Part 47 (1/2)
”It shall not be withheld, for time presses, and that which is to be done must be done with a seaman's care and coolness;” returned the other.--”You have had a close brush with one of Louis's rovers, Captain Ludlow, and prettily was the s.h.i.+p of Queen Anne handled! Have your people suffered, and are you still strong enough to make good a defence worthy of your conduct this morning?”
”These are facts you would have me utter to the ear of one who may be false;--even a spy!”
”Captain Ludlow--but circ.u.mstances warrant thy suspicions!”
”One whose vessel and life I have threatened--an outlaw!”
”This is too true,” returned the 'Skimmer of the Seas,' suppressing a sudden impulse of pride and resentment. ”I am threatened and pursued--I am a smuggler and an outlaw: still am I human! You see that dusky object, which borders the sea to the northward!”
”It is too plainly land, to be mistaken.”
”Land, and the land of my birth!--the earliest, perhaps I may say the happiest of my days, were pa.s.sed on that long and narrow island.”
”Had I known it earlier, there would have been a closer look among its bays and inlets.”
”The search might have been rewarded. A cannon would easily throw its shot from this deck to the spot where my brigantine now lies, snug at a single anchor.”
”Unless you have swept her near since the setting of the sun, that is impossible! When the night drew on, nothing was in view but the frigate and corvette of the enemy.”
”We have not stirred a fathom; and yet, true as the word of a fearless man, there lies the vessel of the sea-green lady. You see the place where the beach falls--here, at the nearest point of the land--the island is nearly severed by the water at that spot, and the Water-Witch is safe in the depths of the bay which enters from the northward. There is not a mile between us. From the eastern hill, I witnessed your spirit this day, Captain Ludlow, and though condemned in person, I felt that the heart could never be outlawed. There is a fealty here, that can survive even the persecutions of the custom-houses!”
”You are happy in your terms, Sir. I will not conceal that I think a seaman, even as skilful as yourself, must allow that the Coquette was kept prettily in command!”
”No pilot-boat could have been more sure, or more lively. I knew your weakness, for the absence of all your boats was no secret to me; and I confess I could have spared some of the profits of the voyage, to have been on your decks this day with a dozen of my truest fellows!”
”A man who can feel this loyalty to the flag, should find a more honorable occupation for his usual life.”
”A country that can inspire it, should be cautious not to estrange the affections of its children, by monopolies and injustice. But these are discussions unsuited to the moment. I am doubly your countryman in this strait, and all the past is no more than the rough liberties which friends take with each other. Captain Ludlow, there is danger brooding in that dark void which lies to seaward!”
”On what authority do you speak thus?”
”Sight.--I have been among your enemies, and have seen their deadly preparations. I know the caution is given to a brave man, and nothing shall be extenuated. You have need of all your resolution and of every arm--for they will be upon you, in overwhelming numbers!”
”True or false, thy warning shall not be neglected.”
”Hold!” said the Skimmer, arresting a forward movement of his companion, with his hand. ”Let them sleep to the last moment. You have yet an hour, and rest will renew their strength. You may trust the experience of a seaman who has pa.s.sed half of the life of man on the ocean, and who has witnessed all its most stirring scenes, from the conflict of the elements to every variety of strife that man has invented to destroy his fellows.
For another hour, you will be secure.--After that hour, G.o.d protect the unprepared! and G.o.d be merciful to him whose minutes are numbered!”
”Thy language and manner are those of one who deals honestly;” returned Ludlow, struck by the apparent sincerity of the free-trader's communication ”In every event, we shall be ready, though the manner of your having gained this knowledge is as great a mystery as your appearance on the deck of my s.h.i.+p.”
”Both can be explained,” returned the Skimmer, motioning to his companion to follow to the tanrail. Here he pointed to a small and nearly imperceptible skiff, which floated at the bottom of a stern-ladder, and continued--”One who so often pays secret visits to the land, can never be in want of the means. This nut-sh.e.l.l was easily transported across the narrow slip of land that separates the bay from the ocean, and though the surf moans so hoa.r.s.ely, it is easily pa.s.sed by a steady and dexterous oarsman. I have been under the martingale of the Frenchman, and you see that I am here. If your look-outs are less alert than usual, you will remember that a low gunwale, a dusky side, and a m.u.f.fled oar, are not readily detected, when the eye is heavy and the body wearied. I must now quit you--unless you think it more prudent to send those who can be of no service, out of the s.h.i.+p, before the trial shall come?”
Ludlow hesitated. A strong desire to put Alida in a place of safety, was met by his distrust of the smuggler's faith. He reflected a moment, ere he answered.
”Your c.o.c.kle-sh.e.l.l is not sufficiently secure for more than its owner.--Go, and as you prove loyal, may you prosper!”
”Abide the blow!” said the Skimmer, grasping his hand. He then stepped carelessly on the dangling ropes, and descended into the boat beneath.
Ludlow watched his movements, with an intense and possibly with a distrustful curiosity. When seated at the sculls, the person of the free-trader was nearly indistinct; and as the boat glided noiselessly away, the young commander no longer felt disposed to censure those who had permitted its approach without a warning. In less than a minute, the dusky object was confounded with the surface of the sea.
Left to himself, the young commander of the Coquette seriously reflected on what had pa.s.sed. The manner of the Skimmer, the voluntary character of his communication, its probability, and the means by which his knowledge had been obtained, united to confirm his truth. Instances of similar attachment to their flag, in seamen whose ordinary pursuits were opposed to its interests, were not uncommon. Their misdeeds resemble the errors of pa.s.sion, and temptation, while the momentary return to better things is like the inextinguishable impulses of nature.