CHAPTER XIII

[Contents]CHAPTER XIIITHE END OF BLACKBEARD“As is often the case, Teach, just when he felt himself safest, was in the most imminent peril. The munificent reward offered for his death or capture had proved a tempting bait, and a brave young naval officer, Lieutenant Maynard of H.M.S.Pearl, had made up his mind to pocket that one hundred pounds and several of the forty pound rewards as well. Gathering together a few brave and tried friends and old shipmates, Maynard manned a small sloop, loaded it with a plentiful supply of arms and ammunition and, having learned of Blackbeard’s whereabouts, set sail for Ocracoke. Long before the gallant lieutenant came within sight of the pirates’ lair, however, Teach had word of his coming, but this only amused the black-whiskered corsair. It would serve to enliven a dull day, and he and his men looked forward with pleasurable anticipation to Maynard’s arrival.[226]“But the villainous pirate little knew the manner of man who was coming to attack him. As the day dawned, those on the pirate ship saw the sloop approaching, and, realizing that his situation in the exposed anchorage was not well adapted to defensive tactics, Blackbeard cut his cable, hoisted the black flag and allowed his vessel to drift upon the mudflats with the tide. This was a tactful move, for Maynard’s craft drew too much water to come to grips with the pirate, and as neither vessel carried cannon, the battle would have to be a hand-to-hand combat, and the pirates would have every advantage, as their enemies would be compelled to board them. But the lieutenant had no intention of giving the pirates any advantage he could avoid. He was out to get Blackbeard, dead or alive, and he meant to succeed. Throwing over his ballast, together with anchors, fittings, water casks and spare spars, Maynard lightened his sloop until she could pass over the flats, and then, hoisting sail, he bore down upon the stranded pirate craft.“Blackbeard, with lighted fuses glowing in his hair and beard, drawn cutlass and pistols in hand, leaped upon the rail, ‘hailed him in a rude manner and cursed most horribly,’ as the old accounts tell[227]us, and then, in a bit of bravado, raised a glass of grog and in full view of his enemies drank to ‘the damnation of the attackers.’“Even with the lightened sloop, Maynard found, however, that he could not come to grips with Teach’s vessel, and so, piling his men into small boats, the lieutenant headed for the stranded pirate, intending to board her. But long before they could gain the vessel’s sides they were met with such a galling musketry fire that they were compelled to retreat with twenty-nine men killed and wounded.“This was, indeed, a wretched beginning, but Maynard was a resourceful man and, ordering his men below decks, so that only himself and the helmsman remained in sight, he allowed his sails to flap and swing as though he had no men able to handle the sloop and with the slowly rising tide crept constantly closer to the pirates.“Thinking they had won the day and that Maynard’s men were utterly done for, Teach and his crew roared out boisterous songs and taunts and prepared to leap onto the sloop’s decks and butcher the two remaining men and any wounded who might be lying about. A moment later the two vessels touched. With a terrible oath and a[228]savage yell, Blackbeard sprang through the smoke to the sloop’s decks with his shouting crew at his heels, and with swirling, gleaming cutlasses they rushed towards Maynard and his helmsman. Then, up from their hiding place in the hold, poured the sloop’s crew, and instantly the battle raged fast and furiously. The pirates, surprised, gave back a bit, the lieutenant’s men fought like furies, and back and forth across the bloody decks the battle surged. Teach had singled out Maynard and, whipping out pistols, both fired at the same instant. Blackbeard’s shot missed, but the bullet from the lieutenant’s pistol found its mark in the pirate’s face. With blood streaming from the wound and dripping from the braided ends of his long beard, eyes blazing with fury, and yelling with anger and pain, the pirate threw aside his useless pistol and leaped at the lieutenant with swinging cutlass. But Maynard was a splendid swordsman. As Blackbeard, cursing and shouting that he would hack the other’s heart from his body, leaped forward, the officer’s sword met his, steel clanged on steel, and the pirate found himself balked, held off, driven back.“It was a terrible duel,—the struggle of enormous brute strength against skill,—and with terrific[229]slashing blows and savage lunges Blackbeard strove to break down the other’s guard, to disarm him or to snap his blade. Here and there across the decks they fought and swayed and panted, stumbling over dead and wounded men, slipping in pools of blood, bumping into fighting knots of pirates and seamen. Both were bleeding from a dozen wounds, both were near exhaustion, both were spent, and both knew that it was but a question of moments ere one would fall. And then, with a tremendous blow, Blackbeard brought his heavy cutlass swinging down, the lighter blade of the officer’s snapped at the hilt, and with a blood-curdling, triumphant yell the pirate swung his cutlass up, whirled it about his head and aimed a death-dealing blow at Maynard’s head. Quick as a flash the lieutenant leaped aside, the stroke fell short, and Maynard escaped with the loss of three fingers lopped off by that terrible blow.“Before the pirate could raise his weapon again one of Maynard’s men had leaped forward, his cutlass fell upon the back of Blackbeard’s neck, almost severing the head from the body, and with a crimson fountain spouting from the awful gash the pirate turned and cut his assailant to the chin with a single blow. But despite his ghastly[230]wound the pirate chieftain was still standing, still defiant, still fighting. All about, the decks were a shambles, his men were lying dead and wounded, half a dozen of Maynard’s men were attacking him. Kicking off his shoes to get a better foot-hold on the bloody deck, bellowing like a maddened bull, blood streaming from over twenty-five wounds, with his half-severed head lolling hideously upon his chest, but still defiant, Blackbeard backed against the bulwarks and slashed and lunged, keeping his enemies at bay until, as his life blood poured over his chest and beard and trickled to the decks, his muscles weakened and his blows grew less. Then, suddenly whipping a pistol from his belt, he made one last desperate effort to shoot down the lieutenant. But before he could press the trigger, before a man could strike the weapon up, his knees sagged, his eyelids closed, and with a gurgling, awful moan he sank lifeless to the deck.“Few of the pirates remained alive, none were unwounded. Those who had the strength leaped overboard, attempting to escape, but all were captured; Blackbeard and his men were wiped out and the only member of the pirates who had escaped was the sailing master, Israel Hands.[231]Nursing the bullet wound in his knee, which had been so playfully inflicted by Blackbeard, he was safe ashore. Doubtless he most heartily gave thanks for his dead captain’s form of humor and blessed the wound that gave him a stiff leg for life.“Maynard’s losses, too, were tremendous; many of his men had been killed, scarcely one had escaped without serious wounds, but they forgot their hurts, for they were triumphant. Thirteen pirate prisoners were safe in irons in the sloop’s hold, the grewsome, awful head of the redoubtable Blackbeard was lashed to the tip of the bowsprit, and, hoisting sail, Maynard set forth for Bath Town, North Carolina, to claim his well-earned reward and exhibit his bloody trophy. There the thirteen prisoners were promptly hanged, Teach’s black-whiskered, blood-clotted head, with the burnt-out fuses still in the tangled hair, was placed in the market square, and the promised rewards were duly paid to the courageous lieutenant and his daring men.”“Jiminy!” exclaimed Fred. “That must have beensomefight! Was that the end of the pirates?”“Practically,” replied Mr. Bickford. “Teach[232]was the last pirate of note. There were a few who still lurked in the Caribbean, but the Atlantic coasts and the West Indies were getting too hot for them. Such rascals, as Low, England, Roberts and Avery, transferred their activities to more out-of-the-way spots, to Africa, Madagascar and the Indian Ocean, and the last of the West Indian pirates were dispersed and destroyed by Lieutenant, afterwards Commodore, Porter, who also wiped out the Tripolitan pirates.”“But how about Lafitte and his pirates?” asked Jack. “I thought they lived until the time of the war of 1812 and helped General Jackson at the battle of New Orleans.”“So they did,” replied his father. “But Lafitte and his brother were not really pirates. That is, no real acts of piracy were ever proved against them, although they were denounced as such. In reality the Lafittes were smugglers, but their career was so picturesque and romantic that their story may be quite fittingly included in that of the buccaneers and pirates.“The two brothers, Jean and Pierre Lafitte, were born in France, and came to New Orleans in the spring of 1809. They were brilliant, witty, well educated, attractive men, and spoke several[233]languages fluently. The two started a blacksmith shop, which they operated by slaves, and from the first the brothers appeared to have plenty of money. At that time there was a strip of territory, stretching for a distance of about sixty miles from the mouth of the Mississippi to Bayou Lafourche, which was in almost undisputed possession of a colony of smuggler-pirates known as the ‘Baratarians,’ from the fact that their headquarters were on the Bay of Barataria, a body of water with a narrow opening protected from the Gulf by a low, narrow island about six miles long known as Grande-Terre.“Some of these Baratarians possessed letters of marque from France, as well as from the Republic of New Grenada (now Colombia), authorizing them to prey upon Spanish shipping, but like the pirates of old they had the reputation of lacking discrimination and of attacking any vessel that they could overpower. Whatever the truth of their piratical tendencies may have been, there was no question that they were smugglers on a large scale, and not long after the Lafittes arrived in Louisiana they joined their lot with these Baratarians.“Jean occupied a position as a sort of agent[234]and banker for the smugglers, but he was far too clever and ambitious to remain long in such a subordinate capacity, and soon was the head and brains of the whole organization. To this state he won both by superior intelligence and force of arms, for both Lafittes were adept swordsmen and expert pistol shots, and when a fellow called Grambo, a burly leader among the Baratarians, had the temerity to question Jean Lafitte’s leadership the latter promptly whipped out a pistol and shot him through the heart.“Hitherto the Baratarians had been divided into factions, and there were constant dissensions and quarrels among them, but under Lafitte’s management all were united, and so daring and brazenly did they carry on their operations that within three years from the time the Lafitte brothers stepped ashore at New Orleans there was more commerce entering and leaving Barataria Bay than the port of New Orleans. Great warehouses rose above the low sand dunes of Grande-Terre; cargoes of slaves were weekly auctioned in the big slave market; from far and near merchants and dealers flocked to the smugglers’ stronghold to barter and trade, and it was evidently but a question of time before the Lafittes[235]and their Baratarian friends would control all the import trade of the Mississippi Valley.“Becoming alarmed at the magnitude of operations, the federal government decided to break up the smugglers, and revenue cutters were dispatched to the bay. But the Baratarians’ spies were vigilant, word of the raid was brought, and the discomfited government officers returned empty-handed, without having accomplished anything worth while. Indeed, it was a common rumor in New Orleans that even the United States officials were in league with the Lafittes, and the wealthy, charming Frenchmen came and went, spent their money freely in New Orleans, drove about in splendid carriages and with magnificent horses, maintained expensive establishments, and snapped their slender, jeweled fingers at the authorities.“It was the greatest, most flagrant smuggling enterprise ever carried on in the history of the world, and at last Governor Claiborne of Louisiana decided to take drastic measures to suppress it. The penalties of the law for smuggling were evidently not severe enough to meet the case, and so, in 1813, the governor issued a proclamation in which he declared the Baratarians pirates, warned[236]the citizens not to deal with them, and threatened to hang every one he could lay hands on.“But His Excellency might have saved his breath and his paper. Twirling gold-headed canes, decked in valuable jewels, attired in the most expensive and beautifully tailored clothes, the Lafitte brothers strolled nonchalantly through the streets and, surrounded by admirers, read with interest and amusement the official placards in which they were denounced as pirates. Then, to add insult to injury, they tacked up posters, advertising a slave auction to be held at Barataria, alongside the irate governor’s proclamations!