AFLOAT AND ASHORE

A SEA TALE

BY

JAMES FENIMORE COOPER

"Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits. "_Two Gentlemen of Verona_

PREFACE. 

The writer has published so much truth which the world has insistedwas fiction, and so much fiction which has been received as truth, that, in the present instance, he is resolved to say nothing on thesubject. Each of his readers is at liberty to believe just as much, oras little, of the matter here laid before him, or her, as may suithis, or her notions, prejudices, knowledge of the world, orignorance. If anybody is disposed to swear he knows precisely whereClawbonny is, that he was well acquainted with old Mr. Hardinge, nay, has often heard him preach--let him make his affidavit, inwelcome. Should he get a little wide of the mark, it will not be thefirst document of that nature, which has possessed the same weakness. 

It is possible that certain captious persons may be disposed toinquire into the _cui bono?_ of such a book. The answer isthis. Everything which can convey to the human mind distinct andaccurate impressions of events, social facts, professionalpeculiarities, or past history, whether of the higher or more familiarcharacter, is of use. All that is necessary is, that the picturesshould be true to nature, if not absolutely drawn from livingsitters. The knowledge we gain by our looser reading, often becomesserviceable in modes and manners little anticipated in the momentswhen it is acquired. 

Perhaps the greater portion of all our peculiar opinions have theirfoundation in prejudices. These prejudices are produced in consequenceof its being out of the power of any one man to see, or know, everything. The most favoured mortal must receive far more than half of allthat he learns on his faith in others; and it may aid those who cannever be placed in positions to judge for themselves of certain phasesof men and things, to get pictures of the same, drawn in a way to givethem nearer views than they might otherwise obtain. This is thegreatest benefit of all light literature in general, it being possibleto render that which is purely fictitious even more useful than thatwhich is strictly true, by avoiding extravagancies, by pourtrayingwith fidelity, and, as our friend Marble might say, by "generalizing"with discretion. 

This country has undergone many important changes since thecommencement of the present century. Some of these changes have beenfor the better; others, we think out of all question, for theworse. The last is a fact that can be known to the generation which iscoming into life, by report only, and these pages may possibly throwsome little light on both points, in representing things as theywere. The population of the republic is probably something more thaneighteen millions and a half to-day; in the year of our Lord onethousand eight hundred, it was but a little more than fivemillions. In 1800, the population of New-York was somewhat less thansix hundred thousand souls; to-day it is probably a little less thantwo millions seven hundred thousand souls. In 1800, the town ofNew-York had sixty thousand inhabitants, whereas, including Brooklynand Williamsburg, which then virtually had no existence, it must haveat this moment quite four hundred thousand. These are prodigiousnumerical changes, that have produced changes of anothersort. Although an increase of numbers does not necessarily infer anincrease of high civilization, it reasonably leads to the expectationof great melioration in the commoner comforts. Such has been theresult, and to those familiar with facts as they now exist, thedifference will probably be apparent in these pages. 

Although the moral changes in American society have not kept even pacewith those that are purely physical, many that are essential havenevertheless occurred. Of all the British possessions on thiscontinent, New-York, after its conquest from the Dutch, received mostof the social organization of the mother country. Under the Dutch, even, it had some of these characteristic peculiarities, in itspatroons; the lords of the manor of the New Netherlands. Some of thesouthern colonies, it is true, had their caciques and othersemi-feudal, and semi-savage noblesse, but the system was of shortcontinuance; the peculiarities of that section of the country, arisingprincipally from the existence of domestic slavery, on an extendedscale. With New-York it was different. A conquered colony, the mothercountry left the impression of its own institutions more deeplyengraved than on any of the settlements that were commenced by grantsto proprietors, or under charters from the crown. It was strictly aroyal colony, and so continued to be, down to the hour ofseparation. The social consequences of this state of things were to betraced in her habits unlit the current of immigration became sostrong, as to bring with it those that were conflicting, if notabsolutely antagonist. The influence of these two sources of thoughtis still obvious to the reflecting, giving rise to a double set ofsocial opinions; one of which bears all the characteristics of its NewEngland and puritanical origin, while the other may be said to come ofthe usages and notions of the Middle States, proper. 

This is said in anticipation of certain strictures that will be likelyto follow some of the incidents of our story, it not being alwaysdeemed an essential in an American critic, that he should understandhis subject. Too many of them, indeed, justify the retort of the manwho derided the claims to knowledge of life, set up by a neighbour, that "had been to meetin' and had been to mill. " We can all obtainsome notions of the portion of a subject that is placed immediatelybefore our eyes; the difficulty is to understand that which we have nomeans of studying. 

On the subject of the nautical incidents of this book, we haveendeavoured to be as exact as our authorities will allow. We are fullyaware of the importance of writing what the world thinks, rather thanwhat is true, and are not conscious of any very palpable errors ofthis nature. 

It is no more than fair to apprize the reader, that our tale is notcompleted in the First Part, or the volumes that are now published. This, the plan of the book would not permit: but we can promise thosewho may feel any interest in the subject, that the season shall notpass away, so far as it may depend on ourselves, without bringing thenarrative to a close. Poor Captain Wallingford is now in hissixty-fifth year, and is naturally desirous of not being hung up longon the tenter-hooks of expectation, so near the close of life. Theold gentleman having seen much and suffered much, is entitled to endhis days in peace. In this mutual frame of mind between the principal, and his editors, the public shall have no cause to complain ofunnecessary delay, whatever may be its rights of the same nature onother subjects. 

The author--perhaps editor would be the better word--does not feelhimself responsible for all the notions advanced by the hero of thistale, and it may be as well to say as much. That one born in theRevolution should think differently from the men of the present day, in a hundred things, is to be expected. It is in just this differenceof opinion, that the lessons of the book are to be found. 

AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 

CHAPTER I. 

 "And I--my joy of life is fled, My spirit's power, my bosom's glow; The raven locks that grac'd my head, Wave in a wreath of snow! And where the star of youth arose, I deem'd life's lingering ray should close, And those lov'd trees my tomb o'ershade, Beneath whose arching bowers my childhood play'd. " MRS. HEMANS. 

I was born in a valley not very remote from the sea. My father hadbeen a sailor in youth, and some of my earliest recollections areconnected with the history of his adventures, and the recollectionsthey excited. He had been a boy in the war of the revolution, and hadseen some service in the shipping of that period. Among other sceneshe witnessed, he had been on board the Trumbull, in her action withthe Watt--the hardest-fought naval combat of that war--and heparticularly delighted in relating its incidents. He had been woundedin the battle, and bore the marks of the injury, in a scar thatslightly disfigured a face, that, without this blemish, would havebeen singularly handsome. My mother, after my poor father's death, always spoke of even this scar as a beauty spot. Agreeably to my ownrecollections, the mark scarcely deserved that commendation, as itgave one side of the face a grim and fierce appearance, particularlywhen its owner was displeased. 

My father died on the farm on which he was born, and which descendedto him from his great-grandfather, an English emigrant that hadpurchased it of the Dutch colonist who had originally cleared it fromthe woods. The place was called Clawbonny, which some said was goodDutch others bad Dutch; and, now and then, a person ventured aconjecture that it might be Indian. Bonny it was, in one sense atleast, for a lovelier farm there is not on the whole of the widesurface of the Empire State. What does not always happen in thiswicked, world, it was as good as it was handsome. It consisted ofthree hundred and seventy-two acres of first-rate land, either arable, or of rich river bottom in meadows, and of more than a hundred ofrocky mountain side, that was very tolerably covered with wood. Thefirst of our family who owned the place had built a substantialone-story stone house, that bears the date of 1707 on one of itsgables; and to which each of his successors had added a little, untilthe whole structure got to resemble a cluster of cottages throwntogether without the least attention to order or regularity. Therewere a porch, a front door, and a lawn, however; the latter containinghalf a dozen acres of a soil as black as one's hat, and nourishingeight or ten elms that were scattered about, as if their seeds hadbeen sown broad-cast. In addition to the trees, and a suitablegarniture of shrubbery, this lawn was coated with a sward that, in theproper seasons, rivalled all I have read, or imagined, of the emeraldand shorn slopes of the Swiss valleys. 

Clawbonny, while it had all the appearance of being the residence ofan affluent agriculturist, had none of the pretension of these latertimes. The house had an air of substantial comfort without, anappearance that its interior in no manner contradicted. Theceilings, were low, it is true, nor were the rooms particularly large;but the latter were warm in winter, cool in summer and tidy, neat andrespectable all the year round. Both the parlours had carpets, as hadthe passages and all the better bed-rooms; and there were anold-fashioned chintz settee, well stuffed and cushioned, and curtainsin the "big parlour, " as we called the best apartment, --the pretendingname of drawing-room not having reached our valley as far back as theyear 1796, or that in which my recollections of the place, as it thenexisted, are the most vivid and distinct. 

We had orchards, meadows, and ploughed fields all around us; while thebarns, granaries, styes, and other buildings of the farm, were ofsolid stone, like the dwelling, and all in capital condition. Inaddition to the place, which he inherited from my grandfather, quitewithout any encumbrance, well stocked and supplied with utensils ofall sorts, my father had managed to bring with him from sea somefourteen or fifteen thousand dollars, which he carefully invested inmortgages in the county. He got twenty-seven hundred pounds currencywith my mother, similarly bestowed; and, two or three great landedproprietors, and as many retired merchants from York, excepted, Captain Wallingford was generally supposed to be one of the stiffestmen in Ulster county. I do not know exactly how true was this report;though I never saw anything but the abundance of a better sort ofAmerican farm under the paternal roof, and I know that the poor werenever sent away empty-handed. It as true that our wine was made ofcurrants; but it was delicious, and there was always a sufficientstock in the cellar to enable us to drink it three or four yearsold. My father, however, had a small private collection of his own, out of which he would occasionally produce a bottle; and I remember tohave heard Governor George Clinton, afterwards, Vice President, whowas an Ulster county man, and who sometimes stopped at Clawbonny inpassing, say that it was excellent East India Madeira. As for clarets, burgundy, hock and champagne, they were wines then unknown in America, except on the tables of some of the principal merchants, and, here andthere, on that of some travelled gentleman of an estate larger thancommon. When I say that Governor George Clinton used to stopoccasionally, and taste my father's Madeira, I do not wish to boast ofbeing classed with those who then composed the gentry of the state. Tothis, in that day, we could hardly aspire, though the substantialhereditary property of my family gave us a local consideration thatplaced us a good deal above the station of ordinary yeomen. Had welived in one of the large towns, our association would unquestionablyhave been with those who are usually considered to be one or twodegrees beneath the highest class. These distinctions were much moremarked, immediately after the war of the revolution, than they areto-day; and they are more marked to-day, even, than all but the mostlucky, or the most meritorious, whichever fortune dignifies, arewilling to allow. 

The courtship between my parents occurred while my father was at home, to be cured of the wounds he had received in the engagement betweenthe Trumbull and the Watt. I have always supposed this was the movingcause why my mother fancied that the grim-looking scar on the leftside of my father's face was so particularly becoming. The battle wasfought in June 1780, and my parents were married in the autumn of thesame year. My father did not go to sea again until after my birth, which took place the very day that Cornwallis capitulated atYorktown. These combined events set the young sailor in motion, for hefelt he had a family to provide for, and he wished to make one moremark on the enemy in return for the beauty-spot his wife so gloriedin. He accordingly got a commission in a privateer, made two or threefortunate cruises, and was able at the peace to purchase a prize-brig, which he sailed, as master and owner, until the year 1790, when he wasrecalled to the paternal roof by the death of my grandfather. Beingan only son, the captain, as my father was uniformly called, inheritedthe land, stock, utensils and crops, as already mentioned; while thesix thousand pounds currency that were "at use, " went to my two aunts, who were thought to be well married, to men in their own class oflife, in adjacent counties. 

My father never went to sea after he inherited Clawbonny. From thattime down to the day of his death, he remained on his farm, with theexception of a single winter passed in Albany as one of therepresentatives of the county. In his day, it was a credit to a manto represent a county, and to hold office under the State; though theabuse of the elective principle, not to say of the appointing power, has since brought about so great a change. Then, a member of congresswas _somebody_; now, he is only--a member of congress. 

We were but two surviving children, three of the family dying infants, leaving only my sister Grace and myself to console our mother in herwidowhood. The dire accident which placed her in this, the saddest ofall conditions for a woman who had been a happy wife, occurred in theyear 1794, when I was in my thirteenth year, and Grace was turned ofeleven. It may be well to relate the particulars. 

There was a mill, just where the stream that runs through our valleytumbles down to a level below that on which the farm lies, and emptiesitself into a small tributary of the Hudson. This mill was on ourproperty, and was a source of great convenience and of some profit tomy father. There he ground all the grain that was consumed fordomestic purposes, for several miles around; and the tolls enabled himto fatten his porkers and beeves, in a way to give both a sort ofestablished character. In a word, the mill was the concentrating pointfor all the products of the farm, there being a little landing on themargin of the creek that put up from the Hudson, whence a sloop sailedweekly for town. My father passed half his time about the mill andlanding, superintending his workmen, and particularly givingdirections about the fitting of the sloop, which was his propertyalso, and about the gear of the mill. He was clever, certainly, andhad made several useful suggestions to the millwright who occasionallycame to examine and repair the works; but he was by no means soaccurate a mechanic as he fancied himself to be. He had invented somenew mode of arresting the movement, and of setting the machinery inmotion when necessary; what it was, I never knew, for it was not namedat Clawbonny after the fatal accident occurred. One day, however, inorder to convince the millwright of the excellence of thisimprovement, my father caused the machinery to be stopped, and thenplaced his own weight upon the large wheel, in order to manifest thesense he felt in the security of his invention. He was in the very actof laughing exultingly at the manner in which the millwright shook hishead at the risk he ran, when the arresting power lost its control ofthe machinery, the heavy head of water burst into the buckets, and thewheel whirled round carrying my unfortunate father with it. I was aneye-witness of the whole, and saw the face of my parent, as the wheelturned it from me, still expanded in mirth. There was but onerevolution made, when the wright succeeded in stopping the works. Thisbrought the great wheel back nearly to its original position, and Ifairly shouted with hysterical delight when I saw my father standingin his tracks, as it might be, seemingly unhurt. Unhurt he would havebeen, though he must have passed a fearful keel-hauling, but for onecircumstance. He had held on to the wheel with the tenacity of aseaman, since letting go his hold would have thrown him down a cliffof near a hundred feet in depth, and he actually passed between thewheel and the planking beneath it unharmed, although there was only aninch or two to spare; but in rising from this fearful strait, his headhad been driven between a projecting beam and one of the buckets, in away to crush one temple in upon the brain. So swift and sudden hadbeen the whole thing, that, on turning the wheel, his lifeless bodywas still inclining on its periphery, retained erect, I believe, inconsequence of some part of his coat getting attached, to the head ofa nail. This was the first serious sorrow of my life. I had alwaysregarded my father as one of the fixtures of the world; as a part ofthe great system of the universe; and had never contemplated his deathas a possible thing. That another revolution might occur, and carrythe country back under the dominion of the British crown, would haveseemed to me far more possible than that my father could die. Bittertruth now convinced me of the fallacy of such notions. 

It was months and months before I ceased to dream of this frightfulscene. At my age, all the feelings were fresh and plastic, and grieftook strong hold of my heart. Grace and I used to look at each otherwithout speaking, long after the event, the tears starting to my eyes, and rolling down her cheeks, our emotions being the onlycommunications between us, but communications that no uttered wordscould have made so plain. Even now, I allude to my mother's anguishwith trembling. She was sent for to the house of the miller, where thebody lay, and arrived unapprised of the extent of the evil. Never canI--never shall I forget the outbreakings of her sorrow, when shelearned the whole of the dreadful truth. She was in fainting fits forhours, one succeeding another, and then her grief found tongue. Therewas no term of endearment that the heart of woman could dictate to herspeech, that was not lavished on the lifeless clay. She called thedead "her Miles, " "her beloved Miles, " "her husband, " "her own darlinghusband, " and by such other endearing epithets. Once she seemed as ifresolute to arouse the sleeper from his endless trance, and she said, solemnly, "_Father_--dear, _dearest_ father!" appealing asit might be to the parent of her children, the tenderest and mostcomprehensive of all woman's terms of endearment--"Father--dear, dearest father! open your eyes and look upon your babes--your preciousgirl, and noble boy! Do not thus shut out their sight for ever!"

But it was in vain. There lay the lifeless corpse, as insensible as ifthe spirit of God had never had a dwelling within it. The principalinjury had been received on that much-prized scar; and again and againdid my poor mother kiss both, as if her caresses might yet restore herhusband to life. All would not do. The same evening, the body wascarried to the dwelling, and three days later it was laid in thechurch-yard, by the side of three generations of forefathers, at adistance of only a mile from Clawbonny. That funeral service, too, made a deep impression on my memory. We had some Church of Englandpeople in the valley; and old Miles Wallingford, the first of thename, a substantial English franklin, had been influenced in hischoice of a purchase by the fact that one of Queen Anne's churchesstood so near the farm. To that little church, a tiny edifice ofstone, with a high, pointed roof, without steeple, bell, orvestry-room, had three generations of us been taken to be christened, and three, including my father, had been taken to be buried. Excellent, kind-hearted, just-minded Mr. Hardinge read the funeralservice over the man whom his own father had, in the same humbleedifice, christened. Our neighbourhood has much altered of lateyears; but, then, few higher than mere labourers dwelt among us, whohad not some sort of hereditary claim to be beloved. So it was withour clergyman, whose father had been his predecessor, having actuallymarried my grand-parents. The son had united my father and mother, and now he was called on to officiate at the funeral obsequies of thefirst. Grace and I sobbed as if our hearts would break, the wholetime we were in the church; and my poor, sensitive, nervous littlesister actually shrieked as she heard the sound of the first clod thatfell upon the coffin. Our mother was spared that trying scene, findingit impossible to support it. She remained at home, on her knees, mostof the day on which the funeral occurred. 

Time soothed our sorrows, though my mother, a woman of more thancommon sensibility, or, it were better to say of uncommon affections, never entirely recovered from the effects of her irreparable loss. Shehad loved too well, too devotedly, too engrossingly, ever to think ofa second marriage, and lived only to care for the interests of MilesWallingford's children. I firmly believe we were more beloved becausewe stood in this relation to the deceased, than because we were herown natural offspring. Her health became gradually undermined, and, three years after the accident of the mill, Mr. Hardinge laid her atmy father's side. I was now sixteen, and can better describe whatpassed during the last days of her existence, than what took place atthe death of her husband. Grace and I were apprised of what was solikely to occur, quite a month before the fatal moment arrived; and wewere not so much overwhelmed with sudden grief as we had been on thefirst great occasion of family sorrow, though we both felt our losskeenly, and my sister, I think I may almost say, inextinguishably. Mr. Hardinge had us both brought to the bed-side, to listen to the partingadvice of our dying parent, and to be impressed with a scene that isalways healthful, if rightly improved. "You baptized these two dearchildren, good Mr. Hardinge, " she said, in a voice that was alreadyenfeebled by physical decay, "and you signed them with the sign of thecross, in token of Christ's death for them; and I now ask of yourfriendship and pastoral care to see that they are not neglected at themost critical period of their lives--that when impressions are thedeepest, and yet the most easily made. God will reward all yourkindness to the orphan children of your friends. " The excellentdivine, a man who lived more for others than for himself, made therequired promises, and the soul of my mother took its flight in peace. 

Neither my sister nor myself grieved as deeply for the loss of thislast of our parents, as we did for that of the first. We had bothseen so many instances of her devout goodness, had been witnesses ofso great a triumph of her faith as to feel an intimate, though silent, persuasion that her death was merely a passage to a better state ofexistence--that it seemed selfish to regret. Still, we wept andmourned, even while, in one sense, I think we rejoiced. She wasrelieved from, much bodily suffering, and I remember, when I went totake a last look at her beloved face, that I gazed on its calmserenity with a feeling akin to exultation, as I recollected that paincould no longer exercise dominion over her frame, and that her spiritwas then dwelling in bliss. Bitter regrets came later, it is true, and these were fully shared--nay, more than shared--by Grace. 

After the death of my father, I had never bethought me of the mannerin which he had disposed of his property. I heard something said ofhis will, and gleaned a little, accidentally, of the forms that hadbeen gone through in proving the instrument, and of obtaining itsprobate. Shortly after my mother's death, however, Mr. Hardinge had afree conversation with both me and Grace on the subject, when welearned, for the first time, the disposition that had been made. Myfather had bequeathed to me the farm, mill, landing, sloop, stock, utensils, crops, &c. &c. , in full property; subject, however, to mymother's use of the whole until I attained my majority; after which Iwas to give her complete possession of a comfortable wing of thehouse, which had every convenience for a small family within itself, certain privileges in the fields, dairy, styes, orchards, meadows, granaries, &c. , and to pay her three hundred pounds currency, perannum, in money. Grace had four thousand pounds that were "at use, "and I had all the remainder of the personal property, which yieldedabout five hundred dollars a-year. As the farm, sloop, mill, landing, &c. , produced a net annual income of rather more than a thousanddollars, besides all that was consumed in housekeeping, I was verywell off, in the way of temporal things, for one who had been trainedin habits as simple as those which reigned at Clawbonny. 

My father had left Mr. Hardinge the executor, and my mother anexecutrix of his will, with survivorship. He had also made the sameprovision as respected the guardians. Thus Grace and I became thewards of the clergyman alone on the death of our last remainingparent. This was grateful to us both, for we both truly loved thisgood man, and, what was more, we loved his children. Of these therewere two of ages corresponding very nearly with our own; RupertHardinge being not quite a year older than I was myself, and Lucy, hissister, about six months younger than Grace. We were all fourstrongly attached to each other, and had been so from infancy, Mr. Hardinge having had charge of my education as soon as I was takenfrom a woman's school. 

I cannot say, however, that Rupert Hardinge was ever a boy to give hisfather the delight that a studious, well-conducted, considerate andindustrious child, has it so much in his power to yield to hisparent. Of the two, I was much the best scholar, and had beenpronounced by Mr. Hardinge fit to enter college, a twelvemonth beforemy mother died; though she declined sending me to Yale, theinstitution selected by my father, until my school-fellow wassimilarly prepared, it having been her intention to give theclergyman's son a thorough education, in furtherance of his father'sviews of bringing him up to the church. This delay, so well and kindlymeant, had the effect of changing the whole course of my subsequentlife. 

My father, it seems, wished to make a lawyer of me, with the naturaldesire of seeing me advanced to some honourable position in theState. But I was averse to anything like serious mental labour, and wasgreatly delighted when my mother determined to keep me out of collegea twelvemonth in order that my friend Rupert might be my classmate. Itis true I learned quick, and was fond of reading; but the first Icould not very well help, while the reading I liked was that whichamused, rather than that which instructed me. As for Rupert, thoughnot absolutely dull, but, on the other hand, absolutely clever incertain things, he disliked mental labour even more than myself, whilehe liked self-restraint of any sort far less. His father was sincerelypious, and regarded his sacred office with too much reverence to thinkof bringing up a "cosset-priest, " though he prayed and hoped that hisson's inclinations, under the guidance of Providence, would take thatdirection. He seldom spoke on the subject himself, but I ascertainedhis wishes through my confidential dialogues with his children. Lucyseemed delighted with the idea, looking forward to the time when herbrother would officiate in the same desk where her father andgrandfather had now conducted the worship of God for more than half acentury; a period of time that, to us young people, seemed to lead usback to the dark ages of the country. And all this the dear girlwished for her brother, in connection with his spiritual rather thanhis temporal interests, inasmuch as the living was worth only abadly-paid salary of one hundred and fifty pounds currency per annum, together with a small but comfortable rectory, and a glebe offive-and-twenty acres of very tolerable land, which it was thought nosin, in that day, for the clergyman to work by means of two maleslaves, whom, with as many females, he had inherited as part of thechattels of his mother. 

I had a dozen slaves also; negroes who, as a race, had been in thefamily almost as long as Clawbonny. About half of these blacks weresingularly laborious and useful, viz. , four males and three of thefemales; but several of the remainder were enjoying _otium_, andnot altogether without _dignitate_, as heir-looms to be fed, clothed and lodged, for the good, or evil, they had done. There weresome small-fry in our kitchens, too, that used to roll about on thegrass, and munch fruit in the summer, _ad libitum;_ and stand soclose in the chimney-corners in cold weather, that I have oftenfancied they must have been, as a legal wit of New York oncepronounced certain eastern coal-mines to be, incombustible. Thesenegroes all went by the patronymic of Clawbonny, there being amongthem Hector Clawbonny, Venus Clawbonny, Caesar Clawbonny, RoseClawbonny--who was as black as a crow--Romeo Clawbonny, and Julietta, commonly called Julee, Clawbonny; who were, with Pharaoh, Potiphar, Sampson and Nebuchadnezzar, all Clawbonnys in the last resort. Neb, asthe namesake of the herbiferous king of Babylon was called, was aboutmy own age, and had been a sort of humble playfellow from infancy; andeven now, when it was thought proper to set him about the more serioustoil which was to mark his humble career, I often interfered to callhim away to be my companion with the rod, the fowling-piece, or in theboat, of which we had one that frequently descended the creek, andnavigated the Hudson for miles at a time, under my command. The lad, by such means, and through an off-hand friendliness of manner that Irather think was characteristic of my habits at that day, got to loveme as a brother or comrade. It is not easy to describe the affectionof an attached slave, which has blended with it the pride of apartisan, the solicitude of a parent, and the blindness of a lover. Ido think Neb had more gratification in believing himself particularlybelonging to Master Miles, than I ever had in any quality or thing Icould call my own. Neb, moreover liked a vagrant life, and greatlyencouraged Rupert and myself in idleness, and a desultory manner ofmisspending hours that could never be recalled. The first time I everplayed truant was under the patronage of Neb, who decoyed me away frommy books to go nutting on the mountain stoutly maintaining thatchestnuts were just as good as the spelling-book, or any primer thatcould be bought in York. 

I have forgotten to mention that the death of my mother, whichoccurred in the autumn, brought about an immediate change in thecondition of our domestic economy. Grace was too young, being onlyfourteen, to preside over such a household, and I could be of littleuse, either in the way of directing or advising. Mr. Hardinge, who hadreceived a letter to that effect from the dying saint, that was onlyput into his hand the day after the funeral, with a view to give herrequest the greater weight, rented the rectory, and came to Clawbonnyto live, bringing with him both his children. My mother knew that hispresence would be of the greatest service to the orphans she leftbehind her; while the money saved from his own household expensesmight enable this single-minded minister of the altar to lay by ahundred or two for Lucy, who, at his demise, might otherwise be leftwithout a penny, as it was then said, cents not having yet come muchinto fashion. 

This removal gave Grace and me much pleasure, for she was as fond ofLucy as I was of Rupert, and, to tell the truth, so was I, too. Fourhappier young people were not to be found in the State than we thusbecame, each and all of us finding in the arrangement exactly theassociation which was most agreeable to our feelings. Previously, weonly saw each other every day; now, we saw each other all day. Atnight we separated at an early hour, it is true, each having his orher room; but it was to meet at a still earlier hour the next morning, and to resume our amusements in company. From study, all of us wererelieved for a month or two, and we wandered through the fields;nutted, gathered fruit, or saw others gather it as well as the crops, taking as much exercise as possible in the open air, equally for thegood of our bodies, and the lightening of our spirits. 

I do not think vanity, or any feeling connected with self-love, misleads me, when I say it would have been difficult to find fouryoung people more likely to attract the attention of a passer-by, thanwe four were, in the fall of 1797. As for Rupert Hardinge, heresembled his mother, and was singularly handsome in face, as well asgraceful in movements. He had a native gentility of air, of which heknew how to make the most, and a readiness of tongue and a flow ofspirits that rendered him an agreeable, if not a very instructivecompanion. I was not ill-looking, myself, though far from possessingthe striking countenance of my young associate. In manliness, strength and activity, however, I had essentially the advantage overhim, few youths of my age surpassing me in masculine qualities of thisnature, after I had passed my twelfth year. My hair was a dark auburn, and it was the only thing about my face, perhaps, that would cause astranger to notice it; but this hung about my temples and down my neckin rich ringlets, until frequent applications of the scissors broughtit into something like subjection. It never lost its beauty entirely, and though now white as snow, it is still admired. But Grace was theone of the party whose personal appearance would be most likely toattract attention. Her face beamed with sensibility and feeling, beingone of those countenances on which nature sometimes delights toimpress the mingled radiance, sweetness, truth and sentiment, that menascribe to angels. Her hair was lighter than mine; her eyes of aheavenly blue, all softness and tenderness; her cheeks just of thetint of the palest of the coloured roses; and her smile so full ofgentleness and feeling, that, again and again, it has controlled myruder and more violent emotions, when they were fast getting themastery. In form, some persons might have thought Grace, in a slightdegree, too fragile, though her limbs would have been delicate modelsfor the study of a sculptor. 

Lucy, too, had certainly great perfection, particularly in figure;though in the crowd of beauty that has been so profusely lavished onthe youthful in this country, she would not have been at all remarkedin a large assembly of young American girls. Her face was pleasingnevertheless; and there was a piquant contrast between the ravenblackness of her hair the deep blue of her eyes, and the dazzlingwhiteness of her skin. Her colour, too, was high, and changeful withher emotions. As for teeth, she had a set that one might havetravelled weeks to meet with their equals; and, though she seemedtotally unconscious of the advantage, she had a natural manner ofshowing them, that would have made a far less interesting facealtogether agreeable. Her voice and laugh, too, when happy and freefrom care, were joyousness itself. 

It would be saying too much, perhaps, to assert that any human beingwas ever totally indifferent to his or her personal appearance. Still, I do not think either of our party, Rupert alone excepted, everthought on the subject, unless as it related to others, down to theperiod Of which I am now writing. I knew, and saw, and felt that mysister was far more beautiful than any of the young girls of her ageand condition that I had seen in her society; and I had pleasure andpride in the fact. I knew that I resembled her in some respects, but Iwas never coxcomb enough to imagine I had half her good-looks, evenallowing for difference of sex. My own conceit, so far as I then hadany--plenty of it came, a year or two later--but my own conceit, in1797, rather ran in the direction of my athletic properties, physicalforce, which was unusually great for sixteen, and stature. As forRupert, I would not have exchanged these manly qualities for twentytimes his good looks, and a thought of envy never crossed my mind onthe subject. I fancied it might be well enough for a parson to be alittle delicate, and a good deal handsome; but for one who intended toknock about the world as I had it already in contemplation to do, strength, health, vigour, courage and activity, were much more to bedesired than beauty. 

Lucy I never thought of as handsome at all. I saw she was pleasing;fancied she was even more so to me than to any one else; and I neverlooked upon her sunny, cheerful and yet perfectly feminine face, without a feeling of security and happiness. As for her honest eyes, they invariably met my own with an open frankness that said, asplainly as eyes could say anything, there was nothing to be concealed. 

CHAPTER II. 

 "Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus; Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits;-- I rather would entreat thy company To see the wonders of the world abroad. " _Two Gentlemen of--Clawbonny. _

During the year that succeeded after I was prepared for Yale, Mr. Hardinge had pursued a very judicious course with myeducation. Instead of pushing me into books that were to be read inthe regular course of that institution, with the idea of lightening myfuture labours, which would only have been providing excuses forfuture idleness, we went back to the elementary works, until even hewas satisfied that nothing more remained to be done in thatdirection. I had my two grammars literally by heart, notes and all. Then we revised as thoroughly as possible, reading everything anew, and leaving no passage unexplained. I learned to scan, too, a factthat was sufficient to make a reputation for a scholar, in America, half a century since. [*] After this, we turned our attention tomathematics, a science Mr. Hardinge rightly enough thought there wasno danger of my acquiring too thoroughly. We mastered arithmetic, ofwhich I had a good deal of previous knowledge, in a few weeks, andthen I went through trigonometry, with some of the more usefulproblems in geometry. This was the point at which I had arrived whenmy mother's death occurred. 

[Footnote *: The writer's master taught him to scan Virgil in1801. This gentleman was a graduate of Oxford. In 1803, the class towhich the writer then belonged in Yale, was the first that everattempted to scan in that institution. The quantities were in saddiscredit in this country, years after this, though Columbia andHarvard were a little in advance of Yale. All that was ever done inthe last college, during the writer's time, was to scan the ordinaryhexameter of Homer and Virgil. ]

As for myself, I frankly admit a strong disinclination to belearned. The law I might be forced to study, but practising it was athing my mind had long been made up never to do. There was a smallvein of obstinacy in my disposition that would have been very likelyto carry me through in such a determination, even had my mother lived, though deference to her wishes would certainly have carried me as faras the license. Even now she was no more, I was anxious to ascertainwhether she had left any directions or requests on the subject, eitherof which would have been laws to me. I talked with Rupert on thismatter, and was a little shocked with the levity with which he treatedit. "What difference can it make to your parents, _now_, " hesaid, with an emphasis that grated on my nerves, "whether you become alawyer, or a merchant, or a doctor, or stay here on your farm, and bea farmer, like your father?"

"My father had been a sailor, " I answered, quick as lightning. 

"True; and a noble, manly, gentleman-like calling it is! I never seea sailor that I do not envy him his advantages. Why, Miles, neitherof us has ever been in town even, while your mother's boatmen, or yourown, as they are now, go there regularly once a-week. I would give theworld to be a sailor. "

"You, Rupert! Why, you know that your father in tends, or, rather, wishes that you should become a clergyman. "

"A pretty appearance a young man of my figure would make in thepulpit, Miles, or wearing a surplice. No, no; there have been twoHardinges in the church in this century, and I have a fancy also tothe sea. I suppose you know that my great-grandfather was a captain inthe navy, and _he_ brought _his_ son up a parson; now, turnabout is fair play, and the parson ought to give a son back to aman-of-war. I've been reading the lives of naval men, and it'ssurprising how many clergymen's sons, in England, go into the navy, and how many sailors' sons get to be priests. "

"But there is no navy in this country now--not even a singleship-of-war, I believe. "

"That is the worst of it. Congress _did_ pass a law, two or threeyears since, to build some frigates, but they have never beenlaunched. Now Washington has gone out of office, I suppose we shallnever have anything good in the country. "

I revered the name of Washington, in common with the whole country, but I did not see the _sequitur_. Rupert, however, cared littlefor logical inferences, usually asserting such things as he wished, and wishing such as he asserted. After a short pause, he continued thediscourse. 

"You are now substantially your own master, " he said, "and can do asyou please. Should you go to sea and not like it, you have only tocome back to this place, where you will be just as much the master asif you had remained here superintending cattle, cutting hay, andfattening pork, the whole time. "

"I am not my own master, Rupert, any more than you are yourself. I amyour father's ward, and must so remain for more than five years tocome. I am just as much under his control as you, yourself. "

Rupert laughed at this, and tried to persuade me it would be a goodthing to relieve his worthy fether of all responsibility in theaffair, if I had seriously determined never to go to Yale, or to be alawyer, by going off to sea clandestinely, and returning when I wasready. If I ever was to make a sailor, no time was to be lost; for allwith whom he had conversed assured him the period of life when suchthings were best learned, was between sixteen and twenty. This Ithought probable enough, and I parted from my friend with a promise ofconversing further with him on the subject at an early opportunity. 

I am almost ashamed to confess that Rupert's artful sophism nearlyblinded my eyes to the true distinction between right and wrong. IfMr. Hardinge really felt himself bound by my father's wishes toeducate me for the bar, and my own repugnance to the profession wasunconquerable, why should I not relieve him from the responsibility atonce by assuming the right to judge for myself, and act accordingly?So far as Mr. Hardinge was concerned, I had little difficulty incoming to a conclusion, though the profound deference I still felt formy father's wishes, and more especially for those of my saintedmother, had a hold on my heart, and an influence on my conduct, thatwas not so easily disposed of. I determined to have a frankconversation with Mr. Hardinge, therefore, in order to ascertain howfar either of my parents had expressed anything that might beconsidered obligatory on me. My plan went as far as to reveal my owndesire to be a sailor, and to see the world, but not to let it beknown that I might go off without his knowledge, as this would not beso absolutely relieving the excellent divine "from all responsibilityin the premises, " as was contemplated in the scheme of his own son. 

An opportunity soon occurred, when I broached the subject by askingMr. Hardinge whether my father, in his will, had ordered that I shouldbe sent to Yale, and there be educated for the bar. He had donenothing of the sort. Had he left any particular request, writing, ormessage on the subject, at all? Not that Mr. Hardinge knew. It istrue, the last had heard his friend, once or twice, make some generalremark which would lead one to suppose that Captain Wallingford hadsome vague expectations I might go to the bar, but nothing further. Mymind felt vastly relieved by these admissions, for I knew my mother'stenderness too well to anticipate that she would dream of absolutelydictating in a matter that was so clearly connected with my ownhappiness and tastes. When questioned on this last point, Mr. Hardingedid not hesitate to say that my mother had conversed with him severaltimes concerning her views, as related to my career in life. Shewished me to go to Yale, and then to read law, even though I did notpractise. As soon as this, much was said, the conscientious servantof God paused, to note the effect on me. Reading disappointment in mycountenance, I presume, he immediately added, "But your mother, Miles, laid no restraint on you; for she knew it was _you_ who was tofollow the career, and not herself. 'I should as soon think ofcommanding whom he was to marry, as to think of forcing, a professionon him, ' she added. 'He is the one who is to decide this, and he only. We may try to guide and influence him, but not go beyond this. I leaveyou, dear sir, to do all you think best in this matter, certain thatyour own wisdom will be aided by the providence of a kind Master. '"

I now plainly told Mr. Hardinge my desire to see the world, and to bea sailor. The divine was astounded at this declaration, and I saw thathe was grieved. I believe some religious objections were connectedwith his reluctance to consent to my following the sea, as acalling. At any rate, it was easy to discover that these objectionswere lasting and profound. In that day, few Americans travelled, byway of an accomplishment, at all; and those few belonged to a class insociety so much superior to mine, as to render it absurd to think ofsending, me abroad with similar views. Nor would my fortune justifysuch an expenditure. I was well enough off to be a comfortable andfree housekeeper, and as independent as a king on my own farm; livingin abundance, nay, in superfluity, so far as all the ordinary wantswere concerned; but men hesitated a little about setting up forgentlemen at large, in the year 1797. The country was fast gettingrich, it is true, under the advantages of its neutral position; but ithad not yet been long enough emancipated from its embarrassments tothink of playing the nabob on eight hundred pounds currencya-year. The interview terminated with a strong exhortation from myguardian not to think of abandoning my books for any project asvisionary and useless as the hope of seeing the world in the characterof a common sailor. 

I related all this to Rupert, who, I now perceived for the first time, did not hesitate to laugh at some of his father's notions, aspuritanical and exaggerated. He maintained that every one was the bestjudge of what he liked, and that the sea had produced quite as fair aproportion of saints as the land. He was not certain, considering thegreat difference there was in numbers, that more good men might not betraced in connection with the ocean, than in connection with any otherpursuit. 

"Take the lawyers now, for instance, Miles, " he said, "and what canyou make out of them, in the way of religion, I should like to know?They hire their consciences out at so much _per diem_, and talkand reason just as zealously for the wrong, as they do for the right. "

"By George, that is true enough, Rupert. There is old David Dockett, Iremember to have heard Mr. Hardinge say always did double duty for hisfee, usually acting as witness, as well as advocate. They tell me hewill talk by the hour of facts that he and his clients get up betweenthem, and look the whole time as if he believed all he said to betrue. "

Rupert laughed at this sally, and pushed the advantage it gave him bygiving several other examples to prove how much his father wasmistaken by supposing that a man was to save his soul from perditionsimply by getting admitted to the bar. After discussing the matter alittle longer, to my astonishment Rupert came out with a plainproposal that he and I should elope, go to New York, and ship asforemastlads in some Indiaman, of which there were then many sailing, at the proper season, from that port. I did not dislike the idea, sofar as I was myself concerned; but the thought of accompanying Rupertin such an adventure, startled me. I knew I was sufficiently secure ofthe future to be able to risk a little at the present moment; but suchwas not the case with my friend. If I made a false step at so early anage, I had only to return to Clawbonny, where I was certain to findcompetence and a home; but, with Rupert, it was very different. Of themoral hazards I ran, I then knew nothing, and of course they gave meno concern. Like all inexperienced persons, I supposed myself toostrong in virtue to be in any danger of contamination; and thisportion of the adventure was regarded with the self-complacency withwhich the untried are apt to regard their own powers of endurance. Ithought myself morally invulnerable. 

But Rupert might find it difficult to retrace any serious error madeat his time of life. This consideration would have put an end to thescheme, so far as my companion was concerned, had not the thoughtsuggested itself that I should always have it in my own power to aidmy friend. Letting something of this sort escape me, Rupert was notslow in enlarging on it, though this was done with great tact anddiscretion. He proved that, by the time we both came of age, he wouldbe qualified to command a ship, and that, doubtless, I would naturallydesire to invest some of my spare cash in a vessel. The accumulationsof my estate alone would do this much, within the next five years, andthen a career of wealth and prosperity would lie open before us both. 

"It is a good thing, Miles, no doubt, " continued this temptingsophist, "to have money at use, and a large farm, and a mill, and suchthings; but many a ship nets more money, in a single voyage, than yourwhole estate would sell for. Those that begin with nothing, too, theytell me, are the most apt to succeed; and, if we go off with ourclothes only, we shall begin with nothing, too. Success may be said tobe certain. I like the notion of beginning with nothing, it is soAmerican!"

It is, in truth, rather a besetting weakness of America to supposethat men who have never had any means for qualifying themselves forparticular pursuits, are the most likely to succeed in them; andespecially to fancy that those who "begin poor" are in a much betterway for acquiring wealth than they who commence with some means; and Iwas disposed to lean to this latter doctrine myself, though I confessI cannot recall an instance in which any person of my acquaintance hasgiven away his capital, however large and embarrassing it may havebeen, in order to start fair with his poorer competitors. Nevertheless, there was something taking, to my imagination, in thenotion of being the fabricator of my own fortune. In that day, it waseasy to enumerate every dwelling on the banks of the Hudson thataspired to be called a seat, and I had often heard them named by thosewho were familiar with the river. I liked the thought of erecting ahouse on the Clawbonny property that might aspire to equal claims, andto be the owner of a _seat_; though only after I had acquired themeans, myself, to carry out such a project. At present, I owned only a_house_; my ambition was, to own a _seat_. 

In a word, Rupert and I canvassed this matter in every possible wayfor a month, now leaning to one scheme, and now to another, until Idetermined to lay the whole affair before the two girls, under asolemn pledge of secrecy. As we passed hours in company daily, opportunities were not wanting to effect this purpose. I thought myfriend was a little shy on this project; but I had so much affectionfor Grace, and so much confidence in Lucy's sound judgment, that I wasnot to be turned aside from the completion of my purpose. It is nowmore than forty years since the interview took place in which thisconfidence was bestowed; but every minute occurrence connected with itis as fresh in my mind as if the whole had taken place only yesterday. 

We were all four of us seated on a rude bench that my mother hadcaused to be placed under the shade of an enormous oak that stood onthe most picturesque spot, perhaps, on the whole farm, and whichcommanded a distant view of one of the loveliest reaches of theHudson. Our side of the river, in general, does not possess as fineviews as the eastern, for the reason that all our own broken, and insome instances magnificent back-ground of mountains, fills up thelandscape for our neighbours, while we are obliged to receive thepicture as it is set in a humbler frame; but there are exquisite bitsto be found on the western bank, and this was one of the very best ofthem. The water was as placid as molten silver, and the sails of everyvessel in sight were hanging in listless idleness from their severalspars, representing commerce asleep. Grace had a deep feeling fornatural scenery, and she had a better mode of expressing her thoughts, on such occasions, than is usual with girls of fourteen. She firstdrew our attention to the view by one of her strong, eloquent burstsof eulogium; and Lucy met the remark with a truthful, simple answer, that showed abundant sympathy with the sentiment, though with less ofexaggeration of manner and feeling, perhaps. I seized the moment asfavourable for my purpose, and spoke out. 

"If you admire a vessel so much, Grace, " I said, "you will probably beglad to hear that I think of becoming a sailor. "

A silence of near two minutes succeeded, during which time I affectedto be gazing at the distant sloops, and then I ventured to steal aglance at my companions. I found Grace's mild eyes earnestly rivetedon my face; and, turning from their anxious expression with a littleuneasiness, I encountered those of Lucy looking at me as intently asif she doubted whether her ears had not deceived her. 

"A sailor, Miles!"--my sister now slowly repeated--"I thought itsettled you were to study law. "

"As far from that as we are from England; I've fully made up my mindto see the world if I can, and Rupert, here--"

"What of Rupert, here?" Grace asked, a sudden change again coming overher sweet countenance, though I was altogether too inexperienced tounderstand its meaning. "_He_ is certainly to be a clergyman--hisdear father's assistant, and, a long, long, _very_ long timehence, his successor!"

I could see that Rupert was whistling on a low key, and affecting tolook cool; but my sister's solemn, earnest, astonished manner had moreeffect on us both, I believe, than either would have been willing toown. 

"Come, girls, " I said at length, putting the best face on the matter, "there is no use in keeping secrets from _you_--but remember thatwhat I am about to tell you _is_ a secret, and on no account isto be betrayed. "

"To no one but Mr. Hardinge, " answered Grace. "If you intend to be asailor, he ought to know it. "

"That comes from looking at our duties superficially, " I had caughtthis phrase from my friend, "and not distinguishing properly betweentheir shadows and their substance. "

"Duties superficially! I do not understand you, Miles. CertainlyMr. Hardinge ought to be told what profession you mean tofollow. Remember, brother, he now fills the place of a parent to you. "

"He is not more _my_ parent than Rupert's--I fancy you will admitthat much!"

"Rupert, again! What has Rupert to do with your going to sea?"

"Promise me, then, to keep my secret, and you shall know all; both youand Lucy must give me your words. I know you will not break them, when once given. "

"Promise him, Grace, " said Lucy, in a low tone, and a voice that, evenat that age, I could perceive was tremulous. "If we promise, we shalllearn everything, and then may have some effect on these headstrongboys by our advice. "

"Boys! _You_ cannot mean, Lucy, that Rupert is not to be aclergyman--your father's assistant; that Rupert means to be a sailor, too?"

"One never knows what boys will do. Let us promise them, dear; then wecan better judge. "

"I do" promise you, Miles, "said my sister, in a voice so solemn asalmost to frighten me. 

"And I, Miles, " added Lucy; but it was so low, I had to lean forwardto catch the syllables. 

"This is honest and right, "--it was honest, perhaps, but verywrong, --"and it convinces me that you are both reasonable, and will beof use to us. Rupert and I have both made up our minds, and intend tobe sailors. "

Exclamations followed from both girls, and another long silencesucceeded. 

"As for the law, hang all law!" I continued, hemming, and determinedto speak like a man. "I never heard of a Wallingford who was alawyer. "

"But you have _both_ heard of Hardinges who were clergymen, " saidGrace, endeavouring to smile, though the expression of her countenancewas so painful that even now I dislike to recall it. 

"And sailors, too, " put in Rupert, a little more stoutly than Ithought possible. "My father's grandfather was an officer in thenavy. "

"And _my_ father was a sailor himself--in the navy, too. "

"But there is no navy in this country now, Miles, " returned Lucy, inan expostulating tone. 

"What of that? There are plenty of ships. The ocean is just as big, and the world just as wide, as if we had a navy to cover the first. Isee no great objection on that account--do you, Ru?"

"Certainly not. What we want is to go to sea, and that can be done inan Indiaman, as well as in a man-of-war. "

"Yes, " said I, stretching myself with a little importance. "I fancyan Indiaman, a vessel that goes all the way to Calcutta, round theCape of Good Hope, in the track of Vasquez de Gama, isn't exactly anAlbany sloop. "

"Who is Vasquez de Gama?" demanded Lucy, with so much quickness as tosurprise me. 

"Why, a _noble_ Portuguese, who discovered the Cape of Good Hope, and first sailed round it, and then went to the Indies. You see, girls, even _nobles_ are sailors, and why should not Rupert and Ibe sailors?"

"It is not that, Miles, " my sister answered; "every honest calling isrespectable. Have you and Rupert spoken to Mr. Hardinge on thissubject?"

"Not exactly--not spoken--hinted only--that is, blindly--not so as tobe understood, perhaps. "

"He will _never_ consent, boys!" and this was uttered withsomething very like an air of triumph. 

"We have no intention of asking it of him, Grace. Rupert and I intendto be off next week, without saying a word to Mr. Hardinge on thesubject. "

Another long, eloquent silence succeeded, during which I saw Lucy buryher face in her apron, while the tears openly ran down my sister'scheek. 

"You _do_ not--_cannot_ mean to do anything so cruel, Miles!" Grace at length said. 

"It is exactly because it will not be cruel, that we intend to doit, "--here I nudged Rupert with my elbow, as a hint that I wantedassistance; but he made no other reply than an answering nudge, whichI interpreted into as much as if he had said in terms, "You've gotinto the scrape in your own way, and you may get out of it in the samemanner. " "Yes, " I continued, finding succour hopeless, "yes, _that's_ just it. "

"What is just it, Miles? You speak in a way to show that you are notsatisfied with yourself--neither you nor Rupert is satisfied withhimself, if the truth were known. "

"I not satisfied with _myself!_ Rupert not satisfied with_himself!_ You never were more mistaken in your life, Grace. Ifthere ever were two boys in New York State that _were_ wellsatisfied with themselves, they are just Rupert and I. "

Here Lucy raised her face from the apron and burst into a laugh, thetears filling her eyes all the while. 

"Believe them, dear Grace, " she said. "They are precisely twoself-satisfied, silly fellows, that have got some ridiculous notionsin their heads, and then begin to talk about 'superficial views ofduties, ' and all such nonsense. My father will set it all right, andthe boys will have had their talk. "

"Not so last, Miss Lucy, if you please. Your father will not know asyllable of the matter until you tell him all about it, after we aregone. We intend 'to relieve him from all responsibility in thepremises. '"

This last sounded very profound, and a little magnificent, to myimagination; and I looked at the girls to note the effect. Grace wasweeping, and weeping only; but Lucy looked saucy and mocking, evenwhile the tears bedewed her smiling face, as rain sometimes fallswhile the sun is shining. 

"Yes, " I repeated, with emphasis, "'of all responsibility in thepremises. ' I hope that is plain English, and good English, although Iknow that Mr. Hardinge has been trying to make you both so simple inyour language, that you turn up your noses at a profound sentiment, whenever you hear one. "

In 1797, the grandiose had by no means made the deep invasion into theeveryday language of the country, that it has since done. Anything ofthe sublime, or of the recondite, school was a good deal more apt toprovoke a smile, than it is to-day--the improvement proceeding, as Ihave understood through better judges than myself, from the greatmelioration of mind and manners that is to be traced to the speechesin congress, and to the profundities of the newspapers. Rupert, however, frequently ornamented his ideas, and I may truly sayeverything ambitious that adorned my discourse was derived from hisexample. I almost thought Lucy impertinent for presuming to laugh atsentiments which came from such a source, and, by way of settling myown correctness of thought and terms, I made no bones of falling backon my great authority, by fairly pointing him out. 

"I thought so!" exclaimed Lucy, now laughing with all her heart, though a little hysterically; "I thought so, for this is just likeRupert, who is always talking to me about 'assuming theresponsibility, ' and 'conclusions in the premises, ' and all suchnonsense. Leave the boys to my father, Grace, and he will 'assume theresponsibility' of 'concluding the premises, ' and the whole of thefoolish scheme along with it!"

This would have provoked me, had not Grace manifested so much sisterlyinterest in my welfare that I was soon persuaded to tell_her_--that minx Lucy overhearing every syllable, though I hadhalf a mind to tell her to go away--all about our project. 

"You see, " I continued, "if Mr. Hardinge knows anything about ourplan, people will say he ought to have stopped us. 'He a clergyman, and not able to keep two lads of sixteen or seventeen from runningaway and going to sea!' they will say, as if it were so easy toprevent two spirited youths from seeing the world. Whereas, if he knewnothing about it, nobody can blame him. That is what I call 'relievinghim from the responsibility. ' Now, we intend to be off next week, oras soon as the jackets and trowsers that are making for us, under thepretence of being boat-dresses, are finished. We mean to go down theriver in the sail-boat, taking Neb with us to bring the boat back. Nowyou know the whole story, there will be no occasion to leave a letterfor Mr. Hardinge; for, three hours after we have sailed, you can tellhim everything. We shall be gone a year; at the end of that time youmay look for us both, and glad enough shall we all be to see eachother. Rupert and I will be young men then, though you call us boysnow. "

This last picture a good deal consoled the girls. Rupert, too, who hadunaccountably kept back, throwing the labouring-oar altogether on me, came to the rescue, and, with his subtle manner and oily tongue, beganto make the wrong appear the right. I do not think he blinded his ownsister in the least, but I fear he had too much influence over mine. Lucy, though all heart, was as much matter-of-fact as her brother wasa sophist. He was ingenious in glozing over truths; she, nearlyunerring in detecting them. I never knew a greater contrast betweentwo human beings, than there was between these two children of thesame parents, in this particular. I have heard that the son took afterthe mother, in this respect, and that the daughter took after thefather; though Mrs. Hardinge died too early to have had any moralinfluence on the character of her children. 

We came again and again to the discussion of our subject during thenext two or three days. The girls endeavoured earnestly to persuade usto ask Mr. Hardinge's permission for the step we were about toundertake; but all in vain. We lads were so thoroughly determined to"relieve the divine from all responsibility in the premises, " thatthey might as well have talked to stones. We knew these just-minded, sincere, upright girls would not betray us, and continued obdurate tothe last. As we expected, as soon as convinced their importunitieswere useless, they seriously set about doing all they could to renderus comfortable. They made us duck bags to hold our clothes, two each, and mended our linen, stockings, &c. , and even helped to procure ussome clothes more suited to the contemplated expedition than most ofthose we already possessed. Our "long togs, " indeed, we determined toleave behind us, retaining just one suit each, and that of theplainest quality. In the course of a week everything was ready, ourbags well lined, being concealed in the storehouse at the landing. Ofthis building I could at any moment procure the key, my authority asheir-apparent being very considerable, already, on the farm. 

As for Neb, he was directed to have the boat all ready for thesucceeding Tuesday evening, it being the plan to sail the day afterthe Wallingford of Clawbonny (this was the name of the sloop) had goneon one of her regular trips, in order to escape a pursuit. I had madeall the calculations about the tide, and knew that the Wallingfordwould go out about nine in the morning, leaving us to follow beforemidnight. It was necessary to depart at night and when the wharf wasclear, in order to avoid observation. 

Tuesday was an uneasy, nervous and sad day for us all, Mr. Hardingeexcepted. As the last had not the smallest distrust, he continuedcalm, quiet, and cheerful as was his wont. Rupert had aconscience-stricken and furtive air about him, while the eyes of thetwo dear, girls were scarcely a moment without tears. Grace seemed nowthe most composed of the two, and I have since suspected that she hadhad a private conversation with my ingenious friend, whose convincingpowers were of a very extraordinary quality, when he set about theiruse in downright earnest. As for Lucy, she seemed to me to have beenweeping the entire day. 

At nine o'clock it was customary for the whole family to separate, after prayers. Most of us went to bed at that early hour, thoughMr. Hardinge himself seldom sought his pillow until midnight. Thishabit compelled us to use a good deal of caution in getting out of thehouse, in which Rupert and myself succeeded, however, withoutdiscovery, just as the clock struck eleven. We had taken leave of thegirls in a hasty manner, in a passage, shaking hands, and each of uskissing his own sister, as he affected to retire for the night. Toown the truth, we were much gratified in finding how reasonably Graceand Lucy behaved, on the occasion, and not a little surprised, for wehad expected a scene, particularly with the former. 

We walked away from the house with heavy hearts, few leaving thepaternal roof for the first time, to enter upon the chances of theworld, without a deep sense of the dependence in which they hadhitherto lived. We walked fast and silently, and reached the wharf inless than half an hour, a distance of near two miles. I was just onthe point of speaking to Neb, whose figure I could see in the boat, when I caught a glimpse of two female forms within six feet ofme. There were Grace and Lucy, in tears, both waiting our arrival, with a view to see us depart! I confess I was shocked and concerned atseeing these two delicate girls so far from their home, at such anhour; and my first impulse was to see them both safely back before Iwould enter the boat; but to this neither would consent. All myentreaties were thrown away, and I was obliged to submit. 

I know not exactly how it happened, but of the fact I am certain; oddas it may seem, at a moment like that, when about to separate, insteadof each youth's getting his own sister aside to make his lastspeeches, and say his last say to, each of us got his friend's sisteraside. I do not mean that we were making love, or anything of thesort; we were a little too young, perhaps, for that; but we obeyed animpulse which, as Rupert would have said, "produced that result. "

What passed between Grace and her companion, I do not know. As forLucy and myself, it was all plain-sailing and fair dealing. Theexcellent creature forced on me six gold pieces, which I knew had cometo her as an heirloom from her mother, and which I had often heard herdeclare she never meant to use, unless in the last extremity. She knewI had but five dollars on earth, and that Rupert had not one; and sheoffered me this gold. I told her Rupert had better take it; no, _I_ had better take it. I should use it more prudently thanRupert, and would use it for the good of both. "Besides, you arerich, " she said, smiling through her tears, "and can repay me--I_lend_ them to you; to Rupert I should have to _give_ them. "I could not refuse the generous girl, and took the money, allhalf-joes, with a determination to repay them with interest. Then Ifolded her to my heart, and kissed her six or eight times withfervour, the first time I had done such a thing in two years, and toremyself away. I do not think Rupert embraced Grace, but I confess I donot know, although we were standing within three or four yards of eachother, the whole time. 

"Write, Miles--write, Rupert, " said the sobbing girls leaning forwardfrom the wharf, as we shoved off. It was not so dark but we could seetheir dear forms for several minutes, or until a bend in the creek puta dark mass of earth between us and them. 

Such was the manner of my departure from Clawbonny, in the month ofSeptember, 1797. I wanted a few days of being seventeen; Rupert wassix months older, and Neb was his senior, again, by near atwelvemonth. Everything was in the boat but our hearts. Mine, I cantruly say, remained with the two beloved creatures we left on thewharf; while Rupert's was betwixt and between, I fancy--seldomabsolutely deserting the dear tenement in which it was encased bynature. 

CHAPTER III. 

 "There's a youth in this city, it were a great pity That he from our lasses should wander awa'; For he's bonny and braw, weel-favoured witha', And his hair has a natural buckle and a'. His coat is the hue of his bonnet so blue; His pocket is white as the new-driven snaw; His hose they are blue, and his shoon like the slae, And his clean siller buckles they dazzle us a'. " BURNS. 

We had selected our time well, as respects the hour of departure. Itwas young ebb, and the boat floated swiftly down the creek, though thehigh banks of the latter would have prevented our feeling any wind, even if there were a breeze on the river. Our boat was of some size, sloop-rigged and half-decked; but Neb's vigorous arms made her movethrough the water with some rapidity, and, to own the truth, the ladsprang to his work like a true runaway negro. I was a skilful oarsmanmyself, having received many lessons from my father in early boyhood, and being in almost daily practice for seven mouths in the year. Theexcitement of the adventure, its romance, or what for a short timeseemed to me to be romance, and the secret apprehension of beingdetected, which I believe accompanies every clandestine undertaking, soon set me in motion also. I took one of the oars, and, in less thantwenty minutes, the Grace & Lucy, for so the boat was called, emergedfrom between two, high, steep banks, and entered on the broader bosomof the Hudson. 

Neb gave a half-suppressed, negro-like cry of exultation, as we shotout from our cover, and ascertained that there was a pleasant and fairbreeze blowing. In three minutes we had the jib and mainsail on theboat, the helm was up, the sheet was eased off, and we were glidingdown-stream at the rate of something like five miles an hour. I tookthe helm, almost as a matter of course; Rupert being much too indolentto do anything unnecessarily, while Neb was far too humble to aspireto such an office while Master Miles was there, willing and ready. Inthat day, indeed, it was so much a matter of course for the skipper ofa Hudson river craft to steer, that most of the people who lived onthe banks of the stream imagined that Sir John Jervis, Lord Anson, andthe other great English admirals of whom they had read and heard, usually amused themselves with that employment, out on the ocean. Iremember the hearty laugh in which my unfortunate father indulged, when Mr. Hardinge once asked him how he could manage to get any sleep, on account of this very duty. But we were very green, up at Clawbonny, in most things that related to the world. 

The hour that succeeded was one of the most painful I ever passed inmy life. I recalled my father, his manly frankness, his liberalbequests in my favour, and his precepts of respect and obedience; allof which, it now seemed to me, I had openly dishonoured. Then came theimage of my mother, with her love and sufferings, her prayers, and hermild but earnest exhortations to be good. I thought I could see boththese parents regarding me with sorrowful, though not with reproachfulcountenances. They appeared to be soliciting my return, with a speciesof silent, but not the less eloquent, warnings of the consequences. Grace and Lucy, and their sobs, and admonitions, and entreaties toabandon my scheme, and to write, and not to remain away long, and allthat tender interest had induced two warm-hearted girls to utter atour parting, came fresh and vividly to my mind. The recollectionproved nearly too much for me. Nor did I forget Mr. Hardinge, and thedistress he would certainly feel, when he discovered that he had notonly lost his ward, but his only son. Then Clawbonny itself, thehouse, the orchards, the meadows, the garden, the mill, and all thatbelonged to the farm, began to have a double value in my eyes, and toserve as so many cords attached to my heart-strings, and to remind methat the rover

"Drags at each remove a lengthening chain. '"

I marvelled at Rupert's tranquility. I did not then understand hischaracter as thoroughly as I subsequently got to know it. All that hemost prized was with him in the boat, in fact, and this lessened hisgrief at parting from less beloved objects. Where Rupert was, therewas his paradise. As for Neb, I do believe his head was over hisshoulder, for he affected to sit with his face down-stream, so long asthe hills that lay in the rear of Clawbonny could be at alldistinguished. This must have proceeded from tradition, or instinct, or some latent negro quality; for I do not think the fellow fancied_he_ was running away. He knew that his two young masters were;but he was fully aware he was my property, and no doubt thought, aslong as he staid in my company, he was in the line of his legitimateduty. Then it was _my_ plan that he should return with the boat, and perhaps these backward glances were no more than the shadows ofcoming events, cast, in his case, _behind_. 

Rupert was indisposed to converse, for, to tell the truth, he hadeaten a hearty supper, and began to feel drowsy; and I was too muchwrapped up in my own busy thoughts to solicit any communications. Ifound a sort of saddened pleasure in setting a watch for the night, therefore, which had an air of seaman-like duty about it, that in aslight degree revived my old taste for the profession. It wasmidnight, and I took the first watch myself, bidding my two companionsto crawl under the half-deck, and go to sleep. This they both didwithout any parley, Rupert occupying an inner place, while Neb laywith his legs exposed to the night air. 

The breeze freshened, and for some time I thought it might benecessary to reef, though we were running dead before the wind. Isucceeded in holding on, however, and I found the Grace & Lucy wasdoing wonders in my watch. When I gave Rupert his call at fouro'clock, the boat was just approaching two frowning mountains, wherethe river was narrowed to a third or fourth of its former width; and, by the appearance of the shores, and the dim glimpses I had caught ofa village of no great size on the right bank, I knew we were in whatis called Newburgh Bay. This was the extent of our former journeyingssouth, all three of us having once before, and only once, been as lowas Fishkill Landing, which lies opposite to the place that gives thispart of the river its name. 

Rupert now took the helm, and I went to sleep. The wind stillcontinued fresh and fair, and I felt no uneasiness on account of theboat. It is true, there were two parts of the navigation before us ofwhich I had thought a little seriously, but not sufficiently so tokeep me awake. These were the Race, a passage in the Highlands, andTappan Sea; both points on the Hudson of which the navigators of thatclassical stream were fond of relating the marvels. The first I knewwas formidable only later in the autumn, and, as for the last, I hopedto enjoy some of its wonders in the morning. In this very justifiableexpectation, I fell asleep. 

Neb did not call me until ten o'clock. I afterwards discovered thatRupert kept the helm for only an hour, and then, calculating that fromfive until nine were four hours, he thought it a pity the negro shouldnot have his share of the glory of that night. When I was awakened, itwas merely to let me know that it was time to eat something--Nebwould have starved before he would precede his young master in thatnecessary occupation--and I found Rupert in a deep and pleasant sleepat my side. 

We were in the centre of Tappan, and the Highlands had been passed insafety. Neb expatiated a little on the difficulties of the navigation, the river having many windings, besides being bounded by highmountains; but, after all, he admitted that there was water enough, wind enough, and a road that was plain enough. From this moment, excitement kept us wide awake. Everything was new, and everythingseemed delightful. The day was pleasant, the wind continued fair, andnothing occurred to mar our joy. I had a little map, one neitherparticularly accurate, nor very well engraved; and I remember theimportance with which, after having ascertained the fact myself, Ipointed out to my two companions the rocky precipices on the westernbank, as New Jersey! Even-Rupert was struck with this importantcircumstance. As for Neb, he was actually in ecstasies, rolling hislarge black eyes, and showing his white teeth, until he suddenlyclosed his truly coral and plump lips, to demand what New Jerseymeant? Of course I gratified this laudable desire to obtain knowledge, and Neb seemed still more pleased than ever, now he had ascertainedthat New Jersey was a State. Travelling was not as much of anevery-day occupation, at that time, as it is now; and it was, intruth, something for three American lads, all under nineteen, to beable to say that they had seen a State, other than their own. 

Notwithstanding the rapid progress we had made for the first few hoursof our undertaking, the voyage was far from being ended. About noonthe wind came out light from the southward, and, having a flood-tide, we were compelled to anchor. This made us all uneasy, for, while wewere stationary, we did not seem to be running away. The ebb cameagain, at length, however, and then we made sail, and began to turndown with the tide. It was near sunset before we got a view of the twoor three spires that then piloted strangers to the town. New York wasnot the "commercial emporium" in 1796; so high-sounding a title, indeed, scarce belonging to the simple English of the period, itrequiring a very great collection of half-educated men to venture onso ambitious an appellation--the only emporium that existed inAmerica, during the last century, being a slop-shop in Water street, and on the island of Manhattan. _Commercial_ emporium was aflight of fancy, indeed, that must have required a whole board ofaldermen, and an extra supply of turtle, to sanction. What is meant bya _literary_ emporium, I leave those editors who are "native andto the _manor_ born, " to explain. 

We first saw the State Prison, which was then new, and a most imposingedifice, according to our notions, as we drew near the town. Like thegallows first seen by a traveller in entering a strange country, itwas a pledge of civilization. Neb shook his head, as he gazed at it, with a moralizing air, and said it had a "wicked look. " For myself, Iown I did not regard it altogether without dread. On Rupert it madeless impression than on any of the three. He was always somewhatobtuse on the subject of morals. [*]

[Footnote *: It may be well to tell the European who shall happen toread this book, that in America a "State's Prison" is not forprisoners of State, but for common rogues: the term coming from thename borne by the local governments. ]

New York, in that day, and on the Hudson side of the town, commenced ashort distance above Duane street. Between Greenwich, as the littlehamlet around the State Prison was called, and the town proper, was aninterval of a mile and a half of open fields, dotted here and therewith country-houses. Much of this space was in broken hills, and a fewpiles of lumber lay along the shores. St. John's church had noexistence, and most of the ground in its vicinity was in low swamp. Aswe glided along the wharves, we caught sight of the first market I hadthen ever seen--such proofs of an advanced civilization not having yetmade their way into the villages of the interior. It was called "TheBear, " from the circumstance that the first meat ever exposed for salein it was of that animal; but the appellation has disappeared beforethe intellectual refinement of these later times--the name of thesoldier and statesman, Washington, having fairly supplanted that ofthe bear! Whether this great moral improvement was brought about bythe Philosophical Society, or the Historical Society, or "TheMerchants, " or the Aldermen of New York, I have never ascertained. Ifthe latter, one cannot but admire their disinterested modesty inconferring this notable honour on the Father of his country, inasmuchas all can see that there never has been a period when their own boardhas not possessed distinguished members, every way qualified to act asgod-fathers to the most illustrious markets of the republic. ButManhattan, in the way of taste, has never had justice done it. Soprofound is its admiration for all the higher qualities, that Franklinand Fulton have each a market to himself, in addition to this bestowedon Washington. Doubtless there would have been Newton Market, andSocrates Market, and Solomon Market, but for the patriotism of thetown, which has forbidden it from going out of the hemisphere, inquest of names to illustrate. Bacon Market would doubtless have beentoo equivocal to be tolerated, under any circumstances. Then Bacon wasa rogue, though a philosopher, and markets are always appropriated tohonest people. At all events, I am rejoiced the reproach of having amarket called "The Bear" has been taken away, as it was tacitlyadmitting our living near, if not absolutely in, the woods. 

We passed the Albany basin, a large receptacle for North River craft, that is now in the bosom of the town and built on, and recognized init the mast-head of the Wallingford. Neb was shown the place, for hewas to bring the boat round to it, and join the sloop, in readiness toreturn in her. We rounded the Battery, then a circular stripe ofgrass, with an earthen and wooden breastwork running along the marginof the water, leaving a narrow promenade on the exterior. Thisbrought us to White-Hall, since so celebrated for its oarsmen, wherewe put in for a haven. I had obtained the address of a better sort ofsailor-tavern in that vicinity, and, securing the boat, we shoulderedthe bags, got a boy to guide us, and were soon housed. As it was nearnight, Rupert and I ordered supper, and Neb was directed to pull theboat round to the sloop, and to return to us in the morning; takingcare, however, not to let our lodgings be known. 

The next day, I own I thought but little of the girls, Clawbonny, orMr. Hardinge. Neb was at my bed-side before I was up, and reported theGrace & Lucy safe alongside of the Wallingford, and expressed himselfready to wait on me in my progress in quest of a ship. As this was themoment of action, little was said, but we all breakfasted, and salliedforth, in good earnest, on the important business before us. Neb waspermitted to follow, but at such a distance as to prevent his beingsuspected of belonging to our party--a gentleman, with a serving-manat his heels, not being the candidate most likely to succeed in hisapplication for a berth in the forecastle. 

So eager was I to belong to some sea-going craft, that I would notstop even to look at the wonders of the town, before we took thedirection of the wharves. Rupert was for pursuing a different policy, having an inherent love of the genteeler gaieties of a town, but Iturned a deaf ear to his hints, and this time I was master. Hefollowed me with some reluctance, but follow he did, after someremonstrances that bordered on warmth. Any inexperienced eye that hadseen us passing, would have mistaken us for two well-looking, smartyoung sailor-boys, who had just returned from a profitable voyage, andwho, well-clad, tidy and semi-genteel, were strolling along thewharves as _admirateurs_, not to say critics, of the craft. _Admirateurs_ we were, certainly, or _I_ was, at least;though knowledge was a point on which we Were sadly deficient. 

The trade of America was surprisingly active in 1797. It had beenpreyed upon by the two great belligerents of the period, England andFrance, it is true; and certain proceedings of the latter nation wereabout to bring the relations of the two countries into a veryembarrassed state; but still the shipping interest was wonderfullyactive, and, as a whole, singularly successful. Almost every tidebrought in or took out ships for foreign ports, and scarce a weekpassed that vessels did not arrive from, or sail for, all thedifferent quarters of the world. An Indiaman, however, was our object;the voyage being longer, the ships better, and the achievementgreater, than merely to cross the Atlantic and return. We accordinglyproceeded towards the Fly Market, in the vicinity of which, we hadbeen given to understand, some three or four vessels of thatdescription were fitting out. This market has since used its wings todisappear, altogether. 

I kept my eyes on every ship we passed. Until the previous day, I hadnever seen a square-rigged vessel; and no enthusiast in the arts evergloated on a fine picture or statue with greater avidity than my souldrank in the wonder and beauty of every ship I passed. I had a large, full-rigged model at Clawbonny; and this I had studied under my fatherso thoroughly, as to know the name of every rope in it, and to havesome pretty distinct notions of their uses. This early schooling wasnow of great use to me, though I found it a little difficult, atfirst, to trace my old acquaintances on the large scale in which theynow presented themselves, and amid the intricate mazes that were drawnagainst the skies. The braces, shrouds, stays and halyards, were allplain enough, and I could point to either, at a moment's notice; butwhen it came to the rest of the running rigging, I found it necessaryto look a little, before I could speak with certainty. 

Eager as I was to ship, the indulgence of gazing at all I saw was soattractive, that it was noon before we reached an Indiaman. This was apretty little ship of about four hundred tons, that was called theJohn. Little I say, for such she would now be thought, though a vesselof her size was then termed large. The Manhattan, much the largestship out of the port, measured but about seven hundred tons; while feweven of the Indiamen went much beyond five hundred. I can see theJohn at this moment, near fifty years after I first laid eyes on her, as she then appeared. She was not bright-sided, but had a narrow, cream-coloured streak, broken into ports. She was a straight, black-looking craft, with a handsome billet, low, thin bulwarks, andwaistcloths secured to ridge-ropes. Her larger spars were painted thesame colour as her streak, and her stern had a few ornaments of asimilar tint. 

We went on board the John, where we found the officers just toppingoff with the riggers and stevedores, having stowed all the provisionsand water, and the mere trifle of cargo she carried. The mate, whosename was Marble, and a well-veined bit of marble he was, his faceresembling a map that had more rivers drawn on it than the land couldfeed, winked at the captain and nodded his head towards us as soon aswe met his eye. The latter smiled, but did not speak. 

"Walk this way, gentlemen--walk this way, if you please, " saidMr. Marble, encouragingly, passing a ball of spun-yarn, all the while, to help a rigger serve a rope. "When did you leave the country?"

This produced a general laugh, even the yellow rascal of a mulatto, who was passing into the cabin with some crockery, grinning in ourfaces at this salutation. I saw it was now or never, and determinednot to be brow-beaten, while I was too truthful to attempt to pass forthat I was not. 

"We left home last night, thinking to be in time to find berths in oneof the Indiamen that is to sail this week. "

"Not _this_ week, my son--not till _next_, " said Mr. Marble, jocularly. "Sunday is _the_ day. We run from Sunday to Sunday--thebetter day, the better deed, you know. How did you leave father andmother?"

"I have neither, " I answered, almost choked. "My mother died a fewmonths since, and my father, Captain Wallingford, has now been deadsome years. "

The master of the John was a man of about fifty, red-faced, hard-looking, pock-marked, square-rigged, and of an exterior thatpromised anything but sentiment. Feeling, however, he did manifest, the moment I mentioned my father's name. He ceased his employment, came close to me, gazed earnestly in my face, and even looked kind. 

"Are you a son of Captain Miles Wallingford?" he asked in a lowvoice--"of Miles Wallingford, from up the river?"

"I am, sir; his only son. He left but two of us, a son and a daughter;and, though under no necessity to work at all, I wish to make thisMiles Wallingford as good a seaman as the last, and, I hope, as honesta man. "

This was said manfully, and with a spirit that must have pleased; forI was shaken cordially by the hand, welcomed on board, invited intothe cabin, and asked to take a seat at a table on which the dinner hadjust been placed. Rupert, of course, shared in all these favours. Thenfollowed the explanations. Captain Robbins, of the John, had firstgone to sea with my father, for whom I believe he entertained aprofound respect. He had even served with him once as mate, and talkedas if he felt that he had been under obligations to him. He did notquestion me very closely, seeming to think it natural enough thatMiles Wallingford's only son should wish to be a seaman. 

As we sat at the table, even, it was agreed that Rupert and I shouldjoin the ship, as green hands, the very next morning, signing thearticles as soon as we went on shore. This was done accordingly, andI had the felicity of writing Miles Wallingford to the rolld'equipage, to the tune of eighteen dollars per month--seamen thenactually receiving thirty and thirty-five dollars per month--wages. Rupert was taken also, though Captain Robbins cut _him_ down tothirteen dollars, saying, in a jesting way, that a parson's son couldhardly be worth as much as the son of one of the best old ship-masterswho ever sailed out of America. He was a shrewd observer of men andthings, this new friend of mine, and I believe understood "by the cutof his jib" that Rupert was not likely to make a weather-earingman. The money, however, was not of much account in our calculations;and lucky enough did I think myself in finding so good a berth, almostas soon as looked for. We returned to the tavern and staid that night, taking a formal leave of Neb, who was to carry the good news home, assoon as the sloop should sail. 

In the morning a cart was loaded with our effects, the bill wasdischarged, and we left the tavern. I had the precaution not to godirectly alongside the ship. On the contrary, we proceeded to anopposite part of the town, placing the bags on a wharf resorted to bycraft from New Jersey, as if we intended to go on board one ofthem. The cartman took his quarter, and drove off, troubling himselfvery little about the future movements of two young sailors. Waitinghalf an hour, another cart was called, when we went to the John, andwere immediately installed in her forecastle. Captain Robbins hadprovided us both with chests, paid for out of the three months'advance, and in them we found the slops necessary for so long avoyage. Rupert and I immediately put on suits of these new clothes, with regular little round tarpaulins, which so much altered us inappearance, even from those produced by our Ulster county fittings, that we scarce knew each other. 

Rupert now went on deck to lounge and smoke a segar, while I wentaloft, visiting every yard, and touching all three of the trucks, before I returned from this, my exploring expedition. The captain andmates and riggers smiled at my movements, and I overheard the formertelling his mate that I was "old Miles over again. " In a word, allparties seemed pleased with the arrangement that had been made; I hadtold the officers aft of my knowledge of the names and uses of most ofthe ropes; and never did I feel so proud as when Mr. Marble calledout, in a loud tone--

"D'ye hear there, Miles--away aloft and unreeve them fore-top-gallanthalyards, and send an end down to haul up this new rope, to reeve afresh set. "

Away I went, my head buzzing with the complicated order, and yet I hada very tolerable notion of what was to be done. The unreeving mighthave been achieved by any one, and I got through with that withoutdifficulty; and, the mate himself helping me and directing me from thedeck, the new rope was rove with distinguished success. This was thefirst duty I ever did in a ship, and I was prouder of it than of anythat was subsequently performed by the same individual. The whole timeI was thus occupied, Rupert stood lounging against the foot of themain-stay, smoking his segar like a burgomaster. His turn came next, however, the captain sending for him to the cabin, where he set him atwork to copy some papers. Rupert wrote a beautiful hand, and he wroterapidly. That evening I heard the chief-mate tell the dickey that theparson's son was likely to turn out a regular "barber's clerk" to thecaptain. "The old man, " he added, "makes so many traverses himself ona bit of paper, that he hardly knows at which end to begin to read it;and I shouldn't wonder if he just stationed this chap, with a quillbehind his ear, for the v'y'ge. "

For the next two or three days I was delightfully busy, passing halfthe time aloft. All the sails were to be bent, and I had my full sharein the performance of this duty. I actually furled the mizen-royalwith my own hands--the ship carrying standing royals--and it was saidto be very respectably done; a little rag-baggish in the bunt, perhaps, but secured in a way that took the next fellow who touchedthe gasket five minutes to cast the sail loose. Then it rained, andsails were to be loosened to dry. I let everything fall forward withmy own hands, and, when we came to roll up the canvass again, Iactually managed all three of the royals alone; one at a time, ofcourse. My father had taught me to make a flat-knot, a bowline, aclove-hitch, two half-hitches, and such sort of things; and I gotthrough with both a long and a short splice tolerably well. I foundall this, and the knowledge I had gained from my model-ship at home ofgreat use to me; so much so, indeed, as to induce even that induratedbit of mortality, Marble, to say I "was the ripest piece of greenstuff he had ever fallen in with. "

All this time, Rupert was kept at quill-driving. Once he got leave toquit the ship--it was the day before we sailed--and I observed he wentashore in his long-togs, of which each of us had one suit. I stoleaway the same afternoon to find the post-office, and worked up-streamas far as Broadway, not knowing exactly which way to shape my course. In that day, everybody who was anybody, and unmarried, promenaded thewest side of this street, from the Battery to St. Paul's Church, between the hours of twelve and half-past two, wind and weatherpermitting. There I saw Rupert, in his country guise, nothingremarkable, of a certainty, strutting about with the best of them, andlooking handsome in spite of his rusticity. It was getting late, andhe left the street just as I saw him. I followed, waiting until we gotto a private place before I would speak to him, however, as I knew hewould be mortified to be taken for the friend of a Jack-tar, in such ascene. 

Rupert entered a door, and then reappeared with a letter in hishand. He, too, had gone to the post-office, and I no longer hesitatedabout joining him. 

"Is it from Clawbonny?" I asked, eagerly. "If so, from Lucy, doubtless?"

"From Clawbonny--but from Grace, " he answered, with a slight change ofcolour. "I desired the poor girl to let me know how things passed off, after we left them; and as for Lucy, her pot-hooks are so much out ofthe way, I never want to see them. "

I felt hurt, offended, that my sister should write to any youngsterbut myself. It is true, the letter was to a bosom friend, aco-adventurer, one almost a child of the same family; and I had cometo the office expecting to get a letter from Rupert's sister, who hadpromised, while weeping on the wharf, to do exactly the same thing forme; but there _is_ a difference between one's sister writing toanother young man, and another young man's sister writing tooneself. I cannot even now explain it; but that there _is_ adifference I am sure. Without asking to see a line that Grace hadwritten, I went into the office, and returned in a minute or two, withan air of injured dignity, holding Lucy's epistle in my hand. 

After all, there was nothing in either letter to excite muchsensibility. Each was written with the simplicity, truth and feelingof a generous-minded, warm-hearted female friend, of an age not todistrust her own motives, to a lad who bad no right to view the favourother than it was, as an evidence of early and intimate friendship. Both epistles are now before me, and I copy them, as the shortest wayof letting the reader know the effect our disappearance had producedat Clawbonny. That of Grace was couched in the following terms:

DEAR RUPERT:

Clawbonny was in commotion at nine o'clock this morning, and well itmight be! When your father's anxiety got to be painful, I told him thewhole, and gave him the letters. I am sorry to say, he wept. I wishnever to see such a sight again. The tears of two such silly girls asLucy and I, are of little account--but, Rupert, to behold an aged manwe love and respect like him, a minister of the gospel too, in tears!It was a hard sight to bear. He did not reproach us for our silence, saying he did not see, after our promises, how we could well dootherwise. I gave your reasons about "responsibility in the premises;"but I don't think he understood them. Is it too late to return? Theboat that carried you down can bring you back; and oh! how muchrejoiced shall we all be to see you! Wherever you go, and whatever youdo, boys, for I write as much to one as to the other, and only addressto Rupert because he so earnestly desired it; but wherever you go, andwhatever you do, remember the instructions you have both received inyouth, and how much all of us are interested in your conduct andhappiness. 

Affectionately, yours, GRACE WALLINGFORD. 

To Mr. Rupert Hardinge. 

Lucy had been less guarded, and possibly a little more honest. Shewrote as follows:

DEAR MILES:

I believe I cried for one whole hour after you and Rupert left us, and, now it is all over, I am vexed at having cried so much about twosuch foolish fellows. Grace has told you all about my dear, dearfather, who cried too. I declare, I don't know when I was sofrightened! I thought it _must_ bring you back, as soon as youhear of it. What will be done, I do not know; but _something_, Iam certain Whenever father is in earnest, he says but little. I knowhe is in earnest _now_. I believe Grace and I do nothing butthink of you; that is, she of _you_, and I of Rupert; and alittle the other way, too--so now you have the whole truth. Do notfail, on any account, to write before you go to sea, if you _do_go to sea, as I hope and trust you will not. 

Good-bye. 

LUCY HARDINGE. 

To Mr. Miles Wallingford. 

P. S. Neb's mother protests, if the boy is not home by Saturday night, she will go after him. No such disgrace as a runaway ever befel her orhers, and she says she will not submit to it. But I suppose we shallsee _him_ soon, and with him _letters_. 

Now, Neb had taken his leave, but no letter had been trusted to hiscare. As often happens, I regretted the mistake when it was too late;and all that day I thought how disappointed Lucy would be, when shecame to see the negro empty-handed. Rupert and I parted in the street, as he did not wish to walk with a sailor, while in his own long-togs. He did not _say_ as much; but I knew him well enough to ascertainit, without his speaking. I was walking very fast in the direction ofthe ship, and had actually reached the wharves, when, in turning acorner, I came plump upon Mr. Hardinge. My guardian was walkingslowly, his face sorrowful and dejected, and his eyes fastened onevery ship he passed, as if looking for his boys. He saw me, casting avacant glance over my person; but I was so much changed by dress, andparticularly by the little tarpaulin, that he did not know me. Anxietyimmediately drew his look towards the vessels, and I passed himunobserved. Mr. Hardinge was walking _from_, and I _towards_the John, and of course all my risk terminated as soon as out ofsight. 

That evening I had the happiness of being under-way, in a realfull-rigged ship. It is true, it was under very short canvass, andmerely to go into the stream. Taking advantage of a favourable windand tide, the John left the wharf under her jib, main-top-maststaysail, and spanker, and dropped down as low as the Battery, whenshe sheered into the other channel and anchored. Here I was, then, fairly at anchor in the stream, Half a mile from any land but thebottom, and burning to see the ocean. That afternoon the crew came onboard, a motley collection, of lately drunken seamen, of whom abouthalf were Americans, and the rest natives of as many differentcountries as there were men. Mr. Marble scanned them with a knowinglook, and, to my surprise, he told the captain there was good stuffamong them. It seems he was a better judge than I was myself, for amore unpromising set of wretches, as to looks, I never saw groupedtogether. A few, it is true, appeared well enough; but most of themhad the air of having been dragged through--a place I will not name, though it is that which sailors usually quote when describingthemselves on such occasions. But Jack, after he has been a week atsea, and Jack coming on board to duty, after a month of excesses onshore, are very different creatures, morally and physically. 

I now began to regret that I had not seen a little of the town. In1797, New York could not have had more than fifty thousandinhabitants, though it was just as much of a paragon then, in the eyesof all good Americans, as it is today. It is a sound patriotic ruleto maintain that _our_ best is always _the_ best, for itnever puts us in the wrong. I have seen enough of the world since tounderstand that we get a great many things wrong-end foremost, in thiscountry of ours; undervaluing those advantages and excellencies ofwhich we have great reason to be proud, and boasting of others that, to say the least, are exceedingly equivocal. But it takes time tolearn all this, and I have no intention of getting ahead of my story, or of my country; the last being a most suicidal act. 

We received the crew of a Saturday afternoon, and half of them turnedin immediately. Rupert and I had a good berth, intending to turn inand out together, during the voyage; and this made us ratherindifferent to the movements of the rest of our extraordinaryassociates. The kid, at supper, annoyed us both a little; the notionof seeing one's food in a round _trough_, to be tumbled over andcut from by all hands, being particularly disagreeable to those whohave been accustomed to plates, knives and forks, and such othersuperfluities. I confess I thought of Grace's and Lucy's little whitehands, and of silver sugrar-toogs, and of clean plates and glasses, and table-cloths--napkins and silver forks were then unknown inAmerica, except on the very best tables, and not always on them, unless on high days and holidays--as we were going through theunsophisticated manipulations of this first supper. Forty-seven yearshave elapsed, and the whole scene is as vivid to my mind at thismoment, as if it occurred last night. I wished myself one of thelong-snouted tribe, several times, in order to be in what is called"keeping. "

I had the honour of keeping an anchor-watch in company with a grum oldSwede, as we lay in the Hudson. The wind was light, and the ship had agood berth, so my associate chose a soft plank, told me to give him acall should anything happen, and lay down to sleep away his two hoursin comfort. Not so with me. I strutted the deck with as muchimportance as if the weight of the State lay on my shoulders--paid avisit every five minutes to the bows, to see that the cable had notparted, and that the anchor did not "come home"--and then lookedaloft, to ascertain that everything was in its place. Those were ahappy two hours!

About ten next morning, being Sunday, and, as Mr. Marble expressed it, "the better day, the better deed, " the pilot came off, and all handswere called to "up anchor. " The cook, cabin-boy, Rupert and I, wereentrusted with the duty of "fleeting jig" and breaking down the coilsof the cable, the handspikes requiring heavier hands than ours. Theanchor was got in without any difficulty, however, when Rupert and Iwere sent aloft to loose the fore-top-sail. Rupert got into the topvia the lubber's hole, I am sorry to say, and the loosing of the sailon both yard-arms fell to my duty. A hand was on the fore-yard, and Iwas next ordered up to loose the top-gallant-sail. Canvass began tofall and open all over the ship, the top-sails were mast-headed, and, as I looked down from the fore-top-mast cross-trees, where I remainedto overhaul the clew-lines, I saw that the ship was falling off, andthat her sails were filling with a stiff north-west breeze. Just as mywhole being was entranced with the rapture of being under-way forCanton, which was then called the Indies, Rupert called out to me fromthe top. Ha was pointing at some object on the water, and, turning, Isaw a boat within a hundred feet of the ship. In her was Mr. Hardinge, who at that moment caught sight of us. But the ship's sailswere now all full, and no one on deck saw, or at least heeded, theboat. The John glided past it, and, the last I saw of my veneratedguardian, he was standing erect, bare-headed, holding both armsextended, as if entreating us not to desert him! Presently the shipfell off so much, that the after-sails hid him from my view. 

I descended into the top, where I found Rupert had shrunk down out ofsight, looking frightened and guilty. As for myself, I got behind thehead of the mast, and fairly sobbed. This lasted a few minutes, whenan order from the mate called us both below. When I reached the deck, the boat was already a long distance astern, and had evidently givenup the idea of boarding us. I do not know whether I felt the mostrelieved or pained by the certainty of this fact. 

CHAPTER IV. 

 "There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows, and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat; And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures. " Brutus--Julius Caesar. 

In four hours from the time when Rupert and I last saw Mr. Hardinge, the ship was at sea. She crossed the bar, and started on her longjourney, with a fresh north-wester, and with everything packed on thatshe would bear. We took a diagonal course out of the bight formed bythe coasts of Long Island and New Jersey, and sunk the land entirelyby the middle of the afternoon. I watched the highlands of Navesink, as they vanished like watery clouds in the west, and then I felt I wasat last fairly out of sight of land. But a foremast hand has littleopportunity for indulging in sentimen, as he quits his native shore;and few, I fancy, have the disposition. As regards the opportunity, anchors are to be got in off the bows, and stowed; cables are to beunbent and coiled down; studding-gear is to be hauled out and gotready; frequently boom-irons are to be placed upon the yards, and thehundred preparations made, that render the work of a ship as ceaselessa round of activity as that of a house. This kept us all busy untilnight, when the watches were told off and set. I was in the larboard, or chief-mate's watch, having actually been chosen by thathard-featured old seaman, the fourth man he named; an honour for whichI was indebted to the activity I had already manifested aloft. Rupertwas less distinguished, being taken by the captain for thesecond-mate's watch, the very last person chosen. That nightMr. Marble dropped a few hints on the subject, which let me into thesecret of these two selections. "You and I will get along welltogether, I see that plainly, Miles, " he said, "for there'squicksilver in your body. As for your friend in t'other watch, it'sall as it should be; the captain has got one hand the most, and suchas he is, he is welcome to him. He'll blacken more writing paper thisv'y'ge, I reckon, than he'll tar down riggin'. " I thought it odd, however, that Rupert, who had been so forward in all the preliminariesof our adventure, should fall so far astern in its first practicalresults. 

It is not my intention to dwell on all the minute incidents of this, my first voyage to sea, else would it spin out the narrativeunnecessarily, and render my task as fatiguing to the reader, as itmight prove to myself. One occurrence, however, which took place threedays out, must be mentioned, as it will prove to be connected withimportant circumstances in the end. The ship was now in order, and wasat least two hundred leagues from the land, having had a famous runoff the coast, when the voice of the cook, who had gone below forwater, was heard down among the casks, in such a clamour as none but ablack can raise, with all his loquacity awakened. 

"There's _two_ niggers at that work!" exclaimed Mr. Marble, after listening an instant, glancing his eye round to make certain themulatto steward was not in the discussion. "No _one_ darkey evercould make all that outcry. Bear a hand below, Miles, and see ifAfrica has come aboard us in the night. "

I was in the act of obeying, when Cato, the cook, was seen risingthrough the steerage-hatch, dragging after him the dark poll ofanother black, whom he had gripped by the wool. In an instant bothwere on deck, when, to my astonishment, I discovered the agitatedcountenance of Nebuchadnezzar Clawbonny. Of course the secret was out, the instant the lad's glistening features were recognised. 

Neb, in a word, had managed to get on board the ship before she hauledout into the stream, and lay concealed among the water-casks, hispockets crammed with ginger-bread and apples, until discovered by thecook, in one of his journeys in quest of water. The food of the ladhad been gone twenty-four hours, and it is not probable the fellowcould have remained concealed much longer, had not this discoverytaken place. The instant he was on deck, Neb looked eagerly around toascertain how far the ship had got from the land, and, seeing nothingbut water on every side of him, he fairly grinned with delight. Thisexasperated Mr. Marble, who thought it was adding insult to injury, and he gave the lad a cuff on the ear that would have set a whitereeling. On Neb, however, this sharp blow produced no effect, fallingas it did on the impregnable part of his system. 

"Oh! you're a nigger, be you?" exclaimed the mate, waxing warmer andwarmer, as he: fancied himself baffled by the other's powers ofendurance. "Take that, and let us see if you're full-blooded!"

A smart rap on the shin accompanying these words, Neb gave in on theinstant. He begged for mercy, and professed a readiness to tell all, protesting he was not "a runaway nigger"--a term the mate used whileapplying the kicks. 

I now interfered, by telling Mr. Marble, with all the respect due froma green hand to a chief-mate, who Neb really was, and what I supposedto be his motives for following me to the ship. This revelation costme a good deal in the end, the idea of Jack's having a "waiting-man"on board giving rise to a great many jokes at my expense, during therest of the voyage. Had I not been so active, and so _willing, _ agreat source of favour on board a ship, it is probable these jokeswould have been much broader and more frequent. As it was, theyannoyed me a good deal; and it required a strong exercise of all theboyish regard I really entertained for Neb, to refrain from turning-toand giving him a sound threshing for his exploit, at the first goodoccasion. And yet, what was his delinquency compared to my own? He hadfollowed his master out of deep affection, blended somewhat, it istrue, with a love of adventure; while, in one sense, I had violatedall the ties of the heart, merely to indulge the latter passion. 

The captain coming on deck, Neb's story was told, and, finding that nowages would be asked in behalf of this athletic, healthy, young negro, he had no difficulty in receiving him into favour. To Neb's greatdelight, he was sent forward to take his share on the yards and in therigging, there being no vacancy for him to fill about the camboose, orin the cabin. In an hour the negro was fed, and he was regularlyplaced in the starboard-watch. I was rejoiced at this lastarrangement, as it put the fellow in a watch different from my own, and prevented his officious efforts to do my work. Rupert, Idiscovered, however, profited often by his zeal, employing the willingblack on every possible occasion. On questioning Neb, I ascertainedthat he had taken the boat round to the Wallingford, and had made useof a dollar or two I had given him at parting, to board in a housesuitable to his colour, until the ship was ready for sea, when he goton board, and stowed himself among the water-casks, as mentioned. 

Neb's apparition soon ceased to be a subject of discourse, and hiszeal quickly made him a general favourite. Hardy, strong, resolute, and accustomed to labour, he was early of great use in all the heavydrags; and aloft, even, though less quick than a white would havebeen, he got to be serviceable and reasonably expert. My ownprogress--and I say it without vanity, but simply because it wastrue--was the subject of general remark. One week made me familiarwith the running gear; and, by that time, I could tell a rope by itssize, the manner in which it led, and the place where it was belayed, in the darkest night, as well as the oldest seaman on board. It istrue, my model-ship had prepared the way for much of this expertness;but, free from all seasickness, of which I never had a moment in mylife, I set about learning these things in good earnest, and was fullyrewarded for my pains. I passed the weather-earing of themizen-top-sail when we had been out a fortnight, and went to those ofthe fore and main before we crossed the line. The mate put me forwardon all occasions, giving me much instruction in private; and thecaptain neglected no opportunity of giving me useful hints, orpractical ideas. I asked, and was allowed to take my regular trick atthe wheel, before we got into the latitude of St. Helena; and fromthat time did my full share of seaman's duly on board, the nicer workof knotting, splicing, &c. , excepted. These last required a littlemore time; but I am satisfied that, in all things but judgment, aclever lad, who has a taste for the business, can make himself a veryuseful and respectable mariner in six months of active service. 

China voyages seldom produce much incident. If the moment of sailinghas been judiciously timed, the ship has fair winds much of the way, and generally moderate weather. To be sure, there are points on thelong road that usually give one a taste of what the seas sometimesare; but, on the whole, a Canton voyage, though a long one, cannot becalled a rough one. As a matter of course, we had gales, and squalls, and the usual vicissitudes of the ocean, to contend with, though ourvoyage to Canton might have been called quiet, rather than thereverse. We were four months under our canvass, and, when we anchoredin the river, the clewing up of our sails, and getting from beneaththeir shadows, resembled the rising of a curtain on some novel scenicrepresentation. John Chinaman, however, has been so often described, particularly of late, that I shall not dwell on his peculiarities. Sailors, as a class, are very philosophical, so far as thepeculiarities and habits of strangers are concerned, appearing tothink it beneath the dignity of those who visit all lands, to betraywonder at the novelties of any. It so happened that no man on boardthe John, the officers, steward and cook excepted, had ever doubledthe Cape of Good Hope before this voyage; and yet our crew regardedthe shorn polls, slanting eyes, long queues, clumsy dresses, highcheek-bones, and lumbering shoes, of the people they now saw for thefirst time, with just as much indifference as they would haveencountered a new fashion at home. Most of them, indeed, had seen, orfancied they had seen, much stranger sights in the different countriesthey had visited; it being a standing rule, with Jack to compresseverything that is wonderful into the "last voyage"--that in which heis engaged for the present time being usually set down ascommon-place, and unworthy of particular comment. On this principle, _my_ Canton excursion _ought_ to be full of marvels, as itwas the progenitor of all that I subsequently saw and experienced as asailor. Truth compels me to confess, notwithstanding, that it was oneof the least wonderful of all the voyages I ever made, until near itsclose. 

We lay some months in the river, getting cargo, receiving teas, nankins, silks and other articles, as our supercargo could lay handson them. In all this time, we saw just as much of the Chinese as it isusual for strangers to see, and not a jot more. I was much up at thefactories, with the captain, having charge of his boat; and, as forRupert, he passed most of his working-hours either busy with thesupercargo ashore, or writing in the cabin. I got a good insight, however, into the uses of the serving-mallet, the fid, marlinspike andwinch, and did something with the needle and palm. Marble was verygood to me, in spite of his nor-west face, and never let slip anoccasion to give a useful hint. I believe my exertions on theoutward-bound passage fully equalled expectations, and the officershad a species of pride in helping to make Captain Wallingford's sonworthy of his honourable descent. I had taken occasion to let it beknown that Rupert's great-grandfather had been a man-of-war captain;but the suggestion was met by a flat, refusal to believe it fromMr. Kite, the second-mate, though Mr. Marble remarked it _might_be so, as I admitted that both his father and grandfather had been, orwere, in the Church. My friend seemed fated to achieve nothing but theglory of a "barber's clerk. "

Our hatches were got on and battened down, and we sailed for homeearly in the spring of 1798. The ship had a good run across the ChinaSea, and reached the Indies in rather a short passage. We had clearedall the islands, and were fairly in the Indian Ocean, when anadventure occurred, which was the first really worthy of being relatedthat we met in the whole voyage. I shall give it, in as few words aspossible. 

We had cleared the Straits of Sunda early in the morning, and had madea pretty fair run in the course of the day, though most of the time inthick weather. Just as the sun set, however, the horizon became clear, and we got a sight of two small sail seemingly heading in towards thecoast of Sumatra, proas by their rig and dimensions. They were sodistant, and were so evidently steering for the land, that no one gavethem much thought, or bestowed on them any particular attention. Proasin that quarter were usually distrusted by ships, it is true; but thesea is full of them, and far more are innocent than are guilty of anyacts of violence. Then it became dark soon after these craft wereseen, and night shut them in. An hour after the sun had set, the windfell to a light air, that just kept steerage-way on the ship. Fortunately, the John was not only fast, but she minded her helm, as alight-footed girl turns in a lively dance. I never was in abetter-steering ship, most especially in moderate weather. 

Mr. Marble had the middle watch that night, and of course I was ondeck from midnight until four in the morning. It proved misty most ofthe watch, and for quite an hour we had a light drizzling rain. Theship, the whole time, was close-hauled, carrying royals. As everybodyseemed to have made up his mind to a quiet night, one without anyreefing or furling, most of the watch were sleeping about the decks, or wherever they could get good quarters, and be least in the way. Ido not know what kept me awake, for lads of my age are apt to get allthe sleep they can; but I believe I was thinking of Clawbonny, andGrace, and Lucy; for the latter, excellent girl as she was, oftencrossed my mind in those days of youth and comparative innocence. Awake I was, and walking in the weather-gangway, in a sailor'strot. Mr. Marble, he I do believe was fairly snoozing on thehen-coops, being, like the sails, as one might say, barely "asleep. "At that moment I heard a noise, one familiar to seamen; that of an oarfalling in a boat. So completely was my mind bent on other and distantscenes, that at first I felt no surprise, as if we were in a harboursurrounded by craft of various sizes, coming and going at allhours. But a second thought destroyed this illusion, and I lookedeagerly about me. Directly on our weather-bow, distant perhaps acable's length, I saw a small sail, and I could distinguish itsufficiently well to perceive it was a proa. I sang out "Sail ho! andclose aboard!"

Mr. Marble was on his feet in an instant. He afterwards told me thatwhen he opened his eyes, for he admitted this much to me inconfidence, they fell directly on the stranger. He was too much of aseaman to require a second look, in order to ascertain what was to bedone. "Keep the ship away--keep her broad off!" he called out to theman at the wheel. "Lay the yards square--call all hands, one of you--Captain Robbins, Mr. Kite, bear a hand up; the bloody proas areaboard us!" The last part of this call was uttered in a loud voice, with the speaker's head down the companion-way. It was heard plainlyenough below, but scarcely at all on deck. 

In the mean time, everybody was in motion. It is amazing how soonsailors are wide awake when there is really anything to do! Itappeared to me that all our people mustered on deck in less than aminute, most of them with nothing on but their shirts andtrowsers. The ship was nearly before the wind, by the time I heard thecaptain's voice; and then Mr. Kite came bustling in among us forward, ordering most of the men to lay aft to the braces, remaining himselfon the forecastle, and keeping me with him to let go the sheets. Onthe forecastle, the strange sail was no longer visible, being nowabaft the beam; but I could hear Mr. Marble swearing there were two ofthem, and that they must be the very chaps we had seen to leeward, andstanding in for the land, at sunset. I also heard the captain callingout to the steward to bring him a powder-horn. Immediately after, orders were given to let fly all our sheets forward, and then Iperceived that they were waring ship. Nothing saved us but the promptorder of Mr. Marble to keep the ship away, by which means, instead ofmoving towards the proas, we instantly began to move fromthem. Although they went three feet to our two, this gave us a momentof breathing time. 

As our sheets were all flying forward, and remained so for a fewminutes, it gave me leisure to look about. I soon saw both proas, andglad enough was I to perceive that they had not approached materiallynearer. Mr. Kite observed this also, and remarked that our movementshad been so prompt as "to take the rascals aback. " He meant, they didnot exactly know what we were at, and had not kept away with us. 

At this instant, the captain and five or six of the oldest seamenbegan to cast loose all our starboard, or weather guns, four in all, and sixes. We had loaded these guns in the Straits of Banca, withgrape and canister, in readiness for just such pirates as were nowcoming down upon us; and nothing was wanting but the priming and a hotlogger-head. It seems two of the last had been ordered in the fire, when we saw the proas at sunset; and they were now in excellentcondition for service, live coals being kept around them all night bycommand. I saw a cluster of men busy with the second gun from forward, and could distinguish the captain pointing it. 

"There cannot well be any mistake, Mr. Marble?" the captain observed, hesitating whether to fire or not. 

"Mistake, sir? Lord, Captain Robbins, you might cannonade any of theislands astarn for a week, and never hurt an honest man. Let 'em haveit, sir; I'll answer for it, you do good. "

This settled the matter. The loggerhead was applied, and one of oursixes spoke out in a smart report. A breathless stillnesssucceeded. The proas did not alter their course, but neared usfast. The captain levelled his night-glass, and I heard him tell Kite, in a low voice, that they were full of men. The word was now passed toclear away all the guns, and to open the arm-chest, to come at themuskets and pistols. I heard the rattling of the boarding-pikes, too, as they were cut adrift from the spanker-boom, and fell upon thedeck. All this sounded very ominous, and I began to think we shouldhave a desperate engagement first, and then have all our throats cutafterwards. 

I expected now to hear the guns discharged in quick succession, butthey were got ready only, not fired. Kite went aft, and returned withthree or four muskets, and as many pikes. He gave the latter to thoseof the people who had nothing to do with the guns. By this time theship was on a wind, steering a good full, while the two proas werejust abeam, and closing fast. The stillness that reigned on both sideswas like that of death. The proas, however, fell a little more astern;the result of their own manoeuvring, out of all doubt, as they movedthrough the water much faster than the ship, seeming desirous ofdropping into our wake, with a design of closing under our stern, andavoiding our broad-side. As this would never do, and the windfreshened so as to give us four or five knot way, a most fortunatecircumstance for us, the captain determined to tack while he hadroom. The John behaved beautifully, and came round like a top. Theproas saw there was no time to lose, and attempted to close before wecould fill again; and this they would have done with ninety-nine shipsin a hundred. The captain knew his vessel, however, and did not lether lose her way, making everything draw again as it might be byinstinct. The proas tacked, too, and, laying up much nearer to thewind than we did, appeared as if about to close on our lee-bow. Thequestion was, now, whether we could pass them or not before they gotnear enough to grapple. If the pirates got on board us, we werehopelessly gone; and everything depended on coolness and judgment. Thecaptain behaved perfectly well in this critical instant, commanding adead silence, and the closest attention to his orders. 

I was too much interested at this moment to feel the concern that Imight otherwise have experienced. On the forecastle, it appeared to usall that we should be boarded in a minute, for one of the proas wasactually within a hundred feet, though losing her advantage a littleby getting under the lee of our sails. Kite had ordered us to musterforward of the rigging, to meet the expected leap with a discharge ofmuskets, and then to present our pikes, when I felt an arm thrownaround my body, and was turned in-board, while another person assumedmy place. This was Neb, who had thus coolly thrust himself before me, in order to meet the danger first. I felt vexed, even while touchedwith the fellow's attachment and self-devotion, but had no time tobetray either feeling before the crews of the proas gave a yell, anddischarged some fifty or sixty matchlocks at us. The air was full ofbullets, but they all went over our heads. Not a soul on board theJohn was hurt. On our side, we gave the gentlemen the four sixes, twoat the nearest and two at the sternmost proa, which was still near acable's length distant. As often happens, the one seemingly farthestfrom danger, fared the worst. Our grape and canister had room toscatter, and I can at this distant day still hear the shrieks thatarose from that craft! They were like the yells of fiends in anguish. The effect on that proa was instantaneous; instead of keeping on afterher consort, she wore short round on her heel, and stood away in ourwake, on the other tack, apparently to get out of the range of ourfire. 

I doubt if we touched a man in the nearest proa. At any rate, no noiseproceeded from her, and she came up under our bows fast. As every gunwas discharged, and there was not time to load them, all now dependedon repelling the boarders. Part of our people mustered in the waist, where it was expected the proa would fall alongside, and part on theforecastle. Just as this distribution was made, the pirates cast theirgrapnel. It was admirably thrown, but caught only by a ratlin. I sawthis, and was about to jump into the rigging to try what I could do toclear it, when Neb again went ahead of me, and cut the ratlin with hisknife. This was just as the pirates had abandoned sails and oars, andhad risen to haul up alongside. So sudden was the release, that twentyof them fell over by their own efforts. In this state the ship passedahead, all her canvass being full, leaving the proa motionless in herwake. In passing, however, the two vessels were so near, that thoseaft in the John distinctly saw the swarthy faces of their enemies. 

We were no sooner clear of the proas than the order was given, "readyabout!" The helm was put down, and the ship came into the wind in aminute. As we came square with the two proas, all our larboard gunswere given to them, and this ended the affair. I think the nearest ofthe rascals got it this time, for away she went, after her consort, both running off towards the islands. We made a little show ofchasing, but it was only a feint; for we were too glad to get awayfrom them, to be in earnest. In ten minutes after we tacked the lasttime, we ceased firing, having thrown some eight or ten round-shotafter the proas, and were close-hauled again, heading to thesouth-west. 

It is not to be supposed we went to sleep again immediately. Neb wasthe only man on board who did, but he never missed an occasion to eator sleep. The captain praised us, and, as a matter of course in thatday, he called all hands to "splice the main-brace. " After this, thewatch was told to go below, as regularly as if nothing had happened. As for the captain himself, he and Mr. Marble and Mr. Kite went pryingabout the ship to ascertain if anything material had been cut by whatthe chief-mate called "the bloody Indian matchlocks. " A littlerunning-rigging had suffered, and we had to reeve a few new ropes inthe morning; but this terminated the affair. 

I need hardly say, all hands of us were exceedingly proud of ourexploit. Everybody was praised but Neb, who, being a "nigger, " was insome way or other overlooked. I mentioned his courage and readinessto Mr. Marble, but I could excite in no one else the same respect forthe poor fellow's conduct, that I certainly felt myself. I have sincelived long enough to know that as the gold of the rich attracts toitself the gold of the poor, so do the deeds of the unknown go toswell the fame of the known. This is as true of nations, and races, and families, as it is of individuals; poor Neb belonging to aproscribed colour, it was not in reason to suppose he could everacquire exactly the same credit as a white man. 

"Them darkies do sometimes blunder on a lucky idee, " answeredMr. Marble to one of my earnest representations, "and I've known chapsamong 'em that were almost as knowing as dullish whites; buteverything out of the common way with 'em is pretty much chance. Asfor Neb, however, I will say this for him; that, for a nigger, hetakes things quicker than any of his colour I ever sailed with. Thenhe has no sa'ce, and that is a good deal with a black. White sa'ce isbad enough; but that of a nigger is unbearable. "

Alas! Neb. Born in slavery, accustomed to consider it arrogance tothink of receiving even his food until the meanest white had satisfiedhis appetite, submissive, unrepining, laborious and obedient--thehighest eulogium that all these patient and unobtrusive qualitiescould obtain, was a reluctant acknowledgment that he had "no sa'ce. "His quickness and courage saved the John, nevertheless; and I havealways said it, and ever shall. 

A day after the affair of the proas, all hands of us began tobrag. Even the captain was a little seized with this mania; and as forMarble, he was taken so badly, that, had I not known he behaved wellin the emergency, I certainly should have set him down as aBobadil. Rupert manifested this feeling, too, though I heard he didhis duty that night. The result of all the talk was to convert theaffair into a very heroic exploit; and it subsequently figured in thejournals as one of the deeds that illustrate the American name. 

From the time we were rid of the proas, the ship got along famouslyuntil we were as far west as about 52°, when the wind came light fromthe southward and westward, with thick weather. The captain had beentwo or three times caught in here, and he took it into his head thatthe currents would prove more favourable, could he stand in closer tothe coast of Madagascar than common. Accordingly, we brought the shipon a bowline, and headed up well to the northward and westward. Wewere a week on this tack, making from fifty to a hundred miles a day, expecting hourly to see the land. At length we made it, enormouslyhigh mountains, apparently a long distance from us, though, as weafterwards ascertained, a long distance inland; and we continued tonear it. The captain had a theory of his own about the currents ofthis part of the ocean, and, having set one of the peaks by compass, at the time the land was seen, he soon convinced himself, andeverybody else whom he tried to persuade, Marble excepted, that wewere setting to windward with visible speed. Captain Robbins was awell-meaning, but somewhat dull man; and, when dull men, becometheorists, they usually make sad work with the practice. 

