Ar. (trans: Things Go Badly For Pirates)
Whenever I see pirates in the news - and let me tell you, I don’t see them enough - I think to myself, “This can’t possibly end well for them.” Today, the French of all people proved me right, capturing six of the twelve mateys that seized La Ponant last week.
[French General] Georgelin said six pirates — out of a dozen hostage-takers — were taken into custody and would be tried in French courts. All six “gave themselves up without too much difficulty,” he added.
And this brings to light the sad secret of the sea dogs: They’re not particularly brave or proficient at combat. For all their ruling of the Mediterranean for centuries, it took about three months for the Roman General, Pompey, to wipe them out with a force that began less their size. Caribbean-era clashes usually ended in bloodless surrender, unless the pirate was a government-financed freebooter. Pirates like grog, wenches and loot; indulgent creatures by nature, they shy from actual work, including most forms of fighting.
This also means that, once given a bit of money, they scurry away. Take note that only half the pirates and only a portion of the ransom money paid them was apprehended.
“Naturally, absolutely no public money was paid in this affair,” Georgelin said. He added: “Check with the ship owner. In capturing the pirates, we also recovered some interesting bags … We recovered part of the ransom that was probably paid.”
Ransom and retreat means repeat business. And in the world’s second-oldest profession - a close cousin to tax collection - this means we’re sure to see from the pirates again soon.
