Historicaly speaking, when there was mention of "rum" from those days, it was a generic term for hard liquor
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"such a day, Rum all out.
Our Company somewhat sober.
A damn'd Confusion amongst us!
Rouges a plotting; great Talk of Separation,
So I look'd sharp for a prize; such a Day took one
with a great deal of Liquor on board,
so kept the Company hot,
then all Things were well again."
Blackbeard's Log
The simpler the outfit, the more skill it takes to manage it, and the more pleasure one gets in his achievements.
--- Horace Kephart