Ail that night we stood on to the northward and westward, thoughMr. Marble had ventured a remonstrance concerning a certain head-landthat was just visible, a little on our weather-bow. The captainsnapped his fingers at this, however; laying down a course ofreasoning, which, if it were worth anything, ought to have convincedthe mate that the weatherly set of the current would carry us tenleagues to the southward and westward of that cape, before morning. Onthis assurance, we prepared to pass a quiet and comfortable night. 

I had the morning watch, and when I came on deck, at four, there wasno change in the weather. Mr. Marble soon appeared, and he walked intothe waist, where I was leaning on the weather-rail, and fell intodiscourse. This he often did, sometimes so far forgetting thedifference in our stations _afloat_--not _ashore_; _there_ I hadconsiderably the advantage of him--as occasionally to call me "sir. " Ialways paid for this inadvertency, however, it usually putting a stopto the communications for the time being. In one instance, he tooksuch prompt revenge for this implied admission of equality, asliterally to break off short in the discourse, and to order me, in hissharpest key, to go aloft and send some studding-sails on deck, thoughthey all had to be sent aloft again, and set, in the course of thesame watch. But offended dignity is seldom considerate, and not alwaysconsistent. 

"A quiet night, Master Miles"--_this_ the mate _could_ callme, as it implied superiority on his part--"A quiet night, MasterMiles, " commenced Mr. Marble, "and a strong westerly current, accordin' to Captain Robbins. Well, to my taste gooseberries arebetter than currents, and _I'd_ go about. That's my manner of_generalizing_. "

"The captain, I suppose, sir, from that, is of a different opinion?"

"Why, yes, somewhatish, --though I don't think he knows himself exactlywhat his own opinion is. This is the third v'y'ge I've sailed with theold gentleman, and he is half his time in a fog or a current. Now, it's his idee the ocean is full of Mississippi rivers, and if onecould only find the head of a stream, he might go round the world init. More particularly does he hold that there is no fear of the landwhen in a current, as a stream never sets on shore. For my part, Inever want any better hand-lead than my nose. "

"Nose, Mr. Marble?"

"Yes, nose, Master Miles. Haven't you remarked how far we smelt theInjees, as we went through the islands?"

"It is true, sir, the Spice Islands, and all land, they say--"

"What the devil's that?" asked the mate, evidently startled atsomething he _heard_, though he appeared to _smell_ nothing, unless indeed it might be a rat. 

"It sounds like water washing on rocks, sir, as much as anything Iever heard in my life!"

"Ready about!" shouted the mate. "Run down and call the captain, Miles--hard a-lee--start everybody up, forward. "

A scene of confusion followed, in the midst of which the captain, second-mate, and the watch below, appeared on deck. Captain Robbinstook command, of course, and was in time to haul the after-yards, theship coming round slowly in so light a wind. Come round she did, however, and, when her head was fairly to the southward and eastward, the captain demanded an explanation. Mr. Marble did not feel disposedto trust his nose any longer, but he invited the captain to use hisears. This all hands did, and, if sounds could be trusted, we had apretty lot of breakers seemingly all around us. 

"We surely can go out the way we came in, Mr. Marble?" said thecaptain, anxiously. 

"Yes, sir, if there were no _current_; but one never knows wherea bloody current will carry him in the dark. "

"Stand by to let go the anchor!" cried the captain. "Let run and clewup, forward and aft. Let go as soon as you're ready, Mr. Kite. "

Luckily, we had kept a cable bent as we came through the Straits, and, not knowing but we might touch at the Isle of France, it was stillbent, with the anchor fished. We had talked of stowing the latterin-board, but, having land in sight, it was not done. In two minutesit was a-cock-bill, and, in two more, let go. None knew whether weshould find a bottom; but Kite soon sang out to "snub, " the anchorbeing down, with only six fathoms out. The lead corroborated this, andwe had the comfortable assurance of being not only among breakers, butjust near the coast. The holding-ground, however, was reported good, and we went to work and rolled up all our rags. In half an hour theship was snug, riding by the stream, with a strong current, or tide, setting exactly north-east, or directly opposite to the captain'stheory. As soon as Mr. Marble had ascertained this fact, I overheardhim grumbling about something, of which I could distinctly understandnothing but the words "Bloody cape--bloody current. "

CHAPTER V. 

 "They hurried us aboard a bark; Bore us some leagues to sea; where they prepared A rotten carcass of a boat, not rigg'd, Nor tackle, sail, nor mast: the very rats Instinctively had girt us--" _Tempest. _

The hour that succeeded in the calm of expectation, was one of themost disquieting of my life. As soon as the ship was secured, andthere no longer remained anything to do, the stillness of deathreigned among us; the faculties of every man and boy appearing to beabsorbed in the single sense of hearing--the best, and indeed theonly, means we then possessed of judging of our situation. It was nowapparent that we were near some place or places where the surf wasbreaking on land; and the hollow, not-to-be-mistaken bellowings of theelement, too plainly indicated that cavities in rocks frequentlyreceived, and as often rejected, the washing waters. Nor did theseportentous sounds come from one quarter only, but they seemed tosurround us; now reaching our ears from the known direction of theland, now from the south, the north-east, and, in fact, from everydirection. There were instances when these moanings of the oceansounded as if close under our stern, and then again they came fromsome point within a fearful proximity to the bows. 

Happily the wind was light, and the ship rode with a moderate strainon the cable, so as to relieve us from the apprehension of immediatedestruction. There was a long, heavy ground-swell rolling in from, thesouth-west, but, the lead giving us, eight fathoms, the sea did notbreak exactly where we lay; though the sullen washing that came to ourears, from time to time, gave unerring notice that it was doing soquite near us, independently of the places where it broke uponrocks. At one time the captain's impatience was so goading, that hehad determined to pull round the anchorage in a boat, in order toanticipate the approach of light; but a suggestion from Mr. Marblethat he might unconsciously pull into a roller, and capsize, inducedhim to wait for day. 

The dawn appeared at last, after two or three of the longest hours Iremember ever to have passed. Never shall I forget the species offurious eagerness with which we gazed about us. In the first place, wegot an outline of the adjacent land; then, as light diffused itselfmore and more into the atmosphere, we caught glimpses of itsdetails. It was soon certain we were within a cable's length ofperpendicular cliffs of several hundred feet in height, into whosecaverns the sea poured at times, producing those frightful, hollowmoanings, that an experienced ear can never mistake. This cliffextended for leagues in both directions, rendering drowning nearlyinevitable to the shipwrecked mariner on that inhospitablecoast. Ahead, astern, outside of us, and I might almost say all aroundus, became visible, one after another, detached ledges, breakers andripples; so many proofs of the manner in which Providence had guidedus through the hours of darkness. 

By the time the sun appeared, for, happily, the day proved bright andclear, we had obtained pretty tolerable notions of the criticalsituation in which we were placed by means of the captain's theory ofcurrents. The very cape that we were to drift past, lay some tenleagues nearly dead to windward, as the breeze then was; while toleeward, far as the eye could reach, stretched the same inhospitable, barrier of rock as that which lay on our starboard quarter and beam. Such was my first introduction to the island of Madagascar; a portionof the world, of which, considering its position, magnitude andproductions, the mariners of Christendom probably know less than ofany other. At the time of which I am writing, far less had beenlearned of this vast country than is known to-day, though theknowledge of even our own immediate contemporaries is of anexceedingly limited character. 

Now that the day had returned, the sun was shining on us cheerfully, and the sea looked tranquil and assuring, the captain became morepacified. He had discretion enough to understand that time andexamination were indispensable to moving the ship with safety; and hetook the wise course of ordering the people to get their breakfasts, before he set us at work. The hour that was thus employed forward, waspassed aft in examining the appearance of the water, and the positionsof the reefs around the ship. By the time we were through, the captainhad swallowed his cup of coffee and eaten his biscuit; and, callingaway four of the most athletic oarsmen, he got into the jolly-boat, and set out on the all-important duty of discovering a channelsea-ward. The lead was kept moving, and I shall leave the party thusemployed for an hour or more, while we turn our attention in-board. 

Marble beckoned me aft, as soon as Captain Robbins was in the boat, apparently with a desire to say something in private. I understood themeaning of his eye, and followed him down into the steerage, where allthat was left of the ship's water was now stowed, that on deck havingbeen already used. The mate had a certain consciousness about him thatinduced great caution, and he would not open his lips until he hadrummaged about below some time, affecting to look for a set of blocksthat might be wanted for some purpose or other, on deck. When this hadlasted a little time, he turned short round to me, and let out thesecret of the whole manoeuvre. 

"I'll tell you what, Master Miles, " he said, making a sign with afinger to be cautious, "I look upon this ship's berth as worse thanthat of a city scavenger. We've plenty of water all round us, andplenty of rocks, too. If we knew the way back, there is no wind tocarry us through it, among these bloody currents, and there's no harmin getting ready for the worst. So do you get Neb and thegentleman"--Rupert was generally thus styled in the ship--"and clearaway the launch first. Get everything out of it that don't belongthere; after which, do you put these breakers in, and wait for furtherorders. Make no fuss, putting all upon orders, and leave the rest tome. "

I complied, of course, and in a few minutes the launch wasclear. While busy, however, Mr. Kite came past, and desired to know"what are you at there?" I told him 'twas Mr. Marble's orders, and thelatter gave his own explanation of the matter. 

"The launch may be wanted, " he said, "for I've no notion thatjolly-boat will do to go out as far as we shall find it necessary tosound. So I am about to ballast the launch, and get her sails ready;there's no use in mincing matters in such a berth as this. "

Kite approved of the idea, and even went so far as to suggest that itmight be well enough to get the launch into the water at once, by wayof saving time. The proposition was too agreeable to be rejected, and, to own the truth, all hands went to work to get up the tackles with awill, as it is called. In half an hour the boat was floatingalongside the ship. Some said she would certainly be wanted to carryout the stream-anchor, if for nothing else; others observed that halfa dozen boats would not be enough to find all the channel we wanted;while Marble kept his eye, though always in an underhand way, on hismain object. The breakers we got in and stowed, filled with_fresh_ water, by way of ballast. The masts were stepped, theoars were put on board, and a spare compass was passed dawn, lest theship might be lost in the thick weather, of which there was so much, just in that quarter of the world. All this wars said and done soquietly, that nobody took the alarm; and when the mate called out, ina loud voice, "Miles, pass a bread-bag filled and some cold grub intothat launch--the men may be hungry before they get back, " no oneseemed to think more was meant than was thus openly expressed. I hadmy private orders, however, and managed to get quite a hundred-weightof good cabin biscuit into the launch, while the cook was directed tofill his coppers with pork. I got some of the latter _raw_ intothe boat, too; _raw_ pork being food that sailors in no mannerdisdain. They say it eats like chestnuts. 

In the mean time, the captain was busy in his exploring expedition, onthe return from which he appeared to think he was better rewarded thanhas certainly fallen to the lot of others employed on anotherexpedition which bears the same name. He was absent near two hours, and, when he got back, it was to renew his theory of what Mr. Marblecalled his "bloody currents. "

"I've got behind the curtain, Mr. Marble, " commenced Captain Robbins, before he was fairly alongside of the ship again, whereupon Marblemuttered "ay! ay! you've got behind the rocks, too!" "It's all owingto an eddy that is made in-shore by the main current, and we havestretched a _leetle_ too far in. "

Even I thought to myself, what would have become of us had westretched a _leetle_ further in! The captain, however, seemedsatisfied that he could carry the ship out, and, as this was all wewanted, no one was disposed to be very critical. A word was said aboutthe launch, which the mate had ordered to be dropped astern, out ofthe way, and the explanation seemed to mystify the captain. In themeanwhile, the pork was boiling furiously in the coppers. 

All hands were now called to get the anchor up. Rupert and I wentaloft to loosen sails, and we staid there until the royals weremast-headed. In a very few minutes the cable was up and down, and thencame the critical part of the whole affair. The wind was still verylight, and it was a question whether the ship could be carried past areef of rocks that now began to show itself above water, and on whichthe long, heavy rollers, that came undulating from the south-westernAtlantic, broke with a sullen violence that betrayed how powerful wasthe ocean, even in its moments of slumbering peacefulness. The risingand falling of its surface was like that of some monster's chest, ashe respired heavily in sleep. 

Even the captain hesitated about letting go his hold of the bottom, with so strong a set of the water to leeward, and in so light abreeze. There was a sort of bight on our starboard bow, however, andMr. Marble suggested it might be well to sound in that direction, asthe water appeared smooth and deep. To him it looked as if there werereally an eddy in-shore, which might hawse the ship up to windward sixor eight times her length, and thus more than meet the loss that mustinfallibly occur in first casting her head to seaward. The captainadmitted the justice of this suggestion, and I was one of those whowere told to go in the jolly-boat on this occasion. We pulled intowards the cliffs, and had not gone fifty yards before we struck aneddy, sure enough, which was quite as strong as the current in whichthe ship lay. This was a great advantage, and so much the more, because the water was of sufficient depth, quite up to the edge of thereef which formed the bight, and thus produced the change in thedirection of the set. There was plenty of room, too, to handle theship in, and, all things considered, the discovery was extremelyfortunate. In the bottom of the bight we should have gone ashore theprevious night, had not our ears been so much better than our noses. 

As soon as certain of the facts, the captain pulled back to the ship, and gladdened the hearts of all on board with the tidings. We nowmanned the handspikes cheerily, and began to heave. I shall neverforget the impression made on me by the rapid drift of the ship, assoon as the anchor was off the bottom, and her bows were castin-shore, in order to fill the sails. The land was so near that Inoted this drift by the rocks, and my heart was fairly in my mouth fora few seconds. But the John worked beautifully, and soon gatheredway. Her bows did not not strike the eddy, however, until we gotfearful evidence of the strength of the true current, which had set usdown nearly as low as the reef outside, to windward of which it wasindispensable for us to pass. Marble saw all this, and he whisperedme to tell the cook to pass the pork into the launch at once--hot tomind whether it were particularly well done, or not. I obeyed, and hadto tend the fore-sheet myself, for my pains, when the order was givento "ready about. "

The eddy proved a true friend, but it did not carry us up much higherthan the place where we had anchored, when it became necessary totack. This was done in season, on account of our ignorance of all thesoundings, and we had soon got the John's head off-shoreagain. Drawing a short distance ahead, the main-top-sail was thrownaback, and the ship allowed to drift. In proper time, it was filled, and we got round once more, looking into the bight. The manoeuvre wasrepeated, and this brought us up fairly under the lee of the reef, andjust in the position we desired to be. It was a nervous instant, Imake no doubt, when Captain Robbins determined to trust the ship inthe true current, and run the gauntlet of the rocks. The passageacross which we had to steer, before we could possibly weather thenearest reef was about a cable's length in width, and the wind wouldbarely let us lay high enough to take it at right-angles. Then the airwas so light, that I almost despaired of our doing anything. 

Captain Robbins put the ship into the current with great judgment. Shewas kept a rap-full until near the edge of the eddy, and then her helmwas put nearly down, all at once. But for the current's acting, in onedirection, on her starboard bow, and the eddy's pressing, in theother, on the larboard quarter, the vessel would have been takenaback; but these counteracting forces brought her handsomely on hercourse again, and that in a way to prevent her falling an inch toleeward. 

Now came the trial. The ship was kept a rap-full, and she wentsteadily across the passage, favoured, perhaps, by a little morebreeze than had blown most of the morning. Still, our leeward set wasfearful, and, as we approached the reef, I gave all up. Marble screwedhis lips together, and his eyes never turned from the weather-leechesof the sails. Everybody appeared to me to be holding his breath, asthe ship rose on the long ground-swells, sending slowly ahead thewhole time. We passed the nearest point of the rocks on one of therounded risings of the water, just touching lightly as we glided bythe visible danger. The blow was light, and gave little cause foralarm. Captain Robbins now caught Mr. Marble by the hand, and was inthe very act of heartily shaking it, when the ship came down very muchin the manner that a man unexpectedly lights on a stone, when he hasno idea of having anything within two or three yards of his feet. Theblow was tremendous, throwing half the crew down; at the same instant, all three of the topmasts went to leeward. 

One has some difficulty in giving a reader accurate notions of theconfusion of so awful a scene. The motion of the vessel was arrestedsuddenly, as it might be by a wall, and the whole fabric seemed to beshaken to dissolution. The very next roller that came in, which wouldhave undulated in towards the land but for us, meeting with so large abody in its way, piled up and broke upon our decks, coveringeverything with water. At the same time, the hull lifted, and, aidedby wind, sea and current, it set still further on the reef, thumpingin a way to break strong iron bolts, like so many sticks ofsealing-wax, and cracking the solid live-oak of the floor-timbers asif they were made of willow. The captain stood aghast! For one momentdespair was painfully depicted in his countenance; then he recoveredhis self-possession and seamanship. He gave the order to stand by tocarry out to windward the stream-anchor in the launch, and to send akedge to haul out by, in the jolly-boat. Marble answered with theusual "ay, ay, sir!" but before he sent us into the boats, he venturedto suggest that the ship had bilged already. He had heard timberscrack, about which he thought there could be no mistake. The pumpswere sounded, and the ship had seven feet water in her hold. This hadmade in about ten minutes. Still the captain would not give up. Heordered us to commence throwing the teas overboard, in order toascertain, if possible, the extent of the injury. A place was brokenout in the wake of the main-hatch, and a passage was opened down intothe lower-hold, where we met the water. In the mean time, a South-Seaman we had picked up at Canton, dove down under the lee of the bilgeof the ship. He soon came back and reported that a piece of sharp rockhad gone quite through the planks. Everything tending to corroboratethis, the captain called a council of all hands on the quarter-deck, to consult as to further measures. 

A merchantman has no claim on the services of her crew after she ishopelessly wrecked. The last have a lien in law, on the ship andcargo, for their wages; and it is justly determined that when thissecurity fails, the claim for services ends. It followed, of course, that as soon as the John was given over, we were all our own masters;and hence the necessity for bringing even Neb into the consultation. With a vessel of war it would have been different. In such a case, theUnited States pays for the service, ship or no ship, wreck or nowreck; and the seaman serves out his term of enlistment, be thislonger or shorter. Military discipline continues under allcircumstances. 

Captain Robbins could hardly speak when we gathered round him on theforecastle, the seas breaking over the quarter-deck in a way to renderthat sanctuary a very uncomfortable berth. As soon as he could commandhimself, he told us that the ship was hopelessly lost. How it hadhappened, he could not very well explain himself, though he ascribedit to the fact that the currents did not run in the direction inwhich, according to all sound reasoning, they ought to run. This partof the speech was not perfectly lucid, though, as I understood ourunfortunate captain, the laws of nature, owing to some inexplicableinfluence, had departed, in some way or other, from their ordinaryworkings, expressly to wreck the John. If this were not the meaning ofwhat he said, I did not understand this part of the address. 

The captain was much more explicit after he got out of the current. Hetold us that the island of Bourbon was only about four hundred milesfrom where we then were, and he thought it possible to go thatdistance, find some small craft, and come back, and still save part ofthe cargo, the sails, anchors, &c. &c. We might make such a trip of itas would give us all a lift, in the way of salvage, that might provesome compensation for our other losses. This sounded well, and it hadat least the effect to give us some present object for our exertions;it also made the danger we all ran of losing our lives, lessapparent. To land on the island of Madagascar, in that day, was out ofthe question. The people were then believed to be far less civilizedthan in truth they were, and had a particularly bad character amongmariners. Nothing remained, therefore, but to rig the boats, and makeimmediate dispositions for our departure. 

Now it was that we found the advantage of the preparations alreadymade. Little remained to be done, and that which was done, was muchbetter done than if we had waited until the wreck was half full ofwater, and the seas were combing in upon her. The captain took chargeof the launch, putting Mr. Marble, Rupert, Neb, myself and the cook, into the jolly-boat, with orders to keep as close as possible tohimself. Both boats had sails, and both were so arranged as to row incalms, or head-winds. We took in rather more than our share ofprovisions and water, having two skillful caterers in the chief-mateand cook; and, having obtained a compass, quadrant, and a chart, forour portion of the indispensables, all hands were ready for a start, in about two hours after the ship had struck. 

It was just noon when we cast off from the wreck, and stood directlyoff the land. According to our calculations, the wind enabled us torun, with a clean full, on our true course. As the boats drew out intothe ocean, we had abundant opportunities of discovering how manydangers we had escaped; and, for my own part, I felt deeply grateful, even then, as I was going out upon the wide Atlantic in a mere shellof a boat, at the mercy we had experienced. No sooner were we fairlyin deep water, than the captain and mate had a dialogue on the subjectof the currents again. Notwithstanding all the difficulties his oldtheory had brought him into, the former remained of opinion that thetrue current set to windward, and that we should so find it as soon aswe got a little into the offing; while the mate was frank enough tosay he had been of opinion, all along, that it ran the other way. Thelatter added that Bourbon was rather a small spot to steer for, and itmight be better to get into its longitude, and then find it bymeridian observations, than to make any more speculations aboutmatters of which we knew nothing. 

The captain and Mr. Marble saw things differently, and we kept awayaccordingly, when we ought to have luffed all we could. Fortunatelythe weather continued moderate, or our little boat would have had abad time of it. We outsailed the launch with ease, and were forced toreef in order not to part company. When the sun set, we were more thantwenty miles from the land, seeing no more of the coast, though themountains inland were still looming up grandly in the distance. Iconfess, when night shut in upon us, and I found myself on the wideocean, in a boat much smaller than that with which I used to navigatethe Hudson, running every minute farther and farther into the waterywaste, I began to think of Clawbonny, and its security, and quietnights, and well-spread board, and comfortable beds in a way I hadnever thought of either before. As for food, however, we were notstinted; Mr. Marble setting us an example of using our teeth on thehalf boiled pork, that did credit to his philosophy. To do this manjustice, he seemed to think a run of four hundred miles in ajolly-boat no great matter, but took everything as regularly as ifstill on the deck of the John. Each of us got as good a nap as ourcramped situations would allow. 

The wind freshened in the morning, and the sea began to break. Thismade it necessary to keep still more away, to prevent filling attimes, or to haul close up, which might have done equally well. Butthe captain preferred the latter course, on account of the current. Wehad ticklish work of it, in the jolly-boat, more than once that day, and were compelled to carry a whole sail in order to keep up with thelaunch, which beat us, now the wind had increased. Marble was aterrible fellow to carry on everything, ship or boat, and we kept ourstation admirably, the two boats never getting a cable's lengthasunder, and running most of the time within hail of each other. Asnight approached, however, a consultation was held on the subject ofkeeping in company. We had now been out thirty hours, and had madenear a hundred and fifty miles, by our calculation. Luckily the windhad got to be nearly west, and we were running ahead famously, thoughit was as much as we could do to keep the jolly-boat from filling. Onehand was kept bailing most of the time, and sometimes all four of uswere busy. These matters were talked over, and the captain proposedabandoning the jolly-boat altogether, and to take us into the launch, though there was not much vacant space to receive us. But the materesisted this, answering that he thought he could take care of ourboat a while longer, at least. Accordingly, the old arrangement wasmaintained, the party endeavouring to keep as near together aspossible. 

About midnight it began to blow in squalls, and two or three times wefound it necessary to take in our sails, our oars, and pull the boathead to sea, in order to prevent her swamping. The consequence was, that we lost sight of the launch, and, though we always kept away toour course as soon as the puffs would allow, when the sun rose we sawnothing of our late companions. I have sometimes thought Mr. Marbleparted company on purpose, though he seemed much concerned nextmorning when he had ascertained the launch was nowhere to beseen. After looking about for an hour, and the wind moderating, wemade sail close on the wind; a direction that would soon have taken usaway from the launch, had the latter been close alongside when wefirst took it. We made good progress all this day, and at evening, having now been out fifty-four hours, we supposed ourselves to berather more than half-way on the road to our haven. It fell calm inthe night, and the next morning we got the wind right aft. This gaveus a famous shove, for we sometimes made six and seven knots in thehour. The fair wind lasted thirty hours, during which time we musthave made more than a hundred and fifty miles, it falling nearly calmabout an hour before dawn, on the morning of the fourth dayout. Everybody was anxious to see the horizon that morning, and everyeye was turned to the east, with intense expectation, as the sunrose. It was in vain; there was not the least sign of landvisible. Marble looked sadly disappointed, but he endeavoured to cheerus up with the hope of seeing the island shortly. We were then headingdue east, with a very light breeze from the north-west. I happened tostand up in the boat, on a thwart, and, turning my face to thesouthward, I caught a glimpse of something that seemed like a hummockof land in that quarter. I saw it but for an instant; but, whatever itwas, I saw it plain enough. Mr. Marble now got on the thwart, andlooked in vain to catch the same object. He said there was no land inthat quarter--could be none--and resumed his seat to steer to theeastward, a little north. I could not be easy, however, but remainedon the thwart until the boat lifted on a swell higher than common, andthen I saw the brown, hazy-looking spot on the margin of the oceanagain. My protestations now became so earnest, that Marble consentedto stand for an hour in the direction I pointed out to him. "One hour, boy, I will grant you, to shut your mouth, " the mate said, taking outhis watch, "and that you need lay nothing to my door hereafter. " Tomake the most of this hour, I got my companions at the oars, and weall pulled with hearty good-will. So much importance did I attach toevery fathom of distance made, that we did not rise from our seatsuntil the mate told us to stop rowing, for the hour was up. As forhimself, he had not risen either, but kept looking behind him to theeastward, still hoping to see land somewhere in that quarter. 

My heart beat violently as I got upon the thwart, but there lay myhazy object, now never dipping at all. I shouted "land ho!" Marblejumped up on a thwart, too and no longer disputed my word. It wasland, he admitted, and it must be the island of Bourbon, which we hadpassed to the northward, and must soon have given a hopelessly wideberth. We went to the oars again with renewed life, and soon made theboat spin. All that day we kept rowing, until about five in theafternoon, when we found ourselves within a few leagues of the islandof Bourbon, where we were met by a fresh breeze from the southward, and were compelled to make sail. The wind was dead on end, and we madestretches under the lee of the island, going about as we found the seagetting to be too heavy for us, as was invariably the case whenever wegot too far east or west. In a word, a lee was fast becomingnecessary. By ten, we were within a mile of the shore, but saw noplace where we thought it safe to attempt a landing in the dark; along, heavy sea setting in round both sides of the island, though thewater did not break much where we remained. At length the wind got tobe so heavy, that we could not carry even our sail double-reefed, andwe kept two oars pulling lightly in, relieving each other everyhour. By daylight it blew tremendously, and glad enough were we tofind a little cove where it was possible to get ashore. I had thennever felt so grateful to Providence as I did when I got my feet on_terra-firma_. 

We remained on the island a week, hoping to see the launch and hercrew; but neither appeared. Then we got a passage to the Isle ofFrance, on arriving at which place we found the late gale wasconsidered to have been very serious. There was no American consul inthe island, at that time; and Mr. Marble, totally without credit ormeans, found it impossible to obtain a craft of any sort to go to thewreck in. We were without money, too, and, a homeward-bound Calcuttavessel coming in, we joined her to work our passages home, Mr. Marbleas dickey, and the rest of us in the forecastle. This vessel wascalled the Tigris, and belonged to Philadelphia. She was consideredone of the best ships out of America, and her master had a highreputation for seamanship and activity. He was a little man of thename of Digges, and was under thirty at the time I first knew him. Hetook us on board purely out of a national feeling, for his ship wasstrong-handed without us, having thirty-two souls, all told, when hereceived us five. We afterwards learned that letters sent after theship had induced Captain Digges to get five additional hands inCalcutta, in order to be able to meet the picaroons that were thenbeginning to plunder American vessels, even on their own coast, underthe pretence of their having violated certain regulations made by thetwo great belligerents of the day, in Europe. This was just thecommencement of the _quasi_ war which broke out a few weeks laterwith France. 

Of all these hostile symptoms, however, I then knew little and caredless. Even Mr. Marble had never heard of them and we five joined theTigris merely to get passages home, without entertaining secondthoughts of running any risk, further than the ordinary dangers of theseas. 

The Tigris sailed the day we joined her, which was the third after wereached Mauritius, and just fifteen days after we had left thewreck. We went to sea with the wind at the southward, and had a goodrun off the island, making more than a hundred miles that afternoonand in the course of the night. Next morning, early, I had the watch, and an order was given to set top-gallant studding-sails. Rupert and Ihad got into the same watch on board this vessel, and we both wentaloft to reeve the gear. I had taken up the end of the halyards, andhad reeved them, and had overhauled the end down, when, in raising myhead, I saw two small lug-sails on the ocean, broad on ourweather-bow, which I recognised in an instant for those of the John'slaunch. I cannot express the feeling that came over me at that sight. I yelled, rather than shouted, "Sail ho!" and then, pushing in, Icaught hold of a royal-backstay, and was on deck in an instant. Ibelieve I made frantic gestures to windward, for Mr. Marble, who hadthe watch, had to shake me sharply before I could let the fact beknown. 

As soon as Marble comprehended me, and got the bearings of the boat, he hauled down all the studding-sails, braced sharp up on a wind, setthe mainsail, and then sent down a report to Captain Digges fororders. Our new commander was a humane man, and having been told ourwhole story, he did not hesitate about confirming all that had beendone. As the people in the launch had made out the ship some timebefore I saw the boat, the latter was running down upon us, and, inabout an hour, the tiny sails were descried from the deck. In lessthan an hour after this, our mainyard swung round, throwing thetopsail aback, and the well-known launch of the John rounded-to closeunder our lee; a rope was thrown, and the boat was hauled alongside. 

Everybody in the Tigris was shocked when we came to get a look at thecondition of the strangers. One man, a powerful negro, lay dead in thebottom of the boat; the body having been kept for a dreadfulalternative, in the event of his companions falling in with no otherrelief. Three more of the men were nearly gone, and had to be whippedon board as so many lifeless bales of goods. Captain Robbins and Kite, both athletic, active men, resembled spectres, their eyes standing outof their heads as if thrust from their sockets by some internal foe;and when we spoke to them, they all seemed unable to answer. It wasnot fasting, or want of food, that had reduced them to this state, somuch as want of water. It is true, they had no more bread left thanwould keep body and soul together for a few hours longer; but of waterthey had tasted not a drop for seventy odd hours! It appeared that, during the gale, they had been compelled to empty the breakers tolighten the boat, reserving only one for their immediate wants. Bysome mistake, the one reserved was nearly half-empty at the time; andCaptain Robbins believed himself then so near Bourbon, as not to go onan allowance until it was too late. In this condition had they beensearching for the island quite ten days, passing it, but never hittingit. The winds had not favoured them, and, the last few days, theweather had been such as to admit of no observation. Consequently, they had been as much out of their reckoning in their latitude, as intheir longitude. 

A gleam of intelligence, and I thought of pleasure, shot athwart thecountenance of Captain Robbins, as I helped him over the Tigris'sside. He saw I was safe. He tottered as he walked, and leaned heavilyon me for support. I was about to lead him aft, but his eye caughtsight of a scuttlebutt, and the tin-pot on its head. Thither he went, and stretched out a trembling hand to the vessel. I gave him the potas it was, with about a wine-glass of water in it This he swallowed ata gulp, and then tottered forward for more. By this time CaptainDigges joined us, and gave the proper directions how to proceed. Allthe sufferers had water in small quantities given them, and it iswonderful with what expressions of delight they received the gratefulbeverage. As soon as they understood the necessity of keeping it aslong as possible in their mouths, and on their tongues, beforeswallowing it, a little did them a great deal of good. After this, wegave them some coffee, the breakfast being ready, and then a littleship's biscuit soaked in wine. By such means every man was saved, though it was near a month before all were themselves again. As forCaptain Robbins and Kite, they were enabled to attend to duty by theend of a week, though nothing more was exacted of them than they choseto perform. 

CHAPTER VI. 

 "The yesty waves Confound and swallow navigation up. " _Macbeth. _

Poor Captain Robbins! No sooner did he regain his bodily strength, than he began to endure the pain of mind that was inseparable from theloss of his ship. Marble, who, now that he had fallen to the humblercondition of a second-mate, was more than usually disposed to becommunicative with me, gave me to understand that our old superior hadat first sounded Captain Digges on the subject of proceeding to thewreck, in order to ascertain what could be saved; but the latter hadsoon convinced him that a first-rate Philadelphia Indiaman hadsomething else to do besides turning wrecker. After a pretty broadhint to this effect, the John, and all that was in her, were abandonedto their fate. Marble, however, was of opinion that the gale in whichthe launch came so near being lost, must have broken the ship entirelyto pieces, giving her fragments to the ocean. We never heard of herfate, or recovered a single article that belonged to her. 

Many were the discussions between Captain Robbins and his two mates, touching the error in reckoning that had led them so far from theircourse. In that day, navigation was by no means as simple a thing asit has since become. It is true, lunars were usually attempted inIndia and China ships; but this was not an every-day affair, like thepresent morning and afternoon observations to obtain the time, and, bymeans of the chronometer, the longitude. Then we had so recently gotclear of the islands, as to have no great need of any extraordinaryhead-work; and the "bloody currents" had acted their pleasure with usfor eight or ten days before the loss of the ship. Marble was a verygood navigator, one of the best I ever sailed with, in spite of theplainness of his exterior, and his rough deportment; and, all thingsconsidered, he treated his old commander with great delicacy, promising to do all he could, when he got home, to clear the matterup. As for Kite, he knew but little, and had the discretion to say butlittle. This moderation rendered our passage all the more agreeable. 

The Tigris was a very fast ship, besides being well-found. She was alittle larger than the John, and mounted twelve guns, nine-pounders. In consequence of the additions made to her crew, one way and another, she now mustered nearer fifty than forty souls on board. CaptainDigges had certain martial tastes, and, long before we were up withthe Cape, he had us all quartered and exercised at the guns. He, too, had had an affair with some proas, and he loved to converse of thethreshing he had given the rascals. I thought he envied us ourexploit, though this might have been mere imagination on my part, forhe was liberal enough in his commendations. The private intelligencehe had received of the relations between France and America, quickenedhis natural impulses; and, by the time we reached St. Helena, the shipmight have been said to be in good fighting order for a merchantman. We touched at this last-mentioned island for supplies, but obtained nonews of any interest. Those who supplied the ship could tell usnothing but the names of the Indiamen who had gone out and home forthe last twelvemonth, and the prices of fresh meat and vegetables. Napoleon civilized them, seventeen years later. 

We had a good run from St. Helena to the calm latitudes, but theselast proved calmer than common. We worried through them after a while, however, and then did very well until we got in the latitude of theWindward Islands. Marble one day remarked to me that Captain Diggeswas standing closer to the French island of Guadaloupe than was at allnecessary or prudent, if he believed in his own reports of the dangerthere existed to American commerce, in this quarter of the ocean. 

I have lived long enough, and have seen too much of men and things, tofancy my country and countrymen right in all their transactions, merely because newspapers, members of congress, and fourth of Julyorators, are pleased to affirm the doctrine. No one can go much to seawithout reading with great distrust many of the accounts, in thejournals of the day, of the grievous wrongs done the commerce ofAmerica by the authorities of this or that port, the seizure of such aship, or the imprisonment of some particular set of officers andmen. As a rule, it is safer to assume that the afflicted partiesdeserve all that has happened to them, than to believe themimmaculate; and, quite likely, much more, too. The habit of receivingsuch appeals to their sympathies, renders the good people of therepublic peculiarly liable to impositions of this nature; and themother who encourages those of her children who fetch and carry, willbe certain to have her ears filled with complaints and tattle. Nevertheless, it is a fact beyond all dispute, that the commerce ofthe country was terribly depredated on by nearly all the Europeanbelligerents, between the commencement of the war of the Frenchrevolution and its close. So enormous were the robberies thuscommitted on the widely extended trade of this nation, under onepretence or another, as to give a colouring of retributive justice, ifnot of moral right, to the recent failures of certain States among usto pay their debts. Providence singularly avenges all wrongs by itsunerring course; and I doubt not, if the facts could be sifted to thebottom, it would be found the devil was not permitted to do his work, in either case, without using materials supplied by the sufferers, insome direct or indirect manner, themselves. Of all the depredations onAmerican trade just mentioned, those of the great sister republic, atthe close of the last century, were among the most grievous, and wereof a character so atrocious and bold, that I confess it militatessomewhat against my theory to admit that France owns very little ofthe "suspended debt;" but I account for this last circumstance by thereparation she in part made, by the treaty of 1831. With England it isdifferent. She drove us into a war by the effects of her orders incouncil and paper blockades, and compelled us to expend a hundredmillions to set matters right. I should like to see the booksbalanced, not by the devil, who equally instigated the robberies onthe high seas, and the "suspension" or "repudiation" of the Statedebts; but by the great Accountant who keeps a record of all our deedsof this nature, whether it be to make money by means of cruisingships, or cruising scrip. It is true, these rovers encountered verydifferently-looking victims, in the first place; but it is a somewhattrite remark, that the aggregate of human beings is pretty much thesame in all situations. There were widows and orphans as muchconnected with the condemnation of prizes, as with the prices ofcondemned stock; and I do not see that fraud is any worse when carriedon by scriveners and clerks with quills behind their ears, than whencarried on by gentlemen wearing cocked hats, and carrying swords bytheir sides. On the whole, I am far from certain that theaccount-current of honesty is not slightly--honesty very _slightly_leavens either transaction--in favour of the non-paying States, as mendo sometimes borrow with good intentions, and fail, from inability, topay; whereas, in the whole course of my experience, I never knew acaptor of a ship who intended to give back any of the prize-money, ifhe could help it. But, to return to my adventures. 

We were exactly in the latitude of Guadaloupe, with the usual breeze, when, at daylight, a rakish-looking brig was seen in chase. CaptainDigges took a long survey of the stranger with his best glass, onethat was never exhibited but on state occasions, and then hepronounced him to be a French cruiser; most probably a privateer. Thathe was a Frenchman, Marble affirmed, was apparent by the height of histop-masts, and the shortness of his yards; the upper spars, inparticular, being mere apologies for yards. Everybody who had anyright to an opinion, was satisfied the brig was a French cruiser, either public or private. 

The Tigris was a fast ship, and she was under top-mast and top-gallantstudding-sails at the time, going about seven knots. The brig was onan easy bowline, evidently looking up for our wake, edging offgradually as we drew ahead. She went about nine knots, and bade fairto close with us by noon. There was a good deal of doubt, aft, as tothe course we ought to pursue. It was decided in the end, however, toshorten sail and let the brig come up, as being less subject tocavils, than to seem to avoid her. Captain Digges got out his lastletters from home, and I saw him showing them to Captain Robbins, thetwo conning them over with great earnestness. I was sent to do someduty near the hencoops, where they were sitting, and overheard a partof their conversation. From the discourse, I gathered that theproceedings of these picaroons were often equivocal, and thatAmericans were generally left in doubt, until a favourable momentoccurred for the semi-pirates to effect their purposes. The partyassailed did not know when or how to defend himself, until it was toolate. 

"These chaps come aboard you, sometimes, before you're aware of whatthey are about, " observed Captain Robbins. 

"I'll not be taken by surprise in that fashion, " returned Digges, after a moment of reflection. "Here, you Miles, go forward and tellthe cook to fill his coppers with water, and to set it boiling as fastas he can; and tell Mr. Marble I want him aft. Bear a hand, now, youngster, and give them a lift yourself. "

Of course I obeyed, wondering what the captain wanted with so much hotwater as to let the people eat their dinners off cold grub, ratherthan dispense with it; for this was a consequence of his decree. Butwe had not got the coppers half-filled, before I saw Mr. Marble andNeb lowering a small ship's engine from the launch, and placing itnear the galley, in readiness to be filled. The mate told Neb to screwon the pipe, and then half a dozen of the men, as soon as we gotthrough with the coppers, were told to fill the engine withsea-water. Captain Digges now came forward to superintend theexercise, and Neb jumped on the engine, flourishing the pipe aboutwith the delight of a "nigger. " The captain was diverted with theblack's zeal, and he appointed him captain of the firemen on the spot. 

"Now, let us see what you can do at that forward dead eye, darky, "said Captain Digges, laughing. "Take it directly on the strap. Playaway, boys, and let Neb try his hand. "

It happened that Neb hit the dead-eye at the first jet, and he showedgreat readiness in turning the stream from point to point, asordered. Neb's conduct on the night of the affair with the proas hadbeen told to Captain Digges, who was so well pleased with the fellow'spresent dexterity, as to confirm him in office. He was told to stickby the engine at every hazard. Soon after, an order was given to clearfor action. This had an ominous sound to my young ears, and, though Ihave no reason to suppose myself deficient in firmness, I confess Ibegan to think again of Clawbonny, and Grace, and Lucy; ay, and evenof the mill. This lasted but for a moment, however, and, as soon as Igot at work, the feeling gave me no trouble. We were an hour gettingthe ship ready, and, by that time, the brig was within half a mile, luffing fairly up on our lee-quarter. As we had shortened sail, theprivateer manifested no intention of throwing a shot to make usheave-to. She seemed disposed to extend courtesy for courtesy. 

The next order was for all hands to go to quarters. I was stationed inthe main-top, and Rupert in the fore. Our duties were to do lightwork, in the way of repairing damages; and the captain, understandingthat we were both accustomed to fire-arms, gave us a musket a-piece, with orders to blaze away as soon as they began the work below. As wehad both stood fire once, we thought ourselves veterans, and proceededto our stations, smiling and nodding to each other as we went up therigging. Of the two, my station was the best, since I could see theapproach of the brig, the mizen-top-sail offering but littleobstruction to vision after she got near; whereas the main-top-sailwas a perfect curtain, so far as poor Rupert was concerned. In the wayof danger, there was not much difference as to any of the stations onboard, the bulwarks of the ship being little more than plank thatwould hardly stop a musket-ball; and then the French had a reputationfor firing into the rigging. 

As soon as all was ready, the captain sternly ordered silence. By thistime the brig was near enough to hail. I could see her decks quiteplainly, and they were filled with men. I counted her guns, too, andascertained she had but ten, all of which seemed to be lighter thanour own. One circumstance that I observed, however, was suspicious. Her forecastle was crowded with men, who appeared to be crouchingbehind the bulwarks, as if anxious to conceal their presence from theeyes of those in the Tigris. I had a mind to jump on a back-stay andslip down on deck, to let this threatening appearance be known; but Ihad heard some sayings touching the imperative duty of remaining atquarters in face of the enemy, and I did not like to desert mystation. Tyroes have always exaggerated notions both of their rightsand their duties, and I had not escaped the weakness. Still, I thinksome credit is due for the alternative adopted. During the wholevoyage, I had kept a reckoning, and paper and pencil were always in mypocket, in readiness to catch a moment to finish a day's work. I wroteas follows on a piece of paper, therefore, as fast as possible, anddropped the billet on the quarter-deck, by enclosing a copper in thescrawl, _cents_ then being in their infancy. I had merelywritten--"The brig's forecastle is filled with armed men, hid behindthe bulwarks!" Captain Digges heard the fall of the copper, andlooking up--nothing takes an officer's eyes aloft quicker than to findanything coming out of a top!--he saw me pointing to the paper. I wasrewarded for this liberty by an approving nod. Captain Digges readwhat I had written, and I soon observed Neb and the cook filling theengine with boiling water. This job was no sooner done than a goodplace was selected on the quarter-deck for this singular implement ofwar, and then a hail came from the brig. 

"Vat zat sheep is?" demanded some one from the brig. 

"The Tigris of Philadelphia, from Calcutta _home_. What brig is_that_?"

"_La Folie--corsair Français_. From vair you come?"

"From Calcutta. And where are _you_ from?"

"Guadaloupe. Vair you go, eh?"

"Philadelphia. Do not luff so near me; some accident may happen. "

"Vat you call '_accident_?' Can nevair hear, eh? I will come_tout près_. "

"Give us a wider berth, I tell you! Here is your jib boom nearly foulof my mizen-rigging. "

"Vat mean zat, bert' vidair? eh! _Allons, mes enfants, c'est lemoment_!"

"Luff a little, and keep his spar clear, " cried our captain. "Squirtaway, Neb, and let us see what you can do!"

The engine made a movement, just as the French began to run out ontheir bowsprit, and, by the time six or eight were on the heel of thejib-boom, they were met by the hissing hot stream, which took them_en echelon_, as it might be, fairly raking the whole line. Theeffect was instantaneous. Physical nature cannot stand excessive heat, unless particularly well supplied with skin; and the three leadingFrenchmen, finding retreat impossible, dropped incontinently into thesea, preferring cold water to hot--the chances of drowning, to thecertainty of being scalded. I believe all three were saved by theircompanions in-board, but I will not vouch for the fact. The remainderof the intended boarders, having the bowsprit before them, scrambledback upon the brig's forecastle as well as they could, betraying, bythe random way in which their hands flew about, that they had aperfect consciousness how much they left their rear exposed on theretreat. A hearty laugh was heard in all parts of the Tigris, and thebrig, putting her helm hard up, wore round like a top, as if she werescalded herself. [*]

[Footnote *: This incident actually occurred in the war of 1798]

We all expected a broadside now; but of that there was littleapprehension, as it was pretty certain we carried the heaviestbattery, and had men enough to work it. But the brig did not fire, Isuppose because we fell off a little ourselves, and she perceived itmight prove a losing game. On the contrary, she went quite round onher heel, hauling up on the other tack far enough to bring the twovessels exactly _dos à dos_. Captain Digges ordered two of thequarter-deck nines to be run out of the stern-ports; and it was wellhe did, for it was not in nature for men to be treated as our friendsin the brig had been served, without manifesting certain signs ofill-humour. The vessels might have been three cables' lengths asunderwhen we got a gun. The first I knew of the shot was to hear it plungethrough the mizen-top-sail, then it came whistling through my top, between the weather-rigging and the mast-head, cutting a hole throughthe main-top-sail, and, proceeding onward, I heard it strike somethingmore solid than canvass. I thought of Rupert and the fore-top in aninstant, and looked anxiously down on deck to ascertain if he wereinjured. 

"Fore-top, there!" called out Captain Digges. "Where did that shotstrike?"

"In the mast-head, " answered Rupert, in a clear, firm voice. "It hasdone no damage, sir. "

"Now's your time, Captain Robbing--give 'em a reminder. "

Both our nines were fired, and, a few seconds after, three cheersarose from the decks of our ship. I could not see the brig, now, forthe mizen-top-sail; but I afterwards learned that we had shot away hergaff. This terminated the combat, in which the glory was acquiredprincipally by Neb. They told me, when I got down among the peopleagain, that the black's face had been dilated with delight the wholetime, though he stood fairly exposed to musketry, his mouth grinningfrom ear to ear. Neb was justly elated with the success that attendedthis exhibition of his skill, and described the retreat of our enemieswith a humour and relish that raised many a laugh at the discomfitedprivateersman. It is certain that some of the fellows must have beennearly parboiled. 

I have always supposed this affair between la Folie and the Tigris tohave been the actual commencement of hostilities in the _quasi_war of 1798-9 and 1800. Other occurrences soon supplanted it in thepublic mind; but we of the ship never ceased to regard the adventureas one of great national interest. It did prove to be a nine days'wonder in the newspapers. 

From this time, nothing worthy of being noted occurred, until wereached the coast. We had got as high as the capes of Virginia, andwere running in for the land, with a fair wind, when we made a shipin-shore of us. The stranger hauled up to speak us, as soon as we wereseen. There was a good deal of discussion about this vessel, as shedrew near, between Captain Digges and his chief-mate. The latter saidhe knew the vessel, and that it was an Indiaman out of Philadelphia, called the Ganges, a sort of sister craft to our own ship; while theformer maintained, if it were the Ganges at all, she was so altered asscarcely to be recognised. As we got near, the stranger threw a shotunder our fore-foot, and showed an American pennant and ensign. Getting a better look at her, we got so many signs of a vessel-of-warin our neighbour, as to think it wisest to heave-to, when the othervessel passed under our stern, tacked, and lay with her head-yardsaback, a little on our weather-quarter. As she drew to windward, wesaw her stern, which had certain national emblems, but no name on it. This settled the matter. She was a man-of-war, and she carried theAmerican flag! Such a thing did not exist a few months before, when weleft home, and Captain Digges was burning with impatience to knowmore. He was soon gratified. 

"Is not that the Tigris?" demanded a voice, through a trumpet, fromthe stranger. 

"Ay, ay! What ship is that?"

"The United States' Ship Ganges, Captain Dale; from the capes of theDelaware, bound on a cruise. You're welcome home, Captain Digges; wemay want some of your assistance under a cockade. "

Digges gave a long whistle, and then the mystery was out. This provedto be the Ganges, as stated, an Indiaman bought into a new navy, andthe first ship-of-war ever sent to sea under the government of thecountry, as it had existed since the adoption of the constitution, nine years before. The privateers of France had driven the republicinto an armament, and ships were fitting out in considerable numbers;some being purchased, like the Ganges, and others built expressly forthe new marine. Captain Digges went on board the Ganges, and, pullingan oar in his boat, I had a chance of seeing that vessel also. CaptainDale, a compact, strongly-built, seaman-like looking man, in a blueand white uniform, received our skipper with a cordial shake of thehand, for they had once sailed together, and he laughed heartily whenhe heard the story of the boarding-party and the hot water. Thisrespectable officer had no braggadocia about him, but he intimatedthat it would not be long, as he thought, before the rovers among theislands would have their hands full. Congress was in earnest, and thewhole country was fairly aroused. Whenever that happens in America, itis usually to take a new and better direction than to follow theordinary blind impulses of popular feelings. In countries where themasses count for nothing, in the every-day working of their systems, excitement has a tendency to democracy; but, among ourselves, I thinkthe effect of such a condition of things is to bring into action menand qualities that are commonly of little account, and to elevate, instead of depressing, public sentiment. 

I was extremely pleased with the manly, benevolent countenance ofCaptain Dale, and had half a desire to ask leave to join his ship onthe spot. If that impulse had been followed, it is probable my futurelife would have been very different from what it subsequentlyproved. I should have been rated a midshipman, of course; and, servingso early, with a good deal of experience already in ships, a year ortwo would have made me a lieutenant, and, could I have survived thepruning of 1801, I should now have been one of the oldest officers inthe service. Providence directed otherwise; and how much was lost, orhow much gained, by my continuance in the Tigris, the reader willlearn as we proceed. 

As soon as Captain Digges had taken a glass or two of wine with hisold acquaintance, we returned to our own ship, and the two vesselsmade sail; the Ganges standing off to the northward and eastward, while we ran in for the capes of the Delaware. We got in under CapeMay, or within five miles of it, the same evening, when it fell nearlycalm. A pilot came off from the cape in a row-boat, and he reached usjust at dark. Captain Robbins now became all impatience to land, as itwas of importance to him to be the bearer of his own badnews. Accordingly, an arrangement having been made with the two menwho belonged to the shore-boat, our old commander, Rupert and myself, prepared to leave the ship, late as it was. We two lads were taken forthe purpose of manning two additional oars, but were to rejoin theship in the bay, if possible; if not, up at town. One of theinducements of Captain Robbins to be off, was the signs of northerlyweather. It had begun to blow a little in puffs from the north-west;and everybody knew, if it came on to blow seriously from that quarter, the ship might be a week in getting up the river, her news beingcertain to precede her. We hurried off accordingly, taking nothingwith us but a change of linen, and a few necessary papers. 

We got the first real blast from the north-west in less than fiveminutes after we had quitted the Tigris's side, and while the ship wasstill visible, or, rather, while we could yet see the lights in hercabin-windows, as she fell off before the wind. Presently the lightsdisappeared, owing, no doubt, to the ship's luffing again. Thesymptoms now looked so threatening, that the pilot's men proposedmaking an effort, before it was too late, to find the ship; but thiswas far easier said than done. The vessel might be spinning awaytowards Cape Henlopen, at the rate of six or seven knots; and, withoutthe means of making any signal in the dark, it was impossible toovertake her. I do believe that Captain Robbins would have acceded tothe request of the men, had he seen any probability of succeeding; asit was, there remained no alternative but to pull in, and endeavour toreach the land. We had the light on the cape as our beacon, and theboat's head was kept directly for it, as the wisest course for us topursue. 

Changes of wind from south-east to north-west are very common on theAmerican coast. They are almost always sudden; sometimes so much so, as to take ships aback; and the force of the breeze usually comes soearly, as to have produced the saying that a "nor'-wester comesbutt-end foremost. " Such proved to be the fact in our case. In lessthan half an hour after it began to blow, the wind would have broughtthe most gallant ship that floated to double-reefed topsails, steeringby, and to reasonably short-canvass, running large. We may have pulleda mile in this half hour, though it was by means of a quick stroke andgreat labour. The Cape May men were vigorous and experienced, and theydid wonders; nor were Rupert and I idle; but, as soon as the sea gotup, it was as much as all four of us could do to keep steerage-way onthe boat. There were ten minutes, during which I really think the boatwas kept head to sea by means of the wash of the waves that drovepast, as we barely held her stationary. 

Of course, it was out of the question to continue exertions that wereas useless as they were exhausting. We tried the expedient, however, of edging to the northward, with the hope of getting more under thelee of the land, and, consequently, into smoother water; but it did nogood. The nearest we ever got to the light must have considerablyexceeded a league. At length Rupert, totally exhausted, dropped hisoar, and fell panting on the thwart. He was directed to steer, CaptainRobbins taking his place. I can only liken our situation at thatfearful moment to the danger of a man who is clinging to a cliff itssummit and safety almost in reach of his hand, with the consciousnessthat his powers are fast failing him, and that he must shortly godown. It is true, death was not so certain by our abandoning theeffort to reach the land, but the hope of being saved was faintindeed. Behind us lay the vast and angry Atlantic, without an inch ofvisible land between us and the Rock of Lisbon. We were totallywithout food of any sort, though, luckily, there was a small breakerof fresh water in the boat. The Cape May men had brought off theirsuppers with them, but they had made the meal; whereas the rest of ushad left the Tigris fasting, intending to make comfortable suppers atthe light. 

At length Captain Robbins consulted the boatmen, and asked them whatthey thought of our situation. I sat between these men, who had beenremarkably silent the whole time, pulling like giants. Both wereyoung, though, as I afterwards learned, both were married; each havinga wife, at that anxious moment, waiting on the beach of the cape forthe return of the boat. As Captain Robbins put the question, I turnedmy head, and saw that the man behind me, the oldest of the two, was intears. I cannot describe the shock I experienced at this sight. Herewas a man accustomed to hardships and dangers, who was making thestoutest and most manly efforts to save himself and all with him, atthe very moment, so strongly impressed with the danger of oursituation, that his feelings broke forth in a way it is alwaysstartling to witness, when the grief of man is thus exhibited intears. The imagination of this husband was doubtless picturing to hismind the anguish of his wife at that moment, and perhaps the long daysof sorrow that were to succeed. I have no idea he thought of himself, apart from his wife: for a finer, more manly resolute fellow, neverexisted, as he subsequently proved, to the fullest extent. 

It seemed to me that the two Cape May men had a sort of desperatereluctance to give up the hope of reaching the land. We were a strongboat's crew, and we had a capital, though a light boat; yet all wouldnot do. About midnight, after pulling desperately for three hours, mystrength was quite gone, and I had to give up the oar. Captain Robbinsconfessed himself in a very little better state, and, it beingimpossible for the boatmen to do more than keep the boat stationary, and that only for a little time longer, there remained no expedientbut to keep off before the wind, in the hope of still falling in withthe ship. We knew that the Tigris was on the starboard tack when weleft her, and, as she would certainly endeavour to keep as close inwith the land as possible, there was a remaining chance that she hadwore ship to keep off Henlopen, and might be heading up aboutnorth-north-east, and laying athwart the mouth of the bay. This leftus just a chance--a ray of hope; and it had now become absolutelynecessary to endeavour to profit by it. 

The two Cape May men pulled the boat round, and kept her just ahead ofthe seas, as far as it was in their power; very light touches of theoars sufficing for this, where it could be done at all. Occasionally, however, one of those chasing waves would come after us, at a racer'sspeed, invariably breaking at such instants, and frequentlyhalf-filling the boat. This gave us new employment, Rupert and myselfbeing kept quite half the time bailing. No occupation, notwithstandingthe danger, could prevent me from looking about the cauldron of angrywaters, in quest of the ship. Fifty times did I fancy I saw her, andas often did the delusive idea end in disappointment. The waste ofdark waters, relieved by the gleaming of the combing seas, alone metthe senses. The wind blew directly down the estuary, and, in crossingits mouth, we found too much swell to receive it on our beam, and weresoon compelled, most reluctantly though it was, to keep dead away toprevent swamping. This painful state of expectation may have lastedhalf an hour, the boat sometimes seeming ready to fly out of thewater, as it drifted before the gale, when Rupert unexpectedly calledout that he saw the ship!

There she was, sure enough, with her head to the northward andeastward, struggling along through the raging waters, under her foreand main-top-sails, close-reefed, and reefed courses, evidentlyclinging to the land as close as she could, both to hold her own andto make good weather. It was barely light enough to ascertain thesefacts, though the ship was not a cable's length from us when firstdiscovered. Unfortunately, she was dead to leeward of us, and wasdrawing ahead so fast as to leave the probability she would forereachupon us, unless we took to all our oars. This was done as soon aspossible, and away we went, at a rapid rate, aiming to shoot directlybeneath the Tigris's lee-quarter, so as to round-to under shelter ofher hull, there to receive a rope. 

We pulled like giants. Three several times the water slapped into us, rendering the boat more and more heavy; but Captain Bobbins told us topull on, every moment being precious. As I did not lookround--_could_ not well, indeed--I saw no more of the ship untilI got a sudden glimpse of her dark hull, within a hundred feet of us, surging ahead in the manner in which vessels at sea seem to takesudden starts that carry them forward at twice their former apparentspeed. Captain Robbins had begun to hail, the instant he thoughthimself near enough, or at the distance of a hundred yards; but whatwas the human voice amid the music of the winds striking the variouscords, and I may add _chords_, in the mazes of a square-riggedvessel's hamper, accompanied by the base of the roaring ocean!Heavens! what a feeling of despair was that, when the novel thoughtsuggested itself almost simultaneously to our minds, that we shouldnot make ourselves heard! I say simultaneously, for at the sameinstant the whole five of us set up a common, desperate shout to alarmthose who were so near us, and who might easily save us from the mostdreadful of all deaths--starvation at sea. I presume the fearfulmanner in which we struggled at the oars diminished the effect of ourvoices, while the effort to raise a noise lessened our power with theoars. We were already to leeward of the ship, though nearly in herwake, and our only chance now was to over take her. The captain calledout to us to pull for life or death, and pull we did. So frantic wereour efforts, that I really think we should have succeeded, had not asea come on board us, and filled us to the thwarts. There remained noalternative but to keep dead away, and to bail for our lives. 

I confess I felt scalding tears gush down my cheeks, as I gazed at thedark mass of the ship just before it was swallowed up in the gloom. This soon occurred, and then, I make no doubt, every man in the boatconsidered himself as hopelessly lost. We continued to bail, notwithstanding; and, using hats, gourds, pots and pails, soon clearedthe boat, though it was done with no other seeming object than toavert immediate death. I heard one of the Cape May men pray. The nameof his wife mingled with his petitions to God. As for poor CaptainRobbins, who had so recently been in another scene of equal danger ina boat, he remained silent, seemingly submissive to the decrees ofProvidence. 

In this state we must have drifted a league dead before the wind, theCape May men keeping their eyes on the light, which was just sinkingbelow the horizon, while the rest of us were gazing seaward in ominousexpectation of what awaited us in that direction, when the hail of"Boat ahoy!" sounded like the last trumpet in our ears. A schoonerwas passing our track, keeping a little off, and got so near as toallow us to be seen, though, owing to a remark about the light whichdrew all eyes to windward, not a soul of us saw her. It was too lateto avert the blow, for the hail had hardly reached us, when theschooner's cut-water came down upon our little craft, and buried it inthe sea as if it had been lead. At such moments men do not think, butact. I caught at a bob-stay, and missed it. As I went down into thewater, my hand fell upon some object to which I clung, and, theschooner rising at the next instant, I was grasped by the hair by oneof the vessel's men. I had hold of one of the Cape May men's legs. Released from my weight, this man was soon in the vessel's head, andhe helped to save me. When we got in-board, and mustered our party itwas found that all had been saved but Captain Robbins. The schoonerwore round, and actually passed over the wreck of the boat a secondtime; but our old commander was never heard of more!

CHAPTER VII. 

 "Oh! forget not the hour, when through forest and vale We returned with our chief to his dear native halls! Through the woody Sierra there sigh'd not a gale, And the moonbeam was bright on his battlement walls; And nature lay sleeping in calmness and light, Round the house of the _truants_, that rose on our sight. " MRS. HEMANS. 

We had fallen on board an eastern coaster, called the MarthaWallis. Bound from James' River to Boston, intending to cross theshoals. Her watch had seen us, because the coasters generally keepbetter look-outs than Indiamen; the latter, accustomed to goodoffings, having a trick of letting their people go to sleep in thenight-watches. I made a calculation of the turns on board the Tigris, and knew it was Mr. Marble's watch when we passed the ship; and I makeno question he was, at that very moment, nodding on the hencoops--asort of trick he had. I cannot even now understand, however, why theman at the wheel did not hear the outcry we made. To me it appearedloud enough to reach the land. 

Sailors ordinarily receive wrecked mariners kindly. Our treatment onboard the Martha Wallis was all I could have desired, and the captainpromised to put us on board the first coaster she should fall in with, bound to New York. He was as good as his word, though not until morethan a week had elapsed. It fell calm as soon as the north-wester blewits pipe out, and we did not get into the Vineyard Sound for ninedays. Here we met a craft the skipper knew, and, being a regularBoston and New York coaster, we were put on board her, with arecommendation to good treatment The people of the Lovely Lassreceived us just as we had been received on board the Martha Wallis;all hands of us living aft, and eating codfish, good beef and pork, with duff (dough) and molasses, almost _ad libitum_. From thislast vessel we learned all the latest news of the French war, and howthings were going on in the country. The fourth day after we were puton board this craft, Rupert and I landed near Peck's Slip, New York, with nothing on earth in our possession, but just in what westood. This, however, gave us but little concern--I had abundance athome, and Rupert was certain of being free from want, both through meand through his father. 

I had never parted with the gold given me by Lucy, however. When wegot into the boat to land at the cape, I had put on the belt in whichI kept this little treasure, and it was still round my body. I hadkept it as a sort of memorial of the dear girl who had given it to me;but I now saw the means of making it useful, without disposing of italtogether. I knew that the wisest course, in all difficulties, wasto go at once to head-quarters. I asked the address of the firm thatowned, or rather _had_ owned the John, and proceeded to thecounting-house forthwith. I told my story, but found that Kite hadbeen before me. It seems that the Tigris got a fair wind, three daysafter the blow, that carried her up to the very wharves ofPhiladelphia, when most of the John's people had come on to New Yorkwithout delay. By communications with the shore at the cape, the pilothad learned that his boat had never returned, and our loss wassupposed to have inevitably occurred. The accounts of all this were inthe papers, and I began to fear that the distressing tidings mighthave reached Clawbonny. Indeed, there were little obituary notices ofRupert and myself in the journals, inserted by some hand piouslyemployed, I should think, by Mr. Kite. We were tenderly treated, considering our _escapade_; and _my_ fortune and prospectswere dwelt on with some touches of eloquence that might have beenspared. 

In that day, however, a newspaper was a very different thing from whatit has since become. Then, journals were created merely to meet thedemand, and news was given as it actually occurred; whereas, now, thecompetition has produced a change that any one can appreciate, when itis remembered to what a _competition in news_ must infalliblylead. In that day, our own journals had not taken to imitating theworst features of the English newspapers--talents and education arenot yet cheap enough in America to enable them to imitate thebest--and the citizen was supposed to have some rights, as put inopposition to the press. The public sense of right had not becomeblunted by familiarity with abuses, and the miserable and cravenapology was never heard for not enforcing the laws, that nobody caresfor what the newspapers say. Owing to these causes, I escaped athousand lies about myself, my history, my disposition, character andacts. Still, I was in print; and I confess it half-frightened me tosee my death announced in such obvious letters, although I hadphysical evidence of being alive and well. 

The owners questioned me closely about the manner in which the Johnwas lost, and expressed themselves satisfied with my answers. I thenproduced my half-joes, and asked to borrow something less than theiramount on their security. To the latter part of the proposition, however, these gentlemen would not listen, forcing a check for ahundred dollars on me, desiring that the money might be paid at my ownconvenience. Knowing I had Clawbonny, and a very comfortable incomeunder my lee, I made no scruples about accepting the sum, and took myleave. 

Rupert and I had now the means of equipping ourselves neatly, thoughalways in sailor guise. After this was done, we proceeded to theAlbany basin, in order to ascertain whether the Wallingford were downor not. At the basin we learned that the sloop had gone out that veryforenoon, having on board a black with his young master's effects; alad who was said to have been out to Canton with young Mr. Wallingford, and who was now on his way home, to report all the sadoccurrences to the family in Ulster. This, then, was Neb, who had gotthus far back in charge of our chests, and was about to return toslavery. 

We had been in hopes that we might possibly reach Clawbonny before thetidings of our loss. This intelligence was likely to defeat theexpectation; but, luckily, one of the fastest sloops on the river, aHudson packet, was on the point of sailing, and, though the wind heldwell to the northward, her master thought he should be able to turn upwith the tides, as high as our creek, in the course of the nexteight-and-forty hours. This was quite as much as the Wallingford coulddo, I felt well persuaded; and, making a bargain to be landed on thewestern shore, Rupert and I put our things on board this packet, andwere under way in half an hour's time. 

So strong was my own anxiety, I could not keep off the deck until wehad anchored on account of the flood; and much did I envy Rupert, whohad coolly turned in as soon as it was dark, and went to sleep. Whenthe anchor was down, I endeavoured to imitate his example. On turningout next morning, I found the vessel in Newburgh Bay, with a fairwind. About twelve o'clock I could see the mouth of the creek, and theWallingford fairly entering it, her sails disappearing behind thetrees, just as I caught sight of them. As no other craft of her sizeever went up to that landing, I could not be mistaken in the vessel. 

By getting ashore half a mile above the creek, there was a farm-roadthat would lead to the house by a cut so short, as nearly to bring usthere as soon as Neb could possibly arrive with his dire, but falseintelligence. The place was pointed out to the captain, who hadextracted our secret from us, and who good-naturedly consented to doall we asked of him. I do think he would have gone into the creekitself, had it been required. But we were landed, with our bag ofclothes--one answered very well for both--at the place I havementioned, and, taking turn about to shoulder the wardrobe, away wewent, as fast as legs could carry us. Even Rupert seemed to feel onthis occasion, and I do think he had a good deal of contrition, as hemust have recollected the pain he had occasioned his excellent father, and dear, good sister. 

Clawbonny never looked more beautiful than when I first cast eyes onit, that afternoon. There lay the house in the secure retirement ofits smiling vale, the orchards just beginning to lose their blossoms;the broad, rich meadows, with the grass waving in the south wind, resembling velvet; the fields of corn of all sorts; and the cattle, asthey stood ruminating, or enjoying their existence in motionlessself-indulgence beneath the shade of trees, seemed to speak ofabundance and considerate treatment. Everything denoted peace, plentyand happiness. Yet this place, with all its blessings and security, had I wilfully deserted to encounter pirates in the Straits of Sunda, shipwreck on the shores of Madagascar, jeopardy in an open boat offthe Isle of France, and a miraculous preservation from a horribledeath on my own coast!

At no great distance from the house was a dense grove, in which Rupertand I had, with our own hands, constructed a rude summer-house, fit tobe enjoyed on just such an afternoon as this on which we hadreturned. When distant from it only two hundred yards, we saw thegirls enter the wood, evidently taking the direction of the seat. Atthe same moment I caught a glimpse of Neb moving up the road from thelanding at a snail's pace, as if the poor fellow dreaded to encounterthe task before him. After a moment's consultation, we determined toproceed at once to the grove, and thus anticipate the account of Neb, who must pass so near the summer-house as to be seen andrecognised. We met with more obstacles than we had foreseen orremembered, and when we got to a thicket close in the rear of thebench, we found that the black was already in the presence of his two"young mistresses. "

The appearance of the three, when I first caught a near view of them, was such as almost to terrify me. Even Neb, whose face was usually asshining as a black bottle, was almost of the colour of ashes. The poorfellow could not speak, and, though Lucy was actually shaking him toextract an explanation, the only answer she could get was tears. Theseflowed from Neb's eyes in streams, and at length the fellow threwhimself on the ground, and fairly began to groan. 

"Can this be shame at having run away?" exclaimed Lucy, "or does itforetell evil to the boys?"

"He knows nothing of _them_, not having been with them--yet, Iam terrified. "

"Not on my account, dearest sister, " I cried aloud; "here are Rupertand I, God be praised, both in good health, and safe. "

I took care to remain hid, as I uttered this, not to alarm more thanone sense at a time; but both the girls shrieked, and held out theirarms. Rupert and I hesitated no longer, but sprang forward. I know nothow it happened, though I found, on recovering my self-possession, that I was folding Lucy to my heart, while Rupert was doing the sameto Grace. This little mistake, however, was soon rectified, each manembracing his own sister, as in duty bound, and as was most decorous. The girls shed torrents of tears, and assured us, again and again, that this was the only really happy moment they had known since theparting on the wharf, nearly a twelvemonth before. Then followed looksat each other, exclamations of surprise and pleasure at the changesthat had taken place in the appearance of all parties, and kisses andtears again, in abundance. 

As for Neb, the poor fellow was seen in the road, whither he had fledat the sound of my voice, looking at us like one in awe anddoubt. Being satisfied, in the end, of our identity, as well as of ourbeing in the flesh, the negro again threw himself on the ground, rolling over and over, and fairly yelling with delight. After goingthrough this process of negro excitement, he leaped up on his feel, and started for the house, shouting at the top of his voice, as ifcertain the good intelligence he brought would secure his own pardon--"Master Miles come home!--Master Miles come home!"

In a few minutes, quiet was sufficiently restored among us four, whoremained at the seat, to ask questions, and receive intelligibleanswers. Glad was I to ascertain that the girls had been spared thenews of our loss. As for Mr. Hardinge, he was well, and busied, asusual, in discharging the duties of his holy office. He had told Graceand Lucy the name of the vessel in which we had shipped, but saidnothing of the painful glimpse he had obtained of us, just as welifted our anchor, to quit the port. Grace, in a solemn manner, thendemanded an outline of our adventures. As Rupert was the spokesman onthis occasion, the question having been in a manner put to him asoldest, I had an opportunity of watching the sweet countenances of thetwo painfully interested listeners. Rupert affected modesty in hisnarration, if he did not feel it, though I remarked that he dwelt alittle particularly on the shot which had lodged so near him, in thehead of the Tigris's foremast. He spoke of the whistling it made as itapproached, and the violence of the blow when it struck. He had theimpudence, too, to speak of my good-luck in being on the other side ofthe top, when the shot passed through my station; whereas I do believethat the shot passed nearer to me than it did to himself. It barelymissed me, and by all I could learn Rupert was leaning over by thetop-mast rigging when it lodged. The fellow told his story in his ownway, however, and with so much unction that I observed it made Gracelook pale. The effect on Lucy was different. This excellent creatureperceived my uneasiness, I half suspected, for she laughed, and, interrupting her brother, told him, "There--that's enough about thecannon-ball; now let us hear of something else. " Rupert coloured, forhe had frequently had such frank hints from his sister, in the courseof his childhood; but he had too much address to betray the vexation Iknew he felt. 

To own the truth, my attachment for Rupert had materially lessenedwith the falling off of my respect. He had manifested so muchselfishness during the voyage--had shirked so much duty, most of whichhad fallen on poor Neb--and had been so little of the man, inpractice, whom he used so well to describe with his tongue--that Icould no longer shut my eyes to some of his deficiencies of character. I still liked him; but it was from habit, and perhaps because he wasmy guardian's son, and Lucy's brother. Then I could not conceal frommyself that Rupert was not, in a rigid sense, a lad of truth. Hecoloured, exaggerated, glossed over and embellished, if he did notabsolutely invent. I was not old enough then to understand that mostof the statements that float about the world are nothing but truthsdistorted, and that nothing is more rare than unadulterated fact; thattruths and lies travel in company, as described by Pope in his Templeof Fame, until--

"This or that unmixed, no mortal e'er shall find. "

In this very narration of our voyage, Rupert had left falseimpressions on the minds of his listeners, in fifty things. He hadmade far more of both our little skirmishes, than the truth wouldwarrant, and he had neglected to do justice to Neb in his account ofeach of the affairs. Then he commended Captain Robbins's conduct inconnection with the loss of the John, on points that could not besustained, and censured him for measures that deserved praise. I knewRupert was no seaman--was pretty well satisfied, by this time, henever would make one--but I could not explain all his obliquities byreferring them to ignorance. The manner, moreover, in which herepresented himself as the principal actor, on all occasions, denotedso much address, that, while I felt the falsity of the impressions heleft, I did not exactly see the means necessary to counteract them. Soingenious, indeed, was his manner of stringing facts and inferencestogether, or what _seemed_ to be facts and inferences, that Imore than once caught myself actually believing that which, in soberreality, I knew to be false. I was still too young, not quiteeighteen, to feel any apprehensions on the subject of Grace; and wastoo much accustomed to both Rupert and his sister, to regard eitherwith any feelings very widely different from those which I entertainedfor Grace herself. 

As soon as the history of our adventures and exploits was concluded, we all had leisure to observe and comment on the alterations that timehad made in our several persons. Rupert, being the oldest, was theleast changed in this particular. He had got his growth early, andwas only a little spread. He had cultivated a pair of whiskers at sea, which rendered his face a little more manly--an improvement, by theway--but, the effects of exposure and of the sun excepted, there wasno very material change in his exterior. Perhaps, on the whole, hewas improved in appearance. I think both the girls fancied this, though Grace did not say it, and Lucy only half admitted it, and thatwith many reservations. As for myself, I was also full-grown, standingexactly six feet in my stockings, which was pretty well for eighteen. But I had also spread; a fact that is not common for lads at thatage. Grace said I had lost all delicacy of appearance; and as forLucy, though she laughed and blushed she protested I began to looklike a great bear. To confess the truth, I was well satisfied with myown appearance, did not envy Rupert a jot, and knew I could toss himover my shoulder whenever I chose. I stood the strictures on myappearance, therefore, very well; and, though no one was so muchderided and laughed at as myself, in that critical discussion, no onecared less for it all. Just as I was permitted to escape, Lucy said, in an under tone--

"You should have staid at home, Miles, and then the changes would havecome so gradually, no one would have noticed them, and you would haveescaped being told how much you are altered, and that you are a_bear_. "

I looked eagerly round at the speaker, and eyed her intently. A lookof regret passed over the dear creature's face, her eyes looked aspenitent as they did soft, and the flush that suffused her countenancerendered this last expression almost bewitching. At the same instantshe whispered--"I did not really mean _that_. "

But it was Grace's turn, and my attention was drawn to my sister. Ayear had made great improvements in Grace. Young as she was, she hadlost much of the girlish air, in the sedateness and propriety of theyoung woman. Grace had always something more of these last than iscommon; but they had now completely removed every appearance ofchildish, I might almost say of girlish, frivolity. In person, herimprovement was great; though an air of exceeding delicacy rather leftan impression that such a being was more intended for another world, than this. There was ever an air of fragility and of pureintellectuality about my poor sister, that half disposed one to fancythat she would one day be translated to a better sphere in the body, precisely as she stood before human eyes. Lucy bore the examinationwell. She was all woman, there being nothing about _her_ tocreate any miraculous expectations, or fanciful pictures; but she wasevidently fast getting to be a very lovely woman. Honest, sincere, full of heart, overflowing with the feelings of her sex, gentle yetspirited, buoyant though melting with the charities; her changeful, but natural and yet constant feelings in her, kept me incessantly inpursuit of her playful mind and varying humours. Still, a morehigh-principled being, a firmer or more consistent friend, or a moreaccurate thinker on all subjects that suited her years and became hersituation, than Lucy Hardinge, never existed. Even Grace wasinfluenced by her judgment, though I did not then know how much mysister's mind was guided by her simple and less pretending friend'scapacity to foresee things, and to reason on their consequences. 

We were more than an hour uninterruptedly together, before we thoughtof repairing to the house. Lucy then reminded Rupert that he had notyet seen his father, whom she had just before observed alighting fromhis horse at the door of his own study. That he had been apprised ofthe return of the runaways, if not prodigals, was evident, shethought, by his manner; and it was disrespectful to delay seeking hisforgiveness and blessing. Mr. Hardinge received us both withoutsurprise, and totally without any show of resentment. It was about thetime he expected our return, and no surprise was felt at finding thisexpectation realized, as a matter of course, while resentment wasalmost a stranger to his nature. We all shed tears, the girls sobbingaloud; and we were both solemnly blessed. Nor am I ashamed to say Iknelt to receive that blessing, in an age when the cant of apretending irreligion--there is as much cant in self-sufficiency as inhypocrisy, and they very often go together--is disposed to turn intoridicule the humbling of the person, while asking for the blessing ofthe Almighty through the ministers of his altars; for kneel I did, andweep I did, and, I trust, the one in humility and the other incontrition. 

When we had all become a little calm, and a substantial meal wasplaced before us adventurers, Mr. Hardinge demanded an account of allthat had passed. He applied to me to give it, and I was compelled todischarge the office of an historian, somewhat against myinclination. There was no remedy, however, and I told the story in myown simple manner, and certainly in a way to leave very differentimpressions from many of those made by the narrative of Rupert. Ithought once or twice, as I proceeded, that Lucy looked sorrowful, andGrace looked surprised. I do not think I coloured in the least, asregarded myself, and I know I did Neb no more than justice. My talewas soon told, for I felt the whole time as if I were contradictingRupert, who, by the way, appeared perfectly unconcerned--perfectlyunconscious, indeed--on the subject of the discrepancies in the twoaccounts. I have since met with men who did not know the truth when itwas even placed very fairly before their eyes. 

Mr. Hardinge expressed his heartfelt happiness at having us backagain, and, soon after, he ventured to ask if we were satisfied withwhat we had seen of the world. This was a home question, but I thoughtit best to meet it manfully. So far from being satisfied, I told himit was my ardent desire to get on board one of the letters-of-marque, of which so many were then fitting out in the country, and to make avoyage to Europe. Rupert, however, confessed he had mistaken hisvocation, and that he thought he could do no better than to enter alawyer's office. I was thunderstruck at this quiet admission of myfriend, of his incapacity to make a sailor, for it was the firstintimation I heard of his intention. I had remarked a certain want ofenergy, in various situations that required action, in Rupert, but nowant of courage; and I had ascribed some portion of his lassitude tothe change of condition, and, possibly, of food; for, after all, thatgodlike creature, man, is nothing but an animal, and is just as muchinfluenced by his stomach and digestion as a sheep, or a horse. 

Mr. Hardinge received his son's intimation of a preference ofintellectual labours to a more physical state of existence, with agratification my own wishes did not afford him. Still, he made noparticular remark to either at the time, permitting us both to enjoyour return to Clawbonny, without any of the drawbacks of advice orlectures. The evening passed delightfully, the girls beginning tolaugh heartily at our own ludicrous accounts of the mode of living onboard ship, and of our various scenes in China, the Isle of Bourbon, and elsewhere. Rupert had a great deal of humour, and a very dry wayof exhibiting it; in short, he was almost a genius in the meresuperficialities of life; and even Grace rewarded his efforts toentertain us, with laughter to tears. Neb was introduced aftersupper, and the fellow was both censured and commended; censured forhaving abandoned the household gods, and commended for not havingdeserted their master. His droll descriptions of the Chinese, theirdress, pigtails, shoes and broken English, diverted even Mr. Hardinge, who, I believe, felt as much like a boy on this occasion, asany of the party. A happier evening than that which followed in thelittle _tea_-parlour, as my dear mother used to call it, wasnever passed in the century that the roof had covered the old walls ofClawbonny. 

Next day I had a private conversation with my guardian, who commencedthe discourse by rendering a sort of account of the proceeds of myproperty during the past year. I listened respectfully, and with someinterest; for I saw the first gave Mr. Hardinge great satisfaction, and I confess the last afforded some little pleasure to myself. Ifound that things had gone on very prosperously. Ready money wasaccumulating, and I saw that, by the time I came of age, sufficientcash would be on hand to give me a ship of my own, should I choose topurchase one. From that moment I was secretly determined to qualifymyself to command her in the intervening time. Little was said of thefuture, beyond an expression of the hope, by my guardian, that I wouldtake time to reflect before I came to a final decision on the subjectof my profession. To this I said nothing beyond making a respectfulinclination of the head. 

For the next month, Clawbonny was a scene of uninterrupted merrimentand delight. We had few families to visit in our immediateneighbourhood, it is true; and Mr. Hardinge proposed an excursion tothe Springs--the country was then too new, and the roads too bad, tothink of Niagara--but to this I would not listen. I cared not for theSprings--knew little of, and cared less for fashion--and lovedClawbonny to its stocks and stones. We remained at home, then, livingprincipally for each other. Rupert read a good deal to the girls, under the direction of his father; while I passed no small portion ofmy time in athletic exercises. The Grace & Lucy made one or twotolerably long cruises in the river, and at length I conceived theidea of taking the party down to town in the Wallingford. Neither ofthe girls had ever seen New York, or much of the Hudson; nor hadeither ever seen a ship. The sloops that passed up and down theHudson, with an occasional schooner, were the extent of theiracquaintance with vessels; and I began to feel it to be matter ofreproach that those in whom I took so deep an interest, should be soignorant. As for the girls themselves, they both admitted, now I was asailor, that their desire to see a regular, three-masted, full-riggedship, was increased seven-fold. 

Mr. Hardinge heard my proposition, at first, as a piece of pleasantry;but Grace expressing a strong desire to see a large town, or what wasthought a large town in this country, in 1799, and Lucy lookingwistful, though she remained silent under an apprehension her fathercould not afford the expense of such a journey, which her imaginationrendered a great deal more formidable than it actually proved to be, the excellent divine finally acquiesced. The expense was disposed ofin a very simple manner. The journey, both ways, would be made in theWallingford; and Mr. Hardinge was not so unnecessarily scrupulous asto refuse passages for himself and children in the sloop, which neverexacted passage-money from any who went to or from the farm. Food wasso cheap, too, as to be a matter of no consideration; and, beingentitled legally to receive that at Clawbonny, it made no greatdifference whether it were taken on board the vessel, or in thehouse. Then there was a Mrs. Bradfort in New York, a widow lady ofeasy fortune, who was a cousin-german of Mr. Hardinge's--his father'ssister's daughter--and with her he always staid in his own annualvisits to attend the convention of the Church--I beg pardon, of theProtestant Episcopal Church, as it is now _de rigueur_ to say; Iwonder some ultra does not introduce the manifest improvement into theApostles' Creed of saying, "I believe in the Holy Protestant EpiscopalCatholic Church, &c. "--but, the excellent divine, in his annualattendance on the convention, was accustomed to stay with hiskinswoman, who often pressed him to bring both Lucy and Grace to seeher; her house in Wall street being abundantly large enough toaccommodate a much more numerous party. "Yes, " said Mr. Hardinge, "that shall be the arrangement. The girls and I will stay withMrs. Bradfort, and the young men can live at a tavern. I dare say thisnew City Hotel, which seems to be large enough to contain a regiment, will hold even _them_. I will write this very evening to mycousin, so as not to take her by surprise. "

In less than a week after this determination, an answer was receivedfrom Mrs. Bradfort; and, the very next day, the whole party, Nebincluded, embarked in the Wallingford. Very different was thispassage down the Hudson from that which had preceded it. Then I hadthe sense of error about me, while my heart yearned towards the twodear girls we had left on the wharf; but now everything wasabove-board sincere, and by permission. It is scarcely necessary tosay that Grace and Lucy were enchanted with everything they saw. TheHighlands, in particular, threw them both into ecstasies, though Ihave since seen so much of the world as to understand, with nearly allexperienced tourists, that this is _relatively_ the worst part ofthe scenery of this beautiful river. When I say _relatively_, Imean as comparing the _bolder_ parts of our stream with those ofothers--speaking of them as _high lands_--many other portions ofthis good globe having a much superior _grandeur_, while very fewhave so much lovely river scenery compressed into so small a space asis to be found in the other parts of the Hudson. 

In due time we arrived in New York, and I had the supreme happiness ofpointing out to the girls the State's Prison, the Bear Market, and thesteeples of St. Paul's and Trinity-_old_ Trinity, as it was solately the fashion to style a church that was built only a few yearsbefore, and which, in my youth, was considered as magnificent as itwas venerable. That building has already disappeared; and anotheredifice, which is now termed splendid, _vast_, and I know notwhat, has been reared in its place. By the time this is gone, and oneor two generations of buildings have succeeded, each approachingnearer to the high standard of church architecture in the old world, the Manhattanese will get to understand something of the use of thedegrees of comparison on such subjects. When that day shall arrive, they will cease to be provincial, and--not till then. 

What a different thing was Wall street, in 1799, from what it isto-day? Then, where so many Grecian temples are now reared to Plutus, were rows of modest provincial dwellings; not a tittle moreprovincial, however, than the thousand meretricious houses of bricksand marble that have since started up in their neighbourhood, but farless pretending, and insomuch the more creditable. Mrs. Bradfort livedin one of these respectable abodes, and thither Mr. Hardinge led theway, with just as much confidence as one would now walk into Bleekerstreet, or the Fifth Avenue. Money-changers were then unknown, or, ifknown, were of so little account that they had not sufficient force toform a colony and a league by themselves. Even the banks did not deemit necessary to be within a stone's throw of each other--I believethere were but two--as it might be in self-defence. We have seen allsorts of expedients adopted, in this sainted street, to protect themoney-bags, from the little temple that was intended to be so small asonly to admit the dollars and those who were to take care of them, upto the edifice that might contain so many rogues, as to render thingssafe on the familiar principle of setting a thief to catch a thief. All would not do. The difficulty has been found to be unconquerable, except in those cases in which the homely and almost worn-outexpedient of employing honest men, has been resorted to. But, toreturn from the gossipings of old age to an agreeable widow, who wasstill under forty. 

Mrs. Bradfort received Mr. Hardinge in a way to satisfy us all thatshe was delighted to see him. She had prepared a room for Rupert andmyself, and no apologies or excuses would be received. We had toconsent to accept of her hospitalities. In an hour's time, all wereestablished, and I believe all were at home. 

I shall not dwell on the happiness that succeeded. We were all tooyoung to go to parties, and, I might almost add, New York itself wastoo young to have any; but in the last I should have been mistaken, though there were not as many _children's_ balls in 1799, perhaps, after allowing for the difference in population, as there areto-day. If too young to be company, we were not too young to seesights. I sometimes laugh as I remember what these were at thattime. There was such a museum as would now be thought lightly of in awestern city of fifteen or twenty years' growth--a circus kept by aman of the name of Ricketts--the theatre in John street, a very modestThespian edifice--and a lion, I mean literally the beast, that waskept in a cage quite out of town, that his roaring might not disturbpeople, somewhere near the spot where the _triangle_ that iscalled Franklin _Square_ now is. All these we saw, even to thetheatre; good, indulgent Mr. Hardinge seeing no harm in letting us gothither under the charge of Mrs. Bradfort. I shall never forget theecstasy of that night! The novelty was quite as great to Rupert andmyself as it was to the girls; for, though we had been to China, wehad never been to the play. 

Well was it said, "Vanity, vanity--all is vanity!" He that lives aslong as I have lived, will have seen most of his opinions, and I thinkI may add, _all_ his tastes, change. Nothing short of revelationhas a stronger tendency to convince us of the temporary character ofour probationary state in this world, than to note for how short aperiod, and for what imperfect ends, all our hopes and success in lifehave been buoying us up, and occupying our minds. After fifty, thedelusion begins to give way; and, though we may continue to live, andeven to be happy, blind indeed must be he who does not see the end ofhis road, and foresee some of the great results to which it is tolead. But of all this, our quartette thought little in the year 1799. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

 "Thou art the same, eternal sea! The earth hath many shapes and forms Of hill and valley, flower and tree; Fields that the fervid noontide warms, Or Winter's rugged grasp deforms, Or bright with Autumn's golden store; Thou coverest up thy face with storms, Or smilest serene--but still thy roar And dashing foam go up to vex the sea-beat shore. " LUNT. 

I had a free conversation with my guardian, shortly after we reachedtown, on the subject of my going to sea again. The whole country wasalive with the armament of the new marine; and cocked-hats, blue coatsand white lapels, began to appear in the streets, with a parade thatalways marks the new officer and the new service. Now, one meetsdistinguished naval men at every turn, and sees nothing about theirpersons to denote the profession, unless in actual employment afloat, even the cockade being laid aside; whereas in 1799 the harness was puton as soon as the parchment was received, and only laid aside to turnin. Ships were building or equipping in all parts of the country; andit is matter of surprise to me that I escaped the fever, and did notapply to be made a midshipman. Had I seen another captain whointerested me as much as Captain Dale, I make no doubt my career wouldhave been quite different: but, as things were, I had imbibed theprejudice that Southey, in his very interesting, but, in aprofessional sense, very worthless, life of Nelson, has attributed tothat hero--"aft, the more honour; forward, the better man. " Thus far, I had not got into the cabin-windows, and, like all youngsters whofairly begin on the forecastle, felt proud of my own manhood anddisdain of hazards and toil. I determined, therefore, to pursue thecourse I had originally pointed out to myself, and follow in thefootsteps of my father. 

Privateers were out of the question in a war with a country that hadno commerce. Nor do I think I would have gone in a privateer under anycircumstances. The business of carrying on a warfare merely for gain, has ever struck me as discreditable; though it must be admitted theAmerican system of private-armed cruisers has always been morerespectable and better conducted than that of most other nations. Thishas been owing to the circumstance that men of a higher class than isusual in Europe, have embarked in the enterprises. To aletter-of-marque, however, there could be no objection; her regularbusiness is commerce; she arms only in self-defence, or, if shecapture anything, it is merely such enemies as cross her path, and whowould capture her if they could. I announced to Mr. Hardinge, therefore, my determination not to return to Clawbonny, but to lookfor a berth in some letter-of-marque, while then in town. 

Neb had received private instructions, and my sea dunnage, as well ashis own, was on board the Wallingford--low enough the wreck hadreduced both to be--and money obtained from Mr. Hardinge was used topurchase more. I now began to look about me for a ship, determined toplease my eye as to the vessel, and my judgment as to the voyage. Nebhad orders to follow the wharves on the same errand. I would soonertrust Neb than Rupert on such a duty. The latter had no taste forships; felt no interest in them; and I have often wondered why he tooka fancy to go to sea at all. With Neb it was very different. He wasalready an expert seaman; could hand, reef and steer, knot and splice, and was as useful as nine men in ten on board a vessel. It is true, hedid not know when it became necessary to take in the last reef--had nonotion of stowing a cargo so as to favour the vessel, or help hersailing; but he would break out a cask sooner than most men I ever metwith. There was too much "nigger" in him for head-work of that sort, though he was ingenious and ready enough in his way. A sterling fellowwas Neb, and I got in time to love him very much as I can conceive onewould love a brother. 

One day, after I had seen all the sights, and had begun to thinkseriously of finding a ship, I was strolling along the wharves on thelatter errand, when I heard a voice I knew cry put, "There, CaptainWilliams, there's just your chap; he'll make as good a third-mate ascan be found in all America. " I had a sort of presentiment thisapplied to me, though I could not, on the instant, recall thespeaker's name. Turning to look in the direction of the sounds, I sawthe hard countenance of Marble, alongside the weather-beaten face of amiddle-aged shipmaster, both of whom were examining me over thenettings of a very promising-looking armed merchantman. I bowed toMr. Marble, who beckoned me to come on board, where I was regularlyintroduced to the master. 

This vessel was called the Crisis, a very capital name for a craft ina country where crisises of one sort or another occur regularly asoften as once in six months. She was a tight little ship of about fourhundred tons, had hoop-pole bulwarks, as I afterwards learned, withnettings for hammocks and old junk, principally the latter; and showedten nine-pounders, carriage-guns, in her batteries. I saw she wasloaded, and was soon given to understand that her shipping-articleswere then open, and the serious question was of procuring athird-mate. Officers were scarce, so many young men were pressing intothe navy; and Mr. Marble ventured to recommend me, from near atwelvemonth's knowledge of my character. I had not anticipated a berthaft quite so soon, and yet I had a humble confidence in my own abilityto discharge the duty. Captain Williams questioned me for fifteen ortwenty minutes, had a short conversation with Mr. Marble alone, andthen frankly offered me the berth. The voyage was to be round theworld, and it took my fancy at the very sound. The ship was to take acargo of flour to England; there, she was to receive a small assortedcargo for the North-West Coast, and some of the sandal-wood islands;after disposing of her toys and manufactures in barter, she was tosail for Canton, exchange her furs, wood and other articles for teas, &c. , and return home. To engage in this voyage, I was offered theberth I have mentioned, and thirty dollars a-month. The wages were oflittle moment to me, but the promotion and the voyage were of greataccount. The ship, too, carried out letters-of-marque and reprisalwith her, and there were the chances of meeting some Frenchman in theEuropean waters, at least. 

I examined the vessel, the berth I was to occupy, made a great manyshy glances at the captain, to ascertain his character by thatprofound expedient, analyzing his looks, and finally determined toship, on condition Neb should be taken as an ordinary seaman. As soonas Marble heard this last proposal, he explained the relation in whichthe black stood to me, and earnestly advised his being received as aseaman. The arrangement was made accordingly, and I went at once tothe notary and signed the articles. Neb was also found, and he wasshipped too; this time regularly, Mr. Hardinge attending and givinghis sanction to what was done. The worthy divine was in excellentspirits, for that very day he had made an arrangement with a friend atthe bar to place Rupert in his office, Mrs. Bradfort insisting onkeeping her young kinsman in her house, as a regular inmate. This lefton the father no more charge than to furnish Rupert with clothes, anda few dollars of pocket-money. But I knew Rupert too well to supposehe would, or could, be content with the little he might expect fromthe savings of Mr. Hardinge. I was not in want of money. My guardianhad supplied me so amply, that not only had I paid my debt to theowners of the John, and fully equipped myself for the voyage, but Iactually possessed dollars enough to supply all my probable wantsduring the expected absence. Many of the officers and men of theCrisis left behind them orders with their wives and families toreceive their wages, in part, during their absence, as letters fromtime to time apprised the owners that these people were on board, andin discharge of their several duties. I determined on giving Rupertthe benefit of such an arrangement. First presenting him with twentydollars from my own little store, I took him with me to thecounting-house, and succeeded, though not without some difficulty, inobtaining for my friend a credit of twenty dollars a-month, promisingfaithfully to repay any balance that might arise against me inconsequence of the loss of the ship, or of any accident tomyself. This I was enabled to do on the strength of my credit as theowner of Clawbonny; for, as is usual in these cases, I passed forbeing much richer than I really was, though far from being poor. 

I will acknowledge that, while I felt no reluctance at making thisarrangement in favour of Rupert, I felt mortified he should acceptit. There are certain acts we may all wish to perform, and, yet, whichbring regrets when successfully performed. I was sorry that _my_friend, Lucy's brother, Grace's admirer--for I was quick enough inperceiving that Rupert began to entertain fancies of that sort--hadnot pride enough to cause him to decline receiving money which must beearned by the sweat of my brow, and this, moreover, in a mode of lifehe had not himself sufficient resolution to encounter a secondtime. But he accepted the offer, and there was an end of it. 

As everything was alive in 1798, the Crisis was ready to sail in threedays after I joined her. We hauled into the North river, as became thedignity of our voyage, and got our crew on board. On the whole, wemustered a pretty good body of men, ten of them being green; fellowswho had never seen the ocean, but who were young, healthy andathletic, and who promised to be useful before a great while. Including those aft, we counted thirty-eight souls on board. The shipwas got ready in hopes of being able to sail of a Thursday, forCaptain Williams was a thoughtful man, and was anxious to get the shipfairly at sea, with the first work done, previously to the nextSabbath. Some small matters, however, could not be got through with intime; and, as for sailing of a Friday, that was out of thequestion. No one did that in 1798, who could help it. This gave us aholiday, and I got leave to pass the afternoon and evening ashore. 

Rupert, Grace, Lucy and I took a long walk into the country thatevening; that is, we went into the fields, and along the lanes, forsome distance above the present site of Canal street. Lucy and Iwalked together, most of the time, and we both felt sad at the idea ofso long a separation as was now before us. The voyage might last threeyears; and I should be legally a man, my own master, and Lucy a youngwoman of near nineteen, by that time. Terrible ages in perspectivewere these, and which seemed to us pregnant with as many changes asthe life of a man. 

"Rupert will be admitted to the bar, when I get back, " I casuallyremarked, as we talked the matter over. 

"He will, indeed, " the dear girl answered. "Now you _are_ to go, Miles, I almost regret my brother is not to be in the ship; you haveknown each other so long, love each other so much, and have alreadygone through such frightful trials in company. "

"Oh! I shall do well enough--there'll be Neb; and as for Rupert, Ithink he will be better satisfied ashore than at sea. Rupert is a sortof a natural lawyer. "

By this I merely meant he was good at a subterfuge, and could tell hisown story. 

"Yes, but Neb is not Rupert, Miles, " Lucy answered, quick as thought, and, I fancied, a little reproachfully. 

"Very true--no doubt I shall miss your brother, and that, too, verymuch, at times; but all I meant in speaking of Neb was, as you know, that he and I like each other, too, and have been through just thesame trials together, you understand, and have known each other aslong as I can remember. "

Lucy was silent, and I felt embarrassed, and a little at a loss whatto say next. But a girl approaching sixteen, and who is with a youthwho possesses her entire confidence, is not apt to be longsilent. Something she will say; and how often is that something warmwith natural feeling, instinct with truth, and touching from itsconfiding simplicity!

"You will sometimes think of us, Miles?" was Lucy's next remark, andit was said in a tone that induced me to look her full in the face, when I discovered that her eyes were suffused with tears. 

"Of that you may be _very_ certain, and I hope to be rewarded inkind. But, now I think of it, Lucy, I have a debt to pay you, and, atthe same time, a little interest. Here are the half-joes you forced meto take last year, when we parted at Clawbonny. See, they are exactlythe same pieces; for I would as soon have parted with a finger, aswith one of them. "

"I had hoped they might have been of use to you, and had quiteforgotten them. You have destroyed an agreeable illusion. "

"Is it not quite as agreeable to know we had no occasion for them? No, here they are; and, now I go with Mr. Hardinge's full approbation, you very well know I can be in no want of money. So, there is yourgold; and here, Lucy, is some interest for the use of it. "

I made an effort to put something into the dear girl's hand as Ispoke, but all the strength I could properly apply was not equal tothe purpose. So tightly did she keep her little fingers compressed, that I could not succeed without a downright effort at force. 

"No--no--Miles, " she said hurriedly--almost huskily; "that will neverdo! I am not Rupert--you may prevail with him; never with _me_!"

"Rupert! What can Rupert have to do with such a thing as this locket?Youngsters don't wear lockets. "

Lucy's fingers separated as easily as an infant's, and I put my littleoffering into her hand without any more resistance. I was sorry, however, to discover that, by some means unknown to me, she had becomeacquainted with the arrangement I had made as respected the twentydollars a month. I afterwards ascertained that this secret had leakedout through Neb, who had it from one of the clerks of thecounting-house who had visited the ship, and repeated it toMrs. Bradfort's black maid, in one of his frequent visits to thehouse. This is a common channel of information, though it seldomproves as true as it did in this instance. 

I could see that Lucy was delighted with her locket. It was a verypretty ornament, in the first place, and it had her own hair, that ofGrace, Rupert, and my own, very prettily braided together, so as toform a wreath, made like a rope, or a grummet, encircling acombination of letters that included all our initials. In this therewas nothing that was particular, while there was much that wasaffectionate. Had I not consulted Grace on the subject, it ispossible I should have been less cautious, though I declare I had nothought of making love. All this time I fancied I felt for, andtrusted Lucy as another sister. I was shrewd enough to detect Rupert'smanner and feeling towards my own sister, and I felt afraid it was, orsoon would be, fully reciprocated; but as to imagining myself in lovewith Lucy Hardinge, or any one else, the thought never crossed mymind, though the dear girl herself so often did!

I saw Lucy's smile, and I could not avoid noticing the manner inwhich, once or twice, unconsciously to herself, I do believe, thissimple-minded, sincere creature, pressed the hand which retained thelocket to her heart; and yet it made no very lively impression on myimagination at the time. The conversation soon changed, and we beganto converse of other things. I have since fancied that Grace had leftus alone in order that I might return the half-joes to Lucy, and offerthe locket; for, looking round and seeing the latter in its newowner's hand, while Lucy was bestowing on it one of the hundredglances of grateful pleasure it received that afternoon, she waiteduntil we came up, when she took my arm, remarking, as this was to beour last evening together, she must come in for her share of theconversation. Now, I solemnly affirm that this was the nearestapproach to anything like a love-scene that had ever passed betweenLucy Hardinge and myself. 

I would gladly pass over the leave-taking, and shall say but littleabout it. Mr. Hardinge called me into his room, when we got back tothe house. He spoke earnestly and solemnly to me, recalling to my mindmany of his early and most useful precepts. He then kissed me, gave mehis blessing, and promised to remember me in his prayers. As I lefthim, and I believe he went on his knees as soon as my back was turned, Lucy was waiting for me in the passage. She was in tears, and palerthan common, but her mind seemed made up to sustain a great sacrificelike a woman. She put a small, but exceedingly neat copy of the Bibleinto my hand, and uttered, as well as emotion would permit--"There, Miles; _that_ is _my_ keepsake. I do not ask you to think of_me_ when you read; but think of _God_. " She then snatched akiss, and flew into her room and locked the door. Grace was below, and she wept on my neck like a child, kissing me again and again, andcalling me "her brother--her dear, her _only_ brother. " I wasobliged actually to tear myself away from Grace. Rupert went with meto the ship, and passed an hour or two on board. As we crossed thethreshold, I heard a window open above my head, and, looking up, I sawLucy, with streaming eyes, leaning forward to say, "Write, Miles--write as often as you possibly can. "

Man must be a stern being by nature, to be able to tear himself fromsuch friends, in order to encounter enemies, hardships, dangers andtoil, and all without any visible motive. Such was my case, however, for I wanted not for a competency, or for most of those advantageswhich might tempt one to abandon the voyage. Of such a measure, thepossibility never crossed my mind. I believed that it was just asnecessary for me to remain third-mate of the Crisis, and to stick bythe ship while she would float, as Mr. Adams thinks it necessary forhim to present abolition petitions to a congress, which will notreceive them. We both of us, doubtless, believed ourselves the victimsof fate. 

We sailed at sun-rise, wind and tide favouring. We had anchored offCourtlandt street, and as the ship swept past the Battery I sawRupert, who had only gone ashore in the pilot's boat at day-light, with two females, watching our movements. The girls did not dare towave their handkerchiefs; but what cared I for that--I knew that theirgood wishes, kind wishes, tender wishes, went with me; and this littletouch of affection, which woman knows so well how to manifest, made meboth happy and sad for the remainder of the day. 

The Crisis was an unusually fast ship, faster even than the Tigris;coppered to the bends, copper-fastened, and with a live-oak frame. Nobetter craft sailed out of the republic. Uncle Sam had tried topurchase her for one of his new navy; but the owners, having thisvoyage in view, refused his tempting offers. She was no sooner underher canvass, than all hands of us perceived we were in a traveller;and glad enough were we to be certain of the fact, for we had a longroad before us. This, too, was with the wind free, and in smoothwater; whereas those who knew the vessel asserted her _forte_ wason a bowline and in a sea-that is to say, she would sail relativelyfaster than most other craft, under the latter circumstances. 

There was a strange pleasure to me, notwithstanding all I had sufferedpreviously, all the risks I had run, and all I had left behind me, infinding myself once more on the broad ocean. As for Neb, the fellowwas fairly enraptured. So quickly and intelligently did he obey hisorders, that he won a reputation before we crossed the bar. The smellof the ocean seemed to imbue him with a species of nauticalinspiration, and even I was astonished with his readiness andactivity. As for myself, I was every way at home. Very different wasthis exit from the port, from that of the previous year. Theneverything was novel, and not a little disgusting. Now I had little, almost nothing, to learn--literally nothing, I might have said, wereit not that every ship-master has certain _ways_ of his own, thatit behooves all his subordinates to learn as quickly as possible. ThenI lived aft, where we not only had plates, and table-cloths, andtumblers, and knives and forks; but comparatively _clean_articles of the sort. I say comparatively, the two other degrees beingusually wanting in north-west traders. 

The Crisis went to sea with a lively breeze at south-west, the windshifting after she had got into the lower bay. There were a dozen sailof us altogether, and in our little fleet were two of Uncle Sam's men, who felt disposed to try their hands with us. We crossed the bar, allthree of us, within a cable's length of each other, and made sail incompany, with the wind a trifle abaft the beam. Just as Navesinkdisappeared, our two men-of-war, merchantmen altered, hauled up onbowlines, and jogged off towards the West Indies, being at the timeabout a league astern of us. This success put us all in highgood-humour, and had such an effect on Marble in particular, that hebegan to give it as his opinion that our only superiority over themwould not be found confined to sailing, on an experiment. It is veryconvenient to think favourably of one's self, and it is certainlycomfortable to entertain the same notion as respects one's ship. 

I confess to a little awkwardness at first, in acting as an officer. Iwas young, and commanded men old enough to be my father--regularsea-dogs, who were as critical in all that related to the niceties ofthe calling, as the journalist who is unable to appreciate the higherqualities of a book, is hypercritical on its minor faults. But a fewdays gave me confidence, and I soon found I was obeyed as readily asthe first-mate. A squall struck the ship in my watch, about afortnight out, and I succeeded in getting in sail, and savingeverything, canvass and spars, in a way that did me infinite serviceaft. Captain Williams spoke to me on the subject, commending theorders I had given, and the coolness with which they had been issued;for, as I afterwards understood, he remained some time in thecompanion-way, keeping the other two mates back, though all hands hadbeen called, in order to see how I could get along by myself in such astrait. On this occasion, I never saw a human being exert himself likeNeb. He felt that my honour was concerned. I do really think thefellow did two men's duty, the whole time the squall lasted. Untilthis little incident occurred, Captain Williams was in the habit ofcoming on deck to examine the heavens, and see how things were gettingon, in my night-watches; but, after this, he paid no more visits ofthis sort to me, than he paid to Mr. Marble. I had been gratified byhis praises; but this quiet mode of showing confidence, gave me morehappiness than I can express. 

We had a long passage out, the wind hanging to the eastward near threeweeks. At length we got moderate southerly breezes, and began totravel on our course. Twenty-four hours after we had got the fairwind, I had the morning watch, and made, as the day dawned, a saildirectly abeam of us, to windward, about three leagues distant, orjust hull down. I went into the main-top, and examined her with aglass. She was a ship, seemingly of about our own size, and carryingeverything that would draw. I did not send word below until it wasbroad daylight, or for near half an hour; and in all that time herbearings did not vary any perceptible distance. 

Just as the sun rose, the captain and chief-mate made their appearanceon deck. At first they agreed in supposing the stranger a strayEnglish West-Indiaman, bound home; for, at that time, few merchantvessels were met at sea that were not English or American. The formerusually sailed in convoys, however; and the captain accounted for thecircumstance that this was not thus protected, by the fact of hersailing so fast. She might be a letter-of-marque, like ourselves, andvessels of that character did not take convoy. As the two vessels layexactly abeam of each other, with square yards, it was not easy tojudge of the sparring of the stranger, except by means of hismasts. Marble, judging by the appearance of his topsails, began tothink our neighbour might be a Frenchman, he had so much hoist to thesails. After some conversation on the subject, the captain ordered meto brace forward the yards, as far as our studding-sails would allow, and to luff nearer to the stranger. While the ship was thus changingher course, the day advanced, and our crew got their breakfast. 

As a matter of course, the strange ship, which kept on the same lineof sailing as before, drew ahead of us a little, while we neared hersensibly. In the course of three hours we were within a league of her, but well on her lee-quarter. Marble now unhesitatingly pronounced herto be a Frenchman, there being no such thing as mistaking thesails. To suppose an Englishman would go to sea with such triangles ofroyals, he held to be entirely out of the question; and then hereferred to me to know if I did not remember the brig "we had lickedin the West Indies, last v'y'ge, which had just such r'yals as thechap up there to windward?" I could see the resemblance, certainly, and had remarked the same peculiarity in the few French vessels I hadseen. 

Under all the circumstances, Captain Williams determined to get on theweather-quarter of our neighbour, and take a still nearer look athim. That he was armed, we could see already; and, as near as we couldmake out, he carried twelve guns, or just two more than we didourselves. All this was encouraging; sufficiently so, at least, toinduce us to make a much closer examination than we had yet done. 

It took two more hours to bring the Crisis, fast as she sailed, on theweather-quarter of her neighbour, distant about a mile. Here ourobservations were much more to the purpose, and even Captain Williamspronounced the stranger to be a Frenchman, "and, no doubt, aletter-of-marque, like ourselves. " He had just uttered these words, when we saw the other vessel's studding-sails coming down her royalsand top-gallant-sails clewing up, and all the usual signs of herstripping for a fight. We had set our ensign early in the day, but, asyet, had got no answering symbol of nationality from the chase. Assoon as she had taken in all her light canvass, however, she clewed upher courses, fired a gun to windward, and hoisted the French_tri-color_, the most graceful flag among the emblems ofChristendom, but one that has been as remarkably unsuccessful in thedeeds it has witnessed on the high seas, as it has been remarkable forthe reverse on land. The French have not been wanting in excellentsailors--gallant seamen, too; but the results of their exploits afloathave ever borne a singular disproportion to the means employed--a fewoccasional exceptions just going to prove that the causes have been ofa character as peculiar, as these results have, in nearly all ages, been uniform. I have heard the want of success in maritime exploits, among the French, attributed to a want of sympathy, in the nation, with maritime things. Others, again, have supposed that the narrowsystem of preferring birth to merit, which pervaded the whole economyof the French marine, as well as of its army, previously to therevolution, could not fail to destroy the former, inasmuch as a man offamily would not consent to undergo the toil and hardships that areunavoidable to the training of the true seaman. This last reason, however, can scarcely be the true one, as the young English noble hasoften made the most successful naval officer; and the marine ofFrance, in 1798, had surely every opportunity of perfecting itself, bydownright practice, uninjured by favouritism, as that of America. Formyself, though I have now reflected on the subject for years, I cancome to no other conclusion than that national character has some veryimportant agency--or, perhaps, it might be safer to say, _has_had some very important agency--through some cause or other, indisqualifying France from becoming a great naval power, in the senseof skill; in that of mere force, so great a nation must always beformidable. Now she sends her princes to sea, however, we may look fordifferent results. Notwithstanding the fact that an Englishman, or anAmerican, rarely went alongside of a Frenchman, in 1798, without astrong moral assurance of victory, he was sometimes disappointed. There was no lack of courage in their enemies, and it occasionallyhappened that there was no lack of skill. Every manifestation that theexperience of our captain could detect, went to show that we hadfallen in with one of these exceptions. As we drew nearer to ourenemy, we perceived that he was acting like a seaman. His sails hadbeen furled without haste or confusion; an infallible evidence ofcoolness and discipline when done on the eve of battle, and signs thatthe watchful seaman, on such occasions, usually notes as unerringindications of the sort of struggle that awaits him. It wasconsequently understood, among us on the quarter-deck, that we werelikely to have a warm day's work of it. Nevertheless, we had gone toofar to retreat without an effort, and we began, in our turn, toshorten sail, in readiness for the combat. Marble was a prince of afellow, when it came to anything serious. I never saw him shorten sailas coolly and readily as he did that very day. We had everything readyin ten minutes after we began. 

