' His intrepidity
would never let him suffer the least signs of cowardice among those who
associated with him. In the heat of an engagement he went about his
ship, observing his men, and immediately killing those who shrank at
the report of pistol, gun, or cannon. This extraordinary discipline had
made him the terror of the coward and the idol of the brave. In other
respects he readily shared with such of his men as showed spirit the
great booty that was acquired by his fearless disposition. When he went
upon these buccaneering expeditions he sailed in his frigate, his own
property, nor would he take a lion's share of the treasure obtained
from captured Spanish merchantmen, but divided it equally with those
who formed his ship's company.
Such was the remarkable man to whom we owed the restoration of the
"Golden Seahorse".
From Captain Montbar we learned the particulars connected with the
recovery of our ship from the Spaniards.
"I had been driven out of my course," he said, "by contrary winds, when
we sighted a vessel flying the Spanish flag, which I am bound, by a
solemn oath, whenever an opportunity offers, to destroy. I was about to
sink her when I noticed an unusual number of people upon her decks,
among whom were several women and children, and, since I war only with
men, I sent a boat to demand the surrender of the vessel.
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