The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-09

ever, always require so much provocation. He
would murder man out OF simple exuberance
OF spirits and when he was in the best of
humOrs. One thing only is accorded to his
credit; he never ili.treated his own countrymen.
The only instance in which he fed from the
pursuit OF a man-of-war was when 1t was manned
by English sailors; and once when he captured
a brigantine OF which the crew was one-half
English and one-hali Portuguese, he hanged the
latter, and allowed the English to go where
they pleased.
"iTeach, better known in the West Indies as
Black Beard was grotesque villain, who de-
lighted in a sort OF picturesque rutfianism that
made him the admiration as well as the terror
of the country in which he committed his depre-
dations The soubTiqttet by which he was known
was derived from black beard OF extraordinary
, length, which covered nearly the whole of his
face, and which he used TO twist into number.
less small tails. While In action he had three
brace OF pistols slung across MS shoulders, and
lighted matches stuck under his hat, which
illumined his dusky face and fierce eyes with an
unearthy glare, and, together with hls bristling
beard and wild gestures, made up picture that
few could look upon without fear. From time
to time be would land Tor the purpose OF hold.
ing a council On these occasions, seated
under wild tig-tree, with his band surrounding
him, he would consult them about his plans,
punish those who had broken the rules of the
band, and reward the bravest and most enter
prising. He had harem of fourteen wives,
whom he treated with such brutality that even
his crew were horror-struck at his conduct
None OF them, however, dared to whisper a
word of 1emoDstrance, for they knew his des.
potiC temper, and believed him to be armed
with supernatural power, which enabled him to
do any thing he wished.
'Those of his companions who were taken
alive in his last battle used to relate how once,
upon a cruise they found they had a stranger
on board; how this stranger was seen for several
days among them, sometimes below, sometimes
on deck, although none of the crew could say
who he WAS, or whence he came; and how at
last he disappeared in the same mysterious
manner as he had come, and all OF them reli-
giously believed he was the devil. The belief
that Black Beard was in communication with
the Spirit of Evil was still further strengthened
by another incident which well paints the
grotesque extravaganza OF the man. Being one
day at sea, and little flushed with drink, Come,
said he, let us make a hell OF our own, and try
how long we can bear it, He then went down
with some OF his men into the hold,
and, after shutting down the matches, filed
several tubs with sulphur and other combustble
materials, which he set on fire, thus literally
Involving himself and his men in fire ard brlm>
stone; after which he danced about the hold
with oaths and frantic gestures, apparently not
IN the least affected by the choking vapor which
hlled the air, until his companions, fainting and
nearly sutfoCateG compelled him to release
them. His convivial humor was of a similar
KIND, In one of his drunken fits, while seated
ID MS cabin at dinner, he blew out the candles,
cooked his pistols and crossing his hands, fired
on each side at his companions, one OF whom
received a shot which manned him for life.
This story he used to tell himself with great
glee, adding that, if he did not now and then
Kill one OF his men, they would forget who he
was"
Among continental brigands the writer gives
the palm for chvalry to the KleDtS, who ruled
the Thessahan mountains at the time of the
Turkish rule in Greece. The Spanish bandits
are said to have robbed their victims with GER
tain amount Of courtesy, whilst Italians are put
lowest IN the scale, both as regards generosity
and courage.