“Beside himself with anger, but realizing he was unable to cope single-handed with the situation; Governor Claiborne issued a supplementary proclamation offering five hundred dollars reward for the apprehension of either of the Lafitte brothers. Only one man, as far as known, attempted to earn the reward, and instead of the five hundred dollars he received a bullet through the lungs which promptly relieved him of all desire or necessity for money or anything else of a worldly nature.“The governor was desperate. No one would raise a finger against the so-called ‘pirates,’ they[237]openly defied the state, and he asked the Legislature for an appropriation to raise a company of volunteers to attack the stronghold of the Lafittes. Unfortunately the increase of the smugglers’ business had so depleted the state treasury that there were no funds available; but at last the governor succeeded in obtaining an indictment for piracy against the two Lafittes and the Baratarian leaders. Armed with this, the governor managed to have Pierre arrested.“But the executive had forgotten that money talks. For a fee of $20,000 each, Jean Lafitte retained the two most prominent lawyers in the state, Edward Livingston and John R. Grymes, the latter resigning as District Attorney to defend the Lafittes. During the trial his successor taunted him with this and as a result Grymes challenged him and shot him through the hip, crippling him for life.“There was no question of how the trial would result. Pierre was freed, Jean was cleared and the indictment against him dismissed and the triumphant lawyers were invited by the brothers to visit their headquarters at Barataria and collect their fees. Livingston, a New Yorker, declined, but Grymes, who was a Virginian, accepted,[238]and the tale is still told in New Orleans of the princely entertainment, the magnificent feast and the whole-souled hospitality accorded the attorney by the Lafittes and their outlaw friends. Finally he was sent back to New Orleans in an almost regally appointed yawl laden with boxes containing the two lawyers’ fees in Spanish doubloons and pieces of eight.“Meanwhile the war between England and the United States had been going on for nearly two years. It had been felt but little on the shores of the Gulf, however, and the Baratarians, and even the more law-abiding citizens, scarcely knew that there was a conflict. But in September, 1814, the smuggler-pirate colony was started by the sudden appearance of an armed British brig off their island haunt. Hastily ordering out his private cutter, Jean Lafitte boarded the war vessel, invited the officers ashore and feasted them right royally. Then, as the merry party sat back and puffed at their fine Havanas the smuggler chieftain was presented with a letter from the British commandant at Pensacola. It was an offer of a high commission in the British army and a fee of $30,000, provided Lafitte would use his forces in assisting the British in their proposed invasion of Louisiana.[239]“The Frenchman hesitated, replied that it would take him some time to decide upon such an important matter and asked for ten days in which to consider it. This was willingly granted, the officers were escorted back to their ship and, well satisfied with their progress, they prepared to await Lafitte’s reply, which they felt convinced would be favorable. But even before they had stepped upon their ship’s decks a messenger had been despatched post-haste by Lafitte to the Louisiana Legislature. Not only did the messenger carry a complete account of the British plans of invasion as divulged by the officers, but he also carried the letter from the English commandant and a letter from Lafitte offering the services of himself and his men in the defense of the state.“Instantly Governor Claiborne called a council of the army, navy and militia officers and showed them Lafitte’s communication. The officials could not believe that Lafitte—outlaw and smuggler and so-called pirate—could possess any sentiments of patriotism, and one and all declared that, in their opinions, the papers were forgeries and that Lafitte had submitted them in order to prevent the authorities from interfering with his plans.[240]“As a result, an expedition was organized, and, under command of Commodore Patterson and Colonel Ross, set out to attack the Baratarians. Supposing, as was natural, that the approaching forces had been sent to combine with them against the British, the smugglers were taken completely by surprise; many were killed and captured and their headquarters were destroyed. Only the two Lafittes and a few followers escaped and a vast quantity of loot was seized by the victorious troops. Among this booty was found the jewelry of a Creole lady who had left New Orleans several years before and had never been heard from, and this circumstantial evidence of piracy was the sole and only thing ever produced to prove that the Lafittes or the Baratarians could be considered pirates. Upon that one incident all the tales of piracy by the Lafittes have been built up and, like Captain Kidd’s, their fame has grown from nothing. Despite the scurvy treatment accorded Lafitte by the governor, he still remained true to his adopted country and instead of joining the British—and he could scarcely have been blamed if he had—he remained with his brother and the other fugitives in hiding until General Andrew Jackson arrived to take supreme command at New[241]Orleans. Then, risking life and liberty, he came forth again, offered his services and those of his men to the nation and was promptly accepted. General Jackson placed Lafitte in command of the redoubts along the river with a part of his men and detailed the others to the battery at New Orleans. Throughout that memorable battle the Baratarians and the Lafittes fought with such furious and whole-hearted bravery that they were lauded in the general orders issued after the victory, and at General Jackson’s suggestion all were granted full pardons.“After the battle, a great ball was given by the army and naval officers and great was the rejoicing, and at this brilliant function Jean Lafitte appeared for the last time. Among the honored guests was General Coffee, and the pompous General and the dandy Frenchman were brought together for an introduction. At first, as the orderly mentioned Lafitte’s name, the General hesitated and glanced superciliously over the smiling stranger. Lafitte stepped forward, drew himself up proudly and announced: ‘Lafitte, the pirate.’ Instantly the General thrust out his hand and grasped the other’s cordially.“Never again were the Lafittes seen in New[242]Orleans or their old haunts. Rumors came from time to time, wild tales were told of their doings, but there was little to bear them out. It was, however, generally accepted as a fact beyond dispute that they went to an island near Galveston, secured commissions as privateers from a South American Republic and preyed upon Spanish shipping to their own considerable profit.“About that time, too, a United States cruiser was attacked by unknown corsairs in the Gulf and looted of an enormous sum in bullion and this was laid to the Lafittes. As a result, the Galveston settlement was attacked and destroyed, but no signs of the famous Lafittes were found. Perhaps they had never been there, perhaps they managed to escape. They completely disappeared and where they passed the remainder of their lives, where they died has never been discovered. Once it was reported, that they had sailed to the Argentine and had entered the service of the Buenos Ayres government. Again it was stated that they had established a pirate lair in Yucatan. There were stories of their having settled on Ruatan Island off Honduras, where they conducted wrecking and piratical undertakings, but definite news, actual proofs, were never forthcoming.[243]“We can scarcely believe that men who had proved their patriotism and their valor, men who had shown their honor and their loyalty as had the Lafittes, would countenance an attack upon a United States ship. It does not seem like them to have degenerated into rascally cut-throats and wreckers. To my mind, it is far more probable that they returned to their beloved France or settled down under new names in some quiet tropical land and there passed the remainder of their lives like the accomplished gentlemen they were. No one will ever know. We can only surmise. But with the passing of these romantic, picturesque brothers went the last of the more famous pirates. And—as I said before—there was nothing to prove that theywerepirates after all.”“Golly, I never knew the buccaneers and pirates were so interesting,” declared Fred, as Mr. Bickford ceased speaking. “I always loved to read stories about them, but they’re a lot more interesting than the stories.”“Yes,” agreed his uncle. “It’s a splendid example of the truth of the time-worn saying that ‘truth is stranger than fiction.’ And did you ever stop to think, boys, that if it hadn’t been for the[244]buccaneers there might not—probably would not—have been any United States?”The last of the pirate ships, the Vigilant, as she was originally rigged. Now a packet in the West IndiesThe last of the pirate ships, theVigilant,as she was originally rigged. Now a packet in the West Indies“Why, no!” cried Jack.“How could that be?” demanded Fred.“Very few people realize that we owe the buccaneers a tremendous debt of gratitude or that they played a most important part in the history of America. They may have been ruthless, cruel, bloodthirsty, unprincipled cut-throats, but if it had not been for the buccaneers the chances are that what is now the United States would have been a colony of Spain or a Spanish-American republic. It was very largely owing to the buccaneers that England retained her supremacy in the West Indies. She was far too busy with wars at home to look after her American possessions; Spain controlled South and Central America, Florida and the Southwest, and her sea power was tremendous. But the buccaneers kept the Dons in check, they compelled Spain to devote all her energies and her warships to protecting her cities and her plate ships, and, with the sea rovers everywhere in the Caribbean, the Dons could not expand their holdings and were hard put to it to hold what they had. It is no exaggeration to say that the buccaneers had a greater[245]effect on maintaining England’s hold in America than all the British Crown’s forces. And the British navy was not at all blind to the services of the buccaneers. When the English attacked Jamaica and wrested it from Spain the buccaneers took a most important part and in many another sea battle, and land attack as well, the British navy and army were mighty glad of the buccaneers’ help. Whatever their sins and their misdeeds may have been, we cannot overlook the fact that they had a most important place in the scheme of things, that they helped make history and that they are entitled to a big niche in the hall of fame of pioneers, colonizers and fighters of America. And there is no need to fear that they will ever be forgotten. As long as there is red blood in the veins of men and boys; as long as human beings have pulses that will quicken to tales of heroism and bravery and mighty deeds, the swashbuckling, daredevil, picturesque buccaneers, and even the pirates who came after, will live on. The names of kings and queens may be forgotten. Famous admirals and generals may have passed into oblivion. Great battles and tremendous victories, treaties of peace and declarations of war; the conquests of countries; the subjugation[246]of kingdoms may fade from memory, and yet, every schoolboy is familiar with the names of Morgan, L’Ollonois, Montbars, Hawkins and the other chieftains of the buccaneers. They were characters who can never die.”“Gee, I’m kind of sorry theyhaveall gone,” declared Jack, as his father ceased speaking. “It would be great to see a real buccaneer or a real pirate ship.”Mr. Bickford smiled. “I’m afraid you’ll never see a buccaneer,” he said. “But you might see a pirate ship.”“Oh, do you really mean thereareany pirates’ ships left?” cried Fred.“I can’t say, positively,” replied his uncle. “But there was one a very short time ago. She was doing duty as a packet between the Virgin Islands and her name was theVigilant. She was a trim, speedy little schooner—the typical ‘low black craft with rakish masts’ of story and fiction and had had a most adventurous and romantic career. She was built at Baltimore and was originally intended as a privateer for use in the Revolution. But the war was over before she was launched and she served as a smuggler, a slaver and a pirate, changing hands frequently. At that[247]time she was rigged as a topsail schooner and was called theNonesuch, and at one time she was even a man-of-war. That happened when Denmark and Spain were at war and a Spanish cruiser was harassing Danish commerce, always escaping by fleeing to waters too shoal for the Danish war vessels. TheVigilantwas pressed into service, disguised as a merchantman, and lured the Spaniard on until at close quarters, when she suddenly showed her real character in true pirate fashion, and, throwing grappling irons, the armed crew of the schooner swarmed over the Spaniard’s side, killed the captain and officers, overpowered the crew and captured the ship. It was the last engagement of the gallant little schooner—a fitting end to her career—and ever since she has done duty as an honest merchantman. I have seen her many times, have even sailed on her, and, for all I know to the contrary, she may still be plowing the blue Caribbean in the haunts of the buccaneers as staunch, fast and seaworthy as when the Jolly Roger flew from many a masthead.”THE END

