FOREWORD
PIRATES，Buccaneers，Marooners，thosecruelbutpicturesqueseawolveswhoonceinfestedtheSpanishMain，allliveinpresent-dayconceptionsingreatdegreeasdrawnbythepenandpencilofHowardPyle。
Pyle，artist-author，livinginthelatterhalfofthenineteenthcenturyandthefirstdecadeofthetwentieth，hadthefinefacultyoftransposinghimselfintoanychosenperiodofhistoryandmakingitspeoplefleshandbloodagain——notjusthistoricalpuppets。Hischaractersweresketchedwithbothwordsandpicture；withbothwordsandpictureheranksasamaster，witharichpersonalitywhichmakeshisworkindividualandattractiveineithermedium。
Hewasoneofthefoundersofpresent-dayAmericanillustration，andhispupilsandgrand-pupilspervadethatfieldto-day。Whileheborenosuchimportantpartintheworldofletters，hisstoriesaremodernintreatment，andyetwidelyread。HisrangeincludedhistoricaltreatisesconcerninghisfavoritePiratesQuakerthoughhewas；fiction，withthesamePiratesasprincipals；AmericanizedversionofOldWorldfairytales；boystoriesoftheMiddleAges，stillbestsellerstogrowinglads；
storiesoftheoccult，suchasInTenebrasandTotheSoiloftheEarth，which，ifnewlypublished，wouldbehailedascontributionstoourlatestcult。
InallthesefieldsPyle’sworkmaybeequaled，surpassed，saveinone。Itisimprobablethatanyoneelsewilleverbringhiscombinationofinterestandtalenttothedepictionoftheseold-timePirates，anymorethantherecouldbeasecondRemingtontopaintthenowextinctIndiansandgun-fightersoftheGreatWest。
Importantandinterestingtothestudentofhistory，theadventure-lover，andtheartist，astheyare，thesePiratestoriesandpictureshavebeenscatteredthroughmanymagazinesandbooks。Here，inthisvolume，theyaregatheredtogetherforthefirsttime，perhapsnotjustasMr。Pylewouldhavedone，butwithacompletenessandappreciationoftherealvalueofthematerialwhichtheauthor’smodestymightnothavepermitted。
MERLEJOHNSON。
PREFACE
WHYisitthatalittlespiceofdeviltrylendsnotanunpleasantlytitillatingtwangtothegreatmassofrespectableflourthatgoestomakeupthepuddingofourmoderncivilization？Andpertinenttothisquestionanother——Whyisitthatthepiratehas，andalwayshashad，acertainluridglamouroftheheroicalenvelopinghimroundabout？Isthere，deepundertheaccumulateddebrisofculture，ahiddengroundworkoftheold-timesavage？Isthereeveninthesewell-regulatedtimesanunsubduednatureintherespectablementalhouseholdofeveryoneofusthatstillkicksagainstthepricksoflawandorder？Tomakemymeaningmoreclear，wouldnoteveryboy，forinstance——
thatis，everyboyofanyaccount——ratherbeapiratecaptainthanaMemberofParliament？Andweourselves——wouldwenotratherreadsuchastoryasthatofCaptainAvery’scaptureoftheEastIndiantreasureship，withitsbeautifulprincessandloadofjewelswhichgemshesoldbythehandful，historysayeth，toaBristolmerchant，than，say，oneofBishopAtterbury’ssermons，orthegoodlyMasterRobertBoyle’sreligiousromanceof”TheodoraandDidymus”？Itistobeapprehendedthattotheunregeneratenatureofmostofustherecanbebutoneanswertosuchaquery。
Inthepleasurablewarmththeheartfeelsinanswertotalesofderring-doNelson’sbattlesareallmightilyinteresting，but，eveninspiteoftheirromanceofsplendidcourage，IfancythatthemajorityofuswouldratherturnbackovertheleavesofhistorytoreadhowDrakecapturedtheSpanishtreasureshipintheSouthSea，andofhowhedividedsuchaquantityofbootyintheIslandofPlatesonamedbecauseofthetremendousdividendtheredeclaredthatithadtobemeasuredinquartbowls，beingtooconsiderabletobecounted。
Courageanddaring，nomatterhowmadandungodly，havealwaysaredundancyofvimandlifetorecommendthemtothenethermanthatlieswithinus，andnodoubthisdesperatecourage，hisbattleagainstthetremendousoddsofallthecivilizedworldoflawandorder，havehadmuchtodoinmakingapopularheroofourfriendoftheblackflag。Butitisnotaltogethercourageanddaringthatendearhimtoourhearts。Thereisanotherandperhapsagreaterkinshipinthatlustforwealththatmakesone’sfancyrevelmorepleasantlyinthestoryofthedivisionoftreasureinthepirate’sislandretreat，thehidingofhisgodlessgainssomewhereinthesandystretchoftropicbeach，theretoremainhiddenuntilthetimeshouldcometorakethedoubloonsupagainandtospendthemlikealordinpolitesociety，thaninthemostthrillingtalesofhiswonderfulescapesfromcommissionedcruisersthroughtortuouschannelsbetweenthecoralreefs。
Andwhatalifeofadventureishis，tobesure！Alifeofconstantalertness，constantdanger，constantescape！AnoceanIshmaelite，hewandersforeveraimlessly，homelessly；nowunheardofformonths，nowcareeninghisboatonsomelonelyuninhabitedshore，nowappearingsuddenlytoswoopdownonsomemerchantvesselwithrattleofmusketry，shouting，yells，andahellofunbridledpassionsletloosetorendandtear。WhataCarlisleanhero！Whatasettingofbloodandlustandflameandrapineforsuchahero！
Piracy，suchaswaspracticedintheflowerofitsdays——thatis，duringtheearlyeighteenthcentury——wasnosuddengrowth。Itwasanevolution，fromthesemilawfulbuccaneeringofthesixteenthcentury，justasbuccaneeringwasuponitspart，inacertainsense，anevolutionfromtheunorganized，unauthorizedwarfareoftheTudorperiod。
Fortherewasadealofpiraticalsmackintheanti-SpanishventuresofElizabethandays。Manyoftheadventurers——oftheSirFrancisDrakeschool，forinstance——actuallyoversteppedagainandagaintheboundsofinternationallaw，enteringintotherealmsofdefactopiracy。Nevertheless，whiletheirdoingswerenotrecognizedofficiallybythegovernment，theperpetratorswereneitherpunishednorreprimandedfortheirexcursionsagainstSpanishcommerceathomeorintheWestIndies；ratherweretheycommended，anditwasconsiderednotaltogetheradiscreditablethingformentogetrichuponthespoilstakenfromSpanishgalleonsintimesofnominalpeace。
ManyofthemostreputablecitizensandmerchantsofLondon，whentheyfeltthatthequeenfailedinherdutyofpushingthefightagainstthegreatCatholicPower，fittedoutfleetsupontheirownaccountandsentthemtolevygoodProtestantwarofaprivatenatureuponthePope’sanointed。
Someofthetreasurescapturedinsuchventureswereimmense，stupendous，unbelievable。Foranexample，onecanhardlycreditthetruthofthe”purchase”gainedbyDrakeinthefamouscaptureoftheplateshipintheSouthSea。
Oneoftheoldbuccaneerwritersofacenturylatersays:”TheSpaniardsaffirmtothisdaythathetookatthattimetwelvescoretonsofplateandsixteenbowlsofcoinedmoneyamanhisnumberbeingthenforty-fivemeninall，insomuchthattheywereforcedtoheavemuchofitoverboard，becausehisshipcouldnotcarryitall。”
MaybethiswasaverygreatlyexaggeratedstatementputbytheauthorandhisSpanishauthorities，neverthelesstherewasenoughtruthinittoproveveryconclusivelytotheboldmindsoftheagethattremendousprofits——”purchases”theycalledthem——weretobemadefrompiracy。TheWesternWorldisfilledwiththenamesofdaringmarinersofthoseolddays，whocameflittingacrossthegreattracklessoceanintheirlittletublikeboatsofafewhundredtonsburden，partlytoexploreunknownseas，partly——largely，perhaps——inpursuitofSpanishtreasure:
