Appearance
Excerpt
Excerpt from Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates, by Howard Pyle
Of these volunteers Captain Morgan chose twenty--among others our Master
Harry--and having arranged with his lieutenant that if nothing was heard
from the expedition at the end of three days he should sail for Jamaica
to await news, he embarked upon that enterprise, which, though never
heretofore published, was perhaps the boldest and the most desperate of
all those that have since made his name so famous. For what could be a
more unparalleled undertaking than for a little open boat, containing
but twenty men, to enter the harbor of the third strongest fortress of
the Spanish mainland with the intention of cutting out the Spanish vice
admiral from the midst of a whole fleet of powerfully armed vessels, and
how many men in all the world do you suppose would venture such a thing?
But there is this to be said of that great buccaneer: that if he
undertook enterprises so desperate as this, he yet laid his plans
so well that they never went altogether amiss. Moreover, the very
desperation of his successes was of such a nature that no man could
suspect that he would dare to undertake such things, and accordingly his
enemies were never prepared to guard against his attacks. Aye, had he
but worn the king's colors and served under the rules of honest war, he
might have become as great and as renowned as Admiral Blake himself.
But all that is neither here nor there; what I have to tell you now is
that Captain Morgan in this open boat with his twenty mates reached the
Cape of Salmedina toward the fall of day. Arriving within view of the
harbor they discovered the plate fleet at anchor, with two men-of-war
and an armed galley riding as a guard at the mouth of the harbor, scarce
half a league distant from the other ships. Having spied the fleet in
this posture, the pirates presently pulled down their sails and rowed
along the coast, feigning to be a Spanish vessel from Nombre de Dios. So
hugging the shore, they came boldly within the harbor, upon the opposite
side of which you might see the fortress a considerable distance away.
Explanation
Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Howard Pyle’s Book of Pirates
This passage comes from Howard Pyle’s Book of Pirates (1921), a collection of swashbuckling tales by the American illustrator and author Howard Pyle (1853–1911), who is often credited with shaping the modern romanticized image of pirates. The book blends historical accounts with adventurous storytelling, drawing from real pirate figures like Captain Henry Morgan, a notorious Welsh privateer (and later knighted governor of Jamaica) who raided Spanish colonies in the 17th century.
This particular excerpt describes one of Morgan’s most audacious exploits—a daring raid on a Spanish harbor with just twenty men in a small boat, aiming to capture the Spanish vice-admiral’s ship. The passage is rich in adventure, strategy, and moral ambiguity, characteristic of Pyle’s style, which glorifies pirate daring while acknowledging their ruthlessness.
Breakdown of the Excerpt
1. Context & Setup: The Mission
Selection of the Crew:
- Morgan picks twenty volunteers, including the narrator’s "Master Harry," suggesting a mix of experienced buccaneers and eager young men.
- The three-day deadline adds tension—if they fail, the main fleet sails to Jamaica, leaving them stranded or dead.
The Impossible Task:
- The mission is suicidal by conventional standards: a tiny open boat against a fortified Spanish harbor (the "third strongest fortress of the Spanish mainland").
- Their goal: cutting out (stealing) the Spanish vice-admiral’s ship from a fleet of heavily armed vessels.
- The rhetorical question—"how many men in all the world do you suppose would venture such a thing?"—emphasizes the unprecedented boldness of the plan.
2. Morgan’s Cunning & Reputation
Strategic Brilliance:
- Pyle notes that while Morgan’s plans were desperate, they were never "altogether amiss"—meaning he succeeded more often than he failed.
- His unpredictability was his greatest weapon: enemies never expected such audacity, so they were unprepared.
Moral Ambiguity:
- The narrator laments that if Morgan had fought for the king (England) under "honest war", he might have been as legendary as Admiral Blake (a real 17th-century English naval hero).
- This suggests pirates were seen as wasted potential—men who could have been national heroes if not for their lawlessness.
- The phrase "But all that is neither here nor there" dismisses moralizing, refocusing on the action—a common trait in adventure storytelling.
3. The Execution: Deception & Boldness
Arrival at Salmedina:
- The pirates reach the Cape of Salmedina at dusk, a strategic time (low light aids stealth).
- They spot the plate fleet (ships carrying treasure from the Americas) anchored, guarded by two men-of-war and an armed galley—a formidable defense.
