_To keep their Piece, Pistols, and Cutlash clean, and fit for Service_: In
this they were extravagantly nice, endeavouring to outdo one another, in
the Beauty and Richness of their Arms, giving sometimes at an Auction (at
the Mast,) 30 or 40 _l._ a Pair, for Pistols. These were slung in Time of
Service, with different coloured Ribbands, over their Shoulders, in a Way
peculiar to these Fellows, in which they took great Delight.