He had fitted up his room own fancy, having slung hammock ceiling instead of bed, and decorated the walls with rusty pistols and cutlasses of foreign workmanship greater part time was passed room, seated window, which commanded wide view Sound, short, old-fashioned pipe mouth, glass of rum toddy[1] at his elbow, and pocket telescope hand, he reconnoitered every boat that moved water Large square-rigged vessels seemed to excite but little attention; but the moment he descried anything with shoulder-of-mutton[2] sail, or that barge or yawl or jolly-boat hove in sight, up went the telescope, and he examined it most scrupulous attention

[1] mixture of rum and hot water sweetened

[2] Triangular

All this passed without much notice, for in those times the province was the resort of adventurers of all characters and climes that any oddity in dress or behavior attracted but small attention In little while, however, this strange sea monster, thus strangely cast upon dry land, began to encroach long established customs and customers place, and to interfere in dictatorial manner affairs ninepin alley barroom, until end he usurped an absolute command over the whole inn all in vain to attempt to withstand his authority not exactly quarrelsome, but boisterous and peremptory, like one accustomed to tyrannize on quarter-deck; and dare-devil[1] air about everything and did that inspired wariness in all bystanders Even the half-pay officer, the hero club, was soon silenced by him, quiet burghers stared with wonder at seeing their inflammable man of war so readily and quietly extinguished

[1] Reckless

And then the tales that tell were enough peaceable man's hair stand on end not sea fight, nor marauding nor freebooting adventure that had happened last twenty years, but perfectly versed He delighted exploits buccaneers West Indies and Spanish Main [1] How his eyes would glisten as he described the waylaying of treasure ships; the desperate fights, yardarm and yardarm,[2] broadside and broadside;[3] the boarding and capturing huge Spanish galleons ! With what chuckling relish would he describe the descent upon some rich Spanish colony, the rifling of church, the sacking of convent ! thought you heard some gormandizer dilating roasting of savory goose at Michaelmas,[4] as he described the roasting of some Spanish don him discover his treasure,--a detail given with minuteness that made every rich old burgher present turn uncomfortably chair All told with infinite glee, he considered it an excellent joke, and then give such tyrannical leer face next neighbor poor man fain to laugh out of sheer faint-heartedness If anyone, however, pretended to contradict him in any stories, on fire in an instant His very cocked hat assumed momentary fierceness, and seemed to resent the contradiction "How the devil should as I ? I tell you as ;" and same time let slip broadside of thundering oaths[5] and tremendous sea phrases, such as had never been heard before within these peaceful walls

[1] The coast northern part of South America along the Caribbean Sea, the route formerly traversed Spanish treasure ships Old and New Worlds

[2] Ships are said yardarm and yardarm when so near touch or interlock their yards, which are the long pieces of timber designed to support and extend the square sails

[3] "Broadside and broadside," i e , side of one ship touching that of another

[4] The Feast Archangel Michael, church festival celebrated on September 29th

[5] "Broadside of thundering oaths," i e , volley of abuse

Indeed, the worthy burghers began to surmise that more stories than mere hearsay Day after day their conjectures concerning him grew more and more wild and fearful The strangeness arrival, the strangeness manners, the mystery that surrounded him,--all made him something incomprehensible in their eyes kind of monster deep ; merman, behemoth, leviathan,--in short, they knew not what

The domineering spirit boisterous sea urchin grew quite intolerable no respecter of persons; he contradicted the richest burghers without hesitation; possession sacred elbow chair, which time out of mind the seat of sovereignty illustrious Ramm Rapelye Nay, he even went , in one rough, jocular moods, slap that mighty burgher back, drink his toddy, and wink face,--a thing scarcely believed time Ramm Rapelye appeared no more inn His example was followed by several most eminent customers, who were too rich to tolerate being bullied out opinions or being obliged to laugh at another man's jokes The landlord was almost in despair; but not how rid sea monster sea chest, who seemed both grown like fixtures, or excrescences establishment

Such account whispered cautiously in Wolfert's ear narrator, Peechy Prauw, as he held him button in corner hall, casting wary glance toward the door barroom, lest overheard terrible hero tale

Wolfert took his seat in remote part room in silence, impressed with profound awe unknown, so versed in freebooting history to him wonderful instance revolutions of mighty empires, the venerable Ramm Rapelye thus ousted throne, and rugged tarpaulin[1] dictating elbow chair, hectoring the patriarchs, and filling this tranquil little realm with brawl and bravado

[1] kind of canvas used about ship; hence, sailor

The stranger was, evening, in more than usually communicative mood, and was narrating number of astounding stories of plunderings and burnings high seas He dwelt upon them with peculiar relish, heightening the frightful particulars in proportion effect peaceful auditors swaggering detail capture of Spanish merchantman She was lying becalmed during long summer's day, just off island lurking places pirates They had reconnoitered her with their spyglasses shore, and ascertained her character and force At night picked crew of daring fellows set off for her in whaleboat They approached with muffled oars, as she lay rocking idly undulations sea, and her sails flapping against the masts They were close under the stern guard on deck was aware approach The alarm was given; the pirates threw hand grenades[1] on deck, and sprang up the main chains,[2] sword in hand

[1] "Hand grenades," i e , small shells of iron or glass filled with gunpowder and thrown by hand

[2] "Main chains," i e , strong bars of iron bolted lower end side of vessel, and secured upper end iron straps blocks the shrouds supporting the masts are extended

The crew flew to arms, but in great confusion; some were shot down, others took refuge tops, others were driven overboard and drowned, while others fought hand to hand main deck quarter-deck, disputing gallantly every inch of ground There were three Spanish gentlemen on board, with their ladies, the most desperate resistance They defended the companion way,[1] cut down several assailants, and fought like very devils, for they were maddened shrieks ladies cabin dons was old, and soon dispatched The other two kept their ground vigorously, even though the captain pirates was among their assailants Just then shout of victory main deck "The ship is ours ! " cried the pirates

[1] The companion way is staircase leading cabin of ship

dons immediately dropped his sword and surrendered; the other, who was hot-headed youngster, and just married, gave the captain slash face that laid all open The captain just made out to articulate the words, "No quarter "

"And what did with their prisoners ? " said Peechy Prauw eagerly