The Disguise:
- They lower their sails and row, pretending to be a Spanish vessel from Nombre de Dios (a common port).
- By "hugging the shore", they avoid suspicion—ships usually enter harbors from open water, not skirting the coast.
- The fortress is distant, meaning the pirates must rely on bluffing rather than brute force.
The Psychological Gambit:
- Their confidence is key—they act as if they belong, exploiting the fact that no one would expect such a small, underarmed boat to be a threat.
- This mirrors real pirate tactics: deception, speed, and shock were often more effective than direct combat.
Key Themes
Audacity & the Underestimated Hero
- The passage celebrates daring over odds, a core theme in pirate lore. Morgan’s success comes from doing what no one else would attempt.
- The small crew vs. a fleet reinforces the David-and-Goliath appeal of pirate stories.
Cunning Over Brutality
- Unlike later depictions of pirates as mindless raiders, Pyle’s Morgan wins through intelligence—disguise, timing, and psychological manipulation.
- The lack of a direct battle (so far) highlights that pirates were often strategists, not just fighters.
Moral Gray Areas
- The narrator admires Morgan but acknowledges that his lack of "honest war" (i.e., operating outside national military rules) keeps him from being a legitimate hero.
- This reflects 17th-century privateering, where men like Morgan were sanctioned pirates (privateers) when convenient for England, but outlaws when not.
The Romance of Piracy
- Pyle’s language ("boldest and most desperate", "no man would venture") glorifies the pirate life, making it seem thrilling rather than criminal.
- The focus on the underdog (20 men vs. a fortress) makes the reader root for the pirates, despite their morally questionable goals.
Literary Devices
Rhetorical Questions
- "how many men in all the world do you suppose would venture such a thing?" → Engages the reader, making them consider the impossibility of the task.
Foreshadowing & Suspense
- The three-day deadline creates urgency.
- The description of the Spanish defenses (men-of-war, galley, fortress) builds tension—how will 20 men overcome this?
Irony & Understatement
- "never went altogether amiss" → A humorous way to say Morgan’s plans usually worked, despite being reckless.
- "feigning to be a Spanish vessel" → The pirates’ boldness in lying is presented as clever, not dishonorable.
Vivid Imagery
- "hugging the shore", "the fortress a considerable distance away" → Paints a clear mental picture of the harbor’s layout.
- The contrast between the tiny boat and the massive fleet reinforces the daring of the mission.
Narrative Voice
- The conversational tone ("what I have to tell you now") makes the reader feel like they’re hearing a firsthand account.
- The brief moral detour ("had he but worn the king’s colors") adds depth, but the narrator quickly returns to action, keeping the pace fast.
Significance & Legacy
Historical vs. Fictional Morgan:
- While based on real events (Morgan did raid Spanish ports), Pyle romanticizes him, omitting the brutality (torture, massacres) often associated with his raids.
- This selective storytelling helped shape the myth of the "noble pirate"—a rogue with a code, rather than a mere criminal.
Influence on Pirate Fiction:
- Pyle’s work inspired later pirate novels, films, and games (e.g., Treasure Island, Pirates of the Caribbean).
- The tropes here—the impossible heist, the disguised approach, the outnumbered heroes—became staples of the genre.
Colonial & Nationalist Undertones:
- The English vs. Spanish rivalry is central. Morgan’s raids weakened Spain’s empire, making him a folk hero in England.
- The suggestion that he could have been a great admiral reflects British imperial pride—even outlaws were seen as wasted national talent.
Conclusion: Why This Passage Matters
This excerpt is a masterclass in adventure writing, blending historical fact with dramatic flair. Pyle doesn’t just tell us about Morgan’s raid—he makes us feel the tension, the cleverness, and the sheer audacity of it. By focusing on strategy over violence, he elevates pirates from mere thugs to brilliant, daring antiheroes.
The passage also challenges the reader to consider:
- What makes a hero? (Is it loyalty to a nation, or skill and boldness?)
- How does deception factor into war? (Morgan’s tactics were effective but morally ambiguous.)
- Why are we drawn to underdogs? (Even when they’re technically the "bad guys.")
Ultimately, Pyle’s glorification of piracy reflects a broader cultural fascination with rebels who defy the odds—a theme that continues to resonate in stories today.