[Contents]CHAPTER XIIITHE END OF BLACKBEARD“As is often the case, Teach, just when he felt himself safest, was in the most imminent peril. The munificent reward offered for his death or capture had proved a tempting bait, and a brave young naval officer, Lieutenant Maynard of H.M.S.Pearl, had made up his mind to pocket that one hundred pounds and several of the forty pound rewards as well. Gathering together a few brave and tried friends and old shipmates, Maynard manned a small sloop, loaded it with a plentiful supply of arms and ammunition and, having learned of Blackbeard’s whereabouts, set sail for Ocracoke. Long before the gallant lieutenant came within sight of the pirates’ lair, however, Teach had word of his coming, but this only amused the black-whiskered corsair. It would serve to enliven a dull day, and he and his men looked forward with pleasurable anticipation to Maynard’s arrival.[226]“But the villainous pirate little knew the manner of man who was coming to attack him. As the day dawned, those on the pirate ship saw the sloop approaching, and, realizing that his situation in the exposed anchorage was not well adapted to defensive tactics, Blackbeard cut his cable, hoisted the black flag and allowed his vessel to drift upon the mudflats with the tide. This was a tactful move, for Maynard’s craft drew too much water to come to grips with the pirate, and as neither vessel carried cannon, the battle would have to be a hand-to-hand combat, and the pirates would have every advantage, as their enemies would be compelled to board them. But the lieutenant had no intention of giving the pirates any advantage he could avoid. He was out to get Blackbeard, dead or alive, and he meant to succeed. Throwing over his ballast, together with anchors, fittings, water casks and spare spars, Maynard lightened his sloop until she could pass over the flats, and then, hoisting sail, he bore down upon the stranded pirate craft.“Blackbeard, with lighted fuses glowing in his hair and beard, drawn cutlass and pistols in hand, leaped upon the rail, ‘hailed him in a rude manner and cursed most horribly,’ as the old accounts tell[227]us, and then, in a bit of bravado, raised a glass of grog and in full view of his enemies drank to ‘the damnation of the attackers.’“Even with the lightened sloop, Maynard found, however, that he could not come to grips with Teach’s vessel, and so, piling his men into small boats, the lieutenant headed for the stranded pirate, intending to board her. But long before they could gain the vessel’s sides they were met with such a galling musketry fire that they were compelled to retreat with twenty-nine men killed and wounded.“This was, indeed, a wretched beginning, but Maynard was a resourceful man and, ordering his men below decks, so that only himself and the helmsman remained in sight, he allowed his sails to flap and swing as though he had no men able to handle the sloop and with the slowly rising tide crept constantly closer to the pirates.“Thinking they had won the day and that Maynard’s men were utterly done for, Teach and his crew roared out boisterous songs and taunts and prepared to leap onto the sloop’s decks and butcher the two remaining men and any wounded who might be lying about. A moment later the two vessels touched. With a terrible oath and a[228]savage yell, Blackbeard sprang through the smoke to the sloop’s decks with his shouting crew at his heels, and with swirling, gleaming cutlasses they rushed towards Maynard and his helmsman. Then, up from their hiding place in the hold, poured the sloop’s crew, and instantly the battle raged fast and furiously. The pirates, surprised, gave back a bit, the lieutenant’s men fought like furies, and back and forth across the bloody decks the battle surged. Teach had singled out Maynard and, whipping out pistols, both fired at the same instant. Blackbeard’s shot missed, but the bullet from the lieutenant’s pistol found its mark in the pirate’s face. With blood streaming from the wound and dripping from the braided ends of his long beard, eyes blazing with fury, and yelling with anger and pain, the pirate threw aside his useless pistol and leaped at the lieutenant with swinging cutlass. But Maynard was a splendid swordsman. As Blackbeard, cursing and shouting that he would hack the other’s heart from his body, leaped forward, the officer’s sword met his, steel clanged on steel, and the pirate found himself balked, held off, driven back.“It was a terrible duel,—the struggle of enormous brute strength against skill,—and with terrific[229]slashing blows and savage lunges Blackbeard strove to break down the other’s guard, to disarm him or to snap his blade. Here and there across the decks they fought and swayed and panted, stumbling over dead and wounded men, slipping in pools of blood, bumping into fighting knots of pirates and seamen. Both were bleeding from a dozen wounds, both were near exhaustion, both were spent, and both knew that it was but a question of moments ere one would fall. And then, with a tremendous blow, Blackbeard brought his heavy cutlass swinging down, the lighter blade of the officer’s snapped at the hilt, and with a blood-curdling, triumphant yell the pirate swung his cutlass up, whirled it about his head and aimed a death-dealing blow at Maynard’s head. Quick as a flash the lieutenant leaped aside, the stroke fell short, and Maynard escaped with the loss of three fingers lopped off by that terrible blow.“Before the pirate could raise his weapon again one of Maynard’s men had leaped forward, his cutlass fell upon the back of Blackbeard’s neck, almost severing the head from the body, and with a crimson fountain spouting from the awful gash the pirate turned and cut his assailant to the chin with a single blow. But despite his ghastly[230]wound the pirate chieftain was still standing, still defiant, still fighting. All about, the decks were a shambles, his men were lying dead and wounded, half a dozen of Maynard’s men were attacking him. Kicking off his shoes to get a better foot-hold on the bloody deck, bellowing like a maddened bull, blood streaming from over twenty-five wounds, with his half-severed head lolling hideously upon his chest, but still defiant, Blackbeard backed against the bulwarks and slashed and lunged, keeping his enemies at bay until, as his life blood poured over his chest and beard and trickled to the decks, his muscles weakened and his blows grew less. Then, suddenly whipping a pistol from his belt, he made one last desperate effort to shoot down the lieutenant. But before he could press the trigger, before a man could strike the weapon up, his knees sagged, his eyelids closed, and with a gurgling, awful moan he sank lifeless to the deck.“Few of the pirates remained alive, none were unwounded. Those who had the strength leaped overboard, attempting to escape, but all were captured; Blackbeard and his men were wiped out and the only member of the pirates who had escaped was the sailing master, Israel Hands.[231]Nursing the bullet wound in his knee, which had been so playfully inflicted by Blackbeard, he was safe ashore. Doubtless he most heartily gave thanks for his dead captain’s form of humor and blessed the wound that gave him a stiff leg for life.“Maynard’s losses, too, were tremendous; many of his men had been killed, scarcely one had escaped without serious wounds, but they forgot their hurts, for they were triumphant. Thirteen pirate prisoners were safe in irons in the sloop’s hold, the grewsome, awful head of the redoubtable Blackbeard was lashed to the tip of the bowsprit, and, hoisting sail, Maynard set forth for Bath Town, North Carolina, to claim his well-earned reward and exhibit his bloody trophy. There the thirteen prisoners were promptly hanged, Teach’s black-whiskered, blood-clotted head, with the burnt-out fuses still in the tangled hair, was placed in the market square, and the promised rewards were duly paid to the courageous lieutenant and his daring men.”“Jiminy!” exclaimed Fred. “That must have beensomefight! Was that the end of the pirates?”“Practically,” replied Mr. Bickford. “Teach[232]was the last pirate of note. There were a few who still lurked in the Caribbean, but the Atlantic coasts and the West Indies were getting too hot for them. Such rascals, as Low, England, Roberts and Avery, transferred their activities to more out-of-the-way spots, to Africa, Madagascar and the Indian Ocean, and the last of the West Indian pirates were dispersed and destroyed by Lieutenant, afterwards Commodore, Porter, who also wiped out the Tripolitan pirates.”“But how about Lafitte and his pirates?” asked Jack. “I thought they lived until the time of the war of 1812 and helped General Jackson at the battle of New Orleans.”“So they did,” replied his father. “But Lafitte and his brother were not really pirates. That is, no real acts of piracy were ever proved against them, although they were denounced as such. In reality the Lafittes were smugglers, but their career was so picturesque and romantic that their story may be quite fittingly included in that of the buccaneers and pirates.“The two brothers, Jean and Pierre Lafitte, were born in France, and came to New Orleans in the spring of 1809. They were brilliant, witty, well educated, attractive men, and spoke several[233]languages fluently. The two started a blacksmith shop, which they operated by slaves, and from the first the brothers appeared to have plenty of money. At that time there was a strip of territory, stretching for a distance of about sixty miles from the mouth of the Mississippi to Bayou Lafourche, which was in almost undisputed possession of a colony of smuggler-pirates known as the ‘Baratarians,’ from the fact that their headquarters were on the Bay of Barataria, a body of water with a narrow opening protected from the Gulf by a low, narrow island about six miles long known as Grande-Terre.“Some of these Baratarians possessed letters of marque from France, as well as from the Republic of New Grenada (now Colombia), authorizing them to prey upon Spanish shipping, but like the pirates of old they had the reputation of lacking discrimination and of attacking any vessel that they could overpower. Whatever the truth of their piratical tendencies may have been, there was no question that they were smugglers on a large scale, and not long after the Lafittes arrived in Louisiana they joined their lot with these Baratarians.“Jean occupied a position as a sort of agent[234]and banker for the smugglers, but he was far too clever and ambitious to remain long in such a subordinate capacity, and soon was the head and brains of the whole organization. To this state he won both by superior intelligence and force of arms, for both Lafittes were adept swordsmen and expert pistol shots, and when a fellow called Grambo, a burly leader among the Baratarians, had the temerity to question Jean Lafitte’s leadership the latter promptly whipped out a pistol and shot him through the heart.“Hitherto the Baratarians had been divided into factions, and there were constant dissensions and quarrels among them, but under Lafitte’s management all were united, and so daring and brazenly did they carry on their operations that within three years from the time the Lafitte brothers stepped ashore at New Orleans there was more commerce entering and leaving Barataria Bay than the port of New Orleans. Great warehouses rose above the low sand dunes of Grande-Terre; cargoes of slaves were weekly auctioned in the big slave market; from far and near merchants and dealers flocked to the smugglers’ stronghold to barter and trade, and it was evidently but a question of time before the Lafittes[235]and their Baratarian friends would control all the import trade of the Mississippi Valley.“Becoming alarmed at the magnitude of operations, the federal government decided to break up the smugglers, and revenue cutters were dispatched to the bay. But the Baratarians’ spies were vigilant, word of the raid was brought, and the discomfited government officers returned empty-handed, without having accomplished anything worth while. Indeed, it was a common rumor in New Orleans that even the United States officials were in league with the Lafittes, and the wealthy, charming Frenchmen came and went, spent their money freely in New Orleans, drove about in splendid carriages and with magnificent horses, maintained expensive establishments, and snapped their slender, jeweled fingers at the authorities.“It was the greatest, most flagrant smuggling enterprise ever carried on in the history of the world, and at last Governor Claiborne of Louisiana decided to take drastic measures to suppress it. The penalties of the law for smuggling were evidently not severe enough to meet the case, and so, in 1813, the governor issued a proclamation in which he declared the Baratarians pirates, warned[236]the citizens not to deal with them, and threatened to hang every one he could lay hands on.“But His Excellency might have saved his breath and his paper. Twirling gold-headed canes, decked in valuable jewels, attired in the most expensive and beautifully tailored clothes, the Lafitte brothers strolled nonchalantly through the streets and, surrounded by admirers, read with interest and amusement the official placards in which they were denounced as pirates. Then, to add insult to injury, they tacked up posters, advertising a slave auction to be held at Barataria, alongside the irate governor’s proclamations!