Frobisher，Davis，Drake，andascoreofothers。
Inthisleft-handedwaragainstCatholicSpainmanyoftheadventurerswere，nodoubt，stirredandincitedbyagrim，Calvinistic，puritanicalzealforProtestantism。Butequallybeyonddoubtthegoldandsilverandplateofthe”ScarletWoman”
hadmuchtodowiththepersistentenergywithwhichthesehardymarinersbravedthemysterious，unknownterrorsofthegreatunknownoceanthatstretchedawaytothesunset，thereinfarawaywaterstoattackthehuge，unwieldy，treasure-ladengalleonsthatsailedupanddowntheCaribbeanSeaandthroughtheBahamaChannel。
Ofallghastlyandterriblethingsold-timereligiouswarwasthemostghastlyandterrible。Onecanhardlycreditnowadaysthecold，callouscrueltyofthosetimes。Generallydeathwastheleastpenaltythatcaptureentailed。WhentheSpaniardsmadeprisonersoftheEnglish，theInquisitiontooktheminhand，andwhatthatmeantalltheworldknows。WhentheEnglishcapturedaSpanishvesseltheprisonersweretortured，eitherforthesakeofrevengeortocompelthemtodisclosewheretreasurelayhidden。Crueltybegatcruelty，anditwouldbehardtosaywhethertheAnglo-SaxonortheLatinshowedhimselftobemostproficientintorturinghisvictim。
WhenCobham，forinstance，capturedtheSpanishshipintheBayofBiscay，afterallresistancewasoverandtheheatofthebattlehadcooled，heorderedhiscrewtobindthecaptainandallofthecrewandeverySpaniardaboard——whetherinarmsornot——tosewthemupinthemainsailandtoflingthemoverboard。
Thereweresometwentydeadbodiesinthesailwhenafewdayslateritwaswashedupontheshore。
Ofcoursesuchactswerenotlikelytogounavenged，andmanyaninnocentlifewassacrificedtopaythedebtofCobham’scruelty。
Nothingcouldbemorepiraticalthanallthis。Nevertheless，aswassaid，itwaswinkedat，condoned，ifnotsanctioned，bythelaw；anditwasnotbeneathpeopleoffamilyandrespectabilitytotakepartinit。ButbyandbyProtestantismandCatholicismbegantobeatsomewhatlessdeadlyenmitywitheachother；
religiouswarswerestillfarenoughfrombeingended，butthescabbardoftheswordwasnolongerflungawaywhenthebladewasdrawn。Andsofollowedatimeofnominalpeace，andagenerationarosewithwhomitwasnolongerrespectableandworthy——onemightsayamatterofduty——tofightacountrywithwhichone’sownlandwasnotatwar。Nevertheless，theseedhadbeensown；ithadbeendemonstratedthatitwasfeasibletopracticepiracyagainstSpainandnottosuffertherefor。Bloodhadbeenshedandcrueltypracticed，and，onceindulged，nolustseemsstrongerthanthatofsheddingbloodandpracticingcruelty。
ThoughSpainmightbeeversowellgroundedinpeaceathome，intheWestIndiesshewasalwaysatwarwiththewholeworld——English，French，Dutch。ItwasalmostamatteroflifeordeathwithhertokeepherholdupontheNewWorld。Athomeshewasbankruptand，upontheearthquakeoftheReformation，herpowerwasalreadybeginningtototterandtocrumbletopieces。
Americawashertreasurehouse，andfromitalonecouldshehopetokeepherleakingpursefullofgoldandsilver。Soitwasthatshestrovestrenuously，desperately，tokeepouttheworldfromherAmericanpossessions——abootlesstask，fortheoldorderuponwhichherpowerrestedwasbrokenandcrumbledforever。Butstillshestrove，fightingagainstfate，andsoitwasthatinthetropicalAmericaitwasonecontinualwarbetweenherandalltheworld。Thusitcamethat，longafterpiracyceasedtobeallowedathome，itcontinuedinthosefar-awayseaswithunabatedvigor，recruitingtoitsserviceallthatlawlessmalignelementwhichgatherstogetherineverynewlyopenedcountrywheretheonlylawislawlessness，wheremightisrightandwherealivingistobegainedwithnomoretroublethancuttingathroat。{signatureHowardPyleHisMark}
HowardPile’sBookofPiratesChapterI
BUCCANEERSANDMAROONERSOFTHESPANISHMAIN
JUSTabovethenorthwesternshoreoftheoldislandofHispaniola——theSantoDomingoofourday——andseparatedfromitonlybyanarrowchannelofsomefiveorsixmilesinwidth，liesaqueerlittlehunchofanisland，known，becauseofadistantresemblancetothatanimal，astheTortugadeMar，orseaturtle。
Itisnotmorethantwentymilesinlengthbyperhapssevenoreightinbreadth；itisonlyalittlespotofland，andasyoulookatituponthemapapin’sheadwouldalmostcoverit；yetfromthatspot，asfromacenterofinflammation，aburningfireofhumanwickednessandruthlessnessandlustoverrantheworld，andspreadterroranddeaththroughouttheSpanishWestIndies，fromSt。AugustinetotheislandofTrinidad，andfromPanamatothecoastsofPeru。
AboutthemiddleoftheseventeenthcenturycertainFrenchadventurerssetoutfromthefortifiedislandofSt。Christopherinlongboatsandhoys，directingtheircoursetothewestward，theretodiscovernewislands。SightingHispaniola”withabundanceofjoy，”theylanded，andwentintothecountry，wheretheyfoundgreatquantitiesofwildcattle，horses，andswine。
NowvesselsonthereturnvoyagetoEuropefromtheWestIndiesneededrevictualing，andfood，especiallyflesh，wasatapremiumintheislandsoftheSpanishMain；whereforeagreatprofitwastobeturnedinpreservingbeefandpork，andsellingthefleshtohomeward-boundvessels。
ThenorthwesternshoreofHispaniola，lyingasitdoesattheeasternoutletoftheoldBahamaChannel，runningbetweentheislandofCubaandthegreatBahamaBanks，layalmostintheverymainstreamoftravel。ThepioneerFrenchmenwerenotslowtodiscoverthedoubleadvantagetobereapedfromthewildcattlethatcostthemnothingtoprocure，andamarketforthefleshreadyfoundforthem。SodownuponHispaniolatheycamebyboatloadsandshiploads，gatheringlikeaswarmofmosquitoes，andoverrunningthewholewesternendoftheisland。Theretheyestablishedthemselves，spendingthetimealternatelyinhuntingthewildcattleandbuccanning[1]themeat，andsquanderingtheirhardlyearnedgainsinwilddebauchery，theopportunitiesforwhichwereneverlackingintheSpanishWestIndies。
[1]Buccanning，bywhichthe”buccaneers”gainedtheirname，wasofprocessofcuringthinstripsofmeatbysalting，smoking，anddryinginthesun。
AtfirsttheSpaniardsthoughtnothingofthefewtravel-wornFrenchmenwhodraggedtheirlongboatsandhoysuponthebeach，andshotawildbullockortwotokeepbodyandsoultogether；
butwhenthefewgrewtodozens，andthedozenstoscores，andthescorestohundreds，itwasaverydifferentmatter，andwrathfulgrumblingsandmutteringsbegantobeheardamongtheoriginalsettlers。
Butofthisthecarelessbuccaneersthoughtneverawhit，theonlythingthattroubledthembeingthelackofamoreconvenientshippingpointthanthemainislandaffordedthem。
ThislackwasatlastfilledbyapartyofhunterswhoventuredacrossthenarrowchannelthatseparatedthemainislandfromTortuga。Heretheyfoundexactlywhattheyneeded——agoodharbor，justatthejunctionoftheWindwardChannelwiththeoldBahamaChannel——aspotwherefour-fifthsoftheSpanish-Indiantradewouldpassbytheirverywharves。
