The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-26

the yellow ore of Spanish mintage?
With the inlets along the banks, winch
protect and create the sounds, well can
noned, and with the inadequate method
of naval attack in vogue IN days OF
Spanish supremacy, it was easy for the
pirate chieftain to establish himself Sc
curely and defy the combined navies of
the world. The stronghold of Blackboard
extended from the entrance of Pamhco
Sound, up through Albemarle Sound and
the Pasquotank and other rivers within
the inland water route.
In making comparison of Black
Boards ability to command at sea, it is
worthy of note that Burnside succeeded.
after long campaign, in passing and re-
ducing the Confederate Notifications at
1atteras, thereby making his way to
Roanoke Island, despite the resistance of
the Confederate navy, whereas the entire
Eavies of the old world were unable to
Gust the pirate. who practically owned the
sounds and who was destroyed by a trick
of the Funston type, executed by a young
British officer.
England, terrorizing the world, sweated
under the illegal taxation which this
ruler of the seas placed upon her. The
government of Spain, then in the zenith
o. her power, corporate wealth and naval
magnitude, was the heaviest of all the
sufferers at the merciess hands of the
Anglo-Saxon pirate AS cruel as Nero, and
as skilled in naval tactics as a Nelson.
Teach robbed and plundered ard conquer
ed.
At the foot CT the steps Of the house,
OH the Pasquotank, are two large mill
Stones three feet in diameter each These
stones are planted side by side They
bare many timeworn inscriptions which
are almost unintelligible. The feet of nu-
merous generations have worn away the
Inscriptions. which were once carved on
the stones, and, amidst tumble OF letters
and signs only the date, '110--" can be
read. The last figure has been obiterat-
ed.
WEIRD STORIES.
Hundreds of weird stories are current,
which cause the superstitious to quake in
Wardly, when visiting the neighborhood
Of the old pirate home Many have re-
ported strang noises in and around the
bloodstained premises. Darkeys say a
man with long black beard, haunts the
scene. and along the Dismal Swamp Canal
route.
A story which has gained actual be.
lief among the educated CLASSES is that
the pirate, having lost his head after
his capture, swan three times around the
vessels bowsprit, on which the dismem-
bered portion of his anatomy struck The
body of Black Beard, goes the legend,
made many efforts to get into the vessel
but was driven back by boat hook, thus
| preventing the head from a probable re-
union with the body. This story has led
to current childrens nursery tales of a
headless man, which may be seen, walk
ing the banks of Ocracoke Inlet vainly
searching and cropping about after a
| missing head, which was taken to Vir-
| ginia as 4 proof necessary to a govern
ment reward
During the month of November, while
| the pirate was in winter quarters, at his
| home IN the Underwater section, and sur
rounded by the vessels of his fleet, the
| latter being anchored in the sounds, he
attracted the attention of Governor Spots
wood, oil Virginia, who sent a lieutenant
| OF the British navy out with orders to
enter the sound, find the pirate and cap
tire or kill him. The man who received
this order was one Maynard who boldly
undertook the execution thereof. The
| major part OF the pirate crew had been
| isbanded it is said, and were scatter
| al, for the time being. squandering the
| s~uits of a successful cruise on the Span.
| sh mann. A few OF the pirates chosen
followers were with him, and these were
us retinue at the time the order to slay
! HIM was given. Maynard took with him
'omething over thirty men. Black Beard
| had III his vessel about half tnat mum
| Ter. One authority says seventeen. May
lard was daring and fearless; else he
would never have attempted the capture
| If the pirate. But the man he was after
was far from being poltroon To have
| 2aIrled large fleet into the sounds after
! he pirate would have been unsuccess
| al, as it would either have been defeat
| al after the usual manner, or else the
! pirates realizing superior forces, would
save fed at the approach. There was
5'lt one course open 20 the British off
'er: Ee must force the pirate to meet
aim, and this, of course, meant to fight
h:m TO the death. For this reason May
nard went in a comparatively light YES
SCI, which presented more effrontery than
actual significance to the eyes of Teach
long since deadened to fear of any ma
ture.
Seeing the armed craft approach, Black
Beard, with his usual daring. went out
after it, as a spider might attack wasp
caught IN its web. 1t mattered little to
the pirate how many men the English
ship carried. So long as. they did not
grapple there was no danger, in his est
patton. Meeting thus off Ocracoke Inlet
the crew under Maynard met the crew OF
Edward Teach. After an exchange of
broadsides and battle of fierce but
short duration, the English vessel sud
denly presented a scene of alright The
men became frantic and rushed below
deck, giving the ship up to the pirate.
With teeth clenched and swords drawn
the Englishmen, all picked marines, wait
ed for the pirate crew to rush upon their
decks. Black Beard was caught in a ruse
this time, and boldly grappled with the
sides OF his opponents boat. Mounting
the gun ais" of their craft, the pirate
crew dashed recklessIy to the captured
English vessel At a word of command
the Waterways were suddenly thrown
back and swarm of expert swordsmen