It was rare, indeed, to see two letters-of-marque set-to as coolly, and as scientifically as were the facts with the Crisis and _la Damede Nantes;_ for so, as we afterwards ascertained, was ourantagonist called. Neither party aimed at any great advantage bymanoeuvring; but we came up alongside of "The Lady, " as our mensubsequently nick-named the Frenchman, the two vessels deliveringtheir broadsides nearly at the same instant. I was stationed on theforecastle, in charge of the head-sheets, with orders to attendgenerally to the braces and the rigging, using a musket in momentsthat were not otherwise employed. Away went both my jib-sheet blocksat the beginning, giving me a very pretty job from the outset. Thiswas but the commencement of trouble; for, during the two hours and ahalf that we lay battering _la Dame de Nantes_, and she laybattering us, I had really so much to attend to in the way of reeving, knotting, splicing, and turning in afresh, that I had scarcely aminute to look about me, in order to ascertain how the day wasgoing. I fired my musket but twice. The glimpses I did manage to takewere far from satisfactory, however; several of our people beingkilled or wounded, one gun fairly crippled by a shot, and our riggingin a sad plight. The only thing encourag'ng was Neb's shout, thefellow making it a point to roar almost as loud as his gun, at eachdischarge. 

It was evident from the first that the Frenchman had nearly twice asmany men as we carried. This rendered any attempt at boardingimprudent, and, in the way of pounding, our prospects were by no meansflattering. At length I heard a rushing sound over my head, and, looking up, I saw that the main-top-mast, with the yards and sails, had come down on the fore-braces, and might shortly be expected ondeck. At this point, Captain Williams ordered all hands from the gunsto clear the wreck. At the same instant, our antagonist, with a degreeof complaisance that I could have hugged him for, ceased firingalso. Both sides seemed to think it was very foolish for twomerchantmen to lie within a cable's length of each other, trying whichcould do the other the most harm; and both sides set about the, bythis time, very necessary duty of repairing damages. While this wasgoing on, the men at the wheel, by a species of instinctive caution, did their whole duty. The Crisis luffed all she was able, while _laDame de Nantes_ edged away all she very conveniently could, placingmore than a mile of blue water between the two vessels, before we, whowere at work aloft, were aware they were so decidedly running ondiverging lines. 

It was night before we got our wreck clear; and then we had to lookabout us, to get out spare spars, fit them, rig them, point them, andsway them aloft. The last operation, however, was deferred untilmorning. As it was, the day's work had been hard, and the peoplereally wanted rest. Rest was granted them at eight o'clock; at whichhour, our late antagonist was visible about a league distant, thedarkness beginning to envelope her. In the morning the horizon wasclear, owing to the repulsion which existed in so much force betweenthe two vessels. It was not our business to trouble ourselves aboutthe fate of our adversary, but to take heed of our own. That morningwe go' up our spars, crossed the yards, and made sail again. We hadseveral days' work in repairing all our damages; but, happening to befound for a long voyage, and well found, too, by the end of a week theCrisis was in as good order as if we had not fought a battle. As forthe combat, it was one of those in which either side might claim thevictory, or not, as it suited tastes. We had very ingenious excusesfor our failure, however; and I make no doubt the French were just asready, in this way, as we were ourselves. 

Our loss in this engagement amounted to two men killed outright, andto seven wounded, two of whom died within a few days. The remainingwounded all recovered, though the second-mate, who was one of them, Ibelieve never got to be again the man he had been. A canister-shotlodged near his hip, and the creature we had on board as a surgeon wasnot the hero to extract it. In that day, the country was not so verywell provided with medical men on the land, as to spare many good onesto the sea. In the new navy, it was much the fashion to say, "if youwant a leg amputated, send for the carpenter; he _does_ know howto use a saw, while it is questionable whether the doctor knows how touse anything. " Times, however, are greatly altered in this respect;the gentlemen who now compose this branch of the service being notonly worthy of commendation for their skill and services, but worthyof the graduated rank which I see they are just now asking of thejustice of their country, and which, as that country ordinarilyadministers justice, I am much afraid they will ask in vain. 

CHAPTER IX. 

 "If we Cannot defend our own door from the dog, Let us be worried; and our nation lose The name of hardiness, and policy. " _Henry V. _

The combat between the Crisis and _la Dame de Nantes_ took placein 42. 37'. 12" north latitude, and 34. 16'. 43" west longitude, fromGreenwich. This was very near the centre of the northern Atlantic, andgave us ample time to get our ship in good condition before we drew inwith the land. Shortly after the affair, the wind came out light atnortheast, forcing us down nearer to the Bay of Biscay than was at allconvenient, when bound to London. The weather grew foggy, too, whichis not usual on the coast of Europe, with the wind at east, and thenights dark. Just a fortnight after the action, I was awakened earlyone morning by a rough shake of the shoulder from Marble, who had thewatch, but who was calling me at least an hour before the time. "Beara hand and turn out, " he said; "I want you on deck, Mr. Wallingford. "I obeyed, of course, and soon stood in the presence of the chief-mate, rubbing my eyes diligently, as if they had to be opened by friction. 

It was just six bells, or seven o'clock, and one of the watch was onthe point of making the bell proclaim as much, when Mr. Marble orderedhim not to strike the hour. The weather was thick, or rather foggy, and the wind light, with very little sea going. All this I had time tonotice, to listen to the unusual order about the bell, and to gapetwice, before the male turned to me. He seized my arm, carried me onthe lee side of the quarter-deck, shook his finger at a vacant spot inthe fog, and said--

"Miles, my boy, down yonder, within half a mile of this very spot, isour friend the Frenchman!"

"How is it possible you can know that, Mr. Marble?" I demanded insurprise. 

"Because I have seen him, with these two good-looking eyes ofmine. This fog opens and shuts like a playhouse-curtain, and I got apeep at the chap, about ten minutes since. It was a short look, but itwas a sure one; I would swear to the fellow in any admiralty court inChristendom. "

"And what do you intend to do, Mr. Marble? We found him a hard subjectin clear weather; what can we do with him in thick?"

"That depends on the old man; his very natur' is overlaid by what hashappened already, and I rather think he will be for a freshskrimmage"--Marble was an uneducated Kennebunk man, and by no meansparticular about his English. "There'll be good picking in that Frenchgentleman, Master Miles, for those who come in at the beginning of theplunder!"

The chief-mate then told me to go below and turn up all hands, makingas little rumpus about it as possible. This I did; and when I returnedto the deck, I found the fingers of Marble going again, with CaptainWilliams for his auditor, just as they had gone to me, a few minutesearlier. Being an officer, I made no scruples about joining theparty. Marble was giving his account of the manner in which he hadmomentarily seen the enemy, the canvass he was under, the course hewas steering, and the air of security that prevailed about him. Somuch, he insisted he had noted, though he saw the ship for abouttwenty seconds only. All this, however, might be true, for a seaman'seye is quick, and he has modes of his own for seeing a great deal in abrief space of time. Marble now proposed that we should go toquarters, run alongside of the Frenchman, pour in a broadside, andboard him in the smoke. Our success would be certain, could we closewith him without being seen; and it would be almost as certain, couldwe engage him with our guns by surprise. The chief-mate was of opinionwe had dosed him in the other affair, in a way to sicken him; thistime we should bring him to with a round turn!

The "old man" was pleased with the notion, I saw at a glance; and Iconfess it took my fancy also. We all felt very sore at the result ofthe other attempt, and here it seemed as if fortune gave us a goodoccasion for repairing the evil. 

"There can be no harm in getting ready, Mr. Marble, " the captainobserved; "and when we are ready ourselves we shall know better whatto think of the matter. "

This was no sooner said, than away we went to clear ship. Our taskwas soon done; the tompions were got out, the guns cast loose, ammunition was brought up, and a stand of grape was put in over theshot in every piece in both batteries. As the men were told themotive, they worked like dray-horses; and I do not think we were tenminutes before the ship was ready to go into action, at a moment'snotice. 

All this time, Captain Williams refused to keep the ship away. Ibelieve he wanted to get a look at our neighbour himself, for he couldnot but foresee what might be the consequences, should he run down inthe fog, and engage a heavier vessel than his own, without theceremony of a hail. The sea was covered with Englishmen, and one oftheir cruisers might not very easily pardon such a mistake, howeverhonestly made. But preparation seems to infer a necessity forperformance. When everything was ready, all eyes were turned aft in away that human nature could hardly endure, and the captain was obligedto yield. As Marble, of all on board, had alone seen the other vessel, he was directed to conn the Crisis in the delicate operation she wasabout to undertake. 

As before, my station was on the forecastle. I had been directed tokeep a bright look-out, as the enemy would doubtless be first seenfrom forward. The order was unnecessary, however, for never did humanbeings gaze into a fog more anxiously, than did all on board our shipon this occasion. Calculating by the distance, and the coursessteered, we supposed ten or fifteen minutes would bring us squarealongside of Mr. Marble's ship; though some among us doubted hishaving seen any vessel at all. There was about a five-knot breeze, andwe had all our square sails set, knowing it was necessary to go alittle faster than our adversary, to catch up with him. The intenseexpectation, not to say anxiety, of such a scene, is not easilydescribed. The surrounding fog, at times, seemed filled with ships;but all vanished into _thick_ air, one after another, leavingnothing but vapour. Severe orders had been given for no one to callout, but, the moment the ship was seen, for the discoverer to go aftand report. At least a dozen men left their quarters on this errand, all returning in the next instant, satisfied they had beendeceived. Each moment, too, increased the expectation; for each momentmust we be getting nearer and nearer to her, if any vessel were reallythere. Quite twenty minutes, however, passed in this manner, and noship was seen. Marble continued cool and confident, but the captainand second-mate smiled, while the people began to shake their heads, and roll the tobacco into their cheeks. As we advanced, our own shipluffed by degrees, until we had got fairly on our old course again, orwere sailing close upon the wind. This change was made easily, thebraces not having been touched; a precaution that was taken expresslyto give us this advantage. When we found ourselves once more closeupon the wind, we gave the matter up forward, supposing the mate hadbeen deceived. I saw by the expression of the captain's face that hewas about to give the order to secure the guns, when, casting my eyesforward, there was a ship, sure enough, within a hundred yards of us!I held up both arms, as I looked aft, and luckily caught the captain'seye. In an instant, he was on the forecastle. 

It was easy enough to see the stranger now. There he was in the fog, looking mystical and hazy; but there he was, under his main-top-gallant-sail, close-hauled, and moving ahead in all the confidence ofthe solitude of the ocean. We could not see his hull, or so faintlyas only to distinguish its mass; but from his tops up, there was nomistaking the objects. We had shot away the Frenchman's mizen-royal-mast. It was a pole, and there the stump stood, just as it was when we hadlast seen him on the evening of the day of the combat. This left nodoubt of the character of our neighbour, and it at once determined ourcourse. As it was, we were greatly outsailing him, but an order wasimmediately given to set the light staysails. As Captain Williamspassed aft, he gave his orders to the men in the batteries. In themean time, the second-mate, who spoke very good New York French, cameupon the forecastle, in readiness to answer the expected hail. As theCrisis was kept a little free, in order to close, and as she sailed sofast, it was apparent we were coming up with the chase, hand overhand. 

The two ships were not more than a hundred feet asunder when theFrenchmen first saw us. This blindness was owing to severalcircumstances. In the first place, ten men look forward in a ship, where one looks aft. Those who looked aloft, too, were generally onthe quarter-deck, and this prevented them from looking astern. Thenthe Frenchman's crew had just gone to their breakfasts, most of themeating below. She was so strong-handed, moreover, as to give aforenoon's watch below, and this still left many of the sluggards intheir hammocks. In that day, even a French ship-of-the-line was nomodel of discipline or order, and a letter-of-marque was consequentlyworse. As it afterwards appeared, we were first seen by the mate ofthe watch, who ran to the taffrail, and, instead of giving an order tocall all hands, he hailed us. Mr. Forbank, our second-mate, answered;mumbling his words so, that, if they were bad French, they did notsound like good English. He got out the name "Le Hasard, de Bordeaux, "pretty plainly, however; and this served to mystify the mate for a fewseconds. By the end of that time, our bows were doubling on theFrenchman's quarter, and we were sheering into him so fast as quite todistract the Nantes man. The hail had been heard below, however, andthe Frenchmen came tumbling up by the dozen, forward and aft. 

Captain Williams was a prime seaman, and one of the coolest men thatever lived. Everything that day was done at precisely the propermoment. The Frenchman attempted to keep off, but our wheel was sotouched as to keep us lapping in nearly a parallel line with them, thewhole time; and our forward sails soon becalmed even their mainsail. Of course we went two feet to their one. Marble came on theforecastle, just as our cat-head was abreast of "The Lady's"forward-rigging. Less than a minute was required to take us so farforward, and that minute was one of great confusion among theFrench. As soon as Marble got on the forecastle, he made a signal, theensign was run up, and the order was given to fire. We let fly allfive of our nine-pounders, loaded with two round and a stand of grape, at the same moment. At the next instant, the crash of the ships comingfoul of each other was heard. Marble shouted "Come on, boys!" and awayhe, and I, and Neb, and all hands of us, went on board of theFrenchman like a hurricane. I anticipated a furious hand to handconflict; but we found the deck deserted, and had no difficultywhatever in getting possession. The surprise, the rush, and the effectof the broadside, gave us an easy victory. The French captain had beennearly cut in two by a nine-pound shot, moreover, and both of themates were severely wounded. These accidents contributed largely toour success, causing the enemy to abandon the defence as hopeless. Wehad not a soul hurt. 

The prize proved to be the ship I have mentioned, a letter-of-marque, from Guadaloupe, bound to Nantes. She was a trifle larger than theCrisis, mounted twelve French nines, and had eighty-three souls onboard when she sailed. Of these, however, no less than twenty-threehad been killed and wounded in our previous affair with her, andseveral were absent in a prize. Of the wounded, nearly all were stillin their hammocks. Among the remainder, some sixteen or eighteensuffered by our close and destructive broadside on the presentoccasion, reducing the efficient part of her crew to about our ownnumbers. The vessel was new and valuable, and her cargo was invoicedat something like sixty thousand dollars, having some cochineal amongit. 

As soon as assured of our victory, the Crisis's main-top-sail wasbraced aback, as well as it could be, and her helm put down. At thesame time, the Dame was kept away, and the two ships went clear ofeach other. Little injury had been done by the collision, or thegrinding; and, in consequence of our guns having been so much shotted, no damage whatever was done the lower masts of the prize. The shothad just force enough to pass through the bulwarks, make splinters, and to lodge. This left both vessels in good condition for going intoport. 

At first it was determined to leave me in _la Dame de Nantes, _ asprize-master, with directions to follow the Crisis into Falmouth, whither she was bound for orders. But, on further examination, it wasdiscovered that the crew of an American brig was on board the prize asprisoners; _la Dame de Nantes_ having captured the vessel onlytwo days before we met the former the first time, taken out herpeople, manned her, and ordered her for Nantes. These Americans, including the master and two mates, amounted to thirteen souls in all, and they enabled us to make a different disposition of the prize. Theresult of an hour or two's deliberations was as follows:

Our old second-mate, whose hurt was likely to require better care thancould be had on the North-west Coast, was put on board the French shipas prize-master, with orders to make the best of his way to NewYork. The master and chief-mate of the American brig agreed to actunder him, and to assist in carrying _la Dame_ across theocean. Three or four of our invalids were sent home also, and theliberated Americans took service for the passage. All the Frenchwounded were left in the ship, under the charge of their own surgeon, who was a man of some little merit, though a good deal of a butcher, as was too much the fashion of that day. 

It was dark before all the arrangements were made, when _la Dame deNantes_ turned short round on her heel, and made sail forAmerica. Of course our captain sent in his official report by her, andI seized a moment to write a short letter to Grace, which was soworded as to be addressed to the whole family. I knew how muchhappiness a line from me would bestow, and I had the pleasure toinform them, also, that I was promoted to be second-mate--thesecond-mate of the American brig having shipped as my successor in therank of third-officer. 

The parting on the wide ocean, that night, was solemn, and, in somerespects, sad. We knew that several who were in _la Dame deNantes_ would probably be left behind, as she travelled her long, solitary path, in the depths of the ocean; and there were the chancesthat she, herself, might never arrive. As respects the last, however, the odds were in her favour, the American coast being effectuallycleared of French privateers by that time; and I subsequently receivedeleven hundred and seventy-three dollars for my share in thatexploit. How I was affected by the circumstance, and what I did withthe money, will appear in the sequel. 

The Crisis made sail on a bowline, at the same moment her prize filledaway for America; Miles Wallingford a much more important personagethan he had been a few hours before. We put the prisoners below, keeping a good watch over them, and hauled off to the northward andwestward, in order to avoid any French cruisers that might be hoveringon their own coast. Captain Williams seemed satisfied with the shareof glory he had obtained, and manifested no further disposition toseek renown in arms. As for Marble, I never knew a man more exalted inhis own esteem, than he was by the results of that day's work. Itcertainly did him great credit; but, from that hour, woe to the manwho pretended to dispute with him concerning the character of any sailthat happened to cross our path. 

The day after we parted company with our prize, we made a sail to thewestward, and hauled up to take a look at her, the wind havingshifted. She was soon pronounced to be an American; but, though weshowed our colours, the stranger, a brig, manifested no disposition tospeak us. This induced Captain Williams to make sail in chase, moreespecially as the brig endeavoured to elude us by passing ahead, andthe run was pretty nearly on our course. At 4, P. M. We got nearenough to throw a nine-pound shot between the fellow's masts, when thechase hove-to, and permitted us to come up. The brig proved to be theprize of _la Dame de Nantes_, and we took possession of herforthwith. As this vessel was loaded with flour, pot and pearl ashes, &c. , and was bound to London, I was put in charge of her, with a youngman of my own age, of the name of Roger Talcott, for my assistant, having six men for my crew. Of course the Frenchmen, all but one whoacted as cook and steward excepted, were received on board theCrisis. Neb went with me, through his own and my earnest entreaties, though spared by Marble with great reluctance. 

This was my first command; and proud enough did I feel on theoccasion, though almost dying with the apprehension of doing somethingwrong. My orders were, to make the Lizard light, and to crawl alongup-channel, keeping close in with the English coast; Captain Williamsanticipating instructions to go to the same port to which the Amanda(the brig) was bound, and expecting to overtake us, after he hadcalled at Falmouth for his orders. As the Crisis could go four feet tothe Amanda's three, before sunset our old ship was hull down ahead ofus. 

When I took charge of the deck the next morning, I found myself on thewide ocean, with nothing in sight, at the age of eighteen, and in theenemy's seas, with a valuable vessel to care for, my way to find intonarrow waters that I had never entered, and a crew on board, of whomjust one-half were now on their first voyage. Our green hands hadmanifested the aptitude of Americans, and had done wonders in the wayof improvement; but a great deal still remained to be learned. TheCrisis's complement had been too large to employ everybody at allsorts of work, as is usually done in a merchant-vessel with herordinary number of hands and the landsmen had to take their chancesfor instruction. Notwithstanding, the men I got were stout, healthy, willing and able to pull and haul with the oldest salts. 

By the arrangement that had been made, I was now thrown upon my ownresources. Seamanship, navigation, address, prudence, all depended onme. I confess I was, at first, nearly as much depressed by the noveltyand responsibility of my command, as Neb was delighted. But it issurprising how soon we get accustomed to changes of this sort. Thefirst five or six hours set me quite at my ease, though it is truenothing occurred in the least out of the usual way; and, by the timethe sun set, I should have been happy, could I have got over theuneasiness produced by the darkness. The wind had got round tosouth-west, and blew fresh. I set a lower and a top-maststudding-sail, and by the time the light had entirely vanished, thebrig began to drag after her canvass in a way to keep me wide awake. I was at a loss whether to shorten sail or not. On the one hand, therewas the apprehension of carrying away something; and, on the other, the fear of seeming timid in the eyes of the two or three seamen I hadwith me. I watched the countenances of these men, in order to gleantheir private sentiments; but, usually, Jack relies so much on hisofficers, that he seldom anticipates evils. As for Neb, the harder itblew, the greater was his rapture. He appeared to think the wind wasMaster Miles's, as well as the ocean, the brig, and himself. The morethere was of each, the richer I became. As for Talcott, he wasscarcely as good a seaman as myself, though he was well-educated, hadgood manners, was well-connected, and had been my original competitorfor the office of third-mate. I had been preferred only through theearnest recommendations of Marble. Talcott, however, was as expert anavigator as we had in the ship, and had been placed with me on thataccount; Captain Williams fancying two heads might prove better thanone. I took this young man into the cabin with me, not only as acompanion, but to give him consideration with the people forward. Onshore, though less fortunate in the way of state, he would have beenconsidered as fully my equal in position. 

Talcott and myself remained on deck together nearly the whole of thefirst night and the little sleep I did get was caught in a top-maststudding-sail that lay on the quarterdeck, and which I had determinednot to set, after rowsing it up for that purpose. When daylightreturned, however, with a clear horizon, no increase of wind, andnothing in sight, I was so much relieved as to take a good nap untileight. All that day we started neither tack nor sheet, nor touched abrace. Towards evening I went aloft myself to look for land, butwithout success, though I knew, from our observation at noon, it couldnot be far off. Fifty years ago the longitude was the great difficultywith navigators. Both Talcott and myself did very well with thelunars, it is true; but there was no chance to observe, and evenlunars soon get out of their reckoning among currents and tides. Gladenough, then, was I to hear Neb sing but "Light ahead!" from thefore-top-sail-yard. This was about ten o'clock. I knew this lightmust be the Lizard, as we were too far to the eastward for Scilly. Thecourse was changed so as to bring the light a little on theweather-bow; and I watched for its appearance to us on deck with ananxiety I have experienced, since, only in the most tryingcircumstances. Half an hour sufficed for this, and then I feltcomparatively happy. A new beginner even is not badly off with thewind fresh at south-west, and the Lizard light in plain view on hisweather-bow, if he happen to be bound up-channel. That night, consequently, proved to be more comfortable than the previous. 

Next morning there was no change, except in the brig's position. Wewere well in the channel, had the land as close aboard as was prudent, and could plainly see, by objects ashore, that we were travellingahead at a famous rate. We went within a mile of the Eddystone, sodetermined was I to keep as far as possible from the Frenchprivateers. Next morning we were up abreast of the Isle of Wight; butthe wind had got round to the southward and eastward, becoming muchlighter, and so scant as to bring us on a taut bowline. This madeEngland a lee-shore, and I began to be as glad to get off it, as I hadlately been to hug it. 

All this time, it will easily be understood that we kept a sharplook-out, on board the brig, for enemies. We saw a great many sail, particularly as we approached the Straits of Dover, and kept as muchaloof from all as circumstances would allow. Several were evidentlyEnglish vessels-of-war, and I felt no small concern on the subject ofhaving some of my men impressed; for at that period, and for manyyears afterwards, ships of all nations that traded with the Englishlost many of their people by this practice, and the American craftmore than any other. I ascribed to our sticking so close to the coast, which we did as long as it was at all safe, the manner in which wewere permitted to pass unnoticed, or, at least, undetained. But, as wedrew nearer to the narrow waters, I had little hope of escapingwithout being boarded. In the mean while, we made short stretches offthe land, and back again, all one day and night, working slowly to theeastward. We still met with no interruption. I was fast gettingconfidence in myself; handling the Amanda, in my own judgment, quiteas welt as Marble could have done it, and getting my green hands intoso much method and practice, that I should not have hesitated aboutturning round and shaping our course for New York, so far as the merebusiness of navigating the vessel was concerned. 

The lights on the English coast were safe guides for our movements, and they let me understand how much we made or lost on atack. Dungeness was drawing nearer slowly, to appearances, and I wasbeginning to look out for a pilot; when Talcott, who had the watch, about three in the morning, came with breathless haste into the cabin, to tell me there was a sail closing with us fast, and, so far as hecould make her out in the darkness, she was lugger-rigged. This wasstartling news indeed, for it was almost tantamount to saying thestranger was a Frenchman. I did not undress at all, and was on deck ina moment. The vessel in chase was about half a mile distant on ourlee-quarter, but could be plainly enough distinguished, and I saw at aglance she was a lugger. There were certainly English luggers; but allthe traditions of the profession had taught me to regard a vessel ofthat particular rig as a Frenchman. I had heard of privateers fromDunkirk, Boulogne, and various other ports in France, running over tothe English coast in the night, and making prizes, just as this fellowseemed disposed to serve us. Luckily, our head was toward the land, and we were looking about a point and a half to windward of the lighton Dungeness, being also favoured with a flood-tide, so far as wecould judge by the rapid drift of the vessel to windward. 

My decision was made in a minute. I knew nothing of batteries, orwhere to seek protection; but there was the land, and I determined tomake for it as fast as I could. By keeping the brig a good full, andmaking all the sail she could carry, I thought we might run ashorebefore the lugger could get alongside us. As for her firing, I did notbelieve she would dare to attempt that, as it might bring some Englishcruiser on her heels, and France was some hours' sail distant. Thefore and mizen top-gallant-sails were set as fast as possible, theweather-braces pulled upon a little, the bowlines eased, and the brigkept a rap-full. The Amanda was no flyer, certainly; but she seemedfrightened as much as we were ourselves, that night. I never knew herto get along so fast, considering the wind; and really there was ashort time when I began to think she held her own, the lugger beingjammed up as close as she could be. But this was all delusion, thatcraft coming after us more like a sea-serpent than a machine carriedahead by canvass. I was soon certain that escape from such a racer bysailing, was altogether out of the question. 

The land and light were now close aboard us, and I expected everymoment to hear the brig's keel grinding on the bottom. At this instantI caught a faint glimpse of a vessel at anchor to the eastward of thepoint, and apparently distant about a quarter of a mile. The thoughtstruck me that she might be an English cruiser, for they frequentlyanchored in such places; and I called out, as it might beinstinctively, "luff!" Neb was at the helm, and I knew by his cheerfulanswer that the fellow was delighted. It was lucky we luffed as wedid, for, in coming to the wind, the vessel gave a scrape that was afearful admonisher of what would have happened in another minute. TheAmanda minded her helm beautifully, however, and we went past thenearest land without any further hints, heading up just high enough tofetch a little to windward of the vessel at anchor. At the nextmoment, the lugger, then about a cable's length from as, was shut inby the land. I was now in great hopes the Frenchman would be obligedto tack; but he had measured his distance well, and felt certain, itwould seem, that he could lay past. He reasoned, probably, as Nelsonis _said_ to have reasoned at the Nile, and as some of hiscaptains unquestionably _did_ reason; that is, if there was waterenough for us, there was water enough for him. In another minute I sawhim, jammed nearly into the wind's eye, luffing past the point, andfalling as easily into our wake as if drawn by attraction. 

All this time, the night was unbroken by any sound. Not a hail, nor acall, our own orders excepted, and they had been given in low tones, had been audible on board the Amanda. As regards the vessel at anchor, she appeared to give herself no concern. There she lay, a fine ship, and, as I thought, a vessel-of-war, like a marine bird asleep on itsproper element. We were directly between her and the lugger, and it ispossible her anchor-watch did not see the latter. The three vesselswere not more than half a cable's length asunder; that is, we wereabout that distance from the ship, and the lugger was a very littlefarther from us. Five minutes must determine the matter. I was on thebrig's forecastle, anxiously examining all I could make out on boardthe ship, as her size, and shape, and rig, became slowly more and moredistinct; and I hailed--

"Ship ahoy!"

"Hilloa! What brig's that?"

"An American, with a French privateer-lugger close on board me, directly in my wake. You had better be stirring!"

I heard the quick exclamation of "The devil there is!" "BloodyYankees!" came next. Then followed the call of "All hands. " It wasplain enough my notice had set everything in motion in thatquarter. Talcott now came running forward to say he thought, from somemovements on board the lugger, that her people were now first apprisedof the vicinity of the ship. I had been sadly disappointed at the callfor all hands on board the ship, for it was in the manner of amerchantman, instead of that of a vessel-of-war. But we were gettingtoo near to remain much longer in doubt. The Amanda was alreadysweeping up on the Englishman's bows, not more than forty yardsdistant. 

"She is an English West-Indiaman, Mr. Wallingford, " said one of myoldest seamen; "and a running ship; some vessel that has deserted orlost her convoy. "

"Do you _know_ anything of the lugger?" demanded an officer fromon board the ship, in a voice that was not very amicable. 

"No more than you see; she has chased me, close aboard, for the lasttwenty minutes. "

There was no reply to this for a moment, and then I was asked--"Totack, and give us a little chance, by drawing him away for a fewminutes. We are armed, and will come out to your assistance. "

Had I been ten years older, experience in the faith of men, andespecially of men engaged in the pursuit of gain, would have preventedme from complying with this request; but, at eighteen, one views thesethings differently. It did appear to me ungenerous to lead an enemy inupon a man in his sleep, and not endeavour to do something to aid thesurprised party. I answered "ay, ay!" therefore, and tacked directlyalongside of the ship. But the manoeuvre was too late, the luggercoming in between the ship and the brig, just as we began to drawahead again, leaving him room, and getting a good look at us both. TheEnglishman appeared the most inviting, I suppose, for she up helm andwent on board of him on his quarter. Neither party used their guns. Wewere so near, however, as plainly to understand the whole, todistinguish the orders, and even to hear the blows that were struck byhand. It was an awful minute to us in the brig. The cries of the hurtreached us in the stillness of that gloomy morning, and oaths mingledwith the clamour. Though taken by surprise, John Bull fought well;though we could perceive that he was overpowered, however, just as thedistance, and the haze that was beginning to gather thick around theland, shut in the two vessels from our view. 

The disappearance of the two combatants furnished me with a hint howto proceed. I stood out three or four minutes longer, or a sufficientdistance to make certain we should not be seen, and tacked again. Inorder to draw as fast as possible out of the line of sight, we keptthe brig off a little, and then ran in towards the English coast, which was sufficiently distant to enable us to stand on in thatdirection some little time longer. This expedient succeeded perfectly;for, when we found it necessary to tack again, day began todawn. Shortly after, we could just discern the West-Indiaman and thelugger standing off the land, making the best of their way towards theFrench coast. In 1799, it is possible that this bold Frenchman got hisprize into some of his own ports, though three or four years later itwould have been a nearly hopeless experiment. As for the Amanda, shewas safe; and Nelson did not feel happier, after his great achievementat the Nile, than I felt at the success of my own expedient. Talcottcongratulated me and applauded me; and I believe all of us were alittle too much disposed to ascribe to our own steadiness and address, much that ought fairly to have been imputed to chance. 

Off Dover we got a pilot, and learned that the ship captured was theDorothea, a valuable West-Indiaman that had stolen away from herconvoy, and come in alone, the previous evening. She anchored underDungeness at the first of the ebb, and, it seems, had preferred takinga good night's rest to venturing out in the dark, when the floodmade. Her berth was a perfectly snug one, and the lugger wouldprobably never have found her, had we not led her directly in upon herprey. 

I was now relieved from all charge of the brig; and a relief I foundit, between shoals, enemies, and the tides, of which I knewnothing. That day we got into the Downs, and came-to. Here I saw afleet at anchor; and a pretty stir it made among the man-of-war's-men, when our story was repeated among them. I do think twenty of theirboats were alongside of us, to get the facts from the originalsource. Among others who thus appeared, to question me, was one oldgentleman, whom I suspected of being an admiral. He was inshore-dress, and came in a plain way; the men in his boat declining toanswer any questions; but they paid him unusual respect. Thisgentleman asked me a great many particulars, and I told him the wholestory frankly, concealing or colouring nothing. He was evidently muchinterested. When he went away, he shook me cordially by the hand, andsaid--"Young gentleman, you have acted prudently and well. Never mindthe grumbling of some of our lads; they think only of themselves. Itwas your right and your duty to save your own vessel, if you could, without doing anything dishonourable; and I see nothing wrong in yourconduct. But it's a sad disgrace to us, to let these French rascals bepicking up their crumbs in this fashion, right under our hawse-holes. "

CHAPTER X. 

 "How pleasant and how sad the turning tide Of human life, when side by side The child and youth begin to glide Along the vale of years: The pure twin-being for a little space, With lightsome heart, and yet a graver face. Too young for woe, though not for tears. " ALLSTON. 

With what interest and deference most Americans of any educationregarded England, her history, laws and institutions, in 1799! Therewere a few exceptions--warm political partisans, and here and there anindividual whose feelings had become embittered by some particularincident of the revolution--but surprisingly few, when it isrecollected that the country was only fifteen years from the peace. Iquestion if there ever existed another instance of as strongprovincial admiration for the capital, as independent Americamanifested for the mother country, in spite of a thousand justgrievances, down to the period of the war of 1812. I was no exceptionto the rule, nor was Talcott. Neither of us had ever seen Englandbefore we made the Lizard on this voyage, except through our minds'eyes; and these had presented quantities of beauties and excellenciesthat certainly vanished on a nearer approach. By this I merely meanthat we had painted in too high colours, as is apt to be the case whenthe imagination holds the pencil; not that there was any unusualabsence of things worthy to be commended. On the contrary, even atthis late, hour, I consider England as a model for a thousandadvantages, even to our own inappreciable selves. Nevertheless, muchdelusion was blended with our admiration. 

English history was virtually American history; and everything on theland, as we made our way towards town, which the pilot could pointout, was a source of amusement and delight. We had to tide it up toLondon, and had plenty of leisure to see all there was to be seen. TheThames is neither a handsome, nor a very magnificent river; but it wasamazing to witness the number of vessels that then ascended ordescended it. There was scarce a sort of craft known to Christendom, afew of the Mediterranean excepted, that was not to be seen there; andas for the colliers, we drifted through a forest of them that seemedlarge enough to keep the town a twelvemonth in fire-wood, by simplyburning their spars. The manner in which the pilot handled our brig, too, among the thousand ships that lay in tiers on each side of thenarrow passage we had to thread, was perfectly surprising to me;resembling the management of a coachman in a crowded thoroughfare, more than the ordinary working of a ship. I can safely say I learnedmore in the Thames, in the way of keeping a vessel in command, and indoing what I pleased with her, than in the whole of my voyage toCanton and back again. As for Neb, he rolled his dark eyes about inwonder, and took an occasion to say to me--"He'll make her talk, Masser Miles, afore he have done. " I make no doubt the navigation fromthe Forelands to the bridges, as it was conducted thirty years since, had a great influence on the seamanship of the English. Steamers aredoing away with much of this practice, though the colliers still haveto rely on themselves. Coals will scarcely pay for tugging. 

I had been directed by Captain Williams to deliver the brig to heroriginal consignee, an American merchant established in the modernBabylon, reserving the usual claim for salvage. This I did, and thatgentleman sent hands on board to take charge of the vessel, relievingme entirely from all farther responsibility. As the captain in hisletter had, inadvertently I trust, mentioned that he had put"Mr. Wallingford, his _third_ mate, " in charge, I got noinvitation to dinner from the consignee; though the affair of thecapture under Dungeness found its way into the papers, _viâ_Deal, I have always thought, with the usual caption of "Yankee Trick. "Yankee trick! This phrase, so often carelessly used, has probably donea great deal of harm in this country. The young and ambitious--thereare all sorts of ambition, and, among others, that of being a rogue;as a proof of which, one daily hears people call envy, jealousy, covetousness, avarice, and half of the meaner vices, ambition--theyoung and _ambitious_, then, of this country, too often think todo a _good_ thing, that shall have some of the peculiar merit ofa certain other good thing that they have heard laughed at andapplauded, under this designation. I can account in no other mannerfor the great and increasing number of "Yankee tricks" that are ofdaily occurrence among us. Among other improvements in taste, not tosay in morals, that might be introduced into the American press, wouldbe the omission of the histories of these rare inventions. Astwo-thirds of the editors of the whole country, however, are Yankees, I suppose they must be permitted to go on exulting in the clevernessof their race. We are indebted to the Puritan stock for most of ourinstructors--editors and school-masters--and when one coolly regardsthe prodigious progress of the people in morals, public and privatevirtue, honesty, and other estimable qualities, he must indeed rejoicein the fact that our masters so early discovered "a church without abishop. "

I had an opportunity, while in London, however, of ascertaining thatthe land of our fathers, which by the way has archbishops, containssomething besides an unalloyed virtue in its bosom. At Gravesend wetook on board _two_ customhouse officers, (they always set arogue to watch a rogue, in the English revenue system, ) and theyremained in the brig until she was discharged. One of these men hadbeen a gentleman's servant, and he owed his place to his formermaster's interest. He was a miracle of custom-house integrity anddisinterestedness, as I discovered in the first hour of ourintercourse. Perceiving a lad of eighteen in charge of the prize, andignorant that this lad had read a good deal of Latin and Greek underexcellent Mr. Hardinge, besides being the heir of Clawbonny, I supposehe fancied he would have an easy time with him. This man's name wasSweeney. Perceiving in me an eager desire to see everything, the brigwas no sooner at her moorings, than he proposed a cruise ashore. Itwas Sweeney who showed me the way to the consignee's, and, thatbusiness accomplished, he proposed that we should proceed on and takea look at St. Paul's, the Monument, and, as he gradually found mytastes more intellectual than he had at first supposed, the wonders ofthe West End. I was nearly a week under the pilotage of the "AdmirableSweeney. " After showing me the exteriors of all the things of markabout the town, and the interiors of a few that I was disposed to payfor, he descended in his tastes, and carried me through Wapping, itspurlieus and its scenes of atrocities. I have always thought Sweeneywas sounding me, and hoping to ascertain my true character, by thecourse he took; and that he betrayed his motives in a propositionwhich he finally made, and which brought our intimacy to a suddenclose. The result, however, was to let me into secrets I shouldprobably have never learned in any other manner. Still, I had read andheard too much to be easily duped; and I kept myself not only out ofthe power of my tempter, but out of the power of all that could injureme, remaining simply a curious observer of what was placed before myeyes. Good Mr. Hardinge's lessons were not wholly forgotten; I couldrun away from him, much easier than from his precepts. 

I shall never forget a visit I made to a house called the Black Horse, in St. Catherine's Lane. This last was a narrow street that ran acrossthe site of the docks that now bear the same name; and it was theresort of all the local infamy of Wapping. I say _local_ infamy;for there were portions of the West End that were even worse thananything which a mere port could produce. Commerce, that parent of somuch that is useful to man, has its dark side as everything else ofearth; and, among its other evils, it drags after it a long train oflow vice; but this train is neither so long nor so broad as that whichis chained to the chariot-wheels of the great. Appearances excepted, and they are far less than might be expected, I think the West Endcould beat Wapping out and out, in every essential vice; and, ifSt. Giles be taken into the account, I know of no salvo in favour ofthe land over the sea. 

Our visit to the Black Horse was paid of a Sunday, that being theleisure moment of all classes of labourers, and the day when, beingattired in their best, they fancied themselves best prepared to appearin the world. I will here remark, that I have never been in anyportion of Christendom that keeps the Sabbath precisely as it is keptin America. In all other countries, even the most rigorously severe intheir practices, it is kept as a day of recreation and rest, as wellas of public devotion. Even in the American towns, the old observancesare giving way before the longings or weaknesses of human nature; andSunday is no longer what it was. I have witnessed scenes of brawling, blasphemy and rude tumult, in the suburbs of New York, on Sundays, within the last few years, that I have never seen in any other part ofthe world on similar occasions; and serious doubts of the expediencyof the high-pressure principle have beset me, whatever may be the justconstructions of doctrine. With the last I pretend not to meddle;but, in a worldly point of view, it would seem wise, if you cannotmake men all that they ought to be, to aim at such social regulationsas shall make them as little vile as possible. But, to return to theBlack Horse in St. Catherine's Lane--a place whose very name wasassociated with vileness. 

It is unnecessary to speak of the characters of its femalevisiters. Most of them were young, many of them were still bloomingand handsome, but all of them were abandoned. "I need tell younothing of these girls, " said Sweeney, who was a bit of a philosopherin his way, ordering a pot of beer, and motioning me to take a seat ata vacant table--"but, as for the men you see here, half arehouse-breakers and pickpockets, come to pass the day genteelly amongyou gentlemen-sailors. There are two or three faces here that I haveseen at the Old Bailey, myself; and how they have remained in thecountry, is more than I can tell you. You perceive these fellows arejust as much at their ease, and the landlord who receives andentertains them is just as much at _his_ ease, as if the wholeparty were merely honest men. "

"How happens it, " I asked, "that such known rogues are allowed to goat large, or that this inn-keeper dares receive them?"

"Oh! you're a child yet, or you would not ask such a question! Youmust know, Master Wallingford, that the law protects rogues as well ashonest men. To convict a pickpocket, you must have witnesses andjurors to agree, and prosecutors, and a sight of things that are notas plenty as pocket-handkerchiefs, or even wallets and Bank of Englandnotes. Besides, these fellows can prove an alibi any day in theweek. An alibi, you must know--"

"I know very well what an alibi means, Mr. Sweeney. "

"The deuce you do!" exclaimed the protector of the king's revenue, eyeing me a little distrustfully. "And pray how should one as young asyou, and coming from a new country like America, know that?"

"Oh!" said I, laughing, "America is just the country for_alibis_--everybody is everywhere, and nobody anywhere. Thewhole nation is in motion, and there is every imaginable opportunityfor _alibis_. "

I believe I owed the development of Sweeney's "ulterior views" to thiscareless speech. He had no other idea of the word than its legalsignification; and it must have struck him as a little suspicious thatone of my apparent condition in life, and especially of my years, should be thus early instructed in the meaning of this very usefulprofessional term. It was a minute before he spoke again, having beenall that time studying my countenance. 

"And pray, Master Wallingford, " he then inquired, "do you happen toknow what _nolle prosequi_ means, too?"

"Certainly; it means to give up the chase. The French lugger underDungeness entered a _nolle prosequi_ as respects my brig, whenshe found her hands full of the West-Indiaman. "

"So, so; I find I have been keeping company all this time with aknowing one, and I such a simpleton as to fancy him green! Well, thatI should live to be done by a raw Jonathan!"

"Poh, poh, Mr. Sweeney, I can tell you a story of two of our navalofficers, that took place just before we sailed; and then you willlearn that all hands of us, on the other side of the Big Pond, understand Latin. One of these officers had been engaged in a duel, and he found it necessary to lie hid. A friend and shipmate, who wasin his secret, came one day in a great hurry to tell him that theauthorities of the State in which the parties fought had entered a_nolle prosequi"_ against the offenders. He had a newspaper withthe whole thing in it, in print. "What's a _nolle prosequi_, Jack?" asked Tom. "Why, it's Latin, to be sure, and it means someinfernal thing or other. We must contrive to find out, for it's halfthe battle to know who and what you've got to face. " "Well, you knowlots of lawyers, and dare show your face; so, just step out and askone. " "I'll trust no lawyer; I might put the question to some chap whohas been fee'd. But we both studied a little Latin when boys, andbetween us we'll undermine the meaning. " Tom assented, and to workthey went. Jack had the most Latin; but, do all he could, he was notable to find a "_nolle_" in any dictionary. After a great deal ofconjecture, the friends agreed it must be the root of "knowledge, " andthat point was settled. As for "_prosequi_" it was not sodifficult, as "sequor" was a familiar word; and, after somecogitation, Jack announced his discoveries. "If this thing were inEnglish, now, " he said, "a fellow might understand it. In that case, Ishould say that the sheriff's men were in "pursuit of knowledge;" thatis, hunting after _you_; but Latin, you remember, was always aninverted sort of stuff, and that '_pro_' alters the wholesignification. The paper says they've '_entered_ a _nolleprosequi;_' and the 'entered' explains the whole. 'Entered a nolle'means, have entered on the knowledge, got a scent; you see it is lawEnglish; 'pro' means 'how, ' and 'sequi, ' 'to give chase. ' The amountof it all is, Tom, that they are on your heels, and I must go to workand send you off, at once, two or three hundred miles into theinterior, where you may laugh at them and their 'nolle prosequis'together. " [*]

[Footnote *: There is said to be foundation for this story. ]

Sweeney laughed heartily at this story, though he clearly did not takethe joke, which I presume he fancied lay concealed under an Americanflash language; and he proposed by way of finishing the day, to carryme to an entertainment where, he gave me to understand, Americanofficers were fond of sometimes passing a few minutes. I was led to aWapping assembly-room, on entering which I found myself in a partycomposed of some forty or fifty cooks and stewards of Americanvessels, all as black as their own pots with partners of the usualcolour and bloom of English girls I have as few prejudices of colouras any American well can have; but I will confess this scene struck meas being painfully out of keeping. In England, however, nothing seemedto be thought of it; and I afterwards found that marriages betweenEnglish women, and men of all the colours of the rainbow, were verycommon occurrences. 

When he had given me this ball as the climax of his compliments, Sweeney betrayed the real motive of all his attentions. Afterdrinking a pot of beer extra, well laced with gin, he offered hisservices in smuggling anything ashore that the Amanda might happen tocontain, and which I, as the prize-master, might feel a desire toappropriate to my own particular purposes. I met the proposal with alittle warmth, letting my tempter understand that I considered hisoffer so near an insult, that it must terminate our acquaintance. Theman seemed astounded. In the first place, he evidently thought allgoods and chattels were made to be plundered, and then he was ofopinion that plundering was a very common "Yankee trick. " Had I beenan Englishman, he might possibly have understood my conduct; but, withhim, it was so much a habit to fancy an American a rogue, that, as Iafterwards discovered, he was trying to persuade the leader of apress-gang that I was the half-educated and illegitimate son of someEnglish merchant, who wished to pass himself off for an American. Ipretend not to account for the contradiction, though I have often metwith the same moral phenomena among his countrymen; but here was asregular a rogue as ever cheated, who pretended to think rogueryindigenous to certain nations, among whom his own was not included. 

At length I was cheered with the sight of the Crisis, as she camedrifting through the tiers, turning, and twisting, and glancing along, just as the Amanda had done before her. The pilot carried her tomoorings quite near us; and Talcott, Neb and I were on board her, before she was fairly secured. My reception was very favourable, Captain Williams having seen the account of the "Yankee trick" in thepapers; and, understanding the thing just as it had happened, heplaced the most advantageous construction on all I had done. Formyself, I confess I never had any misgivings on the subject. 

All hands of us were glad to be back in the Crisis again. CaptainWilliams had remained at Falmouth longer than he expected, to makesome repairs that could not be thoroughly completed at sea, whichalone prevented him from getting into the river as soon as I didmyself. Now the ship was in, we no longer felt any apprehension ofbeing impressed, Sweeney's malignancy having set several of the gangupon the scent after us. Whether the fellow actually thought I was anEnglish subject or not, is more than I ever knew; but I felt nodisposition myself to let the point be called in question, before myLord Chief Justice of a Rendezvous. The King's Bench was moregoverned by safe principles, in its decisions, than the gentlemen whopresided in these marine courts of the British navy. 

As I was the only officer in the ship who had ever seen anything ofLondon, my fortnight's experience made me a notable man in thecabin. It was actually greater preferment for me than when I wasraised from third to be second-mate. Marble was all curiosity to seethe English capital, and he made me promise to be his pilot, as soonas duty would allow time for a stroll, and to show him everything Ihad seen myself. We soon got out the cargo, and then took in ballastfor our North-West voyage; the articles we intended to traffic with onthe coast, being too few and too light to fill the ship. This kept usbusy for a fortnight, after which we had to look about us to obtainmen to supply the places of those who had been killed, or sent away in_la Dame de Nantes_. Of course we preferred Americans; and thisso much the more, as Englishmen were liable to be pressed at anymoment. Fortunately, a party of men that had been taken out of anAmerican ship, a twelvemonth before, by an English cruiser, hadobtained their discharges; and they all came to London, for the doublepurpose of getting some prize-money, and of obtaining passages home. These lads were pleased with the Crisis and the voyage, and, insteadof returning to their own country, sailor-like, they took service togo nearly round the world. These were first-rate men--Delaware-riverseamen--and proved a great accession to our force. We owed thewindfall to the reputation the ship had obtained by her affairs withthe letter-of-marque; an account of which, copied from the log-bookand a little embellished by some one on shore, he consignee had takencare should appear in the journals. The history of the surprise, inparticular, read very well; and the English were in a remarkably goodhumour, at that time, to receive an account of any discomfiture of aFrenchman. At no period since the year 1775, had the Americancharacter stood so high in England as it did just then; the twonations, for a novelty, fighting on the same side. Not long after weleft London, the underwriters at Lloyd's actually voted a handsomecompliment to an American commander for capturing a Frenchfrigate. Stranger things have happened than to have the day arrivewhen English and American fleets may be acting in concert. No one cantell what is in the womb of time; and I have lived long enough to knowthat no man can foresee who will continue to be his friends, or anation what people may become its enemies. 

The Crisis at length began to take in her bales and boxes for theNorth-West Coast, and, as the articles were received slowly, or a fewpackages at a time, it gave us leisure for play. Our captain was insuch good humour with us, on account of the success of theoutward-bound passage, that he proved very indulgent. This dispositionwas probably increased by the circumstance that a ship arrived in avery short passage from New York, which spoke our prize; all well, with a smacking southerly breeze, a clear coast, and a run of only afew hundred miles to make. This left the almost moral certainty that_la Dame de Nantes_ had arrived safe, no Frenchman being likelyto trust herself on that distant coast, which was now alive with ourown cruisers, going to or returning from the West Indies. 

I had a laughable time in showing Marble the sights of London. Webegan with the wild beasts in the Tower, as in duty bound; but ofthese our mate spoke very disparagingly. He had been too often in theEast "to be taken in by such animals;" and, to own the truth, thecockneys were easily satisfied on the score of their _menagerie_. We next went to the Monument; but this did not please him. He hadseen a shot-tower in America--there was but one in that day--that beatit out and out as to height, and he thought in beauty, too. There wasno reasoning against this. St. Paul's rather confounded him. Hefrankly admitted there was no such church at Kennebunk; though he didnot know but Trinity, New York, "might stand up alongside of it. ""Stand up along side of it!" I repeated, laughing. "Why, Mr. Marble, Trinity, steeple and all, could stand up in it--_under_ thatdome-and then leave more room in this building than all the otherchurches in New York contain, put altogether. "

It was a long time before Marble forgave this speech. He said it was"unpatriotic;" a word which was less used in 1799 than it is usedto-day, certainly; but which, nevertheless, _was_ used. It oftenmeant then, as now, a thick and thin pertinacity in believing inprovincial marvels; and, in this, Marble was one of the most patrioticmen with whom I ever met. I got him out of the church, and along Fleetstreet, through Temple Bar, and into the Strand, however, in peace;and then we emerged into the arena of fashion, aristocracy and thecourt. After a time, we worked our way into Hyde Park, where webrought up, to make our observations. 

Marble was deeply averse to acknowledging all the admiration he reallyfelt at the turn-outs of London, as they were exhibited in the Park, of a fine day, in their season. It is probable the world elsewherenever saw anything approaching the beauty and magnificence that ishere daily seen, at certain times, so far as beauty and magnificenceare connected with equipages, including carriages, horses andservants. Unable to find fault with the _tout ensemble_, ourmate made a violent attack on the liveries. He protested it wasindecent to put a "hired man"--the word _help_ never beingapplied to the male sex, I believe, by the most fastidious New Englandpurist--in a cocked hat; a decoration that ought to be exclusivelydevoted to the uses of ministers of the gospel, governors of States, and militia officers. I had some notions of the habits of the greatworld, through books, and some little learned by observation andlistening; but Marble scouted at most of my explanations. He put hisown construction on everything he saw; and I have often thought, since, could the publishers of travels have had the benefit of hisblunders, how many would have profited by them. Gentlemen were justthen beginning to drive their own coaches; and I remember, in aparticular instance, an ultra in the new mode had actually put hiscoachman in the inside, while he occupied the dickey in person. Such agross violation of the proprieties was unusual, even in London; butthere sat Jehu, in all the dignity of cotton-lace, plush, and a cockedhat. Marble took it into his head that this man was the king, and noreasoning of mine could persuade him to the contrary. In vain Ipointed out to him a hundred similar dignitaries, in the properexercise of their vocation, on the hammer-cloths; he cared not astraw--this was not showing him one _inside_; and a gentlemaninside of a carriage, who wore so fine a coat, and a cocked hat in thebargain, could be nothing less than some dignitary of the empire; andwhy not the king! Absurd as all this will seem, I have known mistakes, connected with the workings of our own institutions, almost as great, made by theorists from Europe. 

While Marble and I were wrangling on this very point, a littleincident occurred, which led to important consequences in theend. Hackney-coaches, or any other public conveyance, short ofpost-chaises and post-horses, are not admitted into the Englishparks. But glass-coaches are; meaning by this term, which is neverused in America, hired carriages that do not go on the stands. Weencountered one of these glass-coaches in a very seriousdifficulty. The horses had got frightened by means of a wheelbarrow, aided probably by some bad management of the driver, and had actuallybacked the hind-wheels of the vehicle into the water of thecanal. They would have soon had the whole carriage submerged, and havefollowed it themselves, had it not been for the chief-mate andmyself. I thrust the wheelbarrow under one of the forward-wheels, justin time to prevent the final catastrophe; while Marble grasped thespoke with his iron gripe, and, together, he and the wheelbarrow madea resistance that counterbalanced the backward tendency of theteam. There was no footman; and, springing to the door, I aided asickly-looking, elderly man--a female who might very well have beenhis wife, and another that I took for his daughter--to escape. By myagency all three were put on the dry land, without even wetting theirfeet, though I fared worse myself. No sooner were they safe, thanMarble, who was up to his shoulders in the water, and who had madeprodigious efforts to maintain the balance of power, released hishold, the wheelbarrow gave way at the same moment, and the wholeaffair, coach and horses, had their will, and went, stern foremost, overboard. One of the horses was saved, I believe, and the otherdrowned; but, a crowd soon collecting, I paid little attention to whatwas going on in the carriage, as soon as its cargo was discharged. 

The gentleman we had saved, pressed my hand with fervour, andMarble's, too; saying that we must not quit him--that we must go homewith him. To this we consented, readily enough, thinking we mightstill be of use. As we all walked towards one of the more privateentrances of the Park, I had an opportunity of observing the people wehad served. They were very respectable in appearance; but I knewenough of the world to see that they belonged to what is called themiddle class in England. I thought the man might be a soldier; whilethe two females had an air of great respectability, though not in theleast of fashion. The girl appeared to be nearly as old as myself, andwas decidedly pretty. Here, then, was an adventure! I had saved thelife of a damsel of seventeen, and had only to fall in love, to becomethe hero of a romance. 

At the gate, the gentleman stopped a hackney-coach, put the femalesin, and desired us to follow. But to this we would not consent, bothbeing wet, and Marble particularly so. After a short parley, he gaveus an address in Norfolk Street, Strand; and we promised to stop thereon our way back to the ship. Instead of following the carriage, however, we made our way on foot into the Strand, where we found aneating-house, turned in and eat a hearty dinner each, the chief-materesorting to some brandy in order to prevent his taking cold. On whatprinciple this is done, I cannot explain, though I know it is oftenpractised, and in all quarters of the world. 

As soon as we had dined and dried ourselves, we went into Norfolkstreet. We had been told to ask for Major Merton, and this we did. Thehouse was one of those plain lodging-houses, of which most of thatpart of the town is composed: and we found the Major and his family inthe occupation of the first floor, a mark of gentility on which somestress is laid in England. It was plain enough, however, to see thatthese people were not rolling in that splendour, of which we had justseen so much in the Park. 

"I can trace the readiness and gallantry of the English tar in yourconduct, " observed the Major, after he had given us both quite as warma reception as circumstances required, at the same time taking out hispocket-book, and turning over some bank-notes. "I wish, for yoursakes, I was better able than I am to reward you for what you havedone; but twenty pounds is all I can now offer. At some other time, circumstances may place it in my power to give further and betterproofs of my gratitude. "

As this was said, the Major held two ten-pound notes towards Marble, doubtless intending that I should receive one of them, as a fairdivision of the spoils. Now, according to all theory, and theestablished opinion of the Christian world, America is _the_avaricious country; the land, of all others, in which men are the mostgreedy of gain; in which human beings respect gold more, andthemselves less, than in any other portion of this globe. I neverdispute anything that is settled by the common consent of myfellow-creatures, for the simple reason that I know the decision mustbe against me; so I will concede that money _is_ the great end ofAmerican life--that there is little else to live for, in the greatmodel republic. Politics have fallen into such hands, that office willnot even give social station; the people are omnipotent, it is true;but, though they can make a governor, they cannot make gentlemen andladies; even kings are sometimes puzzled to do that; literature, arms, arts, and fame of all sorts, are unattainable in their rewards, amongus as in other nations, leaving the puissant dollar in its undisturbedascendency; still, as a rule, twenty Europeans can be bought with twoten-pound Bank of England notes, much easier than two Americans. Ileave others to explain the phenomenon; I only speak of the_fact_. 

Marble listened to the Major's speech with great attention andrespect, fumbling in his pocket for his tobacco-box, the wholetime. The box was opened just as the Major ended, and even I began tobe afraid that the well-known cupidity of Kennebunk was about to giveway before the temptation, and the notes were to be stowed alongsideof the tobacco but I was mistaken. Deliberately helping himself to aquid, the chief-mate shut the box again, and then he made his reply. 

"Quite ginerous in you, Major, " he said, "and all ship-shape andright. I like to see things done just in that way. Put up the money;we thank you as much as if we could take it, and that squares allaccounts. I would just mention, however, to prevent mistakes, as theother idee might get us impressed, that this young man and I are bothborn Americans--he from up the Hudson somewhere, and I from York city, itself, though edicated down east. "

"Americans!" resumed the Major, drawing himself up a little stiffly;"then _you_, young man, " turning to me, and holding out thenotes, of which he now seemed as anxious to be rid, as I hadpreviously fancied he was sorry to see go--"_you_ will do me thefavour to accept of this small token of my gratitude. "

"It is quite impossible, sir, " I answered, respectfully. "We are notexactly what we seem, and you are probably deceived by ourroundabouts; but we are the first and second officers of aletter-of-marque. "

At the word "officers, " the Major drew back his hand, and hastilyapologised. He did not understand us even then, I could plainly see;but he had sufficient sagacity to understand that his money would notbe accepted. We were invited to sit down, and the conversationcontinued. 

"Master Miles, there, " resumed Marble, "has an estate, a place calledClawbonny, somewhere up the Hudson; and he has no business to besailing about the world in jacket and trowsers, when he ought to bestudying law, or trying his hand at college. But as the old cockcrows, the young 'un l'arns; his father was a sailor before him, and Isuppose that's the reason on't. "

This announcement of my position ashore did me no harm, and I couldsee a change in the deportment of the whole family--not that it hadever treated me haughtily, or even coldly; but it now regarded me asmore on a level with itself. We remained an hour with the Mertons, andI promised to repeat the call before we sailed. This I did a dozentimes, at least; and the Major, finding, I suppose, that he had atolerably well-educated youth to deal with, was of great service inputting me in a better way of seeing London. I went to both theatreswith the family, taking care to appear in a well-made suit of Londonclothes, in which I made quite as respectable a figure as most of theyoung men I saw in the streets. Even Emily smiled when she first sawme in my long-togs, and I thought she blushed. She was a prettycreature; gentle and mild in her ordinary deportment, but full of fireand spirit at the bottom, as I could see by her light, blue, Englisheye. Then she had been well-educated; and, in my young ignorance oflife, I fancied she knew more than any girl of seventeen I had evermet with. Grace and Lucy were both clever, and had been carefullytaught by Mr. Hardinge; but the good divine could not give two girls, in the provincial retirement of America, the cultivation andaccomplishments that were within the reach of even moderate means inEngland. To me, Emily Merton seemed a marvel in the way ofattainments; and I often felt ashamed of myself, as I sat at her side, listening to the natural and easy manner in which she alluded tothings, of which I then heard for the first time. 

CHAPTER XI. 

 "Boatswain!" "Here, master: what cheer?" "Good: speak to the mariners; fall to 't Yarely, or we run ourselves aground: bestir, bestir. " _Tempest. _

As Captain Williams wished to show me some favour for the manner inwhich I had taken care of the brig, he allowed me as much time ashoreas I asked for. I might never see London again; and, understanding Ihad fallen into good company, he threw no obstacle in the way of myprofiting by it. So careful was he, indeed, as to get one of theconsul's clerks to ascertain who the Mertons were, lest I shouldbecome the dupe of the thousands of specious rogues with which Londonabounds. The report was favourable, giving us to understand that theMajor had been much employed in the West Indies, where he still held amoderately lucrative, semi-military appointment, being then in Englandto settle certain long and vexatious accounts, as well as to takeEmily, his only child, from school. He was expected to return to theold, or some other post, in the course of a few months. A portion ofthis I gleaned from Emily herself, and it was all very fairlycorroborated by the account of the consul's clerk. There was no doubtthat the Mertons were persons of respectable position; without havingany claims, however, to be placed very high. From the Major, moreover, I learned he had some American connexions, his father having marriedin Boston. 

For my part, I had quite as much reason to rejoice at the chance whichthrew me in the way of the Mertons, as they had. If I was instrumentalin saving their lives, as was undeniably the case, they taught me moreof the world, in the ordinary social sense of the phrase, than I hadlearned in all my previous life. I make no pretensions to having seenLondon society; that lay far beyond the reach of Major Merton himself, who was born the son of a merchant, when merchants occupied a muchlower position in the English social scale than they do to-day, andhad to look to a patron for most of his own advancement. But, he was agentleman; maintained the notions, sentiments, and habits of thecaste; and was properly conscious of my having saved his life when itwas in great jeopardy. As for Emily Merton, she got to converse withme with the freedom of a friend; and very pleasant it was to hearpretty thoughts expressed in pretty language, and from pretty lips. Icould perceive that she thought me a little rustic and provincial; butI had not been all the way to Canton to be brow-beaten by a cockneygirl, however clever and handsome. On the whole--and I say it withoutvanity, at this late day--I think the impression left behind me, amongthese good people, was favourable. Perhaps Clawbonny was not withoutits influence; but, when I paid my last visit, even Emily lookedsorrowful, and her mother was pleased to say they should all miss memuch. The Major made me promise to hunt him up, should I ever be inJamaica, or Bombay; for one of which places he expected to sailhimself, with his wife and daughter, in the course of a few months. Iknew he had had one appointment, thought he might receive another, andhoped everything would turn out for the best. 

The Crisis sailed on her day; and she went to sea from the Downs, aweek later, with a smacking southerly wind. Our Philadelphians turnedout a noble set of fellows; and we had the happiness of beating anEnglish sloop-of-war, just as we got clear of the channel, in a fairtrial of speed. To lessen our pride a little, a two-decker that wasgoing to the Mediterranean, treated us exactly in the same manner, only three days later. What made this last affair more mortifying, wasthe fact that Marble had just satisfied himself, and all hands, that, a sloop-of-war being the fastest description of vessel, and we havinggot the better of one of them, it might be fairly inferred we couldoutsail the whole British navy. I endeavoured to console him, byreminding him that "the race was not always to the swift. " He growledout some sort of an answer, denouncing all sayings, and desiring toknow out of what book I had picked up that nonsense. 

I have no intention of dwelling on every little incident that occurredon the long road we were now travelling. We touched at Madeira, andlanded an English family that went there for the benefit of aninvalid; got some fruit, fresh meat and vegetables, and sailedagain. Our next stopping-place was Rio, whither we went for lettersfrom home, the captain being taught to expect them. The ship's letterswere received, and they were filled with eulogiums on our goodconduct, having been written after the arrival of _la Dame deNantes;_ but great was my disappointment on finding there was noteven a scrawl for myself. 

Our stay at Rio was short, and we left port with a favourable slant ofwind, running as far north as 50°, in a very short time. As we drewnear to the southern extremity of the American continent, however, wemet with heavy weather and foul winds. We were now in the month thatcorresponds to November in the northern hemisphere, and had to doubleThe Horn at that unpropitious season of the year, goingwestward. There is no part of the world of which navigators have givenaccounts so conflicting, as of this celebrated passage. Each manappears to have described it as he found it, himself, while no twoseem to have found it exactly alike. I do not remember to have everheard of calms off Cape Horn; but light winds are by no meansuncommon, though tempests are undoubtedly the predominantcharacteristic. Our captain had already been round four times, and heheld the opinion that the season made no difference, and that it wasbetter to keep near the land. We shaped our course accordingly forStaten Land, intending to pass through the Straits of Le Maire and hugthe Horn, as close as possible, in doubling it. We made the FalklandIslands, or West Falkland rather, just as the sun rose, one morning, bearing a little on our weather-quarter, with the wind blowing heavilyat the eastward. The weather was thick, and, what was still worse, there was so little day, and no moon, that it was getting to beticklish work to be standing for a passage as narrow as that we aimedat. Marble and I talked the matter over, between ourselves, and wishedthe captain could be persuaded to haul up, and try to go to theeastward of the island, as was still possible, with the wind where itwas. Still, neither of us dared propose it; I, on account of my youth, and the chief-mate, as he said, on account of "the old fellow'sobstinacy. " "He likes to be poking about in such places, " Marbleadded, "and is never so happy as when he is running round the ocean inplaces where it is full of unknown islands, looking for sandal wood, and bêche-la-mar! I'll warrant you, he'll give us a famous time of it, if he ever get us up on the North-West Coast. " Here the consultationterminated, we mates believing it wiser to let things take theircourse. 

I confess to having seen the mountains on our weather-quarterdisappear, with melancholy forebodings. There was little hope ofgetting any observation that day; and to render matters worse, aboutnoon, the wind began to haul more to the southward. As it hauled, itincreased in violence, until, at midnight, it blew a gale; thecommencement of such a tempest as I had never witnessed in any of myprevious passages at sea. As a matter of course, sail was reduced asfast as it became necessary, until we had brought the ship down to aclose-reefed main-top-sail, the fore-top-mast staysail, thefore-course, and the mizen-staysail. This was old fashioned Canvass;the more recent spencer being then unknown. 

Our situation was now far from pleasant. The tides and currents, inthat high latitude, run with great velocity; and, then, at a momentwhen it was of the greatest importance to know precisely where theship was, we were left to the painful uncertainty of conjecture, andtheories that might be very wide of the truth. The captain had nerveenough, notwithstanding, to keep on the larboard tack until daylight, in the hope of getting in sight of the mountains of Terra delFuego. No one, now, expected we should be able to fetch through theStraits; but it would be a great relief to obtain a sight of the land, as it would enable us to get some tolerably accurate notions of ourposition. Daylight came at length, but it brought no certainty. Theweather was so thick, between a drizzling rain, sea-mist and thespray, that it was seldom we could see a league around us, andfrequently not half a mile. Fortunately, the general direction of theeastern coast of Terra del Fuego, is from north-west to south-east, always giving us room to ware off shore, provided we did notunexpectedly get embarrassed in some one of the many deep indentationsof that wild and inhospitable shore. 

Captain Williams showed great steadiness in the trying circumstancesin which we were placed. The ship was just far enough south to renderit probable she could weather Falkland Islands, on the other tack, could we rely upon the currents; but it would be ticklish work toundertake such a thing, in the long, intensely dark nights we had, andthus run the risk of finding ourselves on a lee shore. He determined, therefore, to hold on as long as possible, on the tack we were on, expecting to get through another night, without coming upon the land, every hour now giving us the hope that we were drawing near to thetermination of the gale. I presume he felt more emboldened to pursuethis course by the circumstance that the wind evidently inclined tohaul little by little, more to the southward, which was not onlyincreasing our chances of laying past the islands, but lessened thedanger from Terra del Fuego. 

Marble was exceedingly uneasy during that second night. He remainedon deck with me the whole of the morning watch; not that he distrustedmy discretion in the least, but because he distrusted the wind and theland. I never saw him in so much concern before, for it was his habitto consider himself a timber of the ship, that was to sink or swimwith the craft. 

"Miles, " said he, "you and I know something of these 'bloodycurrents, ' and we know they take a ship one way, while she looks asfiercely the other as a pig that is dragged aft by the tail. If we hadrun down the 50th degree of longitude, now, we might have had plentyof sea-room, and been laying past the Cape, with this very wind; but, no, the old fellow would have had no islands in that case, and henever could be happy without half-a-dozen islands to bother him. "

"Had we run down the 50th degree of longitude, " I answered, "we shouldhave had twenty degrees to make to get round the Horn; whereas, couldwe only lay through the Straits of Le Maire, six or eight of thosevery same degrees would carry us clear of everything. "

"Only lay through the Straits of Le Maire, on the 10th November, orwhat is the same thing in this quarter of the world, of May, and withless than nine hours of day-light! And such day-light, too! Why, ourNewfoundland fogs, such stuff as I used to eat when a youngster and afisherman, are high noon to it! Soundings are out of the questionhereabouts; and, before one has hauled in the deep-sea, with all itsline out, his cut-water may be on a rock. This ship is so weatherlyand drags ahead so fast, that we shall see _terra firma_ beforeany one has a notion of it. The old man fancies, because the coast ofFuego trends to the north-west, that the land will fall away from us, as fast as we draw towards it. I hope he may live long enough topersuade all hands that he is right!"

Marble and I were conversing on the forecastle at the time, our eyesturned to the westward, for it was scarcely possible for him to lookin any other direction, when he interrupted himself, by shoutingout--"hard up with the helm--spring to the after-braces, my lads--manmizen-staysail downhaul!" This set everybody in motion, and thecaptain and third-mate were on deck in a minute. The ship fell off, assoon as we got the mizen-staysail in, and the main-topsailtouching. Gathering way fast, as she got the wind more aft, her helmthrew her stern up, and away she went like a top. The fore-topmaststaysail-sheet was tended with care, and yet the cloth emitted a soundlike the report of a swivel, when the sail first filled on the othertack. We got the starboard fore-tack forward, and the larboard sheetaft, by two tremendously severe drags, the blocks and bolts seemingfairly to quiver, as they felt the strains. Everything succeeded, however, and the Crisis began to drag off from the coast of Terra delFuego, of a certainty; but to go whither, no one could preciselytell. She headed up nearly east, the wind playing about betweensouth-and-by-east, and south-east-and-by-south. On that course, I ownI had now great doubt whether she could lay past the Falkland Islands, though I felt persuaded we must be a long distance from them. Therewas plenty of time before us to take the chances of a change. 

As soon as the ship was round, and trimmed by the wind on the othertack, Captain Williams had a grave conversation with the chief-mate, on the subject of his reason for what he had done. Marble maintainedhe had caught a glimpse of the land ahead--"Just as you know I did ofla Dame de Nantes, Captain Williams, " he continued, "and seeing therewas no time to be lost, I ordered the helm hard up, to ware offshore. " I distrusted this account, even while it was in the veryprocess of coming out of the chief mate's mouth, and Marble afterwardsadmitted to me, quite justly; but the captain either was satisfied, orthought it prudent to seem so. By the best calculations I afterwardsmade, I suppose we must have been from fifteen to twenty leagues fromthe land when we wore ship; but, as Marble said, when he made hisprivate confessions, "Madagascar was quite enough for me, Miles, without breaking our nose on this sea-gull coast; and there may be'bloody currents' on this side of the Cape of Good Hope, as well as onthe other. We've got just so much of a gale and a foul wind toweather, and the ship will do both quite as well with her head to theeastward, as with her head to the westward. "

All that day the Crisis stood on the starboard tack, dragging throughthe raging waters as it might be by violence; and just as night shutin again, she wore round, once more, with her head to the westward. Sofar from abating, the wind increased, and towards evening we found itnecessary to furl our topsail and fore-course. Mere rag of a sail asthe former had been reduced to, with its four reefs in, it was adelicate job to roll it up. Neb and I stood together in the bunt, andnever did I exert myself more than on that occasion. The foresail, too, was a serious matter, but we got both sails in without losingeither. Just as the sun set, or as night came to increase the darknessof that gloomy day, the fore-topmast-staysail went out of thebolt-rope, with a report that was heard all over the ship;disappearing in the mist, like a cloud driving in the heavens. A fewminutes later, the mizen-staysail was hauled down in order to preventit from travelling the same road. The jerks even this low canvassoccasionally gave the ship, made her tremble from her keel to hertrucks. 

For the first time, I now witnessed a tempest at sea. Gales, andpretty hard ones, I had often seen; but the force of the wind on thisoccasion, as much exceeded that in ordinary gales of wind, as theforce of these had exceeded that of a whole-sail breeze. The seasseemed crushed, the pressure of the swooping atmosphere, as thecurrents of the air went howling over the surface of the ocean, fairlypreventing them from rising; or, where a mound of water did appear, itwas scooped up and borne off in spray, as the axe dubs inequalitiesfrom the log. In less than an hour after it began to blow the hardest, there was no very apparent swell--the deep breathing of the ocean isnever entirely stilled--and the ship was as steady as if hove halfout, her lower yard-arms nearly touching the water, an inclination atwhich they remained as steadily as if kept there by purchases. A fewof us were compelled to go as high as the futtock-shrouds to securethe sails, but higher it was impossible to get. I observed that when Ithrust out a hand to clutch anything, it was necessary to make themovement in such a direction as to allow for lee-way, precisely as aboat quarters the stream in crossing against a current. In ascendingit was difficult to keep the feet on the ratlins, and in descending, it required a strong effort to force the body down towards the centreof gravity. I make no doubt, had I groped my way up to thecross-trees, and leaped overboard my body would have struck the water, thirty or forty yards from the ship. A marlin-spike falling fromeither top, would have endangered no one on deck. 

When the day returned, a species of lurid, sombre light was diffusedover the watery waste, though nothing was visible but the ocean andthe ship. Even the sea-birds seemed to have taken refuge in thecaverns of the adjacent coast, none re-appearing with the dawn. Theair was full of spray, and it was with difficulty that the eye couldpenetrate as far into the humid atmosphere as half a mile. All handsmustered on deck, as a matter of course, no one wishing to sleep at atime like that. As for us officers, we collected on the forecastle, the spot where danger would first make itself apparent, did it comefrom the side of the land. It is not easy to make a landsmanunderstand the embarrassments of our situation. We had had noobservations for several days, and had been moving about by deadreckoning, in a part of the ocean where the tides run like amill-tail, with the wind blowing a little hurricane. Even now, whenher bows were half submerged, and without a stitch of canvass exposed, the Crisis drove ahead at the rate of three or four knots, luffing asclose to the wind as if she carried after-sail. It was Marble'sopinion that, in such smooth water, do all we could, the vessel woulddrive towards the much-dreaded land again, between sun and sun of thatshort day, a distance of from thirty to forty miles. "Nor is this all, Miles, " he added to me, in an aside, "I no more like this 'bloodycurrent, ' than that we had over on the other side of the pond, when webroke our back on the rocks of Madagascar. You never see as smoothwater as this, unless when the wind and current are travelling in thesame direction. " I made no reply, but there all four of us, thecaptain and his three mates, stood looking anxiously into the vacantmist on our lee-bow, as if we expected every moment to behold ourhomes. A silence of ten minutes succeeded, and I was still gazing inthe same direction, when by a sort of mystic rising of the curtain, Ifancied I saw a beach of long extent, with a dark-looking waste of lowbottom extending inland, for a considerable distance. The beach didnot appear to be distant half a knot, while the ship seemed to glidealong it, as compared with visible objects on shore, at a rate of sixor eight miles the hour. It extended, almost in a parallel line withour course, too, as far as could be seen, both astern and ahead. 

"What a strange delusion is this!" I thought to myself, and turned tolook at my companions, when I found all looking, one at the other, asif to ask a common explanation. 

"There is no mistake here, " said captain Williams, quietly. "That is_land_, gentlemen. "

"As true as the gospel, " answered Marble, with the sort of steadinessdespair sometimes gives. "What is to be done, sir?"

"What _can_ be done, Mr. Marble?--We have not room to ware, and, of the two, there seems, so far as I can judge more sea-room aheadthan astern. "

This was so apparent, there was no disputing it. We could still seethe land, looking low, chill, and of the hue of November; and we couldalso perceive that ahead, if anything, it fell off a little towardsthe northward, while astern it seemingly stretched in a due line withour course. That we passed it with great velocity, too, was acircumstance that our eyes showed us too plainly to admit of anymistake. As the ship was still without a rag of sail, borne down bythe wind as she had been for hours, and burying to her hawse-holesforward, it was only to a racing tide, or current of some sort, thatwe could be indebted for our speed. We tried the lead, and got bottomin six fathoms!

The captain and Marble now held a serious consultation; That the shipwas entering some sort of an estuary was certain, but of what depth, how far favoured by a holding ground, or how far without any anchorageat all, were facts that defied our inquiries. We knew that the landcalled Terra del Fuego was, in truth, a cluster of islands, intersected by various channels and passages, into which ships hadoccasionally ventured, though their navigation had never led to anyother results than some immaterial discoveries in geography. That wewere entering one of these passages, and under favourablecircumstances, though so purely accidental, was the common belief; andit only remained to look out for the best anchorage, while we hadday-light. Fortunately, as we drove into the bay, or passage, or whatever it was, the tempest lifted less spray from the water, and, owingto this and other causes, the atmosphere gradually grew clearer. Byten o'clock, we could see fully a league, though I can hardly say thatthe wind blew less fiercely than before. As for sea, there was none, or next to none; the water being as smooth as in a river. 

The day drew on, and we began to feel increased uneasiness at thenovelty of our situation. Our hope and expectation were to find someanchorage; but to obtain this it was indispensable also to find alee. As the ship moved forward, we still kept the land in view, on ourstarboard hand, but that was a lee, instead of a weather shore; thelast alone could give our ground-tackle any chance, whatever, in sucha tempest. We were drawing gradually away from this shore, too, whichtrended more northerly, giving us additional sea-room. The fact thatwe were in a powerful tide's way, puzzled us the most. There was butone mode of accounting for the circumstance. Had we entered a bay, thecurrent must have been less, and it seemed necessary there should besome outlet to such a swift accumulation of water. It was not the mererising of the water, swelling in an estuary, but an arrow-likeglancing of the element, as it shot through a pass. We had a proof ofthis last fact, about eleven o'clock, that admitted of no dispute. Land was seen directly ahead, at that hour, and great was the panic itcreated. A second look, however, reassured us, the land proving to bemerely a rocky islet of some six or eight acres in extent. We gave ita berth, of course, though we examined closely for an anchorage nearit, as we approached. The islet was too low and too small to make anylee, nor did we like the looks of the holding-ground. The notion ofanchoring there was consequently abandoned; but we had now some meansof noting our progress. The ship was kept a little away, in order togive this island a berth, and the gale drove her through the water atthe rate of seven or eight knots. This, however, was far from beingour whole speed, the tide sweeping us onward at a furious rate, inaddition. Even Captain Williams thought we must be passing that rockat the rate of fifteen knots!

It was noon, and there was no abatement in the tempest, no change inthe current, no means of returning, no chance of stopping; away wewere driven, like events ruled by fate. The only change was thegradual clearing up of the atmosphere, as we receded from the ocean, and got farther removed from its mists and spray. Perhaps the power ofthe gale had, in a small degree, abated, by two o'clock, and it wouldhave been possible to carry some short sail; but there being no sea toinjure us, it was unnecessary, and the ship continued to drive ahead, under bare poles. Night was the time to dread. 

There was, now, but one opinion among us, and that was this:--wethought the ship had entered one of the passages that intersect Terradel Fuego, and that there was the chance of soon finding a lee, asthese channels were known to be very irregular and winding. To run inthe night seemed impossible; nor was it desirable, as it was almostcertain we should be compelled to return by the way we had entered, toextricate ourselves from the dangers of so intricate a navigation. Islands began to appear, moreover, and we had indications that themain passage itself, was beginning to diminish in width. Under thecircumstances, therefore, it was resolved to get everything ready, andto let go two anchors, as soon as we could find a suitable spot. Between the hours of two and four, the ship passed seventeen islets, some of them quite near; but they afforded no shelter. At last, and itwas time, the sun beginning to fall very low, as we could see by thewaning light, we saw an island of some height and size ahead, and wehoped it might afford us a lee. The tide had changed too, and that wasin our favour. Turning to windward, however, was out of the question, since we could carry no sail, and the night was near. Anchor, then, wemust, or continue to drive onward in the darkness, sheered about inall directions by a powerful adverse current. It is true, this currentwould have been a means of safety, by enabling us to haul up fromrocks and dangers ahead, could we carry any canvass; but it still blewtoo violently for the last. To anchor, then, it was determined. 

I had never seen so much anxiety in Captain Williams's countenance, aswhen he was approaching the island mentioned. There was still lightenough to observe its outlines and shores, the last appearing bold andpromising. As the island itself may have been a mile in circuit, itmade a tolerable lee, when close to it. This was then our object, andthe helm was put to starboard as we went slowly past, the tidechecking our speed. The ship sheered into a sort of roadstead--a verywild one it was--as soon as she had room. It was ticklish work, for noone could tell how soon we might hit a rock; but we went clear, luffing quite near to the land, where we let go both bowers at thesame instant. The ship's way had been sufficiently deadened, bythrowing her up as near the wind as she could be got, and there was nodifficulty in snubbing her. The lead gave us seven fathoms, and thiswithin pistol-shot of the shore. We knew we were temporarily safe. Thegreat point was to ascertain how the vessel would tend, and with howmuch strain upon her cables. To everybody's delight, it was found wewere in a moderate eddy, that drew the ship's stern from the island, and allowed her to tend to the wind, which still had a fair range fromher top-sail yards to the trucks. Lower down, the tempest scuffledabout, howling and eddying, and whirling first to one side, and thento the other, in a way to prove how much its headlong impetuosity wasbroken and checked by the land. It is not easy to describe the reliefwe felt at these happy chances. It was like giving foothold to somewretch who thought a descent of the precipice was inevitable. 

The ship was found to ride easily by one cable, and the hands weresent to the windlass to heave up the other anchor, as our lead toldus, we had rocks beneath us, and the captain was afraid of thechafing. The larboard-bower anchor was catted immediately, and thereit was left suspended, with a range of cable overhauled, in readinessto let go at a moment's notice. After this, the people were told toget their suppers. As for us officers, we had other things to thinkof. The Crisis carried a small quarter-boat, and this was lowered intothe water, the third-mate and myself manned its oars, and away we wentto carry the captain round the ship, in order that he might ascertainthe soundings, should it be necessary to get under way in thenight. The examination was satisfactory, on all points but one; thatof the holding-ground; and we returned to the vessel, having takengood care to trust ourselves in neither the wind nor the current. Ananchor-watch was set, with a mate on deck, four hours and four hours, and all hands turned in. 

I had the morning watch. What occurred from seven o'clock (the captainkeeping the dog-watches himself, ) until a few minutes before four, Icannot tell in detail, though I understood generally, that the windcontinued to blow in the same quarter, though it gradually diminishedin violence, getting down to something like a mere gale, by midnight. The ship rode more easily; but, when the flood came in, there was nolonger an eddy, the current sucking round each side of the island in avery unusual manner. About ten minutes before the hour when it was myregular watch on deck, all hands were called; I ran on deck, and foundthe ship had struck adrift, the cable having parted. Marble had gotthe vessel's head up to the wind, under bare poles as before, and wesoon began to heave in the cable. It was found that the mischief hadbeen done by the rocks, the strands being chafed two-thirdsthrough. As soon as the current took the vessel's hull with force, thecable parted. We lost our anchor, of course, for there was nopossible way of getting back to the island at present, or until theebb again made. 

It wanted several hours of day, and the captain called a council. Hetold us, he made no doubt that the ship had got into one of the Terradel Fuego passages, guided by Providence; and, as he supposed we mustbe almost as far south as Staten Land, he was of opinion we had madean important discovery! Get back we could not, so long as the windheld where it was, and he was disposed to make sail, and push theexamination of the channel, as far as circumstances wouldallow. Captain Williams had a weakness on this point, that was amiableand respectable perhaps, but which hardly comported with the objectsand prudence of a trading ship-master. We were not surprised, therefore, at hearing his suggestion; and, in spite of the danger, curiosity added its impulses to our other motives of acquiescing. Wecould not get back as the wind then was, and we were disposed to moveforward. As for the dangers of the navigation, they seemed to belessening as we advanced, fewer islands appearing ahead, and thepassage itself grew wider. Our course, however, was more to thesouthward bringing the ship close up by the wind, once more. 

The morning promised to be lighter than we had found the weather forseveral days, and we even experienced some benefit from the moon. Thewind, too, began to back round to the eastward again, as we approachedthe dawn; and we got the three top-sails, close-reefed, thefore-course, and a new fore-top-mast stay-sail, on the ship. At lengthday appeared, and the sun was actually seen struggling among darkmasses of wild-looking, driving clouds. For the first time since weentered those narrow waters, we now got a good look around us. Theland could be seen in all directions. 

The passage in which we found the Crisis, at sunrise on the morning ofthe second of these adventurous days, was of several leagues in width;and bounded, especially on the north, by high, precipitous mountains, many of which were covered with snow. The channel was unobstructed;and not an island, islet, or rock, was visible. No impediment to ourproceeding offered, and we were still more encouraged to push on. Thecourse we were steering was about south-south-west, and the captainpredicted we should come out into the ocean to the _westward_ ofthe Straits of Le Maire, and somewhere near the Cape itself. We shouldunquestionably make a great discovery! The wind continued to backround, and soon got to be abaft the beam. We now shook our reefs out, one after another, and we had whole topsails on the vessel by nineo'clock. This was carrying hard, it must be owned; but the skipper wasdetermined to make hay while the sun shone. There were a few hours, when I think the ship went fifteen knots by the land, being so muchfavoured by the current. Little did we know the difficulties towardswhich we were rushing!

Quite early in the day, land appeared ahead, and Marble began topredict that our rope was nearly run out. We were coming to the bottomof a deep bay. Captain Williams thought differently; and when hediscovered a narrow passage between two promontories, he triumphantlypredicted our near approach to the Cape. He had seen some such shapeto the mountains inland, in doubling the Horn, and the hill-topslooked like old acquaintances. Unfortunately we could not see the sunat meridian, and got no observation. For several hours we ransouth-westerly, in a passage of no great width, when we came to asudden bend in our course, which led us away to the north-west. Herewe still had the tide with us, and we then all felt certain that wehad reached a point where the ebb must flow in a direction contrary tothat in which we had found it, in the other parts of the passage. Itfollowed, that we were now halfway through to the ocean, though thecourse we were steering predicted a sinuous channel. We were certainlynot going now towards Cape Horn. 

Notwithstanding the difficulties and doubts which beset us, CaptainWilliams packed on the ship, determined to get ahead as fast as hecould, while there was light. It no longer blew a gale, and the windwas hauling more to the southward again. It soon got to be right aft, and before sunset it had a little westing in it. Fortunately, itmoderated, and we set our main-sail and top-gallant-sails. We hadcarried a lower and top-mast studding-sails nearly all day. The worstfeature in our situation, now, was the vast number of islands, orislets, we met. The shore on each side was mountainous and rude, anddeep indentations were constantly tempting us to turn aside. But, rightly judging that the set of the tide was a lair index to the truecourse, the captain stood on. 

The night that followed was one of the most anxious I ever passed. Wewere tempted to anchor a dozen times, in some of the different bays, of which we passed twenty; but could not make up our minds to riskanother cable. We met the flood a little after sunset, and got rid ofit before morning. But the wind kept hauling, and at last it broughtus fairly on a taut bow-line; under top-gallant-sails, however. Wehad come too far to recede, or now would have been the time to turnround, and retrace our steps. But we hoped every moment to reach someinclination south, again, that would carry us into the open sea. Weran a vast many chances of shipwreck, passing frightfully near severalreefs; but the same good Providence which had so far protected us, carried us clear. Never was I so rejoiced as when I saw day returning. 

We had the young ebb, and a scant wind, when the sun rose next day. Itwas a brilliant morning, however, and everybody predicted anobservation at noon. The channel was full of islands, still, and otherdangers were not wanting; but, as we could see our way, we got throughthem all safely. At length our course became embarrassed, so manylarge islands, with passages between them, offering on differentsides. One headland, however, lay before us; and, the ship promisingto weather it, we held on our way. It was just ten o'clock as weapproached this cape, and we found a passage westward that actuallyled into the ocean! All hands gave three cheers as we became certainof this fact, the ship tacking as soon as far enough ahead, andsetting seaward famously with the tide. 

Captain Williams now told us to get our quadrants, for the heavenswere cloudless, and we should have a horizon in time for the sun. Hewas anxious to get the latitude of our discovery. Sure enough, it sofell out, and we prepared to observe; some predicting one parallel, some another. As for the skipper himself, he said he thought we werestill to the eastward of the Cape; but he felt confident that we hadcome out to the westward of Le Maire. Marble was silent; but he hadobserved, and made his calculations, before either of the others hadcommenced the last. I saw him scratch his head, and go to the chartwhich lay on the companionway. Then I heard him shout--

"In the Pacific, by St. Kennebunk!"--he always swore by this piousindividual when excited--"We have come through the Straits of Magellanwithout knowing it!"

CHAPTER XII. 

 "Sound trumpets, ho!--weigh anchor--loosen sail-- The seaward-flying banners chide delay; As if't were heaven that breathes this kindly gale, Our life-like bark beneath it speeds away. --" PINKNEY. 

The stout ship Crisis had, like certain persons, done a good thingpurely by chance, Had her exploit happened in the year 1519, insteadof that of 1800, the renowned passage we had just escaped from wouldhave been called the Crisis Straits, a better name than the mongrelappellation it now bears; which is neither English, nor Portuguese. The ship had been lost, like a man in the woods, and came out nearerhome, than those in her could have at all expected. The "bloodycurrents" had been at the bottom of the mistake, though this time theydid good, instead of harm. Any one who has been thoroughly lost on aheath, or in a forest, or, even in a town, can comprehend how the headgets turned on such occasions, and will understand the manner in whichwe had mystified ourselves. 

I shall remember the feelings of delight with which I looked aroundme, as the ship passed out into the open ocean, to my dying day. Therelay the vast Pacific, its long, regular waves rolling in towards thecoast, in mountain-like ridges, it is true, but under a radiant sun, and in a bright atmosphere. Everybody was cheered by the view, andnever did orders sound more pleasant in my ears, than when the captaincalled out, in a cheerful voice, "to man the weather braces. " Thiscommand was given the instant it was prudent; and the ship wentfoaming past the last cape with the speed of a courser. Studding-sailswere then set, and, when the sun was dipping, we had a good offing, were driving to the northward under everything we could carry, and hada fair prospect of an excellent run from the neighbourhood of Terradel Fuego, and its stormy seas. 

It is not my intention to dwell on our passage along the western coastof South America. A voyage to the Pacific was a very different thingin the year 1800, however, from what it is to-day. The power of Spainwas then completely in the ascendant, intercourse with any nation butthe mother country, being strictly prohibited. It is true, a speciesof commerce, that was called the "forced trade on the Spanish Main"existed under that code of elastic morals, which adapts the maxim of"your purse or your life" to modern diplomacy, as well as to thehabits of the highwayman. According to divers masters in the art ofethics now flourishing among ourselves, more especially in theatmosphere of the journals of the commercial communities, the peoplethat "_can_ trade and _won't_ trade, _must be made to trade_. " At thecommencement of the century, your mercantile moralists were far lessmanly in the avowal of their sentiments, though their practices werein no degree wanting in the spirit of our more modern theories. Shipswere fitted out, armed, and navigated, on this just principle, quiteas confidently and successfully as if the tongue had declared all thatthe head had conceived. 

Guarda-Costas were the arguments used, on the other side of thisknotty question, by the authorities of Spain; and a very insufficientargument, on the whole, did they prove to be. It is an old saying, that vice is twice as active as virtue; the last sleeping, while theformer is hard at work. If this be true of things in general, it isthrice true as regards smugglers and custom-house officers. Owing tothis circumstance, and sundry other causes, it is certain that Englishand American vessels found the means of plundering the inhabitants ofSouth America, at the period of which I am writing, without havingrecourse to the no longer reputable violence of Dampier, Wood, Rogers, or Drake. As I feel bound to deal honestly with the reader, whatever Imay have done by the Spanish laws, I shall own that we made one or twocalls, as we proceeded north, shoving ashore certain articlespurchased in London, and taking on board dollars, in return for ourcivility. I do not know whether I am bound, or not, to apologize formy own agency in these irregular transactions--regular, would be quiteas apposite a word--for, had I been disposed to murmur, it would havedone my morals no good, nor the smuggling any harm. Captain Williamswas a silent man, and it was not easy to ascertain precisely what he_thought_ on the subject of smuggling; but, in the way of_practice_, I never saw any reason to doubt that he was a firmbeliever in the doctrine of Free Trade. As for Marble, he put me inmind of a certain renowned editor of a well-known New York journal, who evidently thinks that all things in heaven and earth, sun, moon, and stars, the void above and the caverns beneath us, the universe, inshort, was created to furnish materials for newspaper paragraphs; theworthy mate, just as confidently believing that coasts, bays, inlets, roadsteads and havens, were all intended by nature, as means to rungoods ashore wherever the duties, or prohibitions, rendered itinconvenient to land them in the more legal mode. Smuggling, in hisview of the matter, was rather more creditable than the regularcommerce, since it required greater cleverness. 

I shall not dwell on the movements of the Crisis, for the five monthsthat succeeded her escape from the Straits of Magellan. Suffice it tosay, that she anchored at as many different points on the coast; thatall which came up the main-hatch, went ashore; and all that came overthe bulwarks, was passed down into the run. We were chased by_guarda-costas_ seven times, escaping from them on each occasion, with ease; though we had three little running fights. I observed thatCaptain Williams was desirous of engaging these emissaries of the law, as easily as possible, ordering us to fire altogether at theirspars. I have since thought that this moderation proceeded from aspecies of principle that is common enough--a certain half-way code ofright and wrong--which encouraged him to smuggle, but which caused himto shrink from taking human life. Your half-way rogues are the bane ofhonesty. 

After quitting the Spanish coast, altogether, we proceeded north, withthe laudable intention of converting certain quantities ofglass-beads, inferior jack-knives, frying-pans, and other homelyarticles of the same nature, into valuable furs. In a word, we shapedour course for that district which bids fair to set the mother anddaughter by the ears, one of these days, unless it shall happen to bedisposed of _à la Texas_, or, what is almost as bad, _à laMaine_, ere long. At that time the whole north-west coast wasunoccupied by white men, and I felt no scruples about trading with thenatives who presented themselves with their skins as soon as we hadanchored, believing that they had the best right to the country andits products. We passed months in this traffic, getting, at everypoint where we stopped, something to pay us for our trouble. 

We went as far north as 53°, and that is pretty much all I ever knewof our last position. At the time, I thought we had anchored in a bayon the main land, but I have since been inclined to think it was inone of the many islands that line that broken coast. We got a verysecure berth, having been led to it by a native pilot who boarded usseveral leagues at sea, and who knew enough English to persuade ourcaptain that he could take us to a point where sea-otter skins mightbe had for the asking. Nor did the man deceive us, though a moreunpromising-looking guide never had charge of smuggling Christians. Hecarried us into a very small bay, where we found plenty of water, capital holding-ground, and a basin as smooth as a dock. But onewind--that which blew from the north-west--could make any impressionon it, and the effects of even that were much broken by a small islandthat lay abreast of the entrance; leaving good passages, on each sideof it, out to sea. The basin itself was rather small, it is true, butit did well enough for a single ship. Its diameter may have been threehundred yards, and I never saw a sheet of natural water that was sonear a circle. Into a place like this, the reader will imagine, we didnot venture without taking the proper precautions. Marble was sent infirst, to reconnoitre and sound, and it was on his report that CaptainWilliams ventured to take the ship in. 

At that time, ships on the North-West Coast had to use the greatestprecautions against the treachery and violence of the natives. Thisrendered the size of our haven the subject of distrust; for, lying inthe middle of it, where we moored, we were barely an arrow's flightfrom the shore, in every direction but that which led to the narrowentrance. It was a most secure anchorage, as against the dangers ofthe sea, but a most insecure one as against the dangers of thesavages. This we all felt, as soon as our anchors were down; but, intending to remain only while we bartered for the skins which we hadbeen told were ready for the first ship that should offer, we trustedto vigilance as our safeguard in the interval. 

I never could master the uncouth sounds of the still more uncouthsavages of that distant region. The fellow who carried us in had aname of his own, doubtless, but it was not to be pronounced by aChristian tongue, and he got the _sobriquet_ of the Dipper fromus, owing to the manner in which he ducked at the report of ourmuskets, which had been discharged by Marble merely with the intentionto renew the cartridges. We had hardly got into the little basin, before the Dipper left us, returning in an hour, however, with a canoeloaded to the water's edge, with beautiful skins, and accompanied bythree savages as wild-looking, seemingly as fierce, and certainly asavaricious as he was himself. These auxiliaries, through variouslittle circumstances, were known among us that same afternoon, by theseveral appellations of Smudge, Tin-pot, and Slit-nose. These were notheroic names, of a certainty, but their owners had as little of theheroic in their appearance, as usually falls to the lot of man in thesavage state. I cannot tell the designation of the tribes to whichthese four worthies belonged, nor do I know any more of their historyand pursuits than the few facts which came under my own immediateobservation. I did ask some questions of the captain, with a view toobtain a few ideas on this subject, but all he knew was, that thesepeople put a high value on blankets, beads, gun-powder, frying-pans, and old hoops, and that they set a remarkably low price on sea-otterskins, as well as on the external coverings of sundry otheranimals. An application to Mr. Marble was still less successful, being met by the pithy answer that he was "no naturalist, and knewnothing about these critturs, or any wild beasts, in general. "Degraded as the men certainly were, however, we thought them quitegood enough to be anxious to trade with them. Commerce, like misery, sometimes makes a man acquainted with strange bed-fellows. 

I had often seen our own Indians after they had become degraded bytheir intercourse with the whites and the use of rum, but never had Ibeheld any beings so low in the scale of the human race, as theNorth-Western savages appeared to be. They seemed to me to be theHottentots of our own continent. Still they were not altogetherwithout the means of commanding our respect. As physical men they wereboth active and strong, and there were gleams of ferocity about them, that all their avarice and art could not conceal. I could notdiscover in their usages, dress, or deportment, a single trace of thatchivalrous honour which forms so great a relief to the well-establishedcruelty of the warrior of our own part of the continent. Then, thesesea-otter dealers had some knowledge of the use of fire-arms, and weretoo well acquainted with the ships of us civilized men to have anysuperstitious dread of our power. 

The Dipper, and his companions, sold us one hundred and thirty-threesea-otter skins the very afternoon we anchored. This, of itself, wasthought to be a sufficient reward for the trouble and risk of cominginto this unknown basin. Both parties seemed pleased with the resultsof the trading, and we were given to understand that, by remaining atanchor, we might hope for six or eight times our present number ofskins. Captain Williams was greatly gratified with the success withwhich he had already met, and having found that all the Dipper hadpromised came true, he determined to remain a day or two, in hispresent berth, in order to wait for more bargains. This resolution wasno sooner communicated to the savages than they expressed theirdelight, sending off Tin-pot and Slit-nose with the intelligence, while the Dipper and Smudge remained in the ship, apparently on termsof perfect good-fellowship with everybody on board. The gentry of theNorth-West Coast being flagrant thieves, however, all hands had ordersto keep a good look-out on our two guests, Captain Williams expressinghis intention to flog them soundly, should they be detected in any oftheir usual light-fingered dexterity. 

Marble and myself observed that the canoe, in which the messengersleft us, did not pull out to sea, but that it entered a small stream, or creek, that communicated with the head of the bay. As there was noduty on board, we asked the captain's permission to explore this spot;and, at the same time, to make a more thorough examination of ourhaven, generally. The request being granted, we got into the yawl, with four men, all of us armed, and set out on our littleexpedition. Smudge, a withered, grey-headed old Indian, with muscleshowever that resembled whip-cord, was alone on deck, when thismovement took place. He watched our proceedings narrowly, and, when hesaw us descend into the boat, he very coolly slipped down the ship'sside, and took his place in the stern-sheets, with as much quietdignity as if he had been captain. Marble was a good deal of a ship'smartinet in such matters, and he did not more than half like thefamiliarity and impudence of the procedure. 

"What say you, Miles, " he asked, a little sharply, "shall we take thisdried ourang-outang ashore with us, or shall we try to moisten him alittle, by throwing him overboard'!"

"Let him go, by all means, Mr. Marble. I dare say the man wishes to beof use, and he has only a bad manner of showing it. "

"Of use! He is worth no more than the carcase of a whale that has beenstripped of its blubber. I say, Miles, there would be no need of thewindlass to heave the blanket off of this fish!"

This professional witticism put Marble in good humour with himself, and he permitted the fellow to remain. I remember the thoughts thatpassed through my mind, as the yawl pulled towards the creek, on thatoccasion, as well as if it had all occurred yesterday. I sat lookingat the semi-human being who was seated opposite, wondering at thedispensation of Divine Providence which could leave one endowed with aportion of the ineffable; nature of the Deity, in a situation sodegraded. I had seen beasts in cages that appeared to me to be quiteas intelligent, and members of the diversified family of humancaricatures, or of the baboons and monkeys, that I thought were quiteas agreeable objects to the eye. Smudge seemed to be almost withoutideas. In his bargains, he had trusted entirely to the vigilance ofthe Dipper, whom we supposed to be some sort of a relation; and thearticles he received in exchange for his skins, failed to arouse inhis grim, vacant countenance, the smallest signs of pleasure. Emotionand he, if they had been acquainted, now appeared to be utterstrangers to each other; nor was this apathy in the least like thewell-known stoicism of the American Indian; but had the air ofdownright insensibility. Yet this man assuredly had a soul, a spark ofthe never-dying flame that separates man from all the other beings ofearth!

The basin in which the Crisis lay was entirely fringed withforest. The trees in most places even overhung the water, forming animpenetrable screen to everything inland, at the season when they werein leaf. Not a sign of a habitation of any sort was visible; and, aswe approached the shore, Marble remarked that the savages could onlyresort to the place at the moments when they had induced a ship toenter, in order to trade with them. 

"No--no, " added the mate, turning his head in all directions, in orderto take a complete survey of the bay; "there are no wigwams, orpapooses, hereabouts. This is only a trading-post; and luckily for us, it is altogether without custom-house officers. "

"Not without smugglers, I fancy, Mr. Marble, if contriving to getother people's property without their knowledge, can make asmuggler. I never saw a more thorough-looking thief than the chap wehave nick-named the Dipper. I believe he would swallow one of ouriron spoons, rather than not get it!"

"Ay, there's no mistake about him, 'Master Mile, ' as Neb callsyou. But this fellow here, hasn't brains enough to tell his ownproperty from that of another man. I would let him into ourbread-lockers, without any dread of his knowing enough to eat. I neversaw such a vacancy in a human form; a down-east idiot would wind himup in a trade, as handily as a pedlar sets his wooden clocks inmotion. "

Such was Marble's opinion of the sagacity of Mr. Smudge; and, to ownthe truth, such, in a great measure, was my own. The men laughed atthe remarks--seamen are a little apt to laugh at chief-mates' wit--andtheir looks showed how thoroughly they coincided with us inopinion. All this time, the boat had been pushing ahead, and it soonreached the mouth of the little creek. 

We found the inlet deep, but narrow and winding. Like the bay itself, it was fringed with trees and bushes, and this in a way to render itdifficult to get a view of anything on the land; more especially asthe banks were ten or fifteen feet in height. Under the circumstances, Marble proposed that we should land on both sides of the creek, andfollow its windings on foot, for a short distance, in order to get abetter opportunity to reconnoitre. Our dispositions were soonmade. Marble and one of the boat's crew, each armed, landed on oneside of the inlet, while Neb and myself, similarly provided, wentashore on the other. The two remaining men were ordered to keepabreast of us in the boat, in readiness to take us on board again, assoon as required. 

"Leave that Mr. Smudge in the boat, Miles, " Marble called out acrossthe creek, as I was about to put foot on the ground. I made a sign tothat effect to the savage, but when I reached the level ground on thetop of the bank, I perceived the fellow was at my elbow. It was sodifficult to make such a creature understand one's wishes, without theaid of speech, that, after a fruitless effort or two to send him backby means of signs, I abandoned the attempt, and moved forward, so asto keep the whole party in the desired line. Neb offered to catch theold fellow in his arms, and to carry him down to the yawl; but Ithought it more prudent to avoid anything like violence. We proceeded, therefore, accompanied by this escort. 

There was nothing, however, to excite alarm, or awaken distrust. Wefound ourselves in a virgin forest, with all its wildness, dampness, gloomy shadows, dead and fallen trees, and unequal surface. On my sideof the creek, there was not the smallest sign of a foot-path; andMarble soon called out to say, he was equally without any evidences ofthe steps of man. I should think we proceeded quite a mile in thismanner, certain that the inlet would be a true guide on our return. Atlength a call from the boat let us know there was no longer waterenough to float it, and that it could proceed no farther. Marble andmyself descended the banks at the same moment, and were taken in, intending to return in the yawl. Smudge glided back to his old place, with his former silence. 

"I told you to leave the ourang-outang behind, " Marble carelesslyobserved, as he took his own seat, after assisting in getting the boatround, with its head towards the bay. "I would rather have arattlesnake for a pet, than such a cub. "

"It is easier said than done, sir. Master Smudge stuck to me as closeas a leech. "

"The fellow seems all the better for his walk--I never saw him lookhalf as amiable as he does at this moment. "

Of course this raised a laugh, and it induced me to look round. Forthe first time, I could detect something like a human expression inthe countenance of Smudge, who seemed to experience some sensation alittle akin to satisfaction. 

"I rather think he had taken it into his head we were about to desertthe coppers, " I remarked, "and fancied he might lose his supper. Now, he must see we are going back, he probably fancies he will go to bedon a full stomach. "

Marble assented to the probability of this conjecture, and theconversation changed. It was matter of surprise to us that we had metno traces of anything like a residence near the creek, not thesmallest sign of man having been discovered by either. It wasreasonable to expect that some traces of an encampment, at least, would have been found. Everybody kept a vigilant look-out at theshore as we descended the creek; but, as on the ascent, not even afoot-print was detected. 

On reaching the bay, there being still several hours of day-light, wemade its entire circuit, finding nowhere any proof of the formerpresence of man. At length, Marble proposed pulling to the smallwooded island that lay a little without the entrance of the haven, suggesting that it was possible the savages might have something likean encampment there, the place being more convenient as a look-outinto the offing, than any point within the bay itself. In order to dothis, it was necessary to pass the ship; and we were hailed by thecaptain, who wished to know the result of our examinations. As soon ashe learned our present object, he told us to come alongside, intendingto accompany us to the island in person. On getting into the boat, which was small and a little crowded by the presence of Smudge, Captain Williams made a sign for that personage to quit the yawl. Hemight as well have intimated as much to one of the thwarts! Laughingat the savage's stupidity, or obstinacy, we scarce knew which to termit, the boat was shoved off, and we pulled through the entrance, twohundred yards outside perhaps, until our keel grated against the lowrocks of this islet. 

There was no difficulty in landing; and Neb, who preceded the party, soon gave a shout, the proof that he had made some discovery. Everyman among us now looked to his arms, expecting to meet an encampmentof savages; but we were disappointed. All that the negro haddiscovered were the unequivocal traces of a former bivouac; and, judging from a few of the signs, that of no very recentoccupation. The traces were extensive, covering quite half of theinterior of the island; leaving an extensive curtain of trees andbushes, however, so as completely to conceal the spot from any eyeswithout. Most of the trees had been burnt down, as we at firstthought, in order to obtain fuel; but, farther examination satisfiedus, that it had been done as much by accident, as by design. 

At first, nothing was discovered in this encampment, which had everyappearance of not having been extensively used for years, though thetraces of numerous fires, and the signs of footsteps, and a spring inthe centre, indicated the recent occupation, of which I have justspoken. A little further scrutiny, however, brought to light certainobjects that we did not note without much wonder and concern. Marblemade the first discovery. It was impossible for seamen to mistake theobject, which was the head of a rudder, containing the tiller-hole, and which might have belonged to a vessel of some two hundred andfifty, or three hundred tons. This set all hands of us at work, and, in a few minutes we found, scattered about, fragments of plank, top-timbers, floor-timbers, and other portions of a ship, all more orless burnt, and stripped of every particle of metal. Even the nailshad been drawn by means of perseverance and labour. Nothing was leftbut the wood, which proved to be live-oak, cedar and locust, theproofs that the unfortunate craft had been a vessel of some value. Wewanted no assurance of this, however, as none but a North-West tradercould well have got as high up the coast, and all vessels of thatclass were of the best description. Then the locust, a wood unknown tothe ship-builders of Europe, gave us the nearly certain assurance thatthis doomed craft had been a countryman. 

At first, we were all too much occupied with our interesting discoveryto bethink us of Smudge. At length, I turned to observe its effect onthe savage. He evidently noted our proceedings; but his feelings, ifthe creature had any, were so deeply buried beneath the mask ofdullness, as completely to foil my penetration. He saw us take upfragment after fragment, examine them, heard us converse over them, though in a language he could not understand, and saw us throw themaway, one after another, with seemingly equal indifference. At lengthhe brought a half-burned billet to the captain, and held it before hiseyes, as if he began to feel some interest in our proceedings. Itproved to be merely a bit of ordinary wood, a fragment of one of thebeeches of the forest that lay near an extinguished pile; and the actsatisfied us all, the fellow did not comprehend the reason of theinterest we betrayed. He clearly knew nothing of the strange vessel. 

In walking around this deserted encampment, the traces of a pathway tothe shore were found. They were too obvious to be mistaken, and led usto the water in the passage opposite to that by which the Crisis hadbeen carried in by the Dipper, and at a point that was not in viewfrom her present anchorage. Here we found a sort of landing, and manyof the heavier pieces of the wreck; such as it had not been thoughtnecessary to haul up to the fires, having no metal about them. Amongother things of this sort, was a portion of the keel quite thirty feetlong, the keelson bolts, keelson, and floor-timbers all attached. Thiswas the only instance in which we discovered any metal; and this wefound, only because the fragment was too strong and heavy to bemanageable. We looked carefully, in all directions, in the hope ofdiscovering something that might give us an insight into the nature ofthe disaster that had evidently occurred, but, for some time withoutsuccess. At length I strolled to a little distance from the landing, and took a seat on a flat stone, which had been placed on the livingrock that faced most of the island, evidently to form aresting-place. My seat proved unsteady, and in endeavouring to adjustit more to my mind, I removed the stone, and discovered that it restedon a common log-slate. This slate was still covered with legiblewriting, and I soon had the whole party around me, eager to learn thecontents. The melancholy record was in these precise words: viz. --

"The American brig Sea-Otter, John Squires, master, _coaxed_ intothis bay, June 9th, 1797, and seized by savages, on the morning of the11th. Master, second-mate, and seven of the people killed on thespot. Brig gutted first, then hauled up _here_, and burnt to thewater's edge for the iron. David King, first-mate, and six others, viz. , George Lunt, Henry Webster, Stephen Stimpson and John Harris, seamen, Bill Flint, cook, and Peter Doolittle, boy, still living, butGod only knows what is to be our fate. I shall put this slate beneaththe stone I now sit on, in the hope it may one day let our friendslearn what has happened. "--

We looked at each other, astounded. Both the captain and Marbleremembered to have heard that a brig in this trade, called theSea-Otter, was missing; and, here, by a communication that was littleshort of miraculous, we were let into the secret of her disappearance. 