TherewereafewSpaniardsupontheisland，buttheywereaquietfolk，andwelldisposedtomakefriendswiththestrangers；butwhenmoreFrenchmenandstillmoreFrenchmencrossedthenarrowchannel，untiltheyoverrantheTortugaandturneditintoonegreatcuringhouseforthebeefwhichtheyshotupontheneighboringisland，theSpaniardsgrewrestiveoverthematter，justastheyhaddoneuponthelargerisland。
Accordingly，onefinedaytherecamehalfadozengreatboatloadsofarmedSpaniards，wholandedupontheTurtle’sBackandsenttheFrenchmenflyingtothewoodsandfastnessesofrocksasthechafffliesbeforethethundergust。ThatnighttheSpaniardsdrankthemselvesmadandshoutedthemselveshoarseovertheirvictory，whilethebeatenFrenchmensullenlypaddledtheircanoesbacktothemainislandagain，andtheSeaTurtlewasSpanishoncemore。
ButtheSpaniardswerenotcontentedwithsuchapettytriumphasthatofsweepingtheislandofTortugafreefromtheobnoxiousstrangers，downuponHispaniolatheycame，flushedwiththeireasyvictory，anddeterminedtorootouteveryFrenchman，untilnotonesinglebuccaneerremained。Foratimetheyhadaneasythingofit，foreachFrenchhunterroamedthewoodsbyhimself，withnobettercompanythanhishalf-wilddogs，sothatwhentwoorthreeSpaniardswouldmeetsuchaone，heseldomifevercameoutofthewoodsagain，forevenhisrestingplacewaslost。
ButtheverysuccessoftheSpaniardsbroughttheirruinalongwithit，forthebuccaneersbegantocombinetogetherforself-protection，andoutofthatcombinationaroseastrangeunionoflawlessmanwithlawlessman，sonear，soclose，thatitcanscarcebecomparedtoanyotherthanthatofhusbandandwife。Whentwoentereduponthiscomradeship，articlesweredrawnupandsignedbybothparties，acommonstockwasmadeofalltheirpossessions，andoutintothewoodstheywenttoseektheirfortunes；thenceforththeywereasoneman；theylivedtogetherbyday，theyslepttogetherbynight；whatonesuffered，theothersuffered；whatonegained，theothergained。Theonlyseparationthatcamebetwixtthemwasdeath，andthenthesurvivorinheritedallthattheotherleft。AndnowitwasanotherthingwithSpanishbuccaneerhunting，fortwobuccaneers，recklessoflife，quickofeye，andtrueofaim，wereworthanyhalfdozenofSpanishislanders。
Byandby，astheFrenchbecamemorestronglyorganizedformutualself-protection，theyassumedtheoffensive。ThendowntheycameuponTortuga，andnowitwastheturnoftheSpanishtobehuntedofftheislandlikevermin，andtheturnoftheFrenchtoshouttheirvictory。
Havingfirmlyestablishedthemselves，agovernorwassenttotheFrenchofTortuga，oneM。lePasseur，fromtheislandofSt。
Christopher；theSeaTurtlewasfortified，andcolonists，consistingofmenofdoubtfulcharacterandwomenofwhosecharactertherecouldbenodoubtwhatever，beganpouringinupontheisland，foritwassaidthatthebuccaneersthoughtnomoreofadoubloonthanofaLimabean，sothatthiswastheplaceforthebrothelandthebrandyshoptoreaptheirgoldenharvest，andtheislandremainedFrench。
HithertotheTortuganshadbeencontenttogainasmuchaspossiblefromthehomeward-boundvesselsthroughtheorderlychannelsoflegitimatetrade。ItwasreservedforPierreleGrandtointroducepiracyasaquickerandmoreeasyroadtowealththanthesemi-honestexchangetheyhadbeenusedtopractice。
Gatheringtogethereight-and-twentyotherspiritsashardyandrecklessashimself，heputboldlyouttoseainaboathardlylargeenoughtoholdhiscrew，andrunningdowntheWindwardChannelandoutintotheCaribbeanSea，helayinwaitforsuchaprizeasmightbeworththerisksofwinning。
Forawhiletheirluckwassteadilyagainstthem；theirprovisionsandwaterbegantofail，andtheysawnothingbeforethembutstarvationorahumiliatingreturn。InthisextremitytheysightedaSpanishshipbelongingtoa”flota”whichhadbecomeseparatedfromherconsorts。
Theboatinwhichthebuccaneerssailedmight，perhaps，haveservedforthegreatship’slongboat；theSpaniardsout-numberedthemthreetoone，andPierreandhismenwerearmedonlywithpistolsandcutlasses；neverthelessthiswastheironeandtheironlychance，andtheydeterminedtotaketheSpanishshiportodieintheattempt。DownupontheSpaniardtheyborethroughtheduskofthenight，andgivingorderstothe”chirurgeon”toscuttletheircraftunderthemastheywereleavingit，theyswarmedupthesideoftheunsuspectingshipanduponitsdecksinatorrent——pistolinonehandandcutlassintheother。A
partofthemrantothegunroomandsecuredthearmsandammunition，pistolingorcuttingdownallsuchasstoodintheirwayorofferedopposition；theotherpartyburstintothegreatcabinattheheelsofPierreleGrand，foundthecaptainandapartyofhisfriendsatcards，setapistoltohisbreast，anddemandedhimtodeliveruptheship。NothingremainedfortheSpaniardbuttoyield，fortherewasnoalternativebetweensurrenderanddeath。Andsothegreatprizewaswon。
ItwasnotlongbeforethenewsofthisgreatexploitandofthevasttreasuregainedreachedtheearsofthebuccaneersofTortugaandHispaniola。Thenwhatahubbubandanuproarandatumulttherewas！Huntingwildcattleandbuccanningthemeatwasatadiscount，andtheoneandonlythingtodowastogoa-pirating；forwhereonesuchprizehadbeenwon，othersweretobehad。
Inashorttimefreebootingassumedalloftheroutineofaregularbusiness。Articlesweredrawnupbetwixtcaptainandcrew，compactsweresealed，andagreementsenteredintobytheonepartyandtheother。
Inallprofessionstherearethosewhomaketheirmark，thosewhosucceedonlymoderatelywell，andthosewhofailmoreorlessentirely。Nordidpiratingdifferfromthisgeneralrule，forinitweremenwhorosetodistinction，menwhosenames，somethingtarnishedandrustedbythelapseofyears，havecomedowneventousofthepresentday。
PierreFrancois，who，withhisboatloadofsix-and-twentydesperadoes，ranboldlyintothemidstofthepearlfleetoffthecoastofSouthAmerica，attackedtheviceadmiralundertheverygunsoftwomen-of-war，capturedhisship，thoughshewasarmedwitheightgunsandmannedwiththreescoremen，andwouldhavegothersafelyaway，onlythathavingtoputonsail，theirmainmastwentbytheboard，whereuponthemen-of-warcameupwiththem，andtheprizewaslost。
Buteventhoughthereweretwomen-of-waragainstallthatremainedofsix-and-twentybuccaneers，theSpaniardsweregladenoughtomaketermswiththemforthesurrenderofthevessel，wherebyPierreFrancoisandhismencameoffscot-free。
BartholomewPortuguesewasaworthyofevenmorenote。InaboatmannedwiththirtyfellowadventurershefelluponagreatshipoffCapeCorrientes，mannedwiththreescoreandtenmen，alltold。
Herheassaultedagainandagain，beatenoffwiththeverypressureofnumbersonlytorenewtheassault，untiltheSpaniardswhosurvived，somefiftyinall，surrenderedtotwentylivingpirates，whopouredupontheirdeckslikeascoreofblood-stained，powder-grimeddevils。
Theylosttheirvesselbyrecapture，andBartholomewPortuguesebarelyescapedwithhislifethroughaseriesofalmostunbelievableadventures。ButnosoonerhadhefairlyescapedfromtheclutchesoftheSpaniardsthan，gatheringtogetheranotherbandofadventurers，hefellupontheverysamevesselinthegloomofthenight，recapturedherwhensherodeatanchorintheharborofCampecheunderthegunsofthefort，slippedthecable，andwasawaywithoutthelossofasingleman。Helostherinahurricanesoonafterward，justofftheIsleofPines；butthedeedwasnonethelessdaringforallthat。
