The Lock and Key Library: The most interesting stories of all nations: American

The patroons were members of the Dutch West India Company, who purchased land in New Netherlands of the Indians, and after fulfilling certain conditions imposed with a view to colonizing their territory, enjoyed feudal rights similar to those of the barons of the Middle Ages.

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A Dutch coin, worth about two cents; hence, anything of little worth.

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Shabby.

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Noisy.

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A mixture of rum and hot water sweetened.

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Triangular.

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Reckless.

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The coast of the northern part of South America along the Caribbean Sea, the route formerly traversed by the Spanish treasure ships between the Old and New Worlds.

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Ships are said to be yardarm and yardarm when so near as to touch or interlock their yards, which are the long pieces of timber designed to support and extend the square sails.

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"Broadside and broadside," i.e., with the side of one ship touching that of another.

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Feast of the Archangel Michael, a church festival celebrated on September 29th.

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"Broadside of thundering oaths," i.e., a volley of abuse.

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A kind of canvas used about a ship; hence, a sailor.

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"Hand grenades," i.e., small shells of iron or glass filled with gunpowder and thrown by hand.

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"Main chains," i.e., strong bars of iron bolted at the lower end to the side of a vessel, and secured at the upper end to the iron straps of the blocks by which the shrouds supporting the masts are extended.

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The companion way is a staircase leading to the cabin of a ship.

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A huge, flat rock, projecting into the Hudson River above the Highlands.

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"In your teeth," a phrase to denote direct opposition or defiance.

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A term of contempt used by seamen for those who pass their lives on land.

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Bradish was a pirate whose actions were blended in the popular mind with those of Kidd. He was boatswain of a ship which sailed from England in 1697, and which, like Kidd's, bore the name of the Adventure. In the absence of the captain on shore, he seized the ship and set out on a piratical cruise. After amassing a fortune, he sailed for America and deposited a large amount of his wealth with a confederate on Long Island. He was apprehended in Rhode Island, sent to England, and executed.

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A small cove in the East River two miles north of Corlear's Hook.

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A long, narrow island in the East River, between New York and Long Island City.

38

Extinguish.

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Davy Jones is the spirit of the sea, or the sea devil, and Davy Jones's locker is the bottom of the ocean; hence, "gone to Davy Jones's locker" signifies "dead and buried in the sea."

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Chest.

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