Sea-Wolves of the Mediterranean | Page 9

of men who had
worked at the oar for actual decades, so unconquerable in their strength
that even such a life as this had not the power to break them down.
To the peaceful mariner who wished merely to trade, to the individual
whose business called him overseas, this epoch must have been one of
terror unspeakable. The ordinary perils of the deep were quite enough
to keep timid folk at home in those days of clumsy, ill-found sailing
ships, which could by no means work to windward, and did not sail
remarkably well even with the most favouring breezes; when to this we
add that every ship which started on a voyage in the Mediterranean had
before her the chance of being captured by the corsairs, it was no
wonder that he whose business led him oversea should make his last
will and testament and bid a fond farewell to all his relatives.
There is a record in the Mémoires of the Rev. Frère Pierre d'An,
Bachelier en Théologie de la Faculté de Paris, etc., who wrote in a most
heartfelt manner concerning the danger of the sea and the perils to be
expected from the Barbary corsairs. He says, date 1637:
"An ancient writer, considering how little assurance can ordinarily be
placed in the sea, and how hazardous it is to expose oneself and one's
goods to its mercy, has remarked, with much reason, that it is infinitely
preferable to be poor on shore than to be rich at sea. In which saying he
mocks indeed at those ambitious, avaricious, and mercenary men who,
in order to gain false glory and the things of this world, expose
themselves rashly to the manifest perils which are most of the time the
inevitable lot of the seaman. This same consideration causes him also
to utter these remarkable words: that he repents himself of but one
thing, and that is ever to have travelled by sea when it was possible to
have done so by land. And, to say truth, he has good reason to speak as
he does, because it is impossible for the most hardy navigators not to
tremble with fear when it is represented before their eyes that they must
combat with the winds, the waves, and the foam every time that they
adventure upon the deep.

"Because it is indisputable that this is the very Theatre of the storms,
and the place in the world most capable of all sorts of violence and
tragic adventure. This, however, does not prevent those who covet the
perishable goods of this world from straying upon the sea, even in
unknown and untraversed regions, without ceasing and without rest.
"If, however, they abandon the ocean for a time, it is but to return to it
again to seek once more war with their ships, in order unjustly to make
themselves masters of the bodies and of the riches of others.
"Of such it may be remarked to-day are, in all the maritime coasts, the
implacable Corsairs of Barbary. For, however great may be the dangers
of which we have just spoken, and no matter now many examples they
may see of the fury and inconstancy of Neptune, they cease not their
irritating performances, kindling warfare in all the coasts of the
Christian nations. It is there that they exercise their infamous piracies,
and there also that they glory in the most shameful of all
commerce--the trade of the brigand.
"Which in all towns that are well policed have always met with a swift
and just retribution, because the law is ordained against those who
maintain such practices.
"But such does not happen among these pirates.
"On the contrary, it may truthfully be said that, while in towns in which
good persons dwell good actions receive the palms and the crown, it is
among the Corsairs but to the wicked to whom are given recompense
and praise.
"In effect the most determined among them--I mean the most unworthy
robbers who are best versed in all the infamies of their trade and most
accustomed to the practice of violence--are those who are covered with
honours, and who pass in the estimation of their fellows for men of
heart and courage.
"Indeed experience has taught all Christian merchants that the infidels
of the coast of Barbary are all brigands.

"Among these those of Algiers carry off the prize for riches, for ships,
for strength, and for villainy."
The bachelor in theology is somewhat sweeping in his criticisms, and
his meaning is, perhaps, somewhat clearer than his grammar. One thing,
however, is perfectly plain, that, in the opinion of the reverend brother,
those who go to sea are to be divided into two categories, rogues and
fools, with a strong preponderance of the worse Element of the