AnothernotablenolessfamousthanthesetwoworthieswasRochBraziliano，thetruculentDutchmanwhocameupfromthecoastofBraziltotheSpanishMainwithanameready-madeforhim。Upontheveryfirstadventurewhichheundertookhecapturedaplateshipoffabulousvalue，andbroughthersafelyintoJamaica；andwhenatlastcapturedbytheSpaniards，hefairlyfrightenedthemintolettinghimgobytruculentthreatsofvengeancefromhisfollowers。
SuchwerethreeofthepiratebuccaneerswhoinfestedtheSpanishMain。Therewerehundredsnolessdesperate，nolessreckless，nolessinsatiateintheirlustforplunder，thanthey。
Theeffectsofthisfreebootingsoonbecameapparent。TheriskstobeassumedbytheownersofvesselsandtheshippersofmerchandisebecamesoenormousthatSpanishcommercewaspracticallysweptawayfromthesewaters。Novesseldaredtoventureoutofportexceptingunderescortofpowerfulmen-of-war，andeventhentheywerenotalwayssecurefrommolestation。ExportsfromCentralandSouthAmericaweresenttoEuropebywayoftheStraitofMagellan，andlittleornonewentthroughthepassesbetweentheBahamasandtheCaribbees。
Soatlast”buccaneering，”asithadcometobegenericallycalled，ceasedtopaythevastdividendsthatithaddoneatfirst。Thecreamwasskimmedoff，andonlyverythinmilkwasleftinthedish。Fabulousfortuneswerenolongerearnedinatendays’cruise，butwhatmoneywaswonhardlypaidfortherisksofthewinning。Theremustbeanewdeparture，orbuccaneeringwouldceasetoexist。
ThenaroseonewhoshowedthebuccaneersanewwaytosqueezemoneyoutoftheSpaniards。ThismanwasanEnglishman——LewisScot。
ThestoppageofcommerceontheSpanishMainhadnaturallytendedtoaccumulateallthewealthgatheredandproducedintothechieffortifiedcitiesandtownsoftheWestIndies。Astherenolongerexistedprizesuponthesea，theymustbegainedupontheland，iftheyweretobegainedatall。LewisScotwasthefirsttoappreciatethisfact。
Gatheringtogetheralargeandpowerfulbodyofmenashungryforplunderandasdesperateashimself，hedescendeduponthetownofCampeche，whichhecapturedandsacked，strippingitofeverythingthatcouldpossiblybecarriedaway。
WhenthetownwasclearedtothebarewallsScotthreatenedtosetthetorchtoeveryhouseintheplaceifitwasnotransomedbyalargesumofmoneywhichhedemanded。WiththisbootyhesetsailforTortuga，wherehearrivedsafely——andtheproblemwassolved。
AfterhimcameoneMansvelt，abuccaneeroflessernote，whofirstmadeadescentupontheisleofSaintCatharine，nowOldProvidence，whichhetook，and，withthisasabase，madeanunsuccessfuldescentuponNeuvaGranadaandCartagena。Hisnamemightnothavebeenhandeddowntousalongwithothersofgreaterfamehadhenotbeenthemasterofthatmostaptofpupils，thegreatCaptainHenryMorgan，mostfamousofallthebuccaneers，onetimegovernorofJamaica，andknightedbyKingCharlesII。
AfterMansveltfollowedtheboldJohnDavis，nativeofJamaica，wherehesuckedinthelustofpiracywithhismother’smilk。
Withonlyfourscoremen，heswoopeddownuponthegreatcityofNicaraguainthedarknessofthenight，silencedthesentrywiththethrustofaknife，andthenfelltopillagingthechurchesandhouses”withoutanyrespectorveneration。”
Ofcourseitwasbutashorttimeuntilthewholetownwasinanuproarofalarm，andtherewasnothingleftforthelittlehandfulofmentodobuttomakethebestoftheirwaytotheirboats。Theywereinthetownbutashorttime，butinthattimetheywereabletogathertogetherandtocarryawaymoneyandjewelstothevalueoffiftythousandpiecesofeight，besidesdraggingoffwiththemadozenormorenotableprisoners，whomtheyheldforransom。
Andnowoneappeareduponthescenewhoreachedafargreaterheightthananyhadarisentobefore。ThiswasFrancoisl’Olonoise，whosackedthegreatcityofMaracaiboandthetownofGibraltar。Cold，unimpassioned，pitiless，hissluggishbloodwasnevermovedbyonesinglepulseofhumanwarmth，hisicyheartwasnevertouchedbyonerayofmercyoronesparkofpityforthehaplesswretcheswhochancedtofallintohisbloodyhands。
AgainsthimthegovernorofHavanasentoutagreatwarvessel，andwithitanegroexecutioner，sothattheremightbenoinconvenientdelaysoflawafterthepirateshadbeencaptured。
Butl’Olonoisedidnotwaitforthecomingofthewarvessel；hewentouttomeetit，andhefounditwhereitlayridingatanchorinthemouthoftheriverEstra。Atthedawnofthemorninghemadehisattacksharp，unexpected，decisive。InalittlewhiletheSpaniardswereforcedbelowthehatches，andthevesselwastaken。Thencametheend。Onebyonethepoorshriekingwretchesweredraggedupfrombelow，andonebyonetheywerebutcheredincoldblood，whilel’Olonoisestooduponthepoopdeckandlookedcoldlydownuponwhatwasbeingdone。
Amongtherestthenegrowasdraggeduponthedeck。Hebeggedandimploredthathislifemightbespared，promisingtotellallthatmightbeaskedofhim。L’Olonoisequestionedhim，andwhenhehadsqueezedhimdry，wavedhishandcoldly，andthepoorblackwentwiththerest。Onlyonemanwasspared；himhesenttothegovernorofHavanawithamessagethathenceforthhewouldgivenoquartertoanySpaniardwhomhemightmeetinarms——amessagewhichwasnotanemptythreat。
Theriseofl’Olonoisewasbynomeansrapid。Heworkedhiswayupbydintofhardlaborandthroughmuchillfortune。Butbyandby，aftermanyreverses，thetideturned，andcarriedhimwithitfromonesuccesstoanother，withoutletorstay，tothebitterend。
CruisingoffMaracaibo，hecapturedarichprizeladenwithavastamountofplateandreadymoney，andthereconceivedthedesignofdescendinguponthepowerfultownofMaracaiboitself。
WithoutlossoftimehegatheredtogetherfivehundredpickedscoundrelsfromTortuga，andtakingwithhimoneMichaeldeBascoaslandcaptain，andtwohundredmorebuccaneerswhomhecommanded，downhecameintotheGulfofVenezuelaanduponthedoomedcitylikeablastoftheplague。Leavingtheirvessels，thebuccaneersmadealandattackuponthefortthatstoodatthemouthoftheinletthatledintoLakeMaracaiboandguardedthecity。
TheSpaniardsheldoutwell，andfoughtwithallthemightthatSpaniardspossess；butafterafightofthreehoursallwasgivenupandthegarrisonfled，spreadingterrorandconfusionbeforethem。AsmanyoftheinhabitantsofthecityascoulddosoescapedinboatstoGibraltar，whichliestothesouthward，ontheshoresofLakeMaracaibo，atthedistanceofsomefortyleaguesormore。
Thenthepiratesmarchedintothetown，andwhatfollowedmaybeconceived。Itwasaholocaustoflust，ofpassion，andofbloodsuchaseventheSpanishWestIndieshadneverseenbefore。
Housesandchurchesweresackeduntilnothingwasleftbutthebarewalls；menandwomenweretorturedtocompelthemtodisclosewheremoretreasurelayhidden。
Then，havingwrenchedallthattheycouldfromMaracaibo，theyenteredthelakeanddescendeduponGibraltar，wheretherestofthepanic-strickeninhabitantswerehuddledtogetherinablindterror。
