Whether it is that the curse of the poor natives, whom they kill, enslave, and ill treat in every way, rises against them, and takes away their courage and their nerve; but certain is it that, when our little craft lay alongside their big galleons, fight as they will, the battle is as good as over.

Nothing less than four to one, at the very least, has any chance against our buccaneers." "They ill treat those that fall into their hands, do they not ?" "Ay, do they!" said the old sailor.

"They tear off their flesh with hot pincers, wrench out their nails, and play all sorts of devil's games; and then, at last, they burn what is left of them in the marketplaces.

I have heard tell of fearsome tales, lad; but the Spaniards outwit themselves.

Were our men to have fair treatment as prisoners of war, it may be that the Spaniards would often be able to hold their own against us; but the knowledge that, if we are taken, this horrible fate is certain to be ours, makes our men fight with a desperate fury; and never to give in, as long as one is left.