In vain did poor capt. S. attempt to
282 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
touch their fcclinfjjs and to move them to pity by
representing to them the situation of his innocent
family; that he had a wife and three small children
at home wholly de[)endcnt on him for support. But,
alas, the poor man intreated in vain. His appeal
was to monsters possessing hearts callous to the
feelings of humanity. Having received a heavy
blow from one with an ax, he snapped the cords
with which he was bound, and attempted an escape
by flight, but was met by another of the ruffians,
who plunged a knife or dirk to his heart. I stood
near him at this moment and was covered with his
blood. On receiving the fatal wound he gave a
single groan and fell lifeless at my feet. Nor were
the remainder of the crew more fortunate. The
mate while on his knees imploring mercy, and
promising to accede to anything that the vile as-
sassins should require of him, on condition of his
life being spared, received a blow from a club,
which instantaneously put a period to his existence!
Dear brother, need I attempt to paint to your
imagination my feelings at this awful moment?
Will it not suffice for me to say that I have described
to you a scene of horror which I was compelled to
witness! and with the expectation too of being the
next victim selected by these ferocious monsters,
whose thirst for blood appeared to be insatiable.
There appeared now but one alternative left me,
which was to offer up a prayer to Heaven for the
protection of that Being who has power to stay the
THE FEMALE CAPTIVE 283
assassin's hand, and "who is able to do exceeding
abundantly above what we can ask or think," —
sincerely in the language of scripture I can say, "I
found trouble and sorrow, then called I upon the
name of the Lord."
I remained on my knees until the inhuman
wretches had completed their murderous work, and
left none but myself to lament the fate of those who
but twenty-four hours before, were animated with
the pleasing prospects of a quick passage, and a
speedy return to the bosoms of their families ! The
wretch by whom I had been thrice promised pro-
tection, and who seemed to reign chief among them,
again approached me with hands crimsoned with
the blood of my murdered countrymen, and, with a
savage smile, once more repeated his assurances that
if I would but become reconciled to my situation,
I had nothing to fear. There was indeed something
truly terrific in the appearance of this man, or
rather monster as he ought to be termed. He was
of a swarthy complexion, near six feet in height, his
eyes were large, black and penetrating; his expres-
sion was remarkable, and when silent, his looks were
sufficient to declare his meaning. He wore around
his waist a leathern belt, to which was suspended a
sword, a brace of pistols and a dirk. He was as I
was afterward informed the acknowledged chief
among the Pirates, all appeared to stand in awe of
him, and no one dared to disobey his commands.
Such, dear brother, was the character who had
284 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
promised mc protection if I would become recon-
ciled to my situation, in other words, subservient to
his will. But, whatever mi^ht have been his inten-
tions, although now in his power, without a visible
friend to protect mc, yet such full reliance did I
place in the Supreme Being, who sees and knows
all things, and who has promised his protection to
the faithful in the hour of tribulation, that I felt
myself in a less degree of danger than you or any
one would probably imagine.
As the day drew near to a close, I was conducted
to a small temporary hut or cabin, where I was in-
formed I might repose peaceably for the night,
which I did without being disturbed by any one.
This was another opportunity that I did not suffer
to pass unimproved to pour out my soul to that
Being, who had already given me reasons to believe
that he did not say to the house of Jacob, seek you
me in vain. Oh! that all sincere Christians would
in every difficulty make Him their refuge; He is a
hopeful stay.
Early in the morning ensuing I was visited by the
wretch alone whom I had viewed as chief of the
murderous band. As he entered and cast his eyes
upon me, his countenance relaxed from its usual
ferocity to a feigned smile. Without speaking a
word, he seated himself on a bench that the cabin
contained, and drawing a table toward him, leaned
upon it resting his cheek upon his hand. His eyes
for some moments were fixed in stedfast gaze
THE FEMALE CAPTIVE 285
upon the ground, while his whole soul appeared to
be devoured by the most diabolical thoughts. In a
few moments he arose from his seat and hastily
traversed the hut, apparently in extreme agitation,
and not unfrequently fixing his eyes stedfastly upon
me. But, that Providence, which while it protects
the innocent, never suffers the wicked to go un-
punished, interposed to save me and to deliver me
from the hands of this remorseless villain, at the
very instant when in all probability he intended to
have destroyed my happiness forever.
On a sudden the Pirate's bugle was sounded,
which (as I was afterward informed) was the usual
signal of a sail in sight. The ruffian monster there-
upon without uttering a word left my apartment,
and hastened with all speed to the place of their
general rendezvous on such occasions. Flattered by
the pleasing hope that Providence might be about
to complete her work, of mercy, and was conducting
to the dreary island some friendly aid, to rescue me
from my perilous situation, I mustered courage to
ascend to the roof of my hovel, to discover if pos-
sible the cause of the alarm, and what might be the
issue.
A short distance from the island I espied a sail
which appeared to be lying to, and a few miles
therefrom to the windward, another, which ap-
peared to be bearing down under a press of sail
for the former — in a moment the whole gang of
Pirates, with the exception of four, were in their
286 GRKAT IMKATh: STORIES
boats, and with their oars, etc., were making every
possible exertion to reach the vessel nearest to
their islanti; but by the time they had effected their
object the more distant vessel (which proved to be
a British sloop of war disguised) had approached
them within fair gunshot, and probably knowing or
suspecting their characters, opened their ports and
commenced a destructive fire upon them. The
Pirates were now, as nearly as I could judge with
the naked eye, thrown into great confusion. Every
possible exertion appeared to have been made by
them to reach the island, and escape from their
pursuers. Some jumped from their boats and
attempted to gain the shore by swimming, but these
were shot in the water, and the remainder who re-
mained in their boats were very soon after over-
taken and captured by two well manned boats
dispatched from the sloop of war for that purpose;
and, soon had I the satisfaction to see them all on
board of the sloop, and in the power of those from
whom I was fully satisfied that they would meet
with the punishment due to their crimes.
In describing the characters of this Piratical band
of robbers, I have, dear brother, represented them
as wretches of the most frightful and ferocious
appearance — blood-thirst}^ monsters, who, in acts of
barbarity ought only to be ranked with cannibals,
who delight to feast on human flesh. Rendered
desperate by their crimes and aware that they
should find no mercy if so unfortunate as to fall into
THE FEMALE CAPTIVE 287
the hands of those to whom they show no mercy,
to prevent a possibility of detection, and the just
execution of the laws wantonly destroy the lives of
every one, however innocent, who may be so unfor-
tunate as to fall into their power — such, indeed,
brother, is the true character of the band of Pirates
(to the number of 30 or 40) by whom it was my
misfortune to be captured, with the exception of a
single one, who possessed a countenance less savage,
and had the appearance of possessing a heart less
callous to the feelings of humanity. Fortunately
for me, as Divine Providence ordered, this person
was one of the four who remained on the island,
and on whom the command involved after the un-
expected disaster which had deprived them forever
of so great a portion of their comrades. From this
man (after the capture of the murderous tyrant to
whose commands he had been compelled to yield)
I received the kindest treatment, and assurances
that I should be restored to liberty and to my
friends when an opportunity should present, or
when it could be consistently done with the safety
of their lives and liberty.
This unhappy man (for such he declared himself
to be) took an opportunity to indulge me with a
partial relation of a few of the most extraordinary
incidents of his life. He declared himself an
Englishman by birth, but his real name and place of
nativity was he said a secret he would never dis-
close! "although I must (said he) acknowledge
288 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
myself by profession a Pirate, yet I can boast of
respectable parentage, and the time once was when
I myself sustained an unimpeachable character.
Loss of property, through the treachery of those
whom I cf)nsidered friends, and in whom I had
placed implicit confidence, was what first led me
to and induced me to prefer this mode of life, to
any of a less criminal nature — but, although I vol-
untarily became the associate of a band of wretches
the most wicked and unprincipled perhaps on earth,
yet I solemnly declare that I have not in any one
instance personally deprived an innocent fellow
creature of life. It was an act of barbarity at which
my heart ever recoiled, and against which I always
protested. With the property I always insisted we
ought to be satisfied, without the destruction of the
lives of such who were probably the fathers of
families, and who had never offended us. But our
gang was as you may suppose chiefly composed of
and governed by men without principle, who ap-
peared to delight in the shedding of blood, and
whose only excuse has been that by acting with too
much humanity in sparing life, they might thereby
be exposed and themselves arraigned to answer for
their crimes at an earthly tribunal. You can have
no conception, madam (continued he), of the im-
mense property that has been piratically captured,
and of the number of lives that have been destroyed
by this gang alone, and all without the loss of a
single one on our part until yesterday, when by an
THE FEMALE CAPTIVE 289
unexpected circumstance our number has been re-
duced as you see from thirty-five to four! This
island has not been our constant abiding place, but
the bodies of such as have suffered here have always
been conveyed a considerable distance from the
shore, and thrown into the sea, where they were
probably devoured by the sharks, as not a single one
has ever been known afterward to drift on our
shores. The property captured has not been long
retained on this island, but shipped to a neighboring
port, where we have an agent to dispose of it.
"Of the great number of vessels captured by us
(continued he) you are the first and only female
that has been so unfortunate as to fall into our
hands — and from the moment that I first saw you
in our power (well knowing the brutal disposition
of him whom we acknowledged our chief) I
trembled for your safety, and viewed you as one
deprived perhaps of the protection of a husband or
brother, to become the victim of an unpitying
wretch, whose pretended regard for your sex, and
his repeated promises of protection, were hypo-
critical — a mere mask to lull your fears until he
could effect your ruin. His hellish designs, agree-
able to his own declarations, would have been
carried into effect the very morning that he last
visited you, had not an all-wise Providence inter-
fered to save you — and so sensible am I that the
unexpected circumstance of his capture, as well as
that of the most of our gang, as desperate and un-
290 GREAT PIKATJ': SIORIKS
principled as himself, must have been by order of
I lim, from whose all-seeing eye no evil transaction
can be hidden, that were I so disposed I should be
deterred from doing you any injury through fear of
meeting with a similar fate. Nor do my three re-
maining companions differ with me in opinion, and
we all now most solemnly pledge ourselves, that so
long as you remain in our power, you shall have
nothing to complain of but the deprivation of the
society of those whose company no doubt would be
more agreeable to you; and as soon as it can be
done consistently with our own safety, you shall be
conveyed to a place from which you may obtain a
passage to your friends. We have now become too
few in number to hazard a repetition of our
Piratical robberies, and not only this, but some of
our captured companions to save their own lives,
may prove treacherous enough to betray us; we are
therefore making preparation to leave this island
for a place of more safety, when you, madam, shall
be conveyed and set at liberty as I have promised
you."
Dear brother, if you before doubted, is not the
declaration of this man (which I have recorded as
correctly as my recollection will admit of) sufficient
to satisfy you that I owe my life and safety to the
interposition of a Divine Providence! Oh, yes!
surely it is — and I feel my insufficiency to thank and
praise my Heavenly Protector as I ought, for his
loving kindness in preserving me from the evil de-
THE FEMALE CAPTIVE 291
signs of wicked men, and for finally restoring me
to liberty and to my friends !
I cannot praise Him as I would,
But He is merciful and good.
From this moment every preparation was made
by the Pirates to remove from the island. The
small quantity of stores and goods which remained
on hand (principally of the Ann Eliza's cargo) was
either buried on the island, or conveyed away In
their boats in the night to some place unknown to
me. The last thing done was to demolish their
temporary dwellings, which was done so effectually
as not to suffer a vestige of any thing to remain that
could have led to a discovery that the island had
ever been inhabited by such a set of beings. Eleven
days from that of the capture of the Ann Eliza
(the Pirates having previously put on board several
bags of dollars, which from the appearance of the
former, I judged had been concealed in the earth)
I was ordered to embark with them, but for what
place I then knew not.
About midnight I was landed on the rocky shores
of an island which they informed me was Cuba,
they furnished me with a few hard biscuit and a
bottle of water, and directed me to proceed early in
the morning in a northeast direction, to a house
about a mile distant, where I was told I would be
well treated and be furnished with a guide that
would conduct me to Mantansies. With these
292 GREAT PI RATI': STORIES
directions they left me, and I never saw them more.
At daybreak I set out in search of the house to
which I had been directed by the Pirates, and which
I had the good fortune to reach in safety in about
an hour and a half. It was a humble tenement
thatched with canes, without any flooring but the
ground, and was tenanted by a man and his wife
only, from whom I met with a welcome reception,
and by whom I was treated with much hospitality.
Although Spaniards, the man could speak and
understand enough English to converse with me,
and to learn by what means I had been brought so
unexpectedly alone and unprotected to his house.
Though it was the same to which I had been
directed by the Pirates, yet he declared that so far
from being in any way connected with them in their
Piratical robberies, or enjoying any portion of their
ill-gotten gain, no one could hold them in greater
abhorrence. Whether he was sincere in these dec-
larations or not, is well known to Him whom the
lying tongue cannot deceive — it is but justice to them
to say that by both the man and his wife I was
treated with kindness, and it was with apparent
emotions of pity that they listened to the tale of my
sufferings. By their earnest request I remained with
them until the morning ensuing, when I set out on
foot for Mantansies, accompanied by the Spaniard
who had kindly offered to conduct me to that place,
which we reached about seven in the evening of
the same day.
THE FEMALE CAPTIVE 293
At Mantansies I found many Americans and
Europeans, by whom I was kindly treated, and who
proffered their services to restore me to my friends,
but as there were no vessels bound direct from
thence to Antigua or St. Johns, I was persuaded to
take passage for Jamaica, where it was the opinion
of my friends I might obtain a passage more
speedily for one or the other place, and where I
safely arrived after a pleasant passage of four days.
The most remarkable and unexpected circum-
stance of my extraordinary adventures, I have yet,
dear brother, to relate. Soon after my arrival at
Jamaica, the Authority having been made ac-
quainted with the circumstance of my recent capture
by the Pirates, and the extraordinary circumstance
which produced my liberation, requested that I
might be conducted to the Prison, to see if I could
among a number of Pirates recently committed,
recognize any of those by whom I had been cap-
tured. I was accordingly attended by two or three
gentlemen, and two young ladies (who had politely
offered to accompany me) to the prison apartment,
on entering which, I not only instantly recognized
among a number therein confined, the identical '
savage monster of whom I have had so much occa-
sion to speak (the Pirates' Chief) but the most of
those who had composed his gang, and who were
captured with him !
The sudden and unexpected introduction into
their apartment of one, whom they had probably
294 (iRJlAT PJKA'il-: STORIES
in their minds numlKTcd with the victims of their
wanton barbarity, produced uncjuesticmably on their
minds not an inconsi(leral)le decree of liorror as well
as surprise! and, considering their condemnation
now certain, they no doubt heaped curses upt^n their
more fortunate companions, for sparing the life and
setting at liberty one whom an all-wise Providence
had conducted to and placed in a situation to bear
witness to their unprecedented barbarity.
Government having through me obtained the
necessary proof of the guilt of these merciless
wretches, after a fair and impartial trial they were
all condemned to suffer the punishment due to their
crimes, and seven ordered for immediate execution,
one of whom was the barbarian their chief. After
the conviction and condemnation of this wretch,
in hopes of eluding the course of justice, he made
(as I was informed) an attempt upon his own life,
by inflicting upon himself deep wounds with a knife
which he had concealed for that purpose; but in this
he was disappointed, the wounds not proving so
fatal as he probably anticipated.
I never saw this hardened villain or any of his
equally criminal companions after their condemna-
tion, although strongly urged to witness their execu-
tion, and am therefore indebted to one who daily
visited them, for the information of their behavior
from that period until that of their execution;
which, as regarded the former, I was informed was
extremely impenitent — that while proceeding to the
THE FEMALE CAPTIVE 295
place of ignominy and death, he talked with shocking
unconcern, hinting that by being instrumental in the
destruction of so many lives, he had become too
hardened and familiar with death to feel much in-
timidated at its approach ! He was attended to
the place of execution by a Roman Catholic Priest,
who it was said labored to convince him of the
atrociousness of his crimes, but he seemed deaf to
all admonition or exhortation, and appeared in-
sensible to the hope of happiness or fear of torment
in a future state — and so far from exhibiting a
single symptom of penitence, declared that he knew
of but one thing for which he had cause to reproach
himself, which was in sparing my life and not order-
ing me to be butchered as the others had been!
How awful was the end of the life of this miserable
criminal! He looked not with harmony, regard, or
a single penitent feeling toward one human being
in the last agonies of an ignominious death.
After remaining nine days at Jamaica, I was so
fortunate as to obtain a passage with Capt. Ells-
more, direct for St. Johns — the thoughts of once
more returning home and of so soon joining my
anxious friends, when I could have an opportunity
to communicate to my aged parents, to a beloved
sister and a large circle of acquaintances, the sad
tale of the misfortunes which had attended me since
I bid them adieu, would have been productive of
the most pleasing sensations, had they not been
interrupted by the melancholy reflection that I was
296 GRKAT PIRATE STORIES
the bearer of tidings of the most heart-rending
nature, to the bereaved families of those unfor-
tunate husbands and parents who had in my presence
fallen victims to Piratical barbarity. Thankful
should I have been had the distressing duty fell to
the lot of some one of less sensibility — but, unerring
Providence had ordered otherwise. We arrived
safe at our port of destination after a somewhat
boisterous passage of i8 days. I found my
friends all well, but the effects produced on their
minds by the relation of the distressing incidents
and adverse fortune that had attended me since
my departure, I shall not attempt to describe — and
much less can you expect, brother, that I should
attempt a description of the feelings of the afflicted
widow and fatherless child, who first received from
me the melancholy tidings that they were so !
Thus, brother, have I furnished you with as
minute a detail of the sad misfortunes that have
attended me, in my intended passage to Antigua, in
February and March last, as circumstances will
admit of — and here permit me once more to repeat
the enqulr}'^ — is it not sufficient to satisfy you and
every reasonable person, that I owe my life and
liberty to the interposition of a Divine Providence?
— so fully persuaded am I of this, dear brother,
and of my great obligations to that Supreme Being
who turned not away my prayer nor his mercy from
me, that I am determined to engage with my whole
heart to serve Him the residue of my days on earth.
THE FEMALE CAPTIVE 297
by the aid of his heavenly grace — and invite all who
profess to fear Him (should a single doubt remain
on their minds) to come and hear what he hath
done for me !
I am, dear brother, affectionately yours,
LucRETiA Parker."
THE PASSING OF MOGUL MACKENZIE
The Last of the North Atlantic Pirates *
Arthur Hunt Chute
IN the farther end of the Bay of Fundy, about a
mile off from the Nova Scotian coast, is the Isle
of I laut. It is a strange rocky island that rises
several hundred feet sheer out of the sea, without
any bay or inlets. A landing can only be effected
there in the calmest weather; and on account of the
tremendous ebb of the Fundy tides, which rise and
fall sixty feet every twelve hours, the venturesome
explorer cannot long keep his boat moored against
the precipitous cliflfs.
Because of this inaccessibility little is known of
the solitary island. Within its rampart walls of
rock they say there is a green valley, and in its cen-
ter is a fathomless lake, where the Micmac Indians
used to bury their dead, and hence its dread ap-
pellation of the "Island of the Dead." Beyond
these bare facts nothing more is certain about the
secret valley and the haunted lake. Many wild and
fabulous descriptions are current, but they are
merely the weavings of fancy.
Sometimes on a stormy night the unhappy navi-
gators of the North Channel miss the coast lights
* From Blackivood's Magazine.
298
PASSING OF MOGUL MACKENZIE 299
in the fog, and out from the Isle of Haut a gentle
undertow flirts with their bewildered craft. Then
little by little they are gathered into a mighty cur-
rent against which all striving is in vain, and in the
white foam among the Iron cliffs their ship is
pounded into splinters. The quarry which she
gathers in so softly at first and so fiercely at last,
however, is soon snatched away from the siren
shore. The ebb-tide bears every sign of wreckage
far out into the deeps of the Atlantic, and not a
trace remains of the ill-starred vessel or her crew.
But one of the boats in the fishing fleet never comes
home, and from lonely huts on the coast reproachful
eyes are cast upon the "Island of the Dead."
On the long winter nights, when the "boys"
gather about the fire in Old Steele's General Stores
at Hall's Harbor, their hard gray life becomes
bright for a spell. When a keg of hard cider is
flowing freely the grim fishermen forget their taci-
turnity, the ice is melted from their speech, and the
floodgates of their souls pour forth. But ever in
the background of their talk, unforgotten, like a
haunting shadow, is the "Island of the Dead." Of
their weirdest and most blood-curdling yarns it is
always the center; and when at last, with uncertain
steps, they leave the empty keg and the dying fire
to turn homeward through the drifting snow, fear-
ful and furtive glances are cast to where the island
looms up like a ghostly sentinel from the sea.
Across its high promontory the Northern Lights
300 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
scintillate and bla/c, and out of its moving bright-
ness the terrified fishermen behold the war-canoes of
dead Indians freighted with their redskin braves;
the forms of ca'ur dc hois and desperate Frenchmen
swinging down the sky-line in a ghastly snake-dance;
the shapes and spars of ships long since forgotten
from the "Missing List"; and always, most dread-
inspiring of them all, the distress signals from the
sinking ship of Mogul Mackenzie and his pirate
crew.
Captain Mogul Mackenzie was the last_of the
pirates to scourge the North Atlantic seaboard.
He came from that school of freebooters that was
let loose by the American Civil War. With a let-
ter of marque from the Confederate States, he
sailed the seas to prey on Yankee shipping. He and
his fellow-privateers were so thorough in their work
of destruction, that the Mercantile Marine of the
United States was ruined for a generation to come.
When the war was over the defeated South called
off her few remaining bloodhounds on the sea. But
Mackenzie, who was still at large, had drunkjtgo
deeply of the wine of a wild, free life. He did not
return to lay down his arms, but began on a course
of shameless piracy. He lived only a few months
under the black flag, until he went down on the Isle
of Haut. The events of that brief and thrilling
period are unfortunately obscure, with only a ray of
light here and there. But the story of his passing Is
PASSING OF MOGUL MACKENZIE 301
the most weird of all the strange yarns that are
spun about the "Island of the Dead."
In May, 1865, a gruesome discovery was made
off the coast of Maine, which sent a chill of fear
through all the seaport towns of New England. A
whaler bound for New Bedford was coming up
Cape Cod one night long after dark. There was no
fog, and the lights of approaching vessels could
easily be discerned. The man on the lookout felt
no uneasiness at his post, when, without any warn-
ing of bells or lights, the sharp bow of a brigantine
suddenly loomed up, hardly a ship's length in
front.
"What the blazes are you trying to do?" roared
the mate from the bridge, enraged at this unheard-
of violation of the right of way. But no voice an-
swered his challenge, and the brigantine went swing-
ing by, with all her sails set to a spanking breeze.
She bore directly across the bow of the whaler,
which just grazed her stern in passing.
"There's something rotten on board there," said
the mate.
"Ay," said the captain, who had come on the
bridge, "there's something rotten there right
enough. Swing your helm to port, and get after the
devils," he ordered.
"Ay, ay, sir!" came the ready response, and noth-
ing loth the helmsman changed his course to follow
the eccentric craft. She was evidently bound on
some secret mission, for not otherwise would she
302 GREAT PIRATE STORIES.
thus tear through the darkness before the wind
without the flicker of a li^ht.
The whaler was the swifter of the two ships, and
she could soon have overhauled the other; but fear-
ing some treachery, the captain refrained from run-
ning her down until daylight. All night long she
seemed to be veering her course, attempting to es-
cape from her pursuer. In the morning, off the coast
of Maine, she turned her nose directly out to sea.
Then a boat was lowered from the whaler, and
rowed out to intercept the oncoming vessel. When
they were directly in her course, they lay on their
oars and waited. The brigantine did not veer
again, but came steadily on, and soon the whalemen
were alongside, and made themselves fast to a
dinghy which she had in tow. A few minutes of
apprehensive waiting followed, and as nothing hap-
pened, one of the boldest swung himself up over the
tow-rope on to the deck. He was followed by the
others, and they advanced cautiously with drawn
knives and pistols.
Not a soul was to be seen, and the men, who were
brave enough before a charging whale, trembled
with fear. The wheel and the lookout were alike
deserted, and no sign of life could be discovered
anywhere below. In the galley were the embers of a
dead fire, and the table in the captain's cabin was
spread out ready for a meal which had never been
eaten. On deck everything was spick and span, and
not the slightest evidence of a storm or any other
PASSING OF MOGUL MACKENZIE 303
disturbance could be found. The theory of a dere-
lict was impossible. Apparently all had been well
on board, and they had been sailing with good
weather, when, without any warning, her crew had
been suddenly snatched away by some dread power.
The sailors with one accord agreed that it was
the work of a sea-serpent. But the mate had no
place for the ordinary superstitions of the sea, and
he still scoured the hold, expecting at any minute to
encounter a dead body or some other evil evidence
of foul play. Nothing more, however, was found,
and the mate at length had to end his search with
the unsatisfactory conclusion that the St. Clare, a
brigantine registered from Hartpool, with cargo of
lime, had been abandoned on the high seas for no ap-
parent reason. Her skipper had taken with him the
ship's papers, and had not left a single clue behind.
A crew was told off to stand by the St. Clare to
bring her into port, and the others climbed into the
long-boat to row back to the whaler.
"Just see if there is a name on that there dinghy,
before we go," said the mate.
An exclamation of horror broke from one of the
men as he read on the bow of the dinghy the name,
Kanaijcha.
The faces of all went white with a dire alarm
as the facts of the mystery suddenly flashed before
them. The Kanawha was the ship in which Cap-
tain Mogul Mackenzie had made himself notorious
as a privateersman. Every one had heard her awe-
304 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
inspiring name, and every Yankee seafaring man
prayed that he might never meet her on the seas.
After the Alabama was sunk, and the Talahassee
was withdrawn, the KanawJia still remained to
threaten the shipping of the North. Vov a long
time her whereabouts had been unknown, and then
she was discovered by a Federal gunboat, which
gave chase and fired upon her. Without returning
fire, she raced in for shelter amongst the dangerous
islands off Cape Sable, and was lost in the fog. Ru-
mor had it that she ran on the rocks off that perilous
coast, and sank with all on board. As time went by,
and there was no more sign of the corsair, the ru-
mor was accepted as proven. Men began to spin
yarns in the forecastle about Mogul Mackenzie,
with an interest that was tinged with its former fear.
Skippers were beginning to feel at ease again on the
grim waters, when suddenly, like a bolt from the
blue, came the awful news of the discovery of the
St. Clare.
Gunboats put off to scour the coast-line; and
again with fear and trembling the look-out began tc
eye suspiciously every new sail coming up on the
horizon.
One afternoon, toward the end of May, a
schooner came tearing into Portland harbor, with
all her canvas crowded on, and flying distress sig-
nals. Her skipper said that off the island of Campa-
bello he had seen a long gray sailing-ship with auxil-
iary power sweeping down upon him. As the wind
PASSING OF MOGUL MACKENZIE 305
was blowing strong Inshore, he had taken to his
heels and made for Portland. He was chased all
the way, and his pursuer did not drop him until he
was just off the harbor bar.
Many doubted his story, however, saying that no
one would dare to chase a peaceful craft so near to
a great port in broad daylight. And, again, it was
urged that an auxiliary vessel could easily have over-
hauled the schooner between Campabello and Port-
land. The fact that the captain of the schooner
was as often drunk as sober, and that when he was
under the influence of drink he was given to seeing
visions, was pointed to as conclusive proof that his
yarn was a lie. After the New Bedford whaler
came into port with the abandoned St. Clare, it
was known beyond doubt that the Kanawha was still
a real menace. But nobody cared to admit that
Mogul Mackenzie was as bold as the schooner's re-
port would imply, and hence countless arguments
were put forward to allay such fears.
But a few days later the fact that the pirates
were still haunting their coast was absolutely cor-
roborated. A coastal packet from Boston arrived
at Yarmouth with the news that she had not only
sighted Kanawha in the distance, but they had
crossed each other's paths so near that the name
could be discerned beyond question with a spyglass.
She was heading up the Bay of Fundy, and did not
pause or pay any heed to the other ship.
This news brought with it consternation, and
306 GREA'l VIRATIL STORIES
every town and villap^c along the Fundy was a-hum
with stories and theories about the pirate ship. The
interest, instead of being abated, was augmented as
the days went by with no further report. In the
pubhc-iiouses and along the quays it was almost the
only topic of conversation. I he excitement became
almost feverish when it was known that several cap-
tains, outward bound, had taken with them a supply
of rifles and ammunition. The prospect of a fight
seemed imminent.
About a week after the adventure of the Boston
packet Her Majesty's ship Buzzard appeared off
Yarmouth harbor. The news of the Kanazi-ha had
come to the Admiral at Halifax, and he had dis-
patched the warship to cruise about the troubled
coast.
"That'll be the end of old Mogul Mackenzie,
now that he's got an English ship on his trail,"
averred a Canadian as he sat drinking in the "Yar-
mouth Light" with a group of seafaring men of
various nationalities. "It takes the British jack-tar
to put the kibosh on this pirate game. One of them
is worth a shipload of Yankees at the business."
"Well, don't you crow too loud now," replied a
Boston skipper. "I reckon that that Nova Scotian
booze-artist, who ran into Portland the other day
scared of his shadow, would not do you fellows
much credit."
"Yes; but what about your gunboats that have
had the job of fixing the Kanaivha for the last three
PASSING OF MOGUL MACKENZIE 307
years, and haven't done it yet?" The feelings be-
tween Canada and the United States were none too
good just after the Civil War, and the Canadian
was bound not to lose this opportunity for horse-
play. "You're a fine crowd of sea-dogs, you are,
you fellows from the Boston Tea-Party. Three
years after one little half-drowned rat, and haven't
got him yet. Wouldn't Sir Francis Drake or Lord
Nelson be proud of the record that you long-legged,
slab-sided Yankees have made on the sea!"
"Shut your mouth ! you blue-nosed, down-East
herring-choker!" roared the Yankee skipper. "I
reckon we've given you traitors that tried to stab
us in the back a good enough licking; and if any
more of your dirty dogs ever come nosing about
down south of Mason and Dixon's Line, I bet
they'll soon find out what our record is."
"Well, you fools can waste your tongue and
wind," said a third man, raising his glass, "but for
me here's good luck to the Buzzard."
"So say we all of us," chimed in the others, and
the Yankee and the Canadian drank together to the
success of the British ship, forgetting their petty
jealousies before a common foe.
Everywhere the news of the arrival of the British
warship was hailed with delight. All seemed to
agree that her presence assured the speedy exter-
mination of the pirate crew. But after several days
of futile cruising about the coast, her commander,
to escape from a coming storm, had to put into St.
308
GREAT PIRATE STORIES
Mary's Bay, with the object of his search still elud-
ing his vigilance. He only arrived in time to hear
the last chapter of the Kanawha's tale of horrors.
The night before, Dominic Lcfountain, a farmer
living alone at Meteighan, a little village on the
French shore, had been awakened from his sleep
by the moaning and wailing of a human voice. For
days the imminent peril of an assault from the
pirates had filled the people of the French coast with
forebodings. And now, awakened thus in the dead
of night, the lonely Frenchman was wellnigh para-
lyzed with terror. With his flesh creeping, and his
eyes wide, he groped for his rifle, and waited in the
darkness, while ever and anon came those unearthly
cries from the beach. Nearly an hour passed before
he could gather himself together sufficiently to in-
vestigate the cause of the alarm. At last, when the
piteous wailing had grown weak and intermittent,
the instinct of humanity mastered his fears, and he
went forth to give a possible succor to the one in
need.
On the beach, lying prostrate, with the water
lapping about his feet, he found a man in the last
stage of exhaustion. The blood was flowing from
his mouth, and as Dominic turned him over to
stanch its flow, he found that his tongue had been
cut out, and hence the unearthly wailing which had
roused him from his sleep. The beach was deserted
by this time, and it was too dark to see far out into
the bay.
PASSING OF MOGUL MACKENZIE 309
Dominic carried the unfortunate man to his house,
and nursed him there for many weeks. He sur-
vived his frightful experiences, and lived on for
twenty years, a pathetic and helpless figure, sup-
ported by the big-hearted farmers and fishermen of
the French shore. Evidently he had known too
much for his enemies, and they had sealed his mouth
forever. He became known as the "Mysterious
Man of Meteighan," and his deplorable condition
was always pointed to as a mute witness of the last
villainy of Mogul Mackenzie.
On the night following the episode of the "Mys-
terious Man of Meteighan," a wild and untoward
storm swept down the North, Atlantic and over the
seaboard far and near. In the Bay of Fundy that
night the elements met in their grandest extremes.
Tide-rips and mountain waves opposed each other
with titanic force. All along the bleak and rock-
ribbed coast the boiling waters lay churned into
foam. Over the breakwaters the giant combers
crashed and soared far up into the troubled sky;
while out under the black clouds of the night the
whirlpools and the tempests met. Was ever a night
like this before? Those on shore thanked God; and
those with fathers on the sea gazed out upon a
darkness where no star of hope could shine.
Now and again through the Stygian gloom a tor-
rent of sheet-lightning rolled down across the
heavens, bringing in its wake a moment of terrible
light. It was in one of these brief moments of il-
310 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
lumlnation that the wan watchers at Hall's Harbor
discerned a long gray ship being swept like a specter
before the winds towards the Isle of Haut. Un-
til the flash of lightning the doomed seamen ap-
peared to have been unconscious of their fast ap-
proaching fate; and then, as if suddenly awakened,
they sent a long thin trail of light, to wind itself far
up into the darkness. Again and again the rockets
shot upward from her bow, while above the noises
of the tempest came the roar of a gun.
The people on the shore looked at each other
with blanched faces, speechless, helpless. A life-
time by that shore had taught them the utter puni-
ness of the sons of men. Others would have tried
to do something with what they thought was their
strong arm. But the fishermen knew too well that
the Fundy's arm was stronger. In silence they
waited with bated breath while the awful moments
passed. Imperturbable they stood there, with their
feet In the white foam and their faces in the salt
spray, and gazed at the curtain of the night, behind
which a tragedy was passing, as dark and dire as any
in the annals of the sea.
Another flash of lightning, and there, dashing
upon the iron rocks, was a great ship, with all her
sails set, and a cloud of lurid smoke trailing from
her funnel. She was gray-colored, with auxiliary
power, and as her lines dawned upon those who saw
her in the moment of light, they burst out with one
accord, "It's the Kanawha! It's the Kanawha!"
PASSING OF MOGUL MACKENZIE 311
As if an answer to their sudden cry another gun
roared, and another shower of rockets shot up into
the sky; and then all was lost again in the darkness
and the voices of the tempest.
Next morning the winds had gone out with
the tide, and when in the afternoon the calm waters
had risen, a boat put off from Hall's Harbor and
rowed to the Isle of Haut. For several hours the
rocky shores were searched for some traces of the
wreck, but not a spar or splinter could be found.
All about the bright waters laughed, with naught
but the sunbeams on their bosom, and not a
shadow remained from last night's sorrow on the
sea.
So Mogul Mackenzie, who had lived a life of
stress, passed out on the wings of storm. In his
end, as always, he baffled pursuit, and was sought
but could not be found. His sailings on the sea
were in secret, and his last port in death was a
mystery. But, as has been already related, when
the Northern Lights come down across the haunted
island, the distress signals of his pirate crew are still
seen shooting up into the night.
THE LAST OF THE SEA-ROVERS
The Riff Coast Pirates*
W. B. Lord
O nay, O nay, then said our King,
O nay, this must not be,
To yield to such a rover
Myself will not agree;
He hath deceived the Frenchman,
Likewise the King of Spain,
And how can he be true to me.
That hath been false to twain?
OLD SEA SONG OF THE YEAR 162O.
PROBABLY by this time the greater part of
the piratical craft along the Riff coast has
been destroyed, and the long-promised Moor-
ish gunboat stationed there to protect foreign ship-
ping.t These steps have doubtless been hastened by
the fact that the pirates, unfortunately for them-
selves, attacked a vessel some little time ago belong-
ing to the Sultan of Morocco. For years past the
Governments of several European Powers have
sought to put friendly pressure upon the Sultan of
Morocco to effectually stop the depredations of the
* From the Nautical Magazine.
t About twenty years ago.
312
THE LAST OF THE SEA-ROVERS 313
Riffian coast pirates. No strong measures, how-
ever, were really taken until the above episode oc-
curred. It is said that in early days the Moors were
some time in accustoming themselves to the perils
of the deep. At first they marvelled greatly at
"those that go down to the sea in ships, and have
their business in great waters," but they did not
hasten to follow their example. One eminent ruler
of ancient times, in that region, when asked what
the sea was like, replied, "The sea is a huge beast
which silly folk ride like worms on logs." But it
afterwards became clear that the Moors had a
strong fancy for the "worms" and "logs" too.
They gave up marvelling at those who went to sea,
and went on it themselves in search of plunder. The
risk, the uncertainty, the danger, the sense of supe-
rior skill and ingenuity, that attract the adventur-
ous spirit, and the passion for sport, are stated by
some writers to have brought such a state of things
into existence. One fact seems to be pretty certain,
that when these depredations were first made, they
took the form of reprisals upon the Spaniards. No
sooner was Granada fallen, than thousands of des-
perate Moors left the land, disdaining to live under
a Spanish yoke. Settling along a portion of the
northern coast of Africa, they immediately pro-
ceeded to first attack all Spanish vessels that could
be found. Their quickness and knowledge of the
coasts gave them the opportunity of reprisals for
which they longed. Probably this got monotonous
314 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
in course of time, for in their wild sea courses they
took to harrying the vessels belonging to other na-
tions, and so laid the foundation for a race of
pirates, which has continued down to quite recently.
As nowadays, the Moors cruised in boats from the
commencement of their marauding expeditions.
Each man pulled an oar, and knew how to fight as
well as row. Drawing little water, a small srjuad-
ron of these craft could be pushed up almost any
creek, or lie hidden behind a rock, till the enemy
came in sight. Then oars out, and a quick stroke
for a few minutes. Next they were alongside their
unsuspecting prey, and pouring in a first volley. Ul-
timately the prize was usually taken, the crew put
in irons, and the pirates returned home with their
capture, no doubt being received with acclamation
upon their arrival.
As far back as the sixteenth century the Spanish
forts at Alhucemas — not to mention other places —
were established for the purpose of repressing pi-
racy in its vicinity. Considerable interest is attached
to several of the piracies committed during the past
few years, as they culminated in strong representa-
tions being made to the Sultan of Morocco by the
various Governments under whose flag the respec-
tive vessels sailed. Some of them went so far as
to send warships to cruise along the Rifiian coast.
This step apparently had some moral effect upon
the pirates, for from that time onwards attacks
upon foreign vessels practically ceased. Something
THE LAST OF THE SEA-ROVERS 315
more than this, however, was needed, for no one
could say how soon the marauding expeditions might
be renewed upon a larger scale than ever, so as to
make up for lost opportunities. On August 14,
1897, the Italian three-masted schooner Fiducia
was off the coast of Morocco, in the Mediterra-
nean, homeward bound from Pensacola to Mar-
seilles. Here she got becalmed, and while In that
condition two boats approached her from the shore.
At first the crew of the Fiducia thought they were
native fishing boats. When, however, the latter got
within a hundred yards or so of the helpless vessel,
the suspicions of the crew were aroused. The cap-
tain warned the Moors not to approach any nearer;
a volley of bullets was returned by way of reply,
followed by a regular fusillade as the boats ad-
vanced. There were only three revolvers on board
the schooner, and with these the crew prepared to
defend themselves. Soon, however, their supply of
ammunition became exhausted, and the pirates
boarded the schooner without further opposition.
The vessel was at once ransacked, even the clothes
of the crew being taken. The ship's own boat was
lowered, and into this the marauders put their
booty, and took It ashore, also carrying the captain
and one of the crew with them. About an hour
later another boat, containing about twenty pirates,
came off and fired on the ship. The crew, seeing
that they could offer no effective resistance, hid
themselves away In the hold. The other pirates had
316 (.kl'.A'r PIRA'll:: STORIES
left very little for the new arrivals to take, and this
seemed to annoy them so much that they gave vent
to their ill-feelings in several ways, not the least
wanton being the pollution of the ship's fresh water.
They also smashed the vessel's compass, and tore up
the charts. I'or the next two days the crew existed
on a few biscuits, which the pirates had left behind.
The following day the British steamship Oanfa, of
London, hove in sight. The crew of the schooner
hoisted a shirt as a signal, which was fortunately
seen, and a boat sent off in response thereto. Assis-
tance was promptly rendered, and the Fiducia put in
a position to resume her voyage. This was done un-
til spoken by the Italian cruiser Ercole, which as-
sisted the schooner to her destination.
In October, 1896, the FVench barque Prosper
Corue was lying becalmed off Alhucemas, a place
fortified by the Spaniards to keep the pirates in
check, when several boats full of armed Moors
seized the vessel and made the crew prisoners. They
then completely pillaged the ship, removing almost
everything of any use or value. While the mis-
creants were thus busily engaged a Spanish mer-
chant steamship, named the Sevilla, happened to
come along, and was in time to capture one boat and
rescue several of the prisoners. The Sevilla then
made towards the barque, but the pirates opened
fire on the steamer, killing and wounding some of
the crew. The Spaniard was compelled to retire,
leaving the captain of the barque in the hands of the
THE LAST OF THE SEA-ROVERS 317
Moors. Subsequently the barque was picked up In
an abandoned condition by the British steamship
OswJn, and towed Into Almerla. An arrangement
was afterwards made with the pirates to release
the captains of the Fiducia and the Portuguese
barque Rosita Faro — a much earlier capture — and
some members of both crews, In exchange for the
RIffians captured by the Spanish steamer Sevilla and
a ransom of 3,000 dollars. It was only after pro-
longed negotiations and a large sum of money that a
French warship succeeded In obtaining the freedom
of the captain of the Prosper Come and a few other
Frenchmen. For some reason or other, the pirates
seemed very much disinclined to part with these
prisoners. Only a short time before the attack on
the French barque took place, a notice was Issued
by the British Board of Trade, in which the atten-
tion of ship-owners and masters of vessels was called
to the dangers attending navigation off the coast of
Morocco. The document then proceeded to detail
the case of the British schooner Mayer, of Gibral-
tar, which was boarded about 10 miles from the Riff
coast by twenty Moors armed with rifles and dag-
gers. As usual, the pirates ransacked the vessel, de-
stroyed the ensign and ship's papers, brutally as-
saulted the men on board, and then made off In their
boat. Scarcely had the foregoing notice been gen-
erally circulated than another case of a similar char-
acter happened in connection with the Italian
schooner Scatuola. Again, there is the Spanish cut-
318 GR]':A'r PIRATE STORIES
tcr Jacob. She was running along the Moorish
coast one fine summer's evening a few years since,
when a lioat full of pirates suddenly came along-
side, and speedily upset the quietness which had pre-
viously reigned on hoard the Jacob. Five of the
crew managed to escape in the cutter's boat and were
picked up some days later by a passing vessel. Those
who remained on board the cutter fared very badly.
After the vessel had been pillaged, the rigging and
sails destroyed, the men were all securely bound
and left to their fate. Fortunately the weather
continued fine, and the Jacob drifted towards the
Spanish coast, where she was seen and assistance
promptly rendered.
The captain of another Spanish vessel had quite a
"thrilling" adventure among these pirates in May,
1892. He left Gibraltar in command of the barque
San Antonio for Alhucemas, and when about six
miles from Penon de la Gomera a boat manned by
thirteen Moors was observed to be approaching the
vessel. When near enough they opened fire, and or-
dered the captain to lower his sails, which was done,
as the Spaniards were, practically speaking, without
arms. The Moors then boarded the San Antonio
and took her in tow. When close to the land the
captain was rowed ashore, and the pirates spent part
of the night in unloading the cargo. Next morning
the San Antonio was seen drifting out to sea, and
the captain, who was afraid of being put to death,
suggested that he should go on board and bring her
THE LAST OF THE SEA-ROVERS 319
back to the anchorage. Probably thinking that some
of their comrades were on the barque, but unable to
set the necessary canvas to return, only two Moors
were sent off with the captain, and these remained
in the boat when the vessel was reached. Upon
gaining the deck of the barque the captain was sur-
prised to find himself alone. Without hesitating for
a moment he released the crew, who were confined
below, hoisted sail and stood out to sea. The
Moors who had been left in the boat were speedily
cut adrift, much to their amazement, for it so hap-
pened that none of the pirates had stayed on board.
No doubt they were eager to find a safe hiding-place
for their plunder, and, thinking the barque quite se-
cure till morning, took no further heed of the mat-
ter. A few days later the San Antonio arrived at
Gibraltar, where full particulars of the outrage were
furnished to the authorities. Space will not admit
of details being given of the attacks on the Spanish
barque Goleta, the Portuguese barque Rosita Faro,
the British felucca J oven Enrique, and other vessels.
It should be mentioned, however, that several fa-
mous British and foreign sailing yachts upon va-
rious occasions have had remarkably narrow escapes
from being captured by these sea ruffians.
It is sincerely to be hoped that the Sultan of
Morocco is carrying out his task in such a manner
as will induce the inhabitants of the Riff coast to
follow some occupation in future which is more
likely to be appreciated by those who have to navi-
320 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
gate vessels in the Mediterranean. Previous to
stern measures being taken by the Sultan, it was not
at all uncommon for his envoys to the native tribes
— for the purpose of obtaining the release of cap-
tives — to be received with derision. Often, too,
they were maltreated to such an extent that they
were glad to escape with their lives. Some of the
neighboring tribes continually endeavored to pur-
chase captives for the pleasure of killing them, but it
is satisfactory to learn that no sales are recorded,
as the anticipated ransom was always largely in ex-
cess of the sums offered by the bloodthirsty natives.
GREAT PIRATE STORIES
SECOND SERIES
-'%l''
Copyright, 1925, by
BKENTAXO'S, Inc.
All righla reserved
Published, April, 1025
Reprinted, September, 1928
h Tinted in the United States of America
FOREWORD
[From "The Pirate's Own Book," printed in 1837]
In the mind of the mariner, there is a superstitious
horror connected with the name of Pirate; and there
are few subjects that interest and excite the curiosity
of mankind generally, more than the desperate ex-
ploits, foul doings, and diabolical career of these
monsters in human form. A piratical crew is gener-
ally formed of the desperadoes and runagates of every
clime and nation. The pirate, from the perilous
nature of his occupation, when not cruising on the
ocean, the great highway of nations, selects the most
lonely isles of the sea for his retreat, or secretes him-
self near the shores of rivers, bays and lagoons of
thickly wooded and uninhabited countries, so that If
pursued he can escape to the woods and mountain
glens of the interior. The islands of the Indian
Ocean, and the east and west coasts of Africa, as well
V
vi FOREWORD
as the West Indies, have been tlieir haunts for cen-
turies; and vessels navigating tfie y\tlantic and Indian
Oceans, are often captured by thenn, the passengers
and crew murdered, the mnnty and most valuable part
of the cargo plundered, the vessel destroyed, thus ob-
literating all trace of their unhappy fate, and leaving
friends and relatives to mourn their loss from the in-
clemencies of the elements, when they were butchered
in cold blood by their fellow men, who by practically
adopting the maxim that "dead men tell no tales,"
enable themselves to pursue their diabolical career with
impunity. The pirate is truly fond of women and
wine, and when not engaged in robbing, keeps mad-
dened with intoxicating liquors, and passes his time in
debauchery, singing old songs with choruses like
"Drain, drain the bowl, each fearless soul,
Let the world wag as it will ;
Let the heavens growl, let the devil howl,
Drain, drain the deep bowl and fill."
Thus his hours of relaxation are passed in wild and
extravagant frolics amongst the lofty forests of palms
and spicy groves of the Torrid Zone, and amidst the
aromatic and beautiful flowering vegetable productions
of that region. He has fruits delicious to taste, and as
companions, the unsophisticated daughters of Africa
and the Indies. It would be supposed that his wild
career would be one of delight.
But the apprehension and foreboding of the mind,
when under the influence of remorse, are powerful,
and every man, whether civilized or savage, has inter-
woven in his constitution a moral sense, which secretly
condemns him when he has committed an atrocious
FOREWORD vll
action, even when he Is placed In situations which raise
him above the fear of human punishment, for
"Conscience, the torturer of the soul, unseen,
Does fiercely brandish a sharp scourge within;
Severe decrees may keep our tongues in awe,
But to our minds what edicts can give law?
Even you yourself to your own breast shall tell
Your crimes, and your own conscience be your hell."
With the name of pirate Is also associated Ideas of
rich plunder, caskets of buried jewels, chests of gold
ingots, bags of outlandish coins, secreted In lonely, out
of the way places, or burled about the wild shores of
rivers, and unexplored sea coasts, near rocks and trees
bearing mysterious marks, Indicating where the treas-
ure was hid. And as It Is his invariable practice to
secrete and bury his booty, and from the perilous life
he leads, being often killed or captured, he can never
re-visit the spot again; Immense sums remain buried in
those places, and are Irrecoverably lost. Search Is
often made by persons who labor In anticipation of
throwing up with their spade and pickaxe, gold bars,
diamond crosses sparkling amongst the dirt, bags of
golden doubloons, and chests, wedged close with
moidores, ducats and pearls; but although great treas-
ures lie hid In this way, it seldom happens that any is
so recovered.
-^^
CONTENTS
PAGE
On the Spanish Main i
From "The History of the Pirates." Anonymous
Adam Penfeather's Narrative 43
From "Black Bartlemy's Treasure." By Jeffery Farnol
The Capture of Julius Caesar 59
From "The Book of Pirates." By Henry Gilbert
Limahon the Rover 87
From "Purchas His Pilgrimes." By Samuel Purchas
Galleys and Galley-Slaves 97
From "The Story of the Barbary Corsairs." By Stanley Lane-
Poole
The Galleon of Venice 115
From "Sea-Wolves of the Mediterranean." By R. Hamilton
Curry. R. N.
The Origin of the Freebooters 128
From "The History of the Pirates." By JOHN AuCHENHALZ
In the Good Old Days 139
From "The History of the Indian Wars and of Plantain the
Pyrate, &c." By Clement Downing, R. N.
Ravenau — Gentleman — Adventurer . . . .164
From "The Monarchs of the Main." By G. W. Thornbury.
X CONTENTS
PAQB
Ihc Corsairs 183
i'roin "Mr. Roberts, His Voyage lo tlie Levant. ' liy Joii.n;
KOOCRTS
The Buccaneers 205
Krom "The Monarchs of tlie Main." Hy (.i. \V. 'riiOR.vuuRV
John Paul Jones — Pirate and Privateer . . .232
From "Daring Deeds of Famous Pirates." By E. Keble Chat-
TERTON
Jean Lafittc — The Pirate of the Gulf . . . 247
From "The Pirate's Own Book." Anonymous
In Malay Waters 270
From "The Pirate's Own Book." Anonymous
The Zephyr — Aaron Smith's Story .... 283
From "Daring Deeds of Famous Pirates." By E. Keble Chat-
TERTON
The Last of the Pirates 297
From "The Wild Coast of Nippon." By Capt. H. C. John, R. N.
ON THE SPANISH MAIN
[From "The History of the Pirates."]
AN ACCOUNT
Of the piracies and cruelties of John Augur, (Vil-
Ham Cunningham, Dennis Mackarthy, William
Dowling, fVilUam Lewis, Thomas Morris, George
Bendall, and William Ling, who were tried, con-
demned, and executed at Nassau, (N. P.) on Fri-
day, the loth of December, 171 8. Also, some
account of the pirates, Vane, Rackham, and others.
ABOUT the 20th of July, 17 18, Mr. Woodes
Rogers, Governer and Vice-Admiral of the
Bahama Islands, being sent from England
with the king's proclamation and pardon for all
pirates who had surrendered by a time specified in the
said proclamation, arrived at Providence. It was
evening when the fleet came off the tow.n of Nassau in
the said island, when Richard Turnley, the pilot, did
not judge it safe to venture over the bar that night,
wherefore it was resolved to lay by till morning.
In the mean time, there came some men on board
the fleet from off a little island, called Harbour-
Island, adjacent to Providence. The advice they
brought was, that there were near a thousand pirates
on shore upon the island of Providence, waiting for
1
2 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
the king's pardon, which had been long expected.
The principal part of their commanders were Ben-
jamen I lornygold, Arthur Davis, Joseph Burgess,
Thomas Carter, and they were all in or about the
town of Nassau; that the fort was extremely out of
repair, there being only one gun mounted, a nine
pounder, and no accommodation for men, but one little
hut or house, which was inhabited by an old fellow,
whom the pirates, in derision, called Governor
Sawney.
The fleet was seen from the harbour, as well as the
town, so that Capt. Charles Vane, who had no design
of surrendering, but, on the contrary, had fitted out
his ship with a resolution of attempting new adven-
tures, took the advantage of the night to contrive his
escape; and though the harbour was blocked up, and
his ship drew too much water to get out by the east
passage, he shifted his hands, and things of most
value, into a lighter vessel, and charging all the guns
of the ship he quitted, with double, round and par-
tridge, he set her on fire, imagining that some of the
ships, or their boats, might be sent near him, and he
might do some mischief when it should burn down to
them.
Those in the fleet saw the light, and heard the guns,
and fancied the pirates on shore were making bon-
fires, and firing guns for joy that the king's free par-
don had arrived; and Capt. Whitney, commander of
the Rose man of war, sent his boat with a lieutenant
on shore, which was Intercepted by Vane, who carried
the crew on board and stripped them of some stores
they had In the boat. He kept them till he got under
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 3
sail, which was till day-break, when there was light
enough for him to see how to steer his way through
the east passage; which was no sooner done but he
hoisted a black flag, and fired a gun, and then let the
lieutenant and boat's crew depart and join the fleet.
The fleet got safe into the harbour, and as soon as
the lieutenant arrived on board, and related what had
passed, the Buck sloop was ordered to chase Vane.
She made what sail she could through the east passage
after him, having a recruit of men well armed sent
to her from the other ships; but being heavily laden
with rich goods, Vane had the heels of her, v/hich the
commodore observing, made a signal for her to give
up the chase and return, which she did accordingly.
They immediately fell to mooring and securing
their ships, which took up the time till night. Next
morning the governor went on shore, being received
at his landing by the principal people in the govern-
ment of the place, viz, Thomas Walker, Esq. Chief
Justice, and Thomas Taylor, Esq, President of the
Council. The pirate captains, Hornygold, Davis,
Carter, Burgess, Currant, and Clark, with some
others, drew up their crew in two lines, reaching
from the water side to the fort, the governor and
other officers marching between them. In the
mean time, being under arms, they made a running
fire over his head.
Having arrived at the fort, his commission was
opened and read, and he was sworn in governor of
the island, according to form.
The next day the governor made out a commission
to Richard Turnley, the chief pilot, to Mr. Salter, a
4 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
factor, and some others, to go on hoard and examine
all suspected ships and vessels in the harbour, to take
an inventory of their several ladings, and to secure
both ships and cargoes for the use of the king and
company, till such time as a Court of Admiralty
could be called, tiiat they might be lawfully cleared or
condemned by proving which belonged to pirates, and
which to fair traders.
The day following a court-martial was held, in
which a military discipline was settled, in order to
prevent surprises, both from Spaniards and pirates,
till such time as the fort could be repaired, and put
into a condition of defence. For this purpose the
governor was obliged to make use of some of the par-
doned pirates, such as Hornygold, Davis, and Bur-
gess, to whom he gave some commands: and George
Fetherston, James Bonney, and Dennis Mackarthy,
with some other pirates of a lower rank, act-ed under
them as inferior officers.
Soon after, the civil government was also settled,
some of the principal officers being appointed justices
of the peace; others of inferior degree, constables and
overseers of the ways and roads, which were over-
grown with bushes and underwood, all about the town
of Nassau; so that if an enemy had landed in the
night, they might He in ambuscade in those covers,
and surprise the town; wherefore, several of the
common pirates were employed in clearing them away.
The governor, with some soldiers, guarded the
fort, and the inhabitants, who were formed into
trained bands, took care of the town; but as there was
no sort of accommodation to lodge such a number of
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 5
people, they were forced to unbend the sails, and
bring them on shore, in order to make tents, till they
had time to build houses, which was done with all
possible expedition, by a kind of architecture alto-
gether new.
Those that were built in the fort were done by
making six little holes in the rock, at convenient
distances, in each of which was stuck a forked pole;
on these, from one to the other, were placed cross
poles or rafters, which being lathed at top, and on
the sides, with small sticks, were afterwards covered
with Palmata leaves, and then the house was finished;
for they did not much trouble themselves about the
ornaments of doors and windows.
In the mean time the repairs of the fort were car-
ried on, and the streets were ordered to be kept
clean, both for health and convenience, so that It
began to have the appearance of a civilized place.
A proclamation was published for the encouragement
of all such persons as should be willing to settle upon
the Island of Providence, by which every person was
to have a lot of ground of a hundred and twenty
feet square, any where In or about the town of Nassau,
that was not before In the possession of others, pro-
vided they should clear said ground, and build a
house tenantable, by a certain time therein limited,
which might be easily done, as they might have timber
for nothing. This had the effect proposed, and a
great many Immediately fell to work, to comply with
the conditions, in order to settle themselves there.
Many of the pirates were employed In the woods
In cutting down sticks to make pallsadoes; and all the
6 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
people belonging to the ships, officers excepted, were
obliged to work four days in the week on the fortifica-
tions, so that in a short time a weak entrenchment
was rendered tolerably strong.
But it did not much suit the inclinations of the
pirates to be set to work; and though they had pro-
vision sufficient, and had also a good allowance of
wine and brandy to each man, yet they began to have
such a hankering after their old trade, that many of
them took opportunities of seizing pcriaguas, and other
boats, in the night, and making their escape, so that
in a few months, there was not many of them left.
However, when the Spanish war was proclaimed,
several of them returned back again of their own
accord, tempted with the hopes of being employed
upon the privateering account, for that place lying
near the coast of Spanish America, and also not far
from the Gulf of Florida, seemed to be a good sta-
tion for intercepting the Spanish vessels going to old
Spain.
They were not mistaken in this supposition; for
the governor according to the power vested in him,
did grant commissions for privateering, and made
choice of some of the principal pirates who had con-
tinued upon the island, in obedience to the pardon,
for commanders, as being persons well qualified for
such employments, who made up their crews chiefly
of their scattered companions, who were newly re-
turned upon the hopes of preferment.
About this time a fishing vessel, belonging to the
island of Providence, brought In the master of a ship
and a few sailors, whom she had picked up at sea
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 7
in a canoe. The said master was called Captain
King, who sailed in a ship called the Neptune, be-
longing to South-Carolina, laden with rice, pitch, tar,
and other merchandise, bound for London.
The account he gave of himself was, that he was
met with by Charles Vane, the pirate, who carried
him into Green Turtle Bay, one of the Bahama
islands, by whom he was plundered of a great part
of his cargo, which, consisting chiefly of stores, was
of great use to them; that afterwards they cut away
part of one of the masts of the ship, and fired a gun
down her hold, with intent to sink her; that they
took some of his men into their service, and when they
were sailing off, gave him and the rest a canoe to save
themselves; that with this canoe they made shift to
sail from one little island to another, till they had the
good luck to meet the fishing boat which took them
up; and that he believed Charles Vane might still be
cruising thereabouts.
Upon this intelligence, the governor fitted out a
ship which was named the JViUiyig Mind, manned
with 50 stout hands, well armed, and also a sloop
with 30 hands, which he sent to cruise among those
islands, in search of Vane, the pirate, giving them
orders also to endeavour to recover the ship Neptune,
which Capt. King told them had still goods of con-
siderable value left in her.
They went out accordingly, but never saw Vane.
