Page:A Mainsail Haul - Masefield - 1913.djvu/91

Rh brass guns. He had, besides, two smaller ships of war, both "heavily manned and armed." Altogether he seems to have commanded about four hundred men, three-fourths of whom were Turks or Moors, the others being Flemings, French, and Englishmen. One of the three ships foundered off Carthage early in the cruise. The other two roved up and down, and took two valuable Marseilles carracks.

While at sea, in his flag-ship, Ward lived in great state, with a double cabin guard of twelve Turks armed with scimitars. He had his "music" (an English trumpeter), to play to him; and no doubt his cabin was sweet with many perfumes, and nobly furnished. In different parts of his ship were refreshment bars or canteens for the sale of wines and spirits. All his sailors received a daily allowance of strong drink; but if they wanted more they had to purchase it at one of these canteens. Sailors generally want more; and we read with small surprise that the discipline of the Soderina was not particularly good. The only law which has come down to us from her code is one forbidding, or at least discouraging, murder.