ThegovernorofMerida，abravesoldierwhohadservedhiskinginFlanders，hadgatheredtogetheratroopofeighthundredmen，hadfortifiedthetown，andnowlayinwaitforthecomingofthepirates。Thepiratescameallingoodtime，andthen，inspiteofthebravedefense，Gibraltaralsofell。ThenfollowedarepetitionofthescenesthathadbeenenactedinMaracaiboforthepastfifteendays，onlyheretheyremainedforfourhorribleweeks，extortingmoney——money！evermoney！——fromthepoorpoverty-stricken，pest-riddensoulscrowdedintothatfeverholeofatown。
Thentheyleft，butbeforetheywenttheydemandedstillmoremoney——tenthousandpiecesofeight——asaransomforthetown，whichotherwiseshouldbegiventotheflames。TherewassomehesitationonthepartoftheSpaniards，somedispositiontohaggle，buttherewasnohesitationonthepartofl’Olonoise。
ThetorchWASsettothetownashehadpromised，whereuponthemoneywaspromptlypaid，andthepirateswerepiteouslybeggedtohelpquenchthespreadingflames。Thistheywerepleasedtodo，butinspiteofalltheireffortsnearlyhalfofthetownwasconsumed。
AfterthattheyreturnedtoMaracaiboagain，wheretheydemandedaransomofthirtythousandpiecesofeightforthecity。Therewasnohagglinghere，thankstothefateofGibraltar；onlyitwasutterlyimpossibletoraisethatmuchmoneyinallofthepoverty-strickenregion。Butatlastthematterwascompromised，andthetownwasredeemedfortwentythousandpiecesofeightandfivehundredheadofcattle，andtorturedMaracaibowasquitofthem。
IntheIledelaVachethebuccaneerssharedamongthemselvestwohundredandsixtythousandpiecesofeight，besidesjewelsandbalesofsilkandlinenandmiscellaneousplundertoavastamount。
Suchwastheonegreatdeedofl’Olonoise；fromthattimehisstarsteadilydeclined——forevennatureseemedfightingagainstsuchamonster——untilatlasthediedamiserable，namelessdeathatthehandsofanunknowntribeofIndiansupontheIsthmusofDarien。
Andnowwecometothegreatestofallthebuccaneers，hewhostandspre-eminentamongthem，andwhosenameeventothisdayisacharmtocalluphisdeedsofdaring，hisdauntlesscourage，histruculentcruelty，andhisinsatiateandunappeasablelustforgold——Capt。HenryMorgan，theboldWelshman，whobroughtbuccaneeringtotheheightandflowerofitsglory。
Havingsoldhimself，afterthemannerofthetimes，forhispassageacrosstheseas，heworkedouthistimeofservitudeattheBarbados。Assoonashehadregainedhislibertyheentereduponthetradeofpiracy，whereinhesoonreachedapositionofconsiderableprominence。HewasassociatedwithMansveltatthetimeofthelatter’sdescentuponSaintCatharine’sIsle，theimportanceofwhichspot，asacenterofoperationsagainsttheneighboringcoasts，Morganneverlostsightof。
ThefirstattemptthatCapt。HenryMorganevermadeagainstanytownintheSpanishIndieswasthebolddescentuponthecityofPuertodelPrincipeintheislandofCuba，withamerehandfulofmen。Itwasadeedtheboldnessofwhichhasneverbeenoutdonebyanyofalikenature——noteventhefamousattackuponPanamaitself。ThencetheyreturnedtotheirboatsintheveryfaceofthewholeislandofCuba，arousedanddeterminedupontheirextermination。Notonlydidtheymakegoodtheirescape，buttheybroughtawaywiththemavastamountofplunder，computedatthreehundredthousandpiecesofeight，besidesfivehundredheadofcattleandmanyprisonersheldforransom。
Butwhenthedivisionofallthiswealthcametobemade，lo！
therewereonlyfiftythousandpiecesofeighttobefound。WhathadbecomeoftherestnomancouldtellbutCapt。HenryMorganhimself。Honestyamongthieveswasneveranaxiomwithhim。
Rude，truculent，anddishonestasCaptainMorganwas，heseemstohavehadawonderfulpowerofpersuadingthewildbuccaneersunderhimtosubmiteverythingtohisjudgment，andtorelyentirelyuponhisword。Inspiteofthevastsumofmoneythathehadveryevidentlymadeawaywith，recruitspouredinuponhim，untilhisbandwaslargerandbetterequippedthanever。
AndnowitwasdeterminedthattheplunderharvestwasripeatPortoBello，andthatcity’sdoomwassealed。Thetownwasdefendedbytwostrongcastlesthoroughlymanned，andofficeredbyasgallantasoldierasevercarriedToledosteelathisside。
Butstrongcastlesandgallantsoldiersweighednotabarleycornwiththebuccaneerswhentheirbloodwasstirredbythelustofgold。
LandingatPuertoNaso，atownsometenleagueswestwardofPortoBello，theymarchedtothelattertown，andcomingbeforethecastle，boldlydemandeditssurrender。Itwasrefused，whereuponMorganthreatenedthatnoquartershouldbegiven。Stillsurrenderwasrefused；andthenthecastlewasattacked，andafterabitterstrugglewascaptured。Morganwasasgoodashisword:everymaninthecastlewasshutintheguardroom，thematchwassettothepowdermagazine，andsoldiers，castle，andallwereblownintotheair，whilethroughallthesmokeandthedustthebuccaneerspouredintothetown。Stillthegovernorheldoutintheothercastle，andmighthavemadegoodhisdefense，butthathewasbetrayedbythesoldiersunderhim。Intothecastlepouredthehowlingbuccaneers。Butstillthegovernorfoughton，withhiswifeanddaughterclingingtohiskneesandbeseechinghimtosurrender，andthebloodfromhiswoundedforeheadtricklingdownoverhiswhitecollar，untilamercifulbulletputanendtothevainstruggle。
Herewereenactedtheoldscenes。Everythingplunderedthatcouldbetaken，andthenaransomsetuponthetownitself。
Thistimeanhonest，oranapparentlyhonest，divisionwasmadeofthespoils，whichamountedtotwohundredandfiftythousandpiecesofeight，besidesmerchandiseandjewels。
ThenexttownstosufferwerepoorMaracaiboandGibraltar，nowjustbeginningtorecoverfromthedesolationwroughtbyl’Olonoise。Oncemorebothtownswereplunderedofeverybaleofmerchandiseandofeveryplaster，andoncemorebothwereransomeduntileverythingwassqueezedfromthewretchedinhabitants。
Hereaffairswereliketohavetakenaturn，forwhenCaptainMorgancameupfromGibraltarhefoundthreegreatmen-of-warlyingintheentrancetothelakeawaitinghiscoming。Seeingthathewashemmedininthenarrowsheetofwater，CaptainMorganwasinclinedtocompromisematters，evenofferingtorelinquishalltheplunderhehadgainedifhewereallowedtodepartinpeace。Butno；theSpanishadmiralwouldhearnothingofthis。Havingthepirates，ashethought，securelyinhisgrasp，hewouldrelinquishnothing，butwouldsweepthemfromthefaceoftheseaonceandforever。
ThatwasanunluckydeterminationfortheSpaniardstoreach，forinsteadofparalyzingthepirateswithfear，asheexpecteditwoulddo，itsimplyturnedtheirmadcourageintoasmaddesperation。
AgreatvesselthattheyhadtakenwiththetownofMaracaibowasconvertedintoafireship，mannedwithlogsofwoodinmonteracapsandsailorjackets，andfilledwithbrimstone，pitch，andpalmleavessoakedinoil。ThenoutofthelakethepiratessailedtomeettheSpaniards，thefireshipleadingtheway，andbearingdowndirectlyupontheadmiral’svessel。Atthehelmstoodvolunteers，themostdesperateandthebravestofallthepirategang，andattheportsstoodthelogsofwoodinmonteracaps。Sotheycameupwiththeadmiral，andgrappledwithhisshipinspiteofthethunderofallhisgreatguns，andthentheSpaniardsaw，alltoolate，whathisopponentreallywas。