“Beside himself with anger, but realizing he was unable to cope single-handed with the situation; Governor Claiborne issued a supplementary proclamation offering five hundred dollars reward for the apprehension of either of the Lafitte brothers. Only one man, as far as known, attempted to earn the reward, and instead of the five hundred dollars he received a bullet through the lungs which promptly relieved him of all desire or necessity for money or anything else of a worldly nature.“The governor was desperate. No one would raise a finger against the so-called ‘pirates,’ they[237]openly defied the state, and he asked the Legislature for an appropriation to raise a company of volunteers to attack the stronghold of the Lafittes. Unfortunately the increase of the smugglers’ business had so depleted the state treasury that there were no funds available; but at last the governor succeeded in obtaining an indictment for piracy against the two Lafittes and the Baratarian leaders. Armed with this, the governor managed to have Pierre arrested.“But the executive had forgotten that money talks. For a fee of $20,000 each, Jean Lafitte retained the two most prominent lawyers in the state, Edward Livingston and John R. Grymes, the latter resigning as District Attorney to defend the Lafittes. During the trial his successor taunted him with this and as a result Grymes challenged him and shot him through the hip, crippling him for life.“There was no question of how the trial would result. Pierre was freed, Jean was cleared and the indictment against him dismissed and the triumphant lawyers were invited by the brothers to visit their headquarters at Barataria and collect their fees. Livingston, a New Yorker, declined, but Grymes, who was a Virginian, accepted,[238]and the tale is still told in New Orleans of the princely entertainment, the magnificent feast and the whole-souled hospitality accorded the attorney by the Lafittes and their outlaw friends. Finally he was sent back to New Orleans in an almost regally appointed yawl laden with boxes containing the two lawyers’ fees in Spanish doubloons and pieces of eight.“Meanwhile the war between England and the United States had been going on for nearly two years. It had been felt but little on the shores of the Gulf, however, and the Baratarians, and even the more law-abiding citizens, scarcely knew that there was a conflict. But in September, 1814, the smuggler-pirate colony was started by the sudden appearance of an armed British brig off their island haunt. Hastily ordering out his private cutter, Jean Lafitte boarded the war vessel, invited the officers ashore and feasted them right royally. Then, as the merry party sat back and puffed at their fine Havanas the smuggler chieftain was presented with a letter from the British commandant at Pensacola. It was an offer of a high commission in the British army and a fee of $30,000, provided Lafitte would use his forces in assisting the British in their proposed invasion of Louisiana.[239]“The Frenchman hesitated, replied that it would take him some time to decide upon such an important matter and asked for ten days in which to consider it. This was willingly granted, the officers were escorted back to their ship and, well satisfied with their progress, they prepared to await Lafitte’s reply, which they felt convinced would be favorable. But even before they had stepped upon their ship’s decks a messenger had been despatched post-haste by Lafitte to the Louisiana Legislature. Not only did the messenger carry a complete account of the British plans of invasion as divulged by the officers, but he also carried the letter from the English commandant and a letter from Lafitte offering the services of himself and his men in the defense of the state.“Instantly Governor Claiborne called a council of the army, navy and militia officers and showed them Lafitte’s communication. The officials could not believe that Lafitte—outlaw and smuggler and so-called pirate—could possess any sentiments of patriotism, and one and all declared that, in their opinions, the papers were forgeries and that Lafitte had submitted them in order to prevent the authorities from interfering with his plans.[240]“As a result, an expedition was organized, and, under command of Commodore Patterson and Colonel Ross, set out to attack the Baratarians. Supposing, as was natural, that the approaching forces had been sent to combine with them against the British, the smugglers were taken completely by surprise; many were killed and captured and their headquarters were destroyed. Only the two Lafittes and a few followers escaped and a vast quantity of loot was seized by the victorious troops. Among this booty was found the jewelry of a Creole lady who had left New Orleans several years before and had never been heard from, and this circumstantial evidence of piracy was the sole and only thing ever produced to prove that the Lafittes or the Baratarians could be considered pirates. Upon that one incident all the tales of piracy by the Lafittes have been built up and, like Captain Kidd’s, their fame has grown from nothing. Despite the scurvy treatment accorded Lafitte by the governor, he still remained true to his adopted country and instead of joining the British—and he could scarcely have been blamed if he had—he remained with his brother and the other fugitives in hiding until General Andrew Jackson arrived to take supreme command at New[241]Orleans. Then, risking life and liberty, he came forth again, offered his services and those of his men to the nation and was promptly accepted. General Jackson placed Lafitte in command of the redoubts along the river with a part of his men and detailed the others to the battery at New Orleans. Throughout that memorable battle the Baratarians and the Lafittes fought with such furious and whole-hearted bravery that they were lauded in the general orders issued after the victory, and at General Jackson’s suggestion all were granted full pardons.“After the battle, a great ball was given by the army and naval officers and great was the rejoicing, and at this brilliant function Jean Lafitte appeared for the last time. Among the honored guests was General Coffee, and the pompous General and the dandy Frenchman were brought together for an introduction. At first, as the orderly mentioned Lafitte’s name, the General hesitated and glanced superciliously over the smiling stranger. Lafitte stepped forward, drew himself up proudly and announced: ‘Lafitte, the pirate.’ Instantly the General thrust out his hand and grasped the other’s cordially.“Never again were the Lafittes seen in New[242]Orleans or their old haunts. Rumors came from time to time, wild tales were told of their doings, but there was little to bear them out. It was, however, generally accepted as a fact beyond dispute that they went to an island near Galveston, secured commissions as privateers from a South American Republic and preyed upon Spanish shipping to their own considerable profit.“About that time, too, a United States cruiser was attacked by unknown corsairs in the Gulf and looted of an enormous sum in bullion and this was laid to the Lafittes. As a result, the Galveston settlement was attacked and destroyed, but no signs of the famous Lafittes were found. Perhaps they had never been there, perhaps they managed to escape. They completely disappeared and where they passed the remainder of their lives, where they died has never been discovered. Once it was reported, that they had sailed to the Argentine and had entered the service of the Buenos Ayres government. Again it was stated that they had established a pirate lair in Yucatan. There were stories of their having settled on Ruatan Island off Honduras, where they conducted wrecking and piratical undertakings, but definite news, actual proofs, were never forthcoming.[243]“We can scarcely believe that men who had proved their patriotism and their valor, men who had shown their honor and their loyalty as had the Lafittes, would countenance an attack upon a United States ship. It does not seem like them to have degenerated into rascally cut-throats and wreckers. To my mind, it is far more probable that they returned to their beloved France or settled down under new names in some quiet tropical land and there passed the remainder of their lives like the accomplished gentlemen they were. No one will ever know. We can only surmise. But with the passing of these romantic, picturesque brothers went the last of the more famous pirates. And—as I said before—there was nothing to prove that theywerepirates after all.”“Golly, I never knew the buccaneers and pirates were so interesting,” declared Fred, as Mr. Bickford ceased speaking. “I always loved to read stories about them, but they’re a lot more interesting than the stories.”“Yes,” agreed his uncle. “It’s a splendid example of the truth of the time-worn saying that ‘truth is stranger than fiction.’ And did you ever stop to think, boys, that if it hadn’t been for the[244]buccaneers there might not—probably would not—have been any United States?”The last of the pirate ships, the Vigilant, as she was originally rigged. Now a packet in the West IndiesThe last of the pirate ships, theVigilant,as she was originally rigged. Now a packet in the West Indies“Why, no!” cried Jack.“How could that be?” demanded Fred.“Very few people realize that we owe the buccaneers a tremendous debt of gratitude or that they played a most important part in the history of America. They may have been ruthless, cruel, bloodthirsty, unprincipled cut-throats, but if it had not been for the buccaneers the chances are that what is now the United States would have been a colony of Spain or a Spanish-American republic. It was very largely owing to the buccaneers that England retained her supremacy in the West Indies. She was far too busy with wars at home to look after her American possessions; Spain controlled South and Central America, Florida and the Southwest, and her sea power was tremendous. But the buccaneers kept the Dons in check, they compelled Spain to devote all her energies and her warships to protecting her cities and her plate ships, and, with the sea rovers everywhere in the Caribbean, the Dons could not expand their holdings and were hard put to it to hold what they had. It is no exaggeration to say that the buccaneers had a greater[245]effect on maintaining England’s hold in America than all the British Crown’s forces. And the British navy was not at all blind to the services of the buccaneers. When the English attacked Jamaica and wrested it from Spain the buccaneers took a most important part and in many another sea battle, and land attack as well, the British navy and army were mighty glad of the buccaneers’ help. Whatever their sins and their misdeeds may have been, we cannot overlook the fact that they had a most important place in the scheme of things, that they helped make history and that they are entitled to a big niche in the hall of fame of pioneers, colonizers and fighters of America. And there is no need to fear that they will ever be forgotten. As long as there is red blood in the veins of men and boys; as long as human beings have pulses that will quicken to tales of heroism and bravery and mighty deeds, the swashbuckling, daredevil, picturesque buccaneers, and even the pirates who came after, will live on. The names of kings and queens may be forgotten. Famous admirals and generals may have passed into oblivion. Great battles and tremendous victories, treaties of peace and declarations of war; the conquests of countries; the subjugation[246]of kingdoms may fade from memory, and yet, every schoolboy is familiar with the names of Morgan, L’Ollonois, Montbars, Hawkins and the other chieftains of the buccaneers. They were characters who can never die.”“Gee, I’m kind of sorry theyhaveall gone,” declared Jack, as his father ceased speaking. “It would be great to see a real buccaneer or a real pirate ship.”Mr. Bickford smiled. “I’m afraid you’ll never see a buccaneer,” he said. “But you might see a pirate ship.”“Oh, do you really mean thereareany pirates’ ships left?” cried Fred.“I can’t say, positively,” replied his uncle. “But there was one a very short time ago. She was doing duty as a packet between the Virgin Islands and her name was theVigilant. She was a trim, speedy little schooner—the typical ‘low black craft with rakish masts’ of story and fiction and had had a most adventurous and romantic career. She was built at Baltimore and was originally intended as a privateer for use in the Revolution. But the war was over before she was launched and she served as a smuggler, a slaver and a pirate, changing hands frequently. At that[247]time she was rigged as a topsail schooner and was called theNonesuch, and at one time she was even a man-of-war. That happened when Denmark and Spain were at war and a Spanish cruiser was harassing Danish commerce, always escaping by fleeing to waters too shoal for the Danish war vessels. TheVigilantwas pressed into service, disguised as a merchantman, and lured the Spaniard on until at close quarters, when she suddenly showed her real character in true pirate fashion, and, throwing grappling irons, the armed crew of the schooner swarmed over the Spaniard’s side, killed the captain and officers, overpowered the crew and captured the ship. It was the last engagement of the gallant little schooner—a fitting end to her career—and ever since she has done duty as an honest merchantman. I have seen her many times, have even sailed on her, and, for all I know to the contrary, she may still be plowing the blue Caribbean in the haunts of the buccaneers as staunch, fast and seaworthy as when the Jolly Roger flew from many a masthead.”THE END