However, they found the Neptune, which was not
sunk as the pirates intended; for the ball they fired
into her stuck in the ballast, without passing through.
They returned with her about the loth of November;
8 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
but an unlucky accident happened to the IVilling Mind,
occasioned eitlicr by the ignorance or carelessness of
the pilot, which bilged in going over the bar.
In the mean time Vane made towards the coast
of Ilispaniola, living riotously on board, having an
abundance of liquor, and plenty of fresh provisions,
such as hogs, goats, sheep, and fowl, which he got
upon easy terms; for touching at a place called
Islcathera, he plundered the inhabitants of as much
of their provision as they could carry away. Here
they cruised to about February, when, near the wind-
ward passage of Cape Mase, they met with a large
ship of London, called the Kingston, laden with bale
goods, and other rich merchandise, and having several
passengers on board, some English, and some Jews,
besides two women.
Towards the north end of Jamaica, they also met
with a turtle sloop, bound in for that island, on board
of which (after having first plundered her) they put
the captain of the Kingston, some of his men, and all
the passengers except the two women, whom they
detained, contrary to their usual practice.
The Kingston they kept for their own use; for now
their company being strengthened by a great many
recruits, some volunteers and some forced men out
of the Neptune and Kingston, they thought they had
hands enough for two ships. Accordingly they
shifted several of their hands on board the Kingston,
and John Rackham, alias Calico Jack, (so called,
because his jackets and drawers were always made of
calico) quarter-master to Vane, was unanimously
chosen captain of the Kingston.
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 9
The empire of these pirates had not been long thus
divided before they had like to have fallen into a
civil war among themselves, which must have ended
in the destruction of one of them. The fatal occasion
of the difference between these two brother adven-
turers, was this. It happened that Vane's liquor was
all out, who sending to his brother captain for a
supply, Rackham accordingly spared him what he
thought fit; but it falling short of Vane's expectation,
as to quantity, he went on board of Rackham's ship to
expostulate with him, so that words arising. Rack-
ham threatened to shoot him through the head, if he
did not immediately return to his own ship; and told
him likewise, that if he did not sheer off, and part
company, he would sink him. Vane thought it best
to take his advice, for he thought the other was bold
enough to be as good as his word, for he had it in
his power to be so, his ship being the largest and
strongest of the two. Accordingly they parted, and
Rackham made for the island of Princes, and having
great quantities of rich goods on board, taken in the
late prizes, they were divided into lots, and he and
his crew shared them by throwing dice, the highest
cast being to choose first. When they had done, they
packed up their goods in casks, and buried them on
shore in the island of Princes, that they might have
room for fresh booty. In the mean time it happen-
ing that a turtle sloop, belonging to Jamaica, came in
there, Rackham sent his boat and brought the master
on board of him, and asking him several questions,
the master informed him that war with Spain had been
proclaimed in Jamaica; and that the time appointed
10 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
by the general pardon for pirates to surrender, in
order to receive the benefit thereof, had not expired.
Upon this intcllij^ence Rackham and his crew sud-
denly changed their minds, and were resolved to take
the benefit of the pardon by a speedy surrender;
wherefore, instead of using the master ill, as the
poor man expected, they made him several presents,
desiring him to sail back to Jamaica, and acquaint
the governor they were willing to surrender, provided
he would give his word and honour they should have
the benefit of the pardon; which, extensive as it was,
they apprehended they were not entitled to, because
they had run away in defiance of it at Providence.
They desired the master also to return with the
governor's answer, assuring him he should be no loser
by the voyage.
The master very willingly undertook the commis-
sion, and arriving at Jamaica, delivered his message
to the governor, according to his instructions; but
it happened that the master of the Kingston, with
his passengers, having arrived at Jamaica, had ac-
quainted the governor with the piracies of Vane and
Rackham, before the turtler got thither, who was
actually fitting out two sloops, which were now just
ready, in pursuit of them, so that the governor was
very glad to discover by the turtler's message where
Rackham was to be found.
The two sloops, well manned, accordingly sailed
out, and found Rackham in the station where the
turtler had described him, altogether in disorder, and
quite unprepared, either for sailing or fighting, most
of his sails being on shore, erected into tents, and
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 11
his decks lumbered with goods. He happened to be
on board himself, though most of his men were ashore,
and seeing the two sloops at a distance, bearing to-
wards him, he observed them with his glass, and
fancied he saw on board something like preparations
for fighting. This was what he did not expect, for he
looked for no enemy, and while he was in doubt and
suspense about them, they came so near that they
began to fire.
He had neither time nor means to prepare for de-
fence, so that there was nothing to be done but to
run into his boat, and escape to the shore, which he
did accordingly with the few hands he had with him,
leaving the two women on board to be taken by the
enemy.
The sloops seized the Kingston, manned her, and
brought her Into Jamaica, having still a great part
of her cargo left. When she arrived, the master of
her fell to examining what part of the cargo was
lost and what left; he searched also for his bills of
lading and cockets, but they were all destroyed by
Rackham; so that the ship being freighted by several
owners, the master could not tell whose property
was saved, and whose lost, till he had fresh bills of
parcels of each owner from England. There was
one remarkable piece of good luck which happened in
this affair; there were, amongst other goods, sixty gold
watches on board, and thirty of silver; the pirates
divided the silver watches, but the gold being packed
up amongst some bale goods, were never discovered
by them, and the master, in searching, found them all
safe. '
12 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
In the mean time, Rackham and his crew lived in
tlie woods, in very great suspense what to do with
themselves. They had with them ammunition and
small arms, and also some of the goods, such as bales
of silk stockings, and laced hats, with which it is
supposed, they intended to make themselves fine.
They had also two boats and a canoe.
Being divided in their resolutions, Rackham, with
six more, determined to take one of the boats, and
make the best of their way for the island of Provi-
dence, and there claim the benefit of the king's par-
don, which they fancied they might be entitled to,
by representing, that they were carried away by Vane,
against their wills. Accordingly they put some arms,
ammunition, and provision, into the best boat, and
also some of the goods, and set sail. They first
made the Island of Pines, from thence got over to
the north side of Cuba, where they destroyed several
Spanish boats and launches; one they took, which
being a stout sea boat, they shifted themselves and
their cargo into her, sunk their own, and then stretched
over to the island of Providence, where they landed
safely about the middle of May, 17 19, where de-
manding the king's pardon, the governor thought fit
to allow it them, and certificates were granted to them
accordingly.
Here they sold their goods, and spent the money
merrily. When all was gone, some engaged them-
selves in privateers, and others in trading vessels.
But Rackham, as captain, having a much larger share
than any of the rest, his money held out a little longer;
but happening about this time to form a criminal
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 13
acquaintance with one Ann Bonny, a married woman,
he became very extravagant, and found it necessary,
to avoid detection and punishment, to abscond with
his mistress.
For this purpose they plotted together to seize a
sloop which then lay in the harbour, and Rackham
drew some brisk young fellows into the conspiracy.
They were of the number of the pirates lately par-
doned, and who, he knew, were weary of working
on shore, and longed to be again at their old trade.
The sloop they made choice of was between 30
and 40 tons, and one of the swiftest sailers that ever
was built of that kind. She belonged to one John
Haman, who lived upon a little island not far from
Providence, which was inhabited by no human crea-
ture except himself and his family. His livelihood
and constant employment was to plunder and pillage
the Spaniards, whose sloops and launches he had often
surprised about Cuba and Hispaniola, and sometimes
brought off a considerable booty, always es'caping by a
good pair of heels. Insomuch that it became a bye-
word to say, there goes John Haman, catch him if
you can. His business to Providence now, was to
bring his family there, in order to live and settle, being
weary, perhaps, of living in that solitude, or e-lse,
apprehensive, if any of the Spaniards should discover
his habitation, they might land, and be revenged on
him for all his pranks.
Ann Bonny was observed to go several times on
board this sloop. She pretended to have some busi-
ness with John Haman, but always went when he
was on shore, for her true errand was to discover
14 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
how many hands were on board, and what kind of
watch they kept, and to know the passages and ways
of the vessel.
She discovered as much as was necessary. She
found there were l)ut two hands on board, and that
John I laman slept on shore every night. She in-
quired of them whether they watched; where they
lay; and many other questions; to all which they
readily answered her, as thinking she had no design
but common curiosity.
She acquainted Rackham with every particular who
resolved to lose no time, and therefore, acquainting
his associates, who were eight in number, they ap-
pointed an hour for meeting at night, which was 12
o'clock. They were all true to the roguery, and Ann
Bonny was as punctual as the most resolute, and being
all well armed, they took a boat and rowed to the
sloop, which was very near the shore.
The night seemed to favour the attempt, for it was
both dark and rainy. As soon as they got on board,
Ann Bonny, having a drawn sword in one hand, and
a pistol in the other, attended by one of the men,
went straight to the cabin where the two fellows lay
who belonged to the sloop. The noise awaked them,
which she observing, declared that if they pretended
to resist, or make a noise, she would blow their brains
out.
In the mean time, Rackham and the rest were busy
heaving In the cables, one of which they soon got up,
and for expedition sake, they slipped the other, and
so drove down the harbour. They passed pretty near
the fort, which hailed them, as did also the guard-ship,
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 15
asking them where they were going? They answered,
their cable had parted, and that they had nothing but a
grappling on board, which would not hold them; im-
mediately after which they set a small sail just to give
them steerage way. When they came to the harbour's
mouth, and thought they could not be seen by any of
the ships, on account of the darkness of the night,
they hoisted all the sail they had, and stood to sea;
then calling up the two men, they asked them if they
would be of their party; but finding them not inclined,
they gave them a boat to row themselves ashore,
ordering them to give their service to Haman, and
tell him they would send him his sloop again when they
had done with her.
Rackham and his paramour both bore a great spleen
to Richard Turnley, who was gone from Providence,
turtling, before they made their escape, and they
knowing what island he was upon, made to the place.
They saw the sloop about a league from the shore,
and went on board with six hands; but Turnley, with
his boy, by good luck, happened to be ashore salting
some wild hogs they had killed the day before. They
inquired for him, and hearing where he was, rowed
ashore in search of him.
Turnley, from the land, saw the sloop boarded, and
observed the men afterwards making for the shore,
and being apprehensive of pirates, which were very
common in those parts, he, with his boy, fled into a
neighbouring wood. The surf being very great, so
that they could not bring their boat to shore, they
waded up to the arm-pits, and Turnley, peeping through
the trees, saw them bring arms on shore. Upon the
16 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
whole, not likinj^ their appearance, he, with his boy,
lay snug in the hushes.
When they had looked about and could not see him,
they called him ah)ud by name; but he not appearing,
they thought it time lost to look for him in such a
wilderness, and therefore returned to their boat, but
rowed again back to the sloop, and took away the
sails, and several other things. They also carried
away with them three of the hands, viz. Richard
Connor, the mate, John Davis, and John Howel, but
rejected David Soward, the fourth hand, though he
had been an old and experienced pirate, because he
was lame, and disabled by a wound he had formerly
received.
When they had done thus much, they cut away the
mast, and towing the vessel into deep water, sunk her,
having first put David Soward into a boat to shift for
himself. He, however, got ashore, and after some
time, found Turnley.
From thence, Rackham stretched over to the Bury
Islands, plundering all the sloops he met, and
strengthening his company with several additional
hands, and so went on till he was finally taken and
executed at Port Rayal, Jamaica.
About this time, the governor. In conjunction with
some factors then residing at Providence, thought fit
to freight some vessels for a trading voyage. Accord-
ingly the Bachelor's Adventure, a schooner, Capt.
Henry White, commander; the Lancaster, sloop, Capt.
William Greenway, commander; the May, sloop,
Capt. John Augur, commander, of which last David
Soward was owner, (she having been given him by
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 17
some pirates his former associates) in which he also
sailed this voyage, were fitted out with a cargo of
goods and merchandise, bound for Port Prince, on the
island of Cuba.
The governor thought it advisable, for the benefit
of the inhabitants of Providence, to settle a corres-
pondence with some merchants of Port Prince, first,
in order to procure fresh provisions, there being
scarce any upon the island at the governor's first
arrival; and there being at Port Prince great plenty
of cows and hogs, he proposed to get a sufficient
number of each, to stock the island for breed, that
the people for the future might have fresh provision
of their own.
They set sail on Sunday, the 5th of October, 17 18.
The next day they arrived at an island known by the
name of Green Key, lying S. S. E. from Providence,
in lat. 28 deg. 40 m. being distant about 25 leagues.
Here they cast anchor, in order to wait for morning
to carry them through some rocks and shoals which
lay in their way, and some hands went ashore to try
to kill something for supper before it should be dark.
They expected to meet some wild hogs, for some
time before, one Joseph Bay and one Sims, put two
sows and a boar on said island; for they living at
that time at Providence, and being continually vis-
ited by pirates, were always plundered of their fresh
provisions, wherefore they thought of settling a breed
upon Green Key, that they might have recourse to
in time of necessity.
This island is about nine miles in circumference,
and about three miles broad in the widest place. It
18 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
is overgrown with wild cabbaj^c and Palmata trees,
and has a j^rcat variety of other herbs and fruits, so
that there is plenty of food ff>r the nourishment of
such animals; but the trees growing so close together,
makes it bad hunting, and they killed but one hog,
which, however, was of a monstrous si/e.
The hunters returned on board their ships again
before seven, having first divided the hog, and sent
part on board each vessel for supper that night.
After supper, Capt. Greenway and Capt. White
came on board of Capt. Augur's sloop, in order to
consult together what time to sail, and being all
of opinion that if they weighed anchor between the
hours of lO and ii, it would be day before they
would come up with the shoals, they agreed upon
that hour for setting sail, and so returned to their
own vessels.
Soon after, Phinehas Bunch, and Dennis Mackar-
thy, with a great many others, came from White's
sloop, on board of Augur's. Their pretence was,
that they came to see Richard Turnley and Mr.
James Carr, who had formerly been a midshipman
in the Rose man of war, under Capt. Whitney, and
being a great favourite of Governor Rogers, he had
appointed him supercargo of this voyage. They
desired to be treated with a bottle of beer, for they
knew Mr. Carr had some that was very good in his
care, which had been put on board, in order to make
presents of, and to treat the Spanish merchants with.
As it was not suspected they had any thing else
in view, Mr. Carr readily went down, and brought
up a couple of bottles of beer. They sat upon the
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 19
poop with Capt. Augur in their company, and were
drinking their beer; before the second bottle was out,
Bunch and Mackarthy began to rattle, talk with great
pleasure, and much boasting of their former exploits
when they had been pirates, crying up a pirate's life
to be the only life for a man of any spirit. While
they were running on in this manner, Bunch on a sudden
started up, and swore he would be captain of that
vessel. Augur answered him the vessel did not want
a captain, for he was able to command her himself,
which seemed to put an end to the discourse for that
time.
Soon after Bunch began to tell what bright arms
they had on board their sloop; upon which, one of
Augur's men handed up some of their cutlasses which
had .been cleaned that day. Among them was Mr.
Carr's silver-hilted sword. Bunch seemed to admire
the sword, and asked whose it was? Mr. Carr made
answer, it belonged to him. Bunch replied it was
a very handsome one, and drawing it out, marched
about the poop, flourishing It over his head, and telling
Mr. Carr he would return it to him when he had
done with it. At the same time he began to vapour
again, and to boast of his former piracies, and coming
near Mr. Carr, struck him with the sword. Turnley
bid him take care what he did, for Mr. Carr would
not take such usage. As they were disputing upon
this matter, Dennis Mackarthy stole off, and, with
some of his associates, seized upon the great cabin,
where all the arms lay. At the same time several
of the men began to sing a song with these words
Did you not promise me, that you would marry me-
20 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
which it seems was the signal agreed upon among the
conspirators for seizing the ship. Bunch no sooner
heard them, hut he cried out aloud, that I will, for I
am parson, and struck Mr. Carr again several blows
with his own sword. Mr. Carr and Turnley both
seized him, and they began to struggle, when Dennis
Mackarthy, with several others, returned from the
cabin witli each a cutlass in one hand, and a loaded
pistol in the other, and running up to them, said,
fVhat! do the governor's dogs offer to resist?
And beating Turnley and Carr with their cutlasses,
threatened to shoot them, at the same time firing
their pistols close to their cheeks, upon which Turnley
and Carr begged their lives.
When they were thus in possession of the vessel,
they hailed Capt. Greenway, and desired him to come
on board about urgent business. He, knowing nothing
of what had passed, jumped into his boat, and with
two hands only, rowed on board. Dennis Mackarthy
led him into the cabin, and, as soon as he was there,
laid hold of him, telling him he was now a prisoner,
and must submit. He offered to make some resist-
ance; upon which, they told him all resistance would
be vain, for his own men were in the plot; and, indeed,
seeing the two hands who rowed him aboard, now
armed, and joining with the conspirators, he thought
it was time to submit.
As soon as this was done, they sent some hands
on board to seize the sloop, or rather to acquaint his
men with what had been done, for they expected
to meet with no resistance, many of them being in
the plot, and the rest, they supposed, not very av-erse
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 21
to it; after which, they decoyed Captain White on
board, by the same stratagem they used with Green-
way, and likewise sent on board his sloop, and found
his men, one and all, well disposed for the design; and
what was most remarkable was, that Captain Augur,
seeing how things were going, joined with them, show-
ing himself as well inclined for pirating as the worst
of them.
Thus they made themselves masters of the three
vessels with very little trouble. The next thing to
be done was to resolve how to dispose of those who
were not of their party. Some were for killing
Richard Turnley, but the majority carried it for ma-
rooning, that he might be starved, and die like a dog,
as they called it. Their great spleen to him was,
because he was the person who had piloted the gov-
ernor into Providence.
Accordingly, Turnley, with John Carr, Thomas
Rich, and some others, were stripped naked, and
tumbled over the vessel's side into a boat which lay
along side. The oars were all taken out, and they
left them nothing to work themselves ashore with
but an old paddle, which, at other times, served to
steer the boat, and so they commanded them to be
gone. However, they made shift to get safe ashore
on the island, which, as we observed before, was
quite uninhabited.
The next morning Dennis Mackarthy, with sev-
eral others, went on shore, and told them they must
come on board again, and they would give them some
clothes to put on. They fancied the pirates began to
repent of the hard usage they had given them, and
22 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
were willing to return upon such an errand; but when
they got on board again, they found their opinion of
the pirates' good nature was very ill grounded, for
they began with beating them, and did it as if it were
sport, one having a boatswain's pipe, the rest beating
them till he piped belay.
The true design of bringing them on board again,
was to make them discover where some things lay,
which they could not readily find, particularly Mr.
Carr's watch and silver snuff-box; but he was soon
obliged to inform them in what corner of the cabin
they were, and there they were found, with some
journals and other books, which they knew how to
make no other use of than turning them into car-
tridges. Then they began to question Thomas Rich
about a gold watch which had once been seen in his
possession on shore at Providence; but he protested
that it belonged to Capt. Gale, who was commander
of the guard-ship called the Delicia, to which he then
belonged; but his protestations would have availed
him little, had It not been that some on board, who
belonged also to the Delicia, knew it to be true, which
put an end to his beating; and so they were all dis-
charged from their punishment for the present.
Some time after, fancying the pirates to be in better
humour, they begged for something to eat, for they
had none of them had any nourishment that day or the
night before; but all the answer they received was,
that such dogs should not ask such questions. In the
mean time, some of the pirates were very busy en-
deavouring to persuade Captain Greenway to engage
with them, for they knew him to be an excellent artist;
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 23
but he was obstinate and would not. Then it was
proposed to maroon him, which was opposed by some,
because he was a Bermudian, meaning, that he might
perhaps swim away, or swim on board his vessel
again, for the Bermudians are all excellent swimmers;
but as he represented, that he could not hurt them
by his swimming, he obtained the favour for himself
and the other officers, to be set ashore with Turnley,
Carr, and Rich. Accordingly, they were put into
the same boat without oars, to the number of eight,
and were ordered to make the best of their way on
shore.
The pirates, the next day, having examined all their
vessels, and finding that Greenway's sloop was not
fit for their purpose, shifted everything out of her.
Those that were sent on shore could see from thence
what they were doing, and when they saw them row
off, Greenway swam on board the sloop, it is likely,
to see whether they had left anything behind them.
They perceived him, and fancied he repented refusing
to join with them, and had come to do it now; where-
fore some of them returned back to the sloop,
to speak to him, but they found him of the same
opinion he was in before. However, he wheedled
them into so much good humour that they told him
he might have his sloop again, in which, indeed, they
had left nothing except an old main-sail, an old fore-
sail, four small pieces of Irish beef, in an old beef
barrel, and about twenty biscuits, with a broken bucket
which was used to draw water in, telling him that he
and the rest must not go on board till they had sailed.
Greenway swam ashore again to give notice to his
24 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
brothers in distress, of what had passed. The same
afternoon Bunch with several others went on shore,
carrying with them six bottles of wine and some
biscuits. Whether this was done to tempt Greenway
again, or no, is hard to say; for though they talked
to him a great deal, they drank all the wine themselves
to the last bottle, and then gave each of the poor
creatures a glass a-picce, with a bit of biscuit, and
immediately after fell to beating them, and so went
on board.
While they were on shore, there came in a turtler
which belonged to one Thomas Bennet, of Providence,
wherof one Benjamin Hutchins was master. They
soon laid hold of her, for she sailed excellently well.
Hutchins was reputed an extraordinary good pilot
among those islands; wherefore they tempted him
to engage with them; at first he refused, but rather
than be marooned, he afterwards consented.
It was now the 9th of October, and they were just
preparing to sail, when they sent on shore, ordering
the condemned ynalefactors to come on board Green-
way's sloop, the Lancaster. They did so in the little
boat they went on shore in, by the help of the same
paddle. They found several of the pirates there,
who told them that they gave them that sloop to return
to Providence, though they let them have no more
stores, than what were named before. They bade
them take the foresail, and bend it for a jib, and furl
It close down to the bowsprit, and to furl the main-
sail close up to the boom. They did as they were
ordered, for they knew there was no disputing whether
it was right or wrong.
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 25
Soon after, another detachment came on board,
among whom were Bunch and Dennis Mackarthy,
who being either mad or drunk, fell upon them, beat-
ing them, and cutting the rigging and sails to pieces
with their cutlasses, and commanding them not to sail,
till they should hear from them again, threatening if
they did, they would put them all to death, if ever they
met them again; and so they went off, carrying with
them the boat, which they sent them first ashore in, and
sailed away.
They left them in this miserable condition, without
tackle to go their voyage, and without a boat to get on
shore, and having nothing in view but to perish for
want; but as self preservation put them upon exerting
themselves, in order to get out of this deplorable
state, they began to rummage and search the vessel
through every hole and corner, to see if nothing was
left which might be of use to them; and it happened
by chance that they found an old hatchet, with which
they cut some sticks sharp to serve for marling-spikes.
They also cut out several other things, to serve instead
of such tools as are absolutely necessary on board a
ship.
When they had proceeded, thus far, every man
began to work as hard as he could; they cut a piece
of cable, which they strung into rope yarns, and fell
to mending their sails with all possible expedition;
they also made a kind of fishing lines of rope yarns,
and bent some nails crooked to serve for hooks; but
as they were destitute of a boat, as well for the use
of fishing as for going on shore, they resolved to
make a bark log, that is, to lay two or three logs
26 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
together, and lash tliem close, upon which two or
three men may sit very safely in smooth water.
As soon as this was done, some hands went on shore,
upon one of the logs (for they made two of them)
who employed themselves in cutting wild cabbage,
gathering berries, and a fruit which the seamen call
prickly pears, for food, while some others went a
fishing upon another. Those who went ashore also
carried the old bucket with them, so that whilst some
were busy in gathering things to serve for provision,
one hand was constantly employed in bringing fresh
water aboard in the bucket, which was tedious work,
considering how little could be brought at a time, and
that the sloop lay near a mile from the shore.
When they had employed themselves thus, for
about four or five days, they brought their sails and
tackle into such order, having also a little water,
cabbage and other things on board, that they thought
it was time to venture to sail. Accordingly they
weighed their anchor, and setting all the sail they
had, got out to the harbour's mouth, when to their
great terror and surprise, they saw the pirates coming
in again.
They were much frightened at this unexpected re-
turn, because of the threatenings they had used to
them at parting, not to sail without further orders;
wherefore, they tacked about, and ran as close in to
the shore as they could, then throwing out their bark
logs, they all put themselves upon them, and made
to land, as fast as they could; but before they quite
reached it, the pirates got so near that they fired at
them, but were too far to do execution. However,
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 27
they pursued them ashore; the unhappy exiles im-
mediately took to the woods, and for greater security
climbed up some tre^s, whose branches were very
thick, and by that means concealed themselves. The
pirates not finding them, soon returned to their boat,
and rowed on board the deserted sloop, whose mast
and bowsprit they cut away, and towing into deep
water, sunk her; after which, they made again for
shore, thinking that the fugitives would have been
out of their lurking holes, and that they should sur-
prise them; but they continued still on the tops of the
trees and saw all that passed, and therefore thought
it safest to keep their posts.
The pirates not finding them, returned to their
vessels, and weighing their anchors, set sail, steering
eastward. In the mean time, the poor fellows were
in despair, for seeing their vessel sunk, they had
scarce any hopes left of escaping the danger of per-
ishing upon that uninhabited Island, where they lived
eight days, feeding upon berries, and shell-fish, such
as cockles and perriwinkles, sometimes catching a
stingrey, a fish resembling mead or thornback, which
coming Into shoal water, they could wade near them,
and by the help of a stick sharpened at the end, which
they did by rubbing it against the rocks, (for they
had not a knife left among them) they stuck them as
if It had been with a spear.
It must be observed, that they had no means of
striking a fire, and therefore their way of dressing
this fish wa^, by dipping it In salt water, then laying it
in the sun, till It became both hard and dry, and then
they ate It.
28 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
After passing eight clays In this manner, the pirates
returned, and saw the poor fugitives ashore, who ac-
cording to custom made to the woods; but their hearts
began to relent towards them, and sending ashore,
they ordered a man to go into the woods single, to
call out to them, and promise them upon their honour,
if they would appear, that they would give them
victuals and drink, and not use them ill any more.
These promises, and the hunger which pinched them,
tempted them to come forth, and accordingly they
went on board, and they were as good as their word,
for they gave them as much beef and biscuit as
they could eat, during two or three days they were
on board, but would not give them a bit to carry on
shore.
There was on board one George Redding, an in-
habitant of Providence, who was taken out of the
turtle sloop, and who was a forced man. Being an
acquaintance of Richard Turnley, and knowing that
he was resolved to go ashore again, rather than en-
gage with the pirates, and hearing him say, that they
could find food to keep them alive, if they had but
fire to dress it, privately gave him a tinder box, with
materials in it for striking fire, which, in his circum-
stances, was a greater present than gold or jewels.
Soon after, the pirates put the question to them,
whether they would engage, or be put ashore? And
they all agreed upon the latter: upon which a debate
arose among the pirates, whether they should comply
with their request or not; and at length it was agreed,
that Greenway and the other two masters should be
kept whether they would or no; and the rest, being
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 29
five in number, should, as the pirates expressed it, have
a second refreshment on the varieties of the island.
Accordingly Richard Turnley, James Carr, Thom-
as Rich, John Cox, and John Taylor, were a second
time marooned, and the pirates, as soon as they landed
them, sailed off, steering eastward, till they came to an
island called Pudden Point, near Long-Island, in lat.
24 degrees, where they cleaned their vessels.
In the mean time, Turnley and his companions
made a much better shift than they had done before,
his friend Redding's present being of infinite use to
them, for they constantly kept a good fire, with which
they broiled their fish. There were plenty of land
crabs and snakes on the island, which they could eat
when they were dressed. Thus they passed fourteen
days; at the end of which the pirates made them an-
other visit, and they according to custom made for the
woods, thinking that the reason of their return must
be, in order to force them to serve amongst them.
But here they were mistaken, for the anger of these
fellows being over, they began to pity them; but going
ashore, and not finding them, they knew they were
hid for fear. Nevertheless, they left upon the shore,
where they knew they would come, some stores which
they intended in this fit of good humour to present
them with.
The poor islanders had got to their retreat, the tops
of the trees, and saw the pirates go off; upon which
they ventured down, and going to the water side, were
agreeably surprised to find a small cask of flour, of
between twenty and thirty pounds, about a bushel of
salt, two bottles of gun powder, several bullets, besides
30 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
a (juantity of small shot, with a couple of muskets,
a very good axe, and alscj a pot and a pan, and three
dojj;s, which tiicy took in the turtle sloop; which dogs
are bred to hunting, and generally the sloops which
go turtling, carry some of them, as they are very
useful in tracing out the wild hf)gs. Besides all these,
there were a dozen horn handled knives, of the sort
which are usually carried to Guinea.
They carried all things into the woods, to that part
where they had their fresh water, and where they
usually kept, and immediately went to work with their
axe ; some cutting down bows, and making poles, so that
four of them were employed in building a hut, while
Richard Turnley taking the dogs and a gun, went
a hunting, he understanding that sport very well. He
had not been gone long before he killed a large boar,
which he brought home to his companions, who fell
to cutting it up, and some they dressed for their dinner,
and the rest they salted, for another time.
Thus they lived, as they thought, very happy in
respect to their former condition; but after a few days,
the pirates made them another visit, for they wanted
to fill some casks with water. It happened when they
came in that Turnley was gone a hunting, and the
rest all busy at work, so that they did not see them,
till they came into the wood up on them. Seeing the
hut, one of them in wantonness set it on fire, and it
was burnt to the ground; and they appeared inclined
to do mischief, when Richard Turnley, knowing noth-
ing of the matter, happened to return from hunting,
with a fine hog upon his back, as much as he could
carry. He was immediately surrounded by the pirates,
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 31
who seized upon the fresh meat, which seemed to put
them into better humour. They made Richard Cox
carry it down to their boat, and when he had done,
they gave him a bottle of rum to carry back to his
companions to drink their healths, telling him, that
they might get home if they could, or if they stayed
there, they would never trouble them any more.
They were, indeed as good as their word, for
sailing away immediately, they made for Long-Island,
and coming up toward the salt ponds there, they saw
at a distance in the harbour, three vessels at an anchor,
and supposing them to be either Bermuda or New-
York sloops, lying there to take in salt, they bore down
upon them with all the sail they could make, expecting
a good booty. The turtle sloop taken from Ben-
jamin Hutchins, was by much the best sailer; however,
it was almost dark before she came up with them,
and then coming close along side of one of them,
she gave a broadside, with a design to board the next
minute, but received such a volley of small shot in
return, as killed and wounded a great many of the
pirates, and the rest, in great surprise and fright,
jumped overboard, to save themselves by swimming
ashore.
The truth is, these sloops proved to be Spanish pri-
vateers, who observing the pirates to bear down upon
them, prepared themselves for action. The com-
mander in chief of these three privateers was one
who was called by the name of Turn Joe, because he
had once privateered on the English side. He had
also been a pirate, and now acted by virtue of a com-
mission from a Spanish governor. He was by birth
32 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
an Irishman, a bold enterprising fellow, and was after-
wards killctl in :in engagement with one John Bon-
navee, captain of a privateer belonging to Jamaica.
But to return to our story. The sloop was taken,
and on board her was found, desperately wounded,
Phineas Bunch, who was the captain. By and by a
second of the pirate sloops came up; she heard the
volley, and supposed it to be fired by Bunch, when he
boarded one of the sloops; she came also along side
of one of the Spaniards, and received the welcome
that was given to Bunch, and submitted as soon. A
little after, came up the third, which was taken with
the same ease, and in the same manner, as many of
th.e pirates as could swim, jumping overboard to save
themselves on shore, there not being a man lost on
the side of the Spaniards.
The next day Turn Joe asked them many questions,
and finding out that several a-mongst them had been
forced men, he with the consent of the other Span-
ish officers, ordered all the goods to be taken out of
a Spanish launch, and putting some of the wounded
pirates into the said launch, with some provision,
water, and other liquors, gave it to the forced men,
to carry them to Providence.
Accordingly George Redding, Thomas Betty,
Matthew Betty, and Benjamin Hutchins, with some
others, set sail, and in eight-and-forty hours arrived
in the harbour of Providence. They went on shore
Immediately, and acquainted the governor with every
thing that had passed, from the time of their setting
out; informing him, that Phineas Bunch, who was one
of the chief authors of all the mischief, was on board
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 33
the launch. The governor, with some others, went
and examined him, and he confessed all, wherefore
there was no occasion for a trial; and as he had been
pardoned before, and it was necessary to make some
speedy example, it was resolved that he should be
executed the next day, but it was prevented by his
dying that night of his wounds.
They also informed the governor of the condition
of Turnley, Carr, and the rest, who were marooned
by the pirates upon Green Key Island; upon which
the governor sent for one John Sims, a mulatto man,
who had a two-mast boat in the harbour of Provi-
dence, very fit for sailing; and putting some provi-
sions into her, ordered him to get five or six hands,
and to sail for Green Key, in order to bring off the
five men there marooned.
Sims accordingly made the best of his way, and
sailing out in the morning, arrived at Green Key the
next day towards evening. The poor people on shore
saw them, and supposing them to be some of the
pirates returned, thought it best to take to the woods
and hide, not knowing what humour they might be in
now. Sims and his ship-mates carried some provision
on shore, not knowing but they might want, and
searched about, calling out to them by their names.
After wandering about some time, they came to the
place where the fire was constantly kept; on perceiving
which, they fancied they must be thereabouts, and
that it would be best to wait for them there, and
accordingly they sat down, laying the provisions near
them. Turnley, who had climbed to the top of a
tree just by, saw them, and observed their motions, and
34 GRKAT PIRATP. STORIES
fancied they were no enemies who were bringing thenn
provisions, and looking more earnestly, he knew Sims,
the mulatto, whom he was very well acquainted with
at Providence; upon which he called him, who desired
him to come down, telling him the comfortable news,
that he was come to the relief of him and his com-
panions. TurnJcy made what haste he could to the
bottom, and as soon as he was down, summoned his
comrades, who had climbed to the top of some neigh-
bouring trees, being in haste to communicate the glad
tidings to them. Being all together, the mulatto re-
lated to them the history of what had happened to
the pirates.
That night they supped comfortably together upon
the provision brought ashore; but so strange an effect
has joy, that scarce one of them slept a wink that
night, as they declared. The next day they agreed to
go a hunting, in order to get something fresh to carry
off with them, and were so successful, that they killed
three fine hogs. When they returned, they made the
best of their way on board, carrying with them all
their utensils, and set sail for Providence, whither
they arrived In three days; it being now just seven
weeks from the time of their being first set on shore by
the pirates.
The governor, in the mean time, was fitting out a
sloop to send to Long-Island, In order to take those
pirates who had saved themselves near the salt ponds
there, which sloop was now ready to sail, and put
under the command of Benjamin Hornygold. Turn-
ley and his companions embarked on board of her, and
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 35
care was taken to get as many men as they could,
who were entire strangers to the pirates.
When they arrived at the said island, they ran in
pretty near the shore, keeping but few hands on deck,
that it might look like a trading vessel, and those
men that were quite unknown to the pirates.
The pirates seeing them, came only two or three
of them near the shore, the rest lying in ambush,
not without hopes of finding an opportunity to seize
the sloop, which sent her boat out towards the shore,
with orders to lay off at a little distance, as if she was
afraid. Those in ambush seeing the boat so near,
had not patience to stay any longer, but flocked to
the water side, calling out to them to come on shore,
and help them, for they were poor shipwrecked men,
perishing for want. Upon which the boat rowed
back again to the sloop.
Upon second thoughts they sent her off again with
two bottles of wine, a bottle of rum, and some biscuit,
and sent another man, who was a stranger to those
ashore, with orders to pass for master of the vessel.
As soon as they approached them, the pirates called to
them as before, begging them, for God's sake to come
on shore; they did so, and gave them the biscuit, wine,
and rum, which he said he brought ashore on purpose
to comfort them, because his men told him they were
cast away. They were very inquisitive to know where
he was bound. He told them, to New- York, and that
he came in there to take in salt. They earnestly en-
treated him to take them on board, and carry them as
passengers to New-York; they being about sixteen in
36 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
number, he answered, he was afraid he had not pro-
vision sufficient for so ^reat a number; but that he
would go on board and overhaul his provision, and if
they pleased, some of them might go with him, and
sec how his stock stood; that at least he would carry
some of them, and leave some refreshment for the
rest, till they could be succoured another way, but
that he hoped they would make him some recom-
pense when they should arrive at New-York.
riicy seemed wonderfully pleased with his proposal,
and promised to make him ample satisfaction for all
the charges he should be at, pretending to have good
friends and considerable effects in different parts of
America. Accordingly he took several of them with
him in the boat, and as soon as they got on board he
invited them into the cabin, where, to their surprise,
they saw Benjamin Horneygold, formerly a brother
pirate; but what astonished them more, was to see
Richard Turnley, whom they had lately marooned
upon Green Key. They were immediately surrounded
by several with pistols in their hands, and clapped in
irons.
As soon as this was over, the boat went on shore
again, and those in the boat told the pirates, that the
captain would venture to carry them with what pro-
vision he had; at which they appeared much rejoiced,
and so the rest were brought on board, and without
much trouble clapped in irons, as well as their com-
panions.
The sloop had nothing more to do, and therefore
set sail, and reaching Providence, delivered the pi-
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 37
rates all prisoners into the fort. A Court of Admi-
ralty was immediately called, and they were all tried,
and nine received sentence of death, viz. John
Augur, William Cunningham, Dennis Mackarthy,
William Dowling, William Lewis, Thomas Morris,
George Bendall, William Ling, and George Rounsivel,
which last was finally reprieved and pardoned. The
other seven were acquitted, it appearing that they were
forced.
The following is the sentence pronounced upon
the prisoners: —
THE COURT having duly considered of the evi-
dence which hath been given both for and against
you the said John Augur, William Cunningham,
Dennis Mackarthy, William Dowling, William Lewis,
Thomas Morris, George Bendall, William Ling, and
George Rounsivel; and having also debated the sev-
eral circumstances of the cases, it is adjudged, that
you the said John Augur, William Cunningham,
Dennis Mackarthy, William Dowling, William Lewis,
Thomas Morris, George Bendall, William Ling, and
George Rounsivel, are guilty of the mutiny, felony,
and piracy, wherewith you and every one of you stand
accused. And the Court doth accordingly pass sen-
tence, that you the said John Augur, William Cun-
ningham, Dennis Mackarthy, William Dowling, Wil-
liam Lewis, Thomas Morris, George Bendall, Wil-
liam Ling, and George Rounsivel, be carried to prison
from whence you came, and from thence to the place
of execution, where you are to be hanged by the neck
till you shall be dead, dead, dead; and God have mercy
38 gri:at piratf. stories
on your souls. Ciivcn under our hands this lOth day
of December, A. n. 1718. (Signed)
fV nodes Rogers, ly'tngate Gale,
IViU'tam Fairfax, Nathaniel Taylor,
Robert BcaKchamp, Josias Burgiss,
llionias Walker, Peter (Jourant.
After sentence was passed upon the prisoners, the
governor, as president of the court, appointed their
execution to be on Friday next, the 12th inst. at
10 o'ch)ck in the morning.
Whereupon the prisoners prayed for longer time
to repent and prepare for death; but the governor
told them, that from the time of their being appre-
hended, they ought to have accounted themselves
as condemned by the laws of all nations, which was
only sealed now, and that the securing them hither-to,
and the favour that the Court had allowed them
in making as long a defence as they could, wholly
took up that time which the affairs of the settlement
required in working at the fortifications; besides the
fatigue thereby occasioned to the whole garrison in
the necessary guards, set over them by the want of
a gaol, and the garrison having been very much re-
duced by sickness and death since his arrival; also,
that he was obliged to employ all his people to as-
sist in mounting the great guns, and in finishing the
present works, with all possible despatch, on account
of the expected war with Spain; and there being
many more pirates amongst these Islands, and this
place left destitute of all relief from any man of
war or station ship, joined to other reasons, too long
to enumerate in court, he thought himself Indlspen-
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 39
sably obliged, for the welfare of the settlement, to
give them no longer time.
The prisoners were then ordered to the place of
their imprisonment in the fort, where leave was given
them to send for any persons to read and pray with
them.
On Friday morning each of the prisoners was called
in private, to know if they had any load upon their
spirits, for actions committed as yet unknown to the
world, the declaring of which was absolutely required
to prepare themselves for a fit repentance; but they
each refused to declare any thing, as well as making
known to the governor, if they knew of any conspiracy
against the government.
Wherefore, about lo o'clock, the prisoners were
released from their irons, and committed to the charge
and care of Thomas Robinson, Esq. commissioned
Provost Marshal for the day, who, according to cus-
tom in such cases, pinioned them, &c. and ordered the
guards appointed to assist him, to lead them to the
top of the rampart, fronting the sea, which was well
guarded by the governor's soldiers and people, to the
number of about lOO. At the prisoners' request, sev-
eral select prayers and psalms were read, in which all
present joined. When the service was ended, orders
were given to the Marshal, and he conducted the pris-
oners down a ladder, provided on purpose, to the foot
of the wall, where a gallows was erected, and a black
flag hoisted thereon, and under it a stage, supported
by three butts, on which they ascended by another
ladder, where the hangman fastened the cords. They
had three-quarters of an hour allowed under the gal-
40 GREAT PIRATK STORIES
lows, which was spent by them in singing psalms,
and some exhortations to their old consorts, and the
other spectators, who got as near to the foot of the
gallows as the marshal's guard would suffer them.
When the marshal was ordered to make ready, and
all the prisoners expected the launch, the governor
thouglit fit to order (jeorge Rounsivcl to be untied,
and when brought off the stage, the butts having
ropes about them, were hauled away; upon which,
the stage fell, and the prisoners were suspended.
A Short Account of the Prisoners Executed.
First, John Augur, being about 40 years of age,
had been a noted shipmaster at Jamaica, and since
among the pirates; but on his accepting of His Ma-
jesty's act of grace, and recommendations to the gov-
ernor, he was, notwithstanding, entrusted with a good
vessel and cargo, in which, betraying his trust, and
knowing himself guilty of the indictment, he all along
appeared very penitent, and neither washed, shaved,
or shifted his old clothes, when carried to be executed;
and when he had a small glass of wine given him on
the rampart, drank it with wishes for the good success
of the Bahama Islands, and the governor.
The second, William Cunningham, aged 45, had
been gunner with Thatch, the pirate, who, being also
conscious of his own guilt, was seemingly penitent,
and behaved himself as such.
The third, Dennis Mackarthy, aged 28, had also
been formerly a pirate, but accepted of the king's
act of grace; and the governor had made him an en-
sign of the militia, being recommended as a sober, dis-
ON THE SPANISH MAIN 41
creet person, which commission he had at the time of
his joining the pirates, which very much aggravated
his other crimes. During his imprisonment, he be-
haved himself tolerably well; but when he thought
he was to die, and the morning came, without his ex-
pected reprieve, he shifted his clothes, and wore long
blue ribands at his neck, wrists, knees, and cap; and
when on the rampart, looked cheerfully round him,
saying. He knew the time when there were many brave
fellows on the island, who would not have suffered
him to die like a dog; and at the same time pulled off
his shoes, kicking them over the parapet of the fort,
saying. He had promised not to die with his shoes on;
so descended the fort wall, and ascended the stage,
with the agility and address of a prize-fighter. When
mounted, he exhorted the people, who were at the
foot of the walls, to have compassion on him; but,
however willing, they saw too much power over their
heads to attempt any thing in his favour.
The fourth, William Dowling, about 24 years of
age, had been a considerable time among the pirates,
of a wicked life, which His Majesty's act of grace did
not reform. His behaviour was very loose on the
stage, and after his death, some of his acquaintance
declared, he had confessed to them, that he had mur-
dered his mother before he left Ireland.
The fifth, William Lewis, aged about 34 years, as
he had been a hardy pirate and prize-fighter, affected
an unconcern at death; but heartily desired liquors to
drink with his fellow-sufferers on the stage, and with
the standers by.
The sixth, Thomas Morris, aged about 22, had
42
GREAT PIRATE STORIES
been a very incorrigible youth ami pirate, and seemed
to have very httle anxiety of mind by his fretjuent
smiles when at the bar. Bein^ dressed with red
ribands, as Mackarthy was with blue, he said, going
over the ramparts, l^Fc have a new governor, but a
harsh one; and a little before he was turned off, said
aloud, he might have been a greater plague to these
islands, and nozv he wished he had been so.
The sevefith, George Bendall, aged i8, though
he said, he had never been a pirate before, yet he had
all the villanous inclinations the most profligate youth
could be infected with. His behaviour was sullen.
The eighth, William Ling, aged about 30, not taken
notice of before the last attempt, behaved himself
as became a true penitent, and was not heard to say
any thing besides replying to Lewis, when he demanded
wine to drink, that water was more suitable to them at
that time.
It was observed that there were but few (besides
the governor's adherents) among the spectators, who
had not deserved the same fate, but pardoned by His
Majesty's act of grace.
-^^'
ADAM PENFEATHER'S NARRATIVE ^
[From "Black Bartlemy's Treasure," by Jeffery
Farnol]
M
"]\ /f" INE is a strange, wild story, Martin, but
needs must I tell it and in few words
as may be. Fifteen years agone (or
thereabouts) I became one of that league known as
the Brotherhood of the Coast and swore comradeship
with one Nicholas Frant, a Kent man, even as I.
Now though I was full young and a cautious man,
yet, having a natural hatred of Spaniards and their
ways, I wrought right well against them and was
mighty diligent in many desperate affrays against their
ships and along the Coast. 'Twas I (and my good
comrade, Nick Frant) with sixteen lusty lads took sea
in an open pinnace and captured the great treasure
galleon Dolores del Principe off Carthagena, and what
with all this, Martin, and my being blessed with some
education and a gift of adding two and two together,
I got me rapid advancement in the Brotherhood until
— well, shipmate, I that am poor and solitary was once
rich and with nigh a thousand bully fellows at com-
mand. And then it was that I fell in with that arch-
devil, that master rogue whose deeds had long been
1 Reprinted by permission of Little, Brown and Company.
43
44 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
a terror throughout the Main, a fcHow more bloody
than any Spaniard, m(jrc treacherous than any Portu-
gal, and more cruel than any Indian-Inca, Mosquito,
Maya or Aztec, and this man an Englishman, and
one of birth and breeding, who hid his identity under
the name of Bartlcmy. I met him first in Tortuga
where we o' the Brotherhood lay, six stout ships and
nigh four hundred men convened for an expedition
against Santa Catalina and this for two reasons; first,
because 'twas a notable rich city, and second, to res-
cue certain of the Brotherhood that lay there waiting
to be burnt at the next auto-da-fe. Well, Martin, 'tis
upon a certain evening that this Bartlemy comes
aboard my ship and with him his mate, by name Tres-
sady. And never was greater difference than 'twixt
these two, Tressady being a great, wild fellow with a
steel hook in place of his left hand, d'ye see, and Bart-
lemy a slender, dainty-seeming, friendly-smiling gentle-
man, very nice as to speech and deportment and clad in
the latest mode, from curling periwig to jewelled shoe
buckles.
" 'Captain Penfeather,' says he, 'your most dutiful,
humble — ha, let me perish but here is curst reek o'
tar !' with which, Martin, he claps a jewelled pomander
to the delicate nose of him. 'Y-ou've heard of me, I
think, Captain,' says he, 'and of my ship, yonder, The
Ladies' Delight?' I told him I had, Martin, bluntly
and to the point, whereat he laughs and bows and
forthwith proffers to aid us against Santa Catalina,
the which I refused forthwith. But my council of cap-
tains, seeing his ship was larger than any we possessed
and exceeding well armed and manned, overruled me,
ADAM PENFEATHER'S NARRATIVE 45
and the end of it was we sailed, six ships of the
Brotherhood and this accursed pirate.
"Well, Martin, Santa Catalina fell according to my
plans and, the Governor and Council agreeing to pay
ransom, I drew off my companies and camped outside
the walls of the town till they should collect the
money. Now the women of this place were exceed-
ing comely, Martin, in especial the Governor's lady,
and upon the second night was sudden outcry and up-
roar within the city. Whereupon I marched into the
place forthwith and found this curst Bartlemy and his
rogues, grown impatient, were at their devil's work.
Hasting to the Governor's house, I found it gutted
and him dragged from his bed and with the life gashed
out of him — aye, Martin, torn body and throat, d'ye
see, as by the fangs of some great beast! That was
the first time I saw what a steel hook may do! As
for this poor gentleman's lady, she was gone. Here-
upon, we o' the Brotherhood fell upon these pirate
rogues and fought them by light o' the blazing houses
(for they had fired the city) and I, thus espying the
devil Bartlemy, met him point to point. He was
very full o' rapier tricks, but so was I, Martin (also I
was younger) and winged him sore and had surely
ended him, but that Tressady and divers others got
him away and what with the dark night and the woods
that lie shorewards he, together with some few of his
crew, got them back aboard his ship, The Ladies' De-
light and so away, but twelve of his rogues we took
(beyond divers we slew in fight) and those twelve I
saw hanged that same hour. A week later we sailed
for Tortuga with no less than ninety and one thou-
46 GREAT PIRATF STORIES
sand pieces of eight for our labour, but I and those
with me never had the spending of a single piece,
Martin, for wc ran into a storm such as I never saw
the like of even in those seas. Well, wc ran afore it
for three days, antl its fury nothing abating all this
time, I never (juit the deck; but I had been wounded
and on the third night, being fevered and outworn,
turned in belrtw. I was awakened by Nick Frant
roaring in my ear, for the tempest was very loud and
fierce :
" *Adam,' cried he, 'we're lost, every soul and the
good money! We've struck a reef, Adam, and 'tis
the end, and a' of the good money!'" Hereupon I
climbed 'bove deck, the vessel on her beam ends and
in desperate plight, and nought to be seen i' the dark
save the white spume as the seas broke over us.
None the less I set the crew to cutting away her masts
and heaving the ordnance overboard (to lighten her
thereby), but while this was doing comes a great wave
roaring out of the dark and, dashing aboard us,
whirled me up and away and I, borne aloft on that
mighty, hissing sea, strove no more, doubting not my
course was run. So, blinded, choking, I was borne
aloft and then, Martin, found myself adrift in water
calm as any mill pond — a small lagoon — and, spying
through the dark a grove of palmetto trees, presently
managed to climb ashore, more dead than alive. Ly-
ing there, I prayed — a thing I had not done for many
a year. As the dawn came I saw the great wave had
hurled me over the barrier reef into this small lagoon,
and beyond the reef lay all that remained of my good
ship.
ADAM PENFEATHER'S NARRATIVE 47
"I was yet viewing this dolorous sight (and much
cast down for the loss of my companions, in especial
my sworn friend Nicholas Frant) when I heard a
sound behind me and, turning about, espied a woman,
and in this woman's face (fair though it was) I read
horror and sadness beyond tears, and yet I knew her,
for the same had been wife to the murdered governor
of Santa Catalina.
"'Go back!' says she in Spanish, pointing to the
surf that thundered beyond the reef. 'Go back!
Here is the devil — the sea hath more mercy — go back
whiles ye may!' And now she checked all at once
and falls a-shivering, for a voice reached us, a man's
voice a-singing fair to hear and the song he sang was
this,
*Hey cheerly O and cheerly O
And cheerly come sing O
While at the mafnyard to and fro — '
and knowing this voice (to my cost) I looked around
for some weapon, since I had none and was all but
naked, and whipping up a jagged and serviceable
stone, stood awaiting him with this in my fist. And
down the beach he comes, jocund and debonair in his
finery, albeit something pale by reason of excess and
my rapier work. And now I come to look at you,
Martin, he was just such another as you as to face
and feature, though lacking your beef and bone.
Now he, beholding me where I stood, flourishes off
his be-laced hat and, making me a bow, comes on
smiling.
" 'Ah,' says he gaily, ' 'tis Captain Penfeather of
48 GRKAT PIRATE STORIES
the Brotherhood, a-collogulrif^ with my latest wife!
Is she not a pearl o' dainty woman-ware, Captain, a
sweet and luscious piece, a passionate, proud beauty
worth the taming — ha. Captain? And she is tamed,
see you. To your dainty knees, wench — down I'
"Now though he smiled yet and spake lier gentle,
she, bowinjT proud head, sank to her knees, crouching
on the ground before him, while he looked down on
her, the devil in his eyes and his jewelled fingers toy-
ing with the dagger in his girdle, a strange dagger
with a hilt wrought very artificially in the shape of a
naked woman — "
"How," asked I, "a woman, Penfeather?"
"Aye, shipmate! So I stood mighty alert, my eyes
on this dagger, being minded to whip it into his
rogue's heart as chance might offer. 'I wonder,'
says he to this poor lady, 'I wonder how long I shall
keep thee, madonna, a week — a month — a year?
Venus knoweth, for you amuse me, sweet — Rise, rise,
dear my lady, my Dolores of Joy, rise and aid me with
thy counsel, for here hath this misfortunate clumsy
Captain fool blundered into our amorous paradise,
this tender Cyprian isle sacred to our passion. Yet
here is he profaning our joys with his base material
presence. How then shall we rid ourselves of this
offence? The knife — this lover o' men of mine?
The bullet? Yet 'tis a poor small naked rogue, and
in two days cometh my Ladies' Delight and Tressady
with his hook — see, my Dolores, for two days he shall
be our slave and thereafter, for thy joy, shall show
thee how to die, my sweet — torn 'twixt pimento trees
or Tressady's hook — thou shalt choose the manner
ADAM PENFEATHER'S NARRATIVE 49
of 't. And now, unveil, unveil, my goddess of the isle
— so shall — ' Ha, Martin! My stone took him
'neath the ear, and as he swayed reeling to the blow,
lithe and swift as any panther this tortured woman
sprang, and I saw the flash of steel ere it was buried
in his breast. Even then he didn't fall, but, stagger-
ing to a pimento tree, leans him there and falls
a-laughing, a strange, high-pitched, gasping laugh, and
as he laughed thus, I saw the silver haft of the dagger
that was a woman leap and quiver in his breast.
Then, laughing yet, he, never heeding me, plucked and
levelled sudden pistol, and when the smoke cleared
the brave Spanish lady lay dead upon the sands.
" 'A noble piece, Captain,' says he, gasping for
breath, and then to her. 'Art gone, my goddess — I
— follow thee !' And now he sinks to his knees and
begins to crawl where she lay, but getting no further
than her feet (by reason of faintness) he clasps her
feet and kisses them, and laying his head upon them —
closes his eyes. 'Penfeather !' he groans, 'my trea-
sure — hidden — dagger — '
"Then I came very hastily and raised his head (for
I had oft heard talk o' this treasure) and in that mo-
ment he died. So I left them lying and coming to the
seaboard sat there a great while, watching the break o'
the seas on what was left o' the wreck, yet seeing it
not. I sat there till noon, Martin, until, driven by
thirst and hunger and heat of sun, I set off to seek
their habitation, for by their looks I judged them
well-fed and housed. But, and here was the marvel,
Martin, seek how I might I found no sign of any hut
or shelter save that afforded by nature (as caves and
50 GREAT PIRATF STORIES
trees) and was forced to satisfy my cravinf^s with such
fruits as flourished in profusion, for this island, Mar-
tin, is a very earthly paradise.
"That night, the moon being high and bright, I
came to that stretch of silver sand beside the lagoon
where they lay together rigid and pale and, though
I had no other tool but his dagger and a piece o' drift-
wood, made shift to bury them 'neath the great
pimento tree that stood beside the rock, and both in
the same grave. Which done, I betook me to a dry
cave hard by a notable fall of water that plungeth
into a lake and there passed the night. Next day,
having explored the island very thoroughly and dined
as best I might on shell fish that do abound, I sat me
down where I might behold the sea and fell to viewing
of this silver-hilted dagger — "
"The which was shaped like a woman?" asked I.
"Aye, Martin. And now, bethinking me of Bart-
lemy's dying words anent this same dagger, and of
the tales I had heard full oft along the Main regard-
ing this same Bartlemy and his hidden treasure, I fell
to handling this dagger, turning and twisting it this
way and that. And suddenly, shipmate, I felt the
head turn upon the shoulders 'twixt the clasping
hands; turn and turn until it came away and showed
a cavity, and In this cavity a roll of parchment and
that parchment none other than this map with the
cryptogram the which I could make nought of.
"Now as I sat thus, studying this meaningless
jumble of words, I of a sudden espied a man below
me on the reef, a wild, storm-tossed figure, his scanty
clothing all shreds and tatters, and as he went seeking
ADAM PENFEATHER'S NARRATIVE 51
of shellfish that were plenteous enough, I knew him
for my sworn comrade Nick Frant. And then,
Martin, I did a strange thing, for, blood-brothers
though we were, I made haste (and all of a tremble)
to sHp back this map into its hiding place, which done
I arose, haihng my comrade, and went to meet him
joyously enough. And no two men in the world more
rejoiced than we, as we clasped hands and embraced
each other as only comrades may. It seemed the
hugeous sea that had caught me had caught him like-
wise and hurled him, sore bruised, some miles to the
south of the reef. So now I told him of the deaths of
Bartlemy and the poor lady, yet Martin (and this
was strange) I spoke nothing of knife or treasure;
I told him of the expectation I had of the pirate
ship's return, and yet I never once spake o' the map
and chart. And methinks the secret cast a shadow
betwixt us that grew ever deeper, for as the days
passed and no sail appeared, there came a strangeness,
an unlove betwixt us that grew until one day we fell
to open quarrel, disputation and deadly strife, and
the matter no more than a dead man's shirt (and that
ragged) that had come ashore.
"And we (being in rags and the sun scorching) each
claimed this shirt, and from words came blows. He
had his seaman's knife and I Bartlemy's accursed dag-
ger, and so we fought after the manner of the buc-
caneers, his leg bound fast to mine and, Martin,
though he was a great fellow and strong and wounded
me sore, in the end I got in a thrust under the armpit,
and he fell a-dying and I with him. Then I (seeing
death in his eyes, Martin) clasped him in my arms
52 GRFAT PIRATE STORIES
and kissed him and besought him not to die, whereat
he smiled. 'Adam!' says he, 'why, Adam, lad — ' and
so died.
"Then I took that accursed dagger, wet with my
comrade's life hlof)d, and hurleil it from me, and so
with many tears and lamentations I presently buried
poor Nick Frant in the sands and lay there face down
upon his grave, wetting it with my tears and groaning
there till nightfall. But all next day, Martin (though
my heart yearned to my slain friend), all next day I
spent seeking and searching for the dagger that had
killed him. And as the sun set, I found it. There-
after I passed my days (since the pirate ship came not,
doubtless owing to the late tempest) studying the writ-
ing on the chart here, yet came no nearer a solution,
though my imagination was inflamed by mention of
diamonds, rubies and pearls as ye may see written here
for yourself. So the time passed till one day at dawn
I beheld a great ship, her mizzen and fore-topmasts
gone, standing in for my island, and as she drew
nearer, I knew her at last for that accursed pirate ship
called Ladies' Delight. Being come to anchor within
some half mile or so, I saw a boat put oft for the reef
and, lying well hid, I watched this boat, steered by a
knowing hand, pass through the reef by a narrow chan-
nel and so enter the lagoon. Now in this boat were
six men and at the rudder sat Tressady, and I saw his
hook flash in the sun as he sprang ashore. Having
beached their boat, they fell to letting off their cali-
vers and pistols and hallooing:
"'Oho, Captain!' they roared. 'Bartlemy, ahoy!'
