[Illustration:  Death of Lafitte, the Pirate.]

Thus perished Lafitte, a man superior in talent, in knowledge of his profession, in courage, and moreover in physical strength; but unfortunately his reckless career was marked with crimes of the darkest dye.

[Illustration]

THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN ROBERTS.

Bartholomew Roberts was trained to a sea-faring life.  Among other voyages which he made during the time that he lawfully procured his maintenance, he sailed for the Guinea cost, in November, 1719, where he was taken by the pirate Davis.  He was at first very averse to that mode of life, and would certainly have deserted, had an opportunity occurred.  It happened to him, however, as to many upon another element, that preferment calmed his conscience, and reconciled him to that which he formerly hated.

Davis having fallen in the manner related, those who had assumed the title of Lords assembled to deliberate concerning the choice of a new commander.  There were several candidates, who, by their services, had risen to eminence among their breathren, and each of them thought themselves qualified to bear rule.  One addressed the assembled lords, saying, “that the good of the whole, and the maintenance of order, demanded a head, but that the proper authority was deposited in the community at large; so that if one should be elected who did not act and govern for the general good, he could be deposed, and another be substituted in his place.”

“We are the original,” said he, “of this claim, and should a captain be so saucy as to exceed prescription at any time, why, down with him!  It will be a caution, after he is dead, to his successors, to what fatal results any undue assumption may lead; however, it is my advice, while be are sober, to pitch upon a man of courage, and one skilled in navigation,—­one who, by his prudence and bravery, seems best able to defend this commonwealth, and ward us from the dangers and tempests of an unstable element, and the fatal consequences of anarchy; and such a one I take Roberts to be:  a fellow in all respects worthy of your esteem and favor.”

This speech was applauded by all but Lord Simpson, who had himself strong expectations of obtaining the highest command.  He at last, in a surly tone, said, he did not regard whom they chose as a commander, provided he was not a papist, for he had conceived a mortal hatred to papists, because his father had been a sufferer in Monmouth’s rebellion.

Thus, though Roberts had only been a few weeks among them, his election was confirmed by the Lords and Commons.  He, with the best face he could, accepted of the dignity, saying, “that since he had dipped his hands in muddy water, and must be a pirate, it was better being a commander than a private man.”