BUCCANEERS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1929, Page 6

BUCCANEERS

ft is interesting to learn the* origin of the term ‘‘buccaneer,” for the buccaneers were distinguished from botli straight-out pirates on the one hand, and priv ato>*r*- on the other. •Ik- »• ig 11 i f the word “buccaneer” me. .e a.i.-d to the Spanish attain' upon th • settlements of the harmless hmua:,.. of. Hispaniola (Santo yomi.ugoL. most of wliom were French.

-.-. e 1 were occupied in cultivating their little plots of ground, in raising their families, ami in hunting tne great herds of. wild cattle, that roamed over Hispaniola .... Tlie boucaiiicrs bad in 110 wise, harmed the Spaniard; but, when tin* latter laid their fields waste, cut down their orchards, and slew men, women and children in their flaming cottages, Tie stirred up a hornet’s nest indeed. . . Driven from the land, the boucaiiicrs took to tlie sea in despair, and their terrible revenge soon made tlie proud Spaniard tremble at I lie very name of ‘‘buccaneer.” “Buccaneer” came in time to be nnpliod to any sea-rover who preyed upon the ships and coasts of Spanish America; hut at first the term was fonliPcHl,to these early buccaneers who had three occupations; hunting wild cattle and curing their flesh ; cultivating’their little plantations; and harrying ■ and plundering the ships and shores of the Spaniard.