And this outcry maintained they for some while. But
ADAM PENFEATHER'S NARRATIVE 53
none appearing to answer, they seemed to take counsel
together and thereafter set off three and three, shout-
mg as they went. And now it seemed they knew no
more of Bartlemy's hiding place than I, whereat I re-
joiced greatly. So lay I all that forenoon watching
their motions and hearing their outcries now here,
now there, until, marvelling at the absence of Bart-
lemy, they sat down all six upon the spit of sand
whereby I lay hid and fell to eating and drinking,
talking the while, though too low for me to hear what
passed. But all at once they seemed to fall to dis-
putation, Tressady and a small, dark fellow against
the four, and thereafter to brawl and fight, though
this was more butchery than fight, Martin, for Tres-
sady shoots down two ere they can rise and, leaping
up, falls on other two with his hook — ! So with aid
from the small, dark fellow they soon have made an
end o' their four companions and, leaving them lying,
come up the beach and sitting below the ledge of rock
whereon I lay snug hidden, fell to talk.
" 'So Ben, comarado mio, we be committed to it
now ! Since these four be dead and all men well-
loved by Bartlemy, needs must Bartlemy follow 'em !'
" 'Aye !' says the man Ben, 'when we have found
him. Though Bartlemy's a fighting man!'
" 'And being a man can die, Ben. And he once
dead, we stand his heirs — you and I, Ben, I and you!'
" 'Well and good!' says Ben. 'But for this treas-
ure, where lieth it and for that matter, Roger, where
is Bartlemy?'
" 'Both to find, Ben, so let us set about it forthwith.'
The which they did, Martin; for three days they
54 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
sought tlic island over and I watching 'cm. On the
third day, as they arc sitting 'neath the great pimento
tree I have mentioned (and I watching close by),
Tressady sits up all at once.
" 'Ben!' says he, 'what be yon?' and he pointed to
a mound of sand hard by.
" 'Lord knoweth !' says Ben.
" 'Yon's been digging,' says Tressady, 'and none so
long since !'
" 'Aye,' said Ben, 'and now what?'
" 'Now,' says Tressady, 'let us dig likewise.'
" 'Aye, but what with?' says Ben.
" 'Our fingers!' says Tressady. So there and then
they fell to digging, casting up the loose sand with
their two hands, dog-fashion and I, watching, turned
my head that I might not see.
" 'Ha !' says Tressady, in a while, 'here is foul reek.
Ben, foul reek.'
" 'Right curst!' says Ben and then uttered a great,
hoarse cry. And I, knowing what they had come
upon, kept my face turned away. ' 'Tis she!' whis-
pers Ben.
" 'Aye, and him!' says Tressady. 'Faugh! Man,
'tis ill thing, but needs must — his dagger, Ben, his
dagger.'
" 'Here's no dagger,' says Ben. 'Here's empty
sheath but no steel in't!'
" ' 'Tis fallen out !' says Tressady in strangled
voice. 'Seek, Ben, seek!' So despite the horror of
the thing, they sought, Martin; violating death and
careless of corruption they sought, and all the time
the thing they sought was quivering in this right hand.
ADAM PENFEATHER'S NARRATIVE 55
" 'Ben,' says Tressady when they were done, 'Ben
— how came he dead — how?'
"'Who shall say, Roger? Mayhap they did each
other's business.'
" 'Why then — where's the dagger o' the woman —
the silver goddess — where? And how came they
buried?'
" 'Aye, there's the rub, Roger!'
" 'Why,' says Tressady, 'look'ee, Ben, 'tis in my
mind we're not alone on this island — '
" 'And who should be here, Roger?'
"'The man that slew our Captain!' Here there
was silence awhile; then the man Ben rose and spat.
"'Faugh!' says he. 'Come away, Roger, ere I
stifle — come, i' the devil's name!' So they went and
I lying hid secure watched them out of sight.
"Now when they were gone I took counsel with
myself, for here were two desperate, bloody rogues
very well armed, and here was I a solitary man with
nought to my defence save for Nick's knife and the
silver-hilted dagger which was heavy odds, Martin, as
you'll agree. Now I have ever accounted myself a
something timid man, wherefore in cases of desperate
need and danger I have been wont to rely on my wit
rather than weapons, on head rather than hands. So
now as I looked upon this cursed dagger wherewith I
had slain my poor friend, beholding this evil silver
woman whose smile seemed verily to allure men to
strife and bloodshed, the end of it was I stole from
my lurking place and set the dagger amid the gnarled
roots of the great pimento tree where it might have
slipped from dying fingers, and so got me back into
56 GRFAT PIRATF STORIES
hiding. And sure enough in a while comes the big
man Trcssacly, a-stcaling furtive-fashion, and falls
to hunting both in the open grave and round about
Init, finding nothing, steals him off again. Scarce was
he out of eye-shot, Martin, than cometh the little dark
fellow Ben, who likewise fell to stealthy search, grub-
bing here and there on hands and knees yet with none
better fortune than his comrade. But of a sudden he
gives a spring and, stooping, stands erect with Bart-
lemy's dagger in his hand. Now scarce had he found
it than comes Tressady creeping from where he had
lain watching.
" 'Ha, Ben!' says he jovially. 'How then, lad, how
then? Hast found what we sought? Here's luck,
Ben, here's luck! Aye, by cock, 'tis your fortune to
find it, and your fortune's my fortune, eh, Ben — us
being comrades, Ben?'
" 'Aye,' says Ben, turning the dagger this way and
that.
" 'Ha' ye come on the chart, Ben; ha' ye found the
luck in't, Ben?'
" 'Stay, Roger, I've but just picked it up! — '
" 'And was coming to your comrade with it, eh, Ben
— share and share — eh, Benno — Bennie?'
" 'Aye,' says Ben, staring down at the thing, 'but
'twas me as found it, Roger!'
" 'And what then, lad, what then?'
" 'Why, then, Roger, since I found it, 'tis mine,'
says he, gripping the dagger in quivering fist and
glancing up sideways.
'"Hilt and blade, Ben!'
" 'And the chart, Roger!'
ADAM PEN FEATHER'S NARRATIVE 57
" 'Aye, and the chart, Ben !' says Tressady, coming
a pace nearer, and I saw his hook glitter.
" 'And the treasure, Roger?' says Ben, making little
passes in the air to see the blue gleam of the steel.
" 'AH yours, Ben, all yours, and what's yours is
mine, according to oath, Ben, to oath! But come,
Ben, you hold the secret o' the treasure in your fist —
the silver goddess. Come, the chart, lad, out wi' the
chart, and Bartlemy's jewels are ours — pearls, Ben —
diamonds, rubies — aha, come, find the chart — let your
comrade aid ye, lad — '
" 'Stand back!' says Ben and whips a pistol from his
belt. 'Look'ee, Roger,' says he, 'I found the dagger
without ye, and I'll find the chart — stand back!'
" 'Why, here's ill manners to a comrade, Ben, ill
manners, sink me — but as ye will. Only out wi' the
chart, and let's go seek the treasure, Ben.'
" 'D'ye know the secret o' this thing, Roger?'
'"Not I, Ben!'
" 'Why, then must I break it asunder. Hand me
yon piece o' rock,' says Ben, pointing to a heavy stone
that chanced to be near.
" 'Stay, Ben lad, 'twere pity to crush the silver
woman, but If you will, you will, Ben — take a hold!'
So saying, Tressady ^picked up the stone, but, as his
comrade reached to take it, let it fall, whereon Ben
stooped for it, and in that moment Tressady was on
him. And then — ha, Martin, I heard the man Ben
scream and as he writhed, saw Tressady's hook at
work . . . the man screamed but once . . . and
then, wiping the hook on his dead comrade's coat, he
took up the dagger and began to unscrew the head.
58 GRKAT PIRATE STORIES
But now, Martin, mctlu)u^}it 'twas time for me to act,
if I meant to save my life, for I had nought but Nick
Frant's knife, while within Trcssady's reach lay the
dead man's pistols and divers muscjuetoons and fusees
on the beach behind him, which put me to no small
panic lest he shoot me ere I could come at lilm with my
knife. riius, as I lay watching, I took counsel witli
myself how I might lure him away from these firearms
wherewith he might hunt me down and destroy me at
his ease; and the end of it was I started up all at once
and, leaning down towards him, shook the parchment
in his face. 'Ha, Tressady!' says I. 'Is this the
thing you've murdered your comrades for?' Now at
this Tressady sprang back, to stare from me to the
thing in my hand, Martin, and then — ha, then with a
wild-beast roar he sprang straight at me with his hook
— even as I had judged he would. As for me, I
turned and ran, making for a rocky ledge I knew, with
Tressady panting behind me, his hook ringing on the
rocks as he scrambled in pursuit. So at last we
reached the place I sought — a shelf of rock, the cliff
on one side, Martin, and on the other a void with the
sea thundering far below — a narrow ledge where his
great bulk hampered him and his strength availed
little. And there we fought, his dagger and hook
against my dead comrade's knife, and thus as he
sprang, I, falling on my knee, smote up beneath raised
arm, heard him roar and saw him go whirling over
and down and splash into the sea — "
"And had the dagger with him, Adam!" said I in
eager question.
"Aye, Martin, which was the end of an 111 rogue
and an evil thing — "
THE CAPTURE OF JULIUS CESAR
[From "The Book of Pirates" by Henry Gilbert]
IT was a brilliant day In summer, and the blue of
the Mediterranean was answered by the fleckless
blue of the sky, out of which the sun shone with
all the fierceness of noon. In a rocky creek of the
island of Pharmacusa, which lay a few miles off the
coast of Caria, In Asia Minor, lay a long black galley,
its nose of burnished copper just showing outside the
entrance of the creek. With its benches of rowers
who sat quietly chatting, their black oars not placed
inboard, but ready to their hands, the raking mast and
the huge half-furled sail, the galley had all the appear-
ance of a vicious scorpion waiting in a cleft of the
rocks for some unwary prey. Every man had a keen
knife at his girdle, and In the box under his seat were
stores of javelins, bows and arrows, slings and stones.
These rowers were not slaves: each took part and lot
In the enterprise on which they were engaged; each
was a seaman and a fighter, as apt at the oar or the
sail as at the set-to with knife or short throwing-spear.
Indeed, this was the galley Milvus, "The Kite," one
of the scouting vessels of the pirate chief Spartaco,
leader of a band of sea-rovers whose name was a
name of terror up and down the coasts of Asia Minor,
from the Hellespont to Tyre, In Syria.
Three men sat In the little cabin on the high-curving
poop, from which they had a wide view over the deck
of the vessel and away to where the shores of Caria
59
60 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
shimmered In the heat haze. They were waiting for
any merchant-vessels beating up in the south-west
wind from Greece or Italy, and making for Miletus or
Ephesus. To pass the time away they were throwing
dice, but the day was hot and the game dragged.
"Zeus!" said one, named Micio, yawning. "As
well be li/.ards baking on a stone as wait here for
ships that never come! The sea is as empty as the
treasury at Samos!"
This referred to one of the most daring recent ex-
ploits of Spartaco, in violating a temple to Venus in
the island of Samos, which lay some thirty miles to the
north of where they were seated. The beautiful
building had been ruined by fire, after the pirates had
put the priests and priestesses to the sword and had
rifled the treasury and temple of all the wealth given
to It by generations of devout worshippers. The
speaker had suggested this exploit to his chief, who
sat beside him, and he rather prided himself upon his
initiative.
''Me Hercule!" sneered the third man, a truculent,
black-browed rascal named Syrus. "You talk as if
you had scaled the walls of Olympus and robbed Jove
of his thunderbolts! There is a greater prize than
any you would have the courage for, if Spartaco here
will let us do it."
"And what is that?" asked Spartaco, a little fierce-
faced man with gold rings In his ears, gold chains
round his neck, and flashing jewels on his dirty fingers.
"The Temple of Diana at Ephesus!" replied Syrus.
"There Is booty enough there, 'tis true," said Spar-
taco; "but the town is a strong one and Archelaus, the
THE CAPTURE OF JULIUS CiESAR 61
governor there, is a hard man, who would not be
bought over to our side except for a very large sum.
And even if he agreed to take his soldiers away while
we plundered, the Ephesians would fight like wild cats
for their Diana."
"I like it not," said Micio. "The goddess has been
good to me. I sacrificed to her when I sacked Agri-
gentum, and she saved me from death and capture
that day, for the Sicilians fought too well,"
"Pshaw!" returned Spartaco. "These gods and
goddesses cannot help themselves. Until my old
chief Storax of Cyprus took it into his head to sack
Apollo's temple at Claros, because the god refused
him the ship of the rich merchant Crassus at Chios,
no captain of the sea had dared to think of trying the
strength of a god. Did any ill befall Storax by
reason of that ? Did he not afterward sack the temple
of Ceres at Hermione, and that of the healing-god,
i^sculapius, at Epidaurus? What he could do others
have done. Sannio the Negro took much treasure
from the temple of Neptune in the Isthmus, and
because the god sank two of his best galleys at Tae-
narus he sacked his temple there too, and at Ca-
lauria."
"But, mark you, captain," said Micio, "I think these
things pass not without note, though the old gods be
fallen now on careless days since the Bull-God
Mithras is so widely worshipped. What happened to
Storax? you ask. Was he not slain by an unseen hand
as he feasted in his mountain-hold at Aspera, in the
midst of his faithful men? It was an arrow of the
god that slew him, of a surety, for all such deaths are
62 GRKAT PIRATE STORIES
from the hand of Apollo. And Sannio — what befell
him at Messina? As he rode in the midst of his
galleys in a calm sea, waiting for his men to bring off
the senators Sextus and Glabrio, to hold for ransom,
a great wave rolled in from the Narrow Strait and
swamped and drowned five galleys and some four hun-
dred men — Sannio among them."
"Old women's tales, all such!" returned Spartaco;
but his words did not ring with sincerity. As a mat-
ter of fact, superstition moved him as much as it
moved the wisest and basest of men in those times,
when the old gods were dying and new and untried
gods were taking their places. Men's minds were
still affected more strongly by the old beliefs than by
the new, and Spartaco could not keep down the feel-
ing that there might be some truth In the words of
his lieutenant Micio.
Syrus was quick to see the doubt in the mind of his
captain and therefore laughed.
"We must look, then, for some act of vengeance
upon us from the dainty hand of the goddess Venus!"
he said. "Doubtless the next serving-maid from
whom we would snatch a kiss will thump us heartily!"
Spartaco laughed harshly, but Micio looked gloomy.
He had himself suggested the sacking of the temple
of Venus at Samos, but It had been to make favour
for himself with Spartaco, and he had no thought then
of the possible wrath and vengeance of the goddess.
Syrus sneered at him.
"Croaker!" he said. "I believe youVe frightened
yourself now. As for me, I fear none of the old gods
while the young Mithras protects me."
THE CAPTURE OF JULIUS CAESAR 63
He made the sign of the swastika in the air, invok-
ing the protection of Mithras.
At that moment there came a faint, broken halloo
from the look-out on the topmost rock on the shore.
A quick movement ran through the men on the
benches of the galley; they clutched at the handles of
their long oars and looked up at their leaders for or-
ders. Spartaco and his lieutenants gazed shoreward,
and saw a man gesticulating toward the sea to the
north, as if pointing to an advancing vessel.
"Jump ashore, Micio," said the captain of the gal-
ley, "and run to the northern point and see what you
make of the stranger."
Micio did as he was ordered, and in the course of
a few minutes returned to say that there were two
merchant-galleys whose course showed that they were
making for Miletus. They were heavily laden, and
were therefore a likely prize.
"Give the call for the other galleys!" said Spartaco;
and soon a trumpet-call, clear and high, rang out along
the rocks and creeks of the island.
A few orders, and the Milvus had been pushed out
of the creek, and, followed by two other galleys which
had been hiding in neighbouring inlets, was on her
way toward the merchant-ships. With their long oars
rising and falling in regular beats, the pirate galleys
looked like great sinister sea-monsters skimming over
the bright blue waves. The oars as they struck the
waters churned them into foam ; the sun shone brightly
and turned the tossing water into jewels which flashed
as they fell; the wind sang, carrying on it the salt
smell of the sea. The pirates, however, saw little
64 GRKAT PIRATE STORIES
of the beauty of sea and sky, sun and wind; like birds
of prey, they had eyes only for their victims, and,
urged by the sinewy arms of the rascals on the oar-
banks, the three galleys quickly approached the mer-
chantmen.
At the first sight of the black craft racing toward
them the traders had increased their speed, had
stretched another sail, and incited their rowers to
greater efforts. But the vessels were too heavily
laden, and the chief merchant, a fat, pursy man,
rung his hands as he saw how swiftly the pirates were
lessening the interval between the boats.
On the poop with the chief merchant was a spare
young man, a Roman by his dress, with aristocratic
features and bold, confident bearing. He was dressed
in a white woollen tunic, with sleeves which reached
to the wrists, where they were cut into a deep fringe.
The garment was slackly girdled. The fringed tunic
and the loose girdle were thought to be signs of ef-
feminacy in those days. On his feet were shoes of
scarlet leather. As the young man saw the pirate
galleys coming nearer and nearer he laughed at the
merchant's woeful cries.
"It is no use your lamenting," he said with a sneer.
"If you had waited for the other merchants you might
have been able to beat these rascals off. As it is, they
outnumber you by three to two."
"But I wished to get the market before the others,"
whined the greedy old merchant. "What a loss it is!
These rogues will make me pay heavily for my ran-
som. Oh that I had waited!"
The foppish young man turned away with a yawn.
THE CAPTURE OF JULIUS CiESAR 65
Two servants stood near, and he ordered one to ask
his physician to come to him; the other he told to
bring his toga, and to bid the rest of his servants to
come upon the poop. Then he leaned idly against
the side of the vessel and looked at the rushing onset
of the first galley.
The merchant, seeing escape was hopeless, had or-
dered his slaves to cease rowing, and his sailors were
reefing the sails. Soon the merchant-galleys lost their
way and sat motionless upon the water. Spartaco
raced his galley to within a hundred yards; then, at a
word, his men ceased rowing and the galley glided just
within speaking distance.
"What ship is that?" came the question.
"The Golden Fleece, of Rhodes," was the reply,
"owned by Vinius the Lydian."
"If Vinius the Lydian is there, let him come
aboard," came back the order. "If he is not there,
let the shipmaster come to me !"
Vinius, the old merchant, thereupon got into a small
boat with two of his men, and, taking his money and
jewels with him, was rowed to the pirate galley.
Meanwhile the young aristocrat, surrounded by his
servants, sat with Cinna, his friend and physician, and,
taking out a scroll from the breast-fold of his toga,
began discussing its contents, as if the visit of some
three hundred pirates, who thought nothing of sink-
ing galleys and the people aboard them, was an every-
day occurrence.
In a little while a boat put off from each of the
pirate ships, crammed with men. They boarded the
iiig merchant-ship, and then, after quickly going
66 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
through the cargo to note its value, turned their at-
tention to the passengers on the poop.
It was Spartaco's (juick eye who singled out the
young Roman gentleman in the centre of his retinue.
As he went ah)ng the gangway to the poop he growled
to Micio hehind him :
"Here's some sprig from Athens or Rome who will
pay for keeping for a while."
Gaining the poop, the pirates went toward the
group. The servants closed ahout their master, at
which movement Spartaco laughed.
"Out of the way, spaniels!" he said. "I want your
lord's money, not his life."
"What is it, Phormio?" came the drawling voice
of the young Roman.
The slaves made way for the pirates, who walked
up to the young exquisite. The latter, wrapped in
his toga with its deep purple band, looked up with a
slight air of annoyance at being disturbed.
"Who are you?" asked Spartaco harshly, disliking
the haughty air of the aristocrat.
The other looked at his questioner with a patroniz-
ing smile for an instant. Then, with a gesture, he
turned to his friend with the words:
"Tell the fellow, Cinna."
The physician, an elderly man, looked haughtily at
the pirate and said:
"This gentleman is Caius Julius Caesar, of Rome."
"What win he pay for the lives of himself and his
people?" came the harsh question.
Cinna shrugged his shoulders and looked at his
master, who, however, had returned to his book.
THE CAPTURE OF JULIUS CiESAR 67
Spartaco waited for a reply, but as neither Caesar nor
Cinna appeared to think the question concerned him,
and did not attempt to break the chilly silence, Spar-
taco, with an angry malediction, turned to Micio and
said: "What are they worth, think you? From the
pride of them the treasure of Midas wouldn't be
enough."
Micio looked at the crowd of slaves and freedmen
as if estimating their market value, and then muttered
advice to his captain.
'Til double it — twenty talents is what I want," said
Spartaco.
Caesar raised his head, and a look of real anger was
in his eyes.
"Twenty talents !" he said icily. "My good fel-
low, I am afraid neither of you knows your business.
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am well
worth fifty talents !"
For some moments Spartaco was speechless with
surprise. As a rule people were anxious to get oft
with as low a ransom as their captors would accept,
and for a prisoner to put up the price placed upon him
was something unheard of. Moreover, Caesar's val-
uation (equal to about £12,000 of our money) was a
staggering amount. Spartaco hastened to get over
his surprise and to accept the offer.
"Have it as you will," he said, with a harsh laugh.
"Fifty talents you'll pay ere you see Rome again."
"I will send my people with letters to Rome," replied
Caesar. "You will ship them there at once, and the
money shall be in your hands by the kalends of
August."
68 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
Spartaco scowled; somehow this aristocrat seemed
to be giving orders, and his captor had to obey them.
The pirate prowled assent antl departed. In a little
while the nicrchant-gallcys were turned and rowed
toward the island, where in a small bay they were
anchored, and the rich gear and goods were landed
to add to the stores of the pirates. Cssar and the
merchant and his people were housed in huts, which
formed the village of the pirates, placed in a wide
green field just below the high rock, which formed the
look-out of Spartaco and his band. There they would
await the time when their ransoms were received. In
a few hours Caesar had written his letters to friends
and kinsmen at Rome, and next morning the smaller
merchant-vessel was manned by pirates, the freedmen
and slaves of Czesar, who were to take the letters,
went on board, and, the wind being favourable, a
course was set for Italy. The same day the pirates
in one of their own galleys carried some of the mer-
chant's slaves to Miletus, which was but a few miles
away on the mainland. Caesar also sent letters by
these to friends of his in Asia Minor, particularly to
Nicomedes, the wealthy King of Bithynia.
Caesar remained with the pirates, accompanied only
by Cinna, his friend and physician, and two body-
servants, Milo, his barber, and Cotta, his cook. A
hut was reserved for himself and Cinna, and every
morning he bathed in a pool on the seashore, and on
his return Milo shaved him and trimmed his nails,
and then crimped and curled his hair with tongs.
Then he partook of his spare breakfast of pulse and
bread, which had been prepared by Cotta, after which
THE CAPTURE OF JULIUS CESAR 69
he would walk with Cinna, discussing some point of
law, or the subject for a speech or poem. At the time
of his capture Caesar had been travelling to Rhodes to
study oratory under Molo, a famous orator who lived
there. Caesar was at this time only twenty-three years
of age, and had the ambition of becoming a senator.
He had no inkling yet of the genius which he possessed
for military leadership.
About midday he would take another spare meal —
for Caesar, even as a young man, had the habit, so
rare in his days, of eating and drinking little; after
which, in the hottest time of the day, he would take
his siesta, sleeping in his hut. At two o'clock he
would take exercise by running, leaping, and throwing
big stones, and at three he would bathe again, after
which he rested and Cinna would read to him. His
last meal would be taken at four o'clock, after which
he would sit conversing or reading with Cinna, or
declaiming a speech which he had thought out and
noted down during the day. Soon after dark he
would retire to his couch.
The pirates, observing his manner of life, used to
laugh and jest among themselves about him, calling
him "the dandy," "the man-woman," or "the lady."
They kept strict watch upon him, but this was because
of his value, not that they feared he might try to es-
cape. As the days went on they began to have a feel-
ing of contempt for one whose amusements, interests,
and manner of life were wholly different from theirs.
They found pleasure in rough and brutal sports, or
games of chance, at which they quarrelled and fought,
sometimes to the death, while this stranger passed
70 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
his day in bathing, talking, reading, and exercising
his hmbs. So fearful was he of his precious liealth,
indeed, that he kept a physician continually about him.
Sudi a creature as this Caius Julius Cssar, this aris-
tocrat, was only half a man!
When, therefore, one night, into their midst, as
they sat roaring out songs over their cups, the physi-
cian entered, and, going boldly up to Spartaco, said
that Cassar had sent him to tell them to keep silent, as
he was about to sleep, looks of stupefied wonder gave
way quickly to great guffaws of laughter at the in-
solence of the 'man-woman.'
"And why should we keep quiet?" growled Spar-
taco, "That little white man of yours would do well
with a little hardship, and a night's sleeplessness will
do him good. Tell him I shall make all the noise I
wish."
"You are foolish, my friend," replied Cinna.
"You wish to get the ransom for my friend and mas-
ter, I suppose?" The pirate assented. "My friend
is a man of delicate health; sleep and a quiet life are
necessary to him. If he were to die here you would
get no ransom, for the money is to be lodged with the
Roman governor at Miletus, and will only be given
to you when Caesar goes there in person."
Spartaco scowled; the logic of this stranger was
unanswerable. "Tell your man-woman that I will
keep my boys quiet," he said.
Afterward, whenever the pirates forgot their prom-
ise and were noisy at night, Caesar sent and ordered
them to keep silent, and they instantly subsided,
though with muttered curses. After the first few
THE CAPTURE OF JULIUS CAESAR 71
days Caesar spoke to several of them, getting them to
talk of their exploits and leading them to reveal their
true natures, in which craftiness, greed, and savagery
mingled. Spartaco and Micio he particularly chose
to talk to, and while he showed his contempt for their
trade and their manners, and never let them forget
the social gulf which lay between them, he entered into
many of their games and diversions, got them to run
and jump and throw balls with him, and to walk with
him about the island.
The pirates could not understand him. He was
frank in his manner, he laughed and jested with them,
and when he chose to be so was excellent company.
But they felt vaguely that he was not so soft a person
as they had deemed him to be. He gave them orders
as if he were their prince and they were merely his
body-guard. They resented this manner, but he was
so fearless and his bearing was so lordly that they had
to obey, willy-nilly. They felt that under his suavity
and condescension of manner there was a determina-
tion that nothing could break.
Once Spartaco and Micio and others with them were
speaking of the cities they had taken, of the slaves
they held in their strongholds in Cilicia, and of the
many tributes they received from maritime cities and
rich merchants as blackmail, so that they should not
attack those cities or capture the vessels of the
merchants.
"If there was any wit in your muddy minds," said
Caesar, "one or other of you would use your powers
to still greater ends."
"As how?" asked Spartaco.
72 GRFAT PIRATE STORIES
"You would make yourself master of all the pirate
bands within the waters of the Middle Sea, you would
confederate many maritime States under your power,
and — who knows? — if you had brains enough to bend
the quarrels of Rome and Italy to your own ends, you
could take the place of Rome herself, who hates the
sea, and be master over all the lands and oceans of the
world."
He was half laughing as he spoke, in spite of the
strange glow in his eyes, and they knew not whether
he was speaking in jest or in earnest.
"But I fear you are men of too barbarous a taste to
aim so high," he went on. "Tell me, is it true, as
men say, that you reverence not even the temples of
the gods?"
"We care a straw for nothing," said Spartaco sav-
agely, incensed at the open contempt which this lord
expressed for his captors, who usually experienced
deference and fear in their prisoners. "And I* think
I would as soon slit your throat as have your money,
my fine gentleman."
Cssar laughed easily and ignored the other's anger.
"If you did that, doubt not that you would rue it in a
little while. What would my poor corpse benefit
you? Think how you would curse yourself for a
fool when you were told that fifty talents — three hun-
dred thousand denarii — were waiting for you at
Miletus, and all that you could offer for them was my
poor clay! I thought you were men of business!"
"Aye, aye!" said some of the others, laughing at his
mockery of their chief. "Spartaco will spare you for
your money's sake, but your tongue is too free."
THE CAPTURE OF JULIUS CiESAR 73
"Free, my friends!" said Caesar, his eyes flashing
and scorn curUng his lips. "I am used to speaking my
mind freely even in the Forum at Rome, before men
whose shoe-latchets you are not fit to touch. Think
you I should bridle my tongue for any one of your
dirty knives?"
Most of the men laughed awkwardly; to take a
man's life was nothing to these rough sea-robbers,
but against their wills they were cowed by the utter
fearlessness and pride of this Roman lord. Some
found a zest in his insolence, and at any rate none of
them would permit his life to be taken, unless, of
course, his rich ransom never came to their hands.
Caesar rose from the log on which he sat and, fold-
ing his toga about him, prepared to go to his own hut.
"What insolence!" he said jestingly. "Barbarians
as you are, not to appreciate a gentleman's jests! Do
you not know that a lord's slaves laugh or cry with
him to save their backs from the whip? Not only do
you threaten me with death, but you resent my jokes.
For such insolence not one of you deserves less than
the death of a common rogue, and, mark me, when I
am free I will see to it that you all get your deserts on
the cross!"
This sally excited the men to much laughter. The
daring of the thought tickled their sense of the hu-
morous. To think that this man, so much in their
power, should threaten to crucify them like any other
poor robber whom Roman justice thrust upon a cross
along a roadside ! After all, the lord could make a
good jest.
Caesar's fearlessness among these cut-throats was a
74 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
matter of wonder even to CInna, his physician, who
tried to dissuade him from trusting himself among
them.
"My friend," C.Tsar replied, "have no fear for me.
These men value me too much to injure me. They
are sorry rogues, indeed, but at least they enjoy the
edge of my tongue."
One day Cssar went to a party of the pirates as
they sat after their evening meal and told them he
would recite an oration which he had composed. It
was a revised version of the final portion of the speech
which he had given in the Forum when he had im-
peached Antonius Hybrida for corrupt government
In Macedonia. With all solemnity, while the men
gaped at him In wonder, he told them that this speech
had always dissatisfied him, and, more than any of
his other orations, had convinced him that a few ses-
sions with the great orator Molo at Rhodes — whither
he had been proceeding when their rascalities had
seized his person — were necessary to perfect him In
the art of rhetoric.
Then for some time he exerted all his gifts of elo-
quence upon the group of wretches before him.
With every addition of fine phrasing, noble gesture,
and telling Intonation, he strove to make them realize
the force of the arguments by which he sought to
prove how utterly evil and injurious to the State had
been the actions of the governor in taking bribes from
suitors and from merchants and In robbing travellers
of their goods. But all his efforts were in vain: the
pirates were not Impressed In the least, and even
laughed at him, and half-way through his oration
THE CAPTURE OF JULIUS CiESAR 75
many turned aside and began to play dice, or a game
with small bones, called mora.
When he ended Caesar looked sourly at them as
they lolled in their places. Some joked about the
gestures he had made; Spartaco said it seemed a lot
to say about a man who had taken a few goods and
trifling sums of gold; while another ruflHan, supposed
to be a very comic fellow, began to create roars of
laughter in one corner by imitating Caesar's motions
and looks while he talked.
"Dolts and barbarians!" cried Caesar. "It is like
throwing pearls to swine or giving gold to asses to lay
before you the riches of oratory such as I possess !"
"You learned men seem to do little else but talk,"
growled Syrus. "As for us seamen, we may be
rough men, but we do much more than we talk about.
Give me a man who does things, not one who mouths
about what other men have done!"
"Dunce !" said Caesar, with a scornful smile. "I
suppose you will never learn that words can sway men
much more than your brutal deeds with knife and
javelin. Oh, I shall take the greatest pleasure in
hanging you all when I am free again!"
Saying which, he walked away with great dignity,
flinging his toga about him with a lordly gesture.
The pirates laughed as he left them.
"What a fool the man is!" said Spartaco scoffingly.
"He is all words. Never hath he told us of anything
he himself hath done."
"I told him as much," said Syrus. "I doubt not he
would turn sick to see a man killed. To talk of cruci-
fying us!"
76 GREAT PIRA'IK STORIES
On other occasions Ci'sar delivered orations to the
pirates, and even recited some of his poems to them.
He saw, indeed, tliat they liad no appreciation for
anything so strange to their way of Ufe as oratory and
poetry; hut liis masterful and imperious character,
which knew no fear of their hrutal natures, caused
him to impress himself upon them in tliis way. And
so great a mixture of pleasantry and mastery was in
his hearing to these men that some began to feel the
ciiarm which in later years he exercised so powerfully
over his rough soldiers in Spain and Gaul. Micio
in particular felt a kind of devotion for this fearless
and wonderful stranger, and often went aside to speak
to Caesar, who treated him with the haughty famili-
arity which a great man might show for a freedman
or favourite slave.
Once Micio put to him the question which had been
exercising his mind ever since the day on which the
pirate leaders had talked about the sacking of temples.
"Do you think, Caesar," he said, "that the old gods
still have power to avenge themselves upon those who
insult or injure them? As for me," Micio went on
truculently, "I fear them not. Mithras the Bull-God
is strong enough for me,"
"Why do you ask, then, my friend?" asked Caesar,
with a little smile.
"Oh," was the answer, "some have said that men
who have sacked temples have been slain by the gods
whose fanes they had destroyed.
"Have you sacked a temple?"
"I have," replied Micio, assuming a look of ferocity
designed to impress his listener with a sense of his
1
THE CAPTURE OF JULIUS CESAR 77
utter fearlessness of things both human and divine.
Caesar glanced at the man as he sat in his soiled and
ragged tunic, with bare legs and feet thrust into rough
leather boots. Micio had a heavy gold chain about
his red, hairy neck and bosom, and thick rings in his
ears. A kerchief was tied round his unkempt locks,
and his face, tanned a deep red by wind and sun, wore
the look of mingled craft and brutality which was
common to all the pirates.
"Whose temple have you polluted, barbarian?"
asked the patrician.
"We sacked the temple of Venus at Samos," was
the reply, "slit the throats of the priests and pries-
tesses, and emptied the treasury. Then we sent up
the temple in fire and smoke — all that would burn !"
"You destroyed the temple of Venus at Samos!"
repeated Caesar, and his tone had something of the
mercilessness of a judge giving sentence, so that Micio
was stirred in spite of his air of bravado. "Of a
surety the goddess will avenge herself — rest assured
that you shall not escape!"
Caesar rose from his seat and withdrew without an-
other word. For a little while Micio sat silent, his
superstitious mind chilled by the pronouncement of
doom as from the lips of an oracle. He recovered
himself in a little while and laughed awkwardly.
A few days later, ifi the early morning, a galley
was sighted coming from Miletus. The first man
who jumped into the surf when the ship was pulled
up the shore was Cassar's chief freedman, Gallo,
who, running up to his master, bowed to him and
said:
78 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
^^Domine, the tale of fifty talents is complete. It
Is in the liaruls of the lord Valerius I'orquatus, the
legate at Miletus. Shall 1 prepare my lord for his
immediate departure from here?"
"Tell the pirate, Spartaco, that my ransom waits
for him," replied Cicsar in an undisturbed manner,
"and then come to me."
Within an hour the three galleys were under way to
Miletus, crammed with men. The first contained
Ca'sar and his friend Cinna, together with the freed-
man Gallo and the two slaves, Cotta and Milo. All
except Caesar himself showed great joy in at length
finding themselves on their way to liberty again.
They had been thirty-eight days with the pirates, so
hard a task had it been for Gallo and the other slaves
of Caesar to collect the sum of fifty talents. The
property both of Caesar and his wife Cornelia had
been confiscated by Sulla, who was then tyrant at
Rome; but Caesar had many rich kinsmen and friends.
Throughout the preparation for departure Caesar
had sat silent on the poop of the galley, gazing upon
the line of shore, from which they were now receding,
as if trying to fix the appearance of the creeks and
the cliffs upon his memory.
Spartaco and his two lieutenants came upon the
poop. They were in high glee at the prospect of re-
ceiving so large a sum for their captive, but though
Spartaco did not anticipate any trick, it had ever been
his habit in these cases to make every assurance. He
had known of pirates who had been lured to a place
at which a ransom was to be paid, only to be fallen
upon and overwhelmed by forces in hiding. For this
THE CAPTURE OF JULIUS CiESAR 79
reason he had brought with him all his men, well
armed; and the money was to be handed to him on
the governor's galley, at a point on the open sea out-
side the harbour of Miletus.
"You cannot say I have not treated you well,
Caesar, said Spartaco, with a rough laugh. "Fifty
talents in a lump do not often come the way of a
poor corsair, but I think I and my fellows have treated
you like a king."
"I will see that your kind treatment of me does not
benefit you if ever you come before the judge at Perga-
mum," was the smiling reply. "No word from me
shall keep you from the cross."
"You will have your jest," said Spartaco, with a
laugh. "Look you, if you ever happen to fall into
my hands again I promise you I'll raise your ransom —
'twill be seventy-five talents next time, for the sharp
tongue you give us !"
Syrus and Micio laughed heartily: this was paying
the Roman lord back in his own coin.
"There's the legate's galley!" said Spartaco, and
cast keen eyes about the sea and away to the white
bar of the harbour, against which the sea tossed up
its jewelled waters, flashing in the sunlight. But
there were only a few fishing-vessels here and there,
and no armed galley threw back the sun's rays from
its gleaming beak of bronze.
The formality was soon over: Spartaco, with a
body-guard, went aboard the galley of the legate, or
governor, and the gold coins were counted out and
taken in bags to the little boat bobbing at the side.
The governor, a stout old Roman with a rubicund
80 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
face, stood waiting impatiently while the money was
being counted, and when this was finished Spartaco
yelled through his hands to Micio on the first pirate
galley to put Ca-sar and his people in a boat and row
them across. This was done with alacrity, and in a
little while Ciesar stepped on board the governor's
vessel.
Exiled from Rome in this outlandish province as he
had been for some years, Valerius, the governor, knew
little of affairs in the great city. He had never heard
of Caesar, but had supposed he was one of the old
rich senators who had more wealth than wide renown.
His surprise was great, therefore, when a young man
of about twenty-three came toward him, dressed in a
foppish fashion. Valerius welcomed him heartily,
however, for his respect was according to the enor-
mous amount of ransom which had been paid. As
Cassar stepped aboard Spartaco leaped into his own
boat, and without further delay the beak of the gov-
ernor's galley was turned shoreward, and the vessel
was soon racing toward the meal for which the old
governor had been impatiently waiting.
Valerius invited his guest to dine with him when
they should reach his villa at Miletus in an hour.
"I thank you," replied Caesar, "but I shall not dine
to-day. I will ask you to lend me four galleys and
all the good fighting men you can command."
Valerius hesitated. "What do you want them
for?"
"I will pay you three talents for the loan of them,"
replied Caesar, "and you shall have both galleys, and
men back without much loss."
THE CAPTURE OF JULIUS CESAR 8i
"If you think to take those pirates — ^' began
Valerius.
"I do not think about it," replied Caesar in a polite
but firm tone. "I am going to take those rascals,
every one of them, and string them up like crows along
the coast to scare other dirty rascals away."
Valerius had long passed his fighting days: he was
all for well-cooked meals and Greek wines now; but he
knew a masterful man when he saw one, and without
another word he submitted. Who was he to resist
the will of this young patrician, with, so far as Vale-
rius knew, powerful friends at Rome, and who, at any
rate, was one for whom fifty talents had been paid?
He agreed, therefore, to place under Caesar the com-
mand of four galleys and five hundred soldiers, two
hundred of whom were tried fighting men of his own
guard, the others being native auxiliaries.
"And suppose you succeed in taking those desperate
rascals," said Valerius, " — but I don't promise that
you will find it an easy task — what do you propose to
do with them?"
"I will bring them here and ask you to put every one
to death," was the reply.
"And do you think that will do me any good?"
asked Valerius angrily. "I shall have all my mer-
chants railing at me. As it is, they pay their tribute
to this Spartaco and their galleys go free. If you
crucify him as big a rogue will come and take his place,
and my merchants will have to pay more blackmail."
"I am sorry to threaten these pleasing commercial
arrangements," said Caesar, with a cynical smile.
"Then I will save you the trouble of punishing these
82 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
friends of your merchants, and 1 will take them to
Pcrf^amum."
"Do that, and I shall be well pleased," replied
Valerius, his good-humour returning. "Let Junius
the prajtor have the bother. Besides, he alone has
rightly the power of life and death."
After a few more words Caesar parted from the
governor, the latter being glad to see the hack of this
young man who wished to disturb the comfortable rela-
tions existing between the merchants of Miletus and
the pirates who patrolled that part of the coast.
Meanwhile the pirates, having returned to the
island, were deep in a great carouse to celebrate the
rich haul which they had so easily made. Much
heady wine was drunk, boastful speeches were made,
and song and jest sped the pleasant time. Even the
look-out men on the highest point of the rocks had
joined in the festivity and no watch was kept upon
the sea. When, therefore, with the suddenness of a
tempest out of the summer sky men rushed upon them
from behind the rocks the half-drunken pirates were
able to make but little resistance against what were
found to be overwhelming numbers. Those who at-
tempted to fight were cut down; the others were sur-
rounded and ordered to throw down their arms.
"Who commands you?" yelled Spartaco, rocking as
he stood, impotent rage in his voice.
From behind a group of soldiers came the tall,
slender figure of Cassar, smiling, but with a cold glitter
in his eyes.
Spartaco started; then he cursed vehemently for a
while, and after that was silent. Micio looked
THE CAPTURE OF JULIUS CESAR 83
gloomily at Caesar, and then with drunken gravity
he turned to Spartaco and shook his head sagely.
"He said he'd crucify us, and — and so he will!" he
ejaculated.
Surrounded by the soldiers, who stood with drawn
swords ready to cut down any pirate who ventured to
break away or to resist, the rascals were pinioned and
then were thrust into the bottom of the galleys. Only
a few had escaped by flight into the inner part of the
island when the surprise had come, and the number
taken amounted to about three hundred and fifty.
Caesar also recovered the whole of the fifty talents
which had formed his ransom.
When all were aboard Caesar ordered the pirate
galleys to be stove in and sunk in deep water; after
which, setting sail before a favourable wind, he
speedily made his way to Pergamum, where dwelled
the praetor, or governor-general, of the province of
Asia Minor.
Arrived there, he found that the praetor was away
on circuit with his principal oflUcers, judging causes in
various towns. Caesar saw his captives safely lodged
in the prison in the city, though its capacity was
strained to accommodate them all, and then, placing
over them a guard from among the soldiers of Vale-
rius for additional security, he set out to find Junius,
who was somewhere in the east of the province.
After a little search he succeeded in finding the
praetor, and having presented himself before him, he
related all that had occurred. Junius, an austere,
crafty-looking person, said little while the tale was
being told, but on learning that Caesar had recovered
84 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
the fifty talents besides other booty which had been
seized and stored by the pirates, his eyes gleamed
greedily. When his narrative was ended Ca.*sar said:
"Now, Junius, I have prcjmiscd these rogues that
they shall be crucified. Will you give me your letters
directing your legate at Pergamum to execute them?"
Junius looked sourly at Ca-sar, and his shifty eyes
glanced up and down this masterful young man who
wished to direct the pra*tor of a province as to what
he should do. lie knew that the young patrician was
a scion of the Julian clan, and that he had powerful
and rich friends, though at present he was hiding from
possible death at the hands of the dictator, Sulla. All
this, however, weighed but little with Junius; the most
important thing to his greedy praetorial soul was how
to obtain for himself most of the fifty talents and
the spoil captured with the pirates. Like most other
praetors, he had come to his province resolved to take
from it all the riches he could lay his hands upon, and
his fingers itched to touch the pirates' treasure.
"The matter must take its proper course," replied
Junius. "Such a case must be decided with all due
formalities. It must await my return to Pergamum.
Meanwhile I will send a messenger with orders to my
legate, Minicius, to guard the pirates and their booty
with all care."
CsEsar had quickly perceived what had been passing
in the mind of Junius, whose face, for all his crafti-
ness, easily betrayed his thoughts to an observant eye.
He pretended to fall in with the przetor's opinion and
passed the matter oflf carelessly. He stayed chatting
a little while on indifferent topics, so as to make it
THE CAPTURE OF JULIUS CAESAR 85
appear that the business had no real Interest for him.
When, however, he had taken his leave he instantly
ordered his freedman to bring the horses, and without
waiting for food he left the place and took the road
back to Pergamum.
His decision was already taken. The man who in
later years in Gaul was to slaughter thousands of bar-
barians without mercy took little account of the exe-
cution of two or three hundred robbers. He reached
Pergamum in the middle of the next day, and after a
hurried meal he gave instructions to the soldiers on
guard as to what was to be done. That same after-
noon most of the robbers were slain in prison: one
by one they were ordered to come out into a small en-
closure, and as each man turned a certain sharp corner
soldiers stabbed him.
Some thirty of the chief pirates were reserved for
a more formal death. These included Spartaco,
Micio, and Syrus, together with others whom Caesar
had noticed to be men of more forceful character.
He had these brought out and told them what he
purposed doing.
"You are malefactors," he said sternly; "your lives
are forfeit to the State for many crimes of murder,
robbery, and violence, and you shall now meet with
your due reward. You deserve, indeed, to be cruci-
fied and to hang upon the wood until you shall mis-
erably die from hunger and your wounds. But as I
have known you and dwelled with you I will grant
you this grace : you shall be crucified, but you will not
be hung upon the cross alive."
The men glared at him sullenly. Death was so
86 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
near to every violent man in those hard days that It
had h'ttlc terror for him. Some cursed him and
looked about them as if they would dearly like to make-
one last fi^lit for life, but the ranks of stern soldiery
with wet swords in their hands gave them no hope.
"I little reckoned you were so strong a man of
your word," said Micio at length. "You seemed too
much the dandy, you were too clean and choice in your
manners. Ah, would that I had known! I would
have strangled you as you sat smiling at us. But, now,
see here, Cassar," he went on, with a mocking laugh,
"I prove your words to be lying words. You said
that of a surety Venus would punish me with death
for having violated her temple. How now can she
punish me?"
"You have not escaped the vengeance of the god-
dess," said Cjesar sternly. "I am of the Julian clan —
of the race that has sprung from the goddess.
Through me, then, she works her vengeance upon
you!"
When the sun, dipping his golden face in the hya-
cinthine sea, shone that evening with level beams along
the waves and the shore his rays threw thirty long
shadows across the fields beyond the strand. The
dead bodies of Spartaco and twenty-nine of his com-
rades hung upon the gaunt, high crosses, their sight-
less eyes looking at the sinking sun.
Next morning Caesar took galley, and, resuming
his Interrupted journey, he went on his way to Rhodes,
where, placing himself under the Instruction of Apol-
lonius Molo, the great orator, he perfected himself
day by day in the arts of public speaking.
LIMAHON THE ROVER
[From "Purchas His Pilgrimes," by Samuel
PURCHAS]
THE Spaniards did enjoy their neere habitation
of Manilla in great quietnesse & in obedience
unto the Christian King Don Philip, and in
continuall Traffick with the Chinois. But being in
this securitie and quietnesse, unlooked for, they were
beset with a mightie and great Armada or Fleet of
ships, by the Rover Limahon, of whose vocation they
are continually on the Coast, the one by reason that
the Countrey is full of people, whereas of necessitie
must be many idle persons: and the other and princi-
pall occasion, by reason of the great tyrannie that the
Governours doe use unto the Subjects. This Limahon
came upon them with intent to doe them harme as you
shall understand. This Rover was borne in the Citie
of Trucheo, in the Province of Cuytan, which the
Portugals doe call Catim. He was of meane Par-
entage, and brought up in his youth in libertie and
vice, he was by nature Warlike and evill inclined. He
would learne no Occupation, but was given to rob in
the high-wayes, and became so expert that many came
unto him and followed that Trade. Hee made him-
selfe Captaine over them which were more than two
thousand, and were so strong that they were feared
in all that Province where as they were. This being
knowne unto the King and to his Councell, they did
straight way command the Vice-roy of the Province
whereas the Rover was, that with all the haste pos-
87
88 r.'RFAT PIRATE STORIES
siblc lie should j^atficr toj^cthcr all the (jarrisons of
his Frontiers, to apprehend and take him, and if it
were possible to carry him alive unto the Citie of
Taybin, if not his head. The Vice-roy incontinent did
gather together people necessary, and in great haste
to follow him.
The wliich being knowne unto Limahon the Rover,
who saw, that with the people hee had, he was not
able to make resistance against so great a number as
they were, and the eminent danger that was therein,
hee called together his Companies, and went from
thence unto a Port of the Sea, that was a few leagues
from that place: and did it so quickly and in such se-
cret, that before the people that dwelt therein, could
make any defence (for that they were not accustomed
to any such assaults, but lived in great quietnesse) they
were Lords of the Port, and of all such ships as were
there: into the which they imbarked themselves
straight-wayes, weighed Anchor and departed to the
Sea, whereas they thought to be in more securitie then
on the Land (as it was true). Then he seeing him-
selfe Lord of all those Seas, beganne to rob and spoyle
all ships that hee could take, as well strangers as of
the naturall people: by which means in a small time
he was provided of Mariners, and other things which
before hee lacked, requisite for that new Occupation.
He sacked, robbed and spoyled all the Townes that
were upon the Coast, and did very much harme. So
hee finumg himselfe very strong with fortie ships well
armed, of those he had out of the Port, and other
that hee had taken at the Sea, with much people such
as were without shame, their hands imbrued with Rob-
LIMAHON THE ROVER 89
beries and killing of men, he imagined with himselfe
to attempt greater matters, and did put it in execution :
he assaulted great Townes, and did a thousand
cruelties. So he following this trade and exercise,
he chanced to meete with another Rover as himselfe,
called Vintoquian, likewise naturally borne in China,
who was in a Port void of any care or mistrust,
whereas Limahon finding opportunitie, with greater
courage did fight with the ships of the other: that
although they were threescore ships great and small,
and good Souldiers therein, he did overcome them,
and tooke five and fiftie of their ships, so that Vinto-
quian escaped with five ships. Then Limahon seeing
himselfe with a fleet of ninetie five ships well armed,
and with many stout people in them, knowing that if
they were taken, they should be all executed to death;
setting all feare apart, gave themselves to attempt
new inventions of evill, not onely in robbing of great
Cities, but also in destroying of them.
For the which, commandement was given straight-
wayes unto the Vice-roy of that Province (whereas he
used to execute his evill) that with great expedition
he might be taken, who in few dayes did set forth to
Sea, one hundred and thirtie great ships well ap-
pointed, with fortie thousand men in them, and one
made Generall over them all, a Gentleman called
Omoncon, for to goe seeke and follow this Rover with
expresse commandement to apprehend or kill him.
Of all this provision, Limahon had advertisement by
some secret friends, who seeing that his Enemies were
many, and he not able to countervaile them, neither in
shippes nor rii£n, determined not to abide their com-
90 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
min^, but to rctyrc ami depart from that Coast: so in
flying he came unto an Hand in secret, called Tonzna-
caotican, which was fortic leagues from the firme
Land, and is in the right way of Navigation to the
Hands Philippinas.
From this Hand they did goe forth with some of
their ships robbing and spoyling all such as they met
with Merchandize, and other things that they carried
from one Hand to another, and from the Hand unto
the firme,' and comming from thence amongst them
all, they caused to take two ships of China which came
from Manilla, and were bound to their owne Countrey.
And having them in their power, they searched them
under hatches, and found that they had rich things
of Gold, and Spanish Rials, which they had in trucke
of their Merchandize, the which they carried to the
Hands. They informed themselves in all points of
the State, and fertilitie of that Countrey, but in par-
ticular of the Spaniards, and how many there were of
them in the Citie of Manilla, who were not at that
present above seventie persons, for that the rest were
separated in the discovering and populing of other
Hands newly found, and understanding that these few
did live without any suspition of Enemies, and had
never a Fort nor Bulwarke, and the Ordnance which
they had (although it was very good) yet was it not
in order to defend them nor offend their Enemies,
hee determined to goe thither with all his fleete and
people, for to destroy and kill them, and to make him-
selfe Lord of the said Hand of Manilla, and other
adjacent there nigh the same. So with this determina-
1 Mainland.
LIMAHON THE ROVER 91
tion hee departed from those Hands whereas hee was
retyred, and went to Sea, and sayling towards the
Hands Philippinas, they passed in sight of the Hands
of the Hlocos, which had a Towne called Fernandina,
which was new founded by the Captayne John de Sal-
zedo, who at that instant was in the same for Lieu-
tenant to the Governour: Foure leagues from the
same they met with a small Galley, which the said
John de Salzedo had sent for victuals. He cast
about towards her, and with great ease did take her,
and did burne and kill all that was in her, and par-
doned one of them. This being done, hee did prose-
cute his Voyage according unto his determination, and
passed alongst, but not in such secret but that he was
discovered by the Dwellers of the Towne of Fernan-
dina, who gave notice thereof unto the Lieutenant of
the Governour aforesaid, as a wonder to see so many
ships together, and a thing never seene before at those
Hands. Likewise it caused admiration unto him, and
made him to thinke and to imagine with great care
what it might be, he saw that they did beare with the
Citie of Manilla, and thought with himself, that so
great a fleet as that was, could not goe to the place
which they bare in with, for any goodnesse towards
the dwellers therein, who were voide of all care, and
a small number of people, as aforesaid: Wherewith
he determined with himselfe with so great speed as
it was possible, to joyne together such Spaniards as
were there, which were to the number of fiftie foure,
and to depart and procure to get the fore-hand
of them, to advertise them of Manilla, and to aide
and helpe them to put their Artillerle in order.
92 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
ami all other things ncccssaric lor their defence.
This Limahon was well provided of provision, and
all other things necessarie, and having the wind faire,
hce was alwaies in the fore-front, and came in the
sight of Manilla upon Saint Andrewes Eve, in the
yecrc 1574, whereas hec came to an anchor that night
with all his whole estate.
Eor all the contradiction of the windc this same
night the fourc hundred Chinois did put themselves
witliln a league of the Citie, upon Saint Andrewes day
at eight of the clocke in the morning, whereas they left
their Boats and went on land, and in great haste began
to march forwards in battel aray divided in two parts,
with two hundred Harquebusses afore, and imme-
diately after them other two hundred Pike-men: and
by reason that they were many, and the Countrey very
plaine, they were straightwaies discovered by some of
the Citie, who entred in with a great noise, crying,
Arme, arme, arme, the Enemies come. The which
advice did little profit, for that there was none that
would beleeve them: but beleeved that it was some
false alarme done by the people of the Countrey for
to mocke them. But in conclusion, the Enemies were
come unto the house of the Generall of the Field, who
was called Martin de Goyti, which was the first house
in all the Citie that way which the Enemies came.
And before that the Spaniards and Souldiers that
were within the Towne could be fully perswaded the
rumour to be true, the Enemies had set fire upon his
house, and slue him and all that were within.
At this time, by the order of his Majestie was
elected for Governour of these Hands Philippinas,
LIMAHON THE ROVER 93
Guido de Labacates, after the death of Miguel Lopez
de Legaspi, who understanding the great fleet and
power of Limahon the Rover, and the small resist-
ance and defence that was in the Citie of Manilla,
with as much speed as was possible he did call together
all their Captaines and dwellers therein: and with a
generall consent they spared no person of what quali-
tie and degree soever he was, but that his hand was
to helpe all that was possible, the which endured two
dayes and two nights, for so long the Rover kept his
ships and came not abroad. In which time of their
continuall labour, they made a Fort with Pipes and
Boards filled with sand and other necessaries thereto
belonging, such as the time would permite them: they
put in carriages, foure excellent Peeces of Artillerie
that were in the Citie. All the which being put in
order, they gathered all the people of the Citie into
that little Fort. The night before the Enemie did
give assault unto the Citie, came thither Captaine
John de Salzedo, Lieutenant unto the Governour.
The Rover in the morning following, before the
breake of the day (which was the second after he
gave the first assault) was v/ith all his fleet right
against the Port, and did put a-land sixe hundred Soul-
diers, who at that instant did set upon the Citie, the
which at their pleasure they did sacke and burne.
They did assault the Fort with great cruelty, as men
fleshed with the last slaughter, thinking that their re-
sistance was but small. But it fell not out as they did
beleeve, for having continued in the fight almost all
the day, with the losse of two hundred men, that were
slaine in the assault, and many other hurt, he straight-
94 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
waics departed from thence, and returned the same
way dial he came, till they arrived in a mightie River,
fortie leagues from the Citie of Manilla, tliat is called
Pangasinan, the which place or soyle did like him very
well, and where })e thought he might be sure from
them, who by the commandement of the King went
for to seeke him. 1 here hee determined to rcmayne,
and to make himselfe Lord over all that Countrey, the
which he did with little travcll, and built himselfe a
Fort one league within the River, where as he re-
mayned certaine dayes, receiving tribute of the Inhabi-
tants thereabouts, as though he were their true and
naturall Lord: and at times went forth with his ships
robbing and spoyling all that he met upon the coast.
And spred abroad, that he had taken to him.selfe the
Hands Philippinas, and how that all the Spaniards
that were in them, were either slayne or fled away.
With this consideration they entred into counsell, and
did determine to joyne together all the people they
could, and being in good order, to follow and seeke
the Rover, Then the Governours commanded to be
called together all the people bordering thereabouts,
and to come unto the Citie whereas hee was. Like-
wise at that time hee did give advice unto such as were
Lords and Governours of the Hands, called Pintados,
commanding them to come thither, with such ships as
they could spare, as well Spaniards as the naturall
people of the Countrey. The Generall of the field
with the people aforesaid, did depart from Manilla
the three and twentieth day of March, Anno 1575,
and arrived at the mouth of the River Pagansinan
upon tenable Wednesday in the morning next follow-
ing, without being discovered of any. Then straight-
LIMAHON THE ROVER 95
waies at that instant the Generall did put a-land all
his people and foure Peeces of Artillerie, leaving the
mouth of the River shut up with his shipping, in
chayning the one to the other, in such sort, that none
could enter in neither yet goe forth to give any advice
unto the Rover of his arrivall: he commanded some
to goe and discover the fleet of the Enemie, and the
place whereas he was fortified, and charged them very
much to doe it in such secret sort, that they were not
espied: for therein consisted all their whole worke.
Hee commanded the Captaine Gabriel de Ribera, that
straightwaies he should depart by Land, and that
upon a sudden he should strike alarme upon the Ene-
mie, with the greatest tumult that was possible. Like-
wise he commanded the Captaines Pedro de Caves and
Lorenso Chacon, that either of them with forty Soul-
diers should goe up the River in small ships and light,
and to measure the time in such sort, that as well
those that went by land, as those that went by water,
should at one instant come upon the Fort, and to give
alarme both together, the better to goe thorow with
their pretence: and he himselfe did remayne with all
the rest of the people, to watch occasion and time for
to aide and succour them if need be required. This
their purpose came so well to passe, that both the one
and the other came to good effect: for those that went
by water, did set fire on all the fleet of the Enemie :
and those that went by land at that instant had taken
and set fire on a Trench made of timber, that Limahon
had caused to bee made for the defence of his people
and the Fort: and with that furie they slue more than
one hundred Chinos, and tooke prisoners seventy
women which they found in the same Trench, but
96 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
when that Limahon understood the rumour, hee tooke
himselfe straightwaies to his Fort which hee had made
for to defend himselfe from the Kings Navie, if they
should happen to finde him out.
The next day following, the Gencrall of the field
did bring his Souldiers into a square battell, and be-
gannc to march towards the Fort, with courage to
assault it if occasion did serve thereunto: hee did pitch
his Campe within two hundred paces of the Fort, and
found that tfie Enemie did all that night fortifie him-
selfe very well, and in such sort, that it was perillous
to assault him, for that he had placed upon his Fort
three Peeces of Artillerie, and many Bases, besides
other Engines of fire-worke. Seeing this, and that
his Peeces of Artillerie that hee brought were very
small for to batter, and little store of munition, for
that they had spent all at the assault which the Rover
did give them at Manilla, the Generall of the field,
and the Captaines concluded amongst themselves, that
seeing the Enemie had no ships to escape by water,
neither had he any store of victuals for that all was
burnt in the ships, it was the best and most surest way
to besiege the Fort, and to remayne there in quiet
until! that hunger did constraine them either to yeeld
or come to some conclusion: which rather they will
then to perish with hunger.
