head. This law permitted placing a price on any pirate, but Blackbeard was the only pirate ever named under the Act. The reward for the capture of the infamous Blackbeard was set at seven hundred pounds, dead or alive.
“Blackbeard was dividing his time, living either in a mansion in Bath with his fourteenth wife or on his ship in Ocracoke Inlet. One day, a messenger arrived and told him that Lieutenant Maynard from Virginia was approaching with two war ships. Blackbeard laughed at such a meager threat and then proceeded to get rip-roaring drunk. This was not necessarily a sign that he was underestimating his opponent. He had a habit of getting loaded on rum and cocaine before a battle. Meanwhile, his crew was put to work loading his ship with gunpowder and cannon balls, preparing small arms and soaking blankets which would be used to dowse fires.
“On the morning of November 22, 1718, Blackbeard sailed out Ocracoke Inlet toward Maynard who stood blocking passage with his two ships, the Jane and the Ranger. But Blackbeard knew the channel better and made his run for the open water and freedom. Maynard tried to follow but Blackbeard’s superior knowledge of the inlet allowed him to run both of Maynard’s ships aground on the constantly changing sandbars. At this point Blackbeard could have easily sailed away to the open sea while Maynard would be forced to wait for the next high tide to float his ships free. Instead Blackbeard loaded his cannons with grape shot, spikes and chain, turned and fired broadside at Maynard’s ships. The attack killed nine of Maynard’s men, broke the mast, shredded the sails and totally destroyed one of the ships. Unfortunately for him, while celebrating the outcome of this fierce exchange, Blackbeard too, ran aground not far away.
“Maynard’s second ship, though grounded, was still in fighting shape and the brave lieutenant ordered the crew to throw anything and everything overboard in an attempt to lighten his load. Water barrels, food and heavy armaments were tossed into the sea. The plan worked and Maynard’s second ship finally lifted off the bottom. Then the young lieutenant launched his own broadside at Blackbeard and Blackbeard returned fire. The smoke from the black powder obliterated visibility completely. Maynard used this diversion wisely and ordered most of his thirty man crew below deck leaving only three in sight. Maynard turned for a second attack and ran close enough to board the pirate ship. Blackbeard, seeing only three men on deck ordered his men to throw their grappling hooks and swarm Maynard’s sloop. Once the pirates were on board, Maynard flung open the hatch doors and thirty, well armed sailors rushed forward.
“Twenty-three pirates fought a fierce battle against the thirty navy sailors. Blackbeard, already wounded, found himself face to face with Maynard. Both men were armed with pistols. Blackbeard shot but missed. Maynard’s shot took Blackbeard in the shoulder. It slowed the pirate down but failed to stop him. Blackbeard slashed at Maynard with his cutlass so hard that he snapped Maynard’s sword in two and was on the verge of swinging a lethal blow when one of Maynard’s men heaved a boarding pike at him, hitting his shoulder and slicing off a piece of his ear. Dazed, he took another blow in the forehead and blood streamed down his face, blinding him. Despite the fact that most of his men were either dead or captured, he refused to back down and swung his cutlass wildly at Maynard’s crew. Blackbeard died, still on his feet, having taken twenty sword wounds and five musket shots.
“You really have to wonder if his incredible stamina wasn’t enhanced by a healthy dose of some drug or other,” added Cynthia before continuing.
“In a gruesome display, Maynard ordered his men to cut off Blackbeard’s head and hang it beneath the bowsprit. He then sailed home in victory, proudly displaying his trophy so that it might be a lesson to all pirates.
“What was left of Blackbeard’s crew was tried and hanged for piracy.”
Cynthia paused, her story was not yet complete.
“On the night before Blackbeard’s final battle, one pirate asked Blackbeard if his wife knew where he had hidden his treasure, just in case something should happen. Blackbeard had scoffed at talk of mortality. His answer had been: “No one but I and the devil knows where the treasure lays … and the longest liver shall take it.”
“Before sailing away, Maynard searched Blackbeard’s ship hoping to claim the phantom treasure or at least find a map that would lead him to it. He found nothing but stores and letters on board. The treasure eluded him as it eluded so many others, both before and after Blackbeard’s death.”
Cynthia stopped talking and sat very erect with her hands clasped in her lap.
Langdon had been spellbound while Cynthia relayed her story. He felt like the listener in the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner. After a long pause he finally spoke.
“It’s hard to believe that in roughly only two short years, Blackbeard plundered his way from the Caribbean to Canada, capturing fifty ships and marrying, what did you say, fourteen times? He must have just been in his early twenties when he was killed. That’s one helluva history lesson, which by the way, you relayed exceptionally well,” he complimented her.
“Oh that’s only half the story,” stated Cynthia.
Langdon felt a thrill surge through his body. Tiny goose bumps rose up on his arms. What could the other half be about if it wasn’t Blackbeard’s treasure. Despite his age, Langdon could never resist a story about hidden treasure.
“Only half? Well, I’m all in.” he exclaimed. “I can’t wait to hear the rest but let’s call a brief intermission. I’ll check to see how your batteries are doing.” He looked down at his empty glass and Cynthia caught the drift.
“I’ll make another round of drinks and we can continue. Agreed?”
“I promise to be quick with those batteries. I’m definitely looking forward to hearing the rest of the story,” he said sincerely.
Cynthia beamed. A born storyteller she knew when she had captivated her audience. While she mixed another pitcher she collected her thoughts, feeling proud that her story had commanded Langdon’s undivided attention and what he had called an “intermission.” For the last hour she had been the star of the show and she was quite capable of basking in her moment of glory.
Chapter 3
The Gold Hole
Fresh drinks in hand, Langdon waited expectantly for Cynthia to continue her tale. A couple of hours ago he had been bored stiff. Then he had considered making a fast getaway from an older woman in distress. Now he was firmly committed to making sure she got home safely and freely admitted to himself that he was totally enthralled with this unusual story teller. It amazed him that things could change so quickly in the course of a few hours. Cynthia sat comfortably in her chair but leaned forward slightly as she continued her yarn.
“Topsail Island,” she waved her hand at the closest landmass, “at the time of Blackbeard, was covered with tall pines inside the dunes that lined the outer shore. The island earned its name from merchant ships whom had fallen prey to pirates. The pirates used to swoop out from behind the island as the merchant ships passed. Eventually the merchants learned to look over the tops of the trees in search of high masts with topsails already set. It was a sure sign of an impending attack. The merchants, thus warned, could pull further off-shore. If they were lucky, they had a reasonable chance of out running their attackers. That’s how the island got its name. To be clear about this, no one has ever confirmed that Blackbeard set foot on Topsail Island but being so close to Beaufort Inlet, logic dictates that it would have been a natural choice. Aside from pirates, the lonely, uninhabited island was used only occasionally by Indians who went there to fish and dig for