CHAPTER XIIITHE END OF BLACKBEARD

“As is often the case, Teach, just when he felt himself safest, was in the most imminent peril. The munificent reward offered for his death or capture had proved a tempting bait, and a brave young naval officer, Lieutenant Maynard of H.M.S.Pearl, had made up his mind to pocket that one hundred pounds and several of the forty pound rewards as well. Gathering together a few brave and tried friends and old shipmates, Maynard manned a small sloop, loaded it with a plentiful supply of arms and ammunition and, having learned of Blackbeard’s whereabouts, set sail for Ocracoke. Long before the gallant lieutenant came within sight of the pirates’ lair, however, Teach had word of his coming, but this only amused the black-whiskered corsair. It would serve to enliven a dull day, and he and his men looked forward with pleasurable anticipation to Maynard’s arrival.[226]“But the villainous pirate little knew the manner of man who was coming to attack him. As the day dawned, those on the pirate ship saw the sloop approaching, and, realizing that his situation in the exposed anchorage was not well adapted to defensive tactics, Blackbeard cut his cable, hoisted the black flag and allowed his vessel to drift upon the mudflats with the tide. This was a tactful move, for Maynard’s craft drew too much water to come to grips with the pirate, and as neither vessel carried cannon, the battle would have to be a hand-to-hand combat, and the pirates would have every advantage, as their enemies would be compelled to board them. But the lieutenant had no intention of giving the pirates any advantage he could avoid. He was out to get Blackbeard, dead or alive, and he meant to succeed. Throwing over his ballast, together with anchors, fittings, water casks and spare spars, Maynard lightened his sloop until she could pass over the flats, and then, hoisting sail, he bore down upon the stranded pirate craft.“Blackbeard, with lighted fuses glowing in his hair and beard, drawn cutlass and pistols in hand, leaped upon the rail, ‘hailed him in a rude manner and cursed most horribly,’ as the old accounts tell[227]us, and then, in a bit of bravado, raised a glass of grog and in full view of his enemies drank to ‘the damnation of the attackers.’“Even with the lightened sloop, Maynard found, however, that he could not come to grips with Teach’s vessel, and so, piling his men into small boats, the lieutenant headed for the stranded pirate, intending to board her. But long before they could gain the vessel’s sides they were met with such a galling musketry fire that they were compelled to retreat with twenty-nine men killed and wounded.“This was, indeed, a wretched beginning, but Maynard was a resourceful man and, ordering his men below decks, so that only himself and the helmsman remained in sight, he allowed his sails to flap and swing as though he had no men able to handle the sloop and with the slowly rising tide crept constantly closer to the pirates.“Thinking they had won the day and that Maynard’s men were utterly done for, Teach and his crew roared out boisterous songs and taunts and prepared to leap onto the sloop’s decks and butcher the two remaining men and any wounded who might be lying about. A moment later the two vessels touched. With a terrible oath and a[228]savage yell, Blackbeard sprang through the smoke to the sloop’s decks with his shouting crew at his heels, and with swirling, gleaming cutlasses they rushed towards Maynard and his helmsman. Then, up from their hiding place in the hold, poured the sloop’s crew, and instantly the battle raged fast and furiously. The pirates, surprised, gave back a bit, the lieutenant’s men fought like furies, and back and forth across the bloody decks the battle surged. Teach had singled out Maynard and, whipping out pistols, both fired at the same instant. Blackbeard’s shot missed, but the bullet from the lieutenant’s pistol found its mark in the pirate’s face. With blood streaming from the wound and dripping from the braided ends of his long beard, eyes blazing with fury, and yelling with anger and pain, the pirate threw aside his useless pistol and leaped at the lieutenant with swinging cutlass. But Maynard was a splendid swordsman. As Blackbeard, cursing and shouting that he would hack the other’s heart from his body, leaped forward, the officer’s sword met his, steel clanged on steel, and the pirate found himself balked, held off, driven back.“It was a terrible duel,—the struggle of enormous brute strength against skill,—and with terrific[229]slashing blows and savage lunges Blackbeard strove to break down the other’s guard, to disarm him or to snap his blade. Here and there across the decks they fought and swayed and panted, stumbling over dead and wounded men, slipping in pools of blood, bumping into fighting knots of pirates and seamen. Both were bleeding from a dozen wounds, both were near exhaustion, both were spent, and both knew that it was but a question of moments ere one would fall. And then, with a tremendous blow, Blackbeard brought his heavy cutlass swinging down, the lighter blade of the officer’s snapped at the hilt, and with a blood-curdling, triumphant yell the pirate swung his cutlass up, whirled it about his head and aimed a death-dealing blow at Maynard’s head. Quick as a flash the lieutenant leaped aside, the stroke fell short, and Maynard escaped with the loss of three fingers lopped off by that terrible blow.“Before the pirate could raise his weapon again one of Maynard’s men had leaped forward, his cutlass fell upon the back of Blackbeard’s neck, almost severing the head from the body, and with a crimson fountain spouting from the awful gash the pirate turned and cut his assailant to the chin with a single blow. But despite his ghastly[230]wound the pirate chieftain was still standing, still defiant, still fighting. All about, the decks were a shambles, his men were lying dead and wounded, half a dozen of Maynard’s men were attacking him. Kicking off his shoes to get a better foot-hold on the bloody deck, bellowing like a maddened bull, blood streaming from over twenty-five wounds, with his half-severed head lolling hideously upon his chest, but still defiant, Blackbeard backed against the bulwarks and slashed and lunged, keeping his enemies at bay until, as his life blood poured over his chest and beard and trickled to the decks, his muscles weakened and his blows grew less. Then, suddenly whipping a pistol from his belt, he made one last desperate effort to shoot down the lieutenant. But before he could press the trigger, before a man could strike the weapon up, his knees sagged, his eyelids closed, and with a gurgling, awful moan he sank lifeless to the deck.“Few of the pirates remained alive, none were unwounded. Those who had the strength leaped overboard, attempting to escape, but all were captured; Blackbeard and his men were wiped out and the only member of the pirates who had escaped was the sailing master, Israel Hands.[231]Nursing the bullet wound in his knee, which had been so playfully inflicted by Blackbeard, he was safe ashore. Doubtless he most heartily gave thanks for his dead captain’s form of humor and blessed the wound that gave him a stiff leg for life.“Maynard’s losses, too, were tremendous; many of his men had been killed, scarcely one had escaped without serious wounds, but they forgot their hurts, for they were triumphant. Thirteen pirate prisoners were safe in irons in the sloop’s hold, the grewsome, awful head of the redoubtable Blackbeard was lashed to the tip of the bowsprit, and, hoisting sail, Maynard set forth for Bath Town, North Carolina, to claim his well-earned reward and exhibit his bloody trophy. There the thirteen prisoners were promptly hanged, Teach’s black-whiskered, blood-clotted head, with the burnt-out fuses still in the tangled hair, was placed in the market square, and the promised rewards were duly paid to the courageous lieutenant and his daring men.”“Jiminy!” exclaimed Fred. “That must have beensomefight! Was that the end of the pirates?”“Practically,” replied Mr. Bickford. “Teach[232]was the last pirate of note. There were a few who still lurked in the Caribbean, but the Atlantic coasts and the West Indies were getting too hot for them. Such rascals, as Low, England, Roberts and Avery, transferred their activities to more out-of-the-way spots, to Africa, Madagascar and the Indian Ocean, and the last of the West Indian pirates were dispersed and destroyed by Lieutenant, afterwards Commodore, Porter, who also wiped out the Tripolitan pirates.”“But how about Lafitte and his pirates?” asked Jack. “I thought they lived until the time of the war of 1812 and helped General Jackson at the battle of New Orleans.”“So they did,” replied his father. “But Lafitte and his brother were not really pirates. That is, no real acts of piracy were ever proved against them, although they were denounced as such. In reality the Lafittes were smugglers, but their career was so picturesque and romantic that their story may be quite fittingly included in that of the buccaneers and pirates.“The two brothers, Jean and Pierre Lafitte, were born in France, and came to New Orleans in the spring of 1809. They were brilliant, witty, well educated, attractive men, and spoke several[233]languages fluently. The two started a blacksmith shop, which they operated by slaves, and from the first the brothers appeared to have plenty of money. At that time there was a strip of territory, stretching for a distance of about sixty miles from the mouth of the Mississippi to Bayou Lafourche, which was in almost undisputed possession of a colony of smuggler-pirates known as the ‘Baratarians,’ from the fact that their headquarters were on the Bay of Barataria, a body of water with a narrow opening protected from the Gulf by a low, narrow island about six miles long known as Grande-Terre.“Some of these Baratarians possessed letters of marque from France, as well as from the Republic of New Grenada (now Colombia), authorizing them to prey upon Spanish shipping, but like the pirates of old they had the reputation of lacking discrimination and of attacking any vessel that they could overpower. Whatever the truth of their piratical tendencies may have been, there was no question that they were smugglers on a large scale, and not long after the Lafittes arrived in Louisiana they joined their lot with these Baratarians.“Jean occupied a position as a sort of agent[234]and banker for the smugglers, but he was far too clever and ambitious to remain long in such a subordinate capacity, and soon was the head and brains of the whole organization. To this state he won both by superior intelligence and force of arms, for both Lafittes were adept swordsmen and expert pistol shots, and when a fellow called Grambo, a burly leader among the Baratarians, had the temerity to question Jean Lafitte’s leadership the latter promptly whipped out a pistol and shot him through the heart.“Hitherto the Baratarians had been divided into factions, and there were constant dissensions and quarrels among them, but under Lafitte’s management all were united, and so daring and brazenly did they carry on their operations that within three years from the time the Lafitte brothers stepped ashore at New Orleans there was more commerce entering and leaving Barataria Bay than the port of New Orleans. Great warehouses rose above the low sand dunes of Grande-Terre; cargoes of slaves were weekly auctioned in the big slave market; from far and near merchants and dealers flocked to the smugglers’ stronghold to barter and trade, and it was evidently but a question of time before the Lafittes[235]and their Baratarian friends would control all the import trade of the Mississippi Valley.“Becoming alarmed at the magnitude of operations, the federal government decided to break up the smugglers, and revenue cutters were dispatched to the bay. But the Baratarians’ spies were vigilant, word of the raid was brought, and the discomfited government officers returned empty-handed, without having accomplished anything worth while. Indeed, it was a common rumor in New Orleans that even the United States officials were in league with the Lafittes, and the wealthy, charming Frenchmen came and went, spent their money freely in New Orleans, drove about in splendid carriages and with magnificent horses, maintained expensive establishments, and snapped their slender, jeweled fingers at the authorities.“It was the greatest, most flagrant smuggling enterprise ever carried on in the history of the world, and at last Governor Claiborne of Louisiana decided to take drastic measures to suppress it. The penalties of the law for smuggling were evidently not severe enough to meet the case, and so, in 1813, the governor issued a proclamation in which he declared the Baratarians pirates, warned[236]the citizens not to deal with them, and threatened to hang every one he could lay hands on.“But His Excellency might have saved his breath and his paper. Twirling gold-headed canes, decked in valuable jewels, attired in the most expensive and beautifully tailored clothes, the Lafitte brothers strolled nonchalantly through the streets and, surrounded by admirers, read with interest and amusement the official placards in which they were denounced as pirates. Then, to add insult to injury, they tacked up posters, advertising a slave auction to be held at Barataria, alongside the irate governor’s proclamations!“Beside himself with anger, but realizing he was unable to cope single-handed with the situation; Governor Claiborne issued a supplementary proclamation offering five hundred dollars reward for the apprehension of either of the Lafitte brothers. Only one man, as far as known, attempted to earn the reward, and instead of the five hundred dollars he received a bullet through the lungs which promptly relieved him of all desire or necessity for money or anything else of a worldly nature.“The governor was desperate. No one would raise a finger against the so-called ‘pirates,’ they[237]openly defied the state, and he asked the Legislature for an appropriation to raise a company of volunteers to attack the stronghold of the Lafittes. Unfortunately the increase of the smugglers’ business had so depleted the state treasury that there were no funds available; but at last the governor succeeded in obtaining an indictment for piracy against the two Lafittes and the Baratarian leaders. Armed with this, the governor managed to have Pierre arrested.“But the executive had forgotten that money talks. For a fee of $20,000 each, Jean Lafitte retained the two most prominent lawyers in the state, Edward Livingston and John R. Grymes, the latter resigning as District Attorney to defend the Lafittes. During the trial his successor taunted him with this and as a result Grymes challenged him and shot him through the hip, crippling him for life.“There was no question of how the trial would result. Pierre was freed, Jean was cleared and the indictment against him dismissed and the triumphant lawyers were invited by the brothers to visit their headquarters at Barataria and collect their fees. Livingston, a New Yorker, declined, but Grymes, who was a Virginian, accepted,[238]and the tale is still told in New Orleans of the princely entertainment, the magnificent feast and the whole-souled hospitality accorded the attorney by the Lafittes and their outlaw friends. Finally he was sent back to New Orleans in an almost regally appointed yawl laden with boxes containing the two lawyers’ fees in Spanish doubloons and pieces of eight.“Meanwhile the war between England and the United States had been going on for nearly two years. It had been felt but little on the shores of the Gulf, however, and the Baratarians, and even the more law-abiding citizens, scarcely knew that there was a conflict. But in September, 1814, the smuggler-pirate colony was started by the sudden appearance of an armed British brig off their island haunt. Hastily ordering out his private cutter, Jean Lafitte boarded the war vessel, invited the officers ashore and feasted them right royally. Then, as the merry party sat back and puffed at their fine Havanas the smuggler chieftain was presented with a letter from the British commandant at Pensacola. It was an offer of a high commission in the British army and a fee of $30,000, provided Lafitte would use his forces in assisting the British in their proposed invasion of Louisiana.[239]“The Frenchman hesitated, replied that it would take him some time to decide upon such an important matter and asked for ten days in which to consider it. This was willingly granted, the officers were escorted back to their ship and, well satisfied with their progress, they prepared to await Lafitte’s reply, which they felt convinced would be favorable. But even before they had stepped upon their ship’s decks a messenger had been despatched post-haste by Lafitte to the Louisiana Legislature. Not only did the messenger carry a complete account of the British plans of invasion as divulged by the officers, but he also carried the letter from the English commandant and a letter from Lafitte offering the services of himself and his men in the defense of the state.“Instantly Governor Claiborne called a council of the army, navy and militia officers and showed them Lafitte’s communication. The officials could not believe that Lafitte—outlaw and smuggler and so-called pirate—could possess any sentiments of patriotism, and one and all declared that, in their opinions, the papers were forgeries and that Lafitte had submitted them in order to prevent the authorities from interfering with his plans.[240]“As a result, an expedition was organized, and, under command of Commodore Patterson and Colonel Ross, set out to attack the Baratarians. Supposing, as was natural, that the approaching forces had been sent to combine with them against the British, the smugglers were taken completely by surprise; many were killed and captured and their headquarters were destroyed. Only the two Lafittes and a few followers escaped and a vast quantity of loot was seized by the victorious troops. Among this booty was found the jewelry of a Creole lady who had left New Orleans several years before and had never been heard from, and this circumstantial evidence of piracy was the sole and only thing ever produced to prove that the Lafittes or the Baratarians could be considered pirates. Upon that one incident all the tales of piracy by the Lafittes have been built up and, like Captain Kidd’s, their fame has grown from nothing. Despite the scurvy treatment accorded Lafitte by the governor, he still remained true to his adopted country and instead of joining the British—and he could scarcely have been blamed if he had—he remained with his brother and the other fugitives in hiding until General Andrew Jackson arrived to take supreme command at New[241]Orleans. Then, risking life and liberty, he came forth again, offered his services and those of his men to the nation and was promptly accepted. General Jackson placed Lafitte in command of the redoubts along the river with a part of his men and detailed the others to the battery at New Orleans. Throughout that memorable battle the Baratarians and the Lafittes fought with such furious and whole-hearted bravery that they were lauded in the general orders issued after the victory, and at General Jackson’s suggestion all were granted full pardons.“After the battle, a great ball was given by the army and naval officers and great was the rejoicing, and at this brilliant function Jean Lafitte appeared for the last time. Among the honored guests was General Coffee, and the pompous General and the dandy Frenchman were brought together for an introduction. At first, as the orderly mentioned Lafitte’s name, the General hesitated and glanced superciliously over the smiling stranger. Lafitte stepped forward, drew himself up proudly and announced: ‘Lafitte, the pirate.’ Instantly the General thrust out his hand and grasped the other’s cordially.“Never again were the Lafittes seen in New[242]Orleans or their old haunts. Rumors came from time to time, wild tales were told of their doings, but there was little to bear them out. It was, however, generally accepted as a fact beyond dispute that they went to an island near Galveston, secured commissions as privateers from a South American Republic and preyed upon Spanish shipping to their own considerable profit.“About that time, too, a United States cruiser was attacked by unknown corsairs in the Gulf and looted of an enormous sum in bullion and this was laid to the Lafittes. As a result, the Galveston settlement was attacked and destroyed, but no signs of the famous Lafittes were found. Perhaps they had never been there, perhaps they managed to escape. They completely disappeared and where they passed the remainder of their lives, where they died has never been discovered. Once it was reported, that they had sailed to the Argentine and had entered the service of the Buenos Ayres government. Again it was stated that they had established a pirate lair in Yucatan. There were stories of their having settled on Ruatan Island off Honduras, where they conducted wrecking and piratical undertakings, but definite news, actual proofs, were never forthcoming.[243]“We can scarcely believe that men who had proved their patriotism and their valor, men who had shown their honor and their loyalty as had the Lafittes, would countenance an attack upon a United States ship. It does not seem like them to have degenerated into rascally cut-throats and wreckers. To my mind, it is far more probable that they returned to their beloved France or settled down under new names in some quiet tropical land and there passed the remainder of their lives like the accomplished gentlemen they were. No one will ever know. We can only surmise. But with the passing of these romantic, picturesque brothers went the last of the more famous pirates. And—as I said before—there was nothing to prove that theywerepirates after all.”“Golly, I never knew the buccaneers and pirates were so interesting,” declared Fred, as Mr. Bickford ceased speaking. “I always loved to read stories about them, but they’re a lot more interesting than the stories.”“Yes,” agreed his uncle. “It’s a splendid example of the truth of the time-worn saying that ‘truth is stranger than fiction.’ And did you ever stop to think, boys, that if it hadn’t been for the[244]buccaneers there might not—probably would not—have been any United States?”The last of the pirate ships, the Vigilant, as she was originally rigged. Now a packet in the West IndiesThe last of the pirate ships, theVigilant,as she was originally rigged. Now a packet in the West Indies“Why, no!” cried Jack.“How could that be?” demanded Fred.“Very few people realize that we owe the buccaneers a tremendous debt of gratitude or that they played a most important part in the history of America. They may have been ruthless, cruel, bloodthirsty, unprincipled cut-throats, but if it had not been for the buccaneers the chances are that what is now the United States would have been a colony of Spain or a Spanish-American republic. It was very largely owing to the buccaneers that England retained her supremacy in the West Indies. She was far too busy with wars at home to look after her American possessions; Spain controlled South and Central America, Florida and the Southwest, and her sea power was tremendous. But the buccaneers kept the Dons in check, they compelled Spain to devote all her energies and her warships to protecting her cities and her plate ships, and, with the sea rovers everywhere in the Caribbean, the Dons could not expand their holdings and were hard put to it to hold what they had. It is no exaggeration to say that the buccaneers had a greater[245]effect on maintaining England’s hold in America than all the British Crown’s forces. And the British navy was not at all blind to the services of the buccaneers. When the English attacked Jamaica and wrested it from Spain the buccaneers took a most important part and in many another sea battle, and land attack as well, the British navy and army were mighty glad of the buccaneers’ help. Whatever their sins and their misdeeds may have been, we cannot overlook the fact that they had a most important place in the scheme of things, that they helped make history and that they are entitled to a big niche in the hall of fame of pioneers, colonizers and fighters of America. And there is no need to fear that they will ever be forgotten. As long as there is red blood in the veins of men and boys; as long as human beings have pulses that will quicken to tales of heroism and bravery and mighty deeds, the swashbuckling, daredevil, picturesque buccaneers, and even the pirates who came after, will live on. The names of kings and queens may be forgotten. Famous admirals and generals may have passed into oblivion. Great battles and tremendous victories, treaties of peace and declarations of war; the conquests of countries; the subjugation[246]of kingdoms may fade from memory, and yet, every schoolboy is familiar with the names of Morgan, L’Ollonois, Montbars, Hawkins and the other chieftains of the buccaneers. They were characters who can never die.”“Gee, I’m kind of sorry theyhaveall gone,” declared Jack, as his father ceased speaking. “It would be great to see a real buccaneer or a real pirate ship.”Mr. Bickford smiled. “I’m afraid you’ll never see a buccaneer,” he said. “But you might see a pirate ship.”“Oh, do you really mean thereareany pirates’ ships left?” cried Fred.“I can’t say, positively,” replied his uncle. “But there was one a very short time ago. She was doing duty as a packet between the Virgin Islands and her name was theVigilant. She was a trim, speedy little schooner—the typical ‘low black craft with rakish masts’ of story and fiction and had had a most adventurous and romantic career. She was built at Baltimore and was originally intended as a privateer for use in the Revolution. But the war was over before she was launched and she served as a smuggler, a slaver and a pirate, changing hands frequently. At that[247]time she was rigged as a topsail schooner and was called theNonesuch, and at one time she was even a man-of-war. That happened when Denmark and Spain were at war and a Spanish cruiser was harassing Danish commerce, always escaping by fleeing to waters too shoal for the Danish war vessels. TheVigilantwas pressed into service, disguised as a merchantman, and lured the Spaniard on until at close quarters, when she suddenly showed her real character in true pirate fashion, and, throwing grappling irons, the armed crew of the schooner swarmed over the Spaniard’s side, killed the captain and officers, overpowered the crew and captured the ship. It was the last engagement of the gallant little schooner—a fitting end to her career—and ever since she has done duty as an honest merchantman. I have seen her many times, have even sailed on her, and, for all I know to the contrary, she may still be plowing the blue Caribbean in the haunts of the buccaneers as staunch, fast and seaworthy as when the Jolly Roger flew from many a masthead.”THE END