This determination was liked well of them all, al-
though it fell out clean contrarie unto their expecta-
tion; for that in the space of three moneths that siege
endured, this Limahon did so much that within the
Fort he made certaine small Barkes, and trimmed
them in the best manner he could, wherewith in one
night he and all his people escaped.
GALLEYS AND GALLEY-SLAVES
[From "The Story of the Barbary Corsairs," by
Stanley Lane-Poole]
T
*'^ I ^ HE Corsairs," says Haedo, "are those who
support themselves by continual sea-
robberies; and, admitting that among their
numbers some of them are natural Turks, Moors, &c.,
yet the main body of them are renegadoes from every
part of Christendom; all who are extremely well ac-
quainted with the Christian coasts." It is a singular
fact that the majority of these plunderers of Chris-
tians were themselves born in the Faith. In the long
list of Algerine viceroys, we meet with many a Euro-
pean. Barbarossa himself was born in Lesbos, prob-
ably of a Greek mother. His successor was a
Sardinian; soon afterwards a Corsican became pasha
of Algiers, then another Sardinian; Ochiali was a
Calabrian; Ramadan came from Sardinia, and was
succeeded by a Venetian, who in turn gave place to a
Hungarian, who made room for an Albanian. In
1588 the thirty-five galleys or galleots of Algiers were
commanded by eleven Turks and twenty-four rene-
gades, including nations of France, Venice, Genoa,
Sicily, Naples, Spain, Greece, Calabria, Corsica, Al-
bania, and Hungary, and a Jew. In short, up to
97
98 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
nearly the close of the sixteenth century (but nmuch
more rarely afterwards) the chiefs of the Corsairs
and the governors were commonly drawn from Chris-
tian lands. Some of them volunteered — and to the
outlaws of Europe the command of a Barbary galley
was perhaps the only congenial resort; — but most of
them were captives seized as children, and torn from
tiieir homes in some of the Corsairs' annual raids upon
Corsica and Sardinia and the Italian or Dalmatian
coasts. Most of such prisoners were condemned to
menial and other labour, unless ransomed; but the
bolder and handsomer boys were often picked out by
the penetrating eye of the re'is, and once chosen the
young captive's career was established.
"While the Christians with their galleys are at re-
pose, sounding their trumpets in the harbours, and
very much at their ease regaling themselves, passing
the day and night in banqueting, cards, and dice, the
Corsairs at pleasure are traversing the east and west
seas, without the least fear or apprehension, as free
and absolute sovereigns thereof. Nay, they roam
them up and down no otherwise than do such as go
in chase of hares for their diversion. They here snap
up a ship laden with gold and silver from India, and
there another richly fraught from Flanders; now they
make prize of a vessel from England, then of another
from Portugal. Here they board and lead away one
from Venice, then one from Sicily, and a little further
on they swoop down upon others from Naples,
Livorno, or Genoa, all of them abundantly crammed
with great and wonderful riches. And at other times
carrying with them as guides, renegadoes (of which
GALLEYS AND GALLEY-SLAVES 99
there are in Algiers vast numbers of all Christian na-
tions, nay, the generality of the Corsairs are no other
than renegadoes, and all of them exceedingly well
acquainted with the coasts of Christendom, and even
within the land), they very deliberately, even at noon-
day, or indeed just when they please, leap ashore, and
walk on without the least dread, and advance into
the country, ten, twelve, or fifteen leagues or more;
and the poor Christians, thinking themselves secure,
are surprised unawares; many towns, villages, and
farms sacked; and infinite numbers of souls, men,
women, children, and infants at the breast, dragged
away into a wretched captivity. With these miser-
able ruined people, loaded with their own valuable
substance, they retreat leisurely, with eyes full of
laughter and content, to their vessels. In this man-
ner, as is too well known, they have utterly ruined and
destroyed Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily, Calabria, the
neighbourhoods of Naples, Rome, and Genoa, all the
Balearic islands, and the whole coast of Spain: in
which last more particularly they feast it as they think
fit, on account of the Morlscos who Inhabit there;
who being all more zealous Mohammedans than are
the very Moors born in Barbary, they receive and ca-
ress the Corsairs, and give them notice of whatever
they desire to be Informed of. Insomuch that before
these Corsairs have been absent from their abodes
much longer than perhaps twenty or thirty days, they
return home rich, with their vessels crowded with cap-
tives, and ready to sink with wealth; in one Instant,
and with scarce any trouble, reaping the fruits of all
that the avaricious Mexican and greedy Peruvian have
100 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
been digging from tlie bowels of the earth with such
toil and sweat, and the thirsty merchant with such
manifest perils has for so long been scraping together,
and has been so many thousand leagues to fetch away,
either from the east or west, with inexpressible dan-
ger and fatigue. Thus they have crammed most of
the houses, the magazines, and all the shops of this
Den of Thieves with gold, silver, pearls, amber, spices,
drugs, silks, cloths, velvets, &c., whereby they have
rendered this city the most opulent in the world: inso-
much that the Turks call it, not without reason, their
India, their Mexico, their Peru." ^
One has some trouble in realizing the sort of navi-
gation employed by Corsairs. We must disabuse our
minds of all ideas of tall masts straining under a
weight of canvas, sail above sail. The Corsairs' ves-
sels were long narrow row-boats, carrying indeed a
sail or two, but depending for safety and movement
mainly upon the oars. The boats were called galleys,
galleots, brigantines {"galleotas ligeras o vergatines,"
or frigatas), &c., according to their size: a galleot is
a small galley, while a brigantine may be called a quar-
ter galley. The number of men to each oar varies,
too, according to the vessel's size : a galley may have
as many as four to six men working side by side to
each oar, a galleot but two or three, and a brigantine
one; but in so small a craft as the last each man must
be a fighter as well as an oarsmen, whereas the larger
vessels of the Corsairs were rowed entirely by Chris-
tian slaves.
The galley is the type of all these vessels, and those
1 Haedo, quoted by Morgan, 593-4.
GALLEYS AND GALLEY-SLAVES 101
who are curious about the minutest details of building
and equipping galleys need only consult Master Joseph
Furttenbach's Architectura N avails: Das ist, Von
dem Schiff-Gebraw, auf dem Meer und Seekusten zu
gebrauchen," printed in the town of Ulm, in the
Holy Roman Empire, by Jonam Saurn, in 1629. Any
one could construct a galley from the numerous plans
and elevations and sections and finished views in this
interesting and precise work.^ Furttenbach is an en-
thusiastic admirer of a ship's beauties, and he had seen
all varieties; for his trade took him to Venice, where
he had a galleasse,- and he had doubtless viewed many
a Corsair fleet, since he could remember the battle of
Lepanto and the death of Ochiali. His zeal runs
clean away with him when he describes a stolo, or
great flagship {capitanea galea) of Malta in her
pomp and dignity and lordliness, as she rides the seas
1 Hardly less valuable is Adm. Jurien de la Graviere's Les
Derniers Fours de la Marine a Rames (Paris, 1885). It contains an
admirable account of the French galley system, the mode of recruiting,
discipline, and general management; a description of the different
classes of vessels, and their manner of navigation; while a learned
Appendix of over one hundred pages describes the details of galley-
building, finishing, fitting, and rigging, and everything that the student
need wish to learn. The chapters (ix. and x. ) on Navigation a la
rame and Navigation a la voile, are particularly worth reading by
those who would understand sixteenth and seventeenth century sea-
manship.
2 A galleasse was originally a large heavy galley, three-masted, and
fitted with a rudder, since its bulk compelled it to trust to sails as well
as oars. It was a sort of transition-ship, between the galley and the
galleon, and as time went on it became more and more of a sailing
ship. It had high bulwarks, with loopholes for muskets, and there
was at least a partial cover for the crew. The Portuguese galleys in
the Spanish Armada mounted each no soldiers and 222 galley-slaves;
but the Neapolitan galleasses carried 700 men, of whom 130 were
sailors, 270 soldiers, and 300 slaves of the oar. Jurien de la
Graviere, Les Derniers Jours de la Marme a Rames, 65-7.
102 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
to the rhythmical beat of her many oars, or "casics"
with every blade susj)enclcd motionless above the waves
like the win^s of a poised falcon. A galley such as
this is "a princely, nay, a royal and imperial vassello
(It rcmoy and much the most suitable, he adds, for
the uses of peace and war in the Mcditerannean Sea.
A galley may be i8o or 190 spans long — Eurttenbach
measures a ship by palmi, which varied from nine to
ten inches in different places in Italy, — say 150 feet,
the length of an old seventy-four frigate, but with
hardly a fifth of its cubit contents — and its greatest
beam is 25 spans broad. The Genoese and Venetians
set the models of these vessels, and the Italian terms
were generally used in all European navigation till
the northern nations took the lead in sailing ships.
These sails are often clewed up, however, for the
mariner of the sixteenth century was ill-practised in
the art of tacking, and very fearful of losing sight of
land for long, so that unless he had a wind fair astern
he preferred to trust to his oars. A short deck at the
prow and poop serve, the one to carry the fightingmen
and trumpeters and yardsmen, and to provide cover
for the four guns, the other to accommodate the
knights and gentlemen, and especially the admiral or
captain, who sits at the stern under a red damask can-
opy embroidered with gold, surveying the crew, sur-
rounded by the chivalry of "the Religion," whose
white cross waves on the taffety standard over their
head, and shines upon various pennants and burgees
aloft. Behind, overlooking the roof of the poop,
stands the pilot who steers the ship by the tiller in his
hand.
GALLEYS AND GALLEY-SLAVES 103
Between the two decks, in the ship's waist, is the
propeUing power: fifty-four benches or banks, twenty-
seven a side, support each four or five slaves, whose
whole business in life is to tug at the fifty-four oars.
This flagship is a Christian vessel, so the rowers are
either Turkish and Moorish captives, or Christian
convicts. If it were a Corsair, the rowers would all
be Christian prisoners. In earlier days the galleys
were rowed by freemen, and so late as 1500 the
Moors of Algiers pulled their own brigantines to the
attack of Spanish villages, but their boats were light,
and a single man could pull the oar. Two or three
were needed for a galleot, and as many sometimes as
six for each oar of a large galley. It was impossible
to induce freemen to toil at the oar, sweating close
together, for hour after hour — not sitting, but leap-
ing on the bench, in order to throw their whole weight
on the oar. "Think of six men chained to a bench,
naked as when they were born, one foot on the
stretcher, the other on the bench in front, holding an
immensely heavy oar [fifteen feet long], bending for-
wards to the stern with arms at full reach to clear the
backs of the rowers in front, who bend likewise; and
then having got forward, shoving up the oar's end to
let the blade catch the water, then throwing their
bodies back on to the groaning bench. A galley oar
sometimes pulls thus for ten, twelve, or even twenty
hours without a moment's rest. The boatswain, or
other sailor, in such a stress, puts a piece of bread
steeped in wine in the wretched rower's mouth to stop
fainting, and then the captain shouts the order to re-
double the lash. If a slave falls exhausted upon his
104 gri-:at pirate stories
oar (which often chances) he is flogged till he is taken
for dead, and then pitched unceremoniously into the
sea." '
Those who have not seen a galley at sea, especially
in chasing or heing chased, cannot well conceive the
shock such a spectacle must give to a heart capable of
tlie least tincture of commiseration. Tcj behf)ld ranks
and files of half-naked, half-starved, half-tanned
meagre wretches, chained to a plank, from whence
they remove not for months together (commonly half
a year), urged on, even beyond human strength, with
cruel and repeated blows on their bare flesh, to an in-
cessant continuation of the most violent of all exer-
cises; and this for whole days and nights successively,
which often happens in a furious chase, when one
party, like vultures, is hurried on almost as eagerly
after their prey, as is the weaker party hurried away
in hopes of preserving life and liberty.
Sometimes a galley-slave worked as long as twenty
years, sometimes for all his miserable life, at this
fearful calling. The poor creatures were chained so
close together in their narrow bench — a sharp cut was
the characteristic of the galley — that they could not
sleep at full length. Sometimes seven men (on
French galleys, too, in the last century), had to live
and sleep in a space ten feet by four. The whole ship
was a sea of hopeless faces. And between the two
lines of rowers ran the bridge, and on it stood two
boatswains {comit'i) armed with long whips, which
they laid on to the bare backs of the rowers with mer-
ciless severity. Furttenbach gives a picture of the
1 So says Jean Marteille de Bergerac, a galley-slave about 1701.
GALLEYS AND GALLEY-SLAVES 105
two boatswains in grimly humorous verse: how they
stand,
Beclad, belaced, betrimmed, with many knots bespick;
Embroidered, padded, tied ; all feathers and all flap ;
Curly, and queued, equipped, curious of hood and cap:
and how they "ever stolidly smite" the crew with the
bastinado,
Or give them a backward prod in the naked flesh as they ply,
With the point that pricks like a goad, when "powder and
shot" is the cry;
In order to send the Turks to Davy's wet locker: —
As John of Austria nipped them and riddled them with ball,
As soon as his eyes fell on them, and ducked or slaughtered
them all ;
and how the boatswain's dreaded whistle shrieked
through the ship : —
For they hearken to such a blast through all the swish and
sweat,
Through rattle and rumpus and raps, and the kicks and cuffs
that they get,
Through the chatter and tread, and the rudder's wash, and
the dismal clank
Of the shameful chain which forever binds the slave to the
bank.
To this may be added Captain Pantero Pantera's des-
cription of the boatswain's demeanour: "He should
appear kindly towards the crew: assist it, pet it, but
without undue familiarity; be, in short, its guardian
and in some sort its father, remembering that, when
all's said, 'tis human flesh, and human flesh in direst
misery."
106 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
riiis terrible living grave of a galley, let us remem-
ber, is depicted from Christian models. A hundred
and fifty years ago sucli scenes might be witnessed on
many a European vessel. The Corsairs of Algiers
only served their enemies as they served them: their
galley slaves were no worse treated, to say the least,
than were Doria's or the King of France's own.
Rank and delicate nurture were respected on neither
side: a gallant Corsair like Dragut had to drag his
chain and pull his insatiable oar like any convict at the
treadmill, and a future grand master of Malta might
chance to take his seat on the rowing bench beside
commonest scoundrel of Naples. No one seemed to
observe the horrible brutality of the service, where
each man, let him be never so refined, was compelled
to endure the filth and vermin of his neighbour who
might be half a savage and was bound to become
wholly one; and when Madame de Grignan wrote an
account of a visit to a galley, her friend Madame de
Sevigne replied that she would "much like to see this
sort of Hell," and the men "groaning day and night
under the weight of their chains." Autres temps,
autre 5 moeurs!
Furttenbach tells us much more about the galley;
and how it was rigged out with brilliant cloths on the
bulworks on fete-days; how the biscuit was made to
last six or eight months, each slave getting twenty-
eight ounces thrice a week, and a spoonful of some
mess of rice or bones or green stuff; of the trouble of
keeping the water-cans under the benches full and
fairly fresh. The full complement of a large galley
included, he says, besides about 270 rowers, and the
GALLEYS AND GALLEY-SLAVES 107
captain, chaplain, doctor, scrivener, boatswains, and
master, or pilot, ten or fifteen gentlemen adventurers,
friends of the captain, sharing his mess, and berthed
in the poop; twelve helmsmen {timonieri) ^ six fore-
top A.B's., ten warders for the captives, twelve ordi-
nary seamen, four gunners, a carpenter, smith, cooper,
and a couple of cooks, together with fifty or sixty sol-
diers; so that the whole equipage of a fighting-galley
must have reached a total of about four hundred men.^
What is true of a European galley is also generally
applicable to a Barbary galleot, except that the latter
was generally smaller and lighter, and had commonly
but one mast, and no castle on the prow. The Alge-
rines preferred fighting on galleots of eighteen to
twenty-four banks of oars, as more manageable than
larger ships. The crew of about two hundred men
was very densely packed, and about one hundred sol-
diers armed with muskets, bows, and scimitars oc-
cupied the poop. Haedo has described the general
system of the Corsairs as he knew it at the close of
the sixteenth century, and his account, here sum-
marized, holds good for earlier and somewhat later
periods : —
These vessels are perpetually building or repairing
at Algiers; the builders are all Christians, who have a
monthly pay from the Treasury of six, eight, or ten
quarter-dollars, with a daily allowance of three loaves
of the same bread with the Turkish soldiery, who
have four. Some of the upper rank of these masters
have six and even eight of these loaves; nor has any
1 In 1630 a French galley's company consisted of 250 formats and
116 officers, soldiers, and sailors.
108 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
of their workmen, as carpenters, caulkers, coopers,
oar-makers, smiths, &c., fewer than three. The
Bcylik, or common maij;a'/.inc, never wants slaves of
all useful callings, "nor is it prol)al)le that they should
ever have a scarcity of such while they are continually
hrinj2;in^ in incredible numbers of Christians of all
nations." The captains, too, have their private artifi-
cer slaves, whom they buy for hi^h prices and take
with them on the cruise, and hire them out to help
the Bcylik workmen when ashore.
The number of vessels possessed at any one time by
the Algerines appears to have never been large. Bar-
barossa and Dragut were content with small squad-
rons. Ochiali had but fifteen Algerine galleys at
Lepanto. Hadeo says that the close of the sixteenth
century (1581) the Algerines possessed 36 galleots
or galleys, made up of 3 of 24 banks, i of 23, 11 of
22, 8 of 20, I of 19, 10 of 18, and 2 of 15, and these
were, all but 14, commanded by renegades. They
had besides a certain number of brigantines of 14
banks, chiefly belonging to Moors at Shershel. This
agrees substantially with Father Dan's account
(1634), who says that there were in 1588 thirty-five
galleys or brigantines (he means galleots) of which
all but eleven were commanded by renegades.
Haedo gives the list of the 35 captains, from which
the following names are selected: Ja'far the Pasha
(Hungarian), Memi (Albanian), Pvlurad (French),
Deli Memi (Greek), Murad Re'is (Albanian), Feru
Reis (Genoese), Murad Maltrapillo and Yusuf
(Spaniards), Memi ReTs and Memi Gancho (Vene- [
tians), Murad the Less (Greek), Memi the Corsican, (
GALLEYS AND GALLEY-SLAVES 109
Memi the Calabrlan, Montez the Sicilian, and so
forth, most of whom commanded galleys of 22 to 24
banks.
It was a pretty sight to see the launching of a gal-
ley. After the long months of labour, after felling
the oak and pine in the forests of Shershel, and carry-
ing the fashioned planks on camels, mules, or their
own shoulders some thirty miles to the seashore; or
perhaps breaking up some unwieldly prize vessel
taken from the Spaniards or Venetians; after all the
sawing and fitting and caulking and painting; then at
last comes the day of rejoicing for the Christian slaves
who alone have done the work: for no Mussulman
would offer to put a finger to the building of a vessel,
saving a few Morisco oar-makers and caulkers.
Then the armadores, or owners of the new galleot, as
soon as it Is finished, come down with presents of
money and clothes, and hang them upon the mast and
rigging, to the value of two hundred ducats, to be
divided among their slaves, whose only pay till that
day has been the daily loaves. Then again on the
day of launching, after the vessel has been keeled
over, and the bottom carefully greased from stem to
stern, more presents from owners and captains to the
workmen, to say nothing of a hearty dinner; and a
great straining and shoving of brawny arms and bare
backs, a shout of Allahu Akhar, "God is Most Great,"
as the sheep is slaughtered over the vessel's prow — a
symbol, they said, of the Christian blood to be shed
— and the galleot glides into the water prepared for
her career of devastation: built by Christians and
manned by Christians, commanded probably by a
no GREAT PIRATE STORIES
quondam Christian, she sallies forth to prey upon
Christendom.
The rowers, if possihle, were all Christian slaves,
belonging to the owners, but when these were not
numerous enough, other slaves, or Arabs and Moors,
were hired at ten ducats the trip, prize or no prize.
If he was able, the captain (Rets) would build and
furnish out his own vessel, entirely at his own cost,
in hope of greater profit; but often he had not the
means, and then he would call in the aid of one or
more armadores. These were often speculative shop-
keepers, who invested in a part share of a galleot on
the chance of a prize, and who often discovered that
ruin lay in so hazardous a lottery. The complement
of soldiers, whether volunteers (Icvents), consisting
of Turks, renegades, or Kuroghler {Kiiloghler) — i.e.,
Creoles, natives, Turks born on the soil — or if these
cannot be had, ordinary Moors, or Ottoman janis-
saries, varied with the vessel's size, but generally was
calculated at two to each oar, because there was just
room for two men to sit beside each bank of rowers:
they were not paid unless they took a prize, nor were
they supplied with anything more than biscuit, vine-
gar, and oil — everything else, even their blankets,
they found themselves. The soldiers were under the
command of their own Aga, who was entirely in-
dependent of the Reis and formed an efficient check
upon that officer's conduct. Vinegar and water, with
a few drops of oil on the surface, formed the chief
drink of the galley slaves, and their food was
moistened biscuit or rusk, and an occasional mess of
gruel {burgol) : nor was this given out when hard
GALLEYS AND GALLEY-SLAVES 111
rowing was needed, for oars move slackly on a full
stomach.
It was usual to consult an auguratlon book and a
marahut, or saint, before deciding on a fortunate day
for putting to sea, and these saints expected a share
of the prize money. Fridays and Sundays were the
favourite days for sailing; a gun is fired in honour of
their tutelary patron; "God speed us!" shout the
crew; "God send you a prize!" reply the crowd on
the shore, and the galleot swiftly glides away on its
destructive path. "The Algerines," says Haedo,
"generally speaking, are out upon the cruise winter
and summer, the whole year round; and so devoid of
dread they roam these eastern and western seas,
laughing all the while at the Christian galleys (which
lie trumpetting, gaming, and banqueting in the ports
of Christendom), neither more nor less than if they
went a hunting hares and rabbits, killing here one and
there another. Nay, far from being under appre-
hension, they are certain of their game; since their
galleots are so extremely light and nimble, and in
such excellent order, as they always are; ^ whereas, on
the contrary, the Christian galleys are so heavy, so
embarrassed, and in such bad order and confusion,
that it is utterly in vain to think of giving them chase,
^ The Corsairs prided themselves on the ship-shape appearance of
their vessels. Everything was stowed away with marvellous neatness
and economy of space and speed ; even the anchor was lowered into
the hold less it should interfere with the "dressing" of the oars. The
weapons were never hung, but securely lashed, and when chasing an
enemy, no movement of any kind was permitted to the crew and
soldiers, save when necessary to the progress and defence of the ship.
These Corsairs, in faa, understood the conditions of a rowing-race to
perfection.
112 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
or of preventing them from goin{^ and coming, and
doing just as they their selves please. This is the oc-
casion that, when at any time the Christian galleys
chase them, their custom is, by way of game and sneer,
to point their fresh-tallowed poops, as they glide along
like fishes before them, all one as if they showed them
their backs to salute: and as in cruising art, by con-
tinual practise, they are so very expert, and withal
(for our sins) so daring, presumptuous, and fortu-
nate, in a few days from their leaving Algiers they
return laden with infinite wealth and captives; and are
able to make three or four voyages In a year, and
even more if they are inclined to exert themselves.
Those who have been cruising westward, when they
have taken a prize, conduct it to sell at Tetwan, El-
Araish, &c., in the kingdom of Fez; as do those who
have been eastward, in the states of Tunis and
Tripoli : where, refurnishing themselves with provi-
sions, &c., they Instantly set out again, and again re-
turn with cargoes of Christians and their effects. If
it sometimes happens more particularly in winter, that
they have roamed about for any considerable time
without lighting on any booty, they retire to some one
of these seven places, viz: — If they had been in the
west their retreats were Tetwan, Al-Araish, or Yu-
sale; those who came from the Spanish coasts went
to the island Formentara; and such as had been
eastward retired to the island S. Pedro, near Sardinia,
the mouths of Bonifacio in Corsica, or the islands
Lipari and Strombolo, near Sicily and Calabria; and
there, what with the conveniency of those commodious
ports and harbours, and the fine springs and fountains
GALLEYS AND GALLEY-SLAVES 113
of water, with the plenty of wood for fuel they meet
with, added to the careless negligence of the Chris-
tian galleys, who scarce think it their business to seek
for them — they there, very much at their ease, regale
themselves, with stretched-out legs, waiting to inter-
cept the paces of Christian ships, which come there
and deliver themselves into their clutches."
Father Dan describes their mode of attack as per-
fectly ferocious. Flying a foreign flag, they lure the
unsuspecting victim within striking distance, and then
the gunners (generally renegades) ply the shot with
unabated rapidity, while the sailors and boatswains
chain the slaves that they may not take part in the
struggle. The fighting men stand ready, their arms
bared, muskets primed, and scimitars flashing, waiting
for the order to board. Their war-cry was appall-
ing; and the fury of the onslaught was such as to
strike panic into the stoutest heart.
When a prize was taken the booty was divided with
scrupulous honesty between the owners and the cap-
tors, with a certain proportion (varying from a fifth
to an eighth) reserved for the Beylik, or government,
who also claimed the hulks. Of the remainder, half
went to the owners and Rei's, the other half to the
crew and soldiers. The principal officers took each
three shares, the gunners and helmsmen two, and the
soldiers and swabbers one; the Christian slaves re-
ceived from 1 1/2 to three shares apiece. A scrivener
saw to the accuracy of the division. If the prize was
a very large one, the captors usually towed it into
Algiers at once, but small vessels were generally sent
home under a lieutenant and a jury-crew of Moors.
114
GREAT PIRATE STORIES
'Ihcrc is no mistaking the aspect of a Corsair who
has secured a pri/.e: for he fires j^un after f^un as lie
draws near the port, utterly rej^ardless of powder.
The moment he is in the roads, the Liman Keis, or
Port Admiral, goes on board, and takes his report to
the Pasha; then the galleot enters the port, and all
the oars are dropped into the water and towed ashore,
so that no Christian captives may make off with the
ship in the absence of the captain and troops. Ashore
all is bustle and delighted confusion; the dulness of
trade, which is the normal condition of Algiers be-
tween the arrivals of prizes, is forgotten in the joy
of renewed wealth; the erstwhile shabby now go strut-
ting about, pranked out in gay raiment, the commerce
of the bar-rooms is brisk, and every one thinks only of
enjoying himself. Algiers is en fete.
THE GALLEON OF VENICE
[From "Sea-Wolves of the Mediterranean," by
R. Hamilton Curry, R. N.]
THERE Is something almost pathetic in the
spectacle of a really great leader badgered
and importuned by lesser men to adopt a
course which he, with a superior insight, knows to be
unsound. In the matter of the landing Barbarossa
had demonstrated that it was he whose knowledge
of war was superior to those who were so ready to
thrust upon him their opinions; this, however, did not
content them, and they now desired to close with the
foe waiting for them outside. If ever a commander
was justified in waiting on events it was Barbarossa
at this juncture; the business of a commander-in-chief
is to ensure victory, and if he sees, as did the Moslem
admiral on this occasion, that more is to be gained by
delay than by fighting, then he is justified in refusing
battle: particularly is this the case when the enemy is
in greatly superior force blockading on an open and
dangerous coast at an inclement season of the year.
Every day that Doria was kept at sea added to his
difficulties, as fresh water and provisions would be
running short, and the energies of the human engines
by which his galleys were propelled would be
weakened; naked men chained to a bench were suffer-
115
116 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
injj; from the blazing heat of the days, the cold and
drenching dews of the nights. All these things had
the veteran seaman weighed in his mind, they all in-
clined him to wait still longer in that secure anchorage
where he could not be touched by his foe.
There was one counsellor, however, whom even
Kheyr-ed-Din could not resist, and who had hitherto
kept silence; this was the eunuch Monuc, legal
counsellor to Soliman, who had accompanied the ar-
mada. He now brought the weight of his influence
to bear upon the side of Sinan-Reis and his colleagues.
"Are you going," he asked the admiral, "to allow
the infidels to escape without a battle? Soliman can
find plenty of wood to build new fleets, plenty of cap-
tains to command them; he will pardon you if this
fleet is destroyed: that which he will never pardon is
that you should allow Doria to escape without fight-
ing. You have brave men in plenty; why not lead
them to the attack?"
The patience of the veteran gave way at last; none
who knew Barbarossa had ever seen him shrink from
fighting — to this his whole career bore witness. He
had delayed the issue from the soundest of strategi-
cal reasons, which those under his command were too
stupid and too prejudiced to understand: what cared
they for reason in their blind valour? — they wished
only to do or die heedless of the fact that their lives
might be spent in vain. Truly it was no thanks to the
subordinates of Kheyr-ed-Din that this campaign did
not end in disaster to the arms of the Ottoman Porte.
Such backing as the admiral had came from among
his own men, the corsairs whose lives had been spent
THE GALLEON OF VENICE 117
at sea, but their opinions were but dust in the balance
once the all-powerful Monuc ranged himself on the
side of the malcontents.
"Let us then fight," said the admiral to Saleh-Reis,
"or this fine talker who is neither man nor woman
will accuse us before the Grand Turk and we shall all
probably be hanged."
The Christian fleet during the night of September
26— 7th had made some thirty miles to the southward;
just before daybreak the wind freshened and drew
right ahead; Doria approached the island of Santa
Maura and anchored under the small islet of Sessola.
Barbarossa had now decided to leave his anchorage,
but the veteran seaman did not disguise from himself
the risks which he ran : a greater sea captain than he
once said "only numbers can annihilate," and it was at
annihilation that both the Moslem and the Christian
aimed: in this case, however, he knew that he could
but hope for a hard-won victory, and only that, if
Allah and his Prophet were unusually favourable to his
cause. He assembled his captains, many of whom
had served with him during long periods of his career,
and directed them to form line: he said, "I have but
one order to give, follow my movements attentively
and regulate your own accordingly."
With fustas, brigantines, galleots, and galleys, the
Ottoman fleet amounted in all to one hundred and
forty sail. With shouts of joy the soldiers hailed the
command to weigh the anchors, and in a very short
time all were slowly moving seaward.
The die was cast: Doria from his anchorage at
Sessola saw the sea white with the sails of the enemy,
118 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
the blue water churning; to foam iK-ncath the strokes
of his oars; the C)ttoman fleet was issuinj^ from tiic
Ciulf of Arta mand'uvrin^ with precision and deploy-
ing into a single line abreast; which line being slightly
concave, cither from accident r)r design, resembled the
form of a crescent. In advance came six great fustas
commanded by Dragut; the left wing hugged the
shore as closely as possible; the Ottoman commander-
in-chief intended to commence operations on the first
principles of strategy by flinging his whole force on
a portion of that of the enemy.
Andrea Doria remained undecided: he was on a lee
shore, and that shore was the coast of the enemy;
although his foes were advancing to the attack it
seemed as if he had no mind to fight: whether he had
or had not he displayed a most remarkable sluggish-
ness, hesitating for three hours before getting up his
anchors; these he only weighed at last under pressure
from the bellicose Patriarch of Aquilea, Vincenzo
Capello, and the Papal captain, Antonio Grimani.
DorIa had counted on the support of the Galleon of
Venice and the nefs; but the galleon was becalmed
four miles from the land and ten miles from Sessola,
where DorIa was at the beginning of the action.
Condalmlero sent a light skiff from the Galleon of
Venice to the commander-in-chief demanding orders
and help from the galleys.
"Begin the fight," answered the admiral, "you will
be succoured."
The position of Condalmlero was that of a mod-
ern battleship which is disabled and surrounded by
foes in full possession of their motive power; the
THE GALLEON OF VENICE 119
great galleon floated inert upon the waters while the
galleys could fight or fly as they wished. The cap-
tain of the galleon, however, had no alternative save
to surrender or fight; but there was no hesitation on
his part, for a more gallant officer never trod the decks
of a warship of the proud Republic to which he
belonged.
The Moslem galleys were now close upon him,
although as yet out of gun-shot; around him they
wheeled and circled like a flight of great sea-birds,
their ferocious crews shouting their war-cries calling
upon Allah and the Prophet to give them the victory
for which they craved; many a brave Venetian who
heard for the first time the name of Barbarossa
shouted in battle must have braced himself for the
coming conflict, knowing all that was imported by
that terrible name. The sun shone in a cloudless sky,
the galleon lay becalmed in the middle of furious and
ravening foes, the succour promised by Doria was ten
miles away; they saw no movement which indicated
help, and the odds against them were heavy indeed.
But all the nervousness was not on one side, for the
Galleon of Venice was something new in the naval
warfare of the time; she carried great engines of de-
struction in the shape of great guns which the corsairs
could by no means equal. Of this they were well
aware, and the attack was delayed while the oarsmen
in the galleys rested on their oars out of range to
allow them breathing time before the supreme mo-
ment arrived. But the hounds were only held in
leash; there came a signal which was answered by a
concentrated yell of fury and of hate; then from right
120 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
ahead, right astern, on the port side and the star-
board, the galleys were launched to the attack. But
all on board the great Venetian vessel was as still as
that death which awaited so many of the combatants
in this supreme struggle.
Condalmiero had caused the crew of the galleon to
lie down upon her decks, and stood himself, a gallant
solitary figure in his shining armour, a mark for the
hail of shot so soon to he discharged. It came, and
with it the mast of the galleon bearing the Lion Stan-
dard of St. Mark crashed over the side into the water;
renewed yells of triumph came from the Moslems, but
still that ominous silence reigned on board the galleon.
Untouched, unharmed, the Osmanlis came on firing
as rapidly as possible until they were absolutely within
arquebuss range. Closer they came and closer; then
the sides of the galleon burst Into sheeted flame, and
the guns levelled at point blank range tore through the
attacking host. Condalmiero was throwing away
no chances; he had directed his gunners to allow their
balls to ricochet before striking rather than to throw
them away by allowing them to fly over the heads of
the enemy.
The first broadside did terrible execution; a ball
one hundred and twenty pounds in weight, fired by
the chief bombardier, Francisco d'Arba in person,
burst in the prow of a galley so effectually that all
her people flew aft to the poop to prevent the water
rushing in; but the vessel was practically split in twain,
and sank in a few moments. All around were dead
and dying men, disabled galleys, floating wreckage;
the Galleon of Venice had taken a terrible toll of the
THE GALLEON OF VENICE 121
Osmanli; the order to retreat out of range was given,
and never was order obeyed with greater alacrity.
With accuracy and precision the galleon played
upon such vessels as remained within range, doing
great execution. But she was now to be subjected
to an even severer test than the first headlong attack.
She had demonstrated to the Moslem leaders that
here was no vessel to be carried by mere reckless
valour; a disciplined and ordered offensive was the
only plan which promised success; the Osmanli must
use their brain as well as their courage if that tattered
flag, rescued from the water, and nailed to the stump
of the mast of the galleon, was ever to be torn down.
There was something daunting in the very aspect of
the solid bulk of the huge Venetian, something weird
in the manner in which her crew never showed, save
only the steadfast figure of her captain immovable as
a statue of bronze, where he stood on her shot-torn
poop.
This Homeric conflict was a triumph of discipline
and gunnery on the part of the Venetians; alert, ac-
curate, and cool, the gunners of the galleon threw
away none of their ammunition: inspired by the heroic
spirit of their captain, great was the honour which
they did on this stricken field to the noble traditions
of their forbears and the service to which they
belonged.
The first attack had been most brilliantly repulsed,
but this was only preliminary to a conflict which was
to last all through the day; the Moslem galleys with-
drew out of gunshot and re-formed; then a squadron
of twenty advanced, delivered their fire, and retired;
122 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
their place was then taken by a second squadron, which
went (lii()u;^li the same j)erf()rmance, and then came
on a tliird. In this manner the attack, which began
one hour after noon, and which was continued until
sunset, was conductech The galleon had thirteen men
killed, and forty wounded ; juj dc)ubt the slaughter
wouKl have been much greater had it not been for the
enormous thickness of iier sides and for the fact that
the guns carried by the galleys were necessarily light.
Notwithstanding, tiie galleon suffered terribly, she
was a mass of wreckage; twice fire had broken out on
board of her, she was cumbered by fallen masts, bat-
tered almost out of recognition, but still Condalmiero
and her gallant crew fought on imperturbably with no
thought of surrender. Covered with blood, wounded
in the face and the right leg by flying splinters, her
captain preserved his magnificent coolness, and his dec-
imated crew responded nobly to his call. At even-
tide the fire from the galleon was almost as deadly as
it had been at the first onslaught, and many galleys of
the Turks were only saved from sinking by the ac-
tivity and bravery of their carpenters, who, slung over
their sides in "boatswains' chairs," drove home huge
plugs of wood with their mallets into the shot-holes
made by the Venetian guns.
At the hour when the sun dipped below the horizon
all the Turkish fleet seemed assembled to assault the
colossus which so long had resisted their attack; there
was a pause in the combat, and the firing died down.
Condalmiero and his men braced themselves for the
assault which they felt to be inevitable : for now the
darkness was swiftly coming, in which they could no
THE GALLEON OF VENICE 123
longer see to shoot, and under cover of which their
numerous foes could assail them by boarding in com-
parative safety. Now the moment had come for the
last act in this terrible drama of the sea. They had
held their own at long odds throughout the whole of
a hot September day, and as the level beams of the
setting sun shone on their shattered ship they were
prepared to die, fighting to the last man for the
honour of Venice and the glory of St. Mark.
Stiff and worn, wearied almost to the breaking
strain, there was no man on board who even dreamt
of surrender; all the guns were charged to the muzzle
with bullets and broken stone, the artillerists match
in hand stood grimly awaiting the order to fire, strain-
ing their eyes and their ears in the gathering darkness;
in a few minutes at most they knew that the fate of
the Galleon of Venice must be decided.
On board his galley, decorated for this occasion
with scarlet banners, Barbarossa himself directed the
assaulting line. Never before when the battle was
joined had the gallant corsair been known to draw
back; and yet on this occasion he not only hesitated
but actually hauled off. The Venetians saw to their
amazement that the expected attack was not to be
pushed home; for Barbarossa and his captains fell
upon some lesser vessels : the Galleon of Venice was
victorious.
Meanwhile Doria was displaying his mastery of
tactics when it was hard fighting that was wanted; he
pretended that he wished to draw the Ottoman fleet
into the high seas in order that he might destroy their
galleys by means of the broadsides of his nefs; conse-
124 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
qucfitly he executed useless parade movements when
lie should by all the rules of warfare have closed with
his enemy who was in distinctly inferior force; as he
had a fair wind there is only one conclusion to be
drawn, and that is that he did not want to fight.
I lis man(EUvres certainly mystified the Turks, who
viewed his tactics with mistrust, thinking them the out-
set of some deeply laid scheme; it never entered into
their calculations for one moment that the great
Andrea Doria, the terror of the Mediterranean sea,
and the victor in scores of desperate engagements, was
anxious to avoid a fight.
Grimani and Capello, docile to the orders of their
admiral, followed him full of uneasiness and distrust;
they were fighting men of the most fiery description;
to them the issue seemed of the simplest: there was
the enemy in inferior force to themselves, they had the
weather gauge, why delay the attack?
"For much less than this," says Admiral Jurien de
la Graviere, "the English shot Admiral Byng in
1756." The conduct of Doria on this occasion has
certainly never been explained; the two other leaders
went on board and remonstrated with their com-
mander-in-chief; they were neither of them men who
could be treated as negligible quantities on the field
of battle; both belonged to that brilliant Venetian
nobility so renowned in commerce and in war.
Marco Grimani was in command of the Papal galleys,
in itself a mark of the highest esteem and confidence
from a potentate second to none in his influence in the
civilised world. To Vincenzo Capello, Henry the
Seventh of England confided his royal person and
THE GALLEON OF VENICE 125
the command of his fleet when he crossed the Channel
to encounter Richard the Third at Bosworth field.
Five times had he filled the office of Providiteur in
Venice, twice had he been commander-in-chief of her
fleet, he was in perpetuity Procureur of St. Mark, to
him Venice owed her naval discipline. He wore on
this day the mantle of crimson silk with which the Re-
public invested her generals. Bitter was the rage in
his heart, and bitterly must he have spoken to Doria,
who, in spite of all remonstrances, continued his futile
manoevrlngs.
There was glory won on this day, but it was gained
neither by Andrea Doria nor Kheyr-ed-Din Bar-
barossa. The Galleon of Venice with Alessandro
Condalmiero and his gallant crew had shown to all a
splendid example of disciplined valour unexcelled in
sixteenth-century annals.
Barbarossa had captured a Venetian galley, a Papal
galley, and five Spanish nefs, but he had recoiled from
the assault on Condalmiero when the prize was
actually within his grasp. For the rest it was a day
of manoeuvring and tactics; tactics when sixty thousand
men had been embarked on board two hundred ships
for a specific and definite object on the side of the
Christians and under the command of their most cele-
brated admiral; and yet the balance of advantage was
actually gained by the inferior force. No subsequent
glories can ever wipe this stain from the scutcheon of
Doria, or can excuse the fact that at the most supreme
moment of his career he failed to fight the battle that
he was in honour, in conscience, and in duty bound to
deliver. Next day the wind came fair for Corfu, and
126 (;ri:at pi rati-: storiks
Doria, his ships untouched, unscathed, unharmed, put
his liehn up and sailed away followed by his fleet.
Sandoval records the fact that Barbarossa, roar-
infi; with hiu^hter the while, was accustomed to say
that Doria had even put out his lanterns in order
that no one mi^ht sec whither he had fled. I his was
an allusion to the fact — or supposition — that Doria
extinguished on that night the great poop lantern car-
ried by him as admiral.
When Soliman the Magnificent heard of the re-
sult of this battle he caused the town of Yamboli,
where he was at the time, to be illuminated, and in
the excess of his joy he added one hundred thousand
aspres to the revenues of the conqueror; there were
processions to the Grand Mosque, and all Islam re-
joiced and sang the praises of the invincible admiral
who had humbled to the dust the pride of the Chris-
tian and caused the dreaded Doria to fly from before
the fleet of the Sultan.
This, the most historical, if not the greatest feat
in the life of Kheyr-ed-Din Barbarossa, was for him a
triumph indeed; with a vastly inferior force he had
driven from the field of battle his "rival in glory," as
he himself had denominated Andrea Doria, and he
had accomplished this feat notwithstanding the almost
mutinous condition of his own forces. In spite of
this It Is with Condalmlero and with him alone that
the glory of this day must rest; alone, absolutely un-
supported as we have seen, he fought one of those
fights which bring the heart Into the mouth when we
read of them; the stern pride of the Venetian noble,
who despised as canaille the pirate hosts by whom he
THE GALLEON OF VENICE
127
was assailed, had its counterpart in the sturdy valour
of Chief Bombardier Francisco d'Arba and the other
nameless heroes of which that good company was com-
posed; to them we render that homage which so justly
is their due.
THE ORIGIN OF THE FREEBOOTERS
[From "The History of the Pirates," by
John Auchenhalz]
THE origin and commencement of the Free-
booters, or Brethren of the coast, were so
inconsiderable, as at first to excite no atten-
tion. With the exception of a few boats, they were
destitute of every kind of ships, even of the smallest
description : they had neither ammunition, pilots, nor
provisions, and but little knowledge of navigation;
and at length they were destitute even of money.
But all these wants were compensated by their intre-
pidity, which surmounted every obstacle, and which
daily increased with their successes.
On their first appearance they formed small
societies, which, after the example of the Buccaneers,
they termed Matelotages. In general, they united
together to the number of twenty or thirty, procured
an open boat, into which they crowded, and embarked
upon a cruise. At first they confined themselves to
giving chase to fishermen's boats and small craft; till,
emboldened by success, they attacked ships of every
size, and even men of war.
Their crews were admirably favored by innumer-
able natural havens, gulphs, and small islands, which
were for the most part deserted, but which abounded
128
THE ORIGIN OF THE FREEBOOTERS 129
with provisions, especially fish, tortoises, marine birds,
and excellent water. These islands were very easy
of access for small embarkations, but could not be
approached without imminent danger by large vessels,
and still more so by ships.
The Free-booters commenced their organized pira-
cies about the year 1600, and continued their depre-
dations, with various modifications, till the end of the
seventeenth century: if to these be added their less
important enterprises, their continuance may be ex-
tended to the eighteenth century.
The first Free-booters were only common Pirates.
Little did they foresee that their successors would in
a short time have the audacity, openly to brave Spain,
whose power was at that time so great, and even to
render themselves formidable to all Spanish America.
At the period now referred to, they abandoned the
West India seas, the confined theatre of their petty
expeditions, and undertook voyages of longer dura-
tion. After coasting along the Azores and the islands
of Cape Verd, they ventured in their frail barks as
far as the coast of Guinea, and thence to Brazil:
some of them advanced even to the East Indies.
When their cruise had successfully terminated, they
returned to Madagascar; where they landed, and spent
the produce of their captures. Very few of them
ever revisited Europe, which had given them birth, or
even their American dwellings : but their successors
formed a deliberate plan. The West Indies con-
tinued the principal theatre of their depredations, so
long as those latitudes afforded them protection.
The island of St. Christopher, and afterwards those
130 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
of Tortu^as, St. DorTiinj^^o, and Jamaica, were their
accustomed residences, or rather places of resort; and
their piracies were confined to the American seas.
Tortugas, in particuhir, was regarded as their real
place of abode; the planters of which island (already
hclon^inp; to France) were, from a false policy, left
altogether to themselves, with very circumscribed
means, both of subsistence and of commerce. Beinj^
in tlie \icinity of St. I)omin^;o, they were envious of
its happy situation; and, in order to indemnify them-
selves for their own uncomfortable condition, they
gradually formed a system of piracy, the object of
which was, to procure by force that subsistence which
they were denied by circumstances.
A Frenchman of Dieppe, Pierre le Grand, (which
name afterwards became his heroic appellation), led
the way in this course by a brilliant action, which
excited emulation. He set sail with a pirate vessel,
manned only by twenty-eight men; and at the extrem-
ity of Cape Filburon, on the western coast of St.
Domingo, met a Spanish ship, the crew of which
amounted to upwards of two hundred men, and which
was also mounted with cannon. She belonged to a
fleet of merchantmen that were sailing towards Eu-
rope, but having been separated from the rest, was
peaceably pursuing her route. As soon as the Pirates
perceived her, they swore, one after another, on the
hands of their chief, that they would capture her or
perish, and immediately sailed directly to her. The
sun was setting when they boarded the Spanish ship,
armed with pistols; in a moment they pierced their
own bark in several places, which sunk almost beneath
THE ORIGIN OF THE FREEBOOTERS 13.
their feet, with every thing it contained. The fero=
cious conquerers slew every one that resisted, took
possession of the magazine of arms, surprised the
officers who were playing at cards in perfect security,
and in a very short time made themselves masters of
the ship. The Spaniards who were thus unexpectedly
attacked, perceiving no ship near them, considered
these Pirates as demons that had fallen from the sky,
and said one to another, "These men are devils!"
They surrendered without making any defence.
By this adventure, Captain Pierre made a capture
by which all his crew were suddenly enriched. Not
wishing to run the risk of losing again the wealth thus
rapidly gained, he landed all the Spanish sailors that
were not absolutely necessary to work the ship, and
immediately set sail for France. He returned no
more to America; but the memory of his brilliant
action left there a profound impression, which was
not easily to be effaced.
Almost all the Spanish ships that appeared in those
seas were successively attacked, and of course cap-
tured, of whatever size they might be, whether large
or small, whether mounted with cannon or not,
whether they were sailing alone or in convoy. The
wretched barks of the Free-booters gradually dis-
appeared after the capture of so many fine ships, some
of which were very large; and these pirates, with
their new acquisitions, scoured the seas with more se-
curity, and carried on their robberies upon a larger
scale.
Now, indeed, the Spaniards paid more attention to
the progress of the Free-booters, who threatened with
132 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
utter destruction their vast commerce, as well as
their navigation in the American seas. They there-
fore e(]uippc(l two large men of war, in order to pro-
tect their coasts, and cruise against these formidable
pirates; who, however, became in consequence more
active and audacious. A large number of plunderers
assembled together under their destroying flag.
Nor was the I'Vench the only nation that attacked
the Spanish ships: they were chased by other nations,
viz. the English, the Dutch, and especially by the
Portuguese. Hence immense captures were made:
the market for this pillage increased, the sale of their
prizes became more easy, and their profession more
attractive. In a short time Jamaica served as a place
of refuge; and to such a degree did their numbers in-
crease, that, notwithstanding their armaments, the
Spaniards were for some time obliged to relinquish
their navigation In those seas. They flattered them-
selves with the hope, that by presenting no prey for
the Free-booters, they would reduce them into a state
of inactivity, and consequently effect the dissolution
of their society. But they were strangely deceived
in their calculations. Weary of their unfruitful
cruises, the Free-booters assembled together in large
bodies, conceived vast plans, and determined to under-
take the landing of men in form.
Lewis Scott, an Englishman, was the first who exe-
cuted one of these schemes, which the Spaniards had
not foreseen. He suddenly penetrated into the city
of St. Francis, of Campechy, which he pillaged, and
laid a heavy contribution upon it, threatening to burn
it to ashes, and immediately afterwards re-embarked.
THE ORIGIN OF THE FREEBOOTERS 133
This example was followed by John Davis, a native
of Jamaica; who, with one ship and ninety men, at-
tempted an action, the audacity of which excites aston-
ishment.
He landed near Nicaragua, leaving his ship at
anchor under guard of ten of his companions in arms;
the remainder he distributed into three canoes, and,
availing himself of the darkness of the night, sailed
up the river which leads to the city of Grenada. They
met a sentinel, to whom they spoke Spanish, and
passed for fisherman; afterwards they disembarked
without encountering any obstacles, and massacred the
soldiers who had peaceably witnessed their landing;
and having thus penetrated the middle of Nicaragua
without discovery, they dispersed themselves through-
out the town, and pillaged both houses and churches.
The cries of terror which resounded on every side,
put the inhabitants in motion. They tumultuously
assembled to defend themselves; but the Free-booters
were too few in number to seek the dangerous honor
of an engagement. Content with safely depositing
their prizes, they hastily regained their canoes, and
took with them some prisoners as hostages, in case of
accident. They successfully reached the coast, and
after releasing their prisoners, they set sail with their
plunder, at the very moment when some hundreds of
armed Spaniards arrived in order to attack them.
Their booty, which consisted both of silver and pre-
cious stones, was worth 40,000 piasters.
The Pirates landed at Jamaica, where they formed
a fleet of eight ships, of which the intrepid Davis was
appointed Admiral by his comrades. He immediately
134 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
set sail towards the latitude of Cuba, in order that he
nii^ht (here watch the coininf^ of the fleet from Mex-
ico. I laving failed in this enterprize, and being de-
sirous of indemnifying his men for their loss, he
latuieti at Morida, and j)illaged the city of St.
Augustin, in defiance of its fort, which was defended
by two hundred men, who continued immoveable.
Davis also signalised himself by other bold achieve-
ments: he landed on the coast of Granada, whence he
advanced into the South Sea; but, at length, for want
of provisions, he was obliged to return.
Another chieftain of the hrce-booters was a French
gentleman, who was known only by his Christian
name (Alexander), to which, on account of his pro-
digious strength, had been added the surname of Iron
Arm. His plan was to cruise only with one ship,
which he called the Phoenix, and which was manned
only by the most resolute men. In one of these
cruises he encountered a violent tempest. The winds
tore his sail to pieces, and threw down his masts; the
lightning set fire to the powder magazine, and blew up
into the air that part of the ship which contained it,
together w^ith all the Free-booters who were there.
The ship, thus dismantled, still floated; but the
violence of the explosion cast the remainder of the
crew into the sea; forty of whom — and among these
unfortunates was their commander — were enabled to
save themselves from the wreck, by the vicinity of the
neighbouring coast. This place was an island near
the Dragon's Mouth, and inhabited by Indians who
had never been subdued, and who were formidable
from their ferocity. The situation of the Pirates
THE ORIGIN OF THE FREEBOOTERS 135
was horrible; they were destitute of every thing, and
were also obliged to preserve themselves from the
Indians. One day they were attacked by a large de-
tachment of these savages, for whose reception they
were prepared: several of them were slain, and some
even were taken prisoners. Alexander released
them; but, previously to their departure, he wished,
by an ingenious expedient, to inspire them with a
terror, which should effectually take away their de-
sire of returning. He caused a cuirass, made of very
thick leather, to be stretched on a whalebone, and by
signs invited them to penetrate it with their arrows.
They shot these with equal dexterity and vigor; but,
notwithstanding their strength and sharpness, the ar-
rows scarcely grazed the cuirass — a circumstance
which excited their astonishment in no small degree.
Alexander afterwards showed to them that the arms
of the Free-booters were of a very different temper.
One of them took his fusee, and having withdrawn
six paces farther than the savage, discharged his piece.
The shot went entirely through the cuirass, and even
the whalebone to which it was attached. The stupe-
fied Indians approached, and examined the effect of
the ball; demanding one to shoot in their turn. Ac-
cordingly, they placed it on their bow, which they bent,
and shot; but the ball fell at their feet. Thus Alex-
ander made them conceive a high idea of his vigor,
and gave them to understand that all his companions
possessed equal strength with himself. This lesson
produced the desired effect; no Indian ever after mak-
ing his appearance.
At length the Free-booters perceived at a distance
136 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
a ship coming with full sail towards the shore. They
concealed themselves, lest they should prevent her
from approachinjj;, and delihcratcd what steps it would
be advisable for them to take. Some were of opinion
that they should beseech the officers to take them on
board: others were apprehensive of their liberty; and,
fearing yet greater danger, wished to prepare for self-
dclcnce. Alexander proceeded yet further: in his
opinion, it was of little use to defend themselves;
they ought to make an attack, and with his proposal
they all coincided. In the meantime the ship, cast an-
chor: it was a Spanish merchantman, armed for war.
whose crew were in want of water, which they had
come to procure from that island, where it was excel-
lent. The officers were far from suspecting that any
Pirates were there; but, knowing the treachery of the
islanders, they directed those, who were to fill the
hogsheads, to advance with very great caution, and
gave them an escort of their best soldiers, of whom
thev took the command in person.
The Free-booters observed the very great order in
which their enemies marched, and that, from their
superiority in numbers, it was only by attacking them
suddenly that they could obtain the victory. Accord-
ingly, they concealed themselves in a thick wood,
whence they seized an opportunity of firing upon them.
The Spaniards stopped to defend themselves; they
looked around, but no person was visible: the species
of arms, however, which had just been discharged,
soon convinced them with whom they had to contend.
With a view, therefore, to gain time, as well as to
escape the danger of the moment, and to draw their
THE ORIGIN OF THE FREEBOOTERS 137
adversaries out of their inaccessible ambuscade, they
laid themselves flat upon the ground. The Pirates,
who had been able to distinguish them, notwithstand-
ing the thickness of the foliage, could not account for
their sudden disappearance. Instigated by impa-
tience, Alexander issued from his retreat in quest of
the Spaniards, being accompanied by a few of his
men. Suddenly, his adversaries arose; and shouting
horribly, rushed upon the Free-booters; whose com-
mander was advancing directly towards the Spanish
captain, when a root of a tree tripped up his feet, and
threw him down close by the latter. The Spaniard,
without giving him time to rise, was about to sever
Alexander's head with his sabre; when the latter, at
this critical moment, saved himself by his extraor-
dinary strength. While half fallen on the ground,
he seized the Spaniard with a grasp, and stayed his
arm: in a very short time he was up on his feet, and
called his men, who ran towards him from every side.
The Spaniards, confounded and exhausted by fatigue,
all bit the dust; and Alexander, in order to facilitate
what yet remained to be done, ordered his comrades
to spare not a single individual: his commands were
punctually obeyed.
In the meantime, those who continued on board, had
heard the report of musquetry, but entertained no ap-
prehensions concerning their men; supposing them only
to be engaged with the islanders, they contented them-
selves with .firing a few cannon, in order to intimidate
those savages. The Free-booters did not continue in-
active after their victory: they stripped the dead, with
whose apparel they arrayed themselves, not forgetting
138
(iRI'AT PIRATE STORIES
tlicir lufj^c caps, which covcrcil tlic whole of the head.
Thus disguised, they shouted cries of victory; marched
towards the shore, where they threw themselves into
the shallops which were awaiting the return of the
Spaniards that had disemharked; and at length joined
the ship, in which, under cover of their disguise, they
were received with transports ot joy. As the greater
part of the soldiers had been sent away on account
of the landing, which had been attended with such
fatal consequences, there remained on board only a
very few soldiers, together with the seamen and pas-
sengers. Their security rendered their defeat easy;
and, with the exception of a few sailors, they were all
massacred. Thus the Free-booters made themselves
masters of a ship richly laden, and arrived without
any accident at Tortugas, after a series of occurrences,
which evinced at the same time their good fortune,
their boldness, and tlieir ferocity.
IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS
[From "The History of the Indian Wars and of
Plantain the Pyrate, &c.," by Clement
Downing, R. N.]
JOHN PLANTAIN was born in Chocolate-Hole,
on the Island of Jamaica, of English Parents,
who took care to bestow on him the best Educa-
tion, they themselves were possess'd of; which was to
curse, swear, and blaspheme, from the time of his first
learning to speak. This is generally the chief Educa-
tion bestowed on the Children of the common People
in those Parts. He was sent to School to learn to
read, which he once could do tolerably well; but he
quickly forgot the same, for want of practising it.
The Account he gave of his first falling into that
wicked and irregular Course of Life, was, That after
he was about thirteen Years of Age, he went as Mas-
ter's Servant on board a small Sloop belonging to
Spanish-Town, on the Island of Jamaica, and they
went out a privateering and to cut Logwood in the
Bay of Campeachy ; where they generally used to
maroon the Spaniards, and the Spaniards used to ma-
roon them, as the one or t'other happened to be
strongest. He followed this Course of Life till he
was near 20 Years of Age, when he came to Rhode-
Island; there he fell into company with several Men
who belonged to a Pyrate Sloop. These try'd to per-
139
140 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
suacic him, with several others, to ^o with them; shew-
ing great Sums of Ciold, and treating him and others
in a profuse and expensive Manner. His own wicked
Inclinations soon led him to acept the Offer, without
much Hesitation. At the same time, he acknowl-
edged that he had no Occasion to go with them, as he
belonged to a very honest Commander, and one that
used the Sailors very well on all Accounts. But being
of a roving Disposition, he could not bear being under
any Restraint. They soon went on board this Pyrate
Sloop, and were entertained in a handsome manner,
being presented to the Captain, who seem'd to like
them very well, and told them if they would sail with
him, they should have the same Encouragement as
the other People had, and that they should in a short
time take a Voyage which would prove the making of
them all; after this they design'd to accept the first
Act of Grace, and leave off. They left Rhode-Island
in this Sloop which they called the Terrible, com-
manded by John Williams; and one Roberts, being a
bold and resolute Man, was made Quarter-master.
With John Plantain, entered the following five, z-iz.
John James of Boston in New-England, Henry Millis
of Falmouth in the West of England; Richard Dean
of Stepney, Eondon; John Jiarvey of Shadzvelf; and
Henry Jones of St. Paul's^ London; all young Men,
the oldest not being above 23 Years of Age. When
ever any enter on board of these Ships voluntarily,
they are obliged to sign all their Articles of Agree-
ment; which is in effect, to renounce Honour, and all
human Compassion; for they seldom shew any Mercy
to those who fall into their Hands.
IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS 141
FROM Rhode-Island they shaped their Course
for the Coast of Guinea, and in their way took three
Ships, amongst the Crews of which was Mr. Moore
the Surgeon, spoken of in the Account of Commodore
Matthews's Transactions. They pretended to give
Liberty to those Ships Crews either to go or stay with
them. The Boatswain of the Ship to which Mr.
