Part 28 (2/2)

”Starboard, and run him aboard!--Away there, you boarders, away! Heave with your grapnels; heave, men, with a long swing, heave! Meet her, with the helm--hard down--meet her--steady!”--was shouted in a clear, full, and steady voice, that seemed to deepen at each mandate which issued from the lips of the young captain.

The boarders cheered heartily, and leaped into the rigging. The Coquette readily and rapidly yielded to the power of her rudder. First inclining to the light, and then sweeping up towards the wind again, in another instant she was close upon the chase. The irons were thrown, the men once more shouted, and all on board held their breaths in expectation of the crash of the meeting hulls. At that moment of high excitement, the woman's face rose a short distance in the air, seemed to smile in derision of their attempt, and suddenly disappeared. The s.h.i.+p pa.s.sed steadily ahead, while no noise but the sullen wash of the waters was audible. The boarding-irons were heard falling heavily into the sea; and the Coquette rapidly overrun the spot where the light had been seen, without sustaining any shock.

Though the clouds lifted a little, and the eye might embrace a circuit of a few hundred feet, there certainly was nothing to be seen, within its range, but the unquiet element, and the stately cruiser of Queen Anne floating on its bosom.

Though its effects were different on the differently-const.i.tuted minds of those who witnessed the singular incident, the disappointment was general.

The common impression was certainly unfavorable to the earthly character of the brigantine; and when opinions of this nature once get possession of the ignorant, they are not easily removed. Even Trysail, though experienced in the arts of those who trifle with the revenue-laws, was much inclined to believe that this was no vulgar case of floating lights or false beacons, but a manifestation that others, besides those who had been regularly trained to the sea, were occasionally to be found on the waters. If Captain Ludlow thought differently, he saw no sufficient reason to enter into an explanation with those who were bound silently to obey.

He paced the quarter-deck, for many minutes; and then issued his orders to the equally-disappointed lieutenants. The light canvas of the Coquette was taken in, the studding-sail-gear unrove, and the booms secured. The s.h.i.+p was then brought to the wind, and her courses having been hauled up, the fore-top-sail was thrown to the mast. In this position the cruiser lay, waiting for the morning light, in order to give greater certainty to her movements.

Chapter XIX.

”I, John Turner, Am master and owner Of a high-deck'd schooner.

That's bound to Carolina--”

etc. etc. etc. etc.

Coasting Song.

It is not necessary to say, with how much interest Alderman Van Beverout, and his friend the Patroon, had witnessed all the proceedings on h.o.a.rd the Coquette. Something very like an exclamation of pleasure escaped the former, when it was known that the s.h.i.+p had missed the brigantine, and that there was now little probability of overtaking her that night.

”Of what use is it to chase your fire-flies, about the ocean, Patroon?”

muttered the Alderman, in the ear of Oloff Van Staats. ”I have no further knowledge of this 'Skimmer of the Seas,' than is decent in the princ.i.p.al of a commercial house,--but reputation is like a sky-rocket, that may be seen from afar! Her Majesty has no s.h.i.+p that can overtake the free-trader, and why fatigue the innocent vessel for no thing?”

”Captain Ludlow has other desires than the mere capture of the brigantine;” returned the laconic and sententious Patroon. ”The opinion that Alida de Barberie is in her, has great influence with that gentleman.”

”This is strange apathy, Mr. Van Staats, in one who is as good as engaged to my niece, if he be not actually married, Alida Barberie has great influence with that gentleman! And pray, with whom, that knows her, has she not influence?”

”The sentiment in favor of the young lady, in general, is favorable.”

”Sentiment and favors! Am I to understand, Sir by this coolness, that our bargain is broken?--that the two fortunes are not to be brought together, and that the lady is not to be your wife?”

”Harkee, Mr. Van Beverout; one who is saving of his income and sparing of his words, can have no pressing necessity for the money of others; and, on occasion, he may afford to speak plainly. Your niece has shown so decided a preference for another, that it has materially lessened the liveliness of my regard.”

”It were a pity that so much animation should fail of its object! It would be a sort of stoppage in the affairs of Cupid! Men should deal candidly, in all business transactions, Mr. Van Staats; and you will permit me to ask, as for a final settlement, if your mind is changed in regard to the daughter of old Etienne de Barberie, or not?”

”Not changed, but quite decided;” returned the young Patroon. ”I cannot say that I wish the successor of my mother to have seen so much of the world. We are a family that is content with our situation, and new customs would derange my household.”

”I am no wizard, Sir; but for the benefit of a son of my old friend Stepha.n.u.s Van Staats, I will venture, for once, on a prophecy. You will marry, Mr. Van Staats--yes, marry--and you will wive, Sir, with--prudence prevents me from saying with whom you will wive; but you may account yourself a lucky man, if it be not with one who will cause you to forget house and home, lands and friends, manors and rents, and in short all the solid comforts of life. It would not surprise me to hear that the prediction of the Poughkeepsie fortune-teller should be fulfilled!”

”And what is your real opinion, Alderman Van Beverout, of the different mysterious events we have witnessed?” demanded the Patroon, in a manner to prove that the interest he took in the subject, completely smothered any displeasure he might otherwise have felt at so harsh a prophecy. ”This sea-green lady is no common woman!”

”Sea-green and sky-blue!” interrupted the impatient burgher. ”The hussy is but too common, Sir; and there is the calamity. Had she been satisfied with transacting her concerns in a snug and reasonable manner, and to have gone upon the high seas again, we should have had none of this foolery, to disturb accounts which ought to have been considered settled. Mr. Van Staats, will you allow me to ask a few direct questions, if you can find leisure for their answer?”

The Patroon nodded his head, in the affirmative.

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