“As is often the case, Teach, just when he felt himself safest, was in the most imminent peril. The munificent reward offered for his death or capture had proved a tempting bait, and a brave young naval officer, Lieutenant Maynard of H.M.S.Pearl, had made up his mind to pocket that one hundred pounds and several of the forty pound rewards as well. Gathering together a few brave and tried friends and old shipmates, Maynard manned a small sloop, loaded it with a plentiful supply of arms and ammunition and, having learned of Blackbeard’s whereabouts, set sail for Ocracoke. Long before the gallant lieutenant came within sight of the pirates’ lair, however, Teach had word of his coming, but this only amused the black-whiskered corsair. It would serve to enliven a dull day, and he and his men looked forward with pleasurable anticipation to Maynard’s arrival.[226]

“But the villainous pirate little knew the manner of man who was coming to attack him. As the day dawned, those on the pirate ship saw the sloop approaching, and, realizing that his situation in the exposed anchorage was not well adapted to defensive tactics, Blackbeard cut his cable, hoisted the black flag and allowed his vessel to drift upon the mudflats with the tide. This was a tactful move, for Maynard’s craft drew too much water to come to grips with the pirate, and as neither vessel carried cannon, the battle would have to be a hand-to-hand combat, and the pirates would have every advantage, as their enemies would be compelled to board them. But the lieutenant had no intention of giving the pirates any advantage he could avoid. He was out to get Blackbeard, dead or alive, and he meant to succeed. Throwing over his ballast, together with anchors, fittings, water casks and spare spars, Maynard lightened his sloop until she could pass over the flats, and then, hoisting sail, he bore down upon the stranded pirate craft.