Moore belonged, entered voluntarily, and would have
used his Captain and several of the Men very bar-
barously; but Roberts, who was then Quarter-master,
would not allow of it. They kept the Surgeon and
Carpenter by Compulsion, when they found they chose
to leave them; and took one of the Ships, which prov'd
to be the best Sailor, and called her the Defiance.
Now they had got a Ship of near 300 Tuns, which
mounted 30 Guns, well mann'd and well stored with
Provisions. They usually are at no certain Allowance
amongst themselves, till they are in a Likelihood of
being short of Provision, but every Man is allowed to
eat what he pleases. Then they put all under the
care of their Quarter-master, who discharges all things
with an Equality to them all, every Man and Boy
faring alike; and even their Captain, or any other
Officer, is allowed no more than another Man; nay,
the Captain cannot keep his own Cabbin to himself,
for their Bulk heads are all down, and every Man
stands to his Quarters, where they lie and mess, tho'
they take the liberty of ranging all over the Ships.
THIS large Ship they took was bound for
Jamaica, called the Prosperous of London, one Capt.
James Commander; whom, and so many of his Crew
is were not willing to go with them, they put on board
142 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
those two other Vessels they let go. The Prosperous
had on hoard a considerable number of East-India
Bales, which they hoisted up on Deck, and cut open;
the Quarter-master distributing the same amongst the
Pyrates. 'ihey arrived in a short time on the Coast
of Guinea, and kept all the trading Ships from carry-
ing on any manner of Commerce at Gambo, and the
other Ports on that Coast. Here they met with the
Onslow, whom they fought a considerable time; but
the Pyrates being well mann'd, boarding her, made
sad Havock of her Crew, and brought them to cry
out for Quarter, which is but very indifferent at best;
so when they had taken her, they made one of their
number whose Name was England, a Man who had
been Mate of several good Ships, Captain of her.
Plantain and his Companions were daily encreasing
their Store; for not long after they took the Onslow,
they mastered a Dutch Interloper, with whom they
had a smart Battle, and had not the Sloop came to
their Assistance, they would have been obliged to let
her go. But the Sloop coming up, and pouring a great
number of Men on board, they soon over-powered
them. This Ship they liked exceeding well, and were
resolved to keep her, calling her the Fancy; and Capt.
England having a mind to her, they allowed him to
command her.
THEY daily now encreased their number, and
were not for keeping so many Ships, imagining they
should soon have a Squadron of Men of War after
them, which they did not care to have any Corres-
pondence with. Now Capt. England proposed a new
Voyage to them, which might be the making of them
IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS 143
all very rich; and as they had got such good Ships
under their Command, they were resolved to make
the best of their present Situation. First they pro-
posed to burn the Terrible Sloop, being old and leaky,
and not fit to beat about the Cape. So having finished
their Cruise on the Coast of Guinea, they were re-
solved to steer another way. These Pyrates had now
got the Fancy under the Command of Capt. England^
and a small Brigantine called the Unity, which they
named the Expedition, and gave the Command to one
Johnson that was with them; tho' one Quarter-master
serv'd for them all. And being in great Dispute how
and which way they should dispose of each other, they
went on shore on the Coast of Guinea, and there held
a fresh Consultation, when some were for going with
Capt. England, and some with Capt. Roberts. These
Disputes lasted for some time, but it was left to a
Committee chose from among them, on whose Deter-
mination they resolved to rely. They had now six or
seven Ships with them, on which account it was re-
solved, that England and Roberts should separate, for
fear of a Civil War amongst themselves. England
was to take the Fancy, the Snow, and the Ship they
called the Victory, and go away for the East-Indies;
and Roberts and the rest were to continue and range
about those Seas, as they thought fit. Roberts after-
wards fell into the Hands of Sir Chaloner Ogle, and
by him was brought up to Justice, and he and his Crew
were hung up in Chains along the Coast of Guinea,
from Cape-Coast-Castle.
CAPT. England took to the Eastern Seas, and
came away for St. Augustine^ Bay, on the Island of
144 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
Madagascar, and his People being very sickly, the Doc-
tor had them sent on shore for the Recovery of their
Healths; but several died. Here they cleared their
Ship as well as they could, St. Augustine s Bay being
a Place not extraordinary convenient for Shipping to
lie in, on account of the Foulness of the Ground in
the Bottom of the Harbour, and the irregular Sound-
ing, on which account a Ship can no ways come to an-
chor there, to continue any time; nay, not so much as
four or five Hours: For 'tis a hundred to one,
should the Anchor go in the Ground, or amongst the
Rocks, if ever 'tis got up again. But there is a Road
to the Southward of the Harbour, where you may
anchor in six or seven Fathom Water: Here is
smooth Riding, and the Inhabitants will come off to
trade with you; but be careful how you trust them,
for they are a more politick and cunning People than
the Negroes of the Guinea or Gold Coast, very crafty
in their way of Trade, and private in their Intentions,
speak you fair, but intend to murder you at the same
time. They have five or six petty Kings near one
another, who are in Alliance together. Here Capt.
England lay in the Road, and repaired all his Rigging,
and got a Supply of Provisions. From hence he came
on the Coast of Ethiopia, with his two Ships, and
went to the Portuguese at Massembeach, who sup-
posed them to belong to the English East-India Com-
pany. After they had got a fresh Supply of Provi-
sions, they sailed to the Island of Johanna, where they
lay some time, and then cruised off the Streights
Mouth of Babelmondon, or the Red-sea, where they
took a Moors Ship, richly laden, coming down from
IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS 145
India. They then made the best of their way for
Madagascar, and went to St. Mary's Island, where
none of their Fraternity had been for many Years,
and were very joyfully received by the King. This
Island joins to the Continent of Madagascar, and is
generally a Place of Residence for Pyrates. Here
they made a sad Massacre of the poor Moors Men,
they had taken in the Ship above-mentioned, and
abused their Women in a very vile manner. Some
say, that Capt. England kept one or two of the Moors
Women for his own Use, there being some of Distinc-
tion amongst them, whose Fathers were in high Posts
under the Great Mogul.
THEY brought the Moors Ship's Cargo to a
quick Market, and made Sale of what they could; and
Part of the rest they cast in heaps on the Beach, to
be spoil'd by the Winds and Weather. The Ship,
they found, was not answerable for their Purpose;
on which account they haled her on shore, and sunk
her, with some part of her Cargo on board, which
was neglected by the Inhabitants, who knew not the
Value nor Use of those rich Commodities. They
took up their Winter-Quarters at this Place, and re-
plenished their Store: Before they sunk the Moors
Ship, they made a sort of Hulk of her, and hove down
their other Ships the Fancy, and Snow, which they
called the Expedition; and made a clean Ship ; this
was in the Year 17 19. They then came to Johanna,
where they found the Cassandra and Greenwich; the
former commanded by Capt. Mackray, and the latter
by Capt. Kirby. Capt. Mackray maintain'd a Noble
Fight for a whole Day, and had not the Ship drove
146 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
ashore, 'tis tliouj^lit tliat lie would have cleared him-
self ()( the Pyrates; who themselves own'd that he
galled them bitterly, and killed them a ^reat number
of Men. The Captain and most of his Men were
obliged to fly up into the Country; where the People
happen'd to be civili/cd, and afforded them Refuge.
The Pyrate in a few Days sent for the Captain and
his Crew down, and used them with good Manners,
ant! agreed amongst themselves to give the Captain
the Fancy, in Consideration of his Loss, and they gave
him likewise several Bales of Cloth which they thought
would be of no Service to them. As to his Men,
they sufferd all of them to go with him, except his
Carpenter's Mate, whom they compelled to remain
with them.
THE year after, they came on the Coast of Mala-
bar, and met with the London fitted out on Purpose
to engage them, in company with several other Ships.
But instead of that, the whole Bombay Fleet seem'd
afraid to attack them, but burn'd the Pralnn them-
selves, a fine floating Engine which mounted 24 Guns,
(as mentioned before) and then retired into the Har-
bour of Bombay.
THE Pyrates after this steer'd for Domascaicas,
and there fell in with a large Ship belonging to the
Portuguese ; and hoisting English Colours, the Portu-
guese judged them to be an English Ship which had
lost their Passage as well as themselves, and made
all things ready to salute each other. In the mean
time, the Pyrates got all their Guns in Readiness, and
came ranging up her Side, and never once offered to
fire a Gun till they were near enough to board, and
IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS 14/
then dosed them with double Round and Partridge,
so that the Shot went through and through them.
They cut their Cable, and away they went with her.
This proved a very rich Prize. They also took
another Moors Ship the Year after coming from
China, by which they got Immense Riches. The great
Ship they took from the Portuguese, they caused
afterward to mount 70 Guns, and on board the Cas-
sandra they mounted 40 ; by which they thought them-
selves sole Masters of all the Indian Seas. They
after came down to Madagascar, and there they re-
fitted again at Port Dolphin, and from thence they
went to Charnock Point. Here they took out of the
Ships they had with them, all the Eatables, Liquors,
Money, Jewels, Diamonds; and left on shore fine
China and other valuable Goods, enough to have laden
a large Ship with. They now held a Consultation
what they should do; several were for leaving off, and
living on what they had; others of a more covetous
Disposition, were for still continuing in their unlaw-
ful Practices. However, the Majority wanted Capt.
England to leave those Parts, and to go down to
La Vera Cruz, and there to accept the Spanish Act of
Grace. They were now divided In Opinion what was
best for them to do; for they had heard at St.
Augustine's Bay, that Commodore Matthews was ar-
rived in quest of them, by his Letters left there for
the Salisbury; which Letters the Natives gave them.
On this they steer'd for Port Dolphin, and from thence
to Moroslas. They knew what Season was coming
on, and how we were obliged to shape our Course.
We came after in the Salisbury, and they told us, that
148 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
the Pyratcs had got our Letters. On wliich Infor-
mation, they dispersed themselves, and some went to
one Place, and some to another.
P I . .1 N T A I N , James Adair, and Hans Biirgen
the Dane, had fortified themselves very strongly at
Ranter-Bay; and taken possession of a large Tract
of Country. Plantain having the most Money of
tliem all, called himself King of Ranter-Bay, and the
Natives commonly sing Songs in praise of Plantain.
He hrought great Numbers of the Inhabitants to be
subject to him, and secm'd to govern them arbitrarily;
tho' he paid his Soldiers very much to their Satisfac-
tion. He would frequently send Parties of Men into
other Dominions, and seize the Inhabitants' Cattle.
He took upon him to make War, and to extort Trib-
ute from several of the petty Kings his Neighbours,
and to encrease his own Dominions.
JAMES A DAIR's Birth and Education was
something superior to that of Plantain; for he was
learnt to write as well as read; and had been brought
up in the Town of Leith, by a sober and industrious
Father and Mother. Not behaving to the Satisfac-
tion of his Parents, he went for London, and from
thence, for the IVest-Indies; but was taken by the
Pyrates, and after that entered voluntarily with them.
He was a young Man of a very hard Countenance, but
something inclined to Good-Nature. When we bar-
tered with the Pyrates at Ranter-Bay for Provisions,
they frequently shewed the Wickedness of their Dis-
position, by quarrelling and fighting with each other
upon the most trifling Occasions. It was their Cus-
tom never to go abroad, except armed with Pistols or
IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS 149
a naked Sword in their Hand, to be in Readiness to
defend themselves or to attack others.
HANS BURG EN, the Dane, was born at
Copenhagen, and had been brought up a Cooper; but
coming to London, he entered himself with Capt.
Creed for Guinea; the Ship being taken by the Py-
rates, he agreed to go with them, and became a Com-
erade to King Plantain. This Plantain's House was
built in as commodious a manner as the Nature of the
Place would admit; and for his further State and Rec-
reation, he took a great many Wives and Servants,
whom he kept in great Subjection; and after the Eng-
lish manner, called them Moll, Kate, Sue or Pegg.
These Women were dressed in the richest Silks, and
some of them had Diamond Necklaces. He fre-
quently came over from his own Territories to St.
Mary's Island, and there began to repair several
Parts of Capt. Avery''s Fortifications.
THE King of Massaleage had with him a very
beautiful Grand-daughter, said to be the Daughter
of an English Man, who commanded a Bristol Ship,
that came there on the Slaving Trade. This Lady
was called Eleonora Brown, so named by her Father;
she had been taught to speak a little English; but
this is common on the Island of Madagascar, it being
the chief Rendezvous of the Pyrates, where they vic-
tual and refit their Ships. Plantain being desirous
of having a Lady of English Extraction, sent to the
King of Massaleage (whom the Pyrates called Long-
Dick, or King Dick) to demand his Grand-daughter
for a Wife. Capt. England, with 60 or 70 Men had
dispersed themselves about the Island, and inhabited
150 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
amongst the Negroes: but Capt. England being very
poor, was obliged to be beholden to several of the
white Men for his Subsistence. Several of these
People had join'd King Dick at Massaleaye; and per-
suaded him to refuse Plantain s Demand, to put him-
self in a Posture of Defence, and to prohibit all Cor-
respontlence between any of his Subjects and those of
Plantain. The chief Weapon used by the Natives is
the Lance, which they are very dextrous in throwing.
But Plantain had got some hundreds of Firelocks,
which he distributed among his Subjects, and had
learned them to exercise in a pretty regular manner.
He also had great Store of Powder and Ball, and a
good Magazine provided with all manner of Neces-
saries. He was a Man of undaunted Courage; which
he shewed by venturing down to Charnock Point, as
mentioned before. Indeed I was surprized to find a
Stranger pop on me armed as he was, with two Pistols
stuck in his Sash, tho' but mean in Habit. At that
time he asked me, what we did there, and whether we
were Men of War sent out in quest of them. I told
him, I did not know who he was; he said, that he had
belonged to the Cassandra, but had now left off Py-
rating, and lived at Ranter-Bay. He then gave me
the aforementioned Account of his Birth and Parent-
age; and that if the Commodore thought proper, he
would trade with us, and supply the whole Squadron
with Cattle, and other Provisions.
B U T to return from this Digression: On Plan-
tain's, receiving this Message of Defiance from the
King of Massaleage, he sent to tell him, that if he
did not comply directly, he would bring such an arm'd
IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS 151
Force against him, that should drive him out of his
Dominions; and if he happened to fall into his Hands,
he would certainly send him to Prince William of St.
Augustine's Bay, who would sell him to the first Eng-
lish Ship which put in there. These Menaces made
King Dick something fearful at first; but being
buoy'd up by several of the Englishmen that were
there, he still refused his Demands, and boldly sent
word, that he would not give him the Trouble to come
quite to his Home, but that he would certainly meet
him half way. This Answer so much inrag'd Plan-
tain, that he called his chief Officers together to con-
sult what he should do; tho', let their Advice be what
it would, he always followed his own Inclination.
His chief General was a Fellow they called Molatto
Tom, who pretended to be the Son of Capt. Avery;
which might probably be true, for the Man was near
40 Years of Age when we were there. This Man
being born on the Island of Madagascar, and of Eng-
lish Blood, Plantain put must Confidence in him, and
intrusted him to raise Men for his Service; he fetch'd
over from St. Mary's Island about a thousand Men,
which stood by Plantain the best of any, and would
not flinch from him.
BUT Plantain was like to have been trick'd by
King Kelly of Mannagore, who brought 1000 Men
with him, and agreed for a certain Sum of Money to
fight for him, which Plantain very willingly imbraced,
and treated him as he did the rest of his Brother
Kings. But Kelly led off his Men, and retreated just
before the Battle, being afraid, that should he assist
Plantain, it might cause perpetual Wars between
152 GRKAT PIRATE STORIES
Kin^ Dick- and him. By this time there were four
or live other Kin^s come to his Assistance, who re-
senting many injuries they had received from Kin^
Dick, were resolved to demolish him if possible:
But they found a hard Piece of work of it. For
tho' Plantain had great Store of Riches, he could not
have a fresh Supply when that was laid out. Plan-
tain entertained his Brother Kings in a grand Man-
ner, and he caused a whole Bullock to be roasted
for their Entertainment. As to Liquor he let them
have but little, tho' they covet it very much, and will
drink any manner of spirituous Liquors, till it even
takes away their Breath; when they are drunk, they
love to sleep In the Sun. The Natives of Madagas-
car are very deceitful, on which account Plantain in-
trusted very few of them with Fire-Arms. Perhaps
he would distribute about 20 or 30 Muskets amongst
1000 Men, which were put only into the Hands of
those he could depend upon. They load and dis-
charge their pieces with great Expedition. I have
'seen a Negro at Massaleage take a Musket all to
pieces, and look well into the Lock before he would
buy the same.
KING Dick being positively resolved to fight,
sent to St. Augustine's, to desire Prince Williajn to
come to his Assistance, promising to serve him on any
other Occasion. But he thought proper to join Plan-
tain, who put his whole Army in Battle-Array, and
those he entrusted with Fire-Arms were intermixed
amongst those who had Lances. He had English
Colours at the head of his part of the Army; the
Party commanded by the Dane had Danish Colours;
IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS 153
and Adair the Scot had St. Andrew's Colours. Plan-
tain ordered the Scotsman should command on the
Right, and the Dane on the Left; having intermixed
several Englishmen amongst the Negroes, to keep
them up in their firing, and not to suffer any of them
to lie down. The Negro Chiefs take what Money
their Men have, and compel them to fight: They
seldom want Provisions; for Potatoes grow wild, and
Cattle are plenty without Proprietors, except that they
keep a few Cows for their own milking. When they
were on their March from Ranter-Bay to Massaleage,
King Dick was as good as his Word, met them half
way, and attack'd them; but after a smart Engage-
ment Plantain put him to the Rout, took some of the
Englishmen who had persuaded King Dick not to
comply with his Demand, and drove the rest quite out
of the Field; after which they dispersed, and shifted
for themselves as well as they could. As for the Eng-
lishmen he had taken, he ordered a great Fire to
be kept burning all Night, and the hot Coals to
be scattered about, and made them run to and fro'
barefooted upon them, and ordered the Negroes
to throw Lances at them, till by these Tortures they
expired.
AFTER this Success, he resolved to be revenged
on King Kelly, who had deserted him, and had been
join'd by Part of King Dick's scattered Forces. To
this end, he put himself on his March with his Forces,
and came up with Kelly; on which ensued a smart
Encounter, which lasted a whole Day, each Party
being supported by the English, some of whom were
on one side, some on the other. Plantain maintain-
154 GREAT PI RATI-: STORIES
Ing his Ground with great Resolution, the other Party
desired a Parley, hut was refused, and they continued
the right till it was so very dark, that they were
ohligcd to give over. They had a great Number of
Men kill'd and wounded on both sides, but they kept
a very good Guard, resolving to renew the light in
the Morning; and in the mean time Plantain en-
couraged his Men, by distributing some Brandy
among 'em. Kelly and King Dick seemed resolved to
defend themselves to the utmost of their power; but
early in the Morning Plantains Men attack'd them
with fresh Vigour, put them to the Rout, and took
many of them Prisoners; among whom were John
Darby of the Town of Chester, and William Mills
of Gosport, near Portsmouth; who were after tor-
tur'd to Death in a most cruel and inhuman manner.
Capt. England was now in great Distress, and could
not well tell how to live; but coming to Prince IVilliam
of St. Augustine's Bay, he there met with seven or
eight of his old Ship-mates, who supported him for
some time, and Prince JVilliam resolving to come down
to Plantain's Assistance, they agreed to accompany
him,
PLANTAIN, to make the most he could of
his Victory, pursued the Enemy over to the Town of
Massaleage; but found a stronger Resistance there,
than he Imagin'd; for he could not force the Town,
the Enemy firing from Houses, &c. which obliged him
to retreat. This so enraged Plantain, that he re-
solved to cut the two Kings of Massaleage and Man-
nagore to pieces, or put them them to the most cruel
Deaths whenever he had them in his Power.
IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS 155
THE Europeans who were dispersed about the
Island, came soon to hear of these Disturbances; and
some of them propos'd to attempt the taking of Plan-
tain's Castle; but the Place being guarded by Cannon,
and a River very near the Place, the Design was laid
aside.
I observed, at the time that the Salisbury lay at St.
Mary^s Island, the first Morning we were there, some
hundreds of Canoos go from thence to Ranter-Bay;
but who they had on board we could not be sure, tho'
some supposed they were full of White Men : But
the Account we had of all the White Men there, both
Dutch and English, was not near the Number there
seem'd to be. It was more likely that these Canoos
conveyed away the Treasure which Plantain, Adair,
and the Dane had concealed there, for fear of its
being discover'd. At that time they were on the
island of St. Mary, it being a Place they frequented
for Recreation or Pleasure, about ten or twelve Miles
distant from Ranter-Bay. The Night we lay there,
we were very watchful, keeping our People constantly
from the Poop, calling to them on the Fore-castle, for
fear the Natives in their Canoos should, conducted
by the Pyrates, make an Attempt to surprize us. But
they were more frighted at the sight of us, than what
we imagined, as we were afterwards informed. A
Man came on board the Shoreham at St. Augustine^s
Bay, who was a Gun-stock Maker, and had been
amongst the Pyrates. The Account he gave of him-
self was, that he shipp'd himself Armourer of a Ship
which sailed from London, but belong'd to Bristol, on
a Voyage to Madagascar, in order to procure Slaves.
156 r.RF.AT PIRATE STORIES
This Man (whose Name was Thomas Lloyd, who
formerly lived in tlic Minories, ) said he was left with
six more of their Men on the Ishind, and had suffered
very much by a petty IVince called King Caleb; that
had It not been for Prince fVilliam, they should have
been murder'tl. lliat when the Pyrates were there,
that Prince would not let them go out of his House;
for he told tliem, that the Natives were Rogues, and
that he was resolved to preserve them, two of whom,
however, soon after died. That these Pyrates lived
in a most wicked profligate manner, and would often
ramble from Place to Place, and sometimes have the
Misfortune of meeting some of the Natives, who
would put them to lingring Deaths, by tying their
Arms to a Tree, and putting lighted Matches between
their F^ingers; that they served two of his Ship-Mates
in the like manner, and would stand and laugh at
them during the time of their Agonies. This I think
was a just Retaliation to the Pyrates for the inhuman
Barbarities they are guilty of.
THE Natives here are very deceitful, seldom true
to their Promises, and no longer your Friends, than
you keep feeding them with such Presents as they
want. In their way of contracting Friendship with
each other, or any Stranger with whom they have a
mind to hold a Correspondence, 'tis their Custom to
come down to the Sea-side, and drink the Salt-water
together, and to swear by the same their faithful In-
tention to each other. This they are very sure to
keep, if such an Agreement Is entered Into by any
Number of them: For they Inflict a very severe
Punishment on those who any ways Infringe it. Plan-
IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS 157
tain had bound most of his Allies under this sacred
Oath of Fidehty, which King Kelly had also taken.
THE Wars between Plantain and these petty
Princes were carried on for near two Years; when
Plantain having got the better of them, put several
of his Enemies to Death in a most barbarous manner.
As to King Kelly, he escaped Plantain^s Fury as yet,
and fled for Port Dolphin, where his Brother was a
King; but Plantain sent over to him, and forbid him to
harbour him, for if he did, he would certainly destroy
his whole Dominions, as he had done those of Massa-
leage and Mannagore. But Kelly's Brother boldly
defy'd him, and sent him baclc a very resolute Answer,
resolving to defend his Brother's Cause. Kelly was a
bold and undaunted Man, and had on several Occa-
sions shew'd his Courage.
KING Dick, and all that belong'd to him, were
taken by Plantain; however the Lady on whose ac-
count these Wars were begun, prov'd to be with Child
by one of the Englishmen which Plantain had mur-
der'd. This so much inrag'd him, that he ordered
King Dick to be put to the same cruel Death as the
English and Dutchmen had suffered. He now was
resolved to march for Port Dolphin, as much to re-
plenish his Stores, as to be revenged on King Kelly;
who, conjointly with the Dane, had conceal'd a great
Hoard of Jewels and Money at Port Dolphin, in an
unfrequented Wood, which he was inform'd of by an
Intimate of theirs, who alone they had intrusted with
this Secret, and who had deserted Plantain.
W H E N I proceeded from Chimnah to Broderah,
after I had been taken by the Sangareens, there came
158 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
to Guzurat two Dutchmen and three Portugese; one
of the PortiKjcsr was named /hithony de Silvestro, and
had been brought up by Capt. W^esterhy of Poplar^
talked very ^ood I'luylish. I hey all came from Surat
to take on in the Moors Service, as many of the
English do. This Anthony told me, he had been
amongst the Pyrates, and that he belong'd to one of
the Sloops in Vircf'inia, when Blackhcard was taken.
He informed me, that if it should be my lot ever to go
to York River or Maryland, near an Island called
Mulberry Island, provided we went on shore at the
Watering Place, where the Shipping used most com-
monly to ride, that there the Pyrates had buried con-
siderable Sums of Money in great Chests, well
clamp'd with Iron Plates. As to my part, I never
was that way, nor -much acquainted with any that ever
used those Parts: But I have made Enquiry, and am
inform'd there is such a Place as Mulberry Island.
If any Person, who uses those Parts, should think it
worth while to dig a little way at the upper End of a
small sandy Cove, where it is convenient to land, he
would soon find whether the Information I had was
well-grounded. Fronting the Landing-place are five
Trees, amongst which, he said, the Money was hid.
I cannot warrant the Truth of this Account; but if I
was ever to go there, I would by some means or other
satisfy myself, as it could not be a great deal out of
my way. If any body should obtain any Benefit by
this Account, if It please God they ever come to Eng-
land, 'tis hoped they will remember the Author for
his Information.
AFTER Plantain had put King Dick to death,
IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS 159
and those Dutch and English who had fought against
him, he march'd to the King of Massaleages Domin-
ions, and found a great deal of Treasure at King
Dick's House, and great Store of such Sort of Grain
as the Island produc'd, which Plantain order'd to be
pack'd up, and sent to Ranter-Bay. As to the Inhabi-
tants, he sent great Numbers of them down to Ranter-
Bay, made Slaves of them, and caused them to form
several Plantations of Sugar-Canes, and after brought
the same to great Perfection. So soon as he had
cleared the Town, he caused his Men to set the same
on fire, and then went to King Kelly's, chief Town,
and did the same there. He found but little Subsis-
tence in all these Dominions ; for Kelly was a subtle,
sly Fellow who took care of himself; and so soon as he
found that Plantain was on the victorious Side, he fled
in the Night from his Associates, came to Manna-
gora, secured all he had of any Value there, and then
fled to Port Dolphin to his Brother, where he shel-
tered himself for a time, till Plantain came again with
an Army, and totally demolished both one and the
other; for he now tyranniz'd over the Natives all
over the Island. After he had burnt King Kelly's
Town, he came down to Ranter-Bay, bringing the
Lady before mention'd with him, which he accounted
the chief Trophy of his Victory; who tho' she was
with Child, he accepted of, and was much enamoured
with her. This Woman having chiefly been brought
up under the Care of her Father, who was by all
Accounts a very honest Man, and was by him actually
left behind at that Place ; he had taught her the Creed,
the Lord's Prayer, and the ten Commandments, and
160 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
gave her an Insight into the Christian Faith; but not
havinjj^ the Conveniency of Books, he could not so
fully instruct her as he ilesired. By this Wife, Plan-
tain has had several Children. When he brought her
to Ranter-Bay, he made a grand I''ntertainment, and
gave her the whole Government of his Household Af-
fairs, discharging several of his other Women. This
Eleanor Brown would often talk to him concerning
Religion, ask him after God; and according to her
Father's Directions, say her Prayers Night and Morn-
ing: On which account, Plantain used to say he had
now got a religious Wife; but yet took what she said
in good part. He cloath'd her with the richest Jewels
and Diamonds he had, and gave her twenty Girl
Slaves to wait on her. It was this Woman that Mr.
Christopher Lisle would have been great with; for
which Attempt Plantain shot him dead on the Spot.
This Lisle was the fourth Mate to Capt. Benson of
the Dazvson East-India Man; for I was sent on board
them off Mount Dilley, where he and the Captain
had some very high Disputes, on which the Captain
had confin'd him in Irons for a Mutiny; which Lisle,
together with an Ensign of the Guards design'd for
Bombay, had bred on board the said Ship. After I
had acquainted Capt. Cockburn of what Capt. Benson
alleged against them, the Captain sent me to fetch
them on board of us. The Commodore was inform'd
of this Affair, and he ordered that Mr. Christopher
Lisle should walk the Quarter-Deck on board of the
Salisbury (which was the Ship I then belong'd to) and
do the Duty of a Midshipman. When we arrived at
Charnock Point, Mr. Lisle run away from us the sec-
IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS 161
ond or third ti-me of his going on shore. At his first
coming on board Capt. Cockhurn, (who always had a
Regard for what Station a Man had serv'd in) he
desired, as he was a Stranger on board, that I would
let him mess with me : which I did, with the Captain's
Approbation. But soon saw he was not only a quar-
relsome Fellow, but one that was malicious, and sloth-
ful in performing his Duty. He said he was the
Nephew of Capt. Lisle of Stepney, who formerly com-
manded the Berwick Man of War. I had his Note
for Three Pound ten Shillings for Conveniencies he
had of me; for tho' he was an Officer on board the
Dawson, he was very bare, and had made away with
most of his Effects. The Captain alledged, that he
had broke open several Chests of Liquor in the Hold,
and had converted it to his own Use; which was after-
wards sufficiently prov'd against him. If he has any
Friends now living, who have never heard of his End,
this Account will be a Confirmation to them of his
fatal Destiny, being killed by the Hand of a pyratical
King, as mentioned before. They may find him stand
entered for his Majesty's Ship the Salisbury in the
Month of February i']2i—2, and run at Charnock
Point on the Island of Madagascar in the April fol-
lowing 1722.
NOW Plantain had taken a considerable time to
Irecover from his Fatigue, and recruit his Forces,
which at last he did, tho' not with the desired Expedi-
tion: And after he had made sure of the Treasure
he and the Dane had concealed, they got all things in
readiness, and went over to St. Mary'^s Island to Capt.
Avery''s Castle, and took from thence some Materials
162 GREAT PIRATK STORIES
which they wanted, and bcin^ join'd by his Allies, he
gave Order for his whole Forces to march for Port
Dolphin, but they were very mucfi fatij^u'd in their
way. Here young Capt. Avery, or Molatlo Tom,
as they generally call'd him, was of great Service to
him, and kept a regular Discipline amongst the Army.
This Molalto Tom was one that was so much fear'd
amongst them, that at the very sight of him, they
would seem to tremble. They often would have
made him a King, but he never would take that litle
upon him. He was a Man of tall Stature, very clean-
limb'd, and of a pleasant Countenance. He had
Hair on his Head, and no Wool; which I have often
admired at, having seen several of this Mongrel
Breed, who have all had Wool on their Heads. He
had long black Hair like the Malabar or Bengal In-
dians; which made me think he might be the Son of
Capt. Avery, got on some of the Indian Women he
took in the Moors Ship, which had the Grand Mogul's
Daughter on board. This is very probable; for he
said he could not remember his Mother, but that he
suck'd a black Madagascar Woman, which for some
Years he took for his Mother, till he was told his
Mother died when he was an Infant.
DURING the Season that Plantain was at his
Castle, the time was spent in great Mirth and Enter-
tainments amongst the English that were under his
Protection. Several new Songs were made in token
of his Victories, and at the End of almost every Verse
was pronounced, Plaintain King of Ranter-Bay; which
he seem'd mightily pleas'd with, as well as with Dances
perform'd by great Bodies of the Natives. After he
IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS
163
had destroy'd King Dick, and King Kelley, he estab-
lished two Kings in their stead, leaving them to re-
build and make good what he had demolished. They
were also tributary to him, and sent him in every
Month, a certain number of Cattle of all sorts that
the Places afforded; and they were to keep the Lands
in good order, and to pay him Tribute for all sorts
of Grain, Sugar-Canes, ^c.
WHEN we were at Mannagore, we had the
Opportunity of seeing several Entertainments by the
Women of that Place, who came down and offered
their Service to any that thought proper to accept of
them. They gathered every Night one Hundred or
more of them together, and formed a sort of hollow
Square, where they used to sing and dance in their
way. Amongst all these Women, they never have
above two or three Men who dance with them and
play on the Musick to them. This Island of Mada-
gascar is very safe for Travellers, there being no man-
ner of wild Beasts there to annoy them.
RAVENAU— GENTLEMAN-
ADVENTURER
[From The Moiiarchs of the Main by G. W.
Thornbury]
ON the ist of January, 1687, leaving their ships
in the hay of Caldaira, the Buccaneers cm-
barked 2(X) men in canoes and crossed to the
island of La Cagna.
Their treacherous guide, under the pretence of hid-
ing them in a covert, led them into a marsh, where
tlie mud, in the soundest places, rose above their
middles; five men sinking up to their chins were
dragged out with ropes tied to the mangrove branches.
The men, anxious for escape, lifted up their guide to
the top of a tree, to discover by the moonlight where
sound land commenced. But he, once at liberty,
skipped like a monkey from tree to tree, railing at
them and deriding their helplessness. They spent the
whole night in marching a hundred paces round this
marsh, and groped out at daybreak, bedaubed from
head to toe, with their fire-arms loaded with mud.
"When we were in a condition," says Lussan, "to re-
flect a little upon ourselves, and that we saw 200 men
in the same habit, all so curiously equipped, there was
not one of us who forgot not his toil to laugh at the
posture he found both himself and the rest in." In-
veighing against their guide, they returned to their
164
RAVENAU 165
canoes, and proceeded two leagues up a river to an
entrenchment, where they found the remains of two
vessels the Spaniards had some time before burnt,
at the approach of Betssharp, an Enghsh free-booter.
Guided by the barking of dogs, they surprised the
borough of Santa Catalina, and, mounting sixty men
on horses, entered Nicoya and drove out the enemy,
carrying off the governor's plate and movables.
They found here some letters from the President of
Panama, describing the doings of "these new Turks,"
how they had landed at places where the sea was so
high that no sentinels had been placed, and passed
through the woods like wild beasts. The letters
stated how much the Spaniards had been astonished
by the Buccaneer mode of attack — "briskly falling on,
singing, dancing, as if they had been going to a feast;"
they were described also as "those enemies of God
and His saints who profane His churches and destroy
His servants." In one battle, it says, being blocked
up, "they became as mad dogs. Whenever these irre-
ligious men set their feet on land they always win the
victory."
Landing at Caldaira the sentinels set fire to the
savannahs, through which they marched to Lesparso,
and towards Carthage, but retired, hearing of 400
men and an entrenchment. Hiding five men in the
grass, they captured a Spanish trooper, who had re-
viled them, and putting him to the rack, laughing at
his grimaces of pain, heard that Grogniet was in the
neighbourhood, and soon after they heard cannons
fired off, and were joined by him in three canoes.
He now told them his adventures at Napalla.
166 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
Three sailors, corrupted l)y the Spaniards, who had
taken them prisoners, persuaded him on his return to
visit a ^old mine, fourteen leagues from the sea-shore.
They luckily got there before the ambuscade, and took
some prisoners and a few pf)unds of gold, but 450
lbs. weight had been removed an hour before. At
their return they found the traitors and prisoners all
escaped. He then landed at Puebla Vieja and at-
tacked an ambuscade and entrenchment of 300 men.
Half of these fled, half were made prisoners, and
their three colours taken, the free-booters losing only
three men. P'ighty-five of his men tlien determined
to visit California, and he and his sixty men to return
to Panama. Grogniet now consented to join in the
French expedition, and, after taking Queaquilla, to
force a way to the North Sea. They landed and
burnt Nicoya a third time, and Lussan treats us here
with an amusing piece of Buccaneer superstition. He
says, "though we were forced to chastise the Span-
iards in this manner, we showed ourselves very exact
in the preservation of the churches, into which we
carried the pictures and images of the saints which
we found in particular houses, that they might not be
exposed to the rage and burning of the English, who
were not much pleased with these sorts of precautions;
they being men that took more satisfaction and pleas-
ure to see one church burnt than all the houses of
America put together. But as it was our turn now
to be the stronger party, they durst do nothing that
derogated from that respect we bore to all those
things." On their return the French had to force
their way through burning savannahs, but got safe to
RAVENAU 167
their ships, putting next day forty prisoners on shore
who were too chargeable to keep.
A new division now arose between the English and
French, and the former insisting on the first prize
taken, the two parties again separated, Grogniet stay-
ing with the former: making in all 142 men, Rave-
nau's party being 162, in a frigate and long bark.
Both vessels now tried to outsail each other and reach
Queaquilla first, but the French, soon finding the Eng-
lish beat them in speed, resolved to accompany them,
for they had so little food as to be obliged to eat only
once in every forty-eight hours, and but for rain water
would have died of thirst. Off Santa Helena, they
gave chase to a ship, and found it to be a prize laden
with wine and corn, lately taken by Captain David's
men, for they had been making descents along the
coast, at Pisca had beaten off 800 men from Lima, and
had also taken a great many ships, which they pil-
laged and let go. Having got to the value of 5000
pieces of eight a man, they sailed for Magellan, and
on the way many of the men lost all they had by
gaming. Those who had won joined Wilnett, and re-
turned to the North Sea ; but the losers, sixty English
and twenty French, joined David, determined to re-
main and get more spoil in the South. Henry and
Samms had gone to the East Indies. The eight men
of David's crew who commanded the prize joined
them against Queaquilla. Furling their sails to pre-
vent being seen, they anchored off the White Cape,
and at ten in the morning embarked 260 men in their
canoes. On the 15th they reached, at sunset, the
rocky island of Santa Clara, and on the i6th rested
ir,« c;ri:at firatf, stories
all day, weak fr(jm loii^ fastlnj^, in the Island oi La
Puna, escaping any detection from the forty sentinels.
The 17th they spent on the same island, and arranged
the attack. Captain Picard and fifty men led the
forlorn hope, another captain and eighty grenadiers
formed a reserve. Captain Grogniet and the main
hody were to make themselves masters of the town
and port, and the I'^nglish captain, George Hewit,
with fifty men, were to attack the smaller fort; while
1000 pieces of eight were promised to the first en-
sign who should plant the colours on the great fort.
They left their covert in the evening, and hoped to
reach the town hy dawn, but only having three hours
of favourable tide, had to remain all day at the island,
and at night rowing out, were overtaken after all by
the light, when a sentinel seeing them, set a cottage
on fire and alarmed his companions. Marching across
a wood to the fire, they killed two of the Spaniards
and captured a boy. Remaining in covert all day,
they thought themselves undiscovered, because the
town had not answered the fire signal, and at night
they rowed up the river, the rapid current carrying
them four leagues in two hours. All the 19th they
spent under cover of an island in the river, and at
night went up with the current, not rowing for fear of
alarming the sentinels. They attempted in vain to
put in beyond the town, on the side least guarded, but
the tide going out forced them to land two hours be-
fore day, within cannon shot of the town, where they
could discern the lights burning, for the Spaniards
burnt lamps all night. They landed in a marshy
place, and had to cut a path through the bushes with
RAVENAU 169
their sabres. They soon met with a sentinel, and
were discovered by one of the men left to guard the
canoes striking a light, against orders, to light his
pipe. The sentinel, knowing that this was punish-
able by death among his countrymen, suspected ene-
mies and discharged a paterero, which the fort an-
swered by a discharge of all their cannon. The Buc-
caneers, overtaken by a storm, entered a large house
near to light the matches of their grenades and wait
for day, the enemy firing incessantly in defiance. On
the 20th, at daybreak, they marched out in order, with
drums beating and colours, and found 700 men wait-
ing for them behind a wall, four feet and a-half high,
and a ditch. Killing many of the Buccaneers at the
onset, the enemy ventured to sally out, sword in hand,
and were at once put to flight. In spite of the bridge
being broken down, the pursuers crossed the ditch,
and, getting to the foot of the wall, threw in grenades,
and drove the enemy to their houses. Driven also
from this, they fled to a redoubt in the Place d'Armes,
and from thence, after an hour's fighting, to a third
fort, the largest of all. Here they defended them-
selves a long time, firing continually at their enemies,
who could not see them for the smoke. From these
palisadoes they again sallied, and wounded several
Buccaneers and took one prisoner. They at last re-
treated with great loss.
The Flibustiers, weary with eleven hours' fighting,
and finding their powder nearly spent, grew desperate;
but, redoubling their efforts, with some loss made
themselves masters of the place, having nine men
killed and a dozen wounded. Parties were then sent
170 GREy\l' IMRATF STORIES
out to pursue the fugitives, and a ^arrisf)n having been
put in the great fort, the Roman Catholic part of the
hand went to sing Tc Dciim in the great church.
Basil Hall describes Cuayacjuil as having on the
one side a great marsh, and on the other a great river,
while the country, for nearly i or> miles, is a continued
level swamp, thickly covered with trees. The river
is broad and deep, but full of shf)als and strange turn-
ings, the woods growing close to the water's edge,
stand close, dark, and still, like two vast black walls;
wliile along the banks the land-breeze blows hot, and
breathes death, decay, and putrefaction.
The town was walled, and the forts built on an emi-
nence. The houses were built of boards and reared
on piles, on account of the frequent inundations. The
chief trade of the place was cocoa.
The Buccaneers took 700 prisoners, including the
governor and his family. He himself was wounded,
as were most of his officers, who fought better than
all the 5,000 men of the place. The place was stored
with merchandise, precious stones, silver plate, and
70,000 pieces of eight. Upwards of three millions
more had been hidden while the fort was taking. As
soon as the canoes had come up, they were sent in
pursuit of the treasure, but it was too late. They
captured, however, 22,000 pieces of eight, and a ver-
milion gilt eagle, weighing 66 lbs., that had served
as the tabernacle for some church. It was of rare
workmanship, and the eyes were formed of two great
"rocks of emeralds." There were fourteen barks in
the port — the galleys they had fought at Puebla
Nueva, and two royal ships unfinished on the stocks.
RAVENAU 171
As a ransom for all these things, the governor prom-
ised a million pieces of eight in gold, and 400 sacks
of corn, requiring the vicar-general to be released to
go to Quito and procure it.
The women of the town, who were very pretty,
had been assured by their confessors that the Buc-
caneers were monsters and cannibals, and had con-
ceived a horror and aversion to them. "They could
not be dispossessed thereof," says Lussan, "till they
came to know us better. But then I can boldly say
that they entertained quite different sentiments of our
persons, and have given us frequent instances of so
violent a passion as proceeded sometimes even to a
degree of folly." As a proof of the calumnies cir-
culated against the ruthless conquerors, Lussan tells
us the following: — "It is not from a chance story,"
he continues, "that I came to know the impressions
wrought in these women that we were men that would
eat them; for the next day after the taking of the
town, a young gentlewoman that waited upon the gov-
ernor of the place, happened to fall into my hands.
As I was carrying her away to the place where the rest
of the prisoners were kept, and to that end made her
walk before me, she turned back, and, with tears in
her eyes, told me, in her own language — 'Senor, pur
I'amor di Dios ne mi como' — that is, 'Pray, sir, for
the love of God, do not eat me;' whereupon I asked
her who had told her that we were wont to eat people?
She answered, 'The fathers,' who had also assured
them that we had not human shape, but that we re-
sembled monkeys.
On the 2 1 St, part of the town was accidentally burnt
172 GREAT PIRATK STORIES
down by some of the men lighting a fire in a house,
and leaving it unextinguished when they returned at
night to the court of guard. Afraid that it would
reach the place where they had stored their powder
and nicrchamiisc, the hrench rem(jved ail the plunder
to their vessels, anti carried the prisoners to the fort;
but not till all this was done endeavouring to save the
town, a third part of which was, by this time, de-
stroyed. Afraid the Spaniards might now refuse to
pay the ransom, they charged them with the offence,
threatening to send some fifty prisoners' heads if they
did not pay them what they had lost by the fire. The
enemy, surprised at this, attributed the incendiarism
to traitors, and promised satisfaction. The stench of
the 900 dead carcases, still lying unburied up and
down the town, now producing a pestilence, the Buc-
caneers dismounted and spiked the cannon, and carried
off the 500 prisoners to their ships, anchoring at Puna.
Captain Grognlet died of his wounds soon after this re-
moval. The Spaniards obtaining four days' further
respite, and then still further delaying the ransom, the
adventurers made the prisoners throw dice for their
lives, and cutting off the heads of four, sent them to
Queaquilla, threatening further deaths. They were
now joined by Captain David and a prize he had lately
taken. He was planning a descent on Paita, to obtain
refreshments for some men wounded in a fight with a
Spanish ship, the Catalina, off Lima. They fought for
two days, David's men, being drunk, constantly get-
ting to leeward, and failing twenty times In an attempt
to board. The Spaniards, gaining courage from these
failures, hoisted the bloody flag; but the third day.
RAVENAU 173
David, getting sober, got his tackle and rigging in
good order, got properly to windward, and bore down
with determination. The enemy in terror ran ashore,
and went to pieces in two hours. Two men were
saved by a canoe, and said that their captain had had
his thigh shot off by a cannon ball. David's ship,
wanting refitting, was employed to cruise in the bay to
prevent surprises from the Spaniards. By a letter
taken from a courier, they found that the people of
Queaquilla were only endeavouring to obtain time.
The Buccaneers spent thirty days on the island of
La Puna, living on the luxurious food brought from
Queaquilla, and employing the prisoners with lutes,
theorbos, harps, and guitars, to delight them by per-
petual concerts and serenades. Lussan says, "Some
of our men grew very familiar with our women pris-
oners, who, without offering them any violence, were
not sparing of their favours, and made appear, as I
have already remarked, that after they came once to
know us, they did not retain all the aversion for us
that had been inculcated into them when we were
strangers unto them. All our people were so
charmed with this way of living that they forgot their
past miseries, and thought not more of danger from
the Spaniards than if they had been in the middle of
Paris."
Ravenau also treats us with his own personal love
adventure, which we insert as a curious illustration of
the vicissitudes of a South Sea adventurer's life.
"Amongst the rest," he says, "myself had one pretty
adventure. Among the other prisoners we had a
young gentlewoman, lately become a widow of the
174 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
treasurer of the town, who was slain when it was
taken. Now this woman appeared so far comforted
for her loss, out of an hard-heartedness tliey have in
this country one for another, that she proposed to hide
me and herself in some corner of the island till our
people were gone, and that then she would bring me
to Qucaquilla to marry her, that she would procure
me her husband's office, and vest me in his estate,
which was very great. When I had returned her
thanks for such obliging offers, I gave her to under-
stand that I was afraid her interest had not the mas-
tery over the Spaniards' resentments; and that the
wounds they had received from us were yet too fresh
and green for them easily to forget them. She went
about to cure me of my suspicion, by procuring se-
cretly, from the governor and chief officers, promises
under their hands how kindly I should be used by
them. I confess I was not a little perplexed here-
with, and such pressing testimonies of goodwill and
friendship towards me brought me, after a little con-
sultation with myself, into such a quandary, that I did
not know which side to close with ; nay, I felt myself,
at length, much inclined to close with the offers made
me, and I had two powerful reasons to induce me
thereunto, one of which was the miserable and lan-
guishing life we lead in those places, where we were
in perpetual hazard of losing it, which I should be
freed from by an advantageous offer of a pretty
woman and a considerable settlement: the other pro-
ceeded from the despair I was in of ever being able to
return into my own country, for want of ships fit for
that purpose. But when I began to reflect upon these
RAVENAU 175
things with a little more leisure and consideration, and
that I resolved with myself how little trust was to be
given to the promises and faith of so perfidious as well
as vindictive a nation as the Spaniards, and more es-
pecially towards men in our circumstances, by whom
they had been so ill-used, this second reflection carried
it against the first, and even all the advantages offered
me by this lady. But however the matter was, I was
resolved, in spite of the grief and tears of this pretty
woman, to prefer the continuance of my troubles
(with a ray of hope of seeing France again), before
the perpetual suspicion I should have had of some
treachery designed against me. Thus I rejected her
proposals, but so as to assure her I should retain,
even as long as I lived, a lively remembrance of her
affections and good inclinations towards me."
After some negotiation with a priest, the people of
Queaquilla brought in twenty-four sacks of meal, and
20,000 pieces of eight in gold. On their refusing
more than 22,000 pieces of eight more for ransom,
a council was held to decide upon putting all the pris-
oners to death, but at last, Ravenau being in the ma-
jority, decided to spare them. They then took fifty
of the richest prisoners with them to the point of St.
Helena, and surrendered the rest on 22,000 more
being paid.
While at La Puna, the Buccaneers sallied out to
attack two Spanish armadillas, but not having any
piraguas to tow them to the windward, could only
cannonade at a distance. The French vessels were
much shattered, but no man killed. The next 4^7
they came to a close fight, both sides using small arms
176 (iRi:AT PIRATE STORIES
arul ^rcat miiis, but no Buccaneer was killed. The
Spaniards lost many men, and the blood ran out of
their scupper holes, but they still cried at parting, "A
la manana, la partida" — (to-morrow, again). The
next night the Buccaneers unrigged and sank one of
their prizes, and iittcd out another, manning her with
twenty Frenchmen, who wanted to leave David. \ he
same night four Spaniards seized one of the prizes,
and escaped to Queaquilla. Being now within half
cannon shot, the rival vessels pounded each other all
day; the French had their tackle spoiled, and sails
riven, and the frigate received five cannon-shot in the
foremast, and three in the mainmast, but had not one
man killed or wounded. The next day the Spaniards
hoisted Burgundian colours, and poured in volleys of
musket-shot, but neither party boarded. The ensuing
day the Buccaneer musketry was so destructive, that
the Spaniards closed their port-holes and bore up to
the wind. That day the French received sixty shots
in their sides, two-thirds between wind and water, the
rigging was torn, and Ravenau and another man were
wounded. At night the Spaniards failed in an at-
tempt to board. We spent this night at anchor, says
Lussan, to stop our cannons' mouths, which otherwise
might have sent us into the deep. To his astonish-
ment, the next morning the armadillas had fled. Dur-
ing these successive days' fighting, the governor and
officers of Queaquilla had been brought on deck to wit-
ness the defeat of their countrymen.
They then set their prisoners ashore and divided
the plunder, the whole amounting to 500,000 pieces
of eight, or 15,000,000 livres, and in shares to 400
RAVENAU 177
pieces of eight a man. The uncoined gold and the
precious stones being of uncertain value were sold by
auction, that those who had silver and had won in
gambling might buy. All who expected an overland
expedition were anxious for jewels, as more portable
and less heavy than silver. They sought now in their
descent for nothing but gold and jewels, quite disre-
garding silver as a mean metal and heavy to carry.
They even left many things in Queaquilla, and neg-
lected to send a canoe for the lOO caons of coined
silver (ii,ooo pieces of eight in all) which had been
sent to the opposite river side. Taking advantage
of their indifference, Spanish thieves mixed with the
Buccaneers, and pillaged their own countrymen.
They landed at Point Mangla, and surprised a watch
of fifteen Spanish soldiers who had been placed to
guard a river abounding in emeralds. A few days
after they took a vessel from Panama going to Porto
Bello to buy negroes off the point of Harina. The
French fleet was next attacked by a Spanish galley and
two piraguas. From a prisoner they heard of 300
Frenchmen, who had defeated 600 Spaniards and
killed their leader in the savannahs. While ca-
reening in the bay of Mapalla they were joined by
these men, who proved to be part of Grogniet's
men, who had left their companions on the coast
of Acapulco, refusing to go further towards Cali-
fornia.
The adventures next landed in the Bay of Tecoante-
pequa, and dispersing a body of 300 Spaniards, drawn
up upon an eminence, marched inland towards the
town, sleeping all night in the open air. Nothing but
178 GRKAT PIRATF STORIES
liunger and despair could have induced this attack.
The town was intersected by a great and very rapid
river, encompassed by eight suburbs, and defended by
3000 men. The Buccaneers forded the river, the
water up to their middles, and after an hour's fighting
forced the Spaniards from their entrenchment. In
two hours these men, enraged with hunger, took the
phice by hand-to-hand fighting, and eighty sailors then
dislodged the enemy from the abbey of St. Francis,
whose terraces commanded the town. Finding tlie
river was overflowing and no ransom cf)ming, the Buc-
caneers departed the next day, and landing at V'atulco,
took the old governor of Merida prisoner, and ob-
tained some provisions. They also landed at Mueme-
luna and victualled, the Spaniards having strong
entrenchments, but making little resistance. They
found upon the shore the musket and dead body of a
sailor of a frigate that had attempted to land a month
before. The Spaniards had not seen the body, or they
would have cut in pieces or burnt it, as they were in the
habit of even digging up the Buccaneers buried on their
shores. At Sansonnat they landed in the face of
600 Spaniards to fill their water-casks, being faint
from thirst. One of the men, more impatient than
the rest, and goaded by four days' drought, swam
ashore and was drowned, without any being able to
help him.
They now .held serious councils about the return by
land. The prisoners declared their best way was by
Segovia, where they would only meet 5000 or 6000
Spaniards, and that the way was easy for the sick and
wounded. The French determined to land and ob-
RAVEN AU 179
tain more certain information, and this was one of the
most daring of their adventures. They landed sev-
enty men, and marched two days without meeting any-
body, upon which eighteen, less weary than the rest,
tramped on and soon got Into a high road. Captur-
ing three horsemen, they learnt that they were but a
quarter of a league distant from Chiloteca, a little
town with about 400 white Inhabitants, besides ne-
groes, Indians, and mulattoes, who were not aware
of their approach. Afraid to waste time in running
back, after their companions, they entered the town,
frightened the Spaniards, and took the Teniente and
fifty others prisoners. Had there not been horses
ready mounted, on which they made their escape, the
enemy would, every man, have submitted to be bound,
being overcome with a panic fear, and believing the
enemy very numerous. They learned from the pris-
oners that the Panama galley lay waiting for them
at Caldaira, and the St. Lorenzo, with thirty guns, at
Realegua. They also said that 600 men would be
in the town by the next day. The Spaniards now be-
gan to rally, and compelled the Buccaneers to entrench
themselves in the church. The prisoners, seeing them
hurry in, and thinking them hard pressed, ran to a pile
of arms and prepared to make a resistance; but the
Buccaneers, retreating to the doors, fired at the crowd
till only four men and their wives were left alive.
They then mounted horses and retreated, carrying off
four prisoners of each sex, and firing at a herald who
tried to parley. Joining their companions, whom
they found resting at a hatto, they made a stand and
drove back 600 Spaniards.
180 GRFAT PIRATE STORIES
The statements of the prisoners Increased their
fears of the overland route, hut determining rather to
die sword in hand than to pine away with hunger, they
at once resolved upon their design. Running all the
vessels ashore but the galley and piraguas, which
would take them from the island to the mainland,
leaving no other means of escape to the timorous,
they formed four companies of seventy men, choosing
ten men from each as a forlorn hope, to be relieved
every morning. Those who were lamed were to have,
as formerly, looo pieces of eight, the horses were to
be kept for the crippled and wounded. The strag-
glers who were wounded were to have no reward,
whilst violence, cowardice, and drunkenness were to
be punished. While maturing their plans, a Spanish
vessel approached, and anchoring, began to fire at the
grounded vessels, and soon put them out of a condi-
tion to sail. Afraid of losing their piraugas, the
Buccaneers sent their prisoners and baggage to some
flats behind the island. The next day, the French-
men, sheltering themselves behind the rocks that ran
out to sea, kept the vessel at a distance; but now
afraid of total destruction, the Buccaneers sent lOo
men to the continent at night to secure horses, and
wait for them at a certain port. On the next day
the Spanish ship took fire, and put out to sea to ex-
tinguish the flames. The next day the Buccaneers
escaped by a stratagem. Having spent the whole
night in hammering the vessel, as if careening, to pre-
vent all suspicion of their departure, they charged
all their guns; grenades, and four pieces of cannon,
and tied to them pieces of lighted matches of various
RAVENAU 181
lengths, in order to keep up an alarm throughout the
night. In the twilight they departed as secretly
as they could, the prisoners carrying the surgeons'
medicines, the carpenters' tools, and the wounded
men.
On the 1st of January, 1688, the Buccaneers ar-
rived on the continent. On the evening of the same
day the men joined them with sixty-eight horses and
several prisoners, all of whom dissuaded them in vain
from attempting to go by Segovia, where the Span-
iards were fully alarmed. The men, nothing de-
terred, packed up each his charge, and thrust their
silver and ammunition into bags. Those who had too
much to carry, gave it to those who had lost theirs by
gaming, promising them half in "case it should please
God to bring them safe to the North Sea." Ravenau
de Lussan tells us his charge was lighter but not less
valuable than the others, as he had converted 30,000
pieces of eight into pearls and precious stones. "But
as the best part of this," he says, "was the product of
luck I had at play, some of those who had been losers,
as well in playing against me as others, becoming
much discontented at their losses, plotted together to
the number of seventeen or eighteen, to murder those
who were richest amongst us. I was so happy as to
be timely advertised of it by some friends, which did
not a little disquiet my mind, for it was a very diffi-
cult task for a man, during so long a journey, to be
able to secure himself from being surprised by those
who were continually in the same company, and with
whom we must eat, drink, and sleep, and who could
cut off whom they pleased of us in the conflicts they
182
GREAT PIRATE STORIES
might have with the Spaniards, by shooting us in the
hurry." To frustrate this scheme, Ravcnau there-
fore divided his treasure among several men, and by
this means removed a weight both from his mind and
body.
THE CORSAIRS
From "Mr. Roberts, his Voyage to the Levant," by
John Roberts]
Mr. Roberts his Voyage to the Levant, with an Ac-
count of his sufferings amongst the Corsairs, their
Villanous way of Living, and his Description of the
Archipelago Islands.
Together with his Relation of Taking, and Retaking
of Scio in the year 1696.
I WAS cast away June 12. 1692. In the Haven of
Nio, in his Majesties hired ship, the Arcana-
Gally, which sunk, as it was there Careening.
Having lost a considerable value In her, I was in hopes
to get part of my loss again, our Ship being sunk in
but 17 foot Water: So I stayed behind, but most of our
Men went away in a French Prize we had taken. The
next day I agreed with a Greek to carry me for Scio,
from whence I could get passage for Smirna, and so
Transport my self home again. But the third day
being June the i^th, I was frustrated of my design;
for a Crusal or Corsair coming Into the Harbor, he
immediately sent his Boat ashoar, where meeting with
five more of our Men, who were also left behind, he
soon with fair words got them on board; who presently
told him of me. So ashoar they came, in search of
m.e; and one of them being a Genuese, soon found me.
183
184 (;k1':at pirate stories
Upon our meeting, he saluted me with a kiss, and
callcii mc by niy Name, having learned it of our Men;
for I never saw hirn in my Life before. He invited
me to drink, which I refused, as partly knowing his
ilesign; and I had heard how miserably Men lived in
a Crusal. Seeing therefore tliat all his Wits would
not take, he left me. In the I'',vening came to me an
Enyiish Man, who had sailed in her 8 years, his Name
was Dawes, he was a Native of Saltash in Cornwall,
whom we had taken out of this Crusal, before our Ship
was lost: But he, like a Dog returning to his Vomit,
went on board again; where he yet remains, for ought
I know. Then came a Dane, and he strove to wheedle
me: After him a Livorneze with a Letter from the
Captain, promising me great Rewards, if I would come
on board and be his gunner; all which I utterly re-
fused, and denyed: So that June the iStli, coming to
the Water-side to Embark for Scio, there came out of
the rocks 12 Rogues, whereof this Dawes was one, laid
hold of me, and carryed me on board on the Star-board
side; where I no sooner ascended, but came a fellow
and clapped a chain on my Legg, and no one spoke to
me one word. Neitlier did I see any Captain in five
days time, but then he called to me, and asked me to
serve him, which I utterly denied: Whereupon he called
me Dog, and said he would make me leave my Lu-
theran bones in the Archipelago, for pretending to go
to Turkey to betray him. I answered, I had no such
thoughts, neither knew I how to go about it; but I
knew that the Greeks Traded with the Turks daily,
and could give them intelligence; and that for my part,
I had never been in Turkey in my life, but all my plead-
THE CORSAIRS 185
ing was in vain: For he knew that in these poor dis-
tressed Isles, was no more Justice to be had, than what
his accursed self would allow, so that I was forced to
remain there. Money he offered me, to the value of
ten Dollars, but them I was advised to refuse, by a
friend who assured me, if I took none, he would in a
short time let me go : So to Sea we went, where he
knockt off my Chains, and ordered me to cunn the
Ship, in which station I continued for three Months.