"_Coaxed_ in--" repeated the captain, running his eye over thewriting, which had been thus singularly preserved, and that, in asituation where one would think it might have been discovered athousand times. --"Yes, yes--I now begin to understand the wholematter. If there were any wind, gentlemen, I would go to sea this verynight. "

"That would be hardly worth our while, Captain Williams, " thechief-mate answered, "since we are now on our guard, and I feel prettycertain that there are no savages in our neighbourhood. So far, theDipper and his friends have traded with us fairly enough, and it islikely they have more skins to dispose of. This chap, whom the peoplehave christened Smudge, takes matters so coolly, that I hardly thinkhe knows anything about the Sea-Otter, which may have been cut off byanother gang, altogether. "

There was good reason in these remarks, and they had their effect onthe captain. The latter, however, determined to put Smudge to theproof, by showing him the slate, and otherwise bringing him under sucha cross-examination as signs alone could effect. I dare say, anindifferent spectator would have laughed at witnessing our efforts toconfound the Indian. We made grimaces, pointed, exclaimed, hallooed, swore, and gesticulated in vain. Smudge was as unmoved at it all, asthe fragment of keel to which he was confronted. The fellow either didnot, or would not understand us. His stupidity defied our tests; andMarble gave the matter up in despair, declaring that "the beast knowsnothing of anything, much less of the Sea-Otter. " As for the slate, hedid not seem to have the smallest notion what such a thing meant. 

We returned to the ship, carrying with us the slate, and the report ofour discoveries. All hands were called, and the captain made us aspeech. It was sufficiently to the point, though it was not in theleast, of the "God-like" character. We were told how ships were lostby the carelessness of their crews; reminded we were on the North-WestCoast, where a vessel with a few boxes of beads and bales of blankets, to say nothing of her gunpowder, firearms, and metals, was asvaluable, as a vessel laden with gold dust would be in one of our ownports. Vigilance, while on watch, and obedience to the orders of thevessel, in the event of an alarm, were the principal things dwelton. By observing these two great requisites, we should all be safeenough; whereas, by disregarding them, we should probably share thefate of the people of the brig, of which we had just discovered someof the remains. 

I will confess, I passed an uncomfortable night. An unknown enemy isalways a formidable enemy; and I would rather have fought three_guarda-costas_ at once, than lie where we did, in a bay assmooth as a looking-glass, surrounded by forests as silent as adesert, and in a well-armed ship, that was prepared at all points, tomeet her foes, even to her boarding-nettings. 

Nothing came of it all. The Dipper and Smudge eat their supper withthe appetites of injured innocence, and slept like tops. If guilty, weall agreed that they must be utterly destitute of consciences. As forourselves, we were on the alert until near morning, the very momentwhen the danger would probably be the greatest, provided there wereany at all; and then weariness overcame all who were not on thelook-out, and some who were. Still, nothing happened. The sun returnedto us in due season, gilding the tree-tops with its beams; our littlebay began to bask in its glory, and with the cheerfulness that usuallyaccompanies such a scene, vanished most of our apprehensions for themoment. A night of reflection had quieted our fears, and we all wokeup next morning, as indifferent to the fate of the Sea-Otter, as wasat all decent. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

 "The monarch mind--the mystery of commanding, The godlike power--the art Napoleon, Of winning, fettering, moulding, wielding, banding The hearts of millions, till they move as one; Thou hast it. " HALLECK--_Red Jacket_. 

Smudge and the Dipper behaved admirably all next day. Beef, pork andbread--those great desiderata of life, which the European is apt tosay form the _primum mobile_ of American existence--seemed toengross their thoughts; and when they were not eating, they were busywith sleep. At length we grew ashamed of watching such mere animals, and turned our thoughts to other subjects. We had understood theDipper, that eight-and-forty hours must elapse before we might expectto see any more skins; and Captain Williams, passing from alarm toextreme security, determined to profit by a lovely day, and send down, or rather strip, all three of the top-masts, and pay some necessaryattention to their rigging. At nine o'clock, accordingly, the handswere turned-to, and before noon the ship was pretty thoroughly _endeshabille_. We sent as little down as possible, keeping even thetop-sail-yards aloft, though without their lifts or braces, steadyingthem by guys; but the top-masts were lowered as far as was foundpossible, without absolutely placing the lower yards on thehammock-cloths. In a word, we put the ship in the most unmanageableposition, without absolutely littering our decks. The security of thehaven, and the extreme beauty of the weather, emboldened the captainto do this; apprehension of every sort appearing to have quite takenleave of him. 

The work proceeded merrily. We had not only a strong crew, but we hada good crew; and our Philadelphians were in their element, the momentthere was a question of the rigging. By sunset, the chafes wereexamined, and parcelled, and served anew; and the top-mast rigging wasall got up and put over the mast-heads again, and everything was readyto sway upon in the morning. But an uncommonly active day required agood night's rest; and the people were all ordered to turn in, as soonas they had supped. The ship was to be left to the vigilance of thecaptain and the three mates, during the night. 

The anchor-watch was set at eight, and ran from two hours, to twohours. My turn commenced at midnight, and was to last until two;Marble succeeding me from two until four, when all hands were to becalled to get our sticks aloft. When I turned out at twelve, I foundthe third-mate conversing, as well as he could, with the Dipper; who, with Smudge, having slept so much of the day, appeared disposed topass the night in smoking. 

"How long have these fellows been on deck?" I asked of the third-mate, as he was about to go below. 

"All my watch; I found them with the captain, who passed them over tome for company. If that chap, the Dipper, only knew anything of ahuman language, he would be something of society; but I'm as tired ofmaking signs to him, as I ever was with a hard day's work. "

I was armed, and felt ashamed of manifesting fear of an unarmedman. Then the two savages gave no additional cause of distrust; theDipper having taken a seat on the windlass, where he was smoking hispipe with an appearance of philosophy that would have done credit tothe gravest-looking baboon. As for Smudge, he did not appear to besufficiently intellectual to smoke; an occupation that has at leastthe merit of affecting the air of wisdom and reflection. I never coulddiscover whether your great smokers were actually wiser than the restof the race, or not; but, it will be admitted, they occasionally seemto be so. It was a pity Smudge did not have recourse to the practice, as it might have given the fellow an appearance of sometimescogitating. As it was, while his companion was enjoying his pipe atthe windlass, he kept strolling about the deck, much as a pig wouldhave wandered in the same place, and seemingly with the same object. 

I took charge of the decks with a very lively sense of the peculiarityof our situation. The security that prevailed on board struck me asunnatural; and yet I could detect no particular reason for immediatealarm. I might be thrown overboard or murdered by the two savages ondeck, it was very true; but of what use would it be to destroy me, since they could not hope to destroy all the rest on board withoutbeing discovered. The night was star-lit, and there was little chanceof a canoe's approaching the ship without my seeing it; a circumstancethat, of itself, in a great measure, removed the danger. I passed thefirst quarter of an hour in reflecting on these things; and then, asuse accustomed me to my situation, I began to think less of them, andto revert to other subjects. 

Clawbonny, Grace, Lucy, and Mr. Hardinge, often rose before my mind'seye, in those distant seas. It was seldom I passed a tranquil watch atnight, without revisiting the scenes of my boyhood, and wanderingthrough my own fields, accompanied by my beloved sister, and her quiteas well beloved friend. How many hours of happiness had I thus passedon the trackless wastes of the Pacific and the Atlantic; and with howmuch fidelity did memory recall the peculiar graces, whether of bodyor mind, of each of the dear girls in particular! Since my recentexperience in London, Emily Merton would occasionally adorn thepicture, with her more cultivated discourse and more finished manner;and yet I do not remember to have ever given her more than a thirdplace on the scale of my admiration. 

On the present occasion I was soon lost in ruminations on the past, and in imagining events for the future. I was not particularly expertat building castles in the air; but what youth of twenty, or maiden ofsixteen, never reared some sort of a fabric of this nature? Thesefanciful structures are the results of inexperience building with thematerials of hope. In my most imaginative moments, I could even fancyRupert an industrious, staid lawyer, adorning his profession, andrendering both Lucy and Grace happy. Beyond this, it was not easy forthe human faculties to conceive. 

Lucy sang sweetly. At times, her songs fairly haunted me, and forhours I could think of nothing but their tender sentiment and theirtouching melody. I was no nightingale myself, though I sometimesendeavoured to hum some one of the airs that floated in myrecollection, like beautiful visions of the past. This night, inparticular, my thoughts recurred to one of these songs that told ofaffection and home; and I stood, for several minutes, leaning over therailing forward, humming the tune to myself, while I endeavoured torecall not only the words, but the sweet voice that was wont to givethem so much thrilling pathos. I did this sometimes at Clawbonny; andtime and again had Lucy placed her soft little hand on my mouth, asshe would laughingly say, "Miles, Miles! do not spoil so pretty asong! You will never succeed with music, so work the harder with yourLatin. " Sometimes she would steal behind me--I fancied I could hearher breathing at my shoulder, even as I leaned over the rail--andwould apply her hand slyly to my lips, in her many attempts of thisnature. So vivid did one of these scenes become, that I thought Ireally felt the soft smooth hand on my mouth, and I was actually aboutto kiss it, when something that was smooth enough, certainly, butwhich was very far from being soft, passed between my teeth, and Ifelt it drawn so tight as completely to prevent my calling out. At thesame moment, my arms were seized from behind, and held as if graspedby a vice. Turning, as well as I was able, I found that rascal Smudgehad been breathing within an inch of my ear, while he passed the gag;and the Dipper was busy in lashing my arms together behind myback. The whole had been done so suddenly, and yet with so much skill, that I was a helpless prisoner, as it might be, in a single instant!

Resistance being as much out of my power as it was to give any alarm, I was soon secured, hands and feet, and placed carefully in the waist, a little out of the way; for I probably owed my life solely to thewish of Smudge to keep me as his slave. From that instant everyappearance of stupidity vanished from this fellow's countenance andmanner, and he became the moving spirit, and I might say the soul, ofall the proceedings of his companions. As for myself, there I sat, lashed to a spar, utterly unable to help myself, an unwilling witnessof all that followed. I felt the imminent danger of our situation, butI think I felt the disgrace of having such a surprise occur in mywatch, more even than the personal risks I ran!

In the first place, I was disarmed. Then, the Dipper took a lanternwhich stood on the binnacle, lighted it, and showed it, for half aminute, above the taffrail. His signal must have been instantlyanswered, for he soon extinguished the light, and moved about thedeck, in attentive watchfulness to seize any straggler, who mighthappen to come on deck. Little fear of that, however, wearinesschaining the men to their berths as closely as if they had been bolteddown with iron. I now expected to see the fellows fill the yawl witheffects, and run away with them, for, as yet, I could not believe thattwo men would have the hardihood to attack such a ship's company asours. 

I reckoned without my host. It might have been ten minutes after I wasseized, that dark-looking figures began to climb the ship's sides, until more than thirty of them were on her decks. This was done sonoiselessly, too, that the most vigilant attention on my part gave nonotice of their approach, until they stood among us. All these menwere armed; a few with muskets; others with clubs, and some with bowsand arrows. So far as I could discover, each had some sort of a knife, and a few had hatchets, or tomahawks. To my great regret, I saw thatthree or four were immediately stationed at the companion-way, aft, and as many more at the booby-hatch, forward. This was effectuallycommanding the only two passages by which the officers and men wouldbe likely to ascend, in the event of their attempting to come ondeck. It is true, the main hatch, as well as that of the steerage, wasused by day, but both had been covered over night, and no one wouldthink of using either, unless aware of the danger that existed ondeck. 

I suffered a good deal, both from the gag and the ropes that bound mylimbs, and yet I hardly thought of the pain, so intense was mycuriosity as to what was to follow. After the savages were all onboard, the first quarter of an hour passed in making theirdispositions, Smudge, the stupid, inanimate, senseless Smudge, actingas leader, and manifesting not only authority, but readiness andsagacity. He placed all his people in ambush, so that, one appearingfrom below, would not at once be apprized of the change that had takenplace on deck, and thus give the savages time to act. After this, another quarter of an hour passed, during which the fall of a pinmight almost have been heard, so profound was the silence. I shut myeyes in this terrific interval, and endeavoured to pray. 

"On deck, here--forward, there!" said a voice suddenly, that, at once, I knew to be the captain's. I would have given the world to be able toanswer, in order to warn him of the danger, but this was impossible. Idid groan, and I believe the captain heard me; for he moved away fromthe cabin-door, and called out "Mr. Wallingford--where have you gotto, Mr. Wallingford?" He was without his hat, having come on deckhalf-clad, simply to ascertain how went the night, and it makes meshudder, even now, to write about the blow that fell on hisunprotected skull. It would have felled an ox, and it crushed him onthe spot. The caution of his murderers prevented his falling, however, for they did not wish to alarm the sleepers below; though the plash onthe water that followed, could not fail to reach ears which took inevery sound with the avidity of mine. Thus perished Captain Williams, a mild, well-meaning man, an excellent seaman, and one whose principalfault was want of caution. I do not think the water was necessary tocomplete his fate, as nothing human could have survived such a blow. 

Smudge had been the principal actor in this frightful scene; and, assoon as it was over, he caused his men to return to their ambushes. Inow thought the officers and men were to be murdered, in this manner, as one by one they appeared on deck. It would soon be time for Marbleto turn out, though there was the hope he might not unless called, andI could not do this office, situated as I was. But, I wasmistaken. Instead of enticing any men on deck, the savages pursued adifferent course. Having destroyed the captain, they closed the doorsof the companion-way, drew over the booby-hatch, and adopted the safeexpedient of making all below prisoners. This was not done altogetherwithout noise, and the alarm was evidently given by the means taken tosecure the fastenings. I heard a rush at the cabin-doors, which wassoon followed by one at the booby-hatch; but Smudge's ingenuity hadbeen sufficient to prevent either from being successful. 

As soon as certain that their prisoners were safe, the savages cameand loosened the ropes of my arms sufficiently to put me more at myease. They removed those which bound my feet entirely, and, at thesame instant, the gag was taken from my mouth. I was then led to thecompanionway, and, by a sign, given to understand I might communicatewith my friends below. In the management of all this, I found thatSmudge, the semi-human, dull, animal-seeming Smudge, was at thehead. I also came to the conclusion my life was to be spared, for atime at least, and for some purpose that, as yet, baffled myconjectures. I did not call out immediately, but waited until I hearda movement on the ladder, when I complied with the orders of mycaptors and masters. 

"Mr. Marble, " I cried, loud enough to be heard below, "is that you?"

"Ay, ay--and is that you, Master Miles?"

"This is I. Be cautious how you act, Mr. Marble. The savages are inpossession of the upper deck, and I am their prisoner. The people areall below, with a strong watch at the fore-scuttle. "

I heard a long, low whistle, within the companion-way doors, which itwas easy enough to interpret into an expression of the chief-mate'sconcern and wonder. For myself, I saw no use in attemptingconcealment, but was resolved to speak out fully, even though it mightbe at the risk of betraying some of my feelings to my captors, amongwhom I thought it probable there might be more than one who understoodsomething of English. 

"We miss Captain Williams below here, " Marble resumed, after a shortdelay. "Do you know anything of his movements?"

"Alas! Mr. Marble--poor Captain Williams can be of no service to anyof us, now. "

"What of him?" was demanded in a clear, full voice and as quick aslightning. "Let me know, at once. "

"He has been killed by a blow from a club, and is thrown overboard. "

A dead silence followed, and it lasted near a minute. 

"Then it has fallen to my duty to decide what is to be done!" Marbleat length exclaimed. "Miles, are you at liberty?--dare you say whatyou think?"

"I am held here, by two of the savages, whose prisoner I certainlyam. Still, Mr. Marble, they encourage me to speak, but I fear someamong them understand what we say. "

There was another pause, during which the mate was doubtlessreflecting on the best course to pursue. 

"Harkee, Miles, " Marble continued, "we know each other, and can tellwhat is meant without blabbing. How old are you, out there, on deck. "

"Quite thirty years, Mr. Marble--and good stout years they are, too. "

"Well provided for, with sulphur and the pills, or only with Indiantools, such as our boys sometimes play with?"

"A little of the first--half-a-dozen, perhaps; with some of the last, and a plenty of carvers. "

An impatient push from the Dipper warned me to speak plainer, andsatisfied me that the fellow could comprehend what passed, so long aswe confined ourselves to a straight, forward discourse. This discoveryhad the effect to put me still more on my guard. 

"I understand you, Miles, " Marble answered, in a thoughtful manner;"we must be on our guard. Do you think they mean to come below?"

"I see no signs at present--but _understanding_--" emphasizingthe word, "is more general than you imagine, and no secrets must betold. My advice is 'Millions for defence, and not a cent fortribute. '"

As this last expression was common in the mouths of the Americans ofthe day, having been used on the occasion of the existing war withFrance, I felt confident it would be understood. Marble made noanswer, and I was permitted to move from the companion-way, and totake a seat on the hen-coops. My situation was sufficientlyremarkable. It was still dark; but enough light fell from the stars topermit me to see all the swarthy and savage forms that were glidingabout the decks, and even to observe something of the expression ofthe countenances of those, who, from time to time, came near to stareme in the face. The last seemed ferociously disposed; but it wasevident that a master-spirit held all these wild beings in strictsubjection; quelling the turbulence of their humours, restrainingtheir fierce disposition to violence, and giving concert and design toall their proceedings. This master-spirit was Smudge! Of the fact, Icould not doubt; his gestures, his voice, his commands, givingmovement and method to everything that was done. I observed that hespoke with authority and confidence, though he spoke calmly. He wasobeyed, without any particular marks of deference, but he was obeyedimplicitly. I could also see that the savages considered themselves asconquerors; caring very little for the men under hatches. 

Nothing material occurred until day dawned. Smudge--for so I mustcontinue to call this revolting-looking chief, for want of his truename--would permit nothing to be attempted, until the light becamesufficiently strong to enable him to note the proceedings of hisfollowers. I subsequently ascertained, too, that he waited forreinforcements, a yell being raised in the ship, just as the sunappeared, which was answered from the forest. The last seemed fairlyalive with savages; nor was it long before canoes issued from thecreek, and I counted one hundred and seven of these wretches on boardthe ship. This was their whole force, however, no more ever appearing. 

All this time, or for three hours, I had no more communication withour own people. I was certain, however, that they were all together, ajunction being easy enough, by means of the middle-deck, which had noother cargo than the light articles intended for the north-west trade, and by knocking down the forecastle bulk-head. There was a slidingboard in the last, indeed, that would admit of one man's passing at atime, without having recourse to this last expedient. I entertained nodoubt Marble had collected all hands below; and, being in possessionof plenty of arms, the men having carried their muskets and pistolsbelow with them, with all the ammunition, he was still extremelyformidable. What course he would pursue, I was obliged toconjecture. A sortie would have been very hazardous, if practicable atall; and it was scarcely practicable, after the means taken by Smudgeand the Dipper to secure the passages. Everything, so far as I wasconcerned, was left to conjecture. 

The manner in which my captors treated me, excited my surprise. Assoon as it was light, my limbs were released, and I was permitted towalk up and down the quarter-deck to restore the circulation of theblood. A clot of blood, with some fragments of hair, marked the spotwhere poor Captain Williams had fallen; and I was allowed to dash abucket of water over the place, in order to wash away the revoltingsigns of the murder. For myself, a strange recklessness had taken theplace of concern, and I became momentarily indifferent to my fate. Iexpected to die, and I am now ashamed to confess that my feelings tooka direction towards revenge, rather than towards penitence for my pastsins. At times, I even envied Marble, and those below, who mightdestroy their enemies at a swoop, by throwing a match into themagazine. I felt persuaded, indeed, it would come to that before themate and men would submit to be the captives of such wretches as werethen in possession of the deck. Smudge and his associates, however, appeared to be perfectly indifferent to this danger, of the characterof which they were probably ignorant. Their scheme had been verycunningly laid; and, thus far, it was perfectly successful. 

The sun was fairly up, and the savages began to think seriously ofsecuring their prize, when the two leaders, Smudge and the Dipper, approached me in a manner to show they were on the point of commencingoperations. The last of these men I now discovered had a triflingknowledge of English, which he had obtained from different ships. Still he was a savage, to all intents and purposes, the littleinformation thus gleaned, serving to render his worst propensitiesmore dangerous, rather than, in any manner, tempering them. He nowtook the lead, parading all his men in two lines on the deck, making asignificant gesture towards his fingers, and uttering, with emphasis, the word "count. " I did count the wretches, making, this time, onehundred and six, exclusively of the two leaders. 

"Tell him, down there"--growled the Dipper, pointing below. 

I called for Mr. Marble, and when he had reached the companion-way, the following conversation took place between us:

"What is it now, Miles, my hearty?" demanded the chief-mate. 

"I am ordered to tell you, sir, that the Indians number one hundredand eight, having just counted them, for this purpose. "

"I wish there were a thousand, as we are about to lift the deck fromthe ship, and send them all into the air. Do you think they canunderstand what I say, Miles?"

"The Dipper does, sir, when you speak slow and plain. He has onlyhalf a notion of what you now mean, as I can see by his countenance. "

"Does the rascal hear me, now?--is he anywhere near thecompanion-way?"

"He does, and is--he is standing, at this moment, on the larboard sideof the companion-way, kneeling one knee, on the forward end of thehen-coop. "

"Miles"--said Marble, in a doubting sort of a voice. 

"Mr. Marble--I hear what you say. "

"Suppose--eh--lead through the companion-way--eh--what would happento _you?_"

"I should care little for that, sir, as I've made up my mind to bemurdered. But it would do no good, just now, and might do harm. I willtell them, however, of your intention to blow them up, if you please;perhaps _that_ may make them a little shy. "

Marble assented, and I set about the office, as well as I could. Mostof my communication had to be made by means of signs; but, in the end, I succeeded in making the Dipper understand my meaning. By this manthe purport was told to Smudge, in terms. The old man listened withgrave attention, but the idea of being blown up produced no moreeffect on him, than would have been produced by a message from home totell him that his chimney was on fire, supposing him to have possessedsuch a civilized instrument of comfort. That he fully comprehended hisfriend, I could see by the expression of his ourang-outang-lookingcountenance. But fear was a passion that troubled him very little;and, sooth to say, a man whose time was passed in a condition asmiserable as that in which he habitually dwelt, had no great reason toset a very high value on his life. Yet, these miserable wretches nevercommit suicide! That is a relief reserved rather for those who havebecome satiated with human enjoyments, nine pampered sensualists dyingin this mode, for one poor wretch whose miseries have driven him todespair. 

I was astonished at seeing the intelligence that gleamed in thebaboon-like face of Smudge, as he listened to his friend'swords. Incredulity was the intellectual meaning in his eye, whileindifference seemed seated in his whole visage. 

It was evident the threat had made no impression, and I managed to letMarble understand as much, and that in terms which the Dipper couldnot very well comprehend. I got no answer, a death-like stillnessreigning below decks, in lieu of the bustle that had so lately beenheard there. Smudge seemed struck with the change, and I observed hewas giving orders to two or three of the elder savages, apparently todirect a greater degree of watchfulness. I confess to some uneasinessmyself, for expectation is an unpleasant guest, in a scene like that, and more especially when accompanied by uncertainty. 

Smudge now seemed to think it time to commence his operations inearnest. Under the direction of the Dipper a quantity of line wasthrown into the yawl, studding-halyards, and such other rope ofconvenient size as could be found in the launch, and the boat wastowed by two or three canoes to the island. Here the fellows made whatseamen call a "guess-warp, " of their rope; fastening one end to atree, and paying out line, as the yawl was towed back again to theship. The Dipper's calculation proved to be sufficiently accurate, therope reaching from the vessel to the tree. 

As soon as this feat was accomplished, and it was done with sufficientreadiness, though somewhat lubberly, twenty or thirty of the savagesclapped on the warp, until they had tautened it to as great a strainas it would bear. After this they ceased pulling, and I observed asearch around the galley in quest of the cook's axe, evidently with adesign to cut the cables. I thought this a fact worth communicating toMarble, and I resolved to do so at the risk of my life. "The Indianshave run a line to the island, and are about to cut the cables, nodoubt intending to warp the ship ashore; and that, too, at the veryspot where they once had the Sea-Otter. "

"Ay, ay--let them go on; we'll be ready for them in time, " was theonly answer I received. 

I never knew whether to ascribe the apathy the savages manifested tothis communication, to a wish that the fact might be known to thepeople below, or to indifference. They certainly proceeded in theirmovements with just as much coolness as if they had the ship all tothemselves. They had six or eight canoes, and parties of them beganto move round the vessel, with precisely the same confidence as menwould do it in a friendly port. What most surprised me were the quietand submission to orders they observed. At length the axe was foundsecreted in the bows of the launch, and Marble was apprised of the useto which it was immediately applied, by the heavy blows that fell uponthe cables. 

"Miles, " said the chief-mate--"these blows go to my heart! Are theblackguards really in earnest?"

"The larboard bower is gone, sir, and the blows you now hear are onthe starboard, which is already half in two--that finishes it; theship now hangs only by the warp. "

"Is there any wind, boy?"

"Not a breath of it in the bay, though I can see a little ripple onthe water, outside. "

"Is it rising or falling water, Miles?"

"The ebb is nearly done--they'll never be able to get the ship up onthe shelving rock where they had the Sea-Otter, until the water risesten or twelve feet. "

"Thank God for that! I was afraid they might get her on that accursedbed, and break her back at once. "

"Is it of any importance to us, Mr. Marble? What hope can we have ofdoing anything against such odds, and in our circumstances?"

"The odds I care nothing for, boy. My lads are screwed up so tight, they'd lick the whole North-West Coast, if they could only get on deckwithout having their fashion-pieces stove in. The circumstances, Iallow, must count for a great deal. "

"The ship is moving fast towards the island--I see no hope for us, Mr. Marble!"

"I say, Miles, it is worth some risk to try and save the craft--wereit not for fear of you, I would have played the rascals a trick halfan hour since. "

"Never mind me, sir--it was my fault it has happened, and I ought tosuffer for it--do what duty and discretion tell you is best. "

I waited a minute after this, in intense expectation, not knowing whatwas to follow, when a report made me fancy for an instant some attemptwas making to blow up the deck. The wails and cries that succeeded, however, soon let me into the real state of the case. A volley ofmuskets had been fired from the cabin-windows, and every individual intwo canoes that were passing at the time, to the number of eleven, were shot down like bullocks. Three were killed dead, and theremainder received wounds that promised to be mortal. My life wouldhave been the instant sacrifice of this act, had it not been for thestern authority of Smudge, who ordered my assailants off, with amanner and tone that produced immediate compliance. It was clear I wasreserved for some peculiar fate. 

Every man who could, rushed into the remaining canoes and the ship'syawl, in order to pick up the killed and wounded, as soon as thenature of the calamity was known. I watched them from the taffrail, and soon ascertained that Marble was doing the same from the windowsbelow me. But the savages did not dare venture in a line with a firethat had proved so fatal, and were compelled to wait until the shiphad moved sufficiently ahead to enable them to succour their friends, without exposing their own lives. As this required some distance, aswell as time, the ship was not only left without a canoe, or boat ofany sort, in the water, but with only half her assailants on board ofher. Those who did remain, for want of means to attack any otherenemy, vented their spite on the ship, expending all their strength infrantic efforts on the warp. The result was, that while they gavegreat way to the vessel, they finally broke the line. 

I was leaning on the wheel, with Smudge near me, when this accidentoccurred. The tide was still running ebb, and with some strength; andthe ship was just entering the narrow passage between the island andthe point that formed one termination of the bay, heading, of course, toward the tree to which the warp had been secured. It was animpulsive feeling, rather than any reason, that made me give thevessel a sheer with the helm, so as to send her directly through thepassage, instead of letting her strike the rocks. I had no eventualhope in so doing, nor any other motive than the strong reluctance Ifelt to have the good craft hit the bottom. Luckily, the Dipper was inthe canoes, and it was not an easy matter to follow the ship, underthe fire from her cabin-windows, had he understood the case, and beendisposed to do so. But, like all the rest in the canoes, he was busywith his wounded friends, who were all carried off towards thecreek. This left me master of the ship's movements for five minutes, and by that time she had drawn through the passage, and was actuallyshooting out into the open ocean. 

This was a novel, and in some respects an embarrassing situation. Itleft a gleam of hope, but it was a hope without a direction, andalmost without an object. I could perceive that none of the savages onboard had any knowledge of the cause of our movement, unless theymight understand the action of the tide. They had expected the ship tobe run ashore at the tree; and here she was gliding into the ocean, and was already clear of the passage. The effect was to produce apanic, and fully one-half of those who had remained in the ship, jumped overboard and began to swim for the island. I was momentarilyin hope all would take this course; but quite five-and-twentyremained, more from necessity than choice, as I afterwards discovered, for they did not know how to swim. Of this number was Smudge, whoprobably still remained to secure his conquest. It struck me themoment was favourable, and I went to the companion-way, and was aboutto remove its fastenings, thinking the ship might be recovered duringthe prevalence of the panic. But a severe blow, and a knife gleamingin the hands of Smudge, admonished me of the necessity of greatercaution. The affair was not yet ended, nor was my captor a man aseasily disconcerted as I had incautiously supposed. Unpromising as heseemed, this fellow had a spirit that fitted him for greatachievements, and which, under other circumstances, might have madehim a hero. He taught me the useful lesson of not judging of menmerely by their exteriors. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

 _Court_--"Brother John Bates, is not that the morning which breaks yonder?" _Bates_. --"I think it be; but we have no great cause to desire the approach of day. " _Will_. --"We see yonder the beginning of the day; but I think we shall never see the end of it----" _Henry V. _

The ship did not lose her steerage-way. As soon as past the point ofthe island, a gentle southerly breeze was felt; and, acting on thespars and hull, it enabled me, by putting the helm a little up, tokeep her head off shore, and thus increase her distance from thebay. The set of the tide did more for her than the wind, it is true;but the two, acting in unison, carried her away from the coast at arate that nearly equalled two knots in the hour. This was slow moving, certainly, for a vessel in such a strait; but it would require fifteenor twenty minutes for the canoes to return from the creek, and makethe circuit of the island by the other channel. By that time we shouldbe near half a mile at sea. 

Smudge, beyond a question, understood that he was in a dilemma, thoughtotally ignorant of some of the leading difficulties of his case. Itwas plain to me he could not comprehend why the ship took thedirection of the offing, for he had no conception of the power of therudder. Our tiller worked below, and it is possible this circumstancemystified him, more small vessels in that day managing their helmswithout the aid of the wheel, than with it. At length the movement ofthe vessel became too palpable to admit of further delay; and thissavage approached me, with a drawn knife, and a manner that provednatural affection had not been the motive of his previousmoderation. After flourishing his weapon fiercely before my eyes, andpressing it most significantly, once or twice, against my breast, hemade signs for me to cause the ship to turn round and re-enter theport. I thought my last moment had come, but naturally enough pointedto the spars, giving my master to understand that the vessel was notin her usual trim. I believe I was understood as to this part of myexcuses, it being too apparent that our masts and yards were not intheir usual places, for the fact to be overlooked even by asavage. Smudge, however, saw that several of the sails were bent, andhe pointed to those, growling out his threats, should I refuse to setthem. The spanker, in particular, being near him, he took hold of it, shook it, and ordered me to loosen it forthwith. 

It is scarcely necessary to say, I obeyed this order with secretjoy. Casting loose the brails, I put the out-hauler in the hands of adozen of the savages, and set the example of pulling. In a minute wehad this sail spread, with the sheet a little eased off. I then led aparty forward, and got the fore and main stay-sails on the ship. Tothese were added the mizen stay-sail, the only other piece of canvasswe could show, until the top-masts were fidded. The effect of thesefour sails, however, was to add at least another knot to the way ofthe ship, and to carry her out sooner to a point where she felt thefull force of the light breeze that was blowing from thesouth-east. By the time the four sails were set, we were fully aquarter of a mile from the island, every instant getting more fairlyinto the true currents of the air. 

Smudge watched me with the eyes of a hawk. As I had obeyed his ownorders in making sail, he could not complain of that; but the resultevidently disappointed him. He saw we were still moving in the wrongdirection, and, as yet, not a canoe was visible. As for these last, now the vessel had way on her, I was not without hopes of being ableto keep them exposed to the fire from the cabin-windows, and, finally, of getting rid of them by drawing off the land to a distance theywould not be likely to follow. The Dipper, however, I was aware, was abold fellow--knew something of vessels--and I was determined to give ahint to Marble to pick _him_ off, should he come within range ofhis muskets. 

In the meantime the alarm and impatience of Smudge and his companions, very sensibly increased. Five minutes were an age in the circumstancesin which they were placed, and I saw that it would soon be necessaryto adopt some new expedient, or I might expect to be sacrificed to theresentment of these savages. Necessity sharpens the wits, and I hitupon a scheme which was not entirely without the merit ofingenuity. As it was, I suppose I owed my life to the consciousness ofthe savages, that they could do nothing without me. 

Smudge, with three or four of the fiercest of his companions, hadbegun again to menace me with the knife, making signs, at the sametime, for me to turn the ship's head towards the land. I asked for alittle room, and then describing a long circle on the deck, pointingto the four sails we had set, and this in a way to tell them thatunder the canvass we carried, it would be necessary to go a greatdistance in order to turn round. When I had succeeded in communicatingthis idea, I forthwith set about giving them to understand that bygetting up the top-masts, and making more sail, we might returnimmediately. The savages understood me, and the explanation appearingreasonable to them, they went aside and consulted together. As timepressed, it was not long before Smudge came to me with signs to showhim and his party how to get the remainder of the sails set. Ofcourse, I was not backward in giving the desired information. 

In a few minutes, I had a string of the savages hold of the mast-rope, forward, a luff-tackle being applied. As everything was ready aloft, all we had to do was to pull, until, judging by the eye, I thought thespar was high enough, when I ran up the rigging and clapped in thefid. Having the top-mast out of the way, without touching any of itsrigging, I went down on the fore-yard, and loosened the sail. Thisappeared so much like business, that the savages gave sundryexclamations of delight; and, by the time I got on deck, they were allready to applaud me as a good fellow. Even Smudge was completelymystified; and when I set the others at work at the jeer-fall to swayup the fore-yard, he was as active as any of them. We soon had theyard in its place, and I went aloft to secure it, touching the bracesfirst so as to fill the sail. 

The reader may rest assured I did not hurry myself, now I had thingsin so fair a way. I could perceive that my power and importanceincreased with every foot we went from the land; and the ship steeringherself under such canvass, the wheel being a trifle up, there was nooccasion for extraordinary exertion on my part. I determined now tostay aloft as long as possible. The yard was soon secured, and then Iwent up into the top, where I began to set up the weather-rigging. Ofcourse, nothing was very thoroughly done, though sufficiently so forthe weather we had. 

From the top I had a good view of the offing, and of the coast forleagues. We were now quite a mile at sea, and, though the tide was nolonger of any use to us, we were drawing through the water quite atthe rate of two knots. I thought that the flood had made, and that ittook us a little on our lee-bow, hawsing us up to windward. Just as Ihad got the last lanyard fastened, the canoes began to appear, cominground the island by the farther passage, and promising to overtake usin the course of the next twenty minutes. The crisis demandeddecision, and I determined to get the jib on the ship. Accordingly, Iwas soon on deck. 

Having so much the confidence of the savages, who now fancied theirreturn depended on me, I soon had them at work, and we had the stayset up in two or three minutes. I then ran out and cast off thegaskets, when my boys began to hoist at a signal from me. I haveseldom been so happy as when I saw that large sheet of canvass open tothe air. The sheet was hauled in and belayed as fast as possible, andthen it struck me I should not have time to do any more before thecanoes would overtake us. It was my wish to communicate withMarble. While passing aft, to effect this object, I paused a moment toexamine the movement of the canoes; old Smudge, the whole time, expressing his impatience that the ship did not turn round. I make nodoubt I should have been murdered a dozen times, had I lives enough, were it not that the savages felt how dependent they were on me, forthe government of the vessel. I began to see my importance, and grewbold in proportion. As for the canoes, I took a look at them througha glass, They were about half-a-mile distant; had ceased paddling, andwere lying close together, seemingly in consultation. I fancied theappearance of the ship, under canvass, had alarmed them, and that theybegan to think we had regained the vessel, and were getting her insailing condition again, and that it might not be prudent to come toonear. Could I confirm this impression, a great point would be gained. Under the pretence of making more sail, in order to get the ship'shead round, a difficulty I had to explain to Smudge by means of signssome six or eight times, I placed the savages at the _main_-top-mastmast-rope, and told them to drag. This was a task likely to keep themoccupied, and what was more, it kept them all looking forward, leavingme affecting to be busied aft. I had given Smudge a segar too, to puthim in good humour, and I had also taken the liberty to light one formyself. 

Our guns had all been primed, levelled, and had their tompions takenout the night before, in readiness to repel any assault that might bemade. I had only to remove the apron from the after-gun, and it wasready to be discharged. Going to the wheel, I put the helm hard up, until our broadside bore on the canoes. Then glancing along my gun, until I saw it had a tolerable range, I clapped the segar to thepriming, springing back to the wheel, and putting the helm down. Theexplosion produced a general yell among the savages, several of whomactually leaped into the chains ready to go overboard, while Smudgerushed towards me, fiercely brandishing his knife. I thought my timehad come! but, perceiving that the ship was luffing fast, I motionedeagerly forward, to draw the attention of my assailant in thatquarter. The vessel was coming-to, and Smudge was easily induced tobelieve it was the commencement of turning round. The breathing timeallowed me to mystify him with a few more signs; after which, herejoined his people, showed them exultingly the ship still luffing, and I make no doubt, he thought himself, and induced the rest tothink, that the gun had a material agency in producing all theseapparent changes. As for the canoes, the grape had whistled so nearthem, that they began to paddle back, doubtless under the impression, that we were again masters of the ship, and had sent them this hint tokeep aloof. 

Thus far I had succeeded beyond my most sanguine expectations; and Ibegan to entertain lively hopes of not only saving my life, but ofrecovering the command of the vessel. Could I manage to get her outof sight of land, my services would be so indispensable, as almost toinsure success. The coast was very low, and a run of six or eighthours would do this, provided the vessel's head could be kept in theright direction. The wind, moreover, was freshening, and I judged thatthe Crisis had already four knots way on her. Less than twenty mileswould put all the visible coast under water. But, it was time to saysomething to Marble. With a view to lull distrust, I called Smudge tothe companion-way, in order that he might hear what passed, though Ifelt satisfied, now that the Dipper was out of the ship, not a soulremained among the savages, who could understand a syllable ofEnglish, or knew anything of vessels. The first call brought the mateto the door. "Well, Miles; what is it?"--he asked--"what meant thegun, and who fired it?"

"All right, Mr. Marble. I fired the gun to keep off the canoes, and ithas had the effect I wished. "

"Yes; my head was out of the cabin-window at the time, for I believedthe ship was waring, and thought you had given up, and were going backinto port. I saw the roundshot strike within twenty fathoms of thecanoes, and as for the grape, some of it flew beyond them. Why, we aremore than half a league from the land, boy!--Will Smudge stand thatmuch longer?"

I then told Marble precisely how we were situated on deck, the sail wewere under, the number of savages we had on board, and the notion thesavages entertained on the subject of turning the ship round. It isnot easy to say which listened with the most attention, Marble, orSmudge. The latter made frequent gestures for me to turn the shiptowards the coast, for by this time she had the wind abeam again, andwas once more running in a straight line. It was necessary, on moreaccounts than one, to adopt some immediate remedy for the danger thatbegan to press on me anew. Not only must Smudge and his associates bepacified, but, as the ship got into the offing, she began to feel theground-swell, and her spars, aloft, were anything but secure. Themain-top-mast was about half-up, and it was beginning to surge andmove in the cap, in a way I did not like. It is true, there was notmuch danger yet; but the wind was rising, and what was to be done, ought to be done at once. I was not sorry, however, to perceive thatfive or six of the savages, Smudge among the number, began to betraysigns of sea-sickness. I would have given Clawbonny, at the moment, tohave had all the rascals in rough water!

I now endeavoured to make Smudge understand the necessity of my havingassistance from below, both to assist in turning the vessel, and ingetting the yards and masts into their places. The old fellow shookhis head, and looked grave at this. I saw he was not sick enough yet, to be indifferent about his life. After a time, however, he pronouncedthe names of Neb and Yo, the blacks having attracted the attention ofthe savages, the last being the cook. I understood him, he wouldsuffer these two to come to my assistance, provided it could be donewithout endangering his own ascendency. Three unarmed men could hardlybe dangerous to twenty-five who were armed; and then I suspected thathe fancied the negroes would prove allies to himself, in the event ofa struggle, rather than foes. As for Neb, he made a fatal mistake; norwas he much nearer the truth in regard to Joe-or Yo, as he calledhim--the cook feeling quite as much for the honour of the Americanflag, as the fairest-skinned seaman in the country. It is generallyfound, that the loyalty of the negroes is of proof. 

I found means to make Smudge understand the manner in which these twoblacks could be got on deck, without letting up the rest. As soon ashe fairly comprehended the means to be used, he cheerfully acquiesced, and I made the necessary communication to Marble. A rope was sentdown, over the stern-boat, to the cabin-windows, and Neb took a turnround his body; when he was hauled up to the gunwale of the boat, intowhich he was dragged by the assistance of the savages. The sameprocess was used with Joe. Before the negroes were permitted to goaloft, however, Smudge made them a brief oration, in which oracularsentences were blended with significant gestures, and indications ofwhat they were to expect, in the event of bad behaviour. After this, Isent the blacks into the main-top, and glad enough I thought they wereboth to get there. 

Thus reinforced, we had the main-top-mast fidded in a very fewminutes. Neb was then directed to set up the rigging, and to clearaway the yard, so it might be got into its place. In a word, an hourpassed in active exertions, at the end of which, we had everythingrove, bent, and in its place, on the main-mast, from the top-mast-headto the deck. The top-gallant-mast was lying fore and aft in the waist, and could not then be touched; nor was it necessary. I ordered themen to loosen both sails, and to overhaul down their rigging. In theeyes of Smudge, this looked highly promising; and the savages gave ayell of delight when they saw the top-sail fairly filled and drawing. I added the main-sail to the pressure, and then the ship began to walkoff the coast, at a rate that promised all I hoped for. It was nownecessary for me to stick by the wheel, of the uses of which Smudgebegan to obtain some notions. At this time, the vessel was more thantwo leagues from the island, and objects began to look dim along thecoast. As for the canoes, they could no longer be seen, and chasing usany farther was quite out of the question. I felt that the crisis wasapproaching. 

Smudge and his companions now became more and more earnest on thesubject of turning the ship round. The indistinctness of the landbegan seriously to alarm them, and sea-sickness had actually placedfour of their number flat on the deck. I could see that the old fellowhimself was a good deal affected, though his spirit, and the risks heran, kept him in motion, and vigilantly on the watch. It was necessaryto seem to do something; and I sent the negroes up into the fore-top, to get the top sail-yard in its place, and the sail set. This occupiedanother hour, before we were entirely through, when the land wasgetting nearly _awash_. As soon as the mizen-top-sail was set, Ibraced sharp up, and brought the ship close upon the wind. This causedthe Indians to wilt down like flowers under a burning sun, just as Iexpected; there being, by this time, a seven-knot breeze, and a smarthead-sea on. Old Smudge felt that his forces were fast deserting him, and he now came to me, in a manner that would not be denied, and Ifelt the necessity of doing something to appease him. I got thesavages stationed as well as I could, hauled up the main-sail, and putthe ship in stays. We tacked better than I could have believedpossible, and when my wild captors saw that we were actually moving inthe direction of the land, again, their delight was infinite. Theirleader was ready to hug me; but I avoided this pleasure in the bestmanner I could. As for the consequences, I had no apprehensions, knowing we were too far off to have any reason to dread the canoes, and being certain it was easy enough to avoid them in such a breeze. 

Smudge and his companions were less on the alert, as soon as theyperceived the ship was going in the proper direction. They probablybelieved the danger in a measure over, and they began to yield alittle to their physical sufferings. I called Neb to the wheel, andleaning over the taffrail, I succeeded in getting Marble to acabin-window, without alarming Smudge. I then told the mate to get allhis forces in the forecastle, having observed that the Indians avoidedthat part of the vessel, on account of the heavy plunges sheoccasionally made, and possibly because they fancied our people wereall aft. As soon as the plan was understood, I strolled forward, looking up at the sails, and touching a rope, here and there, like onebent on his ordinary duty. The savage stationed at the fore-scuttlewas as sick as a dog, and with streaming eyes, he was paying thelandsmen's tribute to the sea. The hatch was very strong, and it wassecured simply by its hasp and a bit of iron thrust through it. I hadonly to slip my hand down, remove the iron, throw open the hatch, whenthe ship's company streamed up on deck, Marble leading. 

It was not a moment for explanations. I saw, at a glance, that themate and his followers regarded the situation of the ship verydifferently from what I did myself. I had now been hours with thesavages, had attained a little of their confidence, and knew howdependent they were on myself for their final safety; all of which, ina small degree, disposed me to treat them with some of the lenity Ifancied I had received from them, in my own person. But, Marble andthe crew had been chafing below, like caged lions, the whole time, and, as I afterwards learned, had actually taken an unanimous vote toblow themselves up, before they would permit the Indians to retain thecontrol of the vessel. Then poor Captain Williams was much belovedforward, and his death remained to be avenged. I would have said aword in favour of my captors, but the first glance I got at theflushed face of the mate, told me it would be useless. I turned, therefore, to the sick savage who had been left as a sentinel over thefore-scuttle, to prevent his interference. This man was armed withthe pistols that had been taken from me, and he showed a dispositionto use them. I was too quick in my motions, however, falling upon himso soon as to prevent one who was not expert with the weapons fromusing them. We clenched, and fell on the deck together, the Indianletting the pistols fall to meet my grasp. 

As this occurred, I heard the cheers of the seamen; and Marble, shouting out to "revenge Captain Williams, " gave the order tocharge. I soon had my own fellow perfectly at my mercy, and got him sonear the end of the jib downhaul, as to secure him with a turn or twoof that rope. The man made little resistance, after the first onset;and, catching up the pistols, I left him, to join in what was doingaft. As I lay on the deck, I heard several plunges into the water, andthen half-a-dozen of most cruelly crushing blows succeeded. Not ashot was fired by either party, though some of our people, who hadcarried all their arms below the night the ship was seized, used theirpikes with savage freedom. By the time I got as far aft as themain-mast, the vessel was our own. Nearly half the Indians had thrownthemselves into the sea; the remaining dozen had either been knockedin the head like beeves, or were stuck, like so many porkers. The deadbodies followed the living into the sea. Old Smudge alone remained, atthe moment of which I have spoken. 

The leader of the savages was examining the movements of Neb, at themoment the shout was raised; and the black, abandoning the wheel, threw his arms round those of the old man, holding him like a vice. Inthis situation he was found by Marble and myself, who approached atthe same instant, one on each side of the quarter-deck. 

"Overboard with the blackguard!" called out the excited mate;"overboard with him, Neb, like a trooper's horse!"

"Hold--" I interrupted, "spare the old wretch, Mr. Marble;--he sparedme. "

A request from me would, at any moment, outweigh an order from thecaptain, himself, so far as the black was concerned, else Smudge wouldcertainly have gone into the ocean, like a bundle of straw. Marble hadin him a good deal of the indifference to bodily suffering that isgenerated by habit, and, aroused, he was a dangerous, and sometimes ahard man; but, in the main, he was not cruel; and then he was alwaysmanly. In the short struggle which he had passed, he had actuallydropped his pike, to knock an Indian down with his fist; bundling thefellow through a port without ceremony, ere he had time to helphimself. But he disdained striking Smudge, with such odds againsthim; and he went to the helm, himself, bidding Neb secure theprisoner. Glad of this little relief to a scene so horrible, I ranforward, intending to bring my own prisoner aft, and to have the twoconfined together, below. But I was too late. One of thePhiladelphians had just got the poor wretch's head and shouldersthrough the bow-port, and I was barely in time to see his feetdisappear. 

Not a cheer was given for our success. When all was over, the menstood gazing at each other, stern, frowning, and yet with the aspectsof those who felt they had been, in a manner, disgraced by thecircumstances which led them to the necessity of thus regaining thecommand of their own vessel. As for myself, I ran and sprang upon thetaffrail, to look into the ship's wake. A painful sight met me, there!During the minute or two passed in the brief struggle, the Crisis hadgone steadily ahead, like the earth moving in its orbit, indifferentto the struggles of the nations that are contending on its bosom. Icould see heads and arms tossing in our track for a hundred fathoms, those who could not swim struggling to the last to preserve theirexistence. Marble, Smudge and Neb, were all looking in the samedirection, at that instant. Under an impulse I could not control, Iventured to suggest that we might yet tack and save several of thewretches. 

"Let them drown, and be d----d!" was the chief-mate's sententiousanswer. 

"No--no--Masser Mile, " Neb ventured to add, with a remonstrating shakeof the head--"dat will nebber do--no good ebber come of Injin. If youdon't drown him, he sartain drown you. "

I saw it was idle to remonstrate; and by this time one dark spot, after another, began to disappear, as the victims sank in theocean. As for Smudge, his eye was riveted on the struggling forms ofhis followers, in a manner to show that traces of human feeling are tobe found, in some aspect or other, in every condition of life. Ithought I could detect workings of the countenance of this being, indurated as his heart had become by a long life of savage ferocity, which denoted how keenly he felt the sudden destruction that hadalighted on his tribe. He might have had sons and grandsons amongthose struggling wretches, on whom he was now gazing for the lasttime. If so, his self-command was almost miraculous; for, while Icould see that he felt, and felt intensely, not a sign of weaknessescaped him. As the last head sunk from view, I could see him shudder;a suppressed groan escaped him; then he turned his face towards thebulwarks, and stood immovable as one of the pines of his own forests, for a long time. I asked Marble's permission to release the old man'sarms, and the mate granted it, though not without growling a fewcurses on him, and on all who had been concerned in the lateoccurrences on board the ship. 

There was too much duty to be done, to render all secure, to suffer usto waste much time in mere sympathy. All the top-mast rigging, backstays, &c. , had to be set up afresh, and gangs were sent aboutthis duty, forward and aft. The blood was washed from the decks, and aportion of the crew got along the top-gallant-masts, and pointedthem. The topsails were all close-reefed, the courses hauled up, thespanker and jib taken in, and the ship hove-to. It wanted but twohours of sunset when Mr. Marble had got things to his mind. We hadcrossed royal-yards, and had everything set that would draw, from thetrucks down. The launch was in the water towing astern; the ship wasthen about a mile from the southern passage into the bay, towardswhich she was steering with the wind very much as it had been since anhour after sunrise, though slightly falling. Our guns were loose, andthe crew was at quarters. Even I did not know what the new captainintended to do, for he had given his orders in the manner of one whosemind was too immovably made up, to admit of consultation. The larboardbattery was manned, and orders had been given to see the guns on thatside levelled and ready for firing. As the ship brushed past theisland, in entering the bay, the whole of this broadside was deliveredin among its bushes and trees. We heard a few yells, in reply, thatsatisfied us the grape had told, and that Marble had not miscalculatedthe position of some of his enemies, at least. 

When the ship entered the little bay, it was with a moderate andsteady movement, the breeze being greatly broken by the forests. Themain-yard was thrown aback, and I was ordered into the launch, withits crew armed. A swivel was in the bows of the boat, and I pulledinto the creek, in order to ascertain if there were any signs of thesavages. In entering the creek, the swivel was discharged, accordingto orders, and we soon detected proofs that we disturbed a bivouac. Inow kept loading and firing this little piece into the bushes, supporting it with occasional volleys of musketry, until pretty wellsatisfied that we had swept the shore effectually. At the bivouac, Ifound the canoes, and our own yawl, and what was some little revengefor what had happened, I also found a pile of no less than six hundredskins, which had doubtless been brought to trade with us, ifnecessary, in order to blind-our eyes until the favourable moment forthe execution of the conspiracy should offer. I made no scruple aboutconfiscating these skins, which were taken on board the ship. 

I next went to the island, on which I found one man dying with agrape-shot wound, and evidence that a considerable party had left it, as soon as they felt our fire. This party had probably gone outsidethe island, but it was getting too late to follow. On my return, I metthe ship coming out, Captain Marble being determined not to trust herinside another night. The wind was getting light, and, the tidesrunning fiercely in that high latitude, we were glad to make an offingagain while there was still day. The success with the skins greatlymollified the new captain, who declared to me that, after he hadhanged Smudge in sight of his own shores, he should "feel somethinglike himself again. "

We passed the night under our top-sails, standing off and on, with thewind steady, but light, at the southward. Next morning, the duty ofthe ship went on as usual, until the men had breakfasted, when westood again into the bay. This time, we hove-to so as to get one ofthe buoys, when we dropped the stream, leaving the top-sails set. Wethen hove up the anchor, securing the range of cable that was bent toit. Both of the anchors, and their ranges of cable, were thusrecovered; the ends of the last being entered at the hawse-holes, andthe pieces spliced. This work may have occupied us four hours; afterwhich, the stream-anchor was hove up, catted and fished. Marble thenordered a whip rove at the fore-yard-arm. 

I was on the quarter-deck when this command was suddenly given. Iwished to remonstrate, for I had some tolerably accurate notions oflegality, and the rights of persons. Still, I did not like to sayanything; for Captain Marble's eye and manner were not the least inthe trifling mood, at that instant. The whip was soon rove, and themen stood looking aft, in silent expectation. 

"Take that murdering blackguard forward, fasten his arms behind hisback, place him on the third gun, and wait for orders, " added our newcaptain, sternly. 

No one dared hesitate about obeying these orders, though I could seethat one or two of the lads disliked the business. 

"Surely, " I ventured to say, in a low voice, "you are not in earnest, Mr. Marble!"

"_Captain_ Marble, if you please, Mr. Wallingford. I am nowmaster of this vessel, and you are her chief-mate. I intend to hangyour friend Smudge, as an example to the rest of the coast. Thesewoods are full of eyes at this moment; and the sight they'll presentlysee, will do more good than forty missionaries, and threescore and tenyears of preaching. Set the fellow up on the gun, men, as I ordered. This is the way to generalize with an Indian. "

In a moment, there stood the hapless wretch, looking about him with anexpression that denoted the consciousness of danger, though it was notpossible he could comprehend the precise mode of his execution. I wentto him, and pressed his hand, pointing upward, as much as to say hiswhole trust was now in the Great Spirit. The Indian understood me, forfrom that instant he assumed an air of dignified composure, like oneevery way prepared to meet his fate. It is not probable, with hishabits, that he saw any peculiar hardship in his own case; for he had, doubtless, sacrificed many a prisoner under circumstances of lessexasperation than that which his own conduct had provoked. 

"Let two of the 'niggers' take a turn with the end of the whip roundthe chap's neck, " said Marble, too dignified to turn Jack Ketch inperson, and unwilling to set any of the white seamen at so ungraciousan office. The cook, Joe, and another black, soon performed thisrevolting duty, from the odium of which a sailor seldom altogetherescapes. 

I now perceived Smudge looking upward, seeming to comprehend thenature of the fate that awaited him. The deeply-seated principlewithin him, caused a dark shadow to pass over a countenance already sogloomy and wrinkled by suffering and exposure; and he turned his lookwistfully towards Marble, at whose command each order in successionhad been obeyed. Our new captain caught that gaze, and I was, for asingle moment, in hope he would relent, and let the wretch go. ButMarble had persuaded himself he was performing a great act of nauticaljustice; nor was he aware, himself, how much he was influenced by afeeling allied to vengeance. 

"Sway away!" he called out; and Smudge was dangling at the yard-arm ina few seconds. 

A block of wood could not have been more motionless than the body ofthis savage, after one quivering shudder of suffering had escapedit. There it hung, like a jewel-block, and every sign of life was soontaken away. In a quarter of an hour, a man was sent up, and, cuttingthe rope, the body fell, with a sharp plunge, into the water, anddisappeared. 

At a later day, the account of this affair found its way into thenewspapers at home. A few moralists endeavoured to throw some doubtsover the legality and necessity of the proceedings, pretending thatmore evil than good was done to the cause of sacred justice by suchdisregard of law and principles; but the feeling of trade, and thesecurity of ships when far from home, were motives too powerful to beput down by the still, quiet remonstrances of reason and right. Theabuses to which such practices would be likely to lead, in cases inwhich one of the parties constituted himself the law, the judge, andthe executioner, were urged in vain against the active andever-stimulating incentive of a love of gold. Still, I knew thatMarble wished the thing undone when it was too late, it being idle tothink of quieting the suggestions of that monitor God has implantedwithin us, by the meretricious and selfish approbation of those whojudge of right and wrong by their own narrow standard of interest. 

CHAPTER XV. 

 _1st Lord_. --"Throca movonsas, cargo, cargo, cargo. " _All_. --"Cargo, cargo, villianda par corbo, cargo. " _Par_. --"O! ransome, ransome:--Do not hide mine eyes" _1st Sold_. --"Boskos Thromuldo boskos. " _Par_. --"I know you are the Muskos' regiment, And I shall lose my life for want of language. --" _All's Well That Ends Well. _

The Crisis was tacked, as soon as the body of Smudge was cut down, andshe moved slowly, her crew maintaining a melancholy silence, out ofthe little haven. I never witnessed stronger evidence of sadness inthe evolutions of a vessel; the slow and stately departure resemblingthat of mourners leaving the grave on which they had just heard thefall of the clod. Marble told me afterwards, he had been disposed toanchor, and remain until the body of poor Captain Williams shouldrise, as it probably would within the next forty-eight hours; but thedread of a necessity of sacrificing more of the natives, induced himto quit the fatal spot, without paying the last duties to our worthyold commander. I always regretted we did not remain, for I think noIndian would have come near us, had we continued in the harbour amonth. 

It was high-noon when the ship once more issued into the broad bosomof the Pacific. The wind was at south-east, and as we drew off fromthe land, it came fresh and steady. About two, having an offing of tenor twelve miles, orders were issued to set all the larboardstudding-sails, and we stood to the southward and westward under apress of canvass. Every one saw in this change, a determination toquit the coast; nor did we regret the measure, for our trade had beenquite successful, down to the moment of the seizure, but could hardlybe prosperous after what had passed. I had not been consulted in theaffair at all, but the second-mate having the watch, I was nowsummoned to the cabin, and let into the secret of our futuremovements. I found Marble seated at the cabin table, with CaptainWilliams's writing-desk open before him, and sundry papers underexamination. 

"Take a seat, Mr. Wallingford, " said the new master, with a dignityand manner suited to the occasion. "I have just been overhauling theold man's instructions from the owners, and find I have done right inleaving these hang-gallows rascals to themselves, and shaping ourcourse to the next point of destination. As it is, the ship has donesurprisingly well. There are $67, 370 good Spaniards down in the run, and that for goods which I see are invoiced at just $26, 240; and whenyou consider that no duties, port-charges, or commissions are to bededucted, but that the dollars under our feet are all our own, withoutany drawbacks, I call the operation a good one. Then that blunderingthrough the Straits, though it must never be talked of in any otherlight than a bold push for a quick passage, did us a wonderful deal ofgood, shoving us ahead near a month in time. It has put us so muchahead of our calculations, indeed, that I would cruise for Frenchmenfor five or six weeks, were there the least probability that one ofthe chaps was to the westward of the Horn. Such not being the fact, however, and there still being a very long road before us, I havethought it best to push for the next point of destination. Read thatpage of the owner's idees, Mr. Wallingford, and you will get theiradvice for just such a situation as that in which we find ourselves. "

The passage pointed out by Captain Marble was somewhat parenthetical, and was simply intended to aid Captain Williams, in the event of hisnot being able to accomplish the other objects of his voyage. It had aplace in the instructions, indeed, solely on account of a suggestionof Marble's himself, the project being one of those favourite schemesof the mate, that men sometimes maintain through thick or thin, untilthey get to be ruling thoughts. On Captain Williams it had not weigheda feather; his intention having been to proceed to the SandwichIslands for sandalwood, which was the course then usually pursued byNorth-West traders, after quitting the coast. The parentheticalproject, however, was to touch at the last island, procure a fewdivers, and proceed in quest of certain islands where it was supposedthe pearl fishery would succeed. Our ship was altogether too large, and every way too expensive, to be risked in such an adventure, and soI told the ex-mate without any scruple. But this fishery was a "fixedidea, " a quick road to wealth, in the new captain's mind, and findingit in the instructions, though simply as a contingent course, he wasinclined to regard it as the great object of the voyage. Such it wasin his eyes, and such it ought to be, as he imagined, in those of theowners. 

Marble had excellent qualities in his way, but he was not fit tocommand a ship. No man could stow her better, fit her better, sail herbetter, take better care of her in heavy weather, or navigate herbetter; and yet he wanted the judgment necessary to manage theproperty that must be committed to his care, and he had no more ideasof commercial thrift, than if he had never been employed in any of theconcerns of commerce. This was, in truth, the reason he had neverrisen any higher in his profession, the mercantile instinct--one ofthe liveliest and most acute to be found in natural history--forewarninghis different owners that he was already in the berth nature and arthad best qualified him to fill. It is wonderful how acute even dullmen get to be, on the subject of money!

I own my judgment, such as it was at nineteen, was opposed to theopinion of the captain. I could see that the contingency contemplatedby the instructions had not arisen, and that we should be acting morein conformity with the wishes of the owners, by proceeding to theSandwich Islands in quest of sandal-wood, and thence to China, after acargo of teas. Marble was not to be convinced, however, though I thinkmy arguments shook him a little. What might have been the result, itis difficult to say, had not chance befriended the views of each ofus, respectively. It is proper to add, that Marble availed himself ofthis opportunity to promote Talcott, who was brought into the cabin asthird-mate. I rejoiced greatly in this addition to our little circleon the quarter-deck, Talcott being a man of education, much nearer myown age than the two others, and united to me by unusual ties sinceour common adventure in the prize. I was not only rejoiced to be ableto associate with him, but to hear him called _Mr_. Talcott. 

We had a long, but mild, passage to the Sandwich Islands. This groupoccupied a very different place, in the opinions of the world, in theyear 1800, from that it fills to-day. Still it had made some smalladvances in civilization since the time of Cook. I am told there arechurches, taverns, billiard-tables, and stone dwellings in theseislands now, which are fast turning to the Christian religion, andobtaining the medley of convenience, security, vice, roguery, law andcomfort, that is known as civilization. It was far different then, ourreception being by men who were but a small degree removed fromsavages. Among those who first came on board us, however, was themaster of an American brig, belonging to Boston, whose vessel had goton a reef, and bilged. He intended to remain by the wreck, but wishedto dispose of a considerable amount of sandal-wood that was still inhis vessel, and for the safety of which he was under great concern, asthe first gale of wind might scatter it to the winds of the ocean. Ifhe could obtain a fresh stock of goods to trade on, he proposedremaining on the islands until another vessel belonging to the sameowners, which was expected in a few months, should arrive, on boardwhich vessel he intended to embark with everything he could save fromthe wreck, and such wood as he could purchase in the interim. CaptainMarble rubbed his hands with delight, when he returned from a visit tothe wreck, his arrangements all completed. 

"Luck is with us, Master Miles, " he said, "and we'll be off for thempearl fisheries next week. I have bought all the sandal-wood in thewreck, paying in trumpery, and at prices only about double Indiantrade, and we will heave up, and carry the ship round to the wreck, and begin to take in this afternoon. There is capital holding-groundinside the reef, and the ship can be safely carried within a hundredfathoms of her cargo!"

All turned out as Marble had hoped and predicted, and the Crisis wasback at her anchorage in front of the village, which is now the cityof Honolulu, within the week named. We got our supply of hogs, andhaving procured four of the best divers going, we sailed in quest ofCaptain Marble's Eldorado of pearls. I was less opposed to the schemethan I had been, for we were now so much in advance of our time, thatwe could afford to pass a few weeks among the islands, previously tosailing for China. Our course was to the south-west, crossing the linein about 170° west longitude. There was a clear sea, for more than afortnight, while we were near the equator, the ship making but littleprogress. Glad enough was I to hear the order given to turn more tothe northward again; for the heat was oppressive, and this wasinclining towards our route to China. We had been out from Owyhee, asit was then usual to call the island where Cook was killed--Hawaii, asit is called to-day--we had been out from this island, about a month, when Marble came up to me one fine, moon-light evening, in my watch, rubbing his hands, as was his custom when in good humour, and brokeout as follows:--

"I'll tell you what, Miles, " he said, "you and I have been salted downby Providence for something more than common! Just look back at allour adventures in the last three years, and see what they cometo. Firstly, there was shipwreck over here on the coast ofMadagascar, " jerking his thumb over a shoulder in a manner that wasintended to indicate about two hundred degrees of longitude, thatbeing somewhat near our present distance from the place he mentioned, in an air line; "then followed the boat business under the Isle ofBourbon, and the affair with the privateer off Guadaloupe. Well, as ifthat wern't enough, we ship together again in this vessel, and a timewe had of it with the French letter-of-marque. After that, a devil ofa passage we made of it through the Straits of Magellan. Then came themelancholy loss of Captain Williams, and all that business; afterwhich we got the sandal-wood out of the wreck, which I consider theluckiest transaction of all. "

"I hope you don't set down the loss of Captain Williams among ourluck, sir!"

"Not I, but the stuff is all logged together, you know; and, inoverhauling for one idee, in such a mess, a fellow is apt to get holdof another. As I was saying, we have been amazingly lucky, and Iexpect nothing else but we shall discover an island yet!"

"Can that be of any great service to us? There are so many ownersready to start up and claim such discoveries, that I question if itwould do us any great benefit. "

"Let them start up--who cares for them; we'll have the christening, and that's half the battle. Marble Land, Wallingford Bay, TalcottHills, and Cape Crisis, would look well on a chart--ha! Miles?"

"I have no objection to see it, sir. "

"Land ho!" cried the look-out on the forecastle. 

"There it is now, by George!" cried Marble, springing forward--"Ioverhauled the chart half an hour since, and there ought to be nothingwithin six hundred miles of us. "

There it was, sure enough, and much nearer to us than was at alldesirable. So near, indeed, that the wash of the breakers on the reefthat so generally lies off from the low coral islands of the Pacific, was distinctly audible from the ship. The moon gave a strong light, itis true, and the night was soft and balmy; but the air, which was verylight, blew directly towards this reef, and then there were alwayscurrents to apprehend. We sounded, but got no bottom. 

"Ay, this is one of your coral reefs, where a man goes on the rocksfrom off soundings, at a single jump, " muttered Marble, ordering theship brought by the wind on the best tack to haul off shore. "Nonotice, and a wreck. As for anchoring in such a place, a fellow mightas well run a line out to Japan; and, could an anchor find the bottom, the cable would have some such berth as a man who slept in a hammockfilled with open razors. "

All this was true enough; and we watched the effect of our change ofcourse with the greatest anxiety. All hands were called, and the menwere stationed, in readiness to work the ship. But, a few minutessatisfied us, the hope of clawing off, in so light an air, was to thelast degree vain. The vessel set in fast towards the reef, thebreakers on which now became apparent, even by the light of the moon;the certain sign they were fearfully near. 

This was one of those moments in which Marble could show himself to bea true man. He was perfectly calm and self-possessed; and stood on thetaffrail, giving his orders, with a distinctness and precision I hadnever seen surpassed. I was kept in the chains, myself, to watch thecasts of the lead. No bottom, however, was the never-failing report;nor was any bottom expected; it being known that these reefs werequite perpendicular on their seaward side. The captain called out tome, from time to time, to be active and vigilant, as our set inshorewas uncontrollable, and the boats, if in the water, as the launchcould not be for twenty minutes, would be altogether useless. Iproposed to lower the yawl, and to pull to leeward, to try thesoundings, in order to ascertain if it were not possible to findbottom at some point short of the reef, on which we should hopelesslybe set, unless checked by some such means, in the course of the nextfifteen or twenty minutes. 

"Do it at once, sir, " cried Marble. "The thought is a good one, anddoes you credit, Mr. Wallingford. "

I left the ship in less than five minutes, and pulled off, under theship's lee-bow, knowing that tacking or waring would be out of thequestion, under the circumstances. I stood up in the stern-sheets, andmade constant casts with the hand-lead, with a short line, however, asthe boat went foaming through the water. The reef was now plainly insight, and I could see, as well as hear, the long, formidableground-swells of the Pacific, while fetching up against these solidbarriers, they rolled over, broke, and went beyond the rocks in angryfroth. At this perilous instant, when I would not have given thepoorest acre of Clawbonny to have been the owner of the Crisis, I sawa spot to leeward that was comparatively still, or in which the waterdid not break. It was not fifty fathoms from me when first discovered;and towards it I steered, animating the men to redoubled exertions. Wewere in this narrow belt of smooth water, as it might be in aninstant, and the current sucked the boat through it so fast, as toallow time to make but a single cast of the lead. I got bottom; but itwas in six fathoms!

The boat was turned, and headed out again, as if life and deathdepended on the result. The ship was fortunately within sound of thevoice, steering still by the wind, though setting three feet towardsthe reef, for one made in the desired direction; and I hailed. 

"What now, Mr. Wallingford?" demanded Marble, as calmly as if anchorednear a wharf at home. 

"Do you see the boat, sir?"

"Quite plainly;--God knows you are near enough to be seen. "

"Has the ship steerage-way on her, Captain Marble?"

"Just that, and nothing more to boast of. "

"Then ask no questions; but try to follow the boat. It is the onlyhope; and it may succeed. "

I got no answer; but I heard the deep, authoritative voice of Marble, ordering the "helm up, " and the men "to man the weather-braces. " Icould scarcely breathe, while I stood looking at the ship's bows, asthey fell off, and noted her slow progress ahead. Her speed increasedsensibly, however, and I kept the boat far enough to windward to givethe vessel room fairly to enter the pass. At the proper moment, wemoved towards the inlet, the Crisis keeping more and more away, inorder to follow. I was soon in the pass itself, the water breakingwithin ten fathoms on each side of me, sending portions of its foam, to the very blades of our oars; but the lead still gave me sixfathoms. At the next cast, I got ten; and then the shin was at thepoint where I had just before found six. Two breakers were roaringbehind me, and I pulled round, and waited for the ship, steering tothe southward, sounding as I went. I could see that the ship hauledup, and that I was already behind the reef. Straining my voice, I nowcalled out--

"Anchor, sir--bear a hand and anchor, as soon as possible. "

Not a word came back; but up went the courses, followed by thetop-gallant-sails, after which down went the jib. I heard the foreand main-top-sail-halyards overhauling themselves, spite of the roarof the breakers, and then the ship luffed into the wind. Glad enoughwas I to hear the heavy plunge of one of the bowers, as it fell fromthe cathead into the water. Even then I remained stationary, to notethe result. The ship took her scope of cable freely, after which Iobserved that she was brought up. The next moment I was on board her. 

"A close shave, Mr. Wallingford, " said Marble, giving me a squeeze ofthe hand, that said more for his feelings than any words such a beingcould utter; "and many thanks for your piloting. Is not that land Isee, away here to leeward--more to the westward, boy?"

"It is, sir, beyond a doubt. It must be one of the coral islands; andthis is the reef that usually lies to seaward from them. There is theappearance of trees ashore!"

"It's a discovery, youngster, and will make us all great names!Remember, this passage I call 'Miles's Inlet;' and to the reef, I givethe name of 'Yawl Reef. '"

I could not smile at this touch of Marble's vanity, for concern leftme no thoughts but for the ship. The weather was now mild and the baysmooth; the night was fine, and it might be of the last importance tous to know something more of our situation. The cable might chafe off, probably _would_, so near a coral reef; and I offered to pull intowards the land, sounding as I went, and otherwise gaining theknowledge that might be necessary to our security. After a littlereflection, the captain consented, ordering me to take provisions andwater in the boat, as the duty might detain me until morning. 

I found the bay between the reef and the island about a league in_breadth_, and across its entire _width_, the soundings didnot vary much from ten fathoms. The outer barrier of rock, on whichthe sea broke, appeared to be an advanced wall, that the indefatigablelittle insects had erected, as it might be, in defence of theirisland, which had probably been raised from the depths of the ocean, acentury or two ago, by some of their own ancestors. The gigantic workscompleted by these little aquatic animals, are well known tonavigators, and give us some tolerably accurate notions of the mannerin which the face of the globe has been made to undergo some of itsalterations. I found the land easy of access, low, wooded, and withoutany sign of habitation. The night was so fine that I ventured inland, and after walking more than a mile, most of the distance in a grove ofcocoa and bananas, I came to the basin of water that is usually foundin the islands of this particular formation. The inlet from the seawas at no great distance, and I sent one of the men back to the yawl, with orders for the boat to proceed thither. I next sounded the inletand the bay, and found everywhere a sandy bottom, and about tenfathoms of water. As I expected, the shoalest spot was the inlet; butin this, which I sounded thoroughly, there was nowhere less thanfive. It was now midnight; and I should have remained on the islanduntil morning, to make further surveys by daylight, had we not seenthe ship, under her canvass, and so much nearer to us than we hadsupposed possible, as to satisfy me she was drifting in fast towardsthe land. Of course I did not hesitate, but pulled on board. 

It was as I suspected. The rocks so near the reef had chafed off thecable; the ship struck adrift, and Marble was under his canvasswaiting my return, in order to ascertain where he might anchor anew. Itold him of the lagoon in the centre of the island, and gave him everyassurance of there being water enough to carry in any craft thatfloats. My reputation was up, in consequence of the manner the shiphad been taken through the first inlet, and I was ordered to conn herinto this new haven. 

The task was not difficult. The lightness of the wind, and uncertaintyabout the currents proving the only source of embarrassment, Isucceeded in finding the passage, after a short trial; and sending theboat ahead, under Talcott, as an additional precaution, soon had theCrisis floating in the very centre of this natural dock. Sail wasshortened as we came in, and the ship made a flying moor; after whichwe lay as securely, at if actually in some basin wrought by art. It ismy opinion, the vessel would have ridden out the hardest gale, oranything short of a hurricane, at single anchor, in that place. Thesense of security was now so strong upon us, that we rolled up ourcanvass, set an anchor watch of only one man, and turned in. 

I never laid my head down, on board ship, with greater satisfaction, than I did that night. Let the truth be frankly stated. I wasperfectly satisfied with myself. It was owing to my decision andvigilance that the ship was saved, when outside the reef, out of allquestion; and I think she would have been lost after she struckadrift, had I not discovered her present berth. There she was, however, with land virtually all round her, a good bottom, plenty ofwater, and well moored. As I have said already, she could not bebetter secured in an artificial dock. In the midst of the Pacific, away from all custom-house officers, in a recently discovered anduninhabited island, there was nothing to fear. Men sleep soundly insuch circumstances, and I should have been in a deep slumber in aminute after I was in my berth, had not Marble's conversation kept meawake, quite unwillingly on my part, for five minutes. His state-roomdoor was open, and, through it, the following discourse was held. 

"I think, on the whole, " commenced the captain, "it will be better to_generalize_ a little more, "--this was a favourite expression ofthe ex-mate's, and one he often used without exactly knowing itsapplication himself. --"Yes, to generalize a little more; it shall beMarble Land, Wallingford Bay, Yawl, Reef, _Talcott_ Inlet, Miles's Anchorage--and a d----d bad anchorage it was, Miles; but, never mind, we must take the good with the bad, in this wicked world. "

"Very true, sir; but as for taking that anchorage, you must excuse me, as I shall never take it again. "

"Perhaps not. Well, this is what I call comfort--ha! Talcott?--IsTalcott asleep, Miles?"

"He and the second-mate are hard at it, sir--full and by, and goingten knots, " I muttered, wishing my tormentor in Japan, at the moment. 

"Ay; they are rackers at a sleep! I say, Miles, such a discovery asthis will make a man's fortune! The world generalizes in discoveries, altogether, making no great matter of distinction between yourColumbuses, Cooks, or Marbles. An island is an island and he whofirst discovers it, has the credit. Poor Captain Williams! He wouldhave sailed this ship for a whole generation, and never found anythingin the way of novelty. "

"Except the Straits--" I muttered very indistinctly, breathing deepand hard. 

"Ay, that _was_ an affair! Hadn't you and I been aboard, the shipnever would have done that. We are the very offspring of luck! Therewas the affair of the wreck off Madagascar--there are bloody currentsin the Pacific, too, I find, Miles. "

"Yes, sir--hard-a-weather--"

"The fellow's dreaming. One word, boy, before you cut loose from allreason and reflection. Don't you think it would be a capital idea topoke in a little patriotism among the names; patriotism goes so far inour part of the world. Congress Rocks would be a good title for thehighest part of the reef, and Washington Sands would do for thelanding you told me of. Washington should have a finger in the pie. "

"Crust isn't down, sir. "

"The fellow's off, and I may as well follow, though it is not easy tosleep on the honour of a discovery like this. Good night, Miles!"

"Ay, ay! sir. "

Such was the account Marble afterwards gave me of the termination ofthe dialogue. Sleep, sleep, sleep! Never did men enjoy their rest morethan we did for the next five hours, the ship being as silent as achurch on a week-day, during the whole time. For myself, I can safelysay I heard nothing, or knew nothing, until I was awakened by aviolent shake of the shoulder. Supposing myself to have been arousedfor an ordinary watch at sea, I was erect in an instant, and found thesun's rays streaming into my face, through the cabin-windows. Thisprevented me, for a moment, from seeing that I had been disturbed byCaptain Marble himself. The latter waited until he perceived I couldunderstand him, and then he said, in a grave, meaning manner--

"Miles, there is a mutiny in the ship! Do you understand me, Mr. Wallingford?--a bloody mutiny!"

"A mutiny, Captain Marble! You confound me, sir--I had thought ourpeople perfectly satisfied. "

"Umph! One never knows whether the copper will come up head or tail. Ithought, when I turned in last night, it was to take the surest nap Iever tasted afloat; and here I awake and find a mutiny!"

I was on my feet and dressing in an instant, as a matter of course, having first gone to the berths of the two other mates, and given eacha call. 

"But how do you know this, Captain Marble?" I resumed, as soon asthere was a chance. "I hear no disturbance, and the ship is just wherewe left her, " glancing through the cabin-windows; "I think you must bemistaken, sir. "

"Not I. I turned out, ten minutes since, and was about to go on deckto get a look at your basin, and breathe the fresh air, when I foundthe companion-doors fastened, precisely Smudge-fashion. I suppose youwill allow that no regular ship's company would dare to fasten theofficers below, unless they intended to seize the craft. "

"This is very extraordinary! Perhaps some accident has befallen thedoors. Did you call out, sir?"

"I thumped like an admiral, but got no answer. When on the point oftrying the virtue of a few kicks, I overheard a low laugh on deck, andthat let me into the secret of the state of the nation at once. Isuppose you will all admit, gentlemen, when sailors laugh at theirofficers, as well as batten them down, that they must be somewhat neara state of mutiny. "

"It does look so, indeed, sir. We had better arm the moment we aredressed, Captain Marble. "

"I have done that already, and you will each find loaded pistols in mystate-room. "

In two minutes from that moment, all four of us were in a state foraction, each man armed with a brace of ship's pistols, well-loaded andfreshly primed. Marble was for making a rush at the cabin-doors, atonce; but I suggested the improbability of the steward or Neb's beingengaged in any plot against the officers, and thought it might be wellto ascertain what had become of the two blacks, before we commencedoperations. Talcott proceeded instantly to the steerage, where thesteward slept, and returned in a moment to report that he had foundhim sound asleep in his berth. 

Reinforced by this man, Captain Marble determined to make his firstdemonstration by way of the forecastle, where, by acting with caution, a surprise on the mutineers might be effected. It will be rememberedthat a door communicated with the forecastle, the fastenings of whichwere on the side of "'twixt decks. " Most of the cargo being in thelower hold, there was no difficulty in making our way to this door, where we stopped and listened, in order to learn the state of thingson the other side of the bulkhead. Marble had whispered to me, as wegroped our way along in the sort of twilight which pervaded the place, the hatches being on and secured, that "them bloody Philadelphians"must be at the bottom of the mischief, as our old crew were a set ofas "peaceable, well-disposed chaps as ever eat duff (dough) out of akid. "

The result of the listening was to produce a general surprise. Out ofall question, snoring, and that on no small scale of the gamut ofMorpheus, was unequivocally heard. Marble instantly opened the door, and we entered the forecastle, pistols in hand. Every berth had itstenant, and all hands were asleep! Fatigue, and the habit of waitingfor calls, had evidently kept each of the seamen in his berth, untilthat instant. Contrary to usage in so warm a climate, the scuttle wason, and a trial soon told us it was fast. 

"To generalize on this idee, Miles, " exclaimed the captain, "I shouldsay we are again battened down by savages!"

"It does indeed look so, sir; and yet I saw no sign of the island'sbeing inhabited. It may be well, Captain Marble, to muster the crew, that we may learn who's who. "

"Quite right--do you turn 'em up, and send 'em all aft into the cabin, where we have more daylight. "

I set about awaking the people, which was not difficult, and in a fewminutes everybody was sent aft. Following the crew, it was soon foundthat only one man was missing, and he was the very individual whom wehad left on deck, when we had all gone below on securing theship. Every soul belonging to the vessel was present in the cabin, orsteerage, but this solitary man--Philadelphians and all!

"It can never be that Harris has dared to trifle with us, " saidTalcott; "and yet it does look surprisingly like it. "

"Quite sure, Miles, that Marble Land is an uninhabited island?" saidthe captain, interrogatively. 

"I can only say, sir, that it is as much like all the otheruninhabited coral islands we have passed, as one pea is like another;and that there were no signs of a living being visible last night. Itis true, we saw but little of the island, though to all appearancesthere was not much to see. "

"Unluckily, all the men's arms are on deck, in the arm-chest, orstrapped to the boom or masts. There is no use, however, indillydallying against one man; so I will make a rumpus that will soonbring the chap to his bearings. "

Hereupon Marble made what he called a rumpus in good earnest. Ithought, for a minute, he would kick the cabin-doors down. 

"'Andzomelee-'andzomelee, " said some one on deck. "Vat for you makeso much kick?"

"Who the devil are you?" demanded Marble, kicking harder than ever. "Open the cabin-doors, or I'll kick them down, and yourself overboard. "

"Monsieur--sair, " rejoined another voice, "_tenez_--you air_prisonnier_. _Comprenez-vous_--prisonair, eh?"

"These are Frenchmen, Captain Marble, " I exclaimed, "and we are in thehands of the enemy. "

This was astounding intelligence; so much so, that all had difficultyin believing it. A further parley, however, destroyed our hopes, little by little, until we entered into an arrangement with those ondeck, to the following effect: I was to be permitted to go out, inorder to ascertain the real facts of our situation; while Marble andthe remainder of the crew were to remain below, passive, until theresult should be reported. Under this arrangement, one of thecabin-doors was opened, and I sallied forth. 

Astonishment almost deprived me of the power of vision, when I lookedaround me. Quite fifty armed white men, sailors and natives of France, by their air and language, crowded round me, as curious to see me, asI could possibly be to see them. In their midst was Harris, whoapproached me with an embarrassed and sorrowful air--

"I know I deserve death, Mr. Wallingford, " this man commenced; "but Ifell asleep after so much work, and everything looking so safe andout-of-harm's-way like; and when I woke up, I found these people onhoard, and in possession of the ship. "

"In the name of wonder, whence come they, Harris? is there a Frenchship at the island?"

"By all I can learn and see, sir, they are the crew of a wreckedletter-of-marque--an Indiaman of some sort or other; and finding agood occasion to get off the island, and make a rich prize, they havehelped themselves to the poor Crisis--God bless her! say I, though sheis now under the French flag, I suppose. "

I looked up at the gaff, and, sure enough, there was flying the_tri-color!_

CHAPTER XVI. 

 "The morning air blows fresh on him:" "The waves dance gladly in his sight;" "The sea-birds call, and wheel, and skim--" "O, blessed morning light!" "He doth not hear their joyous call; he sees No beauty in the wave, nor feels the breeze. " DANA. 

Truth is, truly, often stranger than fiction. The history of thecircumstances that brought us into the hands of our enemies will fullyshow this. La Pauline was a ship of six hundred tons, that carriedletters-of-marque from the French government. She sailed from France afew weeks after we had left London, bound on a voyage somewhat similarto our own, though neither sea-otter skins, sandal-wood, nor pearls, formed any part of her contemplated bargains. Her first destinationwas the French islands off Madagascar, where she left part of hercargo, and took in a few valuables in return. Thence she proceeded tothe Philippine Islands, passing in the track of English and Americantraders, capturing two of the former, and sinking them after takingout such portions of cargo as suited her own views. From Manilla, laPauline shaped her course for the coast of South America, intending toleave certain articles brought from France, others purchased atBourbon, the Isle of France, and the Philippines, and divers bales andboxes found in the holds of her prizes, in that quarter of the world, in exchange for the precious metals. In effecting all this, MonsieurLe Compte, her commander, relied, firstly, on the uncommon sailing ofhis ship; secondly, on his own uncommon boldness and dexterity, andthirdly on the well-known disposition of the South Americans tosmuggle. Doubloons and dollars taking up but little room, he reservedmost of the interior of his vessel, after his traffic on the "Main, "for such property as might be found in the six or eight prizes hecalculated, with certainty, on making, after getting to the eastwardof the Horn. All these well-grounded anticipations had been signallyrealized down to a period of just three months to a day, prior to ourown arrival at this unhappy island. 

On the night of the day just mentioned, la Pauline, without thesmallest notice of the vicinity of any danger, running in an easybowline, and without much sea, had brought up on another part of thevery reef from which we had made so narrow an escape. The rocks beingcoral, there was little hope for her; and, in fact, they appearedthrough her bottom within two hours after she struck. The sugars takenin at the Isle of France, as a ground tier of ballast, were soonrendered of doubtful value, as a matter of course, but the weatherremaining pleasant, Captain Le Compte succeeded, by means of hisboats, in getting everything else of value on the island, andforthwith set about breaking up the wreck, in order to construct acraft that might carry himself and his people to some civilizedland. Having plenty of tools, and something like sixty men, greatprogress had been made in the work, a schooner of about ninety tonsbeing then so far completed, as to be nearly ready to be put in thewater. Such was the state of things, when, one fine night, we arrivedin the manner already related. The French kept constant look-outs, andit seems we were seen, a distant speck on the ocean, just as the sunset, while the low trees of the island eluded our vigilance. By theaid of a good night-glass, our movements were watched, and a boat wasabout to be sent out to warn us of our danger, when we passed withinthe reef. Captain Le Compte knew the chances were twenty to one thatwe were an enemy, and he chose to lie concealed to watch the result. As soon as we had anchored within the basin, and silence prevailed inthe ship, he manned his own gig, and pulled with muffled oars up underour bows, to reconnoitre. Finding everything quiet, he ventured intothe fore-chains, and thence on deck, accompanied by three of hismen. He found Harris, snoring with his back supported against agun-carriage, and immediately secured him. Then, it only remained toclose the forescuttle and the cabin-doors, and to fasten them, to haveus all prisoners below. The boat was sent for more men, and hoursbefore any of us in the berths were awake, the ship had effectuallychanged masters. Harris told our story, and the captors knew our wholehistory, from the day of sailing down to the present time. 

Much of this I learned in subsequent conversations with the French, but enough of it was related to me then, to let me understand theoutlines of the truth. My eyes also let me into many secrets. I foundthe island, by day-light, substantially as I had supposed it to be. Itwas not so large, however, as it had seemed to me by the aid of themoon, though its general character was the same. The basin in whichthe ship lay might have covered a hundred and fifty acres in extent, the belt of land which encircled it, varying in breadth from a quarterof a mile to three miles. Most of the island was an open grove, lyingat an elevation of from ten to thirty feet above the ocean; and weascertained there were several springs of the sweetest water onit. Nature, by one of its secret processes, had covered the earth witha beautiful short grass; and the French, with their usual attention tothe table, and their commendable activity, had already severalmaterials for salads, &c. , in full growth. String-beans might be hadfor asking, and _petits pois_ were literally a drug. I saw thetents of the French, extending in a line beneath the shades of thetrees; and there was la Petite Pauline (the schooner) on her ways, actually undergoing the process of receiving her first coat ofpaint. As for la Pauline, herself, I could just discover her lowermast-heads, inclining at an angle of forty-five degrees from theperpendicular, through a vista in the trees. 

There was a good-humoured common sense in all the proceedings ofMons. Le Compte, that showed he was a philosopher in the best sense ofthe word. He took things without repining himself, and wished to makeothers as happy as circumstances would allow. At his suggestion, Iinvited Marble on deck; and, after making my own commander acquaintedwith the state of the facts, we both listened to the propositions ofour captor. Mons. Le Compte, all his officers, and not a few of hismen, had been prisoners, some time or other, in England, and there wasno difficulty in carrying on the negotiations in our mother tongue. 

"_Votre bâtiment_--your _sheep_, shall become French--_bienentendu_"--commenced our captor--"vid her _cargaison--rig, _ and _toutcela. Bien; c'est convenu. _ I shall not exact _rigueur_ in _mesconditions. _ If you shall have _possible_ to take your _sheep_ from_nous autres Français_--_d'accord. _ Every man for himself _et sanation. _ Zere is the _pavillion Français_--and zere it shall fly, solong as we shall not help--_mais--parole d'honneur_, ze prize comecheep, and shall be sell very dear--_entendez vous? Bien. _ Now, sair, I shall put you and all your peepl' on ze island, vere you shall takeour place, while we take your place. Ze arm shall be in our hand, while ze sheep stay, but we leave you _fusils, poudre et tout cela_, behind. "

This was nearly verbatim, the programme of capitulation, as laid downby Captain Le Compte. As for Marble, it was not in his nature toacquiesce in such an arrangement, without much cavilling andcontention. But _cui bono?_ We were in Mons. Le Compte's hands;and, though disposed to deal very handsomely by us, it was easy enoughto see he was determined to make his own conditions. I succeeded, atlast, in making Marble understand that resistance was useless; and hesubmitted, though with some such grace as a man, who has not beenmesmerized, submits to an amputation--those who _have, _ are saidrather to delight in the amusement. 

The terms of the capitulation--and they differed but little fromsurrendering at discretion--were no sooner agreed to, than our peoplewere ordered into the forecastle, whence they were transferred to theboats, in readiness to be sent ashore. All the chests, and privateeffects, were moved out, in the most honourable manner, and sent intola Pauline's boats, which lay prepared to receive them. As for usofficers, we were put in the gig, Neb and the cabin steward beingcharged with the duty of looking after our private property. Wheneverybody, the blacks excepted, was in a boat, we shoved off, andproceeded towards the landing, as chop-fallen and melancholy a partyas ever took possession of a newly-discovered country. Marble affectedto whistle, for he was secretly furious at the _nonchalance_manifested by Captain Le Compte; but I detected him in getting partsof Monny Musk and the Irish Washerwoman, into the same strain. To ownthe truth, the ex-mate was morally much disturbed. As for myself, Iconsidered the affair as an incident of war, and cared much less. 

"_Voila, messieurs_, " exclaimed Monsieur Le Compte, flourishinghis arm, with an air of unsurpassed generosity; "you shall be masterhere, so soon after we shall go away, and take our leetl' property widus!"

"He's d----d generous, Miles, " growled Marble, in my ear. "He'll leaveus the island, and the reef, and the cocoa-nuts, when he has gone offwith our ship, and her cargo. I'll bet all I'm worth, he tows off hisbloody schooner, in the bargain. "

"There is no use in complaining, sir; and by keeping on good termswith the French, we may fare the better. "

The truth of this was soon apparent. Captain Le Compte invited us allto share his breakfast, and we repaired to the tent of the Frenchofficers, with that purpose. In the mean time, the French sailors weretransferring the few articles they intended to carry away, to theship, with the generous object of leaving their own tents to theimmediate occupation of us prisoners. As Monsieur Le Compte's plan wasto proceed to the Spanish Main, in order to complete his contemplatedtraffic in that quarter, no sooner were the tents prepared, than theFrench began also to ship such articles of their own, as it hadoriginally been proposed to exchange for Spanish dollars. In the meantime, we sat down to breakfast. 

"_C'est la fortune de guerre!_--vat you call fortune of war, _messieurs_, " observed Captain Le Compte, whirling the stick in avessel of chocolate, in a very artistical manner, all thewhile. "_Bon--c'est excellente--Antoin--_"

Antoin appeared in the shape of a well-smoked, copper-colouredcabin-boy. He was told to take a small pitcher of the chocolate, withCaptain Le Compte's compliments to _mademoiselle_, and to tellher there was now every prospect of their quitting the island in avery few days, and of seeing _la belle France_, in the course ofthe next four or five months. This was said in French, and rapidly, with the vehemence of one who felt all he uttered, and more too but Iknew enough of the language to understand its drift. 

"I suppose the fellow is generalizing on our misfortunes, in hisd----d lingo, " growled Marble; "but, let him look out--he's not homeyet, by many a thousand miles!"

I endeavoured to explain it all to Marble; but it was useless; heinsisted the Frenchman was sending chocolate from his own table, tohis crew, in order to play the magnifico, on the score of his own goodluck. There was no use in "kicking against the pricks, " and I letMarble enjoy the pleasure of believing the worst of his captor; a sortof Anglo-Saxon propensity, that has garnished many a page in Englishand American history--to say nothing of the propensities and historiesof others, among the great family of nations. 

When breakfast was over, Monsieur Le Compte led me aside, in a walkunder the trees, to explain his views and intentions. He gave me tounderstand I had been selected for this communication, on account ofhis observing the state of mind of my captain. I also comprehended alittle French, which was quite convenient in a conversation with onewho interlarded his English so much with phrases taken from his mothertongue. I was given to understand that the French would put theschooner into the water that very evening, and that we should find hermasts, rigging, and sails all fitted for her. With activity, she couldbe ready to quit the island in a fortnight, at the farthest. A portionof our own provisions would be landed, as better suited to our habitsthan those which had been taken from la Pauline, while a portion ofthe last would be transferred to the Crisis, for the same reason, asapplied to the French. As for water-casks, &c. , they were allarranged; everything, of the sort having been taken from the wreck, with little or no difficulty, immediately after the loss of theship. In a word, we should have little more to do, than to step themasts, rig our craft, stow her hold, and proceed at once to thenearest friendly port. 

"I zink you shall go to Canton, " added Monsieur Le Compte. "Zedistance shall not be much more than to Sout' America; and zere youshall find plenty of your _compatriotes_. Of course, you cansleep and go _chez vous_--vat you call 'home, ' with _toute lafacilité_. Oui--_cet arrangement est admirable. _" So thearrangement might appear to him, though I confess to a decided'preference to remaining in the "blind Crisis, " as our men had got tocall her, after her blundering through the Straits of Magellan. "_Allons!_" exclaimed the French captain, suddenly. "We are nearze tent of Mademoiselle--we shall go and demand how she carry herself_ce beau matin!_" On looking up, I saw two small tents withinfifty yards of us. They were beautifully placed, in the midst of athicker portion of the grove than usual, and near a spring of the mostexquisitely limpid water I ever beheld. These tents were made of newcanvass, and had been fashioned with care and skill. I could see thatthe one we first approached was carpeted over, and that it had many ofthe appliances of a comfortable abode. Mons. Le Compte, who was reallya good-looking fellow under forty, put on his most amiable appearanceas he got near the canvass-door; and he hemmed once or twice, asrespectfully as he could, by way of letting his presence be known. Inan instant, a maid-servant came out to receive him. The moment I laideyes on this woman, it struck me her face was familiar, though I couldnot recall the place, or time, where, or when, we had before met. Theoccurrence was so singular, that I was still ruminating on it, when Iunexpectedly found myself standing in the tent, face to face withEmily Merton and her father! We recognised each other at a glance, and, to Mons. Le Compte's amazement, hearty greetings passed betweenus, as old acquaintances. Old acquaintances, however, we could scarcebe called; but, on an uninhabited island in the South Seas, one isglad to meet any face that he has ever met before. Emily looked lessblooming than when we had parted, near a twelvemonth before, inLondon; but she was still pretty and pleasing. Both she and her fatherwere in mourning, and, the mother not appearing, I at once guessed thetruth. Mrs. Merton was an invalid when I knew her, though I had notanticipated for her so speedy a death. I thought Captain Le Compteappeared vexed at my reception. Still, he did not forget his goodmanners; and he rose, saying he would leave me with my friends to makemutual explanations, while he proceeded to overlook the duty of theday. On taking his leave, I was not pleased to see him approach andkiss Emily's hand. The act was done respectfully, and not entirelywithout grace; but there were a feeling and manner in it that couldnot well be mistaken. Emily blushed, as she wished him good morning, and turning to look at me, in spite of a kind of dog-in-the-mangersensation, I could not forbear smiling. 

"Never, Mr. Wallingford, never!" Emily said, with emphasis, theinstant her admirer was out of hearing. "We are at his mercy, and mustkeep terms with him; but I can never marry a _foreigner_. "

"That is poor encouragement for Wallingford, my dear, " said herfather, laughing, "should he happen to take a fancy to you himself. "

Emily looked confused, but, what, for the circumstances, was betterstill, she looked concerned. 

"I am sure, dear sir, " she answered, with a quickness I thoughtcharming, "I am sure Mr. Wallingford will not suppose I meant anythingso rude. Then, he is no importunate suitor of mine, like thisdisagreeable Frenchman, who always seems to me more like a Turkishmaster, than like one who really respects a woman. Besides--"

"Besides what, Miss Merton?" I ventured to ask, perceiving that shehesitated. 

"Besides, Americans are hardly foreigners to _us_, " added Emily, smiling; "for we have even American relatives, you know, father. "

"Quite true, my dear, and came near being Americans ourselves. Had myfather established himself where he married, as had been his firstintention, such would have been our national character. But, Mons. LeCompte has given us a moment to tell our stories to each other, and Ithink it will not be a very long moment. Let one of us commence, if wewish the offices done without unpleasant listeners. "

Emily urged me to begin, and I did not hesitate. My story was soontold. Major Merton and his daughter understood all about the captureof the ship in the basin, though they were ignorant of the vessel'sname. I had only to relate our voyage on the main, and the death ofCaptain Williams, therefore, to have my whole story told. I made itall the shorter, from an impatience to hear the circumstances whichhad thrown my friends into their present extraordinary position. 

"It seems extraordinary enough, beyond doubt, " Major Merton began, themoment I left him an opening by my closing remark, "but it is all verysimple, when you commence at the right end of the sad story, andfollow events in the order in which they occurred. "

"When you left us in London, Wallingford, I supposed we were on thepoint of sailing for the West Indies, but a better appointment soonafter offering in the East, my destination was changed to Bombay. Itwas important that I should reach my port at as early a day aspossible; and, no regular Indiaman being ready, I took passage in alicensed running vessel, a ship of no size, or force. Nothing occurreduntil we had got within three or four days' sail of our port, when wefell in with la Pauline, and were captured. At first, I think CaptainLe Compte would have been willing to let me go on parole, but noopportunity offered, and we went with the ship to Manilla. Whilethere, the melancholy loss happened, which, no doubt, you havecomprehended from our mourning; and I was strongly in hopes of makingsome arrangements that would still enable me to save mysituation. But, by this time, Monsieur Le Compte had become an openadmirer of Emily, and I suppose it is hopeless to expect anyliberation, so long as he can invent excuses to frustrate it. "

"I trust he does not abuse his power, in any way, and annoy MissMerton with importunities that are unpleasant to her. "

Emily rewarded me for the warmth with which I spoke, with a sweetsmile and a slight blush. 

"Of that I cannot accuse him, in one sense at least, " resumed MajorMerton. "Mons. Le Compte does all for us that his sense of delicacycan suggest; and it was not possible for passengers to be morecomfortable, or retired, on board ship, than we were in thePauline. That vessel had a poop, and its cabin was given up entirelyto our use. At Manilla, I was permitted to go at large, on a mereverbal assurance of returning; and, in all other particulars, we havebeen treated as well as circumstances would very well allow. Nevertheless, Emily is too young to admire a suitor of forty, tooEnglish to admire a foreigner, and too well-born to accept one who ismerely a merchant sailor--I mean one who is nothing, and has nothing, but what his ship makes him, or can give him. "

I understood Major Merton's distinction; he saw a difference betweenthe heir of Clawbonny, pursuing his adventures for the love of thesea, and a man who pursued the sea as an adventurer. It was not verydelicately made, but it was pretty well, as coming from an European toan American; the latter being assumed _ex gratia_, to be a beingof an inferior order, morally, politically, physically, socially andin every other sense, but the pecuniary. Thank Heaven! the Americandollar is admitted, pennyweight for pennyweight, to a precedencyimmediately next to that of the metal dollar of Europe. It even goesbefore the paper _thaler_ of Prussia. 

"I can readily imagine Miss Merton would look higher than Captain LeCompte, for various reasons, " I answered, making a sort ofacknowledgment for the distinction in my favour, by bowinginvoluntarily, "and I should hope that gentleman would cease to beimportunate as soon as convinced he cannot succeed. "

"You do not know a Frenchman, Mr. Wallingford, " rejoined Emily. "He isthe hardest creature on earth to persuade into the notion that he isnot adorable. "

"I can hardly believe that this weakness extends as far as thesailors, " said I, laughing. "At all events, you will be released theinstant you reach France. "

"Sooner too, I trust, Wallingford, " resumed the father. "TheseFrenchmen can have it their own way, out here in the solitude of thePacific; but, once in the Atlantic, I shall expect some Britishcruiser to pick us up, long ere we can reach France. "

This was a reasonable expectation, and we conversed about it for sometime. I shall not repeat all that passed; but the reader can have nodifficulty in understanding, that Major Merton and myself communicatedto each other every fact that was likely to be of interest to men inour situation. When I thought it prudent to take my leave, he walkedsome distance with me, holding his way to a point on the outer side ofthe island, where I could get a view of the wreck. Here he left me, for the moment, while I proceeded along the beach, ruminating on allthat had passed. 

The process by which nature uses her materials to found islands in themidst of oceans like the Pacific, is a curious study. The insect thatforms the coral rock, must be an industrious little creature, as thereis reason to think that some of the reefs that have become known tonavigators within the last sixty or seventy years, have since beenconverted into islands bearing trees, by their labours. Should thework go on, a part of this vast sea will yet be converted into acontinent; and, who knows but a railroad may yet run across thatportion of our globe, connecting America with the old world? I seethat Captain Beechy, in his voyage, speaks of a wreck that occurred in1792, on a _reef_, where, in 1826, he found an island near threeleagues long, bearing tall trees. It would be a curious calculation toascertain, if one family of insects can make an island three leagueslong, in thirty-four years, how many families it would take to makethe grading of the railroad I have mentioned. Ten years since, I wouldnot have ventured a hint of this nature, for it might have setspeculation in motion, and been the instrument of robbing more widowsand orphans of their straitened means; but, Heaven be praised! wehave at length reached a period in the history of the country, when aman may venture on a speculation in the theory of geography withoutincurring the risk of giving birth to some wild--if notunprincipled--speculation in dollars and cents. 

As I drew near the outer shore of the island, opposite to the wreck, Icame unexpectedly on Marble. The poor fellow was seated on a raisedprojection of coral rock, with his arms folded, and, was in sothorough a brown study, that he did not even hear my footsteps inapproaching, though I purposely trod heavily, in order to catch hisear. Unwilling to disturb him, I stood gazing at the wreck myself, forsome little time, the place affording a much better view of it thanany other point from which it had met my eye. The French had made fargreater inroads upon their vessel, than the elements. She had struckto leeward of the island, and lay in a spot where, indeed, it mighttake years to break her entirely up, in that placid sea. Most of herupper works, however, were gone; and I subsequently discovered thather own carpenters had managed to get out even a portion of herfloor-timbers, leaving the fabric bound together by those theyleft. Her lower masts were standing, but even her lower yards had beenworked up, in order to make something useful for the schooner. Thebeach, at no great distance, was still strewed with objects broughtfrom the reef, and which it had not yet been found necessary to use. 

At length a movement of mine attracted Marble's attention, and heturned his head towards me. He seemed glad I had joined him, andexpressed himself happy, also, that he saw me alone. 

"I have been generalizing a little on our condition, Miles, " he said, "and look at it which end forward I may, I find it bad enough; almostenough to overcome me. I loved that ship, Mr. Wallingford, as much assome folks love their parents--of wife or children, I never had any--and the thought that she has fallen into the hands of a Frenchman, istoo much for my natur'. Had it been Smudge, I could have borne upagainst it; but, to haul down one's colours to a wrack, and a bloodyFrench wrack, too, it is superhuman!"

"You must remember all the circumstances, Captain Marble, and you willfind consolation. The ship was surprised, as we surprised the Lady ofNantes. "

"That's just it--put that on a general principle, now, and where areyou? Surprisers mustn't be surprised. Had we set a quarter-watch, sir, it never could have happened; and nothing less than a quarter-watchshould have been set in a strange haven. What mattered it, that it wasan uninhabited island, and that the ship was land-locked andwell-moored, and the holding-ground was capital? It is all of noaccount when you come to look at the affair in the way of duty. Why, old Robbins, with his rivers in the ocean, would never have beencaught in this miserable manner. "

Then Marble fairly gave in, placed his two hard hands on his face, andI could see tears trickling from beneath them, as if water weresqueezed from a stone. 

"The chances of the sea, Captain Marble, " I said, greatly shocked atsuch an exhibition, coming from such a quarter--"the chances of thesea are sometimes too much for the best sailors. We should look atthis loss, as we look at the losses occasioned by a gale--then thereis some hope left, after all. "

"I should like to know what--to me, there is no land ahead. "

"Surprisers may not only be surprised, but they may carry on their oldtrade again, and surprise once more, in their turn. "

"What do you mean by that, Miles, " said Marble, looking up eagerly, and speaking as quick as lightning; "are you generalizing, or have youany particular project in view?"

"Both, Sir. Generalizing, so far as taking the chances of war areconcerned, and particularizing, as to a certain notion that has comeinto my head. "

"Out with the last, Miles--out with it, boy; the Lord made you forsomething uncommon. "

"First, let me know, Captain Marble, whether you have had any furtherconversation with Monsieur Le Compte? whether he has said any more onthe subject of our future proceedings?"

"I just left the grinning rascal--these amiable smiles of his, Miles, are only so many grins thrown into our faces to let us feel his goodluck; but, d--n him, if I ever get home, I'll fit out a privateer andbe after him, if there's a fast-going schooner to be had in allAmerica for love or money. I think I'd turn pirate, to catch thevillain!"

Alas! poor Marble. Little would he, who never got higher than a mate, unless by accident, be likely to persuade your cautious ship-owners tointrust him with a vessel of any sort, to go tilting againstwind-mills afloat, in that fashion. 

"But, why go to America for a schooner, Captain Marble, when theFrench are polite enough to give us one here, exactly where we are?"

"I begin to understand you, boy. There is a little consolation in theidee, but this Frenchman has already got my commission, and withoutthe document we should be no better than so many pirates. "

"I doubt that, sir, even were a ship to act generally, provided sheactually sailed with a commission, and lost it by accident. Commissions are all registered, and proof of our character could befound at home. "

"Ay, for the Crisis, but not for this 'Pretty Polly'"--for so Marbletranslated Petite Pauline--"The commission is only good for the vesselthat is named in it. "

"I don't know that, Captain Marble. Suppose our ship had been sunk inan action in which we took our enemy, could we not continue our voyagein the prize, and fight anything that came in our way, afterwards?"

"By George, that does look reasonable. Here was I just threatening togo out as a pirate, yet hesitating about taking my own. "

"Do not the crews of captured vessels often rise upon their captors, and recapture their own vessels? and were any of them ever calledpirates? Besides, nations at war authorise almost every sort ofhostile act against their enemies. "

"Miles, I have been mistaken--you _are_ a good seaman, but natur'meant you for a lawyer! Give me your hand, boy; I see a gleam of hopeahead, and a man can live on less hope than food. "

Marble then told me the substance of the conversation he had held withCaptain Le Compte. The latter had expressed a sudden and violentimpatience to be off--I understood the cause in a moment; he wished toseparate Emily from her old acquaintance, as soon as possible--intendingto put the schooner into the water for us, that very afternoon, and tosail himself in the morning. This was a sudden resolution, and theFrench were moving heaven and earth to carry it into effect. I confessto some little regret at hearing it, for it was pleasant to meet theMertons in that unexpected manner, and the influence of woman in sucha solitude is unusually great. I now told Marble of my discovery, andwhen he had got through with his expressions of wonder, I carried himto the tents, and led him into the presence of his old acquaintances. In consequence of this visit, I enjoyed another half hour's _tête àtête_ with Emily, Marble soon taking the Major to walk with him, beneath the trees. 

We were both recalled to a sense of our real situation, by thereappearance of Monsieur Le Compte. I cannot say that our conquerorbehaved in the least unhandsomely towards us, notwithstanding hisevident jealousy. He had the tact to conceal most of his feelings, andowing either to liberality or to art, he assumed an air of generousconfidence, that would be much more likely to touch the feelings ofthe maid he sought, than any acts of severity. First asking permissionof Miss Merton, he even invited us, and himself, to dine with theMajor, and, on the whole, we had an agreeable entertainment. We hadturtle and champaigne, and both of a quality that was then out of thereach of all the aldermen of London or New York; begging pardon of theSir Peters and Sir Johns of Guildhall, for putting them, in any sense, on a level with the "gentleman from the Fourth Ward" or "the gentlemanfrom the Eleventh Ward;" though, if the truth must be told, the lastvery often eat the best dinners, and drink, out of all comparison, thebest wines. Who pays, is a fact buried in the arcana of aldermaniclegerdemain. It was late before we left the table, though Monsieur LeCompte quitted us early. 

At five o'clock precisely we were summoned to witness thelaunch. Champaigne and claret had brought Marble into good humour, norwas I at all out of spirits, myself. Emily put on her hat, and tookher parasol, just as she would have done at home, and accepting myarm, she walked to the ship-yard, like all the rest of us. Getting hera good place for the sight, I accompanied Marble to take a look at the"Pretty Poll, " which had not as yet attracted as much of our attentionas she ought. I had suggested to him the probability of an occasionoffering to rise upon the Frenchman, while their attention was takenup with the schooner; but Monsieur Le Compte warily kept quite halfhis men in the ship, and this put the attempt out of the question, since the guns of the Crisis would have swept any part of the island. 

The French mechanics deserved great credit for the skill they hadmanifested in the construction of _La Petite Pauline. _ She wasnot only a safe and commodious craft for her size, but, what was ofgreat importance to us, her lines promised that she would turn out tobe a fast sailer. I afterwards ascertained that Captain Le Compte hadbeen her draftsman, possessing not only much taste for, but a gooddeal of practice in, the art. The ship in which the Merton's had takenpassage to Bombay, had the copper for a teak-built frigate and sloopof war in her, and this had been transferred, among; other articles, to la Pauline, before the prize was burned. Availing himself of thiscircumstance, Monsieur Le Compte had actually coppered his schooner, and otherwise he had made her as neat and commodious as possible. Imake no doubt he intended to surprise his friends at Marseilles, byshowing what clever mariners, wrecked on an island of the Pacific, could do, on an emergency. Then, doubtless, he found it pleasant tolinger on this island, eating fresh cocoa-nuts, with delicious turtle, and making love to Emily Merton. Some of the charms of "Pretty Poll"were fairly to be attributed to the charms of the young lady. 

