re to do it on the open deck. (Which Roberts believed would give a
check to their debauches, for he was a sober man himself, but found at
length that all his endeavors to put an end to this debauch proved
ineffectual.)

V

To keep their piece, pistols, and cutlass clean, and fit for service.
(In this they were extravagantly nice, endeavoring to outdo one another
in the beauty and richness of their arms, giving sometimes at an
auction--at the mast--L30 or L40 a pair for pistols. These were slung in
time of service, with different colored ribbons, over their shoulders,
in a way peculiar to these fellows, in which they took great delight.)

VI

No boy or woman to be allowed amongst them. If any man were found
seducing any of the latter sex, and carried her to sea disguised, he was
to suffer death. (So that when any fell into their hands, as it chanced
in the _Onslow_, they put a sentinel immediately over her to prevent ill
consequences from so dangerous an instrument of division and quarrel;
but then here lies the roguery--they contend who shall be sentinel,
which happens generally to one of the greatest bullies.)

VII

To desert the ship or their quarters in battle, was punished with death
or marooning.

VIII

No striking one another on board, but every man's quarrel to be ended on
shore, at sword and pistol. Thus the quartermaster of the ship, when the
parties will not come to any reconciliation, accompanies them on shore
with what assistance he thinks proper, and turns the disputants back to
back at so many paces distance. At the word of command they turn and
fire immediately, or else the piece is knocked out of their hands. If
both miss, they come to their cutlasses, and then he is declared victor
who draws the first blood.

IX

No man to talk of breaking up their way of living till each had shared
L1,000. If, in order to this, any man should lose a limb, or become a
cripple in their service, he was to have 800 dollars out of the public
stock, and for lesser hurts proportionably.

X

The captain and quartermaster to receive two shares of a prize; the
master, boatswain, and gunner, one share and a half, the other officers
one and a quarter.

XI

The musicians to have rest on the Sabbath-day, but the other six days
and nights none without special favor.

* * * * *

These, we are assured, were some of Roberts's articles, but as they had
taken care to thr