Crusal is a word, mistakingly used, for Corsair; which
in English signifies a Privateer; wherein we acted our
part, not in taking Turkish Vessels, but Greek Saicks,
or any small Ships that came in our way. When I had
spent 3 Months in this unpleasing Traffick, I was pre-
ferred forsooth to be Mr. Gunner, but God knows
it came upon me by compulsion; for the Captain hav-
ing first beat the old Livorneze Gunner severely, who
was a Man of 60 years of Age, he commanded me into
the Gun-room, to take the charge of what was there;
which with an unwilling willingness I did, and con-
tinued there till I made my escape; before which I shall
give a little account in the mean time, of my manner of
living. The first three Months I Eat with the Lieu-
tenant, and afterwards with the Captain, it being the
Italian Custom in all Ships : Who while I was Gunner,
would often tell me, I should have all the Patereroes
we took, which was really my due; tho for 35 Pater-
eroes and 70 Chambers, I never had any more than
two Dollars, and seven Ryals, being all the Money I
ever saw for my sixteen Months Service. In the mean
while to make my Captivity (as I may say) as easie
as I could; I always imployed my self to Study, and
180 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
liaviiifj; a Greek Boy allowed mc, that spake Turkish,
Greek, and Italian, (of the latter whereof, I was al-
most Master ere I came here) I did by the Boys means,
jj;et an insight in the other two: Besides which, my
way of living was such, that I always took great notice
wheresoever I went, of the Isles, Ports, Roads, and
Soundings, and set down the same constantly in writ-
ing, which added to my I*lxperience ; and made me pass
away the time so much the more pleasantly: But to
shew you the life of a poor Saylor here, I am sure no-
thing can paralell it for the badness thereof : When they
are in Port, they have the Ballast to heave out and in,
and fetch burthens of Wood, and Barricades of water
a large half Mile on their Backs; and when that is not
always to do, they are otherwise constantly imploy'd
to carry one Anchor out, and to get the other on
Board; to shift the fasts on shoar, and then haul and
tug them up to Dry: In fine, they are never at rest;
and if our Labour was hard, our Fare was worse.
We had a Steward that had but one hand, and that was
the measure by which our Bread was measured three
times a day, and that was all we had: Only on Sun-
days and Thursdays, we had a kettle of Horse-beans
boiled, and well salted, and some times one quarter of
a pint of Oyl thrown on them, as they boiled. But
some insinuating fellows that complained to the Stew-
ard of some bodies Misdemeanor, whereof he might
have somewhat to tell the Captain, got a Sardinia,
which was a great favour: Note that a Sardina is a
small Fish like a Sprat, very salt. But otherwise while
we were out at Sea, we never had any thing but Bread,
only when we got on Rhodes or Cyprus, and had the
THE CORSAIRS 187
luck to steal some Cattle, which we often did; then we
got our guts full of Tripe, and Liver-heads, and when
the Flesh was kept so long for the Captain till It stank,
then we had that for our Food. As for the manner
of our taking a Prize, we generally run a Saick on
board with the Ship at once; then into her we jumpt,
and had time enough allowed us to Plunder: From
whence we returned on board with our Booty, and no
body molested us. But when we had been on board 3
or 4 days, and thought all was secure; then all hands
were called up fore and aft, and down went the Lieu-
tenant, Boat-Swain's Mate, and he that looked after
the Slaves, and ransackt all our Bags and Baskets
(Chests we had none, there being but one in the whole
Ship) and they brought all to the Captain: Who if
he found any poor fellow have got any one thing that
was worth a Dollar, or the like, he took it away; and
told him, he would bid the Steward put it up for him,
but he never sees it any more. So the poor Souls go
always Naked, only sometimes they get a few Rags,
that he cannot for shame take from them : But I
knew forty in the Ship, that swore they had not wore
Shoe nor Stocking In 8 years; and whose Lodging is on
the softest Plank they can find: You will moreover
find another sort of Gentry here, by which all this
Roguery is maintained: (viz.) Voluntlers. These are
a pack of Rogues which are kept here for that purpose,
and distributed through the Ship, to tell tales of the
rest. There is In every Ship about forty of them;
whereof one Gang eats with the Captain, another with
the Lieutenant, another with the Steward, and another
with the Boat-Swain: These are all at the Captain's
188 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
Devotion, whom he chiefly Trusts, and may safely do
it: For if they beat them, they will not go away, for
they are all Run-away's, some having merited the Gal-
lows, others Fire and Faggot for Sodomy, and some
the Galleys for Theft: So they dare not stir, being
here secure from all; and wiiat Plunder is gotten, these
Villains have it. Now you may wonder, that there
is never any Rebellion in these Ships; 'tis true, some-
times tliere happens a Mutiny, and whenever it does,
it is for want of their Complement of these Hell-
hounds: For where they are, 'tis impossible to do
any thing: For they are in and out among you Night
and Day, and if any one happen to say any thing a
miss, whip 'tis at the Captains Ears, and the Offender
severely punished; nay, it may be, clapt in Chains for
six Months together, below in the hold among the
Slaves, on the cold Ballast. Now you will say, why
not they run away when they go ashoar? But that
likewise is as 'twere impossible, for they will give them
liberty to go ashoar, on any Island in the Archipelago:
Melo excepted, whose Inhabitants there will not be
fooled by them. But on any of the other Islands, if a
Man deserts, the Lieutenant goes ashoar and lays hold
of ten or more Greek Priests (being the Men of most
Note) and carries them on board, who are hereupon
acquainted by the Captain, that they must send to their
Neighbours, and let him get his Men again, or he
would carry them to Sea with him in Chains: Upon
this, they immediately send on shoar, and away goes
2 or 3 hundred of the Natives in a drove, and leave
not a Stone unturned, till they have found the Run-
away and brought him on board; where ten to one,
THE CORSAIRS 189
but he is punished with the Strapadoe at the Yard-
Arm, and then for 8 or lo Months lies in Chains:
Others who have got privately ten Dollars by chance,
have given them to a Greek to hide them; but they are
so false, that for another Dollar, they will inform the
Captain where they lie, and he shall go to the place, and
find them him self; so the false Greek is not as much as
mistrusted.
As for the manner of their setting out first from
Legorne; they fit their Ship in the Mould, having got
some of these Rogues by friends out of Prison, some
out of the Baniard; others run from Genoa, and
abundance from Corsica, who fearing that Justice will
overtake them, if they stay there, they Embark on
board the Crusal, and having them there, the Ship is
half Manned: Then they haul out into the Road, and
they begin to decoy all sorts of People and Nations
they can pick up : Some of these Voluntiers coming a
shoar, [i.e.) them that dare come upon Land, go about
from one Tavern to the other, seeking who they can
pick up; and having got a Prize they carry him to the
Captain, who kindly salutes him, giving him a glass of
Wine, and a clean Towel to wipe his Lips: And then
to strike a bargain, the Captain he speaks, and if any
of his Gang is near him, they affirm the truth to a thou-
sand Lies, The Captain tells him he has got a brave
Ship, and to be sure, 8 or lo Guns more than she can
carry, and that he does not want Men, but he would
carry more then his Company for Manning of Prizes;
assuring him, that he is to stay out but three years at
most, and in that time, no fear but they might get 2
or 3 thousand Dollars per Man. This allures the
190 GRKAT PIRATK STORIES
poor ensnared fool, and lie Is promised 50, 60, or 8c
Dollars, II lie he a brisk fellow: So he gives him ten
or fifteen In hand, and tells him he has no more Money
at present, than what he has occasion for, but bids him
go and view the town, and come again at his Leisure.
Away goes the poor fellow, thinking to give him the
slip, but he shall not budge nor stir, for he shall have a
Spy at his Heels constantly; Nay, eat and drink with
him, and shall not know it: And if he is minded to
be gone quite from thence, then he shall have the
Spirocs or Bailiffs ready to throw him into Prison, and
keep him there while the Ship Sails; and thence for-
ward he never gets one farthing more. But now if he
be pliable, and two or three days after comes for the
rest of his Money; then the Captain pretends to be
very busie, and sends one along with him to the water
side, where the Boat lies; and having not hands suf-
ficient to corry her off, he desires him to help, and at
the same time gives a seeming charge to the Coxon, to
tell the Lieutenant to let him come ashoar again with
the Boat for his Money, though the Coxon had another
private Order before to detain him. So that when
he is got once a board, he sees no more Shoar nor
Money. As for the way how the Corsair gets his
Provision in the Arches, being commonly little more
than bread : He makes the Greeks bring him the same
from Island to Island at his own price, and they must
do it, though they have none left for themselves; and
for other Provision, he gets the same out of Prizes,
as he does also his Rigging and Cables: And towards
Winter, when he has a mind to lie up, then he brings a
Prize in with him. Careens his Ship, and rips up the
THE CORSAIRS 191
Prize to Repair her; so that if an old Ship comes intc
the Arches, and stays out twenty year, she is a far bet
ter Ship when she goes home, then when she went out:
And for their powder, they get it from French Mer-
chant-Men at Melo, or else from the Venetian Ar-
mado.
Next I shall say somewhat concerning the Wintering
and places of Cruising all times of the year: They
lie up commonly at Paris, Anteparis, Nio, and Melo;
from the middle of December, to the beginning of
March; and then they go for the Furnoes, and lie
there under the high Land hid, having a watch on the
Hill with a little Flag, whereby they make a Signal,
if they see any Sail : They slip out and lie athwart the
Boak of Samos, and take their Prize; they lie in the
same nature under Necaria, and Gadronise, and Lep-
piso in the Spring, and fore-part of the Summer :
Then for the middle of Summer, they ply on the
Coast of Cyprus; and if they hear the least noise of
any Algerines and grand Turks Ships at Rhodes, away
they scour for the Coast of Alexandria and Damiata,
being shole Water, well knowing the Turks will
not follow them thither. The latter part of the Sum-
mer, they come stealing on the Coast of Syria, where
they do most mischief with their Feleucca, which com-
monly Rows with 12 Oars, and carries 6 Sitters: For
at Night they leave the Ship, and get under the shoar
before Day, and hide the Feleucca in a hole, and go
all ashoar, where they way-lay the Turks, and take
sometimes a Dozen of them at a time, whom they
bring on board the Ship, and so sail away to those
places where these Turks live, {viz.) to 2 ripoly-Soria,
192 grilAT pi rati-: stories
.lappa, Ca'ipha, St. John de Acres, Sidon, or Barute,
ami come to an Anchor without (jun-shot when they
hoist a white Mnsij^n, and fire a (jun : Hereupon the
Turks will come off and treat with them, for the Re-
demption of tlicir Slaves. I'rom hence towards the
Autumn they come lurkinj^ in about the Islands, to and
fro about the Boakes again, till they put in also to lie
up in the Winter. As for the Prizes they make; if
they take a Saick coming from the Black Sea laden with
Wood, which they call light Prizes; they carry them
to Paris or Melo, where they soon dispatch them:
But if they take one coming from Alexandria Laden
with Rise, Coffee, Sugar, Lentils, Linnen, ^c. then all
the Island is allarmed, and happy is he that can come
first, to bestow his Talent. Then the poor Saylors it
may be, steal a measure or two of Lentils or Rise, and
save it as if it were so much gold : I have given an
account before of their Diet, and for their Drink, it is
fair W^ater only, and nothing else, except when they
Row the Ship for half a day together in Chase, they
get a cup of Wine mixt with Water served to them.
As for the Number of Ships they used this Trade in
the Levant; what Guns, Colours, and Men they carred,
how long they had been out;
The St. Hellena wherein I was, had two Captains,
{viz.) Josepi Pretiosi, and Angela Francisco, both Na-
tives of Corsica: We had Lovorneze Colours, car-
ryed 20 Guns, 30 Patereroes, and 230 Men: The
Ship was out the first time nine Years when she re-
turned home and went again with one Captain Angela;
and has been out this time four years, with the same
Number of Guns, Men and Colours.
1
THE CORSAIRS 193
The Annuntiation was commanded by John Pera-
gola, a Native of Corsica, having Livorneze Colours,
22 Guns, 1 6 Patereroes, and 230 Men, the same had
been out 6 years.
The Caravel was Commanded by John Fecho, hav-
ing Portuguese Colours, 12 Guns, 8 Patereroes, 109
Men; and had been out 19 Years. This last is a Cor-
sicane too.
The Madona of Mount Negroa, was Commanded
by Captain Franciscine, a Native of Corsica, having
Livornese Colours, 16 Guns, 10 Patereroes, 160 Men;
and had been out four Years and a half.
St. Barbara was Commanded by Antony Sicar Pro-
vensal, and had French owners, he carried Venetian
Colours, 24 Guns, 12 Patereroes, 200 Men, and had
been out eight Years.
Here .were moreover three Maltese, but they dare
not stay out above five years; so that I cannot tell
whether they are there all now or no : The biggest
was called the great Cavalier, and was Commanded
by a Knight, having 36 Guns, and 20 Patereroes.
There is another of 14 Guns, and the little Cavalier,
Commanded by a Knight, has but 6 Guns, "12 Pater-
eroes, and 70 or 80 Men.
Now to come to the manner of the Corsairs, giving
an account to their Owners of any Prize taken coming
out of the Black Seas, Laden with Wood; they give
in an account only of a light Saick, although they make
Money of every Stick of it; and perhaps the Saick
shall give 50 or 60 Thousand Dollars to purchase her
194 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
Lading: But for anotlicr Saick, he may account ten
Thousand Dollars, if in company with another Ship;
if the Captain he hut new made, who for that reason
is willing to shew himself Fortunate at first to his
Owners, and thereupon gets Encouragement, and is
reckoned a Gallantliuomo, or an honest Man; though
afterwards he gets his Trade as right as the rest:
But when they take a Saick Laden with Rice, Coffee,
Sugar, &c. it may be of 250 or 300 Tuns Burthen, the
general way is, that the Owners have an account of a
Saick of 100 Tuns Laden with Rice, and 6 or 10 Bales
of Coffee; when, it may be, she had 80, 90, or 100,
as often they have on Board: And in pursuance
thereof, a French Statee is fraughted of 60 Tuns, and
sent for Leghorn with 60 Tuns of Rice and the Coffee,
the rest being charged for Provision, and given to the
Men, who poor Souls, have the least share. Then
also what Slaves are not able to Redeem themselves,
are packed off for Leghorn, but such as are able to do
it, there is never any account of them; which amount
perhaps to 50 or 60 in a year, more or less, for the
Money will flow in little room. After all, comes in a
large Bill, with Item for Tallow, Item for Pitch, Item
for Carpenters, Item for Provision, in General; Item
for Powder, Item for Small-shot, Item for Oacum,
Item for Cottoning, Twine and Rope, and I know
not what: But there are ten Item's, where there need
but one. However, by the long staying out of the
Ship, the Owner Is in the end a Gainer, by a continual
supply of Slaves, which brings him In dally Interest
THE CORSAIRS 195
and by the Men's being never paid their Wages.
Don Antony Paule, the chief owner in Leghorn, had
at least 400 Slaves which work'd about the Town
daily, and paid him so much per Week. The Truth
of this I can swear to, for our two Captains never
feared to let me know any thing, being a Foreigner:
And our Scrivener dying, I had the opportunity to
write several of their Item-BiWs (for they were afraid
to trust any other) many times; wherein among other
Extravagancies, they have charged 3 Barrels of
Powder being fired at a Statee, that we never saw.
For what concerns their Officers shares, small and
great, the same is as follows. The Lieutenant is put
in Master of the Prize, and has the Cabbin, and all
that is in it, Money excepted; and if he steals a little,
he is winked at, being it may be private to some of
their Intreagues. The Boat-swain is allowed the
Saick's Topsail, and he must allow his Mate the third
of it, and the Castiliane or Yeoman a third of that
again; they are allowed the Sheet-Anchor also, but
the Saicks have mostly great Grapling Irons, and they
get them: The Boat-Swain is allowed to sell Wine,
and no one else, till he has done, must do the like :
But then his Mate begins, who has the priviledge to
let out Cards to play, and receives 3 parees per Dollar
advance: But this only from the Main-Mast for-
ward; for the Voluntiers getting Money, are always
at Play, yet must keep no Cards of their own. When
the Liquor is spent, the Steward may begin his shew,
and the Serjeant has the priviledge of the Cards abaft
196 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
the Mast. The Steward, Chaplain, Scrivener, Doc-
tor, Carpenter, and Caulker, have their respective
shares out of a Store-room that is in the Saicks
Bow, called Camera de Sarica; and such poor Gunners
as I was, especially Foreigners, have the Patereroes
when they can get them. As for the Saicks, they have
usually several Cabhins forward, and a kind of a half
Deck abaft; all which the Men Plunder, after the
Voluntiers have done: But if they find any thing of
value, the Captain takes it, and gives it the Steward
to lay up, that it may not be stole from them; which
he perswades them it will be, if kept between Deck,
but himself is the Thief, for they never see it more, as
I have said already.
Having told you how he deals with the Captivated
Turks; I shall now proceed to shew how they use the
poor Greeks; they take in the Saicks First they
threaten the Master severely, especially of a Wood-
laden Saick, to make him confess what Money there
is; and then if they find him fearful and pliable, as
they generally are, they give him lo Dollars, and send
him away packing: But if he be Morose and Sullen,
then they plague him for 3 or 4 Months, and are not
afraid of his going to Leghorn to make his Complaint,
or that he can give any intelligence to their Owner,
how much Goods he had on Board, as not knowing
what a Bill of Lading Is: Only he has an old doting
Scrivener with him, who has only a Manifesto in gen-
eral, which they immediately get from him: But at
last he has his Liberty, however if they want Men, or
are going in to Careen, they will detain a Dozen of
THE CORSAIRS 197
the best of them: And if there is ever a Carpender,
or Caulker among them, he is fast in for his Life-time;
or if there be ever a fair-faced Lad among them, he
must stay to be a Comarada to some lustful Voluntario.
These Corsairs go sometimes in Consort two or
three together, but cruise in several Stations; and
when they come in, they share their Botty very justly.
And so it is, that if two or more Corsairs that are
not Consorts are near one Station, but out of sight
one of the other, yet if one takes a Prize, and the
other hears the Guns, and meets that which made the
Prize six Months after, he will have a Share accord-
ing as his Ship is, either more or less in bigness:
And they have this as an establish'd Law among
themselves, and do keep it to the utmost Punctillio.
But I think in all other things they are lawless: And
except I were again intangled as before, I should pre-
fer seven Years Slavery in Algier, as a far better
Choice than to live i6 Months In a Crusal: From
both which I pray God to deliver me and all Men.
The manner of Punishing Persons for petty Crimes,
viz. for staying or going ashore without leave, and re-
turning again of their own accord, (^c. is as follows,
They are brought before the Capstane, and seized
fast with a Crow of Iron at their Heels. Then a
Slave beates them with a Rope of two Inches thick,
on their bare Backs, until the Captain bids him leave
off: And when the Slave can lay on no longer, who
is all the while egged on by a Renagado Greek that
looks after the Slaves, the other takes him in hand:
And then the Captain next belabours him with his
Cane, who if he finds they do not perform their Work
198 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
Authentickly, Canes them all three without Mercy.
They use the same Method for him that is at Top-
mast Head; for if those that arc above Deck see a
Sail (which, by reason of the high Land, they often
do) before him that is aloft, then he is relieved and
brought to the Capstane; and his Due, according to
the Rigour, is 500 Blows, but he seldom escapes with
less than the best half.
Now I come to relate the manner of my Escape
from the Corsairs.
You must note, I would have put it in practice
sooner than I did, but I had all the while a little
Dutch Boy in my Company, that came out of England
with me in the Arcana Galley, and my Resolution was
to have liv'd and dy'd there, had I not got the Boy
away as well as my self: Which at last I did effect at
Noon day. For lying at Anteparis with a Prize, I
got ashoar, and lighting on a small Greek Boat, I
made him carry me to Melo, where I could be safe;
but there not being able to subsist without Money, I
set on a new Project, and having got another small
Boat for our selves, I was resolv'd to sail for Smyrna :
But herein I was frustrated again, for under Cherfo,
meeting with five half Galleys belonging to Stancu,
it appeared worse and worse for us: For now we
thought we should be sold to Matsa Mama at
Rhodes; yet It fell out better than we expected, the
Turks proving to be very kind, and never fettered us:
So we went for Samos, from whence having been now
five Days in their Custody, I, with the Boy on my
Back, committed my self to the Mercy of the Sea in
the Night and got ashore. But there being many of
'
THE CORSAIRS 199
the Turks, I was afraid to stir, and so lay In the
Crevices of a Rock 6 Days and Nights together, not
daring to move, for fear of being retaken; and all the
Sustenance we had there, was three Dew Snails, and
some Roots of wild Weeds. But at length we saw the
half Galleys go away, though by this time the Young-
ster was almost dead, and my self little better:
However, I could stand and go a little, but the Boy
was not able to budge. We were remote from any
Village, yet I would fain have carried the Lad to that
which was next, but we fell sometimes both together;
then I dragg'd him a ll<ttle way, but was so faint that I
was quickly forc'd to rest my self. Yet at length
meeting with a poor Greek, with one Ass laden with
Wood, and another unladen; after having some Dis-
course with him, (telling him who we were, and how
we came thither) he took pitty on us, and put the
Boy upon one Ass, and Me on the other, leaving his
Wood behind him, and brought us to the Monastery
at Samos. There for 12 Days the Friars took great
care of us, and saw us safely sent for Smyrna, by a
French ship : Where, God be thanked, I thought my
self in Paradise to be at Liberty; which I pray God to
preserve to every Man, and more particularly a De-
liverance out of a Crusal.
Being safely arrived at Smyrna, I could get never
a Voyage, save with the French, with whom I refused
to embarque, but waited with Patience, till at last I
obtained the Favour of a Passage with a Venetian
Merchant-Man, that lay here with Arragon Colours,
which they are free to Trade with, and was bound for
Leghorn, wherein we sailed from Smyrna, Decemb.
200 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
26. 1693. unci arriv'd at I.cyhorn, March the 19th
Ditto, being almost three Months on our Passage, and
were put hack to one hole or another 19 times; and
that added much to my Iixperience on the Coast of
Morea; which is call'd by the Inhabitants the King-
dom of Morea. This within this 13 Years was
wholly Inhabited, Governed, and Possessed by the
Turks; but all is now Conquered by the Venetians,
Governed by them, and Inhabited with Greeks and
Albane/,es: The chiefest of whose Towns and For-
tifications are as follows, vis, Castle Nova, St. Maura,
Castle Tiirneze, Corinth, Old and Ne-u; Navarine,
Modon, Coron, Napoli di Malvasia, Napoli di Ro-
mania, where all the Venetian Armada is kept, and
where the Camp Rendezvouses, when drawn up.
The City of Argos is at the Head of Napoli di Ro-
mania Bay, standing on a High Hill, but now it is all
level with the Ground, only one old Church is stand-
ing still, for a Memorial of what the Place has been.
Being now got to Leghorn with the aforesaid Ve-
netian, I there disbarqued, and having wrought 13
Months more for Experience, I shipp'd my self on
Board Captain George Littlefare, Commander of the
good Ship the Golden Fortune, bound for Smirna,
wherein we sailed from Leghorn, June 20. 1694. in
Company with Capt. Henry Mart of Bristol, who was
bound for Galipoli, in the good Ship the Leopard,
and at Messina parted; where we made a stay for
two or three Days and Nights, and then sailed away,
having a quick Passage as high as Napoli di Romania,
and the Wind overblowing N.N.E. We put into
that Port, where we found the Venetian Armado, was
THE CORSAIRS 201
a fitting out for some Expedition, and bound to the
Eastward. We tarried here till they sailed and put
out with them, which consisted of 22 Men of War,
•23 Venetian Gallies, 7 Malteze Gallies, 5 Popes
Gallies, 6 Venetian Galliasses, and 12 half Gallies and
Brigantines, 2 Bomb Ketches, and 5 Merchant Ships
with Provisions, Soldiers, Horses, and other Lumber,
as Field-Pieces, &"€.
When we got among the Isles, the Wind took us
short, and we all put in for Ferniia or Ferfnina, and
having a Slatch, we weighed from hence again, and
went for Andrea, all Hands aloft. There we an-
chored and staid ten days. From thence we sailed
for TinOj and having lain at that Place ten Days, there
came a Greek Boat on board of us; which was ordered
by Consul Raye of Smyrna from Scio to come in search
for us, having Letters to inform us, how all things
went, and that there was a Fr. Man of 36 Guns cruised
for us, between Cape Calaberno and Scio, and that
therefore we should continue with the Armado, till
farther Orders, which we did. This Greek Messen-
ger ask'd our Captain, where the Venetian Fleet was
going, but we answered him, we could not tell, though
we thought for Negropont. From us he went on
board the Captain General, and informed him, That
the Turks were all gpne from Scio to Negropont to
fortifie it, as suspecting the Venetians coming thither.
Whereupon this being Sunday, August 27. 1694. on
Monday Morning we weighed the whole Fleet, having
little Wind, and kept all our Sails furled, so that the
General commanded a Galley to tow each Ship, and
we bore away for Scio.
202 (iREAT PIRATE STORIES
Now the reason of our Towing was to keep our
selves furled that we mij^ht not be discovered from
Sc'to, the same heinji; from Tino but Twenty Leagues.
Insomuch that by 'I'ueschiy the 29tli of /liiyusl afore-
said, in tlie Morning we hiy fair under the 'I own, all
Hands, not discovered over Night, by the blind Ma-
hometans.
Now, as to tiic manner of taking this Place, it was
thus.
The Ships lay distant from the Town three Miles;
the CJallies within them, between them and the Town;
and the Galleasses right before the Town, the half
Gallies being here and there upon the Scout round the
Island, to keep the Turks from making their I'lscape,
As for us, we with our English Merchant Man, lay
abreast the Town, and saw fair Play.
On Wednesday {August 30.) in went the Malteze
and Pope's Gallies, and cleared the Suburbs to Land
their Men, which they did effectually with their Cushee
Pieces in an Hours time. And by two of the Clock
in the Afternoon they had Fourteen Thousand Men
ashore. Horse and Foot, and by Five of the Clock,
were marched round the Town and fought.
Thursday {August 31.) they got several Field
Pieces ashore, and fought all Day smartly.
Friday {September i.) they landed six Mortar-
Pieces, placed them to good Advantage, about Noon
began to Play, and Bombarded all Night, and on
Saturday all Day. They made several Breaches in
the Wall, yet the Turks held it out stoutly : But be-
fore Night they beat a small Out Fort to the Ground,
and 300 Turks being yet alive in it, came and sur-
THE CORSAIRS 203
rendered themselves to the Venetian. The same
Night about 1 1 a Clock, an unfortunate Bomb fell
into a large Magazine that was full thwacked with
Flax, Cotton, i^c. all which took fire, and burnt all the
East Part of the Town, the Turks remaining in the
Cittadel, which was in the middle of the Place; and
the Christians to the Westward: The Turks had
now the Fire on one side, & the Enemy on 'tother,
and 'emselves in the midst; which made their Case
such, that if they run to the one, they must become
Slaves, and if they continued there they would be
burned: So that this Horror caused them to slacken
their Hands, and to fire but now and then. The
Christians seeing that, fired faster than before:
However, they continued in this Posture from Satur-
day at II at Night, being the 2d, to Wednesday the
6th ; when they surrendered about 3 Afternoon.
Then the Venetians entred the Cittadel, and the Turks
came out. The Malteze hoisted his Standard at the
East-end, and the Popes General hoisted his Standard
on the West-end of the Town: But they had much
adoe to quench the Fire; and before 'twas quite put
out, above one third Part of the Town was destroyed.
What Men the Turks lost is not known, but the Vene-
tians loss was very small: Twelve of them that was
out upon a Party, the first Night were unawares beset
by about 100 Turks, and became a Prey to them.
The Venetians took In the Mould three Gallles, and in
them and the Town redeemed 2000 Christian Slaves:
But during the whole design, the Venetian Ships never
fired a Gun, nor were within Shot of the Place, no
more did the Galleasses neither; but soon after they
204 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
put to Sea, and chased the whole Turkish Fleet into
Smyrna; and had it not been for the Factory, could
have destroyed them every Ship: But some 3 or 4
Months after, the Fleets fought and the Venetians
had two I''lags sunk, besides a private Ship of 60
Guns: But how successful soever tlie Con(juest of
this Island proved now to the Venetians, they lost it
again in February following, and left 700 Slaves
ashore, and a Ship in the Mould of 700 Tuns, laden
with Ammunition, Field-Pieces, Bombs, efc. But I
being then at Smirna, saw it not, and therefore can
give no exact Account how it was acted.
From hence forward I used the Levant Voyages,
from Livorno, with the English and Dutch, until
April 7. 1696. I was pressed on Board His Majes-
ty's Ship the Glocester, and in her I came for England,
under the Command of Captain Tho. Poulton, and
arriv'd in the Dozens, March 6. 1696-7, being the
first time I saw the English Shoar in 5 Years, 5
Months and 19 Days time.
THE BUCCANEERS
[From "The Monarchs of the Main," by
G. W. Thornbury]
THE Flibustiers first began by associating to-
gether in bands of from fifteen to twenty
men. Each of them carried the Buccaneer
musket, holding a ball of sixteen to the pound, and
had generally pistols at his belt, holding bullets of
twenty or twenty-four to the pound, and besides this
they wore a good sabre or cutlass. When collected
at some preconcerted rendezvous, generally a key or
small island off Cuba, they elected a captain, and em-
barked in a canoe, hollowed out of the trunk of a
single tree in the Indian manner. This canoe was
either bought by the association or the captain. If
the latter, they agreed to give him the first ship they
should take. As soon as they had all signed the
charter-party, or mutual agreement, they started for
the destined port off which they were to cruise. The
first Spanish vessel they took served to repay the
captain and recompense themselves. They dressed
themselves in the rich robes of Castilian grandees
over their own blooded shirts, and sat down to revel
in the gilded saloon of the galleon. If they found
their prize not seaworthy, they would take her to
some small sand island and careen, while the crew
helped the Indians to turn turtle, and to procure bull's
205
206 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
flesh. The Spanish crew they kept to assist In ca-
reening, for they never worked themselves, but
fought and hunted while the unfortunate prisoners
were toiling round the fire where the pitch boiled, or
the turtle was stewing. The Ilibustiers divided the
spoil as soon as each one had taken an oath that noth-
ing had been secreted. When the ship was ready for
sea, they let the Spaniards go, and kept only the
slaves. If there were no negroes or Indians, they re-
tained a few Spaniards to wait upon them. If the
prisoners were men of consequence, they detained
them till they could obtain a ransom. Every Flibus-
tier brought a certain supply of powder and ball for
the common stock. Before starting on an expedition
it was a common thing to plunder a Spanish hog-yard,
where a thousand swine were often collected, sur-
rounding the keeper's lodge at night, and shooting
him If he made any resistance. The tortoise fisher-
men were often forced to fish for them gratuitously,
although nearly every ship had its Mosquito Indian
to strike turtle and sea-cow, and to fish for the whole
boat's crew. "No prey, no pay," was the Buccaneers'
motto. The charter^arty specified the salary of the
captain, surgeon, and carpenter, and allowed 200
pieces of eight for victualling. The boys had but half
a share, although it was either their duty or the sur-
geon's, when the rest had boarded, to remain behind
to fire the former vessel, and then retire to the prize.
The Buccaneer code, worthy of Napoleon or Jus-
tinian, was equal to the statutes of any land, Insomuch
as It answered the want of those for whom It was
compiled, and seldom required either revision or en-
THE BUCCANEERS 207
largement. It was never appealed from, and was
seldom found to be unjust or severe.
The captain was allowed five or six shares, the mas-
ter's mate only two, and the other officers in propor-
tion, down to the lowest mariner. All acts of special
bravery or merit were rewarded by special grants.
The man who first caught sight of a prize received a
hundred crowns. The sailor who struck down the
enemy's captain, and the first boarder who reached the
enemy's deck, were also distinguished by honours.
The surgeon, always a great man among a crew whose
lives so often depended on his skill, received 200
crowns to supply his medicine chest. If they took a
prize, he had a share like the rest. If they had no
money to give him, he was rewarded with two slaves.
The loss of an eye was recompensed at 100 crowns,
or one slave.
The loss of both eyes with 600 crowns, or six
slaves.
The loss of a right hand or right leg at 200 crowns,
or two slaves.
The loss of both hands or legs at 600 crowns, or
six slaves.
The loss of a finger or toe at 100 crowns, or one
slave.
The loss of a foot or leg at 200 crowns, or two
slaves.
The loss of both legs at 600 crowns, or six slaves.
Nothing but death seems to have been considered
as worth recompensing with more than 600 crowns.
For any wound, which compelled a sailor to carry a
canulus, 200 crowns were given, or two slaves. If a
208 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
man had not even lost a member, but was for the pres-
ent deprived of tlie use of it, he was still entitled to
his compensation as much as if he had lost it alto-
gether. The maimed were allowed to take either
money or slaves.
The charter-party drawn up by Sir Henry Morgan
before his famous expedition, which ended in the plun-
der and destruction of Panama, shows several modifi-
cations of the earlier contract.
To him who struck the enemy's flag, and planted the
Buccaneers', fifty piastres besides his share.
To him who took a prisoner who brought tidings,
lOO piastres, besides his share.
For every grenade thrown into an enemy's port-
hole, five piastres.
To him who took an officer of rank at the risk of
his life, proportionate reward.
To him who lost two legs, 500 crowns, or fifteen
slaves.
To him who lost two arms, 800 piastres, or eighteen
slaves.
To him who lost one leg or one arm, 500 piastres,
or six slaves.
To him who lost an eye, 100 piastres, or one slave.
For both eyes, 200 piastres, or two slaves.
For the loss of a finger, 100 piastres, or one slave.
A Flibustier who had a limb crippled, received the
same pay as if it was lost. A wound requiring an
issue, was recompensed with 500 piastres, or five
slaves. These shares were all allotted before the
general division. If a vessel was taken at sea, its
cargo was divided among the whole fleet, but the crew
THE BUCCANEERS 209
first boarding it received lOO crowns, if its value ex-
ceeded 10,000 crowns, and for every 10,000 crowns'
worth of cargo, 100 went to the men that boarded.
The surgeon received 200 piastres, besides his share.
The Mosquito Indians were the helots of the Buc-
caneers; they employed them to catch fish, and their
vessels had generally a small canoe, kept for their use,
in which they might strike tortoise or manitee. These
Indians used no oars, but a pair of broad-bladed
paddles, which they held perpendicularly, grasping
the staff with both hands and putting back the water
by sheer strength, and with very quick, short strokes.
Two men generally went in the same boat, the one
sitting in the stern, the other kneeling down in the
head. They both paddled softly till they approached
the spot where their prey lay; they then remained still,
looking very warily about them, and the one at the
head then rose up, with his striking-staff in his hand.
This weapon was about eight feet long, almost as
thick as a man's arm at the larger end, at which there
was a hole into which the harpoon was put; at the
other extremity was placed a piece of light (bob)
wood, with a hole in it, through which the small end
of the staff came. On this bob wood a line of ten or
twelve fathoms was neatly wound — the end of the one
line being fastened to the wood, and the other to the
harpoon, the man keeping about a fathom of it loose
in his hand. When he struck, the harpoon came off
the shaft, and, as the wounded fish swam away, the
line ran off from the reel. Although the bob and line
were frequently dragged deep under water, and often
caught round coral branches or sunk wreck, it gen-
210 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
erally rose to the surface of the water. The Indians
struggled to recover the bob, which they were ac-
custoiTieil to do in about a quarter of an hour.
When the sea-cow ^rew tired and be^an to lie still,
they drew in the line, and the monster, feeling the
harpoon a second time, would often make a maddened
rush at the canoe. It then became necessary that the
steersman should be nimble in turning the head of the
canoe the way his companion pointed, as he alone was
able to see and feel the way the manitee was swim-
ming. Directly the fish grew tired, they hauled in the
line, which the vexed creature drew out again a do/en
times with ferocious but impotent speed. When its
strength grew quite exhausted, they would drag it up
the side of their boat and knock it on the head, or,
pulling it to the shore, made it fast while they went out
to strike another. From the great size of a sea-cow
it was always necessary to go to shore in order to get
It safely into their boats; hauling it up in shoal water,
they upset their canoes, and then rolling the fish in
righted again with the weight. The Indians some-
times paddled one home, and towed the other after
them. Dampierre says he knew two Indians, who
every day for a week brought two manitee on board
his ship, the least not weighing less than six hundred
pounds, and yet In so small a canoe that three English-
men could row it.
If the fisherman struck a sea-cow that had a calf
they generally captured both — the mother carrying
the young under her side fins, and always regarding
their safety before her own; the young, moreover,
would seldom desert their mother, and would follow
THE BUCCANEERS 211
the canoe In spite of noise and blows. The least
sound startled the manitee, but the turtles required
less care. These fish had certain islands near Cuba
which they chose to lay their eggs in. At certain
seasons they came from the gulf of Honduras in such
vast multitudes, that ships, which had lost their lati-
tude, very often steered at night, following the sound
of these clattering shoals. When they had been about
a month in the Caribbean sea they grew fat, and the
fishing commenced. Salt turtle was the Buccaneers'
healthiest food, and was supposed to free them from
all the ailments of debauchery. The Indians struck
the turtle with a short, sharp, triangular-headed iron,
not more than an inch long, which fitted into a spear
handle. The lance head was loose and had the usual
line attached. Their lines they made of the fibrous
bark of a tree, which they also used for their rigging.
The manitee, or sea-cow, was a favourite article of
food with these wandering seamen. It was a monster
as big as a horse, and as unwieldy as a walrus, with
eyes not much larger than peas, and a head like a cow.
Its flesh was white, sweet, and wholesome. The tail
of a young fish was a dainty, and a young sucking-calf,
roasted, was an epicure's morsel. The head and tail
of older animals were tough, yet the belly was fre-
quently eaten.
Dampierre speaks of his companions feasting on
pork and peas, and beef and doughboys, and this
nautical coarseness was generally found associated
with occasional tropical luxuriousness. In cases of
necessity, wrecked sailors fed on sharks, which they
first boiled and then squeezed dry, and stewed with
212 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
pepper and vinegar. The oil of turtle they used in-
stead of butter for their ilumplinj^s. The best turtle
were said to be those that fed on land; those that lived
on sea-weed, and not on grass, being yellow and rank,
riie larger fish needed two men to turn them on their
backs. The Elibustiers also ate the iguanas, or large
South American lizards. Vast flocks of doves were
found in many of the islands, sometimes in such abund-
ance that a sailor could knock down five or six dozen
of an afternoon.
The Buccaneers' history is a singular example of
how evil generates evil. The Spaniards destroyed the
wild cattle, and the hunters turned freebooters.
Spain discontinued trading to prevent piracy, and the
adventurers, starved for want of gold, made descents
upon the mainland. The evil grew by degrees till the
worm they had at first trod upon arose in their path
an indestructible and devastating monster of a hun-
dred heads. First single ships, then fleets, were swept
off by these locusts of the deep; first, islands were
burnt, then villages sacked, and at last cities con-
quered. First the North and then the South Pacific
were visited, till the whole coast from Panama to
Cape Horn trembled at the very flutter of their flag.
The first Flibustier, Lewis Scott, scared Campeachy
with a few canoes. Grognet grappled the Lima fleet
with a whole squadron of pirate craft. The Bucca-
neer spirit arose from revenge, and ended in robbery
and murder. At first fierce but merciful, they grew
rapacious, loathsome, and bloody. Their early chiv-
alry forsook them — they sank into the enemies of God
and all mankind, and the last refuse of them expired
THE BUCCANEERS 213
on the gallows of Jamaica, children of Cain, unpltied
by any, their very courage despised, and their crimes
detested. At their culminating point, united under
the sway of one great mind, they might have formed
a large empire In South America, or conquered it as
tributaries to France or England, Always thirsty for
gold, they were often chivalrous, generous. Intrepid,
merciful, and disinterested.
A greater evil soon cured the lesser. The Span-
iards, dreading robbery worse than death, ceased in a
great measure to trade. The poorer merchants were
ruined by the loss of a single cocoa vessel; the richer
waited for t*he convoy of the plate fleets, or followed
In the wake of the galleon, hoping to escape if she
was captured, as the chickens do when the hen goes
cajckling up in the claws of the kite. For every four
vessels that once sailed not more than one could be
now seen. What with the war of France on Holland>
and England on France, and all on Spain, there was
little safety for the poor trader. Yet those who
could risk a loss still made great profits. This cessa-
tion of trade was a poor remedy against the sea rob-
ber: It was to rob oneself Instead of being robbed, to
commit suicide for fear of murder. It was a remedy
that saved life, but rendered life hateful. The Buc-
caneers, starving for want of prey, remained moodily
in the rocky fastnesses of Tortuga, like famished
eagles looking down on a country they have devas-
tated. To accomplish greater feats they united in
bodies, and made forays on the coast. They had be-
fore remained at the threshold — they now rushed
headlong Into the sanctuary, and they got their bread.
214 (.HEAT PIRATE STORIES
or rather other people's bread, by daring dashes and
surprises of towns, leaving them only when wrapped
in flames or swept by the pestilence that always fol-
lowed in their train.
We may chiim for our own nation the first pioneer
In this new field of enterprise. Lewis Scott, an Eng-
lishman, led the way by sacking the town of St. Fran-
cisco, in Campeachy, and, compelling the inhabitants
to pay a ransom, returned safely to Jamaica. Where
the carcase is tliere will the eagles be gathered to-
gether, for no sooner had his sails grown small in the
distance than Mansweld, another Buccaneer, made
several successful descents upon the same luckless
coast, unfortunate in its very fertility. He then
equipped a fleet and attempted to return by the king-
dom of New Granada to the South Sea, passing the
town of Carthagena. This scheme failed in conse-
quence of a dispute arising between the French and
English crews, who were always quarrelling over their
respective share of provisions; but In spite of this he
took the Island of St. Catherine, and attempted to
found a Buccaneer state.
John Davis, a Dutchman, excelled both his prede-
cessors In daring. Cruising about Jamaica he became
a scourge to all the Spanish mariners who ventured
near the coasts of the Caraccas, or his favourite
haunts, Carthagena and the Boca del Toro, where he
lay wait for vessels bound to Nicaragua. One day he
missed his shot, and having a long time traversed the
sea and taken nothing — a failure which generally
drove these brave men to some desperate expedient
to repair their sinking fortunes — he resolved with
THE BUCCANEERS 215
ninety men to visit the lagoon of Nicaragua, and sack
the town of Granada. An Indian from the shores of
the lagoon promised to guide him safely and secretly;
and his crew, with one voice, declared themselves
ready to follow him wherever he led. By night he
rowed thirty leagues up the river, to the entry of the
lake, and concealed his ships under the boughs of the
trees that grew upon the banks; then putting eighty
men in his three canoes he rowed on to the town, leav-
ing ten sailors to guard the vessels. By day they hid
under the trees; at night they pushed on towards the
unsuspecting town, and reached it on the third mid-
night — taking it, as he had expected, without a blow
and by surprise. To a sentinel's challenge they re-
plied that they were fishermen returning home, and
two of the crew, leaping on shore, ran their swords
through the interrogator, to stop further questions
which might have been less easily answered. Follow-
ing their guide they reached a small covered way that
led to the right of the town, while another Indian
towed their canoes to a point to which they had agreed
each man should bring his booty.
As soon as they arrived at the town they separated
into small bands, and were led one by one to the
houses of the richest inhabitants. Here they quietly
knocked, and, being admitted as friends, seized the
Inmates by the throat and compelled them, on pain of
death, to surrender all the money and jewels that they
had. They then roused the sacristans of the princi-
pal churches, from whom they took the keys and
carried off all the altar plate that could be beaten up
or rendered portable. The pixes they stripped of
216 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
their ^cms, gouged out the jewelled eyes of virgin
idols, and lianunered up the sacramental cups into con-
venient lumps oi metal.
This quiet and undisturbed pillage had lasted for
two hours without a struggle, when some servants, es-
caping from the adventurers, began to ring the alarm
bells to warn the town, while a few of the already
plundered citi/cns, breaking into the market-place,
filled the streets with uproar and affright. Davis, see-
ing that the inhabitants were beginning to rally from
that panic which had alone secured his victory, com-
menced a retreat, as the enemy were now gathering
in armed and threatening numbers. In a hollow
square, with their booty in the centre, the Buccaneers
fought their way to their boats, amid tumultuous war-
cries and shouts of derision and exultation. In spite
of their haste, they were prudent enough to carry with
them some rich Spaniards, intending to exchange them
for any of their own men they might lose in their re-
treat. On regaining their ships they compelled these
prisoners to send them as a ransom 500 cows, with
which they revictualled their ships for the passage
back to Jamaica. They had scarcely well weighed
anchor before they saw 600 mounted Spaniards dash
down to the shore in the hopes of arresting their re-
treat. A few broadsides were the parting greetings
of these unwelcome visitors.
This expedition was accomplished in eight days.
The booty consisted of coined money and bullion
amounting to about 40,000 crowns. Esquemeling
computes it at 4,000 pieces of eight, and in ready
THE BUCCANEERS 217
money, plate, and jewels to about 50,000 pieces of
eight more.
Thus concluded this adventurous raid, in which a
town forty leagues inland, and containing at least 800
well-armed defenders, was stormed and robbed by
eighty resolute sailors. Davis reached Jamaica in
safety with his plunder, which was soon put into wider
circulation by the aid of the dice, the tavern keepers,
and the courtesans. The money once expended,
Davis was roused to fresh exertion. He associated
himself with two or three other captains, who, super-
stitiously relying on his good fortune, chose him as
admiral of a small flotilla of eight or nine armed gun-
boats. The less fortunate rewarded him with bound-
less confidence. His first excursion was to the town
of St. Christopher, in Cuba, to wait for the fleet from
New Spain, in hopes to cut off some rich unwieldy
straggler. But the fleet contrived to escape his senti-
nels and pass untouched. Davis then sallied forth
and sacked a small town named St. Augustine of Flor-
ida, in spite of its castle and garrison of 100 men.
He suffered little loss; but the inhabitants proved very
poor, and the booty was small.
In making war against Spain, the hunters were mere
privateersmen cruising against a national enemy; but
in their endurance, patience, and energy, they stood
alone. In their onset — rushing, singing, and dancing
through fire and flame — they resembled rather the
old Barsekars or the first levies of Mohammed. But
in one point they were very remarkable; that they did
more, and were yet actuated by a lower motive.
218 GREAT TIRATE STORIES
Almost devoid of religion, they f(jught with all the
MKuIiicss of fanaticism against a people themselves
constitutionally fanatic, but already enervated by cli-
mate, by sudden wealth, and a long experience of con-
taminating luxury. The galleons of Manilla were
their final aim, as they gradually passed from the
devastated shores of South America to the Philippine
Islands and the coasts of Guinea. They had been the
instrument of Providence, and knew themselves so,
to avenge the wrongs of the Indian upon the Span-
iard; they were soon to become the first avengers of
the Negro. Long years of plunder had made the
Spaniard and the creole as secretive as the Hindu.
At the first intelligence of some terrified fisherman, the
frightened townsman threw his pistoles into wells,
mortared them up in the wall of his fortresses.
Laden mules were driven into the interior; the women
fled to the nearest plantation; the old men barred
themselves up in the church. Their first thought was
always flight; their second, to turn and strike a blow
for all they loved, valued, and revered.
The debauchery of the Buccaneers was as un-
equalled as their courage. QExmelin relates a story
of an Englishman who gave 500 crowns to his mis-
tress at a single revel. This man, who had earned
1,500 crowns by exposing himself to desperate dan-
gers, was, within three months, sold for a term of
three years to a planter, to discharge a tavern debt
which he could not pay. A conqueror of Panama
might be seen to-morrow driven by the overseer's
whip among a gang of slaves, cutting sugar canes,
or picking tobacco.
THE BUCCANEERS 219
Another Buccaneer, a Frenchman, surnamed Vent-
en-Panne, was so addicted to play that he lost every-
thing but his shirt. Every pistole that he could earn
he spent in this absorbing vice — so tempting to men,
who longed for excitement, were indifferent to money,
and daily risked their lives for the prospect of gain.
On one occasion he lost 500 crowns, his whole share
of some recent prize-money, besides 300 crowns which
he had borrowed of a comerade who would now lend
him no more. Determined to try his fortune again,
he hired himself as servant at the very gambling-
house where he had been ruined, and, by lighting pipes
for the players and bringing them in wine, earned fifty
crowns in two days. He staked this, and soon won
12,000 crowns. He then paid his debts and resolved
to lose no more, shipping himself on board an English
vessel that touched at Barbadoes. At Barbadoes he
met a rich Jew who offered to play him. Unable to
abstain, he sat down, and won 1,300 crowns and 100,-
000 lbs. of sugar already shipped for England, and,
in addition to this, a large mill and sixty slaves. The
Jew, begging him to stay and give him his revenge,
ran and borrowed some money, and returned and
took up the cards. The Buccaneer consented, more
from love of play than generosity; and the Jew, put-
ting down 1,500 jacobuses, won back 100 crowns, and
finally all his antagonist's previous winnings — strip-
ping him even to the very clothes he wore. The de-
lighted winner allowed him for very shame to retain
his clothes, and gave him money enough to return,
disconsolate and beggared, to Tortuga. Becoming
again a Buccaneer, he gained 6,000 or 7,000 crowns.
220 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
M. D'O^cron, the governor, treating him as a way-
ward chilli, taking away his money, sent him back to
France with bills of exchange for the amount. Vent-
cn-Pannc, now cured of his vice, took to merchandise;
but, always unfortunate, was killed in his first voyage
to the West Indies, his vessel being attacked by two
Ostende frigates, of twenty-four or thirty guns each,
which were eventually, however, driven off by the dead
man's crew of only thirty Buccaneers.
When the pleasures of Tortuga or Jamaica had
swallowed up all the hard-earned winnings of these
men, they returned to sea, expending their last pistoles
in powder and ball, and leaving heavy scores still un-
settled with the cabaretiers. They then hastened to
the quays, or small sandy islands off Cuba, to careen
their vessels and to salt turtle. Sometimes they re-
paired to Honduras, where they had Indian wives;
latterly, to the Galapagos isles, to the Boca del Toro,
or the coast of Castilla del Oro,
Some Buccaneers, Esquemeling says, would spend
3,000 piastres in a night, not leaving themselves even
a shirt in the morning. "My own master," he adds,
"would buy a whole pipe of wine, and, placing it in
the street, would force every one that passed by to
drink with him, threatening also to pistol them in case
they would not do It. At other times he would do
the same with barrels of ale or beer; and very often
with both his hands he would throw these liquors
about the street, and wet the clothes of such as walked
by, without regard whether he spoiled their apparel
or not, or whether they were men or women." Port
Royal was a favourite scene for such carousals.
THE BUCCANEERS 221
Even as late as 1694, Montauban gives us some
idea of the wild debaucheries committed by the Buc-
caneers even at Bourdeaux. "My freebooters," he
says, "who had not seen France for a long time, find-
ing themselves now in a great city where pleasure and
plenty reigned, were not backward to refresh them-
selves after the fatigues they had endured while so
long absent from their native country. They spent
a world of money here, and proved horribly extrava-
gant. The merchants and their hosts made no scruple
to advance them money, or lend them as much as they
pleased, upon the reputation of their wealth and the
noise there was throughout the city of the valuable
prizes whereof they had a share. All the nights they
spent in such divertisements as pleased them best; and
the days, in running up and down the town in mas-
querade, causing themselves to be carried in chairs
with lighted flambeaux at noon — of which debauches
some died, while four of my crew fairly deserted me."
This, it must be remembered, was at a time when
buccaneering had sunk into privateering — the half-
way house to mere piracy. The distinguishing mark
of the true Buccaneer was, that he attacked none but
Spaniards.
Of the Buccaneers' estimation of religion, Charle-
voix gives us some curious accounts. He says, "there
remained no traces of it in their heart, but still, some-
times, from time to time, they appeared to meditate
deeply. They never commenced a combat without
first embracing each other, in sign of reconciliation.
They would at such times strike themselves rudely on
the breast, as if they wished to rouse some compunc-
222 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
tlon in their hearts, aiitl were rujt able. Once es-
caped from danger, they returned headlong to their
debauchery, blasphemy, and brigandage. The Buc-
caneers, looking upon themselves as worthy fellows,
regarded the Mihustiers as wretches, but in reality
there was not much difference. The Buccaneers were,
perhaps, the less vicious, but the Flibustiers preserved
a little more of the externals of religion; zcith the ex-
ception of a certain honour among them, and their
abstinence from human flesh, few savages vcere more
wicked, and a great number of them much less so. '
This passage shows a very curious jealousy between
the hunters and the corsairs, and a singular distinction
as to religious feeling. Pere Labat, however, speaks
of the Flibustiers as attending confession immediately
after a sea-fight with most exemplary devotion. A
more important distinction than that made by Char-
levoix was that between the Protestant and Roman
Catholic adventurers, the latter being as superstitious
as the former were irreverent. Ravenau de Lussan
always speaks with horror of the blasphemy and irre-
ligion of his English comerades, one of whom was an
old trooper of Cromwell's; and Grognet's fleet even-
tually separated from the English ships, on account of
the latter crews lopping crucifixes with their sabres,
and firing at images with their pistols. A Flibustier
captain, named Daniel, shot one of his men in a
Spanish church for behaving irreverently at mass; and
Ringrose gives an instance of an English commander
who threw the dice overboard, if he found his men
gambling on a Sunday.
We find Ravenau de Lussan's -troop singing a Te
THE BUCCANEERS 223
Detim after victories, and CExmelin tells us that
prayers were said daily on board Flibustier ships.
It is difficult to say from what class of life either
the Buccaneers or the Flibustiers sprang. The plant-
ers often became hunters, and the hunters sailors, and
the reverse. Morgan was a Welsh farmer's son, who
ran away to sea; Montauban, the son of a Gascon
gentleman; D'Ogeron had been a captain in the
French marines; Von Horn, a common sailor in an
Ostende smack; Dampierre was a Somersetshire yeo-
man, and Esquemeling a Dutch planter's apprentice.
Charlevoix says, "few could bear for many years a life
so hard and laborious, and the greater part only con-
tinued in it till they could gain enough to become
planters. Many, continually wasting their money,
never earned sufficient to buy a plantation; others
grew so accustomed to the life, and so fond even of
its hardships and painful risks, that, though often
heirs to good fortunes, they would not leave it to
return to France.
The life of M. D'Ogeron, the governor of Tortuga,
is an example of another class of Buccaneers, and of
the causes which led to the choice of such a profession.
At fifteen, he was captain of a regiment of marines,
and in 1656, joining a company intending to colonize
the Matingo river, he embarked in a ship, fitted out
at the expense of 17,000 livres. Disappointed in this
bubble, he tried to settle at Martinique, but deceived
by the governor, who withdrew a grant of land, he
determined to settle with the Buccaneers of St. Do-
mingo. Embarking in a rlcketty vessel, he ran ashore
on Hispaniola, and lost all his merchandise and pro-
224 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
visions. Cjiving his engages their liberty, he joined
the hunters, and became distinguished as well for
courage as virtue. I lis goods sent from France were
sold at a loss, and he returned to his native country
a jK)or man. Collecting his remaining money, he
hired engages, and loaded a vessel with wine and
brandy. Finding the market glutted, he sold his cargo
at a loss, and was cheated by his Jamaica agent. Re-
turning again to France, he fitted out a third vessel,
and finally settled as a planter in Mispaniola. At this
juncture the French West India Company fixed their
eyes upon him, and in 1665 made him governor of
their colony.
Ravenau de Lussan illustrates the motives that
sometimes led the youth of the higher classes to turn
Buccaneers. He commences his book with true
French vanity, by saying, that few children of Paris,
which contains so many of the wonders of the world
(ten out of the eight, we suppose), seek their fortune
abroad. From a child he was seized with a pas-
sionate disposition for travel, and would steal out of
his father's house and play truant when he was yet
scarce seven. He soon reached La Vilette and the
suburbs, and by degrees learnt to lose sight of Paris.
With this passion arose a desire for a military life.
The noise of a drum in the street transported him
with joy. He made a friend of an officer, and, offer-
ing him his sword, joined his company, and witnessed
the siege of Conde, ending his campaign, still un-
wearied of his new form of life. He then became a
cadet in a marine regiment. The captain drained him
of all his money, and his father, at a great expense.
THE BUCCANEERS 225
bought him his discharge. Under the Count D'Ave-
geau he entered the French Guards, and fought at the
siege of St. Guislain. Growing, on his return, weary
of Paris, he embarked again on the sea, having
nothing but voyages in his head; the longest and most
dangerous appearing to his imagination, he says, the
most delightful. Travelling by land seemed to him
long and difficult, and he once more chose the sea,
deeming it only fit for a woman to remain at home
ignorant of the world. His affectionate parents tried
in vain to reason him out of this gadding humour, and
finding him only grow firmer and more inflexible, they
desisted.
Not caring whither he went, so he could get to sea,
he embarked in 1697 from Dieppe for St. Domingo.
Here he remained for five months engage to a French
planter, "more a Turk than a Frenchman." "But
what misery," he says, "soever I have undergone with
him, being resolved to forget his name, which I shall
not mention in this place, because the laws of Chris-
tianity require that at my hand, though as to matters
of charity he is not to expect much of that in me,
since he, on his part, has been every way defective
in the exercise thereof upon my account." But his
patience at last worn out, and weary of cruelties that
seenaed endless, De Lussan applied to M. de Fran-
quesnay, the king's lieutenant, who himself gave him
shelter in his house for six months. He was now in
debt, and thinking it "honest to pay his creditors," he
joined the freebooters in order to satisfy them, not
willing to apply again for money to his parents.
"These borrowings from the Spaniards," he says,
226 (.REAT PIRATE STORIES
"have this advantage attending them, that there is no
obligation to repay them," and tlicre was war between
the two crowns, so tliat he was a legal privateersman.
Selecting a leader, De Lussan pitched on De Graff, as
a brave corsair, who happened to be then at St. Do-
mingo, eager to sail. I'urnishing himself with arms,
at the expense of Krancjuesnay, he joined De Graff.
"We were," he says, "in a few hours satisfied with
each other, and became such friends as those are wont
to be who are about to run the same risk, of fortune,
and apparently to die together." The 22nd of No-
vember, tiie day he sailed from Petit Guave, seemed
the happiest of his life.
Dampierre mentions an old Buccaneer, who was
slain at the taking of Leon. "He was," he says, "a
stout, grey-headed old man, aged about eighty-four,
who had served under Oliver Cromwell in the Irish
rebellion; after which he was at Jamaica, and had
followed privateering ever since. He would not ac-
cept the offer our men made him to tarry ashore, but
said he would venture as far as the best of them; but
when surrounded by the Spaniards he refused "to
take quarter, but discharged his gun amongst them,
keeping a pistol still charged; so they shot him dead
at a distance. His name was Swan [rara aiis) . He
was a very merry, hearty old man, and always used
to declare he would never take quarter."