The men began to wedge up, the moment we were all present, and thisportion of the labour was _soon_ completed. Monsieur Le Comptethen took his station in the head of the schooner. Making a profoundbow to Emily, as if to ask her permission, the signal was given; thespur-shores were knocked away, and the little craft slid off into thewater so easily, making so little ripple as she shot a hundred fathomsinto the bay, as to give the assurance she would prove a fastvessel. Just as she was water-borne, Le Compte dashed a bottle againstthe tiller, and shouted, at the top of his voice, "_succés à laBelle Emelie. _"

I turned to Emily, and saw by the blush that she understood French, while the manner in which she pouted her pretty plump lip betrayed thehumour in which the compliment had been received. 

In a few minutes, Captain Le Compte landed, and, in a set speech, hegave up the schooner to our possession. We were told not to considerourselves as prisoners, our captain handsomely admitting that he hadgained no laurels by his victory. 

"We shall go away good friend, " he concluded, "mais, suppose we shallmeet, and _nos dux republique_ shall not be at peace, then eachmust fight for _son pavillion!_"

This was a good concluding sentiment, for such a scene. Immediatelyafter the Mertons and their domestics, of whom there were a man and awoman, embarked, I took leave of them on the beach, and, either myobservation, or my vanity, induced me to think Emily got into the boatwith reluctance. Many good wishes were exchanged, and the Majorcalled out to us, "we shall meet again, gentlemen--there has been aProvidence in our previous intercourse. Adieu, until _then_. "

The French were now in a great bustle. Most of the articles theyintended to carry away were already on board the ship; and, by thetime it was dusk, they had closed their communication with theland. When Captain Le Compte took his leave of us, I could not butthank him for his many civilities. He had certainly dealt generouslyby us, though I still think his sudden departure, which made us fallheirs to many things we otherwise might not have so done, was owing tohis wish to remove Emily Merton, as quickly as possible, from mysight. 

At daylight next morning, Neb came to the officers' tents to say, theship was getting her anchors. I was up and dressed in a moment. Thedistance to the inlet was about a mile, and I reached it, just as theCrisis was cast. In a few minutes she came sweeping into the narrowpass, under her topsails, and I saw Emily and her father, leaning overthe hammock-cloths of the quarter-deck. The beautiful girl was sonear, that I could read the expression of her soft eyes, and I fanciedthey were filled with gentle concern. The Major called out, "Godbless you, dear Wallingford"--then the ship swept past, and was soonin the outer bay. Half an hour later, or before I left the spot, shewas at sea, under everything that would draw from her trunks down. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

 "I better brook the loss of brittle life, Than those proud titles thou hast won of me; They wound my thoughts, worse than thy sword my flesh. " SHAKESPEARE

Half-way between this inlet and the ship-yard, I found Marble, standing with his arms folded, gazing after the receding ship. Hiscountenance was no longer saddened; but it was fierce. He shook hishand menacingly at the French ensign, which was flying at our oldgaff, and said--

"Ay, d----n you, flutter away; you quiver and shake now like one ofyour coxcombs pigeon-winging; but where will you be this day twomonths? Miles, no man but a bloody Frenchman would cast away a ship, there where this Mister Count has left the bones of his vessel; though_here_, where we came so nigh going, it's a miracle any man couldescape. Hadn't we brought the Crisis through that opening first, henever would have dared to go out by it. "

I confess I saw little about Monsieur Le Compte's management but skilland good seamanship; but nothing is more painful to most men than toadmit the merit of those who have obtained an advantage over them. Marble could not forget his own defeat; and the recollection jaundicedhis eyes, and biassed his judgment. 

"I see our people are busy, already, sir, " I remarked, by way ofdrawing the captain's attention to some other subject. "They havehauled the schooner up to the yard, and seem to be getting along sparsfor shores. "

"Ay, ay--Talcott has his orders; and I expect you will bestiryourself. I shall step the masts myself, and you will get all therigging ready to be put into its place, the moment it ispossible. That Frenchman calculated, he told me to my face, that wemight get to sea in a fortnight; I will let him see that a set ofYankees can rig and stow his bloody schooner, in three days, and thenleave themselves time to play. "

Marble was not a man of idle vaunts. He soon had everybody at work, with a system, order, silence, and activity, that proved he was masterof his profession. Nor was the language which might sound so boastfulto foreign ears, altogether without its justification. Forty Americanswere a formidable force; and, well directed, I make no doubt theywould accomplish far more than the ordinary run of French seamen, asthey were governed and managed in the year 1800, and, counting themman for man, would have accomplished in double the time. Our crew hadnow long acted together, and frequently under the most tryingcircumstances; and they showed their training, if men ever did, on thepresent occasion. Everybody was busy; and we had the shears up, andboth masts stepped, in the course of a few hours. By the time themain-mast was in, I had the fore-mast rigged, the jib-boom in itsplace, the sprit-sail yard crossed--everything carried a spar underits bowsprit then--and the lower yard up. It is true, the French hadgot everything ready for us; and when we turned the hands to, afterdinner, we actually began to strike in cargo, water, provisions, andsuch other things, as it was intended to carry away. At dusk, when weknocked off work, the Emily looked like a sea-going craft, and therewas every prospect of our having her ready for sea, by the followingevening. But, the duty had been carried on, in silence. Napoleon saidthere had been more noise made in the little schooner which carriedhim from l'Orient to Basque Roads, than was made on board theline-of-battle ship that conveyed him to St. Helena, during the wholepassage. Since that memorable day, the French have learned to besilent on board ship, and the fruits remain to be seen. 

That night, Marble and myself consulted together on the aspect ofthings--or, as he expressed it, "we generalized over our prospects. "Monsieur Le Compte had done one thing which duty required of him. Hedid not leave us a kernel of the gunpowder belonging to either ship;nor could we find a boarding-pike, cutlass, or weapon of any sort, except the officers' pistols. We had a canister of powder, and asufficiency of bullets for the last, which had been left as, out of an_esprit de corps_, or the feeling of an officer, which told himwe might possibly need these means to keep our own crew in order. Suchwas not the fact, however, with the particular people we happened tohave; a more orderly and reasonable set of men never sailing together. But, Monsieur Le Compte knew it was his duty to put it out of theirpower to trouble us, so far as it lay in his; but, at the same time, while he left us the means of safety, he provided against our doingany further injury to his own countrymen. In this he had prettyeffectually succeeded, so far as armament was concerned. 

The next morning I was up with the appearance of the dawn, and, havingsuffered much from the heat the preceding day, I walked to a suitablespot, threw off my clothes, and plunged into the basin. The water wastransparent almost as air; and I happened to select a place where thecoral grew within a few yards of the surface. As I dove, my eye fellon a considerable cluster of large oysters that were collected on therock, and, reaching them, I succeeded in bringing up half a dozen thatclung to each other. These dives I repeated, during the next quarterof an hour, until I had all the oysters, sixty or eighty in number, safe on the shore. That they were the pearl oysters, I knewimmediately; and beckoning to Neb, the fellow soon had them snug in abasket, and put away in a place of security. The circumstance wasmentioned to Marble, who, finding no more heavy drags to be made, ordered the Sandwich Islanders to take a boat and pass a few hours intheir regular occupation, on account of the owners--if, indeed, thelast had any further claim on our services. These men met withtolerable success, though, relatively, nothing equal to mine. What, just then, was of far more importance, they made a discovery of anarm-chest lying on the bottom of the basin, at the anchorage of theCrisis, and which had doubtless been sunk there by the French. We hadall la Pauline's boats but the captain's gig. I went in one of themwith a gang of hands, and, the divers securing a rope to the handlesof the chest, we soon got it in. It turned out to be one of thearm-chests of the Crisis, which the French had found in their way andthrown overboard, evidently preferring to use weapons to which theywere accustomed. They had done better by carrying the chest out tosea, and disposing of it in fifty or a hundred fathom water. 

The prize was turned over to the gunner, who reported that it was thechest in which we kept our cutlasses and pistols, of both of whichthere was a sufficient supply to give every man one of each. Therewere also several horns of powder, and a bag of bullets; but the firstwas ruined by the water. As for the arms, they were rubbed dry, oiled, and put away again in the chest, after the last had stood a whole day, in the hot sun, open. Thus, through the agency of men brought for avery different purpose, we were put in possession of the means ofachieving the exploit, which might now be said to form the greatobject of our lives. 

That day we got everything on board the schooner that it was thoughtdesirable to take with us. We left much behind that was valuable, itis true, especially the copper; but Marble wisely determined that itwas inexpedient to put the vessel deeper than good ballast-trim, lestit should hurt her sailing. We had got her fairly to her bearings, andthis was believed to be as low as was expedient. It is true, a greatdeal remained to be stowed; the deck being littered, and the hold, theground-tier excepted, in great confusion. But our bread, water, beef, pork, and other eatables, were all there, and in abundance; and, though not to be had for the asking, they were still to be had. Thesails were bent, and the only anchor, la Pauline's stream, with hertwo largest kedges, was on our bows. While in this condition, Marblegave the unexpected order for all hands to come on board, and for theshore-fasts to be cast off. 

Of course, there was no dissenting to so positive a command. We hadsigned new shipping-articles for the schooner, extending theengagements made when we entered on board the Crisis, to this newvessel, or any other she might capture. The wind was a steady trade, and, when we showed our main-sail and jib to it, the little craftglided athwart the basin like a duck. Shooting through the pass, Marble tacked her twice, as soon as he had an offing; and everybodywas delighted with the quickness with which she was worked. There wasbarely light enough to enable us to find our way through the openingin the reef; and, just thirty-eight hours after the Crisis sailed, wewere on her track. We had only conjecture to guide us as to the ship'scourse, with the exception of the main fact of her having sailed forthe west coast of South America; but we had not failed to notice thatshe disappeared in the north-east trades on a bow-line. We put theschooner as near as possible on the same course, making a properallowance for the difference in the rig of the two vessels. 

The distance run that night, satisfied us all that Mons. Le Comptewas a good draftsman. The schooner ran 106 miles in twelve hours, against a very respectable sea, which was at least ten or fifteen morethan the Crisis could have done under the same circumstances. It istrue, that what was close-hauled for her, was not close-hauled for us;and, in this respect, we had the advantage of her. Marble was so wellpleased with our night's work, that when he came on deck next morning, the first thing he did was to order a bottle of rum to be brought him, and then all hands to be called. As soon as the people were up, hewent forward, got into the head, and commanded every body to muster onthe forecastle. Marble now made a speech. 

"We have some good, and some bad luck, this v'y'ge, men, " he said;"and, when we generalize on the subject, it will be found that goodluck has usually followed the bad luck. Now, the savages, with thatblackguard Smudge, knocked poor Captain Williams in the head, andthrew him overboard, and got the ship from us; then came the good luckof getting her back again. After this, the French did us thatunhandsome thing: now, here comes the good luck of their leaving us acraft that will overhaul the ship, when I needn't tell _you, _what will come of it. " Here all hands, as in duty bound, gave threecheers. "Now, I neither sail nor fight in a craft that carries aFrench name. Captain Count christened the schooner the--Mr. Wallingfordwill tell you her exact name. "

"_La Belle Emélie, _" said I, "or the Beautiful Emily. "

"None of your belles for me, nor your Beautiful Emilys either, " criedMarble, smashing the bottle over the schooner's nose; "So here goesthree cheers again, for the 'Pretty Poll, ' which was the name thecraft was born to, and the name she shall bear, as long as MosesMarble sails her. "

From that moment, the schooner was known by the name of the "PrettyPoll. " I met with portions of our crew years afterwards, and theyalways spoke of her by this appellation; sometimes familiarly termingher the "Poll, " or the "Polly. "

All the first day out, we were busy in making ourselves comfortable, and in getting the Polly's trim. We succeeded so well in this last, that, according to our calculations, we made a knot an hour more thanthe Crisis could have done under the same circumstances, fast as theship was known to be. As the Crisis had about thirty-eight hours thestart of us, and ran, on an average, about seven knots the hour forall that time, it would require about ten days to overtake her. Ofcourse this could only happen, according to our own calculations, whenwe were from eighteen hundred to two thousand miles from theisland. For my own part, I sincerely hoped it would not occur at all, at sea; feeling satisfied our only chances of success depended onsurprise. By following the vessel into some port, it might bepossible to succeed; but, for an unarmed schooner to attack a shiplike the Crisis, with even a large crew on board; it seemed rashnessto think of it. Marble, however, would not listen to myremonstrances. He insisted we had more than powder enough to load allour pistols half-a-dozen times each, and, laying the ship plumpaboard, the pistols would do the rest. I was silenced, quite as amatter of course, if not convinced. 

The fifth day out, Neb came to me, saying--"Master Miles, somet'ingmust be done wid 'em 'ere 'ysters! Dey smell, onaccountable; and depeople swear dey will t'row 'em overboard, if I don't eat 'em. I nothungry enough for _dat_, sir. "

These were the pearl oysters, already mentioned, which had beenhastening to dissolution and decomposition, by the heat of thehold. As the captain was as much concerned in this portion of thecargo, as I was myself, I communicated the state of things to him, andhe ordered the bags and barrels on deck, forthwith. It was wellsomething was done, or I doubt not a disease would have been theconsequence. As decomposition was the usual process by which to comeat the treasures of these animals, however, everything was exactly inthe state we wished. 

An uninterested observer would have laughed, at seeing the employmentof the quarter-deck, for the next four hours. Marble, and the twomates, attacked a barrel belonging to the captain, while Neb and I hadmy own share to ourselves. It was a trying occupation, the odour farexceeding in strength that of the Spice Islands. We stood it, however--for what will not man endure for the sake of riches? Marbleforesaw the difficulties, and had once announced to the mates thatthey then would "open on shares. " This had a solacing influence, andamid much mirth and sundry grimaces, the work went on with tolerablerapidity. I observed, however, that Talcott threw one or two subjects, that doubtless were tougher than common, overboard, after verysuperficial examinations. 

The first seven oysters I examined, contained nothing but seed pearl, and not many of these. Neb opened, and I examined; and the latteroccupation was so little to my taste, that I was just on the point ofordering the whole lot thrown overboard, when Neb handed meanother. This oyster contained nine beautiful pearls, of very uniformdimensions, and each about as large as a good-sized pea. I droppedthem into a bowl of fresh water, whence they came out sweet, pearly, and lustrous. They were of the sort known as the "white water, " whichis the kind most prized among Christian nations, doubtless on accountof their harmonizing so well with the skins of their women. No soonerwas my luck known, than it brought all the other "pearl fishermen"around me; Marble, with his nostrils plugged with oakum, and a quid oftobacco in his mouth, that was as large as a small potatoe. 

"By George, Miles, that looks like business, " the captain exclaimed, going back to his work, with renovated zeal, "though it is a callingfit only for hogs and scavengers! Did I embark in it largely, I wouldkeep as many clerks as a bank. What do you suppose now, these ninechaps may be worth?"

"Some fifty dollars, or thereabouts--you see, sir, they are quitelarge--much larger than it is usual to see our women wear. "

The ninth of my oysters produced eleven pearls, and all about the sizeand quality of the first. In a few minutes I had seventy-three justsuch pearls, besides a quantity of seed pearl. Then followed asuccession of barren shells; a dozen not giving a pearl. The threethat succeeded them gave thirty-one more; and another yielded fourpearls, each of which was as large as a small cherry. After that, Igot one that was almost as large as a common hickory-nut, and six moreof the size of the cherry-sized pearls. In addition to these, I got inall, one hundred and eighty-seven of the size of peas, besides a largehandful of the seed pearl. I afterwards ascertained, that the pearls Ihad thus obtained were worth in the market about eighteen hundreddollars; as they were far more remarkable for their beauty, than fortheir size. 

Notwithstanding the oakum plugs, and the tobacco, and the greatquantity of shells his divers had found, for they had brought upsomething like two hundred and fifty oysters in the course of the day, the party of the captain found in all, but thirty-six pearls, the seedexcepted; though they obtained some beautiful specimens among theshells. From that moment, Marble discontinued the trade, and I neverheard him say anything more on the subject of pursuing it. My ownbeauties were put carefully away, in reserve for the time when I mightdelight the eyes of certain of my female friends with them. I neverintended to sell one, but they were very precious to me on otheraccounts. As for the crew, glad enough were they to be rid of suchuncomfortable shipmates. As I gazed on the spotless and lustrouspearls, and compared them with the revolting tenements from which theyhad just been redeemed, I likened them to the souls of the justescaping from their tenements of clay, to enjoy hereafter an endlessexistence of purity. 

In the meantime, the Pretty Poll continued to find her way along milesand miles of the deserted track across the Pacific. Marble had oncebelonged to a Baltimore clipper, and he sailed our craft probably muchbetter than she would have been sailed by Mons. Le Compte, though thatofficer, as I afterwards learned, had distinguished himself in commandof a lugger-privateer, in the British Channel. Our progress wasgenerally from a hundred and fifty to two hundred and twenty miles intwenty-four hours; and so it continued to be for the first ten days, or the period, when, according to our own calculations, we ought to benear the Crisis, had that vessel steered a course resembling ourown. For my own part, I neither wished nor expected to see the ship, until we reached the coast of South America, when we might ascertainher position by communicating with the shore. As for the_guarda-costas_, I knew we could easily elude them, and theremight be a small chance of regaining the vessel, something like theway in which we had lost her. But Marble's impatience, and thekeenness with which he felt our disgrace, would not make terms evenwith the elements; and I do believe, he would have run alongside ofthe Crisis in a gale of wind, could he have come up with her. Thechance of our having sailed so far, however, on a line so nearlyresembling that of the chase as to bring us together, was so verysmall, that few of us thought it worth our consideration. 

On the morning of the eleventh day, the look-out we had kept on thefore-top-sail-yard, sang out "Sail-ho!" Marble and myself were soon onthe yard, there being nothing visible from the deck. The upper sails, top-gallant-sails, and royals of a ship were visible on ourweather-quarter, distant from fifteen to twenty miles. As we were nowin the track of whalers, of which there were a good many in that partof the Pacific, I thought it was probable this was one; but Marblelaughed at the notion, asking if I had ever heard of a whaler'scarrying royals on her cruising ground. He affirmed it was theCrisis, heading the same way we were ourselves, and which had only gotto windward of us, by keeping a better luff. We had calculated toomuch on the schooner's weatherly qualities, and had allowed her tofall off more than was necessary, in the night-watches. 

The Pretty Poll was now jammed up on a wind, in the hope of closingwith the chase in the course of the night. But the wind had beengrowing lighter and lighter for some hours, and by noon, though we hadneared the chase so much as to be able to see her from deck, there wasevery prospect of its falling calm; after which, in the trades, itwould be surprising if we did not get a blow. To make the most of ourtime, Marble determined to tack, when we had just got the chase apoint off our weather-bow. An hour after tacking, an object was seenadrift on the ocean, and keeping away a little to close with it, itwas ascertained to be a whale-boat, adrift. The boat was Americanbuilt, had a breaker of water, the oars, and all the usual fittings init; and the painter being loose, it had probably been lost, whentowing in the night, in consequence of having been fastened by_three_ half-hitches. 

The moment Marble ascertained the condition of this boat, he conceivedhis plan of operations. The four Sandwich Islanders had been inwhalers, and he ordered them into the boat, put in some rum, and somefood, gave me his orders, got in himself, and pulled ahead, going offat five knots the hour, leaving the schooner to follow at the rate oftwo. This was about an hour before sunset; and by the time it wasdark, the boat had become a mere speck on the water, nearly half-waybetween us and the ship, which was now some fifteen miles distant, heading always in the same direction. 

My orders had been very simple. They were, to stand on the samecourse, until I saw a light from the boat, and then tack, so as to runon a parallel line with the ship. The signal was made by Marble aboutnine o'clock. It was immediately answered from the schooner. The lightin the boat was concealed from the ship, and our own was shown onlyfor a few seconds, the disappearance of Mr. Marble's telling us inthat brief space, that our answer was noted. I tacked immediately;and, taking in the fore-sail, stood on the directed course. We had allforeseen a change in the weather, and probably a thunder-squall. Sofar from its giving Marble any uneasiness, he anticipated the blowwith pleasure, as he intended to lay the Crisis aboard in itsheight. He fancied that success would then be the most certain. Hiswhole concern was at not being able to find the ship in the darkness;and it was to obviate this difficulty that he undertook to pilot us upto her in the manner I have just mentioned. 

After getting round, a sharp look-out was kept for the light. Wecaught another view of it, directly on our weather-beam. From this weinferred that the ship had more wind than we felt; inasmuch as she hadmaterially altered her position, while we had not moved a mile sincewe tacked. This was on the supposition that Marble would endeavour tofollow the movements of the ship. At ten, the tempest broke upon uswith tropical violence, and with a suddenness that took everybody bysurprise. A squall had been expected; but no one anticipated itsapproach for several hours; and we had all looked for the return ofthe whale-boat, ere that moment should come. But, come it did, whenleast expected; the first puff throwing our little schooner down, in away to convince us the elements were in earnest. In fifteen minutesafter the first blast was felt, I had the schooner, under a reefedforesail, and with that short canvass, there were instants, as shestruggled up to the summit of the waves, that it seemed as if she wereabout to fly out of the water. My great concern, however, was for theboat, of which nothing could now be seen. The orders left by Marbleanticipated no such occurrence as this tempest, and the concertbetween us was interrupted. It was naturally inferred among us, in theschooner, that the boat would endeavour to close, as soon as thedanger was foreseen; and, as this would probably be done, by runningon a converging line, all our efforts were directed to keeping theschooner astern of the other party, in order that they might firstreach the point of junction. In this manner there _was_ a chanceof Marble's finding the schooner, while there was little of ourfinding the boat. It is true, we carried several lights; but as soonas it began to rain, even a bonfire would not have been seen at ahundred yards. The water poured down upon us, as if it fell fromspouts, occasionally ceasing, and then returning in streams. 

I had then never passed so miserable a night; even that in whichSmudge and his fellows murdered Captain Williams and seized the ship, being happiness in comparison. I loved Marble. Hardy, loose, in somerespects, and unnurtured as he was in others, the man had beensteadily my friend. He was a capital seaman; a sort of an instinctivenavigator; true as the needle to the flag, and as brave as alion. Then, I knew he was in his present strait on account ofmortified feeling, and the rigid notions he entertained of his duty tohis owners. I think I do myself no more than justice, when I say thatI would gladly have exchanged places with him, any time that night. 

We held a consultation on the quarter-deck, and it was determined thatour only chance of picking up the boat, was by remaining as nearly aspossible, at the place where her crew must have last seen theschooner. Marble had a right to expect this; and we did all that layin our power to effect the object; waring often, and gaining on ourtacks what we lost in coming round. In this manner we passed a painfuland most uncomfortable night; the winds howling about us a sort ofrequiem for the dead, while we hardly knew when we were wallowing inthe seas or not, there being so much water that came down from theclouds, as nearly to drown us on deck. 

At last the light returned, and soon after the tempest broke, appearing to have expended its fury. An hour after the sun had risen, we got the trade-wind again, the sea became regular once more, and theschooner was under all her canvass. Of course, every one of usofficers was aloft, some forward, some aft, to look out for the boat;but we did not see her again. What was still more extraordinary, nothing could be seen of the ship! We kept all that day cruisingaround the place, expecting to find at least the boat; but withoutsuccess. 

My situation was now altogether novel to me. I had left home rathermore than a twelvemonth before, the third officer of the Crisis. Fromthis station, I had risen regularly to be her first officer; and now, by a dire catastrophe, I found myself in the Pacific, solely chargedwith the fortunes of my owners, and those of some forty human beings. And this, too, before I was quite twenty years old. 

Marble's scheme of attacking the ship had always seemed to me to bewild and impracticable. This was while it was _his_ project, notmy own. I still entertained the same opinion, as regards the assaultat sea; but I had, from the first, regarded an attempt on the coast asa thing much more likely to succeed. Then Emily, and her father, andthe honour of the flag, and the credit I might personally gain, hadtheir influence; and, at sunset, all hope of finding the boat beinggone, I ordered sail made on our course. 

The loss of the whale-boat occurred when we were about two thousandmiles from the western coast of South America. We had a long roadbefore us, consequently; and, as I had doubted whether the ship we hadseen was the Crisis, it was necessary to be in motion, if anything wasto be effected with our old enemies. The reader may feel some desireto know in what manner my succession to the command was received bythe people. No man could have been more implicitly obeyed. I was nowsix feet and an inch in height, of a powerful and active frame, a goodseaman, and had the habit of command, through a twelvemonth'sexperience. The crew knew me, having seen me tried, from theweather-earings down; and it is very likely I possessed more of theirconfidence than I deserved. At all events, I was as implicitly obeyedas if I had sailed from New York at their head. Everybody regrettedMarble; more, I think, than we regretted poor Captain Williams, thoughit must have been on account of the manner we saw him disappear, as itmight be, from before our eyes; since, of the two, I think the lastwas the most estimable man. Nevertheless, Marble had his strongpoints, and they were points likely to take with seamen; and they hadparticularly taken with us. As for the four Sandwich Islanders, I donot know that they occupied any of our minds at all. We had beenaccustomed to regard them as strange beings, who came from that oceanto which they had thus suddenly returned. 

Fifteen days after the loss of the whale-boat, we made the peaks ofthe Andes, a very few degrees to the southward of the equator. Fromsome casual remarks made by the French, and which I had overheard, Ihad been led to believe they intended to run for Guayaquil, or itsvicinity; and I aimed at reaching the coast near the same point. Wehad been in, ourselves, at several bays and roadsteads, moreover, onthis part of the shore, on our way north; and I felt at home amongthem. We had acquaintances, too, who could not fail to be of use tous; and everything conspired to render this an advantageous land-fall. 

On the evening of the twenty-ninth day after quitting the island, wetook the schooner into an open roadstead, where we had carried on someextensive traffic in the ship, about eight months before, and where Ifancied we should still be recognised. As was expected, we hadscarcely anchored, before a Don Pedro Something, a fellow with asurprising string of names, came off to us in a boat, in order toascertain who we were, and what we wanted. Perhaps it would be betterto say, what we had that _he_ wanted. I knew the man at a glance, having delivered to him, myself, three boat-loads of goods, andreceived a small bag of doubloons in exchange. A very few words, half-English, half-Spanish, served to renew our acquaintance; and Igave our old friend to understand that I was in search of the ship, from which I had been separated on some extra duty. After beating thebush to discover all he could, the Don Pedro gave me to understandthat _a_ ship had gone in behind an island that was only tenmiles to the southward of us, that very afternoon; that he had seenher himself, and had supposed she might be his old friend the Crisis, until he saw the French ensign at her gaff. This was sufficient, and Imade inquiries for a pilot. A man qualified to carry us to the placewas found in one of the boatmen. As I feared the news of the arrivalof a schooner might be carried to the ship, much as we had got ourintelligence, no time was lost, but we were under-way by ten o'clock. At midnight we entered the pass between the main and the island; thereI got into a boat, and pulled ahead, in order to reconnoitre. I foundthe ship lying close under a high bluff, which made a capital lee, andwith every sign about her of tranquillity. Still, I knew a vesselthat was always in danger from the _guarda-costas_, and whichrelied on the celerity of its movements for its safety, would have avigilant look-out. Accordingly, I took a cool and careful examinationof the ship's position, landing and ascending the bluff, in order todo this at my ease. About two o'clock in the morning, I returned tothe schooner. 

When I put my foot on the Polly's deck again, she was quite near thepoint, or bluff, having set down towards it during my absence. Allhands were on deck, armed, and in readiness. Expectation had got to beso keen, that we had a little difficulty in keeping the men fromcheering; but silence was preserved, and I communicated the result ofmy observations in as few words as possible. The orders were thengiven, and the schooner was brought under short sail, for theattack. We were so near our side of the bluff, while the ship lay sonear the other, that my principal apprehension was of falling toleeward, which might give the French time to muster, and recollectthemselves. The canvass, accordingly, was reduced to the fore-sail, though the jib, main-sail, and top-sail were all loose, in readinessto be set, if wanted. The plan was to run the ship aboard, on herstarboard-bow, or off-side, as respected the island; and to do thiswith as little of a shock as possible. 

When everything was ready, I went aft, stood by the man at the helm, and ordered him to bear up. Neb placed himself just behind me. I knewit was useless to interfere, and let the fellow do as he pleased. Thepilot had told me the water was deep, up to the rocks of the bluff;and we hugged the land as close as possible, in rounding the point. Atthe next moment the ship was in sight, distant less than a hundredfathoms. I saw we had good way, and, three minutes later, I orderedthe fore-sail brailed. At the same instant I walked forward. So nearwere we, that the flapping of the canvass was heard in the ship, andwe got a hail. A mystified answer followed, and then crash came ourbows along those of the Crisis. "Hurrah! for the old craft!" shoutedour men, and aboard we tumbled in a body. Our charge was like theplunge of a pack of hounds, as they leap through a hedge. 

The scene that followed was one of wild tumult. Some twenty pistolswere fired, and a good many hard blows were struck; but the surprisesecured us the victory. In less than three minutes, Talcott came toreport to me that our lads had complete possession of the deck, andthat the French asked for quarter. At first, the enemy supposed theyhad been seized by a _guarda-costa_, for the impression had beengeneral among them that we intended to quit the island for Canton. Great was the astonishment among them when the truth came to beknown. I heard a great many "_sacr-r-r-es!" and certain othermaledictions in low French, that it is scarcely worth while to repeat. 

Harris, one of the-Philadelphians, and the man who had got us into thedifficulty by falling asleep on his watch, was killed; and no lessthan nine of our men, myself among the number, were hurt in this briskbusiness. All the wounds, however, were slight; only three of theinjuries taking the parties off duty. As for the poor fellow who fell, he owed his death to risking too much, in order to recover the groundhe had lost. 

The French fared much worse than ourselves. Of those killed outright, and those who died before morning, there were no less than sixteen;our fellows having fired a volley into a group that was rushing ondeck, besides using their cutlasses with great severity for the firstminute or two. This was on the principle that the first blow was halfthe battle. There were few wounded; most of those who fell being cutor thrust at by several at the same time--a species of attack thatleft little chance for escape. Poor Mons. Le Compte was foundstone-dead at the cabin-doors, having been shot in the forehead, justas he put his foot on the deck. I heard his voice once in the fray, and feared it boded no good; but the silence which succeeded wasprobably caused by his just then receiving the fatal bullet. He was inhis shirt. 

CHAPTER XVIII

 _1st Witch_. "Hail!" _2d Witch_. "Hail!" _3d Witch_. "Hail!" _1st Witch_. "Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. " _2d Witch_. "Not so happy, yet much happier. " MACBETH. 

I hope I shall be believed in saying, if Marble had been with us whenwe retook the ship, I should have been perfectly happy. He was not, however, and regret was left to mingle in our triumph. I had a hastyinterview with Major Merton that night, and communicated all that wasnecessary to quiet the apprehensions of his daughter. Emily was in herstate-room, and had been alarmed, as a matter of course; but when shelearned that all was over, and had terminated successfully, her fearsyielded to reason. Of course, both she and her father felt it to be agreat relief that they were no longer prisoners. 

We were no sooner fairly in command of our old ship, again, than I hadall hands called to get the anchor. We hove up, and passed out to seawithout delay, it being necessary to cover our movements with as muchmystery as possible, in order to prevent certain awkward demands fromthe Spanish government, on the subject of the violation of neutralterritory. A hint from Major Merton put me on my guard as respectedthis point, and I determined to disappear as suddenly as we hadarrived, in order to throw obstacles in the way of being traced. Byday-light, therefore, both the ship and schooner were four leaguesfrom the land, and on the "great highway of nations;" a road, it maybe said in passing, that was then greatly infested by foot-pads andother robbers. 

Just as the sun rose, we buried the dead. This was done decently, andwith the usual ceremony, the triumph of victory giving place to thesad reflections that are so apt to succeed to the excited feelings ofmost of our struggles. I saw poor Le Compte disappear from sight withregret, and remembered his recent hopes, his generous treatment, hisadmiration of Emily, and all that he had so lately thought and felt, as a warning of the fragile nature of life, and that which life canbestow. Thus terminated an acquaintance of a month; but a month thathad been pregnant with incidents of great importance to myself. 

It now became necessary to decide on our future course. I had theship, just as the French got her from us, with the addition of thoseportions of their own cargo with which they had intended to trade onthe coast of South America. These consisted of silks and variousfancy articles, with a little wine, and would be nearly as valuable athome as they were in Spanish America. I was strongly averse tosmuggling, and the ship having already followed out her originalinstructions on this point, I saw no necessity for pursuing theungrateful trade any further. Could I return to the island, and getthe articles of value left on it by the French, such as the copperthey had not used, and divers pales received from the Bombay ship, which had been abandoned by us all under a tent, more profit wouldaccrue to my owners than by any illicit commerce we could now possiblycarry into effect on the coast. 

While Talcott, and the new chief-mate, and myself were discussingthese points, the cry of "sail ho!" was heard. A large ship hadsuddenly hove up out of the morning's mist, within a mile of us, and Ithought, at first, we had got under the guns of a Spanishman-of-war. A second look at her, however, satisfied us all, that, though heavy and armed, she was merely one of those clumsy tradersthat sailed, periodically, from the colonies to Spain. We went toquarters, and cleared ship, but made no effort to avoid the stranger. The Spaniards, of the two, were the most uneasy, I believe, theircountry being then at war with England; but we spoke each otherwithout coming to blows. As soon as the strangers saw the Americanensign, they expressed a wish to communicate with us; and, unwillingto let them come on board us, I volunteered a visit to the Spanishcaptain. He received me with formal politeness, and, after somepreliminary discourse, he put into my hands some American newspapers, which contained a copy of the treaty of peace between the UnitedStates and France. On looking over the articles of this new compact, Ifound that, had our recapture of the Crisis been delayed to that veryday, at noon, it would have been illegal. The two nations, in fact, were at peace, when the French seized the ship, but the customaryprovisions as to captures in distant seas, just brought us within thesaving clauses. Such is war, and its concomitants!

In the course of half an hour's conversation, I discovered that theSpaniard intended to touch at Valparaiso, and called, in order to getmen, his own having suffered, up the coast, with the small-pox. Hisship was large, carried a considerable armament, and he should notdeem her safe from the smaller English cruisers, unless he doubled theCape much stronger handed than he then was. I caught at the idea, andinquired what he thought of Frenchmen? They would answer his purpose, for France and Spain had a common enemy, and nothing would be easierthan to send the French from Cadiz to Marseilles. A bargain wasconsequently struck on the spot. 

When I got back on board the Crisis, I had all the prisoners musteredon deck. They were made acquainted with the offers of the Spanishcaptain, with the fact that peace now existed between our respectivecountries, and with the chance that presented itself, so opportunely, for them to return home. The proposition was cheerfully accepted, anything being better than captivity. Before parting, I endeavoured toimpress on the French the necessity of prudence on the subject of ourrecapturing the Crisis in Spanish waters, inasmuch as the circumstancemight induce an inquiry as to what took the ship there; it being wellunderstood that the mines were the punishment of those who were takenin the contraband trade in that quarter of the world. The Frenchpromised fairly. Whether they kept their words I never knew, but, ifthey did not, no consequences ever followed from their revelations. Insuch a case, indeed, the Spanish government would be very apt toconsider the question one that touched the interests of smugglersalike, and to feel great indifference between the parties. At allevents, no complaints were ever made to the American government; or, if made, they never reached my ears, or those of my owners. It is mostprobable nothing was ever said on the subject. 

About noon we had got rid of our prisoners. They were allowed to takeaway with them all their own effects, and, as usually happens in suchcases, I make little doubt some that belonged to other persons. Theships then made sail, each on her own course; the Spaniard runningdown the coast, while we spread our studding-sails for the island. Assoon as this was done, I felt relieved from a great burthen, and hadleisure to think of other matters. I ought to mention, however, that Iput the second-mate, or him who had become chief-mate by my ownadvancement, in command of the "Pretty Poll, " giving him twoexperienced seamen as his own mates, and six men, to sail her. Thismade Talcott the Crisis' first officer, and glad was I to see him in astation a little suited to his attainments. 

That evening, just as the sun was setting, I saw Emily again, for thefirst time since she had stood leaning over the rail as the Crisisshot through the inlet of the lagoon. The poor girl was pale, and itwas evident, while she could not but rejoice at her liberation, andher release from the solicitations of the unfortunate Le Compte, thathis death had cast a shade of sadness over her pretty features. Itcould not well be otherwise, the female breast ever entertaining itssympathies for those who submit to the influence of its owner'scharms. Then, poor Le Compte had some excellent qualities, and hetreated Emily, as she admitted to me herself, with the profoundestrespect, and delicacy. His admiration could scarce be an offence in_her_ eyes, however disagreeable it proved, in certain points ofview. 

Our meeting partook of the character of our situation, being a mixtureof melancholy and happiness. I rejoiced in our success, while Iregretted Marble, and even our late enemies, while the Major and hisdaughter could not but remember all the gloomy particulars of theirlate, and, indeed, of their present position. 

"We seem to be kept, like Mahomet's coffin, sir, " Emily observed, asshe looked affectionately at her father, "suspended between heaven andearth--the Indies and America--not knowing on which we are toalight. The Pacific is our air, and we are likely to breathe it, toour heart's content. "

"True, love--your comparison is not an unhappy one. But, Wallingford, what has become of Captain Marble in these stirring times? You havenot left him, Sancho Panza like, to govern Barritaria, while you havecome to recover his ship?"

I told my passengers of the manner in which our old friend haddisappeared, and inquired if anything had been seen of the whale-boat, or the schooner, on the night of the tropical tempest. 

"Nothing"--answered the Major. "So far from expecting to lay eyes onthe 'Beautiful Emily, ' again, we supposed you would be off for Cantonby the end of the fortnight that succeeded our own departure. Atleast, that was poor Le Compte's version of the matter. I am certainhowever, that no sail was seen from this ship, during the wholepassage; nor, had we any storm like that you have described. Morebeautiful weather, I never met at sea. "

Upon this, I sent for the log-book, and ascertained, by day and date, that the Crisis was not within fifty leagues of the spot, where weencountered the thunder-squall. Of course the ship we saw was astranger; most probably a whaler. This destroyed any little hope thatwas left concerning Marble's fate. 

But it is time I should mention a _galanterie_ of poor LeCompte's. He was well provided with shipwrights--better, indeed, thanwith seamen--as was apparent by the readiness with which he hadconstructed the schooner. During the passage from Marble Land, he hadset these workmen about building a poop on the Crisis' quarter-deck, and I found the work completed. There was a very pretty, airy cabin, with two state-rooms communicating with light quarter-galleries, andeverything that is customary with such accommodations. Furniture hadbeen made, with French dexterity and taste, and the paint was just dryto receive it. Emily and her father were to take possession of thesenew accommodations the very day succeeding that in which the ship fellagain into our hands. This alteration was not such as I would havemade, as a seaman; and I wonder Mons. Le Compte, who had the gauntletto run through the most formidable navy in the world, should haveventured on it, since it sensibly affected the ship's sailing on awind. But, now it was peace, I cared little about it, and determinedto let it remain, so long, at least, as Miss Merton continued onboard. 

That very night, therefore, the Major occupied one of the state-rooms, and his daughter the other. Imitating poor Le Compte's gallantry, Igave them a separate table, though I took quite half my meals withthem, by invitation. Emily did not absolutely dress my wound, a fleshinjury in the shoulder, that office falling to her father's share, whohad seen a good deal of service, and was familiar with the generaltreatment of hurts of this nature; but she could, and did, show manyof those gentle and seductive attentions, that the tenderness of hersex can alone bestow, with full effect, on man. In a fortnight my hurtwas cured, though Emily had specifics to recommend, and advice tobestow, until we were both ashamed to allude to the subject anylonger. 

As for the passage, it was just such a one as might be expected tooccur, in the trades of the Pacific. The ship was under studding-sailsnearly the whole time, making, day in and day out, from a hundred andtwenty to two hundred miles in the twenty-four hours. The mates keptthe watches, and I had little to do, but to sit and chat with theMajor and his daughter, in the cool, airy cabin, that Le Compte hadprovided for us; listen to Emily's piano, which had been transferredfrom the prize, and subsequently saved from the wreck; or read aloudout of some of the two or three hundred beautifully bound, andsweetly-scented volumes that composed her library. In that day, peopleread Pope, and Young, and Milton, and Shakspeare, and that sort ofwriters; a little relieved by Mrs. Radcliffe, and Miss Burney, andMonk Lewis, perhaps. As for Fielding and Smollet, they were wellenough in their place, which was not a young lady's library, however. There were still more useful books, and I believe I readeverything in the ship, before the voyage ended. The leisure of asea-life, in a tranquil, well-ordered vessel, admits of much study;and books ought to be a leading object in the fitting out that portionof a vessel's equipment which relates chiefly to the welfare of herofficers and crew. 

Time passed pleasantly enough, with a young fellow who had certainlysome reason to be satisfied with his own success thus far in life, andwho could relieve the tedium of ship's duty in such society. I cannotsay I was in love, though I often thought of Emily when she was notbefore my eyes, and actually dreamt of her three times, in the firstfortnight after the re-capture of the ship. What was a littleremarkable, as I conceive, I often found myself drawing comparisonsbetween her and Lucy, though I hardly knew why, myself. The result wasvery much after this sort;--Emily had vastly the advantage in all thatrelated to art, instruction, training--I am wrong, Mr. Harding hadgiven his daughter a store of precise, useful knowledge, that Emilydid not possess; and then I could not but see that Lucy's tact inmoral feeling, was much of the highest order of the two. But, inpurely conventional attainments, in most that relates to the world, its usages, its finesse of feeling and manner, I could see that Emilywas the superior. Had I known more myself, I could have seen that bothwere provincial--for England, in 1801, was but a province, as to meremanners, though on a larger scale than America is even now--and thateither would have been remarked for peculiarities, in the moresophisticated circles of the continent of Europe. I dare say, half myown countrymen would have preferred Lucy's nature to the moreartificial manner of Emily; but, it will not do to say that evenfemale deportment, however delicate and feminine nature may have madeit, cannot be improved by certain general rules for the government ofthat which is even purely conventional. On the whole, I wished thatLucy had a little of Emily's art, and Emily a good deal more of Lucy'snature. I suppose the perfection in this sort of thing is to possessan art so admirable that it shall appear to be nature, in all thingsimmaterial, while it leaves the latter strictly in the ascendant, inall that is material. 

In person, I sometimes fancied Emily was the superior, and, sometimes, when memory carried me back to certain scenes that had occurred duringmy last visit to Clawbonny, that it was Lucy. In complexion, andperhaps in eyes, the English girl beat her rival; possibly, also, inthe teeth; though Lucy's were very even and white; but, in the smile, in the outline of the face, most especially in the mouth, and in thehands, feet, and person generally, I think nine judges in ten wouldhave preferred the American. One peculiar charm was common to both;and it is a charm, though the strongest instance I ever saw of it inmy life, was in Italy, that may be said to belong, almost exclusively, to the Anglo-Saxon race: I mean that expression of the countenancewhich so eminently betokens feminine purity and feminine tendernessunited; the look which artists love to impart to the faces ofangels. Each of the girls had much of this; and I suppose it wasprincipally owing to their heavenly blue eyes. I doubt if any womanwith black, or hazel eyes notwithstanding all the brilliancy of theirbeauty, ever possessed this charm in the higher degree. It belonged toGrace even more than to Lucy or Emily; though, of the two last, Ithink the English girl possessed it, in a slight degree, the most, sofar as it was connected with mere shading and colour; while theAmerican exhibited the most of it, in moments of feeling andemotion. Perhaps, this last advantage was owing to Lucy's submittingmost to nature, and to her impulses. It must be remembered, however, that I had not seen Lucy, now, for near two years; and two of the mostimportant years of a young female's life, as respected her personalappearance. 

As relates to character, I will not now speak as plainly as I shall becalled on to do, hereafter. A youth of twenty is not the best judge ofsuch things, and I shall leave events to tell their own story, in thisparticular. 

We had been at sea a fortnight, when happening to allude to the pearlfishery, I bethought me of my own prizes. A ship that carries anumerous crew, is a sort of _omnium gatherum_, of humanemployments. For ordinarily manned craft, seamen are necessary; butships of war, privateers and letters-of-marque, can afford, as poorMarble would express it, to generalize. We had several tradesmen inthe Crisis--mechanics, who found the restraints of a ship necessaryfor their own good--and, among others, we happened to have agoldsmith. This man had offered to perforate my pearls, and to stringthem; an operation to which I consented. The fellow had performed histask as well as could be desired, and supplying from his own stores apair of suitable clasps, had formed the whole into a simple, but asbeautiful a necklace, as I ever laid eyes on. He had put the largestpearl of all directly in the centre, and then arranged the remainder, by placing several of the smaller together separated by one of thesecond size, until the whole formed a row that would much more thanencircle my own neck, and which, of course, would drop gracefullyround that of a female. 

When I produced this beautiful ornament, one that a woman of rankmight have coveted, Emily did not endeavour to conceal heradmiration. Unaccustomed, herself, to the higher associations of herown country, she had never seen a necklace of the same value, and sheeven fancied it fit for a queen. Doubtless, queens usually possessmuch more precious pearls than those of mine, and yet it was to besupposed they would not disdain to wear even such as they. MajorMerton examined the necklace carefully, and I could see by hiscountenance, he was surprised and pleased. 

On the whole, I think it may be questioned, if any other man enjoys asmany _physical_ advantages with the same means, as the Americans. Ispeak more of his habits, than of his opportunities; but I am ofopinion, after seeing a good deal of various parts of the world, thatthe American of moderate fortune has more physical indulgences thanany other man. While this is true, however, as a whole, there arecertain points on which he signally fails. He fails _often_, when itcomes to the mere outward exhibition; and it is probable there is nota single well-ordered household--meaning for the purposes of comfortand representation united--in the whole country. The particulardeficiency, if deficiency it be, applies in an almost exclusive degreeto the use of precious stones, jewelry, and those of the more valuablemetals in general. The ignorance of the value of precious stones is sogreat, that half the men, meaning those who possess more or less offortune, do not even know the names of those of the commoner sorts. Idoubt, if one educated American in twenty could, even at this moment, tell a sapphire from an amethyst, or a turquoise from a garnet; thoughthe women are rather more expert as lapidaries. Now, I was a trueAmerican in this respect; and, while I knew I possessed a verybeautiful ornament, I had not the smallest idea of its value, as anarticle of commerce. With the Major it was different. He had studiedsuch things, and he had a taste for them. The reader will judge of mysurprise, therefore, when I heard him say:--

"That necklace, in the hands of Rundle and Bridges, would bring athousand pounds, in London!"

"Father!" exclaimed Emily. 

"I do think it. It is not so much the size of the pearls, though theselargest are not common even in that particular, but it is theirextreme beauty; their colour and transparency--their _water_, asit is called. "

"I thought that a term applied only to diamonds"--observed Emily, withan interest I wished she had not manifested. 

"It is also applied to pearls--there are pearls of what is called the'white water, ' and they are of the sort most prized in Europe. The'yellow water' are more esteemed among nations of darker skins; Isuppose that is the secret. Yes, I think if you send this necklace toLondon, Wallingford, you will get six or eight hundred pounds for it. "

"I shall never sell it, sir--at least, not as long as I can avoid it. "

I saw that Emily looked at me, with an earnestness for which I couldnot account. 

"Not sell it!--" repealed her father--"Why, what in the name ofNeptune can _you_ do with such an ornament?"

"Keep it. It is strictly my own. I brought it up, from the bottom ofthe sea, with my own hands; removed the pearls from what the editorswould call their 'native homes' myself, and I feel an interest inthem, that I never could feel in any ornament that was purchased. "

"Still, this will prove rather an expensive taste. Pray, What interestdo you obtain for money, in your part of the world, Wallingford?"

"Six per cent. , in New York, sir, perhaps, on the better sort ofpermanent securities. "

"And how much is sixty pounds sterling, when turned into dollars?"

"We usually say five for one, though it is not quite that; from twohundred and eighty to two hundred and ninety, all thingsconsidered--though two hundred and sixty-six, nominally, orthereabouts. "

"Well, even two hundred and sixty-six dollars a year, is a good dealfor a young man like you to pay, for the pleasure of saying he owns apearl necklace that he cannot use. "

"But it cost me nothing, sir, and of course I can lose nothing by it. "

"I rather think you will lose what I tell you, if the ornament can besold for that sum. When a man has property from which he might derivean income, and does not, he is, in one sense, and that the mostimportant, a loser. "

"I have a sister, Major Merton; I may possibly give it to her--or, should I marry, I would certainly give it to my wife. "

I could see a smile struggling about the mouth of the major, which Iwas then too young, and I may add, too American, to understand. Theincongruity of the wife of a man of two thousand, or five and twentyhundred dollars a-year, wearing two years' income round her neck, orof being magnificent in only one item of her dress, household, ormanner of living, never occurred to my mind. We can all laugh when weread of Indian chiefs wearing uniform-coats, and cocked-hats, withoutany other articles of attire; but we cannot imagine inconsistencies inour own cases, that are almost as absurd in the eyes of highlysophisticated and conventional usages. To me, at that age, there wasnothing in the least out of the way, in Mrs. Miles Wallingford'swearing the necklace, her husband being unequivocally its owner. Asfor Emily, she did not smile, but continued to hold the necklace inher own very white, plump hand, the pearls making the hand look allthe prettier, while the hand assisted to increase the lustre of thepearls. I ventured to ask her to put the necklace on her neck. Sheblushed slightly, but she complied. 

"Upon my word, Emily, " exclaimed the gratified father, "you becomeeach other so well, that I am losing a prejudice, and begin to believeeven a poor man's daughter may be justified in using such anornament. "

The sight was certainly sufficient to justify anything of thesort. The dazzling whiteness of Miss Merlon's skin, the admirableoutlines of her throat and bust, and the flush which pleasure gave hercheeks, contributed largely to the beauty of the picture. It wouldhave been difficult to say, whether the charms of the woman ornamentedthe pearls, or those of the pearls ornamented the woman! I remember Ithought, at the time, my eyes had never dwelt on any object morepleasing, than was Miss Merton during the novelty of thatspectacle. Nor did the pleasure cease, on the instant; for I beggedher to continue to wear the necklace during the remainder of the day;a request with which she had the good nature to comply. Which was mostgratified by this exhibition, the young lady or myself, it might bedifficult to say; for there is a mutual satisfaction in admiring, andin being admired. 

When I went into the cabin to say good-night, I found Emily Merton, with the necklace in her hand, gazing at it, by the light of apowerful lamp, with eyes as liquid and soft as the pearlsthemselves. I stood still to admire her; for never before had I seenher so bewitchingly beautiful. Her countenance was usually a littlewanting in intellectual expression, though it possessed so much ofthat which I have described as _angelic_; but, on this occasion, _it seemed to me_, to be full of ideas. Can it be possible, whispered conceit--and what very young man is entirely free fromit--can it be possible, she is now thinking how happy a woman Mrs. Miles Wallingford will one day be?--Am I in any manner connected withthat meditating brow, that reflecting air, that fixed look, thatpleased and yet doubting expression?

"I was about to send for you, Captain Wallingford, " said Emily, theinstant she saw me, and confirming my conceited conjectures, byblushing deeper than I had seen her before, in the whole of thatblushing, sensitive, and enjoyable day; "about to send for you, totake charge of your treasure. "

"And could you not assume that much responsibility, for a singlenight?"

"'T would be too great--it is an honour reserved for Mrs. Wallingford, you know. "

This was smilingly said, I fancied sweetly and kindly, and yet it wassaid not altogether without something that approached to an_équivoque_; a sort of manner that the deep, natural feeling ofGrace, and needle-like truth of Lucy had rendered unpleasant to me. Itook the necklace, shook the young lady's hand for good-night--wealways did that, on meeting and parting for the day--paid mycompliments to the father, and withdrew. 

I was dressing next morning, when Neb came bolting into my state-room, with his Clawbonny freedom of manner, his eyes looking lobsters, and_his_ necklace of pearl, glittering between a pair of lips thatmight have furnished a cannibal two famous steaks. As soon as fairlyestablished in command, I had brought the fellow aft, berthing him inthe steerage, in order to have the benefit of more of his personalservice than I could obtain while he was exclusively a foremastJack. Still, he kept his watch; for it would have been cruel todeprive, him of that pleasure. 

"Oh! Masser Mile!" exclaimed the black, as soon as he could speak; "'eboat!--'e boat!"

"What of the boat?--Is any one overboard?"

"'E whale-boat, sir!--Poor Captain Marble--'e whale-boat, sir!"

"I understand you, Neb--go on deck, and desire the officer of thewatch to heave-to the ship, as soon as it is proper; I will come up, the instant I can. "

Here, then, I thought, Providence has brought us on the track of theunfortunate whale-boat; and we shall doubtless see the mutilatedremains of some of our old companions--poor Marble, doubtless, fromwhat Neb said--well, the will of God be done. I was soon dressed; and, as I went up the cabin-ladder, the movement on deck denoted the natureof the excitement that now prevailed generally, in the ship. Just asI reached the quarter-deck, the main-yard swung round, and the sailswere brought aback. The whole crew was in commotion, and it was somelittle time before I could learn the cause. 

The morning was misty, and the view round the ship, until within a fewminutes, had been confined to a circle of less than a mile indiameter. As the sun rose, however, the mist broke away gradually, andthen the watch caught a view of the whale-boat mentioned byNeb. Instead of being floating about on the ocean, with the remains ofits unfortunate crew lying in its bottom, as I had expected to see it, when I caught the first glimpse of the unlooked-for object, it was nota mile distant, pulling briskly for us, and containing not only afull, but a strong and an animated crew. 

Just at that instant, some one cried out "Sail-ho!" and sure enough, aship was seen some four or five miles to leeward, a whaler evidently, turning to windward, under easy canvass, in order to rejoin her boat, from which she had lately been separated by the night and thefog. This, then, was no more than a whaler and her boat; and, onsweeping the horizon with a glass, Talcott soon discovered, a mile towindward of the boat, a dead whale, with another boat lying by it, inwaiting for the approach of the ship, which promised to fetch as farto windward, on its next tack. 

"They desire to speak us, I suppose, Mr. Talcott, " I remarked. "Theship is probably an American; it is likely the captain is in the boat, and he wishes to send letters or messages home. "

A shout came from Talcott, at the next instant--then he cried out--

"Three cheers, my lads; I see Captain Marble in that boat, as plainlyas I see the boat itself!"

The cheers that followed, were a spontaneous burst of joy. Theyreached the approaching boat, and gave its inmate an earnest of hisreception. In three more minutes. Marble was on the deck of his oldship. For myself, I was unable to speak; nor was poor Marble muchbetter off though more prepared for the interview. 

"I knew you, Miles; I knew you, and the bloody 'Pretty Poll, '" he atlast got out, the tears running down his cheeks like water, "themoment the fog lifted, and gave me a fair glimpse. They've gother--yes--d----n her--God bless her, I mean--they've got her, and thebloody Frenchmen will not go home with _that_ feather in theircaps. Well, it couldn't have happened to a cleverer fellow; and I'mjust as happy as if I had done it myself!"

There he stood, sound, safe, and sturdy as ever; and the four SandwichIslanders were all in the boat, just as well as if they had neverquitted the ship. Every man of the crew had to shake hands withMarble, congratulations were to be exchanged, and a turbulent quarterof an hour passed, before it was possible to get a coherent accountfrom the man of what had befallen him. As soon as practicable, however, he motioned for silence, and told his own story aloud, forthe benefit of all hands. 

"You know how I left you, men, " Marble commenced, swabbing his eyesand cheeks, and struggling to speak with something like an appearanceof composure, "and the errand on which I went. The last I saw of youwas about half an hour before the gust broke. At that time I was sonear the ship, as to make out she was a whaler; and, nothing doubtingof being in sight of you in the morning, I thought it safer to pullalongside of _her_, than to try to hunt for the schooner in thedark. I found an old shipmate in the whaler's captain, who was lookingfor a boat that had struck adrift the night before; and both partieswere pleased. There was not much time for compliments, however, as youall know. The ship bore up to speak you, and then she bore up, againand again, on account of the squalls. While Mr. Wallingford wasprobably hugging the wind in order to find _me_, we were runningoff to save our spars; and next morning we could see nothing ofyou. How else we missed each other, is more than I can say; for I'veno idee you went off and left me out here, in the middle of theocean--"

"We cruised for you, within five miles of the spot, for a whole day!"I exclaimed, eagerly. 

"No, no--Captain Marble, " the men put in, in a body, "we did all thatmen could do, to find you. "

"I know it! I could swear to it, without a word from one of you. Well, that's the whole story. We could not find you, and I stuck by the shipas a matter of course, as there was no choice between that and jumpingoverboard; and here has the Lord brought us together again, though weare every inch of five hundred miles from the place where we parted. "

I then took Marble below, and related to him all that had occurredsince the separation. He listened with the deepest interest, manifesting the strongest sympathy in our success. Nothing butexpressions of gratification escaped him, until I remarked, as Iconcluded my account--

"And here is the old ship for you, sir, just as we lost her; and gladam I to see her once more in so good hands. "

"Who put that bloody poop on her, you or the Frenchman, Miles?"

"The Frenchman. Now it is peace, however, it is no great matter; andthe cabin is very convenient for the Major and his daughter. "

"It's just like 'em! Spoiling the neatest quarter-deck on the ocean, with a bloody supernumerary cabin!"

"Well, sir, as you are master now, you can have it all cut away again, if you think proper. "

"I! I cut away anything! I take the command of this ship from the manwho has so fairly won it! If I do, may I be d----d!"

"Captain Marble! You astonish me by this language, sir; but it isnothing more than a momentary feeling, of which your own goodsense--nay, even your duty to the owners--will cause you to get rid. "

"You never were more mistaken in your life, Master Miles Wallingford, "answered Marble, solemnly. "I thought of all this the moment Irecognised the ship, and that was as soon as I saw her; and my mindwas made up from that instant. I cannot be so mean as to come in atthe seventh hour, and profit by your courage and skill. Besides, Ihave no legal right to command here. The ship was more thantwenty-four hours in the enemy's hands, and she comes under the usuallaws of recapture and salvage. "

"But the owners, Captain Marble--remember there is a cargo to be takenin at Canton, and there are heavy interests at stake. "

"By George, that would make me so much the more firm. From the first, I have thought matters would be better in your hands than mine; youhave an education, and that's a wonderful thing, Miles. As to sailinga ship, or stowing her, or taking care of her in heavy weather, orfinding my way across an ocean, I'll turn my back on no man; but it'sa different thing when it comes to figures and calculations. "

"You disappoint me greatly in all this, sir; we have gone through somuch together--"

"We did not go through _the recapture of this vessel_ together, boy. "

"But it was _your_ thought, and, but for an accident, would havebeen your _deed_. "

"I don't know that; I have reflected coolly in the matter, after I gotover my mortification; and I think we should have been flogged, had weattacked the French at sea. Your own plan was better, and capitallycarried out. Harkee, Miles, this much will I do, and not a jotmore. You are bound to the island, I take it for granted, to pick upodds and ends; and then you sail for Canton?"

"Precisely--I am glad you approve of it, as you must by seeing into itso readily. "

"Well, at the island, fill up the schooner with such articles as willbe of no use at Canton. Let her take in the copper, the English goods, and the like of that; and I will carry her home, while you can pursuethe v'y'ge in the ship, as you alone have a right to do. "

No arguments of mine could turn Marble from his resolution. I foughthim all day on the subject, and at night he was put in command of the"Pretty Poll, " with our old second-mate for his first officer. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

 "Thou shalt seek the beach of sand, Where the water bounds the elfin land; Thou shalt watch the oozy brine Till the sturgeon leaps in the light moonshine. " DRAKE. 

There is but a word to say of the whaler. We spoke her, of course, andparted, leaving her her boat. She passed half an hour, close to us, and then went after her whale. When we lost sight of her, she wascutting in the fish, as coolly as if nothing had happened. As forourselves, we made the best of our way for the island. 

Nothing worth relating occurred during the remainder of thepassage. We reached our place of destination ten days after we foundMarble; and carried both the ship and schooner into the lagoon, without any hesitation or difficulty. Everything was found preciselyas we had left it; two months having passed as quietly as an hour. Thetents were standing, the different objects lay where they had beenhastily dropped at our hurried departure, and everything denoted theunchangeable character of an unbroken solitude. Time and the seasonscould alone have produced any sensible alteration. Even the wreck hadneither shifted her bed, nor suffered injury. There she lay, seeminglyan immovable fixture on the rocks, and as likely to last, as any otherof the durable things around her. 

It is always a relief to escape from the confinement of a ship, evenif it be only to stroll along the vacant sands of some naked beach. Assoon as the vessels were secured, we poured ashore in a body, and thepeople were given a holiday. There was no longer an enemy toapprehend; and we all enjoyed the liberty of movement, and the freedomfrom care that accompanied our peculiar situation. Some preparedlines and commenced fishing; others hauled the seine; while the lessindustriously disposed lounged about, selected the fruit of thecocoa-nut tree, or hunted for shells, of which there were many, andthose extremely beautiful, scattered along the inner and outerbeaches, or lying, visible, just within the wash of the water. Iordered two or three of the hands to make a collection for Clawbonny;paying them, as a matter of course, for their extra services. Theirsuccess was great; and I still possess the fruits of their search, asmemorials of my youthful adventures. 

Emily and her maid took possession of their old tents, neither ofwhich had been disturbed; and I directed that the necessary articlesof furniture should be landed for their use. As we intended to remaineight or ten days at Marble Land, there was a general disposition tomake ourselves comfortable; and the crew were permitted to bring suchthings ashore as they desired, care being had for the necessary dutiesof the ships. Since quitting London, we had been prisoners, with theshort interval of our former visit to this place, and it was nowdeemed wisest to give the people a little relaxation. To all this, Iwas advised by Marble; who, though a severe, and so often seemingly anobdurate man, was in the main disposed to grant as much indulgence, atsuitable moments, as any officer I ever sailed with. There was anironical severity, at times, about the man, which misled superficialobservers. I have heard of a waggish boatswain in the navy, who, whendisposed to menace the crew with some of his official visitations, used to cry out, "Fellow-citizens, I'm coming among you;" and theanecdote never recurs to my mind, without bringing Marble back to myrecollection. When in spirits, he had much of this bitter irony in hismanner; and his own early experience had rendered him somewhatinsensible to _professional_ suffering; but, on the whole, Ialways thought him a humane man. 

We went into the lagoon, before the sun had risen; and before thebreakfast hour of those who lived aft, we had everything landed thatwas necessary, and were in possession of our tents. I had ordered Nebto attend particularly to the wants of the Mertons; and, precisely asthe bell of the ship struck eight, which, at that time of day, meanteight o'clock, the black came with the major's compliments, inviting"_Captain_" Wallingford and "_Captain_" Marble to breakfast. 

"So it goes, Miles, " added my companion, after promising to join theparty in a few moments. "This arrangement about the schooner leaves usboth captains, and prevents anything like your downhill work, which isalways unpleasant business. _Captain_ Marble and _Captain_Wallingford sound well; and I hope they may long sail in company. Butnatur' or art never meant me for a captain. "

"Well, admitting this, where there are _two_ captains, one mustoutrank the other, and the senior commands. You should be called_Commodore_ Marble. "

"None of your pleasantry, Miles, " returned Marble, with a severe lookand a shake of the head; "it is by your favour, and I hope by yourgood opinion, that I am master of even that little, half-blooded, partFrench, part Yankee, schooner. It is my second, and I think it will bemy last command. I have generalized over my life, upon a large scale, within the last ten days, and have come to the conclusion that theLord created me to be your mate, and not you to be mine. When natur'means a man for anything partic'lar, she doesn't set him adrift amonghuman beings, as I was set adrift. "

"I do not understand you, sir--perhaps you will give me an outline ofyour history; and then all will be plain. "

"Miles, oblige me in one particular--it will cost you no greatstruggle, and will considerably relieve my mind. "

"You have only to name it, sir, to be certain it will be done. "

"Drop that bloody _sir_, then; it's unbecoming now, as betweenyou and me. Call me Marble, or Moses; as I call you, Miles. "

"Well, be it so. Now for this history of yours, which you havepromised to give me, by the way, any time these two years. "

"It can be told in a few words; and I hope it may be of service. Ahuman life, properly generalized on, is at any time as good as mostsermons. It is full of what I call the morality of idees. I supposeyou know to what I owe my names?"

"Not I--to your sponsors in baptism, like all the rest of us, Isuppose. "

"You're nearer the truth than you may imagine, this time, boy. I wasfound, a child of a week old, they tell me, lying in a basket, onepleasant morning, in a stone-cutter's yard, on the North River side ofthe town, placed upon a bit of stone that was hewing out for the headof a grave, in order, as I suppose, that the workmen would be sure tofind me, when they mustered at their work. Although I have passed fora down-easter, having sailed in their craft in the early part of mylife, I'm in truth York born. "

"And is this all you know of your origin, my dear Marble?"

"All I _want_ to know, after such a hint. A man is never anxiousto make the acquaintance of parents who are afraid to own him. I daresay, now, Miles, that _you_ knew, and loved, and respected_your_ mother?"

"Love, and respect her! I worshipped her, Marble; and she deserved itall, if ever human being did!"

"Yes, yes; I can understand _that_, " returned Marble, making ahole in the sand with his heel, and looking both thoughtful andmelancholy. "It must be a great comfort to love and respect a mother!I've seen them, particularly young women, that I thought set quite asmuch store by their mothers, as they did by themselves. Well, nomatter; I got into one of poor Captain Robbins's bloody currents atthe first start, and have been drifting about ever since, just likethe whale-boat with which we fell in, pretty much as the windblew. They hadn't the decency to pin even a name--they might have gotone out of a novel or a story-book, you know, to start a poor fellowin life with--to my shirt; no--they just set me afloat on that bit ofa tombstone, and cast off the standing part of what fastened me toanything human. There they left me, to generalize on the 'arth and itsways, to my heart's content. "

"And you were found next morning, by the stone-cutter, when he came, again, to use his chisel. "

"Prophecy couldn't have better foretold what happened. There I wasfound, sure enough; and there I made my first escape fromdestruction. Seeing the basket, which it seems was one in which he hadbrought his own dinner, the day before, and forgotten to carry awaywith him, he gave it a jerk to cast away the leavings, before hehanded it to the child who had come to take it home, in order that itmight be filled again, when out I rolled on the cold stone. There Ilay, as near the grave as a tomb-stone, when I was just a week old. "

"Poor fellow--you could only know this by report, however. And whatwas done with you?"

"I suppose, if the truth were known, my father was somewhere aboutthat yard; and little do I envy the old gentleman his feelings, if hereflected much, over matters and things. I was sent to the Alms-House, however; stone-cutters being nat'rally hard-hearted, I suppose. Thefact that I was left among such people, makes me think so much themore, that my own father must have been one of them, or it never couldhave happened. At all events, I was soon rated on the Alms-Housebooks; and the first thing they did was to give me some name. I wasNo. 19, for about a week; at the age of fourteen days, I became MosesMarble. "

"It was an odd selection, that your 'sponsors in baptism' made!"

"Somewhat--Moses came from the scriptur's, they tell me; there being aperson of that name, as I understand, who was turned adrift prettymuch as I was, myself. "

"Why, yes--so far as the basket and the abandonment were concerned;but he was put afloat fairly, and not clapped on a tomb-stone, as ifto threaten him with the grave at the very outset. "

"Well, Tombstone came very near being my name. At first, they thoughtof giving me the name of the man for whom the stone was intended; but, that being Zollickoffer, they thought I never should be able to spellit. Then came Tombstone, which they thought melancholy, and so theycalled me Marble; consaiting, I suppose, it would make me_tough. _"

"How long did you remain in the Alms-House, and at what age did youfirst go to sea?"

"I staid among them the public feeds, until I was eight years old, andthen I took a hazy day to cut adrift from charity. At that time, Miles, our country belonged to the British--or they treated it as ifit did, though I've heard wiser men than myself say, it was always ourown, the king of England only happening to be our king--but I was borna British subject, and being now just forty, you can understand I wentto sea several years before the revolution. "

"True--you must have seen service in that war, on one side, or theother?"

"If you say _both_ sides, you'll not be out of the way. In 1775, I was a foretop-man in the Romeny 50, where I remained until I wastransferred to the Connecticut 74--"

"The what?" said I, in surprise. "Had the English a line-of-battleship called the Connecticut?"

"As near as I could make it out: I always thought it a big complimentfor John Bull to pay the Yankees. "

"Perhaps the name of your ship was the Carnatic? The sounds are notunlike. "

"Blast me, if I don't think you've hit it, Miles. Well, I'm glad ofit, for I run from the ship, and I shouldn't half like the thought ofserving a countryman such a trick. Yes, I then got on board of one ofour sloops, and tried my hand at settling the account with my oldmasters. I was taken prisoner for my pains, but worried through thewar without getting my neck stretched. They wanted to make it out, onboard the old Jarsey, that I was an Englishman, but I told 'em just toprove it. Let 'em only prove where I was born, I said, and I wouldgive it up. I was ready to be hanged, if they could only prove where Iwas born. D----, but I sometimes thought I never _was_ born, atall. "

"You are surely an American, Marble? A Manhattanese, born andeducated?"

"Why, as it is not likely any person would import a child a week old, to plant it on a tombstone, I conclude I am. Yes, I must be_that_; and I have sometimes thought of laying claim to theproperty of Trinity Church, on the strength of my birth-right. Well, as soon as the war was over, and I got out of prison, and that wasshortly after you were born, Captain Wallingford, I went to workregularly, and have been ever since sarving as dickey, or chief-mate, on board of some craft or other. If I had no family bosom to go into, as a resting-place, I had my bosom to fill with solid beef and pork, and that is not to be done by idleness. "

"And, all this time, my good friend, you have been living, as it mightbe, alone in the world, without a relative of any sort?"

"As sure as you are there. Often and often, have I walked through thestreets of New York, and said to myself, Among all these people, thereis not one that I can call a relation. My blood is in no man's veins, but my own. "

This was said with a bitter sadness, that surprised me. Obdurate, andinsensible to suffering as Marble had ever appeared to me, I was notprepared to find him giving such evidence of feeling. I was thenyoung, but now am old; and one of the lessons learned in the yearsthat have intervened, is not to judge of men by appearances. So muchsensibility is hidden beneath assumed indifference, so much sufferingreally exists behind smiling countenances, and so little does theexterior tell the true story of all that is to be found within, that Iam now slow to yield credence to the lying surfaces of things. Most ofall had I learned to condemn that heartless injustice of the world, that renders it so prompt to decide, on rumour and conjectures, constituting itself a judge from which there shall be no appeal, incases in which it has not taken the trouble to examine, and which ithad not even the power to examine evidence. 

"We are all of the same family, my friend, " I answered, with a gooddesign at least, "though a little separated by time and accidents. "

"Family!--Yes, I belong to my own family. I'm a more important man inmy family, than Bonaparte is in his; for I am all in all; ancestors, present time and posterity!"

"It is, at least, your own fault you are the last; why not marry andhave children?"

"Because my parents did not set me the example, " answered Marble, almost fiercely. Then clapping his hand on my shoulder, in a friendlyway, as if to soothe me after so sharp a rejoinder, he added in agentler tone--"Come, Miles, the Major and his daughter will want theirbreakfasts, and we had better join them. Talking of matrimony, there'sthe girl for you, my boy, thrown into your arms almost nat'rally, asone might say. "

"I am far from being so sure of that. Marble. " I answered, as bothbegan to walk slowly towards the tent "Major Merton might hot think itan honour, in the first place, to let his daughter marry a Yankeesailor. "

"Not such a one as myself, perhaps; but why not one like you? How manygenerations have there been of you, now, at the place you callClawbonny?"

"Four, from father to son, and all of us Miles Wallingfords. "

"Well, the old Spanish proverb says 'it takes three generations tomake a gentleman;' and here you have four to start upon. In _my_family, all the generations have been on the same level, and I countmyself old in my sphere. "

"It is odd that a man like you should know anything of old Spanishproverbs!"

"What? Of _such_ a proverb, think you, Miles? A man without evena father or mother--who never had either, as one may say--and he notremember such a proverb! Boy, boy, I never forget anything that soplainly recalls the tomb-stone, and the basket, and the Alms-House, and Moses, and the names!"

"But Miss Merton might object to the present generation, " I resumed, willing to draw my companion from his bitter thoughts, "howeverfavourably disposed her father might prove to the last. "

"That will be your own fault, then. Here you have her, but on thePacific Ocean, all to yourself; and if you cannot tell your own story, and that in a way to make her believe it, you are not the lad I takeyou for. "

I made an evasive and laughing answer; but, being quite near the tentby this time, it was necessary to change the discourse. The reader maythink it odd, but that was the very first time the possibility of mymarrying Emily Merton ever crossed my mind. In London, I had regardedher as an agreeable acquaintance, with just as much of the colouringof romance and of the sentimental about our intercourse, as is commonwith youths of nineteen and girls a little younger; but as nothingmore. When we met on the island, Emily appeared to me like a friend--a_female_ friend--and, of course, one to be viewed with peculiarlysoftened feelings; still, as only a friend. During the month we hadjust passed in the same ship, this tie had gradually strengthened; andI confess to a perfect consciousness of there being on board a prettygirl in her nineteenth year, of agreeable manners, delicatesentiments, and one whose presence gave the Crisis a charm shecertainly never enjoyed during poor Captain Williams's time. Notwithstanding all this, there was something--though what thatsomething was, I did not then know myself--which prevented me fromabsolutely falling in love with my fair guest. Nevertheless, Marble'ssuggestion was not unpleasant to me; but, on the other hand, it ratherconduced to the satisfaction of my present visit. 

We were kindly received by our hosts, who always seemed to rememberthe commencement of our acquaintance, when Marble and myself visitedthem together. The breakfast had a little of the land about it; forMons. Le Compte's garden still produced a few vegetables, such aslettuce, pepper-grass, radishes, &c. ; most of which, however, had sownthemselves. Three or four fowls, too, that he had left on the islandin the hurry of his departure, had begun to lay; and Neb having founda nest, we had the very unusual treat of fresh eggs. I presume no onewill deny that they were sufficiently "country-laid. "

"Emily and myself consider ourselves as old residents here, " the Majorobserved, as he gazed around him, the table being set in the open air, under some trees; "and I could almost find it in my heart to remain onthis beautiful island for the remainder of my days--quite, I think, were it not for my poor girl, who might find the society of her oldfather rather dull work, at her time of life. "

"Well, Major, " said Marble, "you have only to let your taste be known, to have the ch'ice among all our youngsters to be her companion. Thereis Mr. Talcott, a well-edicated and mannerly lad enough, and of goodconnexions, they tell me; and as for Captain Wallingford here, I willanswer for _him_. My life on it, he would give up Clawbonny, andthe property on which he is the fourth of his name, to be king, orPrince of Wales of this island, with such company!"

Now, it was Marble, and not I, who made this speech; and yet Iheartily wished it unsaid. It made me feel foolish and I dare say itmade me look foolish; and I know it caused Emily to blush. Poor girl!she, who blushed so easily, and was so sensitive, and so delicatelysituated--she was entitled to have more respect paid to herfeelings. The Major and Marble, however, took it all very coolly, continuing the discourse as if nothing out of the way had been said. 

"No doubt--no doubt, " answered the first; "romance always findsvotaries among young people, and this place may well excite romanticfeelings in those who are older than these young men. Do you know, gentlemen, that ever since I have known this island, I have had astrong desire to pass the remainder of my days on it? The idea I havejust mentioned to you, therefore, is by no means one of a moment'sexistence. "

"I am glad, at least, dear sir, " observed Emily, laughing, "that thedesire has not been so strong as to induce you to make formalproposals on the subject. "

"You, indeed, are the great obstacle; for what could I do with adiscontented girl, whose mind would be running on balls, theatres, andother amusements? We should not have even a church. "

"And, Major Merton, " I put in, "what could you, or any other man, dowith _himself_, in a place like this, without companions, books, or occupation ?"

"If a conscientious man, Miles, he might think over the past; if awise one, he would certainly reflect on the future. I should havebooks, since Emily and I could muster several hundred volumes betweenus; and, _with_ books, I should have companions. What could Ido? I should have everything to create, as it might be, and thepleasure of seeing everything rising up under my own hand. There wouldbe a house to construct--the materials of that wreck tocollect--ropes, canvass, timber, tar, sugar, and divers othervaluables that are still out on the reef, or which lie scattered abouton the beach, to gather together, and save against a rainy day. ThenI would have a thought for my poultry; and possibly you might bepersuaded to leave me one or two of these pigs, of which I see theFrench forgot half a dozen, in their haste to cheat the Spaniards. Oh!I should live like a prince and be a prince _regnant_ in thebargain. "

"Yes, sir, you would be captain and all hands, if that would be anygratification; but I think you would soon weary of your government, and be ready to abdicate. "

"Perhaps so, Miles; yet the thought is pleasant to me: but for thisdear girl, it would be particularly so. I have very few relatives; thenearest I have being, oddly enough, your own country-people, gentlemen. My mother was a native of Boston, where my father, amerchant, married her; and I came very near being a Yankee myself, having been born but a week after my parents landed in England. On myfather's side, I have not five recognised relatives, and they arerather distant; while those on my mother's are virtually allstrangers. Then I never owned a foot of this earth on which we live, in my life--"

"Nor I, " interrupted Marble, with emphasis. 

"My father was a younger son; and younger sons in England aregenerally lack-lands. My life has been such, and, I may add, my meanssuch, that I have never been in the way of purchasing even enoughearth to bury me in; and here, you see, is an estate that can be hadfor asking. How much land do you fancy there is in this island, gentlemen? I mean, apart from the beach, the sands and rocks; butsuch as has grass, and bears trees--ground that might be tilled, andrendered productive, without much labour?"

"A hundred thousand acres, " exclaimed Marble, whose calculation wasreceived with a general laugh. 

"It seems rather larger to me, sir, " I answered, "than the farm atClawbonny. Perhaps there may be six or eight hundred acres of the sortof land you mention; though the whole island must contain severalthousands--possibly four, or five. "

"Well, four or five thousand acres of land make a good estate--but, asI see Emily is getting frightened, and is nervous under theapprehension of falling heir to such extensive possessions, I will sayno more about them. "

No more _was_ said, and we finished our breakfasts, conversing ofthe past, rather than of the future. The Major and Marble went tostroll along the groves, in the direction of the wreck; while Ipersuaded Emily to put on her hat and stroll--the other way. 

"This is a singular notion of my father's, " my fair companionremarked, after a moment of musing; "nor is it the first time, I doassure you, on which he has mentioned it. While we were here before, he spoke of it daily. "

"The scheme might do well enough for two ardent lovers, " said I, laughing; "but would scarcely be Wise for an elderly gentleman and hisdaughter. I can imagine that two young people, warmly attached to eachother, might get along in such a place for a year or two, withouthanging themselves; but I fancy even love would tire out, after awhile, and they would set about building a boat, in which to be off. "

"You are not very romantic, I perceive, Mr. Wallingford, " Emilyanswered, and I thought a little reproachfully. "Now, I own that tomy taste, I could be happy anywhere--here, as well as in London, surrounded by my nearest and dearest friends. "

"Surrounded! Ay, that would be a very different matter. Let me haveyour father, yourself, honest Marble, good Mr. Hardinge, Rupert, dear, dear Grace, and Lucy, with Neb and some others of my own blacks, and Ishould ask no better home. The island is only in twenty, has plenty ofshade some delicious fruits, and Would be easily tilled--one might dohere, I acknowledge, and it would be pleasant to found a colony. "

"And who are all these people you love so well, Mr. Wallingford, thattheir presence would make a desert island pleasant?"

"In the first place, Major Merton is a half-pay officer in the Britishservice, who has been appointed to some civil station in India"--Ianswered, gallantly. "He is a respectable, agreeable, well-informedgentleman, a little turned of fifty, who might act as Judge andChancellor. Then he has a daughter--"

"I know more of her and her bad qualities than you do yourself, _Sire_--but who are Rupert, and Grace, and Lucy--_dear, dear_ Grace, especially?"

"Dear, _dearest_ Grace, Madam, is my sister--my _only_sister--all the sister I ever can have, either by marriage, or anyother means, and sisters are usually _dear_ to young men, Ibelieve. "

"Well--I knew you had a sister, and a _dear_ sister, but I alsoknew you had but one. Now as to Rupert--"

"He is not another sister, you may be well assured. I have mentionedto you a friend from childhood, who went to sea with me, at first, but, disliking the business, has since commenced the study of thelaw. "

"That, then, is Rupert. I remember some such touches of his character, but did not know the name. Now, proceed on to the next--"

"What, Neb!--You know _him_ almost as well as I do myself. He isyonder feeding the chickens, and will save his passage money. "

"But you spoke of another--that is--was there not a Mr. --, Hardingewas the name, I think?"

"Oh! true--I forgot Mr. Hardinge and Lucy, though they would be two ofthe most important of the colonists. Mr. Hardinge is my guardian, andwill continue to be so a few months longer, and Lucy is hisdaughter--Rupert's sister--the old gentleman is a clergyman, and wouldhelp us to keep Sundays as one should, and might perform the marriageceremony, should it ever be required. "

"Not much danger of that, I fancy, on your _desert_ island--yourBarrataria"--observed Miss Merton, quickly. 

I cannot explain the sensitiveness of certain young ladies on suchpoints, unless it be through their consciousness. Now, had I beenholding this idle talk with Lucy, the dear, honest creature would havelaughed, blushed ever so little, possibly, and nodded her head infrank assent; or, perhaps, she would have said "oh! certainly, " in away to show that she had no desire to affect so silly a thing as towish one to suppose she thought young people would not get married atMarble Land, as well as Clawbonny, or New York. Miss Merton, however, saw fit to change the discourse, which soon turned on her father'shealth. On this subject she was natural and full of strongaffection. She was anxious to get the Major out of the warmlatitudes. His liver had been touched in the West Indies, but he hadhoped that he was cured, or he never would have accepted the Bombayappointment. Experience, however, was giving reason to suspect thecontrary, and Emily wished him in a cold climate as soon as possible, and that with an earnestness that showed she regarded all that hadbeen said about the island as sheer pleasantry. We continued theconversation for an hour when, returning to the tent, I left my faircompanion with a promise to be as active as possible, in order tocarry the ship into a higher latitude. Still I did not deem the islanda particularly dangerous place, notwithstanding its position; thetrades and sea breezes, with its ample shades, rendering the spot oneof the most delightful tropical abodes I had ever been in. 

After quitting Emily, I went to join Marble, who was alone, pacing aspot beneath the trees, that poor Le Compte had worn into a path, andwhich he had himself called his "quarter-deck. "

"This Major Merton is a sensible man, Miles, " the ex-mate began, assoon as I dropped in alongside of him, and joined in his semi-trot; "adownright, sensible sort of a philosopher-like man, accordin' to mynotion. "

"What has he been telling you, now, that has seized your fancy so muchstronger than common?"

"Why, I was thinking of this idee of his, to remain on the island, andpass the remainder of the v'y'ge here, without slaving day and nightto get up two or three rounds of the ladder of promotion, only to falldown again. "

"And did the Major speak of such things? I know of no disappointmentsof his, to sour him with the world. "

"I was not speaking for Major Merton, but for myself, Miles. To tellyou the truth, boy, this idee seems just suited to me, and I havealmost made up my mind to remain behind, here, when you sail. "

I looked at Marble with astonishment; the subject on which the Majorhad spoken in pleasantry, rather than with any real design of carryinghis project into execution, was one that my old messmate regardedseriously! I had noted the attention with which he listened to ourdiscourse, during breakfast, and the strong feeling with which hespoke at the time, but had no notion of the cause of either. I knewthe man too well, not to understand, at once, that he was in soberearnest, and had too much experience of his nature, not to foresee thegreatest difficulty in turning him from his purpose. I understood thetrue motive to be professional mortification at all that occurredsince he had succeeded Captain Williams in command; for Marble wasmuch too honest and too manly, to think for a moment of concealing hisown misfortunes behind the mantle offered by my success. 

"You have not thought of this matter sufficiently, my friend, " Ianswered, evasively, knowing the folly of attempting to laugh thematter off--"when you have slept on it a night, you will see thingsdifferently. "

"I fancy not, Miles. Here is all I want, and just what I want. Afteryou have taken away everything that can be required for the vessels, or desirable to the owners, there will be enough left to keep me adozen lives. "

"It is not on account of food, that I speak--the island alone in itsfruits, fish and birds, to say nothing as to the seeds, and fowls, andpigs, we could leave you, would be sufficient to keep fifty men; but, think of the solitude, the living without object, the chances ofsickness--the horrible death that would follow to one unable to riseand assist himself, and all the other miseries of being alone. Dependon it, man was not created to live alone. Society is indispensable tohim, and--"

"I have thought of it all, and find it entirely to my taste. I tellyou, Miles, I should be exactly in my sphere, in this island, and thatas a hermit. I do not say I should not like _some_ company, if itcould be yourself, or Talcott, or the Major, or even Neb; but nocompany is better than bad; and as for asking, or _allowing_ anyone to stay with me, it is out of the question. I did, at first, thinkof keeping the Sandwich Islanders; but it would be bad faith, and theywould not be likely to remain quiet, after the ship had sailed. No, Iwill remain alone. You will probably report the island when you gethome, and that will induce some vessel, which may be passing near, tolook for me, so I shall hear of you all, every four or five years. "

"Gracious heaven! Marble, you cannot be serious in so mad a design?"

"Just look at my situation, Miles, and decide for yourself. I amwithout a friend on earth--I mean nat'ral friend--I know what sort offriend you are, and parting with you will be the toughest of all--butI have not a relation on the wide earth--no property, no home no oneto wish to see me return, not even a cellar to lay my head in. To meall places are alike, with the exception of this, which, havingdiscovered, I look upon as my own. "

"You have a _country_, Marble; and that is the next thing tofamily and home--overshadows all. "

"Ay, and I'll have a country here. This will be America, having beendiscovered by Americans, and in their possession. You will leave methe buntin', and I'll show the stars and stripes of a 4th of July, just as you will show 'em, in some other part of the world. I was bornYankee, at least, and I'll die Yankee, I've sailed under that flag, boy, ever since the year '77, and will not sail under another you maydepend on it. "

"I never could justify myself to the laws for leaving a man behind mein such a place. "

"Then I'll run, and that will make all right. But, you know wellenough, boy, that leaving a captain is one thing, and leaving a mananother. "

"And what shall I tell all your acquaintances, those who have sailedwith you so often and so long, has become of their old ship-mate?"

"Tell 'em that the man who was once _found_, is now _lost_, "answered Marble, bitterly. "But I am not such a fool as to thinkmyself of so much importance as you seem to imagine. The only personswho will consider the transaction of any interest will be thenewspaper gentry, and they will receive it only as _news_, andthank you about half as much as they would for a murder, or a robbery, or the poisoning of a mother and six little children. "

"I think, after all, you would scarcely find the means of supportingyourself, " I added, looking round in affected doubt; for I felt, ateach instant, how likely my companion was to adhere to his notion, andthis from knowing him so well. "I doubt if the cocoa is healthy, allthe year round, and there must be seasons when the trees do not bear. "

"Have no fear of that sort. I have my own fowling-piece, and you willleave me a musket, or two, with some ammunition. Transient vessels, now the island is known, will keep up the supply. There are two henssetting, at this moment, and a third has actually hatched. Then one ofthe men tells me there is a litter of pigs, near the mouth of thebay. As for the hogs and the poultry, the shell-fish and berries willkeep them; but there are fifteen hogsheads of sugar on the beach, besides thirty or forty more in the wreck, and all above water. Thereare casks of beans and peas, the sea-stores of the French, besideslots of other things. I can plant, and fish, and shoot, and make afence from the ropes of the wreck, and have a large garden, and allthat a man can want. Our own poultry, you know, has long been out; butthere is still a bushel of Indian-corn left, that was intended fortheir feed. One quart of that, will make me a rich man, in such aclimate as this, and with soil like that on the flat between the twogroves. I own a chest of tools, and am, ship-fashion, both a tolerablecarpenter and blacksmith; and I do not see that I shall want foranything. You _must_ leave half the things that are scatteredabout, and so far from being a man to be pitied, I shall be a man tobe envied. Thousands of wretches in the greatest thoroughfares ofLondon, would gladly exchange their crowded streets and poverty, formy solitude and abundance. "

I began to think Marble was not in a state of mind to reason with, andchanged the subject. The day passed in recreation, as had beenintended; and next morning we set about filling up the schooner. Westruck in all the copper, all the English goods, and such portions ofthe Frenchman's cargo as would be most valuable in America. Marble, however, had announced to others his determination to remain behind, to abandon the seas, and to turn hermit. As his first step, he gaveup the command of the Pretty Poll, and I was obliged to restore her, again, to our old third-mate, who was every way competent to take careof her. At the end of the week, the schooner was ready, and despairingof getting Marble off in _her_, I ordered her to sail for home, viâ Cape Horn; giving especial instructions not to attempt Magellan. Iwrote to the owners, furnishing an outline of all that had occurred, and of my future plans, simply remarking that Mr. Marble had declinedacting out of motives of delicacy, since the re-capture of the ship;and that, in future, their interests must remain in my care. Withthese despatches the schooner sailed. Marble and I watched her untilher sails became a white speck on the ocean, after which she suddenlydisappeared. 

As for the ship, she was all ready; and my only concern now was inrelation to Marble. I tried the influence of Major Merton; but, unfortunately, that gentleman had already said too much in favour ofour friend's scheme, in ignorance of its effect, to gain much creditwhen he turned round, and espoused the other side. The arguments ofEmily failed, also. In fact, it was not reason, but feeling thatgoverned Marble; and, in a bitter hour, he had determined to pass theremainder of his days where he was. Finding all persuasion useless, and the season approaching when the winds rendered it necessary tosail, I was compelled to yield, or resort to force. The last I wasreluctant to think of; nor was I certain the men would have obeyed mehad I ordered them to use it. Marble had been their commander so long, that he might, at any moment, have re-assumed the charge of the ship;and it was not probable his orders would have been braved under anycircumstances that did not involve illegality, or guilt. After aconsultation with the Major, I found it necessary to yield to thiswhim, though I did so with greater reluctance than I ever experiencedon any other occasion. 

CHAPTER XX. 

 "Pass on relentless world! I grieve No more for all that thou hast riven! Pass on, in God's name--only leave The things thou never yet hast given. --" LUNT. 

After every means had been uselessly exhausted to persuade Marble fromhis design, it only remained to do all we could to make himcomfortable and secure. Of enemies, there was no danger, and care wasnot necessary for defence. We got together, however, some of thetimber, planks and other materials, that were remaining at theshipyard, and built him a cabin, that offered much better shelteragainst the tropical storms that sometimes prevailed, than any tentcould yield. We made this cabin as wide as a plank is long, or twelvefeet, and some five or six feet longer. It was well sided and tightlyroofed, having three windows and a door. The lights of the wrecksupplied the first, and her cabin-door the last. We had hinges, andeverything that was necessary to keep things in their place. There wasno chimney required, fire being unnecessary for warmth in thatclimate; but the French had brought their camboose from the wreck, andthis we placed under a proper covering at a short distance from thehut, the strength of one man being insufficient to move it. We alsoenclosed, by means of ropes, and posts made of the ribs of the wreck, a plot of ground of two acres in extent, where the land was therichest and unshaded, so as to prevent the pigs from injuring thevegetables; and, poor Marble knowing little of gardening, I had amelancholy pleasure in seeing the whole piece dug, or rather hoed up, and sown and planted myself, before we sailed. We put in corn, potatoes, peas, beans, lettuce, radishes, and several other things, ofwhich we found the seeds in the French garden. We took pains, moreover, to transport from the wreck, many articles that it wasthought might prove of use, though they were too heavy for Marble tohandle. As there were near forty of us, all busy in this way for threeor four days, we effected a great deal, and may be said to have gotthe island in order. I felt the same interest in the duty, that Ishould in bestowing a child for life. 

Marble, himself, was not much among us all this time. He rathercomplained that I should leave him nothing to do, though I could seehe was touched by the interest we manifested in his welfare. TheFrench launch had been used as the means of conveyance between thewreck and the beach, and we found it where it had been left by itsoriginal owners, anchored to-leeward of the island, and abreast of theship. It was the last thing I meddled with and it was my care to putit in such a state that, at need, it might be navigated across thattranquil sea, to some other island, should Marble feel a desire toabandon his solitude. The disposition I made of the boat was asfollows:--

The launch was large and coppered, and it carried two lug-sails. I hadboth masts stepped, with the yards, sails, sheets, &c. Prepared, andput in their places; a stout rope was next carried round the entireboat, outside, and a few inches below the gunwale, where it wassecurely nailed. From this rope, led a number of lanyards, with eyesturned into their ends. Through these eyes I rove a sort ofridge-rope, leading it also through the eyes of several stancheonsthat were firmly stepped on the thwarts. The effect, when theridge-rope was set up, was to give the boat the protection of thiswaist-cloth, which inclined inboard, however, sufficiently to leave anopen passage between the two sides, of only about half the beam of theboat. To the ridge-rope and lanyards, I had tarpaulins firmlyattached, tacking their lower edges strongly to the outer sides of theboat. By this arrangement, when all was in its place, and properlysecured, a sea might break, or a wave slap against the boat, withouther taking in much water. It doubled her security in this particular, more than answering the purposes of a half-deck and wash-board. It istrue, a very heavy wave might carry all away; but very heavy waveswould probably fill the boat, under any circumstances. Such a craftcould only find safety in her buoyancy; and we made her as safe as anundecked vessel very well could be. 

Marble watched me while I was superintending these changes in theboat, with a good deal of interest; and one evening--I had announcedan intention to sail next morning, the Major and Emily having actuallygone on board--that evening, he got my arm, and led me away from thespot, like a man who has urgent business. I could see that he was muchaffected, and had strong hopes he intended to announce a change ofpurpose. His hand actually trembled, the whole time it grasped my arm. 

"God bless you! Miles--God bless you, dear boy!" he said, speakingwith difficulty, as soon as we were out of earshot from theothers. "If any being could make me pine for the world, it would besuch a friend as you. I could live on without father or mother, brother or sister, ship or confidence of my owners, good name even, were I sure of meeting such a lad as yourself in only every thousandthman I fell in with. But, young as you are, you know how it is withmankind; and no more need be said about it. All I ask now is, that youwill knock off with this 'making him comfortable, ' as you call it, oryou'll leave me nothing to do for myself. I can fit out that boat aswell as e'er a man in the Crisis, I'd have you to know. "

"I am well aware of that, my friend; but I am not so certain that you_would. _ In that boat, I am in hopes you will follow us out tosea, and come on board again, and take your old place as master. "

Marble shook his head, and I believe he saw by my manner that I had noserious expectations of the sort I named. We walked some distancefarther, in silence, before he again spoke. Then he said suddenly, andin a way to show how much his mind was troubled--

"Miles, my dear fellow, you must let me hear from you!"

"Hear from me! By what means, pray? You cannot expect thePostmaster-General will make a mail-route between New York and thisisland?"

"Poh! I'm getting old, and losing my memory. I was generalizing onfriendship, and the like of that, and the idee ran away with me. Iknow, of course, when you are out of sight, that I shall be cut offfrom the rest of the world--probably shall never see a human faceagain. But what of that? My time cannot be long now, and I shall havethe fish, fowls and pigs to talk to. To tell you the truth, Miles. Miss Merton gave me her own Bible yesterday, and, at my request, shepointed out that part which gives the account about Moses in thebulrushes, and I've just been looking it over: it is easy enough, now, to understand why I was called Moses. "

"But Moses did not think it necessary to go and live in a desert, oron an uninhabited island, merely because he was found in thosebulrushes. "

_"That_ Moses had no occasion to be ashamed of his parents. Itwas fear, not shame, that sent him adrift. Nor did Moses ever let aset of lubberly Frenchmen seize a fine, stout ship, like the Crisis, with a good, able-bodied crew of forty men on board her. "

"Come, Marble, you have too much sense to talk in this manner. It is, fortunately, not too late to change your mind; and I will let it beunderstood that you did so at my persuasion. "

This was the commencement of a final effort on my part to induce myfriend to abandon his mad project. We conversed quite an hour, until Ihad exhausted my breath, as well as my arguments, indeed; and allwithout the least success. I pointed out to him the miserable plighthe must be in, in the event of illness; but it was an argument thathad no effect on a man who had never had even a headach in hislife. As for society, he cared not a straw for it when ashore, heoften boasted; and he could not yet appreciate the effects of totalsolitude. Once or twice, remarks escaped him as if he thought itpossible I might one day return; but they were ventured in pleasantry, rather than with any appearance of seriousness. I could see that theself-devoted hermit had his misgivings, but I could obtain no verbalconcession from him to that effect. He was reminded that the ship mustpositively sail next day, since it would not do to trifle with theinterests of the owners any longer. 

"I know it, Miles, " Marble answered, "and no more need be said on thesubject. Your people are through with their work, and here comes Nebto report the boat ready to go off. I shall try my hand ashoreto-night, alone; in the morning, I suppose you would like to take anold shipmate by the hand for the last time, and you will nat'rallylook for me at the water-side. Good-night! Before we part, however, Imay as well thank you for the supply of clothes I see you have put inmy hut. It was scarcely wanted, as I have enough needles and thread tosupply a slop-shop; and the old duck left by the French will keep mein jackets and trowsers for the remainder of my days. Good-night, mydear boy! God bless you--God bless you!"

It was nearly dark, but I could see that Marble's eyes looked moist, and feel that his hand again trembled. I left him, not without thehope that the solitude of this night, the first in which he had beenleft by himself, would have the effect to lessen his desire to be ahermit. When I turned in, it was understood that all hands were to becalled at daylight, and the ship unmoored. 

Talcott came to call me, at the indicated moment. I had made himchief-mate, and taken one of the Philadelphians for second officer; ayoung man who had every requisite for the station, and one more thanwas necessary, or a love of liquor. But, drunkards do tolerably wellon board a ship in which reasonable discipline is maintained. For thatmatter, Neptune ought to be a profound moralist, as youths are verygenerally sent to sea to cure most of the ethical flings. Talcott wasdirected to unmoor, and heave short. As for myself, I got into a boatand pulled ashore, with an intention of making a last and strongappeal to Marble. 

No one was visible on the island when we reached it. The pigs andfowls were already in motion, however, and were gathering near thedoor of the hut, where Marble was accustomed to feed them about thathour; the fowls on _sugar_, principally. I proceeded to the door, opened it, entered the place, and found it empty! Its late inmate wasthen up, and abroad. He had probably passed a sleepless night, andsought relief in the fresh air of the morning. I looked for him in theadjacent grove, on the outer beach, and in most of his usualhaunts. He was nowhere visible. A little vexed at having so long awalk before me, at a moment when we were so much pressed for time, Iwas about to follow the grove to a distant part of the island, to aspot that I knew Marble frequented a good deal, when moody; but mysteps were arrested by an accidental glance at the lagoon. I missedthe Frenchman's launch, or the boat I had: myself caused to be riggedwith so much care, the previous day, for the intended hermit'sespecial advantage. This was a large boat; one that had beenconstructed to weigh a heavy anchor; and I had left her, mooredbetween a grapnel and the shore, so securely, as to forbid the ideashe could have been moved, in so quiet a time, without the aid ofhands. Rushing to the water, I got into my own boat, and pulleddirectly on board. 

On reaching the ship, a muster of all hands was ordered. The resultproved that everybody was present, and at duty. It followed thatMarble, alone, had carried the boat out of the lagoon. The men who hadhad the anchor-watches during the past night, were questioned on thesubject; but no one had seen or heard anything of a movement in thelaunch. Mr. Talcott was told to continue his duty, while I went aloftmyself, to look at the offing. I was soon in the main-top-mastcross-trees, where a view was commanded of the whole island, a fewcovers excepted, of all the water within the reef, and of a wide rangewithout. Nowhere was the boat or Marble to be seen. It was barelypossible that he had concealed himself behind the wreck, though I didnot see how even this could be done, unless he had taken theprecaution to strike the launch's masts. 

By this time, our last anchor was aweigh, and the ship was clear ofthe bottom. The top-sails had been hoisted before I went aloft, andeverything was now ready for filling away. Too anxious to go on deck, under such circumstances, and a lofty position being the best forascertaining the presence of rocks, I determined to remain where Iwas, and conn the ship through the passes, in my own person. An orderwas accordingly given to set the jib, and to swing the head-yards, andget the spanker on the ship. In a minute, the Crisis was again inmotion, moving steadily towards the inlet. As the lagoon was notentirely free from danger, coral rocks rising in places quite near thesurface of the water, I was obliged to be attentive to the pilot'sduty, until we got into the outer bay, when this particular danger ina great measure disappeared. I could then look about me with morefreedom. Though we so far changed our position, as respected thewreck, as to open new views of it, no launch was to be seen behindit. By the time the ship reached the passage through the reef, I hadlittle hope of finding it there. 

We had got to be too familiar with the channels, to have anydifficulty in taking the ship through them; and we were soon fairly towindward of the reef. Our course, however, lay to leeward; and wepassed round the southern side of the rocks, under the same easycanvass, until we got abreast, and within half a cable's length of thewreck. To aid my own eyes, I had called up Talcott and Neb; butneither of us could obtain the least glimpse of the launch. Nothingwas to be seen about the wreck; though I took the precaution to send aboat to it. All was useless. Marble had gone out to sea, quite alone, in the Frenchman's launch; and, though twenty pairs of eyes were nowaloft, no one could even fancy that he saw anything in the offing, that resembled a boat. 

Talcott and myself had a private interview on the subject of Marble'sprobable course. My mate was of opinion, that our friend had made thebest of his way for some of the inhabited islands, unwilling to remainhere, when it came to the pinch, and yet ashamed to rejoin us. I couldhardly believe this; in such a case, I thought he would have waiteduntil we had sailed; when he might have left the island also, andnobody been the wiser. To this Talcott answered that Marble probablyfeared our importunities; possibly, compulsion. It seemed singular tome, that a man who regretted his hasty decision, should adopt such acourse; and yet I was at a loss to explain the matter much more to myown satisfaction. Nevertheless, there was no remedy. We were as muchin the dark as it was possible to be with a knowledge of thecircumstance that the bird had flown. 

We hovered around the reef for several hours, most of which time Ipassed in the cross-trees, and some of it on the royal-yard. Once, Ithought I saw a small speck on the ocean, dead to windward, thatresembled a boat's sail; but there were so many birds flying about, and glancing beneath the sun's rays, that I was reluctantly compelledto admit it was probably one of them. At meridian, therefore, I gavethe order to square away, and to make sail on our course. This wasdone with the greatest reluctance, however, and not without a gooddeal of vaciliation of purpose. The ship moved away from the landrapidly, and by two o'clock, the line of cocoa-nut trees that fringedthe horizon astern, sunk entirely beneath the rolling margin of ourview. From that moment, I abandoned the expectation of ever seeingMoses Marble again, though the occurrence left all of us sad, forseveral days. 

Major Merton and his daughter were on the poop, nearly the whole ofthis morning. Neither interfered in the least; for the old soldier wastoo familiar with discipline to venture an opinion concerning themanagement of the ship. When we met at dinner, however, theconversation naturally turned on the disappearance of our old friend. 

"It is a thousand pities that pride should have prevented Marble fromacknowledging his mistake, " observed the Major, "and thus kept himfrom getting a safe passage to Canton, where he might have left you, and joined another ship had he thought it necessary. "

"Where we shall do the same thing, I suppose, dear sir, " added Emily, with a manner that I thought marked, "and thus relieve CaptainWallingford from the encumbrance of our presence. "

"Me!--call your delightful society anything but an enumbrance, I begof you, Miss Merton, " I rejoined in haste. 

"Now, that Mr. Le Compte has furnished this comfortable cabin, and youare no longer at any inconvenience to yourselves, I would not bedeprived of the advantage and pleasure of this association, for morethan I dare mention. "

Emily looked gratified; while her father appeared to me to bethoughtful. After a brief pause, however, the Major resumed thediscourse. 

"I should certainly feel myself bound to make many apologies for thetrouble we are giving, " he said, "especially, since I understand fromWallingford, he will not accept, either for himself or his owners, anything like compensation even for the food we consume, were it notthat we are here by constraint, and not by any agency of our own. Assoon as we reach Canton, however, I shall feel it a duty to get onboard the first English ship that will receive us. "

I stole a glance at Emily, but could not understand the expression ofher countenance, as she heard this announcement. Of course, I made anearnest protest against the Major's doing anything of the sort; andyet I could not well find any sufficient reason for urging him toremain where he was, beyond my own gratification. I could not go toeither England, or Bombay; and I took it for granted Major Mertonwished to proceed, at once, to one, if not to both of these places. Weconversed, a little generally perhaps, on the subject for some timelonger; and when I left the cabin, it struck me, Emily's melancholyhad, in no degree, lessened. 

It is a long road to traverse over half of the Pacific. Weeks andweeks were thus occupied; Talcott and myself profiting by everysuitable occasion, to enjoy the advantages of the association chancehad thus thrown in our way. I make no doubt I was greatly benefited bymy constant communications with the Mertons; the Major being acultivated, though not a particularly brilliant, man; while I conceiveit to be utterly impossible for two young men, of our time of life andprofession, to be daily, almost hourly, in the company of a youngwoman like Emily Merton, without losing some of the peculiar roughnessof the sea, and getting, in its place, some small portion of thegentler qualities of the saloon. I date a certain _a plomb_, anabsence of shyness in the company of females, from this habitualintercourse with one of the sex who had, herself, been carefullyeducated in the conventionalities of respectable, if not of veryelegant or sophisticated society. 

At length we reached the China seas, and falling in to windward, wemade a quick run to Canton. It now became necessary for me to attendto the ship and the interests of my owners; suffering my passengers toland at Whampoa, with the understanding we were to meet before eitherparty sailed. I soon disposed of the sandal-wood and skins, and foundno difficulty in procuring teas, nankins, china-ware, and the otherarticles pointed out, in the instructions to poor Captain Williams. Iprofited by the occasion, also, to make certain purchases on my ownaccount, that I had a presentiment would be particularly agreeable tothe future mistress of Clawbonny, let that lady turn out to bewhomsoever she might. The dollars obtained on the west coast of SouthAmerica enabled me to do this; my instructions giving the necessaryauthority to use a few of them on private account. My privilege asmaster rendered all proper. 

In a word, the residence of six or eight weeks at Canton, proved avery advantageous affair for those whose money was embarked in theCrisis. Sandal-wood and sea-otter skins brought particularly highprices; while teas, and the manufactures of the country, happened tobe low. I had no merit in this; not a particle; and yet I reaped theadvantage, so far as advantage was connected with the mere reputationof the voyage; success being of nearly as great account in commerce, as in war. It is true, I worked like a dog; for I worked under anentirely novel sense of responsibility, and with a feeling I amcertain that could never have oppressed me in the care of my ownproperty; and I deserved some portion of the credit subsequentlyobtained. At all events, I was heartily rejoiced when the hatcheswere on, and the ship was once more ready for sea. 

It now became a duty, as well as a pleasure, to seek Major Merton, whom I had seen but once or twice during the last two months. He hadpassed that time at Whampao, while I had been either at the factories, or on board. The Major was occupied when I called; and Emily receivedme alone. When she learned that I was ready to sail for home, and hadcome to take my leave, it was easy to see that she was uneasy, if notdistressed. I felt unhappy at parting too, and perhaps I had lessscruple about saying as much. 

"God only knows, Miss Merton, whether we are ever to be permitted tosee each other again, " I remarked, after the preliminary explanationshad been made. 

The reader will remember that I am now an old man, and that vanity nolonger has any of that influence over me which it might be supposed topossess over one of more juvenile hopes and feelings; that I relatefacts, without reference to their effect on myself, beyond the generalsalvo of some lingering weaknesses of humanity. I trust, therefore, Ishall be understood in all my necessary allusions to the estimation inwhich I was apparently held by others. Emily fairly started when Imade this remark concerning the probable duration of the approachingseparation, and the colour left her cheek. Her pretty white handshook, so that she had difficulty in using her needle; and there wasan appearance of agitation and distress about the charming girl, thatI had never before witnessed in one whose manner was usually soself-possessed and calm. I _now_ know the reason why I did notthrow myself on my knees, and beg the charming girl to consent toaccompany me to America, though I wondered at myself afterwards, whenI came to reflect coolly on all that passed, for my stoicism. I willnot affirm that I fancied Emily's agitation to be altogether owing tomyself; but I confess to an inability to account for it, in any othermanner, as agreeable to myself. The appearance of Major Merton at thatinstant, however, prevented everything like a scene, and probablyrestored us both to a consciousness of the necessity of seemingcalm. As for the Major, himself, he was evidently far from beingunconcerned, something having occurred to disturb him. So veryapparent was this, that I commenced the discourse by asking if he wereunwell. 

"Always _that, _ I fear, Miles, " he answered; "my physician hasjust told me frankly, unless I get into a cold climate as soon aspossible, my life will not be worth six months' purchase. "

"Then sail with me, sir, " I cried, with an eagerness and heartinessthat must have proved my sincerity. "Happily, I am not too late tomake the offer; and, as for getting away, I am ready to sailto-morrow!"

"I am forbidden to go near Bombay, " continued the Major, lookinganxiously at his daughter; "and that appointment must be abandoned. IfI could continue to hold it, there is no probability of a chance toreach my station this half-year. "

"So much the better for me, sir. In four or five months from thismoment, I will land you in New York, where you will find the climatecold enough for any disease. I ask you as friends--as guests--not aspassengers; and to prove it, the table of the upper cabin, in future, shall be mine. I have barely left room in the lower cabin to sleep ordress in, having filled it with my own private venture, as is myright. "

"You are as generous as kind, Miles; but what will your owners thinkof such an arrangement?"

"They have no right to complain. The cabin and passengers, should anyof the last offer, after deducting a very small allowance for theship's portion of the food and water, are mine by agreement. All thebetter food I find at my own charge; and, should you insist onremunerating the owners for the coarser, or such as they find, you cando so, it will be less than a hundred dollars, at the most. "

"On these conditions, then, I shall thankfully profit by your offer;attaching, however, one more that I trust you may be permitted tofulfil. It is important to me that I reach England--can you touch atSt. Helena?"

"Willingly, if it be your wish. The health of the crew, moreover, mayrender it desirable. "

"There, then, I will quit you, if an opportunity offer to proceed toEngland. Our bargain is made, dear Miles; and to-morrow I shall beready to embark. "

I think Emily never looked more beautiful than she did while listeningto this arrangement. It doubtless relieved her mind on the painfulsubject of her father's health, and I fancied it relieved it also onthe subject of our own immediate separation. Months must elapse beforewe could reach St. Helena; and who could foresee what those monthsmight bring forth? As I had a good deal to do at such a moment, I tookmy leave, with my feelings lightened, as it might be, of aburthen. The reader will at once infer, I was in love. But he will bemistaken. I was not in love; though my imagination, to use a cantphrase of some of the sects, was greatly exercised. Lucy, even then, had a hold of my _heart_ in a way of which I was ignorant myself;but it was not in nature for a youth, just approaching his majority, to pass months and months, almost alone, in the society of a lovelygirl who was a year or two his junior, and not admit some degree oftenderness towards her in big feelings. The circumstances weresufficient to try the constancy of the most faithful swain that everlived. Then, it must be remembered that I had never professed love toLucy--was not at all aware that she entertained any other sentimenttowards me than that she entertained towards Rupert; whereas Emily--but I will not prove myself a coxcomb on paper, whatever I might havebeen, at the moment, in my own imagination. 

