The Freebooters of the Seas

In those days there were more freebooters afloat than honest men. We would give a big marauder a share of cargo to save the ship from his kindred who threatened us. The very air of their neighbourhood smelled so of treachery and cruelty, we soon had but one thought to load up and be gone. i strolled over to a group of miserable slaves, turned out for an airing. And cowering on the black and shadeless rocks, there were in that abject group, captives from every country that fared upon those seas.