When the adventurers were at sea, they lived to-
gether as a friendly brotherhood. Every morning at
ten o'clock the ship's cook put the kettle on the fire to
boil the salt beef for the crew, in fresh water if they
had plenty, but if they ran short in brine; meal was
THE BUCCANEERS 227
boiled at the same time, and made into a thick por-
ridge, which was mixed with the gravy and the fat of
the meat. The whole was then served to the crew
on large platters, seven men to a plate. If the cap-
tain or cook helped themselves to a larger share than
their messmates, any of the republican crew had a
right to change plates with them. But, notwithstand-
ing this brotherly equality, and in spite of the captain
being deposable by his crew, there was maintained at
all moments of necessity the strictest discipline, and
the most rigid subordination of rank. The crews had
two meals a day. They always said grace before
meat: the French Catholics singing the canticles of
Zecharias, the Magnificat, or the Miserere; the Eng-
lish reading a chapter from the New Testament, or
singing a psalm.
Directly a vessel hove in sight, the Flibustiers gave
chase. If it showed a Spanish flag, the guns were
run out, and the decks cleared; the pikes lashed ready,
and every man prepared his musket and powder, of
which he alone was the guardian (and not the gun-
ner), these articles being generally paid for from the
common stock, unless provided by the captain.
They first fell on their knees at their quarters (each
group round its gun), to pray God that they might
obtain both victory and plunder. Then all lay down
flat on the deck, except the few left to steer and navi-
gate — proceeding to board as soon as their musketeers
had silenced the enemy's fire. If victorious, they put
their prisoners on shore, attended to the wounded,
and took stock of the booty. A third part of the
crew went on board the prize, and a prize captain
228 GRI'.AT PIRATE STORIES
was chosen by lot. No excuse was allowed; and if
illness prevented the man elected taking the office, his
matclot, or companion, took his place.
On arriving at Tortuga, they paid a commission to
the governor, and before dividing the spoil, rewarded
the captain, the surgeons, and the wounded. The
whole crew then threw into a common heap all they
possessed above the value of five sous, and took an
oath on the New Testament, holding up their right
hands, that they had kept nothing back. Any one de-
tected in perjury was marooned, and his share either
given to the rest, to the heirs of the dead, or as a
bequest to some chapel. The jewels and merchandise
were sold, and they divided the produce.
"It was impossible," says Qixmelin, "to put any
obstacle in the way of men who, animated simply by
the hope of gain, were capable of such great enter-
prises, having nothing hut life to lose and all to win.
It is true that they would not have persisted long in
their expeditions if they had had neither boats nor
provisions. For ships they never wanted, because
they were in the habit of going out in small canoes
and capturing the largest and best provisioned vessels.
For harbours they could never want, because every-
body fled before them, and they had but to appear to
be victorious." This intelligent and animated writer
concludes his book by expressing an opinion that a
firm and organized resistance by Spain at the outset
might have stopped the subsequent mischief; but this
opinion he afterwards qualifies in the following words,
which, coming from such a writer so well acquainted
with those of whom he writes, speakes volumes in
THE BUCCANEERS 229
favour of Buccaneer prowess: "Je dis peut-etre, car
les aventuriers sont de terribles gens."
Charlevoix describes the first Flibustiers as going
out in canoes with twenty-five or thirty men, without
pilot or provisions, to capture pearl-fishers and sur-
prise small cruisers. If they succeeded, they went to
Tortuga, bought a vessel, and started 150 strong,
going to Cuba to take in salt turtle, or to Port Margot
or Bayaha for dried pork or beef — dividing all upon
the compagnon a bon lot principle. They always said
public prayer before starting on an expedition, and
returned solemn thanks to God for victory.
"They were," says a Jesuit writer, "at first so
crowded in their boats that they had scarcely room to
lie down; and, as they practised no economy in eating,
they were always short of food. They were also
night and day exposed to the inclemency of the
weather, and yet loved so much the independence in
which they lived, that no one murmured. Some sang
when others wished to sleep, and all were by turns
compelled to bear these inconveniences without com-
plaint. But one may imagine men so little at their
ease spared no pains to gain more comforts; that the
sight of a larger and more convenient vessel gave them
courage sufficient to capture it; and that hunger de-
prived them of all sense of the danger of procuring
food. They attacked all they met without a thought,
and boarded as soon as possible. A single volley
would hav^e sunk their vessels; but they were skilful
in manoeuvre, their sailors were very active, and they
presented to the enemy nothing but a prow full of
fusiliers, who, firing through the portholes, struck the
230 (ikl'A'r IMRATI^ STORIES
^runners with terror. Once on board, nothing could
prevent tliein becoming masters of a ship, however
numerous the crew. 1 he Spaniards' blood grew cold
when those whom they called, and looked upon as,
demons came in sight, and they frequently surrendered
at once in order to obtain quarter. If the prize was
rich their lives were spared; but if the cargo proved
poor, the Buccaneers often threw the crew into the
sea in revenge."
Their favourite coasts were the Caraccas, Cartha-
gena, Nicaragua, and Campeachy, where the ports
were numerous and well frequented. Their best har-
bours at the Caraccas were Cumana, Canagote, Coro,
and Maracaibo; at Carthagena, La Rancheria, St.
Martha, and Portobello. Round Cuba they watched
for vessels going from New Spain to Maracaibo. If
going, they found them laden with silver; if return-
ing, full of cocoa. The prizes to the Caraccas were
laden with the lace and manufactures of Spain; those
from Havannah, with leather, Campeachy wood,
cocoa, tobacco, and Spanish coin.
The dress of the Buccaneer sailors must have varied
with the changes of the age. Retaining their red
shirts and leather sandals as the working dress of their
brotherhood, we find them donning all the splendour
rummaged from Spanish cabins, now wearing the
plumed hat and laced sword-belt of Charles the Sec-
ond's reign, and now the tufts of ribbons of the per-
fumed court of Louis Quatorze. Sprung from all
nations and all ranks, some of them prided themselves
upon the rough beard, bare feet, and belted shirt of
the rudest seaman, while others, like Grammont and
THE BUCCANEERS 231
De Graff, flaunted in the richest costumes of their
period. They must have passed from the long cloak
and loose cassock of the Stuart reign to the jack-boots
and Dutch dress of William of Orange; from the
laced and flowing Steenkirk to the fringed cock-hat
and deep-flapped waistcoat of Queen Anne. In the
English translation of Esquemeling, Barthelemy Port-
ugues, one of the earliest sea-rovers, is represented as
having his long, lank hair parted in the centre and
falling on his shoulders, and his moustachios long and
rough. He wears a plain embroidered coat with a
neck-band, and carries in his arms a short, broad
sabre, unsheathed, as was the habit with many Bucca-
neer chiefs. Roche Braziliano appears in a plain hun-
ter's shirt, the strings tying it at the neck being fas-
tened in a bow. Lolonis has the same shirt, showing
at his neck and pufl'ing through the openings of his
sleeve, and he carries a naked broadsword with a shell
guard. In the portrait of Sir Henry Morgan we see
much more affectation of aristocratic dress. He has
a rich coat of Charles the Second's period, a laced cra-
vat tied in a fringed bow with long ends, and his broad
sword-belt is stiff with gold lace. The hunter's shirt,
however, still shows through the slashed sleeves.
JOHN PAUL JONES— PIRATE AND
PKIVA'IEEK
[From "Daring Deeds of F'amous Pirates," by E.
Kl.HI.I. ClIAlI KKION.]
[^^ TE come now to consider the exploits of
%/%/ another historical character whose life and
" ' adventures will ever be of unfailing interest
on both sides of the Atlantic. And yet, perhaps, this
amazing Scotsman is to-day better known in America
than in Great Britain. Like many another before
him he rose from the rank of ordinary seaman to be-
come a man that was to be had in great fear if not
respect. His fame has been celebrated in fiction, and
very probably many a story of which he has been made
the hero had no foundation in fact.]
[There is some dispute concerning his birth, but it
seems pretty certain that he was the son of John Paul,
head gardener on Lord Selkirk's estate near Kirkcud-
bright. Paul Jones first saw light in the year 1728.
Brought up on the shores of the Solway Firth, it was
only likely that he gave up being assistant to his father
and preferred the sea to gardening. In his character
there developed many of those traits which have been
such marked characteristics of the pirate breed. To
realize Paul Jones, you must think of a wild, reckless
nature, burning with enthusiasm for adventure, yet
excessively vain and desirous of recognition. He was
232
JOHN PAUL JONES 233
a rebel, a privateer, a pirate and a smuggler; he was a
villain, he was quarrelsome, he was petty and mean.
Finally, he was a traitor to his country. When he
died he had lived a most varied life, and had seen
service on merchantman, slaver and man-of-war.]
[After making several voyages to the West Indies
In a merchantman as ordinary and able-bodied sea-
man, he was promoted to rank of mate, and then rose
to the rank of master. Soon after the rupture be-
tween England and America he happened to be in
New England, and then It was that he succumbed to
the temptation to desert his own national standard
and to throw his aid on to the side of the revolution-
ists — for which reason he changed his real name of
John Paul to that of Paul Jones. Notwithstanding
that Jones has been justly condemned by biographers
for having been a traitor, yet my own opinion Is that
this charge arose far less from a desire to become an
enemy of the British nation than from that overwhelm-
ing wanderlust, and that irrepressible desire for ad-
venture to which we have already called attention.
There are some men who have never had enough
fighting. So soon as one campaign ends they are un-
happy till another begins, so that they may find a full
outlet for their spirits. To such men as these the
daily round of a peaceful life is a perpetual monotony,
and unless they can go forth to rove and wander, to
fight or to explore, their very souls would almost cry
out for freedom.]
[So, I am convinced, it was with Paul Jones. To
such a man nationalities mean nothing more than cer-
tain artificial considerations. The only real differ-
234 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
enccs arc thf)sc between the hirui and the sea. He
knew that in the forthcoming war he would find just
the adventure which delighted him; he would have
every chance of obtaining booty, and his own natural
endowment, physical and mental, were splendidly suit-
able for such activities. He had a special knowledge
of British pilotage, so he was a seaman distinctly
worth having for any marauding expeditions that
might be set going. So in the year 1777 we find him
very busy as commander, fitting out the privateer
Ratigcr. This vessel mounted 18 guns as well as sev-
eral swivel-guns, and had a desperate crew of 150 able
men.
He put to sea and made two captures on the Euro-
pean side of the Atlantic, sending each of these prizes
into a French port. The following spring he went a
step further in his character as a rebel, for he ap-
peared off the Cumberland coast and began to attack
a part of England that must have been singularly
well-known to him.] He had made his landfall by
daylight, but stood away until darkness set in. At
midnight he ran closer in, and in grim silence he sent
away his boats with thirty men, all well armed and
ready to perform a desperate job. Their objective
was Whitehaven, the entrance to the harbour being
commanded by a small battery, so their first effort
must obviously be to settle that. Having landed with
great care, they rushed upon the small garrison and
made the whole lot of prisoners. The guns of the
battery were next spiked, and now they set about their
next piece of daring.
In the harbour the ships were lying side by side, the
JOHN PAUL JONES 235
tide being out. The good people of the town were
asleep in their beds, and all the conditions were ideal
for burning the shipping where it stood. Very
stealthily the men went about their business, and had
laid their combustibles on the decks all ready for fir-
ing as soon as the signal should be given. But just
then something was happening. At the doors of the
main street of the little town there was a series of
loud knockings, and people began to wake and bustle
about; and soon the sound of voices and the sight of
crowds running down to the pier. The marauders
had now to hurry on the rest of their work, for the
alarm had been given and there was not a moment to
lose. So hastily the privateer's men threw their
matches on the decks, then made for their boats and
rowed off quickly to their ship.
But, luckily, the inhabitants of Whitehaven had
come down just in time. For they were able to ex-
tinguish the flames before serious damage had been
done. What was their joy was keen annoyance to
the privateer's men. But who was the good friend
who had taken the trouble to rouse the town? Who
had at once been so kind as to knock at the doors and
to despoil the marauders of their night's work?
When the shore party of the privateer mustered on
deck it was found that one man was missing, and this
was the fellow who, for some conscientious or worldly
motive, had gone over to the other side, and so saved
both property and lives.
So Jones went a few miles farther north, crossed
his familiar Solway Firth and entered the river Dee,
on the left bank of which stands Kirkcudbright. He
236 (iREAT PIRATE STORIES
entered the estuary at dawn and let ^^o anchor oft
Lord Selkirk's castle. When the natives saw this war-
like ship in their river, with her guns and her formid-
able appearance generally, they he^an to fear she was
a man-of-war come to impress men for the Navy. It
happened that the noble lortl was away from home in
London, and when the men-servants at the castle es-
pied what they presumed to be a King's ship, they
begged Lady Selkirk for leave to go and hide them-
selves lest they might be impressed into the service.
A boat was sent from the ship, and a strong body of
men landed and marched to the castle, which, to the
surprise of all, they surrounded. Lady Selkirk had
just finished breakfast when she was summoned to
appear before the leader of the men, whose rough
clotiies soon showed the kind of fellows they were.
Armed with pistols, swords, muskets, and even an
American tomahawk, they inquired for Lord Selkirk,
only to be assured his lordship was away.
The next request was that all the family plate
should be handed over. So all that was in the castle
was yielded, even to the silver teapot which was on
the breakfast table and had not yet been washed out.
The silver was packed up, and with many apologies
for having had to transact this "dirty business," as
one of the officers called it, the pirates went back to
their ship rather richer than they had set out. But
the inhabitants of the castle were as much surprised
as they were thankful to find their own lives had not
been demanded as well as the plate. The ship got
under way some time after, and put to sea without any
further incident. Now the rest of this story of the
i
JOHN PAUL JONES 237
plate runs as follows, and shows another side to the
character of the head-gardener's son: for, a few days
after this visit. Lady Selkirk received a letter from
Jones, apologising for what had been done, and stat-
ing that this raid had been neither suggested nor sanc-
tioned by him. On the contrary he had used his best
influence to prevent its occurrence. But his officers
and crew had insisted on the deed, with a view to cap-
turing Lord Selkirk, for whose ransom they hoped
to obtain a large sum of money.
As an earnest of his own innocence in the matter,
Paul Jones added that he would try to purchase from
his associates the booty which they had brought away,
and even if he could not return the entire quantity he
would send back all that he could. We need not stop
to wonder whether Lady Selkirk really believed such a
statement; but the truth is that about five years later
the whole of the plate came back, carriage paid, in
exactly the same condition as it had left the castle.
Apparently it had never been unpacked, for the tea
leaves were still in the teapot, just as they had been
taken away on that exciting morning.
But to come back to the ship. After leaving the
Solway Firth astern, Jones stood over to the Irish
coast and entered Belfast Lough, amusing himself on
the way by burning or capturing several fishing craft.
But It happened that he was espied by Captain Burdon
of H.M.S. Drake, a sloop. Seeing Jones' ship com-
ing along, he took her to be a merchantman, and so
from her he could impress some seamen. So the of-
ficer lowered a boat and sent her off. But when the
boat's crew came aboard Jones' vessel they had the
238 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
surprise of tlicir lives, f(jr instead of arresting they
were themselves arrested. After this it seemed to
Jones more prudent to leave Belfast alone and get
away with his capture. Meanwhile, Captain Burdon
was getting anxious ahout his men, as the boat had
not returned. Moreover, he noticed that the sup-
posed merchantman was now crowding on all possible
sail, so he at once prepared his sloop for giving chase
and prepared for action, and, on coming up with the
privateer, began a sharp fire.
Night, however, intervened, and the firing had to
stop, but when daylight returned the engagement re-
commenced and continued for an hour. A fierce en-
counter was fought on both sides, and at length Cap-
tain Burdon and his first lieutenant were killed, as
well as twenty of the crew disabled. The Drake's
topmast was shot away and the ship was considerably
damaged, so that there was no other alternative but
to surrender to the privateer.
But as both sides of the Irish Channel were now in-
furiated against Jones, he determined to leave these
parts, and taking his prize with him proceeded to
Brest, where he arrived in safety. In the following
year, instead of the Ranker he had command of a fri-
gate called the Bon Homme Richard, a 40-gun ship
with 370 crew. In addition to this vessel he had also
the frigate Alliance, of 36 guns and 300 crew; the brig
Vengeance, 14 guns and 70 men; a cutter of eighteen
tons; and a French frigate named the Pallas. All
except the last mentioned were in the service of the
American Congress. A little further down the coast
of the Bay of Biscay than Brest is L'Orient, and from
JOHN PAUL JONES 239
this port Jones sailed with the above fleet in the sum-
mer of 1779, arriving off the Kerry coast, where he
sent a boat's crew ashore to bring back sheep. But
the natives captured the boat's crew and lodged them
in Tralee gaol.
After this Jones sailed to the east of Scotland and
captured a number of prizes, all of which he sent on
to France. Finally he determined to attempt no less
a plan than burn the shipping in Leith harbour and
collect tribute from the undefended towns of the Fife-
shire coast. He came into the Firth of Forth, but as
both wind and tide were foul, he let go under the
Island of Inchkeith. Next day he weighed anchor and
again tried to make Leith, but the breeze had now in-
creased to a gale, and he sprung one of his topmasts
which caused him to bear up and leave the Firth. He
now rejoined his squadron and cruised along the east
coast of England. Towards the end of September
he fell in with a British convoy bound from the Baltic,
being escorted by two men-of-war, namely, H.M.S.
Serapis, (44 guns), and H.M.S. Countess of Scar-
borough (20 guns). And then followed a most
memorable engagement. In order that the reader
may be afforded some opportunity of realising how
doughty an opponent was this Paul Jones, and how
this corsair was able to make a ship of the Royal
Navy strike colours, I append the following despatch
which was written by Captain Pearson, R.N., who
commanded the Serapis. The Countess of Scar-
borough was under command of Captain Thomas
Piercy, and this officer also confirmed the account of
the disaster. The narrative is so succinct and clear
240 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
tliat it needs no further explanation. The letter was
written from the 'iexel, whither Pearson was after-
wards taken : —
"/'alias Frigate in Congrkss Service,
ThXEL, October b, 177'J.
"On the 2;ird iilt. beinj^ close in with Scarborough
about twelve o'clock, a boat came on board with a let-
ter from the bailiffs of that corporation, giving informa-
tion of a Hying squadron of the enemy's ship being on
the coast, of a part of the said squadron having been
seen from thence the day before standing to the south-
ward. As soon as I received this intelligence I made
the signal for the convoy to bear down under my lee,
and repeated it with two guns ; notwithstanding which
the van of the convoy kept their wind with all sail
stretching out to the southward from under Flam-
borough-head, till between twelve and one, when the
headmost of them got sight of the enemy's ships, which
were then in chase of them. They then tacked, and
made the best of their way under the shore for Scar-
borough, letting fly their topgallant sheets, and firing
guns; upon which I made all the sail I could to wind-
ward, to get between the enemy's ship and the con-
voy, which I soon effected. At one o'clock we got
sight of the enemy's ship from the masthead, and about
four we made them plain from the deck to be three
large ships and a brig! Upon which I made the Coun-
tess of Scarborough's signal to join me, she being in-
shore with the convoy ; at the same time I made the sig-
nal for the convoy to make the best of their way, and
repeated the signal with two guns. I then brought-to
to let the Countess of Scarborough come up, and cleared
ship for action.
"At half-past five the Countess of Scarborough joined
JOHN PAUL JONES 241
me, the enemy's ships bearing down upon us with a
light breeze at S.S.W. ; at six tacked and laid our head
in-shore, in order to keep our ground the better between
the enemy's ships and the convoy ; soon after which we
perceived the ships bearing down upon us to be a two-
decked ship and two frigates, but from their keeping
end upon us in bearing down, we could not discern
what colours they were under. At twenty minutes past
seven, the largest ship of the two brought-to on our
lee-bow, within musket shot. I hailed him, and asked
what ship it was? They answered in English, the
Princess Royal. I then asked where they belonged to?
They answered evasively; on which I told them, if they
did not answer directly I would fire into them. They
then answered with a shot, which was instantly returned
with a broadside; and after exchanging two or three
broadsides, he backed his topsails, and dropped upon
our quarter, within pistol-shot; then filled again, put
his helm a-weather, and ran us on board upon our
weather quarter, and attempted to board us, but being
repulsed he sheered off: upon which I backed our top-
sails in order to get square with him again ; which, as
soon as he observed ; he then filled, put his helm a-
weather, and laid us athwart hawse ; his mizzen shrouds
took our jib-boom, which hung for some time, till it at
last gave way, and we dropt alongside each other head
and stern, when the fluke of our spare anchor hooking
his quarter, we became so close fore-and-aft, that the
muzzles of our guns touched each other's sides.
"In this position we engaged from half-past eight till
half-past ten; during which time, from the great quan-
tity and variety of combustible matters which they threw
upon our decks, chains, and, in short, into every part of
the ship, we were on fire not less than ten or twelve
times in different parts of the ship, and it was with the
242 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
greatest difiiculty and exertion imaginable at times, that
we were able to get it extinguished. At the same time
tlic largest of the two frigates kept sailing round us dur-
ing the whole action, and raking us fore and aft, by
which means she killed or wounded almost every man
on the (juartcr and main decks. At half-past nine,
either from a hand grenade being thrown in at one of
our lower-deck port^, or from some other accident, a
cartridge of powder was set on fire, the flames of which
running frcjm cartridge to cartridge all the way aft,
blew up the whole of the people and oflficers that were
quartered abaft the main mast; from which unfortunate
circumstance all those guns were rendered useless for
the remainder of the action, and I fear the greatest part
of the people will lose their lives.
'At ten o'clock they called for quarters from the
ship alongside, and said they had struck. Hearing this,
I called upon the captain to say if they had struck,
or if he asked for quarter ; but receiving no answer,
after repeating my words two or three times, I called
for the boarders, and ordered them to board, which they
did; but the moment they were on board her, they dis-
covered a superior number lying under cover, with pikes
in their hands, ready to receive them ; on which our
people retreated instantly into our own ship, and re-
turned to their guns again until half-past ten, when the
frigate coming across our stern, and pouring her broad-
side into us again, without our being able to bring a gun
to bear on her, I found it in vain, and in short imprac-
ticable, from the situation we were in, to stand out any
longer with any prospect of success; I therefore struck.
Our main-mast at the same time went by the board.
"The first lieutenant and myself were immediately
escorted into the ship alongside, when we found her
to be an American ship of war, called the Bon Homme
JOHN PAUL JONES 243
Richard^ of forty guns, and 375 men, commanded by
Captain Paul Jones; the other frigate which engaged
us, to be the Alliance, of forty guns, and 300 men; and
the third frigate, which engaged and took the Countess
of Scarborough, after two.hours' action, to be the Pallas,
a French frigate of thirty guns, and 275 men; the Ven-
geance, an armed brig, of twelve guns, and 70 men ; all
in Congress service, under the command of Paul Jones.
They fitted out and sailed from Port I'Orient the latter
end of July, and come north about. They have on
board 300 English prisoners, which they have taken in
different vessels in their way round since they left
France, and have ransomed some others. On my go-
ing on board the Bon Homme Richard I found her in
the greatest distress, her quarters and counter on the
lower deck being entirely drove in, and the whole
of her lower-deck guns dismounted ; she was also on
fire in two places, and six or seven feet of water in her
hold, which kept increasing upon them all night and
next day, till they were obliged to quit her. She had
300 men killed and wounded in the action. Our loss
in the Serapis was also very great.
"My officers, and people in general, behaved well;
and I should be very remiss in my attentions to their
merit were I to omit recommending them to their Lord-
ships' favour.
"I must at the same time beg leave to inform their
Lordships that Captain Piercy, in the Countess of Scar-
borough, was not the least remiss in his duty, he having
given me every assistance in his power; and as much as
could be expected from such a ship in engaging the at-
tention of the Pallas, a frigate of thirty-two guns, dur-
ing the whole action.
"I am extremely sorr>' for the accident that has hap-
pened, that of losing His Majesty's ship which I had the
244 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
honour to command; but at the same time I flatter
myself with the hope that tlicir Lordships will be con-
vinced that she has not been given away ; but, on the
contrary, that every exertion has been used to defend
her, and that two essential pieces of service to our coun-
try have arisen from it: the one, in wholly oversetting
the cruise and intentions of this flying squadron ; the
other is rescuinjj the whole of a valuable convoy from
falling into the hands of the enemy, which must have
been the case had I acted any otherwise than I did.
We have been driving about the North Sea ever since
the action, and endeavouring to make to any port we
possibly could ; but have not been able to get into any
place till to-day we arrived in the Texel. Herewith I
enclose you the most correct list of the killed and
wounded I have as yet been able to procure, from my
people being dispersed among the different ships, and
having been refused permission to make much of them.
"R. Pearson.
"P. S. I am refused permission to wait on Sir Joseph
Yorke,^ and even to go on shore.
"The killed were — i boatswain, i master's mate, 2
midshipmen, i quarter-master, 29 sailors, 15 marines —
49-
"Wounded — second lieutenant Michael Stanhope,
Lieutenant Whiteman, marines, 2 surgeon's mates, 6
petty officers, 46 sailors, 12 marines — total, 68."
It is obvious that the British Officers had fought
their ships most gallantly, and the King showed his
appreciation by conferring the honour of knighthood
on Captain Pearson, and soon after Piercy was pro-
moted to the rank of Post-Captain, and promotion
1 The British Ambassador.
JOHN PAUL JONES 245
was also granted to the other officers. But recog-
nition was shown not merely by the State but by the
City, for the Directors of the Royal Exchange Assur-
ance Company presented Pearson with a piece of plate
valued at a hundred guineas, and Piercy with a simi-
lar gift valued at fifty guineas. They further voted
their thanks to the officers for having protected the
rich fleets under their care.
The British Ambassador, Sir Joseph York, had con-
siderable difficulty in procuring the release of the
prisoners which Paul Jones had made from His Maj-
esty's ships, and although he strenuously urged the
States General to detain Jones and his ships as a rebel
subject with unlawful ships, yet the squadron, after
being carefully blockaded, succeeded in escaping one
dark night to Dunkirk. Jones had lost his ship the
Bon Homme Richard as a result of the fight, and now
made the Alliance his flagship.
The story of Paul Jones from now is not capable
of completion. For a period of several years his
movements were somewhat mysterious, although it is
known that on one occasion he sailed across the Atlan-
tic in the remarkable time of three weeks with des-
patches from the American Congress. Then the
fame of this remarkable fellow begins to wane.
After peace was concluded the active brain and fer-
vent spirit of Paul Jones were not required, and he
chafed against the fetters of unemployment. It is
true that he offered his services to the Empress of
Russia in 1788, but he seems very soon to have gone
to Paris where he spent the rest of his life. There
was no employment for him In the French Navy, and
246
(jREAT PIRATE STORIES
finally he was reduced to abject poverty and ended his
days in the year 1792.
[It is not quite easy, altogether, to estimate the
character of a man so contradictory as Paul Jones.
Mad he been born in another age and placed in differ-
ent circumstances, there is no telling how illustrious
he might not have become. He was certainly a mag-
nificent seaman and fighting man, but over and above
all he was an adventurer. Idolised as a hero both in
America and France, he struck terror in Britain.
lie was primarily a sailor of fortune. As one can
see from his life his devotion to adventure was far
superior to his devotion to nationality — Scotch, Eng-
lish, French, American or Russian. He was willing
and anxious to go wherever there was fighting, wher-
ever glory could be obtained.
JEAN LAFITTE-THE PIRATE
OF THE GULF
[From "The Pirates' Own Book."]
JEAN LAFITTE was born at St. Maloes in
France, in 178 1, and went to sea at the age of
thirteen; after several voyages- In Europe, and
to the coast of Africa, he was appointed mate of a
French East Indiaman, bound to Madras. On the
outward passage they encountered a heavy gale off the
Cape of Good Hope, which sprung the mainmast and
otherwise injured the ship, which determined the cap-
tain to bear up for the Mauritius, where he arrived in
safety; a quarrel having taken place on the passage
out between Lafitte and the captain, he abandoned the
ship and refused to continue the voyage. Several
privateers were at this time fitting out at this island,
and Lafitte was appointed captain of one of these
vessels; after a cruise during which he robbed the
vessels of other nations besides those of England, and
thus committing piracy, he stopped at the Seychelles,
and took In a load of slaves for the Mauritius; but
being chased by an English frigate as far north as the
equator, he found himself in a very awkward condi-
tion; not having provisions enough on board his ship
to carry him back to the French Colony. He there-
fore conceived the bold project of proceeding to the
Bay of Bengal, In order to get provisions from on
247
248 GRIlAT IMRATE STORIES
board some English ships. In his ship of two hun-
dred tons, with only two guns and twenty-six men, he
attacked and took an English armed schooner with a
numerous crew. y\fter putting nineteen of his own
crew on hoard the schooner, he took the command of
her and proceeded to cruise upon the coast of Bengal.
He there fell in with the Payoda, a vessel belonging
to the English East India Company, armed with
twenty-six twelve pounders and manned with one
hundred and fifty men. Expecting that the enemy
would take him for a pilot of the Ganges, he man-
oeuvred accordingly. The Pagoda manifested no sus-
picions, whereupon he suddenly darted with his brave
followers upon her decks, overturned all who opposed
them, and speedily took the ship. After a very suc-
cessful cruise he arrived safe at the Mauritius, and
took the command of La Confjance of twenty-six guns
and two hundred and fifty men, and sailed for the
coast of British India. Off the Sand Heads in Octo-
ber, 1807, Lafitte fell in with the Queen East India-
man, with a crew of near four hundred men, and
carrying forty guns; he conceived the bold project of
getting possession of her. Never was there beheld a
more unequal conflict; even the height of the vessel
compared to the feeble privateer augmented the
chances against Lafitte; but the difficulty and danger
far from discouraging this intrepid sailor, acted as an
additional spur to his brilliant valor. After electri-
fying his crew with a few words of hope and ardor,
he manoeuvred and ran on board of the enemy. In
this position he received a broadside when close too;
but he expected this, and made his men lay flat upon
JEAN LAFITTE 249
the deck. After the first fire they all rose, and from
the yards and tops, threw bombs and grenades into the
forecastle of the Indiaman. This sudden and unfore-
seen attack caused a great havoc. In an instant,
death and terror made them abandon a part of the
vessel near the mizzen-mast. Lafitte, who observed
every thing, seized the decisive moment, beat to arms
and forty of his crew prepared to board, with pistols
in their hands and daggers held between their teeth.
As soon as they got on deck, they rushed upon the
affrighted crowd, who retreated to the steerage, and
endeavored to defend themselves there. Lafitte
thereupon ordered a second division to board, which
he headed himself; the captain of the Indiaman was
killed and all were swept away in a moment. Lafitte
caused a gun to be loaded with grape, which he
pointed towards the place where the crowd was assem-
bled, threatening to exterminate them. The English
deeming resistance fruitless, surrendered, and Lafitte
hastened to put a stop to the slaughter. This ex-
ploit, hitherto unparalleled, resounded through India,
and the name of Lafitte became the terror of English
commerce in these latitudes.
As British vessels now traversed the Indian Ocean
under strong convoys, game became scarce, and Lafitte
determined to visit France; and after doubling the
Cape of Good Hope, he coasted up to the Gulf of
Guinea, and in the Bight of Benin, took two valuable
prizes loaded with gold dust, ivory and Palm Oil; with
this booty he reached St. Maloes in safety. After a
short stay at his native place he fitted out a brigantine,
mounting twenty guns and one hundred and fifty men,
250 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
and sailed for (iaudaloupe; amrvigst the West India
Islands, he made several valuable prizes; but during
his absence on a cruise the island having been taken by
tiic British, he proceeded to Carthagena, and from
thence to Barrataria. After this period, the conduct
of Lafitte at Barrataria does not appear to be charac-
terized by the audacity and boldness of his former
career; but he had amassed immense sums of booty,
and as he was obliged to have dealings with the mer-
chants of the United States, and the West Indies, who
frequently owed him large sums, and the cautious
dealings necessary to found and conduct a colony of
Pirates and Smugglers in the very teeth of a civilized
nation, obliged Lafitte to cloak as much as possible his
real character.
As we have said before, at the period of the taking
of Gaudaloupe by the British, most of the privateers
commissioned by the government of that island, and
which were then on a cruise, not being able to return
to any of the West India Islands, made for Barra-
taria, there to take in a supply of water and provi-
sions, recruit the health of their crews, and dispose of
their prizes, which could not be admitted into any of
the ports of the United States, we being at that time
in peace with Great Britain. Most of the com-
missions granted to privateers by the French govern-
ment at Gaudaloupe, having expired sometime after
the declaration of the independence of Carthagena,
many of the privateeers repaired to that port, for the
purpose of obtaining from the new government com-
missions for cruising against Spanish vessels. Hav-
ing duly obtained their commissions, they in a manner
JEAN LAFITTE 251
blockaded for a long time all the ports belonging to
the royalists, and made numerous captives, which they
carried Into Barratarla. Under this denomination Is
comprised part of the coast of Louisiana to the west of
the mouths of the Mississippi, comprehended between
Bastlen bay on the east, and the mouths of the river
or bayou la Fourche on the west. Not far from the
sea are lakes called the great and little lakes of Barra-
tarla, communicating with one another by several
large bayous with a great number of branches.
There Is also the Island of Barratarla, at the extrem-
ity of which Is a place called the Temple, which de-
nomination It owes to several mounds of shells thrown
up there by the Indians. The name of Barratarla
is also given to a large basin which extends the whole
length of the cypress swamps, from the Gulf of Mex-
ico to three miles above New Orleans. These waters
disembogue Into the gulf by two entrances of the
bayou Barratarla, between which lies an Island called
Grand Terre, six miles In length, and from two to
three miles In breadth, running parallel with the coast.
In the western entrance Is the great pass of Barra-
tarla, which has from nine to ten feet of water.
Within this pass about two leagues from the open sea,
lies the only secure harbor on the coast, and accord-
ingly this was the harbor frequented by the Pirates,
so well known by the name of Barratarlans.
At Grande Terre, the privateers publicly made sale
by auction, of the cargoes of their prizes. From all
parts of Lower Louisiana, people resorted to Barra-
tarla, without being at all solicitous to conceal the
object of their journey. The most respectable inhabi-
252 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
tants of tlic state, especially those living in the coun-
try, were in the habit of purchasing smuggled goods
coming from Barrataria.
The government of the United States sent an
expedition under Commodore l^atterson, to disperse
the settlement of marauders at Barrataria; the fol-
lowing is an extract of his letter to the secretary of
war.
Sir — I have the honor to inform you that I departed
from this city on the iith June, accompanied by Col.
Ross, with a detachment of seventy of the 44th regiment
of infantry. On the 12th, reached the schooner Caro-
lina, of Plaquemine, and formed a junction with the
gun vessels at the Balize on the 13th, sailed from the
southwest pass on the evening of the 15th, and at half
past 8 o'clock, A.M. on the i6th, made the Island of
Barrataria, and discovered a number of vessels in the
harbor, some of which shewed Carthagenian colors. At
2 o'clock, perceived the pirates forming their vessels, ten
in number, including prizes, into a line of battle near the
entrance of the harbor, and making every preparation
to offer me battle. At 10 o'clock, wind light and vari-
able, formed the order of battle with six gun boats and
the Sea Horse tender, mounting one six pounder and
fifteen men, and a launch mounting one twelve pound
carronade ; the schooner Carolina, drawing too much
water to cross the bar. At half past 10 o'clock, per-
ceived several smokes along the coasts as signals, and
at the same time a white flag hoisted on board a schooner
at the fort, an American flag at the mainmast head and
a Carthagenian flag (under which the pirates cruise)
at her topping lift ; replied with a white flag at my
main; at 11 o'clock, discovered that the pirates had fired
two of their best schooners; hauled down my white
JEAN LAFITTE 253
flag and made the signal for battle; hoisting with a
large white flag bearing the words "Pardon for Desert-
ers" ; having heard there was a number on shore from
the army and navy. At a quarter past ii o'clock, two
gun boats grounded and were passed agreeably to my
previous orders, by the other four which entered the
harbor, manned by my barge and the boats belonging
to the grounded vessels, and proceeded in to my great
disappointment. I perceived that the pirates abandoned
their vessels, and were flying in all directions. I im-
mediately sent the launch and two barges with small
boats in pursuit of them. At meridian, took possession
of all their vessels in the harbor consisting of six schoon-
ers and one felucca, cruisers, and prizes of the pirates,
one brig, a prize, and two armed schooners under the
Carthagenian flag, both in the line of battle, with the
armed vessels of the pirates, and apparently with an in-
tention to aid them in any resistance they might make
against me, as their crews were at quarters, tompions out
of their guns, and matches lighted. Col. Ross at the
same time landed, and with his command took possession
of their establishment on shore, consisting of about forty
houses of different sizes, badly constructed, and thatched
with palmetto leaves.
When I perceived the enemy forming their vessels
into a line of battle I felt confident from their num-
ber and very advantageous position, and their number
of men, that they would have fought me ; their not do-
ing so I regret ; for had they, I should have been enabled
more effectually to destroy or make prisoners of them
and their leaders; but it is a subject of great satisfaction
to me, to have effected the object of my enterprise, with-
out the loss of a man.
The enemy had mounted on their vessels twenty
pieces of cannon of different calibre; and as I have since
254 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
learnt, from ciKlit hundred, to one thousand men of all
nations and eohjrs.
Early in the morninj; of the 20th, the Carolina at an-
chor, ahout five miles distant, made the signal of a
"strange sail in si^ht to eastward"; immediately after
she vveiij;hed anchor, and gave chase the stran^^e sail,
standing for Grand Tcrre, with all sail; at half past
8 o'clock, the chase hauled her wind off shore to escape;
sent acting Lieut. Spedding with four boats manned
and armed to prevent her passing the harbor; at 9
o'clock, A. M., the chase fired upon the Carolina, which
was returned; each vessel continued firing during the
chase, when their long guns could reach. At 10 o'clock,
the chase grounded outside of the bar, at which time the
Carolina was from the shoalness of the water obliged
to haul her wind off shore and give up the chase;
opened a fire upon the chase across the island from the
gun vessels. At half past 10 o'clock, she hauled down
her colors and was taken possession of. She proved
to be the armed schooner Gen. Boliver; by grounding
she broke both her rudder pintles and made water ; took
from her her armament, consisting of one long brass
eighteen pounder, one long brass six pounder, two
twelve pounders, small arms, &c., and twenty-one
packages of drj^ goods. On the afternoon of the 23d,
got underway with the whole squadron, in all seven-
teen vessels, but during the night one escaped, and the
next day arrived at New Orleans with my whole
squadron.
At different times the English had sought to attack
the pirates at Barrataria, in hopes of taking their
prizes, and even their armed vessels. Of these
attempts of the British, suffice it to instance that of
June 23rd, 18 13, when two privateers being at anchor
JEAN LAFITTE 255
off Cat Island, a British sloop of war anchored at the
entrance of the pass, and sent her boats to endeavor
to take the privateers; but they were repulsed with
considerable loss.
Such was the state of affairs, when on the 2d Sept.,
1 8 14, there appeared an armed brig on the coast
opposite the pass. She fired a gun at a vessel about
to enter, and forced her to run aground; she then
tacked and shortly after came to an anchor at the en-
trance of the pass. It was not easy to understand the
intentions of this vessel, who, having commenced with
hostilities on her first appearance now seemed to
announce an amicable disposition. Mr. Lafitte then
went off in a boat to examine her, venturing so far that
he could not escape from the pinnace sent from the
brig, and making towards the shore, bearing British
colors and a flag of truce. In this pinnace were two
naval officers. One was Capt. Lockyer, commander
of the brig. The first question they asked was, where
was Mr. Lafitte? he not choosing to make himself
known to them, replied that the person they inquired
for was on shore. They then delivered to him a
packet directed to Mr. Lafitte, Barrataria, requesting
him to take particular care of it, and to deliver it into
Mr. Lafitte's hands. He prevailed on them to make
for the shore, and as soon as they got near enough to
be in his power, he made himself known, recommend-
ing to them at the same time to conceal the business
on which they had come. Upwards of two hundred
persons lined the shore, and it was a general cry
amongst the crews of the privateers at Grand Terre,
that those British officers should be made prisoners
256 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
and sent to New Orleans as spies. It was with much
difficulty that Lafitte dissuaded the multitude from
this intent, and led the officers in safety to his dwel-
ling, lie thought very prudently that the papers
contained in the packet might be of importance
towards the safety of the country and that the officers
if well watched could obtain no intelligence that
might turn to the detriment of Louisiana. He now
examined the contents of the packet, in which he found
a proclamation addressed by Col. Edward Xichalls,
in the service of his Britannic Majesty, and com-
mander of the land forces on the coast of Florida, to
the inhabitants of Louisiana. A letter from the same
to Mr. Lafitte, the commander of Barrataria; an
official letter from the honorable W. H. Percy, captain
of the sloop of war Hermes, directed to Lafitte.
When he had perused these letters, Capt. Lockyer
enlarged on the subject of them and proposed to
him to enter into the service of his Britannic Majesty
with the rank of post captain and to receive the com-
mand of a 44 gun frigate. Also all those under
his command, or over whom he had sufficient in-
fluence. He was also offered thirty thousand dollars,
payable at Pensacola, and urged him not to let
slip this opportunity of acquiring fortune and consid-
eration. On Lafitte's requiring a few days to reflect
upon these proposals, Capt. Lockyer observed to him
that no reflection could be necessary respecting propos-
als that obviously precluded hesitation, as he was a
Frenchman and proscribed by the American govern-
ment. But to all his splendid promises and daring
insinuations, Lafitte replied that in a few days he
JEAN LAFITTE 257
would give a final answer; his object in this procras-
tination being to gain time to inform the officers
of the state government of this nefarious pro-
ject. Having occasion to go to some distance for a
short time, the persons who had proposed to send the
British officers prisoners to New Orleans, went and
seized them in his absence, and confined both them
and the crew of the pinnace, in a secure place, leaving
a guard at the door. The British officers sent for
Lafitte; but he, fearing an insurrection of the crews
of the privateers, thought it advisable not to see them
until he had first persuaded their captains and officers
to desist from the measures on which they seemed
bent. With this view he represented to the latter
that, besides the infamy that would attach to them if
they treated as prisoners people who had come with
a flag of truce, they would lose the opportunity of
discovering the projects of the British against Louis-
iana.
Early the next morning Lafitte caused them to be
released from their confinement and saw them safe on
board their pinnace, apologizing the detention. He
now wrote to Capt Lockyer the following letter.
To Captain Lockyer.
Barrataria, ^th Sept. 1 814.
Sir — The confusion which prevailed in our camp
yesterday and this morning, and of which you have a
complete knowledge, has prevented me from answer-
ing in a precise manner to the object of your mission;
nor even at this moment can I give you all the satis-
faction that you desire; however, if you could grant me
a fortnight, I would be entirely at your disposal at the
258 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
ciul of that tiiTic. 'Iliis delay is indispensable to enable
inc to |)ut my affairs in Jirder. You may communicate
with nie hy sending a boat to the eastern point of the
pass, where 1 v\ill he found. You have inspired me
with more confidence than the admiral, your superior
officer, could have done himself ; with you alone, I wish
to deal, and from you also I will claim, in due time the
reward of the services, which I may render t<j y(ju.
Yours, &c.,
J. Lafitte.
His object in writing that letter was, by appearing
disposed to accede to their proposals, to give time to
communicate the affair to the officers of the state
government, and to receive from them Instructions
how to act, under circumstances so critical and Impor-
tant to the country. He accordingly wrote on the 4th
September to Mr. Blanque, one of the representatives
of the state, sending him all the papers delivered to
him by the British officers with a letter addressed
to his excellency, Gov. Claiborne of the state of
Louisiana.
To Gov. Claiborne.
Barrataria, Sept. 4th, 1814.
Sir — In the firm persuasion that the choice made of
you to fill the office of first magistrate of this state,
was dictated by the esteem of your fellow citizens, and
was conferred on merit, I confidently address you on an
affair on which, may depend the safety of this country.
I offer to you to restore to this state several citizens,
who perhaps in your eyes have lost that sacred title. I
offer you them, however, such as you could wish to find
them, ready to exert their utmost efforts in defence of
the country. This point of Louisiana, which I occupy,
JEAN LAFITTE 259
is of great importance in the present crisis. I tender
my services to defend it; and the only reward I ask
is that a stop be put to the proscription against me and
my adherents, by an act of oblivion, for all that has been
done hitherto. I am the stray sheep wishing to return
to the fold. If you are thoroughly acquainted with
the nature of my offences, I should appear to you much
less guilty, and still worthy to discharge the duties of
a good citizen. I have never sailed under any flag but
that of the republic of Carthagena, and my vessels are
perfectly regular in that respect. If I could have
brought my lawful prizes into the ports of this state,
I should not have employed the illicit means that have
caused me to be proscribed. I decline saying more on
the subject, until I have the honor of your excellency's
answer, which I am persuaded can be dictated only by
wisdom. Should your answer not be favorable to my
ardent desires, I declare to you that I will instantly
leave the country, to avoid the imputation of having
cooperated towards an invasion on this point, which can-
not fail to take place, and to rest secure in the acquittal
of my conscience.
I have the honor to be
your excellency's, &c.
J. Lafitte.
The contents of these letters do honor to Lafitte's
judgment, and evince his sincere attachment to the
American cause. On the receipt of this packet from
Lafitte, Mr. Blanque immediately laid its contents be-
fore the governor, who convened the committee of
defence lately formed of which he was president;
and Mr. Rancher, the bearer of Lafitte's packet, was
sent back with a verbal answer to desire Lafitte to
take no steps until it should be determined what was
260 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
expedient to be done; the message also contained an
assurance that, in the meantime no steps should be
taken against him for his past offences against the
laws of the United States.
At the expiration of the time agreed on with Cap-
tain Eockyer, his ship appeared again on the coast with
two others, and continued standing off and on before
the pass for several days. But he pretended not to
perceive the return of the sloop of war, who tired of
waiting to no purpose put out to sea and disappeared.
Eafitte having received a guarantee from Cjeneral
Jackson for his safe passage from Barrataria to New
Orleans and back, he proceeded forthwith to the city
where he had an interview with Gov. Claiborne and
the General. After the usual formalities and cour-
tesies had taken place between these gentlemen, Ea-
fitte addressed the Governor of Eouisiana nearly as
follows. "I have offered to defend for you that part
of Louisiana I now hold. But not as an outlaw,
would I be its defender. In that confidence, with
which you have inspired me, I offer to restore to the
state many citizens, now under my command. As I
have remarked before, the point I occupy is of great
importance in the present crisis. I tender not only
my own services to defend it, but those of all I com-
mand; and the only reward I ask, is, that a stop be
put to the proscription against me and my adherents,
by an act of oblivion for all that has been done
hitherto."
"My dear sir," said the Governor, who together
with General Jackson, was impressed with admiration
of his sentiments, "your praiseworthy wishes shall be
JEAN LAFITTE 261
laid before the council of the state, and I will confer
with my august friend here present, upon this impor-
tant affair and send you an answer to-morrow." As
Lafitte withdrew, the General said, "Farewell; when
we meet again, I trust it will be in the ranks of the
American army." The result of the conference was
the Issuing of the following order.
"The Governor of Louisiana, informed that many
Individuals implicated. In the offences heretofore com-
mitted against the United States at Barrataria,
express a willingness at the present crisis to enroll
themselves and march against the enemy.
"He does hereby Invite them to join the standard
of the United States and Is authorised to say, should
their conduct in the field meet the approbation of the
Major General, that that officer will unite with the
Governor In a request to the president of the United
States, to extend to each and every Individual, so
marching and acting, a free and full pardon." These
general orders were placed in the hands of Lafitte,
who circulated them among his dispersed followers,
most of whom readily embraced the conditions of
pardon they held out. In a few days many brave men
and skillful artillerists, whose services contributed
greatly to the safety of the invaded state, flocked to
the standard of the United States, and by their con-
duct, received the highest approbation of General
Jackson.
The morning of the eighth of January was ushered
In with the discharge of rockets, the sound of cannon,
and the cheers of the British soldiers advancing to the
attack. The Americans, behind the breastwork,
262 GREAT IMRATE STORIES
awaited In calm intrepidity their approach. The
enemy advanced in close column of sixty men in front,
shouldering their muskets and carrying fascines and
ladders. A storm of rockets preceded them, and an
incessant fire oj)cned from the battery which com-
manded the advanced column. The musketry and
rifles from the Kcntuckians and Tcnnessecans joined
the fire of the artillery, and in a few moments was
heard along the line a ceaseless, rolling fire, whose
tremendous noise resembled the continued reverbera-
tion of thunder. One of these guns, a twenty-four
pounder, placed upon the breastwork in the third em-
brasure from the river, drew, from the fatal skill and
activity with which it was managed, even in the heat
of battle, the admiration of both Americans and Brit-
ish; and became one of the points most dreaded by
the advancing foe.
Here was stationed Lafitte and his lieutenant
Dominique and a large band of his men, who during
the continuance of the battle, fought with unparalleled
bravery. The British already had been twice driven
back in the utmost confusion, with the loss of their
Commander-in-chief, and two general officers.
Two other batteries were manned by the Barra-
tarians, who served their pieces with the steadiness
and precision of veteran gunners. In the first attack
of the enemy, a column pushed forward between the
levee and river; and so precipitate was their charge
that the outposts were forced to retire, closely pressed
by the enemy. Before the batteries could meet the
charge, clearing the ditch, they gained the redoubt
through the embrasures, leaping over the parapet,
JEAN LAFITTE 263
and overwhelming by their superior force the small
party stationed there.
Lafitte, who was commanding in conjunction with
his officers, at one of the guns, no sooner saw the bold
movement of the enemy, than calling a few of his best
men by his side, he sprung forward to the point of
danger, and clearing the breastwork of the entrench-
ments, leaped, cutlass in hand, into the midst of the
enemy, followed by a score of his men, who in many
a hard fought battle upon his own deck, had been well
tried.
Astonished at the intrepidity which could lead men
to leave their entrenchments and meet them hand to
hand, and pressed by the suddenness of the charge,
which was made with the recklessness, skill and
rapidity of practised boarders bounding upon the
deck of an enemy's vessel, they began to give way,
while one after another, two British officers fell be-
fore the cutlass of the pirate, as they were bravely en-
couraging their men. All the energies of the British
were now concentrated to scale the breastwork, which
one daring officer had already mounted. While
Lafitte and his followers, seconding a gallant band of
volunteer riflemen, formed a phalanx which they in
vain essayed to penetrate.
The British finding it impossible to take the city
and the havock in their ranks being dreadful, made a
precipitate retreat, leaving the field covered with
their dead and wounded.
General Jackson, in his correspondence with the
secretary of war did not fail to notice the conduct of
the "Corsairs of Barrataria," who were, as we have
264 GREAT PIRATI-: STORIES
already seen, employed in llic artillery service. In
the course of the campaign they proved, in an un-
ccjuivocal manner, that they had been misjudged by
the enemy, who a short time previous to the invasion
of Louisiana, had hoped to enlist them in his cause.
Many of them were killed or wounded in the defence
of the country. Iheir zeal, their courage, and their
skill, were remarked by the whole army, who could no
longer consider such brave men as criminals. In a
few days peace was declared between Great Britain
and the United States.
The piratical establishment of Barrataria having
been broken up and Lafitte not being content with
leading an honest, peaceful life, procured some fast
sailing vessels, and with a great number of his fol-
lowers, proceeded to Galvezton Bay, in Texas, dur-
ing the year 1819; where he received a commission
from General Long; and had five vessels generally
cruising and about 300 men. Two open boats bear-
ing commissions from General Humbert, of Galvez-
ton, having robbed a plantation on the Marmento
river, of negroes, money, &c., were captured in the
Sabine river, by the boats of the United States
schooner Lynx. One of the men was hung by Lafitte,
who dreaded the vengeance of the American govern-
ment. The Lynx also captured one of his schooners,
and her prize that had been for a length of time smug-
gling in the Carmento. One of his cruisers, named
the Jupiter, returned safe to Galvezton after a short
cruise with a valuable cargo, principally specie; she I
was the first vessel that sailed under the authority of
Texas. The American government well knowing
I
JEAN LAFITTE 265
that where Lafitte was, piracy and smuggling would
be the order of the day, sent a vessel of war to cruise
in the Gulf of Mexico, and scour the coasts of Texas.
Lafitte having been appointed governor of Galvezton
and one of the cruisers being stationed oft the port to
watch his motions, it so annoyed him that he wrote the
following letter to her commander. Lieutenant Madi-
son.
To the commandant of the American cruiser, off the
port of Galvezton.
Sir — I am convinced that you are a cruiser of the
navy, ordered by your government. I have therefore
deemed it proper to inquire into the cause of your liv-
ing before this port without communicating your inten-
tion. I shall by this message inform you, that the port
of Galvezton belongs to and is in the possession of the
republic of Texas, and was made a port of entry the
9th October last. And whereas the supreme congress
of said republic have thought proper to appoint me as
governor of this place, in consequence of which, if you
have any demands on said government, or persons be-
longing to or residing in the same, you will please to
send an officer with such demands, whom you may be
assured will be treated with the greatest politeness, and
receive every satisfaction required. But if you are or-
dered, or should attempt to enter this port in a hostile
manner, my oath and duty to the government compels
me to rebut your intentions at the expense of my life.
To prove to you my intentions towards the welfare
and harmony of your government I send enclosed the
declaration of several prisoners, who were taken in
custody yesterday, and by a court of inquiry appointed
for that purpose, were found guilty of robbing the in-
habitants of the United States of a number of slaves
266 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
and specie. The gentlemen bearing this message will
give you any reasonable information relating t(; this
place, that may be required.
Yours, &c.
J. Lafjtte.
About this time one Mitchell, who had formerly
belonged to Lafitte's gang, collected upwards of one
hundred and fifty desperadoes and fortified himself
on an island near Barrataria, with several pieces of
cannon; and sw(;rc that he and all his comrades would
perish within their trenches before they would surren-
der to any man. Four of this gang having gone to
New Orleans on a frolic, information was given to the
city watch, and the house surrounded, when the whole
four with cocked pistols in both hands sallied out and
marched through the crowd which made way for them
and no person dared to make an attempt to arrest
them.
The United States cutter, Alabama, on her way to
the station of^ the mouth of the Mississippi, captured
a piratical schooner belonging to Lafitte; she carried
two guns and twenty-five men, and was fitted out at
New Orleans, and commanded by one of Lafitte's
lieutenants, named Le Page; the schooner had a prize
in company and being hailed by the cutter, poured into
her a volley of musketry; the cutter then opened upon
the privateer and a smart action ensued which ter-
minated in favor of the cutter, which had four men
wounded and two of them dangerously; but the pirate
had six men killed; both vessels were captured and
brought into the Bayou St. John. An expedition was
now sent to dislodge Mitchell and his comrades from
JEAN LAFITTE 267
the Island he had taken possession of; after coming
to anchor, a summons was sent for him to surrender,
which was answered by a brisk cannonade from his
breastwork. The vessels were warped close in shore;
and the boats manned and sent on shore whilst the
vessels opened upon the pirates; the boat's crews
landed under a galling fire of grape shot and formed
in the most undaunted manner; and although a severe
loss was sustained they entered the breastwork at the
point of the bayonet; after a desperate fight the
pirates gave way, many were taken prisoners but Mit-
chell and the greatest part escaped to the cypress
swamps where it was impossible to arrest them.
A large quantity of dry goods and specie together
with other booty was taken. Twenty of the pirates
were taken and brought to New Orleans, and tried
before Judge Hall, of the Circuit Court of the United
States, sixteen were brought in guilty; and after the
Judge had finished pronouncing sentence of death
upon the hardened wretches, several of them cried out
in open court. Murder — by God.
Accounts of these transactions having reached La-
fitte, he plainly perceived there was a determination
to sweep all his cruisers from the sea ; and a war of ex-
termination appeared to be waged against him.
In a fit of desperation he procured a large and fast
sailing brigantine mounting sixteen guns and having
selected a crew of one hundred and sixty men he
started without any commission as a regular pirate
determined to rob all nations and neither to give or
receive quarter. A British sloop of war which was
cruising in the Gulf of Mexico, having heard that La-
268 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
fitte himself was at sea, kept a sharp look out from the
mast head; when one morninj^ as an officer was sweep-
ing the horizon with his glass he discovered a long
dark looking vessel, low in the water, but having very
tall masts, with sails white as the driven snow. As
the sloop of war had the weather gage of the pirate
and could outsail her before the wind, she set her stud-
ding sails and crowded every inch of canvass in chase;
as soon as Lafitte ascertained the character of his
opponent, he ordered the awnings to be furled and set
his big square-sail and shot rapidly through the water;
but as the breeze freshened the sloop of war came up
rapidly with the pirate, who, finding no chance of es-
caping, determined to sell his life as dearly as pos-
sible; the guns were cast loose and the shot handed up;
and a fire opened upon the ship which killed a number
of men and carried away her foretopmast, but she re-
served her fire until within cable's distance of the
pirate; when she fired a general discharge from her
broadside, and a volley of small arms; the broadside
was too much elevated to hit the low hull of the brig-
antine, but was not without effect; the foretopmast
fell, the jaws of the main gaff were severed and a large
proportion of the rigging came rattling down on deck;
ten of the pirates were killed, but Lafitte remained
unhurt. The sloop of war entered her men over the
starboard bow and a terrific contest with pistols and
cutlasses ensued; Lafitte received two wounds at this
time which disabled him, a grape shot broke the bone
of his right leg and he received a cut in the abdomen,
but his crew fought like tigers and the deck was ankle
deep with blood and gore; the captain of the boarders
JEAN LAFITTE 269
received such a tremendous blow on the head from the
butt end of a musket, as stretched him senseless on the
deck near Lafitte, who raised his dagger to stab him to
the heart. But the tide of his existence was ebbing
like a torrent, his brain was giddy, his aim faltered
and the point descended in the Captain's right thigh;
dragging away the blade with the last convulsive
energy of a death struggle, he lacerated the wound.
Again the reeking steel was upheld, and Lafitte placed
his hand near the Captain's heart, to make his aim
more sure; again the dizziness of dissolution spread
over his sight, down came the dagger into the captain's
left thigh and Lafitte was a corpse.
The upper deck was cleared, and the boarders
rushed below on the main deck to complete their con-
quest. Here the slaughter was dreadful, till the
pirates called out for quarter, and the carnage ceased;
all the pirates that surrendered were taken to Jamaica
and tried before the Admiralty court where sixteen
were condemned to die, six were subsequently par-
doned and ten executed.
Thus perished Lafitte, a man superior in talent, in
knowledge of his profession, in courage, and more-
over in physical strength ; but unfortunately his reck-
less career was marked with crimes of the darkest
dye.
IN MALAY WATERS
[From "'I"hc i^iratcs' Own Book."]
ACjLANCF. at the map of the East India
Islands will convince us that this region of the
globe must, from its natural configuration
and locality, be peculiarly liable to become the seat
of piracy. These islands form an immense cluster,
lying as if it were in the high road which connects
the commercial nations of Europe and Asia with each
other, affording a hundred fastnesses from which to
waylay the traveller. A large proportion of the pop-
ulation is at the same time confined to the coasts or the
estuaries of rivers; they are fishermen and mariners;
they are barbarous and poor, therefore rapacious,
faithless and sanguinary. These are circumstances, it
must be confessed, which militate strongly to beget a
piratical character. It is not surprising, then, that
the Malays should have been notorious for their dep-
redations from our first acquaintance with them.