Next day, at the appointed hour, I had the happiness to receive my oldpassengers. It struck me that Talcott was as much gratified as I wasmyself; for he, too, had both pleasure and improvement in EmilyMorton's society. It has often been said that the English East-Indiaships are noted for quarrelling and making love. The quarrels may beaccounted for on the same principle as the love-making, viz. , propinquity; the same proximity producing hostility in whose sternernatures, that, in others of a gentler cast, produces its oppositefeeling. We sailed, and it is scarcely necessary to tell the readerhow much the tedium of so long a voyage, and the monotony of asea-voyage, was relieved by the graces and gentle intercourse of ourupper cabin. The other apartment being so crowded and hot, I passedmost of my time in the poop, which was both light and airy. Here Igenerally found the father and daughter, though often the latteralone. I played reasonably well on the flute and violin, and hadlearned to accompany Emily on her piano, which, it will be remembered, Mons. Le Compte had caused to be transferred from the Bombay ship tohis own vessel, and which had subsequently been saved from the wreck. 

Talcott played also on the flute, far better than I did myself; and wefrequently made a trio, producing very respectable sea-music--better, indeed, than Neptune often got for his smiles. In this manner, then, we travelled our long road, sometimes contending with head-winds andcross-seas, sometimes becalmed, and sometimes slipping along at a ratethat rendered everybody contented and happy. 

In passing the Straits of Sunda, I related to Major Merton and Emilythe incidents of the John's affair with the proas, and her subsequentloss on the island of Madagascar; and was rewarded by the interestthey took in the tale. We all spoke of Marble, as indeed we often did, and expressed our regrets at his absence. The fate of my old shipmatewas frequently discussed among us, there being a great diversity ofopinion on the subject. As for the Major, he thought poor Marble mustbe lost at sea, for he did not perceive how any one man could manage aboat all alone by himself. Talcott, who had juster notions of what aseaman could do, was of opinion that our late commander had run toleeward, in the hope of finding some inhabited island, preferring theassociation of even cannibals, when it came to the trying moment, tototal solitude. I thought he had gone to windward, the boat being sowell equipped for that service, and that Marble was in the expectationof falling in with some of the whalers, who were known to be cruisingin certain latitudes. I was greatly struck, however, by a remark madeby Emily, on the evening of the very day when we passed the Straits ofSunda. 

"Should the truth be ever known, gentlemen, " she said, "I am ofopinion it will be found that poor Mr. Marble only left the island toescape from your importunities, and returned to it after the shipdisappeared; and that he is there at this moment, enjoying all thehappiness of a hermit. "

This might be true, and from that hour the thought would occasionallyrecur to my mind. As I looked forward to passing at least several moreyears at sea, I secretly determined to ascertain the fact for myself, should occasion ever offer. In the mean time, the Crisis had reached apart of the ocean where, in those days, it was incumbent on those whohad the charge of a ship to keep a vigilant look-out for enemies. Itseems we were not fated to run the gauntlet of these pirates entirelyunharmed. 

Early on the following morning, I was awoke by Talcott's giving me ahearty shake of the shoulder. 

"Turn out at once, Captain Wallingford, " cried my mate, "the rascalsare closing around us like crows about a carcase. As bad luck willhave it, we have neither room nor breeze, to spare. Everything lookslike a busy morning for us, sir. "

In just three minutes from that moment, I was on deck, where all handswere soon collected, the men tumbling up, with their jackets in theirhands. Major Merton was already on the poop, surveying the scene witha glass of his own; while the two mates were clearing away the guns, and getting the ship in a state to make a suitable defence. To me, thesituation was altogether novel. I had been six times in the presenceof enemies before, and twice as commander; but never undercircumstances that called so imperiously for seamanship and goodconduct. The ocean seemed covered with enemies, Major Merton declaringthat he could count no less than twenty-eight proas, all full of men, and some of them armed with artillery. These chaps were ahead, astern, to windward, and to leeward; and, what was worse, they had just windenough to suit their purposes, there being about a five-knotbreeze. It was evident that the craft acted in concert, and that theywere desperately bent on our capture, having closed around us in thismanner in the night. Nevertheless, we were a warm ship for amerchantman; and not a man in the Crisis betrayed any feeling thatindicated any other desire than a wish to resist to the last. As forNeb, the fellow was in a broad grin, the whole time; he considered theaffair as a bit of fun. Yet this negro was afraid to visit certainplaces about the farm in the dark, and could not have been induced tocross a church-yard alone, under a bright sun, I feel wellpersuaded. He was the oddest mixture of superstitious dread andlion-hearted courage, I ever met with in my life. 

It was still early, when the proas were near enough to commenceserious operations. This they did, by a nearly simultaneous dischargeof about a dozen guns, principally sixes, that they carried mounted intheir bows. The shot came whistling in among our spars and rigging, literally from every direction, and three struck, though they were notof a size to do any serious injury. Our people were at quarters, having managed to man both batteries, though it left scarcely any oneto look after the braces and rigging, and none but the officers withsmall-arms. 

Mr. Merton must have felt that he and his daughter's liberty, if nottheir lives, were in the keeping of a very youthful commander; still, his military habits of subordination were so strong, he did notventure even a suggestion. I had my own plan, and was just of an ageto think it derogatory to my rank, to ask advice of any one. The proaswere strongest ahead and on both bows, where they were collecting tothe number of near twenty, evidently with the intention of boarding, should an opportunity offer; while, astern, and on our quarter, theywere much fewer, and far more scattered. The reason of all this wasapparent by our course, the pirates naturally supposing we shouldcontinue to stand on. 

Orders were given to haul up the mainsail and to man thespanker-brails. The men were taken from the starboard battery, exclusively, to perform this work. When all was ready, the helm wasput up, and the ship was brought as short round on her heel, aspossible, hauling up, on an easy bowline, on the other tack. In cominground, we delivered all our larboard guns among the crowd of enemies, well crammed with grape; and the distance being just right forscattering, this broadside was not without effect. As soon as bracedup, on the other tack, we opened starboard and larboard, on such ofthe chaps as came within range; clearing our way as we went. Theheadmost proas all came round in chase; but, being from half a mile toa mile astern, we had time to open a way out of the circle, and todrive all the proas who were now ahead of us, to take refuge among thecrowd of their fellows. The manoeuvre was handsomely executed; and, intwenty minutes we ceased firing, having all our enemies to thewestward of us, and in one group: this was an immense advantage, as itenabled us to fight with a single broadside, prevented our beingraked, and rendered our own fire more destructive, by exposing to it amore concentrated, and, at the same time, a larger object. I ought tohave said before, that the wind was at the southward. 

The Crisis now tacked, setting the courses and royals. The ship layup well, and the proas having collected around their admiral, therewas a prospect of her passing to windward of everything. Six of thefellows, however, seemed determined to prevent this, by hauling closeon a wind, and attempting to cross our bows, firing as they didso. The ship stood on, apparently as if to intercept them; when, finding ourselves near enough, we kept away about three points, andswept directly down in the very centre of the main body of theproas. As this was done, the enemy, taken by surprise, cleared a wayfor us, and we passed the whole of them, delivering grape andcanister, as fast as we could deal it out. In the height of theaffair, and the thickest of the smoke, three or four of the proas wereseen quite near us, attempting to close; but I did not think itnecessary to call the people from the guns, which were worked withgreat quickness, and did heavy execution. I fancy the pirates found ithotter than they liked, for they did not keep on with us; though ourlofty sails gave us an advantage, and would have enabled us to leavethem, had they pursued a different course. As it was, we were clear ofthem, in about five minutes; and the smoke beginning to rise, we soongot a view of what had been done in that brief space. In order toincrease our distance, however, we still kept away, running prettyfast through the water. 

By the confusion which prevailed among the pirates, the rascals hadbeen well peppered. One had actually sunk, and five or six were roundthe spot, endeavouring to pick up the crew. Three more had suffered intheir spars, and the movements indicated that all had enough. As soonas satisfied of this, I hauled the ship up to her course, and wecontinued to leave the cluster of boats, which remained around thespot where their consort had gone down. Those of the fellows towindward, however, did not seem disposed to give it up, but followedus for two hours, by which time the rest of their flotilla were hulldown. Believing there was now plenty of room, I tacked towards thesepersevering gentry, when they went about like tops, and hauled offsharp on a wind. We tacked once more to our course, and were followedno further. 

The captain of a pepper ship afterwards told me, that our assailantslost forty-seven men, mostly killed, or died of their hurts, and thathe had understood that the same officer commanded the Crisis that hadcommanded the "John, " in _her_ affair, near the same spot. We hadsome rigging cut, a few of our spars slightly injured, and two menhurt, one of whom happened to be Neb. The man most hurt died before wereached the Cape, but more from the want of surgical assistance, thanfrom the original character of his wound. As for Neb, he went to dutybefore we reached St. Helena. For my part, I was surprised one of theproas did not get down his throat, his grin being wide enough, duringthe whole affair, to admit of the passage of a two-decker. 

We went into the island, as had been agreed, but no ship offering andnone being expected soon, it became necessary for my passengers tocontinue on with us to New York. Emily had behaved uncommonly well inthe brush with the pirates, and everybody was glad to keep her in theship. The men swore she brought good luck, forgetting that the poorgirl must have met with much ill-luck, in order to be in the situationin which she was actually placed. 

Nothing occurred on the passage from St. Helena to New York, worthy ofbeing specially recorded. It was rather long, but I cannot say it wasunpleasant. At length our reckoning told us to look out for land. TheMajor and Emily were on deck, all expectation, and ere long we heardthe welcome cry. A hazy cloud was just visible on our lee-bow. It grewmore and more dense and distinct, until it showed the hues and furrowsof a mountain-side. The low point of the Hook, and the higher landbeyond, then came in view. We glided past the light, doubled the Spit, and got into the upper bay, just an hour before the sun of a beautifulday in June was setting. This was in the year of our Lord 1802. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

 "Drink! drink! to whom shall we drink? To a friend or a mistress?--Come, let me think! To those who are absent or those who are here? To the dead that we loved, or the living still dear? Alas! when I look I find none of the last! The present is barren--let's drink to the past. " PAULDING. 

Though strictly a Manhattanese as a sailor, I shall not run intorhapsody on the subject of the beauties of the inner or outer bay ofthis prosperous place. No man but one besotted with provincial conceitcould ever think of comparing the harbour of New York with the Bay ofNaples; nor do I know two places, that have the same great elements ofland and water that are less alike. The harbour of New York is barelypretty; not a particle more, if quite as much; while the Bay of Naplesis almost what its owners so fondly term it, "a little bit of heaven, fallen upon earth. " On the other hand, however, Naples, as a haven, isnot to be mentioned in the same breath with the great American mart, which, _as a port_, has no competitor within the circle of myknowledge, Constantinople alone excepted. I wish my semi-townsmen, the Manhattanese, could be persuaded of these facts, as, when they_do_ brag, as the wisest of mortals sometimes will, they mightbrag of their strong, and not of their weak points, as is now toooften the case. 

The Major, Emily and myself, stood on the poop, regarding the scene, as the ship glided onward, before a good south-east breeze. I watchedthe countenances of my companions with interest, for I had thenervousness of a tyro and a provincial, on the subject of the opinionsof the people of other lands, concerning everything that affected myown. I could see that the Major was not particularly struck; and Iwas disappointed, _then_, whatever may be my opinion _now_. Emily better answered my hopes. Whether the charming girl really feltthe vast contrast between a view of the unbroken expanse of the ocean, and the scene before her, or was disposed to please her host, she didnot hesitate to express delight. I let her understand how much I wasgratified; and thus our long, long voyage, and that, so far as degreesof longitude were concerned, nearly embraced the circuit of the earth, may be said to have terminated with the kindest feelings. 

The ship was off Bedlow's, and the pilot had begun to shorten sail, when a schooner crossed our fore-foot, beating down. I had been toomuch occupied with the general movement of the bay, to notice onesmall craft; but, this vessel happening to tack quite near us, I couldnot but turn my eyes in her direction. At that instant I heard a shoutfrom Neb, who was furling one of the royals. It was one of thoseirrepressible "nigger gollies" that often escaped from the fellowinvoluntarily. 

"What do you mean by that uproar, on the mizen-royal yard, " I calledout angrily--for the _style_ of my ship had now become an objectof concern with me. "Keep silence, sir, or I'll find a way to instructyou in the art. "

"Lord!--masser Mile--" cried the negro, pointing eagerly towards theschooner--"there go Pretty Poll. "

It was our old craft sure enough, and I hailed her, incontinently. 

"Pretty Polly, ahoy!"

"Halloo!"

"Where are you bound, sir; and when did that schooner get in from thePacific?"

"We are bound to Martinique--The Poll got home from the South Seasabout six months since. This is her third voyage to the West Indies, since. "

Here then was the certainty that the cargo sent home, and the letterwith it, were all safe. I must be expected, and the owners would soonhear of my arrival. We were not kept long in doubt; for, as the shipentered the Hudson, a boat approached, and in her were two of theprincipal members of our firm. I had seen them, and that is all; butmy own letters, and the report of the officer who brought home theschooner, had told them all about me. Could Nelson, after his victoryof the Nile, have walked into the King of England's private cabinetwith the news of his own success, his reception would not have beenmore flattering than that I now received. I was "CaptainWallingforded" at every sentence; and commendations were so intermixedwith inquiries about the value of the cargo, that I did not know whichto answer first. I was invited to dine the very next day by both thegentlemen in the same breath; and when I raised some objectionsconnected with the duty of the ship, the invitations were extendedfrom day to day, for a week. So very welcome is he who brings usgold!

We went alongside of a North River wharf, and had everything secure, just as the sun was setting. The people were then allowed to go ashorefor the night. Not a soul of them asked for a dollar; but the menwalked up the wharf attended by a circle of admiring landlords, thatput them all above want. The sailor who has three years' pay under hislee, is a sort of Rothschild on Jack's Exchange. All the harpies aboutour lads knew that the Crisis and her teas, &c. Were hypothecated tomeet their own ten and twenty dollar advances. 

I dressed myself hurriedly, and ordered Neb to imitate my example. Oneof the owners had kindly volunteered to see Major Merton and Emily toa suitable residence, with an alacrity that surprised me. But theinfluence of England, and Englishmen, in all America, was exceedinglygreat forty years since. This was still more true in New York, than inthe country generally; and a half-pay English Major was a species ofnobleman among the better sort of Manhattanese of that day. How manyof these quasi lords have I seen, whose patents of nobility weremerely the commissions of captains and lieutenants, signed by theMajesty of England! In that day--it is nonsense to deny it--the manwho had served _against_ the country, provided he was a "Britishofficer, " was a better man than he who had served in our ownranks. This was true, however, only as regarded _society;_ theballot-boxes, and the _people_, giving very different indications oftheir sentiments on such subjects. Nor is this result, so far as NewYork was concerned, as surprising as, at first sight, it may possiblyappear. Viewed as a class, the gentry of New York took sides with thecrown. It is true, that the portion of this gentry which might almostbe called _baronial_--it was strictly _manorial_--was pretty equallydivided, carrying with them their collaterals; but the larger portionsof this entire class of the elite of society took sides with thecrown; and the peace of '83 found no small part of them in possessionof their old social stations; the confiscations affecting few beyondthe most important, and the richest of the delinquents. I can give aninstance, within my own immediate knowledge, of the sort of justice ofthese confiscations. The head of one of the most important of all thecolonial families, was a man of indolent habits, and was muchindisposed to any active pursuits. This gentleman was enormously rich, and his estates were confiscated and sold. Now this attainted traitorhad a younger brother who was actually serving in the British army inAmerica, his regiment sharing in the battles of Bunker Hill, Brandywine, Monmouth, &c. But the Major was a younger son; and, invirtue of that republican merit, he escaped the consequences of hisadhesion to the service of the crown; and after the revolution, thecadet returned to his native country, took quiet possession of aproperty of no inconsiderable amount, while his senior passed his daysin exile, paying the bitter penalty of being rich in a revolution. Itwas a consequence of the peculiarities first mentioned, that theManhattanese society set so high a value on English connection. Theystill admired, as the provincial only can admire; and they worshipped, as the provincial worships; or, at a safe distance. The strange medleyof truth, cant, selfishness, sophistry and good faith, that foundedthe political hostility to the movements of the French revolution, hadas ardent believers in this country, as it had in England itself; andthis contributed to sustain the sort of feeling I have described. Ofthe fact, there can be no doubt, as any one will testify who knew NewYork society forty years ago. 

No wonder then, that Major Merton and Emily fared well, on theirsudden arrival in the country. Some romance, moreover, was attached totheir adventures; and I had no great reason to give myself any anxietyon their account. There was little doubt of their soon being muchmore at home, than I could hope to be, though in my native land. 

Neb soon reported himself ready for shore-duty, and I ordered him tofollow me. It was my intention to proceed to the counting-house of theowners, to receive some letters that awaited me, and, after writingshort answers, to despatch the black at once to Clawbonny, with theintelligence of my return. In 1802, the Battery was the court-end ofthe town, and it was a good deal frequented by the better classes, particularly at the hour at which I was now about to cross it. I havenever returned from a voyage, especially to Europe, without beingparticularly struck with two things in the great WesternEmporium--since the common councils and the editors insist on theword--viz. , the provincial appearance of everything that meets theeye, and the beauty of the younger females; meaning, however, by thelast, the true, native, portion of the population, and not the throngfrom Ireland and Germany, who now crowd the streets; and who, certainly, as a body, are not in the least remarkable for personalcharms. But an American can tell an American, man or woman, as soon ashe lays eyes on either; and there were few besides native girls on theBattery at the time of which I am writing. As there were many childrentaking their evening walk, and black servants were far more commonthan now, Neb had his share of delights, too, and I heard him exclaim"Golly!" twice, before we reached the centre of the Battery. Thisexclamation escaped him on passing as many sable Venuses, each of whombridled up at the fellow's admiration, and doubtless was as muchoffended as the sex is apt to be on such occasions. 

I must have passed twenty young women, that evening, either of whomwould induce a youth to turn round to look again; and, for the moment, I forgot my errand. Neither Neb nor I was in any hurry. We werestrolling along, in this manner, gazing right and left, when a partyapproached, under the trees, that drew all my attention to itself. Infront walked a young man and young woman, who were dressed simply, butwith a taste that denoted persons of the better class. The former wasremarkable for nothing, unless it might be a rattling vivacity, ofwhich large doses were administered to his fair companion, who, seemingly, swallowed it less reluctantly than doses of another sortare so often received. At least, I thought so, while the two were at adistance, by the beautiful glistening teeth that were shining like myown spotless pearls, between lips of coral. The air, beauty, figure, and, indeed, all connected with this singularly lovely young creature, struck my imagination at once. It was not so much her beauty, thoughthat was decided and attractive, as the admixture of feminine delicacywith blooming health; the walk, so natural and yet so full oflightness and grace; the laugh, so joyous and still so quiet andsuited to her sex; and the entire air and manner, which denotedequally, buoyant health and happiness, the gracefulness of one whothought not of herself, and the refinement which is quite as much thegift of native sentiment, as the fruit of art and association. I couldnot tell what her companion was saying; but, as they approached, Ifancied them acknowledged lovers, on whom fortune, friends, andcircumstances smiled alike. A glance aside told me that even Neb wasstruck by the being before him, and that he had ceased looking at thesable Venuses, to gaze at this. 

I could not keep my gaze off the face of this lovely creature, who didnot let me get a good look of her dark-blue eyes, however, until I wasquite near, when they were naturally turned towards the form thatapproached. For a few seconds, while in the very act of passing, welooked intently at each other, and the charm said to be possessed bycertain animals, was not more powerful than was our mutual gaze. Inthis manner we had actually passed each other, and I was still in asort of mystified prance, when I heard suddenly, in a voice and tonethat caused every nerve to thrill within me, the single word--

"Miles!"

Turning, and taking another look, it was impossible any longer tomistake. Lucy Hardinge stood before me, trembling, uncertain, her facenow pale as death, now flushed to scarlet, her hands clasped, her lookdoubting, eager, shrinking, equally denoting hope and fear, and all soblended, as to render her the most perfect picture of female truth, feeling, diffidence, and natural modesty, I had ever beheld. 

"Lucy--is it--_can_ it be possible!--It is then _you_, Ithought so gloriously beautiful, and that without knowing you, too. "

I take it for granted, had I studied a week, I should not havecomposed a more grateful salutation than this, which burst forth in away that set all the usual restraints of manners at defiance. Ofcourse, I felt bound to go through with the matter as prosperously asI had commenced, and in spite of the publicity of the place, in spiteof half a dozen persons, who heard what passed, and had turned, smiling, to see what would come next, in spite of the grave-lookinggentleman who had so lately been all vivacity and gaiety, I advanced, folded the dear girl to my heart, and gave her such a kiss, as I'lltake upon myself to say, she had never before received. Sailors, usually, do not perform such things by halves, and I never was more inearnest in my life. Such a salutation, from a young fellow who stoodrather more than six feet in his stockings, had a pair of whiskersthat had come all the way from the Pacific with very little trimming, and who possessed a manliness about him of which mere walking up anddown Broadway would have robbed a young Hercules, had the effect tocover poor Lucy with blushes and confusion. 

"There--that will do, Miles, " she said, struggling to get free--"atruce, I pray you. See, yonder are Grace and my father, and Rupert. "

There they all were, sure enough, the whole family having come out, totake an evening walk, in company with a certain Mr. Andrew Drewett, ayoung gentleman who was a fellow-student of Rupert's, and who, as Iafterwards ascertained, was a pretty open admirer of Rupert'ssister. There was a marked difference in the manner in which I wasreceived by Grace and Lucy. The first exclaimed "Miles!" precisely asthe last had exclaimed; her colour heightened, and tears forcedthemselves into her eyes, but she could not be said to blush. Insteadof first manifesting an eagerness to meet my salute, and thenshrinking sensitively from it, she flung her delicate arms round myneck, without the slightest reserve, both arms too, kissed me six oreight times without stopping, and then began to sob, as if her heartwould break. The spectators, who saw in all this the plain, honest, natural, undisguised affection of a sister, had the good taste to walkon, though I could see that their countenances sympathised with sohappy a family meeting. I had but a moment to press Grace to my heart, before Mr. Hardinge's voice drew my attention to him. The good old manforgot that I was two inches taller than he was himself; that I could, with ease, have lifted him from the earth, and carried him in my arms, as if he were an infant; that I was bronzed by a long voyage, and hadPacific Ocean whiskers; for he caressed me as if I had been a child, kissed me quite as often as Grace had done, blessed me aloud, and thengave way to his tears, as freely as both the girls. But for this burstof feeling on the part of a grey-headed old clergyman, I am afraid ourscene would not altogether have escaped ridicule. As it was, however, this saved us. Clergymen were far more respected in America, fortyyears ago, than they are to-day, though I think they have still asmuch consideration here as in most other countries; and the generalrespect felt for the class would have insured us from anymanifestations of the sort, without the nature and emotion which camein its aid. As for myself, I was glad to take refuge in Rupert'shearty but less sentimental shake of the hand. After this, we allsought a seat, in a less public spot, and were soon sufficientlycomposed to converse. As for the gentleman named Drewett, he waitedlong enough to inquire of Lucy who I was, and then he had sufficienttact to wish us all good evening. I overheard the little dialoguewhich produced this explanation. 

"A close friend, if not a near relation, Miss Hardinge?" he observed, inquiringly. 

"Oh, yes, " answered the smiling, weeping girl, with the undisguisedtruth of her honest nature--"both friend and relative. "

"May I presume to ask the name?"

"The name, Mr. Drewett!--Why it is Miles--dear Miles--you surely haveheard us speak of Miles--but I forget; you never were at Clawbonny--isit not a most joyful surprise, dearest, dearest Grace!"

Mr. Andrew Drewett waited, I thought, with most commendable patiencefor Grace to squeeze Lucy's hand, and to murmur her own felicitations, when he ventured to add--

"You were about to say something, Miss Hardinge?"

"Was I--I declare I have forgotten what it was. Such a surprise--sucha joyful, blessed surprise--I beg pardon, Mr. Drewett--ah. I remembernow; I was about to say that this is Mr. Miles Wallingford, ofClawbonny, the gentleman who is my father's ward--Grace's brother, youknow. "

"And how related to yourself, Miss Hardinge?" the gentleman continued, a little perseveringly. 

"To me! Oh! very, very near--that is--I forget so much thisevening--why, not at all. "

It was at this moment Mr. Drewett saw fit to make his partingsalutations with studied decorum, and to take his leave in a manner sopolite, that, though tempted, I could not, just at the moment, stopthe current of my feelings, to admire. No one seemed to miss him, however, and we five, who remained, were soon seated in the spot Ihave mentioned, and as much abstracted from the scene around us, as ifwe had been on the rustic bench, under the old elm, on the lawn--if Idare use so fine a word, for so unpretending a place--at Clawbonny. Ihad my station between Mr. Hardinge and Grace, while Lucy sat next herfather, and Rupert next to my sister. My friend could see me, withoutdifficulty, owing to his stature, while I saw the glistening eyes ofLucy, riveted on my face, as leaning on her father's knee, she benther graceful form forward, in absorbed attention. 

"We expected you; we have not been taken _altogether_ bysurprise!" exclaimed good Mr. Hardinge, clapping his hand on myshoulder, as if to say he could now begin to treat me like a man. "Iconsented to come down, just at this moment, because the last Cantonship that arrived brought the intelligence that the Crisis was to sailin ten days. "

"And you may judge of our surprise, " said Rupert, "when we read thereport in the papers, 'The Crisis, _Captain Wallingford_. '"

"I supposed my letters from the island had prepared you for this, " Iobserved. 

"In them, you spoke of Mr. Marble, and I naturally concluded, when itcame to the pinch, the man would resume the command, and bring theship home. Duty to the owners would be apt to induce him. "

"He did not, " I answered, a little proudly perhaps, forgetting poorMarble's probable situation, for an instant, in my own vanity. "Mr. Marble understood well, that if I knew nothing else, I knew howto take care of a ship. "

"So it seems, my dear boy, indeed, so it doth seem!" saidMr. Hardinge, kindly. "I hear from all quarters, you conductcommended; and the recovery of the vessel from the French, was reallyworthy of Truxtun himself. "

At that day, Truxtun was the great gun of American naval idolatry, andhad as much local reputation, as Nelson himself enjoyed inEngland. The allusion was a sore assault on my modesty; but I gotalong with it, as well as I could. 

"I endeavoured to do my duty, sir, " I answered, trying not to look atLucy, and seem meek; "and it would have been a terrible disgrace tohave come home, and been obliged to say the French got the ship fromus, when we were all asleep. "

"But you took a ship from the French, in that manner, and kept hertoo!" said a soft voice, every intonation of which was music to me. 

I looked round and saw the speaking eyes of Lucy, just clear of thegrey coat of her father, behind which she instinctively shrank, theinstant she caught my glance. 

"Yes, " I answered, "we did something of that sort, and were a littlemore fortunate than our enemies. But, you will recollect we were muchfavoured by the complaisance of poor Monsieur Le Compte, in leaving usa schooner to work our mischief in. "

"I have always thought that part of your story, Miles, a littleextraordinary, " observed Mr. Hardinge; "though I suppose thisFrenchman's liberality was, in some measure, a matter of necessity, out there, in the middle of the Pacific. "

"I hardly think you do Captain Le Compte justice, sir. He was achivalrous fellow, and every way a gallant seaman. It is possible, hewas rather more in a hurry than he might have been, but for hispassengers--that is all--at least, I have always suspected that thewish to have Miss Merton all to himself, induced him to get rid of usas soon as possible. He evidently admired her, and could have beenjealous of a dead-eye. "

"Miss Merton!" exclaimed Grace. "Jealous!"

"Miss Merton!" put in Rupert, leaning forward, curiously. 

"Miss Merton! And jealous of dead-eyes, and wishing to get rid of us!"said Mr. Hardinge, smiling. "Pray who is Miss Merton? and who are the_us_? and what are the dead-eyes?"

Lucy was silent. 

"Why, sir, I thought I wrote you all about the Mertons. How we metthem in London, and then found them prisoners to Monsieur Le Compte;and that I intended to carry them to Canton, in the Crisis!"

"You told us some of this, certainly; but, though you may have written'all about' a _Major_ Merton, you _forgot_ to tell us 'about_all_ the Mertons. This is the first syllable I have ever hadabout a _Miss_ Merton. How is it, girls--did Miles speak of anyone but the Major, in his letter?"

"Not a syllable to me, sir, of any young lady, I can assure you, "replied Grace, laughing. "How was it to you, Lucy?"

"Of course he would not tell me that which he thought fit to concealfrom his own sister, " said Lucy, in a low voice. 

"It is odd I should have forgotten to mention her, " I cried, endeavouring to laugh it off. "Young men do not often forget to writeabout young ladies. "

"This Miss Merton is young, then, brother?"

"About your own age, Grace. "

"And handsome--and agreeable--and accomplished?"

"Something like yourself, my dear. "

"But handsome, I take it for granted, Miles, " observed Mr. Hardinge, "by the manner in which you have omitted to speak of her charms, inyour letters!"

"Why sir, I think most persons--that is the world in general--I meansuch as are not over-fastidious, would consider Miss Mertonparticularly handsome--agreeable in person and features, I would beunderstood to say. "

"Oh! you are sufficiently explicit; everybody can understand you, "added my laughing guardian, who had no more thought of getting memarried to his own daughter, than to a German princess of a hundredand forty-five quarterings, if there are any such things; "some othertime we will have the particulars of her eyes, hair, teeth, &c. , &c. "

"Oh! sir, you may save me the trouble, by looking at her yourself, to-morrow, since she and her father are both here. "

"_Here!_" exclaimed all four in a breath; Lucy's extreme surpriseextorting the monosyllable from her reserve, even a little louder thanfrom the rest. 

"Certainly, here; father, daughter, and servants; I dare say I omittedto speak of the servants in my letters, too; but a poor fellow who hasa great deal to do, cannot think of everything in a minute. MajorMerton has a touch of the liver complaint; and it would not do toleave him in a warm climate. So, no other chance offering, he isproceeding to England, by the way of America. "

"And how long had you these people on board your ship, Miles?" Graceasked, a little gravely. 

"Actually on board, with myself, about nine months, I should think;but including the time in London, at Canton, and on the island, Ishould call our acquaintance one of rather more than a year'sstanding. "

"Long enough, certainly, to make a young lady sufficiently obvious toa young gentleman's memory, not to be forgotten in his letters. "

After this pointed speech, there was a silence, which Mr. Hardingebroke by some questions about the passage home from Canton. As it wasgetting cool on the Battery, however, we all moved away, proceeding toMrs. Bradfort's. This lady, as I afterwards discovered, was muchattached to Lucy, and had insisted on giving her these opportunitiesof seeing the world. She was quite at her ease in her circumstances, and belonged to a circle a good deal superior to that into which Graceand myself could have claimed admission, in right of our own socialposition. Lucy had been well received as her relative, and as aclergyman's daughter; and Grace on her own account, as I afterwardslearned. It would be attaching too much credit to Clawbonny, to saythat either of the girls had not improved by this association; thoughit was scarcely possible to make Grace more feminine and lady-likethan she had been made by nature. The effect on Lucy was simply to puta little reserve on her native frankness, and sturdy honesty; thoughcandour compels me to say, that mingling with the world, and, especially the world to which they had been introduced by Mrs. Bradfort, had certainly increased the native charm of manner that eachpossessed. I began to think Emily Merton so far from possessing anyadvantage over the two girls, might now improve a little herself, byassociating with them. 

At the house, I had to tell my whole story, and to answer a multitudeof questions. Not a syllable more was said about Miss Merton; and evenLucy had smiles to bestow and remarks to make, as before. When we gotto the lights, where the girls could remove their shawls and hats, Imade each of them stand before me, in order to ascertain how much timehad altered them. Grace was now nineteen; and Lucy was only six monthsher junior. The greatest change was in the latter. Her form hadripened into something as near as possible to girlish perfection. Inthis respect she had the advantage of Grace, who was a little tooslight and delicate; whereas, Lucy, without any of the heaviness thatso often accompanies a truly rounded person, and which was perhaps aslight defect in Emily Merton's figure, was without an angle of anysort, in her entire outline. Grace, always so handsome, and sointellectual in the expression of her countenance, had improved lessin this respect, than Lucy, whose eyes had obtained a tenderness andfeeling that rendered them, to me, even more attractive than those ofmy own dear sister. In a word, any man might have been proud, atfinding two such admirable creatures interested in him, as interested, every look, smile, syllable, and gesture of these dear girls, denotedthey were in me. 

All this time, Neb had been overlooked. He had followed us to thehouse, however, and was already engaged in a dark-coloured flirtationwith a certain Miss Chloe Clawbonny, his own second-cousin, in thekitchen; a lady who had attracted a portion of his admiration, beforewe sailed, and who had accompanied her young mistress to town. As soonas it was ascertained the fellow was below, Lucy, who was quite athome in her kinswoman's house, insisted on his being introduced. I sawby the indulgent smile of Mrs. Bradfort, that Lucy was not exceedingher conceded privileges, and Neb was ordered up, forthwith. Never wasthere a happier fellow than this 'nigger' appeared to be, on thatoccasion. He kept rolling his tarpaulin between his fingers, shiftinghis weight from leg to leg, and otherwise betraying the confusion ofone questioned by his betters; for, in that day, a _negro_ wasready enough to allow he had his betters, and did not feel he wasinjured in so doing. At the present time, I am well aware that theword is proscribed even in the State's Prisons; everybody being justas good as everybody else; though some have the misfortune to besentenced to hard labour, while others are permitted to go atlarge. As a matter of course, the selections made through theballot-boxes, only go to prove that "one man is as good as another. "

Our party did not separate until quite late. Suppers were eaten in1802; and I was invited to sit down with the rest of the family, and agay set we were. It was then the fashion to drink toasts; gentlemengiving ladies, and ladies gentlemen. The usage was singular, but verygeneral; more especially in the better sort of houses. We men drankour wine, as a matter of course; while the ladies sipped theirs, inthat pretty manner in which females moisten their lips, on suchoccasions. After a time, Mrs. Bradfort, who was very particular in theobservance of forms, gaily called on Mr. Hardinge for his toast. 

"My dear Mrs. Bradfort, " said the divine, good-humouredly, "if it werenot in your own house, and contrary to all rule to give a person whois present, I certainly should drink to yourself. Bless me, bless me, whom shall I give? I suppose I shall not be permitted to give our newBishop, Dr. Moore?"

The cry of "No Bishop!" was even more unanimous than it is at thismoment, among those who, having all their lives dissented fromepiscopal authority, fancy it an evidence of an increasing influenceto join in a clamour made by their own voices; and this, moreover, ona subject that not one in a hundred among them has given himself thetrouble even to skim. Our opposition--in which Mrs. Bradfort joined, by the way--was of a very different nature, however; proceeding from adesire to learn what lady Mr. Hardinge could possibly select, at sucha moment. I never saw the old gentleman so confused before. Helaughed, tried to dodge the appeal, fidgeted, and at last fairlyblushed. All this proceeded, not from any preference for anyparticular individual of the sex, but from natural diffidence, theperfect simplicity and nature of his character, which caused him to beabashed at even appearing to select a female for a toast. It was abeautiful picture of masculine truth and purity! Still, we would notbe put off; and the old gentleman, composing his countenance five orsix times in vain efforts to reflect, then looking as grave as ifabout to proceed to prayer, raised his glass, and said--

"Peggy Perott!"

A general laugh succeeded this announcement, Peggy Perott being an oldmaid who went about tending the sick for hire, in the vicinity ofClawbonny, and known to us all as the ugliest woman in the county. 

"Why do you first insist on my giving a toast, and then laugh at itwhen given?" cried Mr. Hardinge, half-amused, half-serious in hisexpostulations. "Peggy is an excellent woman, and one of the mostuseful I know. "

"I wonder, my dear sir, you did not think of adding a sentiment!"cried I, a little pertly. 

"And if I had, it would have been such a one as no woman need beashamed to hear attached to her name. But enough of this; I have givenPeggy Perott, and you are bound to drink her"--that we had donealready; "and now, cousin, as I have passed through the fieryfurnace--"

"Unscathed?" demanded Lucy, laughing ready to kill herself. 

"Yes, unscathed, miss: and now, cousin, I ask of you to honour us witha toast. "

Mrs. Bradfort had been a widow many years, and was fortified with thepanoply of her state. Accustomed to such appeals, which, when she wasyoung and handsome, had been of much more frequent occurrence than oflate, she held her glass for the wine with perfect self-possession, and gave her toast with the conscious dignity of one who had oftenbeen solicited in vain "to change her condition. "

"I will give you, " she said, raising her person and her voice, as ifto invite scrutiny, "my dear old friend, good Dr. Wilson. "

It was incumbent on a single person to give another who was alsosingle; and the widow had been true to the usage; but "goodDr. Wilson" was a half-superannuated clergyman, whom no one couldsuspect of inspiring anything beyond friendship. 

"Dear me--dear me!" cried Mr. Hardinge, earnestly; "how much morethoughtful, Mrs. Bradfort, you are than myself! Had I thought amoment, _I_ might have given the Doctor; for I studied with him, and honour him vastly. "

This touch of simplicity produced another laugh--how easily we alllaughed that night!--and it caused a little more confusion in theexcellent divine. Mrs. Bradfort then called on me, as was her right;but I begged that Rupert might precede me, he knowing more persons, and being now a sort of man of the world. 

"I will give the charming Miss Winthrop, " said Rupert, without amoment's hesitation, tossing off his glass with an air that said, "howdo you like _that?_"

As Winthrop was a highly respectable name, it denoted the set in whichRupert moved; and as for the young lady I dare say she merited hiseulogium, though I never happened to see her. It was something, however, in 1802, for a youngster to dare to toast a Winthrop, or aMorris, or a Livingston, or a de Lancey, or a Stuyvesant, or aBeekman, or a Van Renssellaer, or a Schuyler, or a Rutherford, or aBayard, or a Watts, or a Van Cortlandt, or a Verplanck, or a Jones, ora Walton, or any of that set. They, and twenty similar families, composed the remnant of the colonial aristocracy, and still made head, within the limits of Manhattan, against the inroads of theVan--something elses. Alas! alas! how changed is all this, though Iam obliged to believe it is all for the best. 

"Do _you_ know Miss Winthrop?" I asked of Grace, in a whisper. 

"Not at all; I am not much in that set, " she answered, quietly. "Rupert and Lucy have been noticed by many persons whom I donot know. "

This was the first intimation I got, that my sister did not possessall the advantages in society that were enjoyed by her friend. As isalways the case where it is believed to be our _loss_, I feltindignant at first; had it been the reverse, I dare say I should havefancied it all very right. Consequences grew out of these distinctionswhich I could not then foresee, but which will be related in theirplace. Rupert now called on Grace for her toast, a lady commonlysucceeding a gentleman. My sister did not seem in the leastdisconcerted: but, after a moment's hesitation, she said--

"Mr. Edward Marston. "

This was a strange name to me, but I afterwards ascertained itbelonged to a respectable young man who visited Mrs. Bradfort's, andwho stood very well with all his acquaintances. I looked at Rupert, tonote the effect; but Rupert was as calm as Grace herself had been, when he gave Miss Winthrop. 

"I believe I have no one to call upon but you, Miles, " said Grace, smiling. 

"Me! Why, you all know I am not acquainted with a soul. Our Ulstercounty girls have almost all gone out of my recollection; besides, noone would know them here, should I mention twenty. "

"You strangely forget, brother, that most of us are Ulster countyfolk. Try if you can recall no young lady--"

"Oh! easily enough, for that matter; a young fellow can hardly havelived nine months in the same cabin with Emily, and not think of her, when hard pushed; I will give you, Miss Emily Merton. "

The toast was drunk, and I thought Mr. Hardinge looked thoughtful, like one who had a guardian's cares, and that Grace was even grave. Idid not dare look at Lucy, though I could have toasted her all night, had it been in rule to drink a person who was present. We began tochat again, and I had answered some eight or ten questions, when Mrs. Bradfort, much too precise to make any omissions, reminded us that wehad not yet been honoured with Miss Lucy Hardinge's toast. Lucy hadenjoyed plenty of time to reflect; and she bowed, paused a moment asif to summon resolution, and then mentioned--

"Mr. Andrew Drewett. "

So, then, Lucy Hardinge toasted this Mr. Drewett--the very youth withwhom she had been in such animated discourse, when I first met theparty! Had I been more familiar with the world, I should have thoughtnothing of a thing that was so common; or, did I understand humannature better, I might have known that no sensitive and delicate womanwould betray a secret that was dear to her, under so idle a form. ButI was young, and ready myself to toast the girl I preferred before theuniverse; and I could not make suitable allowances for difference ofsex and temperament. Lucy's toast made me very uncomfortable for therest of the evening; and I was not sorry when Rupert reminded me thatit was eleven, and that he would go with me to a tavern, in order tolook for a room. 

The next morning was passed in transacting the business of the ship. Ifound myself much noticed among the merchants and ship-masters; andone of my owners took me on 'Change, that I might see and be seen. Asthe papers had spoken of the recapture of the Crisis, on the arrivalof the Pretty Poll, and had now each an article on the arrival of theship, I had every reason to be satisfied with my reception. There aremen so strong in principle, as well as intellect, I do suppose, thatthey can be content with the approbation of their own consciences, andwho can smile at the praises or censure of the world, alike; but Iconfess to a strong sympathy with the commendation of myfellow-creatures, and as strong a distaste for their disapprobation. Iknow this is not the way to make a very great man; for he who cannotjudge, feel and act for himself, will always he in danger of makingundue sacrifices to the wishes of others; but you can have no more ofa cat than the skin; and I was sufficiently proud at finding myself aminiature hero, about the lower end of Wall-street, and in the columnsof the newspapers. As for these last, no one can complain of theirzeal in extolling everything national. To believe them, the countrynever was wrong, or defeated, or in a condition to be defeated, exceptwhen a political opponent could be made to suffer by an oppositetheory; and then nothing was ever right. As to fame, I have sincediscovered they consider that of each individual to be publicproperty, in which each American has a part and parcel--the editors, themselves, more than the man who has thrown the article into thecommon lot. But I was young in 1802, and even a paragraph in my praisein a newspaper had a certain charm for me, that I will not deny. ThenI _had_ done well, as even my enemies, if I had any must haveadmitted. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

 "Ships are but boards, sailors but men: there be land-rats, and water-rats, water-thieves, and land-thieves; I mean pirates; and then, there is the peril of waters, winds and rocks: the man is, notwithstanding, sufficient;--three thousand ducats;--I think I may take his bond. "--_Shylock_. 

I saw Grace, and Lucy, and Rupert, and good Mr. Hardinge, every day;but I could not find time to call on the Mertons, until near the closeof a week. I then paid them a visit, and found them glad to see me, but not at all in want of my attentions to make them comfortable. TheMajor had exhibited his claims to the British consul, who happened tobe a native Manhattanese, and was well-connected, a circumstance thatthen gave him an influence in society, that his commission alone wouldnot have conferred. Colonel Barclay, for so was this gentlemancalled, had taken the Mertons by the hand, as a matter of course; andhis example being followed by others, I found that they were alreadyin the best circle of the place. Emily mentioned to me the names ofseveral of those with whom she had exchanged visits; and I knew atonce, through Lucy's and Grace's conversation, and from my own generalknowledge of the traditions of the colony and state, that they wereamong the leading people of the land, socially if not politically; aclass altogether above any with whom I had myself ever associated. Now, I knew that the master of a merchantman, whatever might be hisstanding with his owner, or consignee, or the credit he had gainedamong his fellows, was not likely to get admission into this set; andthere was the comfortable prospect before me, of having my own sisterand the two other girls I admired most and loved best in theworld--next to Grace, of course--visiting round in houses, of whichthe doors were shut against myself. This is always unpleasant, but inmy case it turned out to be more. 

When I told Emily that Grace and Lucy were in town, and intendedcoming to see her that very morning, I thought she manifested lesscuriosity than would have been the case a month before. 

"Is Miss Hardinge a relative of Mr. Rupert Hardinge, the gentleman towhom I was introduced at dinner, yesterday, " she demanded, afterexpressing the pleasure it would give her to see the ladies. 

I knew that Rupert had dined out the day before, and, there being noone else of the same name, I answered in the affirmative. 

"He is the son of a respectable clergyman, and of very goodconnections, I hear. "

"The Hardinges are so considered among us; both Rupert's father andgrandfather were clergymen, and his great-grandfather was a seaman--Itrust _you_ will think none the worse of him, for that. "

"A sailor! I had supposed, from what some of those present said--thatis, I did not know it. "

"Perhaps they told you that his great-grandfather was a _Britishofficer?_"

Emily coloured, and then she laughed faintly; admitting, however, thatI had guessed right. 

"Well, all this was true, " I added, "though he was a sailor. OldCaptain Hardinge--or Commodore Hardinge, as he used to be called, forhe once commanded a squadron--was in the English navy. "

"Oh! that sort of a sailor!"--cried Emily, quickly--"I did not knowthat it was usual to call gentlemen in the navy, seamen. "

"They would make a poor figure if they were not, Miss Merton--youmight as well say that a judge is no lawyer. "

This was enough, however, to satisfy me that Miss Merton no longerconsidered the master of the Crisis the first man in the world. 

A ring announced the arrival of the two girls. They were shown up, andI soon had the satisfaction of seeing these three charming young womentogether. Emily received her two guests very courteously, and wasfrank--nay warm--in the expression of her gratitude for all that Ihad done for herself and her father. She even went back so far as tospeak of the occurrence in the Park, at London, and was graciousenough to declare that she and her parents owed their lives to myinterference. All this gave her listeners great pleasure, for Ibelieve neither ever tired of hearing my praises. After this opening, the conversation turned on New York, its gaieties, and the differentpersons known to them mutually. I saw that the two girls were struckwith the set Miss Merton was in, which was a shade superior even tothat of Mrs. Bradfort's, though the fusion which usually accompaniesthat sort of thing, brought portions of each circle within theknowledge of the other. As the persons named were utter strangers tome, I had nothing to say, and sat listening in silence. Theopportunity was improved by comparing the girls with each other. 

In delicacy of appearance, Grace and Lucy each had the advantage ofthe English beauty. Their hands and feet were smaller, their waistsfiner, and their _tournures_, generally, I thought the mostpleasing. Emily had the advantage in complexion, though her colour hadless fineness and delicacy. Perhaps her teeth were the mostbrilliant; though Grace and Lucy, particularly the latter, had veryfine teeth. The English girl's shoulders and bust, generally, wouldhave been more admired than those of most American--particularly thanmost New York--girls; but it was not possible to surpass those ofLucy. As a whole, Emily's countenance had the most spirit, Lucy's themost finesse and feeling. I make no comparison with the expression ofGrace's countenance, which was altogether too remarkable for itsintellectual character, to be included in anything like a nationalclassification. I remember I thought, as they sat there in a rowconversing frankly and cheerfully together, Lucy the handsomest, inher pretty neat morning-dress; while I had my doubts whether Emilywould not have extorted the most applause in a ball-room. Thisdistinction is mentioned, because I believe it national. 

The visit lasted an hour; for I had expressed a wish to all partiesthat they would become acquainted, and the girls seemed mutuallypleased. As they chatted, I listened to the tones of their voices, andfancied, on the whole, that Emily had slightly the advantage inintonation and accent; though it was scarcely perceptible, and it wasan advantage that was attended by a slight sacrifice of the charm ofnatural utterance. She was a little more artificial in this respectthan her companions, and insomuch less pleasing though, had thecomparison been made with the Manhattan _style_ of the presentday, the odds would have been immensely in her favour. In 1802, however, some attention was still paid to the utterance, tones ofvoice, and manner of speaking of young ladies. The want of it all, just now, is the besetting vice of the whole of our later instructionof the sex; it being almost as rare a thing now-a-days, to find ayoung American girl who speaks her own language gracefully, as it isto find one who is not of pleasing person. 

When the young ladies parted, it was with an understanding that theywere soon to meet again. I shook hands with Emily, English fashion, and took my leave at the same time. 

"Well, Miles, " said Grace, as soon as we were in the street, "you havecertainly been of service to a very charming young woman--I like her, excessively. "

"And you, Lucy--I hope you agree with Grace, in thinking my friend, Emily Merton, a charming young woman. "

Lucy did not speak as frankly, or as decidedly as Grace, so far asmanner was concerned; though she coincided in words. 

"I am of the same opinion, " she said, in a tone that was far lesscheerful than her usually very cheerful manner. "She is one of theloveliest creatures I ever saw--and it is no wonder--"

"What is no wonder, dear?" asked Grace, observing that her friendhesitated to proceed. 

"Oh! I was about to say something silly, and had better not finish thespeech. But, what a finished manner Miss Merton possesses;--do you notthink so, Grace?"

"I wish she had a little less of it, dear; that is precisely what Ishould find fault with in her deportment. It _is_ manner; and, though we all must have some, it strikes me it ought not to be seen. Ithink all the Europeans we saw in town, last winter, Lucy, had more orless of this manner. "

"I dare say it would seem so to _us_; notwithstanding, it may bevery agreeable to those who are used to it--a thing to miss, when onegets much accustomed to it. "

As Lucy made this remark, I detected a furtive and timid glance atmyself. I was mystified at the time, and was actually so silly as tothink the dear girl was talking at me, and to feel a littleresentment. I fancied she wished to say, "There, Master Miles, youhave been in London, and on a desert island in the South Seas--thevery extremes of human habits--and have got to be so sophisticated, sovery un-Clawbonnyish, as to feel the necessity of a _manner_, inthe young ladies with whom you associate. " The notion nettled me to adegree that induced me to pretend duty, and to hurry down to theship. Whom should I meet, in Rector Street, but Mr. Hardinge, who hadbeen across to the Hudson in search of me. 

"Come hither, Miles, " said the excellent old man, "I wish to conversewith you seriously. "

As Lucy was uppermost in my thoughts at the moment, I said tomyself--"What can the dear old gentleman have to say, now?"

"I hear from all quarters the best accounts of you, my dear boy, "Mr. Hardinge continued, "and I am told you make a very superiorseaman. It is a feather in your cap, indeed, to have commanded anIndiaman a twelve-month before you are of age. I have been conversingwith my old friend John Murray, of the house of John Murray and Sons, one of the very best merchants in America, and he says 'push the boyahead, when you find the right stuff in him. Get him a ship of hisown, and that will put him on the true track. Teach him early to havean eye to his own interests, and it will make a man of him, at once. 'I have thought the matter over, have had a vessel in my eye, for thelast month, and will purchase her at once, if you like the plan. "

"But, have I money enough for such a thing, my dear sir--after havingsailed in the John, and the Tigris, and the Crisis, I should not liketo take up with any of your B's, No. 2. "

"You have forgotten to mention the 'Pretty Poll, ' Miles, " said thedivine, smiling. "Be under no fear, however, for your dignity; thevessel I have in treaty, is all you could wish, they tell me, havingmade but one voyage, and is sold on account of the death of herowner. As for money, you will remember I have thirteen thousanddollars of your income invested in stocks, and stocks that cost butten. The peace has brought everything up, and you are making money, right and left. How have your own pay and private venture turned out?"

"Perfectly well, sir. I am near three thousand dollars in pocket, andshall have no need to call on you, for my personal wants. Then I havemy prize-money to touch. Even Neb, wages and prize-money, brings menine hundred dollars. With your permission, sir, I should like to givethe fellow his freedom. "

"Wait till you are of age, Miles, and then you can do as you please. Ihold four thousand dollars of your invested money, which has been paidin, and I have placed it in stocks. Altogether, I find we can muster, in solid cash, more than twenty thousand dollars, while the price ofthe ship, as she stands, almost ready for sea, is only fifteen. Now, go and look at the vessel; if you like her, I will close the bargainat once. "

"But, my dear Mr. Hardinge, do you think yourself exactly qualified tojudge of the value of a ship?"

"Poh! poh! don't imagine I am so conceited as to purchase on my ownknowledge. I have taken some of the very best advice of thecity. There is John Murray, to begin with--a great ship-holder, himself--and Archibald Gracie, and William Bayard--all capital judges, have taken an interest in the affair. Three others of my friends havewalked round to look at the vessel, and all approve--not a dissentingvoice. "

"May I ask, sir, who have seen her, besides the gentlemen you havenamed? they, I admit, are, indeed, good judges. "

"Why?--why--yes--do you happen to know anything of Dr. Benjamin Moore, now, Miles?"

"Never heard of him, sir, in my life; but a physician can be no greatjudge of a ship. "

"No more of a physician than yourself, boy--Dr. Benjamin Moore, thegentleman we elected Bishop, while you were absent--"

"Oh! he you wished to toast, instead of Miss Peggy Perott--" cried I, smiling. "Well, what does the Bishop think of her--if he approve, she_must_ be orthodox. "

"He says she is the handsomest vessel he ever laid eyes on, Miles; andlet me tell you, the favourable opinion of so good a man as Dr. Moore, is of value, even though it be about a ship. "

I could not avoid laughing, and I dare say most of the readers willalso, at this touch of simplicity; and yet, why should not a Bishopknow as much of ships, as a set of ignoramuses who never read atheological book in their lives, some of them not even the Bible, should know about Bishops? The circumstance was not a tittle moreabsurd than many that are occurring daily before our eyes, and towhich, purely from habit, we submit, very much as a matter of course. 

"Well, sir, " I replied, as soon as I could, "I will look at the ship, get her character, and give you an answer at once. I like the idea, for it is pleasant to be one's own master. "

In that day, $15, 000 would buy a very excellent ship, as shipswent. The vessel I was taken to see, was coppered and copper-fastened, butt-bolted, and she measured just five hundred tons. She had a greatreputation as a sailer, and what was thought a good deal of in 1802, was Philadelphia built. She had been one voyage to China, and waslittle more than a year old, or the best possible age for avessel. Her name was the "Dawn, " and she carried an "Aurora" for herfigure-head. Whether she were, or were not inclined to Puseyism, Inever could ascertain, although I can affirm she had the services ofthe Protestant Episcopal Catholic Church read on board her afterwards, on more than one occasion. 

The result of my examination and inquiries was favourable, and, by theend of the week, the Dawn was purchased. The owners of the Crisiswere pleased to express their regrets, for they had intended that Ishould continue in the command of their vessel, but no one couldobject to a man's wishing to sail in his own employment. I made thisimportant acquisition, at what was probably the most auspicious momentof American navigation. It is a proof of this, that, the very day Iwas put in possession of the ship, good freights were offered to noless than four different parts of the world. I had my choice betweenHolland, France, England, and China. After consulting with myguardian, I accepted that to France, which not only paid the best, butI was desirous of seeing more of the world than had yet fallen to myshare. I could make a voyage to Bordeaux and back in five months, andby the end of that time I should be of age, and consequently my ownmaster. As I intended to have great doings at Clawbonny on thatoccasion, I thought it might be well not to go too far fromhome. Accordingly, after shipping Talcott and the Philadelphian, whosename was Walton, for my mates, we began to take in cargo, as soon aspossible. 

In the meantime, I bethought me of a visit to the paternal home. Itwas a season of the year, when most people, who were anybodies, lefttown, and the villas along the shores of the Hudson had long beenoccupied. Mr. Hardinge, too, pined for the country and his flock. Thegirls had had enough of town, which was getting to be very dull, andeverybody, Rupert excepted, seemed anxious to go up the river. I hadinvited the Mertons to pass part of the summer at the farm, moreover, and it was time the invitation should be renewed, for the Major'sphysicians had advised him to choose some cooler residence than thestreets of a hot close town could furnish, during the summermonths. Emily had been so much engrossed with the set into which shehad fallen, since her landing, and which it was easy for me to see wasaltogether superior to that in which she had lived at home, that I wassurprised at the readiness with which she urged her father to redeemhis promise. 

"Mr. Hardinge tells me, sir, that Clawbonny is really a pretty spot, "she said, "and the country around it is thought to be veryhealthy. You cannot get answers from home (she meant England) forseveral months, and I know Captain Wallingford will be happy toreceive us. Besides, we are pledged to accept this additional favourfrom him. "

I thought Major Merton felt some of my own surprise at Emily'searnestness and manner, but his resistance was very feeble. The oldgentleman's health, indeed, was pretty thoroughly undermined, and Ibegan to have serious doubts of his living even to return toEurope. He had some relatives in Boston, and had opened acorrespondence with them, and I had thought, more than once, of theexpediency of apprising them of his situation. At present howevernothing better could be done than to get him into the country. 

Having made all the arrangements with the others, I went to persuadeRupert to be of the party, for I thought it would make both Grace andLucy so much the happier. 

"Miles, my dear fellow, " said the young student, gaping, "Clawbonny iscertainly a capitalish place, but, you will admit it is somewhatstupid after New York. My good kinswoman, Mrs. Bradfort, has takensuch a fancy to us all, and has made me so comfortable--would youbelieve it, boy, she has actually given me six hundred a year, for thelast two years, besides making Lucy presents fit for a queen. Asterling woman is she, this cousin Margaret of ours!"

I heard this, truly, not without surprise; for, in settling with myowners, I found Rupert had drawn every cent to which he was entitled, under the orders I had left when I last went to sea. 

As Mrs. Bradfort was more than at her ease, however, had no nearerrelative than Mr. Hardinge, and was much attached to the family, I hadno difficulty in believing it true, so far as the lady's liberalitywas concerned. I heartily wished Rupert had possessed moreself-respect; but he was, as he was!

"I am sorry you cannot go with us, " I answered, "for I counted on youto help amuse the Mertons--"

"The Mertons!--Why, surely, they are not going to pass the summer atClawbonny!"

"They quit town with us, to-morrow. Why should not the Mertons passthe summer at Clawbonny?"

"Why, Miles, my dear boy, you know how it is with the world--how it iswith these English, in particular. They think everything of rank, youknow, and are devotees of style and appearance, and all that sort ofthing, you know, as no one understands better than myself; for I passmost of my time in the English set, you know. "

I did not _then_ understand what had come over Rupert, though itis all plain enough to me, _now_. He had, truly enough, got intowhat was then called the English set. Now, there is no question, that, so far as the natives, themselves, were concerned, this was as good aset as ever existed in his country; and, it is also beyond all cavil, that many respectable English persons, of both sexes, wereoccasionally found in it; but, it had this great defect:--_every_Englishman who wore a good coat, and had any of the slang of society, made his way into the outskirts, at least, of this set; and Rupert, whose own position was not yet thoroughly confirmed, had fallen agreat deal into the association of these accidental comers andgoers. They talked large, drank deep, and had a lofty disdain foreverything in the country, though it was very certain they were justthen in much better company where they were, than they had ever beenat home. Like most tyroes, Rupert fancied these blustering gentrypersons to imitate; and, as they seldom conversed ten minutes withouthaving something to say of my Lord A----or Sir John B----, personsthey had _read_ of, or seen in the streets, he was weak enough toimagine they knew all about the dignitaries of the British Empire. AsRupert was really a gentleman, and had good manners naturally, it wasa grievous thing to see him fashioning himself anew, as it might be, on such very questionable models, "Clawbonny is not a stylish place, I am ready to allow, " I answered, after a moment of hesitation; "still it is respectable. There is agood farm, a valuable mill, and a good, old, comfortable, straggling, stone house. "

"Very true, Miles, my dear fellow, and all as dear to me, you know, asthe apple of my eye--but _farmish_--young ladies like the goodthings that comes from farms, but do not admire the homeliness of theresidence. I speak of young English ladies, in particular. Now, yousee, Major Merton is a field-officer, and that is having good rank ina respectable profession, you know--I suppose you understand, Miles, that the king puts most of his sons into the army, or navy--all thismakes a difference, you understand?"

"I understand nothing about it; what is it to me where the king ofEngland puts his sons?"

"I wish, my dear Miles, if the truth must be said, that you and I hadbeen a little less boyish, when we were boys, than happened to be thecase. It would have been all the better for us both. "

"Well, I wish no such thing. A boy should be a boy, and a man a man. Iam content to have been a boy, while I was a boy. It is a fault inthis country, that boys fancy themselves men too soon. "

"Ah! my dear fellow, you _will_ not, or _do_ not understandme. What I mean is, that we were both precipitate in the choice of aprofession--I retired in time, but you persevere; that is all. "

"You did retire in season, my lad, if truth is what you are after;for, had you staid a hundred years on board ship, you never would havemade a sailor. "

When I said this, I fancied I had uttered a pretty severething. Rupert took it so coolly, however, as to satisfy me at once, that he thought differently on the subject. 

"Clearly, it is not my vocation. Nature intended me for somethingbetter, I trust, and I mistook a boyish inclination for a taste. Alittle experience taught me better, and I am now where I feel I oughtto be. I wish, Miles, you had come to the study of the law, at thetime you went to sea. You would have been, by this time, at the bar, and would have had a definite position in society. "

"I am very glad I did not. What the deuce should I have done as alawyer--or what advantage would it have been to me, to be admitted tothe bar?"

"Advantage!--Why, my dear fellow, every advantage in the world. Youknow how it is, in this country, I suppose, in the way of society, mydear Miles?"

"Not I--and, by the little I glean from the manner you sheer about inyour discourse, I wish to know nothing. Do young men study law merelyto be genteel?"

"Do not despise knowledge, my boy; it is of use, even in trifles. Now, in this country, you know, we have very few men of mere leisure--heirsof estates, to live on their incomes, as is done in Europe; but, nine-tenths of us must follow professions, of which there are onlyhalf-a-dozen suitable for a gentleman. The army and navy are nothing, you know; two or three regiments scattered about in the woods, andhalf-a-dozen vessels. After these, there remain the three learnedprofessions, divinity, law and physic. In our family, divinity has runout, I fear. As for physic, 'throw physic to the dogs, ' as Miss Mertonsays--"

"Who?" I exclaimed, in surprise. "'Throw physic to the dogs'--why thatis Shakspeare, man!"

"I know it, and it is Miss Emily Merlon's, too. You have made usacquainted with a charming creature, at least, Miles, by this going tosea. Her notions on such subjects are as accurate as a sun-dial. "

"And, has Miss Emily Merton ever conversed with you, on the subject of_my_ profession, Rupert?"

"Indeed, she has; and regretted it, again and again. You know as wellas I do, Miles, to be a sailor, other than in a navy, is not a_genteel_ profession!"

I broke out into a fit of laughter, at this remark. It struck me asinfinitely droll, and as somewhat silly. I knew my precise position insociety, perfectly; had none of the silly swaggering about personalmerit, and of "one man's being as good as another, " that has since gotinto such general use among us; and understood perfectly the usefuland unavoidable classifications that take place in all civilizedcommunities, and which, while they are attended by certaindisadvantages as exceptions, produce great benefits as a whole, andwas not disposed at all to exaggerate my claims, or to deny mydeficiencies. But, the idea of attaching any considerations of_gentility_ to my noble, manly, daring profession, sounded soabsurd, I could not avoid laughing. In a few moments, however, Ibecame grave. 

"Harkee, Rupert, " said I: "I trust Miss Merton does not think Iendeavoured to mislead her as to my true position, or to make herthink I was a greater personage than I truly am?"

"I'll not answer for that. When we were first acquainted, I found shehad certain notions about Clawbonny, and your _estate_, and allthat, which were rather English, you know. Now, in England an_estate_ gives a man a certain consideration, whereas land is soplenty with us, that we think nothing of the man who happens to own alittle of it. _Stock_, in America, as it is so much nearerready-money, is a better thing than land, you know. "

How true was this, even ten years since; how false is it to-day! Theproprietor of tens of thousands of acres, was, indeed, under thepaper-money _regime_, a less important man than the owner of ahandful of scrip, which has had all its value squeezed out of it, little by little. That was truly the age when the representative ofproperty was of far more importance than the property itself; and allbecause the country existed in a fever, that set everything in motion. We shall see just such times, again, I fear. 

"But what had Emily Merton to do with all this?"

"Miss Merton? Oh! she is English, you know, and felt as Englishpersons always do, at the sound of acres. I set it all right, however, and you need be under no concern. "

"The devil you did! And, pray, in what manner was this done?_How_ was the matter set right?"

Rupert took the segar from his mouth, suffered the smoke to issue, bya small, deliberate jet, cocking his nose up at the same time as ifobserving the stars, and then deigned to give me an answer. Yoursmokers have such a disdainful, ultra-philosophical manner, sometimes!

"Why, just in this way, my fine fellow. I told her Clawbonny was a_farm_, and not an _estate_, you know; that did a good deal, of itself. Then, I entered into an explanation of the consideration offarmers in this country, you know, and made it all as plain as A BC. She is a quick girl, is Emily, and takes a thing remarkably soon. "

"Did Miss Merton say anything to induce you to suppose she thought theless of me, for these explanations. "

"Of course not--she values you, amazingly--quite worships you, _as asailor_--thinks you a sort of merchant-captain Nelson, or Blake, or Truxtun, and all that sort of thing. All young ladies, however, areexceedingly particular about professions, I suppose you know, Miles, as well as I do myself. "

"What, Lucy, Rupert?--Do you imagine Lucy cares a straw about my notbeing a lawyer, for instance?"

"Do I?--out of all question. Don't you remember how the girlswept--Grace as well as Lucy--when we went to sea, boy. It was all onaccount of the _un_gentility of the profession, if a fellow canuse such a word. "

I did not believe this, for I knew Grace better, to say the least; andthought I understood Lucy sufficiently, at that time, to know she weptbecause she was sorry to see me go away. Still, Lucy had grown from avery young girl, since I sailed in the Crisis, into a young woman, andmight view things differently, now, from what she had done three yearsbefore. I had not time, however, for further discussion at thatmoment, and I cut the matter short. 

"Well, Rupert, what am I to expect?" I asked; "Clawbonny, or noClawbonny?"

"Why, now you say the Mertons are to be of the party I suppose I shallhave to go; it would be inhospitable else. I do wish, Miles, youwould manage to establish visiting relations with some of the familieson the other side of the river. There are plenty of respectable peoplewithin a few hours' sail of Clawbonny. "

"My father, and my grandfather, and my great-grand-father, managed, asyou call it, to get along, for the last hundred years, well enough onthe west side; and, although we are not quite as genteel as the_east_, we will do well enough. The Wallingford sails early inthe morning, to save the tide; and I hope your lordship will turn outin season, and not keep us waiting. If you do, I shall be_ungenteel_ enough to leave you behind. "

I left Rupert with a feeling in which disgust and anger wereblended. I wish to be understood, more particularly as I know I amwriting for a stiff-necked generation. I never was guilty of theweakness of decrying a thing because I did not happen to possess itmyself. I knew my own place in the social scale perfectly; nor was I, as I have just said, in the least inclined to fancy that one man wasas good as another. I knew very well that this was not true, either innature or in the social relations; in political axioms, any more thanin political truths. At the same time, I did not believe nature hadcreated men unequal, in the order of primogeniture from male tomale. Keeping in view all the facts, I was perfectly disposed to admitthat habits, education, association, and sometimes chance and caprice, drew distinctions that produced great benefits, as a whole; in somesmall degree qualified, perhaps, by cases of individual injustice. This last exception, however, being applicable to all things human, ithad no influence on my opinions, which were sound and healthful on allthese points; practical, common-sense-like, and in conformity with thedecisions of the world from the time of Moses down to our own, or, Idare say, of Adam himself, if the truth could be known; and, as I havesaid more than once in these rambling memoir's, I was not disposed totake a false view of my own social position. I belonged, at most, tothe class of small proprietors, as they existed in the last century, and filled a very useful and respectable niche between the yeoman andgentleman, considering the last strictly in reference to the upperclass of that day. Now, it struck me that Emily Merton, with herEnglish notions, might very well draw the distinctions Rupert hadmentioned; nor am I conscious of having cared much about it, thoughshe did. If I were a less important person on _terra firma_, withall the usages and notions of ordinary society producing theirinfluence, than I had been when in command of the Crisis, in thecentre of the Pacific, so was Miss Merton a less important young lady, in the midst of the beauty of New York, than she had been in theisolation of Marble Land. This I could feel very distinctly. ButLucy's supposed defection did more than annoy me. I felt humbled, mortified, grieved. I had always known that Lucy was better connectedthan I was myself, and I had ever given Rupert and her the benefit ofthis advantage, as some offset to my own and Grace's larger means; butit had never struck me that either the brother or sister would bedisposed to look down upon us in consequence. The world iseverywhere--and America, on account of its social vicissitudes, morethan most other countries--constantly exhibiting pictures of thestruggles between fallen consequence and rising wealth. The last may, and does have the best of it, in the mere physical part of the strife;but in the more moral, if such a word can be used, the quietascendency of better manners and ancient recollections is very apt toovershadow the fussy pretensions of the vulgar aspirant, who placeshis claims altogether on the all-mighty dollar. It is vain to deny it;men ever have done it, and probably ever will defer to the past, inmatters of this sort--it being much with us, in this particular, as itis with our own lives, which have had all their greatest enjoyments inbygone days. I knew all this--felt all this--and was greatly afraidthat Lucy, through Mrs. Bradfort's influence, and her townassociations, might have learned to regard me as Captain Wallingford, of the merchant-service, and the son of another Captain Wallingford ofthe same line in life. I determined, therefore, to watch her withjealous attention, during the few days I was to remain at Clawbonny. With such generous intentions, the reader is not to be surprised if Ifound some of that for which I so earnestly sought--people being veryapt to find precisely the thing for which they look, when it is notlost money. 

The next morning we were all punctual, and sailed at the properhour. The Mertons seemed pleased with the river, and, having a freshsoutherly wind in our favour, with a strong flood-tide, we actuallylanded at the mill the same afternoon. Everything is apt to beagreeable when the traveller gets on famously; and I thought I neversaw Emily in better spirits than she was when we first reached the topof the ascent that lies above the landing. I had given her my arm, asdue to hospitality, while the others got up as they could; for Iobserved that Rupert assisted no one. As for Lucy, I was still toomuch vexed with her, and had been so all day, to be as civil as Iought. We were soon at a point that commanded a view of the house, meadows, orchards and fields. 

"This, then, is Clawbonny!" exclaimed Emily, as soon as I pointed outthe place to her. "Upon my word, a very pretty farm, CaptainWallingford. Even prettier than you represented it to be, Mr. RupertHardinge. "

"Oh! I always do justice to everything of Wallingford's, you know. Wewere children together, and became so much attached in early life, that it's no wonder we remain so in these our later days. "

Rupert was probably nearer the truth than he imagined, when he madethis speech; my regard for him, by this time, being pretty muchreduced to habit; and certainly it had no increase from any freshsupplies of respect. I began to hope he might not marry Grace, thoughI had formerly looked forward to the connection as a settledthing. "Let him get Miss Merton, if he can, " I said to myself: "itwill be no great acquisition, I fancy, to either side. "

How different was it with his father, and, I may add, with Lucy! Theold gentleman turned to me, with tears in his eyes; pointed to thedear old house, with a look of delight; and then took my arm, withoutreference to the wants of Miss Merton, and led me on, conversingearnestly of my affairs, and of his own stewardship. Lucy had herfather's arm, on the other side; and the good divine was too muchaccustomed to her, to mind the presence of his daughter. Away wethree went, therefore, leading the way, while Rupert took charge ofEmily and Grace. Major Merton followed, leaning on his own man. 

"It is a lovely--it is a lovely spot, Miles, " said Mr. Hardinge; "andI do most sincerely hope you will never think of tearing down thatrespectable-looking, comfortable, substantial, good old-fashionedhouse, to build a new one. "

"Why should I, dear sir? The house, with an occasional addition, allbuilt in the same style, has served us a century, and may very wellserve another. Why should I wish for more, or a better house?"

"Why, sure enough? But, now you are a sort of a merchant, you may growrich, and wish to be the proprietor of a _seat_. "

The time had been, when such thoughts often crossed my mind; but Icared less for them, then. To own a _seat_, was the great objectof my ambition in boyhood; but the thought had weakened by time andreflection. 

"What does Lucy think of the matter? Do I want, or indeed deserve, abetter house?"

"I shall not answer either question, " replied the dear girl, a littlesaucily, I thought. "I do not understand your wants, and do not chooseto speak of your deservings. But I fancy the question will be settledby a certain Mrs. Wallingford, one of these days. Clever womengenerally determine these things for their husbands. "

I endeavoured to catch Lucy's eye, when this was said, by leaning alittle forward myself; but the girl turned her head in such a manneras prevented my seeing her face. The remark was not lost onMr. Hardinge, however, who took it up with warmth, and all theinterest of a most pure and disinterested affection. 

"I suppose you _will_ think of marrying one of these days, Miles, " he said; "but, on no account, marry a woman who will desertClawbonny, or who would wish materially to alter it. No good-heartedwoman, indeed--no _true_-hearted woman--would ever dream ofeither. Dear me! dear me! the happy days and the sorrowful days--thegracious mercies of Providence, and the chastening afflictions--that Imyself have seen, and felt, and witnessed, under these same roofs!"

This was followed by a sort of enumeration of the events of the lastforty years, including passages in the lives of all who had dwelt atthe farm; the whole concluding with the divine's solemnlyrepeating--"No, no! Miles; do not think, even, of marrying a woman whowould wish you to desert, or materially alter, Clawbonny. "

CHAPTER XXIII. 

 "If thou be'st rated by thy estimation, Thou dost deserve enough; and yet enough May not extend so far as to the lady. " _Merchant of Venice_. 

Next morning, I was early afoot, and I found Grace as much alive tothe charms of home, as I was myself. She put on a gypsy, andaccompanied me into the garden, where to my surprise, I found Lucy. Itlooked like old times to be in that spot, again, with those two deargirls. Rupert alone was wanting to complete the picture; but, I hadan intimate conviction that Rupert, as he had been at least, couldnever come within the setting of the family group again. I wasrejoiced, however, to see Lucy, and more so, just where I found her, and I believe told her as much with my eyes. The charming girl lookedhappier than she had appeared the day before, or for many previousdays indeed, and I felt less apprehension than of late, concerning herhaving met with any agreeable youth of a more _genteel_profession than that of a merchant-captain. 

"I did not expect to find you here, Miss Lucy, " cried Grace, "eatinghalf-ripe currants, too, or my eyes deceive me, at this early hour inthe morning. It is not twenty minutes since you were in your own room, quite unadorned. "

"The green fruit of dear Clawbonny is better than the ripe fruit ofthose vile New York markets!" exclaimed Lucy, with a fervour sonatural as to forbid any suspicion of acting. "I should prefer aClawbonny potatoe, to a New York peach!"

Grace smiled, and, as soon as Lucy's animation had a little subsided, _she_ blushed. 

"How much better would it be, Miles, " my sister resumed, "could you beinduced to think and feel with us, and quit the seas, to come and livefor the rest of your days on the spot where your fathers have so longlived before you. Would it not, Lucy?"

"Miles will never do _that_, " Lucy answered, with emphasis. "Menare not like us females who love everything we love at all, with ourwhole hearts. Men prefer wandering about, and being shipwrecked, andleft on desert islands, to remaining quietly at home, on their ownfarms. No, no; you'll never persuade Miles to do _that_. "

"I am not astonished my brother thinks desert islands such pleasantabodes, when he can find companions like Miss Merton on them. "

"You will remember, sister of mine, in the first place, that MarbleLand is very far from being a desert island at all; and, in the next, that I first found Miss Merton in Hyde Park, London; almost in thecanal, for that matter. "

"I think it a little odd that Miles never told us all about this, inhis letters, at the time, Lucy. When young gentlemen drag young ladiesout of canals, their friends at home have a right to know something ofthe matter. "

How much unnecessary misery is inflicted by unmeaning expressions likethis. Grace spoke lightly, and probably without a second thought aboutthe matter; but the little she said, not only made me thoughtful anduneasy, but it drove everything like a smile from the usually radiantcountenance of her friend. The conversation dragged; and soon after, we returned together to the house. 

I was much occupied that morning, in riding about the place withMr. Hardinge, and in listening to his account of his stewardship, Withthe main results I was already acquainted--nay, possessed them in theDawn, --but the details had all to be gone over, with the most minuteaccuracy. A more simple-minded being there was not on earth thanMr. Hardinge; and, that my affairs turned out so well was the resultof the prosperous condition of the country at that day, the system myfather had adopted in his life-time, and the good qualities of thedifferent agents he had chosen, every one of whom remained in thesituation in which he was at the sad moment of the fatal accident atthe mill. Had matters really depended on the knowledge and managementof the most excellent divine, they would soon have been at sixes andsevens. 

"I am no believer in miracles, my dear Miles, " observed my guardian, with amusing self-complacency; "but I do think a change has beenwrought in me, to meet the emergencies of a situation, in which theinterests of two orphans have been so suddenly intrusted to myguidance and care. God be thanked! everything prospers; your affairs, as well as those of my dear Grace. It is wonderful, boy, how a man ofmy habits has been directed in his purchases of wheat, for instance;I, who never bought a bushel until the whole responsibility of yourmills fell upon my shoulders I take no credit to myself for it--nocredit to myself!"

"I hope the miller has not been backward, my dear sir, in giving youall the assistance in his power. "

"Morgan?--yes; he is always ready, and you know I never forget to sendhim into the market to both buy and sell. Really, his advice has beenso excellent, that to me it has the appearance of being almostmiraculous--prophetic, I should say, were it not improper. We shouldavoid all exaggeration in our gratitude, boy. "

"Very truly, sir. And in what manner have you managed to get along sowell with the crops, on the place, itself?"

"Favoured by the same great adviser, Miles. It is really wonderful, the crops we have had; and the judgment that has been soprovidentially shown in the management of the fields, as well as ofthe mills!"

"Of course, sir, old Hiram (Neb's uncle) has always been ready to giveyou his aid?--Hiram has a great deal of judgment, in his way. "

"No doubt--no doubt--Hiram and I have done it all, led by aProvidential counsel. Well, my boy, you ought to be satisfied withyour earthly lot; for every thing seems to prosper that belongs toyou. Of course, you will marry, one of these days, and transmit thisplace to your son, as it has been received from your fathers?"

"I keep that hope in perspective, sir; or, as we sailors say, for asheet-anchor. "

"Your hope of salvation, boy, is your sheet-anchor, I trust. Nevertheless, we are not to be too hard on young men, and must letthem have a little romance in their compositions. Yes, yes; I trustyou will not become so much wedded to your ship, as not to think oftaking a wife, one of these days. It will be a happy hour to me, whenI can see another Mrs. Miles Wallingford at Clawbonny. She will be thethird; for I can remember your grandmother. "

"Can you recommend to me a proper person to fill that honourablestation, sir?" said I, smiling to myself, and exceedingly curious tohear the answer. 

"What do you think of this Miss Merton, boy? She is handsome, and thatpleases young men; clever, and that pleases old ones; well-educated, and that will last, when the beauty is gone; and, so far as I canjudge, amiable; and that is as necessary to a wife, as fidelity. _Marry no woman, Miles, that is not amiable!_"

"May I ask _what_ you call amiable, sir?--And, when that questionis answered, I may venture to go so far as to inquire _whom_ youcall amiable?"

"Very sensible distinctions, and such as are entitled to fair answers;at least the first. I do not call levity, amiability; nor mereconstitutional gaiety. Some of the seemingly most light-hearted womenI have ever known, have been anything but amiable. There must be anunusual absence of selfishness, --a person must live less for herself, than others--or rather, must find her own happiness in the happinessof those she loves, to make a truly amiable woman. Heart andprinciple are at the bottom of what is truly amiable; thoughtemperament and disposition undoubtedly contribute. As for the whom, your own sister Grace is a truly amiable young woman. I never knew herdo anything to hurt another's feelings in my life. "

"I suppose you will admit, sir, I cannot very well marry Grace?"

"I wish you could, with all my heart--yes, with all my heart! Were notyou and Grace brother and sister, I should consider myself well quitof the responsibility of my guardianship, in seeing you man and wife. "

"As that is out of the question, I am not without hopes you canmention another who will do just as well, so far as I am concerned. "

"Well, there is this Miss Merton--though I do not know her well enoughto venture absolutely on a recommendation. Now, I told Lucy, no laterthan yesterday, while we were on the river, and as you were pointingout to Miss Merton the forts in the Highlands, that I thought youwould make one of the handsomest couples in the state--and, moreover, I told her--bless me, how this corn grows! The plants will be intassel in a few days, and the crop must turn out most beneficent--truly, truly--there is a providence in all things; for, at first, I was forputting the corn on yonder hill-side, and the potatoes here; but oldHiram was led by some invisible agency to insist on this field for thecorn, and the hill-side for the potatoes--and, now, look, and see whatcrops are in promise! Think of a nigger's blundering on such a thing?"

In 1802, even well-educated and well-intentioned clergymen had noscruples in saying "nigger. "

"But, sir, you have quite forgotten to add what else you told Lucy?"

"True--true--it is very natural that you should prefer hearing me talkabout Miss Merton, to hearing me talk about potatoes--I'll tell_that_ to Lucy, too, you may depend on it. "

"I sincerely hope you will do no such thing, my dear sir, " I cried, inno little alarm. 

"Ah! that betrays guilt--consciousness, I should say; for what guiltcan there be in a virtuous love?--and rely on it, both the girls shallknow all about it. Lucy and I often talk over your matters, Miles; forshe loves you as well as your own sister. Ah! my fine fellow, youblush at it, like a girl of sixteen! But, there is nothing to beashamed of, and there is no occasion for blushes. "

"Well, sir, letting my blushes--the blushes of a shipmaster!--butsetting aside my blushes, for mercy's sake _what more_ did youtell Lucy?"

"What more? Why I told her how you had been on a desert island, quitealone as one might say, with Miss Merton, and how you had been at sea, living in the same cabin as it were, for nine months; and it would bewonderful--wonderful, indeed, if two so handsome young persons shouldnot feel an attachment for each other. Country might make somedifference, to be sure--"

"And station, sir?--What do you think would be the influence of thedifference of station, also?"

"Station!--Bless me, Miles; what difference in station is therebetween you and Miss Merton; that it should cause any obstacle to yourunion?"

"You know what it is, sir, as well as I do myself. She is the daughterof an officer in the British army, and I am the master of a ship. Youwill admit, I presume, Mr. Hardinge, that there is such, a thing as adifference in station?"

"Beyond all question. It is exceedingly useful to remember it; and Igreatly fear the loose appointments of magistrates and otherfunctionaries, that are making round the country, will bring all ournotions on such subjects into great confusion. I can understand thatone man is as good as another in _rights_, Miles; but I cannotunderstand he is any _better_, because he happens to beuneducated, ignorant, or a blackguard. "

Mr. Hardinge was a sensible man in all such distinctions, though sosimple in connection with other matters. 

"You can have no difficulty, however, in understanding that, in NewYork, for instance, I should not be considered the equal of MajorMerton--I mean socially, altogether, and not in personal merit, or theclaims which years give--and of course, not the equal of hisdaughter?"

"Why--yes--I know what you mean, now. There may be some littleinequality in that sense, perhaps; but Clawbonny, and the ship, andthe money at use, would be very apt to strike a balance. "

"I am afraid not, sir. I should have studied law, sir, had I wished tomake myself a gentleman. "

"There are lots of vulgar fellows getting into the law, Miles--men whohave not half your claims to be considered gentlemen. I hope you donot think I wished you and Rupert to study law in order to makegentlemen of you?"

"No, sir; it was unnecessary to take that step as regards Rupert, whowas fully born in the station. Clergymen have a decided position allover the world, I believe; and then you are extremely well connectedotherwise, Mr. Hardinge. Rupert has no occasion for such anassistance--with me it was a little different. "

"Miles--Miles--this is a strange fancy to come over a young man inyour situation--and who, I am afraid, has been the subject of envy, only too often, to Rupert!"

"If the truth were known, Mr. Hardinge, I dare say both Rupert andLucy, in their secret hearts, think they possess advantages, in theway of social station, that do not belong to Grace and myself. "

Mr. Hardinge looked hurt, and I was soon sorry that I had made thisspeech. Nor would I have the reader imagine that what I had said, proceeded in the least from that narrow selfish feeling, which, underthe blustering pretension of equality, presumes to deny the existenceof a very potent social fact; but simply from the sensitiveness offeelings, which, on this subject, were somewhat in danger of becomingmorbid, through the agency of the most powerful passion of the humanheart--or, that which has well been called the master-passion. Nevertheless, Mr. Hardinge was much too honest a man to deny a truth, and much too sincere to wish even to prevaricate about it, howeverunpleasant it might be to acknowledge it, in all its unpleasantbearings. 

"I now understand you, Miles; and it would be idle to pretend thatthere is not some justice in what you say, though I attach very littleimportance to it, myself. Rupert is not exactly what I could wish himto be in all things, and possibly _he_ may be coxcomb enough, attimes, to fancy he has this slight advantage over you, --but, as forLucy, I'll engage she never thinks of you but as a second brother--and that she loves you exactly as she loves Rupert. "

Mr. Hardinge's simplicity was of proof, and it was idle to think ofmaking any impression on it. I changed the subject, therefore, andthis was easily enough done, by beginning again to talk about thepotatoes. I was far from being easy, nevertheless; for I could notavoid seeing that the good divine's restlessness might readily widenthe little breach which had opened between his daughter and myself. 

That day, at dinner, I discovered that Grace's winter in town had ledto a sensible melioration of the domestic economy; most especially asrelated to the table. My father and mother had introduced somechanges, which rendered the Clawbonny household affairs a littledifferent from those of most other of the Ulster county families nearour own class; but their innovations, or improvements, or whateverthey might be called, were far from being as decided as thoseintroduced by their daughter. Nothing, perhaps, sooner denotes thecondition of people, than the habits connected with the table. Ifeating and drinking be not done in a certain way, and a way founded inreason, too, as indeed are nearly all the customs of polished life, whatever may be the cant of the ultras of reason--but, if eating anddrinking be not done in a certain way, your people of the worldperceive it sooner than almost anything else. There is, also, more ofcommon sense and innate fitness, in the usages of the table, so longas they are not dependent on mere caprice, than in almost any otherpart of our deportment; for everybody must eat, and most personschoose to eat decently. I had been a little nervous on the subject ofthe Mertons, in connection with the Clawbonny table, I will confess;and great was my delight when I found the breakfast going off sowell. As for the Major, himself by no means familiar with the higherclasses of his own country, he had that great stamp of a gentleman, simplicity; and he was altogether above the cockney distinctions ofeating and drinking; those about cheese and malt liquors, and suchvulgar niceties; nor was he a man to care about the silver-forkisms;but he understood that portion of the finesse of the table whichdepended on reason and taste, and was accustomed to observe it. This Iknew from near a twelve month's intercourse, and I had feared we mightturn out to be a little too rustic. 

Grace had made provisions against all this, with a tact and judgmentfor which I could have worshipped her. I knew the viands, thevegetables, and the wines would all be good of their kind, for inthese we seldom failed; nor did I distrust the cookery, the_English_-descended families of the Middle States, of my class, understanding that to perfection; but I feared we should fail in thoselittle incidents of style and arrangement, and in the order of theservice, that denote a well-regulated table. This is just what Gracehad seen to; and I found that a great revolution had been quietlyeffected in this branch of our domestic economy during my absence;thanks to Grace's observations while at Mrs. Bradfort's. 

Emily seemed pleased at dinner, and Lucy could again laugh andsmile. After the cloth was removed, the Major and Mr. Hardingediscussed a bottle of Madeira, and that too of a quality of which Ihad no reason to be ashamed; while we young people withdrew togetherto a little piazza, that was in the shade at that hour, and tookseats, for a chat. Rupert was permitted to smoke, on condition that hewould not approach within fifteen feet of the party. No sooner wasthis little group thus arranged, the three girls in a crescent, than Idisappeared. 

"Grace, I have not yet spoken to you of a necklace of pearls possessedby your humble servant, " I cried, as my foot again touched thepiazza. --"I would not say a word about it--"

"Yet, Lucy and I heard all about it--" answered Grace with provokingcalmness, "but would not ask to see it, lest you should accuse us ofgirlish curiosity. We waited your high pleasure, in the matter. "

"You and Lucy heard I had such a necklace!"

"Most unquestionably; I, Grace Wallingford, and she, Lucy Hardinge. Ihope it is no infringement on the rights of Mr. Miles Clawbonny"--sothe girls often called me, when they affected to think I was on myhigh-ropes--"I hope it is no infringement on the rights of Mr. MilesClawbonny to say as much. "

"And pray how _could_ you and Lucy know anything about it?"

"That is altogether another question; perhaps we may accord an answer, after we have seen the necklace. "

"Miss Merton told us, Miles, " said Lucy, looking at me withgentleness, for she saw I really wished an answer; and what could LucyHardinge ever refuse me, that was right in itself when she saw myfeelings were really interested?

"Miss Merton? Then I have been betrayed, and the surprise Ianticipated is lost. "

I was vexed, and my manner must have shown it in a slightdegree. Emily coloured, bit her lip, and said nothing; but Grace madeher excuses with more spirit than it was usual for _her_ to show. 

"You are rightly punished, Master Miles, " she cried; "for you had nobusiness to anticipate surprises. They are vulgar things at best, andthey are worse than that when they come from a distance of fifteenthousand miles--from a brother to a sister. Besides, you havesurprised us sufficiently once, already, in connection with MissMerton. "

"I!" I exclaimed. 

"Me!" added Emily. 

"Yes, I and me; did you tell us one word about her, in your letters?and have you not now both surprised and delighted us, by making usacquainted with so charming a person? I can pardon such a surprise, onaccount of its consequences; but nothing so vulgar as a surprise aboutpearls. "

Emily blushed now; and in her it was possible to tell the differencebetween a blush and the suffusion that arose from a different feeling;but she looked immensely superior to anything like explanations. 

"Captain Wallingford"--how I disliked that _Captain_--"CaptainWallingford can have but little knowledge of young ladies, " she said, coldly, "if he supposes such pearls as he possesses would not form thesubject of their conversation. "

I was coxcomb enough to fancy Emily was vexed that I had neglected tobe more particular about her being on the island, and her connectionwith the ship. This might have been a mistake; however. 

"Let us see the pearls, Miles; and that will plead your apology, " saidLucy. 

"There, then--your charming eyes, young ladies, never looked on pearlslike those, before. "

Female nature could not suppress the exclamations of belight thatsucceeded. Even Rupert, who had a besetting weakness on the subject ofall personal ornaments, laid aside his segar, and came within theprescribed distance, the better to admire. It was admitted all round, New York had nothing to compare with them. I then mentioned that theyhad been fished up by myself from the depths of the sea. 

"How much that adds to their value!" said Lucy, in a low voice, but inher warm, sincere manner. 

"That was getting them _cheap_, was it not, Miss Wallingford?"inquired Emily, with an emphasis I disliked. 

"Very; though I agree with Lucy, it makes them so much the morevaluable. "

"If Miss Merton will forget my charge of treason, and condescend toput on the necklace, you will all see it to much greater advantagethan at present. If a fine necklace embellishes a fine woman, theadvantage is quite reciprocal. I have seen my pearls once already onher neck, and know the effect. "

A wish of Grace's aided my application, and Emily placed the ornamentsaround her throat. The dazzling whiteness of her skin gave a lustre tothe pearls that they certainly did not previously possess. Onescarcely knew which to admire the most--the ornaments, or theirsetting. 

"How very, very beautiful they are _now!_" cried Lucy, ingenerous admiration. "Oh! Miss Merton, pearls should ever be yourornaments. "

"_Those_ pearls, you mean, Lucy, " put in Rupert, who was alwaysextremely liberal with other people's means; "the necklace ought neverto be removed. "

"Miss Merton knows their destination, " I said, gallantly, "and theterms of ownership. "

Emily slowly undid the clasp, placed the string before her eyes, andlooked at it long and silently. 

"And what is this destination, Miles? What these terms of ownership?"my sister asked. 

"Of course he means them for you, dear, " Lucy remarked in haste. "Forwhom else can he intend such an ornament?"

"You are mistaken, Miss Hardinge. Grace must excuse me for being alittle selfish this time, at least. I do not intend those pearls forMiss Wallingford, but for Mrs. Wallingford, should there ever be sucha person. "

"Upon my word, such a double temptation, my boy, I Wonder Miss Mertonever had the fortitude to remove them from the enviable position theyso lately occupied, " cried Rupert, glancing meaningly towards Emily, who returned the look with a slight smile. 

"Of course, Miss Merton understood that my remark was ventured inpleasantry, " I said stiffly, "and not in presumption. It was decided, however, when in the Pacific, that these pearls ought to have thatdestination. It is true, Clawbonny is not the Pacific, and one may bepardoned for seeing things a little differently _here_, from whatthey appeared _there_. I have a few more pearls, however, veryinferior in quality I confess, to those of the necklace; but, such asthey are, I should esteem it a favour, ladies, if you would consent todivide them equally among you. They would make three very prettyrings, and as many breast-pins. "

I put into Grace's hands a little box containing all the pearls thathad not been placed on the string. There were many fine ones amongthem, and some of very respectable size, though most were of the sortcalled seed. In the whole, there were several hundreds. 

"We will not balk his generosity, " said Grace, smiling--"so, MissMerton, we will separate the pearls into three parcels, and draw lotsfor them. Here are handsome ornaments among them!"

"They will have one value with you, at least, Grace, and quite likelywith Lucy, while they might possibly possess another with MissMerton. I fished up every one of those pearls with my own hands. "

"Certainly, that will give them value with both Lucy and me, dearestMiles, as would the simple fact that they are your gift--but what isto give them their especial value with Miss Merton?"

"They may serve to remind Miss Merton of some of her hair-breadthescapes, of the weeks passed on the island, and of scenes that, a fewyears hence, will probably possess the colours of a dream, in herrecollection. "

"_One_ pearl I will take, with this particular object"--saidEmily, with more feeling than I had seen her manifest since she hadgot back into the world, "if Miss Wallingford will do me the favour toselect it. "

"Let it be enough for a ring, at least, " Grace returned, in her ownsweetest manner. "Half a dozen of the finest of these pearls, of whichone shall be on Miles' account, and five on mine. "

"On those conditions, let it then be six. I have no occasion forpearls to remind me how much my father and my self owe to CaptainWallingford. "

"Come, Rupert, " added Grace; "you have a taste in these things, let ushave your aid in the selection. " Rupert was by no means backward incomplying, for he loved to be meddling in such matters. 

"In the first place, " he said, "I shall at once direct that the numberbe increased to seven; this fine one in the centre, and three on eachside, gradually diminishing in size. We must look to quality, and notto weight, for the six puisne judges, as we should call them in thecourts. The Chief Justice will be a noble-looking fellow, and theassociates ought to be of good quality to keep his honour's company. "

"Why do you not call your judges 'my lords, ' as we do in England, Mr. Hardinge?" inquired Emily, in her prettiest manner. 

"_Why, _ sure enough! I wish with all my heart we did, and then aman would have something worth living for. "

"Rupert!" exclaimed Lucy, colouring--"you know it is because ourgovernment is republican, and that we have no nobles among us. Nor doyou say exactly what you think; you would not be 'my lord, ' if youcould. "

"As I never shall be a 'my lord, ' and I am afraid never a 'yourhonour'--There, Miss Merton--there are numbers two and three--observehow beautifully they are graduated as to size. "

"Well, 'your honour, '" added Grace, who began to be a little uneasy atthe manner Rupert and Emily exhibited towards each other--"well, 'yourhonour, ' what is to come next?"

"Numbers four and five, of course--and here they are, Miss Merton; asaccurately diminished, as if done by hand. A beautiful ring it willmake--I envy those who will be recalled to mind, by so charming anobject. "

"You will now be one of those yourself, Mr. Hardinge"--observedEmily, with great tact--"for you are fully entitled to it, by thetrouble you are giving yourself, and the taste and judgment youpossess. "

Lucy looked petrified. She had so long accustomed herself to think ofGrace as her future sister, that the open admiration expressed inRupert's countenance, which was too manifest to escape any of us, first threw a glimmering of light on suspicions of the most painfulnature. I had long seen that Lucy understood her brother's characterbetter than any of us--much better, indeed, than his simple-mindedfather; and, as for myself, I was prepared to expect anything butconsistency and principle in his conduct. Dearly as I prized Lucy, andby this time the slight competition that Emily Merton had presented tomy fancy, had entirely given way to the dear creature's heart, andnature, --but, dearly as I prized Lucy, I would greatly have preferredthat my sister should not marry her brother; and, so far from feelingresentment on account of his want of fidelity, I was rather disposedto rejoice at it. I could appreciate his want of merit, and hisunfitness to be the husband of such a woman as Grace, even at my earlyage; but, alas! I could not appreciate the effects of his inconstancyon a heart like that of my sister. Could I have felt as easy on thesubject of Mr. Andrew Drewett, and of my own precise position insociety, I should have cared very little, just then, about Rupert, andhis caprices. 

The pearls for the ring were soon selected by Rupert, and approved ofby Grace, after which I assumed the office of dividing the remaindermyself. I drew a chair, took the box from Rupert, and set about thetask. 

"I shall make a faithful umpire, girls, " I observed, as pearl afterpearl was laid, first on one spot, then on another--"for I feel nopreference between you--Grace is as Lucy; Lucy is as Grace, with me. "

"That may be fortunate, Miss Hardinge, since it indicates nopreference of a particular sort, that might require repressing, " saidEmily, smiling significantly at Lucy. "When gentlemen treat youngladies as sisters, it is a subject of rejoicing. These sailors needsevere lessons, to keep them within the rules of the land. "

Why this was said, I did not understand; but Rupert laughed at it, asif it were a capital thing. To mend the matter, he added, a littleboisterously for him--

"You see, Miles, you had better have taken to the law--the ladiescannot appreciate the merits of you tars. "

"So it would seem, " I returned, a little drily, "after all Miss Mertonhas experienced and seen of the trade. "

Emily made no reply, but she regarded her pearls with a steadinessthat showed she was thinking more of their effect than that of eitherher own speech or mine. I continued to divide the pearls, and soon hadthe work complete. 

"What am I to do, now?"--I asked--"Will you draw lots, girls, or willyou trust to my impartiality?"

"We will certainly confide in the last, " answered Grace. "Thedivision is so very equitable that I do not well see how you candefraud either. "

"That being the case, this parcel is for you, Lucy; and, Grace, thatis your's. "

Grace rose, put her arms affectionately around my neck, and gave meone of the hundred kisses that I had received, first and last, forpresents of one sort and another. The deep attachment that beamed inher saint-like eyes, would of itself have repaid me for fifty suchgifts. At the moment, I was almost on the point of throwing her thenecklace in the bargain; but some faint fancies about Mrs. MilesWallingford prevented me from so doing. As for Lucy, not a little tomy surprise, she received the pearls, muttered a few unintelligiblewords, but did not even rise from her chair. Emily seemed to tire ofthis, so she caught up her gypsy, said the evening was getting to bedelightful, and proposed a walk. Rupert and Grace cheerfullyacquiesced, and the three soon left the place, Lucy preparing tofollow, as soon as a maid could bring her hat, and I excusing myselfon the score of business in my own room. 

"Miles"--said Lucy, as I was about to enter the house, she herselfstanding on the edge of the piazza on the point of following theparty, but holding towards me the little paper box in which I hadplaced her portion of the pearls. 

"Do you wish me to put them away for you, Lucy?"

"No, Miles--not for _me_--but for _yourself_--for Grace--for _Mrs. Miles Wallingford_, if you prefer that. "

This was said without the slightest appearance of any other feelingthan a gentle request. I was surprised, and scarce knew what to makeof it; at first, I refused to take the box. 

"I hope I have done nothing to merit this, Lucy?" I said, half-affronted, half-grieved. 

"Remember, Miles, " the dear girl answered--"we are no longer children, but have reached an age when it is incumbent on us to respectappearances a little. These pearls must be worth a good deal of money, and I feel certain my father, when he came to think of it, wouldscarce approve of my receiving them. "

"And this from _you_, dear Lucy!"

"This from me, dear Miles, " returned the precious girl, tearsglistening in her eyes, though she endeavoured to smile. "Now, takethe box, and we will be just as good friends as ever. "

"Will you answer me one question, as frankly and as honestly as youused to answer all my questions?"

Lucy turned pale and she stood reflecting an instant before she spoke. 

"I can answer no question before it is asked, " was at length heranswer. 

"Have you thought so little of my presents as to have thrown away thelocket I gave you, before I sailed for the North-West coast?"

"No, Miles; I have kept the locket, and shall keep it as long as Ilive. It was a memorial of our childish regard for each other; and, inthat sense, is very dear to me. You will let me keep the locket, I amsure!"

"If it were not you, Lucy Hardinge, whom I know to be truth itself, Imight be disposed to doubt you, so many strange things exist, and somuch caprice, especially in attachments, is manifested here, ashore!"

"You need doubt nothing I tell you, Miles--on no account would Ideceive you. "

"That I believe--nay, I see, it is your present object to_undeceive_ me. I do not doubt anything you tell me, Lucy. Iwish I could see that locket, however; show it to me, if you have iton your person. "

Lucy made an eager movement, as if about to produce the locket; thenshe arrested the impetuous indication, while her cheeks fairly burnedwith the blushes that suffused them. 

"I see how it is, Lucy--the thing is not to be found. It is mislaid, the Lord knows where, and you do not like to avow it. "

The locket, at that moment, lay as near the blessed creature's heartas it could be placed; and her confusion proceeded from the shame ofletting that fact be known. This I could not see, and consequently didnot know. A very small and further indication of feeling on my part, might have betrayed the circumstance; but pride prevented it, and Itook the still extended box, I dare say in a somewhat dramaticmanner. Lucy looked at me earnestly; I saw it was with difficulty thatshe kept from bursting into tears. 

"You are not hurt, Miles?" she said. 

"I should not be frank if I denied it. Even Emily Merton, you saw, consented to accept enough pearls for a ring. "

"I did perceive it; and yet, you remember, she felt the impropriety ofreceiving such large gifts from gentlemen. Miss Merton has gonethrough so much, so much in your company, Miles, that no wonder she iswilling to retain some little memorial of it all, until--"

She hesitated; but Lucy chose not to finish the sentence. She hadbeen pale; but her cheeks were now like the rose, again. 

"When Rupert and I first went to sea, Lucy, you gave me your littletreasure in gold--every farthing you had on earth, I fancy. "

"I am glad I did, Miles; for we were very young, then, and you hadbeen so kind to me, I rejoice I had a little gratitude. But, we arenow in situations, " she added, smiling so sweetly, as to render itdifficult for me to refrain from catching her in my arms, and foldingher to my heart; "that place both of us above the necessity ofreceiving aid of this sort. "

"I am glad to hear this--though _I_ shall never part with thedear recollection of the half-joes. "

"Or I with that of the locket. We will retain these, then, askeepsakes. My dear Mrs. Bradfort, too, is very particular about Rupertor myself receiving favours of this sort, from any but herself. Shehas adopted us, in a manner; and I owe to her liberality, the meansof making the figure I do. Apart from that, Miles, we are all as pooras we have ever been. "

I wished Rupert had half his sister's self-respect and pride ofcharacter. But he had not; for in spite of his kinswoman'sprohibitions, he had not scrupled to spend nearly three years of thewages that accrued to me as third-mate of the Crisis. For the money Icared not a stiver; it was a very different thing as to the feeling. 

As for Lucy, she hastened away, as soon as she had induced me toaccept the box; and I had no choice but to place all the pearlstogether, and put them in Grace's room, as my sister had desired me todo with her own property before proceeding on her walk. 

I determined I would converse confidentially with Grace, that veryevening, about the state of affairs in general, and if possible, learnthe worst concerning Mr. Andrew Drewett's pretensions. Shall I franklyown the truth? I was sorry that Mrs. Bradfort had made Lucy soindependent; as it seemed to increase the chasm that I fancied wasopening between us. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

 "Your name abruptly mentioned, casual words Of comment on your deeds, praise from your uncle, News from the armies, talk of your return, A word let fall touching your youthful passion Suffused her cheek, called to her drooping eye A momentary lustre. "

I had no difficulty in putting my project of a private interview withGrace, in execution in my own house. There was one room at Clawbonny, that, from time immemorial, had been appropriated exclusively to theuse of the heads of the establishment; It was called the "familyroom, " as one would say "family-pictures" or "family--plate. " In myfather's time, I could recollect that I never dreamed of entering it, unless asked or ordered; and even then, I always did so with some suchfeeling as I entered a church. What gave it a particular andadditional sanctity in out eyes, also, was the fact that theWallingford dead were always placed in their coffins, in this room, and thence they were borne to their graves. It was a very smalltriangular room, with the fire-place in one corner, and possessing buta single window, that opened on a thicket of rose-bushes, ceringos, and lilacs. There was also a light external fence around thisshrubbery, as if purposely to keep listeners at a distance. Theapartment had been furnished when the house was built, being in theoldest part of the structures, and still retained its ancientinmates. The chairs, tables, and, most of the other articles, hadactually been brought from England, by Miles the First, as we used tocall the emigrant; though, he was thus only in reference to theClawbonny dynasty, having been something like Miles the Twentieth, inthe old country. My mother had introduced a small settee, or some suchseat as the French would call a _causeuse;_ a most appropriatearticle, in such a place. 

In preparation for the interview I had slipped into Grace's hand apiece of paper, on which was written "meet me in the family-room, precisely at six!" This was sufficient; at the hour named, I proceededto the room, myself. The house of Clawbonny, in one sense, was largefor an American residence; that is to say, it covered a great deal ofground, every one of the three owners who preceded me, having built;the two last leaving entire the labours of the first. My turn had notyet come, of course; but the reader knows already that I, mostirreverently, had once contemplated abandoning the place, for a "seat"nearer the Hudson. In such a _suite_ of constructions, sundrypassages became necessary, and we had several more than was usual atClawbonny, besides having as many pairs of stairs. In consequence ofthis ample provision of stairs, the chambers of the family weretotally separated from those of all the rest of the house. 

I began to reflect seriously, on _what_ I had to say, and_how_ it was to be said, as I walked through the long passagewhich led to the "family-room, " or the "triangle, " as my own fatherhad nicknamed the spot. Grace and I had never yet held what might betermed a family consultation; I was too young to think of such athing, when last at home, and no former occasion had offered since myreturn. I was still quite young, and had more diffidence than mighthave been expected in a sailor. To me, it was far more embarrassing toopen verbal communications of a delicate nature, than it would havebeen to work a ship in action. But for this _mauvaise honte_, Ido think I should have been explicit with Lucy, and not have partedfrom her on the piazza, as I did, leaving everything in just as muchdoubt as it had been before a word passed between us. Then Ientertained a profound respect for Grace; something more than thetenderness of a brother for a sister; for, mingled with my strongaffection for her, was a deference, a species of awe of her angel-likecharacter and purity, that made me far more disposed to receive advicefrom her, than to bestow it. In the frame of mind which was naturalto all these blended feelings, I laid my hand on the old-fashionedbrass latch, by which the door of the "triangle" was closed. Onentering the room, I found my sister seated on the "causeuses, " thewindow open to admit air, the room looking snug but cheerful, and itsoccupant's sweet countenance expressive of care, not altogether freefrom curiosity. The last time I had been in that room, it was to lookon the pallid features of my mother's corpse, previously to closingthe coffin. All the recollections of that scene rushed upon our mindsat the same instant; and taking a place by the side of Grace, I put anarm around her waist, drew her to me, and, receiving her head on mybosom, she wept like a child. My tears could not be altogetherrestrained, and several minutes passed in profound silence. Noexplanations were needed; I knew what my sister thought and felt, andshe was equally at home as respects my sensations. At length weregained our self-command, and Grace lifted her head. 

"You have not been in this room since, brother?" she observed, halfinquiringly. 

"I have not, sister. It is now many years--many for those who are asyoung as ourselves. "

"Miles, you will think better about that 'seat, ' and never abandonClawbonny--never destroy this blessed room!"

"I begin to think and feel differently on the subject, from what Ionce did. If this house were good enough for our forefathers, why isit not good enough for me. It is respectable and comfortable, and whatmore do I want?

"And so warm in winter, and so cool in summer; with good thick stonewalls; while everything they build now is a shingle palace! Besides, you can add your portion, and each addition has already been a gooddeal modernized. It is so pleasant to have a house that partakes ofthe usages of different periods!"

"I hardly think I shall ever abandon Clawbonny, my dear; for I find itgrowing more and more precious as other ties and expectations failme. "

Grace drew herself entirely from my arms, and looked intently, and, asI fancied, anxiously at me, from the other corner of the settee. Thenshe affectionately took one of my hands, in both her own, and pressedit gently. 

"You are young to speak of such things, my dear brother, " she saidwith a tone and air of sadness, I had never yet remarked in her voiceand manner; "much too young for a man; though I fear we women are bornto know sorrow!"

I could not speak if I would, for I fancied Grace was about to makesome communications concerning Rupert. Notwithstanding the strongaffection that existed between my sister and myself, not a syllablehad ever been uttered by either, that bore directly on our respectiverelations with Rupert and Lucy Hardinge. I had long been certain thatRupert, who was never backward in professions, had years before spokenexplicitly to Grace, and I made no doubt they were engaged, thoughprobably subject to some such conditions as the approval of his fatherand myself; approvals, that neither had any reason for supposing wouldbe withheld. Still, Grace had never intimated anything of the sort, and my conclusions were drawn from conjectures founded as I imaginedon sufficient observation. On the other hand, I had never spoken toGrace, of my love for Lucy. Until within the last month, indeed, whenjealousy and distrust came to quicken the sentiment, I was unconsciousmyself with how much passion I did actually love the dear girl; for, previously to that, my affection had seemed so much a matter ofcourse, was united with so much that was fraternal, in appearance atleast, that I had never been induced to enter into an inquiry as tothe nature of this regard. We were both, therefore, touching onhallowed spots in our hearts, and each felt averse to laying bare theweakness. 

"Oh! you know how it is with life, Grace, " I answered, with affectedcarelessness, after a moment's silence; "now all sun-shine, and nowall clouds--I shall probably never marry, my dear sister, and you, oryour children, will inherit Clawbonny; then you can do as you pleasewith the house. As a memorial of myself, however, I will leave ordersfor stone to be got out this fall, and, next year, I will put up thesouth wing, of which we have so much talked, and add three or fourrooms in which one will not be ashamed to see his friends. "

"I hope your are ashamed of nothing that is at Clawbonny, now, Miles--as for your marrying, my dear brother, that remains to be seen;young men do not often know their own minds on such a subject, at yourage. "

This was said, not altogether without pleasantry, though there was ashade of sadness in the countenance of the beloved speaker, that fromthe bottom of my heart I wished were not there. I believe Graceunderstood my concern, and that she shrunk with virgin sensitivenessfrom touching further on the subject, for she soon added--

"Enough of this desponding talk. Why have you particularly desired tosee me, here, Miles?"

"Why? Oh! you know I am to sail next week, and we have never beenhere--and, now we are both of an age to communicate our thoughts toeach other--I supposed--that is--there must be a beginning of allthings, and it is as well to commence now, as any other time. You donot seem more than half a sister, in the company of strangers like theMertons, and Hardinges!"

"Strangers, Miles! How long have you regarded the last as strangers?"

"Certainly not strangers in the way of acquaintance, but strangers toour blood. There is not the least connection between us and them. "

"No, but much love; and love that has lasted from childhood. I cannotremember the time when I have not loved Lucy Hardinge. "

"Quite true--nor I. Lucy is an excellent girl, and one is almostcertain of always retaining a strong regard for _her_. Howsingularly the prospects of the Hardinges are changed by this suddenliking of Mrs. Bradfort!"

