Note 9 — Chapter XV
Reading edition
The buccaneers derived their name from the process of drying beef over a wood fire, or boucane in French. They were at first hunters of wild cattle in the island of Hispaniola or Hayti who disposed of their product to smugglers, traders, and pirates, but they were a distinct class from the filibustiers or sea rovers. As cattle became scarce and the Spanish more hostile and cruel foes, the buccaneers, French and English, forsook their trade and took to the sea, to harry the common foe.