and drank to him, saying, "I'll give no quarter nor take any
from you." Maynard replied, "He expected no quarter from him, nor should
he give him any."

During this dialogue the pirate's ship floated, and the sloops were
rowing with all expedition towards him. As she came near, the pirate
fired a broadside, charged with all manner of small shot, which killed
or wounded twenty men. Black Beard's ship in a little after fell
broadside to the shore; one of the sloops called the Ranger, also fell
astern. But Maynard finding that his own sloop had way, and would soon
be on board of Teach, ordered all his men down, while himself and the
man at the helm, who he commanded to lie concealed, were the only
persons who remained on deck. He at the same time desired them to take
their pistols, cutlasses, and swords, and be ready for action upon his
call, and, for greater expedition, two ladders were placed in the
hatchway. When the king's sloop boarded, the pirate's case-boxes, filled
with powder, small shot, slugs, and pieces of lead and iron, with a
quick-match in the mouth of them, were thrown into Maynard's sloop.
Fortunately, however, the men being in the hold, they did small injury
on the present occasion, though they are usually very destructive. Black
Beard seeing few or no hands upon deck, cried to his men that they were
all knocked on the head except three or four; "and therefore," said he,
"let us jump on board, and cut to pieces those that are alive."

[Illustration: _Death of Black Beard._]

Upon this, during the smoke occasioned by one of these case-boxes, Black
Beard, with fourteen of his men, entered, and were not perceived until
the smoke was dispelled. The signal was given to Maynard's men, who
rushed up in an instant. Black Beard and the lieutenant exchange shots,
and the pirate was wounded; they then engaged sword in hand, until the
sword of the lieutenant broke, but fortunately one of his men at that
instant gave Black Beard a terrible wound in the neck and throat. The
most desperate and bloody conflict ensued:--Maynard with twelve men, and
Black Beard with fourteen. The sea was dyed with blood all around the
vessel, and uncommon bravery was displayed upon both sides. Though the
pirate was wounded by the first shot from Maynard, though he had
received twenty cuts, and as many shots, he fought with desperate valor;
but at length, when in the act of cocking his pistol, fell down dead. By
this time eight of his me