“Blackbeard, with lighted fuses glowing in his hair and beard, drawn cutlass and pistols in hand, leaped upon the rail, ‘hailed him in a rude manner and cursed most horribly,’ as the old accounts tell[227]us, and then, in a bit of bravado, raised a glass of grog and in full view of his enemies drank to ‘the damnation of the attackers.’

“Even with the lightened sloop, Maynard found, however, that he could not come to grips with Teach’s vessel, and so, piling his men into small boats, the lieutenant headed for the stranded pirate, intending to board her. But long before they could gain the vessel’s sides they were met with such a galling musketry fire that they were compelled to retreat with twenty-nine men killed and wounded.

“This was, indeed, a wretched beginning, but Maynard was a resourceful man and, ordering his men below decks, so that only himself and the helmsman remained in sight, he allowed his sails to flap and swing as though he had no men able to handle the sloop and with the slowly rising tide crept constantly closer to the pirates.

“Thinking they had won the day and that Maynard’s men were utterly done for, Teach and his crew roared out boisterous songs and taunts and prepared to leap onto the sloop’s decks and butcher the two remaining men and any wounded who might be lying about. A moment later the two vessels touched. With a terrible oath and a[228]savage yell, Blackbeard sprang through the smoke to the sloop’s decks with his shouting crew at his heels, and with swirling, gleaming cutlasses they rushed towards Maynard and his helmsman. Then, up from their hiding place in the hold, poured the sloop’s crew, and instantly the battle raged fast and furiously. The pirates, surprised, gave back a bit, the lieutenant’s men fought like furies, and back and forth across the bloody decks the battle surged. Teach had singled out Maynard and, whipping out pistols, both fired at the same instant. Blackbeard’s shot missed, but the bullet from the lieutenant’s pistol found its mark in the pirate’s face. With blood streaming from the wound and dripping from the braided ends of his long beard, eyes blazing with fury, and yelling with anger and pain, the pirate threw aside his useless pistol and leaped at the lieutenant with swinging cutlass. But Maynard was a splendid swordsman. As Blackbeard, cursing and shouting that he would hack the other’s heart from his body, leaped forward, the officer’s sword met his, steel clanged on steel, and the pirate found himself balked, held off, driven back.

“It was a terrible duel,—the struggle of enormous brute strength against skill,—and with terrific[229]slashing blows and savage lunges Blackbeard strove to break down the other’s guard, to disarm him or to snap his blade. Here and there across the decks they fought and swayed and panted, stumbling over dead and wounded men, slipping in pools of blood, bumping into fighting knots of pirates and seamen. Both were bleeding from a dozen wounds, both were near exhaustion, both were spent, and both knew that it was but a question of moments ere one would fall. And then, with a tremendous blow, Blackbeard brought his heavy cutlass swinging down, the lighter blade of the officer’s snapped at the hilt, and with a blood-curdling, triumphant yell the pirate swung his cutlass up, whirled it about his head and aimed a death-dealing blow at Maynard’s head. Quick as a flash the lieutenant leaped aside, the stroke fell short, and Maynard escaped with the loss of three fingers lopped off by that terrible blow.

“Before the pirate could raise his weapon again one of Maynard’s men had leaped forward, his cutlass fell upon the back of Blackbeard’s neck, almost severing the head from the body, and with a crimson fountain spouting from the awful gash the pirate turned and cut his assailant to the chin with a single blow. But despite his ghastly[230]wound the pirate chieftain was still standing, still defiant, still fighting. All about, the decks were a shambles, his men were lying dead and wounded, half a dozen of Maynard’s men were attacking him. Kicking off his shoes to get a better foot-hold on the bloody deck, bellowing like a maddened bull, blood streaming from over twenty-five wounds, with his half-severed head lolling hideously upon his chest, but still defiant, Blackbeard backed against the bulwarks and slashed and lunged, keeping his enemies at bay until, as his life blood poured over his chest and beard and trickled to the decks, his muscles weakened and his blows grew less. Then, suddenly whipping a pistol from his belt, he made one last desperate effort to shoot down the lieutenant. But before he could press the trigger, before a man could strike the weapon up, his knees sagged, his eyelids closed, and with a gurgling, awful moan he sank lifeless to the deck.

“Few of the pirates remained alive, none were unwounded. Those who had the strength leaped overboard, attempting to escape, but all were captured; Blackbeard and his men were wiped out and the only member of the pirates who had escaped was the sailing master, Israel Hands.[231]Nursing the bullet wound in his knee, which had been so playfully inflicted by Blackbeard, he was safe ashore. Doubtless he most heartily gave thanks for his dead captain’s form of humor and blessed the wound that gave him a stiff leg for life.

“Maynard’s losses, too, were tremendous; many of his men had been killed, scarcely one had escaped without serious wounds, but they forgot their hurts, for they were triumphant. Thirteen pirate prisoners were safe in irons in the sloop’s hold, the grewsome, awful head of the redoubtable Blackbeard was lashed to the tip of the bowsprit, and, hoisting sail, Maynard set forth for Bath Town, North Carolina, to claim his well-earned reward and exhibit his bloody trophy. There the thirteen prisoners were promptly hanged, Teach’s black-whiskered, blood-clotted head, with the burnt-out fuses still in the tangled hair, was placed in the market square, and the promised rewards were duly paid to the courageous lieutenant and his daring men.”

“Jiminy!” exclaimed Fred. “That must have beensomefight! Was that the end of the pirates?”

“Practically,” replied Mr. Bickford. “Teach[232]was the last pirate of note. There were a few who still lurked in the Caribbean, but the Atlantic coasts and the West Indies were getting too hot for them. Such rascals, as Low, England, Roberts and Avery, transferred their activities to more out-of-the-way spots, to Africa, Madagascar and the Indian Ocean, and the last of the West Indian pirates were dispersed and destroyed by Lieutenant, afterwards Commodore, Porter, who also wiped out the Tripolitan pirates.”

“But how about Lafitte and his pirates?” asked Jack. “I thought they lived until the time of the war of 1812 and helped General Jackson at the battle of New Orleans.”

“So they did,” replied his father. “But Lafitte and his brother were not really pirates. That is, no real acts of piracy were ever proved against them, although they were denounced as such. In reality the Lafittes were smugglers, but their career was so picturesque and romantic that their story may be quite fittingly included in that of the buccaneers and pirates.

“The two brothers, Jean and Pierre Lafitte, were born in France, and came to New Orleans in the spring of 1809. They were brilliant, witty, well educated, attractive men, and spoke several[233]languages fluently. The two started a blacksmith shop, which they operated by slaves, and from the first the brothers appeared to have plenty of money. At that time there was a strip of territory, stretching for a distance of about sixty miles from the mouth of the Mississippi to Bayou Lafourche, which was in almost undisputed possession of a colony of smuggler-pirates known as the ‘Baratarians,’ from the fact that their headquarters were on the Bay of Barataria, a body of water with a narrow opening protected from the Gulf by a low, narrow island about six miles long known as Grande-Terre.

“Some of these Baratarians possessed letters of marque from France, as well as from the Republic of New Grenada (now Colombia), authorizing them to prey upon Spanish shipping, but like the pirates of old they had the reputation of lacking discrimination and of attacking any vessel that they could overpower. Whatever the truth of their piratical tendencies may have been, there was no question that they were smugglers on a large scale, and not long after the Lafittes arrived in Louisiana they joined their lot with these Baratarians.

“Jean occupied a position as a sort of agent[234]and banker for the smugglers, but he was far too clever and ambitious to remain long in such a subordinate capacity, and soon was the head and brains of the whole organization. To this state he won both by superior intelligence and force of arms, for both Lafittes were adept swordsmen and expert pistol shots, and when a fellow called Grambo, a burly leader among the Baratarians, had the temerity to question Jean Lafitte’s leadership the latter promptly whipped out a pistol and shot him through the heart.

“Hitherto the Baratarians had been divided into factions, and there were constant dissensions and quarrels among them, but under Lafitte’s management all were united, and so daring and brazenly did they carry on their operations that within three years from the time the Lafitte brothers stepped ashore at New Orleans there was more commerce entering and leaving Barataria Bay than the port of New Orleans. Great warehouses rose above the low sand dunes of Grande-Terre; cargoes of slaves were weekly auctioned in the big slave market; from far and near merchants and dealers flocked to the smugglers’ stronghold to barter and trade, and it was evidently but a question of time before the Lafittes[235]and their Baratarian friends would control all the import trade of the Mississippi Valley.

“Becoming alarmed at the magnitude of operations, the federal government decided to break up the smugglers, and revenue cutters were dispatched to the bay. But the Baratarians’ spies were vigilant, word of the raid was brought, and the discomfited government officers returned empty-handed, without having accomplished anything worth while. Indeed, it was a common rumor in New Orleans that even the United States officials were in league with the Lafittes, and the wealthy, charming Frenchmen came and went, spent their money freely in New Orleans, drove about in splendid carriages and with magnificent horses, maintained expensive establishments, and snapped their slender, jeweled fingers at the authorities.

“It was the greatest, most flagrant smuggling enterprise ever carried on in the history of the world, and at last Governor Claiborne of Louisiana decided to take drastic measures to suppress it. The penalties of the law for smuggling were evidently not severe enough to meet the case, and so, in 1813, the governor issued a proclamation in which he declared the Baratarians pirates, warned[236]the citizens not to deal with them, and threatened to hang every one he could lay hands on.

“But His Excellency might have saved his breath and his paper. Twirling gold-headed canes, decked in valuable jewels, attired in the most expensive and beautifully tailored clothes, the Lafitte brothers strolled nonchalantly through the streets and, surrounded by admirers, read with interest and amusement the official placards in which they were denounced as pirates. Then, to add insult to injury, they tacked up posters, advertising a slave auction to be held at Barataria, alongside the irate governor’s proclamations!