"It is not sudden, Miles. You have been absent years, and forget howmuch time there has been to become intimate and attached. Mr. Hardingeand Mrs. Bradfort are sister's children; and the fortune of the last, which, I am told, exceeds six thousand a-year, in improving realestate in town, besides the excellent and valuable house in which shelives, came from their common grandfather, who cut off Mrs. Hardingewith a small legacy, because she married a clergyman. Mr. Hardinge isMrs. Bradfort's heir-at-law, and it is by no means unnatural that sheshould think of leaving the property to those who, in one sense, haveas good a right to it as she has herself. "

"And is it supposed she will leave Rupert her heir?"

"I believe it is--at least--I think--I am afraid--Rupert himselfimagines it; though doubtless Lucy will come in for a fair share. Theaffection of Mrs. Bradfort for Lucy is very strong--so strong, indeed, that she offered, last winter, openly to adopt her, and to keep herwith her constantly. You know how true and warm-hearted a girl Lucyis, and how easy it is to love her. "

"This is all new to me--why was not the offer accepted?"

"Neither Mr. Hardinge nor Lucy would listen to it. I was present atthe interview in which it was discussed, and our excellent guardianthanked his cousin for her kind intentions; but, in his simple way, hedeclared, as long as life was spared him, he felt it a duty to keephis girl; or, at least, until he committed her to the custody of ahusband, or death should part them. "

"And Lucy?"

"She is much attached to Mrs. Bradfort, who is a good woman in themain, though she has her weaknesses about the world, and society, andsuch things. Lucy wept in her cousin's arms, but declared she nevercould leave her father. I suppose you do not expect, " added Grace, smiling, "that _she_ had anything to say about a husband. "

"And how did Mrs. Bradfort receive this joint declaration ofresistance to her pleasure, backed, as the last was, by dollars?"

"Perfectly well. The affair terminated by Mr. Hardinge's consenting toLucy's passing each winter in town, until she marry. Rupert, you know, lives there as a student at law, at present, and will becomeestablished there, when admitted to the bar. "

"And I suppose the knowledge that Lucy is likely to inherit some ofthe old Bleecker estate, has not in the least diminished her chance offinding a husband to remove her from the paternal custody of herfather?"

"No husband could ever make Lucy anything but Mr. Hardinge'sdaughter; but you are right, Miles, in supposing that she has beensought. I am not in her secrets, for Lucy is a girl of too muchprinciple to make a parade of her conquests, even under the pretenceof communicating them to her dearest friend--and in that light, beyondall question, does she regard me; but I feel as morally certain as onecan be, without actually knowing the facts, that Lucy refused_one_ gentleman, winter before last, and three last winter. "

"Was Mr. Andrew Drewett of the number?" I asked, with a precipitationof which I was immediately ashamed. 

Grace started a little at the vivacity of my manner, and then shesmiled, though I still thought sadly. 

"Of course not, " she answered, after a moment's thought, "or he wouldnot still be in attendance. Lucy is too frank to leave an admirer indoubt an instant after his declaration is made, and her own mind madeup; and not one of all those who, I am persuaded, have offered, hasever ventured to continue more than a distant acquaintance. As Mr. Drewett never has been more assiduous than down to the last moment ofour remaining in town, it is impossible he should have beenrejected. I suppose you know Mr. Hardinge has invited him here?"

"Here? Andrew Drewett? And why is he coming here?"

"I heard him ask Mr. Hardinge's permission to visit us here; and youknow how it is with our dear, good guardian--the milk of humankindness himself, and so perfectly guileless that he never sees morethan is said in such matters, it was impossible he couldrefuse. Besides, he likes Drewett, who, apart from some fashionablefollies, is both clever and respectable. Mr. Drewett has a sistermarried into one of the best families on the other side of the river, and is in the habit of coming into the neighbourhood every summer;doubtless he will cross from his sisters house to Clawbonny. "

I felt indignant for just one minute, and then reason resumed itssway. Mr. Hardinge, in the first place, had the written authority, orrequest, of my mother that he would invite whom he pleased, during myminority, to the house; and, on that score, I felt no disapprobation. But it seemed so much like braving my own passion, to ask an openadmirer of Lucy's to my own house, that I was very near sayingsomething silly. Luckily I did not, and Grace never knew what Isuffered at this discovery. Lucy had refused several offers--that wassomething; and I was dying to know what sort of offers they were. Ithought I might at least venture to ask that question. 

"Did you know the four gentlemen that you suppose Lucy to haverefused?" said I, with as indifferent an air as I could assume, affecting to destroy a cobweb with my rattan, and even carrying myacting so far as to make an attempt at a low whistle. 

"Certainly; how else should I know anything about it? Lucy has neversaid a word to me on the subject; and, though Mrs. Bradfort and I havehad our pleasantries on the subject, neither of us is in Lucy'ssecrets. "

"Ay, your pleasantries on the subject! That I dare say. There is nobetter fun to a woman than to see a man make a fool of himself in thisway; little does _she_ care how much a poor fellow suffers!"

Grace turned pale, and I could see that her sweet countenance becamethoughtful and repentant. 

"Perhaps there is truth in your remark, and justice n your reproach, Miles. None of us treat this subject with as much, seriousness as itdeserves, though I cannot suppose any woman can reject a man whom shebelieves to be seriously attached to her, without feeling forhim. Still, attachments of this nature affect your sex less than ours, and I believe few men die of love. Lucy, moreover, never has, and Ibelieve never would encourage any man whom she did not like; thisprinciple must have prevented any of that intimate connection, withoutwhich the heart never can get much interested. The passion that isproduced without any exchange of sentiment or feeling, Miles, cannotbe much more than imagination or caprice. "

"I suppose those four chaps are all famously cured, by this time, then?" said I, pretending again to whistle. 

"I cannot answer for that--it is so easy to love Lucy, and to love herwarmly. I only know they visit her no longer, and, when they meet herin society, behave just as I think a rejected admirer would behave, when he has not lost his respect for his late flame. Mrs. Bradfort'sfortune and position may have had their influence on two; but theothers I think were quite sincere. "

"Mrs. Bradfort is quite in a high set, Grace--altogether above what wehave been accustomed to?"

My sister coloured a little, and I could see she was not at herease. Still, Grace had too much self-respect, and too much character, ever to feel an oppressive inferiority, where it did not exist inessentials; and she had never been made to suffer, as the morefrivolous and vain often suffer, by communications with a classsuperior to their own; especially when that class, as always happens, contains those who, having nothing else to be proud of, take care tomake others feel their inferiority. 

"This is true, Miles, " she answered; "or I might better say, both aretrue. Certainly I never have seen as many well-bred persons as I meetin her circle--indeed, we have little around us at Clawbonny to teachus any distinctions in such tastes. Mr. Hardinge, simple as he is, isso truly a gentleman, that he has not left us altogether in the darkas to what was expected of us; and I fancy the higher people truly arein the world, the less they lay stress on anything but what issubstantial, in these matters. "

"And Lucy's admirers--and Lucy herself--"

"How, Lucy herself?"

"Was she well received--courted--admired? Met as an equal, and treatedas an equal? And you, too?"

"Had you lived more in the world, Miles, you would not have asked thequestion. But Lucy has been always received as Mrs. Bradfort'sdaughter would have been received; and as for myself, I have neversupposed it was not known exactly who I am. "

"_Captain_ Miles Wallingford's daughter, and _Captain_ MilesWallingford's sister, " said I, with a little bitterness on eachemphasis. 

"Precisely; and a girl proud of her connections with both, " rejoinedGrace, with strong affection. 

"I wish I knew one thing, Grace; and I think I _ought_ to knowit, too. "

"If you can make the last appear, Miles, you may rest assured youshall know it, if it depend on me. "

"Did any of these gentry--these soft-handed fellows--ever think ofoffering to _you_?"

Grace laughed, and she coloured so deeply--oh! how heavenly was herbeauty, with that roseate tint on her cheek!--but she coloured sodeeply, that I felt satisfied that she, too, had refused hersuitors. The thought appeased some of my bitter feelings, and I had asort of semi-savage pleasure in believing that a daughter of Clawbonnywas not to be had for the asking, by one of that set. The only answersI got were these disclosures by blushes. 

"What are the fortune and position of this Mr. Drewett, since you areresolved to tell me nothing of your own affairs?"

"Both are good, and such as no young lady can object to. He is evensaid to be rich. "

"Thank God! _He_ then is not seeking Lucy in the hope of gettingsome of Mrs. Bradfort's money?"

"Not in the least. It is so easy to love Lucy, for Lucy's sake, thateven a fortune-hunter would be in danger of being caught in his owntrap. But Mr. Drewett is above the necessity of practising so vile ascheme for making money. "

Here, that the present generation may not be misled, and imaginefortune-hunting has come in altogether within the last twenty years, Iwill add that it was not exactly a trade, in this country--a regularoccupation--in 1802, as it has become, in 1844. There were such thingsthen, certainly, as men, or women, who were ready to marry anybody whowould make them rich; but I do not think theirs was a calling to whicheither sex served regular apprenticeships, as is practisedto-day. Still, the business was carried on, to speak in thevernacular, and sometimes with marked success. 

"You have not told me, Grace, " I resumed, "whether you think Lucy ispleased, or not, with the attentions of this gentleman. "

My sister looked at me intently, for a moment, as if to ascertain howfar I could, or could not, ask such a question with indifference. Itwill be remembered that no verbal explanations had ever taken placebetween us, on the subject of our feelings towards the companions ofour childhood, and that all that was known to either was obtainedpurely by inference. Between myself and Lucy nothing had ever passed, indeed, which might not have been honestly referred to our long andearly association, so far as the rules of intercourse were concerned, though I sometimes fancied I could recall a hundred occasions, onwhich Lucy had formerly manifested deep attachment for myself; nor didI doubt her being able to show similar proofs, by reversing thepicture. This, however, was, or I had thought it to be, merely thelanguage of the heart; the tongue having never spoken. Of course, Grace had nothing but conjecture on this subject, and alas! she hadbegun to see how possible it was for those who lived near each otherto change their views on such subjects; no wonder, then, if shefancied it still easier, for those who had been separated for years. 

"I have not told you, Miles, " Grace answered, after a brief delay, "because it would not be proper to communicate the secrets of myfriend to a young man, even to you, were it in my power, as it is not, since Lucy never has made to me the slightest confidentialcommunication, of any sort or nature, touching love. "

"Never!" I exclaimed--reading my fancied doom in the startling fact;for I conceived it impossible, had she ever really loved me, that thematter should not have come up in conversation between two so closelyunited--"Never! What, no girlish--no childish preference--have younever had no mutual preferences to reveal?"

"Never"--answered Grace, firmly, though her very temples seemedilluminated--"Never. We have been satisfied with each other'saffection, and have had no occasion to enter into any unfeminine andimproper secrets, if any such existed. "

A long, and I doubt not a mutually painful pause succeeded. 

"Grace, " said I, at length--"I am not envious of this probableaccession of fortune to the Hardinges, but I think we should all havebeen much more united--much happier--without it. "

My sister's colour left her face, she trembled all over, and shebecame pale as death. 

"You may be right, in some respects, Miles, " she answered, after atime. "And, yet, it is hardly generous to think so. Why should we wishto see our oldest friends; those who are so very dear to us, ourexcellent guardian's children, less well off than we are ourselves?No doubt, no doubt, it may seem better to _us_, that Clawbonnyshould be the castle and we its possessors; but others have theirrights and interests as well as ourselves. Give the Hardinges money, and they will enjoy every advantage known in this country--more thanmoney can possibly give us--why, then, ought we to be so selfish as towish them deprived of this advantage? Place Lucy where you will, shewill always be Lucy; and, as for Rupert, so brilliant a young manneeds only an opportunity, to rise to anything the country possesses!"

Grace was so earnest, spoke with so much feeling, appeared sodisinterested, so holy I had almost said, that I could not find, in myheart, the courage to try her any farther. That she began to distrustRupert, I plainly saw, though it was merely with the glimmerings ofdoubt. A nature as pure as her's, and a heart so true, admitted withgreat reluctance, the proofs of the unworthiness of one so longloved. It was evident, moreover, that she shrunk from revealing herown great secret, while she had only conjectures to offer in regard toLucy; and even these she withheld, as due to her sex, and theobligations of friendship. I forgot that I had not been ingenuousmyself, and that I made no communication to justify any confidence onthe part of my sister. That which would have been treachery in her tosay, under this state of the case, might have been uttered withgreater frankness on my own part. After a pause, to allow my sister torecover from her agitation, I turned the discourse to our own moreimmediate family interests, and soon got off the painful subjectaltogether. 

"I shall be of age, Grace. " I said, in the course of my explanations, "before you see me again. We sailors are always exposed to morechances and hazards than people ashore; and, I now tell you, shouldanything happen to me, my will may be found in my secretary; signedand sealed, the day I attain my majority. I have given orders to haveit drawn up by a lawyer of eminence, and shall take it to sea with me, for that very purpose. "

"From which I am to infer that I must not covet Clawbonny, " answeredGrace, with a smile that denoted how little she cared for thefact--"You give it to our cousin, Jack Wallingford, as a male heir, worthy of enjoying the honour. "

"No, dearest, I give it to _you_. It is true, the law would dothis for me; but I choose to let it be known that I wish it to beso. I am aware my father made that disposition of the place, should Idie childless, before I became of age; but, once of age, the place isall mine; and that which is all mine, shall be all thine, after I amno more. "

"This is melancholy conversation, and, I trust, useless. Under thecircumstances you mention, Miles, I never should have expectedClawbonny, nor do I know I ought to possess it. It comes as much fromJack Wallingford's ancestors, as from our own; and it is better itshould remain with the name. I will not promise you, therefore, I willnot give it to him, the instant I can. "

This Jack Wallingford, of whom I have not yet spoken, was a man offive-and-forty, and a bachelor. He was a cousin-german of my father's, being the son of a younger brother of my grandfather's, and somewhatof a favourite. He had gone into what was called the new countries, in that day, or a few miles west of Cayuga Bridge, which put him intoWestern New York. I had never seen him but once and that was on avisit he paid us on his return from selling quantities of pot andpearl ashes in town; articles made oh his new lands. He was said to bea prosperous man, and to stand little in need of the old paternalproperty. 

After a little more conversation on the subject of my will, Grace andI separated, each more closely bound to the other, I firmly believed, for this dialogue in the "family room. " Never had my sister seemedmore worthy of all my love; and, certain I am, never did she possessmore of it. Of Clawbonny she was as sure, as my power over it couldmake her. 

The remainder of the week passed as weeks are apt to pass in thecountry, and in summer. Feeling myself so often uncomfortable in thesociety of the girls, I was much in the fields; always possessing thegood excuse of beginning to look after my own affairs. Mr. Hardingetook charge of the Major, an intimacy beginning to spring up betweenthese two respectable old men. There were, indeed, so many points ofcommon feeling, that such a result was not at all surprising. Theyboth loved the church--I beg pardon, the Holy Catholic ProtestantEpiscopal Church. They both disliked Bonaparte--the Major hated him, but my guardian hated nobody--both venerated Billy Pitt, and bothfancied the French Revolution was merely the fulfilment of prophecy, through the agency of the devils. As we are now touching upon timeslikely to produce important results, let me not be misunderstood. Asan old man, aiming, in a new sphere, to keep enlightened thegeneration that is coming into active life, it may be necessary toexplain. An attempt has been made to induce the country to think thatEpiscopalian and tory were something like synonymous terms, in the"times that tried men's souls. " This is sufficiently impudent, _perse_, in a country that possessed Washington, Jay, Hamilton, theLees, the Morrises, the late Bishop White, and so many otherdistinguished patriots of the Southern and Middle States; but men arenot particularly scrupulous when there is an object to be obtained, even though it be pretended that Heaven is an incident of thatobject. I shall, therefore, confine my explanations to what I havesaid about Billy Pitt and the French. 

The youth of this day may deem it suspicious that an Episcopaldivine--_Protestant_ Episcopal, I mean; but it is so hard to getthe use of new terms as applied to old thoughts, in the decline oflife!--may deem it suspicious that a Protestant Episcopal divineshould care anything about Billy Pitt, or execrate Infidel France; Iwill, therefore, just intimate that, in 1802, no portion of thecountry dipped more deeply into similar sentiments than thedescendants of those who first put foot on the rock of Plymouth, andwhose progenitors had just before paid a visit to Geneva, where, it is"said or sung, " they had found a "church without a bishop, and a statewithout a king. " In a word, admiration of Mr. Pitt, and execration ofBonaparte, were by no means such novelties in America, in that day, asto excite wonder. For myself, however, I can truly say, that, likemost Americans who went abroad in those stirring times, I was ready tosay with Mercutio, "a plague on both your houses;" for neither waseven moderately honest, or even decently respectful to ourselves. Party feeling, however, the most inexorable, and the mostunprincipled, of all tyrants, and the bane of American liberty, notwithstanding all our boasting, decreed otherwise; and, while onehalf the American republic was shouting hosannas to the GreatCorsican, the other half was ready to hail Pitt as the "Heaven-bornMinister. " The remainder of the nation felt and acted as Americansshould. It was my own private opinion, that France and England wouldhave been far better off, had neither of these worthies ever had abeing. 

Nevertheless, the union of opinion between the divine and the Major, was a great bond of union, in friendship. I saw they were getting onwell together, and let things take their course. As for Emily, I caredvery little about her, except as she might prove to be connected withRupert, and through Rupert, with the happiness of my sister. As forRupert, himself, I could not get entirely weaned from one whom I hadso much loved in boyhood; and who, moreover, possessed the rareadvantage of being Lucy's brother, and Mr. Hardinge's son. "Sidney'ssister, Pembroke's mother, " gave him a value in my eyes, that he hadlong ceased to possess on his own account. 

"You see, Neb, " I said, towards the end of the week, as the black andI were walking up from the mill in company, "Mr. Rupert has altogetherforgotten that he ever knew the name of a rope in a ship. His handsare as white as a young lady's!"

"Nebber mind dat, Masser Mile. Masser Rupert nebber feel asaterfaction to be wracked away, or to be prisoner to Injin! Golly! Nogentleum to be envy, sir, 'em doesn't enjoy _dat!_"

"You have a queer taste. Neb, from all which I conclude you expect toreturn to town with me, in the Wallingford, this evening, and to goout in the Dawn?"

"Sartain, Masser Mile! How you t'ink of goin' to sea and leave niggerat home?"

Here Neb raised such a laugh that he might have been heard a hundredrods, seeming to fancy the idea he had suggested was so preposterousas to merit nothing but ridicule. 

"Well, Neb, I consent to your wishes; but this will be the last voyagein which you will have to consult me on the subject, as I shall makeout your freedom papers, the moment I am of age. "

"What dem?" demanded the black, quick as lightning. 

"Why, papers to make you your own master--a free man--you surely knowwhat that means. Did you never hear of free niggers?"

"Sartin--awful poor debble, dey be, too. You catch Neb, one day, atbeing a free nigger, gib you leave to tell him of it, Masser Mile!"

Here was another burst of laughter, that sounded like a chorus inmerriment. 

"This is a little extraordinary, Neb! I thought, boy, all slaves pinedfor freedom?"

"P'rhaps so; p'rhaps not. What good he do, Masser Mile, when heart andbody well satisfy as it is. Now, how long a Wallingford family lib, here, in dis berry spot?"--Neb always talked more like a "nigger, "when within hearing of the household gods, than he did at sea. 

"How long? About a hundred years, Neb--just one hundred and seven, Ibelieve; to be accurate. "

"And how long a Clawbonny family, at 'e same time, Masser Mile?"

"Upon my word, Neb, your pedigree is a little confused, and I cannotanswer quite as certainly. Eighty or ninety, though, I should think, at least; and, possibly a hundred, too. Let me see--you called oldPompey your grand-father; did you not, Neb?"

"Sart'in--berry good grandfader, too, Masser Mile. Ole Pomp awon'erful black!"

"Oh! I say nothing touching the quality--I dare say he was as good asanother. Well, I think that I have heard old Pompey's grandfather wasan imported Guinea, and that he was purchased by my great-grandfatherabout the year 1700. "

"Dat just as good as gospel! Who want to make up lie about poor debbleof nigger? Well, den, Masser Mile, in all dem 1700 year, did he ebberhear of a Clawbonny that want to be a free nigger? Tell me dat, once, an' I hab an answer. "

"You have asked me more than I can answer, boy; for, I am not in thesecret of your own wishes, much less in those of all your ancestors. "

Neb pulled off his tarpaulin, scratched his wool, rolled his blackeyes at me, as if he enjoyed the manner in which he had puzzled me;after which he set off on a tumbling excursion, in the road, goinglike a wheel on his hands and feet, showing his teeth like rows ofpearls, and concluding the whole with roar the third, that sounded asif the hills and valleys were laughing, in the very fatness of theirfertility. The physical _tour de force, _ was one of those featsof agility in which Neb had been my instructor, ten years before. 

"S'pose I free, who do sich matter for you, Masser Mile?" cried Neb, like one laying down an unanswerable proposition. "No, no, sir, --Ibelong to you, you belong to me, and we belong to one anodder. "

This settled the matter for the present, and I said no more. Neb wasordered to be in readiness for the next day; and at the appointedhour, I met the assembled party to take my leave, on this, my thirddeparture from the roof of my fathers. It had been settled the Majorand Emily were to remain at the farm until July, when they were toproceed to the Springs, for the benefit of the water, after living solong in a hot climate. I had passed an hour with my guardian alone, and he had no more to say, than to wish me well, and to bestow hisblessing. I did not venture an offer to embrace Lucy. It was the firsttime we had parted without this token of affection; but I was shy, andI fancied she was cold. She offered me her hand, as frankly as ever, however, and I pressed it fervently, as I wished her adieu. As forGrace, she wept in my arms, just as she had always done, and the Majorand Emily shook hands cordially with me, it being understood I shouldfind them in New York, at my return. Rupert accompanied me down to thesloop. 

"If you should find an occasion, Miles, let us hear from you, " said myold friend. "I have a lively curiosity to learn something of theFrenchmen; nor am I entirely without the hope of soon gratifying thedesire, in person. "

"You!--If you have any intention to visit France, what betteropportunity, than to go in my cabin? Is it business, that will takeyou there?"

"Not at all; pure pleasure. Our excellent cousin thinks a gentleman ofa certain class ought to travel; and I believe she has an idea ofgetting me attached to the legation, in some form or other. "

This sounded so odd to me! Rupert Hardinge, who had not one penny torub against another, so lately, was now talking of his European tour, and of legations! I ought to have been glad of his good fortune, and Ifancied I was. I said nothing, this time, concerning his taking upany portion of my earnings, having the sufficient excuse of not beingon pay myself. Rupert did not stay long in the sloop, and we were soonunder way. I looked eagerly along the high banks of the creek, fringedas it was with bushes, in hopes of seeing Grace, at least; nor was Idisappointed. She and Lucy had taken a direct path to the point wherethe two waters united, and were standing there, as the sloop droppedpast. They both waved their handkerchiefs, in a way to show theinterest they felt in me; and I returned the parting salutations bykissing my hand again and again. At this instant, a sail-boat passedour bows, and I saw a gentleman standing up in it, waving hishandkerchief, quite as industriously as I was kissing my hand. A looktold me it was Andrew Drewett, who directed his boat to the point, andwas soon making his bows to the girls in person. His boat ascended thecreek, no doubt with his luggage; while the last I saw of the party itwas walking off in company, taking the direction of the house. 

CHAPTER XXV. 

 "Or feeling--, as the storm increases, The love of terror nerve thy breast, Didst venture to the coast: To see the mighty war-ship leap From wave to wave upon the deep, Like chamois goat from steep to steep, Till low in valley lost. " ALLSTON. 

Roger Talcott had not been idle during my absence. Clawbonny was sodear to me, that I had staid longer than was proposed in the originalplan; and I now found the hatches on the Dawn, a crew shipped, andnothing remaining but to clear out. I mean the literal thing, and notthe slang phrase, one of those of which so many have crept into theAmerican language, through the shop, and which even find their wayinto print; such as "charter coaches, " "on a boat, " "on board astage, " and other similar elegancies. "_On_ a boat" always makesme--, even at my present time of life. The Dawn was cleared the day Ireached town. 

Several of the crew of the Crisis had shipped with us anew, the poorfellows having already made away with all their wages and prize-money, in the short space of a month! This denoted the usual improvidence ofsailors, and was thought nothing out of the common way. The countrybeing at peace, a difficulty with Tripoli excepted, it was no longernecessary for ships to go armed. The sudden excitement produced by thebrush with the French had already subsided, and the navy was reducedto a few vessels that had been regularly built for the service; whilethe lists of officers had been curtailed of two-thirds of theirnames. We were no longer a warlike, but were fast getting to be astrictly commercial, body of seamen. I had a single six-pounder, andhalf a dozen muskets, in the Dawn, besides a pair or two of pistols, with just ammunition enough to quell a mutiny, fire a few signal-guns, or to kill a few ducks. 

We sailed on the 3rd of July. I have elsewhere intimated that theManhattanese hold exaggerated notions of the comparative beauty of thescenery of their port, sometimes presuming to compare it even withNaples; to the bay of which it bears some such resemblance as a Dutchcanal bears to a river flowing through rich meadows, in the freedomand grace of nature. Nevertheless, there _are_ times and seasonswhen the bay of New York offers a landscape worthy of any pencil. Itwas at one of these felicitous moments that the Dawn cast off from thewharf, and commenced her voyage to Bordeaux. There was barely airenough from the southward to enable us to handle the ship, and weprofited by a morning ebb to drop down to the Narrows, in the midst ofa fleet of some forty sail; most of the latter, however, beingcoasters. Still, we were a dozen ships and brigs, bound to almost asmany different countries. The little air there was, seemed scarcely totouch the surface of the water; and the broad expanse of bay was asplacid as an inland lake, of a summer's morning. Yes, yes--there aremoments when the haven of New York does present pictures on which theartist would seize with avidity; but, the instant nature attempts anyof her grander models, on this, a spot that seems never to rise muchabove the level of commercial excellencies, it is found that theaccessaries are deficient in sublimity, or even beauty. 

I have never seen our home waters so lovely as on this morning. Themovements of the vessels gave just enough of life and variety to thescene to destroy the appearance of sameness; while the craft were toofar from the land to prevent one of the most unpleasant effects of theordinary landscape scenery of the place--that produced by thedisproportion between the tallness of their spars, and the lowcharacter of the adjacent shores. As we drew near the Narrows, thewind increased; and forty sail, working through the pass in closeconjunction, terminated the piece with something like the effectproduced by a _finale_ in an overture. The brightness of themorning, the placid charms of the scenery, and the propitiouscircumstances under which I commenced the voyage, in a commercialpoint of view, had all contributed to make me momentarily forget myprivate griefs, and to enter cheerfully into the enjoyment of thehour. 

I greatly disliked passengers. They appealed to me to lessen thedignity of my position, and to reduce me to the level of aninn-keeper, or one who received boarders. I wished to command a ship, not to take in lodgers; persons whom you are bound to treat with acertain degree of consideration, and, in one sense, as yoursuperiors. Still, it had too much of an appearance of surliness, and awant of hospitality, to refuse a respectable man a passage across theocean, when he might not get another chance in a month, and that, too, when it was important to himself to proceed immediately. In thisparticular instance, I became the dupe of a mistaken kindness on thepart of my former owners. These gentlemen brought to me aMr. Brigham--Wallace Mortimer Brigham was his whole name, to beparticular--as a person who was desirous of getting to France with hiswife and wife's sister, in order to proceed to Italy for the health ofthe married lady, who was believed to be verging on a decline. Thesepeople were from the eastward, and had fallen into the old error ofAmericans, that the south of France and Italy had residences far morefavourable for such a disease, than our own country. This was one ofthe provincial notions of the day, that were entailed on us by meansof colonial dependency. I suppose the colonial existence is asnecessary to a people, as childhood and adolescence are to the man;but, as my Lady Mary Wortley Montagu told her friend, Lady Rich--"Nay;but look you, my dear madam, I grant it a very fine thing to continuealways fifteen; _that_, everybody must approve of--it is quitefair: but, indeed, indeed, one need not be five years old. "

I was prevailed on to take these passengers, and I got a specimen oftheir characters even as we dropped down the bay, in the midst of theagreeable scene to which I have just alluded. They were_gossips_; and that, too, of the lowest, or personalcast. Nothing made them so happy as to be talking of the privateconcerns of their fellow-creatures; and, as ever must happen wherethis propensity exists, nine-tenths of what they said rested on nobetter foundation than surmises, inferences drawn from premises ofquestionable accuracy, and judgments that were entered up without theauthority, or even the inclination, to examine witnesses. They hadalso a peculiarity that I have often remarked in persons of the samepropensity; most of their gossiping arose from a desire to makeapparent their own intimacy with the private affairs of people ofmark--overlooking the circumstance that, in thus making the concernsof others the subjects of their own comments, they were impliedlyadmitting a consciousness of their own inferiority; men seldomcondescending thus to busy themselves with the affairs of any butthose of whom they feel it to be a sort of distinction to converse. Iam much afraid good-breeding has more to do with the suppression ofthis vice, than good principles, as the world goes. I have remarkedthat persons of a high degree of self-respect, and a good tone ofmanners, are quite free from this defect of character; while I regretto be compelled to say that I have been acquainted with divers verysaintly _professors_, including one or two parsons, who haverepresented the very _beau ideal_ of scandal. 

My passengers gave me a taste of their quality, as I have said, beforewe had got a mile below Governor's Island. The ladies were namedSarah and Jane; and, between them and Wallace Mortimer, what aninsight did I obtain into the private affairs of sundry personages ofSalem, in Massachusetts, together with certain glimpses in at Bostonfolk; all, however, referring to qualities and facts that might beclassed among the real or supposed. I can, at this distant day, recallScene 1st, Act 1st, of the drama that continued while we were crossingthe ocean, with the slight interruption of a few days, produced bysea-sickness. 

"Wallace, " said Sarah, "did you say, yesterday, that John Viner hadrefused to lend his daughter's husband twenty thousand dollars, to gethim out of his difficulties, and that he failed in consequence?"

"To be sure. It was the common talk through Wall Street yesterday, andeverybody believes it"--there was no more truth in the story, than inone of the forty reports that have killed General Jackson so often, inthe last twenty years. "Yes, no one doubts it--but all the Viners arejust so! All of us, in our part of the world, know what to think ofthe Viners. "

"Yes, I suppose so, " drawled Jane. "I've heard it said this JohnViner's father ran all the way from the Commons in Boston, to the footof State Street, to get rid of a dun against this very son, who hadhis own misfortunes when he was young. "

"The story is quite likely true in part, " rejoined Wallace, "though itcan't be _quite_ accurate, as the old gentleman had but one leg, and _running_ was altogether out of the question with _him_. It was probably old Tim Viner, who ran like a deer when a young man, as I've heard people say. "

"Well, then, I suppose he ran his horse, " added Jane, in the samequiet, drawling tone. "_Something_ must have run, or they neverwould have got up the story. "

I wondered if Miss Jane Hitchcox had ever taken the trouble toascertain who _they_ were! I happened to know both the Viners, and to be quite certain there was not a word of truth in the report ofthe twenty thousand dollars, having heard all the particulars of thelate failure from one of my former owners, who was an assignee, and aconsiderable creditor. Under the circumstances, I thought I would hintas much. 

"Are you quite sure that the failure of Viner & Co. Was owing to thecircumstance you mention, Mr. Brigham?" I inquired. 

"Pretty certain. I am '_measurably acquainted_' with theiraffairs, and think I am tolerably safe in saying so. "

Now, "measurably acquainted" meant that he lived within twenty orthirty miles of those who _did_ know something of the concerns ofthe house in question, and was in the way of catching scraps of thegossip that fell from disappointed creditors. How much of this isthere in this good country of ours! Men who live just near enough toone another to feel the influence of all that rivalry, envy, personalstrifes and personal malignancies, can generate, fancy they areacquainted, from this circumstance, with those to whom they have nevereven spoken. One-half the idle tales that circulate up and-down theland, come from authority not one tittle better than this. How muchwould men learn, could they only acquire the healthful lesson ofunderstanding that _nothing_, which is much out of the ordinaryway, and which, circulates as received truths illustrative ofcharacter, is true in _all_ its material parts, and very littlein _any_. But, to return to my passengers, and that portion oftheir conversation which most affected myself. They continuedcommenting on persons and families by name, seemingly more to keeptheir hands in, than for any other discoverable reason, as eachappeared to be perfectly conversant with all the gossip that wasstarted; when Sarah casually mentioned the name of Mrs. Bradfort, withsome of whose _supposed_ friends, it now came out, they had all ageneral visiting acquaintance. 

"Dr. Hosack is of opinion she cannot live long, I hear, " said Jane, with a species of fierce delight in killing a fellow-creature, provided it only led to a gossip concerning her private affairs. "Hercase has been decided to be a cancer, now, for more than a week, andshe made her will last Tuesday. "

"Only last Tuesday!" exclaimed Sarah, in surprise. "Well, I heard shehad made her will a twelvemonth since, and that she left all herproperty to young Rupert Hardinge; in the expectation, some personsthought, that he might marry her. "

"How could that be, my dear?" asked the husband; "in what would she bebetter off for leaving her own property to her husband?"

"Why, by law, would she not? I don't exactly know how it would happen, for I do not particularly understand these things; but it seemsnatural that a woman would be a gainer if she made the man she wasabout to marry her heir. She would have her thirds in his estate, would she not?"

"But, Mrs. Brigham, " said I, smiling, "is it quite certainMrs. Bradfort wishes to marry Rupert Hardinge, at all?"

"I know so little of the parties, that I cannot speak with certaintyin the matter, I admit, Captain Wallingford. "

"Well, but Sarah, dear, " interposed the more exacting Jane, "you aremaking yourself unnecessarily ignorant. You very well know howintimate we are with the Greenes, and they know the Winters perfectlywell, who are next-door neighbours to Mrs. Bradfort. I don't see howyou can say we haven't good means of being 'measurably'well-informed. "

Now, I happened to know through Grace and Lucy, that a disagreeableold person, of the name of Greene did live next door to Mrs. Bradfort;but, that the latter refused to visit her, firstly, because she didnot happen to like her, and secondly, because the two ladies belongedto very different social circles; a sufficient excuse for not visitingin town, even though the parties inhabited the same house. But, theBrighams, being Salem people, did not understand that families mightreside next door to each other, in a large town, for a long series ofmonths, or even years, and not know each other's names. It would notbe easy to teach this truth, one of every-day occurrence, to theinhabitant of one of our provincial towns, who was in the habit offancying he had as close an insight into the private affairs of allhis neighbours, as they enjoyed themselves. 

"No doubt we are all as well off as most strangers in New York, "observed the wife; "still, it ought to be admitted that we may bemistaken. I have heard it said there is an old Mr. Hardinge, aclergyman, who would make a far better match for the lady, than hisson. However, it is of no great moment, now; for, when our neighbourMrs. John Foote, saw Dr. Hosack about her own child, she got all theparticulars out of him about Mrs. Bradfort's case, from the highestquarter, and I had it from Mrs. Foote, herself. "

"I could not have believed that a physician of Dr. Hosack's eminenceand character would speak openly of the diseases of his patients, " Iobserved, a little tartly, I am afraid. 

"Oh! he didn't, " said Sarah, eagerly--"he was as cunning as a fox, Mrs. Foote owned herself, and played her off finely; but Mrs. Footewas cunninger than any half-dozen foxes, and got it all out of him bynegations. "

"Negations!" I exclaimed, wondering what was meant by the term, thoughI had understood I was to expect a little more philosophy andmetaphysics, not to say algebra, in my passengers, than usuallyaccompanied petticoats in our part of the world. 

"Certainly, _negations_" answered the matron, with a smile ascomplacent as that which usually denotes the consciousness ofintellectual superiority. "One who is a little practised, canascertain a fact as well by means of negatives as affirmatives. Itonly requires judgment and use. "

"Then Mrs. Bradfort's disease is only ascertained by the negativeprocess?"

"So I suppose--but what does one want more, " put in the husband;--"andthat she made her will last week, I feel quite sure, as it wasgenerally spoken of among our friends. "

Here were people who had been in New York only a month, looking outfor a ship, mere passengers as it might be, who knew more about afamily with which I had myself such an intimate connection, than itsown members. I thought it no wonder that such a race was capable ofenlightening mankind, on matters and things in general. But the gamedid not end here. 

"I suppose Miss Lucy Hardinge will get something by Mrs. Bradfort'sdeath, " observed Miss Jane, "and that she and Mr. Andrew Drewett willmarry as soon as it shall become proper. "

Here was a speculation, for a man in my state of mind! The names wereall right; some of the incidents, even, were probable, if not correct;yet, how could the facts be known to these comparative strangers? Didthe art of gossiping, with all its meannesses, lies, devices, inventions, and cruelties, really possess so much advantage over theintercourse of the confiding and honest, as to enable those whopractise it to discover facts hidden from eye-witnesses, andeye-witnesses, too, that had every inducement of the strongestinterest in the issue, not to be deceived? I felt satisfied, themoment Mrs. Greene's name was mentioned, that my passengers were notin the true New York set; and, justly enough, inferred they were notvery good authority for one half they said; and, yet, how could theyknow anything of Drewett's attachment to Lucy, unless theirinformation were tolerably accurate?

I shall not attempt to repeat all that passed while the ship droppeddown the bay; but enough escaped the gossips to render me still moreunhappy than I had yet been, on the subject of Lucy. I could and diddespise these people; that was easy enough; but it was not so easy toforget all that they said and surmised. This is one of the causesattendant on the habit of loose talking; one never knowing what tocredit, and what not. In spite of all my disgust, and a firmdetermination not to contribute in any manner to the stock in trade ofthese people, I found great difficulty in evading their endlessquestions. How much they got out of me, by means of the process ofnegations, I never knew; but they got no great matter through directaffirmatives. Something, however, persons so indefatigable, to whomgossiping was the great aim of life, must obtain, and they ascertainedthat Mr. Hardinge was my guardian, that Rupert and I had passed ourboyhoods in each other's company, and that Lucy was even an inmate ofmy own house the day we sailed. This little knowledge only excited adesire for more, and, by the end of a week, I was obliged to submit todevices and expedients to pump me, than which even the thumbscrew wasscarcely more efficient. I practised on the negative system, myself, with a good deal of dexterity, however, and threw my inquisitors off, very handsomely, more than once, until I discovered that WallaceMortimer, determined not to be baffled, actually opened communicationswith Neb, in order to get a clearer insight into my private affairs. After this, I presume my readers will not care to hear any more aboutthese gentry, whose only connection with my life grew out of themisgivings they contributed largely to create in my mind, touching thestate of Lucy's affections. This much they did effect, and I wascompelled to submit to their power. We are all of us, more or less, the dupes of knaves and fools. 

All this, however, was the fruits of several weeks' intercourse, and Ihave anticipated events a little, in order to make the statements inconnection. Meeting a breeze, as has been said already, the Dawn gotover the bar, about two o'clock, and stood off the land, on an easybowline, in company with the little fleet of square-rigged vesselsthat went out at the same time. By sunset, Navesink again dipped, andI was once more fairly at sea. 

This was at the period when the commerce of America was at itsheight. The spirit shown by the young Republic in the French affairhad commanded a little respect, though the supposed tendencies of thenew administration was causing anything but a cordial feeling towardsthe country to exist in England. That powerful nation, however, hadmade a hollow peace with France the previous March, and the highway ofnations was temporarily open to all ships alike; a state of thingsthat existed for some ten months after we sailed. Nothing to beapprehended, consequently, lay before me, beyond the ordinary dangersof the ocean. For these last, I was now prepared by the experience ofseveral years passed almost entirely on board ship, during which timeI had encircled the earth itself in my peregrinations. 

Our run off the coast was favourable, and the sixth day out, we werein the longitude of the tail of the Grand Bank. I was delighted withmy ship, which turned out to be even more than I had dared to hopefor. She behaved well under all circumstances, sailing even betterthan she worked. The first ten days of our passage were prosperous, and we were mid-ocean by the 10th of the month. During this time I hadnothing to annoy me but the ceaseless _cancans_ of my passengers. I had heard the name of every individual of note in Salem; withcertain passages in his or her life, and began to fancy I had lived atwelvemonth in the place. At length, I began to speculate on thereason why this morbid propensity should exist so much stronger inthat part of the world than in any other I had visited. There wasnothing new in the disposition of the people of small places togossip, and it was often done in large towns; more especially thosethat did not possess the tone of a capital. Lady Mary Wortley Montaguand Horace Walpole wrote gossip, but it was spiced with wit, as isusual with the scandal of such places as London and Paris; whereasthis, to which I was doomed to listen, was nothing more than downrightimpertinent, vulgar, meddling with the private affairs of all thosewhom the gossips thought of sufficient importance to talk about. AtClawbonny, we had our gossip too, but it was innocent, seldominfringed much on the truth, and usually respected the right of everyperson to possess certain secrets that might remain inviolate to theworld. No such rules prevailed with my passengers. Like a certaineditor of a newspaper of my acquaintance, who acts as if he fanciedall things in heaven and earth were created expressly to furnishmaterials for "paragraphs, " they appeared to think that everybody oftheir acquaintance existed for no other purpose than to furnish themfood for conversation. There must have been some unusual cause for somuch personal _espionnage_, and, at length, I came to thefollowing conclusion on the subject. I had heard that churchgovernment, among the puritans, descended into all the details oflife; that it was a part of their religious duty to watch over eachother, jog the memories of the delinquents, and serve God by ferretingout vice. This is a terrible inducement to fill the mind with themotes of a neighbourhood, and the mind thus stowed, as we sailors say, will be certain to deliver cargo. Then come the institutions, withtheir never-ending elections, and the construction that has been puton the right of the elector to inquire into all things; the wholeconsummated by the journals, who assume a power to penetrate thecloset, ay, even the heart, --and lay bare its secrets. Is it anywonder, if we should become, in time, a nation of mere gossips? As formy passengers, even Neb got to consider them as so many nuisances. 

From some cause or other, whether it was having these loose-tonguedpeople on board or not, is more than I can say, but certain it is, about the time Salem was handsomely cleaned out, and a heavy inroadhad been made upon Boston, that the weather changed. It began to blowin gusts, sometimes from one point of the compass, sometimes fromanother, until the ship was brought to very short canvass, from adread of being caught unprepared. At length, these fantasies of thewinds terminated in a tremendous gale, such as I had seldom thenwitnessed; and such, indeed, as I have seldom witnessed since. It is agreat mistake to suppose that the heaviest weather occurs in theautumnal, spring, or winter months. Much the strongest blows I haveever known, have taken place in the middle of the warm weather. Thisis the season of the hurricanes; and, out of the tropics, I think itis also the season of _the_ gales. It is true; these gales do notreturn annually, a long succession of years frequently occurringwithout one; but, when they do come, they may be expected, in our ownseas, in July, August, or September. 

The wind commenced at south-west, on this occasion, and it blew freshfor several hours, sending us ahead on our course, at the rate ofeleven knots. As the sea got up, and sail was reduced, our speed was alittle diminished perhaps; but we must have made more than a hundredmiles in the first ten hours. The day was bright, cloudless, genial, and even bland; there being nothing unpleasant in the feeling of theswift currents of the air, that whirled past us. At sunset I did notquite like the appearance of the horizon; and we let the ship wadethrough it, under her three top-sails, single-reefed, her fore-course, and fore-top-mast staysail. This was short canvass, for a vessel thathad the wind nearly over her taffrail. At nine o'clock, second reefswere taken in, and at ten, the mizen-top-sail was furled. I thenturned in, deeming the ship quite snug, leaving orders with the matesto reduce the sail, did they find the ship straining, or the spars indanger, and to call me should anything serious occur. I was not calleduntil daylight, when Talcott laid his hand on my shoulder, and said, "You had better turn out, Captain Wallingford; we have a peeler, and Iwant a little advice. "

It was a peeler, indeed, when I reached the deck. The ship was under afore-course and a close-reefed main-top-sail, canvass that can becarried a long time, while running off; but which, I at once saw, wasquite too much for us. An order was given immediately, to take in thetop-sail. Notwithstanding the diminutive surface that was exposed, the surges given by this bit of canvass, as soon as the clews wereeased off sufficiently to allow the cloth to jerk, shook the vessel'shull. It was a miracle that we saved the mast, or that we got thecloth rolled up at all. At one time, I thought it would be necessaryto cut it from the yard. Fortunately the gale was steady, this dayproving bright and clear, like that which had preceded. 

The men aloft made several attempts to hail the deck, but the windblew too heavily to suffer them to be heard. Talcott had gone on theyard himself, and I saw him gesticulating, in a way to indicate therewas something ahead. The seas were running so high that it was noteasy to obtain much of a look at the horizon; but, by getting into themizen-rigging, I had a glimpse of a vessel's spars, to the eastward ofus, and directly on our course. It was a ship under bare poles, running as nearly before us as she could, but making most fearfulyaws; sometimes sheering away off to starboard, in a way to threatenher with broaching-to; then taking a yaw to port, in which I could seeall three of her masts, with their yards pointed nearly at us. I gotbut one glimpse of her hull, as it rose on a sea, at the same instantwith the Dawn, and it actually appeared as if about to be blown away, though I took the stranger to be a vessel at least as large as we wereourselves. We were evidently approaching her fast, though both vesselswere going the same way. 

The Dawn steered beautifully, one of the greatest virtues in a ship, under the circumstances in which we were then placed. A single man wasall that we had at the wheel, and he controlled it with ease. I couldsee it was very different with the ship ahead, and fancied they hadmade a mistake on board her, by taking in all their canvass. Talcottand the gang aloft, had not got out of the top, however, before we hada hint that it would be well to imitate the stranger's prudence. Though our vessel steered so much better than another, no ship cankeep on a direct line, while running before the wind, in a heavysea. The waves occasionally fly past a vessel, like the scud glancingthrough the air; then, they seem to pause, altogether, as if to permitthe ship to overtake them. When a vessel is lifted aft by one of thesetorrents of rushing waters, the helm loses a portion of its power; andthe part of the vast machine that first receives the impulse, seemsintent on exchanging places with the bows, vessels often drivingsideways before the surges, for spaces of time that are exceedinglyembarrassing to the mariner. This happens to the best-steering ships, and is always one source of danger in very heavy weather, to thosethat are running off. The merit of the Dawn was in coming undercommand again, quickly, and in not losing so much of the influence ofher helm, as is frequently the case with wild-steering craft. Iunderstand there is a sloop-of-war now in the navy, that is difficultto get through a narrow passage, in a blow, in consequence of herhaving this propensity to turn her head first one way, then another, like a gay horse that breaks his bridle. 

The hint given, just as Talcott was quitting the top, and to whichthere has been allusion, was given under the impulsion of one of thesedriving seas. The Dawn still carried her fore-topmast stay-sail, asmall triangular piece of stout canvass, and which was particularlyuseful, as leading from the end of the bowsprit towards the head ofthe fore-top-mast, in preventing her from broaching-to, or pressing upwith her bows so near the wind, as to produce the danger of seasbreaking over the mass of the hull, and sweeping the decks. Thelandsman will understand this is the gravest of the dangers that occurat sea, in very heavy weather. When the ship is thrown broadside tothe sea, or comes up so as to bring the wind abeam, or even forward ofthe beam, as in lying-to, there is always risk from thissource. Another clanger, which is called pooping, is of a characterthat one who is ignorant of the might of the ocean when aroused, wouldnot be apt to foresee. It proceeds from the impetuous velocity of thewaves, which, rushing ahead so much faster than the vessel that iseven driving before the gale, breaks against the quarter, or stern, and throws its masses of water along the deck, in a line with itskeel. I suppose the President steamer to have been lost by the firstof these two dangers, as will appear in the following little theory. 

There is no doubt that well-constructed steamers are safer craft, thedanger from fire excepted, than the ordinary ship, except in veryheavy weather. With an ordinary gale, they can contend with sufficientpower; but, it is an unfortunate consequence of their construction, that exactly as the danger increases, their power of meeting itdiminishes. In a very heavy swell, one cannot venture to resort to astrong head of steam, since one wheel may be nearly out of water, while the other is submerged, and thus endanger the machinery. Now, the great length of these vessels renders it difficult to keep them upto the wind, or head to sea, the safest of all positions for a vesselin heavy weather, while it exposes them to the additional risk ofhaving the water break aboard them near the waist, in running deadbefore it. In a word, I suppose a steamer difficult to be kept out ofthe trough, in very heavy weather; and no vessel can be safe in thetrough of the seas, under such circumstances; one of great length lessso than others. This is true, however, only in reference to thosesteamers which carry the old-fashioned wheel; Erricson's screw, andHunter's submerged wheels, rendering steam-ships, in my poor judgment, the safest craft in the world. 

The Dawn was overtaken by the seas, from time to time; and, then, likeeverything else that floats, she yawed, or rather, had her stern urgedimpetuously round, as if it were in a hurry to get ahead of thebows. On these occasions, the noise made by the fore-top-maststay-sail, as it collapsed and filled, resembled the report of a smallgun. We had similar reports from the fore-sail, which, for moments ata time, was actually becalmed, as the ship settled into the trough;and then became distended with a noise like that of the shaking of athousand carpets, all filled with Sancho Panzas, at the sameinstant. As yet, the cloth and gear had stood these violent shocksadmirably; but, just as Talcott was leading his party down, the shipmade one of her side-long movements; the stay-sail filled with atremendous report, and away it flew to leeward, taken out--of thebolt-rope as if it had been cut by shears, and then used by the furiesof the tempest. Talcott smiled, as he gazed at the driving canvass, which went a quarter of a mile before it struck the water, whirlinglike a kite that has broken its string, and then he shook his head. Idisliked, too, the tremendous surges of the fore-sail, when itoccasionally collapsed and as suddenly filled, menacing to start everybolt, and to part every rope connected with block or spar. 

"We must get in that fore-course, Mr. Talcott, " I said, "or we shalllose something. I see the ship ahead is under bare-poles, and it werebetter we were as snug. If I did not dislike losing such a wind, itwould be wiser to heave-to the ship; man the buntlines andclew-garnets, at once, and wait for a favourable moment. "

We had held on to our canvass too long; the fault of youth. As I haddetermined to shorten sail, however, we now set about it in earnest, and with all the precautions exacted by the circumstances. Everybodythat could be mustered, was placed at the clew-lines and buntlines, with strict orders to do his best at the proper moments. Thefirst-mate went to the tack, and the second to the sheet. I was totake in the sail myself. I waited for a collapse; and then, while theship was buried between two mounds of water, when it was impossible tosee a hundred yards from her in any direction, and the canvass wasactually dropping against the mast I gave the usual orders. Every manhauled, as if for life, and we had got the clews pretty well up, whenthe vessel came out of the cavern into the tempest, receiving thewhole power of the gale, with a sudden surge, into the bellyingcanvass. Away went everything, as if the gear were cobwebs. At thenext instant, the sail was in ribands. I was deeply mortified, as wellas rendered uneasy, by this accident, as the ship ahead unquestionablywas in full view of all that happened. 

It was soon apparent, however, that professional pride must give placeto concern for the safety of the vessel. The wind had been steadilyincreasing in power, and had now reached a pass when it becamenecessary to look things steadily in the face. The strips of canvassthat remained attached to the yard, with the blocks and gear attached, threshed about in a way to threaten the lives of all thatapproached. This was only at the intervals when the ship settled intothe troughs; for, while under the full influence of the gale, pennantsnever streamed more directly from a mast, than did these heavyfragments from the fore-yard. It was necessary to get rid of them;and Talcott had just volunteered to go on the yard with this end, whenNeb sprang into the rigging without an order, and was soon beyond thereach of the voice. This daring black had several narrow escapes, moreespecially from the fore-sheet blocks; but he succeeded in cuttingeverything adrift, and in leaving nothing attached to the spar, butthe bolt-rope of the head of the sail. It is true, little effectedthis object, when the knife could be applied, the threads of the stoutcanvass snapping at the touch. 

As soon as the ship was under bare poles, though at the sacrifice oftwo of her sails, I had leisure to look out for the othervessel. There she was, more than half a mile ahead of us, yawingwildly, and rolling her lower yard-arm, to the water's edge. As wedrew nearer, I got better glimpses of this vessel, which was a ship, and as I fancied, an English West Indiaman, deep-loaded with theproduce of the islands. Deep-loaded as I fancied, for it was only atinstants that she could be seen at all, under circumstances to judgeof this fact; sometimes her hull appearing to be nearly smothered inthe brine, and then, again, her copper glistening in the sun, resembling a light vessel, kept under the care of some thriftyhousewife. 

The Dawn did not fly, now all her canvass was gone, as fast as she hadpreviously done. She went through the water at a greater rate than thevessel ahead; but it required an hour longer to bring the two shipswithin a cable's length of each other. Then, indeed, we got a nearview of the manner in which the elements can play with such a mass ofwood and iron as a ship, when in an angry mood. There were instantswhen I fancied I could nearly see the keel of the stranger for halfits length, as he went foaming up on the crest of a wave, apparentlyready to quit the water altogether; then again, he would settle awayinto the blue abyss, hiding everything beneath his tops. When bothvessels sunk together, no sign of our neighbour was visible, though sonear. We came up after one of these deep plunges into the valleys ofthe ocean, and, to our alarm, saw the English ship yawing directlyathwart our course, and within fifty fathoms of us. This was about thedistance at which I intended to pass, little dreaming of finding theother ship so completely in our way. The Englishman must have intendedto come a little nearer, and got one of those desperate sheers that sooften ran away with him. There he was, however; and a breathlessminute followed, when he was first seen. Two vehicles dashing along ahighway, with frightened and run-away teams, would not present a sightone-half as terrific as that which lay directly before our eyes. 

The Dawn was plunging onward with a momentum to dash in splinters, didshe strike any resisting object, and yawing herself sufficiently torender the passage hazardous. But the stranger made the matterten-fold worse. When I first saw him, in this fearful proximity, hisbroadside was nearly offered to the seas, and away he was flying, onthe summit of a mountain of foam, fairly crossing our fore-foot. Atthe next moment, he fell off before the wind, again, and I could justsee his tops directly ahead. His sheer had been to-port, our intentionhaving been to pass him on his starboard side; but, perceiving him tosteer so wild, I thought it might be well to go in the otherdirection. Quick as the words could be uttered, therefore, I calledout to port the helm. This was done, of course; and just as the Dawnfelt the new influence, the other vessel took the same sheer, and awaywe both went to starboard, at precisely the same instant. I shouted toright our helm to "hard a-starboard, " and it was well I did; a minutemore would have brought us down headlong on the Englishman. Even nowwe could only see his hull, at instants; but the awful proximity ofhis spars denoted the full extent of the danger. Luckily, we hit onopposite directions, or our common destruction would have beencertain. But, it was one thing, in that cauldron of a sea, todetermine on a course, and another to follow it. As we rose on thelast wave that alone separated us from the stranger, he was nearlyahead; and as we glanced onward, I saw that we should barely clear hislarboard quarter. Our helm being already a starboard, no more could bedone. Should he take another sheer to port, we must infallibly cut himin twain. As I have said, he had jammed his helm to-port, and slowly, and with a species of reluctance, he inclined a little aside. Then wecame up, both ships rolling off, or our yards must have interlocked, and passing his quarter with our bows, we each felt the sheer at thesame instant, and away we went asunder, the sterns of the shipslooking at each other, and certainly not a hundred feet apart. A shoutfrom Talcott drew me to our taffrail, and standing on that of ourneighbour, what or whom should I see waving his hat, but the redcountenance of honest Moses Marble!

CHAPTER XXVI. 

 "At the piping of all hands, When the judgment signal's spread-- When the islands and the lands, And the seas give up the dead, And the south and the north shall come; When the sinner is dismay'd, And the just man is afraid, Then heaven be thy aid, Poor _Tom_. '" BRAINARD. 

The two ships, in the haste of their respective crews to get clear ofeach other, were now running in the troughs; and the same idea wouldseem to have suggested itself to me and the other master, at the sameinstant. Instead of endeavouring to keep away again, one kept his helmhard a-port, the other as hard a-starboard, until we both came by thewind, though on opposite tacks. The Englishman set his mizen-stay-sail, and though he made bad weather of it, he evidently ran much less riskthan in scudding. The seas came on board him constantly; but not in away to do any material damage. As for the Dawn, she lay-to, like aduck, under bare poles. I had a spare stay-sail, stopped up in hermizen-rigging, from the top down, and after that the ship was botheasy and dry. Once in a while, it is true, her bows would meet somefellow heavier than common, and then we got a few hogsheads of waterforward; but it went out to leeward as fast as it came in towindward. At the turn of the day, however, the gale broke, and theweather moderated sensibly; both sea and wind beginning to go down. 

Had we been alone, I should not have hesitated about bearing up, getting some sail on the ship, and running off on my course, again;but, the desire to speak the stranger, and have some communicationwith Marble, was so strong, that I could not make up my mind to doso. Including myself, Talcott, Neb, the cabin-steward, and six of thepeople forward, there were ten of us on board, who knew the ex-mate;and, of the whole ten, there was not a dissenting voice concerning hisidentity. I determined, therefore, to stick by the Englishman, and atleast have some communication with my old friend. As for myself, I ownI loved Marble, uncouth and peculiar as he sometimes was. I owed himmore than any other man living, Mr. Hardinge excepted; for he had mademe a seaman, having been of use to me professionally, in a hundredways. Then we had seen so much in company, that I regarded him as aportion of my experience, and as, in some measure, identified with myown nautical career. 

I was afraid at one moment, that the Englishman intended to remain ashe was, all night; but, about an hour before sunset, I had thegratification to see him set his fore-sail, and keep off. I had woreround, two hours before, to get the Dawn's head on the same tack withhim, and followed under bare poles. As the stranger soon set hismain-top-sail close reefed, and then his fore, it enabled us to make alittle sail also, in order to keep up with him. This we did all thatnight; and, in the morning, both ships were under everything thatwould draw, with a moderate breeze from the northward, and no greatmatter of sea going. The English vessel was about a league to leewardof us, and a little ahead. Under such circumstances, it was easy toclose. Accordingly, just as the two ships' companies were about to goto breakfast, the Dawn ranged up under the lee-quarter of thestranger. 

"What ship's that?" I hailed, in the usual manner. 

"The Dundee; Robert Ferguson, master--what ship's that?"

"The Dawn; Miles Wallingford. Where are you from?"

"From Rio de Janeiro, bound to London. Where are _you_ from?"

"From New York, to Bordeaux. A heavy blow we have just had of it. "

"Quite; the like of it, I've not seen in many a day. You've a prattysea-boat, yon!"

"She made capital weather, in the late gale, and I've every reason tobe satisfied with her. Pray, haven't you an American on board, of thename of Marble? We fancied that we saw the face of an old shipmate onyour taffrail, yesterday, and have kept you company in order toinquire after his news. "

"Ay, ay, " answered the Scotch master, waving his hand. "The chielwill be visiting you prasently. He's below, stowing away his dunnage;and will be thanking you for a passage home, I'm thinking. "

As these words were uttered, Marble appeared on deck, and waved hishat, again, in recognition. This was enough; as we understood eachother, the two ships took sufficient room, and hove-to. We lowered ourboat, and Talcott went alongside of the Dundee, in quest of our oldshipmate. Newspapers and news were exchanged; and, in twenty minutes, I had the extreme gratification of grasping Marble once more by thehand. 

My old friend was too much affected to speak, for some little time. Heshook hands with everybody, and seemed as much astonished as he wasdelighted at finding so many of us together again; but not a syllabledid he utter for several minutes. I had his chest passed into thecabin, and then went and took my seat alongside of him on thehen-coops, intending to hear his story, as soon as he was disposed togive it. But, it was no easy matter to get out of ear-shot of mypassengers. During the gale, they had been tongue-tied, and I had alittle peace; but, no sooner did the wind and sea go down, than theybroke out in the old spot, and began to do Boston, in the way they hadcommenced. Now, Marble had come on board, in a manner so unusual, andit was evident a secret history was to be revealed, that all threetook post in the companion-way, in a manner to render it impossibleanything material could escape them. I knew the folly of attempting achange of position on deck; we should certainly be followed up; and, people of this class, so long as they can make the excuse of sayingthey heard any part of a secret, never scruple about inventing theportions that happen to escape their ears. Consequently, I desiredMarble and Talcott to follow me; and, incontinently, I led the wayinto the main-top. I was obeyed, the second-mate having the watch, andall three of us were soon seated with our legs over the top-rim, ascomfortable as so many gossips, who had just finished their last cups, have stirred the fire, and drawn their heads together to open afresh-budget. Neither Sarah nor Jane could follow us, thank God!

"There, d--n 'em" said I, a little pointedly; for it was enough tomake a much more, scrupulous person swear, "we've got the length ofthe main-rigging between us, and I do not think they'll venture intothe top, this fine morning, in order to overhear what shall besaid. It would puzzle even Wallace Mortimer to do that, Talcott. "

"If they do, " observed Talcott, laughing, "we can retreat to thecross-trees, and thence to the royal-yard. "

Marble looked inquisitive, but, at the same time, he looked knowing. 

"I understand, " he said, with a nod; "three people with six sets ofears--is it not so, Miles?"

"Precisely; though you only do them credit by halves, for you shouldhave added to this inventory forty tongues. "

"Well, that is a large supply. The man, or woman, who is so wellprovided, should carry plenty of ballast. However, as you say, they'reout of hail now, and must guess at all they repeat, if repeating itcan be called. "

"Quite as much as nine-tenths of what they give as coming fromothers, " observed Talcott. "People never can tell so much of otherperson's affairs, without bailing out most of their ideas from theirown scuttle-butts. "

"Well, let them go to--Bordeaux--" said I, "since they are boundthere. And now, my dear Marble, here we are, and dying to know allthat has happened to you. You have firm friends in Talcott and myself;either of us, ready to give you his berth for the asking. "

"Thank'ee, my dear boys--thank'ee, with all my heart and soul, "returned the honest fellow, dashing the moisture from his eyes, withthe back of his hand. "I believe you would, boys; I do believe youwould, one or both. I am glad, Miles, you came up into this bloodytop, for I wouldn't like to let your reg'lar 'long-shore harpies see aman of my time of life, and one that has been to sea, now, man andboy, close on to forty years, with as much blubber about him, as oneof your right whales. Well--and now for the log; for I suppose you'llinsist on overhauling it, lads?"

"That we shall; and see you miss no leaf of it. Be as particular as ifit were overhauled in an insurance case. "

"Ay; they're bloody knaves, sometimes, them underwriters; und a fellowneed be careful to get his dues out of them--that is to say, _some_; others, ag'in, are gentlemen, down to their shoe-buckles, and no sooner see a poor shipwrecked devil, than they open theirtills, and begin to count out, before he has opened his mouth. "

"Well, but your own adventures, my old friend; you forget we are dyingwith curiosity. "

"Ay--your cur'osity's a troublesome inmate, and will never be quiet aslong as one tries to keep it under hatches; especially femalecur'osity. Well, I must gratify you; and so I'll make no more bonesabout it, though its giving an account of my own obstinacy andfolly. I reckon, now, my boys, you missed me the day the ship sailedfrom the island?"

"That we did, and supposed you had got tired of your experiment beforeit began, " I answered, "so were off, before we were ourselves. "

"You had reason for so thinking; though you were out in yourreckoning, too. No; it happened in this fashion. After you left me, Ibegan to generalize over my sitiation, and I says to myself, says I, 'Moses Marble, them lads will never consent to sail and leave you here, on this island, alone like a bloody hermit, ' says I. 'If you want tohold on, ' says I, 'and try your hand at a hermitage, ' says I, 'or toplay Robinson Crusoe, ' says I, 'you must be out, of the way when theCrisis, sails'--boys, what's become of the old ship? Not a word have Iheard about her, yet!"

"She was loading for London, when we sailed, her owners intending tosend her the same voyage over again. "

"And they refused to let you have her, Miles, on account of youryouth, notwithstanding all you did for them?"

"Not so; they pressed me to keep her, but I preferred a ship of myown. The Dawn is my property, Master Moses!"

"Thank God! then there is one honest chap among the owners. And howdid she behave? Had you any trouble with the pirates?"

Perceiving the utter uselessness of attempting to hear his own storybefore I rendered an account of the Crisis, and her exploits, I gaveMarble a history of our voyage, from the time we parted down to theday we reached New York. 

"And that scaramouch of a schooner that the Frenchman gave us, in hischarity?"

"The Pretty Poll! She got home safe, was sold, and is now in theWest-India trade. There is a handsome balance, amounting to somefourteen hundred dollars, in the owners' hands, coming to you fromprize-money and wages. "

It is not in nature, for any man to be sorry he has money. I saw byMarble's eyes, that this sum, so unusually large for him to possess, formed a new tie to the world, and that he fancied himself a muchhappier man in possessing it. He looked at me earnestly, for quite aminute, and then remarked, I make no doubt with sincere regret--

"Miles, if I had a mother living, now, that money might make her oldage comfortable! It seems that they who have no mothers, have money, and they who have no money, have mothers. "

I waited a moment for Marble to recover his self-command, and thenurged him to continue his story. 

"I was telling you how I generalized over my sitiation, " resumed theex-mate, "as soon as I found myself alone in the hut. I came to theconclusion that I should be carried off by force, if I remained tillnext day; and so I got into the launch, carried her out of the lagoon, taking care to give the ship a berth, went through the reef, and keptturning to windward, until day-break. By that time, the island wasquite out of sight, though I saw the upper sails of the ship, as soonas you got her under way. I kept the top-gallant-sails in sight, untilI made the island, again; and as you went off, I ran in, and tookpossession of my dominions, with no one to dispute my will, or to tryto reason me out of my consait. "

"I am glad to hear you term that notion a conceit, for, certainly, itwas not reason. You soon discovered your mistake, my old mess-mate, and began to think of home. "

"I soon discovered, Miles, that if I had neither father, nor mother, brother nor sister, that I had a country and friends. The bit ofmarble on which I was found in the stone-cutter's yard, then seemed asdear to me as a gold cradle is to a king's son; and I thought of you, and all the rest of you--nay, I yearned after you, as a mother wouldyearn for her children. "

"Poor fellow, you were solitary enough, I dare say--had you noamusement with your pigs and poultry?"

"For a day or two, they kept me pretty busy. But, by the end of aweek, I discovered that pigs and poultry were not made to keep companywith man. I had consaited that I could pass the rest of my days in thebosom of my own family, like any other man who had made, his fortuneand retired; but, I found my household too small for such a life asthat. My great mistake was in supposing that the Marble family couldbe happy in its own circle. "

This was said bitterly, though it was said drolly, and, while it made

Talcott and myself laugh, it also made us sorry. 

"I fell into another mistake, however, boys, " Marble continued, "andit might as well be owned. I took it into my head that I should be allalone on the island, but I found to my cost, that the devil insistedon having his share. I'll tell you how it is, Miles; a man must eitherlook ahead, or look astarn; there is no such thing as satisfyinghimself with the present moorings. Now, this was my misfortune; for, ahead I had nothing to look forward to; and astarn, what comfort had Iin overhauling past sins!"

"I think I can understand your difficulties, my friend; how did youmanage to get rid of them?"

"I left the island. You had put the Frenchman's launch in capitalcondition, and all I had to do was to fill up the breakers with freshwater, kill a hog and salt him away, put on board a quantity ofbiscuit, and be off. As for eatables, you know there was no scarcityon the island, and I took my choice. I make no doubt there are twentyhogsheads of undamaged sugars, at this very moment, in the hold ofthat wreck, and on the beach of the island. I fed my poultry on it, the whole time I staid. "

"And so you abandoned Marble Land to the pig's and the fowls?"

"I did, indeed, Miles; and I hope the poor creaturs will have acomfortable time of it. I gave 'em what the lawyers call a quit-claim, and sailed two months to a day after you went off in the Crisis. "

"I should think, old shipmate, that your voyage must have been assolitary and desperate as your life ashore. "

"I'm amazed to hear, you say that. I'm never solitary at sea, one hasso much to do in taking care of his craft; and then he can always lookforward to the day he'll get in. But this generalizing, night andday, without any port ahead, and little comfort in looking astarn, will soon fit a man for Bedlam. I just: weathered Cape Crazy, I cantell you, lads; and that, too, in the white water! As for my v'y'gebeing desperate, what was there to make it so, I should like to know?"

"You must have been twelve or fifteen hundred miles from any islandwhere you could look forward to anything like safety; and that is adistance one would rather not travel all alone on the high seas. "

"Pshaw! all consait. You're getting notional, Miles, now you're amaster and owner. What's a run of a thousand or fifteen hundred miles, in a tight boat, and with plenty of grub and water? It was the easiestmatter in the world; and if it warn't for that bloody Cape Horn, Ishould have made as straight a wake for Coenties' Slip, as thetrending of the land would have allowed. As it was, I turned towindward, for I knew the savages to leeward weren't to be trusted. Yousee, it was as easy as working out a day's work. I kept the boat on awind all day, and long bits of the night, too, until I wanted sleep;and then I hove her to, under a reefed mainsail, and slept as sound asa lord. I hadn't an uncomfortable moment, after I got outside of thereef again; and the happiest hour of my life was that in which I sawthe tree-tops of the island dip. "

"And how long were you navigating in this manner, and what land didyou first make?"

"Seven weeks, though I made half a dozen islands, every one of themjust such a looking object as that I had left. You weren't about tocatch me ashore again in any of them miserable places! I gave the oldboat a slap, and promised to stick by her as long as she would stickby me, and I kept my word. I saw savages, moreover, on one or two ofthe islands, and gave them a berth, having no fancy for beingbarbacued. "

"And where did you finally make your land-fall?"

"Nowhere, so; far as the launch was concerned. I fell in with aManilla ship, bound to Valparaiso, and got on board her; and sorryenough was I for the change, when I came to find out how theylived. The captain took me in, however, and I worked my passage intoport. Finding no ship likely to sail soon, I entered with a native whowas about to cross the Andes, bound over on this side, for the eastcoast. Don't you remember, Miles, monsters of mountains that we couldsee, a bit inland, and covered with snow, all along the west side ofSouth America? You must remember the chaps I mean?"

"Certainly--they are much too plain, and objects much too striking, ever to be forgotten, when once seen. "

"Well them's the Andes; and rough customers they be, let me tell you, boys. You know there is little amusement in a sailor's walking on thelevellest 'arth and handsomest highways, on account of the bloody upsand downs a fellow meets with; and so you may get some idee of thetime we had of it, when I tell you, had all the seas we saw in thelast blow been piled on top of each other, they would have made but alarge pancake, compared to them 'ere Andes. Natur' must have outdoneherself in making 'em; and when they were thrown together, what goodcomes of it all? Such mountains might be of some use in keeping theFrench and English apart; but you leave nothing but bloody Spaniardson one side of them Andes, and find bloody Spaniards and Portugeese onthe other. However, we found our way over them, and brought up at aplace called Buenos Ayres, from which I worked my passage round to Rioin a coaster. At Rio, you know, I felt quite at home, having stoppedin there often, in going backward and forward. "

"And thence you took passage in the Dundee for London, intending toget a passage home by the first opportunity?"

"It needs no witch to tell that. I had to scull about Rio for severalmonths, doing odd jobs as a rigger, and the like of that, until, finding no Yankee came in, I got a passage in a Scotchman. I'll notcomplain of Sawney, who was kind enough to me as a shipwreckedmariner; for that was the character I sailed under, hermits being noway fashionable among us Protestants, though it's very different amongthem Catholic chaps, I can tell you. I happened to mention to alandlady on the road, that I was a sort of a hermit on his travels;when I thought the poor woman would have gone down on her knees andworshipped me. "

Here then was the history of Moses Marble, and the end of the colonyof Marble Land, pigs and poultry excepted. It was now my turn to beexamined. I had to answer fifty curious inquiries, some of which Ifound sufficiently embarrassing. When, in answer to hisinterrogatories, Marble learned that the Major and Miss Merton hadactually been left at Clawbonny, I saw the ex-mate wink at Talcott, who smiled in reply. Then, where was Rupert, and how came on the law?The farm and mills were not forgotten; and, as for Neb, he wasactually ordered up into the top, in order that there might be anothershake of the hand, and that he might answer for himself. In a word, nothing could be more apparent than the delight of Marble at findinghimself among us once more. I believed even then, that the man reallyloved me; and the reader will remember how long we had sailedtogether, and how much we had seen in company. More than once did myold shipmate dash the tears from his eyes, as he spoke of hissatisfaction. 

"I say, Miles--I say, Roger, " he cried--"this is like being at home, and none of your bloody hermitages! Blast me, if I think, now, Ishould dare pass through a wood all alone. I'm never satisfied unlessI see a fellow-creatur', for fear of being left. I did pretty wellwith the Scotchman, who _has_ a heart, though it's stowed away inoatmeal, but _this_ is _home. _ I must ship as your steward, Miles, for hang on to you I will. "

"If we ever part, again, until one or both go into dock, it will beyour fault, my old friend. If I have thought of you once, since weparted, I have dreamed of you fifty times! Talcott and I were talkingof you in the late gale, and wondering what sail you would advise usto put the ship under. "

"The old lessons have not all been forgotten, boys; it was easy enoughto see that. I said to myself, as you stood down upon us, 'that chaphas a real sea-dog aboard, as is plain by the manner in which he haseverything snug, while he walks ahead like an owner in a hurry to befirst in the market. '"

It was then agreed Marble should keep a watch; whenever it suited him, and that he should do just as he pleased aboard. At some future day, some other arrangement might be made, though he declared his intentionto stick by the ship, and also announced a determination to be myfirst-mate for life, as soon as Talcott got a vessel, as doubtless hewould, through the influence of his friends, as soon as he returnedhome. I laughed at all this, though I bade him heartily welcome, andthen I nick-named him commodore, adding that he should sail with me inthat capacity, doing just as much, and just as little duty as hepleased. As for money, there was a bag of dollars in the cabin, and hehad only to put his hand in, and take what he wanted. The key of thelocker was in my pocket, and could be had for asking. Nobody was moredelighted with this arrangement than Neb, who had even taken a fancyto Marble, from the moment when the latter led him up from thesteerage of the John, by the ear. 

"I say, Miles, what sort of bloody animals are them passengers ofyour's?" Marble next demanded, looking over the rim of the top, downat the trio on deck, with a good deal of curiosity expressed in hiscountenance. "This is the first time I ever knew a ship-master drivenaloft by his passengers, in order to talk secrets!"

"That is because you never sailed with the Brigham family, myfriend. They'll pump you till you suck, in the first twenty-fourhours, rely on it. They'll get every fact about your birth, the islandwhere you first saw me, what you have been about, and what you mean todo; in a word, the past, present, and future. "

"Leave me to overlay their cur'osity, " answered the ex-mate, or newcommodore--"I got my hand in, by boarding six weeks with a Connecticutold maid, once, and I'll defy the keenest questioner of them all. "

We had a little more discourse, when we all went below, and Iintroduced Marble to my passengers, as one who was to join ourmess. After this, things went on in their usual train. In the courseof the day, however, I overheard the following brief dialogue betweenBrigham and Marble, the ladies being much too delicate to question sorough a mariner. 

"You came on board us, somewhat unexpectedly, I rather conclude, Captain Marble?" commenced the gentleman. 

"Not in the least; I have been expecting to meet the Dawn, just aboutthis spot, more than a month, now. "

"Well, that is odd! I do not comprehend how such a thing could well beforeseen?"

"Do you understand spherical trigonometry, sir?"

"I cannot say I am at all expert--I've looked into mathematics, buthave no great turn for the study. "

"It would be hopeless, then, to attempt to explain the matter. If youhad your hand in at the spherical, I could make it all as plain as thecapstan. "

"You and Captain Wallingford must be somewhat old acquaintances, Iconclude?"

"Somewhat, " answered Marble, very drily. 

"Have you ever been at the place that he calls Clawbonny? A queername, I rather think, Captain!"

"Not at all, sir. I know a place, down in the Eastern States, that wascalled Scratch and Claw, and a very pretty spot it was. "

"It's not usual for us to the eastward, to give names to farms andplaces. It is done a little by the Boston folk, but they are notional, as everybody knows. "

"Exactly; I suppose it was for want of use, the chap I mean made outno better in naming his place. "

Mr. Brigham was no fool; he was merely a gossip. He took the hint, andasked no more questions of Marble. He tried Neb, notwithstanding; butthe black having his orders, obeyed them so literally, that I reallybelieve we parted in Bordeaux, a fortnight later, without any of thefamily's making the least discovery. Glad enough was I to get rid ofthem; yet, brief as had been our intercourse, they produced a sensibleinfluence on my future happiness. Such is the evil of this habit ofloose talking, men giving credit to words conceived in ignorance anduttered in the indulgence of one of the most contemptible of all ourpropensities. To return to my ship. 

We reached Bordeaux without any further accident, or delay. Idischarged in the usual way, and began to look about me, for anotherfreight. It had been my intention to return to New York, and to keepthe festivities of attaining my majority, at Clawbonny; but, I confessthe discourse of these eternal gossips, the Brighams, had greatlylessened the desire to see home again, so soon. A freight for New Yorkwas offered me, but I postponed an answer, until it was given toanother ship. At length an offer was made me to go to Cronstadt, inRussia, with a cargo of wines and brandies, and I accepted it. Thegreat and better informed merchants, as it would seem, distrusted thecontinuance of the hollow peace that then existed, and a company ofthem thought it might be well to transfer their liquors to the capitalof the czar, in readiness for contingencies. An American ship waspreferred, on account of her greater speed, as well as on account ofher probable neutral character, in the event of troubles occurring atany unlooked-for moment. The Dawn took in her wines and brandiesaccordingly, and sailed for the Baltic about the last of August. Shehad a long, but a safe passage, delivering the freight according tothe charter-party, in good condition. While at Cronstadt, the Americanconsul, and the consignees of an American ship that had lost hermaster and chief-mate by the smallpox, applied to me to let Marblecarry the vessel home. I pressed the offer on my old friend, but heobstinately refused to have anything to do with the vessel. I thenrecommended Talcott, and after some negotiation, the latter tookcharge of the Hyperion. I was sorry to part with my mate, to whom Ihad become strongly attached; but the preferment was so clearly to hisadvantage, that I could take no other course. The vessel being ready, she sailed the day after Talcott joined her; and, sorry am I to becompelled to add, that she was never heard of, after clearing theCattegat. The equinox of that season was tremendously severe, and itcaused the loss of many vessels; that of the Hyperion doubtless amongthe rest. 

Marble insisted on taking Talcott's place, and he now became mychief-mate, as I had once been his. After a little delay, I took infreight on Russian government account, and sailed for Odessa. It wasthought the Sublime Porte would let an American through; but, afterreaching the Dardanelles, I was ordered back, and was obliged to leavemy cargo in Malta, which it was expected would be in possession of itsown knights by that time, agreeably to the terms of the latetreaty. From Malta I sailed for Leghorn, in quest of anotherfreight. I pass over the details of these voyages, as really nothingworthy of being recorded occurred. They consumed a good deal of time;the delay at the Dardanelles alone exceeding six weeks, during whichnegotiations were going on up at Constantinople, but all in vain. Inconsequence of all these detentions, and the length of the passages, Idid not reach Leghorn until near the close of March, I wrote to Graceand Mr. Hardinge, whenever a favourable occasion offered, but I didnot get a letter from home, during the whole period. It was not in thepower of my sister or guardian--_late_ guardian would be the mostaccurate expression, as I had been of age since the previousOctober--to write, it being impossible for me to let them know when, or where, a letter would find me. It followed, that while my friendsat home were kept tolerably apprised of my movements, I was absolutelyin the dark as respected them. That this ignorance gave me greatconcern, it would be idle to deny; yet, I had a species of desperatesatisfaction in keeping aloof, and in leaving the course clear to Mr. Andrew Drewett. As respects substantials, I had sent a proper power ofattorney to Mr. Hardinge, who, I doubted not, would take the same careof my temporal interests he had never ceased to do since the day of mybeloved mother's death. 

Freights were not offering freely at Leghorn, when the Dawnarrived. After waiting a fortnight, however, I began to take in forAmerica, and on American account. In the meantime, the cargo coming tohand slowly, I left Marble to receive it, and proceeded on a littleexcursion in Tuscany, or Etruria, as that part of the world was thencalled. I visited Pisa, Lucca, Florence, and several otherintermediate towns. At Florence, I passed a week looking at sights, and amusing myself the best way I could. The gallery and the churcheskept me pretty busy, and the reader will judge of my surprise one day, at hearing my own name uttered on a pretty high key, by a femalevoice, in the Duomo, or Cathedral of the place. On turning, I foundmyself in the presence of the Brighams! I was overwhelmed withquestions in a minute. Where had I been? Where was Talcott? Where wasthe ship? When did I sail, and whither did I sail? After this came thecommunications. _They_ had been to Paris; had seen the FrenchConsul, and had dined with Mr. R. N. Livingston, then negotiating thetreaty of Louisiana; had seen the Louvre; had been to Geneva; had seenthe Lake; had seen Mont Blanc; had crossed Mont Cenis; had been atMilan; Rome; had seen the Pope; Naples; had seen Vesuvius; had been atPaestum; had come back to Florence, and _nous voici!_ Glad enoughwas I, when I got them fairly within the gates of the City of theLily. Next came America; from which part of the world they receivedsuch delightful letters! One from Mrs. Jonathan Little, a Salem ladythen residing in New York, had just reached them. It contained foursheets, and was full of _news. _ Then commenced the details; and Iwas compelled to listen to a string of gossip that connected nearlyall the people of mark, my informants had ever heard of in the great_Commercial_ Emporium that was to be. How suitable is this name!Emporium would not have been sufficiently distinctive for a town inwhich "the merchants" are all in all; in which they must have thepost-office; in which they support the nation by paying all therevenue; in which the sun must shine and the dew fall to suit theirwants; and in which the winds, themselves, may be recreant to theirduty, when they happen to be foul! Like the Holy Catholic ProtestantEpiscopal Church, Trading Commercial Trafficking Emporium should havebeen the style of such a place; and I hope, ere long, some of the"Manor Born" genii of that great town, will see the matter rectified. 

"By the way, Captain Wallingford, " cut in Jane, at one of Sarah'sbreathing intervals, that reminded me strongly of the colloquialFrenchman's "_s'il crache il est perdu, _" "You know something ofpoor Mrs. Bradfort, I believe?"

I assented by a bow. 

"It was just as we told you, " cried Sarah, taking her revenge. "Thepoor woman is dead! and, no doubt, of that cancer. What a frightfuldisease! and how accurate has our information been, in all thataffair!"

"I think her will the most extraordinary of all, " added Mr. Brigham, who, as a man, kept an eye more to the main chance. "I suppose youhave heard all about her will, Captain Wallingford?"

I reminded the gentleman that this was the first I had ever heard ofthe lady's death. 

"She has left every dollar to young Mr. Hardinge, her cousin's son;"added Jane, "cutting off that handsome, genteel, young lady hissister, as well as her father, without a cent"--in 1803, they justbegan to speak of _cents_, instead of farthings--"and everybodysays it was so cruel!"

"That is not the worst of it, " put in Sarah. "They _do_ say, MissMerton, the English lady that made so much noise in New York--let mesee, Mr. Brigham, what Earl's grand-daughter did we hear she was?--"

This was a most injudicious question, as it gave the husband anopportunity to take the word out of her mouth. 

"Lord Cumberland's, I believe, or some such person---but, no matterwhose. It is quite certain, General Merton, her father, consents tolet her marry young Mr. Hardinge, now Mrs. Bradfort's will is known;and, as for the sister, he declares he will never give her a dollar. "

"He will have sixteen thousand dollars a year, " said Jane, withemphasis. 

"Six, my dear, six"--returned the brother, who had reasonably accuratenotions touching dollars and cents, or he never would have beentravelling in Italy; "six thousand dollars a year, was justMrs. Bradfort's income, as my old school-fellow Upham told me, andthere isn't another man in York, who can tell fortunes as true ashimself. He makes a business of it, and don't fail one time intwenty. "

"And is it quite certain that Mr. Rupert Hardinge gets all the fortuneof Mrs. Bradfort?" I asked, with a strong effort to seem composed. 

"Not the least doubt of it, in the world. Everybody is talking aboutit; and there cannot well be a mistake, you know, as it was thoughtthe sister would be an heiress, and people generally take care to bepretty certain about that class. But, of course, a young man with thatfortune will be snapped up, as a swallow catches a fly. I've bet Saraha pair of gloves we hear of his marriage in three months. "

The Brighams talked an hour longer, and made me promise to visit themat their hotel, a place I could not succeed in finding. That evening, I left Florence for Leghorn, writing a note of apology, in order notto be rude. Of course, I did not believe half these people had toldme; but a part, I made no doubt, was true. Mrs. Bradfort was dead, outof all question; and I thought it possible she might not so far havelearned to distinguish between the merit of Lucy, and that of Rupert, to leave her entire fortune to the last. As for the declaration of thebrother that he would give his sister nothing, that seemed to me to berather strong for even Rupert. I knew the dear girl too well, and wascertain she would not repine; and I was burning with the desire to bein the field, now she was again penniless. 

What a change was this! Here were the Hardinges, those whom I hadknown as poor almost as dependants on my own family, suddenlyenriched. I knew Mrs. Bradfort had a large six thousand a year, besides her own dwelling-house, which stood in Wall Street, a part ofthe commercial emporium that was just beginning to be the focus ofbanking, and all other monied operations, and which even then promisedto become a fortune of itself. It is true, that old Daniel M'Cormickstill held his levees on his venerable stoop, where all the heavy menin town used to congregate, and joke, and buy and sell, and abuseBoney; and that the Winthrops, the Wilkeses, the Jaunceys, theVerplancks, the Whites, the Ludlows, and other families of mark, thenhad their town residences in this well-known street; but coming eventswere beginning "to cast their shadows before, " and it was easy toforesee that this single dwelling might at least double Rupert'sincome, under the rapid increase of the country and the town. ThoughLucy was still poor, Rupert was now rich. 

If family connection, that all-important and magical influence, couldmake so broad a distinction between us, while I was comparativelywealthy, and Lucy had nothing, what, to regard the worst side of thepicture, might I not expect from it, when the golden scalepreponderated on her side. That Andrew Drewett would still marry her, I began to fear again. Well, why not? I had never mentioned love tothe sweet girl, fondly, ardently as I was attached to her; and whatreason had I for supposing that one in her situation could reserve heraffections for a truant sailor? I am afraid I was unjust enough toregret that this piece of good fortune should have befallen Rupert. Hemust do something for his sister, and every dollar seemed to raise anew barrier between us. 

From that hour, I was all impatience to get home. Had not the freightbeen engaged, I think I should have sailed in ballast. By urging themerchants, however, we got to sea May 15th, with a full cargo, aportion of which I had purchased on my own account, with the moneyearned by the ship, within the last ten months. Nothing occurredworthy of notice, until the Dawn neared the Straits of Gibraltar. Here we were boarded by an English frigate, and first learned thedeclaration of a new war between France and England; a contest that, in the end, involved in it all the rest of christendom. Hostilitieshad already commenced, the First Consul having thrown aside the mask, just three days after we left port. The frigate treated us well, itbeing too soon for the abuses that followed, and we got through thepass without further molestation. 

As soon as in the Atlantic, I took care to avoid everything we saw, and nothing got near us, until we had actually made the Highlands ofNavesink. An English sloop-of-war, however, had stood into the anglesof the coast, formed by Long Island and the Jersey shore, giving us arace for the Hook. I did not know whether I ought to be afraid of thiscruiser, or not, but my mind was made up, not to be boarded if itcould be helped. We succeeded in passing ahead, and entered the Hook, while he was still a mile outside of the bar. I got a pilot on thebar, as was then very usual, and stood up towards the town withstudding-sails set, it being just a twelvemoth, almost to an hour, from the day when I passed up the bay in the Crisis. The pilot tookthe ship in near Coenties slip, Marble's favourite berth, and we hadher secured, and her sails unbent before the sun set. 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

 "With look like patient Job's, eschewing evil; With motions graceful as a bird's in air; Thou art, in sober truth, the veriest devil That ere clinched fingers in a captive's hair. " HALLECK. 

There was about an hour of daylight, when I left the compting-house ofthe consignees, and pursued my way up Wall Street to Broadway. I wason my way to the City Hotel, then, as now, one of the best inns of thetown. On Trinity Church walk, just as I quitted the Wall Streetcrossing, whom should I come plump upon in turning, but RupertHardinge? He was walking down the street in some little haste, and wasevidently much surprised, perhaps I might say startled, at seeingme. Nevertheless, Rupert was not easily disconcerted, and his mannerat once became warm, if not entirely free from embarrassment. He wasin deep mourning; though otherwise dressed in the height of thefashion. 

"Wallingford!" he exclaimed--it was the first time he did not call me"Miles, "--"Wallingford! my fine fellow, what cloud did you dropfrom?--We have had so many reports concerning you, that yourappearance is as much a matter of surprise, as would be that ofBonaparte, himself. Of course, your ship is in?"

"Of course, " I answered, taking his offered hand; "you know I amwedded to her, for better, for worse, until death or shipwreck doth uspart. "

"Ay, so I've always told the ladies--'there is no other matrimony inWallingford, ' I've said often, 'than that which will make him a ship'shusband. ' But you look confoundedly well--the sea agrees with you, famously. "

"I make no complaint of my health--but tell me of that of our friendsand families? Your father--"

"Is up at Clawbonny, just now--you know how it is with him. No changeof circumstances will ever make him regard his little smoke-houselooking church, as anything but a cathedral, and his parish as adiocese. Since the great change in our circumstances, all this isuseless, and I often _think_--you know one wouldn't like to _say_ asmuch to _him_--but I often _think_, he might just as well give uppreaching, altogether. "

"Well, this is good, so far--now for the rest of you, all. You meetmy impatience too coldly. "

"Yes, you _were_ always an impatient fellow. Why, I suppose youneed hardly be told that I have been admitted to the bar. "

"That I can very well imagine--you must have found your sea-trainingof great service on the examination. "

"Ah! my dear Wallingford--what a simpleton I was! But one is so aptto take up strange conceits in boyhood, that he is compelled to lookback at them in wonder, in after life. But, which way are youwalking?"--slipping an arm in mine--"if up, I'll take a short turnwith you. There's scarce a soul in town, at this season; but you'llsee prodigiously fine girls in Broadway, at this hour, notwithstanding--those that belong to the other sets, you know; those that belong tofamilies that can't get into the country among the leaves. Yes, as Iwas saying, one scarce knows himself, after twenty. Now, I can hardlyrecall a taste, or an inclination, that I cherished in my teens, thathas not flown to the winds. Nothing is permanent in boyhood--we growin our persons, and our minds, sentiments, affections, views, hopes, wishes, and ambition; all take new directions. "

"This is not very flattering, Rupert, to one whose acquaintance withyou may be said to be altogether boyish. "

"Oh! of course I don't mean _that. _ Habit keeps all right in suchmatters; and I dare say I shall always be as much attached to you, asI was in childhood. Still, we are on diverging lines, now, and cannotfor ever remain boys. "

"You have told me nothing of the rest, " I said, half choked, in myeagerness to hear of the girls, and yet unaccountably afraid to ask. Ibelieve I dreaded to hear that Lucy was married. "How, and where isGrace?"

"Oh! Grace!--yes, I forgot her, to my shame, as you would naturallywish to inquire. Why, my dear _Captain, _ to be as frank as oneought with so old an acquaintance, your sister is not in a good way, I'm much afraid; though I've not seen her in an age. She was downamong us in the autumn, but left town for the holidays, for them sheinsisted on keeping at Clawbonny, where she said the family had alwayskept them, and away she went. Since then, she has not returned, but Ifear she is far from well. You know what a fragile creature Grace everhas been--so American!--Ah! Wallingford! our females have noconstitutions--charming as angels, delicate as fairies, and all that;but not to be compared to the English women in constitutions. "

I felt a torrent of fire rushing through my blood, and it was withdifficulty I refrained from hurling the heartless scoundrel who leanedon my arm, into the ditch. A moment of reflection, however, warned meof the precipice on which I stood. He was Mr. Hardinge's son, Lucy'sbrother; and I had no proofs that he had ever induced Grace to thinkhe loved her. It was so easy for those who had been educated as wefour had been, to be deceived on such a point, that I felt it unsafeto do anything precipitately. Friendship, _habit_, as Rupertexpressed it, might so easily be mistaken for the fruits of passion, that one might well be deceived. Then it was all-important to Grace'sself-respect, to her feelings, in some measure to her character, to becareful, that I suppressed my wrath, though it nearly choked me. 

"I am sorry to hear this, " I answered, after a long pause, the deepregret I felt at having such an account of my sister's healthcontributing to make my manner seem natural; "very, _very_ sorryto hear it. Grace is one that requires the tenderest care andwatching; and I have been making passage after passage in pursuit ofmoney, when I am afraid I should have been at Clawbonny, dischargingthe duties of a brother. I can never forgive myself!"

"Money is a very good thing, Captain, " answered Rupert, with a smilethat appeared to mean more than the tongue expressed--"a surprisinglygood thing is money! But you must not exaggerate Grace's illness, which I dare say is merely constitutional, and will lead to nothing. Ihope your many voyages have produced their fruits?"

"And Lucy?" I resumed, disregarding his question concerning my ownsuccess as an owner. "Where and how is she?"

"Miss Hardinge is in town--in her own--that is, in _our_house--in Wall Street, though she goes to _the place_ in themorning. No one who can, likes to remain among these hot bricks, thathas a pleasant country-house to fly to, and open to receive him. But Iforgot--I have supposed you to know what it is very likely you havenever heard?"

"I learned the death of Mrs. Bradfort while in Italy, and, seeing youin black, at once supposed it was for her. "

"Yes, that's just it. An excellent woman has been taken from us, and, had she been my own mother, I could not have received greaterkindnesses from her. Her end, my dear Wallingford, was admitted by allthe clergy to be one of the most edifying known in the place foryears. "

"And Mrs. Bradfort has left you her heir? It is now time tocongratulate you on your good fortune. As I un-understand her estatecame through females to her, and from a common ancestor of hers andyours, there is not the slightest reason why you should not begratified by the bequest. But Lucy--I hope she was not _altogether_forgotten?"

Rupert fidgeted, and I could see that he was on tenter-hooks. As Iafterwards discovered, he wished to conceal the real facts from theworld; and yet he could not but foresee that I would probably learnthem from his father. Under all the circumstances, therefore, hefancied it best to make me a confidant. We were strolling betweenTrinity and Paul's church walks, then the most fashionable promenadein town; and, before he would lay open his secret, my companion led meover by the Oswego Market, and down Maiden Lane, lest he might betrayhimself to the more fashionable stocks and stones. He did not open hislips until clear of the market, when he laid bare his budget of griefsin something that more resembled his old confidential manner, than hehad seen fit to exhibit in the earlier part of our interview. 

"You must know, Miles, " he commenced, "that Mrs. Bradfort was a verypeculiar woman--a very peculiar sort of a person, indeed. An, excellent lady, I am ready to allow, and one that made a remarkablyedifying and; but one whose peculiarities, I have understood, sheinherited with her fortune. Women _do_ get the oddest conceitsinto their heads, you know, and American women before all others; arepublic being anything but favourable to the continuation of propertyin the same line. Miss Merton, who is a girl of excellent sense, asyou well know yourself, Miles, says, now, in England I should havesucceeded, quite as a matter of course, to _all_ Mrs. Bradfort'sreal estate. "

"You, as a lawyer--a common law lawyer-can scarcely require theopinion of an Englishwoman to tell you what the English laws would doin a question of descent. "

"Oh! they've a plaguey sight of statutes in that country, as well asourselves. Between the two, the common law is getting to be a veryuncommon sort of a law. But, to cut the matter short, Mrs. Bradfortmade a _will_. "

"Dividing her property equally between you and Lucy, I dare say, toMiss Merton's great dissatisfaction. "

"Why, not just so, Miles--not exactly so; a very capricious, peculiarwoman was Mrs. Bradfort--"

I have often remarked, when a person has succeeded in throwing dustinto another's eyes, but is discarded on being found out, that therejected of principle is very apt to accuse his former dupe of being_capricious_; when, in fact, he has only been _deceived_. AsI said nothing, however, leaving Rupert to flounder on in the bestmanner he could, the latter, after a pause, proceeded--

"But her end was very admirable" he said, "and to the last degreeedifying. You must know, she made a will, and in that will she lefteverything, even to the town and country houses, to--my sister. "

I was thunder-struck! Here were all my hopes blown again to thewinds. After a long pause, I resumed the discourse. 

"And whom did she leave as executor?" I asked, instantly foreseeingthe consequences should that office be devolved on Rupert, himself. 

"My father. The old gentleman has had his hands full, between yourfather and mother, and Mrs. Bradfort. Fortunately, the estate of thelast is in a good condition, and is easily managed. Almost entirely instores and houses in the best part of the town, well insured, a fewthousands in stocks, and as much in bonds and mortgages, the savingsfrom the income, and something like a year's rents in bank. A goodseven thousand a year, with enough surplus to pay for repairs, collection and other charges. "

"And all this, then, is Lucy's!" I exclaimed, feeling something likethe bitterness of knowing that such an heiress was not for me. 

"Temporarily; though, of course, I consider Lucy as only my trusteefor half of it. You know how it is with the women; they fancy all usyoung men spendthrifts, and, so, between the two, they have reasonedin this way--'Rupert is a good fellow at bottom; but Rupert is young, and he will make the money fly--now, I'll give it all to you, Lucy, inmy will, but, of course, you'll take care of your brother, and let himhave half, or perhaps two-thirds, being a male, at the proper time, which will be, as soon as you come of age, and _can_ convey. Youunderstand Lucy is but nineteen, and _cannot_ convey these twoyears. "

"And Lucy admits this to be true?--You have proof of all this?"

"Proof! I'd take my own affidavit of it. You see it is reasonable, andwhat I had a right to expect. Everything tends to confirm it. Betweenourselves, I had quite $2000 of debt; and yet, you see, the good ladydid not leave me a dollar to pay even my honest creditors; acircumstance that so pious a woman, and one who made so edifying anend, would never think of doing, without ulterior views. ConsideringLucy as my trustee, explains the whole thing. "

"I thought Mrs. Bradfort made you an allowance, Rupert; some $600 ayear, besides keeping you in her own house?"

"A thousand-but, what is $1000 a year to a fashionable man, in a townlike this. First and last, the excellent old lady, gave me about$5000, all of which confirms the idea, that, at the bottom, sheintended me for her heir. What woman in her senses, would think ofgiving $5000 to a relative to whom she did not contemplate giving_more_? The thing is clear on its face, and I should certainlygo into chancery, with anybody but Lucy. "

"And Lucy?--what says she to your views on the subject ofMrs. Bradfort's intentions?"

"Why, you have some acquaintance with Lucy--used to be intimate withher, as one might say, when children, and know something of hercharacter--"This to me, who fairly worshipped the earth on which thedear girl trod!--"She never indulges in professions, and likes totake people by surprise, when she contemplates doing them a service--"this was just as far from Lucy's natural and honest mode of dealing, as it was possible to be--"and, so, she has been as mum as one whohas lost the faculty of speech. However, she never speaks of heraffairs to others; _that_ is a good sign, and indicates anintention to consider herself as my trustee; and, what is betterstill, and more plainly denotes what her conscience dictates in thepremises, she has empowered her father to pay all my debts; thecurrent income and loose cash, being at her disposal, at once. Itwould have been better had she given me the money, to satisfy thesecreditors with it, for I knew which had waited the longest, and werebest entitled to receive the dollars at once; but, it's something tohave all their receipts in my pocket, and to start fair again. ThankHeaven, that much is already done. To do Lucy justice, moreover, sheallows me $1500 a year, _ad interim_. Now, Miles, I've conversedwith you, as with an old friend, and because I knew my father wouldtell you the whole, when you get up to Clawbonny; but you will take itall in strict confidence. It gives a fashionable young fellow so sillyan air, to be thought dependent on a sister; and she three yearsyounger than himself! So I have hinted the actual state of the case, round among my friends; but, it is generally believed that I am inpossession already, and that Lucy is dependent on me, instead of mybeing dependent on her. The idea, moreover, is capital for keeping offfortune-hunters, as you will see at a glance. "

"And will the report satisfy a certain Mr. Andrew Drewett?" I asked, struggling to assume a composure I was far from feeling. "He was allattention when I sailed, and I almost expected to hear there was nolonger a Lucy Hardinge. "

"To tell you the truth, Miles, I thought so, too, until the death ofMrs. Bradfort. The mourning, however, most opportunely came to put astop to anything of the sort, were it even contemplated. It would beso awkward, you will understand, to have a brother-in-law beforeeverything is settled, and the trust is accounted for. _Aureste_--I am very well satisfied with Andrew, and let him know I amhis friend; he is well connected; fashionable; has a pretty littlefortune; and, as I sometimes tell Lucy, that he is intended for her, as Mrs. Bradfort, no doubt, foresaw, inasmuch as his estate, added tojust one-third of that of our dear departed cousin, would just make upthe present income. On my honour, now, I do not think the differencewould be $500 per annum. "

"And how does your sister receive your hints?"

"Oh! famously--just as all girls do, you know. She blushes, andsometimes she looks vexed; then she smiles, and puts up her lip, andsays 'Nonsense!' and 'What folly!' 'Rupert, I'm surprised at you!'and all that sort of stuff, which deceives nobody, you'll understand, not even her poor, simple, silly brother. But, Miles, I must quit younow, for I have an engagement to accompany a party to the theatre, andwas on my way to join them when we met. Cooper plays, and you knowwhat a lion _he_ is; one would not wish to lose a syllable of hisOthello. "

"Stop, Rupert--one word more before we part. From your conversation, Igather that the Mertons are still here?"

"The Mertons! Why, certainly; established in the land, and among itstip-top people. The Colonel finds his health benefited by the climate, and he has managed to get some appointment which keeps him amongus. He has Boston relatives, moreover, and I believe is fishing upsome claims to property in that quarter. The Mertons here, indeed!what would New York be without the Mertons!"

"And my old friend the Major is promoted, too--you called him Colonel, I think?"

"Did I? I believe he is oftener called _General_ Merton, thananything else. You must be mistaken about his being only a Major, Miles; everybody here calls him either Colonel, or General. "

"Never mind; I hope it is as you say. Good-bye, Rupert; I'll notbetray you, and--"

"Well-you were about to say--"

"Why, mention me to Lucy; you know we were acquainted whenchildren. Tell her I wish her all happiness in her new position, towhich I do not doubt she will do full credit; and that I shallendeavour to see her before I sail again. "

"You'll not be at the theatre this evening? Cooper is well worthseeing--a most famous fellow in Othello!"

"I think not. Do not forget to mention me to your sister; and so, oncemore, adieu!"

We parted--Rupert to go towards Broadway, at a great pace, and I tolounge along, uncertain whither to proceed. I had sent Neb to inquireif the Wallingford were down, and understood she would leave the basinat sunrise. It was now my intention to go up in her; for, though Iattached no great importance to any of Rupert's facts, his reportconcerning my sister's health rendered me exceedingly uneasy. Insensibly I continued my course down Maiden Lane, and soon foundmyself near the ship. I went on board, had an explanation with Marble, gave some orders to Neb, and went ashore again, all in the course ofthe next half-hour. By a sort of secret attraction, I was led towardsthe Park, and soon found myself at the door of the theatre. Mrs. Bradfort had now been dead long enough to put Lucy in second mourning, and I fancied I might get a view of her in the party that Rupert wasto accompany. Buying a ticket, I entered and made my way up into theShakspeare box. Had I been better acquainted with the place, with theobject in view I should have gone into the pit. 

Notwithstanding the lateness of the season, it was a very fullhouse. Cooper's, in that day, was a name that filled every mouth, andhe seldom failed to fill every theatre in which he appeared. With manyfirst-rate qualifications for his art, and a very respectableconception of his characters, he threw everything like competitionbehind him; though there were a few, as there ever will be among thesuperlatively intellectual, who affected to see excellencies inFennel, and others, to which this great actor could not aspire. Thepublic decided against these select few, and, as is invariably thecase when the appeal is made to human feelings, the public decidedright. Puffery will force into notice and sustain a false judgment, insuch matters, for a brief space; but nature soon asserts her sway, andit is by natural decisions that such points are ever the most justlydetermined. Whatever appeals to human sympathies, will be answered byhuman sympathies. Popularity too often gains its ascendency behind thehypocrite's mask in religion; it is usually a magnificentmystification in politics; it frequently becomes the patriot'sstalking-horse, on which he rides to power; in social life, it is thereward of empty smiles, unmeaning bows, and hollow squeezes of thehand; but with the player, the poet, and all whose pursuits bring themdirectly in contact with the passions, the imagination and the heart, it is the unerring test of merit, with certain qualificationsconnected with the mind and the higher finish of pure art. It may bequestioned if Cooper were not the greatest actor of his day, in acertain range of his own characters. 

I have said that the house was full. I got a good place, however;though it was not in the front row. Of course I could only see theside boxes beneath, and not even quite all of them. My eyes raneagerly over them, and I soon caught a glimpse of the fine, curlinghair of Rupert. He sat by the side of Emily Merton, the Major--I knewhe was a colonel or general, only by means of a regular Manhattanpromotion, which is so apt to make hundreds of counts, coppercaptains, and travelling prodigies of those who are very small folk athome--the Major sat next, and, at his side, I saw a lady, whom I atonce supposed to be Lucy. Every nerve in my system thrilled, as Icaught even this indistinct view of the dear creature. I could justsee the upper part of her face, as it was occasionally turned towardsthe Major; and once I caught that honest smile of hers, which I knewhad never intentionally deceived. 

The front seat of the box had two vacant places. The bench would holdsix, while it had yet only four. The audience, however, was stillassembling, and, presently, a stir in Lucy's box denoted the arrivalof company. The whole party moved, and Andrew Drewett handed anelderly lady in, his mother, as I afterwards ascertained, and took theother place himself. I watched the salutations that were exchanged, and understood that the new comers had been expected. The places hadbeen reserved for them, and old Mrs. Drewett was doubtless the_chaperone;_ though, one having a brother and the other a fatherwith her, the two young ladies had not hesitated about preceding theelderly lady. They had come from different quarters of the town, andhad agreed to meet at the theatre. Old Mrs. Drewett was veryparticular in shaking hands with Lucy, though I had not the misery ofseeing her son go through the same ceremony. Still he was sufficientlypointed in his salutations; and, during the movements, I perceived hemanaged to get next to Lucy, leaving the Major to entertain hismother. All this was natural, and what might have been expected; yet, it gave me a pang that I cannot describe. 

I sat, for half an hour, perfectly inattentive to the play, meditatingon the nature of my real position towards Lucy. I recalled the daysof childhood and early youth; the night of my first departure fromhome; my return, and the incidents accompanying my second departure;the affair of the locket, and all I had truly felt myself, and allthat I had supposed Lucy herself to feel, on those several occasions. Could it be possible I had so much deceived myself, and that theinterest the dear girl had certainly manifested in me had been nothingbut the fruits of her naturally warm and honest heart--her strongdisposition to frankness-habit, as Rupert had so gently hinted inreference to ourselves? Then I could not conceal from myself thebitter fact that I was, now, no equal match for Lucy, in the eyes ofthe world. While she was poor, and I comparatively rich, theinequality in social station might have been overlooked; it existed, certainly, but was not so very marked that it might not, even in thatday, be readily forgotten; but now, Lucy was an heiress, had much morethan double my own fortune--had a fortune indeed; while I was barelyin easy circumstances, as persons of the higher classes regardedwealth. The whole matter seemed reversed. It was clear that a sailorlike myself, with no peculiar advantages, those of a tolerableeducation excepted, and who was necessarily so much absent, had notthe same chances of preferring his suit, as one of your town idlers; anominal lawyer, for instance, who dropped in at his office for an houror two, just after breakfast, and promenaded Broadway the rest of thetime, until dinner; or a man of entire leisure, like Andrew Drewett, who belonged to the City Library set, and had no other connection withbusiness than to see that his rents were collected and his dividendspaid. The more I reflected, the more humble I became, he less mychances seemed and I determined to quit the theatre, at once. Thereader will remember that I was New York born and bred, a state ofsociety in which few natives acted on the principle that "there wasnothing too high to be aspired to, nothing too low to be done. " Iadmitted I had superiors, and was willing to defer to the facts andopinions of the world as I knew it. 

In the lobby of the building, I experienced a pang at the idea ofquitting the place without getting one look at the face of Lucy. I wasin an humble mood, it is true, but that did not necessarily infer atotal self-denial. I determined, therefore, to pass into the pit, withmy box-check, feast my eyes by one long gaze at the dear creature'singenuous countenance, and carry away the impression, as a lastingmemorial of her whom I so well loved, and whom I felt persuaded Ishould ever continue to love. After this indulgence, I wouldstudiously avoid her, in order to release my thoughts as much aspossible from the perfect thraldom in which they had existed, eversince I had heard of Mrs. Bradfort's death. Previously to that time, Iam afraid I had counted a little more than was becoming on the ease ofmy own circumstances, and Lucy's comparative poverty. Not that I hadever supposed her to be in the least mercenary--this I knew to beutterly, totally false--but because the good town of Manhattan, evenin 1803, was _tant soit peu_ addicted to dollars, and Lucy'scharms would not be likely to attract so many suitors, in the modestsetting of a poor country clergyman's means, as in the golden frame bywhich they had been surrounded by Mrs. Bradfort's testamentary devise, even supposing Rupert to come in for quite one half. 

I had no difficulty in finding a convenient place in the pit; one, from which I got a front and near view of the whole six, as they satranged side by side. Of the Major and old Mrs. Drewett it isunnecessary to say much. The latter looked as all dowager-like widowsof that day used to appear, respectable, staid, and richlyattired. The good lady had come on the stage during the revolution, and had a slightly military air--a _parade_ in her graces, thatwas not altogether unknown to the _èlèves_ of that school. I daresay she could use such words as "martinets, " "mowhairs, " "brigadiers, "and other terms familiar to her class. Alas! how completely all theselittle traces of the past are disappearing from our habits andmanners!

As for the Major, he appeared much better in health, and altogetheraltered in mien. I could readily detect the influence of the world onhim; He was evidently a so much greater man in New York than he hadbeen whew I found him in London, that it is not wonderful he felt thedifference. Between the acts, I remarked that all the principalpersons in the front rows were desirous of exchanging nods with the"British officer, " a proof that he was circulating freely in the bestset, and had reached a point, when "not to know him, argues yourselfunknown. " [*]

[Footnote *: The miserable moral dependence of this country on GreatBritain, forty years since, cannot well be brought home to the presentgeneration. It is still too great, but has not a tithe of its formerforce. The writer has himself known an Italian Prince, a man offamily and of high personal merit, pass unnoticed before a societythat was eager to make the acquaintance of most of the "agents" of theBirmingham button dealers; and this simply because one came from Italyand the other from England. The following anecdote, which is quite astrue as any other fact in this work, furnishes a good example of whatis meant. It is now a quarter of a century since the writer's firstbook appeared. Two or three months after the publication, he waswalking down Broadway with a friend, when a man of much distinction inthe New York circles was passing up, on the other side-walk. Thegentleman in question caught the writer's eye, bowed, and _crossedthe street_, to shake hands and inquire after the author'shealth. The difference in years made this attention marked. "You arein high favour, " observed the friend, as the two walked away, to"have ---- pay you such a compliment--your book must have done this. ""Now mark my words--I have been puffed in some English magazine, and ---- knows it. " The two were on their way to the author's publishers, and, on entering the door, honest Charles Wiley put a puff on the bookin question into the writer's hand! What rendered the whole morestriking, was the fact that the paragraph was as flagrant a puff aswas ever written, and had probably been paid for, by the Englishpublisher. The gentleman in question was a man of talents and merit, but he had been born half a century too soon, to enjoy entire mentalindependence in a country that had so recently been a colony. ]

Emily certainly looked well and happy. I could see that she wasdelighted with Rupert's flattery, and I confess I cared very littlefor his change of sentiment, or his success. That both Major andEmily Merton were different persons in the midst of the world and inthe solitudes of the Pacific, was as evident as it was that I was adifferent personage in command of the Crisis, and in the pit of thePark theatre. I dare say, at that moment. Miss Merton had nearlyforgotten that such a man as Miles Wallingford existed, though I thinkshe sometimes recalled the string of magnificent pearls that were toornament the neck of his wife, should he ever find any one to havehim. 