Hetriedtoswingloose，butcloudsofsmokeandalmostinstantlyamassofroaringflamesenvelopedbothvessels，andtheadmiralwaslost。Thesecondvessel，notwishingtowaitforthecomingofthepirates，boredownuponthefort，underthegunsofwhichthecowardlycrewsankher，andmadethebestoftheirwaytotheshore。Thethirdvessel，nothavinganopportunitytoescape，wastakenbythepirateswithouttheslightestresistance，andthepassagefromthelakewascleared。Sothebuccaneerssailedaway，leavingMaracaiboandGibraltarprostrateasecondtime。
AndnowCaptainMorgandeterminedtoundertakeanotherventure，thelikeofwhichhadneverbeenequaledinalloftheannalsofbuccaneering。ThiswasnothinglessthanthedescentuponandthecaptureofPanama，whichwas，nexttoCartagena，perhaps，themostpowerfulandthemoststronglyfortifiedcityintheWestIndies。
InpreparationforthisventureheobtainedlettersofmarquefromthegovernorofJamaica，byvirtueofwhichelasticcommissionhebeganimmediatelytogatheraroundhimallmaterialnecessaryfortheundertaking。
WhenitbecameknownabroadthatthegreatCaptainMorganwasaboutundertakinganadventurethatwastoeclipseallthatwaseverdonebefore，greatnumberscameflockingtohisstandard，untilhehadgatheredtogetheranarmyoftwothousandormoredesperadoesandpirateswherewithtoprosecutehisadventure，albeittheventureitselfwaskeptatotalsecretfromeveryone。
PortCouillon，intheislandofHispaniola，overagainsttheIledelaVache，wastheplaceofmuster，andthitherthemotleybandgatheredfromallquarters。Provisionshadbeenplunderedfromthemainlandwherevertheycouldbeobtained，andbythe24thofOctober，1670O。S。，everythingwasinreadiness。
TheislandofSaintCatharine，asitmayberemembered，wasatonetimecapturedbyMansvelt，Morgan’smasterinhistradeofpiracy。IthadbeenretakenbytheSpaniards，andwasnowthoroughlyfortifiedbythem。AlmostthefirstattemptthatMorganhadmadeasamasterpiratewastheretakingofSaintCatharine’sIsle。Inthatundertakinghehadfailed；butnow，astherewasanabsoluteneedofsomesuchplaceasabaseofoperations，hedeterminedthattheplacemustbetaken。Anditwastaken。
TheSpaniards，duringthetimeoftheirpossession，hadfortifieditmostthoroughlyandcompletely，andhadthegovernorthereofbeenasbraveashewhomethisdeathinthecastleofPortoBello，theremighthavebeenadifferenttaletotell。Asitwas，hesurrendereditinamostcowardlyfashion，merelystipulatingthatthereshouldbeashamattackbythebuccaneers，wherebyhiscreditmightbesaved。AndsoSaintCatharinewaswon。
ThenextsteptobetakenwasthecaptureofthecastleofChagres，whichguardedthemouthoftheriverofthatname，upwhichriverthebuccaneerswouldbecompelledtotransporttheirtroopsandprovisionsfortheattackuponthecityofPanama。
ThisadventurewasundertakenbyfourhundredpickedmenundercommandofCaptainMorganhimself。
ThecastleofChagres，knownasSanLorenzobytheSpaniards，stooduponthetopofanabruptrockatthemouthoftheriver，andwasoneofthestrongestfortressesforitssizeinalloftheWestIndies。ThisstrongholdMorganmusthaveifheeverhopedtowinPanama。
Theattackofthecastleandthedefenseofitwereequallyfierce，bloody，anddesperate。Againandagainthebuccaneersassaulted，andagainandagaintheywerebeatenback。Sothemorningcame，anditseemedasthoughthepirateshadbeenbaffledthistime。Butjustatthisjuncturethethatchofpalmleavesontheroofsofsomeofthebuildingsinsidethefortificationstookfire，aconflagrationfollowed，whichcausedtheexplosionofoneofthemagazines，andintheparalysisofterrorthatfollowed，thepiratesforcedtheirwayintothefortifications，andthecastlewaswon。MostoftheSpaniardsflungthemselvesfromthecastlewallsintotheriverorupontherocksbeneath，preferringdeathtocaptureandpossibletorture；
manywhowereleftwereputtothesword，andsomefewweresparedandheldasprisoners。
SofellthecastleofChagres，andnothingnowlaybetweenthebuccaneersandthecityofPanamabuttheinterveningandtracklessforests。
Andnowthenameofthetownwhosedoomwassealedwasnosecret。
UptheriverofChagreswentCapt。HenryMorganandtwelvehundredmen，packedcloselyintheircanoes；theyneverstopped，savingnowandthentoresttheirstiffenedlegs，untiltheyhadcometoaplaceknownasCruzdeSanJuanGallego，wheretheywerecompelledtoleavetheirboatsonaccountoftheshallownessofthewater。
LeavingaguardofonehundredandsixtymentoprotecttheirboatsasaplaceofrefugeincasetheyshouldbeworstedbeforePanama，theyturnedandplungedintothewildernessbeforethem。
ThereamorepowerfulfoeawaitedthemthanahostofSpaniardswithmatch，powder，andlead——starvation。Theymetbutlittleornooppositionintheirprogress；butwherevertheyturnedtheyfoundeveryfiberofmeat，everygrainofmaize，everyounceofbreadormeal，sweptawayordestroyedutterlybeforethem。Evenwhenthebuccaneershadsuccessfullyovercomeanambuscadeoranattack，andhadsenttheSpaniardsflying，thefugitivestookthetimetostriptheirdeadcomradesofeverygrainoffoodintheirleathernsacks，leavingnothingbuttheemptybags。
Saysthenarratoroftheseevents，himselfoneoftheexpedition，”Theyafterwardfelltoeatingthoseleathernbags，asaffordingsomethingtothefermentoftheirstomachs。”
Tendaystheystruggledthroughthisbitterprivation，doggedlyforcingtheirwayonward，faintwithhungerandhaggardwithweaknessandfever。Then，fromthehighhillandoverthetopsoftheforesttrees，theysawthesteeplesofPanama，andnothingremainedbetweenthemandtheirgoalbutthefightingoffourSpaniardstoeveryoneofthem——asimplethingwhichtheyhaddoneoverandoveragain。
DowntheypoureduponPanama，andoutcametheSpaniardstomeetthem；fourhundredhorse，twothousandfivehundredfoot，andtwothousandwildbullswhichhadbeenherdedtogethertobedrivenoverthebuccaneerssothattheirranksmightbedisorderedandbroken。Thebuccaneerswereonlyeighthundredstrong；theothershadeitherfalleninbattleorhaddroppedalongthedrearypathwaythroughthewilderness；butinthespaceoftwohourstheSpaniardswereflyingmadlyovertheplain，minussixhundredwholaydeadordyingbehindthem。
Asforthebulls，asmanyofthemaswereshotservedasfoodthereandthenforthehalf-famishedpirates，forthebuccaneerswerenevermoreathomethanintheslaughterofcattle。
Thentheymarchedtowardthecity。Threehours’morefightingandtheywereinthestreets，howling，yelling，plundering，gorging，dram-drinking，andgivingfullventtoallthevileandnamelessluststhatburnedintheirheartslikeahelloffire。
Andnowfollowedtheusualsequenceofevents——rapine，cruelty，andextortion；onlythistimetherewasnotowntoransom，forMorganhadgivenordersthatitshouldbedestroyed。Thetorchwassettoit，andPanama，oneofthegreatestcitiesintheNewWorld，wassweptfromthefaceoftheearth。Whythedeedwasdone，nomanbutMorgancouldtell。Perhapsitwasthatallthesecrethidingplacesfortreasuremightbebroughttolight；butwhateverthereasonwas，itlayhiddeninthebreastofthegreatbuccaneerhimself。ForthreeweeksMorganandhismenabodeinthisdreadfulplace；andtheymarchedawaywithONEHUNDREDAND
SEVENTY-FIVEbeastsofburdenloadedwithtreasuresofgoldandsilverandjewels，besidesgreatquantitiesofmerchandise，andsixhundredprisonersheldforransom。
Whateverbecameofallthatvastwealth，andwhatitamountedto，nomanbutMorganeverknew，forwhenadivisionwasmadeitwasfoundthattherewasonlyTWOHUNDREDPIECESOFEIGHTTOEACH
MAN。
Whenthisdividendwasdeclaredahowlofexecrationwentup，underwhichevenCapt。HenryMorganquailed。Atnightheandfourothercommandersslippedtheircablesandranouttosea，anditwassaidthatthesedividedthegreaterpartofthebootyamongthemselves。ButthewealthplunderedatPanamacouldhardlyhavefallenshortofamillionandahalfofdollars。
Computingitatthisreasonablefigure，thevariousprizeswonbyHenryMorganintheWestIndieswouldstandasfollows:Panama，$1，500，000；PortoBello，$800，000；PuertodelPrincipe，$700，000；
MaracaiboandGibraltar，$400，000；variouspiracies，$250，000——makingagrandtotalof$3，650，000asthevastharvestofplunder。Withthisfabulouswealth，wrenchedfromtheSpaniardsbymeansoftherackandthecord，andpilferedfromhiscompanionsbythemeanestofthieving，Capt。HenryMorganretiredfrombusiness，honoredofall，renderedfamousbyhisdeeds，knightedbythegoodKingCharlesII，andfinallyappointedgovernoroftherichislandofJamaica。
Otherbuccaneersfollowedhim。Campechewastakenandsacked，andevenCartagenaitselffell；butwithHenryMorganculminatedthegloryofthebuccaneers，andfromthattimetheydeclinedinpowerandwealthandwickednessuntiltheywerefinallysweptaway。
Thebuccaneersbecamebolderandbolder。Infact，sodaringweretheircrimesthatthehomegovernments，stirredatlastbytheseoutrageousbarbarities，seriouslyundertookthesuppressionofthefreebooters，loppingandtrimmingthemaintrunkuntilitsmemberswerescatteredhitherandthither，anditwasthoughtthattheorganizationwasexterminated。But，sofarfrombeingexterminated，theindividualmembersweremerelyscatterednorth，south，east，andwest，eachforminganucleusaroundwhichgatheredandclusteredtheveryworstoftheoffscouringofhumanity。
Theresultwasthatwhentheseventeenthcenturywasfairlypackedawaywithitslavenderinthestorechestofthepast，ascoreormorebandsoffreebooterswerecruisingalongtheAtlanticseaboardinarmedvessels，eachwithablackflagwithitsskullandcrossbonesatthefore，andwithanondescriptcrewmadeupofthetagsandremnantsofcivilizedandsemicivilizedhumanitywhite，black，red，andyellow，knowngenerallyasmarooners，swarminguponthedecksbelow。
NordidtheseoffshootsfromtheoldbuccaneerstemconfinetheirdepredationstotheAmericanseasalone；theEastIndiesandtheAfricancoastalsowitnessedtheirdoings，andsufferedfromthem，andeventheBayofBiscayhadgoodcausetoremembermorethanonevisitfromthem。
Worthysprigsfromsoworthyastemimprovedvariouslyupontheparentmethods；forwhilethebuccaneerswerecontenttopreyupontheSpaniardsalone，themaroonersreapedtheharvestfromthecommerceofallnations。
SoupanddowntheAtlanticseaboardtheycruised，andforthefiftyyearsthatmarooningwasintheflowerofitsgloryitwasasorrowfultimeforthecoastersofNewEngland，themiddleprovinces，andtheVirginias，sailingtotheWestIndieswiththeircargoesofsaltfish，grain，andtobacco。Tradingbecamealmostasdangerousasprivateering，andseacaptainswerechosenasmuchfortheirknowledgeoftheflintlockandthecutlassasfortheirseamanship。
AsbyfarthelargestpartofthetradinginAmericanwaterswasconductedbytheseYankeecoasters，sobyfartheheaviestblows，andthosemostkeenlyfelt，felluponthem。Bulletinafterbulletincametoportwithitsdolefultaleofthisvesselburnedorthatvesselscuttled，thisoneheldbythepiratesfortheirownuseorthatonestrippedofitsgoodsandsentintoportasemptyasaneggshellfromwhichtheyolkhadbeensucked。Boston，NewYork，Philadelphia，andCharlestonsufferedalike，andworthyshipownershadtoleaveoffcountingtheirlossesupontheirfingersandtaketotheslatetokeepthedismalrecord。”Maroon——toputashoreonadesertisle，asasailor，underpretenseofhavingcommittedsomegreatcrime。”ThusourgoodNoahWebstergivesusthedrybones，theanatomy，uponwhichtheimaginationmayconstructaspecimentosuititself。
Itisthencethatthemaroonerstooktheirname，formarooningwasoneoftheirmosteffectiveinstrumentsofpunishmentorrevenge。Ifapiratebrokeoneofthemanyruleswhichgovernedtheparticularbandtowhichhebelonged，hewasmarooned；didacaptaindefendhisshiptosuchadegreeastobeunpleasanttothepiratesattackingit，hewasmarooned；eventhepiratecaptainhimself，ifhedispleasedhisfollowersbytheseverityofhisrule，wasindangerofhavingthesamepunishmentvisiteduponhimwhichhehadperhapsmorethanoncevisiteduponanother。
Theprocessofmarooningwasassimpleasterrible。Asuitableplacewaschosengenerallysomedesertisleasfarremovedaspossiblefromthepathwayofcommerce，andthecondemnedmanwasrowedfromtheshiptothebeach。Outhewasbundleduponthesandspit；agun，ahalfdozenbullets，afewpinchesofpowder，andabottleofwaterwerechuckedashoreafterhim，andawayrowedtheboat’screwbacktotheship，leavingthepoorwretchalonetoraveawayhislifeinmadness，ortositsunkeninhisgloomydespairtilldeathmercifullyreleasedhimfromtorment。
Itrarelyifeverhappenedthatanythingwasknownofhimafterhavingbeenmarooned。Aboat’screwfromsomevessel，sailingbychancethatway，mightperhapsfindafewchalkybonesbleachinguponthewhitesandinthegarishglareofthesunlight，butthatwasall。Andsuchweremarooners。
ByfarthelargestnumberofpiratecaptainswereEnglishmen，for，fromthedaysofgoodQueenBess，Englishseacaptainsseemedtohaveanaturalturnforanyspeciesofventurethathadasmackofpiracyinit，andfromthegreatAdmiralDrakeoftheold，olddays，tothetruculentMorganofbuccaneeringtimes，theEnglishmandidtheboldestandwickedestdeeds，andwroughtthemostdamage。
FirstofalluponthelistofpiratesstandstheboldCaptainAvary，oneoftheinstitutorsofmarooning。Himweseebutdimly，halfhiddenbytheglamouringmistsoflegendsandtradition。Otherswhocameafterwardoutstrippedhimfarenoughintheirdoings，buthestandspre-eminentasthefirstofmaroonersofwhomactualhistoryhasbeenhandeddowntousofthepresentday。
WhentheEnglish，Dutch，andSpanishenteredintoanalliancetosuppressbuccaneeringintheWestIndies，certainworthiesofBristol，inoldEngland，fittedouttwovesselstoassistinthislaudableproject；fordoubtlessBristoltradesufferedsmartlyfromtheMorgansandthel’Olonoisesofthatoldtime。OneofthesevesselswasnamedtheDuke，ofwhichacertainCaptainGibsonwasthecommanderandAvarythemate。
AwaytheysailedtotheWestIndies，andthereAvarybecameimpressedbytheadvantagesofferedbypiracy，andbytheamountofgoodthingsthatweretobegainedbyverylittlestriving。
Onenightthecaptainwhowasoneofthosefellowsmightilyaddictedtopunch，insteadofgoingashoretosaturatehimselfwithrumattheordinary，hadhisdrinkinhiscabininprivate。
Whilehelaysnoringawaytheeffectsofhisruminthecabin，Avaryandafewotherconspiratorsheavedtheanchorveryleisurely，andsailedoutoftheharborofCorunna，andthroughthemidstofthealliedfleetridingatanchorinthedarkness。