Among the tribes of the Indian Islands, the most
noted for their piracies are, of course, the most idle,
and the least industrious, and particularly such as are
unaccustomed to follow agriculture or trade as regular
pursuits. The agricultural tribes of Java, and many
of Sumatra, never commit piracy at all; and the most
civilized inhabitants of Celebes are very little addicted
to this vice.
270
IN MALAY WATERS 271
Among the most confirmed pirates are the true
Malays, inhabiting the small islands about the eastern
extremity of the straits of Malacca, and those lying
between Sumatra and Borneo, down to Billitin and
Cavimattir. Still more noted than these, are the in-
habitants of certain islands situated between Borneo
and the Philippines, of whom the most desperate and
enterprising are the Soolos and Illanoons, the former
inhabiting a well known group of islands of the same
name, and the latter being one of the most numerous
nations of the great island of Magindando. The
depredations of the proper Malays extend from Junk-
ceylon to Java, through its whole coast, as far as Grip
to Papir and Kritti, in Borneo and the western coast
of Celebes. In another direction they infest the coast-
ing trade of the Cochin Chinese and Siamese nations
in the Gulf of Slam, finding sale for their booty, and
shelter for themselves In the ports of Tringham, Cal-
antan and Sahang. The most noted piratical stations
of these people are the small Islands about LIngin and
Rhio, particularly Galang, Tamiang and Maphar.
The chief of this last has seventy or eighty proas fit to
undertake piratical expeditions.
The Soolo pirates chiefly confine their depredations
to the Philliplne Islands, which they have continued
to infest, with little interruption, for near three cen-
turies, in open defiance of the Spanish authorities, and
the numerous establishments maintained to check them.
The piracies of the Illanoons, on the contrary, are
widely extended, being carried on all the way from
their native country to the Spice Islands, on one side,
and to the Straits of Malacca on the other. In these
172 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
last, indccti, they have formed, for the last few years,
two permanent establishments; one of these situated
on Sumatra, near Indragiri, is called Ritti, and the
other a small island on the coast of Linga, is named
Salangut. Besides those who are avowed pirates, it
ought to be particularly noticed that a great number
of the Malayan princes must be considered as acces-
sories to their crimes, for they afford them protection,
contribute to their outfit, and often share in their
booty; so that a piratical proa is too commonly more
welcome in their harbours than a fair trader.
The Malay piratical proas are from six to eight
tons burden, and run from six to eight fathoms in
length. They carry from one to two small guns, with
commonly four swivels or rantakas to each side, and
a crew of from twenty to thirty men. When they
engage, they put up a strong bulwark of thick plank;
the lUanoon proas are much larger and more formid-
able, and commonly carry from four to six guns, and
a proportionable number of swivels, and have not un-
frequently a double bulwark covered with buffalo
hides; their crews consist of from forty to eighty men.
Both, of course, are provided with spears, krisses, and
as many fire arms as they can procure. Their modes
of attack are cautious and cowardly, for plunder and
not fame is their object. They lie concealed under
the land, until they find a fit object and opportunity.
The time chosen is when a vessel runs aground, or is
becalmed, in the interval between the land and sea
breezes. A vessel underway is seldom or never at-
tacked. Several of the marauders attack together,
and station themselves under the bows and quarters
IN MALAY WATERS 273
of a ship when she has no longer steerage way, and Is
incapable of pointing her guns. The action continues
often for several hours, doing very little mischief;
but when the crew are exhausted with the defence, or
have expended their ammunition, the pirates take this
opportunity of boarding in a mass. This may sug-
gest the best means of defence. A ship, when at-
tacked during a calm, ought, perhaps, rather to stand
on the defensive, and wait if possible the setting In of
the sea breeze, than attempt any active operations,
which would only fatigue the crew, and disable them
from making the necessary defence when boarding Is
attempted. Boarding netting, pikes and pistols, ap-
pear to afford effectual security; and, indeed, we con-
ceive that a vessel thus defended by resolute crews of
Europeans or Americans stand but little danger from
any open attack of pirates whatsoever; for their guns
are so 111 served, that neither the hull or the rigging
of a vessel can receive much damage from them, how-
ever much protracted the contest. The pirates are
upon the whole extremely impartial in the selection
of their prey, making little choice between natives and
strangers, giving always, however, a natural prefer-
ence to the most timid, and the most easily overcome.
When an expedition is undertaken by the Malay
pirates, they range themselves under the banner of
some piratical chief noted for his courage and conduct.
The native prince of the place where it is prepared,
supplies the adventurers with arms, ammunition and
opium, and claims as his share of the plunder, the
female captives, the cannon, and one third of all the
rest of the booty.
274 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
In Nov. 1827, a principal chief of pirates, named
Slrulana, made a descent upon Mamoodgoo with forty-
live proas, burnt three-fourths of the campong, driv-
ing the rajah with his family among the mountains.
Some scores of men were killed, and 300 made pris-
oners, besides women and children to half that amount.
In December following, when I was there, the people
were slowly returning from the hills, but had not yet
attempted to rebuild the campong, which lay in ashes.
During my stay here (ten weeks) the place was visited
by two other piratical chiefs, one of which was from
Kylle, the other from Mandhaar Point under Bern
Bowan, who appeared to have charge of the whole;
between them they had 134 proas of all sizes.
Among the most desperate and successful pirates of
the present day, Raga is most distinguished. He is
dreaded by people of all denominations, and uni-
versally known as the "prince of pirates." For more
than seventeen years this man has carried on a system
of piracy to an extent never before known; his expe-
ditions and enterprizes would fill a large volume.
They have invariably been marked with singular cun-
ning and intelligence, barbarity, and reckless inatten-
tion to the shedding of human blood. He has
emissaries everywhere, and has intelligence of the
best description. It was about the year 18 13 Raga
commenced operations on a large scale. In that year
he cut off three English vessels, killing the captains
with his own hands. So extensive were his depreda-
tions about that time that a proclamation was issued
from Batavia, declaring the east coast of Borneo to
be under strict blockade. Two British sloops of war
IN MALAY WATERS 275
scoured the coast. One of which, the Elk, Capt.
Reynolds, was attacked during the night by Raga's
own proa, who unfortunately was not on board at the
time. This proa which Raga personally commanded,
and the loss of which he frequently laments, carried
eight guns and was full of his best men.
An European vessel was faintly descried about three
o'clock one foggy morning; the rain fell in torrents;
the time and weather were favorable circumstances
for a surprise, and the commander determined to dis-
tinguish himself in the absence of the Rajah Raga,
gave directions to close, fire the guns and board. He
was the more confident of success, as the European
vessel was observed to keep away out of the proper
course on approaching her. On getting within about
an hundred fathoms of the Elk they fired their broad-
side, gave a loud shout, and with their long oars pulled
towards their prey. The sound of a drum beating to
quarters no sooner struck the ear of the astonished
Malays than they endeavoured to get away: it was
too late; the ports were opened, and a broadside, ac-
companied with three British cheers, gave sure indica-
tions of their fate. The captain hailed the Elk, and
would fain persuade him it was a mistake. It was
Indeed a mistake, and one not to be rectified by the
Malayan explanation. The proa was sunk by re-
peated broadsides, and the commanding officer refused
to pick up any of the people, who, with the exception
of five, were drowned; these, after floating four days
on some spars, were picked up by a Pergottan proa,
and told the story to Raga, who swore anew destruc-
tion to every European he should henceforth take.
276 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
riiis desperado has for upwards of seventeen years
been tlic terror of the Straits of Macassar, during
which period he lias committed the most extensive and
dreadful excesses sparing no one. Pew respectable
families along the coast of Borneo and Celebes but
have to complain of the loss of a proa, or of some
number of their race; he is not more universally
dreaded than detested; it is well known that he has
cut off and murdered the crews of more than forty
European vessels, which have either been wrecked on
the coasts, or entrusted themselves in native ports. It
is his boast that twenty of the commanders have fallen
by his hands. The western coast of Celebes, for
about 250 miles, is absolutely lined with proas belong-
ing principally to three considerable rajahs, who act
in conjunction with Raga and other pirates. Their
proas may be seen in clusters of from 50, 80, and 100
(at Sediano I counted 147 laying on the sand at high
water mark in parallel rows,) and kept in a horizontal
position by poles, completely ready for the sea. Im-
mediately behind them are the campongs, in which are
the crews; here likewise are kept the sails, gun-powder,
&c. necessary for their equipment. On the very sum-
mits of the mountains, which in many parts rise
abruptly from the sea, may be distinguished innumer-
able huts; here reside people who are constantly on
the look-out. A vessel within ten miles of the shore
will not probably perceive a single proa, yet in less
than two hours, if the tide be high, she may be sur-
rounded by some hundreds. Should the water be low
they will push off during the night. Signals are made
from mountain to mountain along the coast with the
IN MALAY WATERS 277
utmost rapidity; during the day time by flags attached
to long bamboos; at night, by fires. Each chief sends
forth his proas, the crews of which. In hazardous cases,
are infuriated with opium, when they will most as-
suredly take the vessel If she be not better provided
than most merchantmen.
Mr. Dalton, who went to the Pergottan river in
1830, says, "whilst I remained here, there were 71
proas of considerable sizes, 39 of which were pro-
fessed pirates. They were anchored off the point of
a small promontory, on which the rajah has an estab-
lishment and bazaar. The largest of these proas be-
longed to Raga, who received by the fleet of proas,
in which I came, his regular supplies of arms and am-
munition from Singapore. Here nestle the principal
pirates, and Raga holds his head quarters; his grand
depot was a few miles farther up. Rajah Agi Bota
himself generally resides some distance up a small river
which runs eastward of the point; near his habitation
stands the principal bazaar, which would be a great
curiosity for an European to visit if he could only
manage to return, which very few have. The Rajah
gave me a pressing invitation to spend a couple of
days at his country house, but all the Bugis' nacodahs
strongly dissuaded me from such an attempt. I soon
discovered the cause of their apprehension; they were
jealous of Agl Botta, well knowing he would plunder
me, and considered every article taken by him was so
much lost to the Sultan of Coti, who naturally would
expect the people to reserve me for his own particular
plucking. When the fact was known of an European
having arrived in the Pergottan river, this amiable
278 GREAT IMRATE STORIES
prince and friend of Europeans, impatient to seize his
prey, came immediately to the point from his country
house, and sending for the nacodah of the proa, or-
dered him to land me and all my goods instantly.
An invitation now came for me to go on shore and
amuse myself with shooting, and look at some rare
hirds of beautiful plumage which the rajah would give
me if I would accept of them; but knowing what were
his intentions, and being well aware that T should be
supported by all the iiugis' proas from CotI, 1 feigned
sickness, and requested that the birds might be sent
on board. Upon this Agi Bota, who could no longer
restrain himself, sent off two boats of armed men,
who robbed me of many articles, and would certainly
have forced me on shore, or murdered me in the proa
had not a signal been made to the Bugis' nacodahs,
who immediately came with their people, and with
spears and krisses, drove the rajah's people overboard.
The nacodahs, nine in number, now went on shore,
when a scene of contention took place showing clearly
the character of this chief. The Bugis from Coti
explained, that with regard to me it was necessary to
be particularly circumspect, as I was not only well
known at Singapore, but the authorities in that settle-
ment knew that I was on board the Sultan's proa, and
they themselves were responsible for my safety. To
this circumstance alone I owe my life on several occa-
sions, as in the event of any thing happening to me,
every nacodah was apprehensive of his proa being
seized on his return to Singapore; I was therefore
more peculiarly cared for by this class of men, and
they are powerful. The Rajah answered the naco-
IN MALAY WATERS 279
dahs by saying, I might be disposed of as many others
had been, and no further notice taken of the circum-
stance; he himself would write to Singapore that I
had been taken by an alligator, or bitten by a snake
whilst out shooting; and as for what property I might
have in the proa he would divide it with the Sultan
of Coti. The Bugis, however, refused to listen to
any terms, knowing the Sultan of Coti would call him
to an account for the property, and the authorities of
Singapore for my life. Our proa, with others, there-
fore dropped about four miles down the river, where
we took in fresh water. Here we remained six days,
every argument being in vain to entice me on shore.
At length the Bugis' nacodahs came to the determina-
tion to sail without passes, which brought the rajah
to terms. The proas returned to the point, and I
was given to understand I might go on shore in safety.
I did so, and was introduced to the Rajah whom I
found under a shed, with about 150 of his people; they
were busy gambling, and had the appearance of what
they really are, a ferocious set of banditti. Agi Bota
is a good looking man, about forty years of age, of
no education whatever; he divides his time between
gaming, opium and cockfighting; that is in the interval
of his more serious and profitable employment, piracy
and rapine. He asked me to produce what money
I had about me; on seeing only ten rupees, he re-
marked that it was not worth while to win so small a
sum, but that if I would fight cocks with him he would
lend me as much money as I wanted, and added it was
beneath his dignity to fight under fifty reals a battle.
On my saying it was contrary to an Englishman's re-
280 GRFAT PIRATE STORIES
ligion to bet wagers, he dismissed me; immediately
after tlie two rajahs produced their cocks and com-
menced fighting for one rupee a side. I was now
obhged to give the old Baudarre five rupees to take
some care of me, as whilst walking about, the people
not only thrust their hands into my pockets, but pulled
the buttons from my clothes. Whilst sauntering be-
hind the rajah's campong I caught sight of an Euro-
pean woman, who on perceiving herself observed,
instantly ran into one of the houses, no doubt dreading
the consequences of being recognized. 1 here are
now in the house of Agi Bota two European women;
up the country there are others, besides several men.
The Bugis, inimical to the rajah, made no secret of
the fact; I had heard of it on board the proa, and
some person in the bazaar confirmed the statement.
On my arrival, strict orders had been given to the in-
habitants to put all European articles out of sight.
One of my servants going into the bazaar, brought
me such accounts as induced me to visit it. In one
house were the following articles: four Bibles, one In
English, one in Dutch, and two in the Portuguese lan-
guages; many articles of wearing apparel, such as jack-
ets and trowsers, with the buttons altered to suit the
natives; pieces of shirts tagged to other parts of dress;
several broken instruments, such as quadrants, spy
glasses (two,) binnacles, with pieces of ship's sails,
bolts and hoops; a considerable variety of gunner's
and carpenter's tools, stores, &c. In another shop
were two pelisses of faded lilac colours; these were of
modern cut and fashionably made. On enquiring
how they became possessed of these articles, I was
I
IN MALAY WATERS 281
told they were some wrecks of European vessels on
which no people were found, whilst others made no
scruples of averring that they were formerly the prop-
erty of people who had died in the country. All the
goods in the bazaar belonged to the rajah, and were
sold on his account; large quantities were said to be in
his house up the river; but on all hands it was admitted
Raga and his followers had by far the largest part of
what was taken. A Mandoor, or head of one of the
campongs, showed me some women's stockings, sev-
eral of which were marked with the letters S. W.; also
two chemises, one with the letters S. W.; two flannel
petticoats, a miniature portrait frame (the picture was
in the rajah's house,) with many articles of dress of
both sexes. In consequence of the strict orders given
on the subject I could see no more; indeed there were
both difficulty and danger attending these inquiries.
I particularly wanted to obtain the miniature picture,
and offered the Mandoor fifty rupees if he could pro-
cure it; he laughed at me, and pointing significantly
to his kris, drew one hand across my throat, and then
across his own, giving me to understand such would
be the result to us both on such an application to
the rajah. It is the universal custom of the pirates,
on this coast, to sell the people for slaves immediately
on their arrival, the rajah taking for himself a few
of the most useful, and receiving a percentage upon
the purchase money of the remainder, with a moiety
of the vessel and every article on board. European
vessels are taken up the river, where they are imme-
diately broken up. The situation of European pris-
oners is indeed dreadful in a climate like this, where
282 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
even the labor of natives is intolerable; they are com-
pelled to bear all the drudgery, and allowed a bare
sulliciency of rice and salt to eat.
It is utterly impossible for Europeans who have
seen these pirates at such places as Singapore and
Batavia, to form any conception of their true charac-
ter. There they are under immediate control, and
every part of their behaviour is a tissue of falsehood
and deception. They constantly carry about with
them a smooth tongue, cringing demeanor, a comply-
ing disposition, which always asserts, and never con-
tradicts; a countenance which appears to anticipate the
very wish of the Europeans, and which so generally
imposes upon his understanding, that he at once con-
cludes them to be the best and gentlest of human
beings; but let the European meet them in any of their
own campongs, and a very different character they
will appear. The character and treacherous proceed-
ing narrated above, and the manner of cutting off
vessels and butchering their crews, apply equally to
all the pirates of the East India Islands, by which
many hundred European and American vessels have
been surprised and their crews butchered.
THE ZEPHYR— AARON SMITH'S
STORY
[From "Daring Deeds of Famous Pirates," by E.
Keble Chatterton]
IF the expression had not been used already so
many thousand times, one might well say of the
following story that truth is indeed stranger than
fiction. Had you read the yarn which is here to be
related you would, at its conclusion, have remarked
that it was certainly most interesting and exciting,
but it was too exaggerated, too full of coincidences,
too full of narrow escapes ever to have occurred in
real life. But I would assure the reader at the outset
that Smith's experiences were actual and not fictional,
and that his story was carefully examined at the time
by the High Court of Admiralty. The prelude, the
climax and the conclusion of this drama with its ex-
citing incidents, its love interest and its happy end-
ing; the romantic atmosphere, the picturesque charac-
ters, the colours and the symmetry of the narrative
are so much in accord with certain models such as one
used to read in mere story-books of one's boyhood,
that it is well the reader should be fully assured that
what is here set forth did in very truth happen. In
some respects the narrative reads like pages from one
of Robert Louis Stevenson's novels, and yet though
I have, by the limits of the space at my disposal, been
283
284 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
compelled to omit many of the incidents which centred
around Smith and liis pirate associates, yet the facts
whicli are set forth liave been taken from contempo-
rary data and can be relied upon implicitly.
The story opens in the year 1821, and the hero is
an r'ngiish seaman named Aaron Smith. In the
month of June, Smith departed from England and
embarked on the merchant ship Harrington, which
carried him safely over the Atlantic to the West
Indies. Subsequent events induced him to resign his
billet on that vessel, and as he found that the West
Indian climate was impairing his health, he made ar-
rangements to get back home to England. Being then
at Kingston in the island of Jamaica, he interviewed
the captain of the British merchant ship Zephyr and
was appointed first mate. The Zephyr, like many of
the ships of the eighteenth and early nineteenth cen-
turies, was rigged as a brig, that is to say with square
sails on each of her two masts, with triangular head-
sails and a quadrilateral sail abaft the second mast
much like the mainsail of a cutter-rigged craft. Brigs
nowadays are practically obsolete, but at the time
we are speaking of they were immensely popular in
the merchant service and for carrying coals from
Newcastle-on-Tyne to London.
The Zephyr, after taking on board her West Indian
cargo together with a few passengers, weighed an-
chor in the month of June 1822 — just a year after
Smith had left Europe — and set sail for England.
From the very first Smith saw that things were not
quite as they should be. The pilot who took the ship
out into the open sea was a very incapable man, but
THE ZEPHYR— AARON SMITH'S STORY 285
his duties were soon ended and he left the ship. The
name of the Zephyr's captain was Lumsden, and even
he was far from being the capable mariner which one
would have expected in a man whose duty it was to
take a ship across the broad Atlantic. Presently, be-
fore they had left Kingston far astern, a strong breeze
sprang up from the north-east, and a heavy easterly
swell got up, which made the brig somewhat lively.
Most people are aware that the navigation among the
islands and in the tricky channels of the West Indies
needs both great care and much knowledge, such as
ought to have been possessed by a man in Lumsden's
position. Judge of Smith's surprise, therefore, when
the latter found his captain asking his advice as to
which passage he ought to take.
Whatever else Smith had in his character, he was
certainly extremely shrewd and cautious, and he re-
plied in a non-committal answer to the effect that the
"windward" passage might prolong the voyage but
that the "leeward" one would expose the ship to the
risk of being plundered by the pirates, which in those
days were far from rare. Lumsden weighed the pros
and cons in his mind, and at last resolved to choose
the "leeward" passage. About two o'clock one after-
noon Smith was pacing up and down deck when he
suddenly espied a schooner of a very suspicious ap-
pearance standing out from the land. Not quite
happy as to her character, he then went aloft with his
telescope and examined her closely. In the case of a
man of his sea experience it did not take long for
him to realise that the schooner was a pirate-ship.
Lumsden was below at the time, so Smith called him
286 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
on deck and, pointing out the strange vessel, sug-
gested to the captain that it would be best to alter
the brig's course to avoid her. But Lumsden, like
most ignorant men, was exceedingly obstinate, and
stoutly declined the proffered advice. With charac-
teristic British sentiment he opined that "because he
bore the I'.nglish flag no one would dare to molest
him." The skipper of the schooner, as we shall pres-
ently see, did not think of the matter in that way.
Half an hour passed by, the brig held on her orig-
inal course, and the two ships drawing closer together
it was observed that the schooner's deck was full of
men. Clearly, too, she was about to hoist out her
boats. This gave cause for alarm even in the stub-
born breast of Lumsden, and now he gave orders for
the course to be altered a couple of points. But the
decision had been arrived at too leisurely, for the
stranger was already within gun-shot. Before much
time had sped on, the sound of voices was heard from
ihe schooner, and short, sharp orders came across the
.leaving sea, ordering the Zephyr to lower her stern
boat and to send the captain aboard the schooner.
Lumsden pretended not to understand, but a brisk vol-
ley of musketry from the stranger Instantly quickened
the skipper's comprehension, and he promptly gave
orders to lay the mainyard aback and heave-to.
The boat which had been lowered from the
schooner was quickly rowed alongside the brig, and
nine or ten men, ferocious of appearance and well-
armed with knives, cutlasses and muskets, now leapt
aboard. It was obvious before they had left the
schooner's deck that these were desperate pirates, such
THE ZEPHYR— AARON SMITH'S STORY 287
as had many a dark, cruel deed to their consciences.
With no wasting of formality they at once took charge
of the brig and ordered Lumsden, Smith, the ship's
carpenter, and also a Captain Cowper who was travel-
ling as a passenger, to proceed on board the schooner
without delay. In order to hurry them on, the pirates
gave them repeated blows over the back from the
flat part of their cutlasses, accompanying these strokes
with threats of shooting them. So the company got
into the schooner's boat and were rowed off; Lums-
den recollected having left on the cabin table of the
Zephyr the ship's books containing an account of all
the money aboard the brig.
Arrived alongside the schooner, the prisoners were
ordered on deck. It was the pirate captain who now
issued the commands, a man of repulsive appearance
with his savage expression, his short, stout stature.
His age was not more than about thirty-two, his ap-
pearance denoted that in his veins ran Indian blood.
Standing not more than five and a half feet high, he
had an aquiline nose, high cheek bones, a large mouth,
big full eyes, sallow complexion and black hair. The
son of a Spanish father, and a Yucatan squaw, there
was nothing in him that suggested anything but the
downright brigand of the sea.
But with all this savage temperament there was
nothing in him of the fool, and his wits and eyes were
ever on the alert. Already he had observed a cluster
of vessels in the distance, and he questioned Lumsden
as to what kind of craft they might be. On being in-
formed that probably they were French merchantmen,
the pirate captain gave orders for all hands to get
288 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
the schooner ready to give chase. Meanwhile the
Zephyr, with part of the pirate crew on board, made
sail and stood in towards the land in the direction of
Cape Roman, some eighteen miles away. And as the
schooner pushed on, cleaving her way through the
warm sea, the pirate applied himself to questioning
the skipper of the brig. What was his cargo?
Lumsden answered that it consisted of sugars, rum,
coffee, arrow-root, and so on. But what money had
he on board? Lumsden replied that there was no
money. Such an answer only infuriated the pirate.
"Don't imagine I'm a fool, sir," he roared at him.
"I know that all vessels going to Europe have specie
on board, and" — he added — "if you will give up what
you have, you shall proceed on your voyage without
further molestation." But Lumsden still continued in
his protestations that money there was none: to which
the pirate remarked that if the money were not forth-
coming he would throw the Zephyr's cargo overboard.
Night was rapidly approaching, and the breeze was
certainly dying down, so that although the schooner
had done fairly well through the water, yet the pirate
despaired of ever coming up with the Frenchmen.
Disappointed at his lack of success, he was compelled
to abandon the chase, and altered his course to stand
in the direction of the Zephyr. When night had fal-
len the pirates began to prepare supper, and offered
spirits to their captives, which the latter declined.
The pirate captain now turned his attention to Smith,
and observed that as he was in bad health, and none
of the schooner's crew understood navigation, it was
his intention to detain Smith to navigate her. We
THE ZEPHYR— AARON SMITH'S STORY 289
need not attempt to suggest the feelings of dismay
with which Smith received this information. To re-
sist forceably was obviously out of the question,
though he did his best to be allowed to forego the
doubtful honour of being appointed navigating officer
to a pirate-ship. Lumsden, too, uneasy at the thought
of being bereft of a man indispensable to the safety
of his brig, expressed a nervous hope that Smith might
not be detained. But the pirate's reply to the last
request came prompt and plain. "If I do not keep
him," he growled at Lumsden, "I shall keep you."
That sufficiently alarmed the brig's master to subdue
him to silence.
/*The captives sat down to supper with their pirate
captain and the latter's six officers. The meal con-
sisted of garlic and onions chopped up into fine pieces
and mixed with bread in a bowl. From this every one
helped himself as he pleased with his fingers, and the
coarse manners of the schooner's company were in
keeping with the brutality of their profession. A
breeze had sprung up in the meanwhile and they began
fast to approach the Zephyr. When at length the
two vessels were within a short distan;ce, the pirate
ordered a musket to be fired and then proceeded to
tack shorewards. This signal was answered imme-
diately by the pirates on board the brig, and the
Zephyr then proceeded to follow the schooner. One
of the brig's crew who had been brought aboard the
schooner at the time when Lumsden and Smith were
taken, was now ordered to heave the lead and to give
warning as soon as the schooner got into soundings.
It is significant that whatever else these pirates may
290 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
have been, they were brigands first and sailormen only
a bad second, who had taken to roving less through
nautical enthusiasm than from a greed for gain and
a means of indulging their savage tastes. Thus, al-
though on waylaying a merchant ship their first (object
was to pillage, yet they made it also their aim to carry
off any useful members of the trader's crew who were
expert in the arts of seamanship or navigation.
As soon as the leadsman, then, found bottom at
fourteen fathoms, the pirate commanded a boat to
be lowered and therein was placed Lumsden and some
of the crew which had belonged to the Zephyr.
Smith, however, and with him the brig's carpenter,
were detained on the schooner. The pirate captain
himself accompanied Lumsden, left the latter on board
the brig and brought back the crew of the pirate, who
in the first instance had been left to take charge of
the Zephyr. They also brought away to the schooner
a number of articles, including Cowper's watch, the
brig's spy-glass. Smith's own telescope, some clothes
belonging to the latter, and a goat. To show what
kind of cruel rascals Smith had now become shipmate
with may be seen from the fact that as soon as the
animal had been brought aboard, one of the pirate's
crew instantly cut the goat's throat with his knife,
flayed the poor creature alive, and promised the same
kind of treatment to his friends if no money were
found In the Zephyr. Even the most stalwart British
sailor could not help his heart beating the more
rapidly at such cowardly and bullying treatment.
By now the schooner had stood so near to the shore
that she was in four fathoms and the anchor was let
I
THE ZEPHYR— AARON SMITH'S STORY 291
go. The Zephyr also let go and brought up about
fifty yards away. Relieved from work, the pirates
now began to exult and to congratulate each other on
their fine capture. Night came on again and a watch
was set. Smith and Cowper, still in the schooner,
were ordered to sleep in the companionway, but with
the fearful anxiety imminent and the possibility of
never being allowed to wake again, they never re-
lapsed into unconsciousness. Conversation was kept
up stealthily between them, and Cowper, knowing that
the Zephyr carried a quantity of specie and that Lums-
den had hoodwinked the pirate captain, dreaded lest
this should be found out. With the certain assurance
in his mind of being put to death, a horrible night of
suspense and fear was passed by the two seamen.
When daylight came, some of the pirates were seen
on the brig's deck beating the Zephyr's crew with their
cutlasses. Great activity of a most business-like na-
ture was being manifested on the English ship, boats
were being hoisted out, a rope cable — those were still
the days of hemp — was being coiled on deck, the
hatches were being removed and all was being made
ready for taking out the Zephyr's cargo. The pirate
commanded Smith to go aboard the brig and fetch
everything that might be essential for the purposes of
navigation, for the former was most determined to
retain the former mate of the English merchantman.
To accentuate his determination the half-caste brute
raised his arm into the air and, brandishing a cutlass
over poor Smith's head, threatened him with Instant
death if he showed any reluctance. "Mind and you
obey me," he taunted, "or I will take off your skin."
292 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
We need not stop to depict Smith's feelings, nor to
suggest with what dismay he found himself compelled
to obey the behests of a coarse, ignorant freebooter.
It was humiliating to the last degree for a man who
had been mate and served under the red ensign thu^
to have to submit to such abominable treatment. But
there was no choice between submission and death,
though from what eventually followed it was obvious
that Smith was not a coward and was not so proud
of his skin as to fear death. He proceeded aboard
the brig, discovered that she had been well ransacked
and with a heavy heart began to collect his belong-
ings. He brought off his gold watch and sextant,
packed his clothes and then returned to the schooner.
But before doing so he acted as a man about to pass
out of the world and anxious to dispose of his remain-
ing effects. With almost humorous pathos, one might
remark, he set about this last duty. "My books, par-
rot and various other articles I gave in charge to
Mr. Lumsden, who engaged to deliver them safely
into the hands of my friends, should he reach Eng-
land;" and it needs no very gifted imagination to see
the sentimental sailor of the great sailing-ship age
painfully taking a last look at these cherished
possessions.
The cargo having been transferred to the schooner,
the pirates indulged themselves in liquor and became
intoxicated. But meanwhile the crew of the brig were
not allowed to stand idle. The pirate captain was
going to get all that he could from his capture, and
ordered the Zephyr's fore t'gallant mast and yard to
be sent down, and these, together with whatever other
THE ZEPHYR— AARON SMITH'S STORY 293
spars might seem useful, were to be sent on board the
schooner. The merchant ship was positively gutted
of everything the pirates fancied. There was not left
even so much as a bed or a blanket: even the ear-rings
on the ears of the children passengers were snatched
from the latter. In addition to this the whole of the
live stock such as an ocean-going ship carried in those
days prior to the invention of the refrigerating rooms
and tinned food was transferred to the schooner and
a certain amount of drinking water.
But the pirates had not yet concluded their das-
tardly work. Lumsden and Cowper were warned
that unless they produced the money, which the pirate
was convinced still remained, the Zephyr, with all her
people in her, should be burnt to the water's edge.
It is to the credit of these two men that they strenu-
ously declined to oblige the pirate. This only served
as fuel to the latter's temper, and he sent them below
and began a series of heartless tortures which were
more in keeping with some of the worst features of
the Middle Ages than the nineteenth century. De-
termined to attain his object, no matter what the cost,
he caused the two men to be locked to the ship's pumps
and proceeded to carry out the threat which he had
just promised. Every preparation was made for
starting a fire, combustibles were piled round about
the unfortunate men, and the light was just about to
be applied when Lumsden, unable to endure the tor-
ture any longer, confessed that there was money. He
was accordingly released, and rummaging about pro-
duced a small box of doubloons.
This, however, far from satisfying the pirate's
294 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
thirst, merely increased his desire for more. Lums-
den protested that that was all. So again the skipper
was lashed to the pumps, again fire was ordered to
he put to the fuel, and again the victim was about to
he iiniiiohited. Once more, at the last minute, Lums-
den yielded and offered to surrender all that he had.
Thereupon, for the second time he was released, and
producing nine more doubloons declared that this
money had been entrusted to his care on behalf of
a poor woman. Such human sentiments, however,
rarely fell on more unsympathetic ears. "Don't
speak to me of poor people," howled the pirate. "I
am poor, and your countrymen and the Americans
have made me so. I know there is more money, and
1 will either have it or burn you and the vessel."
Following up his threat with deeds, he once more
ordered Lumsden below, yet again had the combusti-
bles laid around. But the Englishman stood his tor-
ture well: his being was becoming accustomed to the
treatment and for a while he never flinched. Then
the monsters of iniquity applied a light to the fire, and
the red and yellow flames leapt forward and already
began to lick the skipper's body. For a time he en-
dured the grievous pain as the fire burnt into his flesh.
With agonising cries and heart-rending shouts he
begged to be relieved of his tortures — to be cut adrift
in a boat and left solitary on the wide open ocean —
anything rather than this. Money he had not:
already he had given up all that he possessed. And
after this slow murder had continued for some time
the stubborn dulled intellect of the pirate captain be-
gan to work, and seeing that not even fire could call
THE ZEPHYR— AARON SMITH'S STORY 295
forth more money from a suffering man, he was In-
clined to believe that the last coin had now been
yielded up. Then turning to some of his own crew,
he ordered them to throw water on to the flames, and
the long-suffering Lumsden, more dead than alive,
racked by physical and mental tortures, was released
and allowed to regain his freedom. As If to accentu-
ate their own bestial natures the pirates then pro-
ceeded to carouse once more and to exult again In
their Ill-gotten treasures.
But even in the most villainous criminal there Is
always at least one small trait of human nature left,
and it is often surprising how this manifests Itself
when circumstances had seemed to deny its very exist-
ence. It was so in the case of this pirate captain.
Everything so far had Indicated the most unmitigated
bully and murderer without one single redeeming feat-
ure of any sort whatever. And yet. In spite of all the
vain entreaties of Lumsden for mercy, the pirate
showed that the last spark of human kindness was not
yet quenched. The reader will remember that among
the articles which Smith had brought away from the
brig was his gold watch. The pirate took this In his
hands, examined It, and Instead of promptly annexing
the same, threw out a strong hint that he would like
to retain It. Such moderation from one who had not
hesitated to burn a man at the stake was In Itself curi-
ous. But his Inconsistency did not stop at that.
Smith remarked that the watch was a gift from his
aged mother, whom he now never expected to see
again, adding that he would like to be allowed to send
it to her by Lumsden, but was afraid that the pirates
296 (jREA'r PIRATE STORIES
would take It away from the h^nglish captain if it were
entrusted to him. it was then that the pirate mani-
fested the extraordinary contradiction which his char-
acter possessed. "Y'our people," he began, "have a
very bad opinion of us, but I will convince you that
we are not so bad as we are represented to be; come
along with me, and your watch shall go safely home."
And with this he took Smith on board the Zephyr
once more, handed the watch into Lumsden's keeping
and gave strict orders that on no account was any one
to take it away from the English captain.
Smith now took a final farewell of his old mess-
mates, but lest he should take advantage of the indul-
gence which had been just granted him, the pirate
captain instantly ordered him back to the schooner,
and even impelled him forward at the point of his
murderous knife. All this time the two ships had
been lying alongside lashed together by warps. Being
at last content with the ample cargo which he had
extracted from the Zephyr, and being convinced that
there was nothing else aboard of much value, the
pirate now ordered the warps to be cast loose and
informed Lumsden that he might consider himself
free to resume his voyage. But, he insisted, on no
account was he to steer for Havannah. Should he
do so, the schooner would pursue him, and on being
overtaken Lumsden and his ship should be destroyed
without further consideration.
So at last the brig Zephyr, robbed of most of her
valuables, lacking some of her gear and minus her
mate, and with a tortured skipper, hove up her an-
chor, let loose her canvas and cleared out into the
open sea.
THE LAST OF THE PIRATES
[From "The Wild Coast of Nippon," by Capt. H.
C. St. John, R. N.]
IN 1875 an English brigantine bound for the north-
ward had been attacked about 100 miles from
Hong-Kong; the captain and a boy were killed,
but the rest of the crew, having taken to the top, and
remained there while the pirates ransacked the vessel,
were otherwise unmolested. As soon as the coast was
clear, they descended from their airy refuge, and in
a day or two brought the vessel safely back to port.
Whilst we were coaling to go in search of these ras-
cals, another case occurred, information being brought
that a large fishing-junk belonging to Hong-Kong,
with the owner and his family on board, had been
boarded by pirates when fishing just outside the island,
and his three daughters carried off for ransom. The
owner himself had been launched adrift in a sampan,
and directed by his considerate countrymen to collect
500 dollars as the price of his daughters' release; if
not paid in a short time, the girls would be, never
more, of any trouble to him or any one else. The
senior officer had arrived while I was still in port, and
being entirely ignorant of all matters concerned with
piracy, he very much doubted my being able to do any
good in searching for the culprits in either of the two
cases, and especially in the release of the damsels. In
297
298 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
answer to his doubts, I said, in tlic latter case I should
probably succeed, but not in the first, the time elapsed
being too long. Towards dusk I left, so as to reach
a cluster of islands called Tooni-ang, thirty miles east
of I long-Kong, and a very favourite rendezvous for
pirates, towards daylight. In the channel between
the islands were coves and nooks where junks could
stow away very snugly, and the approach being open
at cither end, they could easily slip away on danger
appcarmg from any direction. I reached the spot
before the sun had thought of throwing light over the
high peak of the largest island. Gradually, how-
ever, the morning grey cool feel of the approaching
day stole over the scene, and as it did I kept quietly
creeping in, until I reached the very centre of the
passage.
Presently, close under the rocks, a junk was seen,
moving cautiously in the shadow of the cliffs towards
the further entrance. Early as I was, they were
equally on the qui vive, and the whole crew managed
to escape to the shore before I caught the junk. This
proved to be the very pirate craft which had captured
the girls; so far so good, I thought. Now, to trace
these unhappy fair ones. A deep bay lay immediately
abreast of Tooni-ang, at the head of which, and faced
by shoal water and a long flat island, a town with
about a thousand inhabitants lay almost entirely con-
cealed by a prominent woody point, and the island
mentioned. I knew this to be a den of thieves, and
from what the father of the girls had gathered, and
otherwise conjectured during his interview with the
pirates, it appeared more than probable that to this
THE LAST OF THE PIRATES 299
place the prisoners had been taken. When passing a
cove, a junk hove in sight, inshore, and on my bear-
ing down for her, was run on shore, and a dozen men
or so skedaddled and made off into the bushes as hard
as they could. This was my friend the fisherman's
own craft; he nearly stood on his head with joy. I
don't believe he thought half as much of his girls as
his junk. The one cost money, the other made it,
I suppose he might have said. She was easily rescued
from her sandy bed and taken in tow. The guns (all
fishing-junks used to be well armed) had been taken
out of her, but with a little searching they were found
buried in the sand close to. Without further inci-
dents I reached the head of the bay, anchored off the
village, and at once demanded the three girls. This
request, however, was met with blank looks of aston-
ishment, and professions of utter ignorance regarding
them. "The three headmen of the village must then
return with me to the gun-boat," I said. These
worthies made all the delay, excuses, and difficulties
they could, but ultimately appeared robed in silk, ac-
companied by a couple of blue-jackets, who escorted
them to the boat, and then on board. This sort of
proceeding was more native police work than an Eng-
lish man-of-war's; but if such ideas had been stuck to,
and I had simply confined myself to the open sea, and
to my bare orders, which were to that effect, the gun-
boat might just as well have been returned into store,
for all the good towards the suppression of piracy
that she could have done; and many scores more lives
would have been lost, and vessels taken, than was ac-
tually the case.
300 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
I now made great preparations to hang these three
silk-robed gentlemen, passing a rope from each mast-
head, arranging the most elaborate knots, and so on,
taking care that they should see and understand what
was going on. Their expressions were curious to
watch; one, in particular, tried to treat it as a good
joke, but with the most evident inward uncertainty.
The other two appeared stolid, but very grave. All
now being ready, one was taken to each mast, and the
rope passed carefully over their heads. The effect
of the ominous-looking noose touching their skin was
as if their faculties had received an electric shock.
They suddenly remembered "the girls were there; I
should have them at once if only I would spare their
lives." The gentleman that laughed at the prepara-
tions was so overcome by the excess of his feelings
that he fainted, but came to in a few moments on a
little salt water being judiciously applied. Directions
were sent to their subordinates in the village, and in
a very short time the girls appeared on the beach, es-
corted by a crowd of men and women: the three ras-
cals were quickly exchanged for the kidnapped fair
ones, who were fed with tea and jam, and wrapped up
in a sail for the night, and I started on my return to
Hong-Kong. It would have been a good lesson, and
certainly not an undeserved one, if these celestials had
been hanged instead of only frightened. There was
no doubt, however, that they firmly believed their last
hour had come, otherwise they would never had dis-
closed their guilt.
For a couple of months I was employed entirely on
the coast east of Hong-Kong, during which time we
THE LAST OF THE PIRATES 301
took a number of junks, some prisoners, and released
others kept to ransom. The coast between Macao
and Hainan I purposely left alone.
The China New Year was approaching (February),
a great time with all Chinamen — a general holiday —
a feast time — a time that business is thrown aside, and
revelry and dissipation are alone thought of. Even
the pirates cannot resist the temptation of general lax-
ity, and as a rule return to some rendezvous or strong-
hold for at least three days. Another custom, and a
very good one, connected with their New Year is,
that every Chinaman pays his debts; it is a point of
honour with them to do so; an item in the general
routine of a Chinaman's life we might well imitate.
Relying on this general slackness, I had decided to
cruise down the west coast during their holiday-time,
hoping to make a good bag. The day before the com-
mencement of their New Year, 1876, I visited some
Chinese merchants, and talked over the state of trade,
piracy, etc., but none had any news such as I wanted.
As I was in the act of getting under weigh, one of
these same men came quietly on board, and in a mys-
terious manner whispered — "Better look see Puck-
shui."
"The very place I am going to," I answered.
An hour before, when surrounded by his fellow-
merchants, he knew nothing; evidently there was no
safety in numbers to his mind.
Next morning at daybreak I was on my ground.
Two islands with a shallow passage between them,
and an entrance at either end, situated about midway
between the mainland and the outer line of islands.
302 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
formed a remarkably good and safe retreat for law-
less characters. As I rounded the point, and opened
the channel and anchorage, no less than fifteen junks
appeared, drawn up in line so as to cover the centre
of tlic channel with their guns. Knowing the place
well, I went full speed through the soft mud on the
north side, and by doing so kept all the junks end on
instead of broadside, as they would have been if I had
taken the mid-channel course they expected. With
our guns out, and loaded, the little gun-boat rushed
into the middle of them. This was too much for their
nerves, however well they may have been strung up
before; they entirely gave way at such close quarters,
and without a shot being fired on either side, over-
board they went, and made a hasty and undignified
retreat on shore. I now anchored. They then
manned the guns in their battery, situated immedi-
ately abreast of the gun-boat, and in front of the town.
Before, however, they fired, I sent a big shot in their
direction, which cleared them out.
As we had steamed in, we passed a large salt junk,
whose crew appeared dancing about the deck like
lunatics. They were certainly in the wildest state of
joy at being released from captivity. They mustered
twenty-seven in all, and were soon well on their way
to Hong-Kong. Little had they expected, an hour
before, to get off without paying the heavy ransom
demanded.
I decided to take the battery and utterly destroy
the place. Taking all my crew except three, not of
course counting the Chinese part of it, I landed at a
point a little way down, to avoid some swampy
THE LAST OF THE PIRATES 303
ground abreast their guns. We could also land here
under good shelter, and afterwards approach within
200 yards without being seen; this we did, and then
had a good look at the formidable array of men drawn
up in front of the village. There could not have
been less than 300, but there might have been 500.
Two or three, who walked up and down in front of
the rest, kept opera-glasses steadily at work, and
watched us narrowly. Not a woman was to be seen,
which looked as If they meant business, I knew our
eight-inch gun was keenly alive to our movements, and
ready to send forth a very effectual messenger if
needed. Forming in single file, we opened into view
over a small hillock, and went at them at a steady
trot. A minute they stood as if irresolute, then
wavered, turned round and ran, as if a whole regi-
ment with fixed bayonets were at their heels; instead
of only twenty blue-jackets and marines, which consti-
tuted the whole of my force. The only creature we
caught was a stray young female, and how she got
adrift from the rest of her sex, who were evidently
stowed away in the hills, I cannot tell. The battery
we simply walked into from behind, and the whole
affair was at an end, except the destruction of the vil-
lage, which was soon accomplished by burning it to
the ground. During the time that the preceding
events were taking place, a couple of junks had been
blown up, and with them three of my men, fortunately
they had come down again, damaged considerably, but
not altogether expended. The gunner was one; he
was three months in the hospital, and then returned to
duty, but wonderfully changed for the better in ap-
304 GRIlAT pirate STORIES
pearance. A marine was a year ill; the other case
was not so serious.
There was, of course, no possibility of bringing the
pirates to bay, and nothing was left to be done but to
return on board. I was just about ordering the men
to fall in, when, on looking down the creek, to my no
little astonishment, a whole fleet of junks appeared
steering in. The Chinese interpreter immediately
pronounced them to be pirates. Pleasant, I thought;
why, they will take the gun-boat long before we can
get on board. My telescope, however, revealed that
they were all the same class of craft, a thing never the
case in a fleet of piratical junks; Mandarins I felt
sure, from their uniformity and number of flags flying.
However, to make things certain, I got quickly down
to the boats, and pulled out for the headmost craft,
hailing her as I came near as to her friendliness or
otherwise. This proved the commander-in-chief's
junk, whom I requested to come on board the gun-
boat, and returned myself to receive him. I shall
never forget the man's face as he reached the deck.
"I am so glad to see you," he said; "twice have I
been here, and each time have been beaten off; the
pirates were far too strong for me. I should never
have come in now if I had not seen a gun-boat in the
place."
"What force have you?" I asked.
"I have forty-four junks, each with eight or ten
guns on board, and 1600 troops, besides the junks'
crews," he replied.
All I thought I did not utter; but telling him to take
charge of the junks, the forty-seven guns, and the re-
THE LAST OF THE PIRATES 305
mains of the town, as I must be off, and also to make
what report he liked, I bade him good-bye, and made
for Macao as fast as I could. From there I sent my
injured men across to Hong-Kong, and started im-
mediately again for the westward. As I left the gal-
lant Mandarin and his war-junks, and before I got
clear of the passage between the islands, he had
opened fire, but at what I could not see. I heard
some time afterwards that the pirates returned
directly the gun-boat was out of sight, and drove the
warriors from their island, who then retreated as fast
as a fair wind would take them.^
Leaving Macao, and steaming about thirty miles
to the west of Puckshui, I turned sharply to the right,
and towards the mainland, which was separated from
the chain of islands by ten or twelve miles of shallow
water, with only here and there a passage across it.
The water being invariably muddy, it was very difficult
to follow these narrow, deep lines of soundings, and
such I found it this time; for after getting something
like half-way across towards the coast-line, the gun-
boat grounded, and all the pulling we could accumu-
late on the anchor laid out for the purpose had no
effect; fortunately it was very nearly low-water, and
^ I was much amused when I returned to England, at a penny
illustrated newspaper which had been sent to my address, soon after
this piratical affair had taken place. Amidst any amount of smoke
and fire, men mounted on ardent steeds are represented galloping
about in all directions, armed with long spears, shields, and battle-
axes, — these are the pirates. Other men, with helmets on, and
clothed in complete armour, are closely engagd with these mounted
warriors; some are in the act of springing on shore from numerous
boats, which are just discernible amidst the fire, smoke, and con-
fusion, — these represent the gallant British tars, the Opposum's crew.
It must have been a fertile imagination that got all this together, to
show what piracy in China was like !
306 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
tlic tide would soon make. The aspect of the heavens
suddenly clianged from hright sunshine to a mass of
heavy and gloomy-looking clouds, the wind rose
(juickly, and a shower and squall approached from the
eastward, and (juite shut out the land. The muddy
water was soon lashed into excitement with the in-
creasing wind, and looking all round the general im-
pression was gloom and unpleasantness.
At this moment a junk emerged from the heavy
rain, and came booming on with her great sails full
before the breeze. That it must be the craft that we
were after I felt almost certain, and to stop him I was
determined. Pitching a big shot across his bows for
the purpose had no effect. Another, still nearer, was
equally unnoticed. In another minute the big gun
would not bear; the junk would have passed, might
rake the gun-boat as she lay helplessly in the mud, and
go flying away before the half gale with perfect
Impunity.
"Fire into her" was the order. But, fortunately
for the junk, before the trigger was pulled, down came
his great sail, and in less than five minutes she had
rounded to and anchored close to us. Almost at the
same moment the rising tide floated the gun-boat, and,
dropping into the deeper water, I went immediately
on board the junk, where I found no less than forty-
three men. In small parties they were sent to the
gun-boat, and secured for the night. Next day we
arrived at the nearest Mandarin station, and were
by no means sorry to hand junk and crew over to his
tender mercies. This was the very craft I was in
search of, and, being captured on the eve of depar-
THE LAST OF THE PIRATES 307
ture, prevented mischief being done during her in-
tended cruise. She was armed and strong enough to
take any merchant ship that might be met with during
calm weather. The gun-boat looked quite a diminu-
tive affair when alongside of her, and she had eight
big guns on board, besides all kinds and descriptions
of small arms. After this I was not sorry to return
to Hong-Kong for a few days' rest.
This western part of the Quang-tung province, the
coast of which I have so often referred to, is to this
day a terra incognita to Europeans.
The part I chiefly had occasion to visit appeared in-
habited by two tribes, the Hacka's and Punti's, who
by no means lived at peace with one another, — quite
the contrary. They were always fighting or cutting
each other's throats on a small scale, as well as by
more wholesale operations. I had on one occasion to
follow a lorcha and a couple of junks up a sluggish
river which ran through this country, and the amount
of fighting we passed through was absurd. Neither
party molested us in any way, although, if so disposed,
they might have made it very disagreeable, the width
of the river being only at most sixty yards, and the
banks here and there well bushed over. Dead bodies
in scores floated down, or were grounded on the
banks. The hills on either side of the river were
quite decorated with the flags of the contending par-
ties; but it must be understood that these emblems of
warfare in a Chinese army, or in a tribal squabble, in-
variably are almost as plentiful as the men themselves.
The three pirate crafts were captured and destroyed.
It was not always plain sailing amongst these is-
M)H GREAT PIRATE STORIES
lands, which Studded the coast for at least lOO miles
west of the Canton river; for notwithstanding the
numerous good anchorages that existed, it was tick-
lish work occasionally during the typhoon months,
which were nearly half the year, or from June to
October.
These disagreeable visitors had always, during this
season, to be considered. Luckily, with a good baro-
meter, their approach could generally be foretold by
twenty-four hours, and sometimes by double that time.
In June 1875, for instance, I knew that a typhoon was
brewing up, and in consequence got into a snug anchor-
age beforehand. The place I was in was perfectly
safe; being landlocked on all sides, no swell could even
enter, and I knew that the wind alone was what I
need think of.
Towards evening it was blowing very hard from the
eastward, and still increasing; by midnight the force
of the wind during the gusts was simply terrific. I
had everything well secured long before it com-
menced; the boats were lashed and relashed, so that
they might be blown to pieces but they could not pos-
sibly be entirely taken away. Soon afterwards I
went to get some rest and shelter In my cabin, leav-
ing the boatswain in charge on deck. At one in the
morning he called me, and reported the gun-boat to
be drifting on the rocks, adding —
*'I never saw it blow like this before, sir. In the
thirty years I have been at sea."
"What are you doing on deck?" I asked.
"Steaming ahead as hard as we can, sir, to ease the
anchors and cables, which are veered to the clinch."
THE LAST OF THE PIRATES 309
"Very well," I replied; "you had better turn the
hands up; I shall be on deck in a moment."
On reaching the gangway, I could just see through
the thick vapour and driving sea the black rocks about
thirty yards astern; and going to the engine-room, I
gave orders to go ahead as fast as possible, and again
returned to the gun-boat's side, and, holding on, sat
down to watch the poor little craft drifting quietly
but surely to the angry-looking shore. I knew that,
the water being smooth, all hands were perfectly safe,
as far as their lives went, and that the only thing that
could happen would be the gun-boat's driving against
the rocks, and probably knocking a hole in her bottom.
It certainly did blow; and I thought if the weather-
beaten old boatswain had ever seen much more wind,
he would probably have been taken clean off the face
of the earth. I had been about half-an-hour thus
musing and watching the rocks getting gradually more
distinct. I could see the clefts, and almost trace their
jagged outline, and was wondering what the result
would be, what amount of damage would be done to
the gun-boat, and how I should manage to get back
to Hong-kong, a hundred and fifty miles off, when
suddenly I saw the little vessel was moving up to her
anchors. I immediately stopped the engines, and in
less than ten minutes from that time it was perfectly
calm. Both anchors were at once weighed, and
steaming out to the centre of the bay, I let them both
go to the westward, veering nearly all my cable out,
and keeping steam up ready to move the engines at
any moment. The wind had left off at east north-
east. In an hour or so a sound like steam being blown
310 GRFAT PIRATE STORIES
out of a boiler was heard to the westward, and imme-
diately afterwards the gun-boat was struck by a
furious gust from that direction, from which quarter
it blew for some hours as hard as ever, the barometer
all the time going up. i he centre was, however,
past, and towards noon I was able to get under weigh
and proceed on my journey.
The word "Typhoon" is of Chinese derivation,
and means "mother of winds," — a very good and
significant designation. I'yphoon, cyclone, and hur-
ricane are all synonymous for circular storms or gales
of wind, which, in my opinion, have all the same
origin, and all the same purpose to fulfill, — the resto-
ration of the atmospheric equilibrium, which has be-
come disturbed. Doubtless electricity has a great
deal to answer for in connection with these great at-
mospheric disturbances, if not wholly and entirely
responsible for them. For my own part, I believe
typhoons, cyclones, etc., to be purely electrical
phenomena.
I have mentioned the barometer as being a never-
failing guide. I consider it, in fact, the greatest
friend a sailor has, though in these days of steam it is
not sufficiently considered. A steamer, for instance,
cuts across, goes through or passes the storm's course;
she is independent of the wind, and, consequently,
changes in the weather are less watched and at-
tended to.
I often tried to ascertain how the great fleets of
fishing junks, which everywhere along the Chinese
coast are found working away diligently at all seasons
and in all weathers, knew the approach of a typhoon;
THE LAST OF THE PIRATES 311
for know it I always felt sure they did, first from the
fact that so few are lost during the passage of these
storms; and secondly, because I had frequently seen
them getting to safe harbours well before the typhoon
had commenced.
One answer was always returned to my queries on
this point, and no other; and this was, that the water
always got thick on the approach of a storm. When
anchored at some of the out-of-the-way small ports on
the coasts, often full of merchant junks, besides nu-
merous fishing craft and others, the masters or owners
of the former, particularly if trading with Hong-Kong
or some of the open ports, frequently came on board
the gun-boat to ask me, "What that thing makie talkie
today?" "that thing" being my barometer, in which
they showed the greatest confidence.
As nearly as possible one hundred miles west of
Macao is a large island called Chang-chuen in Chinese,
and St. John's in English. Several bays run deeply
into the land, cutting the island up considerably. A
few small villages of the poorest class of fishermen or
farmers are here and there found. A very miserable
lot of people these villagers are; but as the island Is
visited by none but pirates, no other class of China-
men would care to live there. I doubt much If the
Government ever knew of this place. It was a very
frequent resort of mine when cruising along this wild
coast, and many a stroll with my gun have I enjoyed
on it, always managing to bag a few partridges, quail,
or pigeons. One day, when wandering about in this
way, I came upon a large flat slab of stone, almost
concealed by grass and herbage. A great rock rose
312 GREAT PIRATE STORIES
close to It, and a few bushes and some screw pine
plants grew near. Thinking it rather (juecr-looking
and tomb-like, I cleared away the rough grass, and
almost the first thing I saw were two words, "Francis
Xavier!" Scraping off some more rubbish, the whole
inscription came out quite clear. Here, then, was the
spot where this great man died. A more out-of-the-
way, God-forsaken sort of place to end one's days on
could scarcely be found. I asked some Chinese of the
half-dozen wretched huts which clustered together a
short distance from the spot what they knew about it.
"Oh," they said, "one big priest makie die there,
a long time since. He come from another country;
not Chinaman, but very good man."
My friends the pirates were not always very polite.
I knew, of course, they would have relished getting
hold of me. Occasionally they managed to convey
messages such as, "We'll skin him"; "We'll blow him
out of the water," and so on. The latter considerate
inclination came so decidedly in April 1866 that I
thought they really might mean something, and the
Admiral, who happened to be in port, rather reluc-
tantly gave me permission to go out. He was at first
anxious I should take two gun-boats, but I knew my
only chance of teaching them a lesson was to go alone.
Puckshui, which I had previously burnt to the ground,
was the spot these bits of pleasantry came from, and
the following morning, as usual, at daylight I arrived
there. The place had been entirely rebuilt. My
three guns were loaded and run out on one side, and
steaming in I anchored abreast the battery. But not
a movement of course was made. Seven or eight long
THE LAST OF THE PIRATES 313
snake-boats were drawn up In a side creek; these I de-
stroyed, and landing with four men, the inhabitants
took to their heels, and once more I burnt the place
to the ground.
During the time I was particularly employed in look-
ing after pirates — about eighteen or twenty months —
I took in all fifty-four junks, and about two hundred
prisoners. As for the number of guns, and people
liberated, I hardly know, not having kept any regular
list. The guns were all of good manufacture, most
being made in England, the others in Germany or
Belgium.
At the time I speak of, Hong-Kong was a hot-bed
of piracy and villany. Chinamen generally, but Can-
tonese particularly — and of all Chinamen I suppose
there are no greater rascals — who had made their own
country too hot for them, congregated on this rocky
piece of English soil for protection. The Chinese
population was then about 115,000. Headmen of
pirate gangs resided there, and piratical junks an-
chored with impunity in the harbour; they used actually
to have the coolness to come to, and take up a berth
close to my gun-boat, but usually they remained
amongst their fellow-craft at the other end of the
harbour. An English brig, or schooner, or the smal-
lest, most insignificant craft sailing under these
vaunted colours, on anchoring in this English port,
was at once boarded, by not only one authority, but by
two or three; certainly by the harbour-master and the
guard-boat of some man-of-war at anchor in the port.
She had to sign papers, deliver others, and generally
give an account of herself, her whole crew, arms, con-
314 r.RFAT PIRATK STORIES
tents, and other items being entered in printed forms.
Possibly her crew consisted of five or six men, the cap-
tain, and a boy, and she may have had a couple of
small swivel-guns on her after-bulkhead. A junk, or
a dozen junks coming in, were never even looked at.
I have seen these vessels come sailing along in sixes,
or more, mounting ten or twelve guns each, and with
crews of forty or fifty men, large enough and per-
fectly able to take the finest merchant vessel afloat.
These junks were not pirates, but honest traders, or
ostensibly so; but honest traders were by no means
above doing a bit of piracy when trade was slack.
However, this is not the point of my remarks. What
I objected to was that these junks should come and go
without any notice whatever being taken of them,
whereas our own vessels were very differently treated;
and as I have said before, pirates were often anchored
in the port, which seemed a queer arrangement, to say
the least of it. On one occasion I saw a small Eng-
lish vessel leave the port, and a fine big junk follow
her; they both went round the point together and dis-
appeared from view. Before they had gone very
much further, our countryman was attacked and
robbed, I believe by that very junk. On another oc-
casion, I actually took a pirate junk and all her crew
from under the very nose of one of our police stations,
at the eastern entrance to the harbour. All these
things I pointed out in the proper quarter, and they
have been, if not altogether, to a great extent, recti-
fied; junks are now registered and numbered, and
Chinamen prevented from entering Hong-Kong with-
out a passport.
t
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY
Loa Angeles
This book is DUE on the last date stamped below.
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