But, Lucy, dear, upright, warm-hearted, truth-telling, beloved Lucy!all this time, I forget to speak of her. There she sat in maidenloveliness, her beauty still more developed, her eye as beaming, lustrous, feeling, as ever, her blush as sensitive, her smile assweet, and her movements as natural and graceful. The simplicity ofher half-mourning, too, added to her beauty, which was of a characterto require no further aid from dress, than such as was dependentpurely on taste. As I gazed at her, enthralled, I fancied nothing waswanting to complete the appearance, but my own necklace. Powerful, robust man as I was, with my frame hardened by exposure and trials, Icould have sat down and wept, after gazing some time at the preciouscreature, under the feeling produced by the conviction that I wasnever to renew my intercourse with her, on terms of intimacy atleast. The thought that from day to day we were to become more andmore strangers, was almost too much to be borne. As it was, scaldingtears forced themselves to my eyes, though I succeeded in concealingthe weakness from those around me. At length the tragedy terminated, the curtain dropped, and the audience began to move about. The pitwhich had, just before, been crowded, was now nearly empty, and I wasafraid of being seen. Still, I could not tear myself away, butremained after nine-tenths of those around me had gone into thelobbies. 

It was easy, now, to see the change which had come over Lucy'sposition, in the attentions she received. All the ladies in theprincipal boxes had nods and smiles for her and half thefashionable-looking young men in the house crowded round her box, oractually entered it to pay their compliments. I fancied Andrew Drewetthad a self-satisfied air that seemed to say, "you are paying yourhomage indirectly to myself, in paying it to this young lady. " As forLucy, my jealous watchfulness could not detect the smallest alterationin her deportment, so far as simplicity and nature were concerned. Sheappeared in a trifling degree more womanly, perhaps, than when I sawher last, being now in her twentieth year; but the attentions shereceived made no visible change in her manners. I had become lost inthe scene, and was standing in a musing attitude, my side face towardsthe box, when I heard a suppressed exclamation, in Lucy's voice. I wastoo near her to be mistaken, and it caused the blood to rush to myheart in a torrent. Turning, I saw the dear girl, with her handextended over the front of the box, her face suffused with blushes, and her eyes riveted on myself. I was recognised, and the surprise hadproduced a display of all that old friendship, certainly, that hadonce existed between us, in the simplicity and truth of childhood. 

"Miles Wallingford!" she said, as I advanced to shake the offeredhand, and as soon as I was near enough to permit her to speak withoutattracting too much attention--"_you_ arrived, and _we_ knewnothing of it!"

It was plain Rupert had said nothing of having seen me, or of ourinterview in the street. He seemed a little ashamed, and leanedforward to say--

"I declare I forgot to mention, Lucy, that I met Captain Wallingfordas I was going to join the Colonel and Miss Merton. Oh! we have had along talk together, and it will save you a history of past events. "

"I may, nevertheless, say, " I rejoined, "how happy I am to see MissHardinge looking so well, and to be able to pay my compliments to myold passengers. "

Of course I shook hands with the Major and Emily, bowed to Drewett, was named to his mother, and was invited to enter the box, as it wasnot quite in rule to be conversing between the pit and the frontrows. I forgot my prudent resolutions, and was behind Lucy in threeminutes. Andrew Drewett had the civility to offer me his place, thoughit was with an air that said plain enough "what do _I_ care for_him_--he is a ship-master, and I am a man of fashion andfortune, and can resume my seat at any moment, while the poor fellowcan only catch his chances, as he occasionally _comes intoport_. " At least, I fancied his manner said something like this. 

"Thank you, Mr. Drewett, " said Lucy, in her sweetestmanner. "Mr. Wallingford and I are very, _very_ old friends, --youknow he is Grace's brother, and you have been at Clawbonny"--Drewettbowed, civilly enough--"and I have a thousand things to say tohim. So, Miles, take this seat, and let me hear all about yourvoyage. "

As half the audience went away as soon as the tragedy ended, thesecond seat of the box was vacated, and the other gentlemen getting onit, to stretch their limbs, I had abundance of room to sit at Lucy'sside, half facing her, at the same time. As she insisted on hearing mystory, before we proceeded to anything else, I was obliged to gratifyher. 

"By the way, Major Merton, " I cried, as the tale was closed, "an oldfriend of yours, Moses Marble by name, has come to life again, and isat this moment in New York. "

I then related the manner in which I had fallen in with my oldmate. This was a most unfortunate self-interruption for me, giving theMajor a fair opportunity for cutting into the conversation. Theorchestra, moreover, giving notice that the curtain would soon risefor the after-piece, the old gentleman soon got me into the lobby tohear the particulars. I was supremely vexed, and I thought Lucyappeared sorry; but there was no help for it, and then we could notconverse while the piece was going on. 

"I suppose you care little for this silly farce, " observed the Major, looking in at one of the windows, after I had gone over Marble'saffair in detail. "If not, we will continue our walk, and wait for theladies to come out. Drewett and Hardinge will take good care of them. "

I assented, and we continued to walk the lobby till the end of theact. Major Merton was always gentleman-like; and he even behaved tome, as if he remembered the many obligations he was under. He nowcommunicated several little facts connected with his owncircumstances, alluding to the probability of his remaining in Americaa few years. Our chat continued some time, my looks frequentlyturning towards the door of the box, when my companion suddenlyobserved--

"Your old acquaintances the Hardinges have had a lucky wind-fall--one, I fancy, they hardly expected, a few years Since. "

"Probably not; though the estate has fallen into excellent hands, " Ianswered. "I am surprised, however, that Mrs. Bradfort did not leavethe property to the old gentleman, as it once belonged to their commongrandfather, and he properly stood next in succession. "

"I fancy she thought the good parson would not know what to do withit. Now, Rupert Hardinge is clever, and spirited, and in a way to makea figure in the world; and it is probably in better hands, than if ithad been left first to the old gentleman. "

"The old gentleman has been a faithful steward to me, and I doubt notwould have proved equally so to his own children. But, does Rupert get_all_ Mrs. Bradfort's property?"

"I believe not; there is some sort of a trust, I have heard him say;and I rather fancy that his sister has some direct or reversionaryinterest. Perhaps she is named as the heir, if he die withoutissue. There _was_ a silly story, that Mrs. Bradfort had lefteverything to Lucy; but I have, it from the best authority, that_that_ is not true--" The idea of Rupert Hardinge's being the"best authority" for any thing; a fellow who never knew whatunadulterated truth was, from the time he was in petticoats, or couldtalk!--"As I _know_ there is a trust, though one of no greatmoment; I presume Lucy has some contingent interest, subject, mostprobably, to her marrying with her brother's approbation, or some suchprovision. The old lady was sagacious, and no doubt did all that wasnecessary. "

It is wonderful how people daily deceive themselves on the subject ofproperty; those who care the most about it, appearing to make thegreatest blunders. In the way of bequests, in particular, the liesthat are told are marvellous. It is now many years since I learned totake no heed of rumours on such subjects, and least of all, rumoursthat come from the class of the money-gripers. Such people refereverything to dollars, and seldom converse a minute without using theword. Here, however, was Major Merton evidently Rupert's dupe; thoughwith what probable consequences, it was not in my power to foresee. Itwas clearly not my business to undeceive him; and the conversation, getting to be embarrassing, I was not sorry to hear the movement whichannounced the end of the act. At the box door, to my great regret, wemet Mrs. Drewett retiring, the ladies finding the farce dull, and notworth the time lost in listening to it. Rupert gave me an uneasyglance, and he even dragged me aside to whisper--"Miles, what I toldyou this evening, is strictly a family secret, and was entrusted to afriend. "

"I have nothing to do with your private concerns, Rupert--" Ianswered, --"only, let me expect you to act honourably, especially whenwomen are concerned. "

"Everything will come right, depend on it; the truth will seteverything right, and all will come out, just as I predicted. "

I saw Lucy looking anxiously around, while Drewett had gone to orderthe carriages to advance, and I hoped it might be for me. In a momentI was by her side; at the next, Mr. Andrew Drewett offered his arm, saying, her carriage "stopped the way. " We moved into the outer lobby, in a body, and then it was found that Mrs. Drewett's carriage was upfirst, while Lucy's was in the rear. Yes, Lucy's carriage!--the deargirl having come into immediate possession of her relative's houses, furniture, horses, carriages, and everything else, without reserve, just as they had been left behind by the last incumbent, when shedeparted from the scene of life, to lie down in the grave. Mrs. Bradfort's arms were still on the chariot, I observed, its ownerrefusing all Rupert's solicitations to supplant them by those ofHardinge. The latter took his revenge, however, by telling everybodyhow generous he was in keeping a carriage for his sister. 

The Major handed Mrs. Drewett in, and her son was compelled to saygood night, to see his mother home. This gave me one blessed minutewith Lucy, by herself. She spoke of Grace; said they had now beenseparated months, longer than they ever had been before in theirlives, and that all her own persuasions could not induce my sister torejoin her in town, while her own wish to visit Clawbonny had beenconstantly disappointed, Rupert insisting that her presence wasnecessary, for so many arrangements about business. 

"Grace is not as humble as I was, in old times, Miles, " said the deargirl, looking me in the face, half sadly, half reproachfully, thelight of the lamp falling full on her tearful, tender eyes, "and Ihope you are not about to imitate her bad example. She wishes us toknow she has Clawbonny for a home, but I never hesitated to admit howpoor we were, while you alone were rich. "

"God bless you, Lucy!" I whispered, squeezing her hand withfervour--"It cannot be _that_--have you heard anything of Grace'shealth?"

"Oh! she is well, I know--Rupert tells me _that_, and her lettersare cheerful and kind as ever, without a word of complaint. But I_must_ see her soon. Grace Wallingford and Lucy Hardinge were notborn to live asunder. Here is the carriage; I shall see you in themorning, Miles--at breakfast, say--eight o'clock, precisely. "

"It will be impossible--I sail for Clawbonny with the first of theflood, and that will make at four. I shall sleep in the sloop. "

Major Merton put Lucy into the carriage; the good-nights were passed, and I was left standing on the lowest step of the building gazingafter the carriage, Rupert walking swiftly away. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

 "Hear me a little; For I have only been silent so long, And given way unto this course of fortune, By noting of the lady: I have mark'd A thousand blushing apparitions start Into her face; a thousand innocent shames In angel whiteness bear away those blushes--" SHAKESPEARE

I reached the Wallingford before eleven, where I found Neb inattendance with my trunks and other effects. Being now on board my owncraft, I gave orders to profit by a favourable turn in the wind, andto get under-way at once, instead of waiting for the flood. When Ileft the deck, the sloop was above the State Prison, a point towardswhich the town itself had made considerable progress since the time Ifirst introduced it to the reader. Notwithstanding this early start, we did not enter the creek until about eight in the morning of thesecond day. 

No sooner was the vessel near enough, than my foot was on the wharf, and I began to ascend the hill. From the summit of the latter I saw mylate guardian hurrying along the road, it afterwards appearing that astray paper from town had announced the arrival of the Dawn, and thatI was expected to come up in the sloop. I was received with extendedhands, was kissed just as if I had still been a boy, and heard theguileless old man murmuring his blessings on me, and a prayer ofthankfulness. Nothing ever changed good Mr. Hardinge, who, now that hecould command the whole income of his daughter, was just as wellsatisfied to live on the three or four hundreds he got from his glebeand his parish, as he ever had been in his life. 

"Welcome back, my dear boy, welcome back!" added Mr. Hardinge, hisvoice and manner still retaining their fervour. "I said you_must_--you _would_ be on board, as soon as they reportedthe sloop in sight, for I judged your heart by my own. Ah! Miles, willthe time ever come when Clawbonny will be good enough for you? Youhave already as much money as you can want, and more will scarcecontribute to your happiness. "

"Speaking of money, my dear sir, " I answered, "while I have to regretthe loss of your respectable kinswoman, I may be permitted tocongratulate you on the accession to an old family property--Iunderstand you inherit, in your family, all of Mrs. Bradfort'sestate-one valuable in amount, and highly acceptable, no doubt, ashaving belonged to your ancestors. "

"No doubt--no doubt--it is just as you say; and I hope theseunexpected riches will leave us all as devout servants of God, as Ihumbly trust they found us. The property, however, is not mine, butLucy's; I need not have any reserve with you, though Rupert has hintedit might be prudent not to let the precise state of the case be known, since it might bring a swarm of interested fortune-hunters about thedear girl, and has proposed that we rather favour the notion theestate is to be divided among us. This I cannot do directly, you willperceive, as it would be deception; but one may be silent. With you, however, it is a different matter, and so I tell you the truth atonce. I am made executor, and act, of course; and this makes me themore glad to see you, for I find so much business with pounds, shillings and pence draws my mind off from the duties of my holyoffice, and that I am in danger of becoming selfish and mercenary. Aselfish priest, Miles, is as odious a thing as a mercenary woman!"

"Little danger of your ever becoming anything so worldly, my dearsir. But Grace-you have not mentioned my beloved sister?"

I saw Mr. Hardinge's countenance suddenly change. The expression ofjoy instantly deserted it, and it wore an air of uncertainty andsadness. A less observant man than the good divine, in all theordinary concerns of life, did not exist; but it was apparent that henow saw something to trouble him. 

"Yes, Grace, " he answered, doubtingly; "the dear girl is here, and allalone, and not as blithe and amusing as formerly. I am glad of yourreturn on her account, too, Miles. She is not well, I fear; I wouldhave sent for a physician last week, or the moment I saw her; but sheinsists on it, there is no need of one. She is frightfully beautiful, Miles! You know how it is with Grace--her countenance always seemedmore fitted for heaven than earth; and now it always reminds me of aseraph's that was grieving over the sins of men!"

"I fear, sir, that Rupert's account, then, is true, and that Grace isseriously ill?"

"I hope not, boy--I fervently pray not! She is not asusual--_that_ is true; but her mind, her thoughts, all herinclinations, and, if I may so express it, her energies, seem turnedto heaven. There has been an awakening in the spirit of Grace, that istruly wonderful. She reads devout books, meditates, and, I make nodoubt, prays, from morn till night. This is the secret of herwithdrawal from the world, and her refusing of all Lucy'sinvitations. You know how the girls love each other--but Gracedeclines going to Lucy, though she knows that Lucy cannot come toher. "

I now understood it all. A weight like that of a mountain fell upon myheart, and I walked on some distance without speaking. To me, thewords of my excellent guardian sounded like the knell of a sister Ialmost worshipped. 

"And Grace--does she expect me, now?" I at length ventured to say, though the words were uttered in tones so tremulous, that even theusually unobservant divine perceived the change. 

"She does, and delighted she was to hear it. The only thing of aworldly nature that I have heard her express of late, was someanxious, sisterly wish for your speedy return. Grace loves you, Miles, next to her God!"

Oh! how I wished this were true, but, alas! alas! I knew it was farotherwise!

"I see you are disturbed, my dear boy, on account of what I havesaid, " resumed Mr. Hardinge; "probably from serious apprehensionsabout your sister's health. She is not well, I allow; but it is theeffect of mental ailments. The precious creature has had too vividviews of her own sinful nature, and has suffered deeply, I fear. Itrust, my conversation and prayers have not been without their effect, through the divine aid, and that she is now more cheerful--nay, shehas assured me within half an hour, if it turned out that you were inthe sloop, she should be happy!"

For my life, I could not have conversed longer on the painfulsubject; I made no reply. As we had still a considerable distance towalk, I was glad to turn the conversation to other subjects, lest Ishould become unmanned, and sit down to weep in the middle of theroad. 

"Does Lucy intend to visit Clawbonny, this summer?" I asked, thoughit seemed strange to me to suppose that the farm was not actuallyLucy's home. I am afraid I felt a jealous dislike to the idea that thedear creature should have houses and lands of her own; or any that wasnot to be derived through me. 

"I hope so, " answered her father, "though her new duties do not leaveLucy as much her own mistress as I could wish. You saw her, and herbrother, Miles, I take it for granted?"

"I met Rupert in the street, sir, and had a short interview with theMertons and Lucy at the theatre. Young Mr. And old Mrs. Drewett wereof the party. "

The good divine turned short round to me, and looked as conscious andknowing as one of his singleness of mind and simplicity of habitscould look. Had a knife penetrated my flesh, I could not have wincedmore than I did; still, I affected a manner that was very foreign tomy feelings. 

"What do you think of this young Mr. Drewett, boy?" askedMr. Hardinge, with an air of confidential interest, and an earnestnessof manner, that, with him, was inseparable from all that concerned hisdaughter. "Do you approve?"

"I believe I understand you, sir;--you mean me to infer thatMr. Drewett is a suitor for Miss Hardinge's hand. "

"It would be improper to say this much, even to you, Miles, did notDrewett take good care, himself, to let everybody know it. "

"Possibly with a view to keep off other pretenders"--I rejoined, witha bitterness I could not control. 

Now, Mr. Hardinge was one of the last men in the world to suspectevil. He looked surprised, therefore, at my remark, and I was probablynot much out of the way, in fancying that he looked displeased. 

"That is not right, my dear boy, " he said, gravely. 

"We should try to think the best and not the worst, of ourfellow-creatures. "--Excellent old man, how faithfully didst thoupractise on thy precept!--"It is a wise rule, and a safe one; moreparticularly in connection with our own weaknesses. Then, it is butnatural that Drewett should wish to secure Lucy; and if he adopt nomeans less manly than the frank avowal of his own attachment, surelythere is no ground of complaint. "

I was rebuked; and what is more, I felt that the rebuke wasmerited. As some atonement for my error, I hastened to add--

"Very truly, sir; I admit the unfairness of my remark, and can onlyatone for it by adding it is quite apparent Mr. Drewett is notinfluenced by interested motives, since he certainly was attentive toMiss Hardinge previously to Mrs. Bradfort's death, and when he couldnot possibly have anticipated the nature of her will. "

"Quite true, Miles, and very properly and justly remarked. Now, toyou, who have known Lucy from childhood, and who regard her much asRupert does, it may not seem so very natural that a young man can loveher warmly and strongly, for herself, alone--such is apt to be theeffect of brotherly feeling; but I can assure you, Lucy is really acharming, as we all know she is a most excellent, girl!"

"To whom are you speaking thus, sir! I can assure you, nothing iseasier than for me to conceive how possible it is for any man to loveyour daughter. As respects Grace, I confess there, is adifference--for I affirm she has always seemed to me too saintly, toomuch allied to Heaven already, to be subject herself, to the passionsof earth. "

"That is what I have just been telling you, and we must endeavour toovercome and humanize--if I may so express it--Grace's propensity. There is nothing more dangerous to a healthful frame of mind, in areligious point of view, Miles, than excitement--it is disease, andnot faith, nor charity, nor hope, nor humility, nor anything that iscommanded; but our native weaknesses taking a wrong direction, under aphysical impulse, rather than the fruits of repentance, and thesuccour afforded by the spirit of God. We nowhere read of anyexcitement, and howlings and waitings among the apostles. "

How could I enlighten the good old man on the subject of my sister'smalady? That Grace, with her well-tempered mind, was the victim ofreligious exaggeration, I did not for a moment believe; but that shehad had her heart blighted, her affections withered, her hopesdeceived, by Rupert's levity and interestedness, his worldly-mindednessand vanity, I could foresee, and was prepared to learn; though thesewere facts not to be communicated to the father of the offender. Imade no answer, but managed to turn the conversation towards the farm, and those interests about which I could affect an interest that I wasvery far from feeling, just at that moment. This induced the divine toinquire into the result of my late voyage, and enabled me to collectsufficient fortitude to meet Grace, with the semblance of firmness, atleast. 

Mr. Hardinge made a preconcerted signal, as soon as he came in view ofthe house, that apprised its inmates of my arrival; and we knew, whilestill half a mile from the buildings, that the news had produced agreat commotion. All the blacks met us on the little lawn--for thegirls, since reaching womanhood, had made this change in the olddoor-yard--and I had to go through the process of shaking hands withevery one of them. This was done amid hearty bursts of laughter, themode in which the negroes of that day almost always betrayed theirjoy, and many a "welcome home, Masser Mile!" and "where a Neb got to, dis time, Masser Mile?" was asked by more than one; and great was thesatisfaction, when I told his generation and race that the faithfulfellow would be up with the cart that was to convey my luggage. But, Grace awaited me. I broke through the throng, and entered thehouse. In the door I was met by Chloe, a girl about my own sister'sage, and a sort of cousin of Neb's by the half-blood, who had beenpreferred of late years to functions somewhat resembling those of alady's maid. I say of the half-blood; for, to own the truth, few ofthe New York blacks, in that day, could have taken from their brothersand sisters, under the old _dictum_ of the common law, whichdeclared that none but heirs of the whole blood should inherit. Chloemet me in the door-way, and greeted me with one of her sweetestsmiles, as she curtsied, and really looked as pleased as all my slavesdid, at seeing their _young_ master again. How they touched myheart, at times, by their manner of talking about "_ole_ Masser, and _ole_ Missus, " always subjects of regret among negroes whohad been well treated by them. Metaphysicians may reason as subtly asthey can about the races and colours, and on the aptitude of the blackto acquire, but no one can ever persuade me out of the belief of theirextraordinary aptitude to love. As between themselves and theirmasters, their own children and those of the race to which they weresubject, I have often seen instances which have partaken of theattachment of the dog to the human family; and cases in which thechildren of their masters have been preferred to those of their ownflesh and blood, were of constant occurrence. 

"I hope you been werry well, sah, Masser Mile, " said Chloe, who hadsome extra refinement, as the growth of her position. 

"Perfectly, my good girl, and I am glad to see you looking sowell--you really are growing handsome, Chloe. "

"Oh! Masser Mile---you so droll!--now you stay home, sah, long time?"

"I am afraid not, Chloe, but one never knows. Where shall I find mysister?"

"Miss Grace tell me come here, Masser Mile, and say she wish to seeyou in de family-room. She wait dere, now, some time. "

"Thank you, Chloe; and do you see that no one interrupts us. I havenot seen my sister for near a year. "

"Sartain, sah; all as you say. " Then the girl, whose face shone like ablack bottle that had just been dipped in water, showed her brilliantteeth, from ear to ear, laughed outright, looked foolish, after whichshe looked earnest, when the secret burst out of her heart, in themelodious voice of a young negress, that did not know whether to laughor to cry--"Where Neb, Masser Mile? what he do now; de _fel_-ler!"

"He will kiss you in ten minutes, Chloe; so put the best face on thematter you are able. "

"_Dat_ he wont--de sauce-box---Miss Grace teach me better dan_dat_. "

I waited to hear no more, but proceeded towards the triangular littleroom, with steps so hurried and yet so nervous, that I do notremember, ever before to have laid my hand on a lock in a manner sotremulous--I found myself obliged to pause, ere I could musterresolution to open the door, a hope coming over me that the impatienceof Grace would save me the trouble, and that I should find her in myarms before I should be called on to exercise any more fortitude. Allwas still as death, however, within the room, and I opened the door, as if I expected to find one of the bodies I had formerly seen in itscoffin, in this last abiding place above ground, of one dead. Mysister was on the _causeuse_, literally unable to rise fromdebility and agitation. I shall not attempt to describe the shock herappearance gave me. I was prepared for a change, but not one thatplaced her, as my heart instantly announced, so near the grave!

Grace extended both arms, and I threw myself at her side, drew herwithin my embrace, and folded her to my heart, with the tendernesswith which one would have embraced an infant. In this situation weboth wept violently, and I am not ashamed to say that I sobbed like achild. I dare say five minutes passed in this way, without either ofus speaking a word. 

"A merciful and all gracious God be praised! You are restored to me intime, Miles!" murmured my sister, at length. "I was afraid it might betoo late. "

"Grace!--Grace!--What means this, love?--my precious, my only, my mostdearly beloved sister, why do I find you thus?"

"Is it necessary to speak, Miles?--cannot you see?--_do_ you notsee, and understand it all?"

The fervent pressure I gave my sister, announced how plainly Icomprehended the whole history. That Grace could ever love, andforget, I did not believe; but, that her tenderness for Rupert--onewhom I knew for so frivolous and selfish a being, should reduce her tothis terrible state, I had not indeed foreseen as a thingpossible. Little did I then understand how confidingly a woman loves, and how apt she is to endow the being of her choice with all thequalities se could wish him to possess. In the anguish of my soul Imuttered, loud enough to be heard, "the heartless villain!"

Grace instantly rose from my arms. At that moment, she looked morelike a creature of heaven, than one that was still connected with thiswicked world. Her beauty could scarcely be called impaired, though Idreaded that she would be snatched away from me in the course of theinterview; so frail and weak did it appear was her hold of life. Insome respects I never saw her more lovely than she seemed on this veryoccasion. This was when the hectic of disease imparted to the sweetestand most saint-like eyes that were ever set in the human countenance, a species of holy illumination. Her countenance, now, was pale andcolourless; however, and her look sorrowful and filled with reproach. 

"Brother, " she said, solemnly, "this _must_ not be. It is notwhat God commands--it is not what I expected from you--what I have aright to expect from one whom I am assured loves me, though none otherof earth can be said to do so. "

"It is not easy, my sister, for a man to forget or forgive the wretchwho has so long misled you--misled us all, and then turned to another, under the impulse of mere vanity. "

"Miles, my kind and manly brother, listen to me, " Grace rejoined, fervently pressing one of my hands in both of hers, and scarcely ableto command herself, through alarm. "All thoughts of anger, ofresentment, of pride even, must be forgotten. You owe it to my sex, to the dreadful imputations that might otherwise rest on my name--hadI anything to reproach myself with as a woman. I could submit to_any_ punishment; but surely, surely, it is not a sin sounpardonable to be unable to command the affections, that I deserve tohave my name, after I shall be dead, mixed up with rumours connectedwith such a quarrel. You have lived as brothers, too--then there isgood, excellent, truthful, pious Mr. Hardinge; who is yet _my_guardian, you know; and Lucy, dear, true-hearted, faithful Lucy--"

"Why is not dear, true-hearted, faithful Lucy, here, watching overyou, Grace, at this very moment?" I demanded, huskily. 

"She knows nothing of my situation--it is a secret, as well as itscause, from all but God, myself, and you. Ah! I knew it would beimpossible to deceive your love, Miles! which has ever been to me, all that a sister could desire. "

"And Lucy! how has _her_ affection been deceived?--Has she too, eyes only for those she has recently learned to admire?"

"You do her injustice, brother. Lucy has not seen me, since the greatchange that I can myself see has come over me. Another time, I willtell you all. At present I can only say, that as soon as I had certainexplanations with Rupert, I left town, and have studiously concealedfrom dear Lucy the state of my declining health. I write to herweekly, and get answers; everything passing between us as cheerfully, and apparently, as happily as ever. No, do not blame Lucy; who, I amcertain, would quit everything and everybody to come to me, had shethe smallest notion of the truth. On the contrary, I believe shethinks I would rather not have her at Clawbonny, just at this moment, much as she knows I love her; for, one of Lucy's observation andopportunities cannot but suspect the truth. Let me lie on your breast, brother; it wearies me to talk so much. "

I sat holding this beloved sister in my arms, fully an hour, neitherof us speaking. I was afraid of injuring her, by further excitement, and she was glad to take refuge in silence, from the feelings ofmaiden shame that could not be otherwise than mingled with such adialogue. As my cheek leaned on her silken hair, I could see largetears rolling down the pallid cheeks; but the occasional pressure ofthe hands, told me how much she was gladdened by my presence. Aftersome ten or fifteen minutes, the exhausted girl dropped into feverishand disturbed slumbers, that I would have remained motionlessthroughout the night to maintain. I am persuaded it was quite an hourbefore this scene terminated. Grace then arose, and said, with one ofher most angelic smiles--

"You see how it is with me, Miles--feeble as an infant, and almost astroublesome. You must bear with me, for you will be my nurse. Onepromise I must have, dearest, before we leave this room. "

"It is yours, my sister, let it be what it may; I can now refuse younothing, " said I, melted to feminine tenderness. "And yet, Grace, since _you_ exact a promise, _I_ have a mind to attach acondition. "

"What condition, Miles, can you attach, that I will refuse? I consentto everything, without even knowing your wishes. "

"Then I promise not to call Rupert to an account for his conduct---notto question him--nay, even not to reproach him, " I rejoined, enlargingmy pledges, as I saw by Grace's eyes that she exacted still more. 

The last promise, however, appeared fully to satisfy her. She kissedmy hand, and I felt hot tears falling on it. 

"Now name your conditions, dearest brother, " she said, after a littletime taken to recover herself; "name them, and see how gladly I shallaccept them all. "

"I have but one--it is this. I must take the complete direction of thecare of you--must have power to send for what physician I please, whatfriends I please, what advice or regimen I please!"

"Oh! Miles, you _could_ not--_cannot_ think of sending for_him_!"

"Certainly not; his presence would drive me from the house. With thatone exception, then, my condition is allowed?"

Grace made a sign of assent, and sunk on my bosom again, nearlyexhausted with the scene through which she had just gone. I perceivedit would not do to dwell any longer on the subject we had beenalluding to, rather than discussing; and for another hour did I sitsustaining that beloved form, declining to speak, and commandingsilence on her part. At the end of this second little sleep, Grace wasmore refreshed than she had been after her first troubled repose, andshe declared herself able to walk to her room, where she wished to lieon her own bed until the hour of dinner. I summoned Chloe, and, together, we led the invalid to her chamber. As we threaded the longpassages, my sister's head rested on my bosom, her eyes were turnedaffectionately upward to my face, and several times I felt the gentlepressure of her emaciated hands, given in the fervour of devotedsisterly love. 

I needed an hour to compose myself, after this interview. In theprivacy of my own room, I wept like a child over the wreck of thebeing I had left so beautiful and perfect, though even then the cankerof doubt had begun to take root. I had yet her explanations to hear, and resolved to command myself so far as to receive them in a mannernot to increase the pain Grace must feel in making them. As soon assufficiently calm, I sat down to write letters. One was to Marble. Idesired him to let the second-mate see the ship discharged, and tocome up to me by the return of the sloop. I wished to see him inperson, as I did not think I could be able to go out in the vessel onher next voyage, and I intended him to sail in her as master. It wasnecessary we should consult together personally. I did not conceal thereason of this determination, though I said nothing of the cause of mysister's state. Marble had a list of physicians given him, and he wasto bring up with him the one he could obtain, commencing with thefirst named, and following in the order given. I had earned tenthousand dollars, nett, by the labours of the past year, and Idetermined every dollar of it should be devoted to obtaining the bestadvice the country then afforded. I had sent for such men as Hosack, Post, Bayley, M'Knight, Moore, &c. ; and even thought of endeavouringto procure Rush from Philadelphia, but was deterred from making theattempt by the distance, and the pressing nature of the emergency. In1803, Philadelphia was about three days' journey from Clawbonny, evenallowing for a favourable time on the river; with a moderatelyunfavourable, five or six; whereas the distance can now be passed, including the chances of meeting the departures and arrivals of thedifferent lines, in from twelve to fifteen hours. Such is one of theprodigious effects of an improved civilization; and in all thatrelates to motion, and which falls short of luxury, or great personalcomfort, this country takes a high place in the scale of nations. Thatit is as much in arrears in other great essentials, however, particularly in what relates to tavern comforts, no man who isfamiliar with the better civilization of Europe, can deny. It is asingular fact, that we have gone backward in this last particular, within the present century, and all owing to the increasinglygregarious habits of the population. But to return to my painfultheme, from which, even at this distance of time, I am only too readyto escape. 

I was on the point of writing to Lucy, but hesitated. I hardly knewwhether to summon her to Clawbonny or not. That she would come, andthat instantly, the moment she was apprised of Grace's condition, Idid not in the least doubt. I was not so mad as to do her characterinjustice, because I had my doubts about being loved as I had oncehoped to be. That Lucy was attached to me, in one sense, I did not inthe least doubt; this, her late reception of me sufficiently proved;and I could not question her continued affection for Grace, after allthe latter had just told me. Even did Lucy prefer Andrew Drewett, itwas no proof she was not just as kind-hearted, as ready to be ofservice, and as true in her friendship, as she ever had been. Still, she was Rupert's sister, must have penetration enough to understandthe cause of Grace's illness, and might not enter as fully into herwrongs as one could wish in a person that was to watch the sickpillow. I resolved to learn more that day, before this portion of myduty was discharged. 

Neb was summoned, and sent to the wharf, with an order to get theWallingford ready to sail for town at the first favourable moment. Thesloop was merely to be in ballast, and was to return to Clawbonny withno unnecessary delay. There was an eminent, but retired physician ofthe name of Bard, who had a country residence on the other bank of theHudson, and within a few hours' sail from Clawbonny. I knew hischaracter, though I was not acquainted with him, personally. Few of usof the right bank, indeed, belonged to the circles of the left, inthat day; the increasing wealth and population of the country hassince brought the western side into more notice. I wrote also toDr. Bard, inclosing a cheque for a suitable fee; made a strong appealto his feelings--which would have been quite sufficient with, such aman--and ordered Neb to go out in the Grace and Lucy, immediately, todeliver the missive. Just as this arrangement was completed, Chloecame to summon me to my sister's room. 

I found Grace still lying on her bed, but stronger, and materiallyrefreshed. For a moment, I began to think my fears had exaggerated thedanger, and that I was not to lose my sister. A few minutes of closeobservation, however convinced me, that the first impression was thetrue one. I am not skilled in the theories of the science, if there beany great science about it, and can hardly explain, even now, the truephysical condition of Grace. She had pent up her sufferings in her ownbosom, for six cruel months, in the solitude of a country-house, living most of the time entirely alone; and this, they tell me, iswhat few, even of the most robust frames, can do with impunity. Frailas she had ever seemed, her lungs were sound, and she spoke easily andwith almost all her original force, so that her wasting away was notthe consequence of anything pulmonary. I rather think the physicaleffects were to be traced to the unhealthy action of the fluids, whichwere deranged through the stomach and spleen. The insensibleperspiration was affected also, I believe; the pores of the skinfailing to do their duty. I dare say there is not a graduate of thethousand and one medical colleges of the country, who is not preparedto laugh at this theory, while unable quite likely to produce abetter, --so much easier is it to pull down than to build up; but myobject is merely to give the reader a general idea of my poor sister'ssituation. In outward appearance, her countenance denoted thatexpression which the French so well describe, by their customary termof "_fatigué_, " rather than any other positive indication ofdisease--Grace's frame was so delicate by nature, that a littlefalling away was not as perceptible in her, as it would have been inmost persons; though her beautiful little hands wanted that fulnesswhich had rendered their taper fingers and roseate tint formerly sovery faultless. There must have been a good deal of fever, as hercolour was often higher than was formerly usual. It was thiscircumstance that continued to render her beauty even unearthly, without its being accompanied by the emaciation so common in thelatter stages of pulmonary disease, though its tendency was stronglyto undermine her strength. 

Grace, without rising from her pillow, now asked me for an outline ofmy late voyage. She heard me, I make no doubt, with real interest, forall that concerned me, in a measure concerned her. Her smile wassweetness itself, as she listened to my successes; and the interestshe manifested in Marble, with whose previous history she was wellacquainted, was not less than I had felt myself, in hearing his ownaccount of his adventures. All this delighted me, as it went to provethat I had beguiled the sufferer from brooding over her own sorrows;and what might not be hoped for, could we lead her back to mingle inthe ordinary concerns of life, and surround her with the few friendsshe so tenderly loved, and whose absence, perhaps, had largelycontributed to reducing her to her present state? This thoughtrecalled Lucy to my mind, and the wish I had to ascertain how far itmight be agreeable to the latter, to be summoned to Clawbonny. Idetermined to lead the conversation to this subject. 

"You have told me, Grace, " I said, "that you send and receive lettersweekly, to and from Lucy?"

"Each time the Wallingford goes and comes; and that you know isweekly. I suppose the reason I got no letter to-day was owing to thefact that the sloop sailed before her time. The Lord High Admiral wason board; and, like wind and tide, _he_ waits for no man!"

"Bless you--bless you, dearest sister--this gaiety removes a mountainfrom my heart!"

Grace looked pleased at first; then, as she gazed wistfully into myface, I could see her own expression change to one of melancholyconcern. Large tears started from her eyes, and three or four followedeach other down her cheeks. All this said, plainer than words, that, though a fond brother might be momentarily deceived, she herselfforesaw the end. I bowed my head to the pillow, stifled the groansthat oppressed me, and kissed the tears from her cheeks. To put an endto these distressing scenes, I determined to be more business-like infuture, and suppress all feeling, as much as possible. 

"The Lord High Admiral, " I resumed, "is a species of Turk, on boardship, as honest Moses Marble will tell you, when you see him, Grace. But, now for Lucy and her letters--I dare say the last arefilled with tender secrets, touching such persons as Andrew Drewett, and others of her admirers, which render it improper to show any ofthem to me?"

Grace looked at me, with earnestness, as if to ascertain whether I wasreally as unconcerned as I affected to be. Then she seemed to muse, picking the cotton of the spotless counterpane on which she was lying, like one at a loss what to say or think. 

"I see how it is, " I resumed, forcing a smile; "the hint has beenindiscreet. A rough son of Neptune is not the proper confidant for thesecrets of Miss Lucy Hardinge. Perhaps you are right; fidelity toeach other being indispensable in your sex. "

"It is not that, Miles. I doubt if Lucy ever wrote me a line, that youmight not see--in proof of which, you shall have the package of herletters, with full permission to read every one of them. It will belike reading the correspondence of another _sister_!"

I fancied Grace laid an emphasis on the last word she used; and Istarted at its unwelcome sound--unwelcome, as applied to LucyHardinge, to a degree that I cannot express. I had observed that Lucynever used any of these terms, as connected with me, and it was one ofthe reasons why I had indulged in the folly of supposing that she wasconscious of a tenderer sentiment. But Lucy was so natural, so totallyfree from exaggeration, so just and true in all her feelings, that onecould not expect from her most of the acts of girlish weakness. As forGrace, she called Chloe, gave her the keys of her secretary, and toldher to bring me the package she described. 

"Go and look them over, Miles, " said my sister, as I received theletters; "there must be more than twenty of them, and you can readhalf before the dinner hour. I will meet you at table; and let meimplore you not to alarm good Mr. Hardinge. He does not believe meseriously ill; and it cannot benefit him or me, to cause him pain. "

I promised discretion, arid hastened to my own room, with the preciousbundle of Lucy's letters. Shall I own the truth? I kissed the papers, fervently, before they were loosened, and it seemed to me I possesseda treasure, in holding in my hand so many of the dear girl'sepistles. I commenced in the order of the date, and began to read witheagerness. It was impossible for Lucy Hardinge to write to one sheloved, and not exhibit the truth and nature of her feelings. Theseappeared in every paragraph in which it was proper to make anyallusions of the sort. But the letters had other charms. It wasapparent, throughout, that the writer was ignorant that she wrote toan invalid, though she could not but know that she wrote to arecluse. Her aim evidently was to amuse Grace, of whose mentalsufferings she could not well be ignorant. Lucy was a keen observer, and her epistles were filled with amusing comments on the follies thatwere daily committed in New York, as well as in Paris, or London. Iwas delighted with the delicate pungency of her satire, which, however, was totally removed from vulgar scandal. There was nothing inthese letters that might not have been uttered in a drawing-room, toany but the persons concerned; and yet they were filled with a humourthat rose often to wit, relieved by a tact and taste that a man nevercould have attained. Throughout, it was apparent to me, Lucy, inorder to amuse Grace, was giving a full scope to a natural talent--onethat far surpassed the same capacity in her brother, being as true ashis was meritricious and jesuitical--which she had hitherto concealedfrom us all, merely because she had not seen an occasion fit for itsuse. Allusions in the letters, themselves, proved that Grace hadcommented on this unexpected display of observant humour, and hadexpressed her surprise at its existence. It was then as novel to mysister as it was to myself. I was struck also with the fact, thatRupert's name did not appear once in all these letters. They embracedjust twenty-seven weeks, between the earliest and the latest date; andthere were nine-and-twenty letters, two having been sent by privateconveyances; her father's, most probably, he occasionally making thejourney by land; yet no one of them contained the slightest allusionto her brother, or to either of the Mertons. This was enough to let meknow how well Lucy understood the reason of Grace's withdrawal toClawbonny. 

"And how was it with Miles Wallingford's name?" some of my fairreaders may be ready to ask. I went carefully through the package inthe course of the evening, and I set aside two, as the only exceptionsin which my name did not appear. On examining these two with jealouscare, I found each had a postscript, one of which was to the followingeffect: "I see by the papers that Miles has sailed for Malta having atlast left those stubborn Turks. I am glad of this, as one would notwish to have the excellent fellow shut up in the Seven Towers, howeverhonourable it may have been. " The other postscript contained this:"Dear Miles has got to Leghorn, my father tells me, and may beexpected home this summer. How great happiness this will bring you, dearest Grace, I can well understand; and I need scarcely say that noone will rejoice more to see him again than his late guardian andmyself. "

That the papers were often looked over to catch reports of mymovements in Europe, by means of ships arriving from different partsof the world, was apparent enough; but I scarce knew what to make ofthe natural and simply affectionate manner in which my name wasintroduced. It might proceed from a wish to gratify Grace, and adesire to let the sister know all that she herself possessed touchingthe brother's movements. Then Andrew Drewett's name occurred veryfrequently, though it was generally in connection with that of hismother, who had evidently constituted herself a sort of regular_chaperone_ for Lucy, more especially during the time she waskept out of the gay world by her mourning. I read several of thesepassages with the most scrupulous attention, in order to detect thefeeling with which they had been written; but the most practised artcould not have more successfully concealed any secret of this sort, than Lucy's nature. This often proves to be the case; the just-mindedand true among men daily becoming the profoundest mysteries to avicious, cunning, deceptive and selfish world. An honest man, indeed, is ever a parodox to all but those who see things with his owneyes. This is the reason that improper motives are so often imputed tothe simplest and seemingly most honest deeds. 

The result was, to write, entreating Lucy to come to Clawbonny; firsttaking care to secure her father's assent, to aid my request. This wasdone in a way not to awaken any alarm, and yet with sufficientstrength to render it tolerably certain she would come. On deliberatereflection, and after seeing my sister at table, where she ate nothingbut a light vegetable diet, and passing the evening with her, Ithought I could not do less in justice to the invalid or her friend. Itook the course with great regret on several accounts; and, amongothers, from a reluctance to appear to draw Lucy away from the societyof my rival, into my own. Yet what right had I to call myself therival or competitor of a man who had openly professed an attachment, where I had never breathed a syllable myself that might not readily bemistaken for the language of that friendship, which time, and habit, and a respect for each other's qualities, so easily awaken among theyoung of different sexes? I had been educated almost as Lucy'sbrother; and why should she not feel towards me as one?

Neb went out in the boat as soon as he got his orders and theWallingford sailed again in ballast that very night. She did notremain at the wharf an hour after her wheat was out. I felt easierwhen these duties were discharged, and was better prepared to pass thenight in peace. Grace's manner and appearance, too, contributed tothis calm; for she seemed to revive, and to experience some degree ofearthly happiness, in having her brother near her. When Mr. Hardingeread prayers that night, she came to the chair where I stood, took myhand in hers, and knelt at my side. I was touched to tears by thisact of affection, which spoke as much of the tenderness of the saintedand departed spirit, lingering around those it had loved on earth, asof the affection of the world. I folded the dear girl to my bosom, asI left her at the door of her own room that night, and went to my ownpillow, with a heavy heart. Seamen pray little; less than they ought, amid the rude scenes of their hazardous lives. Still, I had not quiteforgotten the lessons of childhood, and sometimes practised onthem. That night I prayed fervently, beseeching God to spare mysister, if in his wisdom it were meet; and I humbly invoked hisblessings on the excellent divine, and on Lucy, by name. I am notashamed to own it, let who may deride the act. 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

 "Wherever sorrow is, relief would be; If you do sorrow at my grief in love, By giving love, your sorrow and my grief Were both extermin'd. " _As You Like It. _

I saw but little of Grace, during the early part of the succeedingday. She had uniformly breakfasted in her own room, of late, and, inthe short visit I paid her there, I found her composed, with anappearance of renewed strength that encouraged me greatly, as to thefuture. Mr. Hardinge insisted on rendering an account of hisstewardship, that morning, and I let the good divine have his own way;though, had he asked me for a receipt in full, I would cheerfully havegiven it to him, without examining a single item. There was asingular peculiarity about Mr. Hardinge. No one could live less forthe world generally; no one was less qualified to superintendextensive worldly interests, that required care, or thought; and noone would have been a more unsafe executor in matters that wereintricate or involved: still, in the mere business of accounts, he wasas methodical and exact, as the most faithful banker. Rigidly honest, and with a strict regard for the rights of others, living moreover ona mere pittance, for the greater part of his life, this conscientiousdivine never contracted a debt he could not pay. What rendered thiscaution more worthy of remark, was the fact that he had a spendthriftson; but, even Rupert could never lure him into any weakness of thissort. I question if his actual cash receipts, independently of theprofits of his little glebe, exceeded $300 in any one year; yet, heand his children were ever well-dressed, and I knew from observationthat his table was always sufficiently supplied. He got a few presentsoccasionally, from his parishioners, it is true; but they did notamount to any sum of moment. It was method, and a determination not toanticipate his income, that placed him so much above the world, whilehe had a family to support; whereas, now that Mrs. Bradfort's fortunewas in the possession of his children, he assured me he felt himselfquite rich, though he scrupulously refused to appropriate one dollarof the handsome income that passed through his hands as executor, tohis own uses. It was all Lucy's, who was entitled to receive thisincome even in her minority, and to her he paid every cent, quarterly;the sister providing for Rupert's ample wants. 

Of course, I found everything exact to a farthing; the necessarypapers were signed, the power of attorney was cancelled, and I enteredfully into the possession of my own. An unexpected rise in the valueof flour had raised my shore receipts that year to the handsome sum ofnine thousand dollars. This was not properly income, however, butprofits, principally obtained through the labour of the mill. Byputting all my loose cash together, I found I could command fully$30, 000, in addition to the price of the ship. This sum was making mea man quite at my ease, and, properly managed, it opened a way towealth. How gladly would I have given every cent of it, to see Graceas healthy and happy as she was when I left her at Mrs. Bradfort's, tosail in the Crisis!

After settling the figures, Mr. Hardinge and I mounted our horses, androde over the property to take a look at the state of the farm. Ourroad took us near the little rectory and the glebe; and, here, thesimple-minded divine broke out into ecstasies on the subject of thebeauties of his own residence, and the delight with which he shouldnow return to his ancient abode. He loved Clawbonny no less thanformerly, but he loved the rectory more. 

"I was born in that humble, snug, quiet old stone cottage, Miles, " hesaid, "and there I lived for years a happy husband and father, and Ihope I may say a faithful shepherd of my little flock. St. Michael's, Clawbonny, is not Trinity, New York, but it may prove, on a smallscale as to numbers, as fitting a nursery of saints. What humble anddevout Christians have I known to kneel at its little altar, Miles, among whom your mother, and your venerable old grandmother, were twoof the best. I hope the day is not distant when I shall meet thereanother Mrs. Miles Wallingford. Marry young, my boy; early marriagesprove happier than late, where there are the means of subsistence. "

"You would not have me marry, until I can find a woman whom I shalltruly love, dear sir?"

"Heaven forbid! I would rather see you a bachelor to my dying day. ButAmerica has enough females that a youth, like you, could, and indeedought to love. I could direct you to fifty, myself. "

"Well, sir, _your_ recommendations would have great weight withme. I wish you would begin. "

"That I will, that I will, if you wish it, my dear boy. Well, thereis a Miss Hervey, Miss Kate Hervey, in town; a girl of excellentqualities, and who would just suit you, could you agree. "

"I recollect the young lady; the greatest objection I should raise toher, is a want of personal attractions. Of all Mrs. Bradfort'sacquaintances, I think she was among the very plainest. "

"What is beauty, Miles? In marriage, very different recommendationsare to be looked for by the husband. "

"Yet, I have understood you practised on another theory;Mrs. Hardinge, even as I recollect her, was very handsome. "

"Yes, that is true, " answered the good divine, simply; "she was so;but beauty is not to be considered as an _objection_. If you donot relish the idea of Kate Hervey, what do you say to JaneHarwood--there is a pretty girl for you. "

"A pretty girl, sir, but not for me. But, in naming so many youngladies, why do you overlook your own daughter?"

I said this with a sort of desperate resolution, tempted by theopportunity, and the direction the discourse had taken. When it wasuttered, I repented of my temerity, and almost trembled to hear theanswer. 

"Lucy!" exclaimed Mr. Hardinge, turning suddenly to towards me, andlooking so intently and earnestly in my face, that I saw thepossibility of such a thing then struck him, for the first time. "Sureenough, why should you not marry Lucy? There is not a particle ofrelationship between you, after all, though I have so long consideredyou as brother and sister. I wish we had thought of this earlier, Miles; it would be a most capital connection--though I should insiston your quitting the sea. Lucy has too affectionate a heart, to bealways in distress for an absent husband. I wonder the possibility ofthis thing did not strike me, before it was too late; in a man so muchaccustomed to see what is going on around me, to overlook this!"

The words "too late, " sounded to me like the doom of fate; and had mysimple-minded companion but the tithe of the observation which he somuch vaunted, he must have seen my agitation. I had advanced so far, however, that I determined to learn the worst, whatever pain it mightcost me. 

"I suppose, sir the very circumstance that we were brought up togetherhas prevented us all from regarding the thing as possible. But, why'too late, ' my excellent guardian, if we who are the most interestedin the thing should happen to think otherwise?"

"Certainly not too late, if you include Lucy, herself, in yourconditions; but I am afraid, Miles, it is 'too late' for Lucy. "

"Am I to understand, then, that Miss Hardinge is engaged toMr. Drewett? Are her affections enlisted in his behalf?"

"You may be certain of one thing, boy, and that is, if Lucy beengaged, her affections are enlisted--so conscientious a young womanwould never marry without giving her heart with her hand. As for thefact, however, I know nothing, except by inference. I do suppose amutual attachment to exist between her and Andrew Drewett. "

"Of course with good reason, sir. Lucy is not a coquette, or a girl toencourage when she does not mean to accept. "

"That's all I know of the matter. Drewett continues to visit; is asattentive as a young man well can be, where a young woman is asscrupulous as is Lucy about the proper forms, and I infer theyunderstand each other. I have thought of speaking to Lucy on thesubject, but I do not wish to influence her judgment, in a case wherethere exists no objection. Drewett is every way a suitable match, andI wish things to take their own course. There is one littlecircumstance, however, that I can mention to you as a sort of son, Miles, and which I consider conclusive as to the girl'sinclinations--I have remarked that she refuses all expedients to gether to be alone with Drewett--refuses to make excursions in which shemust be driven in his curricle, or to go anywhere with him, even tothe next door. So particular is she, that she contrives never to bealone with him, even in his many visits to the house. "

"And do you consider that as a proof of attachment?--of her beingengaged? Does your own experience, sir, confirm such a notion?"

"What else can it be, if it be not a consciousness of a passion--of anattachment that she is afraid every one will see? You do notunderstand the sex, I perceive, Miles, or the finesse of their natureswould be more apparent to you. As for my experience, no conclusioncan be drawn from that, as I and my dear wife were thrown togethervery young, all alone, in her mother's country house; and the old ladybeing bed-ridden, there was no opportunity for the bashful maiden tobetray this consciousness. But, if I understand human nature, such isthe secret of Lucy's feelings towards Andrew Drewett. It is of nogreat moment to you, Miles, notwithstanding, as there are plenty moreyoung women to be had in the world. "

"True, sir; but there is only one Lucy Hardinge!" I rejoined with afervour and strength of utterance that betrayed more than I intended. 

My late guardian actually stopped his horse this time, to look at me, and I could perceive deep concern gathering around his usually sereneand placid brow. He began to penetrate my feelings, and I believe theycaused him real grief. 

"I never could have dreamed of this!" Mr. Hardinge at lengthexclaimed: "Do you really love Lucy, my dear Miles?"

"Better than I do my own life, sir--I almost worship the earth shetreads on--Love her with my whole heart, and have loved, I believe, ifthe truth were known, ever since I was sixteen--perhaps I had bettersay, twelve years old!"

The truth escaped me, as the torrent of the Mississippi breaks throughthe levee, and a passage once open for its exit, it cleared a way foritself, until the current of my feelings left no doubt of itsdirection. I believe I was a little ashamed of my own weakness, for Icaused my horse to walk forward, Mr. Hardinge accompanying themovement, for a considerable distance, in a profound, and, I doubtnot, a painful silence. 

"This has taken me altogether by surprise, Miles, " my late guardianresumed; "altogether by surprise. What would I not give could thishave been known a year or two since! My dear boy, I feel for you, fromthe bottom of my heart, for I can understand what it must be to love agirl like Lucy, without hope. Why did you not let this be knownsooner--or, why did you insist on going to sea, having so strong amotive for remaining at home?"

"I was too young, at that time, sir, to act on, or even to understandmy own feelings. On my return, in the Crisis, I found Lucy in a setsuperior to, that in which I was born and educated, and it would havebeen a poor proof of my attachment to wish to bring her down nearer tomy own level. "

"I understand you, Miles, and can appreciate the generosity of yourconduct; though I am afraid it would have been too late on your returnin the Crisis. That was only a twelvemonth since, and, then, I ratherthink, Andrew Drewett had offered. There is good sense in your feelingon the subject of marriages in unequal conditions in life, for theycertainly lead to many heart-burnings, and greatly lessen the chancesof happiness. One thing is certain; in all such cases, if the inferiorcannot rise to the height of the superior, the superior must sink tothe level of the inferior. Man and wife cannot continue to occupydifferent social positions; and, as for the nonsense that is utteredon such subjects, by visionaries, under the claim of its being commonsense, it is only fit for pretending theories, and can have nothing todo with the great rules of practice. You were right in principle, then, Miles, though you have greatly exaggerated the facts of your ownparticular case. "

"I have always known, sir, and have ever been ready to admit, that theHardinges have belonged to a different class of society, from thatfilled by the Wallingfords. "

"This is true, but in part only; and by no means true to a degree thatneed have drawn any impassable line between you and Lucy. You forgethow poor we then were, and bow substantial a benefit the care ofClawbonny might have been to my dear girl. Besides, you are ofreputable descent and position, if not precisely of the gentry; andthis is not a country, or an age, to carry notions of such a naturebeyond the strict bounds of reason. You and Lucy were educated on thesame level; and, after all, that is the great essential for themarriage connection. "

There was great good sense in what Mr. Hardinge said; and I began tosee that pride, and not humility, might have interfered with myhappiness. As I firmly believed it was now too late, however, I beganto wish the subject changed; for I felt it grating on some of my mostsacred feelings. With a view to divert the conversation to anotherchannel, therefore, I remarked with some emphasis, affecting anindifference I did not feel--

"What cannot be cured, must be endured, sir; and I shall endeavour tofind a sailor's happiness hereafter, in loving my ship. Besides, wereAndrew Drewett entirely out of the question, it is now 'too late, ' inanother sense, since it would never do for the man who, himself at hisease in the way of money, hesitated about offering when his mistresswas poor, to prove his love, by proposing to Mrs. Bradfort'sheiress. Still, I own to so much weakness as to wish to know, beforewe close the subject for ever, why Mr. Drewett and your daughter donot marry, if they are engaged? Perhaps it is owing only to Lucy'smourning?"

"I have myself imputed it to another cause. Rupert is entirelydependent on his sister, and I know Lucy so well as to feelcertain--some extraordinary cause not interposing--that she wishes tobestow half her cousin's fortune on her brother. This cannot be doneuntil she is of age, and she wants near two years of attaining hermajority. "

I made no answer; for I felt how likely this was to be true. Lucy wasnot a girl of professions, and she would be very apt to keep aresolution of this nature, a secret in her own breast, until ready tocarry it into execution. No more passed between Mr. Hardinge andmyself, on the subject of our recent conversation; though I could seemy avowal had made him sad, and that it induced him to treat me withmore affection, even, than had been his practice. Once or twice, inthe course of the next day or two, I overheard him soliloquizing--ahabit to which he was a good deal addicted--during which he wouldmurmur, "What a pity!"--"How much to be regretted!"'--"I would ratherhave him for a son than any man on earth!" and other similarexpressions. Of course, these involuntary disclosures did not weakenmy regard for my late guardian. 

About noon, the Grace & Lucy came in, and Neb reported that Dr. Bardwas not at home. He had left my letter, however, and it would bedelivered as soon as possible. He told me also that the wind had beenfavourable on the river, and that the Wallingford must reach town thatday. 

Nothing further occurred, worthy of notice. I passed the afternoonwith Grace, in the little room; and we conversed much of the past, ofour parents in particular, without adverting, however, to hersituation, any further than to apprise her of what I had done. Ithought she was not sorry to learn I had sent for Lucy, now that I waswith her, and it was no longer possible her illness could beconcealed. As for the physicians, when they were mentioned, I couldsee a look of tender concern in Grace's eyes, as if she regretted thatI still clung to the delusion of hoping to see her healthrestored. Notwithstanding these little drawbacks, we passed a sweeteventide together. For more than an hour, Grace lay on my bosom, occasionally patting her hand on my cheeks, as the child caresses itsmother. This was an old habit of hers, and it was one I was equallydelighted and pained to have her resume, now we were of the age andstature of man and woman. 

The next day was Sunday, and Grace insisted on my driving her tochurch. This was done, accordingly, in a very old-fashioned, but veryeasy Boston chaise, that had belonged to my mother, and with verycareful driving. The congregation, like the church-edifice ofSt. Michael's, was very small, being confined, with some twenty orthirty exceptions, to the family and dependants of Clawbonny. Mr. Hardinge's little flock was hedged in by other denominations onevery side, and it was not an easy matter to break through thebarriers that surrounded it. Then he was not possessed with the spiritof proselytism, contenting himself with aiding in the spiritualadvancement of those whom Providence had consigned to his care. On thepresent occasion, however, the little building was full, and that wasas much as could have happened had it been as large as St. Peter'sitself. The prayers were devoutly and fervently read, and the sermonwas plain and filled with piety. 

My sister professed herself in no manner wearied with the exertion. Wedined with Mr. Hardinge, at the Rectory, which was quite near thechurch; and the irreverent, business-like, make-weight sort of look, of going in to one service almost as soon as the other was ended, asif to score off so much preaching and praying as available at theleast trouble, being avoided, by having the evening service commencelate, she was enabled to remain until the close of the day. Mr. Hardinge rarely preached but once of a Sunday. He considered theworship of God, and the offices of the church, as the proper duties ofthe day, and regarded his own wisdom as a matter of secondaryimportance. But one sermon cost him as much labour, and study, andanxiety, as most clergymen's two. His preaching, also, had the highqualification of being addressed to the affections of his flock, andnot to its fears and interests. He constantly reminded us of God's_love_, and of the _beauty_ of holiness; while I do notremember to have heard him allude half a dozen times in his life tothe terrors of judgment and punishment, except as they were connectedwith that disappointed love. I suppose there are spirits that requirethese allusions, and the temptations of future happiness, to incitetheir feelings; but I like the preacher who is a Christian because hefeels himself _drawn_ to holiness, by a power that is of itselfholy; and not those who appeal to their people, as if heaven and hellwere a mere matter of preference and avoidance, on the ground ofexpediency. I cannot better characterize Mr. Hardinge's preaching, than by saying, that I do not remember ever to have left his churchwith a sense of fear towards the Creator; though I have often beenimpressed with a love that was as profound as the adoration that hadbeen awakened. 

Another calm and comparatively happy evening was passed, during whichI conversed freely with Grace of my own intentions, endeavouring torevive in her an interest in life, by renewing old impressions, andmaking her participate in my feelings. Had I been with her from thehour spring opened, with its renewal of vegetation, and all the joysit confers on the innocent and happy, I have often thought since, Imight have succeeded. As it was, she listened with attention, andapparently with pleasure, for she saw it served to relieve my mind. Wedid not separate until I insisted Grace should retire, and Chloe hadmade more than one remonstrance about her young mistress's exceedingthe usual time. On leaving my sister's chamber, the negress followedme with a light, lest I should fall, among the intricate turnings, andthe ups and downs of the old building. 

"Well, Chloe, " I said, as we proceeded together, "how do you find Neb?Does he improve by this running about on the ocean--especially do youthink he is tanned?"

"De _fel_-ler!"

"Yes, he is a fellow, sure enough, and let me tell you, Chloe, a verycapital fellow, too. If it can be of any advantage to him in yourfavour to know the truth, I will just say a more useful seaman doesnot sail the ocean than Neb, and that I consider him as of muchimportance as the main-mast?"

"What be _dat_, Masser Mile?"

"I see nothing, Chloe--there are no spooks at Clawbonny, you know. "

"No, sah! What b'e t'ing Neb like, _fel_-ler?"

"Oh! I ask your pardon--the main-mast, you mean. It is the mostimportant spar in the ship, and I meant that Neb was as useful as thatmast. In battle, too, Neb is as brave as a lion. "

Here Chloe could stand it no longer; she fairly laughed outright, inpure, natural admiration of her suitor's qualities. When this wasperformed, she ejaculated once more "De _feller_!"--dropped acurtsey, said "Good night, Masser Mile, " and left me at my owndoor. Alas! alas!--Among the improvements of this age, we haveentirely lost the breed of the careless, good-natured, affectionate, faithful, hard-working, and yet happy blacks, of whom more or lesswere to be found in every respectable and long-established family ofthe State, forty years ago. 

The next day was one of great anxiety to me. I rose early, and thefirst thing was to ascertain the direction of the wind. In midsummerthis was apt to be southerly, and so it proved on that occasion. Nebwas sent to the point, as a look-out; he returned about ten, andreported a fleet of sloops, in sight. These vessels were still a longdistance down the river, but they were advancing at a tolerable rate. Whether the Wallingford were among them, or not, was more than couldyet be told. I sent him back to his station, as soon as he had eaten;and unable to remain quiet in the house, myself, I mounted my horse, and rode out into the fields. Here, as usual, I experienced thehappiness of looking at objects my ancestors loved to regard, andwhich always have had a strong and near interest with me. 

Perhaps no country that ever yet existed has been so littleunderstood, or so much misrepresented, as this America of ours. It isas little understood, I was on the point of saying, at home as it isabroad, and almost as much misrepresented. Certainly its possessorsare a good deal addicted to valuing themselves on distinctiveadvantages that, in reality, they do not enjoy, while their enemiesdeclaim about vices and evils from which they are comparativelyfree. Facts are made to suit theories, and thus it is that we seewell-intentioned, and otherwise respectable writers, constantlyrunning into extravagances, in order to adapt the circumstances to thesupposed logical or moral inference. This reasoning backwards, hascaused Alison, with all his knowledge and fair-mindedness, to fallinto several egregious errors, as I have discovered while recentlyreading his great work on Europe. He says we are a migratory race, andthat we do not love the sticks and stones that surround us, but quitthe paternal roof without regret, and consider the play-grounds ofinfancy as only so much land for the market. He also hazards theassertion, that there is not such a thing as a literal farmer, --thatis a tenant, who _farms_ his land from a landlord--in allAmerica. Now, as a rule, and comparing the habits of America withthose of older countries, in which land is not so abundant, this maybe true; but as literal fact, nothing can be less so. Four-fifths ofthe inhabited portion of the American territory, has a civilizedexistence of half a century's duration; and there has not been time tocreate the long-lived attachments named, more especially in theregions that are undergoing the moral fusion that is always anattendant of a new settlement. That thousands of heartlessspeculators exist among us, who do regard everything, even to thegraves of their fathers, as only so much improvable property, is asundeniable as the fact that they are odious to all men of any moralfeeling; but thousands and tens of thousands are to be found in thecountry, who _do_ reverence their family possessions from asentiment that is creditable to human nature. I will not mentionClawbonny, and its history, lest I might be suspected of beingpartial; but it would be easy for me to point out a hundred families, embracing all classes, from the great proprietor to the plain yeoman, who own and reside on the estates of those who first received themfrom the hand of nature, and this after one or two centuries ofpossession. What will Mr. Alison say, for instance, of the Manor ofRensselear? A manor, in the legal sense it is no longer, certainly, the new institutions destroying all the feudal tenures; but, as mereproperty, the late Patroon transmitted it as regularly to hisposterity, as any estate was ever transmitted in Europe. Thisextensive manor lies in the heart of New York, a state about as largeand about as populous as Scotland, and it embraces no less than threecities in its bosom, though their sites are not included in itsownership, having been exempted by earlier grants. It is of more thantwo centuries' existence, and it extends eight-and-forty miles eastand west, and half that distance, north and south. Nearly all thisvast property is held, at this hour, of the Van Rensselears, aslandlords, and is farmed by their tenants, there being severalthousands of the latter. The same is true, on a smaller scale, of theLivingston, the Van Cortlandt, the Philipse, the Nicoll, and variousother old New York estates, though several were lost by attainder inthe revolution. I explain these things, lest any European who mayhappen to read this book, should regard it as fiction; for, allowingfor trifling differences, a hundred Clawbonnys are to be found on thetwo banks of the Hudson, at this very hour. [*]

[Footnote *: Even the American may learn the following facts with somesurprise. It is now about five-and-twenty years since the writer, astenant by the courtesy, came into possession of two farms, lyingwithin twenty-three miles of New York, in each of which there had beenthree generations of tenants, and as many of landlords, _without ascrap of a pen having passed between the parties_, so far as thewriter could ever discover, receipts for rent excepted! He also standsin nearly the same relation to another farm, in the same county, onwhich a lease for ninety years is at this moment running, one of thecovenants of which prescribes that the tenant shall "frequent divineservice _according to the Church of England_, when opportunityoffers. " What an evidence of the nature of the tyranny from which ourancestors escaped, more especially when it is seen that the tenant wasobliged to submit to this severe exaction, in consideration of a rentthat is merely nominal!]

But, to return to the narrative. 

My curiosity increased so much, as the day advanced, that I rodetowards the point to look for the sloop. There she was, sure enough;and there was Neb, too, galloping a young horse, bare-back, to thehouse, with the news. I met him with an order to proceed to the wharfwith the chaise, while I dashed on, in the same direction myself, almost devoured with an impatience to learn the success of mydifferent mission's as I galloped along. I could see the upper part ofthe Wallingford's sails, gliding through the leaves that fringed thebank, and it was apparent that she and I would reach the wharf almostat the same instant. Notwithstanding all my anxiety, it was impossibleto get a glimpse of the vessel's deck. 

I did not quit the saddle until the planks of the wharf were under thehorse's hoofs. Then I got a view of the sloop's decks, for the firsttime. A respectable-looking, tall, slender, middle-aged man, with abright dark eye, was on the quarter-deck, and I bowed to him, inferring at once that he was one of the medical gentlemen to whom Ihad sent the message. In effect, it was Post, the second named on mylist, the first not being able to come. He returned my bow, but, before I could alight and go on board to receive him, Marble's headrose from the cabin, and my mate sprang ashore, and shook me cordiallyby the hand. 

"Here I am, Miles, my boy, " cried Marble, whom, off duty, I hadearnestly begged to treat me with his old freedom, and who took me atmy word--"Here I am, Miles, my boy, and farther from salt-water than Ihave been in five-and-twenty years. So this is the famous Clawbonny!I cannot say much for the port, which is somewhat crowded while itcontains but one craft; though the river outside is pretty well, asrivers go. D'ye know, lad, that I've been in a fever, all the way up, lest we should get ashore, on one side or the other? your having landon both tacks at once is too much of a good thing. This coming up toClawbonny has put me in mind of running them straits, though we_have_ had rather better weather this passage, and a clearerhorizon. What d'ye call that affair up against the hill-side, yonder, with the jig-a-merree, that is turning in the water?"

"That's a mill, my friend, and the jig-a-merree is the very wheel onwhich you have heard me say my father was crushed. "

Marble looked sorrowfully at the wheel, squeezed my hand, as if toexpress sorrow for having reminded me of so painful an event, and thenI heard him murmuring to himself--"Well, _I_ never had a fatherto lose. No bloody mill _could_ do me _that_ injury. "

"That gentleman on the quarter-deck, " I remarked, "is a physician forwhom I sent to town, I suppose. "

"Ay, ay--he's some such matter, I do suppose; though I've beengeneralizing so much about this here river, and the manner of sailinga craft of that rig, I've had little to say to him. I'm always abetter friend to the cook than to the surgeon. But, Miles, my lad, there's a rare 'un, in the ship's after-cabin, I can tell you!"

"That must be Lucy!"--and I did not stop to pay my compliments to thestrange gentleman, but almost leaped into the vessel's cabin. 

There was Lucy, sure enough, attended by a respectable-looking elderlyblack female, one of the half-dozen slaves that had become her's bythe death of Mrs. Bradfort. Neither spoke, but we shook hands withfrankness; and I understood by the anxious expression of mycompanion's eye, all she wished to know. 

"I really think she seems better, and certainly she is far morecheerful, within his last day or two, " I answered to theappeal. "Yesterday she was twice at church, and this morning, for anovelty, she breakfasted with me. "

"God be praised!" Lucy exclaimed, with fervour. Then she sat down andrelieved her feelings in tears. I told her to expect me again, in afew minutes, and joined the physician, who, by this time, was apprisedof my presence. The calm, considerate manner of Post, gave me aconfidence I had not felt for some days; and I really began to hope itmight still be within the power of his art to save the sister I sodearly loved. 

Our dispositions for quitting the sloop were soon made, and weascended the hill together, Lucy leaning on my arm. On its summit wasthe chaise, into which the Doctor and Marble were persuaded to enter, Lucy preferring to walk. The negress was to proceed in the vehiclethat had been sent for the luggage, and Lucy and I set out, arm andarm, to walk rather more than a mile in company, and that too withoutthe presence of a third person. Such an occurrence, under any othercircumstances than those in which we were both placed, would have mademe one of the happiest men on earth; but, in the actual situation inwhich I found myself, it rendered me silent and uncomfortable. Not sowith Lucy; ever natural, and keeping truth incessantly before hereyes, the dear girl took my arm without the least embarrassment, andshowed no sign of impatience, or of doubt. She was sad, but full of agentle confidence in her own sincerity and motives. 

"This is dear Clawbonny, again!" she exclaimed, after we had walked insilence a short distance. "How beautiful are the fields, how fresh thewoods, how sweet the flowers! Oh! Miles, a day in such a spot asthis, is worth a year in town!"

"Why, then, do you, who have now so much at your command, pass morethan half your time between the heated bricks of Wall Street, when youknow how happy we should all be to see you, here, among us, again?"

"I have not been certain of this; that has been the sole reason, of myabsence. Had I known I should be welcome, nothing would have inducedme to suffer Grace to pass the last six sad, sad, months by herself. "

"Known that you should be welcome! Surely you have not supposed, Lucy, that _I_ can ever regard you as anything but welcome, here?"

"I had no allusion to _you_--thought not of you, Miles, atall"--answered Lucy, with the quiet manner of one who felt she wasthinking, acting, and speaking no more than what was perfectlyright--"My mind was dwelling altogether on Grace. "

"Is it possible you could doubt of Grace's willingness to see you, atall times and in all places, Lucy!"

"I have doubted it--have thought I was acting prudently and well, instaying away, just at this time, though I now begin to fear thedecision has been hasty and unwise. "

"May I ask _why_ Lucy Hardinge has come to so singular andviolent an opinion, as connected with her bosom friend, and almostsister, Grace Wallingford?"

"That _almost sister_! Oh! Miles, what is there I possess which Iwould not give, that there might be perfect confidence, again, betweenyou and me, on this subject; such confidence as existed when we wereboy and girl-children, I might say. "

"And what prevents it? Certain I am the alienation does not, cannotcome from me. You have only to speak, Lucy, to have an attentivelistener; to ask, to receive the truest answers. What can, then, prevent the confidence you wish?"

"There is _one_ obstacle--surely, Miles, you can readily imaginewhat I mean?"

'Can it be possible Lucy is alluding to Andrew Drewett!'--I thought tomyself. 'Has she discovered my attachment, and does she, will she, canshe regret her own engagement?' A lover who thought thus, would notbe apt to leave the question long in doubt. 

"Deal plainly with me, I implore of you, Lucy, " I said solemnly. "Oneword uttered with your old sincerity and frankness may close a chasmthat has now been widening between us for the last year or two. Whatis the obstacle you mean?"

"I have seen and felt the alienation to which you allude quite assensibly as you can have done so yourself, Miles, " the dear girlanswered in her natural, simple manner, "and I will trust all to yourgenerosity. Need I say more, to explain what I mean, than mention thename of Rupert?"

"What of him, Lucy!--be explicit; vague allusions may be worse thannothing. "

Lucy's little hand was on my arm, and she had drawn its glove onaccount of the heat. I felt it press me, almost convulsively, as sheadded--"I do, I _must_ think you have too much affection andgratitude for my dear father, too much regard for me, ever to forgetthat you and Rupert once lived together as brothers?"

"Grace has my promise already, on that subject. I shall never take theworld's course with Rupert, in this affair. "

I heard Lucy's involuntary sob, as if she gasped for breath; and, turning, I saw her sweet eyes bent on my face with an expression ofthankfulness that could not be mistaken. 

"I would have given the same pledge to you, Lucy, and purely on yourown account. It would be too much to cause you to mourn for yourbrother's--"

I did not name the offence, lest my feelings should tempt me to usetoo strong a term. 

"This is all I ask--all I desire, Miles; bless you--bless you! forhaving so freely given me this assurance. Now my heart is relievedfrom this burthen, I am ready to speak frankly to you; still, had Iseen Grace--"

"Have no scruples on account of your regard for womanly feeling--Iknow everything, and shall not attempt to conceal from you, thatdisappointed love for Rupert has brought my sister to the state she isin. This might not have happened, had either of us been with her; but, buried as she has been alone in this place, her wounded sensibilitieshave proved too strong for a frame that is so delicate. "

There was a pause of a minute, after I ended. 

"I have long feared that some such calamity would befall us, " Lucyanswered, in a low, measured tone. "I think you do not understandGrace as well as I do, Miles. Her mind and feelings have a strongerinfluence than common over her body; and I fear no society of ours, orof others, could have saved her this trial. Still, we must notdespair, It is a trial--that is just the word; and by means oftenderness, the most sedulous care, good advice, and all that we twocan do to aid, there must yet be hope. Now there is a skilfulphysician here, he must be dealt fairly by, and should know thewhole. "

"I intended to consult you on this subject--one has such a reluctanceto expose Grace's most sacred feelings!"

"Surely it need not go quite as far as that, " returned Lucy, withsensitive quickness, "something--_much_--must be left toconjecture; but Dr. Post must know that the mind is at the bottom ofthe evil; though I fear that young ladies can seldom admit theexistence of such a complaint, without having it attributed to aweakness of this nature. "

"That proceeds from the certainty that your sex has so much heart, Lucy; your very existence being bound up in others. "

"Grace is one of peculiar strength of affections--but, Miles, we willtalk no further of this at present. I scarce know how to speak of mybrother's affairs, and you must give me time to reflect. Now we are atClawbonny again, we cannot long continue strangers to each other. "

This was said so sweetly, I could have knelt and kissed her shoe-ties;and yet so simply, as not to induce misinterpretation. It served tochange the discourse, however, and the remainder of the way we talkedof the past. Lucy spoke of her cousin's death, relating various littleincidents to show how much Mrs. Bradfort was attached to her, and howgood a woman she was; but not a syllable was said of the will. I wasrequired, in my turn, to finish the narrative of my last voyage, whichhad not been completed at the theatre. When Lucy learned that therough seaman who had come in the sloop was Marble, she manifestedgreat interest in him, declaring, had she known it during the passage, that she would have introduced herself. All this time, Rupert's namewas not mentioned between us; and I reached the house, feeling thatsomething like the interest I had formerly possessed there, had beenawakened in the bosom of my companion. She was, at least, firmly andconfidingly my friend. 

Chloe met Lucy at the door with a message--Miss Grace wanted to seeMiss Lucy, alone. I dreaded this interview, and looked forward tobeing present at it; but Lucy begged me to confide in her, and I feltbound to comply. While the dear girl was gone to my sister's room, Isought the physician, with whom I had a brief but explicit conference. I told this gentleman how much Grace had been alone, permitting sorrowto wear upon her frame, and gave him to understand that the seat of mysister's malady was mental suffering. Post was a cool, discriminatingman, and he ventured no remark until he had seen his patient; though Icould perceive, by the keen manner in which his piercing eye was fixedon mine, that all I said was fully noted. 

It was more than an hour before Lucy reappeared. It was obvious at aglance that she had been dreadfully agitated, and cruelly surprised atthe condition in which she had found Grace. It was not that disease, in any of its known forms, was so very apparent; but that my sisterresembled already a being of another world, in the beaming of hercountenance--in the bright, unearthly expression of her eyes--and inthe slightness and delicacy of the hold she seemed, generally, to haveon life. Grace had always something of this about her--_much_, Imight better have said; but it now appeared to be left nearly alone, as her thoughts and strength gradually receded from the means ofexistence. 

The physician returned with Lucy to my sister's room, where he passedmore than an hour; as long a time, indeed, he afterwards told mehimself, as he thought could be done without fatiguing hispatient. The advice he gave me was cautious and discreet. Certaintonics were prescribed; we were told to endeavour to divert the mindof our precious charge from her sources of uneasiness, by gentle meansand prudent expedients. Change of scene was advised also, could it bedone without producing too much fatigue. I suggested the Wallingford, as soon as this project was mentioned. She was a small sloop, it istrue, but had two very comfortable cabins; my father having had one ofthem constructed especially in reference to my mother's occasionalvisits to town. The vessel did little, at that season of the year, besides transporting flour to market, and bringing back wheat. In theautumn, she carried wood, and the products of the neighbourhood. Aholiday might be granted her, and no harm come of it. Dr. Postapproved the idea, saying frankly there was no objection but theexpense; if I could bear that, a better plan could not possibly beadopted. 

That night we discussed the matter in the family circle, Mr. Hardingehaving come from the Rectory to join us. Everybody approved of thescheme, it was so much better than leaving: Grace to pine away byherself in the solitude of Clawbonny. 

"I have a patient at the Springs, " said Dr. Post, "who is very anxiousto see me; and, to own the truth, I am a little desirous of drinkingthe waters myself, for a week. Carry me to Albany, and land me; afterwhich you can descend the river, and continue your voyage to as manyplaces, and for as long a time, as the strength of Miss Wallingford, and your own inclinations, shall dictate. "

This project seemed excellent in all our eyes; even Grace heard itwith a smile, placing herself entirely in our hands. It was decidedto put it in practice. 

CHAPTER XXX. 

 "And she sits and gazes at me, With those deep and tender eyes, ... Like the stars, so still and saint-like, Looking downward from the skies. " LONGFELLOW;

The next morning I set about the measures necessary for carrying outour plan. Marble was invited to be of the party, the arrangementsconcerning the ship, allowing of his absence for a few days; Onceengaged, he was of infinite service, entering into the plan as mymate. The regular skipper was glad to have a furlough; and I retainedon board no one of the proper crew but the river-pilot; a man whocould not be dispensed with; By this arrangement, we cleared the cabinfrom company that was not desirable for the circumstances. Neb, andthree of the Clawbonny blacks, were delighted to go on such anexcursion, and all were more or less familiar with the little dutythat would be required of them. Indeed, Marble, Neb and myself, wereevery way able to take care of the vessel. But we chose to have plentyof physical force; and a cook was indispensable. Clawbonny suppliedthe latter, in the person of old Dido of that ilk. 

By noon, the whole party were ready to embark. Grace was driven to thewharf, and she walked on board the sloop, supported by Lucy andmyself; more, however, from solicitude than from absolutenecessity. Every precaution, however, was taken by order of thephysician to prevent anything like excitement; the blacks, inparticular, who would have followed "Miss Grace" to the water's edge, being ordered to remain at home. Chloe, to her manifest satisfaction, was permitted to accompany her "young mistress, " and great was herdelight. How often that day, did the exclamation of "de feller, "escape her, as she witnessed Neb's exploits in different parts of thesloop. It was some little time before I could account for the black'ssuperfluous activity, imputing it to zeal in my sister's service; but, in the end, I discovered Grace had to share the glory with Chloe. 

No sooner was everybody on board than we cast off. The jib was soonup; and under this short sail, we moved slowly out of the creek, witha pleasant southerly breeze. As we passed the point, there stood thewhole household arrayed in a line, from the tottering grey-headed andmuddy-looking negro of seventy, down to the glistening, jet-blacktoddling things of two and three. The distance was so small, it waseasy to trace even the expressions of the different countenances, which varied according to the experience, forebodings, and charactersof the different individuals. Notwithstanding the sort of reverentialattachment all felt for "Miss Grace, " and the uncertainty some amongthese unsophisticated creatures must have experienced on the subjectof her health, it was not in nature for such a cluster of "niggers" toexhibit unhappiness, at a moment when there were so many grounds ofexcitement. The people of this race know nothing of the _word, _perhaps; but they delight in the _thing_, quite as much as ifthey did nothing but electioneer all their lives. Most pliantinstruments would their untutored feelings make in the hands of yourdemagogue; and, possibly, it may have some little influence on thewhite American to understand, how strong is his resemblance to the"nigger, " when he gives himself up to the mastery of this muchapproved mental power. The day was glorious; a brighter sun nevershining in Italy, or on the Grecian islands; the air balmy; the vesselwas gay to the eye, having been painted about a month before, andevery one seemed bent on a holiday; circumstances sufficient inthemselves, to make this light-hearted race smiling and happy. As thesloop went slowly past, the whole line doffed their hats, or curtsied, showing at the same time a row of ivory that shone like so many gaywindows in their sable faces. I could see that Grace was touched bythis manifestation of interest; such a field-day in the Clawbonnycorps not having occurred since the first time my mother went to town, after the death of my father. Fortunately, everything else wassoothing to my sister's spirits; and, so long as she could sit on thedeck, holding Lucy's hand, and enjoy the changing landscape, with herbrother within call, it was not possible she should be altogetherwithout happiness. 

Rounding the point, as we entered the river, the Wallingford eased-offsheet, set a studding-sail and flying-top-sail, and began to breastthe Hudson, on her way towards its sources. 

In 1803, the celebrated river we were navigating, though it had allthe natural features it possesses to-day, was by no means the samepicture of moving life. The steam-boat did not appear on its surfaceuntil four years later; and the journeys up and down its waters, werefrequently a week in length. In that day, the passenger did not hurryon board, just as a bell was disturbing the neighbourhood, hustlinghis way through a rude throng of porters, cart-men, orange-women, andnews-boys, to save his distance by just a minute and a half, but hisluggage was often sent to the vessel the day before; he passed hismorning in saying adieu, and when he repaired to the vessel, it waswith gentleman-like leisure, often to pass hours on board previouslyto sailing, and not unfrequently to hear the unwelcome tidings thatthis event was deferred until the next day. How different, too, wasthe passage, from one in a steam-boat! There was no jostling of eachother, no scrambling for places at table, no bolting of food, noimpertinence manifested, no swearing about missing the eastern orsouthern boats, or Schenectady, or Saratoga, or Boston trains, onaccount of a screw being loose, nor--any other unseemly manifestationthat anybody was in a hurry. On the contrary, wine and fruit wereprovided, as if the travellers intended to enjoy themselves; and ajourney in that day was a _festa_. No more embarked than could beaccommodated; and the company being selected, the cabin was taken tothe exclusion of all unwelcome intruders. Now, the man who shouldorder a bottle of wine to be placed at the side of his plate, would bestared at as a fool; and not without reason altogether, for, did itescape the claws of his _convives_ and the waiters, he wouldprobably reach the end of his journey before he could drink it. In1803, not only did the dinner pass in peace, and with gentleman-likedeliberation; not only were the cooler and the fruit taken on deck, and the one sipped and the other eaten at leisure, in the course of anafternoon, but in the course of many afternoons. Passages werecertainly made in twenty-four hours in the sloops; but these were theexceptions, a week being much more likely to be the time passed in theenjoyment of the beautiful scenery of the river. The vessel usuallygot aground, once at least, and frequently several times in a trip;and often a day, or two, were thus delightfully lost, giving thestranger an opportunity of visiting the surrounding country. Thenecessity of anchoring, with a foul wind, on every opposing tide, too, increased these occasions, thus lending to the excursion something ofthe character of an exploring expedition. No--no--a man would learnmore in one passage, up or down the Hudson, forty years since, thancan be obtained by a dozen at the present time. I have a true seaman'sdislike for a steam-boat, and sometimes wish they were struck out ofexistence; though I know it is contrary to all the principles ofpolitical economy, and opposed to what is called the march ofimprovement. Of one thing, however, I feel quite certain; that theseinventions, coupled with the gregarious manner of living that hassprung up in the large taverns, is, as one of our writers expressesit, "doing _wonders_ for the manners of the people;" though, inmy view of the matter, the wonder is, that they have any left. 

There might have been thirty sail in sight, when the Wallingford gotfairly into the river, some turning down on a young ebb, making theirfifteen or twenty miles in six hours, and others like ourselves, stealing along against it, at about the same rate. Half a dozen ofthese craft were quite near us, and the decks of most of those whichwere steering north, had parties including ladies, evidentlyproceeding to the "Springs. " I desired Marble to sheer as close tothese different vessels as was convenient, having no other object inview than amusement, and fancying it might aid in diverting thethoughts of my sister from her own sorrows, to the faces and concernsof others. The reader will have no difficulty in understanding, thatthe Wallingford, constructed under the orders of an old sailor, andfor his own uses, was a fast vessel. In this particular she had butone or two competitors on the river; packets belonging to Hudson, Poughkeepsie and Sing-Sing. She was now only in fair ballast-trim, andbeing admirably provided with sails, in the light wind we had, sheactually went four feet to most-of-the-other-vessels-in-sight'sthree. My request to Marble--or, order, as he chose to call it--waseasily enough complied with, and we were soon coming up close on thequarter of a sloop that had its decks crowded with passengers whoevidently belonged to the better class; while, on its forecastle wereseveral horses, and a carriage; customary accompaniments to such ascene in that day. 

I had not been so happy in a long time, as I felt at thatmoment. Grace was better, as I fancied at least, and it was certainshe was more composed and less nervous than I had seen her since myreturn; and this of itself was removing the weight of a mountain frommy heart. There was Lucy, too, her rounded cheek rosy with thepleasure of the moment, full of health, and with eyes that neverturned on me that they did not beam with confidence and kindness--thesincerest friendship, if not love--while every look, movement, syllable or gesture that was directed towards Grace, betrayed howstrongly the hearts of these two precious creatures were still knittogether in sisterly affection. My guardian too seemed happier than hehad been since our conversation on the state of my own feelingstowards his daughter. He had made a condition, that we should all--thedoctor excepted--return to Clawbonny in time for service on theensuing Sunday, and he was then actually engaged in looking over anold sermon for the occasion, though not a minute passed in which hedid not drop the manuscript to gaze about him, in deep enjoyment ofthe landscape. The scene, moreover, was so full of repose, that eventhe movements of the different vessels scarce changed its Sabbath-likecharacter. I repeat, that I had not felt so perfectly happy since Iheld my last conversation with the Salem Witches, in The Duomo ofFirenze. 

Marble was excessively delighted with the behaviour of theWallingford. The latter was a sloop somewhat smaller than common, though her accommodations were particularly commodious, while she wassparred on the scale of a flyer. Her greatest advantage in the way ofsailing, however, would have been no great recommendation to her on awind; for she was nearly start light, and might not have been able tocarry full sail in hard November weather, even on the Hudson--a riveron which serious accidents have been known to occur. There was littledanger in mid-summer, however; and we went gliding up on the quarterof the Gull of Troy, without feeling concern of any sort. 

"What sloop is that?" demanded the skipper of the Gull, as ourboom-end came within a fathom of his rail, our name being out of hisview. 

"The Wallingford of Clawbonny, just out of port, bound up on a partyof pleasure. "

Now, Clawbonny was not then, nor is it now, what might be called alegal term. There was no such place known in law, beyond the rightwhich usage gives; and I heard a low laugh among the passengers of theGull, as they heard the homely appellation. This came from theequivocal position my family occupied, midway between the gentry andyeomanry of the State, as they both existed in 1803. Had I said thesloop came from near Coldenham, it would have been all right; foreverybody who was then anybody in New York, knew who the Coldens were;or Morrisania, the Morrises being people of mark; or twenty otherplaces on the river: but the Wallingfords were as little known asClawbonny, when you got fifteen or twenty miles from the spot wherethey had so long lived. This is just the difference between obscurityand notoriety. When the latter extends to an entire nation, it givesan individual, or a family, the note that frees them entirely from theimputation of existing under the first condition; and this note, favourably diffused through Christendom, forms a reputation--transmittedto posterity, it becomes fame. Unfortunately, neither we nor our placehad even reached the first simple step in this scale of renown; andpoor Clawbonny was laughed at, on account of something Dutch that wasprobably supposed to exist in the sound--the Anglo-Saxon race having asingular aptitude to turn up their nose's at everything but their ownpossessions, and everybody but themselves. I looked at Lucy, withsensitive quickness, to see how she received this sneer on mybirth-place; but, with her, it was so much a matter of course to thinkwell of everything connected with the spot, its name as well as itsmore essential things, that I do not believe she perceived this littlesign of derision. 

While the passengers of the Gull felt this disposition to smile, itwas very different with her skipper; his Dutch pilot, whose name wasAbrahamus Van Valtenberg, but who was more familiarly known as 'BromFolleck, for so the children of New Netherlands twisted theircognomens in converting them into English;[*] the black cook, themulatto steward, and the "all hands, " who were one man and aboy. There had been generations of sloops which bore the name ofWatlingford, as Well as generations of men, at Clawbonny; and thisevery river-man knew. In point of fact, we counted four generations ofmen, and six of sloops. Now, none of these vessels was worthy of beingmentioned, but this which my father had caused to be built; but shehad a reputation that extended to everybody on the river. The effectof all this was to induce the skipper of the Gull to raise his hat, and to say--

"That, then, I suppose is Mr. Wallingford himself--you are welcomeback on the river; I remember the time well, when your respectedfather would make that boat do anything but talk. Nothing but the newpaint, which is different from the last, prevented me from knowing thesloop. Had I taken a look at her bows, this couldn't have happened. "

[Footnote *: A story is told of a Scotchman of the name ofFarquharson, --who settled among the High Dutch on the Mohawk, sometimepreviously to the Revolution; where, unable to pronounce his name, theworthy formers called him Feuerstein (pronounced Firestyne). The sonlived and died under this appellation; but the grandson, removing to apart of the country where English alone was spoken, chose to anglisisehis name; and, by giving it a free translation, became Mr. Flint!]

This speech evidently gave me and my vessel an estimation with thepassengers of the Gull that neither had enjoyed the momentbefore. There was some private conversation on the quarter-deck of theother vessel, and, then, a highly respectable and gentleman-likelooking old man, came to the rail, bowed, and commenced a discourse. 

"I have the pleasure of seeing Captain Wallingford, I believe, " heremarked, "with whom my friends, the Mertons, came passengers fromChina. They have often expressed their sense of your civilities, " hecontinued, as I bowed in acquiescence, "and declare they should everwish to sail with you, were they again compelled to go to sea. "

Now, this was viewing my relation to the Mertons in any point of viewbut that in which I wished it to be viewed, or indeed was just. Stillit was natural; and the gentleman who spoke, a man of standing andcharacter, no doubt fancied he was, saying that which must proveparticularly acceptable to me; another proof how dangerous it is toattempt to decide on other men's feelings or affairs. I could notdecline the discourse; and, while the Wallingford went slowly past theGull, I was compelled to endure the torment of hearing the Mertonsmentioned, again and again, in the hearing of Lucy and Grace; on thenerves of the latter of whom I knew it must be a severe trial. Atlength we got rid of this troublesome neighbour, though not until Lucyand her father were recognised and spoken to by several of the ladiesin the other party. While my late guardian and his daughter were thusengaged, I stole a glance at my sister. She was pale as death, andseemed anxious to go below, whither I led her, most happily, I haveevery reason to think, as things turned out. 

When the Wallingford had left the Gull some little distance astern, Ireturned to the deck, and Lucy went to take my place by the side ofGrace's berth. She reappeared, however; in a very few minutes, sayingthat my sister felt an inclination to rest herself, and might fallasleep. Feeble, almost, as an infant, these frequent slumbers hadbecome necessary, in a measure, to the patient's powers. Chloe comingup soon after with a report that her young mistress seemed to be in adoze, we all remained on deck, in order not to disturb her. In thismanner, half an hour passed, and we had drawn quite near to anothersloop that was going in the same direction with ourselves. At thismoment, Mr. Hardinge was deeply immersed in his sermon, and Iperceived that Lucy looked at him, from time to time, as if sheexpected to catch his eye. I fancied something distressed her, and yetit was not easy to imagine exactly what it could be. 

"Do you not intend to go nearer the other sloop?" Lucy at lengthinquired, alluding to the vessel that was almost in a line with us;but to which I had ordered Neb to give a respectable berth. 

"I thought the gossip of the last quite sufficient; but, if you likethese interviews, certainly. "

Lucy seemed embarrassed; she coloured to her temples, paused a moment, and then added, affecting to laugh--and it was so seldom Lucy affectedanything, but this time she _did_ affect to laugh--as she said--

"I _do_ wish to go near that sloop; though it is not exactly forthe reason you suppose. "

I could see she was distressed, though it was not yet easy to imaginethe cause. Lucy's requests were laws to me, and Neb was ordered tosheer down on the quarter of this second sloop, as we had done on thatof the first. As we drew near, her stern told us that she was calledthe "Orpheus of Sing-Sing, " a combination of names that proved somewag had been connected with the christening. Her decks had also aparty of both sexes on them, though neither carriage nor horses. Allthis time, Lucy stood quite near me, as if reluctant to move, and whenwe were sufficiently near the sloop, she pressed still nearer to myside, in the way in which her sex are apt to appeal to those of theother who possess their confidence, when most feeling the necessity ofsupport. 

"Now, Miles, " she said, in an under tone, "_you_ must 'speak thatsloop, ' as you call it; I can never hold a loud conversation of thissort, in the presence of so many strangers. "

"Very willingly, Lucy; though you will have the goodness to let meknow exactly what I am to say. "

"Certainly--begin then, in your sailor fashion, and when that is done, I will tell you what to add. "

"Enough--Orpheus, there?" I called out, just raising my voicesufficiently to be heard. 

"Ay, ay, --what's wanted?" answered the skipper, taking a pipe from hismouth, as he leaned with his back against his own tiller, in a waythat was just in accordance with the sleepy character of the scene. 

I looked at Lucy, as much as to say, "what next?"

"Ask him if Mrs. Drewett is on board his sloop--_Mrs. _ AndrewDrewett, not _Mr. _--The old lady, I mean, " added the dear girl, blushing to the eyes. 

I was so confounded--I might almost add appalled, that it was withgreat difficulty I suppressed an exclamation. Command myself, I did, however, and observing that the skipper was curiously awaiting my nextquestion, I put it. 

"Is _Mrs_. Andrew Drewett among your passengers, sir?" Iinquired with a cold distinctness. 

My neighbour nodded his head, and spoke to some of his passengers, most of whom were on the main-deck, seated on chairs, and concealedfrom us, as yet, by the Wallingford's main-sail, her boom being guyedout on the side next the Orpheus, with its end just clear of herquarter. 

"She is, and wishes to know who makes the inquiry?" returned theSing-Sing skipper, in the singsong manner in which ordinary folkrepeat what is dictated. 

"Say that Miss Hardinge has a message to Mrs. Drewett fromMrs. Ogilvie, who is on board that other sloop, " added Lucy, in a low, and, as I thought, tremulous tone. 

I was nearly choked; but made out to communicate the fact, asdirected. In an instant I heard the foot of one who leaped on theOrpheus's quarter-deck, and then Andrew Drewett appeared, hat in hand, a face all smiles, eyes that told his tale as plain as any tonguecould have uttered it, and such salutations as denoted the mostperfect intimacy. Lucy took my arm involuntarily, and I could feelthat she trembled. The two vessels were now so near, and everythingaround us was so tranquil, that by Lucy's advancing to theWallingford's quarter-deck, and Drewett's coming to the taffrail ofthe Orpheus, it was easy to converse without any unseemly raising ofthe voice. All that had been said between me and the skipper, indeed, had been said on a key but little higher than common. By the change inLucy's position, I could no longer see her face; but I knew it wassuffused, and that she was far from being as composed and collected aswas usual with her demeanour. All this was death to my recenthappiness, though I could not abstain from watching what now passed, with the vigilance of jealousy. 

"Good-morning, " Lucy commenced, and the words were uttered in a tonethat I thought bespoke great familiarity, if not confidence; "will youhave the goodness to tell your mother that Mrs. Ogilvie begs she willnot leave Albany until after her arrival. The other sloop, Mrs. Ogilvie thinks, cannot be more than an hour or two after you, andshe is very desirous of making a common party to--ah! there comesMrs. Drewett, " said Lucy, hastily interrupting herself, "and I candeliver my message, myself. "

Mrs. Drewett coming aft at this instant, Lucy certainly did turn toher, and communicated a message, which it seems the lady in the Gullhad earnestly requested her to deliver in passing. 

"And now, " returned Mrs. Drewett, when Lucy had ceased, first civillysaluting me, "and now, my dear Lucy, we have something for you. Sosudden was your departure, on the receipt of that naughty letter, " myletter, summoning the dear girl to the bed-side of her friend, wasmeant, "that you left your work-box behind you, and, as I knew itcontained many notes besides bank-notes, I would not allow it to beseparated from me, until we met. Here it is; in what manner shall wecontrive to get it into your hands?"

Lucy started, and I could see that she both felt and lookedanxious. As I afterwards learned, she had been passing a day atMrs. Drewett's villa, which joined her own, both standing on the rocksquite near to that spot which a mawkish set among us is trying totwist from plain homely, up-and-down, old fashioned Hell Gate, intothe exquisite and lackadaisical corruption of _Hurl_ Gate--Heavensave the mark! What puny piece of folly and affectation will theyattempt next?--but Lucy was paying this visit when she received myletter, and it appears such was her haste to get to Grace, that shequitted the house immediately, leaving behind her a small work-box, _unlocked_, and in it various papers that she did not wishread. Of course, one of Lucy's sentiments and tone, could hardlysuspect a lady, and Mrs. Drewett was strictly that, of rummaging herbox or of reading her notes and letters; but one is never easy whensuch things can be supposed to be in the way of impertinenteyes. There are maids as well as mistresses, and I could see, in amoment, that she wished the box was again in her own possession. Underthe circumstances, therefore, I felt it was time to interfere. 

"If your sloop will round-to, Mr. Drewett, " I remarked, receiving acold salutation from the gentleman, in return for my own bow, thefirst sign of recognition that had passed between us, "I willround-to, myself, and send a boat for the box. "

This proposal drew all eyes towards the skipper, who was still leaningagainst his tiller, smoking for life or death. I was not favourablyreceived, extorting a grunt in reply, that any one could understanddenoted dissent. The pipe was slowly removed, and the private opinionof this personage was pretty openly expressed, in his Dutchifieddialect. 

"If a body coult get a wint for der askin', dis might do very well, "he said; "but nobody rounts-to mit a fair wind. "

I have always remarked that they who have used a dialect differentfrom the common forms of speech in their youth, and come afterwards tocorrect it, by intercourse with the world, usually fall back intotheir early infirmities in moments of trial, perplexity, oranger. This is easily explained. Habit has become a sort of nature, intheir childhood, and it is when most tried that we are the mostnatural. Then, this skipper, an Albany--or Al_bon_ny man, as hewould probably have styled himself, had got down the river as far asSing-Sing, and had acquired a tolerable English; but, being nowdisturbed, he fell back upon his original mode of speaking, thecertain proof that he would never give in. I saw at once thehopelessness of attempting to persuade one of his school, and hadbegun to devise some other scheme for getting the box on board, whento my surprise, and not a little to my concern, I saw Andrew Drewett, first taking the box from his mother, step upon the end of ourmain-boom, and move along the spar with the evident intention to walkas far as our deck and deliver Lucy her property with his ownhands. The whole thing occurred so suddenly, that there was no timefor remonstrance. Young gentlemen who are thoroughly in love, are notoften discreet in matters connected with their devotion to theirmistresses. I presume Drewett saw the boom placed so favourably as totempt him, and he fancied it would be a thing to mention to carry alady her work-box across a bridge that was of so precarious afooting. Had the spar lain on the ground, it would certainly have beenno exploit at all to for any young man to walk its length, carryinghis arms full of work-boxes; but it was a very different matter whenthe same feat had to be performed on a sloop's boom in its place, suspended over the water, with the sail set, and the vessel inmotion. This Drewett soon discovered, for, advancing a step or two, hegrasped the topping-lift, which luckily for him happened to be taut, for a support. All this occurred before there was time forremonstrance, or even for thought. At the same instant Neb, inobedience to a sign previously given by me, had put the helm down alittle, and the boom-end was already twenty feet from the quarter-deckof the Orpheus. 

Of course, all the women screamed, or exclaimed, on some key orother. Poor Mrs. Drewett hid her face, and began to moan her son aslost. I did not dare look at Lucy, who remained quiet as to voice, after the first involuntary exclamation, and as immovable as astatue. Luckily her face was from me. As Drewett was evidentlydiscomposed, I thought it best, however, to devise something not onlyfor his relief, but for that of Lucy's box, which was in quite as muchjeopardy as the young man, himself; more so, indeed, if the lattercould swim. I was on the point of calling out to Drewett to hold on, and I would cause the boom-end to reach over the Orpheus's main-deck, after which he might easily drop down among his friends, when Neb, finding some one to take the helm, suddenly stood at my side. 

"He drop dat box, sartain, Masser Mile, " half-whispered the negro; "heleg begin to shake already, and he won'erful skear'd!"

"I would not have that happen for a good deal--can you save it, Neb?"

"Sartain, sir. Only hab to run out on 'e boom and bring it in, and gibit Miss Lucy; she mighty partic'lar about dat werry box, Masser Mile, as I see a hundrer time, and more too. "

"Well, lay out, boy, and bring it in, --and look to your footing, Neb. "

This was all Neb wanted. The fellow had feet shaped a good deal likeany other aquatic bird, with the essential difference, however, thatno small part of his foundation had been laid abaft the perpendicularof the tendon Achilles, and, being without shoes, he could nearlyencircle a small spar in his grasp. Often and often had I seen Neb runout on a top-sail-yard, the ship pitching heavily, catching at thelift; and it was a mere trifle after that, to run out on a spar aslarge as the Wallingford's main-boom. A tolerably distinctive screamfrom Chloe, first apprised me that the negro was in motion. Looking inthat direction, I saw him walking steadily along the boom, notwithstanding Drewett's loud remonstrances, and declarations that hewanted no assistance, until he reached the spot where the younggentleman stood grasping the lift, with his legs submitting to moretremour than was convenient. Neb now grinned, looked as amiable aspossible, held out his hand, and revealed the object of his visit. 

"Masser Mile t'ink 'e gentleum better gib _me_ Miss Lucybox"--said Neb, as politely as he knew how. 

I believe in my soul that Drewett could have kissed Neb, so glad washe to obtain this little relief. The box was yielded without theslightest objection, Neb receiving it with a bow; after which thenegro turned round as coolly as if he were on the deck, and walkeddeliberately and steadily in to the mast. He stopped an instant justat the small of the spar, to look back at Drewett, who was sayingsomething to pacify his mother; and I observed that, as he stood withhis heels in a line, the toes nearly met underneath the boom, whichhis feet grasped something in the manner of talons. A deep sighreached my ear, as Neb bounded lightly on deck, and I knew whence itcame by the exclamation of--

"De _fel_-ler!"

As for Neb, he advanced with his prize, which he offered to Lucy withone of his best bows, but in a way to show he was not conscious ofhaving performed any unusual exploit. Lucy handed the box to Chloe, without averting her eyes from Drewett, in whose situation shemanifested a good deal more concern than I liked, or fancied hedeserved. 

"Thank you, Mr. Drewett, " she said, affecting to think the box hadbeen recovered altogether by his address; "it is now safe, and thereis no longer any necessity for your coming here. Let Mr. Wallingforddo what he says"--I had mentioned in a low voice, the practicabilityof my own scheme--"and return to your own sloop. "

But, two things now interposed to the execution of this very simpleexpedient. The first was Drewett's pride, blended with a littleobstinacy, and the other was the "Al_bon_ny" skipper's pride, blendedwith a good deal of obstinacy. The first did not like to retreat, after Neb had so clearly demonstrated it was no great matter to walkon the boom; and the latter, soured by the manner in which we hadoutsailed him, and fancying Andrew had deserted to get on board afaster vessel, resented the whole by sheering away from us to thedistance of a hundred yards. I saw that there remained but a singleexpedient, and set about adopting it without further delay. 

"Take good hold of the lift, Mr. Drewett, and steady yourself withboth hands; ease away the peak halyards to tauten that lift a littlemore, forward. Now, one of you stand by to ease off the guyhandsomely, and the rest come aft to the main-sheet. Look out foryourself, Mr. Drewett; we are about to haul in the boom, when it willbe a small matter to get you in, upon the taffrail. Stand by to luffhandsomely, so as to keep the boom as steady as possible. "

But Drewett clamorously protested against our doing anything of thesort. He was getting used to his situation, and intended to come inNeb-fashion, in a minute more. All he asked was not to be hurried. 

"No--no--no--touch nothing I entreat of you, _Captain_Wallingford"--he said, earnestly. "If that black can do it, surely Iought to do it, too. "

"But the black has claws, and you have none, sir; then he is a sailor, and used to such things, and you are none, sir. Moreover, he wasbarefooted, while you have got on stiff, and I dare say slipperyboots. "

"Yes, the boots _are_ an encumbrance. If I could only throw themoff, I should do well enough. As it is, however, I hope to have thehonour of shaking you by the hand, Miss Hardinge, without the disgraceof being helped. "

Mr. Hardinge here expostulated, but all in vain; for I saw plainlyenough Drewett was highly excited, and that he was preparing for astart. These signs were now so apparent that all of us united ourvoices in remonstrances; and Lucy said imploringly to me--"_Do_not let him move, Miles--I have heard him say he cannot swim. "

It was too late. Pride, mortified vanity, obstinacy, love, or what youwill, rendered the young man deaf, and away he went, abandoning thelift, his sole protection. I saw, the moment he quitted his grasp, that he would never reach the mast, and made my arrangementsaccordingly. I called to Marble to stand by to luff; and, just as thewords passed my lips, a souse into the water told the whole story. Thefirst glance at poor Drewett's frantic manner of struggling told methat Lucy was really aware of his habits, and that he could notswim. I was in light duck, jacket and trowsers, with seaman's pumps;and placing a foot on the rail, I alighted alongside of the drowningyoung man, just as he went under. Well assured he would reappear, Iwaited for that, and presently I got a view of his hair, within reachof my arm, and I grasped it, in a way to turn him on his back, andbring his face uppermost. At this moment the sloop was gliding awayfrom us, Marble having instantly put the helm hard down, in order toround-to. As I afterwards learned, the state of the case was no soonerunderstood in the other sloop, than the Al_bon_-ny men gave in, and imitated the Wallingford. 

There was no time for reflection. As soon as Drewett's hair was in mygrasp, I raised his head from the water, by an effort that forced meunder it, to let him catch his breath; and then relaxed the power bywhich it had been done, to come up myself. I had done this to give hima moment to recover his recollection, in the hope he would actreasonably; and I now desired him to lay his two hands on myshoulders, permit his body to sink as low as possible and breathe, andtrust the rest to me. If the person in danger can be made to do this, an ordinarily good swimmer could tow him a mile, without any unusualeffort. But the breathing spell afforded to Drewett had the effectjust to give him strength to struggle madly for existence, withoutaiding his reason. On the land, he would have been nothing in myhands; but, in the water, the merest boy may become formidable. Godforgive me, if I do him injustice! but I have sometimes thought, since, that Drewett was perfectly conscious who I was, and that hegave some vent to his jealous distrust of Lucy's feelings towardsme. This may be all imagination; but I certainly heard the words"Lucy" "Wallingford, " "Clawbonny, " "hateful, " muttered by the man, even as he struggled there for life. The advantage given him, byturning to allow him to put his hands on my shoulders, liked to havecost me dear. Instead of doing as I directed, he grasped my neck withboth arms, and seemed to wish to mount on my head, forcing his ownshoulders quite out of water, and mine, by that much weight, beneathit. It was while we were thus placed, his mouth within an inch or twoof my very ear, that I heard the words muttered which have beenmentioned. It is possible, however, that he was unconscious of thatwhich terror and despair extorted from him. 

I saw no time was to be lost, and my efforts became desperate. Ifirst endeavoured to swim with this great encumbrance; but it wasuseless. The strength of Hercules could not long have buoyed up theunder body of such a load, sufficiently to raise the nostrils forbreath; and the convulsive twitches of Drewett's arms were nearstrangling me. I must throw him off, or drown. Abandoning the attemptto swim, I seized his hands with mine, and endeavoured to loosen hisgrasp of my neck. Of course we both sank while I was thus engaged; forit was impossible to keep my head above water, by means of my feetalone, with a man of some size riding, from his shoulders up, abovethe level of my chin. 

I can scarcely describe what followed. I confess I thought ho longerof saving Drewett's life, but only of saving my own. We struggledthere in the water like the fiercest enemies, each aiming for themastery, as, if one were to live, the other must die. We sank, androse to the surface for air, solely by my efforts, no less than threetimes; Drewett getting the largest benefits by the latter, thusrenewing his strength; while mine, great as it was by nature, begangradually to fail. A struggle so terrific could not last long. Wesank a fourth time, and I felt it was not to rise again, when reliefcame from an unexpected quarter. From boyhood, my father had taught methe important lesson of keeping my eyes open under water. By means ofthis practice, I not only _felt_, but _saw_ the nature ofthe tremendous struggle that was going on. It also gave me a slightadvantage over Drewett, who closed his eyes, by enabling me to see howto direct my own exertions. While sinking, as I believed, for the lasttime, I saw a large object approaching me in the water, which, in theconfusion of the moment, I took for a shark, though sharks neverascended the Hudson so high, and were even rare at New York. There itwas, however, swimming towards us, and even descending lower as if topass beneath, in readiness for the fatal snap. Beneath it did pass, and I felt it pressing upward, raising Drewett and myself to thesurface. As I got a glimpse of the light, and a delicious draught ofair, Drewett was drawn from my neck by Marble, whose encouraging voicesounded like music in my ears. At the next instant my shark emerged, puffing like a porpoise; and then I heard--

"Hole on, Masser Mile--here he nigger close by!"

I was dragged into the boat, I scarce knew how, and lay downcompletely exhausted; while my late companion seemed to me to be alifeless corpse. In a moment, Neb, dripping like a black river god, and glistening like a wet bottle, placed himself in the bottom of theboat, took my head into his lap, and began to squeeze the water frommy hair, and to dry my face with some one's handkerchief--I trust itwas not his own. 

"Pull away, lads, for the sloop, " said Marble, as soon as everybodywas out of the river. "This gentleman seems to have put on the hatchesfor the last time--as for Miles, _he_'ll never drown in freshwater. "