DOINGS OF THE BUCCANEERS. 



377 



Tortuga, of which they made themselves absolute lords and 

 masters. The advantages of the situation brought swarms of 

 adventurers and desperadoes to the spot ; and from cattle-hunters 

 the buccaneers became pirates. They made their cruises in open 

 boats, exposed to all the inclemencies of the weather, and cap- 

 tured their prizes by boarding. They attacked indiscriminately 

 the ships of every nation, feeling especial hostility and exercising 

 peculiar cruelty towards the Spaniards. They considered them- 

 selves to be justified in this by the oppression of the Mexicans 

 and Indians by Spanish rulers, and, quieting their consciences 

 by thus assuming the character of avengers and dispensers of 

 poetic justice, they never embarked upon an expedition without 

 publicly offering up prayers for success, nor did they ever return 

 laden with spoils without as publicly giving thanks for their good 

 fortune. 



They seldom attacked any European ships except those home- 

 ward bound, — which were usually well freighted with gold and 

 silver. They pursued the Spanish galleons as far as the Ba- 

 hamas ; and if, on the way, a ship became accidentally separated 

 from the convoy, they instantly attacked her. The Spaniards 

 held them in such terror that they usually surrendered on coming 

 to close quarters. The spoil was equitably divided, provision 

 being first made for the wounded. The loss of an arm was rated 

 at six hundred dollars, and other wounds in proportion. The 

 commander could claim but one share, — although, when he had 

 acquitted himself with distinction, it was usual to compliment 

 him by the addition of several shares. When the division was 

 effected, the buccaneers abandoned themselves to all kinds of 

 rioting and licentiousness till their wealth was expended, when 

 they started in pursuit of new booty. 



The buccaneers now rapidly increased in strength, daring, and 

 numbers. They sailed in larger vessels, and undertook enter- 

 prises requiring great energy and audacity. Miguel de Basco 

 captured, under the guns of Portobello, a Spanish galleon valued 



