On one occasion, having a mite too much to drink, Blackbeard said to his
crew, ''Come, let us make a Hell of our own, and try how long we can bear
it.'' Going below into the ship's hold, they closed the hatches, filled
several pots with brimstone and other combustible matter and set them on
fire. Soon the men were coughing and gasping for air as the hold filled with
sulfurous fumes. All of the men, with the exception of Blackbeard quickly
scrambled for fresh air. When Blackbeard finally emerged he snarled, ''Damn
ye, ye yellow ___ ___ ___! I'm a better man than all ye milksops put together!''
Source: BLACKBEARD, THE FIERCEST PIRATE OF ALL
written by Norman C. Pendered:
Published by: Times Printing Co., Inc., Manteo, NC, 1975
