Читать книгу Pirates on Dinosaur Island - Mark Edwards - Страница 10

5

Of the nature and business of piracy.

Pirates are a lawless lot, at least where the rules of civilization are concerned. Any ship is fair prey, crews that resist are cheerfully massacred, and cargo and sometimes ships are taken. The Brethren of the Coast have their own code, with some variation from captain to captain and ship to ship. These were the laws that Captain Baltizar and his men subscribed to:

I. Every man has a vote in affairs of moment, except during engagement with the enemy; has equal title to the fresh provisions, or strong liquors, and may use them at pleasure, unless a scarcity makes it necessary, for the good of all, to vote a retrenchment.

II. No person is to game at cards or dice for money aboard ship.

III. To keep their muskets, pistols, and cutlass clean and fit for service.

IV. No boy or woman is to be allowed amongst them. If any man were to be found seducing any of the latter sex, and carried her to sea, disguised, he was to suffer death.