Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/97

 .Being aked the meaning of this, he only anwered, by damning them, that

Hands being taken, was try’d and condemned, but jut as he was about to be executed, a Ship arrives at Virginia with a Proclamation for prolonging the Time of his Majety’s Pardon, to uch of the Pyrates as hould urrender by a limited Time therein expreed: Notwithtanding the Sentence, Hands pleaded the Pardon, and was allowed the Benefit of it, and is alive at this Time in London, begging his Bread.

Now that we have given ome Account of Teach’s Life and Actions, it will not be amis, that we peak of his Beard, ince it did not a little contribute towards making his Name o terrible in thoe Parts.

Plutarch, and other grave Hitorians have taken Notice, that everal great Men amongt the Romans, took their Sir-Names from certain odd Marks in their Countenances; as Cicero, from a Mark or Vetch on his Noe; o our Heroe, Captain Teach, aumed the Cognomen of Black-beard, from that large Quantity of Hair, which, like a frightful Meteor, covered his whole Face, and frightened America more than any Comet that has appeared there a long Time.

This Beard was black, which he uffered to grow of an extravagant Length; as to Breadth, it came up to his Eyes; he was accutomed to twit it with Ribbons, in mall Tails, after the Manner of our Ramilies Wiggs, and turn them about his Ears: In Time of Action, he wore a Sling over his Shoulders, with three brace of Pitols, hanging in Holters like Bandaliers; and tuck lighted Matches under his Hat, which appearing on each Side of his Face, his Eyes naturally looking fierce and Rh