[martin_fierro]

in which a soldier would present the cut-off right hand of an enemy in exchange for gold

The original Digital Age.

[SunkenCiv]

The gold came from the prints.

[mikrofon]

This practice shows the calloused disregard for life in those days, and what some would do if you didn’t knuckle under to their rule.

In this instance there were no sailors involved, as all hands would be on deck....