“Beside himself with anger, but realizing he was unable to cope single-handed with the situation; Governor Claiborne issued a supplementary proclamation offering five hundred dollars reward for the apprehension of either of the Lafitte brothers. Only one man, as far as known, attempted to earn the reward, and instead of the five hundred dollars he received a bullet through the lungs which promptly relieved him of all desire or necessity for money or anything else of a worldly nature.

“The governor was desperate. No one would raise a finger against the so-called ‘pirates,’ they[237]openly defied the state, and he asked the Legislature for an appropriation to raise a company of volunteers to attack the stronghold of the Lafittes. Unfortunately the increase of the smugglers’ business had so depleted the state treasury that there were no funds available; but at last the governor succeeded in obtaining an indictment for piracy against the two Lafittes and the Baratarian leaders. Armed with this, the governor managed to have Pierre arrested.

“But the executive had forgotten that money talks. For a fee of $20,000 each, Jean Lafitte retained the two most prominent lawyers in the state, Edward Livingston and John R. Grymes, the latter resigning as District Attorney to defend the Lafittes. During the trial his successor taunted him with this and as a result Grymes challenged him and shot him through the hip, crippling him for life.

“There was no question of how the trial would result. Pierre was freed, Jean was cleared and the indictment against him dismissed and the triumphant lawyers were invited by the brothers to visit their headquarters at Barataria and collect their fees. Livingston, a New Yorker, declined, but Grymes, who was a Virginian, accepted,[238]and the tale is still told in New Orleans of the princely entertainment, the magnificent feast and the whole-souled hospitality accorded the attorney by the Lafittes and their outlaw friends. Finally he was sent back to New Orleans in an almost regally appointed yawl laden with boxes containing the two lawyers’ fees in Spanish doubloons and pieces of eight.

“Meanwhile the war between England and the United States had been going on for nearly two years. It had been felt but little on the shores of the Gulf, however, and the Baratarians, and even the more law-abiding citizens, scarcely knew that there was a conflict. But in September, 1814, the smuggler-pirate colony was started by the sudden appearance of an armed British brig off their island haunt. Hastily ordering out his private cutter, Jean Lafitte boarded the war vessel, invited the officers ashore and feasted them right royally. Then, as the merry party sat back and puffed at their fine Havanas the smuggler chieftain was presented with a letter from the British commandant at Pensacola. It was an offer of a high commission in the British army and a fee of $30,000, provided Lafitte would use his forces in assisting the British in their proposed invasion of Louisiana.[239]

“The Frenchman hesitated, replied that it would take him some time to decide upon such an important matter and asked for ten days in which to consider it. This was willingly granted, the officers were escorted back to their ship and, well satisfied with their progress, they prepared to await Lafitte’s reply, which they felt convinced would be favorable. But even before they had stepped upon their ship’s decks a messenger had been despatched post-haste by Lafitte to the Louisiana Legislature. Not only did the messenger carry a complete account of the British plans of invasion as divulged by the officers, but he also carried the letter from the English commandant and a letter from Lafitte offering the services of himself and his men in the defense of the state.

“Instantly Governor Claiborne called a council of the army, navy and militia officers and showed them Lafitte’s communication. The officials could not believe that Lafitte—outlaw and smuggler and so-called pirate—could possess any sentiments of patriotism, and one and all declared that, in their opinions, the papers were forgeries and that Lafitte had submitted them in order to prevent the authorities from interfering with his plans.[240]

“As a result, an expedition was organized, and, under command of Commodore Patterson and Colonel Ross, set out to attack the Baratarians. Supposing, as was natural, that the approaching forces had been sent to combine with them against the British, the smugglers were taken completely by surprise; many were killed and captured and their headquarters were destroyed. Only the two Lafittes and a few followers escaped and a vast quantity of loot was seized by the victorious troops. Among this booty was found the jewelry of a Creole lady who had left New Orleans several years before and had never been heard from, and this circumstantial evidence of piracy was the sole and only thing ever produced to prove that the Lafittes or the Baratarians could be considered pirates. Upon that one incident all the tales of piracy by the Lafittes have been built up and, like Captain Kidd’s, their fame has grown from nothing. Despite the scurvy treatment accorded Lafitte by the governor, he still remained true to his adopted country and instead of joining the British—and he could scarcely have been blamed if he had—he remained with his brother and the other fugitives in hiding until General Andrew Jackson arrived to take supreme command at New[241]Orleans. Then, risking life and liberty, he came forth again, offered his services and those of his men to the nation and was promptly accepted. General Jackson placed Lafitte in command of the redoubts along the river with a part of his men and detailed the others to the battery at New Orleans. Throughout that memorable battle the Baratarians and the Lafittes fought with such furious and whole-hearted bravery that they were lauded in the general orders issued after the victory, and at General Jackson’s suggestion all were granted full pardons.

“After the battle, a great ball was given by the army and naval officers and great was the rejoicing, and at this brilliant function Jean Lafitte appeared for the last time. Among the honored guests was General Coffee, and the pompous General and the dandy Frenchman were brought together for an introduction. At first, as the orderly mentioned Lafitte’s name, the General hesitated and glanced superciliously over the smiling stranger. Lafitte stepped forward, drew himself up proudly and announced: ‘Lafitte, the pirate.’ Instantly the General thrust out his hand and grasped the other’s cordially.

“Never again were the Lafittes seen in New[242]Orleans or their old haunts. Rumors came from time to time, wild tales were told of their doings, but there was little to bear them out. It was, however, generally accepted as a fact beyond dispute that they went to an island near Galveston, secured commissions as privateers from a South American Republic and preyed upon Spanish shipping to their own considerable profit.

“About that time, too, a United States cruiser was attacked by unknown corsairs in the Gulf and looted of an enormous sum in bullion and this was laid to the Lafittes. As a result, the Galveston settlement was attacked and destroyed, but no signs of the famous Lafittes were found. Perhaps they had never been there, perhaps they managed to escape. They completely disappeared and where they passed the remainder of their lives, where they died has never been discovered. Once it was reported, that they had sailed to the Argentine and had entered the service of the Buenos Ayres government. Again it was stated that they had established a pirate lair in Yucatan. There were stories of their having settled on Ruatan Island off Honduras, where they conducted wrecking and piratical undertakings, but definite news, actual proofs, were never forthcoming.[243]

“We can scarcely believe that men who had proved their patriotism and their valor, men who had shown their honor and their loyalty as had the Lafittes, would countenance an attack upon a United States ship. It does not seem like them to have degenerated into rascally cut-throats and wreckers. To my mind, it is far more probable that they returned to their beloved France or settled down under new names in some quiet tropical land and there passed the remainder of their lives like the accomplished gentlemen they were. No one will ever know. We can only surmise. But with the passing of these romantic, picturesque brothers went the last of the more famous pirates. And—as I said before—there was nothing to prove that theywerepirates after all.”

“Golly, I never knew the buccaneers and pirates were so interesting,” declared Fred, as Mr. Bickford ceased speaking. “I always loved to read stories about them, but they’re a lot more interesting than the stories.”

“Yes,” agreed his uncle. “It’s a splendid example of the truth of the time-worn saying that ‘truth is stranger than fiction.’ And did you ever stop to think, boys, that if it hadn’t been for the[244]buccaneers there might not—probably would not—have been any United States?”

The last of the pirate ships, the Vigilant, as she was originally rigged. Now a packet in the West IndiesThe last of the pirate ships, theVigilant,as she was originally rigged. Now a packet in the West Indies

The last of the pirate ships, theVigilant,as she was originally rigged. Now a packet in the West Indies

“Why, no!” cried Jack.

“How could that be?” demanded Fred.

“Very few people realize that we owe the buccaneers a tremendous debt of gratitude or that they played a most important part in the history of America. They may have been ruthless, cruel, bloodthirsty, unprincipled cut-throats, but if it had not been for the buccaneers the chances are that what is now the United States would have been a colony of Spain or a Spanish-American republic. It was very largely owing to the buccaneers that England retained her supremacy in the West Indies. She was far too busy with wars at home to look after her American possessions; Spain controlled South and Central America, Florida and the Southwest, and her sea power was tremendous. But the buccaneers kept the Dons in check, they compelled Spain to devote all her energies and her warships to protecting her cities and her plate ships, and, with the sea rovers everywhere in the Caribbean, the Dons could not expand their holdings and were hard put to it to hold what they had. It is no exaggeration to say that the buccaneers had a greater[245]effect on maintaining England’s hold in America than all the British Crown’s forces. And the British navy was not at all blind to the services of the buccaneers. When the English attacked Jamaica and wrested it from Spain the buccaneers took a most important part and in many another sea battle, and land attack as well, the British navy and army were mighty glad of the buccaneers’ help. Whatever their sins and their misdeeds may have been, we cannot overlook the fact that they had a most important place in the scheme of things, that they helped make history and that they are entitled to a big niche in the hall of fame of pioneers, colonizers and fighters of America. And there is no need to fear that they will ever be forgotten. As long as there is red blood in the veins of men and boys; as long as human beings have pulses that will quicken to tales of heroism and bravery and mighty deeds, the swashbuckling, daredevil, picturesque buccaneers, and even the pirates who came after, will live on. The names of kings and queens may be forgotten. Famous admirals and generals may have passed into oblivion. Great battles and tremendous victories, treaties of peace and declarations of war; the conquests of countries; the subjugation[246]of kingdoms may fade from memory, and yet, every schoolboy is familiar with the names of Morgan, L’Ollonois, Montbars, Hawkins and the other chieftains of the buccaneers. They were characters who can never die.”

“Gee, I’m kind of sorry theyhaveall gone,” declared Jack, as his father ceased speaking. “It would be great to see a real buccaneer or a real pirate ship.”

Mr. Bickford smiled. “I’m afraid you’ll never see a buccaneer,” he said. “But you might see a pirate ship.”

“Oh, do you really mean thereareany pirates’ ships left?” cried Fred.

“I can’t say, positively,” replied his uncle. “But there was one a very short time ago. She was doing duty as a packet between the Virgin Islands and her name was theVigilant. She was a trim, speedy little schooner—the typical ‘low black craft with rakish masts’ of story and fiction and had had a most adventurous and romantic career. She was built at Baltimore and was originally intended as a privateer for use in the Revolution. But the war was over before she was launched and she served as a smuggler, a slaver and a pirate, changing hands frequently. At that[247]time she was rigged as a topsail schooner and was called theNonesuch, and at one time she was even a man-of-war. That happened when Denmark and Spain were at war and a Spanish cruiser was harassing Danish commerce, always escaping by fleeing to waters too shoal for the Danish war vessels. TheVigilantwas pressed into service, disguised as a merchantman, and lured the Spaniard on until at close quarters, when she suddenly showed her real character in true pirate fashion, and, throwing grappling irons, the armed crew of the schooner swarmed over the Spaniard’s side, killed the captain and officers, overpowered the crew and captured the ship. It was the last engagement of the gallant little schooner—a fitting end to her career—and ever since she has done duty as an honest merchantman. I have seen her many times, have even sailed on her, and, for all I know to the contrary, she may still be plowing the blue Caribbean in the haunts of the buccaneers as staunch, fast and seaworthy as when the Jolly Roger flew from many a masthead.”

THE END

Back to IndexNext