Byandby，whenthemorningcame，thecaptainwasawakenedbythepitchingandtossingofthevessel，therattleandclatterofthetackleoverhead，andthenoiseoffootstepspassingandrepassinghitherandthitheracrossthedeck。Perhapshelayforawhileturningthematteroverandoverinhismuddledhead，buthepresentlyrangthebell，andAvaryandanotherfellowansweredthecall。”What’sthematter？”bawlsthecaptainfromhisberth。”Nothing，”saysAvary，coolly。”Something’sthematterwiththeship，”saysthecaptain。”Doesshedrive？Whatweatherisit？””Ohno，”saysAvary；”weareatsea。””Atsea？””Come，come！”saysAvary:”I’lltellyou；youmustknowthatI’mthecaptainoftheshipnow，andyoumustbepackingfromthisherecabin。WeareboundtoMadagascar，tomakeallofourfortunes，andifyou’reamindtoshipforthecruise，why，we’llbegladtohaveyou，ifyouwillbesoberandmindyourownbusiness；ifnot，thereisaboatalongside，andI’llhaveyousetashore。”
Thepoorhalf-tipsycaptainhadnorelishtogoa-piratingunderthecommandofhisbackslidingmate，sooutoftheshiphebundled，andawayherowedwithfourorfiveofthecrew，who，likehim，refusedtojoinwiththeirjollyshipmates。
TherestofthemsailedawaytotheEastIndies，totrytheirfortunesinthosewaters，forourCaptainAvarywasofahighspirit，andhadnomindtofritterawayhistimeintheWestIndiessqueezeddrybybuccaneerMorganandothersoflessernote。No，hewouldmakeaboldstrokeforitatonce，andmakeorloseatasinglecast。
Onhiswayhepickedupacoupleoflikekindwithhimself——twosloopsoffMadagascar。WiththesehesailedawaytothecoastofIndia，andforatimehisnamewaslostintheobscurityofuncertainhistory。Butonlyforatime，forsuddenlyitflamedoutinablazeofglory。ItwasreportedthatavesselbelongingtotheGreatMogul，ladenwithtreasureandbearingthemonarch’sowndaughteruponaholypilgrimagetoMeccatheybeingMohammedans，hadfalleninwiththepirates，andafterashortresistancehadbeensurrendered，withthedamsel，hercourt，andallthediamonds，pearls，silk，silver，andgoldaboard。ItwasrumoredthattheGreatMogul，ragingattheinsultofferedtohimthroughhisownfleshandblood，hadthreatenedtowipeoutofexistencethefewEnglishsettlementsscatteredalongthecoast；whereatthehonorableEastIndiaCompanywasinaprettystateoffussandfeathers。Rumor，growingwiththetelling，hasitthatAvaryisgoingtomarrytheIndianprincess，willy-nilly，andwillturnrajah，andeschewpiracyasindecent。Asforthetreasureitself，therewasnoendtotheextenttowhichitgrewasitpassedfrommouthtomouth。
Crackingthenutofromanceandexaggeration，wecometothekernelofthestory——thatAvarydidfallinwithanIndianvesselladenwithgreattreasureandpossiblywiththeMogul’sdaughter，whichhecaptured，andtherebygainedavastprize。
Havingconcludedthathehadearnedenoughmoneybythetradehehadundertaken，hedeterminedtoretireandlivedecentlyfortherestofhislifeuponwhathealreadyhad。Asasteptowardthisobject，hesetaboutcheatinghisMadagascarpartnersoutoftheirshareofwhathadbeengained。Hepersuadedthemtostoreallthetreasureinhisvessel，itbeingthelargestofthethree；andso，havingitsafelyinhand，healteredthecourseofhisshiponefinenight，andwhenthemorningcametheMadagascarsloopsfoundthemselvesfloatinguponawideoceanwithoutafarthingofthetreasureforwhichtheyhadfoughtsohard，andforwhichtheymightwhistleforallthegooditwoulddothem。
AtfirstAvaryhadagreatpartofamindtosettleatBoston，inMassachusetts，andhadthatlittletownbeenonewhitlessbleakandforbidding，itmighthavehadthehonorofbeingthehomeofthisfamousman。Asitwas，hedidnotlikethelooksofit，sohesailedawaytotheeastward，toIreland，wherehesettledhimselfatBiddeford，inhopesofaneasylifeofitfortherestofhisdays。
Herehefoundhimselfthepossessorofaplentifulstockofjewels，suchaspearls，diamonds，rubies，etc。，butwithhardlyascoreofhonestfarthingstojingleinhisbreechespocket。HeconsultedwithacertainmerchantofBristolconcerningthedisposalofthestones——afellownotmuchmorecleanlyinhishabitsofhonestythanAvaryhimself。ThisworthyundertooktoactasAvary’sbroker。Offhemarchedwiththejewels，andthatwasthelastthatthepiratesawofhisIndiantreasure。
PerhapsthemostfamousofallthepiraticalnamestoAmericanearsarethoseofCapt。RobertKiddandCapt。EdwardTeach，or”Blackbeard。”
NothingwillbeventuredinregardtoKiddatthistime，norinregardtotheprosandconsastowhetherhereallywasorwasnotapirate，afterall。Formanyyearshewastheveryheroofheroesofpiraticalfame，therewashardlyacreekorstreamorpointoflandalongourcoast，hardlyaconvenientbitofgoodsandybeach，orhumpofrock，orwater-washedcave，wherefabuloustreasureswerenotsaidtohavebeenhiddenbythisworthymarooner。Nowweareassuredthatheneverwasapirate，andneverdidburyanytreasure，exceptingacertainchest，whichhewascompelledtohideuponGardiner’sIsland——andperhapsevenitwasmythical。
SopoorKiddmustberelegatedtothedullranksofsimplyrespectablepeople，orsemirespectablepeopleatbest。
Butwith”Blackbeard”itisdifferent，forinhimwehaveareal，ranting，raging，roaringpirateperse——onewhoreallydidburytreasure，whomademorethanonecaptainwalktheplank，andwhocommittedmoreprivatemurdersthanhecouldnumberonthefingersofbothhands；onewhofills，andwillcontinuetofill，theplacetowhichhehasbeenassignedforgenerations，andwhomaybedependedupontoholdhisplaceintheconfidenceofothersforgenerationstocome。
CaptainTeachwasaBristolmanborn，andlearnedhistradeonboardofsundryprivateersintheEastIndiesduringtheoldFrenchwar——thatof1702——andabetterapprenticeshipcouldnomanserve。Atlast，somewhereaboutthelatterpartoftheyear1716，aprivateeringcaptain，oneBenjaminHornigold，raisedhimfromtheranksandputhimincommandofasloop——alatelycapturedprizeandBlackbeard’sfortunewasmade。Itwasaveryslightstep，andbutthechangeofafewletters，toconvert”privateer”into”pirate，”anditwasaveryshorttimebeforeTeachmadethatchange。Notonlydidhemakeithimself，buthepersuadedhisoldcaptaintojoinwithhim。
Andnowfairlybeganthatseriesofboldandlawlessdepredationswhichhavemadehisnamesojustlyfamous，andwhichplacedhimamongtheverygreatestofmarooningfreebooters。”Ourhero，”saystheoldhistorianwhosingsofthearmsandbraveryofthisgreatman——”ourheroassumedthecognomenofBlackbeardfromthatlargequantityofhairwhich，likeafrightfulmeteor，coveredhiswholeface，andfrightenedAmericamorethananycometthatappearedthereinalongtime。Hewasaccustomedtotwistitwithribbonsintosmalltails，afterthemannerofourRamillieswig，andturnthemabouthisears。Intimeofactionheworeaslingoverhisshoulders，withthreebraceofpistols，hanginginholsterslikebandoleers；hestucklightedmatchesunderhishat，which，appearingoneachsideofhisface，andhiseyesnaturallylookingfierceandwild，madehimaltogethersuchafigurethatimaginationcannotformanideaofaFuryfromhelltolookmorefrightful。”
Thenightbeforethedayoftheactioninwhichhewaskilledhesatupdrinkingwithsomecongenialcompanyuntilbroaddaylight。
Oneofthemaskedhimifhispooryoungwifeknewwherehistreasurewashidden。”No，”saysBlackbeard；”nobodybutthedevilandIknowswhereitis